News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-10-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is all set to test the United States market by hosting a few exhibition matches between Indian Premier League franchises in September this year. By India Today Web Desk: It's not over! The battle between the two Indian skippers Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli is all set to resume, this time in the United States. In a bid to cash in on the popularity of the Indian Premier League among the Indian diaspora a few teams are expected to play exhibition matches in the United States. (Full Coverage) advertisement According to highly placed sources in the BCCI, three franchises namely Mumbai Indians, RCB and Rising Pune Supergiants have expressed their desire to play some exhibition matches in the US where there is a sizeable Indian and South Asian population. (Watch: AB de Villiers, guitar in hand, sweeps his wife off her feet) IPL GC TO DISCUSS POSSIBILITIES "The matter is expected to be discussed at the IPL Governing Council in Bengaluru before start of the final match tomorrow. The venue is tentatively Houston," a senior BCCI official told PTI on Saturday. MATCHES IN SEPTEMBER? "However the dates need to be chalked out. Earlier, it was being discussed it would happen in the window available between India's tour of Zimbabwe and West Indies. But it could now be held in September also. All three teams are expected to play against each other. Obviously, major attractions will be Kohli and Dhoni," the official said. "Houston is one centre that has been zeroed in as it having multiple centres will be a case of logistical nightmare for a short trip of exhibition matches," he said. BCCI EYEING US MARKET For BCCI officials, it would be an opportunity to test waters in the US market which has remained untapped so far. "In the US, T20 is the only game that can be marketed because of its duration. If we have to squeeze in a Mini-IPL next year, this is the time to send the popular franchises like MI, RCB and check what's response of NRIs and Indian diaspora. "If the response is good, we can think about expansion . We can also harbour hopes that sponsorship market in the US will open up." (With PTI inputs) --- ENDS --- From Anisur Rahman Dhaka, May 29 (PTI) At least 12 people, including two candidates and two children, were killed and over 200 injured in violence during Bangladeshs fifth phase of voting in the local body polls which have turned out to be the deadliest so far, media reports said today. Voting in the elections of Union Parishads (councils), being held on party lines for the first time under an amended system, was held in 717 unions under 45 districts yesterday amid violence and allegations of rigging and other malpractices. advertisement 12 deaths were reported from Jamalpur, Chittagong, Noakhali, Comilla, Panchagarh and Narayanganj during the polls that will elect chairmen and councillors for the lowest tier of local government system, the Daily Star reported. The latest deaths bring to over 110 the total number of people who have died in election-related violence in the three and a half months since the announcement of the election schedule. The previous phases of polls had claimed 101 lives and the highest number of people killed in election-day violence was 10, according to media reports. Two candidates - Kamal Uddin, BNP rebel chairman aspirant at Comillas Titas, and Md Yasin, who was vying for the post of member at Chittagongs Karnaphuli - were stabbed to death in separate clashes. Jamalpur witnessed the worst violence in which at least four persons, including two children, were killed. They died after police opened fire to put an end to a clash between supporters of two candidates for the chairmans post. The remaining casualties were reported from southeastern Noakhali district. More than 200 people were also injured, many of them shot, as the supporters of chairmen and member candidates engaged in fierce clashes. District police chief Md Nizamuddin said, "Police resorted to firing to bring the situation under control". The supporters of candidates captured polling stations and stuffed ballot boxes, like in the previous four phases, the report said. Voting in 120 centres was called off as law and order went out of control, according to the Election Commission. Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz admitted the rising trend of violence. "This time its more because the polls are on party lines and renegades are challenging regular party aspirants," he said. The local government polls were earlier held as non-party elections where the candidates used to appear as independent candidates though with unofficial nominations from major political parties. But in October, Bangladesh amended a century-old system of electing local government institutions on non-partisan basis, allowing political parties to directly take part in these polls like national elections. Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner Md Shahabuddin Khan said a committee had been formed with Additional District Magistrate Md Alamgir as its head to probe the incident. advertisement Most of the casualties were the results of clashes between supporters of ruling Awami League candidates and party rebels in around 60 unions. PTI PMS/AR SAI AKJ SAI --- ENDS --- By PTI: Karachi, May 28 (PTI) Two Pakistani security forces personnel were today killed and three injured when their convoy was attacked in a roadside bombing in the restive Baluchistan province. A Frontier Corp spokesman said the convoy was targeted in Awaran district when the personnel were returning after an encounter with militants linked to the Baluch Republic Army. advertisement "It was a targeted attack on the convoy," he said. The spokesman said the security forces had killed three militants, including an important local commander, in Barkhan area earlier in the day. A sub-machine gun, two rifles and hand-grenades were seized from the militants, he added. PTI CORR ABH --- ENDS --- Beijing, May 29 (PTI) At least eight people were killed and six others listed missing after heavy floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains hit two different provinces in China. At least five people were killed and another three remained missing following a flash flood in south Chinas Guangdong Province yesterday. The bodies of the three others listed missing were retrieved today, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. advertisement The incident took place at the Fenghuangxia scenic area in Jiangmen City where some tourists were enjoying rafting yesterday afternoon, according to the local emergency office. Six people were saved by rescuers. In another incident, six people in a village in east Chinas Zhejiang Province went missing after their houses were buried by landslides early today. The landslides hit shortly after midnight in Jiande City, following heavy downpour in the area, local government said, adding that rescuers are searching for the missing people. According to the Met Department, heavy rain will lash south and east China in the coming days after storms brought floods to several regions in the past week. Chinas meteorological authority has advised the public to stay alert for hazards. PTI KJV MRJ SUA SUA --- ENDS --- According to the victims who have been living in South Delhi for several years, this was a racial assault as the attackers only targeted Africans while shouting, "Africans leave our country." By Shashank Shekhar: Congolese national Masonda Ketanda Olivier was allegedly beaten to death by three men last week in south Delhi, prompting widespread revulsion and concerns that India has a deep-seated race problem. Now, the 29-year-old's father, who spent everything he had on funding his son's trip, has borrowed money to come to India and take back Olivier's body that is lying in a cold chamber at the AIIMS mortuary. advertisement SEQUENCE OF EVENTS According to reports, the victim hailed an auto rickshaw near Vasant Kunj on the night of May 20 when the accused insisted they had hired the vehicle. The men beat him up and hit him on the head with a stone and he later succumbed to the injuries. The incident came months after a Tanzanian woman was allegedly stripped and beaten in Bengaluru, adding to a grim litany of attacks on African immigrants in India where many prize fair skin over dark. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said this week she has asked her junior ministerial colleague, General (Retd) VK Singh, to meet the heads of missions of African countries in the national capital and assure them of the government's commitment to safety and security of their nationals in India. "Olivier came to India in 2012 and was teaching French in a private institute. He belongs to a very poor family. So his father had to sell his land to finance his trip to India. His death has left his family members broken. They don't even have money to take his body back. So, his father has taken a loan to buy tickets to India. He is expected to reach Delhi on Monday," said Michael, Olivier's cousin. Michael lives at Rajpur Khurd village in south Delhi's downtown Chhatarpur that allegedly saw a string of attacks by a mob on over a dozen African men and women on Thursday night. RACIAL ATTACKS According to the victims who have been living in the area for several years, this was racial assault as the attackers only targeted Africans while shouting, "Africans leave our country." However, police say it was only a scuffle and investigations showed the locals objected to the victims' playing loud music late at night and drinking in public. The purported attacks began at 10.30 pm and continued till 11 pm. The victims say the first to be targeted was a 27-year-old student Leuchy, a Nigerian national staying in the area with friends. He was walking towards home when the mob stopped him. "Before I could sense anything, a group of 15-20 locals started beating me. One of them hit me on the face with a stone and I started bleeding and ran away to save my life," said Leuchy, who was taken to AIIMS and received five stitches. advertisement The next targets were a Nigerian couple who were travelling in a Honda City with their four-month-old son. "There was a loud shout in Hindi and the mob came out of nowhere and started hitting our car. They broke the glasses using bats, sticks and sharp wooden planks. Then they tried to push the sticks inside the car. To save our lives, I accelerated the vehicle and escaped. They wanted to kill us," said Kenneth Igbinosa, who works at a church at south Delhi's Fatehpuri area. His wife and son received minor injuries in the incident. Kenneth said Africans in the Capital are frequently subjected to racial abuses and are stereotyped as criminals. The mob then allegedly attacked a brother-sister duo from Cameroon. "They thrashed us with sticks and iron rods but no one rescued us. They were calling us 'black' and warned us that if we don't go back to our countries they would attack us again," said Shamila, a victim. advertisement A Congolese woman, Vicky, who lives in the same locality, said she was on her way home in an auto rickshaw with her brother, who had just been discharged from hospital after an illness, when a group of youth attacked them. "There were more than 15 people who forcibly stopped my auto and pulled me out. I pleaded with them to not hurt my brother, but they didn't stop. When I started running, they chased me and hit me with iron rods. When I fell, they kicked me and abused me. They told me to go back or face dire consequences," she said. "I ran to every house. I told women in the locality with folded hands 'please sister, help me'. No one moved. They looked away and closed their doors. Some even laughed at me." The attacks reportedly stopped only when a police van reached the spot. The victims were taken to hospital by the cops, who ruled out a race angle. Following the incident, African immigrants in Delhi have called for a mass protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. advertisement PLAN OF ACTION "We conducted a raid in the area and detained five youth after they were identified by the victims," said Nupur Prasad, additional DCP (south). "We have filed three different cases under IPC sections 341, 323, 334 and 506 against unidentified youths at Mehrauli police station. The case is under investigation and the culprits will be arrested at the earliest." Also Read: Days after Congolese student's murder, Indian shops attacked in Congo --- ENDS --- Five people have been arrested in connection with the attack on African nationals in Delhi. Police today arrested five people including a minor in connection with the attack on African nationals in Delhi. After multiple reports of Africans being attacked in Delhi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday said she has contacted Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. She added that culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside. advertisement Meanwhile, Broadcasters Editor's Association (BEA) has condemned VK Singh's remarks on attacks on Africans in Delhi. The BEA has said that media can't run on minister's diktats. Earlier, in a tweet, MoS External Affairs had blamed media for blowing up incidents of violence against Africans. HERE ARE THE TOP DEVELOPMENTS Union Minister Sushma Swaraj has tweeted that she spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Lt Governor of Delhi regarding attacks on African nationals in South Delhi. "I have spoken to Rajnath Singh and Lt Governor Delhi regarding African nationals in South Delhi yesterday (Saturday)," Sushma Swaraj tweeted. "They have assured me that the culprits would be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside," she added. Delhi Police registered four separate cases of reported assaults on African nationals in the national capital, but added that these were not planned attacks and were not racial in nature. According to police, all four incidents took place on Thursday night in South Delhi's Mehrauli area where around 300 African nationals reside. The attacks on the African nationals come a week after a Congolese national, Masonda Ketada Olivier, 29, was beaten to death by three youths on May 20 after a verbal altercation over the hiring of an auto-rickshaw in Vasant Kunj area of south Delhi. Meanwhile, African students in Delhi are planning a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday seeking action against the guilty. "I have asked Gen VK Singh, MoS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet African students who have announced demonstration at Jantar Mantar," Sushma Swaraj said on Twitter. Clarifying the nature of the attacks, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ishwar Singh told IANS, "These are all isolated incidents and not planned attacks. There was no element of racism in the attacks. It's not as if there's a public movement against African nationals." Home Minister Rajnath Singh has also directed the Delhi Police to take strict action against the attackers and to step up patrolling in areas where many from the African community live. ALSO READ | African immigrants worried after string of racial attacks in India --- ENDS --- The minister said that the ministry plans to establish 45 food parks and out of them, 6 have already been established. By Siraj Qureshi: Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has said that the Union Government is planning to establish a Mega Food Park in Agra. FOOD PARKS FOR ALL The minister said that the ministry plans to establish 45 food parks and out of them, 6 have already been established. The other food parks will also be completed on fast track. advertisement Ms. Kaur told India Today that the government is making efforts for employment generation for small farmers through cottage and small industries. Very soon, the farmers will receive assistance through the Cold Chain and Wealth Cluster Scheme. Commenting on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's continuous attacks on BJP and the Akali Dal rule in Punjab, she said that Kejriwal should first learn to govern Delhi properly, before he points fingers at other governments. MODI GOVERNMENT'S PERFORMANCE Talking to India Today, Union Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha said that the Modi government's two years tenure in the center has been exemplary and Modi has managed to accomplish in two years what the Congress government could not accomplish in 60 years. Even the opposition admires Modi's foreign policy today. He said that although the banks were nationalized by former prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1969, the banks only reached the common man of India when Modi assumed power at the center. The various banking related social welfare schemes launched by Modi are very popular among the general public today. Having arrived in Agra with the two central minister, MP Poonam Mahajan, daughter of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan said that she was the daughter of Uttar Pradesh and what Modi is doing for Uttar Pradesh, could never be compared with the lacklustre rule the state has been seeing for almost past two decades. --- ENDS --- While Tanmay's jokes always managed to create humour, this time however, the jokes on Sachin and Lata failed to go down well with several AIB fans and Bollywood celebrities. AIB member Tanmay Bhat today earned the wrath of Bollywood and Twitterati for poking fun at two of the biggest legends of India, Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar. Bhat posted a video on Facebook, titled Sachin vs Lata Civil War, to take a jibe at the Bharat Ratna awardees. The clip begins with Tanmay imitating Sachin Tendulkar and asking fans if they think Virat was a better batsman than him. Playing the role of Lata, Tanmay immediately responds by saying that Virat is indeed a better batsman than Sachin. advertisement Tanmay posted the video with the caption: Sachin vs Lata Civil War (I make such nonsense on my Snapchat - follow me there - ID: Thetanmay) (Also I obviously love Lata and Sachin, just having some fun). While Tanmay's jokes always managed to create humour, this time however, the punchlines on Sachin and Lata failed to go down well with several AIB fans and Bollywood celebrities. Actors Anupam Kher, Riteish Deshmukh and Celina Jaitley criticised Tanmay for roasting Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar, calling the video "not funny". I'm no prude but a pointlessly demeaning attack on old age isn't my definition of humor! Shameful! @mangeshkarlata https://t.co/tpKdoO9126; T.A.N.U.J. G.A.R.G. (@tanuj_garg) May 28, 2016 I am 9 times winner of #BestComicActor. Have a great sense of humor. But This's NOT humor. #Disgusting&Disrespectful https://t.co/sTuTfbAOrU; Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) May 29, 2016 Am absolutely shocked. Disrespect is not cool and neither is it funny. https://t.co/ymYPi9hxuv; Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) May 28, 2016 Absolutely.. Shocked n appalled!! Not amused @mangeshkarlata ji needs to be apologised to .. NOW !! @rasheshshah https://t.co/viTcXyBSI0; Celina Jaitly (@CelinaJaitly) May 28, 2016 I can't understand why do they insult old n legend ppl in the name of comedy? No fair! @tanuj_garg @mangeshkarlata https://t.co/p3h5WwEiV0; KRK (@kamaalrkhan) May 28, 2016 Happened to watch a part of a desperate and shameful attempt to be funny by a wannabe comedian on @sachin_rt ji and @mangeshkarlata ji. ??; Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) May 28, 2016 In attempting to bring out the ugliness of Sachin and Lata, Tanmay Bhatt brilliantly succeeded in bringing out his own ugliness; The Bad Doctor (@DOCTORATLARGE) May 29, 2016 Meanwhile, Tanmay tweeted, 'A snapstory is going to be on the news tonight. Congrats everyone.' A snapstory is going to be on the news tonight. Congrats everyone. Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) May 29, 2016 --- ENDS --- By PTI: Itanagar, May 28 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa and Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today condoled the death of Army Havildar Hangpang Dada, who hailed from Borduria village of the state, killed in a gunfight with terrorists trying to sneak into India. 36-year-old Dada of Assam Regiment and posted with 35 Rashtriya Rifles died while fighting four heavily-armed terrorists who had infiltrated into northern Kashmir from PoK on May 26 last. advertisement Conveying his condolence to the bereaved family, Rajkhowa said Dadas death is a reminder to all about the extraordinary sacrifices made by the people of Arunachal Pradesh for the country. "We will draw inspiration from his ultimate sacrifice and continue to strive towards safe-guarding our motherland. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and relatives," a Rajbhawan release quoting the governor said. Pul in his condolence message to the soldiers family said, "I am shocked over the tragic news of the death of a true soldier. He gave his life guarding the nations border." "I express my sincere solidarity to the bereaved family members and also to the Army for the loss of their brave man...I salute him," he said. The Chief Minister has announced ex-gratia as per the government norms to the bereaved family members. Dada is survived by wife, daughter and a six-year-old son. PTI UPL MM DIP LNS --- ENDS --- asked to step up patrolling New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) In the wake of fresh cases of assault on African nationals here, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today pressed for ensuring their safety as she spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh who directed Delhi Police to take strict action against the attackers and step up patrolling in the areas inhabited by the community. advertisement Swaraj said a sensitisation campaign will be carried out in the areas where African nationals reside. She asked Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (retd) V K Singh and Secretary in MEA Amar Sinha to meet the African students who have announced their programme to hold demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. Police officials, meanwhile, said the persons accused in the Mehrauli attacks have been identified and they are expected to be nabbed very soon. Two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and two Nigerian men have filed complaints of physical assault and criminal intimidation. Significantly, the government has decided to transport back home the mortal remains of Congolese national, whose killing here earlier this month had triggered anger among the African countries whose envoys had unitedly threatened to boycott the Africa Day celebrations of the Indian government last week, before they were persuaded against it. In the wake of fresh cases of assault on Africans, the External Affairs Minister spoke to the Home Minister as well as Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, who is directly in-charge of Delhi Police and said both assured her that the culprits will be arrested soon. "I have spoken to Shri Rajnath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg(arding) attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside," Swaraj said in tweets. "I have asked Gen V K Singh, MoS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet# African students who have announce(d) demonstration at Jantar Mantar," she added in another tweet. Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA has been in touch with African community following the attacks. The Home Minister called Delhi Police chief Alok Kumar Verma to his residence and expressed concern over the attacks. "Spoke to Commissioner of Police, Delhi regarding the incidents of physical assault against certain African nationals. Such incidents are condemnable," Rajnath Singh tweeted later. "Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers and increase patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone," he said in another tweet. (MORE) PTI MPB AKV DEY AKK AKK --- ENDS --- advertisement New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) Calling as "racist" the recent attacks on African nationals, South African envoy Malose William Mogale today said he has firm belief in the government here to deal with such incidents. "Its racist attacks. But it is not government policy. It is people who might want to tarnish the image of the country, India, to be portrayed to the world that it is the country where there is an emerging trend of racism and more foreigners are not allowed," he said. Mogale, acting High Commissioner of South Africa here, said these African human beings come to help country in its growth as some of migrants come with a set of skills to assist the economy in leap forward. "We have firm belief in the capacity of Indian government to deal with these incidents," he told Times Now. The envoy said the attacks come as a surprise "especially given the fact (that) our relations are decade and decade old". Mogale said the issue was raised in private conversation between the two countries representatives about two weeks ago in South Africa. "It is indeed a tragedy, especially that South Africa and India have shared a common history of colonisation and oppression," he said. There has been a series of attacks on African nationals in the last few days including killing of a Congolese youth in national capital and assault on a 23-year-old Nigerian student in Hyderabad. Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma and expressed concern over the attacks. advertisement "Spoke to Commissioner of Police, Delhi regarding the incidents of physical assault against certain African nationals. Such incidents are condemnable. "Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers and increase patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone," he tweeted. PTI EMY/RB AKV RG --- ENDS --- By PTI: Washington, May 28 (PTI) Researchers have developed a new Batman movie-inspired software which could let you make a call by squeezing your smartphone with the palm. The call is made when the user squeezes the smartphone in a certain pattern with the palm. A different pattern might turn the music on or flip a page on the screen, researchers said. advertisement The software ForcePhone, developed by scientists from University of Michigan in the US, could give any smartphone the capacity to sense force or pressure on its screen or body. It could also enable users to push a bit harder on a screen button to unlock a menu of additional options, similar to right-clicking with a mouse, researchers said. No commercially available device has a pressure-sensitive body, they said. "You do not need a special screen or built-in sensors to do this. Now this functionality can be realised on any phone," said Kang Shin from the Michigan University. "We have augmented the user interface without requiring any special built-in sensors. ForcePhone increases the vocabulary between the phone and the user," said Shin. Shin created the system with Yu-Chih Tung, also from the Michigan University. "I think we are offering a natural interface, like how you turn a knob. It is the next step forward from a basic touch interface and it can complement other gestured communication channels and voice," said Tung. ForcePhone works by borrowing two of a phones fundamental attributes -- its microphone and speaker, researchers said. The software sets the speaker to emit an inaudible tone at a frequency higher than 18 kilohertz (kHz), which is outside the range of human hearing. But the phones mic can still pick up the vibration caused by the sound, they said. When a user presses on the screen or squeezes the phones body, that force changes the tone. The phones mic can detect that, and the software translates any tone tweaks into commands, researchers said. "Having expensive and bulky sensors installed into smartphones can solve every problem we have solved, but the added cost and laborious installation prevent phone manufacturers from doing it," said Tung. "Our sound-based solution can fill this gap, providing the functionality without making any hardware modification. Everything is just software," he said. The idea of harnessing the phones microphone and speaker for other purposes is an approach Tung initially picked up from the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight." advertisement In the film, Batman turns all the smartphones in Gotham City into a sonar system as high-frequency audio signals bounce off the citys infrastructure. He uses them to track the Joker, researchers said. "I thought it was an interesting idea to turn smartphones into a sonar-based system and felt this could lead to new applications to address challenges faced by smartphone users," said Tung. PTI SAN ASK ASK --- ENDS --- Chandigarh, May 29 (PTI) Harkirat Singh, grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, died here today after sustaining bullet injury in mysterious circumstances at his residence. "Harkirat (40) received bullet injury in his head. How he received the injury is not exactly clear at the moment and we are trying to get in touch with his parents," Sector 3 Police Stations SHO, Neeraj Sarna, told PTI. advertisement The SHO said that Harkirat, who was a village sarpanch in Ludhiana district, was taken to Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) by family members where he succumbed to the bullet injury. Asked if they suspect it to be a case of suicide, he replied, "Investigations are being conducted. At this moment, we are not ruling out anything." Sarna said at the time of the incident, Harkirat, who is the grandson of late Beant Singh, was at his residence in upscale Sector 5 here. On August 31, 1995, the then Chief Minister, 73-year-old Beant Singh, was killed in a suicide bomb blast at the entrance of the civil secretariat in Chandigarh. 17 others too died in the terror attack by Sikh extremists. Beant Singh was CM of Punjab from 1992 to 1995. "We are conducting investigations... Harkirat comes from a political family and his elder brother Gurkirat is a Congress MLA," the SHO said, adding "the circumstances around his death remain unclear so far". PTI SUN RT --- ENDS --- Chandigarh, May 29 (PTI) Harkirat Singh, grandson of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, died of a gunshot injury today at his house with his family claiming that he was injured in "accidental firing" while cleaning his licensed revolver. 40-year-old Harkirat was admitted to PGIMER here with a gunshot wound in the head and succumbed this afternoon. His cousin and Congress MP from Ludhiana, Ravneet Singh Bittu, told reporters that Harkirat was "in depression" for a long time and indicated that he may have committed suicide. advertisement Police said that they are inquiring into the case. "Harkirat received bullet injury in his head," Sector 3 Police Stations SHO, Neeraj Sarna said. "According to the statement given by the family to police this evening, Harkirat sustained a bullet wound in his head while cleaning his gun at his residence in Sector 5 here. They claimed that it was an accidental fire. "Inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC (Code Of Criminal Procedure, 1973) are being carried out. Postmortem examination would be carried out tomorrow by a board of doctors either from PGIMER or Govt Hospital at Sector 16 Chandigarh," Sarna said. Bittu, who reached here from Ludhiana after learning about the incident, said Harkirat, who was the Sarpanch of Kotli village in Ludhiana, had met with an accident some months ago and was not keeping well since. "He was under treatment for depression at PGIMER for past some time. Last year he had a major accident in which he sustained a head injury and had slipped into coma for sometime. He was taking medicines for depression, but off and on he used to get bouts of depression," Bittu said. "In the morning today, he had gone for a walk on the lake. After he returned to the house, he told his wife that he wanted to take a bath. "Harkirats wife went inside the kitchen, but within minutes he shot himself," Bittu claimed. He said that Harkirats elder brother Gurkirat Singh, Congress MLA from Khanna, was currently abroad while their father and former minister Tej Prakash Singh had gone somewhere locally at the time of the incident. "Tej Prakash had met him in the morning," Bittu said. Harkirats grandfather Beant Singh was CM of Punjab from 1992 to 1995. On August 31, 1995, the then Chief Minister, 73-year-old Beant Singh, was killed in a suicide bomb blast at the entrance of the civil secretariat in Chandigarh. 17 others too died in the terror attack by Sikh extremists. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Harkirat. Congress General Secretary in-charge partys Punjab Affairs Shakeel Ahmad and Punjab Congress President Capt Amarinder Singh also condoled Harkirats death. Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Charanjit Singh Channi, also condoled the death of Harkirat Singh. "Harkirat was very polite and humble in nature and he was a very good human being," Channi said in his condolence message here. PTI SUN RT --- ENDS --- advertisement "If the surname is changed, that does not change caste of a person. It is specific contention of the petitioner that the change in his surname is duly notified in the Government Gazette," observed the court. The Bombay High Court has provided relief to a medical graduate who was denied admission in a post-graduate course in the Scheduled Tribe category despite possessing valid caste certificate on the ground that he had changed his surname. The petitioner contended that though he had a Caste Validity Certificate and belonged to Scheduled Tribe, his claim to post graduate admission was not being considered on the ground that he has changed his surname. advertisement WHAT DID THE COURT SAY "If the surname is changed, that does not change caste of a person. It is specific contention of the petitioner that the change in his surname is duly notified in the Government Gazette," observed the court. "By way of ad-interim relief, we direct the respondents to consider the claim of petitioner from reserved category if the petitioner possesses validity certificate and a Government Notification notifying the change in his name," the court said. The vacation bench of justices Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi and BR Gavai, in their order on May 23, asked the government pleader to communicate the order passed by the High Court to the college authority concerned. MEET THE PETITIONER The petitioner, Shantunu Hari Bhardwaj, submitted that after completion of his MBBS Degree, he had sought admission to Post Graduate Course under the reserved quota for ST community. However, he was denied admission by the respondents arbitrarily and illegally. The petitioner submitted that his caste and sub-caste is Hindu-Tokre Koli which falls under the category of Scheduled Tribes as per the Schedule annexed to Constitution of India. PETITIONER'S CHANGE OF SURNAME It was contended that his original surname is 'Sapkale'. However, he and his brother have changed their surname from Sapkale to 'Bhardwaj' from the year 1999 by effect of an official publication in Maharashtra Government Gazette, dated May 20, 1999. The petitioner submitted that after the said official change in his surname as 'Bhardwaj', he had applied to the Education Officer for changing his surname from Sapkale to 'Bhardwaj' by an application dated August 29, 1999. The Education Officer by his order dated January 20, 2000, changed his surname from Sapkale to Bhardwaj in all school records. --- ENDS --- By PTI: From K J M Varma Beijing, May 27 (PTI) China will send lunar probe Change 5 to land on the moon and return with samples in the second half of 2017, in first such attempt, officials said today. It will be the first time a Chinese probe would land on the moon, collect samples and return to Earth, and the third stage of Chinas lunar exploration endeavour, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND). advertisement The first stage of lunar expedition was achieved by sending Change 1, a circumlunar satellite, in 2007. China landed its first lunar probe Change 3 on the surface of the moon in 2013. China is also planning to be the first country to land on the far side of the moon. That mission will be carried out by Change-4, a backup for Change-3, and is due to be launched in 2018, according to SASTIND. China plans to orbit Mars, land and deploy a rover around 2020. China also unveil a new generation of carrier rockets including Long March 5 and 7 in 2016, along with other new satellites and spacelabs, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. PTI KJV ZH --- ENDS --- New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) State-owned CIL today announced nearly 6.3 per cent increase in coal prices and will earn an additional revenue of around Rs 3,234 crore during the current fiscal 2016-17. The decision was taken at the Coal India Ltd board meeting yesterday, the company said in a filing to BSE. "The Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on May 28, 2016 has approved revision of coal prices w.e.f. 00:00 hours of May 30, 2016 appx. 6.29% increase over the current price," the filing said. advertisement It will be applicable to all CIL subsidiaries and NEC for regulated and non-regulated sectors, the filing said. Due to this revision, CIL will earn additional revenue of Rs 3,234 crores for the balance period of financial year 2016-17 -- from May 30, 2016 to March 31, 2017, it said. According to a Coal India official, on an average the current coal price is Rs 1,193 per tonne. The board has also approved the differential price for Non-Regulated Sector at a reduced rate of 20 per cent over the price of Regulated Sector for G6 to G17 grades of coal for all subsidiaries of CIL, the company said. In 2014, CIL had increased the price of a certain grade of coal from one of its mines in Godda district of Jharkhand. CIL accounts for over 80 per cent of the domestic coal production. The company has a target to achieve a production of 598 million tonnes in the current fiscal. The company is eying an output of one billion times by 2020. PTI SID SA --- ENDS --- New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) State-owned CIL today announced nearly 6.3 per cent increase in coal prices and will earn an additional revenue of around Rs 3,234 crore during the current fiscal 2016-17. The decision was taken at the Coal India Ltd board meeting yesterday, the company said in a filing to BSE. "The Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on May 28, 2016 has approved revision of coal prices w.e.f. 00:00 hours of May 30, 2016 appx. 6.29% increase over the current price," the filing said. advertisement It will be applicable to all CIL subsidiaries and NEC for regulated and non-regulated sectors, the filing said. Due to this revision, CIL will earn additional revenue of Rs 3,234 crores for the balance period of financial year 2016-17 -- from May 30, 2016 to March 31, 2017, it said. According to a Coal India official, on an average the current coal price is Rs 1,193 per tonne. The board has also approved the differential price for Non-Regulated Sector at a reduced rate of 20 per cent over the price of Regulated Sector for G6 to G17 grades of coal for all subsidiaries of CIL, the company said. In 2014, CIL had increased the price of a certain grade of coal from one of its mines in Godda district of Jharkhand. CIL accounts for over 80 per cent of the domestic coal production. The company has a target to achieve a production of 598 million tonnes in the current fiscal. The company is eying an output of one billion tonnes (rpt) tonnes by 2020. PTI SID SA ABM --- ENDS --- One person was killed in Ghansali and 3 others were killed in Uttarkashi in the cloudbursts that took place yesterday evening. A 15-year-old boy was yesterday killed as cloudbursts in Ghansali area damaged hundreds of houses in over half a dozen villages in Balganga Valley. At least 50 residential houses and more than 100 animals were buried under loads of debris. Hundreds of pilgrims stranded along Lambgaon, Kotalgaon and Chamiala en-route to Kedarnath. The Gangotri-Kedarnath road remained shut thereafter and was only reopened by the SDRF and local administration today. A number of two wheelers and cars were also buried under tonnes of debris that inundated the villages. Two storeys of Ambedkar Hostel were buried under the rubble. Twenty residential houses in Kemra and fifty in Siliara came under rubble. In an attempt to attract young voters in Punjab Assembly polls 2017, Congress launched a major youth outreach programme 'Coffee with Captain' and pitched former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh as the youth leader, today. The Congress outreach programme is part of party's strategy to woo the young voters by listening to them at 'Coffee with Captain'. advertisement COFFEE WITH CAPTAIN The young political messengers will form party's youth army which will act in each district to replicate. More than 1200 college captains from 22 districts have already joined the campaign. They are being trained to handle the digital and social media which they will later use to connect to the young voters. "Punjab has around 33 percent young voters and nearly 90 lakh voters will be exercising their right to franchise during the forthcoming assembly elections. Punjab's youths are passing through a difficult phase. There are no jobs, the agriculture has failed .They are being lured by the anti-social and anti-national elements towards drugs and drug trade. By organising 'Coffee With Captain' the party has offered a platform to the state's youths to voice their concern. They not only discussing their problems and challenges but are also suggesting ways and means. This is the first time that state's youths have come forward and shared their life and expectations," Payal Kamat ,member of Prashant Kishor's media team said. The college Captains come from diverse economic backgrounds and are a mixture of rural and urban populace. Party claims that they first attended 'Coffee With Captain' and then volunteered to support the party . DESPERATE TO WREST POWER Another volunteer Navkaran said the party will organise more training programmes and interactive sessions with Captain Amarinder Singh in future to prepare the youth army for the political battle. They will visit various parts of their constituencies and gauge the expectations of the masses through interactive sessions. "All this is being done with a strategy. We have formed Whatsapp groups where we're discussing the burning issues like drug problem, unemployment and corruption. We will also discuss the issues with our friends on ground and motivate them to contribute to the state by fighting against the evils and paving the way for a government which will lend a helping hand ," Ajay Sharma , a College Captain from Jalandhar said. There are others who joined the initiative with a mission to fight the gender inequality. Shalu Gupta , a female College Captain from Ludhiana is concerned about the female foeticide and thin presence of womenfolk in politics. CAPTAIN OVER CONGRESS "I did not chose Congress but Captain Amarinder Singh .Took this decision after I met him and he patiently listened to me.I want that more women should join politics which will enable them to raise their voice. They are worst hit when their sons and life partners committed suicides. Drug addiction, corruption, female foeticide and poor education facilities are the issues which are currently being faced by the Punjab," Shalu Gupta said. Not given much importance earlier during the elections, Punjab's youths have suddenly become indispensable for the political parties which are out to woo them. While Aam Aadmi Party is already magnetizing large crowds of young voters in its rallies , Congress is also in a hurry to attract the young voters. Most of the people who have attended Captain's coffee programme are youngsters. The party has planned 80 sessions of Coffee With Captain to target various groups including farmers, students, traders, women and NGOs. "70 percent of country's population is under 40 . It is better to understand them and their views," Captain Amarinder Singh said when questioned why the party is focusing so much on youth this time. advertisement ALSO READ: 'Maharaja' to 'Captain': Amarinder Singh's masterplan to win over Punjab After Punjab, Prashant Kishor sets sights on Uttar Pradesh --- ENDS --- advertisement In his petition, Bhangale alleges that the Mumbai police has strong electronic evidence against the minister, and yet no proper action has been taken against him. Vadodara hacker Manish Bhangale on Sunday filed a petition against Mahrashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse who is wrapped in a controversy for his alleged links with Dawood Ibrahim. Bhangale alleges that call records from Dawood's Karachi residence show that he was in frequent touch with a mobile number registered in the name of Eknath Khadse. MANISH BHANGALE'S PETITION AGAINST EKNATH KHADSE advertisement In his petition, Bhangale alleges that the Mumbai police has strong electronic evidence against the minister, and yet no proper action has been taken against him. On May 18, he submitted the call logs of Dawood's Karachi land line number to Mumbai crime branch. "No case has been registered in the offence made from the data submitted by me. On the contrary there are attempts being made by alien elements in the system to sabotage my emails and erase the data so that the electronic evidence will be destroyed," Bhangale said. IS MAHARASHTRA POLICE GUARDING KHADSE? Bhangale alleged that the Maharashtra police is in a hurry to give a clean chit to the minister. In his petition he writes, "Jalgaon Superintendent of police Supekar obtained a clean chit from a mobile company in the name of Revenue Minister and told the media that there was nothing wrong. This whole exercise was overzealous as there was no record of me or any data that I shared by the said Superintendent of Police before reaching out to the cell company for Revenue Minister." SPECIAL HEARING The Bombay High Court is currently in recess because of the summer vacation, but Bhangale has sought an urgent hearing before the vacation bench, alleging that his life is in danger. "I have staked my career, my family and my own life for the sake of national security by penetrating into the Pakistan telecommunications system only to be thrown to the wolves. The threats to life, apathy by police, and indifference by the Indian intelligence agencies have cornered me to such an extent that I am forced to repent my deed committed in the national interest," he said. Bombay High Court will decide the date for hearing Bhangale's petition on Monday. --- ENDS --- Dwayne The Rock Johnson has shared the first look of his character Luke Hobbs from the upcoming action film Fast 8 on Instagram. Dwayne The Rock Johnson has shared the first look of his character Luke Hobbs from the upcoming action film Fast 8 on Instagram. The black-and-white photo shows Hobbs sporting a pointy goatee and a leather vest. ALSO READ: Fast and Furious 8 - Charlize Theron to play the main villian in the film? "When you strip a man of all he has. All that's important to him, you force him to return to his roots. And sometimes that's a very dangerous and twisted place," Johnson captioned the photograph. advertisement "If I was going to return for another 'Fast & Furious', I wanted to come in and disrupt the franchise in a cool way that got fans fired up and their blood pumping to see a new version of Hobbs and his 'Daddy's gotta go to work' mentality and set the table in a cool way for where the character goes in the future," he added. Johnson first appeared in the popular franchise in its fifth instalment Fast Five, and has since been a part of it. Fast 8, which is set to hit theaters on April 14, 2017, is currently filming, with part of the movie shooting on location in Cuba. F Gary Gray is directing the project. (With inputs from IANS) --- ENDS --- According to family sources, 40-year-old Singh shot himself with his licensed weapon after returning from his morning walk. While he was immediately rushed to PGI Chandigarh, Singh succumbed to death shortly after arrival. Former Punjab chief minister late Beant Singh's grandson Harkirat Singh, who was suffering from depression for 15 years, today shot himself. Former Punjab chief minister late Beant Singh's grandson Harkirat Singh committed suicide at his Sector 5 residence in Chandigarh, today. According to family sources, 40-year-old Singh shot himself with his licensed weapon after returning from his morning walk. While he was immediately rushed to PGI Chandigarh, Singh was declared dead shortly after arrival. DEPRESSED FOR 15 YEARS "He had gone for a walk at lake (Sukhna lake) today morning and also relaxed there along with our relatives. When he returned home he told his wife that he is taking a bath. The servant was preparing breakfast. No sooner than his wife went to the kitchen to bring him juice he shot himself with his licenced revolver," said Harkirat Singh's brother and Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu. advertisement Bittu revealed that Singh, who was a headman of Kotli village in Ludhiana, was suffering from depression for last 15 years and was under treatment. "He was struggling with depression from last 15 years. He survived a major accident last year and had sustained head injury and had slipped into a comma. He had told me that he was feeling very low from last 15 days but he had never shared that he wants to die or wants to commit suicide," Ravneet Singh Bittu said. --- ENDS --- New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) To encourage solar power generators and equipment manufacturers, the New and Renewable Energy Ministry will unveil a policy on solar zones that would be spread over one or more districts of a state. "We have been working on a new policy for solar zones, which would be spread over one or even more districts of a state to encourage generators as well as equipment manufactures," Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Joint Secretary Tarun Kapoor told PTI. "The work on the policy is almost complete and it will be launched next month," he added. Under the policy, the developer will be provided with inputs like land availability and power evacuation locations for planning his project, the official said. advertisement Unlike solar parks, the developer would have to acquire land for the project and the ministry in collaboration with the states will provide input about availability of land. The developer will be free to arrange land for the projects as he would have option of either buying or getting land on lease for the purpose. Government would develop transmission network in each solar zone for evacuation of power at different points to facilitate the developers, Kapoor said. He further said that each solar zone would have a central office, which will be set up with the support of state governments to guide the developers. Government plans to add 10,500 MW of solar power generation capacity during the current fiscal. Besides it wants to encourage solar equipment manufacturing capacity in the country. At present the solar module manufacturing capacity is 5 GW every year. Similarly the solar cell manufacturing capacity is about 2 GW. India plans to have 175 GW renewable power capacity by 2022, including 100 GW of solar and 60 GW of wind. PTI KKS MR BJ ABM --- ENDS --- Haryana Finance Minister Abhimanyu said that former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, had mentioned his kinship with Sudeep Kalkal, who allegedly masterminded the conspiracy to set his Rohtak home ablaze. Apprehending a February-like situation, the Haryana government on Saturday said that it was prepared to deal with any threat and will not allow the recurrence of the violence which rocked the state during Jat reservation protest. "We would not allow the recurrence of a February-like situation in the state. The state government is fully prepared to deal with any threat," said Haryana Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu. advertisement Captain Abhimanyu parried questions on DGP K P Singh who created a controversy by saying that people can kill to prevent murder and arson. "Only DGP could explain it," Captain Abhimanyu said. Attacking the Congress, Abhimanyu said the recent violence during the Jat stir in the state was not caste-based or related to the issue of reservation, but the leaders of the Congress had used the youth of the state to spread unprecedented political and criminal violence in a wellplanned manner. Abhimanyu said that former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, had mentioned his kinship with Sudeep Kalkal, who allegedly masterminded the conspiracy to set his Rohtak home ablaze. "Hooda should explain his business and family ties with Sudeep Kalkal, who gave him a job in the agency of Ford, who got his wife appointed in Khanpur College, who got his mother-in-law appointed as member of Consumer Forum and who instigated the riots after gathering 35 community members and lawyers," Captain Abhimanyu said. Meanwhile, sensing a backlash from the Jat community, the state government has slapped sedition charges on four prominent Jat leaders. Also Read: Haryana Police files sedition charge against Jat leaders --- ENDS --- Find out how these three women 'saved a girl from getting raped' and were applauded! With more than 74 thousand shares on the post in which they narrated how they saved a girl from 'getting raped', these women have become heroes on Facebook. Sonia Ulrich, in a Facebook post, described the entire incident and claimed that she and two of her friends saved a girl from getting raped. Sonia had gone to a restaurant called Fig in Santa Monica, United States, with her friends Monica and Marla. advertisement It all started when while dining, Monica noticed a guy putting something in a girl's drink. After a discussion, the three of them, shocked, decided to warn the girl about the guy she's with and what he's done. Sonia stayed in the restroom for a while and finally stalled the girl to inform that her drink has been drugged. The girl was shocked to hear that and Sonia was rather appalled when the girl said he was one of her best friends. Meanwhile, Marla had already spoken to the manager and they had alerted the security. The girl went back and had to sit for almost 40 more minutes till the time police came and took the guy. The manager of the restaurant had already reviewed the tape that showed the man putting unknown substance in his 'friend's' glass. The three women where lauded by others present in the restaurants and many shared their own experiences of similar incidents. However, the claim that these women prevented a rape from happening can be contested, for anything could have happened - rape, murder or even a grand surprise of some sort when the girl wakes up. We like being optimistic, you see. --- ENDS --- Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight runs in the final to lift their maiden IPL title. By Press Trust of India: Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers put up an incredible performance to ruin Virat Kohli's fairytale season beating Royal Challengers Bangalore by 8 runs in a high-octane summit clash and walk away with their maiden Indian Premier League trophy, here on Sunday. (Match Highlights | Scorecard) In a battle between IPL's best batting and bowling line-ups, the Orange Army came up trumps despite initial blitzkrieg from Chris Gayle and Kohli, defending their total of 208 for seven by restricting the home team to 200 for seven. (Record galore as SRH win maiden title) advertisement It was David Warner's batting and astute captaincy complemented by some inspirational death overs bowling by Mustafizur Rahaman (1/37 in 4 overs) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (0/25 in 4 overs) that clinched the issue. (Kohli latest victim as Orange Cap jinx continues in IPL) CAPTAIN'S KNOCK Warner, who hit 69, finished second in run-getters' list with 848 runs. The turning point certainly would be the 24 runs that Ben Cutting (39 no and 2/35) got in the final over off Shane Watson's bowling during Sunrisers innings and then came back to dismiss a rampaging Gayle. With 18 needed off last over, Bhuvneshwar, who bowled 13 dot balls gave only 9 runs. As the last ball was delivered, skipper Warner's joy knew no bounds with the entire team and dug-out joining him in wild celebrations. SENSATIONAL OPENING STAND Gayle (76 off 38 balls) and skipper Kohli (54 off 35 balls) had a scintillating opening stand of 114 in 10.3 overs as it looked like a cakewalk for the home team. But in the end, Kohli was the tragic hero once again after the WorldT20 in a tournament that will be remembered for his exploits. He finished the tournament with an astounding 973 runs at an average of 81.08 and and equally impressive strike-rate of 152.03. He hit an unbelievable four hundreds and seven half-centuries, not to forget 83 boundaries and a staggering 38 sixes. MIDDLE ORDER FAILURE Once the duo were back in quick succession, it depended AB de Villiers (5), who had one of his rare failures as Sunrisers came back into the match. KL Rahul was done in by a slow off-cutter from Cutting and Shane Watson found it hard to get the big shots going as Mustafizur accounted for him. BRILLIANT BHUVI Stuart Binny hit Mustafizur down the ground for a six as the equation came down to 37 from 3 overs. But Bhuvneshwar bowled a brilliant 18th over keeping everything in the blockhole as only 7 came off the over. RCB needed 300 off last two overs as Binny (9) was run-out off the first delivery of the 19th over bowled by Mustafizur. Sachin Baby hit six off the last ball as RCB's requirement of final over was 18 runs but Bhuvneshwar kept his cool to win the match for Sunrisers. --- ENDS --- advertisement Salvatore Girone, who was held in custody at the Italian embassy in New Delhi, is one of two marines arrested in 2012 over the fishermen's deaths during the operation to protect an Italian oil tanker. Italian sailor Salvatore Girone alights from the plane after landing at Ciampino airport in Rome on May 28, 2016. By Reuters: An Italian marine, who was accused of murdering two Kerala fishermen during an anti-piracy mission, returned home on Saturday after four years in custody in New Delhi. Salvatore Girone, who was held in custody at the Italian embassy in New Delhi, is one of two marines arrested in 2012 over the fishermen's deaths during the operation to protect an Italian oil tanker. advertisement The other marine, Massimiliano Latorre, is already back in Italy after suffering health problems. The marines say they fired on the fishing boat because they thought the Italian ship they were assigned to protect, the Enrica Lexie, was under attack. Indian prosecutors accuse them of murdering the fishermen. The Supreme Court of India ruled earlier this week he was free to go home at least until Italy's dispute with India over jurisdiction in the case, which is now in international arbitration, is over. Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti embraced the uniformed Girone when he arrived at Rome's Ciampino airport. He was also greeted by the foreign minister, the navy's top admiral and relatives. The Supreme Court of India said Girone must surrender his passport when he arrives in Italy and he will be required to return to India within a month of an order from the tribunal. The long dispute over the incident has strained relations between India and Italy and its European Union partners. In an effort to end legal wrangling, both countries agreed last year to move their dispute to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which also ruled Girone should be allowed to return home earlier this month. Italy argues that the case should not be heard in India because the incident occurred in international waters. India has said it remains confident the tribunal will decide in its favour. Also Read: Supreme Court allows Italian marines to return home: Key developments --- ENDS --- From Joyeeta Dey Tokyo, May 29 (PTI) Japanese conglomerate SoftBank and a number of investors here have shown keen interest in investing in Indias "infrastructure growth story", Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today as he kicked off his 6-day visit to Japan aimed at attracting investments from Asias second biggest economy. After a meeting with Jaitley, SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son said he is also interested in Internet companies as well as solar energy sector, where he has already announced USD 20 billion investment through a joint venture. advertisement "There are people who want to participate in infrastructure growth story. For example, at the SoftBank meeting we just had, they are looking at one of the biggest investments in solar power already," Jaitley said after meeting Son. In June last year, SoftBank announced that the group was forming a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises and Taiwans Foxconn Technology Group to invest about USD 20 billion in renewable energy in India. The JV would aim to generate 20 gigawatts of electricity. "They have made considerable headway and have identified location. It will probably be one of the largest investment in those areas," Jaitley said. The Japanese telecom and Internet giant has made a string of tech investments in India, amounting to USD 2 billion in the past two year. SoftBank is looking at accelerating the pace of investments in the future. "India has a great future... We are interested in investing for Internet companies, also for solar energy. We would make a strong commitment," Son said. He had previously said that India?s market is poised for massive growth, making it an important destination for investors. MORE PTI JD ANZ SA BJ SA --- ENDS --- Haryana Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu, whose house was set ablaze by the Jat protesters in February this year, has said that the state government has prepared a detailed security plan to thwart any attempt made by the Jat community to start the agitation again. "The government is monitoring all developments in the state. This time, we will neither spare anyone nor give time to anyone to act against the state. A special plan is in place to tackle those who are try to spoil peace. There is no reason to worry," Captain Abhimanyu said. Contingent of Central Armed Police force and CRPF have been deployed in highly sensitive districts including Rohtak which was the epicenter during the February stir. Besides the central forces, police and paramilitary forces have also been put on alert. State government has slapped sedition charges on four prominent Jat leaders including Yashpal Malik who is the national president of Akhil Bharatiya Jat Aaraskhan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS). The Jat leaders have been booked for allegedly making inflammatory speeches during a meeting of the ABJASS at Jat Dharmshala at Jind on May 25. The Punjab and Haryana High Court on May 26 in its interim order stayed the reservation till June 21. It also issued a notice to the state government on the basis of a petition challenging the state government's move as it violated the Supreme court's ruling on the reservation. The orders came as the state government ignored the ceiling and hiked the reservation upto 70 percent by passing Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Bill, 2016 on March 29. The Jat reservation bill proposes six per cent reservation for Jats and six other castes in Class-I and II government jobs, and 10 per cent reservation for the five castes in educational institutions and Class III and IV government jobs. The bill provides six to 10 per cent job reservation in state government jobs and 10 percent reservation in educational institutions Besides the Jats, the bill has also proposed reservation to four other castes including Jat Sikh, Ror, Bishnoi, Tyagi and Mulla and Jat/Muslim Jats. BJP leader and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi took oath as Lt Governor of Puducherry on Sunday. Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi today took oath as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, a post which was under the additional charge of Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Island for nearly two years. Chief Minister designate V Narayanasamy, former Chief Ministers N Rangasamy, R V Janakiraman and M D R Ramachandran, PCC president A Namassivayam, elected legislators, Member of Lok Sabha Radhakrishnan, N Gokulakrishnan (Rajya Sabha), French Consul General Philippe Janvier Kamiyama and former Ministers were among those who witnessed the ceremony. advertisement HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Bedi, who is the 23rd Lt Governor of the Union Territory, said she was looking at a prosperous Puducherry, achieving growth in all aspects. "I am looking at a Puducherry which grows in all aspects, whether it is agriculture, education, tourism, health care, industry, women welfare, all..," Bedi said a day before taking oath. "I am just looking at a prosperous Puducherry growing in every respect," she said. Senior judge of the Madras High Court Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh administered the oath of office and secrecy to 66-year-old Bedi at Raj Nivas. The L-G post in the Union territory had been lying vacant after the Narendra Modi Government had sacked UPA nominee Virendra Kataria on July 12 barely a year after he had been appointed. Bedi had led the BJP campaign in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections but had to face the worst defeat in her maiden political innings with Arvind Kejriwal- led AAP winning 67 of the 70 seats. The first woman officer in the Indian Police Service when she joined in 1972, Bedi held key positions including Inspector General (Prisons) at Delhi's high-security Tihar Jail. Bedi was one of the pioneers of anti-corruption crusade in 2011 along with Anna Hazare and Kejriwal against the then UPA government. ALSO READ | Kiran Bedi appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry --- ENDS --- The Host Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club, Thekkady, perched amidst acres of cardamom plantations, was to be my host of the two days to come. 'Springvalley' read the board near the steep climb to the retreat. The place is a few kilometres away from central Kumily. Niraamaya has a set of seven cottages, all set in pure wilderness. The staff is extremely hospitable and the food is hearty. advertisement Named after spices - nutmeg, pepper, cardamom and so on - the cottages combine old-world charm with luxury. The outside world fades away and you feel as if you have found your hiding place. The workers will be more than happy to take you on a trek around the property. Rajesh, my guide, led me through slippery slopes that held cardamom that was yet to ripen, and bright red coffee seeds. Once atop, you can spot Palani and Madurai. The whole of Springvalley sleeps after 8 pm. That's the time for you to come out of the cottage, wrapped in warm clothes (temperatures drop at night), and watch the moon through the leaves and branches. Listen to music and enjoy being cut off from the world. Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club, Thekkady, has a set of seven cottages and is perched amidst acres of cardamom plantations On The Periyar Kumily is not a place where you go to pack yourself with activities. Take it light and relax, that's what the town tells you. Of course, boating in Periyar is a must. The Periyar Tiger Reserve located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the southern Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu is lush green and home to teak, sandalwood, mangoes and tamarind as well as countless species of birds and animals. After a 10-minute walk in the reserve, the path clears and the Periyar Lake stretches in front of you. The boats are spacious and house about a hundred people. I chose the upper deck for a better view, but the guides keep asking you to be seated due to safety concers. Nevertheless, the ride is calming. You spot bisons, sambar deers and maybe even elephants walking to the lake for a sip of cold water. There are kingfishers perched on the remnants of trees bang in the middle of the lake. Hornbills and thrushes whoosh by and sometimes ducks try to race with the boat. The path leading up to the cottages at Niraamaya Retreats The path leading up to the cottages at Niraamaya Retreats The sun shines benevolently to make the water look surreal - I spotted diamonds in the lake. The breeze is right enough to send you into a siesta but just when you are about to doze off, the pitter-patter of raindrops wake you up. Rain is always unpredictable in Kerala, but when it does arrive, all you can do is stare at the beautiful landscape it has created. The lake, I concluded, looked prettier in the rain. The bisons and the deers ran for cover, the alphas leading them. But the birds stayed right on the branches and got drenched, just like us on the boat. advertisement Bamboo rafting and jungle safaris are also available in the reserve in case you want to check them out. A herd of bisons near the lake. The Spice Capital There is an undeniable whiff of spices, once you reach Kumily. There are spice gardens everywhere. Kumily supplies spices to the rest of Kerala and outside. And so, a walk through one of the spice plantations was a given. As I walked through the garden, trying to figure out what was what, sometimes dabbing my face free of sweat, my guide tells me this is the first time temperatures in Kumily have spiked above 30. It has affected the yield, he said. I cursed global warming but continued my walk. advertisement The cardamom shrubs are thick, and everywhere. Kerala contributes about 70 per cent of the national production of cardamom with the major chunk coming from the plantations of Kumily. I ground the green seed and my hand smelled of cardamom the entire day. I saw huge cocoa seeds, some of them with gaping holes in them. "The squirrels got to them," said my guide. Cinnamon, cloves, unnaturally big oranges - the plantation turned into a mini kitchen. Side note: don't forget to get some green tea and homemade chocolates and other items from the small shops outside the plantations. Boating on Periyar Lake Road To Kodai The next day, I realised that Kodaikanal was a 147 km ride from Kumily. If you have a day to spare, do not miss out on this ride. Kumily lies near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border and with the demarcation of a small check post, everything changes. From the name boards of road-side shops to flamboyantly dressed men and women and blaring Tamil songs, life on the other side of the barricade is a complete contrast. Drive through Cumbum and Theni to reach Kodaikanal. The landscape is stark and fields spread out on either sides of the highway. When you begin ascending the hairpins to Kodai, the breeze becomes colder and vegetation thicker. advertisement You begin humming songs as your hair dances in the wind. Once in Kodai, book a decent hotel by the lake and head for some hot dosas. The starshaped lake is man made and there are a lot of tourists by and at the lake, on picnics and pedaling boats. Stock up on more homemade chocolates and eucalyptus oil. The real charm of Kodaikanal lies higher up. Drive to Perumpallam which is a few kilometres away and up from Kodai town. A small shack named Heavenly Mist Holidays stands atop a very steep hill but provides unhindered view of the Palani hill ranges. Ask for a tent if the weather is right. You will want to end your vacation here - to pitch your tent, sit on the nearby bench with a cup of tea, stroke the shack's friendly black puppy and watch as thick clouds cast shadows over the ranges. --- ENDS --- South Indian actor Priyamani got engaged to boyfriend Mustufa Raj on Friday, May 27. The Chaarulatha actor took to Twitter to share the picture of the special day. South Indian actor Priyamani got engaged to boyfriend Mustufa Raj on Friday, May 27. According to reports, the engagement was held at Priyamani's residence in Banashankari, Bengaluru. It was a private event, which was attended only by their relatives and close friends. Priyamani took to Twitter to share the picture of the special day. The Chaarulatha actor wrote, "Happy to announce that Mustufa Raj and I got engaged on Friday the 27th at a close and private function at home! (sic)." advertisement Happy to announce that Mustufa Raj and I got engaged on Friday the 27th at a close and private function at home! pic.twitter.com/0QX51YLdUQ priyamani (@priyamani6) May 29, 2016 The buzz is that the couple will tie the knot by the end of this year. Priyamani, according to a source close to her, met Mustufa during Indian Premiere League (IPL) a few years ago. "Mustafa's association with IPL is via his event management company. Priyamani had met him during a match in Bangalore a few years ago. Since then they've been dating and finally decided to settle down," the source told IANS. In an earlier interview to the Times Of India, Priyamani had said, Initially, I sent him a text saying that I liked him, which, even today, he thinks was a joke. I professed my feelings for him when we met the next day, but he realized how serious I was only after a couple more months." After Priyamani broke the news of her engagement on internet, actors like Genelia Deshmukh and Lakshmi Manchu took to Twitter to wish the couple luck for their future. @priyamani6 congratulations babe.. Wishing you a world of happiness Genelia Deshmukh (@geneliad) May 29, 2016 @priyamani6 congratulations beautiful! wish you so much like be and happiness ???? shibani dandekar (@shibanidandekar) May 29, 2016 Congratulations @priyamani6 on your engagement with Mustufa! Wishing both of you all the very best! ?? Sushanth A (@iamSushanthA) May 29, 2016 @priyamani6 congrats dear. One lucky guy he is!! Much love to you both. Let the celebrations begin Lakshmi Manchu (@LakshmiManchu) May 29, 2016 On the work front, Priyamani will next be seen in Yogaraj Bhat's Dana Kayonu. The film also stars Duniya Vijay in the lead role. --- ENDS --- By Naseer Ganai: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday went all out to defend her alliance with the BJP while rejecting allegations that her ally was a 'communal party'. She also accused Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi of fuelling fire in the state and said the party has no right to criticise the agenda of the alliance. Mehbooba said she was committed to the dignified return of Kashmiri migrants to composite colonies and rejected the idea that they should return to their own houses which they left in the 1990s. "How come I put pigeons before cats," the chief minister said. advertisement "The proposal of building transit accommodations for Pandits has been approved by working groups. We have migrants from different faiths, including Muslims and Sikhs living in Jammu and 50 per cent of these will be reserved for people of other faiths," she said. The CM said the state government was committed to bring back Kashmiri Pandits. "I will bring them back with your help," she said. SAINIK COLONY LAND In her 80-minute response to the debate on the Governor's address, Mehbooba made it clear that her government has no land for Sainik Colony. She said the proposal for developing a Sainik Colony in the state was mooted in 2011. "The Sainik Colony was proposed only for the ex-servicemen. But due to non-availability of land, there has been no movement forward," she said. The chief minister commenced her speech praising Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah describing him as visionary leader, who in 1947 supported the accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India. She said the decision of her father to have an alliance with the BJP was as significant as Sheikh's decision to support accession. DISASSOCIATION WITH CONGRESS While directly pointing toward opposition leader Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba argued if her party would have gone with Congress or with National Conference after 2014 elections, it would been equal to repeating 1987, when elections were rigged which triggered militancy in Kashmir. Also Read: Omar Abdullah slams Mehbooba Mufti, disrupts J&K Assembly for second day --- ENDS --- Carlotta Sami, spokeswoman for UNHCR, told The Associated Press by phone that an estimated 100 people are missing from a smugglers' boat that capsized Wednesday. The Italian navy took horrific pictures of that capsizing even as it rushed to rescue all those thrown into the sea from the boat. Sami said about 550 other migrants and refugees are missing from a smuggling boat that capsized Thursday morning after leaving the western Libyan port of Sabratha a day earlier. She says refugees who saw the boat sink told her agency that that boat, which was carrying about 670 people, didn't have an engine and was being towed by another packed smuggling boat before it capsized. About 25 people from the capsized boat managed to reach the first boat and survive, 79 others were rescued by international patrol boats and 15 bodies were recovered. Italian police have corroborated the account of the Thursday sinking in their interviews with survivors, but came up with different numbers. It was not immediately possible to reconcile the figures. According to survivors, the second boat was carrying about 500 migrants when it starting taking on water after about eight hours of navigation. Efforts to empty the water - with a line of migrants passing a few 5-liter bailing cans - were insufficient and the boat was completely under water after an hour and a half, police said. At that point, the commander of the first smuggler's boat ordered the tow rope to be cut to the sinking boat. The migrants on the top deck jumped into the sea, while those below deck, estimated at 300, sank with the ship, police said. Of those who jumped into the sea, just 90 were rescued. Survivors identified the commander of the boat with the working engine as a 28-year-old Sudanese man, who has been arrested, police said. In a third shipwreck on Friday, Sami says 135 people were rescued, 45 bodies were recovered and an unknown number of people - many more, the migrants say - are missing. Survivors are being taken to the Italian ports of Taranto and Pozzallo. Sami says the U.N. agency is trying to gather information with sensitivity considering that most of the new arrivals are either shipwreck survivors themselves or traumatized by what they saw. Italy's southern islands are the main destinations for countless numbers of smuggling boats launched from the shores of lawless Libya each week packed with people seeking jobs and safety in Europe. Hundreds of migrantsdrown each year attempting the dangerous Mediterranean Sea crossing. By PTI: New Delhi, May 28 (PTI) The Narendra Modi government today celebrated its two years in office with a gala event, which had a smattering of Bollywood actors, including megastar Amitabh Bachchan where the Prime Minister vowed to root out corruption and make life easier for people "looted" for years. A battery of Union Ministers dwelt at length on the "achievements" of the BJP-led NDA dispensation at the centrepiece event which was held at historic India Gate. advertisement Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and many of his ministerial colleagues spoke about numerous steps taken by the government across sectors, while some Cabinet Ministers joined in from different parts of the country, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Guwahati and Vijaywada. Without naming the Congress, Modi accused the opposition party of pursuing the agenda of "obstructionism" and recalled the scams and scandals that took place under the UPA governments, including in coal block allocation. The Prime Minister said checking the menace of corruption is the focus of his government and people can see it when compared with that of previous dispensations. "As long as we do not remember the work done during the days of the previous government, we will not be able to realize that what a big task has been accomplished," he said. "I am standing before people of the country with satisfaction. We have been able to to get the trust and enthusiasm of people despite a very minute examination of our work. The trust of people is growing day by day. This also increases our confidence," Modi said speaking at the event "Ek Nayi Subah", which was in a talkathon format spread over nearly six hours. "On one hand there is the agenda of development (vikaswaad) and on the other hand is the agenda of obstructionsism (virodhvaad)," he said. The event, which was telecast live by Doordarshan across the country, also saw superstar Amitabh Bachchan talk about one of the governments flagship programmes Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. His participation came amid questions being raised by opposition parties in the wake of his name figuring in Panama papers. Addressing the gathering Finance Minister Arun Jaitley warned of strict action against people stashing black money and said prosecution would be initiated against those found to have parked funds illegally in accounts named in Panama Papers. "If illegal money is found in accounts of those who are named in Panama case, then they will also be prosecuted as in case of HSBC accounts," he said. advertisement Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said the Modi government has changed the style of governance and ended policy paralysis that existed during the previous UPA regime. He added that government has brought in transparency and cut down red tape. Food and Public Distribution System Minister Ram Vilas Paswan lauded the governments electrification programme, saying it has benefited the poor and dalits most. More PTI KR AMR SKC TDS PYK HC SAP NAB ADS SK SK --- ENDS --- By PTI: Puducherry, May 28 (PTI) After being in politics for over three decades, AICC General Secretary and former Union Minister V Narayansamys dream of donning the chief ministers mantle has now come true. The 69-year-old Narayanasamy, who had served as Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office in the second UPA government after serving as MoS Parliamentary Affairs in UPA-I, did not contest the May 16 assembly polls and will now have to seek election to the Puducherry legislature in a bypoll. advertisement There was hectic competition between Narayanasamy and PCC president A Namassivayam, who was elected for a second consecutive term, for the post of Chief Minister. But Narayanasamy had the last laugh when he was announced legislature party leader after a meeting of the partys newly- elected MLAs with senior Congress leaders Mukul Wasnik and Sheila Dikshit here. The two were camping in Delhi after the poll results were announced on May 16 holding talks with the party high command, and there was delay in ministry formation because of the tussle. Of the 21 seats it contested, Congress bagged 15 in the 30-member territorial assembly while its ally DMK secured two. Narayansamy, a confidant of former Chief Minister, late P Shanmugham who groomed him in politics, has been in the Congress braving all odds and difficulties the party faced. A former Rajya Sabha member for three terms, he had established close contact with the high command during his tenure as Minister of State in PMO in UPA-II. Following his election to the Lok Sabha in 2009, he had also come close to the top brass at the Centre. Although, he was defeated in the Lok Sabha polls in 2014 by ruling AINRC here, he persisted in consolidating the Congress and his dream to come back to state politics and don the Chief Ministers mantle has now come true. A law graduate, Narayanasamy did legal practice for more than ten years since 1973 and jumped into active politics in 1985 and was elected for the first time to Rajya Sabha and retained for the RS seat in 1991. However, he was defeated in the contest for the RS seat in 1997 by DMK and regained the seat only in 2003. When he was PCC president in 2007, he proved his organisational capability constituting committees at the booth and block levels. Now, Narayanasamy has to get himself elected to the legislature and has the unenviable task of uniting partymen in the union territory. PTI COR BN SUA SUA --- ENDS --- advertisement Launching an all-out attack on Anupam Kher, who has been vocal about his fight for Kashmiri Pandits, Naseeruddin Shah reportedly said on Friday that "A person who has never lived in Kashmir has started a fight for Kashmiri Pandits. Facing multiple attacks, Shah issued a statement that he was being misquoted by media. The actor said that he had spoken to Kher to clarify the matter. By Mail Today: A massive war of words has broken out between two Bollywood veterans, Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher, over rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. Launching an all-out attack on Anupam Kher, who has been vocal about his fight for Kashmiri Pandits, Naseeruddin Shah reportedly said on Friday that "A person who has never lived in Kashmir has started a fight for Kashmiri Pandits. Suddenly, he became a displaced person." advertisement The special cell of Delhi Police is also investigating the JNU sedition case in which Kanhaiya, who is now out on bail, is an accused. Kher launched a counter, tweeting that "By that logic, NRIs should not think about India at all." SHAH CRITICISED Shah's comments against Kher also drew sharp reactions from his former co-star and some members of the film fraternity. Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar wrote on Twitter, "You don't have to be Kashmiri to fight for #KashmiriPandits plight. Every Indian should condemn the brutality and support their resettlement." Replying to Bhandarkar, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said, "Well said Sir. Just like @NaseerudinShah who is from #Meerut but raised his voice for #GujaratRiots. " Facing multiple attacks, Shah issued a clarification, saying that he was misquoted by media. The actor later said that he had spoken to Kher to clarify the matter. Kher also said that Shah denied making that statement. When approached for his comments, Shah said, "I don't want to say anything. I don't want to give any reaction. This is misreporting." CONDITION OF KASHMIRI PUNDITS In India, around 62,000 registered Kashmiri Pandit families migrated during 1990-91 from the Valley due to rise of militancy in the Jammu and Kashmir region. The Jammu and Kashmir government had earlier this month informed the Centre that it had identified three areas for rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants. However, the Mehbooba government later dismissed the reports, claiming that there was no plan for separate colonies for Kashmiri Pandits. A high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh earlier this month discussed various issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir including rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit migrants, return of civilian land by the army and the situation along the line of control. The meeting was attended among others by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, state Governor NN Vohra and National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval. Shah also discussed lyricist Javed Akhtar's farewell speech in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of Bharat Mata Ki Jai slogan. NATIONALISM DISCUSSION "I am sad that statements like these (referring to AIMIM MP Asaddudin Owaisi) are made and then they are not even condemned. Like Javed sahab said, "It is his right to say 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat mata ki jai.' I will say it with my choice not because somebody asks me to, I support him. Nobody has a right to question my love for my country," he said. advertisement Shah congratulated BJP on two years of governance, and said that Indians should give some more time to Modi government before coming to any conclusions against them. "I believe the people in the government are not stupid to understand the choices in front of them, either to build a modern India or to take us back into the dark ages. I think they are not stupid to take the second choice," he said. However, he expressed concern about the recent debate over changes in the text book content in some parts of the country. "People are taking decisions and making perceptions too fast. I think we should give the government more time. But, there are few things which make me concerned, like the kind of alterations in the text books those are the things to worry about," Shah said. Also Read: Jadavpur tense after clashes over Anupam Kher movie --- ENDS --- advertisement From Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, May 29 (PTI) Nine Sherpa icefall doctors, who risked their lives to fix ropes and dig the route to the summit of worlds highest peak Mount Everest after last years devastating earthquakes, were today honoured by Prime Minister K P Oli. Oli praised the men at a ceremony here when the Sherpas were presented with bouquets and given cheques of Nepali rupees 50,000. advertisement Besides the nine Sherpas, five people, who coordinated and helped out in fixing ropes at Everest, were also honoured. The hard and arduous work done by the Sherpa guides to fix the ropes after the devastating earthquakes paved way for 450 climbers to reach Everests summit this month. The nine Sherpas reached the 8,848 metres high peak on May 11 that paved way for other climbers to scale the worlds highest peak after an interval of two years. Climbing was halted on Everest after the deadly avalanche of 2014 that killed 16 Sherpa guides. In 2015, the avalanche triggered by the earthquake had killed 18 climbers. Nepal today observed the International Everest Day by organising a rally and the special programme to honour the Everest heroes. Everest Day is observed to commemorate the first successful climb in 1953 by Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay. More than 4,000 climbers have scaled the Everest approximately 7,700 times. So far, 290 climbers have died while attempting to scale the highest peak in the world. This season five foreigners, including two Indian climbers, died while climbing the Everest. Prime Minister Oli also congratulated the successful climbers. "The successful expeditions to the Everest would not have been possible this year if the Sherpa guides did not fix the ropes on the Everest after the devastating earthquake," Oli said. Noting that Nepal faced two deadly avalanches within a period of two years killing nearly three dozen people, President of Nepal Mountaineering Association Ang Tshering Sherpa underlined the need to generate awareness against the impact of climate change on the mountains. "Global warming has become has become a matter of grave concern the world over and we all should be cautious and take effective measures to reduce its effects globally," he said. PTI SBP ASK AKJ ASK --- ENDS --- My earliest memory of drinking is not a happy one. A sultry summer noon in my room. Two friends from school. McDowell's XXX Rum. Potato chips from Paltu-da's corner store. And some Mithunda dance moves as heads turned heavy and eyes watery. Twenty-five years is a long time to remember the exact sequence of events. Maybe one of the other two confessed to our collective sin. But it was hardly the No. 1 Celebration that the tagline for the rum brand promised. advertisement The thrashing that followed the morning after left a taste in the mouth far bitter than the first swig. I was in Class 9. The boy from Gautam Bhatia's 'Aristocrat', the first story in the wonderful collection of stories, poems and essays on drinking in India titled House Spirit: Drinking in India also had his first time while in school. The decision taken right in the middle of chemistry lessons as a friend suggested they make the most of an empty house and a fridge full of beer. The promise of sinful delight during uniform days. "Beer. The guy really said beer. It was as good as suggesting that we take our English Ma'am, Mrs G, into the bushes to play with her breasts. Really, it was unthinkable." The father, a bureaucrat, would administer a punishment so harsh that the boy would recoil before touching a bottle again. "I lost my balance and was on all fours with giddiness and fear, waiting for a reaction, any reaction. But it wasn't forthcoming." "Matal was a word used very liberally by my bhadralok father, when he needed to describe someone he disliked. It was used with another epithet, 'characterless'." With these lines in the short story 'Tipple Cake', Siddharth Chowdhury says it like it is in the genteel East where drinking is still a taboo unlike parts of the north where father and son often sit together and open a bottle after a long day at the shop or memories abound of fathers initiating sons to their first drink. The finest story in the collection has to be Anup Kutty's Police Uncle, fiction written like memoir, about an uncle and a nephew and a Hero Honda Splendor ride through the stone corridors of Ponnami, taking us to the past and bringing us right back to the present for a pot full of fresh toddy. "Mama fills all three glasses to the brim. He dips his index finger into one, takes it out and flicks three drops. Then he clinks his glass with mine and finishes it in one swift gulp. I sip on mine like its expensive wine. He pours again. We both turn to look at the third glass waiting for its owner to claim it. But he's been long dead. Mama's father, the man who taught him the art of drinking, my grandfather, my Ammachan." advertisement Bad Word Alcohol may be a bad word in the holy city of Haridwar, but Mohan Bhaiji from script writer Mayank Tewari's 'Mohan Bhaiji' has never let a punishable offence come in the way of a good time as he breaks his parents' Brahmin hearts to lead a life of drinking and looting. "If he starts early, Bhaiji can polish off a bottle of whisky by lunch. A bottle and a half by breakfast on busy days. A bottle of whiskey is only a standard measure here: Bhaiji hates IMFL. His poison is country liquor. Packed in small transparent pouches, it looks like Gangajal till it hits the gut and a few seconds later, the head." Aditya Sinha's 'Drinker Tailor Soldier Spy' on a RAW chief's breaking of protocol to drink with spymasters from Russia and elsewhere reads like anunwritten chapter from the memoir of a spymaster that he has recently co-authored. What you cannot publish as facts, you can always pen down as fiction. Fine fiction apart, House Spirit has a delightful collection of essays on drinking in India. In 'King of Clubs', DailyO editor Jairaj Singh writes about my favourite drinking joint in the city: 4S Chinese and Thai bar and restaurant in Defence Colony. advertisement It's a quaint place, this 4S, dark and illuminating at once, where journalists and copywriters gather to drown the day's angst as friendly waiters fill glasses and plates without intruding. "I was looking for someplace else, with life and stories that were not my own. In 4S, I found my acceptance, friends and a few glimpses of hope." In 'Permit Room', Sidharth Bhatia writes about drinking in Bollywood. A hero with a Muslim name and a heroine with a glass of wine are still an oddity for the audience and Bhatia examines why the latter is an eyesore. "For all our claims to modernity, that is a line we have never been able to cross." Anything passes in the name of poetry these days. Those minor hiccups apart, this is a good book to pick up with a drink. --- ENDS --- Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight runs to become the sixth team to win the IPL. By Jepher Christopher Nickels: One could not have asked for a better final that lived up to its hype till the last over. Batting first Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a massive 208 for seven, thanks to David Warner's 69 and Ben Cutting's blazing unbeaten 39. In reply, Royal Challengers Bangalore fell short by eight runs as their big guns failed to finish off the match after a thunderous start by Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli. (Match Highlights | Scorecard) advertisement With 209 to chase, RCB got off to a flying start, with Gayle coming out all guns blazing. He and Kohli put up a mammoth 114-run partnership with the big West Indian looking like his monstrous-self again. He departed after scoring 76 runs off just 36 balls but set it all up for his middle-order. Kohli carried on from there and completed his half century. But after his dismissal, Bangalore lost the plot. Here are some interesting stats from the match: 1.Kohli became the all time leading run-getter with 4110, surpassing Suresh Raina 4098. 2.Kohli finished with 973 runs, most by any player in a single season. 3.Kohli hit seven fifties. 4.Kohli has hit 18 fifty-plus scores in 28 T20s in 2016, which is most by a player in a year. 5.David Warner hit the joint fastest fifty in the final off just 24 balls, equalling Raina who smashed his quickest in 2010 final for Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians. 6.Warner smashed his ninth fifty, most by any player in a single season. 7.Chris Gayle scored his 20th half-century off only 25 balls. 8.Shane Watson conceded 20 runs in the 5th over, which was the joint second-most expensive Powerplay over in an IPL final. Albie Morkel was hit for 20 runs in 2012 final. 9.SRH smacked 52 runs in the final three overs of their innings. 10.Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished as the leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps. --- ENDS --- There are organised gangs selling stolen goods on retail websites. Many gangs prefer to operate through these websites as it is the safest way to sell stolen items without revealing their identity. By Shashank Shekhar: After a search that lasted almost 10 months, a retired Army man not only tracked his stolen Honda City car, which was being sold through advertisement on a website but also got a member of the gang arrested. Kulwant Singh, resident of C Block of sector 21 in Noida went for a walk on August 4, 2015 when he noticed that his car was missing. He tried finding his car in the locality but failed and finally registered an FIR at sector 20 police station. Singh made several rounds of the police station to know the status of his car but received no response. Seeing the state of inactivity, Singh took investigation in his own hands. advertisement STOLEN CARS Singh had read in the papers that at times stolen goods are sold on online sites and started tracking www.olx.in. Finally after tracking the stolen vehicle for months, he spotted his car bearing the registration number of DL-4C-R-0757, which was being sold for Rs 70,000. Posing as a customer, Singh contacted the seller and going along with a plain-dressed policeman got the man arrested. However, police claim that the man arrested, who was identified as Ahmad, was only the seller and the real thieves are still out in the open. "Ahmad, during the interrogation said that one Zulfikar, a resident of Loni, had sold the car to him last year. He also produced documents of the car, which appeared to be fake," said a senior police officer. Despite failing to track the car, Noida police are now planning to initiate action against the website under Section 79 of the IT Act. "We will send a notice to the website and initiate action against them for not authenticating products being sold through their platform," an officer said. In the past, investigators came across many such websites selling fake or stolen products. There are organised gangs selling stolen goods on retail websites. ONLINE GANGS This week, Delhi police arrested a 27-year-old scrap dealer, who, in the last one year, befriended 10 people using fake Facebook profiles and robbed them clean after a night of partying at their homes. After every theft, he sold off the loot on OLX and deactivated the profile and mobile phone number he had used to contact his victim. The National Capital Region has become a playground for such thieves. Noida and Gurgaon police have registered several cases against gangs using retail sites to sell stolen items, including vehicles, jewellery, cellphones and laptops. This growing trend has spurred investigating agencies to meet the management of these portals. To sell anything through these websites all you need is to have an email ID and phone number. They post the ad with photographs. advertisement There is no procedure to keep a track on customers selling multiple items, police said. Many gangs prefer to operate through these websites as it is the safest way to sell stolen items without revealing their identity. Several attempts were made to contact the website but no one was available for a comment. A senior Delhi police officer said e-tailing websites are full of such items. Mostly stolen or fake goods are sold at throw away prices to attract quick buyers. STEP TAKEN "We are also planning to meet senior officials of the sites to curb such crimes that are committed with the help of these websites as dozens of complaints have been received by the police. Surprisingly, educated youths are using OLX.com and Quikr.com to commit crimes as they are familiar with technology," the official said. Also Read: SUV stolen from JD(U) MLA's house in Patna, legislator slams own govt for rising crime --- ENDS --- "I have asked Gen VK Singh, MoS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet African students who have announced demonstration at Jantar Mantar," Swaraj said on Twitter. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung about the cases of assault against African nationals and the killing of Congolese youth. "I have spoken to Shri Rajnath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi regarding attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday," she tweeted They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside," Swaraj said in another tweet. I have spoken to Shri Raj Nath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday./1 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 29, 2016 They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitization campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside. Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 29, 2016 advertisement HELP FOR THE CONGOLESE NATIONAL'S FAMILY MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said government will assist the family of the Congolese youth Masunda Kitanda Oliver to come to India and to take his mortal remains. "In the unfortunate death of Mr Masunda Oliver, the government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense," he said. In the unfortunate death of Mr. Masunda Oliver, the Government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 29, 2016 African students in Delhi are planning a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday seeking action against the guilty. "I have asked Gen VK Singh, MoS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet African students who have announced demonstration at Jantar Mantar," Swaraj said on Twitter. ALSO READ African immigrants worried after string of racial attacks in India Congolese national bludgeoned to death in south Delhi --- ENDS --- Washington, May 29 (PTI) Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has attacked President Barack Obama for not mentioning the deadly Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 during his historic trip to Japan this week. "Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while hes in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost. #MDW," tweeted Trump, who emerged as the Republican partys presumptive presidential nominee last week. advertisement Obama did not publicly mention the surprise 1941 attack that pulled the US into World War II while on his historic trip to Japan this week, during which he became the first sitting American president to visit Hiroshima. He used the visit to discuss the threat of nuclear weapons. "Why do we come to this place, to Hiroshima? We come to ponder the terrible forces unleashed in the not-so-distant past. We come to mourn the dead ... their souls speak to us and ask us to look inward. To take stock of who we are and what we might become," Obama had said during his visit to the citys Peace Memorial Park. The White House didnt immediately comment on Trumps tweet Saturday evening, CNN reported. Trump supporter Sarah Palin also criticised Obamas trip to Hiroshima, calling it part of the Presidents "apology lap." The former Alaska governor, Palin, speaking at a Trump rally in San Diego on Friday, said Obamas trip to Hiroshima was "dissing our vets." Earlier in the week, in a joint press conference with Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he had no plans to visit Pearl Harbor despite the presidents trip to Hiroshima. In the Pearl Harbour attack on December 7, 1941, over 2,400 Americans were killed and over 1,100 others were injured. PTI AKJ AKJ --- ENDS --- By PTI: Five killed, 140 hurt in explosion at industrial unit Thane, May 26 (PTI) At least five workers were killed and 140 others injured when a massive blast ripped through an industrial unit in Dombivli township of the district near here today, police said. The mishap occurred at about 11.30 AM when cylinders exploded triggering a blaze in the chemical manufacturing unit of Probace Enterprises at Shivaji Udyog Nagar of MIDC phase-II area in Dombivli (East). advertisement Such was the intensity of the blast that the shock wave generated by it shattered window panes of adjoining buildings and shocked people were seen running helter-skelter, an eye-witness said. "The death toll stood at five and the number of injured is 140," said District Disaster Control Officer Dinesh Kurhade. Meanwhile, clarifying the name of the company, the district publicity department tonight stated in a release that the correct name of the firm is "Probace Enterprises" and not "Herbert Brown Pharmaceutical and Research Laboratories (a unit of the Acharya Chemicals) as it had stated earlier. Probace Enterprises mainly deals in hazardous chemicals. Due to the explosion, roof of some of the houses in the vicinity flew away while some huts were damaged. The explosion has created a big crater at the site. Among the injured are those who were hit by flying glass shards. District Collector Mahendra Kalyankar said a huge operation was underway for clearing the debris whereas the injured people were admitted in local hospitals. He said NDRF personnel were also involved in the rescue operation, along with fire brigade and police. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the blast site and also the hospital where some of the injured are admitted. "State government will bear all the expenses for their medical treatment," he said, adding that an in-depth enquiry will be conducted into the incident. Fadnavis said, "this is a serious and major incident whose impact was felt in a long distance. The government would conduct a detailed inquiry". Industries Minister Subash Desai said the chemical units in the belt would be kept shut for eight days from tomorrow. Thane Joint Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre said rescue operations were still on. The impact of the explosion was felt in an area of around five kilometres in which many vehicles were damaged. Over a dozen firefighters from Thane, Kalyan, Ambernath, Ulhasnagar, Badlapur and Navi Mumbai were rushed to the spot to extinguish the flames. (More) PTI CORR VT GK NM NSK PVI --- ENDS --- advertisement Kochi, May 29 (PTI) Vice-Admiral A R Karve today took charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command (SNC) from Vice Admiral Girish Luthra. An impressive ceremonial parade was held at the Naval base on the occasion which was followed by the traditional Pulling Out ceremony in which the outgoing Commander-in-Chief, Luthra was ceremonially pulled out in a jeep by Flag Officers and Commanding Officers of ships and naval establishments of Kochi, amidst emotional Jai- Jai by the men of SNC. advertisement Earlier in the day, Vice Admiral Karve laid wreath at the War Memorial, prior to assuming command, as a tribute to the thousands of martyrs who had fought for the country, Navy said in a statement. The Flag Officer, a native of Maharashtra, had arrived in Kochi yesterday. In his farewell address Vice Admiral Luthra appreciated the synergy that exists in the Southern Naval Command and said without it operations and training cannot be successful. He thanked the men and women of the SNC for the unstinted support he received during his tenure. The Parade was witnessed by many senior officers, men and families of SNC. Vice Admiral Girish Luthra has been appointed Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command. PTI TGB VS UZM TRK --- ENDS --- Virat Kohli might have just lost it for his team. Yeah, you read that right! The Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper has been delivering for his team game after game and in the process has smashed quite a few batting records. (RCB's road to the final ) With four centuries this Indian Premier League season, he has amassed 919 runs from 15 matches and is the proud holder of the Orange Cap. But that's the catch. Only once in eight seasons of the league has an Orange Cap holder gone on to lay hands on the trophy. ORANGE CAP JINX Shaun Marsh was the first victim. The Kings XI Punjab opener lit up the opening season with 618 runs and guided his team to second on the table at the end of the league stages. However, the Yuvraj Singh-led team crashed out of the tournament failing to go past Chennai Super Kings in the semi-finals of the tournament. SACHIN TENDULKAR WAS NOT SPARED The trend continued for five more seasons with big names like Matthew Hayden, Chris Gayle and Michael Hussey on the receiving end. The Orange Cap jinx didn't even spare Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. The then Mumbai Indians player who scored 618 runs from the 2010 season failed to lead his team to title. Tendulkar hit 45-ball 48 in chase of 169 against Chennai Super Kings in the final only to see his team falling short of the target by 22 runs and finishing second best. ROBIN UTHAPPA LUCKY SURVIVOR However, in the seventh season of the Indian Premier League, Robin Uthappa broke the jinx to become the only Orange Cap winner who led his team to title. With 660 runs from 16 matches, Uthappa had continuously performed at the top for the Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR clinched the title despite their leading run-scorer failing in the final against Kings XI Punjab in a massive chase of 200. (Virat Kohli expects intense battle in final ) In 2015, it was David Warner who had the chance to build on Uthappa's record and erase the Orange Cap jinx. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad finished sixth on the table despite Warner scoring 562 runs in the tournament. CAN KOHLI ERASE THE JINX? Looking at the trend, Warner would be happy as his team has the chance of playing against Royal Challengers Bangalare on Sunday. However, the odds are heavily favouring the in-form Kohli and his team this team as they are playing the final at home in front of a crowd that is expected to go berserk with their 'Aar-Ccee-Bbee' chants. Kohli has one more battle to win this season. Whether or not he can emulate Uthappa remains to be seen. Kohli, though, wouldn't like a sight of opposition celebrating on the final night. --- ENDS --- advertisement Robert "Bob" Poggenpohl, 88, died May 26, 2016. "He did it Bob's way." Throughout his 88 years, Robert "Bob" Poggenpohl lived his life his way. A self-made man who took pride in his accomplishments, Bob made a lasting impact on many people's lives. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a boss, a landlord, and a friend to many. Born October 15, 1927,in Litchfield Ill., and raised on a farm in Morrisonville, Ill., Bob learned to respect hard work early, doing daily chores and raising pigs before and after school. Drafted into the army in 1945, he served in the Philippines at the end of WWII. Returning to Illinois, he delayed attending college to help his father on the family farm, while his brother Carl entered military service. After his brother returned, Bob graduated with an accounting degree in 1951 from Eastern Illinois University. Bob married Marge Hill in 1956, and they moved to St. Louis, where he went to work for the Kirby Company, selling vacuums door to door. His persistence, business savvy and hard work soon paid off, and Bob was offered his own sales territory throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, including Omaha. He flourished, building a business that provided not only for his own growing family but gave opportunity to countless others. If you were willing to work hard, Bob had a place for you, and he made lifelong friends of many of his employees, a testament to the warm heart beneath his sometimes gruff outer demeanor. He was always ready to give a hand up to those willing to take it. A dedicated husband, Bob spent many of his later years caring for his wife Marge at home after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Once she moved to a care home, he continued to visit her every day, taking her for walks and staying by her side until her death in 2011. In his sunset years, Bob loved sitting in the sun, watching the activity of the world, always wanting to be where the action was. Never afraid of sharing his opinion, he was that guy dressed in a sport coat and polished shoes, puttering around in his wheelchair, encouraging you to vote Republican or suggesting a better way to do something. And he was usually right. More than anything, the legacy Bob left is this: if you worked hard enough, you could reap great rewards in life. A longtime member of Christ the King parish in Omaha, Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Marge. He is survived by his children and spouses: Eugenia Taddeo and Peter, Tony Poggenpohl and Paula, Teresa Poggenpohl and Steve Steiner, Olivia Poggenpohl and David Moore, and Robert "Rob" Poggenpohl and Holly Meyer; and nine grandchildren: Caitlin, Joseph, David, Seth, Max, Eric, Grant, Jack, and Ava. The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m., Monday, May 30, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Omaha, with vigil service at 5 p.m. at the church. Mass of Christian Burial:10 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, at Christ the King Church. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Omaha. Memorials to Alzheimer's Association or Christ the King Church. Arrangements by Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler5108 F Street, Omaha., www.heafeyheafey.com. Cindy Lange-Kubick Columnist Cindy Lange-Kubick has loved writing columns about life in her hometown since 1994. She had hoped to become a people person by now, nonetheless she would love to hear your tales of fascinating neighbors and interesting places. Follow Cindy Lange-Kubick 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 Every year for more than three decades now, there have been Memorial Day flowers on her brothers grave in the cemetery high above the English Channel, near the spot he fell on June 8, 1944. Grace Williams has the proof in her living room in east Lincoln. A stack of envelopes tied with string. Inside each envelope is a program from the Normandy American Cemeterys annual remembrance service, and a small card with a photo inside of beautiful flowers next to a white cross. Sometimes lilies and sometimes asters and roses and always two flags, one American and one French. The organization that helped Grace decorate her brothers grave has stopped offering the service, so there wont be flowers for 2nd Lt. Hugo C. Buell this Memorial Day. But soon after, there will be a Frenchman carrying a bouquet. His name is Michel Colas, Grace says. He lives south of Paris. He is a history buff and a grandfather. And then she explains the unlikely story of how a 70-year-old, 5,000 miles away, with the help of his American friend, came to care for the final resting place of a young soldier from Nebraska. Those two men are my little angels, she says. And I have been the beneficiary of their kindness. *** Grace remembers watching the sky over York County before World War II took Hugo and made him an infantryman and then a fallen hero. He wanted to fly, oh so badly. We would watch the B-17s, and hed say, Oh, Grace, if only I could go up there. His eyes wouldnt allow it, she says. Instead, the young man from Gresham left his job at the grain elevator and went to officer training school in Fort Benning, Georgia, and then off to Europe and the 12th Infantry Regiment. Grace and Hugo grew up in a family of eight. Their parents were German farmers whod settled into small-town life by the time Grace came along. She was the baby. The tag tail, she calls herself. She was working at the telephone company switchboard when the telegram came that June day. Shes not sure who delivered it to her mother, but she does remember the village coming together, the packed church for Hugos service. I can remember sitting on the front porch and people stopping and coming up bringing food and expressing their sorrow. Her father was ill; the lingering effects of an accident. Her brother Cy was serving in the Coast Guard and couldnt make it home for the memorial service, although he came as soon after as he was able. My dad knew one boy was not going to come home, and another boy he saw for the last time. He died shortly after that. When a letter arrived from the military asking whether the family wanted Hugos body returned for burial, they said no. We agreed he was killed in France and he should be buried in France. After Grace Buell married Philip Ross Williams -- a Marine who survived Pearl Harbor -- they lived in Europe while Ross worked for the Red Cross and had a chance to visit her brothers grave more than once in the 1950s. They saw how beautiful the cemetery was and how well-cared for by the French people. And it brought her comfort. In the decades that followed, Grace was busy raising four children and moved often for her husbands work. In 1980, she and Ross settled for good in Lincoln. We moved over Memorial Day weekend and when I went to decorate the graves, I thought to myself, Hugos getting short-changed. Grace couldnt let that stand. By the next Memorial Day, with the help of her husband and the Veterans Administration, she discovered the American Battle Monuments Commission, a government agency that facilitated the placing of flowers in military cemeteries overseas. She filled out the form and wrote a check, and every year for the next 34 years, a bouquet appeared on her brothers grave. Until this year, when a letter arrived informing her the monument committee would no longer be providing the service. The relatives of the war dead were dying, too, and along with them, the demand for remembrance. *** The story of the flower-carrying Frenchman starts with a district court judge in Beatrice. Paul Korslund spent a decade of his growing-up years in France, where his father was a principal at American military schools. He met Michel Colas when he was 9 and Michel was 11. They became fast friends, riding their bikes all over the town of Poitiers. Paul and his family eventually moved to Germany and then back to the states; and during a summer abroad studying French in Dijon he met and married a French girl who was there studying English. Since 1975, Paul and his bride Bernadette have lived in Beatrice, where she taught French and he worked his way up from city attorney to the district court. He fell out of touch with his boyhood friend for a time but, by the 1970s, theyd found each other again. During a visit in 2002, Michel told the couple about an organization he had been invited to join. Fleurs de La Memoire -- Flowers of Memory -- worked to honor the Americans buried at Normandy, nearly 10,000 graves of soldiers who died in the D-Day Invasion and the battles that followed. One of the things the group did was place flowers on graves of their liberators near the anniversary of the invasion. The people of Normandy just have this tremendous affinity for what the Americans did for them, Paul explains. Theres just a special feeling for American veterans and their families. Its the way Michel has always felt, and so Paul and Bernadette werent surprised hed joined a formal effort to remember the soldiers. But they had one suggestion: Why not try to find the grave of a Nebraska soldier? Michel did. And after he shared the name of the soldier with his friend, Paul began searching for more information back in Nebraska. The details led to Hugos brother Cy Buell in Omaha and eventually to Grace, and on July 4, 2005, Hugos family welcomed the Frenchman and his wife, Michelle, to Cys home. Paul and Bernadette were there translating. And in the years since, the three families have formed a bond. Paul officiated for Cys grandsons wedding. One of Michels grandsons was christened Raphael Hugo Schneider, in honor of the World War II soldier. Michel has vowed his children and grandchildren will care for Hugos grave when he no longer is able. The families have exchanged greeting cards and condolences; in the decade since that visit, Cy has died, along with Graces husband and sister. And all along, Michel has worked hard to provide details of Hugos last days. Michel did much research and painstakingly wrote a history of what Hugos unit went through after landing at Utah Beach, Paul says. We translated it for the Buells and they treasure it. Grace has the copies of Michel and Pauls letters at home, along with a French magazine that describes the battle and a photocopied map of the orchard where her 25-year-old brother died as his company attempted to reach the town of Cherbourg. Michel traced their movements, says Grace. And he put a little x and a little circle and wrote from the best I can tell this is where your brother fell. *** Grace is the last of her six siblings. Im the only one left on the tree, she says. On Friday, she headed west to decorate family graves -- her grandparents and parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers and sisters, in-laws, her husband of 57 years. Her daughter went with her and Grace made her drive. I told her, You find the graves, so you know. Its important to her. She tried to find a way to put flowers on Hugos grave in time for Memorial Day, but she couldnt make it work. So she was pleased when the phone rang last week and Paul was on the other end. After explaining her dilemma, he phoned back with the news that Michel would take care of the flowers. He wouldnt be able to make the four-hour drive by Monday, but he would be there by the next weekend with a arrangement of flowers adorned with a ribbon -- From your loving sister and family -- and place them on the grave in Plot E, Row 19. Grace was grateful but agreed only if he would allow her to pay for the flowers. Do you hear me stomping my feet here? she said to Paul. Michel agreed. And he promised to send a picture back to Nebraska of a white cross decorated with a bouquet of French flowers. In honor of a fallen American soldier and beloved brother who will not be forgotten. Interpreter Khadmalla Eldaw has witnessed many births during her years in Lincoln, but there's one she will always remember. The baby was premature, just 26 weeks of gestation -- and he lived. Amazing, a miracle, she says. Both Eldaw and the mom thought, This is a miscarriage. This baby is gone. That would have been the case in their home countries. But Eldaw got to tell that mother that her baby survived. Whenever I see that child, it is just a blessing. He is a miracle, says Eldaw, who emigrated from Sudan more than 16 years ago. Since the tiny baby's birth, his mother has gone to school and learned to speak English well enough that she no longer needs an interpreter. And she has called to thank Eldaw for her help during that delivery. I was just doing my job," Eldaw says. "I get paid for that. What started out 10 years ago as a three-year grant program designed to train interpreters for the influx of refugees coming to Lincoln has grown into a business that grosses about $700,000 a year and has turned nurse Carol Brown into a businesswoman. When she took the job with the former Lincoln Action Program, Brown expected it to be a short stint. She thought she'd spend a couple of years teaching people medical terminology, the words they'd need to interpret in medical settings. Instead, the grant project that started with about $800,000 in federal funds flourished. And Brown helped found a business that is incorporated as a separate LLC, although it still has a relationship with what's now called the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties. Today LanguageLinc has about 65 interpreters, primarily refugees and immigrants with good English skills who work as subcontractors. They interpret for about 450 business customers, including medical offices, worker compensation companies and businesses that hire workers who dont speak English. Last year, the business had nearly 12,000 time sheets representing separate jobs for interpreters who translate documents, in person for people (often patients going to doctors or clinics) and by phone (often on medical and housing issues). Sometimes they translate training information or instructions during work training programs, particular for safety classes. LanguageLinc used to provide interpreter services for patients at CHI St. Elizabeth and Bryan medical centers, but the hospitals have moved to companies that do interpretation long-distance through Skype. LanguageLinc has interpreters for 36 languages. Spanish is the biggest need, followed closely by Arabic and Vietnamese. "It is amazing out there. The vastness of the need," said Brown, who is looking for and training interpreters almost weekly. The initial grant program began as a way to provide a community service and offer a livable wage for some refugees with good English skills, said Jill Connor, communications and development director for Community Action. It has become a stepping stone for refugees fluent in English, who gain business skills. Some go to school at the same time, and move on to other jobs, said Brown. Community Action takes care of some services including human resources, but 90 percent of the income goes to the interpreters who do the work, Conner said. The program's initial focus was to help people with limited or no English when they had medical appointments and procedures, and interpretation for medical visits are still a big part of the companys business. Using an interpreter helps avoid misunderstandings because of language or cultural differences, Brown says. And it helps maintain healthy family dynamics. When children, who often speak English well, become interpreters for parents, it can change the power dynamics, Brown said. Theres also a liability issue, particularly with medical problems. A person without an interpreter may be nodding, but he or she may not understand what is being said. For the medical community it is the law. Title 6 of the Civil Rights Act says if a person or business accepts any government funds it must provide an interpreter at its own cost, Brown said. Interpreters for LanguageLinc must be very fluent in English, testing at a level 7 or 8, when 2 is considered conversationally fluent. People who want to interpret for LanguageLinc take classes at Southeast Community College, studying the ethics of it, how to run their own businesses and cultural differences, as well as learning specific words for translating in medical settings or court. For example, time management is important to interpreters and their clients. In some countries being 15 to 20 minutes late means nothing. Here, some physicians will have canceled an appointment by then. Interpreters must make sure they are true to the message and neither add nor subtract anything, Brown said. Two and a half years ago when I began to transition, I was living in two genders, spending some days as Doug, some as Diana. I wasnt doing this out of curiosity or experimentation, as anyone aware of how dangerous it is to transition will attest. Rather, I knew where I was headed, and was carefully pacing myself, lest I go insane. If I needed to use a public restroom on Diana days I chose the womens room. It was an easy call: While New York City is a welcoming place, the most dangerous place in it for a trans woman is a mens bathroom. During my Doug days, I used the mens room, and that too was a simple decision: Despite knowing myself to be a trans female person, presenting as male in a womens room would have been needlessly disruptive to the women there. This wasnt a matter of rights or politics, but basic compassion for others and for myself. While transitioning has offered many interesting experiences, using the womens room isnt one of them. At first, sitting and peeing in stalls, I was paranoid that the sound of my urine stream could be detected as glaringly unlike that of women in other stalls. Outside, in the common space, I washed my hands in a sink closest to the paper towels, didnt say a word, barely glanced at my makeup, and made a prompt exit. I feared some woman would look at me and say, You dont belong here. (That did happen once.) A recent poll reports that 56 percent of North Carolina residents approve of the bathroom restrictions in House Bill 2. I would like to think that most of these folks are so preoccupied with their own discomfort that theyre blinded to this fundamental fact: Trans people are, far and away, the ones least likely to seek trouble in a public restroom. The statistics bear this out: Zero reported incidents, in the history of the world, of trans people misbehaving in bathrooms. I would like to say to the 56 percent: You are entitled to feel uncomfortable, and we are entitled not to be murdered. Some dismiss the whole issue, pointing out that there are far more important things to debate, such as global warming and equal pay for women. The current fight over bathroom usage, for such a small segment of the population, has been labeled a culture war. This is no culture war, any more than Jim Crow legislation, and the fight to repeal it, was about values. The politicians behind HB2 know exactly what they are doing: That law, along with more than 100 other anti-trans bills currently under consideration in 28 state capitals, aims to eradicate us from public life. What happened for trans people this month, when the Justice Department sued North Carolina over HB2s restrictions on restroom access, is what happened for gay people last June when the Supreme Court affirmed the legality of same-sex marriage: We suddenly moved from an era of depending on tolerance, to an era of claiming respect. In the unlegislated world of tolerance, the privileged can say to the oppressed, We have decided to tolerate your nonconformity to us, but dont get carried away. But, in the world of legitimate respect, the oppressed minority gets to say, Were not particularly interested in your tolerance, so long as you respect our rights. This respect, along with its legal backing, was explicit in Attorney General Loretta Lynchs remarks May 9: This action is about a great deal more than just bathrooms. This is about the dignity and respect we accord our fellow citizens and the laws that we, as a people and as a country, have enacted to protect them indeed, to protect all of us. Let me also speak directly to the transgender community itself. Some of you have lived freely for decades. Others of you are still wondering how you can possibly live the lives you were born to lead. But no matter how isolated or scared you may feel today, the Department of Justice and the entire Obama administration wants you to know that we see you; we stand with you; and we will do everything we can to protect you going forward. Now when a woman in a restroom says, You dont belong here, I can caution her on my rights (and decide if I will tolerate her). Once we get that cleared up, we can reapply our lipstick while discussing global warming and equal pay for women which I agree, are more important than policing bathrooms, which never needed policing in the first place. Japanese Wagyu cows graze in the Sandhills. Beans grown in Scottsbluff end up on plates in Angola. Here in Lincoln, Kawasaki manufactures rail cars. The increasingly global economy isnt going to become a local issue. It already is one. Good news: Lincoln is positioned well to compete. Last month, I spent a week in China, Nebraskas fourth largest trading partner, with a bipartisan delegation of state and local officials from around the U.S. What I learned in China bolstered my enthusiasm for Nebraskas international economic partnerships and reinforced my belief that Lincolns home-grown ingenuity will carry us into a new era. Our delegation met with dignitaries and civil servants in Beijing, Kunming, and Shanghai and discussed expanding trade and investment and finding solutions for local and global challenges. I gained insight into the political, economic and cultural differences between our countries and the similar challenges we face competing in the world economy. To develop its competitive advantage, China invests heavily in early childhood and bilingual education. I met students who began their formal education and study of English at age three. China places great value on vocational schools and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). Representatives of Chinas Ministry of Commerce said nearly half of Chinas five million university graduates are engineers. Innovation repeatedly surfaced as the top priority of their national growth plan. In a country with limited arable land and water sources, innovation means developing clean energy technologies and new ways to irrigate crops to feed over one billion people. Chinas strategies felt remarkably familiar. In Lincoln, thousands of us recently answered this question, What should our community do to ensure youth are successful, our economy grows and our community is strong and vibrant? A community agenda called Prosper Lincoln emerged and prioritized three goals like those I saw China striving to achieve: nurture early childhood experiences, enhance employment skills, and create a culture of innovation. Prosper Lincoln aims to build upon our citys successes in these three priority areas. Early childhood development is being strengthened by public, private, and philanthropic support for initiatives such as Teach a Kid to Fish and Sixpence. Recognizing the link between education and employment skills, citizens voted to create our new Career Academy, where students choose one of 12 pathways to a career. Innovative entrepreneurs are making our city a hub of the Silicon Prairie. UNLs Innovation Campus is home to the Water for Food Institute (WFI) which aims to play a vital role in food security domestically and abroad. WFI just might be the partner China needs to address its irrigation concerns. Can we as a community do more? Yes, and my experiences in China showed me that we must. Prosper Lincolns community-driven agenda focuses on local aspirations, but they have global implications. Our goal is to ensure that more of us thrive in Lincoln, but that goal is also key to ensuring our ability to compete in the global economy. Its time for you and I to get involved. Support investment in early childhood programs and bilingual and STEM education so even more children are ready to learn and innovate. Establish an apprentice or internship program in your workplace to develop students employment skills. Take a risk on someone else taking a risk: become a customer or a referral source for a local startup. The Prosper Lincoln agenda cuts across cultural, socio-economic and political barriers; everyone can become part our communitys efforts to help more residents rise out of poverty and help our city and state rise to the challenge of competing with and exporting goods to countries like China. So the next time you take a friend to make something at Nebraska Innovation Studio, or take a less experienced co-worker under your wing, or take a page from the Lincoln City Libraries and read 15 minutes a day to a child, or even just take a bite of deliciously marbled Wagyu beefwhat youre really taking is a step toward building Lincolns and Nebraskas future. To learn more about Prosper Lincoln and suggestions for how to get involved, go to ww.prosperlincoln.org SAN DIEGO -- Never mind Texas. Don't mess with New Mexico! Apparently, it's the Land of Enchantment you have to be careful with if you're a demagogue running for president who portrays Mexico as corrupt and Mexicans as predators. If you're peddling insults and intolerance, you might want to steer clear of those parts. Latinos make up as much as 48 percent of the state's population, and politics there has more sting than a bucket full of scorpions. For New Mexicans, the toughest decisions often come down to a choice not between red and blue but between red and green. While it has a Republican governor, the state is solidly Democratic. Most people know who they're going to vote for, and the only unanswered question is what kind of chile to put on their enchiladas. My father's family comes from New Mexico. My grandparents were married in the southern part of the state, where two of my uncles were born. I still have cousins who live there. And I've covered political happenings in the state -- from nearby vantage points such as Arizona, Texas and California -- for nearly 20 years. And so I wasn't at all surprised when Donald Trump's appearance at a campaign event in Albuquerque was disrupted last week by activists who oppose his message. There were protests inside the arena and rioting outside. Protesters clashed with police, waved Mexican flags and destroyed property. Let's be clear. There's no defending violence and mayhem. The protesters were out of line. Still, what I find appealing is that -- in a country where many Republicans who a few months ago were declaring "never Trump" are now embracing the businessman as their party's nominee -- New Mexicans aren't going to play that game. They're standing their ground. It starts at the top, where Republican Gov. Susana Martinez refused to appear with her party's presumptive presidential nominee. Last month, she called Trump's plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and make Mexico pay for it unrealistic and irresponsible. Four years ago, Martinez said much the same thing about Mitt Romney's plan for illegal immigrants to "self-deport." Martinez spared herself from having to spend an afternoon with Trump by claiming she was "really busy" and "focused on what is going on here in New Mexico." One of the things "going on" in New Mexico is that a lot of people in both parties seem to be disgusted with the mouthy mogul from Manhattan. In most places in America, the pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock aboard the Mayflower in 1620 are considered the first settlers of the New World. But in New Mexico -- where the capital, Santa Fe, was founded in 1607 -- the world was already in full swing by the time the pilgrims came ashore. It's also surrounded by a handful of other Southwestern states -- Arizona, Texas, Utah, Colorado -- that were, like New Mexico, once part of old Mexico. So it's not surprising that the immigration debate takes a different form in New Mexico than it does in other states. In the South, Midwest or Northeast, when discussing illegal immigration, the narrative is about an unabated flow of unlawful intruders who trample our borders at will and sometimes compound the insult by committing crimes when they get here. But in New Mexico and the rest of the Southwest, you'll find plenty of people who think the real danger in this debate are those people who divide the population, stoke racial hatred and turn immigrants into scapegoats for all of society's problems. As we have learned over the last year, Trump is the constant critic who doesn't take criticism well. He responded to Martinez's snub by accusing her of "not doing the job" and blaming her for the state's economic woes. Is this the kinder and gentler Trump who many commentators predicted would appear as the billionaire gets ready for the general election? Is attacking, in such personal terms, the only Latina governor in the country part of Trump's strategy for winning Latino support? Amid all this acrimony, it's mind-boggling to think that some political observers keep suggesting the governor might make a good running mate for Trump. Wouldn't the fact that Martinez is obviously repulsed by the creep, and refuses to be seen with him, present a slight logistical challenge? The Nebraska Tourism Commission took an important first step by firing Director Kathy McKillip. But it still has a lot of work ahead to regain public trust. If the commission had been providing proper oversight, advertising firm Bailey Lauerman never would have been allowed to overrun its contract with the state by $4.4 million over three years. The scale of the overrun is stunning, amounting to more than 80 percent of the annual revenue the commission takes in from a 1 percent lodging tax. Members of the public who spoke before the 8-0 vote to fire McKillip questioned the board on how it could have been unaware of what was going on. Ive been on committees, many over the years. Anything involved finance, there always was a report, at any meeting, what the finances were, what money was spent for, said Dick Patterson. Needless to say, Patterson didnt get an answer to his question. In fact some commissioners had an indication of that there were problems before they became public, Nebraska Travel Association president Todd Kirshenbaum told reporters. Some of the commissioners I think they need to be questioned as well, he said. Were gonna really hold their feet to the fire. The excessive and questionable spending did not become public until the results of an audit by the State Auditors Office were released. The 79-page report showed an agency that seemed to be out of control, including items like the hiring of a speaker at a cost of $44,000 for a gathering of about 150, and the hiring of the McKillips 19-year-old daughter for a cross-state photo shoot. One way to clean up the mess might be to put the agency back under the control of the governor, where it was until the Legislature made it independent in 2012. That option seems to be favored by Gov. Pete Ricketts. Its opposed, however, by many in the tourism industry, and would take action by the Legislature next year. In the meantime the commission should waste no time putting guidelines and rules in place that ensure financial transparency so that the commission and the public can see how the agency is spending tax dollars. Ricketts also will soon have an opportunity before then to clean house on the commission. Terms are up in July for five members of the nine-member commission. Firing the director of tourism corrected only part of the problem. Now the commission needs to clean up its own act. In the recently published article (May 20) Drugs most abused by high school seniors, HealthGrove analysts made the glaring and, unfortunately, common mistake of excluding alcohol from their list. The fact is that alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug by youth in the U.S., and underage drinking results in over 4,300 deaths annually and cost Nebraska citizens more than $324 million in 2013. Between 2012 and 2014, past month use of alcohol by high school seniors in our state rose from 25 percent to 36 percent, and longstanding research has found that youth who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times as likely to become alcohol dependent later in life. Nebraska has made great strides in reducing underage drinking and the associated harms over the past two decades, and excluding alcohol from this list sends a message that underage drinking is permissible and that its OK to turn a blind eye to it. Unless we acknowledge these realities and focus our attention on the most commonly used and abused drug by youth, we risk the steep social and economic consequences that result from it. It's simple; Nebraska's youth deserve nothing less than a solid commitment to the evidence-based recommendations to prevent these harms, such as raising alcohol taxes, reducing physical availability and limiting youth exposure to alcohol advertising and marketing. Chris Wagner, Interim Executive Director of Project Extra Mile, Elkhorn World No Tobacco Day, May 31, offers an opportunity for elected leaders to think globally as well as nationally about curbing the tobacco epidemic. If countries don't take action, it is estimated that tobacco will kill one billion people globally this century. The US and many other countries have used tobacco control measures such as smoke-free laws, tobacco taxes and marketing restrictions to protect kids and reduce tobacco-related disease and death. However, the tobacco industry has been using trade and investment agreements to sue governments adopting tobacco control measures as a way to keep them from taking effect and discouraging other countries from adopting such policies. 1876: In Lincoln, the new Centennial Opera house was dedicated with the presentation of "The Two Orphans" by the John Dillon company. 1886: An addition of 15 stalls to the North Western's roundhouse at Chadron was about to begin. 1896: The Lincoln Board of Education reduced the school year from 91/2 months to nine months and extended the school day 30 minutes. 1906: A fire did about $40,000 worth of damage to the parlors of the Elks Club in Lincoln. 1916: A practical joker poured about 10 gallons of crude oil down a hole being drilled for a water well near Humboldt. 1926: A heated struggle was taking place between Wilber and Crete to determine which town should be the Saline County seat. 1936: A fire at St. Ursula's Convent in York destroyed a building housing the chapel, the sisters' apartments, a section of the school dormitory, a library reception room and classrooms, and drove 33 sisters from their quarters. 1946: Winds up to 60 mph blew the roofs off 61 sheds, causing damage estimated up to $500,000 at the Sioux Ordnance Depot at Sidney. 1956: Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Benson, touring Nebraska, said he would work for removal of all acreage controls on corn. The post headquarters of old Fort Robinson near Crawford was dedicated as a State Historical Society museum. 1966: Drought damage loomed despite scattered light showers. University of Nebraska agronomists said soil moisture was the lowest in several years. Nathan J.Gold, Lincoln merchant, was awarded the Nebraska Builder Award, the University of Nebraska's highest service honor, at the 96th NU commencement. NU conferred 1,450 degrees, a number eclipsed only in 1950. 1976: Following months of criticism about animal control problems, the Lincoln City Council cancelled its contract with the Humane Society for dog-catching and planned to spend at least $105,000 to set up its own animal control operation. 1986: Donna Marie Schieffer, a 19-year-old dance major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was crowned Miss Nebraska. 1996: Susan Sattler of Lincoln's Riley Elementary School was named National Head Start Teacher of the Year. 2006: A 20-year-old Lincoln woman, heading the wrong way on Interstate 180, drove her car off a bridge near Memorial Stadium early Monday morning. The car,a 2002 Dodge Stratus,fell about 30 feet to the street below and started on fire, according to a Lincoln police report. The driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. She didnt remember anything about the accident. The police report stated that she likely had been drinking. LAKE GEORGE, Colo. If youve tried three flies and still havent hooked one of these guys, said Scott Tarrant, wading farther out into the Tarryall River, remember what the old timers say. Foam is home. Follow the bubbles. Sounds like a beer drinkers election slogan to me, said Josh, the groups self-appointed comedian, peering into the ripples swirling around a fallen tree trunk. Bet they werent fly fishermen, either, said Scott, camp manager at Fishing Camp, a fishing lodge in Colorados South Park, three hours from Denver. Fishermen would know that a line of bubbles is where two currents meet. Its like a conveyor belt sweeping fish and floating insects together. Crossing the river that morning, off for an early run in the Lost Creek Wilderness, I was thinking more about Kit Carson and Jim Bridger than I was about trout. Best-known of the fur trappers and mountain men that explored the Rocky Mountains in the early decades of the 1800s, Carson and Bridger camped in the mountain paradise they called South Park and knew it well. But if it hadnt been for an invitation to a wedding at the historic Broadmoor Hotel, in Colorado Springs, I wouldnt have been at Fishing Camp at all. Without my dad along, hiking to our favorite mountain streams, learning which fly to use and how to spot the eddies where the trout lurked, fishing wasnt the same. Especially memorable were his stories, full of boyhood recollections about lake fishing in Wisconsin. There was the time he struggled to haul a bass into the rowboat and a mean-looking snapping turtle suddenly lunged up and grabbed it, nearly taking off his finger. Or the one about the raccoon family that poached the pail of bluegills hed left outside for no more than ten minutes. After he was gone, the rods and reels went back in the closet for good. Five years later the wedding invitation arrived. And with it came two nights at the legendary Broadmoor, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, a luxury vacation destination popular since the hotel opened, in 1918. Which is where I learned about the Broadmoors newest venture, three back-country camps inspired by the hotels new owner, Philip Anschutz, a student and admirer of western traditions and history. With the Rocky Mountains right there in the hotels back yard, the time was ripe for offering the kind of authentic wilderness and ranch experiences that adventuresome travelers say they want. Accordingly, the Ranch at Emerald Valley, a cowboy-style outfit at 8,200 feet in the Pike National Forest, was the first to open, in 2013. Cloud Camp, at 9,200 feet on Cheyenne Mountain, opened the following year, in 2014. But for Anschutz, who told me he discovered Colorado during the summer vacations his parents organized, the idea of recreating an old-time fishing lodge, with a big front porch, pine plank floors, rustic log cabins to bunk in and family-style dinners, must have been percolating. And there it remained, according to a spokesman in Anschutzs office, until the he was out for a drive and spotted an abandoned log cabin on a former homestead in South Park, the grassy valley that western scholar and author Bernard DeVoto called a mountain mans paradise, the last place in the mountains where the old life could be lived to the full. When a little digging indicated that the cabin, on 76 acres, was not only next to one of Colorados top-rated trout streams but that five miles of the river frontage was private land, Fishing Camp became a reality. For all its connections with the Broadmoor, Fishing Camp is wonderfully rustic, the kind of place where everyone feels at home. But spartan it isnt. The main lodge, originally a homesteaders cabin, is now restored, rebuilt, re-chinked, reroofed, enlarged and insulated. The lighting and electricity have been upgraded to current standards. Bigger windows let in light and an improved pine board floor resists muddy boots. Tapestry-sized Navajo rugs hang on the walls, surrounded by last centurys western memorabilia: snowshoes, buckets, cowboy hats, antlers, several mounted fish, a decoy ducks, period lanterns, antique fishing rods, a collection of woven wicker creels and a canoe and paddle, the last propped overhead on the rafters. Seven small log cabins, each different and sleeping two to eight guests, have also been updated, with new chinking and insulation. The door frames are old, the doors and screens are new. The rooms were small; the new rooms have been rearranged to add more space. Upgraded lighting, comfy sofas and chairs and framed 1930s magazine ads, promoting rods and reels, continue the theme. Some cabins have private baths; three of the smallest like so many 1950s and 60s wilderness camps share a single bath house. As for the wood frame screen door on my cabin, it swung shut with a comfortable thunk. With a limit of 22 guests at any one time, Fishing Camps isolation, at the foot of the Lost Creek Wilderness, and its private stretch of river frontage really is your fathers fishing stream. You could spend all day walking along the bank, soaking up the scenery and the solitude. The fact is that the proliferation of highways, public parks, campgrounds and tourist trails have made distant trout streams more accessible, and therefore more crowded. For experts, the Taryalls turns and twists offer enough eddies, pools, snags and white water to challenge any skill level. And though Tarrant and his guides are catch-and-release sportsmen by choice, Fishing Camp is a stream-to-table resort, he says. If you yearn for that old-time taste of wild rainbow trout, just caught and fried in butter, just ask. As for eager beginners, you wont be bored holding a rod and watching a fishing line that never wiggles. Tarrant, who can snare a trout nearly on command, is a repository of facts about the climate, stream action, native insects and when they fly, and what a trout thinks as it rests in a quiet eddy. Even after all these years, I learned how to cast more effectively with less effort (and without throwing out my shoulder) and to pay attention to whats hatching that day. Clearly, luring a fighting rainbow onto a hook is what Fishing Camp is all about. But dont stay away just because you dont fish. Bring the family fisherman along, and while he/she is catching dinner, take the car and explore South Park. If you dont want to hike, ask about four-wheel jeep trails into the Lost Creek Wilderness, where a network of trails go from one photo op to the next: arresting rock formations, eagles nests, marshy meadows, sage-covered sunny slopes and half-ruined pioneer cabin sites. Wannabe cowboys can take a guided horseback ride at Tarryall River Ranch, just off the highway, three miles south of Fishing Camp. Also in the vicinity is a classic one-room school house, built in 1921, standing on the same site where its predecessor, built in 1898, once stood. Painted bright white, it perches on a small rise, a voice from a vanished age, like the fur trappers and like Ma and Pa in The Little House series of books, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. For the stories that paved the way for the Ingalls pioneering years, read Kit Carson and Jim Bridgers diaries, tales of South Park and beyond. Compiled by Sharon Knox The Journal Times welcomes news about promotions, appointments, professional organization elections, certifications, and professional honors. There is no charge for this service. Because of space constraints, we reserve the right to edit for length or clarity. The deadline for Names and Faces items is 3 p.m. Thursday of each week. Photos may accompany notices of new hires and promotions. Send your items to Sharon Knox at: sknox@journaltimes.com or by mail: Names and Faces, The Journal Times, 212 Fourth St., Racine, WI 53403. Business anniversaries Is your business celebrating an anniversary? The Journal Times publishes short news items of 10th, 25th, 50th and greater multiples of 25 years of Racine County-based companies. We ask you to provide us with the basic information: when the business started; the founder; its location then and now; the original name if different than todays; and what the business did in the beginning and now. We will include these in the Names and Faces column or use them as stand-alone news items in our Sunday Money section. Send your items to Michael Burke at: mburke@journaltimes.com, or to Sharon Knox at: sknox@journaltimes.com, or fax them to 262-631-1780. Please provide a contact name and phone number in case we have questions. RACINE COUNTY At the height of the Great Depression, Harold Agerholm used to hop the trains that rambled through Rubberville and throw off enough coal for family, friends and neighbors to cook and heat their homes. It was also common for Harold to drag a younger sibling back to school by force if they skipped class and got out of line. Such is the character of a young man who later saved wounded comrades in the dark of the night during island fighting in the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles from home. Harold Christian Agerholm is one of two men from Racine to be posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II. On July 7, 1944, Agerholm, a private first class in the Marine Corps, evacuated 45 wounded comrades off the battlefield during the Battle of Saipan. Agerholms fellow Marines urged him to stop due to darkness. According to newspaper accounts from the time, now housed in the archives of the Racine Heritage Museum, Agerholm said: As long as the boys need help Im going to give it to them. Agerholm salvaged an abandoned ambulance and sortied to the battlefield for three hours while under attack from mortar, small arms and machine gun fire. He was headed back for two more wounded comrades when he succumbed to Japanese sniper fire. One of six children He begged so hard to go I finally gave my consent, Ruth Agerholm said in a newspaper article from the time about letting her son join the Marine Corps. Ruth Agerholm lived a quiet and private life. She raised six children after her husband, Chris, died while cutting trees near what was then St. Marys Hospital. Harold was the oldest boy and third of Ruths six children. On July 10, 1945, Ruth received Harolds posthumous Medal of Honor in a private ceremony in her home at 1316 Howe St. Senior officers of the Navy and Marine Corps presented the medal with little fanfare or ceremony, according to newspaper accounts from the time. Ruth declined the option to go to Washington, D.C., to be presented the award. Adm. Arthur S. Carpenter, commanding officer of the 9th Naval District, headquartered at Great Lakes, Ill., presented the honor in Ruths living room. He read the paper to me and handed me the star, Ruth said in a newspaper account. It was very nice. We wanted to have the medal given to us for Harold in his church, but the officers couldnt come on a Sunday, so I wrote they could come to the house. Present when Ruth received Harolds medal were his sister, Margaret, and Robert, his only brother. Robert later served in the Army Air Corps and gave his son, Peter, his uncles middle name. Peter joined the Marines almost 50 years later. I wanted to be a Marine, said Peter, who lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife and two daughters and is a senior supervisor for We Energies in Pleasant Prairie. I remember my grandma always talking about the Marines and my uncle. I wanted to be a Marine. Peter used to play Scrabble with Ruth in her home in Racine near a wall commemorating Harolds service and honors. Peter enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve while a student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and served in a unit based in Madison. Nephew of a hero Peter spent time deployed in Haiti and other places, and got out in the late 1990s. The stature of his last name did not go unnoticed by his fellow Marines, and led to ribbing in the form of extra physical training and chores on one occasion in Madison. The sacrifice of his uncle is not lost on Peter, and perhaps means more after wearing the same uniform. I would do that for my children, but would you do it for your fellow man? Peter said of his uncles heroism. He did. Thats gallantry. You can train and train and train, but you either have it or you dont. He had the right stuff. A picture of the USS Agerholm hangs in Peters home. The destroyer was commissioned in 1946 in honor of Harold, and served the Navy until being decommissioned in 1978. Naming the school At a meeting of the Racine Board of Education on July 17, 1951, the board decided to name a new public elementary school Jerstad-Agerholm, honoring both of Racines World War II Medal of Honor recipients. The school now an elementary and middle school is colloquially known as Jerstad by most, and a subtle debate exists regarding whether Harold Agerholm is paid the proper amount of respect. The Journal Times raised the issue in a 2004 story when members of the Agerholm-Gross Detachment of the Marine Corps League gathered in Mound Cemetery in Racine to rededicate Harolds grave. Jerstad-Agerholms current principal, Douglas Clum, said he insists the school be called by its proper and full name, ensuring each man receives the respect they earned. I think its remarkable that this community showed that respect to PFC Agerholm and Major (John) Jerstad, Clum said. Both of those men are deserving of the respect and recognition that comes with that name. RACINE Gene Jenistas jeep is, if everything goes according to plan, going to rumble Monday through the Racine Memorial Day parade. Jenista, a Franksville native and 1941 Horlick High School graduate, died in 2009. Jenista served with the United States Armys 553rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion in Europe during World War II, including during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Jenista served as sergeant-at-arms for Racines American Legion Post 310 and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Jenistas legacy of service lives on through the World War II-era Willys Jeep he restored, drove in local parades and later donated to the Legacy Museum and Veterans Center, 820 N. Main St. in Racine. The building was the last residence of Racine founder Gilbert Knapp. The center serves as a meeting place for veterans groups from throughout the area. The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America and Reserve Officers Association are among the local groups that meet at the center. The center operates a restaurant called the Foxhole Lounge that is open seven days a week from noon to close. The center also maintains the Legacy Museum, and plans to expand its effort to commemorate those from Racine County who served their country in the military. We try to preserve that and, at the same time, tell a story through our museum, said First Vice President Jeff Hart. Thats our goal for the future. Hart has been with the organization since its inception in 1998. Museum display A centerpiece of the museum is the display honoring Harold Agerholm and John Jerstad. Jerstad and Agerholm, for whom Jerstad-Agerholm Elementary and Middle School, 3535 LaSalle St., is named, each were posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their service during World War II. Agerholm, a private first class in the United States Marines Corps, single-handedly evacuated more than 45 wounded combatants from the battlefield during fighting on the island of Saipan in July of 1944. A Japanese sniper shot and killed Agerholm on July 7, 1944. Jerstad, a major with the United States Army Air Corps the precursor to the Air Force was shot down during an August 1943 raid on an oil refinery in Ploesti, Romania. Jerstad took heavy enemy fire and refused to land safely on his way to the target. He dropped his bomb load and crashed his B-24 Hells Wench into the refinery. Deb Patton, a former secretary at Jerstad-Agerholm Elementary and Middle School, helped gather artifacts for each man and compile the display commemorating the two at the museum. The display includes maps, personal items and mannequins dressed in period uniforms similar to those worn by both Agerholm and Jerstad. Sandy Faulkner, a history teacher at Jerstad-Agerholm, also contributed significantly to the development of the display. Patton worked tirelessly to obtain the duplicate Medals of Honor on display for each man at the Legacy Museum. Receiving those medals was the highlight, Patton said of her efforts to bring together the Agerholm and Jerstad displays. Thats what most people come to see in the exhibit. A lot of people have never laid their eyes on a Medal of Honor. Possible expansion The museum started in 1998, and work to raise funds for expansion has continued ever since. Hart said the plan is to expand on land the center owns to the north, build a separate meeting building, and turn the Knapp property solely to a museum. Hart, a retired history teacher from Park High School, said he thinks an exhibit on Racines manufacturing role in World War II would be interesting. Massey-Harris built tanks in Racine, and operated a proving ground in the area. In World War II, the Case Corp. built airplane wings and other parts. Patton said she is working on an exhibit related to the War on Terror, which is rooted in her husbands experience as a Marine Corps pilot in Beirut in the early 1980s. Hart said the center is always looking for donations of material and money to continue its mission. In time, Hart said organizers would like to see a facility similar to Veterans Terrace at Echo Park in Burlington. The holdup is cash, Hart said. Getting a capital campaign going is a tough thing in these economic times. Were still hoping for the future. We look at different options, from time to time, of what we can do. DOVER The rolling patch of one-time farmland tucked away on Spring Street in the Town of Dover has been become a profoundly different place in the past 20 years. It has become a place where sacrifice is respected and remembered; a place where honor is carved in granite and stands forever against the elements; a place where men and women who have served their county find eternal rest and peace. The Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery has become a special place. The cemetery opened in September 1996 with Arthur B. Niles, a Navy veteran and Salem resident, the first to be interred there. Since then, the cemetery has borne witness to 14,321 interments through June 30, and has gone through four phases of expansion on its 105 immaculately manicured acres. It has been an amazing transformation, said Matthew W. Bergs, cemetery director since 2013. It started as an open field and has really developed into something very impressive. Last year there were about 1,100 interments, Bergs said. The cemetery holds between four and eight committal services a day Monday through Friday, he said. Its the fifth-busiest state veteran cemetery in the nation. Its such an honor to have this sacred place in our area, where our veterans can rest in peace with the dignity and respect they deserve, said Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, whose 63rd District includes the cemetery. I can remember when the cemetery was only an idea, and Im so proud of the beautiful sanctuary it has become over the last 20 years. An idea becomes a reality What is now a sanctuary started as an idea more than 20 years ago. Kenosha resident Edo Maccari, a World War II veteran, pushed for the creation of a home and cemetery for veterans in southeastern Wisconsin. In the early 1990s, he approached the state Department of Veteran Affairs with the idea. His concept dovetailed nicely with the imminent closing of the Wood National Veterans Cemetery in Milwaukee, which could not take any more interments. The federal Department of Veterans Affairs advocated the creation of more state veteran cemeteries and approved one for southeast Wisconsin. Land was eyed at the old Southern Colony medical facility an ideal location, state Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Raymond G. Boland said back then. At the time, Wisconsin had only one state veterans cemetery, the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, which opened in 1888. Work on the second started in 1995, with the National Guard doing much of the excavation and landscaping for the $3.45 million project. The cemetery was completed in 1996, with the first interment on Sept. 30, 1996, when Niles was laid to rest. He would have loved this location, his wife, Marian Niles, told the Journal Times at the time. The lay of the land Niles headstone is in Section I, one of 20 interment areas at the cemetery. The facility inters caskets and cremation urns year-round. Cremated remains may be interred either in ground, in an above-ground columbarium or in a scattering area. Interments are memorialized with a marker that includes the veterans name, rank, branch of service, war period, birth date, death date and spousal information. The cemetery has an indoor committal chapel for interment services, as well as a shelter for outdoor services, weather permitting. The cemeterys services have become very popular and in demand, said Lars Ekornaas, a funeral director at Daniels Family Funeral Homes, which has locations in Union Grove and Burlington. Many, many people ask us about it, he said. The funeral home works with customers if they have a veteran who is eligible to be buried at the cemetery, Ekornaas said. The funeral home will transport the casket to the cemetery and provide any help needed at the service, he said. Veterans also can receive military honors rifle volleys, taps and a flag presentation from several American Legion posts in Racine County. Waterford Post 20 provides members each Monday, while Union Grove Post 171 is at the cemetery Tuesdays and Thursdays. Waterford has two teams of five men who have helped at the cemetery for the past four years, said Gerald Beffa, a Post 20 member who served in the Army and coordinates the teams. Its a way of expressing gratitude, Beffa said. These men and women served. They deserve this. Its the least a grateful nation can do for them. The dignity of the services is awe-inspiring, said Ekornaas, who has been in the business for 12 years. What they do out there is a wonderful thing, he said. It is a beautiful area. I have never heard any family being unhappy with anything out there. That place means so much to so many people. Ensuring smooth operations It probably means even more to Bergs, who has been in the cemetery business almost 30 years. He served three years in Army before answering a newspaper ad in 1987 to be a cemetery representative. He served as the first director at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, which opened in November 2000. He worked there until March 2013. At Southern Wisconsin, Bergs supervises an office staff of four and a grounds crew of nine. He also spends a lot of time handling preregistration requests from living veterans who want to be interred at the cemetery. Any veteran who can show he served and show some kind of state residency can be buried at the cemetery, Bergs said. Spouses of veterans also can be interred there, he said. Preregistration for both has become extremely popular, Bergs said. So far, about 10,000 veterans are on the preregistered list, he said. I think veterans want to be buried with veterans, Bergs said. Its a brotherhood and sisterhood. Its a place where they can honor each other. They hold that special. And this is a special place. RACINE Its a Thursday afternoon in teacher Damian Knuths sixth-grade classroom at 21st Century Preparatory School, 1220 Mound Ave., and a group of students are bent over large sheets of blank newsprint. Pencils in hand, theyre thinking long and hard about the stories they want to tell Racine, and the wider world, about the work they have been doing: learning about the local ecosystems, and how to keep them healthy. The posters primarily depict projects that the students recently engaged in during an environmental service learning day, like water testing and the pulling of invasive species. It helps us get more into our community, instead of just staying inside and I like drawing, said 12-year-old Adamariz Aranda. The posters are helping the students to express what those projects meant, but theyll soon be serving another, possibly larger purpose by helping to beautify the city this summer. The mini-murals will soon grace the windows of several vacant Downtown storefronts ahead of a visit this July from judges from the international Communities in Bloom competition. Going global The City of Racine, along with other communities east of Interstate 94, will be competing in the contest this year under the newly minted banner Discover Racine. Racine and the greater Racine area have been competing in similar beautification competitions since 2012, when it first entered the America in Bloom contest. Ever since snaring the Criteria Award for Overall Impression in 2012, the civic group has been working to step up its game. The committee took a break from entering any contests in 2015, but this years Communities in Bloom will put them in direct competition with entrants from North America, Europe and Asia. The entrants will be judged on a communitys tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape, and floral displays. Melissa Kaprelian-Becker, the groups longtime leader, said committee members first got the itch to enter an international competition after it was suggested by judges from America in Bloom in 2012 and 2013. She also thought the added challenge would get even more people involved. Sometimes people need that little boost to get involved. And when they feel like they are involved with something, it motivates them, Kaprelian-Becker said. Building community The idea for the window murals came up as a way getting more young people involved, while also ensuring that judges wouldnt simply dismiss the vacant buildings they came across Downtown, said Kaprelian-Becker, a Racine County Board supervisor and former Racine alderman. You can walk by a vacant building, and then what is the connection? You are not really stopping to look if it is just a vacant space. My belief is that beauty is just part of the value of its place, so if the beauty isnt there you are adding the beauty, she said. All told, Kaprelian-Becker has collected about 100 of the posters from dozens of students, and even a few adults, from across the Racine area. She hopes to have many of the murals in the windows in time for First Friday events on June 3. In addition to the mural effort, there are a host of other projects being undertaken by youths across the city in preparation for the Communities in Bloom competition. Students at Racine Civil Leaders Academy, for example, have been working on dioramas depicting local history that they will present to the judges during a welcome ceremony. I want to build these kids so they have this civic pride; so that they stay here and they build up our community when they become the leaders, Kaprelian-Becker said. I had a friend recently ask me what I do when Im not in Madison at the state capitol. I think its important for elected officials to let their constituents know how they spend their time. Im sure that Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, Rep. Tom Weatherston, R-Caledonia, and Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, could tell you similar stories about what the job entails. All are passionate individuals who work hard to represent our communities. In response to my friends question, I put up nightly reports on my daily events on social media for two weeks. Let me tell you there is never a dull moment. When Im not at the capitol, my top priority is to connect with my constituents and community leaders. During the week of calendar posts, I spent an evening at the Union Grove Lions Club meeting and made my rounds at three local government board meetings to give my annual legislative update. In one night, I talked with the boards in Union Grove, Yorkville and Dover. In addition, I attended the Burlington Police Memorial Service in honor of National Police Week. Its been my practice since I was elected that I call back constituents who want to talk directly with me. So, I spend a good amount of time making phone calls. Even though we may not see eye-to-eye on every single issue, its my job to listen and assist in matters involving the state. On one particular day during this stretch in May, I spent three hours talking to constituents on the phone. The issues we discussed included support for our reforms to tenure in the UW System, questions on child care and the funding of a voter ID campaign. As an elected official, I think its my job to constantly learn about new ideas. One weekend, I spent time at the quarterly meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures. This is a great group of bipartisan state leaders from across the nation sharing ideas from their states. Im honored to serve on their executive board and believe very strongly in their bipartisan mission. In fact, Im proud to carry through on that bipartisan mission in the Assembly. According to the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau, more than 90 percent of the new laws this past session received bipartisan support in our chamber. I also visited with homeowners from Mount Pleasant, along with local officials and community members dealing with the erosion emergency on the shores of Lake Michigan. This effort will require collaboration between the local, state and federal governments. We all believe this emergency needs to be solved, and Im pleased we are all committed to finding a solution. As I do most weeks of the year, I was at the vapitol a few days for meetings with my staff and more constituent calls. In addition, I had the opportunity to welcome the 4th graders from Yorkville Elementary School to the state Capitol. The students asked the best questions and in the mock vote that we held on the Assembly floor, they voted down year-round school. I think theyre not ready to give up summer vacation. Like many of my colleagues in Madison, Im a citizen legislator with another job. Luckily I have great people at my small businesses so I am able to focus most of my attention on my legislative work. But in my free time, I check in on my factory and meet with staff. The work I do as a state representative is diverse but extremely rewarding. From attending events in the district, meeting with local leaders or talking to constituents, Im honored to have the opportunity to work every day for the people of Racine County and to continue working to move Wisconsin forward. On Wednesday, May 18, 250 girls from Gilmore, Jerstad-Agerholm, McKinley, Mitchell and Starbuck middle schools attended the GEMS- Girls Empowered by Math and Science (GEMS) Conference held at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside campus. These seventh and eighth grade girls had the opportunity to hear our guest speaker Kayla Carter, a lead systems engineer in the medical products group at Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to hearing Carter, students chose four hands-on workshops that related to math, science and engineering. The mission of the 2016 GEMS Conference is twofold to provide young women with opportunities to learn about the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in careers and to promote young womens participation in STEM courses in high school and college. In addition to the student conference, parent/teacher workshops were also held on a variety of topics to foster girls success in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics career areas as students look ahead to college opportunities. The GEMS Steering Committee would like to extend its thanks to the many volunteer presenters who were from UW-Parkside and area businesses. In addition, the committee would like to thank the sponsors of the event Girls Inc. of Racine, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, American Association of University Women, the Racine Unified School District, SC Johnson, Safe Haven of Racine, Inc. and United Way. We are looking to another successful conference on Jan. 18, 2017. Cynthia Larsen GEMS 2016 Steering Committee Caledonia It seems the Madison elite who got involved in our school board election were not victorious. Voter ID reform, based on false premises, takes the vote away from groups of citizens. Gerrymandering has put certain citizens in a negative position. All in all, the present power structures seem to want to not allow our diverse community in Wisconsin to exercise their rights. We would hope that this does not mean that there is a whiff of racism and bigotry in these actions. America, as it is made of different races and cultures, has no room for discrimination. Lets keep fighting the good fight for the rights of all. Jim Piojda Racine Abducted businessman Kedia released safely, one arrested Businessman Suresh Kedia, who was abducted from Bara on Thursday evening, has been released safely from Motihari of Bihar state in India. Birgunj entrepreneurs demand security Local entrepreneurs of Birgunj on Saturday submitted a memorandum to the Chief District Officer in Parsa demanding their security. Budget for health sector up The government has earmarked Rs40.56 billion for the health sector for the upcoming fiscal year, a 24 percent rise from the last fiscal. But its share of the total budget is only 3.8 percent, less than last years share. Daniel Craig 'exhausted' from playing James Bond Actor Daniel Craig is "exhausted" from playing James Bond, according to his former co-star Judi Dench. Entire settlement relocated after drinking water crisis Locals of Mustang are a worried lot, as they are reeling under acute water crisis due to prolonged spell of drought. EPG meeting slated for June in Kathmandu The first joint meeting of Eminent Persons Group (EPG), a bilateral committee formed to review the agreements and treaties between Nepal and India including the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950, will take place in the last week of June. European migrant crisis: Shipwrecks 'kill up to 700 migrants' Up to 700 migrants are feared drowned in a series of shipwrecks off the coast of Libya in the last few days, the UN refugee agency says. Experts doubt govts ability to implement Although the government has put strong emphasis on the infrastructure development in the annual budget presented on Saturday, experts have questioned the governments ability to implement its promises given its track record. Fulani released After plying his trade as an actor, director, and script writer, Khagendra Lamichhane has now emerged with a new avatara short story writer. Gathabandhan boycotts budget Madhesi and Janajati parties affiliated to the Federal Alliance (Sanghiya Gathabandhan) boycotted Saturdays budget session as part of their ongoing protest against the government and new constitution. Govt allocates Rs35.86 billion for farm sector The government, in the budget for FY 2016-17, has come up with a number of ambitious programmes to boost the agriculture sector. Govt toughens ban on plastic bags The government has decided to toughen the plastic bag ban campaign in the country, considering its impact on human health, local environment and urban beauty. Hunting reserve falls prey to encroachment Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, which is spread over 250 hectares across Baglung, Myagdi and Rukum districts, has been gradually losing large swathes of its land to encroachment for the past several years. Infrastructure to be made disabled-friendly The government has announced to make all state infrastructure disabled-friendly. Injured in rhino attack, elderly couple facing tough times An elderly couple, who sustained serious injuries in a rhino attack at Madi, has been languishing at Bharatpur Hospital for the past one week. Johnny Depp's wife Amber Heard accuses him of assault A US judge has ordered actor Johnny Depp to stay away from his estranged wife, actress Amber Heard, after she alleged he assaulted her. Media sector not happy with new budget The media sector has expressed dissatisfaction over the budget estimates that Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel presented at the Parliament on Saturday, stating that it did not include any significant plans for the media sector. Nepal-Britain human relations Bringing out accounts of the human aspects of the 200-year-relationship would be a good tribute to history Nepal-India EPG meet to be held in Kathmandu next month The first ever joint meeting of Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG), a bilateral committee formed to review the agreements and treaties between the two countries including Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950, is taking place in Kathmandu in the last week of June. Okinawa base imposes curfew on US troops after woman's death The US military base on Japan's island of Okinawa has imposed a midnight curfew and a ban on alcohol after the arrest of an ex-Marine suspected of killing a Japanese woman. Oli the dreamer Excited and carried away by the flattery of his blind followers, Oli keeps generating fresh controversies Pakistan bans TV contraceptive adverts Pakistani authorities have banned all broadcast advertisements for contraceptives. School child frees himself from clutches of abductors A school of Dhungrekhola-9 in Sarlahi has reportedly managed to free himself from the clutches of his abductors and now is under the care of police. Speaking in tongues Although my native tongue is Nepal Bhasa, listening to the news in it feels like listening to a foreign language Special focus on schools The government has earmarked Rs116 billion for the education sector, which is around 11 percent of the total budget. Students facing hard time in makeshift classrooms Anita Baram of Bindrawati Higher Secondary School at Masel in Gorkha district was injured on Wednesday when the roof was blown away by a strong wind. Vidya 'not aware' of Siddharth being miffed by her support for Kangana Actress Vidya Balan says that she is not aware about reports claiming that her husband, producer Siddharth Roy Kapur, was miffed with her for supporting fellow actress Kangana Ranaut in her "battle" with actor Hrithik Roshan. Yes, its hard to to tell when one enters the city limits Yes, they will make the city more inviting Maybe ... does it really matter? No, the signs in place are fine No, it would be a waste of taxpayer dollars Vote View Results Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Periods of rain. High 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Rain. Thunder possible. Low 52F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. LAKE PLEASANT Dick Shank is a humble man who went on the trip of a lifetime Wednesday on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He is proud of his service, but he shies away from publicity. Shank, 86, is a Korean War veteran who served as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. and went on Honor Flight Northeast Indianas Flight 20 accompanied by his daughter, Patty Lorntz. She pushed him in his wheelchair and they took in the sites together. We saw all the monuments, and its a beautiful site to see. People who honor this Honor Flight need 101 percent credit. They do a good job, Shank said. It was all great, seeing things I never would have seen because I never drive to the East Coast. Shank said he particularly liked the memorial dedicated to the Air Force, the branch of the military in which he served. Honor Flight Northeast Indiana is a nonprofit organization created to fly veterans free to Washington, D.C., as a way to honor their service and provide an opportunity to visit the memorials there. Honor Flight Northeast Indiana is part of the Honor Flight Network. He is a proud but quiet man about his service in the Korean War, Lorntz said. He joined the service straight out of Angola High School. Lorntz and Shank said they could never thank the Orland American Legion enough for sponsorship of the trip. He is a member of the Orland American Legion Post 423, which has been very gracious in sponsoring my flight as his companion to assist him during the trip, Lorntz said. As expected, I am very proud of my dad. Im happy we got to see the sites together. Lorntz said large groups of people gave Flight 20 a rousing send-off from Fort Wayne and return home. Honor Flight passengers had police escorts. There was a dance group The biggest thing is hundreds wanted to shake his hand young and old, Lorntz said. It was the amount of respect. I was dumbfounded and taken aback. It made me proud to be American. Washington, D.C., is beautiful. Monna Ewing, Shanks companion, did not accompany him on the Honor Flight. She did attend a luncheon with Shank in advance for those going on the Honor Flight. The whole thing is awesome, Ewing said, while getting emotional. Shank was on the Honor Flight waiting list a few years. He said hes not bitter about the reception veterans received upon returning from Korea right after the war. Though he did say its called the forgotten war. I didnt feel it was overdue. I was surprised, he said. For more information about Honor Flight Northeast Indiana, visit hfnei.com. ONALASKA A month before Festival Foods Onalaska support center moves to its new, larger location, Dave Skogen says he and his wife, Barb, are soliciting ideas for future uses of the current building at 237 Second Ave. S. In an interview last week, he described the current location as the birthplace of his familys grocery business. His parents, Paul and Jane Skogen, opened their first grocery store on the site in 1946. It was replaced by a new store the current building in 1958. Since 1998, the building has been used as a support center. The Skogen family operates 22 Festival Foods stores in Wisconsin, and three more will open by the end of this year. Dave Skogen is chairman of the familys grocery business. He and his wife own the current support center building. The new support center, across Hwy. 16 from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, will have about 30,000 square feet of space, up from 12,000 square feet at the current location. The support center offices are expected to move to the new location on July 5 and 6, Skogen said. He, his brother Tom and perhaps a few others will continue to have offices in the current location for a while, Skogen said. But hopefully within a year, well have a new use for this place, he said. Since plans for the new support center were first announced last July, Onalaska residents have been very generous with suggestions for the current location, Skogen said. Weve heard everything from a coffee shop to an ice cream parlor to co-work stations where people could use office spaces, Skogen said. We have another group were talking to about a (new) youth leadership academy, he said. Those talks are just in their infancy. Weve had all kinds of people sticking their toe into the water, but nothing concrete, Skogen said of future uses for the current support center. We want to make it clear that we prefer to keep our birthplace in the Skogen family, he said. By the same token, if someones got a better idea and needs to buy it to do certain things with it, if we think it fits the community and serves the community well, well listen. Skogen said at his age 74 he doesnt want to become involved in managing or developing a new use, such as a coffee shop or leadership academy. But I can offer some input, and I can do the buildout to make it happen, he added. Neither Barb nor I want to get into running a (new) business, Skogen said. We want to make something good happen for the community. Thats our No. 1 goal. He noted the building is across the street from the Great River Landing, a city of Onalaska project whose first phase is under construction. In a recent column, I discussed using a television antenna to receive free over-the-air television channels. I heard from numerous readers who appreciated this idea, including readers who didnt know that free television signals still existed: DEAR JILL: Thank you for sharing the information on how to get free television with an antenna. I am 70 years young and did not realize you could still get TV the old fashioned way! We have had cable for decades, but I do not watch television nearly as much as I used to. I have an antenna installer coming next week to put an antenna on. The antenna was only $30 and my cable bill is over $160 per month. Myrna M. The FCC protects consumers right to receive television broadcast signals via the Over The Air Reception Devices Rule. It isnt legal for homeowners associations to prohibit the installation of devices to receive television signals. However, one of my readers took issue with this, arguing that people should pay for television and avoid mounting an antenna for aesthetic reasons: DEAR JILL: I know your column is all about saving money. I usually agree with your advice. However, there are situations that override penny-pinching measures, even if they are, according to you, legal. I remember aerial photos from back in the day of housing tracts that had an antenna on every rooftop. The sea of antennas was ugly, but the only way to get TV reception. In todays world, there is no reason to install these unappealing eyesores on roofs other than to save a few bucks. Just because you can do something doesnt mean you should. My HOA would never give approval to an external antenna installation. I suppose someone could hire a lawyer to challenge it, but who would care enough to spend money, time and aggravation to challenge the regulation? In the remote possibility that the complaining person won the case, the neighbors would view such a person as a troublemaker who cares only about himself. My advice to anyone who has their heart set on a roof antenna installation is to buy a home where you can paint your house purple, leave trash cans out on the street all week long and park rusty cars in the dirt strip that used to be the front yard in front of your house. Suzanne F. I hardly think installing a television antenna equates to causing a neighborhood disturbance. We love our over-the-air signal, and with pay television services costing upwards of $100/month, households can save more than $1,200 each year by switching to an antenna. Thats sound financial advice of which anyone struggling to pay bills should take advantage. To me its very hard to advocate paying for something thats free to everyone simply for aesthetic reasons. Additionally, modern HD antennas are much smaller and sleeker in design than the old, element-style antennas, so much of the worry over aesthetics is unfounded. I understand not wanting to upset the neighbors, but federal law is firmly on the side of the consumer. Regardless of what the bylaws state, HOAs are legally not allowed to restrict homeowners from installing antennas or satellite dishes. The HOA actually would be the party violating federal law here, not the homeowner. As for the comments about assuming non-HOA communities must be undesirable and neglected, I think its a gross assumption that no one would take care of their homes without an HOA. As long as were on the topic, though, my husband and I specifically chose an HOA-free neighborhood when we built our house. We take great pride in our home, but we also did not want the added expenses and headaches of HOA fees and restrictions. We know too many friends frustrated with both. One friends HOA fees have gone from $50/month to $200/month in just five years. Im curious to hear from you on this topic though. According to the AP, 20 percent of Americans live in association communities. Do you find value in your homeowners association, and is it worth what you pay? VALDOSTA, Ga. With Americas deep involvement in global affairs, military homecomings might seem commonplace, but youd never convince the families of the 476th Air Expeditionary Squadron that its anything even close. Homecomings are pure emotion. Almost seven months ago, the 476th along with its lethal force of A-10 Warthogs deployed to the Middle East in support of the fight against ISIS. Now deployment was over, except for the homecoming. In the middle of the night comes a brief text message: Refueling in Germany, estimated time of arrival: 11 a.m. By the next morning, hundreds of family, friends and well-wishers pour into the cavernous C130 hanger at Moody Air Base in Valdosta, Ga., home to the 476th. Like a Fourth of July event, people are decked out in red, white and blue. Some carry American flags or signs that welcome home their heroes. Youngsters fidget and jump around asking, When is daddy coming? The buzz of small talk fills the air. As 11 a.m. draws closer, wives and mothers scan the horizon, brushing back tears of anticipation. Although today ends an exhausting wait, the final moments seem endless. A security guard with an automatic rifle weaves quietly through the crowd, establishing a presence. Suddenly, a lumbering Boeing 777 transport appears over the distant trees, flashing like foil in the late morning sun. The crowd erupts in spontaneous cheering. The plane touches down, taxies across the runway and stops a distance from the hanger. Slowly the airmen emerge, and once again, the crowd responds with raucous cheering. More than 250 airmen eventually spill out of the plane. Hunched under heavy packs, they slowly make their way toward the hanger. A young woman shrieks, I see him, I see him. Weaving through the crowd, she confronts a hulking security guard at the mouth of the hanger. Sir, could we please go onto the tarmac, she pleads? The guard smiles. Looking down at her, he drawls, Maam, if you can see im, go git im. The woman races onto the tarmac. Following her lead, the crowd swarms out of the hanger and surrounds the airmen like jubilant spectators at a sporting event. The reunions begin. Tears flow. Families hug. Couples kiss. More tears flow as families are swept up in long embraces. This feels surreal, says an airman. During its tour of duty, the 476th was recognized for an overwhelmingly successful mission. In its first month of deployment, the squadron dropped a record breaking amount of ordnance on ISIS positions. But today, thats all a footnote; the past pales in the face of homecoming. Theres an almost unspoken, collective sigh of relief. Not just that families are reunited, important as that is, but somehow the 476th has slammed deaths door and gotten away with it. All the troops and aircraft have returned safely. The wages of war is often death. In the Vietnam War, more than 58,000 American military personnel were killed in action. Between the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, almost 7,000 young Americans perished. For those families and their heroes, they paid the ultimate sacrifice. Homecoming was a walk through the shadow of death. Homecoming for them brought no crowds, no excitement just tears of pain and the sight of a lonely flag-draped coffin. The name of their loved one would someday be inscribed on a local monument. Taps, and the rifle salute on Memorial Day, would honor their courage and self-sacrifice. But the 476th has come home safely. The tears that flow are happy tears. Investigators discovered three children alone Monday in a South Side house littered with drug needles and garbage before arresting their father for robbing a La Crosse credit union and their mother for neglect. Shane Sherburn, 37, told police he robbed the Altra Federal Credit Union inside Festival Foods, 30 Copeland Ave., about 3:10 p.m. Saturday to pay off a heroin debt to his getaway driver, 41-year-old Rodney Simmons of Illinois, according to the complaint filed Tuesday in La Crosse County Circuit Court. The teller turned over $862 after Sherburn demanded cash on a note written on a deposit slip. He did not show a weapon and fled in a car waiting outside the store. La Crosse police used security video to identify the getaway car and Simmons, who admitted driving Sherburn to the grocery store, but denied involvement in the robbery, the complaint stated. Officers were monitoring Sherburns house at 947 Green Bay St. while investigators prepared a search warrant, and they saw him leave in a car and arrested him at 3:15 p.m. Monday. His wife, 36-year-old Tenesha Sherburn, also left the house. Investigators found the couples three children, ages 10 years, 7 years and 10 months, alone in the house covered with garbage, dirty dishes, food containers, soiled diapers and more than 300 syringes. Investigators indicated it was extremely dangerous for anyone to live in the residence, the complaint stated. Investigators were barely able to walk through the house due to all of the items all over the place. Tenesha Sherburn admitted to concealing the clothes her husband wore during the robbery in a used needle collection container, according to the complaint. Sherburn told investigators Simmons threatened him into robbing the credit union to repay an $850 drug debt, according to the complaint. The stolen money was not located. La Crosse County Child Protective Services found safe places for the children. The citys inspection department was notified about the condition of the dwelling. Prosecutors charged Shane Sherburn and Simmons each with robbery with threat of force as party to the crime. Shane Sherburn and his wife each are charged with three counts of child neglect as party to the crime, while Tenesha Sherburn also is charged with aiding a felon. Heres todays Officially Reductive Question: Do you vote by party, policy or person? One of those three Ps usually drives citizens into a voting booth. In November, youll probably wear one of those I Voted stickers because youre a staunch Republican or Democrat who turned up to support the party, or because you vote gun rights or womens health issues and, therefore, choose candidates who most effectively argue for those causes, or because you think a particular candidate will be an intelligent, significant and venerable leader. Or, of course, you might simply show up to make sure a certain somebody doesnt get elected. If thats the case, Id say youre still voting by person. Its a reductive question because these three Ps are often combined: Its a rare Republican whos deeply invested in protecting a womans right to reproductive freedom just as its a rare Democrat who is fiercely protective of, say, capital punishment. What this means, in effect, is that even though you insist you vote for the person, all the persons for whom you have ever voted just happened to belong to one party. Policies are aligned with parties and the candidates stand on these platforms the way a passenger or, indeed, a captain stands on the deck of a vessel as it heads in a certain direction. They retain the ability to move independently and yet their larger direction is already established. So what platforms matter most to you? Protecting Social Security? Restructuring disability payments so that medical experts assess annually whether those receiving checks are unable to work? Immigration policy? Education? Environment? Taxes? I was on a talk show recently: A local station was discussing the mood of the electorate and the possible outcome for this years elections. When my witty debating partner declared hed vote for Donald Trump despite not liking him, I interrupted with a sincere But Trump doesnt know anything. He knows enough to build a multi-billion-dollar empire, said my counterpart. Does that mean youd elect Walt Disney as president because he gave us Disneyland, and Disney World? I said while making Mickey Mouse ear gestures. And does that qualify someone to lead the United States on the global stage? Those of us campaigning for Hillary Rodham Clinton are accused of voting for gender: You just want a woman to be president! But because I would have no more voted for Sarah Palin than Ayn Rand or Kim Kardashian (who manages a multi-million-dollar corporation built around TV appearances and a personal brand), gender isnt the reason I support Clinton. I want an elected leader who has proved her worth, participated in the political process and regards power as a partnership, not a personality trait. A good man, a friend Ive known for years, is running on the Republican ticket. Hes not in my district so I cant vote for him, but I do plan to support him. Its a rare gesture for me. Im well aware that wed disagree on some fundamental issues. But precisely because I know him to be a man of integrity, intelligence and authentic civic-mindedness, I trust him. He possesses that almost ineffable quality once referred to as character. For example, I dont think that hed be bullied by moneyed backers into voting for policies depriving struggling members of the community from services or access to care. I do think, however, that he might see different pathways or choose different tactics to mitigate their difficulties than I might choose. Because I believe him to be thoughtful and well informed, I would also have to respect his position. Its important that we respect our rivals, including our political rivals. Our rival is not our enemy. Rival comes from the Latin rivus, which means drinking from the same river. We are competing for the same resources but we are not alien to each other; we stand on different sides and must negotiate. Draining the river dry for spite is not an option; its not what reasonable human beings do. Reasonable human beings figure out how to keep it flowing, officially reducing the need to drive us further apart. The final Ps are practical: Perspective must be twinned with passion, not blinded by it. Gov. Scott Walker recently announced steps to address the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin, but the proposals have little chance of truly impacting the dynamics of CWD. There are a few things, however, that we can expect to see here in La Crosse County. CWD will arrive. It will eventually spread throughout the county. It will kill deer. In March, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources released CWD monitoring data for 2015. Since 2002, when CWD first was found in Wisconsin, the disease has spread across the state. The rate of infection has increased to alarming levels, too, particularly in the original core area in south-central Wisconsin. Due to the discovery of CWD-positive deer, baiting and feeding deer has been prohibited in 42 of Wisconsins 72 counties. Juneau and Adams counties are the closest ones to La Crosse. The most alarming news, however, is the increase in the CWD infection rate. Sampling in 2015 found an infection rate of 9.9 percent. This is the 10th year in a row that the rate has increased. In 2008, the rate was 1.5 percent, in 2013 it was 5.3 percent and in 2014 it was 6 percent. Within the CWD core area, the 2015 rates were much higher: Iowa County was 23 percent, Sauk was 19 percent, Richland was 9.9 percent and Dane was 9.2 percent. All are well above rates found a mere five years ago. The impact that CWD will have on the deer herd is our main concern. CWD kills infected deer within a couple of years. When deaths from CWD outpace births, the population will decrease. The CWD rates for bucks in Iowa County preview the pattern that Wisconsin will see throughout the state as CWD increases. Iowa Countys rates in 2015 ranged from 48 percent for bucks more than 4 years old, 35.5 percent for 3.5-year-olds, 21.3 percent for 2.5-year-olds and 14.9 percent for 1.5-year-olds. Additionally, one of 22 buck fawns was infected. What will the Iowa County deer population look like in 10 to 20 years? Rates of infection for some CWD-infected herds in the western United States can range up to 50 percent for adult bucks and 30 percent for adult does. At that level of infection, CWD can and will cause population decline. We now have a limited set of steps set forth by the governor to address CWD, including timely testing and more frequent deer farm fence inspections. We also have a comprehensive research study of the southern Wisconsin deer herd and best management practices for liquid deer scents, and we are engaging the County Deer Advisory Councils and the public in CWD efforts. While these six steps are a good start, they do not address the ongoing march of the disease. We need a better understanding of how CWD is spread so that scientists can fashion better methods to control it. Such research will require a major collaborative partnership of federal, state and private interests to take on the challenge of understanding and controlling CWD. But it also will take significant funding, and we will need to call upon the Legislature to provide money. Do we just watch our deer herd shrink and die, or do we fix the problem proactively? We believe it is the duty of the state and its citizens to protect our heritage of deer and deer hunting for future generations. We need to ask our elected leaders and the DNR whether Wisconsin is actively participating in research to better understand CWD, its cause, and potential controls or possible vaccines. How soon can a quicker test for CWD be developed? What impact can eating CWD venison have on people? How quickly can we act to slow the spread and hopefully reverse the impacts of CWD? What role do game farms play in the spread of the disease? We need to do more than wait for answers, though. There are things the state can do today to better manage CWD. While CWD is spreading, it has not reached the entire state. We must restrict the movement of potentially infected deer from game farms, and restrict the movement of hunter-killed deer from the infected areas. Surveillance needs to be ramped up on a statewide basis. And when CWD is found in a new area, we need to act immediately. But to effectively manage CWD, the DNR needs both a mandate and tools. While it was unpopular, Earn-a-Buck was the most effective tool the DNR has used to reduce the deer population. Its time for the legislature and Governor to put that tool back in the tool box. Finally, hunters need to hunt. Keeping deer populations low may be the single most important thing hunters can do. While it wont cure us of the disease, it will help keep the number of infected deer down, and thats a good thing. And that should be a message brought to us by the DNR and the CDACs. Give hunters the opportunity to help. Give them antlerless tags and give them opportunities to hunt bringing back the October and Holiday hunts would be a good start. It will be a sad day in Wisconsin if our grand deer hunting tradition becomes only a faint memory. As the parent of a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I want my son to have a great education for a reasonable price. As governor, I want that for every college student in Wisconsin. That is why I am proud to have signed into law four straight years of tuition freezes for resident undergraduate students in the UW System. The freeze has saved the average student more than $6,000 in tuition over four years compared to where it was headed during the decade before the freeze. This helps make college more affordable for students and working families. Ironically, resolutions passed by faculty on several UW campuses include language about the affordability of higher education. They also reference changes to the UW System budget. Where were these resolutions years ago when Gov. Jim Doyle cut $250 million from the UW System? The difference is Doyle allowed the UW System to make up most of it on the backs of students through higher tuition. In fact, tuition went up 118 percent during the decade before our four-year tuition freeze. That amounts to an increase of more than 8 percent per year. Where was the outrage then? In addition, it is important to note the UW Systems total annual operating budget is the largest it has ever been. Thats right, even with the adjustments from state government, which account for about 2 percent of the entire budget; the overall budget is bigger than at any time in University of Wisconsin history. So why are so many UW faculty upset? Well, the new rules also allow UW officials to shift resources to areas in greater student demand should the need arise. Setting priorities based on a budget is a common sense practice and it is one that Wisconsin families and businesses are engaged in every single day. Our university system should be no exception. Instead of keeping a course where a handful of students sign up, campuses can reassign resources to help students get the courses they need in order to graduate on time. Most of us would call that common sense. If the decision to discontinue any academic program will result in the layoff of a professor, a faculty committee has the ability to review it. The new rules also provide greater accountability for professors and subject them to performance-based reviews. According to the University of WisconsinMadisons website, a student from Wisconsin enrolled for the 2016-17 academic year will have estimated costs totaling more than $25,000. The costs for a nonresident student are more than $48,000. If a student is paying more than $100,000 or nearly $200,000 for four years of college, I believe we should hold performance-based reviews of professors for the sake of our students. If a professor isnt meeting expectations, the new policy requires UW campuses to support professional development opportunities so the professor can improve his or her performance. This is not only good for students, it allows professors to improve as well. Despite the doom and gloom rhetoric, we didnt eliminate tenure. We eliminated the job for life guarantee that tenure once provided for faculty regardless of their performance. Now we are asking for accountability and flexibility to add value to our university system. As for free speech, there should be equal protections for everyone on campus, not just tenured professors, to engage in a free and open debate of ideas. The bottom line is students deserve access to high-quality education that is affordable for them and the working families that help support them. We must look to deliver value and excellence to Wisconsin, not guarantee job for life tenure. The common sense reforms recently enacted do just that. UW Colleges Chancellor Cathy Sandeen isnt worried that programs promising low-income students a tuition-free education will give state technical colleges an edge in attracting students. I dont see it that way at all. Theres a huge need for us to increase post-secondary attainment in the state of Wisconsin, Sandeen said Thursday. Theres room for all institutions to help more students. And there are students who want to start their college careers at a University of Wisconsin System institution, she said. They will be attracted to one of our schools. Madison Area Technical College on Tuesday kicked off its fundraising campaign for Scholars of Promise, a privately funded initiative to cover unmet tuition and fee expenses after federal and state financial aid is applied for up to six semesters. That program, for which participants will be identified in MATC district high schools next academic year, is open to all income qualifying students who meet grade-point-average and school attendance benchmarks. Wisconsins technical colleges like UW Colleges, the University of Wisconsin Systems network of 13 two-year colleges have open admissions, meaning any student with a high school diploma or GED certificate may enroll. MATC officials expect 350 to 500 students to immediately qualify for the Scholars of Promise program across its 12-county district. With average unmet annual tuition and fee expenses of $1,500 a year for each student, the anticipated cost of the program is $530,000 in the first year and about $1.1 million a year in ongoing costs. Similar programs have been launched or are in the works at Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, Northcentral Technical College, Gateway Technical College, and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, according to the Wisconsin Technical College System. Sandeen said that with an average total of $5,000 a year in tuition and fees, UW Colleges basic costs are about $500 less than those of state technical colleges. She did not know, nor did UW Colleges supply on request Friday, the typical gap between basic costs and the amount of financial aid students receive. UW Colleges provides an affordable route to a college degree, Sandeen said. And some 60 percent of students are the first generation in their families to attend college, she said. UW Colleges attract both students who need help in preparing to be successful in college and those at the top of their classes who want a smaller environment, to stay closer to home or avoid student debt, Sandeen said. The colleges transfer rate is over 50 percent, compared to the rate of 29 percent nationally, she said. Our students get top faculty who teach at a high level. This is not a dumbed-down curriculum. Sandeen said that UW Colleges hasnt been developing a program to fill the gap between financial aid and the cost to attend, but would be happy for an angel to appear to bring one. We would be very interested in a foundation or other donors who want to help us with that, she said. Heading into another election season, Republicans and Democrats are talking about Wisconsins economic health as if they lived in different states. Gov. Scott Walker and Republican legislators laud the Wisconsin comeback, touting low unemployment, a high labor participation rate and positive reviews of the states business climate from the nations CEOs. Meanwhile, Democrats focus on job creation and wage growth trailing the national average, big layoff announcements from companies such as Oscar Mayer and indications of weak startup activity. The reality is the Wisconsin economy is getting a little better slowly, said Tom Hefty, a former Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Wisconsin CEO and economic adviser to both Republican and Democratic governors. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha who argued in a recent opinion column that for many communities, families and businesses the comeback never came acknowledged in an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal that the state economy is growing, but emphasized it lags the national and regional economies. He said the state needs aggressive, bold, creative ideas to try and rebuild our middle class and boost the economy. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, who recently asserted in a column that Wisconsins economy is strong, also agreed in an interview that economic growth in Wisconsin has been slow, but said the fundamentals of the economy are solid. Almost everywhere I drive there are Help Wanted signs, Vos said. To the average person thats an indicator people are hiring, which is good for the economy. In recent months, Walker has touted the Wisconsin comeback by juxtaposing two statistics the workforce participation rate is one of the 10 highest in the country and the total number of people working is at an all-time high. As of the latest comprehensive quarterly data, there were more than 2.8 million people employed, a 1.2 percent increase from the previous year. Its true employment levels are at historic highs (so is the states population), but the states labor force participation rate last year was the lowest since 1986. The state ranked ninth nationally, which is its average rank on that measure over the past 40 years. Walker, who declined an interview request, also notes in his appearances around the state Wisconsin was one of 10 states that had lower unemployment in 2015 than it did in 2007 before the Great Recession. John Koskinen, chief economist for the states Revenue Department, said Wisconsin is approaching full employment, a strong sign that Wisconsins economy is healthy. Sluggishness in the states economy reflects the trend at the national level. You cant escape a national picture, Koskinen said. Because of our diversification, weve been able to keep going forward at a very good pace, even if we have some of these bumps in the road of some of these industries. Wisconsin has been growing the number of private sector jobs in recent years, but Marquette University economist Abdur Chowdhury noted at the national and state level many are in low-paying, low-skilled sectors such as hospitality and recreation. Job growth in the high-paying, high-skilled areas such as manufacturing, construction and financial services has not been as strong as lower-wage sectors, and as a result wages have not shot up, he said. Between September 2010 and September 2015, per capita personal income in Wisconsin grew 17.5 percent compared with 18.4 percent nationally. A Pew Charitable Trusts report last year found Wisconsins middle class saw the largest percentage point drop between 2000 and 2013 of any state. Walker has pointed to monthly job numbers showing the state created 34,100 manufacturing jobs from when he took office through April, placing it in the top 10. Looking at the most recent national numbers from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, which Walker has called the gold standard for measuring job creation, Wisconsin ranked 11th in manufacturing job creation between September 2010 and September 2015. Wisconsins 7.1 percent growth in manufacturing jobs over that period ranks 24th. Updated QCEW figures comparing all states through the end of 2015 are due out in early June. Layoffs spike in 2015 Democrats have highlighted the number of layoffs in 2015 as signs of economic distress. Layoffs did spike last year after five years in which the number of workers affected by layoffs held relatively consistent, according to the Department of Workforce Development. There was a more than 50 percent increase in the number of workers affected by layoff notices last year (9,630) compared with the prior five-year average (6,377). So far in 2016 there have been 3,356 employees affected by layoff notices. Whether last years spike can be attributed to action or inaction by the state is less clear, according to Marc Schaffer, an assistant economics professor at St. Norbert College in De Pere. (Private sector) business investment has been weak, Schaffer said. A lot of that has to do with the global economic conditions right now. Manufacturing is one of our biggest sectors and we do a decent amount of exports. Anything were producing here that were sending to other countries just got weaker with the strong dollar. The recent spike in layoffs could reflect a high concentration of manufacturers adversely affected by Chinas slowdown and a strengthening U.S. dollar, low oil prices dampening the U.S. energy boom, and a national skills gap dilemma hitting Wisconsin harder than other states. Its been kind of a rough patch here, said Bill Testa, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. It has been a little disconcerting to see some of their losses lately, but I dont think its an indication that Wisconsin has done anything wrong. Closing the skills gap Walker promised to create 250,000 jobs in his first term, but fell short by half. More recently he has emphasized the so-called skills gap as a reason job creation has stalled. Mark Immekus, president and chief sales officer of Brookfield-based QPS Employment, the states largest staffing company, said businesses have reported increasing demand for their products, but they are unable to fill the jobs necessary to produce them because of a lack of qualified workers. In certain cases were seeing it impede growth, Immekus said. You can imagine how frustrating that is for certain businesses. Immekus said the job skills gap is a national problem, though Wisconsin has perhaps been harder hit than the majority of other states given its manufacturing base. A recent QPS survey of the companys clients in Wisconsin found 68 percent considered finding qualified employees a top concern, up from 28 percent in 2011. Those who say the economy is a top concern has declined from 65 percent to 43 percent. In response, employers are adapting their qualifications for certain jobs, reducing the number of years experience required and, particularly in the past six months, increasing salaries, Immekus said. Vos said one approach lawmakers might consider to address the skills gap is differentiating college tuition for students enrolling in high-demand career fields. He also emphasized the importance of making sure all able-bodied adults are working. Barca said the state should increase funding to technical colleges, which is down 22 percent from where it was in 2010 (excluding aid that was used to reduce property taxes). Democrats also proposed spending an additional $49 million on workforce training grants this past session. Walker has pledged more resources to education and job training, though the states tight financial situation has made it difficult to enact major initiatives. He has put more than $65 million into the Fast Forward and Blueprint for Prosperity grant programs to help train skilled workers. Startups lacking Democrats point out that job creation has trailed the national average in every quarterly report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics since Walker took office. Noah Williams, an economics professor at UW-Madison, noted Wisconsins population has also grown very slowly from 2010 to 2015 Wisconsin grew 1.5 percent while the country grew 3.9 percent. Looking at per capita gross domestic product, Wisconsin has seen 4.1 percent growth over the past five years compared with 3.9 percent growth nationally. Overall the trends are positive, Williams said. Longer term theres been a slowdown in new business formation and startups. Wisconsin hasnt done as well on that. Walker and Republicans have emphasized the states business climate being ranked 11th in the most recent Chief Executive Magazine survey, up from 41st in 2010. However, a report from the Kauffman Foundation, which studies entrepreneurship, ranked Wisconsin last in entrepreneurial activity in 2015. Wisconsin created a $30 million venture capital fund in 2014, though it has taken time for the fund to get up and running. Ken Johnson, who oversees the fund for Fitchburg-based Kegonsa Capital Partners, said he expects to finalize contracts with regional fund managers in the coming weeks, which should spur the creation of startups over the next year. The legal fight over Wisconsins photo ID voting requirement put it back in the political spotlight this month, with the state a key front in the national battle surrounding such laws. Here and elsewhere, the courtroom struggle stems from photo ID and other voting changes enacted by Republican legislators and governors in the last five years. Many, including Wisconsins, take effect in a presidential election for the first time this November. A nine-day court trial of the Wisconsin legal challenge concluded Thursday in federal court in Madison, and a forthcoming ruling in that case could decide how voter ID affects the states 2016 general election. The outcome of that and another lawsuit also could influence the national back-and-forth on voter ID. For now, how those challenges will be resolved is a big unknown for an election with high stakes. There are real voters voting under these laws, said Jennifer Clark of New York Universitys Brennan Center for Justice, which has opposed voter ID. Right now its pretty unsettled what they will face when they head to the polls. The fight is over how stringent voter ID laws may be in places such as Wisconsin, home to one of the nations toughest ID requirements. It centers on potential voters who lack ID cards and either cannot get them or face extraordinary burdens to do so. If a judge order changes to the law, such people could be permitted to circumvent the ID requirement by signing sworn documents or other measures. Judge James D. Peterson indicated Thursday that he expects to rule by the end of July in the case, which was brought by liberal groups such as One Wisconsin Institute and individuals claiming harm under voter ID and other laws. Peterson said his decision wont trigger any change to state voting laws before the Aug. 9 primary. Suits say law violates rights Proponents of photo ID voting requirements frame them as safeguards against voter fraud that require little of the vast majority of voters who have drivers licenses and other qualifying IDs. The Wisconsin law requires drivers licenses to be from in-state to be used to vote. It also permits the use of military, veterans and tribal IDs and U.S. passports. Student IDs are acceptable if they have a photo and are unexpired, but they must be accompanied by a separate document proving enrollment. Critics of voter ID have called it the biggest assault on voting rights since the Jim Crow era. The One Wisconsin suit alleges voter ID and other recent voting changes illegally restrict voting access for certain groups, including minorities, urban residents and the very poor all demographics less likely to possess ID cards. Changes to curtail early voting access also are being challenged in the One Wisconsin lawsuit. Another voter ID lawsuit currently in play in the courts also could have an impact. An appeals court recently ordered that case, brought by the ACLU and other groups, back to federal district court in Milwaukee for a potentially definitive ruling. Both lawsuits rest on the charge that Wisconsins law is disenfranchising some would-be voters who lack IDs, said Rick Hasen, an election law expert and professor at the University of California-Irvine. Estimates of how many potential Wisconsin voters lack a drivers license or other qualifying ID range from 300,000 to 150,000 or less. Among that group, theres a much smaller subset who lack valid birth certificates or other documents they might use to get an ID. Nearly 1,400 people have petitioned the state through a special process for those who lack both IDs and other documents proving their identity. The voter ID court conflict stems from a tussle nearly a decade in the making. Texas, N.C. cases key In 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a photo ID voting requirement in Indiana, one of the first states to impose a strict voter ID law. The court said the state had a legitimate interest in acting to prevent voter fraud. Many states, including Wisconsin, rushed to adopt voter ID laws after Republicans swept to control in many statehouses in the 2010 election. Here the requirement didnt take effect in a statewide election until this year, having been stayed by court challenges almost continuously since its enactment. Wisconsin and Indiana are among nine states with strict photo ID requirements, as defined by the National Conference of State Legislatures. In such states, someone trying to vote without an ID must vote on a provisional ballot and take additional steps after Election Day for their vote to be counted. Wisconsin is among an even smaller group of states in which a ballot cannot be counted if the voter does not provide an ID. Wisconsins legal battle over voter ID is part of a cohort of cases playing out in other states some of which could affect where Wisconsins is headed. In 2011, Texas adopted what many consider the nations strictest voter ID requirement. A legal battle ensued that may be heading toward a final ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. A federal appeals court last year ruled the Texas law violates the federal Voting Rights Act by having a discriminatory effect on black, Hispanic and other potential voters. Plaintiffs in the One Wisconsin suit made a similar argument in their trial this month. Late change unlikely Another voter ID court case is playing out in North Carolina. A federal judge upheld the law there, but its headed to an appeals court for review. In some states with voter ID, people who lack IDs are permitted to sign affidavits allowing them to vote without one. Typically, the voter must give a reason for doing so, such as that theyre indigent or face a particular impediment to getting an ID. Judges in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Wisconsin, have taken notice. In the ACLU lawsuit, a panel of 7th Circuit judges noted Indiana permits voters unable to obtain a complying photo ID for financial or religious reasons to file an affidavit to that effect and have their vote counted. North Carolina lawmakers last year added an affidavit provision to their law in the face of legal challenges. Whatever the courts decide in Wisconsin, its unlikely theyll require major changes too soon before the November election, according to Wendy Underhill, an elections expert with the National Conference of State Legislatures. That could be a factor if the One Wisconsin suit advances to the 7th Circuit, which could happen if either side appeals Petersons ruling. The courts are sensitive to not shifting things up at the last minute, Underhill said. REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (TNS) In a place normally preoccupied with drafting code and dazzling investors, suddenly everyone in Silicon Valley has an opinion about the presidential election. And it tends to be the same opinion. The innovation economy has a serious distaste for Donald Trump. The masters of this world complain that his ignorance about their work and its relationship to the global economy is horrifying. Rank-and-file programmers are quick to call him a clown, or worse. The unity is notable in an environment where group-think is frowned upon and nobody ever seems to color inside ideological lines. Trump has practically written a playbook on how not to court this well-heeled group that other politicians seem desperate to shower with affection. Ambitious startup chief executives who swore off talking politics for fear of offending investors are enlisting in campaigns to discredit Trump. Longtime valley Republican stalwarts who have voted for every GOP nominee for decades say they cant do it this year. The libertarian-minded innovators who just want to get government out of their way have less faith in Trump than they do in even Hillary Clinton, the Democrat with big plans to grow the bureaucracy. At least Clinton is not going to go in and burn the place down, said Reed Galen, a GOP consultant who advises tech companies. But Trump comes in, and God knows what happens. The grievances that innovation leaders have with Trump are almost too many to list. They are baffled by an immigration policy that they warn would be disastrous for their workforce. Trumps trade agenda, they say, threatens to tear apart global business relationships crucial to tech industry success. The candidates threat to boycott Apple as it tussled with law enforcement over encryption technology will not soon be forgotten. Just last week, Trump drew yet more chortles with his suggestion that the tech sector was a financial house of cards poised for collapse. He has pushed me over the edge, said Vivek Wadhwa, a highly respected technology entrepreneur and academic who has always avoided engaging in politics, save for the time he spent $500 to dine with another prominent Indian-American, former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. (Wadhwa said the event was a waste of time.) It was unimaginable for me to say this even two weeks ago, but I am going to become very vocal and campaign against him. I feel too strongly not to get involved. When it was revealed this month that one of the valleys most successful entrepreneurs, Peter Thiel, had signed on as a California delegate for Trump ahead of the states June 7 primary, the backlash against him was brutal. The buzz in the valley was that Thiel had gone off the rails. Im utterly ashamed we have him as an investor, wrote Paul Carr, the editorial director of the tech news site Pando. The headline called Thiel a jerk, only in coarser language. The usual valley liberals are, of course, piling on against Trump. But the uneasiness of many conservative free-marketeers in the tech world has touched off speculation about which of them are primed to start writing checks for Clinton. Among those being courted by Democrats is venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, who spent $100,000 trying to help elect Mitt Romney in 2012. He made clear where he is headed with his tweet this month of #ImWithHer, a Clinton slogan. He mocks Trump persistently on social media. Other past rainmakers for the Republican Party find themselves paralyzed. From the corner conference room in his 23rd-floor office, with its sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, high-stakes tech investor and longtime GOP activist Alex Slusky talked about how Florida Sen. Marco Rubio sat in that very room for a tutorial on the innovation economy. He talks about how former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was also enamored with the sectors inner workings, as was Ohio Gov. John Kasich and, of course, Rand Paul, the Kentucky senator who made tech a central focus of his campaign. Trump? He hasnt done anything to reach out, said Slusky, who has voted for every Republican presidential nominee since he organized his high schools Ronald Reagan re-election effort. Slusky foresees leaving the top of his ballot blank this year. None of us have even met him, he said. The majority of active Silicon Valley Republicans I know are not supporting Trump today. A new report by the Pew Research Center sheds light on a problem Wisconsins middle-class families are all too aware of. In nearly all of Wisconsins metro areas the percentage of those in the middle class fell between 2000 and 2014. In an earlier study, Pew showed that Wisconsins middle class was shrinking faster than any other state. This latest study shows the drop in middle-class incomes in our state is one of the largest in the nation. As middle class incomes decline, the cost of living continues to grow, eroding the buying power of middle-class families. Both in Wisconsin and nationwide, the decline in average income levels has led Pew researchers to actually lower the definition of middle class by more than $5,000 a year. Why is Wisconsins middle class eroding so quickly? Simply put, the good-paying manufacturing jobs on which the state has traditionally relied so heavily, and which were lost in staggering numbers during the global economic collapse of 2008-2010, havent returned. Ever since Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican majority in the Legislature declared the state open for business, Wisconsin has lagged the national average in new job creation, and most of the jobs that have been created pay low wages and have few, if any, benefits. Unfortunately, the last six years have seen Wisconsin committing itself to policies that contribute to declining incomes. New anti-worker laws have undermined the collective bargaining rights that used to support higher wages for all workers. The Legislature has refused to raise the minimum wage, repealed our equal pay protections and made it harder for people to collect unemployment benefits they are rightfully due. These policies are certainly making things harder on middle-class workers and their families. Its bad enough that Wisconsins middle-class families feel like they are working harder than ever and yet are falling farther and farther behind. But the middle class is like the canary in the coal mine; its health predicts the health of our entire economy. Middle-class incomes have been the fuel that fired our consumer economy, and middle-class taxpayers support the schools, roads, first responders and other vital services we all rely on. The decline of Wisconsins middle class does not bode well for the economic future of our state. Its not as if we dont have answers to this problem. I and my fellow Democratic legislators have introduced proposals to help small businesses flourish and create better-paying jobs. We supported legislation to build Wisconsins skilled workforce to enable advanced manufacturing firms to locate and grow here. We advocated for a higher minimum wage, the foundation that supports better pay for employees at every level. We fought for policies to help middle class families cope with the costs of balancing family and work, and to ease the burden of higher education debt that holds so many young families back. We backed common-sense proposals to rebuild our roads and expand our broadband, and to restore the disastrous cuts to our schools and universities, the drivers of our economic growth. Republicans cant continue to focus their energies on doing expensive favors for special interest groups while they ignore the plight of Wisconsins shrinking middle class. We need to invest in policies that will help make sure that people who are willing to work hard and play by the rules can look forward to a brighter future in our state. Democrat Julie Lassa, Stevens Point, represents the 24th state Senate District. Saturday, May 28, 2016 As explained in this prior post, this past week the Ohio General Assembly passed a massive medical marijuana bill that creates a remarkable regulatory structure for the development and application of rules and regulations for medical marijuana in the Buckeye State. Specifically, the 126-page(!) Ohio medical marijuana bill (available here; detailed summary/analysis here), creates three enduring regulatory bodies in charge of various parts the state's marijuana programming: the Department of Commerce, the board of pharmacy, and the medical board. In addition, the bill also creates for, a five-year period, a multi-member "medical marijuana advisory committee" which "may develop and submit to the department of commerce, state board of pharmacy, and the state medical board any recommendations related to the medical marijuana control program." In my prior post, I suggested that Ohio-based lobbyists would surely love this regulatory structure; this post is my effort to encourage fellow LawProfs who follow closely the work of legislators and adminstrative regulators to love looking closely not only this Ohio legislation, but also the broader set of fascinating "leg/reg" and administrative law issues that are swiftly emerging at the local, state and federal level concerning medical marijuana reform. For a range of understandable reasons, the traditional press and most marijuana/drug policy advocates spend a lot more time talking and thinking about recreational marijuana reforms than about (much more prevalent) medical marijuana reforms. Serious followers of the work of state legislatures and thoughtful legal scholars should realize, however, that medical marijuana reform efforts at the local, state and federal level is where the most significant (and diverse) action is now to be found and observed. Only five jurisdictions have enacted recreational marijuana reforms and all of those were the result of voter initiatives. But more than two dozen states have now enacted major medical marijuana reforms, and another dozen-and-half states have enacted limited-CBD-oil type reforms. Moreover, and perhaps even more importantly, state legislatures have played a significant role in all of the most recent medical marijuana reform efforts in a number of big diverse states ranging from California to Louisiana to New York to Illinois to Pennsylvania to Ohio. In addition, even at the federal level where blanket prohibition is the law of the land, we have seen lots of notable bills proposed (and some provisions passed) that directly impacts how federal agencies and agents are to engage with state medical marijuana reforms. And, of course, there is ever-growing discussions of whether, when and how marijuana's placement on Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substantive Act might get changed. In addition to seeing a whole lots of legislative and regulatory action at all levels, there is an extraordinary diversity in regulatory structures being put in place and starting to operate in various ways in various states. The Ohio legislation, for good of for bad, highlights the problematic reality that still nobody is yet sure at all what could or should be the best structure for developing sound on-going medical marijuana rules and regulations: is sound reform really about "medical/patient" issues for agencies like pharmacy/medical boards; is it really about "business/consumer" issues for agencies like a Department of Commerce or Taxation; or is medical marijuana its own special, strange, unique space that call for its own special, strange, unique regulatory body. For the record, especially right now when blanket federal marijuana prohibition is still the basic law of the land, I consider medical marijuana reform and regulation to occupy its own special, strange, unique space calling for its own special, strange, unique regulatory body. For that reason and others, I am encouraged that the new Ohio law has created a diverse, multi-member "medical marijuana advisory committee," and I am hopeful that this body ends up staffed with a motivated and informed group of quasi-policy-makers who will take a leadership role in the months and years ahead as Ohio moves forward with its marijuana reform efforts. That all said, and as this post is meant to highlight, my perspectives on these critical legislative/regulatory issues would be greatly informed and enhanced by having legal scholars who study these issues actively providing their informed perspective on the good, the bad and the ugly of sound regulatory reforms. I know these folks know a lot about topics relating to regulatory (in)efficiency and agency capture and all sort of other important topics, and I want to start better understanding what I know that I now do not know on these next forteirs for marijuana reform. Long story short: I am putting you on notice Chris Walker, and I am eager to see some comments! Some prior related posts about Ohio's recent legislative and regulatory medical marijuana activity: https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/marijuana_law/2016/05/calling-out-legreg-ad-law-scholars-to-start-looking-seriously-at-proscons-of-structures-of-state-and.html In Vietnam this week, President Barack Obama spoke in support of the free-trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The free-trade deal is among the United States and 11 other nations around the Pacific Ocean. On Monday, he said he was confident that the deal, known as the TPP, will pass in the U.S. Congress. Vietnam is one of the countries included in the TPP. But members of the U.S. Senate, which approves trade agreements, are not so sure. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said the president was overly optimistic about passage of the deal. Theres been a sourness on trade in Congress, he added. Democrats in the Senate also have voiced concerns. Chuck Schumer of New York called passing the TPP a tough lift, or a difficult effort. Dick Durbin of Illinois pointed to the lack of support for the agreement among the candidates for president. When you have the three leading presidential candidates of both parties opposing TPP, its an indication that political sentiment is not in favor of the agreement, said Durbin. Democratic Party candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, and Republican Party candidate Donald Trump, have said they oppose the TPP trade deal. Some labor unions, environment groups and human-rights groups also strongly oppose the deal. Details Still an Issue for Some Supporters The TPP was created to reduce import taxes, such as tariffs, which are considered barriers to trade. It also puts in place rules for trade and enforcement. Partners include Japan, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Vietnam. The 12 countries that signed the agreement make up about 40 percent of the worlds economy. American business groups support the agreement. Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia supports the TPP. There are winners and losers in every trade deal, he said. Many problems linked to trade with China, such as job losses, have already taken place, he said. The TPP, he noted, does not deal with China trade. Supporters of the TPP want Congress to vote on the agreement after the November elections. That is a possibility, according to Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah. But Hatch is unsure about the TPP. He said, I think Republicans do want to support it, but there need to be some changes. Hatch is not happy about the length of time U.S. companies would keep exclusive rights to their drug and biological products. These include drugs and genetically engineered products. The most problematic area is the data exclusivity provision of only five years, the Senator said. We need to solve some of these problems, but I think they are solvable, he added. Partner nations signed the TPP in February in New Zealand after seven years of negotiations. Im Mario Ritter. Michael Bowman reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you have an opinion about the TPP? Please leave us a comment, and post on our Facebook page, thank you. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story indication n. a sign or signal that shows something sentiment n. an opinion, attitude or feeling of emotion unions -- n. group of workers who band together to get better benefits tariffs -- n. taxes or fees charged in the import of goods exclusive adj. something that applies only to one group and no others A new study finds public discussion of a violent civil conflict can harm some victims who have tried to forget the pain they experienced. In a civil war, a man may sometimes fight against his brother. Civilians might find themselves living in a building next to the enemy. Some countries have set up truth and reconciliation commissions as a way to heal society after violent civil conflicts. More than 20 truth and reconciliation programs have been created in countries where civil wars were fought. The first took place in Latin America. Perhaps the most famous program was held in South Africa after the end of apartheid -- the system that forced black and white citizens to live separately. Truth and reconciliation commissions give victims of violence the chance to tell their stories. In addition, the attackers have a chance to ask their victims to forgive them. A truth and reconciliation process is now taking place in Sierra Leone. The West African nation experienced a violent civil war from 1991 to 2002. During the Revolutionary United Front campaign against the government, more than 50,000 people were killed. Thousands more were raped or had arms or legs cut off. The violence displaced about 2.6 million people -- more than half of the population. In 2007, a group called Fambul Tok -- which means Family Talk in the Krio language -- launched a program to give civilians a chance to tell what happened to them. Some civilians told their stories in great detail. People who had hurt others were given the chance to ask for forgiveness in exchange for not being charged with crimes and imprisoned. Oeindrila Dube teaches at New York University. She says the process has helped people who have taken part in it and their communities. They contributed more to public good. They spent more time doing things like building roads and health clinics and donating to, you know, more to families in need. So, in essence, it became much more community-oriented in their behavior. But Dube suspected that not everyone had been helped. Perhaps some civilians found the process of coming face-to-face with former attackers brought back memories of the war. She wondered if this might fuel feelings of anxiety and depression. The World Bank, Georgetown University and the NGO Innovations for Poverty Action group supported Dubes research. She and her team studied 200 Sierra Leonean villages. Half of the villages were chosen to take part in the truth and reconciliation process. The researchers made an interesting discovery. While there was all this positive force and societal healing, it was actually quite psychologically difficult for people who had gone through this process, and they exhibited greater anxiety, greater depression and greater trauma as a result of having gone through the program. Compared to villages where civilians did not talk to their torturers, there was a 36 percent higher rate of post-traumatic stress. The findings were published in the journal Science. Dube says war crimes should not be forgotten. But she suggests there may be a way to ease the pain that can result after truth and reconciliation meetings. They could be combined with ongoing counseling so people have a little bit more preparation for facing some of these negative memories that they're going to face and, possibly, have ongoing counseling afterward to help them work through some of the negative emotions and negative memories that they've been confronted with as a result of going through the process. The researchers say the process should be changed to better-protect civilians who are hurt when they remember their war experiences. Im Christopher Jones-Cruise. VOAs Jessica Berman reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story reconciliation n. the act of causing two people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement anxiety n. fear or nervousness about what might happen exhibit v. to show or reveal (something) post-traumatic stress n. a medical condition that follows a traumatic event that a person has experienced work through phrasal verb to deal with (something that is difficult or unpleasant) successfully Scientists diving in a Florida river found bones and tools that could change the history of humans in the Americas. These new items -- called artifacts -- could mean humans lived in the Americas more than a thousand years earlier than was known before. Researchers from several universities worked together and published their findings in the journal Science Advances. The items were found in the underwater archeological site called Page-Ladsen. Long ago it was a watering hole where people and long-extinct animals lived. Today it is part of the Aucilla River in Florida. It has provided scientists with human and animal artifacts for more than 50 years. Researchers used carbon dating -- a scientific method -- to find out the age of the objects. Previous carbon-dated items brought up from the waters were between 11,000 and 13,000 years old. But a newer find? It is more than 14,000 years old. Jessi Halligan teaches anthropology at Florida State University. She says the older artifacts change the way researchers will study human history in the Americas. She says these buried items were found in an untouched part of the river. That means there is no question about their age. So weve got to reexamine everything we thought we knew, so its kind of opened up this whole new world of first Americans studies. Halligan says they found a cutting tool a stone knife buried underwater. The stone was formed into a tool that only a human could make. This made the researchers take a second look at a mastodon bone brought up from the same water hole in the river. It had been cut. Mastodons were large ancient animals that once lived on Earth, but died off thousands of years ago. Halligan says there was no way that the marks on it were made by a natural process. In other words, those marks on the mastodon bone? They were made by people, she says, people who used tools to kill and cut up the animal. When we went back, what we found was a stone tool that could not have been made by nature, that was definitely cultural, that dated to 14,550 years ago. But who were these people who made the tool and killed and ate the mastodon? Until this discovery, researchers thought the first Americans were a group they call Clovis hunters. They were a prehistoric Indian culture thought to be the most ancient people in North America. They came to North America from Asia when glaciers melted, and they could walk across land that formed a bridge between the continents. Now, science puts this newly found Florida tool at more than a thousand years before the Clovis hunters. Halligan says it is significant, or important, that the tool is made by human hands. Now thats significant, A) because the site shows people were definitely here before Clovis, more, about 1,500 years before Clovis, but B) because it shows that people had to have come to the Americas by a different route than we had accepted. Because, the ice-free corridor that supposedly people came from by land through Canada, was not open 'til 14,000 years ago. There had been some evidence that humans were in the area earlier than the Clovis hunters. But until now, nothing had been proven because so few older remains had been found. Scientists said it is possible changing sea levels could be the reason more evidence had not been found about these ancient Americans before now. Halligan told reporters that 14,000 years ago, sea levels were 100 meters lower than today -- because of glaciers. Over time those large areas of ice melted. And the evidence of the ancient humans in the Americas was lost. Evidence ended up buried and underwater -- making it much harder to find. The evidence also shows a much different world than the one today. There were camels and mastodons and giant armadillo-like animals living there. But they all died, or went extinct, 10,000 or 11,000 years ago. One other interesting discovery the researchers think they found bones from dogs. Even back then, they were likely to have been trained to help humans. Now it will be the job of researchers to try to find new artifacts. Im Anne Ball. Kevin Enochs reported on this story for VOANews.com. Anne Ball wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit us on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story artifact n. a simple object made by people in the past archeological adj. having to do with the science of past human life and activities by studying the bones, tools, etc. of ancient people extinct adj. no longer existing prehistoric adj. relating to the time before people could write glacier n. a very large area of ice that moves slowly down a slope or valley or over a wide area of land armadillo - n. an animal with a hard shell covering its body Financial aid is an important resource for students who want to attend college in the U.S. but dont have enough money. Financial aid is offered by banks, the government, and the school a student plans to attend. But research shows the amount of financial aid colleges and universities provide low-income students has decreased. The National Center for Education Statistics, or NCES, collects information about education across the country. Last year the NCES, a part of the Department of Education, reported that more than 41 percent of all full-time students attending college for the first time in 2014 received financial aid from their school. But the NCES report also shows the average amount of institutional aid for low-income students has decreased steadily from 1996 to 2012. The average amount of institutional aid given to the lowest-income students was $2,540 in 1996. The average amount given to the highest-income students was $3,327 in the same year. That indicates that students with the greatest need received less financial aid than higher-income students. In 2012, low-income students received an average of $5,300 while high-income students received an average of $7,800. Again, the students with the greatest need received less financial aid than higher-income students. Ben Miller is the Senior Director for Post-Secondary Education at the Center for American Progress, an organization that studies and reports on American society. Miller says the problem goes back earlier than 1996. He says the problem is colleges want to look better in rankings like the U.S. News and World Report, a media company that creates a list of what it calls Americas Best Colleges. The company bases the list on information like the average standardized test results of a schools students. A college with higher average test results has a better chance of being higher on U.S. News and World Reports list. Miller says higher-income students usually have higher test results and grade averages. Schools have begun to use their institutional aid to try to appeal to those types of students. When schools take students with better academic records and are able to turn other students away, they look more prestigious, he says. "The problem is, we havent come up with a good way to evaluate colleges on meaningful things. You cant go out there and find out Whats the college where Im going to learn the most? or Whats the college where Im going to get the most skills for my money, thats going to be my best value? And so instead we use a lot of things that we think might represent quality and value but really dont necessarily." The College Board lists the average cost of universities in the U.S. They looked at the average cost for residents to attend a public four-year institution in their state. They found the cost was $9,410 for the 2015-2016 academic year. The average cost for a private four-year institution was $32,405 for the same year. The U.S. government spent about $31.5 billion on Pell grants in the 2013-2014 academic year. The Pell Grant program is the main source of federal financial aid. The government has offered Pell grants since 1972. But Andrew Nichols says that federal financial aid alone is not enough to help low-income students. Nichols is the Director for Higher Education Research and Data Analytics at the Education Trust, an organization that fights for equal access to education for all people. Nichols helped write a report in 2015 on some of the problems low-income students face. This report said half the students using Pell grants received a bachelors degree within six years. About 65 percent of students who did not use Pell grants received a degree in the same amount of time. This does not mean that students with more money are smarter, Nichols says. Working more than 15 hours a week can cause students to perform poorly in the classroom. So you dont have enough aid so you need to work. And then when you start working it takes away from your ability to focus on your studies. And then when that happens you could possibly lose your scholarship, which could mean that you have less money. And so its kind of a very ugly cycle that some students can get in. Nichols adds that a lot of African-American, Latino and first-generation students are often low income as well. These communities are often underserved. Oftentimes the best predictor of success is who youre born to and where you live. And these arent things that people earn, these are things that youre given. And so what we know is in this country, low-income students dont receive the same quality of education that students from more affluent backgrounds ... But there is more to the problem than colleges trying to make themselves look good. State governments have decreased funding to their public universities for over 20 years, says Michael Mitchell. The vast majority of students go to public universities which means that states play a huge role in making sure that college is affordable across the country. And over the past few years, as states have cut funding, it makes it much more difficult for the vast majority of students to go and afford college. Mitchell is a senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The center is an organization that studies how the government could use its money to reduce poverty. He wrote a report in May about state funding to public universities. The report shows only four states -- Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming are spending more money per student than before the economic recession in 2008. On average, spending in other states is down 17 percent per student from what is was in 2008. Im Pete Musto. Pete Musto reported and wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. How should schools choose who gets financial aid? What kind of support exists for low-income students in your country? Let us know in the Comments, and post on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story income n. money that is earned from work, investments or business institutional aid n. money that a college or university gives to a student to help them pay the cost of attending that school standardized test n. a test where all test-takers take the same test under the same or reasonably equal conditions grade n. a number or letter that indicates how a student performed in a class or on a test prestigious adj. respected and admired for being successful or important evaluate v. to judge the value or condition of someone or something in a careful and thoughtful way resident(s) n. someone who lives in a particular place grant(s) n. an amount of money that is given to someone by a government or company to be used for a particular purpose bachelors degree n. a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after four years of study focus n. a main purpose or interest scholarship n. an amount of money that is given by a school or organization to a student to help pay for the student's education cycle n. a set of events or actions that happen again and again in the same order affluent adj. having a large amount of money and owning many expensive things funding n. an amount of money that is used for a special purpose affordable adj. easily paid for PARIS Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza lost their cool as their hopes of holding all four grand slam titles were dashed following a 6-3 6-2 defeat by Czech duo Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova in the third round of the French Open on Sunday. The Indo-Swiss team dubbed "Santina" were hoping to win four majors in a row after following up last year's Wimbledon and U.S. Open triumphs with victory in January's Australian Open. But the top seeds appeared all at sea on a gloomy day at Roland Garros and their bid to complete the 'Santina Slam' ended after the Czechs blasted a service return winner to break Hingis in the final game. Hingis and Mirza were left fuming at the umpire after a call went against them as they trailed 4-1 in the second set. Mirza tossed the ball in anger but the duo failed to win the argument, or the match, leaving Krejcikova and Siniakova to celebrate a memorable victory. It proved to be a bad day for the big names in doubles as Venus and Serena Williams, who were the last women's team to hold all four majors in 2010, also perished in the third round, beaten 6-3 6-3 by the Dutch-Swedish pairing of Kiki Bertens and Johanna Larsson. (Reporting by Pritha Sarkar, editing by Julien Pretot) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station on Saturday inflated an experimental fabric module that may provide a less expensive and safer option for housing crews during long stays in space, a NASA TV broadcast showed. Designed and built by privately owned Bigelow Aerospace, the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, or BEAM, is the first inflatable habitat to be tested with astronauts in space. Las Vegas-based Bigelow Aerospace previously flew two unmanned prototypes. Lightweight inflatables are far less costly to launch than traditional metal modules. They also may provide astronauts with better radiation protection. NASA is looking at future inflatable modules to be used by crews on three-year missions to the planet Mars. Working from inside the space station, astronaut Jeff Williams began inflating BEAM shortly after 9 a.m. (1300 GMT) by opening a valve to release air into the module. Williams told flight controllers he heard short popping sounds, which NASA commentator Dan Huot said were stitches inside the module ripping apart as designed when BEAM began to expand. That is good news, astronaut Jessica Meir radioed to Williams from Mission Control in Houston. Over the next seven hours, Williams continued to feed bursts of air into BEAM until it gradually unfurled. Eight tanks of air inside the module then opened to fully inflate BEAM to the size of a small bedroom, a 10-fold increase in volume. Williams and his crewmates will wait about a week before entering the module to install radiation, temperature and other sensors, NASA said. An initial attempt to inflate BEAM on Thursday failed, most likely because of friction within the modules layers of fabric, foam and reinforced outer covering, NASA said. Its a learning process, Huot said. Everything will influence the design and operation of expandable habitats in the future. NASA plans to keep BEAM attached to the station, a $100 billion research laboratory that flies about 250 miles (400 km) above Earth, for two years to see how it fares in the harsh environment of space. Bigelow Aerospace aims to fly inflatable space modules 20 times larger than BEAM that can be leased out to companies and research organizations. (Editing By Frank McGurty, Editing by Franklin Paul) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. New Delhi: Three of the four death row convicts in the 16 December gangrape and murder case have moved the Delhi High Court challenging the 10-year jail term awarded to them by a trial court in a robbery case. Akshay Kumar Singh, Pawan Gupta and Vinay Sharma, who were convicted for dacoity and dishonestly receiving stolen property, have alleged that the trial court's order was "bad in law" and "against the principle of natural justice". Besides the trio, the trial court on 2 September last year had also awarded 10-year imprisonment to convict Mukesh, saying they "do not deserve any leniency". It had also imposed a fine of Rs 1.01 lakh each on the four convicts, who are currently lodged in Tihar jail. The convicts in their appeal, filed through advocate AP Singh, have sought setting aside of the trial court's decision saying the judgement did not pay "heed towards facts produced by the accused persons during the trial of the case". The plea stated that the prosecution has failed to prove its case and had not placed any material evidence, which could point to their guilt. "Trial court had passed order (conviction and sentence) without applying its judicial mind and without taking into consideration the facts and documents placed by the convicts on record and has wrongly relied upon the version of the complainant," the convicts have said in their appeal. They have sought bail during pendency of their appeals. Six persons, including a juvenile, had beaten up and had robbed carpenter Ram Adhar before raping and brutally assaulting a 23-year-old girl in a moving bus in south Delhi on the night of 16 December, 2012. Thirteen days after the assault, she was transferred to a hospital in Singapore for emergency treatment, but succumbed to her injuries. As per the charge sheet in the robbery case, the police had alleged that bus driver Ram Singh, his brother Mukesh, Vinay, Pawan and Akshay, along with the juvenile, had snatched the 35-year-old carpenter's mobile phone and Rs 1,500 after luring him into the bus. Mukesh, Vinay, Pawan and Akshay were awarded death penalty on 10 September, 2013 by a trial court in New Delhi in the gangrape and murder case which was later confirmed by Delhi High Court on 13 March, 2014. Their appeals are pending before the Supreme Court. Out of the six, accused Ram Singh had allegedly committed suicide in Tihar Jail on 11 March, 2013 and proceedings against him were abated. On 31 August, 2013 the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Board sentenced the minor accused to a three-year stay in a special home for gangrape and murder of the girl. The juvenile, now 20-year-old, was recently released from the reformation home. By Jahnavi Reddy I might say with a little exaggeration that nowadays one rarely sees a woman over the age of 3540 years who still has her uterus. Doctors have converted patients into commodities. Todays young general practitioners understand the process of commercialisation. They conduct camps and perform unindicated hysterectomies, says Rajendra Malose, a general practitioner from Chandwad in the Nasik district, in an interview. Malose is one of the 78 doctors interviewed by Arun Gadre and Abhay Shukla for their book Dissenting Diagnosis. The book calmly reveals the terrifying exploitation of patients in India by corrupt doctors prioritizing money over patient health, because of the corporatisation of the private medical sector and the influence of pharmaceutical companies. We wanted to know how these trends in the practice of medicine affect Indian women. Pretty seriously, as it turned out. Here are some of the alarming ways in which women are exploited by medical practitioners. Mass hysterectomies The book reports several cases of large-scale hysterectomy drives in India, with private hospitals trying to make money from state-sponsored insurance schemes meant to cater to the medical needs of low-income groups. This was seen in Andhra Pradesh under the Arogyasri scheme, and Chhattisgarh and Bihar, as part of the RSBY scheme. Following public outcry, hysterectomy was removed from the list of services given by private hospitals under the Arogyasri scheme in Andhra Pradesh, as mentioned in the book. Until then, doctors were recommending hysterectomies as if the uterus was an appendix. Cancer fear-mongering Large-scale hysterectomies still continue in India, with doctors instilling the fear of cancer among women without proper clinical examination and tests. Gadre says that patients who visit doctors with complaints of additional vaginal discharge are told that theyre at risk of cancer, although it is a normal physiological phenomenon! Should you keep your ovaries after a hysterectomy? One of the writers of Dissenting Diagnosis, Arun Gadre, a gynecologist who ran his own practice in rural Maharashtra for twenty years before growing disillusioned with the private medical sector because of prevalent malpractice, says that there are no proper regulations on performing hysterectomies, and important and complex decisions such as whether the ovaries must be retained during a hysterectomy are taken by doctors with no guidelines. Fertility treatments On one side while women are being sterilized on a massive scale, on the other hand, theyre also being told to worry about their fertility way sooner than they need to. According to Gadre, medical textbooks say that investigations around fertility and treatment can be initiated only after attempting to conceive for at least one year and three months, but doctors have now started investigations and fertility treatments within three months of attempting to conceive. Standardised procedure rates Apart from standard treatment guidelines for procedures like hysterectomies, C-sections and fertility treatments, theres also a need to have standardized treatments rates. Rates for a normal delivery range from Rs 2,000 in a normal hospital to Rs 2.5 lakhs in big corporatised hospitals. Rates for basic clinical care should be standardised, says the other author of the book Abhay Shukla, a public health physician who has worked on health issues with grassroots NGOs in Maharashtra for two decades, and is also a member of advisory bodies for the National Rural Health Mission and the National Human Rights Commission, besides being a national convener of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan. Special rates for pre-marital pregnancies The lack of guidelines for standardised rates also means that private clinics are free to exploit the anxieties and fear of public shaming of unmarried women looking for an abortion. According to Gadre, private clinics charge exorbitant rates to unmarried women for abortions, judging that single pregnant women will weigh a quick and secret abortion over looking for better rates. Patients rights Patients rights in private clinics are also not currently recognised, and are part of the impending Clinical Establishment (Registrations and Regulations) Act. According to one of the anecdotes in the book, a gynecologist refused to hand over the sonography report of a woman who wanted a second opinion, on being told by that gynecologist to get a stitch on her cervix. Right now, there is no clear mechanism to complain against a doctor if he or she withholds a patients reports. There is no operational legal mechanism yet. To some extent, these patients' rights are included in the Clinical Establishments Act. If this is first implemented, it can be further expanded, says Shukla. There are no regulations on medical procedures like hysterectomies yet, but there is a charter of patients rights. If this draft is implemented, procedural guidelines can be added later. Shukla tells us that, Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) has developed standard treatment policies and guidelines for some procedures. And there are guidelines followed in other countries. But as of today there arent any legally binding guidelines in India. These guidelines can be added to the existing ones in the Clinical Establishments Act, which was enacted in 2010 by Parliament. According to Shukla, The rules were promulgated in 2012. Now its been four and a half years. Since then, the standards are not finalized at the national level as the states are dragging their feet on it. Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam have adopted the central Act, but because the standards havent been finalized, it hasnt been implemented, and nothing has happened on ground. In Maharashtra, the government has neither adopted the national act nor its own state-level act. The draft has been ready for the past two years, but it hasnt been enacted. There is lobbying from the private sector. There should be a public demand for its implemention. Shukla and Gadre believe that there must be pressure on behalf of civil society organizations and womens groups, in order to counter lobbying and to actively demand regulation of medical procedures and treatments, in the absence of which doctors can continue to exploit patients rights. The Ladies Finger is a leading online womens magazine. Gurgaon: A major portion of an automobile air conditioner manufacturing factory was gutted on Sunday in a fire, a fire officer said. Over one dozen fire tenders were pressed into service after the fire was reported at Subros company in Sector 8 of Industrial Model Township (IMT) in Manesar around 2.30 pm. Manesar (Haryana): Fire breaks out in a automobile parts manufacturing unit, 12 fire tenders at the spot pic.twitter.com/7NwME6yiTV ANI (@ANI_news) May 29, 2016 Manesar(Haryana): Fire breaks out in a automobile parts manufacturing unit, 12 fire tenders working on dousing flames pic.twitter.com/CXkoRhHnXH ANI (@ANI_news) May 29, 2016 Fire is of high intensity but we're trying to control it. Accordn to our info, 1 person is injured: Ajit Singh, ACP pic.twitter.com/FDv40neXDx ANI (@ANI_news) May 29, 2016 A fire officer said around 200 workers were present when the fire broke out at the company premises, in the vicinity of Maruti Udyog Limited. According to a report in DNA, more than a dozen fire trucks rushed to the spot to douse the flames that had already damaged crores of property. While the company officials said it was due to an electrical short-circuit, several factory workers said the fire was sparked by a leak from a commercial liquefied petroleum gas cylinder. New Delhi: Five people were arrested on Sunday in connection with the alleged assault on six African nationals in South Delhi's Mehrauli area. Amid outrage over more attacks on Africans in the national capital, eight people were held today for their involvement, with Home Minister Rajnath Singh directing the police to take strict action against the attackers and step up patrolling in the areas inhabited by the community. Besides these eight persons, a juvenile has also been detained, as investigators stepped up probe into three separate incidents of assault on African Nationals, after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took up the issue with Singh and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. "Four accused identified as Babu, Om Prakash, Ajay and Rahul have been arrested and the fifth accused, who turned out to be a minor, has been apprehended on charges of causing hurt and wrongful confinement," DCP (South) Ishwar Singh said about Thursday's incident in South Delhi's Mehrauli in which six Africans were injured. At least six African nationals had sustained injuries in the incidents. Police attributed two of the incidents to a dispute over African nationals playing loud music and other to a scuffle over public drinking. The incidents came amid the outrage over the killing of 23-year-old Congolese national MK Oliver in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj area last week, with envoys of African nations openly voicing their unhappiness. The African Heads of Mission in New Delhi responded to that attack by urging India's government to address "racism and Afro-phobia" in the country. India promised quick punishment for the assailants. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Sunday that "a sensitization campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside." India had assured the African envoys of safety and security of all African nationals. Earlier, the Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack and called Delhi Police chief Alok Kumar Verma to his residence to express concern over the attacks. "Spoke to Commissioner of Police, Delhi regarding the incidents of physical assault against certain African nationals. Such incidents are condemnable," Singh tweeted. "Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers and increase patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone," he said in another tweet. Three separate cases have already been registered by the police in connection with the incident that took place at Mehrauli on Thursday night. Meanwhile, since Saturday, the police has held several meetings with various resident associations in the area. Addressing one such gathering, DCP Ishwar said, "they have come to our country, they are our guests and friends. They have come here just because they trust us. The way you behave with them will have repercussions on our brothers living outside. An example is the way Indians were attacked after the murder of a Congolese youth," he said. The victims in Thursday's cases include two women one from Uganda and the other from South Africa and at least two Nigerian men who alleged they were abused on racial lines. While two of the cases have been registered under the charge of criminal intimidation, the third has been for alleged offences of causing hurt and wrongful confinement, police had said. The police officials had also claimed no African national was seriously injured and police had registered cases taking suo motu cognisance. "No African national was seriously injured. A Nigerian national, identified as Leuchy, sustained minor injuries on his nose and he was taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre," police said. "None of the African Nationals agreed to give a complaint. However, the local police acting on their own have registered criminal cases. The accused persons involved in the incidents have been identified and efforts are on to arrest them," it added. Separately, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said government will transport back home the mortal remains of Congolese youth Masunda Kitanda Oliver who was killed earlier this month in a south Delhi area. "In the unfortunate death of Masunda Oliver, the government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense," he said. After retaliatory attacks were reported against Indians in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, Swarup, said the Indian diplomatic mission in Kinshasa learned that some Indian establishments and shops in the commercial area were attacked on 23 and 25 May "as a reaction perhaps to the killing of a Congolese national in New Delhi. It has also been reported that there were some gunshots fired, injuring a couple of Indians living in the area. Our ambassador took up the matter immediately with the Congolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Swarup said on Friday, adding that the situation had calmed down. With inputs from agencies Dehradun: Five more people were killed over the last 24 hours in Uttarakhand, as heavy rains triggered by a series of cloudbursts hit Tehri and Uttarkashi districts. Uttarkashi's Chinyalisaur area reported four fresh deaths. The toll in cloudburst now stands at six. Four persons, including three women, were swept in incidents of mudslide when a series of cloudbursts hit several villages in Chinyalisaur at 5 pm and 10 pm on Saturday, SDM Vijay Nath Shukla, who is on a visit to affected areas, told PTI today. The deceased women have been identified as Shartna Devi (45), Sunaina (19) and Godambari Devi (55) who hailed from Dargarh, Junga and Murogi localities, respectively. Sunaina's body has been recovered and a search is on for the rest, he said. Munshi Lal (40) was also swept away by a flood triggered by a cloudburst in Suri village, he said, adding 13 cattle were also buried alive under the debris in the area. The body of 14-year-old Bharti, a resident of Kireth village, who was swept away by waters following the cloudburst on Saturday was recovered today from Kothiyaada village in Tehri district, Ghansali SDM Vinod Kumar said. A 15-year-old boy was yesterday killed as cloudbursts in Ghansali area damaged hundreds of houses in over half a dozen villages in Balganga Valley. Editor's note: So youve swiped right, exchanged numbers and got yourself a date on Tinder. What next? This is a 10-part series on the dating landscape among the young-ish and single-ish of India. Part V is about the date who simply doesn't match up to that photo you saw on the app. Sasha was super excited. After two weeks of messaging and calling she finally had a date with her Tinder match, a guy who seemed courteous, intelligent and funny. Sasha went shopping and bought a new dress. She went to the salon to get her hair blow-dried. She wore her favourite red lipstick. Finally at 1 pm, with butterflies in her stomach, she walked into the restaurant they were to meet at. She spotted her date. He waved at her. She walked towards his seat. Her smile stopped. The guy getting up from his seat was 52. Sasha was 55 and wearing two-inch heels. When he leaned over to shake her hands, she was towering over him. Sasha didnt know how to react. On his Tinder profile her date had only posted close-up photos of his face. He had not mentioned or displayed his height. Sasha felt like she had been conned. Rahul was also excited about his Tinder date. After scouting through all the bots, escort services, lesbians and call girls on Tinder, he had finally matched with a pretty and normal-looking girl; the type he thought hed click with. But when he got to the coffee shop he couldnt find his date. Instead, he saw a girl waving at him. He couldnt place her till she gave her name. It was his Tinder match, eight kilos heavier and frumpy. She looked nothing like her pictures. Rahul felt like his date had gone from Cinderella to Shrek in a second. Unlike Sasha, Rahul was more upfront. You look nothing like your Tinder photo, he told his date. Oh, that old thing! the girl replied frivolously. It was taken four years ago. If these instances sound shallow, its because they are. Sadly, the basic premise of Tinder is based on superficiality and illusion. The app is all about first impressions, and success on Tinder is ultimately defined by the number of matches someone has. This makes photos the most important part of a profile, leaving people with only one option: to put up their best shots. Some do this by using the right angles and filters, while some go as far as to have themselves photoshopped. Fair enough. After all, arent most people guilty of living a parallel life online that distorts their reality? Arent most people showcasing themselves as better than they actually are? Is it realistic to expect a persons real life to match the halo syndrome of their online life? No, it isnt. We all know that social media is tricky. Remember the scandal involving James Franco sexting a 17-year-old on Instagram? The digital world has spoilt us for reality. Yet, we love it. Think of the popularity of Snapchat with its photo self-destruct. Or the introduction of Google glasses in porn mode. We all know that, on some level, online apps offer people a distorted sense of reality. Is Tinder any different? Of course not. So, what is it that really disappointed Sasha and Rahul? They both said that it wasnt that their dates looked worse than they imagined thats mostly a given than the fact that their dates did not match what theyd offered. Its like going through a glossy shopping catalogue only to discover that the dress you ordered is too big, too short, too ugly or too ill-fitting. It left them feeling deceived, and helpless. Because unlike products, theres no return feature on human beings, is there? Fish is lured into a hook using bait, and the fisherman pulls in the line when the fish is most perplexed. Similarly, most people are as mentioned above inclined to glorification and self-aggrandisation to make themselves attractive to the opposite sex, especially online. But, have people taken it too far? Are they using the wrong baits? By stepping outside the lines of mystical representation are they annihilating who they really are? In a similar vein, when people completely transform themselves on Tinder, what are they hoping to gain? That once they meet someone in real life that person will look past their bad hair and wonky teeth and fall in love with their real self? If that were the case, why has doesnt look like his/her picture become the biggest grouse on Tinder? To Photoshop or not to Photoshop has become a modern-day chicken and egg dilemma. Should people post their modified photos on Tinder and get the maximum number of matches, only to disappoint their dates when they meet them in real life? Or should people post their real photos and match with people who know what they look like, even in real life? Most dating websites advise people to post a photo of themselves that represents who they are in the best possible light (without misrepresenting themselves) and preferably also showcases their personality. This may just be the best way to go. After all, what people sometimes fail to realise is that men and women are not looking for supermodels on Tinder. Thatd be like shopping for Prada in Big Bazaar, or ordering a salad at McDonalds. Frankly, if a person could get supermodels, they wouldnt even be on Tinder. Most people are looking for real and attainable people, like themselves. And if you have certain preferences in looks, then its better to be circumspect on Tinder and ensure that your potential match lives up to your standards. For that, here are some of the potential red flags on every Tinder profile that you can be aware of: 1. If A Profile Only Has Selfie Shots: When it comes to selfies most people are guilty of holding their face at its best angle, sucking in their wobbly tummy, cropping out their jiggly arms and using filters to remove their dark circles. Selfies are the new Botox. They make everyone look better. Be careful! 2. If A Profile Only Has Group Photos: Be assured that this Tinder profile will be the ugliest person in the group snap. Avoid, unless thats your thing. 3. If A Profile Looks Different In Every Photo: So much so that you cant even tell if its the same person. This Jekyll and Hyde is best avoided. 4. If A Profile Tries To Hide: If their face is covered with sunglasses, books, hair, tattoos, long shots, or wistful faraway stares, they probably have something to hide. 5. If A Profile Tries To Distract You: By using Rumi sayings, memes of playful kittens or photos of cute babies, this person is trying to distract you from the fact that they havent put up their own photo. 6. If A Profile Has A Blank On The Photo Space: Need I say more? Despite its shallow methods, Tinder has become a necessity for many to meet new people, have flings, and even find love, for which purposes people have to put their best foot forward, via photo or Photoshop. Online dating apps have people with all kinds of different intentions, and in this cesspool of modern dating people are still looking for things that men and women have sought for aeons: love or sex or both. Its tricky and all people can do is to acknowledge that theyre still figuring things out. Till then, follow the golden rules for sifting through your potential Tinder matches, and good luck on finding the one who matches with you and with their photo. Also in this series: Part I "The Tinder Man" the 10 guys you'll see on Tinder Part II "The Tinder Woman" the 10 ladies you'll meet on Tinder Part III - The first date who asks, who pays, who gets laid? Part IV The five worst Tinder dates Next week: Does Tinder lead to casual sex? Meghna Pant is the award-winning author of Happy Birthday (2013, Random House) and One And A Half Wife (2012, Westland) If you look for news related to suicides in India, on just the first results' page, youre likely to come across a number of cases (there were no fewer than 10 on 27 May 2016, when this piece was written). In just a little over a month after the suicide of Balika Vadhu actress Pratyusha Banerjee, there have been several other shocking instances that grabbed headlines. There were the two sisters from Haryana who shot themselves with their fathers service revolver. There was the 17-year-old astrophysicist aspirant from Jaipur, who killed herself a day after the JEE results were declared (Firstposts Vishnupriya Bhandaram wrote an in-depth piece on the pressures that drive students to suicide after the news was reported). So when The Lancet released a report this month, stating that suicide was the leading cause of death among youngsters aged 15-24 in India, it didnt seem very surprising. While statistics and reports like these often invite much analysing of Indias suicide problem, those who perhaps have the most valuable insights to offer are the ones fighting on the front lines: counsellors, mental health experts, helpline volunteers. Firstpost spoke to several of these professionals the last hope for troubled souls to gain an insight into the challenges of helping the suicidal regain their reason to live. Therapists don't have a magic wand to make the pain go away in seconds, and for some clients, this is difficult to accept Divya Srivastava, a Mumbai-based counsellor and psychotherapist, lost a friend to suicide. When she set up The Silver Lining (an organisation that addresses mental health issues), in each client who showed suicidal tendencies, she hoped to rescue the friend she had lost. It was an instinct she needed to work on. As her practice progressed, Divya realised that no matter how difficult things seemed to be, even people who were contemplating suicide, didnt really want to end their lives. Suicide (or attempting it) was a cry for help. The goal is to recognise this cry and help them in dealing with their issues, says Divya. I remember a case where a client, very successful, at top-management level in her organisation, came for a session where she confessed that she had tried to slit her wrists but could not gather the strength to go through with it. The underlying issue was a troubled relationship. No matter how successful she was in the professional sphere, on the personal front, her partner made her feel worthless and damaged her to such an extent that she was sure if she left him, she would end up alone. Helping her out of her situation of physical and emotional abuse was quite a journey but I admire her courage in being able to overcome it. Every client Divya works with is different, as are the challenges presented in working with them. Many, severely depressed, are looking for instant relief and seeking counselling isnt their first choice. Unfortunately, therapists don't have a magic wand to make the pain go away in a matter of seconds For some clients, this is difficult to accept, Divya says. Also, not all clients come in of their own accord. Often, it is a friend or relative who has brought them to a therapist. Not only is the client unwilling, he/she may also feel that there is no way out and nothing is going to help an attitude that is challenging to deal with. There is also the rare client who likes to play the victim, in which case, an expert like Divya has to help them adopt a healthier perspective. It is troubling to see so many people in India still suffering from depression and yet, none of them actually come forward to seek help, rues Divya. Life is difficult but that is what makes it beautiful. In this super-competitive world, no one has time for failure, I feel. We all want pizza in 30 minutes and solutions to world-problems with the mere click of the mouse to sign a petition but none of us actually wants to invest resources in building a better self. The youth will spend on designer-wear, expensive restaurants but not speak to someone about their deep-seated issues. We are all pretending and everyone knows that the person in front of them is living many lies but confrontation is ugly and no one wants to be tactful. The apathy is what troubles me. Depression breaks down a person's sense of self As a senior consultant psychologist at the Institute for Exceptional Children, Trinjhna Khattar has seen cases where people in severe emotional distress were helped, and cases where they were not. One notable case was that of a 22-year-old student who had suffered an emotional breakdown. After receiving therapy at the IEC, she was able to not just finish her masters coursework, but also appear for her final exams and relocate successfully to her hometown. More importantly, her family was educated in a way that they moved from denial to understanding her condition, and worked on ways to help her have a more meaningful and effective life. Trinjhana recalls, The girl who met me in the first session, crying uncontrollably and feeling miserable, not only looked different and refreshed, but I think the greatest achievement for me was when she said, I feel like myself again Depression breaks down a persons sense of self. Mental health professionals help safeguard peoples inner sense of self. A sadder case was that of a 20-year-old who came in for counselling as he was finding it difficult to concentrate on his studies. Deeper enquiry revealed that he was caregiving for a seemingly psychologically distressed girlfriend, who he kept supporting and helping in his own way. While Trinjhana could help him deal with stress to some extent, it was difficult to do more because the girlfriend would not agree to come in for counselling. The boy feared losing her or having her distance herself from him, and so never mustered the courage to get her for counselling. Although I was aware of her suicidal ideation and appropriate authorities were informed, I am unaware if she has been provided with any psychological care so far. Eventually, the boy has also discontinued counselling, says Trinjhana. A person who is contemplating suicide is in significant emotional pain. Emotional pain that is beyond measure; that is being suffered (often) silently; that is not understood by near and dear ones; that is not understood by the sufferer herself/himself, says Trinjhana. One of the biggest challenges when dealing with a person who is severely depressed, is that the condition at times, disempowers them to think clearly and find strength to seek treatment go for therapy, consult a psychologist, she adds. I think an even bigger challenge is the fact that often, the caregivers of the sufferer remain in denial or perhaps disbelief that this is happening to their daughter or girlfriend or husband. They will continue to question the recommendations of the psychologist. They will say, she tends to overthink, he takes things too seriously, it will settle down, we need to give it some time. Such an attitude creates a barrier to treatment and progress becomes slow. A lot of them indulge in self-sabotaging One of clinical psychologist Rochelle Gomes toughest cases was of a young boy who was diagnosed as HIV positive. His mother was also HIV positive, and Rochelle describes all the sessions with the boy as extremely emotional. It was so difficult to shake off the anger and sadness, she says. When working with clients who may have attempted to take their own lives or exhibit a suicidal ideation, Rochelle focuses on how they can achieve meaning and purpose in their lives once again. This of course, is easier said than done. A lot of them indulge in self-sabotaging, and their reality perception about themselves and the world around them is grossly underrated, Rochelle says. Getting them to focus on the here and now and forming a healthy perception of reality is a challenge. Most callers who feel suicidal are between the ages of 11-40, with nearly 50 percent of those being in 21-30 age group In the quiet Tata Institute of Social Sciences campus in Mumbai, a team of 12 counsellors operates out of two large rooms, working in shifts to man the helpline known as iCALL. Ever since it was set up in 2012, an initiative of TISS School of Human Ecology, iCALL has been seen as among the more successful programmes of its kind in India, helping people in emotional distress receive the help they need. Paras Sharma, the programme coordinator for iCALL tells us that when they started, the helpline received about 150-250 calls a month on an average Today, that figure is close to 1,200-1,500 calls in an average month and as many as 2,500-3,000 calls in a busy month. Email counselling usage has grown dramatically from next to nothing, to 200-250 emails a month, says Paras. On an average, the counsellors get 35-50 calls a day, from callers across all age groups, and for issues that range from emotional distress, relationship issues (parent-child, marital, intimate, or peer relationships), mental health, violence against women, suicidal ideation, and work-life balance. At any given point in time, 5-10 actively suicidal cases are handled at the helpline, both over calls and emails; about 30-50 such crisis calls in a month. The proportion is definitely less than 10 percent of those who approach us with emotional distress, but that is not to say that someone who is in emotional distress today cannot be suicidal tomorrow, says Paras. At iCALL most of the calls, across all issues, come from the 11-40 age group, and the data corresponds with that of the National Crime Records Bureaus Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India report, whereby the number of suicides peaks in the 21-30 years age group. iCALLs observations show that most callers who come to us feeling suicidal are between the ages of 11-40, with nearly 50 percent of those being in 21-30 years age group, while the remaining are equally divided between 11-20 years and 31-40 years, says Paras. What clients are looking for when they reach out over phone or email is simply for someone to hear them out. Finding an empathetic counsellor at the other end of the line is a major relief. In other cases, people need someone to just soak up their outpouring of negative emotions and tell them that they are going to be okay, says Paras. There are also many cases where people want counselling therapy/support in conjunction with psychiatric treatment as well. Counsellors at iCALL can be reached on 022-2552 1111 from Mondays-Saturday, between 8 am-10 pm or at icall@tiss.edu For The Silver Lining, call on 022-2550 7663 or write to thesilverliningcentre@gmail.com For Institute of Exceptional Children, dial 022-23003064 They say god is in the details. Consequently, people with different gods are likely to read differently into the tiny little details present in Rana Ayyubs Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up. Yet, it is in these finer details that the book holds your attention; because, from a macroscopic vantage point, there isnt much in it that one hasnt already heard or guessed (or vociferously drowned out with a counter-narrative). In 2010, an independent filmmaker (and more important, an upper caste Hindu girl from the American Film Institute Conservatory in LA) interviewed a number of people, many of them high profile members of the law-and-order machinery of Gujarat in 2002, during research for a film about the state. That girl happened to be Rana Ayyub, undercover. Ayyub, who was with Tehelka at that time, clandestinely managed to record videos of her conversations over months, excerpts from which form the core of the book. Straight off the bat, it is the nature of her extensive, risky investigation that stands out. For a young Muslim woman to go undercover with a (Hindu) alias and a rigorous back-story; worming her way into meeting up with powerful but potentially hostile people about a prickly political topic; carrying multiple concealed cameras on her person; keeping this facade up for so long despite hiccups all of this is an ode to journalism itself, a mark of respect to the perils that one has to face on the quest fortruth. (Put your life on the line for a cause you believe in, dear reader, before you use the wordpresstitute as an insult. Disagree with what they stand for, but be respectful to journalists as well as sex workers.) Then-CM Narendra Modis alleged complicity in fanning the flames of the 2002 Gujarat riots has been hotly debated for nearly a decade and a half now, so talking about that would be akin to flogging the hypothetical dead puppy that (hopefully never) came under Modis car. While the Godhra train burning and subsequent communal riots, remain a ghastly blot on the nations conscience, it would be unwise to look at these events in isolation. One of the things yourereminded of while reading the book, as you assimilate the words of former top cops those entrusted with the safety of citizens is that Gujarat has always been a troubled, uneasy state vis-a-vis communalism. Multiple riots over decades festered a strained atmosphere, making the state a communal tinder box. All one needed to do, really, was strike a match. One of the other striking aspects of the testimonials of senior officers like GL Singhal (Gujarat ATS chief in 2002), PC Pande (commissioner of police, Ahmedabad in 2002), GC Raigar (intelligence head of Gujarat in 2002) and others, is that even though morally and constitutionally the police are obliged to serve the public above all else, in reality they are completely beholden to the government in power. Yes, our cinema has shown us this repeatedly over the years, but you get a sense of defeatism as you read cop after cop talking about how you either toe the line drawn by your political bosses, or you get side-lined with a punishment posting. Some of these cops did what they did during the riots, even things that they werent proud of, because you just didnt have a choice. This is true for whichever party holds the reins in the state, in every state across the country. It is a deep-rooted malaise in our system that needs some sort of immediate intervention. Another fact youll discover is that even in the upper echelons of the police force, your caste plays a role in how youre treated by your seniors and peers. Deniers of the role of caste in 21st century India must read the newspaper snippet Ayyub includes, which talks about one of the highest-ranking officials in Gujarat - former ATS chief Rajan Priyadarshi, a Dalit, who cant buy land in his village because he is considered untouchable. One must note, though, that the veracity of what these cops have revealed in their interviews to Ayyub will be in question until (if ever) they repeat all of this in court, under oath. Over years, memories can morph into what you want to or are expected to believe, while oftentimes people just lie outright. Former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatts public domain testimony against Modi, for instance, was always dubious. This dubiousness is ostensibly confirmed by what was disclosed to Ayyub by senior officers, because it does appear that Sanjiv Bhatt made up the fact that he was physically present in a meeting where the Chief Minister allegedly gave certain direct orders to the top brass. If the book suggests anyones role in the riots as being dodgy, it is that of then-Gujarat home minister and current BJP president Amit Shah. The nature of his rhetoric in rallies across Uttar Pradesh in 2015 is there for everyone to see. (Hate speech is what the Election Commission called it, possibly because we dont currently have a harsh-enough term to accurately describe some of what he said.) So it isnt hard to imagine him taking a hard-line Hindutva position smack dab in the middle of the riots. Besides, the man was also banned from entering his home state in connection with the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh. (Fake encounters, incidentally, are also a frequent result of police subservience to politicos. This is brought up by nearly every cop Ayyub interviewed.) A large part of the book is actually in the interview form, presumably transcribed from the tapes. So, if youre looking for narrative flair, the kind that journalists like Hussain Zaidi or Meenal Baghel have incorporated in their various works, then you might be disappointed. Rana Ayyubs allegiance clearly lies first with the content of her sting interviews, and only after that to her own personal stand. She avoids making inferences too often, usually content with reproducing material in question-answer form, while paraphrasing the rest. She also sprinkles portions of the book with what she did in her downtime between interviews exploring Ahmedabads culinary and cultural delights (on a budget, as journalists are wont to do while actually working), along with a young exchange student from France, who helped her immensely during her investigations. (God bless that chap, just for being such a solid partner in that minefield of a scenario.) These bits offer some measure of relief in an under-150- page text that, for the most, jumps from one interview to the other. The book is lean and breezy primarily because Ayyub chooses to forego style in favour of substance. The piece de resistance in terms of narrative brilliance essentially arrives in the way she ends her book it ends on a strange form of hope, because with the release of this book, the tapes in her possession have the potential to alter the political landscape of the country, if the system so wills. Yet, the biggest draw from the book remains the fact that a work of this kind got published in the first place. The last two years in our country could make some feel that this wouldve been well-nigh impossible. It reminds us that if you dissect the anatomy of our clunky democracy, youll find a deep, ever-evolving (if insufficient and practically absent) core of idealism, wisdom and justice - the idea of India, or something of the sort. New Delhi: Celebrating second anniversary of his government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said a "change" has come in the last two years through good governance and vowed to root out corruption and make life easier for the people who have been "looted" for years. Without naming Congress, he accused the Opposition party of pursuing the agenda of obstructionism and expressed confidence that people can see through it and find truth. Recalling the scams and scandals during the UPA governments including in coal block allocation, the Prime Minister said checking the menace of corruption is the focus of his government and people can see it when compared with that of previous dispensations. "As long as we do not remember the work done during the days of the previous government, we will not be able to realise what a big task has been accomplished," he said. "I am standing before people of the country with satisfaction. We have been able to to get the trust and enthusiasm of people despite a very minute examination of our work. The trust of people is growing day by day. This also increases our confidence. "I cannot say this about those for whom opposing us is necessary for political reasons. That is also natural. But I want to say one thing. On one hand there is the agenda of development (vikasvaad) and on the other hand is the agenda of obstructionism (virodhvaad)," he said. Speaking at the the event "Ek Nayi Subah", which was held in talkathon format spread over nearly six hours with most of the ministers in attendance, the Prime Minister said that his government has not taken any decision with "malafide intention". Modi assured people that his government was working very hard and doing everthing to live up to the faith they have reposed in him. "I am here to assure you that we are doing everything to live up to the faith people have reposed in us. And the country has seen that no decision was taken with any malafide intention, no effort was spared in working hard and we have dedicated ourselves to people's cause by keeping their and national interest paramount. "It is true that those who have pocketed money will face difficulties and feel the pinch. Who have pocketed it and when have they pocketed it is not my subject but it is the money belonging to the poor and will not be allowed to go to others," he said. Giving figures, the Prime Minister said about Rs 36,000 crore has been saved annually by plugging leakages in various programmes and said those who were benefitting from corruption are the ones who are feeling "hurt". "Some people tell me that I do so much work and yet face so much opposition and abuse. They advise to engage with media more and rectify communciation strategy. How do I convince them that those who were beneficiaries of the 36,000 crore will abuse me when I have stopped this loot of public money?" the Prime Minister said. Modi said that the biggest change has been infusing confidence in people and working with committment to fulfil their expectations. Rejecting criticism by Congress, which has said that Modi government has done nothing in the last two years, the Prime Minister said the country has seen that his dispensation has spared no effort in working hard and totally dedicated itself to work for the nation and common masses. "People are capable to find out the truth by comparing this agenda of development and the agenda of obstructionism. While every step taken by the government should be evaluated minutely, my concern is that nothing should be done which throws the country in an abyss of despair," he said. Noting that sometimes he comes across criticism, which has no basis, Modi said that the evaluation of his government has to be done in the context of the functioning of the previous governments. Claiming to have brought a transparent auction system for coal blocks allocation, he reminded that the previous government had got "defamed" due to corruption in this sector, which was widely reported by the media then. The Prime Minister said that the importance of his government's efforts on this can be understood if it is examined why such a massive corruption happened earlier on this issue. "Corruption is hollowing out our country hollow like termites. If there is one thing, which can shatter our dreams for developing the nation, it is this moth of corruption and we are committed to root it out," he said. Detailing the government's achievement in plugging leakages, the Prime Minister said that a sum of Rs 15,000 crore was saved by weeding out fake beneficiaries of LPG subsidies. Modi said his government had also detected over 1.62 crore fake ration cards and listed some measures taken in other BJP-ruled states in this direction. "It is only a beginning. It is a new dawn," he said, asserting that his government will continue with such measures in next three years of its term. Noting that 1.13 crore people have given up subsidy on LPG on his call, he said it was remarkable as issues like whether to give nine or 12 subsidised cylinders per year had dominated the political discourse. Modi said had he announced a power plant with an investment of 1 lakh crore, then it would be hailed as big news and some people would have wondered where the money will come from but the fact that his government is going to save similar amount of money with supply to LED bulbs to 500 cities, thereby saving 20 thousand megawat of power does not make news. Davangere, Karnataka: In an apparent reply to those questioning his government's performance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his two-year dispensation had initiated over 700 schemes and even if some tasks remained undone, he "will not let the nation go on the wrong path". Addressing a public meeting here as part of Vikas Parv (development festival) on completion of two years of his government, he asserted that he would "never go on the path of sins" as he charged that the previous government had "yielded" to pressure from various lobbies, including diesel and petrol ones. Slamming the critics who "started questioning his work" even when he had not seen his office properly, Modi said his government's programmes are mostly for the benefit of farmers and poor people, besides ending the role of middlemen, including in jobs. "My government had not completed even one week in office and some people started questioning its work. We were asked to give account. There are some people in this country who talk of democracy but don't believe in the government elected by the people. They cannot digest (NDA coming to power). They wonder where from I came. I have come from this land, from among you," he said. "Whatever I have done during the last two years has been for the welfare of the people only. Some people say Modi does not do big things," he said. Accusing the previous government of "extending big favours" to few people, Modi asked, "should I commit the same sin? Should I go on the wrong path? When you have blessed me, there is no need for me to go on that path of sin. Even if one or two things remain undone, I will not let the nation go on the wrong path." His remarks come against the backdrop of continuous criticism and questioning by Congress and some other parties over his government's performance. He enlisted a number of programmes initiated in various fields and said a "change" can be felt in the country and that he wanted to take the country to new heights for which he required people's support. He mentioned various schemes for the farmers such as the Crop Insurance and Irrigation scheme, talked about programmes like opening of bank accounts for the poor and insurance schemes for them as well as his endeavour to give LPG connections to five crore poor people over the next three years. He also talked about his government's effort to ensure early payment of dues by sugar mills to sugarcane farmers and launch of E-platform to enable farmers to sell their produce online anywhere in the country for a better price. Narendra Modi also spoke about scrapping of about 1,200 "obsolete" laws and doing away with the requirement of interview for class III and IV government jobs. QUETTA/DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan The brother of a man killed alongside Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a U.S. drone strike in southwest Pakistan has filed a report with police asking for his brother's killing to be investigated, officials said on Sunday. Muhammad Azam, a Pakistani citizen, was driving Mansour from the Pakistan-Iran border to Quetta, capital of Pakistan's Balochistan province, when a U.S. drone destroyed the car in the Koshki area of Noshki district, killing them both. Azam was a regular taxi driver on the route and was not connected to the Taliban, his brother Muhammad Qasim said in a police report seen by Reuters. The "First Information Report" filed by Qasim would form the basis of any police investigation into the drone attack. Drone attacks outside Pakistan's tribal areas, such as the one that killed Mansour and Azam, are rare. Much of the country's Islamist militancy is based in the tribal areas of northwest Pakistan. Critics of drone strikes allege there has been a tacit agreement between Islamabad and Washington allowing strikes in some tribal areas but not elsewhere. Pakistan denies that any such agreement exists. The report was filed by Qasim on Wednesday, local official Muhammad Omar told Reuters on Sunday night. It does not name Mansour, identifying him only as Muhammad Wali, an identity he had been using while in Pakistan, complete with identification documents and a passport. Pakistani authorities confirmed for the first time on Sunday that it was indeed Mansour who was killed in the drone strike. "He was identified after conducting a DNA test which showed a match with a close relative of Mullah Mansour's, who had come to Pakistan from Afghanistan to receive the body," said an interior ministry statement. The police report filed in Balochistan notes that the United States has claimed responsibility for carrying out the attack. No individuals or officials are named as suspects. A U.S. embassy spokesman in Islamabad declined to comment, referring all questions on the subject to Washington. "My brother was innocent. And he was extremely poor. He has four young children. He was the sole breadwinner in his house," Qasim told police, according to the report. (Writing by Asad Hashim; Additional reporting by Kay Johnson; Editing by Andrew Roche) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. ROME An Italian marine who Indian prosecutors accuse of murdering two fishermen during an anti-piracy mission returned home on Saturday after four years in custody in New Delhi. Salvatore Girone, who was held in custody at the Italian embassy in the Indian capital, is one of two marines arrested in 2012 over the fishermen's deaths during the operation to protect an Italian oil tanker. The other marine, Massimiliano Latorre, is already back in Italy after suffering health problems. The marines say they fired on the fishing boat because they thought the Italian ship they were assigned to protect, the Enrica Lexie, was under attack. Indian prosecutors accuse them of murdering the fishermen. India's supreme court ruled earlier this week he was free to go home at least until Italy's dispute with India over jurisdiction in the case, which is now in international arbitration, is over. Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti embraced the uniformed Girone when he arrived at Rome's Ciampino airport. He was also greeted by the foreign minister, the navy's top admiral and relatives. India's Supreme Court said Girone must surrender his passport when he arrives in Italy and he will be required to return to India within a month of an order from the tribunal. The long dispute over the incident has strained relations between India and Italy and its European Union partners. In an effort to end legal wrangling, both countries last year agreed to move their dispute to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which also ruled Girone should be allowed to return home earlier this month. Italy argues that the case should not be heard in India because the incident occurred in international waters. India has said it remains confident the tribunal will decide in its favour. (Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Helen Popper) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Now that Italian marine Salvatore Girone has returned home after four years in Indian custody, will Italy relent? Last year, Italy blocked Indias entry to the Missile Transfer Control Regime, because of strained ties with India over the marines. The 34-member group which makes up the MTCR works by consensus. Despite US and other major powers backing, Indias attempts were thwarted by the Italians. Ever since the arrest of the two marines in 2012, Indias ties with Italy has taken a nose dive. With Girone, who was spending his time cooped up in the Italian mission in the capita is back in Italy, will Indias path to the MTCR be smooth? The MEA is certainly hoping there will be no more hiccups. India applied for membership to the MTCR in June 2015 after making sure that all key powers were on board. The process had started not now, but with the previous government. The hope was that during the meeting of the MTCR plenary in Oslo last October, India would be admitted. The US , France, Germany, UK were all for it. China incidentally is not a member. The unexpected jolt came from Italy. Its veto had nothing to do with Indias proliferation record, but the Italian governments frustration with India over the arrest of the two marines. The incident of 2012 was a major embarrassment for the ruling government in Rome and India unnecessarily took a rigid stand. The matter soon become entangled with Kerala politics. So much so that even after the UN arbitration tribunal asked Italy and India to approach the Supreme Court for bail for Girone, the two sides waited until the Kerala elections were over before approaching the apex court. The other, Italian Massimiliano Lattore, had left India because of a health problem in 2014. The Italian government was literally roasted by their opposition for failure to protect the two marines, who had been part of the security time of the cargo boat, when the incident happened. The Somali pirates was a menace for ships at that time, and various governments deployed marines for protection against hijacking. The Italians had shot dead two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast mistaking them for pirates. The oppositions scathing attack as well as the bad media coverage showed Rome in bad light. Blocking Indias entry to MTCR was one way for Italy to hit back. When the India-US civil nuclear agreement was signed there was also the promise that India would be integrated into the global non-proliferation system and harmonise its processes with that of the member states. These are the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group. So far not a single door has opened. At the moment Indias focus is on the MTCR and the NSG. It is important for India to be part of the MTCR because as former ambassador to the US, Naresh Chandra explained, accessing dual technology is much easier. "It is not that dual-technology is always denied if you are not part of the MTCR," Chandra explained. "But a country needs to go through a long process in the US. If you are a MRTC member, there is the presumption of approval for your request, otherwise you have to start from a presumption of denial," said Chandra. As none of the 34-member countries in the MTCR had any objections to Indias entry, save Italy, New Delhi is hoping that it does not have to wait till the plenary in October. Indian diplomatic efforts will be focused in the next few weeks to ask member countries to push through the formalities once Italy gives the green signal. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Washington he will push this with President Barak Obama. The US has already made it clear that it backs India in both the MTCR and the NSG. Indias admission to the MTCR will have positive implications for its domestic missile production. It will help India to access better technology, including sensitive dual-use technology long denied to the country. At one time the non-proliferation groups were aiming their guns on India. Russia was once prevented from exporting cryogenic technology to India by the MCTR. However, nobody even at that time could charge India of exporting technology or not following the non-proliferation agenda. But there has been a sea change in world opinion since India signed the civil nuclear deal with the US. So much so, that when India applied for membership last year, this is what Foreign Policy, the prestigious US publication focuses on global affairs wrote: "While India has always remained committed to non-proliferation of sensitive items covered by the MTCR, it has updated its domestic laws as well as its Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies (SCOMET) List in the last five years, harmonizing them completely with the MTCR guidelines. This has been recognized by the US and all other like-minded partners." Members too believe that entry will help India to better contribute to the global non-proliferation regime. By the looks of it, Indias entry to the MTCR will be easy, once Italy is on board. The question is whether this will happen before the plenary which is around October. For India, getting into MTCR will also smoothen the path to NSG membership. China will be a formidable force at the NSG and unlikely to be swayed by US pressure considering its irritation over what it regards as unnecessary interference by Washington in the South China Sea. London: In a bizarre incident, an Italian court has ruled in favour of a divorced 50-year-old man who paid his monthly child support in the form of pizzas worth 400 euros. Nicola Toso, a pizza baker, was acquitted on criminal charges of failing to pay child support, after a judge ruled that he had done his best during difficult times to provide 400 euros worth of pizzas, calzone and other goods from the take-out pizza place he was managing. Toso and his ex-wife Nicoletta Zuin divorced in 2002 and for several years all parties followed accords. In 2008, Italy was hit by a deep economic crisis and Toso, who had remarried and had three more children, began struggling to pay child support, The Telegraph reported. From 2008 to 2010 he offered Zuin free food instead of the 400 euros stipulated in their divorce agreement. "In lieu of money, the defendant offered his ex-wife the same amount of compensation in the form of take-away pizzas from his workplace, an offer promptly rejected as "beggar's change," Judge Chiara Bitozzi wrote in her hearing. Zuin then filed a criminal complaint. In Toso's defence, his attorney argued the pizza maker had fallen on hard times and big debts. He was even forced to close his business in 2010 after being unable to pay vendors and employees. The attorney also noted that he had held up all his other custody obligations, such as not missing visits and helping his daughter develop cordial relations with his new partner and three step-siblings. In 2011, Toso's daughter decided to move in with him. A civil court ruled that it was the ex-wife who was obliged to pay the father 300 Euros a month in child support. Judge Bitozzi, therefore, wrote that there was no evidence that the pizza baker had committed a crime. NIAMEY Security forces in Niger killed around 12 fighters of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram who launched an attack in the southeastern region of Bosso close to the border with Nigeria, according to an army statement on Saturday. Three members of the security forces were lightly wounded during Friday's battle and government forces captured machine guns, rocket propelled grenade launchers and mobile telephones from the enemy, said army spokesman Colonel Moustapha Ledru. "The vigorous reaction of the Defence and Security Forces of Niger put the enemy to flight. Around a dozen terrorists were killed and several dozen others were wounded and carried away by the fleeing attackers," he said on national radio. It was not possible to verify the casualty figures independently. Local resident Ibrahim Chetima said townspeople sought shelter in the bush from the fighting, which began at around 5.30 p.m. (1630 GMT) and went on until 8 p.m. Bosso is part of the Diffa region, which houses many refugees and internally displaced people who have sought to evade Boko Haram violence elsewhere. The region has been targeted numerous times in attacks blamed on the militants. Boko Haram is headquartered across the border in northeastern Nigeria and seeks to carve out an emirate and impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law. (Reporting by Boureima Balima; Writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg; Editing by) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. LIMA Peruvian presidential contender Keiko Fujimori is seen beating rival Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in the June 5 run-off election, according to an Ipsos poll released on Sunday, consolidating the lead she had gained in recent weeks. Fujimori, the 40-year-old daughter of imprisoned ex-president Alberto Fujimori, was seen garnering 45.9 percent of votes, according to the poll published in local newspaper El Comercio. Kuczynski, a 77-year-old former World Bank economist who narrowly moved onto the second-round election after coming in second to Fujimori ahead of a leftist rival, is seen getting 40.6 percent of votes. The Ipsos survey of 1,815 people has a 2.3 point margin of error up or down and was taken between May 26-27. Some 13.5 percent of voters were still undecided or planned to cast a spoiled ballot. Fujimori was seen winning 53.1 percent of valid votes, which does not include blank or spoiled votes, compared to Kuczynski's 46.9 percent. Fujimori has solidified her lead despite a scandal involving a top aide. The senior aide resigned from her center-right party in a bid to calm an uproar following media reports that linked the two to money laundering, accusations that both have denied.[nL2N18G03G] Fujimori and Kuczynski are scheduled to face off Sunday night in the last televised debate before voters head to the ballot box. In 2011, Fujimori lost her first presidential bid to President Ollanta Humala, who cannot run again this year because of term limits. (Reporting by Teresa Cespedes; Writing by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Phil Berlowitz) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. WARSAW The U.S. missile shield to be located in Poland does not pose a threat to Russia's security, Poland's state-run news agency PAP quoted Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski as saying on Sunday. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Poland and Romania could find themselves in the sights of Russian rockets because they are hosting elements of a U.S. missile shield that Moscow considers a threat to its security. "President Putin should know very well that the anti-missile shield in Poland has no relevance to Russian security. This system is to defend Europe from a missile attack from the Middle East," Waszykowski told PAP in an interview published on Sunday. "However, the military presence (in Poland) of the Americans and multinational NATO forces is a response to indeed aggressive behaviour by the Russian authorities, who are frightening us. This will be a presence of a defensive nature, not posing a threat to Russia." (Reporting by Agnieszka Barteczko; Editing by Greg Mahlich; Editing by Greg Mahlich) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. On 4 June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Afghanistans Herat province to dedicate the India-built Salma Dam to water-starved and electricity-deprived people of the region. This trip will come days after Modi signed the agreement in Tehran that commits India to develop the Chabahar port, a project that is viewed by the people of Afghanistan as one that will help reduce their dependence on Pakistan, whose military generals control the land-locked countrys trade with the global community. The enormous goodwill for India among the people of Afghanistan, however, is threatened by bureaucratic hurdles created in the recent weeks with new visa restrictions imposed by New Delhi. Following new visa restrictions put into place by the governments of US and UAE on Afghan nationals, the ministry of external affairs announced new guidelines that will create unnecessary hurdles for people from the war-torn country who come to India for medical treatment, studies or to just save their lives from Taliban militants. Indias imposition of new visa restrictions in early May sent out negative signals to Afghan people coming months after the new Parliament building was inaugurated by Modi in Kabul, the Chabahar port agreement that was to be signed between India-Iran and Afghanistan and just before the prime ministers second visit within six months, and this time to dedicate yet another India-built asset, Salma Dam. The Dam destroyed during the war has been rebuilt by India and is expected to produce 42 MW of electricity and nearly 80,000 hectares of farmland, giving a fillip to agriculture in Afghanistan. Such was the sense of unease among Afghan people after new visa rules were announced that their foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani was summoned to the Senate to explain new restrictions. The Indian argument for new rules is to ensure that Pakistanis do not travel to India on Afghan passports. Visa applicants are now required to submit their personal bank account statements demonstrating financial ability to pay all costs of the trip. Minor applicants (aged 15 or below) and dependents who do not have individual bank accounts can submit bank statements of their parents/spouse/children. For those who travel to India for medical reasons it is now mandatory to get a letter from a local Afghan doctor clearly stating that treatment for the particular illness or disease is not available in Afghanistan. Such restrictions are seen as more of a hurdle for people whose country is at war with Taliban and where local people face daily threat to survival. Unlike India, large parts of Afghanistan have little or no rule of government and more often than not, local people have to run away from their homes to protect themselves from Taliban. Given the grim ground reality, Afghans look to India for medical treatment or to pursue university education. Hundreds of them travel to hospitals in Delhi and surrounding areas for treatment with little or no medical intervention back home. These bureaucratic hurdles are bound to create a setback for Modis recent initiatives and efforts to reassure the government and people of Afghanistan about Indias investment in their future. India has tremendous brand equity among the people of Afghanistan. Historic ties apart, Bollywood movies and songs have culturally tied them with us as much as their belief that, unlike Pakistan, India seeks a stable and independent Afghanistan. News of the Chabahar agreement signed by Modi with Iranian president Rouhani and Afghanistans president Ghani was applauded by the local Afghan media. Comments by people on the Indian embassys Facebook site offer ample indication of the positive atmosphere generated with the signing of the Chabahar Port Project. Salma Dam is another such project. In fact, last year when the concrete pouring ceremony of the dam took place, hundreds of Afghans walked to the Indian consulate in Herat and stood outside with flowers singing the famous 1970 Bollywood number of Amitabh Bachchan film titled Yamma, Yamma. These new rules seem to have been made by a ministry bureaucrat, who is either unaware of the situation in Afghanistan or does not understand the significance of India-Afghan relations, observed a retired diplomat who didnt want to be named. One has to only read quotes of Afghan women who escaped with their children to Delhi, in The Indian Express' Sunday magazine section (dated 29 May) to fathom the ground situation in Afghanistan. These restrictions dont seem to be an isolated development. Recent efforts at back channel diplomacy initiated by a think-tank faced a setback when the Indian Embassy in Kabul failed to process visa applications of senior Afghan politicians on time. Delay in processing of applications led to their failure to reach Delhi in time for discussions. While the Modi government works towards extending Indias footprint in Pakistans neighbours such Afghanistan and Iran, a section of bureaucracy is working at cross purposes. Most Afghans hate Pakistan and hold it responsible for their current problems. They firmly believe that Rawalpindis generals will do everything they can to derail any effort by India to deepen its engagement with Afghanistan and help its people. At the same time, they have complete faith in India and are convinced that New Delhi has their best interest in mind. Indias bureaucrats need to take a relook at the new visa restrictions which dont seem to be in consonance with Modis foreign policy vision, and could do more harm in the long run. ROME Migrants rescued from two boats in the Mediterranean this week told humanitarian workers in Italy that they saw another vessel carrying some 400 migrants sink, Save the Children said on Saturday. Three vessels carrying migrants already are confirmed to have sunk or capsized this week. More than 60 bodies are said to have been recovered, including those of three infants, and hundreds are believed to be missing. But the possible sinking of a fourth vessel on Thursday had not been reported, said Giovanna Di Benedetto, spokeswoman for Save the Children in Italy. That ship along with another fishing boat and a rubber boat left Sabratha in Libya late Wednesday night, according to interviews on Saturday with some of the more than 600 survivors from the two other vessels in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo. They said the rubber boat had its own motor, but the smaller fishing boat, carrying some 400 migrants, did not. It was towed by the larger fishing vessel, which held about 500 others. Eventually the smaller boat began to take on water and, when the captain of the larger boat ordered the tow line cut, sank with most of its passengers, the survivors told Save the Children. Those aboard the other two vessels were not rescued until much later. "There were many women and children on board," the survivors said, according to Di Benedetto. "We collected testimony from several of those rescued from both (the rubber and fishing) boats. They all say they saw the same thing." On the orders of the court of Ragusa, police have detained a man who they suspect was the captain of the larger boat, state news agency Ansa reported. Police are interviewing witnesses of the possible tragedy, la Repubblica Web site said. Mild weather has brought on a surge in migrant traffic this week between Libya and Italy, and about 700 more migrants were picked up on Saturday, the coast guard said. Pope Francis met with children at the Vatican earlier in the day to talk about migration, urging them to welcome migrants because they "are not dangerous, but in danger." (Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Paul Simao) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. CHARLESTON, S.C. Tropical Storm Bonnie was downgraded to a tropical depression as it came ashore just northeast of Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday morning, bringing heavy rains, minor flooding and sustained winds of about 30 miles per hour. The system, the first tropical storm to reach the United States this year, dumped 3 to 4 inches of rain in many parts of South Carolina and triggered flooding in low-lying areas and streets at high tides, weather forecasters said. In the Beaufort area, south of Charleston, 8 to 10 inches of rain fell, said Carl Barnes, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Charleston. "We're not out of the woods because the heavy rain could move back over us today if it really sits on us," he said. Heavy rains are still falling in eastern Georgia and portions of the Carolinas, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 a.m. advisory. Maximum sustained winds have flagged to about 35 mph, punctuated by higher gusts. The storm is now moving north along the coast, where it is expected to soak the coastal Carolinas and move offshore or dissipate after moving over the North Carolina Outer Banks, Barnes said. Before a slow weakening on Monday, the system is expected to deposit 2 to 4 inches of rain in central and eastern South Carolina to the Georgia border, and 1 to 3 inches farther north across southeastern North Carolina, the center said. Forecasters warned that the storm would likely produce dangerous surf and rip currents along the U.S. Southeast coast, a particular concern during the long Memorial Day weekend, when swimmers and surfers typically flock to beaches. Police and U.S. Coast Guard teams were searching on Sunday for a missing swimmer in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, 15 miles south of Wilmington, after a report of a man in distress in the ocean about 8 p.m. on Saturday, according to authorities. In spite of the risk, dozens of surfers gravitated to Folly Beach near Charleston over the weekend to ride the storm swell and lumpy waves. But rain has dampened Memorial Day weekend for thousands of beachgoers. Alli Pulley, desk clerk at The Tides hotel on Folly Beach, said guests were staying put despite the weather and the 132-room hotel was full. "No, they're not leaving," she said. "I think they just have this time off for vacation. It's this or go back home and sit down." Thousands of visitors are in Charleston for the opening weekend of Spoleto Festival USA, an annual, three-week international performing arts event. Rain is expected to continue through Monday, but most performances are indoors. (Additional reporting by Frank McGurty in New York; Editing by Frank McGurty and Andrew Bolton) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The World Health Organisation (WHO) will establish an expert technical committee that will help countries set health priorities as well as a global observatory that identifies gaps in health research and development (R&D), especially for diseases that disproportionately affect developing countries and attract little investment. A resolution adopted on 28 May that outlines WHOs engagement on health R&D norms, including its financing, was subject of intense negotiations during the 69th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in meetings chaired by India. The resolution states that the expert research committee would not only provide technical advise for Type II and Type III diseases but also for Type I diseases, and on anti-microbial resistance (AMR), emerging infectious diseases and emergency health responses. According to WHO classification, Type I diseases are ones that do not discriminate between the rich and the poor countries and have large vulnerable populations in both for instance, cancer. Type II are diseases with incidence in both rich and poor countries but with more proportion of patients in the poor countries for instance, tuberculosis and HIV. While Type III are diseases that are specific to the poor countries for instance, infectious tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis or malaria. The committees mandate would also include diseases that face a market failure for drugs on account of shortage of medicines, the unavailability of older drugs, the lack of interest by companies to research such drugs because of its non-profitability, or for other reasons. In earlier open-ended meetings of the member states on the R&D negotiations, there were attempts to narrow the scope of the resolution only to include neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). However, the scope in the adopted text remains broad. Something that we were very concerned in this WHA it (the scope of the resolution) could have been narrowed down, said Judit Rius Sanjuan, Manager of MSFs Access Campaign. WHO will also frame an operational plan for a voluntary pooled fund to support research and development for Type III and Type II diseases and specific research and development needs of developing countries in relation to Type I diseases which will be submitted to the next WHA. The plan shall describe how the WHO Global Observatory on Health Research and Development, the WHO Expert Committee on Health Research and Development and the Scientific Working Group of a pooled fund will work together, with specific disease examples, and in line with the core principles of affordability, effectiveness, efficiency, equity and the principle of delinkage, the resolution states. "The adoption of the resolution is an important step forward for innovation and access. We welcome the recognition of affordability, effectiveness, efficiency and equity as core principles to guide this work, Esteban Burrone, Policy Advisor at Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), told Firstpost. Experts see this as a potential first step towards de-linking drug prices from access issues and innovation of new medicines. Delinkage is moving forward, one step at a time, at the WHO, said James Love, Director of Knowledge Ecology International, an organization that works on access issues, among other things. The Indian delegation described the negotiations as long, protracted, difficult at times but thrilled at the outcome. In 2012, the WHO established a Consultative Expert Working Group (CEWG) that recommended an internationally binding instrument on health R&D that included, establishing a global observatory for research, coordination functions for health R&D and finance for R&D. The CEWG had also recommended to set-aside a certain percentage of national GDPs for financing the health needs of developing countries. But the recommendations of the CEWG have only been cherry-picked up until now. An Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) by member states in 2012 only agreed to certain elements recommended by the CEWG the establishment of six demonstration projects to examine the implementation of CEWG principles and also, the establishment of a global observatory. The six demonstration projects are aimed at developing products and include, an initiative on R&D for visceral leishmaniasis; development of a vaccine against schistosomiasis; a single-dose cure for malaria; development of affordable biomarkers as diagnostics; open-source drug development for diseases of poverty and a multiplexed point-of-care test for acute febrile illness. However, the demonstration projects failed because of the need for voluntary funding of the projects. Money was slow to trickle in with a current funding gap of about $72 million. The entire CEWG process is very critical for meeting the needs of medicines, vaccines and diagnostics for the poorer sections of the world, Anshu Prakash, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and chair of the CEWG meetings told Firstpost. One of the areas where this resolution stands out is that it conveys policy coherence. It links seemingly unrelated actions and initiatives of WHO, Prakash said. The document also has a strong reference to SDGs and the UN Secretary-Generals initiative of the High-Level Panel (HLP) on Access to Medicines the HLP reference had emerged as a sticking point in the negotiations as the US frowned upon the mention of the HLP in the document. It was not easy getting that (reference to UNHLP) in there, a source familiar with the negotiations said. The UNHLP that has a global mandate to explore the policy incoherence between the current system to finance R&D that is based on high price and monopolies and the outcomes that is, basically, the lack of innovation and affordability. The CEWG resolution, in its present form, mimics the UNHLP in the sense of not discriminating between the diseases of the rich and the poor nations thus, globalising the issue of health needsand exploring questions of drug price and access. It (CEWG resolution) connects the different agenda within the different frameworks and different strategies that are being considered within WHO and is asking to be coherent with CEWG and delinkage (priniciples), Sanjuan said. However, some health activists were less enthusiastic about the CEWG resolution stating that the core issue is clinching a global R&D treaty which has not happened till now. Clearly, we have not moved forward on that. And this has now been put on the backburner in the form of further discussions, said Dr. Amit Sengupta of the Peoples Health Movement. The global observatory is being used as a smokescreen to postpone substantial work on a global treaty on R&D that can actually address the needs of rejigging the R&D system because the supply line is broken today. In the absence of a research treaty that separates cost of innovation from the price of the medicine, we will encounter larger and larger problem between health needs and the availability of new medicines, he added. The most controversial concern remains the question of footing the bill for global health R&D. The text starts a conversation on financing and WHOs role within financing but references the matter for further discussion in 2017. The text mentions options for sustainable funding. The fact that the Secretariat is asked to look at 'options for sustainable funding' for a pooled R&D funding model is important, since at the end of the day, this negotiation should focus on 'sustainable funding' mechanisms, Love said. The fundamental mistake which was, perhaps, made was that the demonstration projects were kept outside the budget of WHO. That was a cardinal mistake. The global observatory is within the budget, Prakash said responding to a question by Firstpost on why he thinks that financing the demonstration projects would be easier now when it has not been easy in the past. We have also tried that the funding for the entire strategic work plan should not be solely dependent on voluntary contribution. It should come from bothassessed contribution and voluntary contribution, he added. The delegates urged WHO's member states to increase funding for the observatory, and to strengthen their own national R&D observatories. Without money, and lots of it, it will not be important. All de-linkage efforts depend upon governments finding ways to fund R&D outside of the framework of high drug prices, Love said. Exclusive The Fair Work Ombudsman has rebuked department store chain Myer as it launches legal action against a cleaning contractor it alleges underpaid employees who cleaned Myer stores in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania. Myer has been rebuked by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Credit:Eddie Jim The Ombudsman said it had held "concerns about the workplace practices of cleaning contractors engaged by Myer at various sites" for some time, and its investigations into other contractors were continuing. And it said although it had held a number of meetings with Myer over the issue, the retailer had rejected its invitation to enter into a "compliance partnership" to combat underpayment in the supply chain. When George Christensen announced a $725,000 grant for CCTV cameras at Airlie Beach this week, he noted the surrounding Whitsunday region was a "drawcard for visitors from all over the world". It has also proved a drawcard for senior members of the Coalition in the early weeks of this election campaign. The Prime Minister, frontbenchers and even former prime minister Tony Abbott have made the trek north to lend the controversial Nationals MP a helping hand. Is this a sign he could be in trouble? A 12-year-old girl has died after being trampled by a horse on a rural property in Sydney's north-west. The accident occurred at a stud on Pitt Town Road in Pitt Town, about 10 kilometres east of Richmond, on Sunday afternoon. Billie Jade Mayson Kinder, a year 6 student at Arndell Anglican College in Oakville was leading her mother's horse back to the stables when the horse got spooked and bolted. The girl was trampled and dragged along the ground. The body of a four-year-old boy has been recovered from the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney, after a car with the boy trapped inside rolled into the water. Police and ambulance paramedics were called to a boat ramp at a caravan park on River Road, Lower Portland, where the boy had been holidaying with his father and grandfather, about 11am on Sunday. Police told reporters that the boy's grandfather had reversed down the boat ramp before stopping and attempting to unstrap a tin boat from the car. The car then rolled into the river and was submerged, with the child restrained inside. The boy's grandfather attempted, unsuccessfully, to get the boy from the vehicle. The NSW Attorney-General has applied to have a Sydney man declared a vexatious litigant after he launched numerous and repeated court actions against several neighbours, including over a Facebook post, leaving them with tens of thousands of dollars in legal bills. Gabrielle Upton will ask the NSW Supreme Court on June 7 to stay all or part of any legal proceedings brought by Nader Mohareb and prohibit him from starting any new cases without the court's permission. Nader Mohareb says he has been pestered by neighbours on Scotland Island for three years. Credit:Facebook The drastic move comes after Mr Mohareb recently began a third attempt to prosecute his Scotland Island neighbour Matthew Palmer for perjury, despite the District Court twice dismissing the case, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal. Mr Mohareb has since added a claim for assault following an alleged altercation in a car park, which he filmed on his mobile phone. Mr Mohareb has also filed a claim in the District Court against the island's water taxi driver Alexander "Alex" Kelso for defamation and trespass. And he is attempting to sue Church Point ferry driver Taylor Booth for trespass. A crowd of more than 3000 marched on NSW Parliament House on Sunday, venting opposition to a range of policies of the Baird government. The WestConnex motorway, the sacking of councillors, increased police powers and anti-protest laws were all criticised strongly at the protest, which also reflected local opposition to a western Sydney airport, to the removal of trees in the eastern suburbs, to TAFE cuts, and to lock-out laws. "It doesn't matter what your issue is, at some point you will ask yourself the same question," said rally MC Alex McKinnon, a journalist with Junkee.com. "Whose city is this? Whose state is this?". The "wonder drug" pain medications of the mid-1990s have turned out to be a major problem and a big disappointment. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said not only do they run a high risk of addicting the user, but they can actually make patients' chronic pain worse. Public awareness of the opioid crisis has grown in the past few weeks, after the sudden death of pop star Prince, who died in April after reportedly seeking treatment for painkiller addiction, as well as with recent legislation passed by the U.S. House on opioid abuse. More than 40 Americans die each day from prescription opioid overdoses, Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a statement earlier this month. Overprescribing opioids -- largely for chronic pain -- is a key driver of Americas drug-overdose epidemic." A single opioid overdose can also kill, because it can result in respiratory distress. The number of those deaths has been rising to a high of 29,000 in 2014 -- the latest year for which the figures are available. Of that number, 18,893 deaths were from prescription painkillers. The other 10,574 were from heroin, the opioid of choice when painkillers get too expensive or to difficult to obtain. In a study in the New England Journal of Medicine in April, Frieden and fellow researcher Debra Houry were blunt: "We know of no other medication routinely used for a nonfatal condition that kills patients so frequently." Vicodin, Oxycontin and their cousins, all synthetic versions of the narcotic found in the poppy flower, hit the market in an aggressive marketing rollout in the mid-1990s. They quickly became popular, providing a euphoric effect while they dulled pain. Studies at the time promised the drugs carried little risk of addiction. Pain management The introduction of the new drugs dovetailed with directives by medical experts for health care providers to focus more on pain management. Doctors began asking their patients to estimate their pain level on a scale of 1 to 10, giving patients more power over what drugs they were prescribed. It wasn't long before the drugs were getting used recreationally. Thirty-five year-old Nina, now clean, sober, and a successful caterer in Washington, D.C., was a recreational drug user in the 1990s. "People weren't tracking it like they are today," she said. "So I would 'lose' my prescription or it would 'fall down the sink' or I'd 'leave it behind at Grandma's.' " Nina said it wasn't euphoria she was trying to achieve with her drug use; it was numbness that she wanted, because her mind was never quiet. Lou, a 60-year-old travel coordinator, also from Washington, D.C., worked as a pharmaceutical representative in the 1990s, a job that gave her access to drug samples in doctors' medicine cabinets. "I'd just take them," she said, smuggling home the controlled substances. She liked to experiment. The results were unpredictable. More than once, she went too far. 'It wasn't my time' Lou drank an entire small bottle of codeine she stole from a doctor's supply closet. "I think it was one of the few times I came close to respiratory distress. I just started sweating. My heart started pounding, like crazy pounding. I guess that's what kills people. I just had to lay there and wait for it to pass," she said. Lou said she was relieved that "it wasn't my time." But she kept using. A study published in January in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that among 2,848 commercially insured patients who had a nonfatal overdose during long-term opioid therapy between May 2000 and December 2012, 91 percent of them continued to use the opioids. Seventeen percent of those had a second overdose within two years. Relapse Lou eventually sought treatment. She got clean and stopped drinking alcohol, as well. That lasted 15 years, until she relapsed. At the time, her marriage was troubled, her mother had died and there was discord with a sibling. She couldn't sleep. Her doctor -- who was aware of her addiction troubles -- prescribed Xanax, an anxiety medication that has sedative effects. It, too, is addictive. Lou began chasing her nightly dose with shots of alcohol and got hooked again. The fact that opioids and other addictive medications are prescribed by doctors can make an addiction harder to recognize, and to treat. "Some [opioid addicts] actually take their medicines as prescribed, but they have gone to very high doses which impair their functioning. So they're seen as taking legitimate medicines in an honest way," said Dr. Bernadette Solounias, medical director at Ashley Addiction Treatment in Havre de Grace, Maryland. That appearance of legitimacy, Solounias said, can make it hard for painkiller addicts to recognize a problem, seek treatment, or trust another doctor or addiction counselor. Solounias said the treatment organization began its "pain recovery" program in 2011. "We saw that there were people who had chronic pain and who had developed a dependence, sometimes an addiction, to their pain medications. These were medicines that were prescribed for them," she said. Drug dependency The drug dependency, for many, was debilitating, but the patients also still had chronic pain to manage. Solounias said the effects of dependency are reduced function in a person's daily life, including forgetfulness, sedation and preoccupation with having enough of the drug on hand to continue use. With chronic pain, physical mobility can also be affected. And she said she has found that the CDC's findings are true -- patients dependent on opiates actually have less pain, as well as a better quality of life, when they come off the drugs. "We're introducing other things -- we may use some non-opiate medicines that help with pain," she said. "Many of them have been inactive. So we get them moving, we strengthen muscles, work with physical therapists, with personal trainers to improve physical fitness. We make acupuncture available to them. Massage is also part of the program." Patients also get counseling. Solounias said patients leave the 28-day program with new coping skills. The CDC issued a new set of guidelines on opioids last month advising doctors to steer away from prescribing the drugs for chronic pain. Some of its recommendations include urine tests for people being prescribed opioid medications, and short-term prescriptions rather than long-term ones. New guidelines The guidelines are geared toward discouraging recreational abuse, as well as addiction. But the new recommendations are already irritating some patients who know they occasionally need to be prescribed opioids to fight acute or post-operative pain. "Why do I have to suffer because we are protecting a small subset of people?" said Renai, 54, a business analyst in Boston, Masschusetts. She suffers from intense back pain and does not use opioids regularly, but reacted strongly last week when she got a notice from her doctor regarding the new regulations. Submitting to a urine test was particularly upsetting. "Tons of people take these drugs correctly every day. Why do we treat everyone like a drug addict?" she said. Even recovering addicts like Nina and Lou find they occasionally need prescription help, although for them it causes a very different kind of anxiety. Lou recently had both knees replaced, one at a time. She notified her doctors of her addiction history, got support from her recovery community, and took the medications as prescribed. She said, "It's funny, because I really didn't feel that giddiness this time." Her theory is: when one is actually in enough pain to need them, the euphoria just doesn't happen. 'Here to help you' Nina has gone through three sinus operations while in recovery from her addiction. She said she, too, needed the painkillers, but felt flashbacks of shame when she had to take several pills, all prescribed, for a few days after the surgeries. "I finally had to change my thinking," she said. "OK, each of these pills has a purpose. And they're not here to hurt you, they're here to help you." She said she took each one separately and thought about its purpose as she swallowed. Ken and Bonnie Newman will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on June 2, 2016. Kenneth Newman and Bonnie Bennett were married in Moscow, Idaho on June 2, 1946. Ken and Bonnie have 3 children: Kathryn (Kent) Jasperson of N Salt Lake, Utah; Kenneth Richard (Jean) Newman of Twin Falls, Idaho; and Gail (Keith) McCabe of Bartonville, Illinois. They have 7 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. We are grateful for the blessing they have been to us all our lives and for their example of devotion to each other for 70 years. Their family requests that their many friends please contact them and wish them a happy 70th anniversary. Q: I live outside of town, had a pretty good little chicken farm; close to a dozen fresh eggs daily, four years running. One morning I woke up to a massacre! All signs point to a domestic dog. Do I file a police report? Angela A: As much as an officer might groan at me for this answer about doing a report, I would say yes, a report could be done. The reason I say yes is that you might not be the only victim of a chicken loving dog. There might just be other neighbors who, just like you, might also have to buy eggs from the store for a while. Somebody might also know who the dog belongs to and allow you to try to get some restitution for your loss. The dog owner might also have been cited prior and not fixed the issue that allowed the chicken-killing dog to roam free. Some counties have escalating charges that get stiffer with each violation. The other thing I know some are saying out there is, what if its a fox or some other wild animal killing the chickens. I believe that there are possibly some Fish and Game regulations in dealing with predators. I would advise contacting your local fish and game office to see, if that is indeed the case. The final reason I would say yes to filing a report is that the deed could have been done by vandals (Not the ones from Moscow, dont email me hate emails). There are some low-life out there who find thrill in the torture and mutilation of animals. It could be that you might find out this was the case as well. Once again you might not be the only victim if that was the cause of your chickens deaths. I would suggest that if you get replacement egg makers you also invest in a wildlife camera that takes pictures when motion is made. It might just help lead to the answer to the chicken killing caper case (try saying that 3 times fast). Quote of the month: To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often- Winston Churchill Officer down: Please put these officers, killed in the line of duty, and their families in your prayers. They fought the good fight, now may they rest in peace. God bless these heroes. Officer David Glasser, Phoenix Police Department, Arizona Officer Sean Johnson, Hilliard Division of Police, Ohio Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr., Auburn Police Department, Massachusetts Have a question for Policemandan? Email your question(s) to policemandan@yahoo.com or look for Ask Policemandan on Facebook and click the like button. Mail to: Box 147, Heyburn, Idaho 83336 TWIN FALLS Two Idaho universities offer migrant student programs but cant keep up with the demand. We have more students applying to the program than we can serve, said Gypsy Hall, associate director for Boise State Universitys College Assistance Migrant Program. There is definitely an interest in migrant students going to college. But one thing Victor Canales-Gamino has noticed when he recruits for University of Idaho CAMP: He doesnt usually see boys attending information sessions. Theyre thinking about working, he said. Theyre thinking about helping their families or going to a community college nearby. Alejandra Vivi Gonzalez and Karla Gonzalez both 2012 Jerome High School alumna grew up going to school together but parted ways for college. They graduated in early May, each earning three bachelors degrees. Both were enrolled in CAMP, which provides academic support, financial aid and support services to participating first-year students. U of I Vivi earned degrees in political science, international studies and Latin American studies from U of I. After graduating in May, she was waiting to hear back about two opportunities: a year-long fellowship in Washington, D.C., with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and a position with a Coeur dAlene-based travel company to help lead a Cuba trip. Her parents moved to the U.S. about 25 years ago. Vivi was born in Twin Falls and lived in Wendell until second grade. Her family moved to Jerome, where her father worked at a dairy the same one her grandparents and uncles worked for. My childhood was a very happy childhood, she said. Her father worked year-round, but her mother was a seasonal worker for Rite Stuff Foods sorting potatoes. She also did field work handling potatoes and onions. Vivi said there werent many migrant workers when she was growing up in Jerome. We were such a minority that there werent a lot of services out there, she said, but she had teachers who spoke Spanish and could communicate with her parents. During her junior year of high school, the family moved to Mexico for about nine months. After they came back to Jerome, Vivi found out none of the credits from the school in Mexico would transfer. She took summer school to make up for it. As she tried to catch up in school, she also worked at a greenhouse and didnt think college would be a possibility. My parents relied a lot on my income as well, Vivi said. But at a college fair at Jerome High, she heard about the CAMP program and it sparked her interest. Vivi and her parents attended an information session and toured U of I. My parents felt like they were leaving me in good hands at the university with people who really cared, she said. During her freshman year, her roommates were from similar backgrounds and were also in the CAMP program. Throughout the year, the program was her support system and part of her everyday life. She had daily study times and weekly check-ins with a counselor. They would check up on us and make sure were doing OK, Vivi said. At U of I, 35 first-year students are in the CAMP program each year. Students receive a $2,750 scholarship for the year. Its based on financial need, so students must be eligible for federal Pell Grant money. They also receive a monthly $50 stipend after meeting with an academic adviser to go over grade reports. CAMP provides a leadership retreat and other educational and cultural events. First-year students are paired with CAMP alumni who offer support. Once students complete their freshman year, they receive follow-up services as sophomores through seniors. They also have access to a CAMP scholarship each year. BSU At Boise State University, the CAMP program is also popular, and theres a waiting list with up to five students. Every year, we usually have some students who are left out because we dont have sufficient funds for it, said Jose Villalobos, recruiter and retention counselor. We dont want that (waiting) list to be huge because that would be doing a disfavor to the students. Many program alumni do post-graduate studies, Hall said. They go on to do all kinds of amazing things. Karla, a CAMP participant, graduated from BSU this spring with degrees in accountancy, finance and Spanish. Shes a top 10 scholar an award presented by the BSU Alumni Association. It was really exciting, said Karla, who spent most of her childhood in Jerome after her father got a job at a dairy. Scholars were selected among students who applied, have a 3.8 grade point average or higher and are active on campus. Karla worked as a resident assistant in freshmen dorms. It was just really nice helping them make that transition because I know how tough it can be, she said. She was also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, a business honors society; was on a student advisory council through the College of Business and Economics; and helped create a multicultural club on campus. She volunteered this year as an income tax assistant and competed in Seattle in an accounting case competition. Karla got a job as an accounting assistant at BSUs business department. She will pursue a masters degree in accountancy, and her tuition costs will be covered. BSUs CAMP program is a mini-community, she said, that provides a lot of support academically. It also helps students transition from high school to university-level classes and understand the expectations. After freshman year, a career adviser sent emails and posted about opportunities frequently via a Facebook group. Getting to graduation day felt unbelievable, Karla said. In addition to her Idaho relatives, about 30 of her family members from California attended the ceremony. They took pictures, including one of Karlas parents wearing her cap, gown and honors cords. I felt like it wasnt just my accomplishment, she said. It was theirs as well. TWIN FALLS Once next school year starts, Twin Falls middle schoolers will head to class before the sun comes up. Earlier this month, the Twin Falls School District finalized a new bell schedule, with middle schools starting at 7:30 a.m. School officials say children are resilient and wont have a problem adapting. But national research shows early school start times can have harmful effects on students, including lower academic performance and a higher risk for depression. We did take the research into account, said Brady Dickinson, director of operations for the Twin Falls district. But, he noted, the research is more relevant for older teenagers. Thats why we chose to go later with the high schools. Next school year, high schools will run from 8 a.m.-3:20 p.m. The elementary school day will be 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m., while the middle schools will run from 7:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. What Does the Research Show? Scientific studies show teenagers typically get the best quality sleep from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m., said Dr. Bart Adrian, a pediatrician at St. Lukes Wood River Medical Center. Their body is going to be half asleep when school starts. Teenagers generally need 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night, according to the National Sleep Foundation. But Adrian isnt sure if later school start times are the solution. I think kids would stay up until 2:30 a.m. and theyd still be tired when school starts, he said. Kids are notoriously bad about all this stuff. If children go to bed earlier once the new bell schedule takes effect, theyd adapt just fine, he said. But a 2014 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics says start times earlier than 8:30 a.m. disrupt the natural sleep rhythm. Chronic sleep loss, the academy says, can lead to physical and mental health problems. Other national studies and the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention say theres an increased risk for obesity, depression, substance abuse and motor vehicle accidents among teenagers if school starts too early. Creating a New Bell Schedule Twin Falls school officials say the new bell schedule isnt a major change. School started at 7:43 a.m. this year at Robert Stuart Middle School. Under the new schedule, the day will begin 13 minutes earlier. Its not a huge shift, Dickinson said. And if the bell schedule doesnt work well, he said, the district isnt afraid to make changes in future years. Parents will receive a pamphlet in the mail within the next week about the new schedule, school district spokeswoman Eva Craner said. With two new elementary schools opening this fall, school officials want a more efficient schedule for busing without excessive costs. The district is just barely hovering under its cap for busing reimbursement, so officials dont want to add too many new routes. Many factors go into creating a bell schedule, Dickinson said, and it creates a domino effect across the entire school district. The problem gets complex in a hurry. For example, if schools didnt start until 9 a.m., it could be nearly 5 p.m. before students got out, he said. That would make it hard for activities. One advantage of the new bell schedule: the same starting and ending times for each elementary school, for example. It means a consistent amount of instructional time for students, regardless of which school they attend. To put together a new schedule, a committee including administrators from each school, teachers and parents considered several options. Nearly 2,300 parents and 486 staff members also completed a survey providing their input. Parents felt strongly about not lengthening the elementary school day, Dickinson said. Once we had the elementary time set, that determined where the other ones would fall. The priority is maximizing instructional time for kids, Dickinson said, and having a schedule thats convenient for parents. The district also wants to address issues that arose in past years with delayed bus routes. Because of the number of students, elementary and middle schoolers cant ride at the same time, Dickinson said. That means middle schools could either start 45 minutes earlier or later than elementary schools. It allows bus drivers to run routes, drop off students at school and go to pick up the next group of students. Parent Concerns As of Wednesday, Dickinson had only received one comment from a parent about the bell schedule. The biggest reaction, he said, has been from school employees saying, Wow, thats going to be an early start. At Robert Stuart, some parents already drop off their student as early as 7 a.m., principal Amy McBride said. Robert Stuarts start time was shifted up 10 minutes this school year. McBride didnt notice a difference in the number of tardies or absences. Children will respond to change, she said, if theyre given direction by adults. And typically, their energy level in the morning is better than teachers, she said. We have to be ready for them. The change will be tougher for parents, Dickinson said. Kids are pretty resilient. They get into the habit and theyre good. Dickinsons daughter, who will be in seventh grade next year, is excited about getting out of school earlier, he said. But parent Joey Heck says the new bell schedule is a risky proposal based on convenience, not whats best for students. He has children going into fourth and seventh grades next year in the Twin Falls district. He said hed like to see the district follow national bell schedule recommendations. He wants middle and high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. and ideally, closer to 9 a.m. As a parent, he said early start times are most convenient for him. His workday starts at 8 a.m. at the College of Southern Idaho. But he said starting early isnt best for children. Heck said he understands the school districts concerns about the busing schedule and costs, and appreciates the opportunity to complete a survey. But starting middle school at 7:30 a.m. is an educational, health and public safety issue, Heck said. We know that scientifically, its not a good idea. Hes worried about children walking and riding their bicycles in the dark, and teenagers driving their younger siblings to school earlier. How to Adapt During adolescence, theres a big biological drive to stay up later and sleep in later, said Dr. Basil Anderson, medical director for Family Health Services in Twin Falls. With an earlier bell schedule, theres the downside of having kids who are more tired and wont do as well academically, he said. Thats not an across-the-board rule, Anderson said, adding some teenagers will do well regardless of what time school starts. And the Twin Falls bell schedule isnt changing much. Im not sure that it would make a big difference, said Anderson, a family medicine physician. Kids have been adapting to school schedules for a long time. But its common for teenagers to do things that disrupt their sleep, such as watching television and drinking caffeinated beverages late in the day, Adrian said. How can parents help their child adjust to a new bell schedule? Its always a parents job to make sure their kids get enough sleep, McBride said. Its also important for children to have a sleep schedule and routine, Anderson said. Avoid screens such as televisions and computers at least two hours before bedtime, he suggests. Bright lights emitted by those devices can be a stimulant that keeps children awake. If a child is having trouble adjusting to an earlier school start time, its probably worthwhile talking to a physician, Anderson said. We dont want a bunch of sleepy kids who arent doing well in school. TWIN FALLS Their first winter in Twin Falls, three siblings walked to school in a swirling January snowstorm. Their parents, migrant workers from Mexico, were already at work and didnt know their children could take a bus to school. In a new place, even the basics can be mysterious. Across Idaho, the number of migrant families has dropped sharply due to fewer seasonal jobs and families becoming more geographically stable. But behind those falling numbers are persistent needs gaps that migrant education in Twin Falls and around the nation is trying to address. It fills a need of particularly vulnerable students, said Julie Sugarman, a policy analyst for the Washington, D.C.-based Migration Policy Institute. Migrant children frequently have their education interrupted when parents move for work. Then their learning lags. Credits might not transfer to new schools. Language barriers can complicate the effort to catch up. On that snowy January morning three years ago, Abby Montano was driving to work at Oregon Trail Elementary School. As the Twin Falls School Districts migrant coordinator, shed met the Gomez Arroyo family and recognized the three children walking in the snow. My heart just sank, she said. Juan, a middle schooler at the time, was wearing old shoes from Mexico, with holes. Montano picked up the children, drove them to school and told their parents about the bus. When the family had arrived in Twin Falls for work nine months earlier, Eva Arroyo told her husband, Enrique Gomez, their children needed to be in school right away. But she had no idea how or when to register them. Was April too late? Arroyo went to Bickel Elementary School to get help. Employees enrolled her two daughters there and signed up her son for Vera C. OLeary Middle School. The school district identified the family as migrant, meaning the children qualify for services such as academic tutoring, migrant preschool and free food and blankets. Montano told the girls about the migrant program at Oregon Trail Elementary. They were afraid to switch schools and cried, she said, but she told them they could visit her in-school office anytime. Shes a handy person to know. Migrant liaisons like Montano can issue vouchers for free clothing, drive children to medical appointments and ensure that high schoolers register for the classes theyll need to graduate. Fewer Migrant Families The Idaho Department of Education served 11,549 migrant children, ages 3-21, during the 2000-01 school year. That dropped to just 3,994 during the 2013-14 school year. In Twin Falls, the number of migrant children has also dropped: by 37 percent in the past four years. For decades, the school district had only one migrant liaison to work with families. In 2011, the district added two new employees. Numbers had increased and we were trying to get more services, said Bill Brulotte, federal programs director for the Twin Falls district. Now, fewer families qualify. One reason for the decline: The jobs arent there anymore, said Christina Nava, director of English learner and migrant programs for the Education Department. Theyre more industrialized or have just gone away. Families are also becoming more geographically stable, so theyre no longer consider migrant. Most of our families dont want the interruption in the school calendar, said Lucinda Padilla, one of three migrant liaisons for the Twin Falls district. About 80 percent of families served in Twin Falls migrant program are becoming more stable, Montano said. But for families who still move to follow annual work cycles, school officials are seeing the same ones return at the same time each year. An influx of migrant families still arrives to Twin Falls every February and March to prepare land for the agricultural season. Another round of newcomers arrives in summer or fall to harvest crops. Various Gem State crops including corn and alfalfa draw migrant workers. Forestry is big in northern Idaho, Nava said, and other workers come to Idaho for fishery, dairy and cattle jobs. The Twin Falls district often sees its lowest migrant enrollment in December. Some families pull their children out of school for a month to travel to California or Mexico, but they end up coming back. They do miss a lot of school in December and January, Padilla said. Its also common for families to take long spring breaks to work elsewhere. But other parents are finding more stable, year-round work such as at Chobanis yogurt plant in Twin Falls or at dairies. And some families are finding apartments or houses instead of using migrant housing. Labor camps are starting to become a thing of the past, said Jose Villalobos, recruiter and retention counselor for Boise State Universitys College Assistance Migrant Program. Parents are seeking jobs with higher wages and more stability. The parents are really working to create the most stable environment for their children so they can get an education, said the programs associate director, Gypsy Hall. The parents are very, very supportive of their children going to college in general. But another factor behind the falling number of migrant children is simply failure to identify them. The Education Department needs to kick up that effort a notch, Nava said. Quite honestly, we need to do a better job recruiting. A Standout District Across Idaho, 43 school districts including Twin Falls qualify for federal money to educate migrant children. Each school district writes a plan on how it will use that money. Summer school is a big, big part of that, Nava said. It keeps children out of the fields. It also allows them to have access to food while their parents work. But migrant education money can be hard to access, Sugarman said, and schools must meet many federal requirements. For time-strapped school districts, they may find its not worth it to go that route. Twin Falls ranks fourth among Idaho school districts with the largest number of migrant students, behind Vallivue, Caldwell and Minidoka County. Cassia County and Jerome are also in the top 10. Twin Falls and Vallivue districts are shining stars in terms of the number of employees dedicated to helping migrant students and their families, Nava said. Really, you have to have someone on the migrant program full time. But thats a challenge for smaller districts. For example, the Bruneau-Grand View School District in southwestern Idaho receives minimal funding, and its migrant liaison is also a cook. Thats what we have to figure out at the state level: how we can help them, Nava said. They want to help and have a dedicated staff but dont have the resources. As migrant children grow up, the big goal is to ensure they graduate from high school. When teenagers move around frequently, they often dont have grade reports or transcripts. That means they may have to retake a class such as Algebra I theyve already completed in a different school district. But the Twin Falls district takes time to search for academic records using the Migrant Student Information Exchange. Run by the U.S. Department of Education, its a way to securely transmit data among states. Identifying Families Six-year-old Jesus Becerra, a son of Spanish-speaking migrant workers, went through the migrant preschool program at Oregon Trail Elementary to prepare for kindergarten. Its one of the offerings through the Twin Falls districts migrant program, which this year receives $232,357 in federal funding to provide services to migrant children and their families. The program has seven employees: three liaisons and four paraprofessionals who work in classrooms. The result of migrant preschool? Jesus typical day in kindergarten doesnt look much different from his classmates. On a Wednesday afternoon in late April, Jesus sat at a circular table reading a picture book with three classmates. Once they finished, he pulled his blue plastic chair to a nearby table and looked through a stack of books in a plastic bin. Which one do I want to read? he mumbled to himself. He picked one and flipped through it, then put it back. No, I want to do another one. At the next station, Jesus and his classmates practiced writing words and used crayons to color a picture. Jesus looked at one of the pictures and said el-e-phant slowly as he wrote. He gripped his pencil in his left hand, with a small pink eraser nearby. When school was over, he spent the rest of the day at home: El Milagro Housing Project on Washington Street South. The migrant program that gave Jesus his jump start is open to families whove had a qualifying move within three years. The majority of students are Latino, but its not a requirement. When some families arrive in Twin Falls, Brulotte said, they dont know how long theyll stay and are hesitant to enroll their children in school. Migrant liaisons have offices at Oregon Trail Elementary, Robert Stuart Middle School and Canyon Ridge High School the schools with the most migrant students and incoming families often hear about the program via word of mouth. Our program is pretty well known here already, Montano said. Migrant liaisons also recruit by going to dairies, agricultural fields and migrant housing complexes. Padilla approaches families she sees buying groceries in Walmart and asks if theyre new. You cant be shy, she said. Once liaisons explain the migrant program, Padilla said, families are generally open to it. The liaisons make sure to explain theyre not immigration officials. The Twin Falls district doesnt ask about a familys immigration status. It takes any and all kids and provides an education, Brulotte said. The only documentation a family needs is the birth certificate, proof of immunizations and proof of address that it takes to register the child at a school. Parents must also fill out a certificate of eligibility for the migrant program. Parents Porfirio and Yolanda Becerra said through an interpreter they like the migrant education program and its helpful for Jesus. They didnt know about the program until Montano came to the dairy where Porfirio worked, knocked on their door and asked if they had children. She helped them enroll Jesus in the migrant preschool at Oregon Trail. The program offers clothing for children and food for families, but the Becerras dont need that assistance. Other families do, though, Yolanda said, especially those with many children. Montano calls families to ask if they are OK or need anything, Porfirio said. Yolanda said she talks with Montano at least once a week or whenever she goes to Oregon Trail. Three years after the January snowstorm when he and his sisters met Montano, 16-year-old Juan Gomez Arroyo goes to Canyon Ridge High and is interested in becoming a mechanic. Arroyo tells her son to be successful in school so Montano will be proud. The migrant program has been so helpful, Arroyo said through an interpreter. The Gomez Arroyo children, Montano said, are like her own. As she prepared to leave the familys home one early May evening, Juans sisters jumped around, chanting Dont go, and gave Montano a hug. Serving Migrant Families With a high number of migrant students, the Twin Falls districts federal funding enables a robust lineup of services. Families have the option of signing up children at Oregon Trails migrant preschool. About 30 students ages 3 and 4 are enrolled. (Another option is the Felipe Cabral Head Start program for children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers, run by the Community Council of Idaho. Classes are at El Milagro.) In middle school, the district provides one-on-one tutoring for migrant students at Vera C. OLeary Middle School and Robert Stuart Middle School. Other help is available for teenagers, such as the out-of-school youth program for students who dropped out of school or are in the Magic Valley to work. The school district helps them earn General Educational Development certificates, go back to school, enroll at the alternative Magic Valley High School to catch up on class credits or take online classes via the Idaho Digital Learning Academy. For the majority of them, once they leave school, its really hard for them to come back, Padilla said. Some of them really dont want to go to school. For high school migrant students, Padilla is constantly checking to see how many credits they still need to graduate. She helps them with financial aid and college scholarship applications. She had two migrant students on track to graduate May 24 from Canyon Ridge High. Sometimes, migrant students arent motivated initially, she said, until something causes them to see the importance of education. A big influence: They dont want to work in the fields like their parents. Migrant liaisons are second mothers for students, Brulotte said. But theyre also a conduit to make sure parents are in the loop. Theyre keeping the lines of communication open between the schools and families. The school district also has a migrant parent advisory committee. Liaisons talk with families about community resources and how to get more established in Twin Falls. Last year, parents told the district they wanted the three-week migrant summer school program expanded to include middle schoolers; they worried about their middle school children hanging out at home all day. The expansion become a reality. And the migrant summer school is popular. Kids who dont qualify often beg to attend. Montanos young students talk about it all year long, waiting for summer to return. NAMPA Idaho Republicans are hoping for a unifying convention this year that will provide a stark contrast to the intraparty squabbling of 2014s event. Its definitely going to be a night and day contrast between the last one and this one, Idaho Republican Executive Director David Johnston said. The convention, themed Faith, Family, Freedom ... Firearms!, will be at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa from Thursday through Saturday. Idahos Democrats, meanwhile, are holding their convention at the Riverside Hotel in Boise from June 16-19. The 2014 Republican convention was marred by fighting over delegate credentials and other matters and ended without any agreement on a chairman or party platform, and was followed by a court fight that saw Barry Peterson, who was aligned with the partys more conservative faction, removed as chairman. He was replaced by Steve Yates, who is still chairman and is expected to seek another term. I went two years ago, and it was a disaster, said Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, who is an alternate delegate at this years convention. I do not plan on this one being the same disaster. Rep. Steve Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, said he expects to see a continuation of the battle between the partys moderate and conservative factions. Southern Idaho tends to be more moderate (the Magic Valleys GOP legislators generally falls into this camp) and Hartgen expects there will be more moderate delegates at the convention. The partys conservative wing is strongest in northern Idaho. The same dynamic played out in most of the Republican legislative primaries, which ended with some bright spots for both sides but with most of the establishment incumbents, including Hartgen and Bell, beating their challenges from the right. Hartgen said the two camps share a conservative philosophy but are mostly divided between a more ideologically driven and practically driven approaches to decision-making. If you look at it objectively, there really isnt any clear demarcation between the two groups, he said. Its more, it sometimes seems to me more of a reflection of personal philosophy. The Democrats already voted on their chairman and other party officers earlier this year, but the Republicans will be doing this at the convention. The business of the conventions will also include discussing the party platforms and picking delegates to the parties national conventions, which are in July in Cleveland for the Republicans and Philadelphia for the Democrats. And it being a presidential election year, these delegates will get to cast a vote on who their partys presidential candidate will be. This year, both a majority of the Democratic and Republican delegates in Idaho will likely go to Philadelphia and Cleveland supporting candidates who probably wont be their parties nominees. Ted Cruz, who has dropped out of the race but has not released the delegates he won, won the Idaho GOP primary, while the winner of the Democratic caucus was Bernie Sanders, who is still in the race but is far behind Hillary Clinton in the national delegate count. Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, said Friday that one topic he plans to bring up at his partys convention is getting rid of the closed primaries and caucuses that the Republicans and Democrats, respectively, use to pick their presidential candidates, and replacing them with open primaries. Gannon said that, in a one-party dominated state, final decisions on who is going to hold office are often decided in the Republican primary in May, which is closed, and that unaffiliated voters, at least, should be allowed to participate. Currently, unaffiliated voters can, but they have to register Republicans at the polls. And while the Democratic May primary is open, Gannon said, the presidential caucuses exclude plenty of people those who have to work or stay home to watch their children; military members on duty; elderly, sick and disabled people. He pointed to the problems reported with the caucuses in some states, including neighboring Utah and Nevada. This years GOP presidential primary was the first one to be held in March the Legislature passed a law in 2015, with Republican support, creating a March presidential primary, the idea being to increase Idahos sway in the process rather than having the state vote for president in May when the outcome is often a foregone conclusion. The Democrats stuck to their caucus rather than participate, and blasted the Republicans for spending taxpayer money on a closed presidential primary. Closed exclusionary primaries funded by tax dollars, and inconvenient caucuses are unconscionable, even if the outcomes would be the same, because the right to participate is the issue, not the result, Gannon wrote. This years elected delegates have the power to initiate change at their party conventions this June. I hope they do so. Johnston said the Republican convention will feature several well-known national figures as speakers, including Kimberly Strassel, a Wall Street Journal columnist whose upcoming book The Intimidation Game contains a chapter highlighting Frank VanderSloot, the Idaho billionaire who is a major donor to Republican politicians. Strassel wrote an editorial in the Journal in 2012 saying the Obama administration was harassing VanderSloot, who was a national finance co-chairman of Mitt Romneys presidential campaign at the time. Other speakers will include conservative radio host and political commentator Buck Sexton, who, Johnston said, will talk about why he would never support Clinton; David Keene, former president of the National Rifle Association and founder of the American Conservative Union, who will talk about gun rights; and Foster Friess, a businessman and supporter of conservative Christian causes who will talk about civility in politics. Convention-goers will also hear speeches from Idaho elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador, Gov. C.L. Butch Otter and Lt. Gov. Brad Little. The Democrats dont have their speakers confirmed yet but do expect to have someone, and more complete details on the convention will be posted on the partys website next week, state party spokesman Dean Ferguson said. Both conventions will include trainings for party activists. And, in keeping with the conventions theme, the Republicans will have workshops on the Second Amendment plus a live, interactive target range simulator, courtesy of Forward Movement Training Center in Meridian. RENO Gov. Brian Sandoval is urging the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to reconsider livestock grazing restrictions in northeast Nevada, saying that may now be unwarranted given a wet winter that has drought conditions on the mend. The Republican governor who recently called for expedited roundups of wild horses in Nevada says the agencys current management scheme wrongly prioritizes mustangs ahead of ranchers a matter of much debate for decades in the 10 western states where the mustangs roam from California to Colorado. Sandoval said widespread precipitation has provided healthy forage and water resources in areas stung by five consecutive years of drought. Drought conditions in 2015 were a very different story and decisions based on that timeframe need to be revisited especially decisions that drastically affect an industry and the livelihoods of many hardworking Nevadans, he said in a letter last week to BLM Nevada State Director John Ruhs arguing against grazing restrictions anticipated this summer based on last falls assessments. Sandoval said hes concerned about the growing over-population of horses, the negative impact they have on our rangeland, and the burden of the proposed solution being solely put upon the livestock industry. He said the proposed action prioritizes wild horse populations above livestock producers. Nevada is home to nearly 28,000 wild horses more than half of the 47,000 estimated in the West. BLM argues the range can sustain less than half that many about 12,000 in Nevada and 26,000 nationally. Nevada BLM spokesman Stephen Clutter told The Associated Press that agency officials are conducting tours with grazing permittees to observe on-the-ground conditions and discuss management options and changes for the 2016 season. Clutter agrees theres been significant improvements in drought conditions over the past year but expressed caution. The effects of drought are cumulative and it can take several years of good precipitation for vegetation to fully recover, he said. At the governors wildland fire briefing in Carson City last week, Nevada State Water Engineer Jason King said the 2015-16 winter was good when considering the four years prior. I characterize it as an average water year, King said. Were doing much better than we were, but were not out of the drought and we shouldnt forget that. Clutter said grazing restrictions are one of the tools the agency has to protect the ecological health of the range, and the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 is just one of many laws that guide BLM. Under that law, areas where the animals were found in 1971 are to be managed principally but not necessarily exclusively for wild horses or burros, Clutter said Greta Anderson, deputy director of the Idaho-based conservation group the Western Watersheds Project, said its clear ranchers have no legal right to graze their livestock on public lands. They have the privilege of having the preference to graze when conditions are favorable as determined by the BLM and based on science, she said. First in line should be the endangered species like the sage grouse that absolutely need to be relieved of livestock grazing in their range if they are going to recover. Anderson said Sandovals letter is indicative of how politicized public lands livestock grazing is with the industry getting politicians to strong-arm agency decision making. Instead, the governor should be concerned with job creation programs for a sustainable economy, she said, and propping up the cowboy culture of the arid West isnt it. So far in the 2016 presidential race, Hillary Clinton has positioned herself as a pragmatist, what Michael Tomasky of the Daily Beast calls a fix-the-problem type of politician. This is probably a smart move, as it allows her to distinguish herself from Bernie Sanderss idealism during the primaries, while also setting her up to face off against the erratic force that is Donald Trump. As the candidates steer toward the general election, however, perhaps its time to reconsider whether shes the only pragmatist in the race. Is Trumps lack of an ideological core so different from the pragmatism that is often admired in other politicians? Pragmatism is, simply put, the eschewing of broad systems or ideologies in favor of a more down-to-earth approach to solving problems. According to Louis Menand, philosophers such as John Dewey and William James believed that ideas are provisional responses to particular and unreproducable circumstances and should never become ideologies. In the political sense, pragmatists reject the traditional left/right binary, which they may derisively refer to as dogma. They are willing to sample widely from the smorgasbord of political ideas to find the best solution to a pressing problem. They care little about ideological purity or abstract principles and pride themselves on their independence, on being above what they consider cliched and predictable perspectives. This context helps make sense of Trumps foreign policy speech last month, in which he emphasized common sense rather than overarching or abstract principles. Surveying recent history, he concluded that logic was replaced with foolishness and arrogance, which led to one foreign policy disaster after another. He promoted a new, rational American foreign policy, informed by the best minds and supported by both parties, as well as our close allies. He promised to look for talented experts with new approaches and practical ideas, and vowed to end the policy of trying to spread universal values that not everyone shares. Washington Post columnist Marc Thiessen gave the rebuttal for the #NeverTrump movement: On the center right, there are plenty of philosophies realism, conservative internationalism and isolationism to choose from. So which does Trump subscribe to? None and all, depending on the day he is speaking. This is a fair criticism that happens to describe pragmatism to the core. Trump rejects predictable and set conservative ideas. His foreign policy would have no consistent isms but pragmatism, because, as he has said elsewhere, you have to have flexibility. You have to change. You know, you may say one thing, and then the following year you want to change it because circumstances are different. Compare Trumps foreign policy remarks to those of President Obama, who in Jeffrey Goldbergs profile in Aprils Atlantic describes himself as an internationalist, an idealist and a realist. His perspective is so difficult to categorize that Goldberg settles on the oxymoron Hobbesian optimist, and then quickly promises that the contradictions do not end there. The president is prudent, yes, but also restless and risky a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma! To many of his supporters, Obamas pragmatism is one of his greatest virtues. Andrew Sullivan has argued that Obama was elected as a pragmatic, unifying reformist, called the president a decent, pragmatic man, and praised his early ambition to transcend the old politics in favor of pragmatic reform and his pragmatic response to the Islamic State. In 2008, Cass Sunstein explained that apparent flip-flops by Obama on the death penalty, guns, NAFTA were actually proof of his pragmatic nature, and that Obamas form of pragmatism is heavily empirical; he wants to know what will work. The president helped foster this perception. In his first inaugural address, he announced that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works. That attitude was also evident in March, when he told a group of students in Argentina that what he called the sharp division between left and right, between capitalist and communist or socialist, is irrelevant: I mean, those are interesting intellectual arguments, but I think for your generation, you should be practical and just choose from what works. You dont have to worry about whether it neatly fits into socialist theory or capitalist theory you should just decide what works. Whatever works is the unofficial slogan of pragmatists. It also sounds a lot like Trump, who has promised to fix everything from health care to trade with China by making great deals for this country. Even Trumps most controversial positions are arguably pragmatic insofar as they offer straightforward solutions that defy orthodoxy. The proposed ban on Muslim immigrants may be antithetical to the abstract principle of religious freedom, but hey, whatever keeps us safe from terrorists. The wall that Mexico will build? It doesnt seem possible but sparing American taxpayers the costs certainly skirts a budgetary issue. Whether Trumps policies would actually solve our problems (count me as a skeptic) isnt really relevant to his status as a pragmatist. Ultimately what sets pragmatists apart from traditional conservatives or liberals is not their faith in the effectiveness of their ideas, its their originality the whatever, not the works. Intellectual independence is a better standard on which to evaluate claims to pragmatism. When national security adviser Susan E. Rice calls the Iran nuclear deal pragmatic and minimalist, she shouldnt be doubted because the deal may not be effective; she should be doubted because the deal is in keeping with conventional liberal goals and methods. A few Trump supporters have already ventured to make the claim that hes a practicing pragmatist. The businessman and investor Carl Icahn told CNBC that Donald is a pragmatist. Hes going to do whats needed for this economy. Similarly, hedge fund manager Anthony Scaramucci wrote in the Wall Street Journal: What elitists misinterpret as uneven principles, entrepreneurs understand as adaptability. ... Mr. Trump would be the greatest pragmatist and deal maker Washington has ever seen. One challenge to getting people to accept this characterization is that we tend to conflate pragmatism with moderate temperament and tactics. Clinton invokes the term to mean finding solutions based on her knowledge of, and her experience in, the political establishment. Trump, meanwhile, wants to tear down the establishment. In fact, because pragmatism implies impatience and frustration with the usual ways of doing business, it can involve breaking a system rather than working within it. This is a point Chris Hayes recognized several years ago, when he observed in the Nation that pragmatism requires an openness to the possibility of radical solutions. Obama, too, realizes that pragmatism doesnt need to involve compromise. Perhaps the peak (or nadir) of the presidents pragmatism is his 2014 vow that he wouldnt wait for legislation in order to make sure that were providing Americans the kind of help that they need. Ive got a pen, and Ive got a phone. The separation of powers is dusty dogma git r done! Obamas pragmatism is part and parcel of his legendary cool. And he surrounds himself with people like Clinton who exhibit similar levels of detachment. Goldberg writes that Obama has always had a fondness for pragmatic, emotionally contained technocrats. Yet theres nothing in the Pragmatists Playbook that forbids mocking a rivals face, height, footwear, eating habits, energy level or spouse, or even encouraging supporters to physically assault protesters. And although its certainly reprehensible to promote absurd conspiracy theories like Trumps suggestion that my father, Justice Antonin Scalia, was assassinated its not necessarily unpragmatic. So Trump could stake a legitimate claim on pragmatism and undermine the distinction Clinton is trying to make. Of course, that wouldnt inevitably bolster his trustworthiness. Although people may accept Clinton as a pragmatist, they overwhelmingly tell pollsters that she lacks honesty and would say anything to get elected. Voters understand that whatever works can easily slide into the ends justify the means. Nonetheless, the words generally positive connotations could very well lend Trump that always-coveted air of gravitas, gilding his unpredictable and inconsistent ideas with a semblance of respectability and intellectual seriousness. Heaven knows that in this campaign, stranger things have happened. Four of the most powerful voices in the Cuban opposition -- the former "black spring" prisoners of conscience Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, Ivan Hernandez and Felix Navarro -- traveled to the United States last week to meet with supporters and to spread their message. If they return to Cuba -- and there is no reason to believe they won't -- this may be the only time the Castro dictatorship allows them to travel, as they remain on "parole" since their release from prison in 2011. The parole left them as prisoners in their own country, but they were recently informed they would have one chance, and one chance only, to travel overseas. What Biscet, Ferrer, Navarro and Hernandez did and say during their respective visits to the U.S., you can read elsewhere. (Like here, here and here.) As giants of the struggle for Cuban freedom, they are deserving of your time and attention. That they are free, at least for now, to comment on events in Cuba and how Cubans are resisting the Castro dictatorship, is very satisfying for this blog and others who have worked so diligently to make sure they are forgotten. In a struggle that has seen so few victories, that is something worth celebrating. During President Barack Obama's visit to Cuba in March 2016, dictator Raul Castro said he would be willing to release all political prisoners; all he needed was a list of names. Only the biggest fool would believe him, but several groups almost immediately released their lists. Of course, there was no mass release. On April 25, the Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation, one of the most credible sources in Cuba for information on political prisoners released its updated list of 93 political prisoners. A major goal of this blog since its inception more than 10 years ago is to recognize those brave Cubans imprisoned because of their opposition to, and their actions in service of their beliefs, against the Castro dictatorship. It is one small step to ensure that they, and their oppressors, know that they are not forgotten. In that spirit, Uncommon Sense has revived one of its most important features, the Cuban Political Prisoner of the Week. |---| Joel Bencomo Rodriguez Joel Bencomo, a citizen-journalist and an activist with a group headed by the famed dissident Guillermo Farinas, was arrested Oct. 1, 2014, convicted of "disrespect" and sentenced to two years in prison. At one point, his captors tried to transfer him to a forced labor camp, but he "refused to budge." Mongolia Displays New Buy Signals for Foreign Investors font-weight:400; "> Mongolia, which can be considered one of Asias most vulnerable frontier markets, has been through a flurry of ups and downs during the past five years. Once praised as the worlds fastest growing economy, economic growth has recently approached recession levels amid the commodity bear market, Chinas economic slowdown, and the rapid drop in FDI experienced from the delay of Oyu Tolgoi, and other mining disputes. Mongolia is a strong commodity export economy, and approximately 90% of these exports go to China, making it most vulnerable to the current commodity bear market and Chinas economic slowdown. Furthermore, its economic performance has been hindered by the unpredictable actions of the government, which has been another strong factor for driving away FDI. The current economic landscape necessitates a shift in this previous anti-FDI attitude to avoid a recession, and notable improvements have already taken place this year, which will help improve Mongolias reputation for foreign investment. Mongolia is heading in the right direction, based on events that have taken place in recent months, and now is a strong time to consider stocks that are in a bottoming out phase. Recession Averted/Potential for 2nd Boom in 2020 Mongolias Annual GDP Growth expanded by 3.1% during the 1st quarter of 2016, quite a feat for this struggling economy. There are currently no short term catalysts for growth for the country, when considering commodities and Chinas future economic outlook, and lower growth projections are now being made for this year. The World Bank has projected 0.8% growth for this year, and the IMF has projected 0.4% growth this year. Optimism for Mongolias economic turnaround is not misplaced, but does certainly require one to take a futuristic view. The main catalysts for Mongolias economy will not fully come into play until 2020-2021, when its Oyu Tolgoi Mine goes into production. Rio Tinto, with its partners the Mongolian government and Turquoise Hill Resources, have approved the next phase of developing Oyu Tolgoi Copper and Gold Mine, which is a strong point of reconciliation for the country. The development of this mine will begin in mid 2016, and first production is projected to take place in 2020. This project is projected to contribute to 1/3 of the countrys GDP, and its implementation is a breath of fresh air for the country and foreign investors, as the previous three year delay has reduced investors confidence in Mongolia. An important lesson from 2012 and 2013 is that it is not worthwhile to buy into Mongolia when growth is strong, as history has proven that Mongolias economic growth has not been stable. Instead, I think the most worthwhile investment approach is to invest during dark times, when stocks have bottomed out, and to sell sometime after Oyu Tolgoi goes into full production in the 2020s. Resolution of Disputes with Foreign Investors: Buy Signal The government previously had a 7 year dispute with Khan Resources, a uranium miner in Mongolia, but has agreed to pay $70 million to this Toronto listed company. The Mongolian government met with this company at a Canadian Mining Conference in Toronto, and resolved to pay this amount to the company to improve its image with foreign investors. Khan Resources stock has responded very well to this new announcement, nearly doubling from its price in early March. The resolution of this dispute can certainly be considered a macroeconomic boost for Mongolias economy, and a sign that the government is beginning to recognize the necessity of improving its image for investment. FDI is a necessity at this point, and this resolution was perfectly timed, as it was coupled with the beginning of the Oyu Tolgoi Mining Project. Another significant resolution to note occurred during early 2015, when Kincora Copper resolved a dispute with the Mongolian government, which was delaying its exploration efforts, and caused nearly $7 million impairment for its balance sheet. This reconciliation creates a strong investment case for this company, which is active in Oyu Tolgoi, and recently announced a new merger on May the 25th. This merger will allow it to utilize HPXs typhoon technology, which is instrumental in the discovery and delineation of high grade orebodies present at Oyu Tolgoi. Like several stocks active in this country, Kincora Coppers stock price trades at a far cry from the levels of 2012 and 2013. Positive Movement for Other Stocks Since early March, a large number of stocks have delivered strong returns. Xanadu Mines stock price increased from 0.10 on March the 1st, to its current price of 0.21. Erdene Resource Developments stock price increased from 0.17 on March the 1st, to its current price of 0.33. Khan Resources stock price has increased from 0.44 to 0.86. I previously mentioned these three companies in a Mongolia Investors Confidence Report, and all three of these companies have experienced positive stock price movement since March the 8th: Mongolia Growth Groups stock price has only increased by 2.6%. Mongolian Mining Corporations stock price increased from 0.07 to 0.10. Kincora Coppers stock price increased from 0.02 to 0.04. The positive movement for stocks in recent months displays all of these stocks correlation to economic and political events in Mongolia, thus solidifying the value of a top down investment approach for a diverse portfolio of stocks with significant operations in Mongolia. An improved economic environment for Mongolia in the 2020s would produce wonders for a large number of stocks, as the sell off has been strongly based on negative sentiment for Mongolia. Events in recent months display that improvements are taking place in Mongolia, marking now as a strategic entry point for investors. Mongolia is Analogous to Chile The South Gobi is a relatively unexplored area compared to other copper belts, as it currently has had less than 6 years of foreign exploration. Mongolia can be considered a virgin territory, relative to other strong copper producing countries such as Chile and Peru. The untapped nature of Mongolias copper belts in the South Gobi is very similar to Chile in the 1970s, making investment in this area a strong, futuristic trend to tap into. Chile had very limited exploration during the 1970s, but now operates approximately 100 exploration projects. Kincora Copper is one of several stocks located in this strategic area of Mongolia, which is expected to be the worlds third largest copper mine, and is also joined by companies such as Xanadu Mines and Entree Gold. This is a wonderful futuristic trend to buy into, for investors who have a time horizon of more than five years, as stock prices returning to 2012-2013 levels would produce bar none returns for investors who chose to invest now. Buy During the Gloom, Sell During the Boom The previous 2 year dispute over Oyu Tolgoi resulted in FDI collapsing from $4.4 billion to $0.5 billion between 2012-2014. The countrys annual GDP growth consequently collapsed from its peak of over 15% in 2012, to its current level of 3.1%. The approval of phase 2 of Oyu Tolgoi, which will start in mid 2016, can certainly serve as a catalyst for Mongolias 2nd economic boom, which should take place in 2020-2021. The implication for stock returns that would occur amid a 2nd economic boom in Mongolia is very powerful for a large number of stocks with significant operations in Mongolia, and most specifically in Oyu Tolgoi. Oyu Tolgoi is moving forward as planned, and the resolution of the governments long dispute with Khan Resources has also resulted in a necessary improvement for Mongolias previous notorious anti-FDI attitude. Stocks are following with positive movements due to these catalysts, and many still trade at far cries from the higher levels experienced during Mongolias economic peak. Mongolia is appealing for very few investors, after the rapid declines experienced since 2012, which has left many investors rightfully cynical. Mongolia does present a high level of risk for investors, yet the current situation presents strong opportunity due to the perceived risk being much higher than the actual risk. Moreover, the untapped Oyu Tolgoi has the potential to be a very salient area for mining in the future once operational, and investing before stocks potentially boom provides the opportunity for bar none returns. Those willing to give the country a 2nd chance, amid new political and economic improvements that will come into full fruition in 2020, have the potential for strong returns. I retain my conviction for Mongolia as a small/high risk portion of a frontier market portfolio, and furthermore encourage investors to buy during dark times for the strongest upside. The 2nd boom that will be driven by Oyu Tolgoi in the 2020s is the opportune time to sell, not buy. Significant improvements made in recent months further edify my conviction for the contrarian opportunity that Mongolia offers investors. Dylan Waller is a Contributor for Seeking Alpha and Smartkarma, and a Macroeconomic Researcher for the crowdsourced consultancy Wikistrat. His research focuses on frontier and emerging markets, with a primary focus on the strategic advantages of Vietnam, Pakistan, India, The Philippines, and Mongolia. Email: dylan@nomadicequity.com Website: www.nomadicequity.com Copyright 2016 Dylan Waller - 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. Israels Environment Minister announced Friday his resignation from the coalition government following the Prime Ministers decision to appoint ultra-nationalist and anti-Palestinian Avigdor Lieberman as defense Minister. Avi Gabbay, who is non-member of the parliament, resigned to protest against the removal of Moshe Yaalon, former defense minister in favor of Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beitenu party. I see the recent political moves and the replacement of the defense minister as grave acts that ignore whats important to national security, and will widen societal rifts, Gabbay said. I could not accept the removal of Yaalon, a professional defense minister, he added. Moshe Yaalon resigned a week ago over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus recent controversial moves. He also cited lack of trust in the Prime Minister. Close assistants to Yaalon reported that the army General did not appreciate the manner Netanyahu announced his replacement. Prime Minister Netanyahu has embarked on expanding his thin coalition and is expected to win five lawmakers from the Yisrael Beitenu party. Gabbays fears have been echoed throughout the country pushing Netanyahu last week to assuage public discontent and concern that peace with Palestinians will not be attained with Lieberman as defense minister. Netanyahu indicated that he was resolutely determined to achieve peace with the Palestinians through Arab diplomatic channels. He also argued he was the one in charge Israels security operations. Lieberman, who has been in favor of continued expansion projects, has also called for beheading Palestinians who attack Israelis. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) or Doctors without Borders has started mass vaccination campaign to respond to meningitis, measles and cholera cases in landlocked Nigers remote regions. According to the charity group, it had deployed teams to ward off the simultaneous epidemics which had mostly affected areas sheltering large numbers of refugees and people displaced from their homes by Boko Haram violence. MSF said it has recorded 1,409 cases of meningitis since January, which had resulted in 94 deaths. The doctors said they have already vaccinated 254,000 people against meningitis in a campaign which ended in April. In the struggle to prevent the epidemics from spreading, our current priority is to administer vaccinations in areas where displaced people are coming into contact with the local population, MSF emergency coordinator, Augustin Ngoyi said. Niger successfully halted the spread of the virus in 2010 after it immunized with the help of MSF nearly 400,000 children across the country. Unicef reported in 2010 that Niger suffered 3,440 cases and 139 deaths at the pinnacle of the outbreak. The World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned in December of a risk of fresh meningitis outbreaks in 2016 in Africa, particularly in Niger and Nigeria, which were both badly hit last year. @PatriciaMazzei Marco Rubio privately apologized to Donald Trump for talking about his small hands during a presidential debate earlier this year, the Florida senator said in a reflective television interview that aired Sunday. "I said, you know, I'm sorry that I said that," Rubio told CNN's Jake Tapper. "That's not who I am, and I shouldn't have done it. And I didn't say it in front of the cameras. I didn't want any political benefit." In late February, leading up to the Super Tuesday election contests, then-candidate Rubio had mocked Trump's hands -- "You know what they say about men with small hands" -- which prompted Trump at a subsequent debate to memorably defend his size: "I guarantee you there is no problem. I guarantee." Rubio, who is now backing Trump as the presumptive Republican nominee, told Tapper the comment "embarrassed" his family, and he apologized to Trump at a later debate. "It's not who I am," Rubio said. "You did it almost in a sense of, you know, nothing -- at this point-- nothing is working. I mean, this guy is out there every day mocking people, saying horrible things about people, but if you respond to him somehow you're hitting below the belt? And that was my sense of it at the time." "I ended up hurting myself, not him." Rubio said making fun of Trump didn't cost him the election but didn't help. The more pivotal moment, he said, came in a New Hampshire debate, when then-rival Chris Christie eviscerated Rubio for sounding like a programmed robot. "It was a mistake," Rubio said of failing to adjust his reponse and take Christie on. Had he done so, "we would have had a better result in New Hampshire." Trump might have ended up the nominee regardless, but the post-New Hampshire race trajectory "would have been dramatically different." Rubio also told Tapper he didn't realize when he took on Jeb Bush at an earlier debate that their exchange would be viewed as a smackdown of Bush. "I didn't take any great pleasure in like, 'Oh, I really stuck it to him,'" Rubio said. "I didn't even think it was that big a deal during the debate. It was only after that I realized people had kind of built it up into this moment." I recently had the privilege of serving on the search committee for the new dean of the University of Montana School of Business Administration. While I have long admired the superior talent of the faculty and staff at UM, this experience strengthened my resolve. Across disciplines and departments, it would be difficult to find a public university in the Intermountain West that boasts finer talent than our own backyard university. The committees work also got me thinking about the town-gown relationship that exists in a college town. Most businesses I work with, whether a longstanding local icon, a start-up or a firm eager to expand, want a relationship with the University of Montana or Missoula College. However, I am not sure that we as a community have done a good job of fostering a climate that encourages gown relationships with the town. While I believe the Missoula Economic Partnership does a fair job of interacting with UM, we could better leverage the unbelievable expertise that exists to fully maximize our business and civic interests. In fact, we all must look for more and better opportunities to engage UMs faculty and staff in our community. Consider the members of the business schools recent search committee: First, we were led by a dean who can only be described as a rock star; it is easy to see why her college is posting robust enrollment numbers. Then came a management professor who grew up on the Hi-Line and is among other things, a Georgia Tech-trained mechanical engineer, an accounting professor with a global reach, a marketing professor who is a world-class athlete and whose research has been cited by ESPN, a law professor who is a former partner in one of the West Coasts most prominent law firms, an MIS professor who spent a decade with one of the most prominent consulting companies in the world serving Fortune 100 companies, and a world-class research professor of finance with a degree in chemistry, a masters in civil and environmental engineering and a doctorate in finance. And this level of renown can be found in every college and school at the University of Montana. So how do we better engage the gown in our town? Communication is key, along with professional courtesy and respect. The tone is set from the top leadership down. The best town-gown relationships are in communities where you see the university president and community leaders side by side at welcome events for students and at significant university and community events. They meet routinely, show up when they dont need anything, and have joint university-city boards that provide a venue for the care and keeping of their relationship. The best town-gown partnerships exist where students are highly engaged with city leaders. Theyre interns at City Hall, serve on civic and governmental committees, and are routinely included in significant community conversations. Students are an amazing resource for their host cities; showing intentional interaction is key through all layers of leadership. The resulting energy literally greets everyone in a university town every day. Students and neighbors show genuine respect and kindness for one another. The economic sector takes notice, and the community both retains and attracts businesses, a benefit to students and the workforce. In a recent article in the Innovation Journal, Lawrence Martin, Hayden Smith and Wende Philips showed how some cities cultivate their town-gown relationship. Among the partnerships they highlighted: Service learning, where university students volunteer for academic credit. Service provision, where faculty and staff conduct long-term service projects in a community. Faculty involvement, where faculty become part of local initiatives in a coordinated way. Student volunteerism, where students volunteer their time, but do not receive academic credit. Community in the classroom, where courses enhance community building by drawing upon local experts and thought leaders. Applied research, where faculty and staff use their research skills to address local problems. The benefits of highly educated community members, improvements to physical design made by campuses and contributions to the local tax base are assets that universities bring to their communities. By constructing meaningful local projects, well-cultivated town and gown relationships can expand upon and enhance these contributions. We have all this at our fingertips here in Missoula. Lets grab onto the opportunities, embrace the richness of resources at our door and build a town-gown connection that truly sets the standard. James Grunke is president and chief executive officer of the Missoula Economic Partnership. He writes a monthly column for the Missoulians Sunday Western Montana InBusiness section. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. Mike DeVries wasn't sure what to make of the precipitous drop in sales. DeVries and his wife run an eBay business from their home just southeast of Sioux Falls in Alvord, Iowa, selling farm, automotive and machinery parts, the Argus Leader reported. Everything else sold as it always had, but two smaller items 12-volt solenoids and lawn mower bearings stopped moving altogether a little over a year ago. The solenoids went for $10 apiece, plus around $3 shipping. "They just stopped selling altogether," DeVries said. His curiosity led him to do what business owners have done for hundreds of years: Check the competition. What he found were 12-volt solenoids from China selling for $3.29 on eBay. Not only were prices lower, the items were offered with free shipping through an "ePacket." "I can't even ship across the United States for free," DeVries said. A google search for ePacket turned up a Washington Post article about the small shipping bags and their impact on the U.S. Postal Services' bottom line. He also found websites highlighting complaints from domestic shippers angry about an unfair field of play. The United States Postal Service lost $75 million in 2014 thanks to the UPU deal with China, according to the testimony of David Williams, inspector general of the USPS, and the Postal Service received 27 million ePackets in fiscal year 2012. Each packet lost the post office $1.10 on average. The losses caused by the entrance of Chinese sellers into the online marketplace are something that needs attention in the next round of negotiations, Williams said. "The UPU's mission is as relevant as when the institution was created. But, like many enterprises, the UPU system has been greatly disrupted by globalization and the digital age," Williams told the committee. An Amazon executive named Paul Misener told the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Government Reform last summer that the rates were unfair and illogical. The deal creating the ePacket system with China Post makes it cheaper to ship from thousands of miles away than within the same state. Shipping a one-pound parcel from Greenville, South Carolina, to New York would cost the domestic shipper nearly $6, Misener said, while a Beijing seller would pay $3.66 in postage. "At high volumes, especially for low-priced items, such dramatic shipping cost differences can make or break a small ecommerce business," he said. DeVries didn't worry about the downturn in solenoid and bearing sales much at first. The family sustains itself with a mix of farm income and sales of larger, more expensive items on eBay. "I just threw them in the trash," DeVries said. *** Even so, the discovery of the imbalance made him uneasy, and he wanted to get the word out. He hopes more people will take note, take action and do as he did: Email their Congressional delegation and ask for a level playing field. If no one speaks up, DeVries fears, the next deal could involve the approval of low cost, international flat-rate boxes for larger items, impacting more businesses. "People need to know about this," DeVries said. "It's not about me." At some moment every day I call up a memory of one or another of my family members who have passed on, so I was especially taken with this poem by Tim Nolan, who lives in Minnesota. His forthcoming book is "The Field" (New Rivers Press, October, 2016). My Dead They grow in number all the time The cat, the Mother, the Father The grandparents, aunts, and uncles *** Those I knew well and hardly at all My best friend from when I was ten The guy who sat with me in the back *** Of the class where the tall kids lived Bill the Shoemaker from Lyndale Avenue The Irish poet with rounded handwriting *** They live in The Land of Echo, The Land Of Reverb, and I hear them between The notes of the birds, the plash of the wave *** On the smooth rocks. They show up When I think of them, as if they always Are waiting for me to remember *** I drive by their empty houses I put on their old sweaters and caps I wear their wristwatches and spend *** Their money. So now I'm in six places At once if not eighteen or twenty So many places to be thinking of them *** Strange how quiet they are with their presence So humble in the low song they sing Not expecting that anyone will listen *** We do not accept unsolicited submissions. American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright 2015 by Tim Nolan, My Dead, (The New Republic, Aug. 14, 2014). Poem reprinted by permission of Tim Nolan and the publisher. Introduction copyright 2016 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. It began as a routine assignment for the 20 men of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. Wielding picks, axes, shovels and chain saws, they set out to build a barrier to protect homes and people from an Arizona wildfire sparked by lightning. Within hours, their mission ended in tragedy. Fifty-mph winds set off by a powerful thunderstorm had changed direction, fanning a raging fire that raced down Yarnell Hill, cutting off the crew's escape route and trapping the men in a canyon. Nineteen of them perished, the bodies found in portable fire shelters that were no match for the 2,000-degree heat. The death toll of professional wildland firefighters was the largest in more than a century. The only survivor was the assigned lookout who barely escaped the flames. In this riveting and poignant narrative, Fernanda Santos introduces the reader to a brave band of men, most of them in their 20s, who battle destructive wildfires that pose a mounting threat as developers in the West build vacation and retirement homes in areas where urban boundaries intersect with fire-prone woods and brush. Based in Prescott, Arizona, Granite Mountain was one of 107 elite Hotshot crews in the U.S. at the time of the 2013 fire and the only one run by a municipality. Its members are deployed around the country, riding in 10-seat, diesel-powered "buggies" that transport them to the fires. Once there, their task is to fell trees, hack away brush and cut roots to build a fire line that can block the flames. It's a task that demands strength, endurance and teamwork. The pay is meager rookies received $12.09 an hour and crew members relied on long hours of overtime during fire season to make ends meet. Santos, the Phoenix bureau chief for The New York Times, covered the Yarnell Hill story and was taken with the stories of victims she admired but never met. She bonded with family members to learn about the lives of these fallen firefighters, some of them "second chancers" who saw the physical challenge and discipline of the job as a path toward overcoming earlier stumbles that ranged from alcoholism or drug addiction to minor crimes. The author also walked the walk, taking two courses at a wildfire management academy in Prescott that many of the Granite Mountain crew had attended. She donned flame-resistant clothing, wielded the tools of the Hotshots' trade, cut fire line in the wild and even practiced deploying an emergency shelter that she carried along with a loaded backpack. The product of her efforts is a gripping account of one of the nation's most deadly wildfires and an inspiring look at the men who put their lives on the line and the loved ones they left behind. The book is reminiscent of Norman Maclean's classic "Young Men and Fire" that told of the 1949 Mann Gulch fire in western Montana that killed 13 firefighters, and his son John's story of the 1994 South Canyon fire in Colorado that took 14 lives. Santos has turned out a worthy addition to the genre. The Missoula Public Library is excited to share the news that it is a recipient of a grant to host the NEA Big Read in the Missoula community. A program of the National Endowment for the Arts, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The Missoula Public Library is one of 77 nonprofit organizations to receive a grant to host an NEA Big Read project between September 2016 and June 2017. The NEA Big Read in Missoula will focus on the book Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich, and in conjunction a number of activities are scheduled Sept. 18 through Oct. 14 throughout Missoula. Managed by Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read offers grants to support innovative community reading programs designed around a single book. The program supports organizations across the country in developing community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences. Organizations selected to participate in the NEA Big Read receive a grant, access to online training resources and opportunities, and educational and promotional materials designed to support widespread community involvement. Computer Programming through Minecraft returns Kids between the ages of 8 to 13 can learn fundamental skills of computer programming using the popular game Minecraft during Computer Programming through Minecraft, a special MakerSpace class that meets every Wednesday in June from 5 to 6 p.m., starting on June 1. Class size is limited to eight participants, and sign-up is required. Call the library at 721-2665 to sign-up. Family Reading Program kicks off this week MPLs Childrens Department is pleased to announce that Wednesday marks the first day parents can pick up reading logs for their children for its annual Family Reading Program, which runs through Aug. 31. The reading program gives children the chance to improve their literacy skills while also offering incentives and prizes for their reading efforts. As part of the program, the library will also be hosting activities for children every Tuesday at 2 p.m. starting on June 14, as well as screenings of family-friendly movies every Thursday at 2 p.m. starting on June 16. For more information, stop by the Childrens Department or call 721-2665. We Have It: Staff Reviews I Had Seen Castles by Cynthia Rylant (Harcourt Brace & Company, 1993) Call Number: Y RYLANT This is a total sleeper. At only 97 pages long and shelved in young adult fiction, close to the 500-page best-selling title Divergent, this book could be easy to overlook. Its a war story, an anti-war story, and a beyond-war story all at the same time. Seventeen-year-old Joe Dante is stereotypically outraged when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. Hes overeager to join the fight when he turns 18, but then he meets Ginny Burton, who enchants him with her beauty and intelligence, but also challenges his gung-ho war fervor. He enlists anyway, primarily because like so many young males he would rather die than be branded a coward. The book is presented as his reflections from the age of 68 on all the many costs of that decision. Author Cynthia Rylant manages the impressive feat of being clean and concise, without feeling cramped, while fleshing out 50 years in less than 100 pages. (And small pages at that; the book is 5 by 7 inches.) The physical appearance of the book is so unusual that I worry young adults will never pick it up unless its assigned in class. That would be a loss. The meditation on life it offers is profound to readers of any age, but would be especially pointed for young people. Reviewed by Dana McMurray Hot Happenings Heres a sampling of some free programs coming up at the Missoula Public Library. Check the full events calendar at missoulapubliclibrary.org. MakerSpace offerings Open Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Computer Electronics: 3-6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Community Creative Writing Workshop: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Jewelry Making Workshop: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Drop-In Watercolor Painting Class: Noon-2 p.m. Fridays in the Large Meeting Room. Visit tinyurl.com/mplmakers for a full calendar of our MakerSpace classes Computer Classes Stream Your Music: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Learn the basics of using music streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. Setting up an account, searching, and making playlists are among topics that will be covered. Registration is required to attend MPLs computer classes. Call 721-2665 to secure your spot. The Missoula Public Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. It will reopen at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. What did we want when we set up the National Park Service 100 years ago? A museum? A playground? A business incentive? A zoo? When Glacier National Park was wrapped into the new federal system, visitors rolled in by passenger train to begin month-long tours seeing America first. They rode horses to dormitories at Gunsight Lake. They invited bears to pose for pictures. They meandered around the nine chalets at Rising Sun Point on their way to the club room. Today the Gunsight and Sun Point structures have vanished, but helicopter tours provide glimpses of Pumpelly Glacier that no pack trail ever reached. Lake McDonald Lodges front door faces the water because all the original visitors arrived by boat. Motorists coming in from the Going-to-the-Sun Road come in through the back door. Youre not allowed to hunt in the national parks, but youre still allowed to fish, because thats one of those guaranteed activities in the organic act of the National Park Service, said Laura Loomis of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Its been allowed to continue, yet its a removal of the resource in a place where they wont allow you to pick the flowers. The National Park Services primary missions are to preserve, protect and provide a quality visitor experience. Those goals were crafted at a time when the United States was growing explosively. Hetch Hetchy Valley was carved out of Yosemite National Park and drowned to supply drinking water for San Francisco. Tourists in Yellowstone National Park used the geyser cones to boil the fish they caught, and occasionally to wash laundry. Today, were debating whether to unplug the Glen Canyon Dam and let the Colorado River run free through Grand Canyon National Park again. A group of clothing designers videoing themselves strolling through Yellowstones Grand Prismatic Spring became an international outrage. The founders of the National Park Service did anticipate significant increase in visitation over the life of the national park system, former Glacier Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright said. But I dont know how they could have anticipated things would change like they have. People are coming for a million different things. They want to do their weddings and dispose of loved ones ashes. There was a movement awhile ago to allow base jumping. What about those super-fat tires for over-the-snow bikes? Whats acceptable and whats not? Would a zipline in the park be an exciting, modern-day experience? Should we be constructing cell towers to get better connectivity on mountain peaks? *** The National Park Service was authorized on August 25, 1916. But the United States was creating national parks long before then. The first, Yellowstone, was dedicated in 1872. Its enacting legislation declared it was to be set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. Its tiny staff of (often unpaid) superintendents and rangers had no way of protecting Yellowstones thermal features and wildlife from developers and poachers until the U.S. Army arrived in 1886. The Army didnt cede management of the park to the National Park Service until 1918. Today, about 293 million people visit all the nations 441 national parks every year. Thats just slightly fewer than there are residents of the United States. Glacier Parks Cartwright said that poses a conundrum. Most people locally are of the mind that its congested with a lot more people on the trails, Cartwright said. But generally on national level, when you get out there and ask the question: Is the park too crowded? The answer is no its a lot busier where I live. That leaves the National Park Service in a quandary over what constitutes a problem and what deserves a response. Were gauged toward helping people having a good time, so were reluctant to engage them on tough issues, Cartwright said. Were constantly worried about making someone mad. So how do you get to the point where you can resolve these big issues within the service, especially if the public doesnt think its that big of an issue? For example, about 85 percent of Glaciers visitors come for the windshield experience, of driving through the park, never leaving a paved surface. Increasing traffic on Glaciers Going-to-the-Sun Road and congestion at the Logan Pass Visitor Center parking lot inspired the creation of a shuttle bus service over the Continental Divide. That relieved some of the parking congestion, but it greatly increased the number of people who could through-hike park trails and return to their own vehicles by using the shuttle. It also stymied Glaciers interpretative ranger staff. Should the long tradition of leading hikes like the six-mile trek to Grinnell Glacier be replaced by posting rangers by parking lot restrooms, where they share stories with far more people? *** The National Park Service celebrates its centennial this year, but its dealing with a 50-year anniversary too. Thats the legacy of the Mission 66 program then-NPS Director Conrad Wirth launched to add roads, lodges and visitor centers throughout the park system, inviting World War II veterans to See the USA in your Chevrolet. They spent the equivalent of $10 billion fixing and making park roads, NPCAs Loomis said. But they didnt have any appreciation of the impact of infrastructure. They put roads where it would allow the greatest view of glaciers. Would they do that today? Probably not. Theyre not getting the money either. NPCA estimates the National Park Service needs $970 million a year to maintain its roads, but has been allocated just a quarter of that amount. Washington, D.C.s Memorial Bridge between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery belongs to the Park Service, and was expected to last 60 years when it was built in 1932. Replacing it alone would cost about $250 million. Then theres climate change driving wildfires, invasive fish species eating native trout and drone-mounted cameras electronically tethered to bike riders. Tourists let buffalo calves into their cars and looters pillage Civil War battlegrounds. Park visitation doesnt reflect the diversity of the national population people of color are noticeably absent from the trails and campgrounds. Current NPS Director Jon Jarvis has served the agency for 40 of its 100 years. At the World Ranger Congress gathering in Estes Park, Colorado, last week, he noted that Congress has given the agency its largest budget ever for 2016. But he also criticized the agencys ability to explain its mission. Weve never been good at making the case for our needs, Jarvis told the international audience. Weve been inarticulate, to be blunt about it. But outdoor recreation, in terms of contribution to the nation, is at least double to what the oil and gas industry provides to the nation in terms of jobs. Investment in the work we do generates far more jobs than all the subsidies and things they do for the oil and gas industry. A Missoula County Public Schools administrative push to put in writing a system for moving students up in subjects or grades sparked a debate Tuesday night. MCPS administration drafted an acceleration policy to support "appropriate interventions for providing challenging educational opportunities for advanced learners." A debate about whether it was wise to enact this kind of policy led to the first reading being tabled until the board's June 14 meeting. "Many of us would think that it would go without saying that students would be given curriculum content that meets their next right learning need," said executive regional director Karen Allen. "But I think in reality, it's important to have it go with saying. So this is a clarification of the district expectation that students be offered and have the opportunity to learn at accelerated levels when they're ready to." This policy, and its related procedures, need to be put in writing, said trustee Mike Smith. Superintendent Mark Thane agreed, saying that while acceleration already happens on a case-by-case basis, particularly when it comes to early kindergarten admittance, this policy would add structure. "The intent of the policy is not to bring any change to practice, its to formalize the practice and make sure that were adhering consistently to a practice that we have in place," he said. But trustee Diane Lorenzen worried that it's an unnecessary "extraneous policy." "I think the only way the board can go wrong is to violate their own policy, so when a board writes extra policies, they're kind of opening themselves up," she said. "I guess at first read, this looks to me like a district override of principal authority, that this type of acceleration already, I would think, lies in the hands of the principals." *** This wouldn't be the first acceleration policy in a Montana school district, according to the Montana School Boards Association. "The Board of Public Education has long authorized local school boards to determine placement and to specifically accelerate students according to their individual capabilities," MTSBA executive director Lance Melton said in an email. "MTSBA also successfully passed a change in law in the 2013 Legislature to allow school districts to advance students according to a custom pace and include such students in their ANB counts based on the proficiency gained rather than the seat time." That notion of seat time, commonly referred to as the Carnegie Unit of 120 classroom hours in a year, was a sticking point for MCPS executive regional director Trevor Laboski. "There's been across the country for a number of years, and it hasnt quite fully hit us yet, a movement towards competency-based learning, which means you advance your grade level and acquire credit based on demonstration of proficiency in that particular standard, not how many seat hours you spend, which is the Carnegie Unit," he said. "Thats a pretty far-out concept for many in Montana. "Hopefully, they don't stick to the same system of the Carnegie Unit until the end of time. I think that this is a movement towards something grander and more difficult. I think it's easy to stay still. This is a great opportunity. We have a lot of at-risk kids that are gifted that we lose, we have kids that are bored. That's just not acceptable." The law change three years ago gives school districts more flexibility in individualizing a student's education, Melton said. *** Acceleration processes are already in place, Lorenzen said. "It seems really heavy-handed to put it in board policy and it only takes someone to say that what we're doing doesn't match policy and we're in trouble," she said. "It seems like it doesn't belong in policy." Two mothers both members of POINTS (Parents and Others Invested in Nurturing Talented Students) spoke in support of the policy. "The fact that it would be on the books, I hear trustee Lorenzens concerns about people coming to their principal or the administration and complaining that this policy is not being adhered to," said POINTS member Julie Merritt. "But thats exactly what we would like to be able to do because we feel that there have been times when the needs of our children are not being met, and this policy would give us means as a parent to ensure that the needs of our children are being met." Ten-year-old Hugo Lonski, a student at Rattlesnake School, wrote a letter that his mother, Caroline, read to the trustees in support of the policy. He was able to advance to seventh grade math. "I'm actually having a real math class instead of being online or having to do really boring math," he wrote. "Being with the seventh-graders has made me more mature, which I like. At the very beginning of the year I didnt really try as hard and I didnt do my homework. I got a B the first semester. Now I've learned that the homework is more fun and I have an A." Caroline Lonski encouraged the trustees to approve the policy, saying that for Hugo, acceleration "has literally changed his life." "Previously, without a policy to turn to, we rely on our principal," she said. "Theres a new principal there now, but that last principal had a different vision and I will say that having a policy like this can directly impact students, not only their academic experience in school, but also the related emotional ties to that experience." HAMILTON Following a slow-down in coal shipments, Montana Rail Link has announced that it will store about 550 empty coal cars on the Bitterroot Branch line between Florence and Missoula. The cars will be placed over the next few weeks, said MRLs Chief Information Officer Jim Lewis. Plans call for placing the cars with 500-foot gaps at all the railroad crossings, as well as large gaps between Florence and Lolo and also between Lolo and Missoula, Lewis said. Railroad car volume in the U.S. has dropped 14.3 percent year-to-date as compared to 2015. The volume of coal carloads is down 34.1 percent. That reduction has resulted in about 1,800 miles of railroad cars nationwide that need to find a place to be stored. In a statement, MRL said it gave considerable thought to the placement of the cars on the Bitterroot Branch line to limit the potential impact to residents and wildlife in the Bitterroot Valley. MRL officials spoke with representatives of Missoula County, Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Lolo School District regarding this project. None of the representatives from those organizations were available Friday for comment. At this time, it is unclear how long the empty cars will remain in storage. It is MRLs hope that these markets recover soon and we do what we do best; providing safe and reliable transportation service to Montana businesses and regional rail shippers, the companys statement read. PABLO The plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit that seeks to derail a proposal to transfer the National Bison Range to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes lost credibility on Bison Range issues long ago, a tribal spokesman says. Three Montana residents are among 10 individuals who joined Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week in Washington, D.C. Theyre making the same argument PEER successfully used five years ago when it got a federal judge to halt an annual funding agreement that had made CSKT and the Fish and Wildlife Service partners in managing and operating the Bison Range. The plaintiffs say the federal agency again failed to conduct necessary environmental review before telling CSKT Chairman Vernon Finley in February that it would support legislation to transfer the wildlife refuge to the tribes. The parties filing suit to try to stop the return of the Bison Range land to the tribes have always opposed tribal participation there even though it is in the center of our reservation and has ties to our people dating back thousands of years, Finley said. We will move on with what we believe is an elegant solution to the issue. The lawsuit asks a judge to rule that FWS is violating provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Refuge Act, the National Wildlife Refuge System Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. It also wants the court to order the agency to develop a Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Bison Range, and to take no further action to sponsor, advocate for, or promote the (transfer) legislation until an environmental impact statement has been produced. No legislation has yet been introduced. The tribes say they are in discussions with Montanas congressional delegation about doing so. *** The plaintiffs include PEER members Susan Reneau of Missoula, Marvin Kaschke of Polson and Delbert Palmer of Charlo. The other seven individuals are from out of state, but include former Bison Range managers and employees. Reneau is identified in the lawsuit as an author and columnist who volunteers hundreds of hours a year to saving the NBR. In a statement this week, CSKT noted that Reneau, in a radio interview on Voices of Montana last month, referred to President Barack Obama as an Islamic terrorist. Kaschke managed the National Bison Range from 1968-'77. Palmer worked in the refuges maintenance department for 16 years prior to retiring late last year, and received an award from Rick Coleman, the FWS regional director, for extra effort towards making (an earlier annual funding agreement) work, according to the lawsuit. In their statement, the tribes said Palmer is documented by the Montana Human Rights Network as having been a board member of All Citizens Equal, a group designated by the network as an anti-Indian organization. Other plaintiffs include three former Bison Range managers, David Wiseman of Morrison, Colorado (1995-2004), Jon Malcolm of Cheney, Washington (1981-94) and Jospeh Mazzoni of Rancho Murieta, California (1965-68), as well as Robert Fields of Beaverton, Oregon, a refuge manager trainee at the Bison Range in 1962-63. *** Even though no bill has been introduced, PEER claims such a bill would give the entire refuge complex, including the prized bison herd totaling nearly $100 million in value, to the CSKT without any compensation. Ironically, federal taxpayers had previously paid twice to purchase the refuges 18,000 acres. PEERs press release announcing the lawsuit also charges that there will be no requirement for the tribes to maintain the Bison Range as a wildlife refuge or admit the public, nor make any provision for the fate of the bison herd that calls the refuge home. The law requires federal agencies to think through the consequences of proposals before launching them, Paula Dinerstein, PEERs lead attorney, said. The inability or unwillingness of the Service to do its homework on the Bison Range has kept this century-old refuge in political limbo for more than a decade. In response, CSKT spokesman Rob McDonald said, PEERs press release intentionally ignores the fact that legislation to restore the Bison Range to federal trust ownership for the tribes would require continued bison conservation, as well as continued public access. Chairman Finley publicly affirmed both of those points in an April 3 Missoulian guest column. McDonald also took issue with the suggestion that the federal government has twice paid the tribes for the land where the Bison Range is located. The government unlawfully took the land, which the tribes did not want to sell, to begin with, he said, and then paid the tribes $1.56 an acre, a fraction of its value even in 1912. Almost 60 years later, a court ordered the government to pony up the rest of the actual 1912 market value of $14 an acre, and the tribes were compensated just over $231,000. PEER lost credibility on Bison Range issues long ago, McDonald said. Their history of playing fast and loose with the facts is troublesome. Earlier this month, Montana candidates and the small staff of the Commissioner of Political Practices made history: For the first time, all statewide and state district political candidates were required to file their campaign finance reports electronically. The new system worked. Amazingly, 312 candidates for Legislature and Public Service Commission successfully filed their reports on or before May 9. Only 27 missed the deadline. Additionally, county office candidates who expected to spend or receive more than $500 filed under the new electronic reporting rule. The rule stems from the Disclose Act of 2015, which passed with support from Democrats and some Republicans. It was sponsored by Sen. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip, and backed by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock. The law allows the commissioner of political practices to require electronic campaign finance reporting, which Commissioner Jonathan Motl did last fall through a process that involved public hearings. Electronic filing is nationally recognized by open government advocates as fundamental to public information. Previously in Montana, only statewide candidates had to file electronically. Legislative candidates and others could file hard copy reports, or email documents to the COPP. Both of those methods delayed public access to information that had to be scanned in manually. It took many hours of staff time just to get all the paper reports online several days later. Once online, those scanned reports werent searchable. With the online filing system that debuted this month, reports are publicly accessible immediately upon filing. The reports are searchable by candidate, contributor and expenditure. What can voters learn on the website of the Montana Campaign Electronic Reporting System? Who has donated how much to a candidate. What and how much the candidate has spent money on. Loans made to the campaign. How much the candidate has spent overall and how much is left in the campaign bank account. For example: The latest filings by gubernatorial candidates show that Gov. Steve Bullock has $748,047 in the bank for primary campaign spending and $382,729 for the General Election. His main challenger, Greg Gianforte, reported having $115,232 in his primary account and $246,826 on hand for the General Election. Once the three COPP staff members who handle campaign reports got the electronic platform up and running, they focused on making the data more searchable, according to Motl. He expects the COPP site will be searchable soon for political action committees that must report spending. Over the next reporting periods, we will provide guides for public and press to access information, Motl said. The comprehensive online filing has been accomplished with no additional funding from the 2015 Legislature. Motl praised his staffs dedication to making the filing system work for everyone. Candidates were encouraged to phone in with questions and concerns. Staff members provided answers. Now the public, even those who are voting early, can check into the money behind the candidates. Another round of campaign finance reports will be due before the June 7 Primary Election. Statewide candidates are required to report again on May 23, while legislative and other state district candidates, and county office candidates must report again by May 26 on contributions and expenditures through May 21. Theres also a post-primary report due in late June. General Election reports are due at the beginning and end of October and in late November. Find answers to your campaign money questions at the COPP website: politicalpractices.mt.gov. Another great resource is followthemoney.org, a service of the private, nonprofit National Institute for Money in State Politics, which is based in Helena. In regard to the (May 19) article concerning the request from Rachel Huff-Doria and Kiah Abbey of Forward Montana that the Montana Board of Regents reject the Gianforte Family Foundation gift of $8 million to the Montana State University Computer Science Program. This really defines Forward Montana as the true hate group. They hate the thought that someone who thinks differently than they do could be so generous. I checked out the Gianforte Family Foundation website and searched for anything that indicated that their gifts showed hate for anyone regardless of anything. I found nothing. I also searched for anything that would indicate that the Gianforte foundation would use their influence to deny anyone of any other lifestyle than their own from using the benefits provided by their generosity. Again I found nothing. A subsequent article on May 20 reported on the meeting of the regents and some of the comments that were presented in opposition to accepting the Gianforte foundation gift. Haley Cox was quoted as saying money comes and goes but values should hold steady. What does the Gianforte foundation gift have to do with values other than their desire to promote a better education for computer science majors at MSU? That seems to be a pretty commendable value. Cox was also quoted as asking the regents to imagine a gay computer science student having the Gianforte name on their diploma. I cannot imagine that it matters to the Gianforte foundation if that student is gay or not, so why should it matter to the student other than being thankful that the school was there so (s)he could be properly educated? Jerry Roseleip, Deer Lodge I reside in Missoula in House District 95 and am writing to say how much I have been impressed by my conversations with Shane Morigeau and am convinced that he would make a great representative. He has always been very willing to spend time talking with me at length about our concerns. I find him to be a very thoughtful and intelligent person who shares many of my concerns about the direction of Montana politics and society in general. Like me, Morigeau has lived in Montana all his life and cares deeply about our state. He too likes to get out on the trails and waterways and is concerned with public land access and conservation for those citizens who dont own waterfront or live next to public land, which is most of us. He is also concerned with the low pay in Montana, unequal pay for women, low minimum wage, lack of good employee benefits, public schools that are being squeezed tighter every year, and the lack of resources for addiction and mental health counseling. Improving these are things that we agree are important to strengthening Montana for the coming years. Morigeau takes being a representative very seriously and is willing to work hard for his constituents to improve our state. The many times I have met him, he has always wanted to talk about what can be done to make this a better place. He is passionate about knowing the issues and how they affect the citizens of Missoula and Montana. HD95 voters could not do better than electing Shane Morigeau as their next representative. Tom Arvidson, Missoula The people of Missoula County cannot do better than elect Dave Strohmaier for county commissioner. Strohmaier's exceptional intellect, impeccable moral compass, calm demeanor and deliberate and analytical approach to problem solving are desperately needed as we plan for the future of Missoula County. A careful look shows a man who has honed his innate qualities with education and work experiences. He stands up to any side-by-side comparison. Strohmaier holds graduate degrees from Yale in philosophy and from the University of Montana in environmental studies with a focus in fire ecology. He is trained to research, analyze and think before reaching decisions. Strohmaier worked for the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management as a wildland firefighter, including as incident commander. This leadership position requires a clear head, decisive action and a focus on safety, all in a crisis situation. He is a rare person suited for this assignment. By comparison, Strohmaier's opponent Stacy Rye demonstrated questionable preparedness for an important decision on Missoulas dwindling agricultural soils. On Jan. 13, citizens packed the commissioners' meeting to hear their decision. Near the close, Rye said that she had requested more information. Really? Four years after commissioners requested review of subdivision regulations to protect agricultural soils, after investment of staff and planning board time, after meetings and public comments, and Planning Board recommendation to adopt ag land regulations; Rye introduced an un-vetted spreadsheet, misrepresenting open space as ag soils. To misquote Mark Twain, Facts are stubborn things, but spreadsheets are pliable. Strohmaier has knowledge of natural resources important to Missoula County. His experience would add balance to the commission. He possesses the integrity and intelligence to deliberate on complex issues. Perhaps most important, Strohmaier can be trusted to reach solutions for the greater good. Choose Dave Strohmaier, Democrat, for Missoula County commissioner. Claudia Narcisco, Missoula I fully support Mark Sweeney in his bid for the Montana Public Service Commission. Sweeney will aggressively defend Montana ratepayers and bring a fresh, innovative approach to energy development in our State. As a former chief executive of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, I had the honor to work with Sweeney when he was an ADLC commissioner. While we didnt always agree on the issues, we worked diligently together, with mutual respect, for the betterment of the community. Sweeney was fair, unbiased and always did his homework when making informed decisions, and he listened to the concerns of his constituents. Sweeney was a leader on energy and environmental issues on the county commission. During his tenure, NorthWestern Energy completed the 150 megawatt David Gates Generating Station near Anaconda. This innovative, gas-fired generating station is integrated with wind energy and can be ramped up very quickly to supplement electricity supplies when the wind is not blowing. Sweeney was instrumental in working with Pintler Power and ADLC to allow the installation of anemometers to evaluate the potential for locating wind energy projects in the county. He also championed the development of a pump and store hydroelectric project at a county-owned reservoir high above Anaconda. While this project has not come to fruition, it shows the type of innovative thinking that Mark Sweeney brings to the job at hand. As a retired fish hatchery manager, Sweeney champions clean water and the environment. He serves on the governors Upper Clark Fork River Advisory Council, which is tasked with evaluating and recommending proposals to remediate and restore areas damaged by past mining and smelting activities throughout the river basin. He was also appointed to a Bureau of Land Management advisory board to evaluate routing proposals for the MISTI power transmission line. I urge you to join me by voting for Mark Sweeney for PSC commissioner. Becky Guay, Anaconda HAMILTON A Florence physician who faces 400 felony counts, including negligent homicide, asked that his trial be delayed for a year to allow him time to find legal representation and prepare for his defense. Dr. Chris Christensen filed a motion last week that included requests for a stay, the return of cash and other items and relief from his $200,000 bond. Christensen was arrested last August for allegedly providing hundreds of illegal prescriptions to his patients, including two who died from overdose. A trial is set for October. His initial appointment of a public defender was rescinded after a review of his financial records. Since then, Christensen has appeared before Ravalli County District Judge Jeffrey Langton on three occasions without counsel. In March, Christensens request for a stay due to difficulties in retaining an attorney was denied by Langton. In his brief, Christensen said that his attempts to find legal representation have been unsuccessful due to his financial situation. The problem is money: a half-million dollars maybe more probably more; maybe one million dollars; $1,000,000, Christensen wrote. To obtain the funding for his defense, Christensen said the state Legislature probably will be required to engage in a budget authorization for a grant to pay for his defense. This process is going to require a long time, Christensen wrote. Defendant is at the beginning of this process now. Christensen told the court months ago that he was in the process of filing bankruptcy, after which he would reapply for a public defender. In his brief, Christensen said he hopes to file bankruptcy as early as June 1. He also took Langton to task for not reviewing the financial records he planned to submit for the bankruptcy and denying his request for a public defender. At this point, Christensen said his estimated net worth is a negative $600,000. Had the court accepted Christensens papers and appointed counsel, this litigation would be progressing to an October 2016 trial, the brief read. Any delay at this point is due to the courts error and not the result of Defendants (Christensen) shifty behavior. If the court opts not to grant a stay, Christensen said he would be forced to appeal. Without a stay by this court, Christensen will stymie this case for years in appellate entanglements, Christensens brief read. He will not back down. After all, these are his feet in this fire. Without a stay, this court will merely create a mess of bar-b-cued feet, Christensen wrote. Christensen said that hes been told that his defense will probably require three highly experienced attorneys, three legal assistants, miscellaneous law clerks, two secretaries, an office manager, as well as office space, utilities, van rental, video rental and ancillary support costs, including an in-house medical legal consultant to manage and coordinate the avalanche of medical data. The defense operation will create its own boutique law firm. A million dollars is a reasonable starting number in seeking legislative appropriation, but by the time the trial concludes, the actual costs may, conceivably, exceed that number by a generous amount, Christensens brief said. This precise dollar cost is impossible to accurately estimate other than to say that it be a fortune. In addition to the stay, Christensen said he wants his stuff back that was seized by law enforcement in April 2014, including $2,000 in cash. He also asks for the court to exonerate him from his $200,000 bond saying that hes not a flight risk and is a decent and honorable man. Christensen asked for a public hearing on these matters under the lens of the public eye and opinion should Langton not be able to make a decision based on the 21-page motion. Christensen maintains that he has no intention on representing himself in a case that could lead to him dying in prison. Christensen was arrested following a 16-month long investigation that found his Florence business operated almost exclusively in cash, earned about $2,500 a day and grossed more than $500,000 annually, according to court records. The 67-year-old Christensen faces a maximum sentence of 388 life sentences, plus 135 years in prison and fines of $20 million. A fourth-grade boy would love to participate in summer orchestra camp but his parents cannot afford fees for the summer rental and the cost of the camp. The cost of the camp is $60 and the cost of the instrument rental is $30. If you can help with either or both of these, please write a check to MCPS Fine Arts. Thank you so much for helping this child stay busy and educationally motivated during the summer months. Franklin No. 1645. HAVRE A shortage of teachers in northern Montana has officials worried after superintendents from three rural Montana districts told the Montana University Board of Regents that teachers are unwilling to relocate to northern Montana and school officials have problems filling primary and secondary school teacher positions. One school official says he's looking for applicants who understand the region because many potential teachers from outside the area have a hard time adjusting to working in small schools. The superintendents told the regents that a teacher prep program at Montana State University-Northern has helped immensely. Superintendent Andy Carlson, of Havre, said filling positions often comes at the expense of other districts trying to find teachers. "It's a struggle to try and find people to replace our folks," Carlson said. "I am stealing math teachers. I am stealing English teachers, and then I look across the table, and it's from the folks that are my colleagues," he said. Superintendent Rene Rasmussen, of Bainville, said her northeastern Montana school district has trouble even finding qualified teachers at career fairs in western North Dakota. Carlson said more than half of his teaching staff comes from Montana State University-Northern. Superintendent Brad Moore, of Big Sandy, said there are not enough students coming from the university to keep up with the needs of schools. "For most of the jobs, we feel fortunate to get one qualified applicant," Moore said. Moore said that his district has offered candidates for positions such benefits as a four-day school week, health benefits and a competitive salary, and candidates are still not willing to accept positions in rural areas. BILLINGS Yellowstone National Park has launched a new education campaign in an attempt to increase the number of tourists carrying bear spray. Titled A Bear Doesnt Care, the advertisements feature people like Bozeman mountain climber Conrad Anker touting the use of bear spray. "A bear doesn't care if you climbed to the top of the world," the poster featuring Anker reads. Anker has climbed around the world, including three ascents of Mount Everest. A bear doesnt care how far youre hiking, if youre just fishing, or even if you work here, said park Superintendent Dan Wenk in a news release. No matter who you are or what you are doing, you should always carry bear spray and know how to use it. Recent data collected by park scientists revealed that only 28 percent of visitors who enter the parks backcountry carry bear spray. Studies show that bear spray is more than 90 percent effective in stopping an aggressive bear, especially when combined with the park's other safety recommendations: be alert, make noise, hike in groups of three or more, and do not run if you encounter a bear. Yellowstone visitors care deeply about preserving bears and observing them in the wild, said Kerry Gunther, the parks Bear Management Specialist, in the press release. Carrying bear spray is the best way for visitors to participate in bear conservation because reducing potential conflicts protects both people and bears. According to Yellowstone's website, close to 100 million people visited Yellowstone between 1980 and 2014. In that 34-year period, 45 people were injured by bears in the park. Last August, a lone hiker was killed by a grizzly sow with cubs. He was the ninth person to be killed by a bear in the park during its 144-year history. More people have died from drowning, suicide and burns inflicted by falling into one of the park's thermal features. Despite the low incidence of bear attacks, beginning this summer the park has hung posters in retail outlets, is placing ads in magazines and will post images on social media of visitors and local celebrities carrying bear spray while recreating in the park. The publicity campaign was spurred by negative comments on social media and toward park employees after last year's fatal attack of a park employee, according to Charissa Reid, Yellowstone spokeswoman. "To me it just seems irresponsible to not have that tool if you might be (attacked)," Reid said. "We're just trying to increase that number." The other initial poster designs include artist Jennifer Lowe-Anker and National Geographic photographer Ronan Donovan. Actor Jeff Bridges, writer Todd Wilkinson, fly fisherman Craig Mathews, and others will join the campaign in the coming months. "We're really excited that The Dude said yes," Reid said referring to Bridges' popular character in the movie "The Big Lebowski." Posters from the campaign are available for download at flic.kr/s/aHskx93BCw and go.nps.gov/abeardoesntcare. Visit go.nps.gov/bearspray for information about bear encounters and how to use bear spray. Bear spray demonstrations are conducted by park employees at Yellowstone visitor centers throughout the summer months. Park staff is available to speak with local groups upon request about the history of bear attacks in the park, contributing human behaviors, how to prevent and respond to bear attacks and bear spray use. Anyone interested in hosting an event can contact the park at 307-344-2015. In the house in Queens that morning, a telephone rang. A stranger with a gun stood nearby, his face hidden behind a ski mask. He pointed the gun at one of the men who lived there. Pick up the phone, he said, according to a criminal complaint. Speak in English. Anything other than English, Ill shoot you. The hostage answered. The events on that March day last year, with police officers arriving in droves to an armed robbery in one home and a standoff in another, rattled the predominantly Bangladeshi block in Jamaica, a block that breathed a collective sigh of relief when the suspect surrendered that afternoon. But that relief disappeared last week with the disclosure by prosecutors of a far more sinister scheme in connection with that day, one meant to ensure that the suspects trial would end in his favor. The addresses of both homes and the names of people inside had been jotted on a list. The list was for a hit man, the police and prosecutors said, with instructions to kill everyone on it so they could not testify. Butte is known for a lot of things: its mining culture, its summer festival season and even its Butte tough mentality. But what Butte isnt known for is yoga. Considering this, some may be surprised to learn that the Mining City and its surrounding area are ripe with opportunities for taking up the practice. In Butte alone there are four venues that regularly host yoga classes, including the Yoga Center on Dakota Street, Fuel Fitness on Harrison Avenue, the YMCA on Washoe Street and Montana Dance Works on Harrison Avenue. In addition, Anacondans can do yoga at InMotion Studio, while Sage Mountain Center in Whitehall offers periodic, multi-day courses. MaryLou Zimmerman, yoga instructor for Fuel Fitness, describes yoga as a series of movements and postures connected with the breath the goal of which is to help practitioners focus on a clarity of mind. Although the origins of yoga are still up for debate, most sources say the practice started sometime around 1500 B.C. (Yoga) is commonly presented as a practice handed down for thousands of years, originating from the Vedas, the oldest religious texts of the Hindus, writes Mark Singleton in magazine Yoga Journal. But it wasnt until the end of the 19th century that yoga finally began to take hold in the West, where its grown increasingly popular. Zimmerman said today there are many types of yoga practiced throughout the world. She said yoga practices can range from bhakti a devotional-type of yoga in which practitioners hold poses for long periods of time, sometimes for several days in extreme cases to more utilitarian types of yoga like ashtanga, which she described as a being centered on fluid movement and strength building. All of the instructors interviewed by The Montana Standard said yoga has many physical benefits, and most were initially drawn to the practice because of its capacity to improve fitness. Zimmerman said yoga can help improve coordination, balance, mobility, muscle tone, blood flow, joint lubrication and concentration, among other things. Tessi Preston, the owner and an instructor at The Yoga Center, agrees. Preston took over the studio in March, and in April she began a 200-hour certification course in Costa Rica. Preston said Yoga Center features a combination of vinyasa a type of yoga focused on flowing, fluid movements and ashtanga. Youll just gain strength and balance said Preston of the practice Coleen Boyle, a yoga instructor at the YMCA, meanwhile, says what she enjoys is yoga's effect on the body. I enjoy the stretching, and I enjoy the toning, she said. But Montana Dance Works yoga instructor Cassandra Crnich says that yoga isnt just about increasing strength and becoming physically fit. It can be a physical practice, but it can also be a mental practice, she said. Indeed all of the instructors who spoke with The Montana Standard said yoga can help people mentally as well as physically. For Zimmerman, the mental aspect of yoga is all about cultivating a discipline of mind. Zimmerman said that its not enough to do the poses and go through the movements in yoga one also has to have the discipline to focus on relaxing certain muscles while using others, and also on breathing. This discipline, she said, helps people stay grounded in the moment, instead of fixating on whatever troubles they may have outside the gym. Yoga author Jessie Lucier agrees. Lucier, who lives in Colorado, has written for Yoga Journal and is also co-authoring a book on yoga and sexuality. In addition, shes ghost-writing a book on mindfulness, another practice often associated with yoga. For Lucier, yoga is about quieting the noise and creating a meditative space where you can mute the static of daily life and find clarity. We live in a world where were trying to juggle a million things, and were usually caught up thinking about whats about to happen next Lucier said. Or were caught up with whats happened in the past. What yoga does, she said, is help people throw away the baggage of yesterday and tomorrow and live for today. When youre really in a space where youre connected to your breath it can really help you ground into the present moment and find some clarity in that, said Lucier. And for me its created a sense of safety just knowing when Im on my mat for that hour, whatevers happening outside of the studio, theres nothing I can do about it. Lucier added that the yoga poses help people reflect on the concept of impermanence. According to Lucier, everything comes to an end including the physical exertion of holding a yoga position. Youre holding a fairly particular, challenging pose. But you know theres going to be a release. Theres always an end to it, said Lucier. And I think there is a connection between that and when were going through a really challenging time in life. When were in the middle of it, it can feel overwhelming and like it will never end but we know the only thing thats a given in this life is change. Crnich, meanwhile, said the practice can help people become more accepting of the things they cant change which in turn can help them deal with having a stressful day or more serious things like anxiety and depression. As for her, she says what she likes about teaching yoga is seeing people transformed. I love seeing people leave being happier and calmer and less stressed, said Crnich. She added that people of all experience levels are welcome to try yoga in her classes. Yoga is for everyone. Weve all been beginners at some point, she said. Dont worry if you cant touch your toes. MISSOULA Two men have been arrested, accused of robbing Deano's Casino early Friday morning, taking a Washington family hostage, and firing at police. Thomas Earl Dempsey, 36, was booked into Missoula County Jail at 9:18 p.m. Friday, charged with robbery and aggravated kidnapping. Missoula County Sheriff's Office public information officer Brenda Bassett said he was taken into custody after leaving a motel on North Reserve Street and entering a nearby business. Nick West, 38, was booked at 4:29 a.m. Saturday, charged with aggravated kidnapping. He was arrested near Mullan Road and North Reserve Street, also at a business. Both are scheduled to appear in court at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Additional charges may be pending, Bassett said. "After receiving a tip and working closely with city officers and the FBI, our detectives and deputies were able to locate the two suspects," Bassett said in a news release. The pair are accused of taking a family hostage after robbing Deano's Casino early Friday morning. "We know it was an unsettling time for the community, and as law enforcement officers we consider this one version of a happy ending," Sheriff T.J. McDermott said in the news release. "Most importantly, no one was hurt and secondly, these two suspects are now behind bars. We have to applaud the great work of our detectives who worked tirelessly throughout the night to get this accomplished. I could not be more proud of our officers and our law enforcement friends, who all came to the aid of this family during a very scary time." MCSO Patrol Sgt. Jon Stineford said on Saturday morning that while the investigation is ongoing, "we want to stress that the Sheriff's Office doesn't feel there's any further risk to public safety from these two robbery suspects." The casino was robbed at gunpoint at about 3:30 a.m. Friday, after which the suspects left in a stolen car. In a news conference Friday afternoon, McDermott said the family was getting gas nearby and saw the robbery. They called 911 and were asked to pull over and wait for an officer to come, at which point Cpt. Tony Rio said their SUV's doors were pulled open and the suspects took them hostage. A chase began with law enforcement through Missoula. The SUV stopped twice, once to let the family's 12-year-old boy out, the second to release the grandmother and 14-year-old girl. With the parents still inside, law enforcement said the SUV made a U-turn and the suspects fired at the pursuing officers. Law enforcement pulled back and lost sight of the SUV in downtown. The parents and the SUV were found near Evaro Hill at about 5:20 a.m. Friday, but the suspects were gone. In 2014, Dempsey was convicted of attempted burglary, theft and accountability for burglary in Lake County, according to the Montana Department of Corrections. The Valley Journal reported that in April 2014, he pleaded not guilty to four felonies in relation to a multi-day crime spree in Ronan that involved burglary, a stolen car, and stealing firearms. Dempsey was on conditional release at the time of Friday's incident and was accordingly charged with a violation. West was convicted of assault with a weapon and assault on a peace officer in Hill County in 2007, according to the DOC. He also was convicted of partner/family member assault and tampering with witnesses and informants in Yellowstone County in 2012. West was on parole as of Friday and was subsequently charged with parole violation. Dempsey is being held on $100,000 bail. West is being held on $250,000 bail. MISSOULA Patrick Weasel Head describes himself as an enigma. "It's hard to put me down as one thing because I've done a lot in life, and I still do a lot in life," he said. Weasel Head's history, his volunteer work and his life's stories fill page after page. On Sunday, he was honored by the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center Coordinating Council and Missoula Peace Quilters as the 2016 Peacemaker. Every year for the past 30 years, the Peacemaker award is given to an individual or group that demonstrates a long-term commitment to peace and justice in leadership roles. Weasel Head will turn 72 years old in November. He was surprised to hear he was receiving the award, but he has some guesses about why, or at least what makes him that enigma. "Poverty, being in Vietnam, falling in love with a same-sex partner and being together for 31 years, raising my nieces and nephews with solid values, having more grandkids as a gay man," he said of his 22 grandchildren. Recently at Break Espresso, his conversation was punctuated by people saying hello. He's become a recognizable face in the community, especially after serving for 11 months on the Missoula City Council, his term ending in January. "Never did I expect this kind of engagement in my life," he said. "I always thought I was going to be discreet, live my way of life and move on." He repeats "engagement" as he talks, emphasizing the importance of getting to know people really getting to know them beyond face value. He earned his bachelor and master's degrees from University of Montana and his doctorate from University of Oregon, where he met his longtime partner. In retirement, he's always busy volunteering with Meals on Wheels, Drive a Van (driving veterans to and from health appointments), Missoula Food Bank and more. Last year, he wanted to find out "what the other side of society is like," so he became a driver for Paws Up, the luxury ranch resort. "The people I meet, you wouldn't guess that they're millionaires or movie stars," he said. "Having them talk to me, it equals us out. We're both flesh and blood and bones and brain matter. We're not wealthy, poor, skinny or fat. I like the idea that we're sort of on the same scale." "Growing up is a white concept," he said. As a child, his family moved around a lot. They lived in small Montana and Wyoming communities, on both his mother's and father's reservations, and in bigger cities such as Butte and Casper, Wyoming. He faced racism during his freshman and sophomore years of high school in Casper. "I was one of the few brown-skinned people," he said. "There were Mexicans, Indians, maybe seven in that school. And Casper is an oil town, so you've got rednecks. You never realize what rednecks can do, but they make you feel like you are lower than whale sh, and whale sh is the lowest you can get." His last two years of high school were in Browning, where he was chosen to be in Boys State, a summer leadership program, due to his respect toward others. Boys State represents the "elite" of a school, Weasel Head said, though he never saw himself as elite. Today, he believes that if he's elite in any sense, it's his ability to choose quality friends. "People have values that they pick up in life and you don't know those values until you engage with them," he said. "Engaging with somebody, you learn their values, so you pick and choose your friends as a result of that. "To this day, I have some of the best friends in the world because of their values. To me, that makes me wealthy, is having those quality friends." "Growing up," he said, happened when he moved to Missoula for college in the 1960s. "I thought there was an ideal sort of vision that a person should be viewed as," he said. "For me, it was trying to be healthy and happy, and know the boundaries of life. You don't want to be a law-breaker. You don't want to get other people irritated about you. So you try to feel out things, the boundaries of life, so you don't go outside those boundaries. I was here in the '60s when they were radical. ... We had little protest marches here in Missoula. I participated, but not to the point of being too radical, but being present. "People ask me, 'Where'd you grow up?' Well, I'm still growing up, I'm still alive. I'm still like a magnet, picking up different pieces of information from different people." Sometimes, that information is discouraging. He's dismayed with politics, and how people treat one another these days. He and other retirees pick up and deliver cars for car rental companies. One time, in a car of about 10 people on their way to Billings, one man used a racial slur when talking about President Barack Obama. Weasel Head said he couldn't take it, and chastised the man for using that kind of language. The man got mad and the group fell silent. "But we have to stand up for those things," Weasel Head said. "If we don't stand up for them, it's as if we believe them ourselves." That character is part of the reason he was chosen for the award, said JRPC executive director Betsy Mulligan-Dague. "For us, we see him as a definite representative of the push to overcome some of this polarity that we have," she said. "It definitely is a refreshing thing to see when much of what we also see in the media and stories around the world is polarity and divisiveness. I think Patrick has found good ways to make would-be enemies into friends, by reaching out and getting to know them a little. "Any effort, no matter how small, toward peace is a good thing." HELENA Lewis and Clark County is far from deciding whether it will ask voters to support a much less costly plan to increase jail space because of chronic overcrowding at the countys detention center. County Commissioner Susan Good Geise and Eric Bryson, the countys chief administrative officer, met with judicial and law enforcement officials on Wednesday to explain a feasibility study for adding new jail cells. This concept for remodeling the Law Enforcement Center to expand detention space became available to the commission on Monday, just hours before a jail working group was briefed on its contents. Voters in November rejected a nearly $41 million proposal for a 109,000-square-foot facility with 244 beds intended to meet detention needs for the next 30 years. This building would also have had space for the Sheriffs Office. Expanding the Law Enforcement Center fails to meet many of the goals such as accommodating future needs that a new building would have addressed, Bryson said. When rejecting construction of a new building, voters also balked at a permanent levy of up to about $5.3 million to operate it and provide for inmate programs that included mental health services. The latest plan calls for remodeling all three floors of the Law Enforcement Center to provide 160 beds for inmates. The building currently has the countys detention facility on its third floor. County officials have said a detention facility operates best when not all beds are filled and theres room for each days arrests. The projected $5,527,448 remodeling cost for the Law Enforcement Center doesnt include the annual expense to operate an expanded detention center that Bryson said could be twice or more the current roughly $3.5 million cost. Having three floors to manage is less efficient and adds to the operational cost, Bryson has said. Sheriff Leo Dutton said he could afford the additional cost only if voters supported it should the county commission decide to advance it. Dutton noted he remains in support of seeking a ballot issue to address jail overcrowding. The detention center was built in 1985 with 54 beds. While additional beds were welded in place to increase capacity to 80, the average number of people in its custody routinely exceeds 120. During a previous discussion Dutton cautioned that the American Civil Liberties Union has been patient as the county seeks a solution to improve detention conditions. However, he added, intervention by a District Court could remove the detention centers management from the countys control. The projected remodeling cost rise depending how the work is scheduled, those at Wednesdays Criminal Justice Coordinating Council were advised. Doing the work in phases would save the cost of housing all inmates at another location during remodeling but would add to the projects cost. This latest proposal for increasing detention space calls for having the intake services such as booking of inmates in the Law Enforcement Centers basement with cells on the second and third floors. Recommendations from a citizen advisory group on the need for services such as those for mental health are included in this possible plan for the countys detention needs. Remodeling the Law Enforcement Center is viewed as a mid-term plan intended for perhaps 15 years. At the end of that time, the facility may no longer meet new detention standards, Bryson said earlier, and voters could again be asked to fund a larger and more modern detention structure. When the county was planning for a location for a new detention facility it eventually settled on about 40 acres that it purchased north of Custer Avenue and east of Interstate 15 and ruled out the Law Enforcement Center site. Land for future expansion was unavailable, and the future size of a detention center there would dwarfed neighboring residential properties. If the Law Enforcement Center is converted into entirely detention space, the city of Helena and the county will need to find new offices for city police and the Sheriffs Office. What those relocation costs would be is unknown, Bryson said. City police favor offices close to the downtown where many of their calls originate. The Sheriffs Office wants a location where it wont have to race through Helena when responding to rural calls. BILLINGS Shreds of hot dog littered the kennel floor, enticing a brown and white female dog to place one paw inside the threshold of the pen. A second paw followed. Then a torso. It seemed the stray pup was nearly inside as Lewis and Clark Animal Shelter volunteer, Kat Martineau, readied to shut the gate behind it. But as quick as Martineau was, the mutt was faster. The dog jumped back, taking refuge behind a pickup. She was back again moments later, however, her nose eagerly sniffing for any forgotten morsels. The dog was one of the few to be left behind Wednesday as the Crow Tribal Homeland Safety Department, along with the the Montana Humane Society and Crow Agency Police Chief Jose Figueroa, worked together to round up stray dogs on the reservation. Head of the Department of Crowland Security Henry Rides Horse, Vernon Hill with the Department of Emergency Services and Robert Hoss Rides Horse, another public safety department head, coordinated with the Humane Society to round up the reservation's loose dog population. The largest reservation in Montana, the Crow Reservation has multiple sections where dogs roam free in violation of leash laws. A rough estimate by volunteers put the stray dog population at more than 300. "I grew up here in Lodge Grass. Dog owners, during that time, you didn't see strays running around," Henry Rides Horse said. "Then I left, I went and served in the military, and I came back and started seeing all these dogs." The dogs approach humans with caution but are used to being fed by people on the reservation. Most are friendly, Henry Rides Horse said. A lot come to the Lodge Grass school and play with the kids, he said. "But some do bite," he added. That, in combination with dogs on the reservation being at risk for diseases like rabies and distemper, prompted the Crow government to take action. "We've made hard attempts in the past," Rides Horse said. "But we don't have enough personnel or local shelters. We'd rather have those, but we appreciate these departments assisting us getting these dogs now." Humane Society of Montana State Director Wendy Hergenraeder and Gina Wiest, the executive director of the Lewis & Clark Humane Society, reached out to the Crow Nation about starting the partnership this year. Wiest said she has worked with the Blackfeet Tribe for about 10 years on spaying and neutering their stray dog population. "There is a trust factor," Wiest said. "The dogs on the Blackfeet, they know us, so we come and they come up to us. The dogs here don't know us yet." Still, not a single growl was heard as Wiest's husband Jeff carried a black and brown mutt to a kennel. "Placing these dogs is going to be a snap," Gina Wiest said. "I adopted three from the Blackfeet. I get goosebumps when I talk about these dogs." Indian Health Service representative Roberta Other Medicine, who works on the environmental health for the tribe, attended the dog roundup. She is one of the people who get calls from the emergency room after someone gets bitten by a dog. Dogs on the reservation are at high risk to contract diseases from skunks and bats. Infected dogs are often put down, which is something the Crow Nation wants to avoid, Figueroa said. "We want these dogs to go get adopted," he said. "If we get a court order to get rid of these dogs, we'll have no choice, we'll have to euthanize them." Hergenraeder said she and her other volunteers were able to round up more than 25 dogs in two days, not including a litter they took in along with the mother. The animals rescued will go to shelters all across Montana. Hergenraeder said her group planned to return in June in order to spay and neuter Crow tribal members' animals. That will happen on June 4 and 5 at the Fire Hall in Crow Agency. People interested can call 406-665-4165 to contract a spot. Rabies vaccinations will be offered June 14, 15 and 16 at the Crow Agency, Lodge Grass, Fort Smith and Pryor. People interested can call Roberta Other Medicine at 406-638-3474. The eatin' is good at the University of Montana think a "Star Wars" omelet bar, for starters, and a gold medal for Missoula College, too. This month, UM announced it and Missoula College had earned some awards related to food and cooking, with the George Lucas-esque eggs pulling in a bronze medal. The prize went to UM Dining from the National Association of College and University Food Services in a competition that had 80 schools vying for wins in six categories. "The event featured a 'Star Wars' inspired menu, elaborate settings, staff members dressed as characters from the movies, karaoke and games," according to a news release from University Relations about the Food Zoo staff. In the same competition, UM's The Iron Griz bistro won a gold award in the category of large universities in a recognition that celebrates "exemplary menus, presentations, special event planning and new concepts in campus dining services." The Galloping Griz food truck earned a silver. "The Loyal E. Horton Awards are the top award for facility, concept and menu design in our industry," said UM Dining director Mark LoParco in a statement. Culinary students at Missoula College are also stirring up mouth-watering and victorious dishes. Earlier this month, Katie Barnes brought home gold in a competition that "drew more than 50 student and professional chefs from across the country." The winning dessert? "Deep fried bunyols with dark chocolate filling, accompanied by a rhubarb caramel sauce, fresh strawberries and pistachio butter ice cream topped with caramel brittle." For the win, Barnes woke up daily at 4 a.m. to practice in the eight weeks before the competition. The day of the battle, she had 15 minutes to set up, an hour to cook the dish, and 10 minutes to plate it. "Coming back home with a gold made it worth it, and I would do it all again just to feel that pride," Barnes said in a statement. Nate Schwab knows the sound that bats make when the creatures are eating or flying or chasing prey. "If you divide the frequency, it just sounds like clicks," said Schwab, who has worked with bats in 15 states. Last week, the senior bat ecologist at TetraTech was orienting a team of four workers to deploy bat monitoring equipment for a project the University of Montana's Center for Integrated Research on the Environment launches at the end of this month. It's part of a five-year, $45 million agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and UM to "study and solve environmental and cultural resource problems across the nation." In a partnership with the Department of Defense and the Corps of Engineers, the center is sending teams to set up bat monitoring stations on 14 different U.S. Air Force Bases in the Midwest with the goal of surveying for the presence of the northern long-eared bat. "CIRE's involvement is particularly exciting as the DOD seeks to bridge the gap between academia and applied field research," said the center's Austin Blank in a statement. The northern long-eared bat became a protected species in April 2015, and the Air Force called for the survey in order to ensure it's following Endangered Species Act requirements, according to a news release from UM. This summer the team, including three military veterans, will travel to the bases to install the equipment, 70 monitors in all. Last week on campus and in Greenough Park, they learned to identify the best places to set mics to capture the echolocation of bats, and they also went over the setup routine. "We're trying to be as efficient as we possibly can so we're trying to get in some practice," Schwab said. On Wednesday, Schwab led C.T. Callaway, Jake Howard, Tina Cain and Ingrid De Groot down a trail in the park as one member of the group pulled a wagon filled with components of the outdoor microphone stand. On the bank of the Rattlesnake Creek, Schwab circled the workers for a look around. "Optimally, we're looking at about 30 meters of vegetation-free space," he said. Western Montana is home to 11 or 12 species of bats, and Schwab pointed out the places near the creek that bats might find appealing. They'd roost under bridges and behind bark, so placing the mic near the old snag with many cracks would be a good idea. On the south end of the park, the canopy wasn't open enough, but the lesson stood: "If you see a lot of snags around, might be a good idea to place it here," Schwab said. The group moved on, and in a place where the trees opened to a clear view of the stream and the canopy, Schwab saw potential, and so did Callaway. "There's a lot of bugs flying around here, so could be a lot of bats feeding," Callaway said. Schwab agreed, and he liked the way the group could orient the mic so it could catch the sounds the bats made as they flew along the tree line. The human ear doesn't register the high frequency sound from bats without assistance. Once the group got to work, it took less than six minutes to pound the tripod into the ground, set the mic on the pole 10 feet off the ground, hook up the battery and bat recorder, and stake the station. Since 2006, the population of the northern long-eared bat has dropped 90 percent in North America, all due to white-nosed syndrome, Schwab said. At the same time, he's feeling hopeful about the species. "Just recently, I feel like there's been a raised consciousness about bats from the public, for whatever reason," he said. When the crew finished, they plugged ear buds into the system for a listen, and Schwab asked if they heard any interference: "Did you hear any other high frequency noise?" They didn't, and the scientist was pleased; the mic sat close to the creek, and sometimes water interferes. On the bases, the group will work in teams of two, and at the end of the summer, they'll have a list of bat species for each location. For the workers, the draw for the project is the travel and the learning. "It's also interesting to get a fresh perspective on something I never really knew about," Callaway said. Shaun McGrath, EPAs Region 8 Administrator, is coming to Butte this week. The first thing that must be said about that is Bravo! McGraths decision to come here to look at the issues around our Superfund cleanup himself is not only welcome, its deeply important to the process. EPA remains the crucial pivot point in negotiations with the state, the county, and BP/ARCO. The federal agency alone has the enforcement power to mandate the cleanup that Butte deserves. It has been said accurately and often that without EPA we would not have made any of the great progress that has been made here. That doesnt mean we shouldnt be pushing the agency to do more at this critical juncture. To their credit, both Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive Matt Vincent and Superfund Coordinator Jon Sesso have said repeatedly that they will neither sign nor recommend a consent decree that does not reflect the wishes and best interests of Butte citizens. While thats admirable and reassuring, it is still EPA that must tip the balance toward transparency and real enforcement to get the best possible outcome for Butte. EPA representative Robert Moler has been everywhere in Butte over the past few months, directly and calmly engaging with even the agencys fiercest critics. He is to be commended, for he has clearly sent the message to headquarters that McGraths visit is needed. McGrath will be meeting with the Restore Our Creek Coalition on Wednesday, and we at the Standard are pleased to be meeting directly with the regional administrator on Thursday. Moler has asked us for questions in advance so McGrath can be prepared for the meeting. We agreed but in the spirit of transparency let him know that we will share the questions in advance with the public as well, so everyone knows whats being asked. And also well solicit more questions from our readers. So here goes: Here are some of the questions well be asking on Thursday: 1. Local EPA coordinator Nikia Greene recently said the state has not provided any data to prove Parrot tailings are harmful. What about the Bureau of Mines report that documented six years ago how far the plume of contaminated water has moved? Is EPAs position the same on Diggings East, Northside Tailings and Blacktail Berm? NRD and DEQ disagree even the county, which is a PRP, disagrees with EPAs position. 2. Conversely, can EPA prove contamination from the Parrot and the other waste sites is NOT going to show up in Silver Bow and Blacktail creeks? 3. Does it not weaken the agencys negotiating position with BP to take this stance when sooner or later EPA is going to have to order BP to remove the rest of the tailings, or be faced with a situation where the county and state refuse to sign a consent decree? 4. If given the option of agreeing to open the consent-decree negotiations to the public or fighting in court to keep them secret, what will EPAs position be? 5. Are you concerned that EPAs current waste in place remedy runs counter to the agencys stated environmental justice ethos, with some of Buttes most impoverished areas being greatly impacted? 6. Given what happened in Flint, Mich., why doesnt EPA revisit the 3-year sampling of tap water order for Butte and order a more comprehensive lead testing of Buttes tap water? 7. EPA directly ordered ARCO to put storm water retention basins in the Parrot corridor. EPA has not enforced the order, and now the issue is being negotiated under consent decree. Why did the agency decline to enforce its own order, and now allow the issue to be revisited as a negotiation point under CD talks? 8. Do you now view it as a mistake to have forced the installation of hydrodynamic devices when they are universally agreed to be ineffective in removing metals from storm water? 9. Is the Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Technical Impracticability zone set in stone or is it possible that the current negotiations will change its dimensions? 10. Whats EPAs plan to address contamination from Butte Reduction Works showing up in Silver Bow Creek? 11. When will the Five Year Review for BPSOU come out? It is 8 months overdue. Please explain the holdup. 12. Why isnt Blacktail Creek better sampled? Close to a mile of it falls within the BPSOU boundary. 13. Given the communitys concerns over the Berkeley Pit, does EPA plan to reopen the mine-flooding consent decree to broker or enforce a better treatment option as water levels continue to climb toward critical level? Also, Montana Resources intends now to use all treated and discharged water from the pit, but what is the plan if and when MR shuts down, particularly given the originally envisioned outflow system from Horseshoe Bend Treatment Plant is not completed? 14. Why did EPA set the action level for lead far higher in Butte than in many other affected communities including Anaconda? Will this decision be revisited given how low levels are routinely set in other cleanups? 15. Do likely changes at EPA because of the coming change in administration place further urgency on reaching a consent-decree agreement? Now its your turn. While we cant guarantee all questions will be answered, we will pass along every question we receive from readers to the agency. Send your questions to editor@mtstandard.com or pose them in the form of comments to this editorial. Thanks in advance for participating. And thanks to the EPA for recognizing the importance of engaging in serious public discussions about finishing the job right in Butte. Poor Rep. Carl Glimm of Kila. He's scared of Jonathan Motl, commissioner of Political Practices. He should be. And not just Republicans should be worried; Democrats, Libertarians, political parties, political action committees, candidates, incumbents, even folks planning a candidate fundraiser should be too. The "terrifying" thing about Motl is that he insists everyone must adhere to state law. What a concept! Rep. Glimm's semi-hysterical but thankfully short message in the Montana Standard, May 23, indicated he doesn't understand Montana campaign finance and practices laws. Maybe a metaphorical story would edify Glimm. Carl, pretend you are in 7th grade. The halls feature posters about bullying being wrong and having consequences. There have been anti-bullying speakers, videos and class discussions all year long. You are in the hall with your friend Ted, a tough 7th grader. This little guy, Jimmy, comes along. Ted puts out a long leg, tripping Jimmy who falls flat. His glasses go flying. You and Ted laugh. A voice from behind you says, "Bullying is not allowed." Oh, nuts, it's Mr. Motl, the principal. He marches Ted off to the office. The consequence: Ted will not go on the 7th grade field trip Friday. You say, "That's not fair." Poor Carl. To you it's not fair, but to Mr. Motl breaking the rule has consequences. Get it? A friend who has been involved with local, state and national politics for years says Commissioner Motl is the best thing that's happened to Political Practices in decades. Because it's an appointed position, governors have named a lackluster series of Political Practices commissioners. "Some of them have taken the job because it's a nice way to retire and get paid for it," she observed. Gov. Steve Bullock was fortunate to have such a motivated person accept the commissioner post. Motl, a practicing attorney, actually wanted the challenge. Rep. Glimm whines that Motl is jeopardizing the public's political freedom. Excuse me? By pursuing Rep. Art Wittich, a Republican from Bozeman, who blatantly ignored the state's political reporting requirements by accepting "dark money," funds not reported from groups mostly not registered, Motl was following up on complaints received from other Republicans. After Wittich was found guilty by a jury on April 1 of "accepting corporate contributions and illegally coordinating his 2010 campaign with a web of secretive, outside groups," (MTN News), Wittich was indignant, not repentant. I feel kinda sorry for Rep. Glimm for his ignorance. At one time, I didn't understand Political Practices either. Off and on for several years I was the Butte-Silver Bow Democrat Central Committee's treasurer, taking over when the treasurer resigned due to family illness. That's when I found out about Political Practices, forms and filing dates. Local political committees have to file a form called the C-6. (Other forms are for political action committees, candidates, etc.) These reports are not just filed; they are sent (now electronically) to be reviewed by the capable Political Practices staff, headed by Mary Baker director of Candidate and Committee Services. If errors are found, the form must be "amended." My first C-6 went to Helena three times: the original, a second amended one then a third. The women in Political Practices demonstrate saintly patience as they carefully explain errors. Without their guidance, I would have been an absolute failure. The consequence for a committee not reporting fully and punctually is you cease to exist. Youre toast, terminated. Youd have to reorganize and reapply to continue your mission. But Political Practices follow-up is intense. If your committee fails to file and drops off their radar, a staffer contacts someone who might know what's going on. They don't give up easily. After all, their goal is to keep Montana's political process vibrant. Political Practices is dedicated to us, the people of Montana. If you want to take a look at what they do, browse their user-friendly website http://politicalpractices.mt.gov/ -- Zena Beth McGlashan, Butte, worked on newspapers in Montana, Colorado, New Mexico and California. She taught journalism at various universities before returning home to Butte where she is a freelance writer, editor and photographer. The Madison County Republican Central Committee is taking election-year aim at two area lawmakers it accuses of bucking the party platform and siding with Democrats on key issues in the Montana Legislature. Reps. Ray Shaw of Sheridan and Jeff Welborn of Dillon balk at the claims, saying they're Republicans who try to represent the best interests of all constituents and the state, not party bosses. Meanwhile, a former GOP lawmaker from Great Falls who now lives in Florida Jesse O'Hara is weighing into the party rift in Montana, accusing Republican committees in Madison and Cascade counties of breaking campaign finance laws. He's filed complaints with Jonathan Motl, the state's commissioner of political practices, who is looking into the claims. The local parties say they're following laws and are justified in holding GOP lawmakers accountable for voting against key planks of the party platform. And George Paul, chairman of the Cascade County GOP, says O'Hara is a Florida resident now and should butt out. The disputes are among the latest examples of the divide between many in Montana Republican Party politics. CLAIMS BY MADISON COUNTY GOP The latest rifts in Madison County surfaced earlier this month when the Madison County Republican Central Committee censured Shaw in a lengthy rebuke it ran as an ad in The Madisonian newspaper. It noted that the Montana GOP Central Committee had voted last year to join several GOP county committees including the one in Madison County challenging the state's open primary law. The lawsuit said open primaries allow Democrats and independent voters to cross over and influence election outcomes by diluting the votes of Republicans. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in early May, but eight county GOP committees, including Madison's, have appealed the case to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The censure which is simply a central committee's rebuke of someone says Shaw voted for a bill in 2015 that was meant to "undermine" the GOP's lawsuit against the primary system and put selection of precinct committee members in the state party's hands instead of keeping it with local parties. The censure also lists 10 votes Shaw took in the 2015 legislative session that "were in direct conflict with the Montana Republican Party platform." They included a bill to expand Medicaid and an appropriation bill that "increased state spending over 20 percent for the biennium" the censure said. Dan Happel, a member of the Madison County GOP, said Welborn joined Shaw in being among "Democrat light" Republicans who helped minority Democrats get key bills through the GOP-ruled Legislature. Happel said he was not at the meeting in which central committee members voted to censure Shaw, and if he had been, he would have tried to include Welborn in the party rebuke. Term limits prevent Welborn from seeking re-election to the House District 72 seat that covers Beaverhead County and a portion of Silver Bow County, but he is now running for the Senate District 36 seat that covers all of Beaverhead and Madison counties. Shaw is seeking re-election in House District 71, which includes Madison and parts of Jefferson and Silver Bow counties. On many votes, Happel said, Shaw and Welborn "don't support either the party platform for the state or for the county central committee." Cedar West, another member of the Madison County GOP, said Shaw and Welborn were simply more liberal than other Republicans. "They ran as Republicans; they should act like Republicans," West said. Happel said Donald Trump has tapped into anger GOP voters feel for continuously sending Republicans to Washington only to have them side with Democrats against principles such as private property rights and limited government. "What you are seeing at the national level with Trump is they don't trust our political class anymore," he said. SHAW, WELBORN RESPOND Shaw answered the claims in part through a letter to the editor that ran last week in The Montana Standard. It said that the ad by the Madison County committee "ran without any of the party bosses willing to put their name on it." "One of the main issues that this group of people is upset with me about is the fact that I voted for transparency and disclosure in exactly these types of activities," he wrote in the letter. It was one of many "Republican-sponsored bills" he was proud to support, he said. The budget bill was responsible, sponsored by a Republican, and supported by the Republican House speaker, he said. Shaw told The Standard this week the bill expanding Medicaid was vital to two critical care hospitals in his area and helped people who didn't have enough money to afford "huge insurance premiums." If Medicaid didn't pay for their care, everyone else would have to, he said. He supported many bills supported by constituents in his district, he said, including those to promote tourism in Virginia City and Nevada City. "People want their representatives and senators to do the right thing and listen to the people," Shaw said. "That is what we are elected to do, not run off on my own crazy ideas." Welborn said his Republican credentials are intact, evidenced in part by his votes for legislation supported by "conservative groups" in Montana such as the Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Farm Bureau, and Montana Chamber of Commerce. And, he said, Republican voters have elected him by large numbers for several years now. "I think my constituents appreciate the fact that I am willing to reach out and find solutions, and that is what Montana is for by and large and that is what I have delivered," he said. "I am willing to work with anyone with a solution. If it's a solution that works for Montana, it will take care of itself." ENTER JESSE O'HARA O'Hara served as a Republican state lawmaker from Great Falls in the 1970s and 80s and again from 2007 to 2014, his last year in office. He was one of several Republicans who joined with Democrats during the 2013 session to pass some bills that more conservative Republicans opposed. He also was a vocal critic of Republican Party officials he saw and continues to see as "the far right wing." He has filed complaints accusing the Madison County Central Committee of various campaign violations, including a failure to file forms showing contributions and expenditures and failing to identify candidates it supports and opposes. It is clear the party opposes Shaw, O'Hara says, because of the censure action and newspaper advertisement. Separate complaints say the Cascade Central Committee failed to disclose in-kind contributions to candidates for parade expenses and other costs and for filing forms stating they support all Republican candidates when they actually do not. Although O'Hara lives in Florida which caused controversy of its own two years ago he said he has friends and family in Montana, visits the state, and is still passionately concerned about the Republican Party here. Motl, the commissioner of political practices, said O'Hara's Florida residency does not bar him from filing complaints and that they are being investigated. O'Hara said he is simply trying to hold county Republican parties accountable. "A number of our central committees have been taken over by the far right, and then they put out these fundrasiers that say they support all Republicans when they don't," O'Hara said. "They pick and choose." He believes Trump's popularity stems from his refusal to take marching orders from national party bosses. O'Hara considers himself a "Ronald Reagan conservative Republican." "We can agree on 90 percent of the issues, but that is not good enough for the far-right people," he said. Happel said the Madison County committee does not support one candidate over another. "We are supportive of anyone who will follow the Constitution and follow the party platform," he said. "It is not our role to pick winners and losers, but it is our role to say we don't like it that somebody is running as a Republican but constantly voting against our party platform." As to not listing local party contributions and expenses, Marilyn West the treasurer for the Madison County GOP said she was new in her role but thought she had until May 31 to file the required forms. Paul, the chairman for the Cascade County GOP, said its parades and other activities are not to benefit any individual candidates they would occur no matter who was running. "We invite all the candidates," he said. He said he planned to meet with Motl this coming week to discuss any issues and concerns there might be. But he said O'Hara left his own political baggage behind when he moved to Florida and his claims from afar were "frivolous." If the Cascade committee erred, he said, it would have heard from Motl's office itself. "O'Hara is apparently trying to do the commission's job for them," he said. WAPELLO, Iowa Gary Marquardt, a Vietnam veteran, was one of the many volunteers who helped raise more than 200 flags in the Wapello Cemetery on Friday, and while reflecting on the sacrifices of veterans who had gone before, he also said he has hopes for the future. A member of the Wapello VFW Post 5166, Marquardt is from Oakville, but graduated from Wapello in 1964. He then went into the U.S. Navy 1965, and served until 1973. Marquardt, a past commander of the VFW in Iowa, said he hopes attention will be focused on remembering veterans who have passed away. "This is Memorial Day, a day to honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice, gave their lives for the country. Veterans Day is to honor present and past veterans, but this is when we honor our deceased. Don't come up and say thank you to me today, say thank you to the ones that came before me and passed on," he said. Marquardt said he felt the flag raising in Wapello was unique. "We put the names of deceased veterans on our flag, so I think that's somewhat different. This is one of the nicer cemeteries in the state," he said. As a veteran in Wapello, Marquardt said he is appreciative of the flags, as one day his name may be added to those recorded on them. "It makes you feel good that you'll be remembered," he said. But Marquardt said that one day, he hopes there will not be a need for many of the flags. "My hope is in the future we won't have to put any more of these flags up, we won't have any more combat veterans, that's my hope, no more combat veterans," he said. Marquardt said he also hoped to influence the way current veterans are treated to help make veterans feel welcome upon their return something that did not happen for him or many of his fellow soldiers following the Vietnam War. "It does me good today to see how the veterans coming back are treated. That was one of my goals, because the way we were treated when we came back in the '60s and '70s was not very well, and so that was one of my goals to make sure no veteran comes back today and is ever treated like the Vietnam vets were," he said. Marquardt passed on that hope to two of the Presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, in an effort to make that goal a reality. "I said the only thing I ask of the President, is treat your veterans as well as they treated you," he said, "All we can do is hope they remember." Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi [] 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 [] The SABC once again refuses to air the DAs election advertisements, the party said on Sunday. The SABC informed the DA that it has no available slots for political advertisements at this time due to delays in the IECs work with respect to the elections. This is nothing but a poor excuse by the SABC in order to censor the DAs political advertisement as has become standard during election time, DA spokesperson Phumzile van Damme said. The DA and indeed all political parties are well within their rights to air party political advertisements at this time as the election date has been proclaimed. In terms of Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) municipal election regulations, political parities are allowed to broadcast political advertisements during the election period. The election period is defined in the regulations as the period commencing with the date on which the election day is proclaimed. The election was proclaimed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Des van Rooyen, on 23 May 2016 meaning that, in terms of the law, South Africa is in election period and political parties are allowed to have their political advertisements broadcast. The commencement of the election period and the right of political parties to air their advertisments has been acknowledged by all other television and radio stations, the party said. The SABC is the only broadcaster that refuses to air the DAs adverts, said van Damme. Van Damme said the DA will be lodging a formal complaint with ICASA to stave off the SABCs attempt to abuse its power by attempting to censor the DA and protect the ANC from criticism. The DAs first election advert More on SABC SABC decision is not censorship: ANC SABC bans showing protests and destruction of property in South Africa How much the SABC spends on its choir the number will blow your mind The University of Cape Town was rated as SAs top university in the 2015 QS World University Rankings. UCTs pedigree was confirmed in the Times Higher Educations 2016 list of international universities, where it was ranked as one of the top 120 universities globally. As a world-class university, UCT attracts exceptional students. Many tech entrepreneurs studied at UCT, including Mark Shuttleworth, Roelof Botha, and Vinny Lingham. MyBroadband asked UCT who its most impressive current students in the sciences and technology fields are here is its list. Marcel du Plessis PhD student in the Department of Oceanography Marcel du Plessis has a BSc Honours, MSc, and is current completing his PhD. Marcel is currently determining how well we understand small-scale ocean flows and dynamics, which will help validate computer models to be able to accurately predict our future climate. His research is being peer-reviewed in a consortium of international journals, including Estuarine and Coastal Research and the Journal of Geophysical Research. He has also taken research visits to MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the US. Stephen Schlebusch PhD student in Molecular and Cell Biology Stephen Schlebusch has assembled the genomes of a range of diverse animals and plants from southern Africa, as well as contributed to the development of new methods for genome assembly in his PhD dissertation. Stephen has also contributed to a new method that links nearby DNA sequences during genome sequencing. This will allow researchers to fragment a genome down to 50kb fragments, and sequence those using Illumina sequencing, His research has already been published or accepted for publication in leading journals including Nature Genetics, Genetics, and Molecular Ecology. Maletsabisa Molapo PhD student in Computer Science Maletsabisa Molapo is doing her PhD on the co-design of a community health worker education and feedback system for rural Lesotho. She is the recipient of several grants and scholarships, teaches at the National University of Lesotho, and was recently recognized as a Queens Young Leader. Maletsabisa has also provided groups with solar power for lighting which benefits their work. Vincent Naude MSc student in Biological Sciences Vincent Naude was the top student in his honours year, has been on the Deans List, and is currently a Mandela-Rhodes Scholar. His MSc project is on the illegal trade in leopard skins for use in Christian religious ceremonies in KwaZulu-Natal. His work is funded by the American NGO Panthera and he has been the recipient of its Kaplan Graduate Award twice. His awards include the Sam Cohen Bursary for Academic Excellence, the Janet Goldblatt Award for Academic Merit, and the National Research Foundation Innovation Fellowship. Saachi Sadchatheeswaran PhD student in Invasion Biology Saachi Sadchatheeswarans research project involves fieldwork in the inter-tidal zone of rocky shores and the use of computer models to mimic organism shapes and represent complex systems. Her PhD project falls under the Centre for Invasion Biology at the University of Stellenbosch. In 2014, Saachi won an award at the centres annual research meeting for the best impromptu presentation by a PhD student. She was part of a team that won a biomimicry competition from FESTO and Biomimicy SA, beating 70 other teams. Adele Boadzo Electrical Engineering Masters graduate Adele Boadzo, a 2015 electrical engineering Masters graduate, has been selected as a 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow. She completed her BSc in electrical engineering in 2010 and her MSc in 2015. Her MSc focused on distributed renewable energy systems to electrify South Africas rural areas. Her research at UCT highlighted the importance of research in growing Africas knowledge and capabilities in the renewable energy sector. More on universities Dont study university degrees which will leave you unemployed How much it costs to send your child to private school and university in SA Wikipedias detractors will tell you that the site is inaccurate, incomplete and unreliable. Many universities wont allow students to use Wikipedia as a reference in essays or assignments. So it may come as a surprise to learn that its the most commonly used source for obtaining medical information online even among medical students and doctors. In fact, research has found that Wikipedia is more popular for this kind of information than reputable bodies websites including those belonging to the World Health Organisation and the USs Centres for Disease Control. In some settings, researchers have discovered, more than 90% of medical students and 50% of doctors turn to Wikipedia at some point. But the academic medical community largely views Wikipedia with suspicion. This appears to be because the site doesnt adhere to traditional peer-review mechanisms. Theres also no reward for a busy academic or medical practitioner who takes the time to improve existing Wikipedia pages and ensure that medical information is accurate. Some traditional journals and medical schools are starting to take Wikipedia more seriously, but we wanted to take things a step further by marrying Wikipedia and a traditional journal model. Thats how the Wikiversity Journal of Medicine was born. Attitudes starting to shift Most journals are expensive, hard to access and considered quite elite. They also arent read by very many people beyond academia and research houses. Research has suggested that medical journals need to increase their social impact by actively promoting knowledge sharing on sites like Wikipedia. This offers scope for people all over the world and from a variety of language groups to get more reliable information about health and medicine. Some journals have heeded this call. PLOSs Computational Biology, for instance, requires any author it publishes to also write a Wikipedia page on the topic. The journal article is static, referenced and unchanging. The Wikipedia page is changeable and invites contributions. Another journal, RNA Biology, requires the same approach. There have also been experiments that have seen a Wikipedia article put through traditional medical journal quality control processes. It is then formally published in the journal and the original Wikipedia article is updated. A few medical schools are embracing this new approach, too. The University of California San Francisco has introduced a course into its curriculum that teaches medical students how to contribute to Wikipedia. These are all laudable efforts that point to a growing open-access movement in the world of scholarly communication. Challenges and successes The Wikiversity Journal of Medicine, which was launched in 2014, is hosted directly by the Wikimedia Foundation, the same organisation that hosts Wikipedia. It uses the same software, MediaWiki, which makes editing and processing very easy. The whole service is free to authors and readers; as with Wikipedia our operating costs are covered by donations from around the world. The Wikiversity Journal of Medicine follows standard international best-practice guidelines for medical journals, drawing from such reputable bodies as the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Submission and acceptance follow the traditional medical journal processes, including peer-review by experts on the topic thats being written about. One important difference is that authors have the option of submitting their article directly onto the journals site. This option was designed to enhance transparency and has been taken up by some authors. Others have been more hesitant, as other journals may consider a paper thats on Wikiversity to be already publicly available and may reject it as a result. The editorial board includes people from three continents: Africa, North America and Europe. Among them are the editor-in-chief, Swedens Dr Mikael Haggstrom. Hes made extensive image contributions to Wikipedia for example, the sites Ebola page features his images. Dr James Heilman is another board member. Hes arguably the worlds leading expert on Wikipedia and medicine. So far the journal has published 16 articles about diverse medical topics. We believe that the journals association with Wikipedia has created the false notion that anyone can edit an accepted journal manuscript. There are two versions of each published article. One is a PDF that cannot be edited and stands as the version of record. The second is a wiki and can be edited by anyone. The board monitors these edits. The journals model has potential, though. A US physics professor, Guy Vandegrift, has established a second wiki-based journal. This, along with the broader debate around open access to medical information, suggests that the Wikiversity Journal of Medicine provides a feasible, scalable and sustainable model. Of course, it should not be the only source of information in the same way that no single article in any format should ever be ones only source. We hope that even if medical experts and researchers dont contribute to the journal, they will start to take Wikipedia more seriously and, where necessary, to improve it so that people have access to more reliable information. Such initiatives can, we believe, help to further address the profound inequities in the global knowledge economy that greatly hamper public health. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. More on Wikipedia Wikipedias 10 longest featured articles Wikipedia editors revolt against new trustee (AP) The Latest on the boy who fell into a gorilla exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo (all times local): 2:20 p.m. Visitors are leaving flowers at a gorilla statue inside the Cincinnati zoo one day after security officers killed a gorilla that had grabbed a boy who fell into the exhibit. The zoo's Gorilla World exhibit remained closed Sunday, but the rest of the zoo is open. One father says he was shocked that a 4-year-old boy was able to get past a fence outside the gorilla habitat. Zoo officials say the boy fell about 10 feet into a moat where one the gorillas stood over the youngster. One witness says she heard the boy say he wanted to jump into the water. Zoo officials say its special animal response team shot and killed the gorilla 10 minutes after the boy fell because they felt his life was in danger. ___ 10:30 a.m. Video from the moments after a 4-year-old boy fell into a gorilla exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo shows one of the gorillas standing over the boy in a shallow moat. Frantic screaming can be heard in the background, including a woman yelling "Mommy's right here" and "Mommy loves you." Video taken by zoo visitors Saturday shows the 17-year-old gorilla grab at the boy before dragging him. Zoo officials say its special animal response team shot and killed the gorilla 10 minutes after the boy fell because they felt his life was in danger. Firefighters then rescued the boy who was in a hospital and is expected to recover. One witness says she tried to grab the boy before he fell after seeing him in bushes beyond a fence around the exhibit. ___ 12:30 a.m. The Cincinnati Zoo has temporarily closed its gorilla exhibit after a special zoo response team shot and killed a 17-year-old gorilla that grabbed and dragged a 4-year-old boy who fell into a moat. Zoo officials say the boy fell after he climbed through a public barrier at the Gorilla World exhibit Saturday afternoon. He was picked up out of the moat and dragged by the gorilla for about 10 minutes. Authorities say the child, who has not been identified, fell 10 to 12 feet. He was taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, where he's expected to recover. Zoo Director Thane Maynard says the zoo's dangerous animal response team decided the boy was in "a life-threatening situation" and that they needed to put down the 400-pound-plus male gorilla named Harambe. This website is intended for U.S. visitors only. This is a pivotal election, not only for our nation, but particularly for California, and Napa County. In this critical time, its important that we elect leaders who can deliver tangible results. We need teamwork and collaboration. We need someone who builds bridges, not barriers. Thats why Assemblymember Bill Dodd has my full support for state Senate. In his time in the Assembly, Bill Dodd has passed some of the most influential legislation California has seen in years. Bill Dodd is leading the way to provide relief for victims of the Valley Fire and the South Napa Earthquake. He has helped advance equal pay legislation to give California the strongest gender pay laws in the nation. He partnered with Rep. Mike Thompson to help protect the Berryessa Snow Mountain wilderness for future generations. We need action in Sacramento. We need leaders who are willing to reach across the aisle and work together to find creative solutions to our challenges. Leaders who understand local governance. Leaders with a proven track record and reputation to build consensus. Bill Dodd is that type of leader. Please join me in voting to elect Bill Dodd for state Senate on June 7. Belia Ramos, City Councilmember, American Canyon There is no debate: Dan Wolk is the most qualified candidate for state Assembly, not only because of his platforms to better the community as a whole, but because of his morale that has been proven in his leadership as the mayor of Davis and Assistant Solano County Attorney. Dan is the only progressive Democrat in the primaries, and the only candidate officially endorsed by the California Democratic Party. Dan has a deep-rooted connection to the area. Because of this insight, he is more devoted to the upward progress of the district. Dan has been an effective leader through all his positions of leadership; he is able to make effective decisions for current issues, and progressive actions to better the future. Dans main priorities are to represent the people of the district. He will continue to rally in support for clean energy, womens rights, education, and fighting for the middle class. As mayor, Dan has exhibited problem-solving strategies in order to assist peoples needs, and stand by his core goals. For instance, he promotes creation of more renewable sources of energy. He played a key role in changing Davis from ground to surface water: a higher quality of water to ensure the safety of the people residing in the area. To fight for the middle class, Dan formed the Legal Clinic of Yolo County to protect the services for families struggling with unemployment. As a father of two young girls, Wolk aims to foster a society that has more respect for women in the workplace, in a womans right to choose, and for overall better healthcare. Additionally, Dan believes in a better investment in the next generation through funding our education system by promoting universal pre-school to higher education. From these few instances, it is clear that Dans priorities are to fully represent the people. Dan has proven to be an effective and strong leader for the people he serves, and will continue to do so if voted into the Assembly. For these reasons, I will be voting for Dan Wolk for state Assembly, and I hope you will too. Madeline Ong Davis The Indian government on Sunday announced that it would arrange the transportation of Masunda Oliver, the African national who was brutally killed in the national capital, back to his home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "In the unfortunate death of Mr. Masunda Oliver, the Government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. Meanwhile, four more isolated cases of alleged attacks on African nationals have emerged from the National capital. The Delhi Police said that all the four isolated incidents of alleged attack happened last Thursday itself in Mehrauli area. Police have claimed that these are four separate incidents which have nothing to do with the violence against Indians in Congo, following the youth's murder in Vasant Kunj area here. Following the death of the Congolese student, the government kicked into action while assuring that they were committed to the security of national nationals in the country. The MEA said in a statement that India deeply values its relations with foreign students, particularly those from Africa, with which the country has had a historically close relationship and asserted it will be ensured that the African students continue to find a welcome home in India and such unfortunate incidents do not recur. (ANI) Amid the emerging cases of attacks on African nationals in the country, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and New Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung yesterday and was assured of swift justice to the guilty. "I have spoken to Shri Raj Nath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon," Swaraj tweeted. She also said that a sensitization campaign will soon be launched in areas where African nationals reside. Earlier today, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that it would arrange the transportation of Masunda Oliver, the African national who was brutally killed in the national capital, back to his home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "In the unfortunate death of Mr. Masunda Oliver, the Government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that it would arrange the transportation of African national Masunda Oliver, who was brutally killed in the national capital, back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "In the unfortunate death of Mr. Masunda Oliver, the Government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. Meanwhile, four more isolated cases of alleged attacks on African nationals have emerged from the national capital. The Delhi Police said that all the four isolated incidents of alleged attacks happened last Thursday in Mehrauli area. Following the death of the Congolese student, the government kicked into action while assuring that they were committed to the security of national nationals in the country. (ANI) A Parliamentary Panel has recommended the Ministry of Urban Development to include Chandni Chowk and some other areas in Delhi as the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) city in the next phase. The Standing Committee on Urban Development in its latest report said it was surprised to note that Delhi, the Capital of India, which has impressive cultural and heritage value besides being marked of glorious historic significance has not been included under HRIDAY Scheme. The panel noted that the Ministry of Urban Development has launched the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme on January 21 last year, with a focus on holistic development of heritage cities with the aim to preserve and revitalise soul of the heritage city to reflect the city's unique character by encouraging aesthetically appealing, accessible, informative and secured environment. Over a duration of 27 months and a total outlay of Rs 500 Crore, the Scheme is being implemented in 12 identified Cities namely, Ajmer, Amaravati, Amritsar, Badami, Dwarka, Gaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi, Velankanni and Warangal. The scheme is implemented in a mission mode. The Committee appreciated that this Scheme supports development of core heritage infrastructure projects which will include revitalisation of urban infrastructure for areas around heritage identified sites. The Scheme supports development of core heritage infrastructure projects which will include revitalisation of urban infrastructure for areas around heritage assets identified / approved by the Ministry of Culture, and State Governments. These initiatives will include development of water supply, sanitation, drainage, waste management, approach roads, footpaths, street lights, tourist conveniences, electricity wiring, landscaping and such citizen services. The main objective of HRIDAY is to preserve character of the soul of heritage city and facilitate inclusive heritage linked urban development by exploring various avenues including involving private sector. Rs 500 crore would be provided to the 12 cities selected in the first phase under the 'Central Scheme' of HRIDY and the central government will meet the entire expenditure under the scheme. UNI NY ADG PM1040 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0099-757646.Xml The team will visit a company in the Czech Republic that has "mastered the technology". According to officials here today, the team is to study the technology and inspect the firm's operations to see if it could be applied back home at the local level. Several Municipal Corporations have been working to develop a garbage disposal system for a long time and have been looking at ways to produce electricity out of waste. Multinational company Spark of Czech Republic had offered the best deal and the company is providing its services in 12 other countries at present. The team has a multinational itinerary on its way to study the new tech. The delegation will first visit Germany to attend an exhibition on water and sewage systems, before heading for Prague. According to sources, the state government has a plan of implementing waste to energy systems in Agra, Lucknow, Bareilly, Allahabad and Rampur in the first phase, for which Mr Khan might sign a formal contract with the firm during the visit.UNI MB ADG PM1057 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-757883.Xml A police outpost in the district was raided yesterday evening by a gang in which one police constable was injured, police said today. API GK Matondkar of Ganeshpuri police station told UNI that five persons including two women had been arrested in this connection with the incident.He said that the group of persons from the village came to the Palakne outpost under the pretext of giving a complaint regarding the construction of the compound wall of a Goshala.Instead of giving the complaint, they attacked the police outpost with stones aimed at the PSI RG Patil who was present in the police outpost. The stones missed the officer and smashed the glass panes of the window.They also entered the police outpost and manhandled the police officer and the policeman on duty Govind Ware who was injured in the incident and was hospitalized, the police alleged.Taking advantage that there was no women police posted at the time of the incident, the female members as well as men also damaged the chairs and other furniture and ransacked theoutpost, the police said.The five have been charged under sections 143, 147, 353, 332, 323, 504 and 506 of the IPC, the police added.The police gave the names of the arrested as Ganesh Gode, Abhijeet Rane, Sanjay Patil, Suvarna Sanjay Patil, and Anjana Rane (sister of Abhijeet).The local police are carrying out further probe into the crime, the police added.UNI XR HK SHK 1125 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-757861.Xml A five-year-old girl was killed when a woman who was vexed over her husband's liquor drinking habits jumped into a well along with her two daughters at Awasar in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind district, police said. Pravendra Jatav (45) was addicted to alcohol. Often, he used to go home drunk and beat up his wife Kasturi. Yesterday,Pravendra thrashed her in drunken stupor. Incensed, Kasturi jumped into a well along with her two daughters Halchal (7) and Monty (5). Labourers working in nearby farm saw them and pulled them out with the help of villagers. Monty died in the incident. Kasturi and Halchal were admitted to hospital.UNI XC-PS ADG PM1255 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0044-757921.Xml Mr Sonowal, on his maiden trip to hometown Dibrugarh after taking over as the first BJP CM of any north eastern state, had boarded the Rajdhani Express here last evening. He was accompanied by his security personnel and officials on the train trip, which was part of Mr Sonowal's decision to remain connected with the people and save expenses. As the train approached Chaparmukh station in central part of the state, miscreants pelted stones on the passing train. Railway police acted promptly and apprehended six of the miscreants, who reportedly confessed to the crime, claiming that it was an drunken act and they were not aware that the chief minister was travelling in that train. Mr Sonowal's journey continued without any further interruption and he reached Dibrugarh around 0430 hours this morning. He was given a rousing welcome by local officials and general public at the railway station. He is scheduled to review the situation in eastern and central parts of the state with deputy commissioners and superintendents of police at Dibrugarh and address a RSS meeting also. UNI SG KK ADG NS1232 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0212-757971.Xml Having a Lok Sabha presence now from two states, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is planning to contest elections from a few other states too to be able to get national party status by the year 2019. "The idea that TDP should struggle to achieve national status figured in the discussions, but no decision has been taken," Jayadev Galla, TDP leader who represents Guntur constituency in the Lok Sabha, told IANS on Saturday here during the party's 'Mahanadu' (annual convention). He said the party already has Lok Sabha members from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and is required to represent at least one more state in the lower house of parliament in order to be eligible for the national status. The candidates for expanding the party's base are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha which have substantial presence of Telugu speaking people, Galla said. "Now we will be open to exploring how we should go about it. No final decision has been taken either to contest in one state or the other," he said. The issue of the TDP making its presence felt in other states and achieving national status figured prominently in the second day's deliberations at the Mahanadu here on Saturday. The party currently has 16 Lok Sabha members: 15 from Andhra Pradesh and one -- Ch. Malla Reddy representing Malkajgiri -- from Telangana. During the deliberations, senior party leader and union Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapati Raju recalled the "tough days" of regional parties at the national level and how the TDP was able to secure the opposition party status in the Lok Sabha in 1984. "I still remember the days when our leader and TDP founder N.T. Rama Rao raised the importance of Centre-state relations and later brought in the constitution of Sarkaria Commission. The recommendations of the commission still remain an important feature of India's federal structure," he said. Party leader Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy said there was a special place for the TDP in the national politics ever since NTR, as Rama Rao was popularly known, took the initiative to form the National Front. TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recalled the politics of 1984 in the Lok Sabha when Bharatiya Janata Party's strength was just two and the TDP was the major opposition party. "TDP has experienced all kinds of experiments at the national level. My father-in-law and founder of TDP, N.T. Rama Rao, joined hands with all kinds of political forces to fight a mighty Congress," said Naidu. "He created National Front. This ended with V.P. Singh becoming prime minister. Then we worked for United Front and we had two prime ministers (H.D. Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral)," he said. Naidu said he supported the Vajpayee government (1999-2004) and floated in 2008 United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) with the Samajwadi Party's Mulayam Singh Yadav and others. "This third front UNPA did not do well and I am back in BJP-led NDA now. Our MPs are ministers in the Centre and BJP leaders are ministers in my government," he noted. --IANS nd/kb/vt ( 523 Words) 2016-05-29-13:48:04 (IANS) The lab reports from Hyderabad mentioned that high content of spurious liquor was present in his blood samples. The police team probing the death of the actor reportedly got the lab report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Hyderabad. Earlier, a lab report had stated that toxic pesticide Chlorpyrifos was there in Mani's body, which was ruled out in the report. Mani passed away at a hospital in Kochi on March 6. The 45 year old had been hospitalised for liver ailment where he was admitted in the ICU in a critical condition. (ANI) Having been in power for nearly 10 years at a stretch may have given a lot of political and administrative experience to Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, but the outfit seems to be becoming 'religious minded' as the state's assembly polls draw closer. The party's government in the state is already in the middle of a major exercise to offer religious junkets to nearly 125,000 people. The 'Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme' (Chief Minister's Pilgrimage scheme) for providing free pilgrimage to various sacred places across India will cost the Punjab exchequer nearly Rs.190 crore. The scheme, being implemented with political and religious fanfare, was approved by the Punjab cabinet in November 2015. People are being taken on special trains and buses for pilgrimage to locations like Nanded Sahib (Maharashtra), Varanasi, Katra (Mata Vaishno Devi) and Ajmer Sharif. "Under the scheme, 1,050 people from each of Punjab's 117 assembly constituencies are being offered this facility of free travel to these pilgrimage centres. Food and lodging needs are also being taken care of," a senior officer in Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's office told IANS. Last month, Punjab deputy chief minister and Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, in a clear move to appease radical and religious leaders, offered prayers at the 'Bluestar' memorial inside the Golden Temple complex. The Akali Dal, its leadership and the Punjab government had, so far, kept itself away from the controversial memorial built by radicals to commemorate "martyrs" in the Army's 'Operation Bluestar' in 1984. Separatist leaders Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who was killed in the army operation and others are listed as "martyrs" at the memorial. While All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) president Karnail Singh Peermohammed welcomed the move, radical Sikh organisation Dal Khalsa saw a political motive behind it. "This appears to be an attempt to woo Sikh hardliners ahead of the 2017 assembly polls. Sukhbir Badal wants to prove his Panthic credentials," Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh said. The opposition Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) -- which is posing a serious challenge to the Akali-BJP alliance and the Congress, ahead of the assembly polls - are accusing the Akali Dal of using religion, especially the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), for its political interests. "The Akali Dal has been exposed in the way it has used religion to hide its wrong deeds like corruption, vested interests in Sikh bodies like SGPC, goondagardi," AAP leader Sanjay Singh told IANS. The Akali Dal has full control over the SGPC, the mini-parliament of Sikh religion which manages Sikh shrines, including the Golden Temple complex. The SGPC has an annual budget of Rs.1,200 crore. The Badal government faced testing times last year in August-September when a series of incidents of desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib led to protests and violence in different parts of Punjab. The Akali Dal leadership blamed it on anti-Panthic (anti-Sikh community) forces and religious prayers were started across the state to defuse the situation. --IANS js/bim ( 508 Words) 2016-05-29-14:58:03 (IANS) Police arrested a dreaded naxalite from his hideout near Indo-Nepal border under Gobarhiya police station area in West Champaran district this morning.Police Superintendent of Bagaha Anand Kumar said here that police nabbed the extremist of outlawed CPI (Maoist) Dwarika Mahto from the dense jungle in the district. Police recovered naxal literature from the possession of the Maoist, carrying an award of Rs 25,000 on his head. The nabbed extremist was involved in a number of Naxal activities including blowing up a newly constructed building under Gobardhana police station area in the district. An intensive interrogation of the outlaw is on to get vital clues from him.UNI XC DH KK JW AE BD1602 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0212-758181.Xml Attacking the Congress for spreading what it said was false propaganda against the government, the BJP said on Sunday that the opposition party was unable to digest the fact that the country was progressing under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Congress stands exposed today. It has given this country nothing but problems and we are trying to find solutions to those problems. But we are confident that the public will not be swayed by this false propaganda of the Congress," BJP national secretary Srikant Sharma said in a statement here. He said the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set an example for others. "The previous UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government failed on all fronts. However, not a single case of corruption has come out (against Modi government) in the last two years. Even the opposition could not get anything against us. We have set an example for others," he said. Reacting to senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram's statement on the status of job creation in the country, Sharma said he is a "failed" leader. "He (Chidambaram) is a failed leader of the earlier UPA government. It is because of his frustration that he is putting such questions on this government," Sharma said. The BJP leader said: "Skill India, Start-up India and Stand-up India are some of the schemes launched by this government that have provided lots of employment opportunities to the youth." Sharma said the Modi government had tried to change the country's direction in the last two years. "This government ensured economic development with public welfare. It has been successful in its attempt of all-round development of the country," he said. The NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government celebrated its second anniversary with a gala affair at the India Gate lawns here on Saturday. --IANS av-bns/tsb/vt ( 313 Words) 2016-05-29-17:56:02 (IANS) Vice-President M Hamid Ansari accompanied by a high-level delegation leaves tomorrow on a five-day visit to Morocco and Tunisia The three-day visit to Morocco beginning tomorrow is intended to further develop and diversify profile of bilateral economic cooperation and explore new avenues of co-operation and partnership on a range of issues of shared common interest. Amar Sinha, Secretary Economic Relations, Ministry of External Affairs briefing mediapersons here today said both the countries were ''key partners in our food security because there is tremendous dependence on phosphoric fertilisers in India and in both these countries we have investments from private sector.'' Besides, India's car and truck manufacturers were also looking at the market as it was a ''very prospective market''. Among the issues that the Indian delegation will be discussing besides regional issues, was how to strengthen the country's outreach to Africa generally, and Morocco which was a gateway to francophone Africa. He will discuss with the Moroccan and Tunisisan leadership issues of terrorism, expansion of U N Security Council, investments in private sector, ways to strengthen outreach to North Africa and regional matters. Dr Ansari, who is accompanied by his wife Salma Ansari, will set the ball rolling by his trip to Moroccobeginning tomorrow which is the first follow up of the high level India-Africa summit held in October last, where the King of Morocco himself had come for a week and Tunisia was represented by a Minister. During his visit to the North African country, Dr Ansari will hold discussions in Rabat with King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane. Speakers of both Houses of Moroccan Parliament and the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation of Morocco would call on the visiting leader while in the second leg of his visit to Morocco, he will visit the city of Marrakesh where he would be hosted by the Governor of Marrakesh, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.More UNI SD AE 1714 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0005-758379.Xml Lauding the sincere efforts and performances of the doctors in the Government Medical College and Hospital despite several constraint, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured to bring the GMCH in the list of top level medical institutions in the country. Mr Fadnavis said his government would support the college with best possible infrastructure to make it the best institution of the country in the next three to five years. Three intensive care units of 30 beds each in medicine, surgery and gynaecology have also been proposed to be set up, he informed.Dedicating the Trauma Centre to the public at GMCH, Mr Fadnavis promised to raise the standard of the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and bring the best health care facilities to the city. The TC would cater for entire Central India and not just Vidarbha. It is expected to provide both the medical treatment as well as rehabilitation to the affected patient. To set up the trauma centre, Rs18 crore was provided by the state for its buildings and Rs27 crore by the Centre for equipment.Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said about 5 lakh accidents take place every year of which 1.68 lakh patients die and 3 lakh patients become disabled. He suggested every state government to spend at least 10 per cent of its road funds in correcting the 'accident prone spots'. Mr Fadnavis informed that the Central government is providing 1,000 well equipped ambulances in the country on highways which besides carry four specialist doctors and all life saving equipment will also have a powerful cutter which can cut the vehicles like car, buses truck to pull out accident victims trapped in them.Mr Gadkari suggested the state government to modify its transfer policy so that doctors can stay in their hometowns for at least 20 years. UNI RS PK JW AE 1743 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0364-758431.Xml Delhi Police today arrested two people and detained three others in connection with an assault on African nationals in South Delhi's Mehrauli area. According to the police sources, three separate cases have been registered in connection with an incident that took place in Mehrauli on Thursday night. The police action followed the incident that took place due to a dispute over African nationals playing loud music and others indulging in a scuffle over public drinking. As many as six African nationals were injured in the incidents. These incidents occurred after 23-year-old Congolese national M K Oliver was murdered in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj area last week. India gave full assurance for safety and security of all African nationals when envoys of different African nations expressed shock over the murder of the Congolese national. UNI SM AE 1807 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0364-758488.Xml Unidentified miscreants injured four persons and looted cash worth about Rs 60,000 near Bhatua village under Harla police station of this district.Police said late last night, the miscreants looted 10 people on the spot. They also thrashed up four persons who resisted their move. The injured were later shifted to a local hospital.Further probe was on, police said, adding that no arrests have been made so far.UNI XC-AK AKM AKC VN1940 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-758482.Xml Jharkhand Food and Civil Supplies Minister Saryu Rai has said the Damodar river is being most polluted by BCCL and SAIL of which he had concrete proofs and added that he himself would be taking up the matter with the Union Coal Minister. Mr Rai, who is also the convenor of the Damodar Bachao Andolan, told reporters at the circuit house here that he himself has witnessed the condition of the river at Sindri and Chasnala and at both the places the river is heavily polluted. "The BCCL and SAIL are responsible for it as they dispose off the polluted waters of the washeries directly into the river," he said, adding that an year ago, both the companies had promised to the union minister that they would not be polluting the river. Mr Rai demanded that both the companies should spend funds from their CSR heads for reducing the pollution in the river. Over the problems being faced in implementation of the food security act throughout the state, he said soon a mini godown would be built in every village. He said, 35 lakh new ration cards have been built which would be distributed among the those people who do not have the ration cards in the next 15 days. He said the state government to provide ration to all whether they belong to the APL of BPL families. He said, PDS shop owners who would indulge in irregularities would be severely dealt with. UNI XC-AK AKM AE RK1945 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-758710.Xml A special police team arrested two members of an inter state gang including the kingpin and recovered a huge cache of firearms from them at Gayaspur village under Siswan police station in the district late last night. Police Superintendent of Siwan Saurabh Kumar Shah told newspersons here that Rais Khan, the gang leader and his shooter Aftab Mian were arrested, when they were planning to commit some crime. At least 46 cases of kidnapping, murder, loot and extortion had been lodged against Rais in different districts of the state and Delhi. He was also carrying an award of Rs 50,000 on his head. A number of hand grenades, one carbine, magazine and pistol each, and 51 live cartridges were recovered from their possession. The police also recovered four motorcycles, five mobile phone sets and Rs 1.12 lakh in cash from the spot. An intensive interrogation of nabbed outlaws is on to get vital clues from them. UNI XC-DH AKM AKC RJ RK2020 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-758784.Xml Former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi today countered the claim of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on taking swift action against criminals involved in therecent sensational cases and came out with a list of cases of political killings, in which no accused had been arrested so far. Mr Kumar while addressing a function in Muzaffarpur yesterday had dared the opposition parties to name any incident of other states, where such a stringent action was taken against culprits, while referring to the murder case of a journalist in Siwan and road rage killing in Gaya. Mr Modi here said that Mr Kumar was making a hollow claim that his government had taken stern action against the culprits involved in sensational killings. A senior BJP leader Bisheshwar Ojha was killed in Bhojpur district recently, but both the main accused in the case were still roaming about and police remained only a mute spectator, he added. "Haresh Mishra and Umakant Mishra, involved in Bisheshwar Ojha murder case, had conversation with a senior RJD leader on the day of killing and call records of their cell phones also established the fact, but police did not arrest them so far", Mr Modi said, adding that they had not even been interrogated in this connection. The former deputy chief minister said that a senior LJP leader Brijnathi Singh was killed under Bakhtiyarpur police station area in Patna district in the recent past, but criminals involved in murder were still at large. Main accused in the case Subodh Rai was closely associated with RJD leader Bhola Rai, he alleged. UNI KKS AKM RJ VN2147 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-758970.Xml The All Nagaland Cooperative Societies Federation (ANCSF) has urged the state cooperatives department to expedite the implementation of Centrally sponsored scheme, Integrated co-operative development project (ICDP) in five districts of the state. In a statement, ANCSF president Kedou Wetsah said it has been observed that the economy of the cooperatives societies have been remarkably boosted in three districts where ICDP scheme has been implemented. The ANCSF further appealed to the authority concerned and the state government to lift the blanket ban imposed on NCDC scheme since 2000 by the cabinet. The government had lifted the ban for a period of one year in 2005. The ANCSF maintained that banning such Centrally sponsored scheme only brings negative impact on the economy of the state and deprives the opportunity of able co-operative societies to venture into activities in different fields, the statement added. UNI AS AKM RJ VN2247 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-758937.Xml While Congress made nominee, its senior leader and vice-president of state unit Tanveer Akhtar, the BJP central leadership cleared the name of Arjun Sahni for council election. BJP is contesting on two of the seven seats, while Congress will contest only on one seat depending on chances of winning of their candidates, as per given strength in THE Bihar Legislative Assembly. A senior party leader and outgoing MLC Harendra Pratap is also to get chance for renomination by BJP, while Mr Sahni is a new face. The RJD has not announced its candidates so far and JD(U) decided to send C P Sinha and outgoing Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Rasool Baliyavi to upper house of Bihar legislature. Mr Baliyavi would have consolation in getting berths of Legislative Council as he was not given ticket for Rajya Sabha due to constraint of the JD(U) to be capable of only its two leaders to upper house of the parliament. Election to seven seats of Bihar Legislative Council is slated for June 10. UNI KKS RD RJ RK2240 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-758992.Xml There was confusion and chaos at world famous ski resort of Pahalgam, where hundreds of vehicles got stuck in a massive traffic jam for hours this evening. We remained stranded at a place for more than two and half hours due to massive traffic jam at main Pahalgam, a tourist from Srinagar told UNI over phone. He said there was free for all and drivers were taking any route they wish as not a single traffic police official could be seen to control the traffic. However, few traffic police personnel were seen at main chowk, he said. He said a large number of tourists besides locals in hundreds of vehicles had arrived at the famed health resort today. However, when the people started leaving for their respective destinations, including Srinagar this evening, there was massive traffic jam at main Pahalgam market and other places. After more than two and half hours we have now started moving at 2020 hrs at a snails pace, tourists said adding it will take more than three to four hours to clear the traffic. UNI BAS AKC RJ VN2347 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-758938.Xml Until now the Facebook had kept its ads limited to people who were signed up to the site, but now the social networking giant is going to start tracking and showing ads to people across the internet. The move by Facebook is in a bid to compete with sites like Google, the Independent quoted the Wall Street Journal. "Publishers and app developers have some users who aren't Facebook users. We think we can do a better job powering those ads," Andrew Bosworth, who runs Facebook's ads and business platform, told the Wall Street Journal. "Because we have a core audience of over a billion people who we do understand, we have a greater opportunity than other companies using the same type of mechanism," Bosworth said. (ANI) Sunni politicians in Iraq condemned today a visit by Iranian General Qassem Soleimani to Shi'ite paramilitary forces fighting alongside the Iraqi army to drive Islamic State militants out of the Sunni city of Falluja.Three lawmakers from the province of Anbar told Reuters the visit by Iran's al-Quds brigade commander could fuel sectarian tension and cast doubt on Baghdad's assertions that the offensive is an Iraqi-led effort to defeat Islamic State, and not to settle scores with the Sunnis.Falluja, which lies about 50 kilometers west of Baghdad, is a bastion of the insurgency that fought the US occupation of Iraq and the Shi'ite-led authorities that replaced former Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein, a Sunni.In recent days, Iranian media published pictures of what they said was a visit by Soleimani to Falluja and a meeting he held with the leaders of the Iraqi coalition of Shi'ite militias known as Popular Mobilization, or Hashid Shaabi.It is the second time Soleimani has appeared in Iraqi conflict zones. About a year ago, witnesses said he was present when Popular Mobilization fighters ousted Islamic State militants from cities north of the capital.An Iraqi government spokesman did not confirm Soleimani's visit and stressed that Iranian advisors are present in Iraq in order to assist in the war on Islamic State (IS) in the same capacity as those of the US-led anti-IS coalition.Member of parliament (MP) Hamid al-Mutlaq rejected that, however."We are Iraqis and not Iranians," he said. "Would Turkish or Saudi advisers be welcomed to assist in the battle?" he added, drawing a parallel between the three regional powers bordering Iraq -- mainly-Sunni Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and Shi'ite Iran."Soleimani's presence is suspicious and a cause for concern; he is absolutely not welcome in the area," said Falluja parliamentarian Salim Muttar al-Issawi."I believe that the presence of such an official from the (Iranian) Revolutionary Guard could have sectarian implications," said another MP from the city, Liqaa Wardi.Falluja was the first city captured by Islamic State in Iraq in January 2014, and is the second-largest still held by the militants after Mosul, their de-facto capital.The Association of Muslim Scholars of Iraq, a hardline political organization formed after Saddam's ouster to represent Sunnis, rejected the participation of the Shi'ite militias in the fighting in Falluja."The militias ... didn't come to liberate areas, as they claim, but to carry out their sectarian goals with direct guidance from Iran," it said in a statement yesterday.Meanwhile, rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia traded accusations over Soleimani's role in Iraq."The presence of Iran's military advisers in Iraq under the command of General Qassem Soleimani is at the request of the country's legitimate government in order to fight terrorists," an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said, according to the Fars news agency.Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir was quoted as telling Russia's RT channel Soleimani's presence in Iraq was "very negative."REUTERS AKC BD1939 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-757452.Xml Venezuela's opposition and top government officials said they met with a group of mediators in the Dominican Republic to lay the groundwork for a dialogue amid a political standoff and a deepening economic crisis.The OPEC nation is suffering a severe recession due to low oil prices and a collapsing socialist economic model. President Nicolas Maduro is locked in a standoff with the legislature after the opposition won a sweeping majority last year.Both sides on yesterday said they met with former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and former presidents Martin Torrijos of Panama and Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic. On Friday, the US State Department announced Secretary of State John Kerry had spoken to Zapatero to welcome the initiative and said that the United States stood ready to help the mediators..The opposition's Democratic Unity coalition said its representatives told the mediators that any talks with the government would have to include discussion of a recall referendum on Maduro's rule, the release of jailed opposition leaders, foreign humanitarian assistance to cope with chronic shortages and respect for laws passed by the congress."These points were taken by the ex-presidents to the representatives of the ruling party, with whom there has been no direct encounter whatsoever," the coalition said in a statement. "This has been an encounter with the mediators.Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez wrote via Twitter that government officials had also met with the same mediators."The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela informs that it has held the first encounters for a dialogue between the government and the opposition," wrote Rodriguez.Opposition leaders have been deeply skeptical of talks with the government, describing them as a stalling mechanism that would allow Maduro to gain time.Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, who is leading the recall push, said in an interview this week that the only way to resolve the crisis was through a vote.The two sides held talks in 2014 amid months of violent anti-government street protests that left more than 40 people dead. Both sides agree that the dialogue did not produce any substantive agreements.Opposition leaders accuse the National Electoral Council of stalling their effort to recall Maduro, whose popularity in March dropped to 27 per cent according to local pollster Datanalisis.They also say the ruling Socialist Party has used a pro-government Supreme Court to shoot down nearly every law passed by Congress since the opposition won a two-thirds majority of seats in December.Maduro insists his government is the victim of an "economic war" led by business leaders with the backing of Washington, which has been an ideological adversary of Caracas since the presidency of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez. REUTERS SDR KU 0407 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-757821.Xml The US missile shield to be located in Poland does not pose a threat to Russia's security, Poland's state-run news agency PAP quoted Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski as saying today.Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Poland and Romania could find themselves in the sights of Russian rockets because they are hosting elements of a US missile shield that Moscow considers a threat to its security."President Putin should know very well that the anti-missile shield in Poland has no relevance to Russian security. This system is to defend Europe from a missile attack from the Middle East," Waszykowski told PAP in an interview published today."However, the military presence (in Poland) of the Americans and multinational NATO forces is a response to indeed aggressive behaviour by the Russian authorities, who are frightening us. This will be a presence of a defensive nature, not posing a threat to Russia."REUTERS PS AN1616 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-758283.Xml Five Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and four wounded in the past 24 hours as a result of attacks by pro-Russian rebels in separatist eastern regions, Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said today.This follows a report of the deaths of seven Ukrainian soldiers last Tuesday - the highest daily casualty figure for government troops since August.A ceasefire signed in February 2015 has failed to quell all fighting in Ukraine's separatist east, with each side accusing the other of violations.Motuzyanyk highlighted the government-controlled frontline town of Avdiyivka, north of separatist-held Donetsk city, as a recent hotspot for rebel attacks from both light and heavy weapons, including mortars.Russia denies Western charges it has provided the rebels in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions with arms and troops in a conflict that has killed some 9,000 people and led to Western economic sanctions against Moscow.On Saturday rebel officials said two civilians had been wounded as a result of shelling by Ukrainian troops, separatist website DAN reported.REUTERS PS BD1654 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-758340.Xml Iran said today its pilgrims would not attend the annual Muslim haj pilgrimage, blaming regional rival Saudi Arabia for "sabotage" and failing to guarantee the safety of pilgrims.Saudi Arabia, which oversees the pilgrimage to Mecca by more than two million Muslims from around the world, accused Iran of effectively depriving its citizens from the religious duty by refusing to sign a memorandum reached after talks with Iran's Haj and Pilgrimage Organisation.Relations between the two Gulf powers plummeted after hundreds of Iranians died in a crush in last year's haj and after Riyadh broke diplomatic ties when its Tehran embassy was stormed in January over the Saudi execution of a Shi'ite cleric.The dispute has provided another arena for discord between the conservative Sunni Muslim monarchy of Saudi Arabia and the revolutionary Shi'ite republic of Iran, which back opposing sides in Syria and other conflicts across the region."Due to ongoing sabotage by the Saudi government, it is hereby announced that ... Iran's pilgrims have been denied the privilege to attend the haj this year, and responsibility for this rests with the government of Saudi Arabia," Iran's Haj and Pilgrimage Organisation said in a statement carried by state media.Saudi media earlier said an Iranian delegation had left the kingdom without an agreement over the haj, the second time the two countries have failed to reach a deal.Saudi Arabia has blamed Iran for the impasse."Saudi Arabia does not prevent anyone from performing the religious duty," Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said at a news conference with visiting British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond."Iran refused to sign the memorandum and was practically demanding the right to hold demonstrations and to have other advantages ... that would create chaos during haj, which is not acceptable," he added.Iranian Culture Minister Ali Jannati said the issue of ensuring the safety of the pilgrims was paramount for Tehran following the death of hundreds of Iranian pilgrims last year."The Saudi government deliberately acted in a way to prevent Iranian pilgrims from ... attending haj this year," Jannati told Iran state television.Eight months after the last haj, Saudi Arabia has still not published a report into the disaster, at which it said over 700 pilgrims were killed, the highest death toll at the annual pilgrimage since a crush in 1990.Iran boycotted the haj for three years after 402 pilgrims, mostly Iranians, died in clashes with Saudi security forces at an anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Mecca in 1987. REUTERS AKC BL2042 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-758941.Xml Five United Nations peacekeepers from Togo were killed and one other was seriously injured in an ambush in central Mali today, the United Nations said.The soldiers of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) were in a convoy which was attacked 30 kilometres west of Sevar, the UN said.No group has taken responsibility for the attack.It came 10 days after five MINUSMA peacekeepers from Chad were killed in an ambush in the northern region of Kidal. Two days ago five Malian soldiers were killed near the town of Gao."I condemn in the strongest terms this despicable crime," said MINUSMA head Mahamat Saleh Annadif.MINUSMA and French forces have been stationed in northern Mali for three years since separatists joined jihadists to seize the region from the government in Bamako.The militants have staged a series of high profile attacks in the past year, mainly in the north of the country, but also in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.A peace accord signed last year was meant to bring stability to the region, but attacks against the UN mission, Malian military and civilians are still frequent. REUTERS AKC VN2327 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-759062.Xml Two men shot in Moruga Police believe that the men, ages 25 and 27, had earlier committed an illegal act which caused their victims to retaliate by giving chase in a vehicle and shooting them. A police report stated that at about 5 pm, the two were in a Nissan Primera car, proceeding along the Moruga Main Road, in the vicinity of Mandingo Junction. Behind them in a brown coloured vehicle were the driver and another occupant, who a police report stated, had began to pursue them because of the alleged illegal act they had committed. Police were tight-lipped in disclosing what that illegal act was. The driver of the brown coloured car, overtook the Nissan Primera, the police report stated, and stopped abruptly stop in front of them, blocking vehicular traffic along the Moruga road. The occupants from that vehicle came out and fired several shots at the men who were in the Primera. According to the report, the injured men escaped and ran into some bushes. The gunmen then drove off. Police later found the two men with gunshot wounds to their upper bodies hiding under a house. Residents told police that seated in the Primera vehicle as well, were two female occupants, but they were not injured. Investigations are ongoing. Anti crime march in Fyzabad Led by Cpl Taylor and supported by police youth clubs from Siparia, Penal and Santa Flora, the young persons while marching through the streets, shouted slogans and held up placards which called for an end to crime in the country. Dulalchan said: We want to commend them for their efforts and their contributions. This will go a long way in assisting the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to get the message across for the persons who are bent on perpetrating crime on the national community, to change their ways so that we can all live happily in this beautiful land of Trinidad and Tobago. According to Dulalchan, crime has been negatively impacting on the lives of our young people and it was important that they have a voice in their communities as it relates to the subject. We want the young children to talk to their peers in their communities so that those who are prone to committing crime can heed their message today and turn their lives around, Dulalchan said. Cpl Taylor who also spoke to Sunday Newsday said: With the amount of crime happening today, our youth clubs are sending a clear message that youth clubs are about positive change. The march ended with a family day on Petrotrin Grounds in Fyzabad. 2 held with turtle hatchling The leatherback turtle is designated as a sensitive species, and protected under the Environmental Management Authority Act. According to reports, around 1.50 am, the Blanchisseuse Police Station and the Coastal Patrol were conducting a Stop and Search exercise when they noticed that two occupants of a stopped vehicle had the turtle. Representatives of the EMAs Environment Police Unit (EPU) were contacted so as to lay charges against the individuals in accordance with the Environmental Management Authority Act (Chap. 35:05), Legal Notice 88, the Environmentally Sensitive Species (Leatherback Turtle) Notice, 2014. They were transferred to the Arima Police Station and are expected to appear before the Arima Magistrates Courts where charges will be laid against them $500M HEADACHE After state expenditure in the hundreds of millions and some delay in construction to what was a project of the Peoples Partnership government, the Keith Rowley administration is said to be seeking major changes to the initial plans for the facility and veer it away from being essentially a campus devoted to the study of law. Education Minister Anthony Garcia, under whose portfolio the project now falls, travelled to Barbados on Friday to emphasise to the UWI Finance and General Purpose Committee the new directions which the Peoples National Movement (PNM) Government wants the facility to undertake. Garcia declined to elaborate on the new proposals yesterday, only confirming he went to the UWI meeting where he highlighted the TT governments concerns. He also held discussions with Vice Chancellor Professor Hilary Beckles and Professor Brian Copeland, who will be taking over shortly at St Augustine from incumbent Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Clem Sankat. An optimistic Garcia said Sir Hilary revealed that the University was discussing certain strategies which he hoped would lead to a resolution of the issues and would find favour with all sides including the government of Trinidad and Tobago as a major stakeholder, and which had certain domestic needs to fulfill. Following the discussions in Barbados on Friday, Garcia said, I will be taking proposals to the Cabinet next week and it will not be proper for me to give details on these, save to say that I reiterated at the UWI meeting, that we have very serious concerns about the project. It is the second time I have done so. Garcia said the PNMs position has always been against the institution of a mini-University outside of the main campuses of UWI and the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) which are well within the reach of persons pursuing tertiary education. While not giving details again, he said he wished to emphasise that the intention involved putting the facility in Debe to maximum use. Garcia also had a courtesy call last week from senior officials of the Chinese firm, China Jiang Su, which has been engaged in the construction of the Debe Campus. He said the contractors informed him during their discussions that they will not be able to have the building completed for the start of the new academic term in September. The Minister said the contractors advised that there were some technical issues that had to be resolved before the project could be handed over. He said these included land slippage and movement in the areas of the construction site. Garcia said the contractors felt they should be able to complete the building by the end of the year. The Minister added that he was not unduly worried about the new schedule for the delivery of the building since it will provide government and the university more time to flesh out details relating to their changed positions on the campus. He said government has expended more than $500 million in the facility thus far. The governments commitment to that project is to ensure that it is used to the benefit of all of Trinidad and Tobago, Garcia said. Detainees waiting in squalor And, sources close to the womens section of the IDC, in particular, are again calling on the Immigration Division to expedite the process by which the detainees cases are reviewed so as to eliminate chronic overcrowding at the facility. The women, they said, were usually apprehended at night clubs and other establishments and taken to the IDC. They (immigration) have to stop putting the women here (IDC) and not seeing about them. We have women that are here for four months or more without telling them anything and it is just a matter of processing simple paper work for them to return to their country, one upset source told Sunday Newsday. At present, the source said many of the women, who are usually Jamaican, Venezuelan and Guyanese nationals, were being forced to sleep on concrete floors as opposed to warm, comfortable beds. Another source, speaking on the condition of strict anonymity, said the womens section of the facility, located along the Eastern Main Road, Aripo, was already bursting at its seams, having exceeded the number of detainees for which it was originally built to accommodate. The facility is built to cater to 30 to 40 females at any one point in time but we currently have 66 women and only yesterday we received 13 new women. So, we now have 79 women, the source said, adding that the 13 new detainees were all sleeping on floors. Although the source could not provide details, the source claimed that overcrowding was also a major problem in the mens section. Zeroing in on the womens section, the source said the poorly-ventilated area in which they are made to sleep was mere footsteps away from the toilet facilities. There are two separate units with three bathrooms in each of them but there are no sanitary bins and hardly any toiletries for them, the source told Sunday Newsday, adding that bathing was usually a tedious, time-consuming process. It takes a while for them to clean themselves, the source said. To compound matters, the source said the laundry process was also a serious challenge. We only have one dryer and a washing machine that is not functioning well. It is not like those big industrial washing machines but the kind that someone would have in their home, the source said, adding that the women usually wash their own clothes and bed sheets. On the bright side, the source said the detainees receive three square meals, usually in styrotex containers and have access to doctor visits weekly, on Thursdays. They are allowed visitors from family members and friends on Tuesdays and Thursdays and can also make phone calls, usually on their own mobile phones, at set periods twice a week. Private sector cautious He said these calls were being made because as a result of the situation there had been a decline in foreign investment in the country and local investments had fallen off as well. We, of course, have no control over the foreign investment as private business owners, Aboud said. He was speaking at the presentation of the Central Banks Monetary Policy Report for May 2016 at the banks 16th floor conference room on Independence Square, Port-of-Spain. Aboud was responding to presentations by Dr Sandra Sookram, the Central Banks Deputy Governor, Monetary Operations and Policy; Alister Noel, Senior Manager,Operations and Dr Alvin Hilaire, the Central Bank Governor. In a wide-ranging address, Hilaire spoke about Macroeconomic Management in a period of Uncertainty. He said it was clear Trinidad and Tobago is suffering a large terms-of-trade shock as the prices of the energy products which were its major export had declined markedly against the price of its imports. Hilaire said that it was time for the private sector to step forward and play a more active role in the economy and advised that the country should treat the current situation as though it were permanent and design fiscal and structural policies to suit. He said this was the way the Central Bank was approaching the crisis and lamented that in times of plenty, the necessary things are often ignored or get low priority. He said the country should take this opportunity to make institutional reforms which may have been delayed when oil prices were high. Aboud reacted, On the fiscal and structural side, all of us are totally powerless, including yourselves. He said the local private sector was being asked to increase its role while it stood on the sidelines watching as fiscal and structural policies, which it did not consider acceptable or promising, were being implemented. The country is totally inefficient, he said. The National Security services are telling us that they want us to participate in assisting them to catch the criminals at the very time that policemen and army officers are being murdered. And at the very time that we know that guns and ammunition find their way into the prisons, we are being told that we are supposed to assist them. I mean, this is the environment within which business operators judge whether or not to make their investment and it may not only be because of the lower value of oil and gas that the business community has receded and is watching with great concern at the way the society is being managed and the ineffectiveness of the management model that we are facing as a country. Responding to what he called Governor Hilaires very sensible comments about the need for structural and fiscal changes in policy to encourage a greater participation by the business community, he insisted, We just dont see that happening at this time. He then mentioned the foreign exchange issue, saying the Governor had said there had been a three percent depreciation in the value of the TT dollar but that he would try to avoid any volatility in the currency and the 3 percent adjustment should have a negative impact on the demand for imports. Aboud said that this was happening at a time when the U.S. dollar had appreciated against a lot of the major currencies in the world, so in fact, imports are actually cheaper for the importing community, specifically the Japanese Yen, the Indian Rupee and the Euro are all at record low levels against the U.S. dollar, so that the 3 percent depreciation in the TT dollar, really, is not going to affect the price structure of the imports. Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Catherine Kumar, said she endorsed everything Aboud said. She said the private sector wants to play a leading role in the economy and there are business people who want to invest and expand their businesses and in the case of manufacturers to set up three shifts. And we are unable to, she lamented. We are being basically stymied by institutional bottlenecks. Basic things like getting land approvals and licences so you could set up a plant, there are many, many, institutional bottlenecks which really, really, impact negatively on business and makes it very difficult to do business in Trinidad and Tobago. She added that almost any business, except services, which is set up in this country will require some level of foreign exchange. If you cant get foreign exchange, you cant pay the suppliers; suppliers remove their credit; you are down to cash and theres a whole difficult situation. She said the shortage of labour was another critical problem. She said the official statistics give the unemployment rate as 3.5 percent but a significant amount of labour is employed by the government through its make work programmes as well through over-employment in State agencies. So if you want the private sector to get involved and do what is necessary, you have to release the labour and let the labour become available to the private sector. Further Udecott $ for Sunway Details of Udecotts dealings with Sunway are set to undergo renewed scrutiny in court in a lawsuit due to be heard in the coming weeks. Sunway is seeking about $350 million from Udecott. The company contends Udecott should have given it the contract for the fit-out of the Ministry of Legal Affairs Tower project at the Government Campus Plaza. In 2005, Sunway had been awarded the $368 million construction contract for the project by Udecott. Ties between then Udecott chairman Calder Hart and the firm later emerged. Despite this, Udecott in 2009 moved to hand a fit-out contract to Sunway. But this did not materialise. The circumstances of Udecotts repudiation of the fit-out agreement are now set to be the chief matter before the court. However, a third $3.5 million contract for schematic design in relation to the same project is among the many details laid bare by the lawsuit set to come up before Justice Joan Charles in July. The issue of family ties between Calder Hart and Sunway was raised in Parliament by then Opposition Chief Whip Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj since May 2008. At a PNM government- ordered commission of inquiry, further evidence linking Hart to the firm emerged. In January 2009, the inquiry heard that Harts personal fax number appeared on the correspondence of Sunway to Udecott in relation to the $368 million contract. None of these matters appeared to stop Udecott from paying more money to Sunway. In July 2009, six months after the inquiry revelations, Udecott issued a letter of agreement to Sunway in relation to a schematic design for the fitout of the same Ministry of Legal Affairs Tower. Sunway was paid about $3.5 million for this service. Two separate payments were made by Udecott. In November 2009, Turner Alpha (project managers) advised Udecott to pay about $1.9 million. Hart resigned from Udecott in March 2010. In April, the inquirys Uff Report recommended action by law enforcement authorities in relation to several Udecott projects, including the Ministry of Legal Affairs Tower. Yet, in May 2010, days before that years general election, Sunway wrote Turner Alpha seeking remaining payment. Turner Alpha wrote Udecott advising payment of the remaining $1.8 million. Udecott is being represented in the case by former PNM Attorney General John Jeremie SC, who once tabled findings of the Uff Inquiry in Parliament. He leads Kerwyn Garcia. Previously, Udecott was represented by Avory Sinanan SC and Gerald Ramdeen. Sunway is being represented by Stephen A Singh of Johnson, Camacho & Singh. Persad-Bissessar has questioned the speed of a payment to Garcia, who is a nephew of current Udecott chairman Noel Garcia and son of Education Minister Anthony Garcia. Udecott had not previously disclosed it was being sued by Sunway. The fact that Sunway was suing Udecott only emerged this month when the Opposition Leader raised these issues at a press conference. Lets all get involved Estrada alluded to a recent visit to the Diego Martin Secondary School, saying he had addressed students about the issue. I addressed the young men, in particular and the young women about treating each-other with respect and I spoke about domestic violence, he said. Estrada pointed to well-documented statistics which showed that the majority of incidents were committed by men. The Laventille-born envoy also shared a personal story of being exposed to domestic violence and it is just the wrong thing to do. I let them know how it affected me, he said. Estrada said he could never be accused of domestic violence. No woman can come and say that I have been violent to them in any way, he stated. I challenged the young men (at Diego Martin Secondary) that they dont grow up and do anything like that and I told the young women that they should not allow young men to do that to them. It is part of my message. It is unacceptable and everyone deserves to be treated with respect. Saying that the US and T&T enjoy a great relationship, Estrada said although he has only been on the job for a short period, there were not very many areas under his remit as Ambassador which required urgent attention. However, he did acknowledge that crime appeared to be front-burner issue in the country. I know crime is at the forefront and that is a huge concern for the population and the government, he said. That is something that the Government is working on addressing with its partners and the US Embassy will assist them with that. I know it is a priority for the Government and we will assist them in every way that we can. A retired US Marine Corps Sergeant Major, Estrada said he also plans to pursue a social agenda, targeting the youth, LGBT community and other areas. Regarding the LGBT community, Estrada said: That is a human rights issue, not just a United States of America issue. It is a worldwide issue. Noting that outgoing US President Barack Obama has been very forward-leaning on the issue, Estrada pledged to follow in this vein as the representative of our (US) Government. It is the right thing to do. Everyone deserves to be treated with equality, dignity and respect, he said. Told of the problems associated with young, African males in at-risk communities in the society, with respect to crime, violence and anti-social behaviour, Estrada said a similar situation existed in the US. He said the Government must examine the factors which have led to such a disproportionately high number of them being held in the nations prisons. Some of it could be traced to socio-economic status and situations where people are not given opportunities, Estrada suggested, adding that he had not yet visited the prisons to get an accurate assessment of the situation. Estrada also addressed the problem of absentee fathers in the society, saying that there were too many immature and irresponsible young men and women having children. He said many of them may not have had proper role models in their homes. So, what have they been teaching each-other? he asked. It is easy to blame that young man and young lady for getting pregnant but it is because they had no role models. They were not mentored right. Saying there were also many absent moms in the society, Estrada felt the issue must be addressed in the schools. You have to teach responsibility, he said. Estrada also said the media did have the potential to negatively impact children if they were not properly supervised. That is a valid point. The television and the outside marketing media are influencing kids because it is not happening at home, he said. In confronting this issue, Estrada said the people must be involved in the political process by working with the Government and prompting legislation. If not, society will be lost. Lets get involved, he said. Place more emphasis on tourism sector Every year, approximately 120,000,000 young people enter the workforce globally, sadly many of them are unable to find meaningful employment, which results in societal disruptions and economic imbalance. There are enormous opportunities by investing in young people, Winter said. Tourism is the worlds largest employer, supporting more than 255 million people worldwide. It is a far-reaching industry and affects all other jobs either directly or indirectly thus creating an enormous value chain. The forum which was entitled, The Future for Youth in Tourism, also featured several industry leaders including Senior Marketing Specialist of the Tourism Development Company (TDC) Shelly De Gazon, who said that as energy prices continue to fall, the need for economic diversification has intensified. For decades, the tourism sector has been neglected. It has received less than one percent of the annual national budget but contributes an estimated $4.8 million to national earnings. But in light of recent financial difficulties, tourism is finally being given the attention that it deserves. De Gazon added that there has been a 4.4 percent increase in tourist arrivals to TT last year, and placed the total export value of tourism globally at an estimated $1.7 trillion. De Gazon suggested what could be done to improve the quality of tourism in this country was greater emphasis on TTs unique features including Carnival, cuisine and as a potential destination for eco-tourism. The Government cannot do it alone, we need the private sector and private citizens to do their part in developing the tourist market, she cautioned. De Gazon said a change in attitude towards tourism is needed. Students of various different secondary schools were also present at the event, which showcased different careers available within the tourist and hospitality industry. Brian Frontin of the Trinidad Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Association (THRTA), explained that due to the increasing popularity of social media, new employment opportunities have emerged in the tourist industry. Social media marketing and website managing are just two of the careers that have appeared. More and more persons are going online to make reservations for their vacations and are now able to review hotels and restaurants via social media. Persons no longer have to rely on advice from third parties on where they should make reservations, Frontin said. CARICOM can export more seafood to EU At present, Cariforum Caricom and the Dominican Republic exports US$400 million worth of seafood each year, out of a global seafood market estimated to be worth US$130 billion. So said a statement on Friday from the Belize-based Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), set up in 2002 by CARICOM for the sustainable development and conservation of the regions fishery resources. The statement also noted the need for Caribbean nations to beware of the mislabelling of seafood imported into the region, such as cheap catfish from Asia being fraudulently labelled as Swai or Grouper. Belize and Jamaica are two Caribbean seafood exporters already tapping into markets controlled by the EU, a tough market to access because of stringent standards which require that countries have systems in place to ensure that their exports are not only safe for consumption but also free from harmful pests and pathogens, said the CRFM. In the case of Belize, which has traditionally exported shrimp to the EU, it is moving to export conch to that market for the first time in 2016. Endhir Sosa, a Belizean Senior Food Safety Inspector, said SPS could be an acronym for safe and profitable seafood. In a nutshell, its just a series of procedures, of guidelines, of requirements, that one needs to implement to basically prove that what they are producing is safe, she said. Confidence is what is key! It is what everybody seeks when it comes to the purchase and consumption of food products. SPS is one of those routes where you can establish that confidence in your product. Once you have an established SPS system in place and it is vetted and its shown to be functional, that will open markets locally, regionally and internationally. The statement cited Sosa saying that in 2000, Belize had exported to five or seven markets, but today thanks to SPS and the confidence it instills in these products, exports now go to 30 markets. The CRFM quoted Jeannette Mateo, Director of Fisheries Resources in the Dominican Republic as warning of fraudulent labelling of imported seafood. Some of these documents might have statements to make the consumers believe that they are getting a high-quality product while they are actually getting products with less quality and deliberate mislabeling. An example, she said, is fish from the genus Pangasius, a catfish primarily sourced from the Asian market, which is being sold cheaply in the region and marketed at times as grouper, not only at supermarkets but also at some restaurants. While in Iceland, I learned that deliberate mislabelling of food, the substitution of products with cheaper alternatives, and false statements about the origin of foods, are all food fraud, Mateo said. This is relevant to the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, where imported fish are in some cases marketed at lower prices than the local ones, not only due to the lower production cost of fish products such as tilapia and Pangasius (catfish sold as Basa or Swai) in comparison with those produced in the country, but also because of unfair practices in trade. Handel Beckles motto, Never give up The election takes place on June 26. Today, SUNDAY NEWSDAY continues its profiles of the candidates in the run-up to the eagerly-anticipated poll. Growing up in Bethel, Tobago, Handel Beckles said his parents lived by the motto: Never Give Up. Those sage words served a twofold purpose: it allowed Beckles and his six siblings to cope with the familys trials and also created an enabling environment through which they were encouraged to dream of a brighter Tobago. That inspiration, in later years, provided an avenue for Beckles to marry religion and politics, all with the intention of improving the lot of his fellow Tobagonians. He is an Enrolled Nursing Assistant (General), father, community activist, theologian and church leader with 15 years experience as a religious leader and four years in active politics. The wide span of experience from nursing, church management and the political arena has helped to mould me into the individual I am today, said Beckles, 45, the Tobago House of Assemblys (THA) Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure and Public Utilities and representative for the electoral district of Bethel/Mt Irvine. One of seven people in the running for the leadership of the Peoples National Movements (PNMs) Tobago Council, Beckles has taken the teachings of his parents to heart, saying that Tobagonians have long been respected for their smarts, pride and ability to provide honestly for their families. But we have moved away from that simple fact, he observed in a Sunday Newsday interview. Beckles said there was a need to hone those smarts with a view to developing the island as a whole and not just the individual. When the whole benefits, the individual soars, more than going it alone. So, there is a need to change the individual- oriented mind set and thinking and bring back nationalism, an ideal that we seem to have lost along the way. Beckles said creative thinking was critical in developing the island. TOBAGO MUST DO MORE But this also needs to be done in tandem with the island being able to do more and make more critical decisions as to how it governs itself, he said. Many, and I, believe that requires greater autonomy, democratic self-government. But while working on greater autonomy, we need to push the envelope with respect to what decisions Tobago can make for itself. Beckles claimed that other assemblies in the past have done it without being challenged. As such, the precedent has been set. We just need to return to it, he added. Achieving this objective, Beckles admitted, will be a challenge. However, he believes that the governance of the island must include all of the people. Imagine a peoples Senate where all the ideas of Tobagonians are listened to and the best ones adopted and made into policy for the effective management of the island, he said. A key factor in the developing a course of action on this issue, he said, will be an assessment of the way Tobagonians work and spend money. Value must be placed on an honest days work for an honest days pay. The hand out mentality must become a thing of the past, he said. While bearing in mind that the poor are always with us, it is our responsibility to ensure that their needs are met in a dignified manner. With the economic realities confronting the island, Beckles said the next leader of the PNM Tobago Council will need to make critical decisions on the state of the island and also determine the steps needed to move forward. I AM A PEOPLE PERSON Beckles also said the next leader needed to be seen as trustworthy, full of integrity, fair and confident. That leader must be willing and able to stand up against corruption, exploitation, victimisation, squander mania, political bullying and must stand for equity and justice for all, he said. This must be seen across the board regardless of political affiliation or standing in society. I believe I am of the make-up and Im poised as the leader to make critical and sometimes unpopular decisions towards the benefit of Tobago, the PNM and Trinidad and Tobago. Projecting himself as the peoples representative and a people person, Beckles said his first order of business, if elected PNM Tobago leader, will be to focus on the upcoming THA election in the aftermath of what he believes will be a bruising campaign. The battle for political leader and chairman will be a hard fought one and will ruffle some feathers, not only those on the losing end but even for those that are victorious (the distrust of those who may not have supported them), he said, adding that there will be a need to coalesce. As the representative for Bethel/ Mt Irvine, Beckles claimed that he has been able to complete significant infrastructural projects. However, he said his greatest celebration to date was the maintenance and development of the valued relationships with the people and organisations forged within the district. Beckles said he also was proud of the significant manner in which hes been able to impact the lives of the electorate. Landslips plaguing Moruga/Tableland Its been an eventful return to office for the 60-year-old party which has had to grapple with the effects of an economic downturn, escalating crime and rising joblessness. How, then, are citizens faring, particularly in the constituencies where the PNM either gained or retained control following the September 7, 2015, general election? Sunday Newsday continues its series in the marginal constituency of Moruga / Tableland, which the PNM took control of in last years general election. THE constituency of Moruga / Tableland can be considered a true marginal constituency having changed both parliamentary representatives and political parties over the past ten years. The constituency shifted hands from the PNM, which held the constituency during the Patrick Manning PNM administration in 2007-2010 to the Peoples Partnership administration in 2010-2015 and then to the Dr Keith Rowley led PNM administration in 2015 to the present. The constituency is currently held by former lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWIs) History department, Dr Lovell Francis who holds the portfolio of Minister of State in the Ministry of Education. According to the Elections and Boundaries Commissions (EBC) this constituency has 27,913 eligible voters in 35 polling divisions and is bounded on the east by the Mayaro constituency, to the north by the Princes Town constituency and in the west by the Naparima and Siparia constituencies. And, nearing a full year as the constituencys parliamentary representative, Francis was described by constituents as having a lot more work to do if he were to fill the popular shoes of previous representative, former St Stephens College, Princes Town principal, Clifton De Coteau. This was the view of constituent, Shurland Pierre, who spoke with Sunday Newsday while awaiting his turn at a local tyre shop along the Naparima Mayaro Road. He said the problem which afflicted Francis was the same problem which could be found in every constituency and could be summarised in one word - trust. TRUST IN GOVT ERODING If you were to ask the average man on the street, that person would say that they dont have confidence in the government or the direction in which the country is heading, Pierre said, adding, the new government has to instil confidence in the people. Now if the country is experiencing bad times, then you need to come to the country and talk to us and that is not happening, he said. And regarding Francis himself, he admitted to having not seen Francis since the September 7, general election. Asked whether infrastructural development had been taking place in the constituency, the tyre shop owner, who declined to give her name said, Everything has remained the same, nothing has changed. Meanwhile, Pierre pointed to the numerous landslips which littered the Moruga and St Marys Main Road and which have not been repaired. Some of the landslips are getting worse and when the rains begin, then we might have to get boats, he said solemnly. The response was virtually unchanged as the news team ventured onto the St Marys main road, St Marys Village, though the owner of a fabricator shop, who was wearing a PNM red and ready t-shirt, said while he too had not seen Francis since the election, cited infrastructural works which were taking place in the constituency. MP CAN DO BETTER I have not seen him since the election but we getting regular water. WASA put down some water lines and it have some drains being cleaned and repaired so they working, he said, before noting that the roadway could be in better condition. This road is a good road but it needs fixing and I wish they could fix it, he said. Asked if he was satisfied with Franciss representation, the man said, yes but it could be better. A whole lot better. A small group of limers, who were seeking shade out of the scorching midmorning sun, said their main concern was the lack of jobs in the community as they too noted that they had not seen their MP since the election. However, Francis disputed the assertion that he had not been seen in the constituency since the election by pointing out that he was still a resident of Moruga. Thats not accurate. Whereas I do spend days a week dealing with Ministry issues, I do make an effort to visit all parts of the constituency including on Saturdays and Sundays, Francis stated in a text message. He continued: Moreover, I live in the constituency. So you can analyse that assertion. I still live at Moruga. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. Pressurization of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) began at 4:34 p.m. EDT, and the eight tanks filled with air completed full pressurization of the module 10 minutes later at 4:44 p.m. BEAMs pressure will be equalized with that of the International Space Station, where it will remain attached for a two-year test period. The module measured just over 7 feet long and just under 7.75 feet in diameter in its packed configuration. BEAM now measures more than 13 feet long and about 10.5 feet in diameter to create 565 cubic feet of habitable volume. It weighs approximately 3,000 pounds. During the next week, leak checks will be performed on BEAM to ensure its structural integrity. Hatch opening and NASA astronaut Jeff Williams first entrance into BEAM will take place about a week after leak checks are complete. BEAM is an example of NASAs increased commitment to partnering with industry to enable the growth of the commercial use of space. The project is co-sponsored by NASAs Advanced Exploration Systems Division and Bigelow Aerospace. The space station now hosts the new fully expanded and pressurized Bigelow Expandable Activity Module attached to the Tranquility module. Credit: NASA Expandable habitats are designed to take up less room on a spacecraft but provide greater volume for living and working in space once expanded. This first test of an expandable module will allow investigators to gauge how well the habitat performs and specifically, how well it protects against solar radiation, space debris and the temperature extremes of space. NASA is investigating concepts for habitats that can keep astronauts healthy and productive during missions that take them farther from Earth than humans have ever gone before. Through public private partnerships with U.S. industry, NASA is evaluating different habitation concepts that can sustain astronauts who are living and working in the harsh environment of deep space. Expandable habitats are one such concept under consideration. Expandable modules could be used for Mars Missions Before sending the first astronauts to the Red Planet, NASA will deploy several rockets filled with cargo and supplies to await the crews arrival. Expandable modules, which require less volume on a rocket and could weigh less than traditional rigid structures, might increase the efficiency of cargo shipments, possibly reducing the number of launches needed and overall mission costs. In its packed launch configuration, the module will measure 7.09 feet long and just under 7.75 feet in diameter. In its deployed, expanded configuration, the BEAM will measure 13.16 feet long and 10.5 feet in diameter, providing 565 cubic feet of habitable volume. The BEAMs mass is approximately 3,000 pounds (1,360 kg). The BEAM is composed of: two metal bulkheads, an aluminum structure, and multiple layers of soft fabric with spacing between layers, protecting an internal restraint layer and bladder system. It has no windows. The BEAM will travel to the space station in the unpressurized aft trunk of the Dragon capsule during the eighth SpaceX Commercial Resupply Mission. Robotics ground controllers will use the robotic Canadarm2 robotic arm to extract the BEAM from the Dragon capsule and attach it to the aft section of the Tranquility Node on the space station. The BEAMs planned mission duration is two years. The BEAM is outfitted with various sensors and radiation monitors B330 habitat under study In 2015, NASA has executed a contract with Bigelow Aerospace for the company to develop ambitious human spaceflight missions that leverage its innovative B330 space habitat. The contract was executed under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) Broad Agency Announcement issued by NASAs Advanced Exploration Systems program. Via its NextSTEP contract, Bigelow Aerospace will demonstrate to NASA how B330 habitats can be used to support safe, affordable, and robust human spaceflight missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As the name indicates, the B330 will provide 330 cubic meters of internal volume and each habitat can support a crew of up to six. Bigelow expandable habitats provide much greater volume than metallic structures, as well as enhanced protection against radiation and physical debris. The B330 module will provide radiation protection equivalent to or better than existing International Space Station (ISS) modules. When fully expanded, the hull thickness will be approximately 0.46m (18in) and offer ballistic protection superior to that currently afforded to ISS. The hull will also feature at least four large UV protection coated windows that will offer unparalleled earth viewing from orbit. The B330 would be 3 times more efficient in getting livable and productive space station volume than the ISS. SOURCES NASA, Bigelow Aerospace, Wikipedia A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers has created the worlds fastest stretchable, wearable integrated circuits, an advance that could drive the Internet of Things and a much more connected, high-speed wireless world. The advance is a platform for manufacturers seeking to expand the capabilities and applications of wearable electronics including those with biomedical applications particularly as they strive to develop devices that take advantage of a new generation of wireless broadband technologies referred to as 5G. With wavelength sizes between a millimeter and a meter, microwave radio frequencies are electromagnetic waves that use frequencies in the .3 gigahertz to 300 gigahertz range. That falls directly in the 5G range. In mobile communications, the wide microwave radio frequencies of 5G networks will accommodate a growing number of cellphone users and notable increases in data speeds and coverage areas. In an intensive care unit, epidermal electronic systems (electronics that adhere to the skin like temporary tattoos) could allow health care staff to monitor patients remotely and wirelessly, increasing patient comfort by decreasing the customary tangle of cables and wires. Fabricated in interlocking segments like a 3-D puzzle, the new integrated circuits could be used in wearable electronics that adhere to the skin like temporary tattoos. Because the circuits increase wireless speed, these systems could allow health care staff to monitor patients remotely, without the use of cables and cords. CREDIT Image courtesy of Yei Hwan Jung and Juhwan Lee/University of Wisconsin-Madison What makes the new, stretchable integrated circuits so powerful is their unique structure, inspired by twisted-pair telephone cables. They contain, essentially, two ultra-tiny intertwining power transmission lines in repeating S-curves. This serpentine shape formed in two layers with segmented metal blocks, like a 3-D puzzle gives the transmission lines the ability to stretch without affecting their performance. It also helps shield the lines from outside interference and, at the same time, confine the electromagnetic waves flowing through them, almost completely eliminating current loss. Currently, the researchers stretchable integrated circuits can operate at radio frequency levels up to 40 gigahertz. And, unlike other stretchable transmission lines, whose widths can approach 640 micrometers (or .64 millimeters), the researchers new stretchable integrated circuits are just 25 micrometers (or .025 millimeters) thick. Thats tiny enough to be highly effective in epidermal electronic systems, among many other applications. Mas group has been developing what are known as transistor active devices for the past decade. This latest advance marries the researchers expertise in both high-frequency and flexible electronics. Weve found a way to integrate high-frequency active transistors into a useful circuit that can be wireless, says Ma, whose work was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. This is a platform. This opens the door to lots of new capabilities. Advanced Functional Materials High-Speed, Flexible Electronics by Use of Si Nanomembranes Abstract Traditionally, flexible electronics have addressed low or moderate operating frequency applications because the materials for flexible electronics, such as polymer and noncrystalline inorganic semiconductors, have poor electrical properties. Fast flexible electronics that operate at radiofrequencies (RFs) regime, particularly at microwave frequencies, could lead to myriad novel RF applications that conventional rigid solid-state electronics cannot easily fulfill. Single-crystalline semiconductor nanomembranes that can be released from various source wafers not only show very good flexibility and durability but also exhibit outstanding electrical properties that are equivalent to those of their bulk counterparts. These thin and flexible single-crystalline materials can furthermore be placed, via transfer-printing techniques, onto nearly any substrates, thus creating the opportunity to realize RF flexible electronics. In this chapter, we present various RF active devices made of semiconductor nanomembranes on plastic substrates such as flexible transistors and switches. SOURCE University of Wisconsin-Madison, Advanced Functional Materials The US Navy now believes it has a railgun design that soon will be able to fire 10 times a minute through a barrel capable of lasting 1,000 rounds. Besides speed, the railgun also has a capacity advantage. A typical U.S. Navy destroyer can carry as many as 96 missileseither offensive cruise missiles or defensive interceptors. A ship armed with a railgun could potentially carry a thousand rounds, allowing the vessel to shoot incoming missiles or attack enemy forces for longer periods and at a faster rate of fire. The U.S. has kept its military dominance over the past quarter-century largely through such precision weaponry as guided missiles and munitions. It also has spent billions of dollars on interceptor-missile based defense systems to shoot down ballistic missiles fired at the U.S. or its allies. That monopoly is about over. China is perfecting a ship-killing ballistic missile. Russia mostly impressed U.S. military planners with the power and precision of its cruise missiles deployed in Syria, and its improved artillery precision revealed in Ukraine. I am very worried about the U.S. conventional advantage. The loss of that advantage is terribly destabilizing, said Elbridge Colby, a military analyst with the Center of a New American Security. Defense planners believe the U.S. needs new military advances. Russia, for example, is believed to be developing longer-range surface-to-air missiles and new electronic warfare technology to blunt any forces near its borders. Hitting a missile with a bullet is still a technical challenge. Railgun research leans heavily on commercial advances in supercomputing to aim and on smartphone technology to steer the railguns projectile using the Global Positioning System. Missile defense by the railgun is at least a decade away, but Pentagon officials believe the weapons projectiles can be used much sooner. They are filled with tungsten pellets harder than many kinds of steel, officials said, and will likely cost between $25,000 and $50,000, a bargain compared with a $10-million interceptor missile. SOURCES- Wall Street Journal, Office of Naval Research The American power and energy giant, General Electric, has decided to club together with Pan-African multi-sector business services company Mara Group to make more inroads in Africa through investment in infrastructure, a domain still infant on the black continent. General Electric plans to invest billions of dollars in Africas infrastructure business industry, which according to pundits holds great future with needed investments estimated at $90 billion every year. To attain that goal the American giant announced on May 26 at Lusaka during the African Development Bank annual meetings the creation of the joint company with Mara Group, founded by British-Ugandan business tycoon Ashish J. Thakkar. Thakkar co-founded Atlas Mara with British finance savvy, Bob Diamond. The joint venture will seek to sponsor infrastructure projects in a number of selected countries on the black continent. Most investment projects will target various areas namely power production, transports, gas, oil and mineral raw materials. General Electric has established good footprints on the African continent after it impressively supported significant projects in several domains. The American giant has invested $250 million for the construction of plant at Calabar (Nigeria) specialized in the production of turbines and oil producing equipment. It also pumped $1.5 billion into the construction of a power plant (1,100 megwatt) in Ghana. US senators called on President Barack Obama on Friday to impose sanctions on officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo responsible for violence and rights violations amid rising political tensions. A simmering political crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo that the US and its allies have been unable to defuse, is stoking fears in Congress that one of Africas largest countries is on the verge of slipping into widespread violence. Tension is building in the DRC over President Joseph Kabilas maneuvering to avoid national elections and remain in office beyond his constitutionally permitted term, according to US officials and members of a coalition opposing Kabila. The Obama administration has threatened to sanction anyone who undermines security and democracy in the country. This is the first time that senators have publicly urged Washington to make good on warnings that it is considering slapping sanctions on Kabila under a 2014 executive order signed by US President Barack Obama. Sanctions that could include travel bans and freezing of assets in the US could also be imposed on members of Kabilas inner circle, including his security chief and justice minister, and others involved in crackdowns on the opposition Kabilas government won a ruling last week by Congos highest court that Kabila would retain his post if an election is not held. Kabila, 44, has been in office since 2001, taking over less than two weeks after his father, President Laurent Kabila, was shot by a bodyguard in the presidential palace. He was elected president in 2006 and again in 2011. Harambe, a Western Lowland gorilla, had just turned 17 on Friday. Photo: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden/Facebook An endangered Western Lowland gorilla had to be shot and killed after a four-year-old boy climbed into the Gorilla World enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo on Saturday afternoon, according to local NBC affiliate WLWT. The boy had climbed through a protective fence and fallen into the shallow water of the habitats moat. While two gorillas were coaxed out of the enclosure, a 400-pound male gorilla named Harambe remained behind and rushed over to the boy. It does not seem that he ever attacked the child, but he did periodically grab and pick him up, and also dragged him violently across the enclosures moat at least twice, possibly in reaction to all the people, including the boys mother, who were calling down as they watched in horror from outside the enclosure. The gorilla even seemed to be protecting the boy from the crowd at times. Here is video of some the scene, shot by an onlooker and originally passed along by WLWT, then copied to YouTube (WLWT edited out the parts where the gorilla dragged the boy through the water, but you can hear the boys mother trying to reassure him during the ordeal): On Sunday, a relative of one of the onlookers tweeted videos of the gorilla dragging the child: The zoos Dangerous Animal Response Team arrived within ten minutes of the boy falling in, and then shot and killed the gorilla in order to rescue the child, who at the time was sitting between the gorillas legs. Tranquilizers were not used because zoo officials were worried that they would not take effect fast enough when the gorilla was in such an agitated state. After Harambe was put down, firefighters removed the boy, who was reportedly calm despite the ordeal, and he was then taken to Childrens Hospital Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The Cincinnati Zoos president, Thane Maynard, remarked that it was a sad day all around in a Saturday press conference, but that the zoo had to act even though the gorilla wasnt attacking the boy, because due to the animals size and strength, all sorts of things could happen in a situation like that. They made a tough choice and they made the right choice. Because they saved that little boys life. It could have been very bad, Maynard said, adding that, We are all devastated that this tragic accident resulted in the death of a critically endangered gorilla. This is a huge loss for the Zoo family and the gorilla population worldwide. Related Stories The Case for the End of the Modern Zoo Its not clear how the boy was able to enter the enclosure in the first place, but Maynard told reporters that it was the first time anyone has breached the steel-wire fence of the gorilla exhibit in its 38-year history. A witness told WLWT that she had heard the boy telling his mother beforehand that he wanted to go into the water in the habitat, and that she had repeatedly told him he could not, though it seems she was also trying to watch several other kids, so its possible the boy just slipped away. Another witness told the Cincinnati Enquirer that she saw the boy in the bushes beyond the fence and tried to grab him, but it all happened too fast and soon the boy had fallen the 10 to 12 feet down into the water. Cincinnati police told the Enquirer that no charges would be filed against the parents of the boy over the incident. As NPRs Merrit Kennedy points out, this isnt the first time this has happened: [W]hen a 3-year-old child fell into the den at Illinois Brookfield Zoo in 1996, the story had a very different ending. The female gorilla Binti Jua gently cradled the child and eventually carried him over to paramedics and it was caught on camera. The boy, who was never identified, reportedly made a full recovery. According to National Geographic, Western Lowland gorillas are native to the thick forests of central and west Africa, and are an endangered species, though not as endangered, or as large, as their more famous Mountain cousins. They typically live to be about 35 years old. Harambe, who was born at a zoo in Texas and arrived at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2014, and had just turned 17 on Friday. Here is a video of him that was taken in January: WCPO Cincinnati reports that the zoo participates in a long-running propagation program for Western Lowland gorillas with other zoos throughout the U.S. They had been hoping to incorporate Harambe into their breeding program. This post has been updated throughout to reflect new information as well as additional video of the gorilla and the boy. Morocco is overrated. She looked so OTT that I can't hate. I hope this means a new era is upon us! Reply Thread Link it is? Why? it is one of the places i wanna visit, just for the buildings Reply Parent Thread Link idk, I had such high expectations that I felt let down by everything. Turkey or Tunisia were amazing and the people were nicer (and the buildings in Turkey are breathtaking) What I liked the most was the desert, if you go you have to spend the night there <3. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I kinda didn't like Morocco either Reply Parent Thread Link I agree, and I've travelled a bit so it's not like I'm a noob traveller. Morocco was a bit crap. People were just so fucking rude and I was totally respectful. I just wanted to be left alone ffs, and I was with a dude too. Usually good food makes me very forgiving but honestly, the food wasn't that great. Massive let down, and I love food. Reply Parent Thread Link Ah! this looks goood! and She looks amazing as well. I find it cute that she is always with same dancers! Reply Thread Link So it is them then. I wasn't sure. It looked like the same dancers from her Stripped tour but I wasn't certain. That's awesome that she's still using the same dancers after all these years. Reply Parent Thread Link not dancing during Dirrty... hmmm Reply Thread Link She looks awesome. I'm ready for her to start releasing new music. Hopefully her next album is another Stripped and not another Bionic and/or Lotus. Hell, I'd even settle for another Back to Basics. Reply Thread Link Gotta travel across the globe to book a stage. Bless. Reply Thread Link how lucky she is that she can leave the country unsupervised and isn't forced to perform in hotel lobbies! Reply Parent Thread Link She just opened a show in an arena lol. And her last 2 tours before Vegas traveled worldwide. At least get your facts together, girl! Reply Parent Thread Link You keep saying it's a "hotel lobby" which is hilarious. Girl, you know that multi-million dollar THEATRE is not a damn lobby. Stop it already. Even your queen has love for Britney. Just stick with your love/hate thing with Demi. At least that is semi-amusing. Reply Parent Thread Link omg lol Reply Parent Thread Link lmao exactly Reply Parent Thread Link international superstar! Reply Thread Link amazing Reply Thread Link global legend Reply Thread Link damn that's a long way to travel for a concert. wonder what they paid ha Reply Thread Link she mustve been paid a lot for this Reply Thread Link Make money bitch Reply Thread Link I saw her on the Justified /Stripped tour and i still remember feeling bitter that we saw her back (running to change clothes) as much as we saw her front. She was just totally blah, and i went to see her and not him but he ended up with the superior show. Reply Thread Link Her being petty enough to tour with her rival's ex should have set off alarms in your head. Lesson learned, though. Reply Parent Thread Link I love how obsessed you are with her. You're always in her posts & bring her up in other posts. Bless your heart, you're such a stan<3 Reply Parent Thread Expand Link in Rabat, right? Rihanna played it the summer my sister interned there. Reply Thread Link The Voice Within still makes me Reply Thread Link I can't listen to it without crying, in all seriousness. A lot of her songs are beautiful (no pun intended), but that song in particular got. me. through. some. shit. Reply Parent Thread Link Kit Harington on finding love on set, & hanging out with his cousin Laurent @mencap_charity https://t.co/6z03F021Dc pic.twitter.com/sW4MkvWaB0 SundayTimesMagazine (@TheSTMagazine) May 29, 2016 The purpose of this interview is to help promote the charity Mencap and to talk about his cousin and friend Laurent, who has severe learning disabilities and lives in special housing assisted by the charity."I feel lucky knowing Laurent, knowing someone with Downs syndrome. Hes incredibly empathetic; his emotional intelligence is hugely in tune. On many occasions when Im a little sad, no one apart from Laurent will notice. Hell come and sit next to you, give you a big hug. He has time that other people dont. I have great admiration for him."Laurent spends most the interview winding Kit up."Youd be mistaken to think Laurent doesnt know the situation. He knows its a photoshoot, he knows Im an actor, so he wants to make me look like a prick.""Walking past a Disney store with Laurent is a nightmare. He will not leave until you get him something. One time in Westfield [shopping centre] we completely lost him in there. We had to call his mum, who was, like, Oh no, red alert!"He says he fell in love with Rose while shooting Game of Thrones in Iceland under the Northern Lights.If youre already attracted to someone, and then they play your love interest, it becomes very easy to fall in love.":') My time on #RealityTV taught me 2 things: #racism is still present in #America & minorities will ALWAYS be villainized before the white norm CHRISTOPHER AMMON (@tweetatchris) May 25, 2016 Jenna also said that #gay people needed to stop complaining about #AIDS because it was "just like Romeo and Juliet" (i.e. they both die). CHRISTOPHER AMMON (@tweetatchris) May 27, 2016 The intense homophobia I experienced while on #RealWorldGoBig is part of what inspired me to become and advocate for #LGBT rights. CHRISTOPHER AMMON (@tweetatchris) May 27, 2016 Producers removed clips of additional racial remarks that were made. You have know knowledge on the matter https://t.co/gpI9Dma2tg Dean Bart-Plange (@Dean_BP) May 26, 2016 You know I woulda been in cuffs https://t.co/QPHNKHTNCL Dean Bart-Plange (@Dean_BP) May 27, 2016 The podcast is terrible so here's a summary: - Production has suggested what she should say at certain times during the show. She refused to comply ever again after the first time she did it. - Could have beat the crap out of Jenna when she rushed and attacked her but she restrained herself. - Kailah stormed around the house after the fight telling Ceejai kudos since they finally have a reason to send Jenna home. - Ceejai was under the impression that Jenna was going to get kicked off for breaching her contract but she never was. - Jenna has called black people colored on the show. She also told Ceejai her white face is better than hers and that slaves came to America for a better life. - Jenna's family being racist and her love for confederate flags were the first red flags. - Jenna stating that her family would despise her if she brought a black man home was another red flag. - Jenna said she was ready to shoot somebody (Ceejai in particular) and started making brraapp noises which is why Ceejai told Jenna she isn't about that life. - "[Jenna] sitting here putting on a front talking about how black people act all thug but you are running around with cornrows in the back, asking for a tan, same girl making these same gun noises. Who's the thug? Not once have I portrayed that and I come from that same environment. So you despise black people but you sit here trying to act like a black person what the hell. There is nothing like someone taunting your race and then trying to be that race. There is nothing worse than that." - She believes that production didn't send her home because they wanted to push Ceejai as far as they could. - Ceejai went to production that same day for a meeting they scheduled to ask why Jenna was not sent home. Prior to this she reached out to another producer through email to discuss the contract and what entails a breach. They never gave her an answer. They called her back and told her they'd meet downstairs. - Ceejai knew she was going home after the second fight. She even packed before the final decision. - Production didn't show Jenna calling Ceejai a black bitch and a nappy headed hoe. This + Jenna calling her ratchet and Jenna's friend telling Ceejai to pick cotton is what set her off - Feels regretful for her jobs sake. - Doesn't regret how she handled it since she took responsibility and ownership of it and left with her dignity. At the time she was only regretful because that's what they wanted to hear and she was thinking about her future. - Two days in Jenna was on the phone with her grandma talking about the housemates. Dean and Chris jokingly told her to tell her grandma that she is dating a black guy. Jenna tells her grandma "There's a black guy here named Dean, he lives here" . Her grandma says it's okay as long as he doesn't hurt her. She turned over and repeated what she said to them. Chris took offense to this and insisted that she tell her grandma that there is a Caucasian and an Italian man in the house too. - Says that Dean was super nice to Jenna even after her racist remarks when no one wanted to be affiliated with her. For this reason she doesn't understand why Jenna would find him threatening. - Jenna called Dean threatening because of his size and use of hand gestures when he was talking to her. Ceejai questions why Jenna was never threatened by Chris (the white houseguest) who has called her a bitch and bigot on numerous occasions. - The reason why Sabrina and Dean never said anything is because Ceejai already registered she was going home. - Sabrina and Dean already packed their things to leave with her but production said they wouldn't pay for their flights back home. This season was emotionally draining. I applaud Dean, Ceejai and Chris for handling everything the way they did. Ceejai joined t he Anne and Frank Show podcast to give insight on what was not captured on film.SOURCES : 1 The latest On the town in Milwaukee: Diving into your local tap In some Milwaukee neighborhoods, nearly every corner is pegged with a small, local tavern catering to the surrounding community. As such, the connotation of the "dive bar" becomes a hazy one. Usually typified by outdated surroundings, cheap drinks and a crowd of regulars rounding the bar each and every night, "dive bar" has come to mean something specific yet something very vague. Quantitative Easing for the masses! (Image by Al-Ahram Weekly) Details DMCA GAI (also BIG -- basic income guarantee) has been quietly mooted by both left and right since the 1960s. Economist Milton Friedman called it (approvingly) "helicopter money". What could be easier to administer, to end the most obvious source of social injustice, and which is welcomed even by most Canadians. Leading politicians around the world have endorsed the idea. In India, several projects and modest universal Cash Transfers (CTs) have been implemented. All Green Parties from Europe to North America, the Scottish National Party, the French Socialists, all endorse it. Switzerland will hold a referendum in June. Finland will launch a trial in 2017, and is committed to implementation, as are several Dutch cities. Brazil implemented a Citizens Basic Income for all of its citizens in 2004, with positive results in terms of health and economic stimulation (and ensuring the reelection of President Lula da Silva). Rising star of the European left, economist Yanis Varoufakis, founder of Democracy in Europe Movement 2025: In the 50s and 60s the dream of shared prosperity was that which gave hope. The basic income approach is capable of doing this as long as you can explain to them where the money will come from, that it will not be simply debt, that we are going to generate a lot more income and a chunk of it is going to fund this. US presidential candidate futurist Zoltan Istvan, founder of the Transhumanist Party: Robots are going to take many if not nearly all jobs in the next 10 to 35 years. So we need a way to transition society to being able to happily live in an age where there are no jobs. UBI (universal basic income) is the perfect vehicle. Why the sudden shift to support GAI? While the logic of GAI is obvious to India's poor, the idea has become more urgent in the developed countries, as, due to continued technological advance combined with offshoring of manufacturing jobs, particularly to China, full time employment is giving way to part time, temporary jobs and even lifetime unemployment. 40% of Spanish are now part of the "precariat", term coined by London University Professor Guy Standing, in A Precariat Charter: From Denizens to Citizens (a conflation of 'precarious' and 'proletariat'). The policy gains a majority around the world, even in Canada, as revealed in an Environics poll commissioned for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation in 2013. Though social welfare reforms from the 1930s reduced inequality from the highs of the "Gilded Age" in the 1890s, the share of national income going to the richest 1% has doubled since 1980 from 10% to 20%, the level it was in the first Gilded Age. The share going to the richest 0.01% quadrupled from 1% to almost 5%, which is larger than it was in the 1880s. (It's almost as bad in Canada, also increasing sharply from the 1990s.) Except for outright starvation, poverty is a relative concept: you feel poor when your neighbour has a new car and you are stuck with your old bicycle, or when he buys a goat and you are without milk. This was confirmed internationally by a recent OECD poll. 2008 was the turning point. That the people's president Obama's hands were tied by the banksters, who made him hand out trillions to them as "quantitative easing" (QE), even as they rewarded themselves with million-dollar bonuses, shocked Americans. (Canada handed out proportionately the same billions to ours.) Even neoliberals and bankers themselves admit that more equality is a good thing for capitalism, according to the IMF, "an important ingredient in promoting and sustaining growth". More equality will "improve efficiency, understood as more sustainable long-run growth." More concretely: it is in the interests of these super-rich to throw more crumbs from their table if they want to keep power. How to finance GAI? Canadian expert Forget proposes a GAI of $18,000 a year for every Canadian. If people have no income from any other source, that's their total income, which will increase if they work, with a hefty tax, say 50%, till their 'real' income goes up to, say, $30,000 and their GAI effectively goes back to the source. Forget said the challenge is finding the right dollar figure that will raise people out of extreme poverty while maintaining a financial incentive to work. Who would qualify for the guaranteed annual income? Unlike provincial welfare programs a GAI model would be available to both the working poor as well as people on assistance. "If you're working a minimum wage at $11 an hour or whatever it is in your province you would qualify," Forget said. It creates a work incentive to ensure that people who work are always better off than if they didn't work. The current Liberal platform to help average Canadians targets mostly the middle class, with a tax increase on the top 1% (above $200,000) and some tax cuts for the middle class. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Longtime allies Bill Clinton & Paul Kagame (Image by Ann Garrison) Details DMCA As a political psychologist I rely for evaluation on behavioral history, and view self-presentation (e.g., campaigning) simply as a behavior sample of perception manipulation. Trump's demagoguery is ugly and blatant, the hysteroid rhetoric of fascism designed for emotional evocation, inflaming social conflicts long simmering beneath the surface. But while the fascist theater of Trump arouses alarm and passionate repudiation within one audience - the polite liberal class - the massive industrial-scale state violence of his leading opponent remains invisible to most of this same audience, buried in the American cultural script of Rescue. Trump has exploited the hedonism, self-indulgence and wishful fantasies of stress-escapist citizens to acquire great wealth. The Clintons have pursued power and self-enrichment through exploiting citizen fear and racism, leaving massive death and destruction in their wake. Why, inquiring minds should ask, has there been such abundant press attention to Trump's loud mouth, obsessive narcissism and White colonial racist declarations, and so little to Clinton's narcissistic grandiosity and destructive abuses of state power demonstrating White colonial racism in action? Hillary's continued support by Black voters reflects woefully effective media concealment. Clinton indifference to African lives was evident well before their sacrifice of AIDS victims to Big Pharma capitalism as I described in my March 16 OpEdNews story. When a peace agreement was signed in 1993 between the Rwandan Hutu government and the RFP Tutsi force invading from Uganda led by Paul Kagame, the UN sent a peacekeeping force of 2,500 troops to assist its implementation, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) commanded by Canadian General Romeo Dallaire. The ceasefire collapsed when a plane was shot down in April 1994 killing the Rwandan president, launching a premeditated genocidal war that was in fact RFP-instigated and reciprocal although blamed on Hutus. In just over three months, perhaps a million were brutally slaughtered while General Dalliare was confined to remaining a helpless and psychologically traumatized spectator under rules of engagement restricted to passive provision of sanctuary and humanitarian relief while denied the 8,000-troop intervention force he requested. Why? Rwandan skulls & bones in Nyamata Church (Image by Canada.com) Details DMCA According to US intelligence reports declassified last year, President Clinton knew that genocide was underway but avoided the word, chose not to intervene, buried the reports, pushed the UN Security Council to reduce UN peacekeeping forces from 2,000 to 270 limited to observer roles, and later, while offering apologies, lied about his awareness of the horrors. But again, why? Once exposed, the initial excuse was fear of a Mogadishu repeat in an election year facing a strong Republican upsurge. But it has been learned - as the UN troop reduction suggested - that Clinton complicity went far beyond passive neglect. In his invasion and seizure of Rwanda, and several subsequent attacks upon Mobutu in Congo, General Kagame received financial, military and political support from the Clinton administration and had been trained at the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. As reported by Rwandan refugee, activist and writer Aimable Mugara: "Attracted by the immense mineral wealth of Congo, the U.S. supported Gen. Paul Kagame's 1990 invasion of Rwanda from Uganda, expecting Kagame to facilitate access to Congo...the only city marked on President Bill Clinton's map besides the Rwandan capital Kigali is the border city of Goma, Congo, center of the fighting over and plundering of Congo's mineral wealth. More than 6 million civilians would later die under Bill Clinton's eight-year reign." In addition to gold, diamonds, cobalt and copper, central Africa's mineral wealth includes uniquely accessible rare earth elements such as coltan essential in the production of consumer electronics including cell phones, laptops and flat screen TVs, now aptly designated "conflict minerals." In his role defending Rwandan General Augustin Ndindiliyimana in the prolonged International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, international attorney Christopher Black gathered evidence of US/UK collusion in arming and supporting Kagame's invasion and subsequent attacks on Congo throughout the Clinton administration as described by Mugara. Through Black's painstaking efforts against massive secrecy and censorship, Ndindiliyimana was eventually acquitted as a scapegoat. Confirming this disturbing picture, the Clinton/Kagame affiliation has continued far beyond Bill's administration through Clinton Foundation and Hillary State Department projects in Rwanda. Despite Kagame's abysmal report cards from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, Bill remains effusive in his praise, calling Kagame among "the greatest leaders of our time." And let's not forget the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti - 95% Black, poor, and an irresistible opportunity for disaster capitalism led by the Clinton gang. Predictably, murky interweavings developed between Hillary's State Department including USAID's "troubling lack of progress and accountability" administering 3.6 billion U.S. taxpayer dollars, predatory neoliberal banks, Clinton Foundation fundraising from countries doing business with the U.S. government, allegations of corruption and rigged elections, watchdog firings, and suspiciously missing and redacted Hillary emails. Haitian lawyer and human rights activist Ezili Danto claims that less than 1% of some $6 billion of international relief aid managed by Bill Clinton's Haitian Relief Fund was distributed to the Haitian government. Should we be surprised? The Clinton Foundation explicitly and conveniently rejects "artificial boundaries between business, government and nonprofits." Under a Clinton co-presidency II, we should expect an open back door to the U.S. Treasury while out front the public applauds the new Black face on their $20 bills. (Article changed on May 29, 2016 at 16:28) The debate over whether America is great or not was settled years ago, even before Hiroshima--when the U.S. joined Britain in battering civilian targets in Germany by air. Hundreds of thousands of innocent German civilians were killed. President Truman compounded this folly by massive, incendiary air raids on more than 60 Japanese cities that claimed more than a half million lives. And followed this up with the atomic incineration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This massive slaughter may be the mark of a powerful nation but it is not the work of a great nation. Great nations do not burn civilians alive by the hundreds of thousands. Great nations do not start wars based on lies, as was the case in Iraq. They have a moral compass. USA hasn't had one in years. It is living in a new Dark Age of its own making and in which it has put the entire planet at risk of destruction. Creating an arsenal of tens of thousands of atomic weapons and implanting radioactivity into conventional battlefield weapons has made America the "dispensable nation," not the "indispensable one." "Indispensable nations" do not bomb hospitals and newspaper offices "by accident" over and over again. The leaders who organize such strikes, and the warriors who carry them out are war criminals, plain and simple. Imagine what the American people might do with the $1 trillion President Obama intends to squander to modernize the atomic arsenal! Here is a President who initially campaigned for office on a platform of "a nuclear free world" wasting an immense sum on atomic and hydrogen weapons that must never be used while poverty grows worse in America by the day; while cities from Camden to Detroit to Stockton to San Bernardino are going bankrupt and tens of millions lack decent jobs, food and decent shelter. Presidents Bush and Obama who create and wage criminal wars, walk free in America, while Ashley Manning, who exposed a U.S. air strike against civilians in Baghdad and more, is imprisoned at Ft. Leavenworth; while Julian Assange of Wikileaks fame is holed up in Ecuador's London embassy for the crime of disseminating the truth. Ours is a nation that not only kills foreigners without compunction but even subjects its own fighting forces to illnesses from radioactive ammunition to pesticides. VA hospitals are treating men suffering from Agent Orange used in Viet Nam and from Gulf War diseases. Most revealing, instead of treating its veterans at once for these sicknesses, the Pentagon spent years in denial. What's more, America since 9/11 has accelerated its imbecilic germ warfare work, squandering an estimated $50-billion, in violation of international conventions against its use. America has diminished its own stature as no foreign enemy ever could. Pollsters the world over report USA is more feared than the terrorists it denounces. America spends about as much on weaponry as the rest of the world combined and thinks nothing of listening in to the telephone conversations of its enemies, its allies, and the Pope of Rome. The world today fears America more than any other nation, and, sadly, rightly so. As Paul Craig Roberts has pointed out, USG "Is The Most Complete Criminal Organization In Human History." To "protect" itself from its enemies, the U.S. operates about 1,000 military bases around the world. All the other nations of the world combined have a total of 30. And it's "War on Terror" is largely a hoax. Consider this, the U.S. released the overwhelming majority of the 779 prisoners in Guantanamo without bringing more than a handful to trial. Why not? It's probable that the U.S. knew it was arresting innocent men all along but didn't give a damn. By some estimates, 80% of the prisoners sent to Guantanamo were sold to the U.S. by bounty hunters lured by American leaflets promising them big bucks. And what happened to those men at the hands of their sadistic captors can only be termed as "shocking." Again and again, Federal judges have found USG's case against Guantanamo prisoners wanting and ordered their release. Men imprisoned wrongly to begin with, were torn from their families, and have rotted behind bars for years. This is not the action of a great nation but of a totalitarian one. This Memorial Day let America remember the innocent people around the world it has wrongly arrested, wrongly tortured, wrongly starved, and wrongly killed. This Memorial Day let us remember them and pray for forgiveness. This Memorial Day let us close down our overseas bases and bring our troops home. This Memorial Day, let us terminate NATO and all other such aggressive alliances. This Memorial Day let us destroy our nuclear and germ warfare stockpiles. This Memorial Day, let us expand our Peace Corps a hundred fold. This Memorial Day let us feed the hungry and shelter the homeless among us. This Memorial Day let us clean up our lakes and rivers, reforest our countrysides, and purify the air we breathe. This Memorial Day let us close down our for-profit prisons and release the hundreds of thousands being held for victimless "crimes" such as marijuana use. This Memorial Day, let us honor our pacifists and saints. This Memorial Day, let us make a start to make America great again. # Public school funding comes from 3 sources, federal, state, and local (Property taxes). Federal funding to public education is minimal, less than 10%. So the bulk (90-95%) of the funding to support our schools comes from state and local funds. The Pennsylvania school funding problem is directly related to the percentage of funding that comes from the state. PA ranks 45th in the country based upon the percentage of overall school funding provided by the state. On average, other state governments provide 45% of overall public education costs, but in PA, the state only contributes 36% of the funding required by local school districts. The result is that local property tax payers in Pennsylvania are forced to pay 55% of all public school costs compared to the national average of 44%. The lack of adequate school funding provided by the state is the driving force behind increasing property taxes. The PA State Legislature is controlled by Republicans and they not only created this funding mess but are continuing to push the issue toward a crisis. Governor Wolf presented an equitable solution to the school funding problem by proposing a 6.5% tax on the state's natural gas drillers and Marcellus Shale production, the Republicans adamantly opposed this tax. While state Republicans refuse to tax big oil and gas they do not have a problem with passing the burden on to homeowners by deliberately increasing property taxes. State Republicans want to avoid their responsibility to fund the education of our children by focusing only on the debate over their school funding "formula". The funding formula issue was created in 2011 when Republican Corbett took office. The funding formula before Corbett, took into account the number of students within a district and factors such as poverty. State Educational dollars today, are distributed to schools based on what each district received last year, with some additional supplements based on political considerations rather than sound education funding principle. Often the political factors considered are related to the Republican political agenda favoring Charter and private schools over Neighborhood Public Schools. In simple terms, the Republicans want homeowners to accept the burden of increased property taxes so they can protect Big Oil and Gas producers from paying their fair share of state taxes to support public education. Reprinted from Palestine Chronicle Merely being in the company of hundreds of Palestinian journalists and other media professionals from all over the world has been an uplifting experience. For many years, Palestinian media has been on the defensive, unable to articulate a coherent message, torn between factions and desperately trying to fend off the Israeli media campaign, along with its falsifications and unending propaganda or "hasbara." It is still too early to claim any kind of paradigm shift, but the second Tawasol Conference in Istanbul, which took place 18 to 19 May, served as an opportunity to consider the vastly changing media landscape, and to highlight the challenges and the opportunities facing Palestinians in their uphill battle. Not only are Palestinians expected to demolish many years of Israeli disinformation, predicated on a make-believe historical discourse that has been sold to the world as fact, but also to construct their own lucid narrative that is free from the whims of factions and personal gains. It will not be easy, of course. My message in the "Palestine in the Media" conference, organized by the Palestine International Forum for Media and Communication is that, if the Palestinian leadership is failing to achieve political unity, at least Palestinian intellectuals must insist on the unity of their narrative. Even the most compromising of Palestinians can acknowledge the centrality of the Nakba, the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the destruction of their towns and villages in 1947-48. They can -- and should -- also agree about the hideousness and violence of the occupation; the dehumanization at the military checkpoints; the increasingly shrinking spaces in the West Bank as a result of the illegal settlements and the colonization of whatever remains of Palestine; the suffocating hold on Occupied Jerusalem (al-Quds); the injustice of the siege on Gaza, and the one-sided wars on the Gaza Strip that have killed over 4,000 people, mostly civilians, in the course of seven years, and much more. Professor Nashaat Al-Aqtash from Birzeit University, perhaps more realistically, downgraded the expectations even further. "If we could only agree on how we present the narrative regarding Al-Quds and the illegal settlements, at least that would be a start," he said. The obvious fact is that Palestinians have more in common than they would like to admit. They are all victimized by the same circumstances, fighting the same occupation, suffering the same violations of human rights, and facing the same future outcome resulting from the same conflict. However, many are strangely incapable of disconnecting from their tribal-like, factional affiliations. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having ideological leanings and supporting one political party over another. It becomes a moral crisis, though, when the party affiliation becomes stronger than one's affiliation to the collective, national struggle for freedom. Sadly, many are still trapped in this thinking. But things are also changing; they always do. After over two decades of the failure of the so-called "peace process," and the rapid increase in the colonization of the Occupied Territories in addition to the extreme violence used to achieve these ends, many Palestinians are waking up to the painful facts. There can be no freedom for the Palestinian people without unity and without resistance. Resistance does not always have to mean a gun and a knife, but rather the utilization of the energies of a nation at home and in "shatat" (Diaspora), along with the galvanization of the pro-justice and peace communities all over the world. There must soon be a movement in which Palestinians declare a global struggle against apartheid, involving all Palestinians, their leadership, factions, civil society and communities everywhere. They must speak in one voice, declare one objective, and state the same demands, over and over again. It is bewildering to realize that a nation that has been so wronged for so long being so greatly misunderstood, while those who have done the harm are largely absolved and seen as if the victim. Sometime in the late 1950s, Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion became aware of the need to unify the Israeli Zionist narrative regarding the conquering and ethnic cleansing of Palestine. According to a revelation by Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Ben-Gurion worried that the Palestinian refugee crisis was not going to go away without a consistent Israeli message that the Palestinians left their land of their own accord, following instructions to do so by various Arab governments. Of course, that, too, was a fabrication, but many supposed truths often start with a sheer lie. He delegated several academics to present the most falsified, yet coherent, story on the exodus of the Palestinians. The outcome was Doc GL-18/17028 of 1961. That document has, ever since, served as the cornerstone of the Israeli "hasbara" concerning the ethnic cleansing of Palestine. The Palestinians ran away and were not driven out, was the crux of the message. Israel has been repeating this falsehood for over 55 years and, of course, many have believed it. Not until recently, thanks to the effort of a burgeoning group of Palestinian historians -- and courageous Israelis -- who counter the propaganda, a Palestinian narrative is taking shape, although much is yet to be done to offset the damage that has already taken place. Reprinted from Paul Craig Roberts Website The Saker reports that Russia is preparing for World War III, not because Russia intends to initiate aggression but because Russia is alarmed by the hubris and arrogance of the West, by the demonization of Russia, by provocative military actions by the West, by American interference in the Russian province of Chechnya and in former Russian provinces of Ukraine and Georgia, and by the absence of any restraint from Western Europe on Washington's ability to foment war. Like Steven Starr, Stephen Cohen, myself, and a small number of others, the Saker understands the reckless irresponsibility of convincing Russia that the United States intends to attack her. It is extraordinary to see the confidence that many Americans place in their military's ability. After 15 years the US has been unable to defeat a few lightly armed Taliban, and after 13 years the situation in Iraq remains out of control. This is not very reassuring for the prospect of taking on Russia, much less the strategic alliance between Russia and China. The US could not even defeat China, a Third World country at the time, in Korea 60 years ago. Americans need to pay attention to the fact that "their" government is a collection of crazed stupid fools likely to bring vaporization to the United States and all of Europe. Russian weapons systems are far superior to American ones. American weapons are produced by private companies for the purpose of making vast profits. The capability of the weapons is not the main concern. There are endless cost overruns that raise the price of US weapons into outer space. The F-35 fighter, which is less capable than the F-15 it is supposed to replace, costs between $148 million and $337 million per fighter, depending on whether it is an Air Force, Marine Corps, or Navy model. A helmet for a F-35 pilot costs $400,000, more than a high end Ferrari. (Washington forces or bribes hapless Denmark into purchasing useless and costly F-35.) It is entirely possible that the world is being led to destruction by nothing more than the greed of the US military-security complex. Delighted that the reckless and stupid Obama regime has resurrected the Cold War, thus providing a more convincing "enemy" than the hoax terrorist one, the "Russian threat" has been restored to its 20th century role of providing a justification for bleeding the American taxpayer, social services, and the US economy dry in behalf of profits for armament manufacturers. However, this time Washington's rhetoric accompanying the revived Cold War is far more reckless and dangerous, as are Washington's actions, than during the real Cold War. Previous US presidents worked to defuse tensions. The Obama regime has inflated tensions with lies and reckless provocations, which makes it far more likely that the new Cold War will turn hot. If Killary gains the White House, the world is unlikely to survive her first term. All of America's wars except the first -- the war for independence -- were wars for Empire. Keep that fact in mind as you hear the Memorial Day bloviations about the brave men and women who served our country in its times of peril. The United States has never been in peril, but Washington has delivered peril to numerous other countries in its pursuit of hegemony over others. Today for the first time in its history the US faces peril as a result of Washington's attempts to assert hegemony over Russia and China. Russia and China are not impressed by Washington's arrogance, hubris, and stupidity. Moreover, these two countries are not the native American Plains Indians, who were starved into submission by the Union Army's slaughter of the buffalo. They are not the tired Spain of 1898 from whom Washington stole Cuba and the Philippines and called the theft a "liberation." They are not small Japan whose limited resources were spread over the vastness of the Pacific and Asia. They are not Germany already defeated by the Red Army before Washington came to the war. Articles Listed By Date List By Popularity Search Title Date Between Any 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Any 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 and Any 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Any 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Page 1 of 3 First Last Back Next 2 3 View All (1 comments) SHARE Royal Rot An article comparing the rot in both the US and UK elites, each of which deceptively manufactures the consent of the governed. Friday, October 21, 2022An article comparing the rot in both the US and UK elites, each of which deceptively manufactures the consent of the governed. 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Sunday, December 20, 2020An opinion piece on the former vice-president's involvement in the bloody, illegal military coup in Ukraine, which allowed him to put his son on the board of Burisma. Page 1 of 3 First Last Back Next 2 3 View All Mullah Mansours Reported Death 29 May, 2016 By Asif Haroon Raja The US-India-Afghan government (govt) nexus has been the root cause of Afghan instability. While the US initiated war on terror in October 2001 to defeat and eliminate terrorism from the face of the earth, and utterly failed to do so, the trio has also been outwardly pleading for peace since 2011 when force failed to cow down the Taliban. Pakistan has been the biggest victim of instability in Afghanistan which started in December 1979 with its occupation by former Soviet Union. Pakistan has taken the brunt of Kalashnikov and drug cultures, sectarianism, religious extremism, and now terrorism ignited by foreign sponsored TTP, Baloch rebel groups and MQM. The US and its puppet govt of Karzai which ruled Afghanistan for 14 years at a stretch, followed by current unity govt of Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah have been constantly blaming Pakistan for their failures and has been pressuring Pakistan to convince the Taliban to come to the negotiating table for talks and work out a political settlement so as to end the war in Afghanistan and restore much needed peace. From 2002 till 2009, the US held Al-Qaeda, allegedly based in FATA responsible for stoking terrorism in Afghanistan and pushed Pakistan to deal with it. Between 2009 and 2014, the ISAF unceasingly complained that Pakistan was responsible for militancy in Afghanistan. Sirajuddin Haqqani led group based in North Waziristan (NW), which the US named as Haqqani Network (HN), was their main target. Pakistans military was accused of harboring and supporting HN. Admiral Mike Mullen went to the extent of saying that the HN was the strategic arm of ISI. Gen Petraeus stated in 2011 that it will not launch the grand offensive against Kandahar until and unless the NW safe haven was eliminated. The ISAF comprising Army contingents from 48 countries including 28 from NATO, and 260,000 ANSF duly trained and equipped by the US-NATO instructors kept losing battles and ceded control over 80% Afghan territory to the Taliban. Pakistan Army on the other hand single handedly and with meagre resources kept winning battles against foreign supported TTP from 2009 onwards and by end 2014 recaptured all the 18 administrative units in the northwest that were in control of TTP and its affiliates. The most difficult operations were against Swat, Bajaur South Waziristan (SW) and NW. The Operation Zarb-e-Azb launched against the last and strongest bastion of TTP in NW that by then had brought over 50 militant groups under its wings was launched in June 2014 and by May 20, 2016 the whole of tribal agency including the treacherous Shawal Valley, right up to zero line on Afghan border, was cleared and writ of state fully established. Theses victories were not easy; security forces suffered over 6000 fatalities and injuries to thousands to fight and oust the most hardy and valorous fighters in the world and that too on their home ground. Pakistan Armys feats stunned the whole world and was heaped with praises. Pak Army was rated as the best Army and Gen Raheel Shareef the best commander among the top ten of the world. What had surprised the world was that while on one hand the US led ISAF with abundance of resources and high technology had utterly failed to defeat rag-tag Afghan Taliban, Pak Army and paramilitary forces managed to rein in terrorism after clearing FATA of the bases, network, and command & communication centres of terrorists. Their feat became all the more impressive because of the well-known fact that the TTP was fully funded, armed, equipped by foreign agencies and was even provided intelligence and sanctuaries in Afghanistan. The ISAF made no contributions towards Operation Rah-e-Nijat in SW and Operation Zarb-e-Azb in NW in accordance with the agreed upon policy of anvil and hammer. It never provided the anvil across the Durand Line by establishing check posts and getting hold of the fleeing terrorists into Afghanistan. Rather they were facilitated to establish bases in Kunar, Nuristan, Nangarhar and Khost to carryout cross border terrorism against Pakistan under the direct supervision of RAW and NDS. While Pak security forces kept hoisting victory flags one after the other and never encountered a failure and kept up the momentum with utmost zeal and efficiency, the ISAF and ANSF remained webbed in multiple problems. These ranged from Post Stress Disorder (PST), to suicides, discipline, green-over-blue attacks, drug addiction, homesickness, demoralization from 2011 onwards. Reason put forward was that foreign troops had been recycled two to three times in war zones. They forgot that every unit in Pak army has been recycled for three to four times and the pay a soldier draws when compared with US-NATO soldier is peanuts. The later draws $7,500 per month salary and gets cooked hot food flown from Dubai daily. There has been no case of suicide or PST in Pak Army. Finding that the 130, 000 string ISAF cannot defeat the Taliban despite having used massive force, inhuman torture and trickery to divide and weaken Taliban, the US had to quit in December because of mounting home pressure and heavy burden on economy. It has left behind a huge mess. It could not achieve any of the stated or hidden objectives for which it come and spent billions of dollars. Before departing, it propped up a unity govt of two chief antagonists Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah, handed over security to ANSF and left behind a Resolute Force Group (RSG) of 12000 troops essentially meant to train ISAF, extend technical assistance and air support, and to fight Al-Qaeda only. As per bilateral security agreement signed between Kabul and Washington, the RSG was to stay put in 8 military bases till December 2016 and was to be reduced to half in December 2015. The need for the RSG was felt because of utterly weak position of unity govt engaged in power tussle, poor governance and weaknesses of ANSF that were not fit enough to take on Taliban change at their own. The US knew that without its military backing and $8.1 billion aid package, the unity govt will fall and ANSF will splinter within a year of ISAF departure and Taliban would takeover. As is known, the US had begun to acknowledge the strength of Taliban by 2010 and in 2011 it had initiated a political prong to engage Taliban. A political office was opened at Doha in June 2014. To appease Taliban, Obama declared that they were insurgents fighting for their rights and not terrorists. The RSG was also mandated to fight Al-Qaeda only. Efforts had been made to win over HN but when Siraj refused to Part Company with Mullah Omar, HN was declared a terrorist outfit. With regard to its policy on Pakistan, the US has all along opposed peace talks with TTP. It has been making use of drones as a choice weapon in Af-Pak region. Shamsi airbase remained in use of CIA till December 2011. So far 391 drone attacks have been carried out, mostly in FATA and bulk in Waziristan. Four strikes were launched in settled areas of Khyber Pakhunkhwa. No drone attack came in Baluchistan. Several key Al-Qaeda leaders and TTP leaders have been droned to death. These include Nek Muhammad, Baitullah Mehsud, Mullah Nazir and Hakimullah Mehsud. They were killed when they got inclined to sign peace deal. Drone attacks have watered down after commencement of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. The most recent drone strike was conducted in Baluchistan on May 21, 2016. It was claimed by the US that in all probability Afghan Taliban head Mullah Akhtar Mansour with his driver had been killed near Chaghi in Noshki district close to Afghan border while he was on his way in a hired jeep from Taftan. His death is still to be confirmed since the papers show him as Wali Muhammad from Qila Abdullah. John Kerry informed PM Nawaz and Army Chief after the attack. Not only the attack is sheer violation of Pakistans sovereignty since the target was hit 40 km inside Pak territory, it has derailed ongoing quadrilateral peace talks for good. While Pakistan has protested strongly, Kabul has expressed glee. Pakistan might have taken a sigh of relief had when most wanted terrorists Maulana Fazlullah and Khalid Khurasani had been droned, who are enjoying complete freedom of action right under the nose of the US and Afghan authorities in Afghanistan. The question being asked is as to why the US targeted Mullah Mansour when it was all this time making efforts to hold peace talks and blaming Pakistan for not doing enough in this regard. This act has once again laid bare the evil intentions of the US and its double game it has been playing in this region since 2002. It has also exposed the intentions of Afghan govt which is a puppet in the hands of the US and India. Following in the footsteps of ISAF and Karzai government, the unity government after a brief spell of friendship with Pakistan which stretched from November 2014 to June 2015, Ashraf Ghani changed his course and started speaking the language of Karzai and the US. It is singing the old tunes and blaming Pakistan for all its failures. It is making allegations even after Pak Army snatched its trump card of HN by pushing it out of NW. This bold act was acclaimed by both Kabul and Washington. Trouble started when peace talks were deliberately disrupted by the spoilers in July 2015 and water was poured on hard work of Pakistan. The latter had with difficulty convinced Mullah Mansour, the defacto commander since 2013, and other important Taliban leaders to attend July 7 peace talks at Murree which was attended by representatives of the US and China as observers. Next meeting was scheduled on July 31 at the same venue and that would have made a headway towards a political settlement. The spoilers led by India thought that a breakthrough in talks brokered and managed by Pakistan will prove highly detrimental for Northern Alliance and the US interests and will make the position of Pakistan and Taliban strong. Based on this self-assumed hypothesis, the spoilers initiated the story of death of Mullah Omar on July 30. They thus achieved their sinister objectives of scuttling peace talks, spoiling Pak-Afghan relations and dividing Taliban. By making Mullah Mansour controversial and pitching several Taliban leaders against him they thought it would be easier to bring them to negotiating table and talk to them from position of strength. Their ill-intentioned plan backfired and Mullah Mansour not only refused to take part in peace talks unless his demands were made but also demonstrated his strength by achieving series of victories on the battlefield. In concert with IMU, the Taliban made gains in Northern Afghanistan including Kunduz, Helmand province in southern Afghanistan and attacked Kabul and Bagram airbase. While son of Mullah Omar Mullah Muhammad Yaqub and brother of Omar, Mullah Manan reconciled with Mansour, Mullah Ghulam Rasool has not reconciled but is in hiding and has insignificant following. It was owing to continued Taliban offensive that the need for Pakistans support was once again felt by the US as well as the unity govt. Quadrilateral talks were initiated which comprised of members from the US, China, Pakistan and Afghanistan. No headway could be made because of the absence of Taliban that had put forward fulfilment of their demands as a precondition to take part in talks. These were: a. Putting Taliban leaders off the UN/US terrorist lists. b. Unfreezing their accounts abroad. c. Removing restrictions on travelling. d. Freeing their prisoners. f. Giving cutout date of withdrawal of foreign forces, and lastly, tailoring Afghan constitution in accordance with Sharia. More importantly, they didnt want to talk to unity govt which in their view was helpless and a puppet of the US. Not a single demand has been met which indicates their insincerity. The deadly Taliban attack on Kabul in last April shook the RSG, Unity govt, ANA and NDS. Not knowing what to do, they found Pakistan as a convenient scapegoat and put the whole blame on Pakistan. For the achievement of momentary relief from their pains, HN was again described as the most deadly outfit and Pakistan was blamed for not doing enough to crack it up. In their view HN is still using Angoor Adda as a crossing point in SW to strike targets in Afghanistan. They ignore the fact that HN has since long made Khost, Paktia, Paktika as forward bases from where it is striking targets all over Afghanistan. Pakistan was also blamed for not playing its part in convincing the Taliban and bringing them to negotiating table. Ignoring that they had disrupted peace talks, they dont agree with Pakistans stance that it cannot twist the arm of Taliban. They do not agree that while Pakistan has gone out of the way to address Kabuls anxieties and security concerns, and has taken practical measures to manage the porous border, the other side has not. Over 3 million Afghan refugees which have become a major security hazard are not being accommodated by Kabul. It is creating hurdles in the way of fencing of critical points along the border. Control of Angoor Adda crossing point has been handed over to Afghan Army as an appeasement measure. On Pakistans persistent pressure, Taliban had relented and were getting inclined for talks. The unpopular unity govt instead of inducing and appeasing the Taliban recently hanged six Taliban prisoners to death and one of the sons of Jalaluddin Haqqani, Ans Haqqani is on death row. Indian military is now actively supporting ANA in its fight against the Taliban. Daesh is being secretly strengthened at Nangarhar and married up with TTP runaway leaders by RAW to use it against irreconcilable Taliban and against Pakistan. The other development upon which both Kabul and Washington are feeling upbeat is the patch up with Gulbadin Hikmatyar. His eleven demands have been met. The US after expressing its satisfaction and appreciation for some months has reverted to its do more mantra and is now openly browbeating Pakistan. It is espousing the stance of Kabul and is blaming Pakistan for not doing enough against HN and in bringing Taliban to the negotiating table. It wants Pakistan to fight Afghan Taliban in the same manner it has been doing against TTP. This is in contravention to its official stance that dialogue and not force will restore peace. Other grouses of Washington against Pakistan are tactical nukes, release of Dr Shakil Afridi who had helped in locating Osama bin Ladens family residence in Abbottabad through his false polio campaign. In Pakistans eye Afridi is a traitor but the US consider him a hero. If it is true that Mullah Mansour has died, it is to be ascertained whether he had undertaken a journey from Taftan since Iran has denied it. If so, did he have a connection with Iran and since how long and what was the level of cooperation. Is it that he didnt measure up to the expectations of Iran and he was given up to please Afghan Northern Alliance and USA? Or were it RAW tentacles that had passed on the information to Washington? It is no secret that Iran has been maintaining secret contacts with Taliban and supplying weapons to them. Reportedly, Taliban have an office in Mashad. (Wall Street Journal report). If the US had gathered the information, why did it allow him to travel a long way well inside Pak territory and then kill him and why not inside Iran or on Iran-Pakistan border? Why Washington is once again trying to embarrass Pakistan govt and Army chief, as it had done in May 2011, by asserting that the two had been informed before the attack? Does Washington, Kabul, Delhi think that his death will result in serious leadership crisis, permanent divisions within rank and file of Taliban movement, and it will be much easier to bring the reconcilable to the negotiating table and making them agree to their dictated power sharing formula, while isolating and destroying the irreconcilable with ease? Will this act restore peace in war torn Afghanistan? These assumptions in my view are presumptuous and at best wishful. In all probability, Mansours death will not break the Taliban movement. Taliban Rahbari Shura is already in a meeting to elect the new Ameer and five names are under active consideration. Mulla Yaqub, Sirajuddin and Qayyum Zakir are the top contenders. Within next 24 to 48 hours the successor will be announced who will carry forward the baton as had happened after July 31, 2015. This time, the Taliban under new leader will renew ongoing spring offensive with utmost ferocity and in the process Afghans will suffer a lot. The period from June to November will be critical. It is still to be seen how Hikmatyar plays his cards. Will he join the unity govt and pick up fight with the Taliban? I have my doubts. What is confirmed is that chances of peace returning to Af-Pak region have been blown to pieces and it will remain turbulent for decades as already predicted by Obama. As long as India remains in Afghanistan and US maintains its interest in Afghanistan, peace will remain an elusive dream. What will now be the stance of Pakistan government? Will it continue to follow its self-defeating policy of appeasement and be contented with a protest against the US intrusion? When will our policy makers define our national interests and accordingly formulate our national, foreign, defence and media policies which guard our core interests and self-esteem of the nation? When will we differentiate between friend and foe and pick up moral courage to take a firm stand against all those inside and outside Pakistan working against national interests? Why are we so apologetic and defensive on the issue of peace talks? If the US, Northern Alliance and India want a regime of their choice in Kabul, why not Pakistan that has paid the heaviest price and has suffered the most on account of pro-India regimes in Kabul? Pakistans adversaries are India, pro-India Afghan regime, double dealing USA, Israel, TTP, BLA, BRA, BLF and not Afghan Taliban whom Pakistan ditched in 2001 and yet it never picked up arms against Pakistan. Even MQM is an adversary since it is on payroll of RAW. These countries and groups have taken the lives of 60,000 Pakistanis and caused a financial loss of $ 107 billion. Why cant our leaders comprehend that the US is arming India to teeth so as to pulverize Pakistan? Why cant our leaders understand that terrorism was a ruse to capture the resources of the Muslims and neo colonise them? Terrorism is being stoked by USA, Israel and India. Why have we not been able to strike down drones when Iran and people of NW could do it? Will we continue to impotently let others violate our sovereignty, play about with our honor and dignity? How long will we seek aid from USA which is always tied to humiliating conditions? The politicians are so heavily engrossed in amassing ill-gotten wealth that they seem oblivious to Indo-US-Afghanistan plans to strategically encircle Pakistan and then denuclearize and balkanize it. Modi and Ashraf Ghani are in Tehran to give final shape to their sinister plan. Plans of Indo-US navies are afoot to nuclearize Indian Ocean. Are our leaders unaware of these developments, or are dumb, or lack moral courage? All stances are criminal and inexcusable. I reckon, enough is enough! Our leaders will have to wake up to the already emerged threat to the security and integrity of Pakistan and take practical measures to ward off the threats. We have to respond to drone attacks and have to put a stop to sickening do more mantra!! The writer is retired Brig, war veteran, defence analyst, columnist, author of five books, Director Measac Research Centre, Director Board of Governors Thinkers Forum. He delivers lectures, takes part in TV talk shows and is active on facebook. asifharoonraja@gmail.com Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser FORT EDWARD General Electric will be able to leave all of the important infrastructure behind when it finishes dismantling the dewatering facility on the Hudson River, a spokeswoman said. The company is now confident it can leave behind the railroad, wharf, stormwater collection system and roads, all of which are key to turning the facility into an industrial park. The company will also leave behind the shells of three buildings, which could be reused by future tenants. Those are the water treatment building, at 27,000 square feet; the building at the rail yard, which is 2,400 square feet; and the sediment-dewatering building, which is 41,000 square feet. The equipment in those buildings must be removed because it came into contact with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). But as for the infrastructure itself, samples checking for PCB contamination have found few problems. No major issues have been found, said Joan Gerhardt, a spokeswoman for Behan Communications, which was hired by GE to handle public relations. The lack of residual PCBs is probably due to good housekeeping during dredging, which began in 2009 and ended late last year, she said. The sampling process is pretty rigorous and will likely continue through the summer, Gerhardt said. That means GE will move out by the end of the year, she said. Officials had previously said they would turn over the property by fall, but Gerhardt said the plan now is to terminate the lease at the end of the year. We dont anticipate being off property until the end of the year, she said. That change means the property owner, WCC LLC, cant move in new users this fall. Some industrial companies were interested in moving in right away, WCC representative John Davidson said. But he said he has already told them to target January instead. Early on, it was late summer, so its been pushed, he said. The ones Ive been talking to are fine with the new date. That gives Washington County supervisors more time to resolve an issue that might stand in the way of creating an industrial park. Many supervisors are reluctant to have the county take over the 2-mile road leading to the facility. It has a temporary bridge which will need to be replaced with a permanent bridge at some point and a narrow bend at which the road is only one lane wide. County officials and WCC are negotiating how much money WCC would offer if the road needed to be widened. The bridge has not yet been addressed. WCC officials have generally argued that the road has worked fine as it is and doesnt need any changes. They have offered to help fund a road-widening project if the industrial park draws a large amount of traffic. Some county officials have described the road as a potential boondoggle that could cost the county millions for an industrial park that may not bring in much tax revenue. They plan to discuss the issue with WCC and EPA officials at 10 a.m. Tuesday during a Public Works Committee meeting. LAKE GEORGE Local business leaders have many reasons to expect another banner year of tourism. New attractions, infrastructure investment and major hotel projects have spurred an unprecedented level of activity in the village, said Salim Amersi, owner of the Surfside on the Lake Resort on Canada Street. The Surfside is undergoing a major expansion 50 new rooms over a new underground parking garage that will welcome guests for the first time next week. A short walk south along Canada Street, work was continuing Friday on the new Courtyard Marriott hotel, which will bring fresh five-star accommodations and event space to the village. I think with our project and the Marriott and the new parks and the (Lake George Gateway project) and the other investments in town, theres no question its going to turn heads, Amersi said Friday, as tourists began rolling into the area for the unofficial start to summer. Youre talking close to $35 million between the two (hotel) projects here; thats a lot of investment in a village like this. Michael Consuelo, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, said his office has already been getting calls from prospective visitors wondering when the new Marriott will be ready to accept guests. Developer David Kenny said previously the hotel will be finished by July 1, although Kenny could not be reached to comment for this story. Consuelo said other hotel operators have also indicated their reservations are strong through and beyond the weekend of Americade, the five-day annual motorcycle rally that kicks off June 7 this year. Bookings are very, very strong; it all points to a very good year, Consuelo said. Sasha Pardy, owner of Adirondack Winery and founder of Adirondack Festivals LLC, is looking forward to having a completed Wood Park events space. The park is named for Charles R. Wood, the former operator of Gaslight Village, on which the new festival space was built over the course of two years. Last year, the park hosted the inaugural Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, although a lot of construction was still going on, and the park had no functioning bathrooms. Pardy said more than 1,100 tickets have already been sold for this years event, which takes place June 25 and 26. Last year, the Friday before the event started, we had sold 1,450 tickets, so what we see from this point is that it is just going to go full speed ahead, Pardy said. She credited the increased interest this year to increased marketing made possible by a $63,000 grant awarded by the Craft Beverage Marketing and Promotion Grant Program, launched by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Pardy said Wood Park is perfect for events like the wine and food festival . We go to these wine festivals across the state, and it is very rare where everything comes together that you have a property that has plenty of parking and hotels and camping and tons of attractions and restaurants nearby, Pardy said. Such events, along with the proliferation of craft beverage manufacturers in the region, are having a broad impact on the areas tourism demographics, according to John Carr, owner of Adirondack Brewery and Pub on Canada Street. I think its a shift in the economy of Lake George, Carr said. Its just a whole new type of retail being brought into the village. Its definitely aimed at the millennials and people who want local products, as opposed to the pizza and T-shirts. Carr is in the process of opening High Peaks Distillery on Canada Street, south of the brewpub. And while he knows the business will welcome its first visitors this summer, he isnt sure exactly when that will happen. Its one of those things you chip away at as you either have money or time, which are two of the commodities that bind us up, he said. But fans of distilled beverages wont have to wait to sample locally made products; Lake George Distilling Co. opened on Friday a tasting room at 329 Canada St. Its a whole new animal for us, to have foot traffic, said distillery co-owner John McDougall, just before he and his wife, Robin, served their first customers at the Canada Street location. The McDougalls launched Lake George Distilling Co. on Route 149 in Fort Ann in 2013. One thing that could pose a challenge for tourists and businesses this year is the Gateway project, which is expected to last into the fall and result in a complete road, infrastructure and streetscape makeover for the villages main thoroughfare. And then theres Mother Nature, although if several long-range weather predictions can be trusted, she seems to be in a cooperative mood. As with any forecast, even a short- to medium-range forecast, theres always a significant amount of uncertainty, said Brian Whitley, meteorologist with North Country Weather in Glens Falls. For long-range forecasts, we defer to what the (National Weather Service) Climate Prediction Center says. Data from that organization indicate the Northeast has a good chance of warmer-than-normal temperatures, Whitley said. Precipitation-wise, it seems their confidence isnt quite as high in that regard, but theyre calling for above-normal precipitation as well, he said. Chief among the reasons for the warmer, wetter prediction is the transition from El Nino to La Nina a cooling of previously warmer-than-typical ocean temperatures in the Pacific. Whitley said this summer could bring a robust hurricane season, if history is any teacher. I looked for a similar pattern (of El Nino-to-La Nina transition), and I found that, as we went from the winter of 1997, which also featured a very strong El Nino, to the summer of 1998, where we transitioned to La Nina, it turned into a fairly busy tropical season. While hurricanes arent a typical concern for our region, early severe storms could convince travelers to rethink visits to areas more prone to such storms. It could also prompt a bump in staycations among local residents. Consuelo, at the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, said calls from people interested in visiting the region have spiked over the past week to 10 days, and inquiries have been specific for particular accommodations or weekends or events. Its nothing but positive, he said. Kenneth Tingley Editor 12801 Follow Kenneth Tingley Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Homo sapiens is the scientific name for the human species. It is Latin and means wise person, which seems especially inappropriate considering how we tend to muck up just about everything we touch when we are not killing each other. I would consider us to be the original invasive species. Our forefathers invaded North America, thought nothing of running off the American Indians and have been talking about keeping everyone else out ever since. The invaders were talking about today are pesky critters like the spiny water flea, the emerald ash borer, zebra mussels and Asians clams. They are a nuisance and not good for the environment, and keeping them out will require a lot more than a wall. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who is the latest in a long line of invasive species representing us in Congress, has proposed legislation that would help raise money to fight the other kind of invasive species. Its called the Stamp Out Invasive Species Act and would direct the United States Postal Service to create stamps that educate the public about combating invasive species. Im not really sure how lucrative the venture would be. I personally dont use stamps anymore, except to send out Christmas cards, and Im not sure the spiny water flea would set the right tone for the holidays. Still, I find the idea compelling and worth exploring further, especially if we are willing to broaden our definition of an invasive species. There are many that we could consider, and all might be marketable. Take the Siemens Geothermal Leech which has been popping up in county water supplies all across the state. This pesky mollusk attaches itself to our county water supply and can only be eradicated by spending an enormous amount of money on lawyers, or spraying it with an annoying insecticide called Whitehead Plus. Then there is the Oily PCB Water Snake which settles into the sediment in the Hudson River and can only be removed with giant clamshell dredging machinery. But even then, you never really get rid of it all. I think PCB stands for Pretty Crappy Business. Then there is the most notorious of all the invasives the Silver Skelos Leech. State officials were finally able to remove it from Albany recently, but apparently we will be paying for its eradication for years to come. Perhaps, the most pervasive invasive species that we deal with each year is the Giant Long Island Snail, and its cousin the Giant New Jersey Snail. Beginning on Memorial Day weekend and continuing through Labor Day, these annoying invertebrates clog our roads from Saratoga to Lake George looking for something to do as we locals try not to hit them. There is a sub-species the French Canadian Snail which is generally welcomed in these parts, especially when the Canadian dollar is weak. The infestation keeps almost everyone I know from ever making the trip to Lake George. So I think Rep. Stefanik may be onto something here. I just think she needs to broaden her definition of invasive species for the Postal Service. Perhaps, she could be on the first stamp. He said with the rising graduate population in Ghana and the entire world, it was becoming extremely difficult for government alone to absorb them and, therefore, developing entrepreneurial skills would help in reducing the high incidence of unemployment. President Mahama said this when he addressed the 16th and 17th graduation ceremony of 354 students of the All Nations University College, a private university in Koforidua, on the theme: "The Growth and Development of Private Universities, and the Impact on the Socio-economic Development of Ghana." The President said government's determination to making Ghana the education hub in the West African sub-region was manifesting in the numerous infrastructural projects throughout the country. He said more than 15,000 foreigners were schooling in Ghanaian tertiary institutions and gave the assurance that the provision of more facilities would spur more foreigners to come to Ghana. President Mahama commended the University for taking the bold initiative of establishing the first private university in Ghana giving courage to others to follow up in that direction. "Your innovation in science and technology, engineering, electronic, oil and gas and communication engineering are very commendable," he said. President and Founder of the university, Dr Samuel Donkor, appealed to President Mahama for the government to grant them a Presidential Charter to enable them to be independent in their academic activities. This, he said, would enable the university to admit and train more students. Dr Donkor said his school will continue to build on the foundation by integrating the values of the mission statement and provide cutting edge quality higher education in an increasingly competitive global dynamic society. He challenged Africans in the Diaspora, especially in North America, to support the development of the continent by investing in human resource development through quality higher education. Dr Norman Cook, a retired official of the Canadian International Development Agency, called on the graduates and students to eschew self-doubt in every endeavour they undertook. The All Nations University College (ANUC) was established by the All Nations Full Gospel Church, Toronto, Canada through the All Nations International Development Agency. Its mission is to develop a new breed of leaders for the continent with holistic education that emphasises academic excellence, Christian values, discipline and ethical values in a Christ centered environment. After years of preparations, the university opened its doors to 37 pioneering students on November 4, 2002 for the Business and Computer Science undergraduate programmes. Today ANUC has 12 accredited programmes and more than 2,500 students. I am extremely disappointed about the flat footedness of officialdom in this matter. Im talking about the ECG, PURC, Ministry of Power and the Presidency, he complained during a panel discussion on Accra-based Radio Gold. He argued that the challenges facing the power distributor have been allowed to fester and cascade into an issue affecting the livelihoods of Ghanaians. The Public Utility and Regulatory Commission (PURC) earlier this week ordered ECG to suspend the use of its billing system software which was over-billing consumers after a series of complaints from the public. President John Mahama on his part assured the general public that the overbilling will be fixed because and Inter-Agency Taskforce had been put together to resolve complaints from the public regarding the bills and charges being received from ECG. Regarding the oppositions capitalization on the issue for political gains, Dr. Percy said: It is the business of opposition to capitalize on own goals. It is the responsibility of every opposition but one will really not know this country and know this particular opposition. He advised the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to belittle the capability of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to win votes with their sloppiness in dealing with issues affecting the ordinary Ghanaian. The three-week ban, which was one of the rites that precedes the celebration of the festival, was to enable the chiefs and elders to pray to the gods for abundant harvest. The Homowo Festival, which is celebrated to hoot at hunger, is celebrated by the people of the Ga-Dangme Traditional Area. The Paramount Chief and President of the Osu Traditional Council, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, expressed gratitude to the people for observing the ban peacefully. He asked them to continue to maintain the peace and lend their support to the Council to provide the necessary development to improve their living standards. He indicated that this could largely be attributed to the inability of some local contractors to acquire high grade equipment as a result of its exorbitant cost which were beyond the capabilities of the average local contractor in Ghana. There is also currently no plausible and reliable plant hire system to support the industry, Mr Adjei Mensah said during the Second CAT Road Construction Seminar in Accra. The seminar which was on the theme: Complete Solutions, was organised by Mantrac Ghana Limited, the sole authorised dealer for Caterpillar products in Ghana. It brought together stakeholders in the road construction industry namely the Road Contractors Association of Ghana and the Progressive Contractors Association, the two major bodies in the industry. Mr Adjei-Mensah said: Most local contractors, therefore, generally acquire their equipment at auctions in Europe and the United States. The average age of heavy earthmoving equipment acquired through this process is about 10-15 years; as you can imagine, there is no reliable spare parts and after sales support for such equipment, he said. The Deputy Minister pointed out that such equipment, therefore, tended to break down frequently and ultimately led to delays in implementation of projects, adding that the cost implications of such situations were not desirable for the Ghanaian economy. He hailed Mantrac Ghana for maintaining its dominance in dealing in earthmoving and construction equipment for the past 78 years. Mr Adjei-Mensah, however, appealed to Mantrac Ghana to explore the business opportunities and arrange for flexible terms for the road contractors to own construction equipment and improve on their delivery. He urged the company to strengthen its presence nationwide and continuously improve on its after sales services to ensure that contractors who bought their products benefited from its rich experience and expertise. He said most earth-moving operators did not possess the relevant skills and expertise to properly operate the machinery, which often led to their frequent breakdown requiring huge financial outlays to fix. To address this situation, Mr Adjei- Mensah said the Ministry had established a fully equipped training centre in Koforidua to train industry players. He said the government was, therefore, leaving no efforts at encouraging and partnering with the private sector to fund and manage road sector needs, adding; road transport is the dominant mode of transport in Ghana and accounts for 97 per cent of passenger traffic and 95 per cent freight. IGP John Kudalor announced that the Police are considering a ban on social media to ensure order on the social media platforms on Novmeber 7. His announcement has received criticisms from some Ghanaians and groups including the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA). Contributing to a panel discussion on the issue on Joy FM, Nana Akomea said should the IGP insist on banning social media, he will risk becoming the worst IGP in our history. He acknowledged that there are problems with social media usage in the country. However, he maintained that banning it altogether is not the way to go. Are we going to shut down radio stations because some of them give inaccurate information? But the solution should not be a ban. You will be throwing away the baby with the bath water. You will be taking our democracy down to the level of Uganda and Zimbabwe he remarked. He argued that Ghana has gone way ahead of that and so dont seek to drag us back. If we are not careful, it could play into a certain thinking that government is not interested in transparent elections because the free flow of information, the instant reportage that we get from the media about what is happening in our polling stations across the country for which the radio stations have played their part so well which has enhanced transparency and democracy. Suleiman gave the commendation in llorin while reacting to President Buhari's speech in commemoration of Democracy Day and one year of his administration. He noted that there is now peace in parts of the country that hitherto had recorded mass casualties and displacement due to attacks by the insurgents. He noted that no meaningful development could be attained in an atmosphere of rancour, hatred and acrimony. Suleiman, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Abuja, advised Buhari to bring his ministers closer to him, to be able to get direct information on issues affecting the country including the feelings and aspirations of Nigerians. Suleiman suggested the inclusion of more economists into the administration, to fast track the country's economic recovery. Meanwhile, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, has appealed to Nigerians to offer prayers for the President to succeed in building peace, progress and political stability in the country. Tambuwal, who made the appeal in Sokoto while distributing inputs to farmers groups in the state, said that the prayers would guide the leadership to perform creditably. He said that the inputs were procured at the cost of N159 million under the Fadama III programme to boost irrigation in the state. The governor said that the items include rice tilling machines, water pumps, seeds, chemical, animal feeds among others, which would be sold to farmers at 75 per cent discount. He explained that the gesture was to encourage the youths and women engage in all-year farming. A statement issued on Saturday by Dogara's spokesman, Mr Turaki Hassan, said that Nigeria's democracy has come of age since 17 years of uninterrupted constitutional democratic rule. "As a major symbol of democracy, the House of Representatives promise to continue to strengthen our democratic growth and development through legislation for the needs and aspirations of Nigerians. "The 2015 general elections that brought the opposition party headed by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to power shows that our democracy has matured and come of age. "As Nigeria faces serious economic challenges as a result of dwindling oil revenues and mismanagement of our resources, Nigerians should trust the capacity of the current government to confront these problems and provide lasting solutions. "Indeed, we should patiently await the results of the current policies and actions of government which we believe will soon begin to yield positive results. "It is not an easy task and we are not yet there. But with hard work, commitment, dedication and patriotic zeal on the part of all Nigerians and corrupt- free government, our democracy will soon deliver on its promise of good life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," the statement said. A cross section of the residents who listened to the Presidents Democracy Day nationwide broadcast, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that they have noticed improvement in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency. Malam Muhammad Babagana, a resident, said indeed one year of Buhari's government has recorded remarkable improvement in security and fight against corruption. ``The President has also performed well in a bid to regaining our national image in the eyes of the world. ``Yes, the ordinary Nigerian is yet to notice true change as promised by the government, but this was born out of the massive looting and corruption by the former administration. ``But even at that this government should focus on polices that would cure hardship and suffering of ordinary Nigerians with immediate effect, said Babagana. Another resident, Mr Asiwaju Abiodun, said ``More grease to the elbow of Mr President, though the economic hardship is alarming and the patriotic and intellectual Nigerians understand the numerous factors that caused it. ``Yet we are ready to endure, work and pray along with you to reposition our great country into a better nation. Be as it may, in God we trust," said Abiodun. Malam Bunu Grema, said: ``Well, a year is now gone and the clock reset. I would want to assume that the PMB-led APC government have laid a foundation that best fits their goals and mandate and that in the next several months we shall see uncanny fruits of achievements." However, Mr Aruwa Isa, said: ``I concur with His Excellency's position and views, and would also make bold to say it takes doggedness and determination to get things right for one to rightly move the state ship forward from the wreck it was left for in May 2015. ``I can categorically tell you that we now sleep with eyes closed, unlike what we experienced some few years back. ``If you remember vividly there was a time in this country when we could not go to our churches, mosques, plazas, viewing centres, and we were constantly warned of going to crowded places, yes it was that bad. ``Our soldiers were been killed and slaughtered like chicken on a daily basis in the hands of Boko Haram, No thanks to GEJ and Dasuki who diverted monies budgeted for arms. Akiolu said this at an inaugural lecture, as part of activities for the Lagos State at 50 Anniversary in Lagos on Saturday, May 28, 2016, where he highlighted the history and culture of the state. It would be recalled that the former President Obasanjo-led administration withheld Lagos state local government funds, following the creation of 36 new local government development areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State. The insistence of the state not to yield to the directive of the Federal Government to cancel the new LVDAs attracted the withholding of funds meant for the 20 existing local governments. Akiolu said that the then governor of Lagos, Sen. Bola Tinubu, with all his development plans would have done so much for the growth of the state, but for the seizure of the states federal allocation. According to the monarch, Lagos state would have been far developed by now. "The Story of Lagos State State has been a success story right from the time of Alhaji Jakande who set a good example of leadership. "Sen. Bola Tinubu came with robust development plans for Lagos State, but he could not do so much because of the seizure of local governments funds. But he laid the foundation upon which his successors had been building. "The state was blessed with Gov. Babatunde Fashola, and now, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode. These governors had taken Lagos to an enviable height with unassailable internally generated revenue, '" he said. Akiolu urged political office holders in the state to live up to their mandate by being sincere and honest in all their dealings. He also urged residents to support the state government as it strives to develop the state and make life comfortable for its residents. In his address, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode said that the golden jubilee of the state was to the showcase the legacy, arts, language, heritage and culture of the people. Ambode, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, said that the state occupied a noticeable position in global affairs as the fastest growing mega-cities in the world. "Celebrating Lagos is to celebrate Nigerias unity and progress, because Lagos provides the cohesion that keeps Nigeria together. "We need to celebrate our past achievements and showcase to the world our immense potential for future growth and development. "Government alone cannot do it; we must all join hands together to build the Lagos of our dream, " he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ambode had on Friday unveiled the Lagos at 50 logo to herald the lined-up programmes for the anniversary that will run till May 27,2017. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu and Fashola were among the dignitaries invited by Gov. Abdulaziz Yari to inaugurate the projects as part of activities to mark 2016 Democracy Day. The projects are township roads, rural electrification, power substation and hospitals. Fashola said while inaugurating the sub- stations in Anka that the projects were in line with the Federal Government's policy of ensuring that all the towns and villages were connected to the national grid. He said the Federal Government was ready to partner with the states to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians, especially those in the rural areas. He said the current administration had planned various infrastructural development projects to be executed across the country to deliver the dividend of democracy to the masses. "Despite economic challenges, with little resources, the administration has recorded various achievements better than previous government that sold 130 dollars per barrel of crude oil, he said. The minister expressed the confidence that the projects would improve the lives of the rural dwellers. Tinubu, who inaugurated general hospitals and township road projects also in Anka, Bukkuyum and Gummi Local Government Areas, said the projects were in line with the party's programmes. Tinubu, who was represented by a former Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Mr Olufemi Pedro, said:``Roads attract development because they help to improve the socio-economic development of the rural communities. ``Therefore, we have strong hope that these projects will change the lives of the rural dwellers in the state." In his remarks, Yari said the projects were jointly executed by the state government and the 14 local government councils of the state. He said that the township road projects of 20km in each of the headquarters of the 14 local governments were executed at a cost of N42 billion. According to a report by Punch Newspaper, nine out of the 12 members that constituted the dissolved NWC have dissociated themselves from the suit filed by Sheriff, against the partys National Caretaker Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi. The nine members which include Uche Secondus and Abubakar Mustapha have said that Sheriff didnt seek their consent before filling the suit, hence, they remain committed to the actions taken at the partys national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. ALSO READ: Court bars Ali Modu Sheriff from parading himself as PDP Chairman Speaking on the issue, Sheriff's deputy, Secondus said, Eight of us had two days ago, pledged our loyalty to Makarfi and we havent changed our stand on that. As a matter of fact, the former NOS, Mustapha, has joined us. Thus, nine of us are behind him. We didnt ask Sheriff, who is a friend to us, to file any suit on our behalf." Speaking further, Secondus said, 'We didnt meet to resolve to go to court or ask anyone to act on our behalf. We are going to write the court to say this. We are not a party of the case. ' Sheriff is our friend, we are happy to say that. But we must protect the interest of the pay and millions of its members. This is not the time to allow personal ambition to destroy the collective interest and ambition of millions, who look up to the patty for salvation.' Sheriff had instituted a lawsuit challenging Makarfi's emergence as the interim Caretaker chairman saying his tenure would end on December 11, 2018 since he replaced a former National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Muazu, whose mandate he inherited. Sheriff had filed the lawsuit on behalf of himself, the former NWC members and their deputies. Buhari's victory in the 2015 elections was highly celebrated by many Nigerians because of the change he and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), promised and represented. The country had been ruled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 16 years and had made no real progress so the promise of change was a welcome one. Buhari's inauguration was attended by more world leaders than any of his predecessors and this showed that he had instilled hope in many hearts all around the globe. The expectations placed on Buhari were so high that he had to remind people, before he was sworn in, that Rome wasn't built in a day The expectation is too high and I have started nervously to explain to people that Rome was not built in a day, Buhari said on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, during a meeting with governor members of the APC and governors-elect voted in on the partys platform. For this to be corrected, please give the incoming government a chance, he added. Unfortunately for Buhari, his campaign was based on building the expectations of Nigerians and they had come to see him as a hero, that expectation could not be dampened with one statement. The early days of the Buhari government reinforced this hero image. Electricity was constant, Boko Haram was being effectively tackled and looters were being exposed. But then things began to change. Buhari took forever to choose ministers and hardly gave an acceptable explanation for the delay. Then the drama with the 2016 budget began and was joined by fuel scarcity, poor electricity, Fulani herdsmen, Niger Delta Avengers, increased fuel price and tomato scarcity. To make matters worse, the Buhari government seems to believe that it doesn't owe Nigerians an explanation for its actions. Buhari doesn't speak to the people who elected him and when he does, it's usually through interviews with foreign journalists. His spokesperson, Femi Adesina says it's because he doesn't want to be a talkative president. Experts are saying Nigeria is heading for a full-blown economic crisis, some are saying recession, some are saying depression, yet our president doesn't want to be talkative. The Buhari government has been a disappointment, to say the least, but not because of Nigeria's current challenges. The way the PDP handled Nigeria's economy had made it almost certain that there'd be hard times ahead. Buhari's administration has been disappointing because the president and his officials have handled the implementation of their policies like novices. The Buhari government has zero communication strategy. This flaw is all the more amazing because the media was this government's vehicle into power and now it has become its worst enemy. Adesina and Information Minister, Lai Mohammed have made some of the most unbelievable statements to proceed out of the mouths of government officials, yet they have shown no remorse for constantly alienating and infuriating Nigerians. The Buhari administration obviously has good intentions, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Nigerians need a government that cares about them and this care can only be expressed through proper communication. This of course means that Buhari has to be talkative. He needs to talk about Fulani herdsmen and the Niger Delta Avengers and he has to explain and dissect his economic policies until the average Nigerian understands where the country is going. Nigerians have placed a lot of hope on President Buhari but that hope is slowly fading due to the government's insensitivity. Buhari still has three more years to fulfill his promises to Nigerians but if he continues on this same path, he would've lost their trust before the time is up. The president needs to remember that most of his appeal comes from his ability to assure Nigerians that everything is under control, that he is firmly in charge. How will he assure them when he's always silent? If Buhari intends to continue in office beyond 2019, and leave a positive mark on Nigeria, he and his team have to re-strategize on how to better carry Nigerians along in deciding on and implementing their policies. READ ALSO:Racist detergent advert is causing WAHALA on social media The company expresses its regret, saying it strongly condemns racial discrimination. "We express regret that the ad should have caused a controversy," the statement issued late on Saturday said. "But we will not shun responsibility for controversial content." "We express our apology for the harm caused to the African people because of the spread of the ad and the over-amplification by the media," the company said. "We sincerely hope the public and the media will not over-read it." The detergent-making company lays blame at the feet of foreign media for whipping up controversy, saying several news outlets had overblown the ad, which in fact had first appeared on Chinese social media as far back as March. The said ad features a black man "washed" by its product, after being shoved into a washing machine by an Asian woman with whom he had been flirting. The man, carrying a tin of paint, wore soiled clothes and had paint on his face before being pushed into the machine. When the cycle completes, a fair-skinned Asian man in a clean white T-shirt emerges to the delight of the woman. When speaking to the Chinese nationalist newspaper The Global Times, a company representative, Mr. Wang, said the critics were "too sensitive," and the issue of racial discrimination never came up during the production of the video. Alexis Fire Equipment, the manufacturer that helps firefighters everywhere battle blazes, now is taking on the fight against childhood cancer. The second-generation company, located in tiny Alexis, Ill., population 814 has partnered with St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. One of the last remaining family-owned fire equipment makers in the Midwest, Alexis Fire has pledged to donate $1,000 for every fire and medical unit it sells between April 16, 2016, and April 15, 2017 in the continental United States. "There are very few people that havent been touched by childhood diseases," said Jeff Morris, the company's owner. "Everyone from our employees to the customers we serve to the communities we live in, has been affected by cancer in some way." Alexis Fire manufactures fire trucks, pumpers, tankers and other fire appartus, including custom-built aerials, and sells custom-crafted law enforcement vehicles and ambulances. Founded in 1947 by Morris' father, Eugene, Alexis Fire has grown from a small fabrication shop to a 75-person workforce of skilled engineers, craftsmen and mechanics. The company soon will have a feature on its website for others to donate to the cause. For more information, visit www.alexisfire.com. "Knowing the impact that St. Jude has on the patients and their families, it makes us proud to know we can contribute to such a worthy cause," Morris said. St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, founded in 1962, conducts research and treats childhood cancer. According to information from the hospital, "through generous donations, like Alexis Fire's commitment, St. Jude ensures that no child's family will ever receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, and can focus on what matters most helping their child live." HooahQuad-Cities supports military Just in time for Memorial Day, the Quad-Cities Chamber has launched a newly designed website to connect military with resources, community events and military-friendly employers. The site, HooahQuadCities.com, was redeveloped in partnership with Sedona Technologies, Moline. "This was the perfect melding of our web expertise and commitment to supporting the military and the Rock Island Arsenal," said Ernie Cychosz, vice president of Sedona Technologies Government Services. Tara Barney, the chamber's president and CEO, said the website is part of the longstanding program that focuses on supporting the military. She offers these ideas for others to show their support through Hooah Quad-Cities: Be recognized as a military-friendly employer by completing a Statement of Support found under the We Hire Military tab. Submit details of an upcoming military-related event to website. If your business offers a military discount, provide the information to the Hooah website. So long, Moline Governor's The Moline Governor's will close its doors today. The Governor's restaurants/bars in Moline and Bettendorf have been sold, and the Bettendorf one will remain open. The new owners plan to remodel the Moline location and reopen in about three weeks with a new concept. There is more to come on that story. But after 42 years, the pub is ending its run as a favorite watering hole for Moliners, loads of ball teams and a few Scouters I know. Governor's in Moline opened the doors in 1974, founded by Dave Koenig and John Allan "Al" Johnson. Their partnership of Johnson-Koenig Co. introduced a host of restaurants on the Quad-City scene, including Tortilla Flats, The Dock, JK Frizbee's, Iowa River Power Company, Old Oaks, Bixby's, Huff's, Spaghetti's and The Palace. The Rock Island National Cemetery office on Arsenal Island couldn't be more alive. It is the Thursday before Memorial Day. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' staff of 17 has six burial services scheduled. And flags have to be placed at all 25,529 graves. Contractors are mowing and manicuring all 72 acres for the big weekend. Gloria Dzekunskas of Silvis, the offices budget analyst and one of only two civilians among the veteran staff, glances at a screen of funeral services scheduled back-to-back every 30 minutes. She then heads outside, where her eye catches a spotted fawn that has fallen asleep beside a headstone. They like snuggling up to the stones in the morning sun because the stones get warm, she says. Throughout the cemetery grounds, local American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of America chapters arrive to practice the military honors that will be offered during the days various services. Jim Joseph of Moline, an 88-year-old who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the U.S. Army during Korea, is among the longest serving members of the American Legion Post 246 Honor Guard. He needs 11 members for a service, and recruiting them is always a challenge. Its hard to get them and hard to keep them, because were real busy, he said. We do over 200 (service) a year. The most we ever did was 257. Were all volunteers. You get a drink after, and thats our pay. U.S. Army Sgt. Jon Kelley of Davenport, who served in Iraq, carefully brushes lint off of his suit coat before making his way outside. He has a walkie-talkie at his side and papers in hand. He and Dzekunskas are the days cemetery representatives who will greet arriving families. Services are held at either of the cemeterys two committal shelters rather than at the grave sites. Due to the number of services on Thursday, both are being used. Kelley gets an update about 11:30 a.m. that the first funeral procession of the day has passed through the Moline gate of Arsenal Island. In immediate response, lawn mowers are turned off and the practicing honor guards stand down. As a line of vehicles makes its way slowly onto the grounds, everything in the cemetery stops. Hands are placed over hearts. When a veteran is brought in, even a veterans spouse, if we are out in the field, we stop. We salute, Dzekunskas said. Paying respects The procession arrives at the committal shelter as the American Legion Post 246 Honor Guard commander calls out Attention! Kelley approaches the family of Dennis D. Askam, a veteran from Moline, who passed away May 20 at the age of 73. His family requested the military honors, which includes three rifle volleys, taps and folding of the American flag, which was provided by Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island. The folded flag is presented to Askams family. Within 30 minutes, the service is over and the Rock Island Arsenal police force escorts the procession off the island. The guard at the Moline gate steps out to salute. Kelley stays with the deceased until the grounds crew comes and moves the remains to the burial site. We dont ever leave the remains unattended, Dzekunskas said. Somebody is always with the remains until the end of the process. Even on busy days, that is a priority to us. She said the casket is lowered very gently into the ground. The grave is filled in as a perfect rectangle, and flowers left by the family a maximum of three bouquets are arranged neatly atop the grave. On days like Thursday it is all hands on deck. The cemetery staff handles the proceedings with dignity, calm and respect. Even when we are running around like crazy people, the family does not see it, Dzekunskas said. Our goal is to make every family feel like they are the only family that day. Veterans and spouses are buried for free on Arsenal Island. 'It's personal' Dzekunskas, who has worked at the National Cemetery for 14 years, said the greatest joy that comes with the job is meeting new families and hearing their stories. She also regards her staff as a family. This place is home, she said. Most of the employees plan to be buried here one day. They care. We dont see this as just a job. Its all very personal for us. As Kelley makes his way back to the office from the committal shelter, he passes the sleeping fawn. Theyre always sleeping against these things, he says. Moms probably over there in the woods. The activity startles the animal awake and it darts across the cemetery and under a vehicle. A member of the grounds crew pulls it out from under the vehicle and carries it to the trees. At noon, the next procession arrives. Everyone stops what theyre doing to salute. Becky Hare says her golden cocker spaniel would rather lay on the couch than go outside most of the time. But, just wait until you see Lucy spring into Rock Island's dog park. "She doesn't usually like to run, but the park and the other dogs gets her moving," Hare, of Rock Island, said. "It's a great thing for her and for me." Hare and Lucy's visits here are routine, but they made a special trip on Saturday morning. The fenced-in field at Hasselroth Park in Rock Island, marked as the first of its kind in the Quad-City area, was officially named and dedicated for the person who made it happen former parks and recreation board member Eleanor Wallace. As a longtime Rock Islander, Wallace lobbied for the dog park during the 1990s, when the idea "was a little out there," according to Mayor Dennis Pauley. "She was way ahead of her time in doing a project like this," Pauley said, in between a few barks from canines eager to romp. "There was nothing like it back then, and now they're popping up everywhere." After the park opened in 1999, trips to the dog park became a mainstay for the Wallace family and their French poodle. "Mom was very passionate about the park and she fought hard to make it happen," her son, Charles Wallace, of Phoenix, said. "This was her happiest place to be." The park at 28th Street and 78th Avenue in southwest Rock Island isn't the only one anymore. Bettendorf has Crow Creek Dog Park, Moline offers Green Valley Dog Park and dogs are welcome at Davenport's Centennial Park. For Hare and her hound though, this park has been a second home since it opened. "This is a social and friendly place, and I can't imagine going anywhere else," she said. "You meet all kinds of people and all kinds of dogs." James Booker, Thi Dang, Amari Walker and Alexis Pearce describe themselves as best friends forever, joined at the hip and virtually inseparable. The four Rock Island High School seniors were part of the 389-member Class of 2016 to walk the stage, as it were, during graduation ceremonies Saturday night at the iWireless Center in Moline. The Class of 2016 is the 143rd to graduate from the school colloquially referred to as Rocky. Ive been crying the whole day, Booker, 18, said. We made it. It was all worth the wait. Its a wonderful feeling. The four friends will be together for two years at Black Hawk College in Moline, and then theyll fly their separate ways. Dang, 18, wants to study medicine at the University of Iowa. Walker, also 18, wants to study film and cinematography and make movies. I want to do big things, he said. If youre dreams arent big, theyre not big enough. Pearce, 17, will head to Florida in a couple of years to study marine biology. My favorite animals are sharks, she said. I have an obsession with them. As he watched the seniors prepare to march into the iWireless, Rock Island-Milan School Superintendent Michael Oberhaus had a smile on his face. This is always a good time, he said, as proud as any of the parents of each of the seniors dressed in red caps and gowns. Isaac Reed was one of those proud parents as he prepared to watch his son, Ishmire Lloyd, 19, of Rock Island, get his diploma. Man, I cant express how I feel, Reed said. I think itll all come out later. I want to see that piece of paper first. Lloyd said he is moving to Topeka, Kansas, to begin studies in nursing. I like helping people, he said. When Im done with school, Im going let my future unfold as it does. Im ready for that next chapter in life. Reed said his son, growing up around some of the violence in the Rock Island streets, decided long ago not to be a statistic. He wanted this degree badly, Reed said. He worked hard. He was determined. He had his support group. He had his family. But it was up to him to get it done and he did. He has a future. Shuron Evans was waiting for her daughter, Eboni, 19, to cross the stage. She was at graduation with sons Raymond, 17, who will graduate in two years, and Trevor, 7, who will walk the stage in about 11 years. Im so very, very proud of her, Evans said of her daughter. Shes going to spend two years at Black Hawk and then head to Iowa State to study veterinary medicine. Like every graduation ceremony, parents galore had tears in their eyes, proud of their childrens accomplishments, but wondering when it was that their little boys and little girls grew up. The Illinois General Assembly faces a critical decision namely, whether it decides to take up and pass a piece of legislation, the Next Generation Energy Plan, which would create strong tailwinds for the states economy while also saving good jobs and creating new ones. If it is not passed, the state faces the loss of significant economic contributions and thousands of well-paying jobs. The choice is clear: the Illinois legislature should pass the Next Generation Energy Plan to give residents the opportunity to benefit from economic drivers and more jobs flowing into the state. A significant portion of the Next Generation Energy Plans benefits would derive from its Zero Carbon Emission Standard. This groundbreaking provision would effectively recognize the Clinton and Quad-Cities nuclear energy plants for the fact that they produce power without emitting any carbon. This key provision would ensure that these plants continue operating and providing residents of the state with clean, reliable power. Ultimately, this would guard against large electricity rate increases and would maintain $1.2 billion in economic activity annually. And, just look at the tax benefits alone: Illinois nuclear facilities pay nearly $300 million in state and local taxes each year. The benefits of the Next Generation Energy Plan are not limited to the economy. In fact, the plan would also drive employment for Illinois residents. Firstly, by ensuring that the Clinton and Quad-Cities plants dont shut down, the plan would save over 4,000 jobs in the state. And we have to recognize that these are highly-skilled, well-paying jobs. Each nuclear reactor, based on national averages, has a payroll of $40 million annually. Losing these nuclear facilities would rob Illinois of premier employers that are paying real, middle-class wages, treat their workforces fairly, pay their taxes in a timely manner, and operate safe facilities in their communities. In addition, this plan is a broad driver of jobs for a number of industries. In fact, the operation of nuclear facilities in Illinois results in around $1.4 billion in payroll for other industries every year. This is obvious when you drill down to the community level, where the local nuclear plant doesnt just create jobs on site, but also means more business in restaurants, support for local law enforcement and fire departments, donations for little league, and so on. The loss of these plants would truly be devastating for local communities. Preserving Clinton and Quad-Cities is also critical because they are reliable producers of affordable baseload electricity, which keeps homes and businesses running. More broadly, Illinois nuclear plants produce roughly half of the states electricity, and account for 90 percent of its carbon-free energy. That helps avoid roughly 80 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, which is equal to the carbon emissions from over 18 million passenger cars. Beyond preserving current Illinois jobs and clean energy production, the Next Generation Energy Plan also creates more of both. The bill nearly doubles energy efficiency programs and creates significant new funding for solar development which together will lead to more clean energy and the creation of thousands of new clean jobs. When it comes to passing the Next Generation Energy Plan, the choice is easy. We urge Illinois legislators to take this important step to ensure that the states economy does not suffer and that residents have solid employment opportunities for years to come. Grudgingly. That's the best way to describe our support for legislation championed by electric company Exelon, which, it says, is the only way to save Quad-Cities Generating Station and its 800 jobs. Exelon officials correctly note the deck is stacked against them. Public subsidies for solar and wind bolster less-than-reliable methods that only work when the wind whips up or the sun shines. Exelon Senior Vice President Tim Hanley was right when he lauded the importance of nuclear power plants in an era when zero-carbon emissions are top priority, during a recent interview with the Quad-City Times editorial board. Of course, the spent fuel is a problem that will outlive us all. And, Hanley stressed, this time was different when company CEO Chris Crane said that nuclear power stations in Clinton, Illinois, and Cordova are, again, on the chopping block without action in Springfield before the Tuesday, May 31, adjournment. This week's PJM auction could have provided a three-year reprieve for Quad-Cities, Hanley said, if it cleared Wednesday night's transmission provider's auction. It didn't. The future of the Cordova station, the largest taxpayer in Rock Island County and site of hundreds of high-paying jobs, hangs in the balance. But make no mistake, the massive overhaul Exelon is hoping to ram through the General Assembly is, at its core, a bailout. Attorney General Lisa Madigan blasted Exelon's bill. The company, as a whole, posted $2 billion in profits last year. The cash-bleeding Cordova and Clinton facilities are just two of the company's six plants in Illinois. Lawmakers are keenly aware of the optics of bailing out a profitable company when Illinois can't even fund its schools and social services. Cordova is in a Senate district now in GOP hands. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner is waging a war on union power, and Democratic lawmakers are being asked to hike rates -- increases averaging 25 cents to $3 dollars a month, depending on whom you believe -- to save union jobs. In addition, the plants would receive $2.6 billion in state subsidies over the next decade -- cash, under the current draft -- that the state couldn't claw back if the two facilities started making money. This isn't the first time Crane has threatened to shutter the two plants unless Springfield guarantees their profitability. But the "definitive" nature of the company's most recent announcement triggered federal Security Exchange Commission regulations, Exelon officials contend. Dave Lundy, a spokesman for Better Energy Solutions for Tomorrow Coalition, which vehemently opposes the bill, isn't convinced. Exelon can't be trusted this time around, either, he said. The doubts circulating through Springfield speak to Exelon's "credibility problem." The first legislative draft, for example, would have gutted funding for wind and solar, a simple "oversight" Exelon officials said. It doesn't look good for Exelon's bill in the Senate, the kinder and gentler of Illinois' two legislative bodies. The political realities, as Tuesday's adjournment nears, can't be ignored. We feel over a barrel, a sentiment no doubt shared with a slew of lawmakers whose districts rely on the high-paying jobs and local property taxes. Bailing out -- on the backs of rate and taxpayers, alike -- a profitable company reeks. It hits at the core of every one of our most populist ideals. Exelon, after all, was one of the nation's biggest proponents of deregulation in the 1990s. Now, with the rise of natural gas, it's coming back to bite the power producer. But, sometimes, ideals must die on the altar of pragmatism. The closure of the Cordova plant would devastate Rock Island County and its economy. We can support the Exelon bill on one condition: The company backs an amendment for a state claw-back of subsidies should the plants become profitable. Exelon must agree to provide detailed reports of each plant's operation for legislative scrutiny. If Exelon wants a bailout, it must assure taxpayers and ratepayers alike that the cash isn't just padding pockets on Wall Street. BY BRUCE M PETTY AT 65, I THOUGHT I would be slowing my pace a bit, restricting my travels as much as possible to cruise ship lectures, and the like. However, I serendipitously entered into a research project that was not on my list just a few months ago. It all started when Daniele and I were on Dawn Princess. A friend in Wellington sent me a newspaper article going back to 2002. It was innocuous in the sense that it was about a monument to a group of British subjects, mostly New Zealanders, who were posted on islands around the Pacific before Pearl Harbor to act as Coastwatchers. After Pearl Harbor, for many of these Coastwatchers, their situation became tenuous as the Japanese moved rapidly south, taking one island group after another. In the northern Gilbert Islands - present day Kiribati - seven of these New Zealand Coastwatchers were captured and sent to Zentsuji POW Camp in Japan. They were the lucky ones. Their colleagues in the southern Gilberts, including Tarawa, were held there and later decapitated by the Japanese. Their remains were never recovered. In 1943, after the Marines took the island, they erected a memorial to the 22 dead Coastwatchers. Years later, it was replaced; and in 2002 it was in need of replacing. Simple enough up to this point, but yours truly being an inveterate networker, I forwarded this article to a few hundred people I network with on Pacific War issues. Lo and behold, one of them got back to me, saying he had just returned from Tarawa and knew where the remains of the 22 Coastwatchers were buried, going so far as to say he had the GPS coordinates. I thought that was not only exciting, but important, so I passed that information on, again to a few hundred I network with. Now, several governments and an untold number of individuals have picked up the story. They include the civil governments of both Australia and New Zealand and their respective militaries. I have been called by Maori TV, the Auckland Herald, documentary filmmakers, historians and writers. I am getting 20-30 emails a day and relatives of the Coastwatchers are popping out of the Panga. Let it suffice to say that this story is not over, and if you want to know more about the Tarawa Coastwatchers, I suggest that you Google the subject. Gday, mates, and Happy Trails DES MOINES The path to control of the Iowa Senate in 2017 can be found in recently filed Statehouse fundraising reports. The state political parties are devoting resources to legislative election races they think will be critical in determining which party sets the agenda in the Senate next year. For a third consecutive election, Democrats go into the campaign controlling the Iowa Senate by the slimmest of margins: 26-24. For a third consecutive election, Republicans will attempt to gain control of the chamber by winning one more seat than Democrats. Should they do so, barring a change in the Republican-controlled House, the GOP would have complete control of the Capitol for at least two years. Republicans are confident. They think they have closed the absentee ballot gap on Democrats, which they think will minimize the effect of traditionally higher Democratic turnout in presidential election years. Republicans also think their chances are bolstered by a half-dozen races in which a Senate Democrat is up for re-election in a district with more active registered Republican voters. Obviously, you expect a Republican chairman to say I think were going to do this, but the statistics and I think the fundraising shows that we put our money where our mouth is, so to speak, said Jeff Kaufmann, state chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. Republican voters outnumber Democrats in each of those targeted districts, but Mike Gronstal, the Democratic majority leader of the Iowa Senate, said other factors play into success at the ballot box. For instance, active voters who aren't enrolled in a party outnumber registered Republicans and Democrats. And Gronstal said his campaign team also looks at historical voting trends, such as whether voters in a state legislative district chose Barack Obama or Mitt Romney in 2012. There appears to be, over time, a growing number of voters that choose not to ally with either party. So its really critical how those no-party voters break, and that varies by election season and by district, Gronstal said. We think weve got a very solid shot at keeping the majority in the Senate, and theres two or three seats we think we have an opportunity to pick up. By looking at the way the state parties are giving money to Senate candidates, one can plainly see where leaders are drawing the battle lines for this years campaign. Eastern Iowa One obvious target is a district that includes portions of Scott and Muscatine counties, where first-term Sen. Chris Brase, a Democrat from Muscatine, faces a re-election challenge from Republican Mark Lofgren, a Republican from Muscatine who served two terms in the Iowa House from 2011 to 2014. Multiple factors make this a likely competitive race: Brase is a freshman legislator, and Lofgren is a known quantity, having also served in the Legislature. And active registered Republican voters outnumber active registered Democratic voters in the district, according to Mays numbers from the Iowa Secretary of States office. No-party voters, like many Iowa Statehouse districts, represent the largest share in the district. The money has poured into the district. Brase and Lofgren are sitting on two of the biggest war chests among all Statehouse candidates, aside from the leaders. Brase has more than $61,000 in his campaign account, and Lofgren more than $49,000. The party organizations are getting involved in the Brase-Lofgren race, providing resources to help ensure victory in the critical district. The Iowa Democratic Party over the past two years has given Brases campaign more than $20,000 in in-kind contributions, which are donated services or materials instead of cash. The partys in-kind contributions to Brases campaign were in the form of printing and postage, according to state campaign finance documents. The Republican Party of Iowa also is involved; it donated nearly $3,800 to Lofgrens campaign this year. Northern Iowa Money also has poured into the northern Iowa district that includes Worth, Mitchell, Floyd, Chickasaw and Howard counties, and portions of Cerro Gordo and Winneshiek, where second-term Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm, a Democrat from Cresco, will be challenged by Republican Waylon Brown, a farmer and small businessman from St. Ansgar. Republican voters also outnumber Democrats in this district, which Democrats clearly have made a top priority. The Iowa Senate Democratic Caucus has made more than $21,000 worth of in-kind contributions to Wilhelms campaign over the past two years. And she has more than $29,000 cash in her campaign account. The Republican Party has given more than $5,500 to Browns campaign. Cedar Valley The Cedar Valley could have a couple of battleground Senate races, if fundraising is an indicator. The district that includes portions of Black Hawk, Bremer, Fayette and Buchanan counties is represented by third-term Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, a Democrat from Arlington who will be challenged by Republican Craig Johnson of Independence. Once again, Republican voters outnumber Democrats in the district. Schoenjahn has more than $18,000 in his campaign account, and Johnson has roughly $16,000. The Democratic Party has contributed made more than $21,000 worth of in-kind contributions to Schoenjahn, and the Republican Party has donated more than $6,500 to Johnson. The Republican Party also donated nearly $7,000 to Bonnie Sadler, a Republican from Cedar Falls who is running against yet another Democratic incumbent in a district with more Republican voters. But thats still a drop in the bucket compared to the more than $100,000 in the campaign account of Democratic Sen. Jeff Danielson, who is in his third term representing the Black Hawk County district. Cedar Rapids The Republican Party made its biggest Statehouse contribution nearly $8,000 the past two years year to Rene Gadelha, a Linn-Mar school board member from Marion who is challenging second-term Democratic incumbent Liz Mathis of Cedar Rapids. Theirs is a race in yet another district being represented by a Democrat but in which Republican voters outnumber Democrats. With the help from the state party, Gadelha has nearly $67,000 in her campaign account. Mathis, however, has nearly $92,000 in her war chest. Central Iowa Another targeted district covers Marshall and Tama counties, plus a small southwest corner of Black Hawk County. There, second-term incumbent Sen. Steve Sodders, a Democrat from State Center, is up for re-election in another district where Republican voters outnumber Democrats. Sodders challenger, Republican Jeff Edler, a farmer from State Center, raised a remarkable $36,000 in the first four months of 2016. The state party chipped in more than $3,000. Sodders had a relatively quiet fundraising period during those months most of which the Legislature was in session raising just shy of $5,000. Sodders has more than $15,000 in his campaign account, and the Democratic Party, aware of the importance of his re-election, made nearly $10,000 worth of in-kind contributions to his campaign this year. Regardless of how aggressively authorities investigate a missing persons case, experts say the missing persons family and friends often do not stop looking until their loved one is found. They might organize search parties, schedule prayer vigils, appeal for public help on social media, contact the media, even hire private investigators. Disseminating information through the media has contributed to solving cases because those stories keep the public aware and inspire community involvement, said Monica Caison, founder of the North Carolina nonprofit organization CUE Center for Missing Persons. But when cases are downplayed, or authorities announce that a missing person is not in danger, such as in the Jessica Rehfeld case, then the general public will not participate in searches and move on, said Caison, who established CUE in 1994. It makes this process very difficult, but families know their loved ones and they have to fight the fight no matter what. Caison said authorities often are right in their case judgments, but added that the wisdom of their decisions can be evaluated after the missing person is found. In an interview earlier this month, Rapid City Police Department Capt. James Johns said he issued a statement that Rehfeld appeared to be in no immediate harm one day after announcing that she was missing in order to avoid "this overwhelming shadow of people going out and taking matters into their own hands and trying to find Jessica." At the time the statement that police believed Rehfeld was not in danger was released to the public, the 22-year-old Rapid City resident was already dead and buried in a shallow grave in the woods near Rockerville, police now say. Every day, there can be as many as 85,000 people missing throughout the United States. In South Dakota, 110 children and adults were officially considered missing as of April 30. The state Attorney Generals office says information about these missing people have been filed with the FBIs National Crime Information Center, a database that informs law enforcement agencies nationwide. Many people who go missing in the U.S. end up being victims of homicide, according to a 2007 article published by the National Institute of Justice, which maintains the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. The conventional approach to locating missing people is to initiate a criminal investigation into their disappearance, but in many cases, the investigation begins when human remains are found, says the article Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains: The Nations Silent Mass Disaster. When missing people are killed, their bodies are often found by strangers, such as hunters, fishermen and members of search parties, rather than law enforcement officers, said Marc Benson, a North Carolina law enforcer-turned-private-investigator who has assisted CUE. Meanwhile, a mental health counselor who specializes in grief and loss issues said he would advise law enforcement officers not to declare a missing person safe unless they have hard evidence of it. If authorities turn out to be wrong, their credibility can suffer. It fundamentally comes down to a level of trust. How much can we trust the police? said Kenneth Doka, a professor at the Graduate School of The College of New Rochelle. He also works with the families of New York state troopers who have died in the line of duty. When you make statements that somebodys safe, and obviously you dont have definitive proof of it, then the next time you make that statement, people are gonna say, Can we trust it? In cases of missteps, authorities can regain the publics confidence by admitting mistakes, Doka said. They need to say, This is what happened. This is why it happened. This is how were gonna be sure it doesnt happen again. PIERRE | Two major South Dakota events converge in the coming week, and both will have a major impact on the state for years to come. First, the statewide sales tax will rise on Wednesday from 4 percent to 4.5 percent. The tax increase caused a knock-down legislative fight over Gov. Dennis Daugaards plan to use new sales tax revenues to improve pay for schoolteachers, and to provide tax relief for all property owners, including relief to business owners for the first time. Secondly, less than a week after the higher sales tax kicks in, South Dakota voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, June 7, to cast their ballots in primary elections. The outcome will greatly determine the direction of the Republican Party, whose members rule the Legislature with iron-clad super majorities. Some candidates are viewing the primary as a referendum on the Republican governors approach the past two years and his final two years remaining. What wasnt debated among lawmakers during the sales-tax fight, and still isnt being discussed to any great extent in the primary campaigns, is the tax itself. There are two important sets of facts to know: The 4 percent rate wasnt sufficient to pay for any significant amount of increased state aid to public schools, without making changes in spending elsewhere in state governments budget. Daugaard began as governor in 2011 by asking the Legislature for 10 percent cuts throughout most of the budget and slightly smaller cuts in school aid and funding for Medicaid providers. Lawmakers agreed the austerity was needed. But four years later, the Legislature still hadnt restored the money taken from schools. The second important set of facts is the volatility that developed in sales tax revenue. The tax changed from a reliable, steadily rising source of funding into a wildly erratic revenue provider. Consider these two sets of numbers: From 1999 through 2008, the tax generated increased revenues by annual percentages ranging from a high of 7.9 percent in 2006 to a low of only 1.3 percent in 2001, though growth remained steady overall during that period. But when the 2009 "Great Recession" gripped South Dakota, the tax revenues went haywire. The growth slumped to 2.18 percent in 2009. Then sales tax revenue actually decreased in 2010, falling by 2.45 percent. That prompted the budget cuts. In 2011, the revenue spiked 10.4 percent, partially making up for the slump in the two prior years. But the states economy, as measured in sales tax activity, didnt return to its pre-recession level. The tax revenue increased 4.81 percent during 2012, then 4.30 and 5.82 the next two years. The 5.82 percent looked encouraging, until another deep slump. The growth during 2015 was 0.87 percent. The real-life numbers, as expressed in millions of dollars, were staggering. The actual amount collected in 2015 came in $17 million below the amount that legislators had budgeted. Hope of somehow restoring the state aid to schools became more remote as each year passed. The before-and-after came through in two sets of statistics from the state Bureau of Finance and Management. In a pre-recession analysis, the bureau reported the average annual net increase in sales tax collections from 2001 to 2008 was 5.13 percent. That included the 2001-era downturn in the economy. In a current analysis, looking at the period immediately before the 2009 recession and continuing after it, the bureau calculated the average annual net increase in sales tax collections for 2007 through 2015 was 4.17 percent. A difference of 1 percent doesnt seem like much for one year. Compounded over seven or eight years, however, the difference becomes more significant. Exactly what has changed in South Dakotas economic activity to cause the changes in spending because a sales tax is a direct indicator of consumer spending isnt clear. The tax increase to 4.5 percent also produces a slight shift in tax burden. Consumers will pay an estimated $107 million more in state sales tax during fiscal 2017 that starts July 1, 2016, on goods and services including food, retail items and most other purchases. Property owners will receive $37 million of that revenue through lower school-tax levies on their land and buildings. Public schools will get $67 million of additional state aid and will be required to use nearly all of it to pay teachers more. Another $3 million is earmarked for instructors at the four technical institutes run by public school districts in Watertown, Mitchell, Rapid City and Sioux Falls. One key component of the tax shift is that an entire class of property now becomes eligible for tax relief. In the original 1995 package, only owner-occupied homes and agricultural property were covered. Now all other property will be provided some relief, including businesses, rental housing and second homes. With the increase to 4.5 percent, annual state sales tax collections are forecast to pass the $1 billion threshold for the first time by mid-2017. The expected sales tax revenue for fiscal 2017 that starts July 1, 2016, is $1,006,724,206. Basically, the tax increase will allow state government to make public schools whole again on their state funding. None of the legislators opposing the tax increase brought a formal list of budget cuts that could have made the tax increase avoidable, including House Majority Leader Brian Gosch of Rapid City, who had promised to find cuts that would have made the tax hike unnecessary. The tax increase does include a rollback provision in an amendment that came from Rep. Jeff Partridge, R-Rapid City. As state government collects more sales-tax revenue from remote sellers located outside South Dakota, the tax increase would be gradually reduced. At the same time, the Legislature and the governor adopted a plan to aggressively pursue sales-tax collections from remote sellers. The legislation is intended to convince remote sellers they need to charge state sales taxes and remit the money to South Dakota, or provoke a lawsuit that could resolve the national issue of whether states can collect sales tax on remote sales. No one in the Capitol could make the argument that enough tax revenue could come from remote sellers to offset the $107 million that is expected to be raised by the sales tax increase, however. How much money might be produced from remote sales is a mystery cloaked in estimates that run in the tens of millions rather than hundreds of millions. The bottom line is that the governor and two-thirds of the 105 legislators decided the 4 percent sales tax couldnt keep up with the established needs in the changing economy, and that South Dakota might remain last in the nation in average teacher pay without the increase. The 4 percent rate had been in place since 1969. The sales tax began in 1935, amid the Great Depression, at 2 percent. The Legislature raised the rate to 3 percent in 1965, then four years later to 4 percent in 1969. Twice the Legislature increased the rate to 5 percent temporarily for special purposes. It was 5 percent from May 1980 to June 1981 to pay for South Dakotas purchase of bankrupt railroad lines throughout South Dakota during the first term of Gov. Bill Janklow. It jumped to 5 percent again from May 1987 to February 1988 to raise $80 million for the state business-loan program known as the REDI fund during the first term of Gov. George S. Mickelson. In key ways, the new increase to 4.5 percent is tied to the property-tax revolt of 1994. Voters nearly approved a limit on property taxes that would have cut collections for schools and local governments by about two-thirds. There wasnt a replacement source of funding offered. The Democratic candidate for governor, Jim Beddow, promised to reduce property taxes by 30 percent if elected that year. Janklow, making his comeback for a third term as the Republican nominee, matched Beddows promise. The tax limit failed on the ballot by less than 1 percent of the votes cast. That led to the 1995 tax-relief package and the caps on property-tax increases passed by the Legislature and the governor. A variety of maneuvers generated the first $80 million of relief. Janklow and the Legislature gradually found the remaining $40 million in the subsequent years by limiting the growth of state government. Local governments and school boards were given the ability to opt out of the property-tax limits, subject to local votes. Many opt-outs have passed and many have failed since then, including attempts in Rapid City. But they generally were proposed to preserve services or keep a school open. The bigger argument on school funding always called for more state aid. Meanwhile, schoolteachers were mired in their status as the lowest-paid on average in the nation. A push by school administrators in the past few years to show their difficulties in recruiting teachers to lower-paying rural districts gradually convinced Daugaard and many legislators to take the bold step of backing a sales tax increase. On June 1, people making purchases in South Dakota will pay an additional one-half of one percent of state sales tax. On June 7, voters in South Dakota will mark their ballots in legislative primary elections in many of the 35 legislative districts where the fights have been, at least in part, over the tax increase. On May 23, 2015, the Rapid City Police Department released a public notice stating that Jessica Ann Rehfeld, a 22-year-old Rapid City woman reported missing the previous day, was now considered by police as "not in immediate harm, and that police believed she was still in Rapid City. Then, almost exactly a year later, with no further updates issued, the police department and Pennington County Sheriff's Office announced they had found Rehfelds body buried in a makeshift grave in the woods south of Rockerville, and that five people were charged in connection with her murder and burial. Police didn't know it at the time, but when the chief of detectives decided to inform the public that Rehfeld was believed to be OK, she was already dead. Police now say she had been killed and buried a few days prior to that alert, reportedly stabbed to death in a car by two men who had been hired by her ex-boyfriend. Some people close to Rehfeld believe it was a major mistake for the police department to publicly announce that Rehfeld was not in immediate harm, and they are skeptical if investigators continued to look for her after that point. Those critics include Raquel Brubaker, one of the last people to see Rehfeld alive. "Theyre acting like they did everything in their power," Brubaker said of the police, but they didnt." Last year, Preston Feagan, a friend and co-worker of Rehfelds, offered Rapid City Detective Daniel M. DeNeire the lead investigator of Rehfeld's missing persons case information about the man who police now say was the mastermind of her murder. Feagan believes that DeNeire did not take Rehfeld's disappearance seriously from the start. Rehfeld was a good, honest, wonderful person who deserved to be looked for, Feagan said. Capt. James Johns, supervisor of the Rapid City Criminal Investigation Division, insists that despite perceptions to the contrary, detectives never stopped looking for Rehfeld. He said that over the last year, detectives conducted 30 interviews with people close to her, including the man who is now charged with setting her murder in motion, Jonathon Klinetobe. The reality is there are questions. And we recognize that, Johns said. When I sent out the message that we believed Jessica was safe, I knew that we would be scrutinized if we were wrong. But at that time, that was the best information we had. Again, hindsight being 20/20, go back, do it all over again, we would do things differently knowing what we know now. This news article pieced together from court documents, criminal hearings, information provided by authorities and multiple interviews with people close to Rehfeld is an attempt to answer some of the questions that loom over the investigation of Rehfelds disappearance and murder. Her final hours On May 18, 2015, the last day she was seen alive, Rehfeld was at Raquel Brubakers home when two men came to the door offering her a ride to work. Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood near the Central States Fairgrounds, the Brubaker home is a single-story house that the 47-year-old Rapid City woman shares with her daughter and son Taylor Janis, 28. At the time of her disappearance, Janis was dating Rehfeld, and had been on and off for two years. Jessica was like a daughter to me, Brubaker said. She and Janis remember Rehfeld as a well-liked, energetic and bubbly person. A graduate of Rapid City Central High School, Rehfeld was working on writing and illustrating a childrens book, and planned to someday become a beautician, Brubaker said. She liked to dance, Janis said with a pained smile. She liked to go to the hookah bar. Rehfeld's small stature belied a vibrant, strong personality, Feagan said. She was tiny, itty-bitty, he said. Dynamite comes in small packages, though. Rehfelds grandfather, John Rehfeld, 70, of Rapid City, described his granddaughter as hardworking and smart. That girl went through calculus and trigonometry like it was childs play, he said. Rehfeld started spending her nights at the Brubaker household shortly after she and Janis started dating again in the spring of 2015. She had her own apartment but was scared to stay there alone, Janis said. When she went out, she carried a Taser. She was completely afraid of JJ, Janis said. JJ Jones is a Facebook alias used by Klinetobe, and was the name by which Brubaker and Janis came to know Rehfelds volatile ex-boyfriend. Brubaker said that Klinetobe once broke into Rehfelds apartment while she was there and proceeded to beat her. When she came over to the Brubaker house after the incident, she had dark bruises on her arms. Feagan remembers multiple occasions when Rehfeld came to work with bruises on her back and hips. Worried for her safety, Brubaker helped Rehfeld get a protection order against Klinetobe on May 12, 2015. In her handwritten statements, Rehfeld said that she feared for her life and that Klinetobe had threatened to choke her, slit her throat and rape her. Six days after filing the protection order, Rehfeld was at Brubakers house. She needed a ride to Wal-Mart, where she worked the night shift. Without access to a car, she would usually rely on Janis for rides. But that day, Janis recalled, two men he didnt know came to the house and said they would give Rehfeld a lift. Brubaker said they stopped by in an initial visit in the afternoon, then returned to pick up Rehfeld later that night. It wasnt actually that unusual. Brubaker said Rehfelds friends would sometimes drive her to work instead of Janis, and Rehfeld seemed to know at least one of the two men that came for her that night. The older man, Brubaker and Janis agreed, the one with the cane who walked with a limp. He said his name was Richard, Brubaker recalled, though he didnt give a last name. Rehfeld seemed to know him, Brubaker said, because she called him brother, as she often referred to her male friends. Sitting in the living room, Rehfeld and Janis talked casually with the two men for awhile. Richard was the chatty one, Brubaker recalled, while the other man, a heavy-set guy who said his name was David, stood mostly silent and aloof. In the course of their conversation, Rehfeld brought up Klinetobe. The two men nodded along as they listened to her worry that he might some day do something to seriously hurt her. After a while, they eventually escorted Rehfeld out to their car parked in the driveway outside. David got into the drivers seat and Rehfeld sat next to him in the front passenger seat. The second man, Richard, the one with the limp, sat behind her. I watched her look at me, Janis said. It was the last time he saw her. The two men, who police now say are Richard Hirth, 35, and David Schneider, 24, allegedly stabbed Rehfeld to death in their vehicle not long after leaving Brubaker's home. A search is launched When Rehfeld didnt return home, Brubaker said she reported her missing to the Rapid City Police Department the next day and urged investigators to question Klinetobe. Capt. Johns said Rehfeld was officially listed as a missing person on May 22, 2015. On May 23, 2015, the department issued its statement that Rehfeld was not in immediate harm and was presumed to still be in Rapid City. The determination that she was alright, Johns said, was made based on information given to the police by people who knew and were "close" to Rehfeld. Johns said he made the decision to push that information to the public because at the time we didnt want to have this overwhelming shadow of people going out and taking matters into their own hands and trying to find Jessica. Despite the police bulletin stating Rehfeld was in no danger, family members continued to search for Rehfeld. According to her grandfather, Rehfeld's father, who declined to be interviewed for this story, hired a private investigator and returned to Rapid City in June to conduct a foot search for his daughter in several locations. Johns said Rapid City detectives interviewed 25 of Rehfelds associates in the two-day period after she was reported missing. After sending out the notice that they believed Rehfeld was in no immediate danger, investigators conducted a total of five more interviews, Johns said. When they called for updates a few days after May 22 last year, Feagan and Brubaker recall police detectives telling them that the investigation into Rehfelds disappearance was either closed or suspended. The Journal was unable to confirm if Rapid City detectives made those statements, but Johns said the idea that the investigation was ever suspended is false. This was never put on a shelf, Johns said, adding that it's difficult to investigate a case as a homicide without a body. This was never dismissed as a closed case. This was a case that our detectives had on their minds, that they were concerned about and continued to work throughout the entire year. Main suspect interviewed Klinetobe, 26, was among the 25 people interviewed in the two days after Rehfeld's disappearance, Johns said. Rehfelds protection order and deep fear of Klinetobe came up in the course of those interviews, but it didnt lead anywhere, he said. He also believes detectives talked to the two men who picked Rehfeld up on the evening of May 18, 2015, though he could not say for sure. In the initial public notice that Rehfeld was a missing person, police indicated she had last been seen in the presence of two men, now believed to be Hirth and Schneider, who are charged with stabbing her to death. Obviously the people that we talked to in those interviews, some of those people lied to us," Johns said. "Some of those people may have been how do I say it wrong in what they believed. Feagan said that when he called the police departments lead investigator for an update on Rehfeld, he was told the police didnt think Klinetobe was involved based on information learned from other sources. Johns would not elaborate on what Klinetobe or anyone else said during their interviews, but court documents allege that Klinetobe, along with Schneider and Hirth, provided false information to law enforcement in attempts to obstruct the investigation into Ms. Rehfelds disappearance. All three are charged with first-degree murder and are each being held on $2 million bonds. Besides the interviews, another technique RCPD detectives used in their investigation was to show certain people close to Rehfeld a photo of a woman believed to be her, taken after Rehfeld's disappearance. Johns would not say who the photo was shown to, how many people it was shown to, or how many people positively identified Rehfeld in it. That information, he said, is part of the ongoing investigation. But Brubaker, who was shown the photo, said, It was from Wal-Mart, or a store or something. Im not sure. Johns could not say where it was taken, but Brubaker remembers the photograph was a grainy, downward-slanting view of a young woman. She looked vaguely like Rehfeld, Brubaker said, but there were some key differences. The glasses were wrong. Her hair was too short. Her clothing was too colorful. Rehfeld, Brubaker said, preferred wearing darker clothes. Police then asked Brubaker if she thought it was Rehfeld, thereby indicating she might still be alive. I said, It kind of looks like her, but Im not sure, Brubaker said. Janis and Brubakers daughter, who also knew Rehfeld, looked at the photo as well. Both said they told the police that it wasnt her. Rapid City investigators also contacted the Internal Revenue Service to track Rehfelds financial activity, and placed her name on a national law enforcement database to keep tabs on traffic tickets or any other run-ins she might have had with the legal system. If any leads came in, detectives would chase them down, Johns said. Witness breaks case open The big break in Rehfelds case came on May 13 this year, when a witness whose identity has not been released went to the police station in Newscastle, Wyo., and told officers where they could find Rehfeld's body. Investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies reacted quickly, Johns said, assembling a 15-member task force to comb the woods near Rockerville and work around the clock to chase down leads on the people they believed were responsible for Rehfelds death. A probable cause affidavit prepared by Detective DeNeire states that after picking Rehfeld up from Brubaker's home on May 18 last year, Schneider and Hirth drove to an industrial area of town, held her down and stabbed her multiple times with a knife. Once it was apparent that she was dead, they put her in the trunk and picked up Klinetobe. Police say the three men then drove into the woods south of Rockerville and buried her body in a shallow grave. Police arrested Klinetobe on May 15, alleging that he hired Schneider and Hirth to kill Rehfeld. The three men have since been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first-degree aggravated kidnapping and conspiracy to commit first-degree aggravated kidnapping. Two weeks after Rehfelds killing, police allege that Klinetobe returned to her burial site to move the body. Investigators say he brought two Rapid City men with him: Michael Frye, 24, and Garland Brown, 29, who are both charged with being an accessory to a crime and are being held on $1 million bond each. Law enforcement officials have since declined to answer further questions from the Journal, citing a pending motion for a gag order filed by Klinetobe's defense attorneys. Finding out about Jessica When Brubaker came home on the afternoon of May 17 this year, she found Janis standing in the living room, his eyes raw and red. His expression blank, Janis held out his cell phone to his mother. On the screen was a breaking news report from local media explaining details surrounding Rehfeld's killing. Brubaker and Janis had learned of Rehfelds death the previous day. But what they didnt know at the time was how she died. Janis learned the grisly details of Rehfelds murder about 20 minutes before his mother walked through the front door. Scrolling through the news report on her sons phone, Brubaker read for the first time the horrific manner in which Rehfelds life was taken. Suppressing a flood of tears with the palm of her hand, Brubaker said, Theres just no reason for what they did." Brubaker remains unsatisfied with how the Rapid City police investigated Rehfelds disappearance. Theyre not going to convince me of anything, she said. They should have tried harder. Feagan, Rehfeld's former co-worker, knows theres probably nothing anyone could have done to save Rehfeld, but he also has to live with the fact that he saw his friend's death coming. There was an officer who said something along the lines that Jessicas voice was taken from her and we have to be her voice now, and we will make sure her voice is heard, Feagan said. And I think at the root of all this is that when she disappeared, nobodys voice was heard. Not mine, not her fathers, not her grandmothers, not her sisters, not any of the people who called. Rehfelds grandfather John said he was impressed with how quickly the Rapid City police detectives were able to track down and arrest Klinetobe and his alleged accomplices once the body was found. But he wishes the department had not made the May 23 statement that Rehfeld was not in immediate harm. I would have preferred to leave it where it was, John Rehfeld said, so people wouldnt think everything was OK. Hillary Clinton seemed to have everything going for her as the Democratic presidential front-runner. Everyone knew there would be hurdles along the pathway to the presidency, such as her handling of the attack on the U.S. consular compound in Benghazi, Libya, and shady business dealings from long before she and her husband moved into the White House in 1992. Those were surmountable problems. But her decision as secretary of state to set up and manage her own private email server for official government business constitutes one of the most stupid and arrogant moves any political leader of her stature could make. If Clinton loses the presidency, historians will point to the email problem as a major marker in her downfall. On Wednesday, the State Department's inspector general issued a long-awaited report sharply criticizing Clinton for violating multiple department rules. She never sought permission for the private email setup, and even if she had, permission would not have been granted, the inspector general's report stated. At least 22 email messages she exchanged contained information the Central Intelligence Agency regarded as top secret. On two occasions in 2011, hackers tried to access the server, forcing a shutdown. A campaign spokesperson sought to downplay the report's impact by saying she always kept her emails secure and that there was no known breach during the time she housed the private server in the basement of her Chappaqua, N.Y., home. That's not the point. Clinton behaved as if the rules didn't apply to her. This is bad enough if you're not planning to run for office. But Clinton clearly had mapped out a path to succeed President Barack Obama. How could she not foresee the implications of diverting official and classified government business to a personal email server? She unnecessarily handed her opponents an arsenal of political ammunition. Clinton demonstrated arrogance by holding onto the emails for nearly two years after leaving office and only partially complying when asked to turn them over. She put herself above the accountability and public-information standards that apply to others. Trust is essential for anyone aspiring to the nation's highest office. Clinton has undermined it, and she has only herself to blame if this becomes the issue that undoes her campaign. Also present were former Morobe governor Luther Wenge, Paramount Chief of the Ahi landowners Nathaniel Malac, chairman of the principal landowners of Nadzab/Wampar Paul Joshua and Lae Community Law and Order Chairman Sam Oyaya. Only four MPs responded, three turned up and one sent his apology. The three in attendance were Bob Dadae, Ross Seymour and Sam Basil, who is also deputy opposition leader. Theo Zurenuoc (MP for Finschhafen and also Speaker) sent his apologies to students while Governor Kelly Naru was overseas. The objectives of the forum were to provide for dialogue with Morobe political leaders in the Morobe way , for Morobe MP's to listen to the students grievances and to make their stand clear in this time of political turmoil. MOROBE students at the University of Technology organised a forum on Saturday with all nine provincial MPs and the Morobe Governor invited to attend the event in Duncanson Hall on campus. Students from Unitech and other institutions in Lae were also present including parents and citizens. There were good presentations by Morobe student leaders and representatives from Unitech and UPNG raising awareness of the prime minister's conduct in regard to constitutional issues and the current economic challenges including calls for Peter ONeill to stand down and face the courts. Students said they were not satisfied with the response of Mr ONeill to their petition and asked Morobe MPs to join them in their cause for justice. The members of parliament and other leaders present were then given time to respond and their views are summarised here. Ross Seymour (Huon) stands in support of the students call and says that DSIP funds he receives are not enough to serve his district. Sam Basil (Bulolo) also stands in support of the calls by university students throughout PNG and said the vote of no confidence in the prime minister will be tabled in parliament tomorrow. He called on all Morobe MPs to support the vote and to stand together for positive change. Bob Dadae (Kabwum) commended the students for organising such an intellectual forum and acknowledged the students call but said he maintained his loyalty to the Peoples National Congress party. He asked students to consider the many positive developments under the current government and expressed his gratitude for the improved revenues to his rural district. Sam Oyaya (Chairman of Law and Order Committee) expressed the view of unemployed young adults in the settlements of Lae and said he stands in support of the students and called on the prime minister to stand down. Nathaniel Malac (Ahi Paramount Chief) stood in support with the students and extended an invitation for the students to meet with other Ahi leaders at Butibam village. Luther Wenge (former Governor) said he supports the students call and also questioned the silence of the Ombudsman Commission. He challenged the students to fight the matter in court. The meeting started at 11am and ended at 4pm, beginning and ending with a word of prayer. Aggression continues to breach the truce br> SANA'A, May 29 (Saba) - The Saudi aggression and its hirelings continued to breach the UN-backed ceasefire in several provinces during the past 24 hours, a security official said Sunday. The Saudi warplanes waged an air raid on Abbs district in Hajjah province, a raid on Kilo 16 area in Hodeida province and two air raids on al-Masloub district in Jawf province, the official explained. The Saudi aggression targeted Harf Sufyan district of Amran province with 15 sorties and targeted a cement-loaded truck in the district, the official added. The Riyadh's hirelings in Taiz province pounded Dhubab city, al-Amri Mount and many areas in al-Waze'yah district, he said. The hirelings pounded the army and popular committees sites in Jahmalya and Tha'abat areas in Taiz province. They continued to target al-Shabka Mount, al-Madrab Mount, al-Qashuba area with medium weapons. The official confirmed that many hirelings were killed or injured when they tried to advance towards al-Dhahura Mount in al-Waze'yah district in Taiz. The hirelings in Jawf province targeted al-Moton district with artillery shells. In Sana'a province, the Riyadh's hirelings attacked al-Hawl, Bani Bareq, Melh areas in Nehm district with medium and heavy weapons. The hirelings in Mareb province continued to target different areas in Serwah district. They also targeted citizens' farms in Hareb-al-Qaramish with mortars. Meanwhile, the army and popular committees repulsed an attempt of the hirelings to advance towards al-Saq area in Usailan district in Shabwa province. One military vehicle of the hirelings was burnt in the attempt. The Saudi warplanes nonstop flying on the skies of many provinces, including the Capital, Taiz, Mareb, Jawf, Amran, Sana'a, Baidha and Sa'ada. HA/AF Saba Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Telegram Email Email Print Print [29/May/2016] I give my consent to Sakshi Post to be in touch with me via email for the purpose of event marketing and corporate communications. Privacy Policy Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Most of my cell mates had already curled up under the blue and red striped government issue blankets while a few others whispered and tiptoed around, probably in search of a last roll of brus before settling down for the night. The effect was to paint the worn out brick wall inside the cell a pale white. The lights had blacked out about an hour ago and the half moon, partly hidden by clouds, cast a dim yellow glow through the open barred windows. THREE long and perfectly timed clangs of the 9pm bell split the still night, followed by a commanding voice from the guard house ordering silence. A hacking cough somewhere in the blackness signalled tubercular lungs. I turned to face the wall and struggled to make myself comfortable on three folded blankets, my mattress for the last three and a half years. The number of blankets a prisoner possessed came with the number of years he had served. Sounds of heavy breathing followed by footsteps came from the outside the cell block as a night-shift guard flashed spotlights on the windows above to make sure we were securely confined. It was Sunday night, 15 August 2010 and only a few hours remaining to my discharge. After serving a prison term of three years and four months inside Lakiemata prison in Kimbe, West New Britain Province, I was due for release at 9am on the Monday morning. It had been a hot afternoon that 17 April 2007 when I first stood at the Lakiemata prison gate to be thoroughly checked before being escorted to a cell to start serving my sentence. The day I remember like it happened a few minutes ago. The scorching sun showed no mercy as I wiped the sweat off my bony face to cut off its journey into already sore eyes. I shakily forced a smile at the tall correctional officer who had no intention of smiling back at me. His hawk eyes searched my face to catch a sign of panic that would tell him I was hiding contraband somewhere within my clothes or amongst the three trousers and two shirts I had packed into a blue school bag. Around the fence perimeter, tower guards watched carefully, monitoring every movement, their guns aimed into the precinct. As the gates of the heavy cell doors swung shut that evening, I succumbed to the painful thought that I had failed to repay the countless amount of money, embraced with love, that my parents had spent to see me through my entire schooling until I graduated from Divine Word University in 2003. And as days grew into months and years, the same thoughts tortured me feeding my despair and desperation. It was like being under water unable to breathe. Or having your hands in fire unable to pull them back. Life sometimes gives no second chances. Life can be lost without dying. Sentenced to prison to serve a good number of years is like being buried alive. Prisons are cemeteries of the living. Your own impression of life on the other side of those high barbed wires fences and brick prison walls may be shaped by movies, books or stories ear from friends. And it is true that there are dangerous cell fights, food shortages and deadly diseases carried by contaminated water and lack of hygiene. But much worse are the escape nights when all inmates are awoken and forced into the unforgiving hands of tired and angry warders. It has been six years since I walked out of that place and, looking back, I am humbled that being in prison has made me a better person. I'm not proud of what I've done or why I went to jail, but I can't change the past. It's who I am and I have to embrace it and use the experience to make something of my life. Prison had an unexpected and profound influence on me and gave my life a sense of purpose I could never have predicted. It is entirely different from those movies, books and what people talk about. It is a very educative place - in its own dark way. A state corrections officer was severely injured Sunday after opening a package that was left near his mailbox. Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol said the package was left outside of the corrections officer's home on Old Floyd Road in the Town of Floyd. When the officer picked up the package at around 8 a.m., it exploded. Maciol said the 52-year-old officer, whose name hasn't been released, was badly burned and transported to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. He was transferred to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse for further treatment. Information about his condition wasn't immediately released. Authorities said it's unclear whether the incident is linked to the man's position with the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. "The state of New York has no tolerance for any violence of this sort, and I have ordered a full investigation to find those responsible for this horrific incident," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. Along with the New York State Police and the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Maciol said his agency is being assisted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Utica Police Department. If you have any information about the incident or have seen any suspicious activity in the Old Floyd Road area, contact the Oneida County Sheriff's Office at (315) 765-2237. If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). Only SF natives, mid-1980s SF State grads, and longtime residents will remember the tale of Baby Jane Doe, abandoned in a cardboard box the day of her birth in a laundry room at SF State University, who ultimately became an adopted infant named Jillian Sobol. The Chronicle today brings the heart-warming tale of Sobol, now 31, who after some educational hurdles including learning disabilities, has graduated from the very university where she was born, and found. It was November 5, 1984 when SF State student Patrick Coughlan noticed something stirring in box of towels on the floor of a room of laundry dryers in Verducci Hall. Inside he found a small infant making no sound, her body taking on a blue tinge, her umbilical cord crudely cut. He went to the only other student doing laundry at the time, 21-year-old nursing student Esther Wannenmacher in the washing machine room next door, and reportedly said, "Did you know theres a baby in a box in here?" The two called 911, and Wannamacher, now Kaiser San Francisco nurse Esther Raiger, 53, quickly set about doing what she had just been tested on in a newborn care class, making sure the baby's airway was clear, and cuddling her to warm her recognizing the potential for hypothermia. The infant was whisked to SF General and was quickly given a clean bill of health, but then her story became a Bay Area obsession as potential adopted parents lined up, and as the university tracked down the child's birth parents. They turned out to be two sophomores, and the mother admitted she'd hidden her pregnancy and never informed the father, whom she met at a party. Neither parent ended up graduating. We learn via the Chron that Sobol, who was adopted by a San Francisco doctor and his gallery-owner wife, Sam and Helene Sobol, wasn't told of the Baby Jane Doe story until she was 16, at which point she and a friend tracked down Raiger, who was by then married with her own children one named Jillian and living in Novato. Coughlan, we're told, died in 2014, but Raiger attended Sobol's graduation last week and the two have become friends. And Sobol has been in touch with both her birth parents, and has met her biological father, who is a massage therapist living in Hawaii. A graduating senior at Elk Grove High School outside Sacramento, Nyree Holmes, says he was just trying to "show I'm proud of who I am" by wearing a traditional African kente cloth over his graduation robe at a ceremony last week. Rules stated that nothing could be worn over the robes except medals, cords, or pins received through the school, but as the AP reports, Holmes simply wanted to add something personal to the event, in the form of the color Ghanian cloth pictured above. The fact that the school responded by having Holmes escorted from the graduation stage by sheriff's deputies has set off a firestorm of media response, though, given the innocence of his actions, and the fact that he's African American. Holmes made it on stage to shake hands with the principal of the high school, Maria Osborne, wearing the kente, but then was met by deputies as soon as he left the stage. He had to return to the arena later to collect his diploma with the help of a security guard. Holmes told the AP, "The kente represents my culture that I have no other links to. I wanted to show I'm proud of who I am and that as the descendant of slaves, I represent Africa and my ancestry." And, in the way of many teenagers, he says he might have backed down were it not for an activities director who failed to see his side of things, and told him he had to remove the cloth. "I understood the rules. But I feel if [the activities director] would had heard what I was saying, I may have just put it in my pocket and wait until after graduation to wear it," Holmes says. "But I felt that he wasn't listening to what I was saying or respecting my opinion." The event took place at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, and Xanthi Pinkerton of the Elk Grove Unified School District tells ABC 7, regarding the spectacle with sheriff's escort, "Things could have been handled differently, if we had perhaps more personnel, site personnel administrated from the school site to talk with the student." Principal Osborne met with Holmes's parents and apologized for the incident. But now the incident has inspired headlines like this one, from Boing Boing: "Student ejected from ceremony for graduating while black." Previously: Following Win Over Warriors, Thunder Player Calls Curry And Thompson 'Little Monkeys' WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. John Katko's work days begin and end in the same place. The couch in his office. This is where Katko, R-Camillus, chooses to stay while in Washington for hearings and votes. His office is a modest space furnished with a desk, chairs for guests and the aforementioned couch. The couch's cushions cover the pull-out bed that he sleeps on. Photos are displayed on the tables and walls. He also has framed versions of two bills he sponsored that were signed into law by President Barack Obama the Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act and the Transportation Security Administration Office of Inspection Accountability Act. Outside of his personal office is a larger space, where his staff works and meets with constituents who make the trip to Washington a map allows visitors from the 24th Congressional District to place a pin on their hometown and representatives from various groups. The main area of Katko's office features more images, including a photo of refugees mostly Holocaust survivors who were provided shelter during World War II at Fort Ontario in Oswego. (Katko wants to study whether the site should become a national park.) And in a show of regional pride, a Syracuse University flag hangs high on a wall. On May 17, The Citizen visited Katko's Washington office and followed the congressman as he attended meetings, cast votes and held hearings. There was a lot on the schedule, including a House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security meeting and votes on the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual defense policy measure. Here is a look at Katko's day in Washington: 6 a.m. - Katko begins his day with a workout. He's in the Longworth House Office Building (this is where his Washington office is located) and usually starts his day with exercise. Once he finishes, he returns to his office. He'll spend some time at his desk working, whether it's reviewing materials for a hearing or discussing legislation with staff. Later today, he's chairing a hearing on security at Cuban airports. President Barack Obama's administration wants to resume commercial air flights between the U.S. and the island nation. He spent several days if not weeks preparing for this meeting. In the hours leading up to the hearing, he'll go over his opening statement and talk with staffers. It's scheduled to be a long day, which isn't unusual for Katko when he's in Washington. "This is a very typical day," he said. "I was up at 6 a.m. Votes won't get done tonight until 9:30, 10 p.m. and that's very, very typical down here." 9 a.m. - Katko attends a House Republican conference meeting. These aren't out of the ordinary. The meetings are typically held after House GOP members return to Washington. 10 a.m. - There are two meetings Katko planned to attend a House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee meeting on reports submitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a House Judiciary subcommittee meeting on synthetic drugs. Due to a last-minute conflict, Katko wasn't able to attend the hearings. But he was mentioned at the House Judiciary subcommittee meeting. William Smith, a Washington D.C. police officer, represented the Fraternal Order of Police at the hearing. He thanked Katko for introducing the Protecting Our Youth from Dangerous Synthetic Drugs Act. A key provision in Katko's bill would establish a panel to compile a list of synthetic drugs. Noon - If it's Tuesday, it's time for a private meeting of moderate Republicans. Katko is a member of the Tuesday Group, which meets at noon every Tuesday when the House is in session. "We get together every week and we talk about legislation, we talk about issues, we talk about how to get things done," he said before attending the meeting. "We want to make sure that we're a voice. Of course, there's other voices in Congress. But we want to make sure we have a voice, too." He added that the goal of the Tuesday Group is to be an "independent voice" in Congress. According to Katko, other Tuesday Group members include U.S. Reps. Chris Gibson, Richard Hanna and Elise Stefanik. Katko isn't the first Syracuse-area representative to be a member of the group. One of his predecessors, former U.S. Rep. Jim Walsh, was a Tuesday Group participant. 2 p.m. - Katko heads to the Cannon House Office Building to chair his House subcommittee hearing on Cuban airport security. He opened the meeting, but a recess was needed early on so members could go to the Capitol for votes. After roughly 30 minutes, Katko and the other committee members returned to resume the hearing. Katko said preparations for a hearing begin weeks in advance. He meets with his staff and they try to secure the necessary witnesses. (For this hearing, he said getting the witnesses to appear was difficult.) The day before, he's given a binder with information for the hearing. He'll add notes and his staff will make updates. This morning, he reviewed the materials again. As for the hearing itself, it was testy at times. Four Department of Homeland Security officials testified, but wouldn't answer questions about what security equipment Cuba has at its last point of departure airports. Katko noted that he previously met with at least one of the officials, who gave them this data in a non-secure setting. Now, they were telling Katko that it was sensitive security information and couldn't be disclosed in a public setting. During his round of questioning, Katko repeatedly pressed TSA Representative Larry Mizell for answers, but Mizell wouldn't budge. "Why that information is so important is because the information Mr. Mizell delineated offered serious concerns about the nature and quality of the equipment at those airports throughout Cuba," Katko said. After the meeting, Katko said it was a good example of how you can never plan for how hearings are going to go. Even after days and weeks of preparations, sometimes there are surprises. 5 p.m. - Katko has a break, so he provides a tour of the Capitol. There is a lot of history in this structure, but there's one area that's a popular stop for him. At the end of each day, Katko heads to the Capitol Rotunda. He stops in the center and looks up at the Capitol dome at the "Apotheosis of Washington," which was painted by Constantino Brumidi. Why does Katko stop here? He says it helps remind him why he's here and the job he has to do. 11:53 p.m. - Votes continued throughout the evening. Katko said he goes over bills and amendments with staff before heading to the floor. This week, the House is considering the National Defense Authorization Act. (The bill was approved by the end of the week.) At 11:53 p.m., the House adjourned for the day. For Katko, this is his usual routine, even when he's back in the district. Previous central New York members of Congress also said they start their days early and usually didn't go to bed until late, if at all. With the House done for the day, Katko can head for his couch and get some sleep. A few hours of sleep, anyway. "I hope they can take away that I take my job seriously and I understand the awesome responsibility and the duty that I have to work as hard as I can," he said. Americans who want to retire may face very unequal paths to get there depending on where they live. Workplace retirement plans, such as 401(k) accounts, have become a critical retirement savings tool for most Americans. Yet about 40 percent of full-time private sector workers in the U.S. lack access to an employer-based retirement saving plan. And access varies drastically across the country and even within a state, according to a study released May 24 by the Pew Charitable Trusts. The disparity is stark: workers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, had the highest rate of access in the U.S. at 71 percent, but only 23 percent of workers in McAllen, Texas did, making it the lowest in the country. Nationwide, 58 percent have access to a plan. It's an issue of growing importance on a local level as governments consider how they can help out. Not doing so could mean facing a population unable to take care of itself in the future, which could put undue strain on programs like Medicaid, food assistance programs and other support services. "We need to have some sort of mechanism to encourage people to start saving," said John Scott, director of the retirement savings program at Pew. "Policy nudges can make a difference." The U.S. government has put several policies in place recently to try to get Americans to save more. They include the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which enabled automatic contributions to a 401(k) plan, instead of contributions that an employee had to opt into. President Barack Obama also recently created something called myRA, which allows some people who don't have access to a retirement plan to save. Lawmakers in several states are considering retirement savings plans for those who don't have access. Illinois, for one, created a state-run retirement savings program for certain employees without workplace access; it will start enrolling workers in 2017. Washington State last year created a marketplace in which small employers and the self-employed can shop for retirement plans. In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio recently endorsed the idea of a retirement savings plan for private-sector workers. Pew's analysis of 104 metropolitan areas found that regions with the highest rates of access are in the Northeast, the Upper Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. Many of the areas with the lowest access rates are found in states in the South and parts of the West. Areas with a high percentage of low-income workers, small business employers and Hispanic populations were most adversely impacted. Each of these groups tend to have lower access and lower participation rates in retirement plans. The lack of access also underscores and overall sense of retirement insecurity in the U.S. Only 21 percent of American workers are very confident they will have enough money for a comfortable retirement, according to a 2016 survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute; 42 percent are somewhat confident and 19 percent are not at all confident. Overwhelmingly, the survey found that those with the most confidence are those with a retirement plan. This season of "The Bachelorette" is "hammered" time. On the first episode -- which aired Monday -- quite a few men were extremely drunk. Daniel, a Canadian who dissed everyone who wasnt named Daniel, decided he needed to strip down and show JoJo Fletcher, the woman in question, just how buff he was. He jumped in the swimming pool, too, and looked like he was going home stat. Instead, he was the last one to get a rose and lived to drink another day. The leading player, however, appears to be Aaron Rodgers brother Jordan, who also spent time in the NFL. He got the first impression rose and led the pack. So whos among this years selections? Santa Claus. (Thats right, a guy who wore a Santa Claus suit got to stay.) An erectile dysfunction specialist. (He supposedly has a medical job but scrubs dont always indicate profession. He did, however, wield a big syringe.) Several Canadians. (Although Daniel, whos one of them, didnt seem to have an occupation. Hes just identified as "Canadian.") A hipster. (Honestly, thats his occupation.) A "Bachelorette" superfan. (Yup, he even does weekly scorecards.) Glossier than previous seasons, this years edition features a lot of soap opera lighting and long, suggestive kisses. At the beginning of Mondays opener, Fletcher talked with three previous Bachelorettes and asked if kissing on the first night was OK. They all agreed and said go for it. Some of the men did. She held back and, many times, made it seem like Ben Higgins, the man who didnt choose her on "The Bachelor," was a big cad. In truth, he was one of the most honorable pickers in the series checkered past. This years gentlemen boasted a lot of jacked-up hair. Fletcher commented on ones cologne, another contestant talked about the overuse of hair gel. The suits were tight, the shoes were mostly brown and, here and there, the no-socks look prevailed. One bachelor wore a kilt (but went home, so we wont need to worry about him). The rest were a "modge podge," as one said. Daniel, always good for a laugh, said if he were gay, "Id be in paradise." Guitars, unicorns and blue balls (watch the episode, youll see it wasnt as lurid as it sounds) also factored in before Jake Pavelka, a veteran of the "Bachelor" franchise, showed up and looked like he was going to be included in the mix before Fletcher admitted she and Pavelka were "family friends." He arrived simply to wish her well and shake up the dating pool. Mission accomplished. Throughout the first impression moments (either in the driveway or on the patio), it was clear lots of drinking was going on. One guy didnt make a bit of sense. Another wandered around the hallway before running into the unclad Daniel. To up the ante, a man named Wells brought All-4-One to serenade Fletcher. If she was even around when the song was first released, it had to be viewed as a win. The others immediately seemed jealous but that probably didnt tip the scales in any direction. At the rose ceremony, several sounded like they were teenagers hoping to get invited to the prom. Most you wanted to see got in, even though you know theyre not going to make it to the final two. In previews, several get in a fight (Chad is viewed as a real cad) and one is covered in blood. Another year of "The Bachelorette"? Oh, yeah. And there will be blood. Recreational marijuana legalization will be back on the South Dakota ballot in November. Voters in 2020 approved a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis but it was nullified by a legal challenge. Whether the politically red state will pass it twice is uncertain. It's facing strong opposition from conservative groups and figures and different factors are in play. When 54% of voters approved the constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis, it may have benefited from being tied to another ballot measure to approve medical marijuana. This time around, it's on its own. One of the organizers for legalization said voters for the midterm are likely to be older and perhaps less favorably inclined toward recreational marijuana than the electorate of 2020. SIOUX CITY | With a new set of sculptures ready to be installed, last years selection has got to go, but organizers dont just given 'em the old heave-ho. Theyll be ceremoniously sold during the 11th Annual Sculpt Siouxland Celebration, which starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday outside the Sioux City Art Center. For the first time, the event is free. Leading up to the live auction, there will be live music, hors doeuvres and a demonstration for an upcoming project called Chalk the Block, where local artists will make sidewalk chalk drawings around the 10 new sculptures to encourage people to tour the outdoor exhibition. Sculpt Siouxland received 33 entries for 2016-2017 and a jury selected nine works, which will be installed by Thursday and located along Third and Fourth streets, extending from Douglas to Virginia. The 10th installation, a stainless steel sculpture by Andrew Arvanetes, will arrive in July. Arvanetes is this years Invitational Artist. He was nominated by the Art Center and approved by the Sculpt Siouxland board to bring a specific work to Sioux City. Previous Invitational Artists include Rob Craig (daredevil), Bruce White (Sorcerer's Gate) and Terrence Karpowicz (Let's Go). All of these are installed by the Art Center, along Pierce Street. Details The 11th Annual Sculpt Siouxland Celebration will be held at the Sioux City Art Center, 225 Nebraska St., from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday. It is free. For more information, visit siouxcityartcenter.org or call 712-279-6272. About Sculpt Siouxland Members of the Sioux City Growth Organization founded Sculpt Siouxland in 2005 to promote public art and increase downtown foot traffic. The project grew into a separate nonprofit organization within three years. Sculpt Siouxlands permanent collection includes 19 works. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Dorothy Laye sits quietly as her hands precisely weave a pattern on an old cane chair. None of the people around her, or their chatter, pose a distraction. Laye, 76, worked for 34 years as a math teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Now retired, she spends some of her free time restoring old cane chairs. Mending the cane chairs isnt a second career. And although it could be called a hobby, her work isnt done for free. Laye and other residents at Aldersgate, a nonprofit continuing care retirement community, meet twice weekly to restore chairs for the paying public. Its part of an ongoing change at retirement centers, where bingo and other traditional forms of recreation are taking a backseat to more meaningful activities for many residents. Retirees are interested in life-long learning, whether through a college lecture series, political discussions or arts and crafts activities, said Jeff Weatherhead, the chief operating officer at Aldersgate. It gives people an opportunity to invest in themselves and tap into skills maybe they didnt know they had, he said. Communities like this arent intended for people to come and just exist. As Laye put it: My makeup is such that I need something to do. Clients bring in worn chairs, some passed down through the years. Fees range from $35 to $150 per chair, and Aldersgate repairs about 60 chairs in a typical year. Theresa Yoder, of Midland, North Carolina, has overseen the program for the last six years. She teaches participants the patterns and offers feedback and assistance. When Yoder began oversight of the basket weaving and chair re-caning program she had about eight participants, now there are about 15 residents who are regulars, she said. The group has become like a little family, Yoder said. When a resident wants to join in, she meets with them one-on-one to get them started. Along with the chair re-caning, Yoder also works with residents who weave baskets, many donated to local nonprofits, such as Carolina Breast Friends. Whether basket weaving or re-caning chairs, the work is mathematical, Yoder said, and it does make her students have to really think about what they are doing. The types of services offered include mending rush chairs, cane chairs, rockers, hand-woven chairs with holes and machine woven chairs with pressed-in seats. While Yoder is there to help her students, she isnt afraid to tell them when they need to fix mistakes. They work really hard to do good, quality work, she said. KINGSLEY, Iowa | A small funnel cloud touched down north of Kingsley around 6 p.m. Saturday, stemming from a system of storms that produced weak spinups as they moved through Siouxland Saturday afternoon. Plymouth County Emergency Management director Duane Walhof said the funnel cloud developed just north of Kingsley and vanished quickly, causing no damage or injury. "It looks like it was a cold-weather funnel, not a full tornado," he said. "It just touched down briefly. It wasn't long." Walhof said the area received a negligible amount of rain Saturday afternoon. There was no hail or wind damage, he said. Another funnel touched down for about 10 seconds in Lincoln County, South Dakota, at 2:32 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Lincoln County was placed under a tornado warning from 2:34 p.m. to 3 p.m. The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls had issued a special weather statement shortly before noon Saturday warning of favorable conditions for small, isolated funnel clouds to occur during the afternoon hours. Those conditions moved out of much of Siouxland and into north central Iowa after 7 p.m. SIOUX CITY | A recent Iowa Supreme Court action concluded a long-running legal battle between the former Argosy Sioux City riverboat casino and state gambling regulators. But lawyers are far from through resolving the legal issues that arose from months of conflict with the gambling boat's former local partner over contracts and state gaming laws. Still remaining to be decided is a breach of contract lawsuit Penn National Gaming Co. filed against Missouri River Historical Development, the state-licensed nonprofit gaming group that had held Woodbury County's gambling license with the Belle of Sioux City, a subsidiary of Wyomissing, Pa.-based Penn National Gaming Inc. Also pending is MRHD's countersuit against Penn, the nation's largest gaming operator. And yet to be addressed is the fate of nearly $1.8 million in revenue-sharing payments the Argosy owner withheld from MRHD during the last year the casino operated. "I expect that will be a subject of conversation among all remaining parties," said MRHD's attorney, Doug Phillips, of Sioux City. The Iowa Supreme Court on Monday denied the Belle of Sioux City's request to review an Iowa Court of Appeals ruling that upheld previous rulings that led to the casino's closure on July 30, 2014. Belle had challenged the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission's actions denying the company a license renewal and instead awarding it to the partnership that led to the construction and opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in downtown Sioux City on Aug. 1, 2014. With that administrative case now finished, the focus turns to a 2012 lawsuit in which Penn claims that MRHD schemed to replace the Argosy with another operator even before their 20-year contract expired in July 2012. MRHD had been unable to come up with a long-term contract extension that would have included a land-based casino with Penn, and the IRGC took the unprecedented step of putting Woodbury County's license up for grabs and began accepting proposals for a land-based casino. MRHD denied the charges and countersued, claiming that Penn interfered with MRHD's prospective relationships by sending letters threatening legal action against potential operators with whom MRHD might pursue an agreement. MRHD also claimed that Penn's actions prevented or delayed it from negotiating a more lucrative land-based casino agreement. Both sides are seeking damages in their claims. Phillips declined to comment on MRHD's arguments in its counterclaim, but he said resolution of the previous case involving the IRGC may affect the breach of contract case. "I think the resolution of the administrative case will resolve a number of issues raised in that case," Phillips said. "The parties had agreed that we should resolve the administrative case, and once that was resolved we could begin our discussions on how to resolve the remaining case." Phillips declined to say what filings may be forthcoming or when, but that lawyers for both sides would need to meet to discuss schedules and how to proceed. Penn officials did not respond to requests for comment for this story. As for the $1.8 million that Argosy withheld from MRHD, some type of legal action is possible, but it's not clear what form that action might take or by whom. Under Iowa law, casino operators are required to partner with licensed gaming nonprofit organizations such as MRHD, which collect and distribute a portion of gambling profits to charitable and civic organizations. Penn stopped making the Argosy payments -- 3 percent of the casino's adjusted gross revenues -- to MRHD in June 2013, two months after the IRGC, in a 3-2 vote, awarded the county's first land-based license to MRHD and the Hard Rock operator, SCE Partners. In a November 2013 ruling, a Polk County District Court judge denied Penn's motion to appoint a third-party receiver to collect and distribute the funds until its breach-of-contract lawsuit against MRHD is settled. State regulators also rebuffed Penn's request to redirect the funds to a new local nonprofit for distribution in the community. By the time the floating casino closed on July 30, 2014, the uncollected funds totaled about $1.8 million. The boat has since been sold and removed from the riverfront. MRHD board president Mark Monson said $1.8 million is a significant amount that is owed to the community, but that it's not MRHD's job to pursue it. "It's my opinion that that is the responsibility of the Iowa Racing and Gaming (Commission)," Monson said. IRGC administrator Brian Ohorilko said many questions need to be answered about the money believed to be owed to MRHD. "Those payments weren't made. I think it's something the commission really needs to talk to our attorney about and try to determine if the state will try to recoup that money," Ohorilko said. The earliest the IRGC could publicly discuss the matter is at its July meeting. Growing up in Auburn, Mike Skowron knew his father served in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. But that was as much as he knew. Mike said his father, Theodore, only mentioned his service twice both times as they watched the '70s documentary series "The World at War." When the series would show the Pacific Theatre, Mike said, Theodore would make "a few derogatory remarks." Theodore died Sept. 14, 1992. Mike would continue knowing little about the wartime chapter in his father's life until February. That's when Mike, now 60, was contacted by Brent Spencer, of Irvine, California. A few years ago, Spencer began chatting up James Scotella and other World War II veterans who live in the same Carlsbad mobile home park as Spencer's mother-in-law. Eventually, their stories numbered so many that Spencer, a software tester for Lexmark, began thinking about building a website to preserve the elderly men's tales for posterity. Then Scotella gave Spencer an item that inspired him to make honortheveterans.com happen: a Japanese flag that had been signed by 68 members of the 28th Marine Regiment. Wary of booby traps, Scotella carefully plucked the flag from the uniform of a dead Japanese soldier at the Battle of Iwo Jima. He collected the signatures during R&R at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Oahu days after the battle ended. And one of those signatures was "Theodore Skowron, 86 Perrine St., Auburn, N.Y." Soon after Spencer took possession of the flag from Scotella, he set up a spreadsheet and got to work tracing each of the signatures to their writers, or their next of kin. "I saw all those signatures and thought, 'I have to do more than just take it, roll it up and put it in a tube,'" he said. "I knew that if my relative had signed the flag, I'd want to have a photo of it." Spencer had some of the 28th roster from another project he'd worked on involving footage of Iwo Jima, and used the National Archives to fill in the rest. He was able to identify all but one of the 68 signers. When he reached out to the 28th's families with the results of his research, Spencer was met with the same wide-eyed reaction he'd get when he contacted Mike Skowron in February. Theodore, Spencer said, wasn't the only Marine on Iwo Jima who told his loved ones little about his service. In Mike's case, the sight of his father's signature on that flag moved him to learn more. He'd find out Theodore, then 19, was part of the eighth wave to enter the island after the battle began on Feb. 19, 1945. Mike also learned his father laid radio lines on the Japanese mainland, and that his rank tended to go up and down. "He must have been quite a heller," Mike joked. "Not a troublemaker, but he pushed the rules a little bit." Scotella was also part of that eighth wave of the 28th Marines at Iwo Jima, which arrived 35 minutes after the first wave hit the beach, he said. He worked in the message center, encoding and decoding communications alongside the Navajo code talkers. Now 91, Scotella recalls a feeling of vulnerability on the eight-square-mile island, where Japanese snipers used 11 miles of tunnels to kill U.S. forces on ground they thought secure. More than 6,800 U.S. soldiers were killed and more than 19,200 were wounded in the 36 days of fighting. "The deaths there were unimaginable to lose that many men on that small an island," Scotella said. "I was fortunate. It seems like I was always in the right place at the right time." Scotella said he doesn't recognize Theodore Skowron's name, though there were so many names linked to that bloody late chapter of World War II. One thing Scotella does remember from Iwo Jima, and has recalled for CBS News, is the iconic raising of the U.S. flag after the battle ended. As one flag was raised and then replaced with a bigger flag from the Navy photographer Joe Rosenthal lying in wait to snap the immortal shot the morale of the 28th Marines rose, Scotella said. Mike was watching a YouTube video of Scotella when he came to one more conclusion about his father's military service. "That's when I pieced it together," Mike said. "'Oh my god, my Dad must have been right there when they raised the flag.'" Scotella praised Spencer for the work that has shed light on the lives of those 67 World War II veterans for their dozens of descendents. And for the 68th a "Bobo Bennett" of Detroit that work continues. "We haven't given up on that one, either," Scotella said. SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa | Gloria Kruse looked out on Big Spirit Lake on Friday afternoon, her vision impaired only by the occasional tuft of cotton floating from a giant cottonwood tree, Mother Nature reminding us of her gentle touch this Memorial Day weekend. "This is sooooo peaceful," said Kruse, a resident of George, Iowa, who has ventured with family members for the past 12 to 15 years to what I consider Iowa's most unique Century Farm. Welcome to the Sandbar Beach Resort, part of the Yarnes Century Farm at Angler's Bay on the northeast corner of Big Spirit Lake. It might also be Iowa's northernmost Century Farm. "Minnesota is right there," Sandbar Beach Resort owner Nancy Yarnes said with a nod to the northeast. Yarnes and her small staff -- chiefly consisting of store manager Marilyn Vander Woude and superintendent Chris Legidakes -- welcome visitors to 15 cabins that line the sandy shore of Big Spirit Lake, where vacationers have come since 1905. It's as much of the local economic scene here as the corn and soybeans grown on land that surrounds these beautiful bodies of water. "The beach is clean and right here for the kids," said Gloria Kruse's husband, Daryl Kruse. "The kids have all kinds of places to play. Our family has seven of the cabins this week." Or, ample room for nearly 40 Kruse family members. "We see many of the same folks, year after year," Vander Woude said as she grabbed a container of nightcrawlers from the refrigerator and handed them to two boys. The boys charged the $3 purchase to their parents' cabin, which Vander Woude noted on a piece of paper. She then handed each boy a free sucker. (A piece of candy, not a fish.) The store, which hasn't changed in decades, if not a century, offers cold beer, cold worms, cold soda, cold ice cream, warm sweatshirts, caps, lures and more. The property has been the Yarnes family since 1872, when Consider "Sid" Yarnes bought it from the federal government. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the deed, a copy of which hangs near the front door, mere feet from the Century Farm sign posted outside. Consider and his wife, Clara Lynn Yarnes, homesteaded the land and lived in a sod hut while interacting with the Sac and Fox tribes when they passed through on hunting expeditions. The resort opened as a single cabin in the woods in 1905. As the years passed, more cabins were built. Six cabins were moved across the ice from Minnesota after a fire ravaged a portion of the resort decades ago. Don Yarnes, grandson of Consider and Clara Lynn, chose to sell and donate a portion of the land to the Iowa Heritage Foundation for conservation purposes. This made it possible to permanently protect the Big Spirit Lake shoreline and to restore that portion of the farm to wetlands. While some of the acreage is still farmed, the resort continues as it has since the early stages of the last century. The family leased the resort site for years, but decided to assume operations in 1992. The 1993 season was a flop as the Iowa Great Lakes flooded. "We were fully booked that summer and then got 14 inches of rain in here," Nancy Yarnes said. Eventually, the water receded and vacationers returned to this site 4.5 miles north of Spirit Lake, and they have ever since, plopping down cash and credit for small cabins that feature all the amenities you'd expect these days, such as air conditioning and running water. Oh, and a 5,660-acre lake that's no more than one fishing cast away. "I love the people, I love this lake and I love the sunsets," said Nancy, who spends her summers here and her winters in her native Texas. Don Yarnes, who contracted polio as a senior at Spirit Lake High School in 1939, died on May 25, 2008. He was 84 and traveled the world during his lifetime, having worked as a mechanical engineer. "He worked in Israel in 1967, during the war," Nancy said, referring to the Six-Day War. "We lived in South Africa for a time, too, as he worked there." This tranquil spot on the northeast shore of Big Spirit Lake was always a draw, even though, as a child, he and his parents never lived on the farm. Instead, they resided in nearby Estherville and then in Spirit Lake. Nancy, like her visitors, can't see herself residing anywhere else from May through October. The breeze off Big Spirit represents a sea change from summer in Texas, where, she said, "People run from one air conditioner to another." On Friday, nobody ran at the Sandbar Beach Resort. Boys Kolte Garry and Karson Olson climbed on a bridge while scouting for fish activity in the lake. The Kruses snacked on ribs and waited for family members to arrive. Vander Woude checked on her lures and nightcrawlers, while Nancy Yarnes thanked people who picked up tree branches after a midweek storm. The cottonwoods did their part, too, as they have since the days of President Ulysses S. Grant, on the banks of Big Spirit. SIOUX CITY | While rain is moving back into the forecast on Memorial Day, the heaviest rainfall should hold off until later in the day. According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, Monday will be partly cloudy with a high near 82 and south-southeast winds at 5 to 15 mph. More clouds will roll in around mid-day, with some showers developing after 1 p.m. Brad Adams, the observing program leader with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, said rain should remain light in Sioux City Monday afternoon. "It looks like in the afternoon when people are around, barbecuing, doing their thing, it should be pretty light," he said. Rain chances will increase as the day continues, with a marginal risk for severe weather late Monday afternoon and evening. A few storms could bring hail, 60 mph gusts and locally heavy rainfall to Siouxland, according to the National Weather Service. Adams said most of the strongest weather will likely stay to the north and west of Sioux City. Precipitation chances increase to 70 percent Monday night, with showers and thunderstorms likely after 1 a.m. The low will be around 62 with a 10-15 mph south wind. Adams said Sioux City could receive up to an inch of rainfall by the time the system moves out of the area Tuesday. HAWARDEN, Iowa | Approximately 5,000 pigs died at a hog confinement facility near Hawarden Saturday as a result of a fire that authorities believe began when a pig dislodged a heat lamp. According to a Sioux County Sheriff news release, the Hawarden Fire Department received a report at 8:46 a.m. Saturday that a fire was in progress at 1825 470th Street, which is about three miles southeast of Hawarden. Upon arrival, firefighters found one building had been completely engulfed and a second building had caught fire from the first. Several employees were present at the time, but none were injured, the release said. Both buildings were a total loss, and approximately 5,000 pigs died in the fire. Authorities believe the fire began when one of the pigs dislodged a heat lamp, causing it to drop onto straw bedding, the release said. The Hawarden Fire Department was assisted at the scene by fire departments from Ireton, Maurice, Orange City, Rock Valley, Sioux Center and Akron in Iowa, and Hudson and Alcester in South Dakota. The Sioux County Sheriff's Office, Hawarden Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, and Hawarden, Ireton and Sioux Center ambulances also assisted. The Hawarden fire chief is continuing to investigate the fire with the Iowa State Fire Marshal's Office and the Sioux County Sheriff's Office. May 29, 1936 One of the few Central New York Civil War veterans to take part in Memorial Day exercises this year will be Alfred E. Stacey of Elbridge. Services in Elbridge will be in charge of the American Legion Post. Myers Post will dedicate a flag and staff in the yard of Mr. Stacey's home at 9:45 o'clock Saturday morning. Mr. Stacey is 90 years old. James Hemingway, also of Elbridge , 97 years old, will be unable to attend the memorial exercises this year. May 29, 1961 (Pictured) S-K POST ELECTS Matthew J. Kulis, left, newly elected commander of the Swietoniowski-Kopeczek Post 1324, American Legion, is congratulated by Vincent J. Vigliotti, right, retiring commander. The election took place Sunday during a meeting at Polish Home. Other top officers from second left are Joseph S. Lorenc, second vice commander; Leo Kukiela, third vice commander, and Chester F. Bochenek, first vice commander. May 29, 2006 Newly minted Wells College graduates stomped out a drinking song while they savored champagne flutes filled with celebratory mimosa. It was the first boisterous display beyond happy cheering the class of 2006 displayed the day of their elegant commencement on the back lawn of the Aurora Inn on Route 90. But Saturday also was a morning to ponder as the senior class of 85 women marked their place as the last all-female class at the tiny liberal arts college. The students were all given honor cords in the school's colors of red and white to wear with their black gowns to distinguish them as the last inheritors of the school's single-sex tradition of 138 years. The class of 2007 is expected to include male students who transferred to the college following the fall 2004 decision for the college to become coeducational because of financial strain. May 29, 2011 The first time Auburn native Todd Lattimore took the stage at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, he played an Asian child in The King and I. When he returns Wednesday, June 1, in the lead role of Billy Crocker in Cole Porters classic Anything Goes, Lattimore will once again play dress-up as a person of Asian descent. My father served in both the Philippines and New Guinea during World War II. In July 1945, his unit was staging to invade Japan. His commanding officer said the American body count would run into millions. To drive the point home, he said that if you are lucky enough to survive, look left and look right because those comrades will be dead. For the past few years the federal government has been pushing for a bully-free public school system. It seems hypocritical for the federal government to now try to bully its own sexual agenda on the public schools by threatening to withhold our hard-earned tax dollars from our kids' schools if the schools don't comply. DES MOINES | The path to control of the Iowa Senate in 2017 can be found in recently filed Statehouse fundraising reports. The state political parties are devoting resources to legislative election races they think will be critical in determining which party sets the agenda in the Senate next year. For a third consecutive election, Democrats go into the campaign controlling the Iowa Senate by the slimmest of margins: 26-24. For a third consecutive election, Republicans will attempt to gain control of the chamber by winning one more seat than Democrats. Should they do so, barring a change in the Republican-controlled House, the GOP would have complete control of the Capitol for at least two years. Republicans are confident. They think they have closed the absentee ballot gap on Democrats, which they think will minimize the effect of traditionally higher Democratic turnout in presidential election years. Republicans also think their chances are bolstered by a half-dozen races in which a Senate Democrat is up for re-election in a district with more active registered Republican voters. Obviously, you expect a Republican chairman to say I think were going to do this, but the statistics and I think the fundraising shows that we put our money where our mouth is, so to speak, said Jeff Kaufmann, state chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. Republican voters outnumber Democrats in each of those targeted districts, but Mike Gronstal, the Democratic majority leader of the Iowa Senate, said other factors play into success at the ballot box. For instance, active voters who aren't enrolled in a party outnumber registered Republicans and Democrats. And Gronstal said his campaign team also looks at historical voting trends, such as whether voters in a state legislative district chose Barack Obama or Mitt Romney in 2012. There appears to be, over time, a growing number of voters that choose not to ally with either party. So its really critical how those no-party voters break, and that varies by election season and by district, Gronstal said. We think weve got a very solid shot at keeping the majority in the Senate, and theres two or three seats we think we have an opportunity to pick up. By looking at the way the state parties are giving money to Senate candidates, one can plainly see where leaders are drawing the battle lines for this years campaign. NORTHERN IOWA Money also has poured into the northern Iowa district that includes Worth, Mitchell, Floyd, Chickasaw and Howard counties, and portions of Cerro Gordo and Winneshiek, where second-term Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm, a Democrat from Cresco, will be challenged by Republican Waylon Brown, a farmer and small businessman from St. Ansgar. Republican voters also outnumber Democrats in this district, which Democrats clearly have made a top priority. The Iowa Senate Democratic Caucus has made more than $21,000 worth of in-kind contributions to Wilhelms campaign over the past two years. And she has more than $29,000 cash in her campaign account. The Republican Party has given more than $5,500 to Browns campaign. EASTERN IOWA One obvious target is a district that includes portions of Scott and Muscatine counties, where first-term Sen. Chris Brase, a Democrat from Muscatine, faces a re-election challenge from Republican Mark Lofgren, a Republican from Muscatine who served two terms in the Iowa House from 2011 to 2014. Multiple factors make this a likely competitive race: Brase is a freshman legislator, and Lofgren is a known quantity. And active registered Republican voters outnumber active registered Democratic voters in the district, according to Mays numbers from the Iowa Secretary of States office. No-party voters, like many Iowa Statehouse districts, represent the largest share in the district. The money has poured into the district. Brase and Lofgren are sitting on two of the biggest war chests among all Statehouse candidates, aside from the leaders. Brase has more than $61,000 in his campaign account, and Lofgren more than $49,000. The party organizations are getting involved in the Brase-Lofgren race, providing resources to help ensure victory in the critical district. The Iowa Democratic Party over the past two years has given Brases campaign more than $20,000 in in-kind contributions, which are donated services or materials instead of cash. The partys in-kind contributions to Brases campaign were in the form of printing and postage, according to state campaign finance documents. The Republican Party of Iowa also is involved; it donated nearly $3,800 to Lofgrens campaign this year. CEDAR VALLEY The Cedar Valley could have a couple of battleground Senate races, if fundraising is an indicator. The district that includes portions of Black Hawk, Bremer, Fayette and Buchanan counties is represented by third-term Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, a Democrat from Arlington who will be challenged by Republican Craig Johnson of Independence. Once again, Republican voters outnumber Democrats in the district. Schoenjahn has more than $18,000 in his campaign account, and Johnson has roughly $16,000. The Democratic Party has contributed made more than $21,000 worth of in-kind contributions to Schoenjahn, and the Republican Party has donated more than $6,500 to Johnson. The Republican Party also donated nearly $7,000 to Bonnie Sadler, a Republican from Cedar Falls who is running against yet another Democratic incumbent in a district with more Republican voters. But thats still a drop in the bucket compared to the more than $100,000 in the campaign account of Democratic Sen. Jeff Danielson, who is in his third term representing the Black Hawk County district. CEDAR RAPIDS The Republican Party made its biggest Statehouse contribution nearly $8,000 the past two years year to Rene Gadelha, a Linn-Mar school board member from Marion who is challenging second-term Democratic incumbent Liz Mathis of Cedar Rapids. Theirs is a race in yet another district being represented by a Democrat but in which Republican voters outnumber Democrats. With the help from the state party, Gadelha has nearly $67,000 in her campaign account. Mathis, however, has nearly $92,000 in her war chest. CENTRAL IOWA Another targeted district covers Marshall and Tama counties, plus a small southwest corner of Black Hawk County. There, second-term incumbent Sen. Steve Sodders, a Democrat from State Center, is up for re-election in another district where Republican voters outnumber Democrats. Sodders challenger, Republican Jeff Edler, a farmer from State Center, raised a remarkable $36,000 in the first four months of 2016. The state party chipped in more than $3,000. Sodders had a relatively quiet fundraising period during those months most of which the Legislature was in session raising just shy of $5,000. Sodders has more than $15,000 in his campaign account, and the Democratic Party, aware of the importance of his re-election, made nearly $10,000 worth of in-kind contributions to his campaign this year. Well, lets catch up on the news about the village. Construction on the Erie House is complete, and soon the buildings will be handed over to the Canal Society of New York State to open and operate. Work continues on the visitors center complex, and the parking lot off of Route 31 is nearing completion. Andrea Seamans is setting up a friends group to help out around the new park, and it seems that she has gotten some interest from local folks wishing to help out. It looks like the village will have a new Dollar General if plans hold true. A developer is looking to use the old Foodland building, and removing the old bakery and laundromat. This would be the first new commercial building built since the Pit Stop opened some years ago. The Lock 52 Historical Society has a new lawn decoration. A rather large water turbine from Wilts Mill has found its way back to Port Byron after spending some time in Auburn. If I was to ask you to picture a water-powered grist mill in your mind, you would likely think of the old water wheels, with the water flowing over the wheel and the buckets gently spilling over with the flow. The truth is that most mills converted to turbines, as they were far more efficient at converting water to energy to turn the mill workings. The other reason I am so happy to have a 5-ton lawn decoration is that the old Erie Canal locks used a very similar device to help pull boats in and out of the locks, saving time and the backs of the men and mules. Our Lock 52 was one of the first to be fitted out with a turbine and it is part of the story that will be told to visitors at the new park. Out of all the 73 locks along the Erie, only one lock turbine is known to exist, and that is underground at a cider mill. So now we have a somewhat similar machine to show people and to help explain how things worked, creating a tie between the new park and our society. It was a nice save, and we thank all those who made it happen. The historical society program season has begun. Our first speaker was Bachir Bserani, who spoke about life and education differences between the Middle East and America. It was a delightful program that held the interest of the group for well over an hour. Our next program will be on Tuesday, June 14, with Tom and Vivian Chappell reading from the Adams letters letters that were sent between John and Abigail Adams during their time apart. The society typically holds its programs on the third Wednesday, but on that Wednesday the Montezuma Historical Society will be holding its 10th anniversary with a program at Brendas Diner with author Michael Keene speaking about female serial killers in the 19th century. Congratulations to the MHS for reaching 10 years. As always, check out our events calendar on the Lock 52 website for a schedule of our and other community events. 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 ST. CHARLES, Mich. It has been almost 102 years since Alvah N. Nichols, a local Civil War veteran, was laid to rest in St. Charles' Riverside Cemetery. A brand new tombstone marks the grave site, decorated with wreaths, flowers and an American flag. But not too long ago, there were no such decorations. In fact, there was not even a tombstone to mark the soldier's grave, The Saginaw News (http://bit.ly/1TqsLVd ) reported. Nichols has his great-great-grandson, Bob Boquette, to thank. The Birch Run man's interest in Civil War history and his own genealogy led him to the village of St. Charles, where he learned of his ancestor's final resting place. During his visit, Boquette stopped to grab a bite to eat at the Bad River Bar & Grill and asked if anyone knew anything about the Nichols family, said Phyllis Hofeit, whose son worked at the bar. "He went in the back and got the cook, who is my son, and says, 'I hear you're looking for a Nichols,'" Hofeit said. "And he said, 'My mother is a Nichols.'" Hofeit said her son, Thomas Hofeit, sent Boquette to talk to his aunt Shirley Louchart. Louchart, who is Nichols' great-granddaughter, said when she met Boquette, they learned they were second cousins. Boquette met up with her and her daughter and daughter-in-law, who had done their own research into the family's genealogy. "They just exchanged stuff," Louchart said. "He's a Civil War buff and he just loves anything about it." The family has collected several specific details about their ancestor's life and his military service. Alvah N. Nichols was born in New York's Cayuga County on March 13, 1832, according to their research. At the age of 31, Nichols in December 1863 enlisted in the 9th New York Heavy Artillery. The regiment was involved in numerous battles and difficult campaigns in the last two years of the war. Battles the regiment fought in during Nichols' service included the Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, the Battle of Cold Harbor, the Battle (Siege) of Petersburg and the Battle of Fisher's Hill. Col. William H. Seward Jr., the son of then-Secretary of State William H. Seward, commanded the regiment for four months in 1964. Nichols was honorably discharged on Jan. 30, 1865, due to a knee injury and other health issues. "I think it's quite an accomplishment that he lived through that many battles," Louchart said. "For him to be in there two years and to have survived all those battles. He's lucky to have made it out alive." After Nichols' discharge, the regiment went on to fight in the Appomattox Campaign, including the Battle of Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. The battle preceded the surrender of Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee to the Union Army under Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, triggering a series of surrenders across the South and signaling the end of the war. Five years after he was discharged, Nichols migrated to Michigan and settled in the Brant/St. Charles area. He died on Sept. 4, 1914, and was buried in the east section of St. Charles' Riverside Cemetery. When he located his ancestor's grave site, Boquette discovered no marker stood there in Nichols' memory. "Alvah had no stone," Louchart said. "(Boquette) didn't like that." Boquette purchased a tombstone, and on Saturday, May 14, family and friends gathered at the cemetery to honor the memory of Alvah Nichols. Members of the Sons of Union Veterans and Sons of Veteran Reserve groups attended the ceremony, which included a prayer and a rifle volley. The group that gathered for the service that afternoon also included Shirley Louchart and Phyllis Hofeit. Both are daughters of Claude Nichols and granddaughters of William Nichols, who was Alvah's son. Hofeit said her and her sister go to the cemetery every year to place flowers on the graves. "We knew he was here," she said. "We just didn't know which grave it was." Hofeit said she is grateful for the work done by Boquette and others because it enables them to do the same for Alvah's. "To have him honored like this," she said. "It's great." AUBURN A girl who had been sexually abused by an Auburn man for five years said in her victim impact statement that she is determined to not A 20-year-old male was airlifted to the hospital Sunday morning with reported burn injuries to his face and legs after a fire broke out in the basement of a Springport home, according to Cayuga County 911 dispatchers. The fire at 1557 Spring Street Road was called in at around 9:35 a.m. as the result of a "gas line explosion" near the dryer in the home's basement, according to initial reports. A 911 spokesperson said nobody else was injured. Emergency responders had the fire under control within the hour. The 20-year-old male was airlifted by a LifeNet helicopter to the hospital. Details regarding the exact hospital or the individual's condition were not immediately available. Responding agencies included fire departments out of Union Springs, Cayuga, Fleming and Aurelius; the Cayuga County Emergency Management Office, Rural Metro Ambulance and New York State Police. Hawk Harrelson wasnt a happy camper on Saturday afternoon. The homerific Chicago White Sox television announcer was calling a game against the Kansas City Royals, where the Sox were leading 7-1 in the ninth inning. It seemed like a sure victory for Chicago, but then the Royals rallied back. Kansas City touched up closer David Robertson for five runs as they managed to get on base six times as he recorded just two outs in the ninth. Reliever Tommy Kahnle came in to try to lock down the mess but allowed a game-tying double to Drew Butera which scored an inherited runner. He eventually gave up a Brett Eibner single which gave the Royals a surprise victory. The comeback was epic. Hawk wasnt pleased. The 74-year-old sat in silence as Royals fan cheered on. He eventually was able to muster up the words to speak. While giving the final score, Hawk sounded dejected as he was forced to recap the insane come-from-behind victory. This isnt the first time and probably wont be the last time youll hear Harrelson go silent during a broadcast. Hes done it numerous times over the year every which one of them has been top-notch entertainment. Twitter wasnt surprised with how Hawk called the play. White Sox just blew a 7-1 lead in the 9th inning at Kansas City and Hawk Harrelsons reaction was exactly how you think it went. Kenny Bybee (@KennyBybee) May 28, 2016 Elsewhere, the Royals scored seven runs in the ninth to beat the White Sox 8-7. Let's check in with Hawk Harrelson. https://t.co/IOvFv33x5y Mike Popovich (@mpopovichREP) May 28, 2016 I want a supercut of Hawk Harrelson stunned silences: Walk offs, 30 seconds of crowd cheering, followed by an emotionless "We'll be back" Kevin Pang (@pang) May 28, 2016 Watching the White Sox blow a lead so impressively must hurt for Harrelson, especially when it seemed like it was in the bag. His pain was personified by the sadness in his voice. It was a tough day for Hawk. All of the developers, consultants, builders, Realtors and residents who spoke before Flagstaff City Council Tuesday agreed that there is a problem finding an affordable home to rent or buy in the city. But none of them had an easy fix to the problem. Council spent four and a half hours gathering comments from various sources on why housing was so expensive in Flagstaff and suggestions on what could be done. In order to gather as much information as possible, Council suspended its usual three-minute rule for speakers. Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona Director Devonna McLaughlin said renters were having as much a problem as homebuyers in finding an affordable place to live. Our cost of living is being driven by our cost of housing, she said. Many families who cant afford housing arent low-income, they just cant afford housing. McLaughlin said her research showed that the median price of a home in the greater Flagstaff area, including Munds Park and Mormon Lake, was $319,000. A family buying the median home would have to spend more than $1,600 a month on housing costs after a down payment of at least $25,000 plus closing costs. That requires an income of at least $57,000 to stay under the 35 percent limit for housing as a percentage of income. The rental market wasnt much better, McLaughlin said. A survey completed in February and March by Housing Solutions of 34 market rate and 10 income-restricted apartment complexes showed an average monthly rental price of $1,319. A family would have to earn $45,000 annually to afford such an apartment. About 26 percent of apartment complexes in Flagstaff changed their rents daily. The vacancy rate for market rate apartments is about 3.3 percent. The vacancy rate for income-restricted apartments is about a quarter of 1 percent she said. McLaughlin suggested the city expand its current housing assistance program for Flagstaff police officers to the general public. She also suggested the city develop the land it currently holds for affordable housing as quickly as possible to provide more options for families. Her big idea to increase affordable housing in the city was to follow Pima Countys lead and pay for housing through a city bond issue. Pima has gone to voters twice, successfully, for bond issues to help pay for 18 projects with 500 affordable units worth $9 million. Pima also used grant money to help fund the projects, she said. If the city paid for housing, it could set its own rules on what income levels would be eligible for the units. Several speakers said it was the lack of housing supply within an affordable range of prices that was causing the problem. Walter Crutchfield from Vintage Partners, which took over development of Presidio in the Pines, said the supply of homes under $300,000 in Flagstaff is extremely limited. New homes in that price range are gobbled up as soon as they appear on the market, he said. Some are grabbed by families, but demand from college students is also putting pressure on the market. Building more housing geared toward students would take some of the pressure off the housing market for working families, Crutchfield said. He said the cost of construction was also expensive. Some of the cost is related to the price of land in Flagstaff and some due to delays getting the product to market. But building a home in the $300,000 range was doable. Vintage has hired a number of builders to build homes below the $300,000 price range in Flagstaff. Crutchfield recommended that the city set fixed impact fees for utilities, fire and police services for new construction instead of negotiating with each developer. This would make it easier for a developer to know what some of its costs would be before starting construction. It would also mean less time negotiating with city staff, which would lead to a quicker build process and more product reaching the market quicker. John Rich, a branch manager at Wallick & Volk mortgage lenders, agreed that it was a supply and demand problem. He said his clients werent having trouble getting financing for a new home. They were having problems finding a home in the price range for the mortgage loan they qualified for. Any home that is listed at $300,000 that is in good condition has multiple offers on it once it hits the market and will probably sell for well above its $300,000 listing price, he said. John Stigmon, the vice president of the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona, said the mid-level housing crunch was starting to affect the local economy. The magnitude of the situation goes beyond affordable housing, he said. Employers, such as the hospital, are having a hard time recruiting employees because of the housing situation. The market is getting squeezed from both sides, he said. College students are taking all of the affordable units at the low end of the market. The high end of the market in Flagstaff is well out of reach of many average, first-time and second-time homebuyers, he said. In the middle of the market, families who already have homes cant move out because they cant find a home in their price range to move into. So they hold on to their home instead of putting it on the market, shrinking the supply even further, Stigmon said. Councilmember Scott Overton, who is in the construction industry, said that he wasnt sure there was one clear solution that would correct the problem. He recommended continuing the conversation to another meeting. Councilmember Coral Evans said she wanted to hear more from organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Northern Arizona University. She also wanted to hear from the service industry and minimum wage workers. We need to look at the broader economy, she said. Councilmember Karla Brewster agreed with Overton that the meeting was a good start to finding a solution but more viewpoints needed to be heard. I really think the city alone wont be able to solve this, she said. City Manager Josh Copley said he would have staff research the problem further and return to Council with more information late this summer. From Armed Forces Day to Memorial Day to Military Spouse Appreciation Day, May is a month that honors our veterans in many different ways. But we still have work to do in how we recognize and support their families. Can we really address veterans needs separate from the challenges faced by the family as a whole? The answer is no, unless we change what we are doing. We can do more to provide spouses the support they need to continue essential caregiving for veterans and to rebuild their families emotional and economic health. Spouses are vital to veterans successful transition into civilian life and in veterans recovery process when they require treatment. It is often a wife, husband or partner who actively encourages a veteran to seek treatment in order to save the marriage or to improve their childrens relationship with the parent. The spouse also becomes the familys breadwinner when a veteran is unable to work. While a veteran might receive pension and disability pay, the money is not enough to provide for a family transitioning to a new life in a new home. An employed spouse allows the veteran time to find appropriate, higher-income employment, instead of being forced to take the first available job in order to support the family. Unfortunately, spouse unemployment and underemployment are among the most common issues military and veteran families face. In a recent survey by Blue Star Families, 75 percent of spouses said their status as military spouses negatively impacted their careers. They indicated that military spouse employment is the top obstacle to financial security. In fact, the Military Officers Association of America and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University conducted their own survey in 2013 and found a whopping 90 percent of responding female spouses of active duty service members are underemployed. We are ignoring a huge issue affecting the resiliency of our military and veteran families. Many factors contribute to these high rates. During a veterans service, the spouse often must put his or her own career and education on hold. Frequent moves lead to school transfers, unfinished degrees, disjointed resumes with strings of short-term employments, professional licensure issues that may bar a spouse from practicing in a new state, and reluctance from employers to hire someone who may soon move. Spouses deserve equal preference for employment afforded to the veterans they care for and support. Spouses of veterans should receive career counseling, internships and preferential hiring just like veterans. There is a common saying among the caregiver community: Put on your own oxygen mask first. This metaphor recognizes that it is impossible to take care of others if you are not taking care of yourself. Spouses and caregivers are so used to playing a supporting role, they often forget about their own needs. For the sake of our communities and our veterans, we cant afford to ignore these hidden heroes. We must do more for the spouses of our veterans. To the editor: In 1944 the Navy launched and commissioned the LST-603, which served in the Mediterranean, north Africa and Italy during the closing days of WWII and was decommissioned in 1955. In 1966 she was re-commissioned and given the name USS Coconino County. She served in Vietnam, was damaged and repaired and again decommissioned in 1969 when she was turned over to the South Vietnamese and renamed the RVNS Vung Tau (HQ_503). She appears to have been used in transport of refugees but no trace of her exists today and it is believed she was scuttled to form a reef. This summer the last of the 1966-69 crew are meeting for their final reunion here in Flagstaff. Legend has it that a contest was held in 1966 to design the patch/plaque for the ship. The Arizona Historical Society is attempting to locate the winner of that contest or anyone who would have information regarding the design. If you know of this contest, please contact Joe Meehan, Museum Curator, at (928) 774-6272. It would mean a lot to the veterans of the Coconino County to meet the person who designed their insignia. JOE MEEHAN Flagstaff To the editor: The Earth is 4 billion years old. It took 6 million years of erosion to create the Grand Canyon. Everyone dies and their body will slowly decay to once again become part of the Earth. These are facts that as a physician and as a surgical scientist that I learned in school and intellectually understand. My brother is a geologist so he assisted in my appreciation and comprehension of the geology of Arizona and the Grand Canyon. I was stunned while at dinner one day over 8 years ago to hear a colleague of mine adhere to a different mindset: the Earth was created 6,000 years ago as it states in the Bible. We never discussed how the Grand Canyon was created but I am sure that my colleague believes that it was created in some sort of flood. The headline in today's paper (5/25/16) "Canyon book takes on Noah's flood," was a reminder of the importance of education and the teaching of science. I had never heard of the theory of a giant flood creating the Grand Canyon. It is refreshing to read about the author Wayne Ranney's attempt to scientifically explain the creation of the canyon and debunk the flood theory. Understanding science and appreciating scientific theory are important, especially today, when we are confronted with the biggest manmade disaster in history: global warming. The denial of the science behind climate change has been detrimental to the decrease in use of fossil fuels, created over millions of years, and reverse global warming. Thank you. Mr. Ranney, for your book. I look forward to reading it. I can only hope that it will convert a few souls to the belief that not only was the Canyon created over millions of years but that the scientific method is a valid way to understand the world around us. GREGORY JARRIN, MD Winslow UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) Head of the mission Mahamat Saleh Annadif had condemned the deadly attack "in the strongest terms," the statement said. "This morning at approximately 11 am, a MINUSMA convoy was attacked 30 kilometers [some 18 miles] west of Sevare [town in the central country's region of Mopti] According to preliminary information, five peacekeepers have been killed. Another has been gravely wounded and his evacuation is underway," the statement said. Head of the mission Mahamat Saleh Annadif had condemned the deadly attack "in the strongest terms," the statement added. For all those who use the internet and live on planet Earth the name Jeremy Meeks must ring a bell. He was the hottest convicted felon in the history of mugshots. But guess what! Fame is a fickle thing. Today, Jeremy Meeks is being sidelined by an attractive brunette who has taken internet by storm with her mugshot. #PrisonBae: SEXY MUG SHOT SETS SOCIAL MEDIA ON FIRE https://t.co/RRySGtpe4q pic.twitter.com/RAjR4ZMzmy Emeka Ojo Isa (@urancestor) May 29, 2016 Sarah Seawright won the #PrisonBae title on Instagram. The hashtag #PrisonBae was previously given to the gorgeous man, Jeremy Meeks. It was actually for him that the hashtag was invented in the first place. SULAYMANIYAH (Iraq), (Sputnik) Kurdish Peshmerga forces liberated a northern Iraqi village and repelled an attack as it continued its advance against Daesh, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistans (PUK) media center said Sunday. "Peshmerga forces liberated the Mufti village in the vicinity of Makhmur city [Erbil province]," the media center said in a Russian-language statement. A PUK official from Nineveh province later told the outlet that the operation in Mufti advanced and positions in Khatun consolidated thanks to progress through attacks on Daesh positions in nearby Khazar. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Joint air operations by security and defense forces targeted a Taliban gathering in central Baghlan-e-Markazi district of the province, killing 10 and wounding one, the statement specified. The ministry said a total of 41 Taliban members had been killed in the past 24 hours in 16 of the countrys provinces. The deaths came a day after the ministry announced that 71 insurgents had been killed in a series of counterterrorism operations. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy NEW DELHI (Sputnik) Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley arrived in Japan for a six-day visit, during which he would meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as well as key investors. The NDTV broadcaster reported that Jaitley on Monday will hold bilateral meetings with Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Motoo Hayashi and Minister of Health Yasuhisa Shiozaki. It listed a 1.7 billion pound fighter jet license granted in May 2015, the export of 990 million pound air-to-air missiles in July, and the sale of 62 million pound bombs approved in September. Last month, The Guardian cited government figures as saying 122 UK arms export licenses to Saudi Arabia totaled 2.8 billion pounds since Riyadh began anti-Houthi airstrikes in Yemen in March 2015. On Monday, rights advocacy group Amnesty International published evidence revealing that Saudi Arabia had used UK-manufactured "BL-755" cluster bombs in Yemen against the Shiite Houthi rebels. On Saturday, the publication said a high court would determine whether a legal challenge against the UKs arms sales to Saudi Arabia brought by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) watchdog is legal. The UK Committees on Arms Export Controls (CAEC) launched an inquiry into the use of UK-produced arms in the Yemen conflict in March this year. TEHRAN (Sputnik) The meeting is due to take place in the Chambers office, a source in the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agricultures Public Relations Department told Sputnik on Sunday. In February, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Nataliya Mykolska said that Kiev considered Iran as a prospective market for Ukrainian goods. In early March, Ukraine and Iran signed a memorandum on enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries. European exports of agricultural products and food to Russia amounted to 5.5 billion euros between April 2015 and March 2016 a 29 percent drop compared to the same period a year ago, meaning European farmers saw a 2.2 billion loss in just one year. In a report published in 2015, the European Parliament, citing World Bank figures, warned that the Russian food import ban could potentially leave 130,000 people in the EU without a job. Even though the sectors which were hardest hit by the ban have been able to find alternative markets both in and out of Europe, local farmers still demand that the anti-Russian sanctions be lifted. Moscow had already extended its food embargo until August 2016 and may extend them even further, the newspaper stated. The list of old prisons to be sold to private developers includes Romes Regina Coeli prison. Built in the 17th century on the banks of the Tiber in Rome's popular Trastevere tourist neighborhood, the prison now holds an estimated 600 inmates. Also slated for sale are Naples' Poggioreale, dating back to 1914 and with almost 2,000 prisoners, and the San Vittore prison in Milan, built in 1879 and holding about 750 inmates. In a newspaper interview on Saturday, Justice Minister Andrea Orlando said that talks about the sale of the prime real estate could begin immediately after next months mayoral elections in Rome, Milan and Naples. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Director General of the UN Office at Geneva Michael Moller accused the leaders at the European Union of pandering to xenophobia and racism at the height of the migration crisis and warned of millions more refugees arriving on EU soil. "Its just going to accelerate. Young people all have cellphones and they can see whats happening in other parts of the world, and that acts as a magnet," Moller told Britains The Times daily on Sunday. That said, Warsaw will refrain from making any steps that could lead to the country leaving the bloc, he emphasized. In fact, Waszczykowski called on the EU to put more efforts into creating a real energy union, strengthening the single market, following a "strong common security policy" and promoting the EU enlargement. On Friday, Janusz Korwin-Mikke, a Polish member of the European Parliament, urged Warsaw to follow in the UK's footsteps, adding that his country would have been better off staying outside the European Union. Poland's economy grew by eight percent when "we joined the European Union," he told the Rzeczpospolita newspaper. "Now we have fallen to the bloc's average of 1 percent, 2 percent maximum. If we had kept previous growth rates, we would have surpassed Germany by now." Poland and the EU are going through a rough patch following the PiS victory last year and reforms that followed. This week, several officials from both Poland and the European Commission said that the sides were close to resolving their disagreements over reforms to the Constitutional Tribunal, underscoring that a comprehensive solution, satisfying both sides, was a priority. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The ceremony is being held in the city of Verdun, northeastern France, that 100 years ago witnessed one of the largest battles of the World War I. "[The Battle of Verdun] stands for inconceivable atrocity and meaninglessness of war as well as for lessons from it and German-French reconciliation. Only one who knows the past, can learn lessons from it and, therefore, shape better future," Merkel said at the Verduns city hall, as quoted by the Bild newspaper. Ahead of the ceremony, Merkel pointed out that the invitation to participate in the commemoration event was a sign of good relations between Germany and France. There have been angry protests in the Czech Republic against the war games which the leader of the Czech Movement for Peace, Milan Krajca, described as a hindrance to European peace and friendship. Over the past few years weve seen NATO increasingly flexing its muscle in Eastern Europe, in the Balkans, in the Atlantic region and just about anywhere else, Milan told RT. This is a very bad situation. NATO is a hindrance to peace and friendship, just like the Czech Republics NATO membership and the alliances muscle-flexing, he added. Until now, Germany's position regarding the removal of imposed restrictions has been considered possible only if the Minsk agreements are fully implemented, the article said. Now, however, Berlin is willing to make concessions and ease sanctions if the countries are able to reach at least some progress in the Minsk process. "I have always held the position that the sanctions are not a goal in itself. The easing of sanctions can be discussed if visible progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements is achieved," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said earlier. RIGA (Sputnik) The Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania do not possess air patrol capabilities. Since joining NATO in 2004, the three countries' airspace has been defended by a rotating NATO mission. "On May 29, 2 Russian Su-27 [fighter aircraft] and 2 An-26 [transport aircraft] were identified over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea near the territorial waters of the Republic of Latvia," the NBS said on their Twitter account. NATO and its Baltic member states have accused Russia over the last years of multiple sorties in the Baltic region as relations between the West and Russia soured over Ukraine. According to Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultkvist, Sweden was forced to make this move due to alleged threats coming from Russia. In this way, the Swedish authorities wanted to send Moscow a "signal of deterrence," thus abandoning a long tradition of political neutrality, the politician stated. The new agreement allows the military alliance to deploy troops in Sweden and conduct military exercises. Although Sweden is not a NATO member, it is moving closer to the Alliance, sending a warning signal to Russia, the newspaper noted. Earlier, Daesh militants vowed to conquer Rome, if Allah willing in a propaganda video. In early 2016, the Government of National Accord of Libya headed by businessman Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj was formed to unite the unraveled country, neutralize the terrorist threat and tackle the flow of migrants that head to Europe using Libyan shores. However, those goals appeared to be unattainable for the government, even on condition of support by Western states. Those powers that the US and the West in general back do not represent the country as a whole, Yuri Pochta of Peoples' Friendship University of Russia pointed out, saying that theres no such a thing as a Libyan nation, as Gaddafi formed the country out of scattered tribes. Pochta also said that stability in neighboring countries could bring peace to Libya. Mohamed Ennaceu, the head of Tunisias Parliament, said that all the political factions within Libya should be resolved through national dialogue without external interference. He also stressed that Tunisia wont allow any power to put a military base on its territory. KUWAIT CITY (Sputnik) UN-mediated conflict settlement talks have been ongoing in Kuwait since April 21. The GPC delegation represents the interest of Yemens ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh who backs Shiite Houthi rebels against incumbent President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi. "The most important in these consultations is that the negotiators began to put some foundations, in particular with regard to the military and security higher committee, and its role after the signing of the peace agreement," Qirbi, the talks' participant, said. He noted that the committees initial role would be to secure the Yemeni capital of Sanaa under the control of Shiite Houthi rebels, its surroundings and other cities. TEL AVIV (Sputnik) Hamas claimed responsibility for the bus bombing in Jerusalem that wounded 19 Israelis and the suicide bomber, who smuggled the explosive device on board on April 18. "The ISA arrested a Hamas terror cell from #Bethlehem who blew up a bus in Jerusalem last month. It planned to carry out more terror attacks," Gendelman tweeted. He said that according to him the US is trying to stem the conflict in Yemen because the longer Saudi Arabias human rights abuse continue the more damage it does to Americas relationship with Riyadh from a PR perspective. Talking about whether he thinks that this ban on cluster bombs will change the situation, Papadopoulos said, If cluster bombs are no longer used by the Saudis it is a positive thing but then of course thats not the only weapon in the Saudi arsenal. They use all sorts of weapons in Yemen that result in civilians injury and fatalities. The Obama administration has issued several statements of concern about the violence in Yemen, but has yet to formally pronounce any reduction in military or tactical support for the coalition. The US underestimates many areas that they get involved in. They underestimated Kosovo in 1991 when they got involved in that. Now Kosovo is a black spot in Europe for organized crime, sex and gun trafficking. They underestimated Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria and they underestimated the resolve of the Houthis and ordinary civilians to stand up to Saudi aggression. There have been so many incidents in the last 20 years or so where because of the reckless policies of Washington, ordinary people have suffered, Popadopoulos concluded. Hassan Shemshadi told Sputnik that since the advent of Daesh in different regions of Syria, Iranian military advisers have been invited by the government of that country to provide consultative and military assistance to the commanders and officers of the Syrian army. Shemshadi further said, they were also involved in teaching the tactics of fighting in difficult situations. Our military advisers and soldiers of the Defenders of Shrines side by side with the Syrian government forces and the commanders of the People's Militia forces participated in the liberation of a number of cities. Among them were the operations for the liberation of the north-western and southern areas of Aleppo province, Damascus suburbs, Homs, Hama and Latakia northern areas of the province. A similar situation was seen in Iraq two years ago when Daesh terrorists and other groups occupied vast areas of Mosul, al-Ramadi, al-Anbar and al-Fallujah. Iranian military have supported the Iraqi army to prevent further escalation of the conflict and promotion of terrorists into the neighboring territory. Successful attempts were made to oust them from the occupied territories, Shemshadi said. Let us also remember, as the leader of Iraqi Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani, has repeatedly stressed that if there were no Iranian military advisers, and if not for the help of Iran, it would have fallen like Erbil Mosul, the analyst added. Iran, Syria and Iraq are allies on security issues. The presence of our military advisors over the past five years in Syria and two years in Iraq is only a request and will of the legitimate governments of these countries. According to the Iranian constitution, wherever there is a need to protect the oppressed nations against the aggressors, Iran's military forces have the right to arrive on the territory of these countries, if requested by the authorities. The analyst further noted that one should not forget terrorism cannot be won only by loud statements or slogans. Demonstrative alleged attacks by the international coalition under US leadership did not yield any results. If they had been effective, today in Syria and Iraq there would be no trace of Daesh. While the US claims that fight against Daesh in Syria and Iraq, it costs them tens of thousands of dollars every day. The role of Iran in fight against terrorism is recognized by all the religious and ethnic groups of these countries. DAMASCUS (Sputnik) Kurdish self-defense forces in Syria should join forces with the government army and Russia instead of relying on the United States, Syrian lawmaker of Kurdish descent Omar Ose told Sputnik on Sunday. "I am not advocating a complete boycott of the United States, but one should not rely on them. This is a pragmatic country that cares about its own interests. It is indifferent to Kurds, Syrians or Arabs," Ose said. The lawmaker gave credit to People's Protection Units (YPG) fighting off Daesh militants with US coalition backing, but stressed that only coordinated actions with the Syrian armed forces and Russia partners would eradicate terrorism. DAMASCUS (Sputnik) On Tuesday, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which includes the Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG), supported by Washington started an operation to liberate Daesh-occupied Raqqa from jihadists. "The aim of the United States is [to establish] control over Raqqa and to use this success for political purposes at the negotiations in Geneva to resist Russia's project," Ose said. He added that Raqqa was not located in the Kurdish-populated area and Ankara would oppose Kurdish control over the city. The former Pentagon officer stressed that Turkey is watching this military assistance very closely. According to Maloof, in reality it is only the Kurds who are involved on the ground together with the Arabs. Turkey considers the YPG, People's Protection Units, a terrorist group, but US forces have been seen wearing the badges. Although it may seem like a provocation, Maloof said that it is not necessarily a provocation but it could represent a potential dividing line between US and Turkish interests. US interests are to support the ground troops. We purposely havent declared the YPG to be terrorists, because they are not, even though there is that affiliation with the PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party]. Talking about Erdogan in Turkey, the former officer said that the president has shown his true colors by being very indiscriminate against all Kurds within his own country and that is creating more problems. Erdogan is creating his own problems with the Kurds, and I think its going to blossom into a full-fledged conflict within Southeast Turkey if that continues, Maloof said. Regarding the presence of US Special Forces in Syria, the forces may number far higher than the 300 admitted by the White House, Daniel McAdams wrote for the Ron Paul Institute. G.I. to @RT_com crew about going to #Daesh's stronghold in Raqqa, #Syria: ".. I say kill 'em all" I hope he does! pic.twitter.com/CP8FeGzZuJ Bin Maymun (@BinMaymun) May 26, 2016 McAdams also wrote that these forces have no legal authority to operate inside of Syria. As the US government continues to say that the current Syrian government must be overthrown and Syrian president Assad must go, there is no reason to expect that the kill 'em all mission statement of this US Special Forces soldier will end once Raqqa is liberated from Daesh control. According to the analyst the fact that US troops will participate in the removal of Daesh from Raqqa and then pack up and go home is extremely unlikely as the original aim in Syria was the removal of Assad. MOSCOW (Sputnik) According to the Hurriyet Daily News, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as newly-appointed Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim participated in the ceremony that took place in the coastal Istanbulian Yenikap square. The newspaper added that hundreds of thousands of spectators were able to see an aerobatics show, fireworks, as well as a military performance dedicated to the conquest.. Constantinople, which was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, was captured in 1453 by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. After the conquest, Mehmed II moved the Ottoman capital to Constantinople. Despite the fact that Turkey used name Istanbul, the previous name of the city had been widely used in the European languages until the 20th century, before Ankara changed its name by legislative action. MOSCOW (Sputnik) A US-Russia-brokered ceasefire came into force across Syria on February 27, but it does not apply to terrorist organizations active in the country, such as al-Nusra Front and the Daesh, outlawed in many countries, including Russia. "Terrorist formations of al-Nusra Front have shelled settlement of Al-Fuah in the province of Idlib, airport in the province of Hama and settlement of Mesherfa in Homs province. Troops of the terrorist group had also shelled Hakur Tahtani, Rasha and Ard Wata in Latakia province," the ministry said in a daily bulletin posted on its website. The bulletin added that in the past 24 hours the Daesh militants had also attacked positions of Kurdish militias in the province of Aleppo, while the Kurds had driven jihadists from Shaykh Isa settlement. The SAMAA TV broadcaster reported Sunday, citing the statement of the Pakistani Interior Ministry that the DNA test confirmed the identity of the person. According to the broadcaster, a DNA sample collected from the corpse of a the person killed in the drone strike coincided with the DNA of Mansour's close relative. CHAUDA RANGE (Crimea), (Sputnik) Prospective types of jets and helicopters will be tested by the Russian Chkalov State Flight Tests Center at the Chauda range in Crimea, Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev, the Russian Aerospace Forces commander, said Sunday. "It is the first time we have got such a range and it is very good that the State Flight Tests Centers pilots will work here. Tests of new aircraft will be held here," Bondarev told reporters. The Crimean range is equipped with "excellent telemetry," which allows tracing results of munitions' use, he added. Unsurprisingly, the Pentagon hopes that the new technology will help the US armed forces to offset cuts to staff and weapons. Its costs and capabilities also mean that it could be used to create a railgun-based missile defense. This could become a reality in a decade. The experimental weapon comes at a time when Russia and China have significantly advanced their military capabilities and the Pentagon, as well as US defense analysts worry that the days of America's undisputed military advantage are over. The deadly new supergun is meant to change this. The weapon, US officials hope, will help "to keep the US ahead of advancing Russian and Chinese weaponry," Barnes noted. Yet despite the Pentagon's aspirations, the railgun will not be able to change the existing balance of power in the world, defense analyst Alexei Fenenko of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) told RIA Novosti. Instead they will most likely be used as a "psychological factor." Moreover, the technology is apparently not new. "They developed similar weapons back in the 1950s as part of a program aimed at creating tactical nuclear weapons to protect Western Germany from the Soviets. As usual, something new is a well-forgotten old," defense analyst Alexei Fenenko of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) explained. "The observation flights will be carried out between May 30 to June 4, from the Pardubice Open Skies airfield [Czech Republic] and Malacky [Slovakia], with a maximum range of 800 and 1,170 kilometers [497; 727 miles], respectively," Sergei Ryzhkov said. He added that the Russian experts will carry out the flights on the Antonov AN-30B, and the Czech and Slovak experts will be on board to monitor the use of the equipment and compliance with the treaty. On May 20, the US Navy took ownership of the first destroyer that is supposed to head the countrys next-generation fleet. But its combat qualities are questionable, especially in regards to the price/value ratio, many experts agree. The first time the ships expediency was put into question was in 2008 during its construction. Then-Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead claimed that the DDG-1000 would be useless given the warships poor navigability, a lack of security capabilities, and the absence of railotrons and lasers. The destroyers ram stem that was designed to cut the waves makes the ship look like a US civil war-era armor-plated vessel renowned for poor stability. According to Roughead, the Zumwalt inherited this quality from its historical lookalike. Following their return, the deportees complained that they had experienced a horrific set of events during their repatriation. Suhel Ahmed, 29, told the Guardian that he had witnessed several of his consorts wrapped into body bags. Thats something that made us really afraid, he said. And me and a lot of fellow detainees started crying and begging [the ICE officers] not to do the same thing to us we told them, well walk, well walk [on to the plane]. It was reported that ICE officers sometimes use what they call security blankets to subdue detainees, which have Velcro belts to strap individuals down so they can be carried. But the pain and humiliation did not stop there. Ahmed explained that he also witnessed the ICE officers administering electric shocks to his handcuffed companions. My body was shaking, he said. In email correspondence with The Guardian, ICE officials denied the accusations of abuse, but wrote that they used minimal force because approximately a dozen of the detainees refused to comply with officers instructions and became combative. One detainee, Didar Alam, 29, did say that he resisted because he feared for his life upon returning to Bangladesh. He belongs to an opposition party of the ruling Awami League, which has been accused of killings and forced disappearances. Earlier this month Barghouti, who is a permanent resident of Israel, was denied a travel document, which he needs to go in and out of the country. His residency rights are also being questioned despite the fact that he has lived in the country peacefully for 22 years and is married to an Israeli citizen. The Irish Oireachtas (parliament) addressed Barghouti and BDS in relation to human rights defenders. I am deeply concerned about wider attempts to pressure NGOs and human rights defenders through legislation and other means to hinder their important work. We have raised this both at EU level and directly with the Israeli authorities, said Flanagan. It is widely believed that Barghouti is experiencing travel and residency difficulties because of his work advocating for BDS. According to The Electronic Intifada, Ireland is the third EU government to make such a statement in recent months. The Netherlands and Sweden have made similar such comments. Israel is currently leading a campaign to pressure foreign governments around the world to make laws that make it difficult for their citizens to support the BDS movement. As many as 72 per cent of the polled think Brexit would have a negative impact on GDP over the next 10 to 20 years, comparing only to 11 percent of those who think that a positive impact on real GDP would be the most likely outcome. A serious negative shock could be experienced by the British economy in case of the country leaving the European Union, 68 percent of the respondents assumed. Around 54 million Iranians were eligible to vote in the February 26 elections that pit the Principlist Coalition against the Pervasive Coalition of Reformists. Iranian President Hassan Rouhanis moderate bloc won the largest share of seats at 143 mandates, but failed to secure a majority. The new Iranian legislature was inaugurated on Saturday. However, Tsipras criticized the "vicious circle of sanctions, militarization and rhetoric of the Cold War era" in the European Union. He also said that Greece could be a "bridge of friendship and cooperation" between Russia and the EU as well as between Russia and NATO. In order to overcome the negative effect of sanctions, Russia offered Greece several joint projects. Moscow is interested in privatization of railway company TrainOSE and wants to buy stakes in Greek ports. Another common point between Moscow and Athens is their relations with Turkey. The issues of military cooperation between Russia and Greece are important considering that Athens has the constant task of restraining Ankara, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov said. In Athens, President Putin said that there is information that Turkey wants to reconcile with Russia. Moscow is ready to resume cooperation but wants concrete steps from Ankara. "We heard accusations from Turkish authorities, we did not hear apologies. And we did not hear of any readiness to compensate the loss. We hear statements on the willingness to resume [relations]. We also want to resume relations, we did not dismantle them. We have done everything over the decades to take Russian-Turkish relations to an unprecedented level of partnership and friendship. And this friendship between the Russian and Turkish peoples has, in fact, reached a very high level. We valued this greatly," Putin said at a press-conference in Athens. The incident was followed by some awkward flip-flopping on part of US defense officials. Initially, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook explained away the patches as a necessary step that US troops sometimes take "to blend in with the community to enhance their own protection." Major Tiffany Bowens of Special Operations Command Central later told the Daily Beast that the move was a trust-building measure, adding that it was a tactical decision, since the practice goes against official regulations. "US Special Operations Forces and their counterparts typically swap unit patches as a method to build trust," she noted. "This small act builds rapport and serves as a sign of cooperation, which we traditionally employed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Jordan." Finally, US defense officials essentially backtracked on their earlier statements, saying that the move was unauthorized and all US troops taking part in Washington's anti-Daesh operation should remove all YPG insignias from their uniforms. "Wearing those YPG patches was unauthorized, and it was inappropriate and corrective action has been taken," Army Col. Steve Warren, a Baghdad-based spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, told reporters on Friday. Washington's "military partners and military allies in the region" have also been informed of this decision, he added. Although Warren did not name anyone, his message was most likely meant to assure Turkey that a similar incident will not take place in the future. . If you do not agree with the blocking, please use the Access to the chat has been blocked for violating the rules . You will be able to participate again through:. If you do not agree with the blocking, please use the feedback form The discussion is closed. You can participate in the discussion within 24 hours after the publication of the article. Economic cooperation is the most important feature of the bilateral relations between the two leading global economies. Should any side decide to sever these ties, both will feel serious implications. "China is America's second largest trading partner. In 2015, the United States exported $116 billion in goods to China while importing $482 billion. Disrupting that relationship would be extremely costly and painful for both countries," Ted Galen Carpenter explained. On the contrary, America's economic relations with the Soviet Union were largely a non-issue. It follows then that Washington did not have to take the economic cooperation factor into account when formulating its strategy on Moscow following the WWII. Containment is a multiplayer game Just like in the Cold War days, Washington will need partners and allies to pull off a strategy aimed at countering China. "Conducting a containment policy against the Soviet Union during the Cold War was feasible because (at least during the crucial formative stages) neither the United States nor its key allies had much of a political or economic relationship to lose with Moscow," the analyst observed. This is not going to happen today. Most Asian nations, including close US allies Japan and South Korea, have extensive economic ties with Beijing. It is highly unlikely that some of them would want to jeopardize this to back Washington's attempts to counter China. During the trip, President Putin held talks with representatives of the Greek government, including Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, signed several economic cooperation agreements, and also visited the Russian monastery on Mount Athos. Ahead of the visit, the Greek newspaper Kathimerini published an article by the Russian leader on the current situation in the EU. According to Putin, Russia wants an equal dialogue and partnership with Brussels on a wide range of issues, from visa liberalization with the EU to an energy alliance. However, the president noted, "European colleagues are not yet ready for such constructive relations." Vladimir Putin also called on European leaders to consider bilateral interests in ties between Brussels and Moscow. Germany is serious about its commitments to NATO, but it doesn't mean that Europe should break off "the negotiation thread" with Moscow, Steinmeier said during his recent visit to the Baltic countries. Baltic countries have repeatedly criticized the German politician for his "courteous attitude" toward Russia. Most often, this criticism has sounded from Lithuania where anti-Russian sentiment is especially strong. During his visit to the Baltic States, Steinmeier responded to these accusations, stressing that in his experience the problem can't be solved if it is being ignored and downplayed. The West can consider sanctions and military decisions, but it won't be able to achieve any progress if it does not consider the option of negotiations, the politician said. BERLIN (Sputnik) Ankara and Brussels are in talks on visa liberalization. The European Union has put forward 72 requirements for Turkey to comply with. Most of the requirements have already been fulfilled by Ankara, though some problematic criteria remain, including the revision of Turkeys national anti-terrorism laws and freedom of the press. "The negotiations in the Turkish parliament on the issue of changes in the corresponding legislation should start immediately. If it does not happen, European institutions will not be able to implement their roadmaps. Then, I do not see possibility for abolition of visa regime for the Turkish citizens in October," Schulz told the German Welt am Sonntag newspaper. Russia has called the Aegis shield a threat to its security, pledging to take the steps necessary to offset NATO's newest capabilities. It is developments like these that have prompted Sakwa to warn that "the Atlantic security community is in danger of sleepwalking into war." The Ukrainian civil war, sparked by a foreign-sponsored coup in February 2014, is another case in point. Russia has been active in trying to resolve the deadly conflict in the neighboring country through the Minsk peace process. Yet NATO's top brass blames Moscow for the ongoing troubles in the region. "Instead of piling more fuel on a fire that is already in danger of getting out of control, it would be wiser to start a diplomatic process. NATO insists that there can be no 'business as usual' until the Minsk commitments are fully implemented, yet some of the most important provisions are up to Ukraine to fulfil," the analyst explained. "So Russia, and with it the peace of Europe, is held hostage by some radicals in Ukraine who block any moves towards elections in the Donbass and the stipulated decentralizing constitutional reforms," he added. Both sides, the professor noted, should take steps to bridge their differences. "The endless prolongation of sanctions," as well as "rhetoric of violence and scapegoating" is only making this harder to achieve. After the visit, Abe said that he "could feel a breakthrough" in Japans relations with Moscow. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron noted during a press-conference that the West should not forget that "Russia invaded Ukraine," according to the newspaper. The G7 leaders have stressed that sanctions against Russia will remain in place until full implementation of the Minsk peace agreement on Ukraine, pointing out, however, that maintaining constant dialogue with Russia is crucial to the peaceful resolution of the crisis. "We recognize the importance of maintaining dialogue with Russia in order to ensure it abides by the commitments it has made as well as international law and to reach a comprehensive, sustainable and peaceful solution to the crisis," they concluded. In 2014, Russia's membership to the Group of Eight was suspended over Moscow's reunification with Crimea and the military conflict in Ukraine. Back then the original G7 members said they would not come to Russia's Black Sea resort city of Sochi for a G8 summit, which was scheduled for June 4-5, 2014. Instead, they met in Brussels without President Putin. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Conservative Member of Parliament Nadine Dorries told the ITV broadcaster that "my letter is already in," requesting Camerons resignation, within hours of senior lawmaker Andrew Bridgen claiming that the prime minister was "finished" as party leader. "David Cameron has placed himself front and centre of a disingenuous Remain campaign, setting himself at odds with half of the Parliamentary Party and 70 per cent of our members and activists on the most important issue facing our Country in a generation Whatever the result, I believe his position will be untenable," Bridgen said in an interview with The Telegraph daily. He reiterated that Camerons future as Tory leader was in doubt "whether he wins or loses" the June 23 so-called Brexit referendum on Britains future within the European Union. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Lavrov and Kerry discussed the situation in Syria in a phone call, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday. "Lavrov again focused on the need to overlap as soon as possible the border of this country [Syria] with Turkey, from where the infiltration of militants is going on; as well as to fulfill the Washingtons promise concerning disassociation of Syrian opposition units linked to the United States from al-Nusra [Front] terrorists, which are excluded from the ceasefire," the statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry said. At the end of his official visit to the country, the Russian leader made a pilgrimage to the holy place, where he was met with excitement and admiration. "As Putin, completing his visit to Greece, reached Athos this Saturday, the monks welcomed him as a superstar, and even more: as the defender of their faith and a loyal ally of Greece," Spiegel Online wrote. The local residents were very happy to welcome the Russian leader, even if his arrival brought chaos to their otherwise peaceful lives. While port police boats patrolled the water, employees of the Russian Security Service wearing glasses and suits carefully watched every street in the area. Revelation 2: Following the 2011 Libyan intervention, France decided to seize the country's oil industry and "reassert itself as a military power". An e-mail on the issue was written by Clinton family friend Sidney Blumenthal. He wrote that France was trying to establish control over Libyan oil immediately after the coup in 2011. Moreover, France was exerting pressure on the new Libyan government and demanding exclusive rights to 35% of the country's oil industry in exchange for political support. "In return for this assistance, the DGSE officers indicated that they expected the new government of Libya to favor French firms and national interests, particularly regarding the oil industry in Libya," the email said. Revelation 3: The US tried to conceal the fact that it helped Turkey to fight the Kurdistan Workers' Party. An email addressed to Clinton said that the US government tried to exert pressure on the Washington Post to amend an article on cooperation between American and Turkish intelligence in the fight against Kurdish rebels. "Despite our efforts, WaPo will proceed with its story on US-Turkey intel cooperation against PKK," the message said, referring to the Kurdistan Workers' Party. "They will not make redactions we requested so expect the Wikileaks cables to be published in full." Revelation 4: The last revelation is more of a personal nature and concerns Clinton's poor knowledge of modern technology. Thus, her email correspondence shows that she frequently needed assistance with daily activities such as faxing, charging her iPad or searching for a Wi-Fi network. "The issue was tackled a bit earlier [than the negotiations between the leaders occurred]," Poroshenko said in an interview with the Ukrainian Inter TV Channel, answering a corresponding question. Soon after the pardoning, Savchenko was delivered to Kiev. On the same day, a plane carrying Yevgeny Yerofeyev and Alexander Alexandrov, Russian citizens convicted and sentenced in Ukraine for terrorism-related activities landed at Moscows Vnukovo Internatinal Airport, after Poroshenko signed a corresponding decree to pardon them. CHAUDA RANGE (Crimea) (Sputnik) Crimean residents as well as visitors of the peninsula will be able to watch the Aviadarts-2016 flight skills competition at the Chauda range in Crimea for four days, Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev, the Russian Aerospace Forces commander, said Sunday. "I am pleased to note that builders at the Chauda range did their best all the results are visible to the naked eye. One will be able to see how the pilots work on May 30 31, and June 3 4. All security measures and vehicular accesses have been organized for the audience," he told reporters. Bondarev noted that there were no tickets for the Aviadarts competition as it was free. BOLSHOI TYUTERS (Sputnik), Alexander Mosesov The expedition is the fourth one carried out by the RGS to the Gulf of Finland islands, and is sponsored by the Russian Defense Ministry and the Leningrad Region administration. Some 100 Russian servicemen and 20 units of military equipment are taking part in the expedition alongside volunteers and Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency journalists. "As for now, a total of 150 German 'frog mines' have been found by us on Bolshoi Tuyters," Sherbakov said. Nazi Germanys SMi-35 mine was designed to literally jump up from the ground to be more lethal and then explode immediately, killing anyone within a range of 27 yards. MOSCOW (Sputnik) This is the third liftoff of the Soyuz-2.1 type rocket from Plesetsk in 2016 following the Soyuz-2.1b's successful launch on February 7 and Soyuz-2.1a's successful launch on March 24. "On Sunday, at 11:45 a.m. Moscow time [08:45 GMT] a squad of the Russian Space Forces of Russian Aerospace Forces successfully carried out a launch of a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with the navigation satellite Glonass-M," the press service told RIA Novosti. Glonass, a global navigation system operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces, allows real-time positioning and speed data for surface, sea and airborne objects around the world. "The upper composite of the middle class Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket, as part of the Fregat upper stage and the Glonass-M space apparatus has detached successfully from the rockets third stage at an estimated time of 11:54 a.m. Moscow time [08:54 GMT]," the ministry told RIA Novosti. This was the third launch of the Soyuz-2.1 type carrier rocket from the Plesetsk space center in 2016. MOSCOW (Sputnik) This is the third liftoff of the Soyuz-2.1 type rocket from Plesetsk in 2016, following the Soyuz-2.1b's successful launch on February 7 and Soyuz-2.1a's successful launch on March 24. "The Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket successfully brought the Russian navigation space apparatus Glonass-M to its target orbit at the set time," the ministry told RIA Novosti. The Russian navigation Glonass-M satellite brought to the orbit by the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket established contact, according to the ministry. Trump wouldnt make America great again once he becomes president, Financial Times foreign affairs commentator Gideon Rachman concluded after comprehensively analyzing the GOPs frontrunners campaign statements. The billionaires stance on international foreign affairs make it clear that he would like the US to distance itself from the role of global policeman, Rachman said. At the same time, the global security system rests on US-led alliances and is maintained with red lines, a row of political, diplomatic, economic and ideological boundaries Washington created to regulate international affairs, he explained. The minor girl was with a 28-year-old man in a vehicle when a black Nissan car pulled alongside them and someone inside opened fire, police said. The man was severely injured, but survived, and his condition was stabilized. The two men died in separate shootings, one was wounded on the parking on late Friday, and later died in a hospital as he was unable to drive properly due to the sustained injuries. Another male was shot dead in his head on Saturday following a fight with two men, according to the police. In his article for The National Interest Merry mentioned several people who became president despite conventional wisdom that they would never reach office, including Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Once the "unthinkable" happened, it became commonplace. Now the same scenario can work with Trump, who emerged out of nowhere but is the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Merry opined. There are several factors to why the real estate mogul has been leading in polls since he launched his presidential campaign and why his popularity hasn't faded, Merry wrote. The first factor is that Trump has expressed the frustration of many Americans with the forced political correctness, the "bludgeon of right thinking" that has "practically destroyed free speech and free thought" in the US. According to Merry, political correctness has successfully narrowed the range of political discourse by labeling as illegitimate certain views that were considered entirely acceptable only a few years ago. Trump has stood up to that. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Mukhudinov, 29, is wanted on charges of murder and illegal firearms trafficking, Interpols website states. Nemtsov, who occupied a number of senior positions in the Russian government in the 1990s, and was an active opposition politician in the 2000s, was gunned down in downtown Moscow on February 27, 2015. Mukhudinov, the alleged mastermind, has been arrested in absentia and is believed to be in the United Arab Emirates. He is among six suspects of playing a role in Nemtsov's murder. Both opening rounds winners, Atomic Million AM and Chaleurs Fantasy, will have their work cut for them in order to repeat in Sundays second round of the Quebec-Bred Series at the Hippodrome 3R. The series is for four and five-year-olds pacers with four preliminary rounds culminating with $30,000 finals on Sunday, June 26. Last week, Atomic Million AM took the horse and gelding division with a 1:55 triumph while Chaleurs Fantasy was impressive in her 1:57.3 victory. The mares go first in the sixth race where 2014 series champion Chaleurs Fantasy and trainer/driver Carl Duguay start from post six. Last week, the five-year-old mare by Omar Khayam wired the field and also held off race favourite Wanda Bayama in her first-over bid, winning by three-quarters of a length. Wanda Bayama is back and starts from post seven for Hall of Fame trainer/driver Yves Filion. Also in the lineup is the return of last years series champion Voodoo Charm. Now age four, Voodoo Charm starts from post three for trainer Maxime Velaye and driver Mario Charron. The daughter of Ponder has not fared well this year, making a break and falling in her second qualifying race at Rideau Carlton Raceway on May 11. Last week, she put in a decent effort in qualifying at 3R and should be a contender along with Hawaiian Drummond (post one). The horses and geldings will battle in race nine and two-time series champion Atomic Million AM has post five for trainer Alain Martin and driver Sylvain Lacaille. He is the 5-2 morning line favourite after holding off C L Art Magic and driver/trainer Yves Filion by a half-length last week. C L Art Magic drew the far outside post eight on Sunday. Second choice in the race is last years three-year-old series champion Sugarsam. He will leave from post two for driver Denis St-Pierre and trainer Yves Tessier. Despite being 0-for-8 this season on the WEG circuit, Sugarsam has been racing in 1:51 and 1:52 his last few starts and should fare well from his inside post and return to 3R. Two other newcomers to the field are D Gs Justlikethat (post one) for driver Jonathan Lachance and Electric Western (post four) for driver Richard Simard. Another invader from Ontario, D Gs Justlikethat won at Flamboro Downs half-mile oval already this season in 1:56.3. Electric Western is winless in seven starts, but also shows 1:51 speed at Mohawk Racetrack. Post time is 1:30 p.m. To view Sunday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R. (With files from QJC) Under a patient steer from driver Orjan Kihlstrom, Nuncio was victorious in the 2016 Elitlopp Final at Sweden's Solvalla Racecourse. A crowd of nearly 29,000 was on hand to watch heat winner Un Mec d'Heripre (Jos Verbeeck) used his rail position to gain early control while Kihlstrom positioned Nuncio first over from post 4. Royal Fighter (Jennifer Tillman) floated into the pocket from post 6 as Kihlstrom allowed that one to clear. The competition was stacked up on Nuncio's back as Timoko (Bjorn Goop) stalked from second over and Resolve (Ake Svanstedt) was third over. Around the three-quarter station of the mile, Svanstedt gave his charge three-wide marching orders and began to gain on the leaders. With the field maintaining this position heading into the stretch, it appeared to be a wide-open race. As the field approached the wire, Nuncio found another gear and powered past Un Mec d'Heripre but wasn't closing as quickly as Resolve. Kihlstrom kept his horse on task and found the wire first with Resolve falling a quarter of a length short. Un Mec d'Heripre was less than a length back of the leader on his inside to complete the triactor. The time of the mile was a second heat stakes record of 1:51.2f. Bred by Pennsylvania's Russell Williams and owned by Stefan Melander's Stall TZ, Nuncio (Andover Hall - Nicole Isabelle) was a $7,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase and has gone onto a tremendous International career. He has never finished worse than third in 46 lifetime starts, and now boasts a 31-13-2 summary and more than $2.8 million in earnings. The Elitlopp victory is the second for trainer Melander, who also won in 2010 with Iceland. Kihlstrom is a back-to-back winner after capturing the 2015 edition with Magic Tonight, and now boasts three Elitlopp wins (From Above, 2003). Favoured Timoko captured the first heat of the Elitlopp, guaranteeing him a draw of posts one or two in the final. After receiving a bit of a tussle from Oasis Bi (Johnny Takter), Timoko and driver Bjorn Goop cleared to the lead during the first turn. Volstead (Stefan Melander) pressured the leader through from the three-eighths mark on, with Mosaique Face (Lutfi Kolgjini) second over and North American invitee Resolve (Ake Svanstedt) positioned third over. Past the three-quarter mark, Mosaique Face started to back away from that second over tow and forced Svanstedt to move Resolve three-wide around the final turn. Timoko was still strong on the lead but Resolve started to gain along with Propulsion (Orjan Kihlstrom), who was flying late four-wide. But the wire came in time for Timoko, who held off Resolve by a long neck in a blazingly fast 1:51.1f mile -- the second fastest mile in the history of the race behind Panne de Moteur's 1:50.4f. "That's an incredible horse, but I say that always," trainer and owner Richard Westerink said after the win. "I have not many words, it's incredible." Westerink told the crowd that at Solvalla that the nine-year-old stallion takes care of himself, and that makes his job easy. He also feels that his horse will be even better in the final. "I have always said, in the final is better when he's warm. I think we have a good chance." Timoko (Imoko - Kiss Me Coulonces) now boasts 30 wins from 84 lifetime starts. In the second elimination all eyes were on local hero Nuncio but it was Un Mec d'Heripre springing the upset. Driver Jos Verbeeck had Un Mec d'Heripre out alertly from post 4 as Royal Fighter (Jennifer Tillman) sprinted away for the rail. B.B.S. Sugarlight (Peter Untersteiner) also had designs on being forwardly placed and made a three-wide challenge in front of the grandstand. Untersteiner found room in the pocket for B.B.S. Sugarlight, leaving Un Mec d'Heripre first up. Call Me Keeper (Franck Nivard) was out three wide down the backstretch with Nuncio on his back. Around the three-quarter mark, Call Me Keeper broke stride, leaving Nuncio uncovered for the final quarter. Un Mec d'Heripre was still stalking the leader from first up and eventually wrestled the lead from Royal Fighter at the top the stretch. Nuncio closed stoutly but could not catch Un Mec d'Heripre, under the wire first in a time of 1:51.3f. Royal Fighter held on for third over Billie de Montfort (David Thomain). Verbeeck puts Un Mec d'Heripre (Orlando Vici - I Love You Darling) horse in the top five of the horses he's driven. His trainer, Fabrice Souloy, had even higher praise saying he's the best horse he's trained -- even better than Commander Crowe -- but his luck isn't always the best in the big races. He's owned by Ecurie d' Heripre of France, and has now won 21 of his 42 lifetime starts. Elitlopp Final Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer 1. Un Mec d'Heripre - Jos Verbeeck - Fabrice Souloy 2. Timoko - Bjorn Goop - Richard Westerink 3. Resolve - Ake Svanstedt - Ake Svanstedt 4. Nuncio - Orjan Kihlstrom - Stefan Melander 5. Propulsion - Erik Adielsson - Daniel Reden 6. Royal Fighter - Jennifer Tillman - Per Eriksson 7. Billie de Montfort - David Thomain - Sebastien Guarato 8. Oasis Bi - Johnny Takter - Stefan Pettersson It was as uneventful an eight-hole trip as Missile J (Brian Sears, $2,60, part of entry) could possibly have wished for Saturday night (May 28), winning Yonkers Raceways $300,000 Art Rooney Pace. A week after winning the lone, $40,000 elim for the 26th Rooney, Missile J was blind-drawed behind the eight-ball in a field of two three-year-old colts and six geldings. He was in play early over a track that was moisturized by a fair amount of pre-card rain. Missile J fell into an open three-hole behind pole-sitting entrymate Artmagic (George Brennan) and Rodeo Rock (Dan Dube), who left a bit wide from post position No. 2 to make sure Missile J couldnt get around him early. Artmagic had things his own way over the good surface, getting a :27.3 opening quarter-mile and :56.1 intermission. The leader then lost his closest pursuer, as Rodeo Rock gave up the ghost chasing a :27.2 third quarter (1:23.3). Missile J had taken out of third by then, getting into second and picking up the scent of the leader. Artmagic owned a length and a half lead into the lane, but his night was about to end. Missile J and a handful of closers rolled by, with Missile J drawing out to win by two and a quarter lengths in 1:53. Second at 37-1 went to a much-improved Tailgunner Hanover (Ray Schnittker), with Yankee Artillery (Jordan Stratton), Artmagic and Manny (Brent Holland) settling for the remainder. No Shame Blue Chip (Tyler Buter), Rodeo Rock and a breaking Tap Into Power (Jason Bartlett) completed the order. For Missile J, an unraced-at-two, $100,000 American Ideal gelding co-owned by Ken Jacobs KJ Stables and Wanda Polissenis Purple Haze Stables and trained by Linda Toscano, the win was his fifth (consecutive) in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $51.50, with the triple returning $194.50. Last week was his first [half-mile] start and he was a bit aggressive, Sears said. Tonight, he was more relaxed and the trip, from an eight-hole, certainly worked out. I was happy with him in the elimination and happier tonight. He just wasnt ready [last season], Toscano said. We had to take our time with him, and its begun to pay off. The Rooney was always where we wanted to try him. He has [New York] Sire Stakes and open stakes on the schedule, and tonight was a good first step. Sears won the Rooney for a fourth time (Badlands Hanover-2008, Pet Rock-2012, In the Arsenal-2015), matching the number of one John Campbell. The race began in 1989, one year after the death of Art Rooney Sr. Kryptos Steps Up To Win Lismore Pace In late February, Kryptos (Jordan Stratton, $4.90) was in racing in non-winners of twos. She obviously grew up in a hurry, the latest example coming Saturday night in winning Yonkers Raceways $100,000 Lismore Pace for three-year-old fillies. Sitting chilly early from post position No. 2 over a good oval, Kryptos watched Soft Idea (Jason Bartlett) out-leave her five inside foes, getting the lead before a :27.4 opening quarter-mile. Apple Bottom Jeans (Montrell Teague), the scourge of Delaware, yielded for the pocket, with Cut And Paste (Brian Sears) a pole-sitting third. Soft Idea found a :56.3 half and 1:25, with Kryptos out and moving from fourth, chased by slight 7-5 choice Dime A Dance (George Brennan). The leader was about to wear out her welcome in and out of the final turn, with Kryptos going by early in the lane. That one continued her move, getting the needed jump on a passing-lane-diving Apple Bottom Jeans. The former, as the second choice in the 12th Lismore, whipped the hard-charging latter by a neck in 1:53.3, with Dime A Dance third. Cut And Paste was fourth, with a tiring Soft Idea and an outrun Rock Me Baby (John Campbell) completing the six-pack. For Kryptos, an unraced-at-two, $24,000 daughter of Somebeachsomewhere co-owned by trainer Nik Drennan (as Drennan Stable) along with Joseph Davino and Brad Shackman, the win was her eighth in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid $20.60, with the triple returning $44.20. Its the first time Ive driven her, and Nik [Drennan] just said to give her a clean trip, Stratton said, ironically with his face covered in mud. Saturday's undercard included a pair of $45,000 Opens won by trotting mare Allerage Star (Dan Dube, $10.40) in 1:55.1 and male pacer Outrageous Art (Jason Bartlett, $11.60) in 1:52. (With files from Yonkers Raceway) Longview firefighters responded to a car accident Saturday that occurred after a male driver went into a cardiac arrest with his foot on the gas pedal, causing him to careen into a telephone pole on 9th Avenue and Vandercook Way. Firefighters removed the driver from his car and performed CPR. The driver's heart stopped and he lost consciousness before his car hit the pole, according to Longview fire officials. The driver was transported to St. John Medical Center along with his wife, who sustained minor injuries in the accident. The driver's condition was not immediately available. In the Philippines, Longview native Megan Henderson-Dreveskracht perfected the skills she needs as a plastic surgeon to repair a cleft lip. Cleft lips are the most challenging, rewarding operations for plastic surgeons, Henderson-Dreveskracht said. Every cleft lip was technically challenging, every face a new adjustment. Every child needed something different. But one thing never changed. Every time Henderson-Dreveskracht delivered the child to the parents after the surgery, she said everyone was in tears. The mom starts crying, the dad starts crying, and of course, you start crying because how could you not? she said by phone last week. She was one of five surgeons from her Illinois hospital to fly to the South Cotabato province, where they operated on 90 patients in a week in February. Most of them were younger than 5 years old. The 32-year-old inherited her love of medicine after her father, the late Philip Henderson, who was an obstetrician-gynecologist in Longview. She said shes wanted to be a surgeon ever since she can remember. She would pretend to operate on her neighbor in elementary school. And after her friends father went fishing, she would dissect the dead fish to examine its organs. I have one sister, so I feel like one of us had to drink the Kool-Aid, she said. Her next adventure in June is to return to her home state from her six-year plastic surgery residency in Springfield, Ill. She will move to Seattle to join her husband, Ryan Dreveskracht, whom she married in August. The two Longview natives reconnected years after they left the area. Dreveskracht went to R.A. Long High School; Henderson-Dreveskracht attended Mark Morris. I knew she was the one before we even started dating, said Dreveskracht, now a lawyer in Seattle. It took me 10 years to get her to finally go on a date with me. Henderson-Dreveskracht said her final goal for her residency was to master operations on cleft lips, a surgery that reminds her she can make a difference. Dr. Robert Russell, her adviser in Springfield, has been involved in Operation Smile an organization that operates on children with cleft lips who dont have access to medical care for more than 30 years and about 25 missions. His involvement in the nonprofit allowed Henderson-Dreveskracht as a resident to accompany him to the Philippines. One of Russells favorite patients in the Philippines was older than 20 years old; nobody knew how to speak his dialect. When the hospital eventually found a translator for him after his operation, the surgeons gave him a mirror. He started crying. When they asked him how the patient liked it, he responded, I get me a wife. Most plastic surgeons will say a cleft lip is their favorite procedure, Henderson-Dreveskracht said. Its a challenge, and theres immediate results. It feels awesome all around. Dreveskracht said his wifes compassion never yields even at home. He was devastated when his grandmother, Inez Dreveskracht, passed away last month. His wife used the rest of her vacation time to fly to Longview and help arrange the funeral, get her affairs in order and provide moral support. She puts her heart into everything that she does, Dreveskracht said. Other times, its her sense of humor that stands out. She just loves to laugh. And its infectious, Dreveskracht said. Spend an evening with her and your face will hurt. Russell said his proteges dry sense of humor makes her one of the boys among the surgeons. If he tells her a dirty joke, she will respond with another one. He said she knows not to take herself too seriously. We give her a lot of grief about marrying a lawyer, Russell said. Dreveskracht said he is looking forward to having a house, and a dog, with his wife home. And Henderson-Dreveskracht couldnt hide her excitement to move back. I havent lived in Washington since I was 18, she said. I just want to be able to have dinner with my sister on a Saturday night. Editor's note: Stories in our annual "Standout Grads" series will run Wednesday through Sunday, June 12. Kylee Bamford said she was about 6 years old when she decided she would be valedictorian of her class. More than 10 years later, she was right. The 18-year-old will graduate from Rainier High School with a 4.0 grade point average. She is vice president of the National Honors Society, an active member at Riverside Community Church, a Subway employee and was previously vice president and president of her class for three years. "I'm very goal-oriented," she said. "I'm not the smartest, but I work for my grades." Kylee's mother, Kathleen Bamford, describes the 5-foot-3 valedictorian as a high-energy "trickster" and the family's third and youngest "fun-loving" daughter. Bamford remembers Kylee dancing along to the George Thorogood's "Bad to the Bone" as a child, and laughing hysterically over a scene in the movie "Tarzan" when a baby chimp shoves its fingers up its mom's nose. She loves music from the 1970s, and her favorite band Earth, Wind & Fire. "I'm actually a little bit crazy," Kylee said. Her energy allows her to connect with children when she helps her church and school with kids' camps, her mom said. Kylee planned to attend Southern Oregon University but, at the last minute, decided she wanted to go to Bible school to become a missionary. She fell in love with missionary work during her church trip to Fiji in August, where she said she saw "lives transformed." The locals there called her Goldilocks for her long, blonde hair running down the length of her back. For her, the people are the best part of traveling. "Getting out into the middle of nowhere, out in the boonies, where electricity is not a thing ... that's where traveling is good." Besides her commitment to her church, Kylee fell in love with photography. She said she prefers to be behind the lens to capture people's meaningful memories. She was 8 years old when she got her first camera, a bright green digital HP. "That kind of set me over the edge," she said. "I never went back." With her first paycheck, she spent $600 on a new Nikon D3300. She has an obsession with nature photography, especially waterfalls. Last month, she dragged her family to five waterfalls at the Columbia Gorge to take more photos of them. "If there's a sunset, I'm off on the viewpoint. Two seconds," Kylee said. Kylee said she's ready to travel the world and hopes Central America will be in her near future. But there will be some sad goodbyes. "I'm going to miss laughing in class," she said. "I'm really going to miss my teachers." tech2 News Staff When you think of hackers, you probably picture learned people with a bent of mind that revolves around the cutting edge realm of technology. Seldom would one ever consider a teenager or young adult from a village in India. According to a report in the Times of India, 19-year-old Himalaya Mohanty of Balasore district managed to hack into the EPABX system of Hyderabad-based Lloyd Electricals and Engineering Ltd. According to the report, Mohanty isn't well versed in English, but despite his challenges he managed to enroll himself in several online forums and communicated using translation software. Using his old smartphone, Mohanty was able to hack into the EPABX system of the Hyderabad-based company. The hack allowed Mohanty to place free calls via the toll free number. After succeeding in hacking the system, he placed the instruction online on a website hosted by him. The report quotes police, "When people contacted him using their phones, he used to hack their phones by sending a Trojan (virus) and used to track their movements. However, all this was done by him without gaining financial benefit." Mohanty, according to the report, has confessed that he learned hacking through various online forums and is able to hack Wi-Fi routers, email and Facebook accounts as well as smartphones. tech2 News Staff After being stagnant for several decades, automotive technology has witnessed growing interest over the past couple of years. In fact, since the automobile industry crisis of 2008 - 2010, Elon Musk-founded Tesla Motors has witnessed an impressive surge of interest. Recently, Tesla Motors launched the Model S, which is its budget product priced at $35,000. Although it isn't considered budget in India, the new car is expected to bring in over $8 billion in revenues. Among the innovations brought in by Tesla Motors to the automotive industry is the emphasis on technology, an all-electric drive, an impressive dashboard that continuously informs the driver about the state of the vehicle, charge and drive duration available. In addition, an auto-pilot feature was made available to Tesla owners recently. The feature was supposed to aid users have a handsfree driving experience similar to the auto-pilot used in the civil aviation industry. Nonetheless, as is the case with most new technologies, there are chances of mishaps. According to a report by Tech Insider, a Tesla Model S that was being driven on autopilot didn't stop for a stationary van in its path. It went ahead and collided. From the video the extent of the damage isn't evident, but it certainly is a scary thought to trust in a technology that is very closely connected with human life. Road accidents are among the foremost reasons of human lives lost across the world. According to a World Health Organisation Factsheet, 1.25 million people die each year as a result of road accidents. The problem of road casualties is so drastic that if corrective action isn't taken, it could be the 7th leading cause of death by 2030. Instances such as the one in the video above don't help the cause of autonomous driving, which is the focal point of the tech world. Companies such as Google and Apple are also expected to announce products in the near future. And the crux of attention lies with algorithms and machine learning to navigate through constantly changing factors such as stationary vehicles, humans crossing roads and vehicles swerving between lanes. We do hope machines cope up with the growing demand of the human race for comfort, convenience and safety. Dhaka-Tokyo ties to grow: Hasina UNB, Tokyo : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed her high hope that the overall excellent cooperative ties between Bangladesh and Japan will deepen further in the future. "The overall cooperative ties between Bangladesh and Japan will get stronger in the coming days," she said while inaugurating the newly built chancery complex of Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. Referring to her bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinjo Abe in Nagoya on Saturday, Sheikh Hasina said her Japanese counterpart assured her that Japan would remain beside Bangladesh for its overall development. She said Bangladesh put forward some development proposals during the meeting with Abe. Secretary general of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League Ichiro Tasukada, MP and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiji Kihara also spoke during the programme, while Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Rabab Fatima delivered the welcome address. Sheikh Hasina recalled Japan's contributions to the War of Liberation in 1971, particularly the raising of fund, by Japanese children saving their tiffin money to support Bangladesh at that time. After the independence, she said Japan came up with all sorts of support to rebuild the war-ravaged country. "The Japanese government and the people of the country extended their supporting hand to us," she said. The Prime Minister said, Bangladesh has always got cooperation from Japan in its all development activities. Japan has immense contributions towards constructing Hotel Sonargaon, Jamuna Bridge, Rupsha Bridge and Padma Bridge," she mentioned. Hasina said Japan is constructing the coal-based power plant at Matarbari in Moheshkhali of Cox's Bazar district while it is also providing help for metro-rail project and other infrastructural development of Bangladesh. "I see the beautiful property here representing the state of our vibrant and growing relations with Japan. I hope our ties with Japan will grow stronger and deeper in the years to come," Mentioning that Japan is one of the closest friendly countries and the largest development partners of Bangladesh, she said, "We're indeed very proud to have our own address at the heart of historic city of Tokyo." She said, to pay gratitude to the Japanese nation - Bangabandhu visited Japan in 1973. The Prime Minister said she would be returning from a very fruitful visit to Ise-Shima as she regard her participation in the Ise-Shima Summit as a recognition of the G7 and the global community of the responsible role and important contribution that her country is making in the field of development, women's empowerment, and to regional and global peace and security issues. "I truly appreciated the opportunity to share our development experience, especially on poverty eradication, health, education and women's empowerment and I believe that all of us carry back important reflections and ideas, and commitments. I would like to thank again Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for inviting me," she said. PM's younger sister Sheikh Rehana and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali were present. The 714-square meter chancery building was constructed at a cost of Tk 100 crore. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the building on November 28, 2010 during her visit in Japan. Increasing enrolment for tech edn stressed Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid yesterday called for enrolling more students for technical education. "None will remain jobless after taking technical or vocational education. This will be the mainstream of education in future," he said while exchanging views with the officials of department of technical education in the city. Presided over by Department of Technical Education Director General Ashok Kumar Biswas, the meeting was attended by Technical Education Board Chairman Prof Mostafizur Rahman, Directors M Mizanur Rahman, ANH Salah Uddin, Dr Sheikh Abu Reza and other officials concerned, said an official release. The minister said education is one of the government's priority sectors while technical education gets the highest priority. "We are rearranging this sector keeping pace with the challenges of 21st century and the global demand," he added. He said 57,780 students will get enrolled in 114 technical educational institutions while 1,00,068 in 986 private institutions this year. Receiving applications for admission in technical educational institutions for four-year diploma in engineering courses will begin across the country today and it will continue till June 12. Relevant information could be found at www.techedu.gov.bd, www.bteb.gov.bd, www.moedu.gov.bd. President asks BD peacekeepers to work with professionalism Visiting Chinese Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan called on President Md Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban yesterday. President Abdul Hamid has urged the Bangladesh peacekeepers in the UN peacekeeping mission to continue to work maintaining professionalism, honesty, devotion and sincerity saying that Bangladesh is always ready to establish peace in any corner of the world under the UN Security Council. "It is our expectation that you would work to establish Bangladesh as a peace-loving country in the world and uphold Bangladesh's flag in the global arena. You would work as goodwill ambassador of Bangladesh and brighten the image of the country," the President said while addressing a programme organized in observance of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers here yesterday. Highlighting the Bangladesh's participation in the UN peacekeeping mission, he said it has consolidated Bangladesh's position in establishing global peace and at the same time, it has been playing important role in improving diplomatic relations with different countries in the world. "The strong participation of Bangladesh in the UN peacekeeping activities and different important international forums has taken the country to a dignified position in the world arena," he added. The President said Bangladesh is currently one of the largest troop contributing nations in UN Peacekeeping mission and the armed forces and police have been increasing the number of their female peacekeepers in the mission gradually. As the UN has been giving emphasis on increasing the representation of female peacekeepers, Bangladesh will have to take strong steps at the respective level for increasing the number of Bangladesh female peacekeepers, he said. About the Bangladesh government's initiative for improving the efficiency of Bangladesh peacekeepers, President Hamid said the government is sending the peacekeepers of the armed forces and the police equipping them with Armoured Personnel Carrier, Mine Protected Vehicle, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and other modern equipment. Mentioning the growing importance of Bangladesh peacekeepers in the UN mission, President Hamid said Bangladesh peacekeepers have so far completed 54 UN missions in 40 countries successfully. At present, Bangladesh peacekeepers have been working in 13 missions and two officials of the armed forces with major general rank have been working as deputy force commander in the Central African Republic and Darfur of Sudan. Moreover, Bangladesh peacekeepers have been working at sector commander level in Mali, Ivory Coast and Congo, he said, adding that Bangladesh have recently received more proposal for the recruitment of Bangladesh armed forces officials to the higher posts in the UN headquarters and peacekeeping missions. "It is the outcome of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's strong and successful diplomatic and personal efforts," he added. At the outset of his speech, the President paid deep tribute to the memory of 130 Bangladesh peacekeepers who embraced martyrdom while working in UN peacekeeping mission and prayed for the salvation of the departed souls. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, UN Resident Coordinator Robert D Watkins and Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq spoke on the occasion. Hajj row escalates as S Arabia, Iran again miss deal Muslim pilgrims circle Islam\'s holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi city of Makkah, during the annual Hajj. Reuters, Riyadh :An Iranian delegation has left Saudi Arabia without an agreement for its citizens to perform Haj this year, Saudi media have reported.It was the second failure by the rival Middle East powers to strike a deal over Haj arrangements.Relations between the two countries worsened after hundreds of Iranians died in a crush during last year's Haj and after Riyadh broke diplomatic ties when its Tehran embassy was stormed in January over the Saudi execution of a Shia cleric."At dawn on Friday, the Iranian mission expressed its desire to leave for home without signing the minutes of arrangements," the official Saudi Press Agency reported late on Friday. Riyadh accuses Tehran of politicising pilgrimage Iran's top Haj official Saeed Ohadi said there was still room to find agreement until Sunday night, according to Tehran's official IRNA news agency. Saudi Arabia blamed Iran for the impasse. "We witnessed a lack of seriousness by the Iranian side in dealing with the issue. It is yet another attempt by them to politicise the Haj," said Abdulmohsen Alyas, an under-secretary at Riyadh's information ministry.After an earlier attempt to agree on Haj terms failed this month, Iran's leadership had blamed Saudi Arabia for the delay, saying it was "very concerned" for the safety of Iranian pilgrims after last year's disaster.Saudi Arabia's Haj ministry said it had met a number of Iran's concerns, offering electronic visas, a deal on air transport for pilgrims and diplomatic representation by Switzerland for Iranians in Makkah.AFP adds: Iranians will not take part in this year's Mecca pilgrimage because of "obstacles" raised by Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam's holiest sites, Iran's Culture Minister Ali Jannati said Sunday.In the latest dispute between the two regional rivals, "after two series of negotiations without any results because of obstacles raised by the Saudis, Iranian pilgrims will unfortunately not be able to take part in the hajj" pilgrimage, expected to take place this year in September, he said, quoted by state television.Saudi officials have said an Iranian delegation wrapped up a visit to the kingdom on Friday without reaching a final agreement on arrangements for hajj pilgrims from the Islamic republic.The Saudi hajj ministry said it had offered "many solutions" to meet a string of demands made by the Iranians in two days of talks.Agreement had been reached in some areas, including to use electronic visas which could be printed out by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran, it said.Riyadh cut ties with Tehran in January after Iranian demonstrators torched its embassy and a consulate following its execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.Shiite Iran and predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia are at odds over a raft of regional issues, notably the conflicts in Syria and Yemen in which they support opposing sides.Earlier this month, Iran had accused its regional rival of seeking to "sabotage" the hajj, a pillar of Islam that devout Muslims must perform at least once during their lifetime if they are able. Dialogue on universal health coverage in Bangladesh at BRACU Speakers are seen on Saturday at a dialogue on aUniversal Health Coverage in Bangladesha at BRAC Inn in the city. Campus Report : The Centre of Excellence for Universal Health Coverage (CoE-UHC) at the James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH), BRAC University organized a dialogue to discuss the current momentum and initiatives for facilitating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Bangladesh on Saturday, at BRAC Inn. The movement towards achieving UHCis gaining momentum in Bangladesh following its endorsement as one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to mobilize and consolidate stakeholder efforts in both public and private sectors in Bangladesh, CoE-UHC brought key stakeholders and development partners together to contribute on the knowledge on how to proceed further with UHC in Bangladesh, and share their respective initiatives on UHC so that duplication and overlapping can be minimized to ensure maximum impact on public health. Prof Syed Masud Ahmed, Director, Universal Health Coverage delivered the opening remarks and briefly highlighted the objective of the dialogue on UHC. Five panelists presented their views on the current scenario of implementing universal health coverage. Dr Timothy Evans, Senior Director, Health Nutrition and Population Global Practice at World Bank Groupspoke on the current global scenario of UHC in context of lower middle income countries. He added that public financing is very important to ensure UHC as well as Bangladesh should consider including private financing to achieve UHC. Current national initiatives on UHC in Bangladesh was explained by Md. Ashadul Islam, DG, HEU, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that achieving UHC in Bangladesh is becoming easier as the country has gained the status of middle income country, and the scope of work for UHC is becoming wider day by day because of our Prime Minister's kind support. Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Director, Power and Participation Research Centre and ex-adviser to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh, spokeabout UHC from the non-health perspective. DrSukumarSarker, Senior Technical and Policy Advisor, USAID, sharedinitiatives on UHC taken by USAID in Bangladesh. Shehrin Shaila Mahmood, Assistant Scientist, Health Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,b explained Role of insurance in advancing UHC agenda in Bangladesh. Dr Ahmed Mushtaque Raza Chowdhury, Advisor to Chairperson, BRAC, also graced the event with his presence. Prof Malabika Sarker, Director of Research of the same institution, facilitated the whole dialogue by conveying the current UHC scenario in context of SDGs in Bangladesh and where Bangladesh wants to proceed. Lessons from London Anti-corruption Summit Mohshin Habib : On 12 May, an 'International Anti-Corruption Summit' held in London where some heads of state, ministers and diplomats vowed to open up corporate records, quash money laundering and end bribery in a bid to stamp out corruption. In the summit, British Prime Minister David Cameron said, "corruption is the cancer at the heart of so many problems we need to tackle in our world." He said, "For too long there has been a taboo tackling the issue head on. The summit will change that. Together we will push the fight against corruption to the top of the international agenda where it belongs." Speaking at Buckingham Palace reception, before the summit, David Cameron referred to Nigeria and Afghanistan as possibly two of the most corrupt countries in the world. He labelled both the countries as "Fantastically Corrupt". However, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani have both promised, during the summit, to curb corruption in their respective countries. At the summit, Mr. Cameron announced that about 100,000 property owners in England and Wales would be forced to disclose their identities. More than 40 countries attended the summit which was the first of its kind to bring together the leaders at least to show intentions to fight against corruption. Six countries, including Afghanistan, Kenya and Nigeria, signed up to publish registries of who owns and controls companies and six more agreed to work to explore doing so. The Western media did not take the summit so seriously. Moreover, they criticized the summit by saying that it was poorly organized, meaning attendance was thinner than the hosts would have liked. 40 among the invited nations sent representatives, only 11 of whom were heads of states or governments. But the event was not completely ineffective. Many discussions took place including intelligence-sharing, asset recovery in cross-border corruption probes and mutual legal assistance. Unfortunately, Bangladesh was missing from the participation. I asked Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) boss Iftekaruzzaman over cell phone why Bangladesh did not join the event. The gentleman explained that Prime Minister David Cameron has chosen the participating countries with his personal choice. "We were expecting a warm invitation for Bangladesh. It is even inexplicable why Bangladesh has not been invited to the event," he added. It was obviously an impolitic decision by British Premiere not to invite Bangladesh in the event. It has been internationally known that corruption is the first and foremost obstacle for the country's walking ahead. Bangladesh was rewarded top position by TIB for corruption in the consecutive years. So the intention of British Prime Minister is not yet clear why and how he ignored Bangladesh. Corruption is not only a customary practice here, but also it has a deep root that related with British rule in India. Once an English ICS wrote back to his superiors to Great Britain that "Ghush(bribe) is a delicious food in India." I recall an interesting memoirs 'The Last Guardian' written by Stephen Hatch-Barnwell, the last English ICS of Bengal. He wrote, "On one occasion when I was a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), a newly rich businessman of the Subdivision, one Abdul Gani, brought along the regulation basket of fruit containing also one bottle of champagne and two of whisky. This I felt was going much too far. So as tactfully as I could, I explained to the merchant that I could not accept the bottles and why." On the other hand, there had been many British corrupt officials in India. When Robert Clive returned to England in 1767, he faced a parliamentary inquiry over allegation of corruption. His successor Warren Hasting's corruption was so wicked that the British government ordered his impeachment. According to Jawaharlal Neheru, loot was the only objective of early British colonials. Corruption, cruelty, callousness and a complete disregard of public welfare flourished and poisoned the air. Mohammed Ali Jinnah also mentioned about the corruption in his 11th August constituent assembly speech. There is no problem if Mr. Cameron having no knowledge of the history of British-Bengal corruption. But the Prime Minister, being the host of global anti-corruption movement, ought to consider the current situation we are having. Anyway, whatever the British Prime Minister thinks, it is true that we have to fight our own battles. To wipe out corruption, one cannot fight for another. International community would never be helpful to eliminate corruption, if we do not correct us. In Bangladesh, corruption occurs in a variety of forms including bribery, embezzlement, cronyism, nepotism, favoring and so on. It is mentioned above that corruption is not a new phenomenon. But now, unfortunately, it has got a new momentum in our country as economic activities are flourishing. Though Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina trying her best (we do believe) to tackle corruption, yet it has become the biggest threat to our development. Cronyism has culturally been established, nepotism is now a 'right'for the politicians; looting public assets, money laundering, bank defaulting going on in every nook and corner of the country. Above all, people from all walk of life are contaminated with virus of corruption. Even a CNG Auto Rickshaw driver demanding extra-charge for fare outside legal meter rate.We mean, almost the entire society across the country has been rotten due to the corruption generated by the politicians and bureaucrats. This atmosphere in our beloved country made by the politicians who have been trying to make their powers and wealth unhindered. Secondly, political corruption is the use of powers by government officials for their private gain. On the other hand, political instability also jeopardizing country's overall progress. It is a new hope for us that the Anti-corruption Commission, led by the Commission's new Chairman, has tightened its grip. However, we should remember that the Commission needs government's full cooperation. The government should remember too that this is the high time to tackle corruption. It is now or never for us. We know that previously there were some obligations and embarrassments to stand against corruption. It is also true that the salary structures for the government stuffs had been so poor and incoherent in the past. But now they are getting fleshy salary to maintain their family expenditures. So, it is our humble request to the policy makers to try their best to make a kleptocrats-free administration. In doing so, you policymakers need nothing but willingness. If not, the vision of a developed Bangladesh would not make sense. We repeat, it is not inevitable to join any international forum to wipe out corruption from our country. Willingness of policy makers could help us to fulfil our dream of a corruption free civilized land. (Mohshin Habib is a writer and Journalist. He can be reached at: [email protected]) Zubaida to lead BNP in crisis period Reza Mahmud : The BNP high command is thinking of Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of party's senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, as the party's new leader in case of imprisonment of party chief Khaleda Zia. Some senior leaders of the party have also reached a consensus about the issue and asked Zubaida Rahman to get herself prepared, sources said. "Khaleda Zia is also considering Dr. Zubaida as crisis moment leader when some senior leaders are reportedly working against the party interests. The high command conceives that she has craftsmanship capacity and will be able to bring the party out of storm" said one of the senior leaders of BNP. Sources said, Zubaida Rahman herself is taking preparation to take the position of BNP's crisis moment's acting chairperson. She is studying the political development of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan and the geo-politics. She also is watching the country's political situation closely. The think-tank also is giving her guidelines in this respect. Her mother-in-law has given some important advice to Zubaida for taking over the party leadership in future. Sources said that Khaleda has been analyzing the country's political situation deeply. Few other leaders of the party said preferring anonymity that Zubaida Rahman may be picked up as the party chairperson's health advisor, equivalent to the party's vice-chairman post, according to the party's constitution. Some of the leaders said on condition of anonymity that the high command thinks the government may imprison Begum Khaleda Zia soon. In this situation, hectic efforts are going on to save the party from disintegration. A senior standing committee member has meanwhile asked the party chief to form the full committee before it is too late. BNP men in different tiers think that the party chief may be convicted in two cases. If it is, the party may face serious leadership crisis. The apprehension deepens following conspiracy against the party interests by some senior leaders. In that situation, the grassroots level leaders and activists may revolt. So, the party high command takes up Zubaida as an alternative leadership. When asked BNP standing committee member Brigadier General ASM Hannan Shah told The New Nation, "The party chief reserves the right to choose any one in the committee. BNP Joint-Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal told The New Nation, "Dr. Zubaida Rahman has clean image. The leaders and the activists of the party will accept her most." I never met Safadi: Joy Trashing Israeli politician Mendi N Safadi's claim that they had a meeting in Washington, Prime Minister's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said they met nowhere.In a Facebook post, Joy wrote: "I have never met Safadi, either in Washington or anywhere else. He is lying. That he is willing to lie for the BNP also proves that he is involved in a conspiracy with the BNP. Otherwise why would he lie on their behalf?" Joy, also the Prime Minister's ICT Adviser, came up with the Facebook statement early Sunday, a day after the Israeli politician in an interview with BBC Bangla, claimed that he had visited Joy's office in Washington last year. However, the BBC report did not include Joy's version in this regard. On Saturday, Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif also dismissed Safadi's claim, terming it a 'drama staged by BNP'. In his status, Joy further said: "The BNP is such a stupid party, that even when they lie they make stupid mistakes. I would like the BNP and Safadi to answer one question. Where in Washington did he meet me? At an event? In someone else's office? "The first stupid mistakes they have made is that I have not been to any events or office in Washington in at least 3-4 years. The only meetings I have had are private ones with government officials. So where could he have met me?" he added. Earlier on May 15, detectives arrested Aslam Chowdhury, a new joint secretary general of BNP, soon after the politician drew controversy over holding a meeting with the Israeli politician in India early this month. In another interview with BBC Bangla on May 17, Safadi also claimed that he met Aslam Chowdhury in India but had no 'secret meeting' with the BNP leader.Criticising BBC Bangla for publishing the interview, he said: "It is also shameful that BBC Bangla actually broadcast this obviously fake interview without verifying facts. This really harms its credibility as a news source." Hanif said the ruling party will issue a rejoinder, protesting the report of the BBC Bangla. BNP-Jamaat changed killing tricks: PM UNB, Tokyo : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday alleged that the BNP-Jamaat quarter has resorted to a new trick of killing selective people as they could not gain anything after killing so many people in broad daylight in 2015. "Earlier, they were engaged in killings in public and broad daylight but couldn't gain anything. Now they're engaged in secret killings in a bid to destabilise the country, destroy the national economy and save war criminals," she said. The Prime Minister was addressing a civic reception accorded to her by the Bangladesh community in Japan held at Tokyo Imperial Hotel in the afternoon. "Innocent people like imams, priests, fathers of churches are killed by BNP-Jamaat to escalate tension so that the government faces questions abroad," she added. Hasina mentioned that even a former US embassy staff and a USAID official Xulhaz Mannan, who is a pro-Awami League person and also the cousin of former Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, was killed at his home so that Americans could raise questions. She alleged that the BNP-Jamaat is indulging in such selective killings with an evil motive to create chaos in the country in a bid to deter the trial of war criminals. Mentioning that holding the trial of war criminals was the desire of the country's people as well as the pledge of her government, the Prime Minister said with firm conviction that her administration will continue the war crimes trial process braving various obstacles. "The Father of the Nation had initiated the trial process after the War of Liberation and we have to continue it." Hasina also accused BNP chief Khaleda Zia of continuing the killing of the country's innocent people in a bid to save war criminals. Recalling the three-month mayhem and atrocities carried out by the BNP-Jamaat in 2015 where some 450 people were burned to death alongside damaging huge public property, Hasina alleged that the BNP chief then had announced not to return home from her office without ousting the government, but she did return after having failed to get public response. About resumption of Dhaka-Tokyo Biman flights, she said she would look into the matter on her return home. Mentioning that the world community now treats Bangladesh with dignity and honour, the Prime Minister said each and every expatriate Bangladeshi is the ambassador of the country and they have significant role in this regard. Urging the Bangladeshi expatriates not to get disappointed, she urged them to work with sincerity so that Bangladesh could not be undermined and maligned. The Prime Minister also recalled that Japan had always extended its hand of support to the Bangladesh's overall development efforts. She said the inward remittances by the expatriate Bangladeshis are contributing a lot to the country's socio-economic development. "We always remember the contributions of expatriate Bangladeshis towards the country's development." Besides, she said that some 500 acres of land will be allotted for Japanese investors to invest and establish industries in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister also noted that her government's steps for establishing 100 special economic zones across the country to attract more foreign investment. She mentioned that the government will set up special economic zones in particular areas considering the availability of raw materials of the concerned localities. About the January-5 polls, Hasina said the people bestowed the responsibility of running the country upon her party despite vehement opposition by the BNP-Jamaat clique, and reiterated that she is ready to make any sacrifice to accomplish responsibilities. Citing the success of her government in winning maritime boundary cases with India and Myanmar, the Prime Minister said she also sought cooperation of Japan in extracting resources from the huge sea areas as well as more foreign investment to this end. Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, AL Leader Akhtaruzzaman, Bangladesh community leader Saleh M Arif and Sakura Saber, among others, spoke on the occasion. Law Minister assures change in amendment touching HC jurisdiction Staff Reporter :Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq had a meeting with senior lawyers of the Supreme Court at Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium on Sunday. The meeting was presided over by the president of the association, Yusuf Hossain Humayun. Many of the former presidents of the association along with other eminent lawyers were invited to meet the minister to give their views on the recent change of the Civil Court (Amendment) 2016 by which the High Court Division's jurisdiction to hear civil appeals was seriously restricted retrospectively.The appeals for claim worth above five lakh taka pending before the HC Division stood transferred to the Additional Judges under the amended law itself denying any part to play by the Supreme Court. This happened because the District Judges' monetary jurisdiction was enhanced by one single leap from five lakh taka to five crore taka.The leading lawyers unanimously termed the amendment unjustified giving such wider jurisdiction empowering the single District Judge to dispose of cases previously heard by a Division Bench of High Court Division comprising two judges and such a move could not be good for the confidence of litigant public. Some senior lawyers suggested that monetary jurisdiction of the District Judges from the present five lakh taka could be raised to ten lakh but it can not be five crore taka. They also mentioned that the lower courts are already overburdened with existing cases and delays in disposing these appeals on the way to be transferred are inevitable. So, amendment was not public interests, they added.The senior lawyers requested the minister to stop transfer of the appeals now pending before the High Court Division.As an additional point Barrister Mainul Hosein could not accept the way the High Court Division's jurisdiction was reduced. In his view, the judiciary being independent the law affecting jurisdiction of courts should have been made in consultation with the Chief Justice. He also spoke of the need of a separate secretariat for the Supreme Court.To this, the Law Minister's explanation was that he discussed with the Chief Justice generally about the changes to be made but it was some time back and it was possible that the matter was not pointedly emphasised by him.Two lawyer members of the parliament, Nurul Islam Sujon and Sanjida Khanom, also attended the meeting. They promised support for change in the amendment if it is proposed.The discussion was held in a friendly atmosphere and the Law Minister himself has agreed that the demand of the eminent lawyers is logical. He has assured the lawyers of logical change in the amended law.Among others, SCBA President Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Secretary AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, former President of SCBA Barrister Mainul Hosein, Barrister Amir-Ul Islam, Barrister Shafique Ahmed, former Law Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed, AFM Majbah Uddin, Dr. Bashir Ahmed, SM Rezaul Karim, AM Amin Uddin, Nurul Islam Sujon, Sanjida Khanom, AY Moshiuzzaman, Saidur Rahman, AJ Mohammad Ali, Jaynal Abedin, Advocate Munsural Huq Chowdhury, Qamrul Huq Siddiqui, SM Monir, Advocate Sheikh Akhterul Islam, Barrister Rabeya Bhuiyan, Advocate Rabiul Alam Badu, Advocate Probir Niyogi, Advocate R Qaiyum, Advocate Azharul Bhuiyan participated in the exchange of views with the minister. Couple held in city, put on remand Court Correspondent : The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka on Sunday placed a couple of the city's Mohammadpur area on a day's remand in a case filed for alleged murder and rape of their 12-year-old domestic help. Police arrested shopkeeper Shariful Islam of Mohammadpur Town Hall Bazar in Dhaka and his wife Rezia Begum Liza on the charges of raping and torturing their 12-year-old house help Hasina Akter, who later died in a hospital. Magistrate Abdullah Al Masud of the CMM court granted the remand to grill shopkeeper Sharif and his wife Liza, the two accused of the case, filed on the charges of raping and torturing their domestic help Hasina Akter. On early Sunday night, the couple was arrested in Gazipur. Mohammadpur Police Station Sub-Inspector Pradeep Chandra Sarker, who is the Investigations Officer of the case said in the remand petition quoting Salma Begum, mother of victim, that Sharif and Liza had burnt the girl's skin using hot metals. They also broke the victim's elbow and knee joints and raped the victim, her mother Salma alleged in the case document. Salma, worked at the couple's house in Kathpatti area of Mohammadpur, but as she felt sick she sent her daughter Hasina to work there on her behalf. On May 20 (morning), an unidentified youth, took the victim to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and fled away. He provided fake address there and the girl died in the hospital on May 27 (Friday), while she was under treatment. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Pre-purchase property inspection is a relatively new thing in the United Kingdom. Its not something that most people have heard about, but it has become increasingly popular over the last few years with the rise in property prices and increased demand for high quality homes. What are the benefits of pre-purchase building inspection? What can you expect to find out when you pay someone else to inspect your home before you buy it? And what should you look for during an inspection? Many people want to know if theyre buying a house thats been well maintained or if its had any serious problems. If youve found a place on the market that seems attractive, but then discover some issues after moving in, you may not be as excited about buying it as you thought you were. Its important to do your due diligence when looking at properties. A lot goes into making a property appealing to potential buyers, from the landscaping to the flooring to the kitchen appliances. The same applies when inspecting a property there are many things that need checking over to make sure everything is running smoothly. Here are some of the benefits of performing a pre-purchase inspection: You get to see exactly what will happen to your money When you go shopping for a new car, youll probably be shown several different models. You might even be shown one that looks like a great value, but doesnt fit around all of the extra features that you want. When it comes time to actually buy the vehicle, however, you wont have seen how your money will be spent on it once you drive it off the showroom floor. Likewise, when you shop for a new home, you dont really know what youre getting yourself into until you move in. In order to get a feel for whether the home youre considering is what you want, you normally have to spend quite a bit of time inside it. This allows you to learn more about everything that youre going to be spending your hard-earned cash on. A pre-purchase building inspection gives you much the same kind of experience without having to spend thousands of dollars. Since youre paying for the service, you can expect to see exactly what youre paying for, instead of just seeing a vague idea of what you might end up with. You find out about potential major repairs Some buildings are very expensive to maintain, which means that owners often neglect them for the sake of saving money. While youre paying for a building inspection, youre also paying for a professional who knows how to spot signs of trouble and repair work that needs doing. If you notice that a particular area of your new home needs fixing right away, you can call in an expert to take care of it quickly. If you find that theres something wrong with your boiler, you wont have to wait weeks for a plumber to come over and fix it. Instead, youll have access to a solution immediately. You can save hundreds of pounds by finding out about potential problems early on One of the biggest expenses when you first buy a home is the cost of moving in. Many people dont realize this until its too late. Buying a home involves not only paying for the actual house, but also for moving costs, furniture, and other items that have to be moved along with the home. Having a good idea ahead of time of what youre likely to encounter can help you avoid these kinds of costs. If you know youll need to replace the plumbing system, for example, youll be able to put together a budget for the expense and plan accordingly. You can protect your investment by finding out if the homes been well cared for While there are plenty of people who think that houses always look better when theyre newly built, youd be surprised at how well maintained older residences can still look nice. Sometimes, though, those homes need some additional maintenance to keep them looking their best. This could involve repairs that arent so noticeable or small improvements that you wouldnt consider otherwise. Even worse, some houses have fallen into disrepair without anyone noticing. This is why having a professional perform a building inspection prior to purchasing a home is such a big benefit. Not only will it give you insight into the state of the property, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing youre not getting taken advantage of. As long as youre aware of the potential pitfalls, youll have less reason to worry about the state of your new home. You can use information gathered during a building inspection to negotiate a lower price If youre worried about buying a home because you suspect that it may need extensive renovation work, you may already have a rough idea of how much work youll need to do to bring it up to scratch. That knowledge can come in handy if you decide to buy the home. You can use all of the details that you gather during a building inspection to present a realistic picture of what the home is worth to prospective buyers. If a potential buyer thinks that the home is worth more than what you paid for it, you can try negotiating a lower price. You can sell your home faster and for more money If you decide to list your home on the market soon after buying it, youll need to price it accurately in order to attract buyers. But if youve already done a thorough building inspection, youll know exactly what work is needed and what the current market conditions are. In other words, youll be able to make a more accurate estimate of the amount of money youve invested in the home and how much its worth. If you find that youre selling your house for close to its full market value, you can use this information to convince the potential buyer that your home is worth the asking price. Even if youre planning to stay in the home for a while before you decide to sell, the fact that you did a thorough building inspection will give you more confidence when listing it. Prospective buyers will know exactly what theyre paying for. Your home will hold its value longer As mentioned earlier, the value of a home depends heavily upon the condition of the building itself. If your home is in bad shape, potential buyers wont be interested in buying it. On the other hand, if youve performed a thorough building inspection and know what sort of repairs are necessary, you can offer your prospective buyer a compelling reason to invest in your property. When you buy a home, youre essentially agreeing to have it inspected periodically to ensure that it stays in top shape. Not only does this allow you to avoid expensive repairs down the road, but it can also increase the value of your home. You can make smart decisions about property investments Buying real estate isnt as simple as just driving a couple of minutes to pick up a house. There are lots of considerations involved, ranging from location to cost. The same is true when youre investing in property. If you find a house that meets all of your requirements, youll want to make sure that you have a solid understanding of where it stands with regards to the rest of the market. If you havent spent enough time researching the area, you could inadvertently end up with a bad deal. There are lots of resources available online that can help you determine the overall level of competition in your area. They can also help you figure out if there are any properties that meet your requirements that you didnt know about. If you own rental property, you can use the information to identify tenants who might cause damage If you own rental property and youve noticed that certain tenants consistently cause damage, you can use the results of a building inspection to identify them. You can then contact them directly to let them know that youre watching them closely and that you dont appreciate the problem theyre causing. They might start taking better care of their homes, which would be good news for everyone. It could also be the case that youll find out that theyre responsible for previous damages that werent caught during a previous visit. You can make smarter decisions about hiring contractors If youve hired contractors to build or repair your home, you might want to ask them for references. However, unless you perform a thorough building inspection, you might not know exactly what to look for. For instance, maybe you only checked the roof for leaks or the walls for cracks. You might not have looked underneath the foundation for anything that could cause a future issue. By performing a building inspection, you can ensure that you hire reputable contractors who will be trustworthy with your money. You can avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition Of course, the main benefit of structural inspections perth is that it helps you avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition. Before you make the decision to buy a home, you should do whatever you can to find out about the state of the building. You can also ask your realtor about what sorts of inspections are typically recommended. Some agents say that its standard practice to check the heating system, the roof, the electrical wiring, and the floors. Others will tell you that they recommend that you check the entire structure. Either way, if you choose to hire an inspector, youll find out exactly what needs to be fixed and how much it will cost to do so. As a result, it can be concluded that a pre-purchase building inspection is highly important for the buyers because it provides transparency regarding the current conditions of the structure. Additionally, the building owner is made aware of any upgrades or repairs that are required, which could lead to a fair deal throughout the purchasing and selling process. The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. Pinckneyville Community Hospital has announced that Dr. J. Gregg Fozard recently renewed his contract with the Family Medical Center at Pinckneyville Community Hospital through 2019. Fozard joined the Medical Staff at Pinckneyville Community Hospital in 1978, when joined practice. In 1998, Fozard moved his practice within the Family Medical Center, and became Medical Director at Pinckneyville Community Hospital. To make an appointment with any of the providers at the Family Medical Center at Pinckneyville Community Hospital, call 618-357-2131. The Southern Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Need to get away? Start exploring magnificent places with our weekly travel newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy MURPHYSBORO A little more than a year ago, Murphysboro city officials and volunteers expectantly wrapped up specially-designed, glass-blown apples and thumb drives marketing an empty large warehouse, shipping them to 385 of the largest companies in this country. A handful of those business took a nibble, and one that wasn't even on the original list took a bite, but at this point, Murphysboro city leaders are still seeking serious interest in the 169,000-square-foot warehouse in this town of 7,800. That space off 19th Street was last used in September 2003, when a former paper and plastics packing manufacturer closed operations there. Leading the effort to fill the building with a viable business is Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens, who wakes up in the morning and goes to bed every night thinking of ways to bring jobs into his town. "Sometimes, my optimism gets the best of me," Stephens said. "I just need to believe my optimism and be sure to maintain a healthy skepticism." Stephens is hesitant to talk much about the failings or success of the would-be new businessowners, saying he'd rather spare the community from the wranglings of those business talks. But there are plenty of lessons he's learned along the way, he shared. "The No. 1 thing I have taken away from this is economic development in Illinois is hard work," he said. "There are no easy (solutions) simple solutions are usually neither simple nor solutions. You've got to be hyper-communicative, and you have to highlight the positives of your community." With competition from slick websites and ultra-hip logos and slogans, economic development in Murphysboro involves more than selling a community via the internet or telephone, Stephens said. "You've got to get boots on the ground," he said. When that happens and a prospective new company's representatives visit the city, they experience Murphysboro's barbecue joints, the natural beauty of Kincaid Lake, the community heartbeat of the local pubs and other attractions. "All of a sudden, they can feel (the) community and not just imagine it," he said. "They get to experience your community first-hand instead of just imagining it from a distance. That is critical to arousing interest in your town because if a picture is worth a thousand words, actually being there is worth a million." This engagement also allows him to see the city through fresh eyes, for instance, as he did when one commercial visitor became excited by the brick streets throughout the city, especially in the John A. Logan Historic District. Stephens then incorporates that 'fresh-eyes perspective' in talking points in his pitch to future businesses. The second thing he's learned is the importance of following up on the marketing packages that were sent. "This isn't earth-shattering, but follow-up is extremely important," he said. "I called all 350 of those companies at least twice." He said he's learned that all those mailed packages did not land with all of their intended contacts. Another lesson he's learned is to be a bit skeptical of businesses hoping for incentives that could possibly cause the city financial grief years down the road. Throughout this process, he's sought direction from Jeff Doherty, executive director of the Jackson Growth Alliance and former Carbondale city manager, and from Joe Koppeis, the developer who bought property at the Illinois Route 13/127 corridor. From Koppeis, for instance, he was encouraged to explore Murphysboro purchasing the building to lease to a prospective buyer; even at $3 a square foot, for instance, that could net $450,000 in lease revenue a year for Murphysboro, he noted. "It's a simple thing, but it's not something that I would have thought of," he said. He credits the Murphysboro City Council with supporting him in this work. "None of this is possible without a city council whose is willing to share in your vision," Stephens said. "There are news reports all the time about rifts between mayors and council members and things of this nature. I'm thankful that my council, for the most part, has seen the vision I'm trying to make a reality and been willing to support these efforts." Part of that involves keeping himself motivated and positive and speaking aloud the vision he sees for the city. "If you say something out loud, you are kind of entering into a contract with yourself," Stephens said. "The more you keep things under wrap, the harder it is to work on it." CARBONDALE One of Tanner Burke's favorite tombs in Woodlawn Cemetery is a crypt-looking object near the northeast corner of the cemetery. He looks at what could be faded inscription at one base of the sarcophagus, but notes that he's not sure there is even a body inside the object. Over the past few weeks, 14-year-old Tanner has spent quite a bit of time around the headstones and other markers in this cemetery and at the Walker Hill Cemetery in Grand Tower. He has made photographing the tombstones and recording their inscriptions into a national grave-collection genealogy database as his Eagle Scout project. "I thought it would be great so I thought 'why not?" Tanner said. A Life Scout with Carbondale's Boy Scout Troop 7-151, Tanner just finished eighth grade at Giant City School. He plans to start as a freshman at Carbondale Community High School this fall. Project has mass appeal A project like this is not just a good one for an Eagle Scout candidate, but one that stands out at this time of year, particularly as there are Memorial Day observances and celebrations in cemeteries and others visit them to pay respects to their loved ones, according to local genealogist Debbie Fraedrich. Fraedrich is head of the Family History Center at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Carbondale. She noted that the data can be uploaded to cemetery-genealogy research sites such as BillionGraves and FindAGrave. "Some people just need to be introduced to this," Fraedrich said. Those thinking of following up on her suggestion can first check to see if entries already exist for that cemetery by checking with BillionGraves, FindAGrave or any other site where they'd like to upload photographs and other data. Before one starts such an undertaking, she suggests they observe a bit of "cemetery etiquette," checking with the owner or manager of the cemetery to make sure it is OK to photograph the headstones and upload the data and to make sure they refrain from photographing other people or a funeral at a cemetery. Working toward Eagle Scout The honor student talks about how this project came to be, about how he was looking for an Eagle Scout project and heard about the BillionGraves website and knew that his grandparents were keen on genealogical history. He chose Walker Hill Cemetery, because he has relatives buried there, and Woodlawn Cemetery, because of its historical significance and relevance as perhaps the first a Memorial Day observance was held in Southern Illinois. Tanner presented his plan to the local Boy Scouts council in January and got permission from the sexton of the Woodlawn Cemetery off Illinois Route 13 to photograph the headstones. He photographed them using the company's BillionGraves app. (Incidentally, the Carbondale city website indicates that it's not exactly sure who is buried in the sarcophagus: the wife of J.W. Landrum, who was reportedly born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, or a Lt. Col. John Mills, who fought with the Union Army.) Tanner expects to complete the project within the next few weeks, as soon as he transcribes inscriptions from about 50 more tombstones; in total, he will have transcribed inscriptions from 250 tombstones into the BillionGraves.com database. He talked about his experience photographing some of the 1,500 graves at Walker Hill and 170 at Woodlawn a project he was assisted on by his grandparents, fellow Boy Scout troop members, family and other volunteers. "He had so much help in completing the project," Tanner's mother, Sarah Burke, said. "It's been a positive, character-building experience for him." She also noted that the program was very user-friendly. Working at the Walker Hill Cemetery also provided special bonding time with his grandparents, Bill and Tonia Burke of Murphysboro, who helped him photograph the 1,500-some tombstones there. Armed with tools to help remove weeds and items to wipe moss from the tombstones so the inscriptions could be read, Tanner said they completed that work in about seven hours one day. "It was fun," Tanner said. "They saw headstones of people they knew. You could walk around, and my grandparents would say 'this is so and so' " It can be a family affair Participating in a project like this can also be good for one's family, as it can become a family project, Fraedrich said. For instance, one family member could photograph headstones in a cemetery, while another relative, hundreds of miles away somewhere else in the country or world, could transcribe the inscriptions on the stones using an online program, she said. "All those are things that help to make family because you're involved," Fraedrich said. She noted that individuals and families might want to learn more about a 72-hour, worldwide push to encourage people to index genealogical material, from July 15 to 17. For details about the Worldwide Indexing Event, visit www.FamilySearch.org/indexing. Watching her son work on his Eagle Scout project spurred his mother to talk to her parents about their parents and background. What she discovered was that one of her great-grandmothers, Della Weaver, had died while giving birth and because she died so many years earlier than other relatives her own age was buried in a small cemetery in the middle of farm fields, Sarah Burke said. "We were able to take the picture," Sarah said. "And to me, that meant a lot." MARION Angelo Hightower wants the Marion City Council to take some time and look deep into the future. Hightower, a Marion City Commissioner elected in April 2015, mentioned to the council that he would like to take some time on a Saturday and get all the department heads and supervisors in a room to discuss several different topics. I think it is always a good idea to plan ahead, Hightower said. He isnt talking about planning for the next month, but having a real discussion about the path the city of Marion is headed for the next five or 10 years. I have a feeling that we sort of play as we go, Hightower said of the councils current planning practices. We need some longer term planning. That is the smart way to do things. He said he believes the city could do some things better, but said the city is on the right track. But, with proper planning, we can improve efficiency, he said. Any meeting or discussion with the council would be open to the public and that is the way Hightower would prefer it. When mentioned to the rest of the council Monday evening at the meeting, Commissioner Anthony Rinella said it would probably be a good idea to wait until after the Illinois Municipal Leagues Annual Conference in September. You can get some good ideas by talking to people up there, he said. Hightower said he would like to have a retreat as soon as possible, but if waiting until after the conference is what it takes to get people on board, he is willing to wait. Mayor Bob Butler said some of the commissioners met with engineers and superintendents this past week for projects that the city should consider. He asked the commissioners to make a list of what they brought to that meeting and distribute among themselves. We can all be thinking about projects that we would like to see considered, the mayor said. Rinella said that is just one facet of Hightowers proposal. He wants to look at short and long range projects, he said. I think it is definitely something we need to consider doing. Although Memorial Day is celebrated by most with cookouts, a flag flying, a day off work, and maybe a vacation, there is a deep meaning behind this federal holiday. The "Memorial" in Memorial Day is due to its being a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice. No one knows the true meaning of Memorial Day more than those who have lost friends and loved ones to a war, and veterans who were wounded, disabled or not. There are several things that you can do to observe Memorial Day: Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes, visit memorials, fly the U.S. Flag and POW/MIA flag at half-staff until noon, participate in a National Moment ofTaps to be played, renew a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen and to aid the disabled veterans.Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three-day-weekend for federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:We cherish too, the Poppy redThat grows on fields where valor led,It seems to signal to the skiesThat blood of heroes never dies.She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms. Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war-orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. Nationwide, proponents of automatic voter registration have been cautious about not over-promising. Rather than making outlandish claims that the process will greatly increase voter participation, they have focused instead on the more "nuts and bolts" benefits of efficiently sharing information from other state databases, easing election administration and over time reducing costs. We see no downside and a plethora of potential upsides that would result from the passage of SB250, the Illinois version of automatic voter registration. And with an estimated 2.6 million Illinois residents eligible to vote, yet not registered, passage of the bill is important. There's not much history to point to. Oregon, the first state to implement the process this past January, has seen a 500 percent increase in the number of monthly voter registrants. And if all Illinois driver's license applicants are also automatically registered to vote, it is easy to see how that percentage could be duplicated here in Illinois. Support for measures designed to increase voter registration and participation have, unfortunately, long been partisan issues. Republicans traditionally see their base as stronger and more committed folks that will vote, and vote Republican, at every opportunity. Historically, this is true. Meanwhile, Democrats have lobbied to expand voting rights to groups not as likely to vote but who would if allowed pick the Democratic candidate. The somewhat better-than-average bipartisan support that SB250 received in passing through the Senate two weeks ago is a pretty good indication that this bill is different. It gets more people registered. Period. As such, it should be immune to charges that it will "increase voter fraud," although Rep. Terri Bryant jumped on that worn-out theme in an interview earlier this year. Use of records from the full-time Secretary of State's Office as the basis for voter records (used only several times per year) will obviously be more accurate, help ease Election Day snafus, and reduce the size of same-day registration lines. In order to further prevent voter fraud, those with only temporary driver's licenses cannot opt into being registered. In response to critics who argue the bill would force people to register, anyone who chooses to do so can opt out. A few other noteworthy tidbits: In the 2012 presidential election, nearly 1 million eligible voters tried to vote, but could not, due to registration problems; A similar system has been in place in Canada and over 90 percent of its eligible population is registered to vote. SB250 contains no budgetary implications. It involves no appropriations, nor will it increase our income tax, sales tax or property tax. The traditional partisan reasons to support or fight SB250 do not apply. In a year in which our country's presidential finalists outdo each other in unfavorability, automatic voter registration may not dramatically increase participation. But it will increase both accuracy of voting records and access for ALL those eligible to vote. It deserves the support of the House of Representatives and the signature of Gov. Rauner. [This] circuit has recognized the needs of educational institutions to protect their employees and students from potentially harmful conduct... We therefore conclude that [the California Code of Regulations] is neither unconstitutionally overbroad nor vague. Rather, it permissibly authorizes California State University branches to discipline students who engage in harassment or intimidation that threatens or endangers the health or safety of another person in the university community. Several years ago, the La Voz de Aztlan, a radical left-wing supplement to Fresno State University's student newspaper, published a poem steeped in anti-American sentiment. It referred to America as "the land robbed by the white savage," the "land of the biggest genocide," the "place of greed and slavery," the "rapist of the earth," and the "land of the brute, the bully, the land of glorified killers, the eater of souls[.]"The poem's publication sparked a controversy that has led to yet another defeat for free speech in higher education. A conservative student who questioned the propriety of the poem's selection was bullied by university officials, thrust into a bureaucratic nightmare, and ultimately given no reprieve in court. The Ninth Circuit's recent decision on the controversy has dangerous ramifications for student journalists, and should be a wake-up call for those concerned about the erosion of First Amendment rights on campus.The saga began in 2011. Neil O'Brien, a politically active Fresno State student who had founded the university's Young Americans for Liberty chapter and organized local Tea Party events, stumbled across the poem in La Voz and was astounded by its message. He decided to address face-to-face two faculty members in the Chicano and Latin American Studies (CLS) Department, which produces the supplement. He wanted to know whether the professors approved of the poem's content and publication.Openly recording his interactions on video, O'Brien stood peacefully at the office doors of Dr. Victor Torres, faculty advisor to La Voz, and Dr. Maria Lopes to ask for their comments. Both professors refused to respond, which is certainly their prerogative, but they then went a step further and reported O'Brien to campus police.O'Brien provided his video recording to campus police who examined it and determined that he had not demonstrated "threatening or intimidating" behavior that would violate campus policy. Apparently unsatisfied with that finding, Torres and Lopes then petitioned the campus police to change their ruling to one less favorable for O'Brien.Despite campus police absolving him of any wrongdoing, O'Brien soon received a letter from Dr. Carolyn Coon, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, summoning him to a "judicial conference" on the basis that his actions "[threatened] or [endangered] the health or safety" of Drs. Torres and Lopes. O'Brien had to appear before Dean Coon-without legal representation-or potentially face a disciplinary hold on his record.Two months after that one-sided "conference," O'Brien received word from Dean Coon that charges had been filed against him for violating the Student Conduct Code, which prohibits behavior that "threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person...including physical abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, or sexual misconduct." O'Brien would have to appear at a judicial hearing, again without council, where he could contest the charges.Several university leaders attended that hearing, including: hearing officer Marcus Freeman; Dean Coon; Drs. Lopes and Torres; and Dr. Luz Gonzalez, Dean of the Social Sciences department. Shockingly, even though he declined to watch the video recorded by O'Brien-the one reviewed by campus police showing O'Brien did not violate university rules-hearing officer Freeman found O'Brien in violation of the Student Conduct Code.Freeman recommended prohibiting O'Brien from coming within 100ft. of CLS staff, faculty, offices, or classrooms, and also barring him from coming onto the 2nd floor of the social sciences building unless he had a class or scheduled appointment. Coon applied the recommended sanctions, and further placed O'Brien on disciplinary probation through the Spring 2012 semester, well after he was scheduled to graduate. Such punishments, which could not be appealed, meant that O'Brien no longer could serve as president or treasurer of the Fresno State YAL chapter or on the school's student council.Naming Coon, Torres, Lopes, and more than 25 other school faculty and staff, O'Brien filed suit in Fresno County Superior Court for violation and conspiracy to violate his civil rights to free speech, due process, and equal protection. The suit also claimed that the California Code of Regulations,was unconstitutionally vague.In May of 2013, nearly a year-and-a-half after his panel hearing at Fresno State, the District Court for the Eastern District of California rejected the case, stating that O'Brien's actions were "nothing short of harassment and at least attempted intimidation." The court also held that the California Code of Regulations was not "unconstitutionally overbroad or vague." On appeal, the Ninth Circuit upheld the lower court That a state university and two courts can conflate a student's asking professors questions while recording with "threatening" and "intimidating" behavior is disconcerting.For one, what does this signal to student journalists? In recent years we've witnessed outright hostility on the part of professors (state employees) toward student media. Recall last year's infamous case in which an assistant professor of mass media at the University of Missouri asked for "some muscle" to prevent student journalist Tim Tai from taking photos of campus protestors.But let's step back even further. What does this case mean for campus free speech on the whole? Speech restrictions and the "my sensitivities trump your right to speak" mentality seem to be ubiquitous on campus. What sets this case apart to a degree, though, is that the roles played by student and professor have been reversed. As I wrote last year , it's typically students who hold their professors hostage by claiming offense to even the most innocuous comments or behavior. But here we see the opposite: faculty teaming up to infringe on a student's free speech rights.If there is one bright spot in this controversy it's in the Ninth Circuit's reversal of the district court's ruling that O'Brien did not present enough evidence to refile suit against a small handful of school employees for violating his First Amendment rights. This does not mean O'Brien will ultimately find favor in the court system-after all, if he goes this route, his case will be heard by the same district court that rejected his claim the first time.Not unlike "affirmative consent" rules regarding sexual assault, which have become popular on campus in recent years , vague student conduct regulations such as those at Fresno State are subverting students' due process rights. But what campus leaders fail to recognize is that their rules and actions undermine the very institutions they claim to protect, and along the way many young people like O'Brien are forced to suffer. KIEV - At least 17 people were killed early Sunday in a fire at an elderly people's care home in Ukraine's central Kiev region,authorities said. The State Service for Emergencies said the blaze broke out at around 3:40 am local time (0140 GMT) in a private elderly care facility which housed 35 people at that time in Litochky village, 40 km north of Kiev. A total of 150 rescuers and firefighters were dispatched to the scene and they have managed to rescue 18 people. Five of the rescued seniors were sent to a local hospital with burns, with two of them in critical condition. The Ukrainian government has set up a special commission to investigate the incident. Press Release: Background: Contact: Jesse Hunt Jesse Hunt jhunt@burrforsenate.com Raleigh, NC - Senator Richard Burr released a post on IJ Review's opinion platform that highlights how the bipartisan ABLE Act is helping people with disabilities to achieve the American Dream. Deborah Ross' record in the State Legislature offers a stark contrast to Senator Burr's leadership on this issue.As a State Representative, Ross was one of only 20 House members that voted against a bill that would have given families with a disabled child a $6,000 tax credit if they moved from a public school to a school that charged tuition.Statement for the Burr campaign:(HB 344, Vote #1080: Passed 94-20, 6/16/11, Ross Voted No)"Tax Credits for Children with Disabilities (House Bill 344 or HB 344) gives an annual $6,000 tax credit ($3,000 per semester) to families whose child with a disability moves from a public school to attending a private school, home school, or public school that charges tuition." (Autism Society Of North Carolina, www.autismsociety-nc.org , Accessed 12/22/15) DENMARK President Leonard A. McIntyre hosted representatives from Boeing South Carolina on the campus of Denmark Technical College on May 11. The high-level meeting between the Boeing delegation and the DTC leadership team concluded with an extended tour of the campus, including electromechanical engineering, mechatronics, welding, and continuing education and workforce development facilities. The Boeing delegation was comprised of Tommy Preston Jr., director of national strategy and engagement; Frank Hatten, education relations specialist of strategy and integration; Kelley Halliwell, a representative from Global Corporate Citizenship, and Mark Elam, director of national strategy and engagement. Also on the visit were Robert Crenshaw, Ready SC area director for the South Carolina technical college system, and Joni McDaniel, regional workforce adviser from the S.C. Department of Commerce. The visit, facilitated by Joni McDaniel, was a part of Boeings visits to high schools and colleges in the Denmark Tech service area. During the meeting, McIntyre provided a quick overview of the colleges mission and course offerings, and the opportunities for partnership. Denmark Tech is always striving to fulfill its mission to either provide students with employable skills for immediate entry into the workforce or transfer to a four-year college, he said. DTC faculty and administrators presented a synopsis of their programs and answered questions. Topics discussed included mechatronics, cybersecurity, STEM education, and high school outreach programs. Preston spoke about Boeings outreach activities and strategic employment opportunities to hire South Carolinians. Our philosophy is building genuine partnerships with the community through outreach and service to the entire state. Preston expressed Boeings interest in partnering with technical colleges in South Carolina on projects that are mutually beneficial to both parties. Why is Boeing here to visit with Denmark Technical College? Because we know that good things can come out of small places. All of the types of employees Boeing is searching for can be prepared at DTC. Stephen Mason, Denmark Tech associate vice president of economic and workforce development, said, DTC is small, but we do more than on-campus training. By utilizing our fully equipped mobile training unit, we are able to visit remote locations to do on-site workforce development training in the type of jobs that companies like Boeing need, such as aerospace production or quality technicians. McIntyre emphasized the importance of technical colleges in preparing a skilled and knowledge-based workforce. We would love to create a mutually beneficial partnership with a career pathway from middle school to Boeing because these are jobs of the future. They are excellent, high-paying jobs with sustainable wages, McIntyre said. The first home built in Orangeburg by a longstanding Christian housing ministry can be found where a dilapidated crack house once stood on Lawton Street. The spot is now the dream home of a grateful owner who considers the arsenal of volunteers the lifeblood of the ministry a blessing to her life and community. Stephanie Carson, a grandmother of eight, has shared many good times with them and other family members in her home, which was completed in 1991. It is a place of love and peace that she now proudly owns. God is an awesome God It has been a blessed home. I thank the Lord for this home each and every day. He has provided for us to be in this home for 25 years, and I thank him for that. It has been a pleasure to know that I am the first homeowner here in Orangeburg for Edisto Habitat for Humanity, Carson said. The EHFH ministry began its work in Orangeburg in 1991. To be eligible for a Habitat home, families must meet certain criteria, including a good work and credit history. Families are chosen by a subcommittee based on level of need, willingness to become partners in the program and ability to repay a 25-year, no-interest mortgage. Qualified families are also required to put in 350 hours of what is called sweat equity toward the building of their home, and they must participate in budgeting classes and attend home ownership classes on a monthly basis. Carson said her experience with the EHFH ministry was a good one, and she is now encouraging others including her children to take advantage of the opportunity to explore the ministry as an affordable home ownership option. I have recommended more people to Edisto Habitat for Humanity. Some of them have already gotten homes, and two of them are my niece and her mom, she said. Youre blessed when youre able to have your own and keep your own. You just have to keep managing things and asking God to help you do what needs to be done. You put him first and everything else comes under that, Carson said. I thank the Lord for the volunteers and their helping hands. God put them and their hearts where they need to be at, she added. God is an awesome God. He just keeps on blessing. You go through trials and tribulations, but in the process of going through, God is still there with you. That is the peace that I have in my home and in my heart. Jamie Bozardt, who has served as executive director of the Edisto chapter since 2001, said she receives joy from seeing the faces of appreciative families, most of whom are owning homes for the first time. I get the thank yous on behalf of our donors and volunteers. Sometimes they dont get to hear or to see the expression in the families eyes that I get to see. So thats the blessing that I get from this job, Bozardt said. She and a group of volunteers and homeowners gathered at the EHFH Home Store at 260 John C. Calhoun Drive in Orangeburg on May 3 to celebrate the ministrys 25th year of building homes and changing lives in Orangeburg. We are just so happy about the way our organization has grown in the last 25 years. It took two years to build the first Habitat home. Were now building four homes per year every year, and its because of the great support of this community and how its continued to grow, Bozardt said. The executive director said Edisto Habitat for Humanitys volunteer base has continued to grow each year, but thats not the end of the story. We see our donor base increase, and it helps us to be able to provide for the families here that continue to apply to our program, Bozardt said. These are the families that continue to work so hard to have a better way of life for them and their children. She added, We completed the 73rd new construction home on May 26. We dedicated that house, and we have plans to build two more by the end of the year. So we will not only celebrate 25 years this year, but well celebrate 75 homes by the end of the year. Orangeburg resident Twanya Elmore is another homeowner who, along with her daughter, Martaesia, is enjoying the benefits that only a home of their own can bring. Its amazing, being that Im only 31 years old and have my own house. My daughter has her own room, and she likes to invite her company over to her new home. Shes enjoying it, said Elmore, who lives on Treadwell Street. She said she thinks the volunteers who have helped build homes for her and others are pretty awesome, too. Im very thankful because people I didnt even know came. All the churches came and volunteered. I was just surprised to see that many people show up to help make my dream come true, Elmore said. We were attempting to get 12 churches involved to donate funds and time to construct the home. We actually ended up with 13 chruches coming together to build the home, said Bozardt, noting that she was especially touched when Elmore shared a selfie of her and her daughter, who was holding up a report card full of As. They attributed that to her being able to go home in the afternoons after school to a safe, clean home and the child having her own room to go in and study, Bozardt said. She has continued to make the honor roll every time since they moved into their home. She said she knows the impact the organization is having on families and volunteers, whose tremendous work ethic does not go unnoticed. On Monday mornings at 9 oclock, we have a crew of about 16 retirees that meet here at the Home Store. They make the plans for the work that needs to be done during the week to prepare for the large groups of volunteers that come out on Saturdays, Bozardt said. We absolutely could not function as an organization if it were not for our volunteers. I watch them work alongside the partner families, and not only are they helping to build a home for them, but theyre building these families up. They tell them, You can succeed. She added, To have someone that you dont even know show up to build your home and encourage you is a tremendous blessing. Im thankful for everything Louesther Williams moved into her Habitat home in July 2015, and has not stopped volunteering with the organization that she said has given so much to her. She volunteers every Wednesday at the EHFH Home Store. And I still go to the house sites and help out some. Every hand helps, she said, noting that she no longer has to worry about paying $570 in monthly rent expenses. The house was nice but if the rent kept going up, I knew eventually I wouldnt be able to afford it. So I said, Im not gonna wait until I get in a crunch. Let me do something now. My girlfriend told me about Habitat, I applied, got accepted and Im now in my home, Williams said. Bozardt said Williams robustly greets customers who come into the Home Store. I really do want them to feel welcome, and Ill assist them with whatever theyre looking for. I run into people out in the community and Ill speak to them. Theyll look at me like, Who are you? Then Ill say, Good afternoon, welcome to Habitat Homestore! Theyll say, Oh, thats you! Williams said, laughing. She said she encourages people not to take for granted the opportunity to own their own home particularly one with a zero-interest mortgage. I encourage younger people to be mindful that this is a blessing that everybody doesnt get to experience. You cant go nowhere and get a house without any interest on (the) mortgage. Its a very good blessing, Williams said. Im so thankful. I also give a financial donation back to them (Habitat) at Christmastime. Ive already instructed my two children that when the good Lord calls me home, they must continue and give a Christmas donation every year. Were uplifting the community and improving Orangeburg. Williams friend, Evelyn Brown, is another Habitat volunteer. She works at the Home Store on Friday and also volunteers her time at home building sites. When I moved from New York and came down here, I wanted to do some volunteer work. I volunteered at the Salvation Army first, then I went to CCMO and now Im at Habitat. Its fun. Im retired and dont know how to act, Brown said, laughing. She said Williams is one of five of her friends who are Habitat homeowners. Im working on some other people. I dont need one; I just help them out. The more you give, the more you get. Dont worry about getting nothing back because somebody else is gonna bless you anyhow, Brown said. Michael Salley, 79, is considered the Edisto Habitat Father. He has logged more volunteer construction hours over the last 25 years than any other volunteer in the Edisto chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Salley said while he is not able to do as much hard labor as he once did, he enjoys being a part of the volunteer work force. I do a lot of walking around and picking up trash. I let the younger fellas do the building, but I help out some. I just enjoy it. I always enjoy the fellowship with the group of men and women who help build the houses and seeing the families move in, he said, noting that his parents were good people who taught him the importance of giving back to others. Bozardt said, On a given house, we have a lot of repeat volunteers that are dedicated, but we get new folks all the time. But on the typical home, probably 150 to 200 folks come and go on a job site to build one house along the way. Sometimes its more if its a special build or special campaign. The Home Store is coming along and is key in providing funds for building projects, she said. It continues to help support our building projects. Weve got a workshop in the back that our guys use to lay out the walls and that sort of thing for construction. So it works really well to have the store here to help support those building projects. We always need donations and volunteers for the store, Bozardt said. Betty Stone, 86, is another longtime Habitat volunteer who works a couple of days in the store each week. I just take the stuff that comes in, sort it, clean it and get it ready for the shelves. I absolutely love it. Its such a good thing for the community to have this, Stone said. Instead of putting stuff in the dump, people can bring it to the store. Youve got collectors and also people who really need stuff, so it serves a many-fold purpose. Stone, who retired from The Oaks in 1995, recalled how she and Salley began working with Habitat. We began to realize that we needed volunteers. I ultimately became the volunteer coordinator for about 12 or 13 years. I got the Saturday work crews and the midweek crews together and got food. Now Melissa Camp is doing that and is doing a great job, said Stone, adding that she has always loved the mission of Habitat. As long as youre breathing and afoot, you oughta be doing something constructive, she said. EHFH Board President Les Carter, who has served in that capacity for three years, agrees. I think about Mr. Salley. He can ride around town and see 70 houses that hes had a hand in personally building. Thats gotta make you feel that youve really donated your life to something that matters. He has invested in a lot of people, Carter said. He said he appreciates the 25 years of service that the EHFH has provided to the community. He said he considers the ministrys members to be like family. We all work together. We all are about one another. Its more than just building houses. Its a family that really cares about one another, and its fun to be around that, Carter said. It makes you feel good about yourself, and thats not a bad thing. He added, Its a pleasure to do this work, and then you know youre meeting a need. Youre getting blessed as well as being a blessing. Its just fortunate to be a part of it. While Edisto Habitat for Humanity is thriving, it is always in need of volunteers, shoppers and donations of household items and building materials, Bozardt said. The proceeds from the store help the non-profit pay overhead costs such as rent and utilities on their office space and workshop area, where the walls for homes are built, she said. Bozardt said EHFH is in the process of signing some new home sponsors to celebrate its 25th anniversary, noting that donors and volunteers are what have sustained the organization over the years. Seventy families have realized their dream of home ownership because of our great community. We are dedicated to the mission of providing safe, affordable housing for low-income families in need in the Orangeburg community, she said. For more information on how to become a homeowner or to volunteer with Habitat home construction, call the EHFH office at 803-536-2300. To volunteer in the Home Store or schedule an item pickup, call 803-539-2242. As hurricane season approaches and the tropics begin to heat up, local emergency officials say they are ready. They want to know: Are you? Make sure you have a disaster supply kit, Orangeburg County Emergency Services Director Billy Staley said. Make sure you have a plan and a weather radio so you know what is going on around you. The big impact for us with hurricanes is going to be rainfall, he said. The rainfall for a hurricane or tropical storm would be much like the rainfall we got in October. It could very well meet those same quantities. Octobers historic floods saw some parts of the county receive 20 inches of rain over a span of about four days. The other challenge for us would be winds, Staley said. We are inland, but we still are subject to high winds. Staley said a hurricane can knock down trees just like an ice storm. The power outages that you saw during the ice storms in the past could be extended much longer with a hurricane, he said. That means having food, water and all the supplies they need to keep sustained. We recommend having at least a five-day supply of food, water and medication. In September 1989, Hurricane Hugo showed that the area is not entirely safe from natures wrath. Five lives were lost in eastern Orangeburg County. The hurricane damaged 246 homes and caused an estimated $40 million in real estate damage in Orangeburg County alone. Neighboring Calhoun County sustained more than $20 million in damage as a result of the storm and was declared one of the many disaster areas in the state. Hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, but tropical development started earlier this year. Most forecasting groups have called for this season to be an above-average season for storms. The Orangeburg County Emergency Operations Center has a 25-page hurricane plan, which is part of a larger emergency operations plan that includes response for disasters ranging from earthquakes to chemical spills. As soon as we realize that we have a hurricane threat or tropical storm threat, we start notifying all county department heads and all elected officials Staley said. The county departments then begin preparations, including calling in staff and checking equipment. Shelter and evacuation routes are the primary components of the hurricane plan, Staley says. The county has about 22 shelters, including Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, Lake Marion High School and Hunter-Kinard Tyler. They are opened on an as-needed basis. The shelters serve county residents and coastal evacuees. Orangeburg County officials would assist the Highway Patrol in manning the evacuation routes in the county, including S.C. Highway 6, U.S. 176, Interstate 26 and U.S. 178. The EOC has advanced weather tracking capabilities, helping it remain abreast of the storm. The Internet-based HurreVac short for Hurricane Evacuation can provide projected rainfall totals, We can determine how the forecast will impact us. Those forecasts trigger certain things in our plan, Staley said. The center has a community notification system which automatically calls key officials, schools, nursing homes, day-care centers and individuals. In addition, the center has a system called the WebEOC, which connects the county center with other agencies, municipalities and the state during an emergency response. It allows the county to keep track of school and road closures, reported damage and medical facility availability. The countys town halls also have the system, so the county can send each town information on shelter openings and storm activity. Staley praised Orangeburg County leaders for their support of the EOC over the years. We have increased staffing, we have increased response capabilities in the field for both rescue and for hazmat response, Staley said. We have improved our facility where we keep emergency response apparatus. Staley said the recent October floods also provided the county with greater knowledge about county issues such as lower-lying, flood-prone areas. We learned a lot during the flood, such as the need to increase more staffing, he said. The EOC, along with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, monitors dam conditions. DHEC spokesman Robert Yanity said of the 52 dams that did breach during the flood, four were in Orangeburg County and two were in Calhoun County. No dams were breached in Bamberg County. After the historic flooding in our state in October 2015, DHEC teams proactively assessed all high-hazard and significant-hazard, and some low-hazard dams statewide as a precaution, Yanity said. In addition to a greater focus on dams, the flood also has resulted in upgrades to the countys capabilities. For the next disaster, residents will have access to a map of road closures on the countys website as well as the ability to report storm damage through the countys website. Staley said there is a big need for disaster volunteers in the community with the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Community Emergency Response Team. CERT volunteers work as a community to respond to a disaster. The county has about 60 volunteers, all from Cornerstone Community Church. I would like to get this spread throughout the community, Staley said. The EOC will bring a CERT program to any community organization, if it desired. Calhoun County Calhoun County Emergency Services Director Bill Minikiewicz says practice makes perfect when it comes to preparing for a storm. All kinds of storms, you go through the same action. That helps you be at your best, he said. The county has a 191-page operations management plan that includes hurricane preparedness. During a hurricane, the countys major roles will be serving as a shelter designation and managing traffic for people passing through. The main evacuation route through the county is U.S. 176. Currently, the county has three shelters Calhoun County High School, the St. Matthews K-8 school and the elementary school in Sandy Run. The shelters would be open shortly after the governor ordered an emergency evacuation of the coastal counties. The shelters are operated by the American Red Cross and the S.C. Department of Social Services. The county also has a mitigation plan that came in handy during the October floods. Minikiewicz said despite the torrential rainfall, the county had relatively few problems with flooding. We would probably not get as much rain in a hurricane as we got in that that flood, Minikiewicz said. While tropical storms and hurricanes are a concern for the county, he says they are not the biggest natural threat. Our biggest threat ... is winter storms. They are the most probable and cause the most damage. The second is tornadoes, he said. The county provides road closure information on its website and social media outlets. Despite the fancy technology, the public plays a key role in ensuring lives and property are safe, Minikiewicz said. People need to keep informed, he said. We cant do everything, especially as small as we are. Bamberg County Bamberg County reaches out to residents using social media and a mass alert system which alerts all county residents via phone call or text, Emergency Services Director Brittany Barnwell said. Being prepared is biggest thing with any emergency, Barnwell said. Barnwell said the EOC gives weather radios and literature to residents to ensure they are ready for a storm, among other outreach efforts. In addition, the county has shelters for people who may pass through the area. Barnwell said for Bamberg County, the hurricane plan is all about sheltering those fleeing the coast. Our emergency operations plan gives us the knowledge we need to be prepared for the worst, if it comes to that, she said. When it comes to hurricane response, the community will work together, Barnwell said. The plan is the same for the entire county, Barnwell said. We may have to change some things up during an event, but change is good sometimes, especially when it involves keeping our community safe. As Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell seeks re-election, two fellow Democrats are also running for the office. Ravenell is running on his record, saying the sheriffs office has provided training and equipment to help its officers be better prepared for their jobs. His opponents, Darnell Bubba Johnson and Kenneth Mac McCaster, say they will work to provide better service, including in areas outside the county seat. No Republicans filed for the seat. South Carolinas Democratic and Republican primaries will be held on Tuesday, June 14. Darnell Johnson Johnson says he is all about over-serving the citizens of Orangeburg County. Johnson obtained a bachelors degree in sociology/criminal justice from Claflin University. He is enrolled at Columbia College and working to obtain a masters degree in criminal justice. He is a retired U.S. Marine and S.C. Army National Guard combat veteran. Johnson says hes also a 10-year certified law enforcement veteran, certified crime prevention specialist and certified South Carolina firefighter. I have diverse leadership experience that I must attribute to the United States military, because it is one of very few in the nation that teaches leadership 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, he said. Johnson says directives are great, but inspiration is awesome. Any time you can inspire someone to work compared to giving them a directive, you have a lot less abrasiveness thats going on because youre leading by example from the front, he said. Johnson says his passion and compassion set him apart. Being a certified crime-prevention specialist, we come across different diverse groups of people being good and bad. When you have that passion and compassion for the job, it makes you get up and work all the time and make sure theres greater good on behalf of Orangeburg County, he said. If elected, Johnson has plans to decentralize the sheriffs office. I dont think its fair that someone who lives down in Eutaw Springs, which is the most eastern part of this county, has to come all the way to Orangeburg for a non-emergency situation to do business with the sheriffs office, nor is it fair for anyone out of Sawyerdale, which is the most western tip, to do the same, he said. Johnson says having three bureaus will be the solution to that problem. Ellis Avenue would be considered central, which is headquarters. I would seek to open a bureau in eastern Orangeburg County and in western Orangeburg County. Those offices would be assigned to specified patrol bureaus, he continued. Implementing a neighborhood resource officer unit is also on the candidates agenda. Johnson says he will work to make sure all people feel like theyre getting the same level of service from the sheriffs office. He says hell also work to make sure hes accessible to citizens who want to talk to him. I will be 100 percent accountable. If a citizen has a complaint, I will make myself accessible and leave the office myself, he said. Johnson says hes concerned about staffing and turnover at the sheriffs office. Theres no consistency no consistency at all. Criminals are having a field day in our county, he said. Johnson also has the goal to make OCSO a nationally accredited agency. My youthfulness puts me in a great place in such a desperate time, because it allows me to not only relate to the youth, but also to reach forward to our elders as well, and take care of the community as a combined unit, which will place me in a unique position to provide excellent service, he said. Kenneth McCaster McCaster is approaching his 30th year in law enforcement. The Columbia native lives in Cordova and obtained a bachelors degree in history and government at Limestone College in Gaffney. McCaster completed his graduate studies at Troy University and South Carolina State University, earning masters degrees in criminal justice and rehab counseling. He is currently a criminal justice instructor at S.C. State. I believe Im educated and a peoples person. I believe that people in rural areas are not being served like they should be, McCaster said. McCaster says the sheriffs office is basically operated out of Orangeburg and, if elected, his goal is to decentralize the sheriffs department and bring service closer to the people. This will increase interaction with citizens and decrease travel to the main office on Ellis Avenue for the elderly and other citizens who are not able to travel far, he said. I think my approach to law enforcement is more focused on community policing. I want more of a neighborhood-type department, rather than a militarized department, McCaster said. Building at least four substations in rural areas and keeping the Orangeburg facility open 24 hours are also on McCasters task list. I want to create a residential deputy program, which means each community will have at least one deputy and one investigator who, along with regional sergeants and lieutenants, will be responsible for responding to the concerns of citizens who live in that community, he said. McCaster says the biggest complaint hes received on the campaign trail deals with response time. People are saying it takes deputies 30 to 45 minutes to get to them. Having deputies already out in the community will cut down the response time, he said. The candidate says he doesnt think the sheriffs office is successful in fighting crime. I think theyre reacting to crime after its already been committed. Theyre not really fighting crime at all, McCaster said. Programs are needed. We need proactive approaches to crime rather than a reactive. McCaster says people should vote for him because hes focused on community policing. We will bring the services to the people so they wont have to travel 30 miles for a police report. Thats very important, he said. Leroy Ravenell Ravenell says he knows without a doubt that he is the best candidate for the job. I think the people of Orangeburg County see the progress that we have made here in Orangeburg with me being the leader of the sheriffs office, he said. A 29-year law enforcement veteran, Ravenell has been sheriff for five years. He has also been an adjunct criminal justice professor at Claflin University for the past seven years. Ravenell obtained a bachelors degree in sociology and criminal justice from Claflin University and a masters degree in criminal justice from Troy University. Under his leadership, the sheriffs office created a course with the Criminal Justice Academy for officers to remain physically fit. It cuts down on workmans comp. When youre physically fit, you do things that you really cant do when youre just riding around in the patrol car, Ravenell said. The sheriffs office also has a training facility which includes a state-of-the-art shooting range. Many of the items there were donated by citizens of the county, he said. Ravenell says the training facility has helped the sheriffs office reduce overtime by allowing officers to train at their convenience, instead of waiting to use the citys facility. We have different agencies from across the state that can come in and train. We can get money from that for the county, he said. Officers are also now equipped with stun guns. That cuts down on liability claims and workmans comp, because if you dont have to physically try to arrest someone, that Taser plays a part in helping us restrain a person, Ravenell said. Orangeburg County now has partnerships with the City of Orangeburg, the State Law Enforcement Division and federal agencies. We have partnerships throughout the state and the country to get things done, Ravenell said. The sheriffs office has been developing plans for regional offices, officials say. Ravenell says he has proven he has strong leadership skills and has the ability to bring people together. Im one of 17 sheriffs that serve on the domestic violence committee on the sheriffs association, and thats nationally, he said. Ravenell says he is also stable. Ive been here. I dont plan to go anywhere. I take what I do seriously, and I dont take it for granted, he said. The candidate says there are more officers at the sheriffs office with not only bachelors degrees, but masters degrees. The office even has a staff member with a doctorate. People can go other places and get $10,000 more, but theyve been here and committed to stay here in Orangeburg County, and that makes a big difference for the citizens in this county, Ravenell said. He added, You have not only dedicated, but educated people working for the county. In a recent candidates forum, Johnson argued that the sheriffs office has a high turnover rate. Ravenell says lets not misinform the public. If weve got some numbers, lets at least be able to explain the numbers. Ravenell says 72 people have left the sheriffs office since 2011. Of the 72 people, 35 voluntary resigned and 30 of those people were hired at other agencies with Ravenells recommendation. It wasnt like they walked out one day, and said Im going another place, and Im not coming back. A majority of them stayed in law enforcement. For example, three of those people went to the academy to teach, Ravenell said. Twelve people were terminated six for criminal matters and six for policy violations. In law enforcement, you cant tolerate certain things, he said. The OCSO had 11 medical departures. Six people retired. Two temporary clerks were on grants. Two other employees grants ended, and one employee left on disability. After World War II, the United States moved swiftly to turn enemies into friends. Rebuilding Germany and Japan was of vital importance in the post-war world. For those who fought in the horrific battles against both countries, and for the families and friends of the thousands lost, there wasnt much time to accept that yesterdays enemy was to be tomorrows friend. The Vietnam experience was different. It has taken more than 40 years for the United States to move to near normalcy in relations with Vietnam, the Southeast Asian country in which more than 58,000 Americans died in the 1960s and early 70s in an effort to halt communist expansion. This past week, President Barack Obama became just the third sitting president to visit Vietnam since the wars end. In moving to further improve relations with the one-time enemy, Obama took the step of lifting the U.S. embargo on providing weapons to the Vietnamese. As America observes Memorial Day, we asked Vietnam veterans how they feel about the former enemy becoming a friend. The Times and Democrat sampled opinion from five local veterans profiled in the 2015 series Vietnam: They Served With Honor. (Revisit the series at THE SPOT at TheTandD.com) They are not bitter about the change in policy, seeing it as logical and overdue. I think it is a good thing. It has been a lot of years. It is way overdue, said David Franklin of Orangeburg, who was a squad leader on the ground in 1969 in Vietnam. There is no need in remaining hostile to them, said Tillman Abell of Orangeburg, who was wounded by a grenade in Vietnam in 1968. I am not bitter toward Vietnam. I dont really hate the Vietnamese. I never did. Samuel Williams of Cope, who was wounded by mortar fire while serving as a combat engineer operating five-ton dump trucks, said, I have good confidence in President Obama. If he thinks it is a good idea, I am with it. Wayne Carter of Bamberg, wounded by a grenade during fighting in Vietnam, has no problem with normalizing relations. Sidney Livingston of Woodford, an airman whose experiences included transporting the bodies of dead soldiers during his time in Vietnam, put it simply: We need to be friends. The veterans do not blame Vietnam for the war. Vietnam was fighting what amounted to a proxy war for the Chinese and Russians, Abell said. History shows the United States interfered with what the people of Vietnam wanted. A lot of what happened in Vietnam was our own blunders. Franklin said the lesson of Vietnam has not been adequately learned to this day. We always got a tendency of sticking our nose in other peoples wars, he said. We should not have stuck our nose in that (Vietnam). As to the friendship including U.S. weaponry for Vietnam, Abell said assisting the Vietnamese makes sense strategically. The Vietnamese and Chinese do not get along, he said. China is a threat to the United States, using economics as a weapon rather than its military. But the Chinese are unafraid to use their military against other Asian countries, Abell said. I dont think we can leave them (Vietnam) at a disadvantage with the Chinese. The veterans are right. Common sense, economics and geopolitical reality make the case for closer ties with Vietnam. And there is no better indicator of just how much attitudes toward Vietnam have changed than veterans opinions of the country today and their desire to see it again. I wanted to go with the president, Franklin said. I have been trying to keep up on how the country is today. I wish I could have gone over with them. I wish he had asked me to go with him, Livingston said. I would like to see the country again. Livingston and Carter cited reports from those having gone back to Vietnam. It is a wonderful country, Livingston said. They treat Americans like royalty. Veterans say Vietnam is a very impressive country, Carter said. The people of that country have long since gotten over the war. So have the veterans in the broader sense. But even in wanting to see the country again, they do not forget what happened there. Carter has considered returning himself, still remembering the shrapnel wounds that impact his life to this day: I would love to go right back to the spot. As New York Republicans went to the polls for their primary April 19, some opponents of Donald Trump clung to the hope that Ted Cruz, or perhaps John Kasich, might deny Trump a few delegates in some of the state's congressional districts. One reason for that hope was New York's highly restrictive voter registration rules, which required party-changers to register as Republicans many months earlier in order to be eligible to vote in the GOP primary. Some crossovers who intended to vote for Trump, the thinking went, would discover when they arrived at the polls that they could not do so. The #NeverTrumpers were hoping, in other words, that rules limiting voter participation might help their cause. Likewise, during the primary season some anti-Trump Republicans paid close attention to the GOP delegate-selection process in Colorado, Wyoming, and North Dakota, the three states that chose not to have presidential preference votes in 2016. Winning there depended on the participation of a relatively small number of highly motivated Republicans who worked through precinct, county, district, and state caucuses. Yes, several thousand Republicans participated in conventions there, but there's no doubt Colorado, Wyoming, and North Dakota had less voter participation than nearly all states with primaries. For #NeverTrumpers, fewer voters equaled higher hopes. Trump called the system in those states "rigged" and accused some Republican leaders of trying to frustrate the will of the voters. "It's about the voters, it's not about the bosses," Trump said the week of the New York primary, which he won with 60 percent of the vote. "We're going to show that it's about the voters. I win all of the time when it's up to the voters." Now Trump has effectively clinched the Republican nomination, and one conservative voice against Trump has radically upped the ante on limiting voter participation. In a May 20 Washington Post op-ed, David Harsanyi, a senior editor at The Federalist, argued that millions of voters are so ill-informed that they cannot be trusted to make responsible decisions and must therefore be "weeded out" -- barred from voting "for the good of our democratic institutions." "By weeding out millions of irresponsible voters who can't be bothered to learn the rudimentary workings of the Constitution, or their preferred candidate's proposals or even their history, we may be able to mitigate the recklessness of the electorate," Harsanyi wrote. Harsanyi proposed a test for voters along the lines of the test given to immigrants seeking to become United States citizens. The test would pass constitutional muster, Harsanyi said, because it would somehow "ensure that all races, creeds, genders and sexual orientations and people of every socioeconomic background are similarly inhibited from voting when ignorant." Poll taxes, literacy tests, and other impediments to voting have been ruled unconstitutional by courts or outlawed by legislation for many years. Harsanyi is by no means the first conservative to suggest a test for voting. After Harsanyi's article appeared, National Review's Jonah Goldberg tweeted, "I've been making a similar argument for years," linking to pieces from 2007 and 2014. Others have proposed similar ideas. In March, National Review's Kevin D. Williamson, a determined Trump opponent, expressed his hope that the constitutional structure of checks and balances might somehow stop a Trump victory, since it is "designed to frustrate 'We the People' when the people fall into dangerous and violent error of the sort with which they are now flirting." The various discussions of Trump and voting raise questions about the position conservatives and Republicans have taken on the most contentious voting-related issue of recent years, the fight over voter ID. For a long time, conservatives and Republicans have advocated commonsense measures to ensure the integrity of elections. Those measures boiled down to one thing: a voter should be able to prove who he or she is when voting. The solution, voter ID, was not only reasonable but publicly supported and approved by the courts -- after all, if one has to present ID to board a plane or buy Sudafed, why is it overly burdensome to require the same to vote? Democrats have long responded by accusing conservatives and Republicans of attempting to suppress the vote. Conservatives and Republicans strongly denied the charge. But now, with the new conservative/Republican arguments made in the context of Trump's rise -- a test for voting, limited-participation elections, condemnations of democracy in general -- it's hard not to wonder whether Democrats were right about the other side all along. There are clearly some conservatives and Republicans who dislike the voters' choice -- Trump -- so much that they would limit the voters' right to choose. One last issue. The Democratic charge of GOP voter suppression almost always came with an allegation of racism -- the accusation that Republicans were specifically trying to disenfranchise minority voters. Now, however, conservative and Republican voter-limitation talk comes in the context of Trump's victories in the GOP primaries, which mostly did not involve minority voters. So perhaps the best way to describe what is happening is that Trump's success has brought to the fore an anti-democratic streak that has long been present in some conservatives and Republicans. ----- Byron York is chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner. We delivered to our soldiers out in the field. We rode day, night, any time of night to take supplies to support our soldiers out there in th What surprises many conservatives - and angers many leftists - is the fact that Sheriff Clarke is a Democrat. For years, the Left has smeared law enforcement officers as racists by claiming that black and other minority crime suspects are more likely to be shot by police. To hear many liberals tell it, police cruise around looking for minority kids to gun down for sport, according to a well-known black sheriff who has been angry with the treatment of law enforcement by the likes of leftist.But now science has shown this leftist narrative to be a lie. A study was conducted at Washington State University using active duty police and highly realistic simulators that mimic dangerous scenarios officers encounter in the line of duty. The result? Police are significantly less likely to mistakenly shoot minority suspects, and took significantly longer to fire at armed black suspects than armed white suspects, according to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, County Sheriff David Clarke.noted Sheriff Clarke.But the results of this study suggest that many officers' judgment in critical moments is affected by concerns of political correctness. In a life or death situation, law enforcement officers shouldn't have to second-guess themselves because of worries about how their actions will be judged after the fact by liberals looking to further a "cops are racists" narrative This past Sunday - May 25, 2016 - was the 25th annual Law Enforcement Memorial Day, honoring officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The results of this study show another way cops are more at risk because of liberal anti-cop smears.Sixty percent (60%) of voters believe comments critical of the police by some politicians make it more dangerous for police officers to do their jobs. Only 17% believe most politicians raise racial issues to address real problems. Seventy percent (70%) think they talk about race and discrimination just to get elected.she added.As far as overall race relations, only 20% of likely voters believe President Obama has succeeded in bringing the races closer together, according to the Rasmussen Reports survey. Forty-seven percent (47%) say they believe President Obama - who is mixed-race - has caused greater division between different races. Twenty-seven percent (27%) say his words and actions have had no major impact either way. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. We often think we can read someones personality from their gait but while many of those assumptions are wrong, your walk may nevertheless reveal the one thing you are trying to hide. If you saw a man walk into a bar with a John Wayne swagger, you might assume that hes a confident, tough kind of guy. Or perhaps youd have less polite thoughts. Either way, you probably wouldnt be able to help yourself from jumping to conclusions about his personality based on his gait. Psychologists have been studying these assumptions for well over three quarters of a century, and their findings suggest that most of us do tend to make very similar interpretations of other peoples personalities based on their walking style. After watching that wannabe cowboy walk into the bar, the likelihood is that you and I would agree about the kind of personality he has. But how accurate are these assumptions? And what other kinds of characteristics can we read from someones gait? Chillingly, the best person to ask may be a psychopath. Lets look first at the research into gait and personality. One of the earliest investigations was published in 1935 by German-born psychologist Werner Wolff. He filmed five men and three women without them knowing, as they took part in a ring-throwing task while wearing overalls (to conceal other personality give-aways). Later, the participants watched back the films, which had been edited to hide their heads, and they made interpretations of each others personalities based purely on their gaits. The study features some quaint details - the sound of the recording reel had to be camouflaged with a ticking metronome, for instance. More importantly, Wolff found that his participants readily formed impressions of each other based on their gaits, and that there was often a lot of agreement in their judgments. For example, consider some of the descriptions given independently by the participants for Subject 45: Pretentious, with no foundation for it. Somebody who wants to gain attention at any price. Conscious and intentional vanity, eager to be admired. Inwardly insecure, tries to appear secure to others. Dull, somewhat subaltern, insecure. It seems amazing that the participants formed such similar impressions for this subject and others. Of course, with such a small sample and the possibility that the participants were picking up on other cues besides gait, there are problems with this early research (the participants also knew each other, although they were poor at recognising who was who from the videos). Modern experiments are more sophisticated, not least because of digital technology that can transform a persons walk into a simple point-light display against a black background, with white dots showing the movement of each of their key joints. This strips out any other cues besides the motion of their gait. Swing or sway Using this approach, US psychologists in the late 1980s found that there are broadly two kinds of walk, which could be characterised by either a more youthful or older style of movement. The former involving a more bouncy rhythm, more swaying of the hips, larger arm swings and more frequent steps, while the latter was stiffer and slower with more leaning forward. Crucially, the gait did not necessarily correspond to the walkers actual age you could be young with an old gait and vice versa. Furthermore, the observers assumed that people who walked with a younger style were happier and more powerful. This remained the case even when their actual age was made apparent by revealing their faces and bodies. Such research shows again how readily and consistently people make inferences about others based on seeing the way they walk, but the study didnt address the question of whether these assumptions are accurate. For that, we must turn to a British and Swiss study published just a few years ago, which compared peoples ratings of their own personalities with the assumptions other people made about them based on point-light displays of their walks. Their results suggested again that there are two main walking styles, although this study described them in slightly different terms: the first was said to be an expansive, loose style, which observers saw as a mark of adventurousness, extraversion, trustworthiness and warmth; the other was a slow, relaxed style, which observers interpreted as a sign of emotional stability. But crucially, the observers judgments were wrong these two different walking styles were not actually correlated with these traits, at least not based on the walkers ratings of their own personalities. False impression The message from all this research is that we treat a persons gait much like we treat their face, clothing or accent as a source of information about the kind of person they are. Its just that, whereas the evidence suggests our assessments are rather good for faces, we tend to make false assumptions based on gait. At least, thats the case for most of the judgements we make. But there is a rather more sinister way that we do make more accurate judgments about each other based on our walks and it has to do with our vulnerability. Some of the earliest findings showed that men and women with a shorter stride, smaller arm swing and slower walk tend to be seen as more vulnerable (note the similarity to the older walking style found in the personality research). A rather disturbing Japanese study, published in 2006, added to this by asking men to say how likely it was that they would chat up or inappropriately touch different female students who were depicted in point-light displays. Based purely on the womens gait, the men tended to say that they would be more likely to make uninvited advances towards the women with more vulnerable personality traits, such as being more introverted and emotionally unstable. More worrying still, research has shown that imprisoned inmates with higher psychopathy scores are particularly accurate at detecting which people have previously been attacked in the past, simply from watching video clips of them walking down a hall. It seems that some of the inmates were fully aware of this ability: the higher scorers in psychopathy specifically stated that they paid attention to the peoples gait when making their judgements. This tallies with anecdotal evidence. For example, serial killer Ted Bundy reportedly said that he could tell a victim from the way that she walked down the street. This entire field of research raises the question of whether you can adapt your walking style to change the impression you give. Some research suggests you can learn to walk in way that sends a message of invulnerability faster with a longer stride and bolder arm movements and that women instinctively adopt elements of this style when in less safe environments. But the psychologists who examined the personality profiles associated with those expansive and slow or relaxed walking styles say that it is by no means clear whether these particular gaits could be taught. So its probably not advisable to try too hard to make an impression. Otherwise it may just come across as a desperate attempt at the bravado of Subject 45 or that swaggering cowboy. Join 600,000+ Future fans by liking us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and Instagram. If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called If You Only Read 6 Things This Week. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Earth, Culture, Capital, Travel and Autos, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Goldsboro, N.C. Governor Pat McCrory and N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Nick Tennyson joined state and local representatives Friday morning to open the completed U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass. The new bypass will relieve heavy traffic congestion, improve local access and increase safety along the corridor.Governor McCrory said.The 11.9-mile eastern section that opens today completes the bypass, which now spans more than 20 miles from U.S. 70 just west of N.C. 581 in Wayne County to U.S. 70 just east of Promise Land Road in Lenoir County. The construction cost for the entire bypass project is approximately $235 million, meeting its planned budget expectations.The project was completed in three sections, with the 3.9-mile central section opening to traffic in December 2011 and the 5.9-mile western section opening in October 2015."The Goldsboro Bypass illustrates how North Carolina is improving mobility and preparing for growth through new transportation infrastructure," Secretary Tennyson said. "We are able to complete more critical improvements like this throughout North Carolina thanks to the 2015 budget signed by Governor McCrory that added more than $700 million in new funding for transportation projects."The new bypass is a major part of Governor McCrory's 25-Year Transportation Vision to enhance travel safety and to better connect North Carolinians to jobs, education, healthcare and recreation opportunities.Specifically, the bypass will provide greater access to key destinations along the U.S. 70 corridor, including Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, the State Port in Morehead City, and the Global TransPark in Kinston, as well as North Carolina's Crystal Coast. The project will also improve connections to Interstate 95. On Wednesday, The American Association of State and Transportation approved I-42 as the designation for the U.S. 70 corridor between I-40 and Morehead City."The designation of the U.S. 70 corridor as an interstate will facilitate economic growth in Eastern North Carolina by enhancing freight movement and encouraging businesses to move to the region," continued Governor McCrory.New transportation projects in the state's current 10-year plan are funded through the Strategic Mobility Formula, a new way of more efficiently investing transportation dollars by using a data-driven scoring process along with local input to fund more projects and create more jobs. The new mobility formula was passed into law in 2013 under Governor McCrory's leadership.The road will be open to traffic this afternoon, following the conclusion of the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Further improvements to the road, such as the installation of large overhead signs to delineate the U.S. 70 Bypass, will be completed after the opening. NCDOT has notified private mapping companies to ensure the bypass will populate on mobile phones.For more information on the U.S. Goldsboro Bypass project, visit the project's website Crystal Feldman The French city of Reims, located 143km from Paris, hosted an event featuring an enthralling mix of Azerbaijani business, culture and music on 26 May. This was hosted by the CCI Reims-Eperney, and organised by the French office of The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS), in partnership with Jazzus Productions, CCI International Champagne-Ardenne and the Azerbaijani Embassy to France. This was also a celebration of Azerbaijani Republic Day remembering the achievements of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), the first democracy in the Muslim East which existed from 191820. The afternoon began with a roundtable focusing on how cultural co-operation can create economic opportunities as a vehicle for increasing understanding of the country, its tolerance, and westward-facing stance, attended by over 30 company representatives of Reims and its region. Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Director, TEAS France, explained how the meeting came in the wake of events held in Reims in 2012 when it hosted the now-famous Azerbaijan Pearl of the Caucasus exhibition, opened by Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady of Azerbaijan. Last year, TEAS decided to support the creation of a new jazz festival in the city, known as the Sunnyside Festival, founded by Jazzus Productions. It facilitated the participation of Azerbaijani jazz pianist Emil Afrasiyab and his Quartet. The enthusiasm generated by this collaboration provided the groundwork to add cultural and business roundtables to the proceedings. Mrs Gourdin explained how Azerbaijan is a close partner to the EU, and that the country is officially secular, combining the oriental and European. She outlined how TEAS is contributing towards developing links between French and Azerbaijani cities, mentioning examples from Colmar and Mulhouse, where TEAS organised its Azerbaijan Through the Lens exhibition and participated in the Christmas Market, which showcased typical Azerbaijani products for French consumers. Composer Pierre Thilloy spoke of his experiences in Azerbaijan since he began visiting the country regularly as Composer-in-Residence for the French Embassy in Azerbaijan in 2001. He explained how music remains integral to every element of Azerbaijani life and is a key to comprehending the country. Mr Thilloy referred to the great 20th century symphonic tradition of such Azerbaijani composers as Gara Garayev and Fikret Amirov, and how music can be harnessed to speak of difficult or challenging subjects. His sentiments were reflected by Jean Delestrade, Co-Founder of Jazzus Productions, organiser of the Sunnyside Jazz Festival. Looking forward to the concert by the Elchin Shirinov Trio that evening, he commented how the three participations of Azerbaijani jazz musicians in the Festival Jazz a Saint-Germain-des-Pres Paris organised by TEAS France and this second participation in the Sunnyside festival were placing Azerbaijan on the map for jazz fans. The Paris festival has previously featured the now-famous Isfar Sarabski and Emil Afrasiyab and will now also place Elchin Shirinov in the spotlight. He commented that those musicians from France and other countries who were collaborating with Azerbaijani jazz artistes are now beginning to understand the country through its music. Ayaz Gojayev, Cultural Counsellor and First Secretary, Azerbaijani Embassy to France, spoke of the cultural work undertaken by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in France, such as the restoration of five 14th century stained glass windows in Strasbourg Cathedral; contributing to the restoration of several rural churches in the Basse-Normandie region; and playing an integral role in creating the Islamic art department in the Louvre Museum. He discussed the importance of establishing friendship and co-operation charters between French regions and towns and those in Azerbaijan. Since 2011, 11 such charters have been signed, and there is a high level of decentralised co-operation between France and Azerbaijan in business and cultural terms. An agreement on academic exchange has also been signed between Ganja University and Reims University, and it is hoped that todays meetings will prompt new areas of collaboration between Reims and Azerbaijan. A second roundtable concentrating on economic opportunities in the Azerbaijani non-oil sector followed. The Azerbaijani government is currently seeking to diversify the economy away from over-reliance on hydrocarbons and is seeking collaboration with French businesses. This presentation before over 30 local industry kingpins gave an invaluable overview of the economic fabric of the country; its business climate; investment opportunities; and presentations covering a range of sectors, including viticulture; agribusiness; tourism; and pharmaceutical manufacture. Mrs Gourdin began by outlining the strengths of the Azerbaijani economy, but also the challenges that it currently faces in seeking to achieve diversification. She explained that the country is open to French investment, joint ventures and the application of French industrial specialist knowledge, and that such developments as the Baku International Seaport and the launch of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are aimed at kickstarting the non-oil economy. Lawyer James Hogan, Partner at Dentons, which supported the event, gave an insight into the judicial and business environment in Azerbaijan, including its political stability, the emergent middle-class, the respect for the inviolability of contracts and the genuine will to diversify the economy. He explained some of the agreements that have been ratified by France and Azerbaijan, aimed at eliminating double-taxation and fiscal fraud, and the legislation that has been passed to attract and protect the interests of foreign investors. The tax and customs dispensations and simplifications of SEZs were also outlined, as was the concept of the single window for business registration that facilitates completion in less than five working days. Sarkhan Alakbarov, Representative of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of the Azerbaijani Republic (ASK), who was recently nominated as official representative of ASK in France, explained how ASK provides a platform for Azerbaijani entrepreneurs to enter the French market and vice-versa, providing legal counsel and match-making opportunities. Finally, Claude Humbert, Director of Industry, Innovation, International Relations and Durable Development, CCI International Champagne-Ardenne, outlined the industries of the region, many of which mirror those currently being developed in Azerbaijan, indicating where there is scope for future collaboration, especially in the agricultural sector, the region being the primary producer of cereals in France. The evening culminated with a jazz concert by the Elchin Shirinov Trio as part of the annual Sunnyside Jazz Festival before around 120 ecstatic fans. Pianist Shirinov combines elements of post-bop jazz, blues and funk with the modes, melodies and microtones of Azerbaijani mugham and classical music. Throughout, Shirinovs pianistic pyrotechnics entranced the jazz cognoscenti, particularly in his variations around the Waltz from Gara Garayevs ballet The Seven Beauties one of the most best-known Azerbaijani classical pieces; Sari Gelin and Durna, two of the most popular Azerbaijani folksongs; and his reflective self-penned compositions Waiting, Missing and Muse, many of which featured the sound of the Melodica, a wind-operated keyboard, which he balanced on top of the grand piano. The evening saw him team up with electric bassist Linley Marthe, who previously played with fusion pioneer and Weather Report group founder Joe Zawinul; and American drummer Eric Harland, who has played with the free jazz figurehead Charles Lloyd. The Elchin Shirinov Trio will play again on 27 May in Paris, as part of the renowned Festival Jazz a Saint-Germain-des-Pres Paris, with the support of TEAS. The Embassy of Azerbaijan in the United Kingdom has organized an official reception to mark 28 May - the Republic Day. Co-chair of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society on behalf of Azerbaijan, rector of Baku branch of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva and Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the event. The event brought together state and government officials of the UK, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in London, as well as Her Majesty's Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps Alistair Harrison, Secretary General of the Socialist International Luis Ayala and representatives of Azerbaijani and Turkish societies. Addressing the event, Azerbaijan`s Ambassador Tahir Taghizade provided an insight into the history of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, adding it was the first democratic republic in Muslim East. He also highlighted economic, social and political relations of Azerbaijan. Touching upon bilateral ties between the UK and Azerbaijan, Tahir Taghizade hailed energy cooperation between the countries. The diplomat also praised the activity of the UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy in Azerbaijan. He said there were wide opportunities for the development of the bilateral cooperation in the non-energy sector. The Ambassador lauded the role of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society and The European Azerbaijan Society in developing bilateral bonds between the two countries. Tahir Taghizade also highlighted the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Director of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom Michael Tatham noted that bilateral relations between the two countries were steadily developing. Michael Tatham said there was big potential for the further development of the bilateral ties, adding the UK government was interested in expanding relations with Azerbaijan. Head of the Azerbaijan-UK working group on interparliamentary relations Javanshir Feyziyev highlighted the interparliamentary ties between the two countries. The event participants also watched a documentary on Azerbaijan`s history and culture. Kuwait on Sunday handed over 47 Iranian prisoners to Iran under a mutual prisoner exchange agreement, IRNAreported. According to Iran Foreign Ministry, the decision was carried out under the terms of a mutual agreement to implement a prisoner exchange which was penned two years ago. This number of convicts transferred to Iran is the largest of inmates who have been released since the 1979 Islamic Turkey's new government won a parliamentary vote of confidence on Sunday, Anadolu Agency reported. Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party chairman Binali Yildirim's government received 315 votes while 138 lawmakers voted against the administration. The party has 317 deputies in the 550-seat Grand National Assembly. Only 453 deputies attended Sunday's vote. In a statement earlier, the AK Party said one of its deputies was unable to attend the vote; the remaining deputy is the speaker of parliament and is excluded from voting. Yildirim named a new cabinet on May 22 after former prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu's resignation on May 5. Leading international real estate consultancy Cluttons has announced a senior appointment within its UAE business, with Murray Strang being named as the new head of Cluttons Dubai. With Cluttons business continuing to grow in the UAE against the backdrop of a challenging real estate market, Strang will be responsible for the sustainable growth of the companys Dubai offering, while working closely with other local and regional office heads to drive the companys business strategy in the region. Strang will succeed Steve Morgan, who was appointed as the companys youngest ever senior partner earlier this year. Commenting on the appointment, Morgan said: "It gives me great pleasure to see Murray appointed as the head of our Dubai business, as he has been instrumental in its growth over the past number of years." "This is a significant appointment for Cluttons and one that is integral to our companys Middle East business strategy. I look forward to working closely with Murray to realise the potential of our business in the UAE," he added. Strang has eight years experience in the UAEs real estate industry, having first joined Herron Todd White property valuers in Abu Dhabi in 2008. Strang moved to Cluttons in 2010 as a member of the commercial valuation team before assuming the responsibility of the commercial agency department. In that role, he further developed the department to incorporate investment consultancy services. Strang will now be responsible for leading Cluttons Dubai offices delivery of a diverse range of services including residential sales and leasing, commercial leasing and investment, consultancy, property and facilities management and valuation. On his new role, Strang said: "It is a great honour to be appointed head of Cluttons Dubai in our 40th year of operation. Since joining the business, I have seen our capabilities grow across many different sectors here in the UAE and I look forward to the challenge of carrying on the companys momentum and sustaining that growth for many years to come. Strang serves on the RICS National Association Board for the UAE and is also an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, an RICS-registered valuer and expert witness. He will take up his new position with effect from June 1.-TradeArabia News Service Emirates Investment Bank, a leading investment banking boutique headquartered in Dubai, said it has secured major funding for Abu Dhabi-based Emirates College of Technology (ECT) to build its new campus in Masdar City. The campus, being built on a 20,790-sq-m plot of land, will accommodate both males and females in one location. Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2018 with the new batch of students starting fall of 2018-2019. On completion, the campus will allow the institute to increase the capacity to 5,000-plus students with all world-class facilities. Emirates Investment Bank, a client-focused, independent private and investment banking boutique headquartered in Dubai, had acted as sole financial advisor to ECT on the successful equity private placement. Established over 20 years ago, ECT is the first private higher education institute in Abu Dhabi duly licensed and accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Wael Al Anqar, the head of the board of trustees of ECT, said: "The Masdar City campus will allow us to provide our students with a greater learning experience by teaching in a purpose-built facility with the entire student body in one place." "Being based in Masdar City, we will have room to expand over time alongside the expected growth of our student population. We are delighted to have the financing in place and we are now looking forward to opening our new facilities in September, 2018," stated Al Anqar. Husam Kutaifan, the head of investment banking at Emirates Investment Bank, said: "We are proud to have been able to help ECT raise funds for the construction of their new campus, a project that is strategically important for the future of the UAE." "As a boutique private bank with an established investment banking team, we specialise in helping clients navigate complex financial situations and to have placed this deal during a challenging market environment is a testament to our strong distribution and execution platforms," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The global wearable technology market is on the rise, and is expected to be worth $34 billion by 2020, according to a recent Forbes report. With the emergence of a more affluent consumer health market, wearables are poised to revolutionise the healthcare industry, said the report. In line with this market trend, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Middle East and the Watch Society will collaborate to hold the Watch Society Conference on November 1, during the UAE eHealth Weeks Dubai leg, said a statement. According to Dr Homero Rivas, Watch vice president and secretary, wearables can be powerful, unobtrusive and elegant so they offer a variety of solutions for clinical use and patient-related issues. As the congress president for last year's conference, he also mentioned that generated data resulting from the use of wearables will offer exciting propositions for medical science and patient treatment, added the statement. Implementing successful implementation of wearables in the healthcare industry requires academic evidence, research, and partnerships to ensure that patient safety and care quality are significantly improved while investments remain sustainable, it said. The market also faces challenges which includes scalability, patient privacy, physician resistance and costs, it stated. It will be significant for UAE Healthcare that the UAE eHealth Week and the conference will be held concurrently, giving attendees the opportunity to discuss how wearable technologies can contribute to patient-centered care and better healthcare outcomes for the years to come as digitisation continues to transform how, when and where care is delivered and received, said the statement. The topics to be discussed at the event will include adopting wearable technologies - innovation versus governance; the physician and patient sides of wearables; finding opportunities for digital health and wearables in healthcare; the future of wearable technologies, it added. TradeArabia News Service Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the Bahrain-based international smelter, announced that the capex associated with Line 6 Expansion Project was brought-down from $3.5 billion to around $3 billion. As per the initial bankable feasibility study, the capex for Line 6 Expansion Project - comprising the construction of a sixth pot line and power station 5 - was estimated at $3.5 billion. "However, following our on-going review in response to the lower oil prices and commodity markets soft conditions, the capex has significantly shrinked to approximately $3 billion," the company said. Albas chief executive officer Tim Murray said: We are pleased to arrive at a lower capex as that will reduce the debt burden when financing the construction of the sixth pot line and power station 5. The project has been gaining, recently, significant momentum and our Line 6 team is gearing-up on all fronts. Albas Line 6 Expansion Project timeline remains on track with first hot metal scheduled for in early January 2019. Alba is now looking at different scenarios in the structuring and financing for the project, a statement said. TradeArabia News Service Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of ports and Khalifa Industrial Zone in the emirate, recently presented the integrated offerings of Khalifa Port and Kizad to Chinese businessmen at an exclusive business event in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Organised by Abu Dhabi Ports in association with the Embassy of China in the UAE and the Chinese Business Council, the event attracted over 80 top Chinese businessmen from across the UAE, said a statement from Abu Dhabi Ports. The value proposition represented by Kizad, the integrated trade and industrial hub of Abu Dhabi, and Khalifa Port, the maritime gateway to Abu Dhabi, were detailed in the half-day event titled Opportunities in Abu DhabiA Global Trade, Manufacturing and Logistics Hub, it added. Keynote speeches were delivered by He Song, the economic and commercial counsellor at the Chinese embassy, and Captain Wang Song, chairman of the Chinese Business Council. Mana Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla, chief operating officer of Kizad, delivered the welcome address. Al Mulla said: Abu Dhabi Ports values the collaboration of the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Business Council, who share a common goal of contributing to the economic development of the UAE. Our aim is to present a new platform of opportunities. With Khalifa Port at Kizads door step, the outstanding access to markets, world-class infrastructure and tailored solutions available, will prove attractive to Chinese businesses and I am confident that our offerings have the potential to support their efforts to boost trade ties between China and the UAE, he added. Song said: There are many Chinese investors keen to expand their businesses into Chinas largest Middle East market. This event will contribute to the bilateral economic relations between China and the UAE. Exploring new opportunities to further invest in attracting additional businesses to the emirates is a welcomed initiative, he said. The industrial zone also provides solutions to meet investors evolving requirements, and has recently launched Phase 2 of its Kizad Logistics Park warehouses. Currently Kizad has around 90 national and international investors, and a total of 13 million sq m of land leased that represents a total investment of more than Dh55 billion ($4.97 billion), it said. Khalifa Port recorded a 32 per cent annual growth in 2015 making it the fastest growing port in the Middle East with an existing capacity to handle 2.5 million TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units/containers) and 12 million tonnes of general cargo. Khalifa Port currently serves over 20 shipping lines, three of which are Chinese, and is directly linked with more than 52 destination ports, with 10 of them being based in China, it added. TradeArabia News Service Iran is set to sign a contract for the sale of crude oil and petroleum gas (LPG) to Indonesia, a report said. Indonesian Energy Minister Sudirman Said will discuss bilateral ties in Tehran, Iran, today (May 29) and sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the purchase, the Iran Daily report added. Iran's Economy Minister Ali Tayyebnia had recently said that Iran is ready to supply 200,000 barrels of oil per day to Indonesia, the report said, citing Fars News Agency. Atlantis, The Palm was named the Best Family-Friendly Hotel' at the Middle East Hotel Awards (MEHA) 2016 in Dubai last week. We are delighted about this recognition, said Serge Zaalof, president and managing director of Atlantis, The Palm. This award is the result of the hard work, sincere dedication and commitment of the Atlantis team which reflects their efforts to continuously strive for perfection and enrich the lives of our guests from all over the world by creating amazing experiences. The Middle East Hotel Awards is a premier event celebrating excellence in the hotel and hospitality industry in the region. It has evolved from the long established and leading industry event The Hotel Show Dubai from the hospitality portfolio at dmg events (Daily Mail Group) which produces other leading global industry events and media across many industries. The event presents not just the opportunity to bring together over 400 hoteliers for a night of celebration, but the rigorous six months judging process draws out the most outstanding hotels and team achievements and helps to continuously raise benchmarks and standards across our industry. - TradeArabia News Service Expo 2020 Dubai today announced the formation of its Premier Partnership with Emirates Airline to help bring 25 million visitors to Dubai for the global mega event. Under the agreement, Emirates Airline will be Expo 2020 Dubai's official airline partner. The partnership agreement, which was signed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general Bureau Expo Dubai 2020, links Emirates, one of the worlds largest international airlines, with the Expo which will be one of the most-visited global mega events of 2020. As Expo 2020s first Premier Partner, Emirates Airline will play a key role in bringing visitors to the event. Under the terms of the partnership, Emirates will be a licensed ticket reseller. Emirates strong global brand and marketing efforts, and its extensive route network to over 150 destinations means that it is uniquely well placed to support Expo 2020 Dubai in attracting 25 million visitors, 70 per cent of whom are expected to travel internationally to visit the Expo. The size and duration of the mega event means that Expo 2020 will be one of the most-visited global events that year. Sheikh Ahmed welcomed the partnership, saying: We believe the Expo will contribute greatly towards future thinking and progress, and also strengthen the UAEs role as a global hub that brings together diverse people, institutions, and ideas from around the world, for the betterment of society. Emirates has played an important part in Dubais transformation into an international centre for commerce and tourism, and a globally-connected host city for a truly global event like the Expo. The airline has been an early supporter of Dubais successful bid to host the Expo, will now partner with Expo 2020 to bring this event to Dubai, and to build a lasting legacy for the UAE and the entire region. Al Hashimy commented: Emirates Airline carried over 50 million passengers last year. It is a global super-connector, and has always been forward-thinking and innovative in its outlook, leading the way in offering greater opportunity and mobility to people. It is a natural partner for Expo 2020 Dubai - an event which will bring the world together here in Dubai to celebrate the power of connections to create the innovation and inspiration that will shape our future - as we step onto the global scene. The Premier Partnership with Emirates Airline is the highest of three tiers of partnerships that Expo will be entering into. The agreement grants exclusive rights and benefits for Emirates Airline and other businesses within the Emirates Group, including branding and marketing rights, the ability to leverage signature events such as Youth Connect a forum for young people across the GCC region - held in the run-up to Expo 2020, and the opportunity to have a pavilion at the Expo, giving the airline visibility on a par with the Expos national participants. In addition, Expo 2020 Dubai and Emirates Airline are exploring opportunities on the site in the post-event phase, as part of securing a lasting cultural, and economic legacy for the Expo. The site is located in Dubai South, close to the Al Maktoum International Airport, where Emirates will move its operations to later in the 2020s. - TradeArabia News Service Politics, the old adage goes, makes for strange bedfellows. So it is with a proposal to merge PacifiCorps five-state transmission system with the California Independent System Operator. A combined western grid could save consumers up to $9 billion over the next two decades, according to a study commissioned by the grid operators last year. It could also transform the Wests power system, prompting a boom in wind and solar and an end for many coal-fired plants. But the plan is drawing objections from interests as varied as the Sierra Club and California lawmakers to Wyoming politicians and regulators. No one, it seems, wants to give up control of their transmission wires. Greens fear California, with its requirement to obtain 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, would be required to accept the coal power that now underpins PacifiCorps system. Politicians in Wyoming, one of the five states in the PacifiCorp grid, worry a merger could allow California to import its energy policies via electric wire and prompt a shutdown of the Cowboy States coal plants. Especially galling to them is the fact the CAISO commissioners are appointed by the governor and approved by the state legislature. I am not going to have Wyoming subject to the decisions of the California legislature, Gov. Matt Mead warned in a recent interview. Golden State lawmakers are similarly skeptical of a marriage with Americas top coal mining state, if for an entirely different set of reasons. Six legislators, including Senate President Kevin De Leon, wrote a letter to California Gov. Jerry Brown in February, saying that while they were open to the idea of regionalization, a merger must not undermine state sovereignty or cede authority of our states cutting edge clean energy and climate policies to others who do not have the same strong commitment and legal framework to reduce climate pollution and promote clean energy. A western grid isnt a new idea. The concept of regional transmission system gained some traction around 2000. Whats different this time are renewables. California has so much solar power now that it is essentially turning off panels in the middle of the day because there is nowhere to send the electricity. Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming the five states in PacifiCorp system have significant wind resources, which generally produce late in the day and into the evening. Combine the two, the thinking goes, and you create a cheap, reliable, low-carbon grid. There is already some precedent for such coordination. PacifiCorp and CAISO formed an energy imbalance market in 2014 to help address the variations. In its first year, the EIM, as it is called, generated $21 million in cost savings. Significant challenges nevertheless remain. An integrated grid could cause some PacifiCorp plants to run less because they would have to compete to sell their power on the electricity grid. Under the California model, power generators compete to sell their power to CAISO. The lowest cost power is then sent over the wires to a local utility. PacifiCorp often assumes all three roles in its system. That shift is a concern to Wyoming regulators. As a regulated utility, PacifiCorp is entitled to a guaranteed rate of return on its power plants. If those facilities run less, they worry, consumers might pay forced to make up for the reduced revenues in the form of higher rates. PacifiCorp is now studying what those costs could be. Integration is likely to save money in the long term, said Robert Godby, an economics professor who studies power markets at the University of Wyoming. More resources over a broader area will allow consumers access to the cheapest form of electricity. The question is what happens in the transition, Godby said. PacifiCorp representatives told a panel of Wyoming lawmakers this month that they would not proceed with the merger if regulators in any one of the utilitys five-state region rejected the plan. The promise seemed to do little to quell regulators and lawmakers concerns. California policies are going to flow through those transmission lines and distribution lines into Wyoming homes and businesses, Public Service Commissioner Bill Russell told state lawmakers. If a merger is to go through, he said, Wyoming must negotiate a better deal for the governance of a regional transmission system. On that point, California policymakers would likely disagree. GILLETTE To be a young man in Newcastle is to know your future. There is not much work in this prairie town of 3,532 outside the refinery, the oil field and Black Thunder, the hulking coal mine an hour west of town. Travis Unterseher had plans to break the mold. At 19, the Newcastle native was playing left tackle at Black Hills State University and studying to become an art teacher. Then Black Thunder came calling. When his father was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, he quit school, returned home and found a job at the highway department to help pay the bills. Even then, Unterseher knew moving home meant he was destined for the great mine. I never wanted to, he said. But I knew just with the stuff with my dad that Id end up out there, probably. A few years later he was. But then a funny thing happened: Once Black Thunder had him in its dusty grasp, it let him go. Unterseher spent eight and a half years at the second-largest coal mine in America before being laid off March 31. He was one of 465 workers at two mines to lose their jobs that day. The layoffs spell the arrival of hard times in coals last American stronghold. Wyoming now finds itself confronted with a dilemma faced by other coal-reliant states: how to create new jobs in a country increasingly powered by natural gas and renewables. And miners like Unterseher, now 32, are doing something their predecessors would have once thought unthinkable: Theyre imagining a hardworking future without coal. That task has new urgency today. The low cost of strip mining in the Powder River Basin meant Wyoming mines continued to thrive in recent years, even as their counterparts in Appalachia closed doors and laid off workers en masse. Yet stubbornly low natural gas prices, growing coal inventories and weak demand have finally taken their toll. Production was down 30 percent in the first quarter of the year while the roughly 6,330 people employed in the sector was the lowest total since 2007. As bleak as the picture appears now, the future looks worse. Mounting environmental regulations mean utilities nationwide have few plans to build new coal plants in the coming years. Many of the plants that burn Powder River Basin coal are set to retire around 2040. If we dont see any new plants in the next five to 10 years, there is no long-term future for the coal industry, said John Hanou, an industry consultant. *** Diversification has long been a rallying cry of politicians here. But the states sparse population and its distance from major markets have frustrated a long line of Wyoming leaders seeking to broaden the states economic horizons. Gov. Matt Mead can point to some successes, including the expansion of data centers in Cheyenne and plans for Americas largest onshore wind farm outside Rawlins. The governor has also tried to breathe new life into clean coal research by directing $15 million to the creation of a test center where scientists will experiment with ideas to turn carbon dioxide emissions from power plants into economic products. That effort remains years away, though, and the new job opportunities in the southern part of the state pale in comparison to what coal has provided. Mead, in a nod to those concerns, dispatched a series of state agencies to coal reliant communities in the wake of the March layoffs to connect out-of-work miners to benefits, retraining programs and job openings in state government. His aim: Limit the flow of people from Wyoming at a time when the U.S. economy is slowly but steadily adding jobs. Some laid-off miners say the states efforts have been overwhelmed by the number of people looking for work. In April, the unemployment rate hit 7.9 percent in Campbell County, the heart of coal country. That rate was the highest in the state and up from 3.6 percent the year prior. Unterseher has applied to more than 20 jobs, including positions at the Gillette Police Department, the Gillette school district and the Wyoming Department of Transportation. As of Friday, he had received two calls from the school district (one job went to someone else; another is outstanding) and WYDOT (still waiting for a final answer). Several friends who were laid off from Black Thunder have already left Wyoming to take jobs in hard rock mining in other states. Were just kind of in this weird stasis where nothing is happening, said Maggie Unterseher, his wife. I think that is happening to a lot of families. Theyre interviewing, theyre applying. Its just waiting and the anxiety of waiting. Theyre not leaving yet. The Untersehers are both Newcastle natives. Their relationship was born out of a shared love of Will and Grace, a 2000s sitcom about a gay man and straight woman who are best friends. In a small prairie town, they figured theirs was a different sort of connection. The young couple bought a house last year in Gillette, where Maggie, 26, took a job as a school librarian. Travis, meanwhile, liked working in the mine well enough. As a pit pumper, he was responsible for discharging groundwater from the mine into storage ponds nearby. The pay was particularly nice. The average miners salary is $82,000 a year. When the Untereshers married last October, they went to Europe for their honeymoon. I was getting used to the fun stuff like that, Maggie Unterseher said. Her husband was on his days off when the phone call arrived. He recognized it immediately as the mines human resources department and knew what it meant. For the next week, Unterseher methodically went about his business. He applied for jobs. He went to the state workshop for laid-off miners. After it seemed like he had a handle on the new reality, he and Maggie allowed themselves to join their friends at the bar for a drink. Before we left I was like, It is going to be a late night for me, he said with a grimace, and it was. *** To date, state and local economic development efforts have largely focused on building upon Wyomings existing industries. The market for coal used in commercial products has emerged as an early focal point of their efforts. Shortly after the spate of layoffs, Campbell County officials announced they had reached an agreement with a company hoping to use coal to manufacture activated carbon used in filters at water treatment facilities, car fuel systems and, somewhat ironically, power plant pollution controls. That company, Rex Carbon LLC, remains years away from operation, however. The deal with the county entails only an option to purchase a 247-acre parcel of land. Were on the 10-yard line, and weve got a long way to go, said Phil Christopherson, who leads the local economic development board. Others are set to go into operation this year. A second activated carbon manufacturer, Atlas Carbon, is scheduled to begin work in the third quarter of 2016. The company, which now employs 12 people, is equipped to consume 30,000 tons of coal annually, or enough to produce 15 million tons of activated carbon. At full capacity, the plant will be able to process 200,000 tons of coal to make 100 million pounds of activated carbon. Atlas primary market in the near future will be coal fire-power plants, which will use the carbon to help capture mercury emissions under new federal air quality guidelines. The company is hoping to expand into wastewater and municipal water treatment in the future. There needs to be a revolution in thinking about how coal is used, said Jim Ford, a Gillette native who serves as the companys vice president of operations. Industry needs to shift away from its present use of coal in electricity production towards applications in refined products. But there are limits to that shift, he acknowledged. Weve got to be realistic, Ford said. Something like Atlas, or 10 other companies like Atlas, were not going to put a dent in what coal was doing five or six years ago when coal was at its peak. *** Some answers to Wyomings present woes can be found in Appalachia, where the coal industrys decline has been more protracted and pronounced. Central Appalachia alone lost roughly 7,000 mining jobs between the first quarters of 2015 and 2016, according to an analysis by SNL Energy, a trade publication. Appalachian economic planners cautioned against searching for a silver bullet. No single industry can replace the well-paying jobs the coal industry once provided, they say. What success has been found has often been small-scale and varied. The internet offers opportunities to bring business to the region and allow people to work from home, said Jeff Whitehead, the executive director of the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program. The group helped train some 200 people in tech support jobs last year and has developed a program to teach computer programming to former coal miners. But perhaps the biggest hurdle is mindset. For many workers, coal mining is the only job theyve ever known. Youre not asking someone to change jobs. Youre asking them to change a way of life. Thats difficult to do, Whitehead said. There is a lot of hope that has to be provided to people because they have to do hard things. Building upon the tourism industry, by supporting local restaurants and hotels year-round, has also shown promise, said Peter Hille, president of the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development in Barea, Kentucky. Not only does that help local businesses, but it creates the types of amenities sought by millennial entrepreneurs, who can help grow the economy further. Youre not trying to make just tourism work, its increasing the number of year-round residents who are drinking that craft beer in January, he said. *** Still, there are limits to the Appalachia analogy. Gripping poverty in that region predates the coal industrys collapse, in contrast to Wyoming, where coal towns have prospered since the 1970s, when the passage of the Clean Air Act helped shift the industrys center of gravity from east to west. Oil and gas have long been Wyomings predominant industries, offering employment opportunities not available in Appalachia. And coal mining in the West, despite all its challenges, is not expected to disappear in the near future. The low production costs of strip mining means Wyomings mines are the most competitive in the nation. Western coal production will remain above 300 million tons in 2040, even if President Barack Obamas carbon cutting strategy is enacted, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration projections. Much of that will likely come from Wyoming. In 2015, western coal production was nearly 500 million tons, of which roughly 376 million came from the Cowboy State. The coal industry will nevertheless be smaller than it is today, as miners like Unterseher can attest. Before being laid off, the former lineman had harbored thoughts of returning to school. He had even taken some preliminary steps. Now, he doesnt have a choice. Unterseher has enrolled in classes at Gillette College. The plan is to find a job and go to school, finishing his associates degree in post-secondary education before transferring to another school, likely Black Hills State, to complete his bachelors. He hopes to go into special education. Its a job I know is always going to be there, he said. Its not going to go away. But even there challenges exist. When Unterseher attended the state workshop for laid-off miners, he had hoped to learn about educational and job training opportunities available to workers like him. Most state job training assistance, he learned, is directed toward vocational trades like welding or commercial trucking. That came as a blow. How is the state going to diversify if it only offers assistance for training in vocational trades, he asked. Today, Untersehers future is uncertain. There is no Black Thunder, or the job security it once provided. The oil field, with its booms and busts, holds little appeal to him. He finds the prospect of going back to school terrifying. And yet, for all the anxiety, all the fear, Unterseher cant help but feel something else. He is excited about his future. Monday support meetings Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 a.m., 917 N. Beech; 10 a.m., 328 E. A St.; 10 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200; 6 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200; 7 p.m., Glenrock, 615 W. Deer St. (downstairs); 7:30 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200, closed; 7:30 p.m., Douglas, 628 E. Richards; 8 p.m., 328 E. A St.; 8 p.m., Douglas, 628 S. Richards #5. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688. Al-Anon: Noon, 701 S. Wolcott, St. Marks Church. Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 7 p.m., 302 E. 2nd, Methodist Church; 8 p.m., 4700 S. Poplar (church basement). Web site: http://www.urmrna.org. Vietnam vet speaks at Memorial Day ceremony The Natrona County United Veterans Council will host the 150th observance of Memorial Day at 11 a.m. in the Tom Walsh Chapel, Wyoming State Oregon Trail Cemetery. The traditional service will feature State Sen. Jim Anderson, a Vietnam war veteran, as guest speaker. On Memorial Day, the nation honors the 1.2 million service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. Combat cross dedication The American Legion Post 2 of Casper will hold an unveiling and dedication of a Combat Cross statue at 2 p.m. at Veterans Park, Second and Yellowstone. The memorial will be a continual reminder to all who see it of the many of our own who gave all their tomorrows to protect the freedoms we enjoy each day. We would like to invite everyone to come and help us honor our fallen heroes. State Sen. Jim Anderson will be the guest speaker. Chris Walsh will be the master of ceremonies. The American Legion extends sincere thanks to Lavin Tile and Stone, Large Art Sculpting, Casper Monuments, City of Casper Parks, Natrona County United Veterans Council, Casper Professional Firefighters Pipes and Drums, Chris Walsh, State Senator Jim Anderson, Jasel Valenzuela, Father Kinner, Michael Stedillie, Cecil Barnes, Gary Cohee, and everyone who bought raffle tickets to make the memorial a reality. God bless these brave Americans and God bless America. Memorial Day at Mountain View A barbecue will be held at Mountain View Assisted Living at noon, followed by the facilitys first Memorial Day remembrance balloon launch at 1:30 p.m. All people 62 and over are welcome. Commencements Monday The Class of 2016 Roosevelt High School commencement takes place at 4 p.m. at the Casper Events Center. The Class of 2016 Natrona County High School commencement takes places at 7:30 p.m. at the Casper Events Center. The Last Blast celebration, organized by parents to provide a safe celebratory environment for the new graduates, takes place Monday evening. Pizza Ranch hosts fire recovery Cole Creek Fire Recovery Organization is having a community impact event/fundraiser at Pizza Ranch from 5 to 9 p.m. Guests who mention CCFRO when they pay for their meals will have 20 percent of their bill along with all tips donated to CCRO during that time. There will also be a raffle. CCFRO members will volunteer busing and serving for the event. Donations at any time can be made to Serve Wyoming for the CCFRO. CCFRO contact number is 307-215-8949. For the eighth consecutive year, Curt Gowdy State Park will host a variety of outdoor activities for kids of all ages during the Summer Outdoor Slam, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 4. Admission to Curt Gowdy and all the festivities is free and the public is welcome. The day is part of the Kids in Nature program and Wyomings Kids eXtreme initiative sponsored by Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails. Activities include biking, hiking, canoeing, archery, dirt pile play area, Arts and Fun and Smore making. If youre not looking, you might miss one of Wyomings heartiest spring wildflowers. The hookers sandwort, Eremogone hookeri var. hookeri, is a member of the cushion plant community. The plant has adapted to grow at high elevations in small, round bunches no higher than the top of your boot. Its size and shape help protect it from harsh winds and drought. Most people have not seen a real Cushion Plant Community, but you will be pleasantly surprised when you find one in the middle of what would seem to be a barren wasteland of sagebrush, said Charmaine Delmatier, a botanist with the University of Wyomings Rocky Mountain Herbarium. Its a mosaic of living thriving organisms taking advantage of a short growing season. Some claim the plant has detoxifying properties and can be infused in tea for weight loss. But Delmatier cautions the weight-loss effects are as a diuretic or laxative. A better way to lose weight would be to wander Wyomings high plains in the spring to admire its array of flowers. Where it grows: Across Wyoming and the Rocky Mountains in high sage brush plains, often on ridge tops, midslope benches or gentle, rolling slopes on small hills. When it blooms: Now and until June. What to look for: Its primary leaves are less than 10 millimeters long and less than 2 millimeters wide. The mound-like ball is usually covered in white flowers. Republican Charlie Scott has served nearly 40 years in the Wyoming Legislature and chairs the Senate committee that oversees health issues. Hes used his powerful position to block expanding Medicaid to 20,000 low-income adults, but has been criticized for accepting federal aid for his ranches. For the first time in years, a Democrat is challenging Scott in Senate District 30 in Natrona County. Bob Ford, a 66-year-old retired IRS officer who owns a stable business on Zero Road, is fed up with Scott his long tenure, his treatment of the poor and his favoritism of agriculture, he said. Scott, 70, announced a month ago that he will seek re-election to the Senate where he has served since 1983. He defended his record. It sounds to me like were going to have a classic conservative Republican, liberal Democrat kind of split, he said. Its a respectable point of view. Theyre wrong. But its a respectable point of view. People can decide. Years in office Scotts 37 years in the Legislature he served four years in the House before moving to the Senate is too long, Ford said. I find it completely without merit that someone should be serving in a political office for more than six or eight years, he said. Forty is ridiculous. Scott believes his experience is an asset. Too much turnover can hurt the Legislature, he said. Remembering back to my first two years, anybody can learn the mechanics of the system down there in 10 days, he said. Thats not a big deal. But learning to put together a coalition to pass major legislation and how to craft it so you do what youre trying to accomplish without hurting other people in the process that takes time and experience. And some of the things we deal with down there are pretty complicated and it takes time to learn it. Medicaid expansion Extending the Medicaid program is a key part of the Affordable Care Acts goal to make sure everyone is covered, thereby reducing overall health care costs. Wyoming could receive an estimated $268 million over two years from Washington if it expanded. Each year for the past four years, the Republican supermajority in the Legislature has rejected it. Scott, through his leadership position and in his arguments on the Senate floor, has been a key expansion critic and has likely influenced his colleagues positions on the matter. Ford said Medicaid is his No. 1 disagreement with Scott. That to me is a moral issue, he said. When uninsured people need health care, they visit emergency rooms, which must treat them regardless of their ability to pay. That hurts everyone, Ford said. The hospital has to eat that bill, he said. Theres no Medicaid to pay that bill. They have to absorb it. When they absorb it, everyone elses expenses go up. Because they turned down the Medicaid money, they now put you in a position where you have to pay more. Its almost like being double taxed. Weve already been taxed for (the $268 million.) What state does Charlie Scott prefer the Medicaid money go to? Scott said he opposes Medicaid expansion for several reasons. He doesnt think the federal government can afford the program and will back out of its commitment to provide 90 percent of expansions costs in 2020 and beyond. For example, the Fort Laramie treaty, he said. The Indians were promised all kinds of things and it took the feds nine years to break that. Gov. Matt Mead, who supports expansion, said Wyoming could design a program that required the state cancel the initiative if the reimbursement from the federal government was reduced. But Scott doesnt want a large group of people to become dependent on a program that could be cut. He thinks it would be hard for the Legislature to walk away from expansion in such a scenario, he said. Hes not convinced it would be easy for a state to back out of expansion. Nobodys tested it, so we dont know, he said. Scott called Medicaid a welfare program that is destructive because if people earn $1 too much, they lose coverage. Thats a barrier for people to work for the next promotion or pay raise, he said. Finally, Scott pointed to whats known in academic circles as the Oregon experiment. Oregon had money to add 10,000 people to Medicaid rolls eight years ago. About 90,000 people needed Medicaid, so the state had a lottery. Researchers, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, studied the patients health outcomes. What they found was virtually no improvement, or improvement that was not statistically significant, Scott said. A 2013 Washington Post piece about the Oregon Experiment said that blood pressure and cholesterol readings were mostly unchanged. Diagnosis of diabetes increased, and medicine used to control it also increased. But depression rates decreased by 30 percent. The Post story said there are several interpretations of the study. One is that Medicaid doesnt improve health outcomes. Another is the sample size was too small. A third is that Medicaid patients received bad health care because the program reimburses doctors and hospitals less than insurance. Ranching While Scott calls Medicaid is a welfare program, Ford said ranching has many subsidies that create an uneven playing field especially as an increasing number of farms and ranches are bought by corporations. He accepts a lot of benefits I call ranching welfare, Ford said. There are a lot of competition issues. Bates Creek Cattle Co., of which Scott is president and a director, received $28,193 in a disaster subsidies under the Livestock Compensation Program in 2003, when Scott was a 22 percent owner, according to the Environmental Working Group, which tracks ag subsidies. In 2002, Eagle Ridge Ranch received a $10,598 conservation subsidy from the Emergency Conservation Program and $20,194 from another disaster program created by Congress that same year. At the time, Scott had an 11 percent share in the ranch. Hes no longer listed as being affiliated with the company, according to Wyoming Secretary of State records. Its one thing to have bad judgment, Ford said of Scotts Medicaid expansion opposition. Its another thing to be greedy. Scott said its been a long time since his ranches have accepted federal money. He said theres a difference between the ranch, where he and others work, and the Medicaid expansion population, some of whom dont have jobs. The Medicaid program creates a disincentive to move up. The ag subsidies keep ranches going, he said. Effect change SD30 comprises the Natrona County communities of Bar Nunn, Midwest and Edgerton. It includes the Casper neighborhoods of north Casper, Paradise Valley and Oregon Trail. Ford hopes that his candidacy, even if unsuccessful, will move Scott more toward the ideological center. He said he wants Scott to accept Medicaid expansion and be tougher on agriculture. He knows the district has many ranchers and that hes too much of a critic of ag subsidies. I want to effect change, whether I win the election or not, Ford said. My No. 1 goal is to effect change. That is more important to me than winning the election. The other aspect of it is I want to put up an election that is worthy of the constituents within this district, such that even if Charlie Scott wins, hell say, Forty years is enough, Im not running next time. CHEYENNE Social commentator Will Rogers is famous as having once said, I am not a member of any organized party I am a Democrat. That quote was invoked on more than one occasion during Saturdays Wyoming Democratic Party Convention, which ran well past the time allotted for the agenda, thanks to misprinted delegate ballots and frequent disagreements over various rules or party platform planks. But by the days end, party members had managed to successfully approve a slate of delegates to attend the partys national convention this July in Philadelphia. And the process was mostly free of intraparty strife between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton supporters, which had marred the Nevada Democratic Convention held just two weeks earlier in Las Vegas. The thing I was mostly concerned about was there was all this talk about how it was going to be a big controversial fight and there would be a lot of animus there, said state Rep. Charles Pelkey, D-Laramie, who was elected the conventions chairman. It didnt happen here, it was a very friendly atmosphere, more friendly rivalry than anything else. That said, Pelkey added the partys central committee has unanimously decided to file a formal challenge with the Democratic National Committee regarding the proportional distribution of state delegates to the Sanders and Clinton camps. Currently, both candidates are projected to receive seven pledged delegates apiece, even though Sanders actually won the states April 9 caucus with a 55.7 percent margin to Clintons 44.3 percent. The state partys challenge proposes that Sanders should instead receive eight delegates to Clintons six, which is based on what the central committee says is an inaccurate interpretation of the states proportional caucus system. Theres an allocation of delegates based on districts, and the way the state has divided those delegates is based on what they deem to be districts, which are counties, Pelkey said. But the actual definition of district is congressional district, and Wyoming only has one. When you do the math, that changes the breakdown and would make it eight and six instead of seven and seven. Pelkey said the challenge will be formally filed with the DNC on Tuesday, with the added request that it be handled in an expedited fashion, so we have some clarity before people commit to going to Philadelphia, he said. What disagreement there was Saturday arose mostly over procedural issues, such as when one state delegate, Erik Molvar, requested the party add a presidential preference vote to the agenda. That prompted another state delegate, Mike Bleakley, to call the request crazy, adding the only votes that should matter were the ones cast during the official state caucus. Nonetheless, convention parliamentarian Hank Phibbs said the request was relevant to the agenda, and it was ultimately approved by a voice vote. After canvassing each countys delegates, however, the preference vote was almost identical to the actual caucus results, with Sanders pulling 57 percent to 43 percent for Clinton. Another point of contention arose over amendments to the state party platform. The partys platform committee had spent 14 hours Friday drafting the 2016 platform, and as party members began introducing and debating amendments to the platform Saturday, it quickly became apparent the amendment process could take even longer than the original drafting. After about an hour of back-and-forth on amendments, one delegate moved to suspend the standard rules of order and instead pass the entire platform as it was, to raucous applause. That angered several delegates who said they had been waiting to address some specific issues they had, but the suggestion ultimately passed by an overwhelming margin. There were some valid amendments; the platform committee, for example, didnt address the death penalty, Pelkey said afterward. That didnt get in before they made the motion to accept the amended platform as it was at that point. But we were moving slower (Saturday) than the (platform) committee was. The days biggest delay involved the ballots to select eight district delegates to represent the state at the National Democratic Convention. Voting got underway in the early afternoon, but it quickly became apparent the names of several prospective delegates had not been included on the ballots. That required the votes to be rejected and new ballots drawn up, which took several hours before members could resume voting. As 7 p.m. rolled around two hours after the convention was supposed to adjourn Pelkey acknowledged the Will Rogers adage had held true. But he was pleased to see things were wrapping up without any significant rancor. Any meeting agenda that you set out, nobody ever sticks to the schedule on that; its the same way when youre in the Legislature, Pelkey said. We like to joke about the old Will Rogers line, and occasionally we prove that, but for the most part I think things have been running along pretty well. CHEYENNE The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is looking to move forward with plans to develop a national cemetery near Cheyenne, which would make it the first such cemetery in the state. But before that can happen, the Cheyenne City Council has to agree to sell a parcel of land it owns to the northwest of town. Glenn Madderom, the chief of cemetery development with the VAs National Cemetery Administration, gave a presentation to the council Monday evening to explain the scope and scale of the proposed cemetery, as well as a potential timeline for its development. The VA manages 134 national cemeteries across the country, which are home to the remains of some 3 million veterans. But in recent years, Madderom said the VA has been looking for ways to accommodate veterans living in some of the nations farther-flung cities and states. Were targeting smaller areas of the country where there are less than 25,000 veterans in a 75-mile radius, yet its still a pretty heavily populated urban area, he said. Cheyenne, Wyoming, was one of the eight areas identified. Madderom said that along with states like Idaho, Maine and Utah, Wyoming has never been home to a national cemetery, though it does house a state cemetery Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery in Evansville. In the Cheyenne area, statistics show you could expect about close to 500 veteran deaths every year in a 75-mile radius of town, Madderom said. Not every veteran would choose to be buried in a national cemetery, but we want to give veterans that ability to do so, should they choose to. During the last couple of years, he said the VA has been considering various sites around town. It has since settled on a 5-acre parcel located just west of the High Plains Arboretum, off of Hildreth Road. The parcel is just next door to another parcel where the city is considering construction of its own new cemetery. Those five acres identified by the city are actually a beautiful site, Madderom said. Its peaceful, its quiet, its very befitting of a national cemetery. The parcel has an assessed value of $62,500, though the City Council agenda packet did not indicate if that is the price the city is actually asking for the land, or whether council members will come to their own selling price later on. Regardless, Madderom said if the city does agree to sell the land, the VA expects to build a cemetery capable of meeting veterans burial needs for at least 10 years. The cemetery would include both gravesites and burial vaults for cremated remains, as well as columbarium niches walls fitted with niches built to store individual urns and the ashes within. These are typically built to be beautifully maintained national shrine cemeteries, world-class cemeteries you dont just find anywhere, Madderom said. Should the land be acquired, it would take us about six months to get a contract in place for the design process to start. From there, Madderom said design is likely to take another eight to 10 months, plus 10 to 12 months to actually construct the cemetery. So should the land sale occur, within two and a half years and thats a very rough date you could have a national cemetery serving the veteran population of Cheyenne and the surrounding region, he said. Two local veterans spoke in favor of the land sale. Larry Barttelbort, the director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission, said his organization has been working to get a national cemetery in Wyoming for years. There were efforts to place a national cemetery on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Barttelbort said. But at the time these proposals came forward, we were never able to meet the threshold for the number of veterans in our area. This gives us an opportunity to move forward very quickly and very modestly to meet the needs of those veterans, he added. Retired Air Force Col. Dave McCracken, who was the base commander for F.E. Warren in the early 1980s, also supported the idea, explaining that the on-base cemetery is currently full. There are 787 burials there by last count, and they still do a few, McCracken said. You can be on a reserve list if you signed up earlier, and I am signed up there, so I have a place to go. But I would like to have a different place in town. McCracken said Cheyenne has a good reputation among military retirees, and he himself knows of at least 20 retired senior officers still living in the area. Theyre all going to need a place to go, too, McCracken said. So, as they say in the cemetery world, a lot of us are dying to get in there. Since Mondays hearing was meant for public input, council members did not take formal action on the sale proposal. That will fall to the councils Finance Committee, which will take up the discussion again on Monday, June 6. The release of the Panama Papers has ignited a healthy debate on whether Wyoming should revise any of our business laws. In early April, an international consortium of investigative journalists began releasing information about a Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca, which was involved in the creation of over 214,000 entities across the globe. Many of these entities were reportedly created to aid wealthy individuals, including dictators and criminals, to hide their assets. Immediately upon the release of said Panama Papers, my office conducted an audit of the registered agent connected to Mossack Fonseca whereupon we determined that 24 of the 214,000 entities were registered in Wyoming. The investigation into any possible illicit activities is ongoing. While the number of the Wyoming-based companies listed in the Panama Papers may seem statistically insignificant (amounting to only eleven thousandths of one percent), and while no charges of illegal activity have yet been made, many including myself believe that this situation presents the opportunity to take stock of our existing business laws to determine what aspects of the same, if any, need revision. The first step I took in this discernment was the formation of a roundtable comprised of several of Wyomings best and brightest who spearheaded the creation and evolution of Wyomings acclaimed LLC law, including former Secretary of State Kathy Karpan. Next, my staff and I met with the 14 members of the Legislatures Joint Corporations Committee led by co-chairmen Sen. Cale Case and Rep. Dan Zwonitzer. During the course of the roundtable and our meeting with lawmakers, we had serious and rigorous discussions about possible changes to the law to address issues raised by the Panama Papers. We delved deeply into the intent, history and evolution of Wyomings LLC and corporate laws and existing commercial registered agent requirements, among other topics. While this discussion remains ongoing, the resounding consensus reached thus far by these roundtable leaders and lawmakers is that Wyomings current business laws are serving the purpose for which they are intended to be business friendly while also fighting fraud and do not need significant revision at this time. To be certain, I find it very upsetting and unsatisfactory that Wyoming is perceived as being tied to such events. Accordingly, weve turned to a discussion of possible solutions and, in moving forward, my staff and I offered two significant proposals for consideration by the Joint Corporations Committee. First, weve proposed changes to address deceptive advertising by commercial registered agents who market Wyoming as offering secrecy, anonymity or hidden owners (or substantially similar claims). We believe such claims are false and contradictory to our law and are harmful to our states good reputation. Second, weve proposed a change to disallow commercial registered agents from identifying themselves as the communications contact for the companies they represent. We believe this revision would effectuate the original intent of the Commercial Registered Agent Act of 2009 and assist law enforcement. I strongly believe our two proposals represent very thoughtful, deliberate and measured solutions commensurate with the facts thus far and stand in stark contrast to the disproportionate remedies being bantered about by some in the press and in Washington, D.C. I will do everything possible to fight against any federal solution that calls for my office to collect sensitive and private information about our businessmen and women to be made available to the feds. Such a mandate would only add another layer of costly and ill-conceived bureaucratic red tape and do very little to combat fraud. Instead, it would place private personal information of all our legitimate businessmen and women at risk and slow the growth of free enterprise in Wyoming. Furthermore, there are already audit, tax, banking and securities laws with subpoena power as tools for dealing with the underlying identity of beneficial ownership issues presented by the Panama Papers. Prior to serving in public office I spent over 30 years in the private sector owning and operating my own businesses. I ran for office pledging to fight unreasonable and burdensome governmental rules and regulations that do nothing but stifle free enterprise and the entrepreneurial spirit. We will not succumb to pressure from anyone to conform our laws in a way that sacrifices the business-friendly approach to success in Wyoming. I do not believe in a philosophy of punishing the innocent multitudes for the bad acts of a few. We will not mow down the apple orchard because of a few bad apples. Editor: This is an open letter to the Riverton class of 2016 and its commencement organizers. Our family congratulates you for your individual achievements! But I have a grievance that is shared by several relatives and friends. By your choosing to have your graduation program at noon, you eliminated folks from out of town from attending. Also, many people in Fremont County still attend church regularly. The church services are over at noon, so these folks who wish to attend both have to make a choice. This compromise is not necessary! Could not the school leaders be a little considerate of the folks who still consider church as important? 1 or 2 p.m. could have been a better time to include all. Thank you for your attention to this for 2017. Help stop discrimination against God's things. Southern Arizonas largest employer will soon award pay raises for the first time in three years. The University of Arizona plans to provide a modest wage increase to all benefits-eligible employees meeting performance expectations. Some for example, those deemed underpaid in their fields may also receive additional raises on top of the base increase. Details are still being worked out, but the UA says theyll be finalized in time for the raises to appear on employees Sept. 12 paychecks. All categories of employees are eligible, from the lowest earners to the senior executives who work for UA President Ann Weaver Hart. Hart is ineligible, since her pay is controlled separately by the Arizona Board of Regents. We must attract and retain world-class employees and graduate students and show them that their work is valued, Hart said in a news release announcing the changes. UA spokesman Chris Sigurdson said this years raises are the first of several to come. The intention is that this be a multi-year program, so people can expect future reallocations and future raises, he said. UA employees arent the only ones likely to benefit, Sigurdson said. Area businesses could also see an uptick. As Tucsons largest employer, faculty and staff raises also increase the universitys area economic impact, he said in an email. Provost Andrew Comrie said in the news release that UA faculty salaries are now about 15 percent below the national median. Help India! By Arif Hussain for TwoCircles.net Contexts have this amazing ability of turning simple everyday acts into acts of resistance. From Mohandas Gandhi at Dandi to Rosa Parks in Montgomery, simple acts like picking up a clump of salt or remaining seated in a bus seat, thanks to the contexts, have become classic symbols of resistance. Rana Ayyubs book Gujarat Files: Anatomy Of A Cover Up, is too an act of resistance, thanks again to the context. Support TwoCircles A journalist in her twenties decides to go undercover to find the facts about the handling of 2002 Gujarat riots, a series of fake encounters and the murder of ex-home minister Haren Pandya. Over the eight months of subterfuge, she gains trust, breaks trust, comes hairbreadth close to getting caught, goes through phases of self-doubt and anxiety but in the end comes out with a lot of potentially explosive first hand accounts. So much so that her otherwise supportive editors develop cold feet about publishing it and pull the plug on the sting operation. She then does the logical thing and tries to publish her account as a book. But no publisher worth its name would touch it, no TV news channel would talk about it and very few newspapers would talk to her. In the India of 21st century CE the reigning context of fear is so absolute and the risk of state reprisal so imminent that a mere act of publishing a book can ruin your business. Which actually is not as bad as getting lynched over what you eat or simply over how you look. And thats how Ayyub, forced by this context, turned a rebel. Circumventing the abbots who decide what gets published and what doesnt, ignoring the threats and risks, Ayyub decided to self-publish the book. So far, for an act of resistance, the book has been pretty successful. Sold by LeftWord Books, the print version is available in India through Flipkart and Amazon.in and internationally through Amazon.com. The e-book is available on Kindle. Going by the frequent out of stock messages and the wrath of the trolls, the book, for sure, has managed to push some buttons. Spread over 206 pages, divided into 11 chapters, Gujarat Files documents the conversations Ayyub had with various key personnel and the circumstances under which she operated. The books language, tone and presentation is reader friendly though could have benefited from a little more editorial supervision. What I liked about the narrative is how Ayyub has refrained from coloring people and has let their layered personalities come out on their own. Be it S.P. ATS, G. L. Singhal, who despite being in a powerful position, laments the discrimination lower caste officers face within the administration (page-44) or ex-DGP P.C. Pande who after suggesting that Supreme Court judges should be .put against the wall and shot dead for minority appeasement, claims that My best friend is a Muslim.. (page-141,142). The book, through its various accounts also throw a light on the internal politics and machinations of RSS and how it has completely infiltrated the various arms of Gujarati society, politics and administration. Through the episodes involving Maya Kodnani and Haren Pandya, Ayyub has done a fair job of highlighting the powers behind the power and how Modi was not in control of everything as his acolytes and media claims. On a broader level, the book also raises questions about the administrative structures and how easily it can be manipulated to benefit a particular group or individual. While reading, one cant help but feel sorry for upright officers who, during times of riots and later, decided to uphold the values as enshrined in the Indian constitution. The All India Services officers (IAS, IPS, IFS etc.) at least have some recourse and alternatives but the state service officers are completely at the mercy of the political dispensation. Its true about all Indian states and reforms in this area are long overdue. On a different note, Ayyub could have done without multiple references to Ashish Khetans earlier sting operation in Gujarat being easier/not as risky as it involved getting foot soldiers to talk and not crafty diplomats. Just felt petty in an otherwise heartfelt effort. The book and the publicity surrounding it is also an ode to social media as how it has become possible to reach out and spread the word without the support of the mainstream media. This is just another sign that the elite media is losing its grip over the narrative. Through self-publishing the book, Ayyub also shows a path to people who want to go it alone or just dont want to toe the mainstream line. A good read for anybody interested in contemporary history and politics of post-liberalization/privatization India. P.S. The sooner the tapes come out in the public domain the better as it will help people form their own opinions and take the sting out of the attacks. It could be long before the parrot squawks. [Arif works in the area of social justice and political reforms.] Ever since announcing his candidacy for president last June, Donald Trump has often bragged about being "self funding." While that might have been the case for the first 11 months of the primary season, his campaign has blown through almost all of its cash. Trump low on cash Despite claiming to be a billionaire, Trump's campaign is having some serious money issues. Media outlets and political pundits didn't take Trump too serious when he arrived on the scene last summer, but he's surprised many by weathering the constant storm of controversy by clinching the Republican nomination. With his eyes now set on the general election, Trump is expected to have a tough battle on his hands against Democratic front runner Hillary Clinton, and not just at the ballot box, as reported by The Washington Examiner on May 28. Trump's campaign has alerted senators he won't have much money to fend off Clinton attacks https://t.co/3ngvWFAi1P pic.twitter.com/WeN85s3Nrd Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 29, 2016 According to a report in The Washington Examiner on Saturday, the Trump campaign has informed Senate Republicans that he won't have enough money to compete in the general election against Clinton. Senior campaign advisor, Paul Manafort, confirmed the issue during a meeting with a group of chief of staffs for various Republican members of the senate. "They know that they're not going to have enough money to be on TV in June and probably most of July, until they actually accept the nomination and get RNC funds," an anonymous source told The Washington Examiner, stating, "They (Trump campaign) plan to just use earned media to compete on the airwaves." Though Trump and the Republican National Committee have been at odds for some time, the campaign's lack of funds might force the two to reconcile. Despite this, another anonymous GOP donor admitted that if Trump struggles against Clinton, the RNC might "put that money toward Senate races and House races," instead of investing it in the former host of "The Apprentice." The in-fighting between Trump and the RNC has been well-documented, and if the GOP nominee is unable to walk out the winner in November, he's expected to put the blame on the party. Election outlook The upcoming race between Trump and Clinton is expected to be tight and the most controversial in recent times. According to Real Clear Politics most recent rolling average, the two candidates are tied, as both are polling within the margin of error. President Yahya Jammeh has warned family members of diaspora activists who he said are supporting extra constitutional efforts to end his presidency with financial provision from Western powers, failing to mention any specific nation, to stop taking remittances from them or be detained without trace. He said that those who have family members in the west and are using money from them to campaign against him will be severely dealt with. He further said that they should stop taking money from them or they "will disappear with them for seven million years and no one can do anything about it. Coup attempts launched from the diaspora. President Yahya Jammeh has faced strong opposition from Gambian dissidents mostly living in the United States and the United Kingdom. But, after an August 2012 execution of nine death row inmates, opposition to President Jammehs rule became stronger and gained ground in Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and Scandinavia. Response to discontent. Jammehs comment was seen as a response to his discontent in the sentencing of four Gambian-Americans who supported a military expedition to overthrow his regime. The December 2014 early morning raid saw three of the attackers dead after weapons including M-16 automatic and sniper rifles were shipped to The Gambia masked as used clothing. In The Gambia, the four, including a special force operations specialist and a former Air Force Sergeant would have been sentenced to death or, if lucky, have a life sentence. TheGambian authorities are not happy with the couple of months jail term and the few hundred dollars fine they received from a Minnesota federal court. Six Gambian military officers accused of being complicit in the thwarted attempt are appealing their sentences in Banjul. Use the ballot or be killed. Mr. Jammeh said those seeking to see the end of his 21-year iron fist rule of one of Africas last known dictatorshipsmust use the ballot box as the country heads to the polls in December with Jammeh seeking a fifth term. He threatened to execute anyone who attempts to oust him militarily. With Jammeh predicted to win in a landslide in the already violently marred votes, critics say all avenues for democratic change have been blocked, especially with the introduction of new electoral laws that do not favor free and fair elections. Remittance higher that toursim income. Remittances make up to 22 percent of the The Gambias GDP higher than tourism. Gambians living abroad send millions of dollars back home to their families mostly for their basic needs feeding, health care, and education. A good number of diaspora Gambians are against President Yahya Jammehs rule and holding back their remittances which is likely not going to be the case due to the morals of having to take care of your family in the Gambian culture will in heartbeat render the economy stagnant and the country insolvent. A healthy China requires more respect for doctors Updated: 2016-05-29 13:49 (chinadaily.com.cn) A video shows a doctor who keeps on working even though he is tired that he bends over his desk to write a case report for his patient. [Photo by Yao Yao/chinadaily.com.cn] More respect and confidence should be given to doctors and nurses in building a healthy China, according to the acclaimed works outshined in the awards ceremony of the 2016 Healthy China Micro-videos Competition in Beijing on Saturday. Seventeen micro-videos featuring family doctors, self-actualization of doctors, emergency treatment and common doctor-patient interactions in hospitals outshined themselves among all 510 videos, which have been collected across China since the competition launched on Jan 14. "The Competition, hosted by the Health and Family Planning Culture Promotion Platform of National Health and Family Planning Commission and Population Culture Development Center of National Health and Family Planning Commission, aims to solicit advice and ideas on health policies, development of healthy industries around China," said Feng Wen, director of the Population Culture Development Center. One of the prize-winning videos illustrates an emergency treatment, where the female doctor decides to perform an operation after saying the patient can have one percent chance to live if she performs the operation, or the patient will die without the operation. "Growing up to be a doctor is my childhood dream, though it's a pity I didn't realize that dream. Thanks to my family members, I have a close contact with doctors and nurses. They are the same as ordinary us, however, they devote more in their daily lives," said Liu Jun, whose video illustrated doctors' hard work and their relations with patients. The video was listed among top 10 of the competition. Liu added, "I made this video with an intention to let people better understand doctors and nurses, also to pay more respects and give doctors and nurses more confidence, and then build a harmonious doctor-patient relationship. I think patients will be stronger when they join hands with doctors." Besides the videos describing doctor-patient relationship, a video from Peking Union Medical College Hospital illustrates the reasons behind pancreatic cancer in a relaxing and acceptable cartoon form. "It's still a long way to build a healthy China, which calls for building a quality and highly efficient medical and health service system," said Mao Qun'an, head of Department of Communications, National Health and Family Planning Commission. Mao added, "It's urgent to develop health industry such as family doctors, since there is a short supply of health services nowadays in the country facing a large aging population." New railway creates new optimism for Kenya Updated: 2016-05-29 08:16 By Hou Liqiang in Sultan Hamud, Kenya(chinadaily.com.cn) President Uhuru Kenyatta, the middle, Chinese ambassador Liu Xianfa, the left, and CRBC President Lu Shan, pose for photos on the newly laidtrackin front of the track-laying machine. Photo by Hou Liqiang/China Daily President Uhuru Kenyatta visited the construction site of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) on Saturday. While speaking highly about the project's progress, he disclosed that Kenya's government planned to build industrial parks along the line to create job opportunities. The President, accompanied by Chinese ambassador Liu Xianfa and high-level officials from China Road and Bridge Co, who is building the railway, had a site meeting at the project's Section 7 at Sultan Hamud, which is about 110 kilometers Southeast of Nairobi, during which he was briefed on project progress and its challenges. The President said, "I am impressed by the work that has been done so far, and glad that whatever was put on paper during the inception is now coming to life." "The SGR project is absolutely vital in my plans to support and grow Kenya's economy - creating more jobs and opportunities that will further open up our country for business to local and foreign investors for the betterment of the country and the region as a whole," said the president. "This is an economic boost not just to the National Government but also the Seven Counties through which this line has traversed. I am sure you have seen the bustling centres along the line - this means more connectivity and growth for this Nation." The President said the Government is in talks with investors to put up industrial parks along the SGR line to create jobs for Kenyans. "We have discussed on how to set up industrial parks at DongoKundu in Mombasa, Voi, MtitoAndei, Nairobi and Naivasha which will help us create jobs for our young people," he said. Significant progress has been made since the start of the SGR project in November 2014. About 97 percent of civil work, 95 percent of the bridge substructures and 98 percent of the culverts have been completed. Currently, 58.32 percent of track has been laid, 45.3 percent of T-beams have been erected. The entire Project is within the 65 percent completion mark. The 472.2 kilometer Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway will cost up to $3.8 billion, and the Import-Export Bank of China is offering 90 percent of the funding. The ambitious project is expected to boost economic growth in Kenya by 1.5 percent.The project is scheduled to be finished in 2017. Many residents along the SGR project have been expecting the new railway to bring big changes to their life. Every day, Emmanuel MusyokafromSultan Hamud town spends some time watching the on-going construction of the SGR project, which is more than 50 meters away from his home. His family of seven members now lives in two temporary houses built with tree branches and grass, each of which is only about five square meters. "There will be a great change for us after the railway is completed," said the 10 year-old, with eyes attached to the track-laying machine on work, adding, "I want to become rich." Like Musyoka, 47-year-old Patrick Muthoka, a Kamba farmer owning less than two acres of land in Sultan Hamud, has been paying attention to the railway all the time. "Nowadays, my family (of six members) could only make no more than 20,000 Kenya Shillings from our land. That's too small," said Muthoka. "They (CRBC) have done great. We have been expecting great changes," he added, "The railway will help us become rich and raise the economy." Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page. Loading... Checking your browser before accessing the website. This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly. Please wait a few seconds. By Ko Hirano TOKYO When Pham Quang Hung started studying Japanese at Foreign Trade University in Ha Noi in 1994, he never imagined that Vietnamese children would one day be able to learn the language at elementary school. Now, Hung, a first secretary for educational affairs at the Vietnamese Embassy in Tokyo, can hardly wait to see the launch in September of a pilot project to offer Japanese lessons at three elementary schools in Ha Noi. It will be the first time that Japanese language education has been offered at the publicly run primary school level in Southeast Asia, according to Japanese officials. The project follows the development of a Japanese language program the Vietnamese government introduced for middle and high school students in 2003. At present, English and French are the only foreign languages Vietnamese students can learn at elementary schools. "Im so excited about the project," Hung, 39, said in a recent interview. "I understand Viet Nams Ministry of Education and Training will consider expanding it at the request of other students and parents." The ministry will run the project in partnership with the Japanese Embassy in Ha Noi and the Japan Foundation, a government-backed institution dedicated to promoting international cultural exchange. Bilateral educational exchanges will further deepen when Vietnam-Japan University, an institution backed by the government, business and academic sectors of the two countries, opens in September in Ha Noi. With an eye toward training people for the development of Viet Nam and firmer relations with Japan, the organizers aim to develop the institution, which initially will operate graduate programs in English and Japanese, into a leading university in Asia. Japan is the biggest aid donor for Viet Nam and the fourth-largest trading partner after China, the United States and South Korea. About 1,400 Japanese companies were operating in Viet Nam as of last year, according to Japanese government data. The issues of educational exchanges and human resources development may be referred to when Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his visit to Japan in late May for an outreach meeting Abe will host on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit in Mie Prefecture, central Japan. Along with a desire to get jobs linked to Japan, admiration for Japanese peoples diligence that made the country a major industrialized nation after its defeat in World War II and respect for their mental toughness in the recovery from the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis have prompted an increasing number of Vietnamese to study Japanese, according to Hung. "The Japanese peoples diligence has become a role model for us," he said, speaking in fluent Japanese. "And needless to say, Japanese animation and cartoons are very popular among Vietnamese schoolchildren." Hung brushed up his Japanese and earned a doctorate in economics during his 2003-2009 study at Kagoshima University in southwestern Japan before teaching the language and Asian economics at his alma mater until last year. A 2014 opinion poll on Japan in Viet Nam and six other Southeast Asian countries showed that 67 percent of 293 Vietnamese people interested in learning Japanese cited a desire to visit Japan as a reason for studying the language. The poll, conducted by research company Ipsos Hong Kong at the request of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, found in multiple answers that 62 percent said they like Japanese culture, 40 percent want to understand Japanese comics, animation and dramas, and 32 percent believe the language is useful for their jobs. Recalling the 2003 launch of the Japanese language program for Vietnamese middle and high school students, Hung said, "We started from scratch." The initiative, however, has developed to the scale at which as many as about 50 middle and high schools in major cities such as Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and a Nang are running Japanese classes. "Such an expansion would not have been possible without the Japanese Embassys help in training Vietnamese instructors of the Japanese language, as well as supply of teaching materials by the Japan Foundation," Hung said. The elementary school project will similarly involve Vietnamese instructors who have experience and know-how in teaching at middle and high schools, with teaching materials to be provided by the Japan Foundation. Including middle and high school students, there were about 46,000 people learning Japanese in Viet Nam as of 2013 and more than 40,000 Vietnamese students are currently studying in Japan, according to Hung. "The combined figure is the third highest among Japanese language learners in the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations after Indonesia and Thailand," he said. "And the number of Vietnamese students studying in Japan is larger than those studying in the United States and China." This may reflect the fact that 46 percent of a total of 304 Vietnamese respondents to the 2014 poll cited Japan as "the most reliable country" out of 11 non-ASEAN countries in Asia, Europe and the United States. The rate, logged in a single answer, compared to 8 percent for the United States and 2 percent for China. KYODO by Luong Thu Huong Seeing Tran Khuong and his daughter, Tran Le Kha Ai, talking happily to each other, it is hard to believe that they have been through an arduous 19-year journey. Tran Khuong has made Ai, who suffered from hearing and speech disabilities, into a girl who can hear and speak. Moreover, Ai will soon graduate from a high school for able-bodied students, and sit for an examination to enter the university like other teenage girls. Behind her achievements are the endless efforts of her father who has patiently taught her how to speak and has accompanied her in her studies over the years. Twenty years ago, Khuong left his hometown in Quang Ngai Central Province to settle in HCM City, full of hope for his familys new life and aspirations for his new-born daughter. However, his happiness did not last long when he discovered that 20-month-old Ai did not behave like any other toddler her age and did not respond to even the loudest noise. In fear, her parents had her checked up in two childrens hospitals in the city, Nhi ong 1 and Ear Nose Throat Hospital, HCM City. They were shocked on being told that their daughter suffered from a hearing and speech disability. I was very disappointed on realising the painful fact that all of our daughters dreams and future had been shattered, Khang recalls. Refusing to accept this as their fate, Ais parents took her to all the recommended doctors in the hope that they would help her hear and speak normally. Time flew, but the 30-month-old girl was incapable of uttering a single syllable. However, the hopes of Khuong and his wife received a boost when they accidentally learnt about the programme of early intervention for deaf and mute children. A hearing aid cost as much as five taels of gold at that time. They sold the Honda Cub motorcycle, their most valuable item, for one tael and borrowed the rest from their acquaintances to purchase a hearing aid for their daughter. As long as there was opportunity, we would not give up, Khuong says. Under instructions from teachers from the centre for the disabled, Ai gradually accepted the hearing aid as part of her body and was conscious of the very first sound. Like grasping at the last life-saving equipment in the vast ocean, I began to hope that my daughter would be able to hear and speak someday, though I knew that it would not be in the near future, he recalls. Ais mother used to be a worker for a company with a salary of VN1,1 million (US$50), which was sufficient for the familys monthly expenses at that time. However, because of the misfortune that struck their daughter, Khuong agreed to let his wife quit her stable job and stay at home to teach Ai to speak. He himself managed to support the whole family by taking up numerous jobs at one time. In the morning, he worked as a bricklayer, wall painter, and motorcycle taxi driver, and in the evening he took up sewing to earn more. In the early days, with the hearing aid, Ai was able to utter just some sounds such as when holding her fathers fingers toward the cup if she wanted to drink water. The parents had to patiently teach her to imitate the shape of their mouth on saying drink. After days of practice, she could finally pronounce the word drink, though not very clearly. The average vocabulary of a normal five-year-old child is 5,000 words, but Ai only knew two. Not discouraged, Khuong collected many pictures of animals, fruits and plants and then instructed her on how to pronounce. It took her a long time to produce the correct sound. At times she was bored and did not co-operate with her parents so they had to revise their teaching methods to make it more interesting, such as narrating fairy tales. In order to help her communicate normally, we did not mind talking to her for hours, Khuong says. In addition to learning how to speak, Ai also learnt the names of other items around her by doing the housework, which helped her to improve her communication skills significantly. When Khuong decided to let his daughter attend nursery and primary school for normal students even though she had not been able to communicate fluently, his mind was in a state of turmoil. After discussions with the teachers, the father also carefully took notes of his daughters lessons from outside the classroom every day and then explained them to her after school. Ai could communicate basically but she was facing difficulty catching up with the lessons. I, therefore, also attended her class but ensured that it did not affect other students, he says. The father industriously attended the daughters class in the daytime, and took up extra sewing work at night when she did her homework. A tutor was once hired to assist her in her studies, but the teachers method did not suit Ais absorbing capacity and the tuition was pretty high-level. Khuong decided that she would study alone with his assistance when necessary. Ai was weak at social subjects like Literature or History, which required the students to absorb directly what the teacher delivered, so I often attended those classes with Ai. When I was busy, I contacted the subject teachers and received advice on revising the lessons with her, he says. After years of patience and dedication by both, father and daughter, their efforts finally bore fruit. From a reserved girl who used to lock herself away from the outside world due to her complexes, Ai was able to hear 30 per cent and speak 70 per cent as fluently as normal people, and became more confident in communicating. In three years, attending Ly Thai To High School with the enthusiastic support of her teachers, Ai showed good study results. She was especially good at scientific subjects such as Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. She is studying hard to prepare for the upcoming entrance examination to university to realise her dream of becoming a fashion or arts designer. Khuong considered his daughters achievements as his most precious treasure, which seems to have doubled when his second child, Tran Ngoc Khiem just won a gold medal in the citys mathematics competition for high school students. What if I had given up like many other parents who faced the same plight? My daughter would have remained deaf and mute and communicated only via signal language. She could not be herself today. But now she has been communicating well, partially due to her own efforts, Khuong says. He adds that parents undeniably play a crucial role. It does not matter if your child is normal or handicapped. Each one of them is born to be an angel, and their shortcoming is just one of Gods minor mistakes. It is important that parents accompany the children as much as possible, creating opportunities for them communicate and integrate into society. Dont let negative ideas interfere and kill their childrens future, he adds. VNS HA NOI Two ninth-grade students in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Hau Giang have invented an affordable device to assess the level of salt in water. Le Thi Hong Gam and Le Phuc Hung, students at Phan Van Tri High School, say they applied Archimedes principle by using plastic balls pumped with a salt solution. Based on the principle, when a solid is fully immersed in a liquid, it loses weight, which is equal to the weight of the liquid it displaces. Experiments in labs showed that the plastic balls sank in pure water and floated on salt water. After conducting experiments in rivers, the students developed a tool-kit of nine balls. Lu Thi Hue, a physics teacher who helped them make the tool, said the device sells for a price of VN180,000 (US$8) and can be used for three years. Tran Hoang Anh, a farmer in Tu Sang village of Tan Tien Commune, said that he has used the device for six months. With this device, I can see if the balls sink or float, and then I know if there is salt. It helps me know when I can water plants, Anh said. Nguyen Van ong, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that salt meters that sell for VN1.3-20 million (US$ 58-890) are too expensive for farmers. The department highly appreciates the device, which is cheap and useful for farmers, especially now as there is high salinity in the Mekong Delta, ong said. We plan to apply to the provincial Department of Science and Technology for a patent, Hue said. VNS Mai Khuyen The sun dazzles brilliantly all day over indulgent sand dunes stretching towards the horizon while tourist pilgrims riding on camels move smoothly with their shadows on a small sandy path. This was the incredible attractive facet of the Gobi desert attributed to the honest and introvert people of Dunhuang, a city in Chinas north-western Gansu Province, which is now hastening the revival of the Silk Road. Holding a particularly important position on the ancient road and described as an oasis in the Gobi desert, the city used to welcome foreign merchants and monks from the West as well as officials and soldiers from central China to bring their own cultures to and make it a trading centre and a cultural "melting pot". The economic, military, political and cultural activities which took place at this crossroad provided the basis for the flourishing of one of Chinas earliest Buddhist centres. Most Buddhist monks came to China from India and Central Asia by way of the Silk Road. Foreign monks and their Chinese disciples formed the earliest Buddhist communities at Dunhuang in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries. Dunhuang today remains a thriving town surrounded by fields of cotton and maize. Green energy with solar power plants has emerged as the potential for the city to help cut pollution, reduce water consumption and boost social economic development of China. And it is also a famous tourist destination. This is because of the painted and decorated Buddhist cave temples 25km southeast of the town, the Mogao caves. The Mogao cave temples were made between AD 400 and 1200 by Buddhist believers, including officials, soldiers, merchants, and monks, in addition to nuns, travellers and the ordinary men and women of Dunhuang. At that time, Buddhism was the main religion of Dunhuang and China. The message of Buddhism had been brought by monks and other travellers from India and the original Buddhist texts were in Indian languages written on leaves from palm trees which grew in northern India. Some of these were brought to the city by monks over 1,500 years ago and were kept in a special library at the Buddhist caves. A legend tells the story of the first monk at Dunhuang monk Yuezun who was far away from home. His family was in central China but he had left them to become a Buddhist monk, seeking enlightenment, and had travelled over a thousand miles west to the remote area of Gansu. One day when wandering in the desert southeast of Dunhuang, he had a vision of a golden light emitted from Mount Sanwei as if a thousand Buddhas were glowing. He thought it was a message from the Buddha to make a shrine here, and so he dug a small cave from the cliff in order to meditate on his vision and a statue of the Buddha to pray to. Soon words spread and other monks joined him and dug their own caves for prayer, rest and meditation. Others paid for more elaborate temple caves, hiring artists to paint the walls with beautiful images of Buddhism and sculptors to make statues of the Buddha and his disciples. Today almost 500 caves survive and the site is famous throughout the world. It is one of the worlds greatest art galleries. Fast growing economy With a strategic goal to recover the worlds trade journey between the east and west and to lay out an extensive vision for close relations with dozens of countries that were loosely connected along the Silk Road more than 1,000 years ago, the Chinese government is pouring billions of dollars into Gansu Province and has chosen Dunhuang as one of the key targets of the nations Belt and Road Initiative. Though it is still a controversial plan that has caused geopolitical scepticism among both, westerners and those traders from the East that they could increasingly become too dependent on China, the strategy has obviously breathed a new life to this desert city. Dunhuang welcomed an explosive GDP growth in recent years thanks to its outstanding success in tourism development. With a total population of more than 180,000 but only a minor 28,000 officially working in tourism industry, Dunhuang last year welcomed 6.6 million tourists and is expected to receive about 8 million this year more than 40 times the number of the local population, the citys Tourism Department reports. Dunhuang deputy mayor, Wang Xiaoling, said that in the past five years, the citys GDP increased about two folds to 11.5 billion yuan, or about $1.8 billion, in which the culture tourism contributed approximately 60 per cent. Last year alone, total investment in Dunhuang assets reached 19 billion yuan ($2.9 billion), said the official. Dunhuang, along with 29 other cities of China, has entered the list of tourism destinations that build qualified international characteristics, according to Chinas National Tourism Administration. Dunhuang is the only city in Gansu on the list. Entering the list provides more opportunities for Dunhuang city, according to the authority. As it will hold the First Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo, the city is expected to promote tourism, comprehensive service and its brand recognition by focussing on tourism content and advanced regional collaboration. International Cultural Expo Dunhuang has embarked on preparations for an international cultural event since 2013, with the aim of promoting a cultural exchange, laying the foundation for the dynamic trade and economic co-operation between countries. To prepare for the event, the first Silk Road International Culture Expo (SRICE) scheduled to take place in September this year, the city is in a hurry to complete building a large international expo complex centre with a total investment of 1.6 billion yuan (roughly $245 million). The complex includes a 126,000 square-metre large exhibition centre, a conference centre with a capacity to accommodate 3,000 people and a theatre for 1,200 viewers. Inspired by the spirit long formed through exchanges on the Silk Road, the city authority expects that through the festival, cultural communication, co-operation and development can be enhanced. Moreover, the expo is being held with the goal to advocate absorbing the best from other civilisations, and to promote mutual understanding among residents, the deputy mayor said. SRICE (Dunhuang) will become a professional and international cultural expo, and serve as an important platform for cultural exchange and economic development, said the official. VNS Mamata Banerjee's mammoth victory in Assembly elections may help Kolkata, the only Indian metro city without a direct flight to Europe, get a regular Air India flight to London. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who was present at the swearing-in ceremony of the West Bengal chief minister on Friday, has said he would ask Air India to re-introduce a direct flight between Kolkata and London, which was discontinued because it was commercially unfeasible. "The CM has asked the Union minister to look into the matter and he promised that he will ask the state-run carrier to consider the proposal," a top state government official told Business Standard. Air India had withdrawn its direct flight between Kolkata and an European city in 2007. The assurance came after Banerjee personally requested Raju to look into the matter. And the Civil Aviation Minister was quick to respond positively. Interestingly, this is not the first time when Banerjee has sought a direct flight between Kolkata and cities in Europe. In her previous term as chief minister, she had invited several private airlines as well as Air India to start the service. While private airlines, after conducting feasibility study, said the route wasn't commercially viable, Air India kept on delaying the matter. Many analysts are seeing Raju's response as a sign of Mamata Banerjee's rising clout in Delhi after the Trinamool Congress won 211 seats in the 294-strong West Bengal Assembly. With Banerjee's rising stature in Indian politics and the Centre's efforts to seek her support in the Rajya Sabha for getting crucial Bills cleared, sources said West Bengal government might be able to get go-ahead for some crucial projects in the coming months. "The CM wants rapid development of West Bengal. She has gone to the extent of offering a complete waiver on Air Turbine Fuel (ATF) tax," the state government official added. But aviation industry is sceptic about commercial success of such a route. "If any airline has to fly to Europe from Kolkata, which is an eight-hour journey, it has to operate a wide-body aircraft. Our study suggests it will be difficult to get even 60 per cent occupancy," said a top official of a private airline. The state government had earlier approached five European airlines - Lufthansa, Germanwings, KLM, Air France and Thomson Airways. Jet Airways had also conveyed its inability to operate in a low-yield market. Kolkata Airport director Atul Dixit claimed such a route was completely viable. "Our data suggests there are enough passengers flying to European countries via Delhi," he said. Kolkata's international airport doesn't have any direct flight to the Europe or the US as the last such route, Kolkata-Frankfurt, was discontinued by Lufthansa in 2011. British Airways had earlier withdrawn its Kolkata-London flight in 2008. Of the remaining 17 international routes, Qatar Airlines and Emirates fly to the Middle East, while the rest operate between Kolkata and South and Southeast Asian countries like Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore and Thailand. 27:08 IN FULL: Treasurer delivers Labors first budget Treasurer Jim Chalmers has handed down the Albanese Governments Budget 2022, saying it begins to build a better future that befits Australians.... 07:52 Albonomics: Five things Australians need to know from horror budget In tonights episode of Paul Murray Live, Paul discusses the five things Australians need to know from the Albanese governments horror... 00:32 Government expects inflation to peak at 7.75 per cent later this year Treasurer Jim Chalmers says inflation is expected at 7.75 per cent later this year before moderating over time to 3.5 per cent through 2023-24.... 04:06 Australias GDP to grow 3.25 per cent in 2022/23 Australias GDP is expected to grow 3.25 per cent in 2022/23 before slowing to 1.5 per cent growth in 2023/24, according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers... 01:36 Power of pain for families in Albanese governments budget Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says its a power of pain for families in the Albanese governments first budget. So, the machines are finally scraping the ground at the Cedar Valley TechWorks. Projects like this always take time, but, lets face it: This one is long overdue. TechWorks first emerged as a working idea in 2003. Here is the oldest reference to TechWorks found in Courier archives: An ambitious project to market high-tech agricultural products near John Deeres Westfield Avenue site in downtown Waterloo is being touted by several area legislators as the poster child for the Iowa Values Fund, an economic development initiative pending in the Iowa Legislature. Representatives of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Deere & Co., MidAmerican Energy and University of Northern Iowa President Robert Koob plan to discuss the proposed complex, dubbed the Cedar Valley TechWorks, during a formal announcement in Des Moines Thursday. Thats from the April 23, 2003, issue of the newspaper. UNI soon will have its third president since Koob was active in the process. Terry Branstad is the third governor to occupy Terrace Hill in that time. Last Thursday was perhaps the biggest day yet in the extended birthing of this center, when organizers hosted an official launch to construction of the heart of the project a $40 million section that includes a Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, John Deere Training Center, conference space and restaurant in the Tech 2 building. In speaking to an audience gathered for the construction lauch, Branstad described TechWorks as a nice bridge between past and present. He could have been describing the planning process for this project. Planners described it as a significant step in the continued progress of developing The Green@TechWorks. It was significant enough to have made sure Branstad, along with Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and other state officials. were there. It certainly was important for Steve Dust, who, as the leader of TechWorks and its most vocal booster over lo these many years, certainly has had to deal with legions of skeptics. The commencement of construction of the Tech 2 mixed-use project, that weve been calling The Green@TechWorks, is a cause for celebration first, that the developer, city council and staff team, and all of our partners recognized the value of the creatively structured and financed project and were willing and able to stick with it to make it a reality, Dust said when asked for his thoughts about the milestone. The project delivers new operations to downtown Waterloos northwest periphery, and it has served as a catalyst for other projects, as well, Dust said. When others saw the Green project was committed to delivering a $40 million-plus project and new jobs in the area, it also helps others to believe in the vitality of the surrounding area and take risks on more projects in the new, redevelopment neighborhood around TechWorks Campus, he said. Thats just Tech 2. The Tech 1 building already is abuzz with activity. It has a continuously expanding Additive Manufacturing Center and soon will open a new Cedar Valley makers shop, which will serving manufacturers from across Iowa and the U.S., Dust noted. Also on the campus is the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, which opened officially about a year ago. With all of those ingredients in place, TechWorks is prepared to add more new uses over the next few years industrial production and services, professional offices, and retail in the central campus, and the planned new marina operation on the Cedar River, Dust said. The TechWorks board of directors and team, and a whole new set of private development partners get to fill out the new uses at the edge of Waterloos downtown all new uses on a very historic site. Dust noted that the possibilities that will unfold over the next five years are exciting and certainly worth the long wait. Its a new phase of excitement on the campus, he said. Its a place were all glad to be after a decade of planning, preparation, and persistence in bringing new life to a highly visible, well-connected, large site in the core of the Cedar Valley metros largest city. RONNIE COLSON and MICHAEL JOHNSON are joining Community Chevrolet-Cadillac in Cedar Falls as sales consultants. Colson is re-joining Community after working for a number of years at Dan Deery Toyota in Cedar Falls. MARY KUNKLE has been promoted to manager of grant services, where she will oversee all grant pursuits for UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital, Allen College, Allen Foundation, UnityPoint Clinic and UnityPoint at Home. She graduated with a bachelors degree in social work from the University of Northern Iowa and has a masters degree in urban planning from Wayne State University. BRANDON SCHIPPER has started a new role as the grant coordinator at Allen College. Schipper has worked at UnityPoint Health for five years and holds both a bachelors degree and masters degree from the University of Northern Iowa. AARON CULLEY has joined UnityPoint Clinic-Psychiatry-Waterloo as clinic administrator. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelors degree in social work and also earned a masters degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis. He is expected to graduate from Des Moines University in 2017 with a masters degree in healthcare administration. STACIE FOBIAN joined UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital as a patient advocate. She graduated from Upper Iowa University and has nearly 20 years of nursing experience in the Cedar Valley. SHANNON RODER has started her new role as clinic supervisor for UnityPoint Clinic-Family Medicine locations in Parkersburg and Allison. She previously was a physician liaison for UnityPoint at Home in the Dubuque and Waterloo regions and also the operations manager for UnityPoint Hospice in Waterloo. JERIC WATTS and DEREK WELLER have joined Brad Jacobson State Farm Insurance as marketing associates. Watts, previously with Wells Fargo in the Des Moines area, graduated from Iowa State University. Weller, a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, has a customer service background working as a recreation specialist for the military. They both are natives of the Cedar Valley. SUE WILLETT of Oakridge Realtors has been awarded the Bronze Achievement Award for 2015 in Recognition of Excellence in Listing and Sales of Real Estate by the Iowa Association of Realtors. Dupaco Community Credit Union is announcing MICHAEL LAMPMAN has joined Dupaco as an indirect lending specialist at the Cedar Heights Drive location in Cedar Falls, and TYLER SCHROEDER was promoted to member service representative at the Mullan Avenue location in Waterloo. ANDREW NORDSTROM, vice president/in-house counsel at Black Hawk County Abstract & Title in Waterloo, has been elected president of the Iowa Land Title Association at their annual convention in Osceola in May. Nordstrom joined Black Hawk Abstract in 2012, and joined the board of the ILTA in 2015. He is a 2007 graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law, and a 2003 graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly. Ruth J. Schoeneman died after a brief illness on May 20, 2016, at Rosewood Estate, Waterloo. Born in 1924 she spent her childhood on farms in rural Butler County. She was a bit of a tomboy who preferred being outside to housework. Pulling morning glories and milkweeds from young corn plants, feeding chickens, and milking cows were among her chores that she declared were preferable to, "being cooped up in a kitchen any old day." Her high spirit was evident when she rode horses bareback and cajoled her little sister into swimming in the deep waters of Beaver Creek. Never mind the blood suckers that had to be picked off tender limbs afterward. She had outstanding artistic ability. A charcoal drawing of the Reims Cathedral in Paris, France, that she completed during a summer of private tutoring was prize worthy. Ruth graduated from Parkersburg High School, salutatorian of her class and earned a teaching certificate two years later from the University of Northern Iowa. She taught in Jesup public schools for three years after which she changed careers, attended the University of Iowa and earned a B.A. degree in social work. The major portion of her professional life was spent in the Cook County Department of Human Services in Chicago, where she ultimately became a case work supervisor. Ruth traveled extensively crowning these adventures by encircling the globe shortly before she retired. She was well read, opinionated and had a subtle sense of humor, traits which led to interesting conversations enjoyed by her family and friends. She will be missed by all who knew her. She is survived by a sister, Adele McDowell of Des Moines; a brother-in-law, Wendall Abkes of Parkersburg; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service is being planned for a later date. Any contributions may be directed to Practical Farmers of Iowa or Heifer International. WATERLOO The city will be looking for evidence of contaminants at the site of a major methamphetamine lab busted 15 years ago. Waterloo City Council members have hired HR Green Inc. of Cedar Rapids to perform a Phase 1 environmental site assessment at the former Cleveland Welding Supply building at 120 Center St. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is expected to reimburse the city for the estimated $3,000 cost. City planning staff said the assessment is the first step of a process to get a clean bill of health for the long-vacant eyesore, which would then allow the city to put the property back in the hands of a tax-paying business. Chris Western, the citys brownfields coordinator, said the property has been considered for an expansion of the adjacent B&B Lawn Care business, assuming it is either contaminant free or can be cleaned up. Western said the original need for the assessment was driven by the buildings history as a welding and manufacturing site. But the Phase 1 scope was expanded to cover potential problems related to the meth lab. Law enforcement officers with the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force raided the operating welding supply store in March 2001, finding a clandestine meth lab described as larger than most in the state. At least three people were sentenced to prison following the bust, and the property was eventually sold for unpaid taxes in 2002. Black Hawk County property records show the building is now owned by a Texas property investor. The original building at 120 Center was constructed in 1914 but underwent a major expansion in 1929. CEDAR FALLS As families gather Monday to lay wreaths in honor of their loved ones who died in active military service, Donna Hall will be looking forward to Fathers Day weekend in June. Her late husband, Jon E. Hall, didnt die while serving in the U.S. military. The 54-year-old Vietnam veteran, Green Beret and Bronze Star recipient died from cancer Feb. 1, 2004, as a result of exposure to Agent Orange herbicide used by the military in Vietnam to kill vegetation. On June 18, Donna and their daughters, Monica and Jennifer, will be in Washington, D.C., for In Memory Day at the Vietnam War Memorial on the National Mall. The program honors Vietnam veterans whose deaths are a result of their service in Vietnam, but who are not eligible for inscription on the Wall. Hall will be among 300 veterans honored in June. Its a good way to thank him for his service. He had so much pride and dedication to his country. He was only 54 when he died, and it was such a loss. When I read about this program, I decided to fill out the paperwork and see if Jon was eligible. Now it seems like it was meant to be, said Donna. Jon Hall, a 1968 graduate of Cedar Falls High School, served with the U.S. Army 5th Special Forces. He was deployed to Vietnam from 1970-71, and after returning home served two years in the reserves. He served as AMVETS Post 49 post commander from 1999-2000 and was the AMVETS ROTC liaison for the state of Iowa. Donna describes her husband as quiet and reserved, and not one to talk much about his service. But when daughter Monica needed a topic for a sixth-grade presentation, Hall offered her his green beret and sat down with her to share some of his wartime experiences. Eventually Monica Sneed followed in her dads footsteps, enlisting in the Iowa National Guard. She was commissioned as an active-duty finance officer, serving in Korea and Afghanistan. She now works for the Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C. Jennifer also learned patriotic lessons from her dad. Particularly the gratitude that I should have for people who have served in the military, she said. The family will read Jons name aloud at the ceremony and place a tribute in his name at the Wall. The National Park Service collects the tributes and stores them as part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection. His name will be added to the In Memory virtual honor roll. The three of us have never done anything like this before, to share something so meaningful. It makes us all very proud, Donna added. For Vietnam Veterans families interested in finding out more about the program and how to apply, visit http://www.vvmf.org/inmemoryprogram. This Memorial Day weekend, I would like to honor a relative I never knew. I wish I had. Hes been gone 25 years. It didnt have to happen. Ronald E. Ronnie McCool and I were third cousins. He was 10 years older than me. Our grandmothers were sisters. I remember, as a little kid, our family visiting Ronnies grandma, my Great Aunt Em, on Sunday afternoons. That was in the late 1960s. By that time, Ronnie was in Vietnam. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps right out of Columbus High School. He served four years in the Marines and 15 months in country. His life after the military initially showed promise. He was a student in the tool and die department of Hawkeye Institute of Technology, now Hawkeye Community College, and was elected student body president in 1971. Eventually he landed a job at John Deere. But Ronnies fortunes slid down a long slippery slope. He died in September 1991 in Prairie du Chien, Wis., where hed moved years earlier. It was a suicide, brought on in part by post-traumatic stress disorder from his Vietnam service, according to his doctor. Ronnie was 44. Two weeks later, at the annual Vietnam weekend vigil at the Black Hawk County Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Waterloo, a bench bearing his name was dedicated, donated by his family. Friends of Ronnie said he would leave a red rose on the local Vietnam memorial to let friends know hed been in town. Mentally, friends said, Ronnie never came home from Vietnam, having lost many friends there, and was every bit as much a casualty of war as those who had fallen there. But he was always reaching out to other veterans and their families. In the early 1980s, Ronnie visited The Wall the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. riding his motorcycle there from Iowa. He left there a photo of the grave of one of his comrades, Marine Lance Cpl. Philip Alan Purvis of Denver, Colo., killed in action on Quang Ngai province Nov. 25, 1966. Ronnie wrote his own name and Waterloo address and phone number on the back, asking anyone who knew Purvis to contact him. The photo and note is preserved in the National Park Services collection of items left at The Wall. Ronnies brother, Jim of Waterloo, a Vietnam veteran himself, has a letter Crawford County, Wis., veterans service officer James W. Hannah wrote Jims and Ronnies parents after Ronnies death, praising him for his work with veterans in Prairie du Chien. He donated POW-MIA flags to veterans posts and the tourism center. He had a cabin there, offering it to veterans and their families to use for recreation and relaxation. Ronnie was going to bequeath the cabin to a local veterans organization in the event of his death but killed himself two days before completing the paperwork with his attorney. I was reminded of Ronnie a couple of weeks ago at a Cedar Falls City Council meeting. Terry Scheffert of the Cedar Falls AMVETS post was there to raise awareness of veteran suicides and gave me a camouflage-colored Team AMVETS 22 Everyday rubber baller-band bracelet. It refers to the number of veterans who die from suicide daily in the U.S. It jogged my memory of Ronnie and my conscience. In a speech near the end of World War II, Gen. George S. Patton noted there was a saying the only heroes of war were the ones who didnt come back. Well dammit, weve got some live ones too! Patton proclaimed. Yes we do. And we need to keep them around as long as we can from the aging veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam up through those of Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans talents and dedication to serve people, even after leaving the military, are resources we dare not lose. If you know or love a veteran or their family, support them every way you can. Let them know they are appreciated and hang onto them with all your might. The national AMVETS 22 Everyday Crisis Line number is (800) 273-8255, extension 1. There also are many local veterans organizations to help. In the fight to save veterans lives, to borrow a line from Gen. Douglas MacArthur, there is no substitute for victory. Spreading that message is the least I can do to honor my cousin Ronnie the hero I never knew. Boza could not even get enough energy to even straw boss properly and he just gave up. Went to sleep and let us humans do our thing. After several hours of sleep outside, Boza went for a walk, with Svetochka. They went to the bottom of the hill and then Boza turned and came home. No long walks for him right now Smart dog We are just glad to see him moving. Albeit, slow and short distances, but moving Sveta and I have to run to the Big Village. We will get more medicine for Boza and I have to get a water pump for the Volga. I am going to also get all new radiator hoses and replace everything at the same time. The blessing about a Volga is; $20 and I will have a new water pump and hoses, dirt cheap Have a nice day! WtR 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? 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You can test drive various casinos completely risk-free, so you can feel confident about your choice before you make a single penny deposit. May 29, 2016 | By Alec Though numerous academic hospitals around the world are steadily adopting 3D printed models and implants to deal with unusual or life-threatening cases, Chinese surgeons are really pushing the 3D printing envelope when it comes to surgical applications. Just last month, they even used a 4D printed tracheal stent to save the life of a patient. But these applications are also inspiring new insights into conventional surgical procedures, as is illustrated by a two recent surgeries in the Southwest Hospital of the Third Military Medical University in China. Two patients with severe ankle joint deformities were helped with 3D printed bone grafts, which not only made treatment more precise than when relying on conventional implants, but also significantly decreased the surgerys impact a patients health. Bone defects and joint diseases are becoming increasingly common in society, and can be caused by the severe trauma of car accidents, for instance, but also by bone tumors and degenerative old age diseases. In these cases, the malformed bones and joints make movement very painful. The exact position of bone defects, in for instance the foot and ankle joints, can make walking especially painful for patients. It also impedes their ability to walk normally, said Professor Yang Liu, Director of the Joint Surgery department of Southwest Hospital and leader of this 3D printing research initiative. The professor added that about 10 percent of all orthopedic and joint surgery patients have bone defects in some shape or form. Right now, there are already two treatment methods available for these complications. One is to remove bone tissue from other parts of the body and transplant it to the problem area. But this has the significant disadvantage of being limited by the amount of available transplantable material. The body only has so much bone, and removing too much from other locations comes with significant risks. The other method is also undesirable, as it relies on bone transplants from other patients or cadavers. This unfortunately brings an additional rejection risk to the table. These transplanted bone structures are also typically not as hard as they should be. But 3D printing can offer a third alternative, as shown by the 3D printed bone grafts that were developed at the Southwest Hospital of the Third Military Medical University. These have already been successfully transplanted into two patients. The two female patients were 60 and 57 years old, respectively. One of them suffered from serious arthritis and bone defects in both ankle joints. Back in 2014, she already received a bone transplant for her left foot, but that means theres a serious lack of available bone material now that the right foot is also troubling her. She has therefore refused conventional treatment. The other patient suffered from a complex bone deformity and an uneven surface caused by a previous correction. Both unusual cases thus needed a custom solution. To achieve the desired therapeutic effect, surgeon and Associate Professor of the Joint Surgery department Duan XiaoJun first gathered CT scan data from both patients. Together with his surgical team, that data was used to develop a precise digital model through extensive modifications and design improvements. That final model was sent miles and miles away to the Shaanxi Institute for Materials Engineering. There, the models were used to 3D print custom implants and accompanying steel plate fixtures. As Director Yang Liu explained, these 3D printed grafts are far easier to work with. The ankle implant fixation made with 3D printing technology is tailor-made, solves the problem of bone defects in patients, and also deals with the difficulties involved in fixture resetting. Such customized technology can greatly improve the likelihood of surgical success, he said. As a medical application, 3D printing technology requires close collaboration between clinicians, 3D graphics designers, and material engineers. The director further argued that the 3D printed grafts, made from an allogeneic bone implant material, have certain other advantages over conventional treatment methods. Firstly, the material is available in much, much larger quantities than a patients own bone tissue, which is unique. Secondly, the fixation components were custom made to fit the patients own bone structure. Unlike standardized artificial joint fixtures, they fit perfectly and reduce the risk of recurring bone defects and subsequent surgeries. Finally, the material exhibits the exact hardness properties of human joints, making it a perfect substitute for the real thing. The surgeons therefore hope that these two successful operations will further promote the use of 3D printing in bone and joint defect surgeries. When compared to conventional treatment methods, the Chinese surgeons say, their new procedure is far more precise and less impactful on the patients. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: May 29, 2016 | By Benedict Sho Yoshida, a Japanese engineer, has designed a 3D printable robot called Shellmo. The machine consists of four technical layers, and is entirely open source, enabling makers to build, hack, and even sell the 3D printed bot as they please. Every now and again, a 3D printing project comes along which promises not only a technical challenge, but the prospect of a new friend. Shellmo, the loveable, bug-like robot, is one of those projects. Make no mistake, the DIY robot is definitely a challenge for makers, with its four layersmotor, core, shell, and accessoryeach presenting their own technical challenges. At the center of Shellmo, however, is a heart. Literally, in fact: inspired by an interaction with his doctor, Yoshida designed a 3D printable LED heart for Shellmos insides in order to exert psychological effects on us. Somehow, it works. So why the name Shellmo? A nod to Yoshidas favorite muppet, or something more? According to the designer himself, the name refers to the concept of a shell module, which is exactly what the top layer of the 3D printed robot happens to be. The printable exoskeleton is fully modular, with each piece able to be replaced by another to alter the appearance of the robot. Yoshida has already published two complete shell designs for Shellmo: Cambria, and Zero. The former is the green, bug-like exterior seen on most of these photographs, while the latter is a darker, more geometrical design that wouldnt look out of place in the Transformers universe. Ever since his first encounter with additive manufacturing technology, Yoshida had wanted to create something special using a 3D printer: One day, I had a chance to use an industrial version of a 3D printer, he told Open Source magazine. I was honestly astonished and shocked when the 3D printer began to synthesize the model that I had designed. Seeing it taking form and shape before my very eyes with mere plastic powder was stunningI remember finding it miraculous that 3D printing allowed one to easily and freely traverse between one's imagination and reality. The 3D printing history behind Shellmo is extensive, with the technology acting as an integral part of the entire project. If I were the father of Shellmo, then [the] 3D printer would be the mother of Shellmo, Yoshida admits. Most parts of the robots body are 3D printable, andaccording to its makercan be most easily created using a third-party service such as Shapeways. This is because the intricacy of some of the parts could purportedly present a challenge for some desktop 3D printers. Not wanting to exclude any makers from the Shellmo experience, however, Yoshida is currently refining the 3D design to make it more suited to desktop 3D printers. The designer hopes that this optimization could reduce the total cost of building the robot by more than 90 percent, with a Shapeways-produced Shellmo currently costing around $310 when printed in White Nylon material. With its amiable lidded eyes, Shellmo might look more like a toy than a serious robotics project, but the giant bug packs some impressive technical features. The robot can be controlled remotely via Bluetooth, on either Android or Windows operating systems. This is thanks to a dedicated app, developed by Yoshida for Shellmo, which features an intuitive interface and various movement controls, including a speed bar and acceleration bar. Things get a little bit weirder further down the Shellmo website homepage, as Yoshida suggests incorporating a functional 3D printer within the Shellmo robot itself, creating a walking, printing Shellmo Reproductor. The designer has some ideas about the philosophical implications of creating such a machine. He asks: Why is it necessary to make a 3D printer walk? The reason, he says, is that animals, including ourselves, are deeply linked to certain movements. Yoshida then asks you, the collective readership, to try to imagine what [those movements] are yourselves. Ultimately, Yoshida believes that the relationship between Shellmo and a 3D printer is much the same as the relationship between a computer game and the console on which it is played. When considering Shellmo's business development, the 3D printer that guarantees the making of Shellmo is extremely important, the designer explains. However, there is no need for this 3D printer to walk, he concedes. All 3D printing files and detailed info can be found on the Shellmo website. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: arman-tech wrote at 5/31/2016 8:58:07 AM:A job well done. May 28, 2016 | By Faith Traditional means of making often fall out of relevance for a number of reasons. Whether through loss of skillset, or simply through loss of necessity, techniques for production and processes change and the ancient practice of ship model construction is a fantastic example of such development. From the burial offering purposes of Ancient Greek models, right through to the creation of model fleets for prosperous ship owners across a number of industries and decades, model making has long been a revered craft. Such remains true even today although methods have changed significantly. The Seven Provinces galleon is a stunning 17th century warship anchored in the Rotterdam harbour. Significant in size and stature, and loaded in historical and aesthetic detail, the suggestion of a scaled-down version of the vessel would probably intimidate even the most experienced model-maker. However, through the use of 3D printing technology, such a feat has been achieved by Rotterdam-based design studio, & designshop and with fantastic results. In only seven months the & designshop duo (Elwin and Nynke van der Hoek) collaborated with a number of talented specialists to create the ship model, which was commissioned and now proudly sits in the lobby of a smart London office. In order to move forward with the project, the design studio needed a digital model of the boat: a model which would be extremely complicated. Luckily, the assistant director of Dutch film Michiel de Ruyter was on hand to support with detailed information about life of the legendary captain of the Seven Provinces ship. From this provided history, and from files retrieved from the studio who did the digital effects for the movie (Belgian company Grid VFX), & designshop were able to construct accurate 3D files of the ship itself. They also relied on the expertise of several other partners. Ab Hoving, a former conservator-restorer from the Rijsmuseum in Amsterdam, designed the main lines of the ship, while Herbert Tomesen of Artitec High End Scale Models was responsible for all other details. The late Cor Emke transferred much of their designs to Autocad. Incidentally, the designers also added a few non-historical details to the model. The steering wheel, for instance, had not been invented in 1666, but just looks fantastic. All photography by Femke Poort Through Materialises incredible Mammoth Stereolithography 3D printing technique, a 1.5 metre long hull of the Seven Provinces ship could be created along with all of its additional detailed parts. Finally a traditionally-skilled model maker united all of the 3D printed parts into the model build, and in addition created a series of handmade details (nylon rigging and rope, for example) with which to complete the scale model of the vessel. Whilst its true that 3D printing as a process still cannot produce a final, finished, total product, the benefits of this contemporary and collaborative method of making certainly signify a major change in the way that we create. Hand-crafted details remain essential to such a piece but its the efficiency with which additive manufacture can turn a brief into a realised project (in the case of the Seven Provinces ship within just seven months) that truly highlights the incredible power of this new process. And who knows: maybe 3D printers will be able to build a full-scale galleon in a few years time, rather than just the model. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: niemand wrote at 11/15/2018 6:44:54 PM:Het stuurwiel we rond 1700 geintroduceerd. Toen was de 7 Provincien al gesloopt. Slordig hoor Gartner names top five 'Cool Vendors in 3D printing 2016' May.24, 2016 - Research and advisory firm Gartner has been key in the predictions of the 3D printing industry market, often publishing reports that lay out expectations of growth and impact. Recently, the firm also released its 'Cool Vendors in 3D Printing 2016' list, which draws attention to five companies which are paving the way for the future of 3D printing. More Ed Yong in The Atlantic: In February 1990, thanks to a 15-year-old boy named Bruno Kowalsczewski, footsteps echoed through the chambers of Bruniquel Cave for the first time in tens of thousands of years. The cave sits in Frances scenic Aveyron Valley, but its entrance had long been sealed by an ancient rockslide. Kowalsczewskis father had detected faint wisps of air emerging from the scree, and the boy spent three years clearing away the rubble. He eventually dug out a tight, thirty-meter-long passage that the thinnest members of the local caving club could squeeze through. They found themselves in a large, roomy corridor. There were animal bones and signs of bear activity, but nothing recent. The floor was pockmarked with pools of water. The walls were punctuated by stalactites (the ones that hang down) and stalagmites (the ones that stick up). Some 336 meters into the cave, the caver stumbled across something extraordinarya vast chamber where several stalagmites had beendeliberately broken. Most of the 400 pieces had been arranged into two ringsa large one between 4 and 7 metres across, and a smaller one just 2 metres wide. Others had been propped up against these donuts. Yet others had been stacked into four piles. Traces of fire were everywhere, and there was a mass of burnt bones. More here. Monday night fire destroys garage, damages home, vehicle Nobody was injured, but a Monday night fire destroyed a garage and damaged a home in southeastern Aberdeen. AT BOOKWORKS: Anita Rodriguez will talk about Coyota in the Kitchen: A Memoir of New and Old Mexico at 3 today. This book of stories and recipes introduces two eccentric families that would never have eaten together, let alone exchanged recipes, but for the improbable marriage of the authors parents: a nuevomexicano from Taos and a painter who came from Texas to New Mexico to study art. Betsy James will read from Roadsouls at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 31. Roadsouls explores the power of art and creativity for transforming not only ones own life but also the world one lives in. Matthew Binder will sign High in the Streets at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 2. One day Lou Brown decided to kill himself. But when he sat down to craft a suicide letter, the simple act of committing words to the page was like opening up a window to his mind, allowing the whole world to shine. His book went on to become a runaway best seller, making him a literary icon, earning him all the trappings of the American dream. Its now five years later, and the obligations that come along with great success have robbed him of the freedom he values above all else. Mark Childs and Ellen Babcock will sign Zeon Files at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 4. In the mid-20th century, Eddies Inferno Cocktail Lounge, Bunny Bread, Paris Shoe Shop, and many other businesses throughout New Mexico and the Southwest displayed eye-catching roadside signs created by the Zeon Corp. The Zeon Files rescues these historic artifacts from obscurity, presenting a collection of the working drawings of historic Route 66-era signs. Bookworks is at 4022 Rio Grande NW. Call 344-8139. AT PAGE ONE: The Small Press and Local Author Fair takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 4. Its the third local author fair for 2016, with one more tentatively planned for October. Authors are invited to bring their books to promote and sell independently. Authors do not need reservations, but they should bring change and/or credit card readers for their sales. Page One is located at 5850 Eubank NE, Suite B-41, in the Mountain Run Center. Call 294-2026. AT TREASURE HOUSE BOOKS: Gloria Casale will sign her thriller Bioterror: The Essential Threat at 1 today. Robert Kresge will sign his latest Warbonnet historical mystery Unearthing the Bones at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 4. Treasure House Books & Gifts is located at 2012 South Plaza NW in Old Town. Call 505-242-7204. Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for a few good men. The organization connects youngsters from 6 to 18 years old many of whom have experienced adversity in one-on-one matches with caring adults who are willing to act as mentors providing a role model that can make a positive difference in the young persons life. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico serves about 1,600 kids annually in the region it covers: Bernalillo, Cibola, Otero, San Juan, Sandoval, Socorro, Torrance and Valencia counties. CEO Angela Reed Padilla said they have hundreds of volunteers but never enough, especially men volunteering to work with boys. We have twice as many boys referred to us and twice as many women volunteers, Reed Padilla said, adding women volunteers are still welcome. Many of the boys referred to BBBS are from single parent families headed by women and they lack a male role model. Some are referred by a therapist or social worker. Often they have to wait two years to be matched. To meet this need, the organization launched a campaign, 60 Men in 60 Days, on May 1. As of May 23 they had 20 new volunteers and they are hoping to meet their goal by June 30. Volunteers can become Big Brothers as young as 18 years old and there is no upper age limit. BBBS conducts extensive interviews, background checks and requires fingerprinting from volunteers. We ask a lot of questions so we can find people who can have fun hanging out together, Reed Padilla said. Nat Arrietta, 65, is a three-time Big Brother who decided he wanted to do charitable work with children after his own sons had grown up and left home. I thought that was the way I could make the best impact on someones life, Arrietta said. Each of his Little Brother matches has lasted several years and he felt they had a positive effect. One boy had dropped out of high school and Arrietta was able to get him into Job Corps where he received training in refrigeration work. Another Little Brother, whose brothers and sisters had all had brushes with the law, was the first in his family to graduate from high school. Reed Padilla said Big Brother volunteers typically get together with their Little Brothers about twice a month, or in some cases, much more often. Bud Shaw, 62, and Greg, 15 (BBBS does not release the last names of Little Brothers), have been matched for a couple of years and the pair hit the gym together every Saturday. Shaw also drops in daily to visit the aunt and uncle who took Greg in when his mother died a year ago. Hes there when I need someone to talk to. Hes pretty much like a family member, Greg said. Gregs aunt, Patricia Briggs, said her sister wanted her son to have an adult male mentor and she believes Shaw has been a good influence. Bud has been a good stable person in his (Gregs) life, Briggs said. Robert Sotela, 35, moved to Albuquerque eight years ago from the east Los Angeles area where he volunteered with an organization that helped raise money for families in need. He wanted to find an organization in Albuquerque where he could help kids chances in school. BBBS matched him with Jordan, a 12-year-old whose father had recently died. The two go hiking, play catch, visit the library and read aloud to each other. Sotela said the boy was very timid and reserved when they met but now is comfortable introducing himself to new people when they are out together. Sotela feels he has learned a lot from the experience as well. Its opening my eyes up, Sotela said. When I have small problems, I think about these kids that have so many more (problems) than I have; broken homes, loss of parents. By being exposed to this I look at my life and see I have so much to offer that I didnt realize. It brightens my day and strengthens my spirit. The doctor who attended the premature birth of Jean Johnson predicted she wouldnt make it through the night. He was wrong. She grew up to become involved in a World War II cryptography operation closely linked to work at Bletchley Park in England that was made famous in the 2013 movie The Imitation Game. But for 30 years after the events she was sworn to secrecy by a British act of Parliament. My husband never knew what I did in Washington, said Jean (Johnson) Bridgers. She married architect Frank Bridgers, whom she met when they were both serving in China shortly after the war. Now 92, she still recalls those war years in minute detail, the people, the places and the hush-hush environment at the U.S. Armys Signal Intelligence Service headquarters outside Washington, D.C. Seated comfortably in the Northeast Heights where she now lives with her daughter, Lynn Bridgers, her eyes sparkled at times as she spoke. Military training Growing up during the Depression in St. Paul, Minn., she said, life was tough. Her father died when she was 5 years old, leaving her mother with three children and another on the way. Bridgers was a pre-law student at the University of Minnesota in 1943, working a summer job to pay for college when she received a letter from the Army asking if she would be interested in going to radio operator school. The government would pay tuition and salary, she said. Taking up that offer was the first step toward her military career. After radio and code training, she was sworn in to the 1st Minnesota Regiment of the Womens Army Corps at Fort Snelling, Minn., then traveled three days via train to Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., for basic training. That was a different kind of experience, she said. I learned what tired was. Disappointment followed when she was sent to Holabird Signal Depot in Baltimore and despite her specialized training she was put to work in a library. It was one of the low points of my life, she said. I could have stayed at home and worked in a library. Then came the day when she learned she would be sent to Washingon, D.C. She remembers the plank seats on the big truck that met the women off the train and took them to Arlington Hall, formerly a swank girls school that became the U.S. Armys Signal Intelligence Service headquarters during World War II. Also memorable was the one-story barracks heated by pot-belled stoves where she roomed with 30 women. You could see cracks in the floor, she said. Critical work Jean Bridgers was assigned to a project later known as the Ultra Secret, working at night in the basement, monitoring enemy communications and passing on information to their counterparts at Bletchley Park. Cracking the messages encrypted by the Germans Enigma coding machine was possible because information obtained by German and French spies enabled Polish scientists to reconstruct the technology and share it with the British, according to a BBC history documentary. The British eventually agreed to share information with the Americans. Bridgers said she had a lot of satisfaction about being involved in something so critical to the war effort at the time. But today its not satisfying, because the breaks that came through the Ultra Secret project sunk a lot of German boys on submarines, she said. I get no pleasure out of that because I would never have deliberately killed anybody. When the war in Europe officially ended on May 8, 1945, Jean Bridgers and her co-workers were told they would have other assignments. For several months she assisted with the Army effort to process returning troops. Then, on Thanksgiving she read a sign saying the government wanted 50 women to relieve men being sent home from Shanghai. Soon after, she was on a C-54 military transport plane on a multi-day journey via Honolulu, Guam and Manila. In Shanghai, she was among a handful of women assigned to the China theater Signal headquarters. They lived in a former French-owned hotel that had been stripped of all heating units by departing Japanese forces near the end of the war. This was no picnic in January, she said. We had smelly five-gallon (oil) drums that would serve us (as heating) at night. After a few weeks she received a promotion to staff sergeant and the chief signal officer entrusted her with reading dispatches for him and the chief executive officer on Sundays, when they were off duty. It only occurred to her much later that the reason she was picked was because she had top security clearance from her previous work in Washington. Return home The chief signal officer was also responsible for her meeting her future husband. He told her to go on a weekend excursion to Hangzhou with hundreds of servicemen who were at loose ends while they waited to be returned to the United States. I couldnt say no to the chief signal officer, she said. Frank Bridgers was part of an Army Corps of Engineers unit that had been building runways and bridges in China. They returned to the U.S. at separate times as Jean Bridgers was involved in closing up the signal office operation in Shanghai. When she arrived at Travis Air Force Base near San Francisco she was offered a job helping in personnel planning for Air Force officers in the post-war era. She and Frank Bridgers married in Santa Fe in 1949 and moved to Los Alamos where he was working on a project for the Los Alamos National Laboratory. They moved to Albuquerque in 1951 where he and a business partner started Bridgers and Paxton Consulting Engineering, which is still in existence. To the east the Sandia Mountains sit protecting the city. To the west the three sisters, or Albuquerque volcanoes, remind us of a time forever locked in history. And winding through the middle is the mighty Rio Grande the lifeblood to the communities it touches. These elements inspire Manuel Gonzalez, Albuquerques new poet laureate. Weve got fire, earth and water surrounding us, he says. And when the winds kick up here, weve got plenty of air. The Duke City is one of many cities including Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Santa Fe that have poet laureates. Forty-two states, including New Mexico, have state-level poet laureates. Gonzalez is the citys third poet laureate. He replaces Jessica Helen Lopez, who recently completed her two-year term. Like Lopez and inaugural poet laureate Hakim Bellamy, Gonzalez spent many years running in the slam poetry circuit in Albuquerque. Unlike his predecessors, Gonzalez becomes the first poet laureate born and raised in Albuquerque. Im a Burqueno, he says with pride. I want to represent the city the best that I can. I want to show that theres more to this city than just Breaking Bad. The poetry community here is so strong, and we have tons of talent. Gonzalez credits the slam poetry circuit with honing his skills. He begins each poem with spoken word. I have to speak each word, he says. Its not a lot of writing until the end. Ill recite everything before I write it. Its my style. Lopez says Gonzalez is a friend, poetry brother, colleague and her favorite superhero. I am overjoyed that he is the new city of Albuquerque poet laureate, she says. It is a much-deserved title. He has long been an ambassador of the written and spoken word, and he is certainly a champion of the good gente y la tierra of Burque. A storyteller, a diligent community organizer, artist and activist; Manuel will do our city proud, and I know he will continue to enrich our already very vibrant and happening literary arts community. Gonzalez has been performing poetry for a few decades. He says poetry saved his life. He wasnt a good student and often found himself in trouble. As a last resort, he was sent to New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. The spoken word overtook him, forever influencing his life. There is power in each word, he says. It is important for us to realize this. After a short stint at New Mexico State University, Gonzalez returned to Albuquerque with a mission. He began to work with schools and detention centers teaching poetry. I want people to understand that poetry is for us and by us, he says. Everyone has the potential. I want to teach that poetry is real and sincere. Its emotionally charged. Gonzalezs goal is to follow in Lopezs footsteps by doing poetry at The Albuquerque Museum. The poetry would be inspired by art, he says. I also want to do more within the schools. Teaching youths doesnt stop at schools and at the detention centers. Gonzalez often finds himself writing and reciting poetry with his 11-year-old daughter, Sarita Sol Gonzalez. Sarita is following in her fathers footsteps. She was invited by U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera to perform in Washington, D.C., at the Library of Congress in April. She also got an opportunity to read for syndicated columnist Amy Goodman in Santa Fe. Were gaining momentum, he says. Its been crazy in a beautiful way. Sarita is beginning to enjoy her fathers new appointment. Its awesome, hectic, crazy, fun and very confusing, Sarita says. Hes amazing at what he does. And Gonzalez is also getting used to his new appointment, with community events taking up more of his time. Ive been struggling with all of the new attention, he says. But Im going to take the opportunities to expose the art form. I represent this place, and I want people to know how great of a city this is. From the Santuario to Tome Hill, we need to appreciate what is in front of our face. Asked to describe himself in three words, Gonzalez says, Chicano. Burqueno. Corazon. A Saturday afternoon crash involving a driver who may have been intoxicated left Interstate 40 closed for more than an hour, police said. The wreck forced the closure of I-40 between San Mateo and Carlisle, which was closed for cleanup. The interstate reopened around 7:40 p.m. Officer Daren DeAguero said Albuquerque police were dispatched to a crash Saturday afternoon on I-40 near Washington. DeAguero said a vehicle traveling west at a high rate of speed read ended a second vehicle. The first vehicle spun and rolled onto its side, he said. The driver of the first vehicle is in custody and is under investigation for driving while intoxicated, DeAguero said. CHICAGO It is often said that the problem with immigrants is that theyre poor and contribute only their cheap labor when they get here. But rarely discussed is the fact that the United States does a terrible job of enabling the immigrants who already have post-secondary certifications, college degrees and professional work experience to continue their careers once theyve arrived. To start, a foreign-trained professional has to make his or her way to this country legally, navigating the red tape of visas and permissions, and, of course, master the English language. Then they must maneuver the thicket of proving their credentials and work experience. If youve had to pull copies of your college transcripts in the last few years, you know it couldnt be easier. Its generally a short order on a website and a credit card payment, and you get PDFs within 48 hours. But if youre an immigrant or a refugee who has arrived here from a war-torn country, one decimated by a natural disaster or from a place where the government bureaucracy is slow and impenetrable, youre in for an uphill battle. Not only to prove your credentials to professional certification boards, but also to show potential employers that you have documented experience. And then it gets worse. According to the Migration Policy Institute, there is no single federal structure governing professional certification in regulated occupations. A profusion of overlapping, sometimes contradictory, local, state or national rules, procedures and examinations makes it complicated, time-consuming and expensive for immigrants and refugees to become recertified in the United States, the institute said in a 2013 report. The vast patchwork of organizations involved in the credential-recognition process from professional associations and state or federal regulatory bodies to credential-assessment services and private- or public-sector employers requires considerable effort to understand and work with. The stereotype of the brilliant, degreed immigrant taxi driver is not an urban myth. Let me introduce you to Guillermo Saavedra Sr., a former college-educated accountant who today works two jobs far below his expertise to keep his family afloat. Back in the 90s, things in our native Peru were very difficult, the economy was bad and there was a crisis, so we got visas and came to this country. But its never how you think it will be, said Saavedra, who settled in Herndon, Va. I was very qualified in my country, but it was the language that was a real challenge. Then you start looking into how to get back into your profession and its so hard. I asked around and was told Id have to enroll in college again and study for another two years and it was going to cost thousands of dollars. It really felt impossible. Saavedra simply couldnt put his familys livelihood on hold, and he took a string of jobs in food service and retail to make ends meet and help his children through college. To this day he works two jobs: one at a McDonalds and one at his local Target store. Its not easy and its a widespread problem the immigrants come here and have families, so what are they going to do but take whatever job they can get? Saavedra said. Its a problem because we come here as professionals, as engineers, medical staff, but they dont see us that way. According to the Migration Policy Institutes most recent data on foreign professionals, an estimated 1.9 million college-educated immigrants in the U.S. are working below their educational and skill levels, or are unemployed. There are no easy fixes to the issue. Even starting by simplifying the recertification processes in high-barrier (and high-need) disciplines like medicine and engineering would require a broad coalition of gatekeepers and licensure organizations to come together and work on systemwide solutions. And while the benefits to society would be obvious, the problem tends to be seen as a small one affecting a tiny segment of immigrants. Saavedras son, Guillermo Jr., who contacted me to ask that I speak out on behalf of others like his dad, refers to this blind spot as a growing problem that has stolen the professional identities of a large portion of the educated immigrant community. The U.S. is in global competition for talented individuals in disciplines where there are shortages. Surely we can do better than to squander the talents of our own nations immigrants. FOR THE RECORD: Journal reporter Ollie Reed Jr. earned a second-place award in the environment category for Bighorns bound for the count in the Top of the Rockies contest sponsored by the Colorado chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. His award was inadvertently omitted from this story. Albuquerque Journal staffers picked up awards in 18 categories in the Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism contest for 2015, it was recently announced. The contest is sponsored by the Colorado chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The four first-place, six second-place and eight third-place wins were for writing, photography, breaking news reporting, page design, headline writing, and website and mobile application excellence. First place Robert Browman and Donn Friedman for their creation of ABQ Fiesta, a mobile application for readers to obtain news about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It was a useful tool for festival goers, the judges wrote. They had access to pertinent information right at their fingertips. Colleen Heild in the single-story news reporting category for Dangerous dogs being released by city. According to the judges, Heild made the most out of her scoop, and she found the gold in a pile of documents and turned this into a strong piece of accountability journalism. They added that it was a well written story. Ollie Reed in the general reporting/science category for Old creature gets new name about Eocyclotosaurus appetolatus, which had the body of a 6-foot-long salamander, the head of an alligator, two big fangs out in f ront of its nose and swam in the rivers of what is now New Mexico about 240 million years ago. DVal Westphal in news column writing for her entry of three UpFront columns. Sober proposals for workers compensation evaluated two bills working through the state Legislature to adjust workers compensation rates; Letters from students show the system isnt working was about the consequences of a public school system without benchmarks in place to measure student achievement or growth; and In traffic court, penalty doesnt always fit the crime, which examined state and city fines for various traffic infractions to see which actions elicit community tolerance and outrage. Second place Rick Nathanson in business/general reporting for An impediment to employment, which looked at the growing ban-the-box movement to prohibit private-sector job applications from including a check box to find out if an applicant had ever been arrested and convicted of a felony or had been incarcerated. The judges wrote: This is a ban-the-box story that includes multiple viewpoints. Its not easy to get people to go on the record relating to unpopular topics. Doing so helped tell the full story from many angles. Joline Gutierrez Krueger in column personal/humor for three UpFront submissions: Nurse, mauling victim reunited 3 decades later, The Norm I knew and A love storys final earthly chapter. The three columns take timely topics and make them personal, with good reporting and a reminder about the sweetness of life. Helen Taylor in headline writing for Love at first site, Encore, encore! and Red hot love affair. One judge said: Clever headlines that are still exceptionally clear. Well done. Roberto E. Rosales in news photography for photos of Kathy Finch, whose mentally ill son stabbed her husband to death and nearly killed her. An emotional, storytelling moment, a judge wrote. Jennifer Swanson in single-page design for Life in New Mexico magazine. Sharon Hendrix in editorial writing for Lawmakers cant dodge bad DWI stats any longer, Solitary shouldnt be the only choice for mentally ill and Martinez makes wrong calls in SF hotel fiasco. Third place Robert Browman, Donn Friedman, Tyler Green and Dave Jordan in general website excellence for ABQjournal.com. Nicole Perez and Robert Browman in the breaking news story category for Teen gathering turns deadly. Kim Burgess in education/general reporting for New chief brings a calm, steadying hand to embattled district. Elizabeth Trujillo in single-page design for Holly-Lujah! Joe Black in front-page design for And theres more on the way. Joline Gutierrez Krueger in the news column category for Moms cant always stop good kid from going bad, DEA to traveler: Thanks, Ill take that cash' and Farewell to the criminal of our nightmares. Journal staff in special sections for Frame by Frame: A fun look at the rising movie scene in New Mexico. Judges comment: Informative stories highlight the rise of the industry in the state. WASHINGTON Two Republicans are vying for the 3rd Congressional District seat in the June 7 primary: retired police officer Michael Romero of Taos and Michael Lucero, a security professional from Jemez Springs. The Republican candidates will compete in the GOP primary election, with the winner facing incumbent Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, a Democrat who is seeking a fifth term. Romero, a native of Vadito, in Taos County, told the Journal that he spent 22 years as a police officer in Las Vegas, Nev., and returned to Taos County five years ago to retire. I definitely dont feel as if our country is on the right track, Romero said. Our country is going down the progressive socialist road, and it doesnt work. All you have to do is look at Venezuela theyre not having fun anymore. Its reality, and Im a realist. I need to go to Washington, D.C., to fix the situation for everybody, Romero said. Romero said that, if elected, he will work to shift control of federal lands in northern New Mexico from the federal government back into private hands. Right now, when they are locked up, the federal government isnt even allowing us to go up there anymore, he said. They are closing roads and denying us access. They say the lands belong to the people, but if the people cant access them, then who do they belong to? Romero said he is a Christian who opposes abortion. He also said he advocates for traditional energy sources and supports extractive industries in New Mexico. We want to drive and have lights and want to watch TV. Well, that has to come from something, and wind and solar is definitely not there yet, Romero said. I personally dont think it will ever be, unless someone comes up with a formula to make it less costly. Lucero did not respond to the Journal s phone messages and emails requesting an interview. The Republican Party of New Mexicos website describes Lucero as a life-long native of rural New Mexico. A true, blue-collar unsung patriot that grew upon New Mexicos landscape in agriculture caring for the land. Lucero and his wife, Anita, live in Jemez Springs with their two children and ranch in the Santa Fe National Forest. Lucero works in security at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Northern New Mexico needs a congressman that has rolled up sleeves and worked the land to answer the phone when the people of his district call him for help, the website says. America is fed-up with bureaucrats, government employees, and politicians that care only about reelection or their first election, northern New Mexico wants a real American that has dirt under his fingernails and understands the struggles of the rural economy to help them fix Washington. Copyright 2016 Albuquerque Journal Mayor Richard Berry says he wont order Albuquerque police to abandon reverse drug stings the practice of selling drugs to people, then arresting them. But he said hes glad the department is moving on its own to re-evaluate how it carries out such operations. Im not going to get after them for doing something they thought was right, Berry said in a recent interview, but I think its good that were moving in a different direction. Police spokeswoman Celina Espinoza defended APDs use of reverse stings, but said the department would attempt to stay away from reverse stings involving homeless people. In interviews last week, a broad cross-section of city councilors expressed serious reservations about reverse stings especially a recent operation in which undercover officers sold small amounts of drugs to homeless people, then arrested them. Its ridiculous, said Councilor Klarissa Pena, a West Side Democrat. Its a shame embarrassing, kind of. Republicans also voiced concern. Given the shortage of officers and the demands of the Department of Justice, aiding or enticing homeless people to buy $5 of crack is probably not worth our time or resources, said City Council President Dan Lewis, a Republican from the West Side. The debate over the reverse drug sting comes as Berry, a Republican, touts the success of several city programs launched under his administration to help homeless people and panhandlers. The city has won national recognition for offering day jobs to panhandlers and finding places to live for people the most at risk of dying on the streets. Berry said his office had no part in the reverse drug sting. This wasnt a (tactical) plan that came out of the mayors office, he said. We rely on our public safety professionals to go out and use their experience and judgment to keep our community safe. Somebody in the Police Department thought it was a good idea to do that. Reverse stings have happened for decades, he pointed out. But the May 9 sting, at Central and Pennsylvania, triggered criticism from prosecutors, defense attorneys and community leaders. Bishop Michael Vono, head of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, said it was inappropriate to target people on the margins of our society especially people experiencing homelessness and/or mental illness. This amounts, he said, to a criminalization of drug addiction, homelessness and mental illness. Reverse sting operations targeting the most vulnerable are especially alarming, considering that people experiencing homelessness have been disproportionately affected by APDs excessive use of force in Albuquerque. Deputy Police Chief Eric Garcia suggested to city councilors in a meeting on May 16 that APD plans to focus more on people who are not necessarily the homeless when it carries out similar undercover operations. His comments came after City Councilor Pat Davis, a Democrat from the Southeast Heights, urged the police administration to avoid targeting low-level offenders and homeless people in reverse drug stings. In an interview, City Councilor Brad Winter, a Republican from the Northeast Heights, had a similar concern. To target transient people, he said, it just seems like there are better ways to use our police resources than that. APD officials say reverse stings like the May 9 operation can reduce crime. Taking enforcement action against drug-buyers in a particular area, if well known, will reduce the demand for drugs in the area, they said. APDs Espinoza said the May 9 reverse sting was conducted during the day, so overtime expenses will be minimal, if there are any. The department wont reveal the number of officers involved for safety reasons, she said. Most of APDs drug work is focused on suppliers and dealers, Espinoza said, but targeting buyers is a valid law-enforcement strategy. We strive to provide alternate resources to marginalized people in our community and will do our utmost not to involve homeless residents in reverse operations, Espinoza said. Albuquerque police are carrying out a series of reforms required under a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, which concluded in 2014 that APD had a pattern of violating peoples rights through the use of force. The city is also working to boost the size of its police force, which has shrunk about 23 percent over the last six years. Memorial Day is for heroes. Some might see the holiday merely as a good time for a picnic, but it was set aside to remember those who died in service of the United States. In the spirit of the holiday, this column will introduce you to some of the most heroic of New Mexicos heroes: the 16 who have received the Medal of Honor. Recipients of our nations highest military honor are categorized by the state in which they enlisted or served. But it seems natural to also include those who were born here, so Im going to do just that. Officially, nine Medal of Honor recipients are credited to New Mexico. The Medal of Honor is presented by the president, in the name of Congress, to members of the U.S. military who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, according to the Department of Defense. The fog of war can lead to some pretty amazing stories that would be better if true, but the actions of these honorees were thoroughly investigated and documented. They are true. Many recipients are killed in action. But some recipients survive their bravery and two New Mexico honorees Hiroshi H. Hershey Miyamura and Leroy A. Petry are still alive. Yet another recipient, Drew D. Dix of New York, received the Medal of Honor for his gallantry in Vietnams Chau Doc province in 1968 and now lives near Silver City. If youd like to read detailed accounts of their heroism and I would highly recommend this go to the official website of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, www.cmohs.org, or to the Home of the Heroes, www.homeofheroes.com, where you can find medal recipients sorted by state, war and other categories. In order of the involved war, according to Home of the Heroes, here are those with New Mexico ties who have received the honor: Cavalry 1st Sgt. Francis Oliver was among soldiers who pursued Apaches led by Cochise to his stronghold in the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona. He was cited for his gallantry in battle on Oct. 20, 1869. Cavalry Pvt. Eben Stanley was cited for his gallantry in action during the Battle of Turret Peak against Yavapai and Tonto Apaches on March 25 and 27, 1873, in Arizona. Marine 1st Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Jr. led his men on Nov. 20-22, 1943, against overwhelming Japanese fire over a long, open pier during the U.S. assault on Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands. At one point, Bonnyman crawled 40 yards ahead of U.S. lines to place explosives in the entrance of a large, bombproof installation that had been holding up the U.S. advance. More than 250 enemy combatants died in the explosion and subsequent fight, but Bonnyman was also killed. Army Pvt. Joe P. Martinez of Taos was the only American not at Pearl Harbor to receive the Medal of Honor for action on U.S. soil during World War II. His fatal fight occurred on Attu Island on May 26, 1943. Using only hand grenades and his Browning Automatic Rifle, Martinez was instrumental in taking out key Japanese defensive positions on a dangerously steep, snow-covered mountain on this U.S. Aleutian island. Army Pvt. Harold H. Moon Jr. operated a submachine gun on Leyte in the Philippines on Oct. 21, 1944. Though wounded, the Albuquerque native fought to protect a newly won beachhead against a large number of Japanese attackers. His foxhole soon became the focal point of the battle. Several times, Moon was forced to stand up to outmaneuver the approaching enemy and direct friendly mortar fire. After Moon was killed, nearly 200 dead Japanese soldiers were found within 100 yards of his foxhole. Army Pfc. Alejandro R. Renteria Ruiz of Loving ran through a machine gun and grenade attack on Okinawa, Japan, on April 28, 1945, in an attempt to take out a pillbox that had pinned down his squad. His rifle jammed, and he was forced to turn back and redo his one-person assault after rearming but this time the enemys focus was on him. Again dodging enemy fire, Ruiz climbed to the top of the pillbox in plain view and was able to kill 12 enemy soldiers and destroy the position. Army 1st Lt. Robert S. Scotts skill with the hand grenade came into play during a battle on the Solomon Islands on July 29, 1943. After 27 days of fighting, the enemy still held a hilltop that protected the approach to a Japanese-controlled airstrip. Scott pushed his exhausted men to attack the position. When the enemy launched a counterattack, the company withdrew. Scott, with only a tree stump for cover and despite being wounded in the head and hand, stood his ground. He held back the attackers by accurately throwing grenade after grenade, forcing their withdrawal. The airstrip was taken four days later. Army Pfc. Jose F. Valdez of Gobernador was on outpost duty with five others 500 yards beyond American lines near Rosenkrantz, France, on Jan. 25, 1945. After being overwhelmed by German soldiers, Valdez volunteered to give cover fire while the other squad members withdrew. Even after a bullet entered his stomach and emerged through his back, Valdez continued firing until the rest of the patrol was safe. He then called in artillery and mortar fire that broke the German attack. He died of his wounds on Feb. 17, 1945. U.S. Army Air Forces Brig. Gen. Kenneth N. Walker of Cerrillos commanded the 5th Bomber Command from Sept. 5, 1942, to Jan. 5, 1943, frequently participating in bombing missions. On Jan. 5, 1943, he led a daring daylight bombing attack on the harbor in Rabaul, New Britain, during which nine enemy vessels succumbed to direct hits. Walkers plane was shot down during the attack. Army Cpl. Hiroshi H. Hershey Miyamura of Gallup didnt know for a while that he had been awarded the Medal of Honor. He was a prisoner of war for about two years and four months, and the honor was kept secret for his own safety. Before his capture, on April 24 and 25, 1951, Miyamura had fought ferociously with machine gun and with bayonet in hand-to-hand combat against an overwhelming number of North Korean soldiers. Twice, he stayed behind to keep the enemy at bay while others were being evacuated. Though seriously wounded and out of ammunition, when last seen before his capture he was still fighting furiously. Miyamura still lives in Gallup, where a high school was named after him. Army Spec. 4th Class Daniel Fernandez of Los Lunas, along with a sergeant and two other soldiers, was attempting to evacuate a soldier who had been wounded during an ambush by Viet Cong at Cu Chi on Feb. 18, 1966. When the sergeant was also wounded, Fernandez took charge. Noticing that an enemy grenade had landed in the midst of the group, Fernandez vaulted over the wounded sergeant and landed on the grenade as it exploded, sacrificing his life. Army Staff Sgt. Delbert O. Jennings of Silver City was part of a company defending an artillery position in the Kim Song Valley when attacked by a North Vietnamese Army regiment on Dec. 27, 1966. When his squad was forced back, he twice remained behind to cover the withdrawal. He exposed his position to the enemy by throwing white phosphorous grenades to direct the air-landing of reinforcements. And he led volunteers through a booby-trapped area to recover eight wounded soldiers who needed quick medical treatment. Army Staff Sgt. Franklin D. Miller was leading an American-Vietnamese reconnaissance patrol in Kontum province on Jan. 5, 1970, when a team member tripped a booby trap, wounding four soldiers and alerting the enemy to their presence. Shortly after, Miller saw an enemy platoon heading their way. He directed his men to a safer position and single-handedly repulsed two attacks. An air-extraction spot was located in a nearby bomb crater, but, as a helicopter attempted to land, the enemy again attacked. Although shot in the chest by now, four of his men were dead and the rest wounded Miller again single-handedly fought off the attackers until a relief force reached the patrol location. Army Sgt. 1st Class Louis R. Rocco of Albuquerque volunteered for a medical evacuation mission to retrieve eight wounded Republic of Vietnam Army personnel northeast of Katum on May 24, 1970. The rescue helicopter came under attack as it approached the landing zone and crashed. Rocco fractured his wrist and hip, and bruised his back in the crash, then was severely burned while extracting other survivors from the wreckage. Still under enemy fire, Rocco managed to carry the other survivors, who were injured and unconscious, to safety through about 20 meters of exposed terrain. He administered first aid until he collapsed and lost consciousness. Marine Lance Cpl. Kenneth L. Worley of Farmington was a machine gunner serving in Quang Nam province. On Aug. 11, 1968, Worleys patrol had established a night position in Bo Ban and those not on security assignments retired for the night. Early in the morning of Aug. 12, 1968, the platoon was awakened by a shout that enemy grenades had landed where they were sleeping. Worley jumped on a grenade and was killed, saving those nearest to him. Five other Marines were injured by other grenades in the attack. Army Staff Sgt. Leroy A. Petry of Santa Fe was serving in Paktya province, Afghanistan, on May 26, 2008. His squad was attempting to clear the courtyard of a house when he and another Ranger were wounded by enemy rifle fire. An enemy grenade wounded two other Rangers. A second grenade then landed nearby, and Petry picked it up and attempted to fling it away from the group. The grenade detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist, but his action saved the others from further injury or death. Petry was still was able to communicate their situation by radio and coordinate support for himself and the other wounded Rangers. Petry retired from the Army on July 29, 2014. UpFront is a daily front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to editorial page editor Dan Herrera at 823-3810 or dherrera@abqjournal.com. ALLENTOWN, Pa. Mary Heintzelman shakes her head in disgust over the presidential election. I dont think we have a candidate thats really suitable to be president in either party, says Heintzelman, an administrative assistant from Whitehall, Pa. Her son suggests she write in a candidate when she votes in November, but the 68-year-old says despondently, I dont even know who to write in. Heintzelman is hardly alone in her angst over the prospect of a November matchup between presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and likely Democratic pick Hillary Clinton. While 65 percent of Americans say theyre interested in the White House race, just 23 percent say theyre excited as the presidential contest shifts from the primaries to the general election, according to a poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The malaise crosses party lines. Majorities of Republicans and Democrats say the election has left them angry, helpless and frustrated. Only 13 percent of Americans say theyre proud of what has transpired in a campaign where surprising candidates have thrived and Trump in particular has defied political norms. Election experts say the gap between Americans high interest and low excitement makes the race to succeed President Barack Obama highly unpredictable. Turnout can be low when unpopular candidates are on the ballot, but the unusual nature of a race between a billionaire businessman who has never before sought elected office and a former first lady who would be the countrys first female president could offset voters sour mood. Were in uncharted territory here with these two candidates, said Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida who studies voter turnout. He said that while Americans may not be excited about their options, the negativity gives people something to talk about. If people perceive the election is interesting, they may still show up to vote even if its against a candidate, McDonald said. Former Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Pa., predicted voter enthusiasm could increase as the general election heats up. I do believe in some ways theres a reset in the general election, Rendell said. First of all, you have some voters that paid no attention and only vote in general elections. Secondly, even the ones who paid attention, now all of a sudden theres two candidates and six months. For now, though, some people say theyre resigned to an election in which theyll be voting against a candidate instead of for one. That view was pervasive in interviews with more than 30 voters interviewed by the AP in Pennsylvania. Your vote isnt who youre for, its who you dont want in, Joann Spangenberg, a 48-year-old loan underwriter, said in downtown Allentown. It shouldnt be that way. Spangenberg said the election is generating more interest among her family and friends than in past years, including spurring her daughter to register to vote right after her 18th birthday. But the frequent Republican voter says that while she likely will go for Trump in November, her support is lukewarm at best. Hes what we have left, she said. Pittsburgh voter Kim Bowles feels the same way about Clinton. Bowles has been intrigued by Bernie Sanders, but doesnt think the Vermont senator can win, leaving her feeling stuck with Clinton as the only option for stopping Trump. If you dont vote, youre helping someone else, and Im not a fan of Donald Trump, said Bowles, 51. So, Ive got to vote for Hillary. But its not easy. Copyright 2016 Albuquerque Journal Cynthia Jaramillo has spent the past 17 years since she escaped from the clutches of David Parker Ray the man dubbed the Toy-Box Killer trying to piece together a life, raising her three boys in a series of apartments and motels throughout southeast Albuquerque. Last week, her world fell apart again. She and her three sons were displaced early Tuesday morning when fire consumed the Desert Sands Motel, where they were staying. On Wednesday morning, her oldest son, 15-year-old Ruben Ruelas, died of a gunshot wound to the head. And, hours later, his 14-year-old brother, Matthew Jaramillo, was arrested and charged with murder in a separate, high-profile case that police had been trying to solve since last week. They say he admitted running over and dragging a 46-year-old man, Robert Sisneros, to his death the previous week. Police say the investigation into Ruelas death led them to the Mountain View Inn & RV Park, where the Jaramillo family had moved after Tuesdays fire. While there, police were told that Matthew Jaramillo had been involved in Sisneros death. Matthew Jaramillo is now being held in the Juvenile Detention Center. Work with victims In March 1999, Cynthia Jaramillo escaped from a trailer in Elephant Butte wearing a dog collar and chain, telling police that Ray had held her in captivity for three days while he tortured her. Authorities began investigating Ray after her escape, and he was convicted of kidnapping, torturing and raping her and another woman. He died in prison in 2002. After reading Rays diaries, authorities believe he may have had as many as 40 victims, many of whom could have been murdered, although their bodies havent been found. When investigators searched Rays trailer, they found numerous whips, chains and handcuffs, along with photographs of women being tortured. They also found cameras, sex toys and a coffin. Since then, Cynthia married and separated from her husband, worked various low-wage jobs and had three sons, with a fourth on the way. She has also worked to help other victims of sexual violence, sex trafficking and homelessness by co-founding Street Safe New Mexico. She has met with the FBI about her case and made public appeals for more of Rays victims to come forward. Murder or accident? Cynthia said her teenage boys, only a little over a year apart in age, liked to do everything together. Ruelas, the outgoing charmer, always looked out for Matthew, his quiet, socially awkward younger brother, she said. Ruelas girlfriend had given birth to a baby girl three months ago, and he was working part-time jobs to help support her. Cynthia said he planned to attend New Futures High School, a school for pregnant and parenting students. She said that, due to Matthews developmental disabilities, he struggled to stay in school, but that, despite her dropping him off in the mornings, he frequently skipped class. Cynthia said the boys grew up in apartments and motels in southeast Albuquerque, in neighborhoods riddled with drugs and crime. While she held minimum wage jobs, her sons took the bus all over the city, doing odd jobs and selling copper they found in Dumpsters for extra cash. Cynthia, who is eight months pregnant, said she was in the Mountain View Inn on Central, west of Tramway, on Wednesday morning when Matthew, whom she calls Mono, ran in and told her that Ruelas had been shot. I dont remember nothing from that point on, she said. He turned, and he was blood-soaked. And I started screaming at everyone around him. I dont remember Mono jumping into the drivers seat and driving him to Kaseman. Ruelas died at Kaseman Hospital around 10:15 a.m. Detectives believe Ruelas was shot in the parking lot of Costco on Eubank SE, south of Central, but are still investigating whether it was a homicide or whether Ruelas accidentally shot himself, according to a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department. Violent crimes detectives arrived at the motel to interview Cynthia and anyone else who had seen the boys in the car. Thats when two women told them that Matthew had said he had been driving a stolen car when he ran over a man several times. Both women said Matthew told them the car seen on the news was the one he had been driving. When Matthew returned to the motel, officers put him in the police car for questioning. Cynthia said the next time she saw him, he was appearing before a judge in Childrens Court. A missing car According to a statement of probable cause, Matthew described killing Sisneros. Matthew, who Cynthia says has significant developmental disabilities, including a frontal lobe defect from a traumatic brain injury, an impulse-control disorder and a pervasive developmental disorder, told police he was driving a stolen purplish Mazda the afternoon of May 20 when he picked up a prostitute on Central Avenue and drove to a parking lot in front of an apartment complex on Virginia near Chico NE. While Matthew was in the parking lot with the prostitute, Sisneros confronted him and yelled at him to leave, according to the statement of probable cause. Instead, Matthew told detectives, he drove toward Sisneros, running over him and dragging him down the street. Sisneros was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where he died the next morning. Matthew told detectives that he left the car at the corner of Central and General Arnold SE and that it was gone when he returned. It has still not been found. Short childhoods Cynthia, who is now staying with her mother-in-law in Cedar Crest, said shes trying to hold her life together, and is comforted by her 11-year-old son and the thought of her baby, who is due any day now. She said that she plans to see Matthew in the detention center this week and that the family is making funeral arrangements for Ruelas. They had so much hardship growing up, Cynthia said. They did grow up fast because of that, faster than I would have liked. The monthly Chai Pe Charcha pioneered by CGSI (Consumer Guidance Society of India) and focused on resolving consumer disputes in an amicable spirit through discussion, has come out with some path breaking solutions to addressing consumer grievances in the telecom sector. This highly thought provoking discussion saw representation from key players in the telecom sector besides dynamic participation by key committee members of CGSI. Subsequent to the entire discussion, Dr. M. S. Kamath, General Secretary, CGSI, stated, For the first time ever, industry as a whole and consumer activists sat together to try and make life simpler for both groups. The discussions were free-wheeling and frank with industry seeking the help of consumer groups to help them in solving some of their problems. For example, on the subject of Call Drops, industry representatives very frankly said that non-availability of Cell Tower Sites due to the `Radiation Scare had led to a situation, where operators were not in a position to guarantee uninterrupted service under certain circumstances. It was pointed out that spectrum was scarce, which added to the call drop problem as certain spectrum ranges were more efficient in penetrating thick walls or tall buildings. CGSI representatives said that it was in consumer interest to impress upon the authorities to streamline the process of issuance of permissions to the mobile operators and CGSI would play a positive role in this regard. CGSI suggested that a simple technology was available to detect call drops by `Call Drop Meters which could be installed on every tower, which would faithfully record every call drop. This information could then be used by the operators to offer an equivalent or slightly more number of calls free of charge in the next cycle of billing for the consumer. This suggestion was unanimously approved and industry representatives said that they would try to implement the same at the earliest. Certain points like illegal boosters installed by some unscrupulous individuals or poor quality of handsets were consumer issues which CGSI promised to attend to by public awareness campaigns. Another hot topic for discussion was the activation of unwanted services by the operators that often led to unwanted or inflated bills. Industry admitted that Value Added Services (as they are called) were outsourced to third parties outside the company. Though there was a `Double Validation method for activating such services, the service providers still received a large number of complaints about unwarranted activation of these services. CGSI demanded and called upon industry to penalize those companies that activated such services for dubious reasons, a demand that was readily accepted by industry. Police arrested five people including a minor in connection with the attack on African nationals in Delhi. After multiple reports of Africans being attacked in Delhi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday said she has contacted Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. She added that culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside. The Delhi Police have registered four separate cases of reported assaults on African nationals in the national capital but added that the attacks were not racial in nature. According to police, all four incidents took place on Thursday night in South Delhi`s Mehrauli area where around 300 African nationals reside. The attacks on the African nationals come a week after a Congolese national, Masonda Ketada Olivier, 29, was beaten to death by three youths on May 20 after a verbal altercation over the hiring of an auto-rickshaw in Vasant Kunj area of south Delhi. Clarifying the nature of the attacks, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ishwar Singh said, These are all isolated incidents and not planned attacks. There was no element of racism in the attacks. It`s not as if there`s a public movement against African nationals. Union Minister V K Singh on Sunday claimed the attack on African nationals in the national capital was a minor scuffle which was blown up by the media. Had detailed discussion with Delhi Police and found that media blowing up minor scuffle as attack on African nationals in Rajpur Khurd, Singh, who is the junior minister in External Affairs Ministry, said and questioned the medias motive. Why is media doing this? As responsible citizens let us question them and their motives, he said in a series of tweets. There has been a spate of attacks on African nationals in the last few days including killing of a Congolese youth in national capital and assault on a 23-year-old Nigerian student in Hyderabad. Two women one from Uganda and the other from South Africa and at least two Nigerian men in Rajpur Khurd, a village in South Delhi, have also complained about physical assault and criminal intimidation. His remarks came on a day External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj pressed for ensuring safety of Africal nationals as she spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh who directed Delhi Police to take strict action against the attackers and step up patrolling in the areas inhabited by the community. Up to 700 migrants are feared to have drowned in deadly shipwrecks off the coast of Libya this week, the UN`s refugee agency said Sunday, citing survivor testimony. Carlotta Sami, spokeswoman for UNHCR, told that an estimated 100 people are missing from a smugglers boat that capsized Wednesday. The Italian navy took horrific pictures of that capsizing even as it rushed to rescue all those thrown into the sea from the boat. She said about 550 other migrants and refugees are missing from a smuggling boat that capsized Thursday morning after leaving the western Libyan port of Sabratha a day earlier. She says refugees who saw the boat sink told her agency that that boat, which was carrying about 670 people, didnt have an engine and was being towed by another packed smuggling boat before it capsized. About 25 people from the capsized boat managed to reach the first boat and survive, 79 others were rescued by international patrol boats and 15 bodies were recovered. Italian police have corroborated the account of the Thursday sinking in their interviews with survivors, but came up with different numbers. It was not immediately possible to reconcile the figures. According to survivors, the second boat was carrying about 500 migrants when it starting taking on water after about eight hours of navigation. Efforts to empty the water with a line of migrants passing a few 5-liter bailing cans were insufficient and the boat was completely under water after an hour and a half, police said. At that point, the commander of the first smugglers boat ordered the tow rope to be cut to the sinking boat. The migrants on the top deck jumped into the sea, while those below deck, estimated at 300, sank with the ship, police said. Of those who jumped into the sea, just 90 were rescued. Survivors identified the commander of the boat with the working engine as a 28-year-old Sudanese man, who has been arrested, police said. In a third shipwreck on Friday, Sami says 135 people were rescued, 45 bodies were recovered and an unknown number of people many more, the migrants say are missing. Republican nominee Donald Trump questioned that why President Barack Obama did not mention the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during his trip this week to Japan. Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while hes in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost. #MDW, tweeted Trump. According to CNN, Obama did not publicly mention the surprise 1941 attack that pulled the US into World War II while on his historic trip to Japan, during which he became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima. Why do we come to this place, to Hiroshima? We come to ponder the terrible forces unleashed in the not-so-distant past. We come to mourn the dead their souls speak to us and ask us to look inward. To take stock of who we are and what we might become, Obama said during his visit to the citys Peace Memorial Park. Trump supporter Sarah Palin also criticized the trip, calling it part of the Presidents apology lap. Palin, speaking at a Trump rally in San Diego Friday night, said Obamas trip to Hiroshima was dissing our vets. Earlier in the week, in a joint press conference with Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he had no plans to visit Pearl Harbor. May 27, 2016 May 17 was another bloody day for Baghdad. Terrorists targeted Sadr City in eastern Baghdad, al-Shaab district in northern Baghdad and al-Rasheed neighborhood in southern Baghdad with explosive belts and car bombs, killing and wounding 162 people. On May 11, blasts targeted Shiite-majority Sadr City, which is inhabited by supporters of Sadrist movement leader cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, killing nearly 100 people and wounding 170. The tragic events that occurred in a short period in Baghdad at the hands of the Islamic State (IS) showed that security agencies are still unable to protect its citizens and anticipate IS attacks, despite previous experiments, warnings and expectations. Security officials did not attribute the bombing to their ineffectiveness, but rather to sleeper cells in the capital and other Sunni-majority areas of the Baghdad Belt, which are regions surrounding the capital that they described as a safe haven for terrorist organizations and possibly the primary source of terrorists carrying out the bombings. Moreover, some attributed the security deterioration in the capital to poor intelligence efforts and the security forces recklessness in handling the obtained intelligence information. Others believe that IS seeks to distract attention from its defeats by targeting Baghdad with bombings. In this context, IS is expected to conduct a new series of bombings. Unidentified intelligence sources at the Iraqi Federal Police said May 17 that information indicates that IS intends to carry out more bombings in Baghdad in the coming days. The sources added, There were instructions that security forces be on red alert and deploy additional staff in the capitals neighborhoods in anticipation of any terrorist act. Saad al-Matlabi, deputy head of Baghdads provincial councils security committee, told Al-Monitor, There are sleeper cells in the capital and Baghdad Belt, which pose a threat to the capital. This is because they are always thinking and planning how to target civilians in the bombings, which are conducted to disrupt the security situation and distract attention from [IS] defeats on the battlefronts. He added, Intelligence efforts must be activated and pre-emptive operations need to be conducted against IS before it carries out any terrorist acts. A source at Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadis office told Al-Monitor that Abadi intends to make changes among security leaders in charge of protecting the capital and to announce that new security officials have been delegated. The source said, The investigations that Abadi as commander in chief of the armed forces ordered to open due to security breaches in Baghdad proved that security officials neglected the tasks of protecting civilians. Since May 22, tight security measures have been taken in Baghdad. A security source at the Interior Ministry told the media May 21, The joint forces [the Iraqi army, police and the Popular Mobilization Units] have taken strict security measures in the Baghdad Belt, particularly in Abu Ghraib, Yusufiyah, Rashidiya and al-Mada'in, in anticipation of any terrorist attacks that could be carried out from these parts against Baghdad. The source added, The crackdown in some of these parts prohibited the movement of people and vehicles; the area has become almost under a curfew. Security expert Maj. Gen. Abdul Karim Khalaf told Al-Monitor, IS is well-equipped and has employed several people to carry out terrorist acts. This sign of danger requires that significant intelligence efforts be made to identify and dismantle these cells before they conduct any terrorist acts. Khalaf added, The security investigations proved that the Baghdad Belt is not the source of terrorist acts occurring in Baghdad. Rather there are sleeper cells within the capital, and these cells are contributing and conducting the ongoing bombings in the Iraqi capital. Khalaf noted that terrorist acts in Baghdad will increase, because IS is incapable of making any confrontation on the battlefronts and proves its strength in car bombs and explosive belts. The bombings will not end unless IS is eliminated and political differences are resolved. This is because they provide IS with incentives to conduct terrorist operations. The only available option for the Iraqi government seems to be the activation of intelligence efforts. The fraudulent sonar handling system is still being used at checkpoints inside Baghdad, which has angered Iraqis who have been critical toward checkpoints and considered them futile, as bombings continue to be carried out in their areas. IS has found many opportunities to carry out operations in Baghdad, given the citys size and the lack of any effective security plans, which are limited to cutting off access to roads. Furthermore, IS sleeper cells in Baghdad are yet to be identified, although security forces are deployed in the streets. May 29, 2016 In November, the Egyptian government announced that it would start buying wheat from local farmers at the average global price to encourage Egyptian farmers to grow the crop. Egypt is seeking to reduce the gap between domestic production and actual consumption, seeing that the country consumes about 18 million tons of wheat annually but has a domestic production of less than 9 million tons. This year's wheat harvest season, which started in mid-April and ends in mid-July, has been hit by several crises that have burdened Egyptian farmers. Egypts governorates have been battling a wheat supply crisis in storage houses and cooperative associations affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture. Ramadan Jaafar, a farmer and owner of agricultural land in Beheira governorate, one of the most prominent wheat-producing regions in the country, decided to grow wheat after the government announced in November that it would pay 1,300 Egyptian pounds ($146) in subsidies for each planted acre. But Jaafar was unpleasantly surprised when the government renounced its earlier decision and decided in April to instead buy wheat at a price of 420 Egyptian pounds per ardeb (equal to roughly 150 kilos), with a slight increase over the global price. Jaafar said that he decided to proceed with his wheat cultivation plan, even though the government had slashed the subsidy aimed at boosting the Egyptian economy and paving the way for cutting imports and reaching self-sufficiency with the domestic crop. He told Al-Monitor that after completing the harvest of his fields this year he transported the crop at his own expense to the shouna (a traditional open-air storage barn affiliated with the government) 50 kilometers (31 miles) from his home town. Jaafar said he found a line of trucks stretching for 2 kilometers from the shouna due to the high supply level and bureaucratic procedures, which led him to stay all night in front of the facility, guarding the crop that he intended to sell in the morning. The next day, he had to wait for hours and in the end was unable to sell his crop because his name was not on the governments list. The government maintains a list of farmers registered to sell their crops to the government storehouses. He ended up returning to his hometown, after having paid 700 Egyptian pounds to the truck driver who had transported his crop and stayed with him all night in front of the storage facility. He said that he then resorted to a trader who he described as mediator between him and the shouna. According to him, the trader would handle the supply formality since he has good connections, unlike farmers. In return for this service, Jaafar sold the trader his wheat at a reduced price of 400 Egyptian pounds per ardeb, including 10 additional kilos for each ardeb. Jaafar said that he had to accept the traders demands because he could not afford to sit on his crop without being able to sell it. He said that he suffered a big loss this season because of his decision to grow wheat, having trusted a government that he said let him down during the buying-and-selling process. When Al-Monitor asked Jaafar whether he will cultivate wheat again, he said that he will only produce enough for his own household consumption. He criticized Egyptian agricultural policy officials for turning their backs on farmers, indicating that he would prefer to grow any crop other than wheat that will yield him a profit. Jaafar further indicated that his situation is not unique in his town, and also applies to many farmers across the country. Al-Monitor asked Jaafar whether he filed any complaint to any official about his predicament, and he said that he did not do so because he does not think that anyone would listen to him. For his part, Farid Wassel, the head of the Farmers and Agricultural Producers Syndicate, told Al-Monitor that the wheat supply crisis stems from what he sees as a conflict between state sectors and the failure to agree on a unified policy. He described Egypts agricultural policy as policy based on an individual, which means that it changes when the minister of agriculture is changed. He called on the state to draw up a unified and comprehensive policy based on a clear plan that clarifies to the farmer the required production quantity, the methods of supply and the sale and purchase process. Wassel said that the lack of an agricultural policy will push farmers to stop wheat cultivation. Nader Noureddin, a professor in the faculty of agriculture at Cairo University, believes that the Ministry of Supply should absorb the repercussions of the supply crunch. He told Al-Monitor that Egyptian Minister of Supply Khaled Hanafi stands as an obstacle between farmers and the state since he has imposed complex procedures to the process, such as requiring farmers to sell their supply to specific government storehouses that are often far from their farms. This followed the corruption scandal in 2015 where the government supposedly bought 5.3 million tons of domestic wheat, but it turned out that about 2 million tons of that were imported and sold at the subsidized price; this entailed a loss estimated at about 2 billion Egyptian pounds. Noureddin said the current minister of supply is siding with importers and traders and prefers to rely on purchase of wheat from global markets. Wael Abbas, the assistant to the minister of supply, told Al-Monitor that the packed line of trucks in front of the shounas is a natural phenomenon and that some farmers, out of laziness, prefer to head to nearby dirt storage shounas rather than transporting the crop to more modern ones. He said that the Ministry of Supply supports farmers, pointing out that it is buying the ardeb at a price higher than the global price. Abbas expects the government to buy about 5 million tons of wheat in the current season. The Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement that as of May 25, 4,000,076 tons of domestic wheat had been bought by the government. It should be noted that Egypt is the worlds largest wheat importer and that wheat is considered a strategic commodity that controls stability in the country. When the Egyptian people revolted on January 25, 2011, they chanted demands for bread, freedom and social justice. May 26, 2016 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus surprising turn in appointing Avigdor Liberman, head of the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party, as defense minister May 25 caught the international community off-guard. In the days before the appointment, intense deliberations took place about the upcoming Quartet report on obstacles in the way of a two-state solution and the Paris conference to relaunch a two-state process. The deliberations were based on the assumption that Netanyahu was on his way to enlarging his government with the moderate center-left Zionist Camp and Isaac Herzog as foreign minister in charge of peace negotiations. A senior official at EU headquarters dealing with the Middle East peace process told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that there was a new, although brief, sense of optimism in European capitals that Netanyahu would, at the very least, engage in the beginning of a two-state solution process and restrain settlement expansion. These intense international deliberations included exchanges over US Secretary of State John Kerrys participation at the Paris conference, which has now been rescheduled for June 3. The United States and France convinced Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to issue a statement May 17 calling on Israel and Palestine to engage in a two-state solution and regional peace process that would also lead to regional cooperation. The Palestinian leadership was encouraged by the French diplomatic move and the Egyptian position. The light at the end of the tunnel seemed to reappear. The horizon darkened again when instead of Herzogs appointment as foreign minister, Liberman was appointed defense minister. Expressing European disappointment over the appointment, the EU official analyzed for Al-Monitor its ramifications in the eyes of Brussels. The way Europe sees it, Netanyahu has made a final decision to avoid at all costs a two-state solution. Liberman is an extreme hawk; he is greatly hostile to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and has expressed interest to wipe out Hamas. Hence, the move is likely to weaken the pragmatic Palestinian leadership in Ramallah. EU leaders fear that an armed intifada is now more likely. Instead of a settlement freeze, a settlement expansion is probable as well as an Israeli strong fist policy vis-a-vis the Palestinians of the West Bank. Occupation will only deepen. Israels relations with Egypt, Jordan and Turkey could also suffer severely. The source further argued that while outgoing Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon was not considered in the EU to be a force advocating a peace process, his contribution to Israels democratic fiber was well-recognized in particular, his support of the ethical stance demonstrated by Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot and his deputy Yair Golan over the past few weeks. Liberman, known for his racist rhetoric and legislative attempts, would further cast doubt over Israels flawed democracy. The EU official sounded extremely alarmed, yet determined to proceed with the preparation for the Quartet report and the Paris conference. The Palestinian Authority (PA) is even more alarmed at the Liberman appointment and the Yaalon resignation. A senior PLO official close to Abbas told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that Ramallah had warned the international community not to expect anything from Netanyahu: From government to government, Israel moves more and more to the right. With Netanyahu, Liberman and [HaBayit HaYehudi chair Naftali] Bennett, we expect this to be an annexation government be it settlement expansion in the Jerusalem and Ramallah areas and the Jordan Valley or land expropriations and economic activity in Area C. According to the official, the PA notified Egypt, the European Union and the United States that, without international activity to stop Israels annexation policies and guarantee Palestinian statehood, it will have to take measures to solidify its position within its people. These measures would include halting the security cooperation with Israel (with the exception of the passages on the Jordan River), asking Egypt and the Arab League for a UN Security Council resolution on Palestinian statehood on the 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as the capital, halting all civilian and economic cooperation with Israel, and enhancing unity and cooperation between Fatah and Hamas. The official expressed skepticism about the possible outcomes of the Paris conference and believes that the diplomatic arena has to move to the Security Council. The international community should be aware of this Palestinian desperation. In the eyes of the PA, the Liberman appointment is not more of the same, but a policy leap toward annexation policies. The US administration should be attentive to these Palestinian alarm bells when it comes to deciding its policy positions relating to President Barack Obamas Middle East policy legacy. A Lee County man was killed Friday night when the motorcycle he was operating left the roadway and struck a guardrail. Daniel Mark Hurst, 57, of Smith Station was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Alabama state troopers. The crash occurred at around 10:05 p.m. on Interstate 65 at mile marker 316, six miles north of Cullman. Troopers continue to investigate. A Memorial Day cross display in Henderson, Ky. was destroyed early Saturday morning by a motorist, police say. Henderson police say about 160 crosses were damaged when a car drove through Central Park. Anthony Burrus, 27, was arrested and charged with criminal mischief first degree and leaving the scene of an accident, according to police. Police say the car Burrus was driving, a 1979 Ford Thunderbird, was abandoned at a McDonald's restaurant on South Green Street. Pieces of the crosses and ground stakes were found embedded in the tires. WFIE reported police were able to locate Burrus at his sister's apartment. Volunteers spent part of Saturday placing the crosses back into the ground. Donald Trump campaigning Alicia Watkins of Gaithersburg, Md., left, smiles as she talks to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump after asking him for a job, while he was speaking during a campaign event in the atrium of the Old Post Office Pavilion, soon to be a Trump International Hotel, Monday, March 21, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Paul Beaudry) A federal judge has ordered Donald Trump's Trump University staff to release internal documents, NBC News reported. U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel ordered the release of 153 documents on Friday. The order was requested by The Washington Post. The documents include "playbooks" for Trump personnel on how to sell the expensive courses, the Post reported. NBC said that another judge ruled the documents were not confidential, considering that Politico already had access to another playbook. Curiel cited "heightened public interest" in his ruling about the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, the newspaper said. The civil, class-action lawsuit accuses Trump of fraud for his Trump University classes, which cost students $35,000 for courses. "I think Judge Curiel should be ashamed of himself. I think it's a disgrace that he is doing this," Trump said. Trump said to a San Diego crowd on Friday, "The judge, who happens to be, we believe Mexican, which is great. I think that's fine." Curiel was born in Indiana, but is of Hispanic descent, NBC reported. The trial is set for after the presidential election, on November 28. Gary Johnson on Monday April 7, 2014. Libertarian presidential hopeful Gary Johnson visited with supporters at The Bull restaurant in downtown Mobile, Ala., on Monday April 7, 2014. Johnson, a former two-term governor of New Mexico, is chairman of the Our America Initiative, a fiscally conservative grass-roots organization that supports Second and Fourth Amendment rights, low taxes, the legalization of marijuana and marriage equality. (Sharon Steinmann/ssteinmann@al.com) Today, the Libertarian Party selected its presidential nominee as former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, CNN reported. Johnson received 49.5 percent of the vote in the first round, and got 55.8 percent in the second round, which made him the party's winner. The former governor was also the Libertarian nominee in 2012, when he received about one percent of the general election vote, CNN said. Johnson talked about the "rigged nature" of the presidential election following his party's convention. He also called the presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump's policies as, "just racist." The Libertarian Party is the only third party that has ballot access in every U.S. state, meaning that Johnson will be the only other person on the ballot besides Trump and the likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Johnson told CNN and other media outlets today that he urges delegates to vote for former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld as Johnson's running mate. He said that Weld would be appealing to many voters and attract donors. Prosecutors called more than 20 witnesses during the first four days of House Speaker Mike Hubbard's ethics trial last week, starting jurors on a trek through 23 felony charges. The state hopes to prove that Hubbard used his political offices to obtain clients, income and investments for his businesses. A conviction on any one of the charges would remove the speaker from office. The charges carry potential sentences of two to 20 years. Prosecutors have called some of Hubbard's political allies to testify and more will likely take the stand when the trial resumes on Tuesday. Among those on Tuesday's list of witnesses are Harbert Management Corporation executive and Business Council of Alabama board member Will Brooke; Great Southern Wood President Jimmy Rane; Hoar Construction President Robert Burton; Business Council of Alabama President and CEO Billy Canary; Minda Riley Campbell, a lobbyist whose father is former Gov. Bob Riley; and lobbyist Dax Swatek. The indictment alleges that Hubbard illegally sought or received investment money or help with his businesses from the six. Hubbard's lawyers have claimed none of those actions were crimes under the ethics law, partly because he was acting as a business owner, not as speaker. The speaker has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. Tuesday, Day One On Tuesday, the first day of testimony, the prosecution called John Ross and Tim Howe, partners in a lobbying firm and former executive directors of the Alabama Republican Party. They testified about charges that Hubbard used his position as state party chairman, which he held from 2007-2011, to direct money for printing and campaign ads to his businesses. Ross, who was GOP executive director when Hubbard was party chairman, testified that Hubbard told him the party would use Majority Strategies, a Florida political firm, for campaign ads in 2010. Ross said Hubbard told him Majority Strategies would use Craftmaster for its printing. Hubbard has been a part owner of Craftmaster since 2000. Howe testified that he directed GOP money to Auburn Network, Hubbard's company, through companies Howe owned and co-owned, with Howe's companies retaining 5 percent. Howe testified that his companies' only function was to serve as a pass-through. Howe said it was his decision to retain the 5 percent, and that Hubbard questioned it, but agreed to it. Ross and Howe testified about a charge that Hubbard voted for legislation with a conflict of interest. The speaker voted for a version of the state budget in 2013 that would have made American Pharmacy Cooperative Inc., (APCI) the only company eligible to serve as a pharmacy benefit manager for the Alabama Medicaid Agency if the agency decided to use a PBM. At the time of the vote, Hubbard's Auburn Network was receiving $5,000 a month from APCI under a consulting contract. Ross was lobbying for APCI but testified that he did not find out about Hubbard's contract with APCI until the day of the budget vote. Howe testified he was concerned that the speaker's contract could cause an ethics problem for all involved. After a meeting about those concerns, Hubbard worked to remove the language from the budget, testimony showed. Hubbard appointed the three House members to a conference committee that stripped the language. Wednesday, Day Two Barry Whatley, president of Craftmaster Printers in Auburn, and a co-owner with Hubbard and others since 2000, testified about the company's crushing debts, which forced bankruptcy in 2005 and more problems later. "It's like raising the Titanic. It's been a struggle from day one," Whatley said. Prosecutors allege that Hubbard illegally sought money from lobbyists and principals to help the business in 2012. Whatley testified that Hubbard proposed a plan to raise a total of $1.5 million from 10 wealthy investors, people who could afford the risk, to relieve the debt. Hubbard personally found eight of the 10, Whatley said. In exchange for their $150,000, the investors got preferred stock that paid dividends. Prosecutors allege that four of the investors were principals, people who employ lobbyists at the State House, and that it was a crime under the ethics law for Hubbard to seek their help. The defense has argued in court filings that Hubbard sought the investments as an owner of Craftmaster, not as House speaker, and that he promised nothing other than what was in the stock purchase agreements. Chris Hines, the former senior vice president at Hubbard's company, Auburn Network, also testified on Wednesday. Hines testified that he ran the day-to-day operations of the company from his office next door to Hubbard's but did not know anything about the work Hubbard did under the company's consulting contracts with Southeast Alabama Gas District; Edgenuity; Capitol Cups; and American Pharmacy Cooperative Inc. Hines testified that his involvement was limited to sending invoices and depositing the checks. Prosecutors allege that Hubbard illegally used his office in obtaining those contracts, which paid Auburn Network amounts ranging from $5,000 to $12,000 a month in 2012 and 2013. Hubbard's lawyers have claimed that Hubbard sought preclearance from the Ethics Commission or relied on Ethics Commission guidelines in entering those contracts. Josh Blades, who served as Hubbard's chief of staff for more than three years, testified for more than two hours on Wednesday. Blades left the speaker's office in August 2014 and became a lobbyist. He called the speaker "a friend" and a "great boss." Blades testified that Hubbard had him make calls to urge approval of a patent for Robert Abrams, whose company, Capitol Cups Inc., makes drinking cups in a plant in Auburn. Blades testified that Hubbard did not tell him that Abrams' company was paying Auburn Network $10,000 a month to help with sales and marketing, only that Abrams had a business in his district. Blades said he got worried when, at some point after he started work on the patent approval, "Mr. Hubbard told me that he had 100,000 reasons to get this done." "It made me uncomfortable, because when I heard it, I immediately thought that the speaker meant money in some form," Blades said. Blades testified that he became concerned when he learned during the 2013 legislative session that Hubbard's Auburn Network had the contract with APCI. Blades testified that the situation had the appearance of impropriety. He later said he advised Hubbard not to vote for the budget that included the language. "He asked me, what do you think I should do? And I told him, don't do it." Hubbard voted for the budget and is charged with voting for legislation with a conflict of interest. Blades and other witnesses have testified that Hubbard worked to have the language removed from the budget after it passed the House. Thursday, Day Three Randall Kammerdiener, co-owner of Majority Strategies, a political consulting and advertising firm in Florida, testified about charges that Hubbard used his former position as Republican Party state chairman to direct GOP money to his businesses, Craftmaster Printers and Auburn Network. Kammerdiener's testimony, as well as his emails introduced as evidence by the state, indicated that he believed Majority Strategies had to agree to use Craftmaster. But asked by Hubbard attorney Lance Bell if Hubbard told him that, Kammerdiener said, "I never had a specific conversation with Hubbard telling me I had to use Craftmaster." Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, testified about the charge that Hubbard voted for legislation with a conflict of interest in 2013. That was the state budget that included language that would have uniquely benefited APCI. At the time, Clouse was serving as acting chairman of the House budget committee (he is now full-time chairman). He said he did not find out until after the legislative session ended that APCI was paying Auburn Network $5,000 a month under a consulting contract. Acting Attorney General Van Davis asked Clouse if he thought that was a conflict of interest for Hubbard. "Probably so," Clouse said. Prosecutors called several officials from the Alabama Medicaid Agency to testify that they strongly opposed the language benefiting APCI during the 2013 legislative session and that they had not been consulted about it. Former State Health Officer Don Williamson said he tried, without success, to get the language removed the day the budget passed the House. Williamson testified that in a meeting with Hubbard the next day, the speaker was angry that a lobbyist pushing the APCI language had not disclosed that it would have made APCI the only company eligible to be a pharmacy benefit manager for Medicaid if the agency chose to use one. (Testimony from others indicated that Hubbard had taken part in meetings about the language and favored it.) Williamson said Hubbard committed to helping remove the language before the budget got final approval, and it was. Williamson retired from his state job last year to become president and CEO of the Alabama Hospital Association. He is registered to lobby the Legislature for the association. After Williamson's testimony that Hubbard helped remove the APCI language from the budget, Deputy Attorney General Matt Hart asked Williamson if it was "awkward" to testify against the speaker because Williamson is a lobbyist. Friday, Day Four Brett Buerck, co-owner of Majority Strategies with Randy Kammerdiener, testified that Kammerdiener told him to use Craftmaster Printers during the 2010 campaign. Buerck testified that he believed Majority Strategies had no other choice for a printer because that's what Kammerdiener told him. Buerck testified that Hubbard never told him to use Craftmaster. Prosecutors called four witnesses from the Wiregrass for testimony related to Hubbard's contract with Southeast Alabama Gas District to help attract employers to the district. SEAGD paid Auburn Network $12,000 a month, later reduced to $7,500 a month, in 2012 and 2013. Much of the testimony concerned Hubbard's efforts to help successfully recruit Commercial Jet to the Dothan Airport. Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz said the closing of Pemco World Air Services, an aircraft maintenance company in 2012 created a huge need for a new employer and airport tenant. Schmitz testified that the city needed help with the state to make improvements needed to help land Commercial Jet. Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell testified that the SEAGD board hired Hubbard because of "his position for the state and his networking ability." Hubbard attorney Bill Baxley asked Boswell if Hubbard used his position as speaker to get the job. Boswell said he did not. The Wiregrass officials testified about Hubbard arranging meetings with Gov. Robert Bentley and the state Department of Commerce about the Commercial Jet project. Prosecutors submitted as evidence reports that Hubbard sent to SEAGD to demonstrate what he was doing for the $12,000 a month. Those included Hubbard's reports that he arranged meetings in the governor's office about the Commercial Jet project. Prosecutors allege that Hubbard illegally lobbied the governor's office and the Department of Commerce on behalf of SEAGD. Hubbard's attorneys point out that SEAGD got a letter from the Ethics Commission saying Hubbard's contract Hubbard followed certain guidelines, including that he not use the speaker's office to help SEAGD. Prosecutors say Hubbard failed to abide by that. Also on Friday, American Pharmacy Cooperative Inc., President Tim Hamrick testified that APCI hired Hubbard to help build its membership in other states. The contract prohibited Hubbard doing work for APCI in Alabama. Hamrick said APCI hired Hubbard because of his connections with house speakers and legislators in other states. Hubbard was elected chairman of the 15-state Southern Legislative Conference in 2012. Prosecutors introduced as evidence an April 2013 email from Hamrick to Hubbard thanking him for helping add "the necessary language" that APCI wanted in the state budget. At the time, APCI was paying Hubbard's Auburn Network $5,000 a month under a consulting contract that prohibited the speaker from doing any work for APCI in Alabama. On cross-examination, defense attorney Baxley introduced identical thank-you emails from APCI to several other Alabama lawmakers. Clara&Nick.jpg Clara Rickman and her son Nicholas, who are involved in a lawsuit against the company that makes Zofran, an anti-nausea drug often used to treat morning sickness. (courtesy) It started with the morning sickness. Clara Rickman couldn't keep anything down, even water, and lost at least 10 pounds, her husband Jon said. The couple from McCalla, Ala., made an appointment at a low-cost clinic. The doctor there wrote a prescription for the anti-nausea drug Zofran, a popular remedy for morning sickness that can retail for more than $10 a pill. A pharmacist substituted a cheaper generic - ondansetron. Today the Rickmans believe ondansetron may have caused their son's heart defect - a dangerous short-circuiting of the veins that kept oxygen from reaching parts of his body. And they are among scores of couples in Alabama to file lawsuits against GlaxoSmithKline, the company that makes the more expensive name brand Zofran. By mid-May, 259 similar suits had been combined in a Massachusetts court, and 151 of them were from Alabama. Why are there so many Zofran cases from Alabama? In 2013 and 2014, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that patients like Clara Rickman who take a generic drug can sue the pharmaceutical company that made the brand-name version. But there won't be any new cases from Alabama, as state lawmakers have shut the door on such suits. Business interests vigorously lobbied the legislature to reverse the Court's position, and in 2015 a majority of the state's lawmakers obliged. Attorneys for the Rickmans and other families with injuries allegedly caused by ondansetron rushed to file before the Oct. 30, 2015 deadline set by the Alabama legislature. The Rickmans' case made it through, but their attorney, Don McKenna, said the law hurts others who believe they have been harmed by generic drugs. "It's so arbitrary to tell them that if you gotten to me by October 30 we could have done something, but now we can't," McKenna said. Open heart surgery Clara Rickman didn't have insurance when she got pregnant in 2014. She and Jon had been married for more than a year, but his retail job didn't provide health coverage. At that point, a baby "wasn't in our plan," Clara said. When she found herself battling nausea, Clara sought medical help. The ondansetron pills stopped Clara's nausea and weight loss until her symptoms ebbed in the second trimester. Clara and baby Nicholas were covered by Medicaid when her son was born in January 2015. He appeared perfectly healthy at birth, Jon said, but flunked a routine oxygen test when he was one day old. "The nurse came and was testing his O2 and said this must be a bad reader," Jon said. "She said, 'I'm going to be right back. I'm going to take him to another one and see if his oxygen goes up.' About an hour and half passed when the nurse comes up and said, 'We've taken your son to the NICU downstairs. We're not sure what's wrong, but we're doing some tests.'" Nicholas had open-heart surgery at four days old, and another procedure several months later. Ondansetron was created for cancer patients and never tested for safety in pregnant women. Some - but not all - studies of babies exposed to ondansetron have shown increased incidence of heart and other defects. Officials from GlaxoSmithKline say the evidence shows no elevated risk for babies exposed to Zofran or its generic. "In October 2015, the FDA completed a thorough and independent evaluation of the available scientific evidence on the use of Zofran during pregnancy in denying a citizen petition to change the pregnancy risk drug category for Zofran," according to a statement from the company. "The Agency found that the evidence did not support a conclusion that there is an increased risk of adverse fetal outcomes or birth defects from exposure to Zofran during pregnancy." Earlier this year, a judge in Massachusetts ruled that the Zofran lawsuits could go forward. "Alabama's bizarre regime" Attorney Chris Hood represented Danny Weeks in the Alabama Supreme Court case opposed by the legislature. His client had used a generic version of Reglan to control acid reflux and developed a neurological condition that can't be treated. The Food and Drug Administration requires generic drug companies to make products that are chemically identical to their brand-name counterparts. The label, which includes side-effects and warnings, must also be the same according to agency regulations. Hood argued that the brand-name companies that won FDA approval for Reglan hid information about its possible side effects. Since the brand-name drug didn't contain any warnings about neurological problems, neither did the generic. The big pharmaceutical companies deceived Weeks' doctor, Hood claimed, and caused the man's injury. "The cause of the injury was the prescription the doctor was led to make based on the information given to him by the brand defendant," Hood said. "Danny Weeks would have never taken any tablet, generic or Reglan brand, had the doctor not been misled about the nature of the drug." Hood said about 95 percent of patients who take Reglan take the generic. State law allows a generic substitute for most drugs, and insurance companies often prefer them because they save money. Unless a doctor specifically orders a brand name drug, the pharmacist will often dispense a generic. Still, the decision in Weeks' case drew national attention. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a brief in the case and an editorial appeared in the Wall Street Journal decrying Alabama for creating "innovator liability" that could hold inventors responsible for injuries caused by copycat products. "Plaintiffs lawyers need no invitation to launch creative lawsuits, but to the extent that liability is genuine it belongs to the maker of the product," according to the editorial. "In Alabama's bizarre regime, brand-name manufacturers would make all the investment in a drug. Then when it goes generic they'd lose the profit from the reduced sales and be open to liability suits for products they no longer control." The Business Council of Alabama joined the cause and began seeking changes to state law that would reverse the Alabama Supreme Court decision. In 2015, state Sen. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster), introduced a bill to eliminate innovator liability. It sailed through both houses of the legislature and became law on April 28, 2015. Personal injury lawyers say the law cut off a vital avenue for justice among patients who take generic drugs. This is Ward at a 2015 press conference. Alabama State House In 2015, state Sen. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster), introduced a bill to eliminate innovator liability. It sailed through both houses of the legislature and became law on April 28, 2015. Ward said he proposed the law because the Weeks ruling made it possible for lawyers to sue wealthier companies that did not manufacture the defective product. "To me it's common sense," Ward said. "If I didn't have anything to do with what caused the injury, then I shouldn't be sued. That's not justice, if you ask me." Personal injury lawyers say the law cut off a vital avenue for justice among patients who take generics. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that patients taking a generic drug cannot sue the generic manufacturer for failing to warn about possible side effects, since the companies have no control over labeling. "An entirely Republican Supreme Court, a very conservative Alabama Supreme Court looked at the law and said, 'Wait a minute, the U.S. Supreme Court said you cannot sue a generic manufacturer for failure to warn because the brand name manufacturer controls the label. Okay, well then you should be able to sue the brand name manufacturer for failure to warn because they control the label,'" McKenna said. Hood and McKenna said drug companies and business interests lobbied lawmakers and made campaign contributions to major players. Ward received a donation from Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma less than a week before he proposed his bill, according to records from the Alabama Secretary of State's Office. State Rep. Jack Williams, R-Vestavia, who brought a similar law to the floor of the statehouse, got a donation from a GlaxoSmithKline political action committee in late 2014. For his success in passing the generic drug bill, Ward earned the first-ever Business Champion award from the Business Council of Alabama. Lawmakers influenced by big business rushed to protect pharmaceutical companies at the expense of patients, Hood said. "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and some other extremely wealthy individuals and business lobbies came down here and persuaded our Alabama legislature to change the law," Hood said. "When you have influence with the legislature, you get done what you want done." No recourse Nicholas Rickman is a thriving one-year-old who appears to have put most of his medical problems behind him. He still sees a cardiologist regularly, along with a nephrologist, who is treating problems with his kidneys, and a urologist. But his prognosis is good, his father said. Clara took as little of the ondansetron as possible during her pregnancy, and there were still some pills left in the bottle when she gave birth to her son. Still, sometimes she blames herself for his heart defect. "I just trusted my doctor," she said. "Maybe it was my fault that I didn't ask her more questions." If the Rickmans win the suit, the Alabama Medicaid Agency would get reimbursed for the costs of his surgeries and ongoing care. It's a drop in the bucket for the budget-strapped agency, and a source of potential revenue that will no longer be available for mothers who used generic ondansetron. Hood said patients are often unaware whether they received a generic or brand-name drug. Those who received the brand name would still be able to sue, while those who receive the generic would be out of luck, he said. "If you take a brand drug, you clearly have a cause of action," he said. "It makes no sense to the average person because why would it? The doctor wrote the prescription for the brand drug, and then I went to the pharmacy and then I got hurt. And you're telling me because I took a generic, I've got no recourse." Like a crawfish, Delane Bond is feeling the pinch from Mobile County health regulators after a recent boil outside her downtown establishment was abruptly shut down. "It's kind of like, you throw your hands up and say, 'you win,"" said Bond, manager/owner of Hayley's Bar, which is among the oldest operating establishments in downtown Mobile. But their victory, she said, is a loss for those who have enjoyed crawfish boils, free of charge, hosted by downtown bars and restaurants for years. "It's a way of life down here," she said. Stepped-up enforcement by the Mobile County Health Department has become a hot issue in the city since a news release, issued on May 20, instructed the bars and restaurants to cease cooking the crustaceans outdoors. From social media to talk radio, the Health Department has faced criticism all week, prompting Stephanie Woods Crawford - who oversees the department's inspection services - to say that a "compromise" is in the works. 'Very disappointing' Already, there has been fallout. Hayley's will no longer serve free crawfish on Thursday nights. Other establishments, such as The Merry Widow, have scrapped plans for outdoor boils because of the enforcement. The 8th annual "Duel on Dauphin," typically held in June, is also in jeopardy. The event is a crawfish cooking competition among participating downtown establishments, and serves as a fundraiser for Feeding the Gulf Coast, formerly the Bay Area Food Bank. Bond, who helps organize the annual event, said she's unsure if it will continue this year out of fear about cooking crawfish outdoors. She said she doesn't want to face more scrutiny from the Health Department or multiple citations that could lead to lawsuits. "It's very disappointing," she said. "We've been fighting this fight a long time. We can't beat the man. We're small business owners. They have a lot of power and we can't win this fight." Greg Loughlin, owner of Saddle Up Saloon, who plans to continue hosting free crawfish on Sunday's, said he hopes to convince participants to continue with the Duel on Dauphin via a special events license. The license, which is issued by the Health Department, provides participants a waiver from having to adhere to strict cooking guidelines for a period of 14 days. Dave Reaney, CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast, said the event typically generates about $2,000 for his organization, or the equivalent of "10,000 pounds of food we cannot distribute to our mobile pantry program." While Reaney said a cancellation of the event isn't crippling to his operations budget, it does have an impact. "We struggle to pay our bills, so it's disappointing," he said. Beyond the fundraising aspect, Reaney said he's disappointed that the increased enforcement could curtail an event that brings vibrancy to downtown Mobile. "The flavor of getting together for causes downtown is, for me in the long-run, the issue here," he said. "If it starts with crawfish, what's next?" 'Enjoy crawfish' Crawford, during an interview Thursday on the "Midday Mobile" show on 106.5 FM, said the department isn't looking to end crawfish assemblies in downtown Mobile. "We love the mud bugs as much as anyone else does," she said. "It's a Mobile thing." She said the department and the downtown establishments are searching for common ground "to be able to offer those crawfish" but nothing concrete has materialized. One option, briefly discussed by Crawford during the interview, was a possible look at the special events license and whether it should be extended to encompass a season - such as crawfish season - and Mardi Gras. "We're working together and we'll enjoy crawfish going forward," she said. But the edict from the department last week was one of purpose: No more crawfish boils outside on sidewalks, and no bar without an operational kitchen can cook them on site. Crawford, in an email response to AL.com, held firm to the department's rules. "They can continue to serve crawfish to their patrons as long as they are cooked in an approved facility and their waste water is disposed of properly." For bars like The Garage, that means having the crawfish cooked off site and transported to the facility before they are served to the public. Bond said that removing the boiling pots from the facilities, defeats the purpose of having the crawfish boil. "It's the atmosphere of it," she said. On the Gulf Coast, a seafood boil -- specifically, those with crawfish - are considered a social event steeped in culture and history. Boiling crawfish outdoors is paramount to a number of festivals along the Gulf Coast, and the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in Louisiana is considered among the top food events in the U.S. Along the coast, crawfish boils are almost synonymous with the arrival of spring. In New Orleans' French Quarter, a boiling pot of crawfish outside a restaurant or bar is as much a part of the neighborhood's rich history as beignets, second line parades and street artists. Asked if the state of Louisiana had ever considered regulating the sidewalk boils, Robert Johannessen - spokesman at the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - said "it's not something we are doing any sort of regulations for." He added, "Our environmental inspection staff cannot remember ever having a complaint related to that." 'Cooking crawfish' Crawford said her department's recent enforcement is related to complaints her office has received. Despite a request by AL.com for details about the complainant, she has declined to release any names. Earlier in the week, Crawford told AL.com that Hayley's Bar was a violator. The news release indicated that the violation involved dumping the boiled water into the city's storm drains. Bond said that simply isn't the case. She said her workers dump the water in a sink at a nearby tavern. She said the Health Department's concerns about Hayley's centered on the purging - or cleaning -- of live crawfish on the sidewalks. Bond said the water dumping violation took place at another establishment. Crawford did not respond to a request on which establishment was in violation. "Evidentially, there had been a complaint prior to (the complaint about Hayley's)," Bond said. Crawford also said last week that crawfish have the potential to make people ill. She said diseases such as Listeria are possible. But during her radio interview, Crawford admitted that she can't remember anyone who has gotten sick from eating crawfish. "A lot of food-borne illnesses go unreported," she said. Crawford has said she her office is following state guidelines on outdoor cooking. Among the regulations is that outdoor cooking requires a permanent structure operating in conjunction with a permitted food establishment. Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, on Wednesday, said he plans to discuss the issue with Dr. Bert Eichold, head of the Health Department. Crawford said the increased enforcement also comes after the Health Department, during a meeting at the Downtown Mobile Alliance's office before the 2015 crawfish season, instructed the establishments about the state guidelines. "We've been cooking crawfish at Hayley's for 10 years," said Bond at Hayley's. "No one has ever been sick. Apparently, though, the law is the law." Party kicks off nomination process in Florida as public dislike for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump raises its hopes. The only way I can explain the setting of the Libertarian Convention in Orlando, Florida, is a bit bizarre. I promise Im not making a political commentary. There is a convention happening in the same area called Mega Con. Everywhere you look you see people dressed up in the most bizarre and elaborate costumes. To give you just a sampling; today I have seen a woman dressed up like a police officer bunny, Chewbacca from Star Wars (the full suit it is very very hot in Florida) and more skin painted blue and animal ears on grown men and women than I can count. One of the candidates for the presidential nomination is adding his own unworldly feel. John McAfee, the eccentric billionaire hosted a party before the debate complete with DJ and magical-looking fairy women walking around on stilts. Its not your typical political convention and that is exactly what the libertarians want. They sum up their beliefs by saying that they want smaller government that does not care about what you do with your body or in your bedroom. They are also very excited about their chances this year. They realise that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be the most unpopular presidential candidates in American history. The polls are giving them reason to hope. Forty percent of Americans no longer identify with either the Republican or Democratic Parties. Twenty percent say for this election they want a third party candidate. Twenty percent is not enough to get you the presidency but it could determine who does. READ MORE: Donald Trumps world views make world less safe: Poll The five remaining candidates are getting ready to debate and how the 900-plus delegates decide will probably have a huge impact on who gets to walk into the White House next January. There is one candidate who is anti-abortion rights, most Democrats would never vote for someone with those beliefs. Other candidates are pro-choice, they are unlikely to appeal to the most conservative Republicans. Most people assume that the Libertarian party has more potential to pull votes from the Republican nominee. I saw a recent poll that showed 6 percent of their support would come from the Democrats, only 4 percent from Republicans. Depending on who they pick and how the numbers shake out, their choice on Sunday could very much affect the worlds future. It is widely believed that George W Bush won only because Ralph Nader took votes from Al Gore. It is also widely believed that Bill Clinton became president only because Ross Perot took votes from George HW Bush. Third parties have a history of determining who is president. What happens here on Sunday will go a long way in determining who is the next president of the United States. That is helping make the scene even that much more bizarre. The fate of the world will be influenced by what happens here, a realisation I have as I watch Spider Man and a Storm Trooper get in a very heated conversation about who is more powerful. Afghanistans women have made significant gains in recent years, with more girls attending school and more women working outside the home. But fear still overshadows the lives of many. A resurgent Taliban recently provoked outrage by publicly executing two women, but as this 101 East documentary shows, the greatest threat many women face comes from loved ones at home. Activist Noorjahan Akbar talks about the challenges in overcoming conservative attitudes in the face of rising anti-woman propaganda. Al Jazeera: How would you describe the current state of womens rights in Afghanistan? Noorjahan Akbar: Like the current state of the country, the current state of Afghan women is tumultuous and unstable. While since the US-led intervention Afghan women have made a considerable amount of progress, with [todays] increased insecurity, economic inequality, and radicalism, we are afraid that our accomplishments will be threatened, and the few civil rights and individual freedoms we have will be taken away from us. Since 2009, the number of Afghan women working has increased, but a large number of female activists and journalists have left the country due to fear of violence. When I talk about the threat of violence, I dont just mean the Taliban even though they are largely responsible for targeting and killing female teachers, police officers, journalists, and activists. On a daily basis, Afghan women face harassment in public spaces. In fact, nine out of 10 women say they have faced harassment at some point on the way to work or school, and out of those, 14 percent say they stopped going to school because of it. Eighty-seven percent of Afghan women have faced verbal, sexual or physical violence at home. RELATED: The girls of the Taliban The vast majority of cases of violence against women, even the public targeted assassinations, are not met with any legal consequences. Despite all this, Afghan women are teachers, ministers, parliamentarians, musicians, writers, journalists, photographers, vaccinators and more, and we are working hard to make things better for ourselves and the country. But in order for us to really participate in rebuilding Afghanistan, our security should be a priority for our government. When our bodies are fair game, when it is always open season on women, when we are fearful of losing our lives on a daily basis, how can we move the country forward? Al Jazeera: The Taliban recently publicly executed two women one of them in an apparent honour killing in northern Afghanistan, according to news reports. Are you concerned that this could signal a downward spiral for Afghan women? Akbar: The harsh reality is that even though this case caught the eye of the international press, these honour killings are not out of the ordinary. Whether by the Taliban or family members, Afghan women are killed regularly for the simple fact of being born female or choosing their own husbands. However, what these specific public executions tell me is that the rule of law has further deteriorated in Afghanistan and that is not good for anyone. Al Jazeera: Many Afghan women suffer domestic violence at the hands of their family. How difficult is it to change attitudes towards women? Akbar: It is extremely difficult to change attitudes towards women and decrease gender-based violence anywhere in the world, but in Afghanistan it is hard also because radicalism, Talibanism and gender-based violence at home are all related and perpetuate one another. Especially in the last few years, there has been an increase in radical anti-woman propaganda in the big cities. Local mosques that were once moderate and somewhat accepting of womens rights, now spend entire sermons on how women shouldnt be allowed to work, study, or even speak in public. RELATED: Our unkept promise to Afghan women In addition to using public executions to make a show of womens punishment and terrorise women into silence and into the margins, todays radicals use televisions, social media, sermons, and even schools to perpetuate and sanctify violence. Al Jazeera: Impressive gains have been made in the number of girls attending school in Afghanistan. Is there a danger that these rights could be eroded? Akbar: Yes, and we are seeing the erosion right now. In 2014, 163 schools were attacked in Afghanistan. The majority of these schools were girls schools. This year, these attacks have increased. In January, a girls school was torched in Kabul something that hasnt happened in the capital city since the Taliban took power in 1996. In February, the Ministry of Education said 700 schools were closed due to insecurity depriving thousands of girls and boys of an education. Just this week, 20 school girls were poisoned in Ghor province. These attacks are terrifying, not just for those who have faced the violence themselves, but for the country as a whole. Al Jazeera: International organisations have raised concerns that womens rights activists are being deliberately targeted. How difficult is it for activists to stand up and demand change? Akbar: I dont know any human rights activist working for gender equality who feels safe in Afghanistan. We have seen our sisters killed and asked for justice only to be threatened and sidelined more. We have called for the prosecution of those who killed Malalai Kakar, Hanifa Safi, Safia Ahmed Jan, Zakia Zaki and many more journalists and activists killed for being outspoken women and we have been told to shut up. We are told on a daily basis that we shouldnt talk about the issues we face, the rape threats we get, the violence women around us face because it will bring shame to our country. The reality is that the fact that these injustices exist is a matter of shame not people demanding an end for it. Al Jazeera: Afghan women still face numerous challenges in their daily lives. Are you optimistic about the future? Akbar: Yes. I am optimistic because I see the passion with which young women are working for change inside the country and because I know that despite the heartache, the threats and the disappointments this fight are worth it. Being pessimistic will not help us. It will only discourage us from working. I prefer not giving up. Afghanistan belongs to me and my peers as much as it belongs to the radicals advocating for violence, and we will not surrender the country to them not without a fight at least. Click here to watch the 101 East documentary, Afghanistan: No Country for Women. UN officials say at least five peacekeepers killed and one seriously injured after attack in Mopti region. At least five United Nations peacekeepers have been killed in an attack in central Mali, the UN has said. A convoy of the UN peacekeeping mission, whose acronym is MINUSMA, was ambushed on Sunday mid-morning some 30km west of the town of Sevare in Mopti region. According to preliminary information, five blue helmets (peacekeepers) were killed. Another was seriously injured, MINUSMA said in a statement. The UN did not immediately confirm the nationality of the dead soldiers. MINUSMA head Mahamat Saleh Annadif condemned the act, describing it as a heinous act of terrorism. Malian President: Peace process will not be derailed I condemn in the strongest terms this despicable crime in addition to other terrorist acts that targeted our peacekeepers and which constitute crimes against humanity under international law, he said. Sundays attack came just two days after authorities reported that five Malian soldiers were killed and four wounded on Friday when their vehicles hit a mine in the north and then came under sustained fire. The Mali mission is the most dangerous active deployment for UN peacekeepers and it has been hit by sharp internal tensions since its launch in July 2013. With Sundays attack, at least 64 MINUSMA peacekeepers have been killed while on active service, while another four have died in friendly fire incidents, according to UN figures. The north has seen repeated violence since it fell under the control of Tuareg-led rebels who allied with groups linked to Al-Qaeda in 2012. The armed groups, who briefly held the city of Timbuktu in 2012 until French forces drove them out, have stepped up attacks in Mali in recent months as part of a growing regional conflict. Police recommend criminal charges against wife of Israels PM on suspicion she misused state funds, Israeli media say. Israeli police recommended bringing criminal charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus wife on suspicion of misuse of state funds and inflated household spending, Israeli media have said. Police said in a statement on Sunday that they had concluded an investigation and had presented their findings to prosecutors, who would decide what action to take. The statement offered few details but unsourced reports in all of Israels main media outlets said police had recommended that charges be brought. The suspicions relate to Sara Netanyahus alleged misuse of state funds to pay a care-giver for her ailing father before his death; the hiring of an electrician who did not meet the requirements of a government tender; and for opulent meals. READ MORE: Netanyahus wife probed over alleged state funds misuse The prime minister denied the allegations in a Facebook post. In the police statement there was no recommendation to bring Mrs Netanyahu to trial. In contrast to reports, Mrs Netanyahu did not commit any crime. The investigation was prompted by a government auditors findings and by information provided by a former chief custodian at the official residence. In February, he won damages for emotional distress after a labour court found that Mrs Netanyahu had repeatedly scolded him and other household staff. In a separate report by the state auditor on Tuesday, the prime minister was criticised over free air tickets that he and his family received for travel abroad when he was finance minister more than a decade ago. No criminal charges have been brought in that investigation. Netanyahus lawyers said he had broken no laws in having travel and expenses covered by organisations that invited him to speak at events raising funds for Israel, or by private individuals associated with those groups. Opulent lifestyle The Netanyahus have long faced scrutiny over their spending and accusations that their lifestyles are out of touch with regular Israelis. The Israeli first lady has come under fire for her expensive tastes and alleged abusive behaviour toward staff. The Netanyahus say they are the victims of a media witch-hunt and have denied any wrongdoing. The prime minister says political opponents cynically target his wife as a way to get even with him. Pope Francis underscores plight of young refugees at meeting with hundreds of children at the Vatican. Pope Francis has held an emotional meeting with hundreds of children at the Vatican, including a Nigerian boy whose parents had drowned, and said that refugees are not dangerous, but in danger. The meeting on Saturday followed a surge in refugee traffic this week between Libya and Italy, with more than 14,000 saved from overcrowded boats since Monday and three consecutive days of shipwrecks in which hundreds may have died. Three infants were among 45 bodies recovered at sea on Friday, UNICEF Italy said. Meeting the mostly Italian children, who took a special train from southern Italy to the Vaticans own railway station, Francis hugged the Nigerian boy, Osayande, who has been taken in by an Italian family. He showed the gathering an orange life jacket he was given by a Spanish rescuer working to save lives in the Mediterranean. He brought me this life jacket and, crying a little bit, he said: Father, I failed. There was a little girl in the sea and I wasnt able to save her. All I could reach was her life jacket, the pope said. What was her name? I dont know a little girl without a name Shes in heaven and watching us. Lets close our eyes, think about her and give her a name, the pope added. READ MORE: Italy plans a cemetery for refugees drowned at sea The Italian coastguard and navy ships, aided by Irish and German vessels as well as humanitarian organisations, saved 668 migrants and refugees from smugglers boats in distress in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya on Saturday, officials from Italy and Ireland said. The rescues were the latest by the multinational patrol south of Sicily that has saved thousands this week. The Irish military said the vessel Le Roisin, deployed earlier this month in the humanitarian search-and-rescue mission, saved 123 migrants and refugees from a 12-metre rubber dinghy and recovered a dead man. A German ship, part of the EUNAVFOR MED deployment on patrol for smugglers boats, was also involved in four separate rescue operations, the Italian coastguard said in a statement early on Saturday evening. Meanwhile, with migrant and refugee shelters filling up in Sicily, the Italian navy vessel Vega headed towards Reggio Calabria, a southern Italian mainland port, bringing 135 survivors, along with 45 bodies, from a rescue a day earlier. The Vega was due to dock on Sunday. Under a European Union deal, tens of thousands of those rescued at sea and seeking asylum were supposed to be relocated to other EU nations from Italy and Greece, whose shores have received most of the migrants and refugees in recent years. But with resentment building in some European countries about taking in refugees, the plan never really took off, and only a small percentage of those slated for relocation have actually been moved. The pope has repeatedly sought to underscore the plight of these people, especially the hundreds of thousands who have risked their lives to come to Europe in flimsy boats. He visited the Greek island of Lesbos last month, bringing 12 refugees back on his plane to set an example of how other people and countries should welcome refugees. The number of minors who make the journey on their own and arrive in Europe is much higher than what we saw last year, Save the Children spokeswoman Giovanna Di Benedetto said. But we are increasingly coming across much younger children, children of nine or ten years of age, who have made the journey alone or who have lost their parents or family members with whom they were travelling, she said. Shanghai Leishang Cosmetics says sorry for harm caused by foreign medias over-amplification of ad. A Chinese detergent maker has blamed foreign media for whipping up controversy over an ad in which a black man washed by its product was transformed into an Asian man. Shanghai Leishang Cosmetics apologised and said it strongly condemned racial discrimination but it pointed the finger at news reports for overblowing the ad, which first appeared on Chinese social media in March. The company pulled it, though, after the clip went viral this week and drew both outrage and scores of media reports outside the country. We express regret that the ad should have caused a controversy, the statement issued late on Saturday said. But we will not shun responsibility for controversial content. We express our apology for the harm caused to the African people because of the spread of the ad and the over-amplification by the media, the company said. We sincerely hope the public and the media will not over-read it. This racist laundry detergent ad from China will leave you speechless.https://t.co/Y4W5W5Wwoq AJ+ (@ajplus) May 27, 2016 The ad for Qiaobi laundry detergent drops shows a black man entering a room and attempting to flirt with an Asian woman. He is carrying a tin of paint, wears soiled clothes and has paint on his face. She then feeds him a detergent drop and stuffs his body into a top-loading washer. When the cycle completes, a fair-skinned Asian man in a clean white T-shirt emerges to the delight of the woman. When speaking to the Chinese nationalist newspaper The Global Times, a company representative named as Mr Wang, said the critics were too sensitive, and the issue of racial discrimination never came up during the production of the video. The ads content rekindled discussions about discrimination in China, where many say prejudices against blacks are likely to be dismissed. The makeshift constitution is the latest effort to model post-conflict Syria in the Russian vision. Last Tuesday, Lebanese daily newspaper, Al-Akhbar, reported that Russia had finished drafting a constitution for Syria that would remove many of the Syrian presidents powers and set up a more decentralised government, both possible concessions to rebel groups fighting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. According to the Al-Akhbar report, the new constitution, done with the blessing of the United States, would be put to referendum before the end of the year. This would put the countries on pace to meet their self-imposed deadline to draft a Syrian constitution by August 2016. The Syrian presidency quickly dismissed the report, describing it as untrue. No draft constitution has been shown to the Syrian Arab Republic. Everything which has been said in the media about this subject is totally untrue, a statement on the Syrian Presidencys official Facebook page said. Syrias Civil War Explained Barely six weeks after their military intervention began, Russian officials put forth an eight-point plan called: Approach to the Settlement of the Syrian Crisis that provided the basic contours of Russias vision for ending the conflict. This vision was rather narrow, however, as the first five points dealt specifically with the fight against the Islamic State group (ISIL, also known as ISIS), and the remaining three carried vague commitments to a political process carried out under international auspices. For most observers, the plan represented little more than the fulfilment of the regimes wish-list and carried with it no substantive political concessions. The glimpse into Syrias future that the draft constitution provides is one moulded out of the will and interests of the Syrian regime and its allies. This was certainly true. Russia was unlikely to demand or receive concessions from the regime after it had so dramatically tipped the military balance. The plan was the political correlate to Russias military intervention. One of its major successes was in reshaping the political debate about the Syrian conflict in a way that was more palatable to the West by linking the fight against ISIL with a political transition process. Bereft of any real political commitment to ending the Syrian conflict, the United States and its allies were more or less content to adopt the Russian vision embodied in the plan. Last January, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Syria needed to start working on a new constitution as a first step to finding a political solution to its civil war. I believe its necessary to move towards constitutional reform [in Syria]. Its a complicated process, of course. And after that, on the basis of the new constitution, [Syria should] hold early presidential and parliamentary elections, Putin told Bild, the German newspaper. The drafting of a makeshift Syrian constitution to be debated and deliberated on with the United States is thus a continuation of these efforts to model post-conflict Syria in the Russian vision in the aftermath of its military intervention. This vision was set forth in Russias initial plan and reinforced by the military intervention that made a political process feasible and desirable. What distinguishes the Russian-led process from previous peace attempts is that this actually has the support of the United States, the United Nations, and a host of other countries. What is most unfortunate is that the deliberation over the constitution will take place outside of Syria, among non-Syrians, and to the long-term, generational detriment of Syria and its peoples right to determine their future. The leaks suggest that the constitution provides greater substance to this vision than the eight-point plan. The most substantive changes concern the division of powers between the presidency and the Council of Ministers, and between central and local authorities. Decentralisation is one of the key features of the draft constitution, which also lays out provisions for enhancing the authority and decision-making capacity of the newly reconstituted Peoples Assembly. The specific provisions, however, do not dramatically undermine the power of the presidency. Instead, presidential power is merely reshuffled. For example, the appointment of key economic and judicial positions would fall under the responsibility of the Council of Ministers, itself a body appointed by the president. READ MORE: Syrias future shaped by Russian designs More importantly, the president would retain oversight and control of the military and security apparatus. The division of political power may ultimately be cosmetic, with the main levers of political and security power remaining concentrated in the Presidency, with only certain responsibilities devolved to other political bodies. To be sure, there are indeed very substantive changes proposed in the draft constitution, including the removal of Baathist-era ideational and ideological references, such as Syrias Arab identity and its commitment to socialism and Arab unity. Ethnic and sectarian representation quotas would dramatically alter the composition of Syrias political institutions and would effectively consecrate sectarianism, much like in Lebanon and Iraq, as the dominant pole around which politics occurs. The draft constitution also commits Syria to a neoliberal economic model and enshrines the states subservience to private capital interests. The specificity of the constitutional draft on issues of national identity, ethnic and sectarian representation, division of political powers, and the commitment to neoliberalism are an indication that the Russian vision for Syria in the aftermath of its military intervention has fully materialised and is being consecrated in an internationally sanctioned political process. There is very little pretension at this point that the political solution to the conflict lies outside of the country. This reality will not make swallowing the pill any easier, however. The glimpse into Syrias future that the draft constitution provides is one moulded out of the will and interests of the Syrian regime and its allies. There are very few indications that the constitution itself will disincentivise violence, or, more importantly, create the basis for a post-conflict political system that enjoys the support of and legitimacy by Syrians. The vision of Syria embodied in the draft constitution is not one borne out of internal deliberation, but through international fiat. Indeed, it is a vision so far removed from even the most pedestrian political demands made by Syrians for political change. Chief peace negotiator of main opposition bloc Mohammad Alloush resigns over failure of peace talks to end Syria war. The chief peace negotiator of Syrias main opposition bloc said on Sunday that he was resigning over the failure of the UN-backed Geneva peace talks to bring a political settlement to the Syria crisis. Mohammad Alloush, who is also the representative of the powerful Jaish al-Islam rebel faction in the Saudi-based High Negotiations Committee, told Al Jazeera that the peace talks failed to secure the release of thousands of prisoners languishing in regime custody. The peace talks failed to stop the bloodshed of our people, failed to secure the release of thousands of detainees or to push Syria towards a political transition without [Bashar] al-Assad and his criminal gang, he said. The international community need to put serious pressure on Russia and Assad to stop the killing of our people. The UN-backed parties have not set a date for the resumption of the peace talks after the High Negotiations Committee suspended its participation over the intensifying of regime air strikes in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Syrian rebels have taken two villages from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) as they fought to undo gains made by the group in a surprise offensive days earlier, activists have said. Rebels retook the villages of Kafr Shoush and Braghida on Sunday, expanding their buffer around the rebel-held town of Azaz, home to tens of thousands of people displaced by war, according to the Local Coordination Committees, an activist network inside the country. ISIL, also known as ISIS, took Syrian rebels by surprise on Sunday when they launched an offensive that threatened to seize Azaz and isolate Marea, another rebel-held town north of the contested city of Aleppo. More than 160,000 civilians have been trapped by the fighting. The international medical organisation, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), evacuated one of the few remaining hospitals in the area. The rebel pocket around Azaz, which connects to the Turkish border, is surrounded by ISIL to one side and the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to the other. IN PICTURES: Devastation reigns in Syrias Aleppo The ISIL advance prompted a rare deal between the SDF and rebels on Saturday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group. It said that the rebels surrendered control of a village near Marea to an SDF division in exchange for allowing 6,000 civilians to evacuate to areas under Kurdish control. Elsewhere in Aleppo, government air strikes targeted the neighbourhood of Sakhour on Saturday and killed at least six people, including five children, the Observatory said. Fighting continued between government forces, rebels and ISIL in other parts of the country on Sunday. READ MORE: Syrias Civil War Explained Government forces shelled an opposition neighbourhood of Homs, Syrias third largest city, the observatory said on Sunday. The strikes on the al-Waer neighbourhood killed at least seven people and injured 17, including four children, according to the Observatory. Al-Waer has been under government siege since 2013, according to the monitoring group Siege Watch. The UN says nearly half a million people are trapped in sieges in the Syria war. One of Donald Trumps greatest advantages is that as a national political figure he is pretty much an unknown. In comparison Hillary has been front and center in the national consciousness for a quarter century. We already know her, and our views pro or con are fixed. Not so with Donald Trump, and hence the tremendous opportunity he has in using the coming five months of open-field-politicking to guide us to reach conclusions about what kind of presidential leadership he will provide. Much like the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania, Trump is essentially a tabula rasa, a clean slate onto which supporters and opponents can project their own conclusions. He does not have a status as a political figure other than what he tells us about himself and what we project onto him. To call him mercurial in that context is an understatement at the very least. I heard a quip that summarizes this conundrum, There are two sides to every issue, and Trump is on all three. True or not it summarizes the concerns about perceptions of him that even most of his supporters acknowledge even as they are overlooking them. Examples of this commence at the inception of his ongoing meteoric rise. While he rails continuously, and correctly, against corrupt politics, at the speech announcing his candidacy he cited as the main catalyst for entering the fray was his frustration that in essence all the politicians he had been bribing would not stay bribed once they got to Washington, and it was time for him to get hands-on. So at least in this matter he can indeed speak about political corruption from a first-hand perspective. Whether there is a difference being the briber or the bribee may determine in part his performance against Hillary. The beauty and benefit of the coming five months is that Trump will have the field to himself, so we can get a very good idea about what kind of president he will make based on the things he says and does prior to the election. Frankly, no one will be noticing Hillary except in response to his condemnations of her. The media knows every exposure reduces her support. No, the discussion will be All Trump All The Time. Im not talking primarily about the hand-wringing over Trumps temperament one mans alpha male is another mans bully -- but rather trying to read meaning into the things Trump does and the content of what he says. In that regard the unfolding of the campaign machinations will be revealing as Trump will be 100% in charge of every aspect moving forward. I do not mean the screwups by underlings, that is simply part of the equation. I mean the serious things like the vision he projects for his presidency, the effectiveness of crafting his vision to the voters, the people he draws into his circle of advisors, the control over the RNC and the convention and platform, etc. While Trumps loyal supporters will insist that all of these associations will show subservience to Trump rather than Trump being assimilated into the establishment, which is true? The issue that catapulted Trump to prominence was invasion and border security, and he backed that up with the inclusion of Sen. Jeff Sessions on his team. More recently he named Art Laffer, Steve Moore, and Larry Kudlow as his economic advisors. (Full disclosure: Mr. Moore has been a friend of mine for three decades) Hmmm, if I recall correctly these three are all enthusiastic open borders advocates. Does this mean anything? He identifies himself a pro-life pro-Constitution conservative, and backs that up with an impressive list of possible judicial nominees that no conservative could find fault with. Overlay that with his continued pronouncements on behalf of Planned Parenthood, his denunciation of Kim Davis, his confusion over bathrooms and gender, and that neither religious liberty nor the U.S. Constitution has any meaningful overt presence in his campaign. Does this mean anything? Since Trump has the nomination locked up, the campaign, convention, and the party platform are entirely under his control. Recognizing the truth of the old adage that, In politics, personnel IS policy, it is worth noting the people who will lead these efforts. The Platform Committee Chairman is Sen. John Barasso of Wyoming, one of the most pro-UN Republicans in the U.S. Senate, and the co-chair being Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallon, who just vetoed rigorous anti-abortion legislature in the most conservative state in the Republic. Who else is taking roles of prominence in the convention and campaign? Does this mean anything? These issues and many others will inform the voters over the next five months, they are the only hints we may get about a Trump administration. Answered rightly they might suggest his could be the greatest presidency in history. Answered wrongly, we may find ourselves longing for the good old days of Barack Obama. If a thing goes without saying it goes even better if it is said. It has long been clear that Islamic Sharia law was incompatible with conventions on human rights regarding the place of women in the legal order and in all spheres of private and public life. Indeed, the European Court of Human Rights in a decision of July 31, 2001 that the institution of Sharia law and a theocratic regime were incompatible with the requirements of a democratic society. Everyone genuinely concerned about the issue of gender equality and the fundamental rights of women will be pleased with the announcement by Theresa May, British Home Secretary, on May 25, 2016, that the British government is to launch a full official independent review of the application of Islamic sharia law in England and Wales, and of the role of Sharia courts and Muslim arbitration tribunals. May is concerned that women have been victims of discriminatory decisions taken by Sharia courts. The review will focus on a number of issues, primarily the treatment of women in divorce, domestic violence, and custody cases. It will not be a review of the whole of Sharia law, which is the basis of guidance for Muslims who stay true to their religion. In Britain today there are thought to be 85 Sharia courts or councils which rule in family and inheritance disputes between Muslims who agree to be bound by the decisions. Sharia law is based on the Koran, and the rulings since the 7th century by fatwas of Islamic scholars. Many of those rulings are concerned with prayers, fasting, donations to the poor, and the nature and degree of punishment, whether cutting off hands or death of women by stoning for adultery, for offenders. The most controversial concern the ill treatment of and the discrimination against women. The review ordered by Secretary May is to be carried out by a panel chaired by Professor Mona Siddiqui, Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies at the University of Edinburgh, a specialist in Islamic law, and will include family law experts and a retired High Court judge, and advised by two Imans said to be religious and theological experts. The essential basis of the review is to assess if Sharia law has been and is being misused or exploited in a way incompatible with British law and is discriminating against certain groups especially women, and if it is causing harm in communities. The Home Office of the British government asserted there was evidence that some Sharia courts and councils were acting in a discriminatory and unacceptable way. In particular, British officials were concerned with the courts legitimized forced marriages and issuing divorce settlements that were unfair to women. This contradicts British law, as well as international law, which provides rights and security for all citizens. Secretary May had already in March 2015 spoken of Muslim women being left penniless after they were divorced. Worse, they were forced to remain in abusive relationships because Sharia councils had decided that an Islamic husband has a right to chastise his wife. Part of the problem is that Muslim women may be unaware of their rights to leave violent husbands. Many of the difficulties facing Muslim women were discussed in a book Choosing Sharia? by Dutch scholar Machteld Zee, who gained unprecedented access to and attended hours of divorce hearings and marital disputes at Londons Sharia Council and the Birmingham Central Mosque Sharia. Her detailed analysis of seven cases is disturbing with their evidence of overwhelming discrimination against women. Zee concluded that judges were not mean, they were acting on the basis of Islam, that women are dependent on husbands and clerics. Her conclusion was that Islamic women are in a situation of marital captivity, and are not protected from domestic violence. Men are dominant in the relationship and benefit from Sharia court decisions and from the strong cultural pressures and the tight knit Islamic communities that uphold masculine superiority, and which condone violence against women. The wider issue is the compatibility of Sharia court decisions with British law, values, policies, and principles. On one hand, a Sharia judge has asserted that divorces granted in British courts are worthless to Muslims. More to the point, the ECHR in 2001 said that Sharia law is incompatible with liberal democracy. What is most important is that the Muslim leaders are not addressing the rights of women. It hardly need a full inquiry to ascertain that it is illegal for any arbitration tribunal, especially Sharia courts, to act in a manner that constitutes discrimination, harassment, or victimization on the grounds of sex. Nevertheless, it is therefore welcoming that in addition to the new review of Secretary May, that a bill has been proposed in March 2016 by Baroness Cox in the British House of Lords making it illegal for an administrative tribunal to do anything that constitutes such discrimination. If passed, the bill would ensure that Sharia courts issue rulings that are compatible with the British Equality. Womens rights groups must make sure that they do. In 2009, Hillary Clinton, then U.S. Secretary of State, presented her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, with a reset button she thought symbolized a new era for Russian and American diplomacy. Lavrov pointed out the word the Americans had chosen, peregruzka, meant overcharged, not reset. Though the two leaders laughed off the mistake, the mistranslated button was a symbol of persistent misunderstanding between the two nations. Russia has long been characterized by many in the West as enigmatic; indeed, almost beyond understanding. It was Winston Churchill who in October of 1939, mere weeks after the invasion of Poland by Nazi armed forces, speculated on the role of Russia in the war, famously depicting Russia as a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. He added: but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest. It cannot be in accordance with the interest of the safety of Russia that Germany should plant itself upon the shores of the Black Sea, or that it should overrun the Balkan States and subjugate the Slavonic peoples of south eastern Europe. That would be contrary to the historic life-interests of Russia. In other words, Churchill could not envision the dismemberment of the Soviet Union by the German war machine without Russia fighting for her life interests. History proved him right. Russia survived, though gravely wounded. The claims of Russia to her unique, historic life interests again came to the forefront when the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s and Russia the nation and empire appeared on the verge of total disintegration. Russia found itself in desperate need of a Weltanschauung that would replace the communist ideology that had held the nation in its grip for seventy years. If she did not, she might even face the prospect of radical shrinkage back to the proportions of Kievan Rus, her empire absorbed into Eastern Europe and the Far East. For some, if not most, of Russias political and intellectual leaders, the prospect of seeing the Russian empire virtually disappear was unthinkable. Discerning that a U.S. Marshall Plan was not in order for Russia, several main figures came forward with ideas for a Russian reset button, one which they saw as including the historic life interests of Russia in the post-communist era. One, of course, is Vladimir Putin, whose embrace of Russian Orthodoxy has been a reason for the elevation of Christianity to a place of influence it occupied for over a millennium. One of the spiritual and philosophical influences behind Putin has been Alexander Solzhenitsyn. Partly due to Putins influence, Solzhenitsyns master work The Gulag Archipelago is now required reading in Russian schools. Solzhenitsyn openly rejected the secularist and leftist liberal political philosophy dominating the cultures of Europe and America. Russia, he said, had her own unique spiritual and historic heritage, a heritage that clashed with the dominant ideology of the West. Though he admired the spirituality of the American heartland, he saw the West in general as drowning in a vortex created by moral degradation, anti-religious sentiment, and extreme individualism. Perhaps the most succinct and prescient analyses of the errors of the liberal democratic West and the failure of the West to understand Russia and Russian spirituality is found in his speech at Harvard University, given in 1978 some eleven years before the collapse of East Germany and the Soviet Union. Solzhenitsyn reminded the Harvard graduates that the West was not the one and only advanced culture. Russia also deserved high regard as an ancient and autonomous entity: Any ancient and deeply rooted, autonomous culture constitutes an autonomous world, full of riddles and surprises to Western thinking For one thousand years Russia belonged to such a category, although Western thinking systematically committed the mistake of denying its autonomous character and therefore never understood it In other words, if Russia was an enigma, it was due to Western blindness, a blindness that was largely due to spiritual cataracts. If Russia seemed inscrutable, it was because American and the rest of the West failed to understand the Russian soul and the Russian nation. No reset was possible unless the West returned to its own Christian spiritual roots. Until spiritual eyeglasses provided vision, the materialistic but powerful West would remain blinded by its sense of total superiority. The West, he went on to say, thought of itself as possessing the most attractive system, and regarded other nations as culturally inferior entities that needed to come up to speed, rejecting their wicked governments and their own barbarity in order to take the way of western pluralistic democracy and adopting the Western way of life. Countries are judged on the merit of their progress in this direction. However, it is a conception which develops out of Western incomprehension of the essence of other worlds, out of the mistake of measuring them all with a Western yardstick. Russia had its own ancient and autonomous character and was in some ways more advanced than the secularist West, which he saw as declining in courage, and as inclined toward overemphasis on individual rights seldom ameliorated by a corresponding emphasis on individual obligations. Such was the emphasis on individual rights that destructive and irresponsible freedom has been granted boundless space. The result was that evil had boundless freedom to expand in every part of society, expressing itself as individual rights, be those rights exhibiting themselves in pornography, violence, and even anarchy. A firm belief in the basic goodness of human nature coupled with an almost complete misapprehension of the evil inherent in human nature had led the West to embracing what amounted to spiritual and moral anarchy. The spiritual condition of the West meant its system was not the ideal model for Russia, which Solzhenitsyn characterized as possessing spiritual strength the West had once possessed, but which it had rejected. The West was spiritually exhausted due to the repudiation of the Christian principles on which it was based. As Russia was, even in the midst of the communist regime, gaining her spiritual strength, a vitiated West had virtually nothing to say to her beyond advocacy of runaway materialism and out-of-control individualism. Solzhenitsyn went on to point out the basic error that led to the decadence of the West; namely, the assumption of the Enlightenment that mankind has no higher force above him, but is autonomous -- mankind as the center of everything that exists. In effect, the West, including America, which at its inception believed quite differently, rejected the idea that all individual human rights were granted because man is Gods creature. Freedom, he said, is conditional in that it has grave religious responsibilities, an idea that had roots thousands of years old. He concluded any commonality between Russia and the West had to be spiritual: [If] the world has not come to its end, it has approached a major turn in history, equal in importance to the turn from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. It will exact from us a spiritual upsurge: We shall have to rise to a new height of vision, to a new level of life where our physical nature will not be cursed as in the Middle Ages, but, even more importantly, our spiritual being will not be trampled upon as in the Modern era. This ascension will be similar to climbing onto the next anthropologic stage. No one on earth has any other way left but -- upward. For Solzhenitsyn, Christianity, specifically the Russian Orthodox Church, had informed the Russian soul and Russia since the end of the first millennium, with roots going back to the Eastern Roman Empire. The path leading to restoration of true greatness lay in a return to God and a repudiation of the dark inheritance of a so-called Enlightenment that fostered atheism and sought to tear down Christianity. Having experienced firsthand the brutality of a regime motivated by atheism, Solzhenitsyn saw a similar deleterious influence at the core of the crisis of the West. Once again, runaway atheism was revealing its inherently destructive nature. In his Templeton Prize Lecture of May 1983, Godlessness: The First Step to the Gulag, he said: And if I were called upon to identify briefly the principal trait of the entire twentieth century, here too, I would be unable to find anything more precise and pithy than to repeat once again: Men have forgotten God. The failings of human consciousness, deprived of its divine dimension, have been a determining factor in all the major crimes of this century. the world had never before known a godlessness as organized, militarized, and tenaciously malevolent as that practiced by Marxism. Within the philosophical system of Marx and Lenin, and at the heart of their psychology, hatred of God is the principal driving force, more fundamental than all their political and economic pretensions. Militant atheism is not merely incidental or marginal to Communist policy; it is not a side effect, but the central pivot. [In the West] the concepts of good and evil have been ridiculed for several centuries; banished from common use, they have been replaced by political or class considerations of short lived value. It has become embarrassing to state that evil makes its home in the individual human heart before it enters a political system. The West, including America, was sliding toward an abyss of its own making. The young were deliberately being taught godlessness and hatred of their own society. The subsequent corrosion of the human heart and hatred was fast becoming the signature of the contemporary free world, which appeared anxious to export to the rest of the world its own philosophy of godlessness and immorality. The solution, he concluded, was repentance and return to God: [W]e can propose only a determined quest for the warm hand of God, which we have so rashly and self-confidently spurned. Only in this way can our eyes be opened to the errors of this unfortunate twentieth century and our bands be directed to setting them right. There is nothing else to cling to in the landslide: the combined vision of all the thinkers of the Enlightenment amounts to nothing If we perish and lose this world, the fault will be ours alone. Solzhenitsyns powerful insights hold much truth. If there is to be a reset between the West and Russia, it must be based on the mutual and ancient Christian roots of both entities. Here in the United States, there is a Christian commonality that still exists, but it desperately requires fostering and revival. In the meantime, Christianity in the West and in Russia remains a key to the relationship between the two. Therein lies a way to rapprochement. Therein lies a possibility of a reset button. The way will not be easy, as the present leaders of the West have largely bowed to the forces of a spiritually arid and atheistic secularism. But there is hope that some will seek to hear and to heed the voice that says, This is the way. Walk in it. Fay Voshell is a frequent contributor to American Thinker. She holds a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, where she received the seminarys prize for excellence in systematic theology. Her thoughts have appeared in many online magazines, including Russia Insider, National Review, CNS, RealClearReligion and Fox News. She has also presented her views on radio and television. She may be reached at fvoshell@yahoo.com. Now that the presidential primary process is winding down with two presumptive nominees, the real presidential campaign is ramping up. Especially for the Democrat base, including major media organizations such CNN. While CNN handled several Republican debates in a commendable manner, it was still early in the process with Donald Trump and the seventeen dwarves calling each other names. Now with Trump surpassing the 1237 delegate threshold and Clinton on the verge of emerging from the Berning fire of her primary battle with enough delegates to secure the Democrat nomination, the battle lines are being drawn, and CNN has moved into campaign mode. Hillary Clinton is running to be the first woman president, playing the gender card, even going as far as handing out a Woman Card at campaign events. Unfortunately for Hillary, the war on women goes beyond a campaign theme that she hopes to use to her advantage. Like a boomerang returning to its thrower, the war on women is headed straight back toward Hillary Clinton, and her husband Bill. In fact, Roger Stone even wrote an entire book on the subject, The Clintons War on Women. Hillary Clinton, as the first female presidential candidate, would like nothing better than to hammer her opponent Donald Trump over his treatment of women. Her campaign media arm, the New York Times, dutifully published an article a few weeks ago, Crossing the Line: How Donald Trump Behaved with Women in Private. Trump was accused of such boorish behavior as offering a swimsuit to one of his guests at a pool party. The backlash was swift and furious, with some of the women quoted in the Times story claiming the article was false. Such is the back and forth of a contested political campaign. Past behavior and transgressions are fair game. Or are they? Bill Clinton also has a past, relevant for several reasons. He is the husband of candidate Hillary Clinton. He may even be a co-president of sorts. Hillary promises to delegate one of the major jobs of the president to Bill, "My husband, who I will put in charge of revitalizing the economy 'cause he knows what he's doing." So why is Donald Trumps past fair game and Bill Clintons is not? CNNs Brooke Baldwin stifled any talk of Bill Clintons tawdry past. We are not airing all this dirty laundry here. Don Henley sang about Dirty Laundry reminding listeners, You dont really need to find out whats going on. CNN is now singing backup vocals in tribute to the Clintons. Last December, CNNs Don Lemon also stuffed the dirty laundry back into the hamper, After the conversation veered from Donald Trumps recent comments about Hillary Clintons bathroom use to a heated back and forth about President Bill Clintons sexual trysts. Don Henley was right; we apparently dont need to find out whats going on. So why is Donald Trumps past fair game and Bill Clintons is not? Not only Donald Trump, but also Mitt Romney. CNN happily wrote about allegations of Mitt Romney bullying a kid while in high school. They also reported a Romney family trip 30 years ago with the family dog in a crate strapped to the roof of the family car. Oh, the horror! Was Mitt guilty of sexual harassment, groping, or rape? Why are those evil deeds off limits compared to high school teasing or awkward family vacations? Bill Cosby is accused of doing the same things Bill Clinton did. He is facing legal trials and and a media onslaught. CNN has no trouble airing Bill Cosbys dirty laundry, but not Bill Clintons. How about George W. Bush? Going back over 40 years, long before Bush occupied the White House, a bogus story concerning his Air National Guard service became a campaign issue. CNN gleefully covered this story with no pangs of conscience about dirty laundry. And dont forget George W. Bushs DUI arrest in 1976, considered clean laundry by CNN and dutifully reported. Yet the Clinton transgressions, occurring not when Bill and Hillary were in high school or young adults, but instead when they were in the White House or the Arkansas governors mansion, are somehow off limits? CNN and other news organizations may wish that this were so, but rest assured Donald Trump has other ideas. Despite trying to declare the Clinton history off limits, CNN begrudgingly admits Trump, Is reintroducing Americans to a panoply of dormant scandals, personal transgressions and partisan controversies that rocked Bill Clinton's White House and first lady Hillary Clinton in two turbulent presidential terms. Trump is just getting started. He has at least 20 piles of dirty Clinton laundry to choose from. Hillary and her allies at CNN had better tread carefully going after Trump for being, as CNN describes, A businessman who only protects his own interests. Particularly when Hillarys dirty laundry includes such self-interest protecting schemes as Whitewater, cattle futures, Benghazi, unsecure emails, and the Clinton Foundation. The Clinton presidency was in the 90s, before the internet took off, before Twitter and other social media. That was a decade when the media could truly control what and whose dirty laundry was aired. But not so in 2016, as Donald Trump is demonstrating. Finally, for the first time, Bill and Hillary Clintons dirty laundry will be on full display to the world. Brian C Joondeph, MD, MPS, a Denver-based retina surgeon, radio personality, and writer. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. You cant legislate morality! is a common battle cry today. Its thought to be a quintessentially American idea, even though the Founding Fathers never expressed such a sentiment. Nor did the early Americans who would unabashedly enforce a biblically based code of morality in their localities, both via social pressure and governmental laws, with transgressors sometimes spending time in stocks or worse. No, our common battle cry is a modern idea, and one of modernism. It also betrays a fundamental, and dangerous, misunderstanding of laws nature. In reality, the only thing we should legislate is morality. The only other option is legislating whims or immorality. One problem with addressing this issue, which I have done several times, is that many readers have a reason-clouding emotional reaction induced by the assumption that Im advocating big government. So Ill preface what follows by saying that even if we enact just one law lets say, prohibiting murder we have legislated morality. The only people who could credibly say they wouldnt legislate morality are those who wouldnt legislate at all: anarchists. Ill start by putting this simply. Could you imagine a legislator saying, This law doesnt prevent something thats wrong, but Im going to impose it on you anyway? What if he said, This other law doesnt mandate anything that is a good, but Ill compel you to adhere to it simply because I feel like it? Would you suppose his legislation had a sound basis? Or would you think that, unlike a prohibition against murder or theft, the imposition of something lacking a moral foundation (rightness or wrongness) was the very definition of tyranny? Generally speaking, a law is by definition the imposition of a value (which can be positive, negative or neutral), and a just law is the imposition of a moral principle (good by definition). This is because a law with the exception of laws for naming post offices and such (which dont constrain us and which wont be included henceforth when I speak of laws) states that there is something you must or must not do, ostensibly because the action is a moral imperative, is morally wrong, or is a corollary thereof. If this is not the case, again, with what credibility do you legislate in the given area? There is no point imposing something that doesnt prevent a wrong or mandate some good. This is why there will never be a powerful movement lobbying to criminalize strawberry ice cream or kumquats. As an example, what is the possible justification for speed laws? Well, there is the idea that its wrong to endanger others or yourself, and, in the latter case, it could be based on the idea that it's wrong to engage in reckless actions that could cause you to become a burden on society. Of course, some or all of these arguments may be valid or not, but the point is this: if a law is not underpinned by a valid moral principle, it is not a just law. Without morality, laws can be based on nothing but air. One cause of the strong negative reaction (generally among libertarian-leaners) to the above is the word morality itself; as with capitalism in liberal circles, the term has taken on a negative connotation. Yet this is partially due to a narrow and incorrect view of what morality is. Use the word, and many imagine the Church Lady or a preacher breathing fire and brimstone; moreover, reflecting our libertine ages spirit, peoples minds often automatically go to sex. Stay out of the bedroom! we hear, even though the only side legislating bedroom-related matters today is the Left (e.g., contraception mandate, forcing businesses to cater faux weddings). Its almost as if, dare I say, some people are worried that others may ruin their fun. Morality encompasses far more than sexual matters, however. Yet it is narrow in one way: it includes only correct principles of rightness. And, again, when these are not the stuff of laws, elements of wrongness will be. Speaking of which, everyone advocating legislation seeks to impose a conception of morality or, as modernists are wont to put it, a values set. For example, the only justification for forcing bakers to service faux weddings is the (incorrect) notion that its wrong to deny such service. ObamaCare could only be justified based on the idea that providing medical care for those who cant afford it is a moral imperative. And transgender bathroom laws would have to be based on the fancy that its wrong to disallow someone from using facilities associated with his gender identity. A common argument Ive heard in response to the above is No, I dont legislate morality; something should only be illegal if it harms another. Other arguments are that we should merely prohibit force or protect property rights. Leaving alone the deep matter of what constitutes harm, these assertions are, with all due respect, dodges. Is it wrong to harm another, use unjust force against him or violate property rights? If not, why trouble over it? People making the harm, force or property-rights argument are almost universally sincere, except with themselves, as its self-deception. Its a way of preserving a mistaken ideological principle (Dont legislate morality) by obscuring what it is youre actually doing when making law. Its also dangerous because it keeps things on a more superficial level. Its a way relativistic moderns can avoid dealing with something they consider inconvenient, messy and divisive: determining What is good? But when you dont work hard to settle what is good, you end up with what is bad. Another reason many people are oblivious to the morality underpinning their conception of law is that many moral principles are now woven so seamlessly into our civilizations fabric that we dont recognize them as morality. Yet a moral does not cease to be a moral because it becomes a meme. Consider that while we take for granted that theft, murder and slavery should be governmentally prohibited, most pre-Christian pagans would have found such an idea foreign. Pillaging for a living, Viking-style, was common and accepted; might made right. And while you might not murder or enslave your fellow group members (one problem Athenians had with Spartans was that the latter enslaved other Greeks: the Helots), outsiders were fair game. In fact, if there had been such a thing as a libertarian Roman, he just might have said to Christians endeavoring to outlaw the brutality of the arena, You cant legislate morality! There can be no such thing as a separation of morality and state. That is, unless we want to regress to mans default, the immoral state. Contact Selwyn Duke, follow him on Twitter or log on to SelwynDuke.com Breitbart reported that Steven Spielberg fretted at the 2016 Harvard graduation, "We are a nation of immigrants...at least for now." The statement was a poorly disguised attack on Donald Trump. Saying we are immigrants is like saying we all get around on horse and buggy. That self-serving obsolescence, peddled by an enormously wealthy cultural elite, was but part of the dehumanizing lies Spielberg told the graduates about the realities of persecution, genocide, and morality. Spielberg opened with the soul-dead litany of progressivism, decrying "racism, homophobia, ethnic hatred, class hatred," then added "and there's political hatred and religious hatred." This facile formulation protects people like Spielberg from facing today's real world and doing anything about actual persecution and genocide. He didn't understand that he was addressing young people who have been effectively forbidden morality as the expression of absolute principles based on unchanging truth. It is appalling that Spielberg mentioned Muslims and Jews in his talk but not Christians. Incredibly, he neglected to mention the current Christian holocaust, the most dreadful, specifically religiously motivated persecution on planet Earth today. It is Christian communities that are facing genocide in Muslim areas of Asia and Africa. Spielberg and his left-wing audience are anti-Christian, though they don't seem to know it. Of course, Spielberg predictably blathered about racism and homophobia, even though racism hasn't been the leading problem in America for sixty years, and homosexuals not only are not oppressed, but have become a class that enjoys special legal protections at the expense of Christians. The term homophobia, so cavalierly bandied, is a dehumanizing hoax, a thoughtless bigotry against people who compassionately believe that homosexual consciousness and behavior are spiritually harmful in this life and beyond. Spielberg repeated the big lie that is preventing many of the most gifted young people in America from making the world a better place. "Whether it's the Muslims, or the Jews, or minorities on the border states, or the LGBT community, it is all one big hate." That statement is one big hate. To compare the Islamic State atrocities or Islamic terrorists murdering Jewish children to "LGBT" concerns is disgusting. Spielberg was preaching to people who "privilege" and he is himself an elder in an industry that privileges "lesbians-gays-bisexuals-trangenders." He told the graduates to "stick to your morals" because he doesn't know what morals are. Morals are absolute convictions based on unchanging Godful truth. The young people at Harvard have been taught anti-morality since they were toddlers. They have been taught that morality is "judgmental," particularly regarding issues of sexuality. They have been submerged in humanist ethicality and relativism. Humanist ethicality is trying to cut through life's sharp brambles using only your hands, without getting scratched. This is why lefties can't face moral issues. It is in that ethical relativism that Spielberg can make ignorant statements that equate terrorist mass murder with "LGBT" needs. Regarding immigration, elites like Spielberg don't have enough exposure to "flyover" American life to know that the huddled masses aren't huddling anymore. Today's immigrants tend to have fed tummies, cell phones, and attitudes. Unlike the majority of Americans, Spielberg is insulated from unemployment and too rich to care about the looming national bankruptcy being accelerated by millions of demanding, welfare-entitled immigrants. The historic mass immigrations Spielberg was referring to are no more. They arose mainly due to famine, near famine, or political oppression so severe the choice was between flight and death. Science and technology have thankfully made those conditions rare compared to the vast history of humanity. Most people can survive in their own countries. They have the moral duty to secure their freedom in their own lands. Here's a guideline: ban immigration from any country whose people have the technological capability to watch Spielberg movies. Any nation with television, internet, cell phones, or movie theaters has the technology (or the wherewithal to obtain it) to feed its own people. They should stay home and fix their own problems. America, the most compassionate country in history, is here to help them. What oratory, what outreach, what uplift Barack was privileged to read at Hiroshima (full text here). What masterful speechwriters we employ for our president. We see these stories in the hibakusha [survivors of the atomic bombs]. The woman who forgave a pilot who flew the plane that dropped the atomic bomb because she recognized that what she really hated was war itself. Hating "war itself" is an impossibility, for war of necessity requires human agents. You cannot hate the abstraction without hating those responsible. What Barack is really saying is that this hibakusha forgave the American pilot for bombing her, forgave the U.S. for ending the war that her country started. I feel so much uplift just contemplating the moral superiority of our erstwhile enemies. The man is not given to irony, to understanding the import of what his handlers have put up on his teleprompter: And since that fateful day, we have made choices that give us hope. The United States and Japan have forged not only an alliance but a friendship that has won far more for our people than we could ever claim through war. Isn't that marvelous? The U.S. and Japan friends now. Why couldn't they have come to that before the unpleasantness over Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Oh, that's right the two countries are friends now because of the bombs, because Japan was afraid of China and Russia, because she was forced to abandon her hegemonic, imperialistic ways (if one may apply such vile terms to a non-Western power). And yet the war grew out of the same base instinct for domination or conquest that had caused conflicts among the simplest tribes, an old pattern amplified by new capabilities and without new constraints. No indication of which nations, which actors, which people had "the same base instinct for domination or conquest." Very mysterious. When the kiddies in schools across the land are made to study this magnificent oratory, their instructors will no doubt clarify that there were no good guys or bad guys, just an abstract "instinct for domination or conquest" that apparently infected all participants in World War II. But we really don't know. After all, who are we to judge? In the span of a few years, some 60 million people would die. Men, women, children, no different than us. Shot, beaten, marched, bombed, jailed, starved, gassed to death. Again, in the interests of even-handedness, there is no agency, no indication of which countries did what, just agentless participles marching across the teleprompter. The only cliche you missed, Barack, was "mistakes were made." But there is hope. Oh, is there ever hope: "Technological progress without an equivalent progress in human institutions can doom us." We're just one institution, one bigger, better bureaucracy away from nirvana. If only the U.S. had joined the League of Nations, there would have been no Second World War. If only the stiff-necked kulaks had got out of the way, Stalin could have established the worker's paradise. If only the U.N. could levy taxes directly on the peoples of the world and field its own military to enforce its will, then they could establish the perfection in human affairs that eluded Stalin, because the U.N. would never prove corrupt or venal. The dreams of the left never change: just a little more centralization of power, and all will be well, because our betters, like Barack and his buddies, will be wielding that power, and they will act only in our best interest. Henry Percy is the nom de guerre of a writer in Arizona. He may be reached at saler.50d[at]gmail.com. At their national convention on Saturday, delegates for the Conservative Party of Canada which was unceremoniously tossed out of office in last October's federal election by a majority win going to Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party voted by a 69-to-31% margin in favor of same-sex marriage. The vote, along with others that include a movement toward the legalization of marijuana, takes the party even farther to the political left, making it effectively indistinguishable on most issues from the Liberal Party. Notable members in leadership positions throughout the party even went so far as to adopt the famous slogan from former Liberal prime minister Pierre Trudeau: "there's no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation." Jason Kenney, who once served as executive assistant for the Liberal Party's Ralph Goodale, was strongly in favor of the same-sex marriage motion. Some Conservative Party members of parliament remained opposed to the motion, such as Saskatchewan's Brad Trost, who indicated that "[i]f we as a party start to waffle on this, that line in the sand moves very sharply and becomes much more difficult." Trost was correct in this assessment; ignoring such advice is why his party lost the recent election. Former prime minister Stephen Harper whose marriage itself was imputed to be in trouble by former prime minister Brian Mulroney's chief of staff, and whose wife is apparently "an ambassador for a controversial pro-homosexual organization" took the party far to the left on social issues in the period before the election, leading many otherwise social conservative-leaning voters to choose the Liberal Party. Consequently, Trost is probably wrong when he goes on to claim that doesn't "think social conservatives will leave the party." Actually, most social conservatives have already left the party if not in terms of formal membership, then certainly with regard to their voting choice, choosing to sit on the sidelines during elections or holding their nose on many social and fiscal issues and voting Liberal instead. The other high-profile member of parliament to oppose the same-sex marriage policy was Ted Falk, who accurately assessed the situation in noting that the policy was "not about inclusiveness," but rather an "attack on our values and principles." Although polls show that a majority of Canadians support same-sex marriage, the latest motion will only further alienate more traditional conservatives from the Conservative Party. And this is the segment of the voting public the party can least afford to lose. The latest polling averages show the party at only 28% in the polls and declining, down from 32% at election time, showing that the past six months of "transformative" feminist/libertarian activist leadership under interim leader Rona Ambrose who, while also apparently on her second marriage, is merely duplicating Justin Trudeau's social policies is not improving the party's electability among the general public. With the leftward shift, the Conservative Party has ensured that the Liberals whose post-election support now sits near the 50% level, or almost double that of the Conservatives will almost certainly remain in power for the foreseeable future, which can be translated as a further decade at the minimum, unless the radical policy choices can be reversed. Given that the top-line leadership of the party has been taken over by CINOs (conservatives in name only), salvation is unlikely. The Conservative Party's linkages to homosexuality led Matthew Hays from VICE Canada to pen a barn-burner of an article in mid-2013 entitled "Is Canada Run by a Gay Mafia?" Hays's piece offers so many insights that true conservatives need to be aware of that an extended quote is in order: Canada's Conservative government appears to be run by a queer mafia that rivals the Vatican. The best part is, the press corps in Ottawa is itching to report on the gay shenanigans of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet, which seems about as straight as an episode of Glee. First up is the most obvious: John Baird. As I wrote about in the Canadian gay mag Xtra, Baird lives in a glass closet. He was first outed by another Conservative on a radio show, who remarked on his sexuality so matter-of-factly she didn't even realize he was still in said transparent closet. Baird recently got busted for using government properties to hang out with friends during his vacations in both London and New York. And some wondered who his "handful of friends" were and what they were up to in lavish, luxurious locations ... Witness the national news magazine Maclean's, which has marveled at the number of "single white males" who populate Harper's inner circle. Indeed, writing about the current Canadian government requires employing more euphemisms than an Ed Koch obituary. Maclean's columnist Paul Wells points to several bachelors among them Baird, Jason Kenney, the recently married and ostensibly heterosexual James Moore, and Nigel Wright who have been very committed team players. "All four are bachelors, which means only that they can devote truly extraordinary amounts of time to their roles." Roleplaying, eh? Even reading an estimation of their commitment sounds kinky! Wells also suggests that getting ahead in Harper's Ottawa is helped with "infinite flexibility and a bottomless appetite," which sounds suspiciously like a contortionist's Grindr ad. It must be noted that Wright recently resigned due to the senate scandal. A reporter desperate to catch up with him to pose a few questions camped out to catch Wright on his morning jog at five in the morning. Hard to believe someone prances around a downtown street in tight track pants before sunrise just for the exercise. Then there's Canada's first lady, Laureen Harper, seen at the Prime Minister's side, often apparently quite begrudgingly, through various public events. Spreading irresponsible innuendo and hearsay is not proper reportage, nor is it gentlemanly, so we won't go there. But it's important to note what Laureen Harper's nickname is on capital hill: The L Word. What remains as the only viable option is to undo the amalgamation of the "Progressive Conservative" and "Reform" wings, for the true conservative "Reform" faction to then merge with what little remains of the Christian Heritage Party and its support base, and subsequently advocate in favor of electoral reforms towards proportional representation to ensure a modestly strong conservative voice albeit a minority in parliament over time. Within the current arrangement, which on its face may appear preferable to some, social conservatives will remain outnumbered and marginalized, thereby effectively shut out from key party operations and likely prevented from receiving party nominations in electoral ridings. In short, the current marriage of convenience between fiscally conservative libertarians and social conservatives, in reality, offers less of an opportunity for the latter group to effect influence in Canadian politics than if the social conservatives split off and went their own way within a more representative electoral system. Hillary Clinton and several people who worked at the State Department refused to cooperate with the Inspector General (IG) even though the law requires them to cooperate. Hillary says she didnt answer questions from the IG because she answered questions for others. The law certainly does not offer that option. NLRB regulations require employees to cooperate with the IG and to provide sworn testimony (29 CFR 100.21). In a criminal investigation, the subject will be informed of the right to remain silent. However, that silence, together with other evidence, will not preclude disciplinary action. Subjects in civil and administrative cases and employees who are not subjects do not have a right to remain silent, and may be subject to discipline for refusing to cooperate with an OIG investigation. There was essentially no Inspector General to serve as watchdog at the State Department while Clinton Served as Secretary of State. Did Hillary have an agreement with Obama not to appoint one? Hillary and all the people who sent her classified documents also violated the law. This most likely includes people at the White House, the CIA, The Justice Department and many other federal agencies. They are also guilty. Here is what 18 USC 798 says: a) Whoever knowingly and willfully communicates, furnishes, transmits, or otherwise makes available to an unauthorized person, or publishes, or uses in any manner prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any foreign government to the detriment of the United States any classified information (1) concerning the nature, preparation, or use of any code, cipher, or cryptographic system of the United States or any foreign government; or (2) concerning the design, construction, use, maintenance, or repair of any device, apparatus, or appliance used or prepared or planned for use by the United States or any foreign government for cryptographic or communication intelligence purposes; or (3) concerning the communication intelligence activities of the United States or any foreign government; or (4) obtained by the processes of communication intelligence from the communications of any foreign government, knowing the same to have been obtained by such processes Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. President Obama and Hillary seem to believe they are not subject to the laws of the land that the rest of us are -- but why hasnt the Justice Department enforced the law as is their job? I am waiting for some enterprising reporter to ask Hillary a simple question: How did you handle the thousands of sensitive, classified documents that a Secretary of State obviously receives during your tenure? I believe another line of question that should go to Hillary is why are there five shell corporations in Delaware for the Clintons and the Clinton Foundation? What is their purpose? Are they meant to reduce taxes or prevent transparency? I think the questions about the shell companies and the Clinton Foundation itself are equal in importance to Trumps tax returns. There may be more than one surprise in the works this year, given the dismal remaining candidates in the U.S. presidential race. But the true game-changer could come from an unexpected source: Vlad Putin, the chief mourner of the passing of the Soviet Union. In Putin's scheme for a world where Russia is again a superpower, there has to be one favorite among the current finalists still in the race. Deep down, Bernie may well be his soul mate, but Putin knows there is little he can do to move Comrade Bernie up in the delegate count, and he could do considerable harm by openly endorsing him. He knows Hillary, and the best he can expect from her victory is same-old, same-old too slow and clumsy to get out of his way in re-establishing Russian dominance of Europe and beyond. After all, Putin is getting up in years. Before he replaced Hillary's reset button to work as his toilet-flusher as a reminder of her naivete, he used it as a map-pointer to shift his troops to Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. To Putin, Donald Trump is a surprise and not necessarily the negative buffoon he was expecting. What is not to like if he will dismantle NATO as promised? When The Donald learned that Georgia, contentious and an irritant to Putin, borders not Tennessee, but rather the obscure Azerbaijan, he said, to hell with both of them, not my problem! Best of all, Putin knows he has the key to Hillary's excess baggage. The question that remains is when to use it. The 10,000 or so emails from Hillary's home-brew server in Russian hands, hacked without much difficulty, even without disclosing their content, would sink her candidacy. Making them accessible to independent observers would be proof that she violated security laws and that proof could not be ignored by DOJ. Indicted or not, even pardoned by Obama, that kind of criminal negligence could not be left hanging anywhere near the White House. Putin and his cronies know this. They also know that releasing Hillary's emails too soon would give the Democrats enough time to go to Plan B namely, Biden. One term for him with the Cherokee woman as his running mate would do much to unite the Donks and defeat the demoralized GOP in the November election. Now, if only the media cooperates and shields Herself for a bit longer long enough for the Dem National Convention to anoint her as their candidate. By the month of October, Hillary should be slightly in the lead in the opinion polls, and as she starts to list the objects to add to her already extensive personal W.H. souvenir collection, a headline in mid-October in NYT: HILLARY'S HOME SERVER HACKED! A month later: THE DONALD MOVES HIS INAUGURATION TO TRUMP TOWER. In the United States and elsewhere, the debate rages on as to the ethical implications of strong device encryption, especially when it comes to smartphones. An encrypted device can be difficult, if not impossible for anybody to break into, even law enforcement or the device manufacturer. Most smartphones these days have the ability to completely encrypt their contents, and many apps offer end to end encryption, or the ability to send encrypted data that will only unlock for the target party, who will send a similar package back. When a smartphone is used in a crime, however, such as the infamous iPhone involved in the San Bernardino tragedy and the ensuing backdoor debate, the question of whether everybody should have access to encryption becomes a bit of a moral and legal gray area. When the FBI got a third partys help and broke into the iPhone in question, it wasnt until they had already been involved in a lengthy, high-profile court case with Apple that had just about everybody choosing sides. Essentially, it was the tech world versus the government. The highly divisive case was in vogue for a number of months before seemingly fading away in the wake of the FBI getting what they needed from the infamous device. While the battle at hand in the encryption war had been won by the powers that be, the war itself was still on. The public, for the most part, became much more aware of the concept and importance of encryption and personal security. Lawmakers, however, saw waning support for the creation of laws concerning encryption. Advertisement The fight over encryption, as it were, is only one battle in a long and ongoing series of clashes. For a good while, the government has been able to use technology to observe citizens. With the signing of the Patriot Act after the September 11 attacks, the conflict came to an ugly head, with both sides going to irrational extremes; while everyday citizens had their data compromised and were frisked, probed and otherwise invaded, people began to indulge paranoid tendencies bordering on outright delusional. Many concepts that are still fought over today rose to prominence during this time, such as chemtrails, observation through computers and phones, and even some people saying that the government was working to engineer the collapse of the American populace. To call it chaos would be a bit of an understatement. When former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked national secrets concerning public surveillance and gained worldwide fame and notoriety for it, the conflict grew to a fervor again, though not quite to the level inspired by the Patriot Act. A third spike, as you likely know if youre reading this, occurred with the San Bernardino tragedies sparking the inclusion of encryption into the debate. After the original fervor waned, however, many prominent government figures who had chosen sides withdrew their support or pulled out of the conflict altogether. Some of the public speculated that these figures had a hard time picking a side and originally chose because they felt pressured, while others may have said that they only made such choices in the first place to garner public support from one camp or another. The overarching, indisputable fact, however, was that these government figures were no longer fighting over whether a law against encryption in some form should be enacted. Senators Richard Burr and Dianne Feinstein had drafted up a possible bill earlier in the year, but it was revealed recently that it will not be introduced. This comes after Burr had stated on numerous occasions that some sort of legislation on the matter was inevitable. Despite everything that had happened with Apple, the White House simply wouldnt bite on any legislation concerning encryption; presumably, this was due to the impending election. Efforts by the Justice Department to get laws enacted to help bring to light those who chose to go black, or cut off surveillance, had been shot down repeatedly in the past, sometimes due to insufficient substantial evidence of a reason to sign the law and sometimes due to concerns over whether the law in question would adhere to the Constitution, the core of American law and a guideline for basic rights, a line that lawmakers arent supposed to cross. Some, like Senator Lindsey Graham, initially supported legislation, but performed a quick 180 after talking to people in both camps and learning the facts. A bill introduced by Senator Mark Warner is meant to study the issue and come to a conclusion of some sort on whether legislation is needed, but for now, the encrypted phone you may be reading this on is safe. The idea of Google Home is futuristic and pretty great, but still very much cut and dry. In essence, its meant to be a smart home hub that can power your IoT devices, communicate with just about every gadget you own, act as a speaker, take commands, and use Googles advanced artificial intelligence, machine learning and neural networking technologies to serve you in ways you may not think of. In essence, its the ultimate form of Google Now, brought into your home and powered by Googles new Assistant. Google Home looks set to take the smart home control hub niche to a whole new level with the help of Googles advanced technologies. There are a few issues, however, and one is that we dont know much about Google Home just yet, and this makes it difficult to gauge consumer interest and how well it may compete in the marketplace. There are a lot of important things about Google Home that are still unknown. For starters, as a speaker, how will it perform? For the purposes of this article, well be comparing Google Home to the Amazon Echo because, quite frankly, everybody else will do the same. Theres no way around it; Amazons Echo home hub is currently the leader and poster child for a fairly sparse market. If you ask enough people, youll be sure to encounter at least a few who even think that the Echo is the only such product out there. Thus, Google Home will have to compete with the Echo to earn its place in the market. In order to be viable, it will need to be able to project sound throughout the home and boast extremely high quality audio for listening to media and doing things like making calls. On the flip side of that same token, we know nothing about how the microphones will be set up, which is a crucial element of such a product. The Amazon Echo, for example, boasts an array of advanced microphones that are arranged just so, allowing users to speak to the Echo unit when the house is noisy or when theyre in another room or even another part of the house entirely, mostly through multiple directional microphones tuned to pick up human voices. If Google Home cant replicate this feat, its basically already dead in the water, unless separate nodes for each room will be available on launch. These factors, of course, only affect the core audio experience; there are still a number of factors to consider that havent been revealed yet. Advertisement Another big factor in Google Homes market performance will be the price. To compare it again to Amazon Echo, the poster child of the market, the price for a main unit is $200, with a somewhat scaled-back model running $99. While some assumptions could be made if we knew more about the hardware, we only have the roughest of rough ideas at the moment. Without knowing the price, we dont know if it will be able to appeal to consumers on the kind of scale needed to defeat the Echo and kickstart competition in the space. While pricing higher than the Echo would be acceptable with the right features, all we know about the feature set at the moment is that A.I. will be front and center. Another factor to consider is the release date and the market climate around that time. Right now, the release date for Google Home is unknown; not even any hints or leaks are present to help with predictions. While other products may hit the market, theres no telling if theyll be able to make a dent in the Echos market share. If nothing else comes out and Amazon Echo stays on top, Google will have a bit of an issue; the longer they let the Echo stay at the top of the heap, the harder it will be to dethrone. The last big factor to consider that we know nothing about is just how well the system works. Assistant was demonstrated at Google I/O, but has yet to see much, if any, real-life testing. Not only do we not know how well the predictive A.I. will work, we dont know how fast Google Home will react when a user gives it a command. This, however, is an area where at least one assumption can be made; thanks to Assistant and a focus on the A.I. and command-based software, its safe to say that Google Home will do its job at least as well as Google Now on your smartphone. Go ahead, fire it up with OK Google and give it a random command. Search for something, play some music, or just try to make small talk to see how it reacts. Depending on your phones hardware, the delay may be significant or less than a second. This is an older system than Assistant, running on hardware that was not custom-made for it, with less A.I. backing. If Google Home is tailored to Assistant, itd be no shocker to see a command getting a reaction the instant a user stops talking. For now, however, we dont know for sure. All of these factors combine to make Google Home quite the enigma, for now. Predicting its performance, both in the market and at doing its job, is next to impossible for now. This week, Microsoft announced that they were cutting another 1,850 jobs and about 1,350 of those were coming from Finland. Where Nokia originated, which Microsoft bought in 2013 (with the deal closing in April 2014). Microsoft bought the smartphone business from Nokia (not to be confused with the Nokia that bought Alcatel-Lucent last year). Microsoft hasnt said that they are pulling out of the mobile industry, but when you continually cut jobs in that area, its tough to stay in business. They did say that they would be continuing to make smartphones for business customers. As those are the customers that have shown interest in their smartphones. This acquisition of Nokia is likely going to be one of the more costly acquisitions that Microsoft has ever done. Its right up there with the Sprint/Nextel acquisition, as far as questionable acquisitions go. So where did it all go wrong for Microsoft? Well it was a number of mistakes that Microsoft made through the years with Windows Mobile or Windows Phone. In 2011, Nokia ditched Symbian and turned to Microsofts mobile platform, making smartphones exclusively using their mobile OS. That was probably a big mistake for Nokia in the long run, as they ended up losing money each quarter, and nabbing a pretty small market share all the way up until 2013 when Microsoft bought them. Nokia, undoubtedly, makes some amazing smartphones. In fact, weve seen many people getting excited about Nokia making Android smartphones in the near future. But limiting their resources to just Windows Mobile was not a good idea, especially seeing as they were the smallest ecosystem, behind Android, iOS and BlackBerry. Advertisement A big issue that Microsoft has had with their mobile OS for years, is the fact that they dont have enough apps. There are a number of apps that are not available on Windows Mobile. Its often times the most common complaint from Microsoft users. Now Microsoft has done a few things to help court some app and game developers over to their platform, but nothing has really worked for them. Largely due to their market share. Since the second quarter of 2012, Windows Phone has not seen their market share go above 5%. And for many app developers, thats not enough users to justify spending time developing apps for those users to use. While Windows Phone did get some apps, they often werent updated often, or at all. When compared to their siblings on iOS and Android. Then theres the fact that Microsoft didnt push OEMs to use Windows Phone in lower-end smartphones. In 2014, Microsoft was actually giving away Windows Phone to device makers to use in their upcoming smartphones. But that didnt seem to do much for making Windows Phone a bit more popular. For the most part, the only company making smartphones running on Windows Phone was Nokia. Seeing as HTC and Samsung had turned to focusing on Android, as that was where the majority of their users were. If Microsoft had pushed OEMs to put Windows Phone into everything, they could have made quite the impact. While the low-end smartphone area is not one that any mobile operating system really wants to dominate, solely, it is one that could have helped boost Windows Phone. Especially seeing how popular these low-end smartphones are in emerging markets like Brazil, India, and Indonesia. This could have opened up Microsofts partners eyes, and persuaded them into making smartphones running on Windows 10 Mobile when that launched in 2014. Microsoft has said that they arent giving up on Windows 10 Mobile right now. But they are shifting focus from doing consumer and business smartphones, to just business smartphones. Targeted at enterprise customers. HP actually announced a 6-inch phablet at Mobile World Congress in February that runs on Windows 10 Mobile. This is a 6-inch smartphone powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, with 4GB of RAM, along with a 4150mAh battery and IP67 water resistance. Definitely an impressive smartphone. But with Microsoft focusing on enterprise customers now, itll be interesting to see if this smartphone ever actually makes it to store shelves. Transfer balls: Manchester United, Ronaldo and the vanishing facts Transfer balls: Is Cristiano Ronaldo, hero of Real Madrid, scorer of the decisive penalty as Real won their 11th European Cup, heading to Manchester United to play in the Europa League? No, says the Mirrors Ed Malyon on May 27: Manchester Uniteds long-term interest in Cristiano Ronaldo would hit the buffers were Jose to be hired. Their relationship soured hugely at Real Madrid and, with Paris Saint-Germain having pursued him for so long and so persistently, the move to Ligue 1 would make the most sense Yes, says the Suns Neil Ashton on May 23: The budget is so big this summer that United already have their beaks into Cristiano Ronaldo, yet again. Real Madrid have quoted 80million for the winger. Meet that and Ronnie returns. Mourinhos frosty relationship with Ronaldo, exposed at Real Madrid, will be set aside if the deal is done. That Ronaldo news follows other Sun news from April: Cristiano Ronaldos agent sensationally agrees verbal deal for former Manchester United superstar to leave Real Madrid and join Paris Saint-Germain To which Simon Rice tells Indy readers on May 27: Cristiano Ronaldo rules out Manchester United return despite Jose Mourinho arrival Which brings us to the trusty BBC, which says on May 28: Jose Mourinhos Manchester United XI Bale, Ronaldo, Pogba, Zlatan? No. No. Maybe but why? No. Anorak Posted: 29th, May 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Best Law Products and Services Would you like to submit an article in the Law category or any of the sub-category below? Click here to submit your article. Would you like to have your product or service listed on this page? Contact us. Best Education Products and Services Would you like to submit an article in the Education category or any of the sub-category below? Click here to submit your article. Would you like to have your product or service listed on this page? Contact us. Best Home Improvement Products and Services Would you like to submit an article in the Home Improvement category or any of the sub-category below? Click here to submit your article. Would you like to have your product or service listed on this page? Contact us. At the Jubilee of Deacons, Pope Francis noted that being both apostle and servant means being "two sides of the same coin". Whoever serves should not be a slave to his own agenda; instead, he should be ever ready to deal with the unexpected as well as Gods constant surprises. Vatican City (AsiaNews) This morning Pope Francis celebrated a special jubilee for deacons in St Peters Square. Thousands of them were present in the square along with some 20,000 faithful. In his address, the pontiff said, "Whoever proclaims Jesus is called to serve and whoever serves announces Jesus". Indeed, being both "apostle and servant" means being two sides of the same coin. Focusing on how deacons must express themselves, he noted, if evangelizing is the mission entrusted at baptism to each Christian, serving is the way that mission is carried out. It is the only way to be a disciple of Jesus. His witnesses are those who do as he did: those who serve their brothers and sisters, never tiring of following Christ in his humility, never wearing of the Christian life, which is a life of service. The pontiff went on to list the elements that prepare people to serve. The first one is being available. A servant daily learns detachment from doing everything his own way and living his life as he would. One who serves is not a slave to his own agenda, but ever ready to deal with the unexpected, ever available to his brothers and sisters and ever open to Gods constant surprises. A servant knows how to open the doors of his time and inner space for those around him, including those who knock on those doors at odd hours, even if that entails setting aside something he likes to do or giving up some well-deserved rest. Putting aside his text, the pope noted, "The servant is not bound by schedules. It hurts me when I see schedules, From this hour to that hour, in parishes. The door is not open. There is no priest; there is no deacon to greet people. . . . We must have the courage to put schedules aside. The second element is meekness, which is one of deacons virtue, he said without reading from his text, when he serves and is not parroting priests. As an example, the Holy Father cited the centurion from todays Gospel (Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, C, Luke 7:1-10) who humbly asked Jesus to heal his sick servant. Given his troubles, the centurion might have been anxious and could have demanded to be heard, making his authority felt. He could have insisted and even forced Jesus to come to his house. Instead, he was modest and unassuming; he did not raise his voice or make a fuss. The centurion acted, perhaps without even being aware of it, like God himself, who is meek and humble of heart (Mt 11:29). For God, who is love, out of love is ever ready to serve us. He is patient, kind and always there for us; he suffers for our mistakes and seeks the way to help us improve. These are the characteristics of Christian service; meek and humble, it imitates God by serving others: by welcoming them with patient love and unflagging sympathy, by making them feel welcome and at home in the ecclesial community, where the greatest are not those who command but those who serve (cf. Lk 22:26). . . . He never shouts, ever. The third element is a healthy heart, which comes from a constant dialogue with Jesus. Each of us is very dear to God, who loves us, chooses us and calls us to serve. Yet each of us needs first to be healed inwardly. To be ready to serve, we need a healthy heart: a heart healed by God, one which knows forgiveness and is neither closed nor hardened. We would do well each day to pray trustingly for this, asking to be healed by Jesus, to grow more like him who no longer calls us servants but friends (cf. Jn 15:15). Dear deacons, this is a grace you can implore daily in prayer. You can offer the Lord your work, your little inconveniences, your weariness and your hopes in an authentic prayer that brings your life to the Lord and the Lord to your life. When you serve at the table of the Eucharist, there you will find the presence of Jesus, who gives himself to you so that you can give yourselves to others. In this way, available in life, meek of heart and in constant dialogue with Jesus, you will not be afraid to be servants of Christ, and to encounter and caress the flesh of the Lord in the poor of our time. Before the end of the Mass and the recitation of the Angelus, the pope thanked all the deacons who "came from Italy and other countries. Thanks for your presence here today, but most of all for your presence in the Church. " The pontiff also announced "a special prayer for peace with, as main protagonists, children from the Christian communities of Syria, both Catholic and Orthodox, on 1 June, International Children's Day. "Syrian children, he said, will invite children from around the world to join their prayer for peace." The latest plan from the Volkswagen Group is not something to help the German automaker become an Eco-friendly corporation to compensate for the damage caused by the Dieselgat e scandal.Instead, it is an expectation made by the VW Group regarding its sales volumes and future European and worldwide emission limits.The first step will be expanding the electric and plug-in hybrid range with 20 new models by 2020. Secondly, Volkswagen must also increase production capacity for electrified vehicles, but these are luckily built on existing platforms and in current facilities, so the second objective should not become a hurdle.As some of you know, the European Union will have stricter emission regulations starting 2021, and automakers with massive sales figures are the most affected, as they need to achieve a predetermined average value on a group level.That means that the entire Volkswagen Group, with all of its brands, will have to reach a pretty strict average, and electrified vehicles are the only option to help the automaker do this.Electrified vehicles, as in electric cars and plug-in hybrid models, provide extremely low CO2 emissions when compared to their conventional equivalents. Selling enough plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles will help Volkswagen Group compensate for the existence of some gas guzzlers in its portfolio, like Bugatti's Chiron, and many more models like this.As Thomas Lieber explains to those at Automotive News , European legislation is not the only thing pushing the Old Continent's largest automaker to these objectives. Instead, draft legislation in China is also to blame.Mr. Lieber underlined the fact that China is preparing a more restrictive legislation concerning emissions, and it is expected to come into full effect sometime after 2020. Since China is the world's largest car market, a place where Volkswagen sells lots of vehicles, things need to be changed.The same can be said for North America, the world's second-largest car market, where the Volkswagen Group also sells a lot of cars. This market will pose a significant challenge for the German company, as it must recover from a massive image blow from the Dieselgate scandal. Lgv et Lgv et Cap edin Link has been copied to clipboard 29 May 2016 10:15 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan`s embassy to Malaysia has organized an official reception to mark the national holiday the Republic Day at the Renaissance Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The event brought together representatives of Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of Malaysia-Azerbaijan friendship group in the country`s Parliament, businessmen, heads of diplomatic corps and Azerbaijanis living in the country. Addressing the event, ambassador Galey Allahverdiyev provided an insight into the history of the Republic Day. He noted that the present dynamic development of Azerbaijan is the result of right statehood policy and reforms carried out by Heydar Aliyev. The Ambassador has also informed the attendees on the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe to be held next month in Baku, and the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games to be hosted by Azerbaijan in 2017. Speaking to the event, Malaysian deputy minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Dato Sri Haji Tajuddin Bin Abdul Rahman congratulated the Azerbaijani President and people on the occasion. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 May 2016 12:29 (UTC+04:00) The French city of Reims, located 143km from Paris, hosted an event featuring an enthralling mix of Azerbaijani business, culture and music on 26 May. This was hosted by the CCI Reims-Eperney, and organised by the French office of The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS), in partnership with Jazzus Productions, CCI International Champagne-Ardenne and the Azerbaijani Embassy to France. This was also a celebration of Azerbaijani Republic Day remembering the achievements of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), the first democracy in the Muslim East which existed from 191820. The afternoon began with a roundtable focusing on how cultural co-operation can create economic opportunities as a vehicle for increasing understanding of the country, its tolerance, and westward-facing stance, attended by over 30 company representatives of Reims and its region. Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Director, TEAS France, explained how the meeting came in the wake of events held in Reims in 2012 when it hosted the now-famous Azerbaijan Pearl of the Caucasus exhibition, opened by Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady of Azerbaijan. Last year, TEAS decided to support the creation of a new jazz festival in the city, known as the Sunnyside Festival, founded by Jazzus Productions. It facilitated the participation of Azerbaijani jazz pianist Emil Afrasiyab and his Quartet. The enthusiasm generated by this collaboration provided the groundwork to add cultural and business roundtables to the proceedings. Mrs Gourdin explained how Azerbaijan is a close partner to the EU, and that the country is officially secular, combining the oriental and European. She outlined how TEAS is contributing towards developing links between French and Azerbaijani cities, mentioning examples from Colmar and Mulhouse, where TEAS organised its Azerbaijan Through the Lens exhibition and participated in the Christmas Market, which showcased typical Azerbaijani products for French consumers. Composer Pierre Thilloy spoke of his experiences in Azerbaijan since he began visiting the country regularly as Composer-in-Residence for the French Embassy in Azerbaijan in 2001. He explained how music remains integral to every element of Azerbaijani life and is a key to comprehending the country. Mr Thilloy referred to the great 20th century symphonic tradition of such Azerbaijani composers as Gara Garayev and Fikret Amirov, and how music can be harnessed to speak of difficult or challenging subjects. His sentiments were reflected by Jean Delestrade, Co-Founder of Jazzus Productions, organiser of the Sunnyside Jazz Festival. Looking forward to the concert by the Elchin Shirinov Trio that evening, he commented how the three participations of Azerbaijani jazz musicians in the Festival Jazz a Saint-Germain-des-Pres Paris organised by TEAS France and this second participation in the Sunnyside festival were placing Azerbaijan on the map for jazz fans. The Paris festival has previously featured the now-famous Isfar Sarabski and Emil Afrasiyab and will now also place Elchin Shirinov in the spotlight. He commented that those musicians from France and other countries who were collaborating with Azerbaijani jazz artistes are now beginning to understand the country through its music. Ayaz Gojayev, Cultural Counsellor and First Secretary, Azerbaijani Embassy to France, spoke of the cultural work undertaken by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in France, such as the restoration of five 14th century stained glass windows in Strasbourg Cathedral; contributing to the restoration of several rural churches in the Basse-Normandie region; and playing an integral role in creating the Islamic art department in the Louvre Museum. He discussed the importance of establishing friendship and co-operation charters between French regions and towns and those in Azerbaijan. Since 2011, 11 such charters have been signed, and there is a high level of decentralised co-operation between France and Azerbaijan in business and cultural terms. An agreement on academic exchange has also been signed between Ganja University and Reims University, and it is hoped that todays meetings will prompt new areas of collaboration between Reims and Azerbaijan. A second roundtable concentrating on economic opportunities in the Azerbaijani non-oil sector followed. The Azerbaijani government is currently seeking to diversify the economy away from over-reliance on hydrocarbons and is seeking collaboration with French businesses. This presentation before over 30 local industry kingpins gave an invaluable overview of the economic fabric of the country; its business climate; investment opportunities; and presentations covering a range of sectors, including viticulture; agribusiness; tourism; and pharmaceutical manufacture. Mrs Gourdin began by outlining the strengths of the Azerbaijani economy, but also the challenges that it currently faces in seeking to achieve diversification. She explained that the country is open to French investment, joint ventures and the application of French industrial specialist knowledge, and that such developments as the Baku International Seaport and the launch of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are aimed at kickstarting the non-oil economy. Lawyer James Hogan, Partner at Dentons, which supported the event, gave an insight into the judicial and business environment in Azerbaijan, including its political stability, the emergent middle-class, the respect for the inviolability of contracts and the genuine will to diversify the economy. He explained some of the agreements that have been ratified by France and Azerbaijan, aimed at eliminating double-taxation and fiscal fraud, and the legislation that has been passed to attract and protect the interests of foreign investors. The tax and customs dispensations and simplifications of SEZs were also outlined, as was the concept of the single window for business registration that facilitates completion in less than five working days. Sarkhan Alakbarov, Representative of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of the Azerbaijani Republic (ASK), who was recently nominated as official representative of ASK in France, explained how ASK provides a platform for Azerbaijani entrepreneurs to enter the French market and vice-versa, providing legal counsel and match-making opportunities. Finally, Claude Humbert, Director of Industry, Innovation, International Relations and Durable Development, CCI International Champagne-Ardenne, outlined the industries of the region, many of which mirror those currently being developed in Azerbaijan, indicating where there is scope for future collaboration, especially in the agricultural sector, the region being the primary producer of cereals in France. The evening culminated with a jazz concert by the Elchin Shirinov Trio as part of the annual Sunnyside Jazz Festival before around 120 ecstatic fans. Pianist Shirinov combines elements of post-bop jazz, blues and funk with the modes, melodies and microtones of Azerbaijani mugham and classical music. Throughout, Shirinovs pianistic pyrotechnics entranced the jazz cognoscenti, particularly in his variations around the Waltz from Gara Garayevs ballet The Seven Beauties one of the most best-known Azerbaijani classical pieces; Sari Gelin and Durna, two of the most popular Azerbaijani folksongs; and his reflective self-penned compositions Waiting, Missing and Muse, many of which featured the sound of the Melodica, a wind-operated keyboard, which he balanced on top of the grand piano. The evening saw him team up with electric bassist Linley Marthe, who previously played with fusion pioneer and Weather Report group founder Joe Zawinul; and American drummer Eric Harland, who has played with the free jazz figurehead Charles Lloyd. The Elchin Shirinov Trio will play again on 27 May in Paris, as part of the renowned Festival Jazz a Saint-Germain-des-Pres Paris, with the support of TEAS. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz An economic contract that was recently signed among Iran, India, and Afghanistan is open for more countries to join, according to Jalil Salami, an Iranian shipping and ports official. The contract included three cooperation documents to promote ports and shipping activities in Iran especially around Chabahar Port, the official told Mehr news agency. He explained that one of the documents is about Indian investment in Chabahar Port. Accordingly, India will bring a fund of $85 million for procuring container facilities for Beheshti Port Phase 1, situated in Chabahar. The contract is a BOT (build-operate-transfer) deal, according to which the Indian operator will operate the project for 10 years jointly with the Iranian Shipping Company, the official said. The second document concerns an investment of $150 million by an Indian bank in shipping and port projects in Iran, Salami stated. The third document, he added, concerns promoting sea transportation among the three countries with Chabahar as the hub. The concluded by saying that for the agreements to be put into action, the executive measures should be first defined and then a secretariat be launched to handle the affairs. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 May 2016 16:30 (UTC+04:00) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called for expansion of ties with Ukraine. At a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin in Tehran Rouhani welcomed cooperation with Kiev in various fields particularly in the transit and energy sectors, IRNA news agency reported. Calling for cooperation between the private sectors of both countries Rouhani said that interactions between banking sectors will pave the way for the enhancement of trade ties. Rouhani further touched upon security issues saying peace and stability in Eastern Europe is of high importance for the Islamic Republic. In turn, Pavlo Klimkin also expressed Kiev's interest in close ties with Tehran. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Cicadas emerge more often than a sitting judge is challenged in Kern County, but voters this year will have the opportunity to decide whether A bank robbery occurred Saturday in Bradenton. The suspect is still at large. Suspect robbed Bradenton bank at 11:12 a.m. Saturday Robbery occurred at Chase Bank, 4915 Manatee Ave. E. Police are asking for help locating him Surveillance cameras at Chase Bank on Manatee Avenue E. captured images of a white, middle-aged male wearing a short-sleeved, plaid button-down shirt and gray shorts. He has thinning brown hair. The man, whose face can be seen clearly in the images provided by the Bradenton Police Department, told the teller he had a weapon and demanded cash. He then fled the bank on foot, according to police. Bradenton Police officers along with Manatee County Sheriffs Office K-9 units searched for the suspect. However, he has managed to elude capture. Anyone having information with regard to this case is asked to call Officer Yolanda Cox at (941) 932-9310, or to be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000, call Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-8477. No one is quite sure how a Pomeranian from California ended up on the side of a Tampa highway, but Lauren Johnson is certainly glad she did. The pup, Tessie, has been her best friend for years. Tessie, a Pomeranian from California, was found along a Tampa highway Authorities tracked her via her microchip Tessie and her human, Lauren, were reunited after more than a year apart Johnson, 21, said when she was in middle school she saved up her money babysitting to adopt Tessie, 11. The dog helped her through the aches and pains of teenage years. Shes been my best friend through middle school, she said. Since I was in the seventh grade. When Johnson moved into a different home that didnt allow pets, a family friend agreed to take care of Tessie. Johnson, though, was still very involved in the dogs life. She would visit Tessie frequently and help with pet bills. Eventually, that friend moved to Florida. It wasn't long before Johnsons mother got a call that the dog had been found on the side of a highway in Tampa. Johnson was shocked and still isnt quite sure what happened. I tried to get in contact with them to see what happened, she said, but the number was different so I couldnt talk to them. The person who found Tessie along the highway brought the dog to the Hillsborough County Pet Resources Center. A quick scan of Tessies microchip brought up Johnsons mothers name and number. As the college student made arrangements to fly across the country to pick up her dog, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay cared for the Pomeranian. Im really glad we microchipped her, she said. If we didnt, then I wouldve never gotten reconnected with her. When Johnson came to the Humane Society Saturday morning, she hoped her dog would recognize her after more than a year apart. If not, we can rekindle the flame, she said. Tessie recognized Johnson right away and started licking the tears off her face. She stayed on Johnsons lap, rolling over for belly rubs. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay offers microchips for $15. The Libertarian Party has nominated former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson as its presidential candidate just as it did in 2012. Libertarian Party convention taking place in Orlando Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson nominated with 58% of the vote Libertarian officials say delegates from all 50 states are in attendance The Libertarian Party What is a Libertarian? Issues and positions Delegates to the party's convention in Orlando on Sunday picked Johnson on the second ballot over Austin Petersen, the founder of The Libertarian Republic magazine, and anti-computer virus company founder John McAfee. Johnson got about 1 percent of the popular vote in 2012. But the party is hoping for a strong showing in November because of the deep unpopularity polls show for presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton. The 63-year-old Johnson was governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003 as a Republican. Tweets from the convention in Orlando: .@GovGaryJohnson now tells delegates that his vice presidential pick should be the nominee. That's Bill Weld. News 13 (@MyNews13) May 29, 2016 Libertarian nominee @GovGaryJohnson takes the stage to accept the nominee. pic.twitter.com/koPNfdsBeA News 13 (@MyNews13) May 29, 2016 Excitement at the Libertarian Party's presidential nominating convention Libertarian officials said Friday as the four-day convention began that 985 delegates and 344 alternates were attending from all 50 states a record. Dues-paying members have increased by 30 percent since the beginning of the year, Libertarian officials said. "There's a lot more energy. ... There's so much attention being given to the Libertarians," said former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who with running mate William Weld, the former Massachusetts governor, are considered front-runners for the nomination. ON THE LIBERTARIAN BALLOT: Dr. Marc Feldman Gary Johnson John McAfee Kevin McCormick Darryl Perry Austin Petersen None of the Above There are 18 declared Libertarian presidential candidates, including Johnson, who was the party's presidential nominee in 2012, and John McAfee, founder of the anti-computer-virus company that bore his name. Johnson earned about 1 percent of the popular vote in 2012 for the political party that champions limited government and individual freedom. "There's so much excitement," said Austin Petersen, a presidential candidate from Missouri. "The Libertarians have never seen so many good, quality candidates. ... We've just never seen this much attention to our party, ever, before." Not running for office, but mingling with the Libertarians were Iron Man, Frozen's Elsa, Mario Brothers characters and other costumed fanboys and fangirls who were attending a comic-book convention at the same resort and had to walk through the Libertarian exhibition hall. Also mixing with the Libertarians and the MegaCon fans were Florida judges, whose meetings at the resort brought a large presence of uniformed law enforcement officers. Johnson doesn't have the fund-raising ability of Clinton or Trump, and he said he is instead relying on news media appearances to boost his name recognition in an effort to reach the necessary 15 percent threshold to qualify for the presidential debates this fall. "I don't think there is any question that we will be at 15 percent if we are in the polls," Johnson said Friday. "That's really the key is getting in the polls." Johnson hopes to appeal to supporters of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, with whom he shares many positions on social issues, although not economic ones, he said Friday. "Those same Bernie Sanders supporters ... are going to find themselves philosophically siding with me more than they do with Hillary Clinton," Johnson said. "When it comes to Bernie, we agree on so much, but when it comes to economics, we get to a 'T' in the road and he goes one way and I go the other." Alice Walton, of Walmart family fame, has lowered the price of her Rocking W Ranch near Fort Worth by 16.5 percent. RELATED: Texas horse ranch listed at nearly $4M The 1,435-acre property was put up for sale in September 2015 at the price of $19.75 million and has been lowered by $3.25 million, the Dallas Morning News reported Thursday. The ranch, now priced at $16.5 million, includes three-quarters of a mile of Brazos River frontage and is one of the largest cutting-horse training facilities in the state, according to a September 2015 mySA article. RELATED: Alice Walton of famed Walmart family selling $19.75 million Texas horse ranch The 65-year-old, who is the daughter of Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, originally put the ranch up for sale to give her more time to attend to other things in her life, such as her board position at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. RELATED: New Walmart Neighborhood Market opens on South Side Last year, she was reported as the richest person in Texas by Forbes with a net worth of more than $39 billion. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below Chef Gordon Ramsay and Actor Jesse Eisenberg on the Chris Evans verison of Top Gear Image captured from the twitter feed of @GordonRamsey 29 May 2016 Top Gear is set to welcome chef Gordon Ramsey and Social Network actor Jesse Eisenberg as the revamped show's first celebrity guests. Ramsey tweeted a picture of him and the Hollywood actor just hours before the popular programme presented now by Chris Evans and Matt Le Blanc started on BBC Two at 8pm Sunday. The two celebs take turns driving cars a few laps to see who is the speediest. Meanwhile, Chris Evans has spoken of his fear while performing death-defying stunts for the filming of Top Gear. The presenter said he was fully aware of the dangers involved with making the show, and described some of the high-speed segments that left him thinking of his mortality. Speaking to the Sunday People, he explained: "I really love my kids and I really love my wife. "But if I am gonna go in the next few years, maybe this is the way I would prefer to go.'' The 50-year-old said that while filming the first six shows of the new series - which airs on Sunday night - there had been two particular moments that left him terrified. Recalling surviving a high-powered Jaguar crash while filming in Cuba, Evans said: "I took it to the limit and I ran out of talent and road." He described filming a South African safari "rally" featured in the first show. The father-of-four told the newspaper: "I was scared. Really scared. We ended up on a massive, massive nine-mile pass that goes up to over 3,000 metres. "That was scary because there was nothing but a massive drop on the side of the track. It was a loose gravel road and we were going as fast as we could possibly go and it was getting dark because it was late filming. "That was a real nightmare, to be honest." A man (29) had appeared at a Dublin court charged with the murder of dissident republican Michael Barr in a pub. Mr Barr (34) from Co Tyrone was shot dead in Sunset House pub on April 25. He was known to Gardi for his involvement with dissident republicanism. A Garda statement said that the 29-year-old known as Eamonn Cumberton from Mountjoy, Dublin, was charged with the murder when he appeared at the Criminal Courts of Justice early on Sunday. He was arrested on Friday at Bridewell Garda station. Fifteen men, including three Dubliners, were arrested by the PSNI at Barr's funeral earlier this month. Five-hundred people turned out for the mass at St Mary's Church in the Melmount area of Strabane, Co Tyrone. Around a dozen men dressed in paramilitary-style uniforms accompanied the cortege towards the church. Black flags were placed on lamp posts along part of the route, while a black beret and gloves were placed on top of the coffin, which was draped in a tricolour. Read more: A Co Tyrone man who admitted beating his children with a belt and who is considered to be at a high risk of reoffending has walked free from court with a combined probation and community service order A Co Tyrone man who admitted beating his children with a belt and who is considered to be at a high risk of reoffending has walked free from court with a combined probation and community service order. He admitted charges of child cruelty by wilful ill-treatment and assault in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health. The defendant cannot be named to protect the identity of his son and daughter. The offences occurred on dates between February 28 and August 10, 2012, and only came to police attention after an anonymous call from a member of the public to the NSPCC - even though social services were aware of issues at the family home. Dungannon Magistrates Court heard that when the boy attended his primary school in March 2012, a classroom assistant noticed he had swelling and bruising to his nose. She asked how this had happened and the boy said his father had hit him while he was doing his homework, which he had been finding very difficult. While this was noted, the school decided not to report it and opted instead to monitor the situation. However, when local social services attended the primary school in relation to enquiries into domestic abuse at the children's home, the previous incident was disclosed. However, it was another four months before action was taken - after the call from the concerned member of the public. On August 7, 2012, the NSPCC contacted police to say an anonymous caller had been in touch after the two children admitted to her that their father beat them with a belt and then showed her the marks left behind. On being spoken to, the little girl initially said that had not happened to her, but she later claimed that both her father and step-mother beat her. The children were medically examined and a report found that the marks discovered on one of them "could be consistent with belt marks". Having been removed from the family home, the boy gave an interview in which he stated both he and his sister were beaten with a belt by their father and step-mother. He further disclosed his step-mother had told both children they were not to tell anyone of the alleged attacks. A witness whose children were friendly with the victims told police they were quite often unaccompanied outside. The children also showed the witness marks they said were left behind after their father beat them with a belt. Police arrested the man, who gave no-comment replies during the interview. He also failed to respond when shown photographs of the children's injuries. The father did, however, accept that he had seen his wife strike the children once or twice, and that it may have left marks. But he also claimed he argued with her about this because he did not agree with beatings. Judge White imposed a 12- month order and sentenced the man to complete 100 hours of community service. A man from Bristol has been charged with attempted murder after being extradited from Ireland. Simeon Langford, from the St Paul's area of the city, was formally removed on Friday following a ruling by the High Court in Dublin. The 32-year-old was tracked down in Ireland by officers from Avon and Somerset Police, and was held in Cork in August last year after a European Arrest Warrant was issued. Langford, who was brought back to a UK custody centre in the Avon and Somerset area, has now been charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm and theft. He has also been recalled to prison under the terms of his licence. The charges relate to an assault on a woman in the St Paul's area of Bristol on June 2 2015 and the attempted murder of a woman in Wilder Street in Bristol on June 11 2015. Langford has been remanded in custody and will appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Saturday. ein Google-Unternehmen Google-Dienste anzubieten und zu betreiben Ausfalle zu prufen und Manahmen gegen Spam, Betrug und Missbrauch zu ergreifen Daten zu Zielgruppeninteraktionen und Websitestatistiken zu erheben. Mit den gewonnenen Informationen mochten wir verstehen, wie unsere Dienste verwendet werden, und die Qualitat dieser Dienste verbessern. neue Dienste zu entwickeln und zu verbessern Werbung auszuliefern und ihre Wirkung zu messen personalisierte Inhalte anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen personalisierte Werbung anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen Wenn Sie Alle ablehnen auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies nicht fur diese zusatzlichen Zwecke. 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Sie konnen auch jederzeit g.co/privacytools besuchen. 15 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Facial Hair Permanently Skin Care lekhaka-Amruta Agnihotri Facial Hair removal pack | DIY | | BoldSky Unwanted hair, especially on the face, is a common problem faced by most women. Even though there are various techniques available to do away with facial hair like waxing, laser treatment and threading, the results are purely temporary. And, at times, they can also damage your skin. Thus, it is always a smart choice to go the natural way. Speaking of natural ways to get rid of facial hair, have you ever thought of giving home remedies a try? Well, you will be surprised to know that there are several ingredients in your kitchen that have been proven to be the best facial hair removers. So, if you're looking for tips to get rid of facial hair, try these natural remedies mentioned below: 1. Aloe Vera & Papaya Papaya contains an enzyme called papain that helps in getting rid of unwanted facial hair.[1] Moreover, aloe vera is known to nourish your skin and make it softer and smoother. It is also known to curb facial hair growth when used in combination with papaya. Ingredients 2 tbsp aloe vera gel 2 tbsp papaya pulp How to do Add some freshly extracted aloe vera gel and papaya pulp to a bowl. Mix both the ingredients to make a paste. Apply the paste to your face. Leave it on for about 20 minutes or until it dries completely. Wash it off with cold water. Repeat this once or twice a week for the desired result. 2. Lemon Juice & Sugar Lemon juice acts a mild bleach and lightens your skin tone. It also effectively helps to remove facial hair when used in combination with sugar. [2] Ingredients 2 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp sugar Combine both the ingredients in a bowl. Heat the mixture for a few minutes and then allow it to cool down. Apply the paste to the affected area. Allow it to dry. Wash it off with cold water. Repeat this thrice a week for the desired result. 3. Egg White & Cornstarch Sticky in nature, egg whites are an excellent choice for removing unwanted facial hair while cornflour gives it a thick and smooth consistency, making removal of facial hair easier. Ingredients 1 egg 1 tsp cornstarch 1 tbsp sugar How to do Separate the egg yolk from the white. Discard the yolk and transfer the white to a bowl. Add some cornstarch and sugar and mix well. Apply the paste to the affected area. Allow it to dry. Wash it off with cold water. Repeat this thrice a week for the desired result. 4. Oatmeal & Banana Oatmeal contains powerful antioxidants that reduce skin redness and itching. It also contains humectant properties that help to retain moisture in your skin. Oatmeal and banana make a good facial hair removal pack.[3] Ingredients 1 tbsp oatmeal 1 tbsp banana pulp How to do In a bowl, add some oatmeal and banana pulp and mix both the ingredients well. Apply the mixture on your face. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. Repeat this once a week for the desired result. 5. Honey, Turmeric, & Rosewater Turmeric possesses antibacterial and antiseptic properties that help in removing facial hair. [4] You can use it in combination with honey and rosewater. Honey has excellent skin moisturizing properties. On the other hand, turmeric possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties that help in soothing skin irritation and removing facial hair. Ingredients 1 tbsp honey 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tbsp rosewater How to do Add some honey and turmeric powder to a bowl and mix until you get a consistent paste. Next, add some rosewater to it and mix well. Apply the paste to your face and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Wash it off with cold water and pat it dry. Repeat this once a week for the desired result. 6. Onion Juice & Basil Leaves This is of the best remedies for facial hair removal. Although onion juice is known to promote hair growth, when used in combination with basil leaves, it is known to curb hair growth. Ingredients 2 tbsp onion juice A handful of basil leaves How to do Cut the onions and crush the basil leaves. Grind both the ingredients together to make a paste. Add little water if necessary. Apply this paste on the affected area and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Wash off with water. Repeat this thrice a week for the desired result. 7. Papaya Pulp Papaya contains an enzyme called papain that helps in getting rid of unwanted facial hair. [1] Ingredients 2 tbsp papaya pulp tsp turmeric powder How to do Grind both papaya pulp and turmeric powder to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste on the affected area and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Wash off with cold water. Repeat this thrice a week for the desired result. 8. Milk & Barley Milk and barley both are known to stick to your face when applied topically. And, when the mixture is scrubbed off, it tends to remove facial hair along with dead skin cells. Ingredients 2 tbsp milk 2 tbsp barley powder 1 tsp lemon juice How to do Add some milk and barley powder to a bowl and mix until you get a consistent paste. Next, add some lemon juice to it and mix well. Apply the paste to your face and leave it on for about half an hour. Wash it off with cold water and pat dry. Repeat this thrice a week for the desired result. 9. Apricot & Honey Apricots are an excellent source of antioxidants that help in removing facial hair effectively. You can combine it with honey for soft and glowing skin. [5] Ingredients 2 tbsp apricot powder 1 tbsp honey How to do In a bowl, add some apricot powder and honey and mix both the ingredients well to make a consistent mixture. Apply the mixture on your face. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this thrice a week for the desired result. 10. Garlic Rich in vitamin C, garlic is known to remove facial hair. You can make home-made garlic paste by grinding some raw garlic cloves with a little water. Those with sensitive skin should refrain from using garlic on their face. Ingredient 1 tbsp garlic paste How to do Take a generous amount of garlic paste and apply it to the affected area. Gently massage for about 5 minutes and then leave it on for another 30 minutes. Wast it off with lukewarm water. Apply a moisturiser. Repeat this once a day for the desired result. 11. Gelatin & Milk Gelatin and milk paste is very sticky and due to its nature, it allows you to peel off facial hair effectively at home without causing any skin irritation or rashes. Ingredients 1 tbsp unflavoured gelatin 3 tbsp milk tsp lemon juice How to do Mix both the gelatin and milk in a bowl to make a paste. Next, add some lemon juice to it and mix well. Heat it slightly. Apply the hot paste on the affected area and allow it to dry. Ensure that the paste is not too hot and can be applied to the face. Peel it off and then proceed to apply a moisturiser. Repeat this as and when required for instant results. 12. Spearmint Tea Also known as Mentha spicata, spearmint controls the excessive production of androgen, thus curbing the growth of facial hair. You can drink spearmint tea or simply apply it to your face topically. Ingredients A handful of spearmint leaves 4 cups of water 2 tbsp milk How to do Add the water and spearmint leaves in a heating pan. Boil it slightly. Strain the water. Add some milk to it and mix well and apply it to the affected area. Gently massage for about 5 minutes and then leave it on for another 30 minutes. Wast it off with lukewarm water. Apply a moisturiser. Repeat this once a week for the desired result. 13. Orange Juice & Lemon Peel Powder Orange juice, when combined with lemon peel powder, forms a sticky paste that allows you to peel off facial hair effectively at home without causing any skin irritation or rashes. Ingredients 2 tbsp orange juice 2 tbsp lemon peel powder How to do In a bowl, add some orange juice and lemon peel powder. Mix both the ingredients well to make a consistent mixture. Apply the mixture on your face. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this thrice a week for the desired result. 14. Fenugreek Seeds & Green Gram Powder Fenugreek seeds are known to effectively remove facial hair and also control the unusual hair growth on the face. You can make a home-made pack using fenugreek seeds paste and green gram powder. Ingredients 2 tbsp fenugreek seeds 2 tbsp green gram powder How to do Soak some fenugreek seeds overnight. Drain the water in the morning and grind the seeds with little water to make a paste. Add some green gram powder to it to make a consistent paste. Apply the mixture to the affected area and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Wash it off with cold water. Repeat this twice or thrice a week for the desired result. 15. Lavender Essential Oil & Tea Tree Oil Lavender essential oil and tea tree oil both possess antiandrogenic properties that effectively help in reducing the growth of facial hair. [6] Ingredients 2 tbsp lavender essential oil 2 tbsp tea tree oil How to do Combine both the ingredients in a bowl. Apply the oil concoction to the affected area. Leave it on for about half an hour. Wash it off with cold water. Repeat this thrice a week for the desired result. View Article References [1] Bertuccelli, G., Zerbinati, N., Marcellino, M., Nanda Kumar, N. S., He, F., Tsepakolenko, V., Marotta, F. (2016). Effect of a quality-controlled fermented nutraceutical on skin aging markers: An antioxidant-control, double-blind study.Experimental and therapeutic medicine,11(3), 909916. [2] Kim, D. B., Shin, G. H., Kim, J. M., Kim, Y. H., Lee, J. H., Lee, J. S., ... & Lee, O. H. (2016). Antioxidant and anti-ageing activities of citrus-based juice mixture.Food chemistry,194, 920-927. [3] Meydani, M. (2009). Potential health benefits of avenanthramides of oats.Nutrition reviews,67(12), 731-735. [4] Prasad, S., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2011). Turmeric, the golden spice. InHerbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. [5] Bansal, V., Medhi, B., & Pandhi, P. (2005). Honey--a remedy rediscovered and its therapeutic utility.Kathmandu University medical journal (KUMJ),3(3), 305-309. [6] Tirabassi, G., Giovannini, L., Paggi, F., Panin, G., Panin, F., Papa, R., ... & Balercia, G. (2013). Possible efficacy of Lavender and Tea tree oils in the treatment of young women affected by mild idiopathic hirsutism.Journal of endocrinological investigation,36(1), 50-54. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/05/2016 (2340 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO Five things to watch this week in Canadian business: Economic pulse-taking: A key measure of the health of the Canadian economy is revealed Tuesday when Statistics Canada is out with first-quarter GDP results. On Friday, the federal statistical agency releases Canadas international merchandise trade figures for April, another gauge of economic vitality. Paris powwow: The OECD Forum kicks off in the French capital on Tuesday. The two-day conference held by the economic think-tank will feature nearly 80 debates, presentations and other events on topics ranging from the future of work to integrating migrants. Ebay overview: Andrea Stairs, managing director of eBay Canada, will discuss Canadas e-commerce landscape in Ottawa on Tuesday. EBay announced this month that its Canadian marketplace will no longer list items in U.S. dollars only in Canadian currency. It had been the e-commerce giants only dual-currency marketplace. HBC, meet the Netherlands: Hudsons Bay Company holds its annual meeting of shareholders on Friday in Toronto. HBC recently announced it will begin opening stores in the Netherlands next summer, with a flagship outlet planned for Amsterdam. Trudeau on towns: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to speak at the annual conference of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities on Friday in Winnipeg. The conference is expected to attract 1,500 municipal leaders. Already have an account? Log in here KINGSTON, Ont. - The CBC is reporting that a former anchor of its nightly newscast died at 93 in Kingston, Ont., Saturday. We need your support! Local journalism needs your support! As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $4.99/month you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! Eleven European countries have raised objections at EU level about Ireland's plans for health warnings on alcohol products. Under the Public Health Alcohol Bill, all alcoholic drinks will carry warnings as well as total alcohol and calorie content. The legislation is currently at second stage in the Seanad where it was first introduced on Dec 17, 2015 The countries objecting, mainly on grounds centred on the labelling requirements, are the Netherlands, Slovakia, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain. The European Commission has also expressed its concern about the proposal contained in the Programme for Government. The Government believes the new law will help tackle harmful drinking, and said it remained determined to introduce the measures. But the nine countries - which include some of Europe's biggest beer and wine producers - say it will affect free trade. Ireland must issue a response to each country by the end of July. Dublin MEP, Brian Hayes said he was concerned about the delay in passing the bill here, given Ireland's binge-drinking culture. He said: "The legislation is a landmark piece of public health legislation. It contains many measures including minimum pricing, advertising rules and restrictions on promotions. The most controversial element is the requirement to have health labels on all alcoholic drinks. "This means all alcoholic drinks sold in Ireland must contain a label showing the grams of alcohol, calorie count, health warnings as well as an address to a public health website. No such laws exist in any other EU country." "If the legislation is introduced, manufactures who import alcohol into Ireland would be required to include health labels on their products. A number of EU member states have submitted objections to the legislation as well as the European Commission stating that the legislation would create barriers to free trade." "I am extremely concerned that the European Commission or another EU Member State intervening would delay this important piece of legislation. Member states must be able to react to ongoing health concerns, which are particular to those member states, in a determined and coordinated way." A man has been charged with the murder of Michael Barr in Dublin's north inner city. Mr Barr (pictured) was shot dead at the Sunset house pub, in Summerhill on April 25. Twenty-nine-year-old Eamonn Cumberton with an address at Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7 appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice this morning. Gardai told the court Mr Cumberton gave no reply when he was charged at Bridewell Garda Station last night. He has been granted free legal aid and was remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court next Friday, June 3. Earlier: A man is due in court this morning charged in connection with the murder of Michael Barr. Mr Barr (pictured) was shot and killed at a pub in Summerhill in Dublin's north inner city last month. A 29-year-old man was arrested on Friday and will appear at the Criminal Courts of Justice this morning. Separately, three people remain in custody in relation to the shooting of Gareth Hutch in Dublin last Tuesday. Panadol is short in the market and this has been catching eyes of media, politicians, all and sundry. Everyone has ... LONDON: Penny Mordaunt said she was staying in the race to become British prime minister despite trailing rivals... Stock markets in United Arab Emirates closed higher on Friday, in line with global equities, as higher growth in the... The ACT government has announced a significant boost to staff numbers at Canberra Hospital's emergency department, taking on an extra 54 full-timers over the next four years. The bulk of them - 39 new staff - will be employed in the coming 12 months, Health Minister Simon Corbell will announce on Monday. Labor minister Meegan Fitzharris and Health Minister Simon Corbell opening new paediatric emergency department beds at Canberra Hospital in May. Credit:Jamila Toderas The numbers include 10 new doctors (four in the coming year), 24 new nurses (all in 2016-17), 18.3 new allied health professionals (full-time equivalent numbers, 10 of them in the coming year) and two new administrative staff (one in the coming year). Mr Corbell said most of the allied health professionals would be physiotherapists, with doctors currently treating patients who could be seen by other health professionals. Working hours should be more effectively capped at 38 hours a week to make it easier for men to share the caring load in the family home and for women to participate in paid work. A new report by a national network of 34 academics who specialise in work and family policy is calling for a firmer restriction of working hours to a maximum 38 per week, with the exception of mutually agreed overtime. The network, known as the Work + Family Policy Roundtable, has also urged the federal government to impose a regular pattern of hours for casual and part-time workers, with a minimum of four hours of work per shift. The Roundtable's Work, Care and Family Policies 2016 Election Benchmarks also call for paid palliative care leave, domestic violence leave and paid annual leave on a pro-rata basis for casuals. An extension to the right to request flexible working hours to all workers is also recommended along with a right to appeal an employer's refusal of such requests. Few things contribute less to the common good as sounding the horn, in a world already too loud, which is almost always done for no proper purpose. All it does is make the driver feel better, briefly, and everyone else worse.I'm sure when invented they were safety mechanisms, only to be deployed seconds before sending an unfortunate pedestrian to the grave. Now, rarely reserved for emergencies, they are more hazard than prevention. I should not have done it, particularly in a country with more guns than people, but few breaches of the peace go as unpunished as car horn abuse. He deserved censure. Too many Australian drivers prefer the New York approach to using their horns, toot first, think not at all. Credit:James Alcock He turned to stare at me, a jet-lagged, irritable tourist on a jammed New York street. And he sounded his horn again. The horn was as loud and angry as a Donald Trump rally, and after the third second of the din coming from a car stuck next to a crowded footpath, I told the driver to shut up. OK, I yelled it presuming he wouldn't actually hear me, but I failed to notice the offender's window was down. They are pin cushions for frustrated drivers; megaphones with which to instruct other drivers as to the incompetency of their skills, to alert them to a missed half-second after the lights changed to green. They assert superiority or dominance or annoyance or impatience, when all they actually reveal is that the driver should have left home 10 minutes earlier. In some cities everyone seems to beep, as if giving a brief toot every few seconds is a great way to tell drivers of your presence. I prefer drivers to use their eyes. In other cities, horns are rarely sounded even when you expect it. London, for instance, has severe congestion but from what I can tell a disproportionately low horn level. Perhaps that's because London drivers have given up on making it anywhere on time. But in Australia, and especially in Sydney, too many drivers prefer the New York approach, toot first, think not at all. No infraction is too small to punish with the horn. No request to merge too polite to go without honk. No right turn indicated too early to be spared a long admonishment of the driver's failure not only at turning, but at life. I have been a honker, and like to think I'm a recovering one. I owe many apologies, including one to a driver in Wellington who refused to let me in despite the widespread Kiwi sign saying "merge like a zip". I thought I was the front tooth of the zip, she disagreed. She gained half a second off her trip, and a lengthy honk. I've also resorted to the double tap of the horn to suggest a driver might check his mobile at a time when the light wasn't green. But across the world, the benefits of the car horn are vastly overrated, and the costs ignored. Police Minister Lisa Neville will meet Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton on Monday to thrash out a plan to curb the ugly violence that marred what was meant to be a peaceful rally in Coburg. A ban on protesters wearing masks has been mooted which makes sense but would be virtually impossible to enforce. If 500 police are unable to prevent two groups of thugs from assailing each other, how can they be expected to stop them covering their faces? Four authors who have never previously featured in the latter stages of the Miles Franklin Literary Award have made their way onto the shortlist for Australia's premier literary prize. Peggy Frew (Hope Farm), Myfanwy Jones (Leap), A.S. Patric (Black Rock White City) and Lucy Treloar (Salt Creek) all Melbourne-based join the much-lauded Charlotte Wood (The Natural Way of Things) on the list for the $60,000 prize. Miles Franklin Award short-listed authors (clockwise from front): Lucy Treloar, Peggy Frew, A.S. Patric, Myfanwy Jones. Credit:Craig Sillitoe Wood would seem to be the bookies' favourite given that The Natural Way of Things has already won the Stella Prize and been named independent booksellers' book of the year. Earlier this month she was awarded the first $100,000 writer-in-residence fellowship at the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre. Los Angeles: Kanye West's studio in California has reportedly been targeted by thieves. More than $US20,000 ($27,863) of computer equipment was stolen from the rapper's creative studio in Calabasas on Tuesday, TMZ.com reports. A door had been forced open overnight, and the thief had made off with laptop and desktop computers, law enforcement officers told the website. However, heavy technology security has prevented any information on them from being accessed or hacked into, and the stolen equipment has now been replaced. Police have no suspects as yet, but Kanye's team reportedly believe that the thief was someone with direct knowledge of what was in the rapper's studio. "It's amazing to me that a program that bases itself on asking the right questions didn't ask itself the right questions," said Stone, echoing the findings of the internal inquiry report he had released on Friday . Usher threw over to Stone to tell viewers that the child abduction adventure should never have been commissioned and that priorities and judgement were askew. But what stood out was the subtext of Stone's remarks when Usher asked him why producer Stephen Rice had been the only person involved in the fiasco to be relieved of his employment. Stone said he had "no doubt" the judgement of both Rice and reporter Tara Brown was blurred - "I don't understand how they would agree to undertake - both of them with families of their own - to undertake an assignment on that basis." And then this from Stone: "I felt very strongly that as long as management was not completely in supervision of the program that it seemed to me unfair - and I am a journalist - that a journalist should be picked out. But if anyone was going to be picked out it would have to be the producer of the program because things do rest heavily on the role of the producer and that's why he is the producer, because he should take the blame when things go wrong." 60 Minutes host Michael Usher: "we've been asking ourselves how things could have gone so wrong." Credit:James Brickwood For all its brevity and the lateness of the hour, the five-minute apology was revealing if you paid close attention - perhaps more revealing than intended. Stone might be talking in code here, and it's code that would probably be all too clear to Rice and his former colleagues at Nine. Rice was not producer of the program, he was the producer of this particular story. And Rice is a journalist, a distinguished one. He was an off-camera journalist working in tandem with the on-camera journalist, Tara Brown. Stone makes it clear he believes no journalist should have been made to take the fall - and into that comment we can perhaps read that he believes higher-ups dropped the ball and should have worn some, if not all, of the disgrace. Cincinnati: A 180 kilogram male gorilla in a US zoo has been shot dead after grabbing a three-year-old boy who fell into the ape exhibit moat. Authorities said the boy, who fell three to four metres, is expected to recover after being picked up out of the moat and dragged by the 17-year-old gorilla for about 10 minutes. Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard said on Saturday the zoo's dangerous animal response team decided the boy was in "a life-threatening situation" and the gorilla named Harambe needed to be put down. "They made a tough choice and they made the right choice because they saved that little boy's life," Maynard said. "It could have been very bad." "Labor have no plan for economic growth and no plan for jobs. It's the same old Labor, just spending," Turnbull asserted. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "It's the same old Liberals," Shorten retorted. "Just give tax cuts to the top end of town and let the rest of the people make do with not much at all." There were attempts to penetrate beyond the sound bites, but they were universally unsuccessful, like when Laura Tingle challenged Turnbull to explain how his company tax cuts would "supercharge the economy". After all, she said, dividend imputation meant most of the benefit of the company tax cut went to foreign shareholders, Treasury's own modelling acknowledged other taxes would have to rise to fill the revenue hole, and very few jobs would be created. The response did not address any of these points. It was to remind Tingle that Turnbull had been very successful in business for most of his life and that he understood what made companies decide to invest. "If you want to have more of something, then you lower the tax on it," he said. Shorten was similarly indirect when pressed on what ceiling Labor would put on tax as a proportion of GDP. "Our principle is that we will have more repairs to the budget bottom line than spends," he said, saying the numbers would be revealed before polling day. The temperature only rose when both men were asked about the fate of some 2000 asylum seekers and refugees on Manus Island and Nauru. Turnbull began by asserting that the Coalition was committed to ensuring that those on Nauru and Manus were treated humanely. But, in making the point that these people arrived when Labor was in power, he was conceding that they have been "detained" that was the word he used on these remote islands for three years, despite most having fled persecution. He then observed how closely the people smugglers were watching the debate in Australia and reported that they were telling their customers that "if Labor is elected, it will all be on again". "The truth is that Bill leads a party that is hopelessly divided on this issue. There are dozens of members and candidates who disagree with the policy that he has just described," Turnbull said. "He claims to be on a unity ticket with me, but his party is not. The melancholy fact of the matter is that Australians cannot trust Labor to keep the borders secure." This was a bridge too far for Shorten. "Shame on you, Mr Turnbull for what you just said!" he fired. "For telling the truth," Turnbull interrupted "Shame of you for giving the people smugglers any hope that they could be back in business," Shorten shot back. "I have made it very clear what the Labor government would do. We would defeat the people smugglers. We accept the role of boat turn-backs as we should because we don't want to see the people smugglers back in business. "Mr Turnbull is playing with fire when he says that somehow Labor would be a better deal, and he shouldn't say that because he just conceded in his own remarks that the people smugglers are efficient and watching every bit of the debate." Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten fought each other to a draw in an election debate that failed to excite and was dominated by questions about economic management, border protection, climate change and trust. After the first three weeks of an election campaign which has seen a succession of own goals by both sides, the contest at the National Press Club offered both men a chance to speak directly to voters. Mr Turnbull began by emphasising the Coalition's economic plan, including a company tax cut designed to stimulate jobs and growth, as he pitched economic management as the government's key strength. She is not the only high-profile Coalition figure to sign on with the 24-hour news channel, with Peta Credlin, the controversial former chief of staff to rolled PM Tony Abbott, hired as a political commentator. The 73-year-old will join Sky News as a political contributor ahead of the July election, making her debut on Thursday. Dumped by the Liberal Party from her safe Sydney seat ahead of the election, former speaker Bronwyn Bishop has found a new career. The television role means Ms Bishop will not be at a loose end after Liberal Party members last month voted to replace her in Mackellar, the northern beaches seat she has held since 1994. Mr Abbott, who once described himself as the "political love-child" of Ms Bishop and John Howard, had declined to endorse her for preselection. Bronwyn Bishop's career was ended by an expenses scandal. Credit:James Brickwood During her time in the Speaker's chair, Ms Bishop set a record for the number of politicians to be kicked out of parliament. Of the 400 she ejected, 393 of them were Labor MPs. But it was the "choppergate" scandal that sounded the death knell for her parliamentary career. Ms Bishop resigned as Speaker amid a public outcry after it was revealed she had spent $5227 of taxpayers' money chartering a helicopter to take her the 80km from Melbourne to Geelong for party fundraiser. Three weeks of criticism forced an apology, with Ms Bishop saying: "I know I've disappointed and let down the Australian people." She resigned a few days later. The Australian News Channel CEO, Angelo Frangopoulos, said Ms Bishop "will add further depth to our unrivalled coverage of national affairs". It wasn't as if I hadn't been warned. When I'd called to inform her I was planning to travel through the electorate on a sort of 2016 election-campaign Motorcycle Diaries, she had said she wasn't doing any more interviews with the national media, thank you. Independent MP Cathy McGowan is the only crossbench MP left guaranteeing supply and confidence. Credit:Meredith O'Shea She was concentrating on winning every vote possible and wanted no distraction. She's struggling to regain the seat of Indi, which she held from 2001 until she lost it in 2013, the only Liberal seat to fall in that election. Things haven't been going well since her self-inflicted hit when she claimed the Wangaratta Hospital had lost $10 million in federal funding because the electorate had turned its back on her. Marty Corboy's daughter Bridget Corboy, 4, watches National Party leader Barnaby Joyce put his country hat on Fiona Nash. Credit:Mark Jesser Around the corner and up Wangaratta's main street, however, the sitting Member for Indi, Independent Cathy McGowan who tore Indi from Mirabella's grasp in 2013 was perfectly happy to be bothered by a biker reporter. She was surrounded by a boardroom of senior supporters and advisers all eager to impart how McGowan had "democratised" Indi politics. An anti-Sophie Mirabella billboard on the Midland Highway in Indi. Supporters wore the team colour, orange, and thus had no difficulty striking up conversations with other supporters all over the place, building the movement. If that sounded a bit, well, cuddly, McGowan and her close advisers had no apologies. It worked, McGowan said, and produced results. There was, for instance, a problem with mobile phone "black spots" all across Indi, a beautiful electorate of hills, valleys, mountains and plains sprawling from Kinglake, a hamlet on a ridge just north of Melbourne, clear to the Upper Murray in the far north-east of Victoria. McGowan had harnessed the knowledge of far-flung constituents, drawn up a map of the most pressing problem areas, persuaded Telstra to compare its map with hers ... and got 30 more phone towers, with more to come. When the Communications Minister Mitch Fifield turned up the next day to support Mirabella's campaign, he all but confirmed it, travelling to Indigo Valley McGowan's home territory and declaring it was on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's "black spots" program. Right next door to McGowan's Wangaratta electorate office is campaign headquarters for Marty Corboy, who is standing for the Nationals. He could hardly be more different from McGowan and her followers but, in the way of country folk, they get along without rancour. Corboy is a very conservative Catholic from a family of 10 who, at the age of 36, already has six children and a seventh on the way. Home schooling is the Corboy way, and an early experience with political candidacy was with the Family First party. He says he discovered Family First wasn't for him, and departed for the ranks of the Nationals. He uses Facebook, too, but his site has only a few hundred "likes" compared with the 7000 on McGowan's (Mirabella's site has about 4500). Corboy is heavy on traditional placards wired to roadside fences all over the electorate to build a presence. The question facing Corboy's boosters is how his socially conservative stance may fare in Indi's biggest city, Wodonga, where 40 per cent of the electorate's voters reside. Wodonga, a relatively progressive city with a concentration of educational institutions, turned out in large numbers for McGowan in 2013. Interest in Corboy's campaign rose significantly, however, when the Nationals' leader Barnaby Joyce blew into town and effectively wrote off Mirabella's chances of regaining Indi. Corboy, said Joyce, was the Coalition's chance in the electorate. Considering Joyce is also deputy prime minister, the mention of the "Coalition's best chance" seemed particularly pointed. He supported Mirabella at the last election. Meanwhile, Ken Jasper, a wily old Nationals man who sat in state Parliament for the party for 34 years and holds much sway in the Indi area, supports Corboy, too. This is a clearly strategic move: Jasper caused something of a sensation and much anger among Coalition supporters in 2013 when he backed McGowan. Though Liberal frontbenchers have visited Indi to support Mirabella's campaign, the drop in confidence at senior Victorian Liberal Party level where crucial funding is held has become an open secret. Indeed, Mirabella implied on a much-criticised 7.30 interview that she suspected Victorian Liberal Party HQ was leaking against her. And as far as her relationship with the party in Melbourne went: "Quite frankly, it doesn't matter what Collins Street says. It matters what the people of Indi say." And that has been her problem. When Mirabella came to Indi in 2001, it was among the safest of Coalition seats and had been held for most of the previous century by either the Liberals (and its predecessors) or the Country Party. Her popularity initially surged and, in 2004, she won the seat with a mighty vote of more than 66 per cent. But then began a slide, election by election. She has since admitted she had devoted too much time to Canberra politics and to being a warrior (of the right), and has promised to pay more attention to the electorate. The grassroots campaign of McGowan and her followers swallowed many Liberal votes that shifted from Mirabella in 2013, and many more that might have gone to the Nationals if the party had run. The decision by the Nationals to run Corboy changes the mix and adds a layer of uncertainty and difficulty in predicting a result. The base "rusted-on" Liberal vote cannot be discounted, and nor can that of the Nationals. Mirabella got the highest vote in 2013 at 44.7 per cent. McGowan got 31.2 per cent. It came down to a swag of preferences from minor parties. This time the Liberals and the Nationals, the traditional Indi powers, will swap preferences, granting one or the other a stronger chance than if only one was in the contest. McGowan will need a strong lead if she is to hold on.The betting markets have McGowan way out in front, although more sober long-time observers in Indi find it hard to believe she is priced by Sportsbet at $1.15, Corboy at $6 and Mirabella at $11. Sometimes, however, you need an old hand to judge what may really be going on.Tim Fischer, former Nationals leader and deputy prime minister, spends much of his time these days on the cattle property run by his wife, Judy Brewer (who is a first cousin of McGowan), in the glorious rolling hill country south-east of Wangaratta. Wearing his political pundit's cap, Fischer has no good news for those trying to wrest Indi from McGowan, least of all for Mirabella. "Leaving all my biases aside for the moment, clearly Cathy McGowan is well in front," he says. "Marty Corboy is closing the gap and it would seem he's lifted the Nationals vote ahead of the Liberals." Fischer treats politics philosophically these days. He and Brewer's eldest son Harrison takes some delight in announcing in his father's presence that he is going to vote Labor. The doctors' union has lobbied against a range of Coalition policies under outgoing president Associate Professor Brian Owler, including its failed $7 GP co-payment and abandoned hospital funding formula . It recently launched a public campaign against the Turnbull government's extended freeze on Medicare rebates to 2020, warning patients this could lead to GPs charging a co-payment of up to $20. Western Australian obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Michael Gannon - who counts Coalition MPs among his friends - pledged to work "constructively" with whichever party formed government, shortly after he won the association's election at its national conference in Canberra on Sunday. The Australian Medical Association's new president has vowed to repair the group's relationship with government, which he says has been partly damaged by speaking out on asylum seekers. Dr Gannon, formerly the president of the association's Western Australian branch, told Fairfax Media that its relationship with the government had been problematic, partly because the group had taken too many "risks" in criticising it on politically contentious issues such as asylum seekers. New AMA president Dr Michael Gannon. Credit:Bohdan Warchomij Professor Owler has criticised the medical treatment offered to asylum seekers in detention, and intervened amid concerns a child known as Baby Asha could be forcibly removed from hospital and taken to detention. The child was ultimately released into community detention. He has also called for an end to the detention of child asylum seekers, and accused the Department of Immigration of intimidating their doctors to prevent them speaking out publicly. "I think there might have been a view formed in government that we weren't partners, that we weren't prepared to listen," Dr Gannon, who has named assistant health minister Ken Wyatt and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann among his friends, said. "That is not the case. We want to work constructively across the whole of the system and get back to talking about [health] issues." A friend tried to shield Amber Heard from Johnny Depp, her husband, during a drunken rampage, according to court papers filed as part of her application for a domestic violence restraining order. Depp has denied all the allegations and his lawyers accused his wife of using the allegations to "secure a premature financial resolution". On Friday, a Los Angeles judge ordered Depp, 52, not to come within 100 yards of Heard. In the court papers released on Saturday, Heard alleged her husband had "a long-held and widely acknowledged public and private history of drug and alcohol abuse". Former Glee star Mark Salling has been charged with two counts of child pornography. US federal prosecutors announced on Friday that Salling was charged with one count of receiving a video and still photo of child porn and a second of possessing two videos depicting child porn. Ex-Glee actor Mark Salling has been charged with child porn-related offences. Credit:Vittorio Zunino Celotto They say the images depict young girls. Prosecutors say the 33-year-old actor has agreed to surrender next Friday, at which time he's expected to be arraigned in federal court. It's a feeling others in their mid-thirties might relate to: 60 Minutes has gazed hard into the mirror, and been disappointed with what it saw. In a 'mea culpa' segment on Sunday night's program, 60 Minutes has admitted that it stuffed up its now infamous story on a custody dispute spanning Australia and Lebanon. 60 Minutes host Michael Usher: "we've been asking ourselves how things could have gone so wrong." Credit:James Brickwood "Tonight we face up to the errors we made," host Michael Usher said. "We sincerely apologise for our serious mistakes." Two thirds of violent men who attend behaviour change programs completely stop abusing their families within two years, but they always fear slipping back into their old ways. The first Australian study into the long-term effects of interventions for domestic violence perpetrators found that court-ordered participants in behaviour change programs were the most likely to stop being violent. Behaviour change programs are highly effective for domestic violence perpetrators. Monash University followed men who attended behaviour change programs in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia for two years after they completed the program. Monash social work professor Thea Brown said 65 per cent of men were classed as violence-free at the end of the study. This meant they no longer physically, emotionally or sexually abused their partners, or made them afraid. Another nurse has been assaulted by a patient at the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital less than a week after another serious incident there. Police were called to the hospital at about 6.30pm on Saturday after a disturbance involving a patient where a 62-year-old female nurse was allegedly assaulted. A 44-year-old Lutwyche woman was charged with serious assault of a public officer, wilful damage and possession of a knife in a public place. A spokeswoman for Metro North Hospital and Health Service confirmed the incident had occurred. A 20-year-old man has suffered lacerations to his head after his four-wheel-drive collided with a bus in East Brisbane on Sunday afternoon. Police were notified of the incident on Mowbray Terrace around 1.30pm and set up diversions while they cleared the bus. A man suffered lacerations to his head when his four-wheel-drive collided with a bus. A spokeswoman for Queensland Ambulance confirmed two patients were assessed at the scene. One of them was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition with minor injuries. A woman is in an induced coma after she was allegedly set on fire by another teenager south of Brisbane. The 17-year-old was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital with serious burns to her arms, legs and upper body after allegedly being set alight at a Marsden house on Friday. A 17-year-old man is accused of using a flammable liquid to burn her following an argument. He will front court on Monday charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm. Police are searching for a man who stabbed a woman in a domestic dispute on the Gold Coast. At 11.30am, police received calls a Brighton Street address in Biggera Waters to reports a woman had been stabbed. Police are searching for a man who stabbed a woman on the Gold Coast. Credit:Bianca Stone A woman was found at the address with stab wounds to her chest and arms and was taken to hospital in a stable condition. Police are still searching for the offender but have not released a description of him at this stage. Cairns residents are being urged to kill mosquitoes in response to a resident testing positive to Zika virus after returning from overseas. The Dengue Action Response Team has been spraying the area around the resident's home to stop the spread of the mosquito-borne disease linked to severe birth defects. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is responsible for spreading Zika virus. Credit:AP A Tropical Public Health Services spokeswoman said the diagnosis was confirmed on Friday, with spraying taking place in Gordonvale over the weekend and continuing on Monday. Zika is only known to be spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which is confined to Australia's north, including Cairns. He said move-on powers were still available to police on Saturday. Police watch over some of the demonstrators. Credit:Mathew Lynn "But these violent protesters don't need to be moved on to another place," he said. "They need to be arrested, and that's what Victoria Police did on Saturday." However, protesters may in future be banned from wearing masks at rallies in Victoria after Saturday's race clashes. Pepper spray is used to break up brawling. Credit:Mathew Lynn Seven people were arrested, and more are likely, with police launching a new taskforce to focus on racial violence. This time the battleground was outside a library and primary school in Coburg, but police suspect many of the masked protestors have also attended previous scuffles at other race-based events in Bendigo and the CBD. Protesters from rival groups, many wearing masks or balaclavas, fight each other in Coburg. Credit:Mathew Lynn Acting Premier James Merlino said he had spoken with police about the violence and would consider any police request for additional laws. "Those people who wear face masks, who carry weapons, who engage in violent behaviour, that is utterly unacceptable," Mr Merlino told reporters on Sunday. Victoria Police Commander Sharon Cowden said some of the protesters were just looking for a fight. Credit:Mathew Lynn "We will work closely with Victoria Police to give them the powers that they need to deal with this kind of behaviour." Police Minister Lisa Neville said it was a "disturbing trend" to see protesters wearing masks and balaclavas, and she said she would discuss whether they could be banned with Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton during a meeting on Monday. "This is about people being given a licence to try and participate in criminal behaviour when they wear those masks," she told Fairfax Radio. Senior police have already labelled those who covered their faces at the protests as "cowards". "All they're looking for is a fight," said Commander Sharon Cowden, who announced a new taskforce to deal with the violent protesters. "We saw inappropriate and often cowardly behaviour with people wearing masks and hiding their identity." The rival groups have largely blamed each other for starting the violence. But footage of one of the clashes appears to show the fight was mutual, with both anti-Islam and anti-racism protesters walking around police lines and bashing each other. It is the latest outbreak of violence stemming from the extreme ends of politics and overshadowing what were meant to be peaceful but vocal protests over the past year. On the one side is the anti-fascist Antifa group, along with radical socialists, anarchists and anti-racists, who frequently battle far-right protesters at these events, some who support the United Patriots Front and a newer "pro-Australian" group who called themselves the True Blue Crew. "We take great pride in protecting the everyday Australians, who only want to speak out in defence of our nation," the True Blue Crew posted on its Facebook page. "This is a callout to patriots out there, who like what they saw today, who are willing to stand with us against the far left-wing scum." The United Patriots Front said members were only standing their ground until their rivals approached them. "The idiots marched right into us not knowing what they were walking into; our boys smashed them," the group said on its Facebook page. "These kids have hit us with violence from the beginning and we will continue to respond in kind." But police said there were problems from both sides. "People need to reflect on the message they are sending our communities by committing acts of violence and inciting hatred," Victoria Police said in a statement. "Urging violence and hatred within our community is not a form of free speech and will not be tolerated." Thirty teens have stormed a quiet gathering at a house in Melbourne's east, smashing a window and stealing several items in an "absolute ambush". Darryn Tucker said his teenage daughters had about eight school friends at his Kew home when the large group jumped the fence and threw a beer bottle through a window. Mr Tucker and his wife were dining in the city when they received a call from his terrified daughters. "It was absolutely intimidating for my young girls," he said Victorian schools are pocketing $10,000 from a Chinese government body and getting free teaching and course materials to offer its Chinese language and culture courses. Despite concerns over the appropriateness of outsourcing public school lesson time to an undemocratic foreign government body, the program known as Confucius Classrooms was rolled out to a further three Victorian schools in 2015, with plans to sign up more this year. Confucius Classrooms are administered by the Confucius Institute, headquartered in Beijing's agency known colloquially as Hanban, the Office of the Chinese Language Council. In an attractive package for cash-strapped school principals eager to offer their students Asian languages, the schools are paid $10,000 in the first year for teaching resources, and supplied with "teaching assistants" who are hired and paid by Hanban in China. Opposition attorney-general John Pesutto said "professional protesters" were to blame for the violence, and called for the reinstatement of "move on" laws to take action against recidivist protesters. But Attorney-General Martin Pakula said move-on laws were still available to police and the legislation had only been amended in relation to peaceful and legal protests. "These violent protesters don't need to be moved on to another place," he said. "They need to be arrested and that's what Victoria Police did on Saturday." Acting Premier James Merlino said he had spoken with police about the violence and would consider any police request for additional laws. "Those people who wear face masks, who carry weapons, who engage in violent behaviour, that is utterly unacceptable," he said. "We will work closely with Victoria Police to give them the powers that they need to deal with this kind of behaviour." A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the Chief Commissioner and Police Minister have weekly meetings, but would not be drawn on what would be discussed on Monday. "These discussions are confidential and we won't be commenting further at this time," she said. Senior police have already labelled those who covered their faces at the protests as "cowards". "All they're looking for is a fight," said Commander Sharon Cowden, who announced a new taskforce to deal with the violent protesters. "We saw inappropriate and often cowardly behaviour with people wearing masks and hiding their identity." Sydney Road cafes locked their doors at the height of Saturday's violence. Glass Den manager Alex O'Brien said it was a tense situation. "Everybody sitting in the courtyard got up, screamed and ran inside," she said. "And then everyone was on their phones videoing what was happening outside. It was a little bit scary, all we saw was the violence around us." Resident Jacqueline Samec said she stayed inside her home until Saturday afternoon. "Everyone has the right to protest, but no one has the right to act violent like they did and that's scary," she said. The Coburg traders' group says it passed a vote of no confidence in one of the rally's organisers, Moreland councillor Sue Bolton, after she allegedly shrugged off their concerns about violence. Coburg Traders' Association president Jason Sennitt said Cr Bolton had "dug her heels in" and said the rally was going ahead and thought the police were over-reacting when he asked her about the potential risks. Cr Sue Bolton has been contacted for comment. The rival groups have largely blamed each other for starting the violence. But footage of one of the clashes appears to show the fight was mutual, with both anti-Islam and anti-racism protesters walking around police lines and bashing each other. It is the latest outbreak of violence stemming from the extreme ends of politics and overshadowing what were meant to be peaceful but vocal protests over the past year. On one side is the anti-fascist Antifa group, along with radical socialists, anarchists and anti-racists, who frequently battle far-right protesters at these events, some who support the United Patriots Front and a newer "pro-Australian" group who called themselves the True Blue Crew. "We take great pride in protecting the everyday Australians, who only want to speak out in defence of our nation," the True Blue Crew posted on its Facebook page. "This is a callout to patriots out there, who like what they saw today, who are willing to stand with us against the far left-wing scum." The United Patriots Front said members were only standing their ground until their rivals approached them. "The idiots marched right into us not knowing what they were walking into; our boys smashed them," the group said on its Facebook page. "These kids have hit us with violence from the beginning and we will continue to respond in kind." But police said there were problems from both sides. "People need to reflect on the message they are sending our communities by committing acts of violence and inciting hatred," Victoria Police said in a statement. "Urging violence and hatred within our community is not a form of free speech and will not be tolerated." The new police taskforce is combing through security camera footage to hunt down the rest of the troublemakers who attended the rival protests. Loading Leader of the far-right group United Patriots Front, Blair Cottrell, encouraged his followers to continue rallying. "We have to get stronger and stronger. The only way to do that is to keep rallying," he said in a video posted on Facebook. Western Australia's biggest earthquake since 2010 - of magnitude 5.2 - rocked Norseman overnight, with reports of people as far away as Perth and Esperance feeling the earth shake. The whole region, which is about 770km east of Perth, shook for about ten seconds, Esperance resident David told Radio 6PR in the early hours of Sunday morning. The earthquake in Norseman (depicted by the green circle) was felt by people at least 206 kilometres away (a radius represented by the black circle). Credit:Geoscience Australia "Things started shaking - and then suddenly a bit more," he said. "I was on my computer joining in on a casino game, but I've just been sitting here too shaken to do anything properly. Siena: At least 700 migrants are believed to have died while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy from Libya over the past week, the UN refugee agency said on Sunday. The deaths occurred as the smuggling route from Libya has risen with the arrival of spring. "Surely this was a very intense and exceptional week for the number of fatalities," said Federico Fossi, a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Washington: Donald Trump has been labelled a racist, sexist hypocrite, but these attacks have done little to slow the advance of his presidential campaign. Instead, experts believe that trouble for the presumptive Republican nominee may ultimately lie buried in the spreadsheets of his tax affairs. Mr Trump is facing mounting opposition to his decision not to release details of his finances, which he described in an interview as "none of your business". Public scrutiny of a presidential candidate's spending habits, wealth and tax payments is an accepted convention in the US. Every would-be commander-in-chief going back to Richard Nixon in 1972 has released their tax returns, fearing condemnation for secrecy over whatever they might reveal. New Adjacent Fest to take on Bamboozle next May in Atlantic City music To increase its business in the automobile sector, has restructured its production line. Now, a subsidiary, BNB Coatings, will make paints for passenger cars and three-wheelers. The parent company will continue to make paints for two-wheelers and commercial vehicles. According to Berger sources, the division of businesses is expected to open newer profit-making avenues. BNB is a joint venture between (49 per cent) and Nippon Paints Automotive Coatings (51 per cent). Till now, it has been making coatings for plastic substrata of automobiles. Berger Paints, with a nearly 13 per cent market share in the Rs 3,000-crore auto paints sector, has been absent in the passenger car segment. Even if we developed the paints on our own and matched the technology according to global standards in the passenger car segment, we may not get the approval from car makers immediately. It makes more sense to hand over the business to a subsidiary which can focus on this, Abhijit Roy, managing director and chief executive officer, told Business Standard. BNB will get three-wheeler makers Piaggio and Force on board immediately to supply paints to their products. Berger has been catering to the entire demand of Piaggio, while 70 per cent of Force's requirement was met by the Kolkata-based company. The restructuring could also imply business from Japanese car makers Toyota and Honda, while Mahindra & Mahindra and Suzuki can be targeted at a later date. This move will allow Berger to focus entirely on two-wheelers and commercial cars. Of the five major two-wheeler makers in India, caters to four and commands a 26.8 per cent market share in the segment. It has plans to expand its business. The turnover of the total business which will be transferred to BNB Coatings by Berger Paints is to the tune of Rs 29 crore on a slump sale basis at a consideration of Rs 90 crore, which is to be paid in cash. To further its business in the segment, the firm has planned a two-phase expansion of its plant in Jejujdi in Maharashtra where it is ramping up annual production capacity from 4,000 tonne to 24,000 tonne at an investment of Rs 80 crore. With the restructuring in place, Berger may soon get head-on with Kansai Nerolac Paints, commanding an absolute 60 per cent market share in the automobile coatings space. A screenshot of Aashirvaad Multi-grain Atta video ad. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) had, in March 2016, written to ITC Ltd, the owner of the brand, asking it modify the ad Between January and March 2016, food & beverages figured among the key categories, where complaints were upheld by ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council Two of the countrys apex regulators the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) will join forces to clamp down on misleading food & beverage advertisements, persons in the know have told Business Standard. While the two regulators have worked in the past informally, the arrangement will likely be formalised now. Confirming the development, Chief Executive Officer Pawan Agarwal said a few meetings between the two regulators had happened. We would like to raise our engagement with ASCI and we are looking at ways in which we can do it. The details are being worked out, Agarwal said in response to a specific query on the subject. The current development comes after a broader arrangement between the department of consumer affairs and ASCI was worked out last year, which allowed the latter to act against misleading ads on a complaints website. This website allows consumers to complain about any advertisement appearing in any medium across any category. In the case of the FSSAI, any complaint received by the food safety regulator will see the ASCI stepping in and writing to the advertiser concerned to modify the ad based on its prescribed guidelines, persons in the know said. In the event the advertiser does not comply with ASCI's directions, the will step in to take action. While ASCI officials were not immediately available for their comments, this approach, say persons in the know, is expected to act as a strong deterrent against errant advertisers in the food & beverage space, where misleading claims have been steadily growing. Between January and March 2016, food & beverages figured among the key categories, where complaints were upheld by ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council, the central unit that processes complaints received against advertisers and brands. The regulator is yet to release the list of complaints upheld for the month of April 2016. Among the that ASCI had written to modify ads in March the last available month are ITC for its Aashirvaad Multi-grain Atta; Patanjali Ayurved for its Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil; and Gemini Edibles & Fats for its Freedom Rice Bran Oil. In January and February 2016, the list of errant advertisers included Dabur, Cargill, Pan Parag, Coca-Cola, Perfetti Van Melle, and Ruchi Soya. Besides big advertisers, the list of errant against whom complaints were upheld by ASCI between January and March this year also included small and regional brands, which makes the task even more challenging for regulators, say experts, since regional and local players abound in food. The move by the two regulators to work together is a welcome one, they say. Karnataka has directed taxi aggregators such as and Ola to stop operations in the state until they secure a licence from the government, triggering sharp reactions from the corporate world. Getting a licence would mean no more surge pricing, complying with the maximum fares fixed by the government periodically and registering with local transport authorities. If they have made some new rules for taxi aggregation, and the rules are reasonable without putting liabilities, it is fine. But they must not stop the business. Stopping the business means Bengaluru earning a bad name globally, said T V Mohandas Pai, chairman of venture capital firm Aarin Capital and a prominent business leader of the city, adding, The Siddaramaiah government will be seen as anti-innovation and anti-technology. Karnatakas move comes days after hundreds of drivers affiliated to these taxi aggregators took to the streets to protest against what they called harassment by transport authorities that have cracked down, on the grounds that these taxis havent followed the new norms the state announced in April. The transport department has filed around 300 cases against drivers for not complying with the rules. Drivers have been caught in the crosshairs of the ongoing war between the state and these aggregators. and Ola had to suspend their bike taxi services after the Karnataka government said the transport rules did not have provision for two-wheelers to be used as taxis. Karnataka, whose capital Bengaluru is Indias information technology hub and a cradle to experiment with new business models based on this, is the first state in the country to mandate a licence for app-based aggregators to operate cabs. A note from Karnatakas commissioner for transport, late on Saturday night, said many aggregators had not obtained a licence but were operating such cabs. Ola had given its application as late as Saturday evening, while was yet to comply with the government rules, Karnatakas Transport Commissioner Ramegowda said on Sunday. He said a meeting with Uber has been called for Monday and would change its stand if the US-based ride-hailing app complies with the state rules. Since the past two months (after the rules were notified), we have given adequate notice for them to take the licence. They have not complied, said Ramegowda, adding, We are neither harassing nor hindering the aggregators operations in the state. What we are saying is seek a licence and operate. Both Uber and Ola declined to comment on Sunday. Ola and Uber, backed by private equity funds, have committed to spending as much as Rs 15,000 crore in India to win the countrys taxi market. They operate an asset-light business model, working to get more cab drivers to use their platform and make it easy for consumers to hail them, using a smartphone app. The progress in Karnatakas licensing move is being keenly watched by other states as well and might have an impact on the business model of these app-based taxi aggregators. Maharashtra has come out with draft rules mandating digital meters, end of surge pricing and registration with local transport authorities. In Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had banned surge pricing during the two-week odd-even experiment in April, which was aimed at decongesting traffic on Delhi roads. Uber piloted its India service in Bengaluru two years ago, while Ola, which began in Mumbai, moved its headquarters to the city to tap into the local tech talent to compete with the global firm. Bengaluru, which is one of the largest markets for cab aggregators, has around 50,000 cabs running on its streets helping address a crucial gap in public transport. At the same time, the surge pricing charged by cabs during peak hours has been criticised by commuters. The security (of people) is the worry for the government. We have also received a lot of complaints against surge pricing, said Ramegowda, adding, The government is open to feedback. If the public want changes in our rules, we will accommodate them. Aluminium major has decided to drop its plan to foray into nuclear energy generation. The company had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) in 2012 to set up two units of Kakrapara Atomic Power Station in Gujarat with capacities of 700 Mw each. The cost of the project was estimated at Rs 12,000 crore. According to the joint venture agreement, would have a 26 per cent stake in the new entity NPCIL- Power Company. We have decided to pull out of the JV with NPCIL following change in technology of the project. Initially, it was decided to build the plant with indigenous technology. But later, it was decided to use foreign technology. The foreign technology will not only be more expensive, the gestation period of the project will also be more and we are in a mood to wait that long with so much of investment exposure, said Nalco Chairman and Managing Director Tapan Kumar Chand. He said the Nalco board had already decided to pull out of the project and it would be intimated to NPCIL. The company had run into legal hassles over the project as the nuclear energy generation sector in the country was restricted to a couple of fully-owned subsidiaries of the Department of Atomic Energy. NPCIL and Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam are the two government of India-owned authorised to set up nuclear power plants in the country. They are responsible for design, construction, commissioning and operation of thermal nuclear power plants. Although NPCIL was keen to involve other public sector firms such as Nalco, Indian Oil Corporation, and NTPC with whom it has signed MoUs, to expand its nuclear power footprint in the country, the existing Act did not allow this. The Atomic Energy Act, framed in 1962, also prohibited private control of nuclear power generation, though it allows them minority investment. Notwithstanding its unsuccessful bid to foray into nuclear energy, Nalco has identified renewable energy as its next focus area. We have set up wind mills in Andhra Pradesh (50.4 Mw) and Jaisalmer, Rajasthan (47.6 Mw). We plan to set up more wind power mills in Rajasthan and Maharashtra (50 Mw each) and a 20 Mw solar power plant in Madhya Pradesh. We are also in the processing of installing a 14-Mw wind power mill at Damanjodi, said Chand. The world's largest consumer goods company, (P&G), appears to be slowly but steadily getting its act together in India, after announcing recently that it was moving away from unprofitable businesses. The latest financial results of Gillette India, one of its two listed companies, had it reporting double-digit revenue growth for the three months ended March, after consecutive quarters of single-digit growth (see chart). Hygiene and Healthcare, the other listed company, reported double-digit revenue growth for a second quarter in a row. Its earlier single-digit sales growth was for the three months ended September 2015. Both listed entities follow a July-June accounting period. Results for a third firm, Home Products, are not available in the public domain. On profit, Gillette reported triple-digit growth for the March quarter; P&G Hygiene and Healthcare reported double-digit growth. A company spokesperson, when asked, said, "India remains a critical market for P&G. In the past 18 months, P&G India has become profitable. The value-accretive results that India has delivered have contributed positively to the health of the parent company." In an analyst call last month, its global finance head, Jon Moeller, said the firm had made a choice to de-prioritise several unprofitable lines of business which negatively impacted short-term revenue growth rates in India. "The strategic portion of our India business is growing at a high single-digit pace. Sales in the portions we're fixing or exiting have been down more than 30 per cent. This top line pain is worth it. We're making significant progress in improving local profit margins, up about 700 basis points," Moeller had said. Strategic categories for P&G in India include baby care, where it has the Pampers brand; male grooming, where Gillette sits; feminine care, which includes Whisper; health care, which includes Vicks; fabric care, which has detergents such as Ariel and Tide; skin care, with brands such as Olay, and hair care, which includes products such as Pantene and Head & Shoulders. Abneesh Roy, associate director at Edelweiss Financial Services, had said in a report last month that P&G would probably exit Duracell (batteries), AmbiPur (air fresheners), Old Spice (men's after-shave lotion) and Oral-B toothpaste in India. "Also, it could defocus on lower-end Tide (detergent) and Wella (hair care products)." The firm, which crossed Rs 10,000 crore in turnover in the financial year ended June 2015, is among the top three in most of its core categories. The spokesperson said P&G would continue to focus on core brands and variants in India, in line with global strategy. Internationally, P&G is exiting 105 brands. These include Duracell batteries, which it sold to Berkshire Hathaway, and 43 beauty products which it sold to New-York-based Coty Inc last year. The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has subpoenaed India's largest drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, seeking information about the pricing and marketing of the generic drugs it sells in the United States, the company said on Saturday. The DoJ's antitrust division has also asked Sun Pharma's US unit for documents related to employee and corporate records and communications with competitors. The subpoena comes amid a wider probe by US regulators into steep increases in the prices of generic medicines in recent years. The US Department of Health and Human Services started an investigation last year into generic drug prices after prodding from US Senator Bernie Sanders and Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings. They specifically cited doxycycline hyclate 100 milligram, an antibiotic for which the price doubled in the year through June 2014. The DoJ's antitrust division sent subpoenas last year to two generic drugmakers Endo International Plc and Mylan seeking information on their doxycycline products. Sun Pharma, the world's fifth-largest maker of generic medicines, is one of several selling doxycycline products in the United States. In a statement issued late on Saturday, it did not disclose the products over which the DoJ had sought information. Other generic drugmakers including India's Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd and US firm Allergan also received subpoenas from regulators seeking similar information last year, but they did not disclose the names of the products involved. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday the first of his six-day Japan visit met the CEO of SoftBank Group, Masayoshi Son, who is eyeing to invest big in India's solar power sector. The meeting took place in the capital of Asias second largest economy, Tokyo. There are people who want to participate in infrastructure growth story. For example, SoftBank meeting we just had, they are looking at one of the biggest investments in solar power already, Jaitley said after meeting Son. In June 2015, SoftBank announced formation of joint venture (JV) with Bharti Enterprises and Taiwan's Foxconn Technology Group, to invest about $20 billion in renewable energy in India. The JV would aim to generate 20 gigawatts of electricity. They have made considerable headway and have identified location. It will probably be one of the largest investment in those areas, Jaitley added. The Japanese telecom and Internet giant has made an investments up to $2 billion in the past two years in India, including $627 million in online- retailing marketplace Snapdeal, $210 million funding round in taxi-hailing app Ola Cabs and $200 million for a 35 per cent stake in InMobi, an Indian mobile-advertising network. SoftBank is looking to accelerate their investments in the future. India has a great future. We are interested in investing for Internet companies also for solar energy. We would make a strong commitment, Son said. Son had previously said that India's market is poised for massive growth, making it an important destination for investors. Jaitley will also meet the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on Monday. On May 31, He will attend the 22nd International Conference on 'The Future of Asia' organised by the Nikkei Inc and in the afternoon he will deliver keynote address at the roundtable on National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). Top Union ministers on Saturday joined a gala event, which had a smattering of Bollywood actors, including Amitabh Bachchan, aimed at publicising the achievements of the Narendra in the past two years. While the main event at India Gate in New Delhi that saw Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and many of his ministerial colleagues speak about policies and schemes of the government, some Cabinet ministers joined in from different parts of the country, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Guwahati and Vijaywada. The five-hour programme 'Ek Nayi Subah' (A New Dawn), which was telecast live by Doordarshan, saw Bachchan talking about 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao'. His participation came amid questions being raised by the Opposition parties in the wake of his name figuring in Panama papers. Bollywood actor R Madhavan and anchor Neelima Sharma hosted the programme which was also attended by Union Ministers Birender Singh, Maneka Gandhi, Najma Heptulla, Ram Vilas Paswan, Uma Bharti, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and J P Nadda. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said India's economy has picked up pace and achieved a growth rate of about 7.5 per cent amid a global slowdown. "At a time when the global economies are shrinking, our economy is growing at around 7.5 per cent. This is a healthy growth rate, especially in the context of current global economic scenario," he said. "We brought in the legislation against black money that provides for stringent punishment for tax evaders. We registered criminal cases against several tax evaders." On Panama Papers, which showed the rich and famous in India exploiting secretive offshore tax regimes, Jaitley said criminal cases would be registered against those who have been stashing black money in tax havens abroad. "We are giving a chance to domestic tax evaders to declare their black money by paying 45 per cent penalty," he added. He also touched upon financial inclusion schemes for the poor like Jan Dhan Yojana and Mudra Yojana: "Financial inclusion has been our focus. This means joining people with the banking system. In 100 days, we brought around 220 million people into the banking system which is unprecedented." Jaitley said his government also rationalised the tax regime and the current tax rates in the country are "very competitive". "The previous government created an atmosphere of uncertainty through measures like retrospective tax. We made clear there would be no retrospective tax," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plan of providing a soil health card to all 140 million farmer families by the end of this financial year faces bottlenecks in major agrarian states, many governed by his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to an assessment done earlier this month, the progress has been such that the cabinet secretary's office is directly monitoring its progress. Officials said this was being done on a weekly basis, to ensure it met the target. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh (all BJP-ruled), Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal and Kerala are among the worst performers. Karnataka is supposed to, by the end of next March, distribute 9.21 million soil health cards. Yet, till May 10, it had fulfilled 0.7 per cent of that target. MP had to give nearly 13 mn by the same date; it has currently done a little less than a tenth of this. In UP, 26.4 mn cards have to distributed; 5.4 per cent has been done. In Assam, Haryana, Punjab, J&K and Bengal, less than 10 per cent has been fulfilled, with 10 months to go (see chart). In all, of the 140 mn cards that need to distributed to by March 2017, around 33 mn had till the first week of May been given or were in the process. Many more soil samples have been collected. Normally, it takes four to six weeks for cards to be generated once a sample is collected. To fulfill the target, close to 100 mn cards will have to distributed in the remaining 10 months and much of the work must be done by states. "From the Centre's side, there is no laxity. We've already released all (our) Rs 500 crore but this is only 60 per cent of the total requirement, while states have to contribute their share of 40 per cent. Fund flow for setting up of labs, etc, would only come after states make their matching contribution," said a senior official. The soil samples for the cards have to be collected twice from each field, once before the kharif season and another before rabi. "The samples have to be collected when the fields are empty," the official explained. Once the soil is tested on its chemical composition, the results are valid for two years. Then, the sample has to collected from another part of the field. With the soil health cards, a recommendation on the chemicals and fertiliser to be used will be attached, plus a suggestion on six crops which can be grown in that field, based on the composition of the soil. The cards will also act as an identity for the farmer or land owner. It will have the name, mobile number, khasra number, irrigation details if available, latitude and longitude details, last crop sown and the like. However, this would not be available for those sowing on leased land. An inter-ministerial group (IMG) of the central government would meet on Tuesday to deliberate on a number of issues plaguing the . These include capacity augmentation by public and private-sector steel players, award of composite licence for mineral blocks and hurdles faced in obtaining forest and environment clearances. The meeting would also take stock of the problems faced by individual steel companies in their operations. In case of the Steel Authority of India (SAIL), the capacity augmentation of its Gua iron ore mines in Jharkhand, Bolani mines in Odisha and also expansion of the steel unit at Bhilai are expected to come up during discussions. SAIL is confronting issues related to forest clearance in both the iron ore mines. In the case of Bolani mines, there is anomaly in levy of royalty on iron ore, which is a long-pending issue with the Odisha government. SAIL is also developing new iron ore mines at Thakurani Block-A in Keonjhar district, for which the award of prospecting licence is pending with the Odisha government. For Indias biggest iron ore producer NMDC, forest and environment clearance issues have come in the way of its plan to expand Bailadila mines in Chhattisgarh. NMDC is also awaiting the receipt of forest clearance for its three-million-tonne steel plant at Nagarnar in Chhattisgarh. Among private steel investors, JSW Steel is battling issues such as availability of iron ore and renewal of mining lease to expand steel capacity at its Vijaya Nagar plant in Karnataka. Essar Steel has flagged concerns on the security of its iron ore slurry pipeline feeding its Visakhapatnam steel plant, demanding a long-term security solution. Bhushan Steel, which runs a three-million-tonne steel plant at Meramundali in Odisha, has demanded award of composite licence (prospecting licence-cum-mining lease) for iron ore blocks, production of iron ore according to limits approved under environment clearance and water cess levy in Odisha in line with actual usage. Visa Steels suggestions include import duty cut on coking coal from 2.5 per cent to nil; financial package for the steel sector; auction of iron ore mining lease to end-use plants; increase in iron ore production to rated capacity of the mines, etc. After coming out with historic rules banning discriminatory pricing, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's chief seems to have had a rethink on giving free access to data or rather a curated version of the Internet. The only disclaimer is that telecom operators should not do it. In an interview with Malini Bhupta, TRAI chairman Ram Sevak Sharma says he has no issues with platforms providing free access to select websites, so long as the access is secular and operator agnostic. Edited excerpts: I believe access to the internet is more important than a free internet. The spread of connectivity is most important. I have no reservation in giving free data to people. What I have a reservation against is the business model of giving free data when you visit a particular website through a particular pipe. Poor people are not necessarily riding on that one pipe (operator); they're spread all over. Free Basics had essentially tied up with Reliance Communications. So, if you went through the Reliance pipe, these sites were free. If you went through the Airtel or Vodafone pipes, these sites were not free. It's as though a shop in (Delhi's) Connaught Place is giving discounts but to only those who come in a bus provided by Mr X. If you don't come by that bus, no discount. That is not a good thing. If you give a secular discount, it is fine. So, the paper we have come out with actually explores the possibility of free data or discounted data which is agnostic to the pipe. You have heard of a toll- free number and that is the same concept. It does not matter whether you are on an Airtel or Vodafone network; the customer does not pay. We are exploring a toll-free equivalent in a data world, whereby you visit a website and if there was a way to know who you are and your bank account number, then the website can transfer that money or data back into your account. Overall, the customer pays nothing. The paper we brought out on Differential Pricing had raised the question on providing free data such that it is pipe-agnostic. So if a Gigato develops a platform, which offers free access to select websites on it, is that fine? Why is Trai getting into business models? Just leave it to the market. We have floated the paper to get answers. Gigato is an implementor of that. Ultimately, the money (for the data) will be paid by the websites or portals. We will evaluate it technologically and if facilitation is required, we shall do it. We will leave it to the market but we are also interested in (the) Digital India (government programme). Suppose there is an e-governance site and the government promoting it might not want people to pay any charge to visit these sites. We are exploring that and electronic communication is our business. We might find we have nothing to do with it and in that case, we shall not do it. We will figure out if any intervention is required or not. Without entering into an agreement with the telco, if there is a method by which the charge to visit the website is paid to the telco, there is no problem if the consumer gets free access. Telecom operators will want to improve penetration and usage by stimulating demand through using the lever of pricing. Globally, telecom operators do offer content specific or website/app specific plans. Like, Vodafone has a Spotify plan and T-Mobile has Binge On, which are zero-rated plans. What is wrong with that? I don't regulate content players. I regulate telecom operators. My view is that whichever entities I regulate, we have to ensure a balance of interest. So long as it is within the framework we have established, there is no issue. Discriminatory pricing prohibition was Trai's response to the net neutrality issue from a rate point of view. We will make a recommendation to the government on the broader principles of net neutrality in a pre-consultation paper. The government will adopt a final call on it, while we will decide on pricing issues. Globally, telcos are going to court and challenging net neutrality laws. Do you expect that to happen in India as well? Going to court is part of everyone's right. There is a process established by law and that will happen. The net neutrality debate has compelling arguments on both sides. Does that make your job more difficult? In our limited understanding, we shall do what is good for the country. America and the European Union have different models. We will be guided by what is good for India. The internet is important for India as all services are going to ride on it - banking, health, education and transactions. All this is part of the vision of Digital India. We will have start-ups and innovations will happen. Hence, it is necessary that we have policies promoting this eco-system. The problem of service quality remains, though the Supreme Court has given its order on this. What do you intend to do? Consumer protection is our mandate and we had made a regulation but the SC has quashed it. We have to think of other ways to discharge the responsibility. The relationship between the regulator and the industry has turned hostile. What is your view? I don't think so. We are on the same page. There is no contradiction between our expectation on the quality of service and growth of the telecom sector. They are not a zero-sum game. If you provide quality of service, it is good for the industry. We are working for the same objective - growth of industry and customer satisfaction. Technology is changing at a fast clip and regulators are finding it hard across the world to keep pace. What is your biggest challenge as a regulator? We try to remain in touch with regulators across the world. Regulatory trends in the world are tracked by us and we have a knowledge base. I agree that there are many new things happening - the Internet of Things, Machine to Machine and new business models. Challenges are vibrant in the sector. There are technical issues on pricing of (the) 700 MHz (band) and also that it is too expensive. What is Trai's view? The government had asked for our recommendation and has accepted it. The government will take a call if there are no takers for the spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked those questioning his government's performance, asserting it had launched over 700 schemes, and vowed to pursue development without treading the "path of sin" even if it meant some tasks remained undone. Describing development as his "dream, path and destination", he pledged to root out middlemen from the system as he charged the previous government with having "yielded to the pressure from various lobbies". "I may be asked 'why Modi doesn't do big things?'. Earlier governments have done big things, they did it for big people, they reaped big benefits out of it. Do I have to commit such a sin?" Modi asked, addressing a public meeting here as part of Vikas Parv (festival of development) on completion of his government's two years in office. As the crowd shouted "no" in response, Modi said, "When people like you bless me and show affection towards me. I don't have to go on that path of sin. No matter if one or two works don't happen, but I will not let this country to go on the path of sin. This is my promise to you. In this journey of development, I want your help and cooperation. Development is my dream; development is my path; development is my destination; development is my aim; development is my strength; development is my inspiration; and on that basis, I want to take the nation to new heights and for this I need your help and cooperation and blessings." Slamming critics who "started questioning my work" when he had not even seen his office or Parliament properly, Modi said his government's programmes were mostly for the benefit of the poor and farmers, beside ending the role of middlemen, including in jobs. Speaking at New Delhi on Saturday, Modi had said a "change" had come in the past two years through good governance. He vowed to root out corruption and make life easier for the people who had been "looted" for years. At an event, Ek Nayi Subah, held over nearly six hours to celebrate two years of the government, he recalled the scams and scandals during the previous governments. Checking the menace of corruption was the focus of this government and people can see that, he said. Without naming the Congress, he accused the Opposition party of pursuing the agenda of obstructionism and expressed confidence that people can see through it and find truth. "I am standing before people of the country with satisfaction. We have been able to get the trust and enthusiasm of people despite a very minute examination of our work. The trust of people is growing day by day. This also increases our confidence. I cannot say this about those for whom opposing us is necessary for political reasons. That is also natural. But I want to say one thing. On one hand there is the agenda of development (vikaswaad) and on the other hand is the agenda of obstructionsism (virodhvaad)." On Sunday, he said people have now taken the task of ensuring a Congress-mukt Bharat (Congress-free India). "People of this country have taken the responsibility of making India Congress free, while my government has decided to make India free of middle men. We do not want middle men, it is they who have looted the poor and the country," he told the well-attended public meeting. "Middlemen have been stopped from getting richer. This is the change we have brought in. We have done the work of bringing more than 700 schemes in past two years." France will "go all the way" to ensure that multinationals operating on its soil pay their taxes and more cases could follow after and McDonald's were targeted by tax raids, Finance Minister Michel Sapin said. Sapin, speaking in an interview with Reuters and three European newspapers, ruled out negotiating any deal with on back taxes, as Britain did in January. Dozens of French police raided Google's Paris headquarters on Tuesday, escalating an investigation on suspicions of tax evasion. Investigators searched McDonald's French headquarters on 18 May in another tax probe. "We'll go all the way. There could be other cases," Sapin said. Raids this month by police and justice investigators build on the work started by tax authorities three or four years ago, when they transferred tax data to judicial authorities that look into any possible criminal angle, Sapin said. Google, McDonald's and other multinational firms such as Starbucks are under increasing pressure in Europe from public opinion and governments angry at the way businesses exploit their presence around the world to minimise the tax they pay. says it is fully complying with French law and McDonald's declined to comment on the search, referring back to past comments that it is proud to be one of the biggest tax payers in France. Sapin said he could not discuss what sums were at stake because of the confidentiality of tax matters. A source in his ministry had said in February that French tax authorities were seeking some euro 1.6 billion ($1.78 billion) in back taxes from Google. Asked if tax authorities could strike a deal with the tech giant he said, "We don't do deals like Britain, we apply the law." Google agreed in January to pay euro 130 million ($190 million) in back taxes to Britain, prompting criticism from opposition lawmakers and campaigners that the sum was too low. "There won't be negotiations," Sapin said, adding that there was always the possibility of some marginal adjustments "but that's not the logic we're in." Google, now part of Alphabet Inc, pays little tax in most European countries because it reports almost all sales in Ireland. This is possible thanks to a loophole in tax law but it hinges on staff in Dublin concluding all sales contracts. This week's police raid is part of a separate judicial investigation into aggravated tax fraud and the organised laundering of the proceeds of tax fraud. Should it be found guilty of that, Google faces either up to euro 10 million ($11 million) in fines or a fine of half of the value of the laundered amount involved. A preliminary inquiry into McDonald's was opened early this year after former investigating magistrate and politician Eva Joly filed a lawsuit in December on behalf of an employee committee, a judicial source said. French business magazine L'Expansion reported last month that authorities had sent McDonald's France a euro 300 million bill for unpaid taxes on profits believed to have been funnelled through Luxembourg and Switzerland. It said tax officials had accused the giant US burger chain of using a Luxembourg-based entity, McD Europe Franchising, to shift profits to lower-tax jurisdictions by billing the French division excessively for use of the company brand and other services. The judicial source confirmed the investigation was looking into this. The government said this week that it had raked in euro 3.3 billion in back taxes and penalties from just five multinationals in 2015. "Nothing prevents big groups from coming to us and declaring their taxes," Sapin said. Analysis of data from raid may take months Analysis of data seized by investigators in last week's raid of Google's Paris headquarters could possibly take years, French financial prosecutor Eliane Houlette said on Sunday. Dozens of French police raided Google's offices on Tuesday, escalating an investigation over suspected tax evasion. Google said it is complying fully with French law and is under pressure from European governments. Developers employed in firms enjoy twice the salary and monetary benefits in comparison to their counterparts in the IT services and software companies across the nation, according to the India Mobile Talent 2016 Report released by Belong, a data-driven talent acquisition platform. While companies pay more, IT services and computer software companies together contribute to 67 per cent of the workforce. Samsung, Amazon and Accenture feature among top employers of mobile talent in India. The focuses on key aspects, including total talent pool size, talent spread by platforms, sectors attracting the most talent, and cities that have emerged as leading hubs. In India, iOS mobile talent is making inroads into a market dominated by Android mobile developers (70 per cent). The study also found that Bengaluru continues to be India's most popular destination, hosting 25 per cent the talent pool, followed by Delhi NCR (17 per cent) and Hyderabad (10 per cent), positioning South India as a leading hub for mobile talent. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has held on to its position as a brand that customers are most loyal to, but it is fast losing the huge lead it once had over private sector brands in the business. is followed by Kotak Life at number two and Bharti AXA Life/SBI Life Insurance (joint third spot) according to Insurance India 2016, a study by IMRB International, which has also found that about seven in ten customers (69 per cent) are 'loyal' to their insurance provider, up from 60 per cent last year. In a customer satisfaction survey conducted as part of the study, customers also said that they were more satisfied with their insurers as compared to 2015. Satisfaction was a direct outcome of better products, greater adequacy of riders and a general consensus that returns and affordability on the products were more in line with the expectations. Together, improvement in service and the nature of the product have contributed to higher levels of brand satisfaction and loyalty. Satisfied customers are more loyal, the numbers indicate. Among insurers, HDFC Life gained the most in loyalty over 2015, followed by Kotak Life Insurance. Praveen Nijhara, VP, IMRB-Stakeholder unit said, "It is evident that private players have made inroads into building customer loyalty by delivering positive and consistent experiences." Nijhara likens this to the telecom industry, where it took more than a couple of years for private sector players like Airtel, Vodafone, Tata and Reliance to find their groove. Insurers have been able to keep customers happy by providing better service via their distribution channels, through commitment fulfilment and bringing in greater transparency in their dealings. But 18 per cent customers surveyed said they were unlikely to continue with or choose the same insurance provider next time. The head of brand and at a mid-size private life insurance company said that with private life insurers becoming more active on social media, brand recall has increased which has led to higher loyalty. In fact, the biggest reason for choosing an insurance provider, customers said, was the reputation they enjoyed in the market, more than the policy features, pricing and family and friends recommendations. Reputation is the most important criteria for buying into an insurance company in metros but it gains even greater importance in the non-metros. Policy features are the second most important reason and pricing and affordability, third. Interestingly, affordability moves up to the top spot among older customers. Customers are researching the policies they choose more closely, 42 per cent sought information from friends and family while 20 per cent engaged online and 15 per cent said that they had visited an insurance branch. Insurance companies are increasingly dealing with customers who are more aware. A large percentage goes online with their queries, though a majority still chooses to buy the final product offline. Direct insurance or selling via the online platform is slowly becoming the most important area of investment for insurers. However, the agent or bank's relationship manager still plays an important role. The survey showed that 46 per cent of those who purchased via an online channel did meet with the agent or bank relationship manager before going ahead. There is an overall hesitation about sealing insurance deals online as customers said they were not sure about the security of their transactions. It is likely that many insurers will fix the gaps in service and address these fears in the coming year and Nijhara believes that with greater involvement of foreign players in the sector and increased investment in customer service, the role of private insurers is set to go up. It may not be surprising to see lose the lead and share the podium with other players in the next 2-3 years. "However, insurers must also be cautious given that customer expectations are constantly evolving," he added. And to stay in the race, insurers have to keep changing with them. A bonus announcement of 1:1 by Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) last week has raised hope that peer Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) will soon issue a bonus. HPCL had issued a 1:2 bonus way back in September 1999. As HPCL's 2015-16 earnings per share was Rs 145, more than BPCL's Rs 110, market players say it could be a good opportunity for the company to reward its shareholders. Joydeep Ghosh A sudden spike in the Larsen & Toubro (L&T) call option seems to have led to a windfall for investors. On Wednesday, L&T call options at a strike price of Rs 1,400 closed at Rs 0.40. After the engineering major announced its results, the price of the option shot up to Rs 72. A trader who had purchased these options worth Rs 10,000 on Wednesday would have made Rs 18 lakh in only one day. Joydeep Ghosh The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), which has been pushing mutual fund houses to merge similar schemes, has met with limited success due to the tax that had to be paid for these. But, with the Union Budget waiving off the tax on merging of schemes, things have become much simpler. In a meeting with the media, Sebi Chairman U K Sinha said he expects many more schemes to merge in the coming months. For investors, it means they need to be nimble and ready to move in or out, depending on their scheme's performance and objectives. Rajesh Bhayani The Patna Police on Sunday arrested three persons with weapons in connection with the attack on the distribution manager of a news publication 'The Telegraph' that took place late on Friday night. The assailants allegedly thrashed 42-year old Rakesh Kumar, after keeping him under illegal detention for three-and-a-half hours. "The incident took place at 1 p.m. last night. A four wheeler was coming from wrong side, it was misbalanced. Our cars collided and the driver of our car ran away. There were four people in the car and they attacked us and took us along with them towards Danapur," Kumar told ANI. Rakesh said he was beaten up and abused by the assailants, who demanded money from him. "They asked for my ATM card and I gave it to them. When we came on the main road, they started torturing me inhumanly. The driver went to the ATM and asked me the pin code and threatened to kill me, if I give wrong information. I said the truth. The driver said I have Rs. 25,000 balance in my account but it would only be taken out from UBI ATM," he added. Rakesh further stated that the assailants started searching for the ATM, while torturing me. "My colleagues also reached there. They tried to escape and both the persons left the car and ran from the place. I went to the police station and narrated the whole incident. It was surprising that no police check post was found anywhere near the Dak Bunglow road," he added. Furious at the recent incident where a 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Bahraich, the Congress on Sunday pulled up the Samajwadi Party Government in Uttar Pradesh for yet again failing to uphold the dignity of women and called for stringent police action into the matter. All India Mahila Congress president Shobha Oza dubbed the incident as 'ugly and painful' and said it is extremely shameful that assault on women has become a very common thing in India. "This is very sad that our daughters are being raped, killed and thrown in bushes. It seems that it is a very common thing which is very shameful. This is happening because of the incompetency of the government and administration. The culprits should be sent behind the bars and given strictest of strict punishment," she told ANI in Odisha's Bhubaneswar city. Echoing similar sentiments, Congress leader Rita Bahuguna Joshi said that women of any age are not safe in Uttar Pradesh. "Gang-rapes are reported the most from Uttar Pradesh. Be it 3, 13 or 30, the woman of any age is not safe here (in Uttar Pradesh). The state government should take swift action on this," Joshi said in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow city. "The more Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is taking about women safety, crimes against women are increasing. It is very unfortunate," she added. The untoward incident took place on Friday night when the girl, who was sleeping on the roof, had gone out to relieve herself in the fields at a village under Nanpara police circle of Bahraich. The girl's blood-soaked body was later found hanging from a tree. The victim's father has lodged a police complaint against three youth. Johnny Depp's first wife Lori Anne Allison has come to the rescue of Hollywood star from Amber Heard's allegations of actor beating her estranged wife. The Oscar winning star's first wife, Lori Anne Allison said he never got physically abusive with her during the relationship and "never even screamed", adding that the 52-year-old actor is a "soft person", reports TMZ. "He would never lay a hand on a woman", says Johnny Depp's first wife. Mickey Rourke, who was Depp's co-star in 'Once Upon a time in Mexico', has also come out in support of the actor and called him a "low-key gentleman." The 63-year-old actor while denying any violent streaks in Depp also said, "He doesn't seem to be a very violent guy to me." While allegations about the star having assaulted estranged wife Amber Heard are making the rounds, Depp seems to be in his usual mettle during his performance at 'Rock in Rio'. The U.S. embassy in Afghanistan's capital city Kabul has issued a security alert warning for its citizens regarding militants planning attacks in the city. "The U.S. embassy in Kabul continues to receive reports of militants planning unspecified attacks in Kabul City and elsewhere in Afghanistan against locations and individuals with potential American connections," Khaama Press quoted the alert statement by the embassy as saying. The statement also said the militants are looking to attack Afghan and U.S. government facilities, foreign embassies, foreign guest houses, restaurants, hotels, airports, civilian institutes, and educational centers. The latest security alert by the U.S. embassy comes as the anti-government armed militant groups have been planning to expand their attacks in the region, specifically following the death of Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansoor in U.S. drone strike last Saturday. The Afghan Government has also stepped up its preparations to counter the militants. At least nine Taliban militants, including its two top leaders, were killed during separate clashes with the Afghan security forces in southern Uruzgan province. The 205th Atal Corps of the Afghan National Army in a statement said the group's shadow governor Mawlavi Jan Agha and military commission chief Asadullah were among those killed, reports the Khaama Press. The statement also said that at least five militants were also wounded during the operations and five Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were seized and defused. So far, the Taliban militants group has not commented regarding the report. The statement added that operations were conducted in Chora and Khas Uruzgan districts. The Afghan security forces have stepped up their operations to counter militant groups and suppress their insurgency activities. Asserting that top leadership of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) enjoys safe haven in Afghanistan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said no international power, including the United States, is willing to take action against the group. "They [international powers] are unwilling to conduct operations in the Afghan areas from where TTP leaders, including its head honcho Mullah Fazlullah, are hatching conspiracies with the help of India to destabilise Pakistan," the Express Tribune quoted him as saying. According to reports, Islamabad has repeatedly complained to the Afghan Government and Nato forces that the TTP militants are using the Afghan soil as springboard for launching terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The Defence Minister said the U.S. drone attack on May 21 that killed Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in Balochistan was not a failure of Pakistan's foreign policy and instead affected the efforts under way for establishing peace in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan will continue its efforts to establish a durable peace in Afghanistan because it desires good relations with its neighbours. He urged that both Kabul and Washington should show their 'direly needed sincerity' for this purpose. Ascertaining that the country's defence was in safe hands and no one could dare to cast an evil eye on it, he said that Pakistan was keeping all options open on the American indecision over F-16 fighter jets. Asif alleged that international powers, including the U.S. were providing ammunition to India for use against Pakistan. Pakistan has indicated Kabul that it could abandon work on development projects in Afghanistan in wake of the harassment of its workers in the nation. A Pakistani official in Kabul said that the authorities in the Logar province detained earlier this week an engineer, working on a Pakistan-funded hospital, for nearly five hours. As many as forty-five Pakistani workers, including engineers, are involved in construction of the 14 million dollars Naeb Aminullah Khan Logari Hospital in Logar province. The Pakistani official said the police claimed that an electrical machine could be used by the workers for spreading the menace of terrorism. "Pakistani contractors explained to the police officer that the machine is used only for electrical purposes but the police officer was adamant on his view and took the site engineer to the police station," the Express Tribune quoted a Pakistani official said. Stating that the Afghan Government is lax on ensuring security for the Pakistani workers, he pointed out that several of them have been killed and kidnapped in the past. Meanwhile, Afghan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal said that the situation should not be generalized based on one incident. "We should not generalise [based on] one isolated incident of a worker detained and then released within a few hours to all Pakistani workers in Afghanistan," he said. Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif held meetings with Army Chief General Raheel Sharif to discuss the national security situation and the recent US drone attack in the region. Expressing deep concern over the U.S. drone attacks on Pakistani territory, especially the recent May 21 attack in Balochistan which killed Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Mansour, the duo during the meeting termed them a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty, reports the Express Tribune. The Army Chief briefed the two leaders about his recent meeting with US Ambassador David Hale. The meeting was held at general headquarters (GHQ) yesterday. The Interior Minister said that a meeting of the Cabinet's Defence Committee will be convened to discuss important matters after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recovers from his ailment and returns home from London. Sharif is currently in London on a personal trip and will undergo an open heart surgery on Tuesday. Acknowledging Pakistan's application to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the United States has said the request will be decided by consensus. Islamabad had last week submitted a formal application in Vienna for joining the NSG. "The decision to seek participation in the export control regime reflects Pakistan's strong support for international efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery," Dawn quoted the statement issued in Islamabad as saying. When asked to comment on Pakistan's request, U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark C. Toner said, "They have made public their interest and certainly any country can submit its application for membership. And we'll consider [it] based on a consensus decision." The 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group founded in response to Indian nuclear test in May 1974 seeks to reduce nuke proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of nuclear materials. Though India's nuclear tests caused the concerned nations to form this body, the country now wants to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The Nuclear Suppliers Group members will be meeting in South Korea next month and India's request for an entry could most likely be discussed amongst other issues. Toner, however, in his Friday news briefing said this meeting had not been called to discuss India's membership, although this was one of the issues that might come up. The Nuclear Suppliers Group member, China, has blocked India's entry. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on May 13 that several other NSG members were supporting Beijing's move to block India. Indian President Pranab Mukherjee during his visit to China earlier this week told the Chinese leaders that India should be allowed entry into the NSG on the basis of its own credentials. Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali asserted that the country failed to achieve the dreams of its founders, largely because of insincere and dishonest politicians. "Our [successive] generations have failed miserably in materialising the dreams of our ancestors," the Express Tribune quoted him as saying while addressing the legal fraternity of Larkana on Saturday. "Muslims and Pakistanis are taken as the most incapable people and the forces behind this perception are known to everyone," he said. The top judge asserted that countries created after 1947 had even surpassed Pakistan in development. "We, as a nation, have failed to create unity and solidarity among our ranks. [But] other nations have been quite fortunate to have sincere and honest leaders, which we lack," he said. He also urged the government to initiate development projects to generate employment. Though he appreciated the media for highlighting public issues, the chief justice said there were still some black sheep within the media organisations who manipulated things. Two Indian nationals, including a woman, were killed when a pile of brick collapsed at the Sagar Brick Factory at Golbazaar Municipality in Nepal's Siraha district this morning. Rajendra Upadhyaya, Inspector of Golbazaar Area Police Office, said the deceased have been identified as Alina Khatun (35) and Ashraf Ali of India's West Bengal state, reports the Himalayan Times. Upadhyaya informed that critically injured Khatun and Ali breathed their last on the way to a hospital in Lahan. He also said that another injured identified as Rahilya Khatun (35) was seriously injured in the incident and is receiving treatment at the Bhumija Hospital in Golbazaar. The police is investigating the matter. Republican nominee Donald Trump questioned that why President Barack Obama did not mention the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during his trip this week to Japan. "Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while he's in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost. #MDW," tweeted Trump. According to CNN, Obama did not publicly mention the surprise 1941 attack that pulled the U.S. into War II while on his historic trip to Japan, during which he became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshima. "Why do we come to this place, to Hiroshima? We come to ponder the terrible forces unleashed in the not-so-distant past. We come to mourn the dead ... their souls speak to us and ask us to look inward. To take stock of who we are and what we might become," Obama said during his visit to the city's Peace Memorial Park. Trump supporter Sarah Palin also criticized the trip, calling it part of the President's "apology lap." Palin, speaking at a Trump rally in San Diego Friday night, said Obama's trip to Hiroshima was "dissing our vets." Earlier in the week, in a joint press conference with Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he had no plans to visit Pearl Harbor. A team of archaeologists have scanned the highest prehistoric paintings of animals in Europe discovered in a rock shelter in the French Alps 2,133 metres above sea level. The team from the University of York used car batteries to power laser and white-light scanners in a logistically complex operation to reveal the rock paintings of Abri Faravel that were discovered in 2010. The rock shelter has seen phases of human activity from the Mesolithic to the medieval period, with its prehistoric rock paintings known to be the highest painted representations of animals (quadrupeds) in Europe. Researchers recently published the scans in online journal Internet Archaeology. "After years of research in this valley, the day we discovered these paintings was undeniably the highlight of the research programme," said project lead Kevin Walsh from University of York. "As this site is so unusual, we made the decision to carry out a laser-scan of the rock shelter and the surrounding landscape, plus a white-light scan of the actual paintings," he added. The scanning was logistically complex as the only source of electricity was car batteries, which, along with all of the scanning equipment, had to be carried up to the site. "This is the only example of virtual models, including a scan of the art, done at high altitude in the Alps and probably the highest virtual model of an archaeological landscape in Europe," Walsh said. The project was part of a study that investigates the development of human activity over the last 8,000 years at high altitude in the southern Alps. Artefacts found in Abri Faravel also include Mesolithic and Neolithic flint tools, Iron Age hand-thrown pottery, a Roman fibula and some medieval metalwork. However, the paintings are the most unique feature of the site, revealing a story of human occupation and activity in one of the world's most challenging environments from the Mesolithic to post-Medieval period. --IANS vr/pgh/dg Harkirat Singh, grandson of Punjab's late chief minister Beant Singh, died of a gun-shot wound here on Sunday afternoon, police officials said, adding investigations were on to ascertain if it was suicide. Harkirat, who was found injured in his house here, was rushed to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here where doctors pronounced him dead, said Neeraj Sarna, the officer in charge of Sector 3 police station. Police officials said that it was a suspected case of suicide. "We are investigating the reason behind the incident. We are not ruling out anything," Sarna said. Harkirat, 40, was staying in the official bungalow, which has high security around it, allotted to Beant Singh's family in Sector 5 here. The family continues to enjoy high-level security provided by Punjab Police and paramilitary forces. Younger son of former Punjab minister and Congress leader Tej Prakash Singh (Beant Singh's son), Harkirat was facing health issues following an accident last year. He was the sarpanch (headman) of his family's native village, Kotli, in Ludhiana district. Harkirat's elder brother Gurkirat Singh Kotli is a sitting Congress legislator and his cousin Ravneet Singh Bittu is a Congress MP from the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat. Beant Singh, who was credited with restoring normalcy in Punjab in early 1990s after many years of terrorism, was assassinated on August 31, 1995, by a suicide bomber at the Punjab Secretariat Complex here. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday expressed profound grief and sorrow on the untimely demise of Harkirat Singh. His death was condoled by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh. --IANS js/vd Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is doubtful if the central government will give Andhra Pradesh a special category status to end the sufferings of the people brought on by the bifurcation of the state. But, he is also avoiding any confrontation or a legal battle with the centre over the issue. "I do not want any confrontation. Moreover, litigation cannot solve these problems," Naidu, who is also the head of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), told a group of visiting journalists from New Delhi on the sidelines of a three-day TDP annual convention "Mahanadu" that concluded on Saturdary here. At the annual TDP convention, a section of party members mounted pressure on the chief minister to harden his stance against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government and press for the special status -- a promise made in parliament by the then Congress government when Telangana was bifurcated and the state was divided into two in 2014. The idea was to compensate Andhra Pradesh for the losses it suffered due to the division because all industrial and commercial development was concentrated around the capital Hyderabad that geographically belonged to the Telangana region. The status, which involves a huge financial package, is normally given to economically backward states in India. Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress promised the status for five years if it returned to power. The BJP went a step ahead and promised to extend it for 10 years. But nothing has happened two years after the BJP came to power at the head of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of which Naidu's TDP is a constituent. "We are not asking any undue favour from the Centre. The Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act was brought by the Congress (government), but it is also true that all parties supported it. So, it is the responsibility of the Centre and also all political parties to resolve our problems," Naidu said. Referring to his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 17 in Delhi, the chief minister said the central government assured him that a high-level meeting would be convened to resolve all pending issues, especially the special category status. However, he said, he was not sure how soon would the assurances be fulfilled. "They will do it or they will not do... I do not know," Naidu said, adding that "the bifurcation of the state has brought in much suffering" to the Andhra people. "It is time for the government of India to be magnanimous to solve the problem. This is my appeal not only to the central government but also to the people of this nation." He said the bifurcation was brought by the then Congress-led central government in an unplanned manner that resulted in chaos and violence. "Even the parliamentary debate on passage of the (bifurcation) bill was not telecast by the Lok Sabha TV." Naidu said the very process of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was "mishandled" by the Congress. "I always told them, if you have any problem with me, do not punish the people of Andhra Pradesh." With 16 members in the Lok Sabha, the TDP is a key constituent of the NDA government, but Naidu skirted a direct reply on whether there is any need for proper coordination between the constituents of the ruling combine. He said he has decided to focus mainly on the state politics and the welfare of his people. (Nirendra Dev can be contacted at nirendra.n@ians.in) --IANS nd/lok/sar/vt Rajeev Chilaka of Green Gold Animation TV Pvt. Ltd., the company behind the widely popular Indian animated series "Chhota Bheem", has been presented with an honorary doctorate from his alma matter, Academy of Art University, California. Commenting on the honour, Chilaka said that he's pleasantly surprised. Launched in 2008, Bheem is the most popular character to come out of the Green Gold stable. Bheem was created because "there weren't many Indian cartoons that catered to the Indian audience below the age of 14 years, so we decided to come up with an ideal character that could teach good values to children," Chilaka told IANS. The lovable character Bheem, watched by 40 million children weekly, appeals to young and old alike, with some of the highest consistent television ratings across India. Chilaka credits his success to his time at Academy of Art University. He was inspired by Walt Disney's success, even visiting the places in Kansas City where Disney used to live and work. With expertise gained at the Academy, Chilaka returned to India in 2000 to realize his dream. Today his studio employs over 400 animators and has created a successful franchise of 25 Green Gold retail stores across India. --IANS hp/nn/vt Attacking the Congress for spreading what it said was false propaganda against the government, the said on Sunday that the opposition party was unable to digest the fact that the country was progressing under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Congress stands exposed today. It has given this country nothing but problems and we are trying to find solutions to those problems. But we are confident that the public will not be swayed by this false propaganda of the Congress," secretary Srikant Sharma said in a statement here. He said the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set an example for others. "The previous UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government failed on all fronts. However, not a single case of corruption has come out (against Modi government) in the last two years. Even the opposition could not get anything against us. We have set an example for others," he said. Reacting to senior Congress leader P Chidambaram's statement on the status of job creation in the country, Sharma said he is a "failed" leader. "He (Chidambaram) is a failed leader of the earlier UPA government. It is because of his frustration that he is putting such questions on this government," Sharma said. The leader said: "Skill India, Start-up India and Stand-up India are some of the schemes launched by this government that have provided lots of employment opportunities to the youth." Sharma said the Modi government had tried to change the country's direction in the last two years. "This government ensured economic development with public welfare. It has been successful in its attempt of all-round development of the country," he said. The NDA ( Democratic Alliance) government celebrated its second anniversary with a gala affair at the India Gate lawns here on Saturday. Actor Johnny Depp is reportedly planning to do a tell-all TV interview in a bid to prove to fans that he has not beaten his estranged wife Amber Heard. Depp, who has been accused of domestic abuse by Heard after she filed for a divorce last week, has denied the claims, insisting she is just after his money, reports dailystar.co.uk. He now wants to "set the record straight" and prove he's "not a monster" by giving a full interview as soon as he will finish his tour with rock band Hollywood Vampires. "He is shell-shocked over the events of the last week and is determined to tell his side of the story. His whole life has been turned upside down," said a source close to the actor. Though it is not known who will land the TV interview, in the past Depp has sat down with the likes of Oprah Winfrey. --IANS sas/nn/vt At least eight tourists were killed in flash floods in south China's Guangdong province, the government said on Sunday. The tourists were rafting in a river in Jiangmen city when they were drowned in the sudden flood on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported. At least six people were saved and five were confirmed dead on Saturday. Rescuers pulled three more bodies from the river early Sunday. The city government has launched an investigation into why the tourists were allowed to go rafting despite the weather warning. --IANS py/vt There is a misconception that the Indian atomic energy programme has been slow in developing breeder reactors that will be fuelled by the country's vast thorium deposits, a foremost nuclear expert says. "India has not been slow in developing next generation nuclear reactors that would use thorium as a fuel. Such notions are misconceived. No one in the world is ahead of us in this direction," former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) chairman and ex-secretary Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) M.R. Srinivasan told IANS in a telephonic interview from Ooty. Describing the claims in this regard as "publicity seeking", Srinivasan spoke of the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) as the latest Indian design for a next-generation nuclear reactor. In its final stages of development, the AHWR is being tested at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai as part of the third stage of India's nuclear energy programme, which envisages the use of thorium fuel cycles for generating commercial power. "Using thorium is a time-consuming process. By itself it is not a fuel, it is a potential fuel placed in the reactor and some other fissile material is needed to convert it into Uranium 233," he pointed out. The AHWR will be fuelled by a mix of uranium-233 converted from thorium, and plutonium. Uranium-233 is the reactor fuel for this third stage of the Indian nuclear power programme. "The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor design has been made and it will start work next year," Srinivasan said. The AHWRs are expected to shorten the period of achieving large-scale utilization of thorium. A second version of the AHWR, being tested, will use low enriched uranium along with thorium. India's thorium deposits, estimated at 360,000 tonnes, far outweigh its natural uranium deposits at 70,000 tonnes. The country's thorium reserves make up 25 percent of the global reserves. "India currently has a large data base and experimental information on thorium radiation. However, large scale commercial generation of electricity will only be possible around 2030 and we are in no way behind the others," Srinivasan said. The key to the AWHR's development is India's second stage of nuclear power generation that envisages the use of Plutonium-239 , obtained from the first stage reactor operation, as the fuel core in fast breeder reactors (FBR). Pu-239 is the primary fissile element used in the FBR. The former AEC chairman explained that a blanket of U-238 surrounding the FBR fuel core will undergo nuclear transmutation to produce fresh Pu-239 as more and more Pu-239 is consumed during the operation. A 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor is in an advanced stage of completion at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu and will be operational next year, he said. "Thorium utilisation in the third stage will reduce India's dependence on fossil fuels and will be a major contribution to global efforts to combat climate change," Srinivasan said. Besides, U-233 fuelled AHWRs will have a thorium blanket around the reactor core which will generate more U-233 as the reactor goes operational, resulting in the production of more and more uranium fuel that would help sustain long-term fuel requirements for power generation, he added. According to Srinivasan, the currently known Indian thorium reserves can result in the generation of 358,000 gigawatt-year (GWe-yr) of electrical energy and can easily meet the energy requirements during the next century and beyond. He said the AHWRs are also the most secure and safe reactors and could be set up close to densely-populated regions. In this connection, Russia has offered India a new range of reactor units - the VVER-Toi (typical optimised, enhanced information) design - for the third and fourth units of the Kudankulam project in Tamil Nadu being built by its atomic power corporation Rosatom, whose Atomexpo conference gets under way in Moscow from Monday. An inter-governmental agreement between India and Russia was signed in December 2008 for setting up Kudankulam's units 3 to 6. The ground-breaking ceremony for construction of units 3 and 4 was performed earlier this year. "All the Russian built units at Kudankulam, including the first and second, are 'Generation 3 plus' reactors. They meet all current safety requirements," Srinivasan said. "Their design has benefited from the review conducted of nuclear accidents like Three-Mile Island (US) and Fukushima (Japan)," he added. (Biswajit Choudhury can be reached at biswajit.c@ians.in) --IANS bc/vm/tb Filmmaker Kiran Rao hosted a special screening of National Award-winning Kannada film "Thithi" helmed by Raam Reddy. Celebrities Rajkummar Rao, Hansal Mehta, Sayani Gupta, Adil Hussain, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Ram Sampath and Sona Mohapatra attended the screening held on Saturday here. After a successful run in Karnataka, Reddy's internationally acclaimed directorial debut will hit theatres across India on June 3 with English subtitles. Calling the film "extraordinary", Kiran said in a statement: "It's so charming and so funny that I was completely absorbed and drawn into this world. I really hope that other people will give this a chance and go and see it because I genuinely believe that it's a film that everyone should go out and watch." Rajkummar lauded the film and said that a person is living the life of the characters from the movie. "I think it's the best debut Raam could ever have," Rajkummar added. "It's absolutely delightful. I think it's seldom you get to see slice of life film of rural India given the language and the textures that are so real, amazingly witty and funny. I'm curious to see how it will work in urban areas," added actress Nandita Das. The film's director is thankful to Rao and everyone from the industry who have supported "Thithi". "I am so humbled by their acceptance; their appreciation is deeply encouraging to me and my entire team, and will push us to continue our attempts at creating honest and engaging art," Reddy added. "Thithi" bagged two top awards -- Pardo d'oro Cineasti Del Presente Premio Nescens (Golden Leopard, Filmmakers of the Present Competition) and Swatch First Feature Award for the best debut feature -- at the Locarno International Film Festival where it had its international premiere in 2015. The film made its Asia premiere at Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI), 2015, and won the Jury Grand Prize in the international competition. The film recently won the 2016 National Award for Best Feature film in Kannada and also won three awards at the Karnataka State Film Awards 2016 -- Best Film, Best Dialogues and Best Supporting Actress. --IANS dc/nn/vt Researchers have identified a receptor in the brain that shows male and female bodies differ greatly in responses to stress. The findings showed that when we're stressed, the cells in our hypothalamus -- the brain region -- steps up the production of a receptor called CRFR, known to quickly help activate the stress-response nervous system. For instance, CRFR can cause the heart to beat faster, preparing the mouse or man to fight or flee. Hypothalamus helps the body adjust to stressful situations, controlling hunger and satiety as well as regulates blood glucose and energy production. The CRFR receptor was found in about half the cells involved in arousing appetite and suppressing energy consumption. The researchers led by Yael Kuperman from Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel then removed the CRFR receptor from the cells that arouse appetite in the hypothalamus. The results, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, revealed that when exposed to stressful conditions like cold or hunger, only females mice showed the effect. When the CRFR receptor was removed in cold situations, the body temperature of female mice dropped dramatically. Similarly, hungry female mice, in which the CRFR receptor was suppressed, also showed a reduction in liver glucose. No effect was seen in male mice. The fact that the receptor suppresses hunger in stressed females, but not males, may help explain why women are statistically much more prone to eating disorders than men. The study could aid in the development of treatments for regulating hunger or stress responses, including anxiety and depression, the researchers concluded. --IANS rt/pgh/vt Apprehending trouble, authorities on Sunday imposed restrictions at Sahara India chief Subrata Roy's meeting venue in Cuttack and people were asked to vacate the place, officials said. Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed by police before Roy's visit. He was scheduled to address the employees of Sahara India and investors at the Indoor Stadium in Cuttack. "We received intelligence inputs that some elements that are affected by chit fund scam may stage a protest and create trouble at the venue leading to law and order problem. Police imposed prohibitory orders in view of the local conditions," said Police Commissioner Y.B. Khurania. He said Subrata Roy has been issued notice asking him not to enter Cuttack. Meanwhile, security has been tightened at a private hotel in Bhubaneswar to avoid any untoward incident. Notably, after getting parole from the Supreme Court, Roy has launched an 'Abhaar Yatra' from Hyderabad on Saturday. The purpose of his tour is to meet and thank the Sahara Group employees and the investors who stood by him during "the difficult times", said sources. Roy was sent to Tihar Jail in March 2014 for failing to refund money collected from depositors in schemes deemed illegal by market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). --IANS cd/pgh/dg With barely months to go for assembly polls in Punjab, launch of a new political party -- Swaraj Party -- was announced on Sunday in Chandigarh, led by former Panjab University professor Manjit Singh. The new entity claimed association with the Swaraj Abhiyan -- a socio-political group which is headed by expelled Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav. "A large number of delegates of Swaraj Lehar from all over Punjab have launched the Swaraj Party. A state working committee of 41 members has been constituted to expand the party base at the block and village levels," said Manjit Singh, who was unanimously elected the Swaraj Party president, in Chandigarh. Swaraj Lehar was the Punjab unit of Swaraj Abhiyan. The party leadership said its organisational structure was already in place in 11 of the 22 districts in Punjab. However, none of the national leaders of Swaraj Abhiyan, including Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, were present at the convention where the resolution for creating the new party was passed. Within hours of the announcement about the Swaraj Party by some of its leaders, the Swaraj Abhiyan dissociated itself from the entity. "We wish to clarify that this initiative has not been sponsored by Swaraj Abhiyan. Though many colleagues associated with this initiative are from Swaraj Abhiyan, Punjab, the decision to form a political party has not been taken in accordance with the due process laid down by the Abhiyan," the Swaraj Abhiyan media cell said in a statement. "We wish the Swaraj party well and and will like to have a fraternal relationship with it." On the other hand, two suspended Aam Aadmi Party parliamentarians Dr Dharamvira Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa expressed solidarity with the new political entity. "I welcome the formation of this outfit. Any party that works to propagate the idea of alternative and Swaraj must be supported," Gandhi, Lok Sabha member from Patiala, told IANS. Khalsa, MP from Fatehgarh Sahib, too lauded the formation of the new party. "Basically, it's an entity formed by the people thrown out by (Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor) Arvind Kejriwal when they questioned him. We Wish them luck for the future," Khalsa told IANS. "Another group of volunteers compelled to leave the AAP because of the functioning of the AAP's state unit is likely to form a party within some time." Elections to the 117-member assembly in Punjab are scheduled to be held early next year. --IANS js-vin/tsb/dg Sahara India chief Subrata Roy on Sunday said it was unfortunate that he could not meet Sahara Pariwar members after authorities imposed restrictions at his meeting venue in Cuttack and the place was evacuated. Apprehending trouble, Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed by police before Roy's visit. He was scheduled to address the employees of Sahara India and investors at the Indoor Stadium in Cuttack. "It is very unfortunate that I could not meet around 3,000 members in Cuttack. We had permission but at the last moment, Section 144 has been imposed," said Roy in a statement. He said they learnt from the police that some forum threatened to stage agitation and disrupt the meeting in Cuttack. "Police administration very rightly took the decision otherwise our 3,000 members would have lost their temper and that could have been a big law and order problem. As responsible citizens, we should co-operate with police administration for maintaining peace," said Roy. "I shall definitely request the forum people to remember the truth, that good can never be compared with bad. It is pertinent to note that Sahara's financial services neither was nor is in any chit fund business," the Sahara India chief added. He also praised Bhubaneswar police for providing all necessary support. Police on Sunday asked the people to vacate the place at Indoor Stadium in Cuttack after imposing prohibitory orders. Notably, after getting parole from the Supreme Court to attend the last rites of his departed mother, the Sahara Group chief has launched an 'Abhaar Yatra' from Hyderabad on Saturday. The purpose of his tour is to meet and thank the Sahara Group employees and the investors who stood by him during "the difficult times", said sources. Roy was in prison since March, 2014 for not refunding the investors money. He was granted parole on May 6 to attend the funeral of his mother. Roy was sent to Tihar Jail for failing to refund money collected from depositors in schemes deemed illegal by market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). --IANS cd/pgh/dg Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the most presidential of them all? That's the question American voters are asking as they size up the three survivors in the White House race. Supporters of "Dodging Donald" Trump, as critics call the Republican now sitting pretty with magical 1,237 delegates to lock the party nomination, have eyes only for the Manhattan mogul. Diehard backers of mathematically-challenged "Crazy Bernie" Sanders, as the billionaire has dubbed him, have ears only for the self-styled Democratic socialist. And "Clearance Merchandise," as a columnist described the Democratic frontrunner or "Crooked Hillary" Clinton, as Trump has branded her, too has her own legion of defenders of the faith. Poor Hillary, she thought her coronation as the Democratic nominee was a done deal despite an annoying Bernie snapping at her heels to the chagrin of the party establishment. Then, a State Department independent watchdog's scathing report on Clinton's use of a private server at home for official work as secretary of state sent her "drowning in emails" as the New York Times put it. A gloating Trump "Celebrating 1,237!" was quick to rub it in. The report was "not good" for "Crooked Hillary." It was "devastating", said the master of a "fifth grade" speech. Bernie supporters too saw in a parallel FBI probe into Clinton emails an "answer to their prayers" as the Times put it, as the former first lady's lead in the prized June 7 California primary quickly evaporated. And when Senator Elizabeth Warren, a key supporter, took up cudgels on her behalf to suggest Trump was "drooling over the housing crisis", he dismissed her as a Clinton "Pocahontas" and again changed the conversation. When the media questioned him about an "offensive" reference to a Native American notable for her association with the colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, in the 17th century, an unapologetic Trump quipped: "Oh, I am sorry! But Warren has a big mouth." Going on late night comic Jimmy Kimmel's show, Trump also promptly accepted a suggestion to debate Sanders before the California primary. "I would love to do that" in a massive arena, said the business mogul provided $10-15 million was raised for a charity with the promise of huge ratings for the host channel. Then Sanders, who's peeved that Hillary Clinton was backing out of a planned Democratic debate, jumped on the offer. "Game on," he tweeted and boasted if Trump did not chicken out, the billionaire would be toast. As the idea of what Democratic media strategist Brad Bannon called a "complete circus," of a novel inter-party debate, gathered steam, Trump did walk back. He first called it a "joke" and then said now that he had become the Republican top dog it would be "inappropriate" for him to debate the straggling Democrat. Meanwhile, as Trump completed the "hostile takeover" of the Republican party with his magic 1,237, a vanquished "Little Marco" Rubio came out of hiding with an offer to release his pledged delegates "to be helpful" to Trump's campaign. Hours later, Trump who once called Rubio a "joke," a "choker," and a "dishonest lightweight" who "couldn't get elected dog catcher in Florida," graciously pushed him to re-run for the Senate. "Important to keep the MAJORITY. Run Marco!" he tweeted. And as the three White House contenders called each other liars and worse and unqualified to be the president, the Washington Times offered a novel insight into the making of a president sans pundits and pollsters. Saying that "size matters", it noted the taller candidate has won the popular vote in more than two-thirds of the elections since 1950. And by that measure, come November 8, Trump, who stands 6 feet 2 inches to Clinton's 5 feet 4 to 7 inches, according to varied calculations, would win hands down -- big or 'small' as "Rubio" once insinuated. Let "rattled" foreign leaders be forewarned! (Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in) --IANS ak/vm More than two decades ago, during the early years of economic reforms of the 1990s, the idea of an was mooted and then buried quite unceremoniously. Bayer's Monsanto bid may yield a poor financial harvest. The German chemical group's rejected $62 billion for the US seed maker already appeared to violate one of its key management principles: sticking to projects whose returns beat their cost of capital. Upping the price from the current $122 a share to win over its intended partner would require heroic sales-growth assumptions to stack up. Monsanto's top line could hit $13.7 billion for its fiscal year ending this August, according to the average estimate of Wall Street analysts. Assuming that can grow its top line by a chunky 10 per cent a year, revenue would hit $20 billion by 2020, allowing for a year or so to secure the necessary deal approvals. That's also the year when touted annual cost savings of $1.5 billion would fully kick in. Apply Monsanto's average margins over the past five years, lump in the expected synergies and tax everything at 25 per cent, and Bayer's investment would throw off about $4.7 billion of operating profit before interest costs. It would amount to a 7.5 per cent return on the $62 billion of debt and equity tied up in the investment - assuming Monsanto can grow sales aggressively. That's not far off the 7.6 per cent cost of capital that estimated for its business last year. The more relevant figure, though, is the cost of capital of the acquired business, which Morningstar estimates at 8.3 per cent. On that benchmark, falls short. Boosting the offer to $135 per share - a price some analysts think could convince Monsanto to sell - would be even harder to justify. Using the same math, it would take over $25 billion of annual sales for Bayer to clear the value hurdle. That would require nearly doubling Monsanto's sales in less than five years. There could, perhaps, be more costs to squeeze out - it's common for acquirers to lowball them. Bayer Chief Executive Werner Baumann may also reckon combining Monsanto's high-tech seeds with Bayer's crop sprays could bring in handsome extra rewards. It'll be tough, though, to reap enough from the investment to keep shareholders happy. TEN PRINCIPLES FOR A CONNECTED WORLD Timothy Garton Ash Yale University Press 491 pages; $30 Among our most treasured public values, free speech is indispensable and perplexing. It involves us at once in high principle and shaming triviality, as two otherwise unconnected headline cases nicely attest. In Germany, a comedian who mocked the Turkish president on air may soon stand trial under an antique law against offending foreign dignitaries. In Florida, a jury in March rejected Gawker Media's free-speech defence and ordered it to pay $140 million in damages for posting a tawdry video on its gossip site showing a retired wrestler in bed with another celebrity's wife. Defending free speech, alas, takes more than standing up for science, sound argument and brave eloquence. It takes standing up as well for the right to say things that are false, hateful, mindless, base, vulgar, stupid or reckless. It is easy to defend what we admire and believe in. To defend free speech, you have to allow for bad speech. Free speech gave us Martin Luther King's "I have a dream." It also gave us Donald Trump. It would be nice to have one without the other. But that is not what free speech promises. Free speech is complicated and comes at a high price. We pay for it in terms of other things we also need to care about: public order and security, children's needs, private reputations, civic courtesy, cultural worth, the socialdignity of vulnerable minorities. As Timothy Garton Ash makes admirably clear in his wise, up-to-the-minute and wide-ranging new survey, most of the difficult arguments about free speech bear on its price in terms of other things that also ought to matter to us. The controversies are fierce and familiar. Ought leakers be punished, and how can whistle-blowers be protected? Should pornography be restricted? Do libel laws gag the press? May religion be shielded from mockery? Ought hate speech be criminalised? Mr Garton Ash pursues each in depth. He follows the common practice of taking "free speech" to mean a cluster of freedoms to express yourself and your thoughts as you please: not just voicing words but printing what you want, proclaiming your faith as you wish, campaigning for your chosen causes and making art without interference. The main arguments now separate laxists from restrictionists. Laxists favour few limits, restrictionists many. The kinds of limits matter. Coercive laws, whether prior censorship or after-the-fact sanctions, provide one kind of limit. Mr Garton Ash is generally against them. High standards of public argument and common decency are another kind of limit. Mr Garton Ash is broadly for them. You could say he is laxist about law and restrictionist about standards. His approach has the great merit of keeping distinct what is legally permissible and what is or ought to be socially acceptable. Mr Garton Ash treasures the jewel but recognises and regrets the mud. His guiding maxim, never wholly lost amid near encyclopedic detail, is "More free speech but also better speech." As a scholar-journalist, Mr Garton Ash knows what he is talking about from a career of reading, writing, listening and, more lately, web-clicking. When reporting on the break-up of the Communist world in the 1980s, he befriended East European dissidents, saw how truthful speech could sap the will of wrongful power and collected a private lexicon of sardonic political jokes that here lighten the going. Now a fellow at St Antony's College, Oxford, he supervises a 13-language online debating platform - freespeechdebate.com - for promoting free speech and arguing with all sides about its proper limits. His travels and interviews for "Free Speech" spanned the world, or what he calls the "cosmopolis," a global space that is virtual as well as geographic. That range alone will squelch the fantasy that free speech is a purely Western concern. Law to Mr Garton Ash is a poor tool for civic education. He questions hate-speech laws and Holocaust-denial laws, fearing a "taboo ratchet." Corporations in their turn are after profit, not civic uplift. He distrusts the idea that Google, Amazon and Facebook, for example, serveequally the values of free speech and good speech. His preferred answer to the more flagrant vices of liberty - hate speech, manipulative journalism, coarsened debate and a vast sewer of abuse on social media - is to encourage "shared norms and practices that enable us to make best use of this essential freedom." In lesser hands, that recommendation might sound overabstract or simply pious. Mr Garton Ash, however, applies and tests it in 10 chapters offering "complex, contextual judgments" that pretty well cover the field of present controversy. He writes with panache and understands the world he works in, especially the virtual world of the Net. Practical answers interest him more than doctrinal purity. His website has adopted a "one-click-away" rule. It screens provocative material - Muhammad cartoons, for example - with a warning that some may take offence, leaving them to see it or not as they choose. Most of us are somewhat stunned at present by the scale and complexity of the forces in play, be they government surveillance; the "Great Firewall of China" that can censor the national web; the mounting strength of the Internet giants; or the frightening violence of militant Islam. Bewilderment is the easy option. Free Speech encourages us to take a breath, look hard at the facts and see how well-tried liberal principles can be applied and defended in daunting new circumstances. The New York Times, 2016 As the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government kicked off its celebrations on completing two years in power last week, senior leaders criticised its achievements. Senior leader Digvijaya Singh visited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi "in search of the developmental works", and claimed he was disappointed. "Nothing has changed at the ground level," he rued. Kapil Sibal said was "pained and concerned" about the attitude of the government and asked it to explain what it had done for the farmers since coming to power. spokesman Raj Babbar said there should be "a limit to celebrations". To the great consternation of the wise men of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and proving cheerleading commentators wrong, applicants to set up payment banks are dropping out one after another. Cholamandalam Finance, run by the level-leaded Murugappa group from the South, was the first to drop out. Then it was the flamboyant Dillip Shanghvi and his brother-in-law Sudhir Valia, who seemed hell-bent on wasting a small part of their considerable wealth on banking - after wind farms (investing in Suzlon) and finance (Fortune Financial) - but they too have sobered up and decided to drop the payment bank idea. Finally, Tech Mahindra, a software company, has gone out of the race. Shekhar Gupta's understanding of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's position on privatisation in the article, "Not quite the anti-Nehru" (May 28), is not quite correct. Gupta errs in referring to Gujarat Gas. The presence of Gujarat in the company's name leads him to believe that it is an old state public sector unit. It is, after a fashion, but a new one and not in the sense he would have the readers understand it and thus conclude that its non-privatisation is further proof of Modi's aversion to it. In fact, the reverse is true. The present Gujarat Gas is the successor to a three-decade-old company of the same name, originally belonging to the Mafatlal Group, which sold its holding to British Gas. It is a listed company. In 2012, British Gas sold its 65 per cent holding to GSPC Distribution Networks, a subsidiary of Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation. Since then, all the natural gas distribution businesses of GSPC have been amalgamated into the new Gujarat Gas. Its present shareholding comprises 83 per cent with the promoter group and the rest with Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited, a state joint sector company. Thus, Gujarat Gas became a public sector undertaking only recently, towards the end of Modi's tenure as chief minister of Gujarat, through a conscious investment decision of another state public sector unit. Modi had contemplated part stake sale in several of the state public/joint sector companies as far back as 2004-05. An expert committee was appointed to suggest the modalities. Its early deliberations drew stiff resistance from managements of the companies under consideration, almost all of whom were headed by officers of the Indian Administrative Service. The result was no further progress. Ever the pragmatist, Modi's present position regarding divestment of government holdings in public sector undertakings must be seen in the context of this early setback to his efforts to do so in Gujarat. Shreekant Sambrani Baroda 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 If the Shiv Sena can have "Shiv" vada-pav (an Indian snack) eateries across Mumbai, can the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), its partner in the ruling alliance at the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), be far behind? The party has decided to launch "Namo" (short for Narendra Modi) tea stalls across the city. Manoj Kotak, group leader in the MCGM, claimed the concept had been discussed at a party meeting. Opposition parties, however, lashed out at the idea. "This move is another joomla (gimmick)," said former member Pravin Chheda, now leader of the Opposition party, the Congress, in the MCGM. In an instance of glaring abuse of the powers under the old Land Acquisition Act, the Supreme Court has castigated the Haryana government for acquiring land from farmers in the name of public purpose and giving it to a builder to advance his business interests. "The present case is a gross abuse of law on account of the unholy nexus of the concerned authorities and the builder, enable the builder to profiteer. The land could either be taken by the state for a compelling public purpose or returned to the land owners and not to the builder," the court stressed in the judgment, Uddar Gagan Properties vs Sant Singh. The government acquired the land for a housing colony and while compensation was being determined, the builder "suddenly surfaced" with a licence to build a colony of his own with power of attorney from some land owners and other documents. Other land owners moved the high court, which quashed the acquisition. The government files "deceptively projected" that the land was released to the builder at the instance of the farmers whereas the intention was to transfer the land to the builder. The effort was to defeat the law. The court emphasised that "ownership of land cannot be allowed to be acquired by the sword of acquisition on the head of the original owners." It added even the plight of investors in plots/ flats in land covered by acquisition or litigation cannot be a ground to ignore illegal actions of depriving a farmer of his land." The land will revert to the government and the persons responsible for the illegalities shall be proceeded against according to law. The court also called for periodic compliance reports. Today, if you want to buy a term plan online, you can do so till the age of 60 years or more-something very difficult to do only a few years back. The coverage will be given till the age of 75 years to 80 years. No wonder, a number of elderly citizens are buying term plans though they are a tad expensive. "With economic growth, incomes have gone up multiple times but expenses have also increased due to discretionary spending. In addition, there is no social security in India. So, many people take up second jobs after retirement, says Sudipto Roy, managing director, Principal Retirement Advisors. And, that income needs protection. Hence, term plans. Another reason why people are buying these products is due to liabilities and dependants. "The typical profile of people seeking such a cover is that they either have kids who are financially dependent on them or have liabilities and unpaid debts," says Yashish Dahiya chief executive officer and co-founder, PolicyBazaar.com, an online insurance aggregator. Even if there aren't regular nine to five jobs, many seek part-time jobs such as consultants after-retirement, says Neeti Sharma, vice-president at Teamlease. "Experts such as banking professionals might work with a financial services start-up or a tax expert as a consultant on an hourly basis. Remuneration can be Rs 2,500-3,000 per hour and people can hope to make as much as 60-65 per cent of their last salary,'' she says. Not long before term insurance cover was only provided till the age of 55. After insurance companies came up with an online term plan for the higher age band, it all changed. Today, there are many more insurers providing coverage to persons up to the age of 75. The online platform's easy reach, convenience and affordability have made the consumer a winner, with the widest of choices, says Amit Roy, chief distribution officer, Aegon Life Insurance. "Customers who buy online term plans are more tech-savvy and look at it as pure risk cover. They may have purchased endowment and other investment plans early on in their lives but now realise the importance of a pure risk cover," says Roy. Earlier, the demand from older customers for term life insurance was restricted largely to metro cities, such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. Now there is good demand from other cities, too. In finance companies, armed also with better actuarial data, are willing to give protection to senior citizens. Aegon currently offers coverage till the age of 75 and plans to increase it to 80 years. "Even after retiring at, say, 60, people have 10-15 active years, which leads to the requirement of income protection'' says Roy. In April, Aegon's Annual Retirement Readiness Survey spoke about the steps being taken around the world to promote the concept of flexible retirement. The survey was conducted in 15 countries, including India. "Life expectancy is increasing around the world. From 1970 to 2012, life expectancy at birth increased 11.1 years for men and 12.1 years for women. As people live longer, their ability to work in older age increases. "People should no longer be limited by the notion of retiring fully at age 60 or 65," the survey said. According to the survey, life expectancy in India is expected to rise to age 73 in 2050, up from 66 today, which will challenge the sustainability of the country's retirement system. WHEN SHOULD YOU BUY A TERM PLAN EVEN IF YOU ARE OVER 50? If you are the sole earning member and have a wife and children who are financially dependent on you If you have liabilities like a home loan, which need to be taken care of in case you die. In the absence of adequate insurance, the onus of repayment could fall on your dependants Note: While there is no limit on the sum assured, most plans will have mandatory medical tests if life insured is above 50 years. For a sum assured of Rs 1 crore for a 60-year-old having a policy term of 15 years, plans come for as low as Rs 2,584 a month or about Rs 30,000 a year The forest department of the Government of Bihar had seized trees which had been illegally cut down for their wood. Later, it published a notice in a newspaper , announcing the auction of second -class sagwan (teakwood) timber of these trees. Vijay Singh, one of the bidders in the auction on June 27, gave a bid of Rs 1.1 lakh which was accepted by the Forest Pramandal Officer of Begusarai. Singh later found it was not teakwood and protested to the authorities. Nothing was done to redress his grievance. He then filed a complaint before the District Consumer Forum. The forest department contested, saying the terms of the bid required the bidders to satisfy themselves about the quality and quantity of the wood before participating in the auction. Vijay had succeeded in the bid and taken the wood without lodging any complaint or protest. It was much later that he alleged it was not teakwood. The consumer forum, which was divided in its opinion and upheld the complaint by a majority judgement given by two members, with the presiding officer giving a dissenting order. The forest department appealed to the Bihar State Commission, which allowed the appeal filed and dismissed the complaint. Singh approached the National Commission. The Commission observed the public notice given in the newspaper showed that auction was for sagwan or teakwood. At the time of handing over the wood, the Assistant Conservator of Forests had certified the wood seized appeared to be teakwood from its outer appearance. To confirm this, he had requested the conservator of forests to get the wood examined. The examination report revealed that even though it was not teakwood, its outer appearance resembled teakwood. The Commission observed the entire confusion was due to the deceptive appearance of the wood, giving a wrong impression to both the government officials who auctioned it and to Singh who bought it. So, though the terms required the bidder to check the quality and quantity of the wood before submitting his bid, it was not possible to visually detect the difference in the wood. The transaction had taken place under a bona fide but mistaken impression that it was teakwood. The Commission observed the forest department had made a mistake in announcing the auction to be for teakwood. There was no reason why Singh should be made to suffer for this lapse. The Commission concluded the department was liable to supply Singh with an equivalent quantity of second-class teakwood, else it should refund the amount received by it, with suitable interest. It also held that Vijay was entitled to compensation as his money was blocked all these years. Accordingly, by its order of May 20, 2016 delivered by Justice V K Jain for the Bench with Anup Thakur, the National Commission directed Singh to return the wood, after which the department must refund Rs 1.1 lakh along with compensation by way of 10 per cent simple interest of receipt of the amount till its refund. The case took 20 long years, before three tiers of the consumer fora. Though the purchaser got an order in his favour, the compensation awarded towards blocked money was a measly 10 per cent, without considering the financial implications of having to store and preserve wood for two decades. So, there are times when the consumer is left dissatisfied even though he succeeds in litigation. The author is a consumer activist Several thoughts arise when we look at the horrific results declared by banks in this quarter. At one level, it is simply appalling that mismanagement and political interference allowed things to get this bad. The second thought is relief that this problem is now being acknowledged, along with hope that it might be dealt with. There hasn't yet been a "Lehman moment", to quote Dr Rajan, and with luck a full-blown crisis can be avoided. Public sector banks (PSBs) can be recapitalised. Poor management can be overhauled. Due-diligence and loan assessment systems can also be revitalised. If, political interference is reduced, the system could emerge stronger. Of course, that's a lot of 'ifs'. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s insistence that bad loans be recognised and provisioned for has meant declaring massive losses for most PSBs. As of now, it does not seem that the private sector banks will need to recapitalise and shore up net worth immediately, though all banks must raise cash to fulfil Basel III norms. The PSBs have much higher recapitalising needs, too. The levels of non-performing assets (NPAs) are mind-boggling. The banking sector as a whole has seen gross NPAs rising by over 80 per cent since March 2015. Gross NPAs are defined as loans that have seen delays of at least three months in terms of payment of principal or interest. Net NPAs, meaning NPAs that are not provisioned for, have roughly doubled in the same time. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, net and gross NPAs are up by roughly a third since October-December 2015 for the banks that have declared results. As of now, gross NPAs equal about Rs 2.8 lakh crore, with State Bank of India yet to declare results at the time of writing. Net NPAs are Rs 1.64 lakh crore. This means uncovered losses amount to roughly 1.25 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The biggest NPAs are in the energy sector and in iron and steel. The latter industry has been hit by collapsing global commodity prices and low demand. The former has been hit by, among other things, the refusal of various states to set power rates at reasonable levels. Schemes like UDAY (Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana), which convert dues of state-run distribution companies into bonds issued by states (with implicit sovereign guarantees), will paper over some losses. The Punjab government is trying to negotiate a similar scheme to write off Rs 20,000 crore it owes banks for procurement of foodgrains. There hasn't been much pick-up in industrial activity either, going by the Index of Industrial Production across 2015-16. This probably means more loans going sour. RBI has asked banks to provision for 15 per cent losses on strategic debt restructuring and that could be an under-estimate in terms of likely SDR losses. RBI has set FY 2016-17 as the year when NPAs are to be wiped off the books. That could mean a few more quarters of terrible results. At the end of this cyclone, we will have a clearer picture of how much balance sheet recapitalisation is required. If the PSBs are to meet Basel-III norms, huge sums will be required. The timeline for Basel-III is 2018-19, also an election year. The bill for PSB recapitalisation would run upwards of Rs 3 lakh crore, maybe upwards of Rs 4 lakh crore, in terms of fresh Tier-1 capital. Even if the government is willing to reduce equity stakes, it will find it hard to tap the markets for that sort of cash. If the government is unwilling to reduce equity stakes (more likely in an election year), it will scramble to find that cash from internal resources. So far, it has committed to subscribing about a fourth of the minimum amount that will be necessary. Just putting up fresh capital will not be enough. The underlying issues must be dealt with. The NPAs built up over many years because of political interference and poor due-diligence. There is no incentive for PSBs to be run on commercially sane lines. In many banks, the government has not even bothered to appoint a chief executive officer (CEO). The market will not respond positively until these issues are addressed. RBI has set the ball rolling by forcing banks to present a true picture of losses. Now it's up to the owner to overhaul the banking system. When a veteran, who has weathered several political challenges, was asked about Rahul Gandhi's elevation to the post of party president, he compared the situation to that of a 'beehive.' "There is a queen bee in every hive but she alone can do nothing; she cannot make honey unless the army of worker bees chip in. One person on his own cannot bring about the change. This is not the task for any single individual," said the leader. The Congress' poor performance in the recent Assembly polls has triggered voices of discontent within the party. Although nobody has directly targeted the president or vice-president so far, the anger against the top leadership is palpable. While Digvijay Singh called for a "major surgery", rather than yet another round of "introspection", Rajya Sabha member and party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi had a detailed prescription for "new, younger state faces, new Working Committee, shunting out old, usual faces to advisory roles...". Another Rajya Sabha member, a known Rahul Gandhi loyalist, said: "The only thing that counts is when Rahul Gandhi will take over. That will settle the uncertainties." The impatience of Congressmen with the party's inability to bring about organisational overhaul, pending since 2014, is visible now. In fact, a reshuffle of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) was promised in 2013 at the Jaipur Chintan Shivir, when Rahul Gandhi took over as vice-president. A series of electoral setbacks since, barring the Bihar poll victory, has not only led the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party(BJP) to declare a "Congress mukt Bharat" (an India without Congress), it has also raised questions within the party of an "existential crisis". Even as arguments such as "Rahul Gandhi not being given a free hand" are dished out liberally to shield him from criticism, there is a battle raging within the party of those who want to see a change in the saddle and those who want the status quo to continue. For one, Sonia Gandhi commands fierce loyalty within the party, cutting across all sections. Senior leaders entrenched in the party, who are used to her style of functioning and leadership, feel threatened by the prospect of a change in the top leadership. Quiz them about it and pat comes the reply, "No, it's all about survival of the fittest." They insist it's not about the 'old guard versus young brigade' duel but allege the real issue is the doubts on Rahul Gandhi's leadership. The unpredictability of the Gandhi scion's style of functioning has not endeared him to many within the party. Many say he's reactive rather than pro-active, leaving many Congressmen unsure of what the leadership wants. The Congress' defeat in the Assam polls has dented Rahul Gandhi's image further. Those close to him, however, counter the "false narrative" by "defector Himanta Biswa Sarma" who projected the Congress vice-president as "an arrogant leader", who has no time or interest in regional leaders but prefers "playing with his dog". They allege such "lies" have "marred" Rahul Gandhi's image. They ask if that was the case, how come Sarma could grow to become the number two in the party's state unit. They say Sarma's "unrealistic demand" of wanting to be the chief minister could not be met. Soon after the Assembly results came, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s Tariq Anwar said: "If Soniaji gives up her party's leadership, then it will send a wrong signal to the ruling party, giving them the sense that their pressure tactics are working. Also, such a move will demoralise Congress workers. So, she should continue to be in that slot." The NCP insisted that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) partners had not moved away from the Congress and only someone like Sonia Gandhi could bring secular forces together against the BJP's "communal juggernaut". What hasn't helped Rahul Gandhi's case is the series of decisions after 2014 that have come a cropper. Giving in the demands of the West Bengal unit, the Congress agreed to an unlikely alliance with old foe Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the state. However, Mamata Banerjee emerged with a larger mandate of 211 seats, bigger than 2011's 'Trinamool Congress wave' that brought her to power. Even as he appointed young chiefs to head Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) - Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan, Ashok Chaudhry in Bihar, Ashok Tanwar in Haryana, etc - Rahul Gandhi kept faith with octogenarian Tarun Gogoi in Assam, letting him lead the party into the crucial Assembly polls despite a three-term anti-incumbency mood risk. The decision boomeranged, with fingers pointing at Rahul Gandhi for alienating the younger, dynamic Sarma. To stem the overwhelming tide of criticism, the Congress has resorted to betraying a sense of denial, questioning whether the whole poll debacle was indeed a loss of face for the party substantiating its stance, citing how the Congress bounced back after the defeats of 1977 and 1989. Possibly warning against such complacency of his party colleagues, Salman Soz was quoted as saying: "Regional parties are entrenched and the Congress cannot take for granted that in a election; people will automatically turn to us if Narendra Modi disappoints." With Congress looking uncertain, desperate state unit chiefs have resorted to a bizarre test of loyalty. The West Bengal PCC has got its new MLAs to sign bonds of allegiance to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on Rs 100 stamp papers. While this has invited ridicule from all quarters, what remains to be seen is whether Rahul Gandhi will get the better of the party or if the party will get the better of him. "The Congress must reconstitute the panels at the block level. The party must re-write its policy platform on the key social and economic issues in a manner that would appeal to the age group of 15-35 years. ", former Union minister"Regional parties are entrenched and the Congress cannot take for granted that in a election, people will automatically turn to us if Narendra Modi disappoints.", Congress spokesperson"We should inculcate such leaders in the party who can motivate party workers, strengthen the party and enthrall the electorate to bring the party back in power.", Rajya Sabha MP and Congress chief whip"New younger state faces, new general secretaries, new Congress Working Committee, micro management (are need of the hour). Shunt usual faces/names to advisory roles.", Spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Vice-President will begin a five-day visit to Morocco and Tunisia from May 30 (Monday), along with a parliamentary delegation. India has economic ties with both countries. Tunisia has Indian investments in the phosphate sector. During the visit, further cooperation in various areas will be discussed. Apart from meeting the Tunis President and Prime Minister, Ansari will address the legislature, will deliver an address to the Tunisian diplomatic corps, and to leading scholars, and think tanks at the Tunisian Institute for Strategic Studies. Education panel report may be made public The T S R Subramanian committee, entrusted with preparing a new education policy for India, has submitted the report to the government, the human resource development ministry has said. The report may be made public this week. The new education policy comes after almost three decades. The human resource development (HRD) ministry did not reveal the content but it is believed to have provided solutions to several challenges of the sector, including quality in both school and higher education, employability challenge, regulation of private education, internationalisation of higher education and a possible restructuring of the regulators like the University Grants Commission and All India Council of Technical Education. Rawat to appear before CBI again Harish Rawat, newly restored chief minister of Uttarakhand, will appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation for a second time this week. The CM is undergoing an investigation following a sting operation, that allegedly revealed he was ready to pay bribes to win MLAs in the floor test he underwent last month in the legislature. Sources in the agency claim that Rawat could not "furnish full and complete details" on many issues, and has been called again. This was countered by Rawat, who said, he had fully cooperated with the CBI. "I need not produce any evidence. I have neither done any horse trading, nor given any money to anyone. I never said I want MLAs," he said. Minor Union Cabinet reshuffle on the cards Will a Cabinet reshuffle take place this week? The word is that it will be a small one and not involve any of the top ministers - Sarbananda Sonowal will be replaced after he became Chief Minister of Assam and Vijay Sampla will quit the social justice and empowerment minister to lead the Bhartiya Janta Party's campaign in Punjab. A race for these jobs has already started in the BJP. In parallel, there is another race - for the remaining nominated Rajya Sabha seat that was turned down by Pranav Pandya of the Gayatri Parivar. All these announcements are expected to be made before the Prime Minister leaves for the US next week. Panchayat polls in Bihar to conclude this week The interminable panchayat elections in Bihar will conclude this week. Today will be the last set of elections in a process that began in February. As these elections are conducted by the state election commission, the impartiality of the election is seen to be dubious, but at least there has been minimal violence in the elections and the Janata Dal United-Rashtriya Janata Dal alliance is expected to bag a majority of the panchayats. Counting has been on alongside and a final figure will be available after the last phase of polling. The State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) was instituted in 1983 to monopolise wholesale trade of India-made foreign liquor, so that it facilitated cost-effective excise duty collection. In 1937, prohibition was introduced in Salem and then it was imposed in other parts of the states step by step. But in 1971, the DMK government, headed by M Karunanidhi, withdrew total prohibition. Today there are a little over 6,700 shops across the state and they have been a major source of revenue for the state government, especially to fund social welfare schemes and freebies offered by successive Dravidian governments. Tasmac has occupied the forefront during the 2016 election campaign. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), which have made claims to the chief ministership, had said the first set of papers they would sign is the file imposing complete prohibition. However, the ruling J Jayalithaa-led AIADMK had said that it would implement prohibition step by step. If the Narendra Modi government is successful in steering the goods and services tax (GST) Constitution amendment Bill through the in the monsoon session, what happens next? Can the government keep to the time-line of a rollout on April 1, 2017? There are three parties now in the opposed to GST passage, the Congress with 60 members and the Tamil Nadu parties, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Tamil Nadu sends 18 members to the and 16 oppose GST. A tacit agreement has been reached, say top government sources, that AIADMK (12 members) will either abstain or walk out during voting. The other elements of the agreement are yet to become public, on what will be the quid for the pro. With Congress's apparently inflexible objection, it is likely to be isolated on the floor of the House. Its loneliness is all the more stark after the drumbeats on the Modi government completing two years in office and managing to form a government in Assam. The Congress has lost two state governments in this round of elections. And, on GST, it has no 'Plan B' to counter its inevitable irrelevance. "No idea" was the response of a senior MP from the Congress when asked what the party's strategy would now be. In the Rajya Sabha, the Congress will cling to its differences on the Bill and maybe vote against it; maybe walk out of the House. The Bill - that even political rivals of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) such as the Janata Dal (U), the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) are supporting - is to be passed by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. 'Present' and 'voting' are crucial words, for if those opposed to the Bill are not present and voting, the overall numbers will come down and the government will need to work less hard to reach the two-thirds number. The GST story is not over with this Bill. There is another one - the Goods and Services Tax Bill itself, that will spell out the division of tax powers between Centre and states. This one is being drafted by the Empowered Committee comprising finance ministers in various states. The Committee is headed by West Bengal's Amit Mitra. Although the committee hasn't met for three months, much of the drafting work is complete. This will be the model Bill for states to follow. As this is a money Bill, it cannot be rejected or delayed by the Rajya Sabha. Both Bills are likely to be passed in the monsoon session, the Constitution amendment first and then the enabling Bill. If the deadline of the monsoon session for passage cannot be kept, the enabling Bill can also be brought through an ordinance. It needs only a simple majority to be passed. "If the government can ensure a two-thirds majority, the rest of the process can be speeded," says former Lok Sabha secretary-general and constitution expert Subhash Kashyap. At least 15 states will be required to ratify the resolutions in their Assembly. They will then have to start working on local language translations. Article 174 of the Constitution says a state legislature must meet at least twice a year and the interval between any two sessions should not be more than six months. There is no bar on the number of session in a year. The Governor calls for the meetings of the legislature on advice from the Speaker. So, a session of the Assembly can be called any time. Can the government reach the magic number of 15 states that must pass the legislation to qualify for a constitutional amendment? After the Assembly elections of 2016, the BJP controls eight states on its own and six in alliance with other parties, as in Arunachal Pradesh (where it is supporting the Kalikho Pul government) Andhra Pradesh (in alliance with the Telugu Desam Party) and Punjab (in alliance with the Akali Dal). On GST, it has the support of JD (U) and RJD, which is in power in Bihar, and the SP, in power in UP, among others. So, it will have no difficulty in requesting at least 15 state legislatures to adopt the Bill passed by the Centre. This process is likely to be telescoped - many state governments will simultaneously call a meeting of their Assemblies and pass the Bills. These will then be sent for presidential assent. Once the President signs, GST will become a reality, ready for rollout on April 1, 2017 - like it or not. At least 12 people, including two candidates and two children, were killed and over 200 injured in violence during Bangladesh's fifth phase of voting in the local body polls which have turned out to be the deadliest so far, media reports said today. Voting in the elections of Union Parishads (councils), being held on party lines for the first time under an amended system, was held in 717 unions under 45 districts yesterday amid violence and allegations of rigging and other malpractices. 12 deaths were reported from Jamalpur, Chittagong, Noakhali, Comilla, Panchagarh and Narayanganj during the polls that will elect chairmen and councillors for the lowest tier of local government system, the Daily Star reported. The latest deaths bring to over 110 the total number of people who have died in election-related violence in the three and a half months since the announcement of the election schedule. The previous phases of polls had claimed 101 lives and the highest number of people killed in election-day violence was 10, according to media reports. Two candidates - Kamal Uddin, BNP rebel chairman aspirant at Comilla's Titas, and Md Yasin, who was vying for the post of member at Chittagong's Karnaphuli - were stabbed to death in separate clashes. Jamalpur witnessed the worst violence in which at least four persons, including two children, were killed. They died after police opened fire to put an end to a clash between supporters of two candidates for the chairman's post. The remaining casualties were reported from southeastern Noakhali district. More than 200 people were also injured, many of them shot, as the supporters of chairmen and member candidates engaged in fierce clashes. District police chief Md Nizamuddin said, "Police resorted to firing to bring the situation under control". The supporters of candidates captured polling stations and stuffed ballot boxes, like in the previous four phases, the report said. Voting in 120 centres was called off as law and order went out of control, according to the Election Commission. Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz admitted the rising trend of violence. "This time it's more because the polls are on party lines and renegades are challenging regular party aspirants," he said. The local government polls were earlier held as non-party elections where the candidates used to appear as independent candidates though with unofficial nominations from major political parties. But in October, Bangladesh amended a century-old system of electing local government institutions on non-partisan basis, allowing political parties to directly take part in these polls like national elections. Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner Md Shahabuddin Khan said a committee had been formed with Additional District Magistrate Md Alamgir as its head to probe the incident. Most of the casualties were the results of clashes between supporters of ruling Awami League candidates and party rebels in around 60 unions. At least 12 people, including two candidates and two children, were killed and over 200 injured in Bangladesh in violence during the 5th phase of voting, the deadliest so far in the local body polls being held on party lines for the first time in the country, media reports said today. Deaths were reported from Jamalpur, Chittagong, Noakhali, Comilla, Panchagarh and Narayanganj, according to the Daily Star. More than 200 people were also injured, many of them received bullet injuries, as the supporters of chairmen and member candidates clashed yesterday, when 717 unions under 45 districts went to polls for Union Parishads (councils) amid allegations of rigging and other malpractices. Jamalpur saw the worst violence in which at least four people, including two children, were killed. They died after police opened fire to put an end to a clash between supporters of two candidates. District police chief Md Nizamuddin said, "Police resorted to firing to bring the situation under control". Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner Md Shahabuddin Khan said a committee had been formed with Additional District Magistrate Md Alamgir as its head to probe the incident. The two candidates killed in the violence were Kamal Uddin, BNP rebel chairman aspirant at Comilla's Titas, and Md Yasin, who was vying for the post of member at Chittagong's Karnaphuli. Before the fifth-phase polls, the highest number of people killed in election-day violence was 10, and it was in the first of the six phases of the staggered polls. More than 100 people have died in election-related violence in the three and a half months since the announcement of the election schedule. Most of the casualties were the results of clashes between supporters of ruling Awami League candidates and party rebels in around 60 unions. Two women Naxals, who surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district, have alleged that they were raped by Maoist leaders of their squads in forest camps. "The victims are among the 40 rebels who turned themselves in before senior police and administrative officials at Jagdalpur district headquarters yesterday," Bastar Superintendent of Police RN Dash told PTI. A 25-year-old woman rebel from Mudenar village in Bastar alleged that she was repeatedly sexually exploited by the Maoists' "Katekalyan Local Organisation Squad commander", he said. The victim, who was associated with the outlawed outfit for past three years, is pregnant after the rape, the SP said. Besides, another young woman of similar age from Kodenar village has alleged that she was raped several times by in-charge of Barsoor area committee of Maoists and his associate, he said. The two women said in their complaints that they used to be given anti-pregnancy injections and other related tablets for sexual exploitation, he said. The accused in both the cases have booked under section 376 (rape) and other relevant sections of IPC, besides Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, he said. After registering the complaints at Jagdalpur's Kotwali police station, the medical examination of the women was done and the cases were forwarded to the concerned police stations for further action, he said. The victims said in their statements that they were fed up of continuous exploitation by senior colleagues following which they decided to quit the banned movement and lead a normal life, he added. The Police today arrested three persons in connection with the incident of thrashing of an executive of an English daily on late Saturday night in Patna. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj said the three persons were arrested from different places and have been identified as Sonu Kumar, Akhilesh Singh and Digvijay Jha. Vipul, the fourth accused person, has been absconding since the incident, he said. It may be mentioned that the media executive was thrashed by some persons after a minor collision between two vehicles on the busy Raja Bazar area under Shashtri Nagar police station of Patna on late Saturday night. The executive was pushed inside a SUV after the newspaper vehicle had a minor collision with the attackers' vehicle and thrashed while being taken around the city. SSP said Sonu and Akhilesh were students of Tapendu Institute in Patna, while Digvijay Jha works with the Irrigation department as a clerk. They narrated the entire incident before the police and said the incident occurred when they were going to drop their friend in Gola Road area, the SSP said adding the accused persons admitted that there was a fight for making payment for repairing the damaged vehicle. The accused persons have been booked for kidnapping, wrongful confinement and assault, SSP said. A week of shipwrecks and death in the Mediterranean culminated today with harrowing testimony from migrant survivors who said another 500 people including 40 children had drowned, bringing the number of feared dead to 700. Brought to safety in the Italian ports of Taranto and Pozzallo, survivors told the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) and Save the Children how their boat sank on Thursday morning after a high-seas drama which saw one woman decapitated. "We'll never know the exact number, we'll never know their identity, but survivors tell that over 500 human beings died," Carlotta Sami, UNHRC spokeswoman, said on Twitter. With some 100 people missing after a boat sank Wednesday, and 45 bodies recovered from a wreck that happened Friday, the UNHCR said it feared up to 700 people had drowned in the Mediterranean this week. Giovanna Di Benedetto, Save the Children's spokesperson in Sicily, told AFP it was impossible to verify the numbers involved but survivors of Thursday's wreck spoke of around 1,100 people setting out from Libya on Wednesday in two fishing boats and a dinghy. "The first boat, carrying some 500 people, was reportedly towing the second, which was carrying another 500. But the second boat began to sink. Some people tried to swim to the first boat, others held onto the rope linking the vessels," she said. According to the survivors, the first boat's Sudanese captain cut the rope, which snapped back and decapitated a woman. The second boat quickly sank, taking those packed tightly into the hold down with it. The Sudanese was arrested on his arrival in Pozzallo along with three other suspected people traffickers, Italian media reports said. "We tried everything to stop the water, to bail it out of the boat," a Nigerian girl told cultural mediators, according to La Stampa daily. "We used our hands, plastic glasses. For two hours we fought against the water but it was useless. It began to flood the boat, and those below deck had no chance. Woman, men, children, many children, were trapped, and drowned," she said. Those who survived told mediators the dead included "around 40 children, including many newborns", La Repubblica daily said. "I saw my mother and 11-year old sister die," Kidane from Eritrea, 13, told the aid organisations. "There were bodies everywhere". A bout of good weather as summer arrives has kicked off a fresh stream of boats attempting to make the perilous crossing from Libya to Italy. Italian agency Ansa said some 70 dinghies and 10 boats had set off over the past week. Over 15 a day. Central Texas authorities spotted a body during an aerial search today, bringing the death toll from flooding the state to five. It's unclear whether the body found in Travis County near Austin is one of the two still missing in Texas. An 11-year-old boy is still missing in central Kansas, too. Torrential rains caused heavy flash flooding in some parts of the US over the last few days, and led to numerous evacuations in southeast Texas, including two prisons. But the threat of severe weather has lessened over the long Memorial Day holiday for many places, though Tropical Depression Bonnie continued to bring rain and wind to North and South Carolina. Near Austin, a crew aboard a county STAR Flight helicopter found a body Sunday on the north end of a retention pond near the Circuit of the Americas auto racing track, which is close to where two people were reported to have been washed away by a flash flood early Friday, Travis County sheriff's spokesman Lisa Block said. The body still must be recovered and no identification has been made. To the southeast along the rain-swollen Brazos River near Houston, prison officials evacuated about 2,600 inmates from two prisons to other state prisons because of expected flooding, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark said. Inmates in a low-level security camp at a third prison in the area are being moved to the main prison building, Clark said. All three prisons are in coastal Brazoria County, where the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico. "TDCJ officials continue to monitor the situation and are working with our state partners as the river level rises," Clark said, noting that additional food and water has been delivered to prisons that are getting the displaced inmates and sandbags have been filled and delivered to the prisons where flooding is anticipated. Another prison that's about 70 miles northwest of Houston saw a brawl between inmates and correctional officers on Saturday that began when flooding caused a power outage. Clark estimated as many as 50 inmates in the 1,300-inmate prison were involved. At least five UN peacekeepers were killed in an ambush in central Mali by suspected militants on today, the UN and police sources said. The attack is the first time the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, has recorded fatalities in the centre of a country long beset by violence in its vast and desolate north. "According to preliminary information, five peacekeepers were killed. Another was seriously hurt and is being evacuated," MINUSMA said in a statement. The UN did not immediately confirm the nationality of the dead soldiers but a Bamako police source indicated a group of Togolese peacekeepers "came across a mine and a terrorist attack some 50 kilometres out of Mopti." First reports had indicated four Togolese peacekeepers were killed in the mid-morning attack on a MINUSMA convoy some 30 kilometres (20 miles) west of the town of Sevare in Mopti region. MINUSMA mission head Mahamat Saleh Annadif condemned the attack as an "odious" act of terror. "I most strongly condemn this abject crime which adds to other terrorist acts targeting our peacekeepers and which constitute crimes against humanity under international law," said Annadif. Today's attack came just two days after authorities reported five Malian soldiers killed and four wounded Friday when their vehicles hit a mine in the north and then came under sustained fire. Last week also saw five peacekeepers from Chad killed and three others wounded in an ambush in the northeast by Ansar Dine jihadist fighters. The Mali mission is the most dangerous active deployment for UN peacekeepers and it has been hit by sharp internal tensions since its launch in July 2013. With today's attack, at least 64 MINUSMA peacekeepers have been killed while on active service, while another four have died in friendly fire incidents, UN figures show. The north has seen repeated violence since it fell under the control of Tuareg-led rebels who allied with jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda in 2012. The Islamists were largely ousted by an ongoing French-led military operation launched in January 2013, but they have since carried out sporadic attacks on security forces from desert hideouts. Rival armed factions and smuggling networks mean the region has struggled for stability since Mali gained independence from former colonial power France in 1960. The Delhi Government is gearing up to notify nearly 3,000 mohalla sabhas this week in its bid to empower people and encourage local level participation in governance in the national capital. A senior government official said that a detailed proposal with the list of mohalla sabhas and the larger blueprint of implementing the initiative will be tabled in the Cabinet to be chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal next week for its approval. In March, the AAP government had announced a Rs 350 crore Swaraj Budget for executing civic projects which will be finalised by mohalla sabhas. "The Delhi Cabinet is likely to give its nod for the execution of 2972 mohalla sabhas in the next seven days. Thereafter, it will be notified by the government," the official said. The entire city has been mapped in different mohallas which have been determined by factoring in the demographic profile and the socio-economic nature of neighbourhoods across the capital. According to official, once cleared by the Cabinet, the list of mohallas will be put up on the Delhi government's website for the public. Swaraj budgeting is a unique initiative started by the AAP government during the last financial year. Government had last year held mohalla sabhas in 11 Assembly constituencies for preparing a "participatory budget" in which the residents were asked to decide which development projects should be taken up in their localities. "There are 70 Assembly constituencies in the national capital. As per roughly estimate, each Assembly segment has been divided into 40 mohallas, with number of voters ranging from 3000-6000. Some big Assembly constituencies like Matiala will have about 70 mohalla sabhas," official further said. Mohalla clinics, dispensaries, schools among other institutions will be made accountable in the mohalla sabhas. Such institutions will be asked to table details of their works done by them every month directly at these sabhas. As per plans, two mohalla co-ordinators will be nominated by the government who will be holding these mohalla sabhas and coordinating with the executing agencies. All development projects finalised through sabhas will be carried out through Delhi Urban Development Authority (DUDA). Vice President Hamid Ansari will undertake a five-day visit to Morocco and Tunisia from tomorrow as part of efforts to build on diplomatic gains from the India-Africa summit held in October last year. The Vice President will discuss with leaders in the two north African countries issues of terrorism, UN Security Council expansion and investments in private sector, as well as ways to strengthen outreach to Africa and regional matters. Ansari will be in Morocco fromMay 30 to June 1at the invitation of Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane and the two leaders would jointly launch the India-Morocco Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Rabat, the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) said today. During the visit, a number of MoUs will be signed in areas like education, IT and communication technology sectors, focusing on "capacity building and cultural exchange". In the second leg of his tour, Ansari will visit Tunisia fromJune 2-3. Ansari's visit "will build on diplomatic gains" from the India-Africa summit and "we have chosen these two countries as they are great examples of democracy", Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA Amar Sinha said. The King of Morocco had set the ball rolling when hecame here in October, Sinha said. The New Delhi Summit - of which Morocco's King Mohammed VI was the first confirmed guest - was the largest political conference in modern history connecting Indian and African leaders. He said it is the first high-level visit to the African country after Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee went there in 1999. "At the level of Vice President the visit comes after 50 years," he said, noting that it is the 50th year of Morocco's independence. "Hello Africa, Tell me how are you doing?" will be India's motto for the continent, he said, adding, there will be a series of visits by Indian leaders to Africa in the coming days. The two countries are important for India as it shares economic relations with them and the visit will help in building contemporary relationship between these two countries and India. Both the countries are looking forward to the visit as they are key partners in food security andfertilizers and investments in private sector. "Our car and truck manufacturers are looking at prospective markets," he said. While Morocco's trade with India is "substantial", there is scope for increasing it with Tunisia. "Morocco is a developing destination for Indian film industry," he said. The visit to Morocco intends to further strengthen cordial relations between the two countries, develop and diversify profile of bilateral economic cooperation and explore new avenues of cooperation and partnership on a wide range of issues of shared common interest, the MEA said. The Vice President would hold discussions in Rabat with King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Benkirane. Speakersof both Houses of Moroccan Parliament and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation would call on Ansari, who would also visit the city of Marrakesh where he would be hosted by the Governor. The Vice President would meet leading intellectuals and Imams of Morocco as well as deliver a talk at Mohammed University in Rabat. Members of Indian diaspora will also interact with the Vice President in the Moroccan capital. Ansari will later head to Tunisia, with which India has cordial bilateral relations, for hisJune 2-3 visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Habib Essid. During this visit, further avenues of cooperation in various areas of growth would be discussed. "The economic cooperation between the two countries is deepening with Indian investments in phosphate sector," the MEA said. The Vice President will hold discussions in Tunis with Essid and President Beji Caid Essebsi on a widerange of issues. He would be received by the President of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People of Tunisia where he wouldbe meeting multi-party Members of Parliament and Tunisian-India Parliamentary Group. Ansari would deliver a keynote address to the Tunisian Diplomatic Corps and leading scholars and think tanksat the Tunisian Institute for Strategic Studies. Besides his wife Salma Ansari, the Vice President would be accompanies by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, four members of Parliament and senior officials. The Vice President would return to the national capital on the morning of June 4. The HRD Ministry will soon hold parleys with university teachers' association in the wake of protests by them against the Academic Performance Indicator (API) norms revised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). "MHRD is holding a meeting very soon with teachers' associations across the country on the issue of minimum qualifications and API," a senior official told PTI. The University Grants Commission (UGC) had earlier revised the criteria for API scores which lay down parameters for teaching norms for college and varsity teachers and also the basis of their promotions. The revised norms led to several protests against the UGC by the teachers who claimed the new norms were anti-academic and would enhance their workload. However, the HRD Ministry stepped in and assured that the workload of the teachers would not be increased under the new criteria. The new API norms also provide for students' feedback on teachers' performance, which has also attracted criticism from the teaching community. It is learnt that Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA), which is urging UGC to withdraw the new API norms, is planning a protest on Monday. A signet made of clay with ornamental design was among the about 3,000 ancient artefacts found at the Keezhadi Pallai Sandhaipudur village in this district during an excavation conducted by the team of experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). According to ASI officials, the ancient settlement at the village, which was on the highway travelled by traders all over the world once, had an underground drainage system which was on par with the Harappan system. The sewage drains had been laid with "baked clay pipe lines". A team of ASI experts, including Superintendent K Amarnath Ramakrishna, Rajesh and Veeraraghavan were involved in the excavation work, which began on January 18 and is likely to continue till September this year. "The drainage system is similar to what was found in Harappan civilisation site" they said. They claimed that the settlement was more than 2,500 years old, belonging to the ancient Pandiya era. Apart from signets, arrows, iron and copper weapons, rare ornaments and scribbling nail, had been found, Amarnath Ramakrishna said. "It is very rare to find the constructions intact. The findings threw more light on the Sankakala Tamil civilisation", he said. "The signs of urban civilisation were more in Keezhadi village. In fact it was much more than Kaveri Poompattinam", he said. The signets could have been used by the traders who sent their products with their seal, he said. Amid outrage over a string of attacks on Africans in the national capital, five people were arrested today for their alleged involvement in the incidents, with Home Minister Rajnath Singh directing the police to take strict action against the attackers and step up patrolling in the areas inhabited by the community. Those arrested have been identified as Babu (32), Om Prakash (24), Rahul (24), Ajay (25) and Kunal (20). Three more persons have been identified and the police are looking out for them, DCP (south) Ishwar Singh said. Kunal was earlier suspected to be a minor and his actual age was verified after scanning several documents, a senior official said. Meanwhile, a fresh case in the matter was registered today in connection with the alleged assault on a brother-sister duo from Cameroon around the same time in the area. The incidents came close on the heels of killing of a Congolese national that had triggered angry reaction by all the African countries. Their envoys had unitedly threatened to boycott the Africa Day celebrations of the Indian government last week, before they were persuaded against it. Police attributed two of Thursday's incidents to a dispute over African nationals playing loud music and other to a scuffle over public drinking. A police official denied that rods or bats were used in the assaults, saying the nature of injuries would have been different then. He said a man had sustained an injury on his nose. Earlier, the Home Minister condemned the attack and called Delhi Police chief Alok Kumar Verma to his residence to express concern over the attacks. "Spoke to Commissioner of Police, Delhi regarding the incidents of physical assault against certain African nationals. Such incidents are condemnable," Singh tweeted. "Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers and increase patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone," he said in another tweet. Prior to that, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted that she had spoken to the Home Minister as well as Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung over the incident, telling them to ensure security of African nationals. She said a sensitisation campaign will also be carried out in the areas where African nationals reside. "I have spoken to Shri Rajnath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg(arding) attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside. "I have asked Gen V K Singh, MoS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet# African students who have announce(d) demonstration at Jantar Mantar," she added in another tweet. Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA has been in touch with African community following the attacks. V K Singh, meanwhile, claimed that the attack on African nationals was a "minor scuffle" which the media was "blowing up" and questioned its motives. Amid fresh cases of assault on African nationals and outrage by envoys of African countries over killing of a Congolese youth, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to ensure safety of the community and strict action against the guilty. The government has also decided to transport the Congolese national's mortal remains to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The External Affairs Minister said both Singh and Jung assured her that the culprits will be arrested soon. "I have spoken to Shri Rajnath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday. "They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside," Swaraj tweeted. "I have asked Gen V K Singh, MoS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet# African students who have announce demonstration at Jantar Mantar," she said in another tweet. Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA has been in touch with African community following the attacks. African students are planning demonstrations on Tuesday at Jantar Mantar seeking action against the guilty. Separately, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said government will assist the family of the Congolese youth Masunda Kitanda Oliver to come to India and to take his mortal remains. "In the unfortunate death of Mr.Masunda Oliver, the Government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense," he said. Envoys of African countries on Thursday had expressed shock over killing of Oliver here last week following which India assured them of safety of African nationals. As African envoys reacted sharply to Oliver's killing, three cases of physical assault and criminal intimidation of African nationals in south Delhi were registered by the police. Police attributed two of the incidents to locals raising objection to the African nationals' playing loud music during late night, and the other to objection raised against a group of Africans consuming alcohol in public. All three incidents had taken place on Thursday in areas under the jurisdiction of Mehrauli Police Station. The complainants in Thursday's cases include two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and at least two Nigerian men, police said. In a separate incident, a 23-year-old Nigerian student was attacked in Hyderabad on Wednesday night over dispute over parking. Swaraj had taken up the issue with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who promised stringent action against the guilty. She had also sought an urgent report from the Telangana government over the attack. Calling as "racist" the recent attacks on African nationals, South African envoy Malose William Mogale today said he has firm belief in the government here to deal with such incidents. "It's racist attacks. But it is not government policy. It is people who might want to tarnish the image of the country, India, to be portrayed to the world that it is the country where there is an emerging trend of racism and more foreigners are not allowed," he said. Mogale, acting High Commissioner of South Africa here, said these African human beings come to help country in its growth as some of migrants come with a set of skills to assist the economy in leap forward. "We have firm belief in the capacity of Indian government to deal with these incidents," he told Times Now. The envoy said the attacks come as a surprise "especially given the fact (that) our relations are decade and decade old". Mogale said the issue was raised in private conversation between the two countries representatives about two weeks ago in South Africa. "It is indeed a tragedy, especially that South Africa and India have shared a common history of colonisation and oppression," he said. There has been a series of attacks on African nationals in the last few days including killing of a Congolese youth in national capital and assault on a 23-year-old Nigerian student in Hyderabad. Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma and expressed concern over the attacks. "Spoke to Commissioner of Police, Delhi regarding the incidents of physical assault against certain African nationals. Such incidents are condemnable. "Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers and increase patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone," he tweeted. A Bahraini appeals court today upheld life prison sentences against five Shiites convicted of spying for Iran as well as their citizenships being revoked, a judicial source told AFP. A statement by the prosecution said the court rejected the appeal by the five defendants. The men were convicted in November of "spying for and seeking with Iran and its agents to carry out hostile acts against the kingdom", a judicial sources said at the time. They were found guilty of working with Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard to carry out attacks in Bahrain against public facilities and banks. Two of them had received training in Iran on "the manufacture and use of explosives and firearms in preparation for carrying out these hostile attacks", according to the charges. The tiny Gulf state has been shaken by unrest since it quelled a month-long, Shiite-led uprising demanding reforms in 2011. The Shiite-majority kingdom, connected to Saudi Arabia by a causeway, lies across the Gulf from Shiite Iran and is home to the US Fifth Fleet. Despite the crackdown on the 2011 uprising, protesters still frequently clash with police in Shiite villages outside the capital Manama. Harkirat Singh, grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, died here today after sustaining bullet injury in mysterious circumstances at his residence. "Harkirat (40) received bullet injury in his head. How he received the injury is not exactly clear at the moment and we are trying to get in touch with his parents," Sector 3 Police Station's SHO, Neeraj Sarna, told PTI. The SHO said that Harkirat, who was a village sarpanch in Ludhiana district, was taken to Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) by family members where he succumbed to the bullet injury. Asked if they suspect it to be a case of suicide, he replied, "Investigations are being conducted. At this moment, we are not ruling out anything." Sarna said at the time of the incident, Harkirat, who is the grandson of late Beant Singh, was at his residence in upscale Sector 5 here. On August 31, 1995, the then Chief Minister, 73-year-old Beant Singh, was killed in a suicide bomb blast at the entrance of the civil secretariat in Chandigarh. 17 others too died in the terror attack by Sikh extremists. Beant Singh was CM of Punjab from 1992 to 1995. "We are conducting investigations... Harkirat comes from a political family and his elder brother Gurkirat is a Congress MLA," the SHO said, adding "the circumstances around his death remain unclear so far". (Reopens DES 37) Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Charanjit Singh Channi condoled the death of Harkirat. "Harkirat was very polite and humble. He was a very good human being," Channi said in his condolence message here. Harkirat Singh, grandson of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, died of a gunshot injury today at his house with his family claiming that he was injured in "accidental firing" while cleaning his licensed revolver. 40-year-old Harkirat was admitted to PGIMER here with a gunshot wound in the head and succumbed this afternoon. His cousin and Congress MP from Ludhiana, Ravneet Singh Bittu, told reporters that Harkirat was "in depression" for a long time and indicated that he may have committed suicide. Police said that they are inquiring into the case. "Harkirat received bullet injury in his head," Sector 3 Police Station's SHO, Neeraj Sarna said. "According to the statement given by the family to police this evening, Harkirat sustained a bullet wound in his head while cleaning his gun at his residence in Sector 5 here. They claimed that it was an accidental fire. "Inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC (Code Of Criminal Procedure, 1973) are being carried out. Postmortem examination would be carried out tomorrow by a board of doctors either from PGIMER or Govt Hospital at Sector 16 Chandigarh," Sarna said. Bittu, who reached here from Ludhiana after learning about the incident, said Harkirat, who was the Sarpanch of Kotli village in Ludhiana, had met with an accident some months ago and was not keeping well since. "He was under treatment for depression at PGIMER for past some time. Last year he had a major accident in which he sustained a head injury and had slipped into coma for sometime. He was taking medicines for depression, but off and on he used to get bouts of depression," Bittu said. "In the morning today, he had gone for a walk on the lake. After he returned to the house, he told his wife that he wanted to take a bath. "Harkirat's wife went inside the kitchen, but within minutes he shot himself," Bittu claimed. He said that Harkirat's elder brother Gurkirat Singh, Congress MLA from Khanna, was currently abroad while their father and former minister Tej Prakash Singh had gone somewhere locally at the time of the incident. "Tej Prakash had met him in the morning," Bittu said. Harkirat's grandfather Beant Singh was CM of Punjab from 1992 to 1995. On August 31, 1995, the then Chief Minister, 73-year-old Beant Singh, was killed in a suicide bomb blast at the entrance of the civil secretariat in Chandigarh. 17 others too died in the terror attack by Sikh extremists. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Harkirat. Congress General Secretary in-charge party's Punjab Affairs Shakeel Ahmad and Punjab Congress President Capt Amarinder Singh also condoled Harkirat's death. Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Charanjit Singh Channi, also condoled the death of Harkirat Singh. "Harkirat was very polite and humble in nature and he was a very good human being," Channi said in his condolence message here. A bid by a group of Gulf investors to purchase a majority stake of Kuwait's top food company and a regional leader, Americana, has failed, an official statement said today. "No final agreement has been reached," said Al-Khair National for Stocks and Real Estate, which manages billions of dollars of stocks held by the Kharafi family, Kuwait's wealthiest merchant family, which wanted to sell its 69-percent stake in Americana. "The two sides have agreed to end negotiations of the planned sale," Al-Khair said in a statement sent to the Kuwait Stock Exchange. The consortium carried out a due diligence investigation before making an offer that was never disclosed. It was the Kharafi family's second failed attempt to sell Americana after Saudi-based food company Savola reportedly offered around USD 4 billion to acquire the firm last year. That offer was rejected. Established in 1964, Americana, or Kuwait Food Company, is the parent group that brought to the Middle East more than a dozen major food brands like KFC, Costa Cafe and TGI Friday's. It owns more than 1,690 outlets and employs 63,000 workers in the Middle East and North Africa region. It also has 17 factories in the region and abroad and produces a variety of food products. Dismissing Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's criticism that the NDA government was celebrating completion of its two years in office when several states were facing drought, BJP chief Amit Shah today said the party was only giving a report of its work to the people. "Do you see celebration in this? This is not a celebration. I feel, taking government's work to people through the press, interacting directly with people, giving an account as per its mandate is not celebration," he told reporters here when asked about Gandhi's comments. Alleging that Gandhi only made media statements and indulged in symbolism, Shah said the NDA government helped improve the lives of the poor. "Rahul Gandhiji only makes statements. I want to ask him, what happened to that Kalavati at whose house you stayed. We have tried to provide electricity and also gas to her. He just got a photograph taken (with her)," he said. Kalavati Bandurkar, a Vidarbha farmer widow shot to fame after Rahul Gandhi visited her in 2008 and narrated her plight in Parliament. Asked about Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's criticism on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits, he said Modi made less number of visits abroad in comparison to his predecessor Manmohan Singh. "I want to make it clear that Prime Minister (Modi) made few visits than Manmohan Singh. But, the problem was nobody came to know in the country or in that country when he (Singh) visited. He used to read two pages of his speech in English. Sometimes even pages changed. He used to read Thailand's (speech) in Malaysia and Malaysia's (speech) in Thailand. Modiji is welcomed wherever he goes...," he said. Asked whether BJP would reach out to regional parties like TDP and TRS for passing bills in the Rajya Sabha as equations of strength were set to change, he said everybody in Rajya Sabha should support the government's development agenda irrespective of party politics. "BJP's effort is to see that everybody should support the development agenda in Rajya Sabha irrespective of party politics. It is true that it will benefit us if the strength of our friends increases on every issue of development," Shah said. On the Union Cabinet reshuffle, he said, "It is for the Prime Minister to decide. When it happens, you will get information. Raising questions over the circumstances that led to Mookerjee's death, Shah said that he was informed that he was allowed to enter J&K without permit and there he was held in custody by the Kashmir police. The BJP President claimed that Mookerjee was kept in an inadequately equipped safehouse near Srinagar and then not provided medical facilities as he was admitted to a gynecological ward even though he had a heart ailment. Shah said that history has not done justice to the "patriot" and "eminent educationist" that Mookerjee was. The BJP President said that if the history of the country was to be written impartially, then an important place will be provided to Mookerjee. "It is unfortunate that first the British, and later the Leftists distorted the history of the country," Shah said. History has been viewed through the lens of ideology, he said claiming this was one of the reasons, Mookerjee was not conferred his due place in the annals of history. Shah said it was because of Mookerjee that permits are not needed to enter Kashmir now and the titles Prime Minister and President are not used separately for J&K. Earlier, Roy who is also a biographer of Mookerjee, narrated his contribution in running an "equitable" government in West Bengal in the pre-independence era and then his protest over special permits to enter Kashmir. He claimed that Mookerjee was allowed to enter Kashmir where the J&K police were waiting for him. He also raised questions over the improper manner in which a leader of Mookerjee's stature was dealt with. Roy also claimed that when Nehru had visited J&K, he had not bothered to visit Mookerjee who was languishing in confinement there. He criticised Nehru for deciding not to conduct an inquiry into the death despite a request from Mookerjee's mother. Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said the lecture was organised on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Syama Prasad's father Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee. An exhibition on the Bhartiya Jana Sangh's life has been organised at NMML which will go on till July 6, he added. The victory of BJP-led coalition in Assam indicates that "obstructionist" politics does not succeed, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said today while debunking Congress' charge that the Modi government has not achieved much. Referring to the Congress' loss in the assembly polls in Assam and other states, Rathore said it is because the youths are not appreciating its "obstructionist" role in Parliament and outside. The youths feel that such an approach can take away the window of opportunity from India to turn into a developed nation, he told PTI. "In crop insurance, we reduced the premium and removed the cap. But we did not work (according to opposition). For last 10 years, not a single weapon for the army was imported and whenever any attempt to import was made, Agusta scam happened there. "We placed an order of around Rs 1 lakh crore out of which 60 to 70 per cent are going to be made in India. But we did nothing. And what did they do?" Rathore said hitting out at the Congress. He claimed the change was visible in decision making, policy making and policy implementation in the last two years. "These are happening for schemes for women, youths, infrastructure, marginalised sections, in governance, in overall economy. Through Direct Benefit Transfer, we saved crores of rupees of money by detecting fake accounts. This was public money. It's (money) not simply going to the treasury. It's going to the right people," the minister said. Replying to a question about what is the takeaway from the results in Assam elections, Rathore said,"People of north east have also seen the obstructionism of Parliament and therefore they see hope in NDA and the leadership of the Prime Minister." Congress' obstructionism in Parliament is because the party has run out of ideas, Rathore said, adding but not letting the government implement its ideas cannot be a policy. The Union Minister said with young people constituting a very big chunk of population, the country has got a window of opportunity for growth and people say the 21st century could be the century of India. "Youths feel that the country can lose this window of opportunity if obstructionism happens where laws are made (Parliament) and outside," Rathore said. Listing various schemes of the government, the minister said youths were being given opportunity to learn skills and their educational level is going up, resulting in increased self-confidence. "The entire world looks at India from a different angle, thinks India is a fit destination for investment," he said, adding the centre's policies and their implementation played a big role in the outcome of the recent assembly polls. He said as far as the north east was concerned, "from day one of the government, the PM was clear that the policy has to change from Look East to Act East" and every minister has made regular trips to northeastern areas to connect with the people. Replying to a question on whether Modi's connect with youths, which was seen during the last Lok Sabha polls, still continues, the Minister said the presence of a large number of young people at Prime Minister's rally in Saharanapur on Friday reflected the enduring connect. "Surveys being carried out in different parts of the country say that the trust that was there in Modi government after the Lok Sabha polls still remains," Rathore said. He said in its first year in office, the government talked of long-term development goals, laid its foundation and, in the second year, the change has become visible. "So far the governments in past only kept one way communication. It changed when we came. Before the 2016 Budget, every central minister spent 36 hours in two Lok Sabha constituencies. 2016 Budget was made after the feedback from there. Now, on the second anniversary of our government, which we are calling Vikas Parva, a team of 30 ministers is going to different cities in states. "Did it ever happen till date. Did you ever see any Central government doing that? Rathore asked. BJP West Bengal President Dilip Ghosh has kicked up a storm with his remarks that his party workers, "trained" by RSS, can break the shoulders of Trinamool Congress activists with "bare hands", drawing flak from the ruling party, Congress and the Left. Courting controversy yet again, he asked TMC workers to "stop" violence, "mend" their ways or face "consequences" when they travel outside Bengal. "They can't do whatever they want and beat up our cadres without reasons. TMC is thinking they can do whatever they want. But, they should remember one thing that out of Bengal, it's only BJP and BJP," Ghosh told a public rally in Kharagpur. "If they (Trinamool) have 211 MLAs, then we have more than 1,000 MLAs and MPs across India. If they step outside Bengal, we will teach them a lesson. Their family members should mark their name with red ink when they go out of their homes," he said. "Don't instigate us. We are warning you. I don't interfere but if you provoke me, I will not be good. I am warning you there will be no happiness. I will first cut off water supply, then power, then I will shut the door and thrash you. We are capable of everything. The boys are trained by RSS and are ready. Your shoulders will be broken," he said on Friday. He said he has to just dial 11 digits. "You will be thrashed from the airport to your house, then from the house to the hospital. No one will find you. Your families will be informed with a photograph on WhatsApp," Ghosh said. Ghosh today said, "Why can't I make such comments. If my cadres are attacked, I have every right to protect them. TMC should immediately make a public appeal to stop violence." He said in Assam BJP won the Assembly polls, but no opposition workers was touched. In Bengal, a "bloodbath" is going on, he said. If TMC doesn't stop violence, then the children of TMC workers would become orphans, he said. The BJP leader had earlier drawn flak for his controversial comments on TMC and then on a section of women students in Jadavpur University. Reacting to Ghosh's remarks, TMC Vice President Mukul Roy said, "This is totally unacceptable. We will write to both the Houses of Parliament. These comments only prove who is the victim and who are the perpetrators." State Health and Family Welfare Minister Shashi Panja said now there is a BJP leader who is day after day commenting on women or threatening to beat up TMC followers. "This is very unfortunate. This is not the kind of politics one should pursue," she said, adding in a democracy someone wins and someone else loses in an election. TMC leader in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandopadhyay condemned the remarks and said he would write to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan drawing her attention to the issue. Congress member in Rajya Sabha Pradip Bhattacharya said it is "okay" if RSS training was taken and it was their own work. "If they have taken training to torture others, then steps should be taken against that," he said, noting that his party will never support Ghosh. CPI(M) leader Nepaldeb Bhattacharya said such statements only act as fuel to the fire. "We condemn it," he said. Echoing similar sentiments, state RSP Secretary Khsiti Goswami said, "Those who are in public life should be more careful about their statements." JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said that if RSS provides training to defend, then they also give training to break necks. "The question is whose neck they want to break -- the nation's, those of nationalists or traitors. Because whatever is happening in Jammu and Kashmir, the whole country can see who is breaking whose neck," he said. Ghosh also said TMC workers have to be told in the language they understand. "Politics should happen in a democratic way. There is a limit to our patience. If they cross it, we should also reply in the same language," he said. The BJP leader said it is the state government's responsibility to stop violence. He claimed that when the state police tried to be proactive, five SP were transferred. "It shows what the government wants. The police force itself needs security," he said. A breakaway Taliban faction is willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but will demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces, a senior leader of the group said today. Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi told a group of around 200 followers in eastern Afghanistan that his faction had no faith in the government but was willing to negotiate without preconditions. Niazi is deputy to Mullah Mohammad Rasool, who split from the Taliban last summer after Mullah Akhtar Mansoor was chosen to succeed the group's late founder, Mullah Mohammad Omar. Mansoor was killed earlier this month in a US drone strike in Pakistan and was replaced days later by a little known conservative cleric, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada. The main Taliban faction has expressed similar demands, but says it will only enter peace talks after they have been met. The US and NATO officially ended their combat mission more than a year ago, but thousands of foreign soldiers remain in the country, mainly carrying out training, support and counterterrorism operations. Mansoor had refused to participate in a peace process initiated by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that included Pakistan, the United States and China. Representatives of the four countries have held five meetings, without inviting the Taliban. Their aim is to chart a roadmap toward talks between the Afghan government and the insurgents to end the 15-year war, but the disarray within the Taliban has complicated those efforts. The Taliban's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has branded Rasool's faction "a government army in the shape of the Taliban." Speaking to the AP today, he claimed that Rasool was supported by Kabul and Washington. "For us he is nothing more than a local policeman or a puppet of Afghan intelligence," he said. Rasool's followers met in the mountainous Shindand district, near the border with Iran. Snipers on hilltops surveyed dirt roads leading to the area, which serves as the main base for the mobile fighters. The encampment where the meeting was held is only accessible by motorbike or horse. The turbaned followers of Rasool - who is believed to have been detained in Pakistan - appeared to be armed with new weapons, including automatic rifles and grenade launchers. The Taliban have continued to launch major attacks on government forces despite the internal conflict, and the war has shown no sign of abating over the past year. The Taliban attacked checkpoints in the southern Helmand province late yesterday, killing four police, according to the provincial governor's spokesman, Omar Zawaq. Among those killed was local police commander Safar Mohammad, who in recent years had successfully kept highways in the area open to traffic. Zawaq said another nine police officers and one soldier were wounded in the attack. Traders body CAIT today said brand ambassadors should be brought under the ambit of Consumer Protection Act as consumers are often "guided" through such endorsement, irrespective of quality of product. Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) also threatened to move court if the government did not take necessary action. The body, in a communication sent to Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, demanded that specific guidelines be formulated, fixing the liability of brand ambassadors. "It has been observed that prominent personalities of different fields are engaged by big companies to endorse their products to grab more share in the market for their products irrespective of the quality of the product and those personalities in lust of earning huge money never care for the quality," CAIT said. Calling the brand ambassadors "service providers", CAIT said the endorsements influence customer's choice to great extent. "Brand ambassadors become integral part of sales campaign of such product and cannot escape from the liability of the claims made by them in endorsements... In case we do not hear anything from the Government, we shall be left with no other alternative but to move the matter to Court," CAIT said. It added that "being a celebrity, one can not be absolved from the responsibility". There has been a lot of debate in the past on the matter, including when Maggi was briefly banned in the Indian market. China today vowed to boost military- to-military relations with Bangladesh by stepping up defence ties, including broadening of personnel training and cooperation in equipment technology. The pledge came after China's Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan met with Bangladesh's top military officials here. Chief of Bangladesh army General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Hug, Chief of navy Admiral Mohammad Nizamuddin Ahmed and Chief of air force Marshal Abu Esrar respectively met the visiting Chinese defence minister. Chang said the cooperation in the sectors of politics, economy and trade, and culture between the two sides have seen great achievements since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975. "Cultivated and pushed by the leaders of the two countries, the development of the military ties between the two countries has maintained good momentum with cooperation in all fields further deepening," Chang said. The Chinese military is willing to work together with the Bangladesh military to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, boost strategic exchange and mutual support, he said. Further, China is ready to broaden personnel training and cooperation in equipment technology, promote exchanges between the young military officers of the two countries and push forward the comprehensive development of bilateral ties, the Chinese defence minister was quoted as saying by China's state-run Xinhua agency. Calling China a "trust-worthy strategic partner", the Bangladeshi military leaders said the two countries have developed high-level political mutual trust and conducted fruitful economic and trade cooperation, the report said. The Bangladeshi side appreciates the long-term support and help offered by China, and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core national interests, it said. The Bangladeshi military is willing to make joint efforts with China to strengthen exchange of visits at various levels and boost cooperation in the fields of personnel training, peacekeeping, military medical care and military equipment so as to further promote their military ties. The Chinese minister arrived here yesterday for a visit. A Chinese laundry detergent firm has apologised for its controversial ad in which a black man turns into a fair-skinned Chinese man after undergoing a wash with its detergent but blamed the media for the global hype. The advertisement of Shanghai Leishang Cosmetics Ltd. Co. depicts a light-skinned Chinese woman shoving a black man covered in paint into a washing machine after some flirting. After undergoing a wash with 'Qiaobi' detergent, the man emerges as a light-skinned, clean Chinese man. Within the past few days, the video has been watched nearly seven million times on YouTube, provoking a storm of allegations of racism. In a statement of apology late yesterday, the company said, "We express our apology for the harm caused to the African people because of the spread of the ad and the over- amplification by the media." "We sincerely hope the public and the media will not over-read it," the company said, adding that it has withdrawn links to the advert, and would like others to stop sharing it online. But the company also blamed foreign media for amplifying the advert. It first appeared in March but was halted amid protests this week which followed extensive media coverage of the controversy. While a large number of Africans live in China, particularly in southern Guangdong province, many have complained of discrimination and prejudice from locals due in part to a widespread stigma against dark skin, the CNN reported. Months after a law to create special courts to settle high-value business disputes was enacted, commercial courts have started functioning in Delhi, Mumbai, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. According to Law Ministry, commercial courts have started functioning under the jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court, Bombay High Court, Himachal Pradesh High Court and the Gujarat High Court. The Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill was signed into a law by the President on January 1. After the law came into being, all pending suits and applications relating to commercial disputes involving a claim of Rs 1 crore and above in high courts and civil courts stood transferred to the relevant Commercial Division or Courts. Commercial Divisions will exercise jurisdiction over all cases and applications relating to commercial disputes. The Commercial Division shall have territorial jurisdiction over such area on which it has original jurisdiction. Commercial Courts, which will be equivalent to district courts, are to be set up in states and Union Territories where the high courts do not have ordinary original civil jurisdiction. While lauding the new law to create commercial divisions in the high courts and the commercial courts at the lower level, Chief Justice of India T S Thakur had said in April that the new courts need separate infrastructure and new judges. He said without proper infrastructure and environment, such courts will not serve the purpose as dealing with cases that require a different handling. "Old wine in a new bottle will not serve the purpose," he had said in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has already assured that commercial courts in his state will run from a new premises with latest infrastructure. Congress in Kerala today criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's statement signalling a shift in the state's stand on Mullaperiyar dam, which is a bone of contention between it and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. KPCC President V M Sudheeran and former chief minister Oommen Chandy said Vijayan's stand was contradictory to the unanimous resolution passed by the assembly demanding construction of a new dam in place of the existing 112-year old reservoir in view of safety concerns. Vijayan, talking to reporters in New Delhi yesterday, had stressed the need for solving the dam dispute with Tamil Nadu through talks and said there was no meaning in Kerala keeping "unnecessary" concern over the issue. Sudheeran said the Chief Minister should explain the reason behind this change of stand. Kerala had responded unitedly on the dam issue from the very beginning itself, he said. The stand of Vijayan 'neglecting' assembly, political organisations and people's sentiments was 'mysterious', he said adding it was a challenge to the people who live under the grip of fear (about the dam). Chandy said Kerala had always maintained the stance of "water for Tamil Nadu and safety for Kerala". Vijayan should correct his statement on the dam, he added. Chandy also wanted CPI-M veteran V S Achuthanandan to explain his stand on the matter as he was one of the vehement critics of UDF government's response to the issue. Former home minister Ramesh Chennithala also came down on the Chief Minister's statement and said "it went against the spirit of the people". The Chief Minister's stand would only help to protect the interests of the neighbouring state, he claimed. Vijayan had also pointed out the Supreme Court committee's finding that the dam was strong. Asked about the state demand for a new dam, Vijayan countered it by asking what would it do with the existing one. Moderate conservative Ali Larijani retained the speakership of Iran's parliament today despite major gains for reformists in February elections, benefiting from credit gained by his support for last year's nuclear deal. Several lawmakers from the reformist camp broke ranks to vote against the head of their own List of Hope, Mohammad Reza Aref, who lost by 103 votes to 173. February's election was widely seen as a referendum on last July's nuclear deal with world powers led by the United States, the signature policy of moderate President Hassan Rouhani. Larijani's support for its passage through parliament kept him out of the fierce debate that saw a string of hardline opponents of the agreement lose their seats. Reformists took 133 of the 290 seats in parliament. That fell short of a majority but it was more than the conservatives' 125 seats. The remaining seats are held by independents and representatives of religious minorities who are expected to give Rouhani a working majority to pass key reform legislation that eluded him in the outgoing conservative-dominated parliament. Several leading reformists broke ranks to endorse Larijani in the runup to the speakership contest. "Larijani can better direct parliament than Aref," Gholam Hossein Karbaschi, the leader of one reformist faction, the Construction Party, told the Shargh newspaper on Tuesday. Reformist former health minister Massoud Pezeshkian was elected first deputy speaker. Two other reformists were also elected to parliament's 12-member governing board. Both are Sunni, a first since the Islamic revolution of 1979 ushered in Iran's Shiite theocracy. Larijani, who turns 58 on June 3, is the scion of a famed Shiite clerical family and a regime veteran. He was a prominent figure in the elite Revolutionary Guards during the 1980-88 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq and served as state broadcasting chief from 1994 to 2005. He stood unsuccessfully against hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the presidency in 2005 and two years later resigned as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in protest at his policies which triggered an economically crippling showdown with the West. A DNA test has confirmed the death of Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Mansour in a US drone strike in the restive Baluchistan province on May 21, Pakistan today said. A DNA sample from one of the two men killed in the US drone attack was successfully matched with a close relative of Mansour, the Interior Ministry said. "The second man killed in the drone attack has been identified. It has been confirmed that the man killed in the attack was former Taliban chief Mullah Mansour. The exact identity was known through the DNA test which matched with a relative of Mansour who had come from Afghanistan to take the dead body," the ministry said in a statement. Mansour and Muhammad Azam, a Pakistani driver, were killed on May 21 when US special forces targeted their vehicle in a drone strike in Noshki district of Baluchistan while they were allegedly returning from Iran by road. The US had announced soon after the attack that it had successfully targeted Mansour, but Pakistan had said that DNA test would be performed to identify the victims. The Interior Ministry said that the tests proved that Mansour was killed in the drone attack. Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had said on Thursday that all indicators confirm that the person killed in the drone strike was Mansour. But he had also said that final announcement will made after DNA tests. Pakistan government has described the US drone strike as a violation of its sovereignty. Meanwhile, the family of Azam today registered a police case against the US government, demanding justice. Congress MP Vijay Darda, who failed to get party renomination for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls from Maharashtra, today called on senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari at the latter's residence here, raising eyebrows in political circles. In a surprise move, the Congress high command yesterday declared former Union minister P Chidambaram as the party nominee to the upper house from Maharashtra. Terms of both Darda and his Rajya Sabha colleague from Congress, Avinash Pande, also from Nagpur, end on July 4. According to sources, the closed-door meeting between Darda and the Union Shipping and Transport Minister lasted for about an hour. When asked what transpired between them, Darda merely said, "It was the decision of the Congress high-command to nominate Chidambaram from Maharashtra". However, he did no elaborate on his future plans. Biennial elections to 57 seats in the Upper House of Parliament will be held on June 11. Six of these seats are in Maharashtra with two each held by Congress and NCP, and one each by BJP and Sena. The retiring Rajya Sabha MPs from the state are Ishwarlal Jain and Praful Patel (NCP), Vijay Darda and Avinash Pande (Congress), Union Minister Piyush Goyal (BJP) and Sanjay Raut (Sena). Given their current strength in the Assembly, it is highly unlikely either the Congress or the NCP will field more than one nominee. The Congress has 42 MLAs and the NCP 41. Former Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, ex-MP and educationist Bhalchandra Mungekar were also in the race for Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra, but were pipped by Chidambaram. 70-year-old Chidambaram did not contest the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and his son Karti had unsuccessfully fought from his native Sivaganga constituency in Tamil Nadu. The family of a Pakistani driver killed along with Taliban chief Mullah Mansour in an American drone strike in Balochistan province today registered a police case against the US government, demanding justice. Mansour and Muhammad Azam were killed on May 21 when US special forces targeted their vehicle with a drone in Noshki district of Balochistan province while allegedly returning from Iran by road. A senior police official said that Azam's brother Muhammad Qasim had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the US government at the Mal Levies station in Noshki district. "His brother has in the report claimed that Azam was not a terrorist and the father of four children and the sole bread earner of the family," the official said. "The family wants action to be taken against the US officials responsible for the drone strikes," he said. "We want justice," Azam's uncle, Haji Khuda-i-Nazar, told Dawn on Sunday. "We want to bring the perpetrators of the drone strike to justice. My nephew Muhammad Azam was innocent and had no links to any terror group." Pakistan government has described the drone strike as a violation of its sovereignty. Amid falling global prices of DAP fertiliser, Indian companies are looking to import phosphoric acid at USD 600 per tonne for producing DAP and other NPK fertilisers. The global prices of Di-ammonia phosphate (DAP) has declined from USD 400 per tonne to USD 350 per tonne. DAP is the second most widely used fertiliser in the country after urea. "Indian companies are negotiating the phosphoric acid prices for this fiscal. The prices should come down to USD 650 per tonne as international prices of DAP has also come down," the country's largest fertiliser firm IFFCO's Managing Director U S Awasthi said. The country's annual requirement of phosphoric acid is at 26-27 lakh tonnes, which is mostly used to produce Di-ammonia phosphate. The negotiations are going on for import of phosphoric acid and the domestic companies are eying prices in the range of USD 600-610 per tonne, a top official of a fertiliser firm said. IFFCO, Zuari, Cormandel and state-run GSFC are the major importers of phosphoric acid. The companies mainly import the chemical from Morocco, Jordan and Tunisia. According to sources, the companies will negotiate the prices of phosphoric acid at the ongoing International Fertilizer Association conference at Moscow in Russia. Five persons were today arrested and one fresh case was registered in connection with the alleged assault on some African nationals in south Delhi's Mehrauli area in which at least six persons were injured. Those arrested have been identified as Babu (32), Om Prakash (24), Rahul (24), Ajay (25) and Kunal (20). Three more persons have been identified and the police are looking out for them, DCP (south) Ishwar Singh said. Kunal was earlier suspected to be a minor and his actual age was verified after scanning several documents, a senior official said. Meanwhile, a fresh case in the matter was registered today in connection with the alleged physical assault of a brother-sister duo from Cameroon around the same time in the area. The police had earlier registered three separate cases of causing hurt, wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation. The arrests were made in connection will all four cases taken together. While some of the accused persons are residents of Maidan Garhi, the others are from Rajpur Khurd, police said. Police intensified the probe today after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took up the issue with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. African nationals in the area have planned a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday to protest against the attacks and the killing of a 23-year-old Congolese man in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj area last week. The incidents of attack took place between 10 PM and 11.30 PM on Thursday night within an area less than half a kilometre. Police have claimed the attacks were not planned and coordinated and not racial in nature. While the victims alleged that they were racially abused and attacked with bats and rods by small mobs, police denied the allegations attributing two of the incidents to disputes over African nationals playing loud music and the other to a scuffle over public drinking. During investigation it emerged that the first incident took place when a man was heading to a hospital with his ailing mother in his car and got stuck in a congested lane. Ahead of him was an African man in his car who was playing music loudly. When the former asked the African person to lower the volume and let his car pass, he refused citing a congested road ahead of him. Following this, an argument broke out between the African man and some locals. Meanwhile, another African man, who sustained severe injury on his nose, was passing by in an autorickshaw and he intervened. The argument soon led to a scuffle and they were beaten up. However, the police are still trying to join the dots to ascertain how the other incidents took place around the same time in such close proximity. A group of villagers allegedly manhandled police personnel here after which five persons, including two women, were arrested, police said today. The incident took place on Friday evening when a group of villagers arrived at Palakne outpost on the pretext of lodging a complaint regarding construction of a compund wall of 'goshala' (cow shelter), Assistant Police Inspector G K Matondkar told PTI. "While they were lodging the complaint, few of villagers hurled stones aimed at duty officer sub-inspector R G Patil. After sometime, five people entered the outpost and started manhandling Patil and another duty policeman, Govind Ware, who was injured in attack," the officer said. The two women in the group and others ransacked the outpost, he said, adding, all of them were arrested yesterday. The villagers attacked the personnel because they believed the police to be supporting the construction of a compound wall of the goshala, which locals are opposing, Matondkar said. A case was lodged against the five accused under sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the IPC. They were identified as Ganesh Gode, Abhijeet Rane, his sister Anjana, Sanjay Patil, Suvarna Patil. Five women, including a seven-month-old girl and an octogenarian, were severely injured when the roof of their house in Southwest Delhi's Najafgarh area collapsed during the dust storm this evening. The incident was reported around 8.30 PM following which the five, all of them relatives, were rushed to Rao Tula Ram Hospital, a senior police official said. The injured ones have been identified as Shanti Devi (45), Dekha (30), Neha (84), Misha (64) and Divyana (7 months), he added. Allaying concerns about any further misuse of Participatory Notes, market watchdog Sebi's Chairman U K Sinha has said Indians can no longer use these offshore instruments, even indirectly, and a strong safety net has been put in place to check any routing of black money. He also said that foreign investors have been taken "completely on board" for changes in the regulations governing Offshore Derivative Instruments (ODIs) -- commonly known as P-Notes -- and they have been consulted even for design of the reporting formats about investments through this route. Sebi will soon finalise reporting formats as also the revised guidelines and new circulars, for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) dealing in ODIs, after incorporating the changes approved by its board earlier this month. While foreign investors can register themselves as FPIs to invest directly in India, ODIs are typically market-access instruments preferred by those looking to save on time and operational costs involved with a direct registration. Sebi rules allow certain classes of FPIs to issue ODIs after a proper due-diligence process that has been further tightened now to address the concerns raised by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Black Money. In an interaction here, the Sebi Chairman said India wants to encourage and promote long-term investments and would prefer foreign investors to come directly, but there will be no roadblocks for genuine investments even through PNs. Ruling out any special concession for the investors using this route, including for hedge funds, Sinha said if some investors have a genuine reason such as 'testing the Indian waters' they can use ODIs after complying with the due KYC and other regulatory requirements. "In the past, this route was misused by some Indian nationals and Indian corporates for getting their ill-gotten money rerouted to the Indian markets. "The intention was also to put money into their own firms so as to manipulate the share prices. As late as 2007-2008, we found some such cases and took action," Sinha said. "Now, Sebi has got the information and a guarantee from the foreign investors issuing ODIs that not a single Indian has been issued such instruments and they would not be allowed to subscribe to these instruments, directly or indirectly. "Earlier, there were also cases about some hedge funds camouflaging their identity and come through this route, but that is also not possible now and Sebi has got full details till the last possible end beneficial owner," he added. ODIs now account for investments worth Rs 2.12 lakh crore in Indian markets, which is 9.3 per cent of the overall FPI investments -- down from a peak of over 55 per cent in 2007. Sinha said he sees this percentage falling even further, as foreign investors are preferring the direct route and hundreds of new FPIs are getting registered every quarter. Even among FPIs, broad-based funds with low-risk profile account for well over 95 per cent of investments into the Indian markets at about Rs 22 lakh crore, while presence of high-risk investors such as hedge funds is very small -- both in terms of their number as well as the investments. Sebi classifies FPIs into three categories based on their risk profile and they are subjected to the KYC requirements accordingly. The Category-I FPIs mostly include central banks and sovereign funds, while the Category-II comprises of broad- based investors such as mutual funds, insurers, pension funds and banks. The Category III is the highest-risk category and includes hedge funds and other smaller investors. The third-category of investors are not allowed to deal in ODIs, while only some in the second category are permitted to issue or subscribe to these instruments. Sharing further details, Sinha said investments by Category-III FPIs currently stand at only about Rs 77,000 crore while their count is just about 600. In comparison, there are over 7,000 Category-II FPIs and they have invested over Rs 18,74,000 crore. There are about 300 Category I FPIs that have invested close to Rs 3,30,000 crore in India. ODIs are issued abroad by FPIs as market access products against securities held by it that are listed or are proposed to be listed on a stock exchange in India, as its underlying. These underlying securities can be equity, debt, derivatives, index, a basket of securities from different jurisdictions, or a basket of all Indian securities. The ODIs include over-the-counter derivatives documented through a bilateral contract, as also the securitised instruments such as notes, certificates or warrants. Sinha said there have been two extreme sets of worries in the public's mind. He explained: "One is that Sebi is not doing enough to prevent the flow of black money and whether whatever Sebi has done is good enough. The worry on the other side is that are we killing this instrument and what would be the impact on the markets? "Even before we decided on the latest changes, there were worries that it would affect the markets. I remember this decision was taken on a Thursday afternoon and my colleagues kept calling me the previous night and in the morning that they are worried about the markets. "Personally, I was not worried because we had held a series of detailed consultations with the FPIs. After the decision also, we called them, as based on these decisions we need to issue some circulars, some guidelines and also some formats need to designed. "Even to the extent of designing these formats, we have consulted them so that they are on board and they realise what is the rationale behind it." Sinha said that the intention of the government and Sebi has been always clear that any inclination among genuine investors to come through PNs and not the direct FPI route must be removed. "That is why we have made the FPI registration process very simple and for those using PNs we have brought in more and more transparency so that the difference between the two routes becomes less and less," he said. Assuring that rules are strong enough to check any misuse, Sinha said PNs or ODIs still form part of an important and genuine business requirement. He further said: "We don't frown upon these instruments. We have seen these instruments are used all over the world and many jurisdictions allow them as many investors need these instruments as a genuine business requirement. "At the same time, the effort has been to remove the dichotomy between these two sets of foreign investors -- FPIs and ODIs -- and bring them together as far as legitimate investors are concerned. "We have focussed on making FPI registration process simple and ensure proper KYC compliance. "One of the worries earlier was that Sebi did not know who were the ODI holders -- In which jurisdictions they were and whether they were Indian nationals or not. "Over the years, Sebi has put in place a very detailed mechanism for reporting requirements of FPIs and that provided for who are the ODI holders and which jurisdictions they were in, among other things. "Some people may find it hard to believe, probably because of their own bad experiences in the market in the past, but Sebi now has full details about each and every ODI holder at the end of every month. "So, the earlier possibility of Indian nationals using the ODI route is not possible. There were a variety of routes earlier and the one such route was Protected Cell Companies which had a very opaque structures. Sebi has ensured that no such opaque structures are being used now." Sinha said it was not very easy to persuade the FPIs for the changes. In the past, whenever Sebi wanted to tighten the ODI rules, there used to be a serious impact on the markets. "So, learning from the past, we began consulting the industry on any proposal to bring in new changes. "There are about 8,000 FPIs registered today, out of which only 39 issue ODIs. We consulted all of them. We had extensive consultations and we explained to them that what SIT was saying and what was the reason behind it. After convincing them, we went to our Board and it took a decision," he said. "The idea has been that let us make FPI process so much simple that the genuine investors are not inclined to go to this route. But there would still be some people who want to use this form genuine reasons, such as those who just want to test the Indian waters and do not want to get registered as FPIs initially. "FPIs and ODI issuers are also realising that it is not something which is happening only in India, but it is a global movement against black money and in favour of transparency," he said. The Sebi Chief said the regulator's consultations with FPIs show that more and more people have begun coming directly as FPIs as the process has been made very simple. Four persons were today arrested for their alleged involvement in a clash between two groups in north Kolkata's Shampukur police station area, the police said. The clash between two alleged rival factions of the Trinamool Congress took place in the area late last night, the police said. Both the groups, one led by Kokhon Das and the other by Prasun Ghosh, lodged police complaints against each other and on that basis four persons have been arrested, he said. Kokhon Das, Ganesh, Kaushik and Nilanjan, all residents of the area, were remanded to police custody till May 31 after being produced in court, the officer said. A German left-wing politician, known for her strong anti-migrants stance, was targeted by an activist who shoved a chocolate cake in her face during a meeting. Sahra Wagenknecht is a prominent member of the Linke party, which was meeting in Magdeburg when the attack took place on Saturday. The 46-year-old leader has sought a limit on the number of refugees Germany should accept, which has put her at odds with others in her party. A group calling itself Anti-Fascist Initiative "Cake for Misanthropists" distributed flyers, pointing to her position on migrants as their motive. Photos taken after the attack showed the smartly-dressed leader covered in chocolate icing and crumbs. The influx of over one million migrants, mostly Muslims, into Germany last year has hardened German public opinion on immigration and pushed the government to toughen asylum rules. The HRD ministry has rejected a panel of three names that included HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh to head the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) and sought a fresh list of candidates. A three-member search committee, headed by former IIM-A chairman and L&T CMD Anil Naik, had recommended R Seshasayee, chairman of the Board of Directors of Infosys, CMD of Hero MotoCorp Pawan Munjal besides Parekh, according to official sources. These names were forwarded to the Human Resource Development(HRD) ministry by the IIM-A administration for consideration, they said. The ministry has rejected the names, the sources said without elaborating. The sources said the process for selecting a new candidate for the post has started and the Ministry has sought new names, they said. As per the Memorandum of Association between the IIM-A and HRD ministry, the latter selects from the names suggested by the search committee for the post. The post was lying vacant ever since Naik stepped down as the chairman of the board of governors on December 31 last, two years before the end of his tenure. Cadila Healthcare CMD Pankaj Patel was appointed as interim chairman by the board and search for new chariman was initiated. Finding discrepancies in spending data, the government has asked all eligible to furnish details about social welfare activities undertaken by them under the law. While the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) regulations came into force from April 1, 2014, a clear picture of how much money has actually been spent during the first year of implementation -- 2014-15 -- is yet to emerge. Sources said the Corporate Affairs Ministry has asked to submit details about utilisation of funds after noticing discrepancies in the data submitted by many of them in their statutory filings. In this regard, the Registrar of Companies (RoC) has sought information on works from the firms. A random analysis of filings has indicated discrepancies in submissions about CSR activities. In some instances, firms have submitted that they do not come under CSR regulations while financial data suggest that they indeed come under it, sources said. The information have been called for by the RoCs to have a clearer picture about compliance with CSR norms, they added. Under the Companies Act, 2013, certain class of profitable entities are required to shell out at least two per cent of their three-year average annual net profit towards CSR activities. In case of non-spending, the firms have to furnish reasons for the same. The Act -- which is implemented by the Corporate Affairs Ministry -- also requires the eligible entities to mention about CSR activities and related spending in the report prepared by their board of directors. As per the Act, every company having a net worth of at least Rs 500 crore, minimum turnover of Rs 1,000 crore or a net profit of Rs 5 crore or more are required to spend on CSR. Such entities would have to constitute a CSR committee of their respective board of directors. This panel would formulate and recommend to the board CSR activities that can be taken up by the company. In March, Corporate Affairs Minister Arun Jaitley had informed the Rajya Sabha that as many as 460 listed firms had disclosed spending Rs 6,337.36 crore towards CSR activities in 2014-15. Meanwhile, the Ministry has amended rules thereby allowing corporates to carry out CSR activities through non-profit entities and societies set up by governments that do not have three years' track record in undertaking such projects. The move would provide entities a wider choice in carrying out CSR works. The government has decided to cancel all ongoing tenders for defence equipment won by Italy's Finmeccanica as a precursor to blacklisting of the firm which is being investigated for bribery in the AgustaWestland . This was disclosed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who in an interview to PTI also said that the process for blacklisting Finmeccanica and its subsidiaries has already been started and a note for the same sent to the Law Ministry. "Wherever there is capital procurement of Finmeccanica and their subsidiaries, all Requests for Proposal (RFP) will be closed. I am very clear," he said. However, he said, the annual maintenance and import of spare parts of already acquired defence supplies will be continued with the firm and only fresh capital acquisition is being nixed. The government has already withdrawn the RFP for heavy wight torpedos for Socrpene submarines which was won by WASS, a Finmeccanica subsidiary, during UPA regime. The government is now working out the alternatives. "The blacklisting process has already been moved. If there is a blacklisting for a specific number of years, which will be issued in the order, there will be no transaction by Defence Ministry with that company for capital procurement for that many years," he said. He stressed that the Ministry has already put on hold new transactions with the company. "In revenue acquisition, where contracts have already been executed, annual maintenance and import of spare parts will be permitted where it is absolutely essential but with proper certification from concerned authority in order to ensure that platform or equipment remains operational," he said. Emphasising that security "cannot be compromised" just because the company has done something wrong, he said, "I cannot put six ships of mine out of commission because one spare part is to be imported from some company of Finmeccanica. Asked what will happen to projects in which Finmeccanica would play a crucial role in supply of equipment, Parrikar said, "Is there only one product in the whole world? There will always be products by Russian companies, American companies or some others. May be slightly costlier and difficult to get". A number of naval platforms under construction like four destroyers of the 15B (Visakhapatnam-class) and next seven ships of the Shivalik class stealth frigates are designed to be armed with the 127mm Otomelara main gun. Otomelara is a Finmeccanica firm. The gun was to be inducted into the navy's training schools too. The navy was also in talks to induct short-range surface-to-air missiles from European consortium MBDA, in which Finmeccanica has a stake. Also on the anvil were torpedo counter-measure suites through a joint programme of state-run Bharat Dynamics and Finmeccanica besides collaboration on network centric warfare prototype between Bharat Electronics and a subsidiary of Italian firm. Finmeccanica subsidiary Selex ES is also involved in the supply of RAN-40L 3D air surveillance radars for the 40,000- tonne indigenous aircraft carrier which is under construction at Cochin Shipyard. To encourage power generators and equipment manufacturers, the New and Renewable Energy Ministry will unveil a policy on zones that would be spread over one or more districts of a state. "We have been working on a new policy for zones, which would be spread over one or even more districts of a state to encourage generators as well as equipment manufacturers," Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Joint Secretary Tarun Kapoor told PTI. "The work on the policy is almost complete and it will be launched next month," he added. Under the policy, the developer will be provided with inputs like land availability and power evacuation locations for planning his project, the official said. Unlike solar parks, the developer would have to acquire land for the project and the ministry in collaboration with the states will provide input about availability of land. The developer will be free to arrange land for the projects as he would have option of either buying or getting land on lease for the purpose. Government would develop transmission network in each solar zone for evacuation of power at different points to facilitate the developers, Kapoor said. He further said that each solar zone would have a central office, which will be set up with the support of state governments to guide the developers. Government plans to add 10,500 MW of solar power generation capacity during the current fiscal. Besides it wants to encourage solar equipment manufacturing capacity in the country. At present the solar module manufacturing capacity is 5 GW every year. Similarly the solar cell manufacturing capacity is about 2 GW. India plans to have 175 GW renewable power capacity by 2022, including 100 GW of solar and 60 GW of wind. World champion Lewis Hamilton ended his six-months wait for a win today when he secured an unexpected and skilful victory for Mercedes in an incident-filled Monaco Grand Prix. Taking full advantage of a bungled pit stop for his nearest rival, Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, Hamilton drove supremely in mixed conditions to seize his first triumph in nine races since clinching his third title at the 2015 United States Grand Prix last October. Ricciardo, who started from his maiden pole position, led until he pitted for slick tyres - that were not ready for him -- after 32 laps and finally came home second, 7.2 seconds behind the three-time champion. It was Hamilton's second win on the famous Mediterranean street circuit, his first this season and the 44th of his career. It also repeated his 2008 triumph when he started third and won in wet conditions. Mexican Sergio Perez finished third, 6.5 seconds behind a disconsolate Ricciardo, but ahead of four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany (Ferrari) and two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Spain, who finished a superb fifth for McLaren on the 50th anniversary of their Formula One debut race in 1966. Hamilton's win kept alive his title defence and, with Rosberg off the podium, trimmed the leader's advantage to 24 points, less than a single victory, in the title race. "Thank God that today went as I'd hoped," said Hamilton, who sopped to give Justin Bieber a swig of his champagne in the podium celebrations. "A big thank you to the team. I'm kind of lost for words. I prayed for a day like this and it came through so I feel blessed. That was the longest run after I stopped for those tyres." A furious Ricciardo struggled to control his feelings and his language. "I don't even want to comment on the race," he said. "Two weekends in a row now, I've been screwed. It sucks. It hurts." On a grim afternoon of torrential rain in the Principality, the race started -- for the first time -- behind a Safety Car with the entire field running on full-wet tyres. This negated any advantage that Ricciardo could have gained by Red Bull's choice of 'super-soft' tyres for final qualifying on Saturday. Finally, on lap seven, the Safety Car came in and the contest began in earnest. Slamming the Gujarat government for "commercialisation of education", jailed Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel has called for a peaceful mass movement against schools and colleges demanding donation for admitting the students. In a letter addressed to Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), Hardik alleged that the government is ignoring the plight of students and is only interested in organising various festivals to boast about development. "Main reason behind students' suicides is rampant commercialisation of education in Gujarat. People are becoming victims of the donation practice. I urge PAAS and other organisations to raise their voice against this system" Hardik said in the letter dated May 27. The copies of the letter were distributed to media by PAAS today. Hardik has been lodged at Lajpore jail in Surat since last October under two cases of sedition emerging out of the Patel quota agitation. "This government is not worried about the future of students and youths. What is the meaning of spending crores on various festivals in the name of showcasing development? Time has come to give justice to youths," he stated. According to Hardik, colleges and schools are having "government's protection and permission to collect donations, which are in turn given to parties for election campaigns". "I appeal to all the students and their families to contact PAAS members if any education institute demands donation. Upon receiving such complaints, PAAS members should engage in peaceful protests outside those institutes to highlight the issue," said Hardik. Hillary Clinton would be the Democratic presidential nominee, a top party Senator said today while dismissing allegation that she violated the law by using personal email server during her tenure as the the secretary of state. "Hillary Clinton broke no law," Senator Dianne Feinstein told ABC in an interview. She was responding to the allegations that by using personal email server Clinton violated the law. Feinstein claimed that the recent report of the Inspector General of the State Department does not say that she violated the law. "I read all 42 pages of the report. The conclusion of the report does not say that. What it says is that the department does not handle these electronic platform operations well and needs to do better," she said. "Hillary, herself, has said, yes, I made a mistake. If I had a chance to do it over again, I'd do it differently," Feinstein said. "I mean, what do people want? This goes on and on and on. We're reaching the final stages of a primary. Hillary Clinton is going to win this primary. I say enough is enough. Let's get to the major problems facing this nation," the Senator from California said. Business process management company Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) has drawn up an investment plan of up to Rs 180 crore this fiscal, including for setting up one global delivery centre each in the Philippines, Jamaica and India. "We will be opening one centre each in Jamaica, the Philippines and India this year as part of our expansion plans," the company's Chief Executive Officer Partha De Sarkar told PTI. He said the company has earmarked a capex of Rs 160-180 crore for the ongoing fiscal, which shall be used for opening the new delivery centres as well as other ongoing activities. Sarkar said the company is already present in all these countries. IT firms are getting interested in Latin America as a geography to open their delivery centres, though HGS is not thinking on those lines at present, he added. The Hinduja Group company will be hiring around 3,000 people across its centres, he said, adding the total number of employees stands at under 40,000 at present. The company is targeting to maintain its revenue growth in "mid-teens" during the fiscal, he said. The situation in Canada, where it had witnessed a slide last fiscal, has improved now. Sarkar said the company is targeting to expand its pre-tax profit margin, which went up to 10.7 per cent for the March quarter from 9.8 per cent a year ago, by another 1 percentage point this year on expected revenue growth and efficiency improvement. On the issues surrounding diesel cabs, which are key to the industry as it depends on them for transporting employees working at odd hours, Sarkar said he hopes the courts do not do anything in haste but give the fleet owners sufficient time to migrate to other fuels. French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel stood shoulder to shoulder today to mark the centenary of Verdun, one of the bloodiest battles of World War I. The battle in northeast France was the longest of World War I, lasting 300 days, and claimed more than 300,000 lives before France emerged victorious. Verdun is now seen as a key symbol of the reconciliation of France and Germany and Hollande and Merkel are expected to make a call for Europe to pull together to confront its current challenges. Under persistent rain, the leaders began the commemoration by laying a wreath at the German military cemetery at Consenvoye, just north of Verdun. They walked between rows of black crosses embossed in white with the names of the dead that stretch down the hill of the cemetery where 11,000 German soldiers are buried. By visiting the German cemetery, Hollande and Merkel were following in the footsteps of their predecessors Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl. When Mitterrand and Kohl joined hands there during the playing of the French national anthem in 1984, it underlined how close ties had become between two countries which were once enemies but are now often described as the twin motors of the European Union. "To be invited to these commemorations shows the extent to which relations between France and Germany are good today," Merkel said ahead of the ceremony. Both leaders are expected to use the day of remembrance to stress the need for unity at a time when the EU is under pressure from a mass influx of migrants and a possible Brexit. Hollande said before the ceremony that it was a perfect time for the leaders to spell out their ambitions for Europe, at a time when the continent was in the grip of the "evil of populism". That appeared to be a reference to Europe's far-right parties which have made advances in several countries, fuelled by growing concern over an unprecedented influx of migrants. Over lunch, the two leaders will discuss the crisis caused by the hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees seeking refuge in Europe and the June 23 referendum in Britain on whether or not to quit the EU. They will then attend the main commemorative ceremony at the Douaumont ossuary, where the remains of 130,000 soldiers, French and German, lie underground. It was here that Mitterrand and Kohl made their symbolic gesture to reaffirm Franco-German friendship. Housing.Com, which has raised over $100 million from various investors including Softbank and has restructured the business, today said it expects $10 million revenue in the current fiscal. Last November, it had decided to monetise its products as part of the restructuring exercise. " is receiving an overwhelming response to the products it launched in January with revenue growing 200% month-on-month and the company on track to achieve $10 million in revenue this fiscal year," it said in a statement. After the company decided to focus its business on home buying and selling, said it has started a series of digital advertising products for developers and brokers to provide maximum customer exposure and return on investment for their home sales efforts. In addition, it is offering customised digital marketing services to large developers to drive home sales and build developer brand equity. CEO Jason Kothari said the company is about revenue position in the future. The company has 11,000 developers and 18,000 brokers active on its platform, "so there is large monetization growth and upside that can be derived from just the existing customer base". Founded in 2012, Housing.Com is leading online real estate platform with 1.7 million verified homes listed to date. American ships and fighter jets manoeuvring across the South China Sea and the Sea of Japan represent the "new normal" in US-Pacific relations despite rising tensions with China and Moscow. US moves in recent months have led to angry protests from China and Russia, which contend the Obama administration is fuelling unrest in the Asia Pacific and conducting illegal and unsafe transit in the region. US military leaders defend the operations and say they will continue to exercise freedom of navigation, and may do so more frequently as time goes on. The escalating rhetoric reflects efforts by China and Russia to show military superiority in an increasingly crowded and competitive part of the world. And it sets up a tense game of political brinkmanship as leaders from the two countries and the US thrust and parry across the military and diplomatic fields of play. The military manoeuvres have shadowed President Barack Obama's "pivot to Asia," a decision early in his tenure to try to focus the relationship with Pacific partners on economics and trade. "We're at a moment when China, Iran and Russia are all testing us, engaging in reckless behaviour and forcing policy makers with the question of how far we push and when," said Derek Chollet, a former assistant defense secretary for international affairs and now a senior adviser at the German Marshall Fund. "We're for freedom of navigation and following the rules, and to an extent we are pushing back against changing the rules." Adm John Richardson, chief of naval operations, said that for the first time in 25 years, the US is facing competition for maritime superiority as China and Russia build up their navies. China's island development in the South China Sea has inflamed regional tensions, including with nations that have competing claims to the land formations. Most fear that Beijing, which has built airfields and placed weapons systems on the man-made islands, will use the construction to extend its military reach and perhaps try to restrict navigation. Three times in the past seven months, US warships deliberately have sailed close to one of those islands to exercise freedom of navigation and challenge the claims. In response, China has deployed fighter jets and ships to track and warn off the American ships, and accused the US of provocative action. In other places around the globe, including portions of India or large swaths of the South American coast, US ships routinely sail within claimed territorial waters or refuse to provide advance requests for transit. Often the operations go unnoticed or trigger no reaction or protest. The government has a vision to increase production to 300 million tonnes, Union Minister of State for and Mines Vishnu Deo Sai said today. Sai was here to review the performance of public sector Manganese Ore India Limited (MOIL), where he interacted with top officials of the company. "India is now the fourth largest producer in the world and the Narendra Modi government has a vision to occupy the third spot with 300 million tonnes of (steel) production," the minister told reporters. However, according to World Steel Association (WSA), India already occupies the third spot, with a production of 89.4 million tonnes in 2015. China remained the world's leading steel producer with an output of 803.8 million tonnes last year. Claiming that the BJP-led government is working at a faster pace than the previous UPA regime, Sai said there were 60,000 applications of different nature, right from licence to lease renewals, that were pending before his ministry when the new government took over. The government has started the auction process and six mines located in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and other places have been auctioned, he added. He said the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 has been reviewed and many reforms carried out. Sai said his ministry has drafted a National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP) for facilitating large scale private sector investments in exploration. Replying to a question, the minister said the District Mineral Foundations (DMF) are being set up at district level by mineral-rich states. "For the first time in the history of mining sector, the highest ever dividend of Rs 3,000 crore has been paid by Hindustan Zinc Limited to the Government of India as special dividend under ministry's initiative," he said. Indonesian activist Adlun Fiqri could be jailed for wearing a T-shirt allegedly bearing a leftist logo, one of many caught up in a backlash against efforts to shine a light on military-backed, anti-communist massacres half a century ago. Police and the military have in recent weeks rounded up people for allegedly spreading communism - which remains outlawed in Indonesia - through logos on T-shirts. They have also seized books about communism and stopped a film screening that touched on the subject. It came after the government last month took timid steps towards making peace with one of the nation's darkest chapters - the killing of at least 500,000 people in anti-communist massacres in 1965-66, conducted by local groups with military support. The killings began after General Suharto put down a coup attempt blamed on communists. He rose to power on the back of the bloodshed, and went on to lead Indonesia with an iron fist for three decades. During his rule, the massacres were presented as necessary to rid the country of communism - Indonesia had the world's third-biggest communist party before the killings. Public debate about the killings was taboo, and no one was ever held to account. Since Suharto's 1998 downfall and Indonesia's transformation into a freewheeling democracy, there have been growing calls to re-examine one of the worst mass killings of the 20th century, and even for an official apology. Last month the government took steps towards coming to terms with the episode by backing for the first time public discussions into the killings - attended by survivors and members of the military - and they announced they would investigate sites that activists say are mass graves. But the moves swiftly sparked a backlash from the military and police. Conservative elements of the security forces began speaking out against a supposed communist resurgence, despite the fact the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) was wiped out during the 1960s massacres. "The leftist movement is currently surging in this country," hardline Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu warned in a recent speech to hundreds of retired generals, according to the Jakarta Post newspaper. Observers believe the military is whipping up the spectre of a communist threat as their role in the killings comes under scrutiny. Paul Rowland, an independent Jakarta-based political analyst, said some in the military "would like to revive the communist threat because that effectively justifies the actions that were taken 50 years ago". Iranians will not take part in this year's Mecca pilgrimage because of "obstacles" raised by Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam's holiest sites, Iran's Culture Minister Ali Jannati said today. In the latest dispute between the two regional rivals, "after two series of negotiations without any results because of obstacles raised by the Saudis, Iranian pilgrims will unfortunately not be able to take part in the hajj" pilgrimage, expected to take place this year in September, he said, quoted by state television. Saudi officials have said an Iranian delegation wrapped up a visit to the kingdom on Friday without reaching a final agreement on arrangements for hajj pilgrims from the Islamic republic. The Saudi hajj ministry said it had offered "many solutions" to meet a string of demands made by the Iranians in two days of talks. Agreement had been reached in some areas, including to use electronic visas which could be printed out by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran, it said. Riyadh cut ties with Tehran in January after Iranian demonstrators torched its embassy and a consulate following its execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Shiite Iran and predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia are at odds over a raft of regional issues, notably the conflicts in Syria and Yemen in which they support opposing sides. Earlier this month, Iran had accused its regional rival of seeking to "sabotage" the hajj, a pillar of Islam that devout Muslims must perform at least once during their lifetime if they are able. Tehran said Riyadh had insisted that visas for Iranians be issued in a third country and would not allow pilgrims to be flown aboard Iranian aircraft. But the Saudi hajj ministry said Friday that Riyadh had agreed to allow Iranians to obtain visas through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which has looked after Saudi interests since ties were severed in January. Riyadh also agreed to allow some Iranian carriers to fly pilgrims to the kingdom despite a ban imposed on Iranian airlines following the diplomatic row between the two countries, the ministry said. Last week's talks were the second attempt by the two countries to reach a deal on organising this year's pilgrimage for Iranians after an unsuccessful first round held in April in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi ministry said at the time that the Iranian Hajj Organisation would be held responsible "in front of God and the people for the inability of its pilgrims to perform hajj this year." Another contentious issue has been security, after a stampede at last September's hajj killed about 2,300 foreign pilgrims, including 464 Iranians. Iran said today its pilgrims will miss the pilgrimage this year because Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam's holiest sites, was raising obstacles and "blocking the path to Allah" for its faithful. The Iranian Hajj Organisation said: "Saudi Arabia is opposing the absolute right of Iranians to go on the hajj and is blocking the path leading to Allah." The Saudi side had failed to respond to Iranian demands over "the security and respect" of its pilgrims to Mecca, of whom 60,000 took part in last year's hajj, the organisation said. In the latest dispute between regional rivals Tehran and Riyadh, "after two series of negotiations without any results because of obstacles raised by the Saudis, Iranian pilgrims will unfortunately not be able to take part in the hajj" in September, Iran's Culture Minister Ali Jannati said. Saudi officials have said an Iranian delegation wrapped up a visit to the kingdom on Friday without reaching a final agreement on arrangements for pilgrims from the Islamic republic. The Saudi hajj ministry said it had offered "many solutions" to meet a string of demands made by the Iranians in two days of talks. Agreement had been reached in some areas, including to use electronic visas which could be printed out by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran, it said. It would be the first hajj in almost 30 years to take place without the participation of pilgrims from Iran. Riyadh-Tehran ties were severed for four years after more than 400 people were killed in Mecca during clashes between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi security forces in 1987. In January, relations were severed again after Iranian demonstrators torched Saudi Arabia's embassy and a consulate following the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Shiite Iran and predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia are at odds over a raft of regional issues, notably the conflicts in Syria and Yemen in which they support opposing sides. Earlier this month, Iran had accused its regional rival of seeking to "sabotage" the hajj, a pillar of Islam that devout Muslims must perform at least once during their lifetime if they are able. Tehran said Riyadh had insisted that visas for Iranians be issued in a third country and would not allow pilgrims to be flown aboard Iranian aircraft. But the Saudi hajj ministry said on Friday that Riyadh had agreed to allow Iranians to obtain visas through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which has looked after Saudi interests since ties were severed in January. Israel's prime minister has thanked the Russian President for agreeing to return a tank from a battle in the 1982 Lebanon war from which three soldiers are still missing in action. Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement today thanking Vladimir Putin. It says that after the war Syria delivered the tank to the Russian army and it later ended up in a Moscow museum. Three soldiers from the Sultan Yacoub battle where the tank was deployed are still MIA. Military service is compulsory in Israel and the fate of the missing soldiers has emotional resonance. Netanyahu addressed the soldiers' families in the statement saying, "there has been nothing to remember the boys by and no grave to visit for 34 years now. The tank is the only evidence of the battle. Japanese conglomerate SoftBank and a number of investors here have shown keen interest in investing in India's "infrastructure growth story", Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today as he kicked off his 6-day visit to Japan aimed at attracting investments from Asia's second biggest economy. After a meeting with Jaitley, SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son said he is also interested in Internet companies as well as solar energy sector, where he has already announced USD 20 billion investment through a joint venture. "There are people who want to participate in infrastructure growth story. For example, at the SoftBank meeting we just had, they are looking at one of the biggest investments in solar power already," Jaitley said after meeting Son. In June last year, SoftBank announced that the group was forming a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises and Taiwan's Foxconn Technology Group to invest about USD 20 billion in renewable energy in India. The JV would aim to generate 20 gigawatts of electricity. "They have made considerable headway and have identified location. It will probably be one of the largest investment in those areas," Jaitley said. The Japanese telecom and Internet giant has made a string of tech investments in India, amounting to USD 2 billion in the past two year. SoftBank is looking at accelerating the pace of investments in the future. "India has a great future... We are interested in investing for Internet companies, also for solar energy. We would make a strong commitment," Son said. He had previously said that India's market is poised for massive growth, making it an important destination for investors. Private carrier will take back all six wide-body Boeing aircraft leased out to its investment partner Etihad Airways in the next six months and deploy them on some of its core routes including to the Gulf. The six B777-300 ER aircraft are expected to be put into service from August and some of them are likely to be used in the domestic sector as well, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and acting Chief Executive Amit Agarwal said during a post-earnings analysts' call recently. "Our wide body (Boeing 777) aircraft currently on lease to partner airline Etihad will be taken back and operationalised from August. Based on the market condition, our plan is to upgrade some of the existing A330 routes with B-777," Agarwal said. "We will be careful and cautiously deploy these aircraft in the domestic market," he said. These ultra long-haul operation planes had been wet-leased to Etihad, which holds 24 per cent stake in the Naresh Goyal-owned private airline. Wet lease is an arrangement in which the lessor provides an aircraft along with the cockpit and cabin crew and pays for its maintenance and insurance. The company which wet leases the plane pays by the hours it is operated. In dry lease, only the aircraft is leased out. The Mumbai-based full service airline, along with its subsidiary JetLite, has a total of 116 aircraft, with 92 of them being on operating lease and rest 24 owned by it. "This (replacement of Airbus A330 with B 777) will subsequently result in additional capacity in our core market India and Gulf," Agarwal said. Jet Airways, the second largest domestic carrier by market share, also plans to deploy these long-haul planes to destinations like Amsterdam, Paris and Toronto by replacing the existing wide-body Airbus A330s, a Jet official had said early last month. Amsterdam became the airline's new overseas gateway for international operations to Europe and beyond from late March, replacing Brussels. Staying profitable for the fourth straight quarter, posted a net profit of Rs 426 crore in January-March, primarily aided by lower fuel expenses and higher passenger numbers. In the financial year ending March 2016, the airline posted its first annual profit after eight years, recording a net profit of Rs 1,212 crore. In the corresponding period, it had a net loss of Rs 2,097 crore. Superstar Johnny Depp took the stage at Rock in Rio Lisboa festival to perform with his band, just hours after a judge granted Amber Heard's request for a domestic violence restraining order. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor, 52, puffed on a small cigar as he strummed his guitar onstage at the Portugal festival alongside bandmates Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Duff McKagen, reported Us magazine. Depp looked somber throughout much of the gig, but managed to briefly crack a smile as one audience member held up a sign that read, "Johnny my (heart) is beating for you." His band The Hollywood Vampires performed a lengthy set of 21 songs, most of which were covers of classic hits by David Bowie, The Who and The Beatles. Heard, 30, was granted a temporary restraining order against the "Alice Through the Looking Glass" star on May 27 morning. She appeared at a Los Angeles courthouse with a visible bruise on her face, just one day after she accused the actor of domestic violence. Anirban Lahiri shot 68 and stayed in the top-10 of the Dean & Deluca Invitational on the PGA Tour this season here. But Lahiri was somewhat disappointed at his two-under round that took him to seven-under and he was five off the lead. Lahiri, who began the week with a 65 and then followed it up with a 70 in a broken-up second round. On Saturday, he first came out and played six holes to complete his second round and then shot 68 in the 18 holes of the third to get to 203 on the Par-70 Colonial Country Club. Jordan Spieth clocked a near flawless 65, which was smudged by just one bogey on the 18th, to come closer to his first PGA TOUR victory in his home state of Texas. Meanwhile, Ryan Palmer shot 66 and was just one shot off the lead. Spieth was 12-under and Palmer was 11-under. Spieth has now had rounds of 67, 66 and 65, improving by a shot with each round to be 12-under 198, while Palmer with 66, 67 and 66 is 11-under 199. Lahiri stuck to his task and discipline of finding fairways and greens and was cruising at three-under through first 10 holes. He was inside top-five and then after a bogey on 12th, he exchanged two birdies with two bogeys, as he gained shots on 16 and 18, but dropped shots on 15 and 17th. Lahiri said, "I think I played quite solidly and was going fine. Then I had a few poor swings with my short irons and that led to bogeys, all from the fairways. That was disappointing. So, in a way, you could say I am disappointed at not being closer to the lead (Spieth is leading at 12-under to Lahiri's seven-under). I need a good start and I will try my best. If I can get close early, then I can give myself a chance on the back nine." Spieth's 65 came despite missing a lot of fairways and a few greens, while Palmer overcame consecutive early bogeys to shoot 66. He hit only three of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens in regulation. Martin Piller, in the final group with Spieth and Simpson for the third round, shot a 68 and was tied for fourth at 10 under with Harris English (64) and Kyle Reifers (67). Matt Kuchar had a bogey-free 63 and moved up 35 places to a tie for ninth with Lahiri. Premium ice-cream brand London Dairy is eyeing to double its India revenues to Rs 100 crore by 2020, as it plans to ramp up distribution to 5,000 outlets. "We entered the country three years ago and are building the premium ice-cream category. We target a growth of roughly 36 per cent year on year and will double our revenues from about Rs 40 crore in the next three years. We expect to touch Rs 100 crore by 2020," London Dairy's Head of Marketing Shweta Shrivastava told PTI. London Dairy products are manufactured under licence from the London Dairy Company, UK and imported into India from UAE-based International Foodstuffs Company. The brand is currently focussing on direct distribution through branded freezers. It expects to hit 5,000 retail outlets by 2020, Shrivastava added. Currently London Dairy products are available in 2,000 outlets across the country. Shrivastava said that the ice-cream market in the country witnessed a slowdown during the last year, especially with food safety regulations governing international brands in the category. "The last year and a half was tough for players in the category," she pointed. "The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was doing its job, and indulging in fairplay. In terms of the way ingredients are written, or even customized brand packaging and labelling there were strict rules, which took time to comply with," she added. As a result, the company introduced 46 stock keeping units (SKUs) that were customized for the Indian market, she explained. Until a few years ago, 80 per cent of the market was made up of mass-premium players. London Dairy competes with other international premium ice-cream brands including Cold Stone Creamery, Haagen Dazs and Movenpick. According to industry experts, the Rs 4,500 crore frozen desserts category is growing at 15-20 per cent annually in India. Globally, the share of premium ice-cream category is about 5 per cent. In the next three years, London Dairy also expects to start manufacturing here. "At the moment, the volumes in the entire premium category doesn't make sense, but in three years time we will probably consider it," she said. In a first-of-its-kind procedure, doctors in the US have successfully transplanted a "composite" skull and scalp flap, along with kidney and pancreas - all from the same donor - in a 55-year-old patient. The patient was suffering from a non-healing scalp defect and declining organ kidney and pancreas function, researchers said. "Hopefully, this case and others like it will help to widen the narrow indications for this fascinating new field of reconstructive surgery," said Jesse Creed Selber of The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Centre and colleagues. The experience may open the way to further procedures combining "vascularised composite allotransplantation" (VCA) with organ transplants, in patients who have already accepted the need for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. VCA refers to transplant procedures combining different types of tissues, such as skin, muscle, blood vessels, nerves, and bone. Face transplantation is the best-known type of VCA; hand transplantation is another example. However, they also have a major drawback - the need for immunosuppressive drugs to prevent the recipient's immune system from rejecting the transplant. Patients who also need or have already undergone organ transplantation have already accepted the risks of lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Two decades earlier, the 55-year-old patient had undergone kidney transplantation for diabetic kidney disease, but that kidney was now failing. He also had a large, unstable wound of the scalp and skull - a complication of surgery and radiation therapy for a scalp tumour. An increased risk of cancers is one of the risks of long-term immunosuppressive treatment. Since the patient was already receiving immunosuppressive therapy and would need another organ transplant in any case, doctors suggested a procedure in which a VCA of scalp and skull would be performed at the same time as a kidney/pancreas transplant, with all transplants coming from the same donor. After 18 months, a suitable donor became available - providing not only basic immunologic compatibility but also a match in terms of skin colour and quality, hair pattern and head size. The combined VCA and double-organ transplant procedure required 20 physicians and 15 hours in the operating room. At the end of the procedure, both transplants were receiving good blood supply and the transplanted organs were functioning normally. An episode of rejection of the scalp/skull transplant occurred after a few months, but was successfully treated. One year after the procedure, the patient was doing well, including good cosmetic appearance of the transplanted scalp. The fact that both the composite transplant and organs were from the same donor minimised the risk of rejecting tissues stimulated by a second donor's tissue. The research was published in the journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. An embezzlement charge against a powerful Buddhist abbot has unleashed his super-rich temple's PR machine, with Twitter-using Thai monks orchestrating his defence over a scandal that has opened a bitter rupture at the heart of the nation's faith. "There has never been a temple of this size in Thai history," orange-robed Phra Pasura Dantamano says as he gestures towards Dhammakaya temple's pristine, 1,000-acre compound north of Bangkok where peacocks roam the lawns and white-clad devotees meditate. But the affable monk's comments apply to more than the temple's enormous, futuristic architecture - including a building that famously resembles a gigantic UFO. Dhammakaya is also regarded as the wealthiest in Buddhist-majority Thailand, thanks in part to tech-savvy devotees who have cultivated a fervent following, raised tens of millions of dollars and set up outposts in dozens of countries across the globe. Phra Pasura, the monk in charge of the temple's 60-member International Affairs Department, is part of the fine-tuned public relations operation that is now firing on all cylinders as it seeks to quash the latest scandal to dog the temple since its founding in 1970. Dhammakaya's modern, and some say "cultish", approach to Buddhism riles traditionalists, with critics accusing the clergy of peddling a pay-your-way to nirvana scheme. The temple's abbot Phra Dhammachayo, venerated as a saint among his followers, is wanted by police for allegedly accepting embezzled funds worth 1.2 billion baht (USD 33 million) from the owner of a cooperative bank who was jailed in March. The temple has denied its abbot conspired to launder the money, calling the charges "groundless and unconscionable". The temple claims the 72-year-old is too sick to meet with officers, and police do not want to confront him on the temple grounds, fearing clashes with devotees. Monks and temple staff have been vigorously live-tweeting the drama, churning out detailed press releases and fact sheets, and making use of their slick 24-hour TV channel to bat back the allegations against their revered abbot. The temple boasts a TV studio and editing bays inside its two-story media department, with other offices adorned with signs such as "Corporate Image Division," and "Printed Media Section." Phra Pasura, a former flight attendant with a degree in international relations, says the overheads are minimal. "Much of the animation and editing is done by monks," he says of the TV channel, which broadcasts across four continents and airs everything from meditation teachings to cartoons and daily . "And a monk's salary is only two meals a day", he adds with a smile. A seven-year-old boy, who went missing from his home in Pakistan's restive northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province two years ago, has been traced to Rajasthan following a social media post, a media report claimed today. Tufail Ismail was said to be in Rajasthan's Ganga Nagar district after his maternal uncle in Saudi Arabia saw a picture on social media shared by an Indian social worker, Sujewa Pereira nearly two months ago, the Dawn quoted the child's father Zafar Ali as saying. Zafar also said the social worker had shared a contact number beneath the photo and requested social media users to share the post so the child could be reunited with his family and when Tufail's uncle dialled the number, he was told the missing boy was in police custody in Rajasthan's Ganga Nagar district. However, DGP Rajasthan Manoj Bhatt and Sri Ganga Nagar SP Rahul Katakey denied having knowledge of any such child. Both of them told PTI that it might be a rumour. The Dawn report, meanwhile, said Tufail went missing on June 6, 2014 while his family was shifting their home from Sardaryab to Tarnab in Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following which the family registered an FIR. The report also said it had been 45 days since Zafar learned of his son's whereabouts but had been unable to bring him back to Pakistan and the family is now hoping the Pakistani government will help in their efforts to recover Tufail. Tufail's parents appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Nawaz Sharif to help bring their son home, the report said. Congress leader Anand Sharma today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over claims about improvement in economy in his speech at an event marking the second anniversary of the NDA government at the Centre, alleging he has betrayed the people of the country. "Investment and export have dropped. Lakhs of people have lost jobs. Modi has betrayed the country," he said here. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said during the tenure of BJP-led NDA government, investment in agriculture sector has "declined". The former Commerce and Industry Minister also charged the Modi government with taking credit for schemes launched by the previous UPA government by changing their names. "This is not done. This is wrong," he said. Sharma alleged that the NDA government has failed on "all fronts" and termed the Prime Minister as "sapno ka saudagar" (merchant of dreams) for not "keeping" the promises he made during the Lok Sabha polls in 2014. Survivor accounts have pushed to more than 700 the number of migrants feared dead in Mediterranean Sea shipwrecks over three days in the past week, even as rescue ships saved thousands of others in daring operations. The shipwrecks appear to account for the largest loss of life reported in the Mediterranean since April 2015, when a single ship sank with an estimated 800 people trapped inside. Humanitarian organizations say that many migrant boats sink without a trace, with the dead never found, and their fates only recounted by family members who report their failure to arrive in Europe. "It really looks like that in the last period the situation is really worsening in the last week, if the is confirmed," said Giovanna Di Benedetto, a Save the Children spokeswoman in Italy. Warmer waters and calmer weather of late have only increased the migrants' attempts to reach Europe. The largest number of missing and presumed dead was aboard a wooden fishing boat being towed by another smugglers' boat from the Libyan port of Sabratha that sank Thursday. Estimates by police and humanitarian organizations, based on survivor accounts, range from around 400 to about 550 missing in that sinking alone. One survivor from Eritrea, 21-year-old Filmon Selomon, told The Associated Press that water started seeping into the second boat after three hours of navigation, and that the migrants tried vainly to get the water out of the sinking boat. "It was very hard because the water was coming from everywhere. We tried for six hours after which we said it was not possible anymore," he said through an interpreter. He jumped into the water and swam to the other boat before the tow line on the navigable boat was cut to prevent it from sinking when the other went down. A 17-year-old Eritrean, Mohammed Ali Imam, who arrived five days ago in another rescue, said one of the survivors told him that the second boat started taking on water when the first boat ran out of fuel. Police said the line, which was ordered cut by the commander when it was at full tension, whipped back, fatally slashing the neck of a female migrant. According to Italian police, 300 people in the hold went down with the second boat when it sank, while around 200 on the upper deck jumped into the sea. Just 90 of those were saved, along with about 500 in the first boat. Italian police said survivors identified the commander of the boat with the working engine as a 28-year-old Sudanese man, who has been arrested and faces possible charges for the deaths. Three other smugglers involved in other crossings also were arrested, police announced. The BJP will contest Uttar Pradesh assembly polls on its own, Union Minister Mahesh Sharma, who played a significant role in the party's stunning performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in the state, said. As BJP shifts focus to the assembly polls in UP due next year after its resounding victory in Assam, Sharma said party leaders are considering the elections in the politically crucial state as a "special task that has to be accomplished". Sharma, who was rewarded with a ministerial berth for his hard work in the Lok Sabha polls in UP, said BJP's focus during the campaign will be on development, good governance and rooting out corruption and not the Ram temple. He said the party would not like to make Ram temple a political issue. "Construction of Ram temple is the wish of millions of people as a matter of faith. We do not want to make it a political issue. It is not on our political agenda. But people of this country want a Ram temple at Ayodhya. We want to do it (construct the temple) either by consensus mode or verdict by court of law," said Sharma. He exuded confidence that BJP will get over 265 out of 403 seats. "We will not have any alliance with any of the parties, whether it is Lok Dal (INLD) or any other party. No pre-poll, no post-poll alliance of any sort," Sharma told PTI when asked whether BJP will have any alliance with any party for the assembly polls. In a spectacular performance, the BJP had won a whopping 71 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats in the 2014 polls, propelling the party to attain a majority in the House on its own for the first time. The party had won just 47 seats in the 2012 assembly polls. BJP's vote share was 42 per cent in the last Lok Sabha polls as against 15 per cent in the assembly polls in 2012. Asked whether he was in the race for Chief Ministership if the party was voted to power in the key cow belt state, the first-time MP from Noida said he was ready to take any responsibility decided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party leadership. "The Prime Minister is like our guardian. He gave me responsibility of three ministries. I have been trying to do justice with them. I would love to take whatever responsibility he or my party leadership or my parliamentary board gives me," the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Tourism and Culture said. The Union Minister said BJP leadership will take a decision on whether to project a chief ministerial face in the polls. He said the party has been working for the assembly polls for quite sometime as it would be a very crucial election, adding all party leaders will take the UP election as a "special task". Attacking the state's Samajwadi Party government, he said people of Uttar Pradesh will punish them for "widespread corruption and lawlessness". He called previous Mayawati government "an icon of corruption" and said people will not vote for her party as well. "We will go to people highlighting our achievements at the Centre. We have been able to provide good governance, we have been able to do development, ensure transparency. We could bring back the faith of people in the political system, in governance system. We will highlight it," he said. Sharma said BJP wants to make UP a fast developing state. "People of UP know that like two wheels of a cart, one wheel (Modi government) is at the Centre now which is strong. They want to see that the other wheel in UP also becomes strong. They want to see that in both places there are BJP governments to ensure growth of UP which has been suffering for long," he said. (REOPEN DES25) Later, Union Tourism Ministry issued a two-page release listing various steps taken by government for safety of tourists, like availability of round-the-clock helpline number in 12 international languages and handing over welcome kits to tourists when they arrive in India. It said the welcome kits contains several advice like taking a photo of auto or taxi number in which the tourists are going to travel and send it to relatives or friends. "These suggestions are given keeping in view safety and convenience of the tourists. From time to time, various suggestions are given to tourists to make their experience happy and convenient. There is no compulsion for them. Tourist could make their stay happy with pursuance of these suggestions," the release said. It said Sharma's comments should be seen in this context. Meanwhile, the release said flow of tourists is increasing in India with improvement of India's image. It said law and order is a state subject and Tourism Ministry coordinates with state governments to provide security to the tourists. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which controls 35 per cent of the debit card market in terms of volumes, expects to launch its much-delayed credit before the year-end, a top official of the Reserve Bank-promoted institute has said. "We have been ready with our credit card project for quite some time now, but could not launch it formally so far as we are waiting for the completion of moving onto the new switch from Euronet from FIS switch, which should be completed by end August now," NPCI chief executive and managing director A P Hota told PTI. He further said that had they launched the credit card earlier on the Euronet switching system, it would have been an inconvenience for customers as the corporation would anyways have had to align with the new FIS switch. "First they said it would have been ready by last December, which was pushed to June this year and now they are saying August-September. If they complete the process, then we can launch our maiden credit card by November-December," Hota said, adding that already six-seven banks are ready to launch their credit card. The corporation had launched debit card - Rupay - in April 2012 and since then has cornered 35 per cent of the market share in the 670 million strong debt card market as of April this year. While the debit card issuance grew by 19.6 per cent in 2015-16, adding 108.4 million new cards to 661.8 million, credit cards grew by 16.1 per cent or 3.4 million to 24.5 million at the end of the past fiscal, taking the total number of cards to 685.3 million, up 19.4 per cent in the year, Hota said quoting the RBI data for the year. He said as many as 600 banks now issue RuPay cards out of which 55 are old generation commercial banks and two are foreign banks - Bank of Doha and Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait. British lender HSBC is the only commercial bank that does not issue RuPay cards, he noted, adding that even this bank does not even allow RuPay cards on its payment terminals. Hota said all the 56 regional rural banks, 23 out of 30 urban cooperative banks, 44 out of the 51 scheduled cooperative banks and 475 of the 500-odd non-scheduled cooperative banks are on the RuPay platform. He said RuPay cards are also accepted by the Discover, Diners' Club and Pulse cards, which are premium standalone card issuers. In terms of card transaction, he said the RuPay cards enjoy 25 per cent of the 15,369 million volume market out of which ATM transactions are 7,291.6 million as of March, a growth of 46 per cent of the previous year, Hota said, adding that the RuPay cards have a 10 per cent share in the 1.3 million units PoS (point of sale) market. Under the Prime Minister's financial inclusion drive (PMJDY), the corporation has issued 210 million cards out of which 180 million are active cards. On the fee side for cash transaction (ATM withdrawal), Hota said the "NPCI charges only 45 paise per transaction from issuers, while Visa and MasterCard charge a whopping Rs 1-3 per transaction on an average, but from some large issuers it charges as less as 35 paise. But we have just one flat fee structure. "On the online transaction side, including through PoS terminals too, we have a flat fee structure-60 paise from the issuing bank and 30 paise from the acquiring bank," he said. Even at this fee structure we will be able to meet our deadline of break-even by FY2019, he said. By December, the RuPay cards will be accepted by Japan's JCB (Japanese Credit Bureau) and China's China Union Pay. Nuclear-armed has the ability to "target" the Indian capital Delhi in five minutes, the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has said. Addressing a gathering here on the 18th anniversary of Pakistan's first nuclear tests, which were carried out under his supervision in 1998, Khan, said could have become a nuclear power as early as 1984 but the then President General Zia ul Haq "opposed the move". The 80-year-old nuclear physicist said General Zia, who was Pakistan's President from 1978 to 1988, opposed the nuclear testing as he believed that the world would intervene militarily. Further, it would have also curtailed international aid was receiving due to the ongoing Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. "We were able and we had a plan to launch nuclear test in 1984. But President General Zia ul Haq had opposed the move," Khan said yesterday. Khan also said that Pakistan has the ability to "target" Delhi from Kahuta near Rawalpindi in five minutes. Kahuta is the home to the Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL), Pakistan's key uranium enrichment facility, linked to the atomic bomb project. Khan was disgraced in 2004 when he was forced to accept responsibility for nuclear technology proliferation and was forced to live a life of official house arrest. In 2009, the Islamabad High Court declared Khan to be a free citizen of Pakistan, allowing him free movement inside the country. He regretted the treatment and said Pakistan would never have achieved the feat of becoming first Muslim nuclear country without his "services". "Without my services Pakistan would never have been the first Muslim nuclear nation. We were able to achieve the capability under very tough circumstances, but we did it," said Khan. Referring to the treatment meted out to him during Gen Pervez Musharraf's era, Khan said nuclear scientists in the country have not been given the respect that they deserve. "We are facing the worst against our services to the country's nuclear programme," he added. Senior IAS officer B K Prasad, who is heading the probe into the missing files related to the alleged fake encounter killing of Ishrat Jahan, has got two months extension in service till July this year. Prasad, a 1983 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, was due to retire on May 31. Prasad, an Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry, is granted extension in service for a period of two months with effect from June 1, 2016 to July 31, an official order said without mentioning the reason behind it. Official sources said the extension has been given to help the Home Ministry decide on future course of action on the findings of the one-man probe panel headed by Prasad. The report is to be submitted before this month end. The panel has not been able to trace the missing documents so far, they said. Following an uproar in Parliament in March this year, the Home Ministry had asked Prasad to inquire into the whole matter. 19-year-old Ishrat Jahan and three others were killed in an alleged fake encounter in Gujarat in 2004. The Gujarat Police had then said those killed were LeT terrorists and had come to Gujarat to assassinate the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The papers which disappeared from the Home Ministry include the copy of an affidavit vetted by the then Attorney General and submitted in the Gujarat High Court in 2009 and the draft of the second affidavit, also vetted by the AG, on which changes were made by the then Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. There was a huge controversy over the affidavit after it came to light that Chidambaram had changed the affidavit, which originally described Ishrat and her slain aides as LeT operatives. Two letters written by former Home Secretary G K Pillai to the then Attorney General late G E Vahanvati and the copy of the draft affidavit are also missing. Prasad was recently embroiled in a controversy after an Under Secretary in the Home Ministry's Foreigners Division accused him of pressuring him to give clean chit to Ford Foundation, which allegedly violated provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. Prasad has denied the allegation. A 40-year-old Pakistani-origin man in the UK has been sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges of serial sexual attacks on female students across universities. Tahir Nazir, obtained a fake university ID card and searched the internet looking for student nights so he could target vulnerable and drunk young women, Manchester Crown Court was told. He was fuelled by drink and drugs as he followed and then attacked his victims. He was sentenced on Friday after being found guilty of a string of sex offences at his trial in March. Nazir, a Pakistan-born divorcee from Glasgow, hired a car and embarked on a tour of university towns and cities in Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Bristol and Cardiff. The court heard an examination of Nazir's mobile phone found he had conducted internet searches for "high school girls" and "freshers'" week, particularly around Swansea and Cardiff. He was caught after sneaking into a student house in Fallowfield, Manchester, last November. Several female undergraduates heard someone systematically going through the house, trying their locked bedroom door handles. They called police who arrested him nearby. Analysis of DNA linked him to a sex attack five days earlier at a block of flats in Hulme. "His campaign involved taking detailed photos of premises where students lived, in particular entrances and access rooms, Judge Martin Steiger said. "And finally it involved his posing as a student for which purpose he had obtained a highly convincing fake student union ID card," he said. Nazir wrote a letter to the judge in which he "apologised to the victims and acknowledged the seriousness of his crimes", his barrister said. expects its revenues from mobile phones to more than double to Rs 2,500 crore by the end of this fiscal as the company expands its product portfolio and distribution chain in the country. The Japanese company, whose revenues from mobile phones stood at Rs 1,200 crore last year, plans to launch about 25 smartphones this year. "India is an important market and we are seeing strong growth here. This fiscal, we expect to garner Rs 2,500 crore in revenues. We will do this by launching devices across price points, expanding distribution in tier II and III cities and through strong marketing campaigns," Business Head (Mobility Division) Pankaj Rana told PTI. He added that this year, the company plans to spend about Rs 200 crore on marketing campaigns. "We will bring about 25 smartphones and 15-20 of these will be before Diwali. This will be across various price points -- Rs 3,500 to Rs 20,000. Next month, we will launch our most affordable smartphone for Rs 3,500," he said. Panasonic will focus on Rs 10,000-15,000 devices to fuel its growth in the country and will bring out 7-8 products in the said price range. The company, which has assembly facility in Noida, meets about 95 per cent of its sales requirements in India from the plant, Rana said. He added that Panasonic is gradually scaling up the capacity to about 8 lakh units a month. The company is increasing the assembly lines as well as the packaging lines to support its growth. Rana said Panasonic expects to sell around 3 million units this fiscal, up from 1.2 million last year. "While online comprises about 10 per cent of our sales, we are focussing on growing our retail presence as well. We have 250 exclusive showrooms that showcase our phones, we want to take this number to 350," he added. Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today hinted at continuing the grants English medium schools in the state are getting saying "it is not fair to take away something which is already given". "This government runs on (Narendra) Modi's 'mantra' - 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'. We want that everyone should be part of development so that we can have 'acche din' (better days) in future," he said. "When we take this 'mantra' it is not fair to take away something which is already given. It may have been given by (the) former government but we can't take it away from them," Parsekar said while responding to a reporter's question on a section of intellectuals demanding withdrawal of grants to English medium schools. The Chief Minister said, "The government has been supporting the ideology that elementary education should be in mother tongue. We have implemented various schemes supporting the schools. Nearly 95 schools are currently teaching in mother tongue." Bharatha Bhasha Suraksha Manch, backed by RSS, has given a deadline of June to the Goa government to stop giving grants to English medium schools. They are demanding that elementary education should only be imparted in mother tongue. Actress-filmmaker Angelina Jolie devotes part of "almost every day" to her work with refugees and she is delighted her kids are very interested in her humanitarian efforts. The 40-year-old actress-and-director was named a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations (UN) 15 years ago and now acts as a special envoy to the UN Refugee Agency, and as well as taking part in high-profile meetings and debates, she also does a lot behind the scenes, reported Female First. "Some part of almost every day in my life is devoted to international issues, whether talking with my colleagues about the news, the underlying factors, what we think needs to be said or done next on the issues we're working on, preparing field visits or speeches," she said. "I often try to meet people with interesting and opposing viewpoints so I can learn." Jolie raises six children with husband Brad Pitt and is proud her kids are taking an interest in her work with refugees, with her eldest son even helping her on her latest directorial project, 'First They Killed My Father', which is based on Loung Ung's account of the Khmer Rouge's regime in Maddox's native Cambodia. "Maddox has known Loung since he was a baby. It was his urging that pushed me to make the film. He has been with me every step of the way, from script to post-production. Shiloh asked to travel with me to Lebanon after I told her of a little Syrian girl named Hala," Jolie said. "She wanted to meet her and she and Pax have shown interest, like most kids do, in what their mom does. So they asked. I'd never push them to be involved. It's something I believe each person must come to on their own. It has to be an honest and real connection. Upset over "not being taken into confidence" by Congress on Rajya Sabha nominee, ally PDF,which is providing crucial support to Harish Rawat government, has named Minister Dinesh Dhanai as its candidate for election to the Upper House leading to consternation in the ruling camp. Soon after Congress announced Pradeep Tamta as its Rajya Sabha nominee from Uttarakhand, the six-member PDF went into a huddle at Cabinet Minister Harish Chandra Durgapal's residence late in the night and the head of the group Mantri Prasad Naithani formally announced Dhanai's candidature. Making it clear that Tamta's nomination by Congress had not gone down well with the conglomerate, Naithani said PDF stood steadily by the Congress during the recent political crisis in the state which concluded with Harish Rawat winning the floor test in the Assembly and his subsequent reinstatement as Chief Minister. "Despite the fact that the PDF had already announced its decision to field a candidate, it was not taken into confidence by Congress before announcing itsnominee for Rajya Sabha," Naithani said. The support of PDF, a front consisting of two BSP MLAs, one UKD and three Independents had been crucial for Rawat's victory in the floor test as it took the number of MLAs supporting him from Congress' own 27 to 33. Sources said PDF had pinned its hopes on a Rajya Sabha seat. PDF's move appears to have caused some consternation in Congress with Rawat cancelling his night stay at Paithani in Pauri district yesterday and returning straight to the state capital in an apparent bid to pacify ruffled feathers. It is also being seen as PDF's pressure tactic for securing at least one vacant berth in Rawat's cabinet for a member of the front. There have been two berths vacant in Rawat's cabinet for quite some time. One Rajya Sabha seat from Uttarakhand is to fall vacant with BJP MP Tarun Vijay's tenure due to end in July. People in 34 African cities and venues in 28 other countries across the globe joined the Art of Living Foundation leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar through webcast as he led a prayer for peace in the African continent. The annual 'I Meditate Africa' campaign of the foundation, now in its fourth year, has grown exponentially from just 10,000 at its inception, the NGO said. This year more than 7,50,000 people participated in the campaign, it said, adding the campaign aims to promote peace across the continent, encouraging the use of meditation as part of mainstream peace building. "At a time when headlines across the continent are dominated by racism, violence, crime, corruption, misunderstanding and lack of human values; a focus on unity, harmony and peace building on a deeper level is the need of the hour on the continent," said Art of Living senior faculty member Vani Pavadai, who was one of the initiators of the idea. May 25 is celebrated across the continent and in the Africa Ddiaspora as Africa Day, commemorating the establishment on May 25, 1963 of the founding of the Organisation ofAfrican Unity (OAU). In one of the most unique elements of the event yesterday, Luzira prison in Uganda saw 250 inmates join the spiritual leader via the live link up for the peace campaign. Opposition parties today continued its attack on the Modi government over its two-year rule with the Congress dubbing the prime minister as 'sapno ka saudagar' (merchant of dreams) for not keeping the promises he made during the 2014 Lok Sabha poll campaign. The BJD accused the BJP-led government of moving in a pro-corporate and anti-people direction right from the beginning while the NCP said it was not able to contain the price rise and raised questions on the need for the mega celebrations in the national capital yesterday on completion of two years in office. Hitting back at Congress for criticising the government over its second anniversary celebrations, BJP leader and Union Minister Kalraj Mishra said the main opposition party has a "negative" attitude and is levelling allegations to hide its shortcomings. Claiming that the NDA government has failed on all fronts, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma called Modi a 'sapno ka saudagar' (merchant of dreams) for not keeping the promises he made during the Lok Sabha polls. Sharma also ridiculed the claims made by the prime minister on completion of two years in office and accused him of betraying people of the country.He said that Modi's words have no relation to truth. "Investments and export have dropped. Lakhs of people have lost jobs. Modi has betrayed the country," he told reporters in Lucknow. Sharma, who was Commerce and Industry Minister in the UPA government, said that during the NDA government's rule investment in agriculture sector has declined. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha charged the Modi government with taking credit by changing the names of schemes launched by the previous UPA government. "This is not done. This is wrong," he said. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said that in the last two years, people have "seen through" the Prime Minister and in 2019, people will have the "last laugh", he said. "In the past two years, the NDA government ripped the social fabric, slayed institutions, demolished federalism, sunk the economy and shrunk India's emerging international profile. That is the sum and substance of 'acche din'," he alleged. Another Congress leader Kishore Chandra Deo compared Modi to "double-headed temple of Janus, the Greek god who speaks with one face and acts with another". "Take only one issue -- price rise, which affects the common people. Narendra Modi spoke much on the issue during campaigning (for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls). Now what is happening," asked NCP leader D P Tripathi. "Take industry or agriculture, which sector is happy? If you see the happiness index, you will see there is no happiness, as nothing is happening," he said, adding, "Two years without even two smiles. There are miles to go." BJD leader Tathagata Satpathy said the Modi government was unable to satisfy people's wishes on the ground level and that the country has been mis-served due to its "extremely bad managerial skills". "Congress' attitude has always been negative. They are levelling allegations to hide their shortcomings. They have always cheated the country and misled the people through false slogans," Mishra the Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises told reporters in Lucknow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight was tonight diverted to Jaipur after it could not land in the national capital due to bad weather. Modi was on his way back from Karnataka where he addressed a public meeting in Devangere earlier in the day to mark the completion of two years of his government. PMO sources said he would return here later tonight. Prime Minister will embark on a five-nation visit from June 4 which will cover Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico. Modi will begin his trip with Afghanistan to inaugurate India-funded Salma Dam which has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 1400 crore. From Afghanistan, he will proceed to energy-rich Qatar and then to Switzerland. During the two-day visit to energy-rich Qatar, Modi will hold extensive talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on a range of bilateral issues including ways to further boost economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector. In Switzerland, the Prime Minister will hold talks with the Swiss leadership, including President Johann Schneider-Ammann, and is likely to seek cooperation to unearth black money accounts of Indians in Switzerland which was a promise made by him during elections in 2014. According to sources, the officials of the two countries are working on finalising an arrangement that could pave the way for automatic exchange of information on tax-related issues. The Switzerland government had on May 18 initiated consultation on an ordinance to put in place a mechanism for automatic exchange of tax information with India and other countries. From Switzerland, Modi will travel to the US on June 7 at the invitation of President Barack Obama, with whom he will review the progress made in key areas of defence, security and energy. During his stay, he will also address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress. On his return, he will visit Mexico where India is eyeing trade and investment tie ups. In September last year, during his UN visit in New York Modi had held talks with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. State-owned installed close to 14,000 automated teller machines (ATMs) in different parts of the country in 2015-16, but missed the cumulative target of 15,249 for the financial year. A total of 13,935 cash dispensing machines were installed by in the year ending March 31, 2016 against the target of 15,249 ATMs, according to the data on progress of installation of ATMs by 27 public sector . With the addition, total number of ATMs of public sector banks increased to 1,42,557 at March end. Country's largest bank SBI installed 4,222 ATMs against the target of 4,200. SBI had 49,724 ATMs at the end of March. Andhra Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, and Vijaya Banks were among the state-lenders which exceeded their respective targets. On the other hand, Allahabad Bank, Bhartiya Mahila Bank, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India missed their targets last fiscal. Reserve Bank deputy governor SS Mundra had recently raised concerns over one-third of ATMs being non-functional and warned the banks of penal action if the compliance levels were not met. Mundra quoted a survey of 4,000 ATMs conducted by a RBI team recently wherein it has found that almost one-third of these machines are not in working condition. The ATMs surveyed were situated in various parts of the country and were of various banks, he said. While private sector lenders are pushing online and other tech-driven tools to widen their reach to cut cost, the state-run ones are going slow as there is no government push. Though there has been a curtailment on free transactions since November 2014, there has not been any increase in inter-bank usages. Most banks complain that without adequate user fees, ATMs are a loss-making business for them. Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asked Delhi Police Chief Alok Kumar Verma to take strict action against those involved in recent attacks against African nationals. Singh, who had called Verma to his residence, expressed concern over the attacks and said stern action be taken against the perpetrators. In the backdrop of cases of assault on African nationals and outrage by envoys of African countries over killing of a Congolese youth, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today spoke to Singh and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung to ensure safety of the community and strict action against the guilty. "Spoke to Commissioner of Police, Delhi regarding the incidents of physical assault against certain African nationals. Such incidents are condemnable," the Home Minister said in a tweet after the meeting with Verma. He asked Delhi Police to increase patrolling in areas inhabited by African nationals and ensure their security. "Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers and increase patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone," Singh tweeted. There have been spate of attacks on Africans living in the national capital, including killing of the Congolese youth. A 23-year-old Nigerian student was assaulted in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Three cases of physical assault and criminal intimidation of African nationals in South Delhi have been registered by the police. Two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and two Nigerian men in South Delhi had filed complaints of physical assault and criminal intimidation. Envoys of African countries had expressed shock over the killing of the Congolese youth, following which India had assured them of safety and security of all African nationals. With Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Nirmala Sitharaman shifting states for Raya Sabha polls, speculation is rife that BJP may field party general secretary Ram Madhav from Andhra Pradesh. The tenure of Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu is also coming to an end and there are indications that his name could also be considered from the state. In 2014, the TDP gave one seat to Sitharaman, Minister of State for Commerce, but the BJP this time chose to field her from neighbouring Karnataka. The May 17 meeting between Sitharaman and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during his trip to New Delhi had led to speculation about her re-nomination from AP. Top BJP leader and Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu last night held a telephonic conversation with Chandrababu over the seat-sharing for Rajya Sabha biennial election slated for June 11. Venkaiah, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, was earlier elected from Karanataka. He has shifted to Rajasthan this time though he was expected to move to Andhra Pradesh. Venkaiah made an unscheduled visit to Hyderabad last evening and spoke to Chandrababu, who was camping in Tirupati for the TDP's Mahanadu, over phone and discussed the issue. Venkaiah was said to have informed Chandrababu about the BJP leadership's decision to shift him to Rajasthan and Nirmala to Karnataka and wanted one seat in AP spared for "another candidate", according to sources. With May 31 being the last date for filing nomination, TDP politburo is expected to take a decision on seat-sharing soon following which an official announcement will be made. In all, four seats are to be filled from AP of which three will go to the ruling combine and one to the lone opposition YSR Congress. While Satyanarayana Chowdary's candidature is almost certain, another seat may go to Hemalatha, a former MLA from Satyavedu in Chandrababu's native Chittoor district, as a woman belonging to Dalit community. The third seat may be allotted to BJP as part of the alliance between the parties. The Finance Minister appeared to be explaining the difficulty in granting the special status while noting that special status means that 90 per cent of the expenditure of schemes will be borne by the Centre as against 60 per cent for normal states. The Union of India should not be left financially vulnerable, he said while contending that the country's economy has been "adversely" affected by global prices, two years of drought, the 7th Pay Commission and OROP among other factors. Explaining the division of federal revenues, Jaitley pointed out that 42 per cent of central revenues go to the states and the Centre is left with only 58 per cent to take care of defence of the country, payment of salaries, running the government, running central schemes in states among others. "The size of the cake is limited, the size of the pie is limited," Jaitley said. He said that under the new Finance Commission architecture, the divided state of Andhra Pradesh will get over Rs 2.06 lakh crore for the period 2015-20 as against Rs 64,575.30 crore that it wuld have otherwise got. Jammu and Kashmir unit of CPI(M) today alleged that the implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) has led to food crisis in the state and asked the ruling PDP-BJP dispensation to restore the old scale of providing 11 kg of ration per person. "There are protests across all three regions of the state over the scarcity and low scale of ration provided under the NFSA. Implementation of the Act has led to food crisis in the state. "It would be better if the government restores the old scale of 11 kg of ration per person at subsidised rates," party MLA from Kulgam M Y Tarigami said. Under the NFSA, every registered person gets a monthly ration of five kg from government outlets. However, there have been widespread protests against NFSA implementation with reports coming from some areas that even the five kg scale was not being followed. Tarigami said the government has taken a good step of providing 11 kg -- nine kg rice and two kg atta (wheat flour) -- of ration per person every month to Kashmiri migrants. "It would be nice to extend this good step to all 1.25 crore populace of the state," he said. Tarigami said if restoring the 11 kilogram scale was not possible for the government, it can provide 35 kilograms of ration to each household at the subsidised rates of Rs two per kg. "I had brought a resolution in the state assembly in 2014 seeking 35 kilograms of ration at Rs two per kg. That can form the starting point," he added. Jammu and Kashmir government yesterday said it has spent over Rs 300 crore for providing cash assistance to Kashmiri migrants during the last two financial years. "The government has incurred Rs 321. 948 crore on account of providing cash assistance to Kashmiri migrants from March 2014 to April 2016. An amount of Rs 18.76 crore was also used for providing food grains to the migrants registered under relief category in Jammu," Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Syed Basharat Bukhari told Legislative Assembly here. The migrant families are provided rice at the scale of nine kg per person per month, Atta two kg per person per month and sugar one kg per family per month, the government said. A lucky 25-year-old road-worker in the UK who became a millionaire after winning 1 million pound on a 5-pound lottery refused to give up his job and returned to work the next day. Carl Crook, a resident of Manchester city, broke down in tears of joy and excitement after winning the jackpot on Thursday during when he went inside a local shop to buy a drink and a scratch card. The father-of-two said he will not "blow" the money and carry on doing his 12 hours shift, but will give up the overtime. "I just kept thinking to myself 'why am I here?' But I do enjoy my job, the company I work for and the people I work with. I've already spoken to my boss about having next week off so I can let things settle down. I will be staying on at work but without overtime," Crook said. "The 1 million pound might go but we want to at least spend it on making memories instead of spending it on rubbish. We are not going to blow it," Crook said. The civil engineering worker said he wanted to spend the money on an Audi RS7, a new home and a Safari in Africa for his honeymoon with fiancee Samantha. "We are going to go on holiday this summer and to Lapland at Christmas. I would love to take the family to Florida and we might do that next year," Crook was quoted as saying by the 'Manchester Evening News'. "I'm looking at getting a really nice car. I've always wanted an Audi RS7... Myself and Samantha got engaged last year and we want to get married this year and then go on a Safari tour in Africa for our honeymoon," he said. Crook, who was seen celebrating wildly after winning the money, said he won the jackpot despite only gambling "once in a blue moon". "It's only once in a blue moon that I buy a scratch card but I had a feeling that day and decided to have one more go" Crook said. "I asked the shopkeeper for a 10 pound scratch card but he said he didn't have any and only had the 5 pound ones. I was scratching the numbers off and knew I had at least won my money back or got a tenner," he said. Japanese consumer durables brand Sansui is eyeing around 50 per cent growth in revenue from its television business at Rs 2,500 crore this calendar year, a top company official said. "We are expecting a revenue of Rs 2,500 crore this year. It was Rs 1,600 crore last year," Sansui Chief Operating Officer Amitabh Tiwari told PTI. The television market is estimated to be around 1.1 crore units and the company expects to have a market share of 10 per cent this year. "We are looking at doubling our sales this year and are looking at selling 10 lakh units of televisions this year," he said. 4K televisions contributed to 12 per cent of the company's sales last year and Tiwari said it is likely to increase to 18 per cent this year. Asked if the lack of 4K content is a challenge for sales, he replied in the negative. "There is a roadmap for transmission to be coming in and maybe in 2-3 years time we will see a lot of channels getting introduced," he said. He pointed out that when full HD televisions were being sold, there was no transmission with full HD content, but it moved very quickly to full HD. "Sansui sells its products on e-commerce platforms and expects the online sales to be 6 per cent of the total sales this year from 4 per cent last year," he added. The company has earmarked Rs 70 crore for its marketing activities for this year. "This year we will be investing around 18-20 per cent on digital advertising. It was 7 per cent last year. "In 2017, probably 60 per cent would be on digital, because almost 72 per cent people who buy TV research online and it is easier to reach the younger generation through digital than any other medium," he said. Potterheads, take note! The magical plant Gillyweed and Skele-Gro potion from the world of young wizard Harry Potter may indeed require a little magic to work in the Muggle world, a new study has found. In the world of Harry Potter, the boy wizard undergoes two magical biological transformations: eating Gillyweed to grow gills and drinking Skele-Gro to repair broken bones. Students from the University of Leicester in the UK and and McMaster University in Canada have put these medical practices to the test - and concluded that they are not scientifically feasible. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry consumes Gillyweed, which allows him to breathe underwater by causing gills to grow on his neck. The students estimated the gills to measure about 60 square centimetres based on their appearance in the film. Taking into account the oxygen content of the Black Lake and the maximum oxygen use of swimming, they then examined Harry's weight, suggesting that if he had a normal body mass index (BMI) and the average height of a 14 year old boy, he would need to process 443 litres of water at 100 per cent efficiency per minute for every minute he was underwater. This would mean the water would have to flow at 2.46 metres per second - twice the velocity of normal airflow and therefore far faster than he could inhale and exhale, causing him to suffocate. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry breaks his arm during a Quidditch match, a competitive sport in the wizarding world. After his broken bones are removed, the matron Madam Pomfrey then gives Harry a dose of Skele-Gro, used for growing bones that are missing. Students aimed to find how the rate of normal bone growth compares to this accelerated growth, and how much energy Skele-Gro would need to provide in order to rebuild Harry's broken arm. Observing the timings in the chapter in which Harry is hurt, the students suggest he is healed within the space of 24 hours, Skele-Gro must have accelerated restorative properties. The students calculated the time taken for Harry to regrow all the bones in his arm with Skele-Gro as being at least 90 times quicker than is possible in real world. Skele-Gro should have the capacity to supply the additional 133,050 kilo-calories worth of energy required by the body to regenerate bones without causing any negative side effects - a power output of 6,443 Watt. The students concluded that Skele-Gro must indeed contain unexplained magical properties that allow it to hold such a vast amount of energy and apply it in a short period of time. The research was published in the Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics. With the Jat community threatening to launch a fresh agitation for reservation, security was today beefed up at a key canal in Sonipat district which supplies water to Delhi. Prohibitory orders under Section 144, banning assembly of five or more persons, was also imposed in Sonipat, which along with Rohtak had been the epicentre of the Jat quota agitation earlier this year, official sources said today. While central forces were deployed in many sensitive districts across the state, security has been strengthened at Munak canal, the sources said. Protesters had disrupted water supply to the national capital by damaging the Carrier-Lined Channel (CLC) of Munak Canal during February's agitation. Haryana Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu had yesterday said the government would not allow the recurrence of a similar situation in the state. Two days back, a sedition case was registered against Jat Sangharsh Samiti chief Yashpal Malik and 125 others for allegedly threatening peace and communal harmony in Haryana by instigating people to launch a fresh quota agitation. The Samiti also held a meeting in Delhi today to chalk out its future course of action. Unmoved by the FIRs registered against many Jat leaders, Yashpal Malik has maintained they would go ahead with their stir on June 5, which will begin after a meeting in Hisar district. Jat community leaders from several states including Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and UP would be participating in the meeting next Sunday. Samiti leaders have alleged that Haryana Government was misusing the police force to suppress their right to freedom of speech and expression. Earlier this week, Punjab and Haryana High Court had stayed the reservation for Jats and five other communities provided by the Haryana government under a newly carved Backward Classes (C) category. Thirty people were killed and property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was destroyed during the violent agitation in February this year, with districts including Rohtak, Jhajjar and Sonipat, being the worst affected. (REOPENS DES 58) Security has been heightened in Jind with a company of Border Security Force reaching the area. They will be joined by more than six companies of paramilitary forces. Jind SP Rakesh Arya today said additional police officers will be stationed to prevent any untoward incident. Meanwhile, police have arrested two persons here on charges of damaging property and indulging in arson and loot during the Jat quota agitation in February. Sandip and Ashok, residents of Kalwa, were arrested from their residence today. They were allegedly among a group of agitators who had set Pillukheda police station afire besides looting its armoury on February 21. They also damaged governmental offices and set them ablaze as well. Donald Trump is considering several women as his running mate, a top aide of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said today and asserted that gender and ethnicity would not come in the way of a "qualified" candidate. "It's the qualification of the candidate that matter, not the gender and not the ethnicity," Paul Manafort, Trump Campaign strategist, told ABC . Manafort said there were many Republican women who are qualified, and several who might be on the list. Indian-American South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley was being talked about as a potential vice-presidential candidate, but she has ruled herself out of the race. Trump has said he has short-listed about half a dozen candidates whom he was looking at as his potential running mate. He has said he would make the announcement sometime around the Republican convention in Cleveland in July. "(Trump) is looking at the qualifications. And he's started that process, and he's announced that he would announce his candidate sometime around the convention and we're on track for that to happen," Manafort said. Manafort said Trump was looking at the qualifications of all the candidates and he wouldn't select someone only on the basis of gender or ethnicity, because that would be pandering. "But the qualifications, if a female is qualified, that's totally different story. And there are many Republican women who are qualified, and several who might be on the list." Defending Trump's decision not to debate with Democrat Bernie Sanders, Manafort said the Vermont senator should debate his party's presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton - and not him. "(Trump) is not afraid to face off with Bernie Sanders. He's the Republican nominee now. The question should be, why is Hillary Clinton afraid to debate Bernie Sanders? She's the one in the Democratic primary with him," he argued. "And the point that Mr Trump was trying to make was the democratic system is rigged. It's been rigged from the beginning, for Hillary Clinton. Bernie Sanders has been winning primaries and losing delegates," he said. Trump would have debated Sanders if he were the nominee of the Democratic party, he said. Manafort alleged that the 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney was jealous of Trump. "Romney, is jealous of the fact that the first businessman to be nominated by the Republican Party with record numbers, is Trump, and, with a chance of winning the White House," he asserted. "Romney had a chance to win it. He lost it. He sees that Donald Trump has not only won then, he's won it with record numbers in the primaries, and he's now leading in some of the polls already," Manafort said. Police are searching for three suspects after a sheriff's deputy was shot in the face during a traffic stop south of Atlanta. Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley told WTVM-TV that the incident happened around 7:30 pm (local time) yesterday evening. Three people were inside a 1994 blue Chevrolet Caprice on I-85 southbound, about 80 miles south of downtown Atlanta, when they were stopped by the deputy. It was not immediately known why the sheriff's deputy stopped the car. The deputy suffered a single shot to the face, above the left eye, while walking up to the vehicle Jolley said. He was rushed to a hospital and is being treated. The condition of the deputy was not immediately known last night. Police are searching for the suspects, whose car was caught on the deputy's dash cam video. Nikesh Arora, the India-born president and COO of Japanese telecom giant SoftBank, received a pay package of about USD 73 million (Rs 500 crore) in the fiscal year ended March 31, making him one of the top paid executives worldwide for the second year in a row. Arora, seen as heir apparent to SoftBank's billionaire founder Masayoshi Son, received a salary package of USD 73 million, including a compensation of USD 14.2 million from other SoftBank units, media reports said, citing a proxy statement issued by SoftBank. The pay package of Arora, already Japan's highest paid executive, is in the same range as of Apple's Tim Cook and Walt Disney's Bob Iger. In the previous fiscal, he had got a USD 135 million pay package including a joining bonus. Arora had joined SoftBank as its vice-chairman and CEO of SB Group US (previously SoftBank Internet and Media Inc) in September 2014 from the search giant Google. In May last year, he was elevated to president and COO, the first time in 35-year history of SoftBank that anyone was given the 'president' title. At that time, Son had also mentioned that Arora is the most likely candidate to succeed him in the future. Last month, Son reiterated his confidence in Arora when a group of unidentified investors in the US questioned the Banaras Hindu University-graduate's abilities for the role he currently plays in the company and had sought his removal. Son had said, "I have complete trust in Nikesh and one thousand per cent confidence in him and know he will continue to do great things for SoftBank in the future." Arora, who is responsible for global operations, has led SoftBank's investments in India's e-commerce provider Snapdeal.Com, ride-hailing service Ola Cabs, real-estate website Housing.Com, hotel-booking app Oyo Rooms and Grofers. SoftBank's investment in India has crossed the USD 1 billion mark and it has recently stated that its investment in the country will cross USD 10 billion in the coming years. In June last year, SoftBank along with contract manufacturing giant Foxconn had partnered with Bharti Enterprises with plans to invest USD 20 billion in solar power projects in India. The investors had called on the board to investigate alleged conflict of interest and Arora's poor performance in making investments for SoftBank with a lack of proper due diligence. SoftBank, however, stood by Arora, saying he "remains a highly valued leader with proven investment abilities and we are confident he will continue to make great contributions at SoftBank in the years ahead." Arora, 48, also denied allegations against him as baseless. "I take my fiduciary responsibilities seriously and have acted appropriately and in the best interest of shareholders throughout my tenure at SoftBank and Sprint, just as I have conducted myself throughout my professional life. I am completely confident the allegations in the letter are baseless," he had said in a statement. Arora, who gave up a high-profile post at Google to join the Japanese firm in 2014, last August said he would buy 60 billion yen of the company's shares, worth USD 483 million at the time to show his confidence in its prospects. That was the largest insider purchase by an executive in Japan in at least 12 years. "We can confirm we are in receipt of a letter from a US law firm claiming to represent unidentified shareholders. The letter makes unsubstantiated allegations against Mr Arora," SoftBank said. "The Board takes its duties seriously and is in the process of reviewing the letter." The unnamed shareholders have alleged conflicts of interest, poor performance in making investments for SoftBank and excessive compensation at the company without sufficient disclosure. The conflict-of-interest allegations centre on Arora's role as a senior adviser at Silver Lake, a position he has held since 2007 when he worked at Google. SoftBank said that it is aware of Arora's involvement with Silver Lake and takes care to thoroughly vet any potential conflicts. Fierce fighting between government forces and Shiite rebels in south Yemen today claimed the lives of 48 fighters - 28 insurgents and 20 soldiers - a senior military officer said. "A total of 28 Huthis (Shiite rebels) and 20 of our men were killed in the fighting, which continued into the evening," General Misfer al-Harithi, who commands the army's 19th Infantry Battalion, told AFP. Earlier, Harithi gave a death toll of 28 rebels and 14 soldiers. He said the clashes erupted when rebels and allied forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh attacked government positions in Bayhan district on the border between Shabwa and Marib provinces. Troops counter-attacked and pushed the rebels back, he said. "Our forces managed to recapture several positions," Harithi said. "We will not stop fighting until we take control of the entire sector," he added. The area where the fighting is taking place is the only part of Shabwa province still controlled by the Iran-backed rebels. Forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, backed by the firepower of the Saudi-led coalition, managed to drive rebels out of Shabwa and four other southern provinces in the summer. Today's fighting flared despite an early April ceasefire that paved the way for ongoing peace talks in Kuwait. More than 6,400 people have been killed in Yemen since the coalition began a campaign in March 2015 against the rebels who had occupied the capital and advanced on Hadi's refuge in the south, forcing him to flee to Riyadh. The Commerce and Industry Ministry has commissioned a study to assess the impact of foreign direct investment in pharmaceutical companies amid concerns over mergers and acquisitions of domestic drug manufacturers. "An expert from academic field has been engaged in this exercise along with the National Productivity Council," an official said. The report is expected to be submitted in the next three to four months. The experts would look into issues like the impact of foreign direct investment in the brownfield pharmaceutical companies and access to affordable medicines, the official said, adding access to medicines can be ensured only when India would have a strong generic medicine industry. The mergers and acquisitions of Indian pharmaceutical companies by foreign giants could impact the accessibility and growth of generic industry, another source said. A report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce had suggested that a study group be set up to investigate the effect of FDI in brownfield pharma or operational firms. There are apprehensions that takeovers by multi-national firms have impacted the generic medicine industry of the country. The Committee had said that the government should impose a blanket ban on any FDI in brownfield pharma projects. It had also suggested for measures to stop any further takeover/acquisition of domestic pharma units. "In many countries, takeovers are not allowed in strategic sectors like pharma. For India, affordable healthcare is a challenge and for that access to medicines is important," said an industry expert. As per the current policy, 100 per cent FDI is permitted in the existing pharma companies through the approval route. 100 per cent FDI is also allowed in greenfield (new) projects. India is recognised as a major generic medicine hub of the world. The market size of the country's pharma industry is estimated at over USD 20 billion. In 2008, Japanese firm Daiichi Sankyo had bought out the country's largest drug maker Ranbaxy for USD 4.6 billion. US-based Abbot Laboratories had acquired Piramal Health Care's domestic business for USD 3.7 billion. Another US company Mylan bought Matrix Lab while Dabur Pharma was acquired by Singapore's Fresenius and France's Sanofi Aventis purchased Shanta Biotech and certain assets of Orchid Chemicals were acquired by US-based Hospira. As per estimates, over 96 per cent of the total FDI in the sector between April 2012 and April 2013 came into the brownfield pharma companies. Sahara India chairman Subrata Roy's scheduled meeting with the company's field workers here today was cancelled by the police fearing law and order situation, a move described as "unfortunate", but appreciated by Roy. Claiming to have received intelligence reports that victims of chit-fund companies were to protest at the meeting venue and create a law and order situation, the city police promulgated prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC and asked workers of the company to vacate the place. "Although the company officials had intimated us earlier about their proposed meeting, it was cancelled at the last moment today by imposition of Section 144 as we received intelligence inputs about severe law and order situation and breach of peace," said city DCP Sanjib Arora. "We had intelligence inputs that some chit fund victims were preparing to protest at Roy's programme. There was a possibility of a law and order situation. Therefore, section 144 was imposed in the area and agents were asked to vacate the place. Restriction was also imposed on Roy's entry in Cuttack," said Commissioner of Police Y B Khurania. The company workers had organised a similar meeting here in December 2014. More than 4,000 agents from across the state had gathered at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here to listen to their chairman, who is now on parole after his arrest two years ago and travelling across the country to thank the agents for standing behind him in difficult times. Before coming to Cuttack, Roy had addressed two similar gatherings in Andhra Pradesh and Telengana, informed principal field manager of the company Gyananjay Moharana, expressing dismay as to how his Odisha programme was cancelled at the last moment. Meanwhile, in a statement, Roy who is staying in a Bhubaneswar hotel, appreciated the action of the police and made it clear that Sahara's financial services neither was, nor is in any chit fund business. "It is very unfortunate that I could not meet around 3,000 pariwar members in Cuttack. We had permission, but at the last moment Section 144 has been imposed," the statement said. "As we learnt from Police that some forum has threatened to do agitations and they shall try to disrupt our meeting in Cuttack, the Police administration very rightly took the decision," it said. "As a responsible citizen we should cooperate with the Police administration for maintaining peace. I shall definitely request forum people to remember the truth, that good can never be compared with bad," it added. Syrian rebels retook two villages from Islamic State militants today as they fought to undo gains made by the extremist group in a surprise offensive days earlier, activists said. Rebels retook the villages of Kafr Shoush and Braghida today, expanding their buffer around the rebel-held town of Azaz, home to tens of thousands of people displaced by war, according to the Local Coordination Committees, an activist network inside the country. IS militants took Syrian rebels by surprise on Sunday when they launched an offensive that threatened to seize Azaz and isolate Marea, another rebel-held town north of the contested city of Aleppo. More than 160,000 civilians have been trapped by the fighting. The international medical organization Doctors Without Borders evacuated one of the few remaining hospitals in the area. The rebel pocket around Azaz, which connects to the Turkish border, is surrounded by IS militants to one side and the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to the other. Syria's Turkish and Saudi-backed rebels accuse the SDF of colluding with the government in the country's grinding civil war. The IS advance prompted a rare deal between the SDF and rebels Saturday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group. It said that the rebels surrendered control of a village near Marea to an SDF division in exchange for allowing 6,000 civilians to evacuate to areas under Kurdish control. Yet rebels also shelled an SDF-held neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud in nearby Aleppo yesterday, killing four people, the Observatory said. Fighting continued between government forces, rebels and IS militants in other parts of the country today. Government forces shelled an opposition neighborhood of Homs, Syria's third largest city, local activists said. The Local Coordination Committees network said the strikes on the al-Waer neighborhood killed four people and injured 17, including a number of children. Local media activist Mohamad Sabai also reported the attack. Trying to deflect heat over poor service quality, mobile operators are taking refuge in a new technology to mask call drops that shows a call as connected even when the network connection is lost and the caller is unable to hear the voice from the other side. Earlier, the call used to get automatically disconnected in case of the user moving to a poor network area, making it a dropped call under the current regulatory framework. The new technology ensures a call remains artificially connected until the caller or receiver decides to terminate it and the user is billed for the entire duration despite not being able to talk for full or part of the call duration. Telecom operators are using radio-link technology which is helping them mask call drops while the consumer is being billed for the time he is on the call, although it can be said to be artificially connected to a network, an official source told PTI. Thousands of civilians have fled an offensive by the Islamic State group against non-jihadist rebels in northern Syria into territory controlled by a US-backed Kurdish-led alliance, a monitor today said. The offensive against the towns of Marea and Azaz threatens to overrun the last swathe of territory in the east of Aleppo province held by non-jihadist rebels and bring IS to the doorstep of the Kurds' Afrin enclave. At least 29 civilians have been killed since IS launched the assault early on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. It came as the jihadists were under attack by the Kurdish-led alliance in Raqa province further east and by the army and allied militia around Fallujah in neighbouring Iraq. "More than 6,000 civilians, most of them women and children, were able to flee areas in the countryside of Aleppo province... Especially from Marea town and Sheikh Issa village" to its west, the Britain-based monitoring group said. "The displaced arrived last night in areas in the west and north of Aleppo province under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. The SDF is an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters that Washington regards as the most effective force on the ground in Syria against the jihadists of IS. Washington's support for the alliance, which is dominated by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), has severely strained relations with NATO ally Ankara which regards it as a terror group. AFP pictures of US commandos wearing the YPG insignia drew condemnation yesterday from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government regards the group as a puppet of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which Ankara has been battling for more than three decades. IS launched its offensive against the rebel-held territory that separates it from the Kurds in Afrin on Friday. Heavy fighting raged early today on the outskirts of Marea and around two villages on the supply route to the town of Azaz on the Turkish border to the northeast. The jihadists managed to cut the key supply line in a surprise assault early on Friday. At least 61 rebel fighters have been killed in the fighting, as well as 47 jihadists, nine of them suicide bombers, the Observatory said. The United Nations has expressed concern for some 165,000 civilians who have been trapped by the fighting between Azaz and the closed Turkish border. Three al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, who were wanted in many cases of kidnappings, looting and target killings in Pakistan, were today killed by police here during a gun battle. SSP Malir Rao Anwar told the media that the three terrorists affiliated with the al-Qaeda in the Subcontinent (AQIS) were killed in Karachi's Gulshan-e-Bunair area. "One of those killed is known as Muhammad Riaz a key figure of the AQIS," he said. Anwar said the gun battle had ensued after the police raided a locality on a intelligence tip-off about some terrorists hiding out there. "They all belonged to the banned outfit and were wanted in many cases of kidnappings, looting and target killings." "A huge cache of explosives, suicide jackets, arms and ammunition were recovered from possession of the terrorists," he added. Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has attacked President Barack Obama for not mentioning the deadly Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 during his historic trip to Japan this week. "Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while he's in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost. #MDW," tweeted Trump, who emerged as the Republican party's presumptive presidential nominee last week. Obama did not publicly mention the surprise 1941 attack that pulled the US into World War II while on his historic trip to Japan this week, during which he became the first sitting American president to visit Hiroshima. He used the visit to discuss the threat of nuclear weapons. "Why do we come to this place, to Hiroshima? We come to ponder the terrible forces unleashed in the not-so-distant past. We come to mourn the dead ... Their souls speak to us and ask us to look inward. To take stock of who we are and what we might become," Obama had said during his visit to the city's Peace Memorial Park. The White House didn't immediately comment on Trump's tweet Saturday evening, CNN reported. Trump supporter Sarah Palin also criticised Obama's trip to Hiroshima, calling it part of the President's "apology lap." The former Alaska governor, Palin, speaking at a Trump rally in San Diego on Friday, said Obama's trip to Hiroshima was "dissing our vets." Earlier in the week, in a joint press conference with Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he had no plans to visit Pearl Harbor despite the president's trip to Hiroshima. In the Pearl Harbour attack on December 7, 1941, over 2,400 Americans were killed and over 1,100 others were injured. Television editors body BEA today slammed Union Minister V K Singh for his remarks that attack on African nationals was a minor scuffle blown up by media, calling it "absurd". Broadcast Editors' Association (BEA) has taken statement of Singh with a contempt it deserves. "He is in the habit of making this kind of absurd statements which are not in consonance with the spirit of democracy," its General Secretary N K Singh said. He said the Minister should know that it is not a military regime where media dance to the tune of power packs. "We would advise the Prime Minister to give lessons in Indian Constitution to the Minister," Singh told PTI. He said media is independent and these incidents of growing racial intolerance is detrimental to the image of the country and to the Make in India programme, which Modi government is pursuing so vigorously. "The kind of message going across the world (by such remarks) will not lure foreign investors. The first job of the State is to curb these incidents," Singh said. In a series of tweets, the Minister has claimed the attack on African nationals in the national capital was a "minor scuffle" which was "blown up" by the media. "Had detailed discussion with Delhi Police and found that media blowing up minor scuffle as attack on African nationals in Rajpur Khurd," Singh, who is the junior minister in External Affairs Ministry, said and questioned the media's "motive". "Why is media doing this? As responsible citizens let us question them and their motives," he said. There has been a spate of attacks on African nationals in the last few days including killing of a Congolese youth in national capital and assault on a 23-year-old Nigerian student in Hyderabad. Two persons were arrested and three others detained today in connection with the attack on a number of African nationals in South Delhi's Mehrauli area as police intensified its investigation into the case. "We have arrested two persons from South Delhi and three others have been detained," DCP (South) Ishwar Singh said. Three separate cases have already been registered by police in connection with the incident which took place at Mehrauli area on Thursday night. At least six African nationals had sustained injuries in the incidents. Police attributed two of the incidents to a dispute over African nationals playing loud music and other to a scuffle over public drinking. These incidents happened close on the heels of murder of 23-year-old Congolese M K Oliver in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj area last week. Envoys of African countries on Thursday had expressed shock over the killing of Oliver, following which India assured them of safety and security of all African nationals. The victims in Thursday's cases include two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and at least two Nigerian men who alleged they were abused on racial lines. While two of the cases have been registered under the charge of criminal intimidation, the other has been registered under charges of causing hurt and wrongful confinement, police had said. The police officials had also claimed no African was seriously injured. "No African was seriously injured. A Nigerian national, identified as Leuchy, sustained minor injuries on his nose and he was taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre," police had said. In a case of cruelty towards animals, two dogs were tied up and set on fire in a large bag, killing both, police said. Firefighters were called to douse a blaze around 8:30 p.M. Yesterday in an alley in Chester, near Philadelphia in the US State of Pennsylvania. Police said they found the two dogs dead in a tote bag behind a garage on West 6th Street, WCAU-TV reported. The dogs, which appeared to be pit bull mixes, may have been killed before the bag was set on fire, police said. Coroners will conduct necropsies on the dogs to find out their causes of death. Police in Chester, about 25 kilometers southwest of Philadelphia, had not released information on any possible suspects in the case, New York Daily reported. Uganda hit back today at South Korea's claim that Kampala had ordered a halt to military ties with North Korea in line with UN sanctions, denying it had made such an announcement. South Korean President Park Geun-Hye's spokesman had earlier today told reporters that Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni had ordered officials to honour the latest sanctions during a summit in Kampala. Spokesman Jung Yeon-Guk quoted Museveni as saying: "We instructed officials to faithfully enforce the UN Security Council resolutions, including the halt of cooperation with North Korea in the security, military and police sectors." But Ugandan authorities responded swiftly, saying there had been no "public declaration" to this effect. "That is not true. It is propaganda," deputy government spokesman Shaban Bantariza told AFP. "Even if (such an order) was to be made by the president, it cannot be public. It cannot be therefore true and it can't happen. That is international politics at play," he added. Dozens of North Korean military and police officials are believed to be working in Uganda as military trainers under a cooperation programme. Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has visited North Korea three times and met Kim Il-Sung, the country's late founding president and grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-Un. The UN Security Council in March imposed the toughest sanctions to date on Pyongyang following its fourth atomic test in January and a long-range rocket launch a month later. The rocket launch -- widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test -- was staged in violation of existing UN resolutions that ban the country from any use of ballistic missile technology. Kim Jong-Un however remained defiant in the face of growing international pressure, declaring his country a "responsible" nuclear weapons state at a recent meeting of the ruling Workers' Party. The young leader also defended North Korea's widely-condemned nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against "hostile" US policy against his regime. On her first state visit to Uganda, South Korea's Park discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, including offering more aid to Kampala and the offer of running join development projects. Vice-Admiral A R Karve today took charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command (SNC) from Vice Admiral Girish Luthra. An impressive ceremonial parade was held at the Naval base on the occasion which was followed by the traditional 'Pulling Out' ceremony in which the outgoing Commander-in-Chief, Luthra was ceremonially pulled out in a jeep by Flag Officers and Commanding Officers of ships and naval establishments of Kochi, amidst emotional 'Jai'- 'Jai' by the men of SNC. Earlier in the day, Vice Admiral Karve laid wreath at the War Memorial, prior to assuming command, as a tribute to the thousands of martyrs who had fought for the country, Navy said in a statement. The Flag Officer, a native of Maharashtra, had arrived in Kochi yesterday. In his farewell address Vice Admiral Luthra appreciated the synergy that exists in the Southern Naval Command and said without it operations and training cannot be successful. He thanked the men and women of the SNC for the unstinted support he received during his tenure. The Parade was witnessed by many senior officers, men and families of SNC. Vice Admiral Girish Luthra has been appointed Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command. (REOPENS MDS3) The Navy chief said the outgoing TU142M "has alwyas inspired respect and admiration." Tracing its journey, he recalled it was inducted in the Indian Navy in the late 80s and had empowered the force with "unprecedented long range maritime reconnaissance, anti- submarine warfare capability." "At the time of their induction, their speed and endurance were among the best in the world. These qualities gave them considerable tactical advantage in the air. Till date they have served with distinction," Admiral Lanba said. Besides the IPKF operations, it also played a "crucial role" in Operation Cactus in Maldives in 1988 where fleeing mercenaries were detected and tracked by the aircraft before they were apprehended by Navy ships, he recalled. Even in this month's TROPEX 2017 exercise, the ageing squadron had "performed admirably" where they had put in 53 hours of flight, Lanba said. On the new fleet of P8-I Boeing, the Navy chief said eight of the total 12 "state-of-the-art" aircraft have already been inducted while the rest will join the force in coming years. "P8-I Boeing is a long range anti submarine warfare aircraft. It is a modern aircraft, but more importantly it has modern sensors and systems in it in the form of radars, electronics and weapons. There is quantum change in the technology" (compared to TU142M), he said. "It is best in the world at the moment. We are the (one of the) first two navies to induct it simultaneously with the US. We have been operating it for three years. It is a force multiplier and a great capability enhancement in the navy," Lanba added. The aircraft has been "fully integrated into Navy's operations and was the "most potent anti submarine platforms that the Indian Navy possesses today," he added. INS Rajali also celebrated its silver jubilee today. A special Postal Cover was released to mark the occasion while a plaque, containing the names of all the Commanding Officers of the station, and the various aircraft here, was unveiled by Lanba. A woman wanted in a fraud case was arrested from New Delhi and brought here today, police said. Kiran Kumari Bhanot, a resident of Gandhwan road, Phagwara was arrested by Ludhiana police from New Delhi when she was trying to escape from India, Investigating Officer Assistant Sub-Inspector Balwinder Singh Rai said. She was trying to escape abroad when the airport authorities informed the Ludhiana police, who arrested her, he said. A case was lodged against her by Gurpreet Singh Ghag, a resident of Narangshahpur village, in 2014, he said. The officer said that Bhanot had sold a piece of land to Ghag at cost of Rs 45 lakh, however, she later fraudulently got a bank loan against the same land she had sold to him by showing it as her property, he added. A 29-year-old woman today delivered a boy in a Delhi Police PCR van while she was being rushed to a hospital. The woman, Arti, was travelling in a train from Gwalior to Samalkha in Panipat when she felt labour pain. Her in-laws, who were accompanying her, got down at Sabji Mandi railway station here in the wee hours and sought help. A railway employee called the police control room and help arrived quickly. As the woman was being taken to hospital, she delivered a baby in the PCR van, said R K Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (PCR). The woman and her child have been admitted to Bara Hindurao Hospital, said the officer. This is another example of good work done by Delhi Police's PCR staff in the last few days, he said. Two policemen in a PCR van had given a long chase to three miscreants in a car and rescued a 19-year-old girl kidnapped by them from Geeta Ghat on May 27. Grappling with the world's biggest senior citizen population, China's President Xi Jinping held a high-level meeting with officials after the number ofpeople above 60 years in the world's most populous country crossed 220 million, 16 per cent of the total population. Xi, who heads theCommunist Party of China (CPC) along with the members of the powerful Politburo of the party, attended a group study on the "state and future of a graying society" yesterday, state-run Xinhua agency reported. CPC leaders hold such group studies to hold in-depth discussions on critical issues to work out appropriate policies. The meeting was held as the latest figures showed that the population above 60 years has crossed 220 million people constituting 16 per cent of the total population, far sooner than expected. Chinese capital is already feeling the heat with numbers of pensioners climbing up to 23.4 per cent of the total 22 million population. The Beijing local government expects 30 per cent of the city's population to be aged 60 or above by 2030. By 2020, the city will pay out 200 billion yuan (USD 30.7 billion) in old-age pensions and the amount is expected to surge to 670 billion (about USD 111 billion) in 2030, Li Hongbing, deputy head of the Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau, has been quoted as saying by the official media recently. The number of those aged between 16 and 59 will decrease to 896 million in 2020 and 824 million in 2030, while those aged 60 and over will grow to 253 million in 2020 and 365 million in 2030, new data provided by the Population and Development Studies Centre at the Renmin University of China said. China has already scrapped over three-decades-old one child policy, allowing couples to have two children but the policy change has not drawn positive response from the public as many fear second child will be a burden due to heavy costs of education and health care. Addressing the study group, Xi while calling for stepping up efforts to improve health care and social benefits to old age population, also pointed to the bright prospects of the old-age business, given the huge demand for products and services. He said government support should foster new growth points. With the world's largest number of senior citizens, China has improved elder care, Xi said. (Reopens FGN 10) However, much remains to be done and there is a quite big gap between reality and elderly people's expectation of happy twilight years, he said. China has the largest number of ageing population, thus careful handling of the issue holds a stake over the overall development of the nation and people's well-being, Xi said. He called for "a positive attitude" because the elderly deserve acceptance and respect from the public. Respecting and caring for the elderly is a Chinese traditional virtue, and it should be carried out in modern times. The elderly should also develop a sense of self-respect and independence, he said. Xi urged continuous improvement in the elderly-care system by enhancing scientific study and learning constructive experience from other countries. Pension insurance and medical insurance systems should be perfected and supporting policies should be provided for the family pension mode and showing loving care and service for rural elderly left at home, Xi said. The elderly should be encouraged to play an active role in moral education and resolving social conflicts, he said. Food and beverages franchise management company Yellow Tie Hospitality has tied up with US-based Genuine Broaster Chicken to launch the brand across 40 outlets in the country by the year-end and will invest USD 3 million till 2018 for expansion. Yellow Tie Hospitality plans to launch the brand first in Mumbai, followed by roll-outs of franchise outlets in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Surat and a few more cities in the first three months, it said in a statement here. The brand will be served exclusively in different franchise formats with an authentic menu by the company, the statement added. By 2017, Yellow Tie Hospitality aims to have 10 leading F&B brands in its portfolio, beginning with Genuine Broaster Chicken. Currently, Genuine Broaster Chicken is present in 36 countries across the world. "Broaster Chicken has been an integral part of America's food heritage for the past 60 years. Therefore, we felt it was time to introduce this to Indian consumers, filling the gap in demand and supply for better fried chicken," Yellow Tie's Founder and CEO Karan Tanna said in a statement. Along with its brand promotion, Yellow Tie Hospitality aims to augment the food startup industry by giving entrepreneurs a chance to scale their business through collaborations, he said. "With Broaster chicken, the customers enjoy delicious fried chicken, which is of far superior quality, uses less oil and retains natural chicken moisture. We are very bullish of our products in India," Bill Loeffelholz of Genuine Broaster Chicken said. Zac Efron shared a sweet throwback photo with his fellow "High School Musical" cast members on Instagram. In the pic, which was originally taken in August 2008, the "Neighbors" actor, 28, is all smiles as he poses alongside Ashley Tisdale, ex-girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens and Corbin Bleu, reported Us magazine. "So grateful I came across this picture. With the o g crew during one of the most cherished and exciting times of my life. Love you guys forever," he wrote. The shot was taken just two months before the third installment in the hit Disney trilogy, "High School Musical 3: Senior Year", was released. Earlier this year, the cast (sans Efron) reunited for a trip down memory lane to celebrate the original film's 10th anniversary. People have different priorities and different values. But we share the same data. Over the last few days, we've heard a presidential contender make comments completing ignoring the data. This should concern everyone - ignoring data leads to irresponsible comments and poor policy decisions. First, I live in California, and I was shocked to hear Donald Trump say there is no drought in the state. That is the opposite of what the data says! Here is an excerpt from Daniel Swain at the California Weather Blog (written 10 days ago discussing the data): While the reservoirs in Californias wetter, more northern reaches have reached (or are nearing) capacity after a slightly wetter-than-average winter in that part of the state, multi-year water deficits remain enormous. The 2015-2016 winter did bring some drought relief to California, but nearly all long-term drought indicators continue to suggest that California remains in a significant drought. Residents of Southern Californiawho witnessed a much drier than average winter this year despite the occurrence of one of the strongest El Nino events on recordcan certainly attest to this. In fact, nearly all of California is still missing at least 1 years worth of precipitation over the past 4 years, and in Southern California the numbers suggest closer to 2-3 years worth of missing rain and snow. These numbers, of course, dont even begin to account for the effect of consecutive years of record-high temperatures, which have dramatically increased evaporation in our already drought-stressed region. emphasis added Trump says he thinks the US unemployment rate is close to 20 percent and not the 5 percent reported by the Labor Department. Anyone who believes the 5 percent is a dummy, he said. For the current year, these tables show the snowpack in the North, Central and South Sierra. Currently the statewide snowpack is about 29% of normal for this date. This graph shows the snow water content for Upper Tyndall Creek for the last 20+ years.For Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail hikers, I recommend using the Upper Tyndall Creek sensor to track the snow conditions. This is the fifth dry year in a row along the JMT - although more snow than the previous four years.As Swain noted, "California remains in a significant drought".Mr. Trump's comments were incorrect and irresponsible., Mr. Trump was also quoted as saying that anyone who believes the unemployment rate is 5% is a "dummy".I don't believe the headline U-3 unemployment rate tells the entire story, and that is why I also track U-6 (a measure of) and other measures. But U-3 is measured in a transparent way - and remains a key measure of unemployment - and is measured consistently.When we use U-6 (includes "unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers plus total employed part time for economic reasons") we need to compare to previous readings of U-6, not previous readings of U-3. Currently U-6 is at 9.7%. U-6 bottomed in 2006 at 7.9% and in 2000 at 6.8%. So U-6 is still elevated and there is still slack in the labor market.Also, some people think the participation rate will increase significantly as the labor market improves. I've written about the participation rate extensively, and I've pointed out that most of the recent decline in the participation rate can be explained by demographics and various long term trends. There is no huge hidden pool of workers that will suddenly show up in the labor force.Looking at the data, Mr. Trump's suggestion that unemployment is closer to 20% than 5% is absurd.I guess Trump thinks I'm a "dummy"! I think he is reckless and irresponsible. Montalvo SHARE Longhorn cook earns regional recognition Jesse Montalva, culinary professional at the Longhorn Steakhouse in Corpus Christi, was recognized as the regional winner of the company's Steak Master Series competition, according to a news release. This honor is bestowed upon the top performing culinary team members in the company. He is one of just 60 team members from Longhorn Steakhouse to achieve this distinction. The Steak Master Series was created by Longhorn Steakhouse to celebrate the restaurant's commitment to grilling expertise. Montalvo has been with Longhorn Steakhouse for 15 years. All of the nearly 6,000 culinary team members at Longhorn Steakhouse locations nationwide were invited to participate in the Steak Master Series, which took the form of written and culinary tests. After the regional competition, Montalva continued to achieve high honors and is now one of just seven finalists nationwide who will travel to Longhorn Steakhouse headquarters in Orlando to compete for the title of Steak Master Series Champion. Olivarez Jr. qualifies for Circle of Success Larry Olivarez Jr., a private wealth adviser with Ameriprise Financial qualified for the company's Circle of Success annual recognition program, according to a news release. Olivarez was honored for this achievement at the 2016 National Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. To earn the achievement, Olivarez established himself as one of the company's top advisers achieving high levels in production, client service and client satisfaction, officials said. Only a select number of high-performing Ameriprise financial advisers earn this distinction. Olivarez's office is located at 711 N. Carancahua St., Suite No. 1701. Stafford honored in convenience awards Julia Stafford, of Corpus Christi, with Sunoco LP/Stripes was recognized in the Rising Stars category of the third-annual Convenience Store News Top Women in Convenience awards program, officials said. The Top Women in Convenience program recognizes a diverse array of women in the convenience retail industry, including leaders, mentors and role models. Honorees are chosen based on nominations from their peers that illustrate a candidate's innovative corporate initiatives, extraordinary financial and strategic accomplishments, astute-problem solving acumen, exceptional performance and selfless charitable participation, among other attributes that go above and beyond the call of duty. This year's judging was conducted by Convenience Store News in conjunction with the Network of Executive Women (NEW) and the 2016 Top Women in Convenience Advisory Board, which includes all five 2015 Women of the Year honorees. Hall named CBKF program director Nataline Hall was named program director of the Coastal Bend Kidney Foundation. Hall has a master's in social work with a concentration in direct micro practice with Latino individuals, families and groups. She also has extensive work experience with nonprofits and in the renal care fields. Hall's main objectives with the kidney foundation are to facilitate Free Kidney Check program and the Kidney Support groups, official said. Baucum to own chiropractic clinic Armadillo Sport Chiropractic announced the opening of a second clinic in Calallen and named Nick Baucum as the owner, officials said. The new location is at 14902 Trinity River Drive, Suite No. 2. Baucum, of Bluntzer, is a graduate of Calallen High School and attended chiropractic school at Parker University in Dallas. Armadillo Sport Chiropractic Corpus Christi location is at 1220 Airline Road, Suite No. 280. Information: 361-654-4747. Compiled by Natalia Contreras Has it occurred to no one who favors the bathroom law enacted by North Carolina and contemplated by Texas officials how it's supposed to play out? Something like this: People in women's clothes and makeup, possibly without what in Shakespeare's day were called "privy members" but whose birth certificates say they were male when they were born would join us boys in the men's room when the coffee or the beer forces them to answer nature's call. Surely transgender haters haven't thought it out this far; otherwise, they'd have left things as they were. And as much as it would serve them right to have transgender women sidling up next to them at the sink, it wouldn't serve anyone else right, transgender people least of all. The twisted logic of the law calls to mind a theory that the late Texas historian Joe Frantz put forth as to why Texas A&M University integrated racially sooner than it allowed women. Frantz had a deadpan comic delivery similar to Jack Benny's, with similarly long pauses, but with a twang. His explanation of Aggie logic went like this: "Do you want (pause) your son (pause) to go off to A&M (pause) and marry (pause) a woman?" Do you want your daughter to go into a women's room and be molested by a man who deliberately misinterpreted a transgender-friendly bathroom policy to mean that he could go into the women's room to molest your daughter? Well, do you? A lot of people are asking that question as if it were a serious question. According to the logic behind the bathroom law, it's what's bound to happen under the gender identity-friendly policies favored by Target and compassionate school districts such as Fort Worth's. Here's another question being asked of Texans by their state's top officials: Do you want the imperialistic Obama administration to usurp a state's right to put transgender people in their place? Gov. Greg Abbott has accused the president of trying to change laws "as if he were a king" because the administration warned North Carolina that its law could put it afoul of Title IX and it could lose federal education funding. In Abbott's world, which by rights should be confined to the inside of his head but unfortunately is all of Texas, protecting civil rights and preventing gender discrimination is a divine right of kings. And now (Joe Frantz-style pause) Texas (pause) is suing the U.S. government (pause) at our expense (pause) because it considers discrimination (pause) against transgender people (pause) a state's right. Texans should be outraged, if not for the right human-rights reasons then because it's costing them money. It's unfortunate but true that some people don't mind discriminating as long as it's for free. For all the failures of logic that have given this issue its momentum, arguably the craziest of all is that we Texans have allowed an accused felon to make the decision to go to court and represent us there, while saying sanctimonious things unctuously, as is Attorney General Ken Paxton's irritating style. Paxton is under indictment accusing him of steering clients to investments without disclosing that he received commissions. With apologies to Miranda, Texas has a right to an attorney not under indictment, and nothing Paxton says should be used in a court of law on Texas' behalf. We have a right for Paxton to remain silent on our behalf, at least until such time that a kangaroo court can be rigged to go through the motions of clearing him. Instead we pay Paxton's salary and he has used his time on our dime to say the following in a court filing, in our name: "Defendants have conspired to turn workplaces and educational settings across the country into laboratories for a massive social experiment, flouting the democratic process, and running roughshod over commonsense policies protecting children and basic privacy rights." All the defendants have conspired to do is make bullies quit picking on people, which sounds like compassionate common sense. Our attorney general, governor and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are conspiring, meanwhile, to force people in dresses and high heels into the men's room with the rednecks. That's a social experiment that no one with a lick of common sense would propose. SHARE CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Ricardo Ortiz, now 53, is an environmental and safety manager in Corpus Christi. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Ricardo Ortiz was in the Middle East for Desert Storm from August 1990 to March 1991. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Ricardo Ortiz on a tank during his Desert Storm deployment. By Fares Sabawi of the Caller-Times Ricardo Ortiz remembers when he came home from Operation Desert Storm. He didn't think anyone would be there to greet him and the other soldiers when they landed early one morning at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. But when he stepped out of the plane, he saw 75 Vietnam War veterans waiting for the troops' arrival. "I asked one of them 'why are you here,'" Ortiz said. "He said 'we're here to make sure you get the welcome we never received.'" Ortiz will be one of more than 500 Gulf War veterans marching in Washington D.C. on Monday during the National Memorial Day Parade. The Corpus Christi man was 24 when he enlisted in the Air Force. Ortiz was working in the oil field but as the industry struggled in 1986, he joined the military. Four years later, Kuwait was invaded by Iraq, prompting the Gulf War. Ortiz served on a bomb squad while he served in theater from Aug. 21, 1990, to March 23, 1991. "It was good to be serving my country," Ortiz said. "It was against a dictator that took over a small country that really had no army." Ortiz considers himself lucky because he never suffered any major injuries during his deployment. Other service members, 383 in all, lost their lives during the operation. "That's why I'm up here," Ortiz told the Caller-Times after he landed in the nation's capital. "To honor the ones that did not make it back to their loved ones." No one Ortiz served alongside will be at the parade, but he said he already felt the camaraderie between Gulf War veterans on his way to Washington D.C. In Houston, he ran into two Army veterans who also were deployed during Desert Storm. They quickly became friends. "It's a brotherhood because we all spent time out there," he said. It has been 25 years since Operation Desert Storm. The National Desert Storm War Memorial Association invited veterans from around the country to join the parade so they get the recognition they deserve, said public relations chairman Fred Wellman. "We're all getting more excited as the day gets closer," Wellman, a Gulf War veteran, said. "We really want folks to understand the significance of Desert Storm." Wellman said the association recently got approval to build its own memorial site near the National Mall. Wellman said the association plans to break ground on the $40 million memorial within three years. Ortiz, now a 53-year-old environmental and safety manager, spent his time visiting all the war memorials in the city. Marching in the parade will be his way of paying respect to all the veterans throughout the United States' history. "We've lost so many good people throughout our many wars," he said. "It's just an honor to be here." Twitter: @Caller_Fares GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES A woman prepares to jump into Jacob's Well during Memorial Day weekend Friday, May 27, 2016, in Wimberley. By Julie Garcia of the Caller-Times WIMBERLEY There are two Wimberleys. There is the idyllic Central Texas getaway sought by tourists far from bustling cities, but close enough for a weekend trip. A Wimberley where people are jumping in the creek from a high rock or hanging onto rope swings before splashing in the cold water. "You don't want a lot of people to know about Wimberley," said Rakshanda Aslam, a longtime vacationer from Houston visiting Blue Hole, a popular swimming spot. "We still want it to be the quiet little spot to come for vacation, rest and for peace of mind." Then there's the Wimberley residents know. A place that continues to rebuild after two devastating floods ravaged different parts of the town in 2015. The first and most talked about happened Memorial Day weekend last year when water rushed down the Blanco River causing it to rise more than 40 feet in a few hours. Homes, businesses and 13 lives were lost May 24 a year ago all of which are hard topics for locals to talk about. Eight of those 13 who died were from Corpus Christi. All were staying in a vacation home on Deer Crossing Lane. Ralph and Sue Carey built the home in 1981, and it became the place of countless memories for them and their daughters, Michelle Carey Charba and Cristen Carey Daniel. The Careys, Charba, her husband Randy Charba and their 6-year-old son, Will, and family friends Laura Schultz McComb, Jonathan McComb and their children, 6-year-old Andrew and 4-year-old Leighton were swept away in the home that night. Jonathan McComb was the only survivor. Four months later, a flash flood on Oct. 30 rushed through the heart of Wimberley, reopening still-fresh wounds while creating new ones. "We were worse hit in October by far," said Kennett Pyles, manager at Inoz restaurant in Wimberley Square. "Our deck was completely caved in half. It was a little heartbreaking, but at the same time, the town had already pulled together on Memorial Day. The compassion in this town is overwhelming." ON ALERT Though usually calm, the Wimberley Volunteer Fire Department is constantly alert. "We're always monitoring the weather. If we see something that raises red flags, we give our people notice and make sure our equipment is ready for roll out," said firefighter Will Ammons. The group of about 30 volunteers were the first in the water last year when distressed residents called 911 needing rescues from rooftops and attics about 9 p.m. Many of the volunteer firefighters had no idea what they were up against when rescue teams reached the first houses. Because of the abundance of calls and the department's inability to cross some low river crossings, access had become an even bigger issue. "We had to prioritize those calls," Wimberley Fire Lt. Lynn Burttschell said. "There were also issues of access. A lot of our higher priority calls we couldn't get to (the location anymore)." The efforts of Texas Task Force 1 and area departments, many of whom are swift water rescue certified, saved the lives of hundreds, locals say. "The chief (Carroll Czichos) has looked at positioning equipment and apparatuses in different areas, so we don't have a situation where we get cut off," Ammons said. But the town is not the same. Snapped cedar trees remain at the edge of Ranch Road 12, which became temporarily undrivable after the flood. "The river has definitely changed," Ammons said. "You used to drive down Ranch Road (12) and there was this beautiful canopy of trees that just hung over the road a beautiful shady drive. Now it's just dead sticks." The presence of search crews also is a reminder of the two missing Corpus Christi children, Will Charba and Leighton McComb. Depending on availability and weather conditions, search groups will return to the town to continuing looking. Kim Charba, sister to Randy Charba, is a common face in Wimberley and said she has never been told no by property owners when she needs to search a high-possibility area. She calls the people there her family. Texas Search and Rescue has grown by more than 50 volunteers in the state's five teams since last year's flood Executive director Karen Knox said Wimberley was their largest call-out ever. "Several members showed up in Wimberley as spontaneous volunteers and saw how we worked and have since become members," Knox said. "One has been Jonathan McComb he shows up when he can for moral support. Joe McComb (Jonathan's father) is on our board." Knox said the Corpus Christi families are big champions for TEXSAR. "We want to find those children just like they do. We want to help them find closure on that," Knox said. "It's an amazing bond." The newest team, TEXSAR of the Coastal Bend, is looking for members to receive swift water rescue training and CPR certifications. The organization relies on its donors and volunteers, who pay for things such as training and fuel to reach search areas. "We rely on donations to keep our doors open, and so we can show up when we're needed," she said. "We don't want to be paid by any agencies or family members. That's not why we're here we want to help." RETURN TO WIMBERLEY Memorial Day is the start of a tourist season anywhere, but especially in Wimberley. Though 7A Ranch and Resort lost 15 cabins and is under new ownership, reservations are at 90 percent capacity for the summer, said Amanda Calaway, general manager. The pool was redone and four cabins are being rebuilt. "We didn't rebuild anything on the front row (closest to the Blanco River)," Calaway said. "It's kind of nice because that makes everything have a river view." Reservations at Jacob's Well, a world-famous swimming hole, also are at capacity for the summer, said Jay Taylor, a parks specialist in Jacob's Well Natural Area. A volunteer searcher last year, Taylor said part of the area's healing has been opening the community to outsiders again. For visitors, Wimberley is what it has always been a Central Texas utopia for the city's weary. "People were wanting to come, and were more interested in swimming than anything," Taylor said. "Most of the people are out-of-towners so they don't even know about the floods that hit here." But its residents won't forget and not all businesses are thriving. "A lot of people just thought the town was torn apart," Vicki Jacobs, owner of Texas Rock Art in Wimberley Square. "During that interim of the rebuilding, they found other places to go and some of the people who had weekend homes that flooded may have sold them and not come back. We're still feeling it." Twitter: @Caller_Jules Caller-Times File Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is among the South Texas institutions that expanded considerably because of the MALDEF lawsuit, transitioning from a two-year upper-level-only school to a four-year university. The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies was under construction when this photo was taken in 2004. SHARE Public higher education in the border area of Texas has improved in myriad ways since a Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund lawsuit in 1987-93. The Texas border area, including the area from Brownsville to Corpus Christi to San Antonio to El Paso, with 20 percent of Texas population, has improved from 11 percent to 18 percent of Texas higher education state revenues, from 3 to 65 doctoral programs and 70 percent to 95 percent of state average revenues per student. And most important, the border has 70 percent more students and these students are attending higher quality and more comprehensive universities. These improvements, the greatest leap in higher education offerings in an area in Texas history, have led to greater opportunities for students, more focus on community issues and rapid increase in the economic and development effects of our universities on their communities and the state. MALDEF filed the LULAC v. Richards lawsuit in 1987. MALDEF represented the League of Latin American Citizens, Texas GI Forum, the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE), other Latino organizations and 25 students, to challenge decades of discrimination against Mexican-Americans in the border area. Until the 1970s, San Antonio was the largest city in the United States without a public university. The entire border area was -and remains-the largest and most populous area in the United States without a comprehensive university offering a wide variety of doctoral and professional programs. On average, students in the border area traveled 225 miles to attend a comprehensive public university, while students in the rest of Texas traveled only 45 miles. So only 20 percent of border students, but 60 percent of the students in the rest of Texas, attended a comprehensive university. Commerce, Denton, Lubbock, Nacogdoches and other small Texas cities each had more doctoral programs than the entire border area. UT Austin and Texas A&M each had more programs and a larger budget than all higher education in the border. There were no doctoral programs even in international trade and Spanish in existing universities in El Paso, Laredo, Edinburg or Brownsville, but College Station, Austin, Denton and Commerce did have such programs. So, why do all these statistics matter? Doctoral and professional programs represent superior quality of faculty, research laboratories, libraries, and employment opportunities for students. Doctoral and professional programs reflect a much broader, higher quality and respected educational program at all levels. More comprehensive higher education programs are a major factor in attracting white collar jobs and high tech businesses in general. At the trial in 1991, Henry Cisneros testified that San Antonio competed with cities around the United States to attract the national computer research center SEMATECH (a consortium of universities, computer manufacturers and the U.S. Government) to San Antonio in the late 1980s, but lost the competition to Austin because of the far superior higher education opportunities in Austin. Concentrations of higher education programs have been the catalyst for the international high tech centers in the Silicon Valley, Route 128 firms in Boston, and the research triangle firms in North Carolina. Students in all the large and medium-size communities in Texas outside the border could live at home and attend a comprehensive university. Students on the border could not afford to move and attend these institutions, but were relegated to attend the less resourced universities in their areas. The MALDEF lawsuit was one important cause for this improvement in higher education. But why was a lawsuit necessary to do this? Unfortunately, in Texas, changes in state systems in public education, higher education, prisons, mental health, and child welfare require a lawsuit to break through decades of neglect, and focus public and governmental attention. For generations, Texas' misguided leaders assumed the border area was not ready for the highest levels of education, but should be focusing only on getting students out of high school and into the workplace. This assumption was quite ironic; the state did not support efforts to educate our students in public education either, and these joint neglects led to many of the educational and social crises we confront now. To force an improvement in the unconstitutional funding of higher education in Texas, MALDEF won a court order requiring Texas to improve border higher education. That year, MALDEF and TRLA worked with community leaders, legislators, and experts to develop an agreed plan for higher education on the border, with specific programs and funding recommended for the border universities in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, Brownsville, Edinburg, Laredo, Alpine and El Paso. All the border area state senators and representatives, as well as the community leaders from the border cities, signed on to this comprehensive plan to improve the universities in the border. This unanimous support led to legislation passed in 1993 which created UTSA downtown, Texas A&M International University in Laredo, full four-year universities for the first time in Brownsville and Corpus Christi, rapid expansion of master's and doctoral programs, and new buildings and scholarship opportunities. The 1993 legislation was the seed for the vast improvement in higher education throughout the region. After the Texas Legislature passed this new significant funding for the border universities, the Texas Supreme Court reversed the underlying lawsuit, though the court acknowledged the inferior funding of the border universities and the significant new investments made in the 1993 Legislature. In 1993, all the universities in the border area were in the lowest two of five tiers of higher education. Now, of the five tiers, we have several universities in the second and third highest tiers, a nationally recognized and respected improvement. What should be our focus for the future? The border community must lead in efforts to improve the regions' universities and education in general to the levels attained in the rest of the state. UTSA and UT El Paso should reach top tier status. We should work to improve the universities in Corpus Christi, Kingsville and Laredo to offer a much greater range of doctoral and specialized programs focused on their special expertise in coastal and border issues, as well as education and business. And we must increase state funding; much of the increase in funding in Texas higher education has been the increase in tuition, rather than direct state funding, putting great financial strain on students and their families, and discouraging the low income community from accessing higher education, the best ticket to progress for their families. The border area, long relegated to the lowest tiers of Texas higher education, should be funded at a level to recognize the unique opportunities and challenges of the border area. At least five million persons reside in Mexico within 10 miles of the Texas border. This population, as well as the billions of dollars of economic activity on the Mexican side of the border area, has direct effects on Texas border communities. We must enhance our higher education resources in the border area to study, interact, and recommend polices to deal with these international issues. And most important, we must give our children a fair chance at education at all levels. Fear is often wielded as a dangerous tool to influence public opinion and impact public policy. In Texas and beyond, many groups that are funded to oppose oil and natural gas development use misinformation and outright fabrication to create fear and confusion. For many of us, it can be hard to tell the difference between sound science and junk science. Dr. Dan Hill, head of the petroleum engineering department at Texas A&M University, once urged his neighbors to be "savvy consumers" of information about oil and natural gas issues and "to keep an eye out for claims masquerading as 'science,' which have been widely discredited by scientists and experts." Hill explained that many "claims about increased cancer risks and degradation of air quality are based on flawed research and inappropriate comparisons of air test results and safety thresholds." "When researchers use appropriate comparisons," he continued, "studies show that natural gas activity doesn't result in air exposures that would pose health concerns." In fact, experts have dispelled all of the most frequently repeated myths about oil and natural gas development and water and air issues. For example, researchers from Stanford, Syracuse, Yale, the California Council on Science & Technology and the University of Colorado have all concluded that hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking) is not contaminating drinking water. The well-worn claim that people within a mile of a natural gas well are at increased risk of cancer has been thoroughly debunked because researchers used flawed methodology and inflated data to reach their conclusions. Local and national organizations that are funded to oppose oil and natural gas development repeatedly cite this and other discredited studies, despite the body of research that refutes their claims. Others intent on stopping oil and natural gas development did not hesitate to deep-six research that concluded that oil and natural gas development is safe. In this case, the University of Cincinnati conducted a three-year study to examine the impact of hydraulic fracturing on local water supplies and found no evidence that natural gas production contaminates drinking water. So why didn't anyone publicize these findings? One of the lead researchers of the study answered this question by explaining, "Our funders, the groups that had given us funding in the past, were a little disappointed in our results. They feel that fracking is scary and so they were hoping our data could point to a reason to ban it." Nonacademic groups like Environment Texas often manufacture misleading reports and attempt to pass them off as credible research. When such a report recently alleged serious air emission violations in Texas, the Corpus Christi Caller-Times called out the report's lack of context and encouraged its readers to "peel back a layer" when considering its conclusions. This is good advice given these groups' well-documented history of publishing inflated numbers, omitting context and misrepresenting information. By design, these "reports" are heavy on figures and slim on facts. Advancing understanding is not the goal. Derailing oil and natural gas development is the goal, an agenda that threatens energy security, affordable electricity and jobs. As it should be, the oil and natural gas industry is one of the most regulated industries in the state. If companies don't comply with regulations they can lose their permits to operate here. In fact, Texas is a global example for its policies that protect our environment and grow the economy. Science-based regulation is one of the reasons Texas is the nation's No. 1 producer of oil and natural gas and the United States holds the No. 1 spot in the world. As a result, we are less dependent on other countries and net imports of foreign oil have dropped to a 30-year low. A robust oil and natural gas industry directly funds Texas schools, roads and essential services through state and local taxes and state royalties, paying $13.8 billion last year alone. All of this progress is occurring while Texans and our environment remain safe. Peddlers of junk science do a disservice to Texans who are more secure across the board because of safe and responsible production of oil and natural gas. Facts, not fear, should drive discussions and decisions about our nation's energy needs, our economy and our planet. Todd Staples is president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association. Getting stressed planning a wedding? Read on for some insights from couples who have already been through -- and survived -- the process. Wedding planning can often feel like the ultimate obstacle course, with "happily ever after" as the finish line. With so many etiquette hoops to jump through, thorny traditions to navigate and people to please, it's a wonder anyone makes it through to wedded bliss unscathed. Luckily for us, seven couples who have successfully navigated the path to the altar were willing and happy to share their experiences, plus some excellent tips and tricks on how to resolve some of the most common wedding-planning obstacles. 1. Child-free wedding zone "We decided not to invite children to our boat cruise wedding reception on the water. The feedback was instantaneous and several of our friends and family members were hurt and unhappy that their children would be left out. We just didn't feel that the venue was appropriate or safe for little ones, but we had fallen for each other while working at the harbour tours, so it was important to us to stick to our vision. We compromised by encouraging guests to bring their children to the ceremony beforehand, so they would still feel that they were part of the day. Some guests declined and some made child-care arrangements, and in the end it was a fabulous party." -- Kara and Steve, Toronto 2. Wedding guest list: Plus-one predicament "A good friend, who was single when we got engaged, started dating someone who we had not met and requested a plus-one after the invitations went out. Our budget was based on our original head count and was very tight, and we were afraid that if we made an exception for his new girlfriend more exceptions would have to follow. We were completely honest with our friend and invited his significant other for the dance following the dinner. They were very understanding and our friendship is still intact." -- Marianne and Gavin, Ottawa 3. Staying within your wedding budget "I fell in love with a spectacular venue whose reputation for food and presentation was the absolute best in the city. Unfortunately it was beyond our budget, and the only part of the wedding Scott was adamant about was that we had to have an open bar. It seemed as though one of us was going to be unhappy because we could not afford both the fancy venue and a hosted bar. We were able to reach a compromise when the planner suggested providing each guest with a certain number of tickets for complimentary cocktails, allowing us to treat our guests and still afford the perfect venue." -- Jennifer and Scott, Calgary 4. Opinion overload "We had a lot of trouble making the big decisions when it came to the wedding. I second-guessed my choice of venue, the date, my dress and the colour scheme -- pretty much everything except the groom himself! I would advise not to go into too much detail with people who ask about the wedding planning. People will feel entitled to give their opinions and it can be confusing and overwhelming. The less you say and share, the better off you are." -- Megan and Justin, Saint John, N.B. 5. Bridesmaid dress problem "My maid of honour announced her pregnancy after we had picked the dresses for the bridal party. She would be approximately seven months pregnant with her first baby by my wedding day, so we didn't know exactly what size that would be. At first I was disappointed, thinking that the original style of dress wasn't going to work and trying to imagine an alternate dress for her. Rather than panicking, we presented our problem to the seamstress at the dress shop. Apparently this is a very common issue and they offered to be on alteration standby the week before the wedding to work their magic. Choose your dress shop wisely and don't be afraid to ask for help." -- Julia and Ethan, Sydney, N.S. 6. Reformed non-conformist "My sister flat out refused to be a bridesmaid. The matching dresses and shoes and a day of posing for pictures were not in her comfort zone. But I really wanted her to have a special role in the wedding, so I got around her hesitations by asking her to do a reading during the ceremony instead. She took the responsibility to heart, and her recitation of the Apache Prayer was one of my favourite parts of the day." -- Annie and Michael, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. 7. Wedding invitation assumption "We decided to keep the guest list to immediate family only, but my well-meaning granny was so excited about our engagement that she immediately jumped on the phone and began inviting several far-flung cousins. Although we hadn't anticipated the need to, we sent out official "save the date" cards to mitigate any confusion. This made it easier to be honest and direct about our plan to keep the wedding small and personal." -- Amber and Kevin, Toronto Planning a wedding usually comes with its fair share of frustrations, but getting around roadblocks often just takes some honesty, clear thinking and an open mind. Don't miss our collection of fabulous ideas to plan a truly special wedding day. Beauty New advances are making astonishing headway into the fight against cancer, but some cancer treatments can wreak havoc on your skin. Thankfully, these side effects are usually temporary. Read More Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 7:36PM Vinyl has been experiencing a major comeback recently so it comes as no surprise that Disney is exploring the medium to release a unique vinyl album for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The two LP set has 3D holograms etched right into the surface of the records. One has the Millennium Falcon and the other the TIE Fighter. If you look at the records while they spin from the right angle, youll be able to see wire forms of the ships floating and rotating. Disney hired holographic artist Tristan Duke to make this happen. Duke has made similar etched artwork on vinyl for Jack Whites Lazaretto Ultra LP. Expect this to be priced around US$50 (around CA$65) when its released on June 17th through Disney Music Emporium and Amazon. Source: SlashGear [Your Business Name] Contact Info Phone: Fax: Email: Web: CAPITOLHILLCUBANS.COM Business Overview Geographic Area Line of Business Brands We Carry Products and Services Discounts Offered Additional Information Business Hours Timezone We Accept Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. The German company is developing a new family of engines, designed to meet future RDE requirements with the first member found under the bonnet of the new E-Class. The new 191hp turbodiesel 2.0-litre with the code name OM 654 in the E220d is that engine, returning a combined 3.9lt/100km (72.4mpg UK) according to NEDC and 102g/km of CO2 emissions. Mercedes is the first manufacturer to already offer a diesel engine that fulfills the future stricter emission limits. The company plans to create one huge modular family of engines, with several levels of power outputs, for both longitudinal and transverse configurations in models with front-, rear- and all-wheel drive. The plan is to equip every model in its passenger and commercial diesel range with this new generation of engines by 2019 at the latest. Features like stepped combustion chambers and advanced exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) will be common in the new engine family, with the design allowing all components for the EGR to be mounted directly on the engine, instead of the cars floor. The company claims that this significantly enhances the effectiveness of the system and deems it largely independent of ambient temperatures and driving style. DEKRA, a German independent vehicle inspection company, has tested the E220ds new engine under the Real Driving Emissions method at various ambient temperatures between two and 16 degrees Celcius, confirming the low levels of nitrogen-oxide emissions produced by the OM 654. In fact, they claim that the E220d stayed under the 80mg/km NOx limit on all applicable RDE test routes. Mercedes will also become one of the first manufacturers to add particulate filters to its petrol engines, with the first model to use them to be the S-Class in the next scheduled update. Our customers trust is very important to us and we take our responsibility to the environment very seriously, says Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler Board of Management Member for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. Thats why we decided five years ago to invest massively in the further development of diesel technology. But we are also continuously making our gasoline engines more efficient and more environment-friendly; because high-tech combustion engines will remain the backbone of individual mobility until the widespread market success of electric vehicles. For this reason, we are investing a total of about three billion euros to ensure further improvements in fuel consumption and emissions in both future and current vehicles. PHOTO GALLERY Hundreds of people are refusing to complete their census, according to a Castanet poll. We asked readers this week in an informal poll if they have completed their census. The majority of the 4,642 respondents said they had filled out the mandatory census, with just over 82 per cent, or 3,815 people. About 12 per cent, or 579 people, said they hadn't yet completed it. Another 5.3 per cent 248 people said they planned to break the law and face a fine or jail by refusing to complete it. Earlier this week, Statistics Canada stated about 70 per cent of the 15 million census forms sent out in early May (10.5 million) had already been returned. Recent 'final notice' letters threatened legal action against those who have not completed their short, or long forms. Those who are refusing to fill out their form are quite adamant. TheWatchman had this to say. "First, all employers must pay for work requested. Now isn't the federal level of government an employer? So I need to be placed on payroll or at least a contract signed. By law any work performed Must be paid for. Secondly, forced labor is slavery which Canada outlawed many years ago. I got a letter in my letter box addressed to my property, which I refused to fill out. Nothing came addressed to me." Keith Williment leaves no doubt what he will be doing with his census form. "I refuse. They won't put people in jail." Truthinmedia appears to be one who won't be filling out the form either. "Come and arrest me for not filling out a census. Like the courts don't have enough to do." Others were split as to whether we should, or should not, be conducting a census at all. bgrigg Brad was conflicted. "I have no problem with a simple census. It's important to know how many people of what age yadda yadda. What they don't need to know is pretty much every other question they ask. Trudeau Pere once said that the government had no business in the nation's bedrooms. They don't have any business inside my house at all!" Lola Brad was totally on board. "I've always done them, no big deal. I filled out the long form last time, the short form this time. The long form was long, as the name implies, and asked questions about religion, etc., that the short form doesn't ask. The short form gets no more personal than asking about gender specifics. I believe it lists them all from A to Z." So too was Matt "Wow. So many people seem to have such serious opposition to the notion of being required to fill out a five minute survey once every five years. I seriously have to wonder how these people would do in a country like North Korea." lonetime filled it out, but didn't necessarily like it. "Yea, I filled out our census on line. I too am extremely put off by the fill out the form or go to jail intimidation crap. Has anyone ever gone to jail because they did not fill out a stupid government form? I doubt it, but they keep trying the old intimidation trick." Big Picture makes this point. "They ask too many questions. Some of which they really don't need to know. Remember also that now-a-days, everything gets leaked eventually. Also, they can't prove I received a census, could have been lost or stolen." And, pbody has two words for the government "Pay me." Census information is collected every five years. This high tech bus model was introduced at this year's Beijing International High-Tech Expo. The engineers behind it claim that the vehicle would function similarly to a subway but would cost one fifth less to construct. Catholic Family News A Monthly Journal Preserving our Catholic Faith and Heritage Home Latest Archives Subscribe CFN Media - videos Contact Us CFN Bookstore Oltyn Library Services 2017 CFN Daily Blog Originally started as a daily Blog update of news reports on the Papal Conclave and ongoing news on Pope Francis, it is now a general Blog updated daily on traditional Catholic topics Updated Regularly Book mark this page click here Luxury hotels in the historic center for a Catholic family. Only luxury hotels can provide a paradisiacal vacation for a big Catholic family. A high-level vacation for families, children and not only. The gorgeous views, divine service, and the best location are all luxury hotels. Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, and more. Everyone will find their place in this corner of paradise. 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Its also home to a wide variety of attractions, including world-class golf courses, vibrant nightlife, and interesting cultural experiences. Here are five places to visit in Naples, Florida: Naples Pier: Stroll along the pier and enjoy panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. Fifth Avenue South: This popular shopping and dining district is home to eclectic boutiques, award-winning restaurants, and lively bars. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples: This luxurious resort is set on 26 acres of pristine waterfront property and offers superb amenities, including a world-class spa and championship golf course. The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens: This zoological park is home to more than 700 animals representing 150 species, including flamingos, lemurs, and tigers. Tin City: This eclectic shopping and dining district is housed in a series of restored waterfront warehouses and features eclectic shops, galleries, and award-winning restaurants. Naples Luxury Hotels Naples Luxury Resorts Louisville, KY, United States Louisville is in the heart of Kentucky and is known for being the home of the Kentucky Derby. There are a lot of great places to visit in Louisville, including the Louisville Zoo, the Muhammad Ali Center, and the Frazier History Museum. There are also a lot of great restaurants and bars in Louisville, and it's a great place to visit for a weekend getaway. Louisville Luxury Hotels Galveston, TX, United States Galveston is a Texas coastal town that is rich in history and offers visitors a variety of places to visit and things to do. Some of the most popular attractions include the Moody Gardens, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, and Historic Downtown. There are also a number of museums and other historical landmarks, as well as plenty of shopping and dining options. Galveston Luxury Hotels Galveston Luxury Resorts Omaha, NE, United States The birthplace of Warren Buffett, Omaha, Nebraska, is a great place to visit. There are plenty of things to see and do in Omaha, from touring the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium to visiting the Durham Western Heritage Museum. Other popular tourist destinations in Omaha include the Joslyn Art Museum, the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, and TD Ameritrade Park. Omaha Luxury Hotels Columbus, GA, United States Columbus is a charming small town in Georgia that is worth a visit. There are several places to visit in Columbus, including the Riverwalk, the Chattahoochee River, the National Infantry Museum, and the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. The Riverwalk is a beautiful walkway along the Chattahoochee River that is perfect for a relaxing stroll or a bike ride. The Chattahoochee River is a great place to go fishing, swimming, or kayaking. The National Infantry Museum is a museum dedicated to the infantry of the United States Army. It is a must-see for history buffs. The Coca-Cola Space Science Center is a museum dedicated to space science. It is perfect for kids and adults alike. Columbus Luxury Hotels Anchorage, AK, United States Anchorage is a great place to visit if you're looking for an adrenaline rush. From skiing and snowboarding in the winter to rafting and fishing in the summer, Anchorage has something to offer everyone. In addition to its outdoor activities, Anchorage also has a variety of cultural and historical attractions, including the Anchorage Museum and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Anchorage Luxury Hotels Portland, OR, United States Portland is a city that is located in the US state of Oregon and it is known for its art scene, food, and coffee. There are a lot of interesting places to visit in Portland, such as the Portland Art Museum, where you can see a variety of art from all over the world. Another place to visit is the Powell's City of Books, the largest independent bookstore in the world. If you're looking for a place to eat, Portland has no shortage of amazing restaurants, such as Pok Pok, which serves Thai cuisine, and Le Pigeon, which serves French cuisine. And, of course, no trip to Portland would be complete without trying some of the city's famous coffee, such as Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Portland Luxury Hotels Florence, Italy No trip to Italy is complete without a visit to Florence. This historic city is home to some of the country's most famous attractions, including the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Michelangelo's David. There's also plenty to see and do outside of the city center, including the picturesque Tuscan countryside and the vibrant university town of Arezzo. Florence Luxury Hotels Florence Luxury Villas Asheville, NC, United States Asheville is a city in western North Carolina. It is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Buncombe County. Asheville is home to the Biltmore Estate, the largest private home in the United States. The city of Asheville proper had a population of 84,236 in 2010. The city is known for its art deco architecture, mountain scenery and outdoor activities, and as the birthplace of American novelist Thomas Wolfe. It is also home to the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, the second largest craft brewery in the United States. Asheville Luxury Hotels Asheville Luxury Cottages Long Beach, CA, United States There's plenty to do in Long Beach, California without ever having to leave the city limits. If you're looking for a little adventure, head to the Aquarium of the Pacific for a glimpse of the ocean's creatures or take a walk on the boardwalk at Rainbow Harbor. If you're more of a history buff, the Queen Mary is a must-see. This retired ocean liner is now a hotel and museum with plenty of stories to tell. And no trip to Long Beach is complete without a visit to the iconic Vincent Thomas Bridge. Long Beach Luxury Hotels Long Beach Luxury Villas Cincinnati, OH, United States Cincinnati is a city located on the Ohio River in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Ohio. The city was founded in 1788 and named after the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization of Revolutionary War officers. Cincinnati is a major U.S. city and the metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million people. The city is well-known for its German heritage, Oktoberfest celebration, and its variety of chili dishes. Cincinnati is home to three major sports teams: the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals, MLB's Cincinnati Reds, and the NBA's Cincinnati Cavaliers. The city is also home to the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. The city's historic neighborhoods include Over-the-Rhine, Mount Auburn, and Hyde Park. Cincinnati is a popular tourist destination and offers a variety of attractions and places to visit, including the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Newport Aquarium, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Cincinnati Luxury Hotels Laughlin, NV, United States Laughlin, Nevada is a great place to visit if you're looking for a fun and affordable vacation. There are plenty of casinos and resorts to choose from, as well as plenty of outdoor activities and attractions. Be sure to check out the local nightlife, and don't forget to take a trip down the mighty Colorado River. Laughlin Luxury Hotels Laughlin Luxury Resorts Anaheim, CA, United States Anaheim, California is home to both Disneyland and California Adventure Park. The parks are just a short walk away from each other, and make for a great day of exploration. Anaheim is also home to the Anaheim Angels and the Anaheim Ducks, so there's always a game to catch. If you're looking for something a little more low-key, Anaheim has a great shopping district and a variety of restaurants to choose from. Anaheim Luxury Hotels Santa Cruz, CA, United States Santa Cruz is a great place to visit! There are so many places to see and things to do. Some of my favorite places to visit are the Boardwalk, the wharf, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. The Boardwalk is a great place to go for a walk, ride on the amusement park rides, and eat some of the delicious food. The wharf is a great place to go for a walk, eat some seafood, and listen to the street performers. The University of California, Santa Cruz is a great place to visit to learn about the history of the area and to see some of the beautiful architecture. I highly recommend visiting Santa Cruz if you are looking for a fun and interesting place to visit!. Santa Cruz Luxury Hotels Eugene, OR, United States Eugene, Oregon is a great city to visit with a lot of places to see and things to do. One of the most popular attractions is the University of Oregon campus, which is home to a number of museums and a large football stadium. The city also has a vibrant arts scene, with a number of theaters and art galleries. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the dozens of parks and hiking trails in the area, and there are also a number of wineries and breweries in the area. Eugene Luxury Hotels Branson, MO, United States There's plenty to see and do in Branson, Missouri, from state parks and amusement parks to theaters and shopping. Here are some of the most popular places to visit: Silver Dollar City is a theme park with rides, shows, and craftsmen demonstrations. is a theme park with rides, shows, and craftsmen demonstrations. The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre puts on a variety of shows, including "The Legend of the Shepherd of the Hills" and "The Catfish Fry." puts on a variety of shows, including "The Legend of the Shepherd of the Hills" and "The Catfish Fry." Table Rock State Park has fishing, swimming, and hiking trails, as well as a nature center. has fishing, swimming, and hiking trails, as well as a nature center. The Titanic Museum features a half-sized replica of the ship, along with exhibits about the history of the Titanic. features a half-sized replica of the ship, along with exhibits about the history of the Titanic. Branson Landing is a shopping and entertainment complex on the waterfront. There's something for everyone in Branson, Missouri come visit and see for yourself!. Branson Luxury Hotels Panama City Beach, FL, United States The white sand beaches and emerald waters of Panama City Beach, Florida, are a popular tourist destination. The city is home to numerous hotels, resorts, and restaurants, as well as amusement and water parks. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, kayaking, and surfing. Panama City Beach Luxury Hotels Panama City Beach Luxury Resorts Monterey, CA, United States Monterey is a coastal city in Monterey County, California, United States. It stands at the southern end of Monterey Bay, on the Pacific coast. The city is also the home of the Naval Postgraduate School. Monterey is the largest city in the Central Coast region of California. The main attractions in Monterey are the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, and the downtown area. Monterey Luxury Hotels Norfolk, VA, United States Norfolk, Virginia is a great place to visit for its historical places and military bases. Some places to visit in Norfolk are the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk Botanical Garden, and the Norfolk Naval Station. Norfolk Luxury Hotels Palm Springs, CA, United States Palm Springs is a vibrant city located in the Coachella Valley and is known for its year-round sunshine, resort atmosphere and Mid-Century Modern architecture. Top places to visit include the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs Art Museum, Indian Canyons and Moorten Botanical Garden. For a truly unique experience, be sure to check out the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale the worlds largest vintage furniture and design event. Palm Springs Luxury Hotels Palm Springs Luxury Resorts Palm Springs Luxury Villas Rochester, NY, United States Rochester is a city in western New York State and is the county seat of Monroe County. Rochester is known for its annual festivals, including the Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Rochester Fringe Festival, and the Holiday Folk Fair International. Places to visit in Rochester include the George Eastman Museum, the Strong National Museum of Play, the Rochester Museum and Science Center, and the Seneca Park Zoo. Rochester Luxury Hotels Pigeon Forge, TN, United States Visit the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge for a unique experience. This museum is dedicated to the Titanic, one of the most infamous ships in history. Tour the ship and learn about the passengers and crew who were on board. You can even see the actual artifacts recovered from the shipwreck. If you're looking for a little more excitement, head to Dollywood. This amusement park is home to roller coasters, a water park, and plenty of other rides and attractions. Plus, the park is themed around the life and music of Dolly Parton. No trip to Pigeon Forge is complete without a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains. These mountains offer a variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. Plus, the natural beauty of the area is simply breathtaking. Pigeon Forge Luxury Hotels Jacksonville, FL, United States Jacksonville is less than an hour's drive from the beaches of Amelia Island and St. Augustine, and a little more than two hours from Orlando. The city has a lot to offer visitors, including a riverwalk, museums, and a vibrant arts scene. Jacksonville is also home to the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team. Jacksonville Luxury Hotels Minsk, Belarus Minsk, the capital of Belarus, is a city that has something for everyone. If you're looking for a little history, Minsk has plenty of it, with churches and monuments dating back to the 12th century. If you're looking for a lively nightlife, Minsk has that, too, with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants. And if you're looking for a little nature, Minsk has parks and gardens to enjoy. Here are just a few of the places you can visit in Minsk: The Holy Spirit Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Minsk, is a must-visit for history buffs. The National Library of Belarus is a huge library with more than 18 million items in its collection. The Opera and Ballet Theatre is a beautiful building that hosts performances of both opera and ballet. The Victory Park is a large park with a war memorial, a children's playground, and a lake. And for a little bit of nature in the heart of the city, the Botanical Garden is a great place to relax and take a break from the hustle and bustle of Minsk. Minsk Luxury Hotels Jaipur, India Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It is the capital of the state of Rajasthan and is known for its palaces, forts and temples. Some of the places to visit in Jaipur include the Amber Fort, the City Palace, the Jantar Mantar Observatory and the Hawa Mahal. Jaipur is also a great place to shop for traditional Indian handicrafts. Jaipur Luxury Hotels Chicago, IL, United States Chicago is a city full of culture and history. There are plenty of places to visit, such as the Willis Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Chicago is also home to many restaurants and bars, so there is something for everyone. Chicago Luxury Hotels Auckland, New Zealand Auckland is a beautiful city located on the north island of New Zealand. There are many places to visit in Auckland, including the Sky Tower, the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and the Auckland Domain. The beaches in Auckland are also worth visiting, especially Karekare and Piha. Auckland is a great place to visit, and I highly recommend it!. Auckland Luxury Hotels Auckland Luxury Villas Amsterdam, Netherlands If you're looking for a city that's got it all, Amsterdam should be your go-to destination. From the city's lively and vibrant nightlife to its charming and quiet neighborhoods, Amsterdam has something for everyone. Be sure to check out the Anne Frank Huis, the Rijksmuseum, and the Van Gogh Museum, as these are some of the most popular attractions in the city. And if you're looking for a little bit of nature, be sure to take a walk or bike ride through Amsterdam's many parks. Amsterdam Luxury Hotels Berlin, Germany There are so many great places to visit in Berlin that it can be hard to know where to start. From the iconic Brandenburg Gate to the fascinating Reichstag Building, there's something for everyone in this vibrant city. If you're looking for a bit of history, make sure to check out the Berlin Wall Memorial or the DDR Museum. And for those looking for a bit more fun, there's always the Alexanderplatz Christmas Market or the Zoologischer Garten. No matter what your interests, Berlin is a city you won't want to miss. Berlin Luxury Hotels Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok is a city of contrasts with its gleaming temples and skyscrapers, chaotic markets and tranquil canals. While it's a popular tourist destination, Bangkok is a city that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. Some of the top places to visit in Bangkok include the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, the floating markets and the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Bangkok Luxury Hotels Bangkok Luxury Resorts Bangkok Luxury Villas Bruges, Belgium Bruges is a city in Belgium that is worth visiting. It is full of medieval charm and there are a lot of things to see and do. Some of the places to visit include the Markt, the Belfry, and the Begijnhof. Bruges Luxury Hotels Brussels, Belgium Brussels is a city in Belgium that is best known for its chocolate, waffles, and beer. But there is much more to see and do in Brussels than just indulge in the local cuisine. There are a number of interesting historical landmarks to visit, such as the Grand Place and the Atomium, as well as a variety of parks and gardens. And, of course, Brussels is also a great city to explore on foot. Brussels Luxury Hotels Budapest, Hungary Budapest, Hungary's capital, is a city of thermal baths and medival, baroque and art nouveau architecture. Crowded with tourists, the city is bisected by the Danube River into the hilly Buda and the more developed and flat Pest. Among the main places of interest are the neo-Gothic Parliament, the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest, the Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion on the Buda bank, and the State Opera House and Heroes' Square on the Pest side. Budapest Luxury Hotels Playa del Carmen, Mexico Home to some of the best beaches in Mexico, Playa del Carmen is a favorite tourist destination for visitors from all over the world. With its lively nightlife, gorgeous coastline and ample shopping opportunities, there's something for everyone in this tropical paradise. Don't miss the opportunity to visit some of the area's most popular attractions, such as the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum and Coba, or the eco-friendly Turtle Beach. With its friendly people, delicious food and stunning scenery, Playa del Carmen is a place you'll never want to leave. Playa del Carmen Luxury Hotels Playa del Carmen Luxury Resorts Playa del Carmen Luxury Villas Denver, CO, United States Denver is a great city for visitors. There are so many places to see and things to do. Some of the top places to visit include the 16th Street Mall, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Art Museum, and the Colorado State Capitol. There are also plenty of great restaurants and shops to explore. Denver is definitely a city worth visiting!. Denver Luxury Hotels Dublin, Ireland Dublin is a city located in Ireland. It's a city full of culture, with plenty of places to visit. Some popular tourist spots are the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, and the Dublin Castle. There are also plenty of pubs and restaurants to discover. Dublin Luxury Hotels Dusseldorf, Germany Dusseldorf, Germany is a city with many different places to visit. The city has a mix of old and new buildings, and a variety of activities to do. The best places to visit in Dusseldorf are the Konigsallee, the Rhine Tower, and the Oktoberfest. The Konigsallee is an open-air shopping mall that has many high-end stores. The Rhine Tower is the tallest building in the city and offers great views of Dusseldorf. The Oktoberfest is a week-long festival that celebrates German culture and food. Dusseldorf Luxury Hotels Edinburgh, United Kingdom Edinburgh, Scotland is a beautiful city to visit. The architecture is very old and unique, and there are plenty of historical places to visit, like Edinburgh Castle. There are also plenty of parks and gardens, and lots of shops and restaurants. Edinburgh Luxury Hotels Rome, Italy Rome is a city rich in history and filled with beautiful places to visit. Make sure to stop by the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. Also be sure to visit St. Peters Basilica and the Sistine Chapel while in Rome. If youre looking for a little more nature in your trip, head to the Villa Borghese gardens or the Janiculum Hill for some wonderful views of the city. And of course, no trip to Rome is complete without a gelato!. Rome Luxury Hotels Rome Luxury Villas New York, NY, United States There are many amazing places to visit in New York State. Some of my favorites are the Niagara Falls, the Adirondack Mountains, and the Finger Lakes. If you're looking for a city break, New York City is definitely worth a visit. There's endless things to see and do, from touring the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to visiting world-famous museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History. No matter what your interests are, you'll be able to find something to enjoy in New York State. New York Luxury Hotels New York Luxury Villas London, United Kingdom London is a city rich in history and full of amazing places to visit. Some of my favorite places are Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London. There is so much to see and do in London, you could spend weeks here and never run out of things to do. If you're looking for a city full of culture and history, London is the place for you. London Luxury Hotels London Luxury Cottages Madrid, Spain Madrid is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities in the world. From the Royal Palace to the Prado Museum, theres plenty to see and do in Madrid. If youre looking for a little bit of nature, Madrid has plenty of parks, like the Buen Retiro Park, to relax in. And dont forget to try some of the delicious tapas and wine while youre in town. Madrid Luxury Hotels Memphis, TN, United States The birthplace of rock 'n' roll, Memphis is a city rich in history and culture. From Graceland to Beale Street, there are plenty of places to visit in Memphis. Be sure to check out Sun Studio, where rock 'n' roll was born, and the National Civil Rights Museum, which tells the story of the African-American civil rights movement. Memphis is also home to some amazing food, so be sure to try some of the city's famous barbecue and soul food. Memphis Luxury Hotels Miami Beach, FL, United States There is much to explore in Miami Beach, from the famous Art Deco district to the vast beaches and crystal-clear waters. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, while history buffs can explore the ancient burial mounds at Miami Beach. Shoppers and foodies will find plenty to keep them busy, with vibrant neighborhoods like Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive offering unique boutiques and award-winning restaurants. And of course, no trip to Miami Beach is complete without a visit to world-famous South Beach. Miami Beach Luxury Hotels Miami Beach Luxury Resorts New Orleans, LA, United States You can't visit New Orleans without trying some of the local food. Beignets, Po' Boys, and gumbo are just a few of the must-try dishes. While you're in town, be sure to check out the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and St. Louis Cathedral. If you're looking for some nightlife, Bourbon Street is the place to be. And, of course, no trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to Mardi Gras!. New Orleans Luxury Hotels Milan, Italy Milan is a city located in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is a popular tourist destination because of its historical and artistic heritage. Some of the places you should visit while in Milan are the Duomo, La Scala, and Castello Sforzesco. Milan Luxury Hotels Naples, Italy Naples is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in Italy. There are countless places to visit, such as the Royal Palace, the Museum of San Martino, and the Church of Gesu Nuovo. Naples is also home to excellent shopping and dining options. Be sure to enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the city's many cafes and take a stroll through the picturesque streets. Naples Luxury Hotels Paris, France Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It's home to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, as well as a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene. If you're looking to explore all that Paris has to offer, here are some of the top places to visit: The Eiffel Tower: This iconic landmark is a must-see in Paris. Climb to the top for stunning views of the city, or take a ride on the elevator to the bottom for a closer look at the structure. The Louvre Museum: This world-famous museum is home to some of the most famous works of art in the world, including the Mona Lisa. The Notre Dame Cathedral: This beautiful cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. Make sure to climb to the top for some amazing views of the city. The Champs-Elysees: This famous avenue is a popular destination for shopping and dining. Be sure to wander down the street and take in all the sights and sounds. The Arc de Triomphe: This towering arch is another iconic landmark in Paris. Climb to the top for some amazing views of the city. Paris Luxury Hotels Paris Luxury Villas Prague, Czech Republic Prague is a city rich in history and culture. There are plenty of places to visit, including the Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Square. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy, and the nightlife is vibrant. Prague is a truly unique city and a must-visit for anyone traveling to the Czech Republic. Prague Luxury Hotels Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is known for its beautiful beaches and turquoise waters. This paradise is a favorite destination for travelers looking for a Caribbean getaway. Punta Cana is home to a wide variety of resorts and activities, from enjoying the sand and surf to golfing, spas, and shopping. Nature lovers can also explore the areas jungles, caves, and waterfalls. Punta Cana Luxury Hotels Punta Cana Luxury Resorts Punta Cana Luxury Villas Marbella, Spain If you're looking for an idyllic and luxurious Spanish escape, look no further than Marbella. Located on the country's Costa del Sol, Marbella is home to stunning beaches, top-notch resorts, world-class golfing, and much more. A visit to Marbella is the perfect way to experience all that Spain has to offer. Marbella Luxury Hotels Marbella Luxury Villas Marrakesh, Morocco Marrakesh is a city in Morocco that is full of culture and history. There are several places to visit in Marrakesh, including the Palace of the Bahia, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, and the Saadian Tombs. The souks (markets) are also a must-see, where you can find everything from souvenirs to spices to traditional clothing. Be sure to enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants or cafes in Marrakesh; the food is delicious and the atmosphere is always lively. Marrakesh is a wonderful city to explore and definitely worth a visit!. Marrakesh Luxury Hotels San Francisco, CA, United States San Francisco is a popular tourist destination, and for good reason. There are plenty of things to see and do in this vibrant city. Here are some of the top places to visit: 1. Fisherman's Wharf: This neighborhood is home to a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a popular pier where you can enjoy views of the bay. 2. The Golden Gate Bridge: This iconic bridge is a must-see for any visitor to San Francisco. 3. Alcatraz Island: This former federal prison is now a popular tourist attraction. It's a must-see for fans of history and crime dramas. 4. Chinatown: This colorful neighborhood is home to some of the best food in San Francisco. Be sure to check out the Dragon Gate entrance. 5. The Mission District: This trendy neighborhood is home to hip restaurants, bars, and art galleries. San Francisco Luxury Hotels Moscow, Russia Moscow, Russia is a beautiful city with plenty of places to visit. Some of the most popular tourist attractions are the Kremlin, Red Square, and Saint Basil's Cathedral. Other great places to see include the Bolshoi Theatre, Gorky Park, and the Tretyakov Gallery. There are also many churches and other historical buildings to explore. Moscow is a lively city with a lot of culture and nightlife. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Moscow. Moscow Luxury Hotels Venice, Italy Venice is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The city is built on a lagoon in northeast Italy and is known for its canals and gondolas. There are many places to visit in Venice, including the Grand Canal, St. Marks Square, and the Rialto Bridge. Venice is also home to many museums, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Venice Luxury Hotels Vienna, Austria Vienna, Austria is a city with a long and rich history. There are many places to visit in Vienna, including the Hofburg Palace, the Ringstrasse, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Vienna is also home to some of the world's best shopping, including the Karntner Strasse and the Graben. Finally, no visit to Vienna is complete without experiencing the city's world-famous nightlife. Vienna Luxury Hotels Zurich, Switzerland Zurich is a marvelous city located in the heart of Switzerland. It is a city that has something to offer for everyone. From amazing restaurants and beautiful architecture to exciting nightlife and gorgeous parks, Zurich has something for everyone. Some of the most popular places to visit in Zurich include the Bahnhofstrasse, which is the city's most famous shopping street, the Lindenhof, which is a beautiful park with amazing views of the city, and Grossmunster, which is a stunning Romanesque church. Zurich is also home to some of the best museums in the world, including the famed Museum of Art and the Swiss National Museum. With its mix of old-world charm and modern amenities, Zurich is a city that is definitely worth exploring. Zurich Luxury Hotels Acapulco, Mexico If you're looking for a Mexican vacation spot with plenty of history and culture to explore, Acapulco is a great option. From the archeological wonders of the ancient city to the stunning coastal views, there's something for everyone in Acapulco. Plus, with its temperate climate, it's a great escape from colder winter weather. Acapulco Luxury Hotels Acapulco Luxury Resorts Acapulco Luxury Villas Nashville, TN, United States One of the United States' most interesting places to visit is Nashville, Tennessee. There's plenty to see and do there, from the Grand Ole Opry to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Music is a big part of the city's history and culture, so be sure to catch a show while you're in town. Other popular attractions include the Ryman Auditorium, the Parthenon, and the Jack Daniel's Distillery. Nashville is also a great place to eat, with a wide variety of restaurants serving up everything from barbecue to Mexican food. So if you're looking for an exciting and diverse city to visit, be sure to add Nashville to your list. Nashville Luxury Hotels Nashville Luxury Villas Atlanta, GA, United States What's not to love about Atlanta? From the iconic Georgia Aquarium to the World of Coke, from the Fox Theatre to Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta offers a wealth of destinations for tourists. Sports fans will want to check out the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and history buffs will enjoy the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Braves fans can take a tour of SunTrust Park, and shoppers will enjoy the many boutiques and malls in the city. There's also a great restaurant scene in Atlanta, and music lovers will want to check out the many venues offering live music. Whether you're looking for a fun family vacation spot or a place to explore on your own, Atlanta is a great choice!. Atlanta Luxury Hotels Miami, FL, United States The Magic City is a top tourist destination for a reasonthere are endless things to do in Miami! From exploring the trendy neighborhoods and dazzling beaches to soaking up the Latin culture and nightlife, Miami is jam-packed with amazing places to visit. Here are a few of our favorites: 1. Wynwood Walls: This outdoor art exhibit is a must-see for any art lover. The colorful murals are awe-inspiring and definitely Instagram-worthy. 2. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: This estate is dripping with luxury and opulence, from the grandiose architecture to the expansive gardens. It's the perfect place for a day of relaxation. 3. South Beach: This world-famous beach is a must-visit for any sun-seeker. The crystal-clear water and soft sand make for the perfect day-long beach getaway. 4. Little Havana: Experience Cuban culture at its best in Little Havana. From delicious food to lively music and dance, there's something for everyone in this vibrant district. 5. Art Deco District: This district is home to Miami's most iconic architecture. Take a stroll down the charming streets and admire the colorful buildings that make Miami so unique. Miami Luxury Hotels Miami Luxury Villas Tokyo, Japan Tokyo is a must-see destination in Japan. There are endless places to explore in this city - temples, shrines, gardens, and more. The Shinjuku district is a great place to start, with its neon-lit streets and myriad shops and restaurants. For a taste of traditional Japan, visit the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa or the Imperial Palace. Nature lovers will enjoy the Hamarikyu Gardens or the Hama-rikyu Teien Garden. And for a unique experience, take a trip to Mount Fuji. Tokyo Luxury Hotels Tokyo Luxury Villas Buenos Aires, Argentina There are plenty of places to visit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Some popular tourist destinations include the obelisk, the Casa Rosada, and the Puerto Madero district. Every barrio (neighborhood) has its own unique culture and flavor. San Telmo, La Boca, and Palermo are some of the most popular barrios. There are also many parks and plazas, such as Plaza de Mayo and Plaza de la Republica, that are worth checking out. Buenos Aires Luxury Hotels Hamburg, Germany One of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany is Hamburg. From the lively and colorful harbor district to the grandiose City Hall, there is plenty to see and do in Hamburg. Some of the other popular places to visit include the Reeperbahn district with its pubs and nightlife, the Planten un Blomen botanical gardens, and the architecturally stunning Rathausmarkt square. Hamburg Luxury Hotels Lisbon, Portugal The capital of Portugal, Lisbon is a city of fascinating contrasts. From its coastal location, visitors can enjoy stunning ocean views, while its hilly, narrow streets are home to a maze of charming traditional homes and lively nightlife. A city of 7 hills, Lisbon is a bustling metropolis with something for everyone. Here are some of the top places to visit: The Belem Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Lisbons most iconic landmarks. This 16th-century fortress and lighthouse is a must-see for visitors. The Alfama district, with its winding streets and tile-roofed homes, is the oldest district in Lisbon. This is the perfect place to get lost and explore the citys history. The Lisbon Zoo is a great place to enjoy a day out with the family, with over 2,000 animals from around the world. The Christ the King statue, located atop a hill in the suburb of Almada, offers impressive views of Lisbon and the river Tagus. The Lisbon Oceanarium, located in the Parque das Nacoes district, is home to more than 12,000 marine creatures and is one of the largest aquariums in Europe. Lisbon Luxury Hotels Lisbon Luxury Villas Malaga, Spain Malaga is an attractive seaside city in southern Spain with a long history. There are many places to visit in Malaga, including the Gibralfaro Castle, the Alcazaba fortress, and the Malaga Cathedral. Malaga is also home to a variety of museums, including the Picasso Museum. The city is well known for its beaches, and there are many delightful places to relax and enjoy the sun and the sea. Malaga Luxury Hotels Malaga Luxury Villas Munich, Germany When planning a vacation to Munich, Germany, be sure to include these top places to visit: The Marienplatz is a must-see square in the city center, featuring a beautiful Glockenspiel show and the Old and New Town Halls. The Englisher Garten, Europes largest city park, is a great place for a relaxing stroll or a picnic. OlympiaPark is home to the famous 1972 Olympic Stadium as well as a huge amusement park. The Frauenkirche is a stunning church in the old town with a Glockenspiel of its own. Beer lovers will want to visit the Hofbrauhaus, the worlds most famous beer hall. For a bit of history and culture, check out the LudwigMaximilians-University and the Deutsches Museum. There is so much to see and do in Munich these are just a few highlights!. Munich Luxury Hotels Granada, Spain Granada is a city in southern Spain that is known for its Moorish architecture and history. The city is home to the Alhambra, a palace and fortress that was constructed in the late 1300s. Visitors can also enjoy the citys many churches, including the Cathedral of Granada. Granada is also a convenient base for exploring the other cities and towns in Andalusia. Granada Luxury Hotels Bucharest, Romania Bucharest is a city full of history and culture. There are many places to visit, such as the Palace of Parliament, which is the world's largest civilian building. Other places to visit include the old city center, which is full of charming streets and buildings, and the Botanical Garden, which is the largest botanical garden in Romania. Bucharest Luxury Hotels Bologna, Italy Bologna, Italy is a beautiful city with plenty of places to visit. Some popular tourist destinations include the Piazza Maggiore, the Tower of Asinelli, and the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. There are also plenty of museums and churches to explore, and the city is full of charming restaurants and cafes. Bologna is an excellent destination for a vacation, and there is something for everyone to enjoy in this amazing city. Bologna Luxury Hotels Porto, Portugal Porto is a port city in Portugal that is well known for its wine. It's also a city with a long and rich history. There are many places to visit in Porto, including the old city center, the Dom Luis I Bridge, and the Clerigos Tower. Porto is also home to the famous Port wine caves, which are a must-visit for wine lovers. Porto Luxury Hotels Cologne, Germany Cologne, located on the Rhine River in western Germany, is a city well worth visiting. The city has a long and rich history, dating back to the time of the Roman Empire. Some of the city's most popular tourist attractions include the Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, and the RheinEnergieStadion. Additionally, Cologne is home to a wide variety of museums, shops, and restaurants. In fact, the city has been ranked as one of the best places to live in Germany. So, if you're looking for a great European city to visit, be sure to add Cologne to your list. Cologne Luxury Hotels Istanbul, Turkey If you're looking for an exotic and affordable vacation destination, look no further than Istanbul, Turkey. Filled with historical places to visit and bargains to be found, Istanbul offers something for everyone. Be sure to visit the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque while you're there. Don't forget to bargain for the best prices when shopping in the bazaars, and enjoy some delicious Turkish cuisine while you're at it. Istanbul is sure to leave you with a lasting impression. Istanbul Luxury Hotels Istanbul Luxury Villas Dubai, United Arab Emirates Dubai is a fascinating and exotic city that offers visitors a mix of traditional Middle Eastern culture and modern, cosmopolitan life. There are plenty of places to visit in Dubai, from the towering skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai to the luxury shopping malls and luxurious hotels of the Palm Jumeirah. Don't miss a chance to experience an Arabian night out on an epic dhow cruise, or take a trip out into the Arabian Desert to see the stunning sand dunes. Dubai Luxury Hotels Dubai Luxury Resorts Dubai Luxury Villas Antwerp, Belgium Antwerp is a city located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital of the province of Antwerp and has a population of over half a million people. Antwerp is a popular tourist destination due to its many historical buildings, museums, and art galleries. Some of the most popular places to visit in Antwerp are the Cathedral of Our Lady, the City Hall, the Rubenshuis, and the Antwerp Zoo. Antwerp Luxury Hotels Lyon, France Lyon is a beautiful city in the south of France that is full of culture and places to visit. Some of the most popular places to visit in Lyon are the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere, the Place Bellecour, and the Vieux Lyon. The Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere is a beautiful cathedral that is a must-see when visiting Lyon. The Place Bellecour is a large square in the heart of Lyon that is full of restaurants and cafes. The Vieux Lyon is a district in Lyon that is full of old buildings and is a great place to wander around and take in the sights. Lyon Luxury Hotels Athens, Greece If you find yourself in Athens, there are definitely some spots you won't want to miss. The Acropolis, Parthenon, and Olympic Stadium are all essential stops, but there are plenty of others, too. If you're looking for a bit of history, the National Archaeological Museum is a must-see, while nature lovers will enjoy a visit to the botanical gardens. If you're looking to relax, take a walk along the beach in Glyfada or head to the Plaka district for a charming and picturesque setting. No matter what you're interested in, Athens has something for you. Athens Luxury Hotels Athens Luxury Villas Helsinki, Finland While in Helsinki, make sure to visit these popular tourist destinations: The Senate Square and Lutheran Cathedral The Sibelius Monument Ateneum Art Museum Market Square Helsinki Zoo. Helsinki Luxury Hotels Vilnius, Lithuania The capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, is a picturesque city with a rich history. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is full of charming churches, narrow streets, and pretty squares. There are also lots of museums and other places of interest to visit, including the Hill of Crosses, Gediminas Tower, and the Presidential Palace. Vilnius is a great city to explore on foot, and there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars to enjoy in the evening. Vilnius Luxury Hotels Reykjavik, Iceland A city of remote beauty, Reykjavik is teeming with interesting places to visit. One of the worlds most northern capitals, Reykjavik offers stunning landscapes and a wealth of cultural experiences. From the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church to the popular Golden Circle tour, theres plenty to see and do in Reykjavik. Be sure to check out the citys lively nightlife scene, too you wont be disappointed!. Reykjavik Luxury Hotels Glasgow, United Kingdom Some of the most popular places to visit in Glasgow include the Gallery of Modern Art, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Riverside Museum, and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. There are also many wonderful parks and gardens to explore, including the Botanic Gardens and Glasgow Green. For those interested in history and architecture, there are many fascinating old buildings to see, such as the Glasgow Cathedral and the University of Glasgow. And for those looking for a lively nightlife, Glasgow has no shortage of pubs, clubs, and restaurants. Glasgow Luxury Hotels Los Angeles, CA, United States As the birthplace of Hollywood and home to some of the world's most recognisable landmarks, there's no shortage of places to visit in Los Angeles. Start by exploring the city's iconic neighbourhoods like Beverly Hills and Hollywood, then venture out to attractions like the Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach and Disneyland. And don't forget to savour the city's world-famous cultural scene, with its abundance of museums, theatres and restaurants. Los Angeles Luxury Hotels Los Angeles Luxury Villas San Diego, CA, United States San Diego is a city located in California and is a major tourist destination. One of the main reasons people visit the city is for its many beaches. Coronado Beach, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach are some of the most popular and are all within close proximity to the city center. Other attractions in San Diego include the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, and the USS Midway Museum. Restaurants, bars, and shopping can be found throughout the city, and world-renowned museums, like the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, are also located in San Diego. San Diego Luxury Hotels San Diego Luxury Resorts San Diego Luxury Villas Washington, DC, United States Washington, D.C. is a city full of history and places to visit. Some popular places to visit are the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and the Smithsonian. D.C. is also home to a number of monuments and memorials, like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. There are also a number of museums in D.C., like the American History Museum and the National Air and Space Museum. Washington Luxury Hotels Cancun, Mexico Cancun is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico. Aside from its beautiful beaches, there are plenty of places to visit and things to do in Cancun. Some of the most popular attractions include the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza, the eco-park Xcaret, and the nightclubs and bars in the resort district. Cancun Luxury Hotels Cancun Luxury Resorts Cancun Luxury Villas Virginia Beach, VA, United States Virginia Beach is one of the top tourist destinations on the East Coast. From the Virginia Beach Boardwalk to the miles of sandy beaches, there's something for everyone to enjoy. There are also plenty of restaurants, shops, and other attractions to keep visitors busy. Some of the most popular places to visit in Virginia Beach include: The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center : This aquarium is home to more than 20,000 animals, including sharks, dolphins, and rays. : This aquarium is home to more than 20,000 animals, including sharks, dolphins, and rays. The Virginia Beach Boardwalk: This 3.5-mile boardwalk is one of the most popular attractions in Virginia Beach. It features a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and amusements. This 3.5-mile boardwalk is one of the most popular attractions in Virginia Beach. It features a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and amusements. First Landing State Park: This park offers miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as a beachfront area for swimming and sunbathing. This park offers miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as a beachfront area for swimming and sunbathing. Cape Henry Lighthouse: This lighthouse is one of the oldest in the country and offers stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay. There are plenty of other things to do in Virginia Beach, including dolphin and whale watching tours, kayaking, and golfing. Whether you're looking for a fun family vacation or a romantic getaway, Virginia Beach is sure to please. Virginia Beach Luxury Hotels Virginia Beach Luxury Resorts Beijing, China If you're looking for an amazing cultural experience, be sure to add Beijing, China to your travel bucket list! With beautiful temples, charming hutongs (traditional alleyways), and a lively food scene, there's something for everyone in this bustling city. Plus, Beijing is home to some of the most iconic attractions in China, like the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City. So if you're looking for an unforgettable East Asian adventure, be sure to add Beijing to your list!. Beijing Luxury Hotels Seoul, South Korea Seoul is a metropolitan city that is home to over 10 million people. It is a city full of culture, history, and a vibrant nightlife. There are plenty of places to visit in Seoul, including the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and N Seoul Tower. The Jeongdongne district is a must-see for anyone interested in art and culture, and the Itaewon district is a great place to go for a night on the town. Seoul Luxury Hotels South Lake Tahoe, CA, United States Known for its dramatic lake and mountain scenery, South Lake Tahoe offers visitors plenty of places to visit and things to do. Some of the most popular attractions include floating down the river on a tube, hiking the trails in the summer and skiing or snowboarding the slopes in the winter. The city also has a variety of restaurants and nightlife options, as well as casinos for those looking to try their luck. South Lake Tahoe Luxury Hotels South Lake Tahoe Luxury Resorts Daytona Beach, FL, United States Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. It is approximately 40 miles northeast of Orlando, and 85 miles southeast of Jacksonville. The city is known as "The World's Most Famous Beach." Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Fun Coast region of Florida. The Daytona Beach area is a popular tourist destination. It is well known for its beaches, sports events, and motorsports. Daytona Beach was the birthplace of NASCAR and home to its first track, Daytona International Speedway. Dayton Beach also features a large number of tourist-oriented businesses, such as motels, restaurants, and bars. Daytona Beach Luxury Hotels Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The coastline of Rio de Janeiro is breathtaking, and the views from Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain are unforgettable. Rio's world-famous beaches are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sun and the surf. The city's rich culture and history can be experienced in its many museums and in the lively nightlife. Rio is also a great place to shop for souvenirs. Rio de Janeiro Luxury Hotels Rio de Janeiro Luxury Villas Jaco, Costa Rica Jaco is a town on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It's about an hour drive from San Jose and is a popular spot for surfers, sunbathers, and tourists. There are a number of beaches in the area, as well as restaurants, bars, and hotels. If you're looking for a place to relax and enjoy the Costa Rican sun and beaches, Jaco is a great option. Jaco Luxury Hotels Oslo, Norway Oslo, Norway is a city with plenty of places to visit. You can find the peace and tranquility of nature parks and green spaces, experience the city's vibrant nightlife, or take in the historical and cultural sights. Here are a few of the top places to visit in Oslo: The Royal Palace: Oslo's Royal Palace is the official residence of Norway's king and queen. The palace is open to the public year-round, and offers a glimpse into the lives of the royal family. Oslo's Royal Palace is the official residence of Norway's king and queen. The palace is open to the public year-round, and offers a glimpse into the lives of the royal family. Vigeland Park: Considered one of Oslo's most popular tourist destinations, Vigeland Park is home to over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. The park is a great place to spend a sunny day outdoors. Considered one of Oslo's most popular tourist destinations, Vigeland Park is home to over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. The park is a great place to spend a sunny day outdoors. The Maritime Museum: This museum is home to a variety of exhibits on Norway's maritime history. Visitors can explore everything from Viking ships to modern submarines. This museum is home to a variety of exhibits on Norway's maritime history. Visitors can explore everything from Viking ships to modern submarines. The National Gallery: The National Gallery is Norway's largest art museum, and home to a vast collection of paintings and sculptures from the country's most famous artists. The National Gallery is Norway's largest art museum, and home to a vast collection of paintings and sculptures from the country's most famous artists. Aker Brygge: Aker Brygge is a popular waterfront district in Oslo, home to a variety of bars, restaurants, and shops. The area is a great place to people watch and enjoy the view of the Oslo Fjord. Oslo Luxury Hotels Lima, Peru If you're looking for a city that's bursting with culture and flavor, Lima, Peru is the place for you! This vibrant destination is home to some of the most amazing places to visit in all of South America. From ancient ruins to lush rainforests, there's something for everyone in Lima. Here are just a few of the must-see attractions in this amazing city: The Larco Museum is one of Lima's top tourist destinations. This incredible museum is home to one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian art in the world. The Historic Center of Lima is a must-see for any history lover. This vibrant area is home to some of the oldest architecture in Lima, including the iconic San Francisco Monastery. If you're looking for a little bit of jungle in the city, head to the Parque de la Reserva. This lush park is home to beautiful gardens, a zoo, and even a butterfly farm! No trip to Lima would be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. This ancient Inca citadel is one of the most iconic sites in all of South America. Lima Luxury Hotels Ankara, Turkey Ankara is the cultural and political center of Turkey. The city is home to many museums, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and is a popular destination for tourists. The Citadel, the Ataturk Mausoleum, and the War of Independence Museum are all popular tourist destinations in Ankara. The city is also home to a vibrant nightlife and is a popular destination for students. Ankara Luxury Hotels Birmingham, United Kingdom There are plenty of great places to visit in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Some of the most popular places to go include the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, and the Black Country Living Museum. These places are all great for tourists, as they offer a variety of attractions, including beautiful gardens, interesting art, and a recreation of an old-fashioned town. Additionally, there are plenty of other great places to visit in Birmingham, such as the Jewellery Quarter and the German Christmas Market. Birmingham Luxury Hotels York, United Kingdom With a rich history that spans back over 1,000 years, York is a must-visit destination in the United Kingdom. Explore the city's medieval architecture and narrow cobblestone streets, or enjoy a leisurely walk along the River Ouse. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of cultural experiences, such as the York Minster cathedral, the Jorvik Viking Centre, and the National Railway Museum. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy in York. York Luxury Hotels Inverness, United Kingdom Inverness, Scotland is a must-see destination on any traveler's list. Filled with rolling green hills, historical sites, and plenty of outdoor activities, there's something for everyone in this charming town. Start by exploring the city center, which is home to a variety of shops and restaurants. Make sure to check out the Inverness Castle, which offers commanding views of the area, and the Inverness Cathedral, a beautiful example of medieval architecture. Outside of the city center, there are plenty of other attractions to explore. The Loch Ness Monster is said to make its home in the loch here, and visitors can take boat tours to hunt for the mythical creature. If you're looking for a more active adventure, take a hike in the hills or go fishing on the loch. No matter what you choose to do, Inverness is a beautiful and welcoming town that is sure to charm you. Inverness Luxury Hotels Marseille, France The Vieux Port (Old Harbor) is the oldest port in France. It is a beautiful place to visit with its sailboats, restaurants, and cafes. The Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica is also worth a visit. It offers stunning views of the city. If you're looking for a more lively atmosphere, head to the La Canebiere. It's a wide avenue with plenty of shops and restaurants. Marseille Luxury Hotels Marseille Luxury Villas Honolulu, HI, United States Honolulu is a city located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, United States. It is the most populous city in the state of Hawaii and the county seat of the City and County of Honolulu. Honolulu is the cultural, commercial, and financial center of Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world and is located in Honolulu. Other places to visit in Honolulu include Diamond Head, the USS Arizona Memorial, and Hanauma Bay. Honolulu Luxury Hotels Honolulu Luxury Resorts Honolulu Luxury Villas Bar Harbor, ME, United States Famous for lobster and stunning ocean views, Bar Harbor is a popular destination in Maine. There are plenty of things to do in the town and its surroundings, including hiking, biking, whale watching, and exploring Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor Luxury Hotels Colorado Springs, CO, United States There are many places to visit in Colorado Springs. Garden of the Gods is a popular park with beautiful rock formations. Pike's Peak is a 14,115 foot mountain that offers great views and outdoor activities. The Broadmoor is a world-renowned resort with lovely gardens and a championship golf course. Royal Gorge Bridge is the world's highest suspension bridge and a popular tourist spot. Colorado Springs Luxury Hotels Fort Myers Beach, FL, United States Just an hours drive from the Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach is a popular tourist spot, especially in the winter when the snowbirds migrate down. The seven-mile-long beach is known for its white sand and clear water and is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and kayaking. There are also a number of restaurants and bars in the area, as well as a few stores. Fort Myers Beach Luxury Hotels Biloxi, MS, United States There are plenty of places to explore in Biloxi, Mississippi from the citys iconic Beaches to the picturesque Bay Saint Louis. Venture into the citys downtown area to check out the many shops and restaurants, or take a walk along the shoreline. No matter what you choose to do, youre sure to have a great time in Biloxi. Biloxi Luxury Hotels Palermo, Italy If you're looking for a city with a rich and diverse history, Palermo is the place for you. This coastal city in Italy is teeming with medieval architecture, churches, and cathedrals. Be sure to check out the Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Europe, and the Palazzo dei Normanni, the seat of the Sicilian government. Don't miss out on the city's vibrant nightlife and vast array of restaurants that serve up some of the best food in the country. Palermo Luxury Hotels Palermo Luxury Villas Manila, Philippines The capital of the Philippines, Manila is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant culture. There are plenty of places to visit in Manila, including the walled city of Intramuros, the Rizal Park, and the Manila Bay. The city is also home to a large number of churches, including the Manila Cathedral and the San Agustin Church. Manila is a great city to explore on foot, and there are plenty of restaurants and shops to enjoy. Manila Luxury Hotels Zermatt, Switzerland Zermatt is an alpine village in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is famous for its ski resort, mountaineering and hiking trails. The views of the Matterhorn from Zermatt are iconic. The village is car-free, making it a cyclists' and pedestrians' paradise. There are many places to visit in Zermatt, including the village's beautiful churches, impressive museums, and great restaurants. Zermatt Luxury Hotels Basel, Switzerland Basel is a city located in northwestern Switzerland on the river Rhine. Basel has a population of about 176,000 and is the third most populous city in Switzerland. Basel has many interesting places to visit, including the Basel Munster, the Basel Rathaus (town hall), the Basel Zoo, and the Munsterhof, the old town square. Basel also has a number of art museums, including the Kunstmuseum Basel, the Fondation Beyeler, and the Schaulager. Basel is a great city to visit, and I highly recommend it!. Basel Luxury Hotels Copenhagen, Denmark There are a number of places to visit in Copenhagen, Denmark. Some of the most popular tourist destinations include Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, and the Rosenborg Castle Gardens. Tivoli Gardens is a beautiful amusement park that has something for everyone. It is perfect for a day of fun with family or friends. Nyhavn is a charming canal district that is popular for its brightly colored houses and lively atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing cruise down the canal or take a seat in one of the many cafes and restaurants. The Rosenborg Castle Gardens are home to a majestic castle as well as beautifully landscaped gardens. There is plenty to see and do in Copenhagen, Denmark. Copenhagen Luxury Hotels Steamboat Springs, CO, United States Steamboat Springs is located in northwestern Colorado. The town is named for the steamboats that traveled up the Yampa River in the 1800s. Today, the town is a popular tourist destination, known for its skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and rafting. Steamboat Springs Luxury Hotels Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and is home to many tourist attractions. Some popular places to visit in Abu Dhabi include the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Ferrari World Theme Park, and the Yas Island Waterpark. There are also a number of museums and shopping malls in Abu Dhabi, making it a great destination for those looking for a mix of culture and leisure. Abu Dhabi Luxury Hotels Abu Dhabi Luxury Resorts Abu Dhabi Luxury Villas Bogota, Colombia There's a lot to see and do in Bogota. Some of the top places to visit include the historical La Candelaria district, the cobblestone streets of Plaza de Bolivar, the Monserrate mountain, the Bogota Botanical Garden, and the Gold Museum. La Candelaria is home to many brightly-colored colonial buildings, churches, and plazas. Plaza de Bolivar is the center of Bogota and is surrounded by important landmarks like the Presidential Palace and the National Capitol. The Monserrate mountain is a popular tourist destination due to its stunning views of Bogota. The Bogota Botanical Garden is the largest in Colombia and features a wide variety of plants and trees. The Gold Museum is home to the largest collection of Pre-Columbian gold artifacts in the world. Bogota Luxury Hotels Cebu, Philippines Due to its location and its rich history, there are plenty of places to visit in Cebu. Some of the most popular tourist destinations include the Cebu Taoist Temple, the Fort San Pedro, the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, and the Magellan's Cross. Cebu Luxury Hotels Cebu Luxury Resorts Lagos, Portugal Lagos is a small town in Portugal with a population of around 22,000. It's located in the Algarve region and is a popular tourist destination. Some of the places to visit in Lagos are the beaches, the old town, and the Marina. The beaches are beautiful and there are a lot of them to choose from. The old town is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways with lots of shops and restaurants. The Marina is a great place to walk around and watch the boats. Lagos Luxury Hotels Medellin, Colombia Some places to visit in Medellin, Colombia are: the Botanical Garden, the Ethnographic Museum, the Jardin Botanico, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Park of Lights, and the San Pedro Claver Church. Medellin Luxury Hotels Genoa, Italy While there are many places to visit in Genoa, one of the must-sees is the city's cathedral. Dedicated to San Lorenzo, the church features an intricate Gothic facade and a Renaissance interior. If you're looking for a place to take in some stunning views, head to the Genoa Aquarium, which is located on the promenade stretching along the city's harbor. Genoa Luxury Hotels Hoi An, Vietnam Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam. Its a bridge town thats best explored on foot. The narrow streets are a mix of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architecture. There are tailors, artisans, and lantern shops galore. The food is also some of the best in Vietnam. Be sure to try the local specialties, like Cao Lau and White Rose dumplings. Hoi An Luxury Hotels Hoi An Luxury Resorts Baku, Azerbaijan Baku, Azerbaijan is a city with a lot of culture and history. There are a lot of places to visit, like the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower. There are also a lot of great restaurants, like the Flame Club, which has a great atmosphere and delicious food. Baku Luxury Hotels San Luis Obispo, CA, United States San Luis Obispo is a city located in the central coast of California. It's known for its natural beauty, relaxed vibe, and abundance of things to do. Some of the top places to visit in San Luis Obispo include the Madonna Inn, Hearst Castle, and the Paso Robles wine country. The city is also home to a variety of beaches, parks, and other attractions. In addition, San Luis Obispo is a great place to live, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and other amenities. San Luis Obispo Luxury Hotels Colombo, Sri Lanka Colombo is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. The city is located on the west coast of the island and is the administrative, commercial, and industrial center of Sri Lanka. Colombo is also the center of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, with numerous Buddhist temples. There are a number of places to visit in Colombo, including the Galle Face Green, the Dutch fort, the Pettah Bazaar, and the Sri Lankan National Museum. Colombo Luxury Hotels Yogyakarta, Indonesia The city of Yogyakarta in Indonesia is home to some of the most stunning temples and historical landmarks in the country. The city is also a great place to enjoy traditional Javanese culture and cuisine. Some of the must-see places in Yogyakarta include the Borobudur Temple, the Prambanan Temple, and the Sultan's Palace. Yogyakarta Luxury Hotels Cefalu, Italy Looking for a beautiful and historic place to visit in Italy? Look no further than Cefalu. This town is teeming with history and stunning architecture, and its location on the coast makes it the perfect place to relax and take in the stunning scenery. Don't miss the Duomo di Cefalu, a 12th century Norman church that is definitely worth a visit, or the Palazzo dei Normanni, a former royal palace. Cefalu Luxury Hotels San Jose, CA, United States San Jose, California, is home to a variety of tourist destinations. Some popular places to visit include the Winchester Mystery House, the Tech Museum of Innovation, and the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. There are also a number of lovely parks, such as Kelley Park and Plaza de Cesar Chavez, that are well worth a visit. San Jose is also home to a number of great restaurants, so be sure to check out the local cuisine. Whatever your interests, San Jose has something to offer visitors. San Jose Luxury Hotels Hong Kong, China Hong Kong is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in China. There are many places to visit in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Victoria Peak, and the Temple Street Night Market. Hong Kong is also a great place to shop, with many high-end malls and markets. Hong Kong Luxury Hotels Hong Kong Luxury Resorts Orlando, FL, United States Orlando is a city in the central region of Florida, in the United States. The city is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the metropolitan area also known as Greater Orlando. Orlando is well known for its theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando. Other tourist destinations in Orlando include the Holy Land Experience, the Orlando Science Center, and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. Orlando is also home to the University of Central Florida, one of the largest universities in the United States. Orlando Luxury Hotels Orlando Luxury Resorts Orlando Luxury Villas Philadelphia, PA, United States If youre looking for a place thats rich in history and culture, Philadelphia is the place for you. The city is home to numerous iconic landmarks, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Theres also a great variety of museums and other attractions to explore, such as the Philadelphia Zoo and the Please Touch Museum. And, of course, Philly is the birthplace of Americas favorite sandwich, the cheesesteak. So why not visit Americas most historic city and see for yourself what all the fuss is about?. Philadelphia Luxury Hotels Nice, France France is known for its many beautiful places to visit, and Nice is no exception. With its stunning coastline and mild climate, Nice is a popular tourist destination. Some of the most popular places to visit in Nice include the Promenade des Anglais, the Castle Hill, and the Old Town. There is also a wide variety of shops and restaurants to enjoy in Nice. If you're looking for a beautiful and relaxing place to visit in France, Nice is definitely worth considering. Nice Luxury Hotels Nice Luxury Villas Singapore, Singapore Singapore is a popular tourist destination, brimming with cultural and natural attractions. From award-winning restaurants to serene gardens and pristine beaches, there is much to explore in this diverse city-state. Here are some of the top places to visit in Singapore: 1. Marina Bay: This iconic waterfront district is home to stunning architecture, world-class landmarks, and a vibrant nightlife. 2. Gardens by the Bay: These stunning gardens feature a mix of plants from around the world, as well as towering sculptures and a biodome. 3. Chinatown: This lively district is home to traditional Chinese shops and restaurants, as well as vibrant street markets. 4. Little India: This neighborhood is known for its vibrant culture and colorful temples. 5. Sentosa Island: This resort island is home to sandy beaches, lush rainforests, and a variety of entertainment options. Singapore Luxury Hotels Singapore Luxury Resorts Nottingham, United Kingdom Nottingham is a city in the East Midlands of England. It is one of the United Kingdom's major cities, with a population of over 321,000. The city is home to two universities, Queen's Medical Centre, and seven football grounds. Nottingham is known for its lace-making and bicycle manufacturing. The city has a rich history, dating back to the Bronze Age. There are plenty of places to visit in Nottingham, including the Nottingham Castle, the Sherwood Forest, and the National Ice Centre. The city also has a lively nightlife, with a variety of pubs and bars. Nottingham Luxury Hotels Cannes, France Cannes is a city located in the south of France. Some of the places to visit in Cannes are the Palais des Festivals et des Congres, the Boulevard de la Croisette, and Le Suquet. Cannes Luxury Hotels Cannes Luxury Villas Park City, UT, United States Park City, Utah, offers visitors a wealth of places to visit and things to do. Main Street, with its charming shops and restaurants, is a must-see. The Park City Museum tells the town's fascinating history, and the Park City Utah Temple is a beautiful sight. For outdoor enthusiasts, there's plenty of skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the summer. And don't forget to visit the Olympic Park, where the 2002 Winter Olympics were held. Park City Luxury Hotels Park City Luxury Resorts Port Angeles, WA, United States If you're looking for a quaint, small town to visit in the US, Port Angeles is worth a stop. Located in the state of Washington, it's right on the Pacific coast with stunning views of the Olympic Mountains. There's plenty of things to do in the area, from hiking and fishing to whale watching and enjoying the local restaurants and breweries. Port Angeles Luxury Hotels Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States If you're looking for a fun-filled Florida getaway, look no further than Fort Lauderdale! With its miles of pristine beaches, world-famous shopping and vibrant nightlife, there's something for everyone in this seaside city. Here are some of the top places to visit in Fort Lauderdale: Las Olas Boulevard: This popular shopping and dining district is home to some of Fort Lauderdale's most upscale boutiques and restaurants. The Beach: With its wide, sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, Fort Lauderdale's beach is a major draw for visitors. The Everglades: Just a short drive from Fort Lauderdale, the Everglades are home to an abundance of wildlife, including alligators, bald eagles and manatees. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts: This world-class performing arts center is home to a variety of theater, dance and music performances. So what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Fort Lauderdale today!. Fort Lauderdale Luxury Hotels Fort Lauderdale Luxury Resorts Myrtle Beach, SC, United States Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a popular tourist destination. There are plenty of places to visit in the area, including amusement parks, beaches, and golf courses. Myrtle Beach also has a lively nightlife, with plenty of bars and restaurants. Myrtle Beach Luxury Hotels Myrtle Beach Luxury Resorts Salzburg, Austria Salzburg is one of the most visited places in Austria. It is a city rich in history and culture. There are many places to visit, such as the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Mirabell Palace, and the Salzburg Cathedral. There are also many hiking trails and parks to enjoy. Salzburg Luxury Hotels Pattaya, Thailand Pattaya is an amazing city with plenty of places to visit and things to do. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, Pattaya offers something for everyone. There are lovely beaches, interesting temples, great shopping, and exciting nightlife. With its moderate climate and affordable prices, it's no wonder Pattaya is a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world. Pattaya Luxury Hotels Pattaya Luxury Resorts Pattaya Luxury Villas Dallas, TX, United States Dallas is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the ninth most populous city in the United States and the third most populous city in the state of Texas. Dallas is also the main city of the fourth most populous metropolitan area in the United States. The city's prominence arose from its historical importance as a center for the oil and cotton industries, and its position as a major transportation hub for the South. Dallas is home to the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League and the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. The city's economy is primarily based on banking, commerce, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare and medical research, and transportation. The city is home to the world's largest airline hub and the third largest cargo airport in the United States. Dallas Luxury Hotels Kolkata, India Kolkata, also known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. The city is located on the east bank of the Hooghly River. It is the second most populous city in India, after Mumbai, and the third most populous metropolitan area in India, after Mumbai and Delhi. The city is notable for its colonial architecture, art and culture, and for its overwhelming poverty. Kolkata is home to the Indian Museum, the Calcutta Stock Exchange, the National Library of India, and the Indian Statistical Institute. Kolkata Luxury Hotels San Antonio, TX, United States San Antonio is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Texas. There are plenty of places to visit in this city, from the well-known River Walk to the exquisite Spanish missions. If you're looking for a fun place to spend the day, you can't go wrong with San Antonio. San Antonio Luxury Hotels Seattle, WA, United States There are many wonderful places to visit in Seattle, Washington. Some of the most popular attractions include Pike Place Market, the Seattle Space Needle, and the Museum of Pop Culture. There are also many parks and gardens, such as Volunteer Park and Seattle Chinese Garden, as well as plenty of restaurants and shops. Located on the other side of the world, Western Australia is a great place to visit for those looking for something different. Some of the most popular attractions include Rottnest Island, the Margaret River region, and Monkey Mia. There are also plenty of beautiful parks and gardens, such as Kings Park and Botanic Garden, as well as restaurants and shops. Seattle Luxury Hotels Liverpool, United Kingdom Liverpool is a city located in North West England and is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom. The city is known for its football teams Liverpool and Everton, The Beatles, and its maritime history. Liverpool is a popular tourist destination and is home to various tourist attractions including Mersey Ferry, Liverpool Cathedral, and Albert Dock. Liverpool Luxury Hotels Malmo, Sweden Malmo is Sweden's third largest city with a population of over 310,000. It is located in the province of Scania on the country's southern tip. Malmo is a vibrant city with a strong arts and cultural scene. There are plenty of places to visit in Malmo, including the Malmo Castle, the Botanical Gardens, and the Turning Torso skyscraper. Malmo is also home to a large shopping district and a lively nightlife. Malmo Luxury Hotels Gothenburg, Sweden Goteborg, Sweden's second largest city, is a major port on the country's west coast. It's a popular tourist destination, known for its lively nightlife, beautiful architecture and delicious seafood. Some of the city's highlights include the Liseberg amusement park, the Botanical Garden, and the charming old town district. Goteborg is also home to a large number of museums, including the Volvo Museum, the Maritime Museum and the Universeum science center. Gothenburg Luxury Hotels Ljubljana, Slovenia Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia and is a city full of culture and history. There are many places to visit in Ljubljana, such as the castle, the old town, and the cathedral. The city is also home to many museums, art galleries, and parks. Ljubljana is a great city to explore on foot, and there are many restaurants and cafes to enjoy. Ljubljana Luxury Hotels Sydney, NSW, Australia Australia is a vast country with plenty of stunning places to visit, but Sydney is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations on the continent. From the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge to the beautiful beaches and lush national parks, there's something for everyone in this lively city. There's also a thriving food and nightlife scene, so you'll never run out of things to do in Sydney. Sydney Luxury Hotels Sydney Luxury Villas Melbourne, VIC, Australia There's a lot to love about Melbourne its lively arts and culture scene, its parks and gardens, its diverse range of restaurants and cafes, and its stunning architecture. Here are some of the best places to visit in Melbourne: - Federation Square: This iconic square is a great place to people-watch and take in the city's impressive architecture. It's also home to a number of museums and galleries, including the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the National Gallery of Victoria. - Queen Victoria Market: This vibrant market is a must-visit for foodies and shoppers alike. It's the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere, and offers a vast array of fresh produce, meat, seafood, and souvenirs. - Melbourne Cricket Ground: If you're a sports fan, be sure to check out the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is the largest cricket stadium in the world. It's also home to the Australian Football League, and has hosted a number of major sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games and the Rugby Union World Cup. - Royal Botanic Gardens: These beautiful gardens are a great place to relax and take in some of Melbourne's natural beauty. They're home to a number of different gardens, including the Australian Garden, the Sculpture Garden, and the Japanese Garden. Melbourne Luxury Hotels Melbourne Luxury Villas Vancouver, BC, Canada The top places to visit in Vancouver are Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, and Chinatown. These are all must-see attractions that offer an array of activities, scenery, and history. Stanley Park is a world-famous urban park that features greenery, beaches, gardens, and a stunning view of the North Shore Mountains. Granville Island is a vibrant neighbourhood with unique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Gastown is the city's oldest neighbourhood and is home to charming cobblestone streets and funky boutiques. Chinatown is one of the largest and most vibrant Chinatowns in North America and offers delicious food, interesting history, and vibrant culture. Vancouver Luxury Hotels Toronto, ON, Canada From the CN Tower and Hockey Hall of Fame to the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Distillery District, there are plenty of amazing places to visit in Toronto, Canada. With something for everyone, Toronto is a great city to explore. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!. Toronto Luxury Hotels Montreal, QC, Canada Montreal is a vibrant city with something for everyone. There are plenty of places to visit, including the Notre Dame Basilica, the Olympic Stadium, and Mount Royal. The city is also home to a lively arts and culture scene, with theatres, art galleries, and music venues. Montreal is a great place to visit year-round, with festivals and events happening throughout the year. Montreal Luxury Hotels Seville, Spain Seville is one of the most visited places in Spain for a plethora of reasons: its stunning architecture, tapas bars, flamenco and great weather. The Giralda Tower is a must-see when in Seville as is the Plaza de Espana. Andalusian culture is heavily present in the city and is best experienced by wandering the narrow streets and alleyways, popping into a lively tapas bar for a drink and some snacks or enjoying a flamenco show. Seville Luxury Hotels Seville Luxury Villas Ocean City, MD, United States Ocean City is a seaside resort town in Worcester County, Maryland, on the Atlantic coast. It is well known for its long promenade, its fishing, and its crab cuisine. There are plenty of places to visit in Ocean City, including the boardwalk, amusement rides, shopping, and restaurants. You can also visit the Assateague Island National Seashore, which is home to wild horses, or head to the nearby town of Berlin for more shopping and dining options. Ocean City Luxury Hotels Cambridge, MA, United States If you're looking for a quintessential New England town to visit, Cambridge, Massachusetts is the place for you. With its elaborate architecture and Colonial history, Cambridge is a lively town with plenty of things to see and do - perfect for a weekend getaway. Some of the places you won't want to miss include the Harvard University campus, the charming and lively shops and restaurants in Harvard Square, and the leafy paths of the Cambridge Common. Cambridge Luxury Hotels Laguna Beach, CA, United States Laguna Beach, California is a place known for its stunningly beautiful coastline, excellent restaurants, and art galleries. But there's more to Laguna Beach than meets the eye. Here are some of the best places to visit in Laguna Beach: Crystal Cove State Park: This state park is known for its coves, tidepools, and bluffs. It's a great place to go hiking, swimming, and snorkeling. Heisler Park: This park is a great place for a walk or a picnic. It's also home to some of the best views of the Pacific Coast. Downtown Laguna Beach: This charming downtown area is home to art galleries, boutique shops, and excellent restaurants. Aliso Beach: This beach is known for its excellent surfing and swimming conditions. It's also a great place to take a walk or enjoy a picnic. Laguna Beach Luxury Hotels Hot Springs, AR, United States In downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas, you'll find historic buildings, antique shops, and art galleries. For nature lovers, there are also plenty of places to visit, including the Garland County Arboretum, Ouachita National Forest, and Hot Springs National Park. Spa enthusiasts can enjoy a relaxing day in one of the area's hot springs. And no trip to Hot Springs is complete without a visit to the world-famous Bathhouse Row. Hot Springs Luxury Hotels Sedona, AZ, United States There are many places to visit in Sedona, Arizona. Among the most popular are the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon. The town's unique red-rock formations and ancient ruins offer plenty of photo opportunities. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Sedona is a great place to relax and take in the natural beauty of the Southwest. Sedona Luxury Hotels Sedona Luxury Resorts Boulder, CO, United States Boulder, Colorado is a breathtaking city nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The city is home to stunning views, ample outdoor recreation, and a lively arts scene. Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the city's many trails, parks, and open spaces. History buffs will enjoy checking out the city's museums and historic sites. Culture seekers will appreciate the city's many theaters, art galleries, and restaurants. No matter what your interests, you'll find something to love in Boulder. Boulder Luxury Hotels Key West, FL, United States Key West is a small island off the coast of Florida that is filled with history, charm, and fun places to visit. Its lush tropical setting and the laid-back vibe of the island make it a popular destination for those looking for a relaxing getaway. There are plenty of places to explore in Key West, from the charming historic district to the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys. Here are some of the top places to visit in Key West: -The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: This iconic museum is dedicated to the life and work of Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Key West for over 20 years. -Duval Street: This lively street is the heart of Key West's nightlife and is home to many bars and restaurants. -The Southernmost Point: This landmark is located at the end of Duval Street and is the southernmost point in the continental United States. -The Key West Lighthouse: This picturesque lighthouse is a popular spot for tourists and offers stunning views of the island. -The African American Heritage House: This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of African Americans in Key West. -The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory: This attraction is home to over 2,000 butterflies and a variety of other tropical plants and animals. Key West Luxury Hotels Key West Luxury Resorts Key West Luxury Cottages Key West Luxury Villas Stockholm, Sweden Stockholm, Sweden is a city with many places to visit. One place is the Vasa Museum, which is home to a ship that sunk in 1628 and was raised from the ocean floor 333 years later. The ship is preserved and on display in the museum. Another place to visit is the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Swedish monarch. The palace is open for tours, and visitors can see the royal apartments, the throne room, and the Hall of State. Stockholm Luxury Hotels Destin, FL, United States Looking for a place to visit in Florida? Look no further than Destin! This city is home to beautiful beaches, wonderful restaurants, and plenty of places to shop. No matter what you're looking for, you can find it in Destin. Be sure to check out the Destin Harbor and the fishing pier for amazing views and plenty of things to do. If you're looking for a place to relax, head to the beach and enjoy the sun and sand. There's something for everyone in Destin, so be sure to visit this amazing city!. Destin Luxury Hotels Destin Luxury Resorts Ashland, OR, United States There are many places to visit in Ashland, Oregon. Some of the most popular places are the Shakespeare Festival, Lithia Park, and Mt. Ashland. The Shakespeare Festival is a great place to see some of the best plays in the world. Lithia Park is a beautiful park with a river running through it. Mt. Ashland is a great place to go skiing in the winter. Ashland Luxury Hotels Seaside, OR, United States One of the most beautiful places on the Oregon Coast is Seaside. With its wide, sandy beach and majestic promenade, Seaside is a popular tourist destination. There are plenty of places to eat and shop, and the Seaside Aquarium is a must-see. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, whale watching, or just taking a leisurely stroll along the beach. Seaside Luxury Hotels Newport, RI, United States Newport is a picturesque town located in southern Rhode Island that is home to some of the most visited tourist destinations in the United States. The city is known for its miles of beaches and historic mansions that line the coast. Some popular places to visit in Newport include the Cliff Walk, the Breakers Mansion, the Museum of Yachting, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Newport Luxury Hotels Siena, Italy Siena, Italy is a popular tourist destination, thanks to its well-preserved medieval city center. The city is famous for its art, food, and wine. Siena is located in the heart of Tuscany, making it the perfect base for exploring this beautiful region of Italy. Don't miss the Duomo (cathedral), the Piazza del Campo, and the Torre del Mangia. Siena Luxury Hotels Reno, NV, United States Home to the University of Nevada, Reno and a wide variety of cultural and natural attractions, Reno is a great place to visit. Some of the top places to see in Reno include the Nevada Museum of Art, the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center, and the Reno Events Center. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking and skiing at Lake Tahoe and biking and kayaking on the Truckee River. In addition, Reno is home to a diverse array of restaurants and nightlife venues. Reno Luxury Hotels Atlantic City, NJ, United States Atlantic City is a popular East Coast tourist destination, known for its boardwalks, beaches and casinos. There are plenty of places to visit in Atlantic City, from the Boardwalk Hall and the Absecon Lighthouse to the Atlantic City Aquarium and Lucy the Elephant. For a more thrilling experience, head to one of the city's casinos, where you can try your hand at blackjack, slots, roulette and more. Atlantic City also offers a wide variety of restaurants, from seafood spots to pizza places, so you're sure to find something to your taste. And if you're looking for some nightlife action, the city has you covered there too. Atlantic City is definitely a place worth visiting!. Atlantic City Luxury Hotels Atlantic City Luxury Resorts Lake George, NY, United States Looking for a place to visit in upstate New York? Look no further than the stunning Lake George. This picturesque locale is located in the heart of the Adirondacks and is known for its pristine beauty and terrific recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and skiing, among other activities. Don't miss the chance to take in the spectacular views from the summit of Prospect Mountain or from the water's edge. Lake George Luxury Hotels Buffalo, NY, United States If you're looking for a city that has it all, Buffalo is the place to be. From its vibrant downtown district to its abundance of parks and nature preserves, there's something for everyone in Buffalo. Here are some of the top places to visit in Buffalo: 1. The Buffalo Zoo - One of the top zoos in the country, the Buffalo Zoo is a must-visit for animal lovers of all ages. 2. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery - Buffalo's answer to the Louvre, the Albright-Knox is home to some of the world's most famous paintings and sculptures. 3. The Buffalo-Niagara Heritage Village - This living history museum offers a glimpse into what life was like in Buffalo in the 1800s. 4. The Buffalo River - Take a walk or bike ride along the Buffalo River, one of the city's most picturesque areas. 5. Delaware Park - This large park is home to a variety of attractions, including a zoo, a golf course, and a nature preserve. Buffalo Luxury Hotels Rochester, MN, United States Rochester, Minnesota is a city with plenty of places to visit. There's the Mayo Clinic, the Apache Mall, and several other shopping areas, as well as a variety of restaurants. There are also a few parks and golf courses. For those who love the outdoors, Rochester is also close to several state parks and the Mississippi River. Rochester Luxury Hotels Duluth, MN, United States If you're looking for an amazing place to visit, Duluth, Minnesota should definitely be at the top of your list. This city is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States, and there are plenty of things to do here that will keep you entertained for days on end. Some of the most popular places to visit in Duluth include the Aerial Lift Bridge, the Glensheen Mansion, and Chester Creek Park. Additionally, there are a number of excellent restaurants and shopping areas in the city, so be sure to explore everything that Duluth has to offer. Duluth Luxury Hotels Maputo, Mozambique Maputo is the capital of Mozambique and a city full of culture and history. There are many places to visit in Maputo, such as the Jose Eduardo dos Santos Museum, the Maputo Cathedral, and the Rua da Independencia. Maputo is also home to the Maputo Bay, which offers beautiful beaches and great seafood. Maputo Luxury Hotels Barcelona, Spain Barcelona, located on the northeast coast of Spain, is a renowned tourist destination and one of the most popular cities in the world. There are plenty of places to visit in Barcelona, such as the Gothic Quarter, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Parc Guell, La Sagrada Familia, and more. The city is also home to a lively nightlife and some of the best restaurants in the country. Barcelona Luxury Hotels Barcelona Luxury Villas Split, Croatia Split is a city on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea. It is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest city in Dalmatia. It has a population of over 200,000 inhabitants. The metropolitan area, which includes the City of Split and the surrounding towns, has a population of over 330,000. Split is a popular tourist destination and is the home of the Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other popular tourist destinations include the Riva, the Peristyle, the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, and Sustipan. Split Luxury Hotels Split Luxury Villas Dubrovnik, Croatia Dubrovnik is a city on the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea, a seaport and the administrative center of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Dubrovnik is nicknamed "The Pearl of the Adriatic". Dubrovnik Luxury Hotels Dubrovnik Luxury Villas Byron Bay, NSW, Australia Byron Bay is a magical place. It's no wonder that it's one of the most popular destinations in Australia. The town is set in a beautiful location, surrounded by rolling green hills and the bright blue ocean. There's plenty to do in Byron Bay, whether you're looking for a relaxing beach holiday or an adventure-filled trip. Some of the top places to visit in Byron Bay include the iconic lighthouse, the stunning beaches, and the lush rainforest. There's also a great nightlife and plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy. If you're looking for an amazing Australian getaway, be sure to add Byron Bay to your list!. Byron Bay Luxury Hotels Wellington, New Zealand If you're looking for a little slice of heaven on earth, look no further than Wellington, New Zealand. With its gorgeous landscape and plethora of activities, there's something for everyone here. Whether you're a nature lover or a city slicker, Wellington has something special to offer. Top Wellington attractions include the Zealandia eco-sanctuary, the cable car up to the Botanic Gardens, and the sprawling Te Papa museum. For those who love getting out into the great outdoors, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails, as well as lovely seaside towns and villages to explore. And of course, no trip to Wellington would be complete without trying some of the delicious local cuisine be sure to sample a traditional Maori hangi feast! So what are you waiting for? Book your flight to Wellington today and start planning your perfect holiday!. Wellington Luxury Hotels Saint Louis, MO, United States If you're looking for a fun place to visit with a rich history and plenty of things to see and do, look no further than Saint Louis, Missouri. This vibrant city is home to a variety of interesting attractions, including the Gateway Arch, the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. There's also no shortage of restaurants and shopping options in Saint Louis. So, whether you're looking for a place to explore new cultures and cuisines or you're just looking for a place to have some fun, Saint Louis is a great option. Saint Louis Luxury Hotels Bloomington, IN, United States The city of Bloomington, Indiana is home to a variety of attractions and places to visit. The Indiana University campus is a popular destination, as is the city's historic downtown district. Monroe County Courthouse The DuSable Park site sits undeveloped along the Chicago River near the lakefront, nearly three decades after Mayor Harold Washington dedicated the land to honor Chicagos first non-native settler. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) When plans for the twisting downtown skyscraper known as the Spire died, so, too, did the project to turn a weedy nearby lakefront lot into a park named for Chicago's first non-native settler, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable. And there doesn't seem to be a timeline for developing the 3-acre stretch on the north side of the Chicago River where it feeds into Lake Michigan into DuSable Park, as has been the plan for nearly three decades. The land has been designated as DuSable Park but is waiting to be developed into green space, a Chicago Park District spokeswoman said. Advertisement When Mayor Rahm Emanuel released his "Building on Burnham" strategy a priority list of projects to create more open space throughout the city, particularly on the lakefront, the Chicago River and in natural areas there was no mention of it. At a time when the city is facing a serious financial crisis, the Chicago Park District said there is no dedicated funding source for the park and that it would be too costly to fund it alone. That hasn't stopped Streeterville residents, the DuSable Park Coalition and even Friends of the Parks from putting the heat on Emanuel and park officials to move ahead with the development. Advertisement "We were very disappointed by the mayor's presentation not including DuSable Park," said Serge Pierre-Louis, president of the DuSable Heritage Association in Chicago, part of the coalition. "This is land dedicated by Mayor Harold Washington 30 years ago to the founder of Chicago and nothing has happened in 30 years. That in itself is obviously disturbing. A lot of people are wondering, 'Why is that happening? What's taking so long?'" (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) DuSable Park, a 3-acre park named in honor Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, sits undeveloped along the lakefront where the Chicago River feeds into Lake Michigan east of Lake Shore Drive. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) In a statement, the mayor's office said: "Mayor Emanuel outlined a continuation of his comprehensive strategy of investments on our waterfronts, our parks and our neighborhoods in his Building on Burnham speech, but this was not an exhaustive list of every project that may fit into this vision." DuSable Park was not referenced publicly in Emanuel's announcement of his Burnham plan. There's no mention of it in the news release issued or in a post from the mayor's office on medium.com explaining the Building on Burnham plan. "It seems it would be a smart thing for the mayor to publicly commit to complete a park named after the first non-native settler, which happens to also be a black man," said Friends of the Parks Executive Director Juanita Irizarry. "We've seen whenever things become a priority of the mayor's office, they get done. Clearly, this has not risen to the top." The park could be a place where children, students and tourists can learn about the history of Chicago and DuSable, she said. The Haitian-born DuSable traveled to Chicago in the 1770s and established a trading post at what is now known as Pioneer Court next to Tribune Tower on Michigan Avenue, a site designated as a National Historic Landmark. The parkland was dedicated by Washington, the city's first black mayor, in the late 1980s. The Michigan Avenue bridge was renamed in honor of DuSable in 2010. Earlier this year, a bronze bust of DuSable was temporarily moved across the street to make way for the new Apple store under construction on the east side of Michigan. For years the park was linked to the Spire development, which would have used the park site as a temporary construction staging area while the skyscraper was built. But neither the Spire nor the park got developed. Advertisement This is land dedicated by Mayor Harold Washington 30 years ago to the founder of Chicago and nothing has happened in 30 years. That in itself is obviously disturbing. Serge Pierre-Louis, DuSable Heritage Association According to planning documents, the developer had a financial commitment of $4.1 million for DuSable Park to allow for an increase in square footage and number of residential units. The obligation is tied to the land regardless of the owner, which is now Related Midwest, a city planning official said. Any changes to the terms of the planned development would need to be approved by the City Council. "The current zoning and commitments for the site are specific to the previously proposed project. We will be working with the city and the aldermen to revise the zoning for a new plan at the appropriate time," a Related Midwest representative said. Pierre-Louis said he would like to see all parties involved work on a reasonable time frame and funding plan for developing the park. He suggested that the city and Park District consider beginning replacement of the sea wall by using public money or the financial contribution from the developer or by approaching the Army Corps of Engineers for federal funding. The most costly item of the park would be replacing the sea wall. When a park budget was created in 2006, the wall replacement was estimated to cost half of the park's $11.4 million price tag. The park design dating back to 2006 called for a promenade, lawn, history wall, plaza and docking space for tour and shuttle boats. After the integrity of the sea wall is restored, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could do a comprehensive radiological investigation for thorium contamination in which crews would dig until native soils are found and examined, a spokeswoman said. More than 115 cubic yards of thorium-contaminated soil was removed from the site in 2012, but there may be more contamination buried, the EPA said. Funding is available for the thorium investigation and additional cleanup costs, according to the EPA. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Until then, tourists at Navy Pier and boaters on the lake will be looking at the weed-filled lot. Advertisement Gail Spreen, past president of the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, a DuSable coalition member, urged the Park District board last month to create a plan for addressing the sea wall work and funding to complete the park. "With the city of Chicago's focus on the Riverwalk, the 'Building on Burnham' plan, the lakefront, Navy Pier's 100th anniversary celebration and Great Rivers project, this location could not be more prominent and important for the image of Chicago's lakefront. With all these exciting initiatives occurring, it's an opportunity for us to truly show off the mouth of the Chicago River with a new and long-awaited DuSable Park," Spreen said. Pierre-Louis questioned why the park development wasn't included in nearby projects such as construction of the Navy Pier Flyover or buildout of the Riverwalk. "How much longer should we hear about development at Northerly Island, The 606 and at Fullerton (where a shoreline restoration project was completed and nearly 6 acres of parkland added along the lakefront) and no mention whatsoever of DuSable Park?" he asked. "How long is that silence going to continue?" Site of the now-scuttled Chicago Spire at Illinois Street and Lake Shore Drive in 2014. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) lvivanco@tribpub.com Twitter @lvivanco Members of Farragut Career Academy's ROTC program participate in the Memorial Day Parade on State St. on May 28, 2016. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) As Jim Frazier puts it, helping the families of fallen soldiers and Marines cope with their losses brings him out of himself. That is, bringing himself out of the same debilitating grief and pain that gripped him after his own son Jacob, a staff sergeant with the Illinois Air National Guard, was killed in an ambush in south central Afghanistan in 2003. Advertisement Just before Saturday's sprawling Memorial Day Parade stepped off from State and Lake streets, Frazier, a U.S. Army survivor outreach services coordinator and a member of the parade's organizing committee, found those old feelings coming back as he helped lay a wreath on Daley Plaza with the families of Army Master Sgt. Wilberto Sabalu Jr. and Army Spc. Samuel Watts, two Chicago-area soldiers killed in combat. But Frazier, a former Marine who turns 67 this month, said his grief has been replaced with hope that he can help ease the suffering of their families. Advertisement "It never leaves your mind," said Frazier, who is also a member of a group called Gold Star Dads. "It's hard, it's difficult because all of us who have traveled this journey know what it's like. If you get out of yourself, the healing begins. Instead of sitting home and not sharing anything, but being part of it it's a healing process." "As a Gold Star dad (the parade) is bittersweet, but what warms my heart is how well the city turns out and as we look at it, it's about honoring and remembering our loved ones, and without the memories, we don't have anything," Frazier said. The city's annual Memorial Day Parade, one of the largest in the nation, started at noon Saturday with a ground-shaking pound of brass bands down State Street as thousands of spectators waved flags. At least 160 junior ROTC marching bands, veterans groups and active military units were on full display, marching south on State Street toward Van Buren Street. The thumping bands stirred the crowds of families and tourists, while any appearance of an elderly veteran generated applause. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > After taking part in the traditional wreath-laying, Mayor Rahm Emanuel watched the parade from a viewing stand at State and Madison streets alongside parade grand marshal Army Lt. Gen. Kenneth Dahl and members of military families. Dahl is the commanding general of the Army's Installation Management Command. While spectators packed the sidewalks normally filled with weekend shoppers, underneath the "L" tracks on Lake Street a handful of veterans from the Chicago chapter of Veterans for Peace held court, handing out stickers with peace messages to anyone who would take them and waving their own flag. The group was protesting what it called the militarization of the city's youths pointing to schools that push students toward the military as well as local police departments. "We want to make sure these kids see us," said Erik Lobo, a Navy veteran and retired police officer who grew up in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. Advertisement "We want these people to know, these kids to know, that the military isn't the way to go." wlee@tribpub.com Twitter @MidNoirCowboy Carla Williams is an Indiana long-haul trucker with a tricky little problem about the size of a tissue box. At issue is her CPAP machine, which treats sleep apnea, a medical condition that causes drowsiness. A doctor told her she needed to use it to keep driving. But a second doctor she consulted five months later told her she had a milder sleep condition and shouldn't use it. Advertisement Williams said the machine disrupts her sleep rather than improves it, but she can't get the second doctor's opinion to override the first. "I sleep worse I've never had sleep troubles before," Williams said in an interview. She will keep trying to get a waiver to drop the CPAP requirement or find another job. Advertisement Williams' trouble is a symbol of a big problem in the transportation industry how to prevent sleepy driving. Awful crashes have been caused by truck and rail operator fatigue including a 2013 derailment that killed four people in the Bronx and the 2014 truck-limo bus collision that seriously injured comedian Tracy Morgan and killed James "Jimmy Mack" McNair. Twenty percent of the 182 major National Transportation Safety Board investigations from 2001 to 2012 found fatigue as a probable cause or contributing factor. One cause of drowsiness is sleep apnea when a person's breathing pauses during sleep. Most common among overweight men, it affects 28 percent of commercial truck drivers with 10.5 percent suffering from moderate to severe forms, according to a 2002 University of Pennsylvania study. The percentage is similar to that of the general population, but is viewed as a big concern for rail and truck operators because of the danger to the public. This spring, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration are collecting public comments as a first step toward making rules on testing and treatment for sleep apnea for truck drivers and rail operators. Currently, no regulations address the subject except to say you can't drive if you have untreated apnea. A comment session was held in Chicago this month. It's an area fraught with controversy and confusion. Right now, apnea testing and enforcement are like the Wild West, with medical examiners applying different standards for qualifying drivers and operators paying for treatment they may not need, said Scott Grenerth, a former truck driver and regulatory affairs director for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. "You've got a mishmash," said Bob Stanton, a Batavia truck driver and co-founder of Truckers for a Cause, a sleep apnea support group. "Many in trucking call it the 'no-rule rule.'" Testing for sleep To drive a truck, a driver needs to have a commercial driver's license and a Department of Transportation medical card saying he or she is fit to drive. To renew their cards, drivers need to see medical examiners, who can be doctors, chiropractors, nurse practitioners or physician assistants who have taken a training course and passed an exam. Examiners are listed on an FMCSA registry. Many are employed by large occupational health companies that work with carriers and have adopted their own requirements and apply FMCSA guidance in different ways some more strictly than others, Stanton said. Advertisement Grenerth said some examiners have a financial interest in apnea tests and CPAP machines, and rarely recommend other options like dental appliances for mild cases. It's enough of a concern that the FMSCA put out a reminder to examiners last year that "perception of a conflict of interest is possible" if drivers are referred for costly testing at laboratories where examiners have financial ties. The costs of testing and CPAP machines vary widely, depending on insurance coverage, Grenerth said. Some drivers pay a couple of hundred dollars, while others can pay thousands and lose days of work. A study released Thursday by the American Transportation Research Institute found that 53 percent of drivers referred for sleep studies paid some or all of the test costs, with an average of $1,220 in out-of-pocket expenses, or about 1 1/2 weeks of median driver pay. Drivers with severe sleep apnea are more likely to report good results from CPAP with 84 percent reporting increased sleep, according to the study. Less than a third of drivers who had mild sleep apnea reported better sleep. Williams was referred to take a sleep apnea test in a hotel room in Pennsylvania, where she spent a night hooked up to wires that monitored her sleep. She talked with a doctor by phone, who told her she needed a CPAP machine four hours a night, for which she paid $900 out of pocket. CPAP continuous positive airway pressure increases air pressure in the throat so the airway doesn't collapse when inhaling. Williams found the machine did not help, and that the mask often slips during sleep and blows air in her eyes. So she sought a second opinion and another sleep test this time in a hospital. Advertisement The machines can present problems for long-haul truckers who sleep in their vehicles, depending on the truck. The machine can suck power from the truck battery, which can result in the engine powering up and idling a violation of anti-pollution ordinances in some regions, including the Chicago area. Asked if she ever got a ticket, Williams said, "I haven't gotten one yet." Sleep apnea and crashes Despite its problems, CPAP is the first choice of therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, and drivers who need it and don't use it could suffer worse than a loss of their medical cards, according to a March 21 study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The study, which involved 1,613 truck drivers with apnea, found that the rate of preventable crashes was five times higher among drivers with sleep apnea who failed to adhere to CPAP therapy. "Certainly sleep apnea is a major issue. Fatigue and drowsy driving are a major cause of crashes," said Peter Kurdock, director of regulatory affairs for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, a coalition of property and casualty insurers, consumers and public health groups. Grenerth said that there still is not a clear connection between sleep apnea and crashes, and it needs more study. He said the government might want to try a pilot or test program before setting national rules. Stanton said he has benefited from CPAP. He used to think drinking a liter of Mountain Dew at lunch to stay alert was normal behavior before his 2002 diagnosis. Now he tells other drivers to get tested. Advertisement Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > "I'd probably be dead now if I didn't get treated for sleep apnea," Stanton said. Judging from the varied comments from industry groups and operators, federal officials have a lot to consider before making apnea rules what's fair to drivers and clear evidence on what will keep the public safe. It could be a year or more before any rules are in place. Williams said she hopes that if rules are made, they are clear about drivers' responsibilities and options in case there's a dispute. She said the current situation has caused confusion and pushed some drivers into financial crises. Rail and truck operator advocates also say the attention on sleep apnea should not blind regulators to other big causes of fatigue poor scheduling practices that put people in control of enormous machines when they haven't slept for more than a day. "Singling out apnea as the problem with regards to fatigue is the equivalent of putting a Band-Aid on a bleeding artery," said Joseph Ciemny, assistant Illinois legislative director of the SMART Transportation Division, which represents rail workers, speaking at the Chicago comment session. mwisniewski@tribpub.com Advertisement Twitter @marywizchicago A string of nearly two dozen shootings on the West Side has pushed the number of people shot during the Memorial Day weekend to at least 40, with two more days to go. As of early Sunday morning, the toll stood at four dead and 36 wounded across the city, including a 15-year-girl shot to death as she rode in a Jeep on Lake Shore Drive near Fullerton Avenue, police said. Last year, 12 people were killed and 44 people were wounded over the holiday weekend. Nineteen of those shot this weekend were wounded in or within a half-mile of the Harrison District on the West Side, police said. The district, one of the city's most violent, is average-sized but has more officers assigned to it than almost any other in the city. It is frequently the target of both prolonged drug operations and short-term extra patrols over holiday weekends. Thirteen of the 19 were wounded in the Harrison District and an additional six nearby. First Deputy Superintendent John Escalante said Sunday that police would increase an already beefed-up presence in the district Sunday and Monday "because they certainly have had an unacceptable level of shootings Friday and Saturday." "The 11th District -- the West Side -- unfortunately traditionally has been a very tough place to police," he said at a morning news conference. The other shootings in the city this weekend have been scattered from Albany Park on the North Side to Longwood Manor on the Far South Side. Among those killed was Garvin Whitmore, 27, who was shot in the head while sitting in a car with a woman around 5:20 p.m. Saturday in the Fuller Park neighborhood on the South Side. Someone walked up to the car as it sat parked in the 200 block of West Root Street and fired, police said. Whitmore was pronounced dead at the scene. Warning: Video contains strong language. Police officers and residents gather after Memorial Day weekend shootings in North Lawndale, the Near West Side, East Garfield Park and Irving Park. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune) The woman in the car, Ashley Harrison, 26, picked up a gun and returned fire as the gunman ran away, police said. No was else was injured. Harrison was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and reckless discharge of a weapon, both felonies, after surveillance video showed her firing the gun several times and then throwing it to the ground, police said. Advertisement The other three homicides include the 15-year-old girl, Veronica Lopez, the youngest of the weekend slayings; a man in his 20s slain in front of his mother's house on the Southwest Side; and another young man gunned down inside a gas station on the Northwest Side. Escalante said Sunday morning that police had not made any arrests in the killings but had two "persons of interest" in the gas station shooting, which he said did not appear to be random. He also said the shooting that killed Veronica also did not appear random. While the teen had no known police contact, he said the older men with her were known gang members who had some type of encounter -- potentially road rage or gang-related -- with another vehicle. "By all accounts, she was just a good girl unfortunately with the wrong people at a late hour when the encounter occurred," he said. Police were pulling video along Lake Shore Drive and expected to be able to identify the vehicle that shot at the Jeep carrying Veronica, he said. He said police had already boosted presence on Lake Shore Drive and stressed that it remained safe for travel: "We want to ensure people that Lake Shore Drive, it's a beautiful route to drive and it's a safe route to drive." Veronica Lopez, 15, was shot and killed while riding in a car on Lake Shore Drive in the early morning hours of May 28, 2016. (Family photo) It was part of a broader argument he made that the high-profile violence was being driven by about 1,500 people who police have identified as being likely to be suspects or victims of violence. "I think people have to realize it's a big city, but it's a beautiful city, and it really is a safe city," he said. Advertisement Here is the breakdown of violence so far this weekend: Three people killed and 12 people wounded Friday afternoon through early Saturday; one person killed and 24 people wounded Saturday evening through early Sunday. Where shootings occurred Memorial Day weekend in Chicago The shootings from overnight include: A 17-year-old boy walked into Roseland Community Hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg Sunday morning. Police said he was hit around 5:15 a.m. in the 300 block of West 108th Street. Details were not immediately available. A 27-year-old man walked into Stroger Hospital around 4:45 a.m. after being shot in the 5000 block of West West End Avenue. He was hit in the right leg and was reported stable. A 26-year-old woman walked into Loretto Hospital around 4:40 a.m. after getting shot in the back in the 3900 block of West Wilcox Street, police said. Police expected her to be transferred to Stroger Hospital. A 23-year-old man was shot in the 9700 block of South Vincennes Avenue about 3:45 a.m. after getting into an argument, police said. He was in a car and started arguing with someone in another car, and that person shot him. He drove to St. Bernard Hospital to be treated for a leg wound, police said. A 27-year-old man was shot in the 900 block of North Cambridge Avenue on the Near North Side about 2 a.m., police said. He was listed in critical condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. It wasn't clear what led to the shooting. Police taped off a parking lot between low-rise yellow-brick buildings and used empty small plastic cups to mark the location of shell casings. Two men, 21 and 22, were shot in the 700 block of North Kedzie Avenue about 1:05 a.m. Both walked into Norwegian American Hospital for treatment, and the younger man was transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital. Two women, whose ages weren't available, told police they were shot on the Dan Ryan Expressway, possibly between 35th and 39th streets about 12:35 a.m., police said. Officers described the pair as "uncooperative," and Illinois State Police didn't have any information about the shooting as of about 6 a.m. A 37-year-old man was shot in the 4700 block of West Erie Street about 12:20 a.m. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition with wounds across his body, police said. The man ran toward Cicero after getting shot and waited in front a house while a neighbor applied towels to his wounds. Paramedics picked him up there. Two men, 28 and 29, were shot in the 700 block of South Independence Boulevard about 11:55 p.m. Both were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and their conditions were stabilized. A boy, 17, walked into Mount Sinai Hospital for a gunshot wound to his leg around 10:15 p.m. The boy told police he was shot in the 1500 block of South Ridgeway Avenue. Someone dropped him off at the hospital. Three people were wounded in the West Englewood neighborhood about 9:40 p.m. Two of them, ages 17 and 23, were on a porch around the 6800 block of South Damen Avenue when someone shot toward them. A 46-year-old woman in a nearby car was grazed in the neck. The woman was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center and the other two walked into Holy Cross Hospital. (The exact time and address of this shooting has been corrected.) At 9 p.m. a 23-year-old man was shot on the 5100 block of West Chicago Avenue in the Austin neighborhood, police said. The man was walking on the sidewalk when a light-colored vehicle drove up and someone inside shot him, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition stabilized, police said. At 8:40 p.m. two men were shot in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. The victims were stopped at a light in the 1500 block of West 47th Street when another vehicle pulled up behind, then pulled up next to them and fired shots, according to Officer Hector Alfaro, a Chicago police spokesman. A 32-year-old man was shot in the right leg and transported to Stroger Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. A 22-year-old man was shot in the right leg and transported to Stroger Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. Around 8 p.m., a 26-year-old woman was found shot in the driver's seat of a car on the 3900 block of West Lexington Street in the Lawndale neighborhood, police said. The woman was shot in the lower neck and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. She was driving when someone on the street fired shots. She crashed just east of Pulaski Road. At 7:44 p.m. a 19-year-old man was shot on the 8300 block of South Dante Avenue in the Marynook neighborhood on the Southeast Side, police said. The man was shot in the buttocks, and his condition was stabilized at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, police said. Someone shot and seriously wounded a 24-year-old man in the leg at 4:20 p.m. in the 1400 block of West 99th Street in the Longwood Manor neighborhood, police said. A weapon was recovered, but the man was not being cooperative with officers. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where his condition has stabilized, said Chicago Fire Department Cmdr. Walter Schroeder. Paramedics responded to the 3900 block of West Erie Street in the East Garfield Park neighborhood about 3:45 p.m. for two 46-year-old men who suffered gunshot wounds to their lower extremities, according to police and fire officials. Both were taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, fire officials said. Police said they were shot by three robbers. One of the victims was shot in the right leg while the other was shot in the left ankle. A family passes through a crime scene where a 44-year-old man was fatally shot in the chest near 51st Street and Calumet Avenue in the Washington Park neighborhood late on May 30, 2016. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Less than 12 hours after her daughter was shot to death on Lake Shore Drive, Diana Mercado wept bitterly outside her family's apartment as she said she'd planned to get her 15-year-old daughter out of Chicago in a year. "Now they took my baby," she said. Advertisement Her daughter, Veronica Lopez, was the youngest of four people killed over the first night of the Memorial Day weekend. Others killed included a man in his 20s slain in front of his mother's house on the Southwest Side and another young man gunned down inside a gas station on the Northwest Side. The toll of weekend violence also included 19 wounded between Friday evening and Saturday evening. Last year, 12 people were killed and 44 wounded over the holiday weekend. "There's really no stopping it," said Niko Quintero, 18, a friend of Veronica and her family. Advertisement Veronica Lopez, 15, was shot and killed while riding in a car on Lake Shore Drive in the early morning hours of May 28, 2016. (Family photo) Veronica was riding in a Jeep with a 28-year-old man about 1:30 a.m. when someone in a black Nissan pulled up and fired, police said. Veronica was hit several times, and the man was grazed in the head and shot through the arm, police said. The man drove to Presence St. Joseph Hospital and the girl was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead just before 3 a.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. The man, who could not be reached for comment, initially told officers the shooting happened on Lake Shore Drive near Fullerton Avenue, then later said Recreation Drive near Belmont Avenue, police said. It was not clear whether police found a crime scene at either location. The medical examiner listed the address as 2400 N. Lake Shore Drive. Mercado stopped briefly Saturday afternoon at the family's home above a storefront in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood. She said she had planned to relocate to Florida with the girl, a freshman at North-Grand High School. Someone was shot in the alley behind their home last week, Mercado said. Diana Mercado, left, whose daughter Veronica Lopez, 15, was shot and killed on Lake Shore Drive in Saturday's early hours is comforted by a family member outside her Chicago home on May 28, 2016. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune) Mercado said little about the man her daughter was with during the shooting, other than that he was her daughter's friend. "My baby was not even in a gang to be killed," she said. "I just loved my daughter, and I miss everything about her." Asked about her daughter's killer, Mercado said she hoped the shooter would be caught. Veronica was the baby of the family and is survived by four siblings two sisters, ages 18 and 19, and two brothers who are also older, according to community activist Andrew Holmes. Advertisement The first homicide of the weekend happened two hours earlier, about 11 p.m., in the 3700 block of West 75th Place, police said. Someone on foot shot a 25-year-old man who was sitting in a parked car, police said. The car came to rest in front of the house of the man's mother, according to neighbors and police. The third overnight fatal shooting occurred around 5:15 a.m. inside a BP gas station at the corner of Narragansett and Montrose avenues on the Northwest Side in the Dunning neighborhood, police said. A 23-year-old man was arguing with two other men, and one of them shot him in the head. The man died on the scene. In the fourth fatal shooting, in the Fuller Park neighborhood, a 27-year-old man was pronounced dead after being shot at 5:18 p.m. Saturday in the 200 block of West Root Street, said Officer Michelle Tannehill, a spokeswoman for the Chicago police. The man, who was a gang member, was shot in the head and pronounced dead on the scene. A gun was recovered, Tannehill said. No one was reported in custody in any of the fatal shootings. The first shooting of the weekend occurred about 9:25 p.m. in the University Village neighborhood. Advertisement An 18-year-old man was standing on a porch in the 1200 block of West Grenshaw Street when a dark sedan drove past and someone fired, police said. The man was hit in both legs, and his condition was stabilized at Stroger Hospital. Another man was injured but was not struck by a bullet, police said. Tim Miller, 24, who helped the two men, said he and three friends were hanging out on the steps when they saw a male running toward them in the alley directly across from them and two other males running south on South Racine Avenue. "They were saying, 'Help, I got shot!' And we didn't really believe them at first," Miller said. "Then we saw blood." Miller and his friends had the two sit on their stoop while one of his friends called 911 and the others went inside to get towels and ice packs. Miller said one was shot in the left thigh and the other had serious facial injuries and was "going in and out of consciousness." About a dozen people stood at the stoop of Miller's apartment while the two were transported. Some were crying and others were on the phone. "This has been too much," said one woman as another woman embraced her. The group of people quickly dispersed as each ambulance left. Miller and his friends watched as police officers went into an alley nearby. Advertisement "We didn't expect it, obviously, because you know how people will just say random things sometimes? So we were like, 'Oh, what is he doing?'" said Johanna Dibuz, 23, who lives in the building. "But then it was real and we were obviously shocked." Warning: Video contains strong language. Police officers and residents gather after Memorial Day weekend shootings in North Lawndale, the Near West Side, East Garfield Park and Irving Park. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune) In other shootings: A 24-year-old man was shot in the 4300 block of West West End Avenue about 4:35 a.m. Police found the man slumped against a wrought-iron fence with a phone pressed to his ear in the 4400 block of West Washington Boulevard. He was bleeding from his head and arm, and was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition. A few blocks away, someone shot a 26-year-old man in the 4600 block of West Jackson Boulevard about 4 a.m. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said. About 3:15 a.m., a 25-year-old man was shot in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. He suffered a leg wound while standing outside in the 4600 block of South Honore Street and was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > A 21-year-old man in a car was shot about 2:55 a.m. in the Albany Park neighborhood. Police said the car was traveling in the 4300 block of North Kimball Avenue when someone fired into the car, hitting the man in his clavicle. He was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in serious condition, police said. Advertisement A 17-year-old boy was shot in the leg in the Lawndale neighborhood about 2:35 a.m. He was wounded in the 1200 block of South Independence Boulevard and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said. Three men in their 20s were shot in the East Garfield Park neighborhood about 1:45 a.m., police said. The three were in the 3400 block of West Walnut Street when someone in a passing car opened fire, police said. A 26-year-old was shot in the leg and taken to Stroger Hospital, and a 27-year-old was shot in the thigh and taken to Stroger. Both were listed as stable, police said. The youngest, 23, was the most seriously wounded. He was shot in the back and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in guarded condition. Two people were shot in the 9900 block of South Paxton Avenue about 1:10 a.m. A 50-year-old man on a porch was grazed in the right forearm, and a 53-year-old woman in bed inside the home was shot in the lower back. She was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center and the man refused treatment at the scene. At least one person outside fired toward the man, hitting him and the woman inside the home. dhinkel@tribpub.com pnickeas@tribpub.com gwong@tribpub.com A family passes through a crime scene where a 44-year-old man was fatally shot in the chest near 51st Street and Calumet Avenue in the Washington Park neighborhood late on May 30, 2016. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) At least 13 people were wounded Sunday afternoon and early Monday morning on the South and West sides as the toll from gun violence in Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend reached four dead and more than four dozen wounded. Last year, 12 people were killed and 44 wounded over the holiday weekend. Advertisement So far this weekend, three people were killed and 12 people were wounded Friday afternoon through early Saturday; one person was killed and 24 people were wounded Saturday evening through early Sunday; and 13 people were wounded Sunday afternoon through early Monday. The majority of the shootings have happened on the West Side, in or near the Harrison District. In response, police officials have promised to step up their presence in the district. Advertisement Among those killed this weekend was 15-year-old Veronica Lopez, who was shot to death as she rode in a Jeep on Lake Shore Drive near Fullerton Avenue early Saturday. She is the youngest of the holiday slayings. Garvin Whitmore, 27, a father of two, was shot in the head while sitting in a car with the mother of his children around 5:20 p.m. Saturday in the Fuller Park neighborhood on the South Side. The woman, Ashley Harrison, 26, picked up a gun from the car and fired warning shots into the air, police said. The first homicide of the weekend happened around 11:20 p.m. Friday, in the 3700 block of West 75th Place, police said. Someone on foot shot Mark Lindsey, 25, who was sitting in a parked car, police said. The car came to rest in front of the house of Lindsey's mother, according to neighbors and police. The fourth fatal shooting occurred around 5:15 a.m. Saturday inside a BP gas station at the corner of Narragansett and Montrose avenues on the Northwest Side in the Dunning neighborhood, police said. Damien Cionzynski, 25, of Harwood Heights, was arguing with two other men, and one of them shot him in the head. The man died on the scene. Here are the shootings from Sunday afternoon through early Monday: A 19-year-old man was shot in the leg at 6:15 a.m. Monday near 64th Street and King Drive near the Parkway Gardens apartment complex, police said. The man stepped off a bus and started to walk when someone left a building in the Gardens complex and shot at him. The 19-year-old ran west, and paramedics found him at 64th and Eberhart. He was taken to University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center in good condition. Two 18-year-old men were wounded in the 1300 block of North Pulaski Road in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood on the West Side. One was hit in the back and the other in the leg, and both were taken to Stroger Hospital, where they were stabilized, police said. The attack happened about 1:30 a.m. Monday. A 28-year-old man was shot about 1 a.m. Monday in 400 block of East 74th Street in the Park Manor neighborhood. Two men approached and asked for his things before one shot him in the buttocks, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital and was reported stable. A 35-year-old man was shot in the Austin neighborhood about 12:30 a.m. Monday, police said. He was in the 900 block of North Massasoit Avenue when someone inside a silver car fired toward him. The man was taken to Loyola Hospital for treatment, and his condition was stabilized. A 21-year-old man suffered a leg wound in a shooting about 11:30 p.m. Sunday in the Englewood neighborhood, police said. The man was in the 5900 block of South Princeton Avenue when someone shot him and he walked into St. Bernard Hospital and Healthcare Center seeking treatment for the wound. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Two men were shot during a robbery in the 2100 block of South Harding Avenue in the Lawndale neighborhood about 11 p.m. Sunday. A 58-year-old man was shot in the leg and a 35-year-old was shot in the buttocks. Both are in stable condition, police said. Advertisement A 25-year-old man was shot in the left hand about 10:45 p.m. Sunday in the 3800 block of South Lake Park Avenue. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said. A 29-year-old man was shot about 5:55 p.m. Sunday in the 11500 block of South Wentworth Avenue. He was outside when he heard shots and felt pain, police said. He suffered a wound to the shoulder and drove to Metro South Hospital, she said. Two attacks happened in the Gresham neighborhood on the South Side, said Officer Michelle Tannehill, a Chicago police spokeswoman. The latest Gresham shooting happened about 4 p.m. Sunday in the 1200 block of West 85th Street. A 23-year-old man was shot in the right thigh. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Police believe the shooting was gang-related. The other shooting happened about noon Sunday in the 8700 block of South Ashland Avenue. According to preliminary reports, a 20-year-old man was outside when he heard shots and felt pain, Tannehill said. He suffered a wound to the arm and went to Little Company of Mary Hospital, where he was listed in good condition, she said. About 12:35 p.m. Sunday, a 24-year-old man was shot in the 11500 block of South Peoria Street in the West Pullman neighborhood, Tannehill said. The victim was arguing with someone when he was shot in the right thigh. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized, she said. The ambulance snapped the yellow crime tape as it sped east down Lexington Avenue with a woman bleeding from her neck Saturday evening. The woman, 26, had been driving on Lexington around 8 p.m. when someone started shooting near Pulaski Road and a bullet hit the left side of her neck. She crashed her car, and within minutes dozens of people gathered around it. Shequita Evans walked up to the commotion with her sister, who pushed a stroller, and then turned back. They were trying to visit a friend on the block, but the trouble wasn't worth it. Evans' 17-year-old son is entering his senior year in high school. He goes to Hubbard High School at 62nd Street and Hamlin Avenue. "One more summer," she said. She just needs to get him through one more summer, she explained, then he can go to college and get out of the city. "We live in the city. Every time you look up, it's a shooting, it's an innocent, it's gangs shooting each other," Evans said. "Who's to say someone wouldn't come along and shoot him? I fear for my son." She recently bought a car for her son because it's safer than using public transportation for the trip from the West Side to Hubbard. She said she can't afford to leave. What's more: She doesn't want to. She doesn't want to have to. "I want to live here," Evans said. "My maker decides when I get put in the ground or 6 feet under. It's not someone else's decision." Area residents and their children talk with police officers near the scene where one of two gunshot victims was transported on the 4700 block of South Laflin Street on May 28, 2016, in Chicago. Three men were shot near the 1600 block of West 47th Street. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) Boy: 'Did you get the bad guys?' Cop: 'Not yet' A small boy watched as police worked the scene of a drive-by shooting in Back of the Yards that wounded two men Saturday night. "Where are the bad guys?" the boy asked, smoothing the cape of his Superman doll as he looked at an officer. "We don't know, we're going to find them, though," the officer replied gently, his voice rising in pitch. "Did you get the bad guys?" the boy asked. "Not yet," the officer replied. A woman standing near the corner of South Laflin Street and West 47th Street joined the conversation. "You know those big loud noises that we heard that we thought were White Sox fireworks?" she asked. "Yeah," the boy replied. "They're not," she said, cradling a small child against her chest. "They're not?" he asked. "Nope," she replied. "We heard them and that was the police," the child said. "That's wasn't the police, that was the bad guy," she said. "Ohhhhhh," he said. The officer and others waved goodbye and rounded the corner. "Bye, police!" the boy said, waving. The two men were stopped at a light in the 1500 block of West 47th Street around 8:40 p.m, when another car drove up behind them, then pulled up next to them and fired, according to Officer Hector Alfaro, a Chicago police spokesman. A 32-year-old man was shot in the right leg and taken to Stroger Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. A 22-year-old man was also hit in the right leg and taken to Stroger. Traffic flowed fairly uninterrupted as police officers shined flashlights on shell casings at the corner of 47th and Ashland Avenue. Daniel, 30, who declined to give his last name, said he was walking north on Ashland while listening to a police scanner app on his phone. He said the corner is usually not known for gang activity because it's so busy. "There's been a migration of the Hispanic community," he said. "It's a historic boom that's visible. Like wow." With the change, gangs compete for limited territory, he said, which leads to incidents like these on busy corners. "It's just amazing what's going on," he said. Advertisement Anthony Pettigrew watches as Chicago police work at the scene where Pettigrew had assisted a 37-year-old man who was shot in the 4200 block of West Erie Street on May 29, 2016. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) 'I'm shot, I'm shot, I'm shot. I told him to stop.' Anthony Pettigrew heard about 10 shots and saw a few dozen people running down Erie Street toward Cicero Avenue past his house in the West Garfield Park neighborhood just after midnight Sunday morning. Another man straggled along, unable to keep up. He was bleeding from his arm, chest, leg and foot. The 37-year-old had been shot around the corner, about a block east of Cicero. Police found shell casings there. Pettigrew tried to stop the man from collapsing. "I'm shot, I'm shot, I'm shot," the 37-year-old kept saying. Advertisement "I told him to stop," Pettigrew said. Pettigrew grabbed a towel from his trunk and more from his house to put pressure on the wounds. Paramedics arrived to find a plate-sized pool of blood on the sidewalk, with blotches of blood drops spaced in front of Pettigrew's home. Discarded wrappers from medical supplies littered the sidewalk next to Pettigrew's towels and the man's clothing. A sign is posted on a tree at the scene of a triple shooting in the 2000 block of 68th Place on May 28, 2016. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) In the flash of police lights, a sign calling for peace South Damen Avenue was blocked off on two sides at 68th Place late Saturday night after two people were shot on a porch and a woman in a car nearby was grazed. Safe Passage signs were posted on each sidewalk. Wrapped around one of the posts was a bumper sticker that read, "Don't shoot. I want to grow up" with the photo of a child. Nailed on a tree, another sign flashed blue and silver from the police lights: "Stop killing your brothers." Neighbors argued with police, and an officer threatened to throw them in jail if they stepped off their porch again. Cottonwood seeds floated through the air and covered the lawns of neighbors. Merrick Garland, middle, nominee for Supreme Court justice and graduate of Niles West High School, delivered the commencement speech at the Skokie school May 29, 2016. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland is returning to his alma mater Niles West High School to speak at its commencement ceremony this afternoon, marking his second noteworthy graduation speech at the Skokie high school. The first time was decades ago, as valedictorian of his senior class in 1970, a story President Barack Obama recounted when he announced Garland's nomination at the White House in mid-March. Advertisement Before that speech, the student speaker before Garland launched into a fierce critique of the ongoing Vietnam War, angering some adults until someone cut off the sound system. "Merrick didn't necessarily agree with the tone of his classmate's remarks, nor his choice of topic for that day," Obama said. "But stirred by the sight of a fellow student's voice being silenced, he tossed aside his prepared remarks and delivered instead, on the spot, a passionate, impromptu defense of our First Amendment rights." Advertisement Garland, who grew up in Lincolnwood, was selected to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia but faces stiff Republican opposition, with some calling for a delay until after next presidential election. Garland now serves as chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. A public address by a Supreme Court nominee is fairly uncommon, said Trevor Parry-Giles, a professor of political communication at the University of Maryland and author of the book "The Character of Justice: Rhetoric, Law, and Politics in the Supreme Court Confirmation Process." "It's certainly unusual for nominees, but then again, this is an unusual process," he said, referencing the delay in a Senate confirmation hearing. Parry-Giles added that the setting and nature of the remarks make the event pretty safe politically. "A high school graduation is much more neutral and community-based, and not seen as quite as political as you might have in other public venues, even a college or university," he said. "So it's a safe space to give a speech." Vikram David Amar, dean of the University of Illinois College of Law, said it can be beneficial for a nominee to share his or her personal narrative with the public. "I think it's better for nominees to get out and show they are real people and not just a two-dimensional character," he said. "It's good for the process and for the public. It's good when we hear their voice, see their face." When Garland attended Niles West, he was elected president of the student council and took part in a litany of school clubs, including debate, National Honor Society and various theater groups. He also was named "most intelligent" by his peers his senior year. Advertisement Former classmate Donald Silvert, a patent attorney from Northbrook, said it's fitting that Garland is coming full circle to speak again at Niles West. "I think he's the perfect guy to provide some insight and humor and guidance to a group of new graduates coming out of a great school," said Silvert, who was the student council vice president when Garland was president. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Niles West graduating senior Kate Silber called Garland "a high quality role model" for her and her peers. "Seeing an example of just how far someone else who grew up in the little village of Lincolnwood can go is extremely inspiring," she said. "Most of all, though, I am looking forward to hearing what he has to say about staying balanced and strong through great honors and obstacles alike." Niles West Principal Jason Ness said he picked up the phone and called Garland's office to extend the invitation to speak shortly after the nomination announcement. He was surprised when the offer was accepted. "We are very honored for him to be here," Ness said. "We get to welcome Judge Garland back home to West to join in the celebration." Advertisement Sunday's commencement ceremony will begin at noon. While it's only open to graduates and their guests, the event will be live-streamed at http://url.d219.org/nw-grad16. eleventis@tribpub.com Twitter @angie_leventis November 2015 issues of Playboy magazine are seen on the shelf of a bookstore in Bethesda, Md., in October 2015. Playboy has stopped publishing nude photos in its iconic magazine for men, throwing in the towel in the face of rampant online pornography. (Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images) It is time to ban pornography. Nothing can shock us except this suggestion. We find it perfectly acceptable that smut, no matter how bestial or misogynistic, should be widely available. We even think it a moral imperative, a dictate of freedom. It does not trouble us that children can view acts of rape, real or simulated, with a click of a mouse, but if someone proposes that we prevent them from doing so, dirty old Uncle Sam begins to shudder. Respected citizens stand up to object. Gallant young civil libertarians come riding into town, ready to defend the imperiled modesty of Lady Liberty. Advertisement "Ban" strikes us as a nasty word, conjuring up memories of McCarthyism, the Spanish Inquisition and the third-grade teacher who washed your mouth out with soap. We tell ourselves that bans are never really effective, that it is too hard to distinguish between what should be banned and what shouldn't. Above all, we know that bans are blunt instruments, and believe that we are too sophisticated to employ such crude tools. But are bans really so terrifying and impossible? Advertisement We are not averse to banning something when we think it is really wrong. We are happy to "ban" murder, rape and even certain types of speech (try yelling "Fire!" in a theater). We do not hesitate over the fact that there will be marginal cases, or that the banned activity will not magically be brought to an end. Our tolerant reaction to pornography stems less from a principled commitment to free speech than from a belief that porn isn't so bad after all. Shouldn't we be "sex-positive"? Who doesn't need a little release? This casual attitude would be impossible if we cared as much about misogyny as we say we do. Gail Dines, a feminist scholar who has succeeded Andrea Dworkin as the leading voice against pornography, has found that "the most popular acts depicted in Internet porn include vaginal, oral and anal penetration by three or more men at the same time; double anal; double vaginal; a female gagging from having a penis thrust into her throat; and ejaculation in a woman's face, eyes and mouth." This is not sex-positivity; it is hatred of women. According to one survey, boys are inducted into this ritualized hatred at an average age of 11. If, despite all that, we are not ready to ban pornography outright, we might begin by enforcing the modest anti-obscenity laws that are already on the books. These testify to the fact that we can indeed legislate for moral ends. Title 18, Section 1465 of the U.S. Code prohibits the "production and transportation of obscene matters for sale or distribution," including by means of "an interactive computer service." Patrick Trueman, a veteran of the Justice Department's anti-obscenity unit, has been calling on officials to do just that. Restrictions on pornography may come sooner than we think. As the Christian right has lost its power, fears of a censorious "Moral Majority" have receded. This leaves room for activists on the left to criticize the misogyny of porn without seeming like the allies of the unenlightened. Happily, the left appears ready to take up the censor's task. Campus activists once champions of free speech now call for safe spaces, trigger warnings and other hard limits on speech, especially on speech related to sex. Now that they feel confident in their cultural power, campus activists have ceased to plead for tolerance; they are ready to enforce compliance. It is easy to criticize such reversals as hypocritical, but they reflect a basic truth, pointed out by legal scholar Stanley Fish: "There's no such thing as free speech." Or, to put it another way, there are always limits on speech. The only question is who places those limits, and where. Even in the most laissez-faire society, some forms of speech will be tolerated while others will not. We say that "fighting words" or "incitements to violence" are not really speech. Why not say the same of pornography, which serves as an instruction manual for the subjection of women? At this point, someone will object that limitations on pornography would violate the First Amendment. Is that really so? Well, no, and not just because of the long (and not entirely ignoble) history of American censorship. Recent fights over the free exercise of religion demonstrate that interpretations of the First Amendment can be quite flexible. Law bends to the contours of culture, and more or less liberty will be granted to activities be they religious or pornographic depending on how harmful they are perceived to be. Advertisement Even the rise of Donald Trump provides evidence of pornography's social harm. How to understand the success of Trump's makeup-caked, misogynistic candidacy, except as an eruption onto the political stage of the pornographic subterrain? If you cringe at Trump's sneering misogyny, then join me in calling for a ban on the thing that made his crude appeal possible. Pornography's enjoyments may be private, but its harms are inescapably public. Washington Post Matthew Schmitz is the literary editor of First Things, a monthly ecumenical Christian journal based in New York City. More than 250 planters with red, white and blue flowers were delivered to the graves of veterans at the Fort Sheridan Cemetery Saturday. (Yadira Sanchez Olson / Lake County News-Sun) After placing pots with red, white and blue flowers next to the graves of veterans buried at the Fort Sheridan Cemetery, 7-year-old Cub Scout Shane Rasche took a knee for a moment of silence. Rasche and nine other members of Pack 59 Palatine placed a pot of petunias near every grave marked with an American flag. Advertisement The annual event is coordinated by the Fallen Hero Wreaths and Planters organization, which partners with individuals and civic groups to raise money for Memorial Day flowers and Christmas wreaths to be placed near the graves of veterans. Andy Barrie, founder of Fallen Hero Wreaths and Planters, said he started the organization right out of college in 1992 to honor his father, a World War II veteran. Advertisement "At least on this day families can take this opportunity to remember them," Barrie said. Last weekend, the group provided 400 planters to a Wisconsin cemetery, and 270 planters were delivered to the Sheridan cemetery for Saturday's event, Barrie said. "I'm glad to see this, but I'm not surprised," Navy veteran Tom Schmit said. Schmit, of Lake Forest, drove through the cemetery as part of his daily routine. "I make a spiritual visit every day, and I say a prayer each time," Schmit said. "These people were cheated out of life. They can't go anywhere, so we have to come to them." Andrew Schwan, 13, of Lake Forest, visited the cemetery with his parents and his 9-year-old sister, Addison Schwan. Andrew said he was "grateful for the life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" people enjoy because of veterans who fought for those privileges. "I think paying our respects today helps honor what they did for us," Andrew said. Advertisement The flowers placed near the graves will decorate the headstones until Tuesday, when they will be taken to residents of the James Lovell Health Care Center. Yadira Sanchez Olson is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun Katy Heitmanek, left, and her mother, Lana, are the fourth and fifth generation to run their family-owned business, Beidelman Furniture, in downtown Naperville. Lana owns the store with her husband, John; daughter Katy is the store manager and son Michael works in sales. (Daina Saleh, Naperville Sun) Business: Beidelman Furniture Address: 239 S. Washington St., Naperville Advertisement Phone/website: 630-355-5770, www.beidelmanfurniture.com Owners: John and Lana Heitmanek Advertisement Year opened: 1861 What does this business sell? "We are a furniture store," said Lana Heitmanek, who is the fourth-generation owner of the family business. "A store where everyone can find a special piece of furniture, upholstery or accessory." What was the impetus for opening? "Fred Long, the original owner, was a cabinet maker and opened the store right here (at the corner of Washington Street and Jackson Avenue in downtown Naperville). He then went to mortuary school to expand the business. When his nephew (Oliver Beidelman) later took over, we sold everything, housewares and televisions, vacuum cleaners, and even the old-style record players. I remember as a child watching my father, Dutch Beidelman, go on house calls to fix things. But we have since separated Beidelman Furniture, and my sister and her husband run Beidelman Funeral Home in Naperville. I was never forced into (working or running Beidelman), but always had a love for it. I'd say I took over in the early '90s, so a little more than 25 years now." "Same with myself," said Katelyn "Katy" Heitmanek, who's the store manager and Lana's daughter. "We were always here as kids, but we were never forced to work in the store. Actually, in our high school years we had to get jobs in other businesses. It almost made me want this even more." What is the best thing about being in Naperville? "We love Naperville," Katy said. "Our customers are the best. We have some come in here who say, 'I bought this chair from your grandmother.'" What is the biggest challenge about being in Naperville? "Parking," Lana said, laughing. "We are a destination shop for many of our loyal customers; some have come here over several generations. And the growing restaurant industry in Naperville is both good and bad for us," Katy said. When is your busiest time of year? "Really, all year round. But maybe a little more in fall. Right when kids are off to school, and the holidays are around the corner. Maybe a new dining room right before Thanksgiving," Lana said. Advertisement "And then we get guys right around Christmas stopping in for jewelry boxes for their wives," Katy said. "This year we are more prepared and have them already ordered." What is the most popular thing you sell? Upholstery, both Lana and Katy said. What is the thing you most like to do as part of your business? "Furniture, contrary to what everyone always thinks, is very personal. We are both very creative people," Katy said of the mother-daughter team. "We love helping our customers figure out what works for them, guiding them, but also letting them explore. It's always a journey." What is your least favorite thing to do? "Dusting," Katy said. "I was going to say vacuuming," Lana said, laughing. "We have three floors, that's a lot of vacuuming and dusting! We do it more here than at home." What is the best thing about owning your own business? "Being creative. Meeting people. And because we are a small business, we get to pick and choose who we deal with. If a manufacturer or contractor moves in a direction we don't want to follow, we can choose not to." What is the biggest downside to owning your business? "Hmm, nothing really," Lana said. "Is it challenging? At times, sure. Especially during the recession and the housing collapse. We had to learn to scale back. But it was also a good time to think about what we were doing." Advertisement Tell us about the most memorable customer you had and what made them so? "The ones that stand out the most for me are those that come in right after having lost someone. It actually makes me tear up," Lana said. "They come to replace a piece of furniture or change things to help heal. And maybe because we were part of the funeral business for so long, we are not scared to talk about it. We are both really open and honest." What is the biggest misconception about your business? "Oh, there are two misconceptions," Lana said. "We get the customers who, maybe after dinner, walk past our windows looking in and loving a piece of furniture but are too scared to come in because they think it's too expensive. Which we are not. We have something for everyone. And we also have the customers who think because we have the older style building and sign, we are something of a dive. It's almost diametrical!" How would you describe your business philosophy? "Like my grandfather (Dutch Beidelman) was quoted in the Naperville Sun way back," Katy said, "'You can't look back too much. If you're smart enough, you'll go along with the changes.' That was when he was 90 years old in 1993. And that's what we are about. We stay true to our roots, but also allow for change." If you weren't do this, what line of work would you be in? "I think we'd own a restaurant," said Katy, with Lana agreeing."We are always talking about it, too. We both love to cook." What advice would you give someone about opening a store/starting a business? "Only trust family!" Katy said. "Never bite off more than you can chew. We see it all the time." "Always trust your gut," Lana added. Advertisement How has your business changed over the years? "The recession and housing collapse showed us how important it is to assess what we offer, the essentials, and also the extras," Katy said. "We like to stay ahead, but also not fall in with trends that aren't here to stay. ... And we have to think of our customers who have been with us for many years, and also include the newer customers who might want a more contemporary look." "Very true," Lana said. "We have stayed small, but also expanded who we cater to. We always say, 'We can furnish your fresh college grad's first apartment or a family home or anyone's home, really.' We just want to balance the trends that are here to stay, with finding those items that have a longer appeal to our customers." Daina Saleh is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. Singapore's Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu on Saturday launched a special exhibition on the country's early Chinese newspapers at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. Titled "Early Chinese Newspapers in Singapore (1881-1942)", the exhibition presents the history and development of Chinese newspapers and printing industry in Singapore through more than 100 artefacts, historical documents and images. The exhibition takes visitors on a historical journey from the 1880s to the Japanese Occupation of Singapore in 1942 by tracing the rise of various newspapers, the Chinese pioneers behind the establishments, journalistic trends and the shift in the newspapers' focus which has evolved over the years to meet the needs of the community. Minister Fu said the early Chinese newspapers in Singapore played a major role in informing, influencing and educating the Chinese community in the region. These newspapers functioned as an important platform to discuss social issues. She also encouraged people to learn from the pioneers to better service the society. Working with community contributors, the exhibition highlights precious exhibits such as a rare imperial gazette which was published during the Qing dynasty and used for the dissemination of imperial court news and official announcements; a copy of "Lat Pau" which is regarded as Singapore's first Chinese daily and a Hakka-Malay dictionary published by a Singapore printing press in 1929, which reflects early Chinese immigrants adapting to local culture. To attract more young people to participate in, curators of the exhibition have added interactive features to enhance the experience. For instance, multimedia games have been created for visitors to learn more about the early newspaper printing industry. Visitors can also capture their memories at the unique photo booth, which allows them to appear on the cover of an early advertisement or poster. According to the curators, the exhibition will run until Oct. 9. A series of public talks that shed light on the rich history of several prominent Chinese newspapers in Singapore will also be held in the following days as an extended part of the exhibition. An exhibition of masterpieces by Pablo Picasso is underway in Beijing. Called "Picasso Walks into China," it's the largest ever show of the Spanish painter's works ever held in China. A visitor looks at a group of photos focusing on the life of Picasso at the Riverside Museum in Beijing on Saturday, May 28, 2016. A total of 84 photos are exhibited at the art show, offering audiences an opportunity to learn more about Picasso. [Photo/CRIENGLISH.com] Around 1,000 people visited the Riverside Museum in Beijing on Saturday to have a close look at the masterpieces created by Picasso. A visitor surname Yuan says he was surprised at the inclusiveness of the artworks displayed this time. "The exhibition is very informative. You can find Picasso's painting, print works and even his ceramic artworks here. Many people thought Picasso was a painter. But in my view, he should be called an artist. He created many different categories of artworks." These artworks displayed at this show come from 8 famous collectors from 5 countries. More than 80 works by Picasso are on display. Angela Occhipinti, a famous Italian print art master who used to work with Picasso, is also featured at the show, displaying 16 pieces of her own works. Among them, there is a piece by her done in cooperation with Picasso. The 83 year old artist recalls her time working with Picasso. "I was very lucky. I met Picasso when I was 16. I was studying the print arts in Paris then. Picasso was very skilled at painting. He was not that good-looking then, not tall, with little balding on the top, but his passion and love for painting made him a deadly charming person, especially for women." Occhipinti met Picasso in 1940s. At that time, Picasso completed Guernica, one of his masterpieces which reflected the cruelty of the Spanish Civil War. The exhibition is co-chaired by China's Riverside Museum and Italy's Metamorfosi Culture and Art Center. Pietro Folena, former Italian Minister of Culture says, today is the moment for China and European countries to cooperate in the arts. "Italy is a country of art. China is a country of new art and technology. China got a big demand for arts. Chinese companies and governments are very interested in investments in arts. At the same time, Europe is going through a big crisis. For us, it's very important to join with China, with its new artists." The art show will last until early August. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. President Uhuru Kenyatta, the middle, Chinese ambassador Liu Xianfa, the left, and CRBC President Lu Shan, pose for photos on the newly laidtrackin front of the track-laying machine. [Photo by Hou Liqiang/China Daily] President Uhuru Kenyatta visited the construction site of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) on Saturday. While speaking highly about the project's progress, he disclosed that Kenya's government planned to build industrial parks along the line to create job opportunities. The President, accompanied by Chinese ambassador Liu Xianfa and high-level officials from China Road and Bridge Co, who is building the railway, had a site meeting at the project's Section 7 at Sultan Hamud, which is about 110 kilometers Southeast of Nairobi, during which he was briefed on project progress and its challenges. The President said, "I am impressed by the work that has been done so far, and glad that whatever was put on paper during the inception is now coming to life." "The SGR project is absolutely vital in my plans to support and grow Kenya's economy - creating more jobs and opportunities that will further open up our country for business to local and foreign investors for the betterment of the country and the region as a whole," said the president. "This is an economic boost not just to the National Government but also the Seven Counties through which this line has traversed. I am sure you have seen the bustling centres along the line - this means more connectivity and growth for this Nation." The President said the Government is in talks with investors to put up industrial parks along the SGR line to create jobs for Kenyans. "We have discussed on how to set up industrial parks at DongoKundu in Mombasa, Voi, MtitoAndei, Nairobi and Naivasha which will help us create jobs for our young people," he said. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. President Xi Jinping has called for better care for China's aging population. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on Friday afternoon at a group study attended by members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on the state and future of a graying society. He emphasized the importance of meeting the needs of the vast number of the elderly and solving social problems. With the world's largest number of senior citizens, China has improved elder care, Xi said. However, much remains to be done and there is a quite big gap between reality and elderly people's expectation of happy twilight years, he said. China has the largest number of aging population, thus careful handling of the issue holds a stake over the overall development of the nation and people's well-being, Xi said. Xi called for "a positive attitude" because the elderly deserve acceptance and respect from the public. Respecting and caring for the elderly is a Chinese traditional virtue, and it should be carried out in modern times. The elderly should also develop a sense of self-respect and independence, he said. Xi urged continuous improvement in the elderly-care system by enhancing scientific study and learning constructive experience from other countries. Pension insurance and medical insurance systems should be perfected, and supporting policies should be provided for the family pension mode and showing loving care and service for rural elderly left at home, Xi said. The elderly should be encouraged to play an active role in moral education and resolving social conflicts. Xi also pointed to the bright prospects of the old-age business, given the huge demand for products and services. He said government support should foster new growth points. There are more than 220 million people aged at 60 or older in China, 16 percent of the total population. The first edition of a new military newspaper was published Saturday, replacing the publications circulated among China's seven military area commands before they were reorganized into several battle zone commands. Renminlujun (People's Land Forces) will be published from Tuesday to Saturday every week. Its front page on Saturday featured a profile on the inauguration of the Army of the People's Liberation Army, and articles concerning the building of a strong and modern new land force. An editorial in the publication said the new paper will continue to uphold the theories and policies of the Communist Party of China and promote ways to build and modernize the country's land forces. Flash Ambassador Masood Khalid addressing the gathering at the charity bazaar organized by the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing on May 28 2016. [Photo by Gong Jie/China.org.cn] A one-day charity bazaar was held to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan by the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing on May 28. Qian Wei, the spouse of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. Qian said that the two countries have enjoyed a unique friendship for the past 65 years and have worked together to establish a strategic cooperative partnership. The charity bazaar held by the Pakistan Embassy today is a reminder to us that every time China encounters natural disasters and other difficulties, Pakistan is always there to provide timely assistance, said Qian. She said that the Chinese government and the Chinese people will never forget the assistance provided by Pakistan when Wenchuan and Yushu were hit by devastating earthquakes. She also gave congratulations and thanks from Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the Pakistan Embassy. As part of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, the charity bazaar will benefit elderly people in Beijing, said Ambassador Masood Khalid. He said that the colorful stalls and musical performances organized for the event were meant to showcase Pakistan's culture, traditions, handicrafts, garments, and cuisine. He said that the objective was to make a humble contribution to the care of the elderly by supporting the Longzhen Service Centre in Beijing. He also thanked the donor companies who had generously donated to the event. The bazaar was attended by a large number of Chinese citizens and members of the diplomatic corps who showed a keen interest in Pakistani culture, handicrafts and food. The donations and funds raised through the event will be sent to Longzhen Elderly Care Service Center. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. Flash Fighters from a Shiite paramilitary units, known as Hashd Shaabi, are seen on the frontline to fight against Islamic State (IS) in Harariyat village on the outskirts of Fallujah city in Iraq's western Anbar province, on May 28, 2016. During the past few months, the army, security forces and allied paramilitary forces carried out operations around Mosul and Fallujah to tighten the grip on the besieged city and nearby towns in order to free them from IS militants. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) Iraqi security forces on Saturday extended control on areas around the Islamic State (IS)-held city of Fallujah in the country's western province of Anbar, at the sixth day of an offensive aimed at flushing out the extremist militants from the city, a provincial security source said. Security forces, together with Shiite and Sunni paramilitary units, known as Hashd Shaabi, made a significant progress in north of Fallujah, some 50 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, when the troops backed by Iraqi aircraft cleared the villages of Zagharit, al-Bakara and al-Mukhtar after heavy clashes with IS militants, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. Immediately after the troops recaptured the villages, teams of explosive experts started defusing car bombs, booby-trapped buildings and many roadside bombs planted by IS militants, the source said. Meanwhile, the security forces retook control of Albu Shejil area in west of Fallujah, after fierce clashes with IS militants, leaving at least 20 IS militants killed and five IS vehicles destroyed, the source said. The troops also took control of the international highway in north of Fallujah and advanced to liberate the militant-seized town of Saqlawiyah, just northwest of Fallujah, the source added. Outside Saqlawiyah, a federal police force clashed with IS militants and bombed an IS armored vehicle and a booby-trapped one, in addition to killing at least three snipers, he said. On Monday morning, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the launch of the offensive to claim Fallujah, during a time in which the country is struggling in a chaos to reshuffle the cabinet. "The offensive aiming to free Fallujah has begun. Fallujah's liberation alarm has rung, and the great victory is approaching, when IS militants will have no option except to flee," Abadi said whilst addressing the nation on the state-run Iraqiya television channel. "Fallujah will return to Iraqis similar to the hundreds of villages and towns which were returned to its people and were liberated from the IS's oppression and treachery," Abadi said. After initial shelling on Fallujah and IS positions in other areas in the early morning hours of Monday, the troops covered by U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi aircrafts advanced toward the edges of Fallujah as well as the nearby small towns of Garma and Saqlawiyah. Earlier, the interior ministry said the army has almost accomplished the first stage of tightening siege on Fallujah and will soon start to break into the city. During the past few months, security forces and allied Hashd Shaabi units carried out operations around Fallujah so as to tighten the troops' grip on the besieged city and nearby small towns in order to free them from IS militants. Government troops and allied militias have currently been fighting for months to reclaim key cities and towns in Anbar from IS militants, who attempted to advance towards Baghdad after seizing most of Anbar province. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. You are here: Home Flash Violence surrounding the 5th phase polls of Bangladesh's lowest tier of local government have left at least 10 dead as of Saturday night. Stray incidents of clash, arson, vandalism, explosion of hand bombs, chase and counter-chase and firing were reported in many of the 720 unions that went to the polls on Saturday. At least four deaths have been reported on Saturday from northern Jamalpur district, 185 km from capital Dhaka, due to clashes between supporters of rival candidates. The incidents of clashes between supporters of rival candidates left four more people dead and hundreds of others injured in southeastern Noakhali and Chittagong districts on Saturday. Two more deaths have been reported in pre-polls violence in northern Kushtia and Southwestern Narail districts. Violence also left hundreds of people including officials and law enforcers injured in the country's first-ever partisan local government body polls. Police was not immediately available to confirm the deaths. Supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party candidates, and rival ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidates mainly clashed in parts of the country. The previous phases of the elections were also marred by deadly clashes and irregularities. Some 82 people have been reportedly killed and several thousands injured in violence over the four previous phases of the partisan local government body polls since March. Flash The Egyptian armed forces in cooperation with the police killed 36 militants and defused 38 explosive devices in their last two-day security campaign in the Arish, Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid cities of North Sinai province, the military spokesman said in a statement Saturday. "The operations over the past two days ruined 25 houses and 57 huts of the terrorist elements, destroyed a large warehouse of explosives, seized 10 vehicles and five motorbikes used by the extremists in their attacks on security checkpoints," Military Spokesman Mohamed Samir said in the statement. The raids come a couple of days after a similar four-day campaign killed last week 85 militants in North Siani's restive cities of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid. Egypt has been battling a growing wave of anti-government terrorism since the military removed former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and later blacklisted his Muslim Brotherhood group. A Sinai-based militant group loyal to the Islamic State (IS) regional terror group claimed responsibility for most of the terrorist operations that killed hundreds of police and military men over the past few years. The Egyptian military has been launching a continuous massive security campaign in the peninsula that left about 1,000 militants killed and a similar number of suspects arrested. The security raids in Sinai are part of the country's "war against terrorism" declared by ex-military chief and now President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi following Morsi's ouster. A video shows a doctor who keeps on working even though he is tired that he bends over his desk to write a case report for his patient. [Photo by Yao Yao/chinadaily.com.cn] More respect and confidence should be given to doctors and nurses in building a healthy China, according to the acclaimed works outshined in the awards ceremony of the 2016 Healthy China Micro-videos Competition in Beijing on Saturday. Seventeen micro-videos featuring family doctors, self-actualization of doctors, emergency treatment and common doctor-patient interactions in hospitals outshined themselves among all 510 videos, which have been collected across China since the competition launched on Jan 14. "The Competition, hosted by the Health and Family Planning Culture Promotion Platform of National Health and Family Planning Commission and Population Culture Development Center of National Health and Family Planning Commission, aims to solicit advice and ideas on health policies, development of healthy industries around China," said Feng Wen, director of the Population Culture Development Center. One of the prize-winning videos illustrates an emergency treatment, where the female doctor decides to perform an operation after saying the patient can have one percent chance to live if she performs the operation, or the patient will die without the operation. "Growing up to be a doctor is my childhood dream, though it's a pity I didn't realize that dream. Thanks to my family members, I have a close contact with doctors and nurses. They are the same as ordinary us, however, they devote more in their daily lives," said Liu Jun, whose video illustrated doctors' hard work and their relations with patients. The video was listed among top 10 of the competition. Liu added, "I made this video with an intention to let people better understand doctors and nurses, also to pay more respects and give doctors and nurses more confidence, and then build a harmonious doctor-patient relationship. I think patients will be stronger when they join hands with doctors." Besides the videos describing doctor-patient relationship, a video from Peking Union Medical College Hospital illustrates the reasons behind pancreatic cancer in a relaxing and acceptable cartoon form. "It's still a long way to build a healthy China, which calls for building a quality and highly efficient medical and health service system," said Mao Qun'an, head of Department of Communications, National Health and Family Planning Commission. Mao added, "It's urgent to develop health industry such as family doctors, since there is a short supply of health services nowadays in the country facing a large aging population." A black man and a young Chinese woman are flirting, as he leans in for a kiss she thrusts a detergent capsule in his mouth and bundles him into a laundry machine. Legal experts have called for more education and stricter law enforcement to increase awareness of racial sensitivity after the release of an advertisement that caused outrage on social media. The advertisement, for the Chinese detergent brand Qiaobi, went viral on the internet in China and overseas. It featured a black man being transformed into a fair-skinned Chinese after being washed by the detergent in a washing machine. She sits atop the machine as the man spins inside until out pops a handsome Chinese man dressed in a clean, white t-shirt. Shanghai-based Leishang Cosmetics, which owns the brand, has halted distribution of the ad, which was shown on social media and in some movie theaters in China. It posted a statement on its micro-blog account on Saturday to apologize to those who may have felt offended by the commercial. On Chinese micro-blogging platform Sino Weibo, the news hashtag #controversy caused by laundry detergent# attracted nearly 3 million views, with many netizens leaving critical comments. A user surnamed Chujianbaoji said: "The racial discrimination here couldn't be more obvious. The idea of washing a person in a washing machine is reckless." Li Jun, vice-president in charge of the Qiaobi brand, said on Sunday: "The creative idea for the commercial was to add some comic drama by using artistic exaggeration. There was no intention of racial discrimination, and we didn't realize initially that it might lead to viewers getting the wrong impression. "But we will take responsibility for any potential discomfort caused by it and apologize to those who may feel offended." Liu Junhai, a professor of civil and commercial law at Renmin University of China, said the commercial reflects the lack of public awareness about racial issues in China. "Chinese brands should stay alert because of fast-spreading social media," Liu said, adding that sensitivity about racial issues among advertisers and the public in China is not as high as in Western countries. "The authorities should strengthen awareness through education and supervision of the advertising industry as well as punishing cases of discrimination," he said. According to China's Advertisement Law, which was updated last year, any content containing or implying national, racial, religious and gender discrimination is prohibited in adverts, and incurs penalties. A woman from a Russian ethnic group shows her dance moves in Tacheng city, Tacheng prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, May 26, 2016.[Photo by Gaoyuan Lingzi/provided to chinadaily.com.cn] "Tacheng: the flower blooms" is a cultural event that has toured around Yumin, Tuoli, wusu, Shawan, Emin and Hoboksar Mongol autonomous county in Tacheng prefecture. The show has come to its final stop of Tacheng city. Nearly 1,000 people gathered at the Tacheng cultural square, dressing folk costumes of different ethnic groups, and dance together to mark the event in Tacheng city. The ceremony turned into a big carnival with different dance styles. Dancers perform to meet tourists in front of a gate of the old town of Kashgar, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, May 27, 2016. Kashgar, a city located in the southwestern part of Xinjiang, has attracted a good many tourists with its unique style and ethnic cultures. [Photo/Xinhua] (Photo : Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) A Tibetan nomad stands in front of her washing machine outside her home in a government resettlement community on July 23, 2015 on the Tibetan Plateau in Madou County, Qinghai, China. Advertisement A laundry detergent advertisement of Chinese company "Qiaobi" is currently causing outrage online. The advertisement is being widely dubbed as one of the most "racist advertisement" in recent times. The advertisement shows a young Chinese girl busy doing her laundry. A black African man spattered with paint on his face walks into the room. The black man is quite flirtatious as he winks and whistles at the Chinese woman. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The jovial Chinese woman responds to his flirtatiousness as she encourages him to walk towards her. The black man exactly does that, only be stuffed with a detergent packet in his mouth and crammed into a washing machine. After few seconds, he emerges from the washing machine. However, not as a black man but as a white skinned Chinese man. The Chinese woman is delighted with the makeover. The advert ends with "Change starts with Qiaobi." Netizens on Facebook, Twitter, and other popular social media groups have reacted furiously to the advert. Many have condemned it as highly racist and insulting towards the black community. However, the outburst against the advert has mostly originated from abroad. In China, the reaction has been quite the opposite. While the advert only managed to gain widespread attention recently, it is reportedly about a month old. Advertisement TagsChinese Detergent Ad, china, Qiaobi, Racial Advertisement China (Photo : Getty Images) Japan on Saturday announced that it will offer two patrol vessels and a financial aid of 38 billion yen ($344 million) to Sri Lanka. Advertisement Japan on Saturday said that it will provide two patrol vessels to Sri Lanka to boost the latter's maritime security. The announcement was made after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena held a bilateral meeting in Nagoya, Japan. The Sri Lankan President and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are currently in Japan to attend an outreach meeting held as part of the G7 Summit. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Additionally, Japan announced a financial aid of 38 billion yen ($344 million) for Sri Lanka. Tokyo's efforts to reach out to Sri Lanka is believed to be aimed at countering China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean. China is currently pursuing many ambitious maritime projects, mostly in the form of ports, in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. These projects are said to be part of China's so-called "string of pearls" strategy to surround India. Japan and India have reportedly joined hands to take on China's ambitious plan to raise its presence in the Indian Ocean. The Indian government has already started pacifying the Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan government. The efforts have yielded results as Bangladesh has canceled a few port projects with Chinese companies while Sri Lanka has announced that it may reconsider several projects awarded to Chinese construction firms. New Delhi has also stepped up its effort to offer military and economic aid to smaller nations staking a claim in the South China Sea Dispute. Reports emerged earlier this year that India may participate in joint military exercises in South China Sea region. China shares a tense relationship with both India and Japan owing to historical baggage and unresolved border disputes. This often leads to diplomatic tension and a cold war scenario between these countries. Advertisement TagsSri Lanka, Japan, Indian Ocean, India, Sri Lanka and Japan, china (Photo : SpaceX/Flickr) THAICOM 8 launch Advertisement On Friday, May 27, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket completed another successful landing at sea, when it vertically landed on a droneship. The last successful attempt happened only last month, suggesting that the future of reusable rockets is getting pretty bright. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement More specifically, this event marks the third time that the private space company completed a vertical landing at sea, in the past several weeks. The Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 5:40 P.M. EDT. After two and a half minutes from launch, the Falcon 9 rocket's two stages separated where the first stage of the rocket landed almost flawlessly on the deck of the autonomous floating barge, some 420 miles off the Florida coast. After about nine minutes from launch, the first stage rocket of the new Falcon 9 maneuvered back to land, initiating and completing a successful vertical landing for the reusable rocket while the second stage of the launched a 6,600 pound THAICOM 8 satellite into lower Earth orbit. SpaceX mission crew and employees standing by at the SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California were ecstatic, cheering on, as the first stage immediately completed another milestone landing. In order to complete an ocean landing, mission engineers were met by numerous challenges when it comes to the rocket's re-entry due to high speed velocities and extremely hot temperatures upon descent, including a significant amount of pressure placed on the rocket. According to SpaceX, for the missions that are headed for geostationary orbits, the first stage rocket will be expected to experience extreme velocities and heating upon re-entry in the atmosphere which can make a successful landing rather challenging. CEO and founder Elon Musk, tweeted the rocket landing speed was designed close to maximum used up contingency crush core, resulting in a back and forth motion, which was probably okay but could risk of tipping. The very first successful landing at sea occurred on April 8 after launching SpaceX's Dragon cargo re-supply capsule to the International Space Station. The second successful attempt followed last May 6 after a challenging maneuver, after placing a Japanese communications satellite in orbit. Watch last Friday's epic third rocket landing here. Last Friday's launch involves SpaceX's second commercial launch of a communications satellite which will provide data and broadcast services over South Asia and Southeast Asia, which was carried out in just three weeks, making this record breaking feat a true milestone in space launches. Advertisement TagsSpaceX, falcon 9 rocket, reusable rockets, spacex successful rocket landing, Elon Musk, third successful rocket landing at sea (Photo : Getty Images) In the wake of Obama's historic visit to Hiroshima, China has noted that the Nanjing Massacre also needs to be remembered. Advertisement In the wake of US President Barack Obama's historic visit to Hiroshima on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a statement that the Nanjing massacre committed by Japan in 1937 deserves as much attention as Hiroshima. "Hiroshima is worthy of attention. But even more so Nanjing should not be forgotten," Wang said. "Victims deserve sympathy, but perpetrators should never shirk their responsibility." Like Us on Facebook Advertisement China claims that nearly 300,000 people died, and dozens of women were raped during the horrifying Nanjing massacre that was perpetuated by the rampaging Japanese army during the second Sino-Japan war. The massacre took place over the course of six weeks starting from December 13, 1937 in Nanjing city, the then capital city of China. China alleges that Japan has never publicly acknowledged the severe human right violations committed by the Japanese army during World War II. An allegation that Japan tends to always overlook, much to the dismay of the Chinese government and its people. Obama on Friday became first-ever sitting US president to visit Hiroshima, where America detonated a nuclear bomb in 1945. Following the incident, the world for the very first time witnessed the catastrophe unleashed by a nuclear bomb, leading to death of millions of people across the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, despite immense public pressure, Obama did not offer any public apology for the Hiroshima bombing. Many Japanese protesters were seen carrying placards and banners that read 'apologize.' Advertisement Tagschina, Nanjing Massacre, hiroshima, Obama, Chiana and Japan (Photo : Getty Images.) A leading state run Chinese newspaper said on Sunday that China does not envy the India-Iran Chabahar port deal. Advertisement China is not at all "jealous" of the historic Chabahar port deal between India and Iran, a Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times said on Sunday. The Chabahar port deal was signed earlier this week during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Iran. The deal was considered crucial for India to break away from China's encirclement or its much talked about "string of pearls" strategy. The deal also gives India a much-needed trade access to Central Asia, bypassing its arch rival Pakistan. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "It is clear that the improvement of infrastructure in Central Asia will also provide opportunities for Chinese multinational corporations, which hope to find potential overseas markets in the region." Global Times said in its article. "There is no reason for jealousy in China about a milestone deal signed between India and Iran." However, several reports in Indian media earlier last week completely contradicted Global Times article. Indian media claimed that China had tried to sabotage the Chabahar deal, and Beijing was almost successful in its pursuit. There were reports in India that a Chinese consortium had visited the Chabahar free trade zone and expressed a desire to develop a port and industrial town there. The timing of this visit was crucial as it came just ahead of Chinese President's Xi Jinping's visit to Iran in January. Indian media further claimed that officials from the Chinese consortium had also visited Chabahar in April, just a month before the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Iran. Indian analysts claim that had China been successful in snatching the Chabahar port project from India, then it would have been a huge boost to Beijing's goal to encircle India. Analysts say that China has already taken a step in that direction as it is currently building huge ports in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Advertisement Tagschina, Chabahar port deal, India and Iran, China and India, India (Photo : ESA/Rosetta/NavCam CC BY-SA IGO 3.0 ) It was during this flyby, on 28 March, that Rosettas ROSINA instrument made a detection of the amino acid glycine in the comets atmosphere, or coma. Advertisement Mission scientists behind the comet hunting Rosetta probe just announced that they have discovered some essential building blocks of life, making this a crucial discovery about how life flourished on Earth. Scientists from the European Space Agency now claim to have strong evidence about how life began on Earth after asteroids and comets smashed into the surface of the planet and created ideal conditions for life. In this new study, ESA engineers revealed that the Rosetta spacecraft detected some organic compounds from the cloud of gas that is enshrouding comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement These organic compounds are known as amino acid glycine which are essential for living organisms to produce proteins were already detected in the past from the Wild 2 comet back in 2006. This new discovery also confirms the presence of amino acid glycine in comet 67P, which is enough evidence that this is not coincidence. Unfortunately, the organic specimen from the Wild 2 comet became contaminated when it crashed into the Utah desert. According to principal investigator Kathrin Altwegg from ESA's ROSINA (Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis), this remarkable discovery of glycine in more than one comet reveals that neither Wild 2 nor comet 67P are exceptions, suggesting that these are important implications about the search for life on other exoplanets and star systems. Altwegg adds that amino acids can be found everywhere which means that life can possibly start in any place in the universe. Apart from these organic compounds, mission scientists also detected phosphorous from the comet's dust trail which is also an important element that is required by all living organisms. In September the Rosetta mission will finally come to an end, after two years investigating the unique terrain and composition of this comet, that provided crucial data about how the solar system evolved. Advertisement TagsESA, rosetta probe, comet 67P, building blocks of life comet rosetta, rosetta comet 67P home World Christian leaders visit Israel to gain insight into Israeli-Palestinian conflict Delegates from the National Baptist Convention of America are visiting Israel in order to gain insight into the conflict between Jews and Palestinians. "How do we hear what the Palestinians say, how do we hear what the Jews say, how can we partner with them both and help find the common ground to help them live in more peaceable society?" Rev. Samuel C. Tolbert Jr., president of the NBCA, told The Jerusalem Post. The delegation is composed of 26 leaders from the NBCA, and the educational trip is in partnership with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. IFCJ senior vice president Yael Eckstein said that a greater connection with Israel can be built by seeing the country and experiencing it. It is the third such trip in the past 12 months that the organization had organized. She said that the trip is part of IFCJ's effort to "build strategic friends and allies for the Jewish people both financially and politically," especially in light of the current global campaign Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement. The BDS Movement is meant to pressure Israel into complying with the campaign's goals, including ending its occupation of Palestinian land. "We are honored and humbled to host the NBCA in Israel," IFCJ founder and President Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein said. "This important educational mission will not only deepen the powerful connection between Christians and Jews and strengthen the African-American leadership's bonds with Israel, but will remind all of Israel, and the Jewish people, that we do not stand alone." Tolbert said that achieving more peace between Israelis and Palestinians would depend highly on the parties involved but, for his part, he found that the visit let him have a more positive view on what is happening in Israel. According to the report, the National Baptist Convention of America is the third largest African-American Christian denomination with 4,600 churches in the United States composed of roughly 3.5 million members, while the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is a philanthropic organization that aims to promote understanding between Christians and Jews. home Faith Christian pastor arrested by Hindu extremists for alleged forceful conversion in India A Christian pastor and two Christian women were put behind bars on Sunday, May 22, in Madhya Pradesh in Central India by a group of Hindu extremists on charges of forceful conversion and violations of a religious Indian Penal Code. Pastor V A Antony of the Brethren Church in Aber village, his wife Prabha, church member Praveen Choudhary, and the latter's four-year-old son Paarth, were driving in the pastor's car after the Sunday service when they were blocked by an SUV driven by four plain clothes policemen who asked the pastor to step out of his car, according to Barnabas Fund. "They stopped me after we had traveled about 5 kilometres, slapped me and then asked me to leave for Satna," Antony told Barnabas Fund. Antony recalled that he had met two of the four policemen seated in the car that same morning together with three Hindu extremists who accused him of forcing people to convert. He said the men told him "not to conduct Church service in the village, as there are no Christians here." The men only left when policemen intervened after they started shouting at him in "the vilest language." The SUV kept tailing Antony's car until they were joined by another car full of activists who belong to the Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a right-wing, Hindu nationalist, paramilitary, volunteer organization. The three Hindu extremists who met Antony that morning were also in the car. The Christians were taken to the Kotar police station where "a group of affluent senior political and religious leaders" from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal were already waiting. Charges were immediately filed against Antony, Prabha, and Choudhary for violations of Section 3/4 of the Religious Institutions Prevention of Misuse Act 1988 and Indian Penal Code section 295A that reads, "Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs." Paarth was handed to his father that night before the three spent jail time. Antony, Prabha, and Choudhary were released on bail on Tuesday, May 24. Antony claims that the Hindu extremists have already threatened him in two separate incidents before. In 2004, the extremists disrupted their worship service and beat up the church members. About three months ago, they threatened Antony to stop conducting church services in the village. home World Christian woman in Pakistan stands firm against blasphemy accusations to protect neighbors A Christian woman in Pakistan refused to leave her village even after she was accused of blasphemy. She stood firm because she did not want her Christian neighbors to become the targets of a mob. "If I flee, what would happen to my Christian neighbours and their houses?" Sonia Gill said, according to the World Watch Monitor. On May 16, Gill was accused of blasphemy by her neighbor, Sharjila Komal aka Poma, after seeing an advertising banner spread on the former's floor. Komal apparently claimed that the banner bore the name of Propher Mohammed, although it only had pictures and names of politicians. According to Gill, it was used during the local elections in November 2015, and since it was no longer of any use, the 23-year-old Christian decided to use it to cover their floor. "It was about 8 p.m., when about 70 people reached our home and demanded that the banner 'bearing sacred Islamic names' be handed over to them. I invited the prominent persons a who were about 18 in number a to come in and inspect the banners they believed bore the sacred name of the Prophet," narrated Sonia's brother, Shaukat Gill. "After seeing the banners, these angry protestors said that they were not satisfied and that they would consult among themselves in the nearby mosque." The people, who were led by Muslim cleric Khubaib Jalali, decided to discuss the matter at the Mosque Gulzar-e-Habib, but even though the mob had dispersed, Shaukat sensed that the mob could still attack them. He called the police, who arrived shortly and inspected the banner in question. They found nothing blasphemous in it. According to the report, Jalali still filed a complaint at the local police station and asked that the Gills' case be registered under Pakistan Penal Code Section 295-C. The section states that anyone found guilty of defiling the name of Mohammed, either directly or indirectly, would be penalized with a fine and either life imprisonment or death. The following day, the Gills were warned by Christian girls of what they heard in the street -- that there was a plan to once again hold a protest against them. "Several Christians and Muslims suggested that I should flee the place, but I said that if I did, angry protestors would harm other Christians and their property," Sonia narrated. "Whatever they want to do, they should do it to me and not to others." The matter was later resolved when Jalali withdrew the complaint. In a statement, he wrote that he investigated the matter and found that "no occurrence of blasphemy could be verified." The accusation is speculated to have stemmed from a grudge that Komal had with the Gills. Three years previously, Komal's Muslim sister-in-law eloped with the Gills' Christian cousin. A police case was filed against the man but was resolved when the woman returned to her family. The blasphemy accusation had caught the attention of a Punjab parliamentarian Mary Gill, who lauded the police for restoring law and order. But because this had been the second such incident in a month within the area, she raised her concern with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. "On the instructions of the Chief Minister, the matter was discussed in a high-powered cabinet meeting on 19 May," she said. "I suggested establishing a minorities' protection cell, where quick information about such incidents could be provided and law-enforcement agencies could be mobilised to deal with such situations. I am happy that the cabinet meeting decided on establishing a cell that could deal with such untoward situations." home World Egypt to discuss bill that could liberate restraints on church building Egyptian Christians are expectant as the Egyptian Parliament is scheduled to discuss a proposed bill that is believed to ease restraints on building of churches. A leaked file of the bill proposal revealed stipulations to the new church construction rules, as reported by Madamasr. According to the draft, heads of different churches can now submit requests to governors who should grant approval within 60 days or else the request will be approved automatically. The governor should state the reason for cases of rejection for which the church can appeal to the Administrative Court. The bill will also legalize unlicensed churches that were built at least five years ago. Rafic Greiche, spokesperson of the Catholic Church, thinks that the bill may still pose some problems. "For the Catholic Church, for example, there are a few unlicensed churches. The problem for the Orthodox Churches runs much deeper," Greiche told Madamasr and added, "The law also does not indicate the fate of churches for which licenses are rejected." At least, Greiche conceded, the church would only have to deal with governors based on the new law. "Would the new law put an end to security intervention in building churches?" asked Ishak Ibrahim, a researcher of religious freedoms at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights. Ibrahim worries that the same incidents under a 1934 rule would be repeated. In the said incidents, all 10 conditions for church construction were met but the state still refused to grant permission on basis of "security necessities." In 1934, then-Interior Minister Mohamed Ezaby Pasha added 10 more conditions to the already restrictive Islamic Law of Classical Islam from the Ottoman Empire in 1856. "Most of the churches were established through facilities provided by various governments, but the conditions of Pasha hindered the building of churches in many cases," head of the Evangelical Church in Egypt, Safwat al-Bayadi, told Al-Monitor. "Entire cities and villages in the countryside and in Upper Egypt don't have a single church." According to Barnabas Fund, Christians in rural areas are forced to meet in tents. A media spokesman of the Maspero Youth Union, Nader Shukri, also told Al-Monitor that Christians are forced to travel dozens of kilometers to other villages just to worship but radical Salafists prevent them from doing so, resulting in clashes and injuries. home US Arkansas church destroyed in fire A church in Poyen, Ark. was destroyed by fire on the night of May 24. Members of the Poyen Missionary Baptist Church, which was founded in 1889, now find themselves with no place for meetings and activities as their old building was engulfed in flames. Many of them are saddened by what happened. "It just kind of hurt. I was just really sad, there was nothing we could do. Satan was trying to win but Jesus is a lot stronger so I just got to keep the faith," 12-year old church member Nate Simmons said, according to TVH 11. Youth pastor James Green described the scenario when he rushed to the building after the pastor called him to say that the church was on fire. He said there was fire all over, coming out of the windows and even the back door. They couldn't do anything. "The smoke was so bad we had to go sit down because we were coughing. It was just too bad, there was nothing you could do," he said, according to the same report. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire. Although the fire devastated the church members, it has become a blessing in some way. The leaders of the church said they have outgrown the old building, and they have actually been raising funds for a new building months before the fire happened. Green said that the destruction of the old facility is a "minor setback to a major comeback." He said they may not understand why God allowed it to happen, but God has a purpose for everything. "We will move forward," Green said. County music artist Justin Moore, who attends Poyen Missionary Baptist Church, said he will help in the church's rebuilding efforts, KATV reported said. The church's around 200 members said they will go on with their plans despite having no place for gatherings. A 15-year-old youth group member emphasized that only the building was destroyed, not the real church, which is the people. "No matter what, we're still going to have church, even if it's in the parking lot," Kaitlyn Roberson said, THV 11 reported. The church announced through its Facebook page that the Sunday worship service will be held temporarily at the high school student union "until further notice." Sunday school will not be available. home Entertainment First Miss Trans Israel crowned in beauty pageant An Israeli Arab was crowned as the very first Miss Trans Israel on May 27, in a beauty pageant that claims it is promoting peace. "We can show the world that we are really for peace, this competition is for peace," 70-year-old pageant judge Efrat Tilma said, as quoted by NBC News. The country, according to the report, is one of the world's most transgender-friendly countries, and it welcomes not only men and women into the military but also transgenders. However, it was not always so. Tilma, having been one of the first openly transgender women in Israel, had to endure suffering back in the '60s. "It was 15 years after the Holocaust," Tilma narrated. "People were also busy with building Israel. And a problem like transgender ... was not on their agenda." She recalled having been raped twice and beaten by police because of her gender identity. Following her difficulties, she was later able to fulfill her dream to become "100 percent woman" and was able to marry and build a family. But while the country is liberal on transgenders, there are still some who are not able to accept it within their families. NBC News spoke to contestant Caroline Khouri, a nightclub belly dancer, who once got beaten by her family and left to starve until the police rescued her. She was able to find a life away from her relatives and found acceptance elsewhere. "My cousins, my father, my brother-in-law all came and beat me and took me by force and cut my hair, tied me to the bed and left me there for three days with no food," she said. "Here I don't feel Muslim, Jewish, Christian. All of the people are together and the transsexual [people], they love together." Eileen Ben Zakene, another contestant, ran away from home at 15 but is now accepted by her mother. Ta'alin Abu Hanna, meanwhile, said that although she is unable to live in Nazareth, a predominantly Arab city where her father and other members of the community reject her, she is still very grateful that she was born in Israel. "If I had not been in Israel and had been elsewhere a in Palestine or in any other Arab country a I might have been oppressed or I might have been in prison or murdered," Hanna said. "Israel indeed did help me in this ... and I am proud to be an Israeli Arab." The first Miss Trans Israel title, according to CBS News, went to Hanna, who was crowned in Israel's national theater in Tev Aviv. She will represent the country in Spain this August at the Miss Trans Star International pageant. home World Iona Christian community appeals for help to restore buildings A Christian community on the island of Iona off the western coast of Scotland is in dire need of help to have its buildings and utilities repaired, or it will be "unfit for purpose" in a number of years. The Iona Christian community, which was founded by soldier and famous Church of Scotland minister George MacLeod, said that the abbey needs major work including installing upgraded plumbing as well as electrical and heating systems. Although it was already repaired 50 years ago, the building has suffered from "piecemeal maintenance and sporadic upgrading of internal services" over the years, resulting in "patchwork repairs," the community told the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in a report. The Iona Christians emphasized that if these needs are not met immediately, the building's sustainability will be at great risk. "The impact of this on the island community of Iona would be catastrophic," the community's report further said. Visitors who go to the historically significant abbey cause damages to the old building. In 1994, for example, thousands of people flocked to the abbey to visit the grave of Labour Party leader John Smith. The Iona community is hoping to raise 1.5 million in donations for the repairs. However, by the end of 2015, it was only able to raise 275,000. "This is the most demanding challenge the Iona Community has faced since the rebuilding of the abbey itself," community leader Rev. Peter Macdonald said, according to Herald Scotland. The original Iona Abbey housed a monastic community founded by Irish monk Colomba. The building is made of stone and slate. To date, it has retained "a distinct monastic feel," something that guests look forward to when they visit. People who book accommodations at the abbey get to enjoy doing everyday tasks like preparing meals, and they also enjoy the community through activities like the breaking of bread. Through these simple activities, many relationships are formed, relationships that "cross cultural barriers," abbey director Rosie Magee said in the report. "Relationships are forged, sometimes unlikely ones, which cross cultural barriers and recognise our common search for significance and meaning in a hurting world," she said. home World Nigeria bill increasing Sharia Court jurisdiction passes second reading, sponsor claims it's to protect Christians A bill was passed in Nigeria that many have viewed to be an effort to expand the Islamic Sharia law across the secular country. However, the sponsor of the bill said that that is not its purpose; rather, it aims to protect Christians from being attacked. "We're not trying to expand the Sharia as other people perceive it that we're trying to take Sharia to other states that have not adopted Shari'a like Enugu or Abuja," said lawmaker Abdullahi Salame, as quoted by Premium Times. "No, we're not saying that we should expand Sharia. We're talking about the jurisdiction of the existing Sharia court." Salame explained that the proposed law would apply only to those areas that already have the Sharia legal system. It would expand the jurisdiction of their Sharia Court of Appeals from trying civil cases to also be able to try criminal cases. "I just want them to add only two words 'and criminal' to Sections 262 and 272 so that after the 'civil' there will be followed with 'and criminal' matters," he said. With the additions, those who target Christians and other non-Muslims would be deterred from continuing their unjust actions. Salame said that this change, should it become law, conforms to the APC party's agenda of improving security as it would help in the "peaceful co-existence between Muslim and non-Muslims in the states that practice Sharia." "With the passage of this bill, no Muslim will ever attempt even to harm, much less, kill non-Muslims, because you know Sharia can attend to criminal cases and you will be dealt with," he explained. "And, in Islam, when you kill a non-Muslim, you will be killed. These Boko Haram and other groups that hide behind any little crisis to attack Christians and other non-Muslims would be easily punished." According to the report, Christian groups have expressed their dismay at non-Muslim lawmakers who have allowed the bill to pass a second reading without debate. "We are still at a very early stage in the process," said Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity, according to This Day, "and Nigerians should not worry about bills of these nature as the House has shown over the years to be the protector of Nigerians' national unity and interest." The bill's long title reads: "A bill for an Act to alter Sections 262 and 277 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to increase the jurisdiction of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory and Sharia Court of Appeal of a State by including Criminal Matters and Hudud and Qisas and for other related Matters." home Faith Suicide bomber attacks Christian villages in Turkey Five people were killed after a suicide bomber attacked Christian villages in Turkey on Wednesday, May 25. According to Christian Today, a suicide bomber detonated the explosion at a checkpoint between Syriac Orthodox villages in southeastern Turkey and no more than 100 meters from St. Mary church in Hah, Tur Abdin. The church, known as Idto d'Yoldath- Kurds Aloho, its Turkish name, is reported to be the oldest existing church in the world and was built in memory of Jesus' mother. The site is believed to be the same place that the three Wise Men passed by as they traveled to visit the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Tur Abdin is then considered to be equally important as Jerusalem and the center of Syriac Orthodox Christianity. "Hah is my heart and soul... it is one of the most important places for our people in the world," Nuri Kino, an investigative journalist and founder of the advocacy group A Demand for Action, told Christian Today. He said the church has seen many wars and genocide but remained unscathed until Wednesday's attack when all of the church's windows were destroyed. Kino called for peace believing that no more blood should be shed no matter if they are of Turks, Kurds, or Assyrian/Syriac. "The inhabitants in our villages are vulnerable and we are pleading to the world to stop them from being hurt. Yesterday was a day of total shock for us, we are losing our people in Iraq and Syria and now this in Turkey," Kino appealed. "We are tired of tears, tired of being hurt in country after country. The people of Tur Abdin stand not alone." In a video report by CNN, Turkey is described to have seen a year of turmoil as the Turkish government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan simultaneously fights against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS). home US Thousands call for United Methodist Church to permit LGBT clergy A petition signed by more than 5,000 people calls for the United Methodist Church (UMC) to allow lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual (LGTB) people into the clergy. The petition also asks the UMC to allow same-sex marriage in the church. It says that the church is now threatened with division primarily because of its "punishment of LGBTQ persons and its allies." "Immediately stopping all such actions is the only way to ensure the work of the special commission has credibility and can work towards a solution or set of solutions that will finally mend The UMC," the petition, which was started by the Reconciling Ministers Network (RMN), reads. The issue was raised after the church's Council of Bishops announced on May 18 that it would form a special commission to study its law and doctrines, which are found in the Book of Discipline, and open up the possibility for its revision in light of questions on sexuality. At present, gay people cannot be ordained as ministers in the UMC. The church also does not recognize same-sex marriage. During the church's general conference, which was concluded on May 20, LGBT activists took the opportunity to push their agenda forward. They sought to discuss the Book of Discipline's "discriminatory language" against LGBT ministers in the hope of having such restrictions removed. Before the conference began, more than 100 UMC clergy came out as LGBT. In the surprising move, the group tried to show that having LGBT ministers is a reality in the church. The issue has brought the UMC "at a point of crisis," Matt Berryman, RMN's executive director and former UMC clergyman, told Christian Today, adding that it is causing a breakdown of the system. "The powers that be will need to come together to figure out a way to revise the present system to create new room for people to live and move and have their being in the Church," he said. An earlier petition also initiated by RMN was signed by more than 2,000 UMC clergy urging the church to stop "requiring" LGBT clergy to hide who they really are. "There is much in The Book of Discipline that is beautiful, life-giving, and grounded in scriptural holiness. But the current language prohibiting LGBTQI people from serving as ordained clergy is discriminatory, unjust, unChristlike, and inconsistent with both holy scripture and the best of our United Methodist heritage," the petition, which was written in support of UMC clergy who have come out as LGBT, reads. UMC leaders from Africa previously commented that the American UMC churches may be preaching a gospel differently from what they first received. Rev. Jerry Kulah from Monrovia commented that cultural Christianity has replaced Biblical Christianity in the United States, and this "baffles the mind" of someone who considers the Bible as the primary authority for faith, UMR reported. Lawmakers reject bill seeking to protect pastors who refuse to perform same-sex weddings in Louisiana A bill that aims to protect pastors who refuse to officiate in same-sex weddings has failed to gain the approval of lawmakers in Louisiana. House Bill 597 states that a legally recognised church or faith "may not be required by the state to solemnize a marriage, nor provide access to facilities, services, accommodations, goods, or privileges of the church, faith, or religious organization for a purpose related to the solemnization, formation, or celebration of the marriage, if the actions would be contrary to church doctrine, practice or in violation of the religious beliefs and principles of the clergy, church, or religious organization." State Rep. Mike Johnson, who introduced the bill, said the purpose of the measure "was to prevent the state from taking any adverse action against a member of the clergy, church or religious organization merely for abiding by their sincerely held religious beliefs," according to the Times-Picayune. He said the bill is needed after the U.S. Supreme Court legalised same-sex marriage in the country last year. Supporters of the bill include the Family Forum and a church clergy in Baton Rouge who testified for the bill. Johnson warned pastors who attended the committee hearing that they should expect the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Human Rights Coalition to come after them if they decline to perform gay weddings. ACLU Louisiana Director Marjorie Esman disputed this, saying, "we will always defend the rights of a clergy person not to do something against their faith." Stephen Perry, CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, said if the bill is passed, the state could suffer millions of dollars in losses in the tourism sector. "We believe we have today a potentially very damaging bill that takes a different twist on the law we have on the books now. We are in negotiations with corporations and associations all over the United States who are watching this and are very concerned," he said. Two Democrats opposed the bill, claiming it would also allow pastors to refuse officiating the wedding of interracial couples. Johnson denied this. "I'm not aware of any religious tradition in this state that is opposed to interracial marriage. I certainly don't know any clergy who would refuse to do that," he said. 'Prison Break' season 5 release date, cast: is there hope for Sara and Michael reunion? "Prison Break" season 5 won't see Michael (Wentworth Miller) and Sara (Sarah Wayne Callies) reunite right off the bat, according to a new report. It is being said that the reunion of the pair will be saved for the finale. Although the synopsis for the highly anticipated "Prison Break" revival hints that Sara will help Lincoln (Dominic Purcell) save Michael in Yemen, where he is incarcerated, she won't directly be a part of it. C-Note (Rockmond Dunbar) and Sucre (Amaury Nolasco) appear to be the only ones who will fly with Lincoln to Michael's location to get him out in "Prison Break" season 5. This suggests that there might not be any interaction between Michael and Sara in the initial episodes of "Prison Break" season 5. This, of course, makes sense since she can't suddenly leave her family behind. In "Prison Break" season 5, Sara is married to another man, but her feelings for Michael are still there. When the show ended in 2009, Sara was under the impression that the love of her life perished, and she seems to have done all she could to move on. Even in the trailer for "Prison Break" season 5, she was not convinced that Michael is actually out there and that he is alive. It will be interesting to see how their much-awaited meeting will play out. This is especially exciting because of all the complications hindering the two to get back together. Where they are in their life at the moment challenges the possibility of them being a couple again. It will be also intriguing what Sara will do now that Michael turns up alive, especially with the fact that she is now with someone else. Clearly, her love for him hasn't faltered one bit so this should make for a very tricky situation. "Prison Break" season 5 should also show how Michael will deal with the painful truth that there's a new man in Sara's life. At the moment, his plans are unclear with regards to him and Sara's relationship. "Prison Break" season 5 premieres sometime next year. Senior Church leaders - UK should stay in the EU The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Williams, is among a group of church leaders calling on the UK to stay as part of the European Union. Other senior voices include the Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan, the activist and Baptist Minister Steve Chalk and Baroness Butler-Sloss. The Christian leaders' intervention is apart of a winder intervention from faith leaders as the referendum vote draws near. The group has written to the Observer newspaper to express their hopes that the Remain side will triumph. Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh voices are also included. The letter reads, "Faith is about integration and building bridges, not about isolation and erecting barriers. As leaders and senior figures of faith communities, we urge our co-religionists and others to think about the implications of a Leave vote for the things about which we are most passionate. "The past 70 years have been the longest period of peace in Europe's history. Institutions that enable us to work together and understand both our differences and what we share in common contribute to our increased security and sense of collective endeavour. "What's more, so many of the challenges we face today can only be addressed in a European, and indeed a global, context: combating poverty in the developing world, confronting climate change and providing the stability that is essential to tackling the migration crisis. "We hope that when voting on 23 June, people will reflect on whether undermining the international institutions charged with delivering these goals could conceivably contribute to a fairer, cleaner and safer world." The Leave camapign hasn't yet commented on the faith leaders' intervention. 'Sherlock' season 4 spoilers: Sherlock and Watson in Morocco; will we see a familiar enemy's return? With season 4, "Sherlock" will be going to places it hasn't gone before. A report by HuffPost via Cultbox claims that the cast and crew are headed to Marrakesh, Morocco to shoot some scenes for the upcoming season. The filming for the first of four episodes of "Sherlock" season 4 was done in Cardiff in Wales. The second installment is being filmed there as well. After that, lead stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are expected to fly to Morocco for the next phase of the "Sherlock" season 4 production. A new setting certainly presents exciting opportunities for "Sherlock" season 4. It remains to be seen how the change in location will impact the show, although it may be most evident in the storytelling aspect. Things have been moving fast filming-wise, seeing that 50 percent of the shoot is almost complete. This makes it more likely that a Christmas premiere of "Sherlock" season 4 is in the offing instead of early 2017. Meanwhile, in the second episode of "Sherlock" season 4, "Captain America" star Toby Jones will appear as a villain to Sherlock (Cumberbatch) and Watson (Freeman). "I'm excited and intrigued by the character I shall be playing in Sherlock," Jones said in the press release announcing his casting. The actor will play the role of "one of Doyle's finest villains," as series co-creator, writer and executive producer Steven Moffat put it. According to Digital Spy, he might play the role of Moriarty's (Andrew Scott) right-hand man Colonel Sebastian Moran. Deemed as the second most dangerous man in London, Moran will be a likely character to appear in "Sherlock" season 4 since the third season has already foreshadowed the possible comeback of Moriarty himself. On the other hand, "Sherlock" co-creator, writer and executive producer Mark Gatiss has been posting photos of the back of cast members to indicate that they are back on the set. The latest two he posted appears to be that of Molly (Louise Brealey) and Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs). Transgender male war vet sues California barbershop for refusing to cut his hair, citing religious beliefs A transgender male war veteran has filed a lawsuit against a barbershop in California after it refused to cut his hair. Kendall Oliver, an Army reserve sergeant who served in Afghanistan and who was born female but identifies as male, sued The Barbershop in Rancho Cucumonga after the shop denied his request for a haircut last March. "What I'm looking for today is to make sure this never happens again to someone else," Oliver told NBC 4 Southern California. Shop owner Richard Hernandez said he refused to cut Oliver's hair due to his religious beliefs. "I have religious convictions that prevent me from cutting women's hair," said Hernandez, who belongs to the Church of God. He said his religious beliefs prevent him from cutting woman's hair even though it's from a transgender. He added that "it is a shame for a man to have long hair. But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory," citing Corinthians 11:15. "I don't want to be one who's taking away from her glory," Hernandez said. But Oliver said the issue is about equal rights. "Freedom of religion is important and it's protected," said lawyer Peter Renn of Lambda Legal, which works on behalf of LGBT rights. "What it doesn't do is give anyone the right to cause harm to someone else, or for one person to inflict their religious beliefs on someone else." Hernandez explained that when "people go against what God has created, you start getting everything all out of whack." Legal scholar Michael Helfand said the odds of the barber to implement such policy is extremely low and unless the owner managed the shop as a private club, it is considered public accommodation and cannot discriminate on the basis of sex. He said unlike other states, California does not have a religious freedom law. "In those states, he might have a fighting chance. In those states, a law that prohibited him from implementing his religious beliefs in his commercial enterprisesuch a law might be deemed to actually substantially burden his religion, and therefore he'd be protected," Helfand said. US forces on the front line in Iraq in push against IS U.S. servicemen were seen by a Reuters correspondent near the frontline of an offensive launched on Sunday by Kurdish Peshmerga forces in northern Iraq that aims to retake a handful of villages from Islamic State east of their Mosul stronghold. The U.S. servicemen were seen loading armored vehicles outside the village of Hassan Shami, a few miles east of the frontline. U.S. Army Colonel Steve Warren, the spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition in Baghdad said: "U.S. and coalition forces are conducting advise and assist operations to help Kurdish Peshmerga forces." Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the early hours of Sunday launched an attack to capture a group of villages located about 20 km (13 miles) east of Mosul alongside the road to the Kurdish capital, Erbil. Gunfire and airstrikes could be heard at a distance, while Apache helicopters flew overhead. "The importance of liberating these villages is that it's a first step getting closer to Mosul," a Kurdish officer, Akram Mohammed, said in Hassan Shami. "It's also to push ISIS threat away from the Kurdish area," he said, referring to one of the acronyms of Islamic State, the hardline Sunni militants who seized large amounts of territory in Syria and Iraq two years ago. Vermont becomes 5th U.S. state to ban gay conversion therapy; governor says treatment is 'absurd,' widely discredited Vermont became the fifth U.S. state to ban gay conversion therapy following the signing into law of such a bill by Gov. Peter Shumlin on Wednesday. The new law prohibits reparative therapy for minors suffering from same-sex attraction, also known as "conversion therapy," regardless of whether a young person's same-sex attraction is unwanted and without regard for parents' desires in the matter. The same measure is already in effect in California, Illinois, New Jersey and Oregon. In signing the law, Shumlin claimed that "it's absurd to think that being gay or transgender is something to be cured of." He said conversion therapy has been widely discredited by the scientific community, citing a 2015 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which "found that variations in sexual orientation and gender identity are normal, and that conversion therapies or other efforts to change sexual orientation or gender identity are not effective, are harmful, and are not appropriate therapeutic practices." "Conversion therapy to me is tantamount to child abuse," said Melissa Murray of Outright Vermont, according to LifeSiteNews. Xavier Persad of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) said the Vermont law is needed to educate people about conversion therapy. On the other hand, those who support conversion therapy say the complaints against the treatment are false. "Outlawing the therapies that help some people with same-sex attractions or gender-identity conflicts is, at its very heart, unjust. The civil liberty of individuals to choose therapies should be protected and preserved, not crushed by lawyers," wrote author and speaker Walt Heyer in LifeSite News. Heyer, who has admitted having undergone sex-change surgeries twice, said he later found out that the "lifesaving solution for me was therapy and restoration of my birth gender." Heyer said he knew of gays, lesbians and transgenders who shared similar experiences. "Years of pain had turned many of our lives upside down. By turning to therapies, we healed the shame and deep hurt so that the pain no longer drives us to unwanted behaviors," he said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate At least one shooter opened fire on police officers and residents in west Houston on Sunday morning, leaving one person dead, two police officers wounded and three others injured. The main active shooter was also killed by a SWAT officer at the scene, which unfolded at 13200 Memorial at 10:15 a.m. A second man armed at the scene, who was initially thought to be a second shooter, was also wounded but was expected to live. Houston police are interviewing him at an area hospital and trying to ascertain his role in the incident. The shooting occurred at Memorial Drive Tire & Auto Center. A fire at a gas station across the street may have started when a stray bullet struck a gas pump, said interim Houston Police Chief Martha Montalvo at a press conference Sunday afternoon. Armed with an AR-15 and a pistol, the main suspect left five bullet holes in a police helicopter circling over the active shooting scene. The shooters forced the quiet, leafy residential neighborhood off Memorial into lockdown mode as police and SWAT officers secured the area. One Precinct 5 constable's deputy was released after being shot in the hand by a suspect. Another deputy was saved by his bullet proof vest after he was struck in the chest by one of the suspect's bullets. A man in his 50s died at the scene after being shot to death in his car, said Houston police spokesman John Cannon. Three other victims were transported to area hospitals for their injuries. A motive was not immediately clear, Montalvo said. The shooters have not yet been identified, nor have any of the victims. Police went door to door in the neighborhood, interviewing witnesses and ensuring all victims were accounted for, Montalvo said. The shootout left the residents of the normally quiet, family-friendly Wilchester neighborhood feeling shaken and shocked. Sean Stone, 49, lives in a small cul-de-sac on Pebblebrook off Wilcrest, where the SWAT team stationed their vehicles and team members. When he started hearing gunfire, Stone was inside his home. At first he didn't recognize the what was happening, but the sound of the second round of shots was "plain as day." He shepherded his family into the home's interior, away from the windows. He saw a swarm of police officers, but he was still worried about the assailant running in the area on foot. "I was scared for my family," Stone said. "It was pretty unnerving." By late afternoon, yellow tape surrounded his neighbor's home. He said SWAT officers had entered earlier because the house had a clear view of the gunmen. Stone, the director of a conservation organization, said the incident was uncharacteristic for a residential neighborhood that sees very little crime. "It's phenomenal," he said of the area. "We live in the bubble." Across the street, Bill Schwartz witnessed some of the shootout first hand. He and his wife passed the tire center on their way home from church at 10:10 a.m. They chatted about how they might get their car detailed there soon. Schwartz, 62, said they saw a shirtless man with tattoos, who he later realized was one of the gunmen. Another man had his hands up. When the couple heard a loud pop, at first they thought it was a blown tire. Then more gunfire ensued, sounding almost like firecrackers, Schwartz's wife remarked to him. When they returned to their home of 25 years, officers told them to go inside. When Schwartz emerged later, he was told one of the suspects had been shot but the other was still actively firing at officers. Schwartz said his wife was afraid. He wished he could assist somehow. "I was trying to see what I could do," he said. "But we're not armed." A retired staffer from Houston's Parks and Recreation department, Schwartz said he later learned from a friend in the Houston Police Department that a helicopter had landed in a nearby parking lot after it was hit by multiple bullets. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Volunteers with the Houston SPCA have rescued six horses endangered by high waters Friday and Saturday in northwest Harris County. "We walked out two horses from a location where they were belly deep in the water," said Barbara Downen, an animal cruelty investigator with the organization. "Today we did need to swim some horses out behind the boat." Volunteers also moved a donkey and miniature horse to higher ground. All of the animals were in good health, Downen said. READ MORE: Harris, Fort Bend counties call for evacuations amid flooding; death toll rises The rescues follow a much larger incident from last month's Tax Day Floods, when rescuers tried to extricate 75 terrified horses from high water at the Cypress Trails Equestrian Center in Cypress Creek. Of those, 70 were rescued. One died, and another four went missing. The more recent rains also hammered Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch near The Woodlands, said MG Tindall, the ranch CEO. The ranch offers therapeutic horseback riding lessons for children. Saturday she noticed some areas are starting to drain, but people living toward the back of the neighborhood near Spring Creek were having trouble with rising water, she said. READ MORE: Cattle flee floodwaters, block U.S. 290 After the April 18 floods, Tindall looked forward to returning to their summer schedule the Tuesday after Memorial Day, but after Thursday and Friday's rain she expects to delay lessons about a week. While the ranch had $100,000 worth of damage from the April deluge, Tindall estimates this round of heavy rain will likely cost between $20,000 to 30,000. "It's not as severe as last time," she said. "We had to tear out our feed room and pack room, and there's all the stuff that's floated everywhere, out in the woods," she said. Last time, their riding arena washed away. This time, most of the structure stayed in place. The ranch still has water in the back two paddocks, but the front section of the ranch near Glen Loch Drive has cleared, she said. They hope to bring back the horses to the ranch Monday or Tuesday. She relocated them to a friend's property Thursday afternoon before the rain intensified. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Inmates at a state prison unit in Navasota got into a brawl on Saturday night after flooding led to a power outage, officials said. Local law enforcement agencies responded to the Luther Unit, off FM 2, shortly after 10 p.m. when the power went out. The unit, which houses about 1,300 prisoners, had been operating on generators since flooding swept the area on Thursday and Friday. The outage occurred when the generator began experiencing mechanical issues. Shortly after the unit went dark at 9:55 p.m., a fight broke out among inmates and correctional officers. The altercations unfolded when some offenders "refused to comply with orders" and return to their housing areas, said Jason Clark, a TDCJ spokesman. Correctional officers incapacitated some inmates with "chemical agents" during the altercation, which was resolved by 11 p.m. It was unclear exactly how many inmates and prison officials were involved in the incident. Clark estimated that 50 inmates or less were involved. Three inmates were transported to the hospital, Clark said. One inmate required stitches and two others were transported with unrelated medical issues, he said. No correctional officers were injured. No prisoners escaped during the incident, and "there was no public safety threat," Clark said. RELATED: About 2,600 inmates evacuate Houston-area prisons in anticipation of flooding About a dozen officials from Grimes County, Waller County and the Texas Department of Public Safety secured the perimeter of the prison and provided lighting, said Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell. The outside agencies were called in as a "precautionary measure" due to the power failure, Clark said. Additional TDCJ staff from the JW Hamilton and Wallace Pack units and the agency's regional office also responded to Luther Unit. The situation may have been exacerbated by tensions that arose when the generators failed, Sowell said. "I don't know if that compounded frustrations, that they didn't have any power or TV or what," said Sowell, who was on the scene until 1:30 a.m. "That's what some of them were talking about." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A 31-year-old former Methodist church day care worker in Fredericksburg was indicted earlier this month on more than a dozen sexual crimes against children, according to online jail records. Seth McCague Batterton was initially booked into jail in late April on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, but was charged May 16 with 14 other charges, including one count of indecency with a child through sexual contact, one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, one count of sexual assault and 11 counts of sexual assault of a child. The alleged offense dates go back as far as November 2009, according to online jail records. RELATED: Award-winning Judson ISD teacher charged with indecency with child Batterton worked for the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church in an unknown capacity, but was fired promptly after accusations were made against him, according to KXAN. Fredericksburg police told KXAN a child made an outcry at her school on April 19, telling officials that Batterton touched her inappropriately. During the investigation into this claim, another child said on April 21 that Batterton had tickled her genitalia while she was staying at the churchs day care, the TV station reported. Batterton denied the allegations made by the first child who made an outcry, but confirmed he worked at the day care. RELATED: Texas superintendent: Math teachers alleged sexual abuse is schools worst type of nightmare' The churchs pastor, George Lumpkin, said in an interview with KXAN he was shocked by the accusations made against the member and former employee of his church. Ive been his pastor and had conversations with him, so no red flags, nothing that I encountered that would make me even have a hint that maybe something like this would happen, Lumpkin told the news station. The director of the churchs Child Development Center, Amy ONeal, resigned April 26. Its unknown if her resignation was connected to the accusations against Batterton, The Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post reports. RELATED: San Antonio-area teacher arrested on child porn charges The Fredericksburg newspaper also reports the Child Development Center has voluntarily closed, effective May 26, following the charges against Batterton. Investigators believe there could be more victims who have not come forward. The Fredericksburg Police Department is asking for more information regarding this case by calling 830-997-7585. twhite@mysa.com Twitter: @tylerlwhite 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. Women in Online Work program pentru femeile care isi doresc sa munceasca in companii internationale, de la biroul de acasa Giorgio Albertazzi, Italian Theater Actor and Film Director, Dies at Age 92 Giorgio Albertazzi, Italian actor and film director, has died at age 92. The artist was a pioneer of Italian film, a renowned thespian and recording artist. Albertazzi had a role in over 50 motion pictures and performed in numerous stage and screen theater productions. As an actor, he performed often in Shakespeare's plays and collaborated with many of Italy's most prolific directors. Albertazzi debuted on stage in 1949 in Troilus and Cressida, directed by Luchino Visconti. The artist also worked with The Taming of the Shrew director Franco Zeffirelli. Mid-century, Albertazzi directed a respected group of Italian films. Some of his most revered screen productions include 1962's Eva, an Italian-French drama starring Stanley Baker and Jeanne Moreau, and White Nights from 1957, based on the Fyodor Dostoevsky short story. The actor was particularly aligned with the title role of Memoirs of Hadrian, based on the book by French writer Marguerite Yourcenar. He played the role more than 1,000 times into his 90s, only debuting in the part at the age of 66. In a Chicago Sun Times retrospective piece on the artist, Albertazzi was quoted poetically summarizing his life's work in relation to his role as Hadrian: "Doing it, I also speak of myself," Albertazzi said when he was 90. "After all, I feel -- a lot -- the end of beauty that is consumed, that runs through the text, that seizes the moment in which the harmony of body and mind breaks and enters in conflict." U.S. News & World Report featured a fellow director praising Albertazzi's accomplishments: "He was the greatest Italian actor," said Gigi Proietti, who directed Albertazzi in Falstaff. '"The public knew that very well, and perhaps he, too, was conscious of having the task of being the last of the greats" of the 1900s. The artist died in his home of Tuscany on Saturday. The entire country was in a state of mourning for Albertazzi this weekend, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella even offered his condolences. We want to hear from you. Let us know what you think in the comments section below. 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TagsGiorgio Albertazzi ambulance.jpg An Akron woman was killed Friday in a motorcycle crash in Summit County. (File photo) SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- An Akron woman died after she crashed her motorcycle into a tree Friday evening in Summit County. Correction: The State Highway Patrol misidentified the person who died in the crash. The story has been corrected with the correct identification. Michelle Candle, 39, died in the crash on Killian Road near Plymouth Drive in Springfield Township, Summit County Medical Examiner's Office said. Candle was eastbound on a 2005 Harley Davidson when she failed to negotiate a curve. She went off the right side of the road and hit a tree, the Highway Patrol said in a news release. She was not wearing a helmet at the time. Candle died after paramedics took her to a hospital for treatment. Neither drugs nor alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash, the Highway Patrol said. The crash is still being investigated. If you would like to comment on this story please visit the crime and courts comments section. BROOK PARK, Ohio -- Monarch butterflies are not extinct, but they could be soon if people fail to take immediate and appropriate action. That is the sentiment expressed by Brook Park Ward 3 Councilwoman Jan Powers as she seeks to pass a resolution to encourage residents to plant milkweed and other sources of nectar on their properties. Powers, who chairs the city's aviation and environmental committee, introduced at the May 24 caucus meeting a resolution that states the Monarch butterfly "is being considered for listing on the endangered species list." The legislation goes on to urge residents to create way stations where Monarchs can feed during their Mexico/Canada migration, thus preserving their dwindling population. "Monarch butterflies could be extinct within the next few years," said Powers, a member of the Sierra Club and other environmental groups, in an interview. "We have sprayed so many pesticides, it's a wonder that any of us are still living." She went on to explain why milkweed is so important to the Monarch butterfly. "Monarchs don't survive without it," Powers said. "That's their nursery. Their eggs are attached to milkweed, and the caterpillars feed off that until they eventually become butterflies. Then the butterflies can feed off of any flower that's out there." According to Monarch Watch, other nectar-producing butterfly favorites include zinnias, dahlias, purple coneflowers, Joe-Pye weeds and scarlet sage. Powers said milkweed seeds can be purchased at local stores and nurseries. She told council she hopes to establish a program in local elementary and middle school classrooms and have the city participate as well by planting milkweed and Buddleia, also known as the butterfly bush, along city-owned fences and vacant fields. "It's easy to do if you just set aside a spot to put some plants in," Powers said. "Any time you put them in is good." A motion to place the resolution on council's June 7 agenda passed unanimously. 29DARCY-VA2.jpg VA Secretary Robert McDonald downplayed wait times at the VA comparing them to lines at Disney parks. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- One week before Memorial Day, Veteran Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald created a bipartisan firestorm when he downplayed VA wait times by comparing them to lines at Disney parks. During a Christian Science Monitor media breakfast, McDonald asked, "When you go to Disney, do they measure the number of hours you wait in line? What's important is what's your satisfaction with the experience." Actually, Disney does measure the number of hours you wait in line. A Disney representative told the Independent Journal Review that, " A large team of highly trained industrial engineers are tasked with improving our guest's experiences, from transportation, to guest flow, to ride comfort and certainly wait times." Senator John McCain called McDonald's comment,"outrageous and completely inappropriate." Pointing to data showing that nearly 500,000 veterans waited more than 30 days for care, McCain said, "Our veterans aren't in line for a theme park ride - they are in desperate need of timely access to quality medical treatment." Illinois Rep. Tammy Duckworth lost her legs while serving in Iraq. In a statement she said that "comparing abhorrent wait times to a trip to Disneyland is unbelievably tone-deaf and hurtful to American heroes desperately in need of care." A 2015 report by the VA's Inspector General found over 300,00 deceased people listed in the agency's data base as having pending care status. Because of poor record keeping, the IG can't confirm that means 300,000 veterans died awaiting care. But while the actual number may be undetermined, no one debates veterans really did die while on waiting lists for care.. There have been no reports, that I know of, of people dying while waiting to board Disney rides like "Dumbo the Flying Elephant." The question I have is not what was McDonald thinking? It's why is McDonald even still in his position after he was caught falsely claiming to be a member of the Special Forces last year? In February 2015, McDonald apologized for telling a homeless veteran he had been a member of the Special Forces. McDonald claimed he had made the comment in an effort to relate to the veteran who had been a member of the Army's Special Forces. McDonald graduated from West Point in 1975. He served five years in the Army, primarily in the 82 Airborne division, before leaving the Army in 1980 as a Captain. McDonald should next be leaving his VA post to play Goofy or Dopey at Disney's parks. Who do you think Obama is more likely to name his "Employee of the Month" -- McDonald, TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger or recently removed TSA Head of Security, Kelly-$90,000 bonus- Hoggan? ambulance.jpg An Elyria woman was killed and her husband seriously injured Saturday afternoon in a Lorain County motorcycle crash, authorities said. (File photo) EATON TOWNSHIP, Ohio - An Elyria woman was killed and her husband seriously injured Saturday afternoon in a Lorain County motorcycle crash. Deanna M. Schill, 36, was the passenger on the motorcycle at the time of the accident. She was taken by paramedics to University Hospitals St. John Medical Center, where she died, a news release from the state highway patrol's Elyria post states. Her husband, 40-year-old Rusty A. Schill, was driving the motorcycle. He was taken to MetroHealth with "incapacitating injuries," the release states. He is currently in serious but stable condition. Rusty Schill was driving his 1996 Harley-Davidson eastbound on Ohio Route 10 near the Ohio Route 83 exit when the motorcycle's rear tire blew out. The bike overturned, and the couple was thrown from the motorcycle, the release says. Neither rider was wearing a helmet at the time of crash, according to the state highway patrol. Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the accident. No other vehicles were involved in the incident. If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the Cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. MEDINA, Ohio -- They pulled up in cars, buses and limos. All were dressed in their best and anxious to dance, dine and just be together. They were juniors and seniors from North Royalton High School celebrating prom at Weymouth County Club. This year's prom theme was "Night on the Town." Decorations were modeled after Cleveland landmarks like Terminal Tower, Key Tower and West Side Market. Are you going to prom this year? We want to see your photos! Show off your prom photos as you step out in your gowns and tuxedos and head off to prom. E-mail photos to sendphoto@cleveland.com, upload them using the instructions below, use the cleveland.com iPhone & Android apps, or on Instagram use the tag #CleProm. Please include the full names of the people in your photo, their community and where the photo was taken. We also need to know who took the picture. The best photos may also be published in The Plain Dealer, Sun News or featured online at cleveland.com/prom. Uploading Instructions 2. Sign-in to your cleveland.com profile or get a new one here. Start the upload process by going to this page:photos.cleveland.com/photogallery/upload.html. When filling out your information, please choose "Prom 2016" (it's near the top of the drop-down list). Check out past prom photos in the Prom Archive, 2013 Prom galleries, 2014 Prom photos and 2015 Prom photos. Police Tape 2 A Lakewood man has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting early Saturday on Cleveland's East Side. (File photo) CLEVELAND, Ohio - A Lakewood man has been identified by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office as the victim of a fatal shooting early Saturday on Cleveland's East Side. Daryl Brown, 30, was shot in the buttocks about 1:30 a.m. in the area of East 69th Street and Chambers Avenue in Cleveland's South Broadway neighborhood, police said. He was taken to MetroHealth, where he died. Residents of the neighborhood called 911 after hearing gunshots, police said. Officers arrived and found Brown in the street. A suspect has not yet been identified, and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Cleveland police's homicide unit at 216-623-5464. If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the Cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. police officers.jpg Cleveland police are investigating a shooting near a park overnight Friday that injured one man. (File photo) CLEVELAND, Ohio - A 23-year-old Maple Heights man was shot after approaching a fight at a Cleveland park, police say. Cleveland police spoke with the man at South Pointe Hospital after he was transported there by a friend, police said. He suffered one gunshot wound to his thigh. The man told officers that he was at Gawron Park, at the intersection of East 136th Street and Harvard Avenue in the city's Corlett neighborhood, when he observed a fight. He approached the fight, and several people drew weapons and began shooting, police said. The victim was shot once and lay on the ground until the shooting stopped, police said. His friend took him to the hospital shortly after the shooting. It's unclear what time the shooting took place. No suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made. The investigation into the incident continues. If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the Cleveland.com crime and courts comment section. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Family and alumni gathered Sunday to honor six Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School alumni who lost their lives serving in the military during the Vietnam War. There were more than 100 people in attendance when the school held a dedication ceremony for its new veterans memorial located in a courtyard on school grounds. The memorial honors all alumni who served but includes plaques for six who lost their lives during the Vietnam War: Marine Corps Pfc. Raymond Chasser - Class of 1965 Army 1 Army Spec. 4 Robert Jindra - Class of 1965 Army Pfc. Robert Murphy Jr. - Class of 1964 Marine Corps. Cpl. Steven Mylant - Class of 1964 Army Maj. John Petric - Class of 1955 Each of the six was killed within a two-year period from May 15, 1967 to March 2, 1969. "We do not think of them as being gone from us but as having been transferred to a better place," Class of 1967 alumnus and U.S. Navy veteran Michael Strainic said during the ceremony. "We need to show our gratitude and never forget all those who have given their all." Family members in attendance said they were grateful the school honored the six men. "I'm very grateful to the school and everyone involved in honoring the sacrifice they made," said Tim Chasser, who is Raymond's younger brother. "Everyone in our family misses him. This is a good way to remember him." Other family members echoed his sentiments. "It's an outstanding feeling," David Jindra said. "It means so much that they're honoring not only my brother's legacy but the others' legacies, too." The memorial has been in the works for 18 months and was paid for through donations, VASJ volunteer Jim Tobin said. Retired Army Lt. Col. Gary Minadeo, who now teaches at VASJ, also singled out recent graduates who will be serving in the military. Former Euclid Mayor William Cervenik -- who will be assuming the role of the school's president on July 1 -- said he is thankful for the sacrifices made by all the school's veterans. Cervenik also said he hopes the memorial will remain unchanged moving forward. "I certainly hope we never have to add another plaque for a man or woman who gives their life for their country," he said. Not Your Father's Root Beer Source: Small Town Brewery Last year, hard soda took the beer business by surprise, even as questions surfaced about how long the alcoholic soda variants could keep the momentum going. Would they quickly fizzle out? Yet as the key summer beer-selling season gets underway, the category shows no signs of slowing down. A multitude of new brands have entered the market in the last six months, pushing hard soda's off-premise dollar sales above $100 million through the middle of April, Chicago-based market research firm IRI estimates. Those figures measure sales at multioutlet and convenience stores. The leader in sales remains Small Town Brewery's Not Your Father's Root Beer, which started the hard soda trend after its national rollout last June. According to IRI, Not Your Father's Root Beer has tallied $36 million in dollar sales through April 17, doubling up the next-best-selling brand in that time period: Anheuser-Busch InBev's Best Damn Root Beer. Not Your Father's strong start to the year comes after it generated more than $104 million in total dollar sales in 2015. "It has been an incredible ride," said Greig DeBow, president of Small Town Brewery. "We were completely overwhelmed and excited by the response." While Small Town actually brewed its first batch of hard root beer in 2012, it was a partnership last year with Pabst brewing that rocketed the label to nearly instant success. After rolling out a limited distribution in March, Pabst took Not Your Father's Root Beer nationwide last June. By July, the brand had cracked the top-30-selling craft beer brands and finished the year among the top-10 best-selling craft beer brands overall. It outsold craft stalwarts like New Belgium's Fat Tire, Lagunitas' India Pale Ale and Samuel Adams' Boston Lager. "The timing was right. It really tapped into a desire among consumers for new and interesting flavored craft brews," said DeBow. "We're thrilled that it struck a chord with so many people." Its clear that weve hit on something that is really appealing to people. Greig DeBow president, Small Town Brewery Last summer, Small Town largely had the hard soda category to itself. Yet this year brings a number of new players to the space looking to tap into the trend. In addition to Anheuser's Best Damn Root Beer and Best Damn Cherry Cola, at least 39 other hard soda brands have entered the fray, according to IRI data. These include MillerCoors' Henry's Hard Ginger Ale and Henry's Hard Orange, and Boston Beer Company's Coney Island Brewing Hard Root Beer, Hard Ginger Ale and Hard Orange Cream ales. The increased competition, along with bigger marketing and distribution that come with it, has led beer-industry watchers to suggest 2015's banner year could be the start of something even bigger. "There probably is more consumer awareness now that the Not Your Father's product has been out for a year," said Chris Furnari, editor of beer-industry trade publication Brewbound.com. However, he believed that "consumers are just getting introduced to the fact alcoholic root beer or hard soda exists." Furnari added: "You'll probably see similar trends this summer as you did last year, maybe not quite the gangbuster sales from that initial debut, but I think it's still going to continue to grow this summer." The hard soda category, while still a small part of the overall beer business, has grown quickly enough that it's already more than 1 percent of total beer category dollar sales. That is only slightly behind total cider's share of 1.2 percent, IRI noted. The category's quick rise has helped quell initial skepticism about the overall viability of the category, at least in the short term. "When Not Your Father's first rolled out, there was a little bit of a shock value to it [among] industry folks that questioned how long it could last," said Furnari. "Now that there are these healthy trends for a full year, the skepticism has subsided a bit. Retailers are starting to give it more space on the shelf and take it seriously." Not Your Father's Ginger Ale Source: Small Town Brewery Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will undergo open heart surgery in London on Tuesday, his family and office said, in what will be his second cardiac operation in five years. Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif said on her official Twitter account that the surgery would be for "perforation of the heart", a complication from an earlier procedure in 2011. "Prayers are the most effect & potent medicine. Millions will pray for him," she tweeted late Friday night. Nawaz Sharif, leader of political party Pakistan Muslim League-N Getty Images A statement from the Sharif's office on Saturday said the prime minister was continuing to oversee state affairs in the days before his surgery. "It is however natural and understandable that the Prime Minister will be off from any activities when [he] is actually operated on by the doctors," the statement said. "God willing soon after the surgery, the Prime Minister will be supervising State's affairs with the same spirit and energy." Sharif has frequently traveled abroad for medical treatment in the past year. His last public statements were on Sunday, after the U.S. drone strike that killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in the Pakistani province of Baluchistan, an attack Sharif condemned as a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Sharif well on Saturday. "My best wishes to PM Nawaz Sharif Sahab for his open heart surgery on Tuesday. And for his speedy recovery & good health," said a tweet from Modi, who made a surprise visit to Sharif in December as a gesture of conciliation between the two nuclear-armed rival states. US Coins Oct 21, 2022, 8 AM For the first time in nearly three decades a new die marriage for the Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle half dime has been discovered, and it is certified by PCGS as About Good Details, Holed. The designs shown will be what will appear on the obverse and reverse of the Enhanced Uncirculated 2016-S Native American $1 coin in the 2016 American $ Coin and Currency set. Illustrated is the version with Uncirculated Mint set finish. An Enhanced Uncirculated 2016-S Native American $1 coin struck at the San Francisco Mint will be the featured coin in the 2016 American $1 Coin and Currency set to go on sale by the U.S. Mint beginning at noon Eastern Time June 16. The U.S. Mint had not yet disclosed as of May 27 how many of the 2016 sets will be offered, at what price and whether there will be any household ordering restrictions. The Mint has also not disclosed details on the $1 Federal Reserve note that will be included in the set. Connect with Coin World: 2016 will be the third consecutive year the Mint will issue an American $1 Coin and Currency set with an Enhanced Uncirculated Native American dollar struck at a different Mint production facility. The different finishes on the coins were produced on the dies by various methods, including the use of wire-brush and laser-frosting techniques. The 2014 set contains an Enhanced Uncirculated 2014-D Native American dollar struck at the Denver Mint while the 2015 set contains an Enhanced Uncirculated 2015-W dollar struck at the West Point Mint. That leaves just the Philadelphia Mint to execute an Enhanced Uncirculated Native American dollar for a future American $1 Coin and Currency set, if the Mint chooses to issue one in 2017. The 2014 and 2015 sets were also each combined with a $1 Federal Reserve note. They sold for $13.95 and $14.95, respectively, per set. The 2014 issue of 50,000 sets sold out and is now bringing a premium. Sales for the 2015 set were increased to 90,000 sets maximum, with sales as of the May 22, 2016, sales report at 88,233. The 2015 set is still being offered by the U.S. Mint. In 1964 Japan hosted the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. To handle the large influx of people visiting and traveling throughout the country for the Olympics, Japan developed a bullet train, named Shinkansen. Although originally built for the Tokyo Olympics, the Shinkansen bullet train continued operation and in fact was expanded to multiple train lines. Over the past 50 years these high speed trains have been become proud symbols of Japans vast infrastructure and technological progress. The Shinkansen trains not only help travelers move around Japan quickly and easily, but they also support the daily lives of the Japanese people. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the first Shinkansen bullet train, the Japan Mint will strike five legal tender 100 Yen coins in 2015 - the first commemorative 100 yen coins ever to be minted in the history of the Japan Mint. This five coin set depicts 5 different Shinkansen train lines on the obverse of the coins: Tokaido, Sanyo, Tohoku, Joetsu, and Hokuriku. The reverse of the coin is standard for all five coins, and features an image of the first Shinkansen, nicknamed the 0-series. In addition, the details of the train on the reverse have set micro-stripes to enhance the image. All five coins are made of Copper-Nickel featuring helical ridges and have the following specifications: The 5 coin sets have the following specifications: Face Value: 100 Yen Composition: Copper-Nickel Weight: 4.8 grams Diameter: 22.6 mm Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated Mintage: 300,000 sets The new Japan 2015 Shinkansen coin sets are available to pre-order from official Japan Mint distributor Panda America, by calling our office at 1-310-373-9647 An angled view at the reverse of the British Virgin Islands' silver $10 coin shows the coin's depth of relief. The Pobjoy Mint celebrates the 150th anniversary of Americas Civil Rights Act of 1866 on a new silver coin for the British Virgin Islands. The Pobjoy Mint has issued an ultra high relief silver coin celebrating the 150th anniversary of Americas Civil Rights Act of 1866. The Proof 2016 $10 piedfort coin, released on behalf of the British Virgin Islands, features on the reverse an ultra high relief image based on the famous Abraham Lincoln Memorial in Washington, and is struck so that side of the coin is concave. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was the first United States federal law to define U.S. citizenship and affirm that all citizens are equally protected by law. It granted citizenship and the same rights already enjoyed by white male citizens to all male persons in the United States without distinction of race or color, or previous condition of slavery or involuntary servitude. Connect with Coin World: It was a natural extension of President Lincolns 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and other initiatives he enacted before his assassination in 1865. It was designed to protect the rights of African Americans, including former slaves, and it laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights movement a century later. The statue in the Lincoln Memorial was carved by the Piccirilli Brothers under supervision of the sculptor Daniel Chester French and took four years to complete. The statue, which was originally intended to be only 10 feet (3 meters) tall, finally stood at 19 feet (5.8 meters) tall. The ultra high relief, concave reverse coin was created on a piedfort (double-thick) planchet and required multiple high-pressure strikes, creating a deep design that is three-dimensional. The British Virgin Islands coins obverse features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The .999 fine silver $10 coin weighs 62.206 grams, measures 38.6 millimeters in diameter and has a mintage limit of 650 pieces. It retails for $179 each and is shipped encapsulated in an acrylic capsule for protection and housed in a special walnut-effect box with a certificate of authenticity. To order, visit the Pobjoy Mint website. A new Proof gold coin from Slovakia marks the 275th anniversary of the coronation of Maria Theresa. One of the most famous female leaders in world history, Maria Theresa was coronated 275 years ago this year. To mark the anniversary, the Kremnica Mint in Slovakia has issued a Proof 2016 .900 fine gold 100 coin. Though she ascended to the throne in 1740, as was customary a lengthy period passed before the actual coronation was conducted June 25, 1741, in Bratislava (then Pressburg), the coronation city of the Hungarian Kingdom between 1563 and 1830. Bratislava is now capital of Slovakia. Connect with Coin World: According to the Kremnica Mint, Maria Theresa entered the town with great splendor accompanied by courtiers and Hungarian nobility. The ruler was welcomed at Michaels Gate by representatives of the town council headed by the mayor, who accompanied her to St. Martins Cathedral. The coronation mass was spectacular and attended by only the highest-ranking clerical and secular dignitaries of Hungary. The Archbishop of Esztergom, Imre Esterhazy, anointed Maria Theresa with holy oil of catechumen and placed the Crown of St. Stephen upon her head. The Palatine John Palffy presented her with the sword, scepter and gold orb. In accordance with ancient custom, the queen then rode on horseback to the top of the coronation hill on the bank of the Danube, where she recited her oath to defend the country. She had been raised by her father, Charles VI, to be a ruler, but many foreign powers would not recognize a female ruler. Maria Theresa, only 23 when coronated, became embroiled in a long fight to secure her rights. The beginning of her reign was marked by a conflict known as the War of the Austrian Succession (1741 to 1745) and several years later it was followed by the Seven Years War (1756 to 1763). However, Maria Theresa gained respect and admiration for her statesmanship, political skills and reforms during the 40 years of her reign (1740 to 1780), and she has been called the greatest statesman of the Austrian dynasty. The obverse of the coin depicts a historical scene from Maria Theresas coronation parade in Bratislava placed in an oval frame. To the right of the frame is the coat of arms of the Slovak Republic. The name of the issuing country, SLOVENSKO, is inscribed in the upper part of the coin. The denomination and year of issue, the Kremnica Mints MK mark and the stylized initials of the coin designer, Vladimir Pavlica, VP, also are on the obverse. The reverse shows a portrait of Maria Theresa placed in an oval medallion. Along the rim is the legend translating to Coronation of Maria Theresa, the place of coronation, BRATISLAVA, and the coronation year, 1741. The coin weighs 9.5 grams, measures 26 millimeters in diameter and has a mintage limit of 5,000 pieces. Interested buyers will have to search the secondary market for this coin. What is the Saddle Ridge Hoard and why was it such big news? Three of the eight metal canisters from the Saddle Ridge Hoard are jammed with 19th century U.S. gold coins. One of the lids is for J.A. Folger & Company Golden Gate Brand Baking Powder. The style of can is from the 1880s, with embossed lettering. Folger also founded the coffee company that bears his surname. Editor's note: The following post is part of CoinWorld.com's 'Collecting Basics' series, which provides novice readers with an introduction into the numismatic hobby. The Saddle Ridge Hoard is a notable collection of 1,427 U.S. gold coins of the 19th century discovered in 2013 by a couple walking their dog on their property in California gold country near the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Coin World senior editor Paul Gilkes reported in an article published online on May 16, 2014, that most of the coins, which were found stashed in eight metal cans, are Coronet $20 double eagles dated between 1855 and 1894, struck at the San Francisco Mint. There are, however, coins that are dated as early as 1847 and as late as 1894, and coins that were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, Carson City Mint and Dahlonega Mint. Altogether, the collection of coins is worth an estimated $10 million according to Kagins, the California dealer who helped the finders market the collection. "The couple who found the stash of gold coins on their property while walking their dog early in February 2013 had traversed the landscape many times before and had even spotted one of the eight cans poking out of the ground, Gilkes wrote. "Curiosity eventually became strong enough for the couple to investigate further. And what the couple discovered can only be described as miraculous. One of the Saddle Ridge coins is an 1866-S Coronet, No Motto gold $20 double eagle graded PCGS Mint State 62 that is the finest known certified by the grading service and estimated to be worth around $1 million. Some of the coins were encrusted with dirt and rust after being buried for years in the deteriorating cans. Still, for many of the pieces, the surfaces of the coins underneath the encrusted dirt and rust were in remarkable condition. David McCarthy, Kagins senior numismatist and researcher, described the first time he saw the coins after the couple brought them to Kagins in plastic bags. I picked up a double eagle dated 1890[-S] and removed it from its bag, McCarthy said. "Looking at the tiny amount of metal that was exposed, I could see that the coin underneath was essentially perfect." The find was made public in February 2014, though the couple remains anonymous, known only as John and Mary. "Its impossible to describe really, the strange reality of that moment, John said of discovering the first can of coins. "When I told [Mary], the look of bewilderment her mouth was so wide open flies could have flown in and out several times. Mary said it was like finding a wonderful hot potato." The coins were listed for sale on Amazon and Kagins website in May with great fanfare to a market that was very curious about these coins. In a story published online on Aug. 22, Gilkes cited McCarthy as saying that roughly 75 percent of the coins had been sold. Through Amazon, interest was shown from potential buyers in France, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, Canada, Brazil and Hong Kong. McCarthy said Saddle Ridge coins offered on Amazon were only available to U.S. customers at that time. More from CoinWorld.com: Roman coin find among largest hoards in Great Britain Five sure-fire ways to make money in coins: Watch inflection points U.S. Mint gets ready to launch four-coin Kennedy silver half dollar set on Oct. 28 U.S. Mint confiscates 1804 dollars in the 19th century 1901-S Barber quarter graded Good 4 and sold for $5,875 'nearly perfect for the grade': Market Analysis Keep up with CoinWorld.com's 'Collecting Basics' series by signing up for our free eNewsletters, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Twitter. We're also on Instagram! The San Francisco Mint at 155 Hermann Street is not open to public tours. It is the third such structure to serve as a Mint in San Francisco since the first Branch Mint in the city opened in 1854. Production during the inaugural year at the San Francisco Mint in 1854 included 246 1954-S Coronet gold $2.50 quarter eagles, of which 12 are known today. Editors note: This is one in a series of Coin World Collector Basics posts on facilities under the U.S. Mints jurisdiction. The discovery of gold in California in 1849 forced the need for a Branch Mint of the United States on the West Coast to refine the newly mined gold for striking into federal coinage instead of shipping the metal to the Philadelphia Mint for the same purpose. Private minters filled the void until Congress approved in 1852 a federal coinage facility to be located in San Francisco. The first San Francisco Mint opened for production in 1854 in one of the private mint facilities in the city, but it didnt take long for authorities to realize production would outgrow the facilitys structural confines. Among the inaugural year's production were 246 1854-S Coronet gold $2.50 quarter eagles, 12 of which are reported known today. In the years following World War II, officials determined the Philadelphia and Denver Mints were capable of handling the nations coinage needs. Coinage operations at the second San Francisco Mint, opened in 1874, were suspended in March 1955, with all production equipment removed. The facility was converted to an Assay Office, a status formally designated by Congress on July 11, 1962. The San Francisco facility was returned to full Mint status by way of the same March 31, 1988, legislation that elevated West Point to full Mint status. The third facility, today, primarily produces annual Proof coins. The Lincoln cent was introduced to honor the nation's 16th president on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Both sides of the coin introduced in 1909 were designed by Victor D. Brenner. Coins struck from June to Aug. 5 depict the initials V.D.B. at six o'clock on the reverse. The initials on the reverse were believed to be too conspicuous by some and due to negative newspaper coverage were removed from coins struck later during 1909 by order of the secretary of the Treasury. That action resulted in the 1909 and 1909-S varieties, both with and without V.D.B. The coins with the initials are scarcer, with the 1909-S Lincoln, V.D.B. cent being a key coin in the series. COIN VALUES: See how much Lincoln cents are worth today The initials were restored to the coin in 1918, but were placed on the obverse at the left lower part of the truncation, where they appear on all Lincoln cents after that date. The Lincoln Memorial reverse designed by Frank Gasparro was introduced in 1959 to mark the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The Memorial reverse made the Lincoln cent the first U.S. coin struck for circulation to depict the same person on both the obverse and reverse, since a statue of Lincoln can be seen inside the memorial on the reverse. In 2010, the Shield reverse was introduced, which according to a U.S. Mint release at the time, "features a union shield with a scroll draped across and the inscription ONE CENT." Sixteen type coins by design and composition can be collected to complete a type set of Lincoln cents: the 1909 with reverse initials v.d.b., 1910-17 without initials, 1918-58 Wheat reverse with obverse initials v.d.b., 1943 (zinc-coated steel), 1944-46 (95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc), 1959-62 Lincoln Memorial reverse (with 95 percent copper, 5 percent zinc and tin composition), 1962-82 (95 percent copper, 5 percent zinc); 1982 to 2008 Lincoln Memorial reverse (99.2 percent zinc, 0.8 percent copper) and the four new reverses produced honoring the bicentennial of Lincolns birth and centennial of the coin design produced both in 99.2 percent zinc, 0.8 percent copper and the original 95 percent copper, 5 percent zinc and tin. The 1943 issue during World War II is probably one of the best known failures in the U.S. coinage system. The zinc-coated steel cents are magnetic and will not work in most vending machines. The zinc quickly deteriorates in use. At the time the 1943 cent was issued, the public complained the coin was being confused with dimes in use. An almost legendary error from this period is the 1943 copper composition cent. The few genuine specimens apparently were made by accident when some copper-alloy planchets used for 1942 cents became mixed with steel planchets. Likewise, there are 1944 zinc-coated steel cent errors. Although the Mint did not use the steel planchets for U.S. coins after 1943, it did use them to strike foreign coins in 1944. Again, steel planchets were mixed with the copper alloy planchets, resulting in the error. Key dates in the series are generally accepted to be the 1909-S V.D.B., 1909-S, 1914-D, 1922-D No D, 1924-D, 1931-S, 1955 Doubled Die and 1972 Doubled Die. The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-145) authorized the United States Mint to issue four different Lincoln cent reverses throughout 2009 to recognize the bicentennial anniversary of Lincoln's birth and the 100th anniversary of the production of the Lincoln cent. Brenners likeness of Lincoln continues on the obverse. The reverse designs are emblematic of four periods, or themes, in Lincolns life: His birth and early childhood in Kentucky; his formative years in Indiana; his professional life in Illinois; and his presidency in Washington, D.C. At the conclusion of the bicentennial year, beginning in 2010, the Lincoln cent coin will feature a reverse design emblematic of Lincoln's preservation of the union. Each of the four 2009 reverses include the inscription 1809, the year Lincoln was born. The reverse designs include: Childhood in Kentucky designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Richard Masters and sculptured by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz; Formative Years in Indiana designed and sculptured by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers; Professional Life in Illinois designed by United States Mint AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculptured by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart; Presidency in D.C. designed by United States Mint AIP Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculptured by United States Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna. The United States Mint also will issue numismatic versions of the four redesigned 2009 Lincoln cent reverses with exactly the same metallic content as the 1909 coin (95 percent copper, 5 percent tin and zinc). They will be struck. Proof and Uncirculated conditions, and will be included in the United States Mint's annual numismatic set offerings. Keep reading from our "Know Your U.S. Coins" series: Cents and half cents: 2- and 3-cent coins: Nickels: Dimes and half dimes: Quarters: Half dollars: Dollars: Gold coins: The early 20th century was a golden age of U.S. coin designs including such depictions as an Indian and bison on the 5-cent coin, a depiction of Liberty wearing a winged cap on the dime, and an image of a Walking Liberty on the half dollar. Perhaps the most memorable of these classic early 20th century designs is the contribution made by the famed sculptor-engraver Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who created the $20 double eagle of 1907 to 1933 that today bears his name. Saint-Gaudens died in 1907. The lower relief variety of his coin struck later in that year and throughout the rest of the series was actually prepared by U.S. Chief Mint Engraver Charles E. Barber. Saint-Gaudens' participation in coinage designs dated from 1891, when he first sat on a committee reviewing designs for silver coins. He became upset with government officials a few years later when they rejected the reverse design for his World's Columbian Exposition commemorative presentation medal, as well as rejecting several revised designs. Saint-Gaudens' creation of designs for the $10 eagle and $20 double eagle was at the behest of President Theodore Roosevelt. Both men wished to see a higher quality of U.S. coinage designs. The solicitation of an "outside" engraver did not sit well with the Mint's engraving staff, including Barber. At one point during the designing process, Saint-Gaudens wrote to Roosevelt and said, "If you succeed in getting the best of the polite Mr. Barber ... or the others in charge, you will have done a greater work than putting through the Panama Canal." COIN VALUES: Know what your Saint-Gaudens $20 double eagle gold coin is worth today Saint-Gaudens' original version of the coin struck for circulation has higher relief than was practical. Barber created a lower relief version to replace Saint-Gaudens' original concept. Several major versions of the coin may be included in a type collection: the Extremely High Relief, Roman Numerals, Lettered Edge coin of 1907; the High Relief, Roman Numerals, Wire Rim coin, also 1907; the High Relief, Roman Numerals, Flat Rim coin, 1907; the Arabic Numerals, Low Relief, No Motto coin, 1907 and 1908; and the Arabic Numerals, Low Relief, Motto coin, 1908 to 1933. All High Relief coins struck during 1907 met with objections from bankers, who said the coins could not be stacked. There are arguments regarding how many of some of these coins exist, with new "discovery" pieces periodically appearing in the market. The value of the High Relief coins puts most of them virtually out of reach of the average collector. There are sufficient expensive key dates in the series that few collectors have been able to assemble a collection complete through 1932. According to Mint records 445,000 Saint-Gaudens double eagles were struck in early 1933. The government contends the coins were never officially released into circulation because of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's executive order halting the circulation of all gold coins in March of 1933. The 1933 double eagles were ordered to be melted in 1937 and for years government officials believed all had been destroyed. However, in the early 1940s specimens began to appear in the numismatic marketplace. The government confiscated at least nine specimens in the 1940s and destroyed them. In 1996 government agents seized another 1933 double eagle from a British coin dealer entering the United States. The coin was claimed to be the 1933 double eagle once owned by Egyptian King Farouk, who was granted an export license for the coin by the Treasury Department in 1944. The coin became the subject of a prolonged court battle and in an unprecedented action, United States Mint officials reached an out-out-court agreement with the British coin dealer to permit the seized coin to be sold at public auction and the proceeds to be split evenly between the dealer and the Mint. The 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle was sold July 30, 2002, in New York City in a one-lot auction conducted by Sotheby's in conjunction with Stack's for $7.59 million plus $20. It is the only 1933 double eagle approved for private ownership. Another 10 1933 double eagles turned up in 2003 when Joan Switt Langbord, daughter of Philadelphia jeweler Israel "Izzy" Switt, claimed she found them in a family safe deposit bank box. Izzy Switt died in 1990 at age 95. Langbord and her two sons, Roy Langbord and David Langbord (Israel Switts' heirs), asked the U.S. Mint to determine if the coins she found were genuine. Treasury agents declared the coins to be genuine and also confiscated them in 2004. The Langbord family filed suit seeking return of the coins and the case was still in litigation in 2009. Mintages were never very high on any Saint-Gaudens double eagles. The highest mintages recorded are 8,816,000 for 1928; 4,323,500 for 1924; and 4,271,551 for the 1908 No Motto. The high mintage of the 1908 No Motto coin makes it attractive as a type coin alongside a subtype with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. According to David Akers in United States Gold Coins, An Analysis of Auction Records, Volume VI, "A great many Uncs of this date exist, literally thousands of pieces, and the collector will encounter no difficulty in locating a choice or gem quality example." This two-coin variety set should be affordable, where date collecting of this series may not be. A type set including Roman numeral dates and High Relief coins will be more expensive to complete. A type set of coins by Mint in both Motto and No Motto varieties is also possible at a modest price. Mint marks are on the obverse for the Saint-Gaudens series, an unusual placement for Mint marks on U.S. coins from this period. Disregarding 1933 coin and the pricy 1907 varieties, collectors seeking this series must still contend with such low mintage key dates as 1913-S (34,000 mintage), 1914 (95,230 mintage), 1915 (152,050 mintage), 1930-S (74,000 mintage) and 1931-D (106,500 mintage). Although perhaps not reflected in their mintage figures, 1931 and 1932 are also difficult dates to obtain. Another popular coin in the series is the 1909/8 overdate. Akers notes, "It is not a particularly rare one," but the clear overdate makes the coin attractive to collectors. Proof coins exist for all dates between 1907 and 1915. As with most Proof coins in this time period, they were struck in extremely low quantities and can be quite expensive. The highest mintage is a mere 167 pieces dated 1910. The survival rate of this date in Proof is significantly lower. Keep reading from our "Know Your U.S. Coins" series: Cents and half cents: 2- and 3-cent coins: Nickels: Dimes and half dimes: Quarters: Half dollars: Dollars: Gold coins: More from CoinWorld.com: US Mint records sales of 344,423 Proof 2015-W American silver dollars through April 12 34 million in silver coins brought up from 1942 SS City of Cairo shipwreck Theres a new silver physical bitcoin round featuring Leonardo Da Vincis portrait Hendricksons build numismatic empire based on silver; Terranova pursues Colonial numismatics Know your U.S. coins: Susan B. Anthony dollar The coin: American Eagle silver bullion coin Struck by: U.S. Mint Available sizes: 1 ounce Denomination: $1 First issue: 1986 Design: Coin World Senior Editor Paul Gilkes described the obverse and reverse designs in an article from the April 23, 2007, issue of Coin World: "The obverse of the American Eagle silver dollar bears an adaptation of sculptor Adolph A. Weinmans Walking Liberty design; it appeared on the obverse of the half dollar from 1916 through 1947. The reverse depicts a Heraldic Eagle design created by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver John Mercanti. Mercanti, who has been a member of the Mints engraving staff since 1974, is currently serving as the Mints supervisory design and master tooling development specialist." How to buy them: More from Gilkes: "The Mint does not sell the regular Uncirculated bullion coins directly to the public. Instead it sells the bullion coins to a network of authorized purchasers, who acquire the coins from the Mint for the spot price of the precious metal on a given day on the metals market plus a small premium. The authorized purchasers may then sell the bullion American Eagles to dealers and the public." The U.S. Mint provides a web page collectors and investors can use to find dealers who sell the bullion coins. Fun fact: More ounces of American Eagle silver bullion coins were sold in 2014 than any year since the program began in 1986. In all, 44,006,000 ounces were sold. Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Louisville, Ky., the Fort Knox Gold Bullion Depository stores the majority of the monetary gold stocks of the United States. Editors note: This is one in a series of Coin World Collector Basics posts on facilities under the U.S. Mints jurisdiction. Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Louisville, Ky., the United States Bullion Depository, often simply referred to as just Fort Knox, stores the majority of the monetary gold stocks of the United States in its vaults. The facility is heavily fortified, with the nearby Army post providing additional security beyond that of the Treasury Department. The gold in the depository is in the form of standard Mint bars of almost pure gold, or coin gold bars resulting from the melting of gold coins. These bars are slightly smaller than an ordinary building brick. The approximate dimensions are 7 inches by 3.625 inches by 1.75 inches. Each bar roughly contains 400 troy ounces of gold each an avoirdupois weight of about 27.5 pounds. 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. Synthetic hair problems lead MU grad to create banana-based product Ciara Imani May wasn't expecting to develop a protective hairstyle product when she studied business at MU. But that's exactly what she's done. May 27, 2016 G. Lawson Albritton, Jr. MATA senior administrative officer, looks over a bus that is one of the buses Memphis Area Transit Authority is stuck with and board members describe as lemons because they lasted only a fraction of their expected life spans. (Nikki Boertman/The Commercial Appeal) SHARE May 27, 2016 Buses that Memphis Area Transit Authority is stuck with and board members describe as lemons because they lasted only a fraction of their expected life spans. (Nikki Boertman/The Commercial Appeal) May 27, 2016 A dusty steering wheel of one of the buses Memphis Area Transit Authority is stuck with and board members describe as lemons because they lasted only a fraction of their expected life spans. (Nikki Boertman/The Commercial Appeal) May 27, 2016 G. Lawson Albritton, Jr. MATA senior administrative officer, looks over buses that Memphis Area Transit Authority is stuck with and board members describe as lemons because they lasted only a fraction of their expected life spans. (Nikki Boertman/The Commercial Appeal) By Tom Charlier of The Commercial Appeal With its windshield cracked and a thick layer of dust encrusting the steering wheel and dashboard instruments, Bus No. 127 clearly is not in service. It hasn't been for several years, in fact. Along with some three dozen other vehicles parked in a lot behind the Memphis Area Transit Authority's maintenance barn, the bus was idled long ago well before reaching its anticipated life span because of chronic breakdowns. Already beset with financial, regulatory and structural problems, MATA is stuck with 38 buses so prone to malfunction that they have been parked for years. Because these "lemons" -- as some agency board members have described them didn't make it even close to the mileage mandated by regulators, MATA can't scrap them unless local or nonfederal money is used to purchase replacement vehicles. Otherwise, the federal government, which funded 80 percent of the purchase price of the vehicles, will demand repayment of its costs. That figure is at least $2.1 million, said Ron Garrison, CEO of MATA. The troubled vehicles, all purchased from a variety of manufacturers between 1999 and 2011, help explain why MATA has requested $5 million in capital funds from City Council to buy new buses. In addition to the buses that never reached their expected life spans, many vehicles in MATA's fleet of 160-plus fixed-route buses have been overworked driven well beyond the point at which they were eligible to be retired. "We're trying to make the best of what we have ...," said Garrison, who was hired for MATA's top job less than two years ago, after Will Hudson retired. The buses were idled because the previous administration at MATA apparently decided "it was less expensive to not drive them," Garrison said. "They just kept breaking down all the time." The Federal Transit Authority generally mandates that buses travel up to 400,000-500,000 miles before being retired. Fourteen of the so-called lemons are full-sized fixed-route buses purchased in 1999 and 2000. They lasted an average of only 164,000 miles about one-third the required mileage before being idled. Three smaller buses purchased in 2002 were parked for good after reaching an average of 330,000 miles, while 11 others, acquired in 2005, were idled after traveling an average of 232,000 miles. Ten more buses, purchased in 2011, were parked after reaching an average of only 138,000 miles. "These just weren't quality vehicles," Garrison said, adding that all the buses have exceeded warranty coverage. MATA board member John Vergos said the FTA could be partly to blame for the purchase of the shoddy vehicles. He said MATA followed the guidelines set by the agency and purchased buses from vendors it approved. "In essence, they were selling us Ford Pintos," Vergos said, referring to a car model notorious for defects. Lemon buses are far from MATA's only problem. In addition to the capital funds for new vehicles, the transit agency asked City Council for an increase of $7 million in operating funds for the coming fiscal year to ease budget strains that have left it, in Garrison's words, "on the verge of collapse." Despite the problems with the previous vehicle purchases, Garrison said he's confident MATA will purchase only well built buses from now on. He has more than 26 years' experience at transit agencies in different cities. "I've bought hundreds of buses, and I've never parked one," Garrison said. Marsha Blackburn SHARE By Michael Collins of The Commercial Appeal WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn insists there's no partisan agenda behind the investigation she's leading into the medical procedures and business practices of abortion providers. But the investigation has been roiled with partisan warfare for weeks, with Democrats charging that Blackburn and Republicans on the panel conducting the probe are abusing their authority and putting lives at risk. Democrats ramped up their attacks last week when they sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan asking him to disband the panel. "While the panel's investigation has never been fair or fact-based, its pattern of reckless disregard for safety has escalated over the past few weeks," said the letter, which was signed by 181 of 188 House Democrats. The letter describes a litany of alleged abuses by Blackburn and GOP investigators, including misuse of subpoena power to intimidate scientific researchers, doctors, clinics, health-care providers, universities and others. The investigation reached "a new low" earlier this month, the letter says, when the panel issued a press release identifying an abortion provider and his clinic by name. "The press release's hyperbolic rhetoric and misleading allegations pose a real danger to the doctor, the staff at the clinic and the patients of the named clinic," the letter says. "These recent steps are completely outside the bounds of acceptable congressional behavior. We disgrace ourselves by allowing this misconduct to continue." Blackburn defended the investigation and fired back at her Democratic critics. "The question everyone should be asking," the Brentwood Republican said, "is why are Democrats so afraid of letting the truth come out." Ryan didn't set up the committee, which is formally known as the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives. Former House Speaker John Boehner helped form the 14-member panel and named Blackburn as its chairwoman in one of his final acts before stepping down late last year. But Ryan also has given his backing to the panel's work. "Speaker Ryan supports the select committee's continued efforts to protect infant lives," said his spokeswoman, AshLee Strong. The committee, made up of eight Republicans and six Democrats, was formed after a firestorm over undercover videos that accused Planned Parenthood of breaking laws by selling tissue and organs from aborted fetuses. Planned Parenthood and its supporters argued the videos were deceptively edited, and a number of state investigations have cleared the organization of any wrongdoing. But Blackburn, a staunch abortion opponent and vocal critic of Planned Parenthood, has plowed ahead with her investigation, arguing that its focus is not Planned Parenthood but the larger issue of fetal-tissue procurement. The panel has issued at least two-dozen subpoenas to medical supply companies and others involved in fetal tissue research. Two weeks ago, it announced that it has opened an investigation into the practices of a Maryland physician who provides late-term abortions. The panel has even subpoenaed two financial institutions in an effort to obtain the accounting and banking records of StemExpress, a biomedical company that provides research labs with cells, fluids, blood and tissue. Blackburn said those subpoenas were necessary because the institutions have refused the panel's repeated requests to turn over the documents, which she said are needed to get a complete understanding of the company's practices. "We must continue to pursue these records if we are ever to get the facts that we need in order to complete our investigation," she said. "The American people deserve nothing less." In Democrats' view, however, the investigation amounts to "a virtually unprecedented abuse of congressional power, perhaps only matched by the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s." Michael Collins is The Commercial Appeal's Washington correspondent. His weekly Tennessee in D.C. column highlights Volunteer State lawmakers, causes and connections. Contact him at 703-854-8927 or mcollins2@gannett.com. SHARE May 31, 1952 - To the victor goes the Prep League championship golf trophy and Bill Garner (center) of Central accepts with a smile the award from W.D. 'Dub' Fondren (left), professional at Galloway Golf Course. Garner defeated Donald Stanfill (right) of Messick, 1 up on May 31, 1952. Stanfill won the title in 1951, beating Garner 6 and 4. (The Commercial Appeal files) May 29 25 years ago: 1991 Sidney Shlenker said Tuesday that he has arranged $80 million in financing to build attractions in The Great American Pyramid and on Mud Island. But he refused to say who would provide the money. In a tense meeting with county commissioners and city councilmen, Shlenker said a company has agreed to provide some of the money by June 15 and the rest in another 60 days. He provided no financial details, and his statements could not be verified. 50 years ago: 1966 The 40-year-old Memphis Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital at 1060 Madison will be remodeled as a center for the study and treatment of ear diseases, it was announced yesterday by Dr. John J. Shea, who purchased the building last month from Methodist Hospital. To be renamed the Memphis Eye & Ear Hospital, the building will serve as the future offices of the Memphis Otologic clinic, now at 22 North Pauline, and the Memphis Foundation of Otology. 75 years ago: 1941 Dr. William T. Satterfield is completing negotiations to buy Gayoso Farm, outstanding stock farm in the Memphis section, from Col. James Hammond, Germantown financier for $100,000. As part of the purchase price he will give Colonel Hammond the Mansfield Arms Apartments on Central, at $75,000. The Mansfield Arms Apartments is one of the city's more desirable apartment properties. 100 years ago: 1916 It was the suggestion of Mrs. James M. McCormack that all of those women who did not feel equal to marching on foot in the upcoming preparedness parade show their patriotism and interest in preparedness as a means to the preservation of peace by joining in a "walkless" parade. She suggested that those who cannot participate form two lines along the line of march on either side of the street, that they dress in white and carry an American flag to show their patriotism. 125 years ago: 1891 The people of Helena, Ark., have determined to build new waterworks, and the city council has taken preliminary steps to that end. Before the method of furnishing the water is determined, a delegation of citizens should come to Memphis and inspect our unequalled artesian system. Associated Press America's trade deficit with China, $80 billion in 2011, is now nearly $400 billion. This month, China approved steps to boost exports in a move that might worsen tensions with trading partners who say Beijing is flooding them with unfairly low-priced steel and other goods. SHARE By Clyde Prestowitz, Tribune News Service For all his bullying, narcissism and self-contradiction, there is one point on which presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump cannot be criticized. In attacking our longtime free-trade policies and deals, he has brought necessary attention to a huge elephant in America's policy room, one that has run wild and must be stopped by the nation's next leader. And he's far from alone. Bernie Sanders, the self-described democratic socialist seeking the Democratic nomination, has decried the "disastrous trade policies" of the past 25 years. Even Hillary Clinton now says she opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free-trade agreement that she, while secretary of state, described as the "gold standard" of trade deals. This is a big shift. For the past 70 years, all presidential hopefuls have held up free trade as key to prosperity and peace for America and the world. Now, all of this year's candidates say Washington's way of promoting trade has, in fact, been perilous and has undermined U.S. prosperity to the advantage of our trading partners. What did Trump so presciently see? First, he saw the problematic approach taken by establishmentarians like Robert Zoelleck, a former World Bank president and deputy secretary of state, who in a Wall Street Journal op-ed this month argued for the TPP by focusing on the impact America's trade deals have had on national security. To insiders like Zoelleck, the main purpose of trade and globalization policy is not to enhance the welfare of ordinary Americans; it's to shore up allies against Russia and stop China from doing what is never precisely stated. This position is held by the very people who were silent when General Electric, rather than invest here, decided to move its high-tech aviation electronics division to Shanghai through a joint venture with a state-owned Chinese company. These are the people who promoted and profited from the offshoring of millions of U.S. manufacturing jobs in the name of making China a responsible stakeholder in the world economic system. Neoclassical economists and the foreign policy establishment see the nonreciprocal opening of U.S. markets as an allegedly cost-free way of buying friends and persuading countries with tiny economies to host U.S. troops and join us in supporting supposedly critical issues at the United Nations. This approach has long been deemed cost-free because top Anglo-American economists not, mind you, Japanese, Korean, German or Singaporean economists argued that free trade is always win-win. So, opening U.S. markets to foreign competition, even when it has been clear the competitors are operating under mercantilist, export-led growth policies, has been said to be a big win for the vast majority of Americans. Of course, it has been admitted, a few workers or companies will be displaced, but it's also been promised they'll be compensated by the vast majority of winners. All this has been based on the counterintuitive concept of comparative advantage, first articulated in 1817 by British economist David Ricardo. The theory basically holds that countries should concentrate on producing what they do best and trade for the rest. What countries produce best, according the theory, is determined by their endowments of land, labor and capital. Therefore, countries like America, with skilled labor and lots of land and capital, ought to produce agricultural and advanced manufactured products and trade those for toys, clothing, and other products from countries with lots of cheap labor. However, as economist Paul Krugman noted in the early 1980s, this theory rested on a host of far-fetched assumptions: fixed exchange rates, no cross-border flows of investment or technology, constant full employment, no cost of entry into or out of business, no government intervention such as Social Security or minimum wages, no unions and, very important, no economies of scale. Indeed, in the late 1990s, Ralph Gomory, a former chief scientist at IBM, and William Baumol, a former president of the American Economic Association, showed that in the real world, where many countries and products were experiencing rapid technological change, immense cross-border flows of investment and technology, and frequent fluctuations in economic growth and employment, trade is as likely to be a zero-sum (I win, you lose) proposition as a win-win situation. Trump probably hasn't read these analyses. But he has seen that none of the forecasts by Republican or Democratic administrations for job creation and reduced trade deficits came true. For instance, our $2 billion trade surplus with Mexico has become a $50 billion deficit since the North American Free Trade Agreement took effect. Our trade deficit with China, $80 billion in 2011, has ballooned to nearly $400 billion. Our free-trade pact with South Korea has seen U.S. exports decline, imports double and 11,000 jobs lost. It's hard to deny that Trump has been right on trade. Clyde Prestowitz is founder of the Economic Strategy Institute, a nonpartisan public policy organization in Washington. SHARE By Carl Leubsdorf, Dallas Morning News The gripping movie version of "All the Way," which premiered last week on HBO, centers on the combination of political brilliance and personal volatility that exemplified Lyndon B. Johnson's triumphant first year in the White House. But its subtext is civil rights, including the fight to protect the vote for Southern blacks at a time when enemies of that most basic American right didn't hesitate to employ brutality, up to and including murder, to protect their segregated society. The movie's timing is especially apt in an election year when an underlying issue is again voting rights, thanks to the efforts by Republicans governors and legislatures granted free license by a conservative Supreme Court majority to roll back those rights through new rules allegedly required to curb nonexistent voter fraud. On Tuesday, the full 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans heard an appeal by Texas on behalf of one of the most draconian of those measures, the Texas voter ID law, after a three-judge panel upheld a federal district judge's decision that it discriminated against the state's growing minority population. Texas' reliance on the 5th Circuit's conservative majority Republican presidents nominated 10 of its current 15 judges symbolizes how the politics of these issues has changed. In the 1960s, when I covered that panel as an Associated Press reporter in New Orleans, three liberal Republican judges appointed by President Dwight Eisenhower set the standard for civil rights protection and enforcement. Meanwhile, congressional Republicans joined northern and western Democrats in passing civil rights laws that climaxed with the sweeping 1964 statute banning discrimination in accommodations and employment, whose enactment is portrayed in "All the Way," and the Voting Rights Act, which Johnson promised to pursue (and did) a year later. Nowadays, congressional Republicans have abandoned the cause that epitomized the party of Abraham Lincoln for almost a century. The Republican-controlled House has refused to consider legislation to restore the Voting Rights Act provisions that the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 were outdated. Since 2010, despite scant evidence of voter fraud, more than 20 states, almost all Republican controlled, have adopted restrictive measures ranging from reduced time for early voting to voter ID laws with varying requirements. Just last week, a federal judge barred Kansas from requiring birth certificates. Occasionally, advocates reveal their true motives. In 2012, a Pennsylvania Republican leader boasted its new voter ID law "is gonna allow Gov. Romney to win the state;" though a court blocked it, the GOP state chairman said it still lowered President Barack Obama's majority. Former South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, who heads the conservative Heritage Foundation, says in states with voter ID laws, "you've seen, actually, elections begin to change towards more conservative candidates." Voters in more than a dozen states face new restrictions this year. But many legal challenges are pending. Enforcement in Texas may depend on the New Orleans appeals court's decision, for which the Supreme Court set a July 20 deadline. Meanwhile, another appeals panel will hear an appeal June 21 from a district judge's decision upholding a North Carolina law including voter ID requirements and other voting curbs. That court, the 4th Circuit, is considered more liberal, with a majority of Democratic appointees, so the issue could reach the Supreme Court with contrary opinions from two judicial circuits. What would happen next is unclear. Since the high court ruled voter ID laws were legal in a 2008 Indiana case, its decision has been questioned by both the appeals judge, whose opinion it upheld, and former Justice John Paul Stevens, who wrote the lead opinion in the 6-3 decision. While the direct evidence justified the finding, Stevens said recently, he now considers it "fairly unfortunate" because of information he later learned about the broader issue. Since then, two new liberal justices have joined the court, and Obama's nomination of a third, Judge Merrick Garland, is pending. Until a ninth justice is confirmed, the court may be evenly divided, underscoring the stake in this year's election. "All the Way" includes Johnson's prescient, oft-cited comment that enactment of the Civil Rights Act would cost Democrats the South for a long time, presumably by driving many white voters into the GOP. But no one imagined then that Republican efforts to undercut those protections would force the same battle to be fought again a half-century later. Carl Leubsdorf is the former Washington bureau chief of the Dallas Morning News. Contact him at carl.p.leubsdorf@gmail.com. ConservativeHome interrupts its usual service this morning for an important announcement on behalf of Downing Street. As readers know, Barak Obama has in effect come out for Remain. So has Justin Trudeau, Canadas Prime Minister. And so on. However, one important voice has not been heard in the debate so far. No recent view has been expressed by Angela Merkel as far as can be seen. We gather that at the recent G7 summit she simply said that Britains EU referendum had not been formally discussed. Did she miss a meeting? After all, the group issued a statement. This lack of support for Remain from Germanys Chancellor must be incredibly frustrating for Number Ten! So, as ever, were determined to do whatever we can to help. Which is why we make an appeal today: have you seen this woman? Do you know where she is? Are you able to track her down? If you know of her whereabouts, please contact us urgently here. We will get straight in touch with Downing Street. P.S: Our advice is not to approach her yourself, unless of course you wish to emigrate to Germany. Close A group of renowned doctors and professors have written a letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) to postpone the summer Olympics 2016 that is set to be held at Rio de Janeiro. The healthcare professionals pointed out the potential risk of Zika virus outbreak in Brazil in their letter which the WHO later rejected. It was written in the letter that Olympic Games can't fail however it is indispensible to consider the global health concern as well. The health advocates also noted that Brazilian Zika virus is observed to affect health like it was never witnessed before. "We make this call despite the widespread fatalism that the Rio 2016 Games are inevitable or 'too big to fail,'" the writers said in the letter addressed to WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, according to CNN. "Our greater concern is for global health. The Brazilian strain of Zika virus harms health in ways that science has not observed before." WHO that responded to the letter on Thursday said that 2016 Summer Olympics cannot be postponed or moved. Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), noted that there is no alarming public health issue for the Olympics Games to be postponed. "Canceling or changing the location of the 2016 Olympics will not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus,r eported WHO in their statement." "Brazil is one of almost 60 countries and territories which to date report continuing transmission of Zika by mosquitoes. People continue to travel between these countries and territories for a variety of reasons. The best way to reduce risk of disease is to follow public health travel advice," read the statement, noted BBC. CDC's public health travel advice has it that pregnant women should avoid travelling to countries that is affected by Zika outbreak and men that have contracted the virus should avoid having sex with their pregnant partners until delivery. Frieden also noted that WHO is working with USOC and Brazilian health authorities on the Zika virus issue and will update the public health travel advice if necessary. Summer Olympics 2016 is scheduled to be held between 5 and 21 August. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close Microsoft is contending Google Chromebooks with Acer Windows 10 Switch, which is to be released at a much affordable price. Acer is reportedly launching two switch laptop/tablet devices running Windows 10 as an alternative to Chromebooks in 2016. In spite of their basic features and memory Chromebooks were devices of choice because of their price tag. To be competent Acer has priced the convertibles as nominal as possible. Acer Switch One 10 is priced at $199 and Acer Switch V 10 is priced $249. Switch One 10 is one of the few touch convertibles priced below $200. Both Switch One 10 and Switch V 10 features Intel Atom processors, 10.1-inch IPS displays, and can be also be equipped with onboard storage of either 32GB or 64GB. It can be docked with a keyboard to be used as a laptop, which again gives a storage option of 500GB. "Acer's 2-in-1s have Intel's "Cherry Trail" Atom chips. Intel is phasing out Cherry Trail over time in favor of new Pentium and Celeron chips code-named Apollo Lake, which will become available later this year. Exact specifications for the 2-in-1 devices weren't immediately available, but low-priced laptops usually have flash storage up to 64GB and under 4GB of RAM," according to Hot Hardware. Switch V 10, which costs $50 more than Switch One 10 exhibits fast charging, USB Type-C port and better battery life advantage over the later. While Switch One 10 is released only in metallic grey color, Switch V 10 is available in variety of colors including Shale Black, Pearl White, Peacock Blue, Coral Red and Navy Blue. "If you're looking for business class notebooks instead of cheap convertibles, Acer has also pulled the wraps off the Acer TravelMate P2 Series, which is available in both 14-inch and 15.6-inch screen sizes. Both machines are powered by Skylake processors and include NVIDIA GeForce 940M graphics along with Full HD displays. Fingerprint readers are optional on either machine," reported Info World. The release date of the Acer Windows 10 Switch are set in July for Europe and United States and September for consumers in China. It is expected that Acer will get back its customer base with its upcoming release. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close Red pepper risotto won the NASA's Food Space Contest and is going to be the second dish to be had by astronauts in the International Space Station (ISS). Students from Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, New Jersey that came up with the dish outsmarted nine other teams to receive the honor. About ten teams participated in the cook-off contest for high school students missioned to prepare a dish suitable to feed the astronauts in ISS. NASA announced this contest earlier this year and ten teams were selected through a nationwide culinary challenge on April 21 at the Space Center Houston. The team from Passaic County Technical Institute that comprised of three children, Carolan Terro, Jada Sanders, and Sierra Bronas won the contest by preparing red pepper risotto in accordance with the set requirement criteria. The children were required to prepare a dish that has eight grams or less of sugar, less than 30 percent of fat, three grams of fiber or more and finally something with 300 to 500 calories. The food should be able to be used in microenvironment and should have the ease of packaging. "The combination of the fire roasted pepper puree, the protein filled edamame, the saltiness of the asiago cheese, along with the creaminess of the rice cooked slowly in our housemade vegetable stock is surely going impress and satisfy the perfect image of a risotto," reads the team's description of its risotto, according to PC Mag. The risotto will be processed by Johnson Space Center Food Lab processes and will be sent to space in November after undergoing one of the three process freeze-drying or thermostabilization, or heat preservation. Astronauts, however, will get to taste the dish in April, 2017 just like the first dish, spicy Jamaican rice and bean combo with coconut milk was served this April. The Jamaican rice is now being used by the three astronauts Tim Kopra, Jeff Williams, and Tim Peake in space. The dish was catapulted to space through SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle, reported Science World Report. "Within our research, while writing our paper and learning about food preparation in space, we determined that a risotto would work best with the rehydration process and microgravity conditions presented upon the astronauts," noted the team, reported PC Mag. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare If you're a savvy wildlife watcher, you've noticed a warning sign throughout the Tri-State's wild turkey flocks. At first glance it just looks like groups of wild turkey hens socially gathered. But look closer. These groups are bereft of young, indicating they've lost their eggs and poults and are exhibiting no immediate desire to re-nest. This bodes long-term trouble because, based on mortality recruitment, each hen needs to brood two poults to maturity to sustain flock numbers. To increase a flock, it takes at least three poults per hen to survive into maturity. Unfortunately, during the past three years, it appears most flocks are struggling to sustain themselves. Although some barren hens will attempt re-nesting, most will not. Those that do have a second nesting will produce fewer eggs and summer hatched poults won't be as physically ready for winter as those hatched in April and May. While most nesting losses can be attributed to predation and inclement weather, some Kentucky turkey biologists have discovered additional troubles. Kentucky always has been an ideal place for wild turkeys due to widespread habitat and minimal row crop commercialization. However, recently reported bag numbers indicate a drop in five-year averaged harvest rates. Before 2015 Kentucky's statewide spring turkey bag had an average of 32,759 birds. In 2015 the spring bag fell to 30,895 but rebounded slightly to 31,047 birds in 2016. Crittenden County was always in Kentucky's top five counties, yielding from 500-600 birds annually. That was until this year when Crittenden hunters had their worst season in 16 years (374 birds reported) prompting state turkey biologists to investigate after some landowners reported finding dead turkeys before the hunting season. The death of one wild turkey was due to LPD (lympho proliferative disease), a fatal disease normally found only in domestic turkeys. Reduced brood sizes in many areas also could be due to fertility issues caused by steroid residue from commercial poultry farms entering waterways. Meanwhile, some believe that using unsterilized turkey and chicken manure as fertilizers for corn and soybean crops could be introducing domestic diseases to wild birds. The recent rise in popularity of turkey hunting may be another contributing factor in flock reductions. Some researchers have pushed for a one turkey bag limit (instead of two or more) to help curtail the downward spiral. Wild turkeys were saved from extinction once let's not risk losing them again. SHARE Donald Sr. and Genevieve Brandenburg 70th anniversary Donald Sr. and Genevieve Brandenburg, formerly of Owensboro, Kentucky, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family on May 15. Brandenburg and the former Genevieve Gary were married May 17, 1946, in Calhoun, Kentucky. They are the parents of Donald Brandenburg Jr. and Cindy Brinkmeyer, both of Evansville, and the late Alesia Schum. They have five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Donald Brandenburg Sr. retired in 1987 from the Whirlpool Corp. security department, where he worked for 32 years. Russia's version of events is straightforward and looks like any other debt case: Russia lent the money, Ukraine committed a breach of contract by not repaying. Ukraine, by contrast, will have a harder time translating its defenses into the dry language of legal doctrine. But it can be done. As I have written here at Credit Slips , and in more detail elsewhere , contract law provides Ukraine with a number of potentially viable arguments. Now that we know the arguments asserted by Ukraine, here are some preliminary thoughts. It has taken several months, but the Russian Particulars of Claim and Ukraine's Defence (akin to complaint and answer in U.S. civil procedure) have now been filed. Distilled to its essence, Ukraine's response, as the Financial Times notes , is that "if you wanted your money back you should not have invaded our country." Or as Ukraine's lawyers put it in the Defence: "The [Russian] claim forms part of a broader strategy of unlawful and illegitimate economic, political and military aggression ... aimed at frustrating the will of the Ukrainian people to participate in the process of European integration." Duress: Ukraine argues that it only borrowed the money because the Russian government, intent on preventing Ukraine from entering a new Association Agreement with the European Union, took a number of steps in the course of 2013 to politically destabilize Ukraine and disrupt its access to capital markets. These steps included imposing unlawful trade restrictions, threatening to cut off supplies of natural gas, and making unsubtle threats to annex territory and support internal insurrection if Ukraine deepened its ties with Europe. The effect, according to Ukraine, was to deny access to capital markets, effectively driving Ukraine into Russia's arms. It's... plausible? It seems to me that each of Ukraine's arguments faces two fundamental problems. First, a judge might hesitate to take sides in a dispute over whether Russia has acted wrongfully, say by breaching international law. This isn't an insurmountable barrier; judges do make such rulings. But my intuition is that Ukraine has the greatest chance of success on arguments that can be framed in terms that are (reasonably) neutral on the underlying politics. Second, a judge might want some assurance that a ruling in Ukraine's favor will not have broader, destabilizing implications for other agreements between governments. It isn't yet clear whether this is true of Ukraine's duress argument. Agreements between governments (or the entities they control) are not arms-length, commercial transactions. Russia's conduct was hardly admirable, but was it really so unique? Lack of capacity: Ukraine argues that the loan is void because the process by which it was contracted violated Ukrainian law. As an example, the Cabinet Ministers of Ukraine allegedly approved legislation authorizing the loan without following procedural requirements imposed by Ukrainian law. I can't speak to the underlying merits of this argument, but it has the advantage of being purely technical. The court can resolve it without judging Russia's motivations in making the loan or assigning blame for the annexation of Crimea, the conflict in Ukraine's east, etc. On the other hand, even if the defense succeeds, wouldn't there be a presumption that Ukraine must make restitution? Resolving that question might require the court to engage with some of the politically-sensitive question skirted by the lack of capacity defense itself. Prevention and Impracticability : For some time, I have been suggesting that Ukraine might prevail on these arguments. This article provides the most detail. The argument under prevention doctrine is straightforward: If one party to a contract makes it difficult or impossible for the other to perform its duties, the latter's failure to perform is excused. Russia's annexation of Crimea, support for armed rebels in the east, and general policy of destabilizing Ukraine's economy has made it impossible for Ukraine to repay, at least while complying with its IMF support program. If one accepts that version of events, the argument is a slam dunk. The problem is that the court will have to weigh in on precisely the kinds of politically-charged questions that (in my view) judges would prefer to avoid. The doctrine of impracticability excuses non-performance in certain cases when a post-contract event contradicts a fundamental assumption of the contract and makes it difficult or impossible for one party to perform. Ukraine argues that Russia has damaged its economy, deprived it of access to capital markets, required it to turn to the IMF for support, and in other respects made it difficult or impossible to repay. Again, I have written about these arguments extensively elsewhere. (As an aside, Ukraine frames these arguments as "implied" terms of the contract, in the sense that Russia made "implied" promises--i.e., the contract doesn't actually say this, but we will pretend otherwise--not to deliberately interfere with Ukraine's ability to repay or to demand repayment when impracticable. This is simply a different way of expressing the concepts underlying the doctrines of prevention and impracticability.) Breach of obligations under international law : Ukraine makes several arguments based on the claim that Russia's conduct (annexation of Crimea, etc.) violates international law. One is that the contract contains an "implied" promise not to enforce the loan in such cases. A second, related argument is that Russia's violations are such that Ukraine should be able to withhold payment as an appropriate countermeasure (i.e., a sanction, authorized by international law, imposed until Russia starts to comply with international law). Summary: It should be clear that none of these arguments are slam dunks; far from it. But some are plausible, or even clearly meritorious if--and it's a big if--the court makes the appropriate findings of fact. It's also worth noting that arguments founded on international law might provide a basis for delaying Russia's efforts to enforce the loan. The countermeasures argument is an obvious example. If Ukraine succeeds on this argument, it will be entitled to withhold payment until Russia conforms its conduct to international law. Ukraine doesn't specify all the steps Russia would have to take, but presumably it envisions the cessation of support for pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine's east, the return of Crimea, and other steps that are not likely to happen any time soon. Thus, the countermeasures argument is essentially an argument for permanent non-payment. More subtly, by making arguments founded in international law, Ukraine may create reasonable grounds for delaying this litigation until the outcome of proceedings before other tribunals. As an example, Ukraine has elsewhere asserted that Russia's conduct with regard to Crimea constitutes a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It isn't hard to imagine an English court, reluctant to rule on whether Russia has violated international law, delaying proceedings until another tribunal decides such questions. Delays of that sort work in Ukraine's favor. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK As the state moves forward with an estimated $700 million plan to replace the Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River, some local residents believe a much cheaper fix would better serve the public. Bob Kunkel, president of Alternative Marine Technologies, a shipbuilding company that designed the R/V Spirit of the Sound for The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, says the bridge can be repaired. It is our opinion that rebuilding the existing bridge in place, updating its structural design and fixing the bridge in the closed position will greatly improve the economics, reduce the time period of the construction and drastically reduce both the environmental impact to the harbor and the economic impact to the citizens and companies already affected in Norwalk, Kunkel said. The Connecticut Department of Transportation plans to spend up to $700 million to replace the bridge, build a rail dockyard and make track improvements. As an alternative, Kunkel says ConnDOT should repair the existing bridge, which pivots open to allow vessels to pass, and leave it in the closed position afterward. Barges could pass beneath the closed bridge, which has a 16-foot clearance, through use of a low-profile tugboat that he has designed. Every port in the world deals with this issue when ships, tugs and barges approach their harbor, said Kunkel, who also operate Harbor Harvest, a Cove Avenue business that sells farm-to-market food. Much like the Norwalk problem the height of certain bridges or overpasses must be addressed by any ship entering the port and as different commercial trades are developed, new equipment is put into place to solve these problems. 30 percent design Kunkels proposal come as ConnDOT moves forward with plans to replace the Walk Bridge, which carries up to 175 trains and 125,000 passengers daily over Norwalk Harbor. Built in 1898, the bridge failed twice in 2014, disrupting traffic along Metro-North Railroads New Haven Line and the Northeast Corridor used by Amtrak. ConnDOT shortly afterward began assembling state and federal dollars to replace the bridge. The department hopes to start work in spring 2018. Now 30 percent through the design phase, ConnDOT is looking at either a bascule bridge that pivots upward from one side to open, or a vertical-lift bridge whose center section lifts to provide clearance below. The department did consider repairing the existing bridge as well as replacing it with a fixed bridge, said James Fallon, manager of facilities and transit at ConnDOT. He said repairing the existing bridge isnt a good option for several reasons. First, the bridge is nearly 119 years old. Second, repairing it would cost nearly as much as replacing it and take just as long. It would be a significant project, probably on the scale of $350 million to $400 million and with a similar construction duration, Fallon said. And if we did a fixed bridge, that would restrict all vessels that currently require an opening. Federal navigation channel Devine Bros., which moves heating fuel, concrete, and mason and landscaping materials by barge to its facility at 38 Commerce St., is among the Norwalk businesses and organizations that depend upon the bridge to open. Company President Thomas Devine said some people incorrectly believe that the bridge is being replaced solely to accommodate his business. Its not just for us. (Norwalk Harbor) is a federal navigation channel, Devine said. Plus, will we get federal funding to dredge the river? Its like what happened in Westport. They stopped bringing commercial vessels in there and theyre not dredged anymore. Devine said his tugboats need 25 feet to 27 feet of clearance to move barges, requiring the opening of the Walk Bridge. He said a new, fixed bridge with higher clearance could accommodate the tugboats but he questioned whether it would be feasible from an engineering standpoint. If they built a higher bridge, we could get under it, Devine said. But I would imagine a fixed bridge would have to span so far it would be ridiculous. ConnDOT did consider, among other options, a high-level fixed bridge that would provide 60 feet of clearance to vessels passing beneath it. The option also would carry the highest price tag at between $1 billion and $1.3 billion, according to ConnDOT. By contrast, a new low-level fixed bridge providing 27 feet of clearance would run $300 to $350 million. Rehabilitating the existing low-level pivot bridge would cost $350 million to $450 million, according to ConnDOT. While 27 feet of clearance would accommodate Devine Bros. tugboats and barrages, it would not be enough room for some of the sailboats at United Marine Co. at 99 Commerce St. Karen M. Tomko, co-owner of the United Marine, said approximately half of the 70-plus sailboats kept at the marina require up to 65 feet of clearance. She said eliminating Norwalk Harbor as a federal navigation channel would require an act of Congress as well as the buyout of water-dependent businesses such as her own. If (the bridge) were to be welded shut, the state would have to somehow buy out (the businesses), Tomko said. Local anxieties On May 11, upward of 140 people, including boaters and other users of the harbor, packed the Community Room of City Hall to air their concerns about the bridge replacement. For many, the lack of detailed information regarding local property impacts remains a concern. While Devine Bros. property isnt slated for acquisition to accommodate the project, Devine empathizes with those whose properties are. For all, the recurrent question is what will happen to us during the construction? It will be phenomenal to have a bridge that opens up so easily, said Devine of the proposed new bridge. But its getting there that is the concern for Devine Bros. Still others, although not waterfront users, question the cost of the bridge replacement. I think its really unacceptable that they havent looked into the alternative of fixing the existing bridge and not having it open any more, said Fred Krupp, an East Norwalk resident. Theres a few sailboats that need to go up but you could give them free docking space below the bridge for 10 years and I bet everyone of them would be happy with that offer. Theres only a mile of water (between the Walk Bridge and Head of the Harbor) and theres just no longer that much use of it, and there are alternatives that could save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. For Kunkel, there are many reasons for ConnDOT to rethink the Walk Bridge replacement project. Alternative solutions must be developed and analyzed, Kunkel said. How this project affects Norwalk business, Norwalk's harbor and Norwalk families must be the number one concern before any decision is made moving forward. We owe that to this city and its local businessmen and women. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK Train passengers riding through Connecticut were left scrambling Saturday afternoon after a railroad bridge malfunction in South Norwalk brought Metro-Norths New Haven Line to a screeching halt. Im profoundly irritated and angry, said Jack Ingoldsby, of Brooklyn, N.Y. The trains were very full, very hot and there was very little information about what was going on. Ingoldsby was headed from Grand Central Terminal to New Haven for a 20-year reunion at Yale University with his wife and friends, but was forced to spend $100 on a cab after their train stopped at East Norwalk. The change in plans, he said, was likely to make them more than two hours late. The troublesome 120-year-old Walk Bridge, which carries trains across the Norwalk River, got stuck open around 2 p.m., forcing service to be suspended between stations in East Norwalk and South Norwalk and causing residual delays of up to an hour along the rest of the line. Additionally, wire damage disrupted service on the Danbury Branch, where passengers were forced to take shuttle buses between Danbury and Stamford. Metro-North workers outside the East Norwalk station were seen herding passengers across East Avenue, and keeping them calm as a charter bus neared to shuttle riders across the harbor to the next station. Around 7:45 p.m., one track was reopened, and Metro-North resumed partial service with no Grand Central-bound trains leaving from South Norwalk, Rowayton, Darien or Noroton Heights. But for many riders, the damage was already done. Rachel Buck, who was taking the train from Milford to New York City for a friends birthday, said she paid $70 for an Uber ride to get from South Norwalk to Stamford, where she boarded another train. Saturdays disruption was just the latest caused by the bridge, which has a history of getting stuck open, most recently in 2014. After the incident, the state Department of Transportation developed a $700 million plan to replace the Walk Bridge, but the timeline has construction starting in spring 2018. Jennifer Milikowsky, of New Haven, who missed her friends wedding in Brooklyn, N.Y., said the bridges latest failure illustrated the need for infrastructure spending. Its a good example of why spending on public infrastructure is a good idea, Milikowsky said. People never really think about that when it works, but when it doesnt it can cause a lot of people inconvenience. Pop quiz: Does a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 protect offer twice as much protection as a product with an SPF of 15? Does a higher SPF sunscreen protect someone from the sun longer than a lower SPF sunscreen? Pencils down. The answer to both questions is no. But those who answered incorrectly can take comfort in the fact they arent alone. A 2016 survey from the American Academy of Dermatology showed a large number of people who head out into the sun this holiday weekend wont be properly protected. Of those surveyed, only 32 percent knew an SPF 30 sunscreen wasnt twice as protective as a SPF 15 sunscreen, and more than half thought a higher SPF sunscreen protects from the sun longer than a lower SPF one. Those numbers arent shocking to local dermatologists, who said people make a variety of mistakes when applying sunscreen. I see it in my practice all the time, unfortunately, said Dr. Omar Ibrahim, medical director of the Connecticut Skin Institute in Stamford. Thats unsettling to him, as sun exposure is one of the leading causes of skin cancer the most common form of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year. Melanoma, the deadliest variety of skin cancer, will account for about 76,380 cases of cancer in 2016. The Academy of Dermatology survey included some good news, in that 85 percent of participants knew sunscreen needs to be reapplied after swimming. However, another study, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, gives further evidence many people arent using sunscreen correctly, including some who are otherwise vigilant about sun protection. In the study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers looked at the sun habits of 758 people with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer, and 34,161 control subjects. They found those with a history of skin cancer were more likely to seek shade, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen than those without such a history, but still got sunburned as often as those without a cancer history. Researchers said the data indicated even those with the skin cancer history might not be applying sunscreen adequately. Locally, experts agreed many people still know shockingly little about how to protect themselves. Ibrahim said patients he sees seem confused by everything from the meaning of a sunscreens sun protection factor to how much they should apply at once and how often they should apply it. If youre an adult, you should apply the equivalent of what would fit in a shot glass over your entire body, Ibrahim said. One bottle of sunscreen shouldnt last you all summer. Dr. Jason Wilder, a dermatologist with Bridgeport Hospital, echoed those thoughts. Many people use it very sparingly, he said. They use their fingertips. Two fingertips over your entire body just isnt enough. He said people should use two to three bottles of sunscreen a summer, while those in a tropical climate should use a bottle a week. Wilder said beachgoers and other sun lovers should use a product with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks up to 97 percent of the suns rays. No matter the sunscreens SPF, the Academy of Dermatology recommends reapplying every two hours, or after swimming or sweating. Ibrahim said people should wear protective clothing. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 5 of 5 STRATFORD All the talk about opioid painkillers contributing to Americas heroin and prescription painkiller addiction crisis has Alison Scofield worried. Scofield, of Stratford, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1989. As her disease progressed, so did her pain levels. Every day, she experiences pain, usually in her feet, hands and right leg. American mayors travel to Cuba to boost business A delegation of the Conference of U.S. Mayors visiting Cuba expressed its willingness to contribute to the improvement of relations between the two countries and called for the lifting of the embargo on the island. On behalf of the Conference of Mayors, an organization representing nearly 1,500 U.S. cities, Rawlings-Blake thanked Cubans for their hospitality, adding that she was impressed by the wide representation of women in Parliament. Mitchell J. Landrieu, mayor of New Orleans and second Vice-president of the organization, referred to the cultural ties uniting the two peoples, and expressed his willingness carry to his country the message of Cuba on the elimination of the unilateral siege. As part of its work program in the Caribbean nation, the delegation will visit the Mariel Special Development Zone and the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. This is the first delegation of the U.S. Conference of Mayors traveling to Cuba since 1978, when 40 members of this organization came to Havana on an official visit after the triumph of the Revolution. source: www.cibercuba.com Cuban First VP visits Russian Scientific Center Submitted by: Juana Science and Technology Politics and Government 05 / 28 / 2016 The first Cuban vice president Miguel Diaz-Canel, knew in Moscow about the strategy of the Development and Commercialization Fund of new technologies of Skolkovo, during a tour of its facilities, reported PL Agency. Victor Vekselberg, head of the nonprofit organization created by the Russian government in September 2010, showed the visiting leader and his accompanying delegation the projects that aim to accelerate the transformation of Russia from supplier of hydrocarbons mainly- to an economy based on innovation. The First VP visited some facilities of the project that by 2020 will occupy two million square meters of residential and industrial areas, where 35 thousand people will devote themselves to innovation. Alexandr Kuleshov, rector of the Skolkovo Institute of Technology (Skoltech), explained the Cuban leader that this center of teaching and research only trains specialists in the post-graduate level. Zika virus in Cuba gradually increases Submitted by: Juana Havana Health and Medicine 05 / 28 / 2016 The thirteenth imported case of a patient with Zika virus has been confirmed, corresponding to a 67-year-old Cuban citizen living in Havana, who arrived in the country on May 21 from Colombia, where he works under independent contract. On May 23 he showed rash on the abdomen, chest and upper extremities, as well as redness and overall discomfort afterwards. The following day he went to his family doctor's office, from where he was sent to the Polyclinic and later to the Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK by its Spanish acronym), where he was admitted. A blood sample was taken for study and on May 26 the IPK laboratory reported that the patient was positive for Zika virus. He is still hospitalized with mild symptoms, no fever, good general condition and favorable evolution. Pa. is about to vote. Here's what to know about voting and ballot access in 2022 New hearing same result: Death sentence for murder at Lake prison Allen Cox's case has been making its way through the court system for years. Now he is heading back to death row. The power suit has moved out of the office and onto the street in a variety of colours with the celebrity support of Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett. by Damien Woolnough Whenever I see a low-fat muffin in a coffee shop, I have to control an urge to pick it up, jump on it and shout rude words. I am myself an expert in getting fat, and know that this evil blob of sugar and starch is a rapid route to a bigger waistband. Fat doesnt make you fat. Butter is good for you. So is cream. Skimmed milk is a futile punitive measure, not a foodstuff, a way of making ourselves needlessly miserable which has taken over the world on the basis of an illusion. Fat doesnt make you fat. Almost everything most people think about food, and almost everything shops tell them, is completely wrong, says Peter Hitchens This is because almost everything most people think about food, and almost everything shops tell them, is completely wrong. In an unending struggle to get this across, the National Obesity Forum last week made a renewed attack on these mistaken attitudes. Sugar, not fat, is the menace to our lives. And this has been known since 1972 when a brave scientist, John Yudkin, wrote a book Pure, White And Deadly showing it was so. He and his unfashionable message were buried in abuse. It may be that some in the sugar industry might have been involved. These days he would have been called a fat-threat denier, or something of the kind. He died in 1995, too soon to see his ideas rescued and taken seriously again. Even now, people are getting needlessly fat and dying of horrible diseases because the anti-fat (and pro-sugar) lobby still hasnt been completely routed. It will be, but these things take time. I mention this not just because its true, but because its an example of how thoughtless worship of scientists gets us repeatedly into trouble. Doubters like me are told not to dare criticise the sacred men in white coats. But scientists disagree among themselves and are often wrong. In fact, science progresses by exploding dud theories of the past. And laymen are perfectly entitled to apply facts and logic to what these people say. The obvious argument against the skimmed-milk fanatics is that decades of this policy have left us with more fat people than ever. But we should not have had to wait so long. There is powerful evidence against many other things now accepted as true, and often very weak evidence for them. Id name antidepressant pills, dyslexia, ADHD and man-made climate change. Those who criticise these things are angrily hushed, with righteous cries of How dare you!, and if they wont shut up, they are punished as was John Yudkin. Yet I believe in all these cases the critics will be proved right, as Professor Yudkin was. The miserable thing is that so much damage will be done while we wait for the truth to get the upper hand. Be less trusting of all fashionable ideas, is my advice. Gullibility and conformism never advanced civilisation by a single step. Jailed... for a very odd non-crime In the same way that we have to allow free speech to those we despise, we must be most careful to ensure justice for those who are different from us, and with whom we cant easily sympathise. So a nasty shiver ran up and down my spine when I saw that Lorna Moore, a convert to Islam who married a Muslim, has been locked up for a very odd offence. In fact, I know of no other offence like it in English law. This young mother has been imprisoned for not informing on her husband. Muslim convert Lorna Moore (pictured) has been imprisoned for not informing on her husband Ive yet to see any conclusive proof that she actually knew he was planning to join a terror group. Somehow or other, a return ticket to Majorca was taken as evidence that she was planning to run away to Syria with a husband she loathes. And my English heart revolts at the idea of a wife being forced by law to inform on her husband. This is sinister, totalitarian stuff, alien to everything we stand for. Those who drafted the 2000 Terrorism Act should be ashamed of enacting it. Can they have meant to lock up this person, so undangerous that she was allowed to be out on bail for three months between conviction and sentence? Will it be children next, snatched into custody for not sneaking to the police about their parents conversations? This reminds me of the nauseating cult of Pavlik Morozov, whom Soviet children were taught to revere because he reported his father to the secret police. There used to be a statue of this little monster (who was promptly and understandably murdered by his grandfather) in the middle of Moscow. But while even Vladimir Putin doesnt encourage such things nowadays, we in Britain are moving towards the all-powerful state, on the excuse of combating terror. As it happens, Lorna Moore had every reason to do her husband harm if she had wanted to. She went into the witness box (a dangerous thing for a guilty person to do) to say convincingly that she hates her husband, who was given to shoving her head down the lavatory. To make the matter even more odd, the husband involved hasnt actually been convicted of doing the thing his wife didnt tell the police about. Indeed, he has sent an email to British media saying he isnt actually in Syria, but in Turkey. Are the rest of us truly free when people can be locked up for such things? I dont feel so. One more lie in the drugs 'war' The trumpeted ban on legal highs is a fiction, like the rest of our drug laws. The new Act imposes no penalties at all for possessing these dangerous poisons except for people who are already in jail. This is an amazing giveaway of the Governments real drugs policy, which is to look the other way while pretending to be tough. In fact, simple possession of cannabis, heroin or cocaine is now hardly punished at all, even though it is illegal. Claims that this frees up the police to pursue evil dealers are not backed up by the figures. Prosecutions for these offences stay about the same each year. It makes no sense. The thing that makes the dealers, importers and growers evil is the damage that the drugs actually do to their users and their families. The final, crucial link in this wicked chain is the purchase of the drug by the user. Yet this is the one thing we dont punish. Users are let off, or treated as if they are the victims of an irresistible disease. One of the reasons why too few people criticise the feebleness of the modern police is that they know they will then be bombarded with spiteful and abusive letters and tweets from workers in this arrogant and unresponsive nationalised industry. Pro EU cheerleader Sir Nicholas Soames regularly hurls fruity abuse at fellow Tory MPs for betraying the party. But a newsman who asked him about a previous tirade was shocked by Soames begging him not to relay one particularly offensive word to readers. 'Why not?' asked the hack. 'Because my mother doesn't like it,' pleaded Soames. Sadly, his formidable mum, Lady Mary Soames, Winston Churchill's daughter, is no longer around to keep Naughty Nick in line. Sadly, his formidable mum, Lady Mary Soames, Winston Churchill's daughter, is no longer around to keep Naughty Nick in line Saucers in the Commons Tea Room are still rattling after last week's bust-up between big-bellied Tory Remainer Alec Shelbrooke and pro-Brexit Andrew Bridgen, who mocked the mountain of food on Shelbrooke's breakfast plate. Now the 5ft 8in Leicestershire MP wants 6ft Shelbrooke to take it outside. 'If it had come to blows, it'd have been a two-hit fight. I'd have hit him and he'd have hit the floor,' says Bridgen. Pull the other one. Political junkies will be denied the excitement of an exit poll on June 23. Professor John Curtice who beat his peers by calling a Tory majority on General Election night will not risk repeating the exercise for the EU Referendum. 'It can't be done for a one-off event,' says the King Of Polls. Dog will just have to glug strong coffee until the results emerge at dawn David Cameron's shaven-headed ex-guru Steve Hilton exudes Buddhist calm in his LA designer beach-bum T-shirt as he advocates quitting the EU. But he has had tantrums, too. Steve flew into a rage when he was thrown off a plane for boarding without shoes and had to pay a 140 surcharge to get back on. And he was detained in a police cell after a row with a railway ticket inspector during a Tory conference in Birmingham. David Cameron's shaven-headed ex-guru Steve Hilton exudes Buddhist calm in his LA designer beach-bum T-shirt as he advocates quitting the EU Gay peers are against a bid by Trollopian Tory peer Patrick Cormack to become Lord Speaker, recalling his opposition to same-sex marriage. They are backing pro-gay Conservative rival Lord Norman Fowler despite his embarrassing gaffe as Health Secretary when the Aids crisis started in the 1980s. After a female adviser explained how the virus was passed from one man to another, Fowler dropped his pencil and replied: 'Do men really do that to each other?' Dog is sure that next week's MPs vs peers Westminster sailing regatta for the excellent Sail 4 Cancer charity and to mark the 60th anniversary of Enterprise dinghies will not be a rerun of a 1980s parliamentary rowing race fiasco. Sponsored by Beefeater Gin, it nearly ended in tragedy when the 'eight' carrying ex-Labour PM James Callaghan was sunk by waves from a spectator launch bearing his No 10 nemesis, Maggie Thatcher. A few days ago I received an exasperated message from a senior official at Leave.EU, the freewheeling unofficial Brexit campaign headed by Nigel Farage and leading Ukip donor Arron Banks. Sadly too many in Vote Leave [the official Leave campaign] have always been prepared to be honourable and gallant losers, he said glumly. They have careers post-June to worry about. Polling day is now less than four weeks away, and whether they are prepared for it or not, Leave are certainly losing. The polls or at least the telephone polls that proved most accurate during the 2015 Election have shifted decisively towards Remain. An additional survey released on Thursday by Lord Ashcroft showed two-thirds of voters believe Brexit will be rejected, a small but significant indication of the state of British water-cooler opinion. The bookies are now offering odds as short as 8-1 on for a Remain victory. Some stout hearts in the British independence movement cling to the hope of a last-minute surge of anti-EU sentiment. A few nervous nellies at Stronger In worry about turnout. But if 43 years in the European Union hasnt turned the UK into a Eurosceptic nation, that shift is unlikely to occur in the next 26 days. Scroll down for video Some senior members of Vote Leave are alive to the dangers. Michael Gove and Boris Johnson have been prepared to front measured immigration messaging. But Gove knows he must be wary not to unleash an anti-immigrant Frankenstein The defining issue of British politics is no longer whether the Brexit camp can win, but how they choose to lose. More specifically, its whether they lose in the honourable and gallant way attributed to them by my slightly cynical friend or in a way that destroys them individually as politicians, tears the Conservative Party apart, and brings the governance of the United Kingdom to the brink of total collapse. On Wednesday, Newsnight political editor Nick Watt reported that Vote Leave was planning to opt for the latter approach. It would, he said, be adapting its tactics in the final phase of the campaign in favour of a classic core votes strategy to persuade diehard supporters to turn out on June 23, by focusing on immigration. Rationalising this, a pro-Brexit Minister said: I am getting a lot of messages about why we are failing to get our message across. Vote Leave does not want to major on immigration, but the problem is that on the economy we are playing defence. As the referendum approaches its endgame, there is a fissure opening up within the Vote Leave group It was a significant statement for two reasons. First, it underlined how, contrary to expectations, mainstream Brexit campaigners have not been deploying an unyielding, rabid stream of anti-immigrant rhetoric. Yes, they have pointed to problems created by free movement. Last week they pounced on figures showing net migration running at an annual rate of more than 300,000, in contrast to David Camerons vow to reduce it to less than 100,000. But these are legitimate arguments. In fact, the most high-profile use of the immigration and race card has ironically enough been played by Operation Black Vote, which unveiled an ugly and divisive poster in which a parody skinhead is seen aggressively berating a beatific Asian lady. Vote Remain or youll get your head kicked in, appeared the none too subliminal message. The second significant part of that statement is that the restraint official Leave campaigners have demonstrated to date is about to be torn up and tossed to the winds. Or rather, that there are people within the campaign who are quite happy to exploit simmering tensions surrounding immigration in a desperate last-minute attempt to snatch Brexit from the jaws of defeat. As the referendum approaches its endgame, there is a fissure opening up within Vote Leave. On one side are the Brexit pragmatists. In their view they have fought a good fight against overwhelming odds. They have stood up for their beliefs, and while they still hold out faint hopes of victory, their minds are now turning to how to shape the post-campaign political landscape, and in particular how to bind the Conservative Party back together again. In other words, they are looking for a referendum exit strategy. Michael Gove has been a key member of the Vote Leave campaign - much to the chagrin of his longtime friend and political ally David Cameron On the other side are the Brexit jihadis. To them the war against the EU is a war without end. They will do whatever it takes to win, and if they dont win they will do whatever it takes to wreak vengeance on those who have as they see it stolen their referendum from them. The only exit strategy they are interested in is David Camerons. The danger for both sides is they end up dragging each other down into the abyss along with all the rest of us. Some senior members of Vote Leave are alive to the dangers. Michael Gove and Boris Johnson have been prepared to front measured immigration messaging. But Gove who is currently attempting to liberalise what in his mind is the countrys antiquated and draconian penal system knows he must be wary not to unleash an anti-immigrant Frankenstein. Johnson, meanwhile, only needs to look to his putative mayoral successor Zac Goldsmith to contemplate his own personal cautionary tale. Goldsmith is said by friends to be emotionally scarred by the savage criticism he received for running a failed Islamophobic dog-whistle campaign against Sadiq Khan. The hope in Downing Street is that as an emotionally charged and often bitter referendum reaches its climax, cooler, blonder heads will prevail. The cosmopolitan liberals in Leave know the risks of associating themselves with the Faragista agenda, says one official. Indeed, the toxicity of Nigel Farage is now seen by the Remain campaign as their not-so-secret weapon. Youll be seeing us putting Farage front and centre in the final weeks, says a Stronger In campaigner. But even if Vote Leave avoids closing out the campaign looking like an Enoch Powell tribute act, there are clear signs that elements within it are preparing to extract a heavy price for defeat. Earlier in the week it was reported the Prime Minister will be presented with a stark post-referendum ultimatum name a date for your departure or face a no-confidence motion. Zac Goldsmith is said by friends to be emotionally scarred by the savage criticism he received for running a failed Islamophobic dog-whistle campaign against Sadiq Khan There are questions whether the numbers exist for such a challenge, but if Brexit is defeated it seems some people will find it impossible to let go. For the likes of Bill Cash, Bernard Jenkin and Chris Chope, raging against Europe is their lifes work, said one moderate Eurosceptic Minister. Its true that as the Brexit campaign has lost momentum, the mood within the parliamentary Conservative Party has shifted. Frustration at perceived Downing Street heavy-handedness has been replaced by a desire for closure. Id say 90 per cent of MPs are just desperate to get to June 23, and get the whole thing over, one Cabinet Minister told me. Another said: What one thing people overlook is the power of that big block of MPs elected in 2015. Theyve been here a year and all theyve been dealing with is infighting over Europe. They want to move on now. Perhaps they do. But the Governments slender majority means only a small number of malcontents can cause mayhem. Last week, Outers, led by Peter Lilley the man who once broke into song at Tory Party conference to boast of his little list of single mothers and benefit scroungers mysteriously became so outraged at plans to allow US commercial firms to bid for NHS contracts that they forced through the first amendment to a Queens Speech since 1924. It was a taste of things to come. Some Brexit supporters are so blinded by hate and impending defeat that they are plotting to derail the Governments entire agenda. Not to force a new referendum, or even to force out Cameron but just because they can. Video shows the class looking shocked as three women walk into the room Nearly all drawings of firefighters, surgeons and pilots featured men Children aged five to seven drew pictures of people doing different jobs They say gender stereotyping begins at a young age, and that was certainly the case when a group of primary school children were asked to draw people doing different jobs. A video shows a group of five to seven-year-olds at Whitstable Junior School, Kent, being told to draw pictures of what they think a firefighter, surgeon and fighter pilot look like. Nearly all the drawings feature men with names like Gary or Simon, with one child adding: 'He's big and strong'. A video featuring primary school children has shown how early gender stereotyping starts. When told that they would be meeting a firefighter, surgeon and fighter pilot, they did not expect them all to be women The children aged between five and seven were firstly asked to draw what they thought people doing these jobs looked like. Nearly all the drawings feature men with names like Gary or Simon But when the children were given the chance to meet three people doing these jobs, they weren't who they expected to see. Tamsin, an NHS sugeon, Lauren, an RAF pilot and Lucy, a firefighter from the London Fire Brigade, come into the classroom. The children appear to be shocked that all three are women, but quickly begin quizzing them about their jobs. The revealing video was made by charity Inspiring the Future as part of their Redraw the Balance campaign. Lucy, a firefighter from the London Fire Brigade, Tamsin, an NHS surgeon, and Lauren, an RAF pilot then all come into the classroom RAF pilot Lauren talks to the children about her job in a bid to break down gender stereotypes Of the 66 pictures drawn by the children that day, only five of them were women. In the video, the youngsters talk about the men they have drawn. One says 'Mine's called firefighter Gary', while another describes his firefighter as being 'big and strong'. When asked what his surgeon is called, a boy replies: 'Jimbob. He's a brain surgeon'. Other children add that 'he would wear a stethoscope' and 'he gives you medicine. The children enjoy trying on her helmet and oxygen mask as they discover more about her career Other kids speak to Tamsin about her job as a surgeon in the video by charity Inspiring the Future When describing their pilots, one boy says 'This is his jet plane' while another adds that 'he rescues people'. The charity's Inspiring Women campaign aims to get women into schools to talk about their careers. The campaign calls on women to pledge an hour of their time to break down stereotypes of all kinds in schools. Of the 66 pictures drawn by the children that day, only five of them were women, suggesting gender stereotyping starts at a young age When describing their pilots, one boy says 'This is his jet plane' while another adds that 'he rescues people' Advertisement It was the hotly anticipated week of live finals at Britain's Got Talent, but as the fashion face-off between fellow Britain's Got Talent judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon got underway, it became clear that their outfits - rather than the acts - were the real stars of the show. The glamorous pair pulled out all the stops night after night with a dazzling array of designers including bespoke couture that saw them flashing legs, cleavage and everything in between. They've also been keeping their fans hooked with Instagram pictures of their outfits each night, with 45-year-old Amanda defying her years in stunning creations from the likes of Celia Kritharioti and Phillip Armstrong - while Alesha, 37, kept it cool in leggy numbers from DSquared2. But while Amanda wins the price contest hands down with a wardrobe worth tens of thousands, who is victorious in the style battle? FEMAIL delves into the judges' wardrobes to find out... Scroll down for video Amanda Holden (second left) dazzled fans in a $48,000 (33,000) haute couture gown, while Alesha Dixon (second right) wore a patterned PVC body suit with a long peach skirt slashed to the hips. Simon Cowell (left) and David Walliams (right) stuck to smart tailored suits Amanda and Alesha have showcased a variety of highly enviable outfits since the live semi-finals began last Sunday (pictured) SEMI-FINALS PART ONE Amanda Amanda kicked off the live finals in style with this stunning, sheer dress from Philip Armstrong consisting of a leotard-style bodysuit - showing off her cleavage thanks to a keyhole cut-out - covered in a sheer, glittering overlay that was slashed to her hip to show off her incredibly toned legs. Although the dress cost a relatively moderate 430, she upped the glam factor with jewellery from H. Stern and Saint Laurent shoes. Speaking of the look, stylist Hannah Eichler said: 'The judging panel on BGT are starting to make the X Factor line up look like the checkout queue in Tescos on a Saturday morning. 'Amanda's super star stylist Angie Smith pulled together the looks, which started with a daring sheer sparkly number by Philip Armstrong. If youve got it, flaunt it, eh Amanda?' Alesha Alesha went for the total opposite of Amanda's glitzy look in a thigh-grazing mini dress in a bold red hue, with a dramatic train that also cost 430, from Gareth Pugh. Amanda started the week in a thigh high split dress from Philip Armstrong while Alesha wore a red hot thigh skimmming mini from Gareth Pugh with both dresses costing 430 SEMI-FINALS PART TWO Amanda Going vintage with a piece from Kaufman Franco's AW14 collection, Amanda looked mermaid-like in this shimmering, floor-lenth silver lame gown which set her back 5,964. With a neckline slashed to just above her navel and her shoulders and arms on show, Amanda showed off the result of her regular yoga workouts. Adding a loose braid to her wavy tresses, her look notched up more than 6,400 likes on Instagram. Hannah Eichler said: 'Amanda showed off her slim frame in a silvery sci fi number by Kaufman Franco - we love how she gave the futuristic style a feminine edge with Perry braids.' Alesha Meanwhile, the former Mis-Teeq star dazzled in a bespoke halterneck jumpsuit from Sergio Hudson with dramatic flared trousers, scraping her hair back into a messy bun. The jumpsuit is made from metalic silk chiffon and stretch wool and can be purchased for $1695 (1159.21). Hannah says: 'Amandas co host Alesha upped the ante in the style stakes for the show too - her Sergio Hudson jumpsuit gave a nod to the Seventies disco trend with a shimmering plunge bodice and flared legs. The messy top knot really shows off that statement neck detail!' The second night of live semi-finals saw Amanda opt for a plunging metallic Kaufman Franco gown (5,964) while Alesha dazzled in a bespoke halterneck jumpsuit from Sergio Hudson SEMI-FINALS PART THREE Amanda Channelling old Holywood glamour in a sweeping Celia Kritharioti couture gown, Amanda added just the right amount of shock factor with a sky-high thigh split - her second showcasing of her lean legs that week. Hannah says of the look: 'Amandas third outfit was minimalist in more ways that one - not only did it tick the clean lines trend seen on the runways, but with its daring split it left little to the imagination. This gives a whole new meaning to visible panty line!' Alesha Amanda's counterpart went for a somewhat androgynous look in a Mugler coat dress from their SS16 collection costing 1,560, flashing just a hint of thigh and cleavage with some black suede boots. On Tuesday Amanda was seen channelling old Holywood glamour in a sweeping Celia Kritharioti couture gown, Alesha went for a more casual look in a Mugler coat dress from their SS16 collection (similar styles online cost roughly 1,000) SEMI-FINALS PART FOUR Amanda Upping the style stakes in a bespoke fishtail gown from Basil Soda, Amanda had the internet divided with this look, with one viewer blasting on Twitter: 'Surely at some point both @AmandaHolden and @AleshaOfficial are just going to walk out naked.' Hannah says: 'Amanda's look was a super summery affair in a lemon yellow dress by Basil Soda, which she teamed with Stephen Webster jewels. No doubt showing off that toned tum shes been working hard for in the gym - wed never guess she had two kids.' Alesha Alesha's barely-there Michael Costello dress costing $5800 (3966.63) featured an asymmetrical neckline and a sheer glittery skirt. It was her first dress of the night that imitated Amanda's leg-baring styles. Constructed of a black bodysuit with a strap-design bodice, a glittering black mesh then fell from her waist to the floor ensuring that her every inch of her toned limbs were on show. Wednesday saw Amanda showcase a bespoke fishtail gown from Basil Soda (similar 2,868) while Alesha flashed some flesh in a Michael Costello dress (similar 2,868) SEMI-FINALS PART FIVE Amanda Colour seemed to be the order of the day for the penultimate semi-finals, as Amanda wore an eye-popping Philip Armstrong dress in baby blue (920) with rhinestone detailing. She still couldn't resist showing off her legs with a discreet hip-height slit on the thigh, while she revealed her toned arm with the sleeveless cut. Alesha Never one to be outdone Alesha rose to the challenge in a stripy, candy-hued mini dress from DSquared2 (730) with towering yellow heels. However, it appears that the judge failed to win over the public with her daring fashion choices with viewers on Twitter comparing her colourful outfit to 'liquorice allsort' while another tweeter said it looked as though 'she had fallen through a deckchair'. Amanda wore an eye-popping Phillip Armstrong dress in baby blue (920) on Thursday while Alesha's candy-hued mini dress from DSquared2 (730) added a pop of colour THE FINAL Amanda The final gave the stars ample opportunity to showcase a showstopping wardrobe and Amanda certainly didn't disappoint. The star took to the stage in a full skirted bridal gown from Kuwait-based designer Ali Younes with an eye watering price of $48,000 (32827.25). She teamed the romantic gown with some serious bling from Saqqara jewellery, with a double butterfly ring (similar styles 4,700) and icefall drop earrings (similar styles 10,700). Hannah comments: 'Ms Holden certainly saved her best look til last, with a fashion finale that stole the show thanks to a bridal inspired gown by Ali Younes worth 33,000 'Step away from the red wine Amanda, thats gonna be one hell of a dry cleaning bill. At least it was only water she threw at co host David Walliams.' The live final saw the two women offer up their most dramatic dresses of the week both opting for pastel gowns Alesha Amanda appeared to be favouring the thigh high split throughout the week but last night saw Alesha give her a run for her money. The former Strictly winner showcased a double split flashing plenty of legs to the crowd last night in a custom gown from New York designer Idan Cohen. The hand made chiffon bodysuit with metallic beads and Swarovski stones came in at a less than a tenth of Amanda's at $4000 (2735.60).The bejeweled nude gown spoke for itself with Alesha keeping accessories to a minimum with stacked rings and a pair of metallic shoes. Speaking of Alesha's style choices over the past week her stylist Laury Smith said: 'Alesha has a real love of fashion, her own personal style and a real authenticity in the way she dresses. We go for looks and designers that express something of her personality and truly suit her. 'This week, we stuck to those principles with outfits that conveyed Alesha's style, and made it visually interesting at the same time. We mixed up the cut, length, style, colour palette for each show and were able to showcase a great selection of designers about whom Alesha is passionate, from Mugler and Gareth Pugh to Michael Costello and Sergio Hudson. And when we go for the unexpected, its always a look Alesha totally owns. The secret of real style is having the personality to match.' Hannah added: 'For her final outfit, Alesha complemented Amandas bridal look to perfection with a nude embellished bodice dress with double splits by Idan Cohen. Check out the clever panelling which create the illusion of an hour glass figure. Anyone else got the urge to chop their hair off into a messy bob?' Newsreader Sian Williams was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, shortly before her 50th birthday Newsreader Sian Williams walks gingerly to her bathroom after a restless night of crying. Overwhelmed by being at home after a shockingly sudden double mastectomy and terrified her cancer will return, she steels herself to look in the mirror. I get undressed in the bathroom and see puckered gashes and tubes leaking blood coming out from under my armpits, she later writes in her diary. I do not recognise myself. I feel bruised beyond repair. Brittle, contorted, punched, ugly, old, damaged, diseased, thin, bloated, alien. Sian, who presented BBC Breakfast for 11 years and now anchors Channel 5 News, was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before her 50th birthday in 2014, and just before she was due to move house. She went to great lengths to keep her cancer secret from her BBC bosses, telling only her closest relatives and her childrens teacher. Instead, she committed her innermost fears to her diary. Today The Mail on Sundays You Magazine publishes exclusive extracts of her searingly honest and deeply personal account, in which Sian describes how the trauma of her diagnosis and the subsequent surgical removal of both her breasts propelled her into a world of fear and rage and forced her to reassess her life, her work and her relationships. Few families in Britain have escaped the scourge of cancer, but Sian, like many who have suffered from the disease, struggled to make sense of the diagnosis, particularly as she has always looked after her health. Disease suddenly pitched me into a hospital theatre where two surgeons took away my breasts, along with my naive belief in healthy infallibility, she explains. Then, as is common, the fear set in. Sian, 51, has lost close family members to cancer, and became terrified of not being around to see her four children grow up. My aunt and one of my closest friends died early from breast cancer, she says, adding: My mum didnt survive the disease either. I consider myself extremely lucky that mine was spotted early and dealt with promptly. The outlet for all her fear, pain and gut-churning worry was her diary. I began writing. Not for me or anyone else to read, but to maintain sanity. My diaries were where I could scream or laugh or simply observe. Now she is publishing her diary, along with a toolkit of psychological advice and practical guidance born of her experience, which she hopes will help others through a similarly tough time. I want to show its OK to have fear, bewilderment and rage when life challenges you. In fact, more than OK its an important part of recowvering, she says. I get undressed in the bathroom and see puckered gashes and tubes leaking blood coming out from under my armpits. I do not recognise myself. I feel bruised beyond repair. Sian Williams In that spirit of honesty, she admits her fear that going public would make her an object of pity: Im frightened of you reading it. Ever since my diagnosis Ive been wary of anyone knowing. Very few people were told. I wanted to protect my family. So we turned in, rather than out. Of all the excruciating tasks thrust upon her, telling her children was the worst. Sian recalls being uncertain how to respond when her six-year-old daughter Evie asked: Do lots of mummies get cancer? Touchingly, she remembers her youngest childs face being open and interested, quizzical rather than concerned, before she replied: No, but some do and everyone is doing their best to get rid of it for them. Will I get it? Evie responded, heartbreakingly. Sian adds: I want them to know that cancer isnt always a death sentence, like it was for their granny. I want them to know that you can have cancer and still be you, even when a part of you has been taken away. I want them to understand that hospitals are not full of fear, but packed with people who work their hardest to make you better and you can trust them, sometimes even laugh with them. That itll be OK. Now Sian is publishing her diary, along with a toolkit of psychological advice and practical guidance born of her experience, which she hopes will help others through a similarly tough time Sian Williams (pictured here with her husband Paul) went to great lengths to keep her cancer secret from her BBC bosses, telling only her closest relatives and her childrens teacher Sian became a household name after presenting BBC Breakfast for 11 years and she now anchors Channel 5 News. She became an expert in exuding an outward confidence that masked a gnawing inner fear It was an outward confidence that masked a gnawing inner fear. The everyday business of motherhood is hard for cancer sufferers. A particular wrench, Sian says, were the landmarks she missed while in hospital in January 2015. The kids [Evie and eight-year-old Seth] start a new school today and Im not even there to hold their hands, hug them, reassure them and wave them off. Its gutting, she confides in her diary. Seth said hes really nervous and shy. Evie is excited, shes fine. I cant wait to see them bound into school, buoyed by the new friendships theyve made and experiences theyve had. She adds: I have pretty astounding children. Joss and Al [Sians 15 and 12-year-old sons from her first marriage] were here all day yesterday, chatting, reading, checking their phones, eating the fruit. Sian is a trained trauma assessor, skilled in helping journalist colleagues deal with the impact of covering harrowing news events Sian is a trained trauma assessor, skilled in helping journalist colleagues deal with the impact of covering harrowing news events. Shortly before her diagnosis in November 2013, she had just completed a two-year MSc in psychology, focused on growth after adversity. But no amount of study could prepare her for the life-changing events ahead of her. In the early stages of recovery she slept badly and cried late into the night. I was overwhelmed by being out of hospital, frightened of the future, she recalls, before explaining that her husband Paul proved a reassuring presence through it all. While I was surviving he was watching and feeling what? Impotence? Anger? Fear? My emotions focused on getting through, small steps towards recovery, raising a cup to my lips, hiding the bottles that drained the blood from my wounds. Its like being in a bubble where all your energy is directed back upon yourself; youre clutching tiny victories as proof you can build back up, grow stronger. The shock of it mentally is outside that bubble, suffered by others, looking in at you struggling to do the things that a small child could do, yet unable to help. A month after surgery, her emotions still swirled erratically. I cried in front of a psychologist and talked tough to a business colleague. I tell myself I am strong, yet I am vulnerable and weak. The trouble with appearing capable is that people assume you dont need help, so dont offer. Im healed, arent I? Im lucky and I certainly look the same clothed, at least. So why do I feel so lost and angry? Certainly more emotional and experiencing this intense sadness, which comes in unexplained, unbidden. Weaker, easier to knock off balance, confused. Her battle with the disease was, Sian says, an intense learning experience: Im seeing a psychologist who specialises in breast cancer care. When we talk, I cry about past traumas, my mothers fast, undiagnosed cancer, which killed her within four months. Giving birth to a blue, flat baby and then losing more than half my blood being told that we almost lost our son, before almost losing my life too. Talking to her, I realise that in our family we suppress emotion and get on with things. Pull your socks up, pick yourself up. The morning after my mothers death, my dad, my brothers and I had organised the funeral and taken all her clothes to the charity shop in black bin bags by midday. Im not used to indulging in emotion, and no one expects it of me. Sian, 51, has lost close family members to cancer, and became terrified of not being around to see her four children grow up After a battle to return to some semblance of normality, however, Sian is now prepared to release the most intimate details of her personal struggle back to health Even after the operation was declared a success, Sian struggled to reconcile herself and her public persona to the illness. A fortnight after surgery, she recalls, she stood with her husband looking out to sea, and said, Sian Williams has had a double mastectomy. That statement seems too incongruous to belong to me. Does it sound weird to you? He looks at me and seems tired, worn, resigned. Its not weird to him because he lived it. Sian returned to work six weeks after her surgery, presenting the BBC One OClock News on February 20, 2015. Television is an unforgiving medium, and she spent a restless night worrying about going back. You still have to deal with normality: squabbling kids, upsets at work, irritations at home. Nothing has changed and yet everything has. Sian Williams Work dreams are back. Sweating about being in the wrong place at 12.30pm, not being able to find a jacket or an earpiece. Looking ghastly and irrevocably tired, old, shabby, the hair thin and flyaway brittle, the eyes yellow Ouch. Judgment. How easy will it be to put the mask back on? After a battle to return to some semblance of normality, however, Sian is now prepared to release the most intimate details of her personal struggle back to health. Its now been more than a year since Sians double mastectomy. Ive been back to get new lumps examined and had more reconstructive surgery but Im healthy. From the start, I was told my cancer was breast-threatening, not life-threatening. Thats a very different place to many people. She admits that she planned to keep her cancer secret as Ive always been a private person, but says the experience transformed her outlook on life which spurred her into sharing what she learned by publishing her diaries. The positive discoveries seem too valuable not to share. Its not an easy path its painful and hard-fought. You still have to deal with normality: squabbling kids, upsets at work, irritations at home. Nothing has changed and yet everything has. I would not wish it on anyone but, in a strange way, taking away my breasts, my self-esteem and my belief in certainty gave me something back: a fresh perspective on the way I embrace life and those I love. And for that, Im thankful. A group of junior high school teachers have gone viral after taking a boombox through the school halls and showing off their dance moves. The teachers at Batesville Junior High in Batesville, Mississippi, knew just how to celebrate the kick off of their summer holidays: prearranged choreography and blaring hip hop. The procession of dancing educators shake and shimmy through the halls in a video posted on Facebook, which has since been seen by millions. Got the moves: Teachers at Batesville Junior High in Batesville, Mississippi, have gained online fame after being filmed dancing through the school halls to celebrate breaking for summer Leading the way in the clip, with a boombox hoisted onto his shoulder, is Batesville principal Charles Stevenson. 'It's actually our first time doing that video. We just wanted to do something fun to show that the teachers can have fun and that we really push student achievement,' Charles told News Channel 3. 'So we like to have fun throughout the entire school year. Our teachers work very hard,' he added. He also explained that the video came about after someone challenged the school's staff to a 'juke box challenge' and the school decided to rise to it. Grooving away: Headed up by the school's principal carrying a boombox, the teachers dance in sync as they shimmy down the hallway Making it big: Since being posted last Tuesday, the video has been viewed more than three million times and shared more than 60,000 times While Charles was not involved in the planning for arranging the dance, he was tasked with heading up the procession. The clip shows the principal in a blue shirt, red tie and khaki pants with a huge grin dancing along in front of dozens of teachers, following his moves to the beat of the tune and getting closer and closer to the camera. The teachers posted the clip on Facebook last Tuesday, May 24, with the caption: 'School's out for the summer, and the teachers aren't too sad about it!' Man in charge: Principal Charles Stevenson explained that the idea began as a 'juke box challenge' posed to the school staff But the teachers had no idea just how far their bit of end-of-year fun would go. Currently, the original post has been viewed more than three million times and shared more than 60,000 times. 'My thing is that the way you start the school year is the same way you want to end it,' Charles said. The mother of a young disabled son has hit back online after an anonymous person left a nasty note on her car for parking in a handicap space. It was after a quick trip into a Walmart in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, that Nikki Waller arrived back to her legally parked car with her sons to find a vile note placed on the window of her car. What it said shocked her so much that she later shared it on social media with a powerful message. 'So I went to Belle Vernon Walmart last night to get the boys a quick haircut,' she wrote. 'I came out to find this on my car.' Cruel words: Mother Nikki Waller was shocked to find this note left on her car after returning from a trip to Walmart in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania Telling it like it is: Nikki was surprised by the note because she had a placard on the car and was therefore parked legally The note, which she included as an image in her Facebook post, read: 'Reserved parking a******. Did your welfare check come today?' It seems as though, despite the car having a disability parking placard hanging from the rear-view mirror, someone had seen Nikki arrive with her boys and assumed that none of them were deserving of the parking spot. 'Those of you who know me know that it really angers me when people without handicap signs park in those spaces. So seeing that I was parked legally this was a little funny to me,' she wrote. 'But then I became sad. I am not sad for myself or for my son. I am sad for you... the author of this nice note,' she added. 'There are two words to describe you. The first is ignorance. I am saddened by the fact that you obviously saw my children and I pull into one of four empty handicap spaces, saw our ages, and made judgements.' Nikki went on to describe how it was the youngest member of the family that was the one in need of the special parking pass. 'I do not expect you to know all of his medical diagnoses, to pull up his pant legs to see the braces he wears on his legs, or to know that his liver is going to s*** because of medication he needs every day,' she said. 'But I would expect you, as an adult, to think outside the box.' Unknowing: Following the discovery, Nikki took to Facebook to explain how she had a disability placard for her car for her youngest son Alex, 7 Loving mom: Nikki isn't intending to find the note's author, but rather wants to spread the message of how there are 'people with invisible diseases and illnesses who do need handicap parking' Nikki was referring to her seven-year-old son Alex, who has juvenile arthritis with myalgia and hypermobility disorder. 'The second word I would use to describe you is coward. You had the guts to leave this note for me after I left my car but not enough to question me about my reason for parking in that space,' she said. 'Had you even had the guts to approach me with a rude comment I would have been happy to educate you. Instead, you hid like a coward, making ignorant judgments. So your note did not affect me in the way you thought it would. It only made me feel sorry for you and people like you.' The post connected instantly with Nikki's friends, who helped it to go viral, being shared over 1,000 times. But while Nikki doesn't feel the need to use the unexpected spotlight to find the person who left the note, she wants to use the opportunity to spread a positive message. Head east to visit the stunning estates and plantations in Sri Lanka, India or China where your favourite brew is grown. SENSATIONAL SRI LANKA Britain's colonial past is all around you in Sri Lanka's tea-growing Highlands. At Tea Trails you can stay in revamped tea planter's bungalows Britain's colonial past is all around you in Sri Lanka's tea-growing Highlands. At Tea Trails you can stay in revamped tea planter's bungalows, explore the verdant terraced landscape and enjoy countless brews and luxurious afternoon cream teas. INSIDER TIP: Climb Sri Lanka's 7,360 ft holy mountain, Adam's Peak. DETAILS: Six-night tour including B&B accommodation, all-inclusive meals at Tea Trails and driver from 1,300, reddottours.com. Flights to Sri Lanka from 486 return, srilankan.com. DREAMY DARJEELING In the heat of the Indian summer, the British decamped to the hills of Darjeeling. Follow in their footsteps In the heat of the Indian summer, the British decamped to the hills of Darjeeling. Follow in their footsteps on this tea-themed tour, with tea tastings and visits to several estates. INSIDER TIP: Visit Gorumara National Park to see rhino and elephants. DETAILS: On The Go Tours 7-day Darjeeling High Tea tour from 1,149, onthego tours.com. Flights to New Delhi from 431, britishairways.com. Connecting flights to Bagdogra from 193, jetairways.com. ENCHANTING CHINA Tea has been cultivated in the orderly plantations of Mengdingshan for centuries Tea has been cultivated in the orderly plantations of Mengdingshan for centuries. You'll learn how it's done on this tour, taking in some of China's natural wonders, including a Yangtze river trip and visits to Nine Village Valley and the Longji Rice Terraces. INSIDER TIP: Drop in to visit the giant pandas at the Chengdu Panda Base. At The Mail on Sunday we take great pride in the quality of our journalism. All our journalists are required to observe the Editors' Code of Practice and The Mail on Sunday is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), the regulatory body for the Press set up in response to the Leveson Inquiry. We aim to correct any errors as promptly as possible. An article on February 14 headed Top Generals investigation into impropriety at Help for Heroes reported Ministry of Defence statements that inquiries were being made about allegations concerning a Help for Heroes recovery centre. The MoD has now changed its previous statements and says there is not, nor has there been, any investigation. We are now satisfied that there is no investigation into H4H from the Army. We apologise for the confusion and any embarrassment these conflicting statements have caused to H4H. If you wish to report an inaccuracy, please email corrections@mailonsunday.co.uk. To make a formal complaint under IPSO rules please go to www.mailonsunday.co.uk/readerseditor where you will find an easy-touse complaints form. You can also write to Readers' Editor, The Mail on Sunday, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or contact IPSO directly at ipso.co.uk. FRIDAY, MAY 13 Interviewed Donald Trump at his gold-plated Trump Tower headquarters in mid-town Manhattan. Meeting him today is a very different experience to when I used to regularly amble in during my years as winner of his Celebrity Apprentice show and then CNN anchorman. Now Trumps surrounded by a Secret Service detail and the place is guarded inside and out like Fort Knox. Donald Trump looked trimmer than the last time I physically saw him two years ago, and his legendary mane of hair was neater and far less flamboyant. More, dare I say it, presidential He appeared ghost-like through a secret door and gave me a bear-hug. He looked trimmer than the last time I physically saw him two years ago, and his legendary mane of hair was neater and far less flamboyant. More, dare I say it, presidential. We filmed the 45-minute interview in Trump Bar, stocked with branded Trump wine, Trump beer, Trump vodka and even Trump 26-year-old Glendronach malt whisky. He doesnt drink but is very proud of his Scottish roots. My mother was born in Scotland and lived there until she was 18, he said, as we chatted before the cameras rolled. She loved the Queen, whenever the Queen came on television shed stop and watch her. Do you feel you have British blood? I do! He asked to see the camera monitor to check his appearance. Thats good, he purred. In fact thats better than I actually look! It was slightly surreal sitting opposite a good friend who is now one step away from becoming the most powerful human being on Earth. He knows the importance of that last step. You told me once the reason you loved Muhammad Ali was that he talked the talk but then walked the walk Exactly! he exclaimed. Ive seen boxers that had the same flourish and verbal game as Ali but they got knocked out, its bye bye. You have to win. Winning is the ball game. The interview was typical Trump high on rhetoric, low on policy detail. His surging popularity in this race stems more from the way he says things than what hes actually saying. Americans are lapping up his no-nonsense, chest-beating style. Trumps had a long-running feud with his British Apprentice counterpart Lord Sugar. Something I was obviously keen to fuel. Alan thinks he can write a bigger cheque than you, I said. No, hes a small-timer, Trump responded, witheringly. Actually, he was so low-level on the economic, financial scale he didnt really fit the [Apprentice] role very well. I could almost hear Sugars spleen exploding back in Chigwell. When the interview ended, I walked Trump back to his secret door. Really think youll win, Donald? Absolutely! he roared. Then we bear-hugged again and he strode off. If presidencies were won on self-confidence alone, Trump would already be measuring up the White House curtains. Can he do it? I dont know; it will definitely be one hell of a fight between him and Hillary Clinton. One thing I do know is that the day he entered the race nearly a year ago, and everyone instantly mocked him, I predicted Trump would electrify the campaign and chew up his rivals. Then I warned: Underestimate him at your peril. That last sentiment still stands. THURSDAY, MAY 19 Had an ultrasound on my vital organs today and to my astonishment they were all perfectly healthy. A fact I announced proudly on Twitter. Did they do it by computer to disclose your 3.5-inch floppy? asked Lord Sugar. Id steer clear of ANY size comparisons if I were you, I replied. I heard your wife Celia has always had an affinity for button mushrooms, he continued. Trumps a bloody liar! Lord Sugar shouted. I can write a bigger cheque than him any day! He can buy you with his son Barons pocket money, I replied I heard your own wife Ann calls you Inch-High Al and isnt just talking about your height I hit back. Morgan, he retorted, big M, small organ. Even by our standards, this was a pitifully juvenile discussion. Tonight, Kelly Hoppen, brilliant house designer to the stars, threw a dinner party at her own sumptuous new west London home, a renovated old auction house. Send your Twitter questions to @piersmorgan using the hashtag #askpiers and every week Ill answer the most amusing Guests included Bradley Walsh, Holly Willoughby, Tina Hobley and Lord Sugar. Trumps a bloody liar! the latter shouted. I can write a bigger cheque than him any day! He can buy you with his son Barons pocket money, I replied. P*** off! Trump has no chance of becoming President, Sugar persisted. Is that as accurate a prediction as the time you said iPods would be dead by Christmas 2005 and they went on to sell another 400 million units? I asked. Lady Sugar burst out laughing, to her husbands horror. Hell drop you like a sack of spuds if he wins, Sugar spluttered. Ive told Donald if he does win to ban all titled Englishmen called Alan from entering the US. Lady Sugar again burst out laughing. Youll be a bricklayer on his Mexican wall, he sniped. The conversation turned to former Apprentice star Saira Khans shock revelation that shes stopped having sex with her husband and hes free to bed other women. Sounds like the sort of arrangement you should be having, Celia, he chortled, only in reverse. YOU get to sleep with other men. Right, Sugar, I challenged, lets settle this once and for all. Me and you, on the table, naked. An uncomfortable silence descended on the room. Relax, I said, hed need a step-ladder to even get up on the table. FRIDAY, MAY 20 A hand-written note from Donald Trump. He survived a seriously scary childhood, only to almost die partying as an adult. But why didnt the Chic star take drugs in front of Bowie... and how was his biggest hit nearly killed at birth? 'Happiness isnt my default state of mind. Im sad at the moment because my mum has Alzheimers and my life is consumed with trying to fix that something thats unfixable,' said Nile Rodgers What is your earliest memory? For my fifth birthday my grandmother gave me Elvis Presleys Blue Suede Shoes and an actual pair of blue suede shoes to go with it. I remember being ecstatic and dancing around the house in them. What sort of child were you? Introverted but also extremely inquisitive. I was always pondering very adult issues, like the size of the universe. Perhaps this was because I was alone a lot; my mum gave birth to me when she was only 14 so I stayed with a succession of relatives, often being the only kid around. When did you last feel really happy? Happiness isnt my default state of mind. Im sad at the moment because my mum has Alzheimers and my life is consumed with trying to fix that something thats unfixable. What was the best kiss youve ever had? My first, which was with a girl called Deborah when I was 11 or 12. She lived in the same building I lived in. She was my girlfriend but we were forced to part when I went into hiding with my mum a hitman was after her so we had to escape under the protection of the FBI. We lived in a shelter with the police, who posed as homeless people to protect us. I never saw Deborah again. What has been your biggest achievement? Producing Lets Dance with David Bowie. It shouldnt have worked; I was emerging from the Disco Sucks backlash in Chicago in 1979 and Bowie didnt even have a record deal. Yet we sold 11 million records. Bowie was fabulous to work with, although we didnt party together much because he was completely sober. I tried to not do drugs or drink when he was there. And your biggest disappointment? An album I produced by Debbie Harry called KooKoo. It combined the nucleuses of Chic and Blondie at the height of our careers so it seemed written in the stars that it would be amazing. But we tried too hard to assert a new era of music, which didnt work. What song do you want at your funeral? 'Chics Good Times. Then I want everybody to do the Sugarhill Gangs Rappers Delight,' said Nile What is the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? The A&R department of Atlantic Records told me Le Freak sucked and asked whether we could come up with something else instead. Thankfully, it wound up being the number-one selling single on Atlantic Records for more than 33 years. What is your most treasured possession? My Fender Stratocaster Hitmaker guitar. I bought it in 1973 when I was on tour with The Jackson Five. I havent stopped playing it since. What has been your most embarrassing moment? We did a Chic comeback gig in a stadium but only 200 people showed up. What is your most unappealing habit? Watching television for 24 hours a day. I like to have it on in the background, repeating films and shows Ive seen several times, like Game Of Thrones, so I dont need to think. I only sleep two-and-a-half hours a night as a result. What is the worst job youve done? Working in telesales when I was 17 or 18 in New York. It broke my heart to sell things I didnt believe in. I didnt last very long. I went out to lunch after being there for two days and never went back. If you could go back in time, where would you go? As a black person, if I went back to the beginning of America, for instance, Id be a slave, which wouldnt be thrilling. But if I went back just to observe, Id love to see what people thought when they first saw an automobile. Or Id like to witness the first Moon landings or the Pyramids being built and know the full story. Who would be your dream dinner date? The actress Theresa Randle because I owe her an apology. I took her to Madonnas birthday party over 20 years ago but I got so high I deserted her. We started out in a Japanese restaurant but I managed to down about six sakes before dinner had even begun. By the time we got to the party, I was three sheets to the wind and acted like she didnt really exist. Afterwards I was so embarrassed I never wanted to face her again. Whats the best piece of advice youve ever been given? My music teacher, Ted Dunbar, once told me to play better. I stuck to that mantra until Id accomplished all my childhood musical ambitions. What song do you want at your funeral? Chics Good Times. Then I want everybody to do the Sugarhill Gangs Rappers Delight. Whats the closest youve come to death? Ive died eight times. I collapsed after a night of partying in my 30s and flatlined over and over again on the operating table. The doctors were just about to call my death when my heart started beating again. What living person do you most dislike? Donald Trump, although I used to party with him in New York in the Eighties. Its ridiculous hes so prominent in American politics its almost as if I were running for president. Thats the last thing Id do because Im not qualified, but Im a hell of a lot smarter than he is. Whats the best cure for having your heart broken? Time, and meeting somebody who is cooler than the person who broke your heart. Whats your greatest fear? Ive managed to reason through my fear of heights and being enclosed in small spaces. I cant get over being scared of the dark, though, so I still sleep with the lights and television on. Paul Simon Stranger To Stranger Concord Music, out Friday Rating: What are you supposed to do as a rock star in old age? That is the question now faced by several all-time greats. Bob Dylan has just released a second successive album of songs once sung by Frank Sinatra, which has left even his diehard fans less than electrified. Paul McCartney is about to give us a four-disc compilation of his post-Beatles work better than he is given credit for, if not quite as good as hed like to think which will be doing well to stay in the charts for more than a week. The Rolling Stones, after making a rather middling exhibition of themselves in London, are working on their first album in 11 years (dont hold your breath). Although Paul Simon is now 74, his singing voice barely registers the passing of the decades and his muse is clearly still hungry after all these years All these living legends are still touring, which is where the money is nowadays, but the price they pay for that is that it points them to past glories. They seldom even attempt the thing that made their names in the first place: forging ahead. Which is why Paul Simons new album is a landmark. Stranger To Stranger is the boldest record ever made by a star on the wrong side of 70. It starts as it means to go on, with a funny noise a twang that is more like a twanggggggggg, played on a gopichand, an Indian instrument with a single string and sides made of bamboo, which can be squeezed to bend the note. The effect is a ghostly howl, and the track it heralds is called The Werewolf. The lyrics begin by telling the quirky tale of a married couple (she killed him sushi knife) before turning into a protest song about the wealthy, with their money-coloured eyes, grabbing more and more of the pie. With its minimal instrumentation and deliciously thwacky rhythm, the whole thing feels like the blues of the future. Its all a long way from Mrs Robinson. The tone has been set for an album that is packed with crunchy rhythms and sparky ideas. Every song is written by Simon, alone, but as ever he draws on a world of inspiration. Stranger To Stranger is a landmark album, packed with crunchy rhythms and sparky ideas. Every song is written by Simon, alone, but as ever he draws on a world of inspiration Im a wanderer, he told The New York Times recently. So much of this record is about just going there to see what is it, what can you learn? If hes still learning at 74, so are his fans. Many will have their first encounter here with the name Clap! Clap!, credited on three tracks. He sounds like a chain of playgroups but is actually an Italian whose party trick is blending African field recordings with electronic dance music. On four tracks, the rhythms are built on hand claps from a group of Flamenco musicians. On at least one, Simon draws on the collection of Harry Partch, the pioneering music theorist who reckoned octaves could be broken down into 43 tones, rather than the usual 12, and built instruments to prove it. All this could be exhausting but Simon is alive to the danger. His own fingerprints are all over the title track, a wistful love song, and Proof Of Love, a secular hymn, plus a couple of numbers that gleam with the African guitars of Graceland. He trusts himself and he pushes himself, his friend and fellow composer Philip Glass told The New York Times. If one part of that equation isnt there, then youre in trouble. In pushing himself, Simon engages with music by younger people. He has mentioned Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, the two hip-hop stars who are most interested in playing with texture. Lamar has now done a unique double, having also influenced David Bowies Blackstar. A good ear is an ear that stays open. The album is produced by another good ear, Simons old friend Roy Halee, dragged out of retirement at 82, but the sound rhythmic, elastic, eclectic bears the stamp of today. Wristband, a deft allegory of social exclusion, runs on a fabulously rubbery, 21st-century bassline. Simons singing voice barely registers the passing of the decades; it just gets deeper, 1/43rd of an octave at a time. His muse is still hungry after all these years. From a man who has made many great albums, here is one more. Paul Simon is on tour Nov 3-12 THIS WEEK'S CD RELEASES By Adam Woods The Monkees Good Times! Rhino, out Friday Rating: As Sixties TV puppets, The Monkees created sunshine pop, and they make it on their own terms here to celebrate half a century of monkeying around. Seventysomething survivors Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith go from beaty jangle to folk-pop. New songs from modern fans, including Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher, mingle with covers and the bands own Dexys Warner/100%, out Friday Let The Record Show Dexys Do Irish And Country Soul Rating: Kevin Rowland reaches back to his prolific Eighties for an abandoned idea: an album of traditional Irish songs. The concept has evolved, so Carrickfergus and Curragh Of Kildare mingle with Both Sides Now and How Do I Live, united by Dexys expansive sound and Rowlands sincerity. Some will love it, some will think its bonkers Eric Clapton I Still Do Bushbranch, out now Rating: Running Wild Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London Until June 12 2hrs Rating: Into the theatre floats an elephant, exquisitely realised with flapping sack-cloth ears. Its skin is grey with pink spots and its busily undulating trunk resembles a sliced baguette, sniffing and blowing, feeling the way forward. You barely notice the six boots of three operatives beneath the vast carapace, or the two belonging to the person manipulating its head, the four of them together bringing this compelling creature to graceful, elephantine life. The elephant's name is Oona, and she is the star of this show, and the real heroine of Michael Morpurgos childrens story Running Wild Her name is Oona, and she is the star of this show, and the real heroine of Michael Morpurgos childrens story Running Wild, which has been given a War Horse-style production at the Open Air Theatre in Londons Regents Park. Its another fantastic tale, somehow grounded in reality, about the extraordinary communication and bond that can develop between animals and humans, enabling them to depend on one another, which lends itself so well to Finn Caldwell and Toby Olies astonishingly expressive puppets. After the death of Lilys soldier dad in Iraq, her grandparents treat her and her mother to a holiday in Indonesia. Lily is having the ride of her life aboard Oona when suddenly, sensing the approaching tsunami, the anxiously trumpeting elephant carries her off into the jungle. Its another fantastic tale, somehow grounded in reality, about the extraordinary communication and bond that can develop between animals and humans, enabling them to depend on one another As if potential disasters of drowning, a forest fire or starving _crocodiles arent danger enough, Lily has to contend with poachers. They shoot some of her new orang-utan chatterbox friends and capture others, along with Lily. They lock them in a cage, at the behest of baddie Mr Anthony, who wants to destroy the jungle in order to grow palms for the oil the whole world is screaming for to satisfy our greed for chips, biscuits, toothpaste, soap and shampoo. Samuel Adamsons disappointingly witless adaptation of an enchanting Kipling-inspired adventure smacks us over the head with the simplistic notion that giving up shampoo and chips will save Indonesia from the likes of murderous, rapacious, multi-millionaire palm-oil potentates. A well-drilled group of young amateurs has joined forces with professional actors to conjure the humid jungle, a silken wall of water that smothers the front few rows of the audience, and a gushing river Still, the staging, by Timothy Sheader and Dale Rooks, on a platform constructed from carved wooden printing blocks used to make batik cloth, is visually superb, gloriously lit and amplified with a superbly evocative soundscape. A well-drilled group of young amateurs has joined forces with professional actors to conjure the humid jungle, a silken wall of water that smothers the front few rows of the audience, and a gushing river. But its thanks to the puppets and puppeteers that the show has an irresistible animal magic. Flowers For Mrs Harris Sheffield Crucible Until June 4 1hr 45mins Rating: Based on Paul Gallicos novel, this is about a charlady war widow in the grim, grey London of 1950. She falls in love with a clients Christian Dior dress and after three years of scrimping and saving (plus a 100 pools win), shes off to gay Paree to buy her own. Mrs arris encounters snobbery and rejection at the haughty House of Dior but finally wins everyone over with life-changing deeds of kindness. Clare Burt is terrific as Ada in Flowers For Mrs Harris and the love-a-duck cockney cast doubles up as the French friends she makes, including a wistful marquis who shares her passion for dresses and cut flowers Clare Burt is terrific as Ada and the love-a-duck cockney cast doubles up as the French friends she makes, including a wistful marquis (Mark Meadows) who shares her passion for dresses and cut flowers. This musicals writers, Richard Taylor and Rachel Wagstaff, are on to a winner with this bestselling story, which they wisely dont soup up with power ballads. The result is a charming, stunningly attired weepie dramatising the principle that life is what you make it. This is the last show to be directed by the Crucibles boss, Daniel Evans, now moving on to Chichester Festival Theatre after a great innings that has included productions such as the West Ends current Show Boat. Robert Gore-Langton The Machine Stops York Theatre Royal Studio Until June 4 1hr 30mins Rating: After a 6 million redevelopment, Yorks old Theatre Royal is looking better than ever. Theres new seating with improved sightlines, and the bar and foyer area have been upgraded. The future is further embraced on stage in this absorbing adaptation (by Pilot Theatre) of novelist EM Forsters 1928 sci-fi short story, which travels to The Point, Eastleigh, on June 9 and the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, on June 10 and 11. The eerie electronic music is by Ultravox founder John Foxx and two actors provide a chorus while swinging like chimps on a steel frame Its set underground in a world where a bossy academic, Vashti (Caroline Gruber, above and main picture), and her maverick son Kuno (Karl Queensborough) communicate through an early version of Skype. Their subterranean lives are entirely regulated by technology in the malevolent form of the Machine. But young Kuno has found a way to reach the Earths surface and even bathe in forbidden stuff called sunlight. Neil Duffield and Juliet Forsters staging is throbbing with anxiety and queasiness in a vision of a brave new world where climate change turns out to be a con and people are abject slaves to technology The eerie electronic music is by Ultravox founder John Foxx and two actors provide a chorus while swinging like chimps on a steel frame. Neil Duffield and Juliet Forsters staging is throbbing with anxiety and queasiness in a vision of a brave new world where climate change turns out to be a con and people are abject slaves to technology. A riveting glimpse of a future thats already here. Robert Gore-Langton pilot-theatre.net Soul Royal & Derngate, Northampton Until June 11 2hrs 15mins Rating: The short, sad life of soul man Marvin Gaye is the subject of this play by Roy Williams. Unhealthily obsessed with his mother, shot dead by his father, Gayes story, which plays out like a Greek tragedy, is related here by Marvins two sisters as the chorus. The focus is Gayes disastrous upbringing. His preacher father was an abusive, petty tyrant who secretly dressed in his wifes bra and knickers. His mother was a long-suffering darling. Marvin Gaye is played by the charismatic Nathan Ives-Moiba, at constant war with his dad (a ramrod Leo Wringer). James Dacres production shifts from Marvins childhood in Washington DC to his California mansion Gaye is played by the charismatic Nathan Ives-Moiba, at constant war with his dad (a ramrod Leo Wringer). James Dacres production shifts from Marvins childhood in Washington DC to the fame-and-fortune years in his California mansion, where he sadly became a bullying, cocaine-freak cliche. Too often this play feels like an inquest into a sordid death. What about the music? Lets Get It On was Gayes finest album but musically this doesnt get it on, save for a duet with Tammi Terrell (Abiona Omonua). As a lesson in how not to bring up a son its excellent. But if you are wanting to drink in souls most devastating male talent, youll come out thirsty. Robert Gore-Langton King John Rose Theatre, London Until June 5 3hrs 10mins Rating: Sir Trevor Nunns production is staged in chainmail, tabards and medieval tights. It looks so old-fashioned it could have toured during the Blitz. But it is impossible not to see the relevance in this play about continental politics, with its bad-tempered English and French nobles banging on about sovereignty. Jamie Ballard plays John as a vicious, weedy loser. Howard Charles beams with good-natured charisma as Philip the Bastard, while Maggie Steed is the kings domineering mother Elinor. Jamie Ballard plays John as a vicious, weedy loser. Howard Charles beams with good-natured charisma as Philip the Bastard, while Maggie Steed is the kings domineering mother Elinor The most human content is found in the story of Prince Arthur, a child hostage superbly played on opening night by Sebastian Croft whose captivity and death comes with a grieving poetry thats truly Shakespearean. The rest may have been written on an off-day, but here is a timely reminder that power corrupts and all elites eternally bicker. Q I really want to have a fringe to lighten up my rather heavy bob but I am worried about it looking too hard and blocky. How can I get something that will disguise my lined forehead but look softer? A There is a revolution going on in the world of fringes this year. And its all down to our old friend, super-stylist Charles Worthington MBE. Together with Katie Allan, Creative Manager at the eponymous CW salons, Charles has created a new technique of cutting called Flip Cutting, which according to Hair magazine is going to change the life of your hair, quite literally. Flip Cutting promises to enhance the volume and movement of your hair by giving sections a slight twist as they are cut. This creates a bevel that complements your face shape and is especially effective used through the fringe, were told. Charles has christened the new-look fringe The Drape and we think it looks really rather gorgeous and a world away from the solid block across the forehead that suited Coco Chanel and Anna Wintour but not many others. According to Charles, this Flip Cutting technique is a modern way of cutting a fringe to achieve a rounder, face framing shape with softer edges, which takes away from that old-fashioned, hard, blocky look. For more information and salon details, visit charlesworthingtonsalons.com. Beauty Bible loves Guerlain Meteorites Pearls Carousel, 41.50 Guerlain make-up is always a treat: the Mummys handbag scent (a swirl of rose and violet), the packaging not to mention the performance of almost everything we ever try, actually. Weve never particularly fallen for the Meteorites range till now, though. Famously, these are little pearls of shimmering powder in mixed shades here, as sweetie-coloured as the scent which you swirl with a brush and dust on to the complexion. Jo dutifully gave them a go, though and ker-pow! A very dull morning face (shed notched up trips to Preston, Torquay and Dubai - yes, Dubai - in just a week) was suddenly radiant and rosy. The carousel-inspired silver metal box is quite pretty enough to sit on the dressing table, meanwhile. And thats right where its staying, for blah days. Available from Selfridges For more information follow Beauty Bible on: Twitter The PM will begin his foreign tour in Afghanistan to inaugurate the India-funded Salma Dam PM Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation tour from June 4 to Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico. Modi will begin his trip with Afghanistan to inaugurate the India-funded Salma Dam, which has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 1,400 crore. From Afghanistan, he will proceed to energy-rich Qatar and then to Switzerland, where he will hold talks with the Swiss leadership, including President Johann Schneider-Ammann. He is likely to seek cooperation to unearth the black money accounts of Indians in Switzerland, which was a BJP poll promise. RS snub turns Congress MP right? Congress MP Vijay Darda, who failed to get party renomination for the Rajya Sabha polls from Maharashtra, called on senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur on Sunday, raising eyebrows in political circles. The Congress high command on Saturday declared P Chidambaram as the party nominee to the Upper House from Maharashtra. According to sources, the closed-door meeting lasted for about an hour. Will Ajit join hands with SP? Having failed to join hands with the JD (U) and BJP, the Rashtriya Lok Dal led by Ajit Singh inched closer to forging a pre-poll alliance with the SP for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls. Ajit Singh met SP supremo Mulayam Singh in Lucknow on Sunday and sources claimed the two leaders also met on Saturday over dinner. According to sources, the final decision on pre-poll alliance has not yet been taken. Magazine honours PMs mother PM Narendra Modis mother Heeraben was conferred the Nari Jagran Samman 2016 award by the Nari Jagran magazine. Somabhai Damodar Das Modi, the PMs elder brother, received the award on behalf of his mother in Varanasi. Somabhai regretted that his mother could not be present to receive this award, as she has difficulty in travelling. He dedicated the award to all the mothers in the country. Digvijaya admits to Congress flaws Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh, a known RSS-BJP baiter, has acknowledged that his party was not good at proving truth as truth, while the saffron party had mastered the art of proving falsehood as truth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked those questioning his governments performance on Sunday, asserting that it had launched over 700 schemes. Addressing a public meeting as part of Vikas Parv to mark his governments first two years in office, the PM vowed to pursue development without treading the path of sin - even if it meant some tasks remained undone. Describing development as his dream, path and destination, he pledged to root out middlemen from the system, and accused the previous government of yielding to pressure from various lobbies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to party workers in Hubli, Karnataka I may be asked why Modi doesnt do big things? Earlier governments have done big things, they did it for big people, they reaped big benefits out of it. Do I have to commit such sin? Modi asked. As the crowd shouted in response, Modi said: When people like you bless me and show affection towards me. I dont have to go on that path of sin. No matter if one or two works dont happen, but I will not let this country to go on the path of sin. This is my promise to you. In this journey of development, I want your help and cooperation. Development is my dream; development is my path; development is my destination; development is my aim; development is my strength; development is my inspiration; and on that basis, I want to take the nation to new heights and for this I need your help and cooperation and blessings. Slamming the critics who started questioning his work before he had even seen his office or Parliament properly, Modi said his governments programmes were mostly for the benefit of the poor and farmers, besides ending the role of middlemen, including in jobs. My government had not completed even one week in office and some people started questioning its work. We were asked to give an account of our work. There are some people in this country who talk of democracy but dont believe in the government elected by the people. They cannot digest (NDA coming to power). They wonder where I came from. I have come from this land, from among you, he said. Making a passing reference to his call for Congress mukt Bharat (a Congress-free India), Modi said the people had now taken that task into their own hands. "People of this country have taken the responsibility of making India Congress free, while my government has decided to make India free of middlemen. We do not want middlemen, it is they who have looted the poor and the country," he told the well-attended public meeting. "Middlemen have been stopped from getting richer. This is the change we have brought in. We have done the work of bringing more than 700 schemes in past two years, the PM said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by CM Arvind Kejriwal, has been in power in Delhi for a year and a half. However, it is yet to fulfill its promise of providing a free water supply to the Capital's residents. More than half of residential localities in the city are suffering from a major water crisis this summer, with Delhi Jal board pipelines or tankers failing to arrive in time. Protesters prepare to burn an effigy of Dinesh Mohaniya, an AAP MLA and V-C of the Delhi Jal Board Khriki extension, Khanpur, Aaya Nagar, and Sangam Vihar are the worst-affected areas in south Delhi, with residents there deprived of water for the past month. Taps of the entire locality have no drop of water for over 20 days in Khirki extension. We have sent emails and also called concerned officials several times, mentioning specific locations where the problem persists. Yet officials of Jal Board pretend as if they are not even aware of problems existing in the localities, said Mohd Aakif Samshi, a software engineer and resident of T-block in Khirki extension. The situation in Sangam Vihar or Khanpur is even worse, with residents being deprived of a water supply for more than a month. The situation is quite alarming here, with no water pipelines installed in the majority of residential blocks and no water tankers reaching locals' doorsteps. Hundreds of local residents from localities such as J, K, L, M, Gupta Colony, Durga Colony, and Devi Enclave falling under Sangam Vihar constituency assembled at the house of local MLA Dinesh Mohaniya, who is also the vice-chairman of Delhi Jal Board, on Sunday morning and protested against this crisis. They also blocked the busy Mehraulli Gurgaon road (MG road) to register their protest. We are fed up with fake promises. When Vijay Jolly was MLA of Sangam Vihar constituency, he had partially installed water pipelines but failed to deliver one drop of water. Now, its AAPs turn and with one-and-a-half years gone by, we are still deprived of this very basic amenity, said Yogesh Kumar, a local resident who took part in the protest. Saryu Panday, a 70-year-old resident of the same locality, said that political parties have categorised this area as belonging to the underprivileged - with a lack of basic amenities such as water, sewerage and power supply. We are poor people, but it does not mean we should not have the right to avail of these basic services, he lamented. The scarcity of drinking water is being taken advantage of by the water mafia. Since people of this locality do not have enough purchasing capacity, they share water tanker expanses. The water mafia, capitalising on the situation, charges Rs 50 for three gallons of water. When contacted, Dinesh Mohania told Mail Today that Delhi Jal Board is fully aware of the situation. It has sanctioned Rs 90 crore for the installation of water pipelines in Asias largest residential colony Sangam Vihar, with some part falling under the mountains of Aravalli. The Haryana government deployed 10 paramilitary forces by canals in vulnerable districts to keep the law and order situation under control on Sunday, after Jat leaders threatened to resume their quota agitation from June 5. The government was widely criticised back in February for failing to stop the Jats carrying out violent arson during a previous protest, which they launched over caste job quotas. On that occasion, angry demonstrators sabotaged a key canal and left 10 million people in Delhi without water. The paramilitary forces have been deployed at canals such as Yamuna, Munak, and others heading towards southern Haryana. Agitators have reportedly targeted water sources in different districts to disrupt the water supply to the Capital and Gurugram. Paramilitaries were stationed at the Munak canal at Kakroi back in February, after Jat agitators damaged the waterway. (File picture) According to Haryana government officials, the move was taken as a precautionary measure. Confirming the fact, DGP of Haryana, KP Singh said that one company of paramilitary forces were deployed at Bhiwani, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Hisar, Hasi, and Jind district, while the rest of the company were deployed at the western Yamuna canal, Munak canal, and vulnerable sections of the canal heading towards Gurugram. "We will take all necessary steps to deal with any kind of eventuality and maintain law and order situation this time around. We are committed to the same and the force will take strong action against agitators if they riot, the DGP added. Yashpal Malik, president of the Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS) who is facing sedition charges along with five others, said on Sunday that the pre-announced agitation starting from June 5 will not be rolled back at any cost, as the Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana has back-stabbed the community over reservation in state government jobs and the education sector. Agitators have targeted canals in different districts to disrupt the water supply to Delhi and Gurugram. (File picture) State government on one hand promised the community of providing 10% quota and on the other hand it has taken a callous approach in Punjab and Haryana High Court. We understand the ploy of the BJP government, which wants to create complications on this issue through court, Malik said. Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court passed an interim stay order on the reservation for Jats and five other communities, after a plea filed by one Murari Lal Gupta on May 26 led to dissatisfaction among community members. Jat leaders have decided to focus on rural areas this time, and appealed to the people to hold peaceful protests. They have also threatened to continue the protests until the state government presents the case before the High Court. DM of Sonipat, K Makrand Pandurang, has imposed Section 144 in the district to ward off any tension, fights, threats to human life, or damage to property, and to avoid deterioration in the law-and-order situation. Dr A Q Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, has been branded 'immature' for his comments on India Dr A Q Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, has been branded "immature" after claiming the country has the capability to hit New Delhi in five minutes, from Kahuta near Islamabad. Responding to the comments, India's strategic community said that India has the capacity to hit the whole of Pakistan, but that nuclear weapons are only meant for deterrence. It is a very immature and outlandish statement to make. Nuclear missiles are not weapons of war but weapons of deterrence," said former Army chief Gen N C Vij, Director of the think tank Vivekananda International Foundation. He added that India has the ability to hit Pakistan anywhere, but does not talk about such things. Khan's remarks were made while he was addressing a gathering in Islamabad on Saturday to mark the anniversary of the first nuclear tests carried out under his supervision in 1998. He had said that Pakistan has the ability to target the Indian capital from Kahuta, near Rawalpindi, in five minutes. Brig (retd) Gurmeet Kanwal, a Distinguished Fellow at the state-run Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, said Khan is known for his exaggerated claims. He added that nuclear weapons are meant for deterrence and Pakistan will only use them under severe provocation. Even if we assume that the Pakistani Army chief orders a nuclear strike out-of-the-blue tomorrow, given the peace time alertness, it will take at least six hours before they are able to launch, he said. Air Vice Marshal (retd) Manmohan Bahadur, a Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Air Power Studies, said it is just a publicity-seeking statement and one must not be taken in by the brinkmanship displayed by nuclear proliferators. He said the Pakistani leadership is rational enough not to think of nuclear missiles as weapons of war, and that Khan just wants to make his importance felt by making such statements. Commodore (retd) C Uday Bhaskar, Director of Society for Policy Studies, said Khan's penchant for making dramatic announcements to stay in the limelight is well-known. Mine is a depressing story. Every time I read the newspaper I feel like an alien. I cannot believe the country is responding to the BJP and PM Narendra Modi. I cannot believe that Amit Shah can be presented front stage and celebrated across India as a poster boy. All of Modis governance is atomised into little reports, coloured in bright tones as a nation gives pass marks to a regime When the RSS runs epidemic over the country, I wonder if my era, my sense of the country is outdated. For a man like me, who witnessed the 2002 riots, Modi is a non-negotiable entity. Yet the country is cutting cakes and celebrating two years of Modi rule. It is as if one is caught in a huge B-grade play with a country singing happy birthday to Frankenstein. To add to the insult, Modis man Friday, Arun Jaitley, insists that two years of the Modi regime was like an IPL. Audience The comparison is interesting because I thought the last two years of IPL were a bit like the Modi regime with nothing to really boast about. Then I realised that the magic lies in the way electorate or audience perceives action. A second rate idea of utopia is worth the absence of action. The future seems promising. Even a second rate fantasy was preferable to the depressing news of the Congress. Indians are convinced something will happen in science, in mobility in the job world and they believe the BJP is fine tuning our universe for that coming. The hope and expectation that India is bestowing on the BJP is overwhelming. The media too has joined what one sociologist called the great celebration. The media celebrates two years, with a festival of report cards, merging backstage of RSS and Amit Shah with Modi and Jaitley on the front. The media reads the Modi regime for what it is and celebrates the RSS coming out of the electoral closet. Tentative pictures of campaigners in Khaki shorts dot the newspaper and one senses the new everydayness of the BJP-RSS-Bajrang Dal combine. This is Indias new team and oddly as a nation we seem proud of it. The idea of the report card represents the new psychology. An overall pass is what the nation and the party wants. Pass is strategic because it means this combination is here to stay. A majority of India seems content with BJP and a victory in Assam does have an IPL like magic. Everyone is cheering but no one sense flaws ahead. There is no sense of a devils advocate and the future feels more like a Roman circus waiting acclamation. The very idea of elections and governance has created a superficiality of assessments around Modi. All of Modis governance is atomised into little reports, coloured in bright tones as a nation gives pass marks to a regime. The very idea of number and colour destroys the ambiguity, complexity and the grayness of the regime. Number cannot capture this and the easy evaluations and the celebrations that follow make Modi sound like the first class first, the gold medalist the world is waiting to garland. Congratulating him almost makes one feel we are garlanding ourselves in future anticipation. It is an awesome display of aspiration and mobility while little is concrete has survived on the ground. As a group, the media introduces all the exclamation marks, and the symbols of interrogation are quietly erased. Outbursts Dissent in an everyday sense has disappeared. A few hysterical outbursts like JNU makes intellectuals feel it has brought the BJP to bay without realising that BJP is destroying the university system thoroughly. Intellectually, this is the most mediocre regime India has confronted. The idea of the public domain, in fact the notion of the public intellectual is anathema to this regime. The openness of public debate has given way to the reports of think tanks which specialise in interest group articulations. By sidelining movements and valorising think tanks, the regime has reduced political debate to a few policy choices which demand a Pavlovian response. The regimes dalliance with big corporations, the way land has been sold to the Adanis needs investigation. Worse, the regime has been slowly mutilating craft traditions in the name of regulation. The way it has emasculated the gold industry is horrifying. One senses a similar indifference to agriculture and agricultural suicides and in fact one feels it is pushing the crisis to extremes so that corporate agriculture and biotechnology can be offered as a panacea to the crisis. Silence It is the silences of the media that worry me in year two of the Modi regime. Silence one. One hears very little about the happenings of the regime. There is failure of transparency as Modi from being everymans megaphone has become a Tussauds dummy articulating little about policies. There is a politics of anxiety - Modi has to resolve around dissent, minority and marginal politics. While Modi talks governance, his RSS gangs emphasise and police civics of everyday behaviour, indulging in everyday violence around the body, around food, sexuality which the regime treats as a zone of indifference. Its blackmail of minorities in the name of patriotism is even more obvious. The pressure to be stereo typically Indian makes any other identity problematic. Minorities often feel that they are not genuinely Indian as they follow the beliefs of their ancestors. In fact, in creating a new culture of politics around patriotism, citizenship, loyalty, sedition the BJP has distorted the politics of culture. In many ways, it is the destruction of culture that is its failure. This finally brings me not to the past, the regime so desperately wants to reform, but the future it is mucking up. If India is to be a knowledge society, then the regime must take knowledge as culture seriously. As a modernist behemoth, it loves nuclear energy, is coquettish about solar but has no energy policy, no sense of urban futures, no policy for future research, no sense of the dynamism of a university. These are processes where violence creates huge zones of irreversibility. One wonders when if in two years it can create such disorder, the havoc in five or ten years would be unimaginable. The Plenty Coups Picnic Day at Chief Plenty Coups State Park will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event kicks off the park's summer, and since it is being held in conjunction with National Trails Day, park staff will provide two guided hikes on the park's -mile trail. The morning hike will start at 10:30 a.m. and the afternoon hike will begin at 1:30 p.m. Visitors can also play tribal games, take a tour of the chiefs home a National Historic Landmark and listen to a special presentation by a guest speaker. Also included in the days festivities will be the opening of a special exhibit commemorating the July 3, 1932, Chief Plenty Coups Peak dedication in Yellowstone National Park. The exhibit will be on display until fall 2016. The first 100 visitors will receive a coupon for a free meal in the park, courtesy of Subway, which will also have combo meals and breakfast sandwiches available for purchase. Participants will also be entered to win free Montana State Parks merchandise from the state park gift shop. The state park picnic grounds are located near the scenic Pryor Mountains and along Pryor Creek, located about 40 minutes south of Billings. Congolese national Masonda Ketanda Olivier was allegedly beaten to death, by three men last week in south Delhi, prompting widespread revulsion and concerns over India's deep seated racism. Now, the 29-year-olds father, who spent everything he had on funding his sons trip, has borrowed money to fly down to India and take back Oliviers body, which is lying in a cold chamber in the AIIMS mortuary. According to reports, the victim hailed an auto rickshaw near Vasant Kunj on the night of May 20, when he allegedly got killed in a brawl. Congolese national Masonda Ketada Olivier, 29, was beaten to death last week by goons in Delhi He got into an argument with the alleged accused, who insisted they he hired the vehicle first. The men smashed his head with a huge stone and Masonda later succumbed to the injuries. The incident came few months after a Tanzanian woman was allegedly stripped and beaten in Bengaluru, adding to a grim litany of attacks on African immigrants in India, where many prize fair skin over dark. External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has asked her junior ministerial colleague, General (Retd) VK Singh, to meet the heads of missions of African countries in the national capital and assure them of the governments commitment to safety and security of their nationals in India. Olivier came to India in 2012 and was teaching French in a private institute. He belongs to a very poor family. So his father had to sell his land to finance his trip to India. His death has left his family members shattered. They dont even have money to take his body back. So, his father had to take loan to buy tickets to India. He is expected to reach Delhi on Monday, said Michael, Oliviers cousin. While the African immigrants claim that the attacks were racist, the police say the incident took place after locals objected to loud music & drinking in public The first one to be targeted was a 27-year-old student Leuchy, a Nigerian national Michael lives at Rajpur Khurd village in south Delhis downtown Chhatarpur that allegedly saw a string of attacks by a mob on over a dozen African men and women on Thursday night. According to the victims who have been living in the area for several years, this was racial assault as the attackers only targeted Africans as they shouted: Africans leave our country. The police tried to dismiss the case as 'only a scuffle' while the investigations revealed that the locals objected to the victims playing loud music late at night and drinking in public. The purported attacks began at 10.30pm and continued till 11pm. The victims complained that the first one to be targeted was a 27-year-old student Leuchy, a Nigerian national, who lived with his friends in this area. He was walking towards home when the mob stopped him. Before I could sense anything, a group consisting of 15-20 locals started beating me. One of them hit me on the face with a stone due to which I started bleeding and ran away to save my life, said Leuchy, who was taken to AIIMS and has received five stitches. The next targets were a Nigerian couple who were travelling in a Honda City with their four-month- old son. They were shouting loudly in Hindi, the mob came out of nowhere and started hitting our car. They broke the glasses with bats, sticks and sharp wooden planks. They also tried to shove a stick inside the car. To save our lives, I accelerated the vehicle and escaped. They wanted to kill us, said Kenneth Igbinosa, who works at a church at south Delhis Fatehpuri area. His wife and son received minor injuries in the incident. Kenneth said Africans in the Capital are frequently subjected to racial abuses and are stereotyped as criminals. The mob then allegedly attacked a brother-sister duo from Cameroon. They thrashed us with sticks and iron rods and no one rescued us. They called us black and warned us that if we dont go back to our countries they would attack us again, said Shamila, a victim. A Congolese woman, Vicky, who lives in the same locality, said she was on her way home in an auto rickshaw with her brother, who had just been discharged from hospital after a brief illness, when a group of youth attacked them. There were more than 15 people who forcibly stopped my auto and pulled me out. I pleaded with them to not hurt my brother, but they didnt stop. When I started running, they chased me and hit me with iron rods. When I fell, they kicked me and abused me. They told me to go back or face dire consequences, she said. I ran to every house. I told women in the locality with folded hands please sister, help me. No one moved. They looked away and closed their doors. Some even laughed at me. The attacks reportedly stopped only when a police van reached the spot. The victims were taken to hospital by the cops, who ruled out racism angle. Following the incident, African immigrants in Delhi have called for a mass protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. We conducted raids in the area and detained five youth after they were identified by the victims, said Nupur Prasad, additional DCP (south). After a search that lasted almost 10-months, a retired Army personnel not only tracked his stolen Honda City car, which was being sold through advertisement on a website, but also got a member of the gang arrested. Kulwant Singh, resident of C Block of sector 21 in Noida, went for a walk on August 4, 2015, when he noticed that his car was missing. He tried to search his car in the locality, but failed and finally registered an FIR at sector 20 police station. A retired Army personnels Honda City was stolen in August 2015. After 10 months, he chanced upon his car on a retail website for Rs 70,000. Singh made several rounds of the police station to know the status of his car, but received no response. Seeing the state of inactivity, Singh took investigation in his own hands. Singh had read in the papers that at times stolen goods are sold on online sites and started tracking www.olx.in. Finally after tracking the vehicles for several months, he spotted his car bearing the registration number of DL-4C-R-0757, which was being sold for Rs 70,000. Posing as a customer, Singh contacted the seller and going along with a plain-dressed policeman got the man arrested. However, police claim that the man arrested, who was identified as Ahmad, was only the seller and the real thieves are still out in the open. Ahmad, during the interrogation said that a man named Zulfikar, a resident of Loni, had sold the car to him last year. He also produced documents of the car, which appeared to be fake, said a senior police officer. Despite failing to track the car, Noida police are now planning to initiate action against the website under section 79 of the IT Act. We will send a notice to the website and initiate action against them for not authenticating products being sold through their platform, an officer said. In the past, investigators came across many such websites selling fake or stolen products. There are organised gangs selling stolen goods on retail websites. Earlier this week, Delhi police arrested a 27-year-old scrap dealer, who, in the last one year, befriended 10 people using fake Facebook profiles and robbed them clean after a night of partying at their homes. After every theft, he sold off the loot on OLX and deactivated the profile and mobile phone number he had used to contact his victim. The National Capital Region has become a playground for such thieves. Noida and Gurgaon police have registered several cases against such gangs using retail sites to sell stolen items, including vehicles, jewellery, cellphones and laptops. This growing trend has spurred investigating agencies to meet the management of these portals. To sell anything through these websites all you need is to have an email ID and a phone number. They post the ad with photographs. There is no procedure to keep a track on customers selling multiple items, police said. Many gangs prefer to operate through these websites as it is the safest way to sell stolen items without revealing their identity. Several attempts were made to contact the website, but no one was available for a comment. A senior Delhi police officer said e-tailing websites are full of such items. Mostly stolen or fake goods are sold at throw away prices to attract quick buyers. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday went all out to defend her alliance with the BJP, while rejecting allegations that her ally was a communal party. She also accused Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi of fueling fire in the state and said the party has no right to criticise the agenda of the alliance. Mehbooba said she was committed to the dignified return of Kashmiri migrants to composite colonies and rejected the idea that they should return to their own houses which they left in the 1990s. J&KCMr Mehbooba Mufti said: "I will bring them (Kashmiri migrants) back with your help." How come I put pigeons before cats, the chief minister said. The proposal of building transit accommodations for Pandits has been approved by working groups. We have migrants from different faiths, including Muslims and Sikhs living in Jammu and 50 per cent of these will be reserved for people of other faiths, she said. The CM said the state government was committed to bring back Kashmiri Pandits. I will bring them back with your help, she said. In her 80-minute response to the debate on the Governors address, Mehbooba made it clear that her government has no land for Sainik Colony. She said the proposal for developing a Sainik Colony in the state was mooted in 2011. The Sainik Colony was proposed only for ex-servicemen. But, due to non-availability of land, there has been no movement forward, she said. The CM commenced her speech praising Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah describing him as visionary leader, who in 1947 supported the accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India. She said the decision of her father to have an alliance with the BJP, was as significant as Sheikhs decision to support accession. Among all the schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last two years, the spotlight has been on the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Yet, his most ambitious scheme faces several challenges in its implementation. With the grand Clean India plan, the government aims to achieve an Open Defecation Free (ODF) India by 2019 with the construction 12 crore toilets in rural India, at a projected cost of Rs 1.96 lakh crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ambitious Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in October 2014. According to the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, till November 2015 over 95 lakh toilets have been constructed amid confusion over budget share between states and the Centre. The government has certainly made the toilets, but it is still struggling to bring in a behavioural change in the rural population. According to district officers in rural areas, several villagers in Uttar Pradesh are using the toilets to keep feed of their cattle and still practising open defecation. Apart from this, the corporate sector has shown meagre interest in the scheme. According to the latest data with the the corporate affairs ministry, among all projects of the Modi government, Swachh Bharat and Namami Gange have received least amount of funding from private companies in 2014-15. Altogether, these two projects have got not even one per cent of the total spending of Rs 6,337 crore. While Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has got a meagre 0.68 per cent of total spending, Clean Ganga Mission got 0.25 per cent. Similarly, the Union Health Ministrys Kayakalp initiative last year to set protocols for hygiene and sanitation at government health facilities has also witnessed negligible support from the private sector. However, the work being done has proven fruitful in some areas with at least 10 districts in India being declared as Open Defecation Free as of March 2016. The 'Swachch Bharat, Swachch Vidyalaya' campaign that was launched by Smriti Irani, Minister of Human Resource Development, last year, may improve the condition of sanitation for students in schools. Between April 2014 and January 2015, 31.83 lakh toilets were built. Karnataka led in all the states in construction of toilets under the programme, while Punjab built the least. In one year, from August 15, 2014, to August 15, 2015, under the Swachh Bharat Swachh Vidyalaya programme, we have constructed 4,17,000 toilets in over two lakh schools, Modi recently said in a public meeting. Inadequate sanitation is impacting health and economies of countries. Improving sanitation is the most effective way of reducing these losses. Good sanitation is proven to prevent water sources being contaminated, protect the environment, prevent infectious diseases and help reduce malnutrition, stunting and mental stress, said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region. Dirt accumulates under the eyes of political heavyweights By Mail Today Bureau Amethi, Pilanji in Delhi does not lack political patronage. Nestled amidst Lutyens zones beautifully manicured lawns and embassies, Pilanji is an urban village. Its upkeep was with Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit from 1998-2013 as part of her New Delhi constituency. Residents of Pilanji village in New Delhi like Ramesh Thakur (pictured) rue that the village has not been cleaned. Now, this role is taken over by Aam Admi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal. Even BJPs Meenakshi Lekhi, MP from the segment, has adopted it under the ambitious MP Model Village Scheme. Yet, it remains one of the dirtiest spots in the city. Ramesh Thakur, a 40-yearold shopkeeper, says: When Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in October 2014, a number of babus and netas lined up for photo-ops. I saw ex-NDMC chairperson, Jalaj Srivastava and vice-chairperson, Tajdar Babar with brooms. BJPs Meenakshi Lekhi also adopted Pilanji, but we havent seen her since. Wires hang all over pigeonhole flats, sewers overflow with filth and flies are abuzz. Sunita, a mother of two, says, It is so hot. Because of the garbage, children are falling ill. We are making trips to hospitals daily. Clean Ghats, Murky Ganga By Mail Today Bureau in Varanasi The ghats are clean, but the Ganga remains murky. Nearly two years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his victory speech from the banks of the holy river promising to restore Gangas lost glory, its still a long way to go. As many as 89 ghats in Varanasi sport a much cleaner look, a fact acknowledged by some of the foreign tourists who visit Varanasi regularly, according Lal Bihari, a Varanasi-based tour operator, who handles tourists mostly from South Africa and Sri Lanka. The BOD in the Ganga has increased after the Clean Ganga programme was implemented. Pawan Kumar, a volunteer who works with the team of Temsutula Imsong, the Nagaland woman praised by Modi for taking the initiative in cleaning the ghats, said that his group of 10 volunteers regularly organise awareness drives, discussions and talk shows on the banks of the ghat telling people how to maintain cleanliness and hygeine in and around the place. Yet, less than 500m from the Assi Ghat, the cleanest of all the ghats, and from where Modi launched the Swachh Bharat campaign, an open sewer dumps the citys filth into the Ganga in a dark gurgling stream without any filtration. A report on the quality of Ganga water prepared by Sankat Mochan Foundation, an NGO working for clean Ganga recently, showed a clear deterioration in water quality with the level of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) increasing from 6.6 mg/l in April 2015 to 7.2 mg/l in April 2016 at Tulsi Ghat. Water has become unfit even for bathing, if the BOD levels exceed 3 mg/l. The pollution in Ganga has increased compared to previous years, says BD Tripathi, an environment scientist at the Banaras Hindu University. The main reason behind this is a continuous decrease in water flow. When the longitudinal connectivity of Ganga is broken, the river system is converted into a pond, he says. According to him, the flow can be enhanced if programmes such as rainwater harvesting and ground water recharging are implemented along the Ganga Basin. The irrigation technology should be changed from flood irrigation to micro irrigation, says Tripathi. Right now, under flood irrigation, 85 per cent of the water is lost, by switching over to micro irrigation you can save 85 per cent of the water, he says. Open defecation in urban areas One would imagine that open defecation is a rural phenomenon. But here, in the heart of New Delhi, men and women defecate under the open sky, every morning. Welcome to Anna Nagar - a huge cluster of 1,200-odd jhuggis in ITO, just next to key offices like the WHO South-east Asia Regional Office, Vikas Bhawan and Delhi Police headquarters. The Anna Nagar slums are located near the offices of WHO, Delhi Police and DDA. The repulsive view of a black snaking MCD drain, dotted by rows of shanties on both sides, is clearly visible from the Metro. A massive war of words has broken out between two Bollywood veterans, Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher, over rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. Launching an all-out attack on Anupam Kher, who has been vocal about his fight for Kashmiri Pandits, Naseeruddin Shah reportedly said on Friday that A person who has never lived in Kashmir has started a fight for Kashmiri Pandits. Suddenly, he became a displaced person. The special cell of Delhi Police is also investigating the JNU sedition case in which Kanhaiya, who is now out on bail, is an accused. Facing multiple attacks, Naseeruddin Shah (left) issued a statement that he was being misquoted by media. The actor said that he had spoken to Anupam Kher (right) to clarify the matter. Kher launched a counter, tweeting that By that logic, NRIs should not think about India at all. Shahs comments against Kher also drew sharp reactions from his former co-star and some members of the film fraternity. Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar wrote on Twitter: You dont have to be Kashmiri to fight for #KashmiriPandits plight. Every Indian should condemn the brutality and support their resettlement. Replying to Bhandarkar, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said: Well said Sir. Just like @NaseerudinShah who is from #Meerut but raised his voice for #GujaratRiots. Facing multiple attacks, Shah issued a clarification, saying that he was misquoted by media. The actor later said that he had spoken to Kher to clarify the matter. Kher also said that Shah denied making that statement. When approached for his comments, Shah said: I don't want to say anything. I dont want to give any reaction. This is misreporting. In India, around 62,000 registered Kashmiri Pandit families migrated during 1990-91, from the Valley due to rise of militancy in the Jammu and Kashmir region. The Jammu and Kashmir government had earlier this month informed the Centre that it had identified three areas for rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants. However, the Mehbooba government later dismissed the reports, claiming that there was no plan for separate colonies for Kashmiri Pandits. A high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh earlier this month discussed various issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir including rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit migrants, return of civilian land by the army and the situation along the line of control. The meeting was attended among others by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, state Governor NN Vohra and National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval. Shah also discussed lyricist Javed Akhtars farewell speech in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of Bharat Mata Ki Jai slogan. I am sad that statements like these (referring to AIMIM MP Asaddudin Owaisi) are made and then they are not even condemned. Like Javed sahab said, It is his right to say Vande Mataram and Bharat mata ki jai. I will say it with my choice not because somebody asks me to, I support him. Nobody has a right to question my love for my country, he said. Shah congratulated BJP on two years of governance, and said that Indians should give some more time to Modi government before coming to any conclusions against them. I believe the people in the government are not stupid to understand the choices in front of them, either to build a modern India or to take us back into the dark ages. I think they are not stupid to take the second choice, he said. However, he expressed concern about the recent debate over changes in the text book content in some parts of the country. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) came out with the results for Class Xth on Saturday, with the overall pass percentage witnessing a decline by 1.55 per cent. Kendriya Vidyalaya and government school students have performed better this year as compared to those in private schools. Private schools recorded a pass percentage of 95.43 per cent while government and government-aided schools recorded 89.13 and 83.56 respectively. The overall pass percentage of girls is 96.36 per cent, compared to that of boys, which is 96.11 per cent. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) - alternative schools for gifted students in India - have recorded 100 per cent success, followed by the 99.52 per cent of KVs. More than 14 lakh students appeared for the examination this year. Girls have managed to stay on the top, with the overall pass percentage of girls being 96.36 per cent as compared to that of boys, which is 96.11 per cent. The number of boys, who have scored 10 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is more, but girls have done better in terms of pass percentage. As soon as the results were declared, students faced a tough time accessing their reports as the website kept crashing frequently. A whopping 1,68,541 students across the country have scored a perfect 10 or CGPA score in the CBSE class Xth exam, of whom 85,316 are boys and 83,225 are girls. As soon as the results were declared, students faced a tough time accessing their reports as the website kept crashing frequently and the link to the download schools overall results proved non-functional. The website was not working properly. I had to log in over and over again to get the results, said Sneha Singh, one of the students. The social networking platforms were also bombarded with students criticising the Central boards website. As many as 14, 91,293 students appeared for boards this year - an increase of 8.5 per cent as compared to last year. The pass percentage in Delhi this year is 91.76; it was 96.29 per cent in 2015. A total of 2, 85,030 students appeared for the board examinations, out of which 2, 61,534 have passed. The numbers of students with 10 CGPA have increased this year, with a total of 8,026 students from Delhi scoring a full house. The overall pass percentage from Thiruvanathapuram is 99.87 which is the highest as compared to other regions. The numbers of students in 10- pointer club have increased. Percentage of candidates qualified for admission in higher classes in Thiruvananthapuram region is 99.77 which is higher than other regions, CBSE Controller of Examination, K K Choudhury told Mail Today. The number of students who appeared in Class Xth examination under board-based system was 51,742 while 2,23,604 candidates took the examination under School-based system of evaluation. Even differently abled students have performed very well. The overall pass percentage of students with special needs is 95.18 per cent. In Delhi, the pass percentage of the differently abled students is 90.44 per cent. The number of students who have appeared through the boards have scored better than those who have appeared through schools. A total of 1,68,541 students have scored a full-house, out which 92,816 are from the board and 75,725 are from the school board. Ebel was trying to redeem himself after a falling out with founder Ben Davis, the informant said Leader James 'Jimbo' Lohr told another member he had ordered Ebel to assassinate Clements, according to a Texas ranger's report Only suspect Evan Ebel, 28, died in Texas two days later in police shootout A white supremacist gang had Colorado's prison chief gunned down as the result of a convoluted murder plot, new documents claim. An investigative report obtained by The Denver Post sheds a new light on the March 2013 death of Tom Clements, the head of the state's department of corrections at the time. Evan Ebel, the only suspect in the case, who died two days later in Texas after a shootout with police, killed Clements as a way to redeem himself after a fallout within the 211 Crew, a white supremacist prison gang founded in Denver 20 years ago, the report states. Investigators say Ebel, who had been recently paroled at the time of Clements' death, exchanged hundreds of phone calls and text messages with 211 Crew members after his release from prison. Scroll down for video Evan Ebel (left) killed head of Colorado's department of corrections Tom Clements (right) in March 2013 as part of a murder plot by 211 Crew, a white supremacist prison gang, an investigative report claims The 77-page report, submitted in May 2013 by Texas Ranger James Holland, states what Colorado officials have so far not acknowledged: 'The murder of the Colorado Department of Corrections director was ordered by hierarchy of the 211 prison crew.' This is the clearest indication yet that more than one person was involved in the slaying. Some of the report's most important claims come from an informant identified as JR, a 211 Crew member currently on parole in Texas. James 'Jimbo' Lohr, the gang's leader in Colorado Springs, told JR he ordered Ebel to assassinate Clements, according to Holland's report. JR, who spoke under the condition of immunity from prosecution, told investigators that Ebel killed Clements in a bid to redeem himself after a falling out with Ben Davis, the founder of the 211 Crew. He had been demoted from 'soldier' to 'prospect', JR said. Ebel told JR he would have to do some 'wild [expletive]' for Davis on the outside to redeem himself, according to the report. JR also claimed that Lohr ordered him to help Ebel flee after Clements' murder. The report identifies a dozen suspects or people of interest who are thought to have helped Ebel along the way. It also details a series of phone calls between various 211 Crew members in the months after Ebel's release from prison, either to or from him or made on his behalf. James 'Jimbo' Lohr (left), the gang's leader in Colorado Springs, told another gang member that he ordered Ebel to assassinate Clements, the gang member told investigators. Authorities say Ebel shot and killed Nathan Leon (right), a pizza delivery driver, two days before Clements was killed and later used his uniform Ebel died two days after Clements, following a car chase and a shootout with police officers. Pictured, the scene of the crash and shootout between Ebel and authorities in Decatur, Texas The report also says there was a hit list of other Colorado officials in a car used by Ebel when authorities say he shot and killed Nathan Leon, a pizza delivery driver, two days before Clements was killed. Ebel was believed to have used Leon's work uniform as a disguise when he knocked on Clements' door. Authorities in Texas and Colorado arrested six people following Clements' death, but the case remains officially unsolved to this day. 'At this stage, there is no person of interest' or suspects, El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder told The Denver Post last year. The Clements case has been mired in conflict between prosecutors and an El Paso County Sheriff's Office distracted by sexual scandals and possible criminal wrongdoing, according to The Denver Post. The sheriff at the time of Clements' killing, Terry Maketa, was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury on various corruption charges. He stepped down in late 2014 after he was accused of sexual impropriety, discrimination, creating a hostile work environment and removing almost all oversight of the department's annual budget. Meanwhile, the district attorney's office has been criticized for pulling its most experienced homicide prosecutor from the Clements case. Former commander Juan San Agustin, who led the department's investigation into the Clements killing for 19 months before he resigned in 2014, has criticized the decision by the current sheriff to reduce the number of investigators on the case to just one deputy. Seven people have been arrested by Spanish police over the theft of five paintings by the Irish-born painter Francis Bacon worth more than 19million. The owner of the artworks reported the thefts of the paintings and other valuables in July after returning to his home in Spain from a visit to London, police said. None of the paintings had been recovered and the investigation was continuing, police said. Seven people have been arrested by Spanish police over the theft of five paintings by the Irish-born painter Francis Bacon worth more than 19million A breakthrough came in February, when investigators received an email from a British firm specialising in art that had received a request for it to verify the provenance of some art. The person who contacted the firm lived in the northern seaside city of Sitges, police said, and had included photographs of canvases purporting to be by Bacon. The person asked the experts if the works were listed as stolen. Signatures that looked like Bacon's appeared on the reverse of the paintings, which made the experts suspect they could have been added, the statement said. An examination of the photographs' metadata revealed the type of camera used and that it was rented, clues that enabled police to identify the sender and uncover links to a Madrid-based art dealer and the dealer's son. The owner of the artworks reported the thefts of the paintings and other valuables in July after returning to his home in Spain from a visit to London, police said The paintings were part of a collection owned by a close friend of Bacon who lived in an apartment close to Spain's Senate, a heavily policed neighborhood The other suspects also received the photographs and were arrested on suspicion of being accomplices and of conspiring to conceal the facts, police said. Saturday's statement did not say when the arrests were made and did not disclose the names of the suspects. The heist appears to have been professionally planned. The paintings were part of a collection owned by a close friend of Bacon who lived in an apartment close to Spain's Senate, a heavily policed neighborhood, the Spanish newspaper El Pais said, citing unidentified sources close to the investigation. Jeremy Corby is facing fresh questions over anti-Semitism within Labour after an activist had her suspension lifted and its Israeli sister party complained of being snubbed. Jackie Walker was suspended earlier this month after the Jewish Chronicle complained about comments on social media. The prominent Corbyn cheerleader allegedly said 'many Jews' were chief financiers of the slave trade. The Kent activist and South Thanet vice-chair, who is also a member of the pro-Jeremy Corbyn Momentum movement, described the past few weeks as 'a living nightmare'. Jeremy Corbyn is facing fresh questions about Labour's handling of allegations relating to anti-Semitisim within the party Ms Walker said: 'I am glad this investigation has fully cleared me of any wrongdoing. I am not a racist, but I robustly defend my right and the right of others to speak openly and frankly about matters of grave political and historical importance. 'That is the cornerstone of the right of free speech in our democracy.' She added: ' What I have suffered and the effect this episode has had on my health and, also, on my family can only be described as the lowest form of 'attack politics'.' Ms Walker's solicitor, Martin Howe, said: ' She is not a racist, and having strongly held views on the conflict in the Middle East and historical matters of a factual nature is not anti-Semitism.' A spokeswoman for Labour said: 'Following the outcome of an investigation, Jacqueline Walker is no longer suspended and remains a member of the Labour Party.' Newport councillor Miqdad Al-Nuaimi and Terry Kelly, who sits on Renfrewshire Council, remain suspended pending investigations, the spokeswoman said. The news emerged as Labour's sister party in Israel said it had had no reply to a letter its leader sent to Mr Corbyn a month ago asking for reassurance about his commitment to tackling problems. Isaac Herzog, leader of the Israeli Labour party, wrote to Corbyn, saying he was 'appalled and outraged by the recent instances of anti-semitism by senior Labour party officials in the United Kingdom'. The intervention came after social media posts by Naz Shah MP surfaced suggesting Israel should be 'relocated' to the US. Former London mayor Ken Livingstone, a close ally of Mr Corbyn, also caused a storm by suggesting Hitler had been linked to 'Zionism' before the Holocaust. Labour MPs said they were shocked that no response had apparently been sent to the Israli Labour Party. Wes Streeting, the Labour MP for Ilford North, told the Observer: 'It should be a matter of common courtesy to reply to a letter from the leader of one of our sister parties, particularly on an issue as important as tackling antisemitism. Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo has secured his first ever pole position in the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. The 26-year-old Red Bull driver will start the race at the front of the grid after producing the fastest qualifying lap on the intricate Monte Carlo track. He qualified with a time of one minute and 13.622 seconds, well ahead of Mercedes rivals Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton in second and third place. Scroll down for video Australian Daniel Ricciardo (centre) has qualified in pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix. His time of 1.13 was well ahead of rivals Nico Rosberg (left) and Lewis Hamilton (right) in second and third place It is the first time in Ricciardo's five-year Formula One career that he has qualified in pole position. He said: 'I feel it's been a long time coming. I feel it should have come sooner but obviously I'm happy that I've done it. 'I'll probably sleep easier knowing that I achieved what I set out to do. 'The whole week has been a lot of anticipation, a lot of excitement, so obviously the race now is hopefully the more controlled part.' It is the first time the Red Bull driver has claimed pole position in the Formula One. Ricciardo said: 'It should've come sooner but I'm happy I've done it' The last Red Bull driver to qualify first in Monaco was Australian Mark Webber in 2012. Webber went on to win the 2012 grand prix and also won the race from pole during the 2010 season. Ricciardo said he hoped to copy his compatriot's feats and was confident about his chances on the familiar track. Ricciardo said he hoped to copy his previous Formula 3 success on the Monte Carlo circuit Ricciardo said: 'Monaco has always been a good track for me in previous categories. 'I've always loved it here. It's a good day. I'm going to enjoy it while I can and 24 hours from now I'll hopefully be back here. 'The last few races I feel like I've been driving well but haven't got maximum reward, so I came into this weekend with a lot of a confidence and a lot of belief that I could be in this position now.' Ricciardo (pictured) is the first Red Bull driver to start at the front of the grid since fellow Australian Mark Webber in 2012. Webber went on to win that year's race The Monaco Grand Prix is an illustrious race held on the city streets of Monte Carlo every year since 1929. Along with the Indianapolis 500 and the Le Mans 24-hour race it forms the Triple Crown of motorsport. Less than a month after she was the victim of a violent attack on the Rimrocks, 17-year-old Redwillow Horsecapture is taking a stand for teen victims of violence. At 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 10, Horsecapture and her grandparents, Daniel and Lorna Knowshisgun, will hold a prayer ceremony and march against violence on the Rimrocks. The ceremony comes a month and four days after Horsecapture was taken to the hospital with serious injuries from a late-night attack on the Rims. Horsecapture returned home a few days after the attack. She is still recuperating from her attack and hasn't returned to school yet. "I'm not going to say she is the same old Red," her grandfather said. "She's not. But she's stronger because of this. An even stronger Red." Knowshisgun said the outpouring of support from the Billings community has overwhelmed the family and helped Horsecapture to heal. He said the people who reached out really helped and "lightened the load." Since the attack, Horsecapture has gotten a Golden Retriever puppy, a seven-week-old named Willow, for support. The family has also contacted another teen who was the victim of an attack on the Rimrocks this year. The teen was taken to the hospital April 30, and has since pressed charges in his attack. Knowshisgun said the teen and his family are "solid people," and hearing their story gave him the ability to "zoom out" and look at the community, not just his granddaughter. Catching fire He and his family were planning a dinner for Horsecapture when a cousin suggested a rally on the Rims. "It caught fire from there," Knowshisgun said. Horsecapture and her family are hosting the march against violence as a way for the community to come together for the victims who didn't get the support she did. The event is one teen for all teens and is about bringing the community together to make the Rims a safer place, Knowshisgun said. He said the Rims should be a place families and kids can go and enjoy without fear. "We want to show other victims boys and girls who have been picked on or brutalized that there are people who care about them," Knowshisgun said. The Friday event is free to attend and starts at Swords Rimrock Park. There will be three stations where people will either be singing or in prayer. The march will go from station to station and will end with a few words from Horsecapture and her grandparents. At the end, attendees will release red balloons to symbolize teen assault victims. Raising funds On Saturday, June 11, the family will also host a banquet and silent auction from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Al Bedoo Shrine Auditorium, 1125 Broadwater Ave., to raise funds for Horsecapture's medical bills. Event organizer Michelle Perry said the event will be catered by a local restaurant, and local businesses and artists have pitched in items to auction. Good Vibrations, Hansen Music and local artist Bill Rains all have donated items, she said. Gift cards and jewelry will also be for sale, she said. Cost for the buffet will be $20 a plate. Knowshisgun said he reached out to Crow tribal leaders who said they plan to attend the events. Clinical professional counselor Tiffany Garner, who offered support to Horsecapture after her attack, said she has contacted Mayor Tom Hanel's office to invite him to speak at the Saturday banquet. Garner also reached out to President Barack Obama. She said Horsecapture met Obama when he campaigned in Billings in 2008. "First he commented on how unique her name was," Garner said. "And then he said she was tall like his daughters." Obama hasn't responded to the invitation yet. Starting a tradition Garner said she has hopes the event will continue beyond this year. The family has discussed making the event annual, setting aside funds to pay for another next year, but there is still a lot to be coordinated, Garner said. Horsecapture was attacked at about 10 p.m. on May 6 as she socialized with friends on the Rimrocks. She was hit, kicked and taken to the hospital for injuries that court documents say are permanent. Those injuries included a broken jaw and multiple contusions. "Violence is never an answer, and I hope this can be a huge wake-up call for everyone," Horsecapture said in her announcement about the event. "We're bringing unity back to the community." For more information on the events, call Perry at 406-208-2260. Jeremy Corbyns hard-Left spin chief censored a Labour document on the EU referendum to remove all references to Russian aggression. The Mail on Sunday has been told that Seumas Milne, the pro-Kremlin head of communications for the Labour leader, became angry when he saw a briefing note which had been prepared for the partys MPs telling them what lines to take on the debate. The memo said the MPs should include arguments about security when opposing Brexit and in particular that leaving the EU would weaken the Wests ability to stand up to Vladimir Putin. Jeremy Corbyns hard-Left spin chief Seumas Milne (right) censored a Labour document on the EU referendum to remove all references to Russian aggression But, extraordinarily, Mr Milne insisted on deleting all references to Moscow before he would allow it to be sent to MPs. A Labour source said: Seumas just hit control F on his keyboard [a shortcut for searching through text], entered the word Russia and zapped all the critical passages. Mr Milne said the claim was 'entirely untrue'. Before he took leave from The Guardian to take up his post with Mr Corbyn, Mr Milne wrote a series of pro-Russian articles. In one piece, he wrote: Communism in the Soviet Union, eastern Europe and elsewhere delivered rapid industrialisation, mass education, job security and huge advances in social and gender equality. It encompassed genuine idealism and commitment. The memo said the MPs should include arguments about security when opposing Brexit and in particular that leaving the EU would weaken the Wests ability to stand up to Vladimir Putin Two years ago, Mr Milne hosted a propaganda summit for Putin during which he lobbed easy questions at the Russian president such as inviting him to say that Moscows assertive foreign diplomacy was only because of a breakdown of rules in the world. Labour MP Graham Stringer said: Jeremy has spent his life being an Outer, but has now been bullied into pretending he supports In. His advisers seem to have some very strange ideas about the international balance of power. David Cameron has been attacked by a cabinet minister who said his 'luxury lifestyle' meant he couldn't understand real people's EU fears over the effects of mass migration. Employment minister Priti Patel said the Prime Minister and other top Remain campaigners who went to public schools were 'insulated' from how working people felt about immigration. She doesn't name Mr Cameron or the Chancellor George Osborne but has made clear her targets in the broadside are the leaders of the Remain side. The MP for Witham said only a vote to leave the European Union would lead to lowering immigration numbers. Employment minister Priti Patel said the Prime Minister and other top Remain campaigners who went to public schools were 'insulated' from how working people felt about immigration levels She doesn't name Mr Cameron or the Chancellor George Osborne but has made clear her targets in the broadside are the leaders of the Remain side Speaking to The Telegraph she said: 'It's shameful that those leading the pro-EU campaign fail to care for those who do not have their advantages. 'Their narrow self-interest fails to pay due regard to the interests of the wider public.' A Downing Street spokesman said Ms Patel was trying to take voters' attention from the economic consequences of leaving the EU. Criticism from both the Remain and Leave side has become more personal in recent days with less than a month to go until the referendum on June 23. This week migration has featured heavily in EU debates. Net EU migration to the UK reached a record 184,000 during 2015 - against a government target of 'tens of thousands'. A total of 333,000 more people arrived in the country than left, when also including migrants from outside the EU. Many in the Leave side think migration is the key to winning the referendum as they look for an advantage to overcome consistent polling which places them behind Remain. Mr Cameron told Muslim News the language used by the Leave side when describing foreigners was harmful to minority groups. He said Muslims were offended by claims Turkish criminals and terrorists would come to the UK if the country voted to remain in the EU. John Whittingdale, Theresa Villiers, Michael Gove, Chris Grayling, Iain Duncan Smith and Priti Patel attend the launch of the Vote Leave campaign at the group's headquarters in central London Michael Gove warned that David Cameron's 'apocalyptic warnings' on Brexit will harm his credibility if they turn out to be false Turkey as well as Albania are looking to join the EU which Leave campaigners say would increase migration to the UK. 'Many British Muslims will be offended by the way they are trying to frighten people,' he said. 'I think it's a sign of desperation.' Ms Patel, who herself is the daughter of Indian Gujaratis, added: 'For many of those arguing for Remain, the day-to-day consequences of this loss of control are pretty much all gain and no pain: inexpensive domestic help, willing tradesmen and convenient, cheap travel. 'So when Remain campaigners talk about the economy, they don't think about working people's personal finances the potential hit to their pay packets.' According the The Telegraph, a Number 10 source said Ms Patel's attack was attempting to take the focus away from economists and experts who back the Remain side. Tory warfare on Europe has seen new levels of personalised attacks as Brexit heavyweights turned on the Prime Minister with Justice Secretary Michael Gove warning David Cameron's credibility is now on the line. Boris Johnson addresses members of the public in Parliament St, York during the Brexit Battle Bus tour Prime Minister David Cameron delivers a speech campaigning to stay in the EU at Luton Airport The onslaught included Boris Johnson insisting the PM is having a 'corrosive' impact on public trust in politicians. Tory tensions exploded as Mr Gove told The Sun on Sunday the Prime Minister's 'apocalyptic warnings' on Brexit would test his credibility if they turned out to be false. The Justice Secretary and Mr Johnson sent a sharply worded joint letter to Mr Cameron accusing him of failing in the renegotiation with Brussels, and urging him to tell the truth about what remaining in the EU would mean for border controls and the power of foreign judges over the UK. 'There is also the basic lack of democratic consent for what is taking place. Voters were promised repeatedly at elections that net migration could be cut to tens of thousands. 'This promise is plainly not achievable as long as the UK is a member of the EU and the failure to keep it is corrosive of public trust in politics,' the letter stated. David Cameron feeding a lamb, as he and Boris Johnson will appear on the BBC's Countryfile programme Boris Johnson pictured appearing on the BBC's Countryfile which will be aired on Sunday, May 29 In another dig at the Prime Minister, the Justice Secretary ridiculed Mr Cameron's insistence that Turkey was not set to join the EU, by saying: 'You're having us on.' Mr Gove indicated this was the latest in a series of 'lies' regarding EU membership. He told The Sun on Sunday: 'People are fed up with being told, don't worry, this thing isn't going to happen and then they wake up a year or two later and it has. 'They were told in 1975 when we joined the Common Market that it wasn't going to mean anything for our democracy and our Parliament and for all of us. That was a lie. Now we're being told don't worry, Turkey won't join.' The Justice Secretary also hit back at claims the Leave campaign is fuelled by prejudice. 'When people fling the charge of racism, what they are actually doing is attacking working-class people for wanting to maintain a decent standard of living. I think that's wrong.' Mr Cameron was cheered by a survey of more than 600 economists who agreed with him that Brexit would damage the UK economy. A man trapped in his crashed vehicle on a central Arizona mountain for three days might never have been rescued if not for a couple taking sightseeing photos, authorities said Saturday. The 50-year-old man's purple SUV was spotted Friday afternoon by a couple who had pulled over on a road on Mingus Mountain, about 10 miles south of Jerome, according to Police Chief Allen Muma. 'The big thing I want to get across is how lucky this gentleman was,' Muma said. 'These people happened to stop and take a picture. Had they not, he'd be dead. There's no doubt in my mind.' A man trapped in his crashed vehicle on a central Arizona mountain for three days might never have been rescued if not for a couple taking sightseeing photos, authorities said Saturday The 50-year-old man's purple SUV was spotted Friday afternoon by a couple who had pulled over on a road on Mingus Mountain, about 10 miles south of Jerome, according to Police Chief Allen Muma The couple was on Allen Springs Road, which Muma described as an unimproved, dirt Forest Service road and the surrounding terrain has brush between 6 and 10 feet tall. As they started to snap photos, the woman noticed pieces of the vehicle through the mesquite trees and bushes. They went closer and saw a man inside. The pair immediately called 911. It took multiple fire and police agencies more than an hour to get to the man and extricate him using a Jaws of Life apparatus, according to Muma. The roof of the Toyota FJ Cruiser had caved in. The man, who lives in Cornville, was conscious enough to give paramedics information. That is when emergency responders deduced his car had rolled down the mountain three days earlier. The couple who found the man happened to have a chainsaw, which rescuers used to help clear the terrain from the car for a waiting helicopter. He was airlifted in critical condition to Verde Valley Medical Center and then later transported to a hospital in Flagstaff. The man was listed in stable condition Saturday, according to Yavapai County Sheriff's spokesman Dwight D'Evelyn. The sheriff's office is investigating how the vehicle ended up crashing. Muma did not know if the man had any water or food nearby. A deputy found his cellphone outside of the car. The man, whose identity has not been released, has no family so nobody reported him missing. 'If you're going to travel off-road somewhere or even a well-traveled road ... let somebody know,' Muma said. The surrounding footpath was bloodied and a window was smashed The 20-year-old was taken to Westmead Hospital with leg injuries at 11pm A man has been hospitalised after being stabbed in front of a kebab shop, leaving the surrounding footpath bloodied and a shop window smashed. Police say the 20-year-old was approached by two males and three females armed with weapons at 11pm in Ermington, in Sydney's north-west. The man had been standing with another group of people when his attackers approached him on Betty Cuthbert Avenue. A man has been hospitalised after being stabbed in front of a kebab shop, leaving the surrounding footpath bloodied and a shop window smashed Police were called to the scene where blood could be seen on the footpath and a shopfront window had been smashed Police say the man was stabbed and received a cut to his right leg, before being taken to Westmead Hospital. His injuries are not life-threatening. Police were called to the scene where blood could be seen on the footpath and a shopfront window had been smashed. Detectives would like to speak to two males and three females who may be able to assist with their inquiries. They are all described as being of Asian appearance and aged in their early 20s. Anyone with information is urged to come forward or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. This is the Special Boat Services deadly new weapon which Britains elite commandos are preparing to use in devastating attacks on IS strongholds in Libya a heavily armed speedboat that doubles as a desert patrol vehicle. The High Speed Amphibian races across the sea at speeds of up to 45 knots and is just as fast on land, thanks to the wheels which unfold from underneath its hull. The remarkable vessel, equipped with fast-firing Minimi machine guns, is currently undergoing sea trials off Britain and Cyprus ahead of its likely introduction to UK Special Forces operations against IS in Libya. The tests include dropping the vessel from a transport aircraft at 2,500ft, with SBS commandos parachuting from the plane into the sea and climbing aboard the Amphibians to mount an attack on the shoreline. A source said: The Amphibians are great because theyre fast, manoeuvrable and transition from water to dry land really quickly. David Cameron has been boosted by a survey showing almost nine in 10 economists believe Brexit would be damaging for the UK economy. Withdrawal from the EU would impact badly on Britain's growth rates over the next five years, according to 88 per cent of the 600 economists. The poll by Ipsos Mori for The Observer also found that 82 per cent of the economists said Brexit would cut household incomes, and 61 per cent thought it would fuel unemployment. David Cameron, seen at the G7 summit in Japan last week, has hailed the survey of economists The results were hailed by Mr Cameron as he struggled to quell rising Tory tensions over the referendum battle. Among the developments in the increasingly bitter fight today: Cabinet minister Priti Patel delivered a thinly-veiled swipe at Mr Cameron by saying politicians with 'luxury' lifestyles cannot understand concerns about migration. Tory backbencher Nadine Dorries accused the PM of telling 'outright lies' and said she had already formally requested a leadership contest Boris Johnson and Michael Gove said Mr Cameron's failure to hit his migration target was 'corroding public trust' Former PM John Major accused the Leave campaign of 'boorish and sneering' attacks on Mr Cameron Employment minister Priti Patel said Mr Cameron and other top Remain campaigners who went to public schools were 'insulated' from how working people felt about immigration. While avoiding naming Mr Cameron or Chancellor George Osborne, there was little room for doubt about who she was referring to in the broadside. The MP for Witham said only a vote to leave the European Union would lead to lowering immigration numbers. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph she said: 'It's shameful that those leading the pro-EU campaign fail to care for those who do not have their advantages. 'Their narrow self-interest fails to pay due regard to the interests of the wider public.' A Downing Street spokesman said Ms Patel was trying to take voters' attention from the economic consequences of leaving the EU. Justice Secretary Michael Gove and Boris Johnson have also stepped up their attack on Mr Cameron by insisting he should admit that staying in the EU means high immigration levels indefinitely. Writing in the Sunday Times they urged the PM to state openly that free movement rules were unaffected by his renegotiation deal. Conservative minister Priti Patel, who attends Cabinet meetings Tory backbencher Andrew Bridgen said he now believed that Mr Cameron would not survive as Prime Minister even if he wins the referendum next month. He also raised the prospect that there could be a snap general election called by a new Conservative leader in the Autumn. Ms Dorries went even further, telling ITV's Peston on Sunday programme that the premier and the chancellor were 'outright liars'. She said she had already sent a letter to the powerful 1922 committee demanding a leadership contest after the crucial ballot. The Mid Bedfordshire MP said she believed a 'considerable number' of her colleagues had also prepared letters. Once 50 such messages have been lodged with 1922 chairman Graham Brady a formal vote of no confidence would be triggered. Mr Cameron welcomed the survey, of 600 members of the Royal Economic Society and Society of Business Economists, saying: 'This poll confirms the overwhelming view of economists - leaving the EU would damage our economy, costing jobs and increasing prices. We are stronger, safer and better off in the EU.' Former Lib Dem business secretary Sir Vince Cable said: 'Nine in 10 of the country's top economists now agree that leaving the EU single market would be hugely damaging to our economy. 'This adds to the existing consensus amongst economic experts, from the IMF to the Bank of England, that a vote to leave would hurt jobs and family finances.' Britain Stronger in Europe campaign director Will Straw said: 'This is the final nail in the coffin of the leave campaign's economic credibility. It is becoming clear that leaving is a risk we simply cannot afford to take.' Another letter signed by 37 faith leaders including former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams warns that Brexit could put peace in Europe at risk. Former Lib Dem business secretary Sir Vince Cable said the economists agreed that leaving the EU single market would be 'hugely damaging to our economy' I never said we should join the euro, says former Prime Minister Tony Blair Tony Blair has been ridiculed after claiming that he did not want Britain to join the euro. The former Prime Minister denied that he had been pushing for the UK to sign up to the currency project when he was in Downing Street. It is widely believed that the opposition of then-chancellor Gordon Brown was the only thing that stopped Mr Blair taking the country into the currency. But speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show today Mr Blair said he had 'been back and checked' after jibes by Leave campaigners. 'By the way we never put the issue to the British people on the euro, because the economic case was not clear and unambiguous,' he said. 'When these people say, which they often do, 'you guys said all this about the euro', I went back and checked and no we didn't. Tony Blair denied having wanted to take Britain into the euro despite claims that it was only Gordon brown who blocked him from signing up to the currency project 'We said "unless there is a clear case economically for joining the euro we won't put it before you" and we didn't.' 'Politically I think it's important that Britain's at the heart of Europe. Economically if you can't make the case for joining the single currency you shouldn't do it, and economically we couldn't.' Mr Brown and Treasury ally Ed Balls have long been said to have frustrated Mr Blair by insisting on the 'economic tests' for joining the euro. Mr Blair insisted the case for a Remain vote in the referendum now was very different to the issue of the euro. 'The case for leaving Europe is a completely different case, because even if you disagree with the euro surely you don't disagree with Britain being part of the single market,' he said. 'Because the single market which by the way was a British achievement under Margaret Thatcher, the single market is essential for British jobs and British industry. 'There's no reason for us to take a position for the next 100 years, but there's no remote possibility of Britain joining the euro for the foreseeable future.' But Ukip MP Douglas Carswell told MailOnline: 'Tony Blair used to be new Labour. Now he's trying his hand at new history, rewriting the past. Blair was wrong about joining the euro then, and wrong about remaining in the EU now. 'The high risk things is to remain in an ever closer political union with the EU. If we do vote Leave, we will prosper and avoid the looming euro disaster. 'No doubt Mr Blair will then try and convince us he was part of Vote Leave all along.' John Major savages 'boorish Brexit' and warns of 40billion black hole in UK finances Sir John Major has launched a powerful attack on 'shameless and distorted' attempts by Brexit leaders to persuade voters that Britain should leave the EU. And he warned that cutting ties with Brussels would 'blow a 40 billion hole' in the UK's economy. The former Prime Minister said the way the Leave campaigners had behaved was 'a fraud on the British people' and accused its leaders of 'boorish and sneering' attacks on David Cameron. They had 'peddled falsehoods' about the cost of Britain's membership of the EU and fanned immigration fears with 'the worst type of dog-whistle politics'. The ferocity of the former Tory leader's attack in an exclusive article for The Mail on Sunday will send shockwaves through his party The ferocity of the former Tory leader's attack in an exclusive article for The Mail on Sunday will send shockwaves through his party. Normally renowned for his restraint, he spoke out after becoming enraged by tactics used by Vote Leave, which is spearheaded by Boris Johnson. His article follows fury in Downing Street at personal attacks on Mr Cameron by Vote Leave. The former London Mayor has called the Prime Minister's pro-EU comments 'demented'. And last week, he effectively accused Mr Cameron of lying for failing to deliver on his promise to curb immigration. 'We are not, as they [Vote Leave] warn, facing the risk of 88 million migrants from Turkey and the Western Balkans: this fear-mongering is the worst sort of 'dog-whistle' politics. Boris Johnson himself said [Turkish entry to the EU] is not remotely on the cards. Yet Vote Leave persist in raising more scare stories.' Sir John added: 'Let's keep people out' is an easy slogan with a murky history.' Metal models failing in under 10 years leaving patients in crippling pain for about 700 people are taking a group case to the High Court Hundreds of Britons who received metal-on-metal hip replacements are demanding millions of pounds in compensation from the manufacturers. In a huge legal action, lawyers for about 700 people fitted with certain implants from three makers are taking a group case to the High Court. The hips - which became popular in the 1990s - were meant to be stronger than those made of other materials. In a huge legal action, lawyers for about 700 people fitted with certain implants from three makers are taking a group case to the High Court. Studies suggest some metal models fail far sooner than they should leaving patients in crippling pain Replacements are supposed to offer easy mobility for ten to 15 years. But studies suggest some metal models fail far sooner than they should leaving patients in crippling pain. Lawyers also claim the artificial hips have caused non-cancerous tumours, allergic reactions, and led to loss of muscle mass and bone strength. Gene Matthews, partner at Leigh Day solicitors, said: Some [patients] face needing several operations and in the worst cases might end up in a wheelchair. Such individuals might be looking at compensation worth hundreds of thousands, he said, adding: Across the group action, we are looking at tens of millions of pounds. Retired airline engineer Bernard James, who had metal-on-metal hip implants in 2006, said they had ruined his life. Two years after his operation, a pocket of fluid developed, and doctors recommended they were replaced. But the 76-year-old from Cardiff - who was a keen dog-walker - says he can now manage only half a mile. Mr Justice Hickinbottom at the High Court (pictured) will next month rule on how the case should proceed. A civil trial is expected in autumn next year In total, about 40,000 Britons have been given metal-on-metal hip components. The group action includes around 85 people with Durom implants by Zimmer; 400 with Pinnacle parts by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary DePuy; and 200 with Cormet parts, made by Corin. Mr Justice Hickinbottom at the High Court will next month rule on how the case should proceed. A civil trial is expected in autumn next year. Papers lodged by Corins solicitors at the court state: Corins defence is that its products were safe. Zimmer said the claims were vague. The ongoing investigation into Hillary Clinton's alleged misuse of her family's private email account for official business might lead some to believe that she is pretty tech-savvy. But in recent days a number of reports have emerged that suggest the the former Secretary of State is clueless when it comes to desktop computers. In fact, she's so out of touch with modern technology that she declined to use specially set up secure computers just so she could keep using her personal BlackBerry to send emails, The Daily Caller reported. PC gone mad: Clinton is technologically illiterate and can't use desktop computers to send emails, one of her staff said in a deposition. She refused to use computers set up for her and didn't use a password, he said Black mark: Clinton's insistence on using her personal, over-the-counter BlackBerry for emails was a thorn in the side of colleagues. She even refused to use a government-provided BlackBerry Lewis A. Lukens, who has been a foreign service officer at the State Department for 27 years, admitted that Clinton didn't use a password to protect her PC and couldn't use a computer. Lukens, who had been deposed in the ongoing scandal over Clinton's use of a private email server for work emails, emailed State Department Undersecretary Patrick Kennedy in 2009 email to complain about her technophobia. '[Clinton Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills] says problem is [Hillary] does not know how to use a computer to do emails - only Blackberry,' he told Kennedy. That created a problem, as BlackBerrys and similar devices are not allowed in the Secretary's ultra-secure suite - meaning that she wouldn't be able to email anyone while sat at her desk. And of course, attempts to get her to use a secure computer for exactly that purpose were fruitless, since Clinton was so opposed to using anything other than her mobile device. During the deposition he also told attorney Michael Bekesha of watchdog group Judicial Watch, that the stand-alone computer that was set up for her 'wouldnt have had a password.' 'So the computer would have just been open and be able to use without going through any security features?' Bekesha asked. 'Correct,' Lukens replied. And even when Mills set up a secure room next to the suite to allow Clinton to use her BlackBerry in privacy, it proved a waste of time. The Secretary was frequently spotted using the hallway instead, with Lukens saying he saw her out there 'maybe a dozen times.' Staff were further confounded by Clinton's refusal to use a government-supplied BlackBerry rather than her own, privately purchased one. Emails show that they were still trying to get her to use a government BlackBerry as late as 2011, The Daily Caller said. But she continued to use her over-the-counter model. Lukens told Bekesha that he thought Clinton wanted to use the device 'to stay in touch with family and friends,' adding that it had never occurred to him that she would use it for state business. Two required treatment at John Hunter Hospital in Toronto, Lake Macquarie A 19-year-old man was arrested after allegedly supplying four teenage girls with cannabis-laced muffins at a school in Toronto, Lake Macquarie (file image) A 19-year-old student is facing court after allegedly selling muffins laced with marijuana to female schoolmates who complained to staff of aching faces and frothing mouths after eating them. The man is due in court after apparently supplying the Year 10 girls, one of whom is believed to be his girlfriend, with the treats in Toronto, Lake Macquarie, last week. It is not clear whether the girls knew the muffins had been laced with drugs when they ate them. Two of them required treatment at John Hunter Hospital but all are now well. The man, who is also understood to be a student at the school, will appear before magistrates in July. The school's principal took to social media to reassure parents the incident was a one-off, insisting disciplinary action was being taken against the students involved. 'The incident involved four students eating muffins they knew could contain some form of drug. 'One student presented to the sick bay after lunch. A parent and an ambulance were called and the student was taken by ambulance to hospital. 'Of the three other students, after school one went to hospital, another to a doctor's clinic and the fourth did not appear to become unwell,' he said. According to The Newcastle Herald, two of the girls complained their faces were aching while another was frothing at the mouth when they presented themselves to staff. The school's principal took to Facebook to reassure parents the incident was a one-off Two of the girls required treatment at John Hunter Hospital in Lake Macquarie, NSW, after eating the muffins The school was awaiting the results of tests on the muffins to identify 'anything that may have caused the sickness,' he added. NSW Police confirmed a 19-year-old man, believed to also be a student at the school, had been charged in relation to the incident. 'A man attended the school at Toronto on Monday 23 May, and allegedly supplied students with muffins containing cannabis. 'Two students fell ill and were taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.' The man was given conditional bail at Toronto Local Court this week. He will reappear before magistrates there in July to face one charge of supplying prohibited drugs. Fahima Begum lives in a bamboo lattice home in Bangladesh Every time it rains, the water comes through the walls, says Fahima Begum. Our clothes get wet. Our pillows get wet. Everything. When its windy, the walls shake violently. Last winter, even after we closed the door and the shutters, the wind got in. We wore all our clothes but still we were freezing. You cant light a fire in a house like this, so we had to huddle around a 100-watt lightbulb. All the kids got sick and the baby got pneumonia. I had to take them to the doctor many times and borrow money for their treatment. We thought the baby was going to die. Mrs Begum, a mother of three, is speaking at her home in Khejur Danga a lush, peaceful village in south-west Bangladesh. Her house measures 9ft by 15ft and, although it rests on a solid plinth to raise it above potential floodwater, its walls are made from a flimsy bamboo lattice. A board proclaims the houses origin: UK Aid from the Department for International Development. Mrs Begums house is one of more than 12,000 designed and funded by DFID as part of a project called FRESH which stands, with unintentional irony, for Flood Resistant Shelters, and cost UK taxpayers 12 million. It is part of a UK aid package which has averaged some 250 million a year since 2010. An evaluation by DFID in March 2013 soon after the homes were first occupied describes FRESH as a stunning success. In the words of its author, it is one of the best projects that I have personally seen though his report does admit waterproof walls may have been better. Mrs Begum points to some panels of the bamboo lattice lying on the roof struts over our heads. See? she says. They also built us a latrine, and these were its walls. They blew down in a storm. Whenever it gets windy, Im terrified the house will be next. A board proclaims the houses origin: UK Aid from the Department for International Development Her house had been built in partnership with the charity Islamic Relief, one of several which DFID used to do the construction Mrs Begum admits her old house, which was made of mud, wasnt perfect after all, it had been damaged by a cyclone. But she adds: At least it kept the weather out. Her house had been built in partnership with the charity Islamic Relief, one of several which DFID used to do the construction. But the design of the homes was centralised. And according to an expert in Dhaka, who asked not to be named, it ignored basic principles of local design: The roofs should come low, to provide additional protection. This is how houses are always built in rural Bangladesh. I told them this and they ignored me. In Amtalagatepara, about 30 miles from Mrs Begums house, there is another group of DFID homes, built by the Bangladeshi charity Shushilon, but otherwise identical. Their owners are no more impressed. Hope Welhaven came into a tight-knit group when she joined the Billings Catholic Schools system as a high school freshman. The summer before that year, she'd been practicing with the volleyball team, which helped to ease the transition. "It was nice to have those people take me under their wing," Welhaven, 18, said. Now anticipating graduation, it's that family feeling among the graduating seniors that she'll appreciate the most. Welhaven will join 80 other students on Sunday as the Class of 2016 bids farewell to high school and looks to that next step. It's been a full four years for the graduate. Starting with that first summer of volleyball, she went on to play for the varsity team for three years. The team earned top-five honors over those seasons, and she served as team captain for two of them. Welhaven was also part of the swim team, and she took on track her senior year "for fun." She said that she wanted to go to Central to follow in her older brother's footsteps. After starting there, she said that she was encouraged to be not just an athlete, but also a well-rounded student. English teacher Michele Mattix called her "the most industrious" of students. "She's got a resume a mile long," Mattix said. "And the resume is beyond impressive." Earning a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, Welhaven earned academic all-state recognition, was in the National Honor Society, took AP calculus and took dual-credit college classes through Montana State University Billings. This week, she earned the senior English award for writing, character and academic success. Teachers say that her earnestness in classwork was notable. Despite growing up with a speech stutter, Welhaven took public speaking exercises head-on. "She volunteered to go first," Mattix said. "Her prep went above and beyond." Welhaven remembered the stutter being a lot worse when she was younger. If she came to a word that triggered it during a speech assignment, she'd practice it until it wasn't a problem to dwell on during the presentation. "It makes me who I am," Welhaven said. "I think it does make me stronger." U.S. history and western civilization teacher Shane Fairbanks said he didn't know about Welhaven's stutter. They held mock debates and trials in class, and Welhaven brought her usual rigor of preparation. Class debates can get heated, Fairbanks said, but Welhaven was an active participant. "She's always been one of my strongest students," he said. Welhaven will attend Carroll College in the fall to pursue a health sciences degree. She wants to be a physician assistant. She said her brother has diabetes, and growing up she saw the importance of health care providers for people who live with medical conditions. One day, she hopes to work on mitigating the occurrence of diabetes and other ailments. It's a family attitude, much like the one she holds for her classmates. "I would say that we're different than most classes," Welhaven said. That's the feeling she will miss the most from her days at Central High. The school held its last day of class Thursday, and when the seniors stormed the halls, she anticipated a few tears. But she said those life lessons will also carry over into college. "I'm definitely going to miss how everyone's a family here," she said. "I'll never take it for granted." The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is to become the first major UK charity to radically change its fundraising methods in the wake of a furore over unscrupulous tactics revealed by a Mail on Sunday investigation. The charity has pledged to adopt an opt-in system, contacting individuals only if they explicitly give fundraisers their consent. Last year, an undercover MoS investigation revealed Britains biggest charities including Oxfam, Cancer Research UK and the RSPCA were funding a call centre where staff were trained to squeeze cash from potential donors, including 98-year-old pensioners and cancer sufferers. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, seen helping residents in Carlisle during last year's flooding, has pledged to adopt an opt-in system, contacting individuals only if they explicitly give fundraisers their consent The MoS investigation was praised by MPs for uncovering hard-sell methods, and it resulted in amendments to the Charities Bill. Under the new rules, charities will have to set out how they protect vulnerable people including the elderly and those with Alzheimers from being hounded by aggressive fundraising calls, simply because they have not ticked opt-out boxes often buried in small print. No one has accused the RNLI of employing unscrupulous fundraising techniques, but the charitys changes are now leading the way for others. Writing to the MoS, RNLI chief executive Paul Boissier explained: The Mail on Sunday played an important role in highlighting the way that some charities contact members of the public. RNLI was caught up in an MoS investigation that revealed Britains biggest charities were funding a call centre where staff were trained to squeeze cash from potential donors We pride ourselves on our ethical approach. We dont target vulnerable people and never have. 'But that doesnt mean we didnt listen to what the MoS and its readers had to say. 'Were moving to opt-in communications where people can choose if and how the RNLI contacts them. This is the right thing to do. The RNLI, which provides an on-call 24-hour lifeboat search-and-rescue service across the UK and Ireland, will implement its changes next year. The move comes in the wake of the death of 92-year-old poppy-seller Olive Cooke, who committed suicide after being hounded by several charities. We have less than one month to go before casting possibly the most important vote of our lifetime. The arguments upon whether to remain in or leave the EU are complex. The very least the British public should expect from our politicians is that they be accurate and truthful and focus on our long-term wellbeing. The Remain campaign has doggedly tried to do this. Vote Leave consistently fails to do so: instead they offer a mixture of confused or distorted facts that mislead rather than inform. Those who challenge statements that are flimsy or demonstrably untrue are either personally disparaged, or accused of being part of a mythical 'Establishment plot'. Boris Johnson in front of the Vote Leave campaign bus which carries a claim that Britain gives 350m a week to the EU - a figure Sir John has rubbished International bodies, such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, are told they are 'wrong', or stooges of the Prime Minister. The highly respected Institute for Fiscal Studies is told that it is a 'paid-up propaganda arm' of the EU. Friendly overseas governments are criticised for 'interfering'. Overseas investors in the UK receive the same crass response even though they provide jobs for our people and taxes that pay for our public services. The Governor of the Bank of England is castigated for warning of risks to the UK economy even though if he failed to do so and the risks materialised he would be accused of gross negligence. So, too, would the Prime Minister and Chancellor, who are continually in the line of fire for presenting Government reports that warn of the risks of leaving Europe. They have a responsibility to the British people to ensure all facts are before them, yet their statements are denounced with boorish monotony by Vote Leave, and with sneering asides from their acolytes, who taunt that those occupying No 10 'won't be there for long'. When Michael Heseltine voiced dismay over foolish and inflammatory references to Hitler, he was dismissed as being 'from another era', the clear implication being that, because of his age, his views don't matter. On that basis, one can only assume that Vote Leave believes the arguments put forward by Michael's contemporary, Nigel Lawson, don't matter either. Such playground name-calling is not only irrelevant but is offensive to millions of elderly voters who although born in 'another era' still have opinions, hopes and ambitions that matter very much indeed. It is highly unlikely that Turkey will join the EU for many, many years (if ever). And Vote Leave knows this. As Boris Johnson himself said: 'It is not remotely on the cards' The tactics of Vote Leave are clear: to ignore the arguments and abuse their critics. But the British people deserve better than that as they search for the facts required to reach a balanced judgment before June 23. I suspect the silent majority is irritated by, even contemptuous of, such evasion and political trickery. A couple of weeks ago, in a speech in Oxford, I sought to bring clarity to a number of issues where I believed the British people were being misled: notably, the cost of the EU, immigration and sovereignty. True to form, instead of addressing the argument, Vote Leave's only response was that I have 'always been wrong about Europe'. This was an odd reply especially since I kept the UK out of the euro and refused to sign up to the Schengen Agreement on open borders. Nonetheless, their evasion met its purpose and, once again, diverted the debate from their own misinformation. So now, as the referendum vote comes nearer, I again ask the senior figures of Vote Leave to correct the inaccuracies and falsehoods they are peddling to the British people. First, we do not I repeat not pay 350 million a week (the equivalent of 18 billion a year) to the EU. Vote Leave knows this. Yet, despite being urged to stop repeating such an obvious untruth not least by the UK Statistics Authority they continue to do so. The facts are simple and clear: during the past five years after taking account of our rebate and money returned to the UK our average net payment to the EU was 7.1 billion. Last year, the figure fell to just over 6 billion after payments to our farmers, businesses, scientific research and for regional aid such as flood defences. But there is a much bigger point: the Institute for Fiscal Studies says that even if we stopped paying anything into the EU, the economic damage caused by leaving it would blow a 40 billion black hole in the nation's budget. So, far from saving money if we left Europe, it would, in fact, cost us a very great deal more. 'Let's keep people out' is an easy slogan with a murky history but Vote Leave needs to explain who their policy would affect, and how they will implement it Even at this late stage, I hope Vote Leave will end their shameless distortion of the truth and admit, publicly and clearly, that the figures they use on every piece of literature and every lick of paint on their battle bus are wholly false. Their refusal to do so is simply breathtaking. On the issue of immigration from Europe, again Vote Leave seems more focused on raising fears than setting out facts. Their cavalier exaggeration of likely immigration flows has been the most distasteful aspect of this referendum campaign. I understand very well the concern felt by many people about the current scale of immigration. This is an important issue. So let me turn again to it, in the hope of flushing out what Vote Leave's plans for border control may mean for present and future migrants. First, a statement of fact: we are not, as they warn, facing the risk of 88 million migrants from Turkey and the western Balkans: this fear-mongering is the worst sort of 'dog whistle' politics. It is highly unlikely that Turkey will join the EU for many, many years (if ever). And Vote Leave knows this. As Boris Johnson himself said: 'It is not remotely on the cards.' Quite so. Yet Vote Leave persist in raising more scare stories. Even if at some far distant date Turkey did join, are we really to believe that every one of her citizens would up sticks and head for the United Kingdom? Of course not. Vote Leave's irresponsible and provocative oratory is intended purely to plant an entirely false image in people's minds. It is fear over fact. Responsible politicians should know better. The entry of any country to the EU is in our hands. We can say No. We the British have an absolute veto on the entry of any country to the EU if we wish to use it. Vote Leave knows this, so what were they thinking of last weekend when they stated the opposite? As one migrant scare story falls apart, Vote Leave raises another. And, to add emotion to their mischief, they warn that European migrants will have a negative impact on the NHS. This is spectacular misdirection, for without the skills of European migrants, the NHS would be heavily understaffed. There are 54,000 EU citizens working in our Health Service as doctors, nurses and ancillaries, and a further 80,000 caring for the sick in Social Welfare. How many of us have been cared for in hospital by European doctors and nurses? Who keeps our public transport running? Who keeps our hotel industry staffed? Who greets us each morning across the counter in coffee shops up and down the country? Collectively, these and other workers contribute far more in taxes than they take in benefit or care costs. Of course, there is a temporary problem of numbers of migrants. I totally accept this. But please note the word 'temporary'. Vote Leave's irresponsible and provocative oratory is intended purely to plant an entirely false image in people's minds. It is fear over fact. Responsible politicians should know better The growth of the eurozone economy now clearly under way will create more jobs across Europe which, in turn, should cut demand to come to the UK. But, in any event, a short-term migrancy flow from Europe should not be the issue that drives the UK out of an economic union that benefits our country immensely, and will continue to do so in the much longer term. 'Let's keep people out' is an easy slogan with a murky history but Vote Leave needs to explain who their policy would affect, and how they will implement it. Specifically, I would welcome their responses to the following points: - Have they considered how their plans to cut EU migrancy would affect the immigration status of EU citizens now working in the UK more than 110,000 of them in the NHS and social care system? - What would be the effect of their policy on our caring services, transport, commerce and industry? - How would their policy on leaving the EU affect British citizens living or working in Europe? When Vote Leave turns its attention to the Single Market, their disregard for truth turns into utter confusion. Not only have they failed to dent the economic case for remaining in the EU, they can't even agree on their own case if we were to leave. Their heads are all over the place on this issue, and yet it is central to the quality of life for every individual and family in the UK. Some in Vote Leave say the UK should leave the Single Market, lose all preferential access to it, and rely on World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules in future trade with Europe. It is hard to imagine any single event that would do more harm to our country's wellbeing. Outside the EU, we would have to renegotiate more than 50 free trade agreements, which could take many years to complete and, as the Director-General of the WTO has said, 'leaving the EU would cost the UK many billions in trade tariffs'. The damage to our economic interests would be self-inflicted and severe. Other Brexiteers disagree about leaving the Single Market. They say they would negotiate a different arrangement with the EU. Some want a Swiss arrangement; others a Norwegian arrangement; yet others an Albanian arrangement. The British people deserve better than that as they search for the facts required to reach a balanced judgment before June 23 In the first two circumstances we would have to continue to pay into the EU budget and accept free movement of people. Not only that, but such a proposal would mean we would have to accept European rules and regulations, while having no say whatsoever in making them. In the third, we would have no access to the Single Market, which would do profound and long-lasting damage to our economy. It's an absolute mess. No wonder the British people are left baffled, bewildered and confused. They need to know what all this would mean for their future, but Vote Leave are in such a muddle themselves that none of them seems willing or able to explain it to others. Moreover, for the UK to have to obey rules and regulations without any influence over them would be an absurd and undignified position for a nation like Britain. It would be an absolute negation of sovereignty on trade rules. Instead of sharing sovereignty (as we do now), we would be surrendering it. Far from 'taking back control' as the Brexiteers trumpet they wish to do, we would be throwing it away. Vote Leave has consistently failed to tell us how they see the UK outside Europe. They have glib slogans, but no solid detail. They know what they are against, but have no agreed position on what they are for. Some of the leaders of Vote Leave are my fellow Conservatives. Others are experienced parliamentarians. I don't doubt their patriotism, nor their commitment to their cause. But I am dismayed by the way in which they have conducted this campaign, which I believe to have been a fraud on the British people. They have, knowingly, told untruths about the cost of Europe. They have promised negotiating gains that cannot and will not be delivered. They have hailed alleged advantages of leaving Europe, while ignoring even the most obvious obstacles and drawbacks. They have raised phantom fears that cannot be justified, puffing up their case with false statistics, unlikely scenarios and downright untruths. To mislead the British nation in this fashion when its very future is at stake is unforgivable. We British are an open-hearted, open-minded, generous-spirited, compassionate people. The majority of us are decent and hard-working, wishing to do the right thing for our families, friends and communities. We have been an outward-looking, internationalist nation for centuries: Great Britons, not Little Englanders. We need to embrace Europe and the wider world, not exclude ourselves from it. There will not be another referendum on Europe. This is it. The decision we take on June 23 will shape our country, our people and our livelihoods for generations to come. I have no doubt that the long-term positives of our country's membership of the EU far outweigh the short-term frustrations of it. A distraught mother has spoken about the horrors of internet dating after a man she met online raped and tortured her five-year-old daughter. In an online profile the Queensland man described himself as a loving father who was looking for a woman with a young daughter to play with his son. Six months after the pair began a relationship, the man raped and tortured the girl in the carport of his unit in Caboolture, north of Brisbane, while her mother slept, reported The Courier Mail. The man raped and tortured the young girl after meeting her mother online and starting a relationship with her (file image) The mother said: 'He made himself sound good online. You can write anything you want, there's no limits. 'Someone can be really dodgy but they put up all their good photos and treat you really well. I'll never do online dating again. 'They can spend a long time trying to get your confidence.' The Queensland man posed as a 'loving father' on his internet dating profile and said he was looking for a girlfriend who had a young daughter (file image) The man was sentenced in Brisbane District Court to ten years in jail for the rape and torture of his girlfriend's daughter The man was jailed for 10 years in Brisbane District Court after pleading guilty to charges of rape, torture and possession of child pornography. The court heard how in December 2014 he tied the girl up in the carport and tortured her with a cigarette before raping her three times. The girl tried to warn her mother about the abuse but she was sceptical and reluctant to believe it was occurring until she caught the man performing oral sex on her. Regulator Ofgem said it is investigating the video and audio tapes. Sales sales training firm Pareto Law has since been sacked by SSE The energy company exposed by The Mail on Sunday for using fear tactics to stop customers switching to cheaper rivals must now disclose the full truth about its selling practices, MPs have demanded. The Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee wrote to SSE and said it was alarmed by undercover MoS audio and video recordings that show a sales instructor telling staff to exaggerate the fear about changing suppliers. The Government has repeatedly stressed the importance of making it easy for customers to find new providers. SSE replied to the committee and said it had sacked Pareto Law, one of Britains biggest sales training firms, whose instructor was recorded telling staff to induce fear in customers wanting to leave the company. The committees chairman, SNP MP Angus Brendan MacNeil, said that following the MoS report the committee was also contacting other energy suppliers to ask about their sales practices. During a four-week investigation published earlier this month, a Mail on Sunday reporter joined the new SSE sales team and recorded Chris Simms, a senior consultant at Pareto Law, telling recruits: Youve got to create that desire and youve also got to maybe exaggerate a little bit of fear. Fear of what? The trainees replied: The switch. Simms reiterated: The switch. Mr MacNeil has now demanded answers following this newspapers revelations that staff were also told to encourage hard-up customers to install pre-payment meters - potentially cutting them off from cheaper prices. He wrote to SSE: The Energy and Climate Change Committee is alarmed by allegations of misleading sales and tactics at SSE. A competitive electricity market facilitated by switching is a key tenet of Government policy to improve customer service and control bills. 'Large suppliers, like yours, are of course free to compete vigorously for customers, but for that competition to rely on misinformation would be anathema to the goal of engaging consumers in a healthy energy market. Uskmouth power station - The energy company exposed by The Mail on Sunday for using fear tactics to stop customers switching to cheaper rivals must now disclose the full truth about its selling practices, MPs have demanded. The committee sought answers to questions about the companys sales practices, including how it ensures its sales targets do not encourage staff to mis-sell energy. SSEs group managing director Will Morris wrote back to the committee: Some of the things published by The Mail on Sunday within SSE were clearly inappropriate and not at all reflective of our culture and values. 'In this instance it is clear that the third-party trainer departed from our agreed, compliant and customer-focused materials and this is unacceptable. I can confirm that we will therefore not be engaging Pareto Law. Pareto Law was brought in by SSE in June last year to lead its sales training after the company ceased selling activities in 2013 following a 10.5 million fine for mis-selling. Pareto Law CEO Jonathan Fitchew told the MoS: Ive apologised to SSE verbally. Some of the advice given during that training session was unacceptable, not in line with our agreed course content. Theres clearly lessons to be learnt from this incident. Were undertaking a thorough review with all our trainers. 'Rapacious' oligarchs who drive up house prices and destroy communities by buying homes as investment properties will be thwarted if voters back Brexit, Michael Gove will promise today. The Justice Secretary says that it is currently impossible to crack down on rich foreigners who buy homes as investments because of Brussels rules that encourage international finance to flow across national borders. The super-rich who use offshore companies to snap up homes in the UK have been blamed for 'hollowing out' local communities and helping to push prices beyond the reach of many British buyers. The Justice Secretary says that it is currently impossible to crack down on rich foreigners who buy homes as investments because of Brussels rules Mr Gove, one of the leading campaigners for Brexit, says that the Government is 'powerless' to stop the practice for as long as the UK remains a member of the EU because single market rules on the movement of capital prevent Ministers from blocking the purchases even if the buyer comes from outside the EU. But if Britain breaks free from the EU, Ministers will be able to introduce new laws that restrict house purchased in certain areas to British citizens. A source close to Mr Gove said: 'Michael has seen first-hand in London how rapacious oligarchs have snapped up the best houses simply because it is somewhere for them to park their money. They leave the homes empty, meaning whole areas become dead zones.' More than 100,000 homes in England and Wales have been bought by offshore companies for investment purposes, with a total value of more than 10 billion and an average price of 1.5 million per property. Mr Gove, one of the leading campaigners for Brexit, says that the Government is 'powerless' to stop the practice for as long as the UK remains a member of the EU Mr Gove says: 'If we vote to leave, we will be able to take back control of our economy and make it work better for the British people. At the moment we are powerless to stop offshore companies buying property in the UK because of EU rules. 'This drives up the cost of housing, which is fast becoming unaffordable for all but the super-rich. Comes after riot police called during first meeting of Inner West Council Protesters are set to rally in Sydney in opposition to the Premier's controversial lockout laws and development policies. New South Wales Premier Mike Baird's council amalgamations program, light rail development, nightspot lock outs and laws under which people can be detained for up to a fortnight without charge will be the focus of the protest march. 'March Against Mike' participants are expected to rally at Sydney Town Hall on Sunday from 1.30pm before marching to New South Wales Parliament. Scroll down for video Protesters holding banners as part of the 'March Against Mike' rally in Sydney on Sunday New South Wales Premier Mike Baird's (pictured) council amalgamations program, light rail development and lock outlaws will be the focus of the protest march No Voice No Choice- Protesters at 'March Against Mike' in Sydney on Sunday Protesters are set to rally in Sydney in opposition to the Premier's controversial lockout laws and development policies- Pictured is a rally opposing Sydney's lockout laws earlier this year 'March Against Mike' participants are expected to rally at Sydney Town Hall on Sunday from 1.30pm before marching to New South Wales Parliament- Pictured is a rally opposing Sydney's lockout laws earlier this year Greens MP David Shoebridge is due to speak about what his party has described as the 'terrifying new civil liberty laws and the increased power of the New South Wales police force that dangerously affects us all.' Several community groups will join former Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Bryne to dispute the policies of the premier dubbed 'Casino Mike' over claims his lockout laws would drive nightlife to Star Casino. The casino was labelled the winner of the Sydney's lockout laws in 2014 after its gaming revenue rose. Sunday's march comes after riot police were called to the the first meeting of the newly created Inner West Council when it descended into chaos on Tuesday night. Angry protesters gathered at Petersham Service Centre in opposition to Mr Baird's decision to merge Petersham, Leichhardt and Marrickville council into one, and the WestConnex transport infrastructure development. The administrator of the new council was spat at as the protest turned ugly. Baird Out!- Protesters rallying in the centre of Sydney in opposition to NSW Premier Mike Baird's controversial lockout laws and development policies Thousands have rallied outside Sydney's Town Hall to protest a number of policies introduced by NSW Premier Mike Baird Protesters rallying against NSW Premier Mike Baird's controversial lockout laws, the WestConnex project and recent local council amalgamations Several community groups will join former Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Bryne to dispute the policies of the premier dubbed 'Casino Mike' (pictured) over claims his lockout laws would drive nightlife to Star Casino Sunday's march comes after riot police were called to the the first meeting of the newly created Inner West Council when it descended into chaos on Tuesday night (pictured) The administrator of the new council was spat at (pictured) as the protest turned ugly Angry protesters gathered at Petersham Service Centre in opposition to Mr Baird's decision to merge Petersham, Leichhardt and Marrickville council into one (pictured) Thousands have gathered in Sydney to protest against NSW Premier Mike Baird's lockout laws, council mergers and development policies 'WestConnex wont work, Public transport will'- Angry protesters holding banners as part of the 'March Against Mike' rally in Sydney Magnum ice creams have been shrinking in size by up to 20 per cent, but the prices has stayed the same. The Magnum Double Caramel has gone down in size from 110ml to 88ml, while Magnum Mint has been cut by ten per cent, from 110ml to 100ml. The downsizing of popular ice creams is a result of a new 'calorie cap' on single serving ice creams in order to help fight obesity in Britain. Shrinking: Magnum Mint has been cut by ten per cent, from 110ml to 100ml, and the Magnum Double Caramel is now 20 per cent smaller than before As well as Mint and Double Caramel, Magnum Almond, Classic and White are now all eight per cent smaller, down from 120ml to 110ml. Smaller treats: The Magnums 'downsizing' is a result of manufacturer Unilever's new '250 calorie cap' However, despite the reductions in size, the 1.90 price has stayed the same in most shops since before the shrinkage, The Mirror reports. The downsizing of Magnums and several other popular ice creams is a result of its manufacturer Unilever introducing a 250 calories cap on its single serving products. A small tub of Ben & Jerrys ice cream will be reduced by 33 per cent from 150ml to 100ml, and Cornetto ice creams will also be shrunk by around ten per cent. The drop in size of ice creams has been done to help consumers make healthier choices, and not, the company claims, for financial benefit. The move comes after Unilever cut calories in its childrens ice-creams, including as Funny Feet, Twister and Calippo, to 110 calories by 2012. Noel Clarke, brand building director for ice cream for Unilever UK & Ireland, said: We have introduced this 250-calorie cap to help make it easier for our consumers to make informed and healthier choices when enjoying their favourite ice creams as part of a balanced lifestyle. It was important there be no compromise to taste or quality and thats exactly what weve delivered. 'Our products will still taste as good as ever. Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured with his wife), a courteous, independent thinker with a tough mind, is Brexits most engaging figure After months of hard pounding, the EU referendum battlefield looks rather like the First World War front line a fiercely contested sea of mud in which two equally matched sides have almost exhausted themselves (and each other) with immense barrages. Both have done quite a bit of damage, but the Leave campaign has suffered more direct hits than it has scored. Most observers would agree the Remain forces have deployed the heavier artillery and have seized and kept the initiative. Like the wartime generals, the Leave leaders seem inclined to do the same thing over and over again, hoping for a different result. So we can expect another bombardment of questionable facts or risky use of the immigration issue. Yet in the midst of the claims and counter-claims there are still interesting and cogent voices. Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, a courteous, independent thinker with a tough mind, is Brexits most engaging figure. Writing in The Mail on Sunday today, he accepts that leaving the EU would mean economic uncertainty though he argues this is not necessarily a bad thing. Crucially, he argues this is a decisive moment, that the verdict of the British people must be respected, and there must be no excuse for a second referendum, however narrow the margin of victory for either side. This is wise and responsible. From the other side, Sir John Major also writing in this newspaper shows again that his reputation for mild dullness is undeserved British Prime Minister David Cameron delivers a speech campaigning to stay in the EU at Luton Airport 24 May From the other side, Sir John Major also writing in this newspaper shows again that his reputation for mild dullness is undeserved. He excoriates the exit faction with a merciless cross-examination on economic facts and migration. And he makes a tough case for the position he himself took, of fiercely defending British interests while remaining at the centre of the EU. He is entitled to point out, as he does, that he wisely kept Britain out of the euro and the Schengen agreement on open borders, while securing many benefits from the single market. It is this argument that Britain can continue to fight its corner within the EU while gaining greatly from it which poses the greatest danger to those who would march out of the EU and slam the door behind them. They have just under four weeks to make their case. Aid needs TOTAL reform This newspaper and its readers have done much to oppose the Governments nonsensical foreign aid policy of spend first, ask questions afterwards. Our campaign and our readers signatures have secured a Commons debate on the subject next month. In the meantime, the absurdity continues, as David Rose shows today in a report from Bangladesh, the very heart of our aid policy, where British taxpayers money has been funnelled into useless projects which do not in fact as claimed reduce carbon emissions, and which have often collapsed because of local incompetence. Nothing short of total reform will do. Hard-earned money must not be spent until a good purpose has been found for it. Justice fails tragic Zane How can it be right that the parents of seven-year-old Zane Gbangbola have no legal representation at the inquest into his terrible death, allegedly because of poison gas? All the big agencies involved have heavyweight legal teams. Those who suffered most must, in all justice, be given the same facility. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (left) and his predecessor Ed Miliband on board the Labour In for Britain bus near Doncaster, as the pair go into battle against Brexit together on Friday Her body has been recovered from the mountain - a week after she died Dr Gropel has spoken of his grief after his wife tragically died in his arms Reaching the top of the world's highest mountain was a conquering moment he thought he was going to share with his beloved wife. But Australian mountaineer Robert Gropel was left reeling when he climbed back down Mount Everest to find his wife Maria Strydom, 34, severely ill with altitude sickness. Far from getting better, the Melbourne university lecturer's condition deteriorated dramatically after she decided to turn back from the final leg of the expedition because she felt unwell. Shattered by an adventure that went horribly wrong, Dr Gropel has spoken of his grief after watching helplessly as his wife tragically died in his arms. Speaking on Seven's Sunday Night, he revealed to reporter Steve Pennells about his desperate attempts to get his wife to safety after spending 30 hours in the death zone. Scroll down for video Australian mountaineer Robert Gropel has spoken of his grief after his wife Maria Strydom died in his arms The Melbourne university lecturer's condition deteriorated dramatically after she decided to turn back 'When I made it to the summit of Everest, it wasn't special because I didn't have her there,' Dr Gropel said. 'I just ran up and down and it didnt mean anything to me. Because we do everything together and... everything else we did together was much more special.' The Melbourne vet made the heartbreaking decision to leave his wife behind after spending more than 30 hours in the death zone as he continued the descent alone. 'Walking away was the hardest thing,' Pennells said, according to News Corp. 'You can imagine, or hopefully you can't, making the decision to come off the mountain knowing that the body of your wife is up there.' Dr Gropel was airlifted to hospital in Kathmandu to receive treatment for high altitude pulmonary oedema but has since been discharged. The Melbourne vet climbed back down Mount Everest to find his wife severely ill with altitude sickness The body of Dr Strydom has been recovered from Mount Everest a week after she died on the mountain The pair made their wills before embarking on their adventure because they knew the risks they could face from climbing to the top of the world's highest peak. 'When they mentioned it (Everest) we fell silent and we thought, we thought.. 'Are you really sure you want to do this? That mountain kills people',' Rob's father Heinz Gropel told the Seven network. 'She [Maria] said to fail is one thing, to quit is another and I am not a quitter... I mean really I was in awe of her. Her intellect, her drive, and I thought how lucky we were that Bob found her, that he had at least 12 years of a wonderful life with her.' Dr Gropel said he was struggling to come to terms with his wife's sudden death. 'I still can't look at any pictures of her because it just breaks my heart,' he said. Dr Gropel was airlifted to hospital in Kathmandu to receive treatment for high altitude pulmonary oedema About 200 bodies remain unrecoverable on Mount Everest but Dr Gropel had refused to let his wife be another statistic to those lost to the mountain WHAT IS ALTITUDE SICKNESS? 'Altitude sickness' refers to the group of potential dangers faced by high altitudes, and is also known as 'mountain sickness'. It is caused by gaining altitude too rapidly, which doesn't allow the body enough time to adjust to reduced oxygen and changes in air pressure, and causes hypobaric hypoxia (a lack of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body). In severe cases, fluid builds up within the lungs, brain or both. Symptoms of the illness include: headaches, lethargy, a lack of coordination, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and insomnia. (Source: Better Health Victoria) About 200 bodies remain unrecoverable on Mount Everest but Dr Gropel had refused to let his wife be another statistic to those lost to the mountain. Last Friday, Sherpas risked their lives to get the body of Dr Strydom down from the mountain during a dangerous recovery operation. 'A week ago he was climbing up a mountain on a dream adventure with his wife and now he is taking her body back to Australia and it's awful,' Mr Pennells said. Picture a scene familiar to many who live in the English countryside. Armies of eastern European farm workers are toiling in the fields. In nearby towns and cities, Latvians are serving lattes in cafes, Lithuanians are cleaning homes, and thousands of Poles are on building sites. But this is not Britain. It is Norway, the Scandinavian nation that twice refused to join the EU and is held out by Brexiteers as some kind of Brussels-free nirvana that we should emulate. Yet the reality was rather different when I visited last week. Agriculture and fishing are excluded from Norway's agreements with the EU. Yet this has caused problems of its own, with high protective tariffs driving up prices at home and thousands of jobs being exported abroad Typical was the scene I found at a traditional white farmhouse overlooking fields of apple trees in Lier, east of the capital Oslo. The owner, Marius Egge, 57, proudly told me how his family has farmed this idyllic spot for 314 years over 11 generations. But there is one big change in recent years: the workers in surrounding fields used to come from villages scattered around the hills and fjords, but now they come in from eastern Europe. There are 20 foreign staff working on the farm with 250 more Poles arriving next month to pick apples and the region's prized strawberries. This shows the absurdity of claims made by Brexit campaigners that leaving the EU will stop the flow of migrants. Norway may not be a member of the EU but you'd barely notice it. To access the single market, it accepted rules on free movement. It has even heavier rates of migration from eastern Europe than Britain does and had far more asylum claims last year. Polish strawberry-pickers have become a national stereotype similar to Polish plumbers in Britain. 'No one here wants to pick fruit these days,' said Egge. His farm has 1.5 million strawberry plants and 30,000 apple trees but he must abide by Brussels red tape like any British business. 'It makes no difference whether you are in or out of the EU. We have to follow all their rules,' he said. I heard the same thing again and again in Norway. Yet this nation's arm's-length relationship with Europe has been admired by Nigel Farage, while Tory ex-Cabinet Minister Owen Paterson says it is the 'only realistic option', and Arron Banks, founder of Leave.EU, argues 'the Norway option looks the best for the UK'. Such praise perplexes prominent figures in Oslo. 'I don't think the British realise how bound we are by Brussels,' said Kristin Skogen Lund, head of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise, which represents employers. Yet Norway has twice rejected EU membership in referendums: first in 1972, then again in 1994. Instead, it signed the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement along with Iceland and Liechtenstein, plus the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) with Switzerland, so they could join the EU internal market for goods, cash, services and labour. In fact, it is just like being in the EU. Yes, the country's immigration levels are different to Britain but not in the way Farage and his friends might have you believe. Less than five per cent of the British population comes from EU and EEA member countries but such migrants make up almost seven per cent of the population of Norway. Edith Stylo, president of Norway's Polish Club, said there are 200,000 of her fellow Poles alone in this country of five million people, with 16,000 more arriving this year. 'It makes no difference being inside or outside the EU,' said author and analyst Sylo Taraku. 'Migrants from EU countries can come here for three months to find work, then stay if they find a job.' In one regard, Norway is closer to the core EU members than Britain. While Britain accepted only a handful of asylum applications following last year's Middle East meltdown, Norway received more than 31,000 In one regard, Norway is closer to the core EU members than Britain. While Britain accepted only a handful of asylum applications following last year's Middle East meltdown, Norway received more than 31,000. Why? Unlike Britain, it is one of the Schengen group of countries that have dispensed with border controls. It had the fourth highest per capita number of asylum claimants in Europe and ten times the rate of Britain. The Leave campaign's nonsensical claims that Britain will save tens of billions of pounds in EU contributions if we go it alone are also exposed by Norway's experience. To gain trade advantages needed to prosper, Norway still makes a net contribution to Brussels of about 106 per person per year, only slightly less than the 128 per head handed over by Britons. Then there is the deluge of EU regulations that Norway must comply with like any actual EU member. Five are passed for each day the Oslo parliament sits, with 75 trade agreements and more than 10,000 measures enacted into Norwegian law. Norway is so committed to the EU that it sent troops to fight under the EU flag when a navy warship joined a British-led mission to protect shipping from Somali pirates off Africa. But there is one big difference to Britain: Norway has no say in decisions taken in Brussels. 'It's a stupid arrangement,' Nikolai Astrup, an MP for Norway's Conservative Party, told me bluntly. This can have dire consequences. One manufacturer of hot water tanks found its entire range fell foul of new size regulations designed to conserve energy since Norway's officials were not party to discussions on the issue. Every six months Norway must beg the incoming EU Council president for permission to attend informal ministerial meetings and regularly has the door slammed in its face. They have to go to extraordinary lengths to get round their exclusion, such as asking diplomats from other Scandinavian nations to represent their interests. Environment Minister Vidar Helgesen even told me that when he was Minister for Europe, he used to fly to meetings of the UN in New York 'purely so I could speak to my colleagues from Europe'. Truly, this is the stuff of farce. This nation's arm's-length relationship with Europe has been admired by Nigel Farage (pictured) Meanwhile, a shadow bureaucracy has developed for EFTA countries with a special court and surveillance authority to enforce measures. Once a month Norway is told about relevant new rules. Agriculture and fishing are excluded from Norway's agreements with the EU. Yet this has caused problems of its own, with high protective tariffs driving up prices at home and thousands of jobs being exported abroad. Fish, especially salmon farming, is the nation's second biggest industry after oil. Yet since the EU imposes only 3.5 per cent tariff on fresh fillets but 15.7 per cent on processed fish, huge quantities are trucked to Danish and Polish smokehouses to avoid the EU levy. This has cost Norway about 20,000 jobs. 'We're moving employees and activity out of Norway and into EU countries,' said Trond Davidsen, deputy managing director of the Norwegian Seafood Federation, which represents 500 fish farms. Although a Nato member, Ministers also say they feel squeezed out on security issues. One confessed they were not even party to shaping energy sanctions on Russia after its annexation of Crimea. Norway offers a worrying glimpse of the future for post-Brexit Britain if staying in the single market: forced to follow laws laid down in Brussels and to pay for this privilege, but with no chance to shape the rules in our interests: the worst of all worlds. 'This is not independence,' said Ulf Sverdrup, director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. 'It is a compromise that is not loved by anyone. 'There are people in Britain who look at Norway's prosperity and think this is a result of our relationship with Europe. 'But their view is utterly wrong it is down to oil and the way we run our country.' Around Memorial Day, my thoughts turn to the service and safety of my son and his family. He is a West Point grad and U.S. Army combat engineer. His mother and I liked this assignment because we thought he'd be safely building bridges somewhere. Instead we found that if he's deployed, he'll be working with the infantry on the front lines clearing improvised explosive devices. There are no words to describe how proud we are of him and his choice to serve, and we trust the Army to provide him with the best training, protection and support possible. That is why we applaud the vital efforts jointly undertaken by all branches of the military, Departments of State and Homeland Security to assess global risks accurately, communicate them to policymakers, and plan for contingencies. Consider the analysis of the Quadrennial Defense Review from 2014. As greenhouse gas emissions increase, sea levels are rising, average global temperatures are increasing, and severe weather patterns are accelerating. ... The pressures caused by climate change will influence resource competition while placing additional burdens on economies, societies, and governance institutions around the world. These effects are threat multipliers that will aggravate stressors abroad such as poverty, environmental degradation, political instability, and social tensions conditions that can enable terrorist activity and other forms of violence. Military infrastructure and supply chains will be at risk. The Department of Defense released another report last month evaluating current and potential climate change impacts on 1,774 U.S. military installations worldwide. Already, coastal bases are dealing with sea level rise and extreme flooding events. Summing it up, the Department of Defense Climate Adaptation Roadmap concluded: Climate change will affect the Department of Defenses ability to defend the Nation and poses immediate risks to U.S. national security. World and business leaders (even ExxonMobil) advise we include these 'social costs' of climate change in the price of fossil fuels. National groups like Citizens' Climate Lobby, with chapters in Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula, are following the lead of economists like Greg Mankiw (advisor to Mitt Romney), and George Shultz (Reagan's secretary of state), who advocate for the simplest form of carbon pricing: placing a predictably rising fee on the carbon content of fossil fuels. Fourteen countries have or will soon implement this policy that encourages investors, industry and consumers to innovate and find alternatives. A study by Regional Economic Models, Inc. found that U.S. emissions could be reduced by 33 percent below 1990 levels in 10 years. Returning 100 percent of the revenue from this fee to households on a per capita basis, similar to the Alaska Permanent Fund, would result in 85 percent of the lowest income Montanans receiving as much or more in dividends as they spend in added costs. Nationally, GDP would be projected to increase annually by $70 billion to $85 billion, and 2.1 million additional jobs would be created in a decade. For years, expert witnesses like Rear Admiral David Titley, now retired meteorologist for the Navy, have testified before Congress, but only recently have there been bipartisan efforts to address climate change. (Read more at citizensclimatelobby.org) It's clear that Sens. Steve Daines, Jon Tester, and Rep. Ryan Zinke need to hear from us. Please ask them to heed these reports by our military planners and support reasonable legislation to lower emissions without harming the economy. The 3,500 Montanans on active duty deserve nothing less. A teenage girl who was killed in a Chicago drive-by shooting was riding in a car with a 28-year-old man who is a documented gang member, police revealed. Veronica Lopez, 15, was in the passenger seat of the Jeep when a black Nissan pulled up to the car around 1.30am on Saturday and opened fire, hitting her several times. The man, whose name has not been released, was shot in the arm and another bullet grazed his head. He drove the pair to a nearby hospital. Veronica Lopez, 15, was killed in a Chicago drive-by shooting on Saturday She was in the passenger seat of a Jeep riding with a 28-year-old man, who police said is a documented gang member, when a black Nissan pulled up to the car (pictured) and opened fire Veronica was then transferred to another hospital. She was pronounced dead just before 3am, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Veronica was one of three people who were killed in the city on the first night of Memorial Day Weekend No suspects are in custody. Veronica was one of three people who were killed in the city on the first night of Memorial Day Weekend. Twelve people were also injured in shootings that occurred in the span of eighth hours between Friday night and Saturday morning. Diana Mercado cried as she revealed she had been planning to move with her daughter to Florida in the next year. Someone had been shot in the alley behind the family's home in the city's Northwest side just last week. Mercado would only reveal that the man who was with Veronica during the shooting was her friend. Police have said he is a convicted felon. 'My baby was not even in a gang to be killed,' she told the Chicago Tribune. 'I just loved my daughter, and I miss everything about her.' Homicides in 2016 have increased by 52 percent in Chicago compared with the same period of time last year, and 233 people have been killed. Shootings have also increased in the city by 50 percent, according to the New York Times. A 25-year-old man was the city's first homicide victim on Friday night. He was shot while sitting in a parked car by someone on foot around 11.20pm. Police said the car rolled a few feet and came to rest in front of his mother's home. A 23-year-old man was killed six hours later on the city's Northwest side after he got into an argument with two other men at a BP gas station. One of the men shot him in the head. There are no suspects in custody for either of the murders. Diana Mercado (pictured) cried as she revealed she had been planning to move with her daughter to Florida in the next year. She said the man riding in the car with Veronica was the teen's friend The mother of a 12-year-old girl who died with her best friend and the other girl's family when a tourist driver ploughed in to their car has opened up about the loss. Abi Hone died in June 2014 when Johannes Appelman, a Dutch tourist, crashed in to the car she was travelling in in Rakaia near Christchurch in New Zealand. The schoolgirl's best friend Ella Summerfield and her mother Sally also died in the accident. Shane Summerfield, Ella's 48-year-old father, was driving at the time and was injured. Now, almost two years after her death, Abi's mother Lucy has spoken of the helplessness she felt after seeing her daughter die so suddenly. Abi Hone (left) died with her best friend Ella Summerfield (right together) in 2014 when a tourist ploughed in to the car they were travelling in in New Zealand 'I felt so helpless over Abi's death. I was in desperate need to take control over my grieving,' she said. In a lengthy article about how to cope with grief shared by Stuff.nz, Mrs Hone revealed how she kept her daughter alive by keeping some of her most loved belongings in their family home. 'I have certain rituals that remind me of her...I wear her necklace when I need extra strength, we continue to celebrate her birthday at the same spot on the beach every year.' She added she still cooked from Mrs Summerfield's recipes in memory of her. Determined not to let their deaths define her life, she said she chose 'life not death' and urged others grieving the loss of a child to do the same. 'I did have a daughter, her presence was real, not imaginary, and she brought so much joy to my life. Abi's mother Lucy Hone said she tried to keep her daughter alive through 'rituals'. Above, the 12-year-old with her best friend Sally Summerfield, Ella's mother (above) also died in the crash. Her husband Shane, who was driving at the time, was seriously injured Mrs Hone said she at first felt 'helpless' when trying to cope with the grief of losing her daughter 'Staying miserable forever was just not an option for me. I have two beautiful teenage boys to live and care for.' Appelman was convicted of careless driving causing death and injury at Christchurch District Court in 2014. He had driven through a stop sign when he crashed in to the car carrying the girls. At the time Abi's parents said they held no ill-will towards the man despite his fatal mistake. 'They certainly feel for him and what he's going through. At the end of the day we've all had lapses of judgment. 'Unfortunately this one had tragic consequences,' a spokesman for the family said. A campaign has since been launched in New Zealand for tourists to be forced by law to display T-plates while driving. The people behind it claim it will reduce road accidents by foreigners who are not familiar enough with the country's rough terrain and at times difficult roads. The children and Mrs Summerfield were killed when a Dutch national ploughed in to their car in Rakaia, New Zealand, in June 2014 (above) Indigenous journalist and author Stan Grant says he won't be pursuing a political career any time soon. Speaking at the Sydney Writer's Festival last week to promote his book Talking To My Country, the 52-year-old Sky News anchor said he has given it 'a lot of thought', but doesn't believe he has the 'qualification' to be a politician just yet. 'I think I inherently identify with the idea of being a storyteller,' he addressed the audience during a question and answer session following his speech, also adding that working in politics is 'a tough ask'. Scroll down for video Indigenous journalist and author Stan Grant says he won't be pursuing a political career any time soon 'It is vitally important that we engage in the political process,' he said, referring to fellow indigenous Australians. 'I think people can commit to the political process despite all the cynicism that we all have and sometimes it's well founded,' he continued. 'It's a tough ask. It's a big ask. People give up enormous time and make enormous sacrifices and then I would hope often go in there with the best of intent.' After having given a political career 'a lot of thought', Stan said, 'I feel as though I wasn't necessarily qualified to be able to bring all I wanted to bring to bear as I continue to work through a lot of these things in my own mind'. Speaking at the Sydney Writer's Festival last week to promote his book Talking To My Country, Mr Grant said he has given it 'a lot of thought', but doesn't believe he has the 'qualification' to be a politician just yet For Mr Grant, who has worked as a journalist for two decades, broadcasting and writing seems to still be at the forefront of his current career ambitions. 'I think I inherently identify with the idea of being a storyteller,' he admitted. 'I like grappling with ideas. I like looking into connections, reading philosophy, history, politics, seeing what I can draw from that to inform,' he explained, before adding, 'and that's what really excites me'. 'I enjoy that right now more than I would being corralled into a party of a political situation,' he continued. For Mr Grant, who has worked as a journalist for two decades, broadcasting and writing seems to still be at the forefront of his current career ambitions But not completely writing off a career in politics, Mr Grant added, 'Not to say that down the line that may change but right now I thought the process was too rushed and I had other things to do'. In April it was announced that Mr Grant had been appointed to advise the government on constitutional recognition, replacing Patrick Dodson on the Referendum Council. 'Mr Grant's extensive experience and commitment to constitutional recognition and indigenous affairs will be invaluable in the role as a member of the Referendum Council,' Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and opposition leader Bill Shorten said in a joint statement at the time. After having moved to Canberra as a teenager, life took a turn for Mr Grant, with a university degree leading the way to a career in journalism. He has gone on to work for ABC, Channel Seven, SBS and Sky News in Australia, as well as CNN on an international scale with a posting in Abu Dhabi. Not completely writing off a career in politics, Mr Grant has said, 'Not to say that down the line that may change but right now I thought the process was too rushed and I had other things to do' After having moved to Canberra as a teenager, life took a turn for Mr Grant, with a university degree leading the way to a career in journalism Mr Grant made headlines in January this year after a video emerged of him making a speech back in October 2015, where he delivered an eloquent and deeply personal speech about his experiences of what he described as racism in his home country. In the video Mr Grant declared the nation's history was 'rooted in racism'. 'It is the very foundation of the dream. It is there at the birth of the nation,' he said. 'The Australian dream - we sing of it and we recite it in verse: 'Australians all let us rejoice for we are young and free',' he said. 'But my people die young in this country - we die 10 years younger than average Australians - and we are far from free.' Mr Grant said that, to indigenous people, the booing was a 'howl of humiliation that echoed across two centuries of dispossession, injustice, suffering and survival. We heard the howl of the Australian dream and it said to us again that you're not welcome.' The video was released a week before Australia Day, often seen by indigenous Australians as the anniversary of British invasion. Family terrified because he can now leave the hospital on escorted leave A paranoid schizophrenic is free to walk the streets just two years after he killed his grandparents and was sentenced to 25 years in a psychiatric hospital. Ross Konidaris shot his grandparents three days before Christmas in 2012 but was sent to a psychiatric ward, not a jail, because a court found he was mentally impaired at the time. Two years after he was sent to Melbourne's Thomas Embling Hospital in 2014, Konidaris is allowed out in public on escorted day leave, reported The Herald Sun. Ross Konidaris shot his grandparents dead three days before Christmas in 2012. The Supreme Court found him not guilty of the crime because he was 'mentally impaired' at the time Members of Konidaris's family told The Herald Sun they were 'devastated' to hear he was allowed outside the hospital. They said they were 'terrified' they might bump into the killer after learning he had been on day trips close to where they work. They also said they were fearful Konidaris would soon be eligible to make day trips without an escort from the hospital. Konidaris can apply to the Supreme Court to be released from the hospital if doctors determine he is mentally fit to live unsupervised and on his own. It is believed that at least 40 other Melbourne killers reside in psychiatric hospitals and are also eligible for leave passes. Konidaris was sent to Melbourne's Thomas Embling psychiatric ward for 25 years in 2014. He has since been allowed to leave the ward on escorted day leave Konidaris shot his grandfather Triantafillio, 81, and grandmother Stavroula, 84, with a 12-gauge shotgun as they lay in bed at their home in Yarraville, Melbourne. He was high on cocaine and methamphetamine at the time and was convinced he had to kill his grandparents to protect his own life. After shooting them he poured petrol throughout the house and set it on fire. Melbourne's Supreme Court found he was not fit to stand trial for the crimes because he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time. Konidaris shot his grandparents with a shotgun as they lay in bed at their home in Yarraville, Melbourne. He then set the house on fire A spokeswoman for Thomas Embling Hospital said she could not comment specifically on Konidaris's case. She said leave passes were granted by the state's Forensic Leave Panel which is chaired by a sitting Supreme Court or County Court judge. Donald Trump spent 12 minutes of a campaign rally on Saturday to criticize a judge who is overseeing civil litigation against his failed 'education' venture. At a Trump rally in San Diego, the GOP Presidential candidate ended up boring his audience with intricate details about the case while specifically attacking U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel for being a 'hater' and even speculating about what his ethnicity might be. 'The trial is going to take place sometime in November. There should be no trial. This should have been dismissed on summary judgment easily,' Trump said. 'Everybody says it, but I have a judge who is a hater of Donald Trump, a hater. He's a hater. His name is Gonzalo Curiel.' 'Curiel 'is not doing the right thing. And I figure, what the hell? Why not talk about it for two minutes?' Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump devoted 12 minutes of a 58-minute address to his lawsuit Supporters were subjected to Trump ranting about Judge Gonzalo Curiel. It was one of his most personal attacks against an apolitical figure since becoming the presumptive Republican presidential nominee The Wall Street Journal claims what followed was 'one of his most personal attacks against an apolitical figure since becoming the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.' 'We're in front of a very hostile judge,' Mr. Trump said. 'The judge was appointed by Barack Obama, federal judge. Frankly, he should recuse himself because he's given us ruling after ruling after ruling, negative, negative, negative.' Mr. Trump also told the audience, that Judge Curiel is 'Mexican.' 'What happens is the judge, who happens to be, we believe, Mexican, which is great. I think that's fine,' Mr. Trump said. Judge Curiel was born in Indiana. 'I think Judge Curiel should be ashamed of himself,' Mr. Trump said. 'I'm telling you, this court system, judges in this court system, federal court, they ought to look into Judge Curiel. Because what Judge Curiel is doing is a total disgrace, OK? But we'll come back in November. Wouldn't that be wild if I'm president and I come back to do a civil case? Where everybody likes it. OK. This is called life, folks.' Demonstrators protested outside of the arena where the Trump was speaking Protesters hit a pinata of republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as he speaks in San Diego The tirade came after the the judge ordered the release of Trump University internal documents in a class-action lawsuit against the now-defunct real estate school. The order came Friday in response to a request by The Washington Post, calls for the documents to be released by Thursday. Trump University has been cited in anti-Trump political ads during the primary campaign as evidence that Trump doesn't fulfill his promises. Trump's lawyers deny any wrongdoing in the case before Curiel as well as another class-action suit in San Diego and a $40 million lawsuit filed in 2013 by the state of New York alleging that more than 5,000 people had been defrauded. According to the California class-action complaint in front of Curiel, a one-year apprenticeship that Trump University students were promised ended after students paid for a three-day seminar. Attendees who were promised a personal photo with Trump received only the chance to take a photo with a cardboard cutout. And many instructors were bankrupt real estate investors. Curiel expressed concern for jurors who may have gotten caught in a 'media frenzy' if the trial were held during the campaign, even though it was filed in 2010 and originally planned for this summer. The San Diego suit says Trump University, which was not accredited as a school, held seminars across the country that failed to deliver on the school's promises. Mr. Trump spoke for 12 minutes of a 58-minute address about the pending litigation, which is scheduled to go to trial in San Diego federal court at the end of November Plaintiffs in the Trump University case accuse him and the now-defunct school of defrauding people who paid up to $35,000 for real estate advice Trump, who appears on a list of defense witnesses for the trial, has repeatedly pointed to a 98 percent satisfaction rate on internal surveys. But the lawsuit says students were asked to rate the product when they believed they still had more instruction to come and were reluctant to openly criticize their teachers on surveys that were not anonymous. Curiel, a judicial appointee of President Barack Obama, has been eager to get to trial and had planned the trial for this summer before Trump's surge in the primaries. The case was filed in 2010, making it the second-oldest on his docket. The New York real estate mogul, for his part, has claimed that Curiel is a 'hater of Donald Trump' and should be ashamed of how he has handled the case. Trump also has questioned whether Curiel, who is Hispanic, is biased against him because of his call for deporting immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Trump claimed the case should have been thrown out years ago, 'but because it was me and because there's a hostility toward me by the judge - tremendous hostility - beyond belief.' He then noted, as an aside: 'I believe he happens to be Spanish, which is fine. He's Hispanic which is fine.' Mr. Trump told the audience that Judge Curiel is 'Mexican', however it is understood he was born in Indiana A protester holds up a sign outside a rally where republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was speaking The lawsuit overseen by Curiel states that Trump University's nationwide seminars and classes were like infomercials and pressured students to buy more but didn't deliver as promised in spite of students paying as much as $35,000 for seminars. Curiel already has set a November 28 trial date. The Post reported that Curiel's order to release an estimated 1,000 pages of documents cites heightened public interest in Trump and that he had 'placed the integrity of these court proceedings at issue.' The judge appeared to reject the argument by Trump attorneys that the information had commercial value, saying that there was no support for the assertion that Trump University may resume operations. Since the early 1980s, Trump has personally been sued at least 150 times in federal court, records show. Only a handful of those cases are pending, with the ones involving Trump University two in California and one in New York being the most significant. A four-year-old boy has tragically died after being trapped inside a vehicle that rolled into a river. The grieving mother of Bentley Hilton, 4, told the Daily Telegraph that her son was a 'bright little boy' who was 'always happy to see his mum, see his sister and see his family.' 'It was Mother's Day the last night I saw him and I spoke to him on Saturday night and he was happy telling me about everything he was doing. We were laughing and giggling,' Ms Hilton said. Police say the young boy's grandfather was reversing a boat and trailer into the Hawkesbury River, north-west of Sydney, on Sunday morning, when it suddenly slid into the water. Bentley's grandfather and father jumped in the river and made 'frantic' efforts to save him, but the vehicle quickly became submerged and was swept downstream by a strong current. Divers spent a number of hours extensively searching the waters surrounding Lower Portland caravan park on River Road, recovering the boy's body from the murky water over four hours later. Scroll down for video Bentley Hilton, 4, has tragically died after being trapped inside a vehicle that rolled into Hawkesbury River Bentley was strapped to a seat inside the Ford Falcon XR8 (pictured) when it slid into the water and started to take on water Police say the young boy's grandfather (who was driving the car) and father jumped in the water to save him, but the blue utility truck was swallowed up by the strong currents before they could rescue him Police divers recovered the vehicle (pictured) and young boy's body after a number of hours of extensive searching. Attempts by ambulance paramedics to revive Bentley were unsuccessful Little Bentley, who had been strapped to a seat inside the Ford Falcon XR8, was found dead inside the vehicle shortly before 3pm. Attempts by ambulance paramedics to revive him were unsuccessful. Inspector Ian Woodward said the grandfather, who left Windsor police station on Sunday evening after questioning, had left the car to unstrap a boat attached to the car. 'He got out of the car to get a small tin boat off the back of the ute,' Inspector Woodward said. 'A young four-year-old child was seated in the cabin of the vehicle.' 'As the man got out to unstrap the tin boat, the ute rolled back into the Hawkesbury River and he was submerged. Inspector Woodward said the family had come to the popular holidaying destination for a weekend outing. 'The family is devastated. They came here for a family day out and unfortunately it has ended in tragedy.' Divers scoured the murky water for signs of the vehicle after it slid into the river with the child inside Emergency crews were called to the boat ramp on Sunday morning following reports of a submerged vehicle The vehicle entered the Hawkesbury River, north-west of Sydney, from a boat ramp on Sunday morning Police were frantically searching for the young boy who became trapped inside a submerged vehicle Developers are reportedly getting cold feet on Australia's once booming property industry as the value of projects taken off the table nears $5billion. Property construction is slowing across the country as the cost of labour rises and an oversupply of apartments means there is less money to be made in new building projects. Major projects have been halted or stalled in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth to the tune of almost $5bn, reported the Australian Financial Review. Apartment prices at 673 La Trobe Street (left) in Melbourne have fallen by as much as 24 per cent as housing supply outstrips demand. An apartment which cost $410,000 in 2010 can be bought for $330,000 today In Sydney, the Brookfield Multiplex construction company has reportedly withdrawn from its contract to build the Greenland City Centre, billed as the tallest apartment block in the city. Almost all the apartments in the $700m tower have already been sold off the blueprints, but Brookfield reportedly could not see a way to make money from the project. In Brisbane, the construction of a $1bn apartment tower at 545 Queen Street has reportedly slowed as developers keep an eye on property forecasts which predict a glut of apartments in the city. On Tuesday developer Mirvac reportedly ceased an agreement to build the $3bn Perth City Link, which would have seen 1,200 apartments built in the city centre. And in Melbourne cost comparisons show drastic falls in the asking price of luxury city apartments as the supply of property outstrips demand. Apartment prices at 220 Spencer Street in Melbourne's CBD (centre) have also dropped dramatically. An apartment which cost $298,000 in 2011 can be bought today for $259,000 Property planning expert Peter Hyland told the AFR that developers were becoming less gung-ho as the market slowed. He said: 'I think a lot of people are more cautious now and sensibly so. 'People are closely looking at who is carrying the risk. People are looking at how the market is slowing and they have to be prudent.' Developer Mirvac recently ceased a $3bn agreement to build 1,200 apartments in the Perth city centre On Friday property lender Firstmac reportedly announced it was cutting the amount it was prepared to lend to city apartment builders. The same day Westpac Bank announced it was stopping all lending to foreign property buyers looking to build apartments. A Georgia sheriff's deputy was shot in the face during a traffic stop south of Atlanta on Saturday evening. Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Jamie White suffered a single shot to the face, above his left eye, while walking up to the vehicle which had three people inside, Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley said. The incident happened around 7.30pm, according to WTVM. Scroll down for video A Georgia sheriff's deputy was shot in the face during a traffic stop south of Atlanta on Saturday evening around 7.30pm Witnesses reportedly stopped to help Deputy White who was transported to Midtown Medical Center and was awaiting surgery late Saturday. His condition was not immediately known but he is expected to recover. Three people were inside the 1994 blue Chevrolet Caprice on I-85 southbound, about 80 miles south of downtown Atlanta, when they were stopped by the deputy. It was not immediately known why the sheriff's deputy stopped the car, which was caught on the deputy's dash cam video. Law enforcement officials confirmed that a suspect, 24-year-old Joe Lee Garrett, who was involved in the shooting was taken into custody after turning himself in on Saturday night. Three people were inside the 1994 blue Chevrolet Caprice on I-85 southbound, about 80 miles south of downtown Atlanta, when they were stopped by the deputy He is being charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, and is currently being held in Russell County Jail as a fugitive from justice in relation to the shooting. Police previously said they were searching for three suspects following the shooting. At this time no other arrests have been made and the incident remains under investigation. A man has had his Toyota Supra confiscated by police who discovered it was unregistered after a video emerged in which he crashed the car into his own house. Footage of the driver allegedly ploughing the vehicle into his home in Warnbro, Western Australia, surfaced last week and was reported to police. Investigations led officers to believe the 33-year-old man had not properly registered the car. He has been charged with one count of wreckless driving and one of driving an unregistered vehicle. Scroll down for video A man has had his Toyota Supra seized by police who believe it was unregistered. They were alerted to the vehicle after seeing a video of the man allegedly crash the car into his house in Perth A Western Australia Police spokesman confirmed on Sunday that officers were alerted to the case via coverage of the apparently incriminating video online. In it, the man allegedly was filmed crashing in to his house in the electric blue car. Upon review officers visited the property to seize the car. The apparently incriminating footage has since been removed. A Western Australia spokesman said: 'On 22 May 2016 it is alleged that an unregistered Toyota Supra was driven in Warnbro when the driver lost control and crashed into his own house. 'Rockingham Local Policing Team officers today seized the Toyota Supra and have summonsed a 33 year old Warnbro man with the offences of Reckless Driving, and Drive Unregistered Vehicle. 'He will appear in court at a later date.' No one was injured in the alleged incident last week. Prominent Ferguson activist Charles Wade, 33, had been charged with prostitution and human trafficking of a 17-year-old girl A prominent Ferguson activist who has assisted the Black Lives Matter movement is charged with prostitution and human trafficking of a minor after he was allegedly caught in a sex sting. Charles Wade, 33, was arrested after an undercover detective responded to an ad he allegedly set up to organize meetings with a 17-year-old girl, who later identified him to police as her 'manager'. The teen told police that Wade had been aware of her age and allegedly told her: 'You only have five months until you're 18 so I'm not worried.' A meeting was organized with the girl after a detective responded to an ad that read: 'Holla at me. Quick stay specials tonight and tomorrow. Independent. Fun and Sexy. Text me to set up an appointment.' The detective and teen agreed to $100 for a half-an-hour session and she told him to meet her at the Howard Johnson Inn in College Park, Maryland. She then texted the man, 'Okay you're not a cop or pimp right?', to which he responded 'Hell no. I just like nice boobs'. The teen, described as a white female, then gave the detective her room number and greeted him in just a towel when he knocked on the door, according to the police report obtained by the St Louis Post-Dispatch. After money was exchanged, the teen dropped her towel and moved to grab a condom. The man identified himself as a detective and the woman fled the room and ran down the hallway before she was 'stopped by the arrest squad', the report states. Wade was arrested after the teen provided a description of her 'manager', telling police she called him CJ and that she gave him 'the proceeds' after each of her dates, according to the report. Authorities allege that Wade was 'watching' the detective as he walked into the girl's room and that 'paper articles' with his name on it were found inside. The teen told police that CJ 'responded to the clients himself', the report states. Wade, who posted $25,000 bail two days after his arrest, took to his Twitter to deny the charges and said he was asked to temporarily house the girl, who he believed at the time was 20 years old. Wade (pictured here with a coffee shop that became a gathering for Ferguson activists) was arrested after an undercover detective responded to an ad he allegedly set up to organize meetings with the teen The girl told police Wade was her 'manager' and that she gave him 'proceeds' after each of her dates. Wade has vehemently denied the claim and said his organization was helping the girl obtain temporary housing The activist is the co-founder of Operation Help or Hush, which handles a large number of temporary-housing requests for people in need, Wade told the Washington Post. Wade said he used his hotel rewards points to obtain a room for the girl, who was arrested just a few hours later. 'As the person who booked, paid for, checked in with government issued identification, I was also arrested as I was walking to store on about a half dozen charges related to her activities and arrest,' he said in his statement. 'This situation in no way should reflect on the movement or anyone else in the movement other than myself,' he continued. 'Ultimately, I had the final decision on moving forward with housing her and putting my name on the line.' 'And ultimately, the embarrassment now caused and whatever consequences there may be are solely mine.' The detective and teen agreed to $100 for a half-an-hour session and she told him to meet her at the Howard Johnson Inn (pictured) in College Park, Maryland on April 25. She and Wade were arrested shortly after Wade told the Post that he believes his arrest is part of an effort to discredit the Black Lives Matter movement, which he said he has never been involved with politically. 'This case if highly politicized for obvious reasons,' he said. 'But I also feel like there are parts of this that are clearly sensationalism and there are parts of this that are doing anything possible to discredit a larger movement, which I have been associated with.' Wade called the claims 'absurd' and but said they have had 'real-life consequences', adding that his family has been threatened with lynching by people online. The activist said he is confident he will be exonerated. 'This is a legal matter, and my freedom is not predicated on the court of public opinion,' he said. Wade, who was once an image consultant for Solange Knowles, started Operation Help or Hush after he began raising money on Twitter to help Ferguson protesters following the shooting of Michael Brown. The organization said it aids community organizers by purchasing supplies to make signs, cover travel expenses and ensure protesters have food and shelter. Wade said he has 'paused' any further work with his organization. Advertisement Air show pilots performed an aerial salute Saturday to their comrade who died after his World War II-era plane crashed in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey. The P-47 Thunderbolt crashed Friday night during a promotional flight for the American Airpower Museum on Long Island, which is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the P-47 this weekend. The plane's pilot, William Gordon, 56, a father of two from Key West, Florida, was a veteran air show pilot with more than 25 years of experience. New York City police scuba divers recovered his body from the wreckage of the downed aircraft Friday night, about three hours after the collision. As bagpipes played in the background on Saturday, pilots flew over the museum in an aerial salute known as a 'missing man formation' in a tribute honoring Gordon. Air show pilots performed an aerial salute (pictured) on Saturday to their comrade William Gordon, 56, who died after his World War II-era plane crashed in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey Gordon (pictured here with the WWII plane) was a father of two from Key West, Florida and a veteran air show pilot with more than 25 years of experience and sometimes certified other pilots to perform low-level aerobatics Scott Clyman, flight operations pilot for the American Airpower Museum, called Gordon (pictured) 'an extraordinary pilot who understood the powerful message our aircraft represent in telling the story of American courage and valor' Police divers and Army Corps Of Engineers personnel fished out the P-47 from the Hudson River on Saturday morning (pictured) The plane was hoisted onto a barge (pictured) and taken to a heliport in lower Manhattan, where investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will examine it to determine what caused the crash Witnesses saw the plane spewing smoke before it went down into the Hudson River. Scuba divers retrieved William Gordon's body about three hours later Gordon was taking part in a promotional flight for the American Airpower Museum when he crashed. The plane was scheduled to perform at the Jones Beach Airshow this weekend for Fleet Week Scott Clyman, flight operations pilot for the American Airpower Museum, called Gordon 'an extraordinary pilot who understood the powerful message our aircraft represent in telling the story of American courage and valor'. 'The FAA will determine the reason for the in-flight failure but we know this much; Bill was a nationally respected pilot and we were lucky to call him one of our own,' he said in a statement. Clyman told fellow mourners at a service Saturday that Gordon had always been fascinated by World War II fighter planes 'and he quickly demonstrated the skill to master these demanding aircraft.' Promotional material for a Key West air show last month said Gordon was an 'aerobatic competency evaluator' who certified performers to perform low-level aerobatics'. The single-seat P-47 crashed on a part of the river near where a US Airways commercial jet carrying 155 people splash-landed safely in 2009 in what became known as the Miracle on the Hudson. Gordon was trying to crash land the plane, which was experiencing mechanical issues, when the tragedy struck The pilot had attempted to get out of the aircraft before it became completely submerged in the river Witnesses could actually see Gordon (pictured) struggle as he tried to get out of the plane before it became completely submerged in the water. One of them said he couldn't escape and the plane 'kept going down, down, down' 'If anyone could have landed that on the water short of Chesley Sullenberger, I'm here to tell you it's him. I rode with him for years,' his stepbrother Fred Schneeberger, 57, told the New York Daily News. 'You ask anybody who worked with him, he was an airplane mechanic, certified, helicopter-rated, jet-rated, instrument-rated. This wasn't your backwoods woodpecker.' The plane was pulled from the water and loaded on to a barge Saturday before it was taken to a heliport in lower Manhattan, where investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board can examine it as part of their investigation. The aircraft, which went down around 7.30pm Friday, was among three planes that had departed from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, on Long Island, just east of New York City. The other two aircraft returned to the airport and landed safely. A witness to the crash, Hunter College student Siqi Li, saw smoke spewing from the plane and thought it was doing a trick. 'It made kind of a U-turn, and then there was a stream of smoke coming from it,' Li told the New York Daily News. 'It was tilting down toward the water. I thought they were doing some sort of trick. I didn't realize it at first, but it was a plane crash.' Museum spokesman Gary Lewi said the plane was kept at the museum and was taking part in an air show at nearby Jones Beach this weekend. 'We are saddened by the news that the WWII P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft crashed over the Hudson last night. The pilot was a friend to us all and we send our deepest sympathy to his family and our friends at the American Air Power Museum.' Search and rescue boats (pictured) began looking for the P-47 after it crashed into the Hudson River around 7:30pm on Friday. It was among three planes that had departed from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, on Long Island, just east of New York City Rescue teams waited on the shore following the crash. New Jersey State Police had first inaccurately reported that the pilot had been rescued around 9pm and only suffered minor injuries, according to the NYPD NYPD and FDNY Harbor units and the Coast Guard remained on the scene at the 79th boat basin on the Upper West Side on Friday night in the moments following the crash 'The Bethpage Air Show will continue as planned, but with heavy hearts,' a statement on the air show's website read. The P47-Thunderbolts were the heaviest single-engine fighter planes used by Allied forces in World War II. They first went into service in 1942, with the 56th Fighter Group based on Long Island. The one that crashed in the river flew periodically, including to other air shows, Lewi said. New Jersey State Police had first inaccurately reported that the pilot had been rescued around 9pm and only suffered minor injuries, according to the NYPD. Witnesses could actually see Gordon struggle as he tried to get out of the plane before it became completely submerged in the water. NYPD and FDNY Harbor units and the Coast Guard remained on the scene at the 79th boat basin on the Upper West Side on Friday night. Divers spotted the pilot in the plane's cockpit around 9pm. One witness attempted to jump into the river to rescue those on board but was pulled from the water, according to the Hackensack Daily Voice. Witnesses who were eating at Frank's Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen told ABC 7 they saw the aircraft fall into the water nose first. 'The front glass was off and the guy was trying to get out,' witness Camara Dodd told the station. 'He just couldn't get out, the plane kept going down, down, down, just gone.' One witness posted a photo of the plane on Snapchat, showing it as it crashed along the river on Friday evening. Another witness described seeing a stream of smoke coming from the aircraft while it tilted down toward the water Another witness who was biking along the Hudson captured the moment the plane crashed into the river A 28-year-old man has been charged with the murder of teenager Cayleb Hough (pictured) whose body was discovered in an abandoned mine shaft A 28-year-old man has been charged with the murder of teenager Cayleb Hough whose body was discovered in an abandoned mine shaft four months after he vanished. The man was arrested on Friday in Kawarren, a two-hour drive from Cayleb's home in Chelsea Heights, Melbourne. He is the third person to be arrested in connection with the 17-year-old's death. It comes a month after police confirmed bones found in a disused mine shaft in Lerderderg State Park, Bacchus, belonged to the teenager. The man will appear before magistrates in Melbourne on Thursday to face one charge of murder. Cayleb's remains were discovered by detectives in March after a four month search. They were confirmed to be his in April to the devastation of his long-suffering family who had hoped to find him safely. He was last seen in December attending a party with friends before leaving with an older man in a blue sedan. Cayleb's remains were discovered by detectives in March - four months after the teenager went missing Officers investigating his disappearance discovered the car abandoned in a car park some weeks later. In April police revealed they believed a pair of shoes and mobile phone discovered near the disused mine shaft where Cayleb's body lay held answers to his murder. They appealed for help from the public in tracing those who knew of his death at the time. Within days officers had made two arrests, taking two men in to custody in Melbourne on suspicion of murdering the teenager. SES workers scoured bushland for clues into the suspected murder of the 17-year-old who was missing The mine shaft where the body of suspected murder victim Cayleb Hough was found last month (pictured) A police investigator holds a piece a fabric alongside SES workers during the search for clues last month TIMELINE OF MISSING TEENAGER December 20: Cayleb Hough, 17, was last seen in a blue sedan after leaving a party in Melbourne's south-east March 10: Bones were found at the bottom of a shallow shaft in Lerderderg State Park April: Police confirmed remains belonged to the 17-year-old April: Two men were arrested then released May: A 28-year-old man was arrested and charged with Cayleb's murder They were released shortly afterwards pending further police enquiries and nothing more was heard of their alleged involvement. On Sunday Victoria Police revealed they had arrested a third man on Friday. He was charged on Sunday. 'Missing Persons Squad detectives have charged a man with murder following the death of Chelsea Heights teenager Cayleb Hough. 'A 28-year-old man was arrested on Friday and charged with one count of murder yesterday. 'He was remanded in custody overnight and faced Melbourne Magistrates Court today. The 44-year-old woman will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court June 29 Alleged that nurse, 62, required treatment for bruising to her hip A woman has been charged after allegedly assaulting a nurse at a Brisbane hospital. Police responded to a disturbance involving a female patient in a ward at the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital in Herston at 6.30pm on Saturday. It is alleged that the female nurse, 62, was assaulted and required treatment for bruising to her hip. Police responded to a disturbance involving a female patient in a ward at the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital (pictured) in Herston at 6.30 on Saturday night A 44-year-old woman has been charged with one count each of serious assault of a public officer performing function causing bodily harm, wilful damage and possession of a knife in a public place (stock image) A 44-year-old Lutwyche woman has been charged with one count each of serious assault of a public officer performing function causing bodily harm, wilful damage and possession of a knife in a public place. She is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on June 29. 'Our hospitals are places where people receive health care, not venues for bad behaviour and violence,' a spokeswoman for Metro North Hospital and Health Service told The Brisbane Times. A report into violence against health workers is being prepared and will be handed to Health Minister Cameron Dick in the next two weeks, the publication reported. Police have found personal items belonging to a man who disappeared after getting in a taxi at Rio de Janeiro airport eight days ago, as it is revealed he went to 'cool off' after getting in a fight with his travel partner in the moments before he vanished. Rye Hunt, from Hobart, was last seen on CCTV footage getting into a taxi at Galeao International Airport on May 21 after getting in a verbal altercation with his friend Mitch Sheppard. His sister Romany Brodribb said Brazillian authorities found some of the 25-year-old's personal effects but have not disclosed what items were recovered or where they were located. Scroll down for video Rye Hunt, from Hobart, was last seen on CCTV footage getting into a taxi at Galeao International Airport on May 21 after getting in a verbal altercation with his friend Mitch Sheppard Rye Hunt, 25, (pictured) who is from Hobart was last seen at Rio de Janeiro International Airport about 3.30pm on May 21 'We have put in a request this morning to DFAT [Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade] for an itemised list of exactly what was recovered and we're hoping that will give an indication of what he had on him when he disappeared,' Ms Brodribb told the ABC. Mr Hunt had agreed to meet back up with Mr Sheppard after getting a coffee but did not return and instead got into a taxi and traveled to an unknown location. 'They had a verbal disagreement, I believe, and then they agreed to separate and cool off and to meet back in 30 minutes,' Ms Brodribb said. 'The CCTV footage does also verify that. It also confirms the Rye left the airport and that he was alone,' she added. Ms Brodribb said Mr Sheppard desperately searched the airport and talked to security at length before returning to the hostel to continue looking for Mr Hunt. Mr Hunt had agreed to meet back up with Mr Sheppard after getting a coffee but did not return and instead got into a taxi and traveled to an unknown location Ms Brodribb said Mr Sheppard desperately searched the airport and talked to security at length before returning to the hostel to continue looking for Mr Hunt The person driving the taxi has not yet been found but Ms Brodribb said she believed police were focusing their efforts on tracking the driver down for questioning. 'We haven't been told that they've made contact with the taxi driver, we are hoping that that is obviously something they are doing at the moment... about where he went and what they talked about,' she said adding that the new information gave her family 'hope'. Mr Hunt's girlfriend, Perth woman Bonnie Cuthbert, shared a desperate plea on Facebook with an image and description of Mr Hunt, in the hope of locating his whereabouts. He has not accessed his bank accounts, social media, or been in touch with his girlfriend since. 'Nobody has heard from him, including his girlfriend which is very unusual,' Ms Brodribb said. 'We are really concerned for his safety and we are feeling really helpless being back here. We just want to know he is safe somewhere.' Mr Hunt, who was working in the mining industry in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, before he left, was travelling through South America with Mr Sheppard. Mr Hunt's girlfriend Bonnie Cuthbert (right) has launched a campaign on social media to help find him He posted an update to Facebook before he left at the start of April. He said: 'Today I am leaving Western Australia indefinitely, just a quick thank you to everyone that's helped me out along the way. 'A special thanks to the Millers and the Sheppards for being so accommodating and putting up with all the antics over the past few years. 'Embarking on an adventure now to see the world over the next few months. Unsure of what the future has in store for us, stay safe everybody, hope to see you all upon our return.' The pair began their trip in Thailand and planned to spend two months in South America, making stops in Cancun and Acapulco among others, before ending their trip in Europe. They planned to attend The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, in northern Spain, at the start of July. Mr Hunt's family has filed a missing person report with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Embassy. His uncle and partner are flying to Brazil to help police with the search. A DFAT spokesman said the Australian Embassy in Brasilia was working closely with local authorities to locate a man reported missing in Brazil. The Turnbull government plan on extending the freeze until 2020 He supported Labor's decision to lift the freeze on The new president of the Australian Medical Association says he would 'not be surprised' if doctors started charging patients $25 more each visit if the six-year freeze on Medicare rebates is not lifted. Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Michael Gannon warned general practitioners will eventually pass the cost on to patients if the Turnbull government are elected and the freeze on indexation for Medicare rebates is extended to 2020. 'It might be that much ... I think that once GPs decide it's time to start charging, that they're unlikely to charge a $3 or $4 gap,' he told the ABC. Newly elected Australian Medical Association President Dr Michael Gannon (pictured) speaks at a press conference at the National Convention Centre in Canberra on Sunday He came out in support of Labor's plan to end the freeze, adding that the coalition's decision was 'unfair' and that the move reflected a continued underinvestment in GPs. 'GPs are at breaking point. They can't take too many more cuts.' The WA specialist was elected head of the peak doctors' lobby group at the national conference in Canberra on Sunday, replacing outgoing president Professor Brian Owler who urged him to be 'brave and courageous'. Dr Gannon said unfreezing Medicare rebates was a priority for the AMA. Labor has promised to lift the freeze at a cost of $12 billion over a decade. Dr Gannon said unfreezing Medicare rebates was a priority for the AMA. Labor has promised to lift the freeze at a cost of $12 billion over a decade 'GPs are at breaking point. They can't take too many more cuts,' Dr Gannon told reporters 'We think there's an opportunity for the coalition to change tack on this policy,' Dr Gannon told reporters. 'But it should be just the start of a wider debate. Unravelling the freeze is not a solution to the underfunding of general practice. We need to do so much better.' He supports the Royal Australian College of GPs television ad campaign against the Medicare rebate freeze that starts on Sunday. GPs offer enormous value for money and the government should stop seeing them as a cost and more of an investment in the health of the community, he said. Earlier on Sunday, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he didn't blame doctors standing up for their patients. 'The frontline of our health care system is hard-working GPs, many of them small businesses,' he told reporters in Canberra. Earlier on Sunday, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he didn't blame doctors standing up for their patients 'The frontline of our health care system is hard-working GPs, many of them small businesses,' Mr Shorten said 'The fact that the Turnbull government wants to freeze the rebates they receive for six years is basically putting the doctors in the worst of all possible choices.' Dr Gannon, the outgoing AMA president of WA, has previously aired concerns the AMA was becoming too left-wing. 'This job is intensely political at the best of times,' he said. 'Health is at the top of the agenda, health should remain at the top of the agenda, and the AMA will make sure of that.' A man who allegedly raped and then bashed a woman with a brain injury, causing her near blindness, said he was acting in self-defence. Troy Raine, 45, appeared in the Magistrate's Court of Victoria accused of raping and bashing the woman, 43, outside a Hoddle Street housing commission flat in Melbourne, reported the Herald Sun. Raine is charged with rape and assault. A man who allegedly raped and then bashed a woman with a brain injury outside commission flat in Melbourne, causing her near blindness, said he was acting in self defence In his application for bail, he claimed the woman has martial arts skills to rival that of Steven Seagal, an American Akaido instructor and action movie star. 'Shes a black belt in Aikido the stuff that Steven Segal does a 2nd Dan. She should be classed as a lethal weapon,' Raine said. Police allege Raine continued to bash and kick the woman as she lay on the ground screaming for help, and then slapped her bloody face before fleeing the scene. The 43-year-old woman was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious facial injuries, including a fractured cheek and eye socket. Doctors told police the woman remained blind in one eye and had about 10 per cent vision in the other eye. The woman is said to have met Raine on May 21 and let him stay her home in Box Hill until May 25, the court heard. Raine claimed the woman has martial arts skills that rival American Akaido instructor Steven Seagal, pictured left, in Japanese film The Keeper She claimed Raine savagely raped her after she returned home from visiting the pharmacy on May 24, and bashed her the following day after an argument. Raine told Magistrate Alan Spillane his alleged victim was a compulsive liar and she had enjoyed the alleged rape. 'Shes broken my nose. She choked me. She was using all these moves on me ... I swear on my mothers eyes. I was scared.' Mr Spillane said he didn't believe him. 'Any suggestion that you have that you were defending yourself is nonsense ... Its unbelievable one person could do that to another,' Mr Spillane said. The matter has been passed over to Home Office Immigration Enforcement They were in an inflatable boat which started to sink near Dymchurch The UK Coastguard received a call for assistance at 11.40pm last night The 18 migrants were found at 2am on Sunday just off the Kent coast Two children were among a group of eighteen Albanians and two British people rescued from the English Channel after their inflatable boat began to sink. The UK Coastguard received a call for assistance just off the coast of Dymchurch in Kent, at 11.40pm on Saturday night. A search and rescue helicopter was deployed as well as lifeboats from nearby Dungeness and Littlestone, and coastguard rescue teams from Dungeness and Folkestone. The rhib (rigid-hulled inflatable boat), with 20 people on board was found at 2am and the matter was handed over to Home Office Immigration Enforcement. Scroll down for video Two children were among a group of eighteen Albanians and two British people rescued from the English Channel after their inflatable boat began to sink The inflatable power boat used by the migrants was spotted on the beach in Dymchurch, Kent, yesterday A second vessel, believed to be linked to the inflatable that got into trouble, was discovered on the beach on Sunday at Dymchurch and was seized by the authorities. A search and rescue helicopter was deployed as well as lifeboats from nearby Dungeness and Littlestone, and coastguard rescue teams from Dungeness and Folkestone A second vessel, believed to be linked to the inflatable that got into trouble, was discovered on the beach on Sunday at Dymchurch and was seized by the authorities. The migrants were then taken to Dover, Kent, and are being interviewed by Border Force officers. All called their families in France on mobile phones, after their rigid-hulled inflatable started taking on water. In turn, the relatives issued a Mayday call to coastguard, who were involved in the search and rescue operation. The British Home Office said 20 people in total were picked up from the sea early on Sunday morning. A Home Office spokesman confirmed that there was one woman and two children aboard the boat. He added that a second vessel was discovered on the beach at Dymchurch which was believed could be linked to the boat that got into trouble. The spokesman said: 'A total of 20 people were picked up in a search and rescue operation. 18 were Albanian, and two were British. There was one woman, and two minors. 'They were taken to Dover and are currently being interviewed by Border Force officers. 'Two Border Force cutters were involved in the rescue operation alongside the UK coastguard. 'A separate vessel was also discovered on the beach at Dymchurch. It is not known at this stage if it is linked to the other vessel. 'This vessel has now been removed from the scene and has been seized by law enforcement.' Eighteen turned out to be Albanian, while two had British passports, and were likely to be working with a people smuggling gang, said Bernard Barron, of the Calais coastguard. He said: 'We were called for help just before midnight. The boat was heading toward England. 'When rescued in very bad weather, the castaways turned out to be migrants. 'They had called their families, who then alerted the authorities and rescue missions were triggered on both sides of the Channel. 'This all confirms our fear that the smugglers are willing to take extreme measures. The sea is a dangerous place, and it presents great dangers to those attempting this type of crossing.' Mr Barron added that a helicopter had been deployed from Le Touquet in north west France. 'They were taken to Dover and are currently being interviewed by Border Force officers.' A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: 'The UK Coastguard has coordinated an incident off Dymchurch to rescue the occupants of a rhib (rigid hulled inflatable boat) overnight. 'A call was received at 11.40pm yesterday requesting assistance to the rhib, which was taking on water. A group of eighteen migrants and two British nationals were rescued in the early hours of yesterday morning after the inflatable boat they were in started to sink in the English Channel Coastguards rescued 18 suspected illegal immigrants from the English Channel off the Kent coast The migrants were then taken to Dover, Kent, and are being interviewed by Border Force officers Coastguards from Dungeoness in Kent rescued 18 migrants whose boat had started to sink in the English Channel 'The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lydd, RNLI lifeboats from Dungeness and Littlestone and coastguard rescue teams from Dungeness and Folkestone were sent. 'The rhib was located at 2am and the incident handed over to UK Border Force.' Kent Police received a call at 12.01am yesterday morning to concerns around a boat off the Kent coast. A Kent Police spokesman said: 'The matter has been passed to Home Office Immigration Enforcement.' In April, two Iranian men were rescued on a small inflatable dinghy off Dover, Kent. They were only saved after the captain of a cross-channel ferry spotted the light from one of their mobile phones. Damian Collins, MP for Folkestone and Hythe, said: 'These people are not doing this on their own. They are getting assistance and we need to find out who is doing this. 'It is incredibly dangerous and there is every likelihood that people will lose their lives. 'We need to send a clear message that if people do try to come to the UK in this way they will be detected and returned to the place where they left from, in this case France, and that we will take firm action against those who assist them.' She said: 'We are not doing enough to control our coastline, the Government has to address border controls, something has to be done to protect these people from harm and our borders.' A search and rescue helicopter was deployed as well as lifeboats from nearby Dungeness and Littlestone, and coastguard rescue teams from Dungeness and Folkestone (stock photo) Councillor Mary Lawes, Ukip group leader on Shepway District Council, said she was concerned for the security of the region as well as the safety of migrants seeking to cross the Channel in unsafe boats. She said: 'We are not doing enough to control our coastline, the Government has to address border controls, something has to be done to protect these people from harm and our borders.' David Monk, Conservative leader of the local authority, said he believed high levels of surveillance in the English Channel would mean most boats crossing the channel would be identified. He added: 'I am pretty sure our security is good. I cannot recall a previous incident but this should act as a warning to the authorities to be even more vigilant.' The English Channel is just 20.6 miles at its shortest distance between France and the Kent coast. But the crossing is hazardous with strong sea currents and the boats have to navigate across some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world used by huge cargo ships. It comes as it was revealed that Britain's Border Force has only three patrol boats to protect the UK's coastline. Reports suggest there is a rise in illegal migrants using small harbours and ports to avoid detection because they do not undergo rigorous checks. Reports suggest that people smugglers are targeting smaller marinas dotted around the UK to avoid detection According to The Sunday Times, Border Force is facing severe cuts as it is operating just three of its fleet of five vessels, known as cutters. These vessels operating in the UK waters can sail for just 48 hours from their home port in Portsmouth, Hampshire. As a result, this limits the boats to the English Channel - meaning huge sections of Britain's coastline vulnerable and open to people or drugs smuggling. Meanwhile, the National Crime Agency claimed small marinas and ports across the UK are vulnerable to terrorists and people smugglers because they are generally unpoliced. The agency claims there is an absence of checks at hundreds of ports across the country and they are so busy with one-off arrivals that one marina official compared them to an NCP car park. Border Force, which is responsible for frontline border control operations at air, sea and rail ports in the UK, admitted early this year that few routine checks were carried out on tiny marinas. Earlier this week, 17 illegal immigrants from Albania were discovered at Chichester Harbour in West Sussex on a catamaran that had just arrived from France. The vessel was stopped only because officers from Hampshire Constabulary Marine Unit were searching for a missing person. Senior Tories have launched a furious attack on David Cameron over immigration from the EU, demanding that he admits Britain will never get control of numbers while it is a member of the bloc. In one of the most pointed personal rebukes of the referendum campaign so far, Boris Johnson and Michael Gove warned that the Prime Minister's failure to keep his promise to bring migration levels down was 'corrosive'. The volley came in an open letter to Mr Cameron with just 25 days to go until the crucial ballot on June 23. David Cameron described the 333,000 annual net migration figure as 'disappointing' at a press conference at the G7 summit on Friday As Conservative infighting gathered pace today: Cabinet minister Priti Patel delivered a thinly-veiled swipe at Mr Cameron by saying politicians with 'luxury' lifestyles cannot understand concerns about migration. Tory MP Nadine Dorries branded Mr Cameron and George Osborne 'liars' and said she had written to the powerful 1922 committee demanding a leadership contest A poll of 600 economists found nearly nine in 10 thought the economy will suffer if we leave the EU In their open letter, Tory MP Mr Johnson and Justice Secretary Mr Gove took aim at Mr Cameron's pledge that net migration would be brought down to the 'tens of thousands'. Official figures released last week showed that numbers have been running at more than 330,000 - over triple the target. Some 184,000 of those came from the EU in the year to December, including 77,000 who did not have a specific job lined up. Mr Gove and Mr Johnson wrote: 'There is also the basic lack of democratic consent for what is taking place. 'Voters were promised repeatedly at elections that net migration could be cut to tens of thousands. 'This promise is plainly not achievable as long as the UK is a member of the EU and the failure to keep it is corrosive of public trust in politics.' They demanded that Mr Cameron concede five 'facts' about immigration, including that voting to stay will mean keeping free movement rules and the UK will have to 'admit economic migrants from the EU, whether or not they have a job offer'. A Vote Leave source told the Sunday Times: 'You can read this as a direct challenge to Cameron's authority.' Fellow Brexit supporter Liam Fox told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme: 'I do not have a problem with migration, I have a problem with uncontrolled migration.' But former PM Tony Blair said the Leave campaign were focusing on immigration because they had 'lost' on the economy. 'The fact is one of the biggest problems we have is non-EU migration,' he said, 'The reason why the Leave people have really focused on immigration day after day after day is because theyve lost comprehensively the debate on the economy. 'And what is now clear - and I dont think they can really dispute - is that if we did vote to leave the economic aftershock would be severe and directly measurable in jobs and living standards and business confidence.' Mr Gove fuelled tensions further by telling The Sun on Sunday the Prime Minister's 'apocalyptic warnings' on Brexit would test his credibility if they turned out to be false. In another dig at the Prime Minister, the Justice Secretary ridiculed Mr Cameron's insistence that Turkey was not set to join the EU, by saying: 'You're having us on.' Mr Gove indicated this was the latest in a series of 'lies' regarding EU membership. He told The Sun on Sunday: 'People are fed up with being told, don't worry, this thing isn't going to happen and then they wake up a year or two later and it has. 'They were told in 1975 when we joined the Common Market that it wasn't going to mean anything for our democracy and our Parliament and for all of us. That was a lie. Now we're being told don't worry, Turkey won't join.' The Justice Secretary also hit back at claims the Leave campaign is fuelled by prejudice. 'When people fling the charge of racism, what they are actually doing is attacking working-class people for wanting to maintain a decent standard of living. I think that's wrong.' In an article for the Telegraph, Ms Patel wrote: 'It's shameful that those leading the pro-EU campaign fail to care for those who do not have their advantages. Their narrow self-interest fails to pay due regard to the interests of the wider public.' Boris Johnson and Justice Secretary Michael Gove said the failure to hit Mr Cameron's target for net migration being in the 'tens of thousands' was 'corrosive of public trust' The remark appeared to be a clear reference to Mr Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, even though she did not directly name them. Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen said that Mr Cameron is 'finished' as Tory leader because of the way his 'Operation Fear' tactics have divided the party. Mr Cameron was cheered by a survey of more than 600 economists which found the overwhelming majority agreed with him that Brexit would damage the UK economy. Nearly nine in 10 of the economists surveyed by Ipsos Mori for The Observer believed withdrawal would have a negative impact on household incomes, and 61 per cent thought it would fuel unemployment. Labour former prime minister Tony Blair told wavering voters considering Brexit: 'If you're not sure, don't do it,' as he wrote in The Sunday Times that withdrawal would be a 'betrayal of British interest'. As the war of words heightened, Tory former PM Sir John Major accused the Leave side of telling deliberate untruths. 'They have - knowingly - told untruths about the cost of Europe. They have promised negotiating gains that cannot - and will not - be delivered. 'They have raised phantom fears that cannot be justified, puffing up their case with false statistics, unlikely scenarios and downright untruths. To mislead the British nation in this fashion - when its very future is at stake - is unforgivable,' Mr Major wrote in The Mail on Sunday. I never said we should join the euro, says former Prime Minister Tony Blair Tony Blair has been ridiculed after claiming that he did not want Britain to join the euro. The former Prime Minister denied that he had been pushing for the UK to sign up to the currency project when he was in Downing Street. It is widely believed that the opposition of then-chancellor Gordon Brown was the only thing that stopped Mr Blair taking the country into the currency. But speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show today Mr Blair said he had 'been back and checked' after jibes by Leave campaigners. 'By the way we never put the issue to the British people on the euro, because the economic case was not clear and unambiguous,' he said. 'When these people say, which they often do, 'you guys said all this about the euro', I went back and checked and no we didn't. Tony Blair denied having wanted to take Britain into the euro despite claims that it was only Gordon brown who blocked him from signing up to the currency project 'We said "unless there is a clear case economically for joining the euro we won't put it before you" and we didn't.' 'Politically I think it's important that Britain's at the heart of Europe. Economically if you can't make the case for joining the single currency you shouldn't do it, and economically we couldn't.' Mr Brown and Treasury ally Ed Balls have long been said to have frustrated Mr Blair by insisting on the 'economic tests' for joining the euro. Mr Blair insisted the case for a Remain vote in the referendum now was very different to the issue of the euro. 'The case for leaving Europe is a completely different case, because even if you disagree with the euro surely you don't disagree with Britain being part of the single market,' he said. 'Because the single market which by the way was a British achievement under Margaret Thatcher, the single market is essential for British jobs and British industry. 'There's no reason for us to take a position for the next 100 years, but there's no remote possibility of Britain joining the euro for the foreseeable future.' But Ukip MP Douglas Carswell told MailOnline: 'Tony Blair used to be new Labour. Now he's trying his hand at new history, rewriting the past. Blair was wrong about joining the euro then, and wrong about remaining in the EU now. 'The high risk things is to remain in an ever closer political union with the EU. If we do vote Leave, we will prosper and avoid the looming euro disaster. 'No doubt Mr Blair will then try and convince us he was part of Vote Leave all along.' John Major savages 'boorish Brexit' and warns of 40billion black hole in UK finances Sir John Major has launched a powerful attack on 'shameless and distorted' attempts by Brexit leaders to persuade voters that Britain should leave the EU. And he warned that cutting ties with Brussels would 'blow a 40 billion hole' in the UK's economy. The former Prime Minister said the way the Leave campaigners had behaved was 'a fraud on the British people' and accused its leaders of 'boorish and sneering' attacks on David Cameron. They had 'peddled falsehoods' about the cost of Britain's membership of the EU and fanned immigration fears with 'the worst type of dog-whistle politics'. The ferocity of the former Tory leader's attack in an exclusive article for The Mail on Sunday will send shockwaves through his party The ferocity of the former Tory leader's attack in an exclusive article for The Mail on Sunday will send shockwaves through his party. Normally renowned for his restraint, he spoke out after becoming enraged by tactics used by Vote Leave, which is spearheaded by Boris Johnson. His article follows fury in Downing Street at personal attacks on Mr Cameron by Vote Leave. The former London Mayor has called the Prime Minister's pro-EU comments 'demented'. And last week, he effectively accused Mr Cameron of lying for failing to deliver on his promise to curb immigration. 'We are not, as they [Vote Leave] warn, facing the risk of 88 million migrants from Turkey and the Western Balkans: this fear-mongering is the worst sort of 'dog-whistle' politics. Boris Johnson himself said [Turkish entry to the EU] is not remotely on the cards. Yet Vote Leave persist in raising more scare stories.' Sir John added: 'Let's keep people out' is an easy slogan with a murky history.' Advertisement The influx of Chinese buyers looking to crack into the property market in Melbourne and Sydney are more likely to purchase ordinary homes that costs under $700,000 rather than forking out for a lavish mansion or potential development. Some of Australia's most expensive properties have been snatched up by cashed up Chinese investors in recent times, however new data has shown that more than half of Chinese buyers using the popular international property website Juwai.com are only looking to spend between $275,803 and $689,455 - far less than Sydney's median house price of $995,804. Ray White Group Director, Dan White said Chinese buyers are increasingly looking around middle and inner city suburbs rather than focusing on multi-million dollar trophy homes, explaining a recent boom in suburbs like Waterloo and Bankstown - in Sydney's inner suburbs and west. Sydney (stock) has become the second hottest city after Melbourne for property investment for Chinese buyers in Australia with inquiries rising by 87.1 per cent in 2015 compared to the year before This two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in Waterloo (pictured) sold for $775,000 just over the $275,803 and $689,455 price range Chinese investors are looking at 'Suburbs that are convenient, have good schools and offer new construction are attractive options,' he told Sydneypropertyexperts.com. Melbourne remains the number one city for Chinese home buyers, however the opportunities for buyers to enroll their children in Sydney's high quality schools have made its suburbs more appealing than its Victorian counterpart. The number of property inquiries coming from China has risen by 87.1 per cent, with head of Juwai's Australia branch Gavin Norris saying the international investment will help Australian home buyers in the long run as developers are able to finance construction much quicker. 'When offshore investors purchase off the plan, they give developers the security they need to start construction on the new buildings that will provide homes for Australians,' he said. The top three hot-spots flagged during the second and third quarters of 2015 were Waterloo, Bankstown and Central Sydney. This Liverpool street home sold for $555,000 in April this year Property hunters making inquiries for Australian real estate has risen by 87.1 per cent in 2015 compared to the year before because of the great education opportunities. This Bankstown home sold for $450,000 TOP 10 SUBURBS IN SYDNEY FOR CHINESE INVESTORS 1. Waterloo 2. Bankstown 3. Central Sydney 4. Turramurra 5. Ultimo 6. Gordon 7. North Ryde 8. Liverpool 9. Ashfield 10. Bardia Source: Juwai.com April Report 'The Property Council of Australia tells us that every Chinese buyer makes four homes available for local buyers,' he added. While buyers are migrating to Sydney, fringe suburbs like Rowville and Werribee, east and west of Melbourne's CBD respectively, have also remained popular with Chinese buyers. Chinese investors are also looking in regions in Brisbane's outer suburbs such as Sunnybank and Carindale, reported realestate.com Juwai.com describes Australia as 'one of the world's most liveable cities in the world'. Juwai said: 'More and more Chinese people are looking for investments in Australian due to the wonderful high quality housing.' The market remains open to Chinese billionaires with homes mainly being scooped up in Sydney's waterfront. Vaucluse notched up another last-minute trophy sale for 2015 of $36 million bought by billionaire supermarket chain owners from China. The designer residence was bought by Huang Qiaorong, who with her husband, Zhang Xuansong, is co-owner and director of China's Yonghui supermarket chain. While it was revealed that the $70million home once owned by James and Erica Packer was bought by business man Chau Chak Wing in 2015, reported Domain. Meanwhile Melbourne remains the number one city in Australia for Chinese property investors who are buying houses like this one in Rowville Victoria that was sold for $682,000 Areas in Melbourne such as Rowville and Werribee are the most popular. This Werribee property sold for $550,000 This Sunnybank residence in Brisbane was sold for $660,000 and is located in another area sought after by Chinese investors But the market remains open to Chinese billionaires with homes mainly being scooped up in Sydney's waterfront Vaucluse (pictured) notched up another last-minute trophy sale for 2015 of $36 million bought by billionaire supermarket chain owners from China Comes after riot police called during first meeting of Inner West Council Waving placards saying 'Baird Out' and 'Save Sydney from Baird's butchery', thousands have rallied outside Sydney's Town Hall to protest a swathe of policies introduced by NSW Premier Mike Baird. The vocal crowd included opponents of the NSW council amalgamations, light rail development, nightspot lockout laws, anti-protest legislation and the WestConnex motorway project. Ousted Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne told the rally that Mr Baird was 'completely out of control'. 'It's time to send him a message, take a stand and say that we will resist his rule,' Mr Byrne said, to cheers and applause. Scroll down for video Thousands of protesters rallied outside Sydney's Town Hall to protest a swathe of policies introduced by NSW Premier Mike Baird The vocal crowd included opponents of the NSW council amalgamations, light rail development, nightspot lockout laws, anti-protest legislation and the WestConnex motorway project The protest organiser said the introduction this year of tougher anti-protest laws was 'the last straw' Protesters were seen waving placards saying 'Baird Out' and 'Save Sydney from Baird's butchery' 'No Voice No Choice': Protesters at 'March Against Mike' in Sydney on Sunday March Australia organiser in Sydney Sonia Zadro said the introduction this year of tougher anti-protest laws - including greater police powers and a tenfold increase in fines - was 'the last straw'. 'It just keeps getting worse and worse and it just seemed like the time has come for some serious dissent,' Ms Zadro told AAP. 'All these issues, they seem disparate, but they're all connected, and they're all underpinned by corruption.' Anti CSG activist Dane Pratzy also addressed the crowd before ralliers marched on state parliament. Greens MP Jenny Leong (pictured) was seen during the March Against Baird rally in Sydney Sydneysiders up in arms: Protesters rallying against lockout laws, the WestConnex project and council amalgamations Ousted Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne (pictured) told the rally that Mr Baird was 'completely out of control' 'Vote Liberals last' - opponents of some of Mr Baird's policies were less than subtle with their messages 'WestConnex wont work, Public transport will'- Angry protesters holding banners as part of the 'March Against Mike' rally in Sydney Sunday's march comes after riot police were called to the the first meeting of the newly created Inner West Council when it descended into chaos on Tuesday night. Angry protesters gathered at Petersham Service Centre in opposition to Mr Baird's decision to merge Petersham, Leichhardt and Marrickville council into one, and the WestConnex transport infrastructure development. The administrator of the new council was spat at as the protest turned ugly. Baird Out!- Protesters rallying in the centre of Sydney in opposition to NSW Premier Mike Baird's controversial lockout laws and development policies Thousands have rallied outside Sydney's Town Hall to protest a number of policies introduced by NSW Premier Mike Baird Protesters rallying against NSW Premier Mike Baird's controversial lockout laws, the WestConnex project and recent local council amalgamations Several community groups will join former Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Bryne to dispute the policies of the premier dubbed 'Casino Mike' (pictured) over claims his lockout laws would drive nightlife to Star Casino Sunday's march comes after riot police were called to the the first meeting of the newly created Inner West Council when it descended into chaos on Tuesday night (pictured) Though Bismarck Police Officer David Haswell hasnt seen this intoxicated man before, the call is all too familiar. Its a Friday around 6 p.m. and Haswell, a 29-year-old rookie police officer, gets a call about a shirtless 31-year-old man with what appears to be a bottle inside his pocket outside of an apartment complex on Portland Drive in Bismarck. An anonymous person called it in and said the man was punching windows in the complex. Upon arrival, Haswell and another officer discover a bottle of Robitussin in the man's pocket and he appears to be intoxicated. A quick inspection of the building and the officers find no broken windows nor any residents willing to say anything. The 31-year-old man is put in handcuffs and placed in the back of a police car. The call quickly turns to a detox call, which means its now the officers' duty to find somewhere to take the man for detoxification. In most cases, Bismarck police will attempt to contact a relative. In this case, the man is unresponsive to the officers' questions so he has nowhere to go except jail. Around 6:30 p.m., the officers are en route to Sanford Health to get him cleared to go to jail. Within minutes, they arrive at the hospitals emergency room and use a wheelchair to take him to the front lobby and check him in. He just needs to be cleared, Haswell tells the emergency room receptionist. Around 6:40 p.m., the man and Haswell are admitted to a room where a nurse checks his blood pressure, pulse and temperature. You been drinking today? the nurse asks the man in the wheelchair. No response. He tells the nurse hes diabetic. Where do you live? the nurse asks. Nowhere, he says. Are you homeless? No response. The man slumps in the wheelchair and eventually falls asleep. The nurse leaves the room and about 20 minutes later a doctor comes in, asking a series of similar questions. Haswell stands by in the room. Well just check his blood sugar and call it good, the doctor tells Haswell. About two hours after the call was made, the man is medically cleared by the doctor. Haswell gets a few papers and walks across the street to Burleigh County Detention Center to detox, a room, which smells of urine, at the jail with two mattresses on the floor. Hell spend eight hours there until he sobers up. Its sad, too, Haswell says upon leaving the jail. It sucks because theyre just in a bad spot. Nowhere to go There's a limited number of social or medical detox providers in Bismarck and the region, which mean law enforcement officers and jails are left responsible for a portion of the population that may be in need of treatment, rather than just a place to sober up. Now, law enforcement, jails, hospitals, public health units, human services and treatment providers in the region are looking at alternatives to a hospital and jail, which, in Bismarck, are undeniably overwhelmed by the numbers of intoxicated people. In Bismarck and the south central region of the state, referred to as Region 7, there are 35 licensed treatment substance use disorder providers, yet only two programs provide social detoxification services: West Central Human Service Center and Heartview Foundation. There's also no medical detox facility in Bismarck, and neither of the two hospitals in the city offer beds solely for medical detox. Looking for alternatives "We see this everywhere," said Theresa Lemus, a federal consultant with the U.S. Department of Humans Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, who added that North Dakota is not unique. Lemus and another federal consultant Marmie Schuster-Walker spent six months in the Bismarck-area gathering information about withdrawal and intoxication management services, formerly called detox, from service providers, law enforcement, public health, human services and other community-based organizations. The federal consultants provided a list of recommendations at a community withdrawal management meeting earlier this month, essentially stating the region needs to better think how to use its resources and create a facility where intoxicated people could go to detox and stay for treatment, if interested. Pam Sagness, director of North Dakota Department of Human Service's Behavioral Health Division, said the department identified a gap in the number of social or medical detox providers in the region more than a year ago and requested assistance from SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse and Treatment last year. After the meeting, several providers in the area, including Heartview, law enforcement and jail officials decided to look further at what can be done to avoid incarcerating intoxicated people who haven't committed any crimes. Burleigh County Detention Center has partnered with Heartview to create a voluntary Web-based portal inmates can use that directs them to services, including treatment programs. The portal was created under a federal grant and is in its beginning stages. It will work in conjunction with an initial screening or mental health questionnaire the county jail has been using the past two years. The initial screening will flag whether a person could use additional services, and then a second screening will identify the services needed, said Maj. Steve Hall. "It's a change of philosophy for county jails to do these kinds of things, because we've never had to do that in the past," said Burleigh County Sheriff Pat Heinert. "But in order to help people in today's world, we have to start looking at those kinds of things." Costly calls Detox calls are costly and time-consuming for law enforcement, hospitals and jails. Last year, the Bismarck Police Department spent $52,149 on calls for service regarding detox, each call averaging 58 minutes. Typically, two officers are required to respond to a report of an intoxicated person. In most cases, police officers are the first contact. "Who else are they going to call? It's our job basically to find them the services," said Deputy Chief Randy Ziegler, adding that nothing is solved when intoxicated individuals are jailed. "(Jail) is basically just a place for them to spend the night. They get kicked out in eight hours, and we haven't accomplished anything," he said. "It's been a revolving door for years." Limited options Emergency rooms at the local hospitals in Bismarck and Burleigh County Detention also are reporting substantial numbers of patients and inmates in need of detox. A spokeswoman from CHI St. Alexius Health said the highest occurrence the hospital's ER is seeing continues to be alcohol-related diagnoses, with an annual average over five years at about 207 primary cases. In addition, the hospital has seen meth abuse diagnoses raise seven times since 2011. Justin Reisenauer, an emergency medicine physician at Sanford Health, said the "top three players" he and other emergency physicians have seen ER patients take or abuse are alcohol, narcotics and meth. "Definitely we have a major epidemic of narcotic abuse here," Reisenauer said. Neither Sanford Health nor CHI St. Alexius Health have an inpatient detox program. At Sanford, when a patient comes in withdrawing and wants to get clean, "basically, we stabilize them and clear them from any emergent issues, and then they go home with family," Reisenauer said. Outpatient followup is done at one of three places, he said, either New Freedom Center, West Central Human Service Center or Heartview all depending on the patient's insurance. "I definitely think an inpatient detox center ... in collaboration with both (Bismarck) hospitals would be beneficial long overdue, for sure," said Reisenauer, who has been at Sanford for about five years. County struggles At Burleigh County Detention Center, the number of inmates staying at the jail only for detox or intoxication management are high, but appear to be going down in recent years, which Maj. Steve Hall said could be reflective of officers on the street attempting to find alternative places to bring these people. Last year, there were 432 inmates at the county jail for just intoxication management. On average, 36 withdrawing inmates a month, or about one a day. Most jails including Burleigh County aren't licensed to provide detoxification services. At Burleigh County, it's referred to as intoxication management. "The only thing we can do is watch them while they sober up," said Burleigh County Sheriff Pat Heinert. "We have no recourse to help them, treatment options, referral options." Jail officials hope, with the new portal to connect inmates to services, as well as the upcoming hiring of a mental health professional, some help will be offered to inmates with mental health and addiction issues. 'It's overwhelming' "It's overwhelming for jails and hospitals," said Kurt Snyder, executive director of Heartview, which has 12 residential beds and provides a social setting detox for residents. The facility has a two- to three-week-long waiting list, and 50 percent of its calls are coming from people in Williston, Dickinson and Minot, where services may be scarce. Bismarck is sometimes the closest place people can go for help, Snyder said. In some cases when beds are full, Heartview will transport patients to its facility in Cando, a couple hours away. In many instances, Heartview's facility in Bismarck is inaccessible to police officers. "A police officer can't access us for a social setting detox with someone at 9 at night," he said. "I don't have the staff or the ability to staff that way." "Part of the solution needs to be the addition of additional withdrawal management beds, without a doubt. Wherever that would be," Snyder said. Finding solutions In addition to a community detox center, some other potential solutions being looked at are a collaboration between state, local or private providers to develop more services. Also, offering training for police officers and creating some sort of screening assessment tool so they know where to bring a person who's intoxicated, whether that be a hospital or detox center. "(Training) would be so helpful for them," said Ziegler. Snyder agrees: "There needs to be some way to assess or a decision tree so that not everybody's going to jail," he said. "But then we have to have those options available, and right now there is no access." Advertisement Dramatic images have emerged showing the decomposing carcass of a giant dead whale on the beach at Dien Thinh village in the central coastal province of Nghe An in Vietnam. The images, taken on May 28, show two villagers walking past the whale corpse on a beach littered with rubbish. Two crane trucks were required to remove the dead whale from the beach, before it was reportedly buried a short time later by villagers, with its cause of death unknown. Villagers walk past the enormous carcass of a dead whale lying beached on the sand of Dien Thinh village in the central coastal province of Nghe An in Vietnam The whale, which is pictured lying amongst other rubbish on the sand, is said to be one of many found dead in the past five months One inquisitive man could be seen holding a light up against the ocean creature's carcass before it was dragged from the beach. Villagers needed to use an excavator to dig a hole large enough for the whale, which was wrapped in a large blue tarp before its burial. Vietnamese fishermen are said to consider whales as the Nam Hai (South Sea) God which protect and support them in their daily life and at sea. Local fisherman are reportedly concerned about the amount of whales that have been found either dead or stranded on Nghe An beaches over the past five months According to a report from Thanh Nien News, about 10 whales have been found either dead or stranded on Nghe An beaches over the past five months, raising concerns among fishermen. Early on Wednesday, Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper reported another whale weighing 15 tonnes had washed ashore in the same location. Local residents are said to have found the mammal alive, struggling to return to the ocean. More than 20 rescuers used two excavators to remove sand and help the beached whale return to the sea. Two crane-trucks are pictured pulling the corpse of a dead whale to a burial site on a beach at Dien Thinh village Local villagers are pictured using an excavator to bury the corpse of the dead whale on a beach at Dien Thinh identified and his family are yet to be told He has not been Police have launched a murder probe after man in his 30s was stabbed to death at a nightclubbing hotspot in north London. The unnamed man was attacked near Camden Underground station close to clubs and bars in the early hours of this morning. He was taken to hospital but died nearly an hour later. Police have launched a murder probe after man in his 30s was stabbed to death at a nightclubbing hotspot in north London. Pictured: Forensic officers placing evidence markers at the scene The unnamed man was attacked near Camden Underground station close to clubs and bars in the early hours of this morning. Pictured: Pubs and clubs close the incident The victim was taken to hospital but died nearly an hour later. Pictured: Camden underground station close to the attack Scotland Yard has launched a murder investigation but no arrests have been made. A police spokesperson said: 'Detectives have launched a murder investigation following a stabbing in Camden. 'Police were called at 3.46am on Sunday, 29 May to Camden High Street close to Greenland Road following reports of a man suffering a stab wound. 'Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended. 'The man, believed to be aged in his late 30s, was taken to a central London hospital where he died at 4.37am. 'Next of kin are yet to be informed; formal identification has not taken place. 'A post-mortem examination will be held in due course. 'Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating. Enquiries continue. There have been no arrests.' Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, said: 'I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Camden Town Underground Station or the high street at the time of the stabbing to contact police. 'Police were called at 3.46am on Sunday, 29 May to Camden High Street close to Greenland Road following reports of a man suffering a stab wound. Pictured: Forensic officers at the scene The police spokesman added: 'Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating. Enquiries continue. There have been no arrests.' Pictured: Camden Lock near the incident 'It is possible that you may have information that will help us establish what led to the murder. 'The area has a busy nightlife and I am certain that there are people who are yet to speak with officers and I would urge them to come forward. His wife Puja, 31, survived after the boat capsized in southern Thailand The body of Jason Parnell, 46, was found on rocks close to boat accident The body of a British father missing for four days after a speedboat crashed in southern Thailand was today found on rocks close to where the vessel went down. Jason Parnell, 46, was on the boat - which was carrying 32 tourists and four crew - that capsized on Thursday afternoon. His body was found trapped among the rock by Thai rescue workers who brought his body ashore using a rubber boat. Today's tragic discovery brings the death toll to four after the boat was hit by a wave near a rocky stretch of coast on Koh Samui, a popular island in the Gulf of Thailand. Today's tragic discovery brings the death toll to four after the boat was slammed by a wave near a rocky stretch of coast on Koh Samui, a popular island in the Gulf of Thailand and overturned Mr Parnell (pictured on his wedding day) was on romantic trip to celebrate his first wedding anniversary with his wife Puja, 31, (pictured) Mr Parnell, from Loughborough, Leicestershire, was on romantic trip to celebrate his first wedding anniversary with his wife Puja, 31. His wife managed to escape the stricken boat but British woman Monica O'Connor, 28, died in the accident alongside German Kafo Franeiska, 29, and 30-year-old Hong Kong national Trunk Laidka. The accident near the island threw all of the passengers overboard, trapping some under the ship's hull. Lieutenant General Ukhcarawath Sithanaubol said: 'Rescue workers found his body at 9:25am near the accident site. 'His body was trapped among the rock. Rescue workers are bringing his body ashore by rubber boat now and we have called off the search operation.' The boats that ferry tourists around Thailand's popular beaches are notoriously reckless and life vests are often in short supply. Speedboats are also often overcrowded as companies try to squeeze as much profit from each trip. Police have charged Thai captain, Sanan Seekakiaw, who drove the Angthong Discovery Tour boat with negligence leading to deaths and injuries, a crime that carries up to 10 years in prison. His body was found trapped among the rock by Thai rescue workers who brought his body ashore using a rubber boat Divers searched the area around where the boat capsized off the coast of southern Thailand on Thursday Thai rescuers found his body on rocks close to where the tragedy happened (left). A female doctor analysed the scene where his body was found (right) His body was found trapped among the rock by Thai rescue workers who brought his body ashore using a rubber boat Mrs Parnell and Mrs O'Connor's husband Tim are both believed to have escaped unharmed. The O'Connors were also on their honeymoon. The captain, Mr Seekakiaw, said he had asked all tourists to wear a life vest but that some had taken them off during the journey. Travel agent Amm Pontfuk, who has worked with Angthong Discovery for a number of years, said the boat had not left shore in the days preceding the accident due to rough conditions. She said: 'This company is the number one for my travel agency, I have sent the manager customers for years, I have known him a long time. 'He is very concerned and professional, normally in bad weather he doesn't go out - he did not go out for three days already - and yesterday he thought the weather was OK and that was why he went out. 'The wind blew very, very strong and it made the boat go under the waves and flip.' Although tourism remains a key source of income for Thailand, the kingdom's reputation as the 'Land of Smiles' has suffered in recent years amid a string of deadly bus and boat accidents, high profile crimes against foreigners and a decade of political instability. But visitors keep coming. A record high of nearly 30 million travelled to the kingdom in 2015, a number that has been boosted by a huge upswing in recent years by mainland Chinese tourists. Mrs O'Connor from Manchester, married new husband Tim in a 'beautiful' ceremony on May 7 - before leaving on what should have been the holiday of a lifetime. But the idyllic celebration turned into a nightmare when the couple's speedboat was struck by the 'big wave'. A heartbreaking photograph from the couple's wedding shows them holding hands underneath a cloud of pink blossom, while another shows the pair at the reception. Briton Monica O'Connor was on her honeymoon in Thailand with her new husband Tim when she was killed after a speedboat full of tourists capsized. Pictured, the couple on their wedding day on May 7 The pair had been married for less than three weeks when the tragic incident occurred, after the speedboat was struck by a 'big wave' off the island of Koh Samui Mrs O'Connor is one of at least two people killed in the crash, which saw the speedboat capsize and trap tourists underneath it. Pictured, the couple's pet Chow-chow Jasper during the wedding ceremony A third, taken before the ceremony, shows the couple's pet Chow-chow Jasper being prepared for his role of walking down the aisle. Mrs O'Connor, who earned an International Business degree from the University of Manchester, was working as a manager at Deloitte. Both Thailand's marine police and the company that owned the speedboat have confirmed the names of those killed and injured in the crash. Of the 33 passengers on board, there were eight Britons, nine Germans, four Australians, four Romanians, six Chinese and two from Thailand. A woman is put on a stretcher after being rescued when a speedboat carrying 32 tourists capsized near the Thai island of Koh Samui Foreign tourists receive medical attention after the speedboat capsized off Koh Samui, killing two people The boat was travelling from Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park when it was struck by the wave and capsized at 5pm local time. Video and pictures captured the desperate rescue operations by locals and Thai marine police who had to use a hammer to smash through the hull to rescue the trapped victims. Four tourists from the UK, Australia, Germany and Romania were taken to hospital on the island for treatment. One has a broken shoulder and another is being treated for a skull fracture. Rescue workers smash a hole in the hull to retrieve a woman trapped underneath the speedboat Two more suffered from a lack of oxygen and were being monitored for lung infections. The other British tourists on board are understood to have been released from hospital following treatment for any injuries. Apichart Boonsriro, the commander of Surat Thani provincial police, said: 'Weather was the cause of the accident because it created high waves, but the boat was also being driven at a high speed.' Sanan Seekakiaw, the Thai captain of the Ang Thong Explorer speedboat, has been detained and charged with negligence that led to deaths and injuries. He said he had asked all tourists to wear a life vest but that some had taken them off during the journey. But the province's governor only one of the deceased was found wearing a life jacket and called on authorities to 'strictly' enforce laws that require boat passengers to wear life vests. The regulation is rarely respected on the notoriously reckless speed boats that ferry tourists around Thailand's famed beaches and often lack an adequate supply of life vests. 'If tourists refuse to wear [life vests] then crew should not allow them onto the boat,' said the governor, Wongsiri Phromchana. Travel agent Amm Pontfuk, who has worked with Ang Thong Discovery for a number of years, said the boat had not been out on the water in recent days due to rough conditions. She said: 'This company is the number one for my travel agency, I have sent the manager customers for years, I have known him a long time. 'He is very concerned and professional, normally in bad weather he doesn't go out. Foreign tourists are rescued by Thai marine police officers and rescuers after their speedboat capsized when it was hit by a 'big wave' while travelling from Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park at 5pm local time yesterday A woman gestures after she was rescued from a capsized boat on Koh Samui The Samui District chief and the hospital director visit a woman who was injured when the speedboat capsized Four tourists from the UK, Australia, Germany and Romania were taken to hospital on the island for treatment. Pictured, one of the patients is visited in hospital by Thai officials Tourists cling to the upturned hull as the speedboat is pulled to shore by rescuers. Those on board are thought to be a mixture of British, German, Romanian and Chinese citizens A British woman has been killed in Thailand after a speedboat packed with foreign tourists capsized near the island of Koh Samui. Two tourists are missing and 21 have been injured, seven seriously 'He did not go out for three days already and yesterday he thought the weather was OK and that was why he went out. 'The wind blew very, very strong and it made the boat go under the waves and flip.' Local media report many victims were rescued by a passing speedboat, while others were forced to wait for a rescue vessel. Another British national was injured in the accident near popular tourist island of Koh Samui The speedboat was heading back to Koh Samui after a day trip to a marine park when it was hit by a wave The German Embassy in Bangkok was not available to comment. Tourism is a key source of revenue for Thailand, but accidents involving tourists are common in a country where safety regulations are often weakly enforced. In recent years the kingdom's reputation as a tourist haven has been tarnished by bus and boat accidents, political violence and crimes against foreigners. In January a speedboat struck and instantly killed a French tourist while she was snorkelling in waters reserved for swimmers off a Thai island in Krabi province. The capsized speedboat was pictured floating off the shore. It appears that a line had been attached to it to pull it ashore or stop it from floating off A woman migrant was decapitated in a horrific accident as a boat carrying 500 people started to sink in the Mediterranean. The vessel, which had no engine, was being towed by another smuggling boat - also with hundreds on board - when it started to take on water off the south coast of Italy on Thursday. Survivors of the disaster, which claimed more than 500 lives, have told of horrific scenes as refugees started to panic and jump into the sea. Others told how the Sudanese captain of the first boat then cut the tow rope which snapped back and decapitated a woman - though it is not clear which of the two boats she was on. The second boat quickly sank, taking those packed tightly into the hold down with it. The tragedy happened as it emerged that more than 700 migrants - including 40 children - have been killed in shipwreck disasters in under a week. Hundreds drowned between Wednesday and Friday when their boats all overturned off southern Italy, according to the UN refugee agency. More than 700 migrants have been killed in shipwreck disasters in under a week. A boat is seen capsizing on Wednesday Hundreds drowned between Wednesday and Friday when their boats all overturned off southern Italy, according to the UN refugee agency Describing Thursday's shipwreck, Carlotta Sami, the spokeswoman for the UN's refugee agency UNHRC, said: 'We'll never know the exact number, we'll never know their identity, but survivors tell that over 500 human beings died.' Giovanna Di Benedetto, Save the Children's spokesperson in Sicily, told AFP it was impossible to verify the numbers involved but survivors of Thursday's wreck spoke of around 1,100 people setting out from Libya on Wednesday in two fishing boats and a dinghy. 'The first boat, carrying some 500 people, was reportedly towing the second, which was carrying another 500. But the second boat began to sink. Some people tried to swim to the first boat, others held onto the rope linking the vessels,' she said. The Sudanese captain was arrested on his arrival in Pozzallo along with three other suspected people traffickers, Italian media reports said. 'We tried everything to stop the water, to bail it out of the boat,' a Nigerian girl told cultural mediators, according to La Stampa daily. 'We used our hands, plastic glasses. For two hours we fought against the water but it was useless. It began to flood the boat, and those below deck had no chance. Women, men, children, many children, were trapped, and drowned,' she said. One survivor from Eritrea, 21-year-old Filmon Selomon, told The Associated Press that water started seeping into the second boat after three hours of navigation, and that the migrants tried vainly to get the water out of the sinking boat. A woman is helped by medical staff abroad the Italian Navy vessel Vega at the Reggio Calabria harbour, southern Italy today The Italian Navy ship 'Vega' arrives with more than 600 migrants and refugees this afternoon 'It was very hard because the water was coming from everywhere. We tried for six hours after which we said it was not possible anymore,' he said through an interpreter. He jumped into the water and swam to the other boat before the tow line on the navigable boat was cut to prevent it from sinking when the other went down. A 17-year-old Eritrean, Mohammed Ali Imam, who arrived five days ago in another rescue, said one of the survivors told him that the second boat started taking on water when the first boat ran out of fuel. In 2014 and 2015, more than 320,000 boat migrants arrived on Italian shores, and an estimated 7,000 died in the Mediterranean as they sought to reach Europe, according to the International Organization for Migration. Before today's estimate that 700 may have died this week, the IOM previously believed about 1,200 had died so far this year. Last year 4,000 migrants died in the Mediterranean. Rescuers help a woman to safety. Some 70 dinghies and 10 boats had set off over the past week - over 15 a day A bout of good weather as summer arrives has kicked off a fresh stream of boats attempting to make the perilous crossing from Libya to Italy Italy's Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Saturday that Europe needed 'a quick agreement with Libya and African countries' to halt the crisis Those who survived told mediators the dead included 'around 40 children, including many newborns', La Repubblica daily said. 'I saw my mother and 11-year old sister die,' Kidane from Eritrea, 13, told the aid organisations. 'There were bodies everywhere'. Just 25 people survived the Thursday's disaster - 79 others were rescued by patrol boats and 15 bodies were recovered. Carlotta Sami, spokeswoman for UNHCR, added that an estimated 100 people are still missing from a smugglers' boat that was lost on Wednesday. Sami said 45 more bodies were recovered from a shipwreck Friday and many more are reported missing. A bout of good weather as summer arrives has kicked off a fresh stream of boats attempting to make the perilous crossing from Libya to Italy. Italian news agency Ansa said some 70 dinghies and 10 boats had set off over the past week - more than 15 a day. Italy's Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Saturday that Europe needed 'a quick agreement with Libya and African countries' to halt the crisis. The chaos in the North African country since Muammar Gaddafi's fall in 2011 has been exploited by people traffickers. Migrants are seen on a partially submerged boat before being rescued in the Southern Central Mediterranean off the coast of Libya Italian navy and coastguard officials have attended a series of shipwrecks in the last week as people make increasingly desperate attempts to cross the Mediterranean Migrants interviewed by La Repubblica in Sicily told the daily a new 'head trafficker' called Osama had taken control of departures from Libya's beaches and was offering 'cut-price' deals of 400 euros for the boat journey to lure in new customers. 'I was held captive for six months in a basement of an abandoned building in Sabratha. I saw many people executed, those who tried to escape were killed by the guards, who were all Libyans,' a Nigerian migrant told the newspaper. European Parliament President Martin Schulz said in an interview with the Italian daily on Sunday that Italy's 'migration compact' idea was 'the best proposal so far' for stopping the boat crossings and preventing deaths. Italy wants to persuade African countries to help close migrant routes to Europe and take back some of those arriving via Libya in exchange for increased aid and investment. Germany has made it clear, however, that it is against one of the elements of Italy's plan: the issuing of EU-Africa bonds to finance it. It comes after it emerged that 668 migrants were saved from boats in distress in the Mediterranean off Libya on Saturday. Hundreds of migrants have been killed in a matter of days after the smuggling boats they were on capsized Under a European Union deal, tens of thousands of those rescued at sea and seeking asylum were supposed to be relocated to other EU nations from Italy and Greece, whose shores have received most of the migrants in recent years The rescues are the latest by a multi-national patrol south of Sicily that has saved thousands this week They were rescued by Italian coast guard and navy ships, aided by Irish and German vessels and humanitarian organisations, Italian and Irish officials said. The rescues are the latest by a multi-national patrol south of Sicily that has saved thousands this week. The Irish military said the vessel Le Roisin, deployed earlier this month in the humanitarian search and rescue mission, saved 123 migrants from a 12-metre-long dinghy and recovered a male body. A German ship, part of the EU Navfor Med deployment on patrol for migrant smugglers' boats, was also involved in what was a total of four separate rescue operations, the Italian coast guard said. Meanwhile, with migrant shelters filling up in Sicily, the Italian navy vessel Vega headed toward Reggio Calabria, a southern Italian mainland port, taking 135 survivors, along with 45 bodies, from a rescue a day earlier. The Vega was due to dock on Sunday. Under a European Union deal, tens of thousands of those rescued at sea and seeking asylum were supposed to be relocated to other EU nations from Italy and Greece, whose shores have received most of the migrants in recent years. Treatment: A migrant lies on a stretcher as he is disembarked from Italian navy ship 'Bettica' in the Sicilian harbour of Porto Empedocle, Italy on Thursday More than 650 migrants were saved from boats in distress in the Mediterranean off Libya on Saturday. A woman is pictured carrying a baby after being rescued on Thursday But with resentment building in some European countries about taking in migrants, the plan never really took off, and only a small percentage have actually been moved. At the Vatican on Saturday, Pope Francis told several hundred children, among them many migrants, who came from the Italian south to see him, that migrants 'aren't a danger but they are in danger'. The pontiff held a red life vest, given to him recently by a volunteer, and told the children it was the vest used by a Syrian girl who died while trying to reach the Greek island of Lesbos. 'She's in heaven, she's watching us,' Francis told his young audience. Among those in the audience was a Nigerian youth, who lost his parents in 2014 as the family tried to reach Italy by sea. Horrified commuters who escaped a bus moments before it burst into a ball of flames and exploded have revealed they 'thought a bomb had gone off'. Passengers had been travelling from Wilford to Nottingham city centre when smoke billowed around their feet and a hissing noise was followed by a deafening explosion. Stunned onlookers captured video of flames encasing the burnt out chassis of the number two bus. Passengers had been travelling to Nottingham city centre when smoke billowed around their feet and a hissing noise was followed by a deafening explosion Since the freak incident the quick-thinking driver has been hailed a hero for evacuating passengers before the massive explosion. Firefighters were called to the scene on Farnborough Road in Clifton, at around 6pm on Friday and two crews managed to extinguish the blaze in just 10 minutes. A Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman confirmed that no one had been injured in the explosion. Passenger Rhean Smith, 19, said: 'We started hearing the clutch make some awful noises but the bus driver said everything was OK. 'But when we got to Clifton, I said to the man next to me, we need to get off this bus now. 'I am just in shock. When we got off, there was a hissing noise then a big bang. 'We thought a bomb had gone off. If I hadn't said we need to get off now, we could have been inside.' Charlotte Betts, who lives next to where the bus caught fire, said: 'The bus driver got all his passengers off - he potentially saved all their lives. Firefighters were called to the scene on Farnborough Road in Clifton and two crews managed to extinguish the blaze in just 10 minutes 'We ran up the road, just really scared, to get out the way. 'To be honest I was petrified because all I could think of was if it explodes, I've got my baby, and he's only six months - it was really, really scary. Jamie Tarbert, a security guard from a nearby supermarket, said: 'If anybody had been caught on it or stuck on the bus it would have been very serious. 'Everyone was running around going pretty mad and then it literally set on fire and blew up right on front of everyone. 'Apparently the bus driver got all of them off in time luckily enough.' Mother-of-two Lisa Whitehead lives opposite the bus stop and said her whole house shook after the explosion. The 30-year-old, who works at Capital One, said: 'I'd just got out of the shower when I heard a knock at the door. Horrified commuters who escaped the bus moments before it burst into a ball of flames revealed they 'thought a bomb had gone off' 'The person asked me if my car was parked near the bus stop and told me to move it because there was smoke coming out of a bus. 'It belonged to my neighbour, who has a six-month-old baby. I looked after her child while she moved the car. 'A second after my neighbour came back, we heard a massive explosion - it shook the entire house. It was terrifying. 'We had to get out of the house because there was so much smoke. We could feel the heat when we opened the front door. There was thick black smoke everywhere. 'I was in complete shock. It was awful. I have asthma, I couldn't breathe so I was just running for my life to get away from it all.' Marius Kalinauskas, 32, who lives in Farnborough Road, said: 'My wife was on her way back from work and she called me and told me there was a bus on fire. 'I looked out of my window and there was lots and lots of smoke.' The quick-thinking driver has been hailed a hero for evacuating passengers before the massive explosion Nottingham City Transport is launching a full investigation to find out what caused the bus fire. A spokeswoman for Nottingham City Transport said: 'The driver acted quickly and got everybody off as soon as he realised there was any danger. 'We are really proud of what he did. His primary concern is to make sure his passengers are safe, which is what he did. The bus will go back to the depot for a full investigation into what caused the fire. A bag of pork sausages was thrown over a fence into a mosque, in what police have described as a 'hate crime'. The pig remains were chucked into the grounds of Finsbury Pak Mosque in London - where hate preacher Abu Hamza once held prayers on the street after he and his followers were booted out. Police released a CCTV image of a man who they wish to speak to in connection with the incident, which took place around 2am on Thursday. The man was wearing a beanie hat and rain jacket and he appeared to have a well-grown beard. Police released a CCTV image of a man (pictured) who they wish to speak to in connection with the incident, which took place around 2am on Thursday Mosque chairman Mohammed Kozbar told the Islington Tribune: 'This is really quite offensive to us. We are taking it very seriously.' Mr Kozbar said: 'We want to put a very strong message out there that we will not put up with this. We want to see this guy prosecuted and behind bars. 'Ramadan is coming up soon and we will be very busy we have to deal with this.' Detective Inspector Ralph Coates of Islington Community Safety Unit said: 'We take hate crime extremely seriously as we know how destructive these offences can be, both to individuals and to communities. 'I would urge anyone who recognises this man or has any information that will help the investigation to contact police.' The pig remains were chucked into the grounds of Finsbury Pak Mosque in London (pictured) A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: 'Police in Islington are appealing for the public's help to identify a man they wish to speak to in connection with a religiously aggravated hate crime. 'The offence happened at about 2am on Thursday, May 26, at Finsbury Park Mosque on St Thomas's Road, Finsbury Park. 'A bag of meat was thrown over the surrounding fence towards the mosque.' In November last year, a man set fire to a jerry can of petrol and threw it into the grounds of the mosque. The mother of Johnny Depp's two children Vanessa Paradis has insisted the actor is 'sensitive and loving' and dismissed Amber Heard's domestic violence claims. The French actress, who shares Lily Rose, 17, and Jack, 14, with Depp - wrote a letter that branded Heard's claims 'outrageous'. She continued: 'In all the years I have known Johnny, he has never been physically abusive with me and this looks nothing like the man I lived with for 14 wonderful years.' Vanessa Paradis has insisted the actor is 'sensitive and loving' and dismissed Amber Heard's domestic violence claims Paradis, who went out with Depp from 1998 to 2012, said in a note obtained by TMZ that he was 'the father of my children and is a sensitive, loving and loved person'. Paradis' view of Depp agrees with that of his ex-wife Lori Anne Allison, who also said he was never physical with her and called him a 'soft person'. The news comes as Heard filed for divorce from Depp earlier this week. She said she has been the victim of at least three domestic abuse incidents in the past six months at the hands of Johnny Depp. Depp's teenage daughter ily-Rose Depp has also indicated her support for her father following claims he was violent towards estranged wife Amber. The 17-year-old model did not directly address the allegations, instead posting a childhood picture on Instagram. She wrote: 'My dad is the sweetest most loving person I know, he's been nothing but a wonderful father to my little brother and I, and everyone who knows him would say the same.' Miss Paradis issued a handwritten letter calling Miss Heards claims outrageous. The mother of Depps two children Lily-Rose, 17, and Jack, 14 described him as a sensitive, loving and loved person Amber Heard (pictured in court on Friday) filed for divorce from him and claimed she has been the victim of at least three domestic abuse incidents in the past six months at the hands of Johnny Depp In court documents, where she details the alleged violence during their 15-month marriage, Heard said she 'lived in fear' of the Pirates of the Caribbean star and the idea he could return to the L.A. condominium they shared to 'terrorize me physically and emotionally.' The actress and her lawyer Samantha Spector appeared at the Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles on Friday, where she filed for a domestic violence restraining order. Depp was not in court for the filing. Instead, the star was playing with his band - the Hollywood Vampires - at the Rock in Rio Lisboa festival. The first incident she documents in the court files is said to have occurred on her 30th birthday, on April 21 this year, after Depp turned up late to the gathering at their Broadway home 'inebriated and high.' Depp's teenage daughter ily-Rose Depp has also indicated her support for her father following claims he was violent towards estranged wife Amber The 17-year-old model did not directly address the allegations, instead posting a childhood picture on Instagram, saying: 'My dad is the sweetest most loving person I know, he's been nothing but a wonderful father to my little brother and I' After the guests left, she said they began to disagree about his late arrival which 'deteriorated into a bad argument'. In the declaration, she said Depp threw a magnum size bottle of champagne at the wall and 'a wine glass on me, and the floor, both which shattered.' 'Johnny then grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me onto the bed, blocking the bedroom door. He them grabbed me by the hair and violently shoved me to the floor. 'Johnny was also screaming and threatening me, taunting me to stand up. After several minutes, Johnny stormed out of the condominium, but not before tossing aside and breaking nearly everything in his path. 'I did not see Johnny again for another month.' The French actress, who shares Lily Rose, 17, and Jack, 14, with Depp - wrote a letter that branded Heard's claims 'outrageous' A representative for Depp said in a statement on Thursday; 'Given the brevity of this marriage and the most recent and tragic loss of his mother, Johnny will not respond to any of the salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies about his personal life. 'Hopefully the dissolution of this short marriage will be resolved quickly.' Heard was ultimately granted a temporary order by the judge, who ruled that Depp must remain at least 100 yards away from Heard until their next hearing, which is scheduled for late June. She was also granted the right to live in the family home, but failed in her bid for sole custody of one of the couple's dogs. In court documents, where she details the alleged violence during their 15-month marriage, Heard said she 'lived in fear' of the Pirates of the Caribbean star and the idea he could return to the L.A. condominium they shared to 'terrorize me physically and emotionally' Almost 100 killers, rapists and paedophiles who were given life sentences by judges have been released - only to be jailed for life again. In the last decade, 95 criminals have been let out on parole but have gone on to commit horrific crimes which have resulted in another life sentence. The shocking figures include 13 violent criminals who were locked up for a second time in 2015. It means innocent victims have been killed, raped and abused by convicted criminals that the parole board considered were safe to re-enter society. Murderer Paul O'Hara, 42, (left) became a double-lifer when he murdered his girlfriend Cherylee Shennanm (right), 40, a year after being released for killing his previous partner The Daily Star reports more than 30 killers have been released before going on to commit murder over the past 15 years, including 12 since 2007. Indeed, some of the 'double-lifers' have committed their second offence while still serving their original sentence in prison. However, many were free after being released when they carried out the other crime which resulted in a second life sentence. The horrifying revelations question whether the criminal justice system is tough enough and whether inmates are released too early. Figures from the Ministry of Justice highlight how two rapists were who were released from jail in the last year went on to carry out further sex attacks. Meanwhile, a rapist that attacked a child was freed after serving his life sentence but committed a similar offence on another youngster after being released. Another criminal jailed for life for an attempted murder charge was re-sentenced to life last year after being convicted of manslaughter. Murderer Paul O'Hara, 42, became a 'double-lifer' when he murdered his girlfriend a year after being released for killing his previous partner. Douglas Vinter (left) knifed his wife Ann White to death after kidnapping her and holding her hostage at his mother's house. Convicted murderer Andrew Dawson (right) was given a life sentence in 1982 after admitting the murder of 91-year-old Henry Walsh in his flat at Ormskirk, Lancashire O'Hara attacked Cherylee Shennan at her home in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, while she reported his domestic abuse to two police officers. He attacked the former beautician with a hammer, 40, before turning on the police officers as they tried to intervene. The murder occurred two years after OHara had been freed on licence having served 14 years of a life sentence for murdering his former girlfriend Janine Waterhouse, 20, in 1998. On that occasion he ambushed Miss Waterworth as she was waiting for a bus and repeatedly stabbed her. Another criminal, Douglas Vinter, knifed his wife Ann White to death after kidnapping her and holding her hostage at his mother's house. At the time, he was on licence after serving 10 years for murdering his workmate Carl Edon, 22, by stabbing him to death in a railway workers' cabin in 2005. Convicted murderer Andrew Dawson was given a life sentence in 1982 after admitting the murder of 91-year-old Henry Walsh in his flat at Ormskirk, Lancashire. But within weeks of his release in 2010, he stabbed John Matthews and Paul Hancock to death in separate attacks, before leaving their bodies in their bathtubs in Derby. Criminal George Johnson, who murdered Gerald Homer in 1986 for just 3, was freed in 2006 and five years later he battered to death 89-year-old widow Florence Habesch for 25 as she made a cup of tea. Conservative MP Philip Davies, said: 'These figures bring home starkly the consequences of soft justice, and of letting dangerous criminals out of prison' Conservative MP Philip Davies, said: 'These figures bring home starkly the consequences of soft justice, and of letting dangerous criminals out of prison. 'Here we see murderers let out to murder again and rapists let out to rape again. All of these victims were completely unnecessary victims of crime. It is a scandal.' He added that members of the parole board who allowed the inmates to be released should hang their heads in shame'. A spokesman for the Parole Board, said: 'The Parole Board is always extremely concerned to learn if a life sentence prisoner that it has released has committed a serious further offence, and deeply regrets the pain and anguish this causes victims. 'The Parole Board conducts just under 25,000 reviews each year and would want to ensure that all those released do not go on to commit serious further offences. 'Unfortunately, there are rare occasions when offenders go on to commit such offences. 'Whilst this represents a small proportion of cases considered, we do take each such case extremely seriously.' A passenger in an unregistered ute driven by a 15-year-old girl has died after it crashed into a pole on a dirt road in Victoria's west on Sunday. The teenager was driving along Mackichan Lane, an unsealed road off the Hamilton Highway in Penshurst, about 300km west of Melbourne. Police said the 15-year-old lost control and hit a pole. A 15-year-old girl was driving along Mackichan Lane (pictured), an unsealed road off the Hamilton Highway in Penshurst, about 300km west of Melbourne, when she crashed into a pole The passenger of the ute, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene, while the driver was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The girl has been airlifted to a Melbourne hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A police spokesperson said on Sunday: 'Police and emergency services are currently on scene following a fatal crash at Penshurst this afternoon. The passenger of the ute, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene, while the driver was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital with non-life threatening injuries 'Its believed an unregistered utility was travelling south along Mackichan Lane when it lost control and struck a pole on the west side of the road about 1.30pm.' Police said Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives were en route to the scene. Investigations into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing. Shoppers were evacuated from a department store after an employee mistook a 'ticking' security tag for a bomb. A worker raised the alarm at John Lewis department store at Liverpool One, in Liverpool city centre after hearing the ticking noise - which turned out to be a faulty security tag an irritated shop worker had wrapped up in clothes to muffle the noise. Four police vans and four police cars raced to the scene on Saturday with sniffer dogs and an Army bomb disposal robot destroyed the tag in a controlled explosion. Scroll down for video Shoppers were evacuated from a John Lewis in Liverpool after an employee mistook a 'ticking' security tag for a bomb Now Merseyside Police have revealed there was no terrorist bomb - but instead a faulty clothes security tag that was making a ticking noise. A police spokesman said: 'The object has been found to be an electronic security tag which had been malfunctioning and emitting a loud ticking sound. Four police vans and four police cars (right) raced to the scene with sniffer dogs, and a cordon (left) was placed around the bustling shopping centre One hour later, a small bang was heard from inside the building after an Army bomb disposal robot entered 'A staff member wrapped and taped the tag up to muffle the noise but had not notified colleagues what it was or why it was there. 'When the item was discovered its appearance and sound caused concerns and a staff member alerted emergency services and self-evacuated the store. 'The device was established as being safe and no further action was necessary.' A John Lewis spokesman said: 'A broken electronic security device which had been wrapped up was mistaken for a suspicious item. 'The team followed our robust security measures by calling the police.' The shop on South John Street in the Liverpool One complex was closed for about four hours. Nearby roads were closed and buses to and from Liverpool One bus station on Canning Place were diverted. The shop on South John Street in the Liverpool One complex was closed for about four hours Merseyside Police have revealed there was no terrorist bomb - but instead a faulty clothes security tag that was making a ticking noise A witness took to Twitter to comment wryly: 'An elderly couple just walked past me having to take a big detour from bus station to Liverpool 1 & said 'ridiculous - a pain in the bomb'' David Richards said: 'Liverpool One John Lewis shut down today bomb squad the full hit even had the bomb robot out' Harry Doyle, added: 'Disruption everywhere... suspect package in John Lewis Liverpool'. Meanwhile a user going by the handle @vanbird tweeted a shot of the scene and said: 'Bomb scare in John Lewis! As if the tape will stop it?' Nearby roads were closed and buses to and from Liverpool One bus station on Canning Place were diverted The shop on South John Street in the Liverpool One complex was closed for about four hours. Nearby roads were closed and buses to and from Liverpool One bus station on Canning Place were diverted. It is just the latest panicking false alarm security scare to hit the UK in recent weeks - after recent years of ISIS-backed terror raids in France and Belgium. Last Wednesday a man broke his arm diving out of the Costa Coffee shop having mistaken schoolchildren shouting and banging trays for a terror attack. The man was among many customers thrown into panic during the disturbance with people upstairs reported to have 'freaked out' when they heard shouting and several 'gunshot-like' bangs. Eye witnesses said the man, believing the premises to be under siege, clambered out of one the front windows head-first before running to a nearby bank to call for help. Similarly, Intu Victoria Centre in Nottingham was evacuated and the Army bomb disposal team brought in after a 'suspicious package' was found. Hundreds of shoppers were escorted out at around 11.25am on Sunday after an unattended suitcase was found near the Trinity Square entrance raised the alarm. A loud bang was heard from within the centre at about 3.20pm following shouts from the Army bomb disposal team inside. It is not clear what was exploded in the controlled operation, and residents above the building remained stranded at 4.30 pm. In a similar situation, Intu Victoria Centre in Nottingham (pictured) was evacuated and the Army bomb disposal team brought in after a 'suspicious package' was found A Nottinghamshire Police spokesman said: 'Nottingham's Victoria Centre has been evacuated following the discovery of a suspicious package. 'Nottinghamshire Police were called just before 11.25am today following the discovery in the Centre's Upper Mall. 'Security staff evacuated the centre and a police cordon remains in place while officers and partners investigate the discovery to bring the incident to a swift and safe conclusion.' Terrified residents living above the evacuated shopping centre were left stranded in the building - after they weren't told about the bomb scare. Mark Giles, who lives in flats about the Victoria Centre, said: 'My daughter gave me a ring to see if I was okay after she saw the news but nobody had even told us it was happening. 'I tried to go out to go to the pub and a policewoman stopped me and said no one could come out until the bomb disposal unit had checked it out. 'It's ridiculous that we are stuck in here and no one told us what was going on.' A loud bang was heard from within the centre at about 3.20pm following shouts from the Army bomb disposal team inside It is not clear what was exploded in the controlled operation, and residents above the building remained stranded at 4.30 pm And a 32-year-old resident, who lives on the 14th floor overlooking the Clocktower entrance and does not wish to be named, said: 'We have not been advised of anything at all. We have got an intercom system but nothing has been notified to us. 'I've tried to leave the flats, but the lifts have all been turned off.' He said he rang the data control department at the centre and was told that it had been evacuated due to suspicious suitcases and that residents are not to leave the flats at all. Hundreds of shoppers were escorted out at around 11.25am on Sunday after an unattended suitcase was found near the Trinity Square entrance raised the alarm He added: 'I have requested an evacuation route but they said we are to remain. 'I can't get out whatsoever. At the moment I feel I'm currently in danger.' The man claimed he rang Nottinghamshire Police, but was told that if the package had the ability to cause any structural damage then residents would have been evacuated. He says he was also told that the centre could not ring residents as the electricity required may affect the operation. He added: 'I have expressed how scared I am. Even if there's not a risk, I still don't want to be in here. Brian Simon Harrison posted on our Facebook page: 'The tenants in the 450 flats above aren't evacuated yet again! It's disgraceful. I was only aware as I came out of the lift into an empty shopping centre.' The Iraqi army is preparing for a final assault to retake Fallujah from ISIS as jihadists continue to hold 50,000 civilians hostage amid fierce fighting. Hundreds of residents have fled the extremist stronghold with Iraqi forces surrounding the city and on the verge of launching a new offensive today. A troop build-up has been completed around Fallujah with the last battalion having arrived at dawn today at the sprawling Tariq Camp. Scroll down for video A member of the Iraqi security forces fires a rocket against the backdrop of explosions during clashes with ISIS militants near Fallujah Imminent attack: Fallujah, about 40 miles west of Baghdad, is one of the last major ISIS strongholds in Iraq Heavily armed elite forces wait for their orders to advance ahead of the offensive. It is not yet clear when the attack will be launched Iraqi pro-government forces evacuate a wounded comrade in al-Sejar village in Iraq's Anbar province, on the boundaries of Fallujah as they take part in a major assault to retake the city Major Dhia Thamir, of the Special Forces Service, said troops have recaptured 80 percent of the territory around the city since the operation began a week ago. He declined to reveal the exact timing of the expected assault. But the overall commander of the Fallujah operation, Abdelwahab al-Saadi, said Saturday it was a matter of hours before the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) entered the city. The week-old operation has so far focused on retaking villages and rural areas around the city, which lies only 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Baghdad. 'I won't tell you hours but the breach of Fallujah will happen very soon,' Hadi al-Ameri, a senior commander in the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force, told Iraqi television. CTS's involvement will mark the beginning of a phase of urban combat in Fallujah, a city where US forces in 2004 fought some of their toughest battles since the Vietnam War. The jihadists were also under pressure from Kurdish fighters east of their northern Iraqi stronghold Mosul and from US-backed Kurdish-led fighters in Syria. Elite Iraqi troops were poised Sunday to assault one of the Islamic State group's most emblematic bastions, Fallujah, as the jihadists counterattacked in both Iraq and neighbouring Syria Smoke billows on the front line near Hasan Sham village, some 45 kilometres east of the city of Mosul The 'peshmerga-led ground offensive, backed by international coalition warplanes' started before dawn Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces carry a wounded comrade during an operation near Hasan Sham village A huge Iraqi security forces convoy advabecs on the road toward the centre of Fellujah Iraqi security forces, advancing towards Fellujah, clear one of the tunnels built by ISIS fighters in the city Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region announced Sunday the launch of a pre-dawn offensive involving 5,500 peshmerga fighters to retake an area on the road between its capital Arbil and Mosul. 'This is one of the many shaping operations expected to increase pressure on ISIS in and around Mosul in preparation for an eventual assault on the city,' the Kurdistan Region Security Council said in a statement. In Syria, Kurdish rebels from the People's Protection Units (YPG) allied to Arab fighters and backed both on the ground and in the air by the US-led coalition, were targeting Raqqa, ISIS's de-facto Syrian capital. ISIS countered in both countries where they declared their 'caliphate' in 2014, attacking non-jihadist rebels in Syria as well as the Iraqi town of Heet, which was recaptured by the army just last month. 'An attack by Daesh (ISIS) terrorists on several parts of Heet was thwarted... Now the whole area is under control,' the Joint Operations Command said in a statement. It said coalition aircraft targeted ISIS forces during the attack and added that pockets of jihadists remained. Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces gather ahead of an operation to re-take the ISIS-held City of Fallujah On stand-by: The elite fighters were called in ahead of an expected final assault on the ISIS held city Preperations: Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces clean their weapons ahead of the operation Hundreds of residents have managed to flee the extremist stronghold with Iraqi forces surrounding the city and on the verge of launching a new offensive today ISIS has been losing ground around their strongholds in Mosul and Fallujah in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria 'Daesh attacked Heet to ease the pressure on their fighters inside Fallujah, especially following the announcement that CTS had arrived,' the statement said. In northern Syria, the jihadists have launched an offensive against the towns of Marea and Azaz that threatens to overrun the last swathe of territory in the east of Aleppo province held by non-jihadist rebels. It would also bring ISIS to the doorstep of the Kurdish enclave of Afrin. As the fighting raged on multiple fronts, civilians were once again bearing the brunt of the conflict. At least 29 civilians have been killed since ISIS launched the assault in Aleppo province early on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. More than 6,000 civilians fled into the countryside, it said. Northwest of Azaz, a senior nurse said late Saturday that a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) was closed except for emergencies. A troop buildup has been completed around Fallujah with the last battalion having arrived at dawn today at the sprawling Tariq Camp Major Dhia Thamir, of the Special Forces Service, said troops have recaptured 80 percent of the territory around the city since the operation began a week ago Iraqi commander, Abdelwahab al Saadi, told al jazeera: 'These forces will break into Fallujah in the next few hours to liberate it from Daesh' The Iraqi army is preparing for a final assault to retake Fallujah from ISIS as jihadists continue to hold 50,000 civilians hostage amid fierce fighting MSF said on Friday that it was evacuating patients and staff from the hospital in Salamah town as it was just three kilometres (two miles) from the front line. In Iraq, only a few hundred families managed to slip out of the Fallujah area, with an estimated 50,000 people still trapped inside the city proper. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, around 2,200 people have managed to escape the Fallujah area since Iraqi forces launched their operation on May 22-23. 'We are receiving hundreds of displaced Iraqis from the outskirts of Fallujah who are totally exhausted, afraid and hungry,' said Nasr Muflahi, NRC's Iraq director. The offensive comes after the US-led coalition pounded terrorist outposts. The extremist group still controls territory in the country's north and west, including Mosul, Iraq's second largest city Iraq's counter-terrorism service (CTS) reach al-Sejar village in Iraq's Anbar province, on the boundaries of Fallujah An estimated 50,000 civilians remained trapped in Fallujah city as well as twice that number along Syria's border with Turkey as a result of an ISIS sweep near Aleppo ISIS fighters holed up in Fallujah are believed to number around 1,000 and while the myriad forces involved in the operation have moved closer, none have yet entered the city proper Mourners carry the coffin an Iraqi soldier, who was killed during the assault to retake the city of Fallujah Among the terrorists killed, was the area's commander, Maher Al-Bilawi, who was one of 70 jihadis killed in the airstrikes. Colonel Steve Warren, spokesman for the US-led coalition said the terrorists 'are holding the civilian population captive so that they can hide behind them'. In a weekly update of operations across Iraq and Syria, Warren said: 'We've killed more than 70 enemy fighters, including Maher Al-Bilawi, who is the commander of ISIL forces in Fallujah.' Warren said the Al-Bilawi commander was killed two days ago while an Iraqi officer and a local official had reported his death last week. Tens of thousands of Iraqi forces launched an offensive to retake Fallujah, one of only two major Iraqi cities still controlled by ISIS, the other being Mosul. ISIS fighters holed up in Fallujah are believed to number around 1,000 and while the myriad forces involved in the operation have moved closer, none have yet entered the city proper. Fallujah is one of the terror group's most important bastions. Tens of thousands of Iraqi forces on May 22-23 launched an offensive to retake Fallujah, one of only two major Iraqi cities still controlled by ISIS, the other being Mosul Iraq's CTS, the country's best-trained and most battle-tested fighting unit, deployed on the edge of Fallujah for the first time since an operation was launched to retake the jihadist-held city A destroyed tank is left in Harariyat village on the outskirts of Fallujah city in Iraq's western Anbar province Iraqi pro-government forces rest inside a building ahead of a major assault to retake the city of Fallujah It was the first Iraqi city to fall out of government control in January 2014 and was the scene a decade earlier of some of the worst fighting US forces had seen since the Vietnam war. The city has been surrounded by pro-government forces for months and concern has been mounting among humanitarian groups that the population was being deliberately starved. Nasr Muflahi, the Norwegian Refugee Council's Iraq director said: 'The situation inside Fallujah is getting critical by the day.' Despite plans before the operation for safe corridors, few civilians have managed to flee the Fallujah battle in recent days. The biggest group slipped out on Friday. The militants meanwhile launched an attack Sunday on the town of Hit, 85 miles west of Baghdad, which was recaptured by government troops last month. A military officer said the extremists entered three neighborhoods and were engaged in heavy clashes with Iraqi forces backed by U.S.-led airstrikes. The officer was not authorized to release information so spoke on condition of anonymity. Fallujah, which saw some of the heaviest fighting of the 2003-2011 U.S.-led military intervention, was the first city in Iraq to fall to IS. The extremists seized control of Fallujah in January 2014, six months before they swept across northern and western Iraq and declared a caliphate. During the past few months, the army, security forces and allied paramilitary forces carried out operations around Mosul and Fallujah to tighten the grip on the besieged city Despite plans before the operation for safe corridors, few civilians have managed to flee the Fallujah battle in recent days The city has been surrounded by pro-government forces for months and concern has been mounting among humanitarian groups that the population was being deliberately starved Fighters from a Shiite paramilitary units, known as Hashd Shaabi, are seen at a tunnel in Harariyat village on the outskirts of Fallujah city Police Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat said: 'Our forces evacuated 460 people... most of them women and children.' One of the lucky civilians who managed to flee the city with more than ten of her family, Umm Omar said: 'ISIS gave us food that only animals would eat.' Across the border, the ISIS Syrian capital Raqa was also coming under increasing pressure. A Kurdish-Arab alliance has launched an operation to retake the city, where an estimated 300,000 people still living there are becoming increasingly desperate to flee. According to anti-ISIS activist group Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS), residents were paying smugglers 270 each to try to escape. The Iraqi army has begun its assault on the ISIS stronghold of Fallujah to rout the remaining 1,000 terrorists 70 ISIS terrorists including their commander Maher Al-Bilawi were killed by an airstrike in Fallujah, Iraq The 1,000 remaining terrorists are holding 50,000 civilians who are trapped in the city has human shields Small numbers of civilians have been able to flee the city, avoiding the attentions of the 1,000 remaining jihadis Hamoud al-Musa of RBSS said: 'There is nearly no one walking in the streets. People are afraid of a brutal onslaught from the warplanes, whether coalition, Russian, or even regime. He said ISIS had set up a few new checkpoints in Raqa city and was 'amassing its forces on the front lines' further north, he said. UN aid chief Stephen O'Brien said a total of 592,700 Syrians were living under siege, an increase of some 75,000 from a previous estimate. He told the Security Council Friday that the use of siege and starvation as a weapon of war was 'reprehensible' and 'must stop immediately'. Iraqi forces began their attack on Fallujah on May 22 assisted by US and coalition bombers and drones Greek former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has urged Britain to stay in the EU - but spelt out his loathing for David Cameron and other figures in the Remain campaign. Mr Varoufakis delivered grudging support for keeping ties with Brussels during in a typically maverick appearance on the BBC's Andrew Marr show. He previously led a high-stakes showdown with Eurozone states over austerity measures being imposed on Greece in return for a bailout - a battle that Athens was eventually seen as losing. More recently the economist, known for his leather jackets and refusal to wear business suits at meetings with world leaders, has been helping formulate Labour's policy platform. Yannis Varoufakis delivered grudging support for Remain but said he wished David Cameron was campaigning for Brexit Mr Varoufakis said he believed on balance that the UK was better off staying inside the EU and trying to bring in reforms. But he also ridiculed a poll of economists, trumpeted by Mr Cameron and the Remain camp, which found nearly nine in 10 thought UK plc would be worse off in five years' time if we leave. Mr Varoufakis pointed out that the Royal Economic Society, of which he is a member, received a letter from the Queen in 2008 demanding to know why they had not seen the credit crunch coming. 'To have these same economists - us lot with our wonderful predictive powers ... You shouldn't trust an economist to trust the future.' Mr Varoufakis condemned the way Mr Cameron had conducted the campaign, and said the sovereignty and patriotic elements of the Leave arguments were much stronger than the anti-immigration line they were now focusing on. Im a supporter of Remain but I wish David Cameron was not campaigning on my side, he said. He also lamented the support of Mr Blair - who was appearing on the same programme but in a pre-recorded interview. 'Having Tony Blair on your side, in any campaign, is a glass of poison,' Mr Varoufakis said. The comments came as the Conservative Party was threatening to descend into full-scale civil war over the referendum. Tory MPs have broken ranks to brand Mr Cameron a 'liar' and insisted he will have to quit Downing Street even if he wins the EU referendum. Tony Blair was branded a 'glass of poison' by the Greek former finance minister Backbencher Nadine Dorries said her colleagues no longer 'trusted' the Prime Minister or Chancellor George Osborne after their 'repeated lies' during the campaign so far. She revealed that she has already sent a letter to the powerful 1922 committee demanding a leadership contest after the poll on June 23. Meanwhile, fellow MP Andrew Bridgen said he believed the PM's position would be 'untenable' whether or not we stay in the EU and raised the prospect of a snap election in the Autumn. Senior Tories stepped up their attack on Mr Cameron over immigration from the EU, demanding that he admits Britain will never get control of numbers while it is a member of the bloc. Susan Sarandon joined her seven younger siblings in Florida to pay a final farewell to her brother. Terry Tomalin, the outdoor editor for the Tampa Bay Times, died of a heart attack at the age of 55 last week while taking a lifeguard class with his 14-year-old son Kai. On Friday, hundreds of relatives and friends gathered on the beach in Tiera Verde, Florida, to pay tribute with a paddleboard ceremony. Sarandon stood on stage as Tomalin's son Kai and 12-year-old daughter Nia gave speeches. The Thelma & Louise actress later posted on Facebook and Instagram, calling it a 'moving, funny, tribute to a man so strong he could afford to be gentle, kind and generous'. 'As the sun set bright red and crimson and a rainbow appeared (seriously, I'm not making this up) hundreds paddled out on boards & kayaks; kids, lifeguards, Navy Seals & Wounded Warriors, fishing buddies, drinking buddies, his family and so many stories he told,' she wrote. Tribute: Susan Sarandon posted this picture on Instagram of the Florida beach ceremony on Friday Tragedy: Susan Sarandon's brother Terry Tomalin (left in May) passed away last Thursday at the age of 55 after a fatal heart attack during a lifeguard lesson. He was one of Sarandon's eight younger siblings 'We joined hands, prayed silently, raised our paddles and shouted Odin! I'm sure he was happy.' Tomalin was one of nine children born to Lenora and Phillip Tomalin, with the oldest being Sarandon. The family grew up in New Jersey, but in 1980 Tomalin made the decision to move to the Sunshine State after finishing college at the University of South Florida. He began writing for local papers and, proving that accolades and excellence run in the family, received a Roy W. Howard Award for Public Service Reporting after his story revealing that two admitted members of the Ku Klux Klan had been hired by the Lakeland Police Department. Tomalin began working at the Tampa Bay Times in 1986, and stayed there for the rest of his career. In addition to his son Kai he leaves behind his wife Kanika and a 12-year-old daughter Nia. He married his wife Kanika, who serves as St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor, in 1999, and son after she gave birth first to son Kai and then daughter Nia. She told the Times in a statement; 'We are devastated. He loved us. He loved his family so much, and we loved him.' Neil Brown, the paper's editor, also released a statement following the tragic news. 'Terry personified what it meant to be part of a community. You think of Terry and you think of his stories about the beauty of being alive and taking advantage of living around Tampa Bay,' wrote Brown. 'You think of his volunteer work in the community or you think of him routinely taking 40 kids camping. I can't imagine that I've ever been around a more giving, energetic, can-do man.' The Times also released a collection of some of Tomalin's most memorable stories. Last week, Sarandon took to Facebook to speak about his death saying: 'Thank you to everyone who reached out with love at the passing of my brother Terry Tomalin. I will pass on your prayers to his wife and family. This will give you a small idea of who he was.' She then shared a link to his obituary. Family: In addition to his son Kai, Tomalin leaves behind his wife Kanika and a 12-year-old daughter Nia (family above) Tribute: Sarandon's daughter, Eva Amurri, remembered her uncle on Instagram (above), writing; 'Heaven gained the most caring, adventurous, and fun-loving Angel' Sarandon's daughter, actress Eva Amurri Martino, posted a touching message to her uncle on Instagram, writing; 'Today Heaven gained the most caring, adventurous, and fun-loving Angel around. My Uncle, Terry Tomalin, passed away this afternoon- very suddenly from a heart attack. 'He was an avid Outdoorsman, prolific writer, great friend, pillar of the community, and most importantly a dedicated husband and father who had such a fierce love for his family. He leaves behind an incredible wife and two amazing children who can do with all the prayers, love and light you might send their way. their performance to over 3,000 Newlyweds who fell in love through playing the bagpipes have piped themselves into their own wedding. The heavy puffers blew their friends and family away during a reception live streamed on the internet. Over 3,000 people watched Steven and Claire Boyle, from Falkirk, entertain their guests in Grangemouth's Grange Manor Hotel. Love at first pipe: Newlyweds who met at a bagpipes rehearsal 13 years ago could kick off their wedding reception only one way Happy couple: Joiner Steven Boyle first met Claire, at a rehearsal night for the Denny & Dunipace pipe band For some that may have been the signal to go to the bar. But what more could the 130 people at the function expect as both hosts are accomplished pipers. Joiner Steven Boyle, 31, first met Claire, a support services assistant, 25, at a rehearsal night for the Denny & Dunipace pipe band 13 years ago. And members of the band were on hand to mark the celebrations with a mix of traditional and modern songs. Mother of the bride Karen Malcolmson said proudly: 'We all thought it was a great idea when they said they wanted to celebrate their wedding day by playing the pipes for their guests and it all went off brilliantly. 'There was quite a few of our family and friends coming up from down south and Claire and Steven both knew they were fans of the pipes. Live on the internet: Hotel reception staff in Grangemouth live-streamed their performance to over 3,000 For some the playing may have been the signal to go to the bar. But what more could the 130 people at the function expect as both hosts are accomplished pipers 'It was really special for them.' Karen added her daughter joined the Denny and Dunipace band when she was 12 and Steven helped her out. 'They both still play and they absolutely love it. The whole band are like one big happy family and they were more than happy to play on their big day,' she said. 'I don't think Claire or Stephen knew the hotel staff were filming them while they played the pipes. 'Hopefully it will be a good thing and get the band even more business than they already do.' Yamato Tanooka (pictured) has been missing in a Japanese mountain range since Saturday after being left there as punishment by his parents. A seven-year-old boy is still missing in a Japanese mountain range populated by bears - three days after his parents left him there as punishment during a family hike. Yamato Tanooka's mother and father initially told police their child had got lost during the walk on Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido. But after a second day of searches, involving 150 rescuers, the parents admitted they lied and that they had left him there to teach him a lesson. They claimed that they returned to the spot where they left him 'immediately' but the boy was no longer there. Tanooka was reported missing on Saturday sparking a major search and rescue operation. Yamato, his older sister, mother and father came to a park near the forest on Saturday, but the parents became angry as the boy threw stones at cars and people, Japanese police and media reports said. On the way back home, they made Yamato get out of the car and left him alone in the forest, driving the car about 500 metres away, TV Asahi and other reports said. 'They said they went back to the site immediately but the boy was no longer there,' a local police spokesman earlier told AFP. Some 180 rescuers and police officers widened the search area on Monday, mobilising sniffer dogs and horses to go deeper into the woodlands, NTV footage showed. 'I feel very sorry for my child,' the father told an NTV reporter. 'I am so sorry for causing trouble for many people.' Japanese public opinion reacted with outrage at the actions of the parents. After a second day of searches, involving 150 rescuers, the parents admitted they lied and that they had left him there to teach him a lesson Japanese rescuers took to horseback as they expanded their search for the missing seven-year-old Many in Japan are worried about the fate of the child in the forest alone and reportedly with no food or water as heavy rain fell overnight 'This is not punishment but abuse!' one Twitter post read. 'The parents are so stupid that I am speechless,' said another. Many also worried about the fate of the child in the forest alone and reportedly with no food or water as heavy rain fell overnight. Mitsuru Wakayama, a spokesman for the local town of Nanae, said the mountainous area is a place that only local residents pass through occasionally as a short-cut. 'Not many people or cars pass by, and it gets totally dark as there are no lights,' Wakayama said. 'It's not surprising to encounter bears anywhere in the area.' The parents of a seven-year-old boy missing in a Japanese mountain range (file picture) where bears live admit they lied about his disappearance and left him there as punishment during a family hike His parents originally told police Yamato got lost while the family were out walking in the area, a habitat of bears, to pick wild vegetables (file picture of a bear on Hokkaido) The number of Romanian crime suspects arrested has surged by 80 per cent in some areas to over 18,000 nationwide in the past year alone. Shocking figures show in Thames Valley arrests of Romanians rose by 86 per cent after officers nicked 1,370 last year compared with 735 in 2014. Wiltshire police force saw a surge of 82 per cent while West Murcia, Gloucestershire and Suffolk divisions also saw high increases. The number of Romanian crime suspects arrested has surged by 80 per cent in some areas to over 18,000 nationwide in the past year alone (stock image) A Freedom of Information request by The Sun on Sunday asked all 44 forces in England and Wales to provide data. Of the 34 that were able to supply answers, 23 had seen a rise in the arrest of Romanians. Across England and Wales there were 18,127 arrests of Romanians in 2015, a four per cent increase from 2014, and 7,895 of those were in London. They included eight for murder, three for kidnapping, and one for being drunk in charge of a child. Of the 439 Romanians arrested by British Transport Police, 11 were held for alleged sex offences on trains. A study last year figures showed that Romanians had overtaken other nationalities to top the league table of foreign inmates jailed in Britain. Romanians are at least eight times more likely to be jailed here than Britons, the figures showed. A study last year figures showed that Romanians had overtaken other nationalities to top the league table of foreign inmates jailed in Britain Tables which covered prisoners jailed between October 2013 and March 2014, represented the most comprehensive breakdown of inmates countries of origin. They revealed marked differences in the likelihood of different nationalities to be jailed, when adjusted for the number of those nationals living in Britain. Whereas Poland, which has the largest population of 617,000 in the UK, ranks high in the table, with 573 prisoners imprisoned, it comes second to Romania, which saw 760 of its 126,000 population incarcerated. Tables which covered prisoners jailed between October 2013 and March 2014, represented the most comprehensive breakdown of inmates countries of origin It means Romanians are more than six times as likely as Poles to end up in jail, and eight times as likely as Britons. The bulk of those jailed 34,168 out of 39,773 are Britons and only a tiny minority of foreign nationals fall foul of the law. Overall, the most likely foreigners to be imprisoned were Vietnamese and Albanians with more than one per cent of their respective populations in Britain (10,000 and 11,000) jailed in that time. Hundreds of internal documents from Trump University are set to be released as part of a lawsuit filed against the billionaire's defunct real estate school. The release is believed to include 'playbooks' instructing Trump University staff how to upsell expensive courses to prospective students. Trump has slammed the the Hispanic judge sitting on the case as a 'hater' and said the 'Mexican' - who was born in the United States - had a vendetta against him because of his immigration policy. Scroll down for video Hundreds of internal documents from Trump University are set to be released as part of a lawsuit filed against The Donald's defunct real estate school, judge Gonzalo Curiel The internal documents from Trump University will be released following a request from the Washington Post. The failed institution is being sued for $40million in New York by students who claim they were defrauded, as well as the separate class-action lawsuit in San Diego that is being overseen by Judge Gonzalo Curiel. Trump's Republican and Democratic rivals have both used political ads highlighting the university as an example of the real estate mogul failing to stand by his pledges. The San Diego lawsuit claims lectures were more like infomercials and students were pressured to buy more seminars - paying up to $35,000 for courses. Trump has been named as a witness for the defense, but has questioned the integrity of the trial and said students gave the courses a 98 per cent satisfaction rate. The lawsuit states that students were made to fill out the satisfaction surveys before the courses ended and that they were not anonymous, leaving people afraid to criticize their lecturers. According to the class-action complaint, a one-year apprenticeship that Trump University students were promised ended after students paid for a three-day seminar. Attendees who were promised a personal photo with Trump received only the chance to take a photo with a cardboard cutout, and many instructors were bankrupt real estate investors, the lawsuit says. The judge has decided to release the documents publicly as Trump 'placed the integrity of these court proceedings at issue'. Yesterday Trump was accused of racism after calling Curiel 'Mexican', despite the Hispanic judge being born in Indiana. Attendees who were promised a personal photo with Trump received only the chance to take a photo with a cardboard cutout Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump devoted 12 minutes of a 58-minute address to his lawsuit The Republican presumptive nominee spent 12 minutes during a campaign rally in San Diego laying into the judge, boring thousands of supporters with intricate details of the case. 'The trial is going to take place sometime in November. There should be no trial. This should have been dismissed on summary judgment easily,' Trump said. 'Everybody says it, but I have a judge who is a hater of Donald Trump, a hater. He's a hater. His name is Gonzalo Curiel.' 'Curiel is not doing the right thing. And I figure, what the hell? Why not talk about it for two minutes? 'We're in front of a very hostile judge,' Trump continued. 'The judge was appointed by Barack Obama, federal judge. Frankly, he should recuse himself because he's given us ruling after ruling after ruling, negative, negative, negative.' Trump also told the audience, that Judge Curiel is 'Mexican', despite the fact that he is an American. 'What happens is the judge, who happens to be, we believe, Mexican, which is great. I think that's fine,' Trump said. He said the case should have been thrown out 'but because it was me and because there's a hostility toward me by the judge - tremendous hostility - beyond belief.' Supporters were subjected to Trump ranting about Judge Gonzalo Curiel. It was one of his most personal attacks against an apolitical figure since becoming the presumptive Republican presidential nominee He added: 'I believe he happens to be Spanish, which is fine. He's Hispanic - which is fine. 'I think Judge Curiel should be ashamed of himself,' Trump droned on. 'I'm telling you, this court system, judges in this court system, federal court, they ought to look into Judge Curiel. Because what Judge Curiel is doing is a total disgrace, OK? 'But we'll come back in November. Wouldn't that be wild if I'm president and I come back to do a civil case? Where everybody likes it. OK. This is called life, folks.' Curiel expressed concern for jurors who may have gotten caught in a 'media frenzy' if the trial were held during the campaign, even though it was filed in 2010 and originally planned for this summer. Government is working to close down a third of all An Australian woman, who exposed Cambodia's orphanage tourist trap, has revealed how she turned her orphanage into an NGO that allows children to go home to their families each night. Bondi woman Tara Winkler first travelled to Cambodia in 2005 when she was 21 years old. When she saw the extent of poverty in the country, she told 60 Minutes she 'vowed to rescue as many kids as she could.' Scroll down for video Ms Winkler (pictured) first visited Cambodia in 2005 as a 21-year-old and decided to open an orphanage when she saw the extent of the poverty in the country Ms Winkler (back, far right) pictured with the 14 children she rescued from a corrupt and abusive orphanage in Battambang, forming the Cambodian Children's Trust in 2007 'When you see kids living in those kind of conditions its difficult to ignore,' she told 60 Minutes. Ms Winkler started her own charity and home, the Cambodian Children's Trust in 2007, rescuing 14 orphans from a corrupt and abusive orphanage in Battambang. She was recognised as NSW Young Australian of the Year in 2011 for her efforts in the country. However, as she became more fluent in Khmer, the country's official language, and spoke with the children in her orphanage, they started revealing facts about themselves. Ms Winkler realised they all had families, who had sent them to orphanages in the hope they'd have better lives. She told 60 Minutes the children were even secretly stealing money to send home to their families. Ms Winkler (right) is pictured with one the children she initially rescued (left) when her orphanage first opened in 2007 Ms Winkler, who rescued 14 children from a corrupt and abusive orphanage with terrible living conditions such as these (pictured), said she later discovered all the children all had families As well as terrible living conditions (pictured), abuse is often rife in many orphanages throughout Cambodia Ms Winkler told 60 Minutes reporter Allison Langdon it was 'devastating' to learn she had inadvertently become part of the problem It was devastating for me to learn I had inadvertently become part of the problem, Ms Winkler told 60 Minutes. 'They started telling me about their families, and that most of them had parents,' she said. 'I had thought that the kids we had rescued out of the orphanage were orphans. 'And to find out as well that they missed their families, they worried about their families and then we had some issues were kids were stealing money to send home to their families.' She said the families often send their children (such as these pictured) to orphanages in the hope they will lead better lives Ms Winkler, who speaks Khmer, said by speaking with children at her orphanage (not the children pictured) she discovered some of them had even been stealing money to send back to their families Reporter Allison Langdon is seen speaking with a boy in one of the orphanages they visited, where children are crammed into rooms and wander the area unsupervised One of the children in an orphanage in Cambodia living in poor conditions with hundreds of others In the last decade, orphanage numbers in Cambodia have reportedly doubled even though there's no need for them. The 60 Minutes report described 'orphanage tourism' as a booming business, where in a mixture of poverty, corruption and desperation, parents send their children because they think they'll have better lives. Children reportedly live in terrible conditions and abuse is often rife - every time people visit as tourists, donate or volunteer, they're fueling the exploitation of the vulnerable children. Ms Winkler, pictured at the Cambodian Children's Trust with reporter Allison Langdon, says the best place for children is with their families The CCT (pictured) works as a community development organisation and hosts 150 children each day The organisation works to prevent vulnerable children from being trafficked, subjected to child labour and from ending up in orphanages by helping families to escape poverty together More than 90 per cent of the staff at the Cambodian Children's trust are Cambodian The organisation also ensures the children are provided with meals when they arrive each day (pictured) Ms Winkler said the best place for the kids was with their families. The CCT works as a community development organisation and hosts 150 children every day, ensuring they return home to their families at night. The organisations offers everything from healthcare, meals, counselling, foster care, educational workshops, social support services, crisis intervention and support for the children's families. 'They're looking for a path out of poverty, a better life and opportunities for their kids to study and things, but it's possible to provide those services while keeping them with their families,' Ms Winkler said. The Cambodian government is now reportedly seeking to close down a third of all orphanages in the country. 'They're looking for a path out of poverty, a better life and opportunities for their kids to study and things, but it's possible to provide those services while keeping them with their families,' said Ms Winkler CCT offers healthcare, meals, counselling, foster care, educational workshops, social support services, crisis intervention and support for the children's families The Remain campaign has turned to divine intervention in its latest bid to win over voters in the EU referendum campaign. The former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is among 37 faith leaders who have signed a letter warning about the 'implications' of Brexit for peace in Europe. Others adding their names to the message include Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner and prominent Muslim academic Mona Siddiqui. The individuals, who have signed in a personal capacity, urge 'co-religionists and others to think about the implications of a leave vote for the things about which we are most passionate'. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is among those who have signed the letter warning of the dangers of Brexit 'The past 70 years have been the longest period of peace in Europes history. 'Institutions that enable us to work together and understand both our differences and what we share in common contribute to our increased security and sense of collective endeavour,' the letter said. 'Whats more, so many of the challenges we face today can only be addressed in a European, and indeed a global, context: combatting poverty in the developing world, confronting climate change and providing the stability that is essential to tackling the current migration crisis. 'We hope that when voting on June 23, people will reflect on whether undermining the international institutions charged with delivering these goals could conceivably contribute to a fairer, cleaner and safer world.' The intervention comes with just 25 days to go until the crucial poll and as the Leave campaign seeks to turn the focus on to immigration. In one of the most pointed personal rebukes of the referendum campaign so far, Boris Johnson and Michael Gove warned that the Prime Minister's failure to keep his promise to bring migration levels down was 'corrosive'. Meanwhile, two Tory MPs have broken ranks to brand David Cameron a 'liar' and insisted he will have to quit Downing Street even if he wins the EU referendum. SOME OF THE FAITH LEADERS WHO HAVE SIGNED THE LETTER Dr Rowan Williams - Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner - Principal Rabbi, Movement for Reform Judaism Mona Siddiqui - Professor of Islamic and Inter-Religious Studies and Assistant Principal Religion and Society, University of Edinburgh Bharti Tailor - Executive Director, Hindu Forum in Europe Advertisement Backbencher Nadine Dorries said her colleagues no longer 'trusted' the Prime Minister or Chancellor George Osborne after their 'repeated lies' during the campaign so far. And she revealed that she has already sent a letter to the powerful 1922 committee demanding a leadership contest after the poll on June 23. When 1922 chairman Graham Brady receives 50 letters it automatically triggers a full vote. Fellow MP Andrew Bridgen said he believed the PM's position would be 'untenable' whether or not we stay in the EU and raised the prospect of a snap election in the Autumn. John Major savages 'boorish Brexit' and warns of 40billion black hole in UK finances Sir John Major has launched a powerful attack on 'shameless and distorted' attempts by Brexit leaders to persuade voters that Britain should leave the EU. And he warned that cutting ties with Brussels would 'blow a 40 billion hole' in the UK's economy. The former Prime Minister said the way the Leave campaigners had behaved was 'a fraud on the British people' and accused its leaders of 'boorish and sneering' attacks on David Cameron. They had 'peddled falsehoods' about the cost of Britain's membership of the EU and fanned immigration fears with 'the worst type of dog-whistle politics'. The ferocity of the former Tory leader's attack in an exclusive article for The Mail on Sunday will send shockwaves through his party The ferocity of the former Tory leader's attack in an exclusive article for The Mail on Sunday will send shockwaves through his party. Normally renowned for his restraint, he spoke out after becoming enraged by tactics used by Vote Leave, which is spearheaded by Boris Johnson. His article follows fury in Downing Street at personal attacks on Mr Cameron by Vote Leave. The former London Mayor has called the Prime Minister's pro-EU comments 'demented'. And last week, he effectively accused Mr Cameron of lying for failing to deliver on his promise to curb immigration. 'We are not, as they [Vote Leave] warn, facing the risk of 88 million migrants from Turkey and the Western Balkans: this fear-mongering is the worst sort of 'dog-whistle' politics. Boris Johnson himself said [Turkish entry to the EU] is not remotely on the cards. Yet Vote Leave persist in raising more scare stories.' Sir John added: 'Let's keep people out' is an easy slogan with a murky history.' The female train conductor who died after falling from a moving train married the love of her life on the same vehicle just seven months ago. Leslie Cacy, 28, fell off the back of the Royal Gorge Railroad train at around 5.30pm on Saturday - just minutes before the end of her shift - and died instantly when she was run over. The train was passing over the Arkansas River en route back to Canon City near Colorado Springs, where Cacy was based. Her friends and loved ones have since been paying tribute to a 'truly one of a kind person' who 'lit up a room with her unwavering smile'. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Leslie Cacy (right, with her husband Devon), 28, was standing in a door opening on the back of the Royal Gorge Railroad train when she fell and was run over around four miles from Canon City, Colorado Fremont County Sheriff's deputies are investigating the death around four miles from the next station. Cacy was standing in a door opening at the back of the train as it backed into the station when she fell, the Fremont County Sheriff's Office confirmed. It had previously been reported that she plummeted more than 1,000ft into a gorge. Passenger Cynthia Brier told of seeing the train's engineer in a state of shock shortly after tragedy struck. She told KKTV News: 'We saw the engineer of the train, he was in the grass next to the train holding his head screaming. 'There were people running over to him and assisting him, helping him stand up. Then it became apparent something really bad had happened.' The Fremont County coroner says Cacy is from the Canon City area and she will be undergo an autopsy next week. Her friends and loved ones have since been paying tribute to a 'truly one of a kind person' who 'lit up a room with her unwavering smile Leslie (left) met her husband Devon (righ) on the very train she died on eight years ago Passenger Cynthia Brier told of seeing the train's engineer in a state of shock shortly after tragedy struck The Ray High School graduate married Devon Cacy in October - eight years after meeting him on the very train she died on. They have been happily married ever since and lived together in Canon City, Colorado, the Caller Times reported. Her and Devon's family have started a memorial fund in her honor, which has already raised more than $7,000. In a joint statement on the website, they wrote: 'Leslie is one of those people who always lit up a room with her unwavering smile and never shied away from lending a helping hand to anyone. 'The kind of person who loved incredibly deeply and saw the very best in everyone. She is truly a one-of-a-kind person.' Her friend of 15 years, Aubrey Villarreal-Ortiz, told the Caller Times: 'She was beautiful inside and out. The Royal Gorge Route train is an attraction in Canon City and it takes passengers under the Royal Gorge Bridge 'She could always put a smile on my face in the worst times and make me laugh.' The Royal Gorge Route train is an attraction in Canon City and it takes passengers under the Royal Gorge Bridge. It has been running for 13 years, offering passengers sprawling views of the mountainous landscape. Around 150 people were on board when Cacy fell into the Gorge, KOAA reported. The passengers were still on the halted train as of 10pm as rescue workers were dispatched to reach them, according to KOAA. It is not clear how the incident will affect train routes and safety conditions going forward. Lieutenant Detective Robert Dodd of the Fremont County Sheriff's Office told KOAA: 'We're going to maintain control of it until our investigation is done. 'But I can't say if the federal authorities will want to extend that shut down or not.' Tragic: Leslie Cacy fell out the train at 5.30pm on Saturday as it went over the Royal Gorge route (stock image) Route: The Gorge, which is as deep as 1,200 feet in some parts, traverses the Arkansas River A former colleague posted on the Sheriff's Office Facebook page paying tribute to Cacy. A Royal Gorge Route spokesman said: 'We are absolutely devastated by the loss of our team member who died yesterday in an accident on the train. Donald Trump bashed Barack Obama for not mentioning the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor during his visit to Japan - one day after dismissing the president's entire trip as 'pathetic'. The presumptive Republican nominee wrote on Twitter Saturday afternoon: 'Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while he's in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost.' He used the hashtag #MDW, reminding his followers that it is Memorial Day weekend and time to remember the 2,235 US soldiers who died during the December 7 attack. The President didn't directly mention the Japanese offensive on Pearl Harbor and instead addressed the use of nuclear bombs in a speech at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Scroll down for video Donald Trump called Barack Obama's visit to Japan 'pathetic' while at a rally in San Diego, California, Friday (pictured). Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima that day Obama (pictured Friday hugging Hiroshima survivor and historian Shigeaki Mori at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park) warned against the use of nuclear weapons in his speech An estimated 140,000 people died after the August 6, 1945 attack on Hiroshima, followed by 70,000 more three days later in Nagasaki. The President deposited a wreath at the memorial and was pictured hugging Hiroshima survivor Shigeaki Mori, who spent years getting recognition for American POWs killed during the blast. Trump also dissed Obama's visit to Japan while campaigning in California Friday. 'Now our president is right now...' he began. The crowd booed, to which Trump replied: 'You're right, it's pathetic.' 'Honestly folks, we have leadership right now in this country, especially at the top, that is grossly incompetent. They don't know what the hell they're doing. 'So he's in Japan, in Hiroshima, and that's fine. Just as long as he doesn't apologize, it's absolutely fine. Who cares?' he said. Trump slammed Obama again the next day on Twitter, saying the President should have mentioned the 1941 surprise attack by the Japanese army on Pearl Harbor Obama became the first US president to visit Hiroshima while in office on Friday. 'Why do we come to this place, to Hiroshima? We come to ponder a terrible force unleashed in a not-so-distant past,' he said at the memorial. 'We come to mourn the dead, including over 100,000 Japanese men, women and children, thousands of Koreans, a dozen Americans held prisoner.' The President warned against nuclear proliferation, saying nations - including his own - with weapon stockpiles must have 'the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without them'. 'Perhaps, above all, we must reimagine our connection to one another as members of one human race,' he added. 'For this, too, is what makes our species unique. Were not bound by genetic code to repeat the mistakes of the past. We can learn. We can choose. 'We can tell our children a different story, one that describes a common humanity, one that makes war less likely and cruelty less easily accepted.' A child killer who left her 18-month-old with injuries like a car crash victim 'was a loving foster mother haunted by the murder of her father', insists her half brother. Kandyce Downer, 35, beat her foster daughter Keegan with such force that the child was left with more than 200 separate injuries on September 5 last year. The toddler, also known as Shi-Anne, was found unconscious at home in Weoley Castle, Birmingham, after suffering a cardiac arrest. Downer was convicted of murder and jailed for a minimum of 18 years at Birmingham Crown Court on May 4. Child-killer Kandyce Downer (left) was a loving mother who was haunted by the murder of her father, says her half-brother. She killed her foster daughter Keegan (right) Downer (pictured), 35, beat her foster daughter Keegan with such force that the child was left with injuries resembling a 'car crash victim' on September 5 last year But now her half-brother, who gave his name only as Richard, has revealed the impact of Downer's own mum, Jean Dennis, 53, killing their dad Othman Ayoub. He also claimed the mother of four is living on 'borrowed time' in prison after threats made to her by inmates. Downer's mother Dennis was jailed for manslaughter in 1984 following the domestic argument that led to her Saudi father's death. Richard said Downer brutally took her traumatic childhood out on Keegan in the last months of her life after 'something switched in her head.' He said: 'I loved that girl. I would never have believed that story unless I'd seen the footage of her calling the police following Keegan's death. 'To me, she was the complete opposite of the person portrayed. She was such a good mother. She had her first kid when she was 15 or 16 and just motored through. 'She was very good with her siblings' kids. She was always a good wife and mother. 'She was an inspirational sister. I remember her as an immaculate dresser. This is not the girl I knew. Richard said Downer brutally took her traumatic childhood out on Keegan in the last months of her life after 'something switched in her head' 'Her marriage was a good marriage, but it broke down. I don't know when, I don't know why. 'She was a very to-the-point person. The person I'm reading about is not the person I knew. 'She lost her brother, and I know that had a distinct effect. I don't know if all the loss made her lose herself, lose her mind.' When Jean Dennis was released from prison, she re-married and Downer joined the family and looked on her new husband as her father. Richard was raised separately by his mother and grandmother. Explaining the impact of Othman's murder, he said: 'I didn't know my dad, but it was terrible for the family, a massive shock. 'It was something I found out about in later life. I think it had a latent effect, more so on my siblings than me because I didn't allow it to eat me away. 'I didn't allow it to have a permanently disruptive effect on my life. Kandyce did. She talked a good game, but it did. 'But I had the best childhood, a childhood that a lot of kids don't now have.' Detective Inspector Harry Harrison, from West Midlands Police, said: 'We believe the abuse started when her relationship began to go wrong.' Birmingham Crown Court heard that after finding Keegan lifeless in her cot, business student Downer delayed ringing emergency services and instead drove to dump the infant's blood-stained mattress. Keegan was pronounced dead on arrival at Birmingham Children's Hospital, her life stubbed out by septicaemia, blunt chest trauma, an old head injury and a bacterial infection. She weighed little more than one stone and a post-mortem examination showed signs of 'development regression'. A policeman stands outside Downer's home - where Keegan was found unconcious on September 5 last year An untreated leg fracture had left Keegan with one leg shorter than the other, and her shattered bones were subjected to force akin to a car crash. The harrowing details have sickened Richard who accepts his half-sister committed the crime, although he wants to visit her in prison to understand why. 'I do not condone what she did, I do not condone her behaviour,' he said. 'But, as a brother, I worry about her welfare in prison. 'I believe she's on borrowed time and for that reason I need to see her. 'I have never known her take drugs, but the pictures in the press show someone who seems spaced out. 'I think it's important people in Birmingham know Kandyce was not born evil and was capable of love. I managed to rise above what happened in our life. She let it suck her down.' A 400-pound gorilla named Harambe who was shot dead by Cincinnati Zoo officials just one day after his 17th birthday has sparked an outcry of emotion as mourners called it a 'senseless death'. Many are placing the blame squarely on the parents of a four-year-old boy, who investigators believe crawled through a railing barrier and fell into the gorilla exhibit's moat before he was dragged by Harambe in the water for about 10 minutes. The small child said he wanted to get in the water before the incident, to which the mother, who was also watching several other children, replied: 'No, you're not, no, you're not,' according to one witness Kim O'Connor. The zoo's animal response team assessed the 'life-threatening situation' and defended their decision to shoot Harambe rather than tranquilize him, but thousands took to social media to call it a 'murder'. A special zoo response team shot and killed a 17-year-old gorilla named Harambe (pictured) that grabbed and dragged a four-year-old boy who fell into its gorilla exhibit moat, the Cincinnati Zoo's director said Footage taken from another visitor shows the gorilla grabbing on to the boy's shirt. Many are placing the blame squarely on the parents of a four-year-old boy, who investigators believe crawled through a railing barrier The zoo shot the beloved animal after he dragged the boy through the water, but many say he was simply trying to protect the child The small child said he wanted to get in the water before the incident, to which the mother, who was also watching several other children, replied: 'No, you're not, no, you're not,' according to one witness Some said Harambe appeared to be guarding and defending the boy, but video footage also showed him dragging the four-year-old in the water O'Connor told WLWT she heard the boy talking about getting into the water before she heard a splash, followed by frantic yelling once onlookers realized he was inside the enclosure. A video emerged on Saturday revealing some of the chilling moments Harambe was dragging the boy in the water, although more graphic portions were cut from the footage. According to O'Connor, the gorilla looked like he was trying to protect the boy from panicked bystanders who may have aggravated the tense situation. She said: 'I don't know if the screaming did it or too many people hanging on the edge, if he thought we were coming in, but then he pulled the boy down away further from the big group.' In the video that emerged on Saturday, a woman can be heard yelling, 'Mommy's right here...mommy loves you,' and before saying 'Isaiah be calm,' when the boy started crying. The zoo celebrated Harambe's birthday on Friday, just one the day before he died (left). His death has sparked an out pour of emotions, with many calling it a 'murder' and 'senseless death' (right) The zoo's Gorilla World will be closed until further notice. Flowers and commemorative notes were left at a gorilla statue in the zoo on Sunday Jerry Stones, who worked at the Gladys Porter Zoo, in Bronwsville, Texas, where Harambe was raised, said: 'It tore me a new one. An old man can cry, too. He was a special guy in my life. It's a sad day for us' Director Thane Maynard supported the zoo's dangerous animal response team for their decision to put down the gorilla. 'They made a tough choice and they made the right choice because they saved that little boy's life,' Maynard said. But outraged animal lovers took to social media declaring the western lowland gorilla's life was unnecessarily taken, and more than 1,000 have already joined the Facebook group Justice for Harambe. While some defended the parents, many others were less sympathetic. One Twitter user wrote: 'So a beautiful, innocent gorilla has to die because neglectful parents can't control their kids? Mankind sucks :( #Harambe #CincinnatiZoo' Another user Chris Dasauchoit tweeted: 'Beautiful animals sadly paying for utter human stupidity and negligence with their lives. #Harame #CincinnatiZoo.' Many are placing the blame squarely on the parents of a four-year-old boy Zoo officials said three gorillas were in the enclosure when the boy fell in the moat, but the two female gorillas were called out immediately. Harambe remained in the yard with the child. Some said Harambe appeared to be guarding and defending the boy, but video footage also showed him dragging the four-year-old in the water. According to Maynard, the gorilla did not appear to be attacking the child, but he called it 'an extremely strong' animal in an agitated situation. 'You're talking about an animal that's over 400 pounds and extremely strong. So no, the child wasn't under attack but all sorts of things could happen in a situation like that. He certainly was at risk,' he told WLWT. According to a fire department incident report, the gorilla was 'violently dragging and throwing the child', who was between Harambe's legs when the gorilla was shot, WLWT reported. Maynard explained that tranquilizing the gorilla would not have knocked it out immediately, leaving the boy in danger. Zoo director Thane Maynard supported the response team's decision to put down the gorilla, but many disagreed. More than 1,000 people have already joined the Facebook group Justice for Harambe Harambe came to Cincinnati in 2015 from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. He is a western lowland gorilla, which the World Wildlife Fund deemed critically endangered The child was taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center with serious injuries following the incident The child was taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center with serious but 'non-life threatening' injuries following the incident, which was reported around 4pm. He was still alert when he was taken to hospital, according to officials. Officials said they could not release any information on the child, including his name and condition. Zoo director Maynard noted it was the first time the team had killed a zoo animal in such an emergency situation, and he called it 'a very sad day' at the zoo. He said said in a statement: 'The Zoo security team's quick response saved the child's life. 'We are all devastated that this tragic accident resulted in the death of a critically-endangered gorilla. This is a huge loss for the Zoo family and the gorilla population worldwide.' Jerry Stones, who worked at the Gladys Porter Zoo, in Bronwsville, Texas, where Harambe lived before he was transferred in 2015, said he was devastated by the news. Stones raised the gorilla and said: 'It tore me a new one. An old man can cry, too. He was a special guy in my life. It's a sad day for us,' he told the NY Daily News. He added: 'He grew up to be a pretty, beautiful male. He was very intelligent. His mind was going constantly. He was just such a sharp character.' Western lowland gorillas are deemed critically endangered by the World Wildlife Fund. Primatologist Julia Gallucci issued a statement through animal-rights group PETA, saying: 'Yet again, captivity has taken an animal's life. 'The gorilla enclosure should have been surrounded by a secondary barrier between the humans and the animals to prevent exactly this type of incident.' The area around the gorilla exhibit was closed off on Saturday afternoon as zoo visitors reported hearing screaming. The zoo is to be open as usual on Sunday but Gorilla World will be closed until further notice. In March, two curious polar bears at the zoo wandered into a behind-the-scenes service hallway through an open den door, but never left a secondary containment area. The zoo said the 17-year-old female Berit and the 26-year-old male Little One, entered an 'inappropriate' area but remained contained and were never loose or a threat to the public. During that incident, zoo officials said staff followed protocols and safely returned the bears to their main holding area within two hours. Last year saw 98 people attacked by sharks - six fatally Meanwhile rising temperatures mean more people are swimming in the sea Experts say shark populations have been on the rise since the 1990s Shark attack incidents are expected to reach more than 100 this year Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water. As the summer beach season opens across the United States, experts are warning beach goers to take extra precautions as they predict a record number of shark attacks this year. George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida, warned that the United States could expect more than 100 attacks this year - thanks, in part, to global warming. 'We should have more bites this year than last,' Burgess, said in an interview shortly before the Memorial Day holiday weekend that signals the unofficial start of America's summer vacation - and beach - season. Scroll down for video As the summer beach season opens in the United States, experts are predicting soaring number of shark attacks (file picture) In 2015, there were 98 shark attacks, including six fatalities, according to Burgess. But this year could surpass the number as shark populations recover from historic lows in the 1990s, while the world's human population has grown and rising temperatures are leading more people to go swimming, Burgess said. Still, the university notes that fatal shark attacks, while undeniably graphic, are so infrequent that beachgoers face a higher risk of being killed by sand collapsing as the result of over achieving sand castle builders. With their fearsome teeth and dorsal fins the inspiration for hit movies, TV series and beach-town souvenirs, it is hard to believe that a century ago American scientists did not believe sharks would fatally attack humans in U.S. temperate waters without provocation. That changed in July 1916, when four people were killed in attacks near the New Jersey shore, a series of deaths blamed on a sea turtle until a great white shark with human remains in its stomach was captured nearby. Since those attacks, public opinion of sharks has changed dramatically, with swimmers' fears fanned by fiction, from the 1975 Academy Award-winning film 'Jaws,' based on Peter Benchley's book about a giant man-eater, to the Discovery Channel's modern 'Shark Week' summer television series. Years before the attacks near the northern Jersey Shore town of Keyport, millionaire businessman Hermann Oelrichs offered a $500 prize in 1891 (more than $13,000 in today's dollars) to anyone who could prove that a shark ever bit a human in nontropical waters. The reward was never claimed. George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida, warned that the United States could expect more than 100 attacks this year (file picture) Well-regarded scientists at the American Museum of Natural History in New York pointed to Oelrichs' wager as proof that no shark would bite a human, according to Michael Capuzzo's 2001 book 'Close to Shore.' Even the New York Times in a 1915 editorial titled 'Let Us Do Justice to the Sharks' cited Oelrichs' offer and said, 'That sharks can properly be called dangerous in this part of the world is apparently untrue.' Only last week, an 11-year-old girl and a 57-year-old woman were hospitalized after separate shark attacks in Florida over the weekend. The girl was attacked Saturday around 5:45pm as she was swimming in shallow water at Huguenot Memorial Park in Jacksonville, Action News Jax reported. A shark bit the girl on her back, arm and hand, and was taken to a Jacksonville hospital where she spent nine hours in the trauma unit, the news station reported. The 57-year-old woman, whom authorities identified as Mary Marcus, was bitten in the thigh around 4:30 pm. Lifeguards called the attack a 'bite and release' and said it happened about 100 yards off the beach, in an area between two reefs known as 'shark alley' where sharks are known to hunt for bait fish, TC Palm reported. The woman was able to swim ashore and walk to a beach chair before asking for help. He continued and reached the peak but the The husband of an Australian woman who died on Mount Everest has revealed the heartbreaking details of his wife's final hours. Robert Gropel kept climbing after an exhausted Maria Strydom, agonisingly close to the summit, decided she couldn't go on. 'I didn't want to separate from her - I wanted her to keep going,' Dr Gropel told Channel Seven's Sunday Night program. 'I also understood that she was just very exhausted. I asked, ''Do you mind if I go on?'' And she said, 'You go on. I'll wait for you here.''' Scroll down for video Robert Gropel kept climbing after an exhausted Maria Strydom, agonisingly close to the summit, decided she couldn't go on. Pictured, Dr Strydom with the summit of Mount Everest in the background A tearful Dr Gropel told the program he felt responsible for his wife's death. Pictured Dr Gropel climbs to the summit A tearful Dr Gropel told the program he felt responsible for his wife's death. 'Because I'm her husband. It's my job to protect my wife and get her home, and it's just natural for me to blame myself,' he said. Dr Gropel said reaching the peak of Everest 'wasn't special' because his wife wasn't there to share it with him. By the time he made it back to his wife, both climbers had deteriorated, suffering the effects of severe altitude sickness. A tearful Dr Gropel told Channel Seven's Sunday Night program he felt responsible for his wife's death 'Because I'm her husband. It's my job to protect my wife and get her home, and it's just natural for me to blame myself,' he said The couple spent a dangerous 31 hours staggering around an area between the summit and Camp 4 - the area dubbed the 'death zone'. Dr Gropel had began hallucinating and his wife was so weak Sherpas had to carry her down the mountain. They finally stumbled to Camp 4 and received much-needed oxygen and medicine, but they would have to make it to Camp 3 to be in reach of rescue teams. The situation seemed dire. They finally stumbled to Camp 4 and received much-needed oxygen and medicine, but they would have to make it to Camp 3 to be in reach of rescue teams The couple spent a dangerous 31 hours staggering around an area between the summit and Camp 4 - the area dubbed the 'death zone' The following day spirits were lifted when Dr Strydom had improved dramatically and was well enough to walk and talk - and they began the dangerous journey to Camp 3 Spirits were lifted the following day when Dr Strydom had improved dramatically and was well enough to walk and talk - so they began the dangerous journey to Camp 3. But two hours away from camp she suddenly collapsed and died. Arnold Coster, who runs climbing exhibitions and was on the maintain with the pair, explained Ms Strydom's final moments to Sunday Night. 'You have to traverse and that's difficult, because you have to balance. She slipped, she fell in the rope. I think that was too much for her, and that's why she died - from exhaustion.' 'Her husband tried to retrieve her, but that was all too late.' Arnold Coster, (pictured) who runs climbing exhibitions and was on the maintain with the pair, explained Ms Strydom's final moments to Sunday Night Dr Gropel is still struggling to come to terms with what happened in those final moments. 'She was feeling strong, she was walking, I mean she was short-roped because she was still quite weak, but she was walking fine, very slowly but fine,' he said, according to Yahoo News. 'She was talking, I had her back and I don't know what happened.' Dr Strydom's body was recovered from Mount Everest and taken to the Nepali capital of Kathmandu on Friday. Earlier, Dr Gropel said he hadn't thought about anything but retrieving his wife's body from the mountain and getting her back to Australia. 'I'm just trying to be strong, I'm learning to cope and block out what causes sort of, breakdowns, and trying to get the job done of bringing my wife home,' he told the ABC. 'All I am thinking is I want to get her home.' Maria Strydom's body was recovered from Mount Everest a week after she died on the mountain as her husband, Robert Gropel, right, reveals his heartache Dr Strydom's husband, Robert Gropel also suffered altitude sickness, was airlifted to Kathmandu early this week Dr Gropel described his wife as 'the perfect person' while recounting the amazing efforts of the climbing team to get his wife back down the mountain to safety. 'It was a superhuman effort, she was without oxygen for 20 hours ... because of the length of time it took her, and took us to get her down, and it ran out,' Dr Gropel said, the ABC reports. 'She was my motivation idol, my hero, she was a very strong advocate for women, she was the perfect person.' Seven Summit Treks managing director Mingma Sherpa said they planned to have Dr Strydom's body brought down much quicker but bad weather had made the journey far more treacherous. Dr Maria Strydom died on Saturday while trying to reach the summit of Mount Everest after succumbing to altitude sickness 'It was a superhuman effort, she was without oxygen for 20 hours ... because of the length of time it took her, and took us to get her down, and it ran out,' Dr Gropel (pictured) said Dr Strydom's sister, Aletta Newman, who lives in Brisbane, said last week her and her family were eagerly awaiting Dr Gropel's return so he could shed some light on what happened during her sister's last night. 'He's probably the person who can give us the most answers in terms of what really happened because he was there,' she said. 'He is able to speak but obviously he's absolutely distraught - he's absolutely broken,' Ms Newman said. WHAT IS ALTITUDE SICKNESS? 'Altitude sickness' refers to the group of potential dangers faced by high altitudes, and is also known as 'mountain sickness'. It is caused by gaining altitude too rapidly, which doesn't allow the body enough time to adjust to reduced oxygen and changes in air pressure, and causes hypobaric hypoxia (a lack of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body). In severe cases, fluid builds up within the lungs, brain or both. Symptoms of the illness include: headaches, lethargy, a lack of coordination, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and insomnia. (Source: Better Health Victoria) Dr Gropel said he and his wife began their summit bid on Friday night in clear weather, departing from Camp 4, but at the South Summit at nearly 8,000 metres, Dr Strydom slowed, stricken with illness Seven Summit Treks managing director Mingma Sherpa said they planned to have Dr Strydom's body brought down much quicker but bad weather had made the journey far more treacherous 'She was my motivation idol, my hero, she was a very strong advocate for women, she was the perfect person,' Dr Gropel said of his wife 'He's very determined not to leave Nepal without his wife.' Dr Gropel's parnets, Heinz and Patricia, have flown from Melbourne to support him. The couple acknowledged they'd been 'very worried' before their son and daughter-in-law embarked on their attempt to scale the world's highest peak. 'We knew what Everest could do but you can't deny children their dreams,' Mrs Gropel said. Dr Gropel was airlifted to hospital in Kathmandu on Monday to receive treatment for altitude sickness but was discharged (pictured) on Monday after his parents Heinz and Patricia arrived Spanish police are hunting a north African immigrant who got a British tourist drunk in Majorca and then indecently assaulted her after offering to help her back to her hotel. The 23-year-old holidaymaker is said to have met her sex attacker during a night out in bar area Punta Ballena in the resort of Magaluf. She is then said to have been subjected to a sexual assault after being led to nearby waste ground. The 23-year-old holidaymaker is said to have met her sex attacker during a night out in bar area Punta Ballena in the resort of Magaluf (file picture) The date and time of the incident have not been revealed although it is understood to have happened a few days ago. Local reports said the man, described as Moroccan, targeted his victim while she was out with a group of female friends. He is reported to have bought her drinks in different bars along the strip until she started to feel unwell. The date and time of the incident have not been revealed although it is understood to have happened a few days ago (file picture) When she told him she wanted to return to her hotel he offered to help her. But instead he led her on a detour to a secluded area near the Punta Ballena strip so he could indecently assault her. The Guardia Civil, who are said to be hunting the sex attacker, said they had no official information to offer today. The trolley was not secure and was An NHS hospital trust has been given four years to pay 200,000 after a 90-year-old retired Army Major fell to his death from an X-ray trolley. Second World War veteran Major James Fyfe, who signed up aged 17 and fought at Dunkirk, fell of a trolley at Royal Berkshire Hospital and broke his neck in March 2011. After a legal battle the trust was fined on Friday but the judge allowed it four years to pay because it is 29million in the red. Second World War veteran Major James Fyfe fell of a trolley at Royal Berkshire Hospital and broke his neck in March 2011. He is pictured, right, with his wife Esme at their wedding in 1951 Major Fyfe was in hospital for a routine examination after it was thought he had suffered a fractured hip. The sides of his trolley, which was corroded in places and had parts missing, had not been secured. He fell from the bed, breaking his neck and cutting his head and died of pneumonia a month later having never recovered. The Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust - headed by Chairman Graham Sims, the former boss of Little Chef restaurants - admitted a charge of breach of an employer of general duty, other than to an employee, relating to the failure to properly secure the hospital bed. A statement read by Major Fyfe's daughter, Amanda Fyfe, said: 'Until someone in your family dies other than through natural causes, you cannot understand the effect it has on you and the destruction it causes. We are in a dark pit that seems to get darker. 'We will never forget the 48 hours after his fall. His head was like a water melon popped open. He was in pain and moaning so much but nobody came to help him. We were left on our own and were terrified. 'My mum blames herself for allowing the ambulance to take him to hospital. We all blame ourselves but none of us are responsible for his death. We placed our trust in the hospital which failed in so many ways so many times over.' Major Fyfe was in Royal Berkshire Hospital (pictured) for a routine examination after it was thought he had suffered a fractured hip Gordon Menzies, prosecuting at Reading Crown Court, said: 'On March 27, 2011, Major James Fyfe was lying on one of the 138 trolleys used by the trust. 'He had been in hospital with a suspected fractured hip and he was in the trolley for the purpose of having an X-ray.' The court heard that the trolley used was QA3 version which had moveable sides which needed to click into place in order to prevent a patient from falling out. However the trolley that Major Fyfe had been placed on was corroded in places and key mechanisms, including a spring inside the side bars, were missing. Major Fyfe was born in Glasgow and joined the Army in 1938. He fought in World War II and came off the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940 The prosecutor revealed that provision for training staff operating clinical equipment had been 'poor', with just one man responsible for the training of 3,500 members of staff. Mr Menzies said: 'The reality is that the trolley sides were insecure and any amount of pressure would have been enough to retract it to a down position. 'And that is exactly what happened on that day. Having fallen out, Major Fyfe suffered a broken neck and a cut to his head. 'The injuries he sustained on that day had a causal connection with his death. 'The risk of a fall is well known in the care industry. Although the Trust had a policy, what it didn't do was consider falls from trolleys. 'The manufacturer's guidelines stated that these trolleys should be maintained twice a year. However this device was only looked at three times in four years.' James Ageros QC, defending the Trust, said: 'At the heart of this there is a human tragedy and the Trust apologises and sends its condolences where there was the death of their father in unfit circumstances. Graham Sims, chairman ofthe Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 'In an audit after the incident the clinical engineering department took the trolley and examined it. There were problems with the trolley, the trolley was given a C rating.' Sentencing the NHS Foundation Trust, Judge Morris said: 'This is not a case where there has been an egregious disregard of trolley safety. 'But equipment such as the trolley on which Major Fyfe was placed is in every-hour use, let alone every-day use and therefore all the more reason to ensure that proper procedures were in place. 'The offence to which the defendant has pleaded guilty exposed a large number of patients at risk of harm, although the Health and Safety Executive do not contend that in this particular case the defendants failings actually caused the injuries and subsequent death of Major Fyfe. 'I am conscious of the implications of taking valuable resources out of the NHS Trust at a time when they are faced with ever increasing demands upon them. 'But this is a serious matter. The sanction is 300,000 reduced to 200,000 to reflect the plea of guilty at the earliest opportunity.' Costs of 76,305 were awarded on top of the fine, making a total of 276,305. Speaking after the sentencing Amanda and Alistair Fyfe, the son and daughter of Major Fyfe, said: 'For us it is important that they admitted the guilt. 'Major Fyfe was born in Glasgow and joined the Army in 1938. He has World War II experience and came off the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940. 'He travelled to India with the Royal Signals and we all lived in Libya for a number of years growing up. It was a unique experience. 'When he retired from the Army he was the Bursar of Reading school for 10 years until he retired when he was 65. Major Fyfe's wife, Esme, continues to live in Earley, Reading, where the 90-year-old had been living until he suffered the fall. The hospital trust's defence counsel ask Judge Morris to allow it five years to pay the fine but she refused and suggested three years would be more appropriate. Hollywood stars have embarked on a celebrity road trip across California to campaign for Bernie Sanders. Shailene Woodley, Kendrick Sampson and Rosario Dawson piled into Woodley's motor home to campaign for the Democratic presidential candidate ahead of the California primary on June 7. The celebrity friends decided against hiring a driver and took turns driving themselves across the state during the 12-city tour, the LA Times reports. Scroll down for video Shailene Woodley (far right), Kendrick Sampson (front) and Rosario Dawson (middle) piled into Woodley's motor home to campaign for the Democratic presidential candidate ahead of the California primary on June 7 The tour began on Thursday, taking in several stops along the US-Mexico border and San Diego before they pulled up in the quiet Bay Area suburb of Hayward on Friday. There, the stars gave some encouragement to Bernie supporters and volunteers. 'This is about our future, our collective future, and we can't be told we have to vote out of fear,' said Dawson in a rousing pep talk. The Fault in Our Stars star Woodley added: 'It's easy to feel isolated and to feel lonely in this movement. But there's millions of us around the country who are doing this.' The actors' down-to-earth RV tour is reflective of the Sanders' grassroots campaign which prides itself on its small individual donations in comparison to the wealthy backers of his presidential candidate rivals. 'It is close quarters,' Sampson said of the less than glamorous accommodation.' 'It's definitely not my preference of travel. I'd rather get there and go to a hotel. But we're having so much fun.' The celebs posed with dozens of Bernie fans when they stopped off in a Bay Area suburb during the Sanders tour Sanders has garnered a huge celebrity following with stars such as Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover and Mark Ruffalo all pledging their support for his campaign The tour - organized independently from the campaign - comes to an end on Monday when the bus arrives in Los Angeles. Mike de la Rocha, a musician, who is also on the bus said the tour was about allowing people to 'collectively heal' as well as getting people out to vote for Bernie Sanders. The tour is also making a stop at events for Native American children and youngsters who have fled violence in Central America. Sanders has garnered a huge celebrity following with stars such as Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover and Mark Ruffalo all pledging their support for his campaign. Meanwhile, the likes of Lena Dunham, Katy Perry and Julianne Moore have all come out to support Hillary Clinton. One of Bernie's staunchest supporters has been Sin City star Dawson who has spoken at several official Sanders campaign events and is an outspoken critic of his rival Hillary Clinton. Last week she told gathered Sanders fans that winning the White House is only the beginning of the political revolution. It's time for a 'clean sweep,' she said. 'It's time for us to start looking at everyone down the ballot and go, "Are you really representing us?' Dawson said at a recent Sanders rally in East LA. 'Who are these superdelegates? Who are these Congress people and these senators - are they really with you?' Hollywood actress Shailene Woodley, a die-hard Bernie Sanders supporter, spoke in support of Sanders during a campaign event on the tour One of Bernie's staunchest supporters has been Sin City star Dawson who has spoken at several official Sanders campaign events and is an outspoken critic of his rival Hillary Clinton. Dawson told the California crowd, 'We need to reform, not conform.' Sanders has spent the past week campaigning in California in preparation for the June 7 primary. He told reporters last week he's aiming to speak to 200,000 people at rallies in California prior to the election. That's 10 percent of the projected number of votes he needs to win, Sanders said. A lunchtime rally on Monday,, May 23, the U.S. senator drew a crowd of 2,717. 'Looks to me like East LA is ready for a political revolution,' he told his supporters. Sanders told them, 'We are going to win the state of California.' 'And we are going to win the state of California because before the end of this campaign year we are going to have rallies all over this state and speak in a grassroots way to 200,000' people, he said. Sanders boasted that his is not a 'fancy campaign.' 'We can win and win big here in California, that will give us the momentum to get to the White House,' he later said. 'Let's have this great state - this progressive state - tell the world, that California is ready for a political revolution!' Later, at Santa Monica High, he again touted the turnout at his events and the 6,750 supporters there to see him, 'This is a large state and we're gonna have a lot of rallies.' Polls have Clinton ahead in California but the size of her lead has ebbed and flowed over the last month. Teenage boy due to appear before magistrates in Queensland on Monday She needs months of treatment to burns on her arms, legs and upper body The girl is in an induced coma at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Boy, 17, allegedly set the girl on fire after dousing her in petrol at 4pm The teenagers are believed to have argued over a mobile phone A 17-year-old girl was allegedly doused in petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend after an argument over a mobile phone. The teenager will have to undergo months of treatment to the burns that cover her arms, legs and upper body after the incident in a south Brisbane suburb on Friday afternoon. Paramedics treated her at the scene before being taking to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital where she was placed in an induced coma. Her ex-boyfriend, who is also 17, has been charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm and will appear before magistrates on Monday. Scroll down for video A 17-year-old girl was allegedly doused in petrol and set on fire by her teenage boyfriend (above) after an alleged argument about a mobile phone on Friday Paramedics were called to the address at around 4pm where they found the teenager having been set ablaze. It is understood the pair were living together at the Marsden property, previously rented by his mother, when the incident occurred after an alleged argument between the couple. The Daily Telegraph reports that the dispute was allegedly over a mobile phone and occurred while the 17-year-old male was stripping paint from a car in the garage, while holding a cigarette. Family and friends of the teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons have voiced their devastation over the horrific event. 'She is only 17 years old, she has her whole life ahead of her and she does not deserve this,' her sister posted to Facebook. 'You're not giving up on me this easy, I know you can get through this, you're a fighter. I love you.' While her condition has stabilised, her biggest battle is ahead of her a friend of the 17-year-old teenager told the Daily Telegraph, as she could face horrific scarring from the burns. 'She will need a new start in life. She will have to have ongoing medical treatment and skin grafts,' The girl's family made an emotional plea for her recovery on Sunday as she remained in a coma in hospital The girl (left) remains in an induced coma in hospital. The 17-year-old boy has been charged with acts intending grievous bodily harm It's reported that incident occurred while the 17-year-old male was stripping paint from a car in the garage, while holding a cigarette A friend of the victim says the 17-year-old will need a new start in life and will have to have ongoing medical treatment and skin grafts The victim's sister posted on social media: 'You're not giving up on me this easy, I know you can get through this, you're a fighter' The girl remains in an induced coma at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (above) According to a Queensland spokesman: 'Around 4pm it is alleged the man became involved in a verbal argument with a 17-year-old woman, known to him. 'Police will further allege the man then used a flammable liquid to set the woman on fire. The woman was treated by paramedics for serious burn injuries to her arms, legs and upper body. 'She was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital for treatment,' they added. There was no update on the teenager's condition on Sunday. Police have charged a man with one count of acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm. The boy will appear at Beenleigh Magistrates court (above) on Monday charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm It is understood the pair were living together at the property when the incident occurred after an alleged argument over a mobile phone The bungling passenger has been given two weeks to pay all costs When Lanlehin, of London, didn't pay she was fined 562 in court Parys Lanlehin (pictured), 20, of London, has been fined a staggering 562 for a 2.20 journey after she was caught with the wrong ticket A 20-year-old student has been fined a staggering 562 for a 2.20 journey after she was caught with the wrong ticket. Parys Lanlehin was caught using a return train ticket on the wrong day - and going in the wrong direction - on June 4, 2014. The University of Nottingham student was issued with a 20 penalty ticket on the Nottingham to Beeston train, but the court heard it was never paid. Lanlehin, of Walthamstow, London, then signed a declaration stating she was unaware of legal proceedings taking place in Nottingham at Stratford Magistrates Court. On Wednesday, the student was found guilty of boarding a train without a valid ticket after she failed to attend the case at Nottingham Magistrates Court. She was fined 220 with 300 prosecution costs and a 22 government surcharge. She was also ordered to pay the 20 penalty, which had been imposed when she was caught on the train. Magistrates gave Lanlehin two weeks to pay and issued a collection order, which could lead to bailiffs removing items from her home to cover the payment. It comes as earlier this year a passenger was fined almost 800 after he was caught without a train ticket - that would have cost just 2.70. Andrew Davies, of Exeter, Devon, was found guilty of travelling on a Great Western Railway train in Paignton, south Devon, in June with intent to avoid paying the fare. Torbay magistrates fined the 49-year-old 550 in January and ordered him to pay 215 costs - and the 2.70 fare in compensation. Ms Lanlehin was one of 19 passengers who were ordered to pay a total of nearly 12,000 in fines and costs by the court this week That's a total of 767.70 due to the court, much more than the 2.70 it would have cost him for the journey in the south west. Davies was one of 19 passengers who were ordered to pay a total of nearly 12,000 in fines and costs by the court this week. Most were for not paying low-priced fares while travelling on Great Western Railway trains. Eighteen-year-old Jade Agett from Paignton was stopped at Newton Abbott and found without a ticket for carriage, that would have cost 6.70. She was ordered to pay 656.70 by the court. The University of Nottingham student didn't pay the original 20 penalty ticket saying she wasn't aware of legal proceedings taking place at Stratford Magistrates Court (pictured) And 28-year-old Settarra Ahmadi was stopped at Torquay train station without a valid ticket. What would have cost her 4.50 for the journey ended up costing a lot more as the court fined her a total of 406.50. The Citizens Advice Bureau warns that if you travel by train without a valid ticket, you could be charged a penalty fare. 'A penalty fare is set at a higher rate than the normal fare and you must pay it on the spot,' reads the website. 'If you don't pay it, you may be taken to court or risk your details being passed on to a debt collection agency.' A spokesperson for Great Western Railway told MailOnline Travel: 'Fare evasion costs the rail industry about 240million a year. 'To make sure that customers who pay for rail travel are not unfairly subsidising those who choose to avoid paying passengers are required to purchase a ticket prior to boarding a service from station ticket offices or from the available ticket vending machines.' Three candidates have entered the race to lead Lincoln for the next four years and prioritize increasing its retail and maintaining city infrastructure. Gerarld Wise, the mayoral incumbent of one year, is being challenged by Lincoln City Council member Karen Daly and businesswoman Elizabeth Flemming. Gerarld Wise Gerarld Wise, 51, a general contractor, said he is running again because "a lot of things are not completed yet, and a lot of things need to be done." Wise took office in June 2015 after defeating former Mayor Bob Johnston in a special recall election. With four more years in office, he said he can help make the city stable. "I have a lot of people come up to me and say they feel major differences just in the atmosphere of the city since I took over," Wise said. "I love the people in the city of Lincoln. I love representing them. We have issues; every city does. But there have been a lot of positive things coming out of the last 365 days since I became mayor of Lincoln," he said. Wise has been involved in creating a home rule charter, which is being drafted by a city committee to help establish a tax base. "It's income to the city. The more income and revenue we have coming into the city, the more we can do for the city," he said. "I would like to see the charter bring in more business. Lincoln is growing as a residential area, but I want to see Lincoln grow commercially." Wise said he has provided stability to the city office. "We have an auditor now that is making the office flow as it should. We have a police department that is awesome," he said. Infrastructure will be one of the most important issues for Lincoln in the next four years, as Lincoln Road is being repaired and the drainage canal cleaned up, according to Wise. Previously, the city was spending too much for its engineer, leaving not enough for projects, he said. Wise said he brings great leadership as mayor, but that he listens when council members and citizens speak. Wise and his wife, Maria, have a combined family of three children and three grandchildren. "If the citizens of Lincoln want me to continue to be their mayor, I will be happy to. I've enjoyed it with all of the ups and downs," he said. Karen Daly Karen Daly, 70, has lived in Lincoln since before it was incorporated in 1977. She was one of the city's first auditors and has served on the city council for 15 years. "I am running for mayor because I really care about the city of Lincoln. We have a lot of projects that need doing," she said. "We need to get back to paying attention to our budget and spending it on designated items." Daly expressed concern that the council is spending money not in its budget. "We need to have everyone on the council, as well as residents, be aware that we are limited to a budget and we need to stick to our budget to pay for all of our expenses," said Daly, who runs a window cleaning business. She said one of the most important issues for the city will be repairing its lagoon and addressing its water storage issues. "We have a million gallons of drinking water in storage, but our population has grown and we need another 500,000 gallons," said Daly, who graduated from Bismarck High School and attended college in Pasadena, Calif. Daly sees the home rule charter being drafted by the city as a means of stimulating economic growth. "There is the possibility of a small sales tax, though I am not in favor of additional taxes. We are limited on revenue," she said. "This year, our state aid as well as highway funds has gotten cut for the rest of the biennium by $100,000." Having experience with city government, understanding finances, having a good rapport with the community and drawing the people together are what Daly sees as her strengths as a city leader. As a council member, she said she is good at "listening to the people and seeing what the people want, and helping provide water and good streets." Daly said the city's connection fees for new homes should help pay for the city infrastructure, such as its lagoon repairs. She and her husband, Ray, have two children and two grandchildren. Elizabeth "Beth" Flemming Elizabeth Flemming, 53, said she has the business experience needed to guide the city in the next four years as mayor. "I can understand the financial workings of the system. I was on the Chamber of Commerce in Minot. ... I worked on many of the committees, and I helped write some of the grants to plant the trees on the state fairgrounds," said Flemming, who moved to Lincoln 15 years ago to manage the family business, DJ's Lounge, after her aunt died. She previously specialized in marketing and managing movie theaters. She now does bookkeeping for a commercial restaurant supply company in Bismarck. Flemming, who said she helped promote putting Wise in office in the mayoral recall election campaign, is looking for change. "The reason we got Jerry in there was to make a change from what was going on. ... We are seeing some of the bad habits from the previous councils and turmoil is back," said Flemming, who graduated from Minot High School and studied computer science at Minot State University. "We are trying to have a positive image and get along with the county and the state people, and not fight and argue with them." Flemming said the proposed home rule charter is long overdue. "We would have a lot more options as a city as far as taxes that we would have available for our infrastructure," said Flemming, pointing to water issues, including a water tower and lagoon system, that are problematic. "We need financing to do that." Flemming emphasized it is important for Lincoln to have its own emergency services and recommends the city house a fire truck in town. "In the last couple of years, we've lost two homes. By the time rural fire gets there, they're gone," she said, citing grant funds, federal safety funds and matching programs that could assist the city in buying emergency equipment. "You need strong leadership for the council and the staff. I have 30 years of knowledge. I have worked for corporate companies and for individuals. I have roots here. My family has been here since the 1970s," said Flemming, who has two sons. The taxpayer footed a 9,000 bill to fly a Liberal Democrat peer home from holiday so he could make a four minute speech in parliament. Lord Paddick, a former Metropolitan police chief and candidate for London mayor, made a 7,000 mile round trip from New York in BA business class to attend a debate on military action against Isis in Iraq. His contribution ran to just 446 words, and included insights such as that it was 'a very serious issue with serious consequences'. The details have emerged in documents released under freedom of information rules for a new book, an were highlighted by the Sunday Times. Lib Dem peer Brian Paddick insisted he was following advice from Lords officials when he took the flights They show that Mr Paddick flew home from New York's JFK airport in a flatbed seat the night before the debate in September 2014. After his brief appearance, he took a return flight from Heathrow the same night, again in a flatbed seat. The final cost was 8,897.84 - equivalent to nearly 20 a word or 2,224 a minute. His four-minute speech stated that military action was 'a very serious issue with serious consequences' and that 'in my professional experience as a police officer, the overwhelming majority of Muslims in this country are law-abiding and peaceloving'. When parliament is recalled from recess MPs and peers who are away can recover their expenses for attending the sitting 'including the cost of travel from overseas'. Mr Paddick, a Lib Dem front-bench spokesman, stressed that he had not gained personally from the claim. 'I sought the advice of the chief whip and the House of Lords authorities before travelling. I was advised what class of travel I was entitled to,' he said. 'I gave up two days of my holiday to speak in an important debate in parliament. The claim simply covered the cost of travel. I did not gain financially myself from the claim.' But Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Given the brevity of Lord Paddick's intervention, taxpayers can't be blamed for feeling fleeced after funding the round trip of nearly 9,000. 'Were no economy class flights available? Unelected peers talking about being 'entitled' to travel business class on the taxpayer will do nothing to instil public confidence that they are being careful with our hard-earned cash.' Details of Paddick's flight feature in a new book by journalist Martin Williams, Parliament Ltd, detailing how MPs and peers have made questionable use of their allowances and expenses. It shows 43 peers claimed expenses during the 2014-15 parliamentary session worth a total of 621,600 but never spoke in the chamber. A group of 34 peers claimed expenses worth 130,000 while never voting during the same period. Eight peers claimed a total of just under 29,000 while neither speaking nor voting. Peers receive no salary but can claim a 300 daily allowance for turning up. Sir Alistair Graham, former chairman of the committee on standards in public life, told the newspaper: 'The Lords is full of people who are unable to make a real contribution to running the country. 'We need to ensure the second chamber is part of a fully effective democratic system rather than a vehicle to keep elderly politicians happy.' Veteran journalist and founding producer of 60 Minutes Gerald Stone has slammed Tara Brown for her handling of the botched child kidnap story in Lebanon. During an interview with reporter Michael Usher on Nine Network's 60 Minutes on Sunday night, Mr Stone said that the crew had 'let their guard down' and become 'too emotionally attached.' 'Its amazing to me that a program bases itself on asking the right questions didnt ask themselves the right questions,' Mr Stone said. 'I have no doubt that their (Tara Brown and producer Stephen Rice) judgement was blurred, I dont understand how they would have agreed to take an assignment on that basis.' Scroll down for video Founding producer of 60 Minutes Gerald Stone (left) has slammed reporter Tara Brown (right) for her handling of the botched child kidnap story in Lebanon 60 Minutes reporter Michael Usher (pictured) said that 60 Minutes had made 'multiple and serious mistakes in the planning and execution' of the international story 'Its amazing to me that a program bases itself on asking the right questions didnt ask themselves the right questions': Mr Stone offered a frank assessment of the actions taken by the 60 Minutes crew The television crew spent two weeks in a behind bars over a plot to snatch Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner's two children (pictured) from her ex-husband's family on a street in Beirut Mr Usher introduced the interview with an apology, admitting that 60 Minutes had made 'multiple and serious mistakes in the planning and execution' of the international story. 'We've been asking ourselves how things could have gone so wrong, and tonight we face up to the errors we made. We sincerely apologise for our serious mistakes,' he said. Mr Stone said the entire kidnapping disaster was 'without a doubt the greatest misadventure' in the show's 37 year history. 'There were ways to do it (the story) that could have reduced the risks, but to try to cover a parental kidnapping in one of the most heavily guarded cities I just thought was a bridge too far,' he said. He added that the story of Sally Faulkner searching for custody of her children from an estranged husband was compelling and 'worth telling' - but questioned the objectivity of the crew. 'The issue itself is important, (but) the crew and everybody involved seemed to be emotionally committed to the mother,' Stone said. 'Theyre letting their guard down. Theyre not asking the questions they should have asked.' Mr Stone said the story of Sally Faulkner searching for custody of her children from an estranged husband (pictured) was compelling and 'worth telling' - but questioned the objectivity of the crew 'Blurred judgement': Mr Stone slammed Tara Brown (pictured after walking free from a Lebanese prison) for not assessing the risks Reporter Tara Brown, producer Stephen Rice, cameraman Ben Williamson, sound recordist David Ballment and Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner spent two weeks behind bars over a plot to snatch Ms Faulkner's two children from her ex-husband's family on a street in Beirut. The team walked free from a Lebanese prison along with Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner after her estranged husband, Ali Elamine, agreed to drop the charges on April 21. An internal investigation into the incident resulted in the sacking of 60 Minutes producer Stephen Rice and formal warnings for anyone else involved directly in the story. They are understood to include former 60 Minutes executive producer Tom Malone, now Nine's head of sport. An inquiry found critical questions including whether Nine staff were breaking the law were never raised by Mr Malone who approved the story, Mr Rice who proposed it or the reporting team. Producers at 60 Minutes had such a high level of autonomy that the executive producer saw no need to consult the news and current affairs director on the wisdom of commissioning the story, the inquiry's report found. 'If Nine's usual procedures had been adhered to, the errors of judgment may have been identified earlier, with the result that the story would not have been undertaken at all, or at least not in the way in which it was implemented,' the report states. The television crew and Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner spent two weeks behind bars over a plot to snatch Ms Faulkner's two children (pictured) from her ex-husband's family on a street in Beirut 'I dont understand how they would have agreed to take an assignment on that basis': Mr Stone said he was unsure why Ms Brown agreed to take on the assignment in the first place Nine CEO Hugh Marks said the network and program had suffered significant damage to their reputation in a case that exposed its crew to serious risks. 'We got too close to the story and suffered damaging consequences,' he said on Friday. The 60 Minutes reporting team became emotionally attached to Ms Faulkner and grossly underestimated issues such as the power and willingness of a foreign government to enforce its laws, the three-member review panel found. Mr Marks said it was inappropriate for 60 Minutes to directly pay the child recovery agency. Two payments totalling $115,000 were made to Child Abduction Recovery International (CARI), which had been independently contracted by Ms Faulkner to retrieve her children Lahela, five, and Noah, three. Nationwide has also announced plans for loans to help young people Under scheme, other family members would pay interest or settle debt An intergenerational mortgage is set to allow grandparents to borrow to fund their offspring or grandchildren's first homes, it has been revealed. One Family, a mutual, has devised a new breed of loan to help young people get on the property ladder amid rising house prices. It is planning to launch a mortgage within the next three months, which enables the elderly to help out younger generations who cannot afford starter homes. One Family has devised a new loan to help young people get on the property ladder amid rising house prices Under the scheme, other family members would pay the interest or settle the debt. The move comes as Nationwide announced last week it will launch new loans so young people can use family money to get on the housing ladder. Georgina Smith, managing director of One Family Lifetime Mortgages, said: 'Families are increasingly deciding about the best ways to defend the equity in parents' or grandparents' property and keep wealth cascading down through the generations. 'But young people need protecting too, when they are struggling to set up home. 'The logical next step is for equity to be released from the asset rich like grandparents via loans repaid further down the family line.' Long-term rising property prices have meant that many 50, 60 or 70-year-olds, who typically bought their first homes in their early 20s, are sitting on lucrative investments. Today's 60-somethings, who paid an average 12,704 for their first home in 1976, will have seen the investment rise 20-fold, this year reaching 292,000 with an annualised growth rate of eight per cent, according to the Office of National Statistics. If they survive into their nineties, they will have accumulated 70 years in the property market and a 3million nest egg. The intergenerational mortgage would allow grandparents to borrow to fund their grandchildren's first homes It is believed that more lenders could follow One Family's lead in the competitive mortgage market. But David Hollingworth, a broker at mortgage company, London & Country, said: 'Affordability can be a problem, because you require a certain level of income to pay a mortgage. 'Senior home owners also need to think carefully about their own security later in life.' Ray Boulger, of brokers John Charcol (Correct), believes an intergenerational loan could be particularly valuable in the buy-to-let market. He said: 'Sons or daughters may wish to keep the property as an investment and there is no reason why the mortgage should not pass on to them, with the equity. 'Buy-to-let mortgages are based on rental income, so there is no issue with affordability.' Last week, bosses at Nationwide said they wanted to make it easier for parents and grandparents to pass on wealth to first-time buyers. Under the intergenerational mortgage scheme, other family members would pay the interest or settle the debt They also pledged to help older people release cash from their homes to ease money worries in retirement. It came as they announced a 23 per cent rise in profits to 1.3billion for the year to April. Chris Rhodes, group retail director of Nationwide, said Britain's wealth was increasingly tied up in property particularly as pension schemes became less generous. Nationwide was looking at 'how you can transfer wealth parents to children', he said, although the society declined to give details of what it was working on. And it was also seeking to develop what he termed a 'reverse mortgage' so retirees could free up money in their homes for their own spending. He stressed this would be different to equity release, which is when niche financiers lend money against the value of a property to be paid back with interest when its owner dies. Joe Garner, Nationwide's new chief executive, said: 'A huge proportion of the wealth of the UK is in property. 'Intergenerational wealth transfer and allowing you to stay in the family home for as long as possible these are real customer needs.' David Pentek (pictured) has been jailed for eight years after burgling a house An out-of-work actor who starred alongside Meryl Streep and Helena Bonham Carter has been jailed for tying up a 14-year-old boy and burgling his parents' house. David Pentek, who played a policeman in the 2015 film Suffragettes, left the boy needing therapy after the 'frightening' raid. The 41-year-old smashed a window to get into the house in sleepy Peasmarsh, East Sussex and confronted the youngster in his bedroom. He was wearing a black hoody that partially covered his face and ordered the teenager not to move while he stole jewellery, men's after shave and other personal items. The schoolboy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, later needed treatment for shock following the burglary. Pentek, from St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment by Judge Paul Tain at Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex on Tuesday after pleading guilty to robbery. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of 170. Detective Constable Dominic Brown, part of an East Sussex CID team that tracked down and arrested Pentek, said: 'This incident was a truly frightening experience for the boy involved, who was left badly shaken but otherwise unhurt. 'We're pleased that the man responsible has been brought to justice and given a lengthy sentence for his crime.' The actor featured in Suffragettes with Helena Bonham Carter (pictured). Pentek, 41, smashed a window to get into the house in sleepy Peasmarsh, East Sussex and confronted the youngster in his bedroom Donald Trump does not have as much money to fund his campaign as he has claimed, according to a report. The Republican nominee has boasted throughout his campaign that he is the only candidate with the economic independence to do what he wants. And earlier this week he insisted he is only holding fundraisers because the Republican National Committee wants him to. However, according to the Washington Examiner, Trump's senior adviser Paul Manafort has admitted to a group of Senate Republican leaders that the campaign funds are drying up. The real estate mogul and his team are concerned he will not have the money to produce televized counter-attacks if Hillary Clinton stings him with negative campaigns, sources connected to the meeting last week told the Examiner. The Republican nominee has boasted throughout his campaign that he is the only candidate with the economic independence to do what he wants. But a report claims his campaign will struggle for funds this summer Trump held his first fundraisers this week, including a $25,000-per-ticket dinner on Wednesday in Los Angeles. 'The RNC really wanted to do it, and I want to show good spirit,' Trump said in a phone interview with the Associated Press. 'Cause I was very happy to continue to go along the way I was.' The Examiner's article on Saturday suggests these words may not reflect the campaign's financial situation going forward. Trump's personal investment in his quest for the White House has been a point of pride, a boast making its way into nearly every rally and interview. Through the end of April, the billionaire businessman had lent his campaign at least $43 million, enough to pay for most of his primary bid. 'By self-funding my campaign, I am not controlled by my donors, special interests or lobbyists. I am working only for the people of the U.S.!' he wrote on Twitter in September. With this week's fundraisers, which also included a small gathering Tuesday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Trump gains hundreds of thousands of campaign dollars but loses his ability to accurately claim independence from donors. Trump's voters repeatedly have cited that as a top reason they back him. It's not clear how they will react now. Perhaps to assuage those voter concerns, Trump is trying to promote his fundraising agreement as beneficial to other Republicans, not his own campaign. The deal itself shows Trump comes first. For every check he solicits and donors can give almost $450,000 apiece the first $5,400 goes to Trump's primary and general election campaign accounts. The rest is spread among the RNC and 11 state parties. The RNC can use its money to help Republican candidates for Senate and House. However, Trump's team and Republican officials also have said the RNC plans to take the lead on major presidential campaign activities such as voter identification and turnout. Asked by the AP if he sees a contradiction in asking for money after repeatedly saying he stood above the other candidates because he didn't, Trump said, 'No, because I'm raising money for the party. And if I didn't do it this way, I wouldn't be able to raise money for the party.' There is no requirement that a presidential candidate's fundraising agreement with the party include his or her own campaign. That is, Trump could have continued to self-fund his campaign and simultaneously helped raise money for the RNC. Trump also first denied to the AP that he is raising any money for the primary. Reminded of the terms of the fundraising agreement, he then said primary donations don't really count because he already has defeated his GOP rivals. He promised not to use any donor money to pay down his loans. That means he has until the Republican convention in late July to spend any primary contributions he collects. Despite Trump's comments to the AP that he would have carried on self-funding if not for the RNC, in other media interviews he has expressed a reluctance to sell buildings or other assets to pay for a costly general election. 'It would be foolish for him to unilaterally disarm against Hillary Clinton,' said Roger Stone, Trump's friend and informal political adviser, when asked about why Trump decided to take donations. Trump's personal investment in his quest for the White House has been a boasted point of pride in every rally Trump's likely opponent, the former secretary of state, aims to have $1 billion for her bid, through her campaign, the Democratic Party and outside groups. The presumptive GOP nominee's still-forming fundraising team, led by Steven Mnuchin, Trump's national finance chairman, and Lew Eisenberg, the RNC's national finance chairman, is rushing to schedule events. Trump and the RNC on Tuesday announced new additions to the financial operation, including New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, roofing company owner Diane Hendricks and former Ambassador Mel Sembler, who each helped raise major money for previous presidential candidates. Earlier this year Trump singled out Johnson, predicting that his fundraising for Jeb Bush would influence Bush's positions on prescription drug policies. Johnson's family founded the Johnson & Johnson medical and pharmaceutical company. At the Wednesday fundraiser, donors will hobnob with Trump at a reception and dinner at the Los Angeles home of his friend and fellow real estate investor Tom Barrack, whose publicist said he is passionate about surfing and horses and is the 'son of hard-working Lebanese parents.' The price of admission includes a photo with Trump. Eisenberg said the Trump fundraising agreement enables the party to 'recover the interest and enthusiasm of major donors and raise the money needed to win a Republican presidency, Senate and House, as well as secure the Supreme Court.' Two past presidential fundraisers who are hoping to join Trump's finance team are convinced he'll raise the money needed to win. For Trump, who has never sought out donors, 'the low-hanging fruit is more abundant than it's ever been for anyone at this point in a presidential cycle,' said Rick Hohlt, a Washington lobbyist. Donors, he said, are excited to meet Trump many for the first time. Advertisement Two of country's hottest holiday destinations, visited by millions of tourists each year, are being shown in a whole new light in a book that reveals the hidden gems of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. The guide turns its back on hotspots like Lake Windermere, Coniston, Kendal and Bowness, instead unveiling more than 400 of the best kept secrets of Britain's most popular national parks, found only off the beaten track. It lifts the lid on hidden waterfalls, huge caverns, forgotten tunnels, secret valleys and islands, bothy huts, lost ruins, magical meadows and ancient forest away from the tourist trail. Wasdale Head, Lake District, Cumbria: The guide turns its back on hotspots like Lake Windermere, Coniston, Kendal and Bowness, instead unveiling more than 400 of the best kept secrets of Britain's most popular national parks, found only off the beaten track Esthwaite Lake which lies between Coniston and Windermere: It lifts the lid on hidden waterfalls, huge caverns, forgotten tunnels, secret valleys and islands, bothy huts, lost ruins, magical meadows and ancient forest away from the tourist trail Rannerdale bluebells, Crummock: It also features sweeping valleys, breathtaking ridges, picturesque sites for wild camping and perfect picnic spots. The Wild Guide to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales has been written to celebrate the merger of the two national parks It also features sweeping valleys, breathtaking ridges, picturesque sites for wild camping and perfect picnic spots. The Wild Guide to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales has been written to celebrate the merger of the two national parks this summer. The book is the latest from award-winning travel writer and photographer Daniel Start, who quit his job at a London council to pursue his dream of writing a guide to the best places in Britain to swim in the wild. He has since published a string of travel guides revealing Britain's little-known gems. While researching the book Mr Start turned to one of the Lake District's most famous sons, the poet William Wordsworth, scouring his 1835 guide to the area to help identify forgotten features like Stanley Ghyll waterfall at Boot and stone circles at Burnmoor. A lesser-known but equally helpful resource were the journals of Millican Dalton, a disgruntled insurance clerk who left London in 1897 to live in a cave in Borrowdale, which he operated as a 'cave hotel' for travellers. Nearby is St Herbert's Island, which became the inspiration for Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin who wrote the famous story after hearing from an elderly resident of the island about squirrels that would swim to it to bury their nuts. Mr Start even used Victorian manuscripts and plans to reveal hidden tunnels underneath Cathedral Cavern and Parrock Quarry at Little Langsdale. Some of the places featured are so little known that few locals were aware of them, such as the huge network of caverns hidden behind the waterfall at Great Douk, the lake at Holme Fell, the gorge at Helm Gill or the old bothy at Dub Quarry in Buttermere. Cathedral Cavern a huge open cavern with chambers, skylights and platforms: Mr Start even used Victorian manuscripts and plans to reveal hidden tunnels underneath Cathedral Cavern and Parrock Quarry at Little Langsdale While researching the book Mr Start turned to one of the Lake District's most famous sons, the poet William Wordsworth, scouring his 1835 guide to the area to help identify forgotten features like Stanley Ghyll waterfall at Boot (pictured) and stone circles at Burnmoor Some of the places featured are so little known that few locals were aware of them, such as the huge network of caverns hidden behind the waterfall at Great Douk, the lake at Holme Fell (pictured), the gorge at Helm Gill or the old bothy at Dub Quarry in Buttermere. Holme Fell: A lesser-known but equally helpful resource were the journals of Millican Dalton, a disgruntled insurance clerk who left London in 1897 to live in a cave in Borrowdale, which he operated as a 'cave hotel' for travellers As with his previous books, Mr Start has visited all of the locations in the book over the past three years with his wife Tanya, four-year-old daughter Rose and pet dog Toto. Mr Start, who lives near Bath, Somerset, said: 'As a family we have spent several years travelling around the Lakes and Dales trying to find the most incredible scenes and and discover the most secret places. 'It's always been my favourite part of the country ever a since I wrote Wild Swimming. 'The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks are merging this year and so I thought what better way to celebrate them than to publish a guide that really gets under the skin of the area. 'Millions of people visit the Lakes and the Dales each year and they naturally go to the popular tourist spots but I wanted to reveal its secret places. 'For example, Lake Windermere is one of the go-to places in the Lake District but if you just go a couple of miles past it there are a series of stunning lakes that are just as easy to get to and often there's no-one there. Crackpot Hall in the Yorkshire Dales: As with his previous books, Mr Start has visited all of the locations in the book over the past three years with his wife Tanya, four-year-old daughter Rose and pet dog Toto Appletreewick, River Wharfe: 'It's always been my favourite part of the country... The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks are merging this year and so I thought what better way to celebrate them than to publish a guide that really gets under the skin of the area 'My book features hidden waterfalls, incredible caverns, secret valleys and islands, lost ruins, magical meadows, ancient rock art and ancient forest. 'I used satellite imagery and old Victorian manuscripts to discover some places, tracing down sites of old ruins, tunnels, caves and waterfalls. 'Some of the places are so secret that even the locals didn't know about them. 'My broader mission is to reach the places that traditional travel guides don't, and make adventure more accessible. 'Some of the places like caves and caverns come with a mild degree of risk but we're keen to encourage people to get off their sofas and see a bit more of the world.' The Wild Guide to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales is published by Wild Things Publishing on June 1 and costs 15.99. Herbert's Island, one of the four Islands of Derwent Water: 'My book features hidden waterfalls, incredible caverns, secret valleys and islands, lost ruins, magical meadows, ancient rock art and ancient forest' The Wild Guide to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales is published by Wild Things Publishing on June 1 and costs 15.99. After a long and exhausting 12-hour night shift, all police officer Kareem Garibaldi was looking forward to was getting home to bed. But as he got into his police car at 7am on Saturday, he found a tiny puppy hiding under his vehicle. Garibaldi - who was lucky to have spotted the poor pooch before driving off - knew he could not just leave the dog, but without a tag or collar, he had no idea where her owner was. He took the petrified puppy back to his police station and spent two more days looking for her home, but was left with no choice but to take her to an animal shelter on Monday, where these heartwarming pictures were taken. Cop's best friend: Police officer Kareem Garibaldi rescued a puppy and took her to an animal shelter, where they were pictured snoozing together Adorable: Garibaldi worked a long 12-hour night shift before taking his new pal to the vet for a check-up Despite having spent the night fighting crime, Garibaldi spent hours in the clinic as the puppy - which he has named Hope - was being checked over and vaccinated. The tiny eight-week-old pit bull and boxer cross was in the vets from 8.45am until noon, a City of Lakeland spokesman said, meaning her police officer carer had been on the go for more than 17 hours. Touching photographs show the cop and Hope snoozing together on a seat at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter. Clinic manager Connie Johnson, who took the moving pictures, said she saw the puppy and the officer and 'couldn't resist'. 'I walked in, and that's when I saw him and the puppy,' she told The Dodo. 'He was exhausted, the puppy was exhausted, and they were sleeping. It was one of those moments that just grab your heart. He was so determined to get her help. Knackered: The dog - called Hope - found the ordeal exhausting and was seen snuggling down at the clinic Goodnight: Hope was fine and has since found a new owner in a dispatcher for the police department 'It clearly was a selfless thing to do. He wasn't thinking about getting home to sleep. He was thinking about what he could do to help this puppy survive. 'He actually woke up at one point just to see if she was OK, then he went back to sleep. 'This gentleman has such a heart. He really, really cared about the outcome of that puppy.' She told The Ledger that Garibaldi that her staff needed a boost 'and that was the most uplifting thing that could've happened'. Hope was fine and has since found a new owner in a dispatcher for the police department. 'Its the kind-hearted officers like this that makes the Lakeland Police Department truly unique,' the City of Lakeland spokesman said. Advertisement Amber Heard emerged from a four-hour meeting with her legal team in Los Angeles in a more cheerful mood, smiling with relief and hugging a female friend. The actress, who has filed for divorce from Johnny Depp and accused him of domestic violence, was pictured apparently in good spirits as she left the office building laughing and walked to a waiting limousine. Heard, who was clasping a laptop computer, arrived at the office at around 3.30pm on Saturday and did not leave until about 7.30pm. In court documents, Heard details the alleged violence during their 15-month marriage, saying she 'lived in fear' of the Pirates of the Caribbean star and worried that he could return to the L.A. condominium they shared to 'terrorize me physically and emotionally.' Scroll down for video The actress, who has filed for divorce from Johnny Depp and accused him of domestic violence, laughed loudly and hugged a female friend as they left the office building and walked to a waiting limo Amber Heard is all smiles following a four-hour meeting with her legal team in Los Angeles, California The actress and her lawyer Samantha Spector appeared at the Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles on Friday, where she filed for a domestic violence restraining order A long term friend and neighbor of Amber Heard has given evidence to support the young actress's claims that estranged husband Johnny Depp physically and emotionally abused her The actress and her lawyer, Samantha Spector, appeared at the Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles on Friday, where she filed for a domestic violence restraining order. Depp was not in court for the filing. Instead, the star was playing with his band, the Hollywood Vampires, at the Rock in Rio Lisboa festival. The first incident she documents in the court files is said to have occurred on her 30th birthday, on April 21 this year, after Depp turned up late to the gathering at their Broadway home 'inebriated and high.' A representative for Depp said in a statement on Thursday; 'Given the brevity of this marriage and the most recent and tragic loss of his mother, Johnny will not respond to any of the salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies about his personal life. 'Hopefully the dissolution of this short marriage will be resolved quickly.' In court documents, where she details the alleged violence during their 15-month marriage, Heard said she 'lived in fear' of the Pirates of the Caribbean star and the idea he could return to the L.A. condominium they shared to 'terrorize me physically and emotionally' Photographs of the bruising on Heard's face, which she claims was inflicted by Depp, were presented to Los Angeles Superior Court Amber Heard was crying as she left a courthouse in downtown Los Angeles on Friday following a morning hearing for a restraining order petition against estranged husband Johnny Depp Heard's face was bruised during her entry into a divorce court Friday. She says Depp caused the injury when he threw an iPhone into her face during the May 21 incident A long term friend and neighbor of Amber Heard has given evidence to support the young actress's claims that estranged husband Johnny Depp physically and emotionally abused her. Raquel Rose Pennington, who has known Heard for 13 years, filed court documents Friday that claimed she saw Depp 'screaming loudly at her' and wielding a wine bottle 'like a baseball bat'. In her account, Pennington says that she received a text from the star asking her to come over, and upon arrival, found Heard 'by the couch, covering her head with her arms and hands, as Johnny was loudly screaming at her'. The shocking statement continued: 'I ran over and stood in between Johnny and Amber, begging Johnny to stop yelling at her. 'I put my hands out in a defensive manner motioning him to stop. Johnny slapped my hands away and screamed foul obscenities at me.' Pennington added that the Pirates of the Caribbean star then 'picked up a large bottle of wine and began swinging it like a baseball bat' in order to smash 'everything he could', according to the document seen by The Daily Mirror. Following the incident she says she brought Heard back to her own home. Pennington had been at the couple's home last Saturday May 21, along with friends Elizabeth Marz and Joshua Drew, when Depp came home 'drunk and high' at around 7.15 pm, according to The Daily Beast. The group then left as Heard tried to comfort Depp over the passing of his mother the day before. Depp, pictured here in Lisbon, where he was touring with band Hollywood Vampires Friday, lost his mother on May 20. Heard had been comforting him on May 21 when he turned nasty, she said The couple are pictured here on February 15, 2015 two weeks after they were married. Heard says Depp has become difficult to handle due to a drug habit. She filed for divorce on May 22 The Friday Night Lights actress then claimed he suddenly began obsessing about 'something that was untrue' and his 'demeanor changed dramatically' and 'became extremely angry'. Pennington was just next door when Heard texted her for help at around 8pm. In her declaration of petition for a restraining order, seen by DailyMail.com, Heard said: 'Johnny has a long-held and widely acknowledged public and private history of drug and alcohol abuse. He has a short fuse. 'He is often paranoid and his temper is exceptionally scary for me as it has proven many times to be physically dangerous and/or life threatening to me.' She also said: 'During the entirety of our relationship, Johnny has been verbally and physically abusive to me. 'I endured excessive emotional, verbal and physical abuse from Johnny, which has included angry, hostile, humiliating and threatening assaults to me whenever I questioned his authority or disagreed with him. I live in fear that Johnny will return to (our house) unannounced to terrorise me, physically and emotionally.' Last Saturday, during the heated row that Pennington claims she bore witness to, Heard said an 'inebriated and high' Depp had grabbed her cellphone, 'wound up his arm like a baseball pitcher and threw the cell phone at me striking my cheek and eye with great force,' the court filing states. But police officers found 'no evidence of any crime' at their South Broadway home in downtown LA, despite Heard appearing bruised in a picture she claims was taken after the alleged attack. A photograph of Heard smiling with friends hours after Depp allegedly launched an iPhone at her face has since emerged, but was deleted before she appeared in court filing for a domestic violence restraining order. Depp has denied the allegations made against him and his lawyer claims Heard is alleging abuse to 'secure a premature financial resolution'. Close family: Lily-Rose's defense for her father came after her mother Vanessa also defended him. Pictured: A recent Instagram photo of Johnny Depp and Lily-Rose (left). Vanessa and Johnny in 2005, then still married Defiant: Lily-Rose Depp posted this throwback photo of her father to defend him against abuse claims. She also wrote a touching testimony, calling him a 'wonderful father' and 'the sweetest most loving person I know' Lily-Rose Depp has leaped to the defense of her father Johnny amid claims he physically abused his wife Amber Heard. The Chanel model, who turned 17 on Friday, is the eldest of Depp's two children with French actress and singer Vanessa Paradis, his ex-wife. It was on her birthday that Lily-Rose's father became headline news globally as his current wife, 30-year-old Amber Heard, filed for divorce citing abuse. Two days later, Lily-Rose has slammed the claims, saying on Instagram: 'My dad is the sweetest most loving person I know, he's been nothing but a wonderful father to my little brother and I, and everyone who knows him would say the same.' To accompany her defiant message, she posted a touching photograph of herself as a toddler holding hands with a youthful looking Johnny Depp. Lily-Rose was close to her grandmother, Johnny's mother, Betty Sue, who died days before the divorce saga erupted. Amid the family grief, the 17-year-old has also been working at full-pace, wrapping up two movies this year and being named the face of Chanel No 5 this week. But she took some time on Sunday to testify on behalf of her father. Lily-Rose's defense came after her mother Vanessa also defended Johnny in a note obtained by TMZ. A 12-year-old girl was airlifted to hospital this afternoon after two jet skis crashed into each other. Two adults and two children were on board the two vessels when they collided off the coast of Calshot, on the Hampshire coast. The girl was flown to Southampton General Hospital, but did not suffer life-threatening injuries. A 12-year-old girl was airlifted to hospital this afternoon after two jet skis crashed into each other Police are treating the crash as an accident. The incident saw crews from the RNLI inshore lifeboat, police, coastguard and air ambulance help with the rescue and treatment of casualties. A spokeswoman for the coastguard today said: 'The UK Coastguard oversaw an incident this afternoon at Calshot involving two jet skis. 'A 999 call came in at 2.15pm and the Gosport & Fareham independent lifeboat, along with Calshot inshore lifeboat and Southampton Coastguard Rescue Team, were sent to help. 'It's believed there were two adults and two children on board the jetskis. 'Hampshire Police, Helimed and South Central Ambulance were also at the scene.' A Hampshire Police spokesman confirmed this afternoon that officers attended the scene, but are not investigating the collision. He said: 'We were called by he coastguard at 2.30pm this afternoon to a report of a crash between two jet skis, and there were persons in the water by Calshot Activity Centre.' Police are treating the crash as an accident and the extent of the 12-year-old's injuries are currently unknown. Pictured, paramedics deal treat her injuries by the marina in Calshot A spokesman for RNLI Calshot said: 'Calshot Lifeboat's D Class was launched this afternoon to reports of two jet skis that had collided off of Calshot Spit. 'On arrival all persons had been recovered to shore, however, a 12 year old child had sustained injuries. 'Casualty Care qualified crew members assessed injuries from a suspected impact and were joined by Gosport Lifeboat and other Calshot crew members ashore. 'Further support was given by NHS paramedics, the hazard area response team and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. 'The casualty was transferred by the helicopter to hospital. Epstein, convicted of soliciting an underage girl for prostitution in 2005, is a multi millionaire with numerous properties including a private island The millionaire had then used the ill-gotten gains to fund his champagne lifestyle, the suit alleges Hoffenberg claims in his lawsuit that Epstein was involved in the scam He had pleaded guilty to swindling investors at Towers Financial Corporation in one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in US history Hoffenberg was sentenced to 20 years in jail in 1995 prison for his role in a Ponzi scheme and ordered to repay $475 million Epstein is accused of ripping off 200,000 small to mid-size investors in the suit brought by former business partner Steven Hoffenberg Sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein is being sued by a former business partner who accuses him in a $1bn lawsuit of ripping off up to 200,000 investors, according to papers filed in a United States federal court. Epstein, 63, is a fabulously wealthy Wall Street prodigy with ties to some of the worlds most powerful and famous people, including Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton and filmmaker Woody Allen. But he is also a convicted sex offender in his weekend home of Palm Beach, Florida, who has to register with authorities each time he moves to a different location eight years after he pleaded guilty to procuring teenage girls for prostitution. Sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein (left) is being sued by former business partner Steven Hoffenberg (right) who accuses him in a $1bn lawsuit of ripping off up to 200,000 investors And now, the multi-millionaire is being accused in a new civil lawsuit brought by a former business partner of ripping off 200,000 small to mid-size investors out of what could amount to $1 billion, including interests. The lawsuit could finally lift the veil on how the secretive Epstein became rich enough to hire a dream team of lawyers to represent him in his now-closed underage sex criminal case, including star defense lawyer Alan Dershowitz and former Monica Lewinsky prosecutor Ken Starr. In an unusual complaint filed late Friday, former New York Post publisher Steven Hoffenberg, the plaintiff, accuses Epstein of helping him defraud investors in the mid-1990s when Hoffenberg and, allegedly, Epstein ran a classic pyramid scheme through Hoffenbergs Towers Financial Corporation. The duo allegedly used money from the sale of bonds and securities and promissory notes from early investors to cover losses they incurred on behalf of newer investors and affiliated business, and personal expenses to keep a jet-setting-and-champagne lifestyle. According to the lawsuit, the duo suffered losses in failed attempts to buy now-defunct Pan American Airways as well as a freight air carrier Emery. Epstein, 63, a fabulously wealthy Wall Street prodigy, was convicted of soliciting an underage girl for prostitution in 2005 (pictured in court in 2008) Steven Hoffenberg, himself convicted of a Ponzi scheme in 1995, has sued Epstein claiming that he was an accomplice and helped rip off 200,000 small to mid-size investors out of what could amount to $1 billion, including interests Whats unusual about the new lawsuit is that Hoffenberg, who also happens to run a major PAC for presidential candidate Donald Trump, is also a convicted felon. He was sentenced to 20 years in a federal prison for his role in the Ponzi scheme he ran from the late 1970s until 1993, when authorities figured out what was happening. While prosecutors allegedly offered to reduce Hoffenbergs sentence in exchange for information about Epsteins role in the scam, Hoffenberg refused to cooperate. He served 18 years before being placed on supervised release for three years. He also paid $1 million in fines and was ordered to reimburse investors about $475million. So far, Hoffenberg has ponied up $200 million. According to Hoffenbergs new lawsuit, however, Epstein has been enjoying the spoils of the scam for the past 30 years. In addition to a luxury townhouse at 9 East 71st Street in Manhattan, Epstein owns a $10.7 million-house in Palm Beach and a private island in the Virgin Islands. Thats where he lives currently, according to the Florida sex offenders registry. Whats more, Epstein is the CEO of The Financial Trust Company, which runs a hedge fund estimated to be in the $50 billion-range. And if you believe Hoffenbergs lawsuit, written by Manhattan attorney Alan P. Fraade, Epstein started that business by selling worthless securities for Hoffenberg. Mr. Epstein was a full-time associate and expert consultant for Mr. Hoffenberg in financial services including raising capital by selling securities, the lawsuit reads. Epsteins company, the lawsuit claims, was created entirely with the monies in excess of $500 million fraudulently acquired through fraudulent Ponzi schemes. Epstein, who owns several luxury properties around the world - including his high end New York apartmet, is accused of running a classic pyramid scheme through Hoffenbergs Towers Financial Corporation Hoffenberg claims the millionaire had then used the ill-gotten gains to fund his champagne lifestyle (pictured is Epstein's private private Caribbean island, Little St James) Because he didnt have a brokers license, the lawsuit reads, Epstein made his purchases traded stocks and bonds through third parties then used proceeds on himself. However, Hoffenberg claims in his filing, Epstein wasnt as good as he believed. At one point, he lost at total $1.080 million in a failed attempt to buy failing Pan Am months before the downing of Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, and purchase of a majority shares in Emery air freight. Hoffenberg accuses Epstein of manipulating Emerys stock to minimize his losses while costing Tower investors millions. The lawsuit is for fraud, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence. Its asking a jury to order Epstein to make whole Tower investors as well as pay unspecified damages. Epstein made news over the past few years for his friendship with Prince Andrew and allowing former President Clinton to use his private jet repeatedly. In unrelated lawsuit currently pending in Florida, unidentified women who claim they were abused by Epstein in the early 2000s when they were teens claim he made them into sex slaves whos be passed on to his friends. In a criminal court in Palm Beach County in 2008, Epstein was accused of having staff members recruiting troubled high school girls in suburban West Palm Beach to travel to his nearby mansion for massages, sexual performances and sex. The victims claimed a room in Epsteins waterfront mansion was set up to look like a dungeon. In an unusually lenient deal with federal prosecutors that sparked allegations Epstein benefited from high-level political protection, Epstein was allowed to plead guilty to charges he procured minors for prostitution. Ralph Frederick Renner, 74, died May 25, 2016, at his home in Mandan following a long battle with cancer. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1020 Boundary Road N.W., Mandan, with the Rev. Mark R. Drews officiating. Burial will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Relatives and friends are welcome at the service and the reception immediately following at Messiah Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home, Mandan, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Ralph was born March 29, 1942, in Beulah, to Jacob and Hilda (Reinhardt) Renner. He graduated from Beulah High School in 1960. Ralph had a knack for mechanic work and owned Ralphs Standard in Zap from 1969 to 1974. He owned several other businesses, including a tree removal service and western shop, and worked various jobs in the Beulah/Hazen area before eventually getting into ranching. He purchased his own ranch north of Halliday in 1990 and raised cattle/farmed the land until retiring in 2014. Ralph was also a Vietnam veteran and proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1967-69. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, trap shooting, and spending time outdoors. Ralph was also an avid gun and coin collector. He is survived by his daughters, Tahlia Stewart and her husband, Connan Hinch, and Erica (Renner) Mittleider and her husband, Steven Mittleider; his siblings, Betty (Clem) Morast, Orlene Schaper, Marvin (Gail) Renner, Alvin (Ethel) Renner, Leroy (Claire) Renner, and Donald (Melviah) Renner; his brother-in-law, Eldor Weidner; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Orville Renner; his sister, Doris Weidner; a nephew, Floyd Morast; and a brother-in-law, Dave Schaper. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery or Sanford Hospice. Please go to www.BuehlerLarson.com to share memories of Ralph. Advertisement As one of the best-connected couples in showbusiness, George and Amal Clooney are no strangers to spending time with the famous. It wasnt a Hollywood star they were meeting yesterday, however, but the altogether more important figure of the Pope. Clooney, 55, beamed as he leaned forward to shake Pope Franciss hand in Rome but the pontiff seemed to have eyes only for Mrs Clooney, stylish as ever in an Atelier Versace lace dress, matched with a black headpiece and nude heels and clutch bag. The actor and his human rights lawyer wife were at a seminar in Vatican City where the actor and fellow movie stars Richard Gere, 66, and Salma Hayek, 49, were awarded medals for their contribution to the work of the Scholas Occurrentes foundation Yesterday the Pope met the stars at the Paul VI Hall in Vatican City as he continues to highlight to plight of migrants attempting to reach Europe. During the event Pope Francis said he has no intention of quitting the papacy - a possibility opened up by his predecessor Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. Scroll down for video Audience: The Pope met the Clooneys at a Vatican gathering to highlight to plight of migrants attempting to reach Europe American actor Richard Gere and his girlfriend, Alejandra Silva, during a meeting for the Scholas Occurrentes an educational organization founded by the Pontiff, at the Vatican Actor George and his human rights barrister wife Amal at Paul VI Hall in Vatican City, Rome, for a seminar led by the pope The couple were joined by actress Salma Hayek, her husband Francois-Henri Pinault and their daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault The pope has met a number of high profile celebrities, including the Clooneys, as he continues to highlight to plight of migrants attempting to reach Europe The couple looked closer than ever as they waited for the other guests and the pope to arrive at the event held in the Vatican Amal looked as stylish as ever in an Atelier Versace lace outfit as she accompanied her actor husband to the event in Vatican City George was awarded a medal by the pope for his work for the foundation, which links technology with the arts Both George and Richard Gere were honored for their contributions to the pope's foundation, which works with youths all over the world George Clooney speaks before an audience including the pope and participants of the Sixth World Congress of the Pontifical Foundation US actor Richard Gere, top left, flanked by his girlfriend, Alejandra Silva, and from right, US actor George Clooney his wife Amal, Actress Salma Hayek, with her daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault and her husband Francois-Henri Pinault The pope, responding to a question from a young person at a Vatican event, said on Sunday `'I never thought of quitting being pope, or of leaving because of the many responsibilities.' The pope has previously said he envisioned a short papacy before going on 'to the Father's house,' but he has never specifically ruled out following in Benedict's footsteps. Benedict retired in 2013, the first pope to step down in 600 years. The pope spoke at a Vatican gathering for the Scholas Occurentes global educational initiative that he launched. George Clooney and Richard Gere were honored for their contributions. Actress Ms Hayek also attended the event with her husband, billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault and their daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault. During the event Pope Francis said he has no intention of quitting the papacy - a possibility opened up by his predecessor Benedict XVI The pope spoke at a Vatican gathering for the Scholas Occurentes global educational initiative that he launched Pope Francis awarded medals to Mr Gere, Mr Clooney and Ms Hayek at an event held at the Vatican to promote the work of his foundation Pope Francis awarded medals to Mr Gere, Mr Clooney and Ms Hayek at an event held at the Vatican to promote the work of a foundation inspired by the pontiff, Scholas Occurrentes. The foundation, whose name means 'schools that meet' in Spanish, links technology with the arts, aiming at social integration and a cultural of peace. Francis had created a similar organisation when he was Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, but Scholas has now become an international foundation working out of the Vatican. 'Important values can be transmitted by celebrities,' said one of the organisers, Lorena Bianchetti, adding that the actors had agreed to be ambassadors for one of the foundation's arts projects. The pope has held a number of events recently as he continues to highlight to plight of migrants attempting to reach Europe. Ms Hayek attended the event with her husband, billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault and their daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault Actress Salma Hayek Pinault poses with husband French luxury and retail group PPR Chairman and CEO Francois-Henri Pinault and their daughter Valentina before an audience of Pope Francis to the participants of the Sixth World Congress of Pontifical Foundation Scholas Pope Francis awarded medals to Mr Gere, Mr Clooney and Ms Hayek at an event held at the Vatican to promote the work of his foundation More than 700 migrants - including 40 children - have been killed in shipwreck disasters in under a week, it has emerged. Hundreds drowned between Wednesday and Friday when their boats all overturned off southern Italy, according to the UN refugee agency. Yesterday Pope Francis held an emotional meeting with hundreds of children on Saturday, including a Nigerian boy whose parents drowned in a shipwreck, and told them migrants 'are not dangerous, but in danger'. The meeting followed a surge in migrant traffic this week between Libya and Italy, with more than 14,000 saved from overcrowded boats since Monday and three consecutive days of shipwrecks in which hundreds may have died. Three infants were among 45 bodies recovered at sea on Friday, UNICEF Italy said. Richard Gere and his girlfriend Alejandra Silva arrive at 'Un Muro o Un Ponte' Seminary held by Pope Francis at Vatican City US actor Richard Gere speaks before a meeting of the Pope and participants of the Sixth World Congress of Pontifical Foundation Scholas Meeting the mostly Italian children who took a special train from southern Italy to the Vatican's own railway station, Francis hugged the Nigerian boy, Osayande, who has been taken in by an Italian family. He showed them an orange life jacket he was given by a Spanish rescuer working to save lives in the Mediterranean. 'He brought me this life jacket and, crying a little bit, he said: 'Father, I failed. There was a little girl in the sea and I wasn't able to save her. All I could reach was her life jacket'' the pope said. 'What was her name? I don't know - a little girl without a name ... She's in heaven and watching us. Let's close our eyes, think about her and give her a name.' The influx of migrants and refugees into Europe in recent years has fanned popular fears of foreigners and prompted politicians to tighten border controls and limit the number of newcomers allowed to stay. The pope has repeatedly sought to underscore the plight of these people, especially the hundreds of thousands who have risked their lives to come to Europe in flimsy boats. George Clooney and Amal Clooney leave at the end of 'Un Muro o Un Ponte' Seminary held by Pope Francis at the Paul VI Hall Amal cut a stylish figure in her sleek Versace ensemble as she accompanied her husband to the event which was led by the pope Ms Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault leave at the end of 'Un Muro o Un Ponte' Seminary, where she was given a medal by the pope Richard Gere and his girlfriend Alejandra Silva leave at the end of 'Un Muro o Un Ponte' Seminary which was hosted by the pope He visited the Greek island of Lesbos last month, bringing 12 refugees back on his plane to set an example of how other people and countries should welcome refugees. In southern Italy on Saturday, about 4,000 migrants made it to dry land, many of them exhausted and dehydrated. 'The number of minors who make the journey on their own and arrive in Europe is much higher than what we saw last year,' Save the Children spokeswoman Giovanna Di Benedetto said. 'But we are increasingly coming across much younger children, children of nine or ten years of age, who have made the journey alone or who have lost their parents or family members with whom they were travelling,' she said. Hundreds drowned between Wednesday and Friday when their boats all overturned off southern Italy, according to the UN refugee agency Two men have died and six are wounded after gunmen unleashed an hours-long random attack on a residential street in Houston, police said. Gunshots were first heard at 10.15am in west Houston, Texas. When officers arrived, the suspects turned their fire to the police and began showering bullets, seemingly at random, across the streets. One bullet hit a gas pump, sparking a fire. Dozens of cars were hit by stray bullets, narrowly missing drivers who were passing through the quiet residential area. At 12.30pm, a civilian was shot dead in his car as a bullet burst through the window. Minutes later, one of the armed men shot the other suspect dead. The surviving gunman was then shot and wounded by a SWAT team officer. He was taken to hospital. During the shooting, two officers were shot - one in the hand and one in his body but survived thanks to his bulletproof vest, according to ABC13. Another three civilians were also shot and wounded. Both gunmen were armed with assault rifles, believed to be AR-15s, police said. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Shock: Residents stand in shock after eight people were shot in this residential street by two assault-rifle-armed gunmen who showered bullets into cars. One civilian was killed, a gunman was killed, one was wounded Gunshots were first heard at 10.15am in west Houston, Texas. When officers arrived, the suspects turned their fire to the police and began showering bullets across the streets (one of the bullet-hit cars, pictured) A Cconstable car with a shot-out window remains at the scene where Houston police were investigating a shooting in Houston Houston police released this image of one of their squad cars riddled with bullet holes. They added that the officer was lucky to be alive One gunman even fired into the front of the car with their high-powered rifles They even fired at a police helicopter. One motorist showed KHOU how a bullet burst through his passenger window, blew through two seats and out another window - as he sat in the driver's seat. Another man spoke to the station through his shattered window, which was grazed by a bullet. The shooting situation was still active as of 1pm Central Time, the Houston Police Department said in a Facebook post. Police advised residents to stay away from the area. The wounded suspect was transported to a nearby hospital. Earlier police said officers were responding to reports of a male firing shots in an area of west Houston just east of the Sam Houston Tollway, a major highway dissecting the Texas city. Television news footage showed cars in the area with their windows smashed, apparently from random gunshots. 'There was a lot of confusion,' a police spokesman told reporters at a press conference at 1.30pm Central Time. The spokesman described the shooters as both male, either white or Hispanic. One bullet hit a gas pump as the shooting went through a gas station (pictured), sparking a fire. Dozens of cars were hit by stray bullets, narrowly missing drivers who were passing through the quiet residential area The spokesman described the shooters as both male, either white or Hispanic The former Republican governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson, won the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party - a sliver group hoping to make an outsized impact in this election year. Johnson came within a half-point of scoring an outright first-ballot victory at the party's nominating convention in Orlando, Florida on Sunday; a second ballot put him over the top, with 56 per cent. 'I tell the truth, I am not a liar,' Johnson told the group, insisting that his frank approach would appeal to disaffected voters and help the long-marginal Libertarians achieve 'major-party status.' The former Republican governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson (pictured on Sunday), won the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party - a sliver group hoping to make an outsized impact in this election year Johnson came within a half-point of scoring an outright first-ballot victory at the party's nominating convention in Orlando, Florida on Sunday; a second ballot put him over the top, with 56 per cent As a Libertarian, Johnson advocates eliminating the income tax and abolishing the Internal Revenue Service. A self-made businessman who worked as New Mexico governor to lower taxes and reduce bureaucracy, he pushed for the legalization of marijuana. In 2012, he was the Libertarian candidate, garnering 1.2 million votes, the party's best showing ever. In at least two recent national polls, Johnson scored 10 per cent in hypothetical three-way contests against Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The Libertarians - whose central goal was pithily described by one delegate in Orlando as 'minimum government, maximum freedom' - hope to tap into widespread discontent this year with the major-party choices. Johnson ramped up criticism of one of those choices, the Republican Trump, telling reporters on Sunday that the real estate developer was a 'racist' because of his description of Mexican immigrants as rapists. In an interview earlier this month with AFP, Johnson described Trump and Clinton as 'the two most polarizing figures in American politics today.' He added, 'I'm more liberal than Hillary on social issues, and I'm more conservative on fiscal issues than Ted Cruz was,' Johnson said, referring to the Texas senator who quit the Republican race early this month. That, Johnson said, made him 'the best of both worlds.' The Libertarians' convention drew far closer media attention than usual, and Johnson told the group that 'millions of people are going to be trying to understand what it is to be a Libertarian.' As a Libertarian, Johnson advocates eliminating the income tax and abolishing the Internal Revenue Service Johnson ramped up criticism of one of those choices, the Republican Donald Trump, saying on Sunday that the real estate developer was a 'racist' because of his description of Mexican immigrants as rapists One chart displayed at the convention showed web searches for the party quintupling after Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee. In balloting carried out on plain index cards, Johnson beat out contenders including Austin Petersen, a businessman and political commentator, and John McAfee, the founder of the antivirus software company who once fled Belize after police sought to question him in a murder case. The Libertarian convention was to vote separately for its vice presidential nominee. Johnson said on Sunday that the party needed to nominate William Weld, a former Republican governor of Massachusetts, to serve as his running mate - although Weld, a recent convert to Libertarianism, received a cool welcome from many delegates. Libertarian vice presidential candidate William Weld, right, chats with Joe Hunter, communications director for the Gary Johnson campaign on Friday. Johnson told delegates and reporters that he did not think he could be elected president without Weld as his running mate 'Bill Weld was my role model,' Johnson said. He told delegates and reporters that he did not think he could be elected president without Weld as his running mate. American political conventions have long been colorful affairs and this has been no exception. One delegate serenaded the group with a harmonica tune, offering to make it the party's 'semi-official' theme song. A Texas man who got busted driving nine miles per hour over the speed limit paid his fine entirely in pennies - as an act of protest against what he thought was 'extortion'. Brett Sanders, of Frisco, took his case to trial after going at 39 mph instead of 30 in his neighborhood. But he lost and a jury decided he should pay a $212 fine. Sanders, a full-time IT professional and a first and second amendment activist, gathered thousands of pennies to honor his debt. Scroll down for video Brett Sanders (pictured), of Frisco, Texas, paid a $212 speeding ticket entirely in pennies in an act of protest after trying and failing to fight it in court Sanders (pictured) got caught driving at 39 miles per hour instead of 30 and took his case to trial. But he lost and a jury ruled that he should pay the fine 'For me, it's a protest. It's what's right versus wrong. I didn't hurt anybody. I didn't endanger anybody's life,' Sanders told NBC 5. 'When my fine came due I decided I might as well pay with pennies and make a big spectacle of it.' He hammered the coins out of their paper casings in the garage of his home and spray-painted thw words 'extortion money' on two large buckets. A Youtube video shows Sanders shoveling the pennies into the buckets before driving to the municipal court. Footage (pictured) shows Sanders breaking open the paper casings of thousands of pennies in his garage after deciding to pay his ticket using the coins and to make 'a big spectacle' of it Sanders then shoveled the coins into two big buckets (pictured), on which he had spray-painted the words 'extortion money'. He put the two buckets in his truck and drove to the municipal court He asks the clerk whether the court accepts exact change, and when she confirms, tells her he has to go get the money from his truck and that he'll be right back. Sanders can be seen carrying the two heavy buckets into the court building. 'You're in luck - I found exact change,' he says before emptying the two buckets on the counter - despite the clerk's pleading. He walks out with the two empty buckets dangling from his arms, telling the woman: 'Just mail me the receipt!' The video has received more than 44,900 views and almost 600 comments so far. One of the comments, which has received the most likes, call Sanders' actions 'illogical'. 'You exceeded the speed limit and are now upset with being fined for doing so, so you take it out on someone who has nothing to do with your case. This is why it's illogical,' the comment states. 'The matter should be taken up with those who implemented these laws. I can assume the very reason you've paid your fines in pennies was to inconvenience them, perhaps in the hopes they don't give you anymore fines. 'But the truth is, the people who make the laws laugh at videos like these, because you inconvenience them in no way at all. 'All you did was make the job harder for a woman who is just working a job, possibly to provide for a family.' It is not against the rules to pay a fine using pennies, but city staff told NBC 5 they wouldn't encourage people to do it. European leaders gathered today in the forests of eastern France to mark 100 years since the long and bloody First World War battle of Verdun. With no survivors left to remember, today's commemorations were focused on educating youth about the horrors and consequences of the war. Germany and France were also determined to show that despite the bloodbath, their countries' improbable friendship is now a source of hope for today's fractured Europe. French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel lay a wreath together with French and German children at the German First World War military cemetery The two said their respective countries' friendship is now a source of hope for today's fractured Europe The two visited the site in northeastern France to mark the centenary of the long and bloody battle of Verdun Hollande and Merkel embrace each other during the ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the battle Members of a Franco-German joint military brigade prepare for the arrival of the two European leaders The 1916, 10-month battle pitted the French and German armies against one another in a grueling campaign of trench warfare The 10-month battle at Verdun killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands of others. Between February and December 1916, an estimated 60 million shells were fired in the battle. One out of four didn't explode. The front line villages destroyed in the fighting were never rebuilt. The battlefield zone still holds millions of unexploded shells, making the area so dangerous that housing and farming are still forbidden. Today's main ceremony took place at a mass grave where, in 1984, then-French President Francois Mitterrand took then-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl's hand in a breakthrough moment of friendship and trust by longtime enemy nations. 'This gesture said more than any words,' Merkel stressed in her speech at the Douaumont Ossuary, a memorial to 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers. She said the dead of Verdun were 'victims of bigotry and nationalism, of blindness and political failure' and the best way to commemorate them is to bear in mind 'the lessons that Europe drew from the catastrophes of the 20th century - the ability and willingness to recognize how necessary it is not to seal ourselves off but to be open to each other.' Merkel added that 'the common challenges of the 21st century can only be dealt with together.' 'In the European Union we will continue to have different views on certain issues. That is in the nature of things but it will prove beneficial if we demonstrate our ability to compromise to reach an agreement'. Hollande has called for the 'protection of our common house, Europe.' He warned that the 'time needed to destroy it would be much shorter than the long time it took to build it'. Amid rising support for far right parties and divisions among European countries over how to handle refugees, he said Europe's role is 'to fight against terrorism, fanaticism, radicalization' and at the same time to 'welcome populations who are fleeing massacres.' 'We are side by side to tackle the challenges of today and first of all the future of Europe, because, as we know disappointment was followed by disenchantment, and after doubts came suspicion, and for some even rejection or break-up,' Hollande said in a closing speech at the ceremony. Hollande and Merkel attend a balloon drop during the remembrance ceremony in northeastern France today They also unveiled a plaque during the inauguration of the new Verdun memorial in Douaumont, France The pair look on after lighting an eternal flame inside the ossuary at the memorial in Douaumont About 4,000 French and German children re-enacted battlefield scenes to the sound of drums amid thousands of white crosses marking the graves - falling on the ground in a moving evocation of death, and getting back up as a symbol of hope, in a ceremony conceived by German filmmaker Volker Schloendorff. Hollande and Merkel rekindled the flame of remembrance and gave each other a hug inside the Douaumont Ossuary. They spent the entire day together. In the morning, he welcomed his German counterpart under heavy rain at the German cemetery of Consenvoye, near Verdun, where 11,148 German soldiers are buried. They laid a wreath, accompanied by four German and French children, and walked side by side for few minutes in the cemetery, sharing an umbrella. After lunch, they were visiting the newly renovated Verdun Memorial. The museum, which reopened in February, immerses visitors in the 'hell of Verdun' through soldiers' belongings, documents and photos, and from its new rooftop, they can observe the battlefield. 'The visit follows the steps of the soldiers. First reaching the front, moving into shell holes, fighting, surviving on the front line, the daily life,' said historian Antoine Prost. Paula Broadwell has spoken out about how she continues to struggle with the fallout from her affair with former CIA director General David Petraeus. 'I'm the first to admit I screwed up,' Broadwell said Saturday in an interview with the New York Times. 'Really badly, I know that. But how long does a person pay for their mistake?' Three years ago, Broadwell's affair with Petraeus, her mentor and subject of her biography 'All in,' was splashed across front pages nationwide. Paula Broadwell shakes hands with then-CIA director David Petraeus in a 2011 picture. The two had an extramarital affair that led to his resignation as director. Broadwell spoke about the scandal in a new interview Paula Broadwell poses with her biography of Petraeus, 'All in.' In a new interview Broadwell said she realizes she 'screwed up,' but questioned how long she should have to pay for it Paula Broadwell pictured at a triathlon race in 2013. Her affair with Petraeus changed her life, but did not break up her marriage Petraeus, pictured in March holding a speech at a bankers' convention in Mexico, bounced back relatively easily despite being found guilty of mishandling classified information and losing his CIA directorship Broadwell, 43, revealed the scandal was taxing, but that it didn't break up her marriage with her husband Scott. The couple have two sons together, aged 8 and 10. The lengthy profile discusses how Petraeus, 63, bounced back relatively easily despite the fact that he was found guilty of mishandling classified information and lost his job as director of the Central Intelligence Agency as a result of the affair. He pens op-eds that are regularly published in major newspapers and his name is reportedly being floated as a candidate for senior positions in future presidential administrations. Broadwell, on the other hand, was left in the cold even by her friends, who found her 'too controversial to even touch,' the Times reported. She said she spends her time volunteering for advocacy groups, including ones that work to support women in combat, and that she is active in a group called West Point Women. Broadwell has also campaigned for more gender-neutral language in news reporting through her nonprofit organization Think Broader. She has lobbied for newspapers to stop using the word 'mistress,' a word for which, as the Times pointed out, there is no male equivalent. Move follows reports of hippos chasing locals and venturing into cities Authorities are castrating the animals to try and curb soaring population There are thought to be as many as 40 hippos currently living in Colombia But the hippos escaped into the wild where they have been thriving After he was shot dead by police in 1993 most of the zoo's exotic animals were relocated to other zoos More than thirty years after notorious drugs baron Pablo Escobar smuggled them into Colombia, the hippo population is getting out of control. The infamous gangster, who was on America's most wanted list for years and ran a drug trafficking cartel worth an estimated $21 billion, had brought in rare and exotic creatures for a zoo he set up in his grand home Hacienda Napoles in the 1980s. And while the rest of the animals were relocated to other zoos around the world when he was shot dead by Colombian police in 1993, the four African hippos escaped. Scroll down for video More than thirty years after notorious drugs baron Pablo Escobar smuggled them into Colombia, the hippo population is getting out of control (pictured is a herd of hippopotamuses in a lake at the abandoned country home of former drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in central Colombia in Puerto Triunfo) With plentiful food in the jungle and no competition, the population thrived and today there are believed to be as many as 40 hippos living in rivers and lakes around the Colombian landscape (pictured in a lake near Escobar's ranch) With plentiful food in the jungle and no competition, the population thrived and today there are believed to be as many as 40 hippos living in rivers and lakes around the Colombian landscape. But while the animals may be 'sweet' they can also be incredibly dangerous. Hippos are known for killing more people per year than lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos combined in Africa. And they appear to be becoming a major problem in Colombia. Locals have complained that the animals are becoming bolder, and are often seen wandering through city streets. There have even been reports of them chasing people down. San Diego University ecologist Rebecca Lewison told the BBC: 'It's just like this crazy wildlife experiment that we're left with. Gosh! I hope this goes well.' Orion - who was born in the Hacienda Napoles ranch which belonged to Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar - now lives at the Santa Fe zoo in Medellin where he was visited by a dentist With plentiful food in the jungle and no competition, the population thrived and today there are believed to be as many as 40 hippos living in rivers and lakes around the Colombian landscape (Orion the hippo has been relocated to a zoo in Medellin) Infamous: Hacienda Napoles, about 200 miles north of Bogota, was Escobar's hideout Museum: Burnt-out cars are on display at the ranch which now has exhibitions dedicated to the drug kingpin Locals in rural Antioquia, first started reporting hippo sightings in 2007, and now it is estimated there are between 26 and 28 of the violent animals roaming around the park which was once Escobar's opulent home. While some small groups of hippos have also migrated through the Magdalena River to areas such as Puerto Berrio and Boyaca. Some families even took in hippo calves and nursed them at home as pets, according to El Colombiano newspaper. A young girl told the paper: 'My father brought a little one home once. I called him Luna (Moon) because he was very sweet we fed him with just milk.' Fishermen have called on the government to cull the growing population. While environmentalists are also concerned that the hippos may upset the natural ecosystem and displace indigenous species such as manatees and otters. However, the wild animals are popular with most Colombians who don't want to see them killed. Pablo Escobar (pictured in 1991) who was on America's most wanted list for years and ran a drug trafficking cartel worth an estimated 15billion, had brought in rare and exotic creatures for a zoo he set up in his grand home Hacienda Napoles in the 1980s And while the rest of the animals in the zoo were relocated when he was shot dead by Colombian police in 1993, the four African hippos escaped (pictured is a wanted poster from 1989 offering 100 million pesos for information leading to his arrest) Colombian officials have attempted to tackle the problem by introducing a castration program to curb the population. Escobar ran his drug empire from the eight-square-mile ranch in the South American country. At one point he supplied 80 per cent of the world's cocaine. Despite his brutal reputation the drug baron spent much of his fortune converting his home into his very own fantasy land. It was littered with giant concretedinosaurs, a bullfighting ring, luxury cars, and a plane he used to smuggle drugs to the U.S. It also featured a zoo featuring giraffes, elephants,kangaroos and - of course - hippos. Escobar's interest in wild animals led to the biggest hippo population outside of Africa near his estate. He was cornered by Colombian police on December 2 in 1993 and gunned down. Victor Fox (pictured), a 'smart and popular boy', has died in a motorbike accident while travelling through India A brilliant student has died after hitting a rock as he rode a motorbike in India - sending him plunging down a 650ft-deep gorge. Victor Fox, 22, set off for India in March this year with three friends after graduating with a first in philosophy from Bristol University last year. Mr Fox had rented a motorbike with his pals - Will Murphy, James Hester and Dom Grimshaw - and was riding alongside a 650ft-deep gorge in the Uttarkashi district in northern India. But as he rode along the treacherous road his motorbike hit a rock and he was sent plunging down the deep gorge on May 12. The graduate, who was travelling to visit a famous Himalayan shrine in Gangotri - also the source of the River Ganges - was rescued by emergency services after three hours, but died on the way to hospital. A memorial service was held at Highgate School in Highgate, north London, on Monday last week - his former school and a tribute was made by the school and his parents. In a statement from his parents Roger and Gordana Fox, of Muswell Hill, north London, they said he was a 'smart and popular boy' who had a 'strong social conscience'. They said that after graduating he travelled to Mexico and Columbia before setting off for India in March this year and travelling around Mumbai and Pondicherry. He was due to return to England just a week after the accident happened. The statement read: 'All his family and friends are devastated by the loss of a brilliant, affectionate, caring, smart and popular boy. 'Our family is incredibly proud of what he achieved in his short life and have been comforted by the warm words of his friends, some of whom we had not previously met.' Friend Will Murphy said: 'Victor brought so much energy, character and laughter to every situation. 'We loved him for his intelligence, his ridiculous sense of humour, his beautiful cheeky face, his impressive balance of work and social life, his mature rationality in all situations. 'Victor was a born adventurer - countless times in the last two months did I find myself in situations that I would not have had the courage to be in alone. 'He loved to be, as he would put it, "amongst it".' Mark James, the head of Highgate Junior School, said: 'Victor was a warm-natured, popular and quick-witted young man, whose natural intelligence shone through during his time with us. 'We were also proud to see him excel while at university. The Highgate community will continue to remember Victor with great warmth, as we cherish the memories we have of him.' Advertisement Chris Evans today denied the new series of Top Gear is a flop even though it lost up to a million loyal viewers and critics called the debut 'disastrous'. Presenter Chris Evans was nicknamed 'Mr Shouty' and a 'poor man's Clarkson' as fans criticised his 'no banter' presenting style while former Friends star Matt LeBlanc was called 'Mr Wooden'. The BBC show was watched by an average of 4.3million people last night - peaking at 4.7million - compared to the 5.3million who watched the final episode starring Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May last June. Fighting back today Mr Evans did not mention the 4.3million figure, but tweeted: 'The new Top Gear is a hit. OFFICIALLY'. He added: '23% audience share. 12% MORE than the opening episode of the last series. These are the FACTS. Top Gear audience grew throughout the hour. FACT. Won its slot. FACT. Still number one on iPlayer. FACT. These are THE FACTS folks.' But last week he said his new show would not be considered a success if it is not watched by more than 5million viewers. Scroll down for video Fresh start: Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc kicked off the new series of Top Gear with an episode that was slated by fans of the motoring show Disappointment: Chris Evans (pictured having a pint yesterday) said the show needed at least 5m viewers - the 4.3m is around a million fewer than watched Jeremy Clarkson's final show last year - Clarkson pictured right returning from the Monaco Grand Prix yesterday Fighting back: Chris Evans today said that the new show was a hit, despite poor reviews and up to a million fewer people watching it Today Mr Clarkson told MailOnline he was unable to give his own critique of last night's Top Gear because he is 'busy working on my new show'. James May told MailOnline he saw the show last night and was a 'massive fan' but would not be drawn on the poor ratings and reviews. Respectful: James May told MailOnline he saw the show last night and was a 'massive fan' but would not be drawn on the poor ratings and reviews Yesterday Mr Evans prepared himself for the show's debut by reading the papers over a quiet pint in a Surrey pub near his mansion - his rival Jeremy Clarkson was in Monaco for the grand prix and looked tanned and tired as he returned to London late last night. Chris Evans had a dig at Clarkson in the first two minutes of the new Top Gear last night - joking about his rival's sacking for punching producer Oisin Tymon and calling him a 'lazy Irish c***' because he couldn't order a steak dinner after a long day of filming in March last year. He started the show by introducing staff from his local Indian restaurant and asked the audience what they thought they were doing there - one person suggested they were there to prepare the food, and Evans said: 'By the way, we don't talk about catering on this show any more.' The presenter also celebrated getting 'custody' of The Stig. Critics accused him of trying too hard to be like Clarkson. Clarkson, May and Hammond, who have since moved to Amazon Prime to make a new show, The Grand Tour, stayed silent on Twitter as the new Top Gear went out last night, but Clarkson's daughter Emily tweeted: 'Nope. Not even a little bit convinced'. Since outspoken Radio DJ Evans took over from Clarkson, the BBC show has suffered a series of setbacks - with tales of producers quitting, cast and crew rowing and celebrity guests pulling out all putting the series in jeopardy. Last week he told MailOnline they had produced the best show they could and also told the Guardian: 'If we had to guess about the number of viewers we are going to get on Sunday night, you have got to say you would be disappointed if it was under 5 million'. During the first episode, Evans, 50, visited a US Naval Base - better known as the home of Top Gun - where he raced a Dodge Viper ACR against a Corvette Z06 driven by German driver Sabine Schmitz. LeBlanc, who is the first non-British host in the programme's 39-year history, went for a spin through the Moroccan desert in an Ariel Nomad. The pair also braved the cold British weather as they raced from London to Blackpool in roofless Reliant Rialtos, and welcomed celebrity guests Gordon Ramsay and Jesse Eisenberg who took part in the new Star In A Rallycross Car part of the show. But it appears many viewers were not impressed - saying Chris Evans was trying too hard to be like Clarkson and was too 'shouty', others said Matt LeBlanc appeared 'wooden'. The show itself was called 'disastrous' and 'boring'. Joke: Chris Evans had a dig at Jeremy Clarkson in the first two minutes of the new top Gear last night - saying that they couldn't mention catering - a nod towards Clarkson's sacking for punching a producer over a steak Matt LeBlanc made his Top Gear debut on the episode and was the first American to present on the show in its 39-year history Among the Top Gear favourites to return in last night's episode was The Stig who tore around the show track in a Dodge Viper ACR - Evans celebrated that the show had 'custody' of the driver Chris Evans had said his version of the show would be 'less blokey' - and one supporter said: 'It's like the old Top Gear, but less awful and without the unsubtle xenophobia'. One tweeter, named Ali, wrote: 'The new #TopGear is so cringe. Why does Chris Evans put on a weird cinematic voice.' While a poster named James wrote: 'Five minutes in and it's clear that Chris Evans is just trying to be @JeremyClarkson. A poor man's Clarkson at best. #TopGear.' Kellie Yardley wrote: 'New #TopGear is pretty much old Top Gear- same scripts, different faces- would have thought they'd have wanted to change it up a bit...' Tweeter Ben Pearson said the new version was 'exactly the same without the banter or charisma'. Danny Cohen, the BBC's former director of television and the man who sacked Clarkson, was trolled by disgruntled viewers during the broadcast. One said: '@JeremyClarkson it is safe to say that @DannyCohen has now made top gear into flop gear! What an absolute pile of s**t!!' Another added: '@DannyCohen should have cancelled the show rather than this.' Members of the public were not alone with their calls to bring back Clarkson, Hammond and May to Top Gear. The popular trio will be back with a new Amazon Prime motoring show called The Grand Tour, which will make its debut on the streaming service in the autumn. TV presenter Carol Vorderman was among those to comment online. She tweeted: 'Sorry TopGear ... switching off ... looking forward to the proper boys on @amazonprimenow soon ... night all xxx.' But the reaction was not all negative. Although arguably awkward in the studio, LeBlanc - the first non-British host in the programme's 39-year history - was far more comfortable out on the road and fans seemed to like his style. Dave Myers said on Twitter: 'Chris and Matt infinitely better when unscripted (or less so) on the road liking the challenge banter #TopGear'. And Sarah Cave added: 'Actually quite liking the new #TopGear presenters. They're not the finished article but I reckon they'll get there!' Previous frontman Clarkson was sacked for an 'unprovoked physical and verbal attack' on a producer, apparently over catering, and Evans could not resist bringing it up during his opening segment. He introduced a group of people from an Indian restaurant and asked the audience what they thought they were doing there. One person suggested they were there to prepare the food, and Evans said playfully: 'By the way, we don't talk about catering on this show any more.' Evans also made reference to the departure of Clarkson, Hammond and May by introducing the series first glimpse of racing extraordinaire The Stig. He bellowed proudly 'we got custody of The Stig!', as the Top Gear audience cheered with glee. Top Gear bosses wanted the show to be more dramatic and kicked off the episode with Evans taking a Dodge Viper ACR to Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada - better known as the home of Top Gun - to battle fellow presenter Sabine Schmitz in a Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Evans kicked off the show by racing co-presenter Sabine Schmitz, who was driving a Chevrolet Corvette Z06, in the Dodge Viper Sabine Schmitz is part of the new presenting team on Top Gear, alongside LeBlanc and Evans who replace Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond Pictured, the beautiful Chevrolet Corvette Z06 sports car that was put through its paces by Sabine Schmitz in the episode's first challenge Pictured, the Dodge Viper ACR, driven by Evans, tears across the runway at the Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada Evans and LeBlanc kicked off the series' first challenge by racing two Reliant Robins from BBC Broadcasting House in London, to Blackpool Evans raced up the motorway in his three-wheel van which was emblazoned with a Union Flag while LeBlanc chased behind in his motor covered in America's Stars and Stripes After this pulse-racing start to the show, Evans and LeBlanc slipped into a lower gear by starting their first challenge of the new series. The pair were seen racing up to a wet and windy Blackpool in a pair of Reliant Robins, with LeBlanc's three wheel van emblazoned in America's Stars and Stripes and Evans' covered in the Union Flag. However, the show offered with just a taster of the action before heading to showcase a brand new segment. Ill-tempered celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and Jesse Eisenberg climbed in a suped-up Mini Cooper as part of the show's new Star In A Rallycross Car, replacing the popular Star In A Reasonably Priced Car part of the show. Ramsay and Eisenberg, the latter filling in after Brad Pitt pulled out due to scheduling issues, took to the Top Gear track tearing through new obstacles including off-road sections, a water splash and a jump. Foul-mouthed chef Ramsay completed his lap in 1min 56.3 secs while Hollywood star Jesse managed 2min 10.9secs. Ill-tempered celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and Hollywood actor Jesse Eisenberg took to the Top Gear track in the Star in a Rallycross Car segment of the show The celebrities got behind the wheel of a suped-up Mini Cooper (pictured) and dealt with new obstacles including off-road sections Jesse Eisenberg, who has starred in the latest Batman vs Superman superhero film, replaced Brad Pitt on the show after the star pulled out Multi-millionaire chef Ramsay received lessons in how to drive the Mini from The Stig who Clarkson's rival progamme The Grand Tour can't use because of legal rules Star of the 2010 film the Social Network, Eisenberg featured alongside Gordon Ramsey in the Star in a Rallycross Car section which saw him race round the famous track After the celebrities were put through their paces, LeBlanc jumped behind the wheel of a Nomad dune buggy and raced it around rugged terrain while reviewing the motor. He also played on the Lothario persona he entertained audiences with while playing Friends favourite Joey Tribbiani, by comparing driving the Nomad to the 'most fun you can have in a car without taking your clothes off' and describing one of its attributes to 'your mother's g-string'. To test whether the 33,000-Nomad was the world's best all-terrain vehicle, LeBlanc was then chased by a team of paparazzi using different modes of transport. One snapper chased the presenter on a dirt-bike, another used a camera drone and the third flew through the air in a light aircraft - with the aim to get a clear shot of him in the vehicle. It appears the presenter is in danger of losing the challenge when he gets stuck behind a white lorry, but thankfully it is driven by the show's racing extraordinaire The Stig who lowers down a ramp for LeBlanc to race up One snapper would be chasing the presenter on a dirtbike, another would use a camera drone and the third would be flying through the air in a light aircraft - with the aim to get a clear shot of him LeBlanc then wanted to test whether the 33,000-Nomad was the world's best all-terrain vehicle by beating a team of paparazzi who were using different modes of transport It appeared the presenter was going to Christen his debut by losing his first challenge when he got stuck behind a white lorry, but thankfully it was driven by the show's racing extraordinaire The Stig who lowered down a ramp for LeBlanc to race up and avoid the snapper on the dirt-bike. After the LeBlanc's off-road exploits the show returned to Blackpool where Evans and his American co-star continued their battle, this time racing a World War II US Army Jeep against a British Land Rover from the same era. The pair took turns racing along the Blackpool sea-front as rain lashed down, as well as taking part in a tug of war and the finale of the challenge which featured them racing across the beach, towing an ice cream van and picking up a drag queen. The challenge then took the presenters to the Lake District where they had to use their off-road military vehicles to pull their Reliant Robins to the top off a peak with LeBlanc being helped out by U.S strongman Nick Best and Evans by British triathlete Alistair Brownlee. LeBlanc used Best to literally pull his motor out of trouble while Evans relied on Brownlee's sense of direction to put him in front of his pal. Evans ended the episode by beating LeBlanc to the top after being accused of 'cheating' by his co-star. The presenter won the challenge after he was joined by the second champion triathlete Brownlee brother, Johnathan, who helped pull off a door from his three-wheeler before jumping in the backseat. For the final leg of the challenge Evans and LeBlanc took to Lake District where they raced their off-road military vehicles to the top of a hill with the help of celebrity friends LeBlanc called in American strongman Nick Best (pictured) to literally pull his US Army Jeep out of trouble during the challenge Evans called on the help of British Olympic medal winning triathletes Alistair and Johnathan Brownlee to navigate his way to the top Evans finished the challenge before his co-host after 'cheating' his way to the top of the hill's summit with his celebrity helpers The trio jumped with joy at the top, while LeBlanc followed - without 'cheating' - moments later. After the main show finished on BBC Two viewers turned to BBC Three for a new programme called Extra Gear. The spin off show was presented by motoring journalist Rory Reid and YouTube star Chris Harris and gave a behind the scenes look at the main programme. After thousands of people gave their views on Twitter the attention quickly swung to Clarkson, Hammond and May. But none of the trio have passed verdict yet despite May tweeting this earlier on Sunday: 'I'm really looking forward to watching Top Gear without knowing what happens in the end. #NoSpoilerAlert' It's lost the spark of genius... pass the jump leads: QUENTIN LETTS gives his view from the sofa on the new Top Gear Same old music, a similar studio set-up, familiar features: BBC TV has not so much reinvented Top Gear as given it a minor paint job. There was nothing particularly revolutionary as it returned to our screens last night. It was rather like watching a tribute band going through the motions. Quite fun in places yet oddly undaring. Still running-in, perhaps. Or possibly just an inferior model. The motoring show, as you may possibly have heard, has changed its three former presenters. Instead of Messrs Clarkson, Hammond and May it is now fronted by disc jockey Chris Evans and American actor Matt LeBlanc (Joey from 'Friends'). LeBlanc, grisled, husky, looking at home in a leather jacket but still happy to ham it up in a Reliant three-wheeler, was a success. He displayed a dry, droll humour. Same old music, a similar studio set-up, familiar features: BBC TV has not so much reinvented Top Gear as given it a minor paint job Evans? Hmmn. The jury may need a little longer to decide. Things began with the bespectacled Evans leaping round the studio, shouting, shouting, shouting. Mr Whippy on speed. He is a self-congratulatory little fellow, his first words being 'Brilliant! Marvellous! Amazing! Beautiful!' The studio audience had been programmed to show enthusiasm. This it duly did, but the applause felt less than spontaneous. Evans had brought along the staff from his local curry house apparently solely so that he could say 'we don't talk about catering on the show any more'. This was a dig at Clarkson's notorious tussle with a Top Gear assistant over a steak the row that led to the old show being dismantled. The first package last night was an over-long film testing two American cars, the Dodge Viper ACR and the Corvette Z06, at the Top Gun US Air Force base in Nevada. 'It's about as cutting-edge as a rusty crowbar,' yelled Evans about the Dodge Viper. As allusions go, it was not particularly zippy or comical. How much funnier Clarkson might have been. And did the old Top Gear not do a feature once which combined sports cars and warplanes? The high-speed sequences, including lots of burnt rubber, were as impressively shot as ever. No expense seemed to have been spared when it came to the technical production values. But what about the casting of Evans, his script and quips? Next came a sequence back in Britain a trip to Blackpool with the two presenters driving Reliant Rialto three-wheelers. One was painted with a Union Jack, the other had the Stars and Stripes. There was a wearisome amount of British-American jockeying. Let us hope this fades as the series continues. The jury is out on the new bespectacled Top Gear host Chris Evans who leapt around the studio shouting like Mr Whippy on speed LIKE A 'GINGER CLARKSON REPLICA' - CRITICS FAIL TO GET REVVED UP BY CHRIS EVANS AND THE NEW TOP GEAR Chris Evans has been branded a 'Ginger Clarkson replica' and like 'Davie Moyes at Man United' after critics failed to get revved up by the new look Top Gear. While the Daily Mail's very own Quentin Letts honed in on the show adopting a similar structure to that of previous seasons, describing the debut episode as being more like 'watching a tribute band going through the motions', other critics were left cold by Evans in the driving seat. Ally Ross, TV critic for the Sun, said viewers had seen the show 'done better before', comparing the change in leadership to when Sir Alex Ferguson ended his trophy-laden spell at Manchester United. He wrote: 'It feels like Davie Moyes at Man United with a slightly morose version of Joey from Friends as his assistant.' While Ian Hyland from the Mirror, felt the patter of Evans and co-host Matt LeBlanc failed to get out of gear. He said: 'The studio banter was nowhere near as natural as Clarkson, May and Hammond in their (non-Amazon) prime.' Gerard O'Donovan of the Daily Telegraph, gave the show an impressive four out of five stars in his review, describing the episode as 'slickly entertaining'. However, he too bemoaned the similarities to the old guard, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, exclaiming: 'We got Evans hooting, chortling and churning out scripted one-liners like a Ginger Clarkson replica'. Sam Wollaston at the Guardian was impressed with LeBlanc's charismatic and charming debut, but called for Evans to stop trying to emulate his predecessor. He wrote: 'M LeB can carry on being M LeB which he's quite good at. But CE should relax and stop trying to be JC. The whole show needs to do more to escape the shadow of old TG. Then it might be ok.' Advertisement The Blackpool film was funnier, LeBlanc rising to the occasion with some good gags about the mayor of Blackpool, and hailing his hopeless little Rialto (which conked out repeatedly) as 'this gem of an automobile'. If nothing else, he showed that Americans CAN do sarcasm. Star chef Gordon Ramsay and another American actor, Jesse Eisenberg, were wheeled on to do the celebrity slot where they discuss their past motor cars and do a circuit in a test car (quite neatly modernised so that it includes some muddy track and a jump). But how samey it all felt. How derivative and not just the green car seats in which they sat for their studio interview. Evans even used the same phrases as were used in the old show, and his intonation was sub-Clarkson, echoing his predecessor but not bettering him. The show's pet racing driver, known as The Stig, has been retained. 'We got custody!' screamed Evans. Gone, however, is the chemistry and the Home Counties banter between the old trio. Absent: the trademark, deadpan disdain of Jeremy Clarkson, the sardonic repartee between him and Richard Hammond, the Pooterish stoicism of James May. There was some swearing but it did not compensate for the absence of political correctness which always made 'Top Gear' such salty fun. LeBlanc did a decent one-man film testing the Nomad off-roader in the north African desert. I kept thinking what a good guest he would have made for Jeremy and Richard and James in the old show. But his camaraderie with Evans felt forced. He's spent the last week eating the finest Asian cuisine on offer. But clearly President Obama was not missing American cooking as he instead took Michelle out for Mexican after returning from a six-day trip to Vietnam and Japan. The couple were seen arriving at Oyamel, the Obamas' favorite Mexican restaurant in Washington, DC, on Saturday night. Hungry? President Obama and First Lady Michelle went out for Mexican after returning from Japan Saturday Dinner time: The couple were seen arriving at Oyamel, the Obamas' favorite Mexican restaurant in Washington, DC, on Saturday night The margaritas are on me: The Mexican has a reasonably priced menu, with grasshopper tacos costing $5 and enchiladas for less than $10 The Obamas are close to becoming regulars at Oyamel, having visited celebrity chef Jose Andres' eatery on a number of special occasions, including for Michelle's birthday and Valentine's. The Mexican has a reasonably priced menu, with grasshopper tacos costing $5 and enchiladas for less than $10. After the long flight, the Obamas could have relaxed with a round of margaritas for $15. The president looked relaxed as his convoy arrived at the restaurant, which is a 10-minute drive from the White House. Dressed in a blue and white checked short with khaki pants, Obama waved to fellow diners who were enjoying the restaurant's patio out front on what was a sunny day in DC. Obama, who was wearing shades, took time to shake hands with customers before heading inside for dinner. Presidente: The Obamas are close to becoming regulars at Oyamel, having visited celebrity chef Jose Andres' eatery on a number of special occasions, including for Michelle's birthday and Valentine's Cheeky taco: The president looked relaxed as his convoy arrived at the restaurant, which is a 10-minute drive from the White House The Obamas are big fans of Mexican food and the president (pictured leaving the restaurant on Saturday) is known to love tacos The First Lady kept it casual in an all-black ensemble, opting for a simple blouse and slacks, which she complimented with a black clutch and wedges. Obama last visited the establishment in January for Michelle's 52nd birthday, where they had a meal with close friends. They also frequented the restaurant in February 2014 - a week before Valentine's - for a romantic meal. The Obamas are big fans of Mexican food and are known to love award-winning Mexican restaurant Topolobampo in Chicago. The president was seen ordering tacos at South by Southwest festival in March. He was criticized by some for jetting off to Texas instead of attending Nancy Reagan's funeral. The president has had his fill of delicious meals in the last week, and was pictured having a Bun Cha dinner, typically grilled pork and noodle, with Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi, Vietnam Republican front runner Donald Trump also claims to be a big fan of Mexican food, tucking into a taco bowl from one of his own restaurants on Cinco de Mayo The president has had his fill of delicious meals in the last week, and was pictured having a Bun Cha dinner, typically grilled pork and noodle, with Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi, Vietnam. Obama was criticized by some Americans who accused him of using his final year in office to go on an 'apology tour'. Despite the White House stressing that Obama would not apologize for the U.S. dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of the Second World War, killing 140,000, claims that he was using the visit to express regret were rampant. Donald Trump delivered big time Thursday at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck. He told the enthusiastic crowd of 7,000 that he would eliminate regulations and do everything possible to promote the energy. Thats what the crowd of mostly oil industry officials and supporters wanted to hear. Clearly, the points he raised tremendously impact North Dakota. Besides easing regulations, Trump promised to support more pipelines, continue U.S. oil exports, work to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency's emissions rules targeting coal-fired power plants and blasted the EPAs Waters of the United States rule. Trump offered his simple litmus test for deciding on regulations: Is this regulation good for the American worker? Rep. Kevin Cramers influence on Trump came through during the speech. The Republican representative has been tapped as an energy adviser to Trump and many of the key points in the speech reflect Cramers positions. During a press conference before the speech Trump took time to introduce and thank Cramer. Supporters praised Trumps speech for its details, but whoever is elected president will face challenges when developing an energy policy. Trumps positions are extremely different from those of President Barack Obama, Hilllary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. For the last seven years the president and Congress have been battling over energy policy and theres no reason to expect that to change. The battle lines might be a little different under a new president, but Congress and the courts will continue to have a say. It was a big boost for Bismarck and the state to have a leading contender for president deliver a major policy address in the capital city. He highlighted the important role the oil patch plays in the nation trying to achieve energy independence and the issues surrounding that quest. Even those who disagree with him should be pleased that he put energy issues to the forefront on the day he got enough delegates to win the GOP nomination. We also want to be sure to note the clear distinction between the decorum posed by the protesters on both sides, which is in sharp contrast to what weve seen around the country where Trump appears. Hats off to our citizens who understand we can have differing opinions without violence attached. The North Dakota Petroleum Council and the conference should be commended for bringing Trump to Bismarck. The last three weeks have been exciting for the city as Trump and Sanders visited. Theres something special about seeing a presidential candidate in person. There are a lot of little things that can be observed as the candidate campaigns. Bismarck handled both visits well. It will be interesting to see how involved Cramer remains in the campaign. Having a North Dakotan close to the man who may become the next president can only help the state. North Dakotans can be proud they have a role in this ongoing presidential campaign. The family of a young girl who died after being tramped by a horse has shared emotional tributes online, after it was revealed the 12-year-old's mother was the first to find her after the tragic accident. Billie Mayson-Kinder suffered severe head, chest, and abdominal injuries when the family horse she was leading was spooked and ran over her, on a property in Pitt Town in the Hawkesbury region of NSW, north-west of Sydney. Emergency services were called to the scene about 5:30pm on Sunday and Miss Mayson-Kinder was airlifted to Westmead Children's Hospital, however she died about 6:45pm. Scroll down for video Billie Mayson-Kinder (above) died on Sunday after leading her horse back to its stable on her family's property in Pitt Town, in Sydney's north-west The family of a young girl who died after being tramped by a horse has shared emotional tributes online Billie's sister, Charlie, shared a picture of the two of them on social media on Sunday night in an emotional tribute. Family and friends were quick to pass on their well-wishes to the family after news of the horrible accident spread. 'Living on in the hearts of those she loved,' one family member said. 'Stay strong gorgeous... Thinking of you all in this incredibly sad time,' a friend wrote. Billie Mayson-Kinder's sister, Charlie, shared a picture of the two of them on social media on Sunday night in an emotional tribute The 12-year-old was year 6 student at Arndell Anglican College in Oakville, where her headmaster said Billie was a 'beautiful, caring and intelligent young lady who will be sorely missed by all' 'I'm so so sorry for your loss. Such devastating news,' another added. Sydney Showjumping Club said the tragedy had struck a family that is 'so loved by everyone'. '[Billie] was very talented. We are all just in shock. She was a really delightful, gorgeous young girl, totally gorgeous,' Christine Johnson said, according to the Daily Telegraph. 'She competed every weekend, she was very experienced. You couldn't imagine a more delightful child. She was beautiful, beautiful girl.' The property where Billie Kinder, 12, was killed when she was trampled by a horse on Sunday in Sydney's northwest Billie was an experienced rider and had been leading her mother's horse back to the stables of a rural agistment property when the horse got spooked The 12-year-old was year 6 student at Arndell Anglican College in Oakville, where her headmaster said Billie was a 'beautiful, caring and intelligent young lady who will be sorely missed by all', the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The school also offered students counselling help in the wake of the tragic death. Police from Hawkesbury Local Area Command attended and are investigating the incident. A report will be prepared for the Coroner. Advertisement These incredible photographs show the everyday Syrian men and women who have been injured during the brutal conflict which has engulfed their home country. With ISIS still controlling large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq, many have taken up arms against the jihadis while others fled after being injured or imprisoned, or having had their loved ones killed. The war in Syria has created one of the worst refugee crises in recent history, with approximately 4.7 million Syrians fleeing their war-torn country for a safer life in the Middle East and Europe. But for many refugees already suffering the consequences of civil war, the emergence of ISIS made their lives even more precarious. Among them are fighters of the Free Syrian Army (FSA). Originally founded by army officers defecting from President Bashar al-Assad's military, the group is believed to encompass 35,000 fighters. This group forms a core part of the so-called 'moderates' involved in the conflict and they are receiving U.S. and coalition support in their long-running war with ISIS. A 20-year-old Syrian man nicknamed 'Arrow' poses for photographs displaying the bloody wounds he suffered when hit by shrapnel after being shot at by an ISIS sniper. The FSA fighter said: 'Daesh (an acronym for ISIS) is worse than Assad, they use Islam for cover, without Daesh we will be free.' He plans to return to Syria and continue fighting once he has fully recovered Abdullah (left), 18, poses for a portrait at his home in Kilis, Turkey. He worked as an electrician's apprentice before joining the FSA three-and-a-half years ago. He suffered injures to his left leg and had his foot amputated after stepping on a landmine set by ISIS outside of Azaz. Abo (right), a 34-year-old FSA fighter, was blinded by shrapnel in his left eye and suffered wounds across his body including his arms, chest and head. A shoemaker before the war, he has been fighting ISIS for the past year. His wife and children currently live in a refugee camp inside Syria at the Turkish border. When asked if he would return to Syria and continue fighting, he said: 'Of course, I am fighting for my country, family and my freedom. Daesh they are not Islam they are criminals' Abdo (left), 29, suffered shrapnel injuries to his head an eye while fighting ISIS one year ago. Over the past year he has returned to Turkey to undergo several operations to repair his eye. He continues to fight against ISIS, saying: 'They say they are Muslim but they are not Muslim, they come to change the reputation of Islam.' Ayman (right) is a Syrian media activist and journalist who has been living in Turkey for the past two years after being arrested by ISIS in 2013. He was taken from his home by masked men, and locked in a basement in Aleppo. After several hours he was visited by a masked man who told him he would help him to escape 'to repay a favour' he owed him. Ayman later found out that the man had been previously injured in fighting and Ayman had provided medical treatment to him in the back of an ambulance Syrian woman Maryam's (left) 13 year-old daughter was killed when a rocket fired by ISIS landed on a children's orphanage in Kilis, Turkey. She fled to Turkey with her four children and sister after her husband was killed in a bomb blast by government forces in 2015. She has been living in Kilis for the last year and a half. Khalifa (right), who works as a reporter and Syrian activist, was arrested by ISIS soldiers and imprisoned for seven months for reporting from Raqqa. He managed to escape when he found the low security prison entrance was poorly guarded and he was able to flee one morning at dawn. During his time at the prison he was kept in a cell with other prisoners and on numerous occasions was tortured, being hung by his hands for four to five hours at a time due to deceased having similar names at the mortuary A family unwittingly mourned the death of a stranger after the wrong body was released for cremation by an NHS hospital, it emerged last night. Health bosses launched an urgent inquiry after the extraordinary mortuary mix-up but by then it was too late. It is understood the body was cremated with the wrong relatives gathered at the crematorium, which means they will now have to go through the heartache of another funeral service, while another family will never be able to say a proper goodbye to their loved one. Southport Hospital, Merseyside: Health bosses launched an urgent inquiry after the extraordinary mortuary mix-up but by then it was too late The blunder is thought to have occurred because there were two deceased with similar names at the mortuary in Southport Hospital, Merseyside. Yesterday the hospital confirmed a member of mortuary staff had been suspended over the error. It said staff had offered an unreserved apology to the distraught relatives of both families - those who attended the funeral of the wrong deceased and another family whose loved one was cremated without their knowledge. And it insisted staff had been transparent throughout and immediately informed both sets of relatives once the mistake was noticed. However, the undertakers - Moisters Funeral Directors - initially tried to deny the mix-up when approached by the Daily Mail. They were later forced to admit their involvement but insisted none of their employees was to blame. The Daily Mail understands anatomical pathology technician Claire Bennett, 37, whose boss was on holiday at the time of the incident, has been suspended while an investigation is carried out. Last night Miss Bennett refused to comment at the smart semi-detached home she shares with her partner and two children in Halsall, near Ormskirk, Lancashire. Undertakers - Moisters Funeral Directors - initially tried to deny the mix-up when approached by the Daily Mail A source told the Mail: The first body was supported, attended and mourned by the wrong family and so the wrong family now need to do it all over again with the correct body. Meanwhile, the first body, which was incorrect, cannot be attended by relations at the crematorium as it has already been cremated. The mix-up is believed to have happened about a month ago when the mortuary manager was on annual leave. A spokesman for St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which provides mortuary services for Southport Hospital, said: As soon as the Trust became aware of the incident, we immediately contacted the families and offered sincere and unreserved apologies. At all times, we have taken great care to be open and transparent throughout our investigations, whilst respecting the families wish for privacy. Following the incident earlier in the year, a member of the mortuary team was suspended immediately pending the outcome of the investigation. At this stage of the investigation, we believe that the incident occurred as a result of a failure by a member of mortuary staff and a member of the funeral directors staff to follow the Trusts robust processes and procedures. A spokesman for Moisters Funeral Directors, which has conducted funerals in Southport for more than 60 years, disputed their employee was in any way at fault. We recognise that this is incredibly distressing for the families concerned and have provided our full support to them, she said. After concluding our full investigation we are confident that the correct ID procedures were followed by our colleagues at the time this error occurred. We have worked with the Trust to ensure the error is investigated fully and as part of this the relevant CCTV footage has been reviewed. Firefighters were battling a blaze on the roof of an apartment building in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood on Sunday, fire officials said. The fire broke out just after 5pm on top of the five-story residential building located on 428 West 23rd Street, a New York City Fire Department spokesman told Daily Mail Online. During the blaze, the spokesman said the building was evacuated but that damage was confined to the roof. Firefighters were battling a blaze on the roof of an apartment building in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood on Sunday, fire officials said The fire broke out just after 5pm on top of the five-story residential building located on 428 West 23rd Street, a New York City Fire Department spokesman told Daily Mail Online A crowd of people are seen gathering together as the look on during the fire on Sunday afternoon The fire was under control in about 30 minutes, by 5.46pm, and no injuries were reported, the spokesman said. Photos from the scene showed thick clouds of smoke billowing from the building. No other information was available and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Emergency responders are pictured at the scene of the fire. No injuries were reported according to fire officials During the blaze, the building was evacuated but damage was confined to the roof, according to a fire official A former nursery school headteacher has told how bungling social workers put her three-year-old daughter into care for eight months after a medical record mix-up. Angela Milnes was distraught when council officials wrongly labelled her as mentally ill and threatened to have Sylvia adopted. The award-winning parenting blogger had to fight to get her daughter back before council bosses finally admitted they had made a mistake. Former nursery school headteacher Angela Milnes was distraught when council officials wrongly labelled her as mentally ill and threatened to have her young daughter Sylvia (pictured, now aged seven) adopted Eventually, a judge ordered mother and daughter to be reunited and council chiefs were forced to issue an apology. They also agreed to pay Mrs Milnes substantial damages, which must be held in trust until Sylvia, now seven, turns 18. Yesterday Mrs Milnes, 33, spoke out for the first time. When Sylvia was taken away I was heartbroken, she said. It destroyed my life. I cried every night and used to sleep in Sylvias bed because that was the only thing I had left. I lost friends some stuck by me, but others judged me. Mrs Milnes was born in the UK but grew up in New Zealand. She trained as a nursery school teacher, got married and had Sylvia in 2008. However, the couple split and, in 2010, Mrs Milnes returned to the UK, settling in Castleford, West Yorkshire. The following year in December, Mrs Milnes was contacted by social services after she mentioned to her GP that she was concerned about the behaviour of a man with mental health issues who had befriended her. As a result, social workers immediately took Sylvia into care. The move was supposed to be temporary but court papers later revealed that an assessment of the case wrongly labelled Mrs Milnes, who has a chronic illness and sometimes uses a wheelchair, as having mental health issues. It emerged that social workers misinterpreted a reference in Mrs Milness medical notes from New Zealand and labelled her as a psychiatric patient. Wakefield Council placed Sylvia with a foster family and court proceedings commenced with a view to her being put up for permanent adoption. In April and May 2012 Mrs Milnes was forced to undergo two separate psychological and psychiatric assessments, both of which confirmed she was fit to be a mother. The authorities in New Zealand also confirmed that she had never been a psychiatric patient. Finally, in July, a family judge sitting at Leeds County Court ordered that she be returned to her mother. Mrs Milnes lodged a formal complaint with the council and, following a two-year battle, it was eventually upheld and the council were ordered to pay her damages in October 2014. She married her partner John, 41, in 2013, but said her health has suffered and she has since been diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency, a rare condition which causes chronic exhaustion, pain, headaches and nausea. Police said they believe she did this to evade being spotted and A California woman wanted for allegedly killing a music teacher in a hit-and-run accident is believed to have tried to dramatically change her appearance in order to evade police. Tracy Clapp, 36, of Santa Ana, California, allegedly hit Chris Chavez, 26, who had the right of way on a crosswalk, in her 5-series BMW after running a red light. Witnesses said the driver of the 5-series BMW exited her car but eventually got back in and drove away. One witness took a photo of the woman getting out of the car and then driving off, ABC 7 reported. Tracy Clapp, 36, (pictured in undated photos) is believed to have dyed her hair pink, put on a fake face tattoo and put in color contact lenses A witness snapped this photo at the scene of the hit-and-run. The woman getting out of her car is allegedly Clapp. The woman eventually got back in her car and drove off The accident happened on April 20 and on April 29, Chavez, a Saddleback High School drumline instructor, was declared brain dead. Police received an anonymous tip about Clapp's whereabouts on Saturday evening and found her in a home in south east Santa Ana. There they discovered Clapp had dyed her hair bright pink. She was also wearing a temporary dragon face tattoo and colored contact lenses. 'It is our belief that she did all of that to allude capture,' Corporal Matt Wharton told ABC 7. Clapp fled on foot from police and then allegedly assaulted officers when they finally caught up to her. Clapp is suspected of killing Chris Chavez, 26, (pictured) in a hit-and -run after she allegedly ran a red light and slammed into the drumline leader at Saddleback High School in Santa Ana A K-9 officer was used to subdue Clapp and she was transported to the hospital with injuries to her left arm. Chris Chavez's father Ralph Chavez said he was grateful to the person who called in the tip. 'The tip that came in put this lady away - thank you guys very much. I hope that she can never be on the streets again to do this to anybody else. 'I feel nothing for this lady right now...I've got a big battle. We're a broken family right now,' Ralph Chavez told ABC 7. He said Chris Chavez was taken off life support on May 1 and his organs were donated so he could continue helping people in death. When she is released from the hospital Clapp will be charged with suspicion of felony hit-and-run, vehicular manslaughter, felony evasion with a want and disregard for public safety and battery of an officer, according to Wharton. Police have called off the search for a 15-year-old girl who was last seen by dragged across a highway by her abductor. Pearl Pinson was kidnapped while walking to school in Sonoma County, California, on Wednesday and has not been heard from since. More than 65 members of law enforcement scoured a remote area for the teenager, but they called off the search on Sunday after finding no trace. Police have called off the search for Pearl Pinson, 15 (left), who was last seen being dragged screaming and covered in blood across a highway by her suspected abductor Fernando Castro (right). He was shot dead in a confrontation by police on Friday Helicopters and search teams were focused on a four-square-mile area around the mouth of the Russian River in a remote area of Sonoma covered with wild oak Pinson was last seen being dragged across a highway while bleeding and screaming by an armed man that cops say was Castro Officers on foot and helicopters were seen searching a four-square-mile area at the mouth of the Russian River on Friday afternoon, the Press Democrat reports. Detectives criss-crossed an area of steep, thick wild oak on Friday looking for Pinson, with the search resuming this morning. Deputies had been searching for Pinson since a witness reported seeing her being dragged across a freeway on Wednesday morning in Vallejo by a man police believe was Fernando Castro, 19. Blood and Pinson's cellphone were found on the pedestrian overpass where she was taken. Detectives caught up with Castro the following day after his gold Saturn sedan was spotted driving through Santa Barbara county, hundreds of miles to the south, before he attempted to flee. Castro shot at officers and then drove to a trailer park where he attempted to get into a different vehicle before being shot dead, according to police. Despite Castro's death detectives still do not know where Pinson is, or why she has not sought help. Authorities believe that Castro and Pinson knew each other, though the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear. Rose Pinson, the missing girl's older sister, said she had heard Castro's name but had never met him and described him as an acquaintance, according to the Vallejo Times-Herald. Blood and Pinson's cellphone were found on the pedestrian overpass where she was taken, but officers could not find any trace of the teenager during their five-day search They were remanded in custody after hearing at Medway Magistrates' Court Two British men were today remanded in custody charged with immigration offences after a boat carrying 18 Albanian migrants - including two children - was rescued off the Kent coast. Mark Stribling, 35, and Robert Stilwell, 33, appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court this morning after the migrants were rescued when their inflatable boat began to sink in the English Channel. Stribling, of Farningham, Kent, and Stilwell, from nearby Dartford, were both charged under Section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971. They were ordered to stay in custody following the five-minute hearing in Chatham, Kent, and will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on June 27. The boat believed to have been carrying 18 Albanian migrants who needed rescuing off the Kent coast The boat was towed through Dymchurch, Kent by authorities, CCTV footage showed. Two British men were today remanded in custody charged with immigration offences A second vessel, believed to be linked to the inflatable that got into trouble, was discovered on the beach on Sunday at Dymchurch and was seized by the authorities They were charged after the UK Coastguard received a call for assistance near Dymchurch in Kent, at 11.40pm on Saturday night after the inflatable vessel began to take on water. Along with the Albanians, the two British men were also rescued by the Coastguard, working with the RNLI, and were handed over to the Border Force. A second vessel, believed to be linked to the inflatable that got into trouble, was discovered on the beach on Sunday at Dymchurch and was seized by the authorities. The 20 people, including one woman, on board were rescued and taken to Dover, Kent, before being interviewed by immigration officers. The incident has sparked concerns that the UK may be seeing the start of a new trend of people smuggling across the Channel. A former UK borders and immigration chief inspector today warned that people could die in the English Channel while trying to make their way into the UK illegally. John Vine raised his concerns after 18 Albanians - and two British nationals - were rescued from an inflatable boat which began to sink off the coast of Kent on Saturday night. John Vine (pictured) warned that people could die in the English Channel while trying to make their way into the UK illegally Mr Vine, who was independent chief inspector of borders and immigration until 2014, said that he raised his concerns about migrants crossing the Channel but added that the matter was not given 'sufficient resources'. He also highlighted that crossing the Channel - which is the world's biggest seaway with 500 ships sailing across it each day - is extremely hazardous and in people trying to cross it could 'lose their lives'. Mr Vine told BBC Radio 4: 'We have seen the tragedies that have occurred in the Mediterranean. 'I am not a nautical person but I would have thought crossing the Channel - with all the hazards in terms of cross-Channel traffic as well as the weather and the sea conditions - are going to mean there is an equal chance of people losing their lives unless this is stopped.' Referring to the number of migrants entering the country, he added: 'In the context of small ports, we just don't know the extent of this. 'But I think it is reasonable to assume that this is something that might have been happening and if this is now the start of a new trend we certainly need to gather the intelligence and the resources to nip it in the bud.' He said he found the issue 'wasn't a major priority' when he raised concerns in the past. Mr Vine said: 'That is entirely reasonable: if an organisation has limited resources, it has to prioritise where its enforcement activity is. 'But clearly if this is now the start of something new, then really that needs to be reassessed and resources need to be put in.' His comments come after Britain's lax border controls were branded a 'complete mess' as experts warned vast swathes of coastline were wide open to migrants. And it emerged that there are only three Border Force boats patrolling Britain's entire 7,700 mile coastline. The former head of the Navy said the UK was taking a huge 'gamble' with its security and demanded ministers 'get a grip'. Meanwhile, a senior French coastguard official warned the Channel will soon resemble the Mediterranean where thousands have died. On another dramatic day in the crisis, it emerged: A National Crime Agency report found Britain's small ports and marinas are wide open to people smugglers, crime gangs and terrorists; The Chief Inspector of Borders said the failure to secure isolated stretches of coastline was leaving a back door to Britain open; Migrants caught trying to sneak into Britain on ships from Germany are being sent back and immediately freed to try again; Kent residents accused the authorities of 'hushing up' the true scale of attempts to reach our shores illicitly; Michael Gove and Boris Johnson accused David Cameron of corroding public trust with his failed pledge to cut immigration to the tens of thousands - and Tory MPs said he was 'burying his head in the sand'. Leave campaigners said the only way for Britain to re-establish control over migration was for the public to vote out in the EU referendum on June 23. They said the UK should plough the billions saved by leaving Europe into finally securing its borders. The operation to rescue the 18 Albanians was launched after they raised the alarm by calling relatives in Calais as their inflatable sank two miles off the village of Dymchurch, near Folkstone. Another dinghy, equipped with two powerful outboard motors, was found abandoned on Dymchurch beach. Residents said it was the second attempt in two weeks to smuggle migrants ashore in the remote spot, which was once a favourite with 18th century smugglers. A fortnight ago a larger inflatable was found abandoned near the shoreline packed with up to 30 lifejackets but no passengers were found. It will raise fears that more migrants have landed on British soil after making the deadly crossing. One resident said helicopters were patrolling 'all the time'. Andrew Ballington-James, 58, said: 'If 30 got in two weeks ago without anyone knowing, how many more are going to come in? It's all been hush hush.' Just days ago, a Briton was arrested within minutes of his yacht docking at Chichester Marina with a cargo of 17 migrants. Experts believe ruthless crime gangs on both sides of the Channel are now targeting Britain's vulnerable small ports and beaches following heightened security at the main ports in Dover and Calais. Over the weekend a leaked National Crime Agency internal assessment warned: 'There is no generic border controls at small marinas around the UK coast.' Hundreds of migrants queue up in Italy having arrived on boats from Africa in the past few weeks The number of Border Force boats patrolling Britain's coastline was reduced to three after one was deployed to the Aegean Sea to patrol for migrant smuggling vessels. Last night former head of the Navy Admiral Lord West said: 'It is a complete mess. We are taking a calculated risk with our own territorial waters. We need to get a grip on this. We are taking a gamble that nothing will ever happen in our seas and that is a risky view to take given the dangerous world we are in.' The scandal increases the pressure on Mr Cameron to confront the immigration question as the EU referendum looms next month. Andrew Rosindell, Tory MP for Romford, said: 'I think people like the Prime Minister are behaving like ostriches; burying their heads in the sand avoiding the issue and hoping to divert people's attention on to other things. The public is seeing through this.' Referring to the boat rescue in Kent, he said: 'What this shows is that the pressures on immigration are becoming more and more acute. 'If people are already getting as far as they have got, it shows we need to completely up our game on the control of the seas to ensure that illegal immigrants are not going to get into the country. It's another reason to leave the EU because we'd be able to plough the billions we save into strengthening our border security.' Steve Baker, chairman of the Conservatives for Britain group, said: 'This incident demonstrates how there is a serious draw for people to enter our magnificent country. 'The immigration debate is about practical problems like this, and democratic consent. It is wrong for the Remain side to try to shut down this debate. 'We pledged to reduce migration to the tens of thousands in our manifesto for a reason, and it's now quite clear that we can't begin to meet it if we stay in the EU.' Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons home affairs select committee, said: 'This latest development in the sea war with the criminal gangs preying on vulnerable people is extremely worrying. Our sea border needs to be robust because we are an island.' 18 Albanians brought ashore on beach targeted for a second time By Chris Greenwood, Tammy Hughes and Glen Keogh An attempt by migrants to reach the Kent coast at the weekend was the second in a fortnight, residents of a seaside village revealed yesterday. Eighteen Albanians and two Britons were rescued off Dymchurch in the early hours yesterday after their inflatable boat began to sink. CHANNEL 'TURNING INTO THE NEW MED' The English Channel risks seeing the same scenes of tragedy as the Mediterranean, a senior member of the French coastguard has said. Bernard Barron, president of the Calais coastguard, said migrants are taking increasingly desperate risks to get on to British shores. A network of professional people smugglers are operating across the entire northern coast of France and Belgium, he added. 'It has become virtually impossible for migrants to cross to the UK through the Channel Tunnel or on car ferries. So smugglers have found a new strategy. 'It has started to be a very similar situation to that seen in the Mediterranean and I fear that the scenes we have seen there will be repeated in the Channel,' he said, adding: 'This all confirms our fear that the smugglers are willing to take extreme measures.' Repeated security crackdowns around the Channel Tunnel and at major ports have made it increasingly tough for stowaways to get aboard trains and lorries. As a result those with money are using informal networks of smugglers to get them aboard fishing boats, recreational yachts and speedboats. The majority are economic migrants from Albania, Vietnam and Ukraine, with some wealthier families from Syria and Iraq. Advertisement Officials are investigating another bid earlier this month after a bigger inflatable was found abandoned on the Dymchurch beach. Locals said the vessel was packed with lifejackets, suggesting those on board had evaded the authorities. They fear smuggling gangs are unleashing wave upon wave of boats on the South of England coast because the treacherous journey across the Channel is so lucrative. Others said the coastguard helicopter has been patrolling the coast in recent weeks amid concerns that the frequency of smuggling operations has increased. The Dymchurch rescue is the latest example of people traffickers attempting to use small ports, marinas and isolated beaches to get their human cargo ashore. Criminal gangs appear to be using the same sheltered and remote landing points as smugglers of spirits, tobacco and tea in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was shortly before midnight on Saturday when the UK Coastguard was alerted by its French counterparts to the sinking boat. Two lifeboats and a helicopter found one boat sinking about two miles off the coast. A second, with Antares written on the side, was later found abandoned on the beach. Roger Wilkins, chairman of Dymchurch Parish Council, said he was horrified that 20 people were aboard the small boat. He said: 'How many more are going to try and come across the Channel? This is the second time we have had a boat abandoned. There was a bigger boat two weeks ago.' Former teacher Jen Ballington-James, 54, said: 'We hear the helicopter most nights. That's been going on since the Iranians were found.' In April two Iranians were rescued on a small inflatable dinghy off Dover. Mrs Ballington-James's husband Andrew, 58, added: 'If we're only finding out about the boat last night, how many other people are getting in who we don't know about?' Investigators have found evidence gangs are charging up to 12,000 per migrant. Arrests have also been made at small ports from Devon to Norfolk. Britain's borders are at risk from terrorists and uncontrolled flows of migrants because so few boats patrol UK waters, a former head of the Royal Navy warned yesterday. Just three Border Force vessels patrol 7,700 miles of coastline after another was deployed to the Aegean Sea to tackle the migrant crisis. The situation, described by Admiral Lord West as a complete mess, comes after aerial surveillance of Britains shores was scrapped in January to save money. Just three Border Force vessels patrol 7,700 miles of British coastline. Pictured is an inflatable boat believed to have been used by migrants attempting to reach the UK Both Britains Maritime and Coastguard Agency and HM Revenue & Customs officials are said to be deeply concerned that the UK has not got control of its territorial waters, it can be revealed. If hundreds more migrants start to take advantage of the sea route from Calais, Britain could be reliant on private vessels to conduct rescue missions. Lord West, who was a security minister under Gordon Brown, told the Daily Mail: We are taking a calculated risk with our own territorial waters. Already we have seen these illegal immigrants and I dont believe there arent clever traffickers using the smaller ports to send them and Im sure terrorists are aware of the route too. We need to get a grip on this. We are taking a gamble that nothing will ever happen in our seas and that is a risky view to take given the dangerous world we are in. Home Secretary Theresa May was earlier accused of blocking publicity about a migrant mission off Libya for fear of exposing the strain the operation placed on the UKs ability to protect its shores. Two Border Force cutters, 163ft-long HMC Protector and HMC Seeker, which is 22ft shorter, were deployed to the Mediterranean along with the Royal Navy ship HMS Bulwark last May. The cutters, with at least 12 crew, are normally operated to protect UK waters and coastline, intercepting drug shipments and other restricted or prohibited goods being trafficked by sea. But they were sent to the Mediterranean on a five-month deployment agreed with the EUs border security agency Frontex to help the EU combat the migrant crisis. They were involved in the rescue of 1,650 migrants in total, and intercepted 26 suspected people smugglers. The cutters returned in September but Mrs May had to supply another boat to support Frontexs Operation Triton. Labour MP Keith Vaz (pictured) said more patrol vessels were needed to guard British waters In a sign of a lack of spare capacity, the Home Office chartered a civilian vessel for the operation. VOS Grace was sent to the Mediterranean on November 5. Then in March, David Cameron announced another two Border Force cutters would join a Nato mission in the Aegean to reduce the flow of migrants from Turkey to Europe. In the event only one was sent, leaving three currently on operation in UK waters. The Government has previously admitted that of the five cutters in the fleet, only four are operational at any one time while the fifth is being refitted. Lord West said: It is a complete mess. Ive asked which government department is responsible for the surveillance and security of our territorial areas and I think the answer is nobody. When he was a security minister Lord West established a monitoring centre to combat threats to the UK from the sea by combining the efforts of different government agencies. He said: I set up a national maritime centre so that we would know what risks and threats were coming into our waters, whether illegal migrants or terrorists. And it is not clear who this department links to, it is not satisfactory. One Royal Navy ship is at high readiness in UK waters and could be tasked with a mission if necessary. But Lord West added: If we are sending a British ship into Libyan waters it will be interesting to see if this ship stays there. The Government has previously claimed that national security prevents it from discussing how the UKs borders are secured when not all of the Border Force fleet is protecting the UK. A report earlier this year revealed Britains borders are almost undefended against terrorists and criminals using small boats and planes. David Bolt, the Chief Inspector of Borders, disclosed failings which could give back-door entry to jihadists. The report admits that there is no reliable data for the number of general maritime arrivals in the UK and no systematic collection of information about any aspect of general maritime. Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons home affairs select committee, called for more patrol vessels in British waters after the latest arrival by boat. He said: This latest development in the sea war with the criminal gangs preying on vulnerable people is extremely worrying. posing by loungers and sipping drinks, even Bear Grylls has visited With its minimalist glamour, it is no surprise that the 'Instafamous' flock to Kata Rocks when they jet into Phuket Advertisement Dreamy infinity pools, luxurious villas and a minimalist design- this photogenic hotel in Thailand is where the young gliterrati flock to pop champagne, pose on sun loungers and post an endless stream of glamorous holiday snaps. With its sprawling Sky Villas that offer uninterrupted Andaman sea views, it's no surprise that Kata Rocks makes the perfect backdrop for the fashionable set to feature in their coveted photographs. Stylish images shared on social media reveal just why this trendy clientele has fallen under the spell of the Phuket resort. Images on Instagram show a glamorous clientele posing by sun loungers and sipping on drinks at Kata Rocks Those two ladies showcased their experience of the Thai hotel for their legions of fans on the social media site The hotel is located near Kata, a clean-cut resort town, popular with the yachting crowd, on the south west coast of Phuket Living the dream: Of course many chose to use accessories in their shots, opting for champagne or an array of quirky floaties This blonde holidaymaker showcased some of the best areas in the resort for her thousands of followers on Instagram Newly opened in November of last year, Kata Rocks offers guests serenity and a spectacular cliff-side location All suites have floor to ceiling glass windows wrapping around the front of the units - perfect for impromptu photoshoots Newly opened in November of last year, Kata Rocks was considered a game changer for Thailand. The chic, five-star property has contemporary apartment-sized suites inspired by super-yachts. There are 43 suites in total, comprising of one, two and three bedroom Sky Villas, four-bedroom Sky Villa penthouses and one-bedroom Ocean Lofts. Perfect for Instagram stars who are keen to show off their luxury lifestyle, the spa can come to you and there are in room spa treatments available as well as his and her bathtubs and private couples treatment rooms in the spa. The furnishings are Italian-made, providing a contemporary setting for any Instagram photos which is a far cry from the silk screens and bamboo you might expect in Thailand. The resort has a concierge service to ensure that every need is met in private - and holidaymakers can enjoy a secluded, gourmet picnic by the sea cooked by a private chef under the stars, if they wish. Even Bear Grylls heads to the hotel in his downtime when he is craving opulence that is a world away from the rugged lifestyle he leads on screen. When he visits he checks into a private Penthouse (which he owns). Bear has said: 'I guess in part that I make a living by eating some pretty disgusting things to show how to stay alive if you are in a survival scenario. 'But when I want to just chill out with family and friends, then I try and pick places that are discreet but spectacular; Kata Rocks is both of those in abundance.' Boasting a minimalist design and uninterrupted Andaman sea views, the Phuket resort is the perfect backdrop for any stylish traveller's holiday snaps These two guests took advantage of their glamorous surroundings by posing on a pink flamingo inflatable (left) and on the white submerged loungers (right) There are 43 suites in total, comprising of one, two and three bedroom Sky Villas, four-bedroom Sky Villa penthouses and one-bedroom Ocean Lofts Chic location: Guests strike a pose in one of the stunning hotel's pools and shared the image to Instagram to their followers And as many fashionable Instagrammers like to travel in style, thankfully there is a jetty available for those arriving by private yacht. Partying and flashing the cash is definitely doable at the resort, with celebrity DJs on hand to get the celebrations started, or the clean-cut resort town of Kata in Phuket is just a short journey away. But a first class stay doesn't come cheap. A one bed Sky Villa with a seven metre infinity pool including breakfast starts at 520 a night. It is no surprise that the elite flock to Kata Rocks when they jet into Phuket, with its sprawling Sky Villas that offer the perfect sea view shots The hotel has been tagged many times under the hashtag of #katarocks by the Instagram users who have flocked there The furnishings are sleek and Italian-made, providing the perfect backdrop for any Instagram feed and is a far cry from the silk screens and bamboo you might expect in Thailand Advertisement These harrowing images reveal the realities of everyday life for those living in impoverished villages in the Sidoarjo regency of Indonesia. A decade ago, the homes of these villagers were wiped out and their livelihoods destroyed by a mudflow eruption that displaced almost 40,000 people and took more than a dozen lives. The eruption started two days after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the region on May 27 in 2006. Ten years on, the mud is still flowing and shows no signs of stopping. Statues, partially covered by the mud, have been erected to mark those who lost their lives to the tragedy. Although compensation is in the pipelines from Indonesian oil and gas company, PT Lapindo Brantas, who have been deemed at least partially responsible for the disaster, its been slow to reach those affected. Extraordinarily, the residents have started making a life from tourism in the area thanks to the bus-loads of people who visit the site, bringing with them meagre sources of income for the villagers. Survivor statues are displayed at mudflow areas to mark those who lost their lives in 2006, pictured here a decade on in May 2016 These harrowing images reveal the realities of everyday life for those living in impoverished villages in the Sidoarjo regency of Indonesia. Pictured is Saniaka, 80, who sits behind her house A mudflow eruption displaced almost 40,000 people and took more than a dozen lives a decade ago. Today, survivor statues are displayed at mudflow areas to mark the lives of victims Extraordinarily, the residents have started making a life from tourism in the area thanks to the bus-loads of people who visit the site, bringing with them meagre sources of income for the villagers. Above, Fitriani and her daughter Azizah play in front of their house Although compensation is in the pipelines from Indonesian oil and gas company, PT Lapindo Brantas, who have been deemed at least partially responsible for the disaster, its been slow to reach those affected. Above, Suwadi, 75, stands behind his house Many people lost their homes after the disaster. Above, Andi Irwanto, his wife Mintasih and their son Dimas, stand in the remains of their house in Merisen Village The eruption started two days after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the region on May 27 in 2006. The mud continues to flow today. Above, a man walks past survivor statues displayed at mudflow areas Unlike a normal volcanic eruption, the contents of the mudflow is mainly clay and water. Above, a view of an abandoned house destroyed by mudflow Although the amount of mud that's spewed each day has fallen, the devastating effects can still be felt. Above, an abandoned house that was destroyed by the mudflow Suwadi (left), 75, his wife, Saniaka (right), 80, and their son Yono (centre), stand behind their house which was affected by mudflow The site has been officially cordoned off but people still visit the site and there are even tour guides leading tours to the area Survivors pray at the mudflow areas to mark the 10 year anniversary of the disaster. The cause of the mudflow remains debated but Indonesian oil and gas company, PT Lapindo Brantas, has been deemed at least partially responsible A woman works on the demolition site of a house. In the back, where the mudflow has stopped, nature has engulfed the rest of the vilalge The earthquake struck Yogyakarta on May 27, 2006, a city 150 miles west of a drill site in Sidoarjo, two days before the mudflow eruption A view of the interior of a mosque destroyed by mudflow. The ground is entirely covered in dried mud (pictured above) A Seattle-based burlesque dancer was barred from boarding her flight in Boston over her choice of clothing. Maggie McMuffin was told that 'she was dressed inappropriately' and would not be allowed to board the JetBlue flight until she covered up - despite the fact that she arrived in Boston with the same airline. The performer eventually purchased additional clothing in order to continue her journey. Molly McIsaac posted this image of her friend Maggie McMuffin on Facebook, which showed what she was wearing at the time Maggie McMuffin (pictured) was told that 'she was dressed inappropriately' and would not be allowed to board the JetBlue flight Ms McMuffin was wearing a jumper with a tiger on the front, thigh-high socks and a pair of stripy short shorts at the time. Although she had successfully travelled from New York to Boston on an earlier flight, crew on the Boston to Seattle leg of the journey deemed that her shorts were too short. A friend of Ms McMuffin, Molly McIsaac, posted about the incident on May 18 on Facebook. Alongside a front and back picture of the outfit in question, Ms McIsaac wrote: 'This is what she was wearing last week when JetBlue told her she was dressed inappropriately and couldn't board the flight from Boston to Seattle she had paid for. 'She was connecting in Boston from NYC, also a JetBlue flight - which had no issues with the way she was dressed.' McMuffin (pictured), a burlesque performer, was wearing a jumper with a tiger on the front, thigh-high socks and a pair of stripy short shorts when she was told to cover up 'She was connecting in Boston from NYC, also a JetBlue flight - which had no issues with the way she was dressed,' Maggie's (pictured) friend said of the incident Ms Isaac said that her friend was forced to go to another terminal to 'buy a pair of women's sleep shorts in XL for "proper coverage". The post added that although the company has apologised for the incident and refunded her for the flight and the additional clothing Ms McMuffin was forced to buy, the pilot did not apologise and there was no 'explanation for their behaviour'. Since the post appeared on May 25, it's had over 1,600 shares but the reaction has been mixed. Edie Gutierrez commented: 'Oh, get a life Miss McMuffin. You think you are cute but actually you are so lacking in self respect. They look like your underwear anyway, and not classy at all.' Jas Kat Wong wrote: 'You people who are saying she's wearing underwear are way too conservative. 'I'm glad that I live in a city that I can walk around in underwear and not have it questioned. She's not naked.' JetBlue's Contract of Carriage (the terms and conditions of boarding the flight) stipulates that they can remove anyone 'whose clothing is lewd, obscene, or patently offensive' Ms McMuffin told MailOnline Travel: 'They refunded my shorts and offered me a 162 dollar credit. 'I asked for a monetary refund since I don't want to fly with them again and was told I could let someone else use my credit. 'They let me on my original flight but only because I went and purchased new shorts.' JetBlue's Contract of Carriage (the terms and conditions of boarding the flight) stipulates that they can remove anyone 'whose clothing is lewd, obscene, or patently offensive'. A JetBlue spokesman told MailOnline Travel: 'The gate and onboard crew discussed the customers clothing and determined that the burlesque shorts may offend other families on the flight. 'While the customer was not denied boarding, the crewmembers politely asked if she could change. The customer agreed and continued on the flight without interruption. A solo-traveller has set a new world record for the most countries visited in 24 hours using just public transport after crossing the border into his final destination with just minutes to spare. Beginning in at 7.01am in Perl in Germany on May 25, Adam Leyton passed through Luxembourg, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary before crossing the border into Austria. The father-of-three was forced to run the final 2km of his journey in order to make it into his 12th country before the end of his 24-hour deadline. But it was all worth it as the family-man managed to raise close to 1,000 for charity. Adam Leyton, 39, from Horsforth in Leeds relaxes after setting a new world record with the most countries visited in a 24 hour period Beginning in at 7.01am in Perl in Germany on May 25, Adam Leyton passed through Luxembourg, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary before crossing the border into Austria The father-of-three from Leeds takes a selfie in Germany, the first leg of his attempt to break the world record with the most countries visited in a 24 hour period The 39-year-old from Leeds first came up with the idea after spotting a similar story about three men who broke the world record for the most countries visited in a single day by car in February 2015. But it wasn't until January this year that he start thinking about planning routes. By March he had come up with a viable route that would allow him to break the world record. He said: 'When I spotted Malmo was only 10 minutes from Copenhagen by train it all came into place and this was the moment I thought it was possible. 'I originally wanted to do it on June 23 - the date of the EU referendum - but because train timetables in Europe change on June 10 I had to bring it forward to make sure I could plan it properly.' Leyton strategically chose the small German town of Perl to start as it's situated just over the river from Schengen in Luxembourg - the town where the agreement for passport-free travel in Europe was signed. He said: 'I started in Perl as it is just over the river from Schengen and with the EU referendum coming up I thought it was a good place to start and I wanted to see as much of Europe I could in one day before the referendum.' Leyton strategically chose the German town of Perl to start as it's situated just over the river from Schengen in Luxembourg (pictured) - the town where the agreement for passport-free travel in Europe was signed The internet entrepreneur managed to get off to a flying start by hitting four countries in just 74 minutes, covering France (pictured) and Belgium in quick succession after his trip to Luxembourg Minutes later, Leyton crossed over from France into Belgium, the fourth leg of his journey across Europe The internet entrepreneur managed to get off to a flying start by hitting four countries in just 74 minutes, covering France and Belgium in quick succession after his trip to Luxembourg. He then flew to Amsterdam, where he took a connecting flight to Copenhagen before crossing Oresund Bridge, which connects the Danish capital with Malmo in Sweden. Leyton then returned to Copenhagen to board a flight Warsaw, arriving in the Polish capital just after 8 pm. He only managed to grab two hours of sleep during the epic trip by napping on a night train between Warsaw and Bratislava in Slovakia. But to make sure he set foot in every country, Leyton had to hop on and off the train in the Czech Republic to ensure all 12 were ticked off. The record breaker said: 'I had a couchette for the night and had the adrenaline not been pumping then I would probably have got a good night's sleep but I was just worried that I wouldn't wake up in the Czech Republic.' He then flew to Amsterdam, where he took a connecting flight to Copenhagen before crossing Oresund Bridge, which connects the Danish capital with Malmo (pictured) in Sweden Leyton then returned to Copenhagen to board a flight Warsaw (pictured above), arriving in the Polish capital just after 8 pm Having safely navigated the Czech Republic, Leyton reached Slovakia at around 5.45am and took the bus to the Hungarian border, which he reached at 6.38am. This left him with just 23 minutes to cover the 2km to the Austria border on foot as he was only allowed to complete the journey via plane, bus, trains or on foot. Luckily, he successfully reached Szobor sculpture park, where Austria meets Slovakia and Hungary, with just seven minutes to spare. Leyton recalled: 'When I got there I was absolutely elated. I had tears in my eyes as it was something I had been thinking about for months. 'I spent about an hour and a half at the sculpture park, calling my wife, kids and my mum. 'My world was spinning I was that tired, I thought I knew what being tired was all about with three kids under eight, but I was wrong.' While the journey was mostly smooth, there were some hiccups. To make sure he set foot in every country, Leyton had to hop on and off the train in the Czech Republic (pictured) to ensure all 12 were ticked off Having safely navigated the Czech Republic, Leyton reached Slovakia (pictured) at around 5.45am Leyton booked as much of his trip in advance as he could but some of his attempts to buy tickets on the ground proved more difficult than he anticipated. He said: 'I went to a shop in Luxembourg and asked for a train ticket for the next day and was sold a mobile phone top up card. My GCSE French was obviously a bit rubbish.' The extraordinary journey was to raise money for Sands, a charity which offers support to people affected by the death of a baby before, during, or shortly after birth. Leyton's sister Gemma, 31, lost her baby daughter Tilly Rose just five days before she was due to be born. He explained: 'With the EU referendum on June 23, it seemed the perfect time to see how much of Europe I could see in a day. I'm delighted to have raised more than 900 for Sands and would love to get that over the 1,000 mark. 'The support Sands gave to my sister and her family was incredible. This was my way of saying thank you to them.' The previous world record, set in 1993, saw 11 countries hit in 24 hours, and now Adam is waiting for Guinness World Records to verify his achievement. He then took the bus to the Hungarian border, which he reached at 6.38am. Above, Leyton is pictured at the border crossing She is the striking brunette who set tongues wagging after being caught in a clinch with Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio in Cannes. Now I can reveal that the mystery girl is UK-based model Georgia Fowler who has a rather risque past. Georgia caused a storm when she appeared in a shoot for High Street fashion label French Connection in 2013. Georgia Fowler set tongues wagging after being caught in a clinch with Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio in Cannes (pictured) For the campaign, called Sketch To Store, she was photographed naked and clothes were drawn over the image. But not all of the sketches took Georgias modesty into account, with some exposing more than she may have expected. Georgia (right) caused a storm when she appeared in a shoot for High Street fashion label French Connection in 2013 (left) The campaign hit the headlines after the Advertising Standards Authority was flooded with complaints. Georgia, 23, who has also dated 1Ds Harry Styles, is the first brunette to have caught Leos roving eye in some time he usually prefers blondes. Flapper Camilla and a host of stars fly in for mega-wedding IT was perhaps the biggest global wedding of the year so far. The youngest daughter of one of Britains best-known dynasties tied the knot to a billionaire Columbian-American financier in a mega ceremony in Spain watched by a galaxy of Royals and stars. Charlotte Wellesley, 25, whose parents are the Duke of Wellington and Princess Maria Antonia of Prussia, yesterday married Alejandro Santo Domingo, 39, at the 16th Century Church of the Incarnation in Illora, near Granada. Charlotte Wellesley, 25, married Alejandro Santo Domingo, 39, (left) at the 16th Century Church of the Incarnation in Illora, near Granada, and among the guests was the Duchess of Cornwall Among the stellar line-up of guests was the usually demure Duchess of Cornwall, who stunned onlookers by wearing a flapper dress with tiers of white and yellow chiffon. Also there were former king of Spain Juan Carlos I, supermodel Eva Herzigova and pop star James Blunt, who is married to the brides cousin Sofia. On Friday night, Charlotte, wearing a gorgeous green silk dress, hosted a lavish dinner. Among the guests were heiress Sabine Getty and shoe designer Tabitha Simmon. Im told they cheered as the groom was ushered over to kiss the bride. Thankfully, the touching moment was captured on video by David Tollemache, cousin of Prince Williams best friend James. BRIAN VINER: Philippa lives in Edinburgh, where she works in a dreary sales job and is passed over for promotion. 'You are at the right level for you,' says her condescending boss. Australian radio star Mel Grieg last month announced that she and her husband Steve Pollock had separated. And despite the news, the 33-year-old blonde was spotted on Saturday wearing the wedding band on her ring finger. Posing up for a selfie on the weekend, the former Celebrity Apprentice Australia star was showing off her outfit but kept her left hand in full view of the camera. Scroll down for video Still holding on? Australian radio DJ Mel Greig was spotted on Saturday wearing her wedding band on her ring finger as she posed for a selfie, having announcing her split from husband Steve Pollock last month Flaunting her curves in thigh-high boots, a short and plunging mini dress and a jacket, Mel stood in the mirror as she took a picture of herself on her phone. She had captioned part of the snap: 'I have complete confidence that this jacket will stop me from contracting a chest cold.' Also a week ago, the personality - who is now based in Wollongong for her radio gig - was back in Adelaide where she previously lived and again wore her ring during a 'girls dinner.' Case of the ex: Australian radio star Mel Grieg last month announced that she and her husband of just over one year, Steve Pollock, had separated Can't move on? Also a week ago, the personality - who is now based in Wollongong for her radio gig - was back in Adelaide where she previously lived and again wore her ring during a 'girls dinner' Mel and Steve last month announced they had split when Mel appeared on Channel Ten's Studio Ten. 'I am separated from my husband now,' Mel said, saying Steve needs time 'to rediscover himself as an individual'. 'It's been a couple of months that I've been dealing with that in private and because I have been so open about my endometriosis and my battle, it's hard when people ask you how's the baby-making going, when's he moving to Wollongong?' 'So now I just need to put it out there and say "this is what's happening". Big news: Mel and Steve last month announced they had split when Mel appeared on Channel Ten's Studio Ten 'He's not moving to Wollongong. There are no babies on the way and we're going to deal with it in private, the best we can.' The pair tied the knot in November 2014 and recently had been doing long distance when Mel moved interstate to Sydney for her new job at Wave FM. Her job came after the controversial 2Day FM prank call scandal where she and her co-host Michael Christian called the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, was staying in in London while suffering morning sickness. At the time she was pregnant with Prince George and the pair spoke to nurse Jacintha Saldana and took her life two days later. Her split from Steve also came after the pair were actively trying to start a family, with Mel enduring IVF treatments. He is known for his dapper appearance on the red carpet at his many film premieres. But Benedict Cumberbatch cut an altogether different figure as he blended into the crowds at the Hay Festival on Saturday. The 39-year-old actor dressed down in navy chinos, a blue checked shirt and matching blue hooded jacket. Relaxed: Benedict Cumberbatch cut an altogether different figure from his red carpet appearances as he blended into the crowds at the Hay Festival on Saturday He accessorised with a pair of fashionable thick-rimmed black spectacles and completed his look with a pair of black boots. Clearly a fan of the latest technology the star was seen wearing an all black Apple Watch, perhaps to keep in touch with family and friends while at the festival. Cumberbatch appeared in high spirits as he strode around the festival and mingled with members of the public, who appeared oblivious to the celebrity among them. It seemed the actor got a little hot at one point, so he decided to strip down to his white T-shirt and carry his shirt and jacket. Technology fan: The star was seen wearing an all black Apple Watch, perhaps to keep in touch with family and friends while at the festival Dressed down: The 39-year-old actor wore navy chinos, a blue checked shirt and matching blue hooded jacket Cumberbatch may be pleased to have left London, where he has reportedly upset neighbours at his new 2.7million house in upmarket Dartmouth Park. He baffled locals by not moving into the home, but instead got builders to put up huge black hoardings around the Victorian property, which he plans to renovate and extend. The actor - who married opera director Sophie Hunter last year - submitted plans to add a bedroom and install a 'plant room' to the semi-detached property. Off duty: He accessorised with a pair of fashionable thick-rimmed black spectacles and completed his look with a pair of black boots Neighbours are concerned the plant room - planned to go at the front of the house - would produce unnecessary noise and disruption. This month Cumberbatch starred in Hollow Crown: The War of the Roses and was transformed into a hunchback to play Richard III. He won rave reviews from critics for his portrayal of the last king from the house of York. She's been working hard in the gym as she prepares for her action film roles. And Ruby Rose took to social media to show off the result of her gruelling training and flashed her extremely taut mid-section as she snapped a selfie on Saturday. The 30-year-old Australian actress flaunted her trim figure as she posed in a bikini and posted the image on Instagram writing: 'Action films equal forced training'. Scroll down for video Trim and toned: Ruby Rose took to social media to show off the result of her tedious training and flashed her extremely taut mid-section as she snapped a selfie on Saturday Ruby's toned abs the clear focus of the snap as she took a mirror selfie wearing just a black and white bikini. The beauty looked down at the ground while she posed for the image, flashing the tattoos that cover her arms and sections of her chest and stomach. Her dark cropped locks appeared to be wet and pushed over to one side and she showcased her naturally striking features by going makeup free. See Ruby Rose updates as she flashes her extremely taut mid-section in bikini selfie Hard work: The 30-year-old Australian actress has been training hard for the two roles that she landed in action blockbuster films Tedious: The beauty is no stranger to flaunting her incredible figure as she snaps selfies in the gym This year has been a big one for the Australian beauty who has been filming for her roles in the action packed block busters John Wick: Chapter Two and xXx: Return Of Xander Cage. She has thrown herself into her fitness in preparation for the two demanding roles and most recently filmed scenes with Vin Diesel in Canada for the xXx sequel. Ruby plays the role of Adele Wolff in the movie which is set to be released is scheduled for release in January 2017, will also star fellow Australian actress Toni Collette and Samuel L. Jackson. Training: This year has been a big one for the Australian beauty who has been filming for her roles in the action packed block busters John Wick: Chapter Two and xXx: Return Of Xander Cage Rise to popularity: The model and TV personality captured mainstream attention last year when she joined the cast of Orange Is The New Black in season three The model and TV personality captured mainstream attention last year when she joined the cast of Orange Is The New Black in season three. Ruby played sassy Litchfield inmate Stella Carlin - a romantic interest for the critically-acclaimed Netflix series' lead Piper Chapman. She also received a special award for her contribution to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at the 27th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles earlier this year. Australian model Jesinta Campbell and her AFL star fiance Lance 'Buddy' Franklin are set to tie the knot having become engaged in December 2014. And on Saturday, 24-year-old Jesinta gushed over her future husband on Instagram. Sharing a black and white shot of the pair cosying up to one another, she captioned the shot: 'My handsome,' adding a crown emoticon. Scroll down for video Smitten: Australian model Jesinta Campbell cosies up to her AFL star fiance Lance 'Buddy' Franklin in a new Instagram snap Wearing a light silk long-sleeve blouse, Jesinta candidly looks down as Buddy stands right beside her in a white shirt and black jacket. Jesinta flashes her diamond engagement ring and has her hair out in loose tousled curls and wears make-up including a dark lipstick. Buddy, 29, and Jesinta first became engaged in December 2014, after 14 months together. Going strong: Buddy, 29, and Jesinta first became engaged in December 2014, after 14 months together He proposed with a giant diamond sparkler, estimated to cost between $75,000 and $100,000. At the time, she told Daily Mail Australia that Buddy had chosen the perfect ring for her. 'He did very well!' 'I'm not much of a flashy person and if you'd have asked me what I wanted for an engagement ring, I probably wouldn't have been able to tell you. 'So he did very well, he chose it himself.' Happy: He proposed with a giant diamond sparkler, estimated to cost between $75,000 and $100,000 Earlier this month, David Jones ambassador Jesinta told The Courier Mail that the pair wouldn't rule out eloping to tie the knot. 'Well probably just elope, keep it very simple,' Jesinta told the publication. 'It wont be a Big Fat Greek Wedding. Ill just come back and be Mrs Franklin and that will be it.' The pair have certainly overcome some hurdles together, with it being revealed last September that Buddy was suffering mental health issues, with Jesinta by his side. The pair postponed their January wedding, with her manager Sharon Finnigan telling Woman's Day. Jesinta also told Who Magazine about her wedding dress, last year saying it will be 'the most glamorous thing' she's ever worn. She grew up in a large family thanks to her mum Debbie Douglas, a dedicated foster carer. And Lydia Bright has clearly inherited the TOWIE matriarch's maternal instincts, looking every inch the doting babysitter as she stepped out with her former co-star Danni Park-Dempsey's daughter Summer Rose. The 26-year-old reality star looked lovely in a lemon maixdress as she strolled along Loughton high street in Essex on Saturday, hand-in-hand with the adorable toddler. Scroll down for video Babysitting duties: TOWIE favourite Lydia Bright was out and about in Loughton, Essex on Saturday with with her former co-star Danni Park-Dempsey's daughter Summer Rose in tow Lydia was positively radiant in the pastel number, which featured a flirty and feminine lace trim at the bust and a long, pleated skirt. The blonde - who recently split from long-term boyfriend James 'Arg' Argent - was on top form for her day out, showing no sign of her recent heartache. Lydia completed her boho chic attire with a pair of brown sandals, tinted shades and a nude clutch. Pretty in pastels: Lydia was positively radiant in the pastel number, which featured a flirty and feminine lace trim at the bust and a long, pleated skirt Big grin: The blonde - who recently split from long-term boyfriend James 'Arg' Argent - was on top form for her day out, showing no sign of her recent heartache She styled her light locks in loose waves, pinning a few sections away from her face. Danni - who quit the Essex-based reality series in 2013 - has been embracing motherhood since her time on the show, and has remained close to Lydia. It was reported earlier this month that Lydia finished things with her long-term boyfriend after he allegedly relapsed into his cocaine habit. Stylish: Lydia completed her boho chic attire with a pair of brown sandals, tinted shades and a nude clutch Doting: She grew up in a large family thanks to her mum Debbie Douglas, a dedicated foster carer, and Lydia has clearly inherited the TOWIE matriarch's maternal instincts To get over the split she travelled to Indonesia for some time out of the spotlight and seemed to confirm her decision by captioning an Instagram snap: 'I saw this sign at the Tagenungan waterfall in Bali and it made me smile. 'Life threw a massive curveball at me over six weeks ago. But I can now say I have healed and I am happy. Some things in life just aren't meant to be. #Indonesia #Traveling #SEAsia #Closure #NoRegrets'. Explaing her choice to break-up with Arg, Lydia told TV host Lorraine Kelly: 'It was a tough decision to make but I felt like I didn't have a choice. I'm stronger and happier now,' she told the veteran presenter. 'I've just been away to Indonesia and I've come back a lot more positive and strong and looking forward to the future.' MEDORA -- Every summer, visitors migrate to Medora to take in the sights of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, catch a glimpse of a bison, eat at the pitchfork fondue and watch the Medora Musical, or simply walk the town embracing the Old West aesthetics. But, as the town gears up for its summer tourist season, it needs employees to keep those visitor experiences as positive and memorable as possible. More than 300 student employees of the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation will call Medora home this summer, and for years they've needed a place to congregate. Starting this year, the Bill and Jane Marcil Life Skills Center will be available for student employees, along with volunteers and the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation's full-time employees. The hope is that it gives them the same positive and memorable experiences they typically provide to visitors. "Jane and I just thought that was a great way for us to put money back into the community, enlarging the campus, and really for the kids," said Bill Marcil, the former president and current board chairman of Forum Communications Co. "I think the Skills Center will make it easier to recruit kids and, once they are there, I think they will enjoy their experience better and it will be more professional in the way their training occurs." The $7 million project was the dream of the late Sheila Schafer, the wife of businessman and Medora revitalizer Harold Schafer. She died in March at age 90. "She was always saying, 'You have to teach the kids more,'" said Justin Fisk, the foundation's marketing director. When the Marcils were presented the opportunity to support the Life Skills Center, Bill Marcil said their gift of $1 million was an easy decision. Marcil said he and his family love Medora and always have. "We've been going to Medora for 40 years, and we really have a love affair with the community and the whole Badlands," he said. Fisk said when the idea was discussed, Marcil told him the Life Skills Center was "a no-brainer" and "exactly what we need for the state of North Dakota." The 26,000-square-foot, two-floor facility will house a full-sized replica of the Medora Musical stage, a cafeteria, a workout room, a lounge and office space for the foundation employees. But most important is the classroom space. The facility has multiple classrooms that'll be utilized to continue the learning experience for students. "It doesn't matter what they do (while in Medora), they will get training and life skill opportunities," Fisk said. "They'll get a chance to learn how to be successful." Those trainings will now take place in a true classroom setting. "It's brick and mortar," Fisk said. "It's a facility, but it is meant to do something that is intangible." Former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer, Harolds son and Sheila's stepson, serves as the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation's board chairman. He said the Life Skills Center will serve to both preserve the memory of his parents, and instill the values and morals they always believed in. "Part of the things we have to do now that Harold and Sheila are both gone is somehow we have to maintain the values and the character that they brought to Medora," Ed Schafer said. "The Life Skills Center, in some cases, gives us the chance to do that." The morals and mission the Schafers used to turn Medora from a decaying small town into North Dakota's top tourist destination are emblazoned on the walls of the center. "You can kind of get the idea of what the entire building is supposed to do when you read the phrases on the wall, which are from our mission statement," Fisk said. Ed Schafer, who went on to serve as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and is currently the University of North Dakota's interim president, said learning those values from his parents were invaluable to his success. But he said he also hasn't forgot the values and skills he learned in 1965, when he was stripping bark off of logs that were used for log cabins. As a young man, he worked his way up through different summer jobs in Medora, from the manager of the Badlands Hotel to the manager of the Rough Riders Hotel. "I wish they would have had it (the Life Skills Center) when I worked out there," he said with a laugh. Callie Klinkmueller, who manages volunteers for the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, came to work as an intern in Medora last summer and said she left with a whole new outlook on life. "I think it helped me redefine my idea of what success looked like," she said. "The success that I found here was the success in relationships and working for a company that has a shared purpose." Fisk said Sheila Schafer found success in every person who called Medora home, whether for a summer or their lifetime. "Her whole time in Medora was talking to the kids and talking to the (musical) casts," he said. "She always wanted you to do your best, but she also wanted to make you feel your best." Fisk said his only regret is that Sheila Schafer isn't around to see the finished Life Skills Center. Bree Warren is the latest high-profile model to enter the debate on the fashion term 'plus-size'. The Brisbane native, who is now based in New York and is a size 12, criticised the widely-used label in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph's Body & Soul on Sunday. 'Im the first to admit that the term "plus size" is pretty silly,' she said. 'Unfortunately, its an industry term for any model over a size 10.' Scroll down for video Speaking out: Brisbane model Bree Warren (pictured) is the latest high-profile figure to enter the debate on the fashion term 'plus-size', telling Body & Soul on Sunday that the label for models over size 10 is 'pretty silly' The 28-year-old also claimed fans are surprised that she is considered 'plus-size' because of the photographs on her Instagram account. She explained: Im tall, Im in proportion, I have wide hips, and Im bigger than the average model but it doesnt always translate in photos because Im healthy and in shape.' Bree, who has modelled for major brands Forever 21 and Lorna Jane, is below the average Australian dress size of 14 to 16. Plus-size? Bree said fans are surprised she is considered 'plus-size' because of her Instagram snaps, adding: 'Im bigger than the average model but it doesnt always translate in photos because Im healthy and in shape' According to her profile on NYC agency JAG Models, Bree is 5ft 11in tall and her measurements are 36C/D-29-43. She continued: 'A few years ago, my job didnt exist. There just wasnt a space for this middle range of model. It was either one extreme or the other.' Bree also suggested the attitudes of the fashion industry were changing as brands are starting to book models for campaigns 'regardless of size'. Progress: The 28-year-old also suggested the attitudes of the fashion industry were changing as brands are starting to book models for campaigns 'regardless of size' Bree previously spoke to Elle Magazine about the emergence of 'plus-size' models in fashion, saying: 'I wish it wasn't about size. I just wish that there was a broad range represented. 'It is so dated to label models based on size, but I don't believe dropping the tag "plus-size" will eliminate the problem. Women need to support each other and stop comparing and criticizing. 'That's what I'm really all about; I don't think it should be one versus the other. It is so important for the next generation to see a variety of body types, looks, and sizes represented in fashion.' She was recently back on home soil to attend Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia as an official friend of the brand. And it seems Bridget Malcolm was ready to let her hair down during a holiday at a ski resort in Utah. The 23-year-old Australian model shared a photo and video to her Instagram on Saturday, depicting a crazy party scene with friends and fiance Nathaniel Hoho, at Snowbird Mountain Resort. Scroll down for video Crazy cats! Model Bridget Malcolm, 23, shared snaps from a wild circus-themed party with friends at Snowbird Mountain Resort in Utah One photo uploaded by the model shows her posing with a friend dressed as a circus ringmaster, who is sporting a sparkly top hat, a red jacket and has painted on red rosy cheeks. Bridget is dressed as a lion, wearing a brown costume complete with a furry tail, which she swings around playfully as she dances the night away. Her blonde locks fall messily around her face and she has cute whiskers painted on her cheeks. Party time: The Australian stunner was letting her hair down at the ski resort after attending Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia as an official friend of the brand She can be seen beaming into the camera, and has captioned the photo: 'You wouldn't believe my night last night even if you were there' before adding that her 'sides hurt from laughing so much.' The video shared by Bridget reveals the rest of the bizarre circus-themed party and the eccentrically dressed guests. Bridget is dancing around the room with a man dressed as a mime artist, while another dons a comical red nose chats with other guests. The video also reveals two men sitting on a couch together, one wearing a mismatched ensemble and the other sporting a white afro and a fluffy pink feather boa. Fancy friends: The video uploaded to Bridget's Instagram revealed a bizarre party scene with eccentrically dressed guests 'This trip was unbeatable': Bridget also shared this adorable snap thanking her friends for making the trip to Utah so memorable Bridget and Nathaniel are set to walk down the aisle in two months in the groom's native central Pennsylvania. The blonde beauty spoke to Daily Mail Australia at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia about her upcoming wedding to the musician, revealing she will wear a white lace dress from Australian label Lover. 'I am wearing a Lover dress and I am going to have my fitting for it in two days which I am so excited for,' she gushed. Wedding bells! Bridget and her musician fiance Nathaniel Hoho are set to walk down the aisle in two months in the groom's native central Pennsylvania Before teasing: 'It's going to be white lace and beautiful!' Due to the wedding being in the US, the newly-weds will also have a party on Rottnest Island, off the coast of Perth, in November for Bridget's family. The glamazon was discovered in 2007 when she placed third in an annual Vivien's model search in Western Australia. She has since walked for Australian retailer David Jones, Ralph Lauren and Stella McCartney while also posing for Harper's Bazaar, Elle and V Magazine. Saturday night's live final saw magician Richard Jones crowned the winner of Britain's Got Talent. And show boss Simon Cowell and his gorgeous girlfriend Lauren Silverman emerged triumphant from the ITV studios in London, positively beaming after the action-packed evening filled with both tears and laughter. After a week of attending all the semi-finals alongside her partner, Lauren, 38, certainly saved her best look for last. Scroll down for video Peace out! Simon Cowell was in great spirits as he left the ITV studios in London with his gorgeous girlfriend Lauren Silverman following the on Saturday night The American beauty looked incredible in the a nude coloured dress with silver sequin embellishment. The elegant, floral pattered number was set off with simple heels and a metallic clutch bag as well as a few choice jewellery pieces. Lauren styled her brunette locks down in loose waves and enhanced her pretty features with subtle make-up. Saving the best til last: The American beauty looked incredible in the a nude coloured dress with silver sequin embellishment Ladylike look: The elegant, floral pattered number was set off with simple heels and a metallic clutch bag as well as a few choice jewellery pieces Lauren - who raises two-year-old Eric with the music mogul, and Adam, nine, is from her previous marriage to businessman Andrew Silverman - was joined by jubilant head judge Simon. The music mogul flashed his trademark peace sign as he exited the studios, delighted after the exciting events of the evening. Speaking to Ant and Dec during Saturday night's live final, magician Richard said he was in a state of shock as he went on to thank his friends and family for supporting and voting for him. 'It's been an amazing experience to spend time with such talented people,' he gushed, as his fellow competitors surrounded him on stage to kick-start the final celebrations. Beaming: Lauren - who raises two-year-old Eric with the music mogul, and Adam, nine, is from her previous marriage to businessman Andrew Silverman - was joined by jubilant head judge Simon Natural beauty: Lauren styled her brunette locks down in loose waves and enhanced her pretty features with subtle make-up Good night! The music mogul flashed his trademark peace sign as he exited the studios, delighted after the exciting events of the evening Simon Cowell's golden buzzer act Boogie Storm came in third, closely followed by Jasmine Elcock, Beau Dermott, Craig Ball, Trip Hazard, 100 Voices of Gospel, Alex Magala, Balance Unity, Shannon and Peter and Mel and Jamie. The 25-year-old army bandsman finally claimed victory after wowing the judges with a sensational magic trick, that saw him narrate the touching story of the 97-year-old war veteran who first inspired him to take up magic. While he moved the audience with the war veteran's life story, he performed a trick with a special deck of cards and brought tears to the eyes of the judges and many watching at home. Winners pose: BGT winner Richard Jones standing alongside BGT judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell and David Walliams Hug it out: The magician was overwhelmed with emotion when he found out her had won and threw his arms around hosts Ant and Dec After the trick, performed against the backdrop of a Union Jack flag, Richard had the flag whisked away to reveal the Second World War veteran himself, Fergus Anckorn. Mr Anckorn, who was held as a prisoner-of-war as a young man, was dubbed 'the conjuror of the River Kwai' as his passion for magic helped him endure the horrors of the Burma railway. Thanks to his tricks he kept the Japanese guards distracted and entertained, so they allowed him to have extra food rations and longer breaks for himself and his friends - a lenience that most likely saved their lives. It was his remarkable story that inspired Jones, himself a serving soldier with the Household Cavalry, to become a magician. Man of the hour: Richard shook the hand of 97-year-old Second World War veteran Fergus Anckorn after telling his tale as part of his emotional magic trick He's been busy filming for one of the most hotly anticipated movies in years. And Robert Carlyle certainly looked menacing as he reprised his role as Francis Begbie on the set of Trainspotting 2 in Blackburn, West Lothian, on Saturday. The 55-year-old actor was spotted alone during an evening filming session and was mobbed by fans eager to get a selfie with the star before he headed home for the night. Scroll down for video He's back! Robert Carlyle looked menacing as he reprised his role as Francis Begbie on the set of Trainspotting 2 in Blackburn, West Lothian, on Saturday It may be 20 years since the original film - released in 1996 - brought Carlyle fame and fortune, but he was still recognisable as the iconic Begbie of old. The actor sported his character's trademark moustache and rocked a mod look comprising a Fred Perry bomber, dark purple slacks and a pair of penny loafers. Once filming was wrapped up, Carlyle was happy to pose for pictures with eager fans who had gathered around the set to glimpse a sneak peek at the movie. Earlier this month fellow Trainspotting stars Jonny Lee Miller, 43, and Ewan Bremner, 44, began shooting scenes as their former characters Simon 'Sick Boy' Williamson and Daniel 'Spud' Murphy in Edinburgh. Then and now: The 55-year-old actor was spotted alone during a evening filming session and was mobbed by fans eager to get a selfie with the star before he left for the night Happy: Once filming was wrapped up Carlyle was happy to pose for pictures with eager fans who had gathered around the set to glimpse a sneak peek at the movie Academy-Award winning director Danny Boyle, 59, was spotted giving instructions to members of the cast and crew. Carlyle recently joined Trainspotting's author Irvine Welsh at The Usher Hall in Edinburgh to mark the film's 20th anniversary. 'What I will say is that all the characters are exactly where you would want them to be,' he said. 'The strength of this new script is the fact that the narrative is a bit stronger than it was in the original. 'In the first one, when you think about it, it's hard to remember what they did other than get together, the drug deal at the end, and then it's over. He's still got it: It may be 20 years since the original film - released in 1996 - brought Carlyle fame and fortune, but he was still recognisable as the iconic Begbie of old 'This has maybe got a wee bit more to it in terms of what they've been up to through these years. 'You learn a lot about Renton, Sick Boy and indeed Begbie and where their heads are. I think it's an absolutely fantastic script. John Hodge has done a wonderful job, as he did with the original.' And, despite previously admitting to having reservations about the cast reuniting for another film, he added: 'Fingers crossed people will take it on board and they will enjoy it.' The new film is based based on novelist Welsh's follow-up book, Porno, which is being adapted by screenwriter John Hodge for the big screen. Star struck: Fans looked ecstatic as they captured a snap with the famous actor The sequel is set ten years after Trainspotting and sees the characters cross paths again, but with an alternative gritty backdrop of the pornography business, rather than heroin use. In Porno, Renton owns a nightclub in Amsterdam, Begbie is being released from prison, and Spud is actually trying to kick his drug habit. Spud also has love woes as his relationship with his partner Alison is strained and he feels like he has become a burden on her. Creator Welsh is set to appear in the role of Mikey Forrester in the follow-up. All smiles: Carlyle was clearly popular with locals who lived close to the film set Gritty: The filming was conducted under the cover of darkness at a council estate in Scotland She's the former flame of Ruby Rose known for her fashion model looks and colourful love life. But Catherine McNeil took some time off her busy schedule to enjoy a night in with close friends Kye Howell and Noot Seear. The bisexual David Jones model looked in relaxed spirits with her glamourous pals while they enjoyed drinks and posed for an Instagram photo on Saturday. Scroll down for video Kicking back: Bisexual model Catherine McNeil (L) took some time off her busy schedule to enjoy a night in with close friends Kye Howell (R) and Noot Seear (C) and later posted this black-and-white Instagram photo The 27-year-old is shown casting a sultry gaze at the camera while flaunting her runway-ready legs in a pair of skimpy shorts. Catherine, who hails from Brisbane, offers a glimpse of her slender midriff and elaborate back tattoos in a rock-inspired T-shirt and holds a half-empty glass bottle. Meanwhile, 32-year-old Canadian model-actress Noot Seear, perhaps best known for her role in The Twilight Saga: New Moon star, also reclines on the sofa. 'I've never gotten a rose before': Kye Howell (R) also shared a photograph of herself and Catherine (L) from the same event on her Instagram over the weekend To the right of the photograph, their friend Kye Howell clutches a red rose with a long stem and gently wraps her arms around Catherine's legs. Styling her hair in a scruffy updo, Kye opts for a casual yet alternative look in a loose-fitting Harley Davidson T-shirt. Catherine captioned the image: 'Love u girls to the moon and back... thank you for being beautiful souls' (sic). Meanwhile, Kye shared a photograph on her own Instagram account of herself and Catherine, alongside the caption: 'I've never gotten a rose before'. Quite the personality: Catherine, pictured here at a Sydney event in February, has enjoyed sharing several playful and downright bizarre photos with her 73,000-plus Instagram followers in recent weeks Friendly exes? Catherine (R) was reportedly once engaged to Australian actress and DJ Ruby Rose (L) in 2010 but it would seem they remain friends and have since appeared on each others' social media accounts Recently, Catherine has enjoyed sharing several playful and downright bizarre photos with her 73,000-plus Instagram followers. Two weeks ago, she posted a racy snap of herself pushing her breasts together in a plunging top, with the caption: 'Thirsty Thursdays!' Her fingers, which were adorned in jewellery and small tattoos, barely covered her nipples as she put on a very busty display. Busty display: Two weeks ago, Catherine posted a racy snap of herself pushing her breasts together in a plunging top, with the caption: 'Thirsty Thursdays!' This came just days after she shared a video of herself squeezing her head into a condom and trying to blow it up with her nostrils. 'Always wanted to try this, clearly didn't work @jacobamorton,' she wrote as the caption. She appeared in the clip with fellow model Jacob Morton, who was seen holding her head and saying: 'And blow!' Fooling around: This month, Catherine shared an Instagram video of herself putting a condom on her head The condom completely covered her nose and squished her features, while she held it tightly to the latex contraceptive. Catherine - who has modelled for the likes of Valentino, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent - recently flaunted her impressive tattoo collection on social media. With ink covering most of her back, she showed off her body art on Instagram by lifting up her top while posing in a tropical destination with a heavily-tattooed male friend. Some of Catherine's artwork include images of a crucifix, a scorpion, and roses. Tatt's alright, Cat! The Brisbane-born model - who has represented the likes of Valentino, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent - recently flaunted her impressive tattoo collection on Instagram Back in March, she posed topless on Instagram, wearing nothing but lacy pink underwear. Looking trim, she showed off the results of getting cupping therapy, believed to help with blood flow in the body, writing: 'Cupping hurts like a b****'. Catherine, who was reportedly engaged to Australian actress and DJ Ruby Rose in 2010, began her modelling career when she won the Girlfriend Model Search competition at just 14 years old. She rose to international fame through her impeccable beauty as a glamorous Victoria's Secret 'angel'. But model Kelly Gale showed off a more devilish side as she uploaded a cheeky video of herself on Saturday whipping her boyfriend Johannes Jarl. The 21-year-old stunner was dressed up in a Game Of Thrones Sand Sister-inspired costume for the video and, with laughter echoing in the background, playfully flogs her beau. Scroll down for video That's not model behaviour: Victoria's Secret model Kelly Gale showed off a more devilish side as she uploaded a cheeky video of herself on Saturday whipping her boyfriend Johannes Jarl Dressing up: The 21-year-old donned a Game Of Thrones inspired brown tank top paired with leggings as she imitated one of the Sand Sisters who were a small part of the series Showing off her love for the wildly popular series, Game Of Thrones she donned a brown tank top paired with leggings as she imitated one of the Sand Sisters who were a small part of the series. Her look was finished with a leather harness across her chest and leather whip that was held tight in one hand and laced up her arm where it was secured as she playfully slapped her boyfriend. Her dark chocolate tresses were pulled back into two inverted braids and she appeared to sport a natural makeup look that highlighted her eyes. Fooling around: With heavy black boots on she stepped back before taking a swing at Johannes who was dressed in a brown coat that oozed a sense of royalty paired with chino style trousers With heavy black boots on she stepped back before taking a swing at Johannes who was dressed in a brown coat that oozed a sense of royalty paired with chino style trousers. The loved-up pair playfully fooled around as they mocked a scene from the popular series with a friend racing over to snap a clapperboard as they were filmed. Now New York-based the beauty recently returned to Sweden and has been sharing snaps of her time with her 424,000 fans on social media. Enjoying her break: Now New York-based the beauty recently returned to Sweden and has been sharing snaps of her time with her 424,000 fans on social media Nap time: Relishing her time with family the Victoria's Secret model shared a candid snap of herself as she lay passed out asleep on the couch after enjoying a meal with her family Relishing her time with family the Victoria's Secret model shared a candid snap of herself as she lay passed out asleep on the couch after enjoying a meal with her family. She captioned the snap: 'Finally at my familys house for family dinner and little brother... caught me asleep on The couch exhausted from traveling' (sic). Kelly also added the hash-tag: 'Who the f*** naps like that?!', 'That nap though' and, rather amusingly, 'Watermelon coma'. They're no strangers to exclusive clubs being two of the hottest rising models in the fashion industry. So it was no surprise to see Kendall Jenner, 20, and Hailey Baldwin, 19, gaining easy access to an exclusive reception at the Soho House's latest club in Malibu, Los Angeles, on Saturday. And the two models didn't fail to showcase their savvy sartorial streaks or their famous figures, as they celebrated the opening of the new beach-front club and retreat. Scroll down for video They're definitely on the list: It was no surprise to see Kendall Jenner, 20, and Hailey Baldwin, 19, gaining easy access to an exclusive reception at the Soho House's latest club in Malibu, Los Angeles, on Saturday night A laid-back look: The two models didn't fail to showcase their savvy sartorial streaks or their famous figures, as they celebrated the opening of the new beach-front club and retreat. Keeping things casually chic, Kendall - who has walked for the likes of Channel and Balmain - was rocking a trendy patterned bomber over a black pencil dress and white plimsolls. And while she rocked a relaxed look, the raven-haired beauty managed to highlight her lithe legs thanks to the midi dress' cropped hemline. Tying her dark lock back into a ponytail, the striking E! star showcased her flawless featured with a natural and subtle palette of make-up. See Kendall Jenner updates as she and Hailey Baldwin party at private members club Savvy street style: The 20-year-old Society Management model was rocking a trendy patterned bomber over a black pencil dress and white plimsolls Showing some skin: Hailey appeared to have matched her wardrobe to Kendall's with the model flashing her taut and toned tummy to the max in a white crop top A relaxed entrance: She drew further attention to her washboard abs by teaming the white top with a pair of baggy, low-slung black trousers; before rounding her look off with red trainer and a jacket. Hailey appeared to have matched her wardrobe to Kendall's with the 19-year-old model flashing her taut and toned tummy to the max in a white crop top. She drew further attention to her washboard abs by teaming the white top with a pair of baggy, low-slung black trousers; before rounding her look off with red trainer and a jacket. Wearing her long blonde mane in a loose centre-parting, Hailey - daughter of actor Stephen - allowed her golden tresses to tumble down past her shoulders and highlight her pretty face. Attracting all the stars: But it seems the new Malibu haunt was the place to be, as Spider-man star Tobey Maguire and his jewelry-designing wife Jennifer were also at the bash Ready to party? The 40-year-old actor (centre right) and his wife (far left) were joined by a group of friends, which included his Beyond All Boundaries co-star Kevin Connolly (far right), 42 All the laughs! Tobey and Kevin looked to be in high spirits, as the duo shared a laugh on their way into the exclusive club The place to be: The A-Listers were all enjoying Soho House's brand new Malibu beach house But it seems the new Malibu haunt was the place to be, as Spider-man star Tobey Maguire and his jewelry-designing wife Jennifer were also at the bash. The 40-year-old actor and his wife were joined by a group of friends, which included his Beyond All Boundaries co-star Kevin Connolly, 42. Earlier on Saturday, Jenner took an artsy b&w snap of Baldwin enjoying the cityscape from a rooftop captioned: 'morning smog.' Artistic: Earlier on Saturday, Jenner took an artsy b&w snap of Baldwin enjoying the cityscape from a rooftop captioned: 'morning smog' In demand: Kendall just returned from Europe where she attended Thursday's launch of The Estee Edit beauty collaboration at Selfridges in London (pictured Thursday) It was recently announced that the two friends will compete for the 'Choice Model' trophy when the Teen Choice Awards airs July 31 on Fox. The Calabasas socialite and her family have also been nominated for 'Choice Reality Show' for their E! series Keeping Up With The Kardashians, now in its 12th season. Kendall just returned from Europe where she attended Thursday's launch of The Estee Edit beauty collaboration at Selfridges in London. Meanwhile, Hailey - who did a spread in the June/July edition of Esquire - is better known for being Stephen Baldwin's daughter and the on/off flame of Justin Bieber. Her father's daughter: Hailey - who did a spread in the June/July edition of Esquire - is better known for being Stephen Baldwin's daughter and the on/off flame of Justin Bieber She found herself in the middle of a nude photo scandal last month. And on Saturday Australian DJ Tigerlily - real name Dara Hayes - posed for a provocative photo as she laid across her hotel bed while taking some time out in San Francisco. The 23-year-old musician showed off her ample cleavage and toned torso as she dressed in a scooped-front Calvin Klein crop top and a sheet. Scroll down for video Back stepping: Australian DJ Tigerlily - real name Dara Hayes - posed for a provocative photo as she laid across her hotel bed on Saturday just weeks after her nude photo scandal She showed off her facial freckles as she went makeup free in the black and white shot while allowing her long locks to fall down the side of her face. Alongside the upload Tigerlily explained to her followers that she feels 'sexy' when she is makeup free and in her comfort zone. 'Little thought for the day. Despite what people think, for me, feeling sexy has nothing to do with the way I look,' she began her post. Peaceful: Alongside the upload Tigerlily explained to her followers that she feels 'sexy' when she is makeup free and in her comfort zone 'It's all about how I feel on the inside, and the energy that is radiating out of me. 'I feel most beautiful when I have no makeup on, when I've had a good nights sleep, and when I've been kind to my mind and body. 'I feel empowered when I surround myself with conscious, confident, and motivated people. 'I radiate and sparkle when I'm being honestly, truly, 110% ME,' Tigerlily concluded. Last month, the music producer made headlines across the nation after a nude Snapchat image of herself was leaked online. In the news: Last month, the music producer made headlines across the nation after a nude Snapchat image of herself was leaked online In the short clip, she was pictured wearing a white bathrobe inside a hotel room just moments before she flashed at the camera her bare body. The footage - which was uploaded by her photographer friend Lady Drewniak - was initially edited with drawings and emojis to cover up her nudity. But a Snapchat follower managed to download the footage and remove the overlays of the video through an editing app before posting the uncensored version onto the internet. Despite being at the centre of a nude photo leak scandal, DJ Tigerlily reassured her female fans that they should never feel self-conscious about their body. Standing her ground: Following the scandal, DJ Tigerlily reassured her female fans that they should never feel self-conscious about their body 'Although the crime that has been committed is NOT OK, being proud of your body and who you are IS OK. Girls - Do not ever be ashamed of your body,' she continued. 'Do not ever let anyone else ever treat you with anything but absolute respect. You and your body are completely perfect just the way you are and you all deserve to know that and be told that each and every day.' Following the nude scandal Tigerlily set up a fundraising page for victims of bullying on and offline in a bid to raise funds. He shot to fame as one of the country's richest and most savvy businessmen on Dragon's Den. But it seems that Duncan Bannatyne may have made his best investment yet, as he got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend of 10 months, Nigora Whitehead, during a break in Monte Carlo. The 67-year-old multimillionaire obviously received a yes from his partner, as the Gym and Spa magnate announced the happy news hours after the romantic event on his Twitter page, on Sunday. Scroll down for video Has she tamed the Dragon? Duncan Bannatyne may have made his best investment yet, as he got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend of 10 months, Nigora Whitehead, on a break to Monte Carlo The Scottish businessman chose to confirm the couple's happy new in a tweet, hours after proposing on Saturday night, writing: 'It is true @wnigora_nigora& I are now officially engaged.' And it seems that Duncan has spared no expense when it comes to making the occasion one to remember, as the gruff reality star is believed to have splashed out 40,000 on the ring. In pictures obtained by the Mirror, the shrewd businessman - who shot to fame as one of the original hard-nosed investors on the BBC's Dragon's Den - can be seen on one knee, as a beaming Nigora appears shocked at the turn of events. She said yes! The 67-year-old multimillionaire obviously received a yes from his partner, as the Gym and Spa magnate announced the happy news hours after the romantic event on his Twitter page, on Sunday Making it official: The Scottish businessman chose to confirm the couple's happy new in a tweet, hours after proposing on Saturday night, writing: 'It is true @wnigora_nigora& I are now officially engaged' However, despite the surprising turn of events during their luxurious break, the former dental receptionist couldn't help but beam as Duncan slid the opulent, glittering ring onto her finger. Appearing to be similar in design to the diamond-encrusted Soleste Pear by Tiffany, the huge sparkler is believed to have set Duncan four times the value the company describe the ring starts at, 11,500. However, the business mogul and reality star - who is thought to be worth around 175million - appeared to have picked just the right ring, as Nigora couldn't keep a sweet and proud smile off of her face as she admired it. Sparing no expense? It seems that Duncan has spared no expense when it comes to making the occasion one to remember, as the gruff reality star is believed to have splashed out 40,000 on the ring The couple have been dating for approximately 10 months, after going public with their romance in July 2015. Duncan - who split from his second wife, Joanne McCue, in 2011 - and Nigora have been almost inseparable since they started dating, with the couple enjoying a number of romantic breaks and date nights frequently. And Nigora was even in Australia to support Duncan during his stint in the I'm A Celeb camp in December. Duncan has six children from his time with Joanne, and was married to first wife Gail from 1983-1994. Hes made a name for himself as a comedy actor on TV series like Arrested Development and The Millers. So it may come as a surprise that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles star Will Arnett sees more of himself in the vigilante groups stoic leader Leonardo than party dude Michelangelo. For a long time though my favourite was Mike because hes a jokester but I think its actually Leo, he told Daily Mail Australia at the films Sydney premiere on Sunday. Down with Leo: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles star Will Arnett sees more of himself in the vigilante groups stoic leader Leonardo than party dude Michelangelo Hes my aspirational turtle hes who I want to be. On the outside Im Mike but on the inside Im Leo. Will arrived at the red carpet event looking dapper in a tailored midnight blue suit and classic but stylish brown Oxford shoes. The 46-year-old kept it casual, going open neck with no tie and the second button of his baby blue suit left undone. Dashing entrance: The 46-year-old arrived at the red carpet Sydney premiere looking dapper in a tailored midnight blue suit and classic but stylish brown Oxford shoes He added a touch of personality with a black and white houndstooth pocket square and designer stubble adorning his chiseled jawline. Will plays news cameraman Vern Fenwick, who works alongside reporter April ONeil who is played by Transformers actress Megan Fox. While the two are teamed up to report on the Turtles activities, Vern is Aprils rival and frequently tries to steal the spotlight. He is also no fan of the Turtles. Leo inside, Mike outside: For a long time though my favourite was Mike (second from left) because hes a jokester but I think its actually Leo (third from left) The Canadian actor said he found playing a cameraman easy because of the amount of time he spent on set with them over his 20-year film career. I have a pretty good sense of what they do and I have a tremendous amount of respect for them because they make what I do a reality, he said. Will is having a busy year, starring as a wayward self-help guru in Netflix series Flaked and voicing Batman in the upcoming Lego Movie sequel, but said his family comes first. Back soon: Based on the classic cartoon series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is in cinemas from June 9 Its good to be busy, Im fortunate to have a lot of opportunities, he said. But Im no different from anybody else in that whatever job you have you start with family and you make sure they come first and everything else is gravy. Will has two sons Archibald, seven, and Abel, five with ex-wife comedian Amy Poehler, who he divorced in 2014 after a decade of marriage. Where's your famous smile? Will appeared decidedly serious as he posed on Bondi Beach during a promotional event for his new flick, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows on Friday Snug! Joining Will for the media event was his Turtles co-star Stephen Amell, who rugged up from the cold in a bright blue beanie, a leather jacket and a pair of baggy jeans Though he seemed in good spirits at the premiere, Will appeared decidedly serious as he posed on Bondi Beach during a promotional event on Friday afternoon. He appeared to be less-than-impressed as he stood with his arms crossed in the middle of a beach-side skateboard ramp. Will and co-star Stephen Amell made sure to mingle with local onlookers, posing with a quartet of young skateboarders and a pair of lifesavers. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is in cinemas from June 9. Hanging out: Stephen and Will also posed for a snap alongside a group of young skateboarders in the makeshift ramps where lifesize statues of the four turtles also stood She's made no secret of the fact that she adores her nephews, as they make regular appearances on her social media. So when it came to attending the premiere of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 in Sydney on Sunday, Demi Harman took her sister's son Boston along. The 23-year-old former Home And Away star cut a sophisticated figure in a monochrome ensemble, flashing just a touch of midriff as she rested the toddler on her hip. Scroll down for video 'My boss': Former Home And Away star Demi Harman made a cute red carpet entrance with nephew Boston at the premiere of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 in Sydney on Sunday The actress showed off her trim pins in a balloon mini skirt, and put a touch of toned midriff thanks to the gap between her skirt and a bold black cropped top. She added some raw edge with a pair of patent leather ankle boots, and slung a black back over her right shoulder. Demi pulled her long brown tresses back in a sleek ponytail, adding a pop of colour with some statement red lipstick. Pop of colour: Demi pulled her long brown tresses back in a sleek ponytail, adding a pop of colour with some statement red lipstick Edgy! She added some raw edge with a pair of patent leather ankle boots, and slung a black back over her right shoulder The little man, whose mother is the son of Demi's older sister Brooke, cut an adorable figure in a white shirt with a moss bow tie on his left hand. His mother is also an actress, having starred in a number of television programs including Home and Away, All Saints, White Collar Blue, Beastmaster, Flipper, and The Sleepover Club. Later that night, Demi shared a snap to Instagram, showing her standing in front of a grafittied wall clutching her nephew. Star-studded: Also in attendance was Water Rats star Aaron Jeffery and his guest Stars of the night! The cute duo made their red carpet appearance alongside the film's stars Will Arnett (right) and Stephen Amell (middle, with producer Brad Fuller, left) She wrote in the caption: 'My boss', with the addition of a love-heart emoji. The cute duo made their red carpet appearance alongside the film's stars Will Arnett and Stephen Amell. The second installment of the popular Michael Bay-produced franchise, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows hits Australian cinemas on June 3. Advertisement Their romance has been widely-rumoured since her split from ex-husband Professor Green was announced three months ago. And Millie Mackintosh has seemingly confirmed her renewed relationship with her ex-boyfriend and Made In Chelsea co-star Hugo Taylor as they duo were spied packing on the PDA during their trip to Monaco on Saturday. The 26-year-old reality star-turned-fashionista looked simply sensational as she slipped into a stunning black mini dress while kissing her 30-year-old beau in a heartwarming display while they enjoyed their sun-soaked getaway. Scroll down for video Sealed with a kiss: Millie Mackintosh has seemingly confirmed her romance with her ex-boyfriend and Made In Chelsea co-star Hugo Taylor as they duo were spied packing on the PDA during their trip to Monaco on Saturday Millie was dressed to impress as she rocked the simple yet stunning gown which helped highlight her flawlessly gym-honed physique during the idyllic trip with her handsome former beau, where the pair have been sharing a host of snaps all over social media. The black mini dress featured a dramatic ruffled detail along the side of the body, which helped draw attention to her fabulously slender frame - the result of her militant healthy lifestyle, details of which she documented in her 2015 book Made: A Book of Style, Food and Fitness. Boosting her height in an attempt to line-up with the staggering height of Hugo, she added nude pumps with a teetering heel which both added inches to her frame while also lengthening her already phenomenally long legs. Avid social media fan Millie took to Instagram to share a snap with her 1.2million followers, in which she posed against a wall in her exquisite Christian Dior dress before captioning the shot: 'Date night'. Dubbing the trip a date and sealing the outing with a kiss appears to be confirmation of the union. Up close: The 26-year-old reality starlet turned fashionista looked simply sensational as she slipped into a stunning black mini dress as she kissed her beau in a heartwarming display while they enjoyed their sun-soaked getaway Holding on: Loving Hugo clutched onto his beautiful companion, wrapping his arms around her lovingly Strutting their stuff: Millie pulled a host of amusing faces as she made her way on to the yacht with her handsome former beau On their way: Hugo acted every inch the chivalrous gent as he escorted his beautiful companion onto the boat The Wiltshire-born beauty looked totally carefree as she cosied up to the handsome former reality star, in pictures which will no doubt be a thorn in the side of her ex-husband Professor Green, who she officially divorced on Wednesday. Millie and Professor Green, real name Stephen Manderson, had their two and a half year marriage dissolved in just 30 seconds. They were granted a decree nisi at Central London Family Court with Millie citing 'unreasonable behaviour' as the reason for their split. The trip to Monaco, where the duo are joined by fellow MIC star Spencer Matthews and his girlfriend Morgane Robart, is to celebrate Hugo's upcoming thirtieth birthday - with the celebrations being dubbed 'Dirty 30'. The party are joining the star-studded Grand Prix festivities. A helping hand: The pair appeared to be throwing themselves fully into the merriment of the day, with Millie's hair going askew Up close... The Wiltshire-born beauty looked totally carefree as she cosied up to the handsome former reality star, in pictures which will no doubt be a thorn in the side of her ex-husband Professor Green, who she officially divorced on Wednesday A kiss on the lips: Millie grabbed on to her handsome partner for a loving kiss on the lips Close as can be: With a woman as stunning as Millie on his arm, it is very little wonder Hugo could not keep his hands off her Out and a pout: Millie could not resist pulling a pout for the camera as Spencer's girlfriend snapped away The birthday boy ensured he looked his very best as he slipped into a loose-fitting grey shirt with an abstract leopard print emblazoned across. Sticking to his favoured look of a deeply unbuttoned top, he paired the ensemble with grey jeans and leopard print shoes. Having soared to fame in 2011 alongside Millie on the E4 reality show, centred around the lives of Chelsea's most glamorous residents, sunglasses designer Hugo has bowed out of the spotlight to a degree, yet his resurrected romance has hurtled him back into the limelight. The pair were first romantically linked again in March after they were spotted looking cosy at the British Polo Day in Dubai - five weeks after Millie announced her impending divorce. The wealthy reality stars originally dated for six months in 2011, but Millie dumped Hugo after finding out he had cheated with her best pal Rosie Fortescue. A loving display: Millie could hardly resist Hugo as they repeatedly cosied up in a number of intimate embraces Slinky: Millie seemed determined to dress to impress as she slipped into the phenomenal gown which exhibited every inch of her frame Chatting away: It was clear Hugo was admiring Millie's stunning good looks as they strutted along Following their split, the fitness fanatic admitted in an interview at the time she would always love Hugo: 'I loved him - those feelings dont disappear but I just always have to remind myself why were not together. 'I do think that, for the rest of my life, every time I see him, Ill get that feeling in my stomach. I dont think I could ever not get that butterfly feeling.' A few months after their split, Millie met her future husband Professor Green, who she ended up marrying in September 2013 when she was just 24. When they first started dating, Millie and Professor Green acknowledged they came from very different backgrounds. A chic pair: Millie and Hugo cut extremely glamorous figures as they were seen cosying up for the first time since their romance played out on screens during Made In Chelsea's inaugural series Cosying up: Seemingly in the throes of a romantic getaway, the fitness fanatic and sunglasses designer could not keep their hands off one another A chat with pals: Millie was certainly expressive as she chatted away to pals, including Spencer Matthews and his new girlfriend Cosy display: The black mini dress featured a dramatic ruffled detail along the side of the body, which helped draw attention to her fabulously slender frame - the result of her militant healthy lifestyle, of which she included in her 2015 book Made: A Book of Style, Food and Fitness The happy pair: Millie and Hugo pulled mirrored expressions as they stepped onto the yacht in a glamorous fashion A moment to herself: As she stepped away from Hugo, the pretty starlet appeared to take a moment to give her coiffed tresses a boost, using her hands as a styling aid Readjusting: Millie was seen toying with her dress and adding volume to her tresses as she stood in the street momentarily separated from Hugo Lovestruck: It took just one look at Hugo's face to see his seemingly enamoured with the reality starlet Hold me close: In a case of actions speak louder than words, Hugo and Millie were packing on the PDA to a heavy extent Snap happy: The pair assessed a snap just snapped by Morgane - ensuring they look picture perfect no doubt Insta-date: Avid social media fan Millie took to Instagram to share a snap with her 1.2million followers, in which she posed against a wall in her exquisite Christian Dior dress before captioning the shot: 'Date night' Hands free: While Spencer and Morgane were weighed down with bags, Millie and Hugo walked ahead holding only to each other Millie was educated privately at Hanford Boarding School in Dorset and her family invented Quality Street, although sold the business years ago. Meanwhile, Stephen grew up in an impoverished area of East London and survived being attacked in the neck with a broken bottle in a Shoreditch nightclub in 2009. She let slip that she was holidaying with Hugo on Friday when she shared and then instantly deleted a holiday picture from the same spot where he's celebrating. Then, came their overlapping posts about mutual lovebird pals Spencer and Morgane, who complete a cosy four-piece holiday in southern France. Up close and personal: Millie and Hugo could barely contain themselves as they cosied up atop the boat Hand in hand: The pair appeared totally at ease with one another as they ambled along hand in hand Strutting their stuff: Millie looked as though she had stepped off a catwalk in her phenomenal Dior gown Packing heavy: In a mini Made In Chelsea reunion, the duo were joined by Hugo's best pal Spencer Matthews and his new girlfriend Morgane Robart What a looker! It was not hard to see what Spencer sees in Morgane as she looked totally stunning in a ribbed nude dress Arm in arm: When Millie was not clutching onto Hugo, she walked along sweetly with a pal arm in arm On their way: The group looked incredibly stylish as they strutted along the promenade Tender embrace: While looking at a phone, Hugo placed a loving hand on Millie's hip Deep in thought: Spencer chatted away to another pal while Millie and Hugo could be seen continuing to hug Moving on: Millie with her ex-husband Professor Green in 2015 (left), who she divorced last week, and a younger Millie and Hugo when they first dated in 2011 (right) It's one of the most hyped events in the racing and showbiz calendars, so trust Lady Victoria Hervey to tick all the right boxes for the Monaco Grand Prix. The socialite looked incredible in her bridal style lace gown that clung to her slender frame as she arrived in Monaco on Saturday evening, fresh from dazzling at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this month. Victoria, 39, sent temperatures soaring in a racy thigh-split dress as she as she stepped out at the Song Qi restaurant, to celebrate a new Ellen Von Unwerth exhibition in association with the Prince Albert II Foundation, ahead of the Grand Prix in Monaco. Scroll down for video Eyecatching: Lady Victoria Hervey sent temperatures soaring in a gorgeous lace dress as she as she stepped out in Monaco to celebrate a new Ellen Von Unwerth exhibition in association with the Prince Albert II Foundation on Saturday The slimline star showed off her toned body in the garment, a more elegant look than her usual style, which can often toe the line on questionable. The British former It girl's gorgeous gown was carefully constructed with a transparent lace top which showed off a hint of her bra. As well as flashing a glimpse of her back and rib cage, she happily flaunted plenty of her tanned skin. But it was the skirt, hugging to her slender hips before falling into a daring thigh split, that really caught the eye. Elegant: The slimline star, 39, showed off her toned body and tanned legs in the garment, a more elegant look than her usual style, which can often toe the line on questionable Lady Victoria oozed elegance with a natural make-up palette to create a flawless look. She looked fresh-faced as she ditched the long lashes she wore at the Cannes Film Festival in favour of wearing just a touch of mascara. Her cheeks were flush with a touch of pink, and she kept her make-up simple with a shimmery pink lip. Victoria finished her look with a pair of white drop earrings and she left her blonde shoulder length locks loose to flow over her shoulders. Pals: Lady Victoria posed with photographer Ellen Von Unwerth, while oozed elegance with a natural make-up palette to create a flawless look Meanwhile, although The Jump star loves her social lifestyle and party-hard ways, the single star recently admitted that she is ready to start a family. Speaking to Hello! magazine, she confessed she is keen to have children, revealing that she finally feels ready for such a life change. However, being single, she is considering freezing her eggs to ensure it's something she can do in the future. 'I would love to have children,' she said. 'I need to step on it, you know, but I feel like I'm mentally and physically ready to have kids, and I think I was definitely not ready, even a year ago. 'I've definitely thought about having my eggs frozen just to have them there.' With his One Direction riches he could probably afford to stay in the most lavish of hotels. But Louis Tomlinson seemingly wished his cash had bought him somewhere with a balcony as he and girlfriend Danielle Campbell were pictured eating their food will sitting on the ledge of their window as they attempted to soak up the sunshine of Monaco on Saturday afternoon. The couple shunned many of the country's glamorous eateries in favour of some hotel room service, though they ditched the comfort of their air conditioned digs for a slightly more dangerous spot. Scroll down for video Odd choice: Louis Tomlinson seemingly wished his cash had bought him somewhere with a balcony as he and girlfriend Danielle Campbell were pictured eating their food will sitting on the ledge of their window as they attempted to soak up the sunshine of Monaco on Saturday afternoon The loved-up twosome, who are in town for the Grand Prix, looked carefree as they attempted to feast in the privacy of their own room. The smitten duo chatted incessantly as they tucked on their meals, with Louis opting for a plate of pasta and a beer, while Danielle chose a healthy salad. Danielle, 21, looked typically gorgeous in a casual ensemble comprised of a flowing white camisole top and ripped skinny jeans. The couple shunned many of the country's glamorous eateries in favour of some hotel room service, though they ditched the comfort of their air conditioned digs for a slightly more dangerous spot Down to earth: The loved-up twosome, who are in town for the Grand Prix, looked carefree as they attempted to feast in the privacy of their own room Bit peckish? The smitten duo chatted incessantly as they tucked on their meals, with Louis opting for a plate of pasta and a beer, while Danielle chose a healthy salad Keeping it simple: Danielle, 21, looked typically gorgeous in a casual ensemble comprised of a flowing white camisole top and ripped skinny jeans She put a slightly grunge spin on the style by wrapping a leather bracelet, emblazoned with gold studs, around her wrist. The Originals actress forewent shoes and instead chose to step out barefoot onto the roof of the hotel. Louis matched her easy style in a simple white T-shirt, which he paired with tailored chino shorts. All in the details! She put a slightly grunge spin on the style by wrapping a leather bracelet, emblazoned with gold studs, around her wrist Careful: Danielle looked a little wary as she straddled the ledge in her attempt to sit on the roof Slowly does it! The Prom actress took it step by step as she lumbered out of the window Going strong: Louis and Danielle have been an item since December last year Mind your step! The Originals actress forewent shoes and instead chose to step out barefoot onto the roof of the hotel The One Direction star looked relaxed in the company of his girlfriend as they sat closely to one another, Louis puffing away on a cigarette as they embraced another day in the balmy climes. Earlier in the day the pair paid a special visit to the Red Bull Racing garage along with Manchester United star Michael Carrick and New Zealand rugby ace Dan Carter. A good night's sleep certainly appeared to have perked up the couple as they continue to immerse themselves in the hustle and bustle of the Formula One circus, despite looking a little tired when they jet in from Heathrow the previous day. On the Sunday the pair attended the Red Bull Racing Energy Station at Monte Carlo and braved the weather wearing matching branded rain jackets. Pared-back: Louis matched her easy style in a simple white T-shirt, which he paired with tailored chino shorts At ease: The One Direction star looked relaxed in the company of his girlfriend as they sat closely to one another, Louis puffing away on a cigarette as they embraced another day in the balmy climes Check this out! The couple seemed to be fixated by something on Louis' phone Daring: Despite being way above the ground, Louis didn't even break a sweat as he wandered in and out of the window Jet-setters: The lovebirds touched down in Monaco on Friday after flying out from London's Heathrow Enjoy themselves: Louis and Danielle were spotted with friends watching the Monaco Grand Prix from the Red Bull Racing Energy Station on Sunday All smiles: The pair didn't let the poor weather dampen their spirits and smiled for the cameras Keeping dry: Louis shared a snap on his Instagram shielding from the bad weather under an umbrella All made up: Danielle also posted a photo on her Instagram page with the glamorous backdrop of Monaco Stylish: The pair wore branded rain jackets to keep dry while they watching the race Cute couple: Louis and Danielle looked all loved-up as they cuddled together for a snap Dreary day: The couple walked through the empty Red Bull station, which had been cleared by rain Famous friends: Earlier in the day the pair paid a special visit to the Red Bull Racing pit along with Manchester United star Michael Carrick and New Zealand rugby ace Dan Carter Beaming: Louis and Danielle appeared to be revelling in their time in the affluent destination Mixing with the drivers: The couple also met Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing Back in the pits: Both Michael and Louis were back in the pits on Sunday cheering on Daniel She is known to cause a drama at every turn. But Megan McKenna allowed her body to cause the drama as she arrived at the LoveJuice pool party in Marbella on Saturday looking sizzling. The 23-year-old TOWIE star was dressed to impress as she slipped into a tiny monochrome swimsuit from Unique Avenue paired with teetering heels and a billowing kimono. Scroll down for video Back to front: Megan McKenna allowed her body to cause the drama as she arrived at the LoveJuice pool party in Marbella on Saturday looking sizzling Megan, who burst onto the ITVBe show last month, proved she has poolside chic nailed as she arrived in the high-rise swimming costume. Shunning the favoured bikini look of her peers, the brunette beauty went for the plunging swimsuit which showed off both her legs and derriere. Choosing style over functionality, she pulled on a black chiffon kimono which caught the wind perfectly to permit a full look at her phenomenal figure. Clearly not prepared to take a dip in the pool, Megan went for the tried and tested poolside Marbella trend as she wore sky-high heels in a tan hue with a platform front and chunky heel. Big hair don't care: The 23-year-old TOWIE star was dressed to impress as she slipped into a tiny monochrome swimsuit with teetering heels and a billowing kimono Bubble bum: Megan, who burst onto the ITVBe show last month, proved she has poolside chic nailed as she arrived in the high-rise swimming costume Stunner... Shunning the favoured bikini look of her peers, the brunette beauty went for the plunging swimsuit which showed off both her legs and derriere Megan added an injection of designer chic to the look as she rocked an Yves Saint Laurent handbag with black leather quilting and gold embellishments. Tying in the gold aspects of the look, she accessorised with oversized gold hoops and a delicate body chain which drew attention to her bosom. The formed Ex On The Beach star ensured her beauty look was as eye-catching as her outfit as she upped the glamour to full with wildly bouncy tresses falling from a volumised root. Strutting her stuff: Megan added an injection of designer chic to the look as she rocked an Yves Saint Laurent handbag with black leather quilting and gold embellishments Hoops: Tying in the gold aspects of the look, she accessorised with oversized gold hoops and a delicate body chain which drew attention to her bosom Glamorous display: Her make-up was flawlessly applied, with lashings of foundation and heavy eye make-up meaning Megan was undoubtedly going to avoid the waters Reality stunner: Megan has just returned from a trip to America Her make-up was flawlessly applied, with lashings of foundation and heavy eye make-up meaning Megan was undoubtedly going to avoid the waters. Megan is currently in the early stages of a romance with Pete Wicks and they showed that their love remained playful - as Pete suggested that his male friendships are the priority. The reality TV star could be seen telling his co-star partner 'it's bromance before romance' during a Facebook Live post to promote the new series of The Only Way Is Essex. Betrothed: Megan is currently in the early stages of a romance with Pete Wicks and they showed that their love remained playful - as Pete suggested that his male friendships are the priority In trouble: When they were asked whether 'Plockie' - the close friendship between between Peter and BFF James Locke - was a bigger priority than 'Pegan', he wasn't shy about expressing his opinion Flawless: Megan looked impeccable from every angle When they were asked whether 'Plockie' - the close friendship between between Peter and BFF James Locke - was a bigger priority than 'Pegan', he wasn't shy about expressing his opinion. 'She's more demanding so I have to see her when she's here, but I think about Lockie all the time. It's always bromance before romance.' Unimpressed, Megan responded: 'Don't wind me up, Pete.' Moving up: 'She's more demanding so I have to see her when she's here, but I think about Lockie all the time. It's always bromance before romance' Monochrome madness: Megan looked phenomenal in the swimwear - exhibiting her amazing figure She's proved to have quite the eye when it comes to designing her own collection of swimwear. And it seems that Imogen Thomas has passed on her stylish streak to her eldest daughter Ariana Siena, with the adorable duo coordinating their outfits for a day out in London, on Sunday. Heading to the the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 premiere in Leicester Square, the 33-year-old Celebrity Big Brother star and her three-year-old appeared to be making the most of the bank holiday sunshine. Scroll down for video Like mother, like daughter: It seems that Imogen Thomas has passed on her stylish streak to her eldest daughter Ariana Siena, with the adorable duo coordinating their outfits for a day out in London, on Sunday Keen to make the most of the long weekend with her two girls - who she shares with long-term Adam Horsley - Imogen treated Ariana and six-month-old Siera. Obviously feeling that summer was well on its way, with the sun beating down on the capital, Imogen opted for a casual yet chic vibe. Teaming a clinging white roll-neck vest with a denim lightweight denim jacket (also white), Imogen exuded a laid-back and relaxed air whilst subtly showing off her figure. Summer style: Heading to the the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 premiere in Leicester Square, the 33-year-old CBB star and her three-year-old appeared to be making the most of the bank holiday sunshine Casually chic: Obviously feeling that summer was well on its way, with the sun beating down on the capital, Imogen opted for a casual yet chic vibe And sticking to her casual theme, the former glamour girl - who shot to fame on the seventh series of Big Brother - donned a split denim skirt, which allowed her to flash a hint of her tanned and toned legs. The mother-of-two rounded her casual yet chic look off with a pair of strappy white gladiator style sandals. Keeping her accessories to a minimum the Welsh-born beauty wore her long ombre locks in a loose centre-parting; allowing her tresses to frame her pretty face. Denim dame: The former glamour girl - who shot to fame on the seventh series of Big Brother - donned a split denim skirt, which allowed her to flash a hint of her tanned and toned legs Figure-flaunting fashion: Teaming a clinging white roll-neck vest with a denim lightweight denim jacket (also white), Imogen exuded a laid-back and relaxed air whilst subtly showing off her figure Matching mummy: And showing that she's already got an eye for fashion, Ariana mimicked her mother's style by wearing a cute denim jacket which she teamed with a baby blue mini dress and sparkly sandals And showing that she's already got an eye for fashion, Ariana mimicked her mother's style by wearing a cute denim jacket which she teamed with a baby blue mini dress and sparkly sandals. Beaming proudly as she arrived at the cinema with her two daughters, Imogen looked delighted to be spending some quality time out and about with her two youngsters. And it seems that Imogen is more than capable of juggling her attention between the two, as she effortlessly handled feeding Siera and keeping Ariana entertained. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (TMNT 2) sees the eponymous turtles Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael battling new foes - both old and new. The evil ninja lord Shredder makes a return while mad scientist Baxter Stockman, mutant pig and rhino duo Bebop and Rocksteady also appear alongside the notorious Krang. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows hits cinemas across the UK on Monday May 30. Big day out: Beaming proudly as she arrived at the cinema with her two daughters, Imogen looked delighted to be spending some quality time out and about with her two youngsters Doting mother: And it seems that Imogen is more than capable of juggling her attention between the two, as she effortlessly handled feeding Siera and keeping Ariana entertained Her modelling career was given a boost when she appeared on cycle five of America's Next Top Model. And though she's busy juggling raising a two-year-old daughter and a foray into the restaurant business, Cassandra Jean clearly isn't struggling to maintain her figure. Standing by her husband Stephen Amell's side at the Sydney premiere of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 on Sunday, the 30-year-old flaunted her assets in a red Lorena Sarbu mini dress. Hot mama! Cassandra Jean flaunted her assets in a red Lorena Sarbu mini dress as she attended Sydney premiere of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 on Sunday Showing she's an experienced red carpet pro, the mother-of-one turned her back to the camera to flaunt her toned derriere in the figure-hugging frock. The dress further drew attention to her figure with cut-out detailing across the bust, shaping her cleavage with crescent moon shaped stenciling. Cassandra coupled her look with a pair of champagne-coloured sandals, while teaming the look with a metallic clutch. Speaking with Daily Mail Australia at the event, the brunette beauty admitted she juggles her two-year-old daughter Maverick with some assistance. She's a pro: Showing she's an experienced red carpet pro, the mother-of-one turned her back to the camera to flaunt her toned derriere in the figure-hugging frock All the right places! The dress further drew attention to her figure with cut-out detailing across the bust, shaping her cleavage with crescent moon shaped stenciling Happy hubby: The former beauty queen is married to Stephen Amell 'With help definitely!' she laughed. '[But] we're never really apart for longer than two weeks so we just have a really good system,' she added in reference to her and her husband's busy schedules. 'We've got it figured out for now, that could change in the future when she starts school.' Though Cassandra said the couple have their hands full with their schedules and Mavi, as she's affectionately known, she didn't rule out another child. 'You never know but we're quite busy as it is,' she said. The high profile couple were married in 2012, welcoming their blue-eyed baby into the world in 2013. She's blessed to have a career that allows her to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world. And Bella Hadid's current European jaunt seems never-ending as the beauty sizzled on the beaches of Puglia, Italy, on Sunday - just a day after the 19-year-old jetted out of Paris. The supermodel was bound to make her 4.6 million Instagram followers green with envy for a number of reasons as she enjoyed another day in the most idyllic of locations, while also flaunting her incredible bikini body. Scroll down for video Beach babe: She's blessed to have a career that allows her to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world and Bella Hadid's current European jaunt seems never-ending as the beauty sizzled on the beaches of Puglia, Italy, on Sunday - just a day after the 19-year-old jetted out of Paris Bella was a sight for sore eyes as she frolicked in the azure waters of the sun-soaked destination, where she revealed she has been shooting for Vogue Japan. The brunette beauty showcased her phenomenal curves in an alluring black two-piece, which comprised of a bandeau bikini top that flashed her generous cleavage with its provocative mesh insert between the bust. Meanwhile the swimwear's skimpy bikini bottoms flattered Bella's pert posterior with their tie-up sides putting her ample curves on full display. Busty: The brunette beauty flaunted her phenomenal curves in an alluring black two-piece, which comprised of a bandeau bikini top that flashed her generous cleavage with its provocative mesh insert between the bust Her dark tresses were tied into two sleek braids around her face, which modelled a neutral make-up look for the high-fashion, summer-inspired shoot. The daughter of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Yolanda Foster and real estate entrepreneur Mohamed Hadid looked to be having the time of her life as she posed for photographers from within the crystal clear waters. 'Finished shooting & we got to jump in the water!!! Thank you @anna_dello_russo & @giampaolosgura BEST day and best location !!! @voguejapan,' Bella captioned the snap, which saw her raise her lithe arms above her head while puckering a serious pout. Models galore! Bella was in very beautiful company during the shoot as she also shared a poolside snap of herself hanging out with fellow catwalk pin-up Irina Shayk, 30 Bella was in very beautiful company during the shoot as she also shared a poolside snap of herself hanging out with fellow catwalk pin-up Irina Shayk, 30. 'Straight out of the pool yesterday...Love u @anna_dello_russo hope you're having fun at the beach @irinashayk,' Bella wrote alongside a snap of the duo, who were also joined by Vogue Japan's editor-in-chief Anna Dello Russo. Irina has also shared her fair share of sexy snaps during her getaway, the raciest of which saw her exhibit her enviable bust in a super plunging bikini top which was adorned with lace and sequins. 'That's how we do #Italiano #FamilyPortrait.. #Puglia #Pizza @giampaolosgura @anna_dello_russo,' the model, who is in a relationship with Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper, captioned the shot. It was announced in March that Reese Witherspoon would be heading Down Under for a speaking tour to raise money for charity. And it appears the Academy Award-winning actress and producer is getting more and more excited as the tour dates inch closer. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the 40-year-old struck an enthusiastic pose as somewhat crudely Photo-shopped koalas sat on each arm. Scroll down for video 'I'll hopefully be making new friends like these guys!' Reese Witherspoon somewhat crudely Photo-shopped koalas to sit on each arm in an Instagram snap on Sunday 'One guess where I am headed this summer!' she wrote in the caption. 'I'm very excited to visit Australia and New Zealand this July! I'll be speaking at Simpatico Connect, which will benefit the incredible charitable work of Save The Children. 'And I'll hopefully be making new friends...like these guys?! Can't wait,' she finished. 'I'm very excited to visit Australia and New Zealand!' The Oscar-winning actress has been busy promoting her new speaking tour The conference's managing director Jacqueline Nagle said: 'Reese Witherspoon embodies the philosophy of The Simpatico Conference. She is talented, intelligent, passionate, diverse and committed to making a difference. 'Shes producing films with strong female roles and earning Oscar nods, shes successfully launched a deeply personal retail range, and she is an advocate for Girls Inc. and their commitment to helping young women become entrepreneurs.' The evening will visit major cities across Australia and New Zealand including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland beginning in mid July. Golden girl: Reese was awarded the Oscar for Best Performance By An Actress for her role in the 2005 film Johnny Cash bio-pic Walk The Line On the official conference website, mother-of-three Reese has offered a quote ahead of her appearance Down Under. She said: 'What would happen if we were all brave enough to be a little more ambitious? I think the world would change'. Ticket information for Reese's appearances Down Under is available at www.simpaticoconnect.com. On Thursday Kylie Jenner sulkily complained that her rumoured new beau PartyNextDoor 'not only hides me, you delete me.' But there's little chance of hiding, or ignoring, the 18-year-old in the sizzling selfie she shared on Saturday. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star showed off her black bra and toned tummy in a see-through net top. Pretty poser: Kylie Jenner showed off her black bra under a beige net top as she rocked double denim in a selfie she shared on Saturday She wore it under a denim jacket with a pair of tiny Daisy Dukes, pulling off the double denim look with ease. Her long, brunette hair was smoothed back into a sleek ponytail and her make-up was perfectly applied with smokey tones around her eyes. Kylie captioned the shot: 'Dolce K on the lips,' giving a shout out to her own brand of plum coloured lipstick. Meanwhile, it seems that she got over her split with boyfriend Tyga earlier this month pretty quickly. See Kylie Jenner updates as she exposes her bra in see-through net top after date withPND New romance: Kylie has been rumoured to be seeing 22-year-old record producer PartyNextDoor who appeared in a new Snapchat video with her The reality star and make-up entrepreneur is hanging out with 22-year-old record producer and rapper, PartyNextDoor. In a very candid Snapchat, Kylie and PND, real name Jahron Anthony Brathwaite, discussed their relationship. He says in the video: 'What do I do?' Not happy already? In a very candid Snapchat the 18-year-old and PartyNextDoor, real name Jahron Anthony Brathwaite, discussed their relationship Kylie then responds: 'You delete me' He then tries to redeem himself as he confesses: 'No I don't, I'm protecting you.' To which a very solemn Kylie sulks as she hides from the camera as she replies: 'You not only hide me, you delete me.' Having a domestic: PartyNextDoor says in the video: 'What do I do?' while a very solemn Kylie sulks and hides away from the camera as she replies: 'You not only hide me, you delete me' PartyNextDoor went on to serenade his new love at the piano. The new couple have already been quite public with their relationship. Earlier this week Kylie was seen affectionately wrapping her arms around her beau as they went bowling in the Studio City neighbourhood of Los Angeles. Big dreams: The Drake protegee - who's signed on his OVO Sound label - had reportedly been pursuing the Lip Kit mogul for the last two months The starlet rocked a trendy silk bomber for her date with the Canadian. The previous week they were spotted leaving Russell Simmons Presents All Def Comedy Live show together. The Drake protegee - who's signed on his OVO Sound label - had reportedly been courting the Lip Kit mogul for the last two months. Trend setter: The reality starlet rocked a silk bomber for her bowling date with the 22-year-old Canadian Pals first: 'They were friends,' a Jenner insider told Us Weekly, 'but now they're definitely together' 'They were friends,' a Jenner insider told Us Weekly, 'but now they're definitely together.' Two years ago, Kylie and her older sister Kendall even appeared in PND's music video for Recognize. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star had been seeing rapper Tyga on and off since October 2014. He was considered one of Hollywood's biggest hunks in the 1970s after starring with French bombshell Jacqueline Bisset in The Deep. But a lot of time has passed since that 1977 hit and now Nick Nolte is more of a recluse enjoying his slower pace of life in picturesque Malibu while popping up in a film now and then. On Saturday the 75-year-old acting legend was caught is a funky, boho outfit as he picked up some supplies at a local grocery store. His new life: Hollywood icon Nick Nolte was seen in Malibu on a grocery run on Saturday Comfie: The 75-year-old acting legend was caught is a funky, boho outfit The Nebraska native wore a maroon colored Mexican poncho with white striped over a yellow collared shirt. Grey sweatpants and sensible black shoes looked comfortable. A very worn-in beige fisherman hat partially covered his eyes. And it appears as if Nick is ready for Christmas as he already has grown in a Santa Claus beard. Hip to be un-square: The Nebraska native wore a maroon colored Mexican poncho with white striped over a yellow collared shirt. A very worn-in beige fisherman hat partially covered his eyes Nick is best known for his turn in the 1976 miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man. He then went on to star in The Deep and appeared in 1979's North Dallas Forty. In 1982 he starred as Doc in Cannery Row and he also popped up in 48 Hrs. After several films that were received well, he tried comedy with 1986's Down And Out In Beverly Hills. A thriller followed, 1991's Cape Fear, as well as the Barbra Streisand tearjerker The Prince Of Tides. A hunk then: Nick is best known for his turn in the 1976 miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man This is why he got the big bucks: The legend looking handsome in the 1980 film Heart Beat In 2014 Nolte appeared in the TV miniseries Gracepoint and in 2015 he was a part of The Ridiculous 6. His next project is the TV series Graves. The actor looked to be alone on Saturday. But that does not mean the star is flying solo these days. He has a daughter Sophie, aged nine, with his girlfriend Clytie Lane. His big catch: He was considered one of Hollywood's biggest hunks in the 1970s after starring with French bombshell Jacqueline Bisset in The Deep Though he seems settled now, life has not always been easy for the gruff pinup. According to CBSnews.com, the Golden Globe winner and two-time Oscar nominee had a reputation for being a heavy drinker, once describing himself as a 'functioning drunk' before quitting alcohol in the mid-1990s. Nolte hit a snag in 2002 when he was arrested for DUI in Malibu He tested positive for GHB (the banned depressant gamma hydroxybutyrate) and pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of drugs after which he was sentenced to three years of probation and spent time in rehab, according to Abc7.com. He is in the middle of his mammoth world tour. And Elton John showed no signs of slowing down as the born performer dazzled the crowds of Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Saturday evening. The 69-year-old entertainer was bursting with energy as he commanded the stage in a theatrical purple suit that was adorned with glitzy embellishments. Scroll down for video As entertaining as ever! He is in the middle of his mammoth world tour and Elton John showed no signs of slowing down as the born performer dazzled the crowds of Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Saturday evening The loud look was also emblazoned with Elton's initials at the rear which the Rocket Man hit-maker showcased plenty of times as he pounded at the keys of his piano. Boasting over 40 years in the industry, it's no surprise that the music legend has mastered the art of performing as he charmed the audiences with his high octane spectacle. Elton crooned a number of hits from his extensive back catalogue during the show, with the crowd singing along to the likes of Candle In The Wind, Your Song and Can You Feel The Love Tonight. Sprightly: The 69-year-old entertainer was bursting with energy as he commanded the stage in a theatrical purple suit that was adorned with glitzy embellishments Loud and proud: The loud look was also emblazoned with Elton's initials at the rear which the Rocket Man hit-maker showcased plenty of times as he pounded at the keys of his piano He's still got it! Boasting over 40 years in the industry, it's no surprise that the music legend has mastered the art of performing as he charmed the audiences with his high octane spectacle Dazzling them: Elton crooned a number of hits from his extensive back catalogue during the show, with the crowd singing along to the likes of Candle In The Wind, Your Song and Can You Feel The Love Tonight Meanwhile, it was recently claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had backed out of a planned meeting with the British rock star, who is also a gay rights activist. The two exchanged words over the telephone last September when Putin pledged to meet the singing sensation to 'discuss whatever issues are of interest'. However, the Kremlin has since revealed that a scheduling conflict meant the meeting, that was reportedly planned to take place on Monday when Elton performs in Mosco, will no longer go ahead. Born performer: Elton looked to be having the time of his life as he entertained the venue Feeling it! The star looked to fully immerse himself in the music as he belted out hit after hit Addressing journalists during a conference call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'We were in correspondence with him a couple of weeks ago, because there had been an agreement that, if their schedules allow, this meeting would take place. 'President Putin expressed readiness for this meeting. But this time, the meeting won't take place, unfortunately. Their schedules do not match up.' They added: 'But this does not mean that such a meeting won't take place next time.' Elton has been hoping for a meeting since last September when two Russian comedians telephoned and fooled him into believing that Putin had called him to discuss gay rights. No go! Meanwhile, it was recently claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had backed out of a planned meeting with the British rock star, who is also a gay rights activist History: The two exchanged words over the telephone last September when Putin pledged to meet the singing sensation to 'discuss whatever issues are of interest' For months now she's been sporting the coolest shade of pastel pink hair. Reese Witherspoon's 16-year-old daughter Ava Phillippe was rocking the Goth look as she stepped out to run a solo errand in Los Angeles' Brentwood neighbourhood on Friday. Ava wore ripped faded jeans with a black top and choker that got a bright lift thanks to that fuchsia hair colour. Goth girl: Reese Witherspoon's 16-year-old daughter Ava sported her usual Goth style and cool pastel pink hair as she stepped out to run solo errands in breezy LA on Friday The wind appeared to pick up too as the teenager strolled down a sidewalk, the wavy strands of her hair blowing back behind her like a sail. Sporty black trainers and an animal print bracelet added interest to the overall ensemble. Ava's make-up was decidedly Goth with dark purple lipstick drawing the most attention. Miss Independent: The teenager had spent some time at the Brentwood Country Mart in LA Mom's mirror image: Ava was Reese's spitting image - save for the fuchsia hair and purple lipstick Meanwhile, Reese was seen enjoying a relaxing Sunday morning with her pup and cup of java in a Instagram picture. 'Coffee with a little #Pepper. #Shhh #SundayMorning,' the A-list actress wrote in the caption. Reese had that glow about her while sitting across a red floral-patterned armchair, the cute dog resting snugly in her lap. Wind in her tresses: The strong breeze lifted Ava's long and wavy pink locks Meanwhile... back at home: Reese relaxed with a cute pup and a cup of coffee on Sunday morning A blue-printed mug was lifted in one hand as the actress smiled reflectively, a faint trace of make-up on her fair complexion. Reese, meanwhile, is preparing to take a trip to Australia on a speaking tour that will raise money for charity. She alerted her social media of her plans by posting a picture of herself with a koala super-imposed on each arm. Sweet life: Reese enjoyed a bite or two of tiramisu with her mom Betty 'One guess where I am headed this summer!' Reese captioned the image. 'I'm very excited to visit Australia and New Zealand this July! I'll be speaking at Simpatico Connect, which will benefit the incredible charitable work of Save The Children. 'And I'll hopefully be making new friends...like these guys?! Can't wait,' she added. Memorial Day weekend did not go unnoticed by celebrities on social media. Several let their followers into their plans for the early summer holiday. Charlotte McKinney showed off her bikini body while Reese Witherspoon said she was going to read at home, Bethenny Frankel took a trip to the Hamptons and Paris Hilton slipped into a one piece. Easy feeling: Charlotte McKinney showed off her bikini body while in Mexico on Memorial Day weekend Caught ya: Also seen in the frame in front of the 22-year-old Florida native was a bottle of beer Charlotte took a selfie in a skimpy two piece while looking in a mirror that had pretty tiles around it. Also seen in the frame in front of the 22-year-old Florida native was a bottle of beer. 'Ay what up Mex,' wrote the Carl's Jr model who is dating Stephen Dorff. Single! Drew Barrymore posed with a bottle of wine. '#wineweek This pic says it all for me! @barrymorewines #barrymorerose @yeswayrose Happy Memorial' Drew Barrymore posed with a bottle of wine. '#wineweek This pic says it all for me! @barrymorewines #barrymorerose @yeswayrose Happy Memorial.' The mother of two also shared an image of one of her favorite bottles of wine. 'Sometimes a good Italian red is the order of business! I love Nebbiolo wines for there bold yet dry ability to carry you through dinner. They are light enough to truly enjoy without compromise on notes of spice and complexity. @barrymorewines.' Haute stuff in the cold water: Paris Hilton was seen in a bathing suit while on vacation. 'I'm really a Mermaid,' she wrote High: LeAnn Rimes was seen jumping on a mini trampoline in her back yard in a mini video. 'I'm obsessed with jumping! It's so fun and a killer workout' LeAnn Rimes was seen jumping on a mini trampoline in her back yard in a mini video. 'I'm obsessed with jumping! It's so fun and a killer workout. @belliconusa. 'This is what they call GRACEFUL! LOL My nick name should be clumsy.' Body of water: Hilaria Baldwin showed off her baby bump (she is expecting her third baby with husband Alec Baldwin) while in a swimming pool Stretch: The yoga instructor almost does not look pregnant as the rest of her body is so toned Sweet scene: She also shared a photo in her back yard with her two kids Carmen and Rafael. 'May your holiday weekend be filled with bubbles, lots of laughs and love. Wishing you happiness' Hilaria Baldwin showed off her baby bump (she is expecting her third baby with husband Alec Baldwin) while in a swimming pool. The yoga instructor almost does not look pregnant as the rest of her body is so toned. The beauty captioned her photo: 'While the bambinos nap . I always end up turning play time into workout time! I don't usually use a filter, except to brighten occasionally...but I thought our new flock looked nice in low-fi hahaha . How are you staying active during the holiday? #BaldwinBabyBump3.' Two lovely: Jessica Alba revealed she was going to spend the three-day weekend with her husband Cash Warren in a snuggly selfie. 'Excited for the long weekend w my boo @cash_warren n the kiddos! #memorialdayweekend,' she wrote Paris Hilton was seen in a bathing suit while on vacation. 'I'm really a Mermaid,' she wrote. The DJ looked to be in Europe. And the 35-year-old was solo as she split from her beau of one year Thomas Gross last month. She also shared a photo in her back yard with her two kids Carmen and Rafael. 'May your holiday weekend be filled with bubbles, lots of laughs and love. Wishing you happiness #366daysoflivingclearly.' Woman's best friend: Reese Witherspoon was seen curled up with her dog on Sunday while in a large chair. ' Coffee with a little #Pepper,' she wrote ' #Shhh #SundayMorning,' the blonde added Smarty pants: And she also shared an old movie from The Importance Of Being Earnest still where she was reading with this caption: 'Me all this weekend' Jessica Alba revealed she was going to spend the three-day weekend with her husband Cash Warren in a snuggly selfie. 'Excited for the long weekend w my boo @cash_warren n the kiddos! #memorialdayweekend,' she wrote. Reese was seen curled up with her dog on Sunday while in a large chair. ' Coffee with a little #Pepper,' she wrote ' #Shhh #SundayMorning,' the blonde added. And she also shared an old movie from The Importance Of Being Earnest still where she was reading with this caption: 'Me all this weekend #ForTheLoveOfReading #MemorialDayWeekend #RWBookClub.' Two piece on one hot mama: Bethenny Frankel made it clear she was at her second home in the Hamptons on Long Island No limos for this lady: The TV star shared an image of her Ford Bronco Give us the keys now: In one image she captioned 'I designed every inch of her' and in another she wrote: 'Riding in style' Her other means of transpo: The Bravo beauty then shared a photo of several bicycles, which she captioned: 'How we roll in the hamptons' Cozy: Next came a photo of the backyard of her home, complete with a play set for her daughter Bryn. 'Cottage life,' was all the reality diva wrote Bethenny Frankel made it clear she was at her second home in the Hamptons on Long Island. First she showed off her red Bronco. In one image she captioned 'I designed every inch of her' and in another she wrote: 'Riding in style.' The Bravo beauty then shared a photo of several bicycles, which she captioned: 'How we roll in the hamptons.' Next came a photo of the backyard of her home, complete with a play set for her daughter Bryn. 'Cottage life,' was all the reality diva wrote. Low cut lady: Kristin Cavallari showed off her cleavage in a pretty posed shot. 'Feeling the cold-shoulder top summer trend today,' she added Patriot: Christie Brinkley gave a shout to the vets with a collage. 'Red White and True Blue to the Memory of those who served to protect out cherished Freedom! Happy Memorial Day Week End One and All!' Kristin Cavallari showed off her cleavage in a pretty posed shot. 'Feeling the cold-shoulder top summer trend today,' she added. Christie Brinkley gave a shout to the vets with a collage. 'Red White and True Blue to the Memory of those who served to protect out cherished Freedom! Happy Memorial Day Week End One and All! #memorialdayweekend,' said the blonde model. Model Bella Hadid was in Europe. The sister of Gigi was seen in a teeny bikini as she raised her arms. Stunning siren: Bella Hadid was in Europe. The sister of Gigi was seen in a teeny bikini as she raised her arms Kim Kardashian and Kanye West welcomed their son Saint in December but they appear to be quite smitten with their friends' children too. The couple got sappy over Chrissy Teigen's baby girl Luna as they enjoyed a family-oriented Sunday brunch with the proud 30-year-old mom at Nobu in Malibu, California. Kim and Kanye were seen cooing over the one-month-old tot on the patio of the posh restaurant in a Snapchat shared by Lip Sync Battle co-host. See Kim Kardashian updates as she and Kanye West have brunch with Chrissy Teigen Isn't she sweet: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were completely smitten with Chrissy Teigen's baby girl Luna as they joined the Lip Sync Battle co-host for Sunday brunch at Nobu in Malibu 'Auntie' KIm: The 35-year-old mom-of-two got her chance to cradle baby Luna Kanye, 38, was holding the tiny baby in his arms while Kim, 35, gazed adoringly over his shoulder. And at another point, Kim got a chance to cradle Luna too as a smile spread across her features. Kim's children North, three next month, and five-month-old Saint accompanied her and Kanye to the Japanese eatery. Happy mama: Proud mom Chrissy Teigen was all smiles during the festive brunch Family-friendly outing: Kim brought along baby Saint, five months, to the child-friendly gathering at Nobu Princess North: Kanye did the honours by carrying the couple's nearly three-old daughter North to the restaurant It's always a production: Kim unloaded the car of all the kid and baby stuff they needed Don't wake the baby: Kim made sure Saint was comfortable in his stroller over which she lay a white blanket Their pals: Chrissy held onto a baby bottle while John looked on outside the restaurant She was seen making quite a fuss over her own baby boy in the parking lot and made sure her son was confortable in his stroller. Kim had placed a white blanket over his stroller, perhaps to assist Saint in taking a nap. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star was dressed casually chic in ripped black jeans with a loosely fitting turquoise button-down blouse. Pouty princess: Teigen looked like she was ready for her Vogue cover as she wore a sexy outfit that included a black tank top and cut-off shorts Bend it like Kim: The reality star didn't let her high heels get in the way of motherhood duties He's got her: Kanye hugged North close as the family slowly emerged from the car Let's go daddy: North was excited to see baby Luna too She was styled up in high heeled black shoes with ankle straps. Her dark hair was pulled back in a fuss-free ponytail while shades concealed her eyes from view. Kanye did the honours by carrying the couple's daughter North inside the restaurant. Don't wait for me: KIm pushed baby Saint in his stroller and trailed behind Kanye and North No nanny required: It looked like Kim had this mommy business down Perfect Sunday: Kim was most likely looking forward to a relaxing meal and fun company with her friends While Kanye was dressed down in jeans and jacket, little North carried on her mom's star style in strappy sandals, a summery outfit and topknot hairdo. Chrissy Teigen looked remarkably fit a month and a half after giving birth. The leggy beauty wore black cut-off shorts and a clingy black top with cut-out details along with a long black coat. Hot mama: Chrissy Teigen showcased her legs in those cut-off black shorts and stiletto heels Got everything? John Legend held the door open while Chrissy retrieved the baby bottle and other essentials from the car What a production: Going out with the baby might take some planning but it was sure fun for these two Bye bye: Kim and Chrissy bid each other a fond farewell after the brunch High strappy heels made Chrissy's bare legs seem even longer. John, who looked classy for brunch in a black hoodie, dark trousers and black trainers, helped Chrissy gather the baby bottle and other essentials. The Kardashian clan, meanwhile, appear to really like this Malibu hotspot - the family has been spotted there on a few occasions lately. The gang got together there earlier in the week to celebrate Scott Disick's 33rd birthday. Kim and Kanye hit up Nobu on Saturday for lunch with the mom-of-two dressed up in a revealing orange dress. Professor Green has taken to Twitter after his ex-wife Millie Mackintosh was pictured kissing her new boyfriend Hugo Taylor just days after their divorce. And, the London rapper, 32, has not only been left unimpressed to see his former spouse wasting no time in publicly smooching her ex-beau, but he has also taken aim at her appearance. On Sunday night - hours after the pictures were published showing the 26-year-old looking worse for wear in Monaco with Hugo - he first of all posted on Twitter that 'money really can't buy you class can it'. Scroll down for video Fun in the sun: Professor Green (not pictured) has taken aim on Twitter at his ex-wife Millie Mackintosh (pictured above, on Saturday) for her funny faces while in Monaco with her new boyfriend Hugo Taylor Seeing the funny side: After the less-than flattering pictures of his ex were published, Professor Green joked about her facial expressions, writing 'London's Gurning' on Twitter Hours later, on Monday morning, he took to the social media site again as he wrote the taunt: 'London's Gurning.' It's likely his post was aimed at his former flame, from whom he finally offically divorced last week, as she was notably pulling funny faces throughout her smitten display with Hugo, 30, on Saturday. Professor Green (real name Stephen Manderson) also retweeted a post made by @joshworton92, who made several puns in relation to Millie's so-called gurning face. The message, a take on famous men with the first name Bernie: 'Gernie Eccleston, Gernie Sanders, Gernie Slaven.' Slaying: The 32-year-old rapper also retweeted some posts made by other users, including singer Ella Eyre The musician also retweeted singer Ella Eyre, who wrote, 'the faces being pulled' with a series of laughing emojis. His messages came after he publicly slammed the former Made In Chelsea star for not having any class, while also joking that he had been 'dodging bullets since 1983'. Meanwhile, Millie has made sure to show off to her fans that she is fully loved-up with her new man, just days after her divorce from Pro Green was finalised. She confirmed she and her ex-Chelsea co-star - who she previously dated in 2011 - were an item by sharing an a romantic photo of them kissing on her Instagram on Sunday evening, after the less-than-flattering pictures were published. Going public: Millie was pictured boyfriend Hugo Taylor in a romantic Instagram photo in Monaco on Sunday, as she finally confirmed their romance... just days after her divorce was finalised Single life: Professor Green, pictured with a friend on Saturday night, was clearly unimpressed with his ex-wife's behaviour Speaking out: Professor Green took to Twitter after his ex-wife was pictured kissing her new boyfriend on Sunday evening A while later, the TV presenter took to Twitter at 8pm, writing the aforementioned tweet: 'Money really can't buy you class can it.' During their four year relationship, Millie and Prof Green's very different backgrounds were often discussed. Millie was educated privately at Hanford Boarding School in Dorset and her family invented Quality Street, although they sold the business years ago. Laugh until you cry: When a Twitter follower tweeted an unflattering photo of Millie, Prof Green responded with three laughing emojis Meanwhile, Stephen grew up in an impoverished area of East London and survived being attacked in the neck with a broken bottle in a Shoreditch nightclub in 2009. Earlier on Sunday, Stephen had posted a cryptic tweet about 'dodging bullets', just a few hours after Millie was photographed looking a tad worse for wear as she cosied up to Hugo in Monaco. Stephen, who was born in 1983, wrote: 'Dodging bullets since 1983.' When a Twitter follower responded with an unflattering photo of Millie gurning, writing: 'Dunno what ur talking about lad,' Prof Green responded with three 'laughing until you cry' emojis. Dodging bullets: Stephen posted a cryptic tweet about 'dodging bullets', just a few hours after Millie was photographed looking a tad worse for wear as she cosied up to Hugo in Monaco Loving life: The reality star looked like she was having a whale of a time as posed in a white one-piece on a grand yacht Until this weekend, Millie has remained coy about her romantic reunion with Hugo, who she was first pictured getting close to in March, just five weeks after separating from Prof Green. However, after they were pictured kissing on the pier in Monaco on Saturday following her divorce three days earlier, it looks like the fitness fanatic is no longer hiding her love. Sharing a photo of herself and Hugo kissing on their yacht, she wrote: 'What a perfect end to an amazing weekend #hugodirty30.' Millie and Professor Green had their two and a half year marriage dissolved in just 30 seconds. They were granted a decree nisi at Central London Family Court with Millie citing 'unreasonable behaviour' as the reason for their split. The couple often defended their class difference at the beginning of their relationship in 2012, with Stephen accusing skeptics of prejudice. 'I find it really interesting how it's [class] spoken about because people are so quick to point out the difference in class', he told Topman magazine at the time. 'But I've always believed that your class is dependent on how you treat people, not your financial situation. 'People are so quick to point out the difference in class. 'If the difference were race people wouldn't be so quick to point it out - it's still prejudice isn't it? I find it weird that's it such a big thing.' Life in the fast lane: Millie showed off her duckface in a candid photo at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday Mingling: Hugo shared a photo of himself and Millie with Game Of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, taken at the Grand Prix Having soared to fame in 2011 alongside Millie on the E4 reality show, centred around the lives of Chelsea's most glamorous residents, sunglasses designer Hugo has bowed out of the spotlight to a degree, yet his resurrected romance has hurtled him back into the limelight. TIMELINE OF THEIR ROMANCE November 2011: Couple enjoy their first date at the Groucho Club in London after Professor Green sees Millie's sexy FHM cover shoot February 2012: They go public at the BRIT Awards March 2013: Pro Green proposes in Paris September 2013: Couple wed at Babington House in Somerset July 2015: Millie and Pro Green reported to have a huge row in Istanbul. January 2016: They have a make-of-break holiday in Florence, Italy. February 2016: Couple announce their separation. May 2016: Couple granted decree nisi Advertisement The pair were first romantically linked again in March after they were spotted looking cosy at the British Polo Day in Dubai - five weeks after Millie announced her impending divorce. The wealthy reality stars originally dated for six months in 2011, but Millie dumped Hugo after finding out he had cheated with her best pal Rosie Fortescue. Following their split, the fitness fanatic admitted in an interview at the time she would always love Hugo: 'I loved him - those feelings don't disappear but I just always have to remind myself why we're not together. 'I do think that, for the rest of my life, every time I see him, I'll get that feeling in my stomach. I don't think I could ever not get that butterfly feeling.' Hugo then embarked on a four year on-off relationship with fellow Made In Chelsea star Natalie Joel, last pictured on his Instagram in September 2015. A few months after her split from Hugo, Millie met her future husband Professor Green, who she ended up marrying in September 2013 when she was just 24. She let slip that she was holidaying with Hugo on Friday when she shared and then instantly deleted a holiday picture from the same spot where he's celebrating. Long term love: Following his split from Millie in 2011, Hugo embarked on a four year on-off relationship with fellow Made In Chelsea star Natalie Joel, last pictured on his Instagram in September 2015 Love drama: Millie dumped Hugo after 6 months of dating in 2011 after finding out he had cheated with her best pal Rosie Fortescue Wedded bliss: Pro Green and Millie on their wedding day in Bath, England, in 2013 He became a single parent 12 months ago after splitting from his ex fiancee Jessica Marais. Now, James Stewart has spoken out about co-parenting his four-year-old daughter Scout with his former Packed To The Rafter's co-star. 'It's called parenting couple, that's the professional name for it,' the 40-year-old explained to the latest edition of New Idea. Scroll down for video Behind the scenes: James Stewart has spoken out about co-parenting his four-year-old daughter Scout with his ex-partner Jessica Marais He went on to add: 'It takes a little bit of time and it takes a really big heart. 'But once you realise it's about Scout, everything's easy,' James continued. The Home And Away actor went on to say that he and Jessica have managed to keep their 'dignity' during the very-public split because for the sake of their daughter. Tough times: In his latest interview, he said: 'It's called parenting couple, that's the professional name for it. 'It takes a little bit of time and it takes a really big heart. But once you realise it's about Scout, everything's easy' James' comments came one week after the pair were seen to be involved in a heated argument while at a local park for Scout's fourth birthday. The former couple met as on-screen loves on family drama Packed To The Rafters in 2009. However, they made their first public appearance as a couple at the Logies nomination breakfast in March 2010. That's how they do it: The 40-year-old added that he and Jessica have kept a close friendship for the sake of their daughter and that they are simply 'out for each other's best interests' The pair got engaged in October that year and announced they were expecting their first child in November 2011, with Scout born in May 2012. The glamorous couple of Australian television announced their separation in May 2015, with the pair issuing a statement confirming the split. 'Jessica Marais and James Stewart have amicably separated. Their main focus at this time is the co-parenting of their daughter and they ask that media respect their privacy,' it read. She suffered a heart breaking miscarriage last year after being diagnosed with severe morning sickness that saw her hospitalised. But 2015 Married At First Sight's Zoe Hendrix has announced she is four months pregnant and that she and husband Alex Garner are expecting their firstborn in October. The 27-year-old Ethiopian-born star told Woman's Day: 'We're absolutely over the moon,' while Alex, 30, added: 'I'm scared...It's absolutely happening.' Scroll down for video 'Over the moon': Married At First Sight's Zoe Hendrix has announced she is four months pregnant and that she and husband Alex Garner are expecting a baby in October Plumber Alex recently revealed the couple lost their baby last year when Zoe was at the end of her first trimester but that the loss made them keener to start a family. 'When (the pregnancy) happened' he confessed, 'it made us realise how much joy it would bring having kids.' In December, the Melbourne-based couple told OK! Magazine that 2016 is the year they plan to have children together, with Zoe saying: 'We want to try again for a baby. We're ready.' New beginnings: Plumber Alex recently revealed the couple lost their baby last year when Zoe was at the end of her first trimester and that episode made them want to start a family even more They also spoke of making their 'wedding' official, adding: 'We hope to get married - I'd love a non-traditional, fun wedding that shows our personalities'. Zoe previously told Today Extra - about her miscarriage and hoped speaking out would help others and remove the stigma. 'Its definitely bittersweet,' she said, candidly. 'You get really excited. Alex and I were already buying nursery items. TV wedding: The pair married during the show and plan a real wedding 'further down the line' 'You know, we had a lot more clothes than we probably needed to buy, even at that point. And then your world gets turned upside down.' The bubbly reality TV star, who runs her own marketing business near Alex's home of Ferntree Gully, Victoria, recently shared an Instagram message telling fans not to give up on love. 'To those who have given up on love: I say, "Trust life a little bit.'...nearly two years with this man.' Clinton campaign faces a deficit of a vital commodity: enthusiasm His rallies are like raucous circuses, interrupted by the clamor of a captivated crowd that is quick to finish his sentences. Hers seem more like sober presidential addresses, exhaustive litanies of proposals presented to well-behaved supporters. Making matters worse, Hillary Clinton tends to arrive late, while the Donald Trump Show always begins on time. With the US presidential election about to enter a new phase, the Democratic candidate suffers from a glaring enthusiasm deficit, threatened by Bernie Sanders in the final primaries in June and unable to contain Republican charges of ethical lapses fueled by her use of a private e-mail server as secretary of state. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a rally in San Francisco, California on May 26, 2016 Josh Edelson (AFP/File) The contrast could not be more striking between Clinton's controlled appearances and the fervent chaos that surrounds the public events of the billionaire populist, who strides onto stage to the deafening beat of 2 Unlimited's "Get Ready for This." "Trump! Trump!" roared thousands of his supporters recently at a convention center in Anaheim, California, before breaking into cries of "Build the wall! Build the wall!" - 'Women like me' - His speech is improvised, basic, disjointed. He promises to bring manufacturing jobs back to America but offers no detail than to threaten customs sanctions against companies that move their operations abroad. He seems at times to create his own facts. "I'm telling you, women like me," he says; and, "The Hispanics are liking Donald Trump," both observations sharply contradicted by opinion polls. He stirs up the crowd by deriding the "stupidity" of the country's leaders and contrasting it to his own business aptitude. "We're going to win so much you're going to be so disgusted with me," he concludes, drawing a thunderous ovation. This is the Trump formula: his supporters -- young or old, well-off or down-and-out, but nearly all white (a declining share of the electorate) -- gamble on an "outsider" who claims to hold the secret to economic revival, as if America had nothing to lose. "There's nothing much more he could actually want in his life: he has a ton of money, he's really famous, he has a beautiful family, so he's really doing it for us, the American people," says Joe, 25, a university student who declines to give his last name. At a Clinton event near Los Angeles, impatience is palpable as supporters await her arrival. The playlist (Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez...) runs on an endless loop, and a sigh of dismay courses through the auditorium when a seventh speaker steps up to the microphone. Hillary Clinton arrives 45 minutes late. "I guess we should have gotten a bigger room," she tells the crowd of 1,200 in the suburban Riverside campus, apologizing that some people were left outside. But her advance team had chosen this gymnasium precisely for its modest size. Only Bernie Sanders has drawn crowds like Trump's. - Trump, 'loose cannon' - Hillary Clinton has been campaigning on her stature as a stateswoman with serious ideas to offer, warning voters that Trump is a "loose cannon" unprepared to lead the country. But the exhaustive nature of her proposals does little to make up for the sometimes numbing way she presents them. "It's a lonely job, it's the hardest job in the world," she says. Clinton promises no revolution but rather the continuation of progress made under President Barack Obama: an increase in the minimum wage, improvements to infrastructure, attention to women's rights, foreign policy, immigration and so on. "I will fight for you, I will fight for us every single day," she concludes. That argument has won over a majority of Democrats, and her supporters invariably express admiration for the arc of her professional journey, her policy expertise and the strength of her character. "It's a positive thing that she's been in the political field for so long," said Philip Falcone, 18, a recent high school graduate, adding that "she's had more success" than her rivals. Clinton's challenge now is to unify Democrats while drawing the needed support of independents. Given her strong advantages among women, African-Americans and Hispanics, the election would seem to be a cakewalk. Yet her image is in decline: nearly two-thirds of Americans believe she is not honest, the same as for Trump. Her edge in polls has nearly vanished. All this raises the question: What if the wave of enthusiasm Trump has been riding should carry on to November? Fans of Bernie Sanders, some of whom protested at the Riverside rally, expressed doubts about Clinton's ethics. "Hillary's pretty strong," said Chiraag Dave, 19, an electrical engineering student. But he added that "I've read many articles about the muddy waters that she's been (in) around Wall Street," which he called "all a little murky." That line of attack could have come directly from the Trump camp. "Hillary Clinton has contempt for the working people of this country," Stephen Miller, a top Trump policy adviser, told the crowd at the Anaheim rally. "She just wants to get rich and rich and rich at your expense," he said, drawing loud boos. US presidential election Alain Bommenel, Philippe Mouche (AFP) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton takes a selfie with fans after speaking at a rally in San Francisco, California on May 26, 2016 Josh Edelson (AFP/File) Chai stirred into Silicon Valley coffee culture In a Silicon Valley culture known for brilliant ideas boiling up in coffee shops, Gaurav Chawla is pouring his heart into chai. Chawla was on a break from his job as an engineering manager at San Francisco-based cloud-computing star Salesforce when he began lamenting how tough it was to find a cup of chai as good as he makes it at home. That frustration, and echoed complaints by other natives of India, where the blend of spiced tea and simmered milk is woven into daily lifestyles, prompted him to start tinkering. Jyothi Lakshmaiah (L) and Nithya Krishnan (R) take a break from their jobs to enjoy chai from a Chai Cart on Market Street in downtown San Francisco on May 26, 2016 Glenn Chapman (AFP) "I took a rice cooker apart and reconfigured it to make chai," Chawla told AFP. "It made good chai, and I realized this process could be automated." While his background is in software engineering, Chawla went to work developing a chai machine as simple to use as a coffee maker. He told of giving his second prototype a test run at Google offices, where it was used daily until it broke. Another prototype got a workout in offices of sound and image specialty firm Dolby, according to Chawla. Feedback from those and other tests led to a first-generation chai machine to be funded by pre-orders at a freshly launched www.brewchime.com website at a temporarily discounted price of $249. Chime machines aren't slated to ship until March of next year. - Chai is chai - Chime machines brew one cup of chai at a time, using tea and spices pre-mixed in caps sold by the startup. "Essentially, you want to brew black tea and spices, add milk then bring it to a boil again," Chawla said of the chai brewing process. "Because you are adding milk, you can't just let it sit by itself or you get a big mess -- which I do almost every day." Chai has been growing in popularity in San Francisco and nearby Silicon Valley, with coffee shops large and small adding it to menus. Helping drive the trend are ranks of people drawn to the region from India by jobs at technology companies. Chawla said his friends at Microsoft have told him of the US software giant having people with chai-making skills come in to prepare the tea for employees. "The Silicon Valley influence of Indians moving here is huge," Chawla said. "Even if there is great coffee, chai is chai. It is one of the things of your upbringing." Chime hired a design engineer who ran product development at Williams-Sonoma, a retail chain specializing in kitchen and home items. - Chai carts - The popularity of chai has climbed in the United States over the past 20 years, with even major chain Starbucks adding it to the menu, according to Chai Cart founder Paawan Kothari. Kothari earned a masters degree in business from the INSEAD business school in France and spent more than a decade working with technology firms in Silicon Valley before turning a hobby started in 2009 into a startup that sells chai from carts on San Francisco streets. "I wanted to give people a taste of what homemade chai tastes like," said Kothari, who started out making the spiced tea in her home and peddling it in the Mission District from a bicycle trailer. "I was surprised at how many people were looking to have good chai; not just in San Francisco but everywhere." She quit her job as an IBM marketing strategist and launched Chai Cart, which she said has been growing steadily. Kothari estimated that while some 40 percent of her customers are hankering for a taste of chai that harkens back to native countries in South Asia, more than half grew up in households without chai. "It brings me great pleasure to share a part of my culture and give a taste of the traditional chai thats enjoyed every day across India," Kothari said in a post on the website thechaicart.com. MINOT The most devastating flood ever to hit Minot occurred in 2011. River levels never before experienced in the Souris River Valley damaged thousands of homes, striking a severe blow that pushed countless residents into temporary living quarters or forced them to leave the area entirely. For some, recovery continues to this day, the Minot Daily News reported. For many others, recovery has not been possible, due either to the extent of damage or the strain on finances. The hopes and dreams of many were washed away. What follows is a look back at a critical time when the flood was developing and what can be interpreted as a failure on several fronts to fully cope with an obvious and impending problem. By May 2, 2011, there were numerous indications that Minot and the Souris River Valley were on track to experience historic flooding. Rafferty Reservoir near Estevan, Saskatchewan, was eight feet higher than its previous record high level and a mere two feet from overflowing. The capacity of Rafferty is approximately five times that of Lake Darling, the last reservoir on the Souris before it flows into Minot. Local flooding was being reported in Estevan. Boundary Reservoir, an impoundment that is smaller than Rafferty but connected to Rafferty by a diversion channel, was within 2 1/2 inches of spilling. Boundary is fed by Long Creek, a tributary of the Souris that was experiencing record flows. On May 2, 2011, the Souris was flowing at 4,570 cubic feet per second at the Boy Scout Bridge west of Minot. Lake Darling was releasing 3,800 cfs. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it would be reducing Lake Darling output to 3,000 cfs despite the knowledge of vast amounts of water upstream. Two days later, Saskatchewan releases from Rafferty and Alameda reservoirs were increased to 3,530 cfs, easily pushing the Sherwood river gauge over the previously announced goal of 3,200 cfs. "We expected that news. It was just of a matter of when," said Alan Reynolds, Ward County's emergency manager. By May 5, it was clear there was a historic amount of water reaching the Souris. All goals regarding the spring melt had been met or exceeded and were expected to go much higher. Lake Darling releases remained at 3,800 cfs, not the 3,000 cfs announced by the Corps. "There's still a lot of unknowns in regard to the amount of water that may come down from Canada," warned Tony Merriman, National Weather Service, Bismarck. On May 10, the Minot Daily News visited Rafferty Reservoir to assess the situation. At the time, releases from Saskatchewan dams were nearly 5,000 cfs. Rafferty and Boundary were declared "pass through" facilities and the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority issued a flood advisory for the Souris Basin. Flows of 7,000-10,000 cfs were being predicted at the Sherwood reporting point on the Souris. Weather forecasts called for rain. Lake Darling releases were cut to 3,500 cfs. Unable to keep pace with inflows, the Saskatchewan dams increased their releases to 8,472 cfs, much more than Minot or Lake Darling could hope to handle. "I've lived here forever and I've never seen anything like this," Clint Dougherty, Estevan, told the Minot Daily News. The same day, the National Weather Service warned all Souris River locations to prepare for one of the lengthiest water events in history. A new NWS flood outlook substantially increased crest levels all along the Souris. Lake Darling releases were upped to 4,000 cfs with an announced plan for 5,000 cfs in the coming days. The flow at the Boy Scout Bridge hit 5,940 cfs and flood stage was reached at Minot's Broadway Bridge. It was just the beginning with much more water to follow, yet little was being done to increase protection in Minot or by city and county officials to warn citizens of the possibility of record flooding. On May 12, the Saskatchewan dams were forced to increase releases to 9,390 cfs. They were simply unable to keep up with record inflows. The Souris was ripping along at 6,610 cfs at Broadway Bridge, a higher flow than what much of the diking in the city was believed able to contain. "Rafferty is full. Boundary is full. Long Creek is running high and Alameda will be full. Lake Darling is expected to fill. When you add them all up it's pretty ugly," said Allen Schlag, NWS hydrologist. "There's no stopping the water," added Reynolds. "There's just no way around it." In the face of such warnings and record releases upstream, the Corps of Engineers cut Lake Darling releases by 300 cfs from 4,000 to 3,700. The following day Lake Darling releases were increased to 4,400 cfs. The next day Saskatchewan releases totaled 7,413 cfs. By the 14th of May, the Sherwood flow had jumped to 8,500 cfs and was expected to reach 9,500. Flooding was under way at Mouse River Park above Lake Darling. Two days later Lake Darling outflow was increased to 4,600 cfs. The following day Lake Darling's gates were opened to 4,800 cfs, the most in history. It was a record that would soon fall, and in a very big way as the Souris drainage continued its rampage. On May 19, Lake Darling was releasing 5,000 cfs and the measured height of the Souris at Baker Bridge climbed over 16 feet, the second highest ever recorded for that location. The NWS warned of a possible 1-2 inch rain over the Souris and Des Lacs River drainages. The Minot Daily News, attempting to glean information from public officials, was evicted from an Emergency Operations meeting at the First District Health Unit. The following day, the city held its first press conference, supposedly to inform the public with details of the situation. While some information was shared, city and county leaders announced their opposition to increased releases from Lake Darling. It was a somewhat confusing and mixed message from City Hall. The city began erecting Hesco barriers along Fourth Avenue NW in preparation for "7,000" cfs despite the fact Lake Darling was rapidly approaching overflow and that upstream flows were already projected to top 9,000 cfs. "The situation remains very precarious," warned Roland Hamborg, Corps of Engineers. "Lake Darling will fill in a few days. The reservoirs on the Souris are full, or nearly full. It's a dilemma trying to manage this." In the face of that assessment the Corps responded with an announcement from its St. Paul office saying they would be decreasing the outflow from Lake Darling. The decrease was a delaying action that saw Lake Darling rise to an unprecedented level. Many basements in Minot were taking on water by May 21, mostly due to saturated ground. The Broadway Bridge gauge reached 1,552 feet, three feet over flood stage. The water was rising with much more on the way, far more than enough to make the previously infamous 1969 flood look like a puddle. Serious, dangerous flooding, was inevitable. Two days later, water began to enter low areas of the city. The NWS issued a new flood outlook for the Souris. Understandably, it called for additional rises. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Mayor Curt Zimbelman and Burlington Mayor Jerome Gruenberg took to the air for a helicopter view of the valley. Upon landing Zimbelman remarked, "We've got problems." Gruenberg added, "People have just given up. They are tired of the fight." The next day, with a monstrous flood on the doorstep of the city, Minot City Council held a special meeting to secure the services of the Corps of Engineers. Lake Darling was at 1,600.14 feet, less than two feet from overflow. Upstream reservoirs were full, the Souris and Des Lacs Rivers were running at record levels with no relief in sight. On May 25, dike improvements in the city of Minot got under way in earnest with the goal of providing protection against a flood of 9,000 cfs. Lake Darling releases were upped to 5,500 cfs in an effort to stay inches ahead of inflow. The following day, as dike construction continued at many points in the city, Minot's citizens were told there was no immediate need to evacuate their homes. That promise would prove to be short lived. By May 27, Lake Darling had inched up to 1,600.86 feet, dangerously close to spill level, despite releasing 5,800 cfs. Releases from the Saskatchewan dams were increased again. While Minot was preparing for 9,000 cfs there was already much more water in the system. "It's an extraordinary event that is getting beyond the flood the dams were designed for," stated Roland Hamborg, Corps of Engineers. The last day of May saw Lake Darling reach 1,601.26 feet, about six inches from topping the control gates. Col. Michael Price, Corps of Engineers, stated the inevitable, "There will be flooding in the city of Minot." Suddenly there was a furious pace to build dikes to protect what the city called "important infrastructure." The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority essentially threw in the towel, saying, "Reservoirs have no capacity to store further inflows." And further inflow was coming. Lots of it. Just as predicted by those closely monitoring the situation. The following day Minot leaders ordered mandatory evacuations for 10,000 residents, telling them to "Get out of harm's way as fast as possible." It was a stunning reversal from the few previous messages from City Hall to the public. Unity government struggles to make impact in Libya Two months after his dramatic arrival in Libya's capital, Fayez al-Sarraj's unity government has won international support but had little impact inside a divided country plagued by jihadists, analysts say. The head of the Government of National Accord sailed into Tripoli under naval escort on March 30 in defiance of a militia alliance that has been in control of the capital since August 2014, after it refused to let him fly in. His arrival sparked hopes of a way out of the political, security and economic crises that have gripped Libya since the 2011 revolution that ousted longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. A woman walks near a damaged car after shelling hit a demonstration in Benghazi calling for military forces to re-capture the city of Sirte from Islamic State group without foreign intervention on May 6, 2016 Abdullah Doma (AFP/File) But confined to the naval base where it receives visiting foreign ministers, the UN-backed GNA has yet to draw up any clear roadmap for ending Libya's anarchy and expelling jihadists from their strongholds. Its targets of restoring peace and healing divisions born of five years of conflict are being stymied by a rival government in the east that refuses to cede power until a repeatedly delayed vote of confidence in Libya's elected parliament from which it takes its own legitimacy. The rival administration, which itself had international recognition before the rise of Sarraj, controls eastern Libya through militias and units of the national army loyal to controversial General Khalifa Haftar, a sworn opponent of the GNA. For Mattia Toaldo, a Libya specialist with the European Council on Foreign Relations, the GNA has already lost a "precious two months" with its failure to secure a vote of confidence. "While he has received several foreign delegations and made visits abroad, he (Sarraj) is invisible inside Libya," said Toaldo. Sarraj "has not found the time -- nor the courage -- to address the east of the country. It's not a question of lacking the military strength, but rather absence of political will and... political initiative". Othman Ben Sassi, a former member of the revolution-era National Transitional Council, said "the only achievement of this (GNA) government has been the fact that it has won international support". On the ground, "it's the militias, as before, that control the situation. As for the unity government, it doesn't control anything," he said. - East-west divide - The task facing Sarraj, a 56-year-old political newcomer, is "extremely fragile", according to Kader Abderrahim, a specialist on Islamism at the Paris-based Institute for International and Strategic Affairs. "It's imperative that a formal vote (of confidence) be held to head off challenges to his legitimacy," said Abderrahim. He must "firstly gather Libyans around a joint project, ensure their security and undertake negotiations with the different militias to lay down their arms. This process could take several months," he said. On the military front, the GNA controls several airports and has militias and army units based in the western region of Misrata, equipped with tanks and warplanes, under its command. But the east-west divide rules out any unified control of Libya's porous borders through which hundreds of thousands of sub-Saharan Africans pour in in search of a better life across the Mediterranean in Europe. And although Libya holds Africa's richest oil reserves, the economy poses a huge challenge for the GNA faced with spiralling food, transportation and medical costs since the start of 2016. With the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan starting in early June, food shortages and power cuts at a time of rising summertime temperatures will only serve to heighten the perception among ordinary Libyans of "Sarraj government failings", according to Toaldo. Internationally, the GNA secured a Western pledge at a May 16 meeting in Vienna to ease the arms embargo in place since Libya's revolution to battle the Islamic State jihadist group. But for Abderrahim, "Libyans are fed up with Western interference in their affairs and the fact that they have literally imposed Fayez al-Sarraj can only be damaging for him." The arrival in Libya's capital of Fayez al-Sarraj's unity government sparked hopes of a way out of the political, security and economic crises that have gripped Libya since the 2011 revolution that ousted longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi In high-rise Hong Kong, fine wines lurk in British war bunker In high-rise, high-priced Hong Kong, even millionaires don't always have room to store their fine wine collection at home, but a converted British war bunker offers space-crunched oenophiles the perfect solution. Built by Her Majesty's government in the 1930s to hold munitions, the "Little Hong Kong" bunker complex was the last Allied position to fall to the invading Japanese on 27 December 1941 -- two days after the surrender of the British governor. Collectors may rest assured that this spirit endures, says Gregory De 'Eb company principal of Crown Wine Cellars. A personal wine collection being stored in a room at the Wine Vault in Hong Kong Dale De La Rey (AFP/File) "We have great feng shui here. Nobody died, last place to surrender -- it was all good!" he explains. The firm has converted the sprawling complex into state of the art wine storage. Six of the Central Ordnance Munitions Depot bunkers -- each spanning some 1,000 square feet -- have been painstakingly transformed in to what he describes as "the Rolls Royce of wine cellars." Carved out of Hong Kong's hills, protected by reinforced concrete and soil, the complex -- whose sensitive restoration even received a nod from UNESCO -- offers one of the most secure environments possible for wine. "If you give us one bottle of 1982 Petrus that your grandfather gave to you (with) his signature on the top left hand corner, we make absolutely sure that your bottle will never be interchanged with any other," said De' Eb, a former diplomat. "In 50 years time we will give that bottle back to you. It's so important," he added. - 'Gold standard' security - De' Eb says the wine vaults were built in accordance to the US standard for gold bullion, while overall security at the bunkers drew inspiration from methods employed by the diamond industry in his native South Africa. Staff must wear wetsuits when entering the cellars -- an anti-theft measure to ensure nothing can be smuggled out in clothing, and some vaults require three people to simultaneously input codes in order to access them. Clients are not allowed to enter the main storage warehouses, but can request to view their wine collection in small rooms, where they will be closely monitored by security cameras. Such measures are not just for show: the cellar holds two of the world's most expensive bottles of wine ever sold at auction -- Chateau Lafite 1869 that went under the hammer in 2010 at Sotheby's Hong Kong, fetching 232,692 dollars (208,000 euros) apiece. Thanks to Hong Kong's incredible concentrations of wealth, the city has become a world capital for fine wine. The city hosts Vinexpo, Asia's largest wine and spirits fair, and has become a major hub for fine wine sales across Asia, thanks in part to a government decision in 2008 to drop import duties on wine. Imports have grown exponentially -- to $1.5 billion in 2015, up from $206 million in 2007 according to Hong Kong Trade Development Council figures. The city is a key gateway to the vast, lucrative Chinese market, but of the 63.3 million litres of wine that was imported into Hong Kong in 2015, just 27.2 million was re-exported -- highlighting the city's own love affair with grapes. - Where to keep it? - Astronomical real estate prices coupled with Hong Kong's hot and humid environment, mean that "wine storage really is a growing business," said Korean wine expert Jeannie Cho Lee. "It's not like in France where everyone has a basement under their house," said wine importer Alex Yim. "In Hong Kong, you even need to find a place to store your clothes," he added, referring to the city's notoriously small but expensive apartments, which often lack basic storage space. The government has sought to encourage the nascent local wine storage industry, creating the world's first Wine Storage Management Systems Certification Scheme in 2009. By the end of 2015, 37 Hong Kong companies had been certified, giving wine-lovers many options. They could trust their entire collection to Crown, which has 2,000 customers including major auction houses like Sotheby's, and manages "more than three billion Hong Kong dollars," worth of wine, De' Eb said. The company is an arm of Crown Worldwide, which also has relocation, record management and fine art divisions. Or they could turn to companies like Wine Vault, which started in 2008 and has converted disused industrial space into individual climate-controlled wine storage rooms. The firm's cellars are between 40 and 80 square feet in size, and users can access their wine collection whenever they want, thanks to facial recognition software. The rooms off the long corridor in the bland industrial complex are now packed with cases and bottles of the world's best vintages: Petrus 1966, Chateau Margaux 1981, Graves 1928, Barolo 1945. "In order to mimic the environment of underground cellars in Bordeaux or other wine regions we keep the temperature around... 13, 14 degrees," said Hubert Li, a partner at the Wine Vault. "All of our 550 clients are private collectors," he said, adding that sometimes clients send their drivers to collect a few more bottles to top up their smaller wine fridge at home. A Crown Wine Cellars employee walks past personal wine collections of customers being stored at one of the company's cellars housed in an underground World War Two military bunker in Hong Kong Dale De La Rey (AFP/File) Indonesia's bid to probe massacres sparks backlash Indonesian activist Adlun Fiqri could be jailed for wearing a T-shirt allegedly bearing a leftist logo, one of many caught up in a backlash against efforts to shine a light on military-backed, anti-communist massacres half a century ago. Police and the military have in recent weeks rounded up people for allegedly spreading communism -- which remains outlawed in Indonesia -- through logos on T-shirts. They have also seized books about communism and stopped a film screening that touched on the subject. An anti-communism group holds a rally in Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia Bima Shakti (AFP) It came after the government last month took timid steps towards making peace with one of the nation's darkest chapters -- the killing of at least 500,000 people in anti-communist massacres in 1965-66, conducted by local groups with military support. The killings began after General Suharto put down a coup attempt blamed on communists. He rose to power on the back of the bloodshed, and went on to lead Indonesia with an iron fist for three decades. During his rule, the massacres were presented as necessary to rid the country of communism -- Indonesia had the world's third-biggest communist party before the killings. Public debate about the killings was taboo, and no one was ever held to account. Since Suharto's 1998 downfall and Indonesia's transformation into a freewheeling democracy, there have been growing calls to re-examine one of the worst mass killings of the 20th century, and even for an official apology. Last month the government took steps towards coming to terms with the episode by backing for the first time public discussions into the killings -- attended by survivors and members of the military -- and they announced they would investigate sites that activists say are mass graves. But the moves swiftly sparked a backlash from the military and police. Conservative elements of the security forces began speaking out against a supposed communist resurgence, despite the fact the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) was wiped out during the 1960s massacres. "The leftist movement is currently surging in this country," hardline Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu warned in a recent speech to hundreds of retired generals, according to the Jakarta Post newspaper. - 'Surging communist threat' - Observers believe the military is whipping up the spectre of a communist threat as their role in the killings comes under scrutiny. Paul Rowland, an independent Jakarta-based political analyst, said some in the military "would like to revive the communist threat because that effectively justifies the actions that were taken 50 years ago". Those caught up in the backlash potentially face tough punishments, as spreading communist ideology is punishable by up to 12 years in jail. This includes activist Fiqri, 20, who was arrested earlier this month on the eastern island of Ternate for wearing a T-shirt that had a picture of a coffee cup and the letters "PKI" on it, which authorities claim was a reference to the country's former communist party. Police seized more T-shirts and books when they arrested Fiqri and other activists from a group that promotes indigenous people's rights. Fiqri and one other activist are still under investigation. "I think this is ridiculous," Fiqri, who is not currently in custody, told AFP. "It is silly that reading books to gain knowledge and wearing T-shirts can get you arrested." In another case, police arrested and questioned a Jakarta shop owner over the T-shirts he was selling that bore a supposedly communist image of a hammer and sickle. The shop owner insisted it was a picture from the album cover of a German metal band. There have been other reports from across the country of people being detained for wearing T-shirts with hammer and sickle images, and police stopped the screening of a documentary about Buru Island where suspected communist sympathisers were once held prisoner. Security forces have been cracking down on attempts to hold public discussions about the killings since last year, as the country marked the 50th anniversary of the start of the massacres, but the current wave of arrests for promoting communist ideology only began in recent weeks. Authorities have backed the crackdown, with the interior ministry noting a "growing phenomenon" of communism. But for many of Indonesia's younger generation, who are more willing to question the old narrative about the communist killings, the security forces are going over the top. Conservative reelected Iran speaker despite reformist gains Moderate conservative Ali Larijani retained the speakership of Iran's parliament Sunday despite major gains for reformists in February elections, benefiting from credit gained by his support for last year's nuclear deal. Several lawmakers from the reformist camp broke ranks to vote against the head of their own List of Hope, Mohammad Reza Aref, who lost by 103 votes to 173. February's election was widely seen as a referendum on last July's nuclear deal with world powers led by the United States, the signature policy of moderate President Hassan Rouhani. Ali Larijani in Tehran on May 29, 2016 after he retained the speakership of Iran's parliament Atta Kenare (AFP) Larijani's support for its passage through parliament kept him out of the fierce debate that saw a string of hardline opponents of the agreement lose their seats. Reformists took 133 of the 290 seats in parliament. That fell short of a majority but it was more than the conservatives' 125 seats. The remaining seats are held by independents and representatives of religious minorities who are expected to give Rouhani a working majority to pass key reform legislation that eluded him in the outgoing conservative-dominated parliament. Several leading reformists broke ranks to endorse Larijani in the runup to the speakership contest. "Larijani can better direct parliament than Aref," Gholam Hossein Karbaschi, the leader of one reformist faction, the Construction Party, told the Shargh newspaper on Tuesday. Reformist former health minister Massoud Pezeshkian was elected first deputy speaker. Two other reformists were also elected to parliament's 12-member governing board. Both are Sunni, a first since the Islamic revolution of 1979 ushered in Iran's Shiite theocracy. Larijani, who turns 58 on June 3, is the scion of a famed Shiite clerical family and a regime veteran. He was a prominent figure in the elite Revolutionary Guards during the 1980-88 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq and served as state broadcasting chief from 1994 to 2005. He stood unsuccessfully against hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the presidency in 2005 and two years later resigned as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in protest at his policies which triggered an economically crippling showdown with the West. - Praise from president - Rouhani himself praised Larijani and his support for the nuclear deal in an address to the opening session of parliament on Saturday. "We need interaction to solve the problems and crises of the country," he said, adding that February's poll gains for his supporters were a vote for an end to international sanctions imposed over Iran's nuclear programme and an improved standard of living. Rouhani is president but ultimate power in Iran rests with supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who called on the new parliament to remain faithful to the principles of the Islamic revolution that saw relations with Washington ruptured in 1980. Using the term "arrogance" first coined to refer to the United States by his predecessor, revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei urged lawmakers to be wary of its schemings. "It is the revolutionary and legal duty of you to make the parliament a stronghold against the schemes, charms and impudently excessive demands of the arrogance," he said in a message read to the packed opening session. Khamenei has said repeatedly that the nuclear deal with Washington, which he finally endorsed, was a one-off and that it should not lead to a generalised rapprochement with the West. Despite their heavy defeat in February's elections, hardline opponents of the nuclear deal still control most of the principal levers of power in the Islamic republic. On Tuesday, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, an arch-conservative who scraped reelection at the ballot box in 16th place in Tehran, was chosen by fellow clerics as chairman of the Assembly of Experts, the body that oversees Khamenei's work. The assembly would also elect Khamenei's successor if the 76-year-old dies during its eight-year term. Jannati already chairs the Guardian Council, the body which vets all candidates for public office in Iran and has a veto over all legislation. The council sparked controversy in February's election by disqualifying thousands of hopefuls, most of them reformists. Iranian former president Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (L), Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani (C) and President Hasan Rouhani attend the opening session of the new parliament in Tehran Atta Kenare (AFP) Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, an arch-conservative who scraped reelection at the ballot box in 16th place, was chosen by fellow clerics as chairman of the Assembly of Experts, the body that oversees supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's work Behrouz Mehri (AFP/File) Netanyahu's newly expanded coalition already threatened A key party in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's newly expanded right-wing coalition threatened to bring it down on Sunday over a demand related to the military. The Jewish Home party, whose leader Naftali Bennett is a political rival to Netanyahu, said it would vote against the expanded coalition in parliament if its demand was not met. The religious nationalist party holds eight seats, enough to block Netanyahu's proposed new line-up. The Jewish Home party, whose leader Naftali Bennett is a political rival to Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, says it will vote against expanded coalition in parliament if its demand relating to the military are not met Menahem Kahana (AFP/File) The expanded coalition was agreed to on Wednesday when Netanyahu controversially joined forces with ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman, set to become defence minister. Parliament is expected to vote on Monday on the deal, which would form what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel's history. "We will vote against if the issue is not resolved," Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked of Jewish Home told army radio. Asked about the chances of new elections over the issue, she said it was a "possibility." Jewish Home has demanded the creation of a military liaison for the government's security cabinet, a smaller forum of cabinet members which decides on matters of national security. Bennett says such a post is needed to avoid security cabinet members being kept in the dark on important developments, pointing to aspects of the 2014 conflict with Palestinian militants in Gaza, among other concerns. "I am not prepared to have soldiers die because the security cabinet is left blind due to someone's ego," Bennett wrote on social media, referring to Netanyahu. Netanyahu has offered to create a panel of experts to look into potential reforms, but Bennett has rejected it. While some analysts say such a change is needed, the demand is also seen as political manoeuvring ahead of the next elections, due by 2019 at the latest. Bennett is widely seen as aspiring to replace Netanyahu, whose Likud party is currently the largest in parliament. Lieberman and his Yisrael Beitenu party will add five lawmakers to Netanyahu's previous one-seat majority, giving it 66 seats out of 120. The move to hand the defence ministry to the 57-year-old hardliner has sparked deep concern among Israeli centrist and left-wing politicians, as well as among some of Netanyahu's Likud colleagues. On Friday, environment minister Avi Gabbay announced his resignation in a strongly worded statement that accused Netanyahu of putting the country on a path to ruin. Gabbay, of the centre-right Kulanu party, is not a member of parliament and his resignation does not affect the ruling right-wing coalition's majority. Israeli hardline MP and head of Yisrael Beiteinu party Avigdor Lieberman talks to the press during a meeting in Jerusalem on May 23, 2016 Menahem Kahana (AFP) Good vibrations: the Hollywood sex toys creating a buzz Chad Braverman is an early riser -- you have to be to keep ahead as America's top sex toy magnate, overseeing production of tens of thousands of "pleasure products" a week. Every day the 34-year-old gets up around dawn, jogs for 30 minutes and heads to work, where he runs the largest maker of vibrators, massagers, strokers and other R-rated gadgets in the United States. Set in a sprawling industrial campus 15 minutes' drive from Hollywood's Walk of Fame, "Doc Johnson" is unrecognizable from its origins as a fishing tackle shop bought by Chad's father and mentor, Ron, 40 years ago. Workers remove sex toys from metal molds at the Doc Johnson factory in Los Angeles Robyn Beck (AFP) "I always say he still hasn't told me what he does for a living, which is true. He's never sat me down and told me what he does," jokes Chad, who has taken over as the de-facto head of the company. Ron Braverman, 69, opened for business in Los Angeles in 1976, having spent time in the Netherlands, where his eyes were opened by the liberal attitude to what were then coyly known as "marital aids." Today, his 500-plus workforce pours six tons (4,450 kilograms) of molten materials every day into molds of penises, vaginas and other orifices, supplying retailers and individuals across the world. The company makes a staggering 75,000 sex toys a week -- many lovingly finished off by hand, to employ a phrase largely redundant in the high-tech world of "intimate pleasure." The rise of Doc Johnson coincides with a period of unparalleled growth in the market, with sex toys moving from the edge of acceptable into big business. - 'Caligula reincarnate' - Once the domain of seedy adult shops, vibrators can now be picked up at the health and wellbeing counter of major retailers like Wal-Mart and Rite-Aid. A marked shift to online sales has also helped the sector mushroom into a $15 billion-a-year market in the US alone -- with growth projected to take revenue to $52 billion by 2020. "We expanded with a lot of different products. We had many of the first items that were ever made," says Ron, sitting in a conference room which would be unremarkable except for the wall-to-wall butt plugs, vibes and intimidatingly large dildos on display. Doc Johnson's many innovations span from the "Palm Pal" in 1976 to the modern day "Tryst," a silicone device for couples or solo fun, just awarded Cosmopolitan's June sex toy of the month. In the early days, almost every customer was male, whereas now at least half are women who, Ron says, are far more discerning consumers. - Pocket Rocket - "People do a lot more research today about what they want and how they want to use it," says Ron, who introduced Chad into the trade in his teens and started him full-time after he graduated in business from the University of Miami. The Bravermans were initially discreet about the family trade, says Chad, aware that parents of classmates at his private school might think Ron "was Caligula reincarnate... and that we were porn people." A tour of the Doc Johnson factory -- a nine-building, 215,000 square foot (20,000 square meter) campus which rose from the ashes of a devastating fire in 1995 -- can be an overwhelming experience. Dozens of anatomically realistic copper-finished molds of penises, vaginas and anuses -- often cast from the body parts of porn stars -- sit on row upon row of shelving. Molds are poured and cooled in water, some dipped in colored, food-grade dyes for a more fantastical look, while others come in more realistic skin tones. The workers, a majority of them women and Hispanic, iron creases out of veiny penises, sew pubic hair into genitalia and add the flesh-toned finishing touches with precision paintbrushes. There is a chemistry lab, a shipping department and a separate section for devices made from high-grade silicone, where butt plugs, powdered for softness, are stacked up alongside other anal devices, strokers and dildos. Doc Johnson's bestsellers include masturbators modeled on porn legend Sasha Grey, the "Pocket Rocket" and the "Rabbit" vibrator, made popular by the hit television series "Sex and the City." A sculptor who has been working with the company for 20 years spends two days to a week on each mold, taking inspiration from photographs, everyday objects and her own fervent imagination. In an industry where 70 percent of global production is based in China, Doc Johnson is unique in that the vast majority of its 2,500 product lines are manufactured in North Hollywood. The company has largely been left alone by legislators over the years, although its retail customers once faced a constant battle from local, state and federal authorities trying to shut them down. "Today I think we've moved ahead in America as they have in many other countries and they've gotten to the point where they understand that this is a natural part of life," says Ron. More than 500 workers are employed at the Doc Johnson sex toy factory in Los Angeles, California Robyn Beck (AFP) The Doc Johnson factory in Los Angeles, California makes 75,000 sex toys a week Robyn Beck (AFP) Ron Braverman (left) and his son Chad Braverman -- the owners of Doc Johnson, a California-based sex toy company Robyn Beck (AFP) Iran says to miss hajj, Saudi 'blocking path to Allah' Iran said Sunday its pilgrims will miss this year's hajj because Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam's holiest sites, was raising obstacles and "blocking the path to Allah" for its faithful. Riyadh said Iran's hajj demands were "unacceptable". The Iranian Hajj Organisation said: "Saudi Arabia is opposing the absolute right of Iranians to go on the hajj and is blocking the path leading to Allah." Muslim pilgrims circle Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi city of Mecca, during the annual Hajj in 2015 Mohammed Al-Shaikh (AFP/File) The Saudi side had failed to respond to Iranian demands over "the security and respect" of its pilgrims to Mecca, of whom 60,000 took part in last year's hajj, the organisation said. In the latest dispute between regional rivals Tehran and Riyadh, "after two series of negotiations without any results because of obstacles raised by the Saudis, Iranian pilgrims will unfortunately not be able to take part in the hajj" in September, Iran's Culture Minister Ali Jannati said. Saudi officials have said an Iranian delegation ended a visit to the kingdom on Friday without reaching final agreement on arrangements for pilgrims from the Islamic republic. Riyadh's hajj ministry said it had offered "many solutions" to meet a string of demands made by the Iranians in two days of talks. Agreement had been reached in some areas, including to use electronic visas which could be printed out by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran, it said. On Sunday, at a joint press briefing in Jeddah with Britain's visiting Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir denounced Iran's demands. "Iran has demanded the right to organise... demonstrations and to have privileges... that would cause chaos during the hajj. This is unacceptable," Jubeir said. He said Riyadh annually signs a hajj memorandum of understanding with more than 70 countries "to guarantee the security and safety of pilgrims", but "Iran refused to sign the memorandum". - 'More than our duty' - "If it is about measures and procedures, I think we have done more than our duty to meet those needs, but it is the Iranians who have rejected things," Jubeir added. This year's would be the first hajj in almost three decades to take place without the participation of pilgrims from Iran. Riyadh-Tehran ties were severed for four years after more than 400 people were killed in Mecca during clashes between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi security forces in 1987. In January, relations were severed again after Iranian demonstrators torched Saudi Arabia's embassy and a consulate following the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Shiite Iran and predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia are at odds over a raft of regional issues, notably the conflicts in Syria and Yemen in which they support opposing sides. Earlier this month, Iran accused its regional rival of seeking to "sabotage" the hajj, a pillar of Islam that devout Muslims must perform at least once during their lifetime if they can. Tehran said Riyadh had insisted that visas for Iranians be issued in a third country and would not allow pilgrims to be flown aboard Iranian aircraft. But the Saudi hajj ministry said on Friday that Riyadh had agreed to allow Iranians to obtain visas through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which has looked after Saudi interests since January. Riyadh also agreed to allow some Iranian carriers to fly pilgrims to the kingdom despite a ban on Iranian airlines following the diplomatic row, the ministry said. Last week's talks were the second attempt to reach a deal on organising this year's pilgrimage for Iranians after an unsuccessful first round of talks held in April in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi ministry said at the time that the Iranian Hajj Organisation would be held responsible "in front of God and the people for the inability of its pilgrims to perform hajj this year". Another contentious issue has been security, after a stampede at last September's hajj killed about 2,300 foreign pilgrims, including 464 Iranians. Iranian pilgrims, killed in a stampede at the annual hajj, arrive in Tehran on October 3, 2015 Atta Kenare (AFP/File) Thousands flee IS offensive in northern Syria Thousands of civilians have fled an offensive by the Islamic State group against non-jihadist rebels in northern Syria into territory controlled by a US-backed Kurdish-led alliance, a monitor said on Sunday. The offensive against the towns of Marea and Azaz threatens to overrun the last swathe of territory in the east of Aleppo province held by non-jihadist rebels and bring IS to the doorstep of the Kurdish enclave of Afrin. At least 29 civilians have been killed since IS launched the assault early on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Thousands have fled and at least 29 civilians have been killed since the Islamic State group launched its latest assault against non-jihadist rebels in northern Syria Karam Al-Masri (AFP/File) It came as the jihadists were under attack by the Kurdish-led alliance in Raqa province further east and by the army and allied militia around Fallujah in neighbouring Iraq. "More than 6,000 civilians, most of them women and children, were able to flee areas in the countryside of Aleppo province... especially from Marea town and Sheikh Issa village" to its west, the Britain-based monitoring group said. "The displaced arrived last night in areas in the west and north of Aleppo province under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. An anaesthetist who fled Marea with his family after five relatives were killed in shelling said late Saturday that just four medical staff remained in the town's only hospital. He said IS surrounded the hospital for 10 hours on Friday, injuring two members of staff and forcing doctors to operate on one of them without electricity after IS cut off the hospital's generator. The SDF is an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters that Washington regards as the most effective force on the ground in Syria against the jihadists of IS. Washington's support for the alliance, which is dominated by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), has severely strained relations with NATO ally Ankara which regards it as a terror group. AFP pictures of US commandos wearing the YPG insignia drew condemnation on Saturday from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government regards the group as a puppet of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which Ankara has been battling for more than three decades. - Closed except for emergencies - IS launched its offensive against the rebel-held territory that separates it from the Kurds in Afrin on Friday. Heavy fighting raged early Sunday on the outskirts of Marea and around two villages on the supply route to the town of Azaz on the Turkish border to the northeast. The jihadists managed to cut the key supply line in a surprise assault early on Friday. At least 61 rebel fighters have been killed in the fighting, as well as 47 jihadists, nine of them suicide bombers, the Observatory said. Northwest of Azaz, a senior nurse said late Saturday that a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) was closed except for emergencies. MSF said on Friday that it was evacuating patients and staff from the hospital in Salamah town as it was just three kilometres (two miles) from the front line. The United Nations has expressed concern for some 165,000 civilians who have been trapped by the fighting between Azaz and the closed Turkish border. The UN refugee agency said fleeing civilians were being caught in crossfire and were facing "challenges to access medical services, food, water and safety". The supply lines to Turkey have made Aleppo province one of the most contested battlegrounds of Syria's five-year-old civil war. Parts are held by the government, parts by non-jihadist rebels, parts by the Kurds and parts by IS or its jihadist rival Al-Qaeda. Syria and Iraq: zones of control Sabrina BLANCHARD, Thomas SAINT-CRICQ, Simon MALFATTO, Jean Michel CORNU (AFP) Iraq Kurds launch offensive east of Mosul Iraq's Kurdish peshmerga forces on Sunday launched an offensive to retake areas east of Mosul, the Islamic State's main hub in the country, a statement said. The "peshmerga-led ground offensive, backed by international coalition warplanes" started before dawn, the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) said. It said the operation involved around 5,500 peshmerga and was aimed at retaking several villages from the IS near Khazir, east of Mosul. Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighters fire an anti-tank cannon on the front line near Hasan Sham village, on May 29, 2016 Safin Hamed (AFP) "This is one of the many shaping operations expected to increase pressure on ISIL (IS) in and around Mosul in preparation for an eventual assault on the city," the KRSC said. Ten hours into the operation, a KRSC update said three villages had been fully retaken. It also said that five suicide car bombs were destroyed by peshmerga forces and coalition air strikes. AFP reporters on the front line saw what appeared to be US-led coalition military advisers working with the peshmerga. Some of them told reporters in English that taking pictures and footage of their presence was banned and asked that anything already recorded be deleted from cameras. It was not clear what their nationality was, although one was seen with a large US flag. The US-led coalition has thousands of forces deployed across the country on an "advise and assist" mission meant to help Iraqi forces battling IS without directly engaging in combat operations. Many have been deployed on the northern front with the Kurdish forces leading operations around Mosul, but they usually keep a very low profile. The US military reported that coalition aircraft had carried out 12 strikes against IS targets near Mosul on Saturday alone, an above average number for a single area on a single day. The coalition's definition of a strike allows for a number of separate targets to be hit in one strike, and a statement listed a large number of destroyed targets in Saturday's raids. Besides taking out top IS leaders, degrading the group's infrastructure and preventing attacks, one of the primary roles of coalition air support has been to pave the way for ground operations by Iraqi forces. The fresh push against the jihadist organisation comes a week after Iraqi forces launched an operation against Fallujah, IS's only other major urban hub in Iraq. Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are trying to retake areas near Mosul, from the Islamic State group, on May 29, 2016 Safin Hamed (AFP) Nigeria's Buhari to keep Delta amnesty programme Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari vowed Sunday to keep and "re-engineer" a controversial amnesty programme for Niger delta militants designed to stem attacks that have slashed oil exports but set to be scrapped. The announcement, made in a televised speech marking his first year in office, is an apparent reversal from earlier this year when his government pledged to end the scheme by 2018. The costly programme introduced in 2009 after years of violence by separatist militants pays monthly stipends to 30,000 former militants as well as offering them training opportunities. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has been in power since 2015 Dan Kitwood (Pool/AFP/File) A wave of recent attacks on Nigeria's oil infrastructure has seen the country's oil output drop to the lowest level in two decades, putting pressure on the Nigerian government to restore peace in the southern swamplands. "The recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil and power installations will not distract us from engaging leaders in the region," Buhari said. "Re-engineering the amnesty programmes is an example of this." This week militant group Niger Delta Avengers claimed responsibility for three separate attacks targeting oil giants Chevron and Shell as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company. Faced with a looming recession and depleted cash reserves, Buhari has limited options to deal with rebels having already cut back spending on the amnesty programme. Experts have said that increased amnesty payments could be the most realistic way to secure a ceasefire. "If the Avengers continue to raise havoc in the onshore oil sector, and the military response falls short or backfires, the administration may eventually need to consider ramping up its amnesty budget as the lesser of evils," Philippe de Pontet, sub-Saharan Africa analyst at risk advisory firm Eurasia Group, said in a recent report. Iran demands social media hand over data on its citizens Iran has set a one-year deadline for foreign social media to hand over data on their Iranian users, state news agency IRNA said Sunday. It said the decision was taken on Saturday at a meeting of an Iranian committee on the use of cyberspace headed by President Hassan Rouhani that serves as an IT regulator. "Foreign social media active in the country must transfer to Iran all the data they hold on Iranian citizens" within a year, IRNA said. Instagram has over 300 million active users Thomas Coex (AFP/File) The measure will affect, in particular, Telegram, an instant messaging app with more than 20 million users in the Islamic republic, a country of 80 million people. IRNA said the committee had also decided to work to develop homegrown social media to compete with foreign networks. Authorities in Iran, where Facebook and Twitter are officially banned although users can gain access with easily available software, have for years tried to impose curbs on Iranians using social media. China firm apologises for racist detergent advert A Chinese detergent maker has apologised for an advertisement which shows a black man stuffed into a washing machine and transformed into a fair-skinned Asian, just a day after dismissing critics as too sensitive. The advertisement by the Shanghai Leishang Cosmetics company provoked an uproar on US news websites, with commentators citing it as an example of racist attitudes towards black people in China. Its commercial for the "Qiaobi" brand shows a black man whistling and winking at a young Chinese woman, who calls him over, puts a detergent packet into his mouth and forces him head-first into a washing machine. The advertisement for the "Qiaobi" brand of detergent has provoked an uproar on US news websites, which cited it as an example of racist attitudes towards black people in China Loic Venance (AFP/File) She sits on the lid while the man shrieks. Moments later an Asian man emerges in clean clothes and the woman grins. The advert has been viewed more than seven million times on YouTube in the past three days. "For the harm caused to the African people because of the spread of the advert and the over-amplification by the media, we express our apology, the company said in a statement on an official social media account. We sincerely hope the public and the media will not over-read it, the statement added. We express regret that the ad has caused a controversy, but we will not shun responsibility for controversial content. The firm said in the statement posted late Saturday it had stopped airing the advertisement and deleted links to it. A spokesman had earlier told China's Global Times newspaper that the issue of racism had not crossed the company's mind and "the foreign media might be too sensitive about the ad". The advertisement attracted little attention in China, which has historically experienced almost no settlement by people of African descent. India police arrest five over attacks on African residents Police said Sunday they arrested five Indians accused of assaulting Africans in New Delhi, after African diplomats urged the Indian government to ensure the safety of their nationals living in the country. A Delhi deputy police commissioner Ishwar Singh said altercations and scuffles took place on Thursday night after locals became offended by Africans playing loud music and drinking alcohol in the street. Singh stressed to AFP that the three separate incidents were not racially motivated and were instead connected "entirely to local issues". African students in India often complain of racial assaults Noah Seelam (AFP/File) "We still promptly registered the cases and arrested five locals today," said Singh, deputy head of Delhi south region, adding that one of the Africans received only minor injuries during the heated exchanges. The arrests come after a Congolese teacher was bludgeoned to death one week ago allegedly by three Indian men after an argument over hiring an auto-rickshaw taxi, in an upscale Delhi neighbourhood. In a rare statement issued after the attack, a group of African ambassadors said African nationals were living in a "pervading climate of fear and insecurity" in Delhi. They warned they may recommend their governments not to send students to India until safety conditions improve, following a string of what they said were unpunished racial attacks. Police have arrested two of the three suspected of the killing. Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, in a series of tweets on Sunday, promised swift action against those involved in Thursday's incidents as well as a "sensitisation campaign" for "areas where African nationals reside". Junior foreign minister VK Singh, who has been deputed to meet and reassure African students in Delhi, accused the media of overreacting to the latest "minor" incidents. Thousands of people from African countries study and work in India but several incidents have raised concerns of racist violence and discrimination. In 2013, a Nigerian national was killed by a mob in the tourist state of Goa, with a state minister later calling Nigerians a "cancer". Search teams are in a race against time to find MS804's black boxes before they run out of power to send out signals as it emerged they face a 12-day wait for a ship to retrieve the devices. The EgyptAir Airbus A320 crashed into the sea with 66 people on board during a May 19 flight from Paris to Cairo after disappearing from radar screens. Investigators are waiting for a ship that will help them retrieve the flight recorders from the bottom of the Mediterranean - but the black boxes only enough battery power to emit signals for four or five weeks. A French soldier searches for debris from the crashed EgyptAir flight MS804 over the Mediterranean Sea The recordings could help investigators determine the reason for the crash. The plane was carrying passengers from different nationalities, with 40 Egyptians including the crew and 15 French nationals. Egypt's aviation minister had initially said a terrorist attack was more likely to have brought down the plane, but a technical failure is also likely. France's aviation safety agency has said the aircraft transmitted automated messages indicating smoke in the cabin and a fault in the flight control unit minutes before losing contact. Egypt and France have signed agreements with two French companies specialising in deep water searches, Alseamar and Deep Ocean Search (DOS). 'Those two companies have complementary roles: the first is for locating the pings of the black boxes (the signal being emitted by the black boxes' beacon), while the second is for diving and recovering them' with the help of a robot, a source close to the investigation told AFP in Cairo, requesting anonymity. The EgyptAir Airbus A320 crashed into the sea with 66 people on board during a May 19 flight from Paris to Cairo after disappearing from radar screens Picture on the official Facebook page of the Egyptian military spokesperson shows part of debris found by search teams looking for the EgyptAir flight 'But the DOS specialised ship left the Irish sea Saturday and it will reach the perceived crash site only in around 12 days, after having the Egyptian and French investigators embark in Alexandria,' the source added. The investigation into the crash is led by an Egyptian-headed committee. Other sources close to the investigation confirmed the information. The investigators are searching for the black boxes at a depth of about 10,000ft, some 180 miles north of the Egyptian coast. Three of Alseamar's DETECTOR-6000 acoustic detection systems, which submerged can detect pings for up to 4,000 to 5,000 metres below sea level, have left the French island of Corsica to the crash site Thursday onboard 'Laplace', a French navy ship. It will arrive at the perceived crash site 'Sunday, or Monday at the latest,' according to one of the sources. 'While we are waiting for the DOS ship, equipped for detecting the pings in deep waters, but more importantly the robots capable of descending up to 6,000 metres to recover the black boxes, we will not be wasting time as Leplace will be trying to locate them in the meantime,' said one of the sources. The source added that after 12 days, 'there is a very good chance of recovering the flight recordings thanks to the combination of these two French companies.' Sanders warns Clinton to pick a true progressive running mate Bernie Sanders cautioned Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in an interview aired Sunday that she will lose the backing of his many supporters unless she picks a hardline progressive as her running mate. "That means having a candidate who can excite working families, excite young people, bring them into the political process, create a large voter turnout," the Vermont senator said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Clinton's lead in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination is nearly insurmountable, but Sanders has continued to win primaries and draws far larger and more raucous crowds to his rallies. Democratic Party candidate Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters in the San Pedro port district of Los Angeles, on May 27, 2016 Frederic J. Brown (AFP) The 74-year-old senator has mobilized large numbers of young voters and self-identified independents -- areas where Clinton hopes to make inroads before the November election. Sanders was asked on NBC about one man seen as a possible No. 2 to Clinton: Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, a former governor of that state who was also considered a possible Obama running mate in 2008. "I really like him very much," Sanders said, but he declined further comment. Kaine is considered a centrist Democrat, who emphasizes the need to work with Republicans to get things done. Forty children drown as shipwrecks claim up to 700, survivors say A week of shipwrecks and death in the Mediterranean culminated Sunday with harrowing testimony from migrant survivors who said another 500 people including 40 children had drowned, bringing the number of feared dead to 700. Brought to safety in the Italian ports of Taranto and Pozzallo, survivors told the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) and Save the Children how their boat sank on Thursday morning after a high-seas drama which saw one woman decapitated. "We'll never know the exact number, we'll never know their identity, but survivors tell that over 500 human beings died," Carlotta Sami, UNHRC spokeswoman, said on Twitter. The Italian Navy warship "Vega" arrives with more than 600 migrants and refugees at Reggio Calabria, on May 29, 2016 Giovanni Isolino (AFP) With some 100 people missing after a boat sank Wednesday, and 45 bodies recovered from a wreck that happened Friday, the UNHCR said it feared up to 700 people had drowned in the Mediterranean this week. Giovanna Di Benedetto, Save the Children's spokesperson in Sicily, told AFP it was impossible to verify the numbers involved but survivors of Thursday's wreck spoke of around 1,100 people setting out from Libya on Wednesday in two fishing boats and a dinghy. "The first boat, carrying some 500 people, was reportedly towing the second, which was carrying another 500. But the second boat began to sink. Some people tried to swim to the first boat, others held onto the rope linking the vessels," she said. According to the survivors, the first boat's Sudanese captain cut the rope, which snapped back and decapitated a woman. The second boat quickly sank, taking those packed tightly into the hold down with it. The Sudanese was arrested on his arrival in Pozzallo along with three other suspected people traffickers, Italian media reports said. "We tried everything to stop the water, to bail it out of the boat," a Nigerian girl told cultural mediators, according to La Stampa daily. "We used our hands, plastic glasses. For two hours we fought against the water but it was useless. It began to flood the boat, and those below deck had no chance. Woman, men, children, many children, were trapped, and drowned," she said. - 'Bodies everywhere' - Those who survived told mediators the dead included "around 40 children, including many newborns", La Repubblica daily said. "I saw my mother and 11-year old sister die," Kidane from Eritrea, 13, told the aid organisations. "There were bodies everywhere". A bout of good weather as summer arrives has kicked off a fresh stream of boats attempting to make the perilous crossing from Libya to Italy. Italian news agency Ansa said some 70 dinghies and 10 boats had set off over the past week. Over 15 a day. Italy's Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Saturday that Europe needed "a quick agreement with Libya and African countries" to halt the crisis. The chaos in the North African country since Moamer Kadhafi's fall in 2011 has been exploited by people traffickers. Migrants interviewed by La Repubblica in Sicily told the daily a new "head trafficker" called Osama had taken control of departures from Libya's beaches and was offering "cut-price" deals of 400 euros for the boat journey to lure in new customers. "I was held captive for six months in a basement of an abandoned building in Sabratha. I saw many people executed, those who tried to escape were killed by the guards, who were all Libyans," a Nigerian migrant told the newspaper. European Parliament President Martin Schulz said in an interview with the Italian daily on Sunday that Italy's "migration compact" idea was "the best proposal so far" for stopping the boat crossings and preventing deaths. Italy wants to persuade African countries to help close migrant routes to Europe and take back some of those arriving via Libya in exchange for increased aid and investment. Germany has made it clear, however, that it is against one of the elements of Italy's plan: the issuing of EU-Africa bonds to finance it. A woman rescued at sea by the Italian Navy receives medical assistance after arriving in the Italian port of Reggio Calabria, on May 29, 2016 Giovanni Isolino (AFP) The Italian coastguard estimates it has rescued 10,000 people whose boats have capsized near the Libyan coast in the past week Five UN peacekeepers killed in Mali attack: UN, police sources At least five UN peacekeepers were killed in an ambush in central Mali by suspected militants on Sunday, the UN and police sources said. The attack is the first time the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, has recorded fatalities in the centre of a country long beset by violence in its vast and desolate north. "According to preliminary information, five peacekeepers were killed. Another was seriously hurt and is being evacuated," MINUSMA said in a statement. UN soldiers patrol in the northern Malian city of Kidal on July 27, 2013 Kenzo Tribouillard (AFP/File) The UN did not immediately confirm the nationality of the dead soldiers but a Bamako police source indicated a group of Togolese peacekeepers "came across a mine and a terrorist attack some 50 kilometres out of Mopti." First reports had indicated four Togolese peacekeepers were killed in the mid-morning attack on a MINUSMA convoy some 30 kilometres (20 miles) west of the town of Sevare in Mopti region. MINUSMA mission head Mahamat Saleh Annadif condemned the attack as an "odious" act of terror. "I most strongly condemn this abject crime which adds to other terrorist acts targeting our peacekeepers and which constitute crimes against humanity under international law," said Annadif. Sunday's attack came just two days after authorities reported five Malian soldiers killed and four wounded Friday when their vehicles hit a mine in the north and then came under sustained fire. Last week also saw five peacekeepers from Chad killed and three others wounded in an ambush in the northeast by Ansar Dine jihadist fighters. The Mali mission is the most dangerous active deployment for UN peacekeepers and it has been hit by sharp internal tensions since its launch in July 2013. With Sunday's attack, at least 64 MINUSMA peacekeepers have been killed while on active service, while another four have died in friendly fire incidents, UN figures show. The north has seen repeated violence since it fell under the control of Tuareg-led rebels who allied with jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda in 2012. The Islamists were largely ousted by an ongoing French-led military operation launched in January 2013, but they have since carried out sporadic attacks on security forces from desert hideouts. South Yemen clashes kill 48: military Fierce fighting between government forces and Shiite rebels in south Yemen on Sunday claimed the lives of 48 fighters -- 28 insurgents and 20 soldiers -- a senior military officer said. "A total of 28 Huthis (Shiite rebels) and 20 of our men were killed in the fighting, which continued into the evening," General Misfer al-Harithi, who commands the army's 19th Infantry Battalion, told AFP. Earlier, Harithi gave a death toll of 28 rebels and 14 soldiers. Yemeni security forces guard a checkpoint on the outskirts of the southern port city of Aden, on May 16, 2016 Saleh Al-Obeidi (AFP/File) He said the clashes erupted when rebels and allied forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh attacked government positions in Bayhan district on the border between Shabwa and Marib provinces. Troops counter-attacked and pushed the rebels back, he said. "Our forces managed to recapture several positions," Harithi said. "We will not stop fighting until we take control of the entire sector," he added. The area where the fighting is taking place is the only part of Shabwa province still controlled by the Iran-backed rebels. Forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, backed by the firepower of the Saudi-led coalition, managed to drive rebels out of Shabwa and four other southern provinces in the summer. Sunday's fighting flared despite an early April ceasefire that paved the way for ongoing peace talks in Kuwait. Uganda angered at claim of halt to N.Korea military ties Uganda hit back Sunday at South Korea's claim that Kampala had ordered a halt to military ties with North Korea in line with UN sanctions, denying it had made such an announcement. South Korean President Park Geun-Hye's spokesman had earlier Sunday told reporters that Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni had ordered officials to honour the latest sanctions during a summit in Kampala. Spokesman Jung Yeon-Guk quoted Museveni as saying: "We instructed officials to faithfully enforce the UN Security Council resolutions, including the halt of cooperation with North Korea in the security, military and police sectors." During a summit with visiting South Korean President Park Geun-Hye (C), Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni (R) said he had ordered officials "faithfully" to honour the latest UN sanctions, a Seoul official said Peter Busomoke (AFP) But Ugandan authorities responded swiftly, saying there had been no "public declaration" to this effect. "That is not true. It is propaganda," deputy government spokesman Shaban Bantariza told AFP. "Even if (such an order) was to be made by the president, it cannot be public. It cannot be therefore true and it can't happen. That is international politics at play," he added. Dozens of North Korean military and police officials are believed to be working in Uganda as military trainers under a cooperation programme. Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has visited North Korea three times and met Kim Il-Sung, the country's late founding president and grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-Un. The UN Security Council in March imposed the toughest sanctions to date on Pyongyang following its fourth atomic test in January and a long-range rocket launch a month later. The rocket launch -- widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test -- was staged in violation of existing UN resolutions that ban the country from any use of ballistic missile technology. Kim Jong-Un however remained defiant in the face of growing international pressure, declaring his country a "responsible" nuclear weapons state at a recent meeting of the ruling Workers' Party. The young leader also defended North Korea's widely-condemned nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against "hostile" US policy against his regime. Saudi urges Iran to 'stop intervening' in Iraq Saudi Arabia accused Iran on Sunday of sowing "sedition" in urging the Islamic republic to "stop intervening" in the affairs of its neighbours. "Sedition and division in Iraq are the results of sectarian policies that developed out of Iran's policies in Iraq," said Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in a joint press briefing with his British counterpart Philip Hammond in Jeddah. "If Iran wants stability in Iraq, it has to stop intervening and withdraw," he said after accusing Tehran of sending "Shiite militias" to the war-torn country. [caption] "Iran should respect the principle of good neighbourly relations, to focus on its internal situation and not intervene in the affairs of other countries in the region, mainly Iraq," he said. The family of an innocent driver who was killed in an American drone strike alongside Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour are pressing murder and terrorism charges against US officials. Mansour was travelling by car near the town of Ahmad Wal in south-west Pakistan when he was killed in a major blow to the Islamist group that has been waging a guerilla war in Afghanisatan since being toppled from power in 2001. The car's driver Mohammad Azam was also killed in the attack and US officials described him as a 'second male combatant'. Local residents gather around the car that was targeted in a drone strike killing the Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour and driver Mohammad Azam The family of Mr Azam claim he was an innocent man providing for his four children and that he had been 'murdered' by US officials But according to Pakistani security officials, Azam was merely a chauffeur who worked for the Al Habib rental company based out of Quette, the region's main city. His brother, Mohammad Qasim, said Azam was an innocent man who was providing for his four children and had been murdered. He said in a police document dated May 25, and seen by AFP: 'US officials whose name I do not know accepted responsibility in the media for this incident, so I want justice and request legal action against those responsible for it. 'My brother was innocent, he was very poor and he has left behind four small children. He was the lone breadwinner in the family. The car was targeted in south western Pakistan as it was carrying Mullah Akhtar Mansour (pictured), the leader of the Taliban 'My aim is to prove the innocence of my brother as he is being portrayed as a militant, but he was just a driver.' He also said that so far the family had not sought any compensation for Azam's death. Local police and administration officials confirmed charges had been filed, but declined to comment on what steps authorities would take to pursue the case, if any. Meanwhile a spokesman from Pakistan's Interior Ministry has confirmed Mansour's killing following a DNA match with one of his relatives who had come from Afghanistan to take the body. Pakistan had not previously confirmed Mansour's death. The spokesman said in a statement: 'It has been confirmed that one of the men who was killed in the drone attack was Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan former chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour. 'The identification was confirmed after a DNA test which was matched with a close relative of Mullah Mansour who had come from Afghanistan to receive his body.' Mansour was appointed head of the Taliban in July 2015 and was succeeded on Wednesday by his deputy, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada. The US has carried out hundreds of drone strikes in Pakistan, mainly in the border tribal regions with Afghanistan, and leaked documents show Islamabad had quietly consented despite publicly protesting. The destroyed car after the drone strike. This was the first drone strike by the US in Balochistan province in Pakistan But this was the first by the US in Balochistan province and Pakistan - whose spy agency has long supported the Taliban - angrily denounced it as a violation of its sovereignty. Islamabad says it hosts many of the Afghan Taliban's top leadership to exert influence over them and bring them back to peace talks with Kabul. Drone attacks have proven extremely controversial with the Pakistani public and rights groups. In 2013, Amnesty International said the US could be guilty of war crimes by carrying out extrajudicial killings. Israel holds Palestinian professor despite successful appeal Israel is keeping a prominent Palestinian academic behind bars despite his successful appeal against detention, a Palestinian NGO told AFP on Sunday. Astrophysics professor Imad Barghouti, 52, was arrested in April and imprisoned without trial for an initial three months, under an Israeli procedure known as administrative detention. He is accused of inciting violence against Israel, and Israeli media say he is suspected of ties to the militant Islamist group Hamas. A member of the Israeli security forces fires a tear gas canisters towards Palestinian protesters as they demonstrate outside Ofer prison near Betunia in the occupied West Bank on March 30, 2016 Abbas Momani (AFP/File) The Ramallah-based Palestinian Prisoners Club appealed to an Israeli military court to order his release and at a session on Thursday the court ruled that he should be freed on Sunday. But the military authorities have now asked for him to be kept in Ofer prison, between Jerusalem and Ramallah. "The (Israeli) occupation prosecutor today accused prisoner Barghouti of incitement to violence and called for his continued detention after a meeting of the intelligence services," a spokesperson for the club said. Club lawyer Jawad Boulos said it was a "totally absurd" turnaround. "The prosecutor said on Thursday that after examining the dossier that it would not be possible to file charges because of lack of evidence," Boulos said. When contacted by AFP, the army had no immediate comment. Administrative detention allows Israel to hold prisoners without trial for renewable periods of up to six months each. British FM welcomes 'progress' in Yemen peace talks British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on Sunday welcomed "progress" in Yemen peace talks, saying a solution to the conflict in the battered Arabian Peninsula country must be political, not military. Speaking in Saudi Arabia at the start of a three-day visit to Gulf monarchies, Hammond also said world powers will not "turn a blind eye" to attempts by Iran to destabilise the region. "In Yemen, progress is being made and we recognise the efforts of the Gulf states, and I have to give particular thanks to Kuwait for hosting the peace negotiations," Hammond told a news conference in Jeddah. Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said that world powers will not "turn a blind eye" to attempts by Iran to destabilise the Gulf region "All of us must continue to work towards a settlement," he told reporters, flanked by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. "There is no military alternative to a political settlement in Yemen and there is now a need to win the peace particularly by helping Yemen with stabilisation and humanitarian aid," Hammond said. His comments come days after the UN special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, also spoke about progress in the five-week-old talks under way in Kuwait between the Yemeni government and Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies. "The discussions have become more sensitive and delicate bringing us closer to a comprehensive agreement," the UN envoy said on Wednesday. The apparent progress comes after Foreign Minister Abdulmalek al-Mikhlafi said on Monday that the government stood ready to make concessions for the sake of peace. Despite a 14-month-old Saudi-led military intervention in support the government, the rebels and their allies still control many of Yemen's most populous regions, including the capital Sanaa. Hammond said he was reassuring his Gulf counterparts that world powers are closely monitoring Iran in the wake of last year's nuclear deal which paved the way for a partial lifting of sanctions. "Just because we've made an agreement with Iran on its nuclear programme does not mean that we will turn a blind eye to Iran's continuing attempts to destabilise the region or to its ballistic missiles programme which remains a serious threat to peace and which breaches UN resolutions," Hammond said. Jubeir, whose country is Iran's regional rival, said: "We supported that agreement so long as we were assured that Iran will not be able to acquire a nuclear capability. Restoration work starts at Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre shrine A major restoration project has begun at the shrine inside Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus is said to have been buried before his resurrection. An AFP photographer visiting the church on Sunday saw scaffolding going up and workers welding steel supports. Church officials had said in March that work was to be carried out by a team of Greek specialists. A worker welds scaffoldings at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on May 29, 2016, ahead of restoration of the Tomb of Jesus Gali Tibbon (AFP) They said the project was expected to be completed in early 2017 and that the site would remain open to visitors in the meantime. Workers in the church erected a steel canopy over the entrance to the tomb structure, to protect visitors from possible debris. The shrine, several metres tall and wide and standing under the church's dome, has for decades been held together by a metal frame. Its marble slabs have weakened over the years, caused in part by daily visits from thousands of pilgrims and tourists. The shrine was built in the early 19th century over the site of the cave where Jesus is believed to have been buried. It will be painstakingly dismantled and rebuilt during eight months of restoration work, said the Custody of the Holy Land, which oversees Roman Catholic properties in the area. Broken or fragile parts will be replaced while marble slabs that can be preserved will be cleaned, and the structure supporting them will be reinforced. Sanctions gone, Iran kicks off EU trade drive in Poland Iran's foreign minister kicked off an EU trade drive in Poland on Sunday, in one of Tehran's first moves to drum up business with the West after the lifting of sanctions earlier this year. Javad Zarif is also expected to travel to EU members Finland, Sweden before winding up his trip in Latvia on June 2. "I'm convinced that our (Warsaw) ambassador's wish for our annual bilateral turnover to reach one billion dollars will come true," Zarif told a joint press conference with his Polish counterpart Witold Waszczykowski. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) met with Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski in Warsaw to discuss a possible trade agreement between both countries Janek Skarzynski (AFP) Annual bilateral trade between Poland and Iran has stood at around just $70 million (62 million euros) in recent years due to international sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme. Sanctions were lifted under the historic nuclear deal that Iran signed with world powers last year and which came into force in January. Iran has since launched a campaign to boost trade, and major Western powers said on May 20 that they back doing business with Tehran. Travelling with a mostly private sector Iranian business delegation in tow, Zarif is due to attend a Polish-Iranian business forum in Warsaw on Monday. "We've always felt that Iran was part of the solution, not part of the problem," said Waszczykowski, a former ambassador to Tehran. "After years of marginalisation and even ostracism, Iran is coming back to the international stage as an important partner -- an important player that will influence positive global solutions," Waszczykowski said. Earlier the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral political cooperation. Zarif's arrival in Warsaw comes just a week after he insisted the US needed to take concrete steps to encourage investors to engage with Tehran. Despite the lifting of most sanctions, the US has maintained those targeting Tehran's alleged sponsorship of armed movements in the Middle East and its ballistic missile programme. European banks, which often have subsidiaries on US soil, have therefore been slow to resume business with Iran, fearing prosecution in the US. Chief Syria opposition negotiator quits over failed peace talks Syria's opposition chief negotiator in UN-brokered peace talks has announced his resignation in what analysts said amounted to a warning the Geneva-based process was on its "last legs". Mohammed Alloush, a member of the Saudi-backed rebel group Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam), said on Twitter late Sunday he was resigning over the talks' failure to produce any results on humanitarian and security issues. "The endless negotiations are harming the fate of the Syrian people," Alloush said. Chief negotiator for the main Syrian opposition umbrella group the High Negotiations Committee, Mohammed Alloush, has resigned Fabrice Coffrini (AFP/File) He blamed the "stubborn" regime for continuing to bomb Syrian cities, but also lambasted the international community for failing to secure an end to sieges, more aid access and prisoner releases. "I therefore announce my withdrawal from the delegation and my resignation" from the main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC). Syria analyst Charles Lister warned that Alloush's resignation could be the death knell for the peace talks. "This is Jaish al-Islam's way of signaling that the Geneva process is on its absolute last legs," Lister told AFP by email. "Armed groups have been threatening to withdraw from the talks for some time now, and Jaish al-Islam's recent move will be seen as a signal for others to consider preparing for the seemingly inevitable death of the process." The UN-backed talks are aiming to reach a political settlement to Syria's five-year-war, which has left more than 280,000 people dead and driven millions into exile. A fragile ceasefire between President Bashar al-Assad's regime and non-jihadist rebels brokered by Washington and Moscow was meant to bolster the talks, but repeated violations have left it hanging by a thread. The last round of talks in Geneva reached a deadlock in April when the HNC suspended its participation over escalating fighting on the ground. A new round of talks had been expected for the end of May, but UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura said on Thursday that he had no plans to convene another round in the next two or three weeks. De Mistura's spokeswoman Josephine Guerrero said on Monday: "This is an internal matter for the HNC. We look forward to continuing our work with all sides to ensure that the process moves forward." - Rebel withdrawal 'inevitable'? - The fate of Assad has been a key stumbling block in the negotiations, with the opposition insisting any peace deal must include his departure while Damascus says his future is non-negotiable. Diplomats have said there was little chance the opposition would take part in new talks if violence was raging and no aid was reaching civilians. With little high-level negotiations experience, Alloush was a controversial choice as the HNC's chief negotiator. Opposition members have also criticised Jaish al-Islam for its alleged involvement in kidnapping prominent rights activists in the town of Douma. But Lister said the participation of armed groups in the peace process "lent it that much more legitimacy". He said Alloush's resignation had been "discussed for some time" and may trigger additional defections, including HNC delegation head Asaad al-Zoabi. Zoabi defected from the Syrian air force in August 2012 and began advising rebel groups in Syria's south from Jordan. The prominent roles that both Alloush and Zoabi held within the HNC have boosted the body's legitimacy among rebels on the ground, who have previously derided the opposition-in-exile as nothing more than suits in hotels. "Unless the international community can come up with a substantial improvement in conditions on the ground, the eventual withdrawal of the armed opposition seems all but inevitable now," Lister wrote. Inside Syria, meanwhile, thousands of civilians have been fleeing a fresh offensive by the Islamic State jihadist group in the north, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Sunday. The surprise assault on the towns of Marea and Azaz threatens to overrun the last swathe of territory in the east of Aleppo province held by non-jihadist rebels. Further east, US-led coalition warplanes targeted IS positions north of the jihadist bastion of Raqa, killing 45 IS fighters, the Observatory said. Mohammed Alloush (2nd L) pictured at a round of peace talks in Geneva in April which ended in deadlock Fabrice Coffrini (AFP/File) Syria and Iraq: zones of control Sabrina BLANCHARD, Thomas SAINT-CRICQ, Simon MALFATTO, Jean Michel CORNU (AFP) Gunmen attack Rio de Janeiro police station, torch buses RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Brazilian authorities say gunmen opened fire on a police station in Rio de Janeiro and then torched two buses in the city's bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood. Police said Saturday that nobody was hurt in the previous night's incidents and there were no arrests. Rangers activate Darvish from DL for return from Tommy John ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Texas right-hander Yu Darvish has been activated from the disabled list to make his first major league start in nearly 22 months. The Rangers reinstated Darvish before Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Third baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to make room on the active roster for Darvish, who last pitched in a major league game on Aug. 9, 2014, and had Tommy John surgery in March 2015. Darvish made five rehab starts this month split between Triple-A Round Rock and Double-A Frisco. The Japanese pitcher struck out 21 in 20 innings while allowing only two earned runs. The Latest: Search for missing teen in remote area ends VALLEJO, Calif. (AP) The Latest on the search for a Northern California girl abducted at gunpoint (all times local): 5 p.m. The search for a missing teenager has ended in a remote Northern California area after investigators found no sign of the girl. This undated photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office shows Pearl Pinson. Authorities are hoping to find the missing teenage girl alive as they frantically search a wide swath of California for her Friday, May 27, 2016, a day after the man suspected of abducting her died in a shootout with police. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office via AP) The Solano County Sheriff's Office said it has no further plans to look for 15-year-old Pearl Pinson in the Willow Creek area of Sonoma Coast State Park following two days of searching. The office said in a statement that investigators continue to follow up on leads in the case and still hope to find and bring her home. Authorities have been frantically looking for Pinson since Wednesday, when she was last seen being dragged across a freeway overpass by an armed acquaintance in Vallejo. The suspect in her disappearance, 19-year-old Fernando Castro, was killed about 300 miles away on Thursday after his car was spotted on a freeway and he attempted to flee. ___ 1 p.m. Authorities say they are again searching a remote Northern California area for a teenage girl who was last seen being dragged by an armed acquaintance. The Solano County Sheriff's Office says more than 65 people from several law enforcement agencies and search and rescue groups resumed their search Saturday morning for 15-year-old Pearl Pinson in the Willow Creek area of Sonoma Coast State Park. Multiple law enforcement agencies aided by the FBI had been frantically looking for the high school freshman since Wednesday. The suspect in her disappearance, 19-year-old Fernando Castro, was killed about 300 miles away on Thursday after his car was spotted on a freeway and he attempted to flee. In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol units pursue a car being sought in a statewide Amber Alert in the disappearance of a Northern California 15-year-old girl, as it passes through Buellton on U.S. Highway 101 in Southern California Thursday, May 26, 2016. Fernando Castro was being sought and is believed to be the driver. (AP Photo Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP) This undated photo provided by the California Highway Patrol shows Pearl Pinson. Pinson is the subject of an Amber Alert as law enforcement agencies in Northern California were frantically searching Thursday, May 26, 2016 for the 15-year-old girl, whom a witness reportedly heard screaming for help as a young man dragged her across a freeway overpass. Fernando Castro, 19, is also being sought. (California Highway Patrol via AP) This undated photo provided by the California Highway Patrol shows Fernando Castro. Castro is the subject of an Amber Alert as law enforcement agencies in Northern California were frantically searching Thursday, May 26, 2016, for a 15-year-old girl, Pearl Pinson, whom a witness reportedly heard screaming for help as a young man dragged her across a freeway overpass. (California Highway Patrol via AP) In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol units pursue a car being sought in a statewide Amber Alert in the disappearance of a Northern California 15-year-old girl, as it passes through Buellton on U.S. Highway 101 in Southern California Thursday, May 26, 2016. Fernando Castro was being sought and is believed to be the driver. (AP Photo Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP) Sicilian doc hopes baby who lost mom at sea inspires others LAMPEDUSA, Sicily (AP) A doctor on a tiny island off Sicily is hoping a 9-month-old Nigerian girl, who lost her mom at sea, will change opinions regarding migrants. Dr. Pietro Bartolo cared for the baby girl, named Favour, last Thursday in the first hours after she and other migrants were rescued from a smugglers' boat. Authorities say the girl's pregnant mother suffered burns on the boat and died at sea. Bartolo told the AP on Saturday that "thousands of requests" to adopt the girl have come in. Nothing is apparently known about her father. The child will first be placed in foster care. Doctor Pietro Bartolo is pictured in his studio in Lampedusa first aid center, Saturday, May, 28, 2016. Bartolo wants to adopt an orphan baby who was rescued and treated by him last Thursday in Lampedusa. Favour, the 9-months baby, arrived on the tiny Sicilian island onboard an Italian Coast Guard ship, after being rescued at sea off Libyan coasts. Her mother, a Nigerian woman, died during the journey because she suffered burns believed to be caused by extended contact with fuel and sea water. (AP Photo/Annalisa Camilli) The doctor says the child "seemed like an adult with her pains and adversities." Bartolo was featured in the award-winning Gianfranco Rosi film "Fire at Sea" about Lampedusa's people who have welcomed rescued migrants for years. ___ Hamlin outduels Larson, Logano to win Charlotte Xfinity race CONCORD, N.C. (AP) It looked for a moment as if Kyle Larson would get his revenge on Joey Logano for beating him out last weekend to win the Sprint Cup All-Star race. But then Denny Hamlin aided by a timely caution flag powered past. Hamlin passed Larson and Logano in overtime to win the Xfinity Series race Saturday on a hot and slick racetrack at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Daniel Suarez (19) spins in front of Elliott Sadler as they exit Turn 4 during the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) "It was a second opportunity. I was hoping for that caution and we got it," Hamlin said. Larson appeared to have victory in his sights after passing Logano with six laps remaining to take the lead. But Erik Jones had a tire go down with less than two laps to go, bringing out the yellow flag and forcing a two-lap overtime situation, prompting Larson's crew chief Mike Shiplett to throw up his hands in utter frustration. "I'm disappointed but I'm used to it by now," Larson said. Larson and Logano, who were running 1-2, elected to stay on the track while Hamlin pitted for four tires. The strategy proved correct for Hamlin. Hamlin, who was sixth on the restart, first passed Larson, who got loose and hit the wall, and then Logano to win going away on fresh tires. Logano and Larson had run 40 laps on old tires and simply couldn't compete. It was an impressive comeback for Hamlin, who was penalized earlier in the race for an uncontrolled tire and dropped from fourth to 13th. Hamlin didn't seem bothered by the setback, calmly telling his spotter "cool" on the radio when informed of the penalty. Logano felt like he had enough to hold off Hamlin, but didn't. "I thought if I can clear him I had a shot," Logano said. "But what a fun race. It was really exciting at the end." Austin Dillon, who won both Xfinity Series races here last year, never led but wound up second. Logano was third, Cole Custer fourth and Justin Allgaier took fifth. Larson finished sixth. Hamlin led 76 laps. "Our car was just fast and that helps a lot when you have speed," Hamlin said of his ability to overcome the penalty. The race got off to a slow start. There were five cautions in the first 65 laps while workers looked to dry oil from the track. Daniel Suarez and Elliott Sadler, both of whom had nine top 10 finishes this year and were among the pre-race favorites, were caught up in a wreck on lap 25. Suarez, who was running fifth, spun out and hit the wall after finding oil on the track in turn three, collecting Sadler in the crash. Jones also hit the patch of oil and nicked the wall. All three cars pitted multiple times as track officials cleaned up the track. Sadler and Suarez were able to stay on the lead lap, but Jones feel two laps behind and never challenged again. WHO'S HOT: Hamlin has won four times in 12 races in the Xfinity Series. WHO'S NOT: Matt DiBenedetto only made it through three laps before having to leave the race and finishing in last place. KEEPING UP WITH JONES: Jones, the pole sitter, had won two races (Bristol and Dover) and earned $200,000 of Dash for Cash bonus money entering the race. But the 19-year-old's string of good fortune ended when he finished wrecked early and then again late and finished 31st. THEY SAID IT: "I'm always trying to compete with the Cup guys and you learn from them. I am trying to gain some respect and get better every single race I run," said Custer, who was the top finisher among non-Sprint Cup regulars. UP NEXT: Pocono Raceway, June 4. The race marks the first time NASCAR's second-tier series will visit the state of Pennsylvania since Nazareth Speedway closed in 2004. Denny Hamlin (18) leads cars out of Turn 4 during the NASCAR Xfinity series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) Denny Hamlin approaches the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) Denny Hamlin, left, leads the field out of Turn 4 on the closing lap during the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 28, 2016. Hamlin won the race. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) Denny Hamlin, center, celebrates in Victory Lane with his girlfriend Jordan Fish, right, and their daughter Taylor James Hamlin, left, after winning the NASCAR Xfinity series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Sarah Newell Williamson) Denny Hamlin takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Xfinity series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) A zoo shot and killed a 17-year-old gorilla that grabbed and dragged a four-year-old boy who fell into the its enclosure on Saturday afternoon. Authorities said the boy, who fell 10 to 12 feet, is expected to recover after being picked up out of the moat and dragged by the 400-pound male, lowland gorilla named Harambe. The boy was in the moat for about 10 minutes and was in between the gorilla's legs when the gorilla was shot, according to WLWT. While zoo officials are still investigating, they believe the boy crawled through a railing barrier, and then fell into the moat. A special zoo response team shot and killed a 17-year-old gorilla named Harambe (pictured) that grabbed and dragged a four-year-old boy who fell into its gorilla exhibit moat, the Cincinnati Zoo's director said Video footage has emerged revealing some of the chilling moments of the time the boy was inside the moat as a panicked crowd looking on can be heard screaming as the ordeal unfolded While zoo officials are still investigating, they believe the boy crawled through a railing barrier, and then fell into the moat Zoo officials said at the time boy fell in the moat, three gorillas were in the enclosure but the two female gorillas were called out immediately. However, a third gorilla, Harambe, remained in the yard with the child. Video footage emerged on Saturday revealing some of the chilling moments of the time the boy was inside the moat, as a panicked crowd looking on can be heard screaming as the ordeal unfolded. During the chaotic scenes, people can be heard shouting 'No, no!' and for someone to call 911. At one point a woman appearing to be the child's mother yells down, 'mommy's right here,' 'mommy loves you,' and then says 'Isaiah be calm,' as the boy can be heard crying. The graphic portions of the ordeal which apparently showed the gorilla dragging the boy through the water, were removed from the footage, according to by WLWT. The child was taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center with serious injuries following the incident, which was reported around 4pm. The boy was alert when he was taken to hospital, according to officials. Harambe came to Cincinnati in 2015 from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas Authorities said the boy, who fell 10 to 12 feet, is expected to recover after being picked up out of the moat (pictured) and dragged by the 400-pound-plus male gorilla named Harambe for more than 10 minutes Hospital officials said they could not release any information on the child, whose name has not been released. Director Thane Maynard said the zoo's dangerous animal response team, which practices for such incidents, decided the boy was in 'a life-threatening situation' and that they needed to put down the gorilla. 'They made a tough choice and they made the right choice because they saved that little boy's life,' Maynard said. 'It could have been very bad.' Maynard said the gorilla did not appear to be attacking the child, but he said it was 'an extremely strong' animal in an agitated situation. The Cincinnati fire department incident report stated that the gorilla was 'violently dragging and throwing the child,' according to WLWT. Maynard explained that tranquilizing the gorilla would not have knocked it out immediately, leaving the boy in danger. A day before Saturday's incident, the zoo had posted on its Facebook page asking the public to wish Harambe a happy 17th birthday He also noted it was the first time that the team had killed a zoo animal in such an emergency situation, and he called it 'a very sad day' at the zoo. Harambe came to Cincinnati in 2015 from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. According to the zoo's website, it houses 11 gorillas. The area around the gorilla exhibit was closed off on Saturday afternoon as zoo visitors reported hearing screaming. The zoo is to be open as usual on Sunday but Gorilla World will be closed until further notice. In March, two curious polar bears at the zoo wandered into a behind-the-scenes service hallway through an open den door, but never left a secondary containment area. The zoo said the 17-year-old female Berit and the 26-year-old male Little One, entered an 'inappropriate' area but remained contained and were never loose or a threat to the public. During that incident, zoo officials said staff followed protocols and safely returned the bears to their main holding area within two hours. Burns wins to become Scotland's 1st 3-weight world champion GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) Ricky Burns has become Scotland's first three-weight world champion after beating Michele Di Rocco for the vacant WBA super-lightweight title. In front of a parochial crowd Saturday night at Glasgow's SSE Hydro, Burns floored the 34-year-old Italian in the eighth round, leaving him in no state to continue, according to the referee. It was the first time the 33-year-old Burns, a former WBO super-featherweight and lightweight champion, had fought in the city since losing to Dejan Zlaticanin in June 2014. Burns had lost three of his last six bouts. Ricky Burns of Scotland celebrates with a champion's belt after beating Michele Di Rocco of Italy during the WBA super-lightweight world title bout at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow Saturday, May 28, 2016. Burns has become Scotland's first three-weight world champion after beating Di Rocco for the vacant WBA super-lightweight title. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT, NO SALES, NO ARCHIVES After an absorbing contest, with both boxers swapping punches, Burns regained control in round eight, flooring his opponent with a right-hand, with Di Rocco unable to go on. Ricky Burns, second left, of Scotland celebrates with a champion's belt after beating Michele Di Rocco, right, of Italy during the WBA super-lightweight world title bout at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow Saturday, May 28, 2016. Burns has become Scotland's first three-weight world champion after beating Di Rocco for the vacant WBA super-lightweight title. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT, NO SALES, NO ARCHIVES Ricky Burns, center, of Scotland knocks down Michele Di Rocco of Italy during the WBA super-lightweight world title bout at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow Saturday, May 28, 2016. Burns has become Scotland's first three-weight world champion after beating Di Rocco for the vacant WBA super-lightweight title. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT, NO SALES, NO ARCHIVES Ricky Burns, second left, of Scotland celebrates after knocking down Michele Di Rocco of Italy, right, during the WBA super-lightweight world title bout at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow Saturday, May 28, 2016. Burns has become Scotland's first three-weight world champion after beating Di Rocco for the vacant WBA super-lightweight title. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT, NO SALES, NO ARCHIVES Finally allowed 2nd child, older Chinese parents turn to IVF BEIJING (AP) China's decision to allow all married couples to have two children is driving a surge in demand for fertility treatment among older women, putting heavy pressure on clinics and breaking down past sensitivities, and even shame, about the issue. The rise in in vitro fertilization points to the lost dreams of many parents who long wanted a second child, but were prevented by a strict population control policy in place for more than 30 years. That, in turn, is shifting prevailing attitudes in China regarding fertility treatments formerly a matter of such sensitivity that couples were reluctant to tell even their parents or other family members that they were having trouble conceiving. In this Sunday, April 24, 2016 photo, Dr. Liu Jiaen, center, watches his staff member work on a laboratory dish during an infertility treatment through in vitro fertilization (IVF) for a patient at a hospital in Beijing. Chinas decision to allow all married couples to have two children is driving a surge in demand for fertility treatment among older women, putting heavy pressure on clinics and breaking down past sensitivities, and even shame, about the issue. The rise in IVF points to the deferred dreams of many parents who long wanted a second child, but were prevented by a strict population control policy in place for more than 30 years. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) "More and more women are coming to ask to have their second child," said Dr. Liu Jiaen, who runs a private hospital in Beijing treating infertility through IVF, in which an egg and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish and the resulting embryo transferred to a woman's uterus. Liu estimated that the numbers of women coming to him for IVF had risen by 20 percent since the relaxation of the policy, which came into effect at the start of the year. Before, the average age of his patients was about 35. Now most of them are older than 40 and some of the women are fast approaching 50, he said. "They have a very low chance to get pregnant so they are in a hurry. They really want to have a child as soon as possible," he said. Chen Yun is 39 and was in the hospital waiting to have the procedure for the first time. She and her husband already have a 7-year-old son and their families are encouraging them to have a second child. "We are coming to the end of our childbearing years. It may be difficult for me to get pregnant naturally because my husband's sperm may have a problem, so we want to resolve this problem through IVF," she said. Chen said she hoped having a brother or sister would make their son happier, more responsible and less self-absorbed. "We had siblings when we were children. I had a younger sister and we felt very happy when playing together," she said. "Now that every couple has one child, two generations parents and grandparents take care of the child. They give the only child too much attention." If her son has a younger brother or sister to look out for, he may not "think too much about himself like a little emperor," Chen said. Over the past two decades, IVF technology has developed rapidly in China, where about 10 percent of couples are estimated to need the procedure to conceive. In 2014, 700,000 women had IVF treatments, according to the health commission's Women's and Children's Department, which said in a statement that demand for all types of fertility treatment had risen following the policy relaxation, including the use of traditional Chinese medicine. "Currently, fertility centers at renowned medical organizations in Beijing and Shanghai and others are under increased pressure for treatments," the department said. Previously, China limited most urban couples to one child and rural couples to two if their first was a girl. There were exceptions for ethnic minorities, and city dwellers could break the policy if they were willing to pay a fee calculated at several times a household's annual income. While authorities credit the policy introduced in 1979 with preventing 400 million extra births, many demographers argue the fertility rate would have fallen anyway as China's economy developed and education levels rose. Intended to curb a surging population, the policy has been blamed for skewing China's demographics by reducing the size of the future workforce at a time when children and society face increasing demands from the growing ranks of the elderly. It also inflated the ratio of boys to girls as female fetuses were selectively aborted, while compelling many women to have forced abortions or give up their second children for adoption, leaving many families devastated. The National Health and Family Planning Commission said in November that 90 million women would become eligible to have a second child following the policy change. Authorities expect that will add 30 million people to the country's labor force by 2050. Those projections could be overly optimistic since many younger Chinese see small families as ideal and would be reluctant to take on the cost of raising a second child. When the policy was changed in 2013 to allow two children for families in which at least one parent was an only child, it spurred fewer births than authorities expected. Also under pressure are China's sperm banks, which already suffer shortages owing to a reluctance to donate among young Chinese men unwilling to father children they won't know or fearing their offspring may turn up at their door one day despite donor confidentiality. "The relaxing of the one-child policy certainly gave an impetus to the demand for sperm as more women, usually aged around or above 35, came for assistance," said Zhang Xinzong, director of the Guangdong Sperm Bank in southern China. Calls have also gone out for a loosening of China's adoption law, which currently states that only couples with no children can adopt, while also allowing couples with one child to adopt a disabled child or an orphan. The Ministry of Civil Affairs didn't respond to a question on whether the law would be changed, and it couldn't say whether the number of couples seeking adoption had risen since the policy change. It said there were 109,000 children available for adoption in the custody of governmental institutions, 90 percent of whom were disabled and 60 percent severely disabled. Zhang Mingsuo, a professor at Zhengzhou's University's School of Public Administration, said few Chinese couples were willing to adopt disabled children "because they worry about the possible heavy medical expense." ___ AP researcher Yu Bing contributed to this report. In this Sunday, April 24, 2016 photo, a medical staff member collects an egg on a laboratory dish during an infertility treatment through in vitro fertilization (IVF) for a patient at a hospital in Beijing. Chinas decision to allow all married couples to have two children is driving a surge in demand for fertility treatment among older women, putting heavy pressure on clinics and breaking down past sensitivities, and even shame, about the issue. The rise in IVF points to the deferred dreams of many parents who long wanted a second child, but were prevented by a strict population control policy in place for more than 30 years. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) In this Sunday, April 24, 2016 photo, Dr. Liu Jiaen, left, and his staff member look at an embryo via a screen during an infertility treatment through in vitro fertilization (IVF) for their patient at a hospital in Beijing. Chinas decision to allow all married couples to have two children is driving a surge in demand for fertility treatment among older women, putting heavy pressure on clinics and breaking down past sensitivities, and even shame, about the issue. The rise in IVF points to the deferred dreams of many parents who long wanted a second child, but were prevented by a strict population control policy in place for more than 30 years. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) In this Sunday, April 24, 2016 photo, Chen Yun, left, walks past Dr. Liu Jiaen as she receives an infertility treatment through in vitro fertilization (IVF) at a hospital in Beijing. Chinas decision to allow all married couples to have two children is driving a surge in demand for fertility treatment among older women, putting heavy pressure on clinics and breaking down past sensitivities, and even shame, about the issue. More and more women are coming to ask to have their second child, said Dr. Liu, who runs the hospital treating infertility through IVF, in which an egg and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish and the resulting embryo transferred to a womans uterus. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) In this Wednesday, May 11, 2016 photo, children play on bars before attending a class at the I Love Gym center in Beijing. Chinas decision to allow all married couples to have two children is driving a surge in demand for fertility treatment among older women, putting heavy pressure on clinics and breaking down past sensitivities, and even shame, about the issue. The rise in in vitro fertilization points to the deferred dreams of many parents who long wanted a second child, but were prevented by a strict population control policy in place for more than 30 years. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Arizona man rescued after being trapped in car for 3 days JEROME, Ariz. (AP) A man trapped in his crashed vehicle on a central Arizona mountain for three days might never have been rescued if not for a couple taking sightseeing photos, authorities said. Jerome Police Chief Allen Muma says the 50-year-old man's purple SUV was spotted Friday afternoon by a couple who had pulled over on a road on Mingus Mountain, about 10 miles south of Jerome. "The big thing I want to get across is how lucky this gentleman was," Muma said Saturday. "These people happened to stop and take a picture. Had they not, he'd be dead. There's no doubt in my mind." This photo provided by Kim Moore shows firefighters working to extricate a 50-year-old man from his crashed car on Mingus Mountain in Yavapai County, Arizona on Friday, May 27, 2016. Authorities say a man trapped in his crashed vehicle on a central Arizona mountain for three days was rescued thanks to a couple taking sightseeing photos. (Kim Moore via AP) The couple was on Allen Springs Road, which Muma described as an unimproved, dirt Forest Service road and the surrounding terrain has brush between 6 and 10 feet tall. As they started to snap photos, the woman noticed pieces of the vehicle through the mesquite trees and bushes. They went closer and saw a man inside. The pair immediately called 911. It took multiple fire and police agencies more than an hour to get to the man and extricate him using a Jaws of Life apparatus, according to Muma. The roof of the Toyota FJ Cruiser had caved in. The man, who lives in Cornville, was conscious enough to give paramedics information. That is when emergency responders deduced his car had rolled down the mountain three days earlier. The couple who found the man happened to have a chainsaw, which rescuers used to help clear the terrain from the car for a waiting helicopter. He was airlifted in critical condition to Verde Valley Medical Center and then later transported to a hospital in Flagstaff. The man was listed in stable condition Saturday, according to Yavapai County Sheriff's spokesman Dwight D'Evelyn. The sheriff's office is investigating how the vehicle ended up crashing. Muma did not know if the man had any water or food nearby. A deputy found his cellphone outside of the car. The man, whose identity has not been released, has no family so nobody reported him missing. "If you're going to travel off-road somewhere or even a well-traveled road ... let somebody know," Muma said. In this photo provided by Kim Moore, a rescuer uses a chainsaw to clear the terrain during the rescue of a 50-year-old man from his crashed car on Mingus Mountain in Yavapai County, Arizona on Friday, May 27, 2016. Authorities say a man trapped in his crashed vehicle on a central Arizona mountain for three days was rescued thanks to a couple taking sightseeing photos. (Kim Moore via AP) German, French leaders mark 100 years since Battle of Verdun VERDUN, France (AP) In solemn ceremonies Sunday in the forests of eastern France, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel marked 100 years since the Battle of Verdun, determined to show that, despite the bloodbath of World War I, their countries' improbable friendship is now a source of hope for today's fractured Europe. The 10-month battle at Verdun the longest in World War I killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands of others. Between February and December 1916, an estimated 60 million shells were fired in the battle. One out of four didn't explode. The front line villages destroyed in the fighting were never rebuilt. The battlefield zone still holds millions of unexploded shells, making the area so dangerous that housing and farming are still forbidden. French President Francois Hollande, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pay their respect in front of the Eternal Flame at the Douaumont's Ossuary, in Douaumont, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Mathieu Cugnot/Pool Photo via AP) With no survivors left to remember, Sunday's commemorations were focused on educating youth about the horrors and consequences of the war. The main ceremony took place at a mass grave where, in 1984, then-French President Francois Mitterrand took then-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl's hand in a breakthrough moment of friendship and trust by longtime enemy nations. "This gesture said more than any words," Merkel stressed in her speech at the Douaumont Ossuary, a memorial to 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers. She said the dead of Verdun were "victims of bigotry and nationalism, of blindness and political failure" and the best way to commemorate them is to bear in mind "the lessons that Europe drew from the catastrophes of the 20th century the ability and willingness to recognize how necessary it is not to seal ourselves off but to be open to each other." Merkel added that "the common challenges of the 21st century can only be dealt with together." Hollande has called for the "protection of our common house, Europe." He warned that the "time needed to destroy it would be much shorter than the long time it took to build it." Amid rising support for far right parties and divisions among European countries over how to handle refugees, he said Europe's role is "to fight against terrorism, fanaticism, radicalization" and at the same time to "welcome populations who are fleeing massacres." About 4,000 French and German children re-enacted battlefield scenes to the sound of drums amid thousands of white crosses marking the graves falling on the ground in a moving evocation of death, and getting back up as a symbol of hope, in a ceremony conceived by German filmmaker Volker Schloendorff. Hollande and Merkel rekindled the flame of remembrance and gave each other a hug inside the Douaumont Ossuary. They spent the entire day together. In the morning, he welcomed his German counterpart under heavy rain at the German cemetery of Consenvoye, near Verdun, where 11,148 German soldiers are buried. They laid a wreath, accompanied by four German and French children, and walked side by side for few minutes in the cemetery, sharing an umbrella. After lunch, they were visiting the newly renovated Verdun Memorial. The museum, which reopened in February, immerses visitors in the "hell of Verdun" through soldiers' belongings, documents and photos, and from its new rooftop, they can observe the battlefield. "The visit follows the steps of the soldiers. First reaching the front, moving into shell holes, fighting, surviving on the front line, the daily life," said historian Antoine Prost. Verdun has become a common place of remembrance because "it's a place of massive death equivalent for the French and the Germans," Prost added. ___ Associated Press writer Geir Moulson contributed to this report from Berlin. FILE - This undated file photo taken during the First World War shows French soldiers resting inside the Fort de Vaux, one of the second fortress to fall in the Battle of Verdun, eastern France. (AP Photo, File) French President Francois Hollande, left, holds an umbrella as he walks beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) FILE - In this Sep. 22, 1984 file photo, late French President Francois Mitterrand, left, and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl stand hand in hand as they listen to the national anthems during a French-German reconciliation ceremony outside the Douaumont cemetery near Verdun, eastern France. In solemn ceremonies Sunday in the forests of eastern France, Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (AP Photo/Herve Merliac, File) FILE - In this Sep. 22, 1984 file photo, late French President Francois Mitterrand, left, and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl stand hand in hand as they listen to the national anthems during a French-German reconciliation ceremony outside the Douaumont cemetery near Verdun, eastern France. In solemn ceremonies Sunday in the forests of eastern France, Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (AP Photo/Pool/File) French President Francois Hollande, left, holds an umbrella as he walks beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, holds an umbrella as he walks beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, holds an umbrella as he walks beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pay their respects after laying a wreath at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, holds an umbrella as he walks beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel lay a wreath at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pay their respects after laying a wreath at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, holds an umbrella as he walks beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel gesture after laying a wreath at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French and German youths take part in a show at the French National cemetery outside the Douaumont Ossuary, in Douaumont, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk at the French National cemetery outside the Douaumont Ossuary, in Douaumont, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) Performers raise their arms during a commemorative show, in Douaumont memorial, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016. In solemn ceremonies Sunday in the forests of eastern France, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel marked 100 years since the Battle of Verdun, determined to show that, despite the bloodbath of World War I, their countries' improbable friendship is now a source of hope for today's fractured Europe. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Fiji pulls some peacekeepers from Egypt amid security fears WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Fiji said Sunday it's bringing home about 65 of the 300-plus peacekeepers it has stationed in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and has closed remote bases there as the security situation deteriorates. Commander Humphery Tawake, who heads the South Pacific nation's foreign peacekeeping force, said Fiji was asked to scale down its presence by the leaders of the international peacekeeping operation in Egypt. Tawake said the U.S. and Colombia were also planning to reduce troop numbers as peacekeepers in the northern Sinai found themselves increasingly caught in the middle of fighting between Egypt's armed forces and militants affiliated with the Islamic State group. "It's not only affecting us, it's affecting the whole mission," Tawake said. "The threat and the danger that has pre-existed since 2013 has spilled over. Some of our locations were hit by indirect fire and mortars last week." He said that five of Fiji's remote outposts in the Sinai have been closed recently, leaving just two or three operating. He said only about 10 to 15 troops operate the small outposts, making them more vulnerable to attack than larger bases. Tawake said the decisions about troop numbers were coming from the headquarters of the Multinational Force and Observers group, and exact numbers for Fiji's drawdown had yet to be finalized. He said Fiji had stationed peacekeepers in Egypt since 1982, with the latest group of a little over 300 beginning a planned one-year rotation in February. The Multinational Force and Observers group has continually monitored compliance with the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Twelve nations currently contribute a total of about 1,700 troops to the force, with Fiji authorized to contribute up to 338 troops. The U.S. is authorized to contribute up to 707 troops. The Associated Press reported last year that the Obama administration was quietly reviewing the future of America's role in the Sinai, with options ranging from beefing up protection for U.S. troops to pulling them out altogether. Police arrest 5 in India over attacks on African residents NEW DELHI (AP) Police in New Delhi said Sunday that they have arrested five people who assaulted six Africans in the Indian capital last week, as African diplomatic missions urged India's government to ensure the safety of Africans living in the country. Police officer Ishwar Singh said the two scuffles on Thursday night were not racial attacks but were stray incidents triggered by objections to drinking and loud music by the Africans. The Africans said they were racially abused and attacked by a mob. Singh said that the Africans suffered minor injuries and that the arrested people were being investigated for criminal intimidation and assault in New Delhi's Mehrauli area. If convicted, those arrested can be jailed for up to two years. Hundreds of thousands of people from African nations study and work in India and suffer rampant racism and discrimination in the country, where police action often has been slow in cases of violence against Africans. On May 20, graduate student Masunda Kitada Oliver, a Congo national who had lived in India for six years, was fatally attacked in a dispute over hiring an auto rickshaw in New Delhi. Three men who insisted they had hired the vehicle beat him up and hit him on the head with a stone, killing him, according to police. Two of the men suspected in the attack have been arrested, while police are searching for the third. The African Heads of Mission in New Delhi responded to that attack by urging India's government to address "racism and Afro-phobia" in the country. India promised quick punishment for the assailants. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Sunday that "a sensitization campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside." Retaliatory attacks were reported against Indians in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa. Vikas Swarup, India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman, said the Indian diplomatic mission in Kinshasa learned that some Indian establishments and shops in the commercial area were attacked on May 23 and 25 "as a reaction perhaps to the killing of a Congolese national in New Delhi." Breakaway Taliban faction expresses support for peace talks SHINDAND, Afghanistan (AP) A breakaway Taliban faction is willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but will demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces, a senior leader of the group said Sunday. Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi told a group of around 200 followers in eastern Afghanistan that his faction had no faith in the government but was willing to negotiate without preconditions. Niazi is deputy to Mullah Mohammad Rasool, who split from the Taliban last summer after Mullah Akhtar Mansoor was chosen to succeed the group's late founder, Mullah Mohammad Omar. In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, Senior leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, center, delivers a speech to his fighters, in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 it was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photos/Allauddin Khan) Mansoor was killed earlier this month in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan and was replaced days later by a little known conservative cleric, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada. The main Taliban faction has expressed similar demands, but says it will only enter peace talks after they have been met. The U.S. and NATO officially ended their combat mission more than a year ago, but thousands of foreign soldiers remain in the country, mainly carrying out training, support and counterterrorism operations. Mansoor had refused to participate in a peace process initiated by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that included Pakistan, the United States and China. Representatives of the four countries have held five meetings, without inviting the Taliban. Their aim is to chart a roadmap toward talks between the Afghan government and the insurgents to end the 15-year war, but the disarray within the Taliban has complicated those efforts. The Taliban's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has branded Rasool's faction "a government army in the shape of the Taliban." Speaking to the AP on Sunday, he claimed that Rasool was supported by Kabul and Washington. "For us he is nothing more than a local policeman or a puppet of Afghan intelligence," he said. Rasool's followers met in the mountainous Shindand district, near the border with Iran. Snipers on hilltops surveyed dirt roads leading to the area, which serves as the main base for the mobile fighters. The encampment where the meeting was held is only accessible by motorbike or horse. The turbaned followers of Rasool who is believed to have been detained in Pakistan appeared to be armed with new weapons, including automatic rifles and grenade launchers. The Taliban have continued to launch major attacks on government forces despite the internal conflict, and the war has shown no sign of abating over the past year. The Taliban attacked checkpoints in the southern Helmand province late Saturday, killing four police, according to the provincial governor's spokesman, Omar Zawaq. Among those killed was local police commander Safar Mohammad, who in recent years had successfully kept highways in the area open to traffic. Zawaq said another nine police officers and one soldier were wounded in the attack. ___ Associated Press writer Lynne O'Donnell in Kabul, Afghanistan contributed to this report. In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, the senior leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, second left, arrives to give a speech to his fighters, in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 it was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photos/Allauddin Khan) In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, the senior leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, right, prepares to give a speech to his fighters, in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 it was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photos/Allauddin Khan) In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, a member of a breakaway faction of the Taliban fighters guards a gathering, in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Senior leader of a breakaway Taliban faction Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 it was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photos/Allauddin Khan) In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, Taliban fighters listen to senior leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, not pictured, deliver a speech to his fighters, in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 he was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photos/Allauddin Khan) In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, Taliban fighters stand guard as senior leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, not pictured, delivers a speech to his fighters, in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 he was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photos/Allauddin Khan) In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, Taliban fighters stand guard as senior leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, not pictured, delivers a speech to his fighters, in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 he was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photos/Allauddin Khan) In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, members of a breakaway faction of the Taliban fighters prepare to guard a gathering , in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 he was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photo/Allauddin Khan) In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, members of a breakaway faction of the Taliban fighters prepare to guard a gathering , in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 he was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photo/Allauddin Khan) In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, members of a breakaway faction of the Taliban fighters walk during a gathering , in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 he was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photo/Allauddin Khan) In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, members of a breakaway faction of the Taliban fighters walks during a gathering, in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 he was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photo/Allauddin Khan) In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, members of a breakaway faction of the Taliban fighters walk during a gathering, in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi said Sunday, May 29, 2016 he was willing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government but would demand the imposition of Islamic law and the departure of all foreign forces. (AP Photo/Allauddin Khan) A Letter-Writer Taps Into NPR Bias | Main | Islamist Ideology Goes Missing in Post Report May 29, 2016 Palestinian Health Ministry Passes Off Fauxtography to WHO The World Health Organizations (WHO) decision last week harshly critical of Israel for "Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan" prompted Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid to describe it as antisemitic. In preparation for WHO's publication of the decision, the Palestinian Ministry of Health submitted a report to the international organization. Apart from the usual allegations propagated by various NGOs, the official Palestinian submission also includes the following outrageous charges: Israel is damaging prisoners' health by "Holding prisoners in polluted areas, such as in the vicinity of the Dimona reactor or near areas in which waste from that reactor has been buried" (page 29). "In April 2013 the Russian newspaper Pravda accused Israel of injecting a number of Palestinian prisoners who were approaching their release date with cancer-causing viruses. Despite Israels rejection of the accusations made by the newspaper, the question remains: is it true that Israel is injecting prisoners with viruses?" (page 29) A Palestinian doctor contends that the Israeli practice of freezing terrorists' bodies and insistence that they will only be returned to Palestinians if they are buried immediately "makes it impossible to ascertain whether the deceased individuals organs have been stolen" (page 49). Beyond the unfounded, vitriolic allegations, the pictures appearing in the Palestinian Health Ministry's report highlight the submissions total lack of credibility. Here are some examples: On page 30, the following picture is meant to illustrate "Settlers attacking a Palestinian child while being observed by Israeli occupation forces": However, as noted by blogger Israellycool two years ago when this picture first started to appear on social media, it is a Getty Images picture showing the eviction of Israeli settlers. The scene does not at all involve Palestinians. When it comes to the summer 2014 Operation Protective Edge, the Palestinian Ministry of Health delves into science fiction. This picture on page is accompanied by the following caption: "Photograph taken during the Israeli war on Gaza, 2014": This image, with its primitive Photoshop makeover, was making the rounds in the summer of 2014, and Israellycool exposed it as a hoax at the time. The original picture was published on a blog to illustrate a story on how Israel might attack Iran's nuclear reactors: Editors of the "Gaza" version cropped the photo and changed the aspect ratio so that the mountains and tower of a building, which simply don't exist in Gaza, are no longer visible. (The previous sentence was updated to clarify how the mountains and tower of a building were essentially erased.) The Palestinian Health Ministry's fallacious use of photos continues with two more pictures ostensibly illustrating the Operation Protective Edge: The picture on the right is from Lebanon, not Gaza. The one on the left is from Gaza, but from 2012. Even pictures from the current wave of violence are misleading: The Palestinian "girl killed in cold blood" is Yasmin Tamimi. Tamimi is not, apparently, a "girl," nor is it even clear that she is dead. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights identifies her as 20 years old and does not claim that she was killed. And B'Tselem does not include her in its list of Palestinian casualties. According to Israeli reports, after her engagement to be married was called off, Tamimi attempted to stab an Israeli policeman, and Israeli forces fired on her, seriously wounding her. She survived, and was transported to Shaarei Tzedek hospital. While searches did not reveal the source for the picture on the left, the image does date back as far as 2009. Could you imagine the outrage if Israel was caught using just a single fake or distorted photo? On second thought, there's no need to imagine. Media outlets including Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post, The International Business Times and Times of Israel covered the 2013 case in which the Israeli army's English blog posted a photograph misidentifying a Malaysian mall as located in Gaza. Will those same outlets now cover the Palestinian Ministry of Health's use of several egregiously mislabeled and even photoshopped images in an official submission to the World Health Organization? For the Hebrew version of this article, visit Presspectiva. -- Gidon Shaviv Posted by TS at May 29, 2016 07:19 AM 'Editors of the "Gaza" version erased the mountains and the building which simply don't exist in Gaza.' Actually, they did no such thing. All they did was crop the top of the photo (note that the tower column is still visible) and change its aspect ratio (that's why the F15 looks so strange). [CAMERA response: We've updated the language to clarify how the mountains and tower of a building were essentially erased, i.e. hidden in the photo.] Posted by: Ron Barak at May 31, 2016 09:17 AM The PAhas nothing real, PA always uses propaganda and fakes. Posted by: jochair thijssen at June 1, 2016 09:34 AM I often see people that are against Israel posting pictures which are most likely false. I have tried but not been very successful in finding the info to prove that they are fake pictures. Can you suggest a good way to search for the info to prove the pictures are false. Thank you. Suzan Posted by: Suzan at June 1, 2016 09:47 AM Simply outrageous Posted by: Anonymous at June 2, 2016 10:27 AM Amazing work Camera exposing Pallywood. Here are some more pics exposing Pallywood lies about Israel. https://twitter.com/bluehand007/status/738800383385030657 Posted by: Barry Meridian at June 7, 2016 11:54 AM Guidelines for posting This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material. Post a comment More than 700 feared dead in recent Mediterranean crossings POZZALLO, Sicily (AP) Survivor accounts have pushed to more than 700 the number of migrants feared dead in Mediterranean Sea shipwrecks over three days in the past week, even as European ships saved thousands of others in daring rescue operations. The shipwrecks appear to account for the largest loss of life reported in the Mediterranean since April 2015, when a single ship sank with an estimated 800 people trapped inside. Humanitarian organizations say that many migrant boats sink without a trace, with the dead never found, and their fates only recounted by family members who report their failure to arrive in Europe. "It really looks like that in the last period the situation is really worsening in the last week, if the news is confirmed," said Giovanna Di Benedetto, a Save the Children spokeswoman in Italy. FILE - In this May 25, 2016 file photo made available by the Italian Navy, people try to jump in the water right before their boat overturns off the Libyan coast. Over 700 migrants are feared dead in three Mediterranean Sea shipwrecks south of Italy in the last few days as they tried desperately to reach Europe in unseaworthy smuggling boats, the U.N. refugee agency said Sunday, May 29, 2016. (Italian navy via AP Photo, file) Warmer waters and calmer weather of late have only increased the migrants' attempts to reach Europe. The largest number of missing and presumed dead was aboard a wooden fishing boat being towed by another smugglers' boat from the Libyan port of Sabratha that sank Thursday. Estimates by police and humanitarian organizations range from around 400 to about 550 missing in that sinking alone. One survivor from Eritrea, 21-year-old Filmon Selomon, told The Associated Press that water started seeping into the second boat after three hours of navigation, and that the migrants tried vainly to get the water out of the sinking boat. "It was very hard because the water was coming from everywhere. We tried for six hours after which we said it was not possible anymore," he said through an interpreter. He jumped into the water and swam to the other boat before the tow line on the navigable boat was cut to prevent it from sinking when the other went down. A 17-year-old Eritrean, Mohammed Ali Imam, who arrived five days ago in another rescue, said one of the survivors told him that the second boat started taking on water when the first boat ran out of fuel. Police said the line, which was ordered cut by the commander when it was at full tension, whipped back, fatally slashing the neck of a female migrant. According to Italian police, 300 people in the hold went down with the second boat when it sank, while around 200 on the upper deck jumped into the sea. Just 90 of those were saved, along with about 500 in the first boat. Italian police said survivors identified the commander of the boat with the working engine as a 28-year-old Sudanese man, who has been arrested and faces possible charges for the deaths. Three other smugglers involved in other crossings also were arrested, police announced. Carlotta Sami, spokeswoman in Italy for UNHCR, put the number of migrants and refugees missing in that incident at 550 based on a higher tally of 670 people on board. She said 15 bodies were recovered, while 70 survivors were plucked from the sea and 25 swam to the other boat. Most of the people on board were Eritrean, according to Save the Children, including many women and children. One of the survivors included a 4-year-old girl whose mother had been killed in a traffic accident in Libya just days before embarking, Di Benedetto said. The UNHCR's Sami also said that estimated 100 people are missing from a smugglers' boat that capsized Wednesday off the coast of Libya, captured in dramatic footage by Italian rescuers. In a third shipwreck on Friday, Sami said 135 people were rescued, 45 bodies were recovered and an unknown numbers of migrants were still missing. Because the bodies went missing in the open sea, it is impossible to verify the numbers who died. Humanitarian organizations and investigating authorities typically rely on survivors' accounts to piece together what happened, relying on overlapping accounts to establish a level of veracity. Survivors of Thursday's sinking were taken to the Italian ports of Taranto on the mainland and Pozzallo in Sicily. Sami says the U.N. agency is trying to gather information with sensitivity considering that most of the new arrivals are either shipwreck survivors or traumatized by what they saw. Italy's southern islands are the main destinations for countless numbers of smuggling boats launched from the shores of lawless Libya each week packed with people seeking jobs and safety in Europe. Hundreds of migrants drown each year attempting the dangerous Mediterranean Sea crossing. ___ Colleen Barry in Milan contributed to this report. In this photo taken in the Mediterranean Sea, off the Libyan coast, Friday, May 27, 2016, rescuers help migrants to board rubber dinghies before towing them to the Italian Navy ship Vega, after the boat they were aboard sunk. The Italian navy says it has saved 135 migrants from a sinking boat and recovered 45 bodies in the Mediterranean. (Raffaele Martino/Marina Militare via AP Photo) In this photo taken in the Mediterranean Sea, off the Libyan coast, Friday, May 27, 2016, rescuers help migrants to board rubber dinghies before towing them to the Italian Navy ship Vega, after the boat they were aboard sunk. The Italian navy says it has saved 135 migrants from a sinking boat and recovered 45 bodies in the Mediterranean. (Raffaele Martino/Marina Militare via AP Photo) In this photo taken in the Mediterranean Sea, off the Libyan coast, Friday, May 27, 2016, rescuers help migrants to board rubber dinghies before towing them to the Italian Navy ship Vega, after the boat they were aboard sunk. The Italian navy says it has saved 135 migrants from a sinking boat and recovered 45 bodies in the Mediterranean. (Raffaele Martino/Marina Militare via AP Photo) In this photo taken in the Mediterranean Sea, off the Libyan coast, Friday, May 27, 2016 it is shown the partially submerged boat a group of migrants were using to try to reach the Italian coasts. The Italian navy says it has saved 135 migrants from a sinking boat and recovered 45 bodies in the Mediterranean. (Raffaele Martino/Marina Militare via AP Photo) In this photo taken in the Mediterranean Sea, off the Libyan coast, Friday, May 27, 2016 rescuers tow migrants to board the Italian Navy ship Vega, after the boat they were aboard sunk. The Italian navy says it has saved 135 migrants from a sinking boat and recovered 45 bodies in the Mediterranean. (Raffaele Martino/Marina Militare via AP Photo) In this photo taken in the Mediterranean Sea, off the Libyan coast, Friday, May 27, 2016 rescuers help migrants to board the Italian Navy ship Vega, after the boat they were aboard sunk. The Italian navy says it has saved 135 migrants from a sinking boat and recovered 45 bodies in the Mediterranean. (Raffaele Martino/Marina Militare via AP Photo) Five coffins lie on the ground after being disembarked from the Italian Navy ship Bettica, at the Sicilian Porto Empedocle harbor, Italy, Thursday, May 26, 2016. Among those coming ashore Thursday in Sicily were the survivors of a dramatic capsizing a day earlier off Libya's coast. The Italian navy vessel Bettica brought the survivors and five corpses ashore in Porto Empedocle, Sicily. (AP Photo/Francesco Malavolta) In this photo taken in the Mediterranean Sea, off the Libyan coast, Friday, May 27, 2016, rescuers tow migrants to the Italian Navy ship Vega, after the boat they were aboard sunk. The Italian navy says it has saved 135 migrants from a sinking boat and recovered 45 bodies in the Mediterranean. (Raffaele Martino/Marina Militare via AP Photo) FILE COMBO - In this May 25, 2016 file combo made with pictures made available the the Italian Navy, people try to jump in the water right before their boat overturns off the Libyan coast. Over 700 migrants are feared dead in three Mediterranean Sea shipwrecks south of Italy in the last few days as they tried desperately to reach Europe in unseaworthy smuggling boats, the U.N. refugee agency said Sunday, May 29, 2016. (Italian navy via AP Photo, file) FILE - In this May 25, 2016 file photo made available by the Italian Navy, people try to jump in the water right before their boat overturns off the Libyan coast. Over 700 migrants are feared dead in three Mediterranean Sea shipwrecks south of Italy in the last few days as they tried desperately to reach Europe in unseaworthy smuggling boats, the U.N. refugee agency said Sunday, May 29, 2016. (Italian navy via AP Photo, file) Germany's Lufthansa to suspend flights to Venezuela BERLIN (AP) German airline Lufthansa says it is suspending its flights to Caracas, citing the difficult economic situation in Venezuela. Lufthansa spokesman Andreas Bartels said Sunday that the company is suspending its three weekly Frankfurt-Caracas flights "until further notice" from June 17. He cited Venezuela's economic situation and difficulties in transferring currency. Venezuela's economy shrank 5.7 percent last year while shortages of basic goods multiplied. PICTURED: Refugees who made a train to nowhere their home IDOMENI, Greece (AP) Before catching the world's attention, Idomeni was a sleepy village on the Greek border with Macedonia, the last stop on the train before heading through former Yugoslav countries and onto western Europe. Hundreds of thousands of refugees followed the train tracks past Idomeni northward in 2015, when the migrant crisis exploded. They came from Syria, Iraq and elsewhere, trekking through Greece after dangerous rides on rickety smugglers' boats from Turkey, most hoping to make it west and north to more prosperous European countries. Idomeni is where they stopped when Europe decided to close its borders in March. FILE - In this Tuesday, May 10, 2016 file photo two Syrian twin sisters chat with a relative as they stand inside a freight car that their family live in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city of Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. On government orders, Idomeni was cleared this week. Just before the evacuation Idomeni had 8,400 occupants, according to official figures, and it's unclear where all those who didn't get the buses to other camps are. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) Gradually, helped by volunteers, the stranded refugees created a small town. There was a tiny school, a portable cinema, food stalls, barbers, a first aid station, a hotspot for wireless Internet. Refugees took over every inch of the train station and spread out into the surrounding fields, living in tents as the population swelled to 14,000. A fortunate few hundred got places on decommissioned train cars some had been used as sleeper carriages, others for freight. It's where Majd, a 22-year-old fine arts student from Damascus, wrote poetry, where toddler Abdul took his first steps, where Maher and Midia spent their honeymoon. Braving bad weather and sheer boredom, the wait for some good news seemed endless. It never came. On government orders, Idomeni was cleared out this week. The tents were packed up, the land bulldozed, and the migrants placed on convoys of buses escorted by police to army-built shelters elsewhere. The railway line reopened after two months of being shut down, the train cars once used as shelters left abandoned. Idomeni returned to being a dot on the map. Here's a photo essay from Idomeni by Associated Press photographer Petros Giannakouris. ___ Associated Press writer Derek Gatopoulos contributed to this report from Athens. ___ Follow Giannakouris at http://twitter.com/PGiannakouris In this Saturday, May 7, 2016 photo, a Syrian girl gets in a train carriage as a woman cooks food on a makeshift fire in front of tents in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city in Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. On government orders, Idomeni was cleared this week. At its peak, it hosted some 14,000 people trapped by Balkan border closures.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Saturday, May 7, 2016 photo, a Syrian girl looks out train window that she lives with her family in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city of Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. The evacuation of Idomeni has dashed the dreams of thousands migrants and refugees who had been camping there for months in the hopes of eventually being able to cross over the border and continue toward Europe's more prosperous heartland.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Tuesday, May 10, 2016 photo, drops of rain cover a train as a man is seen inside train sleeper carriages that he lives in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city of Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Sunday, May 8, 2016 photo, a child gets off a train that he lives in with his family in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city of Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Sunday, May 8, 2016 photo, 23-year-old-Syrian man Mohamed lights a cigarette in his cousins cabin Majd Hamid , 22, as a Syrian woman Fatme gets in her cabin inside a train car that they live in, in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city if Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Saturday, May 7, 2016 photo, a man walks with his child inside a train as tents are seen outside in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city of Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Sunday, May 8, 2016 photo, Susdar a 24-year-old Syrian woman look on her mobile phone in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city if Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Saturday, May 7, 2016 photo, a man looks out of a window of a train that he lives in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city of Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. After refusing to move for months, refugees camped out at the Greek border were bused to shelters in a police operation this week.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Saturday, May 14, 2016 photo a man jumps from the top of a train wagon in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city of Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Sunday, May 8, 2016 photo, Fatme from Syria watches her 18-month-old child crawl inside the train wagon that she lives in, in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city in Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Sunday, May 8, 2016 photo, 23-year old Mohamed from Syria looks out of the window from the cabin of a train that he lives in, in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city in Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Saturday, May 14, 2016 a Syrian young man looks out of a freight car that he lives with his friends in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city iN Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) In this Tuesday, May 10, 2016 photo, a Syrian woman washing clothes on a railway tracks outside a train that refugees and migrants live in, in the sprawling refugee and migrant tent city of Idomeni, on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) The Latest: Hollande in World War I speech: Protect Europe VERDUN, France (AP) The Latest on the ceremonies commemorating the Battle of Verdun in World War I (all times local): 5:50 p.m. French President Francois Hollande has called for the "protection of our common house, Europe," at a ceremony marking the centenary of the battle of Verdun in eastern France. French and German youths take part in a show at the French National cemetery outside the Douaumont Ossuary, in Douaumont, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) Hollande warned that the "time needed to destroy it would be much shorter than the long time it took to build it." Hollande said Europe's role is "to fight against terrorism, fanaticism, radicalization" and at the same time to "welcome populations who are fleeing massacres." He made the remarks in the closing speech of a ceremony at the Douaumont Ossuary, a memorial to 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers. ___ 5:35 p.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the dead of Verdun were "victims of bigotry and nationalism, of blindness and political failure," at a ceremony marking the centenary of the longest battle of World War I in eastern France. She says the best way to commemorate them is to bear in mind "the lessons that Europe drew from the catastrophes of the 20th century the ability and willingness to recognize how necessary it is not to seal ourselves off but to be open to each other." Merkel added that "the common challenges of the 21st century can only be dealt with together." ___ 5:30 p.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande are attending a ceremony at the Douaumont ossuary, a 46-meter (151-foot) tower holding remains of 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers. To the sound of drums, about 4,000 French and German children ran into the nearby cemetery, in a choreography conceived by German filmmaker Volker Schloendorff. They re-enacted battlefield scenes amid 16,000 white crosses marking the graves, before falling on the ground in an evocation of death. Then they got back up as a symbol of hope. Merkel and Hollande met with some of the children. To a teenager saying his ancestor had been gassed during World War I, Hollande explained to him that the "same gas" was recently used in Syria, in a reference to the alleged use of chemical weapons by the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad in 2013. The German and French leaders entered into the ossuary to observe a moment of silence. ___ 1:05 p.m. French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have traveled to Verdun, to honor the martyred city in eastern France that was almost entirely in ruins at the end of World War I. In a speech at city hall, Merkel says "Verdun is the more than the name of your town Verdun is also one of the most terrible battles humanity has experienced." She describes Hollande's invitation to join in the centenary of the 1916 Battle of Verdun as "a great honor." She says "we are all called upon to keep awake the memory (of Verdun) in the future, because only those who know the past can draw lessons from it." Hollande praises the city of Verdun as "the capital of peace." The French leader says "Verdun is a city that represents at the same time the worst, where Europe got lost, and the best, a city being able to commit and unite for peace and French-German friendship." ___ 11:50 a.m. The leaders of France and Germany are commemorating the centenary of the longest battle of World War I. Francois Hollande of France welcomed Angela Merkel of Germany on Sunday under heavy rain at the German cemetery of Consenvoye, near Verdun in eastern France, which was covered in mist and clouds. The 10-month Battle of Verdun in 1916 killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands of others. Sunday's ceremony started 45 minutes late since both leaders came by car instead of helicopter due to bad weather. They laid a wreath, accompanied by four German and French children. They then walked side by side for few minutes in the cemetery where 11,148 German soldiers are buried, sharing an umbrella. ___ 11 a.m. France's president and Germany's chancellor want their countries' improbable friendship to be a source of hope for today's fractured Europe as they commemorate the centenary of the longest battle of World War I. In solemn ceremonies Sunday in the forests of eastern France, Francois Hollande of France and Angela Merkel of Germany are marking 100 years since Between February and December 1916, an estimated 60 million shells were fired in the battle. One out of four didn't explode. The front line villages destroyed in the fighting were never rebuilt. The battlefield zone still holds millions of unexploded shells, making the area so dangerous that housing and farming are still forbidden. With no survivors left to remember, the commemoration now focuses on educating youth about the horrors and consequences of the war. Some 4,000 French and German children will take part in Sunday's events, which conclude at a mass grave where in 1984, then-French President Francois Mitterrand took then-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl's hand in a breakthrough moment of friendship and trust by longtime enemy nations. France's President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun, at the Douaumont memorial, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016. In solemn ceremonies Sunday in the forests of eastern France, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel marked 100 years since the Battle of Verdun, determined to show that, despite the bloodbath of World War I, their countries' improbable friendship is now a source of hope for today's fractured Europe. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Performers raise their arms during a commemorative show, in Douaumont memorial, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016. In solemn ceremonies Sunday in the forests of eastern France, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel marked 100 years since the Battle of Verdun, determined to show that, despite the bloodbath of World War I, their countries' improbable friendship is now a source of hope for today's fractured Europe. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel gesture after laying a wreath at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) FILE - This undated file photo taken during the First World War shows French soldiers resting inside the Fort de Vaux, one of the second fortress to fall in the Battle of Verdun, eastern France. (AP Photo, File) FILE - In this Sep. 22, 1984 file photo, late French President Francois Mitterrand, left, and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl stand hand in hand as they listen to the national anthems during a French-German reconciliation ceremony outside the Douaumont cemetery near Verdun, eastern France. In solemn ceremonies Sunday in the forests of eastern France, Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (AP Photo/Herve Merliac, File) FILE - In this Sep. 22, 1984 file photo, late French President Francois Mitterrand, left, and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl stand hand in hand as they listen to the national anthems during a French-German reconciliation ceremony outside the Douaumont cemetery near Verdun, eastern France. In solemn ceremonies Sunday in the forests of eastern France, Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (AP Photo/Pool/File) French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pay their respects after laying a wreath at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, holds an umbrella as he walks beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pay their respects after laying a wreath at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, holds an umbrella as he walks beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel lay a wreath at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, holds an umbrella as he walks beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) French President Francois Hollande, left, holds an umbrella as he walks beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a German cemetery in Consenvoye, northeastern France, Sunday May 29, 2016, during a remembrance ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle of Verdun. Hollande and Merkel are marking 100 years since the 10-month Battle of Verdun, which killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands. (Jean Christophe Verhaegen/Pool Photo via AP) Fire at Ukrainian home for the elderly kills 17, injures 5 MOSCOW (AP) A fire swept through a private home for the elderly in a Ukrainian village shortly before dawn Sunday, killing 17 people and injuring five others, an emergency official said. The head of the emergency services, Mykola Chechetkin, said 35 people were in the house when the fire broke out before 4 a.m. and 17 of them were killed. It was unclear whether any staff members were among the dead. Police said they are working to determine the cause of the fire and also to learn whether the home was operating legally. The owner of the business was detained for questioning. In this Sunday, May 29, 2016 photo, supplied by the Ukrainian Emergency Situations Ministry Press Service, emergency ministry employees search a site of a fire at Litchi, Kiev region, Ukraine. Ukraine's emergency services say a fire has swept through a private home for the aged, killing over a dozen of the 35 residents and injuring five others. No cause has yet been determined for the fire that broke out early Sunday in Litochki, a village 42 kilometers (25 miles) north of Kiev, the capital. (Ukrainian Emergency Situations Ministry Press Service Photo via AP) Photographs provided by the emergency services show that the fire gutted the two-story, yellow stucco building in Litochki, a village 42 kilometers (25 miles) north of Kiev, the capital. Several charred satellite dishes were seen still attached to a wall. Reports carried by the Russian state news agency Tass and others said the fire may have been set off when a television set exploded. The Ukrainian government has set up a commission to investigate the circumstances of the fire. Iraqi forces complete buildup around IS-held Fallujah TARIQ CAMP, Iraq (AP) Iraq's special forces completed a troop buildup around Fallujah on Sunday ahead of an operation to retake the Islamic State-held city west of Baghdad, a military officer said, as the militants attacked a newly-liberated town to the west. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, the government launched a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from Fallujah a week ago. The city, located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad, is one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq. The extremist group still controls territory in the country's north and west, including Mosul, Iraq's second largest city. Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces clean their weapons ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Fallujah, outside Fallujah, Iraq, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government launched a week ago a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from the city of Fallujah, one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad. The extremist group still controls territory in the countrys north and west, including Mosul, Iraqs second largest city. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) The last battalion from Iraq's Special Forces Service arrived at dawn Sunday at the sprawling Tariq Camp outside Fallujah, said Maj. Dhia Thamir. He declined to comment on troop numbers or the timing of the expected assault. He said troops have recaptured 80 percent of the territory around the city since the operation began and are currently battling IS to the northeast as they seek to tighten the siege ahead of a planned final push into the city center. In a televised speech to parliament, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the "current second phase of the Fallujah operation" will last less than 48 hours, after which the offensive to recapture the city will begin. Al-Abadi called on residents of Fallujah to either leave the city or stay indoors. Government officials and aid groups estimate that more than 50,000 people remain inside the center of the Sunni majority city. As he cleared his weapon and checked his Humvee at the camp, soldier Ali al-Shimmari said he was "totally ready" for the battle. "I phoned my family in the morning and asked them to pray for me to get back safe to them," he added. "I'm determined to end Daesh," al-Shimmari continued, using the Arabic acronym for the group. The militants meanwhile launched an attack Sunday on the town of Hit, 85 miles (140 kilometers) west of Baghdad, which was recaptured by government troops last month. A military officer said the extremists entered three neighborhoods and were engaged in heavy clashes with Iraqi forces backed by U.S.-led airstrikes. By late afternoon, the forces had managed to push the militants out and were in control of the whole town. The officer was not authorized to release information so spoke on condition of anonymity. Fallujah, which saw some of the heaviest fighting of the 2003-2011 U.S.-led military intervention, was the first city in Iraq to fall to IS. The extremists seized control of Fallujah in January 2014, six months before they swept across northern and western Iraq and declared a caliphate. ___ Associated Press writer Sinan Salaheddin in Baghdad contributed to this report. Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces clean their weapons ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Fallujah, outside Fallujah, Iraq, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government launched a week ago a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from the city of Fallujah, one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad. The extremist group still controls territory in the countrys north and west, including Mosul, Iraqs second largest city. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces clean their weapons ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Fallujah, outside Fallujah, Iraq, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government launched a week ago a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from the city of Fallujah, one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad. The extremist group still controls territory in the countrys north and west, including Mosul, Iraqs second largest city. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces clean their weapons ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Fallujah, outside Fallujah, Iraq, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government launched a week ago a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from the city of Fallujah, one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad. The extremist group still controls territory in the countrys north and west, including Mosul, Iraqs second largest city. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces clean their weapons ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Fallujah, outside Fallujah, Iraq, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government launched a week ago a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from the city of Fallujah, one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad. The extremist group still controls territory in the countrys north and west, including Mosul, Iraqs second largest city. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces prepare themselves ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Fallujah, outside Fallujah, Iraq, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government launched a week ago a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from the city of Fallujah, one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad. The extremist group still controls territory in the countrys north and west, including Mosul, Iraqs second largest city. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces prepare ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Fallujah, outside Fallujah, Iraq, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government launched a week ago a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from the city of Fallujah, one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad. The extremist group still controls territory in the countrys north and west, including Mosul, Iraqs second largest city. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces gather ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Fallujah, outside Fallujah, Iraq, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government launched a week ago a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from the city of Fallujah, one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad. The extremist group still controls territory in the countrys north and west, including Mosul, Iraqs second largest city. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces gather ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Fallujah, outside Fallujah, Iraq, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government launched a week ago a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from the city of Fallujah, one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad. The extremist group still controls territory in the countrys north and west, including Mosul, Iraqs second largest city. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces gather ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Fallujah, outside Fallujah, Iraq, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government launched a week ago a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from the city of Fallujah, one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad. The extremist group still controls territory in the countrys north and west, including Mosul, Iraqs second largest city. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Erdogan ally wins vote of confidence in Turkish parliament ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkey's new government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's loyal ally, has easily won a vote of confidence in parliament. Legislators voted 315-138 on Sunday to approve Prime Minister Binali Yildirim's government. Yildirim, 60, replaced former premier Ahmet Davutoglu, who stepped down after falling out of favor with Erdogan over a range of issues. They included Davutoglu's apparent lack of enthusiasm for constitutional changes, pressed by Erdogan, which would transform his largely ceremonial presidency into one where the president wields more power. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a rally in the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, Turkey, Saturday, May 28, 2016. Erdogan pressed ahead with his criticism of the United States over the U.S. troops' wearing the patches of Syrian Kurdish forces, despite U.S. assurances. (Basin Bulbul, Presidential Press Service/Pool via AP) Yildirim has promised to immediately work toward passing the controversial constitutional changes demanded by Erdogan. On Sunday, Yildirim took a more unifying tone, saying the new government would serve the whole nation and advance democracy, human rights and freedoms in Turkey. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a rally in the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, Turkey, Saturday, May 28, 2016. Erdogan pressed ahead with his criticism of the United States over the U.S. troops' wearing the patches of Syrian Kurdish forces, despite U.S. assurances. (Basin Bulbul, Presidential Press Service/Pool via AP) Syria's cease-fire strengthens al-Qaida branch BEIRUT (AP) Al-Qaida's branch in Syria has recruited thousands of fighters, including teenagers, and taken territory from government forces in a successful offensive in the north, illustrating how the cease-fire put in place by Russia and the United States to weaken the militants has in many ways backfired. The branch, known as the Nusra Front, has churned out a flood of videos slickly produced in the style of its rival, the Islamic State group that show off its recruitment drive. In one, young men line up for combat training. In another, a bearded al-Qaida fighter in a mosque urges a crowd of men to join jihad. A third shows an al-Qaida-linked cleric leading a graduation ceremony, handing out weapons to young men. Since March, the group recruited 3,000 new fighters, including teenagers, in comparison to an average of 200 to 300 a month before, according to Rami Abdurrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group monitoring the conflict. He cited contacts within the Nusra Front. Other activists said hundreds living in camps for displaced people in the north have joined the al-Qaida branch. This image posted on the Twitter page of Syria's al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on Thursday, May 5, 2016, shows a fighter from the Nusra Front firing a weapon during clashes against Syrian government forces and pro-government militiamen in the town of Khan Touman, near Aleppo province, Syria. Al-Qaidas branch in Syria has recruited hundreds of new fighters, including teenagers, and taken territory from government forces in a successful offensive in the north, illustrating how the cease-fire put in place by Russia and the United State to weaken the militants has in many ways backfired. Arabic, bottom, reads "preparation for the attack with heavy machine gun fire in Khan Touman." (Al-Nusra Front social media account via AP) But battlefield success and the push for new recruits have brought to the surface tensions within the Nusra Front over the group's future path, observers say. A hard-line faction within the group wants to emulate al-Qaida's chief rival, the Islamic State group, and declare an Islamic caliphate in the areas under its control, a step al-Qaida has long rejected because it does not want to alienate its allies in the Syrian opposition. On the other end of the spectrum, a Syria-minded camp within the Nusra Front wants to focus entirely on the campaign to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad and to break ties with al-Qaida. "There are leaders in Nusra who are saying we are strongest, why are we not ruling and why don't we declare a caliphate?" said Radwan Mortada, an expert on jihadi groups who writes for Lebanon's Al-Akhbar newspaper. "There are others who say the world will not leave us alone so long as we are related to al-Qaida. So the least we can do ... is declare our dissociation with al-Qaida." The Nusra Front has long been one of the strongest factions in Syria's opposition. It and other Syrian rebels, including some allied to it, hold most of the northwestern province of Idlib and parts of neighboring Aleppo province. When Russia and the United States brokered a cease-fire between Assad and opposition forces in February, the Nusra Front and IS were excluded, allowing Assad's troops and Russian and American airstrikes to continue to hit them. The hope in Washington and Moscow was that other rebel factions would shun both extremist groups. Instead, the cease-fire faltered within weeks as Assad's forces fought rebels around the opposition-held part of Aleppo, and peace talks in Geneva stalemated. That boosted the Nusra Front's credibility as the force that kept up the fight against Assad and stood against any compromise leaving him in power. Far from being shunned by other factions, the Nusra Front instead has attracted a coalition. Their alliance, known as the Jaish al-Fatah, or Army of Conquest, has recently waged a counter-offensive around Aleppo, retaking ground from Assad's military and its allies and inflicting heavy casualties, including killing more than a dozen members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard and some 30 Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, allied to Assad. The alliance revives one that had successfully fought against government forces and seized control of Idlib but broke up last year. One faction, Jund al-Aqsa, has reportedly refused to join, and is suspected of having sided with IS. The alliance also is battling the Islamic State group, which has shown it can still make gains despite heavy losses under U.S. and Russian airstrikes. On Friday, IS militants succeeded in taking a string of villages from rebels, including some in Nusra's alliance, near the Turkish border north of Aleppo. Maj. Jamil Saleh, commander of Tajammu el-Ezzah, a U.S.-backed rebel group, said the Nusra Front is gaining recruits in part because the international community has not pressed for Assad's removal at the peace talks, discrediting moderate factions that agreed to the negotiations. "It is impossible for the rebel factions to enter into this battle (against the Nusra Front) so long as Bashar (Assad) remains in office," Saleh said. Because of the Nusra Front, Syria has become a critical hub for al-Qaida. Al-Qaida's central leadership, believed based in the Afghan-Pakistan border region, has been sending prominent figures to aid the fight in Syria. "Syria is right now the central front for al-Qaida's jihad," said Thomas Joscelyn, senior editor of the Long War Journal and an al-Qaida watcher for The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a U.S.-based think tank. "I don't think a lot of people realize how many resources al-Qaida has invested in Syria." The Pentagon's $500 million effort to train and equip a force of Syrian rebels to take on extremists in Syria mainly IS has all but collapsed. And the alliances that al-Qaida has built with other Syrian rebel factions have been key to its success. That's in contrast to IS, which declared a caliphate in the territory it controls in Syria and Iraq, and considers as infidels anyone who does not accept its rule. As a result, IS has battled Syrian rebel factions and the Nusra Front more than it has battled Assad's forces. Though hard-liners within the group are pressing for it, the Nusra Front is unlikely to declare a caliphate in areas it controls because that could bring even more airstrikes and alienate its allies, who might then unify against it, said Ali Soufan, a former FBI agent who now heads the Soufan group, a private risk-assessment firm. Instead, with the backing of al-Qaida's leadership, Nusra Front leader Abu Muhammad al-Golani appears to be working to keep the group's factions behind a more pragmatic policy focused on keeping allies by the group's side, rather than pressing an ideological agenda. Al-Qaida's traditional stance has always been that while an Islamic state is the ultimate goal, it must wait until regional leaders are overthrown and other Muslims rally around the cause. The Nusra Front and al-Qaida's leader Ayman al-Zawahri "are really fearful ... that they will be stabbed in the back by people like Ahrar Sham or Islamic Army," Soufan said, referring to some of the Nusra Front's Islamic allies. Al-Zawahri weighed in with an audio message this month calling for unity among fighters in Syria, followed a day later by a similar call for unity from the son of al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden, Hamza a message Soufan said likely reflected their fears of a fallout with Syrian allies. The stream of al-Qaida veterans joining the Nusra Front helps al-Golani though it also exposes them to the dangers of the Syria conflict. Rifai Ahmad Taha, an Egyptian militant with decades of experience with the terror network, died in a U.S. strike in April. But others still hold senior posts. Ahmed Salama Mabrouk, an Egyptian and longtime associate of al-Zawahri, appeared in a Nusra Front video from Syria in March and is believed to now be part of its central leadership. There have been suggestions from militant messages online that one of al-Qaida's most significant and shadowy leaders, Saif al-Adel, has also relocated to Syria, according to the Long War Journal, a website that tracks militant groups. Pragmatists among the Nusra Front's leadership have been consolidating in the north, said a Syrian activist who reports from the front line and deals closely with most rebel groups, including the al-Qaida affiliate. A prominent hard-liner, known by the nom de guerre of Abu Julaybib, was recently sidelined from the Nusra Front's leadership, he said. But in some areas, the hard-liners have more sway, the activist said. He pointed to recent fighting in the northern opposition stronghold of Maaret al-Numan, where Nusra Front fighters drove out a U.S.-backed rebel faction called Division 13 and took its weapons. The activist spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of alienating his contacts. This image posted on the Twitter page of Syria's al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on Thursday, May 12, 2016, shows fighters from the Nusra Front capturing a pro-government militiaman in the town of Khan Touman, near Aleppo province, Syria. Al-Qaidas branch in Syria has recruited hundreds of new fighters, including teenagers, and taken territory from government forces in a successful offensive in the north, illustrating how the cease-fire put in place by Russia and the United State to weaken the militants has in many ways backfired. Arabic, bottom, reads, "A new Rafidi, derogatory term refers to Shiites, during the battle of Khan Touman." (Al-Nusra Front social media account via AP) This image posted on the Twitter page of Syria's al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on Thursday, May 12, 2016, shows bodies of Syrian government soldiers and pro-government militiamen who were killed during a battle against Nusra Front fighters, in the town of Khan Touman, near Aleppo province, Syria. Al-Qaidas branch in Syria has recruited hundreds of new fighters, including teenagers, and taken territory from government forces in a successful offensive in the north, illustrating how the cease-fire put in place by Russia and the United State to weaken the militants has in many ways backfired. Arabic, bottom, reads "Bodies of Rafidi, a derogatory term that refers to Shiites, in Khan Touman." (Al-Nusra Front social media account via AP) FILE - This file image posted on the Twitter page of Syria's al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on Saturday, April 25, 2015, which is consistent with AP reporting, shows Nusra Front fighters in the town of Jisr al-Shughour, Idlib province, Syria. Al-Qaidas branch in Syria has recruited hundreds of new fighters, including teenagers, and taken territory from government forces in a successful offensive in the north, illustrating how the cease-fire put in place by Russia and the United State to weaken the militants has in many ways backfired. (Al-Nusra Front Twitter page via AP, File) FILE - This file image posted on the Twitter account of Syria's al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front Sept. 10, 2015, which is consistent with other AP reporting, shows fighters from the group gathering around a Syrian government forces aircraft, inside the Abu Zuhour air base, in Idlib province, north Syria. Al-Qaidas branch in Syria has recruited hundreds of new fighters, including teenagers, and taken territory from government forces in a successful offensive in the north, illustrating how the cease-fire put in place by Russia and the United State to weaken the militants has in many ways backfired. Arabic, bottom, reads, "Inside the Abu Zuhour air base." (Al-Nusra Front social media account via AP, File) FILE - This file image posted on the Twitter page of Syria's al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on Friday, April 1, 2016, shows fighters from al-Qaida's branch in Syria, the Nusra Front, marching toward the northern village of al-Ais in Aleppo province, Syria. Al-Qaidas branch in Syria has recruited hundreds of new fighters, including teenagers, and taken territory from government forces in a successful offensive in the north, illustrating how the cease-fire put in place by Russia and the United State to weaken the militants has in many ways backfired. Arabic, bottom, reads, "Mujahedeen getting ready to attack the enemies of God in al-Ais." (Al-Nusra Front via AP, File) FILE - This file image posted on the Twitter page of Syria's al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on Friday, April 1, 2016, shows Nusra Front tank fires at Syrian troops and pro-government gunmen in the northern village of al-Ais in Aleppo province, Syria. Al-Qaidas branch in Syria has recruited hundreds of new fighters, including teenagers, and taken territory from government forces in a successful offensive in the north, illustrating how the cease-fire put in place by Russia and the United State to weaken the militants has in many ways backfired. Arabic, bottom, reads "preparation for the attack with heavy machinegun fire in al-Ais." (Al-Nusra Front via AP, File) FILE - This file image posted on the Twitter page of Syria's al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on April 25, 2015, which is consistent with AP reporting, shows Nusra Front fighters standing on their vehicles and waving their group's flags as they tour the streets of Jisr al-Shughour, Idlib province, Syria. Al-Qaidas branch in Syria has recruited hundreds of new fighters, including teenagers, and taken territory from government forces in a successful offensive in the north, illustrating how the cease-fire put in place by Russia and the United State to weaken the militants has in many ways backfired. (Al-Nusra Front Twitter page via AP, File) Hardly a dog's life for Obama's pets Bo and Sunny WASHINGTON (AP) It's hardly a dog's life of just eating and sleeping for President Barack Obama's pets Bo and Sunny. The Portuguese water dogs are popular canine ambassadors for the White House. They've become so in demand that they have schedules, like the president. Michelle Obama says she gets a memo every month with a request for the dogs' schedules and she approves their appearances. FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2015, file photo, first lady Michelle Obama is pulled away by her dogs Bo and Sunny, after welcoming the Official White House Christmas Tree to the White House in Washington. Its hardly a dogs life of just eating and sleeping for President Barack Obamas pets Bo and Sunny. The Portuguese water dogs are popular canine ambassadors for the White House. Theyve become so in demand that they have schedules, like the president. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) Seven-year-old Bo and nearly 4-year-old Sunny have entertained crowds at the annual Easter Egg Roll. Bo has been at the first lady's side when she welcomes tourists to the White House. The dogs have cheered wounded service members and hospitalized children, and beeen a big part of Christmas at the Obama White House. FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2015, file photo, first lady Michelle Obama with dogs Bo, left, and Sunny, behind at right, are surrounded by children in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, where they made holiday crafts and treats during a preview of the 2015 White House holiday decor. Its hardly a dogs life of just eating and sleeping for President Barack Obamas pets Bo and Sunny. The Portuguese water dogs are popular canine ambassadors for the White House. Theyve become so in demand that they have schedules, like the president. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2013, file photo, Bo, right, and Sunny, the Obama family dogs, watch as children join first lady Michelle Obama in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington. Its hardly a dogs life of just eating and sleeping for President Barack Obamas pets Bo and Sunny. The Portuguese water dogs are popular canine ambassadors for the White House. Theyve become so in demand that they have schedules, like the president. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File) The Latest: Woman found dead in Hill Country after flood HOUSTON (AP) The Latest on severe weather and flooding around the U.S. (all times local): 4:20 p.m. Flash flooding in the Texas Hill Country has left at least one person dead and widespread damage in at least one town. Leo Hernandez talks about the water level in Spring Creek, in the Northwood Pines subdivision, Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Spring, Texas. The water level in the creek rose after this week's torrential rains and is expected to crest sometime in the evening. (Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT Kendall County sheriff's Cpl. Reid Daly says Cypress Creek had flooded a street in the town of Comfort, about 45 miles north of San Antonio, when a car containing three people was swept from the street about 1:30 a.m. Sunday. The driver made it to shore, and a female passenger was rescued from a tree. But Daly says 23-year-old Florida Molima was missing until her body was found around 11 a.m. Sunday about 8 miles downstream. She becomes the sixth flood-related death in Texas this Memorial Day weekend. In Bandera, about 45 miles northwest of San Antonio, an estimated 10 inches of rain overnight led to rescues of nine people and widespread damage, including the collapse of the roof of the Bandera Bulletin, the weekly newspaper. Photos from the area showed campers and trailers stacked against each other, but no injuries were reported. ___ 2:55 p.m. Authorities say an aerial search in Central Texas has found the body of a flood victim near Austin. That brings the death toll in Texas due to flooding over the Memorial Day weekend to five. Travis County sheriff's spokesman Lisa Block says the crew aboard a county STAR Flight helicopter found the body on the north end of a retention pond near the Circuit of the Americas auto racing track Sunday. That's close to where two people were reported to have been washed away by flash flood waters early Friday. The body still must be recovered and no identification has been made, so it's uncertain if the body is one of those missing. If so, that would lower the number of people still missing from the floods at two. ____ 2 p.m. Peace has been restored at a southeast Texas state prison after a brawl between inmates and correctional officers that began when flooding caused a power outage. The incident happened about 10 p.m. Saturday at the Luther Unit prison in Navasota, about 70 miles northwest of Houston. Texas prison system spokesman Jason Clark says flooding forced the prison to emergency generator power, but the generator malfunctioned. Correctional officers ordered inmates back to their cells, but some refused to comply. Clark estimates as many as 50 inmates in the 1,300-inmate prison were involved, and three were sent to a hospital one for stiches and two for unrelated medical issues. Clark says there were no escapes. ___ 8:45 a.m. Texas prison officials are evacuating about 2,600 inmates from two prisons near the rain-swollen Brazos River because of expected flooding. Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark says the inmates started to be moved Sunday morning from the Terrell and Stringfellow Units in Rosharon, about 30 miles south of Houston. They're being transferred by buses to other prisons that have available space. At a third prison in the area, Ramsey Unit inmates in a low-level security camp are being moved to the main prison building. Clark says additional food and water has been delivered to prisons that are getting the displaced inmates and sandbags have been filled and delivered to the prisons where flooding is anticipated. All three prisons are in coastal Brazoria County, where the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico. ___ 7:30 a.m. The search for a missing boy who was swept away in a swollen creek in Kansas will resume Sunday. The Wichita Eagle (http://bit.ly/1XYifED ) reports the Wichita Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott Brown says Saturday's search for the boy, who disappeared Friday night while trying to cross a creek, took 14 hours. Sunday's search will expand beyond the creek, which is not flooded anymore, to the Arkansas River. Rain is in the forecast for the Wichita area Sunday. ___ 12:20 a.m. At least three people are still missing after torrential rain in Texas and Kansas this week led to flooding rivers, washed out roads and left four people dead. In Kansas, the search for a missing 11-year-old boy was suspended late Saturday because of darkness and the fatigue of first responders, according to Wichita Fire Department battalion chief Scott Brown. The boy was swept away in a swollen creek on Friday night. Near Austin in Travis County, Texas, officials planned to resume aerial searches on Sunday for two missing people whose vehicle was swept off a flooded roadway after the area got 9 inches of rain, said emergency services spokeswoman Lisa Block. Four people have died in Texas from the flooding. A man, foreground, checks to make sure everyone made it safely out of a truck that flooded when the three men in the background drove around a closed road barrier along Nichols Sawmill Road and lost control of the vehicle in rising flood water Friday, May 27, 2016 in Magnolia, Texas. (Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT Conroe firefighters evacuate Jim Treadway via boat after Treadway was stranded when Pecan Bend Road was washed out near the San Jacinto River on Friday, May 27, 2016, in Conroe, Texas. ( Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT A car and home sit in flood water from Spring Creek along North Ravenswood Drive, Friday, May 27, 2016, in Magnolia, Texas. (Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT Two men stand on the Dry Creek bridge as they look on at a stranded vehicle from the rising flood water in Austin, Texas, early Friday morning, May 27, 2016. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Roland Courville steers a boat across Mill Creek Road as he helps people escape from a neighborhood cut off by a flooded Spring Creek, Friday, May 27, 2016, in Magnolia, Texas. (Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT Cattle are herded up US route 290 out of a flooded pasture, Friday, May 27, 2016, in Chappell Hill, Texas, (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT Officials: Body of Canadian hiker found on Mount Washington PINKHAM NOTCH, N.H. (AP) New Hampshire Fish and Game officials say they have found the body of a Canadian hiker who had been missing for weeks. Lt. Wayne Saunders says hikers found the body of 47-year-old Francois Carrier of Drummondville, Quebec, off the Tuckerman Ravine trail on Mount Washington Saturday. Carrier was reported missing on May 12, when he did not return home from a hiking trip to the Mount Washington area. Searchers combed the Pinkham Notch area utilizing dogs and helicopters for five days, but found no clues to Carrier's location. Uganda, South Korea leaders sign co-operation agreements KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) Uganda and South Korea signed cooperation agreements Sunday that officials here hope will lead to transfer of technology as Uganda tries to implement an ambitious industrialization program. The memorandums of understanding in areas such as health and education were signed at Uganda's State House in Entebbe, where visiting South Korean leader Park Geun-hye and her delegation were given a banquet. Details of the agreements were not yet available. "There is a great potential for co-operation between South Korea and Uganda for the mutual benefit of both countries," Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said during the banquet, according to his office. South Korea's president Park Geun-hye, left, and Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, right, stand for the national anthems at State House in Entebbe, Uganda, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Uganda and South Korea have signed cooperation agreements that officials hope will lead to transfer of technology as Uganda tries to implement an ambitious industrialization program. (AP Photo/Stephen Wandera) Uganda is the second leg of Park's Africa visit, during which she has focused on trade and business. In a speech Friday before the African Union in Ethiopia, Park urged African leaders to support international efforts to denuclearize rival North Korea. Uganda has good diplomatic relations with North Korea, which has recently been training Ugandan security forces. Museveni said Sunday that he supports the peaceful reunification of Korea. Park's next stop is Kenya. ___ This story has been corrected to indicate that Park addressed the African Union on Friday, not Wednesday. South Korea's president Park Geun-hye receives flowers from Megan Makanga, a grade one pupil of Charm International School, as she arrives at State House in Entebbe, Uganda, Sunday, May 29, 2016. Uganda and South Korea have signed cooperation agreements that officials hope will lead to transfer of technology as Uganda tries to implement an ambitious industrialization program. (AP Photo/Stephen Wandera) South Korea's president Park Geun-hye, left, walks with Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, right, at State House in Entebbe, Uganda Sunday, May 29, 2016. Uganda and South Korea have signed cooperation agreements that officials hope will lead to transfer of technology as Uganda tries to implement an ambitious industrialization program. (AP Photo/Stephen Wandera) South Korea's president Park Geun-hye, centre, inspects an honor guard as she arrives at State House in Entebbe, Uganda Sunday, May 29, 2016. Uganda and South Korea have signed cooperation agreements that officials hope will lead to transfer of technology as Uganda tries to implement an ambitious industrialization program. (AP Photo/Stephen Wandera) South Korea's president Park Geun-hye, center-left, inspects an honor guard as she arrives at State House in Entebbe, Uganda Sunday, May 29, 2016. Uganda and South Korea have signed cooperation agreements that officials hope will lead to transfer of technology as Uganda tries to implement an ambitious industrialization program. (AP Photo/Stephen Wandera) New Maine midwifery rules reflect licensure drive around US PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine's midwives will face a new set of rules designed to make homebirth safer as a result of a bill that reflects changes to the profession around the country. The rules follow a bill passed by the state's legislature that requires midwives be licensed by the state while also setting educational requirements and standards for data collection with an eye toward improving safety. The changes come as out-of-hospital births are increasingly popular in Maine and throughout the country. The rate of out-of-hospital births in Maine nearly doubled between 2000 and 2013; nationwide, it grew 29 percent between 2004 and 2009. In this Friday, May 27, 2016 photo, Jill Breen, a midwife, examines 10-week-old Maggie Dickson while her parents Jamie and Shannon Dickson look on, at their home in Waterville, Maine. New rules will require midwives to be licensed by the state while also setting educational requirements and standards for data collection with an eye toward improving safety. Breen said she fears the licensure system will drive some midwives who don't complete it underground. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) The new rules emerge as midwives in many states are becoming increasingly integrated into mainstream health care, and some see state licensure as the path to further accomplish that. More than half of the states require licenses of midwives, and efforts are afoot in just about every other state to create a licensure system, said Eleanor Daniels, a Maine midwife and president of the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives. Daniels said the licensing system will bring accountability and oversight to midwifery as well as make it easier for midwives to get access to medication and insurance reimbursements. "For those of us who are interested in greater access to midwifery care for any woman who chooses it, this is the pathway forward," Daniels said. Maine's midwife rules go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020. Maryland and Rhode Island have new midwife licensing laws, while Illinois is close, Daniels said. She said Maine's legislation can serve as a template for other states that consider creating a licensure system. But the changes haven't pleased all midwives, some of whom said they will limit patients' ability to access their care. Jill Breen, a St. Albans midwife, said she fears the licensure system will drive some midwives who don't complete it underground. The law states that certified professional midwives in Maine cannot deliver twins or breech babies or deliver a baby for a woman who has had a cesarean section in the past. Breen also said she fears some mothers might attempt those kinds of births unattended if they can't get access to a midwife. "When you're making rules and you're making plans, you want people to have the broadest options they could have," Breen said. Maine's bill states that midwifes must show proof of successful completion of a formal midwifery education and training program by January 2020. Midwives who completed their training through an institution that lacks accreditation will need to finish a midwifery "bridge certificate" to show competency. Members of the Maine Association of Certified Professional Midwives, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Maine Medical Association, Maine Family Planning and the Alliance for Maine Women all testified in support of the proposal when it was in the legislature. Republican Gov. Paul LePage vetoed the legislation, but an April override by the legislature saved it. LePage wrote in his veto message that he felt the bill was well intentioned but constituted an "unnecessary expansion of government." He also wrote that the licensure program would cost about $130,000 in its first three years, and that the bill was passed without funding. Verdict expected in landmark trial of ex-Chad dictator DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Souleymane Guengueng was among thousands imprisoned in Chad during the 1982-1990 rule of dictator Hissene Habre. When Guengueng, an accountant accused of working with the opposition, was released in 1990 he collected more than 800 accounts of fellow prisoners and vowed to seek justice for their torture and suffering. On Monday, he is certain that justice will be delivered. The verdict will be announced in the landmark trial that has seen victims come face-to-face with Habre, the man they accuse of war crimes. "I feel very proud. I have hope and the impression that we will have a winning and victorious result ... we've been ready for this day," said the founder of the association of Habre's victims. FILE-In this Monday, Sept. 7, 2015 file photo, Souleymane Guengueng, a former Chad prisoner and victim, arrives at court as a witness to testify during the trail of former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre in Dakar, Senegal. Souleymane Guengueng was among thousands imprisoned in Chad during the 1982-1990 rule of dictator Hissene Habre. On Monday, May 30, 2016, he is certain that justice will be delivered. (AP Photo/Jane Hahn,File) Habre's trial for crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture by the Extraordinary African Chambers in the Senegalese courts began in July last year. It is the first trial in which the courts of one country are prosecuting the former ruler of another for alleged human rights crimes. More than 90 witnesses have testified. Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for Habre. A 1992 Chadian Truth Commission accused Habre's government of systematic torture, saying that 40,000 people died during his rule. It placed particular blame on his political police force. "What is precedent-setting here is the role of the victims, who have achieved justice through their perseverance," said Reed Brody, counsel for Human Rights Watch who has been involved in the case for more than 15 years. "This case was not started by a prosecutor in the Hague, or by the Security Council. The architects, the visionaries of this case, are the Chadian victims themselves and their supporters," influencing everything from the way the charges were framed to how the trial is viewed. It also shows there are many different avenues for justice, he said. Habre was first indicted by a Senegalese judge in 2000, but legal twists and turns over a decade saw the case go to Belgium and then finally back to Senegal after unwavering pursuit by the survivors and their supporters. Stephen Rapp, former U.S. diplomat and international prosecutor also involved in tribunals for Sierra Leone and Rwanda, said the strong evidence was another key factor in this precedent-setting trial. In 2001, the police force's archives were discovered on the floor of its headquarters in Chad, records which went back to Habre's rule and mention more than 12,000 victims of Chad's detention network. The survivors "had the strong evidence in hand and the crucial thing that was needed was an independent court that would have the competence and jurisdiction to take this on," Rapp said, adding that this is what they asked the international community for and with continued efforts, achieved. "Without that strong evidence and without the dedicated and persistent and determined efforts of these survivors, this would not have been possible." Rapp said gathering such extensive documentation efforts can serve as an example for places like Syria and Iraq. Such participation of victims in a trial, with international and African support, is promising for future prosecution efforts on the continent, he said. Habre dismisses the tribunal as politically motivated, and he and his supporters have disrupted proceedings several times with shouting and singing. He refused legal representation but the court appointed him Senegalese lawyers. Chad's government, run by President Idriss Deby, who served as Habre's military adviser and pushed him from power, is supporting the trial. The tribunal, led by Judge Gberdao Gustave Kam, is expected to deliver the verdict and sentence Monday. If Habre is found guilty, a second set of hearings on damages for the more than 4,000 registered civil parties will take place. Boil-water alerts in Texas on the rise for many reasons DALLAS (AP) A glass of drinking water hasn't been easy to come by lately for the 320,000 people in Corpus Christi. The Texas Gulf Coast city has issued three orders in less than a year telling residents to boil their water to ensure it's safe to consume, including a two-week order this month that sparked outrage, contributed to the city manager's resignation and renewed questions about how to fix the problem. Corpus Christi is one of many U.S. communities coping with water problems caused by aging infrastructure. With costly upgrades unrealistic for many cash-strapped cities, including Corpus Christi, the water problems seem likely to persist. FILE - In a May 14, 2016 file photo, Mouttet from the Corpus Christi Utilities Department collects a sample of water to test on the corner of Claremore St. and Kentner St. in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Texas Gulf Coast city has issued three orders in less than a year telling residents to boil their water to ensure its safe to consume, including a two-week order this month that sparked outrage, contributed to the city managers resignation and renewed questions about how to fix the problem. (Gabe Hernandez/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP, File) "We're talking about supplying water in the year 2016, and we're having these problems over and over again," dentist Rene Vela told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. "It's starting to affect my family, my employees and I'm sure the rest of the city. It's ridiculous." The issues of safe drinking water and eroding infrastructure gained widespread attention in recent months due to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, where lead pipes contaminated the water supply after the city switched from a metropolitan Detroit system to improperly treated Flint River water in 2014 while under state management. In Texas alone, there were 1,550 boil-water advisories last year, up from about 1,100 in 2012 and 650 in 2008, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Fourteen Texas cities with populations exceeding 100,000 have issued at least one boil-water advisory in the last five years. Other U.S. metro areas have had similar problems: In recent years the residents of Toledo, Ohio, a city of 400,000, were told not to drink the water after toxins penetrated the system, and the Seattle suburb of Mercer Island avoided tap water for nearly a week after elevated levels of E. coli were found. Greg DiLoreto, past president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, said an additional $105 billion must be spent to modernize water and wastewater treatment facilities in a country that sees 240,000 water main breaks a year. But it's a tall order in light of how the upgrade burden falls largely on local water utilities, many of which serve only a few hundred or even a few dozen customers. "If you want fewer incidents and you want quality water, you're going to have to increase water rates," DiLoreto said. "We're not understanding the true cost of operating, maintaining and replacing a full water utility." DiLoreto and other water quality experts say that while the increase in boil-water notices in many states reflects problems with failing public utility systems, they also speak to new rules and greater transparency in notifying the public when water quality may be undermined. As Steve Via with the American Water Works Association explains, "It does eventually work its way back to an aging infrastructure because if the public isn't aware of the consequences of not taking care of our drinking water then they're not supporting the investment to keep it up to date and improving on it." There are many reasons a city's water quality can be compromised, among them broken water mains, loss of pressure, high bacteria levels and weather-related causes. Several appear to apply to Corpus Christi. The city's latest advisory, which ended Wednesday, was largely a precautionary measure taken after nitrogen-rich runoff from rain flowed into the water system, resulting in low chlorine disinfectant levels in the water supply. Corpus Christi typically receives about 10 inches of rain by this time of year, but 2016 has been unusually wet with more than 18 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Previous boil-water notices were issued in July and September, the first for elevated levels of E. coli and the second for low chlorine levels, the Caller-Times reported. The notices mirror two others that were issued in 2007. In some cases, various parts of the city were affected, and in others, such as the most recent one, the notice was citywide. City crews have worked to reconfigure some mains to ensure that water keeps circulating and to prevent bacteria growth. But an overarching concern is an old water system where more than half of 225 miles of cast-iron pipe needs to be upgraded, according to the newspaper. Many of the pipes were installed in the 1950s and when they decay they're prone to collapse or to slow water flow, allowing bacteria to fester. A fear for civic leaders is that the recurring advisories could cause long-term harm to the area's vibrant tourism business for its miles of sun-splashed beaches and protected coastline brimming with wildlife. Mayor Nelda Martinez said at a news conference Wednesday that city staff must do better at identifying problems before they lead to a public health hazard. "This is a symptom of our significant deferred maintenance challenge it tells us how much work we have in front of us and where we need to prioritize our resources," Martinez said. "And it's not just about addressing structural needs but looking at how we handle the operational aspects as well." FILE - In a May 18, 2016 file photo, Erick Garcia, project superintendent with Clark Pipeline Services, said installation of temporary water lines such as this one behind homes on Glenmore Street has been hampered by the fact that there is no right of way, in Corpus Christi, Texas. City officials have cited aged infrastructure as one of the reasons for three water boil notices in the past 10 months. (Rachel Denny Clow/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP, File) FILE - In a May 14, 2016 file photo, water is flushed out from a hydrant, on the corner of Glenmore St. and Kentner St. in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Texas Gulf Coast city has issued three orders in less than a year telling residents to boil their water to ensure its safe to consume, including a two-week order this month that sparked outrage, contributed to the city managers resignation and renewed questions about how to fix the problem. (Gabe Hernandez/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP, File) FUILE - In a May 14, 2016 file photo, pipes are laid out as crew members from the Utilities Department prepare to change old pipes after water is flushed out from a hydrants along Kentner St. in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Texas Gulf Coast city has issued three orders in less than a year telling residents to boil their water to ensure its safe to consume, including a two-week order this month that sparked outrage, contributed to the city managers resignation and renewed questions about how to fix the problem. (Gabe Hernandez/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP, File) As charters grow, public schools see sharp enrollment drop LOS ANGELES (AP) Standing before the Los Angeles Unified School Board, Susan Zoller delivered a startling assessment: More than 100,000 students in the nation's second-largest district were now enrolled in charters, draining more than $500 million from the budget in a single academic year. "The financial future of Los Angeles is difficult," said Zoller, a consultant hired by the district's union. Board member Richard Vladovic leaned anxiously toward his mic. "We are bleeding," he said. FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2012, file photo, parent Olivia Samaripa, far right, with her daughter Aria, 2, pull a wagon carrying petitions calling for their school to be converted to a charter school in the Mojave Desert town of Adelanto, Calif. More than 100,000 students in the nation's second-largest school district are now enrolled in charters, draining nearly $592 million from the budget in one school year alone. In Los Angeles, school board members are waging a battle to try and regain the public's trust in district schools. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) If current trends continue, the district could be significantly diminished in another 10 years at least a third smaller than at the start of the century. In financially struggling urban districts from LA to Philadelphia and most notoriously, Detroit the increasing popularity of charter schools, combined with family flight to the suburbs and declining birth rates, have caused enrollment to plummet. The changes have unfolded slowly for years and recently accelerated in some places. "It's come to a tipping point for many of these districts like Detroit," said Ron Zimmer, an education professor at Vanderbilt University. "They just can't finance their school district that was meant for a much bigger enrollment than they currently have." Charter schools arrived in the 1990s and began attracting parents searching for an alternative to big-city districts that had strained for years to raise performance among minority and low-income students and those who are learning English. More than two decades later, charter enrollment continues to climb. Nationwide, more than 2.6 million students attended charter schools in 2014, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. In districts with growing student populations, such as Las Vegas and Orlando, Florida, that growth helps ease potential overcrowding. But in cities like Los Angeles, where the school-age population has been shrinking, the continued flight from traditional public schools has become a mounting concern. In most states, schools receive funding on a per-pupil basis, and the majority of those dollars follow students when they leave for a charter. Charter school advocates say it's only fair for local and state property tax dollars to follow children to the new schools, and that parents aren't to blame for a district's failing finances. "To the extent the district is not serving the needs of their students, this has been a trend line for some time," said Nina Rees, president of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, a nonprofit advocacy group. District leaders contend that even with fewer students to educate, they still have a range of fixed costs. Ultimately, they say, the funding decline affects programing for students still at traditional public schools, who often face the steepest challenges. If Los Angeles schools are no longer able to function as a district, "there is going to be collateral damage," said Steve Zimmer, president of LA Unified's school board. And the damage "will be to those children and families who are the most vulnerable." The issue surfaced recently when nearly all of Detroit's public schools were closed and more than 45,000 students missed classes for two days after about half of teachers called out sick to protest the possibility that some wouldn't get paid over the summer if the district ran out of cash. The number of students enrolled in Detroit public schools has dropped dramatically since the 1990s, fueled by the flight of a quarter million city residents, abysmal graduation rates, financial mismanagement and corruption. In 2002, the district had 156,000 students. This year, that number was 46,000 a 70 percent decline. Detroit is unique in the severity of its financial struggles, but isn't alone in its enrollment troubles. Kansas City schools, which once educated more than 70,000 students, now enroll about 15,000. Los Angeles had almost 674,000 students enrolled in district-run schools in the 2006-07 school year, compared with about 542,000 in 2014-15, a nearly 20 percent decline. Enrollment in traditional Chicago public schools has declined by nearly 85,000 students in the last decade. Some charter advocates believe the resulting fiscal strain will eventually have a positive effect by pushing districts to be more competitive and provide better services. Yet there's no clear evidence of that. One study found greater school choice did not significantly influence school effectiveness and put more financial pressure on schools with the steepest educational challenges. Others also question how much charters are ultimately responsible for woeful district finances, pointing instead to other factors such as rising pension and health care costs, inflexible staffing allocations and low state funding. Faced with the prospect of continuing declines, many districts are making difficult decisions. The Philadelphia district has closed more than 30 schools and reduced 20 percent of its staff since 2012. While the district is expected to end this year with a 4.8 percent surplus, a $603 million deficit is projected by 2021, Superintendent William Hite said. Districts are also drumming up public-relations campaigns in an attempt to draw families back to traditional public schools. At a recent meeting, the LA Unified board passed a resolution to increase the number of seats in magnet schools and highlight successful district-run schools. Los Angeles parent Lisette Duarte is debating where to enroll her 11-year-old daughter. Her 16-year-old son already attends a charter school with many benefits she doesn't see at their neighborhood school: a small learning environment, extra-curricular activities and close attention from teachers. Her daughter, by contrast, is struggling in a low-performing school with a large English learner population, she said. "It makes me really sad when I hear about parents who are still struggling," she said. "We were that family struggling" in Los Angeles public schools. ___ Associated Press Writer Corey Williams in Detroit contributed to this report. ___ Follow Christine Armario on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cearmario . FILE - In this Monday, May 2, 2016, file photo, hundreds of teachers march during a rally in Detroit's New Center. Nearly all of Detroit's public schools were closed Monday, and more than 45,000 students missed classes after about half the district's teachers called out sick to protest the possibility that some of them will not get paid over the summer if the struggling district runs out of cash. Many urban school districts are watching with alarm as more students leave for charter schools. (Tanya Moutzalias/The Ann Arbor News-MLive Detroit via AP, File) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT FILE - In this May 5, 2016, file photo, Tomi Sawyers, left, drops her son, Anthony Sawyers, off at the Cass Technical High School in Detroit. Anthony Sawyers is a sophomore at Detroit's pre-eminent public high school, Cass Tech, where textbooks aren't allowed out of his classrooms, even to take home to study. In already struggling urban districts from LA to Philadelphia, and most notoriously, Detroit, rising charter enrollment combined with low birth rates and rising housing costs has resulted in plummeting enrollment. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File) FILE- This Jan. 6, 2015, file photo, shows a vacant classroom at Southwestern High School in Detroit. The number of students enrolled in Detroit Public Schools has dropped dramatically since the 1990s, fueled by the flight of a quarter million city residents, abysmal graduation rates, financial mismanagement, and corruption. In 2002, there were 156,000 students enrolled in the district. This year, there were 46,000, a 70 percent decline. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File) FILE - In this May 5, 2016, file photo, students enter the Cass Technical High School in Detroit. The number of students enrolled in Detroit Public Schools has dropped dramatically since the 1990s, fueled by the flight of a quarter million city residents, abysmal graduation rates, financial mismanagement, and corruption. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File) This Thursday, May 26, 2016 photo shows Lisette Duarte, left, with her daughter Elise, before taking her to school at Monte Vista Elementary School in Los Angeles. Duarte is debating where to enroll her 11-year-old daughter. Her 16-year-old son already attends a charter school with many benefits she doesn't see at their neighborhood school, a small learning environment, extra-curricular activities and close attention from teachers. Her daughter, by contrast, is struggling in a low-performing school with a large English learner population, she said. "It makes me really sad when I hear about parents who are still struggling," she said. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) Gibraltar fears border with Spain could close if UK quits EU MADRID (AP) Gibraltar could find its access to the single European market blocked by a hostile Spanish government if the United Kingdom were to vote to leave the European Union in a referendum next month, the chief minister of the tiny British territory on Spain's southwestern tip said Sunday. Fabian Picardo told The Associated Press that Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo had warned that if Britain exits the EU, the Popular Party government currently in power would "require that we accept joint sovereignty with Spain to have access to the market." Picardo said British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond had acknowledged that the European mechanisms in place to keep the frontier between Spain and Gibraltar flowing "will not be available to us if we are not members of the EU." FILE - In this file photo dated Monday Aug. 19, 2013, Britain's Royal Navy ship HMS Westminster, right, sails along the Gibraltar stretch backdropped by the tiny territory on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula the rock of Gibraltar, near to La Linea de la Concepcion, Spain. Fabian Picardo, the chief minister of the tiny British territory, said Sunday May 29, 2016, that Gibraltar could find its access to the single European market blocked by a hostile Spanish government if the United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union in their upcoming referendum next month. (AP Photo/Laura Leon, FILE) Gibraltarians were overwhelmingly "on the 'remain' side" in the EU debate, he said. "But, it's important to send a message to those in the U.K. who think that there would be no adverse consequences for Gibraltar in the event that the U.K. were to leave the EU, that Garcia-Margallo made his point very clearly," Picardo said. Gibraltar would find its trade adversely affected if Spain took such action, but nevertheless, "we will never pay any sovereignty price either for access to the single market or for any other reason," Picardo said. Spain's main opposition Socialist Party wasn't against keeping Gibraltar's borders open because it acknowledged it is "an important actor on the economic front," creating 10,000 jobs in the southwest region, Picardo said. Spain's June 26 general election was hence almost as important to Gibraltar as the U.K.'s referendum on June 23 because a political divide exists over a free-flowing border, Picardo said. Spain ceded Gibraltar's sovereignty to Britain by treaty in 1713 but has persistently sought its return ever since. Canadians Warner, Theisen-Eaton win Hypo Meeting in Austria GOETZIS, Austria (AP) Canadian decathlete Damian Warner held on to his first-day lead to win the Hypo Meeting on Sunday, while fellow Canadian Brianne Theisen-Eaton set this year's best mark in the women's heptathlon. Warner, who also won here three years ago, finished on 8,523 points and beat Kevin Mayer of France by 77. Last year's winner Kai Kazmirek of Germany was 205 points back in third. Leading Kazmirek by just seven points after Saturday's five events, Warner easily won the 110 hurdles in 13.72 seconds to extend his lead to 76. While the German dropped to third, Mayer reduced the gap in each of the following three events in difficult conditions due to wind and rain, which forced organizers to suspend the pole vault for half an hour. Warner finally secured victory by finishing ahead of the Frenchman in the concluding 1,500 meters. "It was important to win," the world silver medalist said. "It was difficult but it was an important learning experience with a lot of ups and downs." Theisen-Eaton won the women's competition of the Hypo Meeting for a third time. After also triumphing in 2013 and last year, the world silver medalist gathered 6,765 points. Theisen-Eaton won one of the seven events the long jump with a 6.56-meter effort and remained 43 points short of her personal best mark she set while winning here last year. The Canadian finished 143 points clear of Laura Ikauniece-Admidina of Latvia. Carolin Schaefer of Germany was 208 points back in third after reaching her personal best score of 6,557, while 2014 winner Katerina Johnson-Thompson of Britain, who was second after the opening day, dropped to sixth with 6,304. reuters History not on Nets' side as they try to contain Giannis, Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo elevated his scoring average to nearly 30 points a game last season and is off to another quick start.Perhaps no team has struggled at... Trump's movement campaign likely to turn on the margins TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Donald Trump calls his presidential campaign a mass movement, but he must show he can coax enough support from voters who twice delivered the White House to Barack Obama. The billionaire businessman depended almost exclusively on conservative and GOP-leaning whites a majority of them men to secure the Republican nomination. Now he must look ahead to a wider, more diverse voting population in his likely general election matchup with Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton. His ability to seize on marginal shifts in the electorate may determine whether he can pull off a victory once unthinkable. Trump's task is critical to flipping back into the GOP column some of the most contested states that Obama won twice. In this Friday, May 27, 2016, photo Jennifer Perelman poses for a photo at her home in Davie, Fla. In an election between two deeply unpopular candidates for president, the difference between winning and losing will come at the margins. Can Donald Trump turn out a few more white men? Can Hillary Clinton win over a few more suburban women? (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) This challenge is perhaps best evident in Florida, a culturally, racially and ideologically varied state where Obama defeated Republican Mitt Romney four years ago by fewer than 75,000 votes out of more than 8.4 million cast. That means small shifts anywhere in the electorate could make a difference from turnout changes among white small-town and rural Republicans or urban, nonwhite Democrats to partisans, embittered by contentious nominating bouts, choosing third-party candidates or declining to vote at all; and if Trump can't close the gaps in Florida, he has little shot of winning key Rust Belt and Great Lakes states where Obama's advantages were greater. "We still elect presidents using the Electoral College ... depending on states that are made up of diverse electorates," cautions GOP pollster Whit Ayres. "There aren't enough angry white people to create a majority in the new America of 2016, (and) running up your numbers with white males in Mississippi doesn't get you one more electoral vote than Mitt Romney." One of Trump's vanquished primary rivals, Sen. Marco Rubio, told reporters this week Trump can win Florida, which has gone with the winner in every presidential contest since 1996, as long as he can "continue to be Donald." That brash outsider pitch has sewn up support from white men like Jack Oliver, a 66-year-old construction worker from West Palm Beach, Florida, and 84-year-old Frank Papa, a retired grocery manager from Clearwater, Florida. Oliver cites Trump's hard line on immigration and calls him a leader "who will finally give a damn about people like me." Papa, a New Jersey native, says Trump "speaks my language, talks and thinks like me." But Trump must expand his reach. "If he can't unify Republicans, there really isn't enough votes for him to make up elsewhere," said Steve Schale, who ran Obama's 2008 campaign in Florida. He said Florida elections have been close for decades, noting 41 million combined presidential votes have been cast since 1992, with fewer than 131,000 votes separating the combined totals of Democratic and Republican nominees. Trump gives lip service to the electorate's diversity, suggesting "the Mexican people" will "vote for me like crazy" and that he can win 25 percent of African-Americans. The highest won by any GOP nominee since 1980 is about 12 percent. He said recently he could lure "40 percent" of voters backing Clinton's primary opponent, Bernie Sanders. Some nonwhite Floridians mock Trump's claims about his own appeal. "I haven't heard any of my (black) friends say they'll vote for Trump," said Tanisha Winns, 39, a black Democrat in Lakeland, located along central Florida's Interstate 4 corridor that twice helped give Republican George W. Bush the statewide victory before swinging in Obama's favor. "If anything, I'm hearing my white friends say they won't," Winns added. For now, Florida polls suggest Trump and Clinton are running about even, with about 15 percent undecided. But there are variables that should give Trump pause. In 2012, nonwhites accounted for almost a third of all votes cast in Florida, compared to 28 percent nationwide. But population growth, driven by Hispanics, suggests both numbers could be higher come November. Obama beat Romney with Florida's black vote with 95 percent. The president won Hispanics by a 60-40 margin, closer than his 71-27 advantage nationally, with many of Florida's conservative Cuban-American voters accounting for the difference. Those numbers still left Romney too reliant on whites. He managed 61 percent of Florida's white vote better than his 59 percent nationally but he needed to get closer to 63 percent to win the Sunshine State's 29 electoral votes. Demographers and pollsters from both parties say Trump likely would have to push into the mid- to high-60s with whites a level no candidate has reached since Ronald Reagan's 1984 landslide to have a chance nationally. That's even more daunting considering an AP-GfK poll, taken in April, that found two out of three white women view Trump negatively. Among them are Republicans the nominee absolutely must get. In Clearwater, Republican Barbie Sugas says she's always voted for the GOP nominee, but the 47-year-old surgical technician said she's "kind of leaning toward Clinton" because she doesn't "trust Trump" with international affairs. To be sure, Clinton also must shore up her Democratic base, still divided with Sanders in the race. Jennifer Perelman, a Sanders supporter, says she won't back the former secretary of state. But she won't vote for Trump either. Her plan: to vote for Sanders as a write-in candidate. Ayres, the Republican pollster, affirmed that it's "not impossible" for Trump to fashion a winning coalition. But, he says, "You're basically arguing that somehow, a constant 20-year-plus demographic trend is just going to magically stop." ___ Associated Press writer Jonathan Lemire in New York contributed to this report. ___ Follow Barrow and Bustos on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP and https://twitter.com/sbustosAP. Its Memorial Day weekend and while most of you are out in the park, having hot dogs, etc., Im captivated with my new Microsoft Surface Book and how productive its making me. I may review it at some point in the future but for now the only problem I seem to have noticed with the hardware is the latch seems to lock and unlock repeatedly (when I press the button) its not a very well-designed system. I dont plan on using it as a tablet so I am not too concerned about this issue. What is annoying though is for a device which is supposed to get 11-12 hours of battery life, it seems to tell me I will get 7:30. But what is even more upsetting is I found Candy Crush Soda Saga in my Task Manager but when I went to Programs and Features to get rid of it, it isnt there. It turns out Microsoft decides to install apps you dont want so called crapware or bloatware. Quite annoying. I had to hit the Windows Key and then All Apps, then right click to delete it. This is the same thing Apple did with the U2 album on iPhones, frankly I cant recall the name of the album and its not worth repeating it if I did. Ive been trying to get rid of those songs for years. Somehow they keep coming back. Microsoft and Apple often copy from one another obviously, Apple leads the way in design and UI but if Redmond is looking for a good area to emulate, the U2 album fiasco isnt where they should look. Ironically Microsoft stores sell signature edition laptops without the bloatware so the company is aware consumers prefer to download their own apps. OK, rant over. Please go back to your picnics. One other point Flipboard is a great news reader and I think it adds to the OS. I also know the companys founder Mike McCue a great serial entrepreneur. But when a great app like this gets lumped in with games we dont want it devalues the whole auto-download initiative. Oh and this post showed up high on search engines as a way to stop the downloads from happening. It also mentions that Flipboard is auto-downloaded and I do have it installed and did not download it., I cant vouch for the validity of this solution. Sellout crowd arrives early for 100th Indianapolis 500 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) There was gridlock. There were lines. But the sold-out running of the 100th Indianapolis 500 somehow got off to a splendid start with most fans in their seats in plenty of time before the green flag waved. Speedway spokeswoman Suzi Elliott said he was unaware of any significant complaints. Fans left for the track early very early. Fans dressed in checked flags and patriotic gear pose for a photo before the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) "I think people who come every year were very much aware that you're going to have another 150,000 people here, so they really did a good job," said Jim Robisch, a 61-year-old fan from nearby Pittsboro, Indiana. "All my friends were saying 'Well, when are you going? We're leaving two hours early.' That's what we did. We left two hours earlier than we normally would to go to a typical 500." Some locals left their homes track as early at 3 a.m., just so they could get a good parking spot, and it may have contributed to a quieter night than usual. The Indianapolis Star reported only two arrests were made overnight, both for public intoxication. By 8 a.m., the Pagoda Plaza was already a prime people-watching spot, packed with fans from side to side. Gasoline Alley was filled with colorful cars going through technical inspection, celebrities there to take it all in and fans mingling with drivers and teams. Celebs walking the red carpet included "Star Trek" star Chris Pine, rapper Ice-T and Nick Gehlfuss of "Chicago Med." Lady Gaga was also at the speedway, dressed down in jean shorts with her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. She replaced Keith Urban for what IndyCar called a "high-speed thrill ride" during the parade laps alongside 1969 race winner Mario Andretti in a customized two-seat Honda. Outside the sprawling speedway, other than some unexpected road closures things went relatively smoothly for what is expected to be the world's largest single-day sporting event this year. "It only took us 2 1/2 hours," said Jackie Kuhens, a 56-year-old Louisville, Kentucky, resident who made the 110-mile drive Sunday morning. "We park only a block and a half away from here and it worked out perfectly." Race organizers announced 2 1/2 weeks ago that all reserved seats had been sold for the first time in at least two decades. Last week, the infield also was sold out and the local television blackout was lifted for the first time since the 1950s. When the gates opened at 6 a.m. with the traditional firing of the cannon, the massive crowd moved through the lines faster than anticipated with enhanced security a stark contrast to a few years ago when fans complained about long delays at the gate. Speedway officials have taken steps such as opening more gates and using private security workers to get people inside. "I'm really impressed with how fast we came through here," said Mark Yarber, a 63-year-old fan from Nashville, Tennessee. Fans make their way through security as they arrive before the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) A palatial three floor condominium is to become Manhattan's most expensive home, retailing at a staggering $250 million. The 220 Central Park South apartment has 16 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, five balconies and a massive terrace. The enormous condo will encompass floors 50 through 53 and will span 23,000 square feet, according to The Real Deal. Scroll down for video Billionar's Row: A luxury 90-floor apartment skyscraper called 'One57,' left, rises above all other buildings overlooking Central Park, while a crane sits atop ongoing construction for a new condominium skyscraper at 220 Central Park South Uptown luxury: Those prices eclipse a previous, high-profile sale of $88 million for a penthouse just a walk away at 15 Central Park West The novelty is the prestige of living in sleek, breathtaking skyscrapers with 360-degree views of New York City Other penthouses lie on the 45th and 46th floors and will be selling for $100 million each. The Robert A.M. Stern-designed limestone tower now has 116 units including 116 units that range from $1.35 million to $3.76 million. A swath of new multi million dollar 'trophy apartments' are springing up along Central Park South, now Manhattan's most salubrious street, dubbed 'billionaire's row'. The line up of a half-dozen new superluxury skyscrapers are home to some of the world's most expensive apartments. One penthouse on the 89th and 90th floors of a skyscraper near Carnegie Hall that went for more than $100 million seems almost a bargain compared to what will appear next year in a high-rise being built on Central Park South: a 23,000-square-foot, four-story apartment offered at $250 million. The multi-million dollar question is: Who can afford to buy these places? 'These are the trophy buildings of our era, and the foreign buyer clearly fuels this very, very high-end condominium tower market,' says John Burger, a broker for such properties with the Brown Harris Stevens real estate firm. The novelty is the prestige of living in sleek, breathtaking skyscrapers with 360-degree views of New York City, thanks to advanced engineering that allows residential buildings to stay skinny while soaring to dizzying heights. Coming in 2018 is the Central Park Tower at 111 West 57th St., which at 1,438 feet aims to become the tallest residential edifice in the western hemisphere. The 54-story tower at 520 Park Ave. also set for a 2018 completion will be what its architect, Robert A.M. Stern, describes as 'an elegant spear of asparagus rising out of the ground.' On the financial front, such properties often serve as a 'safe haven' for investors from turbulent regions of the world with shaky economies, says Richard Jordan, vice president of global markets for Douglas Elliman, New York's largest residential real estate brokerage. Several real estate experts credit former billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg (pictured left with partner Diana Taylor) for pushing city rezoning laws that allowed these to be built in previously restricted areas. Stunning views: These properties are helping push up already record-breaking real estate prices, with a current average of $2 million for a Manhattan apartment. 'They believe in the U.S. market, they love New York and they like privacy,' Jordan says. Other global buyers consider these properties as 'the new Swiss bank account' a discreet, private way of stashing away a fortune, says Burger. The $250 million mansion in the Manhattan sky is the prize property in the 70-story building that is still under construction at 220 Central Park South. Monthly common charges will be more than $45,000, with annual taxes of about $675,000, the documents show. For most New Yorkers, there's a downside to the exclusive real estate phenomenon. These properties are helping push up already record-breaking real estate prices, with a current average of $2 million for a Manhattan apartment. The most expensive New York condo went for $100.5 million in 2014 the penthouse in the 90-story One57 high-rise where many owners are wealthy Russians. Other residents at 15 Central Park West include Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein (right) also lived at 15 Central Park West and Sanford Weill (left with wife Joan) sold his $88 million penthouse there to a Russian mogul Those prices eclipse a previous, high-profile sale of $88 million for a penthouse just a walk away at 15 Central Park West. That was sold in 2012 to a Russian mogul by Sanford Weill, the American financier and philanthropist who had purchased the apartment four years earlier for half that. Other residents included Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein and Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez. 'That $88 million sale triggered the sense that there was this yet-to-be-harvested, nine-digit New York housing market,' says Jonathan Miller, an independent appraiser. 'We started to see a frenzy of $100 million listings what I call aspirational pricing.' In addition, new high-rises are even sprouting in Queens and Brooklyn. Several real estate experts credit former billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg for pushing city rezoning laws that allowed these to be built in previously restricted areas. Lady Gaga lays down her latest track at Indy speedway INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Already a regular singing partner with Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga found another golden oldie chart topper to pair with: Mario Andretti. Gaga was at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 100th running of the Indy 500 on Sunday, though she kept a fairly low profile, dressed down in jean shorts with her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. Gaga and 1969 Indy 500 winner Andretti rolled onto the track with the field of 33 drivers before Sunday's race in a custom-built, two-seat Indy car. Gaga was a late substitute for country star Keith Urban, who was unable to participate after injuring his back. Lady Gaga and Mario Andretti do a double fist-bump before they take a lap in the two-seater IndyCar before the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, Sunday, May 29, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Kerry Keating/The Indianapolis Star via AP) NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT Gaga gave Andretti and team owner Michael Andretti kisses on the cheek before the start of the race. "Travel to any corner of the globe and people know exactly who Lady Gaga is," Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles said. Lady Gaga and Mario Andretti prepare for a double fist-bump before they take a lap in the two-seater IndyCar before the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, Sunday, May 29, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Kerry Keating/The Indianapolis Star via AP) NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT Lady Gaga and Mario Andretti get ready before they take a lap in the two-seater IndyCar before the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, May 29, 2016. in Indianapolis. (Kerry Keating/The Indianapolis Star via AP) NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT The Latest: Authorities ask for tips in missing teen case SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The Latest on the search for a Northern California girl abducted at gunpoint (all times local): 11:15 am Authorities are asking people who may have seen a teenage girl abducted by an armed acquaintance to call them after finding no evidence the girl was in a Northern California creek searched since Friday. This undated photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office shows Pearl Pinson. Authorities are hoping to find the missing teenage girl alive as they frantically search a wide swath of California for her Friday, May 27, 2016, a day after the man suspected of abducting her died in a shootout with police. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office via AP) Officials late Saturday called off a two-day search by sheriff's divers, canine units and search and rescue teams for 15-year-old Pearl Pinson in the Willow Creek area of Sonoma Coast State Park. Solano County Sheriff's spokeswoman Christine Castillo says there are no searches planned for Sunday. She says investigators will base future searches on leads they are currently investigating. She is encouraging those who may have seen the high school freshman after she was kidnapped Wednesday to call 911 or their local police department. The teen was kidnapped while walking to a school bus stop near her home. In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol units pursue a car being sought in a statewide Amber Alert in the disappearance of a Northern California 15-year-old girl, as it passes through Buellton on U.S. Highway 101 in Southern California Thursday, May 26, 2016. Fernando Castro was being sought and is believed to be the driver. (AP Photo Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP) This undated photo provided by the California Highway Patrol shows Pearl Pinson. Pinson is the subject of an Amber Alert as law enforcement agencies in Northern California were frantically searching Thursday, May 26, 2016 for the 15-year-old girl, whom a witness reportedly heard screaming for help as a young man dragged her across a freeway overpass. Fernando Castro, 19, is also being sought. (California Highway Patrol via AP) This undated photo provided by the California Highway Patrol shows Fernando Castro. Castro is the subject of an Amber Alert as law enforcement agencies in Northern California were frantically searching Thursday, May 26, 2016, for a 15-year-old girl, Pearl Pinson, whom a witness reportedly heard screaming for help as a young man dragged her across a freeway overpass. (California Highway Patrol via AP) In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol units pursue a car being sought in a statewide Amber Alert in the disappearance of a Northern California 15-year-old girl, as it passes through Buellton on U.S. Highway 101 in Southern California Thursday, May 26, 2016. Fernando Castro was being sought and is believed to be the driver. (AP Photo Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP) Suspect arrested after Georgia deputy shot in the face ATLANTA (AP) A sheriff's deputy in Georgia is "doing much better" but may lose his left eye after he was shot in the face during a traffic stop south of Atlanta, authorities said. Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley said Sunday that deputy Jamie White's condition has improved after he was shot by the driver of a vehicle that he had pulled over. Joe Lee Garrett, 24, was arrested in Alabama just hours after the shooting happened about 7:30 p.m. Saturday. "Thank God the bullet didn't hit his brain," Jolley said. Police said Garrett turned himself in to the Phenix City Police investigator in Alabama and was transported to the Russell County Jail. He is being charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, and is currently being held as a fugitive from justice in relation to the shooting. Jolley said Garrett will have a court hearing Monday and is expected to be transported back to Harris County. He faces additional charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction, possession of a firearm during a felony, and fleeing and attempting to elude. Police said three people were inside a 1994 blue Chevrolet Caprice on I-85 southbound, about 80 miles south of downtown Atlanta, when they were stopped by the deputy. White took Garrett's driver's license and spoke with Garrett and the front seat passenger for about seven minutes. Garrett then pulled out a gun and shot White above the left eye, Jolley said. Once White was shot, Garrett exited the vehicle, got his license and drove away. Colorado conductor dies after getting run over by train CANON CITY, Colo. (AP) A conductor on a scenic Colorado train filled with passengers died when she was run over by the train as it was backing up, the Fremont County Sheriff's Office said Sunday. Leslie Cacy, 28, of Canon City, was standing near the rear of the Royal Gorge Railroad train Saturday evening when she fell as it was backing up to the station about four miles away, the sheriff's office says in a statement on its Facebook page. The train goes forward into the canyon, then backs up to return to the station in Canon City, sheriff's office spokeswoman Megan Richards said. There were about 200 people on the train, authorities said. Another train was sent to pick up passengers who were on the train when the woman fell. An autopsy is planned later in the week. The Royal Gorge is about 10 miles long, with the Arkansas River running through it and the railroad running along its banks. Its granite walls soar over 1,000 feet. The gorge has one of the nation's highest suspension bridges connecting both sides of the gorge, where thousands of tourists a year walk across and look over the edge, trying to spot rafters who take on some of the toughest whitewater routes in the country. The railroad issued a statement Sunday on its Facebook page saying the company will not be running the train for the next few days, and anyone with reservations will get refunds or they can reschedule. "We are a family run business, and our team members are like family to us. Our hearts are broken," railroad officials said in the statement. The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified. Investigator Randy Keller said the husband is very upset and asked that people "keep him in their thoughts and prayers." The Royal Gorge bridge and park remain open, officials said. ___ Saudi Arabia slams Iran's role in Iraq as 'unacceptable' RIYADH (AP) Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Sunday that Iran must stop meddling in Iraq and that the presence of Iranian military units there is "unacceptable." His comments come as thousands of Iraqi Shiite militiamen, soldiers and police, backed by Iran, surround the Sunni city of Fallujah ahead of an operation to retake it from the Islamic State group. Iran says its military advisers in Iraq are there at Baghdad's request to help Iraqi forces fight militants. It has repeatedly rejected Saudi criticisms of its role in Iraq, instead accusing its regional rival of supporting extremism. In this Sunday May 29, 2016 photo released by the Saudi Press Agency, SPA, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, right, receives British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Press Agency via AP) Al-Jubeir, speaking in a joint press conference with British Foreign Minister Phillip Hammond in Saudi Arabia Sunday, said Iran had sown "sedition and division in Iraq" through its policies, which he said had provoked sectarianism among Sunnis and Shiites there. Hammond had earlier held meetings with Saudi King Salman and senior princes in the Red Sea city of Jiddah to discuss the wars in Syria and Yemen, where Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposing sides of the conflicts, and the ongoing turmoil in Libya. He told reporters during the press conference that his country is committed to the security and stability of Gulf Arab countries. Saudi Arabia and Iran severed diplomatic ties earlier this year after Iranian protesters ransacked Saudi diplomatic offices there to protest the execution of a prominent Saudi Shiite cleric in January. The tensions have impacted the annual hajj pilgrimage, required of all able-bodied Muslims to perform once in their lives. An Iranian delegation left the kingdom after a second round of talks without reaching an agreement to send Iranian pilgrims to the hajj this year, which is taking place in September. Saudi Arabia says it could not agree to a demand made by the Iranians to allow a Shiite ritual during the hajj that includes protests against the West and often against the Sunni-ruled kingdom itself. Saudi Arabia says formally allowing them the right to protest would lead to chaos and disrupt the flow of some two million pilgrims from around the world. Iran's Hajj Organization said the Saudis failed to meet demands for the "security and respect" of pilgrims, while Iran's Culture Minister Ali Jannati said Sunday that Saudi "sabotage and obstacles" mean "Iranians pilgrims cannot go to hajj this year." Authorities ask for tips in missing teen case SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Authorities in Northern California on Sunday asked those who may have seen a teenage girl abducted by an armed acquaintance to call them after finding no trace of her during their two-day search along the Russian River in Sonoma County. Officials late Saturday called off a search by sheriff's divers, canine units and search and rescue teams for 15-year-old Pearl Pinson in the Willow Creek area of Sonoma Coast State Park. "Nothing was found during the search that would indicate Pearl is there," Solano County Sheriff's spokeswoman Christine Castillo said in a statement. This undated photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office shows Pearl Pinson. Authorities are hoping to find the missing teenage girl alive as they frantically search a wide swath of California for her Friday, May 27, 2016, a day after the man suspected of abducting her died in a shootout with police. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office via AP) Castillo said there are no searches planned for Sunday. "Investigators continue to follow-up on leads and any future search will depend on where those leads take us," she said. Castillo encouraged those who may have seen the high school freshman after she was kidnapped Wednesday while walking to a school bus stop near her home in Vallejo to call 911 or their local police department. A witness reported seeing a girl with a bleeding face screaming for help as a man armed with a handgun dragged her across a freeway overpass in Vallejo, about 25 miles east of San Francisco. Blood and Pinson's cellphone were found on the ground. Authorities feared Pinson was in grave danger based on the witness' account and have been frantically looking for her. However, the search has been complicated by the death of her suspected kidnapper. Fernando Castro, 19, was killed in Southern California on Thursday after police spotted his car and exchanged gunfire with him as he attempted to flee. Surveillance cameras captured images of Castro's car traveling Thursday morning in Marin County, about 25 miles from where Pinson was taken and 300 miles away from where he was shot and killed hours later, authorities said. The gold Saturn sedan was spotted on a freeway near San Francisco Bay, prompting authorities to search the water's edge. They narrowed their search Friday to the rugged Sonoma Coast, where divers, canine units and search-and-rescue teams scoured along the river and coast for Pinson. Castillo did not elaborate on what led investigators to the rural area, saying only that the strongest leads were there. Authorities said the two teens knew each other, but they emphasized that they believe Pinson was taken unwillingly. Rose Pinson, the missing girl's older sister, said she had heard Castro's name but had never met him and described him as an acquaintance, according to the Vallejo Times-Herald. In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol units pursue a car being sought in a statewide Amber Alert in the disappearance of a Northern California 15-year-old girl, as it passes through Buellton on U.S. Highway 101 in Southern California Thursday, May 26, 2016. Fernando Castro was being sought and is believed to be the driver. (AP Photo Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP) This undated photo provided by the California Highway Patrol shows Pearl Pinson. Pinson is the subject of an Amber Alert as law enforcement agencies in Northern California were frantically searching Thursday, May 26, 2016 for the 15-year-old girl, whom a witness reportedly heard screaming for help as a young man dragged her across a freeway overpass. Fernando Castro, 19, is also being sought. (California Highway Patrol via AP) This undated photo provided by the California Highway Patrol shows Fernando Castro. Castro is the subject of an Amber Alert as law enforcement agencies in Northern California were frantically searching Thursday, May 26, 2016, for a 15-year-old girl, Pearl Pinson, whom a witness reportedly heard screaming for help as a young man dragged her across a freeway overpass. (California Highway Patrol via AP) In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol units pursue a car being sought in a statewide Amber Alert in the disappearance of a Northern California 15-year-old girl, as it passes through Buellton on U.S. Highway 101 in Southern California Thursday, May 26, 2016. Fernando Castro was being sought and is believed to be the driver. (AP Photo Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP) The Latest: Final service held in church after long protest SCITUATE, Mass. (AP) The Latest on the final service held at a Roman Catholic church after an 11-year protest (all times local): 4:10 p.m. Members of a parish closed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston have held a final service before leaving the church they've occupied in an around-the-clock vigil since 2004. Parishioners carry quilts made to commemorate a vigil at the St. Frances X. Cabrini Church at the conclusion of a planned final service at the church, Sunday, May 29, 2016, in Scituate, Mass. For more than 11 years, a core group of about 100 die-hard parishioners at the church have kept their parish open by maintaining an around-the-clock vigil in protest of a decision by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston to close it following the clergy sex abuse crisis. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Parishioners called Sunday's service at St. Frances X. Cabrini in Scituate (SIH'-choo-iht) a "celebration of faith and transition." During the service, a handful of empty pews dotted a sea of churchgoers, many of whom openly cried. About a dozen quilts, some of them depicting each year of the vigil, decorated the church's walls. At the service's conclusion, families retrieved the quilts and formed a procession, carrying them down the aisles and through the church's doors. The archdiocese wanted to shutter the church as part of a broad restructuring plan that closed dozens of other parishes. ___ 6:30 a.m. Parishioners of a church closed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston plan to hold a final service before leaving the church they've occupied in an around-the-clock vigil since 2004. The service set for Sunday at St. Frances X. Cabrini in Scituate a suburb of Boston is being called a "celebration of faith and transition." The parishioners agreed to leave after the Supreme Court refused to hear their final appeal earlier this month. They say they will form an independent Catholic church outside of archdiocese control. For more than 11 years, a die-hard group of parishioners kept a constant vigil in the church building in hopes of reversing an archdiocese decision to close it as part of a broad restructuring plan that closed dozens of other parishes. Karen Virginia, of Holliston, Mass., center right, hugs parishioner Bobbie Sullivan, of Plymouth, Mass., right, following a planned final service at St. Frances X. Cabrini Church, Sunday, May 29, 2016, in Scituate, Mass. For more than 11 years, a core group of about 100 die-hard parishioners at the church have kept their parish open by maintaining an around-the-clock vigil in protest of a decision by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston to close it following the clergy sex abuse crisis. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The Latest: 2 Houston officers released from hospital HOUSTON (AP) The Latest on shootings Sunday in a Houston neighborhood (all times local): 7:20 p.m. A Houston police spokesman says two constable deputies injured while responding to a shootout at an auto shop have been released from the hospital. Police block the intersection at Memorial and Wilcrest as they respond to a shooting where authorities say a gunman and at least one other person are dead, Sunday, May 29, 2016, in Houston. (Gary Fountain/Houston Chronicle via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT John Cannon says four other people remain hospitalized with injuries that aren't life-threatening, including a person police say is a possible suspect. The three others still in the hospital have told police they were in their cars when they were shot. A customer at the auto detail shop was killed Sunday morning when a man walked in and began shooting. The gunman was later killed by a SWAT officer. Cannon says at least three police vehicles sustained damage during the shootout, one of which was struck 21 times. A police helicopter was hit five times. A bomb squad remains at the scene searching for unspent ammunition. Cannon says the county medical examiner's office may identify the gunman on Monday. ___ 5 p.m. Houston police say a person killed at an auto shop was a man in his 50s known to be a customer there who had arrived shortly before the shootings began. Authorities said the gunman came in and started shooting around 10:15 a.m. Sunday, and people ran to take cover. Police say they believe a fire at a gas station next door began when gunfire hit a pump. Police say the gunman was killed by a SWAT officer after about an hour. Police spokesman John Cannon has said authorities are investigating the role of a second armed man present during the shootings who was wounded. Cannon said three other wounded people, two male and one female, are hospitalized. Authorities say their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Two officers were shot but a union official says they should be OK. ___ 4:30 p.m. Houston police spokesman John Cannon says authorities are investigating the role of a second armed man present during shootings that left a gunman and one other person dead. Cannon says the second armed man at a tire shop was described as a suspect because he was at the scene and had a gun, but authorities are further investigating what went on. That second man was shot and is hospitalized. Police say the two killed were a gunman and a person they have described as a civilian. Cannon said three wounded people, two male and one female, are in the hospital. Two officers were shot but a union official says they should be OK. Cannon also said a police helicopter received five bullet strikes. ___ 3:45 p.m. Houston Police Union President Ray Hunt says an officer who was hit several times in the chest during a shooting was wearing both a metal breastplate and a bulletproof vest. Hunt says both officers hurt during the neighborhood shootings Sunday should be OK. The second officer was shot in the hand. Police have said there were two armed suspects involved, one of whom was killed. The other was wounded and taken to a hospital. Authorities say another person who was not a suspect or an officer was killed, and three other people were wounded. ___ 3 p.m. Neighbors near the scene of a Houston shooting Sunday that left two dead say they heard several shots and knew something was wrong. Stephen Dittoe, who lives in the house right behind the shooting scene, says he thought it was a transformer. His wife, Ha, says it went on too long for that. She took their two children into the bathroom and told them to eat breakfast in there, and she called 911. Police spokesman John Cannon says there were two armed suspects involved. One was killed; the other was wounded and taken to a hospital. Cannon says the second person killed was found inside a vehicle. The circumstances were not immediately available. Stephen Dittoe says he had thought there were multiple shooters because of the number of gunshots. ___ 2:30 p.m. A gunman and at least one other person are dead in a shooting in a Houston neighborhood where police had urged people to remain in their homes for part of Sunday. Police spokesman John Cannon says there were two armed suspects involved. One was killed; the other was wounded and taken to a hospital. Acting Police Chief Martha Montalvo said police believe one suspect was shot by the other and the second was shot by a SWAT officer. Cannon says the second person killed was found inside a vehicle. The circumstances were not immediately available. Montalvo said two officers and three citizens were also shot, and a police helicopter was shot at with a "high-powered" weapon. At least two drivers told KHOU their vehicles were shot at. Garland gives commencement address at old high school CHICAGO (AP) Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland delivered the commencement speech Sunday at the Chicago-area high school where he graduated as valedictorian 46 years ago, though he didn't address the partisan divide over his nomination. The U.S. appeals court judge in Washington, D.C., instead used his 15-minute address to the Niles West High School graduating class to touch on common commencement themes such as life's unexpected "twists and turns." He also urged graduates to consider going into public service. "Not one of us did anything by ourselves to deserve (our) initially luck (in life)," he said at the outdoor ceremony. "So, pay it back. Devote some part of your life to public service." President Barack Obama nominated Garland on March 16 to fill the late Antonin Scalia's seat. But Republicans in Congress have vowed not to hold hearings or a confirmation vote until a new president takes office. In introducing his nominee in March, Obama mentioned Garland's valedictory speech at Niles West in 1970. After some parents pulled a sound-system plug on another student speaker who denounced the Vietnam War, Garland set aside his prepared remarks to talk about free-speech rights, Obama said. Johnny Depp's daughter defends him after abuse allegations NEW YORK (AP) Johnny Depp's 17-year-old daughter has defended him after his wife raised allegations of domestic abuse. In an Instagram post Sunday, Lily-Rose Depp calls her father "the sweetest most loving person I know." She didn't specifically reference the allegations but says Depp has "been nothing but a wonderful father to my little brother and I, and everyone who knows him would say the same." Depp's wife, Amber Heard, is divorcing him. On Friday, she said in a Los Angeles court that Depp had been physically and emotionally abusive throughout "the entirety of our relationship." She appeared with a bruise on her right cheek. FILE - In this May 14, 2016 file photo, actress Lily-Rose Depp poses during portraits for the film La Danseuse (The Dancer) at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France. Chanel has tapped Johnny Depp's 16-year-old daughter to represent a new perfume, announced on Lily-Rose Depp's Instagram account on May 23, 2016. Depp's mother is model Vanessa Paradis. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File) A judge barred Depp from contacting Heard until a June 17 hearing. Lily-Rose Depp is an actress and model. Her mother is Vanessa Paradis, Johnny Depp's former partner. Cancer survivor stunned by attention over graduation denial PHOENIX (AP) Overwhelming public support is outweighing any lingering bitterness for a suburban Phoenix high school student who kept up with classes through cancer treatments but wasn't allowed to walk at graduation. "Having people tell me that I'm being a voice for them is so much more powerful than these people denying me my request," Stephen Dwyer said. The 18-year-old on Sunday, just a few days after having to watch his Mesa high school's graduation ceremony from afar, said he never imagined his Facebook post about it would draw national attention. He said he has heard from strangers from all over the world through social media. Many of them are people who are dealing with illness. In this photo taken, Thursday evening, May 26, 2016, Stephen Dwyer, right, who could not wear a cap and gown nor sit with his classmates, leads graduates during the Dobson High School graduation in Mesa Ariz. Dwyer, who withdrew from classes his junior year to receive a lifesaving bone-marrow transplant to treat high-risk leukemia, returned for classes his senior year and he worked to catch. He is only 2.5 credits short of meeting the requirements to graduate from Dobson. He expects to graduate in December. The school and the Mesa Public Schools district officials said Dwyer may not wear his cap and gown, but can lead the Class of 2016 out at the beginning of the ceremony.(David Wallace/The Arizona Republic via AP) MARICOPA COUNTY OUT; MAGS OUT; NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT Dwyer withdrew from Dobson High School during his junior year to receive a life-saving bone marrow transplant for leukemia. He took online courses until he was able to return in the fall of 2015. He took on an extra early morning class, rejoined the swim team and was elected student body president. He is 2 credits short of graduating and will finish in December. He argued that students who are on track to graduate shouldn't be excluded from events like the graduation ceremony. Mesa Public Schools spokeswoman Helen Hollands last week lauded Dwyer for being courageous, but she cited district policy. "Each year, the district has a number of students who due to their personal hardships have not earned the minimum number of credits required to graduate," Hollands said in a written statement. "These students do not participate in a graduation ceremony before successfully earning a diploma." The district offered Dwyer the chance to sit on the stage but not in a cap and gown and give a speech as a student leader. He turned that down, saying that would have made him feel more isolated from the other seniors. He did lead his classmates in a procession on the field at Thursday's ceremony, but he had to go sit in the stands after. However, he doesn't regret going. "There's definitely going to be part of me for the rest my life where I'm going to be a little bit bitter that I wasn't in cap and gown on the field sitting with my classmates," Dwyer said. "But I think just the emotions that I shared with all my classmates, all my teachers and my family is kind of more powerful." While graduation is over, he and his parents still hope to get the school district to change its policy. Doctor who wrote unnecessary prescriptions may avoid jail TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) A former doctor who admitted writing prescriptions for highly addictive opiate painkillers with no medical justification may avoid a jail sentence. Liviu Holca received a 364-day county jail term when he was sentenced Friday. But the judge suspended the term on the condition that the 58-year-old physician successfully complete three years of probation and perform 100 hours of community service. Holca also must find employment within 45 days and will forfeit $292,919. Holca pleaded guilty in March to distributing oxycodone and to money laundering. He had a family medicine practice in Stafford but lost his medical license over the criminal charges and closed his office. Authorities raided Holca's office in January 2014, culminating an investigation in which an undercover officer posed as a patient to get prescriptions for hundreds of Percocet and Xanax pills for which she had no medical need. Authorities say the officer repeatedly told Holca she didn't need the pills but took them because they made her feel good. She also said she gave the pills to friends. The officer made weekly visits to Holca, giving him $100 in cash each time in exchange for prescriptions. Ocean County prosecutors asked the judge to ensure that Holca serve a jail sentence, noting that the region is dealing with an opiate epidemic. They said doctors who write medically unnecessary prescriptions "are no different than others who would push such damaging drugs on the community." Philip Hammond to press for more action on Syria and Yemen on Gulf tour Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond will use a tour of Gulf states to press for more concerted action on Syria and Yemen. After arriving in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Mr Hammond then goes on to Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. The Foreign Secretary will also meet the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, in Kuwait to underline UK support for the peace process in the strife-torn country. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond Speaking ahead of the visit, the Foreign Secretary said: "Wherever we look, the world is becoming more dangerous and more uncertain. International engagement is fundamental to maintaining both Britain's security and our prosperity. "Britain's strong relations with the Gulf states enable us to work together on regional challenges and shared threats that confront us, whether from violent extremism, terrorism, or volatile economic conditions. "The crisis in Yemen will be high on my agenda during discussions in the Gulf. Allowing the state to collapse is simply not an option. Britain is continuing to work together with all parties to support a comprehensive political solution to the conflict." Amnesty International's Allan Hogarth said: "Philip Hammond should use the visit to inform Saudi Arabia that the reckless conduct of its military coalition in Yemen is totally unacceptable and the UK will be ceasing arms sales to it and other coalition members until a full independent investigation of this bloody conflict is undertaken. "Just last week we published evidence of how the Saudi Arabia-led coalition has been using internationally-banned cluster bombs in attacks on villages in northern Yemen. "Civilians - including small children - have been killed and maimed, with deadly unexploded bomblets left strewn over farming land, roads and even inside people's homes. "Altogether, in the last year thousands of Yemeni civilians have been killed and injured in reckless Saudi-led coalition air strikes - further weapons sales to Saudi Arabia would simply add more fuel to the fire. Jeremy Corbyn fuels speculation that Ed Miliband may join Labour shadow cabinet Jeremy Corbyn has added to mounting speculation that he wants Ed Miliband in his shadow cabinet by refusing to be pinned down on the former leader's return. During an interview on Pienaar's Politics on the BBC's Radio 5 the Labour leader spoke highly of his "great friend" while on the EU referendum campaign trail. Asked if he wants the Doncaster MP back in the shadow cabinet, Mr Corbyn refused to rule out the possibility and replied: "That is all for the future." Jeremy Corbyn has spoken highly of his "great friend" Ed Miliband He added: "He is a great friend, he has worked very hard as Labour leader in the past, he was a great environment secretary and I am delighted to be with him here today in his constituency." Defending Mr Miliband over the party's election defeat, Mr Corbyn added: "Ed is not a great loser, Ed is a great asset. "Yes he led the party, yes we did not win the general election - we all know that. "But Ed fought a strong campaign - he raised the issue of justice at work over zero hours contracts and issues like that, and I have a lot of respect and a lot of time for Ed." Former home secretary Alan Johnson has also spoken of his support for Mr Miliband and how he hopes he will return to the frontbench. "Ed is hugely talented, I sat with him in the cabinet when he was the environment secretary - he is a young up-and-coming person," Mr Johnson told the Press Association. "He should be welcomed back on the front bench." Record-breaker Ricky Burns would welcome rematch with Terence Crawford Ricky Burns would welcome a rematch with Terence Crawford after becoming a history-making three-weight world champion. The 33-year-old from Coatbridge rolled back the years with an eighth-round stoppage of Michele Di Rocco in his battle with the Italian for the vacant WBA super-lightweight title at Glasgow's SSE Hydro on Saturday night. Burns, former WBO super-featherweight and lightweight champion, who took the WBO inter-continental lightweight title in November, operated at a different level from his 34-year-old opponent who endured a punishing night in front of a partisan home crowd before being bludgeoned to the floor and unable to continue when he got up. Ricky Burns, right, operated at a different level to Michele Di Rocco, left As new avenues opened up for Burns, the first Scot to win world titles at three weights, he told promoter Eddie Hearn to put unbeaten Crawford, whom he lost his WBO world lightweight title to in Glasgow in March, 2014 , and his fellow American Adrien Broner, on the list of possible match-ups. "There is some big fights and some big names out there for me," said Burns. "I have said to Eddie that I want to fight the top names. I do super-lightweight comfortably but lightweight is still an option. "At super-lightweight, you have Terence Crawford, he is fighting Viktor Postol in a unification. I would fight him again if it came down to it. Why not? And there are other big fights out there. "I fought for this title because Adrien Broner didn't make the weight. If he gets his finger out, that fight is an option as well." It was the first time Burns had fought in Glasgow since losing to Dejan Zlaticanin in June 2014 and it was an impressive performance from a man who had lost three of his previous six bouts and who had declared himself bankrupt last year. Following his defeat to Crawford, Burns linked up with trainer Tony Sims in his Essex gym and, with three wins on the spin, he feels his career is back on track. He said: "I have had a bit of bad run in the last couple of years with stuff. But who would have thought I would have been sitting here as world champion again? "When things were happening at the time I was trying to say it wasn't bothering me but obviously it was. "Things were looking good in training but it was affecting my performances on fight night. "There was never anything in me that wanted to chuck it. Tony knew I always gave it 100 per cent in the gym but I felt in the last few fights it just wasn't clicking, something was missing. "But things have started to come together. The camp went perfect, the sparring was good and the weight was good. I am just so happy with the performance." Hearn admitted that Burns may have to travel to get the type of big fights he craves but praised the Scot's achievement. He said: "There will be people who, as always, will find negatives, (saying) Di Rocco was not the strongest, but that was just a great performance. "He fancied himself, his confidence was back and that was the key. A lot of the previous fights he hadn't had the confidence going in as he had last night. Japan PM Abe tells G7 N Korea nuclear, missile developments a concern for Europe ISE-SHIMA, May 26 (Reuters) - Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told fellow Group of Seven leaders on Thursday that North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes are also a concern to Europe, a top Japanese government official said. Chairing the first of two days of a G7 summit in central Japan, Abe told his counterparts that Pyongyang's development of nuclear technology and ballistic missiles poses a threat to international peace, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshige Seko told reporters. French unions plan to disrupt Euro 2016 match days PARIS, May 27 (Reuters) - The hardline Force Ouvriere union will disrupt heavy goods traffic and public transport in cities where Euro 2016 matches will be held until a controversial labour law is withdrawn, a senior official from its transport division said on Friday. "We have decided that each match day in the towns concerned the federation would call strikes," Patrice Clos, who runs the union's transport division, told Reuters after a meeting of delegates. "It was decided that as this law touches on the economy of the workers, that we would hit the economy of the Euros ... until it is withdrawn," he said. He said sectors concerned included heavy goods traffic, public transport, ambulances and rubbish collectors. Venezuela government, opposition meet with mediators in Dominican Republic CARACAS, May 28 (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition and top government officials said on Saturday they met with a group of mediators in the Dominican Republic to lay the groundwork for a dialogue amid a political standoff and a deepening economic crisis. The OPEC nation is suffering a severe recession due to low oil prices and a collapsing socialist economic model. President Nicolas Maduro is locked in a standoff with the legislature after the opposition won a sweeping majority last year. Both sides said they met with former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and former presidents Martin Torrijos of Panama and Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic. On Friday, the U.S. State Department announced Secretary of State John Kerry had spoken to Zapatero to welcome the initiative and said that the United States stood ready to help the mediators.. The opposition's Democratic Unity coalition said its representatives told the mediators that any talks with the government would have to include discussion of a recall referendum on Maduro's rule, the release of jailed opposition leaders, foreign humanitarian assistance to cope with chronic shortages and respect for laws passed by the congress. "These points were taken by the ex-presidents to the representatives of the ruling party, with whom there has been no direct encounter whatsoever," the coalition said in a statement. "This has been an encounter with the mediators. Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez wrote via Twitter that government officials had also met with the same mediators. "The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela informs that it has held the first encounters for a dialogue between the government and the opposition," wrote Rodriguez. Opposition leaders have been deeply skeptical of talks with the government, describing them as a stalling mechanism that would allow Maduro to gain time. Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, who is leading the recall push, said in an interview this week that the only way to resolve the crisis was through a vote. The two sides held talks in 2014 amid months of violent anti-government street protests that left more than 40 people dead. Both sides agree that the dialogue did not produce any substantive agreements. Opposition leaders accuse the National Electoral Council of stalling their effort to recall Maduro, whose popularity in March dropped to 27 percent according to local pollster Datanalisis. They also say the ruling Socialist Party has used a pro-government Supreme Court to shoot down nearly every law passed by Congress since the opposition won a two-thirds majority of seats in December. Rescued migrants say ship sank off Italy with hundreds aboard -NGO ROME, May 28 (Reuters) - Migrants rescued from two boats in the Mediterranean this week told humanitarian workers in Italy that they saw another vessel carrying some 400 migrants sink, Save the Children said on Saturday. Three vessels carrying migrants already are confirmed to have sunk or capsized this week. More than 60 bodies are said to have been recovered, including those of three infants, and hundreds are believed to be missing. But the possible sinking of a fourth vessel on Thursday had not been reported, said Giovanna Di Benedetto, spokeswoman for Save the Children in Italy. That ship along with another fishing boat and a rubber boat left Sabratha in Libya late Wednesday night, according to interviews on Saturday with some of the more than 600 survivors from the two other vessels in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo. They said the rubber boat had its own motor, but the smaller fishing boat, carrying some 400 migrants, did not. It was towed by the larger fishing vessel, which held about 500 others. Eventually the smaller boat began to take on water and, when the captain of the larger boat ordered the tow line cut, sank with most of its passengers, the survivors told Save the Children. Those aboard the other two vessels were not rescued until much later. "There were many women and children on board," the survivors said, according to Di Benedetto. "We collected testimony from several of those rescued from both (the rubber and fishing) boats. They all say they saw the same thing." On the orders of the court of Ragusa, police have detained a man who they suspect was the captain of the larger boat, state news agency Ansa reported. Police are interviewing witnesses of the possible tragedy, la Repubblica Web site said. Mild weather has brought on a surge in migrant traffic this week between Libya and Italy, and about 700 more migrants were picked up on Saturday, the coast guard said. Japan's Abe to delay sales tax hike until 2019 - government source TOKYO, May 29 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to delay an increase in Japan's sales tax by two and a half years, a government official said on Sunday, as the economy sputters and Abe prepares for a national election. Abe told Finance Minister Taro Aso and the secretary general of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Sadakazu Tanigaki, on Saturday of his plan to propose delaying the tax hike for a second time, until October 2019, said the official, who was briefed on the meeting. After chairing a summit of Group of Seven leaders on Friday, Abe said Japan would mobilise all policies needed - including the possibility of delaying the tax hike - to avoid what he called an economic crisis on the scale of the global financial crisis that followed the 2008 Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. Japan's Aso calls for lower house elections if tax hike is delayed -Kyodo TOKYO, May 29 (Reuters) - Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said the lower house of the parliament should be dissolved followed by a general election if the increase in the consumption tax is delayed, the Kyodo news agency reported on Sunday. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to delay an increase in sales tax -planned for April 2017- by two and a half years, a government official said on Sunday. Jordan's King Abdullah appoints PM to oversee parliament elections - political source BEIRUT, May 29 (Reuters) - Jordan's King Abdullah appointed veteran politician Hani Mulqi as prime minister after dissolving parliament on Sunday, charging him with overseeing elections before the end of the year, a senior political source said. The monarch accepted the resignation of premier Abdullah Ensour, as is customary under the constitution before appointing an interim head of government to oversee the election. Five Ukrainian soldiers killed in separatist attacks KIEV, May 29 (Reuters) - Five Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and four wounded in the past 24 hours as a result of attacks by pro-Russian rebels in separatist eastern regions, Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said on Sunday. This follows a report of the deaths of seven Ukrainian soldiers last Tuesday - the highest daily casualty figure for government troops since August. A ceasefire signed in February 2015 has failed to quell all fighting in Ukraine's separatist east, with each side accusing the other of violations. Motuzyanyk highlighted the government-controlled frontline town of Avdiyivka, north of separatist-held Donetsk city, as a recent hotspot for rebel attacks from both light and heavy weapons, including mortars. Russia denies Western charges it has provided the rebels in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions with arms and troops in a conflict that has killed some 9,000 people and led to Western economic sanctions against Moscow. On Saturday rebel officials said two civilians had been wounded as a result of shelling by Ukrainian troops, separatist website DAN reported. Jordan's King Abdullah dissolves parliament, names caretaker PM By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN, May 29 (Reuters) - Jordan's King Abdullah appointed veteran politician Hani Mulqi as caretaker prime minister on Sunday after dissolving parliament as its four-year term nears its end, and charged him with organising new elections by October. The king accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour before appointing Mulqi by royal decree. Mulki has held senior government posts in successive administrations. Under the constitution, the election must now be held within four months. "The kingdom faces grave economic difficulties due to the volatile situation in this region, which has had an adverse impact on growth levels," Abdullah said in a letter appointing Mulki. "Therefore we have to take exceptional and innovative measures that help us overcome these challenges and obstacles." Jordan is struggling to cope with at least 1.2 million Syrian refugees who have fled the conflict in their country. The king also told Mulki he hoped the election would pave the way for a prime minister emerging from a parliamentary majority rather than one handpicked by the monarch, a main plank of the reformist agenda of a mix of Islamist and tribal figures. Jordan traditionally votes according to tribal and family allegiances but parliament amended the electoral laws in March in a move government sources and political analysts say will lead to more candidates from political parties vying for votes. The analysts say the tribal lawmakers who dominated the last parliament had tried to resist changes which might undermine their influence, under a system that still favours sparsely populated tribal areas which benefit most from state patronage. MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD Jordan's main political opposition comes from the Muslim Brotherhood movement but it faces increasing legal curbs on its activities, leaving mostly pro-monarchy parties and some independent Islamists and politicians to compete in these elections, the political analysts say. The Brotherhood, wants sweeping political reforms but stops short of demanding the overthrow of the monarchy in Jordan. Its political arm in Jordan, the Islamic Action Front, represents many disenfranchised Jordanians of Palestinian origin, who are in the majority in the population of seven million and live mostly in urban areas. Analysts say it could be difficult for the Brotherhood, which has operated legally in Jordan for decades, to participate in the election after the authorities closed many of its offices and encouraged a splinter group to legally challenge the main movement's licence to operate. Western diplomats and independent politicians say the absence of the group, which has strong grassroots support in urban centres, could undermine the legitimacy of the election. Uganda to halt military, security ties with North Korea-S.Korea SEOUL, May 29 (Reuters) - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said his country would halt security and military cooperation with North Korea, a South Korean official said following a summit in Kampala between Museveni and South Korean President Park Geun-hye. Uganda hosted 45 North Koreans providing police training as recently as December, according to a February report by a United Nations panel of experts. Another report by the panel last year said North Koreans trained Ugandan police on the use of AK-47s and pistols. Isolated North Korea has come under growing diplomatic pressure in the aftermath of its January nuclear test and a space rocket launch in February, which led to a United Nations Security Council resolution in March tightening sanctions against Pyongyang. "During the summit, Uganda's President Museveni...said he had ordered (officials) to faithfully enforce the U.N. Security Council resolution including halting of its security, military and police cooperation with North Korea," Jeong Yeon-guk, a spokesman for Park, told reporters in the Ugandan capital on Sunday, according to the presidential Blue House in Seoul. Sri Lanka face a battle after England enforce follow on LONDON, May 29 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka were forced to follow on 397 runs adrift on the third morning of the second test after England's bowlers took just 17 minutes to claim the final two wickets they needed at Durham. After being dismissed for 101, Sri Lanka's batsmen showed more resistance in their second innings and by lunch had reached 58 for the loss of opener Dimuth Karunaratne. The tourists still trail by 339 runs. Stuart Broad took three balls to claim his fourth wicket of the first innings when Suranga Lakmal edged behind without scoring. Jimmy Anderson then tied things up when Lahiru Thirimanne (19) hoiked an ill-judged shot for Nick Compton to bag England's ninth catch of the innings. When Sri Lanka batted again, Karunaratne batted diligently until edging a ball from Chris Woakes to Joe Root when he was on 26. At lunch Kaushal Silva was unbeaten on 23 and Kusal Mendis was on 8. Switzerland's Fischer grooms CEO candidates - SonntagsZeitung ZURICH, May 29 (Reuters) - Machinery, pipes and car-parts maker Georg Fischer is grooming several internal candidates to replace Chief Executive Yves Serra when he turns 65 in two years, the Swiss company's chairman, Andreas Koopmann, told the weekly SonntagsZeitung. Serra, also interviewed for the article published on Sunday, told the newspaper the Schaffhausen-based company is considering broadening its range of products to include parts for airplanes. Expanding in a new sector would require acquisitions, he said, in part to ensure the company meets the aviation industry's safety standards. "We can't start from scratch by developing everything ourselves," Serra told the newspaper. He did not name potential targets or how much the company may be willing to spend. Georg Fischer is building a new plant in Switzerland that will create 460 jobs. Serra told the newspaper that it is also expanding factories in India, Malaysia and the United States, where it is building a light metal foundry. Between 700-900 migrants may have died at sea this week - NGOs ROME, May 29 (Reuters) - The busiest week of migrant crossings from Libya towards Italy this year may have led to the deaths of at least 700 migrants at sea this past week, Medecins San Frontieres and the UN Refugee agency said on Sunday. About 14,000 have been rescued since Monday amid calm seas, and there have been at least three confirmed instances of boats sinking. But the number of dead can only be estimated based on survivor testimony, which is still being collected. Iran says its pilgrims will not attend haj in Saudi DUBAI, May 29 (Reuters) - Iran said on Sunday its pilgrims would not attend the annual Muslim haj pilgrimage, blaming regional rival Saudi Arabia for "sabotage" and failing to guarantee the safety of pilgrims. Saudi Arabia, which oversees the pilgrimage to Mecca by more than two million Muslims from around the world, accused Iran of effectively depriving its citizens from the religious duty by refusing to sign a memorandum reached after talks with Iran's Haj and Pilgrimage Organisation. Relations between the two Gulf powers plummeted after hundreds of Iranians died in a crush in last year's haj and after Riyadh broke diplomatic ties when its Tehran embassy was stormed in January over the Saudi execution of a Shi'ite cleric. The dispute has provided another arena for discord between the conservative Sunni Muslim monarchy of Saudi Arabia and the revolutionary Shi'ite republic of Iran, which back opposing sides in Syria and other conflicts across the region. "Due to ongoing sabotage by the Saudi government, it is hereby announced that ... Iran's pilgrims have been denied the privilege to attend the haj this year, and responsibility for this rests with the government of Saudi Arabia," Iran's Haj and Pilgrimage Organisation said in a statement carried by state media. Saudi media earlier said an Iranian delegation had left the kingdom without an agreement over the haj, the second time the two countries have failed to reach a deal. Saudi Arabia has blamed Iran for the impasse. "Saudi Arabia does not prevent anyone from performing the religious duty," Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said at a news conference with visiting British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond. "Iran refused to sign the memorandum and was practically demanding the right to hold demonstrations and to have other advantages ... that would create chaos during haj, which is not acceptable," he added. Iranian Culture Minister Ali Jannati said the issue of ensuring the safety of the pilgrims was paramount for Tehran following the death of hundreds of Iranian pilgrims last year. "The Saudi government deliberately acted in a way to prevent Iranian pilgrims from ... attending haj this year," Jannati told Iran state television. Eight months after the last haj, Saudi Arabia has still not published a report into the disaster, at which it said over 700 pilgrims were killed, the highest death toll at the annual pilgrimage since a crush in 1990. Peru's Fujimori seen winning presidential election next week-poll LIMA, May 29 (Reuters) - Peruvian presidential contender Keiko Fujimori is seen beating rival Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in the June 5 run-off election, according to an Ipsos poll released on Sunday, consolidating the lead she had gained in recent weeks. Fujimori, the 40-year-old daughter of imprisoned ex-president Alberto Fujimori, was seen garnering 45.9 percent of votes, according to the poll published in local newspaper El Comercio. Kuczynski, a 77-year-old former World Bank economist who narrowly moved onto the second-round election after coming in second to Fujimori ahead of a leftist rival, is seen getting 40.6 percent of votes. The Ipsos survey of 1,815 people has a 2.3 point margin of error up or down and was taken between May 26-27. Some 13.5 percent of voters were still undecided or planned to cast a spoiled ballot. Fujimori was seen winning 53.1 percent of valid votes, which does not include blank or spoiled votes, compared to Kuczynski's 46.9 percent. Fujimori has solidified her lead despite a scandal involving a top aide. The senior aide resigned from her center-right party in a bid to calm an uproar following media reports that linked the two to money laundering, accusations that both have denied. Fujimori and Kuczynski are scheduled to face off Sunday night in the last televised debate before voters head to the ballot box. U.N. concerned about rising political tensions in Cambodia UNITED NATIONS, May 29 (Reuters) - The United Nations on Sunday voiced alarm at the escalating political tensions in Cambodia, including attempted arrests of politicians, amid allegations from the opposition that Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party is persecuting it. Last week Hun Sen said Cambodia's next election will be in July 2018. Meanwhile leaders of the opposition are facing legal charges they say are politically motivated to stop them challenging the veteran premier in the vote. "The Secretary-General (Ban Ki-moon) is concerned about the escalating tensions between the ruling and opposition parties in Cambodia, particularly arrests or attempted arrests," U.N. spokeswoman Devi Palanivelu said. "A non-threatening environment of democratic dialogue is essential for political stability and a peaceful and prosperous society," she added. Long before the Southeast Asian nation goes to the ballot box, political tensions have risen. The last election in 2013 marked self-styled strongman Hun Sen's toughest challenge in three decades of rule. The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), led by Hun Sen's longtime foe Sam Rainsy, accused the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of cheating its way to victory and boycotted parliament for a year. Rainsy has been in exile since late 2015 to avoid jail on charges for which he had previously received a royal pardon. His deputy, Kem Sokha, was cited on Friday for contempt of court after failing to appear on Thursday to hear charges for procurement of prostitution over a leaked recording of purported telephone conversation he had with a woman. Sokha's lawyer, Sam Sokong, dismissed the charge as baseless, saying his client had reasonable grounds not to appear in court. Iran orders social media sites to store data inside country DUBAI, May 29 (Reuters) - Iran has given foreign messaging apps a year to move data they hold about Iranian users onto servers inside the country, prompting privacy and security concerns on social media. Iran has some of the strictest controls on internet access in the world and blocks access to social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, although many users are able to access them through widely available software. "Foreign messaging companies active in the country are required to transfer all data and activity linked to Iranian citizens into the country in order to ensure their continued activity," Iran's Supreme Council of Cyberspace said in new regulations carried by state news agency IRNA on Sunday. The council, whose members are selected by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, gave social media companies a year to comply, IRNA said, adding that the measures were based on the "guidelines and concerns of the supreme leader". The new requirements could affect messaging app Telegram in particular. The cloud-based instant messaging service has gained popularity because of its high level of security and is estimated to have about 20 million users in Iran, which has a total population of about 80 million. In November authorities said they had arrested administrators of more than 20 groups on Telegram for spreading "immoral content" as part of a clampdown on freedom of expression. Social media users reacted with concern to the planned changes. "Telegram's data centres are to be moved inside the country so they can delete what they want and arrest who they want," @Mehrdxd said in a tweet. Five U.N. soldiers killed in central Mali attack BAMAKO, May 29 (Reuters) - Five United Nations peacekeepers from Togo were killed and one other was seriously injured in an ambush in central Mali on Sunday, the United Nations said. The soldiers of the U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) were in a convoy which was attacked 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of Sevare, the U.N. said. No group has taken responsibility for the attack. It came 10 days after five MINUSMA peacekeepers from Chad were killed in an ambush in the northern region of Kidal. Two days ago five Malian soldiers were killed near the town of Gao. "I condemn in the strongest terms this despicable crime," said MINUSMA head Mahamat Saleh Annadif. MINUSMA and French forces have been stationed in northern Mali for three years since separatists joined jihadists to seize the region from the government in Bamako. The militants have staged a series of high profile attacks in the past year, mainly in the north of the country, but also in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. Israeli police recommend charges against Netanyahu's wife-reports JERUSALEM, May 29 (Reuters) - Israeli police on Sunday recommended bringing criminal charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara, Israeli media said, on suspicion she misused state funds at their official and private residences. Mrs Netanyahu, who has denied any wrongdoing, was questioned by the police fraud squad in December. Any significant political fallout for the prime minister would likely depend on whether state prosecutors accept the police recommendation. "Mrs Netanyahu did not break any law, these are matters that do not even come close to breaking the law ... We are certain that when the authorities check the facts they will find that there is nothing in them," Netanyahu spokesman Nir Hefez said. Police said in a statement they had concluded the investigation and had presented their findings to prosecutors, who would decide what action to take, but unsourced reports in all Israel's main media outlets said police had recommended that charges be brought. The suspicions relate to Mrs Netanyahu's alleged misuse of state funds to pay a caregiver for her ailing father before his death, the hiring of an electrician who did not meet the requirements of a government tender and for opulent meals. The investigation was prompted by a government auditor's findings and by information provided by a former chief custodian at the official residence. In February, he won damages for emotional distress after a labour court found that Mrs Netanyahu had repeatedly scolded him and other household staff. In a separate report by the state auditor on Tuesday, the prime minister was criticised over free air tickets that he and his family received for travel abroad when he was finance minister more than a decade ago. No criminal charges have been brought in that investigation. Netanyahu's lawyers said he had broken no laws in having travel and expenses covered by organisations that invited him to speak at events raising funds for Israel, or by private individuals associated with those groups. Three years ago, Netanyahu and his wife caused a flap when a bedroom for the couple was fitted, at the cost to public coffers of $127,000, onto a chartered El Al flight to London, where the couple attended the funeral of former British leader Margaret Thatcher. Fourteen soldiers killed in southern Yemen clashes - officials ADEN, May 29 (Reuters) - Fourteen government soldiers were killed on Sunday in a push to retake a southern Yemeni city from the Iran-allied Houthi group, military officials said, in one of the deadliest days since a shaky ceasefire tentatively took hold last month. Yemen's exiled government has been fighting a war backed by Saudi-led air strikes and ground forces to win back the capital of Sanaa from the Houthis, whom it views as a proxy of Tehran. Backed up by local tribes and militias, army forces attacked the city of Beihan in southeastern Shabwa province which sits on a main road leading to Sanaa some 100 km (62 miles) away. Military and local officials said several fighters on the Houthi side were killed and injured in the battle adding that government forces were advancing deeper into the town. The Shi'ite Muslim Houthis, who took power in late 2014, deny they are puppets of Iran and say their armed fight is a revolution against corruption officials. Home to Yemen's largest industrial project, a now-shut liquefied natural gas export facility at Belhaf, Shabwa is divided among al Qaeda, government troops loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Houthi forces and armed tribes. Clashes have repeatedly broken out there between Houthi and pro-Hadi forces despite a ceasefire which began on April 10, which has mostly stopped fighting and buttressed weeks of inconclusive U.N.-backed peace talks in Kuwait. Brother of man killed in US strike on Taliban chief files police report By Gul Yousufzai and Saud Mehsud QUETTA/DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan, May 29 (Reuters) - The brother of a man killed alongside Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a U.S. drone strike in southwest Pakistan has filed a report with police asking for his brother's killing to be investigated, officials said on Sunday. Muhammad Azam, a Pakistani citizen, was driving Mansour from the Pakistan-Iran border to Quetta, capital of Pakistan's Balochistan province, when a U.S. drone destroyed the car in the Koshki area of Noshki district, killing them both. Azam was a regular taxi driver on the route and was not connected to the Taliban, his brother Muhammad Qasim said in a police report seen by Reuters. The "First Information Report" filed by Qasim would form the basis of any police investigation into the drone attack. Drone attacks outside Pakistan's tribal areas, such as the one that killed Mansour and Azam, are rare. Much of the country's Islamist militancy is based in the tribal areas of northwest Pakistan. Critics of drone strikes allege there has been a tacit agreement between Islamabad and Washington allowing strikes in some tribal areas but not elsewhere. Pakistan denies that any such agreement exists. The report was filed by Qasim on Wednesday, local official Muhammad Omar told Reuters on Sunday night. It does not name Mansour, identifying him only as Muhammad Wali, an identity he had been using while in Pakistan, complete with identification documents and a passport. Pakistani authorities confirmed for the first time on Sunday that it was indeed Mansour who was killed in the drone strike. "He was identified after conducting a DNA test which showed a match with a close relative of Mullah Mansour's, who had come to Pakistan from Afghanistan to receive the body," said an interior ministry statement. The police report filed in Balochistan notes that the United States has claimed responsibility for carrying out the attack. No individuals or officials are named as suspects. A U.S. embassy spokesman in Islamabad declined to comment, referring all questions on the subject to Washington. Wales flanker Lydiate ruled out of New Zealand tour May 29 (Reuters) - Wales flanker Dan Lydiate has been ruled out of next month's tour of New Zealand due to a shoulder injury, the Welsh Rugby Union said on Sunday. Lydiate captained Wales in Sunday's test against England but was forced to leave the field in the first half. Uncapped Ellis Jenkins has been called into the squad for the New Zealand tour to replace the 28-year-old Lydiate who has played more than 50 tests for his country. In India, everything (or everyone) even remotely good has a tendency to turn into something sacred. This week, we saw the IIMs - IIM-Ahmedabad, to be precise - and IITs virtually bullying Flipkart after some trouble in a campus hiring process. The bullying started when Flipkart sent a letter to a few recent hires from IIM Ahmedabad that their joining date has been delayed by six months because the company is making a few changes into how it conducts business. Flipkart didn't cancel the job offers. It just moved the date and offered each student Rs 1.5 lakh as compensation for the delay. This infuriated IIM-A management. Later, IITs too joined the fray because reportedly even the joining dates of their students were delayed by Flipkart. A lot of things were said and discussed, including according to reports, banning Flipkart from Day One hiring at IITs. Although it seems IITs and IIMs are only trying to shield students, the whole saga reeks of elitism where these institutes believe that they deserve special treatment. Flipkart didn't cancel the job offers. It just moved the date. Flipkart is delaying joining dates because the company is facing some tough time. Its valuation is down and it is facing strong competition from firms like Amazon and Snapdeal. In fact, some even doubt if Flipkart can sustain its business. But that is how the world of technology works. For start-ups, even those with very high valuations, there are incredible risks (and opportunities) that can change their fortunes within months. People who join these companies know this, or at least need to know this. These companies offer challenges and rich rewards when something works, but probably not the job security. The IITs and IIMs are good institutes and they do produce good, skilled workers. On some occasions they also produce some brilliant professionals. But mostly this goodness, this skill part, is actually quite average by global standards. The high value that Indian companies seem to put on IIT and IIM graduates is not because they are brilliant. It is because in a country where education system is mostly broken and where finding graduates who can comprehend and solve problems logically is a rarity, the IIT and IIM students are better than the rest. At the end of the day, how IIMs and IITs plan their campus hiring is their prerogative. But the way they are acting right now seems elitist and gives out the impression that Flipkart, or for that matter any tech start-up, is now probably too poor for them and their students. Another African attacked in India. Another reason for us to hang our heads in shame. On May 25, 2016, an African youth was assaulted by a mob in Hyderabad following an argument over parking space. The government has been trying to portray India as the country to be, seeking to hardsell Brand India to people from all over the world. However, the spate of recent attacks on African youth just goes to show that the country is turning more and more unsafe for the Africans. A Tanzanian student was attacked in Bangalore in early 2016. In 2012, another was brutally assaulted in Punjab sending him into coma for three months. And in Delhi, a former minister led a mob on a vigilante-midnight raid on African women on the charge of running a drug and prostitution racket in 2014. And on May 20, 2016, a Congolese national was allegedly beaten to death in south Delhi following a quarrel with a group of men over something as petty as hiring an auto-rickshaw. It is unfortunate that Indians who themselves had been racially abused in the US, UK and Australia from time to time, find it right to chasten Africans, whom they consider to be "racially inferior". And this racism is more pervasive and intimate than the violent attacks. It manifests in the form of daily taunts and abuses, portraying India in a very poor light, severely denting its prestige in the world. Here is an account by the youth who was assaulted in Hyderabad, and you shudder when you think about the ordeal that he went through: At 12pm on May 25, 2016, at Zehara Nagar, Banjara Hills, Road number 10 in Hyderabad, I parked my vehicle at a vacant place close to my house. A man came out of the building behind where I had parked my car and told me to park it somewhere else. I asked the man to please show me another place to park but he didnt seem to care. He threatened to destroy my car if I did not move it. I was surprised at the responses he was giving, so I decided to call my landlord to interpret for me what the man was saying since he could not speak English properly. Then, the man pulled me back, and pushed me, asking me where I lived. I then pushed him back. He was already creating a big scene with his local language- I think it was Telugu. He took an iron rod wanting to hit me with it. I also took an iron rod close to me in defence. After a mintue of heated arguments, we dropped the rods. Suddenly, two guys came from nowhere and started attacking me. Others joined. All I could do was try to defend myself since I knew I was outnumbered. With no option, I ran to protect myself. They followed me, shouting in Telugu. Then a guy came out of the blue with an iron rod and hit me on my head. I lost consciousness for a few seconds, but still summoned up strength to try to escape. Others then hit me on the leg with a wooden rod. Finally, the same man that caused the ruckus in the beginning took his bike and hit my leg with it. A policeman came later, and was laughing at me while asking me questions. He did nothing. RICHMOND Criminal prosecutions under the obscure foreign-lobbying law said to be at the center of the federal investigation into Gov. Terry McAuliffe are exceedingly rare. In the past 50 years, prosecutors have brought just seven cases. If the probe leads to charges against McAuliffe under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA which he says will not happen because investigators have no evidence of a violation the Democratic governor would be the highest-profile figure targeted by prosecutors for failing to disclose foreign ties while seeking to sway U.S. policy. Much about the Department of Justice and FBI investigation, first reported by CNN using anonymous sources, remains unclear. McAuliffes lawyer has said the Justice Department told him the agency is looking into McAuliffes foreign sources of income before he took office and a potential violation of FARA. The law requires those engaging in political activity on behalf of a foreign entity to register and file reports with the Justice Department. McAuliffe said he never has lobbied for a foreign government. Of the seven FARA prosecutions since 1966, when the statute underwent a major transformation, four have been brought within the past decade. McAuliffe has called FARA a very specific question of lobbyist registration, though the prosecuted cases typically involve elements of hidden money, political influence and broader international intrigue. In the most recent FARA case, Prince Asiel Ben Israel, a Chicago religious leader, pleaded guilty in 2014 to agreeing to perform paid lobbying work on behalf of Zimbabwean officials seeking an end to U.S. economic sanctions imposed over human rights abuses. Ben Israel and a co-defendant, C. Gregory Turner, met with and agreed to help Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and the head of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, both of whom were subject to individual sanctions. Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, the former director of a D.C. nonprofit that prosecutors said was funded secretly by the Pakistani government and its spy agency to influence U.S. policy in the Kashmir territorial dispute, pleaded guilty in 2011 to tax and conspiracy violations. His FARA charge was dropped as part of the plea deal. Former Rep. Mark Siljander, R-Michigan, pleaded guilty to violating FARA in 2010 in connection to his paid work for an Islamic charity suspected of supporting terrorism. Prosecutors said Siljander illegally lobbied to have the charity the Islamic American Relief Agency removed from a U.S. Senate Finance Committee list of organizations linked to terrorism. Tongsun Park, a South Korean citizen who also was at the center of a 1977 congressional bribery and influence-peddling scandal dubbed Koreagate, was convicted in 2006 of acting as an unregistered agent of Saddam Husseins Iraqi government, prosecutors said. Park was paid at least $2 million for work related to the Oil-for-Food Program set up by the United Nations to allow Iraq to sell oil for money to buy humanitarian goods for the Iraqi people in the face of severe sanctions imposed after the first Gulf War. The scheme involved Saddams regime extracting hundreds of millions of dollars of illegal kickbacks from companies, including some in the U.S., participating in the program. FARAs focus Enacted in 1938 with an emphasis on Nazi propaganda, FARA was amended in 1966 to focus on federal lobbying. A FARA unit within the Justice Department enforces the statute, often by sending letters to those who may be subject to the registration requirement. In an email, the FARA office said it cannot comment regarding the existence or nonexistence of communications with Terry McAuliffe. Kelly Kramer, a white-collar defense and compliance attorney in the D.C. office of Mayer Brown who has represented clients in FARA cases, said prosecutions under the act are rare and difficult. FARA is typically enforced civilly, he said. Theres really only a handful of prosecutions. There is a lot of ambiguity about the enforcement of the statute. Theres also a lot of ambiguity about what constitutes lobbying. For example, lobbyists representing foreign businesses can opt to register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, which involves a less rigorous process, Kramer said. Issues can surface if its determined that the business financing comes from a foreign government entity, and violations can hinge on what the lobbyist knew and how much effort went into finding out who his real client is, though both can be problematic for prosecutors to establish. Is the client really the company, or is the private company doing work on behalf of the foreign government? Kramer said. McAuliffes business ventures Its not clear what specific foreign connection is being scrutinized in McAuliffes case. The governor has an extensive history of business ventures that at times overlapped with his deep political connections as a Democratic Party fundraiser. Last year, the inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security found McAuliffe received special treatment from a federal official in 2010 while seeking to speed up EB-5 visas for foreign investors in his electric-car company, GreenTech Automotive. The EB-5 program allows foreigners to obtain permanent legal status in the U.S. by investing $500,000 or $1 million in projects that create American jobs. McAuliffe, who started GreenTech by purchasing a Chinese company and moving it to America, resigned as the companys chairman in late 2012. The GreenTech visa applications were tied to a partner company, Gulf Coast Funds Management, run by Anthony Rodham, a brother of then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Republicans have leapt to connect the current McAuliffe probe to Clinton, a McAuliffe confidante now on the cusp of becoming the Democratic nominee for president. McAuliffe himself has alluded to the presidential campaign as a possible motivation for what he has called leaks from federal officials. Randall D. Eliason, a former U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, including eight years as a member of the public corruption and government fraud section, said he has not followed the details of the McAuliffe investigation but pointed out that once an investigation or grand jury process begins, prosecutors and investigators can see leaks spring from sources outside of their control. What can happen and what frequently happens is someone gets a subpoena or someone gets called in to be interviewed. Theyre not obligated by any grand jury secrecy, said Eliason, who is now on the faculty at George Washington University Law School. Ideally, its almost certainly not what the investigators would prefer is to have information trickle out in the press like that. Wang Wenliang, a Chinese businessman named in initial reports as a focus of the McAuliffe probe, contributed to both McAuliffes 2013 gubernatorial campaign and the Clinton Foundation. The foundation, which performs global charitable work, has come under scrutiny over foreign contributions. McAuliffe has said the investigation has nothing to do with the foundation. A spokesman for Wang said he had not been contacted by investigators. Other international connections McAuliffes international connections before he took office were not limited to GreenTech. In 2010, he partnered with another Chinese firm, A-Power Energy Generation Systems, that hoped to supply turbines for a proposed wind farm in Texas that never materialized. Paladin Capital Group, a D.C.-based private equity firm in which McAuliffe has an investment interest, announced in 2012 it was establishing a $100 million joint venture with an investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government. The announcement, which named McAuliffe as a member of the ventures advisory board, said the effort would focus on deals in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. Though McAuliffe has denied lobbying for foreign governments, a D.C. lobbying firm that bore his name performed work in the early 1990s on behalf of Turkey, India and Taiwan, according to federal records. Those activities required the firm McAuliffe, Kelly & Raffaelli to disclose its activities under FARA. McAuliffe was not among the individual lobbyists listed in the firms filings, which suggests he did not personally lobby for foreign interests. The Justice Department generally does not confirm or deny ongoing investigations. Whether the case is focused on Wangs donations or some other element of McAuliffes time in private business, Kramer said, either avenue would be a rocky path for prosecutors. These are not areas where prosecutors typically judge that its appropriate to bring criminal cases, Kramer said. The unclear nature of the scope of the investigation indicates that the initial disclosures about it that formed the basis of some media reports may not have been fully informed, he said. You wonder about how or why this came out to the public, Kramer said. This is a tough one in the sense that there just isnt very much public, factually, to make any kind of analysis as to whether theres meat to this, if you will. However, for lawyers like him who specialize in what can be a nebulous realm, the case should prove fascinating as it unfolds, Kramer said. Who knows, maybe neither of these things are really in play? he said. LONDON - England - Three of the Queen's corgis, Pumpy, Tibber and Fayed spectacularly went missing on Sunday night from the grounds of Buckingham Palace, the BBC reported today. CCTV footage published on Monday revealed an Asian couple may have been responsible for the outrageous theft of the Queens beloved canine companions. Palace consort, Reginald Pithy, gave details of the frantic search that ensued after the royal corgis went missing. The palaces dedicated dog feeder had already set out the food for each corgi. Pumpy enjoys only the freshest Almas caviar presented on wafer thin crackers, Tibber on the other hand goes for something less ostentatious and usually opts for the foie gras with a confit doignons et champagne, as for for Fayed, he just gets a boiled egg and a kick up the rump. Anyway, to cut a long story short, we couldnt find the blasted animals anywhere. Called in the Coldstream guards, they searched the whole palace from top to bottom, absolutely nothing. Her Royal Highness let out a god awful scream when we told her. Luckily there was a tip off later on in the day at a Central London cafe and the matter was resolved. Her Majesty even attended the scene herself. The police are still searching for the corginappers and ask the public to be vigilant. London: Tata Steel may still hold on to its UK steelworks and their proposed sale may be put off after a personal intervention by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is keen on averting the collapse of Britains steel industry ahead of the EU referendum, a media report said on Sunday. The Sunday Times quoted sources as saying that a sale of Port Talbot in Wales, the UKs larg-est steelworks, and steel mills owned by the Tata Group around the country, may be put off as the steel crisis prompted a series of offers from the UK government, including multi-million-pound loans and taking a 25 per cent stake in the business. Sources said a sale of Port Talbot, and steel mills around the country, was looking increasingly unlikely. Tata began contemplating retaining the vast south Wales site after personal intervention from David Cameron, the daily said. Last week, the government proposed a law change to slash the liabilities of the 14 billion pound British Steel Pension Scheme, which is underwritten by Tata and has a 700 million deficit. Sebi rules allow certain classes of FPIs to issue ODIs after a proper due-diligence process that has been further tightened now to address the concerns raised by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Black Money. Mumbai: Allaying concerns about any further misuse of Participatory Notes, market watchdog Sebi's Chairman U K Sinha has said Indians can no longer use these offshore instruments, even indirectly, and a strong safety net has been put in place to check any routing of black money. He also said that foreign investors have been taken "completely on board" for changes in the regulations governing Offshore Derivative Instruments (ODIs) commonly known as P-Notes and they have been consulted even for design of the reporting formats about investments through this route. Sebi will soon finalise reporting formats as also the revised guidelines and new circulars, for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) dealing in ODIs, after incorporating the changes approved by its board earlier this month. While foreign investors can register themselves as FPIs to invest directly in India, ODIs are typically market-access instruments preferred by those looking to save on time and operational costs involved with a direct registration. Sebi rules allow certain classes of FPIs to issue ODIs after a proper due-diligence process that has been further tightened now to address the concerns raised by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Black Money. In an interaction here, the Sebi Chairman said India wants to encourage and promote long-term investments and would prefer foreign investors to come directly, but there will be no roadblocks for genuine investments even through PNs. Ruling out any special concession for the investors using this route, including for hedge funds, Sinha said if some investors have a genuine reason such as 'testing the Indian waters' they can use ODIs after complying with the due KYC and other regulatory requirements. "In the past, this route was misused by some Indian nationals and Indian corporates for getting their ill-gotten money rerouted to the Indian markets. "The intention was also to put money into their own firms so as to manipulate the share prices. As late as 2007-2008, we found some such cases and took action," Sinha said. "Now, Sebi has got the information and a guarantee from the foreign investors issuing ODIs that not a single Indian has been issued such instruments and they would not be allowed to subscribe to these instruments, directly or indirectly. "Earlier, there were also cases about some hedge funds camouflaging their identity and come through this route, but that is also not possible now and Sebi has got full details till the last possible end beneficial owner," he added. ODIs now account for investments worth Rs 2.12 lakh crore in Indian markets, which is 9.3 per cent of the overall FPI investments down from a peak of over 55 per cent in 2007. Sinha said he sees this percentage falling even further, as foreign investors are preferring the direct route and hundreds of new FPIs are getting registered every quarter. Even among FPIs, broad-based funds with low-risk profile account for well over 95 per cent of investments into the Indian markets at about Rs 22 lakh crore, while presence of high-risk investors such as hedge funds is very small both in terms of their number as well as the investments. Though there has been a curtailment on free ATM transactions since November 2014, there has not been any increase in inter-bank ATM usages New Delhi: State-owned banks installed close to 14,000 automated teller machines (ATMs) in different parts of the country in 2015-16, but missed the cumulative target of 15,249 for the financial year. A total of 13,935 cash dispensing machines were installed by banks in the year ending March 31, 2016 against the target of 15,249 ATMs, according to the data on progress of installation of ATMs by 27 public sector banks. With the addition, total number of ATMs of public sector banks increased to 1,42,557 at March end. Country's largest bank SBI installed 4,222 ATMs against the target of 4,200. SBI had 49,724 ATMs at the end of March. Andhra Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, and Vijaya Banks were among the state-lenders which exceeded their respective targets. On the other hand, Allahabad Bank, Bhartiya Mahila Bank, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India missed their targets last fiscal. Reserve Bank deputy governor SS Mundra had recently raised concerns over one-third of ATMs being non-functional and warned the banks of penal action if the compliance levels were not met. Mundra quoted a survey of 4,000 ATMs conducted by a RBI team recently wherein it has found that almost one-third of these machines are not in working condition. The ATMs surveyed were situated in various parts of the country and were of various banks, he said. While private sector lenders are pushing online and other tech-driven tools to widen their reach to cut cost, the state-run ones are going slow as there is no government push. Though there has been a curtailment on free ATM transactions since November 2014, there has not been any increase in inter-bank ATM usages. Most banks complain that without adequate user fees, ATMs are a loss-making business for them. Later in the evening, they met with truck/tanker owners and efforts were on to convince them to call off the strike. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: Telangana State Petroleum Tank Trucks Owners Association has threatened to go on a strike from Sunday midnight, bringing petrol, diesel and LPG cylinder supply to a halt in the city and elsewhere in the state Association president K. Rajashekhar Reddy said their main demand was immediate withdrawal of the 14.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on transportation charges. Earlier on Saturday, Commercial Taxes department officials held talks with Oil Marketing Company officials. Later in the evening, they met with truck/tanker owners and efforts were on to convince them to call off the strike. Last year, the Modi government had imposed a 0.5 per cent Swachh Bharat cess on service tax to fund the Prime Ministers pet project, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. (Representational image) New Delhi: Come Wednesday, you will have to pay more for making calls, eating out, air or rail travel, buying and renewing insurances, watching films at cinema halls and TV through DTH, among many others services. The 0.5 per cent Krishi Kalyan Cess announced in the Union Budget on all taxable services comes into effect June 1. Last year, the Modi government had imposed a 0.5 per cent Swachh Bharat cess on service tax to fund the Prime Ministers pet project, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. In a little over a year, the Modi government has increased service tax from 12.36 per cent to 15 per cent (including the two cesses). Only last month, the parliamentary standing committee on finance had expressed its displeasure over the fact that money collected by way of cess was not being utilised for the designated purpose. The Krishi Kalyan Cess will make a host of services costlier, like visits to beauty salons, spas, gyms, courier services, credit and debit card-related services, chartered accounts, architects, insurance and demands raised by real estate builders for housing projects, among others. The Modi government has been using the cess route to generate more revenue. Significantly, the Modi government has been claiming credit for accepting the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission to increase states share in Central taxes by 10 per cent to a record 42 per cent. Despite this, the Centre does not share the revenue earned through cess with states. The government has said that proceeds from the cess will be used for financing initiatives to improve agriculture and for the welfare of farmers. Five students including Rohith Vemula, who committed suicide last week, were suspended in September. (Photo: PTI) Hyderabad: Hyderabad Central University (HCU) on Monday informed the Hyderabad High Court that it has revoked suspension of four students, against whom action had been initiated along with Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula, who allegedly committed suicide. The counsel of the four students, who had earlier filed a petition challenging their suspension, however, said that they were not served with the order copy in this regard. The High Court made note of the proceedings and directed the counsel of the HCU to file before it the documents of the circular/order on revocation of the suspension along with the counter affidavit to be filed on the petition challenging their suspension. The High Court then posted the matter to February 12. On January 21, the HCU in a statement had said, "The Executive Council of the HCU, after taking into account the extraordinary situation prevailing in the university and after discussing the issue in detail, resolved to terminate the punishment imposed on the students concerned with immediate effect." The HCU had in September last year suspended five students D Prasanth, Vijay Kumar, Sheshaiah Chemuudugunta, Velpula Sunkanna and Rohith, for six months (entire semester) for allegedly assaulting ABVP leader Susheel Kumar in August. But, the suspension was later revoked. However, in December, while allowing them to attend classes, the HCU had denied them access to the hostel. The five research scholars including Rohith under the umbrella of a Joint Action Committee, had termed their suspension (except classrooms and workshops related to subject of their study) from hostel as "undemocratic" and a "social boycott". Rohith was found hanging in a hostel room on the HCU campus on January 17. After the alleged suicide of Rohith, the issue sparked strong reactions on the campus. 'Kahaani 2', a sequel of the hit 2012 thriller of the same name. Kolkata: The team of 'Kahaani 2', starring Vidya Balan and Arjun Rampal in the lead, has ended its shooting here. 'Kahaani 2', a sequel of the hit 2012 thriller of the same name, is co-written and directed by its previous helmer Sujoy Ghosh. "The shoot of KAHAANI 2 ends.. And the work to make the film begins with some awesome stuff from.. the @vidya_balan and @rampalarjun," Sujoy posted on Twitter. the shoot of KAHAANI 2 ends.. and the work to make the film begins with some aweFsome stuff from.. the @vidya_balan and @rampalarjun :) sujoy ghosh (@sujoy_g) May 29, 2016 Rampal, who is the new addition to the film, said the movie was special to him. "A wrap on #Kahaani2 after a long wait we did it @sujoy_g. Thank you for the amazing experience. Thank You the whole mad team, miss u," Rampal, who injured his knee during the shooting, tweeted. A wrap on #Kahaani2 after a long wait we did it @sujoy_g TY for the amazing experience.TY the whole mad team,miss u pic.twitter.com/3lqiy7pL7P arjun rampal (@rampalarjun) May 29, 2016 Posting a collage of his shooting experience of two months, he wrote, "Some memories from Kahaani 2, a special film November 25th 2016. Can't wait to seeing you all... Dreamworks, co-founded by Steven Spielberg, has asked the Telangana government to create a "conducive" environment. Hollywood studio Dreamworks Animation has evinced interest in partnering the Telangana government for expanding its production facilities in the state, an official statement said. States IT and Industries minister KT Rama Rao, who is currently in the US seeking investments met Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, the statement said. "Dreamworks is looking for expanding their production facilities in India and sought partnership with Telangana state government for their long term plans. Minister K T Rama Rao has extended full support and cooperation in their endeavours," it added. Further, it said that the minister described the attributes of upcoming film city in Hyderabad which would be an ideal location for the future production facility of Dreamworks. Dreamworks, co-founded by ace film maker Steven Spielberg, is also looking at creating high-end theatre ecosystem to promote their movies and has asked the Telangana government to create "conducive" environment, it said. Dreamworks has plans to cater to Indian market and believe that Hyderabad is ideal location, given its talent pool and vibrant film industry, it further said. Dreamworks and Telangana Government also agreed to collaborate to create Dreamplay, a small-scale theme centre, which can become a tourist attraction for the city of Hyderabad. K T Rama Rao also visited La Kretz Innovation Campus in Los Angeles today to understand the functioning of Los Angeles Clean Tech Incubator (LACI), it added. The governments Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign is a way towards women empowerment, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Saturday said as he stressed on the importance of protecting and nurturing the girl child. Speaking about this campaign of the government, which is celebrating its second anniversary by hosting a grand function Ek Nayi Subah here, Bachchan said, Its time we realise that half of the countrys population cant be left behind by making them feel neglected and helpless. They should be equal partners in the countrys development. Quoting an old Sanskrit mantra, he said that women have been given the foremost place even in our religious beliefs as Saraswati is the symbol of knowledge, Lakshmi of wealth while Durga and Kali represent strength and power. In the present scenario, this imagination will become a reality only if the position of a man and a woman is equal in the society. Equal number of daughters should be born as sons and they should be raised and educated properly so that they are able to play their rightful role in life, he said. T1334 - @ManojTiwariMP click a selfie @SrBachchan sir & @Ra_THORe during India Gate Event. Pics credit Manoj Tiwari pic.twitter.com/h2JN4Pv95P Amitabh Bachchan FC (@Thekkapoor) May 28, 2016 Bachchan, 73, said the real motive of the new slogan Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao is that there should be no discrimination between a son and a daughter and both should be considered assets of a family and given equal opportunities. We should encourage the thought that our families should do everything to protect and nurture the girl child I consider this slogan a way to take forward the whole society and adopt the right perspective towards our women. Lets pledge that we encourage the powerful within the so-called helpless to bloom and give them the chance to empower the whole country. Bachchan said Mahatma Gandhi always considered women a superior force as a man could never compete with them when it came to inner strength. The actor also had an interesting chat with a group of girl students. During the show, a seventh-grader, who introduced herself as Sugam asked, "I want to know about your childhood. How did you become the Big B?" But Mr Bachchan seemed unfazed and gave the girl a prompt reply. "Who says I'm Big B? Here, look, I am smaller than you," Mr Bachchan replied promptly, sitting down on the floor. As her friends burst out laughing, Mr Bachchan said, "Big B is just a name people in the media have given me. No one is Big. One just has to do one's job and work hard to reach one's goals." In this context, he also quoted a few lines from 'Madhushala', the famous work by his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan. During the interaction with the children, Mr Bachchan also read two poems written by students. Amitabh had faced criticism when his name started doing the rounds as the host of the governments planned cultural gala on its two-year anniversary but Bachchan clarified he was only hosting a small segment for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, as he is attached to the campaign. Nandita Das is one person who dons several hats simultaneously. A mother, movie actress and theatre artist, she has served on several national and international film juries and has chaired the Childrens Film Society. In 2008, Nandita turned director with the hard-hitting Firaaq on the Gujarat 2002 riots. Now she returns with a biopic on legendary Urdu litterateur Sadat Hassan Manto. Excerpts from an interview: Q.You are directing Nawazuddin Siddiqui again. Firaaq was the first movie that gave him a break. What made you select Nawaz for Manto? Firaaq was the first feature length film where Nawaz was seen in a substantial role. Since then, I have admired his range and authenticity as an actor. Manto is a challenging role and the nuances required to perform Manto are found in very few actors. I am so glad I have found Nawaz to play this unique character that explores a vast range of emotions and is full of contradictions a character not easy to pull off. Q. Who else have you cast? Ive finalised Rasika Dugal for Mantos wife Safia. Nawaz and Rasika will make for a very strong pair in a film that is so character-driven. Q. Why Manto? For years, I had nursed the idea of making a film on Manto, even before I made Firaaq. But at first, I felt overwhelmed by the large canvas a period film set in Bombay and Lahore. His work, while being personal and nuanced, also explored the big event of the times Partition. I wasnt sure if I could handle the research it would entail and was unsure if I had the depth and experience needed to portray a man like him. But now, I feel equipped, both emotionally and creatively, to tell this story. Q. Which aspects of Mantos life and art would you focus on? What to keep and what to let go has been the most difficult thing so far. But I have narrowed down to the most interesting seven years in the life of Manto and that of the two cities he inhabits. But his life story cannot be told without giving a glimpse of his work. It is not based on any one book, or any specific work. Q. How much research went into the project? My co-conspirator Mir Ali Hussain and I have been working on the script for three years now. It has been a long journey for me to get to know Saadat Hasan Manto, the man and the writer. He wrote as he saw, as he felt, without dilution, and with a rare sensitivity and empathy for his characters. His essays and polemics about his life, in what was then Bombay and later in Lahore, helped the idea expand beyond his stories. From visits to Lahore, interacting closely with his family and friends I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know Manto beyond what one can find in books. All three of Mantos daughters and his grand niece Ayesha Jalal, the historian, are offering me unconditional support for the project. Q. When do you start shooting? We are in the process of finalising the schedule. My main producer Robin Raina, whose first film this will be, is investing half the budget and a quarter by Vivek Kajaria, the producer of Fandry and then there are European producers who are working towards raising funds. Once all those fall in place, we will finalise the shooting schedule. Q. What took you so long to return to direction? Since Firaaq, there are many things Ive been busy with. In addition to being a full-time mother to Vihaan, I was the chairperson of the Childrens Film Society for three years, have been writing a monthly column for a magazine and have been doing a lot of social advocacy speaking at various forums and educational institutions. I also acted in a Spanish film called Traces of Sandalwood and then Albert Pinto ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai, a conceptual remake of the Saeed Mirza film, slated to release later this year. I spent a whole semester in 2014 as a World Fellow at Yale University. And then researching for Manto project has kept me super busy. Former Glee star Mark Salling has been charged in a federal indictment for receiving and possessing child pornography. The 33-year-old actor, who is best known for portraying Puck on Glee, was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of child pornography following his arrest last December. The first count alleges Mark used the Internet to receive a still image and a video depicting child pornography on December 26, 2015, featuring young girls. The second count charged the actor with possessing two videos depicting child pornography on December 29, 2015, also featuring young girls, reported Ace Showbiz. "Those who download and possess child pornography create a market that causes more children to be harmed," US Attorney Eileen M Decker said in a statement. "Young victims are harmed every time an image is generated, every time it is distributed, and every time it is viewed." Mark was taken into custody on December 29, 2015 after the Los Angeles Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force raided his home on a warrant. If the actor is convicted of receiving child porn, he faces a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars. While it is a common scenario that titles of Tamil movies are named after the characters of the lead heroes, of late the trend seem to lean towards heroines! With female-centric movies on an increase and heroines playing the titular role, (like with Nayans Maya), here are the two upcoming flicks, which have titles after the leading ladies. Trishas next horror flick, which we reported first, has been named Mohini, and the Tamannaah-Prabhu Deva trilingual has been titled Devi(l). The latter has been aptly titled Devi with l in brackets meaning Devil while Mohini refers to the most beautiful female ghost. Also, we hear Prabhu Deva has undergone a stylish makeover for his return in Tamil and Sonu Sood will be seen in a crucial role in Devi(l). However, both have something in common foreign technicians have been brought on board in both movies. Trishas new film, which will be shot mostly in London and other abroad locales, has Sukanya, Mukesh Tiwari, Kausalya, Yogi Babu, Aarthi Ganesh in supporting roles. Hollywoods most celebrated filmmaker-writer Paul Aaron has been roped in as a co-writer in Devi (l). Also Trishas Mohini will have the popular studio and its VFX team which worked in films like Harry Potter doing the special effects! The suave and stylish Arvind Swamy, who made an awesome comeback after a long hiatus with Thani Oruvan, has been flooded with several offers, although he is choosy about it. Having said that the Roja star has gone on board, to host a show on a popular channel. Reportedly, he was paid a lucrative sum as remuneration. The sneak promos with Swamy in a cool and trendy avatar have already created a buzz in cyber space. The show titled Neengalum Vellalaam Oru Kodi, which is the Tamil adaptation of Kaun Banega Crorepati, was earlier hosted by biggies like Suriya and Prakash Raj. Arvind Swamy is hosting the third season and the makers claim that they have made few changes to kindle the audiences interest. On the film front, the actor received accolades for his solid performance in the Hindi flick Dear Dad. His forthcoming movies include Bogan with Jayam Ravi and Dhruva with Ram Charan. Walkers around Ulsoor lake came across the unexpected not once but twice in recent weeks when a huge mass of dead fish floated past them. But if fish are dying in lakes due to contamination caused by sewage discharged into them and other man-made factors, there is another lurking threat to the native fish species in these waters and it comes from the Catfish, a species from Africa imported into the country about two decades ago. Introduced in Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia and India in 1980 for aquaculture, the Clarias gariepinus, popularly known as the African Catfish, is now posing a major threat to Indian fish species. Growing upto three feet in length and weighing nearly 60kg, this monster is known to prey on native fish. Unfortunately there is no predatory fish that can hunt it in turn in India. This extremely fast growing and highly carnivorous fish was surreptitiously introduced into the country through Bangladesh, but has now been banned by the Union government under section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, which prohibits its culture in ponds and tanks. But with the state government doing little to enforce the ban in Karnataka, the cannibalistic fish has already entered the Cauvery river system and is now found in almost all lakes of the city, posing a serious threat to their biodiversity. The Karnataka State of Environment Report prepared by Prof. Madhav Gadgil in association with many other scientists across the country, was among the first to highlight the threat posed by the African Catfish. Various studies of the aquatic diversity of the wetlands of Bengaluru conducted by scientists of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) led by Dr T V Ramachandra also talk of the major threat to the native fish from the growing population of the African Catfish in these waters. At a recent workshop on ways to revive the Bellandur and Varthur lakes, Dr Ramachandra demanded to know from Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning , K J George, why the state continued to allow the introduction of this exotic species into the citys water bodies. It is a serious crime, he told him, adding, We have lost our native fish because of this." But the African Catfish is also a threat to people as it feeds on waste accumulated on the lake bed. Those eating the fish can come down with arthritis, blood clots, and even cancer, warn scientists , who believe that the only solution is to completely eradicate the species from all the states wetlands as has been attempted by the Andhra Pradesh Fisheries Department, which has taken drastic action to destroy all stocks of the fish since 2004. Vice Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar has directed the departments to rework on the proposed course structure and place the same before the AC. New Delhi: Six months after JNU junked aproposal to introduce short-term courses in 'Indian Culture' and 'Yoga' for propagating spiritual and mythological traditions and establishing Indian values in the world, the varsity has decided to reconsider the plan. A decision in this regard was taken last week at a meeting of the university's Academic Council (AC), its statutory decision making body. "A draft of the proposed course structure was rejected in the AC last year. The matter was again raised in the recent meeting. There was opposition from certain teachers while some favoured it. Ultimately it was decided to reconsider the same," a council member said. "Vice Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar has directed the departments to rework on the proposed course structure and place the same before the AC," the member added. The proposal to introduce three short-term courses in these subjects had come last year against the backdrop of right-wing organisations, including BJP's ideological mentor RSS, insisting on propagation of culture in educational campuses to promote India's rich heritage and restore its cultural identity. Following various communications from the HRD Ministry and the University Grants Commission (UGC), the varsity had last year circulated a draft of three courses among various schools and departments of JNU for their feedback. The proposal was, however, rejected by the AC in November. According to the earlier draft, the course on Indian culture aimed at expounding the importance of the country's culture as well as exploring the etymological, social, spiritual, cultural and mythological aspects and establishing Indian values in the world. "The course will contain the texts, thoughts and traditions of different cultures and include things like religious systems in Indian culture among others. Besides, it will have portions from Vedas and selections from epics and Jatakas and suggestions on readings of Hindu epics like the Ramayana," the draft read. "There will be basic study of Indian culture to establish Indian rituals and values in the world and derive ways from these sources to make human life better," it said. The document further said that Indian culture cannot be understood without the help of "Indian literature, which are generally written by sages". It also suggested reading of the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita from Gita Press Gorakhpur (the official press that prints Gita in Uttar Pradesh), Acharya Jaidev's Vedic Sanskriti, Tulsi Ram's Vedas, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's Sanskriti ke Char Adhyaya, among others. The locals had also been objecting to a group of Africans consuming alcohol in public (Representational Image) New Delhi: Amid outrage by African envoys following killing of a Congolese youth in the national capital, four cases of alleged criminal assault on African nationals in south Delhi have come to the fore. The mob attacked every African who passed through the lane between 10.30 pm and 11 pm. We sought help from the locals but no one came forward. When we pleaded for help, they just laughed from their balconies, said Shamila, a Ugandan national. Read: After Congolese youth killing, six Africans in Delhi beaten up in 30 mins Kate, the Nigerian mother of a four-month-old boy, said she, her husband and child were on the way home in a car and, when they reached the lane in which they live, a group of youth attacked their car. The mob hurled bricks at the windscreen of their car. My husband was attacked with a sharp object but somehow managed to drive away the car. Only God knows how we managed to survive, it was like they wanted to kill us, said Kate, who was also injured. Vicky, a Congolese lady who resides in the same locality, had been on her way home with her brother, who had been discharged from AIIMS on Thursday night, when a group of youth attacked them. The police claimed that two of the attacks took place after locals objected to loud music being played by the African nationals late in the evenings. The locals had also been objecting to a group of Africans consuming alcohol in public and later it turned into a minor scuffle. AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh, who spoke to TS Congress leaders on Thursday, gave them the green signal to be part of a delegation along with TD and BJP leaders, to exert pressure on the Union home ministry for implementing Section 8. Hyderabad: Moves by the Opposition to loosen the Chief Ministers grip over the police force in the state gathered pace on Thursday, with senior leaders giving their assent to press for implementation of Section 8 of the AP Bifurcation Act. This would mean that the Governor would monitor the Law and Order situation in the TS capital. AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh, who spoke to TS Congress leaders on Thursday, gave them the green signal to be part of a delegation along with TD and BJP leaders, to exert pressure on the Union home ministry for implementing Section 8. Elsewhere, TD president and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who had last year demanded invocation of the Section, spoke to TS TD unit president L. Ramana and gave him the go-ahead to visit Delhi as part of the delegation. The BJP, which had opposed the Section saying law and order is on the State List and should be dealt with by the state government, changed its tune and said that it has no option since the TRS and MIM had attacked Opposition leaders. Senior advocate and BJP MLC N. Ramachandra Rao told this newspaper: We are in principle against invoking the provision, but we have no option but to demand its implementation. Mr Ramana said, We are trying to get Rajnath Singhs appointment. We will leave for Delhi as soon as we get it. The events of Tuesday also resulted in the Congress agreeing to be part of a delegation that included its arch political rivals. There is nothing wrong with this. We are not going to strike any alliance with the BJP, its only to represent the matter to the home minister, said Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Md. Ali Shabbir. Similar delegations had met Mr Rajnath Singh last year when the political heat generated on account of cash-for-vote scam was at its peak. Mr Rajnath Singh had then told the delegations: Its for the Governor of the state to invoke Section 8. The Bifurcation Act empowers him to do so, and the Centre need not give any directions to him in this regard. Meanwhile, condemning the moves to form a delegation over the issue, TRS MLC Karne Prabhakar said, Its a conspiracy. The Opposition has ganged up to defame the TRS and nothing else. The Centre cannot monitor law and order through the Governor. Its most unconstitutional. Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad Students' Union has passed a resolution demanding resignation or removal of Vice-Chancellor Prof Appa Rao Podile from the post. The University General Body Meeting (UGBM), held on Tuesday and attended by 949 students, passed six resolutions. It included a condolence resolution for Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula, which was passed unanimously. Vemula had allegedly committed suicide in a hostel room of the varsity in January. Read: Students vandalise official residence after HCU VC Appa Rao resumes work UGBM is the highest decision-making body of the students of the university, claimed a release from varsity students. The university's students union president, Zuhail K P, addressed the students explaining the recent developments on the campus after the death of Vemula. Opinions were sought from all the students present in the UGBM, it said. A resolution demanding the resignation/removal of Prof Appa Rao Podile from the post of VC was passed by voting, in which 948 students voted in favour of the resolution demanding his resignation/removal and one student objected to it, the release said. The University of Hyderabad, popularly known as HCU, has witnessed sporadic protests over the suicide of the Dalit research scholar, with students demanding removal of Appa Rao from the VC's post. Appa Rao was earlier booked under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and for abetment of Vemula's suicide. The students' union had on March 30 sought President Pranab Mukherjee's intervention to resolve issues related to the varsity and to ensure sacking of Appa Rao. Meanwhile, the other resolutions passed unanimously by the UGBM yesterday include revoking blockade of the university, against militarisation of the campus, and for setting up a 'committee against prejudice and discrimination' in higher educational institutions. Another resolution demanded dropping of all police cases against the students and teachers of HCU and it was also passed unanimously. The Hyderabad High Court had yesterday directed the registrar of the HCU and the Cyberabad police commissioner not to allow any political party or association to hold a meeting on the varsity campus. HCU has been at the centre of controversy since the suicide of Vemula on January 17, and recently after the resumption of duty by Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile. From these two constituencies, cash of over Rs 8 crore has been seized. New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday decided to rescind the notification and conduct polls afresh to two Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies in due course of time following evidence of the use of money to influence voters. The constituencies are Aravkurichi and Thanjavur. From these two constituencies, cash of over Rs 8 crore has been seized. Authorities also recovered over 2,500 litres of liquor, besides gifts like silver, dhotis and saris during searches. Initially, the polls were postponed from May 16 to May 23. On May 21, EC had decided to once again postpone the polls to June 13. EC cancels elections for two seats in Tamil Nadu In a harsh and first of its kind action in Indias electoral history, the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday decided to rescind or cancel the notification and conduct polls afresh in due course of time to two Tamil Nadu Assembly seats Aravkurichi and Thanjavur, following evidence of use of money to influence voters. From these two constituencies, cash of over `8 crore has been seized. Authorities also recovered over 2,500 litres of liquor, besides gifts like silver, dhotis and sarees meant during searches. Earlier, EC had on two occasions postponed polls to the two assembly seats following reports of large scale distribution of money and gifts to voters by the candidates and political parties there. Initially, the polls were postponed from May 16 to May 23. On May 21, EC had decided to once again postpone the polls to June 13. Tamil Nadu went to polls on May 16 when AIADMK returned to power for a second consecutive term. The EC said it took the decision after considering reports of observers, special teams of central observers, report of the special team of observers of Arav-kurichi and Tanjavur constituencies and representations of contesting candidates. The EC is satisfied that the election process in the two constituencies, because of inducing electors by candidates and political parties by offering money and other gifts to woo them in their favour, is seriously vitiated and cannot be allowed to proceed and ought to be rescinded so that fresh elections may be conducted de novo in these two constituencies when the atmosphere becomes conducive to the holding of free and fair elections after a reasonable lapse of time, the EC order said. The Commission usually takes such a harsh step when there is evidence that muscle power has been used to influence voters. But cancelling polls following use of money to induce voters is so far unheard of. An honest essay has numerous characteristics: original thinking, a good structure, balanced arguments, and plenty more. But one aspect often overlooked is that an honest essay should be interesting. It should spark the readers curiosity, keep them absorbed, make them want to stay reading and learn more. An uneventful article risks losing the readers attention; whether or not the points you create are excellent, a flat style, or poor handling of a dry subject material can undermine the positive aspects of the essay. The matter is that a lot of students think that essays should be like this: they believe that a flat, dry style is suited to the needs of educational writing and dont even consider that the teacher reading their essay wants to search out the essay interesting. You might want to have online essay editor service to boost your confidence in writing with an error-free output. Academic writing doesnt need to be and shouldnt be bland. The excellent news is that there is much stuff you can do to create your essay more attractive, while youll be able only to do such a lot while remaining within the formal confines of educational writing. Lets study what theyre. Have an interest in what youre writing about Dont go overboard, but youll be able to let your passion for your subject show. If theres one thing bound to inject interest into your writing, its being fascinated by what youre writing about. Passion for a subject matter comes across naturally in your essay, typically making it more lively and fascinating and infusing an infectious enthusiasm into your words within the same way that its easy to talk knowledgeably to someone about something you discover fascinating. Include fascinating details Another factor that may make an essay boring maybe a dry material. Some topic areas are naturally dry, and it falls to you to form the article more interesting through your written style and by trying to seek out fascinating snippets of knowledge to incorporate, which will liven it up a small amount and make the data easier to relate to. A way of doing this with a dry subject is to create what youre talking about that seems relevant to the critical world, as this is often easier for the reader to relate to. Emulate the fashion of writers you discover interesting When you read lots, you subconsciously start emulating the fashion of the writers you have read. Reading benefits you a lot, as this exposes you to a spread of designs, and youll start to require the characteristics of these you discover interesting to read. Borrow some creative writing techniques Theres a limit to the quantity of actual story-telling youll do when youre writing an essay; in the end, essays should be objective, factual and balanced, which doesnt, initially glance, feel considerably like story-telling. However, youll apply a number of the principles of story-telling to create your writing more interesting. consider your own opinion Take the time to figure out what its that you think instead of regurgitating the opinions of others. Cut the waffle Rambling on and on is dull and almost bound to lose the interest of your reader. Youre in danger of waffling if youre not completely clear about what you wish to mention or havent thought carefully about how youre visiting structure your argument. Doing all your research correctly and writing an essay plan before you begin will help prevent this problem. Editing is a vital part of the essay-writing process, so edit the waffle once youve done a primary draft. Read through your essay objectively and eliminate the bits that arent relevant to the argument or labor the purpose. employing a thesaurus isnt always a decent thing Avoid using unfamiliar words in an essay; theres too great a likelihood that youre misusing them. You may think that employing a thesaurus to seek out more complicated words will make your writing more exciting or sound more academic, but using overly high-brow language can have the incorrect effect. Avoid repetitive phrasing Please avoid using the identical phrase structure again and again: its a recipe for dullness! Instead, use a variety of syntax that demonstrates your writing capabilities and makes your writing more interesting. Mix simple, compound, and complicated sentences to avoid your paper becoming predictable. Use some figurative language Using analogies with nature can often make concepts more accessible for readers to know. As weve already seen, its easy to finish up rambling when youre explaining complex concepts mainly after you dont know it yourself. One way of forcing yourself to think about a couple of pictures, present it more simply and engagingly is to form figurative language. This implies explaining something by comparing it with something else, as in an analogy. Employ rhetorical questions Anticipate the questions your reader might ask. One of the ways ancient orators held the eye of their audiences and increased the dramatic effect of their speeches was by using the statement. A decent place to use a statement is at the top of a paragraph, to steer into the following one, or at the start of a replacement section to introduce a brand new area for exploration. Proofread Finally, you may write the top interesting essay an instructor has ever read. Still, youll undermine your good work if its plagued by errors, which distract the reader from the particular content and can probably annoy them. Thiruvananthapuram: Congress in Kerala on Sunday criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's statement signalling a shift in the state's stand on Mullaperiyar dam, which is a bone of contention between it and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. KPCC President V M Sudheeran and former chief minister Oommen Chandy said Vijayan's stand was contradictory to the unanimous resolution passed by the assembly demanding construction of a new dam in place of the existing 112-year old reservoir in view of safety concerns. Vijayan, talking to reporters in New Delhi yesterday, had stressed the need for solving the dam dispute with Tamil Nadu through talks and said there was no meaning in Kerala keeping "unnecessary" concern over the issue. Sudheeran said the Chief Minister should explain the reason behind this change of stand. Kerala had responded unitedly on the dam issue from the very beginning itself, he said. The stand of Vijayan 'neglecting' assembly, political organisations and people's sentiments was 'mysterious', he said adding it was a challenge to the people who live under the grip of fear (about the dam). Chandy said Kerala had always maintained the stance of "water for Tamil Nadu and safety for Kerala". Vijayan should correct his statement on the dam, he added. Chandy also wanted CPI-M veteran V S Achuthanandan to explain his stand on the matter as he was one of the vehement critics of UDF government's response to the issue. Former home minister Ramesh Chennithala also came down on the Chief Minister's statement and said "it went against the spirit of the people". The Chief Minister's stand would only help to protect the interests of the neighbouring state, he claimed. Vijayan had also pointed out the Supreme Court committee's finding that the dam was strong. Asked about the state demand for a new dam, Vijayan countered it by asking what would it do with the existing one. This puts the civilisation much ahead of other ancient civilisations such as the ancient Egyptians (7,000 BC to 3,000 BC) and the Mesapotamian civilisation (6,500 BC to 3,100 BC). (Photo: DC file) Mumbai: In what may mark a significant shift in the study of the ancient world, a new research conducted by the Archaeological Society of India and the IIT-Kharagpur has revealed that the Indus Valley civilisation is much older than held before -- 8,000 BC to be more precise, in stark contrast to 5,500 BC as thought until now. This puts the civilisation much ahead of other ancient civilisations such as the ancient Egyptians (7,000 BC to 3,000 BC) and the Mesapotamian civilisation (6,500 BC to 3,100 BC). According to a media report, the research team also found evidences of a pre-Harappan civilisation that dates back to at least 1,000 years from the Indus valley civilisation. The study published in the journal Nature also believes that the civilisation, which spread across the country from Indus to the banks of the vedic river Saraswati (Ghaggar-Hakra), came to its end nearly 3,000 years ago because of a drastic fall in monsoons. The research also established three distinct phases in the civilisation ranging from an early phase characterised by pastoral and early village farming communities, followed by mature Harappan settlements which was highly sophisticated, organised and urbanised, which saw a developed arts and material culture. In contrast, the late Harappan era was characterised by large scale de-urbanisation, abandonment, increased crime and even disappearance of the Harappan script. The discovery came as the team attempted to establish that the civilisation proliferated to sites like Bhirrana and Rakhigarrhi in Haryana in addition to other places such as Mohenjo Daro, Lothal, Dholavira and Kalibangan. Hyderabad: Sagar Park, near the G. Venkatswamy statue on Tank Bund, is getting a 50-feet water cascade on the occasion of the states Formation Day. Coloured lights will be set up along Tank Bund and Necklace Road for a week. An HMDA engineer said, The waterfall will be 50-feet long, in a semi circular shape. It will be a permanent structure of blue and white titles with external lighting. However, it will only be operated on special occasions including the nine days of Bathukamma, Independence Day and Republic Day. On June 2, all government establishments will be decorated; malls, cinema halls, hotels and hospitals have also been asked to join the celebrations. HMDA has declared free entry in its parks. New Delhi: Union Minister V K Singh on Sunday claimed the attack on African nationals in the national capital was a "minor scuffle" which was "blown up" by the media. "Had detailed discussion with Delhi Police and found that media blowing up minor scuffle as attack on African nationals in Rajpur Khurd," Singh, who is the junior minister in External Affairs Ministry, said and questioned the media's "motive". Read: 2 arrested, 3 detained for attack on African nationals in Delhi "Why is media doing this? As responsible citizens let us question them and their motives," he said in a series of tweets. There has been a spate of attacks on African nationals in the last few days including killing of a Congolese youth in national capital and assault on a 23-year-old Nigerian student in Hyderabad. Read: After Congolese youth killing, six Africans in Delhi beaten up in 30 mins Two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and at least two Nigerian men in Rajpur Khurd, a village in South Delhi, have also complained about physical assault and criminal intimidation. His remarks came on a day External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj pressed for ensuring safety of Africal nationals as she spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh who directed Delhi Police to take strict action against the attackers and step up patrolling in the areas inhabited by the community. Read: 'Sought help but no one came forward,' African lady recalls racial attack horror Swaraj said a sensitisation campaign will be carried out in the areas where African nationals reside. She also asked V K Singh and Secretary in MEA Amar Sinha to meet the African students who have announced holding of a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. Meanwhile, four persons were today arrested and four others detained by Delhi Police in connection with alleged assault on African nationals in South Delhi's Mehrauli area. Davangere (Karnataka): Highlighting the achievements of the NDA regime ever since it came to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said not only the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but the entire nation wants to be free from the clutches of the Congress Party. During his address at 'Vikasparv rally' here, Prime Minister Modi said the entire nation is now pitching for a 'Congress free India'. "The last time I had come to Davangere, I had promised development. Now, Davangere is set to become a smart city. When people like you give me so much love and affection, there is no need for me to walk on the wrong path," he added. Read: Modi govt goes all out showcasing achievements at 2-year bash In an apparent reply those questioning his government's performance, Modi said his two-year dispensation had initiated over 700 schemes and even if some tasks remain undone, "I will not let the nation go on the wrong path". He asserted that he would "never go on the path of sins" as he charged that the previous government had "yielded" to pressure from various lobbies, including diesel and petrol ones. Slamming the critics who "started questioning his work" even when he had not seen my office properly, Modi said his government's programmes are mostly for the benefit of farmers and poor people, besides ending the role of middlemen, including in jobs. "My government had not completed even one week in office and some people started questioning its work. We were asked to give account. There are some people in this country who talk of democracy but don't believe in the government elected by the people. They cannot digest (NDA coming to power). They wonder where from I came. I have come from this land, from among you," he said. The Prime Minister said it is for the first that states have begun to feel the Centre is not only willing to listen to their problems but also ready to walk with them shoulder-to-shoulder. He also asserted that the ruling dispensation at the Centre is striving hard to eliminate middle-men as they take away the benefits of the schemes launched by the government for the poor. "But my government has also taken the decision to make India 'middlemen' free. People criticize me for not doing 'big things'. The previous governments did big things for big people and took advantage," he said. "I was surprised that people in the country were burdened with many redundant laws. My government had removed over 1200 such laws," he added. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from June 4 which will cover Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico. Modi will begin his trip with Afghanistan to inaugurate India-funded Salma Dam which has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 1400 crore. Read: Acting tough to bring back black money: Venkaiah Naidu From Afghanistan, he will proceed to energy-rich Qatar and then to Switzerland. During the two-day visit to energy-rich Qatar, Modi will hold extensive talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on a range of bilateral issues including ways to further boost economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector. In Switzerland, the Prime Minister will hold talks with the Swiss leadership, including President Johann Schneider-Ammann, and is likely to seek cooperation to unearth black money accounts of Indians in Switzerland which was a promise made by him during elections in 2014. According to sources, the officials of the two countries are working on finalising an arrangement that could pave the way for automatic exchange of information on tax-related issues. The Switzerland government had on May 18 initiated consultation on an ordinance to put in place a mechanism for automatic exchange of tax information with India and other countries. From Switzerland, Modi will travel to the US on June 7 at the invitation of President Barack Obama, with whom he will review the progress made in key areas of defence, security and energy. During his stay, he will also address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress. On his return, he will visit Mexico where India is eyeing trade and investment tie ups. In September last year, during his UN visit in New York Modi had held talks with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. Senior Congress leader V Narayanasamy, who is set to become Chief Minister of Puducherry (Photo: PTI) Chennai: Senior Congress leader V Narayanasamy, who is set to become Chief Minister of Puducherry, on Sunday called on DMK President M Karunanidhi and obtained his party's letter of support for forming the government in the neighbouring Union Territory. "Today I met (DMK President) Dr Kalaignar. It was a courtesy call. I sought his blessings as he is a senior leader. The Congress-DMK alliance will take up all steps to make Puducherry prosperous," he told reporters emerging from Karunanidhi's Gopalapuram residence here. Narayanasamy, who was elected leader of the 15-member Congress Legislature party yesterday, said welfare schemes, including for creation of jobs, would be evolved. "We (Congress-DMK) will jointly work together for the welfare of the Puducherry," he said. He said his government would also work together with the BJP-led central government for the development of Puducherry. "Even if it is a BJP led government at the Centre, for the development of Puducherry, we will work together and bring in new schemes," he said. Narayanasamy, who did not contest the May 16 assembly elections in which Congress-DMK alliance secured a simple majority of 17 in the 30-member House, said during his meeting with Karunanidhi, the latter handed over DMK's letter of support of its two MLAs. "We will give that letter to Lieutenant Governor (of Puducherry) and stake claim to form the government," he said, responding to a query. Asked whether supporters of PCC President A Namassivayam would be included in his cabinet, Narayanasamy said Congress President Sonia Gandhi would take a decision in this regard. Namassivyam was among the top contenders for the Chief Minster's post but Narayanasamy emerged the unanimous choice in the CLP meeting. Ballari: The state, which received a jolt when global steel giant, ArcelorMittal went back on its promise to invest Rs 30,000 crore in a steel plant in Ballari, may now have to wait longer for the public-sector National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) to set up its proposed steel plant in the district too. The NMDC had signed an MoU with Russia's second largest steel maker, Severstal in 2010 for its Ballari steel plant. But although Union Steel and Mines Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar, had assured during his visit to Bengaluru last July that the greenfield plant in Ballari would be set up as a joint venture with the state government at a cost of Rs 18,000 crore, NMDC authorities reveal it has no plans to take the proposal forward for the next two years. The hitch seems to be the Centres focus on completing its ongoing project in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh. "There is no progress on the Ballari steel plant proposal. We need to first complete our ongoing Nagranar steel plant in Chhattisgarh before we invest in other steel plants," said an NMDC official. NMDC presently operates the Donimalai and Kumaraswamy mines in the Sandur forests, producing an average one million metric tonnes of iron ore a month. Concerned by the number of steel projects the state is losing out on, Ballari-Hosapete-Sandur Mine Owners Association secretary, Hothur Mohammed Iqbal says time has come for state government to set up a steel park in the district by providing incentives for secondary steel makers. A delegation of miners and secondary steel makers will soon approach CM Siddaramaiah with a request to establish the park, he adds. New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asked Delhi Police Chief Alok Kumar Verma to take strict action against those involved in recent attacks against African nationals. Singh, who had called Verma to his residence, expressed concern over the attacks and said stern action be taken against the perpetrators. "Spoke to Commissioner of Police, Delhi regarding the incidents of physical assault against certain African nationals. Such incidents are condemnable," the Home Minister said in a tweet after the meeting with Verma. He asked Delhi Police to increase patrolling in areas inhabited by African nationals and ensure their security. "Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers and increase patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone," Singh tweeted. Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers & increase police patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) May 29, 2016 In the backdrop of cases of assault on African nationals and outrage by envoys of African countries over killing of a Congolese youth, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today spoke to Singh and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung to ensure safety of the community and strict action against the guilty. "I have spoken to Shri Raj Nath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon," Swaraj tweeted. I have spoken to Shri Raj Nath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday./1 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 29, 2016 She also said that a sensitization campaign will soon be launched in areas where African nationals reside. Earlier today, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that it would arrange the transportation of Masunda Oliver, the African national who was brutally killed in the national capital, back to his home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Read: After Congolese youth killing, six Africans in Delhi beaten up in 30 mins "In the unfortunate death of Mr. Masunda Oliver, the Government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense. Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 29, 2016 Envoys of African countries on Thursday had expressed shock over killing of Oliver here last week following which India assured them of safety of African nationals. As African envoys reacted sharply to Oliver's killing, three cases of physical assault and criminal intimidation of African nationals in south Delhi were registered by the police. Read: 'Sought help but no one came forward,' African lady recalls racial attack horror Police attributed two of the incidents to locals raising objection to the African nationals' playing loud music during late night, and the other to objection raised against a group of Africans consuming alcohol in public. All three incidents had taken place on Thursday in areas under the jurisdiction of Mehrauli Police Station. The complainants in Thursday's cases include two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and at least two Nigerian men, police said. In a separate incident, a 23-year-old Nigerian student was attacked in Hyderabad on Wednesday night over dispute over parking. Swaraj had taken up the issue with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who promised stringent action against the guilty. She had also sought an urgent report from the Telangana government over the attack. The police has arrested him and five others (Representational Image) Hyderabad: Diluting donated blood and converting one blood packet into two was the art of lab technician K. Narendra Prasad, who worked at the Koti Maternity Hospital and also in private blood banks in the city. The police has arrested him and five others and found that most of their working hours would be spent on converting single blood packets into two. This was done in the presence of other laboratory technicians who were also a party to it. Sultan Bazaar police has arrested Prasad, lab technicians T. Naga Raju and K. Ramesh and another lab technician at Koti Maternity Hospital, Raghavendra Raghav. Owner of Rakshita Blood Bank Soumya Reddy and administrator of Balaji Blood Bank P. Naresh have also been arrested. During duty hours, Narendra used transfusion pipes to transfer blood from one whole packet to an empty packet and fill it halfway, said to the police. The blood was then diluted with saline. Accused worked part-time in several blood banks Diluting donated blood and converting one blood packet into two packets was the art of lab technician K. Narendra Prasad. These packets would be labelled with stickers of private blood banks and sold to unsuspecting patients by Raju and Ramesh at the private blood banks. For this, a commission of Rs 100 per packet (selling the packet) and Rs 200 per packet (selling the packet and also forging an entry in the registry book) was paid to them. Prasad had worked part-time in different blood banks in the last two years. He worked at Aditya Blood Bank at Hamuman Tekdi, Sanjeevani Blood Bank at RTC Crossroads, Rakshita Blood Bank at Pultibowli X Roads and Balaji Blood Bank at Malakpet. Inspector of police P. Shivashanker Rao of Sultan Bazaar said, The labels for the blood bank packets were printed at Gowliguda. He got them designed and used them for these packets. The designs and prints were kept by him at home. He also kept blood plasma packets at his home in Saroornagar. Raghavendra, another lab technician at Koti Maternity Hospital, had borrowed a large sum of money from Prasad and didnt disclose this activity on the government premises. Meanwhile, Soumya and Naresh had provided financial assistance to Prasad to abscond when the scam broke out on May 19. Srinagar: The security forces on Saturday said that they have apprehended a top militant of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and termed the seizure as a major blow to Kashmirs frontline militant outfit. A defence spokesman here said that Tariq Pandit, a close aide of the Hizbs iconic figure Burhan Wani, was captured in a well coordinated swift operation" on Newa - Pinglana road of southern Pulwama district. Earlier, reports had suggested that Pandit surrendered before the Army which has tightened the noose around the militant group and, in fact, has along with local polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) carried out a series of successful operations against militants across the Valley in past few weeks. Defence spokesman Lt. Col. N.N. Joshi said that based on specific intelligence input about the movement of Pandit along the Neva - Pinglana road near Karimabad, Pulwama a joint mobile vehicle check-post was established by Army and the SOG on Saturday morning. The movement of the terrorist was kept under constant surveillance and, as he closed in, he was apprehended by the team of Rashtriya Rifles battalion, the spokesman said adding that one 9 mm pistol, two Chinese grenades and other war like stores were recovered from Pandit. He added that the Hizb militant has been involved in many terror related incidents in Pulwama area and that an FIR has been registered and subsequently Pandit was handed over to the local police station. Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Rifles and Territorial Army along with J&K police have recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation in Khangar Forest of frontier Rajouri district. The recovery includes one AK- 56 rifle, two pistols, one UBGL, one 7.62 mm Barrel, six magazines of AK-47, three rounds of RPG, two anti rank rifle grenades, two UBGL grenades, two Chinese hand grenades, 120 rounds of AK-47, eight rounds of Pika, 30 rounds of pistol, 166 rounds of 303 rifle , one pouch and one solar plate, officials said. Hyderabad: Fresh protests erupted in University of Hyderabad over the removal of tents by the universitys security. The tents had been put up in the north shopping complex area of the campus where students have been protesting since January over the suicide of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula. The Joint Action Committee for Social Justice which is spearheading the protest had erected tents at the location in January. Recently, on May 22, the university had issued a notice to the Students Union asking it to remove the tents within 48 hours saying they were erected without permission from the university. On Saturday, around 1 AM, the university security removed the tents. Protesting JAC members then blocked the universitys main gate until noon on Saturday and are now considering filing a police complaint against UoH, Vice Chancellor, Prof Appa Rao Podile and also the security head of the university. A member of the JAC said, The security staff kept denying that they had removed the tents even though a few of our members saw them removing them at night. During the evacuation they also defiled a portrait of Dr B.R. Ambedkar which was hung near one of the tents, destroyed a banner which had quotes of Dr Ambedkar and took away a copy of the Preamble we had kept there. This is completely unacceptable and we will file a police complain Dr Vipin Srivastava, senior faculty member who has been appointed as spokesperson for the university said, The notice was issued saying that the tents have to be removed. A proper procedure has to be followed if they want to erect tents and protest. They need permissions via proper channel. New Delhi: The government has decided to cancel all ongoing tenders for defence equipment won by Italy's Finmeccanica as a precursor to blacklisting of the firm which is being investigated for bribery in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar also said that the process for blacklisting Finmeccanica and its subsidiaries has already been started and a note for the same sent to the Law Ministry. "Wherever there is capital procurement of Finmeccanica and their subsidiaries, all Requests for Proposal (RFP) will be closed. I am very clear," he said. However, he said, the annual maintenance and import of spare parts of already acquired defence supplies will be continued with the firm and only fresh capital acquisition is being nixed. The government has already withdrawn the RFP for heavy wight torpedos for Scorpene submarines which was won by WASS, a Finmeccanica subsidiary, during UPA regime. The government is now working out the alternatives. "The blacklisting process has already been moved. If there is a blacklisting for a specific number of years, which will be issued in the order, there will be no transaction by Defence Ministry with that company for capital procurement for that many years," he said. He stressed that the Ministry has already put on hold new transactions with the company. "In revenue acquisition, where contracts have already been executed, annual maintenance and import of spare parts will be permitted where it is absolutely essential but with proper certification from concerned authority in order to ensure that platform or equipment remains operational," he said. Emphasising that national security "cannot be compromised" just because the company has done something wrong, he said, "I cannot put six ships of mine out of commission because one spare part is to be imported from some company of Finmeccanica." Kolkata: BJP West Bengal President Dilip Ghosh has kicked up a storm with his remarks that his party workers, "trained" by RSS, can break the shoulders of Trinamool Congress activists with "bare hands", drawing flak from the ruling party, Congress and the Left. Courting controversy yet again, he asked TMC workers to "stop" violence, "mend" their ways or face "consequences" when they travel outside Bengal. "They can't do whatever they want and beat up our cadres without reasons. TMC is thinking they can do whatever they want. But, they should remember one thing that out of Bengal, it's only BJP and BJP," Ghosh told a public rally in Kharagpur. "If they (Trinamool) have 211 MLAs, then we have more than 1,000 MLAs and MPs across India. If they step outside Bengal, we will teach them a lesson. Their family members should mark their name with red ink when they go out of their homes," he said. "Don't instigate us. We are warning you. I don't interfere but if you provoke me, I will not be good. I am warning you there will be no happiness. I will first cut off water supply, then power, then I will shut the door and thrash you. We are capable of everything. The boys are trained by RSS and are ready. Your shoulders will be broken," he said on Friday. Read: Anyone who raises anti-national slogans will be beheaded: West Bengal BJP chief He said he has to just dial 11 digits. "You will be thrashed from the airport to your house, then from the house to the hospital. No one will find you. Your families will be informed with a photograph on WhatsApp," Ghosh said. Ghosh today said, "Why can't I make such comments. If my cadres are attacked, I have every right to protect them. TMC should immediately make a public appeal to stop violence." He said in Assam BJP won the Assembly polls, but no opposition workers was touched. In Bengal, a "bloodbath" is going on, he said. If TMC doesn't stop violence, then the children of TMC workers would become orphans, he said. The BJP leader had earlier drawn flak for his controversial comments on TMC and then on a section of women students in Jadavpur University. Reacting to Ghosh's remarks, TMC Vice President Mukul Roy said, "This is totally unacceptable. We will write to both the Houses of Parliament. These comments only prove who is the victim and who are the perpetrators." State Health and Family Welfare Minister Shashi Panja said now there is a BJP leader who is day after day commenting on women or threatening to beat up TMC followers. "This is very unfortunate. This is not the kind of politics one should pursue," she said, adding in a democracy someone wins and someone else loses in an election. TMC leader in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandopadhyay condemned the remarks and said he would write to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan drawing her attention to the issue. Congress member in Rajya Sabha Pradip Bhattacharya said it is "okay" if RSS training was taken and it was their own work. "If they have taken training to torture others, then steps should be taken against that," he said, noting that his party will never support Ghosh. CPI(M) leader Nepaldeb Bhattacharya said such statements only act as fuel to the fire. "We condemn it," he said. Echoing similar sentiments, state RSP Secretary Khsiti Goswami said, "Those who are in public life should be more careful about their statements." JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said that if RSS provides training to defend, then they also give training to break necks. "The question is whose neck they want to break the nation's, those of nationalists or traitors. Because whatever is happening in Jammu and Kashmir, the whole country can see who is breaking whose neck," he said. Ghosh also said TMC workers have to be told in the language they understand. "Politics should happen in a democratic way. There is a limit to our patience. If they cross it, we should also reply in the same language," he said. The BJP leader said it is the state government's responsibility to stop violence. He claimed that when the state police tried to be proactive, five SP were transferred. "It shows what the government wants. The police force itself needs security," he said. Kids shop for school bags in the city on Saturday as the academic year is all set to begin. (Photo: DC) Chennai: While government gears up to reopen schools on June 1, sweltering heat is worrying parents, who want the reopening to be postponed for a week. Puducherry government has decided to postpone school reopening by a week due to the scorching heat. The education department has asked officials to make all arrangements to commence schools on June 1. Although, the dog days, which began on May 4, came to an end on Saturday, weather department has forecast that temparatures will remain high for the next four or five days. Therefore, parents are hoping that the government may postpone school reopening. As far as the education department is concerned, it does not go back once a decision is made. The department is undemocratic and authoritarian. It has not considered any representation for the last five years. If the schools are reopened on June 1, children from LKG to sixth standard will suffer the heat. The department knows it very well, said Prince Gajendrababu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System. However, Director of School Education S. Kannappan has issued a circular stating that schools would be reopened on June 1 and that free notebooks, uniforms and other free materials should be given on the first day itself. He added that all arrangements for distribution of free materials for education should be completed, besides ensuring that roof, electric switches, water tanks and sewage are in proper condition. The school authorities should check for possible power leakages and all power cables passing near the school. The CEO, DEO, inspection officials and headmasters should give suitable instructions and monitor if all precautionary measures are being taken, while directors and joint directors should inspect if all conditions are proper for school reopening. New Delhi: Nine persons were detained on Sunday over the attacks on Africans in south Delhi after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj raised the issue with home minister Rajnath Singh. MoS for external affairs V.K. Singh triggered another controversy by describing the episode as a minor scuffle and blaming the media. He tweeted, Had detailed discussions with the Delhi police and found that the media is blowing up a minor scuffle as an attack on African nationals in Rajpur Khurd. Why is media doing this? As responsible citizens let us question them and their motives. Mr Singhs comments were puzzling as both Ms Swaraj and Mr Rajnath Singh had just hours before expressed serious concern over the attacks. African students in the city had earlier decided to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar following which Ms Swaraj asked MoS Singh and secretary (economic affairs) Amar Sinha to meet the aggrieved students. The government also plans to launch sensitisation campaigns to prevent such attacks amid media reports that locals have objected to African students playing loud music at night. Ms Swaraj tweeted on Sunday morning that she had spoken to Mr Rajnath Singh and Lt. Gov. of Delhi (Najeeb Jung)... Centre to the aid of Congolese family This isnt the first time that Gen. Singh has landed in a controversy. His reference to the attack as a minor scuffle is bound to infuriate African nations which had stated that the problems of racism and Afro-phobia exist in India. Following the attacks, some African envoys have once again demanded that the Indian government crack down on the culprits. According to TV reports, the Kenyan envoy on Sunday demanded that India must act firmly to prevent more attacks against Africans. With tempers running high among the African nations, the government moved in to help the family of the Congolese national who was killed on May 20. In the unfortunate death of Mr Masunda Oliver, the government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. The government is worried since the attacks may cast a shadow on PM Narendra Modis visits to African countries this year. It is being speculated that Mr Modi may visit Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa in the coming weeks. The home minister too had tweeted on Sunday morning. New Delhi: After the Uttar Pradesh BJP unit chief Keshav Chandra Maurya ruled out any alliance for the state Assembly polls next year, Union minister Mahesh Sharma too stated that the saffron party would contest the elections on its own. Mr Sharma also repeated Mr Mauryas earlier assertions that the BJP would stick to the development agenda. Claiming that the BJP will get over 265 out of 403 seats in UP, Mr Sharma said the BJPs focus during the campaign would be on development, good governance and rooting out corruption. He added that the contentious issues, including the Ram temple, would not be on the party agenda for the state polls. Construction of Ram Temple is the wish of millions of people as a matter of faith. We do not want to make it a political issue. It is not on our political agenda. But people of this country want a Ram temple at Ayodhya. We want to do it (construct the temple) either by consensus mode or verdict by court of law, Mr Sharma said. Admitting that the morale of the BJP is better after the win in the Assam polls, Mr Sharma said party leaders are considering the elections in the politically crucial state as a special task that has to be accomplished. He, however, ruled out having truck with any party either before or after elections. We will not have any alliance with any of the parties, whether it is Lok Dal (INLD) or any other party. No pre-poll, no post-poll alliance of any sort, he said. Bengaluru: In a heart-rending incident, grandparents of a seven-year-old girl, who died after honeybees stung her at Lal Bagh in August last year, ended their lives by jumping before a moving train, unable to cope with the tragedy. Though the couple took the extreme step on Monday evening, their identities were not established till Wednesday morning. The deceased, K. V. Murthy, 70, and Chaya, 65, were residents of Kanaka Nagar in Kumaraswamy Layout. Their granddaughter, Vaishnavi, had died after bees stung her. The couple committed suicide near Hebbal under Byappanahalli Railway police station limits. The police had circulated the pictures of the bodies in several police groups to establish the identities, but it had not worked. Meanwhile, the couples son, Guruprasad, filed a missing complaint with the Kumaraswamy Layout police on Tuesday evening. Guruprasad and his wife, Suguna, had left for work on Monday morning after which the elderly couple had left the house. By evening they reached Hebbal and committed suicide. Guruprasad and his wife, who returned home in the evening, could not trace the couple. They checked with relatives and also searched in Srirangapatna and Nanjangud, thinking that they would have gone to a temple. When they could not trace them, Guruprasad filed the complaint, the police said. When Guruprasad returned home after filing the complaint, he found his fathers mobile phone. He was shocked to see the message, We are going to commit suicide, on the phone. He also found a note near the phone that said that they could not live anymore as they were shattered by the death of their granddaughter. Guruprasad immediately rushed back to the police station and informed the staff. The policemen at the station contacted the police control room and got information that an elderly couple had committed suicide in Hebbal. Based on the information, the staff contacted the Byappanahalli Railway Police and got details of the case, the police said. On Wednesday morning, Guruprasad identified the bodies of his parents that had been kept at the Bowring Hospital mortuary. Guruprasad has made a statement that his parents were depressed after Vaishnavis death. He was also planning to adopt a girl child so that his parents could return to normal, the police said. How Vaishnavi died Vaishnavi, a second standard student, who had gone to see the Independence Day flower show at Lal Bagh in 2015, had sustained injuries after a swarm of honeybees attacked her. The incident had drawn criticism against the organisers for not taking precautionary measures while organising such a big event. KOTTAYAM: The family of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, the Salesian priest who was abducted by the ISIS, has alleged that the Government of India is not able to effectively intervene in conducting negotiations to get the priest freed as the Indian embassy in Yemen is dysfunctional after it was closed more than a year ago. Moreover, the family is clueless about the latest developments with regard to negotiations to free the priest. Fr Tom was allegedly abducted from Aden city in Yemen. It will be three months on June 4 since the terrorists abducted Father Tom. His relatives have no information, except that the Archbishop of Abu Dhabi is involved in negotiations. Meanwhile, the family of Father Tom at Vadakkumbhagom near Ramapuram is restless on not getting any intimation about the developments. Mr U.V. Mathew, the elder brother of the priest, now lives at the home at Vadakkum-bhgom near Ramapuram. We have no information and the government has not intimated us regarding the developments, Mr Mathew told this newspaper. The only consolation for the family came when the Government of India and the Salesian congregation confirmed that the priest was alive. Father Tom went to Yemen in 2010 inspired by the work of late Father Mathew Uzhunnalil, his uncle who has doing his ministry as a Salesian priest for 15 years in Yemen. Father Tom visited his house at Ramapuram in September 2014 for the funeral of his mother, and stayed here for at least two months. The terrorists who abducted Father Tom had killed 16 inmates at the Missionaries of Charity destitute home in Yemen before abducting him on March 4 at 8.30 am, where the priest was working for five years. Four nuns, including one from India, succumbed in the terrorist attack. Agra: Hermits or saints are perceived to be ones devoid of desires. However, Haridwars 'Golden Baba' from Juna Akhada seems to challenge the notion. Laden with gold chains and jewellery worth Rs 3 crore, the flashy saint sought security from Agras top cop on his way back from Ujjains Simhasth Kumbh. The ascetic had gone to Ujjains most talked of Simhastha Kumbh. On his way back to Bareilly he spoke to Agras SSP Dr Preetinder Singh, seeking security from the top cop. Adhering to the babas request, the police provided him security till Agra. Baba was further advised to seek help from higher authorities in case he wanted security beyond Agra, the cop added. The saint along with his cavalcade created a buzz when they headed to a higher officials office. Onlookers in a bid to capture the moment took photographs with 'Golden Baba'. Further, complainants who were hovering in and around the police station, being enthralled by the view, gathered around the ascetic and captured him on camera. Thiruvananthapuram: In an attempt to help an ailing Hindu boy, a Bishop in Keralas Kottayam district will be donating one of his kidneys. The development comes in the wake of Pope Franciss call, in the recent past, to make 2016 a year of giving. The Bishop of Pala diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, Jacob Muricken was apprised of Sooraj's sickly condition by the Kidney Federation of India. The 30-year-old was undergoing dialysis treatment two years ago. According to the federation, both his kidneys have failed and his health is in a deplorable condition. He had registered with the federation a year ago and was waiting for a donor to relieve him off his predicament. The Bishops donation is no less than a boon for Sooraj. For the first time, a bishop will be donating his kidney. I am inspired by Father Chiramel who once donated his kidney seven years ago. I am happy that I will be doing good to someone in the year of mercy. I am deeply moved by Fathers act of mercy and would like to follow his footprints, the bishop said, as quoted in reports. If everything goes well then the transplantation process will take place next week in Kochi, said Father Chiramel. Kochi: The Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) would operate feeder services between metro stations and also from near-by satellite towns, giving it a bigger role than the initial plan to use its buses to provide last-mile connectivity to Metro commuters in the Greater Cochin region. "The latest decision means the KURTC will be operating nearly 300 buses as feeder services. While the electric or LNG operated mini buses will be operated between various metro stations, the AC low-floor buses will be deployed from satellite towns like Alapuzha," a senior KURTC official said. A proposal has already been put up before German Bank Kfw, which is financing the Rs 819.23-crore Aqua Boat project of the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd, to extend loan to purchase the buses. The same has been included in the Indo-German Joint Forum Committee on May 18, he said. A team of officials from the Kfw and the Urban Mass Transit Company Ltd (UMTC) held discussions with Corporation chairperson Antony Chacko and visited the KURTCs Thevara Hub the other day as part of project appraisal. The city feeder services would be operated such that maximum number of people would be benefitted and the services are available at a frequency of five minutes. For this, planning is being done with the help of UMTC which helped cities such as Ahmedabad and Amritsar to implement Bus-based Public Transit Systems. Earlier, the KURTC and the KMRL had reached a pact to operate AC low-floor buses as feeder services to provide commuters with last mile travel across nearly 10 stations in the city. Basically we aim to provide connectivity to areas like Fort Kochi, Thoppumpadi, Chitoor, Vallarpadam, Cheranellore, Tripunithura, Aroor and the like with the nearest metro stations. The aim is to provide comfortable journey to the commuters, the official said. Srinagar: After last weeks one-on-one meeting between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, and BJPs national general secretary, Ram Madhav, there again seems to be quiet, easy, smooth and suave for her at the BJP front as PDPs partner in the government has acknowledged her concerns and agreed to stick to coalition dharma. She also seized the meeting held here to convey to the BJP leadership that any attempt to rake up contentious and sensitive issues in public domain particularly those which have the potential of disturbing the political psyche of the States majority community at this stage would only make her task more difficult. Sources in the PDP said that Mufti has been reassured that the BJP is interested in smooth and successful running of the coalition government and would ask its cadres to exercise restraint and not to issue any individual level statements that may create problems for the Chief Minister and the government. While Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister is reported to be satisfied with the assurances from her partner in the government, it is her party's internal squabble creeping in disturbing her. Sources in the PDP said that Mufti is trying hard to cope with the situation intrepidly and is making a conscientious effort to ensure the internal strife does not take a serious turn for her or the party. It all began with Muftis showing reluctance to form new government with the saffron party following the death of her father and then Chief Minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, on January 7 this year as she would publicly ask for beforehand J&K-specific Confidence-Building-Measures (CBMs) in the belief these may create congenial atmosphere in which she could find it more easy to step into her fathers shows. The nearly three month long stalemate, however, gave birth to a serious form of internal dissent led by a PDP mogul Syed Altaf Bukhari who had allegedly made a furtive effort to form a government with the BJP when talks between Mufti and saffron partys leadership in Delhi had broken down in March this year. It was for this reason that Bukhari who had served as an influential Cabinet rank minister in the previous PDP-BJP government was dropped unceremoniously when Ms. Mufti was sworn in as the 13th chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir along with 22 ministers on April 4. Bukhari had, however, denied he was leading any pressure or dissident group within the PDP and insisted that he did not keep his ties with the BJP any secret as his main objective was to avoid thrusting another election upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir. One year passed since the polls were held in 2014. I didnt want people to undergo further hardships. If anyone says I was leading the pressure group, I would say in return that my basic objective was to make Mehbooba Mufti states chief minister, he had said. But the party sources said that as many as 18 PDP MLAs were ready to go with Mr. Bukhari or had, at least, endorsed his view on Ms. Muftis earlier disinclination. Mufti pre-empted the situation from taking any ugly turn for her by deciding to form a government with the BJP. Nonetheless, the failed rebellion created a sort of bad blood in the party and Ms. Mufti felt almost betrayed by some of those she trusted the most. The man who played the whistleblower and, in fact, openly accused Mr. Bukhari of trying to ditch his leader is another senior party leader and Lok Sabha member from Srinagar Tariq Hameed Karra. Ahead of Muftis swearing in, Karra had had a one-on-one meeting with her during which he told her to drop three ministers including Bukhari who played a dubious role and are responsible for the failure of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed. The bickering between Mr. Bukhari and Mr. Karra has continued giving some anxious moments to the PDP president. Also, some other senior party functionaries including ministers are not any friendly with one another and this is reflected in some of their public utterances. Also select local newspapers are being used by them to run each other down or, at least, belittle their antagonists attainments. Even crucial official information is occasionally leaked through a section of media to build pressure on the Chief Minister or put her in poor light. In this war of nerves the opposition and some bureaucrats are also playing a role. While Bukhari is trying hard to stage a grand comeback, Karra and some others are reported to be deadly against assigning him any responsibility in the government. This is a kind of bizarre situation which is causing worry to the party leader, the sources said. However, PDP chief spokesman Dr. Mehboob Beg strongly denied reports of internal bickering in the party. I dont think there is anything like this...there is nothing like this in our party. Asked about Karra being deadly against Mr. Bukhari and having publicly spoken against him, he said, I think he (Mr. Karra) alone will be in a position to talk on this. If you ask me there are no such issues there in the party. New Delhi: The victory of BJP-led coalitionin Assam indicates that "obstructionist" politics does not succeed, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said on Sunday while debunking Congress' charge that the Modi government has not achieved much. Referring to the Congress' loss in the assembly polls in Assam and other states, Rathore said it is because the youth are not appreciating its "obstructionist" role in Parliament and outside. The youth feel that such an approach can take away the window of opportunity from India to turn into a developed nation, he said. "In crop insurance, we reduced the premium and removed the cap. But we did not give in to the opposition's demands. For last 10 years, not a single weapon for the army was imported and whenever any attempt to import was made, Agusta scam happened there," the minister added. "We placed an order of around Rs 1 lakh crore out of which 60 to 70 per cent are going to be made in India. But we did nothing. And what did they do?" Rathore said hitting out at the Congress. He claimed the change was visible in decision making, policy making and policy implementation in the last two years. "These are happening for schemes for women, youths, infrastructure, marginalised sections, in governance, in overall economy. Through Direct Benefit Transfer, we saved crores of rupees of money by detecting fake accounts. This was public money. It's (money) not simply going to the treasury,"he said. It's going to the right people," the minister said. Replying to a question about what is the takeaway from the results in Assam elections, Rathore said,"People of north east have also seen the obstructionism of Parliament and therefore they see hope in NDA and the leadership of the Prime Minister." Congress' obstructionism in Parliament is because the party has run out of ideas, Rathore said, adding but not letting the government implement its ideas cannot be a policy. The Union Minister said with young people constituting a very big chunk of population, the country has got a window of opportunity for growth and people say the 21st century could be the century of India. "Youth feel that the country can lose this window of opportunity if obstructionism happens where laws are made (Parliament) and outside," Rathore said. Chennai: Amidst talk of a Federal Front without BJP and Congress at the national level, DMK, the major opposition in Tamil Nadu, is keeping its options open at the national level, while watching the moves of its arch rival and Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. The DMK has not broken its ties with Congress, which joined its alliance for the recent Assembly elections. The Congress which got 41 seats after tough bargain won in just eight constituencies, bringing down the alliance tally to below 100, a major reason for the inability of the front to form government. In the previous Assembly elections too, Congress which fought in 63 seats ended up getting only five and the trend had not changed after five years. Besides, Congress is shrinking at the national level and Karnataka is the only major state in which the Congress is in power, besides a few smaller States. The role of Congress at the national level too is diminishing and the opposition leaders at the national level have begun moves to form a Federal Front without BJP and Congress. Amid the changing scenario at the national level, DMK Rajya Sabha MP and the partys face in Delhi politics attended the swearing-in ceremony of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, considered as a key leader in the new front to be cobbled together. However, DMKs chances of entering the front depends on the preference of the new fronts leaders and the decision of AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa who has 37 MPs in Lok Sabha. The DMK leaders are not coming down heavily on the Union government headed by BJP either and party chief M. Karunanidhi is welcoming some of the Centres moves like inclusion of Narikuravas in the Scheduled Tribes list. If DMK wants to go with BJP, the votes of minorities could be a major concern for the Dravidian party, but Muslim outfits in the alliance had fared poorly in the Assembly elections. The Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, which contested four seats lost all and the Indian Union Muslim League won a single seat out of the five allocated to it. However, DMK leaders declined to comment on their options at the national level, but also refrained from asserting that their alliance with Congress would continue. One functionary said, There is no urgency now to decide on Parliament elections. Right now, the DMKs next target is civic body elections, since the party needs to be strengthened at the grassroots level. Generally, alliances are not broken or formed for local body elections. Bengaluru: Ruling out an alliance with the ruling Congress for next months polls to Rajya Sabha, leaders of JD(S) have decided to field multi-millionaire realtor B M Farook though the party lacks the requisite strength in the Legislative Assembly to win the seat on its own. A JDLP meeting would be held on May 30 to formally announce Mr Farook as the official nominee for Rajya Sabha polls. We are not interested to join hands with the Congress. Our party will field its candidate for Rajya Sabha elections, sources close to state JD (S) president H D Kumaraswamy told DC. Ten independent MLAs have proposed the name of Mr Farook. He will submit his nomination papers on Monday. Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, on Saturday stoked a new controversy while speaking in the state assembly on the rehabilitation process of displaced Kashmiri Pandits and other migrants. Mufti said that she will not throw Kashmiri Pandits like pigeons before the cat. Defending the governments decision to set up transit colonies for the returnees she said they will stay in these settlements for some time and then decide where to live in the Valley permanently. These are not going to be any Israel type settlements, the Chief Minister asserted adding These will be composite housing colonies where half will be Kashmiri Pandits and half Muslims and other faiths. Opposition National Conference (NC) took a strong exception to Muftis pigeons before the cat remark and said the Chief Minister owed an apology to the people of Kashmir for demonizing and defaming them through her contemptuous and highly inappropriate analogy. She has defamed and demonized Kashmiris by inferring that Kashmiris are allegedly some sort of killers and hunters and Kashmiri Pandits are unsafe in their company and hence need to be isolated from them. Its tragic that a Chief Minister could stoop to this level in her maiden address in the Assembly, NC spokesperson Junaid Mattu said in a statement issued here. He added, Mehbooba Mufti should know that her hunted versus hunter analogy has exposed her mindset and also her prejudiced outlook on the sensitive issue. She has portrayed Kashmiris as killers from whom Kashmiri Pandits need to be protected. She should apologize to the people for her remarks and also bear in mind that she is no longer an election campaigner who can afford to distort the truth and lie at will. The NC spokesman said that Mufti is the Chief Minister of the State and we expect a basic amount of wisdom and restraint from her. He also said that Ms. Mufti should know that both Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits have been the victims of violence and she cannot portray an entire community as culprits and demons. This is extremely regrettable and tragic on her part, he said. Earlier speaking in the Assembly, the Chief Minister sought to clarify that the transit accommodations the government has planned to set up in the Valley will not be exclusively meant for Kashmiri Pandits. She, however, asserted that the social fabric of Kashmir is incomplete without its Pandit population. Weve a comprehensive policy for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit community and many of our brethren have taken benefit from it, she said, adding that an enabling environment will facilitate a gradual return of the community to the Valley. The Chief Minister said the Kashmiri Pandits, who want to return to the Valley will be provided transit accommodation till they are able to resettle at the native place. We cant force them to go back to their native places and put their lives to risk, she said. "The proposal of building transit accommodations for Pandits has been approved by (Prime Minister's) working groups (on J&K). We have migrants from different faiths including Muslims and Sikhs living in Jammu and 50 percent of these transit accommodations will be reserved for people of other faiths," she reiterated. She also said that the PDP-BJP government is committed to the return of the Kashmiri Pandits. "I will bring them back with your help, she said. The Chief Minister said the proposal for developing a Sainik Colony in the state was mooted in 2011. She said although the Sainik Colony was proposed to be established only for the state subject ex-servicemen, however, owing to non-availability of land there has been no movement forward on the issue. "The Sainik colony is meant for the ex-servicemen state subjects. The society under which the colony is being proposed was inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1975. The National Conference-Congress government held many meetings with the Governor between 2011 and 2014 for the establishment on Sainik Colony. Now the Governor has again called for land identification. But we have categorically told them that there is no land available at present," she said. Mufti said the state government is taking tangible measures to address the issues of PoK refugees and some progress has already been made in this regard. The government will focus on rehabilitation of militants who crossed the Line of Control for arms training and are now willing to resume their normal lives, she added. "We are committed to give them their rights and restore their dignity and honour," she said. New Delhi: The BJP will contest Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls on its own, Union Minister Mahesh Sharma, who played a significant role in the party's stunning performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in the state, said. As BJP shifts focus to the assembly polls in UP due next year after its resounding victory in Assam, Sharma said party leaders are considering the elections in the politically crucial state as a "special task that has to be accomplished". Sharma, who was rewarded with a ministerial berth for his hard work in the Lok Sabha polls in UP, said BJP's focus during the campaign will be on development, good governance and rooting out corruption and not the Ram temple. He said the party would not like to make Ram temple a political issue. "Construction of Ram temple is the wish of millions of people as a matter of faith. We do not want to make it a political issue. It is not on our political agenda. But people of this country want a Ram temple at Ayodhya. We want to do it (construct the temple) either by consensus mode or verdict by court of law," said Sharma. He exuded confidence that BJP will get over 265 out of 403 seats. "We will not have any alliance with any of the parties, whether it is Lok Dal (INLD) or any other party. No pre-poll, no post-poll alliance of any sort," Sharma told PTI when asked whether BJP will have any alliance with any party for the assembly polls. In a spectacular performance, the BJP had won a whopping 71 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats in the 2014 polls, propelling the party to attain a majority in the House on its own for the first time. The party had won just 47 seats in the 2012 assembly polls. BJP's vote share was 42 per cent in the last Lok Sabha polls as against 15 per cent in the assembly polls in 2012. Asked whether he was in the race for Chief Ministership if the party was voted to power in the key cow belt state, the first-time MP from Noida said he was ready to take any responsibility decided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party leadership. "The Prime Minister is like our guardian. He gave me responsibility of three ministries. I have been trying to do justice with them. I would love to take whatever responsibility he or my party leadership or my parliamentary board gives me," the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Tourism and Culture said. The Union Minister said BJP leadership will take a decision on whether to project a chief ministerial face in the polls. He said the party has been working for the assembly polls for quite sometime as it would be a very crucial election, adding all party leaders will take the UP election as a "special task". Attacking the state's Samajwadi Party government, he said people of Uttar Pradesh will punish them for "widespread corruption and lawlessness". He called previous Mayawati government "an icon of corruption" and said people will not vote for her party as well. "We will go to people highlighting our achievements at the Centre. We have been able to provide good governance, we have been able to do development, ensure transparency. We could bring back the faith of people in the political system, in governance system. We will highlight it," he said. Sharma said BJP wants to make UP a fast developing state. "People of UP know that like two wheels of a cart, one wheel (Modi government) is at the Centre now which is strong. They want to see that the other wheel in UP also becomes strong. They want to see that in both places there are BJP governments to ensure growth of UP which has been suffering for long," he said. Though the party has not declared its intention to field the third candidate, retired IPS officer K C Ramamurthy could get the nod of senior leaders to enter the fray along with former Union ministers, Oscar Fernandes and Jairam Ramesh. Bengaluru: In a major development, seven independent MLAs met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday and pledged their support to Congress candidate ahead of next months elections to Rajya Sabha, thus bolstering the prospects of victory of the ruling partys third candidate. A photograph of these seven independent MLAs and energy minister D K Shivakumar along with Mr Siddaramaiah was released to the media on Saturday night. Though the party has not declared its intention to field the third candidate, retired IPS officer K C Ramamurthy could get the nod of senior leaders to enter the fray along with former Union ministers, Oscar Fernandes and Jairam Ramesh. The names of Mr Fernandes and Mr Ramesh were announced by the party in New Delhi on Saturday. Close on the heels of clearing two names for Rajya Sabha polls, Congress leaders gave their nod for four candidates, including state Youth Congress president Rizwan Arshad, for elections to the Legislative Council on Saturday. Chief Minister Siddarmaiah reportedly batted in favour of Mr Arshad instead of Mr Naseer Ahmed, who reportedly figured in first list on Friday. According to AICC note, the names of former Kodagu DCC president, Veena Achaiah (woman), former KPCC president, Allum Veerabhadrappa (Lingayat), KPYCC president, Rizwan Arshad (Muslim) and former minister R. B. Thimmapur (SC) were cleared on Saturday. Speaking to DC, a senior leader observed that Mr Siddaramaiah took a firm stand to field Mr Arshad who lost his Lok Sabha elections in 2014 from Bengaluru (Central) Lok Sabha constituency. When former minister Mr Ahmed was favoured by several loyal Congress leaders, it was Mr Siddaramaiah who reportedly suggested that he had served for two terms as MLC and had lost Assembly elections in 2013. Therefore, it would be better to field Mr Arshad who is the face of young Muslims, the leader added. Besides, Ms Achaiah was reportedly given a ticket at the behest of party president, Sonia Gandhi, after reportedly quizzing both Mr Siddaramaiah and Dr Parameshwar why their list lacked the names of women candidates. Thus, Ms Achaiah made it to the list in order to ensure representation to Kodavas as well as Kodagu district, the leader added. Meanwhile, sources in the party said former minister, R. B. Thimmapur, made it to the list as the party wanted to accommodate a Dalit, and former KPCC president, Mr Veerabhadrappa (Lingayat) replaced Veerana Mattikatti who would retire in June. Mr Kharge said that instead of monitoring the administration as the Prime Minister, Modi preferred to visit as many nations as he could during the last two years. Hyderabad: Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of celebrating his two-year rule on a grand scale while ignoring the severe drought conditions in the country, leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Saturday said he really failed to understand what was there to celebrate. What are the great achievements of the Modi government in the last two years that it is celebrating? It has not done anything noteworthy except organising campaigns in different names, Mr Kharge told newsmen at the Gandhi Bhavan here. Terming Modi as a tourist PM and NRI PM, the Congress senior leader said that the NDA government has failed to tell the people what it has done for the country. Its strange that on one hand, RBI governor says that the economic situation of the country is alarming and on the other, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley expresses confidence over the booming economy. Who is correct? he asked. Mr Kharge said that instead of monitoring the administration as the Prime Minister, Modi preferred to visit as many nations as he could during the last two years. Why has he failed to bring back the black money stashed in foreign banks and distribute it to the youth as promised? Where are the two crore jobs he promised to the nation? It seems that achche din came only for Modi and his team, and not the people of the country; they continue to live in bure din ki sarkar, Mr Kharge said. He said government made its intentions very clear by not reducing the prices of petroleum products despite a sharp decline in the price of crude oil in international markets. The government saved more than Rs 1 lakh-crore due to this and is trying to project it as it was its achievement. Hyderabad: BJP national president, Amit Shah on Sunday stated that his party would consider an alli-ance with the TRS if the regional party approa-ched it on the subject. Mr Shah, who made a whirlwind visit of the city, as part of the BJP governments public outreach programmes all over the country coinciding with the completion of its two-year rule, spoke to newsmen at a hotel near Shamsha-bad airport on Sunday. He mentioned various schemes being implemented for the welfare of the people in the last two years. Policy paralysis was seen during UPA regime. However, within just two years of the NDA taking over everyone could see the big change brought about by Prime Minister Nare-ndra Modi, he said. During the UPA regime, graft ruled the roost with allegedly Rs 12 lakh crore of public money looted. However, no instance of any scam has been reported since the BJP-led government took over in 2014. Also, none of the ministers faced any charges unlike the tainted ministers of the UPA government. Replying to a query about the Congress making mockery of Mr Modis foreign visits, Mr Shah said, In fact, Dr Manmohan Singh visited more number of countries than Mr Modi. The difference is when Dr Manmohan Singh went and came nobody bothered. But whenever Mr Modi is visiting a foreign country, he is not only getting huge response from NRIs but even the governments there are giving so much importance unlike in the past, he said. Meanwhile, the BJP has announced the appointment of Mr Kishan Reddy as the Floor Leader of the party in the Assembly. The BJP has five members in the Assembly. African envoys said several incidents of harassment of Africans in the country have not been resolved and that prosecution and conviction of the culprits had not happened. (Photo: PTI) The tragic murder of a student from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Masunda Kitada Oliver, on a street in Delhi by three Indian men is a reminder of a malaise in our national psyche colour bias and racism. Incidents of frequent violence and recurring discrimination against Africans throw up a challenge for Indians to rethink who they really are and how they are connected to the rest of the world. Prejudice, insularity and ignorance about the greatness of Africa and Indias umbilical ties with it are the evils which propel the menace of wanton attacks on African students in our country. While crimes do occur against a variety of people on a daily basis in a large nation like India, the disturbing pattern of targeting of Africans is specifically tied to hierarchical social mores in India which privilege fair skin. African students across India complain of condescending attitudes. The most common one is the overt taunting of Africans as if they were inferior human beings and usage of pejorative terms like Negro and nigger that originated during the era of trans-Atlantic slavery and European colonisation of Africa. Despite the fact that Indians themselves were classified as sub-humans and unfit for self-rule by European colonial masters, many present-day Indians have internalised a conservative Western establishment narrative of Africans as the lowest category in the social totem pole. Mahatma Gandhi, who rose to political adulthood in South Africa as a result of the inhuman treatment of both Indians and Africans by white minority rulers, understood that there existed a common cause among all the non-white people against racism and subjugation emanating from European imperialism. Likewise, the African-American civil rights leader Malcolm X stressed the interconnectedness of the struggles of coloured people worldwide for dignity and equality, and spoke of how in a global context, black people were a majority, not a minority. The Indian miscreants who are assaulting hapless African students have no inkling about this unity of the colonised people around the world. They may have received some formal education about Indias freedom movement and could possibly consider themselves nationalistic Indians, but they have no vistas into appreciating how India and Africa together fought for independence. They have never heard of the terms South-South cooperation and anti-imperialist solidarity that bound Africans and Indians closely since the advent of racist Western colonialism in Africa and Asia over the last half millennium. Mention the word Gondwanaland a supercontinent combining the land masses of India and Africa 500 million years ago and these Indian assailants would probably be shocked to hear that we brown Indians and black Africans were once a single people until we geologically drifted. The trade and civilisational links that brought African merchants to the coast of India and Indian sailors to Africa for centuries created a geopolitical and geo-economic construct of the Indian Ocean region, which is a common home for much of Africa and India. The Indian mobs that have been thrashing Africans are symbolically rupturing the human bond we have cultivated with their mighty continent and re-enacting in a minor way the European colonial project of dividing people of colour. Arguably, caste-based concepts of the superiority of light-skinned people over darker ones in India predated Western colonial dehumanisation. India has its own vast internal social problem of people being rated and ranked as per their birth and looks. But when it comes to victimising innocent African students by casually labelling them as drug-dealers or prostitutes, the flaw lies in our educational curricula, which rarely cover the history and current affairs of Africa. The classification by some misguided Indians of Africans as crooks and criminals who deserve a thrashing is the product of a servile acceptance of mainstream American and European stereotypes of the black man as a dangerous thug and the black woman as fair game with loose morals. Likewise, the notion that Africa is backward, poverty-stricken and unstable is a popular Western distortion that has percolated into average Indian minds who perceive Africans as needy and lacking in capabilities. The projection of Africans as belonging to a global underclass, which indulges in theft or barbaric practices is absolutely wrong, but there is sadly a constituency in India which has lapped up such cliches. How can India overcome the stigma of being a hostile host to tens of thousands of African students who pour in to get a quality education at an affordable cost? A nationwide re-education campaign is essential to raise the salience of Africas land and people in the imaginations of Indian youth. Our children should not be only taught about the American Revolution and the French Revolution, but also the Haitian Revolution when African slaves fought valiantly for freedom from Napoleons racist dictatorship. Our young minds must not be confined to just knowing a bit about the ancient civilisation of Egypt, while remaining uninformed about the magnificent pre-colonial African kingdoms of the medieval era that interacted with India. Our future generations must be made aware that Africa is the fastest growing continent with the youngest median age, a vast land that is expected to equal China and India in economic output. Once Indians realise the potential of Africa, hate crimes against its people will automatically decline. Notwithstanding the conjoined history and contemporary convergence of national interests between India and African countries, there is a vast knowledge deficit in India about the different sub-regions of Africa. Most lay Indians mistakenly view Africa as a single country or simplistically conflate it with South Africa. Our geography and history lessons have to be decolonised before India as a society can come to terms with the horrors being inflicted on Africans who choose to come to our country to pick up skills. The future of India, as a leader among developing nations, hinges upon how attractive it appears to people from Africa, Latin America and the rest of Asia. But the racist bug is holding us back. It has to be defeated through civic education and raising the consciousness of Indians to the ancient and contemporary relevance of the non-Western world. Last week, the Pentagon released a report that spoke about Chinas enhanced military capability and deployment of more troops along the Indian border, raising a momentary alarm in New Delhi but a closer analysis of the report made it clear that the US Department of Defence (DoD) was not in possession of any new startling facts that Indian decision-makers are not already aware of. For instance, India already knows that the Tibet Military Command will now function directly under the jurisdiction of the PLA Army, the ground forces central command; the TMC wont be a district of the defunct Chengdu Military Command Areas anymore. Earlier, the Central Military Commission had reengineered the seven Military Area Commands into five Military Theatre Commands, with the entire Indian front, from Arunachal to Ladakh coming under the same command (Western Theatre), instead of Chengdu and Lanzhou MACs. So when a Pentagon official said: We have noticed an increase in capability and force posture by the Chinese military in areas close to the border with India, it wasnt clear if he was referring to these changes or something more than available in public domain. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for East Asia Abraham M. Denmark was speaking to the media during a news conference after Pentagon submitted its annual 2016 report to the US Congress on Military and Security Developments Involving the Peoples Republic of China. However, Mr Denmark said it was difficult to conclude on the real intention behind this. The US, engaged in a battle of attrition in the South China Sea (SCS), has been pursuing India in a clear attempt to build some kind of an anti-China alliance but the Indian establishment has been cautious in responding to the aggressive US wooing since New Delhi wants to deal with China bilaterally and does not welcome any attempts to be roped in by Washington as a junior partner in any counter-China grouping. Pentagon is however relentless. Were going to continue to enhance our bilateral engagement with India, not in the China context, but because India is an increasingly important player by themselves. And we are going to engage India because of its value, Denmark during last weeks briefing. The Defence Department also warned of Chinas increasing military presence including bases in various parts of the world, in particular Pakistan with which it has a longstanding friendly relationship and similar strategic interests. On this count Pentagon is right. India is more concerned about total, unconditional support China provides to Pakistan in international forums like the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) or in the UN apart from keeping up the uninterrupted weapons supply as well as hand-holding Pakistans nuclear programme. India has to be mindful of Chinas increasing forays into its immediate neighbourhood in countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives. At the same time, it must recognise these smaller nations will play the China card to derive maximum benefit from both India and China and therefore must play its diplomatic cards accordingly. There is no denying that Chinas military modernisation and rapid build up of military grade infrastructure in Tibet over the past two decades has forced India too to abandon its decades-old policy of not developing the frontiers with China. In effect, India is playing catch up with China. But it will take almost a decade for India to come anywhere near the infrastructure that the Chinese have built in TAR. Since the 1990s, China has built a network of roads, airports and railway in the sparsely populated TAR which gives the PLA a distinct advantage when it comes to mobilizing its forces if needed in double quick time. By 2020, a rail link to Nepals capital Kathmandu is also planned. According to an Indian assessment, there are 15 airfields in the TAR, 12 of them meant exclusively for military purposes. The Indian military on the other hand, is still dependent on old airstrips and a couple of airfields built in the 1960s. Aware of these shortcomings, Indian policymakers have decided to build military infrastructure but also to simultaneously engage the PLA more frequently across the border. In 2014, New Delhi and Beijing earmarked four locations along their contested border in Ladakh for holding emergency meetings to quickly resolve possible standoffs. The locations, mostly in areas that witness frequent face-offs, were finalised when a Chinese PLA delegation led by one of its most senior military leaders, the deputy chief of general staff (operations) Lieutenant General Qi Jianguo, with an Indian Army team. Frequent visits by top officials and even defence ministers to each others country have meant that the confidence building measures are the big focus between the two militaries. At the same time, India is pushing in more troops closer to the border across the 4,000-km odd border with China, stretching from Ladakh in north-west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east. Roads, airfields, new facilities for additional troops are being built with greater alacrity than before all along the border. Although Indias much-touted Mountain Strike Corps has become a bit of a non-starter for lack of adequate funds, redeployment of existing resources has mean that Indian defences along the China border are fairly robust. Indias aggressive push along the border seems to have raised curiosity if not alarm in Beijing, at least sufficient for top-ranking Chinese generals and party officials to step up the frequency of their visits to cantonments bordering Ladakh and Sikkim. In conclusion, India must adopt a dual track approach with Chinadeal with it diplomatically but also build credible deterrence without getting unduly perturbed by some of the alarmist postulates coming out of the United States. (The writer is a well-known defence and strategic affairs analyst) There are rumours in the Congress that Dr Joshi is ready to join the SP and leave the field clear for Ms Yadav. Loyalty issues in Lucknow Rita Bahuguna Joshi, former Uttar Pradesh Congress Commit-tee president and senior Congress MLA, seems to be caught in a vortex of unfavourable circumstances. Just when there were reports that she could be projected as the brahmin face of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, or even a chief ministerial candidate, her elder brother Vijay Bahuguna staged a coup of sorts in Uttarakhand. When he failed to topple the Harish Rawat government, he led his flock to join the BJP. Dr Joshis detractors in the Congress are now using the incident to sow seeds of suspicion against her. To make matters worse, the Samajwadi Party has fielded Mulayam Singh Yadavs younger daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav from the Lucknow Cantt seat that is presently held by Dr Joshi. There are rumours in the Congress that Dr Joshi is ready to join the SP and leave the field clear for Ms Yadav. Dr Joshi has been posting on Facebook and issuing statements, professing her loyalty to the Congress and denying reports of joining the SP, but her rivals are in an unrelenting mood. The Uttarakhand heat is obviously adding to the heat in Lucknow this time. Delhis success story The recent Class 12 CBSE results came as a morale booster for the AAP government as the government-run schools outperformed private schools in Delhi. Elated by the performance of the government schools, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a full-page advertisements issued to many newspapers congratulated school teachers and also warned those who have been habitually callous in their job. Asked about his reaction over the success of the government schools, Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken said in one of the schools in East Delhi, 314 of the 327 students had failed in their Class 11 examination. Rest I leave it to your interpretation, he smilingly said. It seems, Mr Sisodia missed to take note of this school. Not the right time for new CM Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has silently got down to routine business, but is yet to start functioning from his designated office in the Secretariat. His first Cabinet meet was held in Brahmaputra Guest House, not his office. Though no official reason has been cited for the new chief minister not visiting the state secretariat, it is said that Mr Sonowal has been advised by his religious guru not to enter the office during the current month of Assamese calendar as it is not considered to be very auspicious. If insiders are to be believed, a leading exponent of Feng Shui in India has also suggested certain changes in the existing chief ministers office to get rid of negative energy. Mr Sonowal has also decided not to use the official residence of his predecessor Tarun Gogoi and a Vaastu-complaint house is said to have already been selected in the Old MLA Hostel for the new chief minister. Central govt fails its minister On May 20 when Union power minister Piyush Goyals press conference witnessed frequent powercuts, the Central government convened an immediate probe that revealed that the cuts had occurred due to a power failure in the area controlled by the New Delhi Municipal Council. The place where the press conference took place also falls under the NDMC jurisdiction. Ironically, the NDMC is under the Central governments control and therefore, the embarrassing situation that had arisen during Mr Goyals press conference, raises questions about the preparedness of the concerned department regarding continuous and efficient power supply in the region which it governs and also is a VVIP area. Sibal and his talents Senior lawyer, Congress leader and former Cabinet minister Kapil Sibal is known for his talents. While his acumen has been acknowledged in the field of law and administration, he has also been dabbling in poetry. Mr Sibal may have lost the last Lok Sabha polls, but he has kept up with his passions politics and poetry. The senior Congress leader regularly posts on Twitter about the prevailing political and social scenario in the country. A study of his timeline would reveal a critical analysis of the Modi governments two years in office, its policies and political tactics. Mr Sibal, who is also an eminent lawyer, had even found time during his ministerial tenure to author at least two books of poetry. With Mr Sibal likely to secure a berth in the Rajya Sabha soon, his social media followers hope that he continues to entertain them with his posts as well. Biased reporting? Eknath Khadse, the Maharashtra revenue minister, who suddenly finds himself surrounded by multiple controversies, is miffed with the electronic media. First, he was accused of receiving telephone calls from a Pakistani number registered in Dawood Ibrahim wifes name. Then there were allegations that his son-in-law modified his limousine without the RTO permission, which is illegal. Later, a Pune-based builder accused him of grabbing the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporations land. While these controversies were breaking one after another, Mr Khadse apparently formed an opinion that the electronic media was biased against him. So when he called a press conference in Mantralaya to clarify things, he made sure that the electronic media was not allowed. He even refused to give special interviews when news channels approached him. But this shooting-the-messenger approach does not seem to have paid off, as the channels are regularly breaking news on his problems. A tedious job Dealing with Italy is proving to be a tedious job for the countrys premier investigating agency, the CBI, insofar as the probe into the multi-crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal is concerned. The agency had sent letters rogatory to Italy seeking information about various aspects of the case, but the reply from Rome has put them on to a job thats not quite routine. We have received replies, but dont know its contents. They are all in Italian, said an almost exasperated CBI official. Of course, a translator had to be brought into the picture. Even as the translation is on, the officials would rather keep a careful watch on the proceedings, lest something important gets lost in translation, as they say. The fortunate secretary This was the last thing one could expect. After days of preparation to attend the World Health Assembly, Union health minister J.P. Nadda, who was at the helm of affairs this week due to the work that went behind the scenes in bringing in an ordinance to defer NEET, had to cancel his trip to Geneva. However, a team of officials from the Union health ministry was fortunate enough to get a chance to attend the assembly in Geneva. Some senior officials and Union health ministers personal secretary left for Geneva even as the minister slogged in Delhi. Himalaya Mohanty, a native of Shibapura village in Balasore district, managed to breach into the EPABX code of Hyderabad-based Lloyd Electricals in 2015. (Representational image) Over the years, security systems of companies and government institutions have got more convoluted and it is no more a cakewalk for hackers to breach into a companys website. Well, a 19-year-old villager from Odisha has just proved the odds wrong when he hacked into a Hyderabad-based company in November 2015, causing a loss of Rs 60 lakhs, as per a report in The Hindu. Himalaya Mohanty, a native of Shibapura village in Balasore district, managed to breach into the EPABX code of Hyderabad-based Lloyd Electricals and Engineering Limited, using his outdated smartphone. Mohanty, who is currently pursuing an ITI course from a private institution, hacked the EPABX code and posted the data online, which allowed several internet users make free phones calls. Although his English is not proficient, his hacking skills are unquestionably remarkable. Following a complaint lodged by the company, the cyber-crime team of the Cyberabad police, led by Mohd. Riyazuddin explained that Mohanty had created a website and posted myriad hacking tricks on it. Mohanty confessed to the police officials that he would first contact people to share hacking techniques with them and later hack their phones by infecting it with a Trojan virus that allowed him to track their movements. According to report, Mohanty honed his hacking skills by participating in online discussions and is equally proficient in hacking Wi-Fi routers, Facebook accounts, and mobile phones. As per police reports, he used a translator software to chat online on the forums. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Microblogging site Twitter has been going through numerous changes over the past few months. Mumbai: Microblogging site Twitter has been going through numerous changes over the past few months and has encountered numerous errors during the process. However, the effect has been limited to a bare minimum due to its HackerOne bug bounty programme, which offered a platform to independent security professionals and bug bounty hunters to spot errorsboth major and minorfor some amount of money. Well, Twitter has recently revealed that it has given away a whopping $3,22,420 (Rs 2.1 crores) to researchers and bug hunters, under the programme, for identifying numerous bugs and threats on the website. In a blogpost, Twitter software engineer Arkadiy Tetelman pointed out that security is a top priority for the company. We are constantly evolving to respond to new threats and attacks against our users and our systems, he said. We also maintain a secure development lifecycle that includes secure development training to everyone that ships code, security review processes, hardened security libraries and robust testing through internal and external services all to maximize the security we provide to our users, Tetelman added. Apart from these measures, they also engaged with the broader infosec community through the companys bug bounty programme, allowing security researchers to responsibly disclose vulnerabilities to us so that we can respond and address these issues before they are exploited by others. Weve been running our program on HackerOne since May 2014 and have found the program to be an invaluable resource for finding and fixing security vulnerabilities ranging from the mundane to severe. Moving on, the program has received 5,171 submissions from a total number of 1,662 researchers and bug hunters, out of which 20 per cent of the resolved bugs have been publicly disclosed. The average payout for rectifying a bug is approximately $835. The blog post pointed out that the minimum amount paid out for an error was $140 whereas the highest payout till date was $12,040. Congrats @filedescriptor for record $12k award from @twittersecurity, and thanks for making the Internet safer! pic.twitter.com/z6RLUBOIlr HackerOne (@Hacker0x01) December 22, 2015 In addition, the blog also mentioned that one lucky researcher had made more than $54,000 for reporting vulnerabilities in 2015. The program also offers a minimum of $15,000 for remote code execution vulnerabilities, but the company is yet to receive such a report. Tetelman explained that the growth witnessed in terms of vulnerabilities reported and payout amounts clearly indicated a rise in the participation of ethical hackers in the program. Last but not the least; he also cited a number of bugs unveiled through the program, which have made the micro-blogging site safer and efficient for users. Lastly, he thanked all the security researchers and bug hunters who have worked hard to report vulnerabilities in Twitter. If youre interested in helping keep Twitter safe & secure too then head on over to our bug bounty program, or apply to one of our open security positions! he said. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Panasonic will focus on Rs 10,000-15,000 devices to fuel its growth in the country. New Delhi: Panasonic India expects its revenues from mobile phones to more than double to Rs 2,500 crore by the end of this fiscal as the company expands its product portfolio and distribution chain in the country. The Japanese company, whose revenues from mobile phones stood at Rs 1,200 crore last year, plans to launch about 25 smartphones this year. "India is an important market and we are seeing strong growth here. This fiscal, we expect to garner Rs 2,500 crore in revenues. We will do this by launching devices across price points, expanding distribution in tier II and III cities and through strong marketing campaigns," Panasonic India Business Head (Mobility Division) Pankaj Rana told PTI. He added that this year, the company plans to spend about Rs 200 crore on marketing campaigns. "We will bring about 25 smartphones and 15-20 of these will be before Diwali. This will be across various price points -- Rs 3,500 to Rs 20,000. Next month, we will launch our most affordable smartphone for Rs 3,500," he said. Panasonic will focus on Rs 10,000-15,000 devices to fuel its growth in the country and will bring out 7-8 products in the said price range. The company, which has assembly facility in Noida, meets about 95 per cent of its sales requirements in India from the plant, Rana said. He added that Panasonic is gradually scaling up the capacity to about 8 lakh units a month. The company is increasing the assembly lines as well as the packaging lines to support its growth. Rana said Panasonic expects to sell around 3 million units this fiscal, up from 1.2 million last year. "While online comprises about 10 per cent of our sales, we are focussing on growing our retail presence as well. We have 250 exclusive showrooms that showcase our phones, we want to take this number to 350," he added. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Three members of the security forces were lightly wounded during Friday's battle and government forces captured machine guns, rocket propelled grenade launchers and mobile telephones from the enemy, said army spokesman Colonel Moustapha Ledru. (Photo: AP) Niamey: Security forces in Niger killed around 12 fighters of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram who launched an attack in the southeastern region of Bosso close to the border with Nigeria, according to an army statement on Saturday. Three members of the security forces were lightly wounded during Friday's battle and government forces captured machine guns, rocket propelled grenade launchers and mobile telephones from the enemy, said army spokesman Colonel Moustapha Ledru. "The vigorous reaction of the Defence and Security Forces of Niger put the enemy to flight. Around a dozen terrorists were killed and several dozen others were wounded and carried away by the fleeing attackers," he said on national radio. It was not possible to verify the casualty figures independently. Local resident Ibrahim Chetima said townspeople sought shelter in the bush from the fighting, which began at around 5.30 p.m. and went on until 8 p.m. Bosso is part of the Diffa region, which houses many refugees and internally displaced people who have sought to evade Boko Haram violence elsewhere. The region has been targeted numerous times in attacks blamed on the militants. Boko Haram is headquartered across the border in northeastern Nigeria and seeks to carve out an emirate and impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law. The annual 'I Meditate Africa' campaign of the foundation has grown exponentially as more than 7,50,000 people participated this year. (Photo: artofliving.com) Johannesburg: People in 34 African cities and venues in 28 other countries across the globe joined the Art of Living Foundation leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar through webcast as he led a prayer for peace in the African continent. The annual 'I Meditate Africa' campaign of the foundation, now in its fourth year, has grown exponentially from just 10,000 at its inception, the NGO said. This year more than 7,50,000 people participated in the campaign, it said, adding the campaign aims to promote peace across the continent, encouraging the use of meditation as part of mainstream peace building. "At a time when headlines across the continent are dominated by racism, violence, crime, corruption, misunderstanding and lack of human values; a focus on unity, harmony and peace building on a deeper level is the need of the hour on the continent," said Art of Living senior faculty member Vani Pavadai, who was one of the initiators of the idea. May 25 is celebrated across the continent and in the Africa Diaspora as Africa Day, commemorating the establishment on May 25, 1963 of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). In one of the most unique elements of the event on Saturday, Luzira prison in Uganda saw 250 inmates join the spiritual leader via the live link up for the peace campaign. Washington: A judge is ordering release of Trump University internal documents in a class-action lawsuit against the now-defunct real estate school owned by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The order by U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, which came on Friday in response to a request by The Washington Post, calls for the documents to be released by Thursday. The Post reported the order on its website on Saturday. Trump University has been cited in anti-Trump political ads during the primary campaign as evidence that Trump doesnt fulfill promises. Trumps lawyers deny any wrongdoing in the case before Curiel as well as another class-action suit in San Diego and a $40 million lawsuit filed in 2013 by the state of New York alleging that more than 5,000 people had been defrauded. The New York real estate mogul, for his part, has claimed that Curiel is a hater of Donald Trump and should be ashamed of how he has handled the case. Trump also has questioned whether Curiel, who is Hispanic, is biased against him. I have a judge who is a hater of Donald Trump. His name is Gonzalo Curiel, said Trump earlier this week at a rally. He is not doing the right thing. And I figure, what the hell? Why not talk about it for two minutes? He then went on to speak for 12 minutes on the subject The lawsuit overseen by Curiel states that Trump University's nationwide seminars and classes were like infomercials and pressured students to buy more but didnt deliver as promised in spite of students paying as much as $35,000 for seminars. Curiel has set a November 28 trial date. His government has released some of the Tamil civilian land held for military purposes during the 30-year conflict. (Photo: AFP) Colombo: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has defended his government's decision of giving back military-occupied lands of Tamils, saying the community has waited 27 years for it. "We are being accused of giving back lands of the Tamil. I ask you if your own property is held by the military, how would you react?" he said yesterday while addressing the Sri Lankan community in Japan. "They have waited not one or two years but 27 years to get their lands back," Mr Sirisena said. His remarks came in reaction to criticism from Mahinda Rajapaksa's followers who accuse the Sirisena government of appeasing the Tamil minority by relaxing some of the stringent security measures that prevailed under his predecessor. His government has released some of the Tamil civilian land held for military purposes during the 30-year conflict. Despite the defeat of the LTTE through military means, the root cause of the Tamil conflict still remains, he said without elaborating, and so his government was keen to ensure there is no repetition of an ethnic separatist conflict in the island. He also said his government has taken "every step" to ensure the national security. "There is no threat whatsoever. We have taken every step to ensure the national security" despite rumours spread by political opponents, he assured the community. He was attending the G7 summit as a special invitee - the first time ever Sri Lanka's head of state had been invited for the same. "Since our government came in, we have had excellent cooperation from all our friendly nations. The countries who had sidelined us have welcomed us with hands of friendship. As you know our defence sector training has come from India, US, Britain and Pakistan. These things have improved now," he said. Salvatore Girone touched down in Rome after four years in India. (Photo: Video grab) Rome, Italy: An Italian marine accused of killing two fishermen in India returned home Saturday pending a ruling on where he should be tried in a long-running case that has soured ties between the two countries. Salvatore Girone touched down in Rome after four years in India, where he was being held pending the resolution of a dispute between New Delhi and Rome over who has jurisdiction in the case. His wife, children and father rushed onto the plane for an emotional reunion, after which he was met on the tarmac by Italy's foreign and defence ministers, raising his clasped hands together in a sign of victory. The newly reunited family was expected to travel straight on to Bari in southern Italy, where locals had planned a homecoming party. Girone and fellow marine Massimiliano Latorre are accused of shooting the fishermen while protecting an Italian oil tanker as part of an anti-piracy mission off India's southern Kerala coast in 2012. Latorre was allowed to travel back to Italy in 2014 for treatment after suffering a stroke. Girone had been barred from leaving but India's supreme court agreed on Thursday to alter his bail conditions allowing him to return, after a tribunal in The Hague ruled this month he should be free to go, pending the final outcome of arbitration. Italy initiated international arbitration proceedings in the case last year, referring the row to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague and asking it to rule on where the men should be tried. Under his new bail conditions, Girone must return to Delhi within one month if the PCA rules that he face trial in India. Italy insists the oil tanker, the MV Enrica Lexie, was in international waters at the time of the incident. India argues the case is not a maritime dispute but "a double murder at sea", in which one fisherman was shot in the head and the other in the stomach. Rio de Janeiro: Police has said that they have identified and are searching for four of the more than 30 men suspected in the gangrape of a 16-year-old girl, a case that has rocked Latin Americas largest nation and highlighted its endemic problem of violence against women. The announcement came on Friday as acting President Michel Temer called an emergency meeting of the security ministers for each of Brazils states to consider gender-related crimes. Its absurd that in the 21st century we have to live with barbarous crimes like this, Temer said in a statement. Read: 30 men gangrape Brazilian teen; post pictures, videos on Twitter He promised to create a federal police force unit tasked with tackling crimes against women. The assault came to light after several men joked about the attack online, posting graphic photos and videos of the unconscious, naked teen on Twitter. A woman shouts holding a banner that reads in Portuguese Were all bleeding as she protests the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo: AP) Read: Brazil police issue warrants in gangrape of teenage girl Police also asked for the publics help to track down the four men and identify the others. Local eports said more than 800 people had called a hotline that was set up to share information. Authorities say the rape happened last Saturday while the girl was visiting her boyfriend in the Sao Joao shantytown on the west side of Rio de Janeiro. I want them to await the justice of God. I feel like trash, the 16-year-old said in brief comments to the O Globo newspaper. Its the stigma that hurts me the most. It is as if people are saying its her fault. She was using scanty clothes. I want people to know that it is not the womans fault. You cant blame a robbery victim, for being robbed. A woman wearing a female gender symbol attends a protest against the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo: AP) At a news conference on Friday, police said the girl reported being raped by 33 men and regaining consciousness the following day. Police said they had been unable to confirm exactly how many men may have taken part. Rio police chief Fernando Veloso said at a news conference that investigators will review forensic evidence and seek to interview the suspects. If these images hadnt been posted, maybe we wouldnt be here right now, said Veloso, adding that many rapes go unreported. The girls 19-year-old boyfriend was one of the men being sought, but police said they did not know whether he may have been one of the attackers. Police said the men were armed, though it wasnt clear if the weapons were used to intimidate the victim during the attack. Guns are common in Rios drug- and violence-plagued slums, as are reprisal killings. When asked by reporters if the girls life might be in danger for reporting the incident, Veloso responded: That would be a subjective answer. Who isnt at risk in Rio de Janeiro? More than 60 bodies are said to have been recovered, including those of three infants, and hundreds are believed to be missing. (Photo: AP) Rome: Refugees rescued from two boats in the Mediterranean this week told humanitarian workers in Italy that they saw another vessel carrying some 400 refugees sink, Save the Children said on Saturday. Three vessels carrying refugees already are confirmed to have sunk or capsized this week. More than 60 bodies are said to have been recovered, including those of three infants, and hundreds are believed to be missing. But the possible sinking of a fourth vessel on Thursday had not been reported, said Giovanna Di Benedetto, spokeswoman for Save the Children in Italy. That ship along with another fishing boat and a rubber boat left Sabratha in Libya late Wednesday night, according to interviews on Saturday with some of the more than 600 survivors from the two other vessels in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo. They said the rubber boat had its own motor, but the smaller fishing boat, carrying some 400 refugees, did not. It was towed by the larger fishing vessel, which held about 500 others. Eventually the smaller boat began to take on water and, when the captain of the larger boat ordered the tow line cut, sank with most of its passengers, the survivors told Save the Children. Those aboard the other two vessels were not rescued until much later. "There were many women and children on board," the survivors said, according to Di Benedetto. "We collected testimony from several of those rescued from both (the rubber and fishing) boats. They all say they saw the same thing." On the orders of the court of Ragusa, police have detained a man who they suspect was the captain of the larger boat, state news agency Ansa reported. Police are interviewing witnesses of the possible tragedy, la Repubblica Web site said. Mild weather has brought on a surge in migrant traffic this week between Libya and Italy, and about 700 more refugees were picked up on Saturday, the coast guard said. Pope Francis met with children at the Vatican earlier in the day to talk about migration, urging them to welcome refugees because they "are not dangerous, but in danger." EgyptAir hostesses line up during a candlelight vigil for the victims of EgyptAir flight 804 in Cairo. (Photo: AP) Cairo: Investigators into EgyptAir's plane crash need at least 12 days to recover its black boxes as they await a ship that can retrieve them from the bottom of the Mediterranean, investigation sources said Sunday. The Airbus A320 plane crashed into the Mediterranean with 66 people on board during a May 19 flight from Paris to Cairo, after disappearing from radar screens. Investigators are in a race against time to find the flight recorders, known as the black boxes, which have enough battery power to emit signals for four or five weeks. The recordings could help investigators determine the reason for the crash. The plane was carrying passengers from different nationalities, with 40 Egyptians including the crew and 15 French nationals. Egypt's aviation minister had initially said a terrorist attack was more likely to have brought down the plane, but a technical failure is also likely. France's aviation safety agency has said the aircraft transmitted automated messages indicating smoke in the cabin and a fault in the flight control unit minutes before losing contact. Egypt and France have signed agreements with two French companies specialising in deep water searches, Alseamar and Deep Ocean Search (DOS). "Those two companies have complementary roles: the first is for locating the pings of the black boxes (the signal being emitted by the black boxes' beacon), while the second is for diving and recovering them" with the help of a robot, a source close to the investigation told AFP in Cairo, requesting anonymity. "But the DOS specialised ship left the Irish sea Saturday and it will reach the perceived crash site only in around 12 days, after having the Egyptian and French investigators embark in Alexandria," the source added. The investigation into the crash is led by an Egyptian-headed committee. Other sources close to the investigation confirmed the information. The investigators are searching for the black boxes at a depth of around 3,000 metres (around 10,000 feet), some 290 kilometres (180 miles) north of the Egyptian coast. Three of Alseamar's DETECTOR-6000 acoustic detection systems, which submerged can detect pings for up to 4,000 to 5,000 metres below sea level, have left the French island of Corsica to the crash site Thursday onboard "Laplace", a French navy ship. It will arrive at the perceived crash site "Sunday, or Monday at the latest," according to one of the sources. "While we are waiting for the DOS ship, equipped for detecting the pings in deep waters, but more importantly the robots capable of descending up to 6,000 metres to recover the black boxes, we will not be wasting time as Leplace will be trying to locate them in the meantime," said one of the sources. The source added that after 12 days, "there is a very good chance of recovering the flight recordings thanks to the combination of these two French companies." Two members of the French aviation safety agency BEA are on board Leplace. A frosted glass partition is seen at the EgyptAir counter at Charles de Gaulle Airport outside Paris, France. (Photo: AP) Cairo: Egypt has hired a private firm to help in the hunt for the black boxes from the EgyptAir plane that crashed on May 19 en route from Paris to Cairo, authorities said. Egyptian civil aviation officials said on Saturday in a statement they had signed an agreement with Deep Ocean Search (DOS) to carry out the search and retrieval process of the two data recorders. EgyptAir Flight MS804 crashed in the Mediterranean last Thursday between the Greek island of Crete and Egypt's north coast with 66 people aboard, including 30 Egyptians and 15 French nationals. French and Egyptian aviation officials have said it is too soon to determine what caused the disaster, although a terror attack on the Airbus A320 has not been ruled out. DOS says it can operate in depths of up to 6,000 metres and has a robot that is capable of mapping the seabed. France's aviation safety agency has said the aircraft transmitted automated messages indicating smoke in the cabin and a fault in the flight control unit before contact was lost. The Saudi side had failed to respond to Iranian demands over "the security and respect" of its pilgrims to Mecca. (Photo: AP) Tehran: Iran said Sunday its pilgrims will miss the pilgrimage this year because Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam's holiest sites, was raising obstacles and "blocking the path to Allah" for its faithful. The Iranian Hajj Organisation said: "Saudi Arabia is opposing the absolute right of Iranians to go on the hajj and is blocking the path leading to Allah." The Saudi side had failed to respond to Iranian demands over "the security and respect" of its pilgrims to Mecca, of whom 60,000 took part in last year's hajj, the organisation said. In the latest dispute between regional rivals Tehran and Riyadh, "after two series of negotiations without any results because of obstacles raised by the Saudis, Iranian pilgrims will unfortunately not be able to take part in the hajj" in September, Iran's Culture Minister Ali Jannati said. Saudi officials have said an Iranian delegation wrapped up a visit to the kingdom on Friday without reaching a final agreement on arrangements for pilgrims from the Islamic republic. The Saudi hajj ministry said it had offered "many solutions" to meet a string of demands made by the Iranians in two days of talks. Agreement had been reached in some areas, including to use electronic visas which could be printed out by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran, it said. It would be the first hajj in almost 30 years to take place without the participation of pilgrims from Iran. Riyadh-Tehran ties were severed for four years after more than 400 people were killed in Mecca during clashes between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi security forces in 1987. In January, relations were severed again after Iranian demonstrators torched Saudi Arabia's embassy and a consulate following the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Shiite Iran and predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia are at odds over a raft of regional issues, notably the conflicts in Syria and Yemen in which they support opposing sides. Hajj 'sabotage' Earlier this month, Iran had accused its regional rival of seeking to "sabotage" the hajj, a pillar of Islam that devout Muslims must perform at least once during their lifetime if they are able. Tehran said Riyadh had insisted that visas for Iranians be issued in a third country and would not allow pilgrims to be flown aboard Iranian aircraft. But the Saudi hajj ministry said on Friday that Riyadh had agreed to allow Iranians to obtain visas through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which has looked after Saudi interests since ties were severed in January. Riyadh also agreed to allow some Iranian carriers to fly pilgrims to the kingdom despite a ban imposed on Iranian airlines following the diplomatic row between the two countries, the ministry said. Last week's talks were the second attempt by the two countries to reach a deal on organising this year's pilgrimage for Iranians after an unsuccessful first round held in April in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi ministry said at the time that the Iranian Hajj Organisation would be held responsible "in front of God and the people for the inability of its pilgrims to perform hajj this year." Another contentious issue has been security, after a stampede at last September's hajj killed about 2,300 foreign pilgrims, including 464 Iranians. There is no reason for jealousy in China about a milestone deal signed between India and Iran, it said. Beijing: There is no reason for jealousy in China about a milestone deal signed between India and Iran to develop the strategic Chabahar port as improvement of infrastructure in Central Asia will also provide opportunities for Chinese firms, official media in Beijing said on Saturday. China is unlikely to engage in strategic confrontation with India. It is clear that the improvement of infrastructure in Central Asia will also provide opportunities for Chinese multinational corporations, which hope to find potential overseas markets in the region, an article in the website of state-run Global Times said. There is no reason for jealousy in China about a milestone deal signed between India and Iran, it said. China and India will both play a vital role in promoting infrastructure development in Asia. In fact, the two countries have begun to seek cooperation with each other in this regard via the China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, (AIIB), it said. India and Iran have agreed to develop a modern port near the Persian Gulf as well as road and rail links that would allow New Delhi to bypass Pakistan and strengthen trade between South and Central Asia, it said. Pakistan is working with China to develop the deep-water Gwadar Port in its southwestern region. The port is expected to shorten the distance of Chinas oil import route and open up new trade routes for China in Central and South Asia, it said. It is understandable if some people evaluate these projects from the perspective of geopolitics, hinting that China and India are in a race to win strategic trade routes, it said. However, this way of thinking also contributes to the complex situation facing Central Asia, which has long been beset by backward infrastructure and only fringe participation in globalisation, it said. China is likely to be happy if India can join the ranks of improving infrastructure networks in the region. As a key strategic location connecting East Asia, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, India can promote infrastructure development that will be conducive to economic development in the entire region, it said. Indias government has called for efforts to make the country a manufacturing hub through measures such as promoting infrastructure development. It is normal to see India strive to open up new trade routes in Central Asia by financing infrastructure projects such as rail links at the same time as it develops the countrys export-oriented economy, it said. Mubarak Pathan, a medico-legal officer at Civil Hospital, said the police were now investigating why the girl's family and relatives were reluctant for an autopsy. (Representational Image) Karachi: In a shocking incident, an eight-year-old girl was on Sunday brutally raped and then thrown off the roof of her house in Pakistan's Karachi city. The girl's post-mortem report concluded that she was first raped and then thrown off the roof of her house in Site Industrial Area of the city. "Doctors have found evidence of sexual assault. She has sustained injuries on her head," said Seemi Jamali, the medico legal officer of Jinnah Hospital. Jamali said the girl's body was sent for autopsy to the Civil Hospital due to absence of a female medico-legal officer at the Jinnah hospital. Mubarak Pathan, a medico-legal officer at Civil Hospital, said the police were now investigating why the girl's family and relatives were reluctant for an autopsy. Asmatullah Marwat, the incharge of the Site Industrial Area police station, said the family had claimed that the girl died after she fell off the roof where she had gone to play. "We are now investigating the matter," he said. A researched report released by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child stated earlier this year that 10 cases of child sexual abuse took place every day in Pakistan in 2015, bringing the total to 3,768 cases in 2015. Bodies were strewn among the rubble of Bhaktapur, near Kathmandu, as rescue workers searched for survivors. More than 3,200 people were killed across Nepal. (Photo: AP) Kathmandu, Nepal: Nepal's government on Saturday unveiled the first budget drawn up since the country introduced a new constitution last September, with a focus on funding reconstruction and reviving the battered economy. Millions continue to live in temporary shelters after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the Himalayan nation in April 2015, killing nearly 9,000 people. Finance minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel outlined a $9.78 billion budget, allocating over $1 billion to rebuilding efforts, while directing funds for infrastructure development and agriculture across the country. "We will speed up the post-quake reconstruction efforts and complete it within stipulated time... I have made provisions to make sure that the required resources are not scarce," Poudel said. According to Kathmandu's estimates, the Himalayan nation will need around $8.4 billion to fund rebuilding, with donors pledging $4.1 billion in aid. The country's economy, already weakened by the disaster, faced another blow when protesters angry at the terms of a new national constitution mounted a blockade at the Indian border, creating crippling shortages that lasted for months. "The objective of the budget of the coming fiscal year is to... revive the economy affected by the earthquake and the obstruction of the supplies," Poudel said. Poudel vowed to accelerate distribution of aid to the earthquake survivors and announced interest-free loans of up to $3,000 for reconstruction of homes. Nepal -- one of the world's poorest countries even before the disaster -- was devastated by the quake and the blockade, which sent growth prospects plummeting in crucial sectors like agriculture and tourism. The current growth rate is forecasted at 0.77 per cent, the lowest since 2002 when the country was in the middle of a civil war. However, the finance minister said he hoped to accelerate annual economic growth to 6.5 per cent. Poor planning and a sluggish bureaucracy have hampered growth in previous years, with the government routinely failing to spend funds allocated in annual budgets and complete projects on time. "The budget is quite ambitious but it is moving towards the right direction," said Chandra Mani Adhikari, senior economist and chairman of the National Council for Economic and Development Research. "What is important now is to make sure that we have the capacity to implement it," Adhikari said. Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. Khan has claimed that Pakistan had the ability to conduct a nuclear test in 1984. (Photo: AFP) Islamabad: The father of Pakistans nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has claimed that Pakistan had the ability and had planned to conduct a nuclear test in 1984 but the then President General Zia Haq opposed the move. Khan also asserted that Pakistan has the ability to target Indian capital New Delhi from Kahuta near Rawalpindi in five minutes. We were able and we had a plan to launch nuclear test in 1984 but then President General Zia had opposed the move, Pakistani newspaper Dawn quoted the Pakistani scientist as saying. General Zia was of the opinion that the world would stop military aid if Pakistan opted for the nuclear test, Khan added. Without my services Pakistan would never have been the first Muslim nuclear nation. We were able to achieve the capability under very tough circumstances, but we did it, said Khan while addressing a gathering on the occasion of Youm-i-Takbeer on Saturday (the day Pakistan became a nuclear power state). Pakistan conducted nuclear test on May 28, 1998. Referring to the treatment meted out to him during Musharrafs rule, Khan said nuclear scientists in the country have not been given the respect that they deserve. We are facing the worst against our services to the countrys nuclear programme, he added. Abdul Qadeer Khan was at the centre of a massive global nuclear proliferation scandal in 2004. In a series of dramatic developments, he was accused by then army chief and president Pervez Musharraf of running a rogue proliferation network for nuclear material. Shortly after Musharrafs announcement, a recorded confession by Khan was aired in which he took sole responsibility for all the nuclear proliferation that had been revealed. Dr Khans family was recently named in the Panama Papers leak that mentioned four of his relatives as owners of an offshore company in the Bahamas. Khans brother Abdul Quyuim Khan, wife Hendrina, and two daughters -- Dina and Ayesha -- were all shown as owners of Wahdat Ltd, a company registered in the Bahamas, according to the Dawn newspaper. Several female undergraduates heard someone systematically going through the house, trying their locked bedroom door handles. (Photo: YouTube Screen Grab) London: A 40-year-old Pakistani-origin man in the UK has been sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges of serial sexual attacks on female students across universities. Tahir Nazir, obtained a fake university ID card and searched the internet looking for student nights so he could target vulnerable and drunk young women, Manchester Crown Court was told. He was fuelled by drink and drugs as he followed and then attacked his victims. He was sentenced on Friday after being found guilty of a string of sex offences at his trial in March. Nazir, a Pakistan-born divorcee from Glasgow, hired a car and embarked on a tour of university towns and cities in Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Bristol and Cardiff. The court heard an examination of Nazir's mobile phone found he had conducted internet searches for "high school girls" and "freshers'" week, particularly around Swansea and Cardiff. He was caught after sneaking into a student house in Fallowfield, Manchester, last November. Several female undergraduates heard someone systematically going through the house, trying their locked bedroom door handles. Video: Terrifying CCTV of rrapistt Tahir Nazir stalking student halls They called police who arrested him nearby. Analysis of DNA linked him to a sex attack five days earlier at a block of flats in Hulme. "His campaign involved taking detailed photos of premises where students lived, in particular entrances and access rooms, Judge Martin Steiger said. "And finally it involved his posing as a student for which purpose he had obtained a highly convincing fake student union ID card," he said. Nazir wrote a letter to the judge in which he "apologised to the victims and acknowledged the seriousness of his crimes", his barrister said. The Centre and the Supreme Court have over the last few months made certain grand gestures, gestures that bear scant resemblance to each other but the target audience and the aim are identical. They hope to make the welfare of the students writing undergraduate medical entrance exams paramount but have diametrically opposite ways to ensure this laudable goal. The apex court has attempted to achieve this goal by making the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) the ultimate exam for undergraduate medical courses and the Centre has striven to achieve the same result by postponing NEET by another year. Which method is most apposite is yet to be seen and in the tussle between these two giants, it is the students who suffer. The apex court order has disrupted the existing system of state-level entrance exams (for state aided institutions) as well as those conducted by unaided private medical colleges. This is seen to be in direct contravention to the earlier order passed by the apex court in Christian Medical College, Vellore, vs Union of India wherein it had stated that NEET was unconstitutional and could not be abided with. A majority believe that the latest judgment passed by the Supreme Court is a dramatic 180 degree turn from its earlier vehement opposition to NEET. The truth is more prosaic and simultaneously more complicated. Technically, the bench headed by Justice Dave has not overruled the judgment passed in CMC, it has merely passed an order in a writ petition which undermines the sameergo(the previous verdict), the apex court has not changed its stance. However, something much more dangerous and subversive has come to passa three-judge bench has in effect side stepped the judgment passed by an 11-judge bench (TMA Pai) which was then clarified by a seven-judge bench in Inamdar. The checks and balances of the legal system have been by-passed and the past has been erased with the masses becoming none the wiser. The butterfly effect of this judgment is terrifying in its enormity and may well be a sign of a different morrow. A careful reading of the 2014 judgment passed in CMC will reveal that this judgment was expected and that it was merely a matter of time before it would come to pass. In CMC, a minority/dissenting opinion was recorded by Justice Dave who had disagreed with his brother judges on the unconstitutionality of the concept of a nationwide common entrance exam for medical courses. Justice Dave, in his dissenting opinion, dealt with the same factual matrix as his brother judges and even took a similar stance on the eight issues that were framed therein, but viewed the restriction imposed by NEET as necessary. Changing rulings Time and again, judges who wrote dissenting opinions have reversed the majority opinion once they were in a position to do so. Justice Benjamin Cardozo unforgettably said: The dissenter speaks to the future, and his voice is pitched to a key that will carry through the years. This perfectly sums up what has been a self-fulfilling prophecy in the present matter. Justice Dave viewed NEET as an end to the evils of private institutions taking capitation fees and undeserving students becoming doctors and dentists. Once he was in a position to propagate his views, he did so. In 2014, the Supreme Court followed the law laid down in the TMA Pai judgment and the Inamdar judgment and held that NEET was unconstitutional. The majority decision held that private and unaided minority medical institutions had a fundamental right to decide their admission process as per Articles 19(1)(g) and Article 30, respectively. It held that as long as the admission process was fair, transparent and there was no exploitation of fees, it could not violate the rights guaranteed to these institutions. In 2016, the case (Sankalp Charitable Trust & Anr vs Union of India & Ors) before the apex court did not differ significantly from the case before it in 2014 and no proof was submitted of the private and unaided and minority institutions violating the principles laid down in Inamdar. Worryingly, in Sankalp, none of the directly affected persons were made partiesnamely the states and private colleges. Despite no new grounds being put forth to make NEET constitutional, the exam was deemed valid and the rights of private medical colleges have been indelibly changed. The Supreme Court in its latest judgment portrayed NEET to be a panacea, but NEET is, in reality, a multi-faceted weapon. In the current case, this powerful weapon has neither been launched with care nor guided with deft aim. The judgment grossly prejudices the right of unaided minority institutions and private institutions. This order has been passed in April, well into entrance exam season, and certain states and private medical colleges have already conducted their entrance exams. The root of the problem lies in the fact that NEET is not the great equaliser. In fact, NEET is seen by many to be a pro-north and pro-urban examination as the examination is conducted by the CBSE and the syllabus for the exam draws heavily from the CBSE syllabus. This spells disaster for the students who have not studied in CBSE schools- a common phenomenon in the southern, eastern and western states. Further, it is common knowledge that nationwide common entrances such as AIPMT are known to be corrupt. Crucially, the main challenge to NEET is still pending before the apex court, but this fact has been ignored. (The writers are advocates at the Supreme Court) As the Narendra Modi government celebrated its two years at India Gate on Saturday evening, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi launched an attack on the Prime Minister at a torch rally at Rajghat. Criticising the Centre for celebrating its two years in office with Bollywood personalities attending the event at a time when farmers are committing suicide in Vidarbha and Marathwada in Maharashtra, Gandhi said, People from Bollywood are attending the function and there will be song and dance items. Thousands of Congress supporters walked with lanterns and with their mobile torches lit from Samta Sthal to Rajghat to protest the power outage and water scarcity in the capital. Gandhi took the rally as an opportunity to lash out against both the Centre and the Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, digging into national and issues of Delhi at once. He even drew a parallel between the two leaders and set himself apart from them saying he practises politics following Gandhis ideology. There is a major difference between me and these two leaders. Hits out at AAP He went on to draw huge applause from the supporters as he added after a pause, Even if people of this country tell me to be in politics on the basis of lies, I will not be able to do it. May be I have suffered losses because of this because I do not make false promises. He criticised the AAP chief for not listening to the problems of poor people.Calling the BJP a party of public relations, he said the Congress would make a comeback in the capital citing it is the only solution to the electricity and water woes of the city. Drawing a reference to the Congresss gaining five of the 13 seats in the municipal corporation elections here, he said the result would be repeated. The focus of the rally, however, remained on power cuts as supporters poured in saying they wanted a solution to thiscrisis. I came to the rally with my family members to protest the frequent power cuts, said Ramo Devi, 62, who came from Raghubir Nagar. Janki Kaur, a resident of Khayala, said she came to attend the rally to protest the lack of fresh water in her area. The rally saw an upbeat mood throughout with children and party workers capturing selfies with handfans reading Kejriwal jo di free bijli. Some children turned up to catch a glimpse of Gandhi. Sandeep, a class six student, posed for a video as he shouted, Congress party zindabaad. We have come in a big gang of friends as we have never seen a rally, said Sandeep.Also we wanted to see Rahul Gandhi, his friend Akash quipped. Delhi-centric issues The issues that Congress supporters brought to the rally were Delhi-centric, ranging from pending pensions, rising price of essential commodities to bijli, paani. Claiming that Modi and Kejriwal have been repeatedly fooling the people, Gandhi said that Delhi is suffering from a series of power cuts and water problems. But Kejriwalji sometimes talk about odd-even, at other times about pollution. But he does no work. He alleged Kejriwal has failed to look into the genuine demands of sanitation workers. He (Kejriwal) cannot understand the plight of these safai karamcharis. In Congo we are introduced to Mahatma Gandhi from the high school only. However, the image of India which we had in our mind and its reality couldnt have got starker today, said Levys, a 25-year-old Congolese national. Sitting in a mobile shop owned by his fellow countryman in Rajpur Khurd village, a dejected looking Levys said that despite earning a degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Amity University, Indians dont even accept him as a professional. For them I am an African first. And an African cant be trusted, as they live a flashy life, levys lamented. Levyss two friends were beaten up by locals of the same village where he lives on Thursday night. He, his friend Jason, and other Africans are now planning a peaceful protest in Jantar Mantar against the recent spate of attacks against the Africans. Around 300 Africans will join the march on Tuesday, said Levys. Just 5 kilometres away from Qutub Minar, Rajpur Khurd, is home to more than 100 African nationals. The presence of a substantial number of Africans at a single place has created a mini-Africa in the mind of the locals, who are resentful. They misbehave with the landlords, and party till night with loud music blaring from their houses all the day, said Sachin, a local from the village. Even the fact that the Africans can afford such a flashy life is a cause of envy for the locals which often translates into name calling and sometimes scuffles. See the Toyota car parked outside that house. This is of an African. It has alloy wheels. We Indians cant afford a bike here and they are driving around in such flashy cars. From where did they get such money from? Off course from illegal means like drugs, he added. According to the African nationals living in India for a while, a lack of knowledge about Africa as a continent and its different countries among Indians is one of the reasons behind this Africophobia. I know a lot of India through Bollywood, and its serials which I have seen in the Zee channel which comes in our country. So many Indians live in our country but we dont have a single cuss word meant exclusively for them. However, here in India, they think all Africans come from the same country and culture, said Levys. If a few Africans are caught up doing some bad thing, it doesnt mean that the nationals of other African countries are also like them only, he added. A Delhi court on Saturday reserved for May 31 its order on the issue of cognizance on a criminal complaint filed against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for using defamatory and seditious words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the CBI raid at the office of his Principal Secretary. Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra fixed the matter for order after hearing arguments on behalf of complainant, an advocate. Arguments heard. Put up for orders on May 31, the court said. Complainant-advocate Pradeep Dwivedi sought Kejriwals prosecution under sections 124A (sedition) and 500 (defamation) of IPC charging there was seditious intention behind the remarks which spread hatred and contempt against the Prime Minister. He argued that the remarks like coward and psychopath uttered by the AAP leader against Modi were defamatory and seditious and such statements could spread disharmony and disaffection in the country. Regarding the locus of complainant in filing the plea, the counsel had earlier said that being a citizen of India, he was aggrieved by the comments and was competent to file a complaint in a case where statements were made against the Prime Minister of the country. The complainant claimed that when CBI had raided the Chief Ministers Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumars Delhi Secretariat office on December 15 last year, Kejriwal had made offensive remarks on his Twitter account against Modi. Being fully aware of the autonomy and independence of CBI, the accused (Kejriwal), owing to his personal interest and political enmity, made some offending remarks on his Twitter account towards the Prime Minister of this country just because of the said raid by CBI, the complaint said. On December 15, 2015, the accused posted the remarks on his Twitter account which reads as Modi is a coward and a psychopath. The remarks were made against the democratically elected PM of the largest democracy of the world, it said. When the second round of the Delhi governments odd-even scheme ended, many experts cautioned against making it permanent and suggested that the government should look beyond just road-rationing to curb air pollution. But it is important to acknowledge that cutting down on the number of vehicles does reduce exposure to toxic elements and prevents the pollution peaks from getting worse. According to an IIT Kanpur study released in 2015 on sources of pollution in the national capital, vehicles contribute 20 per cent of particulate matter 2.5 (particles below 2.5 microns in diameter and capable of entering human lungs). The other big contributors include dust, domestic cooking and power plants. However, the report says that vehicles are the most consistent source of pollution throughout the year while most others are variable. Studies have shown that a few curbs on vehicles can make an effect. The Supreme Court mandated Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) on trucks and bypass of trucks not destined for Delhi has reduced the emission load from trucks by 30-35 per cent. An average of 6,300 trucks are being diverted away from the city, which has resulted in lower night time pollution levels in comparison to last year. However, only putting restrictions on one source of pollution, in this case vehicles, cannot bring substantial results. Moreover, Delhi governments two odd-even drives have focused on only one category of vehicles cars. Even the Delhi Pollution Control Committees (DPCC) report on the impact of the second round of the odd-even scheme says that the pollution levels spiked during the second half of the period due to rampant farm fires (open crop burning) in Punjab and Haryana. Experts say that this shows that the reduction achieved from odd-even scheme during this phase was not substantial enough, among other more dominating factors. Substantial results will not be seen until the government works on long-term strategies for reducing pollution from other sources as well, says Vikrant Tongad, environmentalist with Social Action for Forests and Environment. On farm fires, there is no sustainable plan for reducing crop burning in the neighbouring states and the advisories issued to them just remain on paper, say experts. The burning of crop residue should not be seen in isolation, we have to take a holistic picture, says Umendra Dutt of Kheti Virasat mission in Punjab. Farmers are burning wheat stalks just in order to save a few hundred rupees and time. This burning of stubble is the natural outcome of the economic and agriculture model we are pursuing from last 50 years, he adds. Dust According to the IIT Kanpur study, the biggest component of air pollution in the national capital is road dust, including that from construction sites. Of the total PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentration in the city, 56 and 38 per cent respectively is caused by road dust. After several directions by the National Green Court, the DPCC swung into action and even announced a penalty of Rs 50,000 per day for repeated offenders. In the past six months, 67 big construction projects around the capital have been fined for violating dust control norms and a total fine of Rs 1.18 crore has been collected. DPCC officials say the compliance rate has increased after its strict monitoring but new names being added in the defaulters list every month shows how difficult it is to rein in these big projects, including those of government agencies like Delhi Development Authority. The report of the last inspection by DPCC says that even projects that have just started are not following the dust control norms, despite the heavy penalty. In the most recent inspection, the DPCC fined several big names like British School in Chanakyapuri, proposed Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies in Rohini, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College project in Dwarka, construction of district courts opposite Mata Sundari College, redevelopment of East Kidwai Nagar GPRA complex, multiplex-cum-commercial Development in Chanakyapuri, EWS housing for slum relocation in Bawana, low cost housing project in Tikri Kalan, Prefab LIG and EWS for DDA in Narela, National Small Industries Corp Ltd in Okhla and Pawan Hans Ltd in Gautam Budh Nagar of Uttar Pradesh. The government had started vacuum cleaning of roads from April 1 to fight dust pollution. However, the Public Works Department (PWD) has procured only three machines for this. This number is completely inadequate for fighting dust pollution. We need to make sure we redesign streets. Delhi is at the edge of Thar Desert, it will also be a dusty city. If we do not take measures, it will be difficult to control dust pollution, says Centre for Science and Environment director general Sunita Narain. In the past few years, scientists studying the capitals air are detecting fly ash. The IIT Kanpur study found that fly ash was one of the major contributors to PM 10 and PM 2.5 in summers. Even a CSE recently found that huge amount of fly ash generated by National Thermal Power Corporations Badarpur Power Plant is being dumped over a sprawling area next to the plant. We were earlier concerned about the emissions being released from the chimneys but now this site has been discovered, Sunita Narain had said earlier. The IIT report had pointed out that unless sources contributing to fly ash are controlled, one cannot expect significant improvement in air quality. It appears that these sources are more fugitive in nature than the regular point sources, it said. The Delhi government had recently declared that the Badarpur and the Rajghat power plants will be shut down as part of a slew of air pollution control measures. However, the government is yet to decide on a closure date with the NTPC urging it not to shut it down. Another culprit identified by the IIT study is coal-fired tandoors in restaurants. According to the report, there are approximately 9,000 hotels or restaurants in Delhi which use coal, mostly in tandoors. They too contribute to making the air fouler. Delhi government was forced to back off from its plan to impose 4 car-free days on Chandni Chowk after local traders created a fuss. In any case, it should start dealing seriously with other causes of pollution as well Delhi government was forced to scrap the car-free day this month after facing resistance from traders in Chandni Chowk market last week. Bolstered by rollout of two 15-day odd-even road rationing drives within a span of four months, the government had plans afoot to hold a 4-day curb on motorised vehicles in the busy market area. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals government initially wanted the car-free days to be a day-long affair, with an aim to in encourage the use of public transportation. The partial ban on private cars was supposed to be observed on the 22nd of every month, each time on a different stretch. This time, in Chandni Chowk, it wanted the `day to stretch 4 days. Traders say the local wholesale businesses could have taken a hit due to traffic restrictions. Kejriwal government, which claimed its odd-even programme was a smashing success, couldnt persuade the wholesalers otherwise, even though Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satyendar Jain rushed in to salvage the situation. After this months car-free day was called off, a senior transport official told Deccan Herald that the government was not discussing any more car curbs. We are not currently discussing car-free day in Chandni Chowk. It has been put on hold due to high temperatures this summer, the official says. The ambitious odd-even scheme, banning vehicles on alternate days, has also been put on hold after the difficulties the government faced in April. Does this mean that a fatigue is setting in on the Delhi governments car curb initiatives? Suresh Bindal, president Delhi Hindustani Mercantile Association, says the government should not introduce traffic restrictions without ensuring hassle-free commute for anyone coming to Chandni Chowk. Bindal says there are 64 small and big markets and plethora of places of worship for people of different faiths. He adds: Before finalising the car-free day, the government did not spare a thought for the elderly people visiting Sis Ganj. How can they be deprived of their cars? Away in Karol Bagh market, the local car dealer association had put up posters last month, informing people about the availability of second-hand cars. It was in response to the governments odd-even scheme, banning private cars with odd and even numbers on alternate days. Vishal Sharma, a Mayur Vihar resident, says he had a harrowing experience dropping his child to school on days he could not take out his car due to odd-even restrictions, between April 15 and April 30. He adds that he either carpooled or hired a cab to reach his son to school. When CM Kejriwal hinted that the odd-even scheme will be introduced more frequently in future, I even considered buying a less expensive, second-hand car. What is the purpose of odd-even scheme when you are forced to buy a second car? I dont think the government can overlook the fact that our public transport is really bad, Sharma says. According to a Delhi government-appointed committee, school-goers added more cars to the city roads during the odd-even curbs in April, leading to congestion in up to 6 km radius around schools. The six-member panel was set up to study congestion prone areas in Delhi, among other things. As per the panels report, a very high percentage of students used cars and other private vehicles to reach the school. Unlike the first phase of odd-even in January, schools were in session. And so the government decided to include schoolchildren in its list of odd-even exemptions. Women were already spared from the odd-even rules due to safety issues in public transport. Transport Minister Gopal Rai in one of his press conferences during the second odd-even scheme in April had cited a government survey to claim that 80 per cent of the mothers bring their kids back from schools, while 80 per cent of male parents take the responsibility dropping them to their schools in the morning. Sharma says the onus of taking his son to school and bringing him back was totally on himself, as his wife spends two and half to three hours daily to commute to her office in Gurgaon. The government is yet to conduct a large-scale survey to gauge peoples opinion on the odd-even scheme 2.0, sources say. In January, the government had launched a website oddevenidea.delhi.gov.in - where citizens could login and submit their feedback. People could also register their responses through phone calls, emails or the mohalla sabhas. Eighty per of the 29,262 web users, who participated in the survey, voted in favour of having the second round of odd-even scheme. An astonishing 63.65 per cent of them said they want odd-even on a permanent basis and 92.08 per cent of them said they are not keen on buying a second car, claimed the survey. Ward number 225, Anand Vihar hosted the lone mohalla sabha that went against the odd-even formula in the survey conducted in 276 such community gatherings. Over 40,000 Delhiites turned up at these mohalla sabhas. Sir, the problem of traffic congestion and air pollution is continuously growing in the NCT of Delhi. We are organising car-free days on 22nd of every month to create awareness to de-congest the city roads and to contain air pollution by encouraging the people to use public transport, Deputy CM Sisodia said, addressing Speaker of the Delhi Assembly during this years Budget session. We also implemented the odd-even formula during the first fortnight of January 2016 on a pilot basis and propose to continue the odd-even scheme in 2016-17, he added. According to CM Kejriwal, even the worst reviews by air quality monitoring agencies said the pollution levels in Delhi came down by 15 per cent after the first odd-even restrictions in January. Centre for Science and Environment disputes Kejriwals claim, but says the odd-even car curbs stopped air pollution from getting worse. The New Delhi-based think tank also criticised the auto industrys claim that vehicles are insignificant source of pollution. Cars emit more particulate matter (PM) 2.5 air pollutants that measures 2.5 micrometres or less than any other key pollution sources in the Capital, CSE notes in one of its reports. Transport official claims that the governments priority is to first get more people to use public transport. We have already issued notification for the app-based premium buses. Also we plan to acquire 1,000 new buses by the end of this year. Thats how we can get people to get off their cars, a senior transport official says. According to a government estimate, the Delhi Metro ridership increased by less than 1 per cent while the bus ridership increased by about 5 per cent during the odd-even drive in April. The governments notification will allow bus aggregators such as Ola shuttle, ZipGo and Shuttl to operate premium or air conditioned buses on different routes across the city from June 1. As per the notification, the government may prescribe upper limit of fare and/or take steps to check predatory pricing. But even as the Aam Aadmi Party government explores the possibility of strengthening public transport to back its car curb initiatives, the National Green Tribunal early this month asked the Delhi government to lay a similar emphasis on issues of pollution from dust and waste burning. Delhi has slightly improved its ranking in the World Health Orgnaisations list of most of most polluted cities. According to the WHOs recent report, titled: Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database (update 2016), the national capital stands 11th globally in terms of fine particulate matter or PM 2.5, an improvement from being most polluted city in the world in 2014. Amid fresh cases of assault on African nationals and outrage by envoys of African countries over killing of a Congolese youth, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to ensure safety of the community and strict action against the guilty. The government has also decided to transport the Congolese national's mortal remains to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The External Affairs Minister said both Singh and Jung assured her that the culprits will be arrested soon. "I have spoken to Shri Rajnath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside," Swaraj tweeted. "I have asked Gen V K Singh, MoS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet# African students who have announce demonstration at Jantar Mantar," she said in another tweet. Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA has been in touch with African community following the attacks. African students are planning demonstrations on Tuesday at Jantar Mantar seeking action against the guilty. Separately, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said government will assist the family of the Congolese youth Masunda Kitanda Oliver to come to India and to take his mortal remains. "In the unfortunate death of Mr.Masunda Oliver, the Government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense," he said. Envoys of African countries on Thursday had expressed shock over killing of Oliver here last week following which India assured them of safety of African nationals. As African envoys reacted sharply to Oliver's killing, three cases of physical assault and criminal intimidation of African nationals in south Delhi were registered by the police. Police attributed two of the incidents to locals raising objection to the African nationals' playing loud music during late night, and the other to objection raised against a group of Africans consuming alcohol in public. All three incidents had taken place on Thursday in areas under the jurisdiction of Mehrauli Police Station. The complainants in Thursday's cases include two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and at least two Nigerian men, police said. In a separate incident, a 23-year-old Nigerian student was attacked in Hyderabad on Wednesday night over dispute over parking. Swaraj had taken up the issue with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who promised stringent action against the guilty. She had also sought an urgent report from the Telangana government over the attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from June 4 which will cover Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico. Modi will begin his trip with Afghanistan to inaugurate India-funded Salma Dam which has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 1400 crore. From Afghanistan, he will proceed to energy-rich Qatar and then to Switzerland. During the two-day visit to energy-rich Qatar, Modi will hold extensive talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on a range of bilateral issues including ways to further boost economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector. In Switzerland, the Prime Minister will hold talks with the Swiss leadership, including President Johann Schneider-Ammann, and is likely to seek cooperation to unearth black money accounts of Indians in Switzerland which was a promise made by him during elections in 2014. According to sources, the officials of the two countries are working on finalising an arrangement that could pave the way for automatic exchange of information on tax-related issues. The Switzerland government had on May 18 initiated consultation on an ordinance to put in place a mechanism for automatic exchange of tax information with India and other countries. From Switzerland, Modi will travel to the US on June 7 at the invitation of President Barack Obama, with whom he will review the progress made in key areas of defence, security and energy. During his stay, he will also address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress. On his return, he will visit Mexico where India is eyeing trade and investment tie ups. In September last year, during his UN visit in New York Modi had held talks with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. Darling of jobseekers till recently, the startup space may lose some sheen in the job market as management and tech graduates might prefer joining 'safer companies' after the Flipkart fiasco, say experts. The e-commerce major has deferred joining dates for campus hires from IIM Ahmedabad and IITs citing restructuring of its businesses, for which it has got a lot of flak from the colleges as well as the industry. Reports suggest Flipkart is not the only company from e-commerce and related sectors to have deferred the joining dates for their campus hires and there are many others including InMobi, CarDekho and Hopscotch. According to industry and HR experts, it might also bring a lot of pressure on reputation, success and unpredictability of the educational institutions concerned as it disturbs their placement track record. "Startups would definitely lose sheen because of this 'fiasco'," staffing services firm TeamLease Services Assistant Vice President Sudeep Sen said. The job seekers might begin thinking that it is good to earn a little less and join an established organisation, rather than a startup, he added. The startups are, however, confident of passing through this turbulent phase and get back their attractiveness. "Of course, it will have some adverse impact on startup attractiveness. However, each industry goes through it -- a period of euphoria followed by calmness and then stability sets in. The startups will become attractive again once they become more stable," e-commerce firm Zopper CEO and Co-Founder Neeraj Jain said. Few years back, not many people were interested in working for startups because everyone associated some high risk with startups. This changed in last few years, but again startups will not be preferred by new people entering the job market, Jain added. Flipkart, which has been the posterchild of Indian e-commerce industry, has also seen mark-downs in the value of its shares by a number of investors like Fidelity Investments and T Rowe Price and Morgan Stanley. The overall early-stage private equity investments has also seen a sharp decline in the first four months of this year. According to PwC, early-stage PE investments saw a decline of 57 per cent in value terms and 25 per cent in volume terms during January-April 2016. According to Wealthy.in Founder Aditya Agarwal, the delay in hiring plans of companies like Flipkart is a direct response to the prevailing environment. "World over, technology stocks have taken a beating in last one year and Indian companies are no different. Exuberance of the past is also hurting some of these companies and a sudden shift to focus on efficiency rather than growth has hurt their recruitment drive," Agarwal said. This whole episode however has a blessing in disguise for startups that are doing well. They will have more talent to choose from and at lower costs, some experts opined Prime Minister Narendra Modi today attacked those questioning his government's performance, asserting it had launched over 700 schemes and vowing to pursue development without treading the "path of sin" even if it meant some tasks remained undone. Describing development as his "dream, path and destination", he pledged to root out middlemen from the system as he charged the previous government with having "yielded to the pressure from various lobbies". "I may be asked why Modi doesn't do big things? Earlier governments have done big things, they did it for big people, they reaped big benefits out of it. Do I have to commit such sin?" Modi asked, addressing a public meeting here as part of 'Vikas Parv' (festival of development) on completion of his government's two years in office. As the crowd shouted "no" in response, Modi said, "When people like you bless me and show affection towards me. I don't have to go on that path of sin. No matter if one or two works don't happen, but I will not let this country to go on the path of sin. This is my promise to you." "In this journey of development, I want your help and cooperation. Development is my dream; development is my path; development is my destination; development is my aim; development is my strength; development is my inspiration; and on that basis, I want to take the nation to new heights and for this I need your help and cooperation and blessings," he said. Slamming his critics who "started questioning his work" even when he had not even seen his office or Parliament properly, Modi said his government's programmes were mostly for the benefit of the poor and farmers, besides ending the role of middlemen, including in jobs. "My government had not completed even one week in office and some people started questioning its work. We were asked to give an account of our work. There are some people in this country who talk of democracy but don't believe in the government elected by the people. They cannot digest (NDA coming to power). They wonder where from I came. I have come from this land, from among you," he said. Making a passing reference to his call for 'Congress mukt Bharat' (Congress-free India), Modi said the people had now taken that task into their own hands. "People of this country have taken the responsibility of making India Congress free, while my government has decided to make India free of middle men. We do not want middle men, it is they who have looted the poor and the country," he told the well-attended public meeting. "Middlemen have been stopped from getting richer. This is the change we have brought in. We have done the work of bringing more than 700 schemes in past two years," the Prime Minister said. Highlighting his government's commitment to farmers' welfare, Modi said, "We cannot bring in change without considering farmers' welfare. I have a dream to double the income of the farmers by 2022 - an occasion for celebrating 75 years of Indian independence, and I need your (people's) help and cooperation." Modi cited Pradhan Mantri Krishi Beema Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana, Soil Healthcard Yojana, Etanol Yojana and E-market Yojana, among others, which will directly benefit farmers, to stress his government's commitment to them. Noting that governments in the past used to boast of making laws, Modi said, "We have eliminated as many as 1200 laws which were of no use, 100 years old, some 150 years old which was a burden on our people." The Prime Minister also spoke about how the government had done away with the requirement of interview for Class III and IV government jobs. Talking about making of ethanol from sugarcane, he said the idea was already there but the previous government "yielded" to pressure from petrol and diesel lobbies which "I refused to do". He said the government would raise the limit of Ethanol mix in petrol and diesel from the current level of five per cent. In some foreign countries, it is upto 30 per cent. "I want to increase it further (the limit to mix Ethanol in fuel)," the Prime Minister said, adding that it will help the farmers earn more and will be environment friendly. Noting that different surveys have pointed out that people across the country have liked his clean India (Swacch Bharat) initiative the most, Modi said, "This shows that people want cleanliness." "If there is right direction, clean intention, every one will get involve in things, I have realised it. I thank everyone publicly for involving themselves in this effort." Speaking about the success of "Jan Dhan" scheme, "GiveItUp" and LPG Subsidy schemes he said "Our mission is good education for poor, good salary for the son of poor and good and essential medicine for aged parents of the poor." Modi said at his call for "GiveItUp LPG Subsidy", about 1.13 crore well to do families have given it up. For the first time within a year more than 3 crore poor families have been given new gas connections by the government and five crore more poor families will be covered over the next three years. Dismissing Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's criticism that the NDA government was celebrating completion of its two years in office when several states were facing drought, BJP chief Amit Shah today said the party was only giving a report of its work to the people. "Do you see celebration in this? This is not a celebration. I feel, taking government's work to people through the press, interacting directly with people, giving an account as per its mandate is not celebration," he told reporters here when asked about Gandhi's comments. Alleging that Gandhi only made media statements and indulged in symbolism, Shah said the NDA government helped improve the lives of the poor. "Rahul Gandhiji only makes statements. I want to ask him, what happened to that Kalavati at whose house you stayed. We have tried to provide electricity and also gas to her. He just got a photograph taken (with her)," he said. Kalavati Bandurkar, a Vidarbha farmer widow shot to fame after Rahul Gandhi visited her in 2008 and narrated her plight in Parliament. Asked about Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's criticism on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits, he said Modi made less number of visits abroad in comparison to his predecessor Manmohan Singh. "I want to make it clear that Prime Minister (Modi) made few visits than Manmohan Singh. But, the problem was nobody came to know in the country or in that country when he (Singh) visited. He used to read two pages of his speech in English. Sometimes even pages changed. He used to read Thailand's (speech) in Malaysia and Malaysia's (speech) in Thailand. Modiji is welcomed wherever he goes...," he said. Asked whether BJP would reach out to regional parties like TDP and TRS for passing bills in the Rajya Sabha as equations of strength were set to change, he said everybody in Rajya Sabha should support the government's development agenda irrespective of party politics. "BJP's effort is to see that everybody should support the development agenda in Rajya Sabha irrespective of party politics. It is true that it will benefit us if the strength of our friends increases on every issue of development," Shah said. On the Union Cabinet reshuffle, he said, "It is for the Prime Minister to decide. When it happens, you will get information." On the reported negative comments of ally Shiv Sena in Maharashtra against its ruling partner BJP, Shah said there was democracy within the NDA. "There is democracy in NDA. Don't worry about Shiv Sena, we will manage," he said. When asked about measures to deal with drought situation in states, he said the Prime Minister has held separate meetings with chief ministers (of affected states) instead of organising a meeting all of states. "The Centre understood the needs of each state for taking drought-relief measures," he said. To a query on return of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir, he said there were no differences between BJP and its ally PDP on the issue. "(J&K CM) Mehboobaji also said Kashmiri Pandits should reside there. There are no differences between the two parties," he said. On the steps taken to bring back black money, he said the NDA government in its first Cabinet meeting itself had decided to hand over the issue to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) against Congress government which allegedly withheld information on the matter for long. Shah also said that the issue of announcing a Chief Ministerial candidate for Uttar Pradesh elections has not been discussed. Asked if there is a possibility of alliance between BJP and TRS, he said, "No such application has been received from TRS so far. We will think of it if somebody says. We feel BJP is going to emerge as a major force in Telangana. You can see in 2019 elections." Shah asserted that the BJP was committed to the development of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. To a query on the promise of special status to Andhra Pradesh, he said there was an "administrative problem" on the matter in wake of 14th Finance Commission's recommendations. "There is some administrative problem on special status due to the 14th Finance Commission. But, we will resolve it... and we will work in the direction of the promise that was made in Parliament. We alone have not made the promise, that was made in Parliament of the country," he said. The promise of special status to Seemandhra (new Andhra Pradesh) was made by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the floor of Parliament at the time of passage of Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act 2014. Shah also gave a detailed account of the number of achievements of the NDA government in two years on various fronts. Every weekend, when Pierre Houle works the brunch shift at Olea, a neighbourhood restaurant in San Francisco, many customers want to split the tab on multiple credit cards, a process that takes much longer than it used to. For waiters like Houle, diners going Dutch is nothing new. But now he has to take each of the credit cards, insert them into a chip reader and wait about 10 seconds for every transaction to process. In the past, he could swipe a card, wait a few seconds, print out the receipt and get going. It isnt much, but in the restaurant world it can be enormous, he said. I have to wait there, and I cant go check on something else. You need to move all the time when you do a job like that. Many merchants and retail workers are watching their lives play in slow motion when they process credit cards. To combat fraudulent transactions, the retail industry is shifting from the traditional magnetic stripe toward tiny computer chips embedded inside cards. The chip technology, known as EMV (for Europay, MasterCard and Visa) has been around for decades in Europe. But starting last October in the United States, banks pushed the liability of purchases made with counterfeit credit cards onto merchants. That means if a criminal swipes a counterfeit credit card to buy something, the merchant has to pay for it. The sweeping change has compelled many retailers to upgrade their equipment to read chips, which have stronger security than the easy-to-forge magnetic stripe. By the end of this year, about 80 percent of all credit cards in the United States should include chips, according to a new report by fraud prevention company Iovation and research firm Aite Group. The chip initially may annoy consumers. For most chip transactions, you have to dip the credit card into a slot and wait for the transaction to be approved before you can remove it and scribble your signature. Mobile payments could be a quicker alternative. Some of the biggest tech companies Apple, Google and Samsung Electronics released mobile wallet technologies in the past two years, although they are still a niche product. In the United States, only 0.2 percent of all in-store sales were made with phones last year, according to a survey by eMarketer, a research firm. Contrary to what Tim Cook said when Apple rolled out Apple Pay, consumers have been swiping their cards for a long time and its not that hard, said Julie Conroy, a research director for the Aite Group. I tested chip cards and each of the mobile payments services in three different stores: Walgreens, BevMo and Nancy Boy, a small beauty supply store in San Francisco. I inserted a chip card or tapped a phone and timed how long it took each transaction to be approved and start printing a receipt. The results varied slightly, but the mobile wallets were generally much faster than the chip. At Walgreens, after I inserted a chip card, the transaction took 8 seconds before a receipt started printing; Apple Pay and Samsung Pay took 3 seconds; and Android Pay (Googles service) took 7 seconds. At BevMo, the chip payment took 10 seconds; Samsung Pay took 4 seconds and Android Pay and Apple Pay each took 5 seconds. At Nancy Boy, the chip took 8 seconds, and all the mobile payment services tied at 2.4 seconds. What is happening with the chip to make it so slow? When you dip in the card, the chip generates a one-time code, which is sent to the bank over a network. The bank confirms the code and sends verification back to the terminal. With mobile wallets, the same thing is basically happening in the background. They generate one-time tokens that are sent out and approved by the banks. Stephanie Ericksen, a Visa executive who works on security solutions for new payment technologies, says the sluggishness of the chip is largely a perception issue. The actual transaction time behind a mobile payment and a chip card is the same. But with the chip, most merchant terminals require you to leave the card inside the reader until the transaction is complete and wait for a screen to tell you that you can remove the card. With the mobile payments, you can just tap the phone, and there is no extra screen telling you to remove the phone, which partly explains why the transaction appears to move along more quickly. Visa is addressing the perception of sluggish transactions with Quick Chip. It is basically a coming software upgrade that will allow the terminals to instruct the customer to dip the card and remove it right away. Mobile wallets feel faster, more convenient and less awkward to use than the chip, so you should use them whenever possible. The caveat, of course, is that not every merchant that takes credit cards also accepts mobile payments. To see if the wallet is supported at a store, you will have to look out for Apple Pay or Android Pay logos on cash registers, or a logo of a hand holding a card in front of a wireless signal, which means contactless payments are supported. That brings us to the differences among the mobile wallets. They all work about the same take your phone out, enter your passcode or fingerprint and tap the terminal and they have their pros and cons. Samsung Pay is accepted by the most merchants because it uses magnetic secure transmission, a technology that emits a magnetic signal to mimic the magnetic stripe, meaning it can be used on most credit-card readers. Samsung Pay also supports payments made wirelessly with near-field communications, for NFC, a technology that enables devices to exchange information wirelessly over short distances. Apple Pay and Android Pay can make payments over terminals that have NFC or inside apps that support them, like Uber or DoorDash. Apple Pay is supported by more banks than the Samsung and Android wallets. (I was surprised, for instance, that I could not add a Chase card to Android Pay). Android Pays advantage is it is available on the broadest array of devices. It can run on most Android phones that support NFC, whereas Samsung Pay can only be installed on Samsung phones and Apple Pay can only run on iPhones and the Apple Watch. In a statement, Samsung said Samsung Pay was the most accepted mobile payment service and it dramatically decreases opportunities for fraud. Googles senior director for Android Pay, Pali Bhat, said, We want Android Pay to be available everywhere, and everywhere means as many devices as we can support. Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay, said, Users tell us they love the convenience and speed of paying with their iPhone or Apple Watch. In rare cases, there can be a long wait before you take your chip card back. Houle, the waiter, also works part time at the beauty supply store Nancy Boy. He recounted an incident in the store when he dipped a chip card for a customer who left before he could hand it back. He tracked her down on Facebook and mailed it to her in New York three days later. It was my fault as much as hers, he said. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on the safety of African students in Delhi. The move comes in the wake of rising attacks on African students in the national capital. I have spoken to Raj Nath Singh and Lt Governor of Delhi regarding the attack on African nationals in South Delhi on Saturday. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside (sic), she tweeted. Sushma asked her deputy Gen V K Singh and Secretary (economic relations) Amar Sinha in the Ministry of External Affairs to meet African students who announced holding a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. Rajnath Singh with Delhi Police Commissioner and other officials met the community members in Chhattarpur village in the southern fringes of the capital, where the recent attack took place. The Delhi Police also arrested several individuals believed to have been associated with Saturdays attack and with the killing of a Congolese student. The junior foreign minister, however, blamed the media for blowing out of proportion issues surrounding the attack on African nationals in Rajpur Khurd (near Chhattarpur), which Singh described as a minor scuffle. Had detailed discussion with Delhi Police and found that media blowing up minor scuffle as attack on African nationals in Rajpur Khurd. Why is media doing this? As responsible citizens, let us question them and their motives, Singh tweeted, questioning the medias motive. The murder of a Congolese student in South Delhis Vasant Kunj snowballed into a diplomatic crisis as African nations threatened to pull out of a government-sponsored event to celebrate the Africa Day on May 26. They relented later only after receiving personal assurance from Sushma. The killing was followed by an attack on a Nigerian student in Telangana. The Delhi Police registered three cases of physical assault and criminal intimidation of African nationals in South Delhi. Two women one from Uganda and the other from South Africa and two Nigerian men in South Delhi had filed complaints of physical assault and criminal intimidation. Nearly 50% of middle-ranking posts in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) are lying vacant, crippling Indias drug regulatory system. This comes at a time when foreign regulators are raising red flags about products made by Indian drug companies. Of the 475 government-sanctioned posts, as many as 236 posts are vacant in the CDSCO. These include 144 posts of drug inspectors and 37 additional drug inspectors, whose task is to check the quality of drugs made by the pharmaceutical companies as well as the quality of medicine stored in medical shops. In addition, eight posts of deputy drug controller and 15 posts of assistant drug controller are vacant. The newly created post of director (vigilance) is also vacant as the recruitment rules are still to be framed. Even the post of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is filled on an additional basis as there is a litigation surrounding the appointment. As many as 45 posts in the lower hierarchy are dying cadres, which CDSCO will phase out eventually. Out of the 45 posts, 29 are vacant. Such a high vacancy will seriously undermine the performance and goals of the CDSCO, a panel of lawmakers informed the health ministry recently. It is already evident as the drug regulator failed to spend almost 59% of its budget in the first 10 months of 2015-16. If the drug regulating agency wants to spend the balance amount in the remaining two months, it would be a violation of the General Financial Rules of the government that bars spending not more than 33% of the budget in the last quarter and not more than 15% in the last month of a financial year. The CDSCOs tardy functioning comes out in the public at a time when the quality of several medicines made in India are being questioned by the Food and Drug Administration of the USA that remains one of the biggest markets for Indian pharmaceutical sector. Several top companies like Ranbaxy, Sun Pharma, Torrent, Dr Reddys Lab, Cadila and Cipla were cautioned by the FDA in the last few years. Ranbaxy was penalised by the US Department of Justice on felony charges in 2013 and four of Ranbaxys manufacturing sites in India Paonta Sahib, Dewas, Mohali and Toansa are blocked from dispatching products to the US. A Parliamentary Standing Committee in 2012 came down heavily on the CDSCO and Health Ministry for having a collusive nexus between drug manufacturers, some functionaries of CDSCO and some medical experts in the Indian drug regulatory system. The BJP on Sunday nominated Minister of State, Commerce and Industry, Nirmala Sitharaman from Karnataka for the Rajya Sabha elections. The elections are slated for June 11. Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, the partys initial choice from Karnataka, will now contest from Rajasthan. Naidu had represented Karnataka for three terms in the Upper House. There were frequent protests from various quarters regarding fielding Naidu from the state as he is seen as an outsider. Even the opposition parties questioned the saffron partys decision to favour Naidu, a native of Andhra Pradesh. A social media campaign also questioned Naidus contribution to the state. However, party sources said this insider-outsider factor might not have prompted the BJP to change its decision because even Nirmala is not from Karnataka. She hails from Tamil Nadu and is married to a native of Andhra Pradesh. Presently, she is a Rajya Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh. Another speculation doing the rounds is that the seat from Karnataka may not be a safe bet for Naidu because he needs support from 45 MLAs to secure a victory. The BJP has just that, so it is dependant on two KJP MLAs to be on the safer side.Nirmala is expected to file her papers on Tuesday, the last day to file nominations. Her candidature from Karnataka also indicates the unease in the ties BJP shares with ally TDP in Andhra Pradesh. The alliance is witnessing turbulence over the promises made to Andhra Pradesh before the bifurcation. The JD(S) has charged Congress with resorting to corrupt practices ahead of the June 11 Rajya Sabha polls and sought that the Election Commission of India defer the elections and hold an inquiry. In a letter to the ECI, copies of which were released to the press in Bengaluru on Sunday, JD(S) Spokesperson Ramesh Babu has charged that a section of independent MLAs had been promised crores of rupees for development of their constituencies if they vote in favour of Congress candidates. Babu stated that these MLAs had appeared before the media and made statements that they were going to vote in favour of the Congress candidates. The act of the independent MLAs is a clear indication of corrupt practices in the ongoing Rajya Sabha polls in the state. It requires proper inquiry to expose the probable involvement of bribery, Babu stated. He also sought that the polls be deferred till the completion of the inquiry and submission of the report. A gang of aro-und 20 robbers barged into Hubballi-Secunderabad express train and looted valuables from passengers near Hutagi in Maharashtra in the early hours of Sunday. According to passengers, the train was stopped around two km ahead of the Hutagi station. A majority of the passengers were fast asleep and did not realise that robbers had barged into the bogies. Nara-yanaswamy, a who travelled by the train, told Deccan Herald that the robbers snatched cash and jewellery from the passengers. A majority of the victims are said to be from Kalaburagi and Gadag districts. The passengers staged a protest and lodged a complaint with the railway police at Hutagi. The value of cash and jewellery robbed is yet to be estimated. The train reached Kalaburagi at 10 am instead of the scheduled time of 7.30 am. Donovan Lewis autopsy report shows he was shot once in stomach Donovan Lewis, a 20-year-old Black man killed by Columbus police officer Ricky Anderson on Aug. 30, was shot once in the abdomen, his autopsy shows. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Halloween creatures owls, crows and bats all live at Crossroads, and that makes us very happy, for these scary animals make a positive contribution to the habitats of the preserve. We don't even mind black cats, IF they are kept indoors. Feral and outdoor cats are exceedingly harmful to wildlife ... and that's not a superstition! But to tamp down superstitions, we at Crossroads will spend the week demystifying Halloween creatures. On October 28, 2022, at 6 p.m. will be our Evening with Owls. The Open Door Bird Sanctuary will be at Crossroads, offering a one-hour presentation followed by the opportunity to meet and greet live birds. Learn all about owls and the other incredible birds in the care of the Sanctuary! Down through the centuries, in many cultures throughout the world, owls have been associated with evil and death. Truth is, owls probably are not smart enough to be evil. But researchers agree that owls are about as dim as the nighttime forests in which they hunt. Owls don't need to be smart. They have everything else going for them. They are muscular. They fly silently. Their huge eyes enable them to see in the dark. Their beaks and talons are strong and wickedly sharp. But their sensitive ears are what make owls extraordinary hunters. Most people assume that the plumicorns (a.k.a. "horns) of an owl are its ears. Not so. The actual ears lie under feathers on the sides of the head, and they aren't symmetrical. Because one ear is higher than the other and the ears are unequal in size, sound is different from different directions, helping owls locate prey, which they do almost unfailingly, even in total darkness. Owls do not smell their prey. As with most birds, the sense of smell is insignificant, if it exists are all. Great Horned Owls frequently prey on skunks. Enough said. But well-developed intelligence? Researchers have observed owls beating their wings on bushes to try to flush out little birds. Is this learned behavior? Is it problem-solving? Maybe. For the most part, owls do not have a lot of problems to solve. They appropriate abandoned nests of other birds, so they don't need building skills. They are stealthy by nature, and they pounce on and usually catch anything they hear, so they don't need hunting techniques. In spite of ghost stories, legends of American First People, and superstitions from Europe and India, hooting owls do not foretell impending death, although their nocturnal calls are spooky. We hear them now and then this time of year, but we will regularly hear those eerie calls at Crossroads in January or February. In contrast to owls, crows are noisy all year round and they are amazingly intelligent. They can learn. They can remember. They can solve problems. They can even identify individual humans. And they detest owls, though whether this is innate or learned behavior is not clear. Those curious about crows will want to attend the Crossroads Book Club on Wednesday, October 26, at 10:00 a.m. This month, the book Crow Planet, Essential Wisdom for the Urban Wilderness by Lyanda Lynn Haupt will explore the fascinating world of these remarkable birds. The program is free and open to all, whether or not they have read the book. So bring the family to our program on owls, learn about crows at the Crossroads Book Club, or learn about bats at our pre-school Junior Nature Club on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. or our Family Science Saturday program at 2:00 p.m. Costumes are encouraged but not required at Junior Nature Club and Science Saturday, and adult visitors are welcome. 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. Dundalk girl Ruth McGee has been announced as the the winner of the Louth County Bee 2016. The 11 year old from St. Malachys GNS, Dundalk fought off stiff competition from a number of other spelling enthusiasts and will now be entered into the Provincial Spelling Bee. Ruth is a keen reader and is currently reading Roald Dahl. The nationwide competition is part of an overall Eason literacy and reading initiative that aims to inspire children to develop a greater appreciation of words in a fun and educational way, and to encourage them to perfect their spelling and pronunciation skills. Brendan Corbett, Group Head of Marketing at Eason, said; The Eason Spelling Bee continues to go from strength to strength, and in this our 6th year, we will see a record number of over 1,100 schools participate. The competition is not only great fun for the children but it is also very beneficial as spelling is a great way to help develop reading and literacy skills. Were really looking forward to getting out and meeting this years Bees and enjoying the fantastic support from their families, classmates and teachers. The ultimate spelling contest starts out with registered schools holding their own in-school bee to find their school champion. The Spelling Bee team then travel around the country to hold the County Final Bees, which then leads to four Provincial Finals culminating in the All-Ireland Final in June. The All-Ireland winning school will receive a mountain of books for their library to the value of 7,500 and the winner themselves will be awarded a goodie package full of books worth 500 and the prestigious title of the 2016 Eason Spelling Bee champion. (Sherlock / Facebook)Sherlock In what could be one of the most exciting reports that ever emerged regarding the filming of "Sherlock," it has been confirmed that production will start filming in Morocco very soon, though details on the report are very scarce. According to Metro, the fourth season of the hit series will have some scenes filmed in Morocco. However, everything else is under wraps and it is unclear what will lead Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock and Martin Freeman's Dr. John Watson to the humid region. Filming in Cardiff, Wales started in April and it has been reported earlier that the first episode has been completed, while the second is already under works. It appears that some of the scenes to be shot in Morocco will be part of either the third or fourth episode. Another exciting confirmation is that of Toby Jones joining the cast as none other than the mysterious villain. Jones has starred in a number of British shows such as "The Secret Agent" and "Detectorists." He has also appeared on "Wayward Pines" and his voice was heard in several "Harry Potter" movies. According to Deadline, series co-creator Steven Moffat said of Jones, "Delighted to have Toby Jones on board, bringing to life one of [Sir Arthur Conan] Doyle's finest villains." It has yet to be revealed which villain he will be but fans are ecstatic to see his antagonist at play. While Cumberbatch and Freeman are obviously coming back to reprise their roles, it has been a hot rumor over the past months that Tom Hiddleston may crash into the cast to play the role of Sherrinford Holmes. (REUTERS/TOBY MELVILLE) A photo of actor Tom Hiddleston arriving at the BAFTA awards in London on February 8, 2015. Hiddleston is said to be joining the cast of Sherlock as the third Holmes brother According to a March report by Unreality TV U.K., the buzz around Hiddleston's possible entry into the hit BBC series has been steaming over the past months. Creator Mark Gatiss said earlier this year that he would love to have the "Avengers" star on board. However, due to Hiddleston's rather hectic schedule for 2016, it would be hard to get him on set if he ever does get tapped to play Sherlock's brother. "Sherlock" season four is slated for release in January 2017. WASHINGTON Maserati North America is recalling 26,464 2014-'16 Maserati Quattroporte and Maserati Ghibli sedans because of a suspension problem, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "An improperly tightened rear tie rod to hub-carrier assembly attaching bolt may allow the tie rod to separate from the hub carrier, resulting in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash," NHTSA said in its recall summary. Maserati told federal safety regulators it received 12 field claims about the problem, including some reporting "noise issues experienced by customers during driving." A Maserati spokeswoman did not respond immediately to a query from Edmunds asking if there are any injuries, accidents or fatalities linked to the recall. The affected vehicles were built from February 1, 2013 to September 18, 2015. Maserati dealers will inspect the bolts to verify that they are properly tightened, replacing the rear tie rod to hub-carrier assembly as necessary. The recall is expected to begin on July 1. Owners can contact Maserati customer service at 1-201-510-2369. Edmunds says: Maserati dealers are waiting for parts, which should be available within 60 days, the company said. If you own one of these cars and have an immediate concern, it's best to contact your dealer now. Latest News BPSC Assistant Engineer 2022 answer key released, more details here Candidates can download the answer key from BPSC's official website ICAI CA Final, Intermediate exam admit card 2022 out, find details here Candidates would compulsorily have to carry their admit card to the examination centres Digital SAT International registrations now open, know the details here Students can access College Boards free study tools and practice exams that are aligned with the new News Details Avnet India launches product testing service for electronics product design in India Date: 20-05-16 Avnet India launches product testing service for electronics systems product design in India. Avnet customers can test their product designs at Avnet Design Center. Avnet said it also offers on-site technical advice and design support to its customers to help them reduce the number of design iterations and the product certifying process at the authorized labs. The new service is currently exclusive to India market. In Indian market, the product testing and certification is becoming important due to The Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DeitY), Government of India has made compulsory for certain electronics and IT product categories to mandatorily register with BIS for ensuring safety standards. The leading test lab TUV Rheinland India is already providing some kind of design-support during product testing. For Avnet the multiple levels of design-support to its customers is a market differentiator so that it can finally sell more electronic components and semiconductor ICs to its Indian customer, that's where the objective lies. In electronic component distribution market, design support from concept to reality is becoming more important in markets such as India, where it is expected the demand for electronics products to grow faster compared to other parts of the world. Most of the electronics component distributors seeing close to a triple digit growth in Indian market. Mouser is one of such fast-growing distributor in the Indian market. The big issue in the Indian component supply chain market is, it is difficult to buy component by paying Indian Rupees, because most of the distributors stock their inventory for Indian market mostly in offshore places such as Singapore. Mouser has recently announced accepting credit card payments in Indian Rupees from their local customer service center in Bangalore. 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. Havana, May 29 (EFE).- Cuban President Raul Castro met with Alberto Nunez Feijoo, the head of the government of the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, in Havana. Castro and Nunez Feijoo discussed economic relations between the island and the Spanish region during a 90-minute meeting on Saturday, the last day of the Galician politician's visit to Cuba. The two men discussed the possibility of cooperating in the agricultural, biotechnology, energy, technology, transportation and tourism areas, the Galician official said. "The president (Castro) told me that he has much interest in doing lots of things with Galicia. He literally told me, 'given that we've started a new stage with Spain, the things we do with Spain, I'd like to do them with Galicia,'" Nunez Feijoo said. Angel Castro, the father of Fidel and Raul Castro, was from Galicia and emigrated to Cuba as a young man, like thousands of other Galicians. Nunez Feijoo said he and Castro, who previously met in December 2013, discussed "the evolution of Cuba during these years" and the island's "new relationship" with the United States. "We agreed to identify the areas where we can make progress, what we can do. We agreed to exchange a document between the Xunta (Galicia's regional government) and the vice president's office for the economy next week," the Spanish politician said. More than 500,000 Galicians, according to the regional government's figures, live abroad, with 70 percent born in the diaspora, that is, they are the children or grandchildren of emigrants. About 30,000 Galicians live in Cuba, although only 500 were born in the Spanish region. New book argues Clinton can improve the global image of the US, strengthen women, girls and families BINGHAMTON, NY - It's high time the United States elected the first woman president, and Hillary Clinton's ability to handle global and domestic issues makes her most qualified to do the job, according to a new book edited by Dinesh Sharma, associate research professor at the Institute for Global Cultural Studies, Binghamton University, State University of New York. In The Global Hillary, published by Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group), Sharma suggests that as a leading advocate of "smart power" -- that is, combining America's 'hard' military power and 'soft' cultural power -- Clinton is arguably poised to tackle America's global challenges than other candidates. "America is an exceptional nation in many ways, but when it comes to electing a woman president, America is really an exception to the rule," said Sharma. "In a lot of places in the world -- including Europe, Africa, Asia, Scandinavian countries, and even in Latin America -- female heads of state have already been elected. The United States is the oldest constitutional democracy and gave women the right to vote 100 years ago; the fact that it hasn't succeeded in electing a woman to the executive office raises some concerns." The Global Hillary critically analyzes Clinton's role as a transformative leader of global influence by bringing together two key aspects of Clinton's ongoing career -- her advocacy for international women's rights and the mission to foster democratic development around the world. "This book about Hillary Clinton's global image -- former First Lady, U.S. Senator and Secretary of State -- is as much about the changing nature of American life as it is about the American narrative that has remained fixed," said Sharma. "America still represents a revolutionary idea -- a nation founded by a band of rebellious brothers on the principles of freedom and equality. Americans are still holding out the promise of liberty, a torch held high for the rest of the world, trying to shape the world in their own image." Featuring a diverse set of essays, the collection provides insight into Clinton's leadership style, particularly, her use of American "smart power" in foreign policy, while examining her impact on the continuing universal struggle for women's rights. "We're focused on the so-called Hillary Doctrine. She believes in combining hard power (military, economics) with soft, cultural power (media, innovation, education) and enhancing women's and girls' lives around the world," said Sharma. "She's a big advocate of using smart power around the world to win over people through diplomacy, and to build a better world, and improve America's image." Sharma's current classes are focused on human rights, globalization, leadership and the UN. In addition, Sharma teaches about global leadership and the UN at Fordham University at Lincoln Center, and has authored and edited several books, including The Global Obama (2014) and Barack Obama in Hawai'i and Indonesia (2012). ### This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate When two Marines from San Antonio hit the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa in the Pacific nearly 73 years ago, they became instant heroes. But their paths leading up to the battle and afterward couldnt have been more different. One died instantly and became famous, while the other quietly suffered in obscurity. Staff Sgt. William J. Bordelon, a Guadalcanal survivor, earned accolades that reverberated for decades after his death Nov. 20, 1943. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously the next year in a ceremony at Alamo Stadium with formations of soldiers and a marching band. A Navy destroyer was named for him. Pvt. 1st Class George O. Smith came home from a Navy hospital without fanfare after an enemy bullet shattered his face. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the nations second-highest award for valor, and was no stranger to suffering. After being shot in one leg at Guadalcanal and almost losing it to an infection, the stoic Smith returned to duty and headed to Tarawa atolls Betio Island. There, on a sliver of sand, he and Bordelon disembarked from separate ships and fought in different battalions in a battle that pitted 4,500 entrenched Japanese against 18,000 Marines. When it ended 76 hours later, almost all the defenders were dead, along with more than 1,000 Marines, some of them floating in the surf. More Information Irene Bordelon Smith talks about wartime life in San Antonio. See the video at mysa.com See More Collapse I never thought about it, but I never heard him complain any about his leg, the one that had been wounded, said Irene Bordelon Smith. And he really did not complain a lot about his mouth, but you knew he was having trouble eating with it and chewing. Bordelon Smith, 93, is William J. Bordelons first cousin. She also married George Smiths brother Bob. Bordelon enlisted Dec. 10, 1941, and went to basic training in San Diego, California. Familiar with weapons since his childhood, he became a marksman upon graduation. Bordelon Smith, looking back last week as Memorial Day neared, remembered both Marines as two sides of a coin that had been minted on the South Side during the hard times of the Great Depression. One was Mutt, the other Jeff. Both were tough and were related through marriage. Smith stood 6 feet 5 inches and weighed 250 pounds. He liked to work on motorcycles under the hot South Texas sun, and he often was caked in grease, dirt and sweat. His sister-in-law said he was, in a word, rough. He didnt have any manners, Bordelon Smith said. He was always dirty and greasy, and me being a girl coming from a totally different kind of a family, I just didnt go around him that much. Bordelon was 5 feet 8 inches or so and weighed maybe 165 pounds. Bordelon Smith didnt see him often but recalls him wearing his ROTC uniform anytime she did. Both boys traveled in different circles as kids. Bordelon was a faithful Catholic. Smith and his family didnt go to church. Whether they ever crossed paths, either in San Antonio or as Marines, is the stuff of speculation. Bordelon was known for hitting the books and for his devotion to Central Catholic High Schools Junior ROTC, becoming its highest-ranking cadet. The schools yearbook for 1938, the year in which he graduated, called Bordelon militaristic, first, last and always. Bill had a lot of spit and polish to him, a Central Catholic classmate, Pat Legan, said in a 2007 interview. He looked like a West Point graduate, even in high school. Bordelon became a Marine only because the Army and Navy rejected him in 1941 for having webbing between his toes. After Pearl Harbor, Bordelon quickly rose through the ranks to staff sergeant. The rough-around-the-edges Smith walked a different path. Hed get promoted from private first class to lance corporal, only to get into trouble and lose a stripe. If different, the two South Siders were tied together by Tarawa, Bordelon Smith said. Day of battle The Marines made landfall under withering fire that quickly left scores dead. Landing craft came in at low tide, forcing the men to wade long distances before reaching the beach. Bordelon and three others miraculously survived after a mortar shell struck their landing craft, killing 20 men. He and Sgt. Eldon Beers, who would attend the Alamo Stadium ceremony, were entangled with barbed wire and cut their way through it under withering fire before reaching a 4-foot-high seawall. Much of their gear, with the exception of a few small arms and two packages of dynamite, had been lost. Bordelon formed the dynamite into demolition charges, put two pillboxes out of action and decided to go after a third enemy emplacement. Enemy machine gun fire raked the sand, hitting Bordelon as he released the charge. It exploded, wounding him. Once two buddies patched him up, Bordelon found the last demolition charges and began to crawl toward a Japanese gun 200 yards up the beach that had pinned down Marines behind the seawall. He knocked out the pit, but was shot again in his left arm. A Marine used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, allowing Bordelon to provide cover fire for a group of men who were trying to scale the wall. He broke off to find a corpsman who could help a wounded comrade, but had no luck. Along the way, he stumbled onto a grenade and went after enemy soldiers who were preventing the injured from getting help. Bordelon rushed to save a badly wounded Marine, one of his demolition men who cried out as he bobbed in the surf. In an instant, he was hit in one shoulder by a burst of enemy fire but lunged toward an enemy gun nest, destroying it before falling dead. He got ashore with only two explosive charges, but he split them up and made them into four, retired Marine Col. Joseph Alexander, author of a 1995 book on the assault, Utmost Savagery, told the San Antonio Express-News years ago. Then he grabbed every weapon he could find and used it to attack and destroy four pillboxes. On a different stretch of beach but not far away, Smith found that he was the last man standing out of his platoon in Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, and he headed toward the front lines. He dodged enemy sniper fire while making it back to the beach to get reinforcements and ammunition. Many of the Marines were frozen in fear, hugging the seawall for safety, but they moved forward with Smith leading. He made the trip again and again, even after being shot. A news account of Smiths role in the battle, citing a commander, stated, He boldly waded through enemy sniper fire along a 30-yard strip of beach where he found groups of Marines along the seawall. By informing these men of the urgency of the situation, Smith succeeded in gathering a considerable number of men who he immediately led to the front in the face of heavy enemy fire. Smiths Navy Cross citation echoed those comments. Premonition of death When Bordelon and his fellow Marines got off Guadalcanal after four months and were sent to New Zealand for rest and recreation, he stayed with a family and thought of what he had endured. Along the way, he had a premonition of his death. Bordelon, Texas first Medal of Honor recipient of World War II and one of 12 veterans of the conflict from San Antonio to receive the nations highest honor for valor, became an instant hero. In addition to being awarded the medal posthumously at Alamo Stadium on June 17, 1944, he has been lionized over the ensuring years and decades. Central Catholics JROTC rifle team has been called the Bordelon Rifles for years. Part of Interstate 37 east of downtown was named the William J. Bordelon Freeway. When his body was brought home for burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in 1995, it first laid in state at the Alamo, an honor given to only four other people. His death, however, crushed his mother, Carmen, who wore his medal at the Alamo Stadium ceremony but never talked of the battle or her loss. The war shadowed the more obscure George Smith as well. Most of a year passed as he underwent numerous operations in a military hospital before coming home for a brief visit. The wound to his mouth left scars that never healed. Smith went back to work in the family plumbing business and lived with his parents. There were unnerving moments. Bordelon Smith said Smiths mother had to carefully enter his room to awaken him. There was good reason for her caution. Japanese troops had sometimes stolen into the tents of Marines and cut their throats. There were signs of a troubled transition. George married one time, and he was married four or five years, but I think he married because all of his brothers and sisters were married and he was the only one not married, but they never had any children and he drank a lot, Bordelon Smith said. And his wife, of course, she drank, too, so that didnt work out too well, and they divorced and he never remarried. Sometimes, Smith took his boat out to do saltwater fishing, a favorite pastime. As he grew into his 60s and was unable to work, he could be found in the same bar every morning with friends. He cut back after the death of a buddy who also was a heavy drinker and smoker, but died in the early 1990s at 72. Though he is said to have been a talker, Smith locked away the part of his life that had been Guadalcanal and Tarawa. He spent his latter days at (a beer joint) or whatever you call it. You could call it a lounge, Bordelon Smith said. You know, those guys when they get to be up in their 60s, and of course he couldnt work anymore, and hed go there in the mornings and theyd sit and shoot the breeze, and its just for companionship and stuff because he lived with his mother. The Bordelons never really recovered, either. Bordelons nephew, Bill Bordelon, 58, a Realtor, said the family believes that his uncles mother, Carmen, died not from cancer, but a broken heart. These guys were offloaded, Bordelon said. Your front door opens up into fire, machine gun fire, crossfire, right at you. They were going to die. A lot of them were going to die. A lot, and they knew it. Thats how they did it back then and we dont get it now. We dont get the sacrifice. We dont get the sacrifice that the families and these soldiers made. We dont get it. We forget it too damned soon. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As it has statewide, the length of time mentally ill inmates at the Bexar County jail languish on wait lists to be treated at the state hospital so they can stand trial has increased in recent times. Across Texas, 143 inmates all charged with nonviolent, misdemeanor crimes currently sit in county lock-ups for an average of 34 days as they await competency restoration, or treatment that addresses their mental illness and prepares them to go before a judge or jury. When felony defendants are added to the mix, the number jumps to more than 370 inmates on the waiting list. Some inmates have waited as long as eight or nine months to get competency treatment before their criminal charges can be resolved, officials said. To deal with the growing glut and ease wait times, the Texas Department of State Health Services, which oversees the states mental hospitals, recently reallocated space in those facilities to provide more beds for misdemeanor offenders and take them away from nonoffenders whose mental illness is so severe that a judge has determined they pose a danger to themselves or others. At the San Antonio State Hospital, or SASH, 32 spaces for adults in an acute-crisis unit were switched to low-level defendants on the inmate waiting lists, raising the number to 112 inmate beds. The move has some local mental health officials up in arms. More Information Number of Texas inmates on competency restoration wait lists, as of May 16: Maximum-security (felony) inmates: 228. Average wait time: 122 days Nonmaximum security (misdemeanor) inmates: 143. Average wait time: 34 days Average wait time for misdemeanor inmates in the Bexar County jail: 25 days Average wait time for felony inmates in the Bexar County jail: 150 days Number of forensic beds statewide: 1,047 Number of forensic beds for felony inmates in Texas: 314 Number of forensic beds for misdemeanor inmates in Texas: 733 Number of forensic beds for misdemeanor inmates at San Antonio State Hospital: 112 See More Collapse Thirty two beds may seem like a low number, but that represents the loss of one-third of our acute (civil) crisis care capacity, said Bexas County Associate Probate Judge Oscar Kazen, who oversees cases involving people who are mentally ill and may need to be committed but are not criminals. In a civil commitment, a judge has determined that a persons mental illness requires longer-term treatment at a state hospital on average 44 days than is generally available at private psychiatric hospitals. State hospitals also typically treat people who have no private treatment options because they are poor or indigent, according to officials. The number of inmates awaiting treatment to become competent for trial at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center wasnt immediately available, Kazen said, but of the last 50 or so such inmates, the average wait time for misdemeanor offenders was about 25 days not including the weeks it typically takes for an inmate to be assessed and for a hearing to be held. What kills us are the felony offenders, who face an average wait time of 150 days, or five months, he said. The reallocation of space does not affect felony offenders across the state. They are assigned to maximum-security beds at two other state hospitals, North Texas State and Rusk, which together have a capacity for about 300 inmates. National studies show jails and prisons have become the de facto institution for the mentally ill, warehousing hundreds of thousands of inmates each year who need treatment. Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau welcomed the states recent action, saying its crucial to reduce the number of nonviolent defendants who are mentally ill and waiting in jails and prisons while their charges are pending. Their behavior generally gets worse while incarcerated, she said. But others say the reallocation will cause a domino effect: hospital emergency rooms in San Antonio and South Texas could overflow with psychiatric patients who truly belong at the state hospital, costing millions more in medical care and robbing hospitals of beds needed by those suffering dire crises, such as heart attacks. Dr. Sally E. Taylor, chief of behavioral medicine at University Health System, said that with the reallocation of beds, the San Antonio State Hospital has space for only 80 adults who have been civilly committed by a judge. The rest of the 192 so-called civil beds are reserved for geriatric, adolescent and step-down, or residential patients. (Of those 192, 15 beds are currently out of commission because they pose strangulation dangers, state officials said.) The state hospital in San Antonio serves an area of 55 counties across South Texas, she said, a population of about 4.2 people, according to Kazen. Bexar County uses those state hospital beds for patients who really need more intensive care than a community hospital can provide, Taylor said. With that back door shut off, it means the length of stay at any of our four or five (hospital) inpatient psychiatric units will be increased. An imperfect solution This is the second time the state has reduced space for noncriminal patients and added it for inmates in order to deal with long waiting lists. In 2012, a state judge ordered Texas to reduce competency restoration waits to no more than 21 days, in response to a lawsuit brought earlier by Disability Rights Texas on behalf of inmates. That finding was later thrown out, said Beth Mitchell, senior attorney for the advocacy group. Nonetheless, for a time, the state did well to adhere to the 21-day rule, she said. By early 2014, the average wait had dropped to about 20 days for misdemeanor offenders. But wait times have been rising again, as the population in Texas burgeons but the number of allotted state hospital beds hasnt grown with it, Mitchell said. Christine Mann, a DSHS spokeswoman, said inmates getting competency treatment now make up more than half the state hospital population, at 1,226. (By contrast, there are now 1,118 patients in state facilities who are not criminals but have been ordered committed by judges.) She couldnt provide the exact number of beds converted to use for inmates by DSHS recent action because its too early to tell. In the last legislative session, she said, lawmakers provided $50 million in the current two-year budget to add 100 community beds space in private and public hospitals across the state to alleviate the shortage of space for patients civilly committed to state hospitals by judges. Between 2010 and 2014, the state added 218 state-funded psychiatric beds in communities across Texas, she said. Were doing the best we can with the resources weve been given, Mann said. Inmates getting treatment to become competent to stand trial are complex and have longer hospital stays. After arrest, defendants are given a mental health assessment to see if theyre well enough to understand court procedures, such as working with an attorney. Those who fail are placed on the state hospital waiting list. The average stay for an inmate being restored to competency is 217 days, Mann said, compared to 44 days for patients who are civilly committed by a judge. Taylor said that because of inadequate facilities, psychiatric patients sometimes stack up in emergency rooms, which isnt an appropriate place for them. Taylor said the Bexar County jail has room to handle 232 mentally ill inmates although they dont receive competency restoration care and the jail also provides psychiatric medication to inmates who need it in the general jail population. Taylor said inmates shouldnt sit in jail for weeks or months to await being made competent. At the same time, stealing those beds from the civil side just pushes the balloon on one end and it pops out the other end, with the patient caught in the middle, she said. The shuffling of space at state hospitals, she said, is part of a larger issue: Its a lack of mental health funding all across the continuum of care. We need more beds and more access to outpatient care. More funding is at the core of the problem we need to stop robbing Peter to pay Paul. Not enough state-funded community beds. Leon Evans, CEO of the Center for Health Care Services, the local mental health authority that provides services to low-income clients, said the previous increase in the number of community beds funded by the state to deal with the inmate glut has worked fairly well, but theres just so many people with mental illness. The center screens inmates and advises judges in competency hearings and is essentially the gatekeeper for the state hospital system, Evans said. In Bexar County, the added state funding provided room for 30 more patients who had been civilly committed by judges, Evans said, at psychiatric units at either Nix Hospital and Southwest General Hospital. But its not enough, he said, especially with the state once again allotting more space for inmates at state hospitals. Kazen, the judge, said that even though the county operates an innovative outpatient competency restoration program, diverting some mentally ill offenders from the jail altogether, the loss of one-third of the space for noncriminal patients in state hospitals is likely to cause a backlog in emergency rooms. Mitchell, the lawyer with Disability Rights Texas, said her group is contemplating filing another lawsuit over the growing wait times, but will likely hold off to see if DSHS action will resolve the problem. But this is really not a fix, she said. People on the civil side need a place to go, so what happens is folks who need a civil bed have to commit a crime to get that bed. Thats what our mental health system has turned into, and its absurd. The whole criminal justice approach needs to change, she said. These (mentally ill inmates) are being incarcerated over stupid charges, like trespassing, she said. The (district attorney) can dismiss these charges right away and send people to treatment instead. That would free up a lot of beds. But we need to overhaul the entire system increase community beds, provide more housing and employment for people with mental illness and provide services in the community. Trying other options Bexar County has a number of innovative diversion programs that seek to reduce the number of mentally ill people in jail. In one, a specially trained police officer, rather than arresting mentally ill misdemeanor suspects, takes them to emergency rooms or a facility called the Restoration Center to be assessed, after which they may be placed in a treatment program that bypasses jail and court altogether. Since its inception in 2003, some 20,000 people have been diverted from jail, said county official Mike Lozito. For suspects who are arrested, a program at the Central Magistrates booking office uses a legal team approach from the start to determine if indigent, often homeless mentally ill offenders are better served with treatment rather than jail, again with a goal of keeping sick, nonviolent nuisance lawbreakers out of incarceration, Lozito said. We still need more buy-in from judges, however, to truly break the stigmas surrounding mental illness, Lozito said. Yet another program allows mentally ill misdemeanor defendants to have their charges dismissed before they serve jail time, with a mental health court placing them in in-patient or out-patient treatment, although this program is still in the fledgling phase and has served only a handful of people, Kazen said. mstoeltje@express-news.net Once a month, veterans at Brookdale Patriot Heights gather to smooth out the wrinkles of war stories born decades ago. They unravel the tales during a time they call My Life, where anecdotes of good times, sacrifice and fallen comrades are familiar to the staff at the senior living community. Recently, several staff members gathered in a conference room to listen to residents memories of war, an act of sharing that often serves as a form of catharsis. Vietnam veteran Barbara Snavely sat with three World War II veterans at a long, varnished wood table, across from a former crew chief from the Korean War era. Snavely, who declined to give her age, said she made a promise more than 40 years ago to never walk by an American flag hung incorrectly without stopping to fix the error. Her patriotic stance goes back to 1967, when she was one of the first five enlisted women in the Air Force to be stationed in Vietnam. During her tour of duty in Saigon, she was a staff sergeant, working with an Army major, who helped her keypunch data holes in cards to be read by machines. On Jan. 31, 1968, the lunar new year or Tet, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces waged surprise attacks on Saigon and four other cities. During the strikes, called the Tet Offensive, a sniper killed the major and another soldier as they entered the base in a jeep. His widow, a nurse, made Snavely pledge to honor her husband and others killed in action, by ensuring the flag was never hung wrong. I lived up to that promise, she said. I still do. Today, the residents of Patriot Heights will remember the sacrifices of Americas fallen at a Memorial Day celebration, ending with the planting of a Monterrey oak sapling in their honor. When the day of remembrance passes, the residents stories of camaraderie and pain will live on at their roundtable sessions. At the recent session, executive director Steve McAndrew, resident program manager Ebbie Kelly and staff member Joe Torres listened as the group lamented the loss of flight crews killed on bombing missions over Germany and American soldiers shot by unseen combatants in Southeast Asia. Kelly chronicles their exploits in print and digital formats. Shes well-versed in their stories and is there when, increasingly, their last chapters are written. McAndrew said he has witnessed the diversity of the group change through the years. He called the veterans living treasures. There are some great stories living here. Its something thats very powerful, McAndrew said. Its always there. Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Tommy Green organized the meeting, as he does most military holiday programs at the retirement community. Green enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served in the Pacific. He is a co-founder of the Alamo Honor Flight, a nonprofit that flew San Antonio-area WWII veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the memorial dedicated in their honor. It was something honorable to die for your country, Green said. Harold Casey Jones, who came into the room after Snavelys story, was also stationed in Saigon during the Tet Offensive. This must be the liars club, Jones, 87, said with a grin as he took a seat in one of the ornate, high-backed chairs. The retired Air Force senior master sergeant recalled finding refuge in a hotel room for two days as the streets echoed with gunfire. Samuel Sam Wilson, 91, sat beside Snavely. Wilson flew B-24 Liberators from Italy to drop bombs on Nazi war-making factories. Wilson described a mission when the plane ran out of gas over the Adriatic Sea. Alarms rang through the plane as he yelled, Bail out! to the crew. After everyone else had jumped from the aircraft, Wilson eased his way along the catwalk in the bomb bay. I bailed out and stepped into space, he said. My parachute blossomed out like icing on a cupcake. Conrad Anderson, 98, talked about his 36 missions over Germany and flying planes riddled with holes from bullets and flak. He recalled long flights, sitting in the cockpit for more than 10 hours at a time, and orders for precision bombing to avoid cathedrals and other historic landmarks. Robert E. Bob Callahan said the day after he graduated from high school in Oklahoma, he hitchhiked to San Antonio, enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a radio operator on C-47s. He talked about the heavy loss of airmen to enemy fire and severe weather that downed five airplanes. Relating to another veteran can be therapeutic for some and daunting for others, said Serg Dickerson, executive vice president of the American GI Forum. The agencys outreach program services include counseling, employment, job training and a residential center for homeless veterans. Dickerson, a retired Army colonel, said for GI Forum caseworkers, often veterans themselves, listening is very important and vital to understanding what their clients need. He said they relate to each other on a different level, about things veterans sometimes cant share with a family member or spouse, no matter how close. This connection is so profound that they would die for each other, Dickerson, 50, said of the staffer-client relationship. Its hard to find in other facets of life. Its not something that can be replicated by another scenario, only by a veteran who has had the same experiences. The GI Forum executive has intimate knowledge of veterans unwilling to talk about their war experiences. His family never knew about the war experiences of his father, James Dickerson, until after he died and they reviewed his military records. They learned that during the Korean War, he had watched a foxhole mate freeze to death in below-zero temperatures. He was from that silent generation. They just wanted to get back to their lives, Dickerson said. He loved us to death, but he would not talk about these things. At the roundtable session, Torres, 40, sat and listened intently to the other veterans stories. Ralph Henry Rodriguez, a former Air Force crew chief from New York, ended the hour and a half. He said his contribution was maintaining military aircraft in extreme cold and in sweltering weather. I didnt shoot down any aircraft and I didnt fly any aircraft, Rodriguez said. I did the work on the aircraft you were on. After the group left, Torres said it was an honor to work with the men and women who had gone through things worse than hell ever know. I dont have to read a book or watch TV about veterans. I live it, said Torres, a 15-year Army veteran. Its an honor to serve the people here. Theyre the reason the country is the way it is. vtdavis@express-news.net Chris Walton learned from experience to budget an extra hour for his lengthy commute from San Antonios Northeast Side. Walton, who catches the Route 632 bus near Walzem Road and FM 78, transfers twice to get to his job at Two Bros BBQ Market on West Avenue. That 14-mile trip already takes more than an hour by bus, and he said he leaves home with another hour to spare because the routes he uses often fall behind schedule. Nine times out of 10, the bus is not there on time, he said while waiting to transfer buses at the Randolph Park & Ride. I hear people around here all the time saying, Im going to lose my job, Ive been late a couple of times this week. Come August, VIA Metropolitan Transit plans to adjust some of its Northeast Side routes to improve service reliability in an area where crowded buses, traffic congestion and railroad crossings often throw its drivers and riders off schedule. The most significant changes will occur on routes 630 and 632, both of which serve areas near Windcrest. Route 632 will run more frequently and offer a shorter branch of service all day. Route 630 will be divided into three separate routes to make it more reliable and easier to understand. The 632, the busiest circulator route in VIAs system, runs between the Randolph Park & Ride and the Walmart near Crestway Road. Now, it runs every 20 to 30 minutes on weekdays, and twice a day, it makes a shorter run between the park and ride and Glen Mont Drive. The route is prone to overcrowding in the evenings and on weekends, and it faces a railroad crossing at Walzem and Gibbs Sprawl Road. Its on-time performance rate hovers around 67 percent, well below average for VIAs circulator routes, said Tracy Manning, manager of service planning and scheduling for VIA. Sometimes we get caught at the railroad crossing, and it makes it harder for this route to stay on schedule, Manning said at a VIA board meeting. To relieve some of the overcrowding, VIA plans to boost the frequency of service between the park and ride and the Glen Mont-Walzem intersection to 15 minutes all day. The routes short-haul branch, which turns from Glen Mont onto Walzem just before the railroad crossing, will run every 30 minutes all day when the changes take effect, as will the long-haul branch to Crestway. Antonia Caldwell, who lives near Montgomery Elementary School, said she would welcome any changes to make Route 632 more efficient. The route is her primary means of getting to and from her house, but she said tardiness of the buses makes it difficult to plan her schedule. She and her daughter often go to the public library at Roosevelt High School, which is about two and a half miles from the elementary school on Route 632. She said they recently skipped the bus and walked home and ended up getting there faster. We actually outwalked the bus, and its a 45-minute walk, she said. Route 630, which travels between the Randolph Park & Ride and Binz-Engleman Road, has three branches: one that serves the San Antonio Military Medical Center, one that serves the Kirby area, and one that serves the Summerfest Drive area. Its on-time performance is about the same as that of Route 632. The distinctions can be confusing for riders. Richard Castoreno, who uses the route to get to Kirby, said he has often boarded the wrong branch and wound up near SAMMC instead. They all say 630, but they all go to different locations, he said. VIA plans to divide the branches by creating separate routes with new numbers. The 629 will go to SAMMC, the 630 will serve the Kirby area, and the 631 will serve Summerfest. Were looking to go to three separate routes just to make sure its easy to understand, Manning said. VIA also plans to make minor adjustments to Route 21, which runs between the Randolph Park & Ride and downtown San Antonio, and Routes 505 and 509. The changes will improve service reliability. kblunt@express-news.net She lost the Texas governors race in 2014, where she called for stepped-up attention to womens health care access and equal pay. But Democrat Wendy Davis still talks up womens issues including, in a March 2016 interview by Texas Monthly, her desire to revisit legislation nixed by the Republican governor when she was a state senator from Fort Worth. Asked what issues shes thinking about "besides reproductive autonomy," Davis replied: "Of course, equal pay. You may recall that I, along with the amazing Senfronia Thompson in the Texas House, was successful in passing an equal pay bill here, which was no easy featonly to have it vetoed by Gov. Perry. So Texas is one of only a handful of states that does not have an equal pay law. Even the law that exists at the federal level needs some punch." We wondered about the Texas part of her statement. Does the state rank among a few states lacking a law that ensures equal pay for male and female employees holding comparable jobs? Texas actually has laws that apply, we found, though no law has a time window like the one in federal law for an employee to challenge a pay action. To our inquiry, a Davis spokesman, Hector Nieto, described that gap--closed by laws in 42 states--as substantially weakening a Texas employees ability to sue. As a senator, to recap, Davis championed a measure giving a worker affected by an unequal pay action 180 days to file a dispute from when the inequity is discovered. The sought change, in keeping with the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, would have widened a state law that gives workers 180 days from the occurrence of an "unlawful employment practice" to file a complaint. House Bill 950 by Rep. Thompson, D-Houston, won House and Senate approval in 2013, a year after the Texas Supreme Court held that absent legislative action, the Ledbetter provision revising the statute of limitations didnt apply to cases brought under the Texas anti-discrimination laws. Next, as Davis said, Gov. Rick Perry vetoed the proposal, as he was urged to do by business interests including Macys. In his veto proclamation, Perry said the measure duplicated federal law, "which already allows employees who feel they have been discriminated against through compensation to file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission." Thompson offered a similar proposal during the 2015 legislative session. It was defeated in the House. We recognized that Texas has statutory restrictions on pay discrimination after asking Davis about the basis of her declaration that Texas ranks among states that dont have an "equal pay" law. By email, Nieto directed us to a July 2015 chart summarizing state "equal pay" laws posted by the Denver-based National Conference of State Legislatures, which says it strives to improve the "quality and effectiveness" of the nations state legislatures. The charts Texas entry indicates the state has two laws related to equal pay one protecting state government workers, the other generally "prohibiting discrimination based on protected class status." In Texas that includes race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, age and disability. The laws are in the states labor code, the chart indicates, which contains: The Texas Equal Work, Equal Pay law, which took effect in 1993, stating: "A woman who performs public service for this state is entitled to be paid the same compensation for her service as is paid to a man who performs the same kind, grade, and quantity of service, and a distinction in compensation may not be made because of sex." Chapter 21 of the code, "Employment Discrimination," includes a section stating an employer "commits an unlawful employment practice if because of race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin or age the employer fails or refuses to hire an individual, discharges an individual, or discriminates in any other manner against an individual in connection with compensation or the terms, conditions or privileges of employment." We wondered if the general law fairly adds up to Texas already barring pay discrimination. To our request for expert analysis, Amy Starnes of the State Bar of Texas directed us to attorneys including C.B. Burns, an El Paso labor and employment lawyer, who by phone agreed the general law in the labor code offers recourse for workers in Texas who wish to pursue equal-pay disputes. By email, Burns elaborated, though, that the law only applies to employers with 15 employees or more and that private and public employers are covered under it; in contrast, the Texas Equal Pay Act applies to state employees only. Burns summed up: "We don't have a statute called the Equal Pay Act like there is in federal law, but we have a discrimination statute that prohibits sex discrimination and equal-pay claims are a form of sex discrimination." Separately, Patrick Maher, a Dallas employment discrimination lawyer, told us its a "misstatement" to say theres no Texas law against pay discrimination, explaining that the Ch. 21 law would offer protections and defenses on top of federal laws. And what of other states? According to NCSLs breakdown, as of July 2015, two states had no "equal pay" law: Alabama and Mississippi--a conclusion also reached, as of April 2016, by the Department of Labor. Put another way, the NCSL places Texas among 44 states with a degree of an "equal pay" law. Four states only have a general employment discrimination law: North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin, according to the group. Our ruling Davis said: "Texas is one of only a handful of states that does not have an equal pay law." Texas might not have the strongest laws against pay discrimination. But two anti-discrimination laws exist, one limited to state employees and the other to people working for larger businesses. We rate this claim False. FALSE - The statement is not accurate. Doctoral research fellowship linked to the Euronor research project (two positions- French and English), Department of Literature, Area Studies and European Languages. University of Oslo, Norway Two Doctoral Research Fellowships (SKO 1017) linked to the interdisciplinary research project EURONOR are available at the Department of Literature, Area Studies and European Languages (ILOS) at the University of Oslo. In addition to four members of the academic staff at ILOS, the EURONOR project includes researchers from the Centre for European Studies (ARENA), from the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History (IAKH), and from the Faculties of Social Sciences and Law at the University of Oslo. At EURONOR, our primary aim is the study how the Nordic Region, Norden, is influenced by Europe today, and how Europe is influenced by Norden. We seek to examine the changes Norden and the Nordic Model have gone through in recent decades, and how these changes are perceived elsewhere in Europe. Nordic solutions have come to assume a prominent position in political and cultural debates in many European countries, and a central concern of ours is to analyse the impact this focus on Norden has had on the political and cultural climate in these countries. The two doctoral fellows who will be employed by the EURONOR project are due to study how Norden and the Nordic Model have been presented and used in political and/or cultural debates in either the United Kingdom/Great Britain or in France. One of the two posts will go to an applicant with a project on Britain, the other to an applicant with a project on France. All applicants must present an outline for their individual project, where they define their research question, identify relevant primary sources, and describe a method which is relevant to the central questions raised by the EURONOR project. The EURONOR project will be able to offer the two doctoral fellows very good research and work conditions at the University of Oslo campus, as well as access to established international research networks. The two fellows appointed will be affiliated with the Faculty's organised research training. The academic work is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at the Faculty with a view to obtaining the degree of PhD. The successful candidate is expected to join the existing research community or network and contribute to its development. Read more about the doctoral degree. The appointment is for a duration of three years. All PhD Candidates who submit their doctoral dissertation for assessment with a written recommendation from their supervisor within 3 years or 3 years after the start of their PhD position, will be offered, respectively, a 12 or 6 month Completion Grant. Qualifications A Master's Degree in French, English or equivalent disciplines which demonstrates a clear relevance to the EURONOR project. The Master's Degree must have been achieved by the time of application. Very good proficiency in written and oral English (for both posts) Very good proficiency in written and oral French (for the post on France) Personal suitability and motivation for the position. In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on: The applicant's estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the set timeframe The applicant's ability to complete the research training Good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities The project's scientific merit, research-related relevance and originality The relevance of the project to EURONOR Applicants who have recently graduated with excellent results may be given preference. We offer salary level 50 -56 (NOK 430 500 - 475 400, depending on level of expertise) a challenging and stimulating working environment attractive welfare benefits Submissions Applicants must submit the following attachments with the electronic application, preferably in pdf format: Application letter describing the applicants qualifications and motivation for the position Curriculum Vitae (complete list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications) Transcript of records of your Master's degree. Applicants with education from a foreign university are advised to attach an explanation of their university's grading system Project description, including a detailed progress plan for the project (3 - 5 pages, see Template for project descriptions) Please note that all documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language. See http://uio.easycruit.com/vacancy/1590889/62046?iso=gb to submit an application. Deadline: August 1 2016 7 things to know about Wawa as it plans a Fayetteville location Wawa, the convenience store chain eyeing Fayetteville, has a cult-like following. What's so special about it, and what is it known for? Jake Gyllenhaal is set to reunite with filmmaker Denis Villeneuve for The Son. Jake Gyllenhaal The Son is a big screen adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel by Joe Nesbo. This is the latest Nesbo book to get the big screen treatment and follows in the footsteps of Headhunters and The Snowman in recent years. The Son will be the third collaboration between the director and actor and comes after success with Prisoners and Enemy. For me, Prisoners was one of the best movies of 2013 and I am excited to see this duo team up once again. I cannot wait to see what they deliver with this new thriller. The Son follows a drug addict who break out of prison and sets out on a mission of revenge after discovering the truth behind his father's suicide. As well as being on the cast list, it looks like Gyllenhaal will also serve as producer on the upcoming film. Sicario was the last time that we saw Villeneuve in the director's chair but he has already completed work on Story of Your Life, which stars Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker. Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the most in demand actors around and Demolition was the last big screen outing for the Oscar-nominated star. But we are going to be seeing plenty of him going forward as he has already completed work on Nocturnal Animals and Stronger. He is currently working on Okja, which sees Joon-ho Bong in the director's chair and on writing duties. The sci-fi/drama sees Lily Collins, Tilda Swinton and Paul Dano also on the cast list. The movie will see Gyllenhaal reunite with Dano, with whom he worked with on Prisoners. by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on An international team of researchers has revealed how the brain makes and breaks a habit. Working with a mouse model, the University of California San Diego team demonstrated what happens in the brain for habits to control behavior. Team leader Christina Gremel said that the study provides the strongest evidence to date that the brain's circuits for habitual and goal-directed action compete for control, in the orbitofrontal cortex, a decision-making area of the brain, and that neurochemicals called endocannabinoids allow for habit to take over, by acting as a sort of brake on the goal-directed circuit. "We need a balance between habitual and goal-directed actions. For everyday function, we need to be able to make routine actions quickly and efficiently, and habits serve this purpose," Gremel said. "However, we also encounter changing circumstances, and need the capacity to 'break habits' and perform a goal-directed action based on updated information. When we can't, there can be devastating consequences." The findings may suggest, the authors say, a new therapeutic target for people suffering from OCD or addictions: To stop over-reliance on habit and restore the ability to shift from habit to goal-directed action, it may be helpful to treat the brain's endocannabinoid system and so reduce habitual control over behavior. Treatment could be pharmaceutical or might involve behavioral therapy. Further research is needed. The study is published in Neuron. Next Story : Not Your Average Gift: Our Handpicked Thoughtful Diwali Gifts About 20 per cent of India's youth suffer from hypertension which makes them 40 percent more vulnerable to kidney damage and cardiac arrest, said doctors. There is little understanding in the country of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, which usually does not cause symptoms but gradually affects various body parts, they said. "As many youngsters do not get to know that they are hypertensive they continue with their sedentary lifestyle," said Gireesh Manwani, Senior Consultant (internal medicine), Saroj Super Speciality Hospital here. "This slowly and steadily damages the kidneys and heart apart from giving rise to various other problems; it could even be fatal," he said. The medical system in India has so far proven unequal to the task of dealing with the youths falling victims to hypertension and other health complications triggered by it including brain haemorrhage, Manwani said. About 95 per cent of the young people become hypertensive due to excess smoking, lack of proper sleep, drinking, polluted air and long working hours. "Untreated hypertension damages the heart, kidneys and can lead to life-threatening complications like heart disease, stroke or kidney problems. It is called 'the silent killer' because symptoms generally appear only after the disease has caused damage to the vital organs," said Manwani. One in four people above 25 years in India has hypertension and it is increasing at an alarming pace, he said. "Reducing salt intake, stopping tobacco use, reducing stress by slowing down, yoga or meditation and increasing physical activity are some of the key strategies to reduce high blood pressure," added Manwani. Zainab Naqvi, a doctor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), said that over 50 per cent of the sufferers are not aware of that they have elevated blood pressure. "Hypertension makes blood vessels in brain develop bulges (aneurysms) and weak spots due to high pressure, making them more likely to clog and burst. The increased pressure in blood vessels can also cause blood to leak out into the brain, causing stroke," said Naqvi. Naqvi urged youngsters to keep a tab on their blood pressure as only rarely does high blood pressure cause symptoms like headaches or giddiness. Next Story : Not Your Average Gift: Our Handpicked Thoughtful Diwali Gifts In a damning report , the Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights has said that the Uzbek government instead of using cocoon cultivation as a development strategy or means of poverty alleviation, exploits the most vulnerable sectors of the population, such as farmers, teachers, and rural residents dependent on social welfare payments, and forces them to cultivate cocoons under threats of penalties.After a wide survey, the Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights concluded that Uzbek government officials use forced labor to reap the profit from silk exports, produced by a system that relies on human rights violations and which contributes to corruption and poverty. In a damning report, the Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights has said that the Uzbek government instead of using cocoon cultivation as a development strategy or means of poverty alleviation, exploits the most vulnerable sectors of the population, such as farmers, teachers, and rural residents dependent on social welfare payments, and forces them to# Uzbekistan exports the majority of silk produced, providing the government with a key source of hard currency, but profits are not returned to producers. The state strives to produce ever-greater quantities of silk but, given the current production system, this leads to greater pressure and rights violations against farmers and the further impoverishment of the rural population.This system survives only in the context of an opaque and corrupt state-controlled economy, lack of ownership of land and lack of rule of law. Entrenched interests in the profits from the silk industry in the hands of a small elite serve as a disincentive for true structural reforms, the report said.It called for real structural reforms to transform the silk industry from a system of exploitation to an economic sector that supports sustainable livelihoods to rural residents. Fundamentally, the government must uphold its international and national legal obligations to not use and abolish forced labour. Farmers must be provided real autonomy and meaningful decision-making authority over farming activities on the land they farm, it said.In its recommendations, the Forum has said the Uzbek government must take immediate measures to eradicate forced labour in silk cocoon production, abolish mandatory production quotas, hold government officials who continue to use or ignore the use of forced labour in the silk cocoon production accountable under the law and invite the International Labour Organization to examine compliance with international labor conventions.It also recommended reforming the silk sector by guaranteeing private property rights, especially for farmers and their use of land under lease agreements and using world market prices to establish procurement prices and ending government monopoly control over the silk cocoon market.The Forum also recommended that global financial institutions and donor organisations should ensure that no financing or project support contributes to the use of forced labour. STATEMENT AT THE 49TH SESSION OF THE ISO COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 7 - NATIONAL POLICIES - TURKEY The following statement by the Hon. Prime Minister and Minister for the Sugar Industry, Voreqe Bainimarama, was delivered in his absence by the Executive Chairman of the Fiji Sugar Corporation, Abdul Khan. The PM had returned to Fiji after attending the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul.Mr. Chairman,My fellow Ministers,The Executive Director,Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen.Bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.First of all, I want to convey to the Turkish Government Fijis appreciation for the wonderful hospitality that has been extended to our delegation since we arrived in Istanbul last Saturday. It has been a great privilege to be in this beautiful and historic city. And I want to commend Turkey for the way in which it has so successfully met the challenge of hosting the World Humanitarian Summit, as well as this gathering of the ISC.So much has happened since we last met for the 48th session in London that I can scarcely believe that it was only six months ago. Because for the world and for Fiji, events have been moving very quickly.Just after our meeting last November, of course, the nations of the world gathered in Paris for the United Nations Conference on Climate Change. And there we reached an historic agreement to cap global warming at no more than two degrees Celsius above the level that existed before the industrial age.A wave of euphoria swept the world because we had at least agreed on something. Yet Fiji regards Paris as merely a first step, not the final destination. Because the scientists tell us that a cap of two degrees is not enough to save us from the more extreme and more frequent weather events and rising seas caused by climate change.Fiji and the other members of the Pacific Islands Development Forum went to Paris with our Suva Declaration calling for the global warming cap to be lower one point five per cent, not two per cent.And while this was rejected, I urge you all in the global sugar industry to embrace this as a crucial next step. Because it is clear on current predictions that we need much more radical action to maximise our chances of adapting and, in some cases, surviving the challenge this warming presents.Fiji is proud to have been the first country in the world to formally approve the Paris Agreement and lodge the ratification instruments. And I am using every available opportunity to urge the rest of the world to follow our lead, including any sugar producing nation that has yet to do so.But I repeat: Paris must be merely the first step. And I say that because the Fijian experience over the past three months is a stark lesson to the world of the frightening new era that is dawning on us because of climate change.On February 20th, the biggest tropical cyclone ever to make landfall in the southern hemisphere slammed into Fiji with winds of more than 300 kilometres an hour. As I explained at the World Humanitarian Summit earlier in the week, Cyclone Winston killed 44 of our people and damaged or destroyed 40,000 homes, along with a great deal of public infrastructure, including 229 schools.Winston has left us with an all up damage bill of 1.4 billion US dollars. And as you can imagine, the cyclonic winds and associated flooding ravaged our agricultural production, including the sugar cane sector.Our industry and the people who work in it took a fearful beating from Winston a beating from which in many instances, it will take months or even years to recover.Our all up losses in the sugar cane industry add up to 163.35 million Fijian dollars. The loss of workers livelihoods is 53.3 million Fijian dollars. The damage and losses at the Fiji Sugar Corporations mills is pegged at 72.7 million Fijian dollars. Production infrastructure losses are 16.9 million dollars. And a further 19.7 million Fijian dollars has been lost in industry services.Mr Chairman, before the cyclone, we had high hopes for a bumper year when our 2016 crushing season starts next month. But because of Winston, this years production is expected to drop by about 30 per cent.We are now estimating a crop of 1.48 million metric tonnes of cane and 164,330 metric tonnes of raw sugar with a TCTS of 9.0. When compared to the 2015 crushing season, these estimates represent a decline in cane production of 19.6 per cent; a decline in sugar production of 25.9 per cent and a slight decline in TCTS of 8 per cent.Mr Chairman, obviously for an industry and an economy on the scale of Fijis, Winston has been a terrible setback. But we were fortunate that the cyclone spared our main tourism areas, our visitors kept coming and our main export revenue earner has remained buoyant. It means that that Fijian economy overall has been able to weather the blow to sugar our second biggest earner reasonably well. And we are still expecting our economy as a whole to grow by up to 3 per cent this year despite the devastation wrought by Winston.But as I have already explained this week, it is simply a matter of luck. Winston affected only part of the country and as I say, spared our main revenue earner. But we live in constant fear of what might happen if a cyclone scores a direct hit on the entire country. Our economy could be devastated for years to come, all our hard won development gains would be lost and we would have little or no chance of meeting our 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.So it is against this sobering backdrop that Fiji goes to the world with an urgent plea. For the global community to give us immediate access to the finance we need - in the form of grants or loans to build our resilience to climate change. To strengthen our homes and our infrastructure, including in the sugar cane industry. To future proof our nation against the ever-rising seas and more extreme weather events the scientists say are coming our way. To give ourselves a fighting chance.Mr Chairman, that is now our number one national priority to strengthen our economy, the industry, and protect the 200,000 Fijians who depend on sugar for their livelihoods. While at the same time, embracing the reforms that we must embrace to make the Fijian sugar cane industry more efficient and guarantee a viable future.New or better technology; new strains of cane; new uses for our sugar crop. Working harder and smarter to ensure a future not only for those dependent on cane today but those to come.And Mr Chairman, it is working. Over the past five years, my Government's reforms have improved sugar extraction by 37 per cent, reduced our sugar production cost by 30 per cent and increased the sugar cane payment to our farmers by 78 per cent, even at times of price volatility for sugar in the global marketplace.Yet all we get is carping negativity from our domestic critics, who seem to get some kind of perverse pleasure from talking down the industry and spreading anxiety among ordinary Fijians about the future.As you all know, we are preparing the industry for a new era - the abolition of the sugar quotas to the European Union from October 1st 2017. And we have undertaken a series of reforms to put us on a better footing when that challenge comes in 16 months time.We have already dismantled a number of industry structures, begun to upgrade three of our four mills and strengthened the finances of the Fiji Sugar Corporation.Now, we are concentrating on the legal framework of the industry further refining and streamlining its processes - with two bills that have been before a Parliamentary Committee that will soon report to Parliament itself.An Industry Reform Bill merges administrative functions and brings the various industry stakeholders closer together, especially farmers and millers. And both bills dispense with some historical institutions that are no longer relevant in the much more dynamic and price volatile environment that is the sugar cane industry today.Because the industry plays such a key role in the Fijian economy, my Government was keen to get the views of as many people as possible through a public consultation process. Yet instead of coming forward with constructive ideas to improve the bills and help make the industry more efficient, a few politically motivated individuals and organisations turned the hearings into a circus.We had a conga line of failed politicians and other naysayers attacking our reforms without putting forward a cogent alternative blueprint, a single fresh idea. Other than throwing good money after bad. Short term fixes rather than long term sustainability.It is the mentality that brought the Fijian industry to its knees in the first place. No business sense. No idea how a modern economy works. No concept of innovation or embracing new technology. Just the same old crude politicisation of the industry. The same old grandstanding. The same attempt to instill fear in ordinary Fijians about their futures when as Franklin Roosevelt famously said, all we have to fear is fear itself.Because, Mr Chairman, my government intends to maintain a healthy sugar cane industry in Fiji and give it a healthy future by doing things differently. By thinking outside the box. By embracing new ways of doing things.Earlier this month the Fiji Sugar Corporation, which owns the four sugar mills, launched its Strategic Business Plan for 2016 2020. This gives the industry the platform it needs to prosper after October 2017. The overall strategy is to reduce the cost of production while maximising revenue. And I urge the entire industry to embrace it with the confidence and optimism I believe it deserves.We also eagerly await the findings of the study funded by the EU on Current and Forecast Market Developments for ACP Sugar Suppliers to the European Market carried out by LMC International in April. As you know, Fiji was one of five sugar producing countries in the ACP group that participated in this study. And we expect that it will give us some strategic options in terms of finding alternative markets when the EU quotas end next year.Two new diversification projects - our proposed Syrup Mill for Penang and the proposed Cogeneration Project in Rarawai - are temporarily on hold pending independent feasibility studies. While we are behind schedule in the initial start-up dates for these projects, we intend to do them properly in the interests of credibility, transparency and the long term benefit of growers.Mr Chairman, I repeat: Despite the setback of Winston, the overall outlook for the Fijian industry is positive. We are not only producing more cane but more importantly, producing more sugar from less cane and approaching international benchmarks. So I appeal to sugar cane growers and other industry workers to turn their backs on the naysayers and join my government in embracing the future.Yes, we have some underlying challenges but we are methodically dealing with these. And I am convinced that we are on course to establish a genuinely sustainable industry IF we can embrace change and IF we can stay focused and united.We have certainly demonstrated to the world in the past three months that we are a resilient people capable of extraordinary things when we work together. And I hope that we can harness that spirit to also move the Fijian sugar cane industry forward and give the 200,000 people who depend on it the future they deserve.Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you. We had reported that the newly-wed couple Karan Singh Grover and Bipasha Basu will be making their first on-screen appearance on television with The Kapil Sharma Show. They had shot for the special episode on Saturday (28th May). Bipasha looked stunning wearing a stunning Sabyasachi saree. Posting a picture (Slide 2), Bips wrote, "Wearing a stunning @sabyasachiofficial saree . Jewellery Courtesy Tarun Tahiliani Lifestyle Jewellery. Styled by @shyamliarora , Mua @divyachablani and hairstyling by Alpa for The Kapil Sharma Show." Check Out KSG-Bips On TKSS On The Kapil Sharma Show, Bipasha revealed how life has changed after her marriage to Karan. She also said that they would like to work together in a film, if both of them like the script. Usually, after marriage, the actors add clauses like - no kissing, no lovemaking scenes, no bikini scenes - in their contract. When asked about the same, Bips said that they don't have any such clauses, but they shall think about it! Bips revealed that life hasn't changed as they love each other the same way. She was quoted by IANS as saying, "Every day a little more. Now on Instagram I write my name as Bipasha Basu Singh Grover." The couple had been to Maldives for their honeymoon. Although they enjoyed a lot, Bips feels the typical honeymoon was short and they might go for a longer honeymoon! The Qubool Hai actor KSG and Darr Sabko Lagta Hai host, Bipasha took to their social media to thank Sony TV for having invited them on TKSS. Posting the pictures (Slide 1), Bips wrote, "Thank you @KapilSharmaK9 @preeti_simoes n d entire team of The Kapil Sharma Show 4 d mad love today! Was crazy fun!" KSG also, posted a picture (Slide 3) and wrote, "Had a crazy fun night with a family full of nut jobs! Thank you @KapilSharmaK9 and the family for an awesome time!" Karan posted his picture (Slide 4) snapped with Bips and wrote, "Singh Grovers in da house!!!." Posting a group picture (Slide 5), KSG wrote, "The monkeys and the Dream Team at the #thekapilsharmashow @divyachablani @shyamliarora @neh_sharma85 Pasha, Ritesh, Dino, Jeetu, Chandu, Parul." With the pictures, it looks like the actors had a gala time on the show. (Image Source: Twitter & Instagram) Independent power producer Cikarang Listrindo will become the first utilities company to list on the Indonesian Stock Exchange in eight years after setting a Rp3.6 trillion ($272 million) pricing for its initial public offering on Friday. The most recent new issue in the power and utilities sector was Indika Energys $298 million IPO, completed in June 2008. Bankers familiar with the situation told FinanceAsia the order book for Cikarang Listrindo was well oversubscribed by predominantly foreign, long-only investors, including Matthews International Capital Management and another foreign anchor investor. Despite some evidence of price sensitivity during bookbuild, the company was able to push the final price off the bottom of the Rp1,430 to Rp1,930 indicative range. Final pricing was settled at Rp1,500 per share, implying a pre-shoe market capitalisation of $1.82 billion that equates to 7.3 times EV/Ebitda for the 2017 financial year. On a price-to-earnings basis Cikarang Listrindo is valued at 12 times 2017 earnings. As the company plans to distribute at least 60% of its profit in dividends from 2017 onwards, the final price implies a 5% dividend yield next year. Final allocation was heavily skewed towards foreign and long-only investors, who took up close to 90% of the orders, according to a banker familiar with the situation. The remainder was placed to multi-strategy and hedge funds, the banker added. The two anchor investors ended up taking over half of the deal at the final price. Bankers said the strong foreign demand for Cikarang Listrindo shares showed that Indonesian equities remained one of the bright spots in the region. From a macroeconomic point of view, Indonesia remains also one of the fastest growing economies in Asia despite full-year GDP growth slowing to 4.8% last year. Foreign participation increases liquidity in the Indonesian stock market and also helps new issuers tap the equity market for funding, a Southeast Asia ECM banker told FinanceAsia. Cikarang Listrindos success revived hopes that dealmakers would press on with some of the IPOs that were put on hold last year due to market volatility, including those of property developer Summarecon Investment and insurance-to-real estate conglomerate Gunung Sewu. Cikarang Listrindo is set to list on June 14 as the country's first public independent power producer. Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, UBS, and Indo Premier Securities are joint bookrunners on the Cikarang Listrindo IPO. Eddyfi Technologies, a Quebec, Canada-based provider of electromagnetic inspection technologies, acquired Silverwing, a Swansea, UK-based company that develops and manufactures non-destructive testing (NDT) products to inspect storage tanks, vessels and piping for corrosion. Financing for the transaction was provided by HSBC Bank Canada and Investissement Quebec, an evergreen fund based in the Province of Quebec, Canada. The amount of the deals was not disclosed. Specifically tailored for the petrochemical industry, Silverwing has a dominant market position in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Led by Chief Executive Officer Wayne Woodhead, the company has offices in the USA, South Africa, and in the United Arab Emirates, employing 66 people globally. This strategic acquisition has led to the establishment of Eddyfi Technologies, a label designed to maximize the potential of multiple NDT inspection technology brands. The transaction aims to strengthen the groups position in the oil & gas industry, and brings an additional portfolio of products and technologies to the company. With this acquisition, Eddyfi Technologies led by Martin Theriault, President and CEO is further accelerating its scaling and growth with more than 200 employees and sales in 65 countries in such major industries as nuclear, power generation, oil & gas, and aerospace. FinSMEs 29/05/2016 PARIS With Rafael Nadal out of the picture this year, Garbine Muguruza, who beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-4 to reach the last eight at Roland Garros on Sunday, is probably the best chance of a Spanish triumph at the French Open. The fourth seed moved into the quarter-finals for the third year in a row with a solid display as she looks to become the first Spanish woman to lift the Suzanne Lenglen Cup since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in 1998. Hard hitter Muguruza, who has yet to make it to the last four in Paris, left little breathing space for the Russian 13th seed, the 2009 Roland Garros champion, in a style different to that of Sanchez Vicario, a pure claycourt specialist. "I know maybe now I'm more a favourite, but I could have lost two days ago," Muguruza told reporters. The Wimbledon runner-up believes she is now better equipped to go a step further. "I think the one thing that I have really improved is not just one type of shot. It's me, generally speaking. It's me -- it's the way I prepare matches," she said. "I think I have more experience. When I win I analyse why. When I lose I analyse why. And therefore, I have become a better player, generally speaking. "It's not that I have improved my forehand or anything specific." Muguruza peppered the court with winners -- which made up for numerous unforced errors -- and broke decisively on her seventh opportunity to lead 5-3 in the opening set. She closed it out with a booming forehand winner and broke again in the third game of the second set with a service return winner. Kuznetsova saw a lifeline when she broke back to 4-4 as Muguruza started to get inconsistent, only for the Spaniard to break again in the following game with a fine passing shot. Muguruza, however, showed signs of nerves and wasted two match points before serving a double fault. She regained her composure, though, and wrapped it up on her fifth match point when Kuznetsova's backhand sailed long. The Spaniard will next face either American Shelby Rogers or Romanian 25th seed Irina Camelia Begu. (Editing by Clare Fallon) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. PARIS/NEW YORK Boeing is considering a plan to put a larger engine on its biggest narrowbody airliner in an effort to blunt the runaway success of a rival Airbus jet that outsells it by four to one, industry sources said. The U.S. planemaker would substitute a modified version of the larger and more powerful LEAP-1A engine used on Airbus's A321neo rather than the LEAP-1B used on the 737 MAX 9, they said. That would enable Boeing to add range while lengthening the 178-seat jet to fit 12 or more extra passengers and gain a capacity advantage over the 185-seat A321neo, the sources said. Boeing disputes its rival's claims about the strength of demand in this particular section of the market where Airbus has the most advantage. But leapfrogging Airbus's A321neo offering with more seats would hedge Boeing's position as many airlines opt for bigger planes. However, the new plane, nicknamed 737 MAX 10 by some in the industry, would bring significant headaches. Adding the larger engine would mean raising and possibly repositioning the landing gear and recertifying parts, costing an estimated $1-2 billion, according to industry experts. Boeing's 737 MAX family uses the smaller LEAP engine because the plane's fuselage sits lower to the ground and must therefore have a smaller engine fan. Having a different engine on the largest 737 could weaken the advantage of commonality with the smaller LEAP engine used on the rest of the 737 MAX fleet, but reflects a growing pragmatism in the face of lost sales. "It doesn't matter if they are not consistent," said Adam Pilarski, senior vice president at U.S. consultancy Avitas. "They are getting killed." The maker of the LEAP engines, CFM, which is co-owned by General Electric and France's Safran, declined to comment. A GE spokesman said there was no contractual impediment to using a larger engine for Boeing planes. "The LEAP engine was designed to have growth capability," he said. BRUTAL COMPETITION Recent orders by Vietnam start-up airline VietJet illustrate the Airbus-Boeing fight for narrowbody sales. At last November's Dubai Airshow, Airbus celebrated the sale of 30 A321s to VietJet, while Boeing officials watched from the sidelines. But last week Boeing pulled off what industry observers saw as a coup by signing an $11 billion order for 100 737 MAXs with the same airline in the presence of President Barack Obama. Boeing's plans to boost the size of the largest MAX are one option being considered to defend its 737 franchise as it also tries to carve out a space in the middle of the market between the workhorse narrowbody 737 and big wide-body jets like the 787 Dreamliner. Stung by Airbus's gains in orders, Boeing is pondering a mixed bag of tactical and strategic moves that, if fully made, could give it a head start in the development of the next generation of jets for production from about 2030. Narrowbody medium-haul jets like the 737 and A320 family dominate the market by volume, with Airbus forecasting 22,900 deliveries worth $2.2 trillion over the next 20 years. While both have sold thousands of the jets to airlines eager to cut fuel costs, Boeing's share of the market for such jets has fallen to 40 percent compared with a usual 50-50 split. Market sources say Boeing has shown increasing willingness to compete aggressively for Airbus customers in order to claw back market share, as was evident in the VietJet deal. "We expect to see lower pricing from Boeing on the MAX," Stuart Hatcher of valuation firm IBA told a briefing. Boeing's tactical tinkering with the 737 also includes tweaking a smaller model to suit two key buyers. And the company's aim extends to a strategic 'middle of the market' jet, partly to replace its popular 757. Industry sources say that project involves not one jet but two. They would have twin aisles and carry 220 and 260 people respectively, equating to what analysts see as two distinct slices of potential demand. The smaller base model would have a range of about 4,500 nautical miles, dropping to about 3,500 for the larger variant. Airbus has dismissed the idea, which would partially overlap with its A321neo. It argues that the history of the market is littered with small twin-aisle jets that sold poorly, including its own A310. But it is holding in reserve a plan to retaliate with another A321 makeover, using new wings to boost performance. Boeing declined comment on either tactical plans to defend the 737 or the longer-term mid-market studies. At $15 billion or more, it has said the latter is a difficult business case. "We're in continuous discussions with our customers about the market. We'll make the right decisions at the right time," a spokesman said. While Boeing's mid-market study is grabbing most industry attention, behind it lies a longer-term bid to turn the tables on Airbus in the broader market for smaller jets where both make most cash, according to industry analysts. Although differing in size and appearance, a mid-market jet would spawn new technology and production methods that could be transferred to whatever comes after the 737, they said. (Editing by Greg Mahlich) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Motihari: A Nepalese industrialist, who was kidnapped on Thursday, was rescued from Kotwa in East Champaran district of Bihar on Sunday. "We have safely rescued the industrialist, Suresh Kedia, from a place in Kotwa police station limits," Superintendent of Police Jitendra Rana said. Kedia is the owner of Kedia group of companies. Along with his three brothers, he has business interests both in Nepal and India. One person has been arrested in this connection, he said. The police have also seized the vehicle used in the kidnapping. Kedia was kidnapped on Thursday when he was returning to his house in Birganj town after offering puja at Gadhi Mai Asthan temple, 20 km from the town in Nepal. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom ranging from Rs 60 crore to 100 crore in Nepalese currency, the SP said. The accused had crossed to the Indian side of the border after kidnapping the industrialist and the Nepal police had contacted their Indian counterparts for rescuing him, a police officer of Raxaul said. The SP said police are conducting raids at several places to nab the other persons involved in the kidnapping. The police are also interrogating the person who was arrested. Asked about the gang involved in the incident, Rana said gangs of both India and Nepal might be involved in the kidnapping. The Supreme Court decision to release the lone Italian marine detained in the country in connection with the killing of two Indian fishermen off the coast of Kerala in 2012 has dashed the fishing communitys hopes for justice. National Fishworkers Forum (NWF) national secretary T Peter told Firstpost that the failure of the government counsel in opposing marine Salvatore Girones plea for permission to return home had strengthened the suspicion that the case is being driven by a deal between the governments in the two countries. If the allegation is true, it is the Narendra Modi government's biggest betrayal of thousands of fishermen, who go to sea everyday to eke out a life. While in the Opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party had blamed the UPA government of protecting the marines at the instance of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Peter said. If the marines were let off during the UPA regime, the BJP would have created a huge furore citing Sonias Italian roots. It is an irony that Modi is softer towards Italians than Sonia, he added. Peter said that the fishing community had expected that the Modi government would give fisherfolk justice by ensuring maximum punishment to the killers of the two fishermen as per Indian laws. The soft stance taken by the counsel in the apex court shows that the government is not valuing the lives of fishermen, he added. The government has let off the killers easily while hundreds of Indian fishermen are languishing in jails in various countries for minor faults. Modi, who has been globetrotting, has not made any moves to bring the innocent fishermen back to the country, Peter said. The forum secretary said that the fishing community in the country would react to this betrayal strongly. The forum has called a meeting of various fishermens bodies in the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram on Friday to discuss a joint action plan against the failure of the authorities in protecting the lives of fishermen. Our concern is not about the present case, but the message it sends to the world. If the two marines are not given the punishment they deserve, it will send a message that anybody can kill Indian fishermen and escape. This will deter the fishermen from going to the sea fearlessly, he added. Doramma, widow of Jelastine, who was one of the fishermen was killed by the Italian marines during the course of fishing off the Alappuzha coast on 15 February, 2012, appears to have resigned herself to her fate. She said she lost any hope of getting justice after the case was taken away from Kerala. We have lost our pillar of our life. We have left everything to God. Let the Almighty decide what is right, said Doramma, who has carefully saved the entire sum of Rs one crore that she received as compensation from the Italian government. Doramma, who brings up her two sons with the salary she is getting from the job offered by the Kerala government following the tragedy, goes to church every day and prays for the soul of her husband. Freddy John Bosco, owner of the fishing boat St Antony, on which the two marines (aboard the Enrica Lexie) opened fire and killed the two Indian fishermen, has also lost hope of getting any justice. The boat that was taken into custody by the state police following the incident, is 'ruined beyond repair'. Freddy, who had moved the court to get back the boat, has abandoned the vessel after waiting for more than three years. He has now joined another fishing boat as a worker to bring up his family. He tries to manage his life with whatever he gets as his wage. After employing fishermen for more than two decades, it was difficult for me to work for another boat owner. There was no way. I had to take care of my family. We have no other source of income. I am trying to come to terms with the reality, the former boat owner told Firstpost, adding, I used to earn an average of Rs three lakh a month from the boat. Some months, I used to get up to Rs five lakh. It was a lucky boat. Even if I get the boat back, it cannot be brought back to service. It is totally ruined." Freddy, who was given compensation worth Rs 17 lakh by the Italian government, was left with no money to buy another boat something that costs no less than Rs 45 lakh now. In any case, he had spent around Rs four lakh on the lawyers who fought his case for compensation and reclaiming possession of the boat. The lawyers had promised they would help me get a new boat. I had believed them, but now I have lost the hope. I am not expecting anything. Let the marines live happily with their families. I will try to eke out a living by working for other boats, said Freddy. Catholic priest Father Rajesh Martin, a distant relative of the late Jelastine, is also of the same view. He has no complaints against anybody. He considers the four years and more that the marines spent under detention as adequate punishment for the wrong they did. After all, the two marines had no intention to kill innocent fishermen. The death was the result of an accident. They have suffered enough punishment for the mistake. Let them and the families of the fishermen proceed with their normal lives now, he said. However, newly-sworn-in chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan is not ready to let off the two marines. He has expressed strong displeasure over the manner in which Modi government handled the case. He said that his government will mount pressure on the Centre to bring the marines to book as per the Indian laws. Pinarayi, who assumed office on Wednesday, said that the Left Democratic Front has always been unhappy with the way the case was handled by the Centre. "We have made our position clear right from the time this incident occurred; things never went the way it should have gone. The Centre never pursued the case in the way it should have been taken up, and hence, this has happened," said Pinarayi. Bahraich: A teenage girl was allegedly abducted, gang-raped and murdered in Nanpara area in Bahraich by three persons, police said on Sunday. Four constables have been suspended for dereliction of duty in this matter. The incident took place on Friday when a 15-year-old girl went missing from her village and her body was later found outside the village on Saturday, they said. An FIR has been registered on the complaint of victim's father against Imran, Sarvjeet Yadav and Ghanshyam Maurya for abducting, raping and killing his daughter. He alleged that the three had tried to abduct his daughter earlier also but could not succeed. Superintendent of Police, Salik Ram Verma said that the body of victim has been sent for post-mortem and rape would be confirmed only after that. Police arrested one of the three accused, Sarvejeet Yadav, on Saturday night and a manhunt has been launched to nab other two, who are absconding, he said. Next year will mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, when one man's protest changed Christianity in Europe. I was reminded of that by two stories published recently in India on the same day. On 25 May, in Andhra Pradesh, it was reported that the income of temples has grown by 27 percent. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu attributed this rise to growing sins. He said people are committing sins and to get rid of them, they are going to temples and offering money." That same day, another story, from Udaipur, was published with the headline: 'A holy dip and Rs 11 is all it takes to be certified free of sins'. The report said that priests at a Shiva temple in Rajasthan were offering a certificate for being 'paap-mukt', or sin-free, to those who paid Rs 11. Of this money, a part would also ensure the 'dosh-nivaran', meaning the removal of future obstacles. The explanation was that everyone sinned, even the innocent. One priest said that "when people do farming, they inadvertently kill insects and other creatures, damage eggs of birds and reptiles. This fills them with guilt. They come here with a heavy heart, but go back relieved." The tradition of priests taking money on behalf of God is a universal phenomenon, and as I said, it was happening in Europe 500 years ago on a bigger scale. The Roman Catholic church sold something called an 'indulgence'. An individual who paid money, usually a large sum, would have his punishment for his sins reduced in the afterlife. The sale of indulgences was marketed widely and in 1517, the Pope sent a man to Germany to collect money. This was to be used for constructing the St Peter's church in the Vatican. In protest against this, one German priest wrote a note accusing the Catholic church of corrupting the faith. He said the Pope had no authority to do what he was doing, and he nailed his note to the door of his church. The man's name was Martin Luther, and his act led to what is called the Protestant Reformation. This movement split Christianity and because of it, today many European nations are no longer Catholic. In India, just like in the Europe of Luther's time, religion is transactional. We offer money to temples in exchange for blessings. The rich Indians do not give cash, they give gold. Why? Because cash is spent by temples on prasad or doing some charitable work. Gold remains intact with God. In June 2009, Karnataka minister G Janardhan Reddy gave a crown of gold and diamonds worth Rs 45 crore to the temple at Tirupati, in Andhra Pradesh. According to the temples website, Tirupati got 3,200 kg silver and 2.4 kg of diamonds in just one year. It gets over 1,000 kilos of gold a year on average. The temple encourages this and in 2011, those who gifted a kilo of gold, worth over Rs 28 lakh, got VIP darshan (which means cutting the queue) of the idol. Today, the temple offers a range of privileges against large sums of money, starting at Rs 1 crore. This information will not surprise many Indians, because we understand that religion in this part has always been transactional. I went to Kashi a couple of months ago and everything had a price in the most ancient city of Hinduism. People were charged money for seating space during arti. Foreigners were charged large sums to hold the strings which made the bells ring at Dasashwamedh Ghat during the evening arti. In every place, pilgrims were treated like customers. And this is important: the pilgrims did not seem to mind it. Since this is the culture, we should not be surprised that very little charity happens in India for real causes outside of religion. But we should perhaps not despair too much. Giving money, particularly as philanthropy, meaning large donations from businessmen, is also a relatively recent phenomenon in the West. Till well into 19th century, almost no organised philanthropy was happening there. Rich businessmen would pay a fixed sum to the church. This sum, called a tithe, was sometimes around 10 percent of income. In 1889, the industrialist Andrew Carnegie wrote a work called The Gospel of Wealth, in which he argued that the rich were obliged to distribute their wealth to the poor. He said it was disgraceful for someone to die rich. Many were influenced by Carnegie and today, it has become the tradition in the West for the extremely wealthy to give their riches away before they die. People like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are not rare. And it is not just the super rich who do this. The average Dutch individual makes monthly contribution to seven charities. What about here in India? We all know the answer to that. Till this changes in India, and we stop seeing religion as transactional and for selfish reasons, the reformation that transformed Europe will not happen here. We can only hope it doesn't take another 500 years. New Delhi: Two persons were arrested and three others detained on Sunday in connection with the attack on a number of African nationals in South Delhi's Mehrauli area as police intensified its investigation into the case. "We have arrested two persons from South Delhi and three others have been detained," DCP (South) Ishwar Singh said. Three separate cases have already been registered by police in connection with the incident that took place in Mehrauli on Thursday night. At least six African nationals had sustained injuries in the incidents. Police attributed two of the incidents to a dispute over African nationals playing loud music and other to a scuffle over public drinking. These incidents happened close on the heels of murder of 23-year-old Congolese national MK Oliver in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj area last week. Envoys of African countries on Thursday had expressed shock over the killing of Oliver, following which India assured them of safety and security of all African nationals. The victims in Thursday's cases include two women one from Uganda and the other from South Africa and at least two Nigerian men who alleged they were abused on racial lines. While two of the cases have been registered under the charge of criminal intimidation, the other has been registered under charges of causing hurt and wrongful confinement, police had said. The police officials had also claimed no African national was seriously injured. "No African national was seriously injured. A Nigerian national, identified as Leuchy, sustained minor injuries on his nose and he was taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre," police had said. By Vinay Kumar Women seem to remain a mysterious species to men. Especially Indian men. The internet hasnt really helped, rather it has obfuscated and mythologised more than clarify. But it has helped build a platform for many stumped Indian men who seek answers. Quora is a place where everybody gives such polite answers, it makes you wonder if its a setup or an elaborate prank. Here are some questions Indian men asked about women that made us fall off our chairs. Weve also picked some of the, ahem, interesting answers for you. Quora Answer: Yes. I do find Japanese women very attractive. And I know that there's a lot of difference between Japanese, Korean and Chinese women. The traits which I find attractive in them are that, Japanese women are very cute and shy, and as a wife, they are very obedient and reliable partners. Having watched anime for a long time, I am quite aware of the culture and I even follow a bit of J-Pop. (Angerme's Meimi Tamura is one of my favorites!). What better way to learn about an entire nations culture than an art form that has a bizarre obsession with breasts, overly sexualises female characters and unusual expectations of the female form. Anime can sometimes be genius, but no it isnt the best way to learn about Japanese culture. Its like someone wanting to understand Indian culture through Chhota Bheem. Just, no. Quora Answer: Well..... they do.....though not that common. Most girls just make fun of each others bodies or looks, as silly humor, nothing else. But there are girls, reportedly from Anglo-Indian communities, who have lesbian tendencies. Even here, mostly in good, but private jokes. Much less as a relationship. I was told this sometime back by some common friends, they can be trusted. Very rarely with other communities because of their upbringing and stuff. Hope this (actually) helped :) This keen interest in whats happening in your neighbours house is perhaps normal human tendency but our friend here seems a bit too nosy. The dude who answered is clearly a budding anthropologist *eye roll*. Apart from his believing dumb rumours. Quora Answer: Probably not. Once a person breaks the line, one is free to do it again and again. If one has tasted alcohol, there is a good chance that one might resort to it multiple times without any regrets. Same thing happens with relations (probably to a lesser degree). This is applicable to the males as well. This dude has been watching all the wrong movies. We recommend that he take a look at The Ladies Fingers film reviews. It might help him drop the cheesy filmy dialogues that arent cool anymore, unless hes Chiranjeevi. If hes not, then hes not. Better luck next life. Quora Answer: A few women jumped in to answer this one, and it was interesting to say the least. Heres one of them: Not necessarily. However, what many Indian women can find with white guys is non-judgements regarding their sexual history. I never get the question How many? from white guys. A good friend of mine (Iranian) came up with a beautiful analogy. Many Indian guys believe they are purchasing a used car. But it is not the case. It is the difference between a car that works and a car that doesn't. A woman who isn't sexually active around the age 20-30 could indicate serious medical or psychological issues. Quora Answer: This is the question with most responses from our selections today, and the answers are all over the place. The most common are mother, sister, women in the family, and other local heroes. Oh, and Neerja Bhanot, the flight attendant who was shot dead by the terrorists while saving the passengers of the hijacked Pan Am Flight 73 on 5 September 1986. Another popular choice turns out to be Merin Joseph, The Most Beautiful IPS Officer in Kerala. Like she wasnt annoyed enough already. We cant pick one answer for you here, you must read them all. There is so much hate on the Internet in general, but all the nice people seem to gather on Quora. So drop whatever youre doing to join Quora and bask in the respondents sweet-too-sweet sensibilities. Quora Answer: This is the question of the hour! Everybody wants to know the answer! Please tell us! Well, not really, were kidding. But the people who responded werent. One of the respondents wrote: Friend, philosopher and guide for life. Actually its tough question to answer because every man has his own conception for his partner-to-be. But as man I think first he wants a close friend with he can share everything... here everything mean everything. Second he wants a philosopher whom he can ask what solution of small problem or big problems he faces in life and also he want to maintain his ego. This can happen only with good understanding mature girl. Same way at last we wants guide who will guide him to prosperous life with her smile and encouragement. Thats all. This guy needs to keeping writing such stuff. Im sure someone will commission you to write a book. Just make your email address public and keep checking your inbox. The Ladies Finger is a leading online womens magazine. Editor's note: This article is the third in a series of stories on the evolution of the Marwari community in Kolkata. Read the previous pieces here. Lata Bajoria has cows and goats in her own estate in Kolkata and adopted a fishing cat at the local zoo. She also has rabbits, guinea pigs, turtles, peacocks. She once had two rescued ostriches but they were males and prone to fighting with each other. Its an animal lending library she says with a smile. You can borrow our guinea pigs and try them out as pets. My (Marwari) community is taught to hate animals, she says. We do naga panchami puja but they would grimace at my python. When I tell them Rams favourite food in the forest was deer and Sita wanted a deerskin they are scandalised. Sometimes you get a sneaking suspicion that Lata Bajoria, very soberly dressed in a no-nonsense printed sari with a strand of simple pearls, her hair pulled into a pony-tail, is not at all averse to scandalising her community a little. I was a typical head-bowed Marwari housewife, she says. Her husband Arun Bajoria was known as the jute baron of Bengal. He once controlled 25 percent of the countrys jute production. After growing up in Mumbai where she learned to drive, life in Kolkatas Marwari community was a bit of a golden cage she says. But she lacked for nothing materially. Then Arun Bajoria died in 2008 and everything came crashing down. There were no sons to take over the empire. Legal squabbles broke out. Lata was forced to take over a beleaguered business in an industry beset with labour problems and shrinking demand, a world she knew nothing about. The first thing I did was buy a laptop and start getting the Economic Times, she says. When I went to a party and met a jute person I would ask him how the jute bazaar was doing. His wife would not be happy about it. She would think why is she talking to my husband about jute instead of talking to me about servants, kids, serials and upvaas. These days Lata Bajoria leads a very different life. She has gone on a trip to the Amazon. She okayed an Electronic Dance Music event in their warehouse. She presides over the familys jute mills. Her office in Kolkata has no pictures of Gods and Goddesses, mostly artsy black and white photographs of the family jute mill by a German photographer. At the age of 65 I still want to learn, she says. You just have one life. At one level someone like Lata Bajoria can be regarded as the prototype of the new Marwari woman in Kolkata. She does not just preside over the philanthropic wing of the family foundation and have schools named after her. She is an entrepreneur in her own right. At a time when Mamata Banerjee talks about bringing new businesses to Bengal she never mentions that small business ventures started mostly by Marwari women keep popping up all over the city. Organic food. Eco-luxe lifestyle stores. Boutiques. Specialty restaurants. Cafes. Patisseries. There are more patisseries in Calcutta than there are people to eat in them, laughs Madhura Lohia, the founder of Organic Mandi. But theres a reason for this proliferation of Marwari women-owned businesses in Kolkata. Women need an outlet. In our community girls got married at 22, she says. Women in their mid-thirties and early forties can find themselves suddenly at a loose end. The children are older and dont need that much attention. The husbands are busy with the family business. The family business traditionally goes to the boys. The women wonder whats in it for them. Voila, boutiques. However Lohia says ruefully old attitudes die hard. Lohia who did an MSc in Kolkata, a PhD in the US and wants to do R&D with herbal medicine, returned to her hometown and started her organic vegetables businesses in five acres near the familys jute mill on the banks of the Hooghly. The acreage soon doubled in size. She bought one cow for cow dung and now has 16. She planted fruit trees, started keeping bees. Then someone I thought of as a friend, a man my age who runs a business for his father, said Is this like your hobby till you get married? She says because her work relates to food and cooking and the kitchen, he did not see the science she was putting into it. Lohia cannot fault him entirely. The boutique boom can easily go bust. I know women who are going to have a baby and just shut down the business, she says. Women seem liberated but do they have control over the family wealth? The father is still happy to give his money not to the daughter, but the son-in-law, says Ruchira Gupta, founder of Apne Aap, a leading anti-trafficking organisation. Compared to older generations, they got perfectly good educations. But they are literally social secretaries for their husbands. Gupta ticks off the assets of the New Marwari woman. They know their Pierre Cardin, Louis Vuitton and a little bit of organic. But when a girl gets married its still about how many files she has to her name. They are setting up bakeries and boutiques, not car factories. Indeed its one thing to run a boutique, its another to break into the old boys club. Lata Bajoria says even though she took over some of the oldest jute mills in the region, she was never asked to go to the IJMA (Indian Jute Manufacturers Association) meetings. She was told she would not understand anything. During litigation when she went to meet the lawyer, he would tell her Bhabhi, why have you come? Your people can handle it. You are just not taken seriously, she protests. Even if his father owns a paan ki dukaan a boy, even a dud, learns the ropes. Women are told whatever you need to do, go do it in the sasuraal. And in the sasuraal, they can find that the old values are still going strong despite a veneer of new lifestyles. Lohia says she knows friends who have gone abroad and then returned home to the joint family system. The society has changed. Women work. Men and women are out partying till 2 am-3 am in the morning, she says. But theres also the expectation that at 4 am-5 am, the wife will take a shower, put on a sari and do pooja. The man is not expected to get up. It might feel like two steps forward and one step back but change, even if it sometimes feels like boutique change, is inevitable and unstoppable. You have to mould conservatism to suit the modern frame of mind says writer Alka Saraogi. Her father, she recounts, was a relatively modern man but with set ideas about modernity. He taught her to drive but she says with a smile, he never actually let her drive. She says for her to become a writer was a bolt from the blue in her in-laws' home, an old-fashioned Burrabazar Marwari family. But her in-laws adjusted to the daughter-in- law who wanted to get a PhD. At 30 when she was going to go get her Sahitya Akademi award, there was discussion about whether to send a chaperone. There was no precedence of any woman going out of the house on our own, she says. My daughter has been living outside the house since 18. She still wears jeans and t-shirts post marriage. No one scoffs at love marriages anymore. This is not unprecedented. A community known for its conservatism is also known for the likes of Sitaram Seksaria, a champion of womens education. In the 1920s he begged conservative Marwari parents to send their daughters to the Marwari Balika Vidyalaya. In her book on the Marwaris of Calcutta, Anne Hardgrove writes about Indumati Goenka who was imprisoned for civil disobedience during the Independence movement, supported widow remarriage and campaigned against dowry. Lata Bajoria acknowledges that the times they are a changing. She points to several successful businesses helmed by Marwari women. A sari printing and export business. Lakhotia computers. But she laments too often its happened because a woman had to step up due to a family tragedy. Excuse me, but you should not have to have death to make women aware of their potential, she says. You have to support each other. And I am not talking of a group of rich women doing high-end events for each other at 5-star hotels about Botox, film stars or past life transmissions, just to be in the society pages. And as for the men? Alka Saraogi jokes a good friend has a suggestion on how men can learn to relax and thus let the women do their own thing. She says Marwari men should drink one peg at night. They have too much desert-wala tension that paani khatam ho jayega (the water will run out). We are not in the desert anymore. We will be fine. Srinagar: In the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, it is not people alone who go missing. Animals too are now falling prey to enforced disappearances and a case in hand is a Hangul, an endangered Kashmir red stag that had been tagged with a satellite collar by wildlife scientists in 2013. The decision to fit satellite collars on a group of Hangul at Dachigam Park was taken to find out the causes of extinction of the species, but ironically, the lone sample for the research remains untraced. It is being widely speculated that the Hangul died due to strangulation or a possible infection in its neck because the collar had been fixed too tightly. The probable death of the Hangul has also spurred a controversy on the use of radio gadgets on animals. There are no traces of the Hangul and officials have been maintaining silence over the issue. The collaring was meant to enable satellite telemetry of the animal and provide in-depth knowledge on lesser known aspects of Hangul biology, behaviour and ecology. The cost of the project is pegged at approximately Rs 70 lakh. It has come to our knowledge that the Hangul fitted with collar has died in the initial months of the research, and has not survived due to the reasons best known to the scientists, a wildlife expert said. He said that the satellite collar was tightly fixed around the Hanguls neck. It is a farce that one Hangul lost its life due to negligence of the officials at a time when the species is already facing extinction due to shrinkage of habitat, official apathy and lack of effective scientific intervention for its survival. The skeleton of Hangul has not been found so far. The collared Hangul seems to have migrated to some inaccessible destination where neither the radio waves nor the satellite signals work, former chief biologist, Department of Wildlife J&K, Dr Mir Mansur, said. He said regardless of which telemetry system was selected, potential effects on Hanguls normal behaviour must have been considered whenever an animal was handled or instrumented. Adverse effects from capturing and radio-tagging an animal may have short to long term impact and in some cases, it may prove fatal, Mansur said. He said there was a technical fault in installing the collar besides disparity in choosing the sample for the study. Technically, I can affirm that the way the collar was installed onto the animal, it clearly indicates that the Hangul is ether strangulated or has died of infection, he said. One Hangul as a sample doesnt justify the study either. After tagging a lone Hangul in 2013, the scientists had later said they would tag eight more Hanguls with satellite collars at Dachigam Park. They claimed to have gained an insight into the behaviour of the highly-endangered animal. The satellite monitoring of Hangul has been carried out by the Centre for Mountain Wildlife Sciences of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shuhama, in collaboration with Jammu Kashmir Wildlife Protection Department and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. As far as the Hangul project is concerned, researchers havent come up with periodical findings and it is because the Hangul is either dead or we have to go by the claims of the researchers, former Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, Muhammad Shafi Bacha said. He said the Wildlife department in Kashmir has gone to dogs. There is no rationalisation of the finances issued to the stakeholders. Similar is the case with researches carried out at the department, Bacha said. I am working on the census of the Hangul population and the picture is worrying. Principal investigator of the project, Dr Khursheed Ahmad, informed that in 2013, an adult male Hangul was tagged with GPS satellite collar and then monitored on a regular basis through real-time satellite link by the scientists. The monitoring enabled scientists to study the animals movement, seasonal foraging patterns and other behaviour since 2013. Ahmad said the earlier research on tracking by satellites had given insight not only about the expanse of the park traversed by Hanguls but also on how they avoid certain areas which they see unsafe due to human interference. He said the research would facilitate better management of these endangered species within its last abode and help scientists plan some future projects. Collaring gives us an exact data about the subject, its habitation and things that we are working on. In the past, we relied on humans studying the animal behavior and their movements, but now technology gives us more accurate and diverse results, Dr Khursheed said. Dachigam National Park, the last habitat of the Hangul, is a 141-sq km multi-terrain expanse near Srinagar starting from the foothills of Zabarwan mountain range to the high-altitude ridges and lakes toward Nagaberan, Tral. The operation has to be so effective that an animal does not realize what has happened to it and it is vital that it is fitted with the collar quickly and allowed to rejoin its herd, Dr Khursheed said. Officials at SKUAST feigned ignorance about the data and assessment of the Hangul project. I think we have got the data regarding the Hangul project. It has been over two years now. The project should have been completed by now, Director Research, SKUAST-K, Dr Muhammad Shafi Wani said. About the suspected collar killing issue, Wani said the Hangul may have been eaten up by wild animals in the woods. We completed the study on that Hangul but I dont know what happened to the animal afterward, he said. Hangul is the only Asiatic survivor of the red deer specie, which was declared a critically engendered species in the Red List of The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) in 1996 and also listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to which India is a signatory. Presently, the animal has lost its conservation status in the IUCN Red list of the species. However, Hangul, being the State animal of the Jammu Kashmir, is protected as Schedule 1 specie under both Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978. Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Chaudhary Lal Singh said conservation of the State animal (Hangul) was a priority for PDP-BJP coalition government. This is a serious matter and it will be proved, he said. I will personally meet the officials and get the figures about it. Singh said his government was serious about the conservation of wildlife animals in the state. I am planning a trip to all these areas in order to get the report about various matters pertaining to wildlife, he said. The former Forest Minster, Bali Bhagat, had ordered a probe into the issue, however nothing concrete came up. The minister put the population of Hangul in Kashmir region at around 200. In the world of wildlife conservation, use of radio telemetry is nothing new. It gives valuable data on animal behavioural patterns from a distance without disturbing their natural movements. Experts and researchers believe that radio collars play a crucial role when it comes to conserving endangered or threatened species. However, they believe there was something intrinsically wrong with these gadgets, trusted by the wildlife scientists for over three decades. Pertinently, the minister informed the legislators during an ongoing Budget session in summer capital Srinagar that for preservation and safety of Hangul, the Government has submitted a project report of Rs 25.72 crore to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for approval. He said the plan provides conservation, completion of construction and maintenance of conservation Breeding Centre as well as other provisions like veterinarian, research fellows, plan, training and Red Deer breeding expertise consultancy etc. The Minister informed that as per records Shikargah is part of Tral-Cum-Khiram Rakh under the J&K Preservation Act-1942. He said these are deemed to be conservation reserves under J&K Wild Life Protection Act-1978. He said for conservation of Hangul, construction of an off-display Hangul Conservation Breeding Centre was taken up in 2008-09, which continued upto 2011-12 with the assistance of Central Zoo Authority of India. There are too many questions about the issue, but not many answers. Developed in the US in early 1960s, radio collars were first used in India by the Bombay Natural History Society to study elephants and by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to observe behaviour and movement pattern of lions in Gujarat's Gir forest in the mid 1980s. Activists who are already worried over the Hangul mortality rate in Kashmir are not ready to accept the red stags death for the sake of research. They are raising the question whether radio collars are to blame for animals death. We had already highlighted this important single case of Hangul with collar. We demand an FIR must be filed under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 against all involved in this act. As an environmental lawyer, I will write to the Chief Minister and Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and seek a detailed inquiry into the issue and also follow up action," environmental lawyer and Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Law, Nadeem Qadri said. Narendra Modi governments star-studded two-year celebration at India Gate in Delhi, on Saturday night, was a feast for the eyes. With the likes of Amitabh Bachhan, R Madhavan, Ravina Tandon and Kajol on board, the mega-event offered the ambience of a film award night. The jamboree was in Modi's signature style and reminded one of the prime minister's Wembley show in November last year. At the culmination of the mega show that saw Modis ministers and industry leaders narrating the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments achievements in the two years of its rule, Modi himself appeared on the platform and added to the list. The PM spoke at length on the savings from subsidy reforms (a total of Rs 36,000 crore from addressing subsidy leakages), his efforts to tackle corruption and his usual jibes on the previous governments misrule. Modi said a change has come, enumerated what his government planned to give to the poor in the ensuing years (for instance, LPG connections to crore people), in other words stating why the continuity of his government is a necessity for Indias poor. Indeed, the Modi government has its share of achievements. It has made notable progress on the way natural resources are collocated, subsidies are routed to the target-class and in laying the foundation to build a social security network through its JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) trinity. There arent any corruption cases against any of Modis central ministers in the 2-year period. The government indeed exhibited its reforms intent by taking up several small steps such as the passage of key legislations Aadhaar, bankruptcy code, coal and insurance bills. Also, no one disputes the fact that Modi put India back to the global scene through his relentless campaigns. If we evaluate, Modis NDA government symbolizes all that Manmaohan Singhs UPA regime didnt. A celebration unwarranted But, does any of this warrant such a big PR event to show off to the world that the government is doing the job it is supposed to do or to justify its massive 2014 mandate? Was such huge spending on full page newspaper advertisements and prime time slots at News channels necessary? Especially when the country is reeling under the pain of successive droughts and farmers are staring at yet another agrarian crisis. There has been no notable change in the ground-level situation in the real economy (despite what the GDP numbers show) and the problem of huge employment persists. It certainly doesnt. The problem is that this government tends to celebrate too early. The Indian economy is still balancing its walk through the edge of a major banking crisis, which isnt a theory in the near future if the government fails to support the state-run banks given the manner in which bad loans are piling up. In the March quarter alone, state-run banks reported cumulated losses of over Rs 14,000 crore on account of huge provisions made on bad loans. Stressed assets currently account for almost 11 percent of the total loans given by the banks. Of these loans, Rs 4,00,000 crore are gross NPAs and an equal amount of restructured loans, which could also turn bad if economy doesnt pick up fast. There is a substantial quantum of SMA-2 loans, which means they are overdue for 60 days. If a banking a crisis happens, that can take the country in reverse gear by several years, forget about competing with China on economic growth. With private investment cycle yet to resume, stalled projects are on the rise and the 17-month consecutive fall in exports do not offer any comfort to the economy. Compared to what the government has achieved in the last two years, its unfulfilled tasks are massive and it hasnt crossed even half way to say that economy has turned the corner. A big reason why Modis economy has escaped an economic crisis, despite two successive years of drought, is due to crashing oil and commodity prices. That will not sustain forever. Modi should introspect Except the BJP government and its supporters and sympathizers, did the aam aadmi participate in the two-year celebrations? According to reports, as many as 454 farmers have ended their lives in Maharashtra's drought-prone Marthawada region alone so far this year. The numbers are up by 22 percent, compared to the 372 cases reported till the end of May last year. In many places in Marathwada, water levels in reservoirs are down to just 1 percent, as against 8 percent during the same period last year. Number of deaths reported due to shortage of drinking water have spiralled. Has the government done enough to address the problem? However, a good monsoon will save the economy from a disaster, a third year of successive drought would put us back on crisis. If the Modi-government chose to avoid the two-year jamboree at Indian Gate, admitting that the time isnt right for a celebration when the country is going through a crisis and acknowledging that the economy is not out of woods yet, that would have been a bigger advertisement for this government. It would have been evident that the government is sensitive to the pain of the country's poor and is not oblivious to the ground realities of the real economy. The good work the government has done should have been celebrated by 125 crore Indians too, not just an invited group of people at the India Gate that literally kept the aam aadmi in Modis own parlance, the janta janardan out of the fences of the festivities. As mentioned earlier, the problem is that, in India, we tend to uncork the bubbly too early and even the good work this government is done will be lost in the clamour of unwarranted chest-thumping. Thats the reason why the balloon of 7.3-7.6 percent GDP growth the BJP leaders and top government bureaucrats often boast of was rightly pricked by RBI governor Raghuram Rajan when he said, There are problems with the way we count GDP and which is why we need to be careful sometimes just talking about growth. That didnt mean, there is no growth in the economy. There is growth, indeed, but overstating it is dangerous. What more, even if one reads between the lines of Subramanian Swamys now famous attacks on Rajan, there is an honest acknowledgement that economy is not doing well and job market is faring poorly. The fact is that there is uncertainty on both domestic and economic fronts that continue to threaten Indias economy a slowing world (hence 17-month export contraction and possible reversal in commodity prices abroad) and a fragile far sector that is heavily dependent on monsoons back at home. Its certainly no time to celebrate. As this government enters the second half of its five-year term, the focus will be logically more on appeasing the vote bank through more populist measures, rather than addressing radical reforms in the economy in preparation for the Uttar Pradesh elections in 2017 and 2019 general elections. Thats the reason why BJP think tank, Arun Shourie, criticized Modi saying he is managing only the headlines not the economy. The two-year mega show slogans such as Ek Nayi Subhah and change has come gives one the bad memories of India Shining slogan launched by the NDA-government in 2003, which subsequently failed miserably. Even BJPs top leader LK Advani had confessed later that the feel-good factor campaign didnt work well in the subsequent Lok Sabha elections. The Modi-government shouldnt repeat the mistake. This incumbent government, with a huge mandate, is an opportunity to India not to miss its golden chance to emerge as a global power correcting its fundamental flaws. So far, the Modi-government hasnt managed to bring in big changes in the Indian economy that can translate into major job growth and prosperity. But, it is on the right track. Complacency can spoil the big opportunity. 2000 - 2022 24 .- . focus-news.net, () . 24 . 24 . . 24 . Boeing's (BA 2.87%) iconic F/A-18 fighter jet is back from the dead. As recently as a couple of years ago, analysts were forecasting the imminent closing of Boeing's F/A-18 production line in St. Louis -- and not just analysts. At the time, even Boeing's own Defense, Space & Security head, Chris Chadwick, was quoted lamenting that Boeing had "to face reality," and predicting that the company was only months away from being forced to decide whether it should shut down F/A-18 production or keep the lines open in hopes new orders would magically materialize. Ultimately, Boeing decided to keep production running -- and good for them. Because it turns out the F/A-18 just might have a future after all. Earth Wars IV: A New Hope Last year, Congress saved Boeing's bacon when it added $1.1 billion to the Navy's fiscal 2016 budget to fund purchases of five F/A-18 Super Hornets and seven EA-18G Growlers (an electronic warfare derivation of the F/A-18 built in cooperation with Northrop Grumman). Additional funding for as many as 16 new F/A-18s for the Navy is also possible through 2018, and currently under consideration by Congress. Meanwhile, the company is doing all it can to keep the production line alive, even slowing production to just two airplanes per month to stretch out what little backlog remains until a bigger order can be won. Where will that come from? Well, Boeing still entertains (increasingly fragile) hopes of selling F/A-18 fighters to Kuwait, as well as F-15s to Qatar. But Boeing's Great Blue Hope is still the U.S. Navy, and its multibillion-dollar annual acquisitions budget. Earlier this year, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson told Congress that he needs to buy two or three squadrons (24 to 36 planes total) of new F/A-18 fighters to plug a gap in his carrier air wings created by slow delivery of F-35C stealth fighter jets from Lockheed Martin (LMT 0.06%). And taking a cue from the admiral, Boeing itself is going even further. According to F/A-18 program manager and Boeing vice president Dan Gillian, the Navy actually needs closer to 100 new fighter jets to bring its carrier air wings up to full strength. If Lockheed Martin can't supply F-35Cs fast enough to fill this gap, Boeing would be more than happy to build F/A-18s for the purpose. What's this mean for investors? "Based on the demand signals we see today," Gillian told Reuters in February, "I'm confident that we'll be building F/A-18s into the 2020s." That's a much more optimistic tone than we heard from Chadwick just two years ago, when Boeing was penciling in a 2017 shutdown date for F/A-18 production. But what does it mean in dollars and cents? Well, I'm not sure how much faith I'd place in the Navy giving Boeing all the business the company is hoping for. But if the Navy were to order up another 100 Super Hornets, then at an average flyaway cost of $65.3 million per plane (according to BGA-Aeroweb), we'd be talking about an additional $6.5 billion in business for Boeing (plus additional revenue for servicing the aircraft). At the 9.8% pre-tax profit margin Boeing is currently earning in its Military Aircraft division, that would amount to at least $640 million in bottom-line profit for the company -- and $1 a share in extra profit for every Boeing shareholder. It probably won't happen, but an investor can still hope. You've probably heard that most Americans aren't saving nearly as much as they should for retirement. But it's not just carefree 20-somethings putting retirement savings on the back burner. According to a recent survey by GoBankingRates, about 30% of those 55 and over admit to having no retirement savings whatsoever. Meanwhile, 26% report having balances of less than$50,000, which is far behind where the average person in that age group should be. And while the study confirms that Americans on the whole are failing to save adequately, it's older Americans without savings who have much more to worry about. Without independent savings, many older Americans will be forced to rely solely on Social Security income during retirement. The problem there is that Social Security is only designed to replace 40% of the average American's pre-retirement income. Most of us will need anywhere from 70% to 80% of our pre-retirement income once we retire, and some of us might need even more -- especially those with medical conditions requiring costly care. Failing to save for retirement now means running the risk of not having enough money to live on once you're no longer working. And that's a very scary prospect. There's still time to catch up If you're already part of the 55-and-older crowd, you may only have a decade and change to start saving for retirement, but that's still a decent amount of time to build up sizable savings. Anyone 50 and older is allowed to contribute up to $24,000 to a 401(k) and $6,500 to an IRA each year, and those numbers might go up in the future. If you need to catch up on retirement savings, take advantage of these contribution allowances and the tax benefits that come with them. If you haven't been saving for retirement at all, then you may not be able to ramp up your savings from $0 to $2,000 a month, but even half that amount will go a long way over the course of a decade. Imagine you save $1,000 a month, or $12,000 a year, and your investments generate an average annual return of 5%. (Keep in mind that this is a conservative estimate and that you might earn even more.) After 10 years, you'll have grown your savings to just over $150,000, which can go a long way in retirement. Don't say no to free money At a time in your life where saving for retirement is key, the last thing you should do is pass up free money. If your employer has a 401(k) matching program, then at least contribute enough to take advantage of whatever incentive your company offers. Americans leave an estimated $24 billion each year on the table in unclaimed 401(k) matching dollars. If you're behind on savings, you can help yourself by snatching up that match. Let's say your company is willing to contribute up to $1,200 a year to your 401(k) in matching dollars, but you fail to capitalize on that savings opportunity. In that case, you're not just losing out on the principal contribution; you're also losing out on the potential gains that money could bring in. Imagine getting $1,200 in free money every year for 10 years, and investing that money at a 5% average annual return. After a decade, you wouldn't just have $12,000 extra; you'd have an additional $15,000 for retirement. Rethink your priorities Of course, the challenge for many folks in their 50s boils down to needing their money for other things, whether it's to pay their kids' college costs or finance home repairs and improvements. But at this point in your life, it's time to put retirement savings above all else. Your children can take out loans for college, and while you can't neglect that leaking roof, you don't have to build that sunroom or finally finish your basement. When your retirement savings balance isn't up to snuff, your initial priority should be to start building it up -- period. The other stuff can wait. If you're already 55 (or older) and behind on retirement savings, then it's definitely not too late to change your ways, but you also don't have a ton of time on your side. The sooner you start saving, the better your chances of reaching your financial goals. The article Guess How Many Americans Over 55 Don't Have Any Retirement Savings originally appeared on Fool.com. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The oil crash over the past couple of years has wiped out a whopping $1 trillion of equity from oil stock investments, leaving investors feeling burned. That has caused a lot of ill will toward the sector, and for good reason, because the sector itself can be blamed for at least some of its failings. Needless to say, there are plenty of reasons why investors might hate oil stocks. 1. Oil is very moody Crude oil has been gut-wrenchingly volatile over the past couple of decades: WTI Crude Oil Spot Price data by YCharts. That volatility is really hard for the average investor to stomach, because most turn to the sector in search of income and to hedge against rising energy costs. Instead, they've been taken on a roller-coaster ride with almost nothing to show for it. 2. Oil and leverage don't mix It costs a lot of money to develop oil projects. That capital intensity forces producers to borrow heavily to fund these investments, which can cause problems when oil prices collapse. That's just what we've seen over the past year after a rash of bankruptcies hit the sector. Through April, 69 producers have filed for bankruptcy under the crushing weight of $34.3 billion in debt. More bankruptcies are likely on the way, with Deloitte estimating that about a third of the sector, or roughly 175 companies, are at risk of insolvency. Meanwhile, Bernstein Research estimates that more than $70 billion in debt will be defaulted on by 2019, which is a huge chunk of the $400 billion high-yield energy debt market. 3. Oil has a big environmental impact While oil doesn't have the environmental impact of coal, it's still a dirty fuel. Greenhouse gas emissions start at the drilling rig, continue on through the refining process, are spewed out during transportation, and continue out through the tail pipe of a car. According to the EPA, oil and gas production was second only to coal power plants as the worst emitters of carbon-dioxide equivalents. Image Source: BP plc. 4. Oil production is dangerous Not only is oil bad for the environment, but it is a dangerous fuel. There have been a number of notable disasters over the years where lives have been lost, most notably the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon tragedy, in which 11 people died when an underwater blowout caused an explosion on the drilling rig. Even more recently, 13 were killed when a helicopter crashed while servicing an offshore oil field in Norway. 5. Transporting oil is risky Because crude is a dirty and dangerous fuel, its transportation must be handled with care. Unfortunately, the industry has had a number of transportation disasters over the years. One of the most horrific was the Lac-Megantic disaster in 2013, when an unattended 74-car train carrying oil derailed and exploded, killing 47 and destroying the town's center. Meanwhile, there have been a number of oil pipeline spills, including last year's Refugio oil spill in California. In that incident a 28-year-old pipeline owned by Plains All American Pipeline leaked an estimated 142,800 gallons of oil onto one of the most biologically diverse coastlines of the West Coast, coating hundreds of animals with oil. 6. Oil jobs are here today and gone tomorrow In late 2013 the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the oil sector would create another 1.1 million jobs by the end of this decade, due to the oil boom in the U.S. Two years later the industry has shed an estimated 118,000 jobs, causing more than one in every five oil workers to lose their jobs since crude crashed. It's causing former boom towns from North Dakota to Texas to go bust. 7. Oil forecasting is more art than science While it is impossible to predict where the price of oil will go next, everyone tries and fails miserably. The U.S. Energy Information Administration, for example, estimated that the price of crude would average $77.75 per barrel in 2015 with upside to $125 and downside to $50 a barrel. Instead, crude did this: WTI Crude Oil Spot Price data by YCharts. That's after factors such as resilient shale production, the reentry of Iran to the oil market, and quota-busting production from OPEC caused the glut of crude in the market to grow worse, weighing heavily on its price. 8. Disappearing dividend checks When times are good, oil companies are flush with cash. Some of that cash is sent back to investors via dividends, with oil companies typically paying much higher dividends than other sectors. However, when times are tough these dividends are often the first cuts producers make, because they need that cash to pay down debt or invest in oil projects just to maintain their production. So far this year investors have lost a whopping $7.4 billion of income after companies like ConocoPhillips slashed their payouts to conserve cash, with ConocoPhillips cutting its payout by $2.2 billion. Image source: ConocoPhillips. 9. Most of the world's oil is located in less than ideal places While the U.S. is a top-three global oil producer, the country still only produces about 10% of total global supplies and about half of its own consumption. As such, it needs to turn to less-than-ideal places to meet its needs. In fact, the bulk of the world's oil is either produced in geopolitically unfriendly places, like Russia and Iran, or in geopolitically unstable places like Iraq, Venezuela, Nigeria, and Libya. Further, the bulk of the easy-to-access oil has been depleted, which has forced producers to go searching for oil in difficult-to-reach areas such as deepwater fields and the Arctic. 10. Management teams are often looking out for No. 1 One of the reasons the price of oil has been under so much pressure over the past two years is that oil companies keep producing more oil even when the market doesn't need the supplies. That's partially because many oil CEOs are paid to drill. Chesapeake Energy's CEO Doug Lawler, for example, was paid $14.7 million last year, which is up 5% over the prior year. That's despite the facts that the company's stock plunged 77.2%, it suspended its dividend, and it issued thousands of pink slips. This production push was due in part to Chesapeake Energy's compensation plan, with the company's management team being incentivized to drill new wells in order to grow the company's production and reserves. That pursuit of growth at all costs led the company to nearly burn through its entire $4 billion cash position, putting it in a very precarious financial position that sparked rumors it could file for bankruptcy. Investor takeaway Oil stocks are not for everyone. For some, the volatility, lack of clarity, high leverage, and misaligned management incentives are reason enough to avoid investing in the sector. For others, it's the fact that oil is a dirty and dangerous business that make it unfit for their portfolios. That's OK: there are plenty of other options for investors who don't want any oil holdings, especially after the sector has given them so many reasons to hate it. The article 10 Reasons to Hate Oil Stocks originally appeared on Fool.com. Matt DiLallo owns shares of ConocoPhillips. 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. If it's true that children are our future, it's a safe assumption that Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) and Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) have a firm grasp on the present. The top dog in family entertainment and the iconic toy maker are the memory makers of our childhood. Unfortunately for investors, the two stocks -- much like kids in the whimsical splendor of their youth -- don't seem to want to grow up lately. Shares of Disney and Mattel have lagged the market lately. Disney has risen by less than 16% since the start of 2017, a positive showing but well shy of the market averages. The stock has yet to take out the all-time highs it set three summers ago. Mattel stock has been a disaster, falling by more than 40% since the beginning of last year (though trying to stage a recovery with a 2% uptick so far in 2018). The two companies specialize in getting folks to play around, but which of these two stocks isn't playing around? Let's compare them head-to-head to see which kid-friendly company comes out on top. It's not a fair fight Mattel's slide isn't an accident. It's working on its third straight year of declining revenue, and it's taken a big hit with the bankruptcy liquidation of Toys "R" Us. Mattel has made some bad bets on playtime trends. Consumers and investors aren't in a forgiving mood. Revenue plummeted 14% in its latest quarter, and while Toys "R" Us clearing out its stock of Mattel toys held things back, it's a shock to see the American Girl line -- once the shining beacon of big-ticket growth -- take a 32% hit. Two standouts for Mattel were Barbie and Hot Wheels with double-digit percentage gains, but that only illustrates how badly Mattel is faring everywhere else. Mattel's net loss more than quadrupled. Disney is holding up considerably better. Revenue has risen 7% through the first nine months of fiscal 2018, fueled by double-digit percentage gains in both revenue and operating income for its theme parks and studios segments. Disney has struggled lately with consumer products -- and cord-cutting at ESPN continues to cap its media networks growth -- but the sum of its parts continues to move in the right direction. Mattel has struggled to manage expectations. Its profit -- and lately lack of profit -- has clocked in worse than analyst targets in each of the past four quarters. Disney, on the other hand, has landed ahead of Wall Street pro targets every quarter over the past year. It's hard to give Mattel the nod here, even though it packs half of the price-to-sales multiple of Disney. Mattel is a mess. It's not profitable at the moment, and it's hard to find a catalyst that could catapult it back onto holiday wish lists with the same kind of fervor that it once commanded. It's easy to get excited about the recent launch of Mattel Films as a smart way to monetize its franchises through filmed entertainment, but stealing Disney's playbook isn't enough. Disney is the better buy here, and in this particular battle, it's not even close. 10 stocks we like better than Walt DisneyWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has quadrupled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Walt Disney wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of August 6, 2018 Rick Munarriz owns shares of Walt Disney. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Boeing's iconic F/A-18 fighter jet is back from the dead. Image source: Boeing. As recently as a couple of years ago, analysts were forecasting the imminent closing of Boeing's F/A-18 production line in St. Louis-- and not just analysts. At the time, even Boeing's own Defense, Space & Security head, Chris Chadwick,was quoted lamenting that Boeing had "to face reality," and predicting that the company was only months away from being forced to decide whether it should shut down F/A-18 production or keep the lines open in hopes new orders would magically materialize. Ultimately, Boeing decided to keep production running -- and good for them. Because it turns out the F/A-18 just might have a future after all. Earth Wars IV: A New Hope Last year, Congresssaved Boeing's bacon when it added $1.1 billion to the Navy's fiscal 2016 budget to fund purchases of five F/A-18 Super Hornets and seven EA-18G Growlers (an electronic warfare derivation of the F/A-18 built in cooperation with Northrop Grumman). Additional funding for as many as 16 new F/A-18s for the Navy is also possible through 2018, and currently under consideration by Congress. Meanwhile, the company is doing all it can to keep the production line alive, even slowing production to just two airplanes per month to stretch out what little backlog remains until a bigger order can be won. Where will that come from? Well, Boeing still entertains (increasingly fragile) hopes of selling F/A-18 fighters to Kuwait, as well as F-15s to Qatar. But Boeing's Great Blue Hope is still the U.S. Navy, and its multibillion-dollar annual acquisitions budget. Earlier this year, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardsontold Congress that he needs to buy two or three squadrons (24 to 36 planes total) of new F/A-18 fighters to plug a gap in his carrier air wings created by slow delivery of F-35C stealth fighter jets from Lockheed Martin . And taking a cue from the admiral, Boeing itself is going even further.According to F/A-18 program manager and Boeing vice president Dan Gillian, the Navy actually needs closer to 100 new fighter jets to bring its carrier air wings up to full strength. If Lockheed Martin can't supply F-35Cs fast enough to fill this gap, Boeing would be more than happy to build F/A-18s for the purpose. What's this mean for investors? "Based on the demand signals we see today," Gillian told Reuters in February, "I'mconfident that we'll be building F/A-18s into the 2020s." That's a much more optimistic tone than we heard from Chadwick just two years ago, when Boeing was penciling in a 2017 shutdown date for F/A-18 production. But what does it mean in dollars and cents? Well, I'm not sure how much faith I'd place in the Navy giving Boeing all the business the company is hoping for. But if the Navy were to order up another 100 Super Hornets, then at an average flyaway cost of $65.3 million per plane (according to BGA-Aeroweb), we'd be talking about an additional $6.5 billion in business for Boeing (plus additional revenue for servicing the aircraft). At the 9.8% pre-tax profit margin Boeing is currently earning in its Military Aircraft division, that would amount to at least $640 million in bottom-line profit for the company -- and $1 a share in extra profit for every Boeing shareholder. It probably won't happen, but an investor can still hope. The article Boeing's F/A-18, Marked for Death, Gets a New Lease on Life originally appeared on Fool.com. Rich Smithdoes not own shares of, nor is he short, any company named above. You can find him onMotley Fool CAPS, publicly pontificating under the handleTMFDitty, where he's currently ranked No. 299 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. For income-seeking investors, high-yield dividend stocks are often a great solution. In addition to generating income, they often sport nice growth potential as well. However, sometimes a high yield is the result of the stock itself underperforming. The lower the stock price, the higher the payout, expressed as a percentage. Unfortunately for existing shareholders, there are a number of high-dividend stocks today that fall into the "iffy" category. For instance: Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM), IBM (NYSE: IBM) and General Electric (NYSE: GE). Not that these companies can't get things turned around; they may. The question is: Will they? Legal issues As shareholders of Qualcomm know, last quarter was an eye-opening example of its ongoing legal troubles. Even if we set aside the courtroom squabble with longtime customer Apple, other legal troubles cost Qualcomm big in its fiscal third quarter. Qualcomm wrote two large checks to settle a couple of its outstanding court-imposed fines, which had a severe impact on its earnings results. The first was a $940 million payment to resolve a long-standing dispute with BlackBerry. That payment alone shaved $0.48 a share off Qualcomm's bottom line. The other fine required Qualcomm to fork out $927 million to a South Korean regulatory agency, which alleged the same thing so many others have: Qualcomm's licensing fees are anticompetitive. As for the Apple dispute, it caused Qualcomm's most profitable segment, licensing revenue, to drop 42% year over year to $1.17 billion, and impacted the unit's earnings before taxes a negative 51%. Qualcomm's 4.4% dividend yield is nice, but the company's could face increasing competition on top of its current legal troubles, making it far from a sure thing for the immediate future. Time to deliver the goods IBM is on a roll, but not in a good way. Last quarter's $19.3 billion in revenue was a 5% drop year over year, marking the 21st straight quarter of total sales declines. While that got most of the headlines, more concerning was the slowing growth of IBM's strategic-imperatives revenue. CEO Ginni Rometty has gone all-in on IBM's transition from legacy hardware to its strategic imperatives, which include the cloud, data analytics, mobile, and cybersecurity. Naturally, a transformation of that magnitude takes time, so a bump or two along the way is expected. But the meager growth in several of IBM's core segments is disconcerting, to say the least. Cloud sales continued to climb, rising 15% to $3.9 billion, an exemplary performance. However, analytics -- a segment in which IBM has invested billions of dollars over the last two years -- increased just 4%, as did security sales. Mobile revenue jumped 27%, but as the smallest contributor to total strategic-imperatives sales, that result was just a consolation. Though I remain bullish on IBM, and its 4.1% dividend yield is enticing, the company has to do a lot to return to its winning ways. Tell me it isn't so As is the case with IBM, GE's 3.9% dividend yield isn't in serious danger, but the conglomerate's underlying results have been nothing short of disastrous for a long time. To its credit, GE shaved $1.63 billion in overhead compared to 2016's second quarter, but that wasn't nearly enough to overcome the 12% drop in revenue to $29.56 billion. On the bottom line, things look even worse. Last quarter's $0.13 a share was a disappointing 57% decline compared to last year's $0.30 a share. And if analyst expectations are close to actual results, the current quarter will be even more depressing for shareholders. Consensus estimates are for earnings per share of $0.05, a significant decline from the $0.32 a share GE reported a year ago. Not all is lost, however. GE's renewable energy unit reported a 17% rise in revenue to $2.46 billion and a 5% increase to $6.97 billion from its largest division, power. It should be noted that much of the EPS hit was due to a one-time "corporate items" charge of $1.58 billion. But with GE's repeated negative results, investors should be wary as the company meanders through its personal minefield. 10 stocks we like better than IBMWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and IBM wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of September 5, 2017 Tim Brugger has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of Qualcomm and has the following options: long January 2020 $150 calls on Apple and short January 2020 $155 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Although its track record at the state level may not be perfect, medical marijuana has scored far more victories than defeats in recent years. Medical marijuana spreads its wings Following its first approval 20 years ago in California for compassionate use cases, medical marijuana has now become legal in 24 states, as well as Washington, D.C. The latest state to legalize the use of medical marijuana was just as much of an eye-opener as the first. Pennsylvania legalized the use of liquid, pill, or oil formulations of marijuana for medicinal use in mid-April, though it did so entirely at the legislative level (i.e., without residents voting). Pennsylvania could be the first of many states taking matters into their own hands from a legalization perspective. Medical marijuana has two primary supporters fueling its cause. In one corner we have patients and some physicians who see discernable treatment benefits from medical marijuana. GW Pharmaceuticals , a predominantly clinical-stage drug developer that's focused on creating medicines derived from cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, is in the process of testing Epidiolex on patients with two types of childhood-onset epilepsy, Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. In midstage studies, Epidiolex reduced seizure frequency by more than 50%! GW Pharmaceuticals' Epidiolex is just one of many examples of the possible benefits of medical marijuana and its cannabinoids. In the other corner we have states that are basking in the job opportunities being created by the pot industry, as well as the tax revenue and licensing fees being generated that are going to fund schools, drug abuse programs, and even law enforcement. Image source: Cannabis Culture via Flickr. The federal government stands its ground But, of course, we still have the federal government blocking progress in the marijuana industry. With the exception of softened rules regarding research into the benefits and risks of marijuana at the clinical level, the federal government hasn't changed its stance on marijuana one iota. Because of this, marijuana businesses are still being taxed at high levels since they can't take normal business deductions, and their access to basic financial services, such as checking accounts or lines of credit, is minimal at best. Calls for reform on Capitol Hill have generally fallen on deaf ears, even with the latest Gallup poll demonstrating pretty strong support (58%) from the American public to legalize the drug nationally. However, all that changed last week as the medical marijuana industry scored, dare I say it, a big victory. Medical marijuana scores a rare victory on Capitol Hill By a vote of 233-189 in the House of Representatives, and 89-8 in the Senate, Congress voted to forbid the Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, from prohibiting government doctors from prescribing medical marijuana to veterans. The bill will make its way to President Obama next, and if signed into law, it could mean relatively quick access for veterans in the 24 states, and Washington, D.C., where medical marijuana has been legalized. Note, passage of this law wouldn't mean all veterans would have access to medical marijuana -- just those in currently legal states. The VA's ban in the remaining 26 states would still be valid. Medical marijuana would specifically be targeted at treatments such as anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the stresses of wartime and the uniqueness of military culture creates a situation where veterans are much more likely to get addicted to prescription drugs compared to civilians. Thus medical marijuana may be able to step in and curb this trend. This may not be the overwhelming victory that a majority of Americans would like to see -- 84% want medical marijuana legalized nationally per a CBS News poll in April 2015 -- but it's an undeniable step in the right direction on Capitol Hill for the marijuana industry. Weighing this victory from an investor's point of view While marking a step in the right direction for the marijuana movement, it's not necessarily a victory for those hoping to profit off of marijuana's expansion. As of now, most marijuana businesses remain very small in scale, with big businesses finding numerous obstacles to profitability standing in the way. To begin with, just because the federal government is changing its stance toward veteran access to medical marijuana, it doesn't necessarily imply that Congress or President Obama plans to entertain the idea of legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level. As long as marijuana remains illicit federally, those same inherent disadvantages mentioned above -- higher taxes and minimal banking service access -- are going to remain firmly in place. Lawmakers have been pretty specific about wanting to see additional safety data on marijuana before passing judgment, and that's simply a proposition that could take years to resolve. Investors are also likely to home in on the fact that most investable marijuana businesses are small and/or unproven. Most publicly traded marijuana stocks trade on the over-the-counter exchanges or pink sheets, where filing requirements may be more lax and pertinent investment information could be difficult to find. Even your bigger investment options aren't necessarily good choices. The aforementioned GW Pharmaceuticals is projected to lose money throughout the remainder of the decade, more than likely even if Epidiolex gains approval from the Food and Drug Administration. There simply aren't any enticing investments at the moment to take advantage of marijuana's state-level expansion, meaning you safest best is to monitor marijuana's expansion safely from the sidelines. The article Don't Fall Over, but Medical Marijuana Just Scored a Big Victory on Capitol Hill 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, 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. SpaceX has an announcement to make. Curiously, it chose to hide it in the fine print... but here goes: SpaceX is taking reservations for Mars. Hold on a minute... You may think that you've already heard this news before. One month ago (almost to the day), Elon Musk famously penciled in "2018" as the date SpaceX will launch its first Red Dragon space capsule to Mars. Specifically, the company will use its new Falcon Heavy lift vehicle to carry a specially designed Dragon 2 spacecraft to Mars, then land said capsule vertically on the Red Planet, firing SuperDraco thrusters to brake its descent. From that position, SpaceX's Red Dragon would theoretically be able to relaunch from Mars, where the gravity is less than 38% of Earth normal, and return to Earth -- fuel permitting. (That's not Musk's plan, however. He's running this mission himself, and paying out of pocket, just to collect information in preparation for subsequent manned and unmanned missions to Mars.) Dragon 2 test fires its SuperDraco landing jets. Image source:SpaceX. But that's not what we're talking about today. Today, we're following up on our review of SpaceX's latest update to its space-launch price list, which came out earlier this month. As we discussed yesterday, the first and most obvious change that SpaceX made to its price list was a price increase of $800,000 on plain-vanilla Falcon 9 satellite launches to Earth geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). Prices are going up 1.3%, and cargo capacity is increasing 13.4%. The more Earth-shaking -- or perhaps Mars-quaking -- change is this: SpaceX has added a new line item to its price list. It now publicly advertises the transportation of a "payload to Mars" as one of its "capabilities & services." Shipping and handling are extra SpaceX now charges $62 million to lift 5.5 metric tons of cargo to Earth GTO. Ninety million dollars will buy you transportation of up to eight metric tons to GTO. But now, SpaceX offers a third option: It says it can transport up to four metric tons of cargo to Mars aboard one of its Falcon 9 rockets -- or 13.6 mT aboard the new Falcon Heavy once that rocket begins operations. Note that SpaceX describes these capabilities in a line separate from its "standard payment plan" price of $62 million for a Falcon 9 launch, or $90 million for the Falcon Heavy. The company isn't promising any specific price tag for the Mars launch service, and is not offering to send you, or anyone else,specifically, to Mars. The company is only offering to transport cargo at this time. But even so, it's a unique service. In every sense of the word I don't use "unique" lightly. Right now, and probably for the foreseeable future, SpaceX really is the only private company advertising the capability to send payloads to Mars. Governmental organizations such as NASA, the European Space Agency, the Soviet Union, and later Russia, have all sent landers to Mars. Some of them even landed intact. What SpaceX is promising to do, though, is send cargo to Mars -- say, a Mars rover of your choosing and building -- land it safely, and land it in a manner that could, conceivably, permit it to come back home again. Among private companies, this truly is unique. Granted, other companies are following SpaceX's lead in developing rockets that can launch, land, and then launch again. Airbus is developing a reusable rocketship it calls ADELINE, which can launch into space, then fly back to land on an airstrip. Boeing and Lockheed Martin , through their joint venture United Launch Alliance, are developing a system for landing rockets by deploying parachutes after reentry, then snagging the 'chutes by helicopter and delivering them to the ground. What's SpaceX's endgame? Both Airbus' idea and the one being floated (get it?) by Boeing and Lockheed Martin have merit in a terrestrial sense. Reusable rockets should enable cheaper launches of Earth satellites, because you wouldn't be building an entirely new rocket for each launch, then throwing it away and building a new one for the next launch. Reusable rockets will therefore make satellite launches much cheaper here on Earth -- but for SpaceX, that's only a side benefit. The real objective is making Mars landings -- and Mars launchings -- possible. But here's the thing: Airbus' plan, and Boeing and Lockheed's, as well, depends on the presence of an established infrastructure to support rocket relandings -- airstrips in Airbus' case; helicopters for Boeing and Lockheed. The problem is that both landing strips and helicopters are in pretty short supply on Mars. If you want to land there, and have any hope of relaunching, then SpaceX's system is the only way to go. Image source:SpaceX. The article SpaceX News: Send Your Stuff to Mars -- Today! originally appeared on Fool.com. Rich Smithdoes not own shares of, nor is he short, any company named above. You can find him onMotley Fool CAPS, publicly pontificating under the handleTMFDitty, where he's currently ranked No. 299 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. Most moms arent thrilled with the idea of having a cesarean section because lets face it its serious surgery that carries a laundry list of risks. Not to mention that some women feel disappointed or sad that they didnt have the vaginal birth they envisioned. Whether you have a scheduled C-section or not however, you should know what to expect afterwards so you can recover quickly. Here, are 13 things you can do to reduce the pain, prevent complications and feel like yourself again in no time. 1. Take the painkillers. After a C-section, its normal to have pain for up to two weeks, although you will feel better each day. Your doctor will likely prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen and a narcotic pain medication. The need for pain medicine is very normal and its important to take it and not get behind on the pain because its sometimes difficult to get back on track, said Dr. Nicole P. Scott, a board-certified OB-GYN at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis and an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Indiana University School of Medicine. 2. Take probiotics. The antibiotics you are given during surgery can wipe out the healthy bacteria in your gut. Talk to your provider about taking a probiotic supplement which can help restore healthy gut flora that can prevent diarrhea and improve immunity and overall health. 3. Care for the incision. You will most likely have stitches that will dissolve on their own but if you have staples, your provider will need to remove them. Keep the area dry and if you feel warmth, redness or increased pain, call your provider because the incision could be infected. Also avoid pools and hot tubs for the same reason. Ask your provider about massage techniques which can help decrease the pain, improve healing and encourage the abdominal muscles to work more efficiently, said Marianne Ryan, a physical therapist in New York City and author of Baby Bod: Turn Flab to Fab in 12 Weeks Flat. 4. Start walking. As soon as your doctor gives you the green light, you should get out of bed with help. Start by taking short walks and build up to 30 minutes after youve been home for a few days. Walking will increase circulation, which will reduce your risk for blood clots, help with bowel function and increase your bodys ability to heal. All processes in the body are sped up by exercise, said Mary Beth Knight, a fitness expert in Cincinnati, Ohio and author of Strategies for the C-section Mom: A Complete Fitness, Nutrition, and Lifestyle Guide. 5. Eat right. Nutrition is also very important for healing. Focus on eating foods that are anti-inflammatory and have vitamin C, like berries, kale and broccoli. Vitamin C supports the production of collagen, a protein that helps repair tissues. Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids like nuts and seeds are also anti-inflammatory. Limit red meat which is inflammatory and eat chicken and salmon instead because they contain amino acids that form proteins that make tissue. 6. Combat constipation. Pregnancy hormones combined with the painkillers can lead to constipation. Straining will also put pressure on the incision and cause pain. Try a toilet stool or prop up your feet on yoga blocks which will straighten the colorectal angle, instead of cramping it so your bowel movements will be easier, Ryan said. Eat fiber-rich foods, drink plenty of water and ask your provider about using a stool softener. 7. Breastfeed with support. If you breastfeed, its important that you bring your baby close to you and sit up in a straightback chair whenever possible. Leaning forward will limit the amount of oxygen your body takes in which not only increases your fatigue but it will prevent you from re-training the transverse abdominis muscles and the fascia, the connective tissue that holds your abdominal muscles together. If youre hunched over, you are telling your body that this is now the new position it should remember and keep you in, Knight said. 8. Forget the abdominal binder. After a C-section, youll be given an abdominal binder which provides sustained compression meant to help ease the pain. Yet these binders take over the work of the abdominal muscles which will make them weaker over time, Ryan said. A binder can also put pressure on the pelvic organs and increase the risk for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Instead, look for a graduated compression undergarment that will ease the pain and swelling without causing other problems. 9. Dont lift anything heavy. For the first two weeks after you give birth, dont lift anything that weighs more than 20 pounds. You can then increase your activity as long as you dont have any pain. If possible, have someone bring your baby to you and prop the baby up on pillows or a nursing pillow for feedings. 10. Avoid crunches. There are seven layers of tissue that are disturbedcut or movedduring the C-section and your body needs to recover those and repair in order from the bottom to the top, Knight said. Yet any movement that pushes the abdominal muscles forward like crunches before the abdominal muscles and fascia are repaired can lead to a hernia. Instead, try exercises like modified planks and bridging, Knight said. 11. Ease back into sex. Women who give birth via cesarean section are about twice as likely to experience painful intercourse 18 months after giving birth compared to women who delivered vaginally, a study in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found. Not only can pregnancy put stress on the muscles of the pelvis, but scar tissue from the incision can reduce the mobility of the pelvic organs, which can cause muscle spams and pain, Ryan said. To prevent painful sex, devote plenty of time to foreplay and use a lubricant. A pelvic floor massage wand can desensitize painful spots too. If pain persists however, seek treatment from a womens health physical therapist. 12. Ask for help. Although you need to care for your baby, realize that your body needs to heal too. If you dont get help, youll be exhausted and it will take your body longer to recover. Ask your partner, a family member or a friend for help with grocery shopping, errands and cleaning so you can focus on your baby and your own health. 13. Get emotional support. Whether your C-section was planned or not, its common to feel disappointed or sad about your birth experience. Whats more, some studies suggest that women are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression after having a C-section. Dont suffer in silence. Seek out an online or in-person support group for new moms or talk to a friend about your feelings. When you make yourself a priority, youll be a better mom for your baby too. Clevelands mayor and police chief plan to outline what security measures the city will need to take for the Republican National Convention next week. Officials in Cleveland are gearing up for the thousands of visitors expected to descend upon northeast Ohio for the convention from July 18 to 21. The convention is expected to nominate billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump. Trumps rallies themselves have drawn intense protests with demonstrations resulting in violence between supporters and opponents and arrests and rioting in some cities. At least 35 people were arrested Friday in San Diego after one of his events. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson will join the Police Chief Calvin Williams and other city officials Tuesday to go over a comprehensive overview of security preparations for the upcoming convention, Jackson said in a statement. "Despite rumors, the Division of Police is prepared and is on track with its planning goals," the statement said. A Cleveland police union official has been sounding the alarm for months about how Cleveland officers are not being properly trained to deal with potentially tumultuous protests. "The city of Cleveland has been absolutely irresponsible for preparation of this convention," Steve Loomis, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association, said Friday. Furthermore, several police departments across the nation have already pulled out of going to the convention, citing security concerns. Greensboro, North Carolina police had planned to send at least 50 officers to Cleveland, but decided not to after saying earlier this week the city isnt providing workers compensation for coverage for out-of-town officers and is requiring them to get physical exams theyd have to pay for themselves. Deputy Police Chief Brian James wrote in a memo to the citys police chief that he had spoken with police administrators experienced in planning events like the GOP convention and that they expressed a lack of confidence in the city of Cleveland and their preparedness. "We have a responsibility to ensure that we are sending our officers to an event that is well planned," James wrote. A Cincinnati police spokesman said Friday that the previous police chief had discussed sending officers to Cleveland, but his successor decided against it because of the insurance issue and because Cincinnati is hosting the national NAACP convention the same week. City Council members have said officials are deploying about 5,000 officers including police from other law enforcement agencies to provide security for the convention. "A lot has been said that Cleveland is not prepared for the RNC," Williams assured Wednesday at a news conference. "Well, I'll tell you today, we are prepared." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from Reuters. A federal judge ordered Friday the release of Trump University internal documents in a class-action lawsuit against the defunct real estate school owned by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel in San Diego calls for the documents to be released Thursday. The order comes in a response to a request by The Washington Post. Trump University has been cited repeatedly in anti-Trump political ads during the primary campaign as evidence that Trump fails to live up to his promises. Trumps lawyers have denied any wrongdoing in the case before Curiel as well as another class-action suit in San Diego and a $40 million lawsuit filed in 2013 by the state of New York alleging that more than 5,000 had been defrauded. The billionaire real estate mogul, for his part, has claimed that Curiel is a "hater of Donald Trump" and should be ashamed of how he has handled the case. Trump also has questioned whether Curiel, who is Hispanic, is biased against him because of his call for deporting immigrants in the U.S. illegally. I think Judge Curiel should be ashamed of himself. I think its a disgrace that he is doing this, Trump said Friday. The lawsuit overseen by Curiel states that Trump University's nationwide seminars and classes were like infomercials and pressured students to buy more but didn't deliver as promised in spite of students paying as much as $35,000 for seminars. Curiel already has set a Nov. 28 trial date. Trump, who appears on a list of defense witnesses for the trial, has repeatedly pointed to a 98 percent satisfaction rate on internal surveys. But the lawsuit says students were asked to rate the product when they believed they still had more instruction to come and were reluctant to openly criticize their teachers on surveys that were not anonymous. The Post reported that Curiel's order to release an estimated 1,000 pages of documents cites heightened public interest in Trump and that he had "placed the integrity of these court proceedings at issue." The judge appeared to reject the argument by Trump attorneys that the information had commercial value, saying that there was no support for the assertion that Trump University may resume operations. Since the early 1980s, Trump personally has been sued at least 150 times in federal court, records show. Only a handful of those cases are pending, with the ones involving Trump University being the most significant. The judge had previously floated the idea of a June trial but then previously settled on an August date before Trumps rise in the primaries. Trump's attorneys have resisted a trial during the campaign. "This will be a zoo if it were to go to trial," Trump lawyer Daniel Petrocelli said at a March hearing. Trump has railed against the judge, calling him hostile and suggesting his positions in the case may be the result of Trump's stance on border security. The presumptive GOP nominee has noted the Curiel's ethnicity. Trump said of the judge at an Arkansas rally in February: "I believe he happens to be Spanish, which is fine. He's Hispanic which is fine." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Former Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio said Sunday that he fully supports former rival Donald Trumps White House bid, apologized for his personal attacks in the bruising primary and hinting that hed even speak for Trump at the July nominating convention. I want to be helpful, the Florida senator said on CNN's "State of the Union." Rubio argued that supporting Trump, now the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, is the only way to keep Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton from becoming president, regardless of some of his scorched-earth campaign rhetoric. Despite all my differences with Donald Trump, I have a better chance to get a conservative-nominated Supreme Court with him than I ever will with Hillary Clinton, he said. Rubio said Trump also will support other parts of the conservative agenda including the repeal of ObamaCare and rolling back federal regulations that are damaging to the U.S. economy. Rubio suggested early last week that he wanted to help Trump defeat Clinton but that his decision was difficult. Trump, through the primary season, which concludes June 7, repeatedly attacked Rubio, calling him Little Marco and suggesting his response to a debate attack in New Hampshire by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was a meltdown and robotic. With his campaign failing, Rubio later went on the counter-attack, challenging Trumps manliness by saying he had tiny hands. On Sunday, Rubio said he privately apologized to Trump for the remark. Rubio also suggested no single mistake led to his failed campaign, which he ended in mid-March after losing his home-state primary. But he suggested the personal attacks on Trump and not attacking Christies record in the debate were significant. If I had to do it over again, I just would have gone after him and attacked his record, Rubio said. Rubio, who is not seeking re-election in November for his Senate seat, was non-committal about his political future, saying again only that he might have sought re-election had friend and Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera not entered the race. Top Donald Trump aide Corey Lewandowski on Sunday defended Trumps recent criticism of New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, a fellow Republican, and deflected a host of other complaints about Trump's presidential campaign, saying the real issues are jobs and the economy. The governor is not doing the job, Lewandowski said about Martinez on Fox News Sunday, in a sharp exchange with host Chris Wallace. Lets get it right. This is not a Republican issue. This is not a Democratic issue. We stand by our statement. Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, is being chastised by party leaders and others for attacking a Latino Republican governor, in her home state, particularly when Republicans sorely need the minority and female vote to win the general election. "Your governor has got to do a better job," Trump said at a rally Tuesday in Albuquerque, hitting Martinez on high state unemployment and other issues. "She's not doing the job. Hey, maybe I'll run for governor of New Mexico. I'll get this place going." The remarks quelled speculation that Trump might pick Martinez, also chairman of the Republican Governors Association, as his running mate and brought to her defense such GOP leaders as House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, whom Martinez endorsed for the partys presidential nomination. Martinez's office responded by telling reporters in a statement: "Apparently, Donald Trump doesn't realize Governor Martinez wasn't elected in 2000, that she has fought for welfare reform, and has strongly opposed the president's Syrian refugee plan." Lewandowski on Sunday argued the real issues are jobs, the economy and immigration. We need to stop illegal immigration, he said. We need to put people back to work, cut taxes. Thats what this is about. Lewandowski also argued his purported disputes with fellow top campaign adviser Paul Manafort are media hype, saying they speak several times daily and work together on key decisions. He also defended Trumps decision not to debate Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, suggesting the billionaire businessman was joking when he brought up the idea. Lewandowski said the campaign is solely focused on beating Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton. Were not going to waste our time debating Bernie Sanders when hes not going to be the nominee, he said. Sanders said Friday night on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher that he would still love to debate Trump and essentially asked him to reconsider. Trump claims to be a real tough guy, pushes people around. Hey Donald, come on up and let's debate about the future of America," Sanders said. Lewandowski also defended against criticism that the campaign staff is too small to win a general election against one as deep and far-reaching as Clintons. Weve been leaner with better results, said Lewandowski, arguing the campaign wont have 700 or 800 people, like Clintons. We spent less money, got better results. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Donald Trump on Sunday took his campaign promise of better treatment for military veterans to the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, appealing to hundreds of Rolling Thunder bikers who rally every Memorial Day weekend in the nations capital. "We have to take care of vets, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee told the group, dedicated to remembering prisoners of war and those killed in action. Illegal immigrants are taken much better care of in this country than our vets. We're not going to allow that to happen any longer." The speech at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was Trumps latest outreach to veterans groups, including many angry over his comments last year about liking "people who weren't captured" in wars. The remark was a dig at Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain, who was captured and held for more than five years during the Vietnam War. Trump claimed that McCain was a "war hero because he was captured" and has refused to apologize to McCain. Since then Trump has worked to try to repair the damage. He frequently honors veterans at his rallies and he has come out with a plan to overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs. He also held a fundraiser for veterans' causes, in place of an Iowa debate that he skipped. However, Trump, who avoided the draft through a series of deferments, drew scrutiny for not immediately distributing the $6 million he'd claimed to raise, including $1 million he'd pledged himself. He said Sunday that he would hold a press conference Tuesday to announce the names of the charities selected to receive the money. In his roughly 30-minute speech honed for the audience, Trump also vowed to "knock the hell out of" the Islamic State terror group by building a bigger and better military. Trump said his plan to cut wait times for veterans needing medical care, which in recent years has at times reached crisis levels, includes allowing such patients to see a private doctor and the government paying "the bill. He touted his support for the Second Amendment, pointing out his endorsement from the National Rifle Association. And he vowed to rebuild the military, which he said has been "decimated." Trump has a loyal following with bikers, who frequently attend his rallies, where they sometimes clash with Trump protesters. We love the bikers? Trump said to applause. My people said theyre here to protect you. Youre all going to behave yourselves, right? There wont be any paid agitators in this group." Among those eager to hear Trump speak was Louis Naymik, 52, of Clarksburg, Maryland, who said he served in the Ohio Army National Guard for four years. "There's history in the air here," he said. "We're living in historic times in our country today with the election and the choosing of a new president. And I just wanted to give honor to those who have fallen and sacrificed their lives for our country." The Associated Press contributed this report. Two suspects have been arrested after a sheriffs deputy was shot in the face during a traffic stop on a Georgia interstate, according to a report Sunday. The deputy, Jamie White, was shot above the left eye Saturday evening, Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley told The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Sunday. Jolley said White was in fair condition after surgery at a Columbus, Georgia, hospital. Fortunately, the bullet did not go to the brain, Jolley told the paper. Joe Lee Garrett, 24, was arrested a few hours after the shooting on Interstate 185 in Russell County about 80 miles south of Atlanta, according to authorities. Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor told WTVM-TV that Garrett turned himself in and was jailed. He was being charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and as a fugitive from justice. He was in a Chevrolet Caprice with two women, according to Jolley. One of the women, Lystishia Horace, was arrested in connection with the case and jailed in Russell County, WTVM reported Sunday. She was being charged as a fugitive from justice. The whereabouts of the other woman wasnt known. Jolley told the Ledger-Enquirer White stopped the Caprice for speeding. He said White has been a deputy for two years. He is a good officer. His father is a retired Troup County deputy, Jolley told the paper. His family did not want him in this job but he said it is in his blood. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from WTVM-TV. Authorities called off a search along a Northern California creek for a teenager who was last seen being abducted by an armed acquaintance after investigators found no signs of the girl. Authorities have no further plans to look for 15-year-old Pearl Pinson in the Willow Creek area of Sonoma Coast State Park, the Solano County Sherriff's Office said in a statement. "Investigators are continuing to follow up on leads in this case and continue to have hope we will find and bring Pearl home," the statement said Saturday. Pinson was abducted Wednesday morning as she walked to school. A witness reported seeing a girl with a bleeding face screaming for help as a man armed with a handgun dragged her across a freeway overpass in Vallejo, about 25 miles east of San Francisco. Blood and Pinson's cellphone were found on the ground. Authorities feared Pinson was in grave danger based on the witness' account and have been frantically looking for her. However, the search has been complicated by death of her suspected kidnapper. Fernando Castro, 19, was killed in Southern California on Thursday after police spotted his car and exchanged gunfire with him as he attempted to flee. Surveillance cameras captured images of Castro's car traveling Thursday morning in Marin County, about 25 miles from where Pinson was taken and 300 miles away from where he was shot and killed hours later, authorities said. The gold Saturn sedan was spotted on a freeway near San Francisco Bay, prompting authorities to search the water's edge. They narrowed their search on Friday to the rugged Sonoma Coast, where divers, canine units and search-and-rescue teams scoured along the river and coast for Pinson. Sheriff's spokeswoman Christine Castillo did not elaborate on what led investigators to the rural area, saying only that the strongest leads were there. Authorities said the two teens knew each other, but they emphasized that they believe Pinson was taken unwillingly. Rose Pinson, the missing girl's older sister, said she had heard Castro's name but had never met him and described him as an acquaintance, according to the Vallejo Times-Herald. A gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo was shot and killed Saturday after it grabbed and dragged a 4-year-old boy who fell into the animals enclosure, an official said. Authorities said the boy, who fell 10 to 12 feet into the gorilla exhibit moat, is expected to recover after being picked up from the moat and dragged by the gorilla for about 10 minutes. The boy was taken to Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center. Zoo officials said he was alert when he was transported there. Director Thane Maynard said the zoos dangerous animal response unit that practices for such incidents decided the boy was in a life-threatening situation and they needed to put down the 400-pound-plus 17-year-old male gorilla name Harambe. "They made a tough choice and they made the right choice because they saved that little boy's life," Maynard said. "It could have been very bad." He said the gorilla didnt appear to be attacking the child, but the animal was extremely strong in an agitated situation. Maynard added that tranquilizing the gorilla wouldnt have knocked it out immediately, leaving the boy in worse danger. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, fire department officials said the boy was in between the gorillas legs when it was shot. Maynard said it was the first time that the team had killed a zoo animal in such an emergency situation, and he called it "a very sad day" at the zoo. The lowland gorilla is an endangered species. He said that no one in the zoos 38 years has anyone gotten into the enclosure. The incident was reported at around 4 p.m. The area around the gorilla exhibit was closed off Saturday afternoon as zoo visitors reported hearing screaming. Harambe came to Cincinnati in 2015 from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. Hospital officials said they couldn't release any information on the child. Authorities hadn't released the child's name. Cincinnati Police Department spokesman Lt. Steve Saunders said no chargers were being pursued against the childs parents. The zoo said Saturday night the Gorilla World area would remain closed until further notice after earlier saying it would be open on Sunday. Maynard said the zoo believed the exhibit remains safe. They are still investigating, but zoo officials believe the boy crawled through a railing barrier, then fell into the moat. The zoo prides itself for its work in protecting endangered species, and has been part of successful captive breeding efforts in recent years in the effort to save the endangered Sumatran rhino. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from the Cincinnati Enquirer. Gunfire in a west Houston neighborhood Sunday left two people dead and six wounded, including two police officers. Cops were called to the scene at 10:15 a.m. after reports of two gunmen firing at random, police said. Police said the suspects fired at a police helicopter that responded to the scene. One of the suspects was killed, the other was wounded. Houston Chief Martha Montalvo said police believe one suspect was shot by the other and the second was shot by a SWAT officer. Four others were also shot, one fatally. That person was killed inside a car. Police ordered residents to shelter in place for a time as they converged on the wild scene. One officer was treated for a bullet wound to the hand and released, police said. The second officer who was injured was saved by his bullet-proof vest. The two gunmen were described as male, either white or Hispanic, according to police. They were shooting randomly and using powerful AR-15 weapons, police said. The police helicopter was struck by five bullets. An errant shot hit a gas station across the street and caused a fire, police said. One of the gumen was said to be carrying a rifle and wearing no shirt and dark shorts, the Houston Chronicle reported. A witness told Harris County Precinct 5 deputy constables that they found someone with a gunshot wound to the neck at an automotive center nearby, Fox 26 reported. Authorities had urged residents of the west side neighborhood to remain in their homes amid reports of a man firing a weapon. That warning was lifted later Sunday. Stephen Dittoe, 55, lives in the house right behind the shooting scene, separated by a fence and tall shrubbery at the end of cul-de-sac. He told the Associated Press thatd when he first heard the noise Sunday he thought it was a transformer. His wife, Ha, 41, said it went on too long for that and described the series of staccato sounds. She took their two children into the bathroom, told them to eat breakfast in there, and called 911. She said police came to the door about two hours later and asked if anyone in the house was being held captive, and if they could walk around the backyard. At least two drivers told KHOU-TV their vehicles were shot at, and a police SUV could be seen with a shattered windshield and the back window broken out. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from Fox26Houston.com. Bill Gates. Jeff Bezos. FedExs Fred Smith. Dave Thomas of Wendys. Mark Zuckerberg. If the business world had a hall of fame for founder/ chief executive officers, they would be some of its charter members. These innovators not only started high-flying companies but ran them for a long time, or still do. Theyre the exceptions, however. Heres a more common scenario: Entrepreneur starts a company. Company grows. To take the startup to the next level, founder decides to surrender management control to a CEO from the outside but remain very involved as a strategic leader. Moving out of the corner office can be one of the most gut-wrenching, yet important and necessary decisions a company founder makes. I should know. My partner Chip Pearson and I started a tiny tech company while in our early 20s and built it over the last decade into a category leader with more than 500 employees and 6,000 customers. Last summer, we hired the companys first outside CEO, Dean Hager, and moved out of the corner office. We remain as heads of product strategy and strategic relationships and continue to serve on the board. A million questions go through your mind as you decide to make this transition. How do you really know when youve found the right person? How will he or she win the hearts and minds of employees, some of whom have been with the company for years and share a ton of history? How do you avoid the kind of founder-CEO relationship fail that has doomed so many of these arrangements through the years? (When youre the incoming CEO of a company in the Apple device management business, as we are, the excruciating descriptions of CEO John Sculleys relationship with Steve Jobs in Walter Isaacsons Jobs biography can be extra chilling.) Mulling these questions can be terrifying. Now youd think the most grueling question would be when to hand over the reins. That can be a tough one, for sure, though in our case -- and, I suspect, in many others though history -- you just know. My partner Chip and I realized that the skills needed to start and build a company arent necessarily the same to grow it. We were spending less and less time every year on what were best at -- product development in my case, customer and partner relationships in Chips -- and more on management tasks not in our wheelhouse. Once the decision is made to bring in new leadership blood, everything should boil down to two critical concerns: First, the hiring process. Then, recognizing that the new CEO is taking on one of the most daunting challenges in corporate America -- running a company with still-engaged founders still in the building -- and that you need to help him or her be successful. Heres what we did: Took our time. Chip and I actually started talking about the move a year-and-a-half before we decided to pull the trigger and then took several more months for the search. Avoid haste. You want to be 100 percent certain the time has come to bring in a new CEO and then have an exhaustive process to get the right person for the job. Related: What It's Like to Transition From Founder to CEO Were open with employees. Our employees knew for a good six months that we were doing this search. That gave them ample time to process the situation and express discomfort or any other troubling feelings. And it removed the possibility of the CEO coming into a shocked organization. Related: How This Young CEO Made the Transition From Founder to Leader Placed a high priority on cultural fit. We decided right away we required a CEO who not only had the right qualifications but also was an ideal cultural fit. Our company prides itself on an environment of openness, transparency and supportiveness. The new CEO would need to respect and embrace that while also having the courage and smarts to determine where we can improve. And he or she must have strong ideas on how to maintain/evolve a special culture in a fast-growing organization. A tall order. Related: How to Transition Back to Employee After Being an Entrepreneur Trusted our gut. In interviews with the eight finalists (out of 75 initial candidates the search firm forwarded), Chip and I immediately took a shine to Dean because her came in with sponge-like knowledge about our company and, while he had terrific ideas, at the same time didnt seem determined to run some pre-conceived playbook. He listened to us as much as we listened to him. We also had Dean meet with the rest of the executive team -- we believed it was important that they be bought in to him as much as us. (It helps to be lucky too: So happened Dean lived between Minneapolis and Eau Claire, Wisc., where we have dual headquarters.) Established relationship ground rules. Its essential that the founder and incoming CEO have an ironclad assurance to maintain and nurture open, two-way communication. Its inevitable that both parties wont always be on the same page on every issue, but they must identify those matters, honestly discuss them and resolve them. We promised that kind of relationship with Dean. We also vowed not to step on his toes. Im going to stay out of your way unless you bring me in to a situation, I told him. If I see something going sideways, Ill offer my perspective, not to stop you, just to make sure you know everything thats going on. And Dean wanted that too. Taking these five steps helped Chip and me feel the utmost confidence that after years of blood, sweat and tears to grow our company, we were handing over the CEO reins to the right guy. Chip and I now can focus on returning to the product development and customer relationship roles we love so much. This feels like the ultimate form of happiness for an entrepreneur. A DNA test has confirmed that Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in a U.S. drone strike, Pakistan's interior ministry said Sunday, as the family of a driver killed in the strike sought legal action. A DNA sample from one of the men killed in the U.S. drone attack was successfully matched with a close relative of Mansour, the interior ministry statement said. American and Afghan officials had already confirmed Mansour's death, but Islamabad had declined to do so before the DNA test results. Mansour had entered Pakistan from Iran using a false name and fake Pakistani identity documents on May 21, when his car was hit by the U.S. missile. On Sunday, the family of his driver -- identified as Mohammed Azam -- filed a police case against unknown U.S. officials, seeking to press murder charges against them, police officer Abdul Wakil Mengal said. The family maintains Azam's innocence, and describes him as the sole breadwinner and a father of four. They say they want justice. The identity of the U.S. officials involved in the drone strike is unknown, and it was unclear if the charges will relate to those who ordered the attack or the U.S. servicemen who carried it out. Azam's family may be seeking a trial in absentia and a symbolic victory or they may attempt to push for compensation. Earlier this week, the Afghan Taliban unanimously selected Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada as their new head. The teacher crisis is real, and were not going to work our way out of it simply by making it easier to hire teachers. Upstate Marketing Launches Revamped Service Lineup Prompted by Business Uptick Continuing economic growth leaves local businesses struggling to outshine competitors on both physical and online fronts, publishes myupstatemarketing.com -- National news network CNN recently listed Greenville, along with neighboring Simpsonville, Mauldin and other cities constituting South Carolina's Upstate region, among America's 10 fastest growing areas where both industry and population are concerned. Corporations such as Michelin, GlaxoSmithKline and BMW help bolster the sector's swelling international investment ranking, yet the area likewise boasts no shortage of rising small businesses fostering its local economy. While economic analysts consider this trend a signal of good things to come for the Upstate, it also leaves area enterprises scrambling to gain an upper hand over local competitors. In light of this development, Jim Loucks of Upstate Marketing has launched the Simpsonville SEO firm's revamped marketing approach. Said Loucks, "The Upstate's business and population surge go hand in hand; at the same time, both are having a positive effect on our local tourism industry. Our new strategy combines traditional marketing services with the latest digital developments to help our clients outshine their competition." Upstate Marketing's services, further detailed at http://myupstatemarketing.com/services/, focus on both physical and online aspects of business promotion. From the traditional perspective, the company offers branding in the form of in-store display design, direct mail campaigns and vendor negotiations as well as vehicle wraps, signage and other elements of physical advertising. Along with these marketing elements, the firm provides strategic planning, continuous improvement programs and a number of other services designed to foster business growth and reputation management. On the digital front, Upstate Marketing offers responsive website design, online advertising and visual as well as written content management services. Packages are available geared toward both ecommerce and brick-and-mortar sales. The company's tactics also incorporate the public's growing reliance on social media when searching for products and services. Loucks noted area businesses are invited to explore the company's free SEO tool found at http://myupstatemarketing.com/seo/ to determine their current online performance. Concluded Loucks, "We're a local business ourselves, and that gives us a leading edge when it comes to understanding evolving consumer trends in our area in both the physical and online realms. We pass that advantage along to our clients by using our well-rounded approach to branding and marketing. Our team is proud of the growth the Upstate has experienced in recent years. We look forward to doing our part to help local companies emerge as leaders in their respective fields in the wake of this progress." About Upstate Marketing: Providing both on and off-line branding and marketing services, the team at Upstate Marketing aids local businesses in strengthening their online presences as well as improving their overall performance. For more information about us, please visit http://myupstatemarketing.com/ Contact Info: Name: Jim Loucks Organization: Upstate Marketing Phone: 1 (855) 678-0875 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/upstate-marketing-launches-revamped-service-lineup-prompted-by-business-uptick/117125 Release ID: 117125 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Pijio Inc. Launches New Orthopedic Seat Cushion That Reduces Back Pain Pijio Inc. has created a memory foam seat cushion that not only alleviates back pain, but additionally provides relief for other ailments as well. -- Colorado Springs, United States- May 27, 2016 - The Colorado based company Pijio Inc. introduces a new orthopedic seat cushion in line of its healthy product innovation. The new product called Coccyx Orthopedic Comfort Memory Foam Seat Cushion, now available on Amazon.com, claims to relieve body pains and provide a multitude of health benefits for its users. Shawn Gibson, the founder of Pijio explains the motivation behind the creation of the orthopedic seat cushion: "A lot of people complain about having back pains, especially after long hours of working in the office or driving a car. This product is part of our goal to provide simple innovations that help people lessen their body pains and alleviate stress by making supplementary health solutions available on the market at a great price. Its non-slip bottom is perfect for use in the office, travel, car seat, plane, wheelchair, scooter, or even a stadium. As a hardworking person, I know how stress and poor ergonomics can physically make us feel ill." The orthopedic seat cushion is made of 100% high density memory foam that can withstand G-Force lift off and has a removable cover for easy cleaning. It is perfectly shaped to accommodate customers of all shapes and sizes. In addition to being plush and warm, it is made of hypoallergenic materials which makes it workable for individuals with sensitive skin. According to Gibson, the seat cushion for back pain is "actually just one of its true benefits." The company claims that the product can also relieve higher levels of pain such as spinal pressure, numbness, sciatic nerve damage, hemorrhoids, and herniated discs. It also helps to alleviate throbbing muscles of individuals suffering from rare diseases such as Fibromyalgia, Piriformis Syndrome, and Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. "The warmth of the memory foam seat cushion sends invigorating energy throughout the body, which will prevent muscle inflammation. Since it has an adaptive form, it supports the tailbone while sitting and provides lumbar support to avert lower back pains due to seating pressure," Gibson explains. Additional benefits being hyped by the company includes the antibacterial characteristics of the cushion. The orthopedic seat cushion repels both dust and bacteria to further support relaxing work and long sitting hours. "The memory foam makes any seat you put it on instantly 50 times more comfortable, plus the fabric on the outside is ridiculously soft and clean," says Soraich, an avid Amazon customer. Customers were delighted to find easy access to the product on Amazon.com. According to an loyal Pijio buyer, Gibson has been in a talk of launching a new healthy product for quite a while and now she is "thankful that it is finally available." Gibson says that the company will continue to provide "what customers need and deserve." The orthopedic seat cushion can be bought at and comes with a 100 percent money back guarantee. "We feel really good about our product," says Gibson. "We will continue to provide this orthopedic seat cushion knowing that it is healthily beneficial to working individuals and especially to seniors who are suffering from disease-oriented pains." More information about the Coccyx Orthopedic Comfort Memory Foam Seat Cushion and other Pijio products please visit For more information about us, please visit http://www.pijio.com Contact Info: Name: Shawn Gibson Email: support@pijio.com Organization: Pijio Inc. Address: 5085 List Drive, Suite 308 Phone: 719-309-1085 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/pijio-inc-launches-new-orthopedic-seat-cushion-that-reduces-back-pain/117036 Release ID: 117036 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) CPA Ads Academy Stefan Ciancio 2016 YouTube Ads Tutorial Program Launched A new online marketing course has launched that shows users how to make use of CPA adverts on YouTube videos to increase their traffic, build brand recognition, and improve conversion. It can be enjoyed by novices and experts alike in any niche. -- A new online course has launched that details full instructions on how to launch CPA campaigns across YouTube and the online landscape. CPA Ads Academy explains that it specializes in promotions that allow users to pay for specific actions on the front end of the offer, which lends itself well to social media, where people enjoy sharing, liking and subscribing to content on a regular basis. More information can be found on the official CPA Ads Academy website at: http://letsgolook.at/CPAAdsAcademy. The website explains that the online course will allow interested parties to learn how to maximise business from a wide range of clients, many of whom will be subscribing to different services, and often for free. Because of this, there is no need for website owners to compete with thousands of other marketers, because the lessons show them how to carve their own niche, helping to them to stand out in the marketplace. As is underscored on the CPA Ads Academy site, the program features full tutoring on how to make use of YouTube advertising in order to develop and run a series of CPA adverts. Users don't need to know how to make their own videos, because the course, run by Stefan, Brian and Timothy, focuses on unique and powerful strategies involving in-stream and in-display ads. The course uncovers how they are driving traffic from other people's videos to his high converting landing and opt-in pages. The website explains that this leads to large increases in user engagement, and both short and long term business increases. Course creator Bryan has been employing this strategy for years, and many of his students have enjoyed success as well. The course elaborates on his methods and those used by his students, with an emphasis on helping interested parties to achieve their goals in each individual niche. The course is delivered in a step-by-step way, providing intuitive yet simple instructions for each participant to follow. This allows their businesses to benefit from cheaper, higher quality website traffic that has gone unnoticed by their competitors. 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Peter Mantu of "Success with Peter Mantu" considers himself as a justifiable InstaNiche review critic, primarily because of his past and extensive experience with ClickBank marketing, international money transfers and free traffic generation methods he acquired over the years. For more information on a comprehensive InstaNiche review, visit the website located at the bottom of this Press Release. Peter Mantu proposes a high recommendation that in InstaNiche users take advantage of Instagram's new video ads platform which can potentially drive massive amounts of traffic and sales. Other useful and similar resources by Peter Mantu include his DNA Wealth Blueprint 3.0 review and Project Supremacy Review InstaNiche is an all-in-one keyword research and Search Engine Optimization tool for creating sixty-seconds Amazon Niche-based websites, which means there is no need for anything else. Other features include keyword ideation, competitive analysis, a "how to rank videos" system and more. 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It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours. Farms across the country are gearing up to welcome thousands of visitors through their gates as they showcase the best of British agriculture. More than 400 farms are expected to play host to 250,000 people during this years Open Farm Sunday, which takes place on Sunday, 5 June. Organised by charity Linking Environment And Farming (Leaf), the day aims to show the non-farming public how farmers grow crops for food, clothing, medicine and fuel. See also: Tips for first-time Open Farm Sunday participants It will also highlight the science and technology behind British agriculture. Since its launch in 2006, Open Farm Sunday has seen more than 1.6 million people visit a farm and learn about the vital work farmers do. Open Farm Sunday founder Ian Pigott was awarded an OBE in the 2016 New Years Honours. In the past three years, more than 80% of visitors reported learning something new about farming, and one in five visitors had not visited a farm before. Open Farm Sunday manager Annabel Shackleton said: Open Farm Sunday is the industrys annual open day showcasing all types of farming. Historically, it has focused on the story of food production, but British farmers are responsible for so much more. Whether they are producing nutritious food, fuel, or crops for medicine, clothing and manufacturing, we want to reach out to all farmers to share their story. Ms Shackleton added: The day is a great opportunity to show the public why farming is so important and to help build trust and understanding in agriculture. Whether farmers choose to hold a simple farm walk or a much bigger event, Open Farm Sunday is their chance to explain to the public what farming is all about and why it matters. A series of Open Farm School Days will also run throughout June providing schoolchildren with the opportunity to visit a farm to learn about how food is produced and where it comes from. Leaf, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has produced a series of videos to promote the day and help farmers who want to get involved about how to put on a safe, engaging and enjoyable event. The machinery sponsor for this years event is John Deere, which has produced 35,000 information leaflets for visitors to take home, featuring some useful industry facts. Details of participating farms can be found on the Open Farm Sunday website. Munsterplatz : Food stand on fire at culture fest Bonn Fire fighters were called to an international festival in Bonn city center where a food stand had caught fire. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken The Fire Department was called to put out a fire at around 11 a.m. on Sunday morning in Bonn city center. A food stand in a tent near the Post Office had caught fire. It was part of the International and Intercultural encounters festival. Police began putting out the fire with powder extinguisher before the Fire Department arrived. Those working at the food stand were able to leave the open area quickly and were not harmed in the fire. Neighboring stands and tents did not catch fire but the affected area was cordoned off. The exact cause of the fire is not yet known. Welsh shares AF priorities with AFA By Staff Sgt. Alyssa C. Gibson , Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Command Information / Published May 27, 2016 WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III gave his in-uniform presentation to members of the Air Force Association during the association's breakfast at the Sheraton Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, May 26. During the event, Welsh stressed to members of industry and media that manpower, readiness, modernization, airpower and Airmen all matter very much to today's Air Force. Manpower "We talk a lot about technical things capabilities and mission sets but the biggest problem we have in the Air Force right now is manpower," Welsh said. "And every problem we have with growing, modernizing and increasing mission capabilities is manpower related." He said it's not a complicated problem; it's just the reality of the Air Force right now. "What we can't do is take the same number of people and just expand all the things they're doing by thinning out every mission area," Welsh said. "People are a limiting factor right now, and adding more burden on them in any way, shape or form is a bad idea." Airmen are already tired, and if they leave the Air Force because they're completely worn out, "we're in trouble," he said. Readiness "Our response requirements dictate that our entire force be ready active, Guard and Reserve they have to be trained to the same standard, have the same qualifications and evaluations because they're all responding together," Welsh said. "Within the first couple months of any major conflict, almost 100 percent of the Air Force would be required to deploy. So, we have to be ready now." Modernization Welsh said the Air Force has to be ready, capable and equipped to win the fight today, and ready, capable and viable to win the fight years from now. "All the things we have today won't make us successful 10, 20, 30 years from now it just won't," Welsh said. "We have to be modernizing there's no other option it's modernize or fail. Right now we need to be worrying about winning the fight in 2030. Modernization is our lifeblood; we have to do it. "The weapons systems that made us great for the last 50 years are not the ones that will make us great for the next 50," he continued. "We just have to wrap our minds around that and move forward because if we don't, we will eventually fail. Without airpower, you will lose. It's just the way warfare is." Airpower Airpower is equally as critical as land and maritime power; without it, future fights will be lost, Welsh said. "We should be talking about modernization, where missions fit together, where they overlap, where we can save money, where we need more capabilities," he continued. "There ought to be a debate about where airpower fits in the joint scheme of priorities because we need to be looking 20 to 30 years from now, from a joint perspective, and deciding what the U.S. military must have." Airmen Welsh said the education, training and professional development of Airmen is "absolutely essential" to the nation's success. "We can't skimp on that at all. We shouldn't take a dime out of that. In fact, we should be adding more resources to it," he said. In addition to deserving the best possible care, programs that ensure Airmen feel encouraged, enabled and valued should be a continuous focus of the Air Force, he continued. "The great, great, great majority of people in our Air Force are unbelievably dedicated, committed, patriotic, brave, courageous and wonderful that's just who they are," Welsh said. "I'd compare this workforce to any workforce on the planet. And I'm really going to miss them." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Transcript Presenter: Colonel Steve Warren, Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman; Captain Jeff Davis, Director, Defense Press Office May 27, 2016 Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Warren via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq CAPTAIN JEFF DAVIS: Thank you, Steve, for coming to us later today to allow for the naval commencement to take place before you came out. I know that cuts into your dinner time a little bit, but we appreciate you being flexible in your schedule. We'll turn it over to you for opening comments. COLONEL STEVE WARREN: Well, Jeff, thanks a lot and good afternoon, Pentagon press corps. I am glad you were able to -- I know it's a three-day weekend, and I am probably the only thing between you and barbecue, so we will try to keep this snappy. And I have a few prepared remarks, so I'll get right to them. Operations to liberate Fallujah have begun. Karmah, a town located 10 miles northeast of the city is clear. ISF are moving along multiple axes, but have not yet entered the city. We estimate there to be up to 50,000 citizens remaining in Fallujah and that the Iraqi government has been clear that protecting these civilians is their priority. We have dropped leaflets to inform the population to avoid ISIL areas. Those leaflets directed those who cannot leave, to put white sheets on their roofs to mark their locations. The Iraqi Army is working hard to establish evacuation routes. And the local Anbar government has set up camps for displaced civilians. As was the case in Ramadi, Hit and Rutbah, this is a combined operation made up of thousands of forces from the Iraqi army, the federal police, Sunni tribal fighters, and CTS. Popular mobilization forces are also participating in this operation. And they have said publicly that they will remain outside the city. The coalition has been supporting this effort with airstrikes and from Taqaddum with some artillery or fire. Over the last four days, the 20 strikes, totaling 57 engagements, have destroyed fighting positions, gun emplacements. We've killed more than 70 enemy fighters, including Maher Al-Bilawi, who is the commander of ISIL forces in Fallujah. For perspective, across the entire battlefield in the same timeframe, the coalition conducted 102 total airstrikes that killed 231 total enemy fighters. It's still early in the Fallujah fight, so it's unclear how long this battle will last. We've seen two flavors of ISIL in the last several months. In Ramadi, we encountered an enemy that chose to stand and fight. More recently in Hit and in Rutbah, ISIL hid behind women and children before throwing down their weapons and running away. In both cases, they lost, but one was quicker than the other. Of note, we saw local newspaper reports that some of the fighters who fled Rutbah were arrested by their leadership and then executed by being placed in bakery ovens and cooked to death. Elsewhere in Anbar, the 18th 'FedPol' pushed 65 kilometers west of Rutbah to the Wali junction and successfully reclaimed an outpost. Also a former U.S. military base there that we used to, back in the old days, called Camp Korean Village. Some of you have probably been there. In the Tigris River valley, units from the 15th Iraqi Army Division continue clearance and security operations in KabRook. Today's focus may be on Fallujah, but Mosul remains in our crosshairs. Over the last three days, we conducted 12 strikes totaling 32 engagements that destroyed multiple enemy headquarters, several VBIEDs, multiple tactical units, a media center, and a tunnel system. Moving to Syria. This week, the SDF, Syrian Democratic Forces, announced they've begun regular operations to liberate the countryside north of Raqqah. We've always been focused on kicking Daesh out of Raqqah and we will continue to support the SDF, particularly the Syrian-Arab component, as they conduct ground operations to further isolate the city. There are more than 200 American advisers in Syria working with the Syrian-Arab coalition as they continue to pressure ISIL across a broad front stretching from the Tishreen Dam to Shaddadi. Now, recently there were images of two CJTF service members wearing YPG patches. And I want to make it very clear, and this is coming from the commander of CJTF OIR, that our focus is to provide advice and assistance to the Syrian Democratic Forces, particularly the Syrian-Arab component of that force. I just wanted to make that clear up front. Now, finally as we move into Memorial Day weekend, let's not forget the three Americans who have lost their lives supporting this operation: Army Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler, Marine Staff Sergeant Louis Cardin, and Navy Chief Petty Officer Charles Keating. These men are American heroes and will not be forgotten. Every warrior knows that when we speak the names of the fallen, they live on. With that, I'll take your questions, and hopefully A.P. is there, and so either Lita or Bob, let's start with you. CAPT. DAVIS: Go ahead, Lita. Q: Hi, Steve. First of all, congratulations on your final briefing from Iraq. And I think on behalf of all of us, we appreciate all the effort you've put into these and hope that they will continue as such even after you leave. My question, you talked a little bit about the Syria photographs. I have two questions on that. Number one, Turkey has lodged I guess a -- or at least made known their formal unhappiness with the U.S. forces wearing the patches. Do you know if the commanders there or anyone has responded to Turkey with any either explanation or anything on that? And secondly, can you give us I guess a better sense of what the U.S. special operations forces are doing in Syria? We understand they are not on the front lines, but are they getting closer to the front lines as the Syrian rebel forces move closer to Raqqah? And I think we understand they're helping to call in airstrikes. Is that not the case? COL. WARREN: Thank you for that, Lita. I think the first thing to make clear is that wearing those YPG patches was -- was unauthorized and it was inappropriate and corrective action has been taken, and we have communicated as much to our military partners and our military allies in the region. As far as what our forces are doing, they're there to provide advice and assistance to the Syrian-Arab coalition, the Syrian Arabs who are working to pressure Raqqah and ultimately defeat ISIL. What does that mean, advise and assist? Well, you know, we've seen what it means here in Iraq, and it's really the same type of mission. It is providing advice to these forces on how best to fight. A couple of, I think, important points to note. Number one, the American forces are -- their guidance, their direction is to position themselves on the battlefield in areas where enemy contact is unlikely. So they conduct mission analysis and they go through a series of steps to analyze where they're about to go, and before they go somewhere, they ensure that wherever it is they go, enemy contact is not likely or in fact is unlikely. So I think that's number one. And then as they are moving around the areas where they're providing advice and assistance, the types of things that they're working on really are everything from how these units can better coordinate the logistical piece of their fight. We will take a look at some of their tactical battle plans and help to refine those. And we'll help them with integration. You know, we do have air power, of course, providing support to these Syrian-Arab forces, and one of the things that our advisers are really capable of doing is helping to integrate the air and the ground movement. What does integration mean? Well, it means -- it means insuring that the air power is in the right place at the right time. So it's understanding the ground maneuver plan and then relaying the details of that plan to the air planners so that they can appropriately ensure that the right aircraft, the right ISR assets -- the right aircraft with the right weapons systems based on what we think the enemy's going to be doing are in the right place at the right time. So this is the type of -- and you know, so that kind of gets at the higher end. Down at the lower end, you know, these are -- there are the -- really some of the best soldiers in the world, the American advisers. And so certainly while there, there's going to be some just kind of day-to-day here's how to be a soldier, you know, advice and assistance that gets passed on. So I think that in a nutshell really is what we do. Again, it's important to notice -- or to note that they -- the advisers are required to stay in areas where enemy contact is not likely, so. Q: Thanks. Just a quick follow-up. Off the top, you said that wearing the patches was unauthorized and inappropriate and corrective action has been taken. Does that mean they were just told to take them -- to remove the patches? And does this -- was anyone either reprimanded or anything on this? And I thought in the past, U.S. forces have either routinely or at other times worn patches or insignias of forces that they are with. Is it unique to this particular location that it was inappropriate, or are you saying that all forces anywhere are not allowed to do this ever? COL. WARREN: Well, so I guess there's two parts to that answer. Wearing those patches is not authorized, right? Our regulations say -- Army regulations say don't -- don't wear those patches. That said, the special forces community has a long and proud history of wearing such patches when they are partnering with forces around the world, and you'll see examples of that in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Latin America and all over the world where these special forces personnel train and conduct, you know, foreign internal defense type operations. This is something that they often do, and it's an effort to, you know, just kind of connect with those that they're training. But the fact of the matter is, you know, it's not authorized. So in this case, you know, they were directed to remove the patches. As far as any additional reprimands or anything like that, I'm -- I'm not aware. But the bottom line and the important thing is that the situation has been corrected and that we have communicated to our allies that such conduct was inappropriate and it was unauthorized. Q: Thank you. CAPT. DAVIS: Next, to (Tara Copp ?). Q: Hi, Steve. First, very important question for you. What is the first thing you're going to grill when you get home? (Laughter.) COL. WARREN: Hopefully, it stopped raining in Virginia and I'll be able to get my grill sparked up. We'll have to wait and see. Q: All right. Second for you, can you give us a sense -- when troops are behind the forward lines, on average, what's that distance? What -- if you could just walk us through what we could expect that distance to be for their own protection? COL. WARREN: Well, it's impossible to put a number on that because it depends on the terrain and it depends on the enemy situation. So in -- in constricted terrain, they will be a little bit closer. In wide-open terrain, they'll naturally be a little bit farther. So there is no -- there is no answer. It will very anywhere from miles to kilometers is really the closest I can get. There just isn't -- if you recall when we conducted operations to liberate the city of Sinjar, we talked about the fact that there were advisers on the very top of the mountain that overlooks the city. So straight-line distance in that case was, you know, under a thousand meters. You know, in other cases, they're going to be much further back. And in other cases, they could potentially, I suppose, be closer. I don't think that would be very common. But then again, recently, and we mentioned during the opening, Petty Officer Charles Keating -- Chief Petty Officer Charles Keating, who at that time that there was an advise and assist mission being conducted, they were three kilometers behind the -- the known forward line of troops, but then there was an attack and the penetration and, you know, the distance closed rapidly. So there is no single answer to that, particularly in this terrain, which varies mightily from place to place, everything from -- from kind of wide open plain -- grass-covered plains to almost surface of the moon desert to rolling hills, in some cases mountains. So there -- there really is no single answer. It's all about analyzing the mission beforehand, understanding where we expect that the enemy is located, what we expect the enemy will do and then what -- how the terrain factors into that. CAPT. DAVIS: Next, to Tom from AFP. Q: Hi, Steve. Thanks for -- thanks for your -- your time with us in Baghdad. Could you give us an update or an estimate of the total number of strikes, coalition strikes, in and around Raqqah since this push began? Because the Syrian Observatory put out a statement saying that there had been about 150, which seems somewhat at odds with the daily updates we've been getting. And also in Iraq, has there been an uptick in coalition strikes in -- over the last couple of days in terms of total numbers? Thank you. COL. WARREN: Yes, I saw that 150 number; it's incorrect. I didn't bring the numbers by city with me, but it -- so we release the actual number of strikes that we conducted every day. So we post those on our -- on our website, the Operation Inherent Resolve website. So I would ask you to go check out that website. It's a terrific website, by the way, and where we archive every single of our strike releases. And you can -- anyone in the world, it's a public website. So you can just pull up the -- you can just pull up those daily strike releases, you can look through it. It's usually only one page long. You can look through it, find where it says Mosul, and right next to the word -- right next to the name of the city -- or in your case, you're interested in Raqqah. Right next to the name of the city, you will see the exact number of strikes conducted that day. So it's an easy -- easy matter to go check it out and figure out what the total numbers are. But you know, it's been averaging two to three strikes, each strike consisting of anywhere from three to four individual engagements. So I don't -- I didn't bring all of that with me, but it's easy to look up. Q: Why this huge discrepancy? What would you attribute that to? COL. WARREN: Can you say that again? You broke up on me. Q: Yeah, just what would you attribute that huge discrepancy between the figures that CENTCOM puts out and what the observatory is saying? COL. WARREN: I have no idea what they're talking about; 150 -- that's completely off the scale. I mean, it has no relationship to reality. So, I can't attribute it to anything. Q: Thanks, Steve, for doing this. And, you know, I wish you -- it's a good time for your life here in the United States. I will have a couple of questions. One of them is related to one of your remarks, that you said our service -- our focus in Syria is to provide support to the SDF, particularly the Arab component of this group. But interesting, because we haven't ever seen any American, you know, special forces pictured alongside the Arab forces. And why is the -- the main focus is on the Arab component of this force, how could we see that -- the special forces wearing the YPG patches, not the Arab forces patches? COL. WARREN: Jeff, you're going to have to get the microphone out. I'm only catching about every 10th word. CAPT. DAVIS: We're -- (inaudible) -- down. We'll try again. In the meantime, maybe just a little louder. Q: OK. You said that our focus in Syria is to support the Syrian Democratic Forces, and particularly the Arab component of the Syrian Democratic Force. But we haven't seen several pictures, videos of this -- of the special forces surfaced on Internet, and most of them -- nearly all of them are with -- (inaudible) -- any Arab component of this SDF Forces. And if -- if in particular thing -- particular focus is with the Arab component of this SDF, this ally, then why we haven't seen any American special forces wearing Arab coalition forces patches, rather we see them wearing YPG patches? COL. WARREN: There's only -- thank you for that. There's been one situation where we have confirmed that there were legitimate pictures of American servicemembers in Syria -- only one. And that was yesterday. And in that case, it was difficult to tell exactly who they were with, frankly. Presumably, they were with Syrian Arabs, because that's who they're there to train. But it was difficult, at least from the photos, to even tell who they were with. But those are the only pictures that are out there. I know there's -- the Internet is full of pictures, a majority of them either fake or wrong. But in this case, these are the only pictures that, you know, we're tracking as being legitimate. So I think that's the answer. Q: Do you have anything on the other corridor currently that's under the pressure of ISIS, where ISIS are -- ISIS fighters are -- (inaudible) -- Mara line -- (inaudible) -- from each other? And why did the coalition air support delay so much? COL. WARREN: Why did the coalition do what today so much? Q: Currently, ISIS is cutting off the Mara line, and the Mara city opposition -- opposed, and other opposition -- (inaudible) -- from each other because they are -- they are infiltrating into the line. And it has been for days that the fight is going on over there. But we have seen little -- very few coalition airstrikes. The question is: Why the coalition delayed to support this group over there, you know -- (inaudible)? COL. WARREN: We have to do something about this sound. I can't answer. (CROSSTALK) CAPT. DAVIS: OK. Back to (Kasem ?). Q: Maybe it was because of me. The -- the -- the question. OK. So, Steve, there are reports that the route connecting Mara -- he's saying something? Should I go ahead? COL. WARREN: Got you loud and clear. Q: So there are reports that the route connecting Mara to ISIS is now about to fall to ISIS, and the Free Syrian Army have been fighting against ISIS over there for days. But they are complaining that coalition delayed to give air support to them in time. The question is, is there a particular reason for the delay in the coalition air support to Free Syrian Army and others? COL. WARREN: No, there is no -- there is no particular reason for any delay. In fact, we always try to rush airpower to where it's needed when it's needed. But you have to understand, the aircraft do have to travel through space, and that does take time. There are not aircraft available instantly all the time. So we try to predict where we need to have the aircraft on any given day. We don't always know exactly where the enemy's going to be, where he's going to pop up, where he's going to choose to fight. So in some cases, the aircraft will be committed elsewhere, they will be conducting engagements somewhere else or they simply won't be available. But every case, when we have forces that we're partnered with in contact who require or request air support, we do everything we can to get air support to them that as rapidly as possible. And you know, we had the same problem down south in -- (inaudible) -- two weeks ago where forces there were under fire, they did request air support. We sent air support, but by the time -- by the time the air got there, it was too late and several friendly forces were killed, but the battle essentially was over by the time the air got there. So it's one of the limiting factors of air power; it can't be everywhere all the time. CAPT. DAVIS: (OFF-MIKE) Q: Hi, Colonel Warren. This is Carla Babb with VOA. I just wanted to second what Lita said. First, a big thank you for everything that you've done, getting us the information at all hours of the day, working hard to answer our questions. So thank you for that. I want to follow up on the commander of Fallujah forces that was killed. Can you give us more information about this commander? When was he killed? How was he killed? And how long was he a commander? And spell his name, please, if you've got it. COL. WARREN: Stand by. Let me find him. So, his name was Maher -- mike-alpha-hotel-echo-romeo, that's his first name. His middle name is al -- that's alpha-lima. Then there's a hyphen, and then it's bravo-india-lima-alpha-whisky-india -- Maher al-Bilawi. And he was the commander of enemy forces there in Fallujah. Don't know how long he had been the commander there. We killed him two days ago during a strike. This was, you know, this was a result of intelligence that we gathered on the headquarters and his location. And we had the opportunity to take the strike and we took it. This, of course, won't completely cause the enemy to stop fighting, but it's a blow. And it creates confusion and it causes the second-in-command to have to move up. It causes other leadership to have to move around. So it's this continuously chipping away at leaders, both strategically when we go after their more high-value individuals, or tactically. This cat wasn't part of the high-value individual list. This is some intelligence we developed locally. We worked it very rapidly. And we took an effective strike and scored one for the good guys. So, that's kind of all we have on him. We know who and what he was, but we don't -- we don't really know his bio. Q: Jamie McIntyre. -- (inaudible) -- strike -- (inaudible). CAPT. DAVIS: I think you'll be fine without the mike. Q: All right. So, hi, Steve. This being your last briefing from Baghdad, I'm just going to ask you to reflect a little bit. You have to sell a war that it hasn't always been marked by spectacular victories. You've been going mano-a-mano at times with the Russian-Putin propaganda machine. And you've had to make arguments for this war that are very nuanced sometimes to news media that's skeptical and doesn't do nuance very well. So, I want you to just reflect back, how difficult has that been? How do you think you've done? Have you been able to maintain your credibility and integrity in this job as the chief military spokesman in Baghdad? COL. WARREN: Thanks, Jamie -- very -- that's a deep question and very personal. So, I'll tell you what I tell a lot of the folks around me. So I guess at least here in Iraq I'm the senior public affairs officer, but there are a number of subordinate public affairs officials and practitioners and professional communicators. And what I've tried to tell them over the last year is -- is that I'm not here to sell this war. I have no desire to sell this war. I see my role as to try to explain it. Selling wars is for other people. That's not for us. That's not for soldiers. Our job is to win the war and while we're doing it, to explain what we're doing. I think we have a real duty to America who entrusts us with blood and treasure. The sons and daughters, the fathers and sons of America are put in our care as leaders in the military. And millions upon millions -- billions of dollars are entrusted to us to defend our way of life. And I think we have a duty -- I think I have a duty to hold this institution at least somewhat accountable; to explain how we are spending that money and to explain how we are bringing that blood, those sons and daughters into this fight and how we're doing it. I guess it's your job to hold us accountable, but it's my job to answer for what we've done and what we are doing. So that's what I've tried to do. And I had one goal. My mentor, Admiral Kirby, taught me when he became the press secretary for the Department of Defense, he said that his goal in that job, which he knew would be nuanced and he knew would be tricky and he knew would be difficult, was to depart with his personal integrity and credibility intact. And I'll tell you, I'm lucky. I work for a commander who is probably one of the best commanders we've seen in our -- in a generation, General Sean MacFarland. And he has made it easy for me to keep my integrity intact and to keep my credibility intact. Because he has never asked me or even suggested that I do anything otherwise. So that has been easy. It's been a challenge. There's a lot of information out there. The Russians are out there, as you mentioned. The Iranians are out there. We know the Shia militia are out there messaging. We know Bashar al-Assad is messaging. We know our enemy, ISIS, ISIL or Daesh. We have a hard time even settling on what to call them, but we know that they are out there very actively messaging. They use this same medium to both recruit and to terrorize. And so it is a duty to fight that. This war is being fought on a lot of levels, as is every war in history. It's being fought with bombs, American and coalition bombs. It's being fought with Iraqi and Syrian bullets. But it's also being fought with words. And so I try to take it as seriously as I can. I try to always bring an A-game when I'm interacting with you who really are part of this war, whether you want to be or not, because it's through you that my words and our actions are transmitted. It's also through you that the enemy's words and actions are transmitted. I know that you all work very hard to ensure that you strike a good balance. And that you don't allow yourselves to get suckered by enemy propaganda and you don't allow yourselves to be confused by our sometimes dense military language. And so good on you, and keep that up. And that really is your duty forever. And that's to watch what happens here, to ask smart questions about what happens here; to keep yourself informed about what happens here; and not to be suckered by anyone's words. Check for yourself. And I see a lot of folks doing that. I'm slowly but surely beginning to see more reporters start to trickle out here. And that's -- that's good. That's as it should be. I'll tell you, we can't help you like we used to. You know, back in the old days, we had these massive embed programs where we could bring in dozens -- tens and twenties of reporters at a time, and embed them into units, provide them the protection that they require, and show them what's going on. Those days are no longer here. We just don't have that capacity, as much as we'd like to. We simply don't have the capacity to do that. And a lot of this war is being fought by warriors who -- who do not want to be in the limelight, who do not want their words, deeds or actions to be seen because of the security requirements that are on them. So that makes it harder for you. And I know that. I personally believe that the Pentagon press corps is the most professional press corps in Washington and it's been a pleasure to watch you cover this war and try to -- to try to get the word out. So thanks for that question, Jamie. (CROSSTALK) CAPT. DAVIS: Next to Kristina Wong. Q: Hi, Steve. Thanks -- thanks again for all your briefings and I -- (inaudible) -- but it will be good to have you back stateside. On Fallujah with the leaflets that are being dropped for the civilians, are there any indications that civilians are actually taking that advice and putting up the white sheets on -- on rooftops? And how feasible is that as a way to protect civilians? COL. WARREN: So, we have seen some of that. We've seen civilians standing on their rooftops. Yes, we have seen some of that. We have seen some white sheets. We have seen civilians standing on their roofs with white cloths of some sort. More than that, we have seen some civilians try to get out of the city, which is really the first thing that these leaflets -- and these were leaflets dropped by the Iraqis, designed and dropped by the Iraqis. So we didn't have a part in it. We have seen the leaflets have some effect though, as we've seen civilians attempt to exfiltrate the city. It's tough, though, I'll tell you. This is -- this is an enemy that doesn't want the civilian population to leave. Why? Because they want to hide behind the civilian population. They know it makes it harder for us. So this is -- it's going to be -- it's going to be a hard challenge to find a way to liberate this city and still keep the civilian population as safe as possible. And the Iraqis understand that they have a challenge on their hands. And we're working closely with them. The international community is here working closely with them; the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations. Everyone here is working together to try and solve this problem of liberating Fallujah, while at the same time protecting the very civilians that we're trying to liberate. So it's a -- it's a hard problem. There are no easy solutions to it, but we're going to keep trying. We're going to continue to advise the Iraqis on what's best to do. And we're going to get the city liberated. Q: The artillery units at Taqaddum, can they move forward? Are they expected to move forward to Fallujah? COL. WARREN: No. Fallujah's well in range of those guns. They have no -- no need to move. Q: Lastly, back to the patches, the YPG patches, you said they were unauthorized and inappropriate. What is inappropriate about that, especially given the long history of special forces wearing them? And earlier this week, Peter Cook said they were -- they were to blend in with the local population. Also, you know, to show support. So what is -- what is inappropriate about wearing those patches? COL. WARREN: Well, there's political sensitivities around the -- the organization that that patch represents, and that makes it inappropriate. The sensitivities, in fact, are with a NATO ally. So you've got to understand, these guys on the ground do what they're going to do and they have their customs and courtesies that they have been following for years. But it's also important to understand the larger strategic context, which -- and I think that's the inappropriateness of it, is that they didn't understand that or appreciate it as they should have. So again, the correction has been made. We have communicated with our allies that we felt that those patches were inappropriate and we acknowledged that they're unauthorized because they are unauthorized. Just plain and simple; they're not authorized. And we've made the correction, so everybody's moving on. Q: Were any of them YPJ patches? COL. WARREN: You know, I looked at them and it was hard to tell. You know, it wasn't -- the resolution on those pictures wasn't the best. So I don't know, you'd have to take a close look. I only scanned them on our internet, which you can tell from this connection is not the best, so. CAPT. DAVIS: Next, to Tom -- (inaudible). Q: Colonel Warren, can you tell us if any of these U.S. special operation forces in Syria have engaged in combat? Have they been attacked? Have they fired their weapons? COL. WARREN: To my knowledge, no. At this point, none of them have been engaged in Syria. You know, we know there's been cases of it happening in Iraq. But to my knowledge, no. But I will say that with a caveat. You know, it's -- you know, they are deep behind enemy lines, aren't they? So you know, I don't know what doesn't get reported. We only know what gets reported. So I do want to caveat that up front that, you know, frankly, at this level, at the three-star JCTF headquarters level, we may not have perfect fidelity on what happens every minute of every day out there in the wilds of Syria. But to our knowledge, there have been no reports of firefights, if you will, involving our forces there. CAPT. DAVIS: Next, to David -- (inaudible). Q: Steve, you said, back on the rules of engagement for the special operation forces in Syria, that they could only be in areas where contact is not likely. Earlier, we'd been given a much more specific definition, which was one terrain feature between them and the enemy so that they would not be exposed to direct fire. Is it both those? I mean, one sounds specific, one sounds much more open to interpretations of judgment. COL. WARREN: It is -- it's kind of both, Dave. It's -- the requirement is one -- is where enemy contact is not likely. The general application of that is a terrain feature back, if that makes sense. But that's kind of -- the terrain feature piece is more of a rule of thumb, if you will. Enemy contact not likely based on a very specific set of criteria that go into the mission analysis. So enemy contact not likely, that's the standard. The one terrain feature back, that's kind of the rule of thumb because often, that will be the case. You know, particularly in this battlefield, the way it's -- you know, this isn't mechanized warfare, you know, on a grand scale where you have forces able to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time. This is a little bit more constrained because of the types of forces that are fighting. This isn't M-1s, you know, at the National Training Center able to really cover a lot of ground. So, the one terrain features -- but to answer your question -- it's kind of a rule of thumb. We use it a lot of times just as shorthand, and to be able to hopefully rapidly communicate the rough idea, which is not where the enemy is. Q: Can you hear me? CAPT. DAVIS: Steve? Checking audio. He asked if there were any other rules of thumb. COL. WARREN: None come to mind. But the thing about rules of thumb is you don't really notice them until they come up. So -- but none come to mind right now. On this particular piece, you know, how to relate to the enemy while conducting advise and assist operations, I'm not -- I'm not -- no other rules of thumb come to mind. Broadly speaking in the United States Army, we've got plenty of rules of thumb out there, but we can talk about those later. CAPT. DAVIS: Eating yellow snow comes to mind. (Carlo Munoz ?)? Q: Hey, Steve. Just a quick question on this -- (inaudible). (CROSSTALK) COL. WARREN: Admiral Kirby taught me that one. Don't stand up in a canoe. Q: Hey, Steve. Just a quick question on the current security situation in Baghdad. Things seem to have quieted down. I just wanted to kind of see what sort of the feedback has been from your Iraqi counterparts. Is there still discussion about possibly moving some forces back to the city to reinforce security? And the second part is, how much do you think this sort of Fallujah offensive has kind of improved security in the city? Or has it had any effect at all? COL. WARREN: I think it's too soon to tell whether or not the Fallujah operations will have an impact on -- on security in Baghdad. When Fallujah is finally liberated and cleared of enemy, we believe it will have an impact on Baghdad's security. I think the prime minister once referred to Fallujah as a knife pointing towards the throat of Baghdad. So, you know, I think when we clear it out, it will be a lot better. I have not seen or heard any additional discussion about the Iraqis repositioning forces. This is always their prerogative, of course. But right now as you observed, there does appear to be less demonstration activity. We've seen a lot of the Iraqi political and religious leadership make very public statements to not conduct demonstrations or protests, particularly while the Fallujah operation is being conducted. So we were encouraged to see that. So, so far, so good. CAPT. DAVIS: The gentleman from CNN? Q: Ryan Brown. Colonel, thank you for doing this, and thank you for all the briefs you've done. A couple of questions. First is some of the reporting accompanying the photos of the SOF forces talked about them having TOW missiles and firing them at VBIEDs. Would that kind of action be within the advise and assist description? Or would that -- is this reporting inaccurate? COL. WARREN: The reporting is completely inaccurate. Q: Moving on, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported that coalition airstrikes killed a French national ISIS leader named Fabien Clain. Do you have any information on that? COL. WARREN: I've certainly seen those press reports. We don't have any announcements to make regarding HVIs right now. Q: And finally on this white sheets for civilian protection in Fallujah, I know this information was communicated via leaflet. Is there any reason to believe that ISIS will not simply just put white sheets on some of their facilities to avoid being struck? COL. WARREN: There's no reason to believe that at all. They most likely will, and this is part of the complexity of urban warfare. Q: Thank you. CAPT. DAVIS: (OFF-MIKE) Q: Hey, Steve. I'd like to go back to the airstrikes in and around Raqqah. The U.S. coalition airstrikes, are they actually striking targets inside the city? And -- and does this complicate the deconfliction with the Russians? Did the Russians voluntarily halt their airstrikes in Raqqah or was this some kind of agreement between the U.S. and Russia to deconflict the airspace? COL. WARREN: So we don't deconflict the airspace, per se, with the Russians. We do conduct daily phone calls to ensure that we have safe operating conditions. The Russians only struck Raqqah on a very small handful of times. That is not normally where thy have been flying. Most of the Russian flights are concentrated more to the west of Syria. We are striking both in the center of Raqqah itself and of course out through the countryside. There is no area where we're not able to strike with extraordinary precision. So we will take our strikes wherever we deem necessary. So regarding the Russians, there hasn't been a problem there. They have taken a few strikes in Raqqah, but it's been a while and there just -- there hasn't been any problems with that. Again, you know, we have these weekly calls with the Russians to work out how to make sure our planes don't bump into each other or don't come into inadvertent contact, and that has worked generally fairly well, I think as General Brown described on Thursday. And so we'll continue that. CAPT. DAVIS: Next to Paul Shinkman. Q: Colonel Warren, Hi. I ditto all of the thanks for your work and we're very much looking forward to meeting and working with your successor. Just to follow up on Fallujah, you had said a few weeks ago that you didn't see any military reason to liberate Fallujah now. I realize that a lot has happened since then. I'd be interested to get your assessment on whether you still feel that way, what may have changed in that time and how the coalition understands Baghdad's rationale for choosing this time to liberate Fallujah. COL. WARREN: Well, thank you for that, Paul, it's a smart question. What I said specifically was -- or contextually, you know, we were talking about Fallujah as it relates to Mosul, right? So you know, you don't Fallujah in order to get Mosul. Mosul is our ultimate objective in Iraq, at least our ultimate geographical objective. And so what I said was unlike say, for example, Sinjar, you have to take Sinjar before you go to Mosul because Sinjar controls the -- the high-speed avenue of approach in between Raqqah and Mosul. So you'd be stupid to try to go to Mosul without taking Sinjar first, and we're not stupid. So that's an example of a place you have to go before you can go to Mosul. Fallujah's not -- doesn't fall into that category. You don't need Fallujah in order to get to Mosul. So the two are de-linked. So -- so that was the explanation -- (inaudible). So no military reason to take Fallujah in order to get to Mosul. You know, every city in Iraq's got to get cleared, right? I mean, that's what we're here for. We're here to clear Daesh, clear ISIL out of Iraq. So we're going to every city sooner or later, it's just a question of sequencing. And then I said, if I remember it right, having established that Fallujah is not necessary for Mosul, the sequencing then becomes a political decision, right? And -- and of course, Clausewitz taught us that all of this is part of politics, right? Everything that we do -- you know, war is -- is part of politics, an extension of it. So of course we understand as warriors, as professional soldiers, we understand the political component. We understand that there is going to be a political component. We understand that the leader of the country has to make decisions based on more than pure military necessity. We understand that perfectly well. So -- and of course, given recent unrest in Baghdad, given recent rash of bombings in Baghdad, surely that changes the political calculus for the civilian leadership of Iraq. We understand that completely and we accept it, and we're providing devastating airpower in support of the decision that the prime minister of Iraq made to liberate Fallujah. Does that answer -- Q: So, can you then clarify whether or not it's political attention or whether it's actual military deployment, especially for the CTS, how focusing on Fallujah now does not take away from the Mosul campaign? COL. WARREN: The forces involved in Fallujah are different from the forces that will be involved in Mosul. So the Mosul forces are continuing their preparations, continuing the force generation process, while the Fallujah, while the Anbar forces conduct operations in Anbar. Now, certainly it's going to bleed-off some leadership attention. That's to be expected. But, you know, if this operation goes rapidly, we'll see Fallujah liberated which will then really have great benefit, I think, because that will take some of the pressure off the political leadership in Baghdad. It will cause the Iraqi population to rest a little easier, particularly the Baghdad population, which of course is the center of gravity for Iraq. So, you know, everything's got a balance. I mean, we could -- we could -- we could do a graduate school seminar on this, right? You know, it's all about balance. So, while it may bleed-off some attention, that's the cost. The benefit will be heightened security in -- potentially heightened security in Baghdad. It will certainly be a heightened sense of comfort in Baghdad, which will then take political pressure -- will take pressure off of the leadership and allow them to focus more on Mosul down the road. So it's kind of like an investment, I guess. So, you know, all of these things continuously have to cycle and turn. And there's always analysis and there's everything from military necessity to political reality. And all of that has to be brought together with leaders both in uniform and out of uniform to come up with the right way ahead. Q: One last technical question. You talked about how the -- how the CTS was going to be involved in clearing Fallujah. As you understand it now, is the plan to be similar to their involvement in Ramadi, where the rest of the forces are providing sort of -- sort of circling the town and CTS are the ones who actually go in and clear it? COL. WARREN: Well, let's let the answer to that be a surprise to the enemy. How about it? CAPT. DAVIS: Lucas -- Lucas -- (inaudible). Q: Warren, how close are U.S. forces -- U.S.-backed forces to Raqqah right now? COL. WARREN: It depends. You know, they're not -- the American forces aren't fixed. As you know, we had some forces that Joe Votel visited. He was quite a distance away from Raqqah. In other cases, they're relatively close to the front lines, probably the Tishreen Dam when they were there is, what, 25 clicks away from Raqqah, I think. We had forces there on the Tishreen Dam. They go check on it from time to time. So there isn't a single number, but I'd say probably in the, you know, 20, 15, 20 miles at the closest at any given moment. But then at other times, they're significantly further away. They move. Q: How close are U.S.-backed forces to an invasion of Raqqah? Are we talking about in the next few weeks before Ramadan, before the end of the summer? COL. WARREN: Well, we want to keep the enemy guessing. You know, they recently declared a state of emergency in Raqqah because of the pressure that's being put on them. This enemy believes that an invasion of Raqqah could come at any time. And I choose to allow the enemy to continue believing that and -- and not know when his last days are coming. Q: Speaking of the front line, does the U.S. military always know where the front line is? COL. WARREN: Since World War I, I'm not sure anyone has ever always known where a front line is. You know, if there's a trench with some concertina wire in the middle, that tells you exactly where the line is. But the line isn't -- certainly isn't painted on the ground. And often, the line is really just kind of the straightest distance between two places where there are forces. So it's fluid, but we certainly have a general idea, you know, we know where bad-guy country is and where good-guy country is. And we stay in good-guy -- in the case of Syria, our forces stay in good-guy country. Q: Hey, Colonel Warren. Thanks for doing this again. Can you kind of characterize how isolated Fallujah is? Are they able to move ISIL fighters in and out of the city? You know, what are you guys seeing there? COL. WARREN: It is largely isolated, I guess is the -- is the modifier I would use. It's always possible for individuals to move in and out. There are no high-speed avenues of approach in or out, but there are rat lines that this enemy can use to infil or exfil men, material and equipment. So it's rare -- almost impossible to completely seal off a city. But Fallujah is, I think largely isolated. So there are, again, no high-speed avenues of approach in or out, but certainly, there's always an ability to move through rat lines and other methods. Q: And quickly following up, just -- have you guys seen ISIL fighters fleeing from -- from Fallujah as they see this attack coming? COL. WARREN: We haven't seen much of that yet. Again, we're still early. We're only about, I guess, three days into this so far and you know, the friendly forces are still a ways outside the city. I mentioned Garma in the opener; that's 10 miles away. So we've still got a ways to go, so we have to see what decisions the enemy makes as to whether or not they're going to break and run. You know, it's impossible to know what exactly what the enemy's thinking. Maybe they're waiting for a trigger point, maybe they don't plan on leaving or maybe they plan on waiting until a certain -- until a certain, you know, point in the development in the battle that will trigger them to go. So too soon to tell. CAPT. DAVIS: We are about out of time. Steve, before we turn it back over to you for some closing words, I did just want to tell for everybody. Last summer Colonel Steve Warren raised his hand and volunteered to serve in what is arguably one of the most complex and intellectually challenging jobs in the military, recognizing the need that we had to have somebody on the ground in Baghdad to be able to speak authoritatively and quickly, to serve the press and by extension the American people with accurate and timely information about this operation and recognizing that this was not an easy job; it's one that he was uniquely equipped to do better than anybody else out there. Steve made the personal sacrifice, setting aside his education, setting aside his family to serve at the pointy end of the spear. Steve, you have done this job with style, class, humor, passion and integrity, and I thank you on behalf of OSD Public Affairs, our press office and the entire public affairs community. You're a legend. You've made a difference and you will be missed. And Godspeed and we look forward to seeing you back here on this side of the camera soon. COL. WARREN: Jeff, thank you. You're too kind. Those are very thoughtful words. And thank you all for the kind words that you shared with me. And Jamie asked a great question, and so it kind of took my own thunder away from me, but I did want to talk about the press corps and how capable you are and how important it is that you do what you're doing. I also want to talk about Chris Garver, Colonel Chris Garver who arrives here tonight -- or tomorrow. He's been in Kuwait for the last -- almost year; he's been there since September. He is, in my view, the best public affairs officer in the United States Army. He is truly a professional communicator par excellence. It will be a pleasure for you to work with him, I guarantee it. He will be easy to work with. He's sophisticated, he's smart, he's capable, he understands this fight as well as anybody else does and he will do far better than I've done. And any success that I've had in this year is due largely to him and his effort. He's got a whole team in Kuwait who writes these openers for me, who provides information -- pushes provides information to me and has -- has -- if there's any success out there, I'm only the mouthpiece. There's an entire team of people here in Baghdad, whether it's Captain Tron Moore or Sergeant First Class Joel Gascot or Sergeant Katy Eggers or Sergeant First Class (promotable) Hoskins who are around me every day and providing me with the information that I need to give to you. So my hat really is tipped to all of them for the tremendous work they have done, and when Chris Garver gets here, he will not miss a single beat, I assure you. So I know there's always nervousness when there's change. That's completely understandable and very acceptable. But I'm here to tell you will be more than impressed when Chris Garver stands right here in front of this camera and does 10 times better than I've ever been able to do. So thank you very much for your patience with me, and I'll see you all on the high ground. http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/784055/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IS Commander of Fallujah Killed in Airstrike by Carla Babb May 27, 2016 The commander of the Islamic State group's forces in Fallujah has been killed in an airstrike, a spokesman for the international coalition battling IS fighters in Iraq and Syria said Friday. Col. Steve Warren, speaking via teleconference from Baghdad, said the coalition strike targeting Maher al-Bilawi in Fallujah happened two days ago. He said the coalition had gathered information on the militants' headquarters and on Bilawi's whereabouts in the city. "This is some intelligence we had developed locally. We worked it very rapidly and we took an effective strike," Warren said. Warren said the coalition has conducted 20 airstrikes at Fallujah in the last four days, killing more than 70 enemy fighters. Coalition forces at al-Taqqaddum Air Base, about 25 kilometers away, are also providing some artillery fire to help Iraqis battling to retake the city. Thousands of forces, including members of the Iraqi army, police, Sunni tribal fighters and the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) are battling an estimated 1,000 Islamic State fighters who have extensively fortified the city with trenches and minefields. Shiite militia groups are also involved in the fight but have said they will remain outside the city. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford, the top U.S. general, told VOA and two other reporters last week that the Iraqis are trying to mitigate the risk of attacks from Fallujah into Baghdad, which is less than 70 kilometers away. "There's clearly a threat given the proximity," Dunford said, "and so what the Iraqis are doing is taking appropriate action to disrupt that threat and to isolate the enemy that's inside of Fallujah." Up to 50,000 civilians remain in Fallujah, Warren said, adding that protecting these citizens is Iraqi government's "priority." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Inherent Resolve Strikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, May 28, 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 fighter aircraft conducted six strikes in Syria: -- Near Raqqah, a strike struck an ISIL vehicle bomb factory. -- Near Ayn Isa, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position. -- Near Manbij, a strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL-used cave. -- Near Mar'a, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions. Strikes in Iraq Attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 28 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government: -- Near Baghdadi, two strikes destroyed an ISIL bunker and an ISIL vehicle. -- Near Beiji, a strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position. -- Near Fallujah, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL vehicles and an ISIL tunnel entrance. -- Near Habbaniyah, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL vehicle bomb. -- Near Hit, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun. -- Near Kisik, two strikes suppressed two separate ISIL mortar positions. -- Near Mosul, eight strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units, damaged an ISIL staging area, suppressed an ISIL rocket position, and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL assembly areas, six ISIL supply caches, an ISIL command and control node and an ISIL vehicle bomb. -- Near Ramadi, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL bunker. -- Near Sinjar, a strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL heavy machine gun. -- Near Sultan Abdallah, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and suppressed an ISIL rocket position and an ISIL mortar position. -- Near Tal Afar, four strikes struck three separate ISIL headquarters and an ISIL weapons storage facility. 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 a 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 Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Declaration by G7 draws strong rebuke People's Daily Online By CAI HONG/WANG QINGYUN (Chinadaily.com.cn) 10:14, May 28, 2016 China expressed strong dissatisfaction on Friday over a declaration issued by the Group of Seven industrialized nations that criticizes China, though not mentioning it by name, for its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. "As the G7 host, Japan is hyping up the South China Sea issue and fanning the flame of tensions. ... China is strongly dissatisfied with what Japan and the G7 have done," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a news conference. She urged the G7 member states to honor their commitment to not take sides on the disputes. In the declaration, the G7 leaders expressed concerns over the situation in the region and called for "peaceful management and settlement of disputes". The declaration called for maintaining "a rules-based maritime order in accordance with the principles of international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea". In the name of respect for freedom of navigation and overflight, the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States said they are committed to "peaceful dispute settlement". The statement said that countries should make and clarify their claims based on international law, refraining from "unilateral actions" that could increase tensions and not using force or coercion in trying to drive their claims. Hua said China resolutely safeguards freedom of navigation and overflight, but the navigational freedom of commercial vessels is not the same as the willful trespassing by warships. She said China opposes the smear campaign by some countries in the name of "navigational freedom". Lyu Yaodong, a researcher at the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Japan has been willfully internationalizing the South China Sea issue. It has pushed to include the issue in declarations of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting and the G7 leaders' summit. "This does disservice to China-Japan relations and threatens regional peace and stability," Lyu said. Motofumi Asai, former director of the China and Mongolia division of Japan's Foreign Ministry, said Japan has never played a positive, meaningful role in the G7. Asai criticized Japan for including the South China Sea and Korean Peninsula issues in the summit's declaration. The former Japanese diplomat said the G7, with its declining influence, will be overshadowed by the G20. The G20 is a major forum for global economic and financial cooperation that brings together the world's major advanced and emerging economies, representing about 85 percent of global gross domestic product, 80 percent of world trade and two-thirds of the world's population. The G7 declaration stated that global economic recovery continues, but growth remains moderate and uneven. The leaders said they will use "all policy tools"monetary, fiscal and structuralto strengthen global demand and address supply constraints, while continuing efforts to put debt on a sustainable path. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Obama admits US troops died in combat in Iraq Iran Press TV Sat May 28, 2016 4:35PM US President Barack Obama has acknowledged that three American troops who recently died in Iraq were killed in combat; despite claims that US forces deployed to Iraq and Syria are on a mission to support, train and equip local forces. In an interview with the Stars and Stripes newspaper on Friday, Obama said that the three US servicemen, Charles Keating, Joshua Wheeler and Louis Cardin lost their lives in combat. "These three men were killed in combat while they were supporting local forces in Iraq," Obama said. Keating was killed in May while Cardin was killed in March. Wheeler was killed in October 2015. White House and Pentagon officials had formerly said that the soldiers were killed in combat, but this was the first time that Obama himself acknowledged the fact. "As commander in chief, I've spoken as clearly as I can about our mission against the [Daesh] both what it is and what it is not," Obama said. "This is a dangerous mission, and our forces will sometimes face combat situations." "Our mission in Iraq, first and foremost, is to support Iraqi forces as they take the lead in fighting ISIL on the ground," Obama added. Washington has deployed dozens of US forces to Iraq and Syria in what it claims is an effort to shore up local militant groups against Daesh. US officials have so far maintained that the forces on the ground are prohibited under the rules of engagement to conduct offensive military operations. There are also dozens of US special operations forces in Syria, who are working closely with a collection of various armed groups that are trying to topple the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The US has also been supplying the militants with ammunition. Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. Hundreds of thousands of people have reportedly lost their lives and millions have been displaced as a result of the violence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Hidden Dangers Of The Fight Against Islamic State May 28, 2016 by James Miller The fight against extremists from the Islamic State (IS) militant group is heating up on two fronts. Since May 23, a coalition consisting of the Iraqi army and primarily Shi'ite militias, backed by U.S. air strikes, has advanced towards Fallujah, 40 kilometers west of Baghdad. There are estimates that between 50,000 and 100,000 civilians remain in the city, and some residents told USA Today that IS fighters are using them as human shields. "The Islamic State began moving families living in the outskirts to the center," resident Salem al Halbusi said by telephone. "They are locking some families down inside the hospital building," added al Halbusi, who did not want other information about him disclosed to protect his safety. The civilian populace could slow Fallujah's liberators down, but those who have successfully fled the city told Reuters that the trapped population could starve before Islamic State is defeated, or be killed while they are trying to flee. Either way, all eyes will be on the coalition that the United States has helped build. As David Patrikarakos wrote earlier this week for RFE/RL, even if the IS militants are defeated quickly in Fallujah, there is a risk that sectarian tension could be inflamed further in the process. Defeating IS militarily is just the first step toward healing Iraq's and Syria's sectarian wounds and ensuring that another, similar group does not emerge. A similar pattern is playing out in the battle for Raqqa in northeastern Syria, the capital city for the self-declared Islamic State. As Wladimir van Wilgenburg explained earlier this month, efforts to defeat IS on the Syrian side of the border are being led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition that includes both Arab and Kurdish fighters. But while the SDF is diverse -- and becoming more so -- it is still dominated and led by the People's Protection Units (YPG), the fighting branch of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which is closely associated with Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Escalation In Turkey The problem with this is that the PKK -- which is designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and Turkey -- is effectively at war with Turkey, a NATO ally and a major stakeholder in the outcome of the war in Syria. In April, U.S. State Department spokesperson John Kirby told the press corps that "YPG's not a designated foreign terrorist organization. PKK is. Nothing's changed about that." Crucially, however, Turkey does not see a distinction between the PKK and the YPG. Neither do several experts whom RFE/RL consulted in researching this article. One source in territory controlled by the Kurds, who wished to remain anonymous due to security concerns, told RFE/RL that there is no doubt that the YPG reports directly to the PKK's guerrilla leadership. A report by The Atlantic Council's Aaron Stein and Michelle Foley has established the link between the YPG and PKK, and Kurdish fighters have also confessed that the two are part of the same organization. That report suggests that Turkey was willing to tolerate the YPG as long as IS and the Kurdish group were fighting each other, but that tolerance has reached its end as the fighting between Turkey and the Kurds has heated up. U.S. soldiers are supporting the YPG on the ground in Syria. Photos taken this week by an AFP photographer show U.S. Special Forces soldiers operating alongside Kurdish fighters near the front lines in Raqqa Province. Some of those soldiers are wearing patches of the YPG and their all-female battle unit the YPJ -- patches that, as Syrian expert Michael Weiss points out, are derived from the PKK's flag. On May 27, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told journalists that "wearing an insignia of a terrorist organization by U.S. soldiers, who are our ally and are assertive about fighting against terrorism, is unacceptable. Our suggestion to them is that they should also wear Daesh [IS], al-Nusra, and al-Qaeda insignias during their operations in other regions of Syria. They can also wear the Boko Haram insignia when they go to Africa." Hours later, U.S. Army Colonel Steve Warren, the spokesperson for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the U.S.-led coalition against IS, announced that the soldiers had been instructed to stop wearing the patches, a reversal from statements made by the military just the day before. Fighting between the PKK and Turkey has escalated in recent weeks. On May 13, a PKK fighter shot down a Turkish AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter with a Russian-made shoulder-fired SA-18 missile. Experts at The Aviationist and in Turkey said this was the first time the PKK has successfully used an antiaircraft weapon against a Turkish aircraft. While the source operating in Kurdistan told RFE/RL that the PKK have had such weapons for some time, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War suggested that, while the weapon could have come from Syria or Iraq, "more likely that the PKK acquired the weapon from an external actor." A likely candidate for supplying the weapon is Russia, which has seen its relationship with the Turkish government disintegrate since the Russian air campaign in Syria began last September. Tensions rose when the Turkish air force shot down a Russian jet in November following several warnings from Turkey that Russian jets were violating its airspace. The idea that Russia -- or its allies in Syria and Iran -- could be arming the PKK has been amplified through the Turkish press. The Anadolu Agency has reported that, according to its sources, such efforts began sometime in December after the Russian jet was shot down. Regardless of whether this is true, such accusations could fuel a proxy war between Turkey and Russia, which could further inflame the region. Pyrrhic Victory? But which side of that proxy war does the United States take if its main allies in the fight against IS in Syria are the very fighters that Turkey says are waging war against them across the border? In February, there were heavy clashes between YPG fighters in northwestern Syria and multiple rebel groups, which had been backed and trained by the CIA and Turkey. One now-infamous video showed a rebel group, Liwa' Suqour al-Jabal (The Mountain Hawks Brigade), firing a U.S.-made TOW antitank missile into a YPG tank in the town of Azaz. This led some analysts to conclude that the United States was "in a proxy war with itself" in Syria since it supports some Syrian rebel groups and, via the SDF at least, the Kurdish YPG. This has two potentially dangerous consequences. The first is that Turkey is a NATO ally that is already under immense pressure. Turkey has signaled that it feels abandoned, or even betrayed, by U.S. policy in Syria, a sentiment which could weaken the NATO alliance. But Turkey is also a Sunni state, and the Sunnis already feel that they have been the victims of U.S. policy in Iraq and Syria. Both of the major offensives against IS, in Syria and in Iraq, could further exacerbate this dynamic. The sectarian tension between groups that the U.S. currently backs -- whether it's the Shi'ite/Sunni tensions in Iraq or the Kurdish/Sunni tensions in Syria -- should not be easily dismissed. One should remember that it was sectarian tension in both Iraq and Syria which gave rise to Islamist extremism and sectarian violence there, and the Islamic State militant group is just the newest and most radical incarnation of that tension. Victory over Islamic State is important, but if it weakens the NATO alliance or sets the stage for future sectarian conflicts, it could only be a Pyrrhic victory. Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/fighting-islamic- state-hidden-dangers/27762962.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea Linked to Cyberattacks on World Banks by Smita Nordwall May 28, 2016 Cybersecurity firm Symantec has found evidence that North Korea is behind the recent string of attacks on several Asian banks. Symantec said the malware used to steal $81 million from Bangladesh's central bank is linked to attacks on a bank in the Philippines and in Vietnam. This may be the first time one country has used malicious code to steal money from another country. Security researchers say the malware is similar to that used in the past by a group known as "Lazarus.'' The group has been linked to a string of hackings largely focused on U.S. and South Korean targets dating back to 2009. That includes the crippling 2014 hack of Sony Pictures, which the FBI has blamed on the North Korean government. North Korea denied the allegation. Symantec said a bank in Ecuador also reported to have lost $12 million to attackers using fraudulent SWIFT transactions. Its researchers now back findings by the British defense contractor BAE Systems that links the Bangladesh bank heist and cyber-attacks on the banks in Vietnam and Ecuador. In all 3 attacks on those banks, the hackers were able to compromise the security of what's known as the SWIFT messaging system, once thought to be the world's most secure system for sending orders for financial transactions. Symantec also traced the unique code to an unnamed Filipino bank. The country's central bank deputy governor told Reuters that no bank had reported lost money to hackers in the Philippines, but he didn't rule out the possibility. "The discovery of more attacks provides further evidence that the group involved is conducting a wide campaign against financial targets in the region," Symantec wrote in a blog post. "While awareness of the threat posed by the group has now been raised, its initial success may prompt other attack groups to launch similar attacks. Banks and other financial institutions should remain vigilant." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin: Russia Will Respond to US Missile Shield in Europe by VOA News May 28, 2016 Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin says he will respond to the defensive missile system the United States and its partners are building in Eastern Europe, because it threatens Russia's security. The Russian president said strong "counter-measures" will be enacted to the NATO deployment, and he emphasized that his country is reacting to the Western action, not making the first move in a confrontation. Speaking to reporters in Athens, where he met with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras Friday, Putin also ruled out any discussions about the status of Crimea, the former Ukrainian territory that Russia has annexed. "This question is closed forever," the Russian leader said. There was no immediate U.S. response to the comments by Putin, who remained in Greece Saturday, touring Mount Athos, one of Orthodox Christianity's holiest sites. On the missile defense system planned for deployment in Poland and Romania, Putin said: "NATO fends us off with vague statements that this is no threat to Russia." Recalling the stated purpose of the missile system as a "preventive measure" against possible hostile action by Iran, Putin said that threat "does not exist," particularly in the aftermath of the nuclear agreement the United States and other Western powers reached with Tehran last year. Putin said Russia will take strong measures in the interest of its security vis-a-vis the missile deployments, but he was short on details about Moscow's plan to respond, saying only that Russia will not make the first move. "If yesterday in those areas of Romania people simply did not know what it means to be in the cross-hairs, then today we will be forced to carry out certain measures to ensure our security," Putin said. "I repeat that these are countermeasures, countermeasures. We will not take any first steps. It will be the same case with Poland. We will wait until Poland takes certain action. We will not take any action ... until we see rockets in areas that border us." Romania Deveselu missile facility became operational earlier this month. Although the U.S. and NATO have repeatedly said the system is completely defensive, Putin said the missiles could easily be transformed into offensive weapons "by simply switching the software." On Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, Putin said Moscow acted on the will of the Crimean people, who voted to join Russia. "As far as Crimea is concerned, we consider this question is closed forever. This was a historical decision taken by the people that live in Crimea. Russia will not conduct any discussions with anyone on this subject," said Putin. Putin's visit to Mount Athos Saturday is part of events celebrating 1,000 years of Russian presence there. About 70 Russian, Ukrainian and other Orthodox monks live at the Mount Athos monastery. Accompanied by Greece's Prime Minister Tsipras, Putin toured the Byzantine Museum in Athens Friday to promote cultural ties between Russia and Greece. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesman on DPRK's Bolstering of Nuclear Force Korean Central News Agency of DPRK via Korea News Service (KNS) Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saturday gave the following answer to question put by KCNA as regards the fact that Obama pulled up the DPRK over its bolstering of nuclear force: With the recent G-7 Summit in Japan as an occasion, Obama repeatedly made remarks slandering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. He said the DPRK "commits such provocation as not only development of nuclear weapons but also their proliferation" and it is "the biggest obstacle to building a world without nuclear weapons ". He also criticized the DPRK's nuclear and ballistic missile programs as a "threat to the region, the U.S. and the world". The remarks are a revelation of his wicked intention to cover up the true colors of the U.S., a criminal that inflicted nuclear holocaust on mankind, and evade the world community's strong accusations against him persistently seeking a world domination based on nukes while making a mockery of the world with the deceptive signboard of "nuclear-free world". It is the height of shamelessness for Obama to talk about denuclearization in Japan where the U.S. dropped nuclear bombs. The plan for a "world without nuclear weapons", taken up by him after coming to power, was prompted by his intention to weaken other countries' military muscle while bolstering up the nuclear war means of the U.S. But, such cunning double-dealing tactics of the U.S. have faced a failure, being rejected by the world society. If the U.S. had been truly interested in the global denuclearization, it should have dismantled its nukes before others and stopped its nuclear threat and blackmail against other countries and nations. The U.S. expects nuclear dismantlement from the DPRK while persisting in its hostile policy toward the latter with a nuclear stick. This is no more than a daydream just like wishing for a chicken from a boiled egg. As already declared, the DPRK will bolster up its self-defensive nuclear force in quality and quantity, constantly holding fast to the strategic line of simultaneously pushing forward the economic construction and the building of nuclear force, as long as the imperialists continue their nuclear threat and arbitrary practices. It will also honestly implement its non-proliferation duty before the world society as a responsible nuclear weapons state and strive for the global denuclearization. No matter what false propaganda the U.S. may resort to, it can not deny the position of the DPRK, a nuclear weapons state for independence and justice. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pyongyang Threatens to Fire at S Korean Warships if They Cross Sea Border Sputnik News 06:41 28.05.2016(updated 08:23 28.05.2016) North Korea has warned that it would open fire at any South Korean warships that trespass the maritime border following an incident involving North Korean patrol and fishing vessels, South Korean media report. TOKYO (Sputnik) On Friday, the South Korean Navy fired warning shots at North Korea's fishing boat and patrol boat as they trespassed across the maritime border in the Yellow Sea (Northern Limit Line). "From now on, we will open direct fire on any warship of the South Korean puppet forces without warning, if it intrudes into the extension of the Military Demarcation Line of our side even 0.001 mm in the hotspot of the west sea," the General Staff of the North Korean Army said in a statement, as quoted by The Korea Herald on Saturday. According to the South Korean military, the North Korean vessels returned to the northern side immediately after the warning shots were fired. Earlier this week, South Korea's Defense Ministry rejected military talks proposed by North Korea on Saturday in an effort to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula. Pyongyang's January hydrogen bomb test, as well as the launch, a month later, of a long-range rocket to allegedly place a satellite into orbit, in defiance of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, led to a spike in tensions with Seoul and more sanctions having been imposed on North Korea by the UNSC and the United States. South and North Korea are still formally at war, as no peace treaty was ever signed after the Korean War of 1950-1953. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IAEA verifies Iran's compliance with JCPOA ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat 28 May 2016 - 08:03 TEHRAN (ISNA)- The UN nuclear agency has verified Iran's compliance with the landmark nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries in July 2015. In its second quarterly assessment since the implementation of the JCPOA in January, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran "has not pursued the construction of the existing Arak heavy water research reactor" and has "not enriched uranium" above low levels. "Throughout the reporting period, Iran had no more than 130 metric tonnes of heavy water ... Iran's total (low) enriched uranium stockpile did not exceed 300 kg," the IAEA added. According to the UN nuclear agency, no enriched uranium has been accumulated through research and development activities. "All stored centrifuges and associated infrastructure have remained in storage under continuous Agency (IAEA) monitoring," the report pointed out. After Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia plus Germany started implementing the JCPOA on January 16, all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, the Security Council and the US were lifted. Iran, in return, has put some limitations on its nuclear activities. The nuclear agreement was signed on July 14, 2015 following nearly a decade of on-and-off intensive talks. On February 26, the IAEA released its first regular report since the implementation of the JCPOA which verified Iran's commitment to the nuclear agreement. The IAEA said it "has been verifying and monitoring the implementation by Iran of its nuclear-related commitments", voicing satisfaction with Iran's compliance. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's New Parliament Sworn In May 28, 2016 by RFE/RL The new Iranian parliament that was formed from elections held in February and April has been sworn in at its opening session in Tehran. The 290-member Islamic Consultative Assembly held its first meeting on May 28 with a fresh crop of reformist lawmakers who are expected to back President Hassan Rohani's efforts to modernize Iran's economy and social policies. Their victories ended the 12-year dominance of conservative hard-liners in the parliament. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei sent a message to the parliament opening, warning lawmakers to beware of "the schemes, charms, and impudently excessive demands" of Western powers. He urged parliamentarians to be true to the ideals of the country's 1979 Islamic revolution. Rohani addressed the new legislature, saying Iran needs $30 billion to $50 billion in annual foreign investment in order to reach its target of 8 percent economic growth. The new parliament is expected to choose a speaker and a presiding board early next week. Incumbent speaker Ali Larijani -- a conservative -- and reformist Mohammad Reza Aref are the leading candidates vying to become speaker. Reformists associated with Rohani now hold 133 seats, while conservatives hold 125, according to an analysis conducted by the AFP news agency. The 29 independent lawmakers -- three mandates are vacant after two elections were nullified and one elected member died in a car crash -- will play an important role in determining the tone of the new assembly. Analysts say the shift in power will help advance Rohani's agenda of warmer relations with the West, increasing personal freedoms, and greater rights for women. The new parliament includes a record 18 women, an achievement Rohani said made him "very happy." The polls were the first political test for Rohani following the nuclear deal reached last year between Iran and world powers. Iran curbed its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of crippling economic sanctions. But Tehran is eager to be integrated into the world economy after years of isolation and has complained about how long it is taking for the accord's economic benefits to be felt. In his speech to lawmakers, Rohani praised Larijani for supporting the nuclear pact and called for greater "interaction" between parliament and the government to "solve the problems and crises of the country." Rohani, who came to power in a landslide victory in 2013, is eager to improve economic conditions ahead of presidential polls in May 2017. He is expected to seek reelection. With reporting by dpa, AFP, and Vox.com Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/new- iranian-parliament-strengthens-hand- rohani-reformists/27762377.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nearly All Russian Engineers to Complete Bushehr NPP Unit 1 Work by Fall Sputnik News 17:30 28.05.2016(updated 17:32 28.05.2016) Almost all Russian engineers consulting Iranian colleagues at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant will complete their work in the coming months, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran's (AEOI) spokesman said Saturday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The Iranian National Regulatory Authority (INRA) issued a five-year license for Bushehr's unit 1 after exhausting all related legal technical inspections and the necessary control, Behrouz Kamalvandi said in an AEOI's statement. Kamalvandi added the fewer than 60 Russian advisers working at the site would be reduced in the "coming months." He noted that the reduction was part of Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom's handover of Bushehr in September 2013 that saw a three-year period, in which the remaining Russian engineers would provide consulting services. At the time, there were 270 Russian engineers at Bushehr. The AEOI spokesman stressed the "utmost importance" of attaining the license for both Rosatom as the contractor and the Iran Nuclear Power Production-Development (NPPD) company as the operator. The Russian-Iranian agreement on the civil use of nuclear energy, followed by a deal to construct Iran's first nuclear power plant, dates from 1992. The Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant started operating in Iran in 2011 and reached full capacity the following year. An agreement to expand civilian nuclear energy cooperation and construct a total of eight additional nuclear reactors at Bushehr was signed between the sides on November 11, 2014. On Friday, Rosatom's press service announced full-scale construction of Bushehr-2 and Bushehr-3 as soon as the technical aspects were resolved within the next weeks. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran to continue boosting defense capabilities: Minister IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, May 29, IRNA -- Iran will continue enhancing its defense capabilities, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said on Saturday. Speaking at a local ceremony, Dehqan said that defense capabilities and national authority constitute Iran's two major power elements. Iran's move towards realizing its revolution ideals under the guidelines of its leadership has forced the enemies to retreat, the commander added. He underlined that the enemies are monitoring all Iran's programs and movements. They are looking for a chance to penetrate the country's decision-making centers, the minister said. The enemies particularly the United States and its allies are mulling annihilating elements of Iran's power, Dehqan added. He noted that the US has targeted Iran's national economy in order to weaken the elements of the Islamic Republic's power including the defense capablities and national authority. Elaborating on the enemies' economic war aginst Iran, the defense minister said that enemies imposed oppressive sanctions against us to deny Iran access to technology while they prevented other countries to improve ties with the Islamic Republic. Calling Islmophobia, Iranophobia and Shiaphobia parts of the enemy's psychological war against Iran, he said that the US, Saudi Arabia and their allies have created religious wars in the region in a bid to guarantee the security of Israel. Unfortunately some ignorant, dependent states of the region are equipping the terrorists in the same way the US does, the commander added. 9191**2044 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi airstrikes kill 3 senior Daesh commanders in Mosul Iran Press TV Fri May 27, 2016 10:39PM Iraq's military says three high-ranking commanders of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group have been killed in airstrikes conducted by army's warplanes in the northern city of Mosul. The Iraqi Joint Operations Command announced in a statement on Friday that the airstrikes also killed at least 11 terrorists who accompanied the commanders and destroyed two of their vehicles, Arabic-language al-Sumaria news website reported. The statement also advised people in Daesh-held Mosul to keep safe distance from the group's headquarters lest they fall victim to the air raids. Mosul, the capital of the northern province of Nineveh, fell into the hands of Daesh in June 2014 in the first stage of the terrorists' advance through Iraq, and has since served as the group's de facto capital in the country. Iraq's central government has announced that the army will launch a full-scale military campaign to retake the city after uprooting the group in Fallujah in the western province of Anbar. Fallujah near liberation According to Iraqi Federal Police Forces Commander Lieutenant General Raed Shaker Jawdat, the security forces have so far managed to evacuate 760 people, mostly women and children, from the northern outskirts of the embattled city of Fallujah and moved them to a safe locality away from the battlefield. Earlier on Friday, the Iraqi military said that it had managed to evacuate 65 families, mostly women and children, from the eastern outskirts of the city. Daesh terrorists, who took control of Fallujah in early 2014, have prevented people from leaving the city. Iraqi troops, backed by volunteer forces, launched a major operation on May 22 to liberate the city. They have already recaptured several towns and villages on the city's outskirts. So far, a few families have managed to escape from Daesh's stronghold due to numerous mines the group has planted around the city and a number of snipers it has stationed on vantage points. Meanwhile, Iraqi forces destroyed the terror group's telecommunications center and two bomb-laden cars in al-Jisr area located in the northern parts of the city. At least four terrorists were also killed in the army operation. Separately, Oday al-Khidran, a commander of the Popular Mobilization Units, said on Friday that they found the largest Daesh-dug tunnel connecting different neighborhoods of Fallujah. He added that the terror group used tunnels to minimize its losses and protect its front lines. Daesh's Fallujah commander dead: US Meanwhile, Colonel Steve Warren, a military spokesman for the so-called US-led collation forces in Iraq, announced that in the past four days, coalition air and artillery strikes had killed over 70 Daesh terrorists, including Maher al-Bilawi, the group's commander in Fallujah. Reports say that between 500 and 1,000 Daesh Takfiris hold the city, where, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, some 50,000 civilians are trapped. Gruesome violence has plagued the northern and western parts of Iraq ever since Daesh launched an offensive in the country in June 2014, and took control of portions of the Iraqi territory. The militants have been committing vicious crimes against all ethnic and religious communities in Iraq, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and others. The Iraqi army and allied volunteer fighters are involved in operations to win back militant-held areas. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi forces liberate two more villages near Fallujah Iran Press TV Sat May 28, 2016 6:20PM The Iraqi army, backed by volunteer fighters, has liberated two more villages from Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the western province of Anbar, closing in on the militant-held city of Fallujah. Iraqi media said forces wrested control over the villages of Bakareh and Mukhtar on Saturday. Tens of thousands of Iraqi forces launched a massive operation on May 22 to recapture Fallujah, the first Iraqi city to fall to Daesh. They have already recaptured several towns and villages on the city's outskirts. Abdelwahab al-Saadi, the top commander in charge of the Fallujah operation, said "CTS (counter-terrorism service) forces, Anbar emergency police and tribal fighters... reached Tareq and Mazraa camps" south and east of Fallujah. "These forces will break into Fallujah in the next few hours to liberate it from Daesh," he added. Meanwhile, the Iraqi forces have managed to help over two thousand people, including children, escape Fallujah, according to the Iraqi broadcaster Alsumaria. Fallujah lies just 50 kilometers (30 miles) west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Daesh overran Fallujah in January 2014, some six months before the terrorist group launched a major offensive in Iraq and took over some other areas. The Iraqi military recaptured the central city of Ramadi, Anbar's provincial capital, last December. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi civilians flee Fallujah amid security operation against Daesh Iran Press TV Sat May 28, 2016 6:34AM Hundreds of people have fled the Iraqi city of Fallujah as government forces continue with a major operation to liberate the city, one of the remaining strongholds of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group in Iraq. A group of civilians numbering in the hundreds made it out of the city where people are being prevented by Daesh from exiting on Friday with assistance from Iraqi forces. An estimated 50,000 civilians still remain trapped in the Daesh-held city by nearly 1,000 terrorists. There has been no reference to the toll among Iraqi forces in the operation. Fallujah is 70 miles west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Daesh overran Fallujah in January 2014, some six months before the terrorist group launched a major offensive in Iraq and took over some other areas. According to Lieutenant General Raed Shaker Jawdat, the commander of the Iraqi Federal Police Forces, security forces have so far managed to evacuate 760 people, mostly women and children, from the northern outskirts of Fallujah. Daesh "gave us food that only animals would eat," said a woman identified as Umm Omar, who fled Fallujah along with over 10 members of her family. Tens of thousands of Iraqi forces launched a massive operation on May 22 to recapture Fallujah, the first Iraqi city to fall to Daesh. Meanwhile, Iraqi forces destroyed the terrorist group's telecommunications center and two bomb-laden cars in al-Jisr area in northern Fallujah, killing at least four Daesh terrorists in the process. Separately, Oday al-Khidran, a commander of the Popular Mobilization units fighting alongside Iraqi security forces, said on Friday that they discovered the largest Daesh-dug tunnel network connecting different neighborhoods of Fallujah. He said the terror group used the tunnels to minimize its losses and protect its front lines. Iraqi military officials on Friday announced the death of three senior Daesh commanders in the northern city of Mosul another larger city held by Daesh during an air raid by Iraqi jet fighters. Local news outlets cited a statement issued by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command as adding that the airstrikes also killed at least 11 terrorists who accompanied the commanders and demolished two of their vehicles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Wants NATO to 'Play Very Important Role' in Anti-Daesh Fight Sputnik News 21:17 28.05.2016(updated 01:30 29.05.2016) In an interview with German magazine Spiegel, the special US envoy for anti-Daesh coalition, Brett H. McGurk, said that NATO should be actively involved in the fight against Daesh, training Iraqi soldiers and supplying reconnaissance aircraft equipped with AWACS system. The US urges NATO to actively participate in the fight against Daesh terrorists. "NATO should play a very important role," McGurk said in an interview with Der Spiegel. According to McGurk, NATO could provide additional training for Iraqi soldiers, which is currently being carried out in Jordan, as well as supply local forces with reconnaissance planes equipped with AWACS system. McGurk believes that the decision to support the anti-Daesh operation might be taken at the NATO summit in Warsaw, on July 8-9. NATO as an organization does not participate in the operations of the US-led international coalition against Daesh, which includes about 60 countries, and 28 member states of the military alliance are among them. According to McGurk, US soldiers are successfully involved in the operation against Daesh. About 300 US servicemen in Syria are currently advising local paramilitary units on how to fight jihadists. However, the expert does not believe that the forces of the international coalition will soon be able to recapture the city of Mosul in northern Iraq which is currently under the control of jihadists. "We have not yet reached the stage at which we can launch an attack on Mosul. It takes time," McGurk said. In 2011, NATO and EU forces led the overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi with the help of Islamic extremists and under the questionable auspices of a UN Security Council no-fly zone authorization. In April, Obama acknowledged that not having a plan for the day after the overthrow of Gaddafi was the biggest mistake of his presidency. The country has suffered great destruction, and now faces threats from Daesh and other extremists as well as a fractured internal government. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Money to Blame: Pakistan May Fail to Buy US F-16 Jets Amid Financing Row Sputnik News 10:05 28.05.2016(updated 13:04 28.05.2016) Islamabad may not be able to seal a deal for the purchase of eight multirole US F-16 fighter jets from Washington as it has not submitted a letter affirming its commitment to pay the full price for the jets in time, according to a diplomatic source. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The deadline for the submission of the Letter of Acceptance was May 24, according to the Dawn newspaper. "Pakistan decided not to fully fund the case with national funds, so the terms of sale have now expired," the source said, as quoted by the paper. Initially, Pakistan expected a discount from Washington, as the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program was supposed to partially finance the $699-million deal. However, the US Congress later ruled to disallow subsidizing the sale of the jets. Pakistan was expecting to pay $270 million and said that the new offer was not acceptable. Despite this, according to the paper, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani said that the talks between the sides had not yet reached a "dead-end." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia vows to retaliate against US provocations Iran Press TV Fri May 27, 2016 11:55PM The whirlpool of mistrust among Russia, the United States, and the European Union is getting deeper and deeper as they keep missing every chance of reinforcing relations. This time Russia is voicing frustration that a lack of meaningful interaction is leaving Moscow with no choice but to look for ways to neutralize threats to its national security. In Greece to mend ties with the EU on Friday, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is left with "no choice" but to retaliate against Washington's provocative moves in Eastern Europe and keep Romania and Poland in sight for installing US missile systems. Last week, the Aegis ashore ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) was activated in Romania, and Poland plans to open such a site within two years. "[The deployment] has a negative impact. This cannot have any other impact, because the United States has at one point unilaterally withdrawn from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and has, in essence, begun undermining the fundamentals of international security," Putin said during a press conference after a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens. "If yesterday people simply did not know what it means to be in the crosshairs in those areas of Romania, then today we will be forced to carry out certain measures to ensure our security. And it will be the same with Poland." Putin made sure everybody understands it is Moscow's starkest warning since the early 2000s by stressing that Washington and its allies keep ignoring their warnings but this deployment is considered another step toward undermining Russia's security. "We've been repeating like a mantra that we will be forced to respond somehow to your moves to undermine international security... Nobody wants to hear us. Nobody wants to hold talks with us. We are not hearing anything except general phrases. General phrases consist of stating that this is not directed against Russia, that this is not a threat to Russia." He debunked the argument that the project was needed to defend against Iran, saying that this makes no sense especially after an international agreement was made over Tehran's nuclear program. Putin expressed concerns that the missiles that would form the shield can easily reach Russian cities. Iran and the P5+1 group -- the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany -- reached the nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in July 2015 in the Austrian capital Vienna. The agreement went into effect on January 16. Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to put some restrictions on its nuclear energy program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions that had been imposed on the Islamic Republic based on the unfounded accusation that Tehran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear program. "At the moment the interceptor missiles installed have a range of 500 kilometers, soon this will go up to 1000 kilometers, and worse than that, they can be rearmed with 2400km-range offensive missiles even today, and it can be done by simply switching the software, so that even the Romanians themselves won't know," he said. "How can that not create a threat for us?" Putin asked, but insisted that Moscow would never make the first step, and would only respond to moves by Washington. "We won't take any action until we see rockets in areas that neighbor us." This is not the only provocative move by the US near the Russian borders. On Friday, 13 NATO countries deployed 10,000 troops to participate in a large-scale war game in the Baltics along Russia's Eastern border concurrent with a separate round of drill in Poland. The drills come ahead of the Anaconda war games -- planned for July which will include 31,000 troops along with tanks, aircraft, artillery units, and missile defense systems. To show his words are backed with actions, Putin boasted about Russia's military might, saying, "We have the capability to respond. The whole world saw what our medium-range sea-based missiles are capable of [in Syria]. But we violate no agreements. And our ground-based Iskander missiles have also proven themselves as superb." Moreover, Russian media outlets also reported on Friday that Moscow and New Delhi have agreed to export the world's fastest anti-ship cruise missile, BrahMos, to third countries with talks already in "advanced stages" with countries like UAE, Chile, South Africa and Vietnam. "The several structural changes were made in the defense exports policy and these were yielding results Since Russia is the partner country in the BrahMos joint venture with its consent discussions with several other countries, including Philippines, South Korea, Algeria, Greece, Malaysia, Thailand, Egypt, Singapore, Venezuela and Bulgaria have now been taken to the next level," Praveen Pathak, the spokesman for BrahMos Aerospace -- the developer of the missile said. BrahMos supersonic missile, with a speed of Mach 3, was developed jointly by India's Defense Research and Development Organization and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia, which established the company BrahMos Aerospace in 1998. The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia. Mistake to ignore Russian strategic goals: EU Nathalie Tocci, a special adviser to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and deputy director of the Rome-based Institute of International Affairs, told TASS on Friday that the European Union has ignored signals of Moscow's new strategic goals and therefore shares part of the responsibility for the current issues in its relations with Russia, noting that a crisis in relations between Russia and the EU had been impending well before the Ukrainian developments. "Suffice it to recollect Putin's notorious speech at the Munich conference. The European Union's mistake was in ignoring these signals, in overlooking these new aspects, in missing the warnings. And the Ukrainian developments took us by surprise." In his speech at the Munich security conference on February 10, 2007, Putin talked about Russia's role and place in the current world order, and censured the unipolar nature of the global politics. During his Friday press conference in Athens, Putin also commented on Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's remark on Wednesday that Kiev would reinstate its control over Russia's Crimean Peninsula. "Regarding Crimea, then we think that this issue is decisively closed. This is a historical decision of the people living in Crimea, and Russia will not hold any discussion on the matter." He also stated that the issue of Luhansk and Donetsk can only be resolved by providing the regions with a special constitutional status, stressing the need to decentralize power in Ukraine. Crimea declared independence from Ukraine on March 17, 2014 and formally applied to become part of Russia following a referendum a day earlier, in which 96.8 percent of participants voted in favor of the secession. Russia-US-EU cooperation in Mideast Before talks with his visiting Russian counterpart, Greek President Prokopios Pavlopoulos said he believes close cooperation between Russia, the United States, and the European Union is necessary to put an end to the wars in the Middle East. "Close and sincere cooperation between Russia, the United States and the European Union is needed to put an end to the war in the Middle East, in particular in Syria, once and for all." The Greek president's remarks seem like a way to downplay the disaccord among the three in their policies aimed at containing terrorism in the crisis-hit countries of the region. Earlier in the day, Sergei Rudskoy, the head of Russia's general staff's main operations command, also criticized the lack of involvement from Washington as Moscow intensified airstrikes against oil sites controlled by terrorists in Syria."Unfortunately, our American partners are not taking any decisive steps apart from persistent requests not to strike the groups of the Nusra Front, because 'moderate opposition' units may be located nearby," he said. Turkey hasn't apologized yet Putin also stated that Russia is willing to consider restoring ties with Turkey despite last year's downing of the Russian Su-24 jet over Syria but Ankara must take the first step. "We heard accusations from Turkish authorities, we did not hear apologies. And we did not hear of any readiness to compensate the loss. We hear statements on the willingness to resume [relations]. We also want to resume relations, we did not dismantle them. We have done everything over the decades to take Russian-Turkish relations to an unprecedented level of partnership and friendship. And this friendship between the Russian and Turkish peoples has, in fact, reached a very high level. We valued this greatly," he said. Tensions between Moscow and Ankara sharply escalated when Turkey on November 24, 2015 downed the Su-24 fighter jet over Syria, claiming that it had entered Turkish airspace, an accusation strongly rejected by Moscow. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Not by T-14 Alone: New Machine Due to Join Russia's Armata Family Sputnik News 20:35 28.05.2016(updated 21:03 28.05.2016) In addition to Russia's 21st century T-14 battle tank and heavy infantry fighting vehicle T-15, the so-called Terminator-3 is due to join the Armata family. Dave Majumdar of the National Interest discloses why NATO should "fear" the new mysterious fighting vehicle. The Russian Armata T-14 battle tank boasts the 21st century cutting-edge features that make it second to no one; however, the Armata designers intend to launch the production of a new fighting vehicle, dubbed "the Terminator" on the basis of the country's most advanced tank platform. Dave Majumdar, the Defense Editor of The National Interest, calls attention to the fact that the Terminator-3 is the next iteration of the Boyevaya Mashina Podderzhki Tankov (BMPT) "tank support fighting vehicle" series based on the T-72 battle tank chassis. And still, the Terminator is one of a kind: there is no direct analogue to the BMPT in the US Army and NATO military forces. "Perhaps the nearest equivalent is the M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (CFV) variant of the long-serving Bradley but it's a poor comparison at best. A potentially closer comparison might be the Israeli Namer which is based on a Merkava 4 tank chassis but the Russian machines are not designed to carry troops. Perhaps the best historical equivalent in terms of roles and missions might be the World War Two-era German Brummbar or Sturmtiger assault guns," Majumdar elaborates. The heavily armed machine is designed to support tanks in combat operations launched against other armored vehicles or dismounted infantry in difficult terrain. "The idea was to build a vehicle with the protection of a main battle tank, but which had the ability to engage enemy armor, bunkers and infantry in hiding in elevated positions," the expert explains, stressing that the Terminator's armor protection is traditionally equivalent or even better than that of a main battle tank. The tank support fighting vehicle is supposed to fight alongside with main battle tanks in the same unit in combat. However, the ratio of battle tanks and BMPTs depends on combat conditions: on the open battlefield a pair of tanks would be accompanied by one Terminator; in constrained environments, such as a city or rocky terrain, two Terminators would support a main battle tank. While the characteristics of the new Terminator-3 are shrouded in secrecy it is known that its predecessor, the Terminator-2, was equipped with four laser-guided Ataka-T anti-tank missiles, two 30mm 2A42 automatic cannons and a PKTM coaxial 7.62mm machine gun. Majumdar suggests that the Terminator-3 will most likely "inherit" its chassis, sensors, passive armor, reactive armor and active protection system from the Armata T-14 main battle tank. Furthermore, it is expected that the new vehicles' Koalitsiya-SV artillery system will be significantly modernized. "However, there are few concrete details available thus far. Nonetheless, it's safe to assume it will be a formidable adversary," the expert stresses. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More Than Meets the Eye: Russian Subs Still Going Strong Sputnik News 16:54 28.05.2016 Even though the Russian Navy may be no match for America's naval might, some of its submarines are a long way ahead of their American analogues, Vzglyad business newspaper wrote. During a recent speech at the New London Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that he was taking Russian and Chinese submariners very seriously. The submarine fleet projects US strength to "competitive countries" Russia and China, he said adding that he hoped that those two countries would never become "aggressors." "I'm also confident that we'll retain [undersea superiority] in the future, but it's not a birth right. We have to work at it," Carter said. In Moscow, Captain First Rank Konstantin Sivkov agreed with Ashton Carter in that the Russian submarine fleet was qualitatively and quantitatively lagging behind America's. "Should we be catching up with them? Well, if we are going to stand up for our interests on a global scale, then yes, we should. But if we want to lie low and just stick to our shores, then I don't think we should," Sivkov said. According to 2014 figures, Russia led the US only in the number of nuclear submarines armed with missile cruiser (seven to four). Moreover, Russia has 57 diesel-electric subs while the US has none. The US Navy is staking on nuclear-powered submarines, which though more expensive, are better suited for autonomous missions. The US now has 53 attack nuclear subs compared to Russia's 16. Even though the past few years have seen a notable jump in the number of Russian submariners touring the oceans, this is still shy of what Russia projected during the Soviet years. That said, the Russian submarine fleet is still the world's second most powerful. "The Chinese have no submarines capable of competing with the American subs, while we have about ten such submarines," Sivkov said. According the Defense News, China now has three nuclear powered missile submarines, six attack submarines and 53 diesel-electric ones more than any of its neighbors can boast. Still, China will remain in third place unless it makes a qualitative jump in the field of armaments. According to unclassified information, Russia currently has at least several nuclear submarines boasting absolutely exceptional capabilities, above all when it comes to their ability to dive to depths even the best US subs can't reach. There have been reports about a top-secret Russian nuclear sub capable of staying for weeks at the crushing depth of 6 kilometers! Mikhail Nenashev, the president of the All-Russian Movement for Support of the Navy, warned against underestimating the capability of the country's undersea might. "Let them show me a place in the oceans where we can't stand up to them," he said, mentioning the recent Kalibr cruise missiles launches by a Russian diesel-powered sub against Daesh terrorists in Syria. "Besides, the improved professionalism of our submariners' achieved in the past several years enables us to effectively solve tactical and strategic tasks anywhere in the world. We certainly need a few dozen modern subs, but even with what we have I wouldn't advise the Americans to test our combat capability," Nenashev emphasized. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US suspends export of cluster bombs to Saudi: Officials Iran Press TV Sat May 28, 2016 3:47AM The United States has reportedly suspended the transfer of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia amid growing concerns that the kingdom has used the weapons in its bombing campaign in Yemen, a report says. The move follows rising criticism by members of Congress of Washington's support for its ally in the year-long aggression, which has killed more than 9,400 people. The White House has sold weapons and provided training, targeting information, and logistical support to Saudi Arabia since the bombing campaign began on March 26, 2015 in a bid to restore power to former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh. Washington has also sold Riyadh millions of dollars' worth of internationally-banned cluster bombs in recent years. "We take such concerns seriously and are seeking additional information," a senior US official told the Foreign Policy magazine on condition of anonymity. The official cited reports that the Saudi-led coalition has used cluster bombs "in areas in which civilians are alleged to have been present or in the vicinity." Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have found evidence that CBU-105 cluster bombs, manufactured by the US-based company Textron Systems, have been dropped on multiple locations around Yemen. Officials said the hold applies to CBU-105 munitions. Cluster bombs contain bomblets that spread out widely and kill and injure civilians indiscriminately. The bomblets sometimes fail to explode upon impact and can kill civilians months or even years later. A 2009 US law prohibits export of cluster bombs with a failure rate of above 1 percent. It also stipulates that the munitions cannot be used "where civilians are known to be present." Amnesty International said last week that its most recent mission to Yemen has found evidence of US, UK and Brazilian cluster munitions used by Saudi forces. The UK-based rights group said unexploded cluster bombs have turned northern Yemen into "minefields" for civilians. The watchdog said displaced families, who are returning to their homes since a ceasefire was agreed in March, are at "grave risk" of "serious injury or even death." "Any step toward ending the production and sale of cluster bomb munitions by the United States government is a good thing, but much much more needs to be done," Sunjeev Bery, advocacy director at Amnesty International, told Foreign Policy. He said the rights organization pushed, unsuccessfully, to block a $1.3 million sale of smart bombs to Saudi Arabia which the US government approved late last year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Forces in Syria Ordered to Remove Kurdish YPG Patches by Carla Babb May 27, 2016 U.S. special forces in Syria who were wearing patches of a Kurdish fighting group have been ordered to remove them because of "political sensitivities," a spokesman for the coalition fighting Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria said Friday. Placing the patches of the People's Protection Units, known as the YPG, on U.S. military uniforms was "unauthorized," Colonel Steve Warren told reporters via teleconference from Baghdad. "The situation has been corrected, and we have communicated to our allies that such conduct was inappropriate," he added. Photos recently taken by an Agence France-Presse photographer showed some of the U.S. troops wearing the logo of the Kurdish forces they are assisting. Turkey, a NATO ally, considers these Kurdish forces to be terrorists and expressed anger about the photos. The United States does not consider the YPG a terrorist group, but it does designate the closely associated Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, as a foreign terrorist organization. "There's political sensitivities around the organization that patch represents," Warren said. Why were the patches worn? The special forces community has a "long and proud history" of wearing the patches of the forces whom they're partnering with, Warren explained. Examples of this can be seen in Afghanistan, Iraq, Latin America and other places around the globe as an effort by U.S. forces to connect with those they are training. Although U.S. Army regulations do not authorize the wearing of other forces' patches, Warren said it remained among the "customs and courtesies that they've been following for years." In this instance, the spokesman said, the "larger strategic context" made the tradition inappropriate. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey's Erdogan slams Washington over US soldiers' use of YPG emblem Iran Press TV Sat May 28, 2016 4:38PM Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized the United States over American troops wearing insignia of Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Unit (YPG) during an operation in Syria. In a Saturday speech in the mainly-Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, Erdogan "condemned" Washington as not being "honest." "Those who are our friends, those who are with us in NATO, should not and cannot send their soldiers to Syria with the sign of the YPG," said Erdogan. The president also said, "Saying solely 'We are against terrorism' does not mean standing against terrorism." On Wednesday, several photos appeared in media apparently showing US soldiers wearing the emblem of YPG on their uniforms during an operation to liberate the militant-held Syrian city of Raqqah. US Colonel Steve Warren said on Friday that American troops were not authorized to wear the insignia of YPG, which is fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorists, saying they had been ordered to remove them. "Wearing the YPG patches was unauthorized and it was inappropriate - and corrective action has been taken," he said. The YPG has been engaged in battle with Daesh for months, shutting down their supply routes from Turkey into Syria near Raqqah, which is the de facto capital of the terrorist group. Turkey accuses the YPG of being linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group, which has been engaged in a three-decade fight for autonomy in Turkey's Kurdish-dominated southeast. Ankara and Washington both regard the PKK as a terrorist organization. The United States does not consider the YPG to be a terrorist group. Since late September 2014, the US along with some of its allies has been conducting airstrikes purportedly against Daesh extremists inside Syria without any authorization from Damascus or the United Nations. UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimates that over 400,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which has also displaced over half of the Arab country's pre-war population of about 23 million. Ankara has widely been blamed for the surge in the conflict in Syria as it has been supporting anti-Damascus militants with funds, training and weapons. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey sends arms disguised as aid to Syria terrorists: Syrian UN envoy Iran Press TV Sat May 28, 2016 4:44AM Syria's ambassador to the United Nations (UN) has accused Turkey of delivering weapons to the terrorists in the Arab country in convoys made to look as if they are carrying humanitarian aid. Speaking at a UN Security Council session on Friday, Bashar al-Ja'afari also said Turkey exploited humanitarian corridors as transit routes for thousands of foreign-backed militants and provided weapons to the terrorists. Ja'fari made the remarks in reaction to a monthly UN report on humanitarian access in Syria, which was presented by the world body's Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Stephen O'Brien. The UN official claimed that the Syrian government, as well as militant groups, deliberately interfere with and restrict aid deliveries in the Arab country. Ja'fari disputed O'Brien's accusation, emphasizing that Damascus allows the delivery of aid "except for things that [would] be handed to terrorists." Of the 26 requests for humanitarian convoys in May, the Syrian ambassador said, Damascus approved 19, and the UN only sent three. "Cooperation is not a one-way street, the UN also has to cooperate with the Syrian government," he added. The Syrian ambassador said a number of countries, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia, exploit the needs and sufferings of the Syrian people for political gains. He said the support of some countries for terrorism became known to everyone recently when they blocked a Russian bid to blacklist certain terrorist groups. On May 11, Britain, the United States, France and Ukraine blocked a Russian proposal at the UN to blacklist Jaish al-Islam and Ahrar al-Sham groups for links to Daesh terrorists and al-Qaeda militants. Some countries claim to care for human rights and the Syrian people, but their actions on the ground contradict their words, Ja'afari said. Syria has been gripped by foreign-sponsored militancy since March 2011. United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimates that over 400,000 people have been killed in the Syrian crisis. Turkey is known among the main supporters of the militant groups operating in Syria, with reports saying that Ankara actively trains and arms the Takfiri elements there and facilitates their safe passage into the violence-wracked state. Turkey denies the accusations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Al-Nusra Front Shells of Syria's Aleppo: At Least Four Killed, 17 Injured Sputnik News 23:59 28.05.2016 At least 4 people have been killed and 17 were wounded in a Saturday shelling of Syria's northern city of Aleppo by the al-Nusra Front militant group, a Kurdish source told Sputnik. DAMASCUS (Sputnik) According to the source, the jihadists shelled Aleppo's northwestern neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsood, killing four civilians, including two children. Militants from the al-Nusra Front jihadist group have attacked residential areas and Nayrab airport in Syrian northern city of Aleppo, Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday. "Groups of al-Nusra Front international terrorist organization continue their provocative actions aimed at violation of the ceasefire. In past 24 hours [the group] attacked the settlement of Handrat, Aleppo's neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Halidia, as well as Nayrab airport, with mortars and multiple rocket launcher systems," the ministry said in a daily bulletin posted on its website. Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups. A US-Russia-brokered ceasefire came into force across Syria on February 27. The ceasefire does not apply to terrorist organizations, such as the Daesh and the al-Nusra Front, both of which are outlawed in many countries, including Russia. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Erdogan Slams US Forces for Wearing Patches of Syrian Kurdish Fighters Sputnik News 20:30 28.05.2016(updated 21:13 28.05.2016) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized on Saturday the fact that the patches of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) were noticed on the US servicemen, who support Syria's militias in their struggle against Daesh terrorist group. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier this week, media outlets have distributed photos taken in Syria near Daesh-occupied city of Raqqa, which depicted at least one of the US soldiers wearing a YPG patch. "I am someone who believes that politics should be conducted honestly. Therefore, our allies, those who are with us in NATO, cannot and should not send their own soldiers to Syria, with insignias of the YPG," Erdogan said, as quoted by the Hurriyet Daily News. Ankara could reveal the information, proving that YPG was a terrorist organization, he added. Turkey claims the YPG is an ally of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a separatist movement fighting for Kurdish self-determination in the southeast of the country. At the same time, Washington has no intention to designate YPG as a terrorist group and support the Kurdish fighters in their operations against Daesh. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Provocation? Turkish Military Advances 700 Meters Into Syria Sputnik News 19:33 28.05.2016 The division of the Turkish army has made advances by 700 meters into Syria, in the city of Afrin located in northern Aleppo province according to al-Mayedin channel. The Turkish military has put up a checkpoint next to the settlement, which has a predominantly Kurdish population.s So far there has been no official comment regarding this information. Earlier, Sergey Rudskoy, the head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of Russia, noted that Turkey continues to shell Syrian towns along the border and at the positions of Kurdish militia. "Turkish artillery continues shelling Syrian border settlements and Kurdish militia positions," he said. He further said, "Systematic shelling of Damascus from the territory of eastern Ghouta continues. Terrorists tried to capture a power plant in Homs and block the road connecting Aleppo and Damascus many times," Rudskoy said. Last week, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan reported, citing witnesses, that the Turkish military invaded the territory of Syria in the northeast of the country and started to build defenses there. The incident occurred near the town of al-Qamishli, which is considered to be the 'capital' of Syrian Kurds. In March, the Kurdish militia reported that the Turkish military had violated the border and is constructing fortifications near the cities of Afrin and Azaz. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Punishes Troops Who Wore Kurdish Gear for Safety at Behest of Erdogan Sputnik News 03:38 28.05.2016(updated 10:39 28.05.2016) On Friday, the spokesperson for Operation Inherent Resolve condemned the move as "unauthorized and inappropriate" and said that "corrective action has been taken." On Friday, Turkey blasted the United States after images were posted online showing US Special Forces in Syria wearing the insignia of a Kurdish group, opposed by Ankara, in a show of solidarity with the only fighters who have consistently repelled Daesh advances on the ground in northern Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said during an international conference that it was "unacceptable" for US soldiers to use patches depicting the logo of the YPG the Kurdish People's Protection units. The minister said that he conveyed his disfavor to US officials in Washington and Ankara, as well. Cavusoglu also condemned the early Pentagon explanation, that the patches were worn in a limited circumstance, to ensure the protection of the soldiers. "In that case, we would recommend that they use the patches of Daesh, al-Nusra and al-Qaida when they go to other parts of Syria and of Boko Haram when they go to Africa," the Turkish spokesman declaimed. "To those who say they don't consider the YPG to be the same as these terrorist groups, this is our response: this is applying double standards, this is being two faced." YPG fighters are viewed by Ankara as an extension of the Kurdish Workers' Party, or PKK, which is labeled a terror organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, but not by Russia and the United Nations. The Obama Administration, in contrast, views the Kurds as being instrumental in the effort to turn back Daesh in Syria. The much-celebrated Kurdish fighters have excelled above all fighting forces in the country, successfully liberating large areas of northern Syria from violent extremists. On Thursday, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook explained that US Special Forces have in the past "worn insignia and other identifying marks with some of their partner forces and what I will say is that special operations forces, when they operate in certain areas, do what they can to, if you will, blend in with the community to enhance their own protection, their own security." An ongoing rift continues regarding the transition process in Syria, with the US-ally Turkey on one side, engaged in routine illicit oil trade and arms sales with Daesh while calling for the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and excluding the Kurds from the negotiating table, while on the other side the supposedly hostile Russians call for a focused effort to stabilize Assad until the extremists have been dispatched. At the urging of Ankara and Riyadh, the White House has also approved advanced military aid to the 'moderate rebels' in Syria, groups loosely affiliated with the terror organization al-Nusra, which itself maintains ties to both al-Qaeda and Daesh. Some on Capitol Hill have called for the Obama Administration to reconsider its relationship with Turkey, in light of Ankara's flippant attitude about the safety and security of US Special Forces, along with a litany of recent offenses, including crackdowns against journalists, the implementation of dictatorial control in the parliament, indiscriminate prosecutions against opposition lawmakers under Turkey's terrorist laws, and evidence that embattled Turkish President Erdogan ordered a false-flag sarin gas attack in Syria that almost led to a US invasion. Instead, the United States is viewed as unceremoniously placing the ego of an increasingly-fascist Erdogan over the wellbeing of US troops and their effectiveness in the effort against Daesh, again kowtowing to strident rhetoric pouring out of Ankara. On Friday, Colonel Steve Warren, the Baghdad-based spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve backtracked on comments made by Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook in justifying the patches, saying, "Wearing those YPG patches was unauthorized and inappropriate, and corrective action has been taken. We have communicated as much to our military partners and allies in the region." Regardless of how the move is described, the US military has unequivocally punished soldiers wearing, for their own safety, the colors of the forces helping to fight terrorism in Syria, all to allay the fears of a budding dictator actively aiding and abetting terrorists while simultaneously attempting to undermine the Assad government. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address How Will Islamic State Defend the Capital of Its 'Caliphate'? by Jamie Dettmer May 28, 2016 Syrian Kurdish commanders are working to contain an Islamic State onslaught of suicide bombings and commando-style raids - two of the jihadist group's favorite tactics when it is about launch counter-offensives in Syria or Iraq, or when it is losing ground to its foes. Islamic State time and again has exploited its fighters' mobility, including switching from one side of the Syrian-Iraq border to the other, launching attacks where they are least expected and using suicide bombers and lightening raids behind enemy lines to wrong-foot opponents. That was demonstrated a year ago when the resilient group launched an unanticipated counterpunch, stunning the governments in Washington, Baghdad and Damascus by retaking the Iraqi town of Ramadi in the face of much superior numbers while at the same time, 95 kilometers away, seizing Syria's Palmyra, the desert town containing one of the world's most important Roman heritage sites, from government forces. Such dramatic displays of battlefield capability are probably beyond IS now, say analysts. Fewer big strikes by IS The group's ability to move large numbers of forces has been sharply reduced because of U.S. and Russian 'eyes-in-the-sky' - aerial surveillance puts the extremists' convoys at risk of airstrikes. And IS is facing upgraded forces, especially when it comes to the Syrian government. Rebel commanders say most of the pro-regime battle force is not the Syrian army, but Iranian revolutionary guardsmen, fighters from Lebanon's radical Shi'ite movement Hezbollah and Syrian militias trained by Iran. But the better organized and more confident forces challenging IS remain vulnerable to the kind of hit-and-run attacks that took the U.S. army years to contain in Iraq after the ouster of Saddam Hussein. U.S. military officials speaking off the record also acknowledge that aerial surveillance is not fully effective in detecting the movement of lighter and smaller IS units. Kurdish commanders in the Syrian Democratic Forces, the YPG-dominated anti-IS alliance, want to limit the offensive they announced this week and stop short of the city of Raqqa, the self-declared IS capital. The U.S. military observers say this is partly due to their reluctance to expose their forces to hit-and-run IS attackers. "The YPG is very cautious in its military actions in northern Raqqa, especially after the multiple security and military breaches carried out recently by IS," said Hamoud Almousa, an activist with the anti-IS network Raqqa is Being Slaughter Silently. Kurds vulnerable to suicide bombings This week's seven near-simultaneous IS bombings in Latakia, the Syrian government's heartland, illustrate the dangers the Kurds face. More than 180 people were killed by five suicide attackers and two car bombs targeting civilians; one IS bomber blew himself up in a hospital emergency room, finishing off others who had survived their initial wounds. Such attacks serve several purposes: They boost morale among IS fighters, giving them a sense the group remains undefeated despite losses. They provide a psychological-warfare edge by eroding their foes' confidence. They force IS enemies to divert forces for self-defense rather than offense. And they inflame sectarian hatreds. Seven Sunni Muslims, all of whom had been displaced from their home villages, were killed in northwestern Syria by local Alawites in retaliation for the bombings. Alawis are members of the same Muslim sect, a Shi'ite offshoot, as President Bashir al-Assad. According to anti-IS activist Almousa, the Kurds' YPG forces have erected dozens of checkpoints to try to hold back the bombers. "ISIS strategy does not rely too much on defense; they focus on counter-attack and sudden breakthrough. This strategy makes the YPG worry a lot more about their front lines and has made them reconsider any military action in any area that has no Kurdish majority population," he says. Not that all will be counterattack. While the group's chief defensive tactics is to counterpunch, it has also in recent weeks increased the number of its fighters in villages around the city of Raqqa, dug trenches, sown minefields and planted booby-trap bombs in villages it expects to lose all of which will slow up any offensive forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Islamic State Presses Offensive in Syria's North by VOA News May 28, 2016 Islamic State militants pressed their offensive Saturday in northern Syria against a major opposition stronghold, clashing with anti-government forces inside the town of Marea near the Turkish border. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the lightning IS strike north of Aleppo cut a main road linking Marea to the nearby opposition town of Azaz. No further combat details were available late Saturday. But the Associated Press earlier in the day quoted the head of one of the last remaining hospitals in Marea as saying the town has been encircled and his hospital under threat since Friday. "We need urgent protection for the hospital or a way out," physician Abdel Rahman Alhafez told the wire service in an email statement. To the east, a Kurdish-Arab alliance backed by the United States pressed an offensive against fighters north of the IS stronghold city Raqqa. Turkish media reported U.S. airstrikes and Turkish artillery fire destroyed several buildings used as an IS headquarters in the city. Monitors say Syrian army warplanes and helicopters pounded other opposition-held border area towns in Aleppo province Saturday, further pressuring embattled rebels fighting to topple the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Analysts say the recent Islamic State territorial gains around Marea and Azaz have trapped more than 160,000 Syrian civilians between the Azaz-Marea region and the closed Turkish border about 20 kilometers to the north. Elsewhere in the region, U.S. Special Operations forces and a coalition of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces are reported clearing an area north of Raqqa, the Islamic State's de facto capital in Syria. On Friday, a Kurdish commander in the region told an embedded VOA reporter the SDF coalition had seized at least 10 area villages and was fighting extremists on three fronts north of Raqqa. Local reports said IS fighters were preparing to defend the city with booby-trapped buildings, a string of trenches and berms. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Erdogan Condemns US Forces For Wearing Syrian Kurdish Insignia by Dorian Jones May 28, 2016 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has escalated a row with Washington, over images of U.S. special forces wearing Syrian Kurdish militia patches. "The support the U.S. has given to the PYD and YPG. I condemn it," Erdogan bellowed to a crowd at an airport opening ceremony in Diyarbakir, the main city in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish south east. Ankara accuses the YPG militia of being a terrorist organization connected to the Kurdish rebel group the PKK, which Turkish security forces are currently fighting. "I am someone who believes that politics should be conducted honestly," chided Erdogan. "Therefore, our allies, those who are with us in NATO, cannot and should not send their own soldiers to Syria, with insignias of the YPG." Washington argues the YPG is separate from the PKK. Dozens of U.S. special forces are working with the YPG in Syria to support its fight against the Islamic State. The Kurdish militia is widely acknowledged as among most effective against Islamist militants in Syria. The insignia row has erupted amid simmering tensions between the NATO allies over the YPG. Washington initially defended the wearing of the insignias, claiming it was part of security measures of its Special Forces allowing them to "blend in" in overseas operations. But on Friday, Washington reached out to Ankara, "Wearing the YPG patches was unauthorized, and it was inappropriate, and corrective action has been taken," Colonel Steve Warren, the spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) said on Friday. "And we have communicated as much to our military partners and our military allies in the region." Row not over The comments came as it appeared Ankara was ready to reciprocate, "It might be a part of strategy for camouflage," suggested Naci Bostanc spokesman of the Turkey's ruling AKP Party in comments seen as efforts to defuse tensions. But Erdogan's latest attack indicates the row is far from over. Sinan Ulgen visiting scholar of the Carnegie Institute says despite tensions, Ankara will not burn bridges with its key ally. "Even though relations between Obama and Erdogan are not good, Turkey will continue to attach a great deal of important with its relationship with U.S. because that is the relationship the President values above all else. Because in an environment where are now a number of security challenges, for Turkey and its interests the only reliable security provider is the U.S." Cooperation between the NATO allies was underlined this month with a major a military exercise along with Poland, Azerbaijan and Pakistan. The Turkish Incirlik airbase close to the Syrian border is a key part of U.S. operations against Islamic State. But as Ankara and Washington are diametrically opposed over the YPG, relations are likely to continue to be strained. The Syrian Kurdish militia is increasingly drawing plaudits in its fight against Islamic State, much to Ankara's anger. Ankara is also aware that it is becoming increasingly isolated on the issue. In a statement after Turkey's National Security Council, the Turkish government noted with alarm that the political wing of the Kurdish YPG militia, the PYD, had opened offices in Czech, Poland, Germany and France. The resumption of the peace process between Ankara and PKK is seen by observers as the best way of squaring the circle between Turkey and its western allies over the Syrian Kurdish militia. But Erdogan in his Diyarbakir speech on Saturday, also ruled out any let up in the war between Turkish security services and the Kurdish rebel group, the PKK. Diyarbakir has seen of months of fighting between Kurdish rebels, and Turkish security forces, which has claimed hundreds of lives. Over 8,000 police were deployed for the President's visit, with fighting still continuing across Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast. VOA Turkish's Mahmut Bozarslan contributed to this report from Diyarbakir, Turkey NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine wants ex-NATO head, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, as advisor Iran Press TV Sat May 28, 2016 6:53AM Ukraine's president has asked the former NATO secretary general to act as his unofficial advisor. "Appoint Anders Fogh Rasmussen as adviser to the President of Ukraine outside the official staff [subject to his consent]," read the text of the relevant decree, published on Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's website on Saturday. Rasmussen was the twelfth Secretary General of NATO in the period from August 2009 to September 2014. Ukraine has been heavily relying on the members of the US-led alliance for military and political support in the face of Russia since 2014, when Moscow-Kiev relations frayed due to the Crimean Peninsula's voting in favor of leaving territorial contiguity with Ukraine and rejoining the Russian Federation. The bilateral ties have also suffered from Ukraine's carrying out a military crackdown on pro-Russia forces fighting for greater autonomy in the country's east. Earlier in the month, the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council adopted a program for the reorganization of Ukraine's defense industry and military in line with NATO's standards. "We are beginning real reorganization of the defense and security sector in order to join NATO," Poroshenko said at the time. NATO, for its part, is pressing for expansion right up to Russia's doorstep, with Sweden mulling accession and Montenegro being on the verge of joining the alliance. Moscow has branded the eastward push as "provocative," warning it has retaliatory steps in store. The 28-member NATO already includes some former communist states in Eastern Europe, like Croatia and Slovenia, which similar to Montenegro emerged from former Yugoslavia's disintegration. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former NATO Chief Named Poroshenko Adviser May 28, 2016 by RFE/RL Former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says he will do his "utmost to promote security, economic reforms, and stronger EU ties" in his new capacity as an adviser to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Rasmussen made the comment on Facebook on May 28, one day after Poroshenko announced the appointment. Poroshenko's announcement did not specify on what issues Rasmussen would be advising. Rasmussen described the "security situation" in eastern Ukraine as "alarming." He also said Ukraine must fight corruption and implement reforms. Russian Duma member Leonid Kalashnikov, deputy chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, told Interfax that Rasmussen's appointment was "a hostile gesture" toward Russia. "It shows that Ukraine has chosen the West and NATO as the vector of its drifting movement," he said, describing Ukraine as "a beachhead against Russia" that "will be used sooner or later." Konstantin Kosachyov, chairman of the Federation Council's Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Facebook that Rasmussen's appointment, like many other Ukrainian moves, is "for show" because "Ukraine badly needsattention from the outside." With reporting by Interfax Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine- rasmussen-advicer-nato/27762742.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kyiv Says Fighting In East Intensifies May 28, 2016 by RFE/RL The Ukrainian military says that fighting between government troops and Russia-backed separatists has intensified in eastern Ukraine. Senior government official Andriy Lysenko said on May 28 that one soldier had been killed in recent fighting. Russia-backed fighters have accused the army of carrying out dozens of attacks in recent days as both sides charge each other with not observing a ceasefire. The uptick in violence saw a patrol from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission shot at in the Donetsk region on May 27. The mission's chief monitor, Ertugrul Apakan, condemned the attack, in which nobody was injured. Amid the increased violence, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has called for greater foreign assistance and has appointed former NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen as his adviser. Rasmussen said on May 28 on Facebook that he will do his "utmost to promote security, economic reforms, and stronger EU ties" in his new capacity. Poroshenko has not specified on what issues Rasmussen will be advising. Rasmussen described the "security situation" in eastern Ukraine as "alarming." He also said Ukraine must fight corruption and implement reforms. Russian Duma member Leonid Kalashnikov, deputy chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, told Interfax that Rasmussen's appointment was "a hostile gesture" toward Russia. "It shows that Ukraine has chosen the West and NATO as the vector of its drifting movement," he said, describing Ukraine as "a beachhead against Russia" that "will be used sooner or later." Konstantin Kosachyov, chairman of the Federation Council's Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Facebook that Rasmussen's appointment, like many other Ukrainian moves, is "for show" because "Ukraine badly needsattention from the outside." With reporting by Interfax, TASS, and dpa Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/kyiv-fighting- intensifies-east-rasmussen/27763121.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Photo by Monk Vance: Three generations on the Texas Longhorn Centennial Trail Drive in June, 1966 were, left to right, Stanley "Stan" Reid, Asa E. Reid Sr., and Ace Reid. It was to commemorate drives of 1880s From June 26 to July 2, 1966, trail bosses Charles Schreiner III and Ace Reid trailed 100 Texas Longhorns from San Antonio to Dodge City, Kansas. The drive 50 years ago was to commemorate the first major cattle drives from Texas to northern markets in the 1800s. Between 1866 and 1885, 6 million Texas Longhorns with hundreds of trail bosses, chuck wagons, and remudas of 40 to 50 horses made up the Great Western Cattle Trail, America's longest cattle trail which originated at Bandera and ended at Dodge City. Schreiner, owner of the famous Y.O. Ranch near Mountain Home in Kerr County, was president of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America in 1966. Reid was the famous cowboy cartoonist, also of Kerrville. "Charlie IV and Gus Schreiner, sons of Charles III, and me are maybe the only living cowboys from the 1966 drive," said Stan Reid, son of Ace Reid. "This June marks 50 years since the beginning of the last drive of Longhorns to cross the Red River at Doan's Crossing," Stan Reid said. "My dad's grandfather and my mother's grandfather both took cattle north in their day," he said. According to historians, Doan's Crossing was near C.E. Doan's store. It was the last chance for drovers to get mail and supplies before entering Indian Territory. The Doan family was the first to settle in Wilbarger County. They built a store and home near the low-water crossing on the Red River. C.E. Doan was noted to keep perfect records of the herds and the names of the trail bosses. The peak of cattle herds was in 1881, when 301,000 head were driven through the crossing. The King Ranch in South Texas holds the record of the largest herd numbering 30,000 head but divided into 10 herds in a single season. On the 1966 drive, Schreiner named five men as honorary trail bosses E.H. Marks, of Barker, Russel Stranger, of Brazoria, and Milby Butler, of League City, Graves Peeler, of Jourdanton, and I.G. "Cap" Yates, of Alpine, according to the Standard-Times. Other key men in the centennial cattle drive were Ed Cassin, of Batesville, and Bill Beard, of Mountain Home, as riding foremen for the cowboys who actually handled the Longhorns at key points along the route. Travis Marks, of Barker, was trail marshal. The Y.O. Ranch, purchased in 1880, became headquarters for the Schreiner Cattle Co. By 1900, the Charles Schreiner Co. owned more than 500,000 acres extending continuously from Kerrville to Menard. The ranch was originally composed of several vast tracts of land, one of which was the James River Ranch and the old YO brand that Captain Schreiner bought from James Clements and J.M. Taylor. Charles Schreiner III took control of the Y.O. Ranch during the drought of the 1950s. He was forced to sell the cattle because he couldn't feed them. Charlie had a desire to bring the Longhorn cattle back from oblivion. He started raising Longhorns as a hobby in 1957. In 1964, he formed the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America "to preserve the lean and lanky cattle." Their numbers had declined to 1,000 or fewer from the millions of the late 19th century, when most ran on open range. His namesake had taken part when thousands of head were driven up the trail to Dodge City. Charlie Schreiner III was the son of Walter Richard and Myrtle Barton Schreiner. He married Audrey Lee Phillips on Feb. 19, 1949. They had four sons: Charles IV, Walter, Gus and Louis II. Charlie III was 74 when he died April 22, 2001. He was buried on the Y.O. Ranch. His 41-year-old son, Louis Schreiner II, died nine days earlier. Ace Reid was the creator of the "Cowpokes" cartoon which ran in more than 400 weekly newspapers across the United States in peak years. Ace was born March 10, 1925, at Lelia Lake, in Donley County near Amarillo. He was the son of Asa Elmer Reid Sr. and Callie Miles Bishop. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Electra in Wichita County where he grew up ranching and cowboying. During World War II, Reid served as a machinist's mate in the Navy in the Pacific aboard the USS Lanier (APA-125). It was onboard the Lanier that "Cowpokes" was born. "The Sorry Salt" was a cartoon he drew for the ship's newspaper. After the War, "The Sorry Salt" became "Jake," his primary character. Ace Reid and Madge Parmley were married Sept. 11, 1949, in Dallas. They moved to Kerrville in 1952. Their son, James Stanley "Stan" Reid, was born two years later. Ace died on Nov. 10, 1991. Today, a short drive north of Vernon lies a humble adobe building which was Doan's store and a granite monument boasting the famous ranch brands from herds of the Great Western Trail going north from Doan's Crossing. The crossing is at the juncture of Farm-to-Market Road 2916 and Farm-to-Market Road 924 in northern Wilbarger County. Jerry Lackey is agriculture editor emeritus. Contact him at jlackey@wcc.net. Malachi Kirby in "Roots." (History Channel) SHARE By Neal Justin Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (TNS) No one believes that Roots, a new interpretation of Alex Haleys blockbuster novel airing next week, will get the attention the 1977 version did. Then again, expectations werent too high the first time around. ABC, whose pride and joy at the time was Happy Days, was so skeptical of the sprawling history lesson about American slavery that it elected to burn off the entire story over eight consecutive nights in January, todays equivalent of banishing a new show to Saturday evenings. By the final evening, roughly 85 percent of all TV viewers in the United States had watched at least part of the series and television executives fully embraced the concept of the miniseries, setting the stage for such blockbusters as Shogun, The Thorn Birds and The Winds of War. More important, the phenomenon sparked spirited discussion in living rooms across the country, inspiring teenagers to explore black culture and struggles beyond the Evans household on Good Times. Mark Wolper, 16 at the time, had a particularly advantageous seat his father, David Wolper, was the series executive producer and its main champion from Day 1. The two would go on to work together on the 1988 sequel Roots: The Gift and 1993s Queen, another miniseries based on an Alex Haley book, this one starring Halle Berry. Wolper was approached many times, before and after his fathers death in 2010, to take a stab at a remake. He refused. Even without the father-son shadow issues, I cant think of a more daunting, frightening thing to do, Wolper said by phone last week. A couple of years ago, he decided it was time for his own 16-year-old son to experience some family history, almost forcing him to sit through all 9 hours of his grandfathers most heralded project. Junior wasnt impressed. He couldnt get into it, Wolper said. He said, Dad, I get why its important, but its a little like your music. It doesnt speak to me. It was at that moment I had this revelation. His generation knows the stories of slavery and even Roots, but they havent seen it visually in a way that school doesnt really teach you. Traditionalists have the opportunity to see the original when its re-released on Blu-ray on June 7. But younger people are likely to be more attracted to this History Channel production with its slightly shorter running time eight hours stretched over four straight nights beginning Monday revved-up action and more defiant characters. Grueling scenes of central character Kunta Kinte training to be a warrior in his West African village could have been lifted from Survivor. Extended scenes from the Revolutionary War, in which slaves were promised freedom in exchange for siding with England, feature a moment in which an African-American soldier emerges from muddy waters like Rambo getting ready to pounce. Slaves are still whipped and raped in this version, but not before delivering a kick to the masters groin. Daina Ramey Berry, a professor of American history at the University of Texas, defended the more rebellious approach. In my classroom, students often ask, Why didnt they just run away? Berry said. As I see it, its important to show that African-Americans didnt just bow down to the oppression. The emphasis on fighting back and casting of young, contemporary stars Anna Paquin, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Mekhi Phifer all make appearances may inspire a new generation to start examining their genealogical trees. Berry also hopes the miniseries will help explain the anger still simmering in the country. You dont have to accept the context, but you have to understand it, she said. LeVar Burton, who played Kinte in the original series, has no doubt that Roots can make a difference again. As far as we have come in the area of race relations and the topics of social justice, fairness and equality, we still have a long way to go, said Burton, who served as an executive producer on the 2016 version. Roots was, and I believe can be again, an opportunity to do more than simply entertain. Its an opportunity to educate and enlighten through our storytelling. Now if only Wolper can convince his son, now in college, to give it another chance. Id like to have a family screening this summer, he said. But unfortunately, hell probably watch it on his cellphone in his dorm room. SHARE Simon Cowell attends the auditions for "Britain's Got Talent" at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre on Feb. 4, 2016. (Joe Giddens/PA/Abaca Press/TNS) By Rick Bentley The Fresno Bee (TNS) Its out with Howard Stern and in with Simon Cowell when Americas Got Talent returns for its 11th season to the NBC lineup on May 31. He will join Howie Mandel, Mel B and Heidi Klum as the judges who will make or break dreams. Cowell said he has wanted to be on the show for years. I came down to watch the show being filmed. I was sitting in the audience, thinking they are very good, the panel. But I was kind of hoping one of them would hurt themselves. Not badly, but enough that I would have to go Im here, because it really, really looked so much fun, this show, Cowell told journalists gathered for a summer press day by the network. He was offered the job five years ago, but he was so tied up with other talent competition programs he couldnt take it on. This feels like perfect timing. Cowells always been a perfect fit for that judging spot. Both Piers Morgan and Howard Stern brought an honesty to their critiques that gave the show some bite. The other three judges are nice, but these shows need a tough judge. American Idol wouldnt have gone into a second season without Cowell as one of the original judges. Look for Cowell to have plenty opportunities to dish out his acerbic brand of honesty. They filmed an episode where the talent was so bad Cowell told the other judges that he had lost the will to live. But the good acts outweigh the bad. When its good, of course its worth it. Because when youre there, when you discover a star or you think that could become a star, youll never forget that moment, never forget that audition, Cowell says. The good acts dont see the kind of verbal salvos that have earned Cowell a reputation as a tough guy. Even his fellow judges were a little concerned about him. Mandel knew the kind of straight-forward approach Cowell has taken on every show, and he didnt know how that would hit with the Americas Got Talent judging panel. He says it became apparent quickly that he Cowell was a perfect fit. It is more fun than we have ever had in the history of this show, Mandel says. SHARE "The Finest Traditions of my Calling" by Dr. Abraham M. Nussbaum (photo courtesy Amazon) By Michelle Andrews Kaiser Health News (TNS) In his recent book, The Finest Traditions of My Calling, Dr. Abraham Nussbaum, 41, makes the case that doctors and patients alike are being shortchanged by current medical practices that emphasize population-based standards of care rather than individual patient needs and experiences. Nussbaum, a psychiatrist, is the chief education officer at Denver Health Medical Center and practices on the adult inpatient psychiatric unit there. I recently spoke with him and this is an edited transcript of our conversation. Q: Your book is in some ways a lament for times gone by, when physicians were artisans who had more time for their patients and professional independence. But youre a young doctor and you must have known at the outset that wasnt the way medicine worked anymore. Why do you stick with it? A: The first thing Id say was that I didnt know right away that medicine is no longer universally understood as a calling instead of a job. We are describing health as if it is just another consumer good, and physicians and other health practitioners as the providers of those goods. That is the language of a job. When you remember that being with the ill is a calling, then you remember that it is a tremendous privilege to be a physician. People trust you with their secrets, their fears and their hopes. They allow you to ask about their lives and to assess their bodies. So my lament is not for the loss of physician privilege goodbye to that but to the understanding of medicine as a calling. Q: You dont like checklists and quality improvement measures that dictate how physicians care for patients because you say it turns doctors into technicians and is an obstacle to moral reasoning. But those tools, which generally take a systems approach to providing care and rely on evidence-based guidelines, arent going away anytime soon. How do you do the kind of doctoring you want to do in this environment? A: Quality improvement seems to be here to stay. Regulators at all levels require it. But I believe that evidence of its success is not as clear as they suggest. Just last week, the British Medical Journal published a study that found no evidence that introducing quality metrics has resulted in a significant reduction in patient mortality. The leaders of the quality movements version of quality improvement developed out of industrial engineering, so they are always comparing the care of patients to things like the production of cars or the flying of airplanes. People are far more varied than cars on assembly line or planes on the runway. So quality metrics always feel forced to me, especially for the more interactive medical encounters. In my own specialty, the current quality metrics all encourage me to perform standardized screens on patients or to document carefully. None of them require me to develop a relationship with a patient so that I can, say, foster hope after a suicide attempt, or knit a psychotic person back into the life of their family. Yet that it was my patients want, those human relationships. It is also what physicians want, and the most recent studies suggest that most physicians are dispirited by quality metrics. Q: But not all physicians are equally skilled or conscientious. As a patient, I feel more comfortable knowing there are rules and standards that doctors have to meet. A: I dont think physicians should be free to do whatever they want. Their thinking and decision-making should be held up to scrutiny. A physicians standard of quality should be evidence-based, but even more, it should be patient-centered. The standard should be what the patient defines as what matters. So if you are suffering chronic pain, it is not just a reduction of your score on a standardized pain scale, but your ability to resume the activities you identify as constitutive of your life. Q: You talk about wanting to be able to sit with patients and talk with them, to really see them. All that takes time that physicians dont generally have. I understand your book isnt a how-to manual. But, really, how can physicians do this, even if they want to? A: Its a real challenge. Its important to use the time you have in service of the patients needs. I dont review records while Im in the room with a patient. I try to make every question be about the patient. I have to ask standard questions, but I try to do that as way to get to know the patient. For example, if I have to ask questions about what they can remember, Id ask about a book they have with them. Part of my concern about checklists is that they train you to follow a script instead of following your patients. Q: Only 55 percent of psychiatrists take insurance compared with nearly 90 percent of physicians in other specialties. That puts their services out of financial reach for many people who could use their help. How does that square with your vision of doctors as healers and teachers? A: Its deeply concerning to me. Ive made a conscious choice to work at a safety net hospital, so I can see people regardless of their ability to pay. I hope that through things like the Medicaid expansion and mental health parity, more psychiatrists will work with people who have mental illness. Q: You talk about the virtues of slow medicine, similar to the slow food movement, where physicians reject providing care in a standardized, mass-produced fashion. One path that some physicians have chosen is to establish boutique practices that accept a limited number of patients who pay extra fees for more personal attention and better access. Whats your perspective on that? A: It sounds appealing to me. In most descriptions of boutique medicine, they talk about it like a lovely restaurant, one that I couldnt afford to go to every night. I think its an interesting model but not a solution to the large problems facing medicine, in particular the ability to provide care to the most needy among us and the indigent. Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Millennials may be less interested in Lasik surgery than baby boomers are. (Laura Mueller/Charlotte Observer/TNS) SHARE By Nara Schoenberg Chicago Tribune (TNS) Heather Cherrys vision was fairly good, but the stay-at-home mom in rural Nevada was tired of reaching for her glasses when she wanted to see into the distance during a hike or fully enjoy the sight of wild horses grazing at the side of the road. Lasik vision correction surgery offered the hope of 20-20 vision, and when she went to an eye surgery center in January, she was told she was an excellent candidate. But then came the consent form, with warnings about possible side effects such as diminished night vision and eye irritation. Cherry went online, found the patient website Lasik Complications and saw complaints of chronic eye pain and severely impaired vision. I dont feel good about this, she said when she canceled her surgery. I dont feel like this is the right choice for me. Potential patients are less likely to opt for Lasik than in the procedures heyday of 2000-2007, when ads flooded the airwaves and more than a million of the outpatient surgeries were performed each year. The number of laser vision correction surgeries per year a category including Lasik and the closely related PRK procedure has dropped more than 50 percent, from about 1.5 million surgeries in 2007 to 604,000 in 2015, according to the eye care data source Market Scope. Explanations for the decline in volume vary widely, with eye surgeons blaming the economic downturn and noting that some practices have seen increases in the last few years. I cant tell you exactly why Lasik volumes are down, but there are some ideas and theories says Dr. Kerry Solomon, president of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. One is that the economy hasnt fully recovered. Two, were dealing with a different generation, millennials, and millennials make decisions differently, maybe they have different priorities. Maybe the millennial generation wont adopt Lasik to the same extent the baby boomers did. Maybe they will, and we have to reach out to them differently. Theres also less marketing going on than there was in 2006 and 2007, Solomon says, and not as many doctors are doing Lasik. Anti-Lasik patient advocates say potential patients are finding websites such as Lasik Complications and reading sobering stories about patients who endure debilitating side effects. Word of mouth may also be having an effect, says Paula Cofer, an administrator of the Lasik Complications Facebook Group. Interest in Lasik, in which a surgeon uses a laser to reshape your cornea, exploded in the late 90s. Back in the cowboy days, as I call them, people were doing this (surgery) in the mall, with people watching, recalls Dr. Daniel Durrie, a clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Kansas Medical Center who says hes very happy thats no longer happening. We used to have an entity that rolled a truck into the Hy-Vee (grocery) store, and people would walk in one area, and get their Lasik, and walk out the other, like they were at the state fair. Cofer, who had Lasik 15 years ago, says she began experiencing disturbing side effects within days. At night, ordinary lights transformed into massive starbursts, with rays radiating outward from a bright center. The visual distortions continue, she says, swallowing large portions of her field of vision and making night driving impossible. I can see eight moons in the sky at night all smeared and overlapping, says Cofer, who lives near Tampa, Fla. She also experiences daily eye pain, which she describes as a burning sensation similar to having soap in your eyes. Theres little question that Lasik complications occur, but the magnitude of the problem is a matter of debate, with anti-Lasik advocates saying serious complications are common, and eye surgeons, who cite patient satisfaction rates of 95 percent and higher, saying serious complications are rare. The FDA is taking steps to address the complication-rate issue with its Lasik Quality of Life Collaboration Project, the results of which havent yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. In a presentation of preliminary findings, available at the FDA website, the FDAs director of the Division of Ophthalmic and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices, Malvina B. Eydelman, reported on more than 400 patients who had Lasik and filled out questionnaires at three months post-Lasik. Up to 4 percent of Lasik patients in the study experienced very or extremely bothersome visual symptoms at three months post-Lasik (without visual correction), according to Eydelmans presentation. Up to 45 percent of patients who had no visual symptoms before Lasik had developed new visual symptoms at three months post-Lasik, she reported. Durrie, a clinical investigator for the FDA study, says that, according to his calculations, presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting earlier this month, only 1 out of 551 patients in the study reported visual symptoms that caused them difficulty in performing their usual activities at the three-month mark. Thats 0.2 percent. Durrie also says that only 1.4 percent to 2.3 percent of patients said they were dissatisfied with Lasik at the three-month mark and that 64 percent of patients who had visual symptoms before Lasik had no visual symptoms at the three-month mark. By his calculations, 23 percent of patients who reported no visual symptoms before Lasik had at least one visual symptom at three months post-Lasik. Asked about the discrepancy between that figure and the FDAs, Durrie says his figures are more up-to-date than Eydelmans. An FDA spokesperson says Eyedelmans 45 percent figure is correct but applied to only part of the study. Neither side in the Lasik debate is content with the status quo. Edward Boshnick, a Miami optometrist who treats patients harmed by Lasik, says he would like to see the procedure banned. Durrie, who had Lasik himself at age 49 and says he doesnt need glasses at all at age 67, would like to see Lasik volume grow. I dont want to oversell this procedure, because its surgery, but in the right patients that are good candidates, it can be life-changing and really help people in their performance, he says. As for Cherry, the Nevada mom who decided against Lasik, she says shes continued to talk to patients and do research, and for her, the rewards just arent worth the risk. These are your eyes, she says. When you have a surgical procedure done to your actual eyeball, they cant reverse that. You cant make that go away. Its such a serious gamble that people are taking. Shari Roeseler, "cane-fu" instructor, encourages blind student ST Graggs to use his walking cane for self-defense. (Sammy Caiola/Sacramento Bee/TNS) SHARE Students at Society for the Blind take a "cane-fu" self defense class. (Sammy Caiola/Sacramento Bee/TNS) By Sammy Caiola The Sacramento Bee (TNS) SACRAMENTO, Calif. Wanda Thomas, 68, enjoys shopping, going to the movies and attending classes at Society for the Blind in midtown. But when she travels down the sidewalk with her white fiberglass cane, she doesnt always feel safe. Thomas, who began losing her eyesight 10 years ago due to the degenerative disease retinitis pigmentosa, joined other seniors Saturday for a cane-fu self-defense class, intended to give those with vision challenges a combative advantage against attackers when theyre out alone. About three years ago, Thomas was approached by a strange man while at a light-rail stop. She was waiting for the bus, she said, when she felt the man lingering nearby, then coming toward her. She couldnt see where he was, but she could sense his shadows shifting around her. He kept pacing back and forth, back and forth, she said. It just didnt feel right. Normal people dont do that. Fortunately, the man backed off when her sighted helper arrived, but Thomas said she wants to be prepared in case it happens again. Im hoping to be the best that I can be if Im approached by anyone, she said. I want to know how my cane can help me, not just to walk down the street but to defend myself. Society for the Blind is a Sacramento nonprofit group that serves people in 26 Northern California counties. Shari Roeseler, the organizations executive director and a martial arts instructor, said assailants often see people with sight impairment as easy targets. Her class teaches blind students how to walk with confidence, stay aware of their surroundings and make a quick exit when necessary. People will, unfortunately, take advantage when they realize somebody has vision loss, hearing loss, or another disability that may impair their mobility, she said. Thats why its important that we teach folks that regardless of vision loss or anything else, you still can defend yourself and feel confident being out there. She also teaches them to use any nearby object to aid in self-defense including the white cane that many blind people use to identify obstacles while walking. Oftentimes seniors feel the cane is something that makes them look more vulnerable, so they wont take them out, she said. But its a great weapon of opportunity it becomes a tool. Most blind people are taught to keep their canes low to the ground, making an arc from 10 o clock to 2 o clock while searching for walls and other people. If a blind person hears someone with violent intentions approaching, the easiest move might simply be to trip the assailant over. A whack to the shins would also do the trick, Roeseler said. If this person is focused on you and youve got your cane, your cane could be your tool to trip them or inflict some pain, she said. The canes, especially these fiberglass ones, have some whip to them. Remember, this is somebody whos trying to do you harm. On that lower level, your cane can become a really good tool for the lower body. The canes can also serve a purpose for blind people who are seated, she said. While many people tuck their canes beside their seats or hold them between their legs when sitting on a park bench or riding on public transit, Roeseler recommends they lay them flat across the lap whenever space allows. That way, if a threatening person were to approach, the blind person could thrust their cane upward from a seated position to create an arm-bar, which would hold the assailant back and give the victim space to kick, stomp or call for help, she said. Roeseler calls the technique stun and run distract the attacker, then get out fast. They arent expecting you to fight back, she said. Theyre expecting all of us to be vulnerable and cower and just give up. The cane-fu class was part of an all-day No Limits workshop for the societys Senior IMPACT Project, aimed at helping blind seniors pursue leisure activities. Other workshops included line dancing, fall prevention and iPhone use. Don Hales, a 61-year-old south Sacramento resident living with glaucoma, said he had no intentions of slowing down, even as his sight slowly diminished. He was at the workshops Saturday intending to practice self-defense, make decoupage on glass and learn a dance called the cupid shuffle. I cant get mad I just have to keep going, he said. Society for the Blind helps me. When seniors go blind, they think that its the end of the world. When they come down here, they get their independence back. Cards tell of a country's call to action and of duty served In the newspaper's archives room at the back of the newsroom is a dark olive green box. It's nothing special to look at. Just an old small wooden box made scratched and dusty by time. The index cards inside like they were just bought. But what the old wooden box holds is precious. Long ago the newspaper's archives librarian must have carefully filled the wooden box with index cards. One after another, the cards tell the names of Americans who were willing to die for us. I have no idea how many cards are in the box, but there may be hundreds. I guess once the daily news of the war was read, the librarian would put that information on the cards about the men and women in the war. Then the librarian saved the cards, tucking them into the wooden box. Those cards tell something about brave men and women, most from Texas. The small green box is jammed full of those cards. They look like they haven't been touched or seen since 1944. Some probably haven't. What do the cards tell us? They tell us that in March 1945, Sgt. Lionel G. Aguirre was killed in Europe. The card says he was the son of Mrs. Carolina Aguirre of Del Rio. Another card says. Lt. Hulen, a Marine in the Pacific, died from wounds at Saipan. He was a Marine, born and reared, just down the highway in the town of Melvin. He did his duty and died far from home. He wasn't alone. Also killed was Lt. Murry Summers, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Summers of Talpa. Other cards tell of Americans like Capt. L.T. McKissick, taken prisoner when Corregidor fell. He was formerly a dentist in San Angelo. He was interned at a camp in the Philippines and was liberated Feb. 22, 1945. The cards say Pvt. Marcus E. Taylor was wounded in the Pacific on May 28, 1945. He was the son of Mrs. Ola L. Taylor of San Angelo. Not all the news was bad. Men like Pfc. Frank H. Molina Jr. from Mertzon earned a Bronze Star. Cpl. Lee O. Moeller, 18, of Miles, was decorated with an Air Medal for service as liberator gunner of the 15th Army Air Force, flying over occupied Europe. But then Pfc. Murl Montgomery of Richland Springs was killed in Italy on April 14, 1945. Not only men took part in the war. Lt. Mary Kathryn Montgomery, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Montgomery of Eldorado, fell seriously ill in France, where she was an Army Nurse. Others, like Lt. Billy B. Thompson, husband of Miss Edith Jones of Ballinger, were killed in action. Many Texans fell in the war. Killed in action: Sgt. H.L. Post Jr., of Amarillo, during the invasion of France. Killed in action: Pfc. John Powell, on Luzon March. Son of Mrs. Mary Powell of Talpa. Cpl. Max Thomas, of San Angelo, was killed on Iwo Jima. Card after card after card. Many are heartbreaking. Others say only a few words. Pfc. Jesse M. Stanley, Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman's Badge. From Miles. Pvt. Louis Sandy, 32, former employee of St. Angelus Hotel; son of Alice Starks, San Angelo; his widow in Midland. Pfc. James E. Stehling, of Kerrville. Killed June 12 in Okinawa Other cards include Lt. William C. Pratt Jr. 24 and a son of W.C. Pratt of San Angelo. He was with a heavy tank unit. He was a graduate of San Angelo High School and he had lived in San Angelo since 1927. What happened to him? The cards are silent. Other cards have more to say: 2nd Lt. Jobe H. Taylor, 27, San Angelo. Awarded Air Medal for work as B-24 navigator in Italy (15th AAF). Missing over Vienna on Jan. 15, 1944. Reported he may have landed behind Russian lines Feb. 18. Reported prisoner of Germans, March 19, 1944. Liberated May 15, 1945. Memorial Day reminds us of men and women who died to do what they had to do. And the cards in the wooden box tell us why. Rick Smith is a local news and community affairs columnist. Contact him at 325-659-8248 or rick.smith@gosanangelo.com. In this picture take on Friday, May 27, 2016, members of a breakaway faction of the Taliban fighters patrol in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. Afghanistan's government has offered the new Taliban leader a choice: make peace or face the same fate as his predecessor, who was killed last week in a U.S. drone strike. (AP Photos/Allauddin Khan) SHARE Associated Press In this Wednesday, May 25, 2016 file photo, Afghanistan security forces inspect the site of a suicide attack in west Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghanistan's government has offered the new Taliban leader a choice: make peace or face the same fate as his predecessor, who was killed last week in a U.S. drone strike. By Lynne ODonnell, Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan Afghanistan's government has offered the new Taliban leader a choice: make peace or face the same fate as his predecessor, killed in a U.S. drone strike last week. But Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada is a hard-liner who has used his religious credentials to justify the Taliban insurgency that has killed or wounded tens of thousands of Afghan civilians as a "holy war" and his succession has inspired little hope for an end to the bloodshed. For many Taliban fighters, the movement's leadership lost Islamic legitimacy last year, when it emerged that its founder, one-eyed Mullah Mohammad Omar, had been dead for years and that his deputy, a wealthy drug smuggler named Mullah Akhtar Mansour, had been running the war in his name. The revelation caused a split at the top of the Taliban, and provoked mistrust among fighters. Several factions broke away, and some began fighting Mansour loyalists. The Taliban leadership is now desperate to close these rifts. After Mansour was killed last Saturday when his vehicle was struck by an American drone in southwestern Pakistan, Akhundzada was swiftly chosen to replace him in an attempt to avoid the tensions that followed Mullah Omar's death. On Thursday, the Taliban religious council released a statement to The Associated Press, saying they believe Akhundzada will bring unity and mend the "mistakes" of the recent past. The new leader will "bring all the mujahedeen (holy warriors) together on a single platform," the statement said. Mansour, nicknamed "the Accountant" because of his wealth, controlled a vast drugs-smuggling empire based in the southern opium-producing provinces that provide the bulk of the world's heroin and fund the 15-year insurgency, one senior Afghan official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. Battles between Mansour and his main detractor, Mullah Mohammad Rasool, for control of the smuggling routes spread disillusionment among foot soldiers, the official said. "The Taliban have always claimed that they are fighting not for power, but for Islam, for freedom. So when they started fighting for power, it led to the erosion of their legitimacy among their own rank and file and caused them to become suspicious of each other," he added. Never again would the Taliban leadership "have the unity, authority and position as they had under Mullah Omar." On his Twitter account, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani issued an ultimatum on Thursday, saying that "Taliban groups have yet another chance to end violence/lay their arms & start normal life. Or they'll face the same fate as their leadership." But analysts say such threats are bound to fail as they effectively call for surrender. Mansour had refused to join Ghani's earlier efforts to start a peace dialogue, instead intensifying the war. When the Taliban and their partners, the al-Qaida affiliated Haqqani network, were linked to an April 19 attack on Kabul that killed 64 people and wounded hundreds, Ghani changed tack and accused Pakistan of using the Taliban to wage war on his country. The new attitude has been welcomed by many Afghans, who regarded attempts to appease Islamabad, which they accuse of harboring the Taliban leadership, as misguided. Pakistan denies such accusations. Akhundzada, a low-profile conservative who was a deputy to Mansour, is seen by many as a natural choice for a movement that, despite battlefield gains, has been in disarray for more than a year. He was close to Mullah Omar, helping formulate religious decrees to justify the war, and like him is a native of Afghanistan's Kandahar province, which was the center of the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime. As head of the Taliban courts, Akhundzada was brutal in his pronouncements and was conspicuously extremist in his views of women, according to Rahmatullah Nabil, a former head of Afghanistan's secret service. Nabil described Akhundzada as a "small-minded man with a weak personality" who has never traveled abroad and so lacks "any familiarity with the bigger issues." Akhundzada's need to consolidate his position could mean escalated violence, as he seeks to be taken seriously as a warrior. Anatol Levin, a professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, said the United States appeared to have "decided that peace talks are pointless at this stage and, encouraged by the Afghan government, have decided to go for a strategy of decapitating the Taliban." The impact of the divide-and-rule strategy may be emerging as Akhundzada's two deputies Sirajuddin Haqqani, head of the Haqqani network, and Mullah Omar's son, Mullah Yaqoub vie for influence. The two, Haqqani and Yaqoub, have already "divided Afghanistan into two parts" and each wants to control his own section, said one Taliban commander said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the Taliban leadership. The U.S. military does not anticipate any "significant changes on the battlefield in the short term," said Brig. Gen. Charles Cleveland, spokesman for the American and NATO mission in Afghanistan. He expected fierce months of fighting ahead. As Akhundzada consolidates power, he will have to identify dissidents, said political analyst Idress Rahmini. The faction led by Rasool the main detractor to Mansoor have said they will not reconcile with Akhundzada. The new Taliban leader's success and longevity also depends on how he manages his relationship with Pakistan's intelligence agency, said Rahimini. He must handle the relationship "very carefully to avoid the mistakes of the last leader," Rahmini said. Islamabad has protested that the strike on Mansour violated its sovereignty, but it is not known if the intelligence agency colluded in the assassination. If Pakistani authorities did secretly support Mansour's killing, this "shows that Pakistan is supporting the Afghan peace process by removing a Taliban leader who was a barrier to peace," Rahmini said. But, he added, if the attack was conducted unilaterally, this "will have a negative impact on the peace process and we will see an escalation of attacks in Afghanistan." Taylor has a 45-year history with Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station. SHARE Hes leaving after 45 years at Sonora site By Steve Byrns, Special to the Standard-Times SONORA The Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station at Sonora just celebrated its 100-year anniversary and for almost half that time, its current superintendent has been a mainstay at the 3,462-acre facility south of Sonora. But after a 45-year history with the station, 32 years in his current role, Charles "Butch" Taylor, will retire effective May 31. Taylor earned a bachelor's, master's and doctorate all in range science and all from Texas A&M University at College Station. He first came to the station in 1971 as a graduate student after just having served a year in Vietnam as a first lieutenant in the 9th Infantry Division. He and his wife, Cleone, arrived at the station with the first of three sons, all of whom were raised on the station. They lived in the big two-story concrete house built in 1918 and Dr. Leo Merrill, superintendent at the time, swapped Cleone's considerable cooking skills aimed at feeding special guests for their rent, Taylor said. Taylor has been at the facility ever since, rising through the ranks from graduate student, 1970-71; technician I, 1972-74; research associate, 1974-82; research scientist, 1982-83; assistant professor, 1983-90; and associate professor, 1990-96, before becoming superintendent in 1983 and reaching the rank of full professor in 1996. Taylor, the son of a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service county agent in Dickens County, said he was pretty naive about the Edwards Plateau country when he arrived but was determined to learn as much as he could. At the time, he said, the wool and mohair incentive program was in place and there was a lot of interest by ranchers about the Rambouillet ram and Angora goat performance tests, which measure fiber value traits and rates of gain. "Those years of high wool prices and high rancher interest were very enjoyable and the ranching lessons I learned from those producers have been invaluable to me throughout my career, even though major changes were at hand," Taylor said. "Things in the West Texas ranch industry soon changed in a big way," he said. "We normally think about change as being kind of insidious and occurring slowly over time, but when the government did away with the wool and mohair incentive, things started changing real quick, on a daily basis. Today, fine-wool sheep and Angora goat numbers are way down and people have replaced them with meat goats and hair sheep. "We are also seeing much land fragmentation and land bought strictly for recreation. And the landscape itself has changed with juniper encroachment rampant and woody plants in general continuing to increase." Taylor said the station has changed and continues to change. Catastrophic wildfires over juniper-infested ranches with little or no livestock to keep noxious plant growth down are now a very real danger. Those ever-increasing conditions and the need for a cost-effective brush management solution have combined to guide the bulk of his research in recent years. Taylor's primary research interests have centered around the components of grazing management, such as stocking rates, season of use, grazing systems, and the kind and class of livestock that best suites the range. Also among his research interests are the relationship among weather, soil, vegetation both native and introduced, domestic livestock and wildlife interactions and economics. But the use of prescribed fire is his forte. "One of the things I'm really proud of and I really enjoy doing is working with ranchers with prescribed burning," he said. "I think the initiation and development of the Edwards Plateau Prescribed Burn Association, where we train ranchers to use prescribed fire and they work together to conduct prescribed burns on their own ranches, has been one of the more enjoyable things that I've done." The Edwards Plateau Prescribed Burn Association was started by Taylor and a handful of like-minded ranchers in 1997 in Edwards and Sutton counties. The 30 original members and two counties quickly grew to encompass 20 counties with a membership of 500. Those numbers have since decreased as chapters spun off to form their own associations. Today, there are prescribed burn associations from South Texas to northern Nebraska, all patterned after the Edwards Plateau Prescribed Burn Association. Through his work as the organizer of the association, Taylor earned the title of "lead instructor" for prescribed fire training from the State of Texas. He also served as vice chairman of the Prescribed Burning Board of Texas, the body responsible for administering the Certified Prescribed Burning Program for Texas. "We've changed the fire prescription. Years ago, prescribed burning was pretty much done in the winter or dormant season. We've done a lot of fire research during the growing season; summertime burns under dry conditions. Our research has shown those fires are much more effective in controlling prickly pear and juniper and can be safely done with enough preparation. So, we now have a lot of ranchers burning in the hot, dry summertime and those burns are meeting their goals and objectives." With more than 300 burns to his credit, another point of pride for Taylor is his ability to tell ranchers when to burn, how to burn and how to do it safely knowledge gained through years of experience backed by research. Taylor said his vision for the station's future is that of an outdoor laboratory where success is proved by the more than 80 graduate students from a number of Texas universities who have completed work there since 1980. "As an outdoor laboratory, the station is one that needs to be used," he said. "It's in a unique location. There's a lot of places in the world that share characteristics similar to those here. And as the world population continues to grow, we are going to become more concerned with having enough food, more so than we are today. I can see the station playing an even more important role in helping find solutions in the future." Along with his duties as superintendent, Taylor has served as an adjunct professor at Angelo State University, San Angelo; Sul Ross State University, Alpine; Texas Tech University, Lubbock; and Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. He has also served on the Texas A&M University graduate student faculty as director of the Academy for Ranch Management. As an active member of the Society for Range Management since 1977, Taylor has served the Texas Section component as a director, second vice president, first vice president and president. His honors and awards from the national Society for Range Management include the W.R. Chapline Land Stewardship Award, the Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award and the Outstanding Achievement Award. His Texas Section Society for Range Management honors include their Publication Award, Outstanding Contribution to Range Management Award and the Outstanding Achievement Award. Other accolades include Special Congressional Recognition for Outstanding Achievement, the Texas A&M University Regents Fellow Service Award, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers' Association Special Achievement Award, Environmental Excellence Award-Governor's Office and the Sutton County 4-H Silver Spur Award. Taylor has written or co-authored a number of published journal articles and book chapters across his career and actively participated in many national-level scientific meetings and symposiums. "Personally, after 45 years, it's going to be rather difficult to just walk away from this place, but I know it's time to go," Taylor said. "I've known it for a while now, and I look forward to changing direction even though I have some apprehension about it." However, Taylor said he plans to stay active in teaching prescribed burning schools and helping ranchers conduct prescribed burns. "I'm going to be involved in the ranching industry. The last thing I need to be doing is just sitting around the house. I'll be looking for work to do, and I think it's there. "A lot of people have bought property and they're not sure what to do with it and need some advice. So I'll look at those opportunities. And I think those things will keep me about as busy as I want to be." Steve Byrns is an editor and extension specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo. He can be reached at s-byrns@tamu.edu. Horsehead Crossing Trails of Time Living History Event returns The Horsehead Crossing Trails of Time Living History Event makes its return this weekend along the Pecos River between Imperial and Girvin, Texas. Photos by Yfat Yossifor / Standard-Times Students at Goodfellow Air Force Base tour a CV-22 Osprey aircraft that made a short visit to the base May 13. SHARE Damani Mitchell takes a selfie while touring the CV-22 Osprey. Airman Gabrielle Brown sits in the cockpit of a CV-22 Osprey. One-of-a-kind aircraft stops in at Goodfellow By Ngan Ho of the San Angelo Standard-Times The CV-22 Osprey aircraft landed in an open field at Goodfellow Air Force Base, its rotors so powerful they could easily knock down anyone standing too close. The aircraft, making a short stop at the base for a special operation this month, is "a pretty interesting aircraft," said Capt. Matthew Stalford, assistant operations officer of the 56th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. "This aircraft is the only one of its kind in the world," Stalford said. "The Marines and the Air Force fly them, and it's a helicopter and an airplane all in one." The CV-22 Osprey is a tilt rotor aircraft, which means when its rotors are in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, the rotors can rotate forward, enabling it to act like a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight. "The advantages to that is that it can land in any location, but it also has the advantages of speed and distance that an airplane does," Stalford said. "It can move cargo and people in a kind of unique situation." Goodfellow students got to tour the CV-22, seeing thousands of cable wires lining the walls inside the aircraft and a machine gun sitting toward the rear of the plane, where the cargo door opens. Stalford said the mission of the aircraft which came from the 27th Special Operations Group at Cannon Air Force Base is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces. The CV-22 was brought to Goodfellow "to kind of pique people's interest on a special operations career field and the intel role that we have in that command," Stalford said. "We're here to show them one of the platforms that we support in the CV-22 and then explain a little bit about what else Special Operations does and how intel has a big impact on that mission." The visit also aimed to provide Goodfellow students an orientation on special operations missions and the kind of aircraft they will support after graduation, said Stalford, adding that the intelligence professionals who flew in on the aircraft all attended Goodfellow. "It's kind of a homecoming for us," he said. "We're going to be able to impart on the students a little bit of knowledge that we've gained in the operational Air Force and hopefully inspire them a little bit to say what they might participate in after they graduate." Representatives with the Special Operations Group visited Goodfellow about a year and a half ago as well the first time that an operational military aircraft had landed at the base since 1975, Stalford said. Airman First Class Katherine Calk, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft unit intelligence analyst who flew in with Stalford, was attending Goodfellow when that visit occurred, and it stuck with her. "I remember whenever they came last (time) I was thinking, 'I want to go there and I want to do that,' because I knew I was going to be going to Cannon," she said. "I remember just saying to myself, 'I want to be that person. I want to come back to Goodfellow and be able to talk to the airmen here about the mission that we have.' " Algerina Perna/Baltimore Sun/TNS Kaysha Curro, 33, is 8 months pregnant and has a big pool and yard that fills with mosquitoes in the summer. "When I started hearing about cases in the United States, it really started to hit home," she said. SHARE By Meredith Cohn, The Baltimore Sun (TNS) BALTIMORE After marrying six months ago in Aruba, Laura and Rob Cancelliere planned to return for their first anniversary, but the Severna Park, Md., couple canceled the trip and even put thoughts of a baby on hold after learning about the emerging threat of the Zika virus. Transmitted through mosquito bites and spreading rapidly through South and Central America, Zika in pregnant women has been linked to the devastating birth defect microcephaly, which stunts the brains and skulls of their fetuses. Sadly, well be holding off our plans for a family until we are certain that neither of us have any reason to believe we contracted or carry the virus, Rob said. With warm weather mosquito season on the horizon and expectations for Zika to spread into the United States, many couples who already are pregnant or who want to be are scrapping travel plans, scouring the Internet for medical advice and stocking up on repellent to stave off a disease few heard of before this year. Doctors meanwhile are racing to understand the disease and develop a vaccine to prevent the infection. So far there have been 544 confirmed U.S. cases of Zika, 17 of them in Maryland. Pregnant women, who are more likely to seek testing, accounted for 157 of the cases and one from Maryland, a sharp increase reported Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reflecting a change in how it counted them. All the U.S. cases were determined to be travel-related. Ten cases nationally were sexually transmitted. Zika is the first vector-borne virus that appears to cause infection in fetuses, the first reliably spread by sexual transmission and now is a widespread epidemic, said Dr. Lyle R. Petersen, director of the CDCs division of vector-borne diseases. We must move extremely quickly. We have thousands of infections every single day in the Americas and we must be prepared. As fears rise, public health officials at all levels are trying to provide consumers with as much information as possible about the danger posed by Zika and how it spreads. Some Baltimore-area health departments are offering repellent and condoms, while mosquito control plans are being developed. In Maryland, state agricultural officials plan to treat any area where a case of Zika is recorded. At the same time informal efforts targeting pregnant women have sprung up on social media and online as health columnists and mommy bloggers weigh in on Zika and try to provide helpful information. Local women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant say the information has helped quell some anxiety, but they note there is a lot the experts dont know. When I first heard about Zika probably five or six months ago in countries to the south, it wasnt really a concern, said Kaysha Curro of Edgewater, who is eight months pregnant. When I started hearing about cases in the United States, it really started to hit home. All of a sudden it was here and present and the questions started coming. Because the virus is expected to spread more actively in the United States during the summer, many women are looking for information and talking to their doctors about all things Zika. We arent specifically getting a lot more calls into the office from our patients but more women who are seeing us for prenatal care are asking us while they are there for their appointment main concerns are travel to the South and should they postpone, said Dr. Jeanne S. Sheffield, director of the division of maternal-fetal medicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine. I am also getting more calls from private physicians about how they should counsel the patients regarding summer travel, she said. The CDC says the first line of defense is avoiding travel to places where Zika is actively spreading, a list that includes about three dozen countries mostly in South and Central America and the Caribbean, including the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Women of child-bearing age, or who are pregnant, who travel to these areas should avoid going outside, and cover their skin and use repellent if they do to avoid mosquitos. They also should refrain from sex or use contraception during the trip and for two months after. They should also avoid sex or use contraception with men who have traveled to these areas for six months. Even with the precautions, Zika is something of a moving target, said Dr. Roberta DeBiasi, chief of the division of infectious disease for the Washington-based Childrens National Health System. When advice changes, people may say the CDC doesnt know what its doing, but the advice changes because we analyze more cases and update recommendations, she said. This is not a disease like malaria where we have 100 years of experience. DeBiasi points to CDC advice to cover up this summer, stay in air conditioned or screened rooms and use repellent approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Products with DEET and picaridin are safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women and children older than 2 months. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is an alternative to conventional repellent but not recommended for children under 3. The CDC advises applying sunscreen and then repellent. Health officials also advise clearing standing water where mosquitoes can breed in trash, flower pots and other containers every five days. Cover drains and rain barrels with netting or even stockings. DeBiasi added that border states like Florida are likely to have the first cases of locally transmitted Zika, so its reasonable to avoid them too. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the main carrier of Zika in affected countries, have not been found yet in Maryland this year, according to state agriculture officials. The Aedes albopictus, or tiger mosquitoes, are more common in the state. They are considered less efficient Zika carriers, but theres no reason we could not have spread in the U.S. from them, DeBiasi said. Dr. Leana Wen, the Baltimore health commissioner, is more pointed, saying the Aedes albopictus poses a real threat because it needs so little water to breed and pools can form in trash as small as a bottle cap or vacant buildings. Baltimore, which sees 9,000 pregnancies a year, could be hard hit, she said. Its not the Eastern Shore that will really be affected when it comes to Maryland, Wen said of Zika. Its going to be Baltimore. For now, Zika infections are limited to people who have traveled and may or may not have symptoms, but guidelines would change if locally transmitted cases were found. Most people dont even realize they are infected, but in about one in five cases develop symptoms such as rash, fever, red eyes and joint pain. The full extent of the epidemic is clouded because of spotty testing in some countries. In the United States, testing is done in labs at the CDC and some states including Maryland. Local health departments are helping doctors determine whom to test, said Dr. David C. Rose, deputy health officer for the Anne Arundel County Department of Health. The CDC said Friday that officials have changed the way they count infections in pregnant women by including those with any laboratory evidence of a recent Zika infection even if they have no symptoms or complications. That dramatically increased the number under surveillance because most of the infected dont recall symptoms. Fewer than a dozen women suffered miscarriages or delivered babies with birth defects nationally, though many of the women still are being monitored because they remain pregnant, said Dr. Margaret Honein, chief of the birth defects branch of the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. Early detection through blood tests and monitoring of fetuses through imaging can help women not only prepare for a disabled child but give them time to decide whether to end the pregnancy, DeBiasi said. DeBiasi uses specialized equipment for monitoring fetuses and newborns and already has seen women with Zika. She and others outlined an early case in the New England Journal of Medicine of a woman who was infected while traveling when she was 10 weeks pregnant. She developed symptoms and went for testing. Six weeks later there was evidence her fetus was brain damaged. The woman terminated the pregnancy at 21 weeks when the severity became clear. Such cases, she said, are putting fear in pregnant women. While the prospect is scary, many local women said they are remaining calm and focusing on prevention. Its a risk but there are other things that are risks that we encounter in our daily lives, said Tracy Schoenbauer, an Arnold women who is 27 weeks pregnant. She attended a recent Anne Arundel County Health Department seminar on Zika with her husband, Brad, and is using a pregnancy app on her phone to collect more information. Everyone pregnant now wants to know at what point, what trimester are you safe, is the second or third safer? she said. They still dont know. I just want to prevent it now. Im using lots of bug spray and staying inside. I wont be going to Florida or Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. Nikki Whelley, a Crownsville women who is 29 weeks pregnant, said she also is staying informed. She and her husband, Patrick, checked to ensure their neighborhood would be sprayed for mosquitoes. Its good to get information from people who know, said Whelley, who also attended the health department seminar. Well try not to worry and try not to get bit. While Laura and Rob Cancelliere canceled their Aruba trip, they still plan to travel to Antigua in July for their honeymoon. There have not been cases of Zika reported there yet, but they plan to stay up on the news and stay in touch with their doctors. Kaysha Curro said shell do the same, monitoring for developments about Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases. She believes shell deliver her baby before the virus begins transmitting here widely. Im not hugely concerned at this point, she said. But theres so much they dont know about Zika. In this Friday, May 13, 2016, photo, a commercial airliner lands at San Diego International Airport, where multiple layers of fencing topped with razor wire protects the airport grounds. An Associated Press investigation has documented perimeter breaches at many of the busiest airports in the U.S. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) SHARE In this May 17, 2016, photo, a plane takes off from San Francisco International Airport from behind fencing at the Millbrae Gate, in San Francisco. An Associated Press investigation has documented perimeter breaches at many of the busiest airports in the U.S. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) In this Friday, May 13, 2016, photo, the perimeter of San Diego International Airport shows part of its security consisting of multiple fences with a combination of razor wire and barbed wire. An Associated Press investigation has documented perimeter breaches at many of the busiest airports in the U.S. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) In this May 16, 2016, photo, a plane taxis toward the terminal after landing at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. An Associated Press investigation has documented perimeter breaches at many of the busiest airports in the U.S. (AP Photo/John Locher) In this Friday, May 13, 2016, photo, as a commercial airliner taxis for takeoff, the perimeter fencing and razor wires show the layers of security at San Diego International Airport. An Associated Press investigation has documented perimeter breaches at many of the busiest airports in the U.S. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) By JUSTIN PRITCHARD and MARTHA MENDOZA, Associated Press Under pressure to prevent people from sneaking onto runways and planes at major U.S. airports, authorities are cracking down not on the intruders who slip through perimeter gates or jump over fences, but on the release of information about the breaches. A year after an Associated Press investigation first revealed persistent problems with airports' outer defenses, breaches remain as frequent as ever occurring about once every 10 days despite some investments to fortify the nation's airfields. As Americans focus on the wait in ever-longer security screening lines inside terminals, new documents show dozens more incidents happening outside perimeters than airports have disclosed. At the same time, leaders at some airports and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration are saying some of the 345 incidents AP found shouldn't count as security breaches, even when intruders got deep into secure areas. Was it a perimeter security breach in March 2015 when a woman walked past a vehicle exit gate at San Francisco International Airport and onto the tarmac, where she tried to flag down a jet for a trip home to Guatemala? No it was not, said the airport and TSA officials, who also tried to suppress information about the case. Nor did they label it a breach when a man, following voices only he could hear, drove through a San Francisco security gate and asked a worker fueling a plane when the next flight was. After discussing intrusions openly at first, officials at several airports and the TSA started withholding details, arguing the release could expose vulnerabilities. Following a two-year legal struggle with the TSA, AP has now used newly released information to create the most comprehensive public tally of breaches. The count shows that an intruder broke through the security surrounding one of 31 major U.S. airports on average every 13 days from the beginning of 2004 through mid-February; since 2012, the average has been every 9.5 days. Many intruders scaled barbed wire-topped fences or walked past vehicle checkpoints. Others crashed cars into chain link and concrete barriers. AP's tally is of breaches at airports that handle three-quarters of U.S. passengers; it's an undercount, because several airports refused to provide complete information. While several intruders had guns or knives, the TSA and airports have been more focused on stopping weapons that passengers or baggage handlers try to sneak onto planes. "It doesn't surprise me that people sometimes try to jump over fences to see what they can get away with," TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger said in a brief interview. It's impossible for airports and local law enforcement to keep everyone out, he said, so "the question is: What's your ability to detect it and ... what might you do to mitigate that happening in the future?" The AP began its investigation in 2014 after a 15-year-old climbed a fence at Mineta San Jose International Airport and scrambled into a jet's wheel well. No one knew it happened until he emerged after the plane landed in Hawaii. Last spring, AP reported there had been at least 268 breaches from the start of 2004 through early 2015 at San Jose and the nation's 30 busiest passenger airports. This update identified 77 more breaches through mid-February, including 41 incidents that airports told TSA about, but not AP. Airport officials stress that the miles of fences, gates and guardhouses protecting their properties are secure and say many intruders who get through are quickly caught. They point out that no case involved a known terrorist plot. Perimeters are not "a gaping vulnerability," said Christopher Bidwell, vice president of security at the advocacy group Airports Council International-North America. And the problem is not even as bad as airport and TSA records suggest, he said, because some intruders were detected immediately. "Their ability to do anything nefarious isn't really there," Bidwell said. "It's being neutralized because they are actively being surveilled." But video cameras and guards don't always spot intruders. After eluding security and reaching parked planes at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, one intruder warned an airport worker in December that he "better not say" anything. Authorities never found the man, though they did arrest three others at different times in 2015, including one man who managed to drive his vehicle in with a convoy entering the airfield during a visit by Pope Francis. The four intrusions were the most at JFK in any year. Aviation security consultant Jeff Price said the TSA and airports have not done enough to address gaps in perimeter security. "The straight-up honest answer as to why it's not being vigorously addressed? Nothing bad's happened. Yet," Price said. U.S. Rep. William Keating began demanding improvements to airport perimeter security after the body of a stowaway fell into a Massachusetts neighborhood in 2010. The teenager had hopped a fence hours earlier at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. That could have been a terrorist, Keating warned at the time. The Massachusetts Democrat reacted to AP's findings by saying the TSA must extend its focus beyond screening passengers and help airports protect their perimeters. "It's like saying your door is locked but your window's wide open," Keating said. Altogether, there were at least 39 breaches nationwide in 2015, which also was the annual average from 2012 through 2015. The low was 34 in 2013 and the high 42 in 2012, when incidents spiked after several years hovering around 20 breaches. Through mid-February, the large airports with the most known incidents were in San Francisco (41), Las Vegas (30), Philadelphia (30) and Los Angeles (26). New York's JFK ranked 10th, with 12 breaches. Police reports suggest many of the trespassers were disoriented, intoxicated or delusional. Some came on skateboards and bikes, while others commandeered vehicles on the tarmac. One man got into a helicopter cockpit and was preparing to take off. Some were caught immediately, others not for hours. Five intruders brought knives and one a loaded gun. In one incident, Philadelphia airport officials said last year that an intoxicated woman waited for someone to drive out of a gate in April 2012, then walked through. This year, new records described a far more dangerous situation: The woman had just stabbed the driver of a tractor-trailer hauling $1 million of Jack Daniels whiskey in an attempt to steal it. When an airport police officer confronted her, she grabbed his gun and pointed it at his head before he wrestled it out of her hands and arrested her. One month earlier, also in Philadelphia, a man rammed his SUV through a gate and sped down a runway at about 100 mph as a plane carrying 43 people was about to land. AP won an appeal to learn about airport breaches in Philadelphia through the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, but the city appealed that decision in state court before settling the case and providing details about incidents from 2004 through early 2015. This year, the airport first refused when AP sought an update, then would provide only the total number of breaches in 2015 and early 2016, with no other details. Not everyone has withheld information. Airports including Miami, Las Vegas, San Jose and Portland, Oregon, have been relatively transparent, sending details of breaches and even in some cases surveillance videos. Instead of prioritizing perimeter security, airports have focused on other vulnerabilities, partly due to scrutiny from Congress. TSA workers are under pressure to do better after they failed to catch government investigators sneaking fake explosives and prohibited weapons through scanners. Another concern is the "insider threat," prompted by arrests of workers in several airports whom authorities say used their security clearances to traffic guns or drugs. Airport officials would not discuss how much they are spending on fortifying perimeters, but some airports that added security in the past year saw fewer intruders. After Las Vegas finished putting razor wire atop its 15 miles of fencing not far from the Strip in early 2015, breaches dropped from eight in 2014 to one in 2015 and one so far this year. Officials in Miami and Phoenix said they increased patrols along each of their 13 miles of fence. Breaches in Miami fell from four to three between 2014 and 2015, though in Phoenix they rose from two to three. Since AP published its initial findings, a half-dozen airports and the TSA have started to withhold all video surveillance footage and other details they previously released and deny that some incidents were "security breaches" at all. TSA did not respond to detailed questions about its changing standards. In a statement, spokesman Richard Ades wrote, "The serious nature of the current daily threat to global aviation, by an enemy that is determined to attack us, demands that we be judicious in releasing information." Incidents the TSA did not classify as breaches include a man jumping a Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, airport fence, and climbing onto a jet and a man caught running near planes in Atlanta after hopping a security gate. Last year, San Francisco had the most perimeter security incidents that TSA insisted were not breaches including the woman on the tarmac and the man who drove through a gate. San Francisco airport officials said they felt unfairly singled out as the airport with the most breaches. Spokesman Doug Yakel said he suspected other airports were not as forthcoming, making his look worse than it should. This time, San Francisco asked TSA whether five 2015 incidents were security breaches and the agency excluded them all. AP uncovered details of three, all of which qualified as breaches under the tally's methodology. AP considered an incident a perimeter security breach if someone reached a secure area by going over or under a fence, slipping through a gate, crashing a car into a fence or gate, cutting or passing items through a fence, or using fraudulent security credentials. Three dozen incidents that airports or the TSA provided did not meet the criteria, so were not included. Since last spring, the San Francisco airport has increased patrols, added lighting and closed-circuit cameras, and fortified two checkpoints with electric gates that slide open and closed, Yakel noted. Before, the gates had just an arm, which intruders simply walked past. ___ Pritchard reported from Los Angeles, Mendoza from San Francisco. Contributing were Dan Kempton in Phoenix, Monika Mathur and Alicia Caldwell in Washington, and Brian Barrett, Rhonda Shafner, Jennifer Farrar and Jacob Pearson in New York. ___ Contact Justin Pritchard at https://twitter.com/lalanewsman and Martha Mendoza at https://twitter.com/mendozamartha SHARE Antibody would be nasal-delivered By Tim Eaton, Austin American-Statesman (TNS) AUSTIN Back in 2012, the federal government picked Texas A&M University as home to a new biosecurity center one of three U.S. sites expected to play a key role in developing and manufacturing drugs to fight bioterrorist threats, pandemic influenza and other infectious diseases. Four years later, the facility in College Station is starting to pay off the government's multimillion-dollar bet. The Texas A&M Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing is working on the development of a new anthrax vaccine, an 18-month project expected to cost $10.5 million, according to an order by the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. The project, led by scientists at Texas A&M University, will involve collaboration with the other "CIADM" sites in Maryland and North Carolina. Gerry Parker, lead scientist and associate vice president for public health preparedness at Texas A&M Health Science Center, said it will take years before a final version of the anthrax vaccine will be ready, but said he believes in the potential of the product. "It is moving us toward better preparedness for an anthrax attack," Parker told the Austin American-Statesman. "We are all very optimistic that this will be successful." The Texas A&M Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing was created in 2012 with a $285 million award that includes about $176 million in federal grants over five years. It is one of three so-called "CIADMs" in the country. The College Station facility is the only one affiliated with a university. Texas officials said that the Texas A&M facility could become catalyst to boost the biopharmaceutical industry in Texas. Texas A&M is working with Maryland-based biotechnology company Altimmune in the early phases of development of NasoShield, a nasal-delivered anthrax vaccine candidate. (It cannot be called an actual vaccine until it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.) NasoShield is supposed to require only a single dose to protect against infections caused by inhaled anthrax. The government hopes NasoShield can be a faster-acting, lower cost, "next generation" alternative to BioThrax, which is currently the only licensed anthrax vaccine, according to Altimmune and Richard Hatchett, acting director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, as it's known in the industry. "Anthrax remains a material threat to our national health security," Hatchett said in a news release. "To help combat the health impacts of an anthrax attack, BARDA partnered with several biotechnology firms in accelerating development of promising next-generation treatments against anthrax infection." Broadly, officials within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services envision having the Texas A&M facility along with the sites in Maryland and North Carolina develop and manufacture drugs to fight bioterrorist threats, pandemic influenza and other infectious diseases. The idea for the three biosecurity centers came in the wake of the 2009 H1N1 influenza scare. At the time, according to federal officials, only one company had manufacturing facilities solely in the United States to produce the H1N1 vaccine. The centers will make the U.S. less dependent on other countries for vaccines, federal officials say. Together, the three centers will be capable of producing a quarter of the nation's pandemic influenza vaccine within four months of the onset of an outbreak, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Vickie Sutton, a law professor at Texas Tech University and the director at the school's Center for Biodefense, Law and Public Policy, said the work of the Texas A&M center complements the Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas Medical Branch. "Texas has really been a big center for development for biodefense in the United States," she said. Sutton called the Texas A&M facility "absolutely vital," since anthrax is the most likely agent for use as bio-weapon. Nasal delivery for a vaccine saves time and reduces risk, she said. "We have been in dire need for more vaccine manufacturing capacity," she said, and said that the U.S. is "dangerously unprepared" to respond to any pandemic. Lisa Mascaro/Los Angeles Times/TNS Mathew Titus and son, Asher, 4, at a Marco Rubio rally in the Atlanta suburbs before Donald Trump became the Republican Party's presumed nominee. SHARE Lisa Mascaro/Los Angeles Times/TNS Sydney Rubin, 25, outside a Marco Rubio rally in the Atlanta suburbs earlier this primary season. But will they vote for Clinton? By Lisa Mascaro, Tribune Washington Bureau (TNS) WASHINGTON Atlanta-area attorney Mathew Titus, a faithful Republican and suburban father of three, is so disheartened with Donald Trump as the presumptive GOP nominee he plans to sit out the presidential election this year. Titus, 36, preferred what he saw as Sen. Marco Rubios modern, optimistic approach to Republican ideology. Trumps surprise ascent even convinced Titus to reconsider his dream of running for local office. When he votes in November, he expects to leave the top of his ballot blank rather than vote for the New York businessman. That the party, the electorate, would favor Trump is crazy in my mind, said Titus, adding that several of his friends feel the same way. I definitely feel like an orphan. Am I even part of this party? Every election has its sore losers. But this years rowdy Republican primary promises to make the party-unification process more difficult than usual. Left in the wake of Trumps victory are many holdout Republican voters like Titus, who are wringing their hands over whether they can get to yes on Trump, and, if not, what they will do in November. Its a particularly tough decision for young, upscale suburban voters in places like metro Atlanta and Northern Virginia, where Trump lost several counties to Rubio in primary voting. They will become battlegrounds this fall, with Democrats already trying to exploit the lingering ambivalence about Trump among more moderate Republicans. Whether these Republicans would ever flip to Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic nominee, remains very questionable. And recent polls suggest a growing number of Republican voters are coming around to the idea of Trump as their candidate. But for these Trump holdouts, the frustration is apparent. Will Kremer, 22, disagrees with Democrats on taxes and fiscal issues, but the political science student said he just cant accept Trumps divisive statements about Muslims, immigrants and women. For now, and the foreseeable future, Im on the Never Trump bandwagon, said Kremer, who supported Scott Walker and was Georgia co-chair of Students for Walker, then shifted to Rubios campaign after the Wisconsin governor exited the race. Trump fans ask when hell join the Trump train, and he throws the question back to them. I say, When is he going to stop making racist and misogynist remarks? said Kremer, who also works at his familys trucking insurance company. I have kind of come to the belief that party loyalty has its limits. Kremer recalled Trumps taco bowl tweet on Cinco de Mayo as the kind of insensitive infraction that makes it hard to support the billionaire. I wanted to pound my head on the desk, he said. Sydney Rubin, who backed Rubio and has worked for Republicans, is also struggling over her November vote. She worries that Trump is hurting the GOPs image, but cant bring herself to vote for Clinton. For somebody like me, whos 25 and moderate, and worked in Republican politics for a while, hes just not somebody Im proud to support, said Rubin, a University of Georgia graduate who does government relations for a trade association. Id never knock a door for him, she said. A lot of my friends are voting for Hillary a lot of GOP friends. Usually, the parties put on a display of unity after bitter nomination battles. Rival candidates make a show of rallying around the presumed nominee, lending endorsements, sharing staff and offering up resources namely prized email lists for the fall campaign against the opponent. But in the Trump era, that system appears to be breaking down for Republicans. The traditional campaign model hasnt been anything (Trumps campaign has) used, and I dont think they see a reason yet to use it, said Pete Seat, who was Ohio Gov. John Kasichs campaign spokesman in Indiana, and a former White House staffer in the George W. Bush administration. While Trump has picked up support from some former rivals, including Ben Carson, others are doing little to help him bridge party unity. Rubio recently said that he would support the nominee, but more notable was what he didnt do, observers noted: He did not ask his voters to do the same and he has not released his delegates to vote for Trump on the first ballot at the GOP convention. Sen. Ted Cruz and Kasich have not yet come around to support Trump, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has made it clear he will never vote for Trump. The Trump holdouts might not be easily swayed. New polling shows more than half of American voters are dissatisfied with either Trump or Clinton. Trumps off-the-charts unpopularity he was viewed unfavorably by two-thirds of Americans this spring, a high not seen since President Richard Nixon has since improved. While Trump did well among most categories of Republican primary voters, one notable shortcoming was among the more affluent and educated in suburban metro areas in Northern Virginia, Atlanta and Des Moines, where Rubio handily won. Rubio beat Trump among voters earning more than $100,000 a year in Georgia, exit polls showed, winning several upscale counties around Atlanta. In Virginia, Rubio outperformed Trump among the most educated voters, those with college and post-graduate degrees, but also with the new generation of 17- to 29-year-old voters and those ages 30-44, often parents of young families. Both parties have long fought over this demographic slice of the electorate particularly women, who can help tilt outcomes. Clintons campaign is already making a subtle play for these voters. Earlier this month, Clinton visited working families at a coffee shop in Virginias Loudoun County, which Rubio won in the primary, focusing precisely on women who may be uncomfortable with Trump. The campaign routinely sends out lengthy lists of prominent Republicans like Mitt Romney who have said they cannot support Trump, suggesting its OK to stray from party loyalty. The goal is to make it easier for Republicans to switch. When every living GOP president and the most recent GOP nominee wont support Donald Trump, it makes it OK for Republicans voters to do what their heart is telling them and hold back from supporting him, said a Democrat with knowledge of the Clinton campaign. The safer route may be to encourage disgruntled Republicans to simply stay home on Election Day, avoiding a risky and costly investment to try to flip their votes. The goal for Democrats is for them not to vote, said one GOP strategist, granted anonymity to discuss the situation. The best way to get them not to vote is to leave them alone. Trump, meanwhile, remains optimistic that reluctant Republican leaders like House Speaker Paul Ryan are turning his way, and that he can grow the party beyond its base of conservatives. Once GOP leaders like Ryan fall in line, many Trump holdouts will likely follow, Trump supporters predict. Youre going to see as unified a Republican Party as we have seen in a long, long time, former rival-turned-supporter Rick Perry, the former Texas governor, said on a donor call for the pro-Trump PAC. But educated, upscale Republicans arent the only Republicans that Trump is having a hard time winning over. Bruce Garraway, a deacon and former vice mayor of Snellville in the Atlanta suburbs, is having a tough time matching his conservative values to Trumps campaign rhetoric. Even though Trump swept evangelicals in the primaries, Garraway said many conservative Christians he knows wont vote for him. We have a huge crowd saying never Trump, but whats that going to get us? Is that going to give us Hillary Clinton? he said. Many Republican voters oppose Democrats because of their views on social issues like abortion and gay marriage. He still pines for what could have been his choice was Cruz, the perfect conservative candidate. He is unlikely not to vote. But he is not yet a yes on Trump. Im still in a quandary, he said, and struggling. At Mexico's Consul General office in Austin, Mexican nationals wait for their passport and consul IDs to be processed. SHARE photos by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman/TNS Diego Robles (center) works with Angela Aviles (left) as she tries to secure a passport for her son Marco (right) at the Mexican Consulate in Austin. Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman/TNS Marco Aviles is one of the immigrants without a nationality to Mexico, the country he was born in, or the United States, the country where he has lived most of his life. In rare cases they have no documentation By James Barragan, Austin American-Statesman (TNS) AUSTIN On a recent afternoon, 15-year-old Marco Antonio Aviles sat at a table at the Mexican Consulate in Austin, his baby sister on one side of him and his mother, Angela Aviles, on the other, shuffling through a folder she had brought with her, looking for the documents the consulate worker on the other side of the table had requested. Angela was submitting an application on Marco Antonios behalf for a pasaporte de proteccion (protective passport), a special type of passport the Mexican government gives its immigrants abroad who cannot meet the requirements for a regular passport. Marco Antonios case was particularly rare. His mother brought him to the United States when he was 5 months old and never registered his birth with the Mexican government. With no birth certificate from his native country and no identifying documents from the country where he grew up, Marco Antonio had lived his entire life with no official government identity. If the consulate approved him for the passport, it would help him apply for a special immigration relief in the United States for children neglected or abandoned by a parent. Last year, Marco Antonio lost contact with his father, who was working in Washington state. Cases like Marco Antonios are few the Mexican Consulate in Austin had seen no more than three since 2012 but they shed light on an immigration tactic that Mexican officials are using increasingly in recent years to help undocumented immigrants gain an official identity in this country and improve their immigration status. Critics, however, are concerned that these protective passports are being issued by a foreign government to remedy someones immigration status. The point of this document is to enable someone to get home when they are stranded, said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for stricter enforcement of immigration laws. If the document is then being used abroad, then it becomes a problem because it changes the fundamental point of the document. In the past, people in Marco Antonios situation were stuck. They could not receive any official documentation from the Mexican government unless they returned to their home country to file the necessary paperwork an option that, because of lack of resources and immigration status, was difficult to achieve. And without that documentation, it was almost impossible for them to remedy their immigration status in the United States. That changed when President Barack Obama put in place the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration policy in 2012. Under the program, undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children could apply for temporary deportation relief from the federal government and be allowed a work permit. But they still needed official documents to prove their identity to federal immigration authorities. The Mexican governments foreign service jumped at the opportunity to help, asking its consular network to issue protective passports to its citizens in the United States to facilitate the DACA process. Since then, Mexican officials have issued protective passports to help their citizens obtain the benefits of that policy, as well as other immigration programs like U visas, which are given to victims of crime, or Special Immigrant Juvenile status, which is given to children who have been separated from their parents or are victims of neglect. In 2015, the Mexican Consulate in Austin issued 140 of those passports. As of this month, the consulate had issued 15 this year, officials said. But critics, like Krikorian, question the security of these documents. In the past, they have also questioned the security of Mexicos passports and another document called the matricula consular (consular card), saying they do not receive enough scrutiny to protect against fraud. Because applicants for protective passports have even less documentation to support their case, those documents are also less secure, said Krikorian, who referred to them as passport lights. The Mexican government can issue any document they want to, he said. The question is: What is our approach? Do we recognize it as a full-fledged document? The Mexican government stands by its security measures. Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, the consul general of Mexico in Austin, said his staff takes exhaustive measures to verify the identity of those who receive protective passports because the consulate would stand to lose if a passport were mishandled. We would be penally and administratively responsible if we issued a false passport or if we issued a passport to someone who is not who he or she says he is, he said. In cases like Marco Antonios, where applicants have no birth certificate, officials have to track down other identifying documents like hospital records, the birth certificates of siblings, vaccination records or even baptism certificates that prove a person is who they say they are and was born in Mexico. Often, investigations to issue these passports take months. Our work in providing identifying documents to our citizens in the U.S. is of paramount importance, Gonzalez Gutierrez said. There is no better way to protect somebody than to issue them the appropriate documentation. For Angela Aviles, Marco Antonios mother, its a way to set up her son for the future. He received his protective passport this month. I just want to make sure he has his things in order, said the mother, who brought her son to the United States to give him a better life. Maybe he can apply for DACA later. For me, this is a great happiness. SHARE Want a good measure of how degraded the presidential foreign policy debate has become? Over the last four years, America has largely been a bystander in the largest strategic and humanitarian disaster of our time the collapse of sovereignty in Syria, producing 5 million refugees, causing more than 300,000 deaths and empowering some of the most vicious, totalitarian nut jobs in the world. But what is the critique from both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders? That America is overcommitted, especially in the Middle East. Trump in particular has argued that America is a pathetic debtor country that must get its own house in order before engaging in nation-building. "We cannot go around to every country that we're not exactly happy with," Trump said recently, "and say we're going to recreate (them)." This has hardly been Obama's temptation. His motivation being ... what? A determination to be the anti-Bush? Serial indecision? The pivot to Asia? For whatever reason, Obama has consistently filed action in Syria under the category of "stupid stuff," often overruling the more forward-leaning views of his senior foreign policy advisers (including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton). Tamara Cofman Wittes of the Brookings Institution recently testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that "incremental steps over the last four years to shape both the battlefield and the context for diplomacy" have been "too little and too late to alter the conflict's fundamental dynamics." What have been those dynamics? The regime of Bashar Assad, once teetering on the brink of destruction, has been saved by Iranian and Russian military interventions. Early on, jihadist groups in Syria became the most serious, well-equipped opposition to the regime, forcing rivals off the field and raising a long-term terrorist threat. Assad has committed mass atrocities with impunity, so long as he doesn't use chemical weapons again (though his victims end up just as dead by other methods). To avoid responsibility for this nightmare, the Obama administration has tried to narrow the definition of U.S. interests. What really matters is removing Assad's chemical weapons. Or the Iranian nuclear agreement. Or killing terrorists with drones and special operations. Anything else is, according to Obama, "someone else's civil war." If Obama loses sleep over the situation, he gives no public indication. On the contrary, he often congratulates himself on the coolness and realism of his judgment on Syria (declaring himself "very proud" of his decision not to enforce the chemical weapons "red line"). But this is the kind of thing like the Rwandan genocide for Bill Clinton that Obama will be left explaining for the duration of his post-presidency. During the Obama years, perpetrators have been given a clear message: Mass atrocities work, at least if you have faithful sponsors and halfhearted enemies. Though negotiations are ongoing, a genuine settlement during Obama's presidency is unlikely. Peace agreements codify a balance of power; they don't usually create a new one. "Without greater military pressure on the Syrian government," former Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford told the Senate hearing, "it will not negotiate a compromise political settlement." Secretary of State John Kerry still tries to huff and puff about a military option: "If President Assad has come to a conclusion that there's no Plan B, then he's come to a conclusion that is totally without foundation whatsoever and even dangerous." No one thinks there is a Plan B. No one. Years of inaction have narrowed American options. Would the U.S. really risk a military confrontation with Russia to enforce a no-fly zone? But any kind of rapprochement with Assad would be both immoral and pointless. He will never have the legitimacy to reunify and rebuild a country he burned to the ground. This leaves (1) more aggressive support for nonradical opposition to Assad and for bordering countries, (2) helping liberated communities with governance and service delivery as an alternative to the jihadists, (3) outreach to traumatized refugee children who are at risk of radicalization, and, most importantly, (4) abandoning Obama's self-serving and destructive argument that the only alternatives in Syria are inaction or occupation. The theory practiced by Obama and endorsed by Trump that the Syrian conflict will somehow burn itself out has been a security debacle and a humanitarian catastrophe. When America refuses to play an active role, the natural result is a regional Shia/Sunni proxy war, exploited by Iran and Russia to expand their influence and by jihadists to expand their capabilities. And still, the populists of right and left argue callously and foolishly that America does too much. Michael Gerson is a Washington Post columnist. Contact him at michaelgerson@washpost.com. SHARE The following editorial appeared in USA TODAY: The U.S. corporate tax system is an unholy mess. This is evident in the piles of cash that U.S. companies hoard overseas, where it is not subject to the punitively high 35 percent American corporate tax rate. USA TODAY reported Monday that five top tech companies alone Alphabet, Apple, Cisco Systems, Microsoft and Oracle collectively held $504 billion in cash at the end of last year, 87.5 percent of which was parked abroad. That money is earning paltry amounts of interest rather than being reinvested in America or given to shareholders in the form of dividends. The mess also is evident in so-called corporate inversions, a favored ruse whereby a U.S.-based company buys a smaller overseas company and claims its country (with its lower tax rates) as its new corporate home. This spring, the Treasury Department reworked its rules to thwart a plan by drug-maker Pfizer to purchase Allergan and move its incorporation to Ireland. The best way to deal with inversions and other tax-avoidance games is to cut the high corporate tax rates that are prompting corporate leaders to seek relief in gimmicks. Like so much else in Washington, however, efforts to fix corporate taxes are going nowhere fast. Congress is loath to take on a tough issue. And the Obama administration continues to push Band-Aid efforts. Some of the tax-rate cuts could be paid for simply by getting rid of myriad tax loopholes that pollute the tax code. President Obama has proposed cutting the top rate of 35 percent to 28 percent without losing any revenue. That would be a good start. Even so, the top rate would need to fall to about 20 percent to be competitive with other nations. Though it might seem out of step with today's anti-corporate mood, at least two strong cases can be made for doing just that: For starters, companies complaining about the high U.S. tax rates have a point. If they pay 35 percent (plus an average of 5 percent in state taxes), they are at a distinct disadvantage to companies based in Ireland (which pay 12.5 percent) or Great Britain (20 percent). Investment capital will naturally flow to overseas companies that can glean higher after-tax profits than their U.S. counterparts from running similar businesses. It also will flow to them because U.S. companies are liable for U.S. taxes on profits earned outside of the country, while companies based in most other countries pay taxes only on profits within their borders. The second reason for cutting the corporate rate is perhaps more compelling and more counterintuitive: The corporate tax is actually one of the most regressive taxes in the U.S. code. Cutting it, and making up the lost revenue with higher marginal rates on upper-income individuals, would be a boon to middle-class families. The dirty little secret of the corporate income tax is that corporations don't really pay taxes. They are not living beings that know they are being taxed. Rather, shareholders shoulder the burden in the form of reduced dividends and lower stock valuations. If a company's "effective" tax rate (after deductions and credits) is 27 percent, that is what shareholders pay. And they pay that whether they own 10 shares or 10 million shares, and whether the shares are in a standard account or in an IRA, 401(k) or pension fund. All of this points to a single, simple conclusion. The way to bring home the hundreds of billions of dollars parked abroad, and put an end to inversions, is to fix the corporate tax code. Felipe Massa has admitted that 2016 could be his last season driving for Williams. Speculation in Monaco is linking not only the Red Bull Racing refugee Daniil Kvyat with Massa's seat for 2017, but also McLaren-Honda's Jenson Button. Massa, 35 years old and with 11 Ferrari race wins under his belt, admitted the time to start looking around at his options for 2017 is now approaching. "From the Monaco race, you start talking about things and teams and drivers start working on what the future holds," the Brazilian told UOL Esporte. "I'm already beginning to understand what can happen, but I don't know yet," Massa added. He said staying at Williams for a fourth consecutive season next year cannot be ruled out. "The intention is to try to get into a good position for a few more years," said Massa. "I think that nothing is impossible. "When your contract is ending, you have to see what is the right way to go. I have the chance to continue in Williams, yes, but also to negotiate with other teams," he revealed. "We have to try to understand what is happening around us in the market," added Massa, who is managed by FIA president Jean Todt's son, Nicolas. (GMM) Monza's long and troubled negotiations over the future of the Italian grand prix have moved onto Monaco. Corriere della Sera newspaper reports that Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of the Italian automobile club, met in the Principality with Bernie Ecclestone as Monza tries to secure a new contract beyond September's race. "We addressed all the issues, directly and indirectly, on the issue of Monza," Damiani said. "I think one of the major problems have been too many misunderstandings and wrong interpretations. So I explained the situation clearly, indicating who can do what when it comes to the money," he added. Damiani did not, however, want to comment further on speculation Imola is trying to use the uncertainty to boost its chances of poaching the race from Monza. "I have already said some unpleasant things in recent days and do not want to repeat them," he insisted. (GMM) Toro Rosso is returning to Renault power for 2017, it emerged ahead of Sunday's Monaco grand prix. Earlier in Monaco, technical boss James Key had said the Faenza team wanted to improve its engine situation for 2017, as the year-old Ferrari units "are not developing". "It would be nice to be current and have a developing unit," he added. So Red Bull announced on Sunday not only that the premier team's Tag-Heuer branded deal has been extended for 2017 and 2018, but that Toro Rosso is switching camps too. "After the reconstruction that Renault has undertaken, clear progress has been made which has made it logical to continue," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. In a statement, Red Bull said the deal would involve the teams being able to "badge the power units as they wish". (GMM) It is understood Jost Capito will start work at McLaren at the end of August. Capito was actually signed up by the Woking team to be its new chief executive in January, but he said he would only leave his role as VW's racing chief once a successor is appointed. German Capito, 57, is in Monaco this weekend, triggering speculation he might now be ready to start work. But team boss Eric Boullier said: "I don't know when exactly he will officially take up his duties. "But in my view everything is simple. Ron Dennis has the highest position in the McLaren Technology Group. I am race director at all of the races. "But McLaren Racing has more than 600 employees, and with 20-21 races each year then I'm away from them for about four months of the year. As a race team we have 80 people but more than 500 are at the factory and need to be managed," Boullier added. "Therefore responsibilities are divided between me and Jost Capito, who will also be responsible for the development strategy of McLaren Racing," he said. (GMM) You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Regarding your article (May 20) on Say Yes scholarships, in which a student expressed interest in international affairs: I urge any graduate interested in international affairs to consider the U.S. Foreign Service as a career. These are the people who staff our embassies overseas. Besides economic, political, administrative, consular and public diplomacy officers, there are security, information tech, medical, secretarial and other specialties. The State Department website has details. Additional U.S. government options for international careers are the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Foreign Agricultural Service (promoting U.S. agricultural exports), the Foreign Commercial Service (promoting general U.S. exports) and others. These are not military positions, but they are still a way to serve our country and to see some of the world. Think about it! These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. A "meh" resounded in the voting hall when we asked you, our readers, to vote on the Sony Xperia X. "Good phone, bad price" seems to be the consensus. Some (rightfully) felt that that the X-series isn't a huge improvement over the Z-series it's meant to replace. That's for the Xperia X, though, people still expressed hope for the Xperia X Performance. As we noted in our review, the price of the X cannot stand. It's higher than the Xperia M5 (which is arguably just as good a phone) and is higher even than the Xperia Z5 (not to mention Galaxy S7, LG G5, ...). So now we play the waiting game - wait for Sony to drop the price to reasonable levels. Published on 2016/05/28 Failing Grade "Moorim School" is a fantasy action drama centered around an enigmatic school hidden from the world and students with powers unbeknownst to themselves. As the students try to make sense of peculiar incidents happening at the school, they uncover secrets about the school and about themselves. I haven't had too much exposure to this genre of drama, so I was quite interested initially. Unfortunately, the execution was a huge let down. Due to a poorly written plot, inadequate special effects, and subpar acting, the drama failed to get a passing grade in my books. "Moorim School" tried to build up a series of predictable mysteries and seemingly intricate plots that just didn't leave me with excitement, but rather, boredom. I also found the characters to be incredibly inconsistent and shallow - another testament to the drama's lack of attention to details. Episodes 1-4 Review Advertisement The first four episodes of "Moorim School" set up the premise, key characters, and main conflicts. The drama shows immediate weakness with a feeble intro where it attempts to orchestrate a complex plot, only to fall short at grabbing my attention. "Moorim School" is a martial arts school located deep within a forest, and only those with special powers can open the seal to find it. Our protagonist are two equally arrogant, privileged, and competitive boys who meet at school. Yoon Si-woo (Lee Hyun-woo) is an idol and an orphan with little recollection of his past. He ends up looking for cure at "Moorim School" when his ear starts to buzz, causing him excruciating headaches. Wang Chi-ang (Hong Bin) is the illegitimate son of a wealthy Chinese business man who also came searching for "Moorim School" at his father's request. Chi-ang hides his own scars with bratty attitude and selfishness. The boys happen to arrive school at the same time, creating confusion as to who truly possessed the power to open the seal. However, they both start to attend school without any problems, so I'm left questioning why it was important to mention who opened the seal. Soon, the two bickering strangers become rivals, and adjust to school life relatively well. One thing bothersome to me is why Chi-ang didn't ask his father any questions about why he needed to attend "Moorim School" or how he knew of the school in the first place. I know this is just a stepping stone to a much larger plot, but the writers do a disservice to Chi-ang's character in having him be so one-track minded, only focusing on his rivalry with Si-woo. And of course, we have our two girls who complete the standard Korean drama love square. Sim Soon-deok (Seo Yea-ji) is a hard working girl, who earns money for her family consisted of her blind father and father's care-taker, all the while attending "Moorim School" in secrecy, as her father prohibits it. Hwang Seon-ah (Jung Eugene) is the school dean's daughter, and an avid fan of Si-woo. The drama shows immediate weakness with a feeble intro. Both girls are assigned to the boys to help them train for the upcoming exams. Chi-ang and Seon-ah are paired together, while Si-woo team up with Soon-deok. I can already see the drama's intended direction of romantic relationships. The latter pair starts to spend a lot of time together much to Chi-ang's dismay. While the boys are falling deeper into infatuation, Soon-deok hasn't really shown signs of liking either of them, so it's all just one-sided love at the moment. I do hope that as the drama progresses, Soon-deok's character is given more attention and development. Continue reading on Funcurve.com Funcurve is a new kind of reviews site. Their reviews help readers visualize the ups and downs of a drama from start to finish with an impression graph. Read more Korean drama reviews at funcurve.com. Watch on Viki Published on 2016/05/29 | Source Novelist Han Kang poses at the launch of her new novel at a cafe in Seoul on Tuesday. /Yonhap Advertisement Han Kang, the winner of the Man Booker International Prize, on Monday told reporters she felt "strange" on winning the award for a novel published nine years ago. "The Vegetarian", was completed 11 years ago but only published in English last year. Kang spoke of her amazement at winning an award overseas. The novel follows the story of a woman who decides to stop eating meat due to a traumatic experience in her childhood, and believes she is turning into a tree. First published in 2007, "The Vegetarian" sold 20,000 copies until last year, but sales have surged since the English translation won the prize. Changbi Publishers said it has printed another 250,000. So far, publishing rights for the novel have been sold in 27 countries. "Human Acts", another novel by Han, has also been translated into English and publishing deals have been signed in 10 countries. Speaking at an event in Seoul, Han praised Deborah Smith, the Briton who translated "The Vegetarian", for her superb job bringing to life the meaning and subtle nuances she intended. The occasion was the launch of her new novel, "The Elegy of Whiteness", which she said expresses the resilience of human beings in the face of lifelong suffering. Han says she is planning a new novel and wants to start writing as soon as possible. She urged readers to approach her books not to seek answers, but to be exposed to more questions and to open their hearts and minds in embracing Korean literature. Published on 2016/05/29 | Source Provincial populations are dwindling as deaths simply outnumber births, even as no one moves away to the big city. Advertisement According to Statistics Korea, South Jeolla Province's population first shrank naturally in 2013, and Gangwon Province's in 2014. In North Jeolla Province, net population growth hovers around a mere 400 so far this year, so it will likely become another area to see a natural population decline next year. North Gyeongsang Province is also expected to see more deaths than births in 2017. In South Jeolla Province, the natural population decrease is getting worse, from 931 in 2013 to 1,400 in 2015. Gangwon Province had a natural population decrease of 342 in 2014 and over 400 last year. In 2014, only 10,662 babies were born in Gangwon Province, a record low for the province since population statistics started in 1925. As the trend spreads, the population of the country as a whole will start shrinking naturally in 2030, said Statistics Korea. A population decline leads to weakening consumption and economic strength, which in turn leads to fewer marriages and births, creating a vicious cycle of decline. The aged population over 65 is estimated to surpass 10 million by 2025 while the number of newborns will reach only 430,000. As the economically active population aged 15 to 64 will likely dwindle starting next year, the country could also face a labor shortage and a fall in economic growth. Harlow is a former New Town in Essex with a population of 86,000. Located in the upper Stort Valley, it was built in the decades after the Second World War to ease overcrowding and London and provide homes for people bombed out during the Blitz. It includes Britain's first pedestrian precinct and first modern residential tower block, The Lawn. Old Harlow, the historic part of the town, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. David and Victoria Beckham's former home, Rowneybury House, nicknamed 'Beckingham Palace', is nearby. 11:52, 25 OCT 2022 How will you spend your Memorial Day weekend? Its a great chance to enjoy a long weekend with your family and friends, but lets remember what its all about paying tribute to the men and women who haven given their lives for our country over the years. Freedom is never free, and these loyal people have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure we will have it for generations to come. The High Country will play host to a variety of Memorial Day observances throughout the weekend, so take a look at the list below and make plans to celebrate veterans who gave their lives for us. Watauga Community Band Salute: Sunday The Watauga Community Band will honor veterans with their annual Memorial Day Concert Sunday, May 29 at 4 PM. The performance will be held at the Rotary Gazebo in Blowing Rock Park. In the event of rain, the concert will be moved to the American Legion building on the back side of the park. Under the direction of Bill Winkler, the band will play a number of patriotic pieces including The Ultimate Patriotic Sing-Along, a series of familiar tunes arranged by Jerry Brubaker, and two John Philip Sousa marches, The Washington Post and The Stars and Stripes Forever. The band will honor our servicemen and women with the Armed Forces Salute. This piece, arranged by Bob Lowden, features the anthems of each branch of the armed services as well as the Coast Guard. Members of each branch are encouraged to stand and be recognized when they hear their anthem. The Watauga Community Band will also honor its late members with a special ceremony andThe Mansions of the Lord, the theme from the movie We Were Soldiers. This concert is free, although donations to the Watauga Community Band are welcome. Everyone is encouraged to come out and honor our military personnel. Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys Salute: Sunday The Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys were a mainstay for years at the Mountain Home Music concerts held throughout the High Country during its first 20 years, serving as Joe Shannons house band. Back in the day, this quartet made up of some of the High Countrys best nationally recognized pickers were the glue that held Shannons folksy concerts together. This Sundays May 29 Memorial Day Salute marks the return of the original members of The Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys(MHBB) for the first time in three years. Joining them on stage will be their neighbor and musical friend, Willard Gayheart, another JSMHM favorite on guitar and vocals. This much-anticipated show kicks off the JSMHM 2016 Summer Indoor Concert Series at the Harvest House Performing Arts Venue in Boone, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Student tickets are $10. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.mountainhomemusic.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the Mast General Store (Boone and Valle Crucis), Freds Mercantile on Beech Mountain, Stick Boy Bread Company(345 Hardin St, Boone), The Blowing Rock Market and Pandoras Mailbox both on Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock. Military Officers of America at Boone Mall: Monday The High Country Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), in conjunction with the Boone Mall, is proud to invite all veterans and the general public to the premier Memorial Day Observance in the High Country. This is the time for all citizens to remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom and the security of our country. When: Memorial Day, Monday, May 30 Where: The Boone Mall, Blowing Rock Road 10:30 a.m. Medley of patriotic music by Watauga Community Band 11 a.m. Program begins The program will include: Posting of Colors, Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, Invocation Introduction of Honored Guests Chimes/Memorial Music, Watauga Community Band Guest Speaker Service Theme Songs, Watauga Community Band History and Playing of Taps Retire Colors and Closing Appalachian State University Ceremony: Monday Appalachian State University will hold a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 30 at 9:00 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial on the west side of the Dougherty Administration Building. The public is invited to attend. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Dougherty Administration Building. Activities include a flag-raising ceremony followed by a brief program. A reception will take place in the administration building lobby following the ceremony. At 11:00 a.m. in the Boone Mall, the High Country Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America will hold a ceremony, to which the university community, as well as the public, is invited. For more information, call the Office of the Chancellor at (828) 262-2040. Avery County Ceremony in Newland: Monday The annual Avery County Memorial Day Ceremony and dedication of the new Veterans Monument will be held on Monday, May 30 , beginning at 2 pm on the square in Newland. The program will feature the Avery High School Band, rifle salute and Taps, guest speakers and a ceremonial raising of the flags at the monument. Everyone is invited. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket This article is reviewed by a team of registered dietitians and medical doctors with extensive, practical clinical and public health experience. All articles are produced independently. When you click our links for purchasing products, we earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about how we earn revenue by reading our advertise disclaimer. 7.0 Quality 7.0 Support Research 7.0 Reputation 7.0 Price Features Improved memory Helps support cognitive functions Helps your brain produce more alpha waves Ability to perform complex tasks Lasting mental clarity Third-party testing for safety Positive user reviews Brand Information Based out of Austin, TX Founded in 2011 Offers various health products Medical Benefits May improve cognitive function Clinically studied ingredients Promotes alpha waves About The Brand If youre searching for brain-boosting supplements, you will likely encounter Onnit, a supplier of high-quality nootropics. 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Its important to note, however, that the company funded this study, which can result in sponsorship bias. In contrast, another study[3] from 2018 on 43 United States soldiers found no significant improvements in marksmanship performance between the soldiers given Alpha Brain and the placebo. All in all, we need more studies to prove the effectiveness of the Alpha Brain. See Nootropics Buying Guide Here Is It Legit? Yes, although limited, science does exist to support the cognitive enhancing benefits produced by Alpha Brain. Plus, Onnit is so confident that youll love Alpha Brain, they offer a free trial. Simply pay for shipping, and youll receive a free 15-day supply of Alpha Brain to try for yourself. They also offer a generous 90-day money-back guarantee. However, results will likely vary between users. Pros Supports memory Promotes focus Improves cognitive processing speed BSCG Certified Drug-Free Gluten-free Third-party tested for safety Caffeine-free Paleo-friendly Clinically proven to work Money-back guarantee Cons May interact with other medications Limited research available Expensive Feature Product & Coupon Best Choice Alpha Brain Improved memory Helps support cognitive functions Helps your brain produce more alpha waves Ability to perform complex tasks Lasting mental clarity Third-party testing for safety Positive user reviews Alpha Brain Ingredients Alpha Brain is made up of three main proprietary blends to support the production of alpha waves and neurotransmitters in your brain. Though studies are limited, there is research to support its use as a nootropic. The product is made with natural ingredients, stimulant-free, gluten-free, and third-party tested for safety. If youre looking for a high-quality nootropic, Alpha Brain may be a good choice. Alpha Brain is made of ingredients that work together to support cognitive performance, improve focus, memory, and mental processing. Together, these ingredients may help build an environment where our brain can function at its best, thus promoting mental clarity and reducing brain fog. Although Alpha Brain is clinically proven to benefit its users, research is still limited. It is also made up of proprietary blends, resulting in a lack of ingredient transparency. Most of the solid research supporting the use of many of Alpha Brains ingredients targets the elderly population. Since the quantities of ingredients are not displayed, we do not know if the ingredients are present in adequate amounts to provide benefits similar to those studied. Alpha Brain is third-party tested by the Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG) to ensure the product is free of any banned or controlled ingredients. However, third-party testing results are not publicly available on their website at this time. Lets take a look at whats inside of Alpha Brain. Onnit Flow Blend (650 mg) The Onnit Flow Blend is formulated to promote alpha brain wave production. Heres a look at the ingredients that make up the Onnit Flow Blend: L-tyrosine A non-essential amino acid thats commonly in brain-boosting supplements. It can help your body produce neurotransmitters that allow nerve cells throughout the body to communicate. According to a 2015 review[4], tyrosine improved cognitive performance during short-term periods of stress. However, its effectiveness can vary from person to person. L-theanine A non-essential amino acid that is often used as an anxiolytic (to reduce anxiety). Research[5] has shown that otherwise healthy people with high anxiety levels may benefit from 200mg of L-theanine. Oat straw extract An extract from an unripened Sativa plant is widely believed to improve cognitive abilities. According to one study[6], 1,600mg of oat herb extract improved attention and concentration. However, this study used a much larger quantity than what is in Alpha Brain, and the participants had pre-existing cognitive delays. Phosphatidylserine Phosphatidylserine is a type of phospholipid that research suggests may increase cognitive function[7] before exercise. Cats claw extract (350mg) Cats claw is found in the bark of a vine from the Amazon rainforest. According to Onnit, it promotes cellular integrity. However, at this time, there is no compelling evidence[8] that associates cats claw with any health benefits. Onnit Focus Blend, 240mg The Onnit Focus Blend is formulated to achieve optimal acetylcholine levels. Acetylcholine controls muscle cells and nerves. Heres what youll find in the Onnit Focus Blend: Alpha-GPC It supports the function of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter. Its commonly used to improve cognitive functions, including supporting focus and mental performance. Although there is ongoing research[9] to support Alpha-GPCs use in Alzheimers patients, more research is needed to prove its effectiveness in healthy individuals. Bacopa Extract (100mg) Bacopa is an herb used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Its used to treat Alzheimers disease and improve brain functions. One six-week, randomized placebo-controlled trial[10] found that supplementation of 150mg of Bacopa monnieri extract in medical students led to significant improvements in cognition and memory. Toothed clubmoss (Huperzia Serrata, 400mg) It may prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine. Its a Chinese herb commonly used to treat Alzheimers disease. Research[11] shows it may improve cognitive function in those with Alzheimers. Onnit Fuel Blend, 60mg The Onnit Fuel Blend is formulated to promote optimal communication throughout your nervous system. It also may help maintain a healthy brain environment, further optimizing neural communication. The ingredients in this blend are as follows: L-leucine A branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) that helps your body synthesize protein and repair muscle. Most research to date is related to its role in athletic performance. Pterostilbene It has antioxidant properties and, according to Onnit, may help protect brain and nerve cells. However, research is limited that supports these benefits. Vitamin B6, 10 mg Vitamin B6 is essential for healthy brain development and is a cofactor in neurotransmitter synthesis. Health Benefits of Alpha Brain According to their website, Alpha Brain can help you feel in the zone on a day-to-day basis. They claim the product provides laser focus and razor-sharp clarity in a bottle. It can also help you: Have quicker reaction times Think clear under stress Focus on difficult tasks Remember names and places Onnit reports it may take several weeks for users to experience the full benefits of Alpha Brain. However, its important to note that more research should be completed to verify health claims associated with taking Alpha Brain. Dosage & Side Effects According to the Alpha Brain product label, users should take two capsules daily with a light meal. Onnit also suggests consulting with a physician before use if you are pregnant, nursing, have a history of any medical conditions, or are currently taking any medications. In addition, you can also purchase Alpha Brain in pre-dosed instant packages. The nootropic drink mix is made by mixing one packet with 8 oz of cold water. Users should not exceed more than one packet within 24 hours. However, its always essential to consult with a physician before starting any dietary supplement, regardless of your medical history. Although Alpha Brain is generally safe, users may experience a few minor side effects associated with general nootropic use, including: Nausea Headaches Insomnia Gastrointestinal distress Alpha Brain Review: What Do Real Users Say? As with most dietary supplements, there are mixed customer reviews. However, for the most part, there are positive experiences reported by Alpha Brain users. It seems to fire up your brain at a higher RPM level I feel like it helps me form better sentences. Joe Rogan I got a bottle of Alpha Brain a month ago, and Ive seen a legitimate immediate impact since I started. This is a great tool for those who seek to improve overall. Ive been sharper and less distractible, well on the way to becoming the person I always wanted to be. If youre seeking to improve or become more efficient, I highly recommend this. Bruce I tried it, and I was skeptical about it, but I thought if all these big celebrities and athletes are supporting it, why not give it a try? I dont take it every day, but there are days where I just feel like being more on point, and it does just that it does everything it says it does, and more, at least in my case its help me with my short term memory loss like when you forget things after you walking in a room looking for it Dylan Worked great at first, then there was a sharp decline. Im a contractor, and weather plays a huge part in working someday. The motivation was no better, nor was there an energy boost the way I was led to believe. Plus, if I didnt stay active, I would normally fall asleep. It will, however, help clear the foggy mind first thing in the morning, but not a product I would buy again. Jon Some days, I cant tell if it works or not. But on other days, it does promote a flow state as advertised. Thoughts are more fluid, and your process things quicker. Helps promote an overall good mood. I like taking this with shroom tech. Jake Where to Buy Alpha Brain? Alpha Brain can be purchased through their website. You can also purchase Alpha Brain online through Amazon and a variety of supplement stores. To qualify for a free trial or their money-back guarantee, consider purchasing directly through their website. Final thought If youre looking for a high-quality, stimulant-free, nootropic, Alpha Brain may be worth trying. This is especially true if you have a sensitivity to caffeine or are trying to avoid a jittery effect. While most of the ingredients in Alpha Brain have research to back them up, we need more evidence to verify the cognitive benefits of taking Alpha Brain. As of right now, most of the ingredients have been studied in elderly patients with cognitive impairment. All in all, every user will likely have a slightly different experience when using dietary supplements, including Alpha Brain. The product appears to be safe for the general population and, if youre set on purchasing a nootropic supplement, consider giving Alpha Brain a try. Its been around for ten years now and has research to back up its use. However, always consult with your medical provider before starting any dietary supplement. Frequently Asked Questions Does Alpha Brain work? Alpha Brain is formulated with mostly clinically tested nootropic ingredients to support mental performance and brain function. In addition, there has been one placebo-controlled clinical trial to prove the effectiveness of Alpha Brain. However, results may vary from person to person, and more research is needed to prove its effectiveness. Is Alpha Brain a stimulant? No, Alpha Brain is not a stimulant-based nootropic. Unlike many supplements, it does not contain caffeine, and you should not feel a crash after taking it. Is Alpha Brain FDA Approved? No, similar to most dietary supplements on the market, Alpha Brain is not FDA approved. Who should not take Alpha Brain? Everyone should speak with a medical doctor before taking supplements like Alpha Brain. However, it is vital for those with pre-existing medical conditions and those who are pregnant or nursing to speak with a medical doctor before taking Alpha Brain. BRISTOL, Va. Bristols James Hawthorne couldnt believe his eyes. Back home in Bristol, kids played in the heat of summer. Moms and dads and wives wrung their hands raw worrying about their sons and husbands half a world away. World War was over. And Hawthorne witnessed its end there, on that day in 1945, while standing in the atomic aftermath of what little remained of Nagasaki, Japan. Worldwide, more than 60 million had died during World War II. Approximately half a million American G.I.s perished in the war. Tomorrow marks Memorial Day. Veterans Day is for Veterans living and dead, said John Pappy Hawthorne, James Hawthornes son. Memorial Day is for those who are gone. Hawthorne spoke days ago while he placed American and Confederate flags at the graves of veterans within such cemeteries as Bristols East Hill Cemetery. Hes 74, nearly 75 and yet endures the heat of com-ing summer each year to do so. I didnt serve, but I feel its my obligation to remember those who did, Hawthorne said. Its a day to remember the sacrifices of those who gave so much for this country. Whether its those from the War of 1812, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam or whatever. Its a time to remember those who served. David Williams, of Bristol, Tennessee, cant forget. Vivid are the precious memories of his father, David Clark Williams. He was a father. He was a husband. He was an American. Now he lies forever among a field of fellow heroes in Mountain Home National Cemetery in Mountain Home within Johnson City. It was June 4, 1968, Vietnam, said David Williams, of Bristol, Tennessee, Williams son. It was in the Mekong Delta. He was dragging his wounded squad leader behind a rice paddy dyke when he got hit. Williams earned a Purple Heart that day. Williams wife lost a husband, their children lost their father and his country gained a hero. For context, presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was mortally wounded by gunshot in Los Angeles the next day, June 5, 1968. At the time he was drafted, dad owned a Gulf service station on the corner of Edgemont Avenue, right down from Haynesfield Elementary, Williams said. Nearly 7,000 miles away from the sleepy Southern city of Bristol, Tennessee, war had raged for several years in Vietnam. By draft and enlistment, thousands of young men and women filed through boot camps and then into planes and helicopters that carried them to war. Then came Williams turn. My great grandfather offered to move the family north to Canada, Williams said. My dad turned him down. Dad said, Im not going to be any part of that. Williams trained at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He came home twice thereafter, the first which is depicted in the accompanying photo with his son, David. Then came the day that forever changed the lives of the family of David Clark Williams. Mother and I were home in the afternoon, Williams said. She was pregnant with her husbands second son, who was born on July 4, 1968. I remember vividly we were in the living room, which had a huge window, Williams said. A dove flew into the window with a big bang and fell to the ground. I remember mama said that was a bad omen. About the time span of the Rolling Stones latest record passed. A green army car pulled up and two people got out, Williams said. A Colonel Byrd was one of them. He was great. He hung around for several days to help out. Little David Williams was 6 years old. I dont think it sunk in until that night, that dad wouldnt be coming home, he said. Then came his fathers second and final homecoming. War ravaged on in Vietnam. But it was quiet that day in the stillness of love and loss upon the hallowed ground of Mountain Home National Cemetery. Taps echoed mournfully as goodbye was the last thing anyone wanted to fathom that day. He was in an open casket and in his dress blues, Williams said. Thats an image Ill never forget. The shadows of sons and daughters will drape like flags across countless graves tomorrow. Memorial Day is for reflection and celebration of life, Williams said. Its not just for my dad. They did it for honorable reasons. Honor encircles the name of Clyde Cliff Rogers. He died on Feb. 25, 2014 at age 89. A quiet man, a reserved man, an honorable man a United States Marine. Rogers fought at the famed Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Leathernecks such as Rogers waged battle on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima from mid-February and through most of March of 1945. Yet many of Rogers friends, including Pappy Hawthorne, did not know the details. Then one day late in life, Pappy visited his friends home. On a living room wall hung a photo of the raising of the American flag at Iwo Jima. An encasement of Rogers medals displayed close by. I said, good gracious, Cliff, were you in the Marines? Hawthorne said. Rogers replied in his typically taciturn manner. Oh yeah, Rogers said. Hawthorne was shocked. Were you at Iwo Jima? Oh yeah, Rogers said. I was one of the lucky ones. I got shot on the second day. Hawthorne, puzzled, reacted in kind. Lucky? To be shot on the second day was a stroke of good luck? I didnt have to go through the hell that the other ones did, Rogers said to Hawthorne. Years later and while seated in the shade atop a hill within Bristols East Hill Cemetery, Hawthorne shook his head to and fro. Well, my jaw dropped, he said. I went to church with Cliff for many, many years. When I heard that he was a Marine theyre tough sons-a-guns, I was shocked. I had never heard him say a word. Like so many of them, he never bragged about it. He knew he did it. Rogers trod Earth for 89 years. From Bristol to Iwo Jima and back, the quiet Marine took his last breath at home on Feb. 25, 2014. An American flag waves today at his grave in Bristols Glenwood Cemetery. He always said, when I die, thered better be a flag on my grave every day, Kim Gentry, of Bristol, Tennessee, said about her father. He flew a flag at his house every single day. A box of handwritten letters circa 1940s, rested on a chair in Rogers home. Inside and intact since the day he read them were letters addressed from Reba Gurley, Florida Avenue, Bristol, Tennessee, to Rogers. She wrote to him every single day, Gentry said, who has not read a single one of them yet. They married in May of 1946. They were married for 65 years. They dated for five years before that. Gentry said that her father, who kept his Marine Corps identification card in his wallet every day until he died, kept his war experiences to himself. He didnt talk much, she said while clutching the flag that draped his coffin, but he flew his flag every day. Pappy Hawthornes father, who died exactly 12 years earlier, rests directly across the road from Rogers gravesite in Shelby Hills Cemetery. My dad was part of the occupational forces that went into Japan, Hawthorne said of his father. You talk about the most desolate looking thing youve ever seen in your life. He talked about trees that looked like splinters. There was nothing left. It was a city and then it was nothing. Pappys father numbered among the G.I.s who went into the a-bomb decimated Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in the aftermath of the Aug. 6 and 9, 1945 dropping of the bombs. They were encouraged to salvage what they found. Dad brought back a Japanese rifle, Hawthorne said. Never was fired. He brought it home because of where it was made. One can still read the rifles markings. It was made in the United States, Hawthorne said. Hawthornes father returned home to Bristol after World War II. He worked as a carpenter and then with Raytheon Co. until he retired in 1981. He volunteered for 40 years at Mountain Home Veterans Facility. He served with the local VFW and was a member of American Legion Post 145. Hawthorne marched along State Street for decades during Bristols annual Veterans Day parade. He wore a World War I uniform, given to him by a World War I veteran from Bristol for the stated purpose that people not forget the sacrifices made by generations of veterans. So may we pause to remember American veterans that include Bristols John Hawthorne, David Wil-liams, Clyde Cliff Rogers who served and no longer walk the face of the Earth. Raise a flag and remember them all on their day, Memorial Day. Ive thought all my life what a hero my dad was, Pappy Hawthorne said. Thank you, Lord. UNTITLED By David Williams, son of David Clark Williams who died in Vietnam Flyin on a 707, cruisin in to Saigon We were havin a drink and talkin to the stewardess And having lots of fun We were talkin about our families And I told Bill about my kid He showed me a picture of a pretty young thing He wanted to marrybut he never did. Hes just a soldier in Vietnam Hes damned if hes right and hes damned if hes wrong And it takes foreverto get home When youre a soldier in Vietnam. Were goin on mostly night patrol now I got a 65 pound pack I write to my family runnin through the jungle But it seems like they never write back I sure as hell worry about my kid God knows Ive got a story to tell Will he ever know just what his Pa did And what it took to get through this hell. Im just a soldier in Vietnam Im damned if Im right and Im damned if Im wrong And it takes foreverto get home When youre a soldier in Vietnam. Grandpa Carrier tried to talk me out of this Sayin we could move the family up north I said this is just somethin I gotta do Pa, But I thank you for what its worth I never thought a place so beautiful Could bring a country boy such pain It wouldnt be so bad if it wasnt for the heat And the mud and the blood and the rain. Im just a soldier in Vietnam Im damned if Im right and Im damned if Im wrong And it takes foreverto get home When youre a soldier in Vietnam. The Shenandoah Valley was a spectacular place to spend Labor Day, even when rushing by car from Washington, D.C., to a public debate in Birmingham, Alabama. It helped that Larry Taunton of the Fixed Point Foundation had a lively conversationalist in the passenger seat during that 2010 road trip: atheist provocateur Christopher Hitchens. And as the mountains rolled past, they worked their way deep into St. Johns Gospel. Taunton called this exchange a Bible study. Hitchens called it mutual textual criticism. So here was the author of god is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, reading glasses perched on his nose, reading some of Christianitys most cerebral words in his rich British baritone, a voice abused by countless cigarettes and smoothed by rivers of Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch. He kept a glass damn the highway open-container laws locked between his knees throughout the drive. Thus, Hitchens read: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. At one point, Taunton suggested that Hitchens record this text to sell as an audiobook. With that voice, Christopher would have done an amazing job. ... You can only imagine the shock this would have caused among atheists and Christians, alike, said Taunton in an interview. Hitchens, however, knew that he didnt have much time left and he had so much that he wanted to do. The Shenandoah road trip is a pivotal scene in Tauntons new book, The Faith of Christopher Hitchens: The Restless Soul of the Worlds Most Notorious Atheist, which is causing fierce debates on both sides of the Atlantic. That drive, and a second in Yellowstone National Park, took place during Hitchens struggle with esophageal cancer, which took his life on Dec. 15, 2011. Taunton makes no claim that Hitchens experienced a religious conversion during this time. In fact, his book closes with a chapter that while noting its impossible to know what happens between a person and God stresses that Hitchens kept reaffirming his atheistic beliefs. What I am saying is that Christopher was asking serious questions and was sincerely interested in learning more about what Christians like me believe, said Taunton. But if I was going to claim that he converted, then the Shenandoah and Yellowstone trips would have provided the perfect opportunity for me to lie about something like that, because those conversations were between the two of us. Its crucial, said Taunton, that Hitchens was genuinely shaken by 9/11. Afterwards, in addition to embracing a fierce brand of patriotism, he dedicated more of his time to attacking forms of institutionalized religion, especially militant Islam, that he considered evil. However, he knew logically that it was hard for an atheist to talk about good and evil in absolute, transcendent terms. Thus, Taunton argues that Hitchens had faith in something higher than atheism. That private faith may have been patriotism, or justice, or the importance of friendship, or a proud confidence in his own intellect and force of will. If you are trying to unlock the Christopher Hitchens black box, the tumblers just dont line up with the atheist key, he said. They dont line up with the God key, either. In the event following the Shenandoah drive, Hitchens kept trying to pull Taunton the moderator into the debate about the importance of faith. Finally, Taunton admitted that Hitchens was correct to state that any discovery that Jesus was only a figment of my imagination would ruin my life. ... Such a discovery would mean that this life is meaningless and a sham. Urging him on, Hitchens replied: Dont give up so easily. A month later, Hitchens and Taunton met in a public debate. At one point, they clashed over Hitchens tendency to make absolute moral judgments, while denying the existence of a higher Law Giver. Finally, Taunton recalled that Hitchens, during the Shenandoah trip, was surprised to see a store display of no tar cigarette filters. Deadpan, Hitchens had quipped: Oh, I wish I had known. Turning serious, Taunton told the debate crowd that he feared my friend will step into eternity and say, Oh, I wish I had known. Taunton turned to Hitchens and added: Dont give up quite so easily. Hitchens whispered: Touche. HPD offers reward for information on suspect in slaying The man "should not be approached and is considered armed and dangerous," HPD said in a news release. The Narendra Modi governments two years in office have proved to be steady and solid. The exuberance that was generated when the government assumed office in May 2014 continues. The consistency on the reform front has held despite a very difficult environment infusing a strong hope that this momentum will only carry forward. Amidst the whole agenda of putting India on a higher growth path, one of most important constituents has been strengthening the manufacturing sector, to create meaningful livelihood opportunities. Some of the key campaigns announced over the course of last two years Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, Startup India, Standup India have this as the central objective. Read | Modi govt @2: In Ambedkars birthplace, a tale of two crematoriums The measures taken towards improving the operating environment for businesses have been reassuring. The bureaucratic overhaul, simplification of procedures, setting up of the e-Biz portal and digitisation will improve the competitiveness of Indian industry. Besides the government has provided a stable, predictable and an investor-friendly tax regime. Moreover, the government has not shied away from treading into the zone of more difficult reforms. The passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015 and the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015 was a very crucial move and will foster fair play and transparency in allocation of natural resources. The passage of the Bankruptcy Code and the Black Money Bill in Parliament are also landmark achievements. The liberalisation of the FDI policy continues. A number of sector-specific FDI changes have been undertaken and the FDI threshold for investment projects requiring Cabinet approval has also been raised from Rs 20 billion to Rs 30 billion. Read | Two years of high-flying Modi short on delivery, says Shiv Sena Development of roads and the railway sector has been a priority. A seamless road and rail network remains much desirable to put in place a robust supply chain system. According to a World Bank study, simply halving the delays due to road blocks, tolls and other stoppages in India could cut freight time by about 20-30 percent and logistics costs by around 30-40 per cent. This would result in a gain in competitiveness of some 3-4 percent of net sales for key manufacturing sectors. Further, the emphasis on increasing the share of renewable sources in Indias energy mix reflects the long-term vision of doing the best to keep the environment secure. While there has been some economic improvement, owing to a challenging global and domestic environment, a broad-based consolidation is still to take shape. The reforms agenda thus needs to continue, with focus on some specific areas. Read | Big bang reforms are a myth, fast-track growth is real: PM Modi Reforms on labour and capital need to be expedited. It is hoped that the Bills are introduced in Parliament at the earliest. Also, all states should be encouraged to amend labour laws as has been done by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. On the capital front, we need to strengthen the debt market to reduce over-dependence on banks. The government is geared up to building world-class infrastructure; however what is critical is a more defined approach. The government may consider earmarking certain sectors as focus sectors on an annual basis under the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) to ensure that sufficient funding gets targeted to specific sectors. We also need to push through the GST Bill and its successful rollout through strengthening of IT infrastructure. Over the near term the government can look at expediting non-legislative and executive actions that could help in further reducing the procedural impediments. Harshavardhan Neotia is president, FICCI The views expressed are personal The Taliban have a new leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, one of the deputies of Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, who was taken out by a United States drone strike in Baluchistan after he crossed the border from Iran. Akhundzada is seen as a religious scholar and was a senior judge during the insurgent groups five-year rule in Afghanistan, issuing many of its harshest fatwas. Significantly, it was the first ever US drone strike in Pakistans Baluchistan province, despite years of American bombing runs on al-Qaeda targets in Pakistan. The decision to kill Mansour in his Pakistani sanctuary signals a new aggression in the US approach to compensate for lack of any movement in peace talks. The Obama administration seems to have given up on negotiations that have been stalled since July. With its latest gamble, Washington is hoping that this strike, much like the raid that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, will inflict a lasting blow on the Taliban by undercutting the groups capacity to carry out attacks, sapping morale and disrupting long-term planning. Obama himself has suggested that Mansour was specifically targeting US troops in Afghanistan, and had refused to enter into peace negotiations the Afghan government. Read | Afghan Taliban confirm Mansours death, announces new chief Pakistans official response has been quite predictable, accusing the US of crossing the red line and claiming the attack was a violation of its sovereignty even as it has failed to account for the presence of Mansour on its soil. Pakistani officials were alerted to the strike only after it happened. The US is signalling that its patience with Pakistan is running thin and is now willing to take the fight to Afghan insurgents in Pakistani sanctuaries. It has been clear for some time now that Pakistani efforts to broker peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government were going nowhere. Despite quietly cooperating with the US military in targeting al-Qaeda and Pakistani Taliban leadership through drone strikes, the Pakistani military had been protecting the Afghan Taliban, refusing to allow such strikes in Baluchistan. Read | Al Qaeda re-emerges as challenge for US, Nato in Afghanistan Pakistans unwillingness to cooperate fully with the US and Afghanistan in the fight against the Taliban has had some far-reaching consequences. The Obama administration and the US polity in general have been turning against Pakistans duplicitous game. In recent weeks, the US Congress has asked Islamabad to pay for the F16s it wants and is also tightening the screws on disbursal of military aid to Pakistan. As the Taliban expanded their operations in Afghanistans south, the Obama administration decided to do away with its earlier restrictions on the numbers of strikes and decided to allow US pilots to bomb a broader array of targets even at the risk of antagonising Rawalpindi. Read | Taliban leaders death a milestone for Afghan peace, says Obama The US success in taking out Mansour may not lead to any change on the part of the Taliban as far as its hard-line position on peace talks is concerned. It is more likely that Afghanistan might witness an escalation of attacks as internal squabbles of the Taliban spill out into the open. But what is clear is that the Taliban are now under a kind of pressure that they had not felt in recent years. And Pakistan has been warned that there are limits to its policy of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds. Read | Drone strike marks shift in US strategy in Afghanistan India should be watching these developments closely. At a time when Pakistans negative role in Afghanistan is once again under scrutiny, Indias more positive involvement with the signing of the Chahbahar trilateral agreement should give it greater strategic space to manoeuvre. Harsh V Pant is professor of international relations, department of defence studies, Kings College, London. The views expressed are personal Also read | Taliban violence will continue despite new leadership: Obama I am glad I am out of this profession. My mother had just finished her daily pooja and was with disbelief reading how the central government had directed all universities to include yoga and related Hindu scriptures in physical therapy programmes, bachelors and masters. Yoga is fine, said my mother, a retired physiotherapist who rehabilitated people with injuries and spastic children. It is akin to what we do (physiotherapy treats disability and disease through physical means instead of drugs), but mantras and bhajans? The new syllabus includes yogic perspectives from the Bhagvad Gita, Upanishads and other Hindu epics, the Bangalore Mirror reported. The chairman of the syllabus committee is HR Nagendra chancellor of Bengalurus Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, a deemed university that studies and teaches yoga and spiritual lore as propounded by Swami Vivekananda is better known to India as Prime Minister Narendra Modis yoga guru. It is reasonably clear that the BJP and its mothership the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh emphasise a rebooting of Indias past, present and future as much as they do development, an attempt to create a new national narrative based on its pre-Islamic Hindu past. So, the efforts to marginalise Emperor Akbar, to de-emphasise Jawaharlal Nehru, to criminalise beef consumption, to teach Sanskrit in schools and IITs and the latest the Hindu perspective to physiotherapy education. Read | The lunatic fringe is now the Hindutva mainstream With its victory in Assam, the decimation of the Congress and Modis undiminished popularity, the BJP and its extended Hindu family are confident of a growing acceptance of the reworking of history and culture, even science. For instance, many secular liberals I count myself as one would not argue with the dismantling of the Gandhi-family hegemony of public institutions and infrastructure nomenclature. It is also hard to contest the creation of new national icons, as the National Implementation Committee headed by the home minister will do. But as its confidence grows after two years in power, the BJP must consider the effects of a wider, more divisive disruption. The party has a clearly articulated economic plan but no declared cultural agenda; its ministers emphasise as much in interviews to mark two years in government. The problem is the BJPs once-nutty Hindutva fringes have always had a ready narrative, centred on hate and exclusion. With the fringes increasingly mainstreamed, the demand to mainstream their narrative will grow stronger. Unchecked, where might this process lead? An answer is speculative, but a warning is available from Israel, where, nine years ago among the recreated ruins of Masada, a 2,000-year-old, once-impregnable fortress on a table-top mountain with almost vertical flanks I could not but marvel at the disparate strands meticulously woven into that countrys national narrative. Read | Alchemies of jingoism: Attacks like 26/11 have created new discourse When the Romans took Masada in 73 CE, a three-year resistance by 960 Jews ended in a mass suicide by fire. So goes the story of Jewish heroism. Today, Masada is a world heritage site, painstakingly excavated and showcased to visitors as part of an enterprise to create a body of proof that emphasises Israels claim that the land is pre-Biblical and pre-Arab and not limited to the countrys violent creation in 1948. Masada shall not fall again, is the oath administered to newly-drafted Israeli soldiers. The slogan is on T-shirts and coffee mugs, an important part of the national narrative, which subsumes within it any and every artefact and historical site with ancient Jewish links. The contours of this narrative were clear to me when, after visiting Masada in 2007, I walked through one of Islams holiest sites, Jerusalems Al Aqsa mosque, which the Jews call the Temple Mount, their holiest site. A Jewish archaeologist told me with finality that this was the site of two Jewish temples, the first built 3,000 years ago (1000 BC), the second 999 years later (1 BC). Archaeological effort to prove the temples existed coalesced with religious fervour to create a movement to build a third temple on the mount. The cornerstone of the Israeli narrative is Hebrew, an almost defunct, Biblical language brought back to life in the years after 1948, when Jews scattered across the world, speaking many languages, realised they needed more than military force to preserve the nation of Israel. Read | Educationalists to move high court against saffronised textbooks It is no secret that the BJP admires and hopes to emulate Israel, which as its narrative strengthens has become less secular. Attitudes towards the Palestinians and its own Arabs, a fifth of the population, have hardened. Parts of the Israeli narrative are familiar to Indians: the anxiousness to rebuild a supposedly lost temple, the desire to revive a lost language, and the conflation of the past with religion and land. As we contest the idea of India, our ally is roiled by a struggle for the idea of Israel, as nationalists demand secular foundations be dismantled and the Muslim minority disenfranchised. Extremists have taken over this country, said the defence minister, as he resigned last week, ceding his position to a hardliner who previously advocated the beheading of disloyal minorities. Meanwhile, in comments that incensed right-wing nationalists, Yair Golan, the armys deputy chief, while appearing to compare the atmosphere in modern-day Israel to Nazi Germany, wanted Israelis to discuss our ability to uproot from among us buds of intolerance, buds of violence, buds of self-destruction on the path to ethical deterioration. Israels national narrative around shared religion, culture and language has left minorities more alienated and hate and violence more pervasive than ever. As Indias new narrative progresses, it is worth pondering that Israel is half the size of Haryana and has fewer people than Bengaluru does. In any case, Israel needed a narrative to claim its land. India has no such need. Samar Halarnkar is editor, Indiaspend.org, a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit The views expressed are personal Read | India cannot take social cohesion for granted SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal and Indore will have driverless light metro rail instead of metro rail which the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to finance, according to officials of the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Company. However, the central government is expected to give a go-ahead to by June -end. The state government had submitted the detailed project report to the centre on January 19. The light metro rail will be 70% cheaper than the metro rail. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has developed light metro rail system for the tier 2 cities of the country. Officer on special duty Kamal Nagar said the light metro rail would be very effective in Bhopal as it would offer a fast mode of transport to the residents. He also busted the myth that light metros are slower than metro. According to officials, there is a lot of demand for metro rail from second tier cities because of traffic congestion and concern about pollution but high cost is a problem. A kilometre of underground for metro trains costs Rs 400 crore and elevated line costs Rs 200 crore. But, light metro rail will be cheaper. Bhopal metro will have an advanced signalling system Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) based on the lines of light rail in Denmark capital, Copenhagen allowing driverless trains to operate on the 85-km proposed stretch in the state capital. The MPMRCL officials said, We will abide by law of the land. According to estimates, many people living along Link Road No. 3 and Saket Nagar would be impacted in the first phase of the project. The project will cost about R7000 crore in total. About 20% of the project that is R1400 crore will be given by the central government, the rest 80% will be given as loan by the JICA. The JICA will send its first installment by November for the project in Bhopal. A total sum of R5600 crore will be given as a loan to the state government in four installments, officials said. The Japanese agency was in Bhopal for about a month to evaluate the areas and conditions here. While officials maintained that acquisition of properties will not be needed for Bhopal metro, reality stuck them when questioned by the JICA delegation. During a visit to Awadhpuri, BHEL, a JICA representative questioned a state government official over slums on a path that is scheduled to be developed for Metro. We do not displace people for development. I hope these people will not be uprooted, he said. The Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Company is headed by chief minister and has urban development minister as its vice-chairman. The proposal of metro covers a stretch of 73 km and six routes. The maximum connectivity of metro would be from the Bhopal and Habibganj Railway stations. Both the stations will be covered by route 2. Route 3 will start from Raja Bhoj Airport. Bhopal Municipal Corporation commissioner Chavvi Bharadwaj said, the work of the BMC will only start once the centre approves the DPR and relocation of people takes place. Vivek Krishna Tankha, former additional solicitor general of India, has been fielded as Congress nominee to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh. In MP, three Rajya Sabha seats will soon go vacant. Two are likely to go to BJP and one to Congress respectively. The last date for filing nominations for polls is May 31. Speaking to HT, Tankha, a Supreme Court lawyer, said he will raise public issues and uplift the stature of the party if elected. Congress spokesperson KK Mishra said Tankha will file nominations on May 31, adding that the nominees for Rajya Sabha were chosen by party president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi in consultation with state leaders. The party released the list of names on Saturday. The state BJP has forwarded 12 names for the two Rajya Sabha seats. In 2008, Samajwadi Party MLA Kishore Samrite from Langi alleged that he refused the offer of a Congress leader who agreed to pay him Rs 30 lakh in order to vote for Independent candidate Vivek Krishna Tankha, backed by Congress, in Rajya Sabha elections. Samrite was later suspended by the party on charges of indiscipline. The controversy also rocked the state assemblys budget session in 2008, with both BJP and Congress members accusing each other of horse-trading. HT had reported that Tankha dismissed the charge as fabricated and threatened to sue Samrite for tarnishing his image. Why should I offer bribe to Samrite when his party has already pledged to issue a whip in my support for the Rajya Sabha election? Tankha had questioned. Tankha had fought the Lok Sabha polls on a Congress ticket from Jabalpur in 2014 but was defeated by BJP candidate Rakesh Singh. Japanese conglomerate SoftBank and a number of investors have shown keen interest in investing in Indias infrastructure growth story, finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Sunday as he kicked off his 6-day visit to Japan aimed at attracting investments from Asias second biggest economy. After a meeting with Jaitley, SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son said he is also interested in internet companies as well as solar energy sector, where he has already announced 20 billion dollar investment through a joint venture. There are people who want to participate in infrastructure growth story. For example, at the SoftBank meeting we just had, they are looking at one of the biggest investments in solar power already, Jaitley said after meeting Son. In June last year, SoftBank announced that the group was forming a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises and Taiwans Foxconn Technology Group to invest about 20 billion dollar in renewable energy in India. The pact would aim to generate 20 gigawatts of electricity. They have made considerable headway and have identified location. It will probably be one of the largest investment in those areas, Jaitley said. The Japanese telecom and internet giant has made a string of tech investments in India, amounting to 2 billion dollar in the past two year. SoftBank is looking at accelerating the pace of investments in the future. India has a great future... We are interested in investing for Internet companies, also for solar energy. We would make a strong commitment, Son said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed two years in power, but his promise of accommodating Hindu migrants from Pakistan remains unfulfilled. A young Pakistani student, who dreams of becoming a doctor, is one of the many feeling the pinch of the delay in government action. Nineteen-year-old Mashal Maheshwari, who moved with her family to Jaipur from Hyderabad in Pakistans Sindh province two years ago, wants to appear for the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) exam but is ineligible to apply. There are only two categories under which aspirants can apply for the AIPMT Indian citizen or NRI. My parents are doctors and I would like to follow in their footsteps. My dream is to save lives and serve people, but I dont fit the criteria, says Mashal. Mashals parents quit their jobs in Pakistan and moved to India in June 2014. The family is residing here on a long-term visa. Though we were well-off there, we were concerned about our security, says Dr Nirmala, Mashals mother, who works at a private hospital. Read: States cant hold medical entrance tests for MBBS, BDS: Supreme Court Mashals 91% score in the CBSE Class 12 examinations seemed to have brought her a step closer to realising her AIPMT dream. But thats when she hit the nationality roadblock. Her family wrote to chief minister Vasundhara Raje and state health minister Rajendra Rathore, but to no avail. Following this, Mashal placed a request on the Prime Ministers portal. Private medical colleges are not an option for Mashal because they are too expensive. We cant afford a donation of Rs 1 crore when our combined salary is just Rs 60,000, says Nirmala. Hindu Singh Sodha of the Seemant Lok Sangathan, an NGO, says the 15,000 Pakistani Hindus living in Rajasthan are unable to access basic facilities or take up jobs because they dont have Indian documents. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The municipal bypoll results have prompted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to strengthen its Delhi unit. Seven new members, who are also MLAs, have been inducted into the party unit and given the post of vice-president. The legislators will manage two district units each. The party won five seats out of 13 that went to bypolls. It was for the first time that the party contested elections at the municipal level. Party leaders said while they were satisfied with the result, though expected to win more seats. Senior party members said since the municipal elections in Delhi next year were crucial for the party, they wanted to be fully prepared. Most of the members, who scripted AAPs 2015 Delhi assembly election win, have been in Punjab for the past six months. Some have been making regular visits to Goa since the party decided to contest elections in the state. Assembly elections in both states are scheduled for next year. The municipal bypoll results were positive for us but we recognise the need to consolidate support in Delhi. The Delhi municipal elections are very important for us, said a senior party leader. On Sunday, Delhi assembly deputy speaker Bandana Kumari vacated her post, saying she has to focus on the constituency and the wards under it. I resigned because our support base in the ward has weakened. In the assembly election, we won majority of the seats. In the municipal bypolls we came in third. I take moral responsibility of this and recognise the need to work in the area. Thats why I decided to resign, she said, denying that the party had asked her to quit. Sources said Kumari was asked to quit because she and her husband had opposed the candidate chosen by the party to contest the municipal bypoll in the Shalimar Bagh constituency. Kumari has denied this allegation. The seven MLAs, who have become vice-presidents in the Delhi unit, are Mahinder Yadav from Vikaspuri, Rajendra Pal Gautam from Seemapuri, Sahi Ram from Tughlakabad, Sanjeev Jha from Burari, Amantullah Khan from Okhla, Jarnail Singh from Tilak Nagar and Praveen Kumar from Jangpura. Seeking to defuse tension at Rajpur Khurd village where Africans were allegedly attacked by some local residents, the police on Sunday reached out to both sides and told them to respect the law. Senior police officers met representatives of the Resident Welfare Associations and Africans separately. The local residents were told not to take the law into their hands. The African natives were told not to play loud music at night and not drink in public places. During the investigation, we found that Africans playing loud music at night led to the clash with the residents of Chhatarpur, Maidan Garhi and Rajpur Khurd villages. The other trigger was Africans drinking in public places. Read more: Six Africans assaulted in Delhi village, cops say attacks not planned To ensure that such incidents do not occur again, we met Africans staying in the area and the locals. Both sides agreed to maintain peace in the area, said Ishwar Singh, DCP, south. We wish to clarify that these were separate incidents. They were scuffles and not racial attacks, he said. The five men arrested for allegedly attacking Africans in four separate incidents told the police they had asked the Nigerian nationals not to drink and play loud music at night. But they did not listen to them, they said. On the attack on one of the Africans, Kenneth, they said they had a scuffle with him as he refused to reverse his car to make way for them. They claimed they were taking their relative, who was seriously ill, to the hospital. The men said that Kenneth was playing loud music in his car and when they asked him to reverse, he refused. They said when they asked him to turn down the volume, he abused them. They confessed that this enraged them and a scuffle ensued between both parties. The men claimed even Kenneth had hit them, said an investigator. Kenneth, a musician, alleged his car was stopped by an armed mob. He was dragged outside and hit with bats. He alleged the mob even smashed his windshield. I was inside the car with my four-month-old daughter sleeping in my arms. Why would Kenneth play loud music and drink and drive? These men cornered us and smashed my car. They pulled Kenneth out and hit him. He somehow escaped, saving us from the goons. They were armed, but we had nothing to protect ourselves, said Kenneths wife, Kate. The police have now accessed the CCTV footage of the area to get evidence that would help establish the sequence of events. We have two versions of the episodes and we are verifying both. The investigation is on and more arrests are likely. We have tried to maintain peace and sensitise locals by talking to both parties, a senior police officer said. Four people were arrested on Sunday and as many detained by the Delhi Police in connection with alleged an assault on African nationals in south Delhis Mehrauli area in which six of them were injured. Besides these eight people, a juvenile has also been detained as investigators stepped up probe into three separate incidents of assault on African nationals after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj took up the issue with home minister Rajnath Singh and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. Four accused identified as Babu, Om Prakash, Ajay and Rahul have been arrested and the fifth accused, who turned out to be a minor, has been apprehended on charges of causing hurt and wrongful confinement, DCP (South) Ishwar Singh said. Investigators said that four more people have been detained and they were being interrogated. Read | Six Africans assaulted in Delhi village, cops say attacks not planned At least six African nationals had sustained injuries in the incidents. Police attributed two of the incidents to a dispute over African nationals playing loud music and another to a scuffle over drinking in public. The incidents came amid outrage over the killing of a 23-year-old Congolese national MK Olivier in south Delhis Vasant Kunj area last week, with envoys of African nations voicing their unhappiness. Read | Africans attacked in Delhi again: Swaraj, Rajnath assure prompt action India had assured the African envoys of safety and security of all African nationals. Three separate cases have already been registered by police in connection with the incident which took place at Mehrauli area on Thursday night. Read | Congolese mans murder: Govt faces tough questions from African diplomats Meanwhile, since yesterday police has held several meetings with various resident associations in the area.. Read | Worst 15 minutes of my life, says wife of African attacked in Delhi Addressing one such gathering, DCP Ishwar said, they have come to our country, they are our guests and friends. They have come here just because they trust us. The way you behave with them will have repercussions on our brothers living outside. An example is the way Indians were attacked after the murder of a Congolese youth, he said. Read | Nigerian student thrashed in Hyderabad over parking dispute It took an hour-long chase in North Delhi for two Delhi police constables to foil the kidnapping of a young woman on Friday. Nineteen year-old Muskan was rescued from three kidnappers who had lured her with her male friend, police said. Two cops on duty near Chandgiram Akahra near Kashmere Gate ISBT on Friday evening were approached by a young man crying for help. A hassled Himanshu told assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Mahinder Singh and head constable Jagdish that his friend, 19-year-old Muskan, had been kidnapped by three men in a white Santro car. Taking Himanshu along with them, the policemen chased the car for 5 kms, for around an hour, before the abductors were finally apprehended. The accused were identified as Sachin Choudhary (32), Shiv Kumar (32) and Saurabh (34). The three men were drunk. We found several alcohol bottles in the car, said Mahinder Singh. The car was speeding. We could catch them only after several attempts as they kept trying to run away. When we finally caught them, they started misbehaving with us. It was only after we took out their car keys that they stopped, said Jagdish. Muskan was rescued near North Delhis Geeta Ghat area. The two policemen will be awarded for their act, senior police officers said. According to the police, Muskan and her friend Himanshu were waiting at the Burari bus stop to go to Wazirabad, when they asked for directions from the three men in the car. The accused offered a lift and the two hitched a ride in their car. When the accused did not stop the car despite crossing Wazirabad, the woman started shouting. As the cars windows were closed, her voice was not audible. Himanshu was then thrown out near the CNG station, and his phone and aadhar car were taken away. That was when the boy approached the police for help. The woman was naturally very scared and anxious when she was rescued. We tried to calm her down, when she was in the police vehicle, added Jagdish. The car has been seized by the police for further investigation. Delhi Police arrested five people on Sunday for allegedly attacking African nationals last week and advised the foreigners against late-night partying and drinking in public, saying such behaviour disturbs local residents. None of the suspects were charged under racial abuse sections despite victims claims of race-motivated violence and mounting outrage over the spate of recent attacks on Africans in the city. The polices views resonated in comments by minister of state for external affairs VK Singh, who blamed the media for blowing up the minor scuffles. Why is media doing this? As responsible citizens let us question them and their motives, he said. But South African envoy Malose William Mogale described the attacks as racist and said he believed in the governments ability to deal with the violence. Senior ministers Rajnath Singh and Sushma Swaraj also attempted to contain the fallout of the row and promised strict action with increased patrolling. Read | Attack on Africans in Delhi: Cops arrest 4, detain 4 amid growing pressure Spoke to commissioner of police, Delhi regarding the incidents of physical assault against certain African nationals. Such incidents are condemnable, Singh tweeted. Six Africans were attacked in south Delhis Mehrauli last Thursday, roughly a week after a Congolese man, Masunda Kitanda Oliver, was bludgeoned to death in Vasant Kunj. The repeated attacks have dented Indias image worldwide and sparked tit-for-tat violence on Indian-owned shops in Congo. A group of African diplomats threatened to boycott the governments flagship Africa Day celebrations but were persuaded to desist. Several students and professionals from the continent living in Delhi have called for a protest in central Delhis Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. Read | Congolese mans murder: Govt faces tough questions from African diplomats Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said she spoke to Singh and Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung, asking them to ensure security to Africans. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside, she tweeted. But police downplayed the incidents and said loud music and public consumption of liquor led to the violence last Thursday, calling on the local population to not misbehave with Africans. Read | Worst 15 minutes of my life, says wife of African attacked in Delhi The situation is perfectly peaceful and no planned attacks have been carried out against the foreign nationals. These were only minor scuffles, a Delhi Police statement said. But Mogale disagreed. It is a racist attack. But it is not government policy. It is people who might want to tarnish the image of the country, he said. The envoy said the attacks come as a surprise especially given the fact (that) our relations are decade and decade old. Read | Nigerian student thrashed in Hyderabad over parking dispute The five arrested -- Babu (32), Om Prakash (24), Kunal (20), Ajay (25), and Rahul (24) live in the Mehrauli village of Rajpur Khurd and fled after the attacks were reported, police said. They were charged with wrongful restraint, causing hurt and criminal intimidation. We sought help from our local intelligence and they were arrested within 24 hours. Though no African came forward to lodge any complaint, we took action and registered the FIRs. Efforts are on to arrest the remaining persons, deputy commissioner of police (south) Ishwar Singh said. He said police met local residents and Africans on Thursday evening to discuss their concerns with the foreign nationals asked to get in touch with law-enforcement authorities in case of any difficulty. A meeting was also held with residents of villages Rajpurkhurd and Maidan Garhi (both in Mehrauli), attended by 250 villagers where they were sensitised to prevent recurrence of such incidents, he added. Separately, foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said government will transport back home Olivers mortal remains. In the unfortunate death of Mr.Masunda Oliver, the government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains, he said. This is not the first time India is in the international news for alleged racially motivated attacks on Africans. In January, a mob in Bengaluru allegedly dragged a Tanzanian woman out of a car and stripped her. Last year, a mob in Delhis busy Rajiv Chowk metro station allegedly attacked three African students. (With agency inputs) The crime branch of Delhi Police have arrested four men and busted a racket that of fake police officers and public prosecutors that allegedly extorted money from prominent personalities on the pretext of settlement against non-bailable warrants issued against them in cases filed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The four members of the gang were arrested for allegedly attempting to extort money from an internationally renowned Indian Kathak dancer, police said on Sunday. The accused were identified as Sandeep alias Dev,26, who is the kingpin of the racket, Sanjay Pandey, 28, Dharmender,20, and Sultan alias Imran, 24. Ravindra Yadav, joint commissioner of police (crime), said the arrests came following investigation into a complaint filed by the Indian classical dancer. In her complaint, Yadav said, the complainant told them that a few weeks ago, she had received a call in which the caller identified himself as one sub-inspector (SI) Rajvir Singh from Delhi Police posted with the warrant cell at Tis Hazari Courts. The caller told her that a warrant of arrest had been issued against her. During the conversation, the caller directed her to contact a lawyer, Radhe Shyam Verma, who was dealing with her case. She contacted Verma who introduced himself as a public prosecutor, said Yadav. Rajvir later informed her that she owed `67,051 to the RBI for which a case had been filed against her. The complainant on checking at Tis Hazari Court, found that no such case had been filed. Thereafter, she filed a complaint with the police who launched a probe, said the joint CP. During the probe, investigators learnt that one VP Tripathi from Uttar Pradeshs Gorakhpur was also extorted in a similar trick. The account details and call details of the mobile numbers used for contacting the two complainants were examined. The accounts were opened on forged documents and fake identities. We zeroed down on the suspects through electronic surveillance and with the help of our informers. Pandey was the first one to be arrested. At his instance, the other three accused were nabbed, said Yadav. NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government is busy celebrating its two-year anniversary at a time drought-hit farmers are committingsuicide,Congressvice-president Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday as his party released a booklet to puncture the NDAs development claims. At a rally in Delhi, Gandhi accused the government of practicing politics of lie and false promises, highlighting the drought crisis in Maharashtra where five farmers killed themselves this week, taking the toll to 150 since January. Farmers are dying due to drought and water problems and a celebration is being held at India Gate where people from Bollywood have come, songs and dance have been arranged, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In Chattarpurs Rajpur Khurd village, no one remembers when the Africans first arrived. Today, this village has become one of the most preferred localities for Africans, especially from Nigeria. African youths in their western clothes and braided hair are in stark contrast to elderly villagers smoking hookah outside their bungalows in the narrow lanes of this rural Delhi village. In this village, around 5km from Qutab Minar, where African youths clashed with locals on Thursday night, over 200 Africans have rented rooms. There is a salon run by a Nigerian national, Jason. He opened it a year ago, when more and more African youths complained of Indian barbers not being able to cut their hair. Jasons salon is the one place where Nigerian youths gather to discuss life. Jason says, Back home, Indians are respected. Living here for us is a nightmare. At almost every shop, we are made fun of. Shopkeepers refuse to sell everyday items to us, pass racist remarks. Another youth, Xenon Tiagio, said African women were insulted daily. They are often called prostitutes. People talk behind our back. They comment on the colour of our skin. Locals say Africans stay there because accommodation is cheap. Maidangarhi, the village adjoining Rajpur Khurd, is also preferred by the Nigerians. Locals say there is a trust deficit with the Africans. Even if they have a flat tyre, they blame it on us. We have better things to do than puncture their cars. They wear strange clothes and we end up staring at them. But that is not a crime, a village residents said. Local resident, Chande Ram, said because of the language barrier they quarrel over autorickshaws everyday. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: A 42-year-old man sleeping on the footpath near Kashmere Gate was run over by a speeding Chevrolet Cruz in the wee hours of Saturday. Police said that homeless man was yet to be identified. The accident was reported from near the Kashmere Gate flyover. Eyewitnesses told police that the car, which was at a very high speed, dragged the man for over 50 meters before coming to a halt. The car stopped after hitting an electricity police. Police said the driver had lost his balance because of over-speeding. The victim was taken to a nearby government hospital after a passerby informed the police control room. Police said the impact of the hit was so severe that it took them at least 15-20 minutes to remove him from under the car after a long time. He was declared dead at the hospital. Police registered a case of causing death due to negligence at the Civil Lines police station. The car was impounded and driver Mohsin was arrested late in the evening. Mohsin told the police, he is a resident of Agra and was driving his friends car. Police said that Kashmere Gate flyover and flyover going towards Yamuna Paar from North Delhi have a lot of homeless people sleeping on footpath. The victim was sleeping alone at the spot where the accident took place. Union minister VK Singh claimed on Sunday the attack on African nationals in the national capital was a minor scuffle which was blown up by the media. Had detailed discussion with Delhi Police and found that media blowing up minor scuffle as attack on African nationals in Rajpur Khurd, Singh, who is the junior minister in the external affairs ministry, said and questioned the medias motive. Why is media doing this? As responsible citizens let us question them and their motives, he said in a series of tweets. Read | Africans attacked in Delhi again: Swaraj, Rajnath assure prompt action There has been a spate of attacks on African nationals in the last few days including killing of a Congolese man in national capital and assault on a 23-year-old Nigerian student in Hyderabad. Two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and at least two Nigerian men in Rajpur Khurd, a village in South Delhi, have also complained about physical assault and criminal intimidation. Read | Attack on Africans in Delhi: Cops arrest 4, detain 4 amid growing pressure Singhs remarks came on a day when external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj pressed for ensuring safety of African citizens as she spoke to home minister Rajnath Singh who directed the Delhi Police to take strict action against the attackers and step up patrolling in the areas inhabited by the community. Swaraj said a sensitisation campaign will be carried out in the areas where African nationals reside. She also asked VK Singh and MEA secretary Amar Sinha to meet the African students who have announced holding of a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. Meanwhile, four persons were arrested and four others detained by Delhi Police on Sunday in connection with alleged assault on African nationals in south Delhis Mehrauli area. NEW DELHI: The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has directed Delhi government officials to ascertain the real owners of brothels in GB Road in order to nab culprits who have been evading the law for some time. DCW chief Swati Mailwal on Saturday held a meeting with police, government and civic officials asking them to ascertain the real owners of such brothels. Under the law, if a minor is rescued from a brothel, it should be closed and an FIR should be registered against the owners. However, in case of GB Road, the owners are untraceable. FIRs are registered against those identified as managers who are mostly sex workers, a DCW official said. NEW DELHI: Imagine a one-year-old with fully developed sexual organs of a grown man. A super speciality hospital in Delhi is currently treating young Vaibhav (name changed on parents request) who has been diagnosed with a rare condition called precocious or early puberty. The toddlers parents noticed disturbing physical changes when Vaibhav was six months old. Not only was he taller than other children his age, his genitals too had started growing abnormally. We thought, maybe he was just a big baby, so we did not take him to the doctor. But by the time he was one, it was apparent there was something wrong. My mother-in-law, who has taken care of several children in the family, also said that his growth seemed unnatural. That is when we took him to the doctor, said his mother. Vaibhav was taken to a doctor when he was 18 months old. By then, he was 95cm tall, 10-15cm taller than children his age and had already started getting facial and body hair. His voice had also started breaking, and he had fully developed sexual organs. His testosterone levels were exceptionally high, as high as that of a 25-year-old, because of which he had started experiencing physical changes. Since he was so young, he was not able to understand what was happening. He would experience sexual urges too, said Dr Vaishakhi Rustagi, consulting paediatric endocrinologist at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh. He is treating Vaibhav. His tests revealed that his testosterone levels were 500-600 nanogram per deciliter (ng/dl). A one-year-old babys testosterone level is usually 20 ng/dl. Precocious puberty is a very rare condition, especially at such a young age. According to Dr Rustagi, only one in 1,00,000 have this condition, with the incidence increasing to one to two in 1,00,000 in boys aged eight to 10. It is a rare case that happens once in 10-odd years. Precocious puberty is traumatic for a child of his age. The baby cant express his feelings or understand what his happening to him, while his parents are left confused, said Dr Rustagi. Further tests revealed that there was no underlying cause for the increased levels of hormones and the doctors put him on hormone therapy. He needs to take hormonal injections that help in blocking the effect of the hormones once a month. Later, the dose will be reduced to once in three months till he is 10-11 years old and is ready to accept the changes in his body. Vaibhavs parents spend Rs 11,000 a month on the medication as the insurance company has rejected their claims. If such children are not treated, they will become violent. The physical changes will not be suitable for their age. They will also stop growing after a few years and remain about 3-4ft tall, Rustagi said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Private schools are allegedly fleecing parents for ferrying their children to and from home on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, charging amounts that are several times the stipulated rate. The DTC charges the schools Rs 40 per km for a standard bus and Rs 60 per km for a low-floored one. A resident of east Delhi whose daughters school is 2km away says he pays Rs 1,950 per month for morning and afternoon commute. This is the minimum bus fees the private school charges from each student. However, as per the DTC rate card, the parent needs to pay only Rs 240 per month for a low-floored bus. Assuming the vehicle runs at optimum capacity of 33 students each day, the school makes at least Rs 56,000 per month on this single route. Many of my neighbours are victims of such open loot by private schools and there is no solution to it because school bus is a safe mode of transport. I cannot leave office and pick my daughter up from school every day, he says on condition of anonymity. And he is not alone. Rekha Rani, councillor from east Delhis Bhajanpura, says she has received several complaints from harrowed parents who say schools are charging exorbitant amounts as bus fees. We have collected the complaints and will meet the citys transport minister for action against these schools. Why should private organisations fill their coffers when they are getting subsidised facilities from the government, she says. The DTC is well aware of the issue. An official, who did not wish to be named, says the contract signed with each school clearly mentions that the children are to be charged according to the distance travelled by them. We know that several schools pocket a major share (of the bus fees). Why do they have to charge extra from parents when DTC maintains the buses and provide drivers too. Even I end up paying Rs 3950 monthly bus fees for my child, he said. But there is little the corporation can do, he says. As long as we are getting the stated payment, we cannot get into the internal functioning of schools. HT put forth the allegations to two school associations who denied the charges and said students were being charged as per guidelines. The DTC charges us on a per kilometre basis. The charges apply from the time the buses leave depot. In some cases, buses travel a longer distance to reach the school. This fare is divided among students who take those buses, says RC Jain, president of the Delhi State Public Schools Management Association. A DTC official, however, rubbishes the claims, saying the charges apply from the time the buses report to the school for duty. The routes are charted in a way that buses are in the vicinity of the school during drops and pick-ups, the official said. SK Bhattacharya, chairman of the Action Committee Unaided Private Recognised School, says the bus fees is meant to cover other transport-related expenses as well. The amount charged from students is used to pay the bus rent. Apart from that, the school also has to take care of their own establishment maintenance like paying the transport clerk, staff and others. A resident of south Delhi whose child studies at a private school, however, says no transport staff is present in the bus. My son has been taking the DTC bus for over five years now and the school has increased the fee every year. I have never seen a dedicated transport staff on the bus. Teachers who share the route manage the children. We cannot see these extra facilities the schools claim to provide, he says. At present, 84 private schools across the city have 725 DTC buses in their fleet. Police and health officials cracked down on a make-shift facility in Rewari district on Friday for duping people with fake ultrasound tests to determine the sex of a foetus. Eight people, including four touts, one patient and three of her relatives were arrested in a night-long raid by a team of Gurgaon police and health department officials. The accused are allegedly part of an interstate racket. Police said the Rewari facility was set up by a man claiming to be a doctor, using a television, toy piano, CD player and microphone to pull off the ruse of an ultrasound machine. Investigators also recovered medicines, including 2,000 tablets of Dexona, a steroid. The equipment recovered in the raid included a television, a CD player and a toy piano. Based on a tip-off, the District Appropriate Authority constituted a raiding team of health department officials, aided by the police. One of the personnel posed as a client to nab the culprits. The official pretending to be a client was asked to reach Pataudi with Rs 17,000 by one Naresh, an accused. Naresh then asked the client to go to Narnual Rewari road where authorities nabbed him. Using his help, the team also apprehended Pawan, whose job was to ferry patients to the facility, and Sonu Kumar, another member of the racket. Officials were then led to a room in Khol village, Rewari, where Charan Singh was posing as the doctor. Singh has no certified medical degrees. An FIR was lodged against the eight accused at Khol Police station of Rewari under different sections of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex-Selection) Act, 1994, said Amandeep Chuahan, the drugs controller, Gurgaon. Sarita, a pregnant woman from Rajasthan who came for the test, was arrested along with two of her relatives who travelled with her to get it done. Sex determination of the foetus is a crime under the Prohibition of Sex-Selection Act, and is punishable up to three years in jail and can be fined Rs 10,000. Dr Neelam Thapar, Deputy civil surgeon, Gurgaon, drugs control officer Chauhan, and Gurgaons Red Cross secretary, Shyam Sunder, were part of the raiding team. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that both leaders were fooling the people. Gandhi was taking part in a march, Mashaal Juloos, against the Delhi government over the ongoing power and water crisis in the national capital. Standing atop a vehicle along with Delhi PCC chief Ajay Maken, the Amethi MP said Kejriwal had made tall promises about solving Delhis electricity and water issues but was now trying to divert the issue by raking up odd-even and pollution issues. Power cuts are happening all over Delhi. There is a lot of water crisis. They promise but dont deliver. It is possible to fool people once but it cant be done again and again. Modi ji and Kejriwal ji think that they can fool the country every time. People suffer when this kind of politics of selfies happens. No false promises required, need work, he said. Gandhi attacked the celebrations organised by the BJP at India Gate to mark two years in office. Farmers are dying due to drought and water problems and a celebration is being held at India Gate where people from Bollywood have come. I indulge in politics based on Mahatma Gandhis ideology. I can never practice politics of lie and false promises, the Congress vicepresident said. Over a thousand people gathered near Rajghat for the march, which earlier met with a major hurdle when the Delhi Police barred the use of fire-lit lanterns, considering it as a hazard. AAP LEADERS DETAINED Even as the Congress leader targeted the Kejriwal government, AAP leaders Sanjay Singh, Dilip Pandey and Raghav Chaddha were detained by the police near the protest venue. As announced earlier, the AAP leaders reached the venue to provide Gandhi an account of power and water condition in the city during the Congress rule. Chaddha took to Twitter and said: We went to the rally venue with all documents to debate with RG. For the first time an offer to debate before protest, yet we are arrested. Pandey was quoted by news agencies that they had informed the Congress of holding a discussion on this issue. We thought they believe in democracy, dialogue and debate, but it seems they do not believe so. Otherwise, we would have told them, how Sheila Dikshit and Maken were involved in a money laundering scam of ` 8,000 crore. It is not right to do drama in such a situation. Rahul is just doing drama. He doesnt care about the people of Delhi. He should stop acting, he said. The three were taken to Karol Bagh police station and were released after an hour. (With inputs from Pemtha Longvah) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Raghuram Rajan has flagged concerns about a slowing China and the perils of high indebtedness among several of its sectors that wield considerable influence over the economy. For India, indeed for the rest of the world, the level of action in the factory floors of China is of far greater consequence, given the economys size and its sway over the global economy. Exports from China fell 1.8% in April. Exports to the United States from the Asian giant, which for long has been the worlds factory, fell 9.3% year-over-year last month. A sputtering West is usually not good news for China and the numbers only reinforce this point. Mr Rajan, a former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief economist and former Chicago University professor famed for his perceptive warnings about the global financial crisis of 2008, has cautioned that unused capacities in Chinas manufacturing sector and high levels of debt can haunt the economy. Read | RBIs Rajan warns against effects of Chinas slowdown The problems of over-capacity and over-leveraging can have deadly consequences as both feed into each other. Over the last two decades China has excelled in the art, and science, of turning out high-quality goods from its mega industrial zones at costs that are a fraction of what the rest of the world could produce at. Low wage rates, aided by armies of young men entering the work force every year and collapsing technology acquisition costs, propelled it into the most preferred destination for the world to shop. Factories continued to add new capacity lines to fulfil voluminous export orders. Large capacities also helped companies reap economies of scale enabling them to keep the price low for long periods. The continuous capacity addition pushed the overall level of investment in China to 46% of GDP, sharply higher than emerging market peers. For instance, investment level in India is currently about 30% of GDP. Read | Big bang reforms are a myth, fast-track growth is real: PM Modi Chinas banking system funded this massive investment activity. Banks did not hesitate to offer loans buoyed by the assumption that factories will continue to remain flooded with orders from across the world and, therefore, their cash-books will remain healthy enough to repay loans. The problem was, nobody was quite sure when to put a stop on creating more capacity in anticipation of an impending slowdown. Many companies raised funds from Chinas costlier shadow banking sector in a mistaken zeal. So, when the twin problems over-capacity and over-leveraging struck, companies found themselves underprepared to deal with the cycle of bust. There are lessons Indias corporate and banking world should draw from this. Investment planning is a function of current and anticipated demand. It isnt easy to anticipate boom and bust cycles. The current problem of mounting bad debts partly mirrors this. Indian companies are best advised to follow well-thought-out business plans and, importantly, avoid borrowing from unregulated shadow banks. Sixteen-year-old Ayush Parihar, a class 10 student at Jawahar Lal Nehru School in Bhopal, who committed suicide fearing failure on May 24, has scored a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 9 in the CBSE class 10 examinations, results of which were declared on Saturday. Ayush was a resident of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited colony in Piplani town in Bhopal. Ayush has scored more than 8 CGPA in every subject. His school principal Ruby Kundu said, Ayush was a good student, he made it to the merit list also for a number of times. He could have never failed. We regret his decision. The Piplani police told HT that he had dinner with his family on May 23 and subsequently went to his room to sleep. At around 3.30 am, his sister saw the lights on in his room. When she entered his room, she found his body hanging from the fan. According to the police, Ayush was nervous about the board exam results and was under the impression that they (results) would be declared later in the day. In his suicide note, he apologized to his parents for deciding to end his life. His suicide note read: I know what I am doing is wrong but I am tired of my failures. I may be good in studies but my performance in final exams was very poor. I cant take this anymore. I know I am not a good son. I love you mom and dad. Please dont cry after my departure. I am good for nothing. Goodbye.. The Simultala Awasiya Vidyalay (SAV) in Jamui held sway over the Class 10 results announced by the Bihar School Examination Board on Sunday. All the 42 students occupying the boards top ten list hail from the school, which was set up by the Bihar government on the lines of the Neharhat Vidyalaya now in Jharkhand. Twenty-four of these students are girls. SAVs outstanding performance is significant in the wake of the 28.51% fall in overall pass percentage this year, as compared to 2015. Last week, HT had carried a report predicting that the school was likely to make a clean sweep of the board results. Around 46% students passed the examination this year, compared to 75.17% in 2015. A total of 15,47,083 students appeared for the examination, of which only 10.86% cleared the examination in the first division as against 21.45% last year. Babita Kumari and Trisha Tanvi of SAV shared the first position with 96.6% marks. Fourteen students of the school secured over 96%, which is low in comparison to 19 the previous year. Contrary to Intermediate Arts (IA) results, which were announced on Saturday, boys outshone girls in overall pass percentage. About 54.44% boys cleared the board this time, as against 37.61% of their female counterparts. Likewise, 14.04% boys achieved the first division as compared to 7.16% girls. Read more: Bihar board Class 10 exam results 2016 declared, check it here Education minister Ashok Choudhary, who announced the results, said the pass percentage declined because the state board conducted the examination under tight vigil and enhanced the standard of assessment of answer sheets. We are trying to improve the scenario with the introduction of an online assessment test for Class 9 students. This will help them prepare for the boards (Class 10 exams) in a better way, he added. In a major relief measure for unsuccessful students, the board decided to conduct compartmental examinations to three subjects instead of two. Those who clear them will also be given grades, just like regular examinations. Earlier, they were simply declared passed, the education minister said, adding that the results of the compartmental exam will be announced in September. Founding SAV principal Shankar Kumar, under whom these students were selected out of 22,000 through a statewide two-tier test, said those from underprivileged sections delivered an impressive performance. Their talents will speak for them in the years to come, he added. Read more: Bihar students sweating bullets hours before Class 10 results are declared SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A major fire broke out at the Manesar plant of Subros Limited, manufacturer of air conditioners and transport refrigerator systems. The incident happened on Sunday afternoon when more than 150 staff members were working inside the plant located in Sector 8 of Phase-3, Manesar. More than twenty fire tenders from Manesar, Gurgaon and neighbouring Rewari were rushed to the spot as the local fire brigade system failed to contain the fire. No casualty was reported and all workers escaped unhurt. According to factory workers, the loss because of the incident could run into crores since the facility was running on modern machinery. We got information regarding the fire at 2:12 pm and rushed fire tenders to the spot. Since it was a major fire, more fire tenders were called from Gurgaon, Rewari and some private companies in Manesar, said chief fire officer Ishm Singh. The fire dousing operation continued till late evening. According to fire officers, short circuit might have been the reason behind the incident. However, nothing can be said for sure till the area is investigated properly. The plant is spread on 38,000 square metres of land and is equipped with the latest-state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing facilities. The company has also collaborated with several Japanese companies. According to officials from the fire department, there were about 150 workers inside the plant who immediately vacated the premises. If the fire incident had happened on a weekday, it would have proved fatal. Around 1,000 staff members work in the plant on weekdays, said an official. Subros Limited is a joint venture public limited company with ownership of an Indian family and Japanese companies. The company has two plants in Noida, one each in Manesar, Pune, Chennai, and Sanand. Information of the incident spread immediately with photos and videos of the incident beign circulated on social media. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Nepalese industrialist, who was kidnapped on Thursday, was on Sunday rescued from Kotwa in East Champaran district of Bihar. We have safely rescued the industrialist, Suresh Kedia, from a place in Kotwa police station limits, Superintendent of Police Jitendra Rana said. Kedia is the owner of Kedia group of companies. Along with his three brothers, he has business interests both in Nepal and India. One person has been arrested in this connection, he said. The police have also seized the vehicle used in the kidnapping. Kedia was kidnapped on Thursday when he was returning to his house in Birganj town after offering puja at Gadhi Mai Asthan temple, 20 km from the town in Nepal. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom ranging from Rs 60 crore to 100 crore in Nepalese currency, the SP said. The accused had crossed to the Indian side of the border after kidnapping the industrialist and the Nepal police had contacted their Indian counterparts for rescuing him, a police officer of Raxaul said. The SP said police are conducting raids at several places to nab the other persons involved in the kidnapping. The police are also interrogating the person who was arrested. Asked about the gang involved in the incident, Rana said gangs of both India and Nepal might be involved in the kidnapping. Taking a cue from Pope Francis call to make 2016 a Year of Mercy, a bishop in Kottayam district of Kerala has decided to donate one of his kidneys to a Hindu youth. The Bishop of Pala diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, Jacob Muricken, will donate his kidney to 30-year-old Sooraj who is undergoing dialysis for over a year after both his kidneys failed. The bishop learnt of Soorajs plight from the chairman of the Kidney Federation of India, Father Davis Chiramel, who himself donated one of his kidneys to a patient seven years ago. The bishop said he was inspired by Father Chiramel. I told the father that I will be happy to part with one of my kidneys. He told me about Sooraj. Happy that it is happening in the Year of Mercy, said the 52-year-old bishop. Sooraj, the sole bread-earner of his family, was diagnosed with a serious kidney ailment two years ago. Hailing from a poor background, he had registered himself with the Kidney Federation of India last year, and was desperately waiting for a donor. This is the first time a bishop will donate his organ. If everything goes well, the transplant will take place in Kochi next week, said Chiramel. Inspired by Chiramels humanitarian work, Kochouesph Chittilapilly, chairman of the V Guard group, had donated a kidney to a truck driver in 2011. In 2012, villagers of Pootharakkal in Thrissur had set a record by vowing to donate their organs after death. I dream of a country where not a single person dies for want of organs, said Chiramel. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two days after a series of attacks took place on half a dozen Africans in Delhis Chattarpur, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said action was being taken in the matter. Swaraj said she had spoken to home minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung regarding the attacks, and said those responsible would be arrested soon. I have spoken to Shri Raj Nath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitization campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside, the minister posted on Twitter. Read | Congolese mans murder: Govt faces tough questions from African diplomats In four separate instances on Thursday night, six Africans were attacked by residents of three villages. Deputy commissioner of police, south, Ishwar Singh, said the attacks were not planned and appeared to have taken place after a dispute. He further said some of the suspects had been identified, and would be arrested soon. Read | Six Africans assaulted in Delhi village, cops say attacks not planned Read | Worst 15 minutes of my life: African attacked by Delhiites recalls the horror The Union home minister also posted on Twitter, condemning the incidents and saying he had spoken to the commissioner of police regarding the matter. Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers & increase police patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone... Such incidents are condemnable, he tweeted. The Chattarpur incidents took place barely a week after a Congolese national was chased and killed in South Delhis Vasant Kunj. Masonda Ketada Olivier was killed on May 20 after an altercation broke out over hiring an auto rickshaw. Read | 23-year-old Congolese man killed in Delhi, police probe racism angle The foreign ministry on Sunday said it would assist Oliviers family to travel to India and arrange for his remains to be transported back to Congo. Days after Olivier died, there were reports of a Nigerian being beaten up in Hyderabad in a parking dispute. Envoys of the 54-nation continent took a strong stand against the attacks, threatening to boycott Africa Day celebrations organised by the Centre if the government did not take necessary steps to ensure safety of African nationals. Swaraj swiftly assured that sensitisation campaigns would be launched and asked for police commissioners to meet with African student communities in metro cities. The government has decided to cancel all ongoing tenders for defence equipment won by Italys Finmeccanica as a precursor to blacklisting the firm being investigated for bribery in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal. In an interview to PTI, defence minister Manohar Parrikar also said the process for blacklisting Finmeccanica and its subsidiaries AgustaWestland is its British unit-- had started and a note sent to the law ministry. Wherever there is capital procurement of Finmeccanica and their subsidiaries, all requests for proposal (RFP) will be closed. I am very clear, he said. However, the annual maintenance and import of spare parts of already acquired supplies would be continued with the firm and only fresh capital acquisition was being nixed. Read: Finmeccanicas ex-boss jailed for graft in Indian chopper deal The government has already withdrawn the RFP for heavyweight torpedoes for Scorpene submarines which was won by WASS, a Finmeccanica subsidiary, during UPA regime. The blacklisting process has already been moved. If there is a blacklisting for a specific number of years, which will be issued in the order, there will be no transaction by the defence ministry with that company for capital procurement for that many years, he said. The ministry, Parrikar said, had put on hold new transactions with the company. In revenue acquisition, where contracts have already been executed, annual maintenance and import of spare parts will be permitted where it is absolutely essential but with proper certification from concerned authority in order to ensure that platform or equipment remains operational, he said. Emphasising that national security cannot be compromised just because the company had done something wrong, he said, I cannot put six ships of mine out of commission because one spare part is to be imported from some company of Finmeccanica. Asked about the fate of projects in which Finmeccanica was to play a crucial role in supply of equipment, Parrikar said, Is there only one product in the whole world? There will always be products by Russian companies, American companies or some others. May be slightly costlier and difficult to get. Read: Govt wont buy torpedos from scam-hit Finmeccanica for Scorpene subs A number of under-construction naval platforms such as four destroyers of the 15B (Visakhapatnam-class) and next seven ships of the Shivalik-class stealth frigates are to be armed with the 127mm Oto Melara main gun. Oto Melara is a Finmeccanica firm. The gun was to be inducted into the navys training schools too. The navy was also in talks to induct short-range surface-to-air missiles from European consortium MBDA, in which Finmeccanica has a stake. Also on the anvil were torpedo counter-measure suites through a joint programme of state-run Bharat Dynamics and Finmeccanica besides collaboration on network centric warfare prototype between Bharat Electronics and a subsidiary of Italian firm. Finmeccanica subsidiary Selex ES is also involved in the supply of RAN-40L 3D air surveillance radars for the 40,000- tonne indigenous aircraft carrier which is under construction at Cochin Shipyard. West Bengal state BJP president Dilip Ghosh has threatened to beat up Trinamool Congress leaders inside their houses and break their necks with bare hands by using RSS training. Speaking at a protest meeting in his constituency Kharagpur Sadar of West Midnapore district against the alleged attacks on party cadres by Trinamool activists, Ghosh also warned of using the third degree method of all those who voted for the ruling party. We have 8,000 workers in Kharagpur. Trinamool has got 34,000 votes. Now if we beat them up, even their fathers cant save them. Our boys are in jail. When they come out we will get the opportunity to show our muscle power, and we will show it, said Ghosh, who has repeatedly drawn flak from political opponents and the civil society for using intemperate language. Ghosh also took the name of the Sangh parivar head, the RSS, in his speech, the video for which has now gone viral. Read: Jadavpur University women students are shameless: BJPs Dilip Ghosh We can very well indulge in violence if we are attacked. Half of the people here are trained by RSS (Rashhtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). Breaking the neck with bare hands is no big deal for us, he said. The BJP has won three seats, including Kharagpur Sadar that elected Ghosh in the just-concluded state assembly polls, whereas the Trinamool bagged a whopping 211 seats to retain power in the 294-member house. We have won three seats. But that is enough to give a befitting reply to the Trinamool, he said. The BJP leader warned the Trinamool MPs and MLAs that they would face tough situations if they go outside the state. You are showing us 211 legislators. We have 1,400. You have 34 MPs. We have over 270. When you go to Delhi we will get back at you. Continuing his explosive statements, he threatened to beat up Trinamool workers inside their houses. We will lock you in your house. We will cut off water supply and power, and then beat you black and blue. Ghosh had earlier in the week issued a similar threat to Trinamool MPs. I, Dilip Ghosh, state this in my capacity as state BJP president. If the atrocities do not stop, we will cross all limits. .. Their Lok Sabha MPs will have to go to Delhi. We will see how they return from Delhi, he said. Earlier this month, he drew widespread outrage for his remarks calling a section of Jadavpur University female students as shameless. The Armed Forces Tribunal has held that unilaterally delivering the triple talaq to ones wife over the telephone or by issuing a notice is un-Islamic and against the tenets of the Holy Quran. The Lucknow bench of the tribunal said this last week while dismissing the plea of Lance Naik Mohammad Faroor, who wanted the Army to stop granting maintenance money from his salary to his wife. It held that the Constitution was superior to all laws, and has an overriding effect over religious or cultural practices that may offend people individually or collectively. Ruling in favour of the wife, who was allegedly divorced under the Muslim Personal Law, the tribunal held that Faroor could not have broken the marriage unilaterally. An individuals fundamental right cannot be infringed upon under the garb of personal law, it said. Faroor contended that the Army had no right to grant maintenance to his wife because the marriage was dissolved. He argued that maintenance money, according to the rules, is meant for ones legally wedded wife and children. The Arabic word talaq means to release or repudiate ones marriage to a woman. Faroor argued that under the Muslim Law, a man has the unrestricted right to divorce his wife without giving a reason. However, the tribunal held a different view. Quoting from teachings in the Quran, it said that the holy book followed by Muslims for guidance does not propound oral or ex-party talaq. Ex-parte divorce, oral or by letter, telegram or any other form, seems not permissible under the Muslim personal law, the tribunal said. The great holy book that deals with maintaining human conduct should not be read in piecemeal. It should be read from A to Z, and thereafter interpreted on the basis of the inference drawn. This judgment by the tribunal, which hears petitions against the Armys administrative decisions, comes at a time when the Supreme Court is flooded with petitions filed against the practice of triple talaq. The tribunal said nikah the ceremony of marriage in Islam is based on offer and acceptance between man and woman. Unless both of them agree, it cannot happen. Using the same analogy, a talaq must be declared in the presence of the wife, it said, adding that the two may file a divorce suit in court in the event of a disagreement. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON V Narayanasamy will be Puducherrys chief minister, having ensured a win for Congress the partys only victory in the recently concluded five state assembly elections by whipping up a strong anti-government campaign. The 68-year-old is a well experienced man in government and politics, having handled party affairs in different states as All India Congress Committee in-charge. An advocate by profession, Narayanasamy represented Puducherry in parliament earlier and was minister of state during Manmohan Singhs tenure as prime minister. Read | V Narayanasamy named Puducherry CM despite not contesting polls Narayanasamy however did not contest these assembly elections, and the move naming him as chief minister has caused some amount of tension within the fractured state unit. A section of the party reportedly protested the decision and went on a rampage, damaging buses. Narayanasamy seems unperturbed though. Hindustan Times spoke to the politician during his thanksgiving procession in the union territory. Excerpts from the telephonic interview: It has been a hard fought victory for you and your party. Now that you are about to assume the chief ministers office, what are your priorities? In the last five years, the state has lost out on all fronts, with development being the biggest casualty and its resultant havoc is felt in many fields. Which is why development is the top most priority, with job creation and infrastructure building the main focus areas in the very short run. Bringing back industries into the state many industrial units shut down or left the state is another major issue we will have to address. Employment generation will be among the top items on agenda as unemployment has risen in the state. Overall, the state economy needs to be put back on rails. We are confident that with guidance from our leadership and our correct policies, we will be able to achieve all these objectives. You won in alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) as your junior partner, but it did contribute to your victory. Will you be inviting the DMK to participate in the government? This is a decision that the Congress high command and the DMK leadership have to take. There were huge protests by supporters of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief A Namasivayam on Saturday after the central party leadership announced your name. Do you see internal party differences plaguing your government? These are very minor aberrations that will sort out by themselves. We are together; all Congress leaders are one and act as per the high commands guidance. I do not see any problems on this count as once we get down to the job, everyone will join hands and work as one to solve the problems of the people, for which we have been elected. On Sunday, Kiran Bedi will be sworn in as the new Puducherry governor. What kind of a relationship do you foresee between the governor and the government? I have known Kiran Bedi ji in Delhi also and I am sure we will have a very good and cordial relations. Those caught driving with fake driving licenses could spend up to a year in jail, besides being fined Rs 10,000, if the proposed Road Transport and Safety Bill goes through in the next parliament session. The proposed law is an attempt to crack down on bogus licenses in India, of which there are over five crore, according to official data. This means that almost every third driving licence is a fake document. Aside from upping the penalty from a Rs 500 fine and three months in jail, the proposal also puts in strict norms in case of juvenile offenders. If caught, the guardian of the minor or the vehicle owner will face up to three years in jail and a fine of Rs 20,000. The vehicle registration may also be cancelled. In case of grievous injuries or death, the juvenile will be sentenced to a Childrens Home. If the minor has been previously charged for any offence under the Motor Vehicles Act, then there will be no provision for bill. In India, 30% of the licences are bogus. We need to check it. We are going to start an online system where computerised tests will be conducted to obtain driving licences. Everyone, whether a politician, an official or celebrity, will have to take the test to get the licence. There will be complete transparency, Union road transport and highways minister, Nitin Gadkari said. An official said the ministry collated data of about 18 crore licences, of which an estimated 5.4 crore fall under the bogus category. An earlier government survey of about six crore driving licences had found nearly 74 lakh fake ones. Citing that an estimated 1.5 lakh people die in road accidents every year, Gadkari said bill is key to making Indian roads safer as it will overhaul the entire system, including issuance of driving licences. We are hopeful that the bill will get passed in the next session of Parliament with states on board now on this matter as the subject falls in the concurrent list. Gadkari, however, accused the opposition of stalling the bill due to vested interests in regional transport offices who are opposed to transparency and computerisation. A group of ministers, headed by Rajasthan transport minister, Yunoos Khan, submitted its preliminary report that proposes hefty penalty for traffic violations. The final report is expected by the next month, after which the bill should be passed in Parliament. The GoM, tasked to frame the Bill to make significant modifications to the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, has come out with several other suggestions for stricter punishment for the rule breakers. The group includes seven transport ministers from various states, including Karnataka, Rajasthan, Goa and Haryana. Once the bill goes through, the government plans to set up 5,000 new driving centres. He is a sadhu but loves gold, and plenty of it. They call him the Golden Baba -- he wears jewellery worth more than Rs 3 crore. And on Saturday, the ascetic from the famous Juna Akhada of Haridwar called on Agras top police officer, seeking security. The sadhu was on his way to Bareilly from Simhasth Kumbh, which concluded in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh on May 21. He was wearing around 11.5 kg of gold and also had metal idols in his car that needed security, he told SSP Dr Preetinder Singh. I provided him security till Agra border and told him that if he wanted security for other districts in Uttar Pradesh, he would have to request higher authorities, Singh said. The baba and his cavalcade created quite a stir when they drove into the Agra collectorate. People swarmed him to take selfies. Even complainants coming into the office joined the queue of eager fans waiting to get clicked with the baba, who had chunky chains around his neck and thick bracelets on both his arms . An ascetic and the yellow metal make for an odd combination. A sadhu is expected to shun the pulls of the material world, and live an austere life in search of God. For me, the gold is devta (deity). I am at peace when I wear it so I have been wearing it since 1972, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The All India Jat Aarkshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) on Saturday reiterated that they would go ahead with their agitation against the registration of criminal cases against leaders of the Jat community by the BJP government in Haryana. The Haryana Police had on Friday booked AIJASS national president Yashpal Malik and five other Jat leaders in Jind on the charges of sedition after they gave a call for staging statewide protests on June 5. The Jat leaders allegedly also made provocative remarks during a rally on May 25. The AIJASS is also incensed over the inability of the state and central governments in protecting the Jat quota law from being stayed by the Punjab and Haryana high court. The provisions of the Act pertaining to 10 % quota to Jats and five other castes were stayed by the high court on Thursday. In a statement on Saturday, AIJASS state general secretary Rohtash Hooda said the Samiti has called an emergent meeting on May 29 to chalk out the future course of action. The Haryana government is plotting to suppress the voice of Jats. We will submit a memorandum to Union home minister Rajnath Singh seeking his intervention in taming the state government. We will go ahead with our June 5 countrywide agitation to press for the demand of reservation for Jats in government jobs and educational institutions, Hooda said. The All India Jat Aarkshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) on Saturday said they would go ahead with their agitation against the registration of criminal cases against leaders of the Jat community by the BJP government in Haryana. Following this announcement, prohibitory orders under Section 144, banning assembly of five or more people, were imposed in Sonipat, which along with Rohtak had been the epicentre of the Jat quota stir earlier this year, official sources said on Sunday. While central forces were deployed in many sensitive districts across Haryana, security was beefed up at Munak canal, sources said. Haryana Police on Friday booked AIJASS national president Yashpal Malik and five other Jat leaders in Jind on sedition charges after they gave a call for staging statewide protests on June 5. The Jat leaders allegedly also made provocative remarks during a rally on May 25. The AIJASS is also incensed over the inability of the state and central governments in protecting the Jat quota law from being stayed by the Punjab and Haryana high court. The provisions of the act pertaining to 10% quota to Jats and five other castes were stayed by the court on Thursday. In a statement on Saturday, AIJASS state general secretary Rohtash Hooda said the Samiti has called an emergent meeting on May 29 to chalk out the future course of action. Read | HC: Why pension for Punjabi Suba movement? Will it be justified for Jat stir? Read | Sedition case against Jat body chief, 125 others (with PTI inputs) China has offered to share its cloud seeding technology with India, which could be used to artificially induce rain in drought-affected regions. Cloud seeding, a technique mastered by the Chinese, is a form of climate modification that is used to form rain by either using artilleries to fire shells containing rain-inducing chemicals into the cloud cover or by dropping the said chemicals from an aircraft. A team of top meteorological scientists from Beijing, Shanghai and Anhui are in Mumbai to study drought patterns in Maharashtra, where the first such project is likely to be implemented. The offer to share the technology free of cost was made during Communist Party of Chinas (CPC) Shanghai secretary, Han Zhengs visit to India earlier this month. During a meeting with Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Han offered Chinese assistance in mitigating the drought situation in the state. The offer attains significance because China has historically not been keen on sharing this technology with other nations. China has been using cloud seeding since 1958 to not only alter weather conditions but also clear air pollution. The process was famously implemented in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics to clear the citys notorious smog and ensure weeks of clear blue sky. However, it remains to be seen how effective the technique will be in India. Cloud seeding works best when precipitation levels are at least normal. In 2009, excess cloud seeding over Beijing resulted in more than usual snowfall that triggered an unexpected cold wave. Experts also warn of secondary air and water pollution as an outcome of chemicals used in the process. As echoes of the Islamic State resonate with rising frequency in the sub-continent, the Indian security establishment faces a conundrum over the identity of the force driving this newest terror group on the map. One section is veering around to the view that Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is behind the so-called terrorist group in the Af-Pak region. Abu Bakr Baghdadis outfit fighting a multi-front war in West Asia remains largely concentrated on the West, this section concludes. Another section has it that the IS footprint is growing in the subcontinent on its own, without any help. The idea that local groups are operating as IS under the tutelage of ISI comes amid growing concerns on the growing influence of Baghdadis outfit in neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh. Another conclusion gaining ground within this section of the security establishment that sniffs ISI in the IS threat is that the Pakistani spy agency is behind radicals emerging from the Uttar Pradesh town of Azamgarh. These young Muslims were earlier the backbone of the Indian Mujahideen group. After the 2008 Batla House encounter these radicals moved to Pakistan, specifically the tribal areas, to form the Anwar-ul-Tawhid group and switched their allegiance to the IS. The real threat to India remain the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) jihadi groups based in Pakistan, this section maintains. Among the persons responsible for national security, there is, however, another viewpoint: the IS influence is growing directly in the subcontinent. The influence of the IS on local radicals could be gauged, they say, from the recent identification of 25-year-old Guntur native Talmiz-ur-Rehman as the sole English-speaking Indian in a rabid patchwork propaganda video released online by the IS on May 21. The Indian passport-holder was studying engineering in a Texas institute before joining the IS in Syria through Hyderabad. His family, including his UAE-based father, told police about Rehman joining the jihadi outfit in 2015. Top government sources told Hindustan Times that they had been informed about the IS shooting a propaganda video around water bodies in Iraq and Syria last July-August. Azamgarh-born Mohammed Badda Sajjid and Abu Rashid, and Kalyan residents Fahad Sheikh and Aman Tandel were the other Indians who featured in the 22-minute film. The independent franchise effect of the IS is another area this section points to. The situation in Bangladesh is of particular concern as many citizens of the neighbouring country, including multinational executives, have been apparently radicalised by IS online propaganda since 2014. After a ban on Hizb-ul-Tehrir (HUT), Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Ansar-ul-Bangla Team (ABT) and Shaheed Hamza Brigade by the Sheikh Hasina government, these radicals are gravitating towards the IS for patronage. This has serious security ramifications for India as the October 2014 blasts in Burdwan in West Bengal revealed the penetration of the JMB cadre in the Northeast, particularly Assam. The Revival of Jihad in Bengal has featured in the IS propaganda magazine Dabiq this year. India has expressed concern over rise of the IS to Dhaka but the Hasina government, like a section of the Indian security establishment, believes it is local radical groups that are causing mayhem and violence in the garb of the IS. Related Pakistan: 3 al Qaeda militants killed in Karachi encounter $100 for shaving, $25 for tight cloaks: IS strategy to boost revenue SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Sunday hit out at the BJP-led central government for causing instability in the northeastern state. Whenever the BJP comes to power at the Centre, there is always instability in Manipur, he said at an election meeting at Kwakeithel Moirang Purel in Imphal West district ahead of the June 2 municipal polls. Though he did not elaborate on his accusation, the Congress leaders reference was to the June 18, 2001 violence during which 18 people were killed and many others injured in protests following the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government extending the ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Issak-Muivah without territorial limits. Since last year, Manipur has been experiencing agitations demanding the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system. A student was killed and over 500 others injured. On the other hand, nine people were killed in Churachandpur district during rallies protesting against the demand for the ILP. For nearly one month, the state has also been under siege demanding enactment of the three anti-migrant bills passed by the state assembly on August 31, last year. Attacking the Narendra Modi government, Ibobi Singh said: The UPA government had introduced the Look East policy. The NDA changed it to Act East Policy. People have not seen any change in the past two years. Whatever projects commissioned in Manipur were started during the UPA. Now rail line is extended up to Tupul in Manipur and it was done during the prime ministership of Manmohan Singh. The first-ever election meeting for the June 2 Imphal municipal corporation polls was held under heavy security arrangements after activists demanded that the political parties should go to New Delhi and meet President Pranab Mukherjee on the ILP issue instead of canvassing for the polls in Imphal. In April, Shayara Bano grabbed headlines when she went to the Supreme Court seeking a ban on triple talaq (instantaneous unilateral divorce) given by her husband through a letter. The 35-year-old from Uttarakhand also challenged the practice of polygamy and nikah halala (where a woman given triple talaq has to marry another man and consummate the marriage if she wants to get back with her divorced husband). The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 allows a man to divorce his wife by uttering divorce or talaq thrice in one sitting. He can also send a letter writing talaq three times. India is one of the few countries that still recognises oral and triple talaq. In recent years, this has taken an altogether new turn with men giving triple talaq over phone, by SMS, email, on Skype, WhatsApp and Facebook. A story similar to Shayara Banos unfolded in Jaipur last month when Afreen Rehman received a letter from her husband of two years, Ashar Wasi, informing her that he had given her triple talaq. I was given no reason, said the 28-year-old MBA, who moved to Indore after marriage. I got the letter in January. I was staying with my parents then as my husband had thrown me out after torturing me for dowry I was helpless but decided enough was enough. Rehman filed a plea in the Supreme Court in May to declare the divorce null and void. My petition has been accepted. I have also demanded that Muslim personal law be codified to prevent its misinterpretation. These arent isolated cases. More and more young, educated Muslim women, mostly in their mid-20s and 30s, are defying personal law. Sheerin Masroor, a research associate in applied chemistry at Aligarh Muslim University, married Tabish Rasheed, an assistant professor in a Gurgaon college, in 2012. When a year later she gave birth to a girl, he left her at her parents home. I was doing my PhD then and he refused to support me and my daughter. In February 2016, he sent a letter saying he had divorced me in front of the qazi (cleric) who had approved it. He sent a cheque of R1.25 lakh saying it was my meher (money paid by the groom to the bride that legally belongs to her), she said. Masroor returned the cheque and decided to fight him in court. I am his legally wedded wife. How can he arbitrarily decide to divorce me? What happens to me and my daughter? Dont we have rights under the Constitution? I left good job opportunities to look after my home and daughter. Then there is Shabana Khatoon (name changed), a government school teacher in Patna, who filed a case against her husband for torturing and divorcing her arbitrarily. Her husband is now in jail and the divorce case is in the civil court. If I dont get justice there, I will go to the Supreme Court, she said. Muslim women have come a long way from the time Shah Bano, 62, created a storm in the 80s by moving the Supreme Court seeking alimony. The court gave a judgment in her favour but the then government turned it down fearing political backlash. Now, these tricks wont work. The time has come to reform personal law, said Shaistha Amber, president of the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board, formed in 2005 to fight for women at the receiving end of such oppressive traditions. For the first time in all these years, women are coming out and saying their fundamental rights are being violated, said Balaji Srinivasan, Shayara Banos lawyer. Beliefs and customs have to give way to fundamental rights. There is an urgent need to reform personal laws, on a war footing. Thats easier said than done, though. There is no question of changing personal law. Triple talaq is considered unjust but once said, the process is considered complete and cannot be changed, said Mufti Aizaz Arshad Kazmi, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). Amber countered that Islamic tenets were being misused and accused the AIMPLB of being insincere about the cause of women. In Islam, women and men have equal rights. The Quran allows three months time for reconciliation before divorce but this is not followed. The customs we have dont match with the tenets of the Quran. Kazmi also said incidents of women seeking a ban on triple talaq in the courts were politically motivated. These are backed by the RSS. Under the garb of triple talaq, they want to rake up uniform civil code. A majority of Muslim women dont have an issue with such customs, he insisted. But a survey of 4,710 Muslim women in 10 states by Mumbai-based Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan in 2013 revealed that 92% wanted a ban on oral and unilateral talaq. A high-level committee set up in 2012 to assess family laws has recommended a complete ban on oral, unilateral and triple divorce, amendments in the Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939 to make triple talaq and polygamy void and payment of maintenance mandatory after separation or divorce. Last July, the panel submitted its report to the government, which is yet to take a call on it. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Balasore in Odisha early next week, his third trip to the state in less than five months. Officially, Modis planned trip is to address a public rally marking two years in office, but his repeated visits to a state where the BJP has little presence has sparked wild speculation. Often called the soul of incredible India, Odisha has emerged as a favoured destination for both Modi and his ministers. Some 40 Union ministers travelled to the state since the NDA came to power in 2014. Many of them, such as the Prime Minister, have visited the state more than once. The frequent high-profile visits have set tongues wagging. Howsoever improbable it may be, it appears the BJP is dreaming of winning the state in the 2019 polls, columnist Rabi Das said. The BJP made a historic debut in the Northeast with a massive victory in Assam this May but it has found the going tough in other eastern states. The saffron alliance was crushed by the Nitish Kumar-Lalu Prasad combine and a Mamata Banerjee wave swept it aside in West Bengal. In Odisha too, the party has just 10 MLAs in a house of 147 and is not even the principal opposition. But it is looking at the state as a rare oasis to grow in eastern India on the back of anti-incumbency against the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Chief minister Naveen Patnaik is in his fourth term and his BJD is likely to accrue anti-incumbency. He is also reportedly not keeping a good health. All this does hand the BJP a window of opportunity, Das said. Leading the charge of central ministers is petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is from Odisha. Lauded publicly by Modi at a rally, Pradhan is seen to be a presumptive chief-ministerial candidate. He is in the state every second week, if not every week, to attend someones family function, or inaugurate a school or for chairing some official function. We do not miss Muku Bhai, a party man said referring to the ministers nickname. He goes to Delhi only to return to Odisha. Read | Modi discusses drought with Patnaik, promises more funds for Odisha The BJP isnt divulging its plans. The Prime Ministers visit to Odisha is in tune with his Look-East policy, state BJP president Basant Panda said. But political commentators think the policy is a carefully crafted strategy to expand the partys footprint. Dozens of NDA ministers are, therefore, emulating Modi in visiting Odisha. Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh was in the state in April. As were railway minister Suresh Prabhu and his deputy Manoj Sinha. Others who visited Odisha in recent months include health minister JP Nadda, water resources minister Uma Bharti, human resource development minister Smriti Irani, steel and mines minister Narendra Singh Tomar and urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu. The list is long and does not include BJP president Amit Shah, who came in January to address a political rally. The visits are for raising the BJPs profile in Odisha, former legislator Balgopal Mishra said. The ruling BJD disagreed. Party spokesperson Pratap Deb insisted the BJP was not a force to reckon with in the state. Undeniable though is the partys focus on the state. In between the ministerial visits, the NDA government recently decided to celebrate the birth centenary of Odia icon and former chief minister Biju Patnaik. For the BJP, making the right overtures matter for now. Read | Odishas dairy farmers spill hundreds of litres of milk in protest Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from June 4 which will cover Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico. Modi will begin his trip with Afghanistan to inaugurate India-funded Salma Dam which has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 1400 crore. From Afghanistan, he will proceed to energy-rich Qatar and then to Switzerland. During the two-day visit to energy-rich Qatar, Modi will hold extensive talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on a range of bilateral issues including ways to further boost economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector. In Switzerland, the Prime Minister will hold talks with the Swiss leadership, including President Johann Schneider-Ammann, and is likely to seek cooperation to unearth black money accounts of Indians in Switzerland which was a promise made by him during elections in 2014. According to sources, the officials of the two countries are working on finalising an arrangement that could pave the way for automatic exchange of information on tax-related issues. The Switzerland government had on May 18 initiated consultation on an ordinance to put in place a mechanism for automatic exchange of tax information with India and other countries. From Switzerland, Modi will travel to the US on June 7 at the invitation of President Barack Obama, with whom he will review the progress made in key areas of defence, security and energy. During his stay, he will also address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress. On his return, he will visit Mexico where India is eyeing trade and investment tie ups. In September last year, during his UN visit in New York Modi had held talks with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. To reach out to more people across India, the official website of Prime Minister Narendra Modis office will now be available in six regional languages including Bengali, Marathi, Malayalam, Gujrati, Tamil and Telugu. The multilingual website was launched by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. Till now the PMO website www.pmindia.gov in was available only in English and Hindi. The website showcases various initiatives of the government. I thank all those who have worked tirelessly in the creation of the new versions of @PMOIndia site in various languages. Thanks to @SushmaSwaraj ji for launching @PMOIndia site in 6 languages. These sites will further strengthen my interaction withyou all, Modi tweeted. Swaraj said these websites of the PMO in regional languages are a great opportunity to further expand discussion on governments agenda of development and good governance. The initiative is part of Prime Ministers efforts to reach out to people and communicate with them in their own languages, she said. In another tweet, Modi said, If you find any parts of these language websites that need to be corrected, you must let us know. Your feedback is always welcome. Swaraj hoped the initiative would further enhance the interaction between people from all parts of the country and the PM on various issues concerning their welfare and development. NDA government is a firm believer in connecting with people across India in their preferred language. These site versions are part of that effort, she added. The number of VIPs protected by central security guards has risen significantly over the past few years standing at a staggering 454 people in 2016, to be precise. The list has made a quantum jump since 2012 when 332 people were under the protection of security agencies that report to the Union home ministry. Any addition to the list increases the burden on taxpayers, who foot the bill for VIP protection, and strains the resources of security forces that are not raised or trained to guard VIPs such as personnel from the National Security Guard (NSG). The elite NSG commandoes, the bulwark of Indias counter-terrorism and anti-hijacking defence, and central paramilitary forces such as the CRPF, BSF, ITBP and CISF are deputed to do VIP security duty. Except for the CISF, which gets special training for the purpose, no other paramilitary force has the mandate for VIP security. But such limitations are apparently ignored to accommodate an outpouring of requests to put people on the VIP security list sometimes considered a status symbol rather than a necessity. A home ministry spokesperson dismissed allegations that the list is prepared arbitrarily. The number of protectees keeps changing depending on reports and inputs received from the security agencies, he said. Sushil Kumar Shinde, the UPA-era predecessor of home minister Rajnath Singh, said as much. Only on the basis of recommendations from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), we order security for anyone. We dont do it on our own, he said. A government official said it was during Shindes and Singhs tenures that the number of central protectees increased rapidly. When Chidambaram was home minister the IB never got any requests from the ministers office to provide security to anyone. The current list includes nine expelled Congress lawmakers from Uttarakhand who revolted against chief minister Harish Rawat and joined the BJP on May 18. It has BJPs Kisan Morcha chief Vijay Pal Singh Tomar too. Some officials allegedly wanted to upgrade the security of journalist Umesh Kumar, who carried out a sting on chief minister Rawat, from the existing Y-category to Z. But the idea was shelved to avoid a political backlash. There are two types of security, positional and threat-based, divided into four categories: Z-Plus, Z, Y and X. The Z-Plus has more than 40 guards while Z, Y, and X have around 30, 20, and three. In 2012, there were 20 people on the Z-Plus list, which has now risen to 49. Likewise, the Z list has increased from 48 in 2012 to 72 in 2016. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Minutes after former Union minister V Narayanasamy was named as the new Puducherry chief minister, supporters of senior Congress leader A Namassivayam allegedly went on a rampage in the union territory in protest against the decision. Namassivayam, who is the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief, was among the top contenders for the CMs post but lost the race to Narayanasamy who had not contested the just-concluded assembly elections. The move to name him as the next CM is bound to escalate tension in the already fractured Congress in the union territory. As the party in-charge of North East states, Narayanasamy is facing heat over his inept handling of the internal crisis in Arunachal Pradesh that eventually led to the fall of the Congress government in the border state. A section in the Congress claimed that the situation in Arunachal Pradesh was allowed to go out of hand by Narayanasamy, who did not allow the rebels to meet either party chief Sonia Gandhi or vice-president Rahul Gandhi. The dissidents, led by present chief minister Kalikho Pul, had camped in Delhi for nearly four months to share their grievances with the Congress leadership and by the time Rahul met them, the damage had already been done. Similarly, Narayanasamy is said to have failed in containing dissidence in Manipur and Meghalaya where the rebels are threatening to destabilise Congress governments as had happened in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In both the states, the Congress high command had to intervene and save the situation for the party. In Manipur, the top leadership swiftly replaced state party chief Gaikhangam, who is also the deputy chief minister, with senior leader TN Haokip as the party chief. And in Meghalaya, the Congress high command has agreed to meet party rebels who have revolted against chief minister Mukul Sangma after his wife lost to former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A Sangmas son Conrad Sangma in Tura by-election with a record margin of nearly two lakh votes. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Sahara India chief Subrata Roy on Sunday said it was unfortunate that he could not meet Sahara Pariwar members after authorities imposed restrictions at his meeting venue in Cuttack and the place was evacuated. Apprehending trouble, Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed by police before Roys visit. He was scheduled to address the employees of Sahara India and investors at the Indoor Stadium in Cuttack. It is very unfortunate that I could not meet around 3,000 members in Cuttack. We had permission but at the last moment, Section 144 has been imposed, said Roy in a statement. He said they learnt from the police that some forum threatened to stage agitation and disrupt the meeting in Cuttack. Read | Subrata Roy and Vijay Mallya: One went after investors, the other banks Police administration very rightly took the decision otherwise our 3,000 members would have lost their temper and that could have been a big law and order problem. As responsible citizens, we should co-operate with police administration for maintaining peace, said Roy. I shall definitely request the forum people to remember the truth, that good can never be compared with bad. It is pertinent to note that Saharas financial services neither was nor is in any chit fund business, the Sahara India chief added. He also praised Bhubaneswar police for providing all necessary support. Police on Sunday asked the people to vacate the place at Indoor Stadium in Cuttack after imposing prohibitory orders. Read | Subrata Roys freedom linked to sale of Sahara assets: SC Notably, after getting parole from the Supreme Court to attend the last rites of his departed mother, the Sahara Group chief has launched an Abhaar Yatra from Hyderabad on Saturday. The purpose of his tour is to meet and thank the Sahara Group employees and the investors who stood by him during the difficult times, said sources. Roy was in prison since March, 2014 for not refunding the investors money. He was granted parole on May 6 to attend the funeral of his mother. Roy was sent to Tihar Jail for failing to refund money collected from depositors in schemes deemed illegal by market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). Two neighbours fought over six mangoes at Mungawar village under Rohania police station in Varanasi and were subsequently arrested. The incident took place on Friday. Police said Ramji Yadav and Hakim Yadav jointly owned a mango tree from which Ramji Yadavs kin plucked 24 mangoes on Friday evening. When the fruit was being distributed, Hakim claimed he was given only six mangoes. He insisted he should have got 12 mangoes. The claim led to a dispute and Hakim informed the police control room about it. Sub-inspector Deendayal Pandey, in-charge Rajatalab police outpost, reached the spot. He tried to pacify the two. He advised Hakim to pluck six more mangoes from the tree and avoid a controversy. Police said Hakim wanted six of the mangoes which had already been plucked. Several rounds of dialogues failed to break the deadlock. Sub-divisional magistrate Tribhuvan Ram asked the two sides to reach a compromise but they refused to relent. At this, he instructed Pandey to seize the mangoes and file a complaint against the duo. Pandey registered an FIR against them in apprehension of breach of the peace. Later, the duo was arrested. Pandey said, We made efforts for a compromise between the two neighbours. They, however, were not ready to relent. Hakim wanted six more of the plucked mangoes. Owing to fear of breach of peace, both were arrested. Clashes over the construction of a temple on disputed land in Uttar Pradeshs Ekauni village killed five people on Sunday evening. Senior police officials rushed to the area and security forces were deployed after the killings. The violence began when 35-year-old Suresh Pandey, a sub-inspector in Kanpur district, allegedly objected to a temple being constructed by his neighbor and retired PAC constable Shiv Sewak Pandey, 58. Suresh said the land on which the temple was being built belonged to his family, sources said. Soon members of both families assembled to the scene and had an altercation over the issue. In a fit of rage, Suresh allegedly went inside the house and returned with his licensed rifle. He then opened fire, killing Shiv, his son Vimal (30) and brother Krishna Sewak (40) on the spot, sources said. Shivs brother Prem Sewak also sustained bullet wounds. The triple murders triggered a violent backlash from the other group. Shivs family members allegedly attacked Suresh and his father Ram Kailash (65) with sticks and killed them on the spot. Heavy force was rushed to the scene to control the situation. DIG Jitendra Kumar Shahi, SSP Joginder Kumar and other senior police officials also visited the village. The bodies were sent for post mortem examination. Three navy personnel were arrested in Visakhapatnam on Saturday night after they allegedly ran their car over a pavement dweller, killing him on the spot. The man was sleeping on the divider of a flyover bridge and was killed when the car hit him. Following the accident, the victim was shifted to the local KGH hospital for post-mortem and the three defence personnel were brought to the police station. According to reports, all the three men were drunk when the accident happened and the main accused worked in the Vizag Naval dockyard. The Congress rejected on Sunday the charge that it has been obstructionist vis-a-vis the Narendra Modi government, saying its politics reflected the ground reality of the country. This is not the politics of obstructionism but of realism so that ground reality could be shown to them, Congress leader Anand Sharma told reporters in response to Prime Minister Modis suggestion that the opposition to his governments policies was reactionary in nature. Speaking at a celebration of his governments two years in office, Modi said on Saturday, Two things have emerged in the last 15 days. One is Vikasvad (development) and the other is Virodhvad (obstructionism). What is the reality, people can judge for themselves. Anand Sharma said the way Prime Minister spoke on Saturday, it seemed as if he has fulfilled all the promises he had made while running for office in 2014. He pretended as if he has fulfilled the aspirations of common man... (but) their claims are wrong and the figures reject it, the Congress leader said. There is a gap in what the Prime Minister says and what he does, Sharma said. He (Modi) had promised two crore jobs every year. So at least four crore jobs should have been created till date. I throw him open challenge to prove if he has even created four lakh jobs, he said. Sharma claimed that during the last two years the rate of investment has gone down. For the first time in history the national investment rate has gone down with respect to national savings rate, he said. A serial gambler in Kanpur put his wife at stake in an IPL betting game and lost her, police have said, an incident that is a replay of Yudhishthir losing his wife Draupadi in a game of dice in the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. The matter came to light after some men started harassing Jasmeet Kaur, the wife of Ravinder Singh. With the help of social activists, Kaur, who owns a boutique, lodged a complaint with the police. A case has been registered a case but Singh is missing. He lost all his money in stock markets, so put his wife at stake, police said. The couple, which lives in Govind Nagar, married five years ago. Things turned bitter from the very start, Kaur alleged. Her husband who traded shares took away all her jewellery. Over the years, he either sold or gambled away all the valuables. He was planning to sell the house when the IPL gambling fiasco happened. MUMBAI: Unnat Dave, 16, could choose to use a writer to help him solve the papers. As a child with cerebral palsy, it was difficult for him to answer papers within the stipulated time. However, he did not want help. He scored 93% (9.8 CGPA). In his previous exams, he had missed out on attempting the entire paper due to his speed, so in class IX and X, he made sure he improved, said Purvi Dave, his mother. A student of Rajhans Vidyalaya in Andheri (W), Unnat attends class regularly and is a bright student. He has the support of his family, his principal, teachers and the school counsellor Aruna Banthia, to help him chase his dream. What makes us proud is that he never gives up, said Nikhil Dave, his father. With an interest in physics, chemistry and mathematics, Unnat plans to pursue engineering. He needs to attend regular physiotherapy sessions to straighten his legs, which will continue for at least three-four years. We are planning to shift to state board in class XI and XII, because that will give him more time to focus on his physiotherapy. He plans to appear for JEE as well as MH-CET, said his mother. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON MUMBAI: The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have decided to contest the biennial legislative council elections together. Members of the assembly will elect 10 legislators to the upper house. The Congress decided on Saturday to contest only one seat, fielding senior leader and former chief minister Narayan Rane. The NCPs nominees are chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar and opposition leader Dhananjay Munde but as the tenures of both had ended and the party had the strength to secure only one candidates election, it sought Congress help. The Congress decided to support the NCP to get both nominees elected. In exchange, the NCP has agreed to do the same for Congress in next election to the upper house in 2018, said party sources. The Congress decision is significant as the two parties bitterly parted ways ahead of the 2014 assembly elections. Eleven members of the legislative council are due to retire on July 7 this year. Of them, 10 are going to be elected by 288 members of the Assembly, with the requisite number of 27 votes for each seat. Of these, 3 each are from the Congress and NCP, while two each are from the BJP and Shiv Sena. However, after a reduction in their tally in the State Assembly after the 2014 elections, the Congress and NCP can win only one seat each on their own strength and need support for the third. The Congress strength has been reduced to 42 from 82 in 2009 and NCPs to 41 from 63. Sources said the decision to support the NCP was taken after Pawar approached Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The state Congress leaders were unwilling to accept the demands of the NCP which was desperate to win both seats, added sources. NEW DELHI: Indias largest e-tailer Flipkart has pushed back the joining dates of new recruits from several top B-schools by six months, triggering speculation that funds crunch and falling valuation are troubling the start-up. A we e k after the fir m deferred the joining dates of fresh hires from IIM- A and Bangalore, students at XLRI in Jamshedpur, ISB in Hyderabad and FMS in Delhi have had similar experiences. The company has cited organisational restructuring as the reason behind the delays. Flipkart has not made any direct contact with the institute, instead they have informed the students about a six-month delay in the joining date said Rajiv Mishra, chairman of the XLRI placement cell. FMS said the institute is exploring placement options with other online majors such as Shopclues, Paytm and Amazon. Eight students from XLRI ( Xavier Labour Relations Institute) and one from FMS (Faculty of Management Studies) have been asked to wait by Flipkart, in addition to 18 from IIM-Ahmedabad and 11 from IIM-Bangalore. ISB (Indian School of Business) refused to release hiring figures. The unusual postponements the company has cited organizational restructuring as the reason sparked rumours that the face of Indias start-up culture is in trouble. Set up in 2007, Flipkart grew on the back of heavy discounts that led to losses of over $40 million a month, experts say. Competitors such as Snapdeal and Amazon were burning half of what Flipkart was spending monthly. But things worsened because of a slowdown in the United States and China. Investors venture capitalists and hedge fund managers started re-looking at the discount-led model and corrected valuations. Flipkarts valuation fell by a third to under $10 billion. Even venture capitalists known to take risks started looking at a definitive path to profitability. Naren Gupta, co-founder at Nexus Venture Partners said in a television interview that as most of the unicorns were in e-commerce, there might be a likely demise of one of them. Some of the new recruits told HT they were ready to wait but many were miffed at the lack of professionalism shown by the company, especially in the face of mounting student loan debt. A lengthy post on the companys website says organisational restructuring was the reason behind the delays and that the firm was committed to having the new recruits on board by December. Last week, Flipkart burnt its fingers after it pushed back the joining dates of IIM students and offered them Rs1.5 lakh as compensation for the waiting time . The placement cell of IIM-Ahmedabad asked the company to confirm that these students will be absorbed by December. The company has cited organisational restructuring for the delay in joining dates. We will get more clarity on the placement next week, after which we will decide the plan of action, said K Sanjay Koushik, media secretary, students affairs council at IIM-A. A statement by ISB said the e-commerce sector was an evolving sector in India and it was only natural to expect high risks given its high growth and corresponding fast paced development and uncertainties. NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government is busy celebrating its two-year anniversary at a time drought-hit farmers are committing suicide, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday as his party released a booklet to puncture the NDAs development claims. At a rally in the Capital, Gandhi accused the government of practicing the politics of lie and false promises, highlighting the drought crisis in Maharashtra where five farmers have killed themselves this week, taking the toll to 150 since January. Farmers are dying due to drought and a celebration is being held at India Gate where people from Bollywood have come, songs and dance have been arranged, Gandhi said. His comments came hours after the Congress accused NDA of failing to create jobs and control skyrocketing prices. But the main opposition party offered to work with the government if the NDA gathered the courage to push through reforms, rekindling hopes of the landmark goods and services tax bill passing Parliament. There is good reason why the mood of the people is somber and sullen The reason lies in one word the economy. There are no jobs, former finance minister P Chidambaram said after releasing the booklet -- Pragati ki tham gai chaal, do saal-desh ka bura haal (Development stalled in two years, country in deep trouble. The most notable failure of the Modi government has been in job creation. The Congress attack came as the government went all out to highlight its achievements, roping in Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan to host the India Gate event and ministers dominating airtime with televised interviews. But the opposition party didnt appear impressed with Chidambaram asking the NDA to initiate bold economic reforms as it had the majority in the Lok Sabha. The Congress party is willing to be engaged if the government means business, he said. We cannot prescribe policy solutions. We can only advise and nudge the government to go in the right direction. The offer came in spite of a bitter confrontation between the two sides in and outside Parliament over contentious legislation such as the land acquisition bill. In the 60-page booklet, the Congress attacked the government over its failures on issues such as corruption, alleged clampdown on students and bringing back black money. Chidambaram also said the agriculture was in distress, there were no jobs, the industry was in a slump and exports were down for the 17th successive month. Nobody seems to care. The average citizens need jobs and incomes. They do not consume GDP numbers, he said. The citizens of this country will drop their own score cards. What is there to celebrate? Chidambaram also sought to drive a wedge between the ruling NDA partners by pointing to the Shiv Senas repeated criticism of the government. The BJP is celebrating two years of the NDA government. I said BJP because its partners, notably the Shiv Sena, have not joined the celebrations. On the contrary, the Shiv Sena has been extremely critical of the BJP, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taking a cue from Pope Francis call to make 2016 a Year of Mercy, a bishop in Kottayam district of Kerala has decided to donate one of his kidneys to a Hindu youth. The Bishop of Pala diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, Jacob Muricken, will donate his kidney to 30-year-old Sooraj who is undergoing dialysis for over a year after both his kidneys failed. The bishop learnt of Soorajs plight from the chairman of the Kidney Federation of India, Father Davis Chiramel, who himself donated one of his kidneys to a patient seven years ago. The bishop said he was inspired by Father Chiramel. I told the father that I will be happy to part with one of my kidneys. He told me about Sooraj. Happy that it is happening in the Year of Mercy, said the 52-year-old bishop. Sooraj, the sole bread-earner of his family, was diagnosed with a serious kidney ailment two years ago. Hailing from a poor background, he had registered himself with the Kidney Federation of India last year, and was desperately waiting for a donor. This is the first time a bishop will donate his organ. If everything goes well, the transplant will take place in Kochi next week, said Chiramel. Inspired by Chiramels humanitarian work, Kochouesph Chittilapilly, chairman of the V Guard group, had donated a kidney to a truck driver in 2011. In 2012, villagers of Pootharakkal in Thrissur had set a record by vowing to donate their organs after death. I dream of a country where not a single person dies for want of organs, said Chiramel. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said the PDP-BJP alliance in the state was committed to bringing back Kashmiri Pandits and other migrants to the Valley. Kashmiri Pandits will come back and live happily here and so will other migrants, its our commitment, she said. Mehbooba added that the government would set up transit accommodations for Pandits till they feel safe to return to their original places of residence. They have been out of the state for the last 25 years, some of them dont even remember their own addresses, so how is it possible for them to feel safe and return to their original homes? she said. Mehbooba added that the construction of transit accommodation was part of recommendations made by the Prime Ministers Working Group, formed in 2005, and includes migrant Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. She clarified that the colonies will be composite in nature, with 50% reservation for Kashmiri Pandits. This is a facility for migrant s. Do n t we have Muslim migrants? Dont we have mig rants in Jammu? There are Sikhs and other people among them. If we are saying 50% will be Kashmiri Pandits and the rest others, you are saying it is an Israel-like situation, she added. Mehbooba expressed happiness that all political parties, be it mainstream or separatist, are on the same page regarding the return of Pandits to the Valley. Drawing an analogy with political workers who left their native places out of fear, Mehbooba asked, How can you ask the migrants to return to their native places when our political workers be it from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Cong ress, National Conference or any other party are living under security? You have even provided them personal security of ficers (PSOs). We have never told them to return to their places nobody has ever asked why we have made a colony for them, Mehbooba said. The chief minister said she needs the Pandit community to fill in the gaps in various fields. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BHOPAL: The state government may seek an explanation from Ajay Singh Gangwar who was removed from the post of Barwani collector after he put up a Facebook post, praising former PM Jawaharlal Lal Nehru and defending the Gandhi family. Gangwar has now been posted as a deputy secretary at Mantralaya. Surprisingly, chief secretary Anthony deSas order transferring Gangwar makes no mention of the post. Gangwar told HT that the post was meant for a discussion exclusively among Facebook friends and does not violate Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules. Official sources said the BJP government was not as offended by Gangwars praise for Nehru as his reference to a Talibani Hindu Rashtra. However, the state government is reportedly unsure about mentioning the FB post while seeking Gangwars explanation. Meanwhile, govt employees warned of strike if any action was taken against Gangwar. In a post on his Facebook page, Gangwar wrote, Pls let me know the mistakes Nehru should not have committed It was his mistake if he didnt allow you to become a Hindu Talibani Rashtra in 1947( sic). JERUSALEM (ISRAEL): Prime Minister Narendra Modis much anticipated visit to Israel could turn into a delicate balancing act, with the Palestinian Authority expecting him to include Ramallah in his itinerary to show there hasnt been a major change in Indias policy for the Middle East. Modi is widely expected to visit Israel sometime early next year after Israeli President Reuven Rivlin reciprocates his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjees visit to Tel Aviv last October. We dont protest Indias relations with Israel, said Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the political committee of the Palestinian Legislative Council. We expect Prime Minister Modi to come to Ramallah. Abdullah, who was speaking to a group of visiting Indian politicians and journalists in Ramallah, said the Palestinian authority expects and hopes New Delhi will not change its policy in a way that goes against Indias principles. We will invite him (Modi) but as they say you can take the horse to water but you cant make him drink, he said with a laugh. My information is that he is expected to come. Both President Mukherjee and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj who made a two-day trip to Israel in January also travelled to Ramallah, the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Swarajs visit was aimed at preparing the grounds for Modis trip. Though the itinerary for Modis visit is yet to be firmed up, there have been some suggestions that India might de-hyphenate its relations with Israel and Palestine. Emmanuel Nahshon, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, said Israel doesnt have problems if foreign leaders visit Palestine. We see the Prime Minister (Modi) devoting a lot of time to Israel and the development of bilateral relations. This is what is important. We will be extremely happy to host Prime Minister Modi, he said during a briefing at the foreign ministry. (The writer was in Israel at the invitation of the American Jewish Committees Project Interchange) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON LUCKNOW: A 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered when she had gone out to relieve herself in the fields at a village under Nanpara police circle of Bahraich. Her blood-soaked body was later found hanging from a tree. The family didnt have a toilet. On the basis of a police complaint registered by the victims father, cases were registered against three youths of the same village. Her family members told the police that the 15-year old girl, who was sleeping on the roof, had gone to the fields at night to answer natures call. When she didnt return after several hours, her brothers woke up their grandfather who was sleeping downstairs. Soon, the whole family, including their father, who had gone out but returned by then joined the search. Much later, the victims bloodsoaked body was spotted hanging from a tree. The body was sent for a postmortem. The police carried out raids to arrest three suspects Ghanshyam, Imran and Sandeep Yadav but in vain. The incident once again highlighted the importance of having toilets in each house in rural areas. A 19-year-old youth died after he was brutally thrashed by three men at Pahwa market on Gill road in Ludhiana on Saturday. A case has been registered against the three accused, who are fish-sellers, at the Shimlapuri police station under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code. According to police, the victim, identified as Ajay Kumar, 19, and his friend Rajinder bought fish from the accused. Both were in inebriated condition and they drove off without paying the bill of Rs 100. However, their scooter skidded off the road. While Rajinder managed to flee, Ajay was caught by the three accused, who brutally thrashed him, said Shimlapuri police station in-charge sub-inspector Sanjiv Kapoor. Ajay was rushed to Christian Medical College and Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries on Sunday morning, said the SI. The three accused, Moinuddin, Mohammad Yusuf and Sahib Hussain, are on the run. As many as 82 students of Spring Dale Senior School scored a perfect cumulative grade points average (CGPA) score of 10 in the Class 10 examinations, the results of which were declared by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday. In all 396 students had appeared for the exam from the school. DAV Public School produced 78 perfect scorers, while 95 students scored 9.8 CGPA and 118 got 9.6 CGPA. Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School, GT Road, which recorded 100% result, 63 out of 414 students got 10 CGPA. Students of Bhavans SL Public School also brought laurels as out of 199 students who appeared for the exam, 51 scored 10 CGPA. Of 104 students of Ryan International School, 41 bagged the perfect CGPA while 30 scored above 9 CGPA. Of 148 students who appeared for the exams from Delhi Public School (DPS), 31 got perfect CGPA of 10, while another 32 scored above 9 CGPA. Sri Guru Harkrishan Public school, Sultanwind Road, has 28, Sri Guru Harkrishan International School, Ranjit Avenue, produced 20, Khalsa College International Public School has eight and Cambridge International School has six perfect scorers. Seventeen of 179 students of Khalsa College Public School have scored the perfect 10 CGPA, while 22 students have the same feat from the Senior Study II. Also, 65 students of school have scored above 9 CGPA. Out of 59 students who appeared in the examination from The Millennium School, seven have secured 10 CGPA while the first batch of Great India Presidency School, Attari Road, Chhidan village, has produced a lone student with the perfect score. The good results recorded by all city schools led to a celebratory mood among students, teachers and parents across the city. During interaction with students with 10 CGPA, most seemed inclined towards pursing science streams. St Marys School shines in Gurdaspur city Gurdaspur: With its 10 students scoring the perfect 10 CGPA, St Marys School has outdone other schools in Gurdaspur city. These students are Jatin Kumar, Parneet Kaur, Jabardeep Singh, Tamanna, Shivani, Jagnoor Kaur, Manvi Saini, Komalpreet Kaur, Samleen Kaur and Avneet Kaur. Gurdaspur Public School has six students with CGPA 10. One of these students, Raj Kamal, who has also been the head girl of the school, said she will opt for non-medical stream as she wants to become a software engineer. There are two students from the school who are named Raghav Mahajan and have also scored the perfect CGPA. Both want to become chartered accountants. Other students are Shubhangi, Shifali and Simarpreet Singh. St Kabir School located in Sathiali village in remote area of the district has produce five students with perfect score. They are Kajal, Parneet Kaur, Kamalpreet Kaur, Ramanjit Kaur and Anriti Thakur. Beant Singhs grandson Harkirat Singh Kotli was killed by the 0.30-mm revolver he would always carry for protection. Addressed by his pet name of Neeta, he was fond of firearms and would gather knowledge about these from the various gun dealers of Chandigarh. Modified jeeps were also his favourite. Once at Khanna, he spotted a jeep at a police station and told me hed like to buy that in auction and modify it, said a friend. Another friend said that hed copy his late grandfather, and being elected as sarpanch of their native village, Kotli, from where his idol had entered politics in 1960 before moving on to become chief minister, had given him a lot of thrill. His grandfathers death in bomb blast in 1995 had shattered him. Read: Beants grandson Harkirat Singh killed by own revolvers bullet Harkirat enjoyed hanging out with friends at his house so much that hed call them over from Chandigarh. Wed sit and chat for entire day until it was time to hit the gymnasium or the Sukhna lake for next days morning exercise, said a friend. The alumnus of Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, liked being among younger people. His brother, Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Congress legislator from Khanna, would get his help in political campaigning. An emotional man, Harkirat took care of every friend. I will outlive you, he told me two days ago, said friend Rajinder Singh, in whose Hyundai i-20 car Harkirat roamed about in the city. Students of the Institute of the Blind, Sector 26, continue to shine as they attain 100% pass percentage year after year. All 16 students of the institute cleared the exam this year, as compared to last years 14 students who cleared the Class 10 exam of the Punjab School Education Board. The top three spots have been secured by three girls and a boy. A student secured above 90%, while six students secured above 80%. Last year, five students scored above 80% marks and nine above 70%. Sitting in her hostel room, Yamunagar girl and a linemans daughter Mehak, who topped the institute with 9.4 CGPA, could not stop smiling as wishes poured in. My motto to ignore people who make fun of my disability made me consistently do well in studies. I want to be an advocate so that I can fight for justice for the voiceless, said Mehak, who studied at night as she finds it peaceful. Grateful to her writer, she said the girl who belonged to a government school was very cooperative. Rihan Ahmed, Sant Kaur and Divya shared the second spot with 8.8 CGPA. Rihan Ahmed, a Dhanas resident, wants to become a Hindi lecturer, but his goal is to remove the word bechaara from the dictionary of those who address children with special needs like him in this way. Son of a painter, he said his parents were his real source of inspiration. Divya is a partially blind student. Her father works as a private driver and mother is a housewife. She started reading brail in Class 9, before which, she used to read normal script. A writer assisted her in taking the board exams. Her hobby is to sing. As of now, she says she is only focusing on scoring well in her Class 12 exams, after which she will decide about her future. Sant Kaur wants to take singing as a career. She is from Fatehgarh Sahib, where her father is a farmer and her mother is a housewife. She says she started studying three months before the exams and her cousin was her writer in the exam. Her inspiration is her father, who asked her to come first in her class. She says she wants everyone to do well in life and believes that everyone can achieve that by studying from junior classes. Principal JS Jyara said the students are given best facilities at the school. We work on their overall development and these special kids have the potential to serve the world. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday declared Class 10 results and Bathinda students performed much better than the last year. Almost all schools in the city succeeded in improving the performance in class 10 results. With 93 students from total 230 students, St Joseph Convent School has the maximum number of students scoring 10 CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) followed by Saint Xaviers Convent School with 88 students. The St Joseph Convent School improved its tally remarkably compared to last year. Only 34 students had got 10 CGPA last year. Last year, from St. Xaviers 56 students got 10 CGPA. Out of 230, 32 students of Ramjidas Bhagwandas DAV Senior Secondary Public School got 10 CGPA, almost double compared to 17 of last year. Lord Rama Public School improved its tally from last years seven to 34 students, out of 214, this year. As many as 23 out of 52 students of Silver Oaks School secured 10 CGPA whereas only six got 10 CGPA in 2015 results. Delhi Public School, Bathinda, has 40 such students out of 116, who got cent percent CGPA, whereas last year 36 students of the school secured 10 CGPA. Guru Harkrishan Public Schools 65 students out of 169 got 10 CGPA. Twenty-three students out of 71 of Kendriya Vidyalaya (number 1) secured 10 CGPA. Sixteen students out of 52 from The Millennium School got 10 CGPA. Ten students out of 52 of Guru Nanak Dev Public School secured 10 CGPA. Also five convent schools in the district achieved 10 CGPA. Two students out of 22 from Sudesh Vatika Convent School got 10 CGPA. Eight students out of 85 students of Oxford School of Education got 10 CGPA. Twelve students out of 66 of Saint Kabir Convent School achieved 10 CGPA whereas last year, they only had three such students. DAV Police Public School was found wanting among other schools, with only four students out of 171, managing 10 CGPA. In Mansa, 13 out of 116 students from Greenland day-boarding public school got 10 CGPA. From DAV Public School, 31 students out of 206 secured 10 CGPA. Manu Vatika Day-boarding senior secondary schools 21 students out of 123 bagged 10 CGPA whereas four students out of 87 of Police Public School got 10 CGPA School. In Faridkot, 81 students out of 183 of Baba Farid Public School got 10 CGPA whereas eight students of Kendriya Vidyalaya of Faridkot cantonment secured 10 CGPA In the border town of Ferozepur, local DCM Senior Secondary School shined with 66 students out of 267 students scored 10 CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average). Last years results 34 students of St. Joseph managed had score 10 CGPA 56 students of St. Xaviers had scored 10 CGPA in 2015 RB DAV school had only 17 such students First robberies and murders and now the murderous attack on Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale and his verbal duel since with Sikh radical leader Harnam Singh Dhumma have made the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre wake up to the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Punjab. HT asked state BJP president and Union minister Vijay Sampla about the partys stand, its reason for holding a special core-committee meeting on this issue, and taking these concerns to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, later. He was worried that some Sikh groups were challenging each other openly and some Shiv Sena leaders were also escalating religious tension. Excerpts: HT: Why is the BJP is so upset suddenly over the law and order situation in Punjab? Sampla: The continuing spate of loots and murders and the escalating religious tension between various groups is the reason. Even in a peaceful area of my constituency, Hoshiapur, a college youth was murdered and the crime reoccurred in Jalandhar a day later. At our monthly core-committee meeting, senior BJP leaders raised serious questions about the law-and-order situation and decided to highlight these to the chief minister on Friday. Read more: 20 masked men murder Jalandhar college boy 2 brothers held for Hoshiarpur law students May 21 murder Do you think police have failed to deal with the situation? I dont. Police are doing their best but look at the YouTube videos of different Sikh and Shiv Sena groups, in which they are challenging each other openly as if they have no fear of the law. Our concern is to deal in advance with the anti-social elements that might try to exploit this situation. What we are calling small and ordinary incidents can turn big in no time. Why do you fear that the religious tension in the state is going to get dangerous? Our fears are genuine. Earlier, its used to be Hindus versus Sikhs or between some other communities but now its Sikh versus Sikh, and the Damdami Taksal head has even claimed before camera and accepted in text messages that his men were behind the attack on Dhadrianwale. Police may have arrested 14 accused but open acceptance of the crime makes us worry. How can anybody threaten the states peace and get away. We are opposed equally to a few Shiv Sena leaders provoking the Sikh groups. The CM has termed your concerns baseless and claimed Punjab to be the most peaceful state. What did he tell your delegation on Friday? When did the BJP say Punjab wasnt peaceful? We never said the situation had gone volatile. I dont know what the CM told the media but he appreciated our concerns and assured us remedial action. We are sure he will act swiftly to diffuse this tension. Must read | HT Spotlight: Why Punjab Police cant cope with crime SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The schools here have fared better than last year in the Class-10 examination, the results of which were declared by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday. A large number of students of Innocent Hearts Public School, Police DAV Public School and MGN School, Adarsh Nagar, have 10 CGPA (cumulative grade point average). A total of 64 students from Innocent Hearts School, Green Model Town, scored a perfect 10 with the school taking the lead whereas Police DAV Public School has given the former a tough competition with 62 students from the school bagging 10 CGPA. A total of 209 students had appeared in the examination in Innocent Hearts Green, Model Town, School and 432 students had appeared in the examination from Police DAV Public School. MGN Adarsh Nagar MGN Adarsh Nagar School has come third with its 45 students scoring 10 CGPA. Last time, Police DAV Public School took a lead with its 32 students getting perfect CGPA whereas Innocent Hearts school had 23 students with 10 points and 27 students from MGN School, Adarsh Nagar, had topped. As many as 38 students of Apeejay school, 33 from Swami Sant Dass Public School, 28 students from MGN School, Urban Estate, 24 students from Guru Amardass Public School, 23 students from Delhi Public School, 21 from Cambridge international Co-Educational school, 19 from Cambridge girls school, 14 students from Innocent Hearts, Loharan, nine from CJS Public School, 10 from State Public School, seven from La Blossom School, four from Army public School, six students each from Mayor World School and IVY School, three students of the CT Public School have also bagged 10 CGPA. On the day of declaration of the results, the students in the various schools were seen in a jubilant mood as they all gathered in their respective schools and celebrated with their friends. Shreya Sharma, a student of MGN school, Adarsh Nagar, who has scored 10 CGPA, said that the moment the results got declared, she immediately went to school and celebrated there. Students of various city schools were seen in a jubilant mood after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) declared the Class-10 result on Saturday. As per information shared by the city private schools, Green Land School, Chandigarh Road, has the highest percentage of 32.3 students with cumulative grade point average (CGPA) 10. Of 170 students of the school, 55 have scored CGPA 10. The school was followed by Bhartiya Vidya Mandir School, Kitchlu Nagar, where 89 students out of the 290 scored CGPA 10 and Ryan International School, Jamalpur, with 27.3% scoring CGPA 10. Other schools where maximum students scored CGPA 10 are DAV Public School, Pakhowal Road, where 25.1% students scoring CGPA 10; Green Land Senior Secondary School, Jalandhar Bypass, with 25% students scoring CGPA 10; BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, with 24.7% students scoring CGPA 10. Of the 380 students of BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, 94 scored CGPA 10. At DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, 24.7% students scored CGPA 10; while 23.3% scored CGPA 10 at Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, and 22.1% scored CGPA 10 at Kundan Vidya Mandir School, Civil Lines. At GNIPS, Model Town, 20.1% students scored CGPA 10. Ever since the CBSE stropped the grading system and introduced CGPA for Class 10 in 2010, the competition has shifted from individual students to schools, which have begun to compete for the highest percentage of students scoring CGPA 10. The final result of Class 10 is based on 60% summative assessment (SA) and 40% formative assessment. The students who fall in E1 or E2 category (students in this category are eligible for improvement of performance) they can reappear in any or all the five main subjects, excluding the optional subject, for improving their CGPA, in July. Baldeep Pandher, principal of Green Land Senior Secondary School, Jalandhar Bypass, said, This year we could download the results easily as the board had given three websites from where the result could be downloaded. I am glad that our students are performing well and results are improving every year. A student, Prabhdanvir Singh, a student of BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, said, I am very happy with my score (CGPA 10). I was so nervous when the result was announced and I had to wait for an hour to know about my result as their was some problem in the system. The result was declared in the afternoon, but due to too much load on the server, the website couldnt be accessed by many. All the schools and students when tried to check the results, the website crashed. It was after two hours that the schools in the city were able to access the results. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Punjab and Haryana high court has directed the Punjab government to pay Rs 305.76 crore to the state local bodies right away. Fixing the next hearing for June 1, the high court bench of justice Rajesh Bindal stated that if the amount wasnt released promptly, the head (states revenue account) of the account from which the sum can be recovered would be supplied to the court. The arrears to be paid to local bodies are of the excise duty recovered from the sale of liquor and the auction of liquor outlets in the years 2011-12, 2013-14, and 2014-15. Of the total revenue generated from liquor trade, 16% of the license fee charged and 10% of the auction money for the outlets in a particular area goes to the local civic body concerned, the lawyer associated with the matter, Gagneshwar Walia, said. The government had apprised the court that for the years mentioned, Rs 320.36 crore was due to be paid to the municipal corporations, councils and committees on account of the share of the licence fee of English and country-made liquor. Of this, Rs 15 crore was released on May 16. The government affidavit had come in a contempt matter filed by the Class-3 and -4 employees of the Kotkapura Municipal Council after the state failed to comply with the high court directions. In 2012, the high court had directed that in case the municipal council was unable to pay its employees on account of the shortage of funds, the withholding of salary would start from the top, starting from the executive officer. The wages of low-paid employees would not be withheld under any circumstances, the court had ordered. However, the councils didnt comply with the orders and the petitioners had to approach the high court again earlier this year, saying their wages had been stopped again illegally, while there was Rs 4 crore arrears on account excise duty. During a hearing of this petition, the high court had directed the state to submit details of how many of these payments to all local bodies were pending. Unemployment, lack of skill education, drugs and gender inequality were the key questions raised by the youth cadre of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the Punjab Dialogue programme held for youths in Patiala on Saturday. The party has announced to make its manifesto for Vidhan Sabha polls 2017 after a dialogue with different sections of the society in the state. The AAP leaders had already held dialogues with farmers, women and industrialists earlier. State convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Punjab Dialogue head Kanwar Sandhu, comedian-turned-to AAP leader Gurpreet Ghuggi and AAP senior leader Chander Suta Dogra listened to the suggestions made by the youths who had reached here from various parts of the state at Guntas Palace, near Sidhhuwal village, Bhadson Road. On being asked about the suggestions to solve the problems of youths, Gopal Singh, who had reached from Lehragaga, said, Less educated persons have been serving in the government sectors and youths have been forced to seek jobs in private sectors for paltry salary. Despite having completed BEd and MEd, new tests like teacher eligibility test have been imposed on them. Its time to look into these problems. Meanwhile, a young doctor, Dr Sameer Modi, suggested There are over 1,000 seats of MBBS in different medical colleges, while only 20 % out of them gets admission into MD courses because of the limited seats. Usually patients demand specialisation. So we seek more seats of MD in different fields. The numbers of MD doctors should be increased in the state so that patient can get better services. AAPs Punjab Dialogue head Kanwar Sandhu, said, The youth of the state has been facing unemployment. The exact data of unemployment is not available but according to a survey, 15 lakh youth was unemployed in 1998; it is obvious that the numbers have increased. The education system has lost its relevance and the government is not making efforts to reduce gender inequality and women are not secure in the state. Sandhu added, We have tried to hear the voice of Punjab youth. We noted that apart from unemployment, drugs and poor education system are major problems of our youth. The lack of MD doctors seats in medical colleges was also highlighted. After theses sessions and dialogue programmes, we will announce a comprehensive youth policy. As the youth raised questions on Jatism, drugs and vulgarism in Punjab songs, leaders of Punjab Dialogue announced to make a cultural policy which they said would find a place in the election manifesto. We dont want to promote vulgarity or drugs in songs and movies. The adequate representation of artistes would be welcomed but they will not be allowed to violate the moral values. We will make a cultural policy, if AAP is voted to power in the state said, AAP leader Gurpreet Ghuggi. From, to Rushdie or not to Rushdie, the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) has meandered to Vedanta or not to Vedanta. Id rather use the word plummeted, because if the Rushdie debate was a winner all the way, the Vedanta sponsorship controversy for its London event might not look all that handsome on JILFs resume. The answer to this is easy since the latest disagreement has its roots in ethics versus Rushdies freedom of expression slant. Without attempting to over-intellectualise the issue, the reason for jumping into the debate is because it reminded me of my college days in Chandigarh when I had joined a student organisation AIESEC, which derived its strength from an international student exchange programme. All of 19, my distinct memory of AIESEC is a heated discussion about whether to raise traineeships and funds from corporate houses which had been red flagged for environmental concerns. Mind you, we are talking about the year 1990 when environment was hardly an issue to die for even for governments, leave aside brash teenagers like me. I was in favour of going ahead with the traineeships, my view being almost on the same lines as the JLF officials that the companys own problems didnt influence our core. Chak de, dekhi jaoo was my Punjabi by nature attitude because not only were we under pressure to raise traineeships but ironically needed funds to carry out our activities of bringing awareness about the environment. Fast forward to 2002, I decided to join journalism along with being a farmer, at Hoshiarpur. It is here that I faced the perils that one of the companies in question during the AIESEC debate, had caused. Its waste fluid had slowly turned the surrounding villages into a living hell with people pleading for help. That my conscience was pricked is a given thing, but the spectacle taught me a lifelong lesson - of never trying to justify issues without an informed opinion. That awareness without the touch, feel, and the smell factor is of no relevance since the material need will always overrule the conscience if such a debate were to occur. Now, whether JLF organisers took an informed opinion is the question, because if what Vedanta is accused of is true then there is a bit of a problem. This sponsorship would have indeed gone unnoticed if it was in the oomph space since mind hardly has a role to play on the ramp. For it to have been overlooked at a literary event is an illusion, where mercifully there remains some semblance of mind over the body. How long it lasts, time will tell because JLF is maybe unknowingly drifting from its original charter and dwarfing itself into an event management company. It just may have steered itself to a split personality condition, a part of it bringing a constructive narrative, the other countering it. Its growing popularity, the requirement of funds, ambition to grow bigger and international could have altered its power to reason. Would the organisers have accepted the same sponsorship a few years ago? For all you know the South Bank, London JLF might have given Vedanta the bit of salvation it was seeking by associating with the literary world. Inadvertently, of course! I know I might have just kicked my seat on JLFs stage, but JLF cannot always be right. There can be a left turn too. To have left the sponsorship would have upped the ante against environmental degradation by corporates. If the answer is no, then perhaps my opinion is uninformed. (Email the writer at singhkhushwant@hotmail.com) Leaving no stone unturned, three families of 1971 prisoners of war on Saturday held a third presser in as many days to appeal to various authorities including central government to negotiate the release of their relatives, who were captured by Pakistani forces more than four decades ago. I still have that radio set through which my father was heard saying his address and family details to Pakistani authorities after being captured in 1971 war, said Rajendra Kaur of Khyala Khurd village here in Mansa about her father Naik Bir Singh, who had gone missing since the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Rajendra Kaur had recently returned from Amritsar after meeting relatives of other prisoners of war. Rajendra Kaur and her mother Surjit Kaur have been struggling for the last four decades to locate their father. During 1971 war, Bir Singh was captured by the enemy forces near Hussainiwala border in Ferozepur. Days later on a Pakistani radio channel I heard him announcing his address and family details. I informed the rest of my family but nobody took it seriously. The family had lost all the hopes till in 2012 they met one freed prisoner Satish Kumar from Ferozepur district, who had returned from Pakistan in 1986 after being imprisoned for at least 12 years. Satish said that he has seen my husband in one of the prisons in Lahore. This rekindled our hope and we kept visiting Wagah border every time we heard of the exchange of prisoners taking place there. Besides Surjit Kaur, Baljinder Kaur of Tarn Taran district and Pal Kaur are also running from pillar to post, pleading authorities to get their father and husband respectively, freed and back to their home country. The three women met each other earlier this month at Amritsar while attending the death anniversary of Sarbjit Singh, who died in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore after being attacked by his fellow inmates. Baljinder Kaur claims that her father sepoy Balwinder Singh of the 10 Sikh Regiment, who fought 1971 war near Barmer border in Rajasthan, was declared dead by the army. However she got to know from some of the prisoners released from Pakistan jails that her father was still alive and languishing in one of the prisons across the border. Similarly, Pal Kaur believes that her husband Dharampal Singh, who fought the war near Bangladesh border, was captured by the Pakistani forces and since then he had been languishing there in Lahore jail. His belief comes from the same source, Satish Kumar, who also gave the news to Rajendra Kaur about her father. These families have now planned to block the route of Samjhauta express and sit for a protest near Wagah border to demand the release of the relatives. Visitors to the Chhatbir zoo can consider themselves lucky if they manage a glimpse of a giant turtle in the small lake. This is an Indian softshell turtle weighing 75-85 kg and was rehabilitated here after it created terror in Patialas Rajindera lake during a cleaning-up operation in 2014. Municipal workers, whose boat was rocked by this turtle, had stopped cleaning operations and complained that a crocodile was lurking in the dying lake! The turtle was brought to the zoo where it refused to eat all manner of delicacies offered such as fresh veggies, fish etc. The turtle was habituated to consumption of decaying food dumped by the Kali Mata mandir into Rajindera lake and was performing the role of natures scavenger for wetlands just as vultures cleanse carcasses. The zoo had to ward off pressure from animal rights activists led by Maneka Gandhi, who wanted the turtle sent back to Rajindera lake when that was not a feasible consideration. The turtle was eventually freed from its zoo cage and lives happily in the lake. May 23 is celebrated as World Turtle Day (WTD). Turtles have existed for over 220 million years but human intervention has rendered them the most endangered group of vertebrates. A third of global turtle species could go extinct in our lifetimes. I spoke to the India director of Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), Dr Shailendra Singhan award-winning conservationiston how the goal of zero extinctions could be achieved. TSA is in the vanguard of turtle conservation and Lucknow-based Dr Singh has conducted camps at Chhatbir to impart skills in captive management/rehabilitation. Underlining the urgency of the threat, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen announced support on May 26 for a UN campaign, Wild for Life, to fight animal trafficking. She shared her commitment on an Instagram post featuring a picture of a sea turtle superimposed over her exquisite face. (@Gisele on Instagram ) Protection of habitats is the key as river banks are being dredged, waters polluted and wetlands erased. Once habitats are saved, turtles will naturally thrive. As citizens, we must stop buying turtle pets as this fuels poaching. We have launched a campaign on WTD 2016 asking pet owners to surrender Indian or foreign/exotic turtles to zoos. Pet owners must not dump foreign turtles in wetlands because they pose a threat to native species. Indian turtles seized from poachers must be rehabilitated scientifically as we cant release species anywhere. Recently, in Kolkata, 200 seized Star tortoises were released into the sea. They must have perished because the Star tortoise is a land-based species, said Dr Singh. Stink in the tale In a grab from the ANI video, it is clearly a Checkered keelback hatchling crawling over Fafdana's hand; (right) Fafdana tried to pass off a dated picture of himself with an adult cobra, which was rescued from another house, as the mother of hatchlings rescued from the Karnal bathroom. (ANI/Satish Fafdana) Swarms or bunches of snake hatchlings or sub-adults have surfaced in drains and bathrooms in Kharar, Kurukshetra and Fatehpur Jattan village (Dera Bassi) in past years. These were hacked or bludgeoned as hysterical locals mistook them to be venomous snakes. However, snakes found in such numbers and in such locations of human habitation are invariably the non-venomous Checkered keelbacks. In a virtual repeat of such episodes, minus the senseless killing part, print media and TV channels flashed a sensation last week that 30 cobra babies surfaced over three days from under the bathroom floor of a house in a Karnal peripheral village owned by Ravindra Singla. But the news was patently wrong as the hatchlings were again keelbacks. The misinformation was at the behest of a local snake-rescue personnel, Satish Fafdana, who had removed the hatchlings and 2.5-foot mother snake from Singlas bathroom and released them on a canal bank. Fafdana, who is recognised by the Forest department and uses rescue equipment bought for him by the department, perfectly well knew these were keelbacks. But he could not resist exploiting the prevailing ignorance and snake phobia and passed off keelbacks as cobras to procure media publicity. Fafdana did not tell me these were cobras when he rescued the snakes but later misled the media, Singla told this writer. The news outbreak led to much harassment as Singlas family was terrorised and he was besieged with calls from people who thought that his house was a jinxed one and a den to endless numbers of venomous serpents. When I questioned Fafdana, he very smartly covered his tracks by sending me a dated photograph of an adult cobra rescued from another house and passed it off as the mother of cobra babies rescued from Singlas bathroom! Singla had counted 41 egg shells in his bathroom. I sought the views of Vivek R Sharma, who is an authority on Indian snakes. Sharma, on examining the ANI video reporting the so-called bathroom cobras and featuring Fafdana, Singla and the hatchlings, told me: These are keelback hatchlings. Cobras dont lay so many eggs, usually 20-25 eggs in a clutch. For a cobra to lay more than 30 eggs, the female needs to be 6-6.5 feet. Bathrooms are not preferred places for cobras to lay eggs as they prefer less disturbed places. Keelbacks can lay eggs in debris or any moist place like a cavity in the floor. I had rescued 65 keelback hatchlings from a triangular-shaped gap in the stairs of a house in Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) along with a 4-foot female keelback. vjswild1@gmail.com Students from Deoghars Rama Krishna Mission School in Jharkhand that follows the age-old gurukul system of education, have beaten their city counterparts in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 10 board exams, results of which were declared on Saturday. The pass percentage of students from the school who wrote the exams was 92.75, scoring full cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 10 points, beating better-known schools from the four major cities of the state Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad and Bokaro. A total of 69 students from the school appeared in the exams and 64 of them scored full CGPA points of 10, while two scored CGPA points of 9.8, two other scored CGPA of 9.4 and one CGPA points of 9. We focus on all round development of every student in the school run by monks and we ensure that our children physically fit, morally strong and culturally rich, said Yogishachaitanya, vice principal of RK Mission, Deoghar. He further said that students were given special classes even after school hours to ensure they understand their subjects. Besides, lessons on values and principles were a part of everyday routine, he said. A press note from the CBSE, states that a total 1,58,622 students, including 52,805 girls and 1,05,817 boys appeared for the exams from Bihar-Jharkhand CBSE region and out of whom 1,55,260 passed. Girls outperformed boys in terms of pass percentage. The pass percentage for boys in the region was 97.80 while for girls it was 98.03. The CBSE did not announce separate figures for Jharkhand by the time the report was filed. In Delhi Public School (DPS), Ranchi, 52.72% of the 275 students who wrote the exams, scored full CGPA points of 10. In DPS, Bokaro, 151 or 67.41% out of 224 students scored full CGPA points of 10. In Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamli, 41% students scored full CGPA points. Our students have done really well this time. Out of the 275 students, more than 200 have scored CGPA of 9 points and above, said Ram Sing, principal of the school. Most of the full CGPA scorers said they were interested in conventional careers while others to whom Hindustan Times spoke to, said they were interested in humanities or research study. Most of the students said they want to study engineering or crack the civil services exams while some showed interest in joining the Indian army. Ayush Ansh, a full CGPA point scorer from Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamli, said he wants to work with the Indian Space Research Organization. Atul Raman, another full CGPA scorer from the same school, said he wants to join the Indian army and serve the nation. In Dhanbad, 91 of 282 students from Dhanbad Public School scored full CGPA points the highest in the district. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chinas President Xi Jinping held a high-level meeting with officials as the number of people above 60 years in the worlds most populous country crossed 220 million, which, at 16%, is the worlds biggest senior citizen population. Xi, who heads the Communist Party of China (CPC) along with the members of the powerful Politburo of the party, attended a group study on the state and future of a graying society yesterday, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. CPC leaders hold such group studies to hold in-depth discussions on critical issues to work out appropriate policies. The meeting was held as the latest figures showed that the population above 60 years has crossed 220 million people constituting 16% of the total population, far sooner than expected. Chinese capital is already feeling the heat with numbers of pensioners climbing up to 23.4% of the total 22 million population. The Beijing local government expects 30% of the citys population to be aged 60 or above by 2030. By 2020, the city will pay out 200 billion yuan ($30.7 billion) in old-age pensions and the amount is expected to surge to 670 billion (about $111 billion) in 2030, Li Hongbing, deputy head of the Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau, has been quoted as saying by the official media recently. The number of those aged between 16 and 59 will decrease to 896 million in 2020 and 824 million in 2030, while those aged 60 and over will grow to 253 million in 2020 and 365 million in 2030, new data provided by the Population and Development Studies Centre at the Renmin University of China said. China has already scrapped over three-decades-old one child policy, allowing couples to have two children but the policy change has not drawn positive response from the public as many fear second child will be a burden due to heavy costs of education and health care. Addressing the study group, Xi while calling for stepping up efforts to improve health care and social benefits to old age population, also pointed to the bright prospects of the old-age business, given the huge demand for products and services. He said government support should foster new growth points. With the worlds largest number of senior citizens, China has improved elder care, Xi said. Investigators probing EgyptAir plane crash need at least 12 days to recover its black boxes as they await a ship that can retrieve them from the bottom of the Mediterranean, investigation sources said Sunday. The Airbus A320 plane crashed into the Mediterranean with 66 people on board during a May 19 flight from Paris to Cairo, after disappearing from radar screens. Investigators are in a race against time to find the flight recorders, known as the black boxes, which have enough battery power to emit signals for four or five weeks. The recordings could help investigators determine the reason for the crash. The plane was carrying passengers from different nationalities, with 40 Egyptians including the crew and 15 French nationals. Egypts aviation minister had initially said a terrorist attack was more likely to have brought down the plane, but a technical failure is also likely. Frances aviation safety agency has said the aircraft transmitted automated messages indicating smoke in the cabin and a fault in the flight control unit minutes before losing contact. Egypt and France have signed agreements with two French companies specialising in deep water searches, Alseamar and Deep Ocean Search (DOS). Those two companies have complementary roles: the first is for locating the pings of the black boxes (the signal being emitted by the black boxes beacon), while the second is for diving and recovering them with the help of a robot, a source close to the investigation told AFP in Cairo, requesting anonymity. But the DOS specialised ship left the Irish sea Saturday and it will reach the perceived crash site only in around 12 days, after having the Egyptian and French investigators embark in Alexandria, the source added. The investigation into the crash is led by an Egyptian-headed committee. Other sources close to the investigation confirmed the information. The investigators are searching for the black boxes at a depth of around 3,000 metres (around 10,000 feet), some 290 kilometres (180 miles) north of the Egyptian coast. Three of Alseamars DETECTOR-6000 acoustic detection systems, which submerged can detect pings for up to 4,000 to 5,000 metres below sea level, have left the French island of Corsica to the crash site Thursday on board Laplace, a French navy ship. It will arrive at the perceived crash site Sunday, or Monday at the latest, according to one of the sources. While we are waiting for the DOS ship, equipped for detecting the pings in deep waters, but more importantly the robots capable of descending up to 6,000 metres to recover the black boxes, we will not be wasting time as Leplace will be trying to locate them in the meantime, said one of the sources. The source added that after 12 days, there is a very good chance of recovering the flight recordings thanks to the combination of these two French companies. Two members of the French aviation safety agency BEA are on board Leplace. An Italian marine accused of killing two fishermen in India returned home on Sunday pending a ruling on where he should be tried in a long-running case that has soured ties between the two countries. Salvatore Girone, who was being held at the Italian embassy in Delhi for four years, is one of two marines arrested in 2012 over the fishermens deaths allegedly during an anti-piracy operation off the coast of Kerala. The other marine, Massimiliano Latorre, was allowed to return to Italy in 2014 after suffering a stroke. The marines claim they fired on the fishing boat because they thought the Italian ship they were assigned to protect, the Enrica Lexie, was under attack. The Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that he was free to go home at least until Italys dispute with India over jurisdiction in the case is over, but that he must surrender his passport when on arrival in Italy. Girone will be required to return to India within a month of an order from a tribunal in The Hague. Italy insists the oil tanker was in international waters at the time of the incident, while India argues the case is not a maritime dispute but a double murder at sea, in which one fisherman was shot in the head and the other in the stomach. In an effort to end legal wrangling, both countries last year agreed to move their dispute to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which ruled Girone should be allowed to return home earlier this month. Italian defence minister Roberta Pinotti embraced the uniformed Girone when he arrived at Romes Ciampino airport. He was also greeted by the foreign minister, the navys top admiral and relatives. His wife, children and father rushed onto the plane for an emotional reunion, after which he was met on the tarmac by Italys foreign and defence ministers, raising his clasped hands in a sign of victory. The newly reunited family was expected to travel to Bari in southern Italy, where locals had planned a homecoming party. Nepal government on Sunday honoured nine Sherpa guides who fixed the route to the peak of Mount Everest, enabling over 400 climbers to reach the summit this season after two disastrous years. The nine, who were the first this season to reach the peak of the worlds tallest mountain on May 11, were honoured at a function in Kathmandu to mark Mount Everest Day, celebrating the first successful ascent in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli presented citations to the guides and gave them cheques worth Rs 31,250 each. The guides had fixed the route and installed ropes till the peak. Fixing of the route and the ropes helped over 400 climbers, both foreigners and Sherpa guides, reach the summit in the past two weeks from the Nepal side of the mountain. Climbing had come to a halt on the mountain last year after 19 mountaineers died in an avalanche triggered by the April 25 earthquake. There were no ascents in 2014 as well when 16 Sherpas died in an avalanche. The deaths had created uncertainties on climbing the 8,848-metre peak, but the return of climbers from all over the world and hundreds of successful ascents have made the tourism industry upbeat. Not all climbers were lucky. Four of them--one Dutch, one Australian and two Indians--died on the mountain due to altitude sickness. Another Indian climber who has been missing for over a week is also presumed dead. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The father of Pakistans nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has claimed that Pakistan had the ability and had planned to conduct a nuclear test in 1984 but the then President General Zia Haq opposed the move. Khan also asserted that Pakistan has the ability to target Indian capital New Delhi from Kahuta near Rawalpindi in five minutes. We were able and we had a plan to launch nuclear test in 1984 but then President General Zia had opposed the move, Pakistani newspaper Dawn quoted the Pakistani scientist as saying. General Zia was of the opinion that the world would stop military aid if Pakistan opted for the nuclear test, Khan added. Without my services Pakistan would never have been the first Muslim nuclear nation. We were able to achieve the capability under very tough circumstances, but we did it, said Khan while addressing a gathering on the occasion of Youm-i-Takbeer on Saturday (the day Pakistan became a nuclear power state). Pakistan conducted nuclear test on May 28, 1998. Referring to the treatment meted out to him during Musharrafs rule, Khan said nuclear scientists in the country have not been given the respect that they deserve. We are facing the worst against our services to the countrys nuclear programme, he added. Abdul Qadeer Khan was at the centre of a massive global nuclear proliferation scandal in 2004. In a series of dramatic developments, he was accused by then army chief and president Pervez Musharraf of running a rogue proliferation network for nuclear material. Shortly after Musharrafs announcement, a recorded confession by Khan was aired in which he took sole responsibility for all the nuclear proliferation that had been revealed. Dr Khans family was recently named in the Panama Papers leak that mentioned four of his relatives as owners of an offshore company in the Bahamas. Khans brother Abdul Quyuim Khan, wife Hendrina, and two daughters -- Dina and Ayesha -- were all shown as owners of Wahdat Ltd, a company registered in the Bahamas, according to the Dawn newspaper. Pakistani police killed three al Qaeda militants during a gunfight in the southwestern port city of Karachi on Sunday after raiding their hideout, officials said. The skirmish took place in Gulshan-e-Buner, a low-income neighbourhood in the city, when police were searching the area after receiving a tip-off that militants were hiding there, senior police official Rao Muhmmad Anwar told AFP. When police reached an area near a hill, terrorists started firing on them and in retaliation three militants were killed, said Anwar, adding that the militants belonged to the al Qaeda in the Indian sub-continent branch. Police also recovered weapons and explosives from the hideout, he added. One of the militants was identified as Riaz Raju, who was wanted over the killing of policemen and murders of minority Shiite Muslims in Karachi, Anwar said. Two other policemen confirmed the raid and casualties. Karachi, a city of 20 million and Pakistans economic hub, is frequently hit by religious, political and ethnic violence. Paramilitary forces began a sweeping crackdown on militants in the city in 2013, which has led to a substantial drop in overall levels of violence. al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban have carried out joint operations for years, but both are hostile to the Islamic State (IS) which is an upstart in the region. Pakistan launched a countrywide campaign against militancy called the National Action Plan starting in 2015 after a deadly Taliban attack on a Peshawar school left more than 150 people, mostly children, dead. SAFED, ISRAEL: His frail frame covered by a gown and his arm in a sling, the wounded Free Syrian Army fighter is being treated in the most unlikely of settings a publicly funded hospital in Israel. The 22-year-old fighter, who does not want to be identified, says he was hurt when militants from Daesh, or the Islamic State (IS), overran his village in Daraa, one of the 14 governorates of Syria. He refuses to give details of exactly how he got to the Israeli border and was brought to Ziv Medical Center in the mountain city of Safed. I wasnt ready for the Daesh when they came to my village and started killing people. Some of the Daesh fighters were Syrians, others were foreigners, he says. The fighter acknowledges he never saw Israelis as friends but his views changed after he was taken care of at the hospital. While growing up, I saw the Israelis as devils. But I changed my mind after they treated me, he says. Will he return to Syria to continue fighting the IS? Inshallah [god willing], says the fighter. They were shooting young people and women. I will go back. Fares, an Arabic-speaking social worker who has been helping the Israeli and foreign staff of Ziv Medical Center to interact with Syrian patients for the past three years, says many Syrians with serious injuries have been treated in Safed. Some have lost hands and legs, others need psychiatric care for trauma and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). I copy their life to my life, I especially think about my own children and my old mother, and their problems make me very sad, he says. Since Ziv Medical Center first opened its doors to seven injured Syrians on February 16, 2013, it has treated more than 600 people from the war-torn country. Almost 70% of Syria s medical community have fled and most healthcare facilities have been damaged or destroyed since the fighting began in 2011. Once Syrians learnt of the medical facilities at the 350-bed hospital in Safed located west of the Golan Heights, 11km from the border with Lebanon and 30km from the Syrian frontier more and more of them began making the journey to Israel. The doctors reel off the cases they have handled the sevenyear-old boy whose parents were told he would never walk again even after 17 surgeries in Syria but regained the use of one leg after one operation in Safed and 12-year-old Ahmed, who lost both eyes and a hand and was brought to the border on a donkey led by his brother. Of the 610 Syrians treated at the hospital, 90% were men and 17% were children. All but one child will have some form of permanent disability. We try to save arms, legs, hands and feet because we think of the future of the patients. We want to give them the best chance of getting back to a normal life, says the doctor. With the IS-linked Liwa Shuhada al-Yarmouk (Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade) active in Syria less than 35 km from the Israeli border, Israeli officials and the staff of Ziv Medical Center believe there wont be let up in the number of Syrians making their way to the hospital. (The writer was in Israel at the invitation of the American Jewish Committees Project Interchange) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has attacked US President Barack Obama for not mentioning the deadly Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941 during his historic trip to Japan this week. Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbour while hes in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost. #MDW, tweeted Trump, who emerged as the Republican partys presumptive presidential nominee last week. Read | Obama stirs debate on nuke policies with Hiroshima visit Obama did not publicly mention the surprise 1941 attack that pulled the US into World War II while on his historic trip to Japan this week, during which he became the first sitting American president to visit Hiroshima. He used the visit to discuss the threat of nuclear weapons. Read | North Korea slams Obamas childish Hiroshima visit Why do we come to this place, to Hiroshima? We come to ponder the terrible forces unleashed in the not-so-distant past. We come to mourn the dead ... their souls speak to us and ask us to look inward. To take stock of who we are and what we might become, Obama had said during his visit to the citys Peace Memorial Park. The White House didnt immediately comment on Trumps tweet Saturday evening, CNN reported. Trump supporter Sarah Palin also criticised Obamas trip to Hiroshima, calling it part of the Presidents apology lap. Read | In a historic visit, Obama meets atomic-bomb survivors in Hiroshima The former Alaska governor, Palin, speaking at a Trump rally in San Diego on Friday, said Obamas trip to Hiroshima was dissing our vets. Earlier in the week, in a joint press conference with Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he had no plans to visit Pearl Harbour despite the presidents trip to Hiroshima. In the Pearl Harbour attack on December 7, 1941, over 2,400 Americans were killed and over 1,100 others were injured. Read | Obamas Hiroshima trip parachutes him into history disputes Two top Tories hitherto seen as close friends of Prime Minister David Cameron on Sunday savaged him in a letter, asking him to accept the failure of his governments election promise to reduce immigration to tens of thousands instead of hundreds of thousands. In the continuing war of words between the Remain and Leave camps ahead of the June 23 referendum, justice secretary Michael Gove and former London mayor Boris Johnson turned on Cameron, saying the failure was corrosive of public trust. It is clear from recent weeks that the main issue for the Remain camp is the economy (that Britain is better off within the EU), while the Leave camp has been harping on 'uncontrolled' immigration from within the EU, which remains a sensitive public issue. The premise of the renewed attack was the principle of free movement within the EU, which enables citizens of the 28 member states to move and settle in any member state. Britain is unable to stop large numbers of people moving in from within the EU. The letter comes in the context of last weeks official figures that showed net migration at 333,000, again missing the Cameron governments target set since 2010 to reduce it to tens of thousands instead of hundreds of thousands. Gove and Johnson wrote: Voters were promised repeatedly at elections that net migration could be cut to tens of thousands. This promise is plainly not achievable as long as the UK is a member of the EU and the failure to keep it is corrosive of public trust in politics. Read | With G7 on agenda, PM Cameron keeps away from media queries on Brexit They also said they were particularly concerned about the impact of free movement in the future on public servicesClass sizes will raise and waiting lists will lengthen if we don't tackle free movement. Downing Street countered the missive by saying: This is a transparent attempt to distract from the fact that the overwhelming majority of economists and businesses believe leaving the single market would be disastrous for jobs, prices and opportunities for people. According to a survey of more than 600 economists published in The Observer, 88% of respondents said leaving the EU single market would damage Britain's growth prospects over the next five years. Read | British PM Cameron says he would be happy to meet Trump Priti Patel, minister of state for employment, added to the attack on Cameron and the Remain camp by saying that he and chancellor George Osborne did not care about the effects of immigration on local services because they were rich. It was clear from remarks in the news media on Sunday that with less than a month remaining for polling, Cameron was likely to face a coup or a leadership challenge if Britain votes to leave the EU on June 23. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Workers at the Cincinnati Zoo in the US state of Ohio shot and killed a gorilla on Saturday after a three-year-old boy fell into its enclosure, officials said. The boy crawled through a barrier into the enclosure and fell into a moat around 4 pm (1600 GMT), zoo director Thane Maynard told reporters. The gorilla, a 17-year-old male named Harambe weighing more than 400 pounds (180 kilograms), went down and got him, he said. Witnesses said the gorilla dragged the screaming boy around the habitat, local media reported. The zoos dangerous animal response team shot and killed the gorilla around 10 minutes after the boy first entered it. He was hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening, media quoted the police as saying. The zoos response team decided to shoot the gorilla rather than tranquilize him because a tranquilizer would not have taken effect immediately, Maynard said. It seemed by our own dangerous animals response team to be a life-threatening situation, he said. They saved that little boys life. The zoo houses 11 gorillas, according to its website. Weve never had a situation like this, Maynard said. On the evening of April 4, 1967, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King lent his full-throated oratory to a growing chorus of opposition to the rapidly expanding American role in the Vietnam War. Kings sharp rebuke of U.S. policy and call to protest brought him into direct conflict with President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was an ally of Kings in the struggle for equal rights for African Americans. From the pulpit of New Yorks Riverside Church, King eloquently speaks of breaking the betrayal of my own silences and goes on to reveal the seven major reasons for bringing Vietnam into the field of my moral vision. With this pivotal address, the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize winner sought to bridge the movement for civil rights and justice to the antiwar movements: I cannot forget that the Nobel Prize for Peace was also a commissiona commission to work harder than I had ever worked before for the brotherhood of man. One year later, April 4, 1968, King was assassinated in Memphis. Pioneering Virtues In 2003 we will celebrate the airplanes 100th birthday. Wilbur and Orville Wright made their historic flights at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, and the world has not been the same since. Airplanes have revolutionized travel, warfare, and the way we look at our world, and they did it in a relatively short time. Before he died in 1948, Orville Wright saw the machine he and his brother invented develop into something far beyond what they could have imagined on those dunes on the Outer Banks. Two of my favorite American history stories involve the airplane. One is about the Wright brothers; the other is that of Charles Lindbergh and his solo transatlantic flight in 1927. Both tales involve pluck, determination, and a will to succeed. And both demonstrate a peculiarly American streak of stubborn individualism. Yet the same qualities that motivated the Wright brothers and Lindbergh didnt translate so well into other realms. Lindbergh, the Lone Eagle, found it was hard to be alone when youre a global superstar, and his celebrity had tragic consequences with the kidnap and murder of his son. In the years leading to World War II, Lindbergh campaigned to keep the United States out of the conflict, and a series of ill-advised actions led to charges that he was pro-German and anti-Semitic. He learned that it was a lot easier becoming a hero than remaining one. The Wright brothers, too, were essentially loners. They developed their airplane quietly and without much outside help. Samuel Langley, who was also trying to break the ground barrier, was the secretary of the Smithsonian and had considerable financial backing from the Institution. The Wrights were modest bicycle mechanics who proceeded to solve the problem step by careful step. It was an amazing feat, an admirable approach to something that had left others baffled. After their first successes in 1903, the Wrights largely avoided the limelight even as they flew longer and longer flights from a prairie outside Dayton, Ohio. While it might not be accurate to say they shunned attention, the brothers certainly did not seek it. Their rival, Glenn Curtiss, was perfectly willing to make a very public flight to win a prize offered by Scientific American, but not the Wrights, even though the prestigious magazine had created the award with them in mind. Solving the problem of flight was one thingtranslating that achievement into a practical business success was something else. As The First Airplane Fatality by Wyatt Kingseed explains, the Wrights soon found themselves embroiled in patent fights, and their legal battles essentially halted their experimentation. Neither man seemed suited for the give and take of the business world and all its necessary compromises. Wilburs death in 1912 only reinforced Orvilles sense that it was the Wrights against the world. In fact, when his sister Katharine had the audacity to marry in 1926, Orville broke off contact with her. From Orvilles point of view, wrote Tom Crouch in his book The Bishops Boys, it was brutally simple: Katharine had violated a sacred pact. Only because his brother Lorin insisted did Orville finally consent to visit his sister as she lay dying of pneumonia in 1929. The Wright brothers and Charles Lindbergh were pioneers. And like the settlers who found that the rugged individualism necessary for frontier living wasnt necessarily compatible with the different demands of society, the aviators found that moving beyond their pioneering achievements meant confronting a whole new set of challenges. Tom Huntington, Editor, American History In those daysthey kissed you good-by and trusted to luck youd get back. The homespun movie star and aviation buff Will Rogers couldnt help laughing as he watched eager pilots rev up to start the biggest womens air race the nation had ever seen. When a couple of them glanced into their mirrors before climbing into the cockpit, he wisecracked, It looks like a powder-puff derby to me. The nickname stuck, but there was nothing frivolous about the 20 fliers who took off in August 1929 in the first Womens Air Derby, an eight-day race from Santa Monica to Cleveland that included 15 stops they had to locate using only road maps and dead reckoning. The women all wanted to prove they could fly as fast and as far as men. Likewise, there was nothing frivolous about the rough country and inevitable mishaps that lay ahead. Pancho Barnes collided with a spectators car when she landed her Travel Air biplane in Pecos, Texas, and Ruth Nichols crashed into a tractor with her Rearwin K-R in Columbus. Both women walked away with minor injuries, but Marvel Crosson, who had previously spent six years flying in sub-Arctic Alaska and Canada, was not so lucky. She apparently succumbed to carbon monoxide fumes in mid-flight and her body was found in the Arizona desert next to her wrecked clipped-wing Travel Air. The sentimental favorite of the race was Amelia Earhart. She had made headlines the year before as the first woman to fly across the Atlanticas a passenger, not a pilotand would later attain legendary status when she mysteriously disappeared while attempting a solo flight around the world in 1937. Earhart placed a respectable third among the 14 pilots who finished the Womens Air Derby. But she was far from the most accomplished pilot in the race. That distinction belonged to Louise Thaden, who was already the holder of simultaneous womens records for speed (156 mph), altitude (20,260 feet) and endurance (22-plus hours), and easily took first in the Air Derby, completing the 2,700-mile zigzag route in a total of 20 hours, 19 minutes flying time. Nor was Earhart the most daring aviatrix of her era. A host of other women, whose exploits are now largely forgotten, were just as brash and, in some cases, a lot more foolhardy. Earhart had just turned 13 in 1910 when an adventurous young New Yorker named Blanche Stuart Scott headed west to become the first woman to drive a car from coast to coast. It took Scott 69 roundabout days, and her biggest inspiration was not the scenery, but what she saw at Dayton, Ohio. There she met the Wright brothers, teaching flying seven years after they made the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C. She was hooked. On returning east, she signed up for lessons with another aviation pioneer, Glenn H. Curtiss. In those days, they didnt take you up in the air to teach you, Scott recalled years later. They told you this and that. You got in. They kissed you good-by and trusted to luck youd get back. On September 5, 1910, Scott climbed into what she called an undertakers chair in front of a motor that sounded like a whirling bolt in a dish pan. The wooden pusher propeller blew her bloomers and three petticoats like sails as she started along the runway. Curtiss had fixed a governor to the engine; she was supposed to practice taxiing only. But either the governor failed to keep the plane from being lifted by a gust of windor she intentionally flipped it awayand she was suddenly airborne. She rose 40 feet before settling safely back to earth. It wasnt much of a flight, being officially undocumented and apparently accidental. But it was first. Scotts status as the nations lone woman pilot lasted only 11 days. That summer, another New Yorker, a musician, dentist, painter, linguist and trapshooter named Bessica Raiche, was finishing a plane that she and her husband built in their living room. On September 16, without ever taking a flying lesson, she went aloft at Hempstead Plains, Long Island, in her frail, homemade bamboo-and-silk craft. Her flight was the first officially credited to any woman by the Aeronautical Society of America. Before the year was out, she had done it 25 times, cracking up once but walking away intact. A year after Scott and Raiche took flight, a magazine and screen writer named Harriet Quimby did them one better by becoming the countrys first female licensed pilot. In 1912, to avoid tipping off rivals, she secretly traveled to England to fly across the English Channel. Doing so earned her another womens first, but in the press her feat was buried by news of the sinking of the great ship Titanic a day earlier. That did not diminish Quimbys celebrity value: When the famous aviator Calbraith Rodgers died in a crash, she was hired to replace him as flying spokesman for Vin Fiz, a popular grape soda. Wearing a purple satin costume, she entered the Boston Aviation Meet at Squantum, Mass. Just 11 months after she earned her pilots license, she was flying in a new Bleriot monoplane with the events organizer as a passenger, when the craft pitched forward and tossed both of them to their deaths. Quimbys friend, Matilde Moisant, had two brothers who were fliers, one of them killed in a crash. She got her pilots license within days of Quimby; the next month Moisant outdid her by reaching 1,200 feet to win an altitude trophy. They toured together, staging one of the first flying exhibitions in Mexico. But Moisants air career was cut short after only eight months. When her craft burst into flames on landing at Wichita Falls, Texas, she was pulled out with her clothes afire. Though she was not seriously hurt, she bowed to her familys wishes and grounded herself. If frequent crashes in aviations first decade made simply flying seem a reckless adventure, World War I lent both romance and cold calculation to the chance of death in the air. Tales of Americans flying for the French in the Lafayette Escadrille, of the German ace Manfred von Richthofen, of the American Eddie Rickenbacker, with their famed Spads, Fokkers and Sopwith Camels, lit the public imagination. The demands of war had boosted the power and capacity of aircraft as the nation headed into the decade of bobbed hair, bootleg whiskey and, above all, speed. After the Wright brothers wobbled into the air at a calculated rate of 6.82 mph in 1903, the world record was boosted to 68 mph in 1910, to 194 in 1920, and jumped to 407 by 1931. Every one of these records was set by a man. For years, women were thought incapable of piloting the hottest aircraftafter all, planes were rated by horsepower, which suggested to many that they were like mighty steeds that had to be controlled by brute strength. But women like Bessie Coleman proved that indomitable spirit could prevail against prejudice. Born in rural Texas, one of a sharecroppers 13 children, she struggled until becoming a manicurist in a Chicago barbershop. There she heard so many stories about the exploits of war pilots that she fantasized she could fly too. But she had no money, and even when clients offered to finance her lessons, no U.S. flight schools would take her because she was black. Coleman was undeterred. She studied French at Berlitz, went to Paris for flying lessons, and on June 15, 1921, became the worlds first African-American woman pilot. Back in the States, she became Queen Bess, a star attraction at air shows, doing stunts in mostly war surplus planes like the Curtiss Jenny, pushing them and herself to the limit. In 1926, she went up with her mechanic while preparing for a show at Jacksonville, Fla. She did not hook her seat belt because she was leaning over the side, planning a parachute jump. Without warning, the plane went into a tailspin and she was thrown to her death. A wrench left behind had jammed the controls. Colemans life and death contrasted drastically with that of Earhart, who also became a pilot in 1921. Only a year after getting her license, Earhart set an unofficial womens altitude record of 14,000 feet. But at first, flying was just a hobby for her; for a while she was a social worker in Boston. Then in 1927, the vast celebration of Charles Lindberghs trans-Atlantic solo flight fired her ambition to become just as famous. Success in events like the Womens Air Derby gave Earhart the will to reach even farther, and in 1932 she set a transcontinental record and finally soloed across the Atlantic. Her flight from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland took 14 hours, 56 minutesalmost 18 hours and 1,600 miles shorter than Lindberghs from Long Island to Paris. But such performances opened the way for women to be admitted at last into some of the big-money races that proliferated in the 1930s. They could even fly specially built speedsters, like the notoriously troublesome Gee Bee series, produced by the Granville brothers of Springfield, Mass., and raced by renowned pilots like Jimmy Doolittle. Florence Klingensmith had to work her way up to flying a Gee Bee. Inspired by a Lindbergh visit to Fargo, N.D., in 1927, she started taking lessonsand helped pay for them with sky diving exhibitions, which almost got her killed. Once licensed as a pilot, she persuaded local businessmen to buy a plane christened Miss Fargo to promote the town, and began breaking records. She easily cracked the unofficial womens mark of 39 consecutive inside loops, but then Laura Ingalls set a new record of 344, then 850. Klingensmith finally topped her, landing exhausted after going around 1,078 times. That kind of grit got her into top races like the 1932 Nationals, where she won the Amelia Earhart Trophy. The next year, she was the only woman who entered the unlimited $10,000 Philips Trophy race at the Internationals at Chicago. Her stubby, overpowered Gee Bee No. 7 seemed to be all engine as it whirled around the far pylon and streaked past the grandstand, reaching more than 220 mph between turns. Almost two-thirds of the way through the 100-mile closed course, Klingensmith was in the middle of the pack, ahead of four male pilots, when suddenly a strip of bright red fabric ripped away from a wing panel and floated to earth. For three miles, she fought to hold the Gee Bee steady. Then, at 350 feet, it nosed over and plunged to the ground. She apparently had tried to jump; her parachute was found tangled in the debris. Klingensmith died because her planes owner, in his eagerness to win races, had installed a souped-up 450 hp engine in a craft designed for 215 hp. She was not at fault. Nevertheless, officials used her death as an excuse to bar women from competing against men in sanctioned air races. That ruling would not last long. In protest, Earhart refused to fly movie star Mary Pickford to Cleveland to open the 1934 National Air Races as planned. Under such pressure, officials relented by 1936, opening the transcontinental Bendix Trophy race to all comersand with restrictions lifted, women swept to convincing victory. The redoubtable Louise Thaden, flying with Blanche Noyes, finished first. Laura Ingalls, who earlier had flown across the Andes and circled South America, came in second. Amelia Earhart, flying her twin-engine Lockheed Electra, placed fifth. In that same plane, she would wing out across the Pacific the following year on her way around the world, to be lost in an unsolved mystery that makes her still the most celebrated woman in aviation history. Ernest B. Furgurson, a former Baltimore Sun correspondent, is the author of Freedom Rising: Washington in the Civil War. We salute those in aviation who have earned well-deserved recognition. Every year the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) honors a handful of those who have contributed to the advancement and history of aviation in the United States. The historical aspect of their accomplishments is stressed by one of the basic criteria for the awardone must be at least 60 years old to be accorded this, the Elder Statesman of Aviation award. Recipients of the 2000 Elder Statesman award include the following: Gladys Dawson Buroker is one of the groundbreaking women in aviation who overcame many obstacles to carve out a career decades before aviation was considered appropriate for females. She has nearly 20,000 flying hours and 63 years of experience in barnstorming, wing-walking, parachuting and piloting many types of aircraft. During World War II, Buroker provided flight instruction for military recruits. Jack J. Eggspuehler has devoted his life to the enhancement of commercial and general aviation through education. A longtime flight instructor and professor of aviation at Ohio State University, he was instrumental in creating the National Association of Flight Instructors. As a presenter of safety programs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Foundation, he traveled 200 days a year for 20 years to speak at weekend ground schools, flight instructor revalidation clinics (many of which I attended) and pilot refresher courses. Lois Feigenbaum is a pilot of 38 years and a pioneering advocate for womens equal right to a future in aviation. To this end, she has been a tireless crusader in many venues, serving as Federal Aviation Association (FAA) assistant deputy administrator for airports, a member of the Womens Advisory Committee on Aviation, a 24-year FAA accident-prevention counselor and a race pilot. Her example and her involvement in organizations such as the Ninety-Nines, the international organization of women pilots, has promoted the involvement of women in aviation. E.E. Buck Hilbert enlisted at the age of 17 in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aircraft maintenance instructor. After soloing at 16, he became a flight officer, flight instructor and Boeing B-17 bomber pilot during WWII. Recalled to duty during the Korean War, he flew Stinson L-5 and Cessna L-19 artillery spotter aircraft. He began a career with United Airlines flying the legendary Douglas DC-3, retiring years later as a captain flying DC-8s. He is now secretary of the airlines historical foundation. A founding member of the Experimental Aviation Association, he has restored antique airplanes for himself and has assisted with others. John B. Roach began his aviation involvement during WWII as a participant in the Tuskegee Experiment, through which African Americans were first allowed into Army Air Corps flight training. He became a North American B-25 bomber pilot and later served as a flight instructor in Fairchild C-119 troop carrier and Douglas C-124 cargo aircraft for the Air Force Reserve after the war. He joined the FAA in 1969 and was subsequently appointed deputy regional director for the New England region. An active member of the Tuskegee Airmen, he makes more than 25 presentations a year to civic, military, educational and professional groups. Mervin K. Strickler, Jr., has been associated for 50 years with nearly every major aviation industry manpower resource. As director of Aviation Education of the Civil Air Patrol and chief of FAA Aviation Education Programs, Strickler has had a profound influence on administrators, teachers and students, matching sound educational principles with civilian and military aviation career needs. Kenneth O. Wofford entered the Aviation Cadet training program at Tuskegee, Ala., and became a fighter pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen. Wofford remained in the air service after the war and transitioned to transport aircraft, becoming instrumental in converting the U.S. Air Force fleet in Europe from propeller to four-engine jet aircraft. He retired in 1974 and continues his involvement in aviation as an active participant of the Tuskegee Airmen. The NAA is the national aero club of the United States and is the nations oldest aviation organization. It promotes the advancement of the art, sport and science of aviation and space flight, and is the U.S. representative to the world aviation and space record-setting organization, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. Arthur H. Sanfelici, Editor, Aviation History One summer evening in 1853, six young Cheyenne Dog Soldiers lay in the grass outside a Pawnee camp along the Red Shield (or Republican) River. As the scouts were about to pull out and return to the main party, one of them stopped and made a suggestion: Let us wrap ourselves in blankets and go into the village one at a time. We can bump against them and count coup. However, the other scouts refused, reminding the reckless brave that they were there to locate the village so the main party could attack them. That impetuous warrior, Tall Bull, had by 1864 become acknowledged leader of the Dog Soldiers, the fiercest of the Cheyenne warrior societies. More than 100 lodges, or about 500 people, followed him and the other chiefs over eastern Colorado and western Kansas and Nebraska. Late that year the Sand Creek Massacre setoff a war with the whites, the so-called Cheyenne-Arapaho War of 1864-65. Tall Bull, seeing the wars futility, led his people north, away from the white men to the Powder River country. But within a year, homesickness had driven them back to the Republican and Smoky Hill River area. In the spring of 1866, Tall Bull and his followers returned to a strange land. The buffalo were drifting out of the prime lands along the Smoky Hill, moving away from the advancing farms and railroads. Suffering depredations at the hands of white settlers and seeing the buffalo disappearing, the Dog Soldiers began a war once again. Through the winter and into the spring of 1867 they raided the central stage route, determined to drive the wagons and stations off the buffalo range. In response, Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock took 1,400 soldiers to Fort Larned, Kan., in April to have a council with the Dog Soldiers. Tall Bull and many other Dog Soldiers responded to the invitation from their agent, Edward Wynkoop. They moved their village of 500 lodges 35 miles southwest of the fort but stopped there and made camp. Sand Creek was still fresh in their memories. Only the chiefs rode into Larned to talk with the soldiers. Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, who was present at the talks, described Tall Bull as a fine, warlike-looking chieftain. While many of the chiefs who came to the council wore captured military clothing, Tall Bull came dressed in his finest, shunning the white mans clothes. He was described as having 20 to 30 silver dollars flattened out to the size of saucers, fastened flatwise on a thong about a yard and a half long, one end of which was attached to the crown of his head and the other end floated out behind him as he rode. His moccasins were embroidered with small beads and he was enveloped in a dark blanket. That Tall Bull was a major chief by that time was obvious. After Hancocks speech and display of artillery might, it was Tall Bull who rose and spoke for the group. Lieutenant Albert Barnitz of the 7th Cavalry noticed that one of their principal chiefs, Tall Bull, while making a speech or rather while the interpreter was translating stood tapping the ground with his foot, in a very defiant manner. Tall Bull was not defiant. Nor was he conciliatory. Professing his desire for a just peace, he stressed the need for the soldiers and whites to quit making war on the Indians. Custers recollection of the speech indicates that Hancock and his soldiers had not come to listen but to dictate to the Indians. His [Tall Bulls] speech contained nothing important, recalled Custer. Tall Bulls final statement indicates that what Barnitz took for defiance was probably impatience mixed with a little contempt: I shall have no more to say to you there [in his village, to which Hancock was determined to go] than here. I have said all I want to say. He had recently visited the Powder River country, where Sioux leader Red Cloud wanted to chase out the white man. Reports from the north indicated he was doing just that. The Cheyennes could do the same on the Smoky Hill. At least twice during that time, Tall Bull maintained the peace by stopping the Dog Soldiers from attacking the troops as they approached their village and also by restraining the great warrior Roman Nose from killing Hancock during a council. Displaying even more maturity and responsibility, Tall Bull led his people away from the village, abandoning all possessions rather than risking a fight so close to the women and children. Hancock, enraged at their defiance, burned the village. The war that followed this foolish action was over quickly. Hancock was withdrawn from the Plains. A council was arranged in the fall of 1867 at a place on the Medicine Lodge River in south-central Kansas. All the tribes were invited-and most of the Indians on reservations attended. Camping three days journey west of the council on the Cimarron River, the Dog Soldiers under Tall Bull waited for six days. When they finally arrived at noon on September 28, it was in a manner that left no doubt they were not a conquered people. Arriving on horseback, the Dog Soldiers formed a platoon front about 150 yards from the commissioners, as they had seen the cavalry do many times. At the sound of a bugle, they charged into camp firing weapons in the air and brandishing bows with arrows nocked. Skidding to a halt within yards of the commission, they slid to the ground, then laughed and began shaking hands. During the talks that followed, Tall Bull, one of the major negotiators, emphasized again that the Cheyennes wanted peace but also said that if war was what the whites wanted, he would accept that. Negotiations stalled. The Cheyennes refused to give up the hunting grounds north of the Arkansas River. The peace commission had already written out a treaty that required just that. As the council began to look like a failure, Senator John B. Henderson of Missouri, the chief negotiator, provided a verbal understanding that the Cheyenne chiefs could hunt between the Arkansas and the Republican as long as there were buffalo there. With that understanding, the chiefs signed the treaty. As Barnitz said in a letter to his wife, the Indians were signing away their rights as they have no idea what they are giving up. In the spring of 1868, Tall Bull violated the Medicine Lodge Creek Treaty by taking his warriors north of the Arkansas to hunt and raid. It was he who chose the warriors to raid the Kaws at Council Grove in eastern Kansas that year. To escape the soldiers who responded to those raids, Tall Bull led his band of about 300 warriors and their families to the headwaters of the Republican. In August 1868 they were camped along the Arikaree fork of the Republican-hunting buffalo and preparing for winter. More Cheyennes and several groups of Sioux and Arapahos joined them there until they numbered close to 700 warriors. Colonel Sandy Forsyth led a group of 50 scouts in pursuit of the raiders. On September 16, 1868, they camped on the Arikaree-not knowing that the whole of the tribe he was chasing and a lot more were camped 20 miles away on the same stream. Hunters rushed into the Cheyenne camp that evening and told of the white scouts. Tall Bull roused the camp, calling on his allies to prepare for war. Tall Bulls actual conduct in the battle that followed-the Battle of Beecher Island-is unknown. He is not mentioned by the Cheyenne survivors as one of the warriors who led the charges or directed the battle, but his presence throughout is acknowledged. He advised Roman Nose not to go into the battle with his medicine broken but urged him to hurry his purifications. He was there after the morning failures with the group seeking Roman Nose to lead the next charge. He was there at the end, after Roman Nose had fallen, to pick up the pieces of this great mass of warriors who had fought and failed. Most of the Indian survivors went north, but Tall Bull gathered a mixed company of Dog Soldiers, Sioux and Arapaho lodges and attacked western Kansas and Nebraska again. Although he was never beaten in battle, the cold that winter drove the Dog Soldiers to the reservation-the Southern Cheyenne villages around Fort Cobb. During a move in the spring from Fort Cobb to Fort Supply, an argument broke out between Tall Bull and Chief Little Robe. Tall Bull wanted the young men to join him, when the ponies got fat, in raiding and hunting north of the Arkansas. Chief Little Robe could see nothing good in that and ordered Tall Bull off the reservation. Tall Bull left angry, with about 165 lodges of Dog Soldiers, stating he would live free or die. Traveling north through eastern Colorado Territory, Tall Bull led his people to the Republican again-trying to find the bands that had not gone south for the winter. While Tall Bulls people camped near Beaver Creek, the 5th Cavalry, under Major Eugene Carr, attacked them. A long, tiring fight ensued over many miles and with many skirmishes. The village lost many provisions and lodges. In retaliation, Tall Bull led his warriors to the Smoky Hill, where they killed, looted, burned and kidnapped. When he had sated his anger and his need for provisions, he retreated once again into the rough and isolated country between the Republican and the Plattedetermined to take his people north once again, as he had in 1865, to five free with their northern relatives. At White Butte, as the Cheyennes called Summit Springs, Tall Bull rested his village. We will stop here for two days, he told his followers, then we will push across the south Platte and go up to the Rock where we starved the Pawnees. Believing that they had outrun the pursuing soldiers, and sure that the Platte was too high to cross, they settled into camp. But on the afternoon of July 11, 1869, Carrs Pawnee scouts found the village. Without being detected, the troops came within 1,200 yards of the sleepy village and attacked. Without a chance to organize or to defend themselves or their families, the Cheyennes ran, grabbing horses where they could, trying to get out of the way of the big American horses and the screaming Pawnees. Two Crows, a Cheyenne Dog Soldier, recognized a horse as it came toward him. It was Tall Bulls war pony, a gentle and welltrained animal. He ran alongside it, grabbed its mane, then swung onto it. On its back, he escaped from the village. Tall Bull, in the meantime, grabbed another pony, an orange-colored steed with a silver mane and tail. He lifted his wife and child onto its back with him, then ran it into a narrow, steep ravine. About 20 others ran there with him. When he had secured his wife and child deep in the ravine, he rode back to the opening, dismounted and stabbed his horse behind the foreleg, causing the animal to drop to the ground, dead. The Pawnee scouts under Frank and Luther North surrounded the ravine. As the North brothers rode up, an Indian raised his head over the rim and fired at them. Frank quickly dismounted and handed his brother his reins. He told his brother, Ride away and he will put his head up again. Luther did as he was told, while Frank aimed his rifle at the spot where the head had disappeared. Within a few seconds, the Indians head popped up again. North killed him with one shot. A few minutes following, a woman and child left the ravine, signaling Frank North not to shoot. She approached him begging for mercy in sign language. North sent her to the rear with the child. North organized his scouts to attack and overrun the ravine. Within minutes the battle was over. Everyone between those steep banks was dead. After the battle, an interpreter discovered that the woman who had come out of the ravine was one of Tall Bulls widows. She said that North had killed Tall Bull with that one shot. Others, though, also claimed to have killed him. A Lieutenant Masons claim is unsubstantiated. William Buffalo Bill Codys claim is based on an episode that happened after the main battle, when skirmishers returned to harass the troops in the village. Cody reported that there was an Indian on a very nice horse riding just out of rifle range. Cody dropped into a gully and slithered out to where he could be sure to hit the man and not the horse, for the horse was his quest. With a single shot from cover, Cody downed the man. The horse, in a panic, ran into the village and was captured. Later that day, as the captured Indians saw Cody leading the horse, a woman set up a howl. Through an interpreter she claimed to be Tall Bulls wife and recognized the horse as his. Although it is easy to confuse things in memory and during a battle, these two reports, Norths and Codys, seem to be so contradictory that only one can be the truth. In reality, both are probably true. Early in the fight, Two Crows had taken one of Tall Bulls war ponies. It is most likely that Cody killed Two Crows or someone who had taken the horse from him and not Tall Bull. At the end of the Battle of Summit Springs, Tall Bull was dead. Roman Nose was a year dead. So was Black Kettle. All the leaders of the Southern Cheyennes and the fiercest of all the warrior societies were gone. So, too, was the power of the Southern Cheyennes-forever. This article was written by L. Robert Pyle and originally published in the April 2002 issue of Wild West Magazine. For more great articles be sure to subscribe to Wild West magazine today! At daybreak on the morning of September 18, 1862, a dusty and bedraggled horseman rode up to the telegraph office in Frederick, Maryland. His name was George W. Smalley, and he was the chief war correspondent for the New York Tribune. He had been awake for more than 24 hourshe would not sleep for another 12and he had just ridden all night from the battlefield near Sharpsburg, where the Union Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia had spent the previous day splashing the cornfields and woodlands around Antietam Creek with scarlet rivers of blood. Smalley, a comparative neophyte as a reporter, had seen more of the battle than any other correspondent. Having attached himself, unknown and uninvited, to Brig. Gen. Joseph Hookers headquarters staff the day before, the 29-year-old Harvard Law School graduate had witnessed the near-suicidal fighting around the cornfield and North Woods on the Union right. Then, after Hookers wounding, he had ridden over to the headquarters of the Army of the Potomacs commanding general, George B. McClellan, and followed Brig. Gen. Ambrose Burnsides dilatory crossing of the bridge that would henceforth bear his name at the other end of the battlefield. With the end of the battle, Smalley met with the other members of his reporting team (he almost came to blows with one correspondent who had not followed his example of recklessly exposing himself to fire) before setting off to find a telegraph office to send back his account of the battle to the home office in New York. The telegraph operator in Frederick agreed to transmit a short account, and Smalley sat down in the office to write his story. He handed his copy to the telegrapher a page at a time, unaware that the operator was sending his story, not to New York, but directly to the War Department in Washington, where near-frantic members of Abraham Lincolns cabinet were waiting breathlessly for any news from the front. McClellan, in his typically dramatic fashion, had sent back a message the day before, informing Chief of Staff Henry Halleck, We are in the midst of the most terrible battle of the warperhaps of history. Then the lines had fallen silent. (McClellan for once had outrun the telegraph service, and written messages were following a roundabout path from Hagerstown, Md., to Harrisburg, Pa., Baltimore and Washington.) Suddenly, the line at the War Department began to chatter, and sometime before noon a tense President Lincoln began to read Smalleys exclusive report from the battlefield. Fierce and desperate battle between two hundred thousand men has raged since daylight, yet night closes on an uncertain field, it began. It is the greatest fight since Waterlooall over the field contested with an obstinacy equal even to Waterloo. If not wholly a victory tonight, I believe it is the prelude to a victory tomorrow. But what can be foretold of the future of a fight in which from five in the morning till seven at night the best troops of the continent have fought without decisive result? After several paragraphs of backgroundLincoln must have chafed at being told what he already knew, instead of what he desperately wanted to learnSmalley resumed his eyewitness account of the battle. The battle began with the dawn, he wrote. Morning found both armies just as they had slept, almost close enough to look into each others eyes. The left of [Brig. Gen. George] Meades reserves and the right of [Brig. Gen. James] Ricketts line became engaged at nearly the same moment, one with artillery, the other with infantry. A battery was almost immediately pushed forward beyond the central woods, over a ploughed field near the top of the slope where the cornfield began. On this open field, in the corn beyond, and in the woods which stretched forward into the broad fields like a promontory into the ocean, were the hardest and deadliest struggles of the day. For half an hour after the battle had grown to its full strength, the line of fire swayed neither way. Hookers men were fully up to their work. They saw their General everywhere in front, never away from the line, and all the troops believed in their commander, and fought with a will. Two thirds of them were the same men who under [Brig. Gen. Irvin] McDowell had broken at Manassas. The half-hour passed, the rebels began to give way a littleonly a little, but at the first indication of a receding fire, Forward, was the word, and on went the line with a cheer and a rush. Back across the cornfield, leaving dead and wounded behind them, over the fence, and across the road, and then back again into the dark woods which closed around them went the retreating rebels. Meade and his Pennsylvanians followed hard and fastfollowed till they came within easy range of the woods, among which they saw their beaten enemy disappearingfollowed still, with another cheer, and flung themselves against the cover. But out of those gloomy woods came suddenly and heavily terrible volleysvolleys which smote, and bent, and broke in a moment that eager front, and hurled them swiftly back for half the distance they had won. Closing up their shattered lines, they came slowly away.They had met at the woods the first volleys of musketry from fresh troopshad met them and returned them till their line had yielded and gone down before the weight of fire, and till their ammunition was exhausted. In ten minutes the fortune of the day seemed to have changed; it was the rebels now who were advancing, pouring out of the woods in endless lines, sweeping through the cornfield from which their comrades had just fled. Hooker sent to his nearest brigade to meet them, but it could not do the work. He called for another. There was nothing close enough, unless he took it from his right. His right might be in danger if it was weakened, but his center was already threatened with annihilation. Not hesitating one moment, he sent to [Brig. Gen. Abner] Doubleday: Give me your best brigade instantly. The best brigade came down the hill to the right on the run, went through the timber in front through a storm of shot and bursting shell and crashing limbs, over the open field beyond and straight into the cornfield, passing as they went the fragments of three brigades shattered by the rebel fire and streaming to the rear. They passed by Hooker, whose eyes lighted as he saw these veteran troops, led by a soldier whom he knew he could trust. I think they will hold it, he said. General [Stephen] Hartsuff took his troops very steadily, but, now that they were under fire, not hurriedly, up the hill from which the cornfield begins to descend, and formed them on the crest. Not a man who was not in full viewnot one who bent before the storm. Firing at first in volleys, they fired then at will with wonderful rapidity and effect. The whole line crowned the hill and stood out darkly against the sky, but lighted and shrouded ever in flame and smoke. They were the Twelfth and Thirteenth Massachusetts and another regiment which I cannot rememberold troops all of them. There for half an hour they held the ridge, unyielding in purpose, exhaustless in courage. There were gaps in the line, but it nowhere bent. Their General was severely wounded early in the fight, but they fought on. Their supports did not comethey determined to win without them. They began to go down the hill and into the corn; they did not stop to think that their ammunition was nearly gone; they were there to win that field, and they won it. The rebel line for the second time fled through the corn and into the woods. Following Hookers wounding, Smalley watched as more and more Union troops poured into the woods to hold the cornfield. At one oclock, he reported, affairs on the right had a gloomy look. Hookers troops were greatly exhausted, and their General away from the field. [Maj. Gen. Joseph] Mansfields were no better. [Maj. Gen. Edwin] Sumners command had lost heavily, but two of his divisions were still comparatively fresh. Artillery was yet playing vigorously in front, though the ammunition of many of the batteries was entirely exhausted, and they had been compelled to retire.All that had been gained in front had been lost! The enemys batteries, which if advanced and served vigorously might have made sad work with the closely massed troops, were fortunately either partially disabled or short of ammunition. At this crisis Franklin came up with fresh troops and formed on the left. [Maj. Gen. Henry] Slocum, commanding one division of the corps, was sent forward along the slopes lying under the first ranges of the rebel hills, while [Maj. Gen. William] Smith with the other division was ordered to retake the cornfields and woods which all day had been so hotly contested. It was done in the handsomest style. His Maine and Vermont regiments and the rest went forward on the run, and cheering as they went, swept like an avalanche through the cornfields, fell upon the woods, cleared them in ten minutes, and held them. They were not again retaken. The field and its ghastly harvest which the Reaper had gathered in those fatal hours remained finally with us. Four times it had been lost and won. The dead are strewn so thickly that as you ride over it you cannot guide your horsess steps too carefully. Pale and bloody faces are everywhere upturned. They are sad and terrible, but there is nothing which makes ones heart beat so quickly as the imploring look of sorely wounded men who beckon wearily for help which you cannot stay to give. Having overstayed his welcome at the Frederick telegraph office, Smalley hurried to the railroad station to catch a special train to Baltimore. For the next two hours, he continued working on his story, sitting on a log by the side of the tracks. He hopped the first military train he could find and headed for Baltimore. For the first time in 36 hours he slept, nearly missing the connecting train to New York. Jumping onto the express, he stood beneath an oil lamp at the end of the railroad car, scribbling away feverishly. He finished his article midway between Philadelphia and New York. The War Department, after reading the first of Smalleys dispatches, obligingly forwarded them to the Tribune office, where managing editor Sydney Gay had kept a full crew of typesetters and proofreaders waiting all night at the Nassau Street headquarters of the newspaper office. When Smalley entered the building at 5 a.m., dazed and dusty from his two-day ordeal, the hardbitten newsmen broke into a spontaneous round of applause. An hour later, a special edition of the newspaper was on the streets, headlining Smalleys remarkable scoop. The full story included a firsthand account of Burnsides tardy crossing of Burnsides Bridge. Attacking first with one regiment, then with two, and delaying both for artillery, Burnside was not over the bridge before two oclockperhaps not till three, Smalley wrote. He advanced slowly up the slopes in his front, his batteries in rear covering, to some extent, the movement of the infantry. A desperate fight was going on in a deep ravine on his right; the rebel batteries were in full play and apparently very annoying and destructive, while heavy columns of rebel troops were plainly visible, advancing, as if careless of concealment, along the road and over the hills in the direction of Burnsides forces.Getting his troops well in hand, and sending a portion of his artillery to the front, he advanced with rapidity and the most determined vigor straight up the hill in front, on top of which the rebels had maintained their most dangerous battery. The fight in the ravine was in full progress, the batteries in the center were firing with new vigor, Franklin was blazing away on the right, and every hilltop, ridge and woods along the whole line was crested and veiled with white clouds of smoke. All day had been clear and bright since the early cloudy morning, and now this whole magnificent, unequalled scene shone with the splendor of an afternoon September sun. Four miles of battle, its glory all visible, its horrors all hidden, the fate of the Republic hanging on the hourcould anyone be insensible of its grandeur? With courage, imagination and vigor, Smalley had witnessed the greatest battle of the war to that date and had managed to scoop the entire world with his quickly written, unromanticized account. He concluded, logically enough, by predicting that McClellan would resume the battle the next day. The fact that McClellan failed to do so led directly to his sacking by Lincoln a few weeks later. As for Smalley, he went on to become the Tribunes London correspondent, where his blueblooded, patrician ways earned him the nickname, the Tory Squire. But despite a rich and varied career, he never equalled his performance at Antietam. Nor did anyone else. It was the beat of the war. FROM THE FORTHCOMING BOOK THE AMERICAN FUTURE: A HISTORY. COPYRIGHT 2009 BY SIMON SCHAMA. TO BE PUBLISHED MAY 19, 2009, BY ECCO, AN IMPRINT OF HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS. In the dog days of August 1790, President George Washington paid a courtesy visit to Newport, Rhode Island. The purpose of his journey was partly emblematic. The first Congress of the United States, following the adoption of the Constitution, had adjourned for the summer recess, and Washington was minded to show the people the face of their president. The morning walkabout (with Washington apparently setting a clip that fatigued those trying to keep up with him fortified by wine and punch at four different houses) was especially meaningful to Newport, which had suffered heavy losses of material, building fabric and population during the Revolutionary War. In the autumn of 1776, the British had occupied the port to preempt it becoming an American base from which an attack on New York, their strategic jewel and hostage, could be mounted. Repeated attempts by American forces to retake the city failed, and when the British finally evacuated in 1781, Newport was a shell of its wealthy mercantile former self. Half of its prewar population of 9,000 had gone, dispersed elsewhere in New England and the mid-Atlantic states, never to return. The least he could do, the new president figured, was to offer in his person some encouragement for Newports restoration. But there was another reason for Washington to go to Rhode Island and that was to gin up the states ratification of the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. Though minute in territory, Rhode Island, as Washington knew, had mixed feelings about the Union. Its citizens were notoriously protective of their idiosyncrasies, and were joked about as Rogue Islanders elsewhere on the Eastern seaboard, especially in neighboring Massachusetts. Though its merchants and seamen had been the first to take violent resistance to the British, firing on their ships as early as 1772 and again in 1774, and had also been the first to make a formal break from allegiance to the Crown, Rhode Island was the last of the 13 states to ratify the Constitution, refusing to send delegates to the convention in Philadelphia. Only the threat of being treated as a foreign nation, and made subject to customs duties, overcame their pesky reluctance at being integrated into the new Union. So the president was paying a call on the dog-in-the-manger of the United States and he was not taking anything for granted. Rather, he was doing what all successful presidents have done ever since: making his presence felt in American cities that had gone through hardship, glad-handing the people, drinking with them (very important), promising a better future and diplomatically giving the prickly Rhode Islanders a sense that they were being personally consulted on the amendments to the Constitution. Of particular interest to Rhode Islanders, most notably the Jews of Newport, was the declaration in the First Amendment of the Constitution that Congress should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. With that declaration, the framers of the Constitution sought to ensure that while religious visionaries are free to shout their dreams from the mountaintops, they are not at liberty to impose them on their fellow citizens. At the outset, since the amendment referred only to Congress, individual states could choose to support religious bodies and even interfere with the practice of religion. Nonetheless, the First Amendment embodied a bet with posterity that by keeping the church from directing government, or government from compromising theology, religion might actually flourish rather than wither. Much of American history has been the vindication of that gamble. In the post-9/11 era, the implications of the First Amendment have, inadvertently or not, backed America into the great question on which the peace of the whole world, not just the United States, will turn: Can those claiming a monopoly on religious wisdom be prevented from imposing it on others? The fact that the Founders daring bet paid off makes America uniquely qualified to fight the most important battle of the 21st century: the war of toleration against conformity; the war of a faith that commands obedience against a faith that promises liberty. One section of the Newport community was especially eager to pay their respects to Washington: the Jews of the Kahal Yeshuat Yisrael. Many of them had departed with their fellow citizens at the time of the British occupation, leaving only a few like the parnas (warden) and banker Moses Seixas to protect the deerskin Torah and the fabric of the Touro Synagogue from harm, notwithstanding the latters appropriation for storage of arms and ammunition, making it a prime target for enemy guns. The Seixases were a little Jewish empire all to themselves. Originally from Lisbon, they had dispersed during the Revolution to Connecticut, New York and Philadelphia where Moses pious brother Gershon was haham (rabbi), hazzan (cantor), mohel (circumciser) and shochet (ritual slaughterer), a full service minister to the community. Benjamin, another brother, had been an officer in the New York militia. You didnt get any more Judaeo-patriotic than the Seixases. So it was natural for Moses to seize the moment of Washingtons visit to clear up one or two matters concerning the First Amendment. The letter he penned on August 17 for presentation to the president the following day was a nosegay of praise to the Father of the Nation (and not before time, since the Jews of the several American congregations had been tardy in offering congratulations on Washingtons inauguration earlier that yearbut then getting a handful of kehillot, community leaders, to sign on the same page of anything counts as a miracle). Between the lines Seixas was also seeking clarification. Had the great day finally arrived when Jews would be treated as all other citizens? Could they now be magistrates, councilors, constables? Above all, could they now vote? Being the stock of Abraham, Seixas took an ornamentally Hebraic tone with the general, reflecting on those days of difficulty and danger when the God of Israel, who delivered David from the peril of the sword shielded Your head in the day of battleand we rejoice to think that the same Spirit who rested in the Bosom of the greatly beloved Daniel enabling him to preside over the provinces of the Babylonish Empire, rests and will ever rest upon you. That must have softened the old boy upvisions of David at Yorktown; President Daniel. Then the nub of the matter: Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty disposer of all events behold a Government erected by the Majesty of the People, a Government which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistancebut generously affording to all Liberty of conscience and immunities of Citizenshipdeeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue or language equal parts of the great governmental MachineThis so ample and extensive Federal Union whose basis is Philanthropy, Mutual Confidence and Public Virtue [nice touch that, putting tzedakah, righteous charity, first in the Masonic trio], we cannot but acknowledge to be the work of the Great God who ruleth in the Armies of Heaven. Cleverly Seixas wasnt asking. He was in this manner merely describing what he took to be self-evident, leaving Washington to demur if he must. For all these Blessings of civil and religious liberty which we enjoy under an equal benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks to the Ancient of Days. (God, not the president.) May he like Joshua when gathered to his Fathers be admitted into Paradise to partake of the water of life and the tree of immortality. Washington loved this kind of thing. The next day, after an all-out dinner in the Old State House, he responded to Moses Seixas in a way designed to make Yeshuat Yisrael happy. The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. And then came Washingtons endorsement of the presumption that active citizenship for all Americans was indeed what was understood in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. America was the republic in which toleration was not bestowed as an indulgence of one class of people to another but the exercise of their inherent national gifts. Then Washington simply lifted the Jews lovely characterization of a nation which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance and rather grandly failed to acknowledge (or perhaps notice) that he had taken it from Moses Seixas letter. Not until the poet Emma Lazarus came along would a Jew manage to supply so perfectly felicitous phrasing for what the United States was supposed to stand for. Rest assured, the president concluded, in this benign state of affairs, every one of the Stock of Abraham shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid. A neat touch this, straight from the prayer book of the psalmist. Well, Washington had just been compared to David. Now vines and fig trees were all very nice, especially if you lived oceanside in Rhode Island, but did this mean that Jews could, after all, be eligible to be magistrates, have the vote? It can hardly have escaped the Jews of Newport that this was emphatically not the case elsewhere. And there was the rub. Until the passage of the 14th Amendment at the end of the Civil War, the Constitution gave states the right to determine qualifications for state and local elections. The Jews of Baltimore, for example, had to wait until 1826 for the Maryland Jew Bill to clear matters up and allow them to participate in politics. There was someone else on hand in Newport on August 18, for whom this little exchange was of more than casual interest: Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson knew better than to steal the presidents thunder and diligently played second fiddle to Washingtons stentorian brass. But this particular turn in the proceedings had a special significance for him. The fight to keep matters religious and matters of state apart, to institute toleration and equal rights for those of all beliefs or none, was not, for Jefferson, nor for his friend James Madison, a revolutionary afterthought. It was the revolution just as much as the institution of democracy itself. Jefferson realized that not everyone in America felt the same way, especially his personal bugbear: John Adams. The constitution of Massachusetts, drafted by Adams, ratified in 1780, and generally remembered as a mild and equitable treatment of religion, was, in fact, nothing of the sort. In Article III, Adams decreed that the happiness of a people and the good order and preservation of civil government, essentially depend upon piety, religion and morality. Since these cannot be generally diffused through a community but by the institution of the public worship of God and of public instructions in piety, religion and moralityto promoteand secure the good order and preservation of government, the people of this commonwealth have a right to invest their legislature with the power to authorize and require the several towns, parishes, precincts and other bodies politic or religious societies, to make suitable provision at their own expense, for the institution of the public worship of God and for the support and maintenance of public Protestant teachers of piety, religion and morality, in all such cases where such provision shall not be made voluntarily. Notice the Protestant. Catholic worshippers and schoolteachers expecting public funding, much less Jews or Mahometans, could not expect to be provided for. Notice also the element of compulsion Adams has smuggled in. The good people of the commonwealth could volunteer to finance churches and religious schools, but should they wish to opt out, they would be taxed for that purpose anyway. Such compulsion is exactly what Jefferson sought to avoid when he authored the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, arguably the greatest and bravest thing he ever wrote. Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free, he proclaimed, all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens or by civil incapacitations tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness and are a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion who, being Lord of both body and mind yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either. Thus, Jefferson continues, it is only the presumptuous impiety of weak men and rulers to usurp the Almightys sovereign power and presume to do what he refrained from. To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions in which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical; that even the forcing him to support this or that teacher of his own religious persuasion is depriving him of the comfortable liberty of giving his contributions to the particular passions he feels most persuasive to righteousness. As Jefferson warms to his task, the modern reader can feel the indignation and contempt rising in him for all those who needed to support their views, religious or otherwise, with anything other than the pure force of their truth and wisdom. Jefferson was addressing something more than the cramped and timorous prejudices of the day. He was steaming ahead into dark modernity with a coda that was imperishably connected to what America stood for over the long haul of history. Truth is great and will prevail if left to herself, wrote Jefferson, encapsulating the proper meaning of the nations existence in a statement that schoolchildren ought to recite each day instead of the mindlessly reverent Pledge of Allegiance. She is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict unless by human interposition disarmed of her natural weapons, free argument and debate, errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely to contradict them. Truth did not prevail, left to itself, at least not immediately. When Jefferson penned his first draft of the statute in 1779, it was shelved by the Virginia Assembly for the duration of the Revolutionary War, largely due to the vocal opposition of the man who had postured rhetorically, give me liberty or give me death: Patrick Henry. Jefferson doubtless took some comfort from the fact that the assembly also denied Henry his motion to support religious teachers from public funds. Ironically, it took Henrys obstinate postwar revival of his general assessment scheme for Jeffersons less glamorous, but more politically astute colleague James Madison to successfully steer the Statute of Religious Freedom through the Virginia Assembly. And it was the passion of backcountry Baptists and Presbyterians, dissenters who had a strong interest in making sure that what had been the favored British-dominated ecclesiastical order disappeared with the Revolution, that made the difference. More than 100 petitions, bearing 11,000 signatures against Henrys proposal, poured into the assembly toward the end of 1785 and bolstered Madisons argument that religious pluralism was the best and only security for religious belief in any society, for where there is such a variety of sects, there cannot be a majority of any one sect to persecute and oppress the rest. For both Madison and Jefferson, moreover, that variety extended beyond Christians. In his autobiography Jefferson made it clear when referring to those who had wanted to insert before the words author of our holy religion the qualifier Jesus Christ, that the protection offered by the statute was meant to comprehendthe Jew, the Gentile, the Christian, the Mahometan, the Hindu and infidels of every denomination. Remarkably, this pluralism was reaffirmed during the administration of John Adams, when a treaty made with the bey of Tripoli in November 1796 affirmed that as the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion it has no character of enmity against the laws, religion and tranquillity of Mussulmen. In retrospect, its a pity that apparently the translation into Arabic failed to convey the forthrightness of that profession. Nonetheless, the treaty passed muster in Congress with no votes against it, and the religiously inclined President Adams signed it in 1797. Three years later, however, Adams was happy enough to run for re-election with the help of a smear campaign designed to represent Jefferson as a Jacobinical atheist. GOD or JEFFERSON AND NO GOD ran the flyers. Jefferson won a three-way contest anyway after a protracted count in the Electoral College. But what is often overlooked is that the forgotten third man in the election, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, had himself steered one of the most tolerant statutes on religious liberty through the legislature of South Carolina, making that one of the few states where Jews could indeed hold public office, not an academic point given the presence of a lively community and handsome synagogue in Charleston. Ultimately, the separation of church and political rights across the United States involved a long drawn out process, with states like Massachusetts and Connecticut aggressively patrolling religion and public morals long after the passage of the First Amendment in 1791. Ironically, Virginia was slow to ratify the First Amendment because it offered only inadequate protection against the dominance of a single sect. But throughout the 19th century, those still excluded from public officeespecially Jews and Catholicscould sue under the terms of the First Amendment and often won. As for President Jefferson, he was happily unrepentant, knowing that the Virginia statute gave encouragement to those elsewhere in the country who would now campaign for their states to follow its example. He was especially happy to receive, on New Years Day morning 1802, from the Massachusetts Baptist preacher John Leland, a gift of a 1,200-pound, bright red Cheshire cheese, made by the grateful farmers of Cheshire, Mass. That afternoon, a sated and happy Jefferson penned a letter to the Baptists of Danbury, Conn., also engaged in bringing the spirit and letter of the Virginia statute to their state. Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, the president wrote that he contemplated the First Amendment with sovereign reverence establishing as it did a wall of separation between church and state. In his first draft of the letter (for Jefferson seldom dispatched anything in a single draft) he had written eternal before wall. But Jefferson knew full well that even, or especially, in the United States, nothing was eternal. Simon Schama has written 14 books, including Rough Crossings: Britain, the Slaves and the American Revolution, which won a 2007 National Book Critics Circle Award. A four-part series based on The American Future: A History will soon air on PBS. Wesley Fox: Leadership lessons steeled in combat from Korea to Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Wesley Fox learned vital leadership lessons as an 18-year-old Marine in Korea that served him well for his 43 years in the Corpsespecially during a desperate fight against overwhelming odds in the A Shau Valley on February 22, 1969. Retired at 62 after holding virtually every Marine Corps rank from private to colonel, Fox still inspires new generations of leaders. His latest book, Six Essential Elements of Leadership: Marine Corps Wisdom of a Medal of Honor Recipient, is an extraordinarily cogent guide to everyonemilitary or civilianwho seeks to lead others effectively. In a recent interview, Fox reflects on his long Marine career and the key elements of leadership. What led a Virginia farm boy to join the Marine Corps in 1950? Id quit school before I was 17 and started working on a farm my dad bought in Northern Virginia. When the Korean War started, I saw it as a chance to catch up to my cousin Norman, whod jumped into Italy and Normandy in WWII. Because of him, I was interested in the Airborne. I knew I wanted to be a paratrooper or a Marine. A friend whod been in the Army said: You wouldnt be happy in the Army. Youre the Marine type. So, one rainy day when we couldnt work on the farm, a buddy and I drove to the recruiters in Washington, D.C. I told the Marine recruiter I was trying to decide between the Marines and the Airborne. He said, Hell boy, whats wrong with the Paramarines? That did it. I didnt know the Paramarines disbanded in 1944! If Id seen an Army recruiter first, who knows? But that lying Marine got to me first. When did you go to Korea? I joined in August 1950 and was in Korea by January 1951. We had no infantry training. It was just after the Chosin Reservoir thing and we were back at Pusan. I was a Browning automatic rifleman and was there three weeks before the assault on the North resumed. My first squad leader, Corporal Myron Davis, was the inspiration that made me a Marine for a lifetime, despite my desire to get back to the farm. By September, after youd been wounded twice, how did your stay at Bethesda Naval Hospital turn out to be pivotal to your future? While at Bethesda Naval Hospital, I talked to a lot of old salts and decided on all the things I wanted to do in the Marines. First I wanted to get back to my unit in Korea, so I sent letters to the Marine commandant requesting to be sent back. When I recovered, I got stuck in Armed Forces Police in D.C., but kept sending letters asking to go back to the war. After about two years, I finally was told that I didnt have enough time in my enlistment to go backunless I extended a year. I said great, and got orders to a replacement unit, but I was sent to Japan. I spent about a year there. As my extension was about to expire, I agreed to reenlist for six yearsif I was guaranteed to be sent back to Korea. I was, but when I reported, the shooting war had ended. I figured Id reenlisted for six years, so thats 10, and if I stay in for another 10, I could retire and do all that I wanted to do, including a Med cruise to see the southern part of France, where the women wear no pants. In 43 years, I never did get a Med cruise. What did you do over the next 10 years? I did most of what Id wanted. I was a drill instructor, did recruiting duties and made the grade in 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and started jumping out of airplanes. I was in the Pathfinders and did a tour in Okinawa. How about when the Vietnam War started? When Marines got committed, I realized, Damn, Im in Jacksonville when I need to get in the next Marine contact. I talked to my monitor, and he said I needed to put in a request to him. But he also said he wanted to send me to Paris as the first USMC security and honor guard platoon sergeant. I said: Thanks, but no thanks. I want to go to Vietnam. I was shooting pistol matches at the time and it would be six weeks before I returned to Jacksonville to put in my letter. I got back and the NCO said, You lucky bastard, how did you get orders to Paris? Since I hadnt sent my letter, I was sent to Paris for a three-year tour. So, how did you get to Vietnam? The Marines badly needed lieutenants, more than they could get through normal means, so they decided to select 5,000 NCOs for temporary commissions. I was commissioned as a second lieutenant while in Paris, then came back to the United States to prepare to go to Vietnam. When did you go and in what capacity? In 1966 I was sent Camp Lejuene with 2nd Force Recon for about a year. After going through Army adviser courses at Fort Bragg, it was off to Vietnam in September 1967. I advised the executive officer of a South Vietnamese Marine battalion. I was not impressed, except for higher ups who did impress me with the fact that they didnt want the war to end until theyd made enough money out of it. Tet happened halfway through my tour, and we were called up to Saigon and did a pretty good job. But when my tour was over, I wasnt happy with what Id experienced. What happened in the A Shau Valley? I really wanted to go to I Corps, where we could get on with what war is all about. My wife reluctantly agreed with my decision to extend my tour. I would have a much better chance to get a regular commission if I could get command of a rifle company. So I headed north to join the 1/9 Marines. I met with Lt. Col. George Smith and got to command a rifle company in A Shau Valley during Operation Dewey Canyon. It was the rainy season and we couldnt get helicopter support. On February 22, 1969, my understrength company came under intense fire from a large well-concealed force. I got shrapnel from an RPG, and a sniper that had killed one of my Marines just missed me, before I shot him. I decided we had to go right at them. Wounded and with a decimated leadership, you decided to take on a much larger force anyway? Though I wanted to break contact and get out of there, the realization of what that involved made my decision easy. I couldnt leave without knowing I had every Marine with me. Having to carry my dead and wounded out, I wouldnt have any Marines left to hold off the enemy, so I couldnt do that without losing every Marine we had. I figured we would all stay in that valley forever or we would all walk out together. How do you keep your head in a combat situation like that? The best way to keep your cool is to keep thinking and doing things and dont get locked into the idea you cant do anything. The only time I came close to lose it was when the machine gun had me pinned down in that hole, firing right over me. I couldnt do a damn thing but lay there and think about it. I really dont know where it would have gone from there if it hadnt been for the clouds moving out. I thought, damn, Ive got to be able to use air support. Fortunately, I had a radio and called Colonel Smith. He said, Ive got a couple OV-10s on station just in case you can use em. That was beautiful. Thats the kind of commander he was. So my Marines marked their positions with smoke and we had those OVs come in on that machine gun. If it hadnt been for those two OV-10s, probably none of us would be walking this earth today. What was the key to your success there? I get credit for my company overcoming the larger force, but I could never influence the whole company in that heavy jungle. We were successful because of what we had done at Vandergrift days earlier. For example, I learned my squad was not setting up L shaped ambushes, as theyd been trained, but for some reason were forming a wagon wheel. So, one of the first things I did was talk about what they were doing versus what they were trained to do. At first they thought I was an asshole, but we started talking about all that stuff and they started contributing and getting involved. We talked about just how we would do things so each Marine knew what to expect of the others. We communicated, and it really paid off. Thats the reason we won on February 22. How did you learn you were up for the Medal of Honor for that battle? A couple days after the fight, I was with Colonel Smith talking about our operations. He then said, Oh, by the way Im putting you in for the Medal of Honor. I about fell over. I didnt think I deserved it. Or, to put it another way, there were many other Marines in that fight deserving of the same medal. I didnt see what Leroy Herron and Bill Christman did, but I knew what they did. Since all their witnesses were either killed or medevaced out right away, they were downgraded to a Navy Cross. I know at least six other Marines who deserved the Medal of Honor for what they did that day. Why did it take until 1971 for your MOH presentation? In January 1970, then full Colonel Smith, who was working at Pentagon, called to tell me Congress had approved my award, that it was on President Nixons desk and I should stand by to get the medal any day. I was then a tactics instructor at Basic School and I would be introduced to new students as will receive the Medal of Honor shortly. I heard that for 15 damned months. The reason was Nixon wanted to keep the war out of the news, so he waited until he got seven Medal of Honor recipients and had us all at the White House at the same time. What hurt worst was I couldnt have anyone there but immediate family, not Colonel Smith or any other Marine who was in that fight. The same for the other six. It never really hit home until I attended Dakota Meyers presentation last year in the White House with about a dozen of us MOH holders there and the room was packed. It was a real put down. Youve written about Vietnam, Body count was the culprit. What does that mean? If the body count was good, an operation was considered a success. If there really are bodies on the ground, maybe theres something to that. When Id call in artillery on a contact on a ridge or valley, Id have to give a body count. Maybe we killed some; maybe not. When the major or whoever on the radio would press for a number, Id just pull it out of my butt. A fellow company commander, Captain Ed Riley, would never do that. Hed say: If you want a body count, you come out here and get it. Im not going to lie. Not enough of us were the Ed Riley type. Wasnt that demoralizing and dangerous? With all the pressure on us, wed give a number and get on with what we were doing out there in the bush. That really hurt when they totaled all the figures in Washington and it looked like were doing something different than we were actually doing. Hanoi must have wondered, Where are we getting all these men? We are a hell of a military if the commander doesnt put out the right word to his men. Who influenced you most as a leader? Corporal Davis in Korea was the first to impress on me the importance of caring for your men. It was obvious to me and all our squad that he really cared about us, not about his position. That got me on the correct leadership path, which I followed for the next 43 years in the Marines. He and Colonel George Smith, a great Marine leader, were at the very top. Care was expressed in everything they did. They got me to where I am today. Who did you write your new book on leadership for? Everybody. Military, civilians, young and old. Universities have degrees in all kinds of management, but where do you take a course in leadership or get a degree in something as important as leadership? Which of your six essential elements of leadershipcare, personality, knowledge, motivation, commitment, communicationis the most essential? Care. If a leader doesnt care, he is maybe a director, but he is not a leader. If he doesnt care about his people, they are not with him all the way down the road. What is the most important message about leadership you want to impart? We need to realize that leading others is what leadership is all about and its what our country and our communities need. Leaders have followers, not subordinates. Leaders care and do the right thing, not just for their personal benefit or for the bottom line, but for their team. The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to FOX, WESLEY L. Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 22 February 1969. Entered service at: Leesburg, Va. Born: 30 September 1931, Herndon, Va. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as commanding officer of Company A, in action against the enemy in the northern A Shau Valley. Capt. (then 1st Lt.) Foxs company came under intense fire from a large well concealed enemy force. Capt. Fox maneuvered to a position from which he could assess the situation and confer with his platoon leaders. As they departed to execute the plan he had devised, the enemy attacked and Capt.Fox was wounded along with all of the other members of the command group, except the executive officer. Capt. Fox continued to direct the activity of his company. Advancing through heavy enemy fire, he personally neutralized 1 enemy position and calmly ordered an assault against the hostile emplacements. He then moved through the hazardous area coordinating aircraft support with the activities of his men. When his executive officer was mortally wounded, Capt. Fox reorganized the company and directed the fire of his men as they hurled grenades against the enemy and drove the hostile forces into retreat. Wounded again in the final assault, Capt. Fox refused medical attention, established a defensive posture, and supervised the preparation of casualties for medical evacuation. His indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger inspired his marines to such aggressive action that they overcame all enemy resistance and destroyed a large bunker complex. Capt. Foxs heroic actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and uphold the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. On Tuesday evening, February 19, 1889, Ada Hulmes, the piano player at Silver Citys Monarch saloon, shot and killed John V. Jack Brown a Silver City carpenter and also the fire chief of that town in southwestern New Mexico Territory. As reports of the killing spread, people flocked to the murder scene at the Centennial saloon to join in the excitement, discuss the lurid details and condemn the murderess. They also gossiped about Jack and Adas intimate relationship. By the weekend, most of Silver City knew that Brown had recently jilted her, thanks to the Silver City Enterprise. Ada Hulmes was a woman scorned. In a note Brown had received from his distraught ex-paramour, she pleaded with him to spend the evening with her. He in turn dashed off a curt response that he wished to break off all further familiarity. He then penned a second note to his new favorite lady, Claude Lewis, who was Adas housemate. Jack invited Claude to meet him at the Centennial. Young Henry Rosecrans delivered the messages to the women. After Ada read her note, she jumped up, grabbed a pistol, wrapped it in a silk handkerchief and plunged it into the bosom of her dress. Oddly, she yelled to her rival to accompany her and stormed out of the room swearing that she was going to kill the son of a bitch. If you are going to have any trouble, I will not go with you, Claude Lewis replied. But Ada insisted, I will not have any difficulty with him. The two rode together to the Centennial. The saloon, according to the Enterprise, was full of men andseveral frail creatures drinking in the barroom. Claude stopped at the bar and asked Ada to join her for a drink. Ada spurned the invitation and marched directly to the gambling room, where she found Brown lazily looking on a game of cards. Adas shout that she was going to kill him shocked Brown and grabbed the attention of everyone in the room. Brown should have seized and subdued Ada. Instead, his instincts took over, and he turned and dashed around the stove to put it between him and the enraged woman. A shot rang out. Brown threw up his hands as the bullet ripped into his left side, carved an upward trajectory, raced through his heart and burst out the right side of his chest. Brown stumbled across the room, staggered through the door and fell to the sidewalk on the south side of the building. Ada, the newspaper reported, fled to the rear of the Centennial, occupied by people of her own class, and ran into Savannah Randall, a middle-aged mulatto whose day job was as a laundress. In a futile effort at concealment, the golden-toothed sirene [sic] secreted Hulmes in one of the cribs located behind the saloon. Deputies Al Card and C.L. Cantle arrived, pushed their way through the Centennial and out the back. When they kicked in the cribs door, Ada came forth swinging her arms and yelling like a hyena. As her captors hauled her to jail, she asserted her innocence, yet she also tried to feign insanity. Spectators sided with Brown; they agreed that the fire chief, a Michigan native, had many faults, and yet was not a bad man. The Enterprise rationalized that his thrilling experiences on the frontier had not made for a life of refinement. He had a weakness for loud dress and flashy jewelry, but, the report continued, he possessed a warm heart and a generous hand. The faithless fire chief, who had been a resident of the area for the past decade, left behind his 23-year-old wife, Adelaide, a 19-month-old daughter and an infant son. Less than a week later, the heavily veiled Hulmes, described as a bold adventuress, appeared before Justice Harry W. Lucas (her first cousin, Ada later claimed). With Silver Citys citizens in an uproar, her attorneys, Idus L. Fielder and Gideon D. Bantz, moved for a change of venue. Lucas ordered the trial moved to Dona Ana County. The five-day-long murder trial of Ada Hulmes began in Las Cruces during the first week of October 1889. William L. Rynerson and his partner Edward C. Wade, district attorney for the third judicial district, prosecuted. Rynerson had first gained notoriety on December 15, 1867, when he shot and killed John P. Slough, New Mexico Territorys chief justice, and was acquitted on grounds of self-defense. Political powerhouse Albert J. Fountain (1838-1896), later a victim in one of the Southwests most renowned murder mysteries (see story in February 1998 Wild West), joined Bantz and Fielder at the defense table for what the Enterprise described as one of the most remarkable as well as one of the most interesting trials that has ever occurred in southern New Mexico. What stirred so much interest? The defendant was a good looking, well-developed young woman of 30 years, with a bright and intelligent countenance and possessed a very nervous temperament. Those who did not know her or the circumstances of the killing, with heroic and true Western magnanimity, perceived a sympathetic defendant. In contrast, Silver City residents who did know her and the facts of the killing beheld a cold-blooded murderer. The prosecutions task seemed simple enough. Medical testimony confirmed that Brown had died as a result of the bullet that passed through his body. More than a few eyewitnesses linked Ada and her revolver to that bullet. For her part, Hulmes offered what most observers deemed a dubious claim of self-defense, propped up by an equally feeble insanity defense. William E. King, a witness to the murder, testified that Brown threw his left hand against his left hip as though to grasp for a pistol. In spite of his further testimony that Brown was left-handed, and that his coat was thrown back beyond the hip in such a position that he could see the white handle of the revolver, the Enterprise reported that most considered this no predicate upon which to base the doctrine of self-defense. During cross-examination, the newspaper noted, the prosecution established that the ball passed through the coat from and above where the pistol handle would be, showing that at the time of the shooting, King could not have seen the pistol without he was able to look through the coat, and that it was admitted he could not do. In rebuttal, the prosecution also produced evidence that inside his vest, on the left side, Brown carried a knife within a leather shield, adding: Of course anyone who will study for a moment will see that a left-handed man could not reach on the left side of his vest and grasp a knife. Observers concurred that Kings evidence was completely annihilated, and he put in a position that is not to be envied by any witness desiring to be truthful. Hulmes testified that she had no knowledge or recollection of what occurred from the moment young Rosecrans delivered the notes up to the time she landed in jail. El Paso doctor W.T. Baird gave evidence that he had treated her for a uterine disease known as paralysis of the neck of the bladder and concluded that Ada, under nervous strain and tension at critical periods, suffered a loss of accountability. Dr. E.L. Stephens, of Silver City, concurred with certain hypotheticals proposed by Dr. Baird, but was uncertain whether these conditions necessarily resulted in legally defined insanity. Attorney Fielder closed the argument for the defense. He asked for the jurys indulgence as he recounted a childs experience with a storm as the artilleries of the heavens opened upon the battle. He shifted the scene to California and a peaceful country home, a kind father, a fond mother, a bright promising son, and a dear loving daughter. Slowly, in the most florid terms, Fielder unfolded a tragic account of Adas life. As lightnings lurid flashes disrupted a peaceful nights slumber, so, too, upon the happy scene fell the shadow of black disaster. While in her teens, her father and brother were snatched suddenly away by the cruel hand of death, causing her grieving mother to become deranged. The heart-stricken girl turned to a lover, and, for a time, with a husband and a newborn child, her life seemed full of hope and promise. Again, misfortune intervened, as the husband sought days and nights of riotous living. He abused Ada, squandered her estate and abandoned her and their child. Shelterless and penniless, Ada placed her child in a convent and began to play the piano in a saloon. Year by year, from her humble earnings, she paid the youngsters tuition. Fielder next asserted that it was not his intention to dissect or assail Browns character. He then, amid repeated objections from prosecutor Rynerson, proceeded to dissect and assail Browns character that of a would-be desperado and coward. Gentlemen of the jury, the country loses little when it loses such a man, Fielder declared. He then sought to convince the jury that such a desperate character truly posed a threat to Ada and providence employed the frail hand of this distracted woman as the instrument with which [it] visit[ed] upon him a just retribution. Having appealed to the jurys emotions, and having offered the case for self-defense, Fielder closed in on the issue of Adas sanity, as the law has neither power, nor desire to punish the irresponsible. He recounted for the jury the testimony of Drs. Baird and Stephens and contended, Her poor brain was like a seething volcano; it was like an open powder house; it was then, ah, it was then, gentleman, that Jack Brown purposely, wickedly, lit the fatal fuse. Rynerson, in his closing argument for the prosecution, scoffed that Grant County defense attorneys habitually sought changes of venue to Dona Ana County, which enjoyed the reputation of seating juries that would free clients. He expected this jury to wipe that slander out of existence and preserve the fair name of Dona Ana County. His words, the Enterprise observed, brought glares from Hulmes, filled to the brim with indignation and as angry as she could be. Yet, the newspaper judged, Her physiognomy and appearance show her to be well bred and well raised until the time she had unfortunately fallen. District Attorney Wade followed Rynerson, and for three-quarters of an hour he summarized the prosecutions case. Hulmes, he said, had committed a dastardly and unprovoked murder. The jury retired to debate. Reporters later learned that none of the jury members favored acquittal, while several preferred the greatest penalty hanging. Others wanted a sentence of 15 years, a couple opted for 10 years, and only one preferred a three-year sentence. Nonetheless, the argument of the one proved persuasive. At 8 oclock in the evening, the jury returned a verdict of guilty and recommended a sentence of three years in the New Mexico Territorial Penitentiary at Santa Fe. When the verdict came in, the composure that Hulmes had maintained throughout the trial finally failed her; she broke down and cried. Later, at the Rio Grande Hotel, she fell into hysterical convulsions. It took two hours for a doctor to revive her. Sheriff Harvey Whitehall of Grant County transported Ada Hulmes to Santa Fe on October 30, 1889. After breakfast at the Exchange Hotel, they took a carriage to the penitentiary. A glimpse of the woman as she stepped into the carriage at the hotel revealed a rather prepossessing face; brown hair and blue eyes over which fell the shade of a jaunty black hat, a nearby reporter noted. She wore a black silk dress and a fifty inch seal coat which set off her plump figure in the nobbiest style. The warden confined prisoner No. 324 in the womens cell on the third floor. Through a heavily grated window on the east side of her 14-by-14 room, she could catch a glimpse of the city. Ada, the only female prisoner then at the penitentiary, required a personal matron, Mrs. H.F. Swope, the wife of the captain of the guards. Soon after her admission, the Albuquerque Daily Citizen asserted that Ada Hulmes enjoyed more comforts and privileges than any other convict in the land. The newspaper described her cell at the penitentiary as a large, airy apartment on the third floor of the main building, entirely separate from the prison proper, and its windows command a fine view of the Santa Fe valley. The Citizen decried her enjoyment of a carpeted floor, a piano and a $60-per-month matron to see to her needs: The contrast between the treatment of this murderess and a boy who is in for stealing a calf is very marked. W.A. Pink Leonard, editor of the Enterprise, read the report, bemoaned the $60 salary to attend to the every want of this nymph du pave, and proposed that the penitentiary be closed and that Eastern states be hired to keep New Mexico Territorys prisoners at one-half the cost to the tax payers. As other editorials followed the lead of the Citizen and the Enterprise, New Mexico Territorys citizens also began to write. One complained to Las Vegas Optic that Adas treatment encouraged crime. Amid the charges, in early December New Mexicos board of prison commissioners responded directly to Max Frost, editor of Santa Fes Daily New Mexican, and labeled all the assertions false. Hulmes room in the womens ward has been the place of confinement of female prisoners since the establishment of the prison, and was constructed for this purpose. They further informed Frost that the matrons salary was $30 a month and that the territory did not pay for the piano. The Santa Fe correspondent of the Optic knew he told a falsehood pure, simply and malicious when he wrote the communication, claimed the commissioners. The explanation seemed to satisfy. Even Pink Leonard of the Enterprise, living where the crime was committed, agreed the taxpayers have no particular complaint to make. Six months passed before the chastised Optic broke the story of a new scandal. During the week that followed his release from the penitentiary, Sam Griffin, a railroad worker and petty thief from Silver City, had informed the Optic that while the matron attended the dying warden, D.E. Abrahams, two employees enjoyed Hulmes sexual favors, she still being the prisons only female inmate. This time, Russell Kistler, the enduring editor of the Optic, investigated the report before publishing it. A reporter interviewed the new warden, Colonel Edward W. Wynkoop. No stranger to controversy, Wynkoop had been among the first to seek investigation of Colonel John M. Chivingtons command at Sand Creek in November 1864. His testimony as to the brutality of Chivingtons actions in Colorado Territory stirred emotions nationwide. Now Wynkoop averred that he knew nothing of the circumstances before he became warden, but he did correct the record as to the number of female inmates. Lola Garca and Barbarita Word, both committed for six-month terms on arson convictions, shared Ada Hulmes room. A Mrs. Clark, who had replaced matron Swope, explained that during the late wardens illness, the prison commissioners gave her instructions to attend to him, rather than to her other duties. Some time after the death of the warden I heard that there had been something wrong, but I cannot say there is any truth in the report, Clark said. Kistler judged the responses of Wynkoop and Clark to be supportive of Griffins claim, and he published the story. Other newspapers in the territory readily spread the tale. The Albuquerque Morning Democrat proclaimed, There is a skeleton in the penitentiary closet, and charged that every effort is being made to hush up the matter. Nevertheless, the press quickly forgot this scandal. Ada Hulmes had become old news. With the first year of her three-year sentence behind her, Hulmes and a number of her supporters began to lobby Governor L. Bradford Prince for early release. On December 27, 1890, the governor received petitions from Silver City, Deming and Hermosa with five pages of attached signatures, including those of New Mexicos solicitor general, Edward L. Bartlett, and Sheriff Whitehall of Grant County. Two weeks later, Ada Hulmes invited the governor to call at the penitentiary to discuss the possibility of a pardon. Princes reply informed her that it would be impossible for me to visit the Penitentiary for some time. Hulmes continued her letter-writing campaign to the governor. Oh, if you had seen me when I first came here and to see me now I dont believe youd hardly know me, she bemoaned on January 17, 1891, and she expounded upon her poor health at great length. She defended her conduct in prison, claiming that the recent controversy surrounding her had no foundation, but was merely done for political work. A month later, she appealed again and asked whether a convict had any protection at all. She denied that she had been familiar with any parties here and offered a convoluted argument that should the governor allow her the right to do herself justice by being a free woman, her pardon would aid the Republican Party in the forthcoming election. She also reminded the governor that her nervous system was nearly shattered. Hulmes had her supporters as well as her detractors. Denver attorney Edgar Caypless, formerly of Las Vegas, New Mexico Territory, rose to her defense. Caypless had once been the lawyer for outlaw Dave Rudabaugh, and Billy the Kid had also sought Caypless services. Now, as Adas advocate, he described her to the governor as an actress of acknowledged standing and merit, a lady of intelligence and intellect; an artist who had known only the brighter and more beautiful side of life, and whose personal worth was minimally conceded throughout the profession she called her own, and which, in turn, called her one of its queens. Yet, Mary Teats, also from Las Vegas, and the national superintendent for prison and jail work of the Womans Christian Temperance Union, described a strikingly different woman. Teats contended that Hulmes was a dangerous persona contaminationwho wished to go back to her former wicked life. In mid-March, Hulmes again contacted Governor Prince to complain of her nervousness and head troubles. She explained that she needed a pardon or a commutation by June 24, in order to seek work in the theater. She also intertwined her plea with references to her child and her need to secure her childs future. Oh Governor do tell me you will commute my sentence at the latest upon the 24th of June. Ada also directed a March letter to the solicitor general, Bartlett, to remind him of his kind promise to use your influence in obtaining my release. She also explained to him the importance of her release by June 24. Bartlett, in turn, wrote the governor that May in support of Ada: She never ought to have been sentenced, and since she has been a convict, she has been cruelly abused by the public and the press generally. I think this is a special case which merits executive clemency. Official concern now arose about Hulmes health. Dr. Robert H. Longwell, the penitentiarys physician, wrote: This woman is a nymphomaniac, and to such an extent does she practice this vile habit, that she has developed a suicidal mania. If she is not released from the Penitentiary by Executive clemency, she will soon be a raving maniac with no hope of ultimate recovery. Dr. John Symington, a consultant, concurred and opined, Her reason and health are both seriously impaired by her confinement and the melancholy incident thereto. Dr. J. H. Sloan, yet another physician brought into the case, also concurred, and warned, We have enough insane people in our Territory without deliberately making another. On June 2, Adas long absent husband, Edward H. Sheehan, accompanied by Bartlett, called on the governor. Sheehan returned three days later for a long talk. He maintained that her difficulties dated back only five years, and expressed his belief that if she returned to Chicago and their child, her problems would cease. Finally, in late June, J. Franco Chavez, superintendent of the New Mexico Penitentiary, wrote Prince with the news that Hulmes was perceptibly failing very fast. She suffered from frequent attacks resembling mania with suicidal tendencies, and it seemed only a matter of chance as to whether she would deprive herself of her own life, or become a raving maniac. Superintendent Chavez urged the governor, in the interest of common humanity, to issue a prompt pardon and deliver the prisoner to her husband. Two days later, on June 29, 1891, Prince granted Ada Hulmes a full pardon. The Santa Fe Sun reported that the night of her pardon, Sheehan, the man who claimed to be her husband, got drunk, and after he fell asleep, Ada and Alcario Domnguez, a twice-convicted horse rustler, made a night of it at the dance halls and brothels of Santa Fe. The Optic expressed New Mexicos final judgment of the conniving murderess: The career of this women, and the connection of some of the territorial officials therewith, is one of the most remarkable and shameful pages in all the history of New Mexico. It is doubtful its equal can be found in the civilized world. Following Ada Hulmes night on the town, her name disappeared from the New Mexico Territory newspapers. This article was written by Karen Holliday Tanner and John D. Tanner Jr. and originally appeared in the December 2003 issue of Wild West. For more great articles be sure to subscribe to Wild West magazine today! James O. Finnegan Lt. Cmdr., M.D., U.S. Navy Reserve 3rd Marine Division Sept. 1967-Sept. 1968 My father was 27 with two kids when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. As much as he tried to join the military, his job as a foreman in a Pittsburgh steel mill was deemed vital to the war effort. Haunted by the fact that he never finished high school and did not serve, my dad would tell me, I dont care what career you choose, but you must go to college and you must serve your country. When I was accepted into med school in 1960, his only question was about when I would find time to serve in the military. By mid-1967 I knew that I had the medical and surgical skills that could help those wounded in combat. I told the Navy that Id relinquish my deferment to finish residency training if they would guarantee me a billet as a surgeon with the Marines. By September 25, I was in Vietnam. I was the triage surgeon on duty at Dong Ha combat base in late November 1967 when we got word that casualties were on their way. A CH-46 and a CH-53 Jolly Green Giant landed in front of the triage building. Four KIAs were taken to Graves Registration and 14 litters of the most seriously wounded were put on iron horses. I quickly appraised each, putting the worst wounded in the first position, the rest placed according to injury severity. A Marine named Lopez had wounds so severe that he got the first slot. He was in profound shock from heavy blood loss, had no obtainable blood pressure, and was extremely pale and cold, but I was certain I felt a pulse. The anesthesiologist put a tube into his lungs and began manual respirations as the team checked every inch of his body. Remarkably, though he had multiple wounds over his body, there were no head or face wounds. Another corpsman confirmed that Lopez had no obtainable blood pressure. I opened his left chest, put the rib retractor in place, opened the pericardium, or heart sac, and began massaging his heart. The anesthesiologist breathed for him while other team members assessed and dressed his wounds. Large-bore intravenous lines were already in place, and blood was being pumped in, but we were unable to restore any hint of a pulse or blood pressure. I pronounced Lopez dead and told the litter bearers to take him to Graves Registration. Before long, the stretcher bearers came back into triage with Lopez, swearing that he was moving. Once again we made a full resuscitative effort. Still no pulse or blood pressure. I had no choice but to pronounce the poor guy dead again. Minutes later, four angry and very spooked Marines charged back into triage with Lopez. This sonovabitch is moving! they screamed. Were not taking him back! By now, the whole scene was attracting a lot of attention. I called another surgeon over to assess the situation. Jim, hes dead, theres nothing we can do for him, he said. But, I couldnt send him back to Graves Registration a third timethe Marines would go crazy. So I told him to take Lopez to the OR for surgery. What the hell do you want me to operate on? he asked. I told him to open Lopezs belly to see what was going on, to just do it. After I had triaged all of the other casualties, I went into the OR. The anesthesiologist told me that shortly after surgery on Lopez started, an EKG tracing began to appear very slowly and a bit irregularly, then a little faster and quite regularly. Despite this, he was unable to detect a blood pressure. I watched as multiple shrapnel holes in his small and large intestines were repaired. After about 30 minutes, the anesthesiologist suddenly yelled that he thought he was, in fact, hearing a slight blood pressure. He continued pumping blood and fluids into Lopez. Moments later, he said he was clearly hearing something at about 80/50. By the time the abdominal portion of the procedure was over, Lopezs blood pressure was over 100 systolic, and he actually needed anesthetic to keep him asleep and comfortable! I quickly scrubbed into the surgery to close the chest incision Id made for the cardiac massage. Lopez was moved to the intensive care unit in critical condition, but was maintaining a good pulse and blood pressure on his own. When we arrived in the ICU the following morning, Lopezs breathing tube had been removed and he was breathing comfortably on his own. The next day, he was medevaced to Da Nang. I never saw him again. Everyone at Dong Ha knew what had happened. But the good feeling that permeated the base could never compare with the sense of accomplishment felt by the corpsmen, physicians and surgeons of the 3rd Medical Battalion. For me, it was a profound lesson in humility and a powerful reminder that we dont have all the answers. I knew that the experienced combat surgical team assessed him not once or twice but three times, and by all measurable criteria Lopez was dead. I ordered him to surgery instinctively, on a purely emotional basis. The will to live and the power of the spirit will always be one step ahead of uswith Lopez. Dr. Finnegan later commanded a surgical team that treated 2,500 Marines during the siege of Khe Sanh. He is now a Philadelphia area surgeon and recently published his memoir: In the Company of Marines, A Surgeon Remembers Vietnam. July 2, 1967, was the single worst day for Marines in Vietnam: 84 dead, 190 wounded, nine missing. It began a 13- day battle, Operation Buffalo, that had all the worst aspects of warbody mutilation, trench warfare, massed artillery. Thousands against thousands. One afternoon, the NVA dropped about 1,400 rounds on our area. A few people just refused to fight. We had one guy who wouldnt do it no more. I mean, when youre up against 4,000 to 5,000 North Vietnamese and we were probably outnumbered 3-to-1 to begin with. When I decided to join the Marines in 1965 at 18, I just figured its the thing to do. My older brother was in the Marines, right after Korea. I had five uncles in World War II, one who was a Marine. After I did my infantry training at Camp Pendleton, they picked 15 of us to go to Coronado for Naval Gunfire Forward Observer (FO) School. That was my MOS. We flew into Da Nang and joined up with the 9th Marines at Hill 55, and then Marble Mountain. In May 1966, we went with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, into Da Nang to protect civilians during the uprisings when Buddhists were burning themselves up. I got wounded on May 21, spent time in a hospital and didnt return to Vietnam until early July. In July I was with the 4th Marines, and we began Operation Hastings, a big multi-battalion operation to clear the DMZ. Thats when we ran into the NVA for the first time. They were using war tactics, flank and motion; it turned into a different war. Things really heated up in early 1967. I was with the 1/3 then, and in April we went on an LPH (landing platform, helicopter), cruising up and down the coast. In any hot spots, wed go in with five helos, take care of businesswe could be out for over a month. We pulled our first operation in May 1967, and from there it was just one after another. Four to five thousand NVA at a time would cross the Ben Hai River, which divided North and South Vietnam. After my naval gunfire liaison officer, Ensign John W. McCormick, got killed on May 18, at the beginning of Operation Beau Charger, I was the only FO left. I was an E4 corporal, and it was stressful doing an officers job, taking coordinates, determining what round to fire, what spotting round, etc. The NVA 90th Regiment, 324-B Division was our adversary. Its troops were the best North Vietnam had. We fought them three different times and sent them back across the river. The 1st Battalion, 9th Marinesthe Walking Dead, they were calledwere running patrols from Con Thien north across the McNamara Linea 600-meter-wide bulldozed strip we called the Traceup into the DMZ to stop the enemy. On July 2, during a two-company patrol about a mile east of Con Thien, the 1/9 walked into a major ambush. They were attacked with massed artillery, mortars, everything, even flamethrowers, which the North Vietnamese were using for the first time. We had just returned from an operation and were on the LPH when we heard that the 1/9 got hit hard. That evening a gunny sergeant came down to our quarters. Youre going in tomorrow, he said. And dont forget to write home tonight, because were probably not coming back. That started Operation Buffalo. On July 3, we made a forced march up to the Trace, an eerie black-and-white world. Everything was burnt from Agent Orange, and human bones and debris littered the ground, as well as dead bodies. We set up in agricultural trenches alongside 3/9, which had arrived ahead of us. It took us two to three days to remove the dead and wounded, and the enemy continued to barrage us with thousands of rounds. I called in naval gunfire, whatever was available to me. In the meantime, the 2/3 had come in behind us. Finally, Im talking to this air spotter in a Bird Dog. Be advised, he said, I just counted 3,000 to 5,000 more NVA crossing the river. I was with this kid from Michigan we called Moose. What are we gonna do? Moose says. I told him, Were gonna kill as many as we can before they kill us. So we pushed up the sand in front of us and put the cleaning rod together, because I knew my M-16 was going to jam. You could hear the enemy mortar shells coming out of the tubes. Word came to withdraw, and we got back and set a big ambush, but the enemy never came across the Trace. Because we had annihilated them. The air spotter reported seeing 200 dead in a trench. And they all had our gear onflak jackets, American helmets, PRC-25 radios. By the end of the operation, July 14, we had killed almost 1,300 NVA, for 159 Marines and Navy corpsmen killed and 345 wounded. Navy ships had fired something like 1,500 rounds. When I got home, my dad had to sign so I could buy a pistol, because I wasnt 21 yet. In Vietnam, I carried two, pulled 16 major operations, 16 assaults. I extended my tour three months and didnt even take R&R in 16 months. Being there, as the point of the spear, thats the only way I would have had it. If youre gonna be a bear, be a grizzly. From the documentary Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories, by Wisconsin Public Television, www.wisconsinstories.org/vietnam. A monument dedicated on Nov. 11, 1966, to the men of Delaware County for their valiant service in Vietnam was recently discovered beneath brush in an old bank parking lot in Chadds Ford, Pa., an area better known for memorializing the service of soldiers in another war: the 1777 Battle of Brandywine which might help explain why it has a Revolutionary Warera cannon mounted on top of it. The discovery of the stone memorial has sparked a great deal of interest. Chadds Fords mystery monument may be the first memorial in the U.S. dedicated to Vietnam veterans, said Rich Schwartzman of ChaddsFordLive.com. But so far, no one has been found with any recollection of its dedication, and public records have revealed no information. The monument is on private property belonging to a family who also know nothing of its history or existence. According to Schwartzman, the property owner only learned of the monument in August, when reporters contacted him. The monument sits about 15 to 20 feet off the side of Rt. 202 on land that is slated for new commercial development. Weeds are growing through the cracks of the old bank parking lot, and the monument itself is in poor condition, said Schwartzman. Perhaps most intriguing about the monument is its dedication date in 1966. While the conflict was rapidly intensifying in 1966, it was still relatively early in the war. According to Duery Felton, curator of the National Park Services Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection, the Delaware County memorial is now in the lead for being the oldest, with the memorial in Wentzville, Mo., dedicated in 1967, a close second. Local and state representatives have discussed whether the memorial should be moved to a more public location, pending the property owners approval. Two local businesses said they will pay for the move or institute local fundraising, said Schwartzman. Some have also expressed interest in keeping the memorial where it is, though it is in need of repair. This monument could become an historic landmark, possibly being the first ever honoring Vietnam veterans, said Patrick Hughes, a Vietnam veteran who visited the site in August, according to Schwartzman. So, please, just keep it where it is. Library of Congress The film premiered on March 14, 1954, at the only theater in New York City that would show it. When director Elia Kazans On the Waterfront opened in 1954, critics and audiences hailed the gritty movie about Hoboken dockworkers and applauded Marlon Brandos performance as the ex-boxer who coulda been a contender. At the next Academy Awards ceremony, On the Waterfront won Oscars for best film, best director, best actor, and best supporting actress. Another movie about beleaguered workers opened to quite a different reception that same year. Like Kazans film, Salt of the Earth was based on an actual situation, in this case a mining strike in New Mexico. Both movies were shot on location with the participation of those who had lived the real stories. And both movies shared a history in the Hollywood blacklist. There the similarities ended. Kazan and his writer, Budd Schulberg, had both named names identified movie people they said were Communists when questioned by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Some saw their movie, in which Brandos character testifies against the racketeers who run the docks, as an allegory in support of informing. The people behind Salt, in contrast, were unrepentant blacklistees whose leftist political affiliations derailed their careers during the Red scares of the 1950s. On the Waterfront was a hit and is remembered as a classic film. The makers of Salt of the Earth struggled to find theater owners willing to show their incendiary movie. It required a great deal of optimism to make a left-leaning movie like Salt of the Earth in the early 1950s, but director Herbert Biberman was, by many accounts, a great optimist. The director of now-forgotten films such as Meet Nero Wolfe and The Master Race, Biberman had helped found the Screen Directors Guild, which later became the Directors Guild of America. He was also a Communist and one of many movie professionals who found inspiration in the Soviet Union or at least what dictator Joseph Stalin allowed the world to see of the Soviet Union. Throughout the 1930s, the Communist Party USA remained active in Hollywood, establishing guilds to give writers and actors bargaining clout against the studios, and fighting against Fascism abroad by championing the Spanish Republic and rallying against the Third Reich. Stalins pact with Adolf Hitler in 1939 disillusioned many a Beverly Hills Bolshevik, though some, like Biberman, remained unswayed. When the United States entered World War II in 1941, the Soviet Union became an ally, and Hollywood began to make movies that celebrated our newfound comrades. Those films returned to haunt the movie industry when World War II ended and the Cold War pitted the United States against the Soviet Union. Suddenly the U.S. government began casting a critical eye on the movie industry, and HUAC began investigating Communist influences on the silver screen. HUACs most visible targets were the so-called Hollywood Ten, filmmakers the committee charged with contempt of Congress in 1947 after they refused to answer questions about Communist affiliations. In 1950 the Supreme Court declined to consider the filmmakers appeals, and the Hollywood Ten began serving their sentences. Herbert Biberman, 50, served six months at a federal institution at Texarkana, Texas. Incarcerated with him was another of the Ten, writer Alvah Bessie. Compared to the ebullient Biberman, Bessie was a dour cynic. He cringed at Bibermans incessant good manners and his penchant for preaching politics to guards and prisoners, but he did have to admire Bibermans dedication to his beliefs, especially when he learned that the director had offered to serve six extra months to get Bessie released earlier. In 1951, HUAC increased the pressure on the movie industry with a new batch of subpoenas for Communist Party USA members, past members, and even non-affiliated liberals. The studios fell in line and expanded their unofficial blacklist. Actors, producers, directors, and other industry professionals whom the studios deemed tainted by leftist beliefs suddenly found themselves unemployable. Biberman, fellow Ten member and producer Adrian Scott, theater owner Simon Lazarus, and blacklisted screenwriter Paul Jarrico saw possibilities for that discarded talent. They teamed up to form Independent Productions Corporation and set out to find a story to tell. Jarrico found the subject matter while on a family vacation in New Mexico, where he heard about a mining strike in Grant County. The strikers were predominantly Mexican Americans, members of the Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers, a union the Congress of Industrialized Organizations (CIO) ejected in 1949 for alleged Communist influences. The strikers demanded that the Empire Zinc Corporation give them the same benefits and wages it gave the regions Anglo miners. The central issue, really, was dignity, equality, being treated like anybody else, remembers Clinton Jencks, a decorated World War II veteran the union sent to help out Local 890. He found that company housing for Mexican Americans lacked indoor plumbing and that the company organization was stacked in favor of Anglo workers. They had separate change rooms, separate payrolls, separate places to eat your lunch, strict locks on promotions with all the better jobs reserved for Anglos, Jencks says. We eventually broke all that down, but it was very consciously being used as a way to keep people fighting each other instead of the company. The strike nearly collapsed after eight months when Empire Zinc opened the mine to scab labor and obtained a court injunction prohibiting union pickets on company property. Then the wives and mothers of the unions Ladies Auxiliary circumvented the injunction by marching in place of the men. Jarrico was invigorated by what he had seen. The filmmakers had found their story. Biberman would direct and Jarrico would take on the role of producer, as Adrian Scott dropped out due to illness. Jarrico asked his brother-in-law and fellow blacklistee, Michael Wilson, to write the screenplay. Wilson traveled to Grant County and attended union meetings, visited the miners homes, and watched and listened as the strike unfolded. It was a violent time. The company would hire guys who were out-and-out gunmen and send them over to the sheriff and the sheriff would deputize them, says Jencks. At one point the sheriff locked up 45 women and 17 children, an action that appalled New Mexicos governor. In late summer, strikers descended upon three carloads of strikebreakers nearing the company entrance. The scabs attempted to push their cars past the picketers and knocked down three women. A strikebreaker shot into the crowd, wounding a picketer in the leg. News of the confrontation flashed through the mining district. Nearby mines emptied as their workers went to bolster the picket line. The strike was settled on January 21, 1952. The company agreed to higher wages and insurance benefits but denied the unions demand for paid holidays and remuneration for all time spent underground. Although it wasnt part of the settlement, the company soon provided hot running water for the miners homes. For Wilson, the strike provided an opportunity to tell a story that wove together the struggles of Mexican Americans, labor, and women. He saw the dramatic potential to examine how the mineworkers reacted when their wives took over the picket lines and they had to sit on the sidelines. And he wanted to tell the story from the participants point of view and use their feedback to fine-tune his screenplay. So when he finished his script treatment, Wilson took it to Grant County. People there objected to one scene where the main character had an extramarital fling and another in which he purchased whiskey with his last paycheck. Wilson cut the scenes. They were perfectly acceptable as drama, he explained to his partners, But were dealing with something else. Not just people. A people. As Wilson labored to complete a final script over the next year, he had union members and their wives look over all his drafts. In the meantime, Simon Lazarus began the process of assembling a crew. When he approached Roy Brewer, head of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees Union (IATSE), Brewer, not surprisingly, refused to cooperate. There has been a real Communist plot to capture our unions in Hollywood, he had told HUAC in 1947. Furthermore, Brewer warned Lazarus that further association with the blacklistees would finish the theater owners career. Producer Paul Jarrico, a diehard Communist whose optimism may have even surpassed Bibermans, remained undeterred. He was not someone who would back down from a fight, as Howard Hughes, who owned the RKO studio, learned when he removed Jarricos writing credit from The Las Vegas Story. Jarrico sued him but lost. (He finally received the credit, posthumously, in 1998.) So despite Brewers stand, Jarrico began scouring the country for craft people willing to ignore industry edicts. Some were blacklistees, others were documentary filmmakers who wanted to break into features, or greenhorns eager for experience. Finding a cast would be equally difficult. Anglo actors such as Will Geer and David Wolfe, both blacklisted, signed on as the sheriff and the chief foreman, respectively. The lead roles proved more difficult to fill. The filmmakers first cast a blacklisted white actor for the role of the striking miner, Ramon, and picked Bibermans wife, blacklisted actress Gale Sondergaard, as Ramons wife, Esperenza. Realizing the hypocrisy of this casting, they started looking for Mexican-American actors, with no luck. In Mexico, the company found award-winning actress Rosaura Revueltas, whose young career included only a few films. They signed her to play Esperenza. But when the production arrived in Silver City, New Mexico, in January 1953, it still lacked a male lead. Clinton Jencks remembers the communitys initial response to the Hollywood attention. They found it hard to believe that their lives were interesting enough to make a movie, says Jencks. I think we romanticized the Hollywood people, and the Hollywood people romanticized us. Some locals pitched in to help build a mine facade on the ranch of Alford Roos, an elderly independent mine owner, archeologist, explorer, writer, and rifle-toting Mohammedan with Jeffersonian political leanings. Roos rented his land to the filmmakers for one dollar. Many other locals found roles in front of the camera. Biberman hired the Roderick brothers, two lanky white miners from another union, to play redneck deputies. Local 890 vice-president Ernesto Velasquez portrayed a union official. Jencks played the Anglo representative from the unions headquarters, his real-life role, and his activist wife, Virginia, played her counterpart on screen. The production cast other members of Local 890 as miners and their wives. Juan Chacon was the unions newly elected president, and both Revueltas and Bibermans sister-in-law, Sonja Dahl Biberman, suggested that the director consider him to play Ramon. The director thought that Johnny Chacon was too gentle, too small, and too shy for the part, but he let him audition. Chacon gave an unimpressive reading, but the women insisted he had potential. With only three weeks left until shooting, the exasperated director finally decided to take a chance and cast Chacon as Ramon. Throughout the shooting, Biberman marveled as Chacon grew into the part of Ramon. We found we didnt have to act, Chacon would later write about the experience. El Biberman, as we came to call him, was happiest when we were just ourselves. In the first scene Biberman shot with dialogue, Jencks character restrains Ramon from attacking the foreman. The material touched sensitive nerves, and Biberman let the tension build. Afterwards, if Biberman still doubted that Chacon could get into character, Jencks had the bruises to prove he could. At the end of January, the miners and their wives flocked to Silver Citys theater to watch the first rushes, and they laughed and applauded at their images on the big screen. Yet even as the movie progressed, storm clouds were forming. A Silver City schoolteacher wrote to Walter Pidgeon, president of the Screen Actors Guild, and expressed concern that a Communist film company was manipulating the local Mexican Americans. Soon the media and the government began scrutinizing the maverick movie troupe. Columnist Victor Riesel pointed out the productions proximity to the Los Alamos atomic research facility. Congressman Donald Jackson said the film was deliberately designed to inflame racial hatreds and to depict the United States of America as the enemy of all colored peoples. It was, he said, a new weapon for Russia. The critical reaction created problems. Pathe Laboratories suddenly refused to process the daily rushes, so Biberman could no longer review each days work and had to print scenes blind. Immigration officials came for Revueltas they had sudden concerns about her passport and deported her back to Mexico. Biberman had to use a stand-in for some sequences, but he still needed the actress for voice-overs and frontal shots. Eventually, Revueltas recorded narration under clandestine circumstances in a dismantled Mexican sound studio, and the crew shot final footage of her in Mexico and then smuggled it like contraband over the border. Its Time To Choose Sides, read a headline in the Silver City Daily Press. Late one night in early March, someone fired shots into Clint Jencks parked car. The next day two carloads of troublemakers broke up the filming in front of the union hall. Jencks emerged from the fracas with a black eye, and the violent crowd nearly destroyed the camera. That night the vigilantes selected 10 emissaries to relay an ultimatum to the movie people: If they did not leave by noon the next day they would leave in black boxes. The sheriff was forced to call in the state police, who kept the peace as the crew finished the final scenes. Several weeks later someone burned the home of one of the films Anglo miners. The film was still far from completed. Now the laborious job of post-production the assembly and polishing of the film began, and the movie industry made the process more difficult by throwing up as many roadblocks as it could. As Howard Hughes explained in a letter to Congressman Donald Jackson, the studios could effectively kill the picture if they denied the production access to the facilities they needed to edit, dub, score, and otherwise prepare the movie for theaters. Biberman and Jarrico refused to quit. They found a company willing to process the film after several labs refused, and they recruited an editor and installed him in a house in Topanga Canyon, north of Los Angeles. The editor, who had worked only on documentaries, proved unsuitable. Worse, the tin-roofed editing quarters became so hot the film began to shrivel. As the filmmakers scrambled to find another editor, they moved operations into the ladies room of an empty theater that Simon Lazarus owned in Pasadena. After firemen came snooping they relocated again, this time to a vacant studio in Burbank. By the time it was finished the film used four editors, one of whom was an FBI informer. By the beginning of 1954, the moviemakers had turned their raw footage into a movie. The next hurdle would be finding theaters to show it. Roy Brewer, the anti-Communist head of the IATSE, represented projectionists, and he was hardly likely to steer Salt on to movie screens. As he wrote to Congressman Jackson, The Hollywood AFL Council assures you that everything which it can do to prevent the showing of The Salt of the Earth will be done. In New York City the production found a theater owner whose projectionists belonged to a different union. After much persuasion he agreed to host the films opening. Salt of the Earth premiered at the Grande Theater on March 14, 1954, to mostly positive reviews. The New York Times Bosley Crowther wrote that an unusual company made up largely of actual miners and their families plays the drama exceedingly well. While several found it unfairly pro-labor, few saw it pro-Red, save a young writer named Pauline Kael, who wrote that it was as clear a piece of Communist propaganda as we have had in many years. Communist or not, lines such as This installment plan, its the curse of the working man, indicate the shortcomings of writing for a people instead of people. In his account of the blacklist era, writer Stefan Kanfer referred to Wilsons clanking, agitprop prose. In some scenes the shortcomings of an inexperienced crew and amateur cast are obvious. Elia Kazan may have named names, but with On the Waterfront he also made the superior picture. Salt ran at the Grande for nine weeks, taking in a more-than-respectable $50,000, and opened in another dozen or so American theaters. The film was warmly received overseas, especially in France, and it won the grand prize from the Paris Academy of Film. Salt also triumphed at its premiere in Mexico City, where audiences considered Rosaura Revueltas a star. In 1956 the film company filed an anti-trust suit charging more than 100 industry figures with conspiracy. That done, Biberman and Jarrico resigned from the company to move on to other work. After eight years of litigation, they lost their suit. Today the movie is largely forgotten, but the passions and upheaval behind its creation have refused to completely die away. When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced it would give director Elia Kazan a lifetime achievement award at the 1999 Academy Award ceremonies, it reopened wounds that had not yet healed. In the end, Kazan received his award without incident. Many of the people blacklisted never found work in movies again. Some writers found employment by working under pseudonyms or having acceptable writers front for them. Michael Wilson won Oscar attention for his scripts, even though his name did not appear on the final films. In later, friendlier years he would get credit for writing Friendly Persuasion and for his contributions to The Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia. Biberman developed land in Los Angeles and wrote a book, Salt of the Earth: The Story of a Film, published in 1965. He directed one more movie, Slaves, a poorly received variation on Uncle Toms Cabin. He died of bone cancer in 1971. Jarrico wrote scripts in Europe and returned to the United States in the late 60s, his Communist years long behind him. Im probably the only writer who has been blacklisted on both sides of the Iron Curtain, he said. He found television work and wrote films such as The Day That Shook the World. He also fought to get blacklisted writers the screen credits denied them. He died in 1997 in an automobile accident near Ojai, California, at the age of 82. The day before he had received honors at a star-studded Beverly Hills soiree entitled Hollywood Remembers The Blacklist. This article was written by Steve Boisson and originally published in the February 2002 issue of American History Magazine. For more great articles, subscribe to American History magazine today! FEATURES My 15 Minutes Out of the Attic By Robert Lee Hodge From the cover of Confederates in the Attic to a Primetime Live television feature, a reenactor discovered the fleeting nature of fame. The Magic of New Old Photographs Claude Levet takes reenactors back 145 years by using wet-plate collodion photography, just as Mathew Brady Alexander Gardner and Timothy OSullivan did. Runaway Slave on the Wisconsin-Canada Line By Tobin Beck and Lance Herdegen Carolyn Quarlls fled from St. Louis on July 4, 1842, traveling to Canada with aid from a new network of people dedicated to helping slaves find freedom. Daniel Sickles: An Unlikely Union General By Christopher Ryan Oates Bouncing from success to ruin and back again through an endless series of scandals that included murder, Daniel Sickles rebuilt his reputation by raising troops for the Union. Robert E. Lee Takes Center Stage By Tom Boeche Bold moves by new Confederate commander Robert E. Lee convinced his Union adversary, George McClellan, to give up plans for a siege of Richmond. Watch That Finger! Raise Those Arms! Make Your Point! By Allen C. Guelzo The debates between Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln showcased their differences in oratorical style as much as political substance. DEPARTMENTS Letters Open Fire! Civil War News and History On the Block In the Halls of Congress By Eric Etheir The secessionist climate of winter 1860-61 led to Congress splitting 2 for 1. Letter From Americas Civil War Reviews Did Lincoln own slaves? War comes to central Louisiana Maps to understand Gettysburg Struck! Dan Sickles leg took on a celebrity life of its own after being struck by a cannonball at Gettysburg. ONLINE EXTRAS An Eyewitness Account of the Evacuation of Richmond During the American Civil War Confederacys Canadian Mission: Spies Across the Border Union Officer Julian Bryant: A Voice for Black Soldiers Life was exciting for 23-year-old Ensign Lee Royal in the summer of 1950. The tall, slim Texan had recently graduated from the United States Naval Academy and reported for duty on board the most famous warship in the world, the USS Missouri. Royal was wearing the gold bars of a commissioned officer, a step up from the previous year when he had served on the same ship as a midshipman on a training cruise. The Missouri had visited England during that cruise, and Royal and two classmates had been brash enough to go to Chartwell, Winston Churchills country home. They wanted to shake the hand of the former British prime minister. Churchill had been even more obliging than that, taking the three young midshipmen on a tour of the grounds and then presenting them with books, cigars, and wine. An amazed bodyguard told them privately that the British statesman had been much more hospitable to them than to many of his famous visitors. The guard mentioned that Churchill was fond of navy men, Americans, and young people. The midshipmen belonged to all three categories. By 1950, the Missouri was the U.S. Navys only active battleshipjust a decade after the navy had considered battleships to be its foremost fighting ships. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, however, had dramatically changed the situation. Soon aircraft carriers and submarines became the navys primary offensive weapons, while battleships were relegated to a secondary role. They had been designed to fight gun duels against large surface vessels, but those encounters rarely occurred in World War II. The United States entered the war with a number of old, slow battleships commissioned between 1912 and 1923, which were primarily used for shore bombardment and to support amphibious landings. Only the navys 10 new battleships, commissioned between 1941 and 1944, were fast enough to travel in aircraft carrier task groups and provide antiaircraft protection. The USS Missouri was the last battleship the navy completed. Commissioned in June 1944, she reached the Western Pacific war zone in early 1945. The ship served with carrier forces in support of landings at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and near the end of the war, the Missouris 16-inch guns bombarded industrial targets in Japan itself. Mighty Mo became world-famous as the site of the Japanese surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, bringing World War II to an end. The Missouri and dozens of other U.S. warships arrived home to a triumphant welcome, but the nation demobilized rapidly once the hostilities ceased. At the end of the war, the navy had 23 battleships in commission but soon began withdrawing them from active servicemothballing the newest ones and scrapping the oldest. The return to peacetime defense budgets emphasized the fact that the battleships period of primacy was over. By the summer of 1950, the Missouri had been downgraded from a full-fledged warship to a training vessel with a reduced crew. Economy-minded Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson would have preferred to decommission the Missouri entirely to save money, but President Harry S. Truman wouldnt allow it. The president was particularly fond of the ship. Not only was she named for his home state, but his daughter Margaret had christened her. When Lee Royal returned to the Missouri the year after his visit with Churchill, the ship was making another training cruise, but this time budget considerations limited her itinerary to the western Atlantic Ocean. Still, Royal found it an enjoyable experience, particularly when the battleship made a port visit to New York City in mid-August. One evening Royal and a date went to see a Broadway musical. When he returned to the ship at one in the morning the officer on the quarterdeck asked him, Did you have a good time? The ensign replied that he had. Good, the officer said, because thats the last one youre going to have for some time. The Missouri was going back to war. The korean war had begun a month and a half earlier, on June 25, 1950. As Communist North Korea army units advanced into South Korea, President Truman committed American troops to the hostilities. Because the Missouri possessed the only active 16-inch guns in the fleetan important factor in the planning of amphibious assaultsshe received orders to report for duty half a world away. Five years earlier, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur had accepted the Japanese surrender on the captains veranda deck of the Missouri. Now the general was planning an invasion at the port of Inchon, behind North Korean lines. He scheduled the action for mid-September and wanted the Missouris big guns to stop North Korean traffic on roads leading into the Inchon-Seoul area. The Missouris crew had much to do. The ship traveled first to her home port of Norfolk, Virginia, where she spent four days and nights taking on supplies of food, fuel, and ammunition. The battleships peacetime crew increased to a fighting complement of 114 officers and 2,070 enlisted men. On Saturday morning, August 19, 1950, the 887-foot-long warship cruised through Hampton Roads and Thimble Shoal Channel and into the Atlantic Ocean. The same routine trip had been a disaster seven months earlier. On January 17, while leaving for a training cruise to Cuba, the Missouri had run aground in the same port, a huge embarrassment for the navy. Captain William D. Brown was relieved of command shortly after that. The Missouris role in the Inchon mission was considered so important that she went to sea in the face of threatening weather. That night newly appointed Captain Irving Duke and his crew paid heavily as they encountered a hurricane off North Carolina. Under normal conditions the Missouri was rock steady, but these waters were anything but normal. The wind and waves sent two helicopters over the side and caused serious damage elsewhere. Trying to outflank the storm had been a calculated risk, and the ship suffered for it. The battleship passed through the Panama Canal and into the Pacific Ocean and proceeded to Pearl Harbor for repairs and installation of antiaircraft guns that had been removed after World War II. She then continued westwardthrough the Philippine archipelago and toward Japan. Nature, though, didnt respect the navys scheduling. Typhoon Kezia lay in the ships path. This time, Captain Duke took a more deliberate approach, following a course that diminished the risk of storms. The ship came through unscathed, but the delays from the repair period and the zigzag course kept the ship from reaching Korea in time for the Inchon invasion. Up until this point the fighting in Korea had not been going well for the ill-prepared United Nations forces. The North Koreans had pushed steadily southward, driving the U.N. troops into the Pusan perimeter at the southern end of the Korean peninsula. MacArthurs invasion at Inchon, however, proved to be a brilliant success even without the Missouris firepower. When it became apparent that the battleship could not make it to Inchon in time for the invasion, which had to be precisely timed to take advantage of the tides, the Missouri received orders to bombard North Korean transportation facilities and ground troops along the way. When the ship finally reached Inchon on September 21, MacArthur, an old soldier who was then 70, came aboard for a visit. Members of the ships Marine detachment scoffed at the theatrical general, whom some people scornfully referred to as Dugout Doug. Some of the men under MacArthurs command during World War II had given him the nickname due to his absence during the siege of Bataan on the PhilippineIslands. When the five-star general arrived on board, he spoke with Captain Lawrence Kindred, commanding officer of the Missouris Marines. The general told him, I have just returned from the far north, where your comrades-in-arms are in close combat with the enemy. And I wish to report to you that there is not a finer group of fighting men in the world than the U.S. Marines. The previously skeptical Kindred became an instant MacArthur fan. The following month another famous guest boarded the Missouri. Comedian Bob Hope presented a show for the benefit of crew members gathered on the fantail for a Navy Day celebration. Hopes time-honored formula included both humor and an attractive actress, Marilyn Maxwell. The ground fighting improved for U.N. forces in the wake of the landings at Inchon. Later in the year, however, the situation turned around again as Chinese forces entered the war to help the North Koreans, and U.N. troops were once again pushed south. In action that became legendary in the annals of Marine Corps history, troops at frozen Chosin Reservoir fought a valiant rear-guard action. Shortly before Christmas, the Marines moved to an evacuation site in the port of Hungnam on the east coast, where the Missouri created a curtain of fire between the advancing enemy and the retreating allies. Though the ship no longer performed the ship-against-ship missions for which she was designed, her guns proved an invaluable weapon for land war, with each 16-inch projectile capable of producing a crater some 30 feet in diameter. By 1951, the battleship had settled into a wartime routine that included bombarding enemy facilities on shore, supporting ground troops, and providing antiaircraft protection for carriers launching bombing strikes against North Korea. Periodically she would meet up with supply ships for replenishment at sea or travel to Sasebo, Japan, to take on ammunition and give the crew some free time ashore. Missouris first combat service in Korea ended in mid-March, six months after her arrival, and she began the long trip back to the United States. By this time the navy had begun pulling other World War II-era ships from mothballs for return to active duty. Among them was the Missouris sister ship, New Jersey, slated as her relief. The two ships crossed paths at the Panama Canal. The Wisconsin was recommissioned in March, and the Iowa would be recommissioned in August. With all four ships of the Iowa class back in active service, the situation had changed dramatically from the previous August when Ensign Royal learned that his New York liberty had been the last good time he would see for a while. Now the Missouri became part of a regular rotation as the battleships alternated between midshipman training cruises and deployments to the 7th Fleet off Korea. The Missouri returned to Norfolk on April 27, more than eight months after her hurried departure for the war zone. Thousands of people turned out for the homecoming celebration. As the battleship headed toward her berth at the naval stations pier seven, a biplane flew overhead, towing a long banner that read, WELCOME HOME MIGHTY MO. During the summers of 1951 and 1952 the Missouri resumed her role as a training ship, but in September 1952, the battleship returned for more Far East duty. Taking command for the Missouris second deployment to Korea was Captain Warner Edsall. As the ship proceeded westward, Ensign Lawrence Ace Treadwell, a recent naval academy graduate and not long married, was standing on the Missouris bridge when he heard Captain Edsall remark, Its great to be back to sea. Treadwell would have preferred to be home with his wife, but the captain realized he had one of the choicest commands in the navy, and he meant to enjoy it. By the autumn of 1952 the Korean War had settled down to a stalemate. North Korean and U.N. representatives met at Panmunjom to seek some sort of negotiated settlement. President Truman had ruled out taking the war north to China, but he was determined to hold onto territory in South Korea during the peace talks. So the Missouri continued her program of shore attacks. The battleship remained so far off shore during her bombardment missions that she was essentially invulnerable. One of the Missouris targets was the port of Wonsan, a transportation hub and industrial center on the east coast of North Korea. On March 5 and March 10, 1953, North Korean gunners at Wonsan retaliated and succeeded in firing some shrapnel onto the battleships broad fantail. The range was long for Missouris less powerful 5-inch guns, but they were aimed toward Wonsan and pumped out 998 rounds, by far the most prolific day for the smaller guns during the deployment. As the Missouri had done two years previously, she made a number of visits to Japan for re-arming and so that the crew could enjoy liberty. One of those who went sightseeing was Chief Gunners Mate Jack McCarron, who had served on the Missouri for roughly five yearsa long tour of duty for a navy man. On December 7, 1941, McCarron had been badly burned while manning a 5-inch antiaircraft gun on the battleship Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. McCarron had the distinction of serving on the two battleships that symbolized the beginning and the end of World War II in the Pacific. The Missouris last bombardment mission of the Korean War came to an end on the morning of March 25, 1953. She fired at targets in the vicinity of Kojo, just south of Wonsan. Captain Edsall was on the Missouris bridge on the morning of March 26 as she steamed into port at Sasebo, Japan, the first stop on the long journey home. At 7:21 a.m., just after Edsall gave the helmsman an order, the captain grasped the arm of his executive officer, Commander Bob North, and collapsed on the deck. North directed the ship to her berth, as Edsall was pronounced dead of a heart attack. A new skipper, Captain Robert Brodie, Jr., soon came aboard to take command and shepherd the Missouri back to the United States. In 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower replaced Harry Truman as president of the United States, and during that summer the negotiators at Panmunjom completed armistice talks and ended the fighting. South Korea had maintained its independence, and the war had remained a limited one, although U.S. casualties totaled about 137,000. The conflict did not end in a rousing and decisive victory like that of World War II, but the Missouri had made a significant contribution to the Korean War. She was decommissioned after the war, but in 1986 the modernized Missouri was recommissioned once more. During the Persian Gulf War five years later, the battleship again saw active service, when her guns and missiles were used against military targets in Iraq. In 1992, the Missouri was decommissioned for the second time. Four years later the navy donated the battleship to the Honolulu-based USS Missouri Memorial Association. The Missouri will never again see combat but will open as a memorial museum in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in January 1999, allowing visitors the opportunity to board Americas most celebrated battleship. This article was written by Paul Stillwell and originally published in the February 1999 issue of American History Magazine. For more great articles, subscribe to American History magazine today! Washington hoped the Canadians would rise up with the Americans against the British. George Washington launched Americas first invasion of a foreign land scarcely two months after assuming command of the Continental Army. In September 1775, he dispatched troops to the far north to attack the scantly guarded city of Quebec, which the French had ceded to the British 12 years earlier. The goal of the campaign was not only to deliver a crushing strategic blow to the British by capturing the gateway to the St. Lawrence River and thereby to all of Canada, but also to convince the French-speaking Canadians to join the Revolution on the side of the United Colonies. But he faced a vexing dilemma: Would the Americans, whose greatest asset was their legitimate claim to the moral high ground, be viewed as liberators by the local people? If the Quebecois viewed the expedition as an unwelcome invasion, the American troops would be hard-pressed to sustain a successful attack on the fortress city. The Quebec campaign is now viewed as one of Washingtons early missteps, before he grew into his role as a military commander. But a close examination of Washingtons pre-campaign instructions to Colonel Benedict Arnold offers a glimpse of his foresight and genius. Instead of focusing strictly on logistical concerns, he included guidance on how Officers and Soldiers should behave in a foreign land, amidst civilians with very different traditions, customs and religious beliefs. Indeed, his instructions could offer useful insights to contemporary American leaders and soldiers as they carry out military campaigns in distant lands. Rule 1: Dont Assume You Are Welcome You are by every means in your Power to endeavor to discover the real Sentiments of the Canadians towards our Cause, and particularly as to this Expedition, ever bearing in Mind, that if they are averse to it and will not cooperate, it must fail of success. When the British gained control of Canada in 1763, at the conclusion of the French and Indian War, nearly 70,000 French-speaking Catholics in Quebec came under imperial rule. The British military tried to institute English law, which at the time still withheld political rights from Catholics. But as rebellion spread in America following Parliaments passage of the Stamp Act in 1765, Quebec Governor Guy Carleton shrewdly set out to separate Canada from the 13 colonies and turn it into a potential bastion of British armed strength by allowing French inhabitants to retain their heritage. Barring a catastrophe too shocking to think of, this country will remain French till the end of time, he declared. That policy came to be embodied in the Quebec Act of 1774, which granted freedom of religion to Catholics in Canada, restored French civil law and extended the boundaries of Quebec to include Indian lands south of the Great Lakes between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The changes were viewed with great alarm in the 13 colonies. The Quebec Act was passed in the same session of Parliament as a series of punitive acts designed to quell the patriot uprising sparked by the Boston Tea Party. Since Canadians were denied any electoral privileges, Americans suspected it marked a first step by the British to strip all the colonies of their elected assemblies. Moreover, the act kindled old fears among Protestants of a Catholic majority to the north. Washington and other leaders of the American Revolution hoped that their neighbors to the north would rise up with them against the British. But he also had good cause to wonder: Might the cultural, historic and political differences between Anglo-Americans in the rebellious colonies and the French Canadians overshadow their common concerns and shared interests? The expedition would be self-defeating if the local population proved to be actively hostile to patriot forces. In that case, Washington warned Arnold, you are by no Means to prosecute the Attempt; the Expence of the Expedition, and the Disappointment are not to be put in Competition with the dangerous Consequences which may ensue, from irritating them against us, and detaching them from that Neutrality which they adopted. Rule 2: Cultivate Local Support Conciliate the affections of those People and such Indians as you may meet with by every Means in your Power, convincing them that we come, at the Request of many of their Principal People, not as Robbers or to make War upon them; but as the Friends and Supporters of their Liberties, as well as ours. And to give Efficacy to these Sentiments, you must carefully inculcate upon the Officers and Soldiers under your Command that not only the Good of their Country and their Honour, but their Safety depends upon the Treatment of these People. While troops were gathering for the Quebec expedition, Washington penned an open letter to the Inhabitants of Canada, which he hoped would sway the uncommitted or, at the very least, soften any hostility toward the soldiers he had dispatched to their country. We have taken up Arms in Defence of our Liberty, our Property; our Wives and our Children: We are determined to preserve them or die. Echoing previous messages sent by the Continental Congress, he invited Canadians to join the cause: Come then, my Brethern. Let us run together to the same Goal. Range yourselves under the Standard of general Liberty, against which all the force and Artifice of Tyranny will never be able to prevail. But what if the soldiers he dispatched undermined his offer of friendship and misbehaved? A great number of common Continental soldiers were 15 or 16 years old at the start of hostilities. When Washington arrived in Cambridge to assume command, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, which had been managing the war until then, warned him that the greatest part of the soldiers have not before seen service. They were naturally brave and of good understanding, he was informed, yet for want of Experience in military life, and disregarding strict temperance, they lacked basic military discipline and even cleanliness. Concerned about how these lads might handle themselves, Washington warned Arnold and his officers that they must observe the strictest Discipline and good Order, by no Means suffering any Inhabitant to be abused, or in any Manner injured, either in his Person or Property, punishing with exemplary Severity every Person who shall transgress, and making ample Compensation to the Party Injured. Rule 3: Respect Local Religious Practices As the Contempt of the Religion of a Country by ridiculing any of its Ceremonies or affronting its Ministers or Votaries has ever been deeply resented, you are to be particularly careful to restrain every Officer and Soldier from such Imprudence and Folly and to punish every Instance of it. On the other Hand, as far as lays in your power, you are to protect and support the free Exercise of the Religion of the Country and the undisturbed Enjoyment of the rights of Conscience in religious Matters, with your utmost Influence and Authority. Anti-Catholicism was deeply embedded in the popular culture of colonial America. Every year on November 5, the anniversary of a thwarted Catholic conspiracy to blow up Parliament in 1605, artisans and laborers in colonial cities marked Popes Day with marches through the streets bearing elaborate effigies of the pope and the devil, which they would burn at night. Men imbued with this attitude were about to come across ubiquitous displays of the Catholic faith, shrines and crosses and gestures, each a temptation to ridicule. Without stern measures to prevent it, some soldiers were likely to succumb, and just a few miscues could endanger the entire mission. Washington was also well aware that in the minds of many patriots, including soldiers who had volunteered for this mission, the invasion offered a special opportunity to fight two tyrants at once: the British monarch and the Catholic pope. One army chaplain gave voice to these zealous rebels by noting the expedition would spread the gospel through this vast extended country, which has been for ages the dwelling of Satan, and reign of Antichrist. This was a common sentiment. Just before embarking on their journey, a group of soldiers broke open the Massachusetts tomb of George Whitefield, the famous revivalist of the Great Awakening, cut off pieces of his collar and wristbands (which had not yet decomposed after five years underground), and carried them off as relics to ensure success in conquering a land peopled by Catholics, their British rulers and others they considered heathens. Rule 4: Dont Abuse Prisoners Any Prisoners who may fall into your Hands, you will treat with as much Humanity and kindness, as may be consistent with your own Safety and the publick Interest. Be very particular in restraining not only your own Troops, but the Indians from all Acts of Cruelty and Insult, which will disgrace the American Arms, and irritate our Fellow Subjects against us. Washingtons injunction turned out to be moot during the Quebec Campaign because patriot forces did not take any prisoners. But he stuck to his principles as the war progressed. After the pivotal Battle of Princeton in January 1777, which forced a British withdrawal from New Jersey, Washington issued another set of instructions that embody the classic practical argument that prisoner abuse can lead to retaliation in kind. Treat surrendering prisoners with humanity, he told his subordinates. Let them have no reason to complain of our copying the brutal example of the British army. The British viewed American prisoners as rebellious subjects of the Crown deserving of the severest possible punishment. When American officers captured at Bunker Hill in June 1775 were imprisoned with felons in a Boston jail, Washington complained that they should be treated with more humanity and with Claims of Rank. Instead, British General Thomas Gage insisted the men were traitors, not prisoners of war, and by law destined for the cord. During the course of the war, captured Americans were stuffed into hastily improvised warehouse facilities and notorious prison ships docked in New York Harbor. An estimated 11,000 patriot prisoners held on those ships died from starvation and disease, as well as flogging and other forms of violence. Americans were not completely above reproach in their treatment of prisoners. Indeed, loyalists who had the bad luck to be captured were condemned as traitors, and a notable few suffered hideous treatment in a copper mine in Connecticut. But the Americans were generally more lenient toward prisoners, in large part because they lacked the resources to keep them for long. After they took some 6,000 at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777, many of the British and German officers were eventually exchanged for captured American officers. But enlisted men were held captive in camps in New England, Virginia and Pennsylvania and put to work on farms until the end of the war. Ultimately, more than 2,000 quietly blended into the countryside and became new Americans. Rule 5: Withdraw if Your Objectives Are Unobtainable If unforseen Difficulties should arise or if the Weather shoud become so severe as to render it hazardous to proceed in your own Judgment and that of your principal Officers (whom you are to consult), in that Case you are to return, giving me as early Notice as possible, that I may give you such Assistance as may be necessary. Given the hawkish disposition of American political leaders and the soldiers themselves, Washington showed real courage by issuing this instruction. If Arnold turned back because of adverse conditions or intelligence reports that the host population was averse to the presence of the Continental Army, the resultant political uproar would likely have cost him his job. But his instructions stood, and he expected Arnold to obey them faithfully, come what may. Arnold was confident he could reach Quebec in three weeks, but he badly miscalculated the distance, and the difficulties, ahead. The trek instead lasted two months, and a third of his force of 1,100 eventually turned back. The rivers were unpredictable, forcing the soldiers to carry their 400-pound boats and all their supplies for miles at a time. The cold was relentless and provisions few: Survivors recalled making meals of boiled shoe leather or melted candles before sheltering for the night under a single thin blanket. Despite Washingtons cautionary instructions, Arnold saw his mission through. In keeping with time-honored military tradition, he praised the determination of his troops. Notwithstanding all these obstacles, he wrote from Pointe-Aux-Trembles in November 1775, the officers and men, inspired and fired with the love of liberty and their country, pushed on with a fortitude superior to every obstacle, and most of them had not one days provision for a week. In retrospect, all that heroic effort was in vain. But once offensive forces are set in motion it can be hard to reverse them, even if a withdrawal might be the wisest course of action. Ray Raphael is the author of A Peoples History of the American Revolution, Founding Myths and Founders. Tesla Motor's Gigafactory is now set to make its official debut, as the company will hold a grand opening for the facility on July 29. While the Nevada-based factory has been partially operational for months and it was only recently that the electric automaker completed 14 percent of the facility, Tesla plans to hold a ceremony to officially "open" the factory in two months. Invites for the event have apparently only been sent to certain VIPs so far, among them being those who received invites through Tesla's Model S sales referral program by referring five buyers. The July 29 date was included in an email that was posted to Reddit and sent by Tesla to customers who won these tickets. The company has also confirmed that it will hold a customer-focused launch event that night. It has yet to be revealed if media outlets will be invited to the opening, as Tesla hasn't hosted media at the Gigafactory for the most part. The company has also yet to reveal what exactly will take place at the event, though it is expected to include the first actual chance that people will get to see what's inside the facility. The only media outlet to get a tour of the factory so far is "Motor Trend" back in April, but it was mainly just a tour of outside the factory. While Tesla isn't expected to complete construction for the Gigafactory between now and July 29, the automaker has hosted smaller events in areas of the factory where it has finished construction, one of which was with SolarCity in March when it discussed the future of solar power in Nevada with state legislators. The factory is actually already producing batteries that Tesla is selling to companies, utilities and building owners, who can then use the batteries to store solar energy at night and better manage power grids. The Gigafactory will cover 5.8 million square feet and cost $5 billion to build, and Panasonic is helping supply the facility with equipment for battery production. The facility will focus on building batteries for Tesla's electric cars, which include the recently unveiled Model 3 ($35,000), Model S ($80,000) and Model X ($150,000). @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Glastonbury Festival takes place this year immediately after the referendum in the UK on Britain remaining in the EU. Against that backdrop, festival organiser Michael Eavis has urged festival goers to make sure they vote and to vote to stay part of "a continent of opportunity, languages, colour, excitements and exchanges." Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis has urged UK festival-goers to vote to remain in the European Union. This years Glastonbury Festival takes place on the weekend following the Eurppean Union referendum in the UK, which takes place on 23 June. The event runs officially opens on Friday morning when the first music starts to happen but fans traditionally converge on the area up to two days in advance. And some concern has been expressed that a significant number of votes might be lost to the campaign to remain in Europe, among the 175,000 who attend the festival. The people coming to our festival have to make sure they vote, Eavis told the Observer newspaper. The result of this referendum strongly affects their future theyve got to ensure that they are part of it... We have said it till we are blue in the face: if you come, vote. And Eavis left no one in any doubt as to how he would be voting, as he encouraged the Glastonbury community to vote to stay in Europe. Im deeply for In Europe, he said. In with both feet. Its not for my sake Ive nearly finished; Ive been on the go at this for 50 years it for them. I think most people who come to our festival are reasonably intelligent, he added. And as such they must realise that our future must be as part of this European ideal. Advertisement I can understand the OAP with a little house in Margate and picture of the Queen on the mantlepiece wanting it to be Little England again. I accept all that. But its the past: thats just rainy old windswept `margate talking. This referendum is about the future, in which we have to be part of the bigger picture, a continent of opportunity, languages, colours, excitements and exchanges. This years festival includes Coldplay (pictured), who are headlining for the fourth time, Electric Light Orchestra and Muse among its headliners, with P.J. Harvey headlining the Other Stage on Sunday. Those who are travelling to the festival from other parts of the UK that might require leaving before Thursday morning when votes can be cast have the option of registering to vote by post. The festival organiser has set up a site to help people with information about how to register for the postal vote. The deadline for postal registration is June 3. Eavis also makes the case as a farmer that to leave the EU would be a disaster for British agriculture. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Traffic creeps along the highway a couple hundred feet below the glass-cased offices of the U.S. government's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy in Washington. Chris Atkinson, a program director at the agency, can't help but think about how much fuel those cars are wasting, stopping and starting, and ponders how much more efficient they will be when computers control them and not humans. "Humans are terrible drivers. They accelerate too quickly. They brake too late and they change lanes without reason," he said. "If all those vehicles would mutually agree to move at a steady 30 mph, there would no long be any congestion out there." The development of autonomous cars that use cameras, sensors and computer algorithms to navigate roadways has long drawn speculation from scientists that future demand for oil production as well as the millions of gallons of gasoline that flow out of Texas refineries each day could be under threat. That day could already be here. Manufacturers, including Tesla and Mercedes, are selling semi-autonomous models that will not only steer themselves on a highway but accelerate and brake in response to the cars around them. Even this limited autonomy could enable significant reductions in fuel consumption, said Jeremy Carlson, a senior car analyst at the research firm IHS. More Information Autonomous cars timeline 1908: Henry Ford introduces the Model T to the American public. 1958: Chrysler takes drivers' feet off the gas pedal with a new cruise control feature. 2004: The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration announces an autonomous vehicle contest in the California desert with a $1 million prize. 2009: Google launches self-driving car project, testing an autonomous Toyota Prius on California highways. 2014: Tesla reprograms fleet with semi-autonomous features such as driverless steering on freeways. 2017: Fully autonomous cars will be ready for the road, Elon Musk predicts. 2035: 9 percent of vehicle sales will be autonomous vehicle, the research firm IHS predicts. 2055: 90 percent of the vehicle fleet is autonomous, according to the same researchers. - Staff research Top features already available in cars: 1. Auto-steering on highway to keep vehicle in lane 2. Driverless parallel parking 3. Cruise control that adjusts speed based on car in front 4. Automatic emergency braking 5. Driverless lane changing that checks blind spot - Staff research See More Collapse "We haven't quantified it because it's a pretty difficult thing to measure. But any time you're talking about automation, you're talking about making things more efficient," he said. "It's really about using the exact amount of acceleration or brake for the circumstance." So far, the potential threat of autonomous cars does not appear to have set off alarms within the oil offices that dot the Houston skyline. "It's not something we've had a deep dive on," said a spokesman for Exxon Mobil. In part, cars have gotten so much efficient already under standards enacted by the Obama administration to combat the effects of climate change that U.S. demand for petroleum products is already on the decline. "The oil companies are already getting hammered by this," said Michael Webber, deputy director of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas. "If you look at the fuel efficiencies and biofuel mandates, autonomous cars are just another problem to contend with." About a quarter of all the energy used in this country each day goes to propelling vehicles, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. And last year U.S. motorists consumed less than 390 million gallons of gasoline a day, a 1.5 percent reduction from peak consumption in 2007. As cars become more autonomous, energy demand may become less certain. Perhaps demand will drop because cars will be more efficient, or perhaps it will rise because people will use them more. Meantime, computers are already capable of fine-tuning the mechanics of driving - doing away with mankind's worst highway habits - to cut down on fuel use. Cruise control A European study in 2012, which included auto manufacturers Ford and Volkswagen, found that even an advanced form of cruise control, a decade-old technology that adjusts a car's speed based on what the vehicle in front does, reduces its fuel use by 3 percent. The potential energy savings are such that ARPA-E, the advanced research division of the Department of Energy, is putting up $30 million in grant money for engineers to build upon automation technology and actually find ways to get cars to use less fuel. Some of that work is already being done on at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, a 1,200-acre campus where engineers work on developing autonomous vehicles for everyone from the U.S. military to farmers to major car manufacturers. The institute does not actually make the vehicles. Rather, it develops the algorithms that allow cars "to learn and anticipate and predict," said Ryan Lamm, director of research and development at the institute's automation and data systems division. On a 1.2 mile test track, a Ford Explorer uses both GPS and a camera pointed at the asphalt to navigate its way from point A to B. The idea is that GPS is great for directions but not precise enough to determine whether a car is creeping into a neighboring lane. So the cars cross-reference the feed from the camera with its database of images of the asphalt on the track to keep it from going off line. "There's a lot of venture capital funding flowing into this right now," Lamm said. "It's almost is like an arms race." Google's prototype autonomous cars are riding around Austin and Northern California - sans steering wheels. Uber has been raiding the engineering department of Carnegie Mellon University to man a new research and testing facility around an old railroad station in Pittsburgh. Now that GM has invested $500 million in the ride service Lyft, the firms plan to begin trying out autonomous taxis at a closed- testing facility within a year, according to Lyft. Real-life conditions When will a truly autonomous vehicle that can operate in any conditions without any human intervention be available for sale? Tesla founder Elon Musk, who has perplexed investors for years with his wide-eyed predictions on space and electric cars, told Fortune magazine in December that his company would do it within two years. But many experts are not so sure. There is the technology to still figure out - lasers and cameras might do well on clean, well-marked streets in sunny Austin, but struggle with inclement weather and the vagaries of real-life road conditions. Additionally, current driving codes are built around humans being behind the wheel and will require a dramatic overhaul to allow for autonomous vehicles, said John German, a veteran car engineer who now works for the non-profit International Council on Clean Transportation. "Things have come a long way but if you're going to have a truly autonomous car, you have to know everything's perfect," he said. "I figure it's probably 10 years away. But maybe it's only five. It's hard to say. Some manufacturers aren't being public about their technology." But German has no doubt autonomous cars will dominate roadways one day. And when they do, the potential for energy savings are huge. Automated cars would be a natural platform for electric engines, which require about one third the energy of a traditional internal combustion model. While limited in distance and slower to charge than filling a gasoline tank, fleet vehicles that could charge themselves might mitigate those problems. One could imagine those same cars moving along freeways in closely grouped platoons, cutting down on wind resistance as they race just inches apart. And their computers could coordinate with traffic signals and other cars, adjusting speeds to move through intersections with minimal braking and ending traffic jams. A 2014 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found cars and trucks could achieve 15 percent reductions in fuel consumption by maintaining an optimal speed and avoiding stop-and-go traffic. But for now, that all remains very theoretical. Unintended consequences As he sits in his offices over the freeway, Atkinson worries about the unintended consequences of a car that could drive itself. What if people make use of their automated cars by running endless errands through the night or living four hours from their job because they know they can sleep during their commute? "If everyone is driving four times as much, we're right back at the same (energy consumption) level we are now," Atkinson said. "There are studies but they say either we'll reduce energy consumption or increase it. There's no consensus because it's really tough to predict what's going to happen." Over the course of 11 years, Jason Bohmann guided 10,000-plus people, many with complicated medical needs, through a dizzying maze of health insurance options. The Houston agent found them the right coverage, which meant they got the right care. In exchange, the insurance industry paid him a commission on each plan he sold. The matchmaking seemed to work for all, even after the Affordable Care Act went into effect and Bohmann could broker plans on or off the new federal exchange. Then on Feb. 23, a notice from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas landed via email: "BCBSTX will eliminate (broker) commissions for new sales of individual Affordable Care Act plans effective April, 2016." With that, the state's largest insurer joined Cigna, United HealthCare, Aetna and Humana in eliminating or slashing payment to brokers writing such policies outside the regular enrollment period. The industry has called it a difficult but necessary decision in a time when it's being hammered by losses in the individual market, especially during the "special enrollment periods" reserved for those who need new coverage because of a job loss or life change. Insurers allege many people are abusing the system by waiting until they are already sick to sign up. Not all are buying that explanation, however, calling it one more covert way the industry has found to impede access to higher-benefit coverage and skirt the health care law's mandate to cover everyone regardless of medical needs. "I absolutely think this is part of a pattern," said Valarie Blake, a West Virginia University law professor who specializes in the intersection of health care policy and ethics, citing other potentially obstructive measures such as rising premiums and the narrowing of networks, both of which can discourage people from getting or using their insurance. "Before the ACA, it was all very cut and dried. If you had a chronic condition you just weren't allowed in the door. But now that everyone is in and you can't charge more based on your health, the alternative is avoiding their enrollment or reducing services if they are enrolled." She and other legal experts and consumer advocates worry that if the financial incentive to brokers is lost, so, too, will be a specific expertise in navigating a complicated system, especially for those with expensive medical needs. 'Dissuading business' Meanwhile, the insurance landscape is rapidly evolving. Late last year tens of thousands of people in Houston learned that every major insurer had eliminated preferred provider organization plans, both on and off the exchange, that traditionally had offered wide networks of providers. People were shifted into health maintenance organization plans that exclude many of the city's top-tier hospitals and affiliated doctors. In December, Humana, which previously had withdrawn from Houston's PPO market, returned with a high-deductible PPO plan off the exchange. "This is about dissuading business," Bohmann said. "They want to cut the flow of people." Bonnie Mulkey, a 58-year-old mother and grandmother in Spring, was once extremely overweight and could not get health coverage because she was deemed too great a health risk. After the ACA passed she turned to Bohmann, who put her in a plan that covers her doctor and offers a subsidy to lower her premiums. "Jason just finds something for me. I don't understand it," she said. Jo Middleton, past president of the Houston Association of Health Underwriters, said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimate that brokers have guided about 40 percent of policyholders who have signed up on the federal exchange. Her group represents about 400 members; the statewide association has about 1,800. Their commissions run on average 4 to 5 percent of the price of a premium. Middleton said she works with clients even when they are using an exchange navigator to ensure they get the right coverage. Brokers like Middleton are skeptical it is a large cost savings. "This is more about slowing down business," she said. Mulkey said that, without the help provided by Bohmann, she would probably skip insurance altogether and pay the tax penalty that also is part of the federal health care law. ACA violation? Timothy Jost, a health law policy expert and professor at Washington and Lee University Law School, became concerned after learning insurers had told brokers they wouldn't pay commissions for customers who signed up during special enrollment because those customers were more costly. "That's a prima facie admission of a violation of the Affordable Care Act," he said. "The idea behind the ACA was that the law was going to eliminate health status underwriting which had been the modus operandi for three-quarters of a century. The ACA said you can't do that anymore" Aetna, the nation's third-largest insurer currently in the midst of acquiring Humana, confirmed in an email statement to the Chronicle that it was curbing broker commissions due to concern over costlier customers signing up during the special enrollment periods, or SEPs. "Last year Aetna saw a quarter of all applications come through SEPs. We also saw that members with SEPs used more services and dropped coverage sooner than those who did not go through SEPs. As a result, we made the decision to align our incentives with those of our competitors, which included making changes to our broker commissions." Humana emailed the Chronicle to say it recognizes the concerns but also to insist the change was not done to limit customers' coverage. "On the contrary," the company said, "we had to make this business decision to ensure the future affordability and viability of our individual health plan offerings." Cigna and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas did not comment directly on the reduction or elimination of broker commissions, but in emailed statements said they "valued" their contribution. The companies also did not address allegations of cutting broker fees as a way to circumvent the ACA. Houston brokers say Community Health Choice and Memorial Hermann Health System continue to pay commissions for the sale of their plans. Special enrollment It remains unclear whether broker commissions for individual market plans offered by major insurers will be restored for 2017 even during regular enrollment. In the notice to Bohmann, Blue Cross and Blue Shield said it would "re-evaluate" and let brokers know as the time nears. Insurers say elimination of broker fees does not affect do-it-yourselfers who can still purchase plans online through the ACA's exchange or with the help of navigators or community groups as long as they qualify for the special enrollment period. The industry turned to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to ask for a tightening of the rules governing the special enrollment period, usually February to November, because people were gaming the system by waiting until they were sick to sign up. Earlier this month, the government issued new, tougher regulations that state a person can qualify only if she or he loses coverage due to events such as a job loss; a change in household or financial situation; proof of an error in an existing plan; or a move. For the latter, an enrollee must have had coverage for at least one day during the prior two months. Health and Human Services spokesman Jonathan Gold said the department had no comment on the decision by insurers to eliminate broker fees. A handful of states have cried foul. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies issued a stern bulletin as it caught wind of coming changes to broker commissions, warning the new fee structures "appear to be an attempt, at a minimum, to avoid or reduce carrier risk by discouraging the sale of plans where a carrier is responsible for a greater portion of the health care costs incurred." In Kentucky, the state challenged insurers by saying broker fees are part of a rate filing: "Failure to pay commissions in accordance with the rate filing will be considered a violation of the Insurance Code." In California, insurers participating in the state exchange are required by contract to pay a commission. But Texas has no prohibition against insurers dropping commissions. Texas Department of Insurance spokesman Ben Gonzalez said broker commissions and fees are "an assumption that is part of the rate filing." If circumstances change for an insurer during the year, it does not affect the previous filing. "If you miss your assumption we don't go back and say customers are owed a refund," he said. Steering consumers The insurance industry has made no secret of its dismay with the overall individual market, saying it continues to have difficulty pricing plans properly. Carriers have said they under-charged customers in the early days of the ACA and were blindsided by the price of covering customers who were sicker and used more health care than expected. In April, UnitedHealthcare announced it was pulling out of the exchange for 2017 in Texas and most other states because of losses. Earlier this month, Humana said it would be making "course corrections" to compensate for losses. Jost finds it all a bit counterintuitive. He thinks insurers complaining about skewed risk pools would want more business during special enrollment, not less. "They should be increasing commissions, not eliminating them," he said. Bohmann realizes some might see this as merely a sign of the times, with brokers going the way of travel agents or other service people replaced by the Internet. But usually the elimination of a middleman translates to savings for the consumer. That's not so in this case. "The price of premiums is exactly the same if you use a broker or do it yourself," he said. Rather, he said he suspects eliminating commissions is about steering people in new directions. "That is also why the insurance companies are desperately trying to push agents to sell life, disability, critical illness, dental and vision insurance," he said. "They make a much greater profit on those products." For now, Bohmann will keep writing health insurance policies for clients even if it means working for free. Last month he wrote about 30 in the individual market, many for laid-off oil and gas workers who had lost employer-sponsored group coverage. "I can do it for now," he said. "Can I do it 10 more months? I don't know." Health insurers have yet to go public with proposed rate increases for next year's Affordable Care Act plans, but they've hardly kept quiet in bemoaning losses and threatening to pull out of the federally mandated exchanges. "You can read between the lines. In part, it's the insurance companies signaling to each other and to state regulators that they are planning to raise rates," says Cynthia Cox, associate director for health reform and private insurance at the Kaiser Family Foundation. Requests for 2017 rate increases have begun to trickle in to the Texas Department of Insurance, spokesman Ben Gonzalez said. He said it was too early to announce specifics. But insurers may have been telegraphing higher prices ahead: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, the state's largest insurer, said in an email that it lost $321 million in 2015 in the individual market, less than the $400 million loss it reported for 2014. The company, which insures 880,000 members in the individual markets on and off the exchange in Texas, said it spent $1.26 for every $1 it took in. The not-for-profit insurer said it brought in $3 billion in revenue last year in that market. Chicago-based Health Care Service Corp., which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield divisions in Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, New Mexico and Montana, lost $65.8 million in 2015 in the individual market, a smaller loss than the $281.9 million loss reported in 2014, according to its year-end filings with the National Association of Insurance Commission. Overall revenue increased 13 percent last year to $31.2 billion with $9.4 billion in surplus profit, according to the report. But a spokesman said in an email its losses were actually higher at $592 million. UnitedHealthcare, which said it plans to leave the exchanges in 2017 in Texas and most other states, has predicted it will lose about $650 million in the ACA marketplace this year. Humana, warned earlier this month it plans "a number of changes to address the significant risk selection issues we have and continue to face." The company reported a 46 percent loss in the first quarter of 2016, but analysts have said some that is due to expenses involved in Aetna's takeover bid, the company has said. At Cigna, a spokesman said in an email that the company's participation in the exchanges is "contingent upon future market conditions and approval of our regulatory filings." "We've expected to lose money on our individual and family plan business in the early years of ACA - and we have," the statement said. Aetna, which said it lost about 3 to 4 percent in its individual market plans in 2015, which include those on the exchanges, has said it hopes to break even in the individual market in 2016. Ken Janda, president and CEO of Community Health Choice, a regional managed-care organization serving Harris and 19 other Texas counties, did not offer details on his company's rate increase requests except to say it would be "in single digits." Industry-wide, however, Janda said insurers continue to struggle to price correctly in the individual markets. "The growing pains are taking longer than we thought," he said. Health care policy analysts say another factor contributing to the ominous vibe is that provisions put in place in the ACA's early years to stabilize an unknown market and protect insurers against losses are set to expire at the end of 2016. But U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Jonathan Gold brushed aside predictions that consumers will be hit hard next year. "It's the same worries that have not come to fruition in previous years," he said in an interview, adding that even if rates spike, most people will quality for subsidies that lower premiums. The FBI is warning U.S. energy companies that the oil industry's downturn is increasing their vulnerability to theft of technological secrets. Companies that long have faced the prospect of economic espionage must now be prepared for the possibility that workers who have been laid off could be targeted by foreign entities and competitors wanting to steal intellectual property. "FBI investigations indicate economic espionage and trade secret theft against U.S. oil and natural gas companies and institutes are on the rise," according to an unclassified briefing report prepared for the energy industry. Agents shared the report recently with about 150 energy sector executives, managers and others who gathered behind closed doors at the FBI building here. "These energy companies are on the front lines," said Perrye K. Turner, special agent in charge of the FBI's Houston Division. "We're trying to raise awareness, educate them about the vulnerabilities and send them away with the best practices on how to protect themselves from insider threats and economic espionage," he said. Economic espionage - which involves a proprietary product, process or idea being stolen for the benefit of a foreign government, including state-owned companies - is a federal crime that carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison and millions of dollars in fines. China has been a major offender, according to officials. More for you Hercules Offshore heads for bankrupcy court - again The FBI meeting was not open to the public. Attendees declined requests to be interviewed and asked that their presence remain private. Economic espionage is an especially sticky subject in the business world and even those seeking information on how to prevent it is known to make investors nervous. Trade secrets related to the search for crude oil beneath the land and sea and refining oil into gasoline are of particular interest as foreign entities target U.S. companies, universities, think tanks and researchers, according to the FBI. Computer hacking, theft, unauthorized photography, dumpster diving and the secret elicitation of information from unsuspecting employees are just some of the ways trade secrets, proprietary information and research can land in the wrong hands, according to the FBI. David H. Laufman, chief of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section at the Department of Justice, said U.S. corporations aren't just facing foreign companies but also governments. "The threat you all face includes hackers with the full backing of their governments and criminal syndicates; you should not have to face those threats by yourself," Laufman said as he cautioned the executives to safeguard their companies. "Identify what you deem to be your crown jewels and implement tiered security efforts to protect them," he said. Former workers could knowingly or unknowingly divulge material protected by law and worth many millions of dollars, said Special Agent Michael S. Morgan, a member of the FBI Houston Division's national security branch. "There are increased incidents of employees taking proprietary information when they believe they will be, or are, searching for a new job," Morgan said. "With the loss of so many jobs in the oil and gas sector, it is important to remain vigilant in their efforts to protect their intellectual property from both domestic and foreign business competitors," he continued. "Failure to do so will likely result in the businesses losing their competitive advantage." Few companies have felt the impact of economic espionage as quickly and brutally as American Superconductor Corporation, a company that designs wind turbines and technology used to operate them. AMSC lost nearly $1 billion in one day on the stock market in 2011 after reporting its woes. "If they want to steal windmill technology, they pretty much want to steal everything," the company's Chief Executive Officer Daniel McGahn, said as he shared his story with the gathering at the FBI building. A personally troubled employee sold some of AMSC's secrets to a Chinese firm, which had presented itself as a potential partner for the U.S. company but instead sought to run it out of business. McGahn said it is important for companies to know their employees and realize that some of them, depending on their positions, could reveal compromising information about themselves and open the door to trouble for the company. "If they are going to put it out on Facebook, Twitter, whatever, you may want to have your people know what they are putting out publicly," he said noting that this employee was going through a divorce and had a love for foreign girlfriends, money and international travel. "You don't want to cross lines of personal privacy, I am not advocating that in anyway," he said. "But you need to know what your people are up to as much as possible." He noted that his company has recovered from the incident, but said that several employees he had to lay off as a result of the loss are now working in China. The DOJ' Laufman pointed to about a half-dozen economic espionage cases that have recently made their way into federal courtrooms around the country. One defendant, who pleaded guilty earlier this year, was arrested in Iowa after being spotted in a corn field looking for special "inbred corn seeds" that a company had developed. In 2014 in Pennsylvania, five Chinese military officers, who remain fugitives, were indicted for allegedly hacking into the computer systems of Westinghouse and others. Also in 2014, an engineer in California was sentenced to 15 years for stealing secrets, basically the formula for the color of his company's white paint. It marked the first jury conviction for the charge, as most defendants plead guilty in bids for leniency, Laufman said. Anyone with concerns about insider threats or economic espionage may contact the Houston FBI Strategic Partnerships Coordinator via email at Economic_Espionage@ic.fbi.gov. Falih Hassan and Omar Al-Jawoshy contributed reporting from Baghdad, and Nick Cumming-Bruce from Geneva. BAGHDAD - American commandos are on the front lines in Syria in a new push toward the Islamic State group's de facto capital in Raqqa, but in Iraq it is an entirely different story: Iran, not the United States, has become the face of an operation to retake the jihadi stronghold of Fallujah from the militant group. On the outskirts of Fallujah, tens of thousands of Iraqi soldiers, police officers and Shiite militiamen backed by Iran are preparing for an assault on the Sunni city, raising fears of a sectarian bloodbath. Iran has placed advisers, including its top spymaster, Qassim Suleimani, on the ground to assist in the operation. The battle over Fallujah has evolved into yet another example of how United States and Iranian interests seemingly converge and clash at the same time in Iraq. Both want to defeat the Islamic State. But the United States has long believed that Iran's role, which relies on militias accused of sectarian abuses, can make matters worse by angering Sunnis and making them more sympathetic to the militants. While the battle against the Islamic State straddles the borders of Iraq and Syria, the United States has approached it as two separate fights. In Syria, where the government of Bashar Assad is an enemy, America's ally is the Kurds. But in Iraq, where the United States backs the central government, and trains and advises the Iraqi army, it has been limited by the role of Iran, the most powerful foreign power inside the country. That U.S. dilemma is on full display in Fallujah as the fighting intensifies. Inside the city, tens of thousands of Sunni civilians are trapped, starving and lacking medicine, according to activists and interviews with residents. Some were shot dead by the Islamic State as they tried to flee, and others died under buildings that collapsed under heavy military and militia artillery bombardment in recent days, according to the United Nations. The few civilians who have made it to safety have escaped at night, traveling through the irrigation pipes. In an extraordinary statement Wednesday, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the world's pre-eminent Shiite religious leader, who lives in Najaf in southern Iraq and is said to be concerned by Iran's growing role in Iraq, urged security forces and militia to restrain themselves and abide by "the standard behaviors of jihad." The grim sectarian tableau in Fallujah - starving Sunni civilians trapped in a city surrounded by a mostly Shiite force - provides the backdrop to a final assault that Iraqi officials have promised will come soon. The United States has thousands of military personnel in Iraq and has trained Iraqi security forces for nearly two years, yet is largely on the sidelines in the battle to retake Fallujah. It says its air and artillery strikes have killed dozens of Islamic State fighters, including the group's Fallujah commander. But it worries that an assault on the city could backfire - inflaming the same sectarian sentiments that have allowed the Islamic State to flourish there. Already, as the army and militiamen battled this past week in outlying areas, taking some villages and the center of the city of Karma, to the northeast, the fight has taken on sectarian overtones. Militiamen have plastered artillery shells with the name of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a Shiite cleric close to Iran whose execution this year by Saudi Arabia, a Sunni power, deepened the region's sectarian divide, before firing them at Fallujah. A Shiite militia leader, in a widely circulated video, is seen rallying his men with a message of revenge against the people of Fallujah, whom many Iraqi Shiites believe to be Islamic State sympathizers rather than innocent civilians. Fallujah is also believed to be a staging ground for suicide bombers targeting the capital, Baghdad, about 40 miles to the east. The decision to move on the city was made after several recent attacks in Baghdad killed nearly 200 people. "Fallujah is a terrorism stronghold," said the militia leader, Aws al-Khafaji, the head of the Abu Fadhil al-Abbas militia. "It's been the stronghold since 2004 until today." He continued: "There are no patriots, no real religious people in Fallujah. It's our chance to clear Iraq by eradicating the cancer of Fallujah." Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who has stressed that civilians must be protected in the operation and ordered that humanitarian corridors be opened to allow civilians to leave the city safely, disavowed the militia leader's comments. (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) Reflecting these concerns of sectarianism, and the deep sense of foreboding surrounding a battle for the city, a chorus of voices in Iraq and abroad has urged restraint. In his statement, Sistani said: "The Prophet Muhammad used to tell his companions before sending them to fight, to go forward in the name of Allah, with Allah and upon the religion of the messenger of Allah. Do not kill the elderly, children or women, do not steal the spoils but collect them, and do not cut down trees unless you are forced to do so." The concern was amplified in a second statement, released during Friday prayers by a representative for the ayatollah, saying that "saving an innocent human being from dangers around him is much more important than targeting and eliminating the enemy." Accounts of dire conditions in Fallujah have emerged from the few residents who managed to escape in recent days, Melissa Fleming, a spokeswoman for the U.N. refugee agency, told reporters in Geneva on Friday. She said that some residents had been killed for refusing to fight for the jihadists, and that those inside were surviving on old stacks of rice, a few dates and water from unsafe sources such as drainage ditches. "The stories coming out of Fallujah are horrifying," Nasr Muflahi, the Iraq director for the Norwegian Refugee Council, said in a statement. "People who managed to flee speak of extreme hunger and starvation." (END OPTIONAL TRIM.) To allay fears that the battle for Fallujah will heighten sectarian tensions, Iraqi officials, including Abadi, and militia leaders have said they will adhere to a battle plan that calls for the militias not to participate in the assault on the city. If the militias do hold back as promised, then the United States is likely step up the tempo of the air campaign, as it did in the battle last year for Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. In that fight, Iran's militias stayed on the sidelines. The U.S. military role in Iraq has been limited mostly to airstrikes and the training of the army. But, as in northern Syria, there are also Special Forces soldiers in Iraq, carrying out raids on Islamic State targets. In northern Iraq, where they work with Kurdish forces, two U.S. Special Forces soldiers have been killed. Iraq's elite counterterror forces are preparing to lead the assault on Fallujah; they have long worked closely with the United States and are considered among the few forces loyal to the country and not to a sect. A few thousand Sunni tribal fighters from the area are also involved in the operation. The U.S. military estimates that between 500 and 1,000 Islamic State fighters remain in Fallujah, and aid agencies have estimated the civilian population left in the city at 50,000 to 100,000. (STORY CAN END HERE. OPTIONAL MATERIAL FOLLOWS.) A big question going into the battle is whether the Islamic State fighters will dig in and fight or, as they have in some other battles, throw away their weapons and try to melt into the civilian population. "What we have seen is two flavors of Daesh," said Col. Steven H. Warren, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group. In Ramadi, he said, the Islamic State fortified the city and fought for it, while in other cities of Anbar, such as Hit and Rutba, the fighters largely fled in the face of government offensives. For the United States, there is also the matter of history: Led by the Marines, its forces fought two bloody battles for Fallujah in 2004. Mindful of this past, U.S. officials would have preferred that the Iraqis left Fallujah alone for now and focused on the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul in the north. But the battle is coming, and there are echoes of that history already. One rallying cry for the Iraqi forces is revenge for the killing, last year, of a Shiite soldier who was captured by the Islamic State, paraded through Fallujah and hanged from a bridge. If that sounds familiar, it is. The American military's assault on Fallujah in April 2004 was in retaliation for an episode that became an early symbol of a war spiraling out of control, the image of it as indelible as it was gruesome: the bodies of four Blackwater contractors dangling from the ironwork of a bridge. WASHINGTON - The comparison was inflammatory, to say the least. Former Gov. William Weld of Massachusetts equated Donald Trump's immigration plan with Kristallnacht, the night of horror in 1938 when rampaging Nazis smashed Jewish homes and businesses in Germany and killed scores of Jews. But if it was a provocative analogy, it was not a lonely one. Trump's campaign has engendered impassioned debate about the nature of his appeal and warnings from critics on the left and the right about the potential rise of fascism in the United States. More strident opponents have likened Trump to Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. To supporters, such comparisons are deeply unfair smear tactics used to tar conservatives and scare voters. For a bipartisan establishment whose foundation has been shaken by Trump's ascendance, these backers say, it is easier to delegitimize his support than to acknowledge widespread anger at the failure of both parties to confront the nation's challenges. But the discussion comes as questions are surfacing around the globe about a revival of fascism, generally defined as a governmental system that asserts complete power and emphasizes aggressive nationalism and often racism. In places like Russia and Turkey, leaders like Vladimir Putin of Russia and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey employ strongman tactics. In Austria, a nationalist candidate came within three-tenths of a percentage point of becoming the first far-right head of state elected in Europe since World War II. In Hungary, an authoritarian government has clamped down on the news media and erected razor wire fences to keep out migrants. There are worries that Poland could follow suit. Traditional parties in France, Germany, Greece and elsewhere have been challenged by nationalist movements. In Israel, fascism analogies by a former prime minister and a top general have again inflamed the debate about the occupation of Palestinian territories. Economic struggles "The crash of 2008 showed how globalization creates losers as well as winners," said Mark Leonard, the director of the European Council on Foreign Relations. "In many countries, middle-class wages are stagnant and politics has become a battle over a shrinking pie. Populists have replaced contests between left and right with a struggle between cosmopolitan elites and angry nativists." That dislocation may not lead to a repeat of Europe in the 1930s, but it has fueled a debate about global political trends. There is a tendency at times to try to fit current movements into understandable constructs - some refer to terrorist groups in the Middle East as Islamofascists - but scholars say there is a spectrum that includes right-wing nationalism, illiberal democracy and populist autocracy. "On a world level, the situation that affects many countries is economic stagnation and the arrival of immigrants," said Robert Paxton, a professor emeritus at Columbia University and one of the most prominent scholars of fascism. "That's a one-two punch that democratic governments are having enormous trouble in meeting." Americans are used to the idea that other countries may be vulnerable to such movements, but while figures like Father Charles Coughlin, the demagogic radio broadcaster, enjoyed wide followings in the 1930s, neither major party has ever nominated anyone quite like Trump. "This could be one of those moments that's quite dangerous, and we'll look back and wonder why we treated it as ho-hum at a time when we could have stopped it," said Robert Kagan, a scholar at the Brookings Institution known for hawkish internationalism. Kagan sounded the alarm this month with a Washington Post op-ed article, "This Is How Fascism Comes to America," that gained wide attention. "I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from conservative Republicans," he said. "There are a lot of people who agree with this." Trump's language Trump has provided plenty of ammunition for critics. He was slow to denounce the white supremacist David Duke and talked approvingly of beating up protesters. He would not condemn supporters who launched anti-Semitic blasts at journalists. At one point, Trump retweeted a Mussolini quote: "It is better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep." Asked by Chuck Todd on "Meet the Press" about the retweet, Trump brushed off the quote's origin. "I know who said it," he said. "But what difference does it make whether it's Mussolini or somebody else?" "Do you want to be associated with a fascist?" Todd asked. "No," Trump answered, "I want to be associated with interesting quotes." He added: "And certainly, hey, it got your attention, didn't it?" Trump's allies dismiss the criticism as politically motivated and historically suspect. Newt Gingrich, who has said he would consider being Trump's running mate, said in an interview that he was "deeply offended" by what he called "utterly ignorant" comparisons. "Trump does not have a political structure in the sense that the fascists did," said Gingrich. "He doesn't have the sort of ideology that they did. He has nobody who resembles the brownshirts. This is all just garbage." Beyond Hitler and Mussolini, fascism can be hard to define. Since World War II, only fringe figures have overtly identified themselves that way. In modern political discourse, the word is used as an epithet. And even Hitler and Mussolini were elastic in their political philosophies as they came to power. Paxton, the fascism scholar, said he saw similarities and differences in Trump. His message about an America in decline and his us-against-them pronouncements about immigrants and outsiders echo Europe in the 1930s, Paxton said. On the other hand, he said, Trump has hardly created uniformed, violent youth groups. Moreover, fascists believe in strong state control, not individualism and deregulation. The debate about terminology may ignore the seriousness of the conditions that gave rise to Trump. He has tapped into a deep discontent in a country where many feel left behind while banks get bailouts, newcomers take jobs, terrorists threaten innocents and China rises at U.S. expense. "It seems to me in developed and semi-developed countries there is emerging a new kind of politics for which maybe the best taxonomic category would be right-wing populist nationalism," said Stanley Payne, a professor-emeritus at the University of Wisconsin. "We are seeing a new kind of phenomenon which is different from what you had" in the 20th century. WINNIPEG Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is keeping up the pressure on parliamentarians to pass his government's controversial legislation on assisted dying by June 6. But two of his predecessors at the Liberal helm former prime minister Paul Martin and former interim leader Bob Rae say there'll be no cataclysmic result if the deadline is not met. Advertisement June 6 is the date on which the ban on medical assistance in dying will be formally lifted in Canada. That's in accordance with last year's landmark Supreme Court ruling, which struck down the ban but suspended the ruling until June 6 to give Parliament time to craft a new law. Trudeau said senators will do the right thing and pass the assisted dying bill quickly. (Photo: CP) Trudeau's government has been scrambling to get its proposed legislation enacted in time to meet that deadline but is quickly running out of time. Advertisement Bill C-14 is scheduled for a final vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday, after which it will be sent to the Senate, where the government has no control over the more independent senators and no levers to speed passage of the bill. Few senators have shown any inclination to rush the bill through all stages of the legislative process in the two sitting days that will be left to the upper house before the deadline. Trudeau acknowledged Saturday that he wants the Senate to conduct itself in a more independent and less partisan manner. But he said that doesn't preclude senators from acting with haste on the bill to avoid a legal void after June 6. "I have confidence that the more independent and thoughtful Senate is going to do right by the responsibilities that Canadians expect it to,'' he told a news conference wrapping up a three-day Liberal policy convention. Medical regulators already issued guidelines If there is no law in place by June 6, Trudeau said many medical practitioners have told him they won't help patients who should be eligible for an assisted death because they'll be ``concerned that there isn't any legal framework or protection for them.'' Advertisement At the same time, he said some doctors might be "too enthusiastic'' and will help patients who shouldn't be eligible for an assisted death. Trudeau did not mention that medical regulators in every province have already issued guidelines instructing physicians how to go about providing assistance in dying. Those guidelines impose safeguards similar to and in some cases, even stronger than those proposed in C-14. Bob Rae says there's more than adequate legal structure to deal with not meeting the assisted dying legislation deadline. (Photo: CP) Nor did he mention that the eligibility criteria spelled out by the Supreme Court in last year's ruling will apply. Advertisement For Rae, those two factors are sufficient to ward against chaos should the deadline be missed. "My view is, the provinces are more than ready and (have) the constitutional responsibility to regulate the medical profession and have done and will continue to do so,'' Rae said in an interview. "Obviously, if Parliament can come to a conclusion before (June 6), that's fine but if they can't there's more than adequate legal structure in the country to deal with that reality.'' Paul Martin said the more the government can debate assisted dying, the better. (Photo: AFP) Martin similarly saw no rush. Indeed, he argued that it's more important to take the time to get the legislation right. "It is a very difficult subject on both sides for many of us and I think that the more we can debate it, the better it is,'' Martin said during a break at the convention on Thursday. Advertisement He said it's "important that we get it right and that we don't be bound by arbitrary timelines.'' Striking 'the right balance' Bill C-14 would make assisted death available only for clearly consenting adults "in an advanced stage of irreversible decline'' from a serious and incurable disease, illness or disability and for whom natural death is "reasonably foreseeable.'' That's considerably more restrictive than the criteria set out by the Supreme Court. It ruled that consenting adults with "grievous and irremediable'' medical conditions who are enduring intolerable suffering have the right to seek medical help to end their lives. Legal experts and civil liberties advocates maintain C-14 does not comply with the court ruling or with the charter of rights. But Trudeau said he's confident the government has struck "the right balance'' between protecting the vulnerable and defending charter rights. Also on HuffPost I was a bored pharmacist after a week on the job. I just couldn't understand why pharmacists went to work day after day. I convinced myself that it was just for the money and that there were a lot of instances that reinforced that view. The truth is, I was short-sighted and cynical. This is one of those jobs that gives you that warm fuzzy feeling but you have to be patient. The fuzzy feels take longer than a week and you have to do a lot of boring dispensing to get those moments. Advertisement Like with any job, your average pharmacist will be frustrated by a few things on a daily basis. For me, that frustration was talking. There would always be that one patient who seemed really nice (positive attitude to healthcare professionals) and asking about their medicines (engaging with therapy) but who I didn't share a common language with. I had to use crappy broken English, mime, rely on that patient's children or, in a worst case scenario, send them away without giving them any medication counselling. I was frustrated that I had no tools to communicate with that patient. So when Ghalib, my cofounder, called to say he had this idea for a software that translates the pharmacy dispensing label, I was all in! So how do you do it? How do 2 people with absolutely no knowledge or experience in coding, linguistics or entrepreneurship develop translation software? Advertisement We started by breaking down the process of how we wanted it to work. We decided that our software had to be 100% accurate and as similar as possible to what pharmacists currently use. Algorithm-based translations introduce errors up to 90% depending on the language. With the level of risk we were dealing with, we actively decided to ban Google Translate and its ilk. As the project developed we started to fine tune our translations to the context of pharmacy practice in the UK. This lead to a lot of interesting conversations with our translators, like how the Bengali word for "pregnancy" is taboo in their community, how the expression of "avoid alcohol" has to be phrased more sternly in Polish, and how published translations of "addiction" in Somali actually read as "to get euphoric/high". Making these decisions at that stage determined how are translations would be used by patients months, if not years, down the line. And we didn't have the cash to start again, we only had one chance to get it right. Making decisions like these without any feedback loops or proper data was one of the most difficult aspects of this business. So that's a few parts of the puzzle, but what about the software development? I met Tucker, our 3rd cofounder, while I was doing my PhD in Cambridge. Tucker took our concept of translated information and built it into writtenmedicine.com This blew our minds. Since then, we raised a bunch of money from grant providers (Nominet Trust, UnLtd), competitions (Shell LiveWIRE) and investment (Bethnal Green Ventures). We've trialled it in a number of pharmacies but we mostly hear that it is an "interesting idea" followed by a "no, thank you". Advertisement Having said that, we have made substantial progress by convincing a couple of NHS Trusts to pay for our software, we have connected our tech with existing software used by hospitals, and we have an ongoing academic project in twelve community pharmacies that aims to measure the difference translated labels make in patient care. So what does the future hold for Written Medicine? Only time can tell. What we do know is that it has taken blood, sweat, tears and failure to achieve a tiny ounce of success. Fingers crossed the balance shifts in the future. I'm reading a book titled ORIGINALS: How Non-Conformists Move the World (by Adam Grant). In it, I've come across this passage that seems to illuminate something visible in our politics these days. In a chapter that starts out with a discussion of how the 19th century movement for women's suffrage set itself back with the hostilities and divisions that arose among its leaders, between more radical and more moderate elements, Grant goes on to say: We assume that common goals bind groups together, but the reality is that they often drive groups apart. According to Dartmouth psychologist Judith White, a lens for understanding these fractures is the concept of horizontal hostility. Even though they share a fundamental objective, radical groups often disparage more mainstream groups as impostors and sellouts... Advertisement White noticed horizontal hostility everywhere. When a deaf woman won the Miss America crown, instead of cheering her on as a trailblazer, deaf activists protested. Since she spoke orally rather than using sign language, she wasn't 'deaf enough.' When a light-skinned black woman was appointed as a law professor at one university, its Black Student Association objected on the grounds that she wasn't black enough. A radical environmental activist dismissed the more mainstream Greenpeace as a 'mindless monster motivated by eco-buck profits' and 'a dynamic threat to the integrity of the green movement.'... Earlier this month, I thought Notre Dame was being clueless when it chose this year to honor Vice President Joseph Biden and former House Speaker John Boehner. The Catholic men both received Notre Dame's Laetare Medal for their "leadership, civility and dedication to the nation." Catholic commentator Christopher J. Hale has gone overboard in his praise of Notre Dame's gesture, even interviewing the two men for Time Magazine, extolling the power of their shared Catholic faith to transcend partisan divides. Oh, please. The timing was all wrong for Biden. The recently released HBO film, Confirmation, reminds us that he failed to give Anita Hill the chance to prove her charges of sexual harassment against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. Biden's good deeds and leadership on the Violence Against Women Act may have qualified him for the Laetare Medal in any other year, when Anita Hill wasn't so fresh in our minds. But Boehner? It's difficult to find many reasons to honor his legislative record. As Speaker, Boehner questioned whether human activity causes climate change. He presided over a House that cut budgets for the poor and vulnerable, while strategizing with the very corporate lobbyists whom Pope Francis chastises. The mainstream media appears to have a love affair with Hale, a twenty-something Catholic man who has decided that he speaks not only for all Catholic millennials, but for all Catholics. He pops up all over, in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Time Magazine, and opines for CNN, MSNBC and Fox News. Advertisement He's a graduate of a Jesuit college, who worked on Catholic outreach for the Obama campaign. He also co-founded on online publication, Millennial Journal, whose target audience is young Catholics. But his main claim to media credibility appears to be his position as executive director of the group, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good (CACG). The group, begun around 2005, has always had strong ties to Democrats. It was initially a nonprofit with tax-exempt status. But the IRS revoked that status in 2013 after the group failed to file the appropriate reports over the course of three years. The group is progressive on most issues, but also strongly opposes abortion. So whom, exactly, does Hale represent? It seems not to matter. As a self-declared "traditionalist" Catholic, he has no compunction about expressing his views on a wide range of issues. Unfortunately, his views seem steeped in a misogyny equal to his apparent zeal for social justice. In July 2015, just days after an anti-choice group released a video purporting to show a Planned Parenthood official discussing the sale of fetal tissue, Hale questioned why progressive Democrats had not gone on the attack over the secretly taped and edited video which would soon be widely discredited. Hale asked: "Who will speak truth to the rich and powerful and denounce Planned Parenthood's participation and leadership in this throwaway culture and an economy that debases, excludes, and kills?" Advertisement Given that access to contraception would be the best way to reduce abortions, why didn't Hale show the same anger with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, which opposed the Affordable Care Act's contraception mandate, and refused an Administration offer to provide access to birth control through a third party? Instead, Hale has lamented the lack of "creativity" that could have found some sort of middle ground. When Pope Francis signaled some interest in studying the ordination of women to the deaconate, Hale supported women as deacons, while assuring his readers that the diaconate would not lead to the "slippery slope" of ordaining women to the priesthood. "Deacons aren't 'mini-priests', he insisted. Clearly, the job of deacon, without any power or any opportunity for advancement, would be right for a woman. I am a Catholic journalist who has spent the past four years interviewing exceptional Catholic women. My book, Catholic Women Confront Their Church: Stories of Hurt and Hope, will be published in September. Unlike Hale, I don't presume to speak for all Catholics, or even all Catholic women. The Catholic women I've interviewed do not align with Hale's views. Nor does social science research on Catholics. Catholic women, particularly younger women, are increasingly estranged from the church. In 1987, nearly sixty percent of Catholic women ranked their Catholicism among the most important facets in their life. By 2011, only about a third of Catholic women - 35 percent - placed that premium on their faith. Advertisement Many Catholic women have grown angry with the church over its rigid stance on sexual issues, and its refusal to recognize women's equality with men. One Latina theologian I profiled lamented that the church was able to construct a nuanced position on the ethical dynamics of a just war, but not on abortion. "I want to at least ask the question. Are there occasions when abortion is ethical?" she said, frustrated by the church's shutting the door on theological discussions of issues related to sexual morality. The women I interviewed are so beyond the deacon question. I have not met a Catholic woman who believes that chromosomes should determine one's fitness for the priesthood. A brilliant psychotherapist and former nun who attends daily Mass was incensed that a high-ranking diocesan official contended that since only men were present at the Last Supper, only men could be priests. "All of them [the apostles] were Jews. Did Jesus intend that priests had to be Jews? ... It's so stupid, you can hardly believe it. ... There it is," she said. "Clarity on the clericalism and the misogyny. Absolutely gratuitous." Some of the greatest things in life happen by accident, just ask most first-born children. The popsicle for instance, was supposedly created when a San Franciscan man named Frank Epperson left his drink outside on a cold night with a stirring stick. When he awoke the next morning, he discovered a portable frozen treat. Today I bring you the wafflewich, born out of necessity and experimentation, a delicious alternative to your traditional and dare I say "boring," lunch sandwiches. Every few years I have food obsessions. For awhile it was sushi, then it was Indian food and over the last two years I have become obsessed with sandwiches. Whether it's the portability, the ease, the endless variations, or an excuse to eat bread, sandwiches have become my most recent food crush. It was the other day when I had just returned home from a visit to the deli. I had everything I needed to make a proper Cuban sandwich but soon realized I had accidentally packed away the Panini press (it was a gift, don't judge). Anyways, any Miamian will tell you, if your Cuban sandwich isn't crisp on the outside, then it's just a regular old sandwich. I heated up my waffle iron, greased it with a little bit of butter and placed my fully made sandwich inside. Three minutes later, I had the most crisp and delicious sandwich I have ever tasted. Excited by this new revelation, I have since tried several more sandwiches in my waffle iron and I'm not sure I will ever look back. Dear Happenstance, sometimes you're absolutely swell. Advertisement Enjoy! Title: Wafflewich Author: Doughmamma Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 3 mins Total time: 8 mins Serves: 1 Notes: Below is a recipe for a Cuban sandwich but you can make a wafflewich with any preferred fillings. Traditionally Cuban sandwiches are made with Cuban bread, a lovely white bread made with lard that is soft and fluffy on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside. I had to substitute sourdough and that worked nicely as well. French bread would be another good substitute or you can make your own Pan Cubano by visiting the tasteofcuba.com. Yellow mustard is traditional, though I prefer Dijon so that's what I used. Ingredients 2 slices of Cuban bread (or French Bread) 4 oz roasted pork sliced thick 2 oz of sweet ham (honey or pineapple glazed) sliced thin Swiss cheese pickles yellow mustard butter to grease your waffle iron A bombed out street in Raqqa, Spring 2016 The war against the Islamic State (IS) is about to enter a new, possibly decisive phase. For the first time since it overran large portions of Syria and Iraq and declared its caliphate, IS militants are about to come under simultaneous attacks targeting three of their key urban strongholds: Raqqa, Fallujah and Mosul. More importantly, the developing battle for Raqqa is becoming a race between the Russian backed Syrian Army and the US backed Syrian Democratic Forces to see who will claim the political windfall that will accrue to Raqqa's liberators. In the process, the Raqqa campaign is also becoming a new proxy contest between the White House and the Kremlin. Despite the scope of the upcoming military campaigns and notwithstanding that Islamic State has steadily lost ground over the past year, leading to a reduction of its territory by roughly a quarter, the outcome of a victory over Islamic State is far from certain. Even as it comes under simultaneous attack, IS militants are taking advantage of the weakness of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), itself the focus of attacks by Syrian Military Forces and their Russian allies, to seize new territory from the FSA close to the Turkish-Syrian border. Moreover, as the pressure on IS grows, it is responding by ramping up terrorist attacks against Shia civilians in Iraq and is, in all probability, looking for opportunities to stage new terrorist attacks in Europe and the United States. Further complicating the military campaign against Islamic State is the fact that the political consensus that must underlay a successful battle plan is at best fragile and at worst nonexistent. Advertisement In Syria, two separate military forces are attempting to advance on the IS capital at Raqqa. The Syrian military has been advancing from the southwest, since February 10, along Highway 42, the Salamiyah-Raqqa road. As of May 28, Syrian forces were about 15 miles east of Resafa, one of the last major towns along Highway 42 before Raqqa, and the strategic junction with Highway 6. This places them about 30 miles, as the crow flies, from Raqqa. In addition, Syrian forces were about 20 miles southwest of al-Tabqah, and more importantly the al-Tabqah Dam. Islamic State has turned the dam into a military stronghold. IS militants are taking refuge inside the dam and storing military supplies there. The dam across the Euphrates holds back Lake Assad. It is the largest lake in Syria, and is about 40 miles upstream from Raqqa. Both Russian and American air forces have refrained from striking at IS militants holed up in the al-Tabqah Dam for fear that damage to the dam could unleash catastrophic floods further downstream. IS militants in turn have threatened to blow up the dam in the event that Raqqa is attacked and overrun. At this point it is not clear whether the Syrian Army will bypass the dam or attempt to secure it before advancing on Raqqa. In the meantime, the US backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are advancing from the northwest toward Raqqa. The SDF is a coalition of Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian, Turkmen and Circassian militias. The militia force consists of approximately 25,000 fighters, of which roughly 5,000 to 6,000 are Sunni Arabs. The bulk of the force, and virtually all of its entire command leadership, is made up of Syrian Kurds. As of May 28, the SDF has advanced to a point about 24 miles from Raqqa. The militia is being supported by air forces of the US led coalition. US military advisors and forward air controllers are imbedded with SDF units, as are US Special Forces personnel. In addition, those Special Forces are also conducting their own independent operations against Islamic State targets. The US would like to see a more prominent Sunni Arab role in the liberation of Raqqa. It has attempted to recruit more Syrian Arabs to join the SDF. It has also had discussions with both Turkey and Saudi Arabia about their participation in the campaign. Turkey is in the best position to commit troops to the operation. Unlike previous discussions of a Turkish led intervention in support of the Free Syrian Army, Turkish participation in a campaign to seize Raqqa would be highly unlikely to precipitate Russian attacks against Turkish ground forces. Moreover, the US and its coalition partners are already committed to providing air cover to the ground force proceeding against Raqqa. Advertisement Tabqah Dam with Lake Assad in the background. Turkish participation in the campaign, however, raises serious political issues for the Ankara government. The SDF is dominated by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). The YPG is the military arm of the Syrian Kurd's Democratic Union Party (PYD). In turn the PYD is closely linked with Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Both the US and Turkey have classified the PKK as a terrorist organization. For all practical purposes, Turkey is currently in a civil war with the PKK. Ankara does not see any difference between the PKK and the PYD/YPG. It has been pressuring Washington to brand both organizations as terrorists. The Turkish government is substantially correct in claiming that there is close cooperation between the military arm of the PKK and the YPG. Nonetheless, the United States is unwilling to brand one of its few remaining allies in Syria, and the one that has been the most militarily effective, as terrorists. The Turkish point was driven home this week when pictures appeared that showed American troops imbedded in the SDF wearing YPG insignia on their uniforms. The various military insignias worn by the YPG are all derived from the PKK's official flag. The Pentagon subsequently told American soldiers not to wear YPG insignias. From Ankara's standpoint, the success of the YPG led SDF in seizing Raqqa will further bolster the demand by Syrian Kurds for recognition of the semi-autonomous state of Rojava, which they announced earlier this year. An outcome that the Turkish government fears will only embolden Turkey's Kurds to demand more self-government, if not their own semi-autonomous state within Turkey. Conversely, Turkey's participation in the Battle for Raqqa would give it more influence in shaping the eventual outcome of the Syrian Civil War, but would force it to openly collaborate with an organization it has already branded as terrorist and which is openly aligned with another organization, the PKK, which is conducting insurgent attacks against the Turkish government. Persistent, though as of yet unconfirmed, reports that the PKK has been receiving weapons from Russia further complicates Ankara's political calculations. At one point earlier in the year, the Saudi's had signaled that they were open, either singly or in collaboration with the Gulf Cooperation Council, to supplying ground troops to participate in the Battle for Raqqa. Since then, however, Riyadh has not moved forward on the proposal. Riyadh's reluctance may reflect the fact that at the moment the Saudi's have their hands full dealing with the civil war in Yemen. It may also reflect Saudi dissatisfaction with the Obama White House's policies toward Tehran. Advertisement For the United States, the Turkish-Kurdish political dynamic greatly complicates the conduct of the military campaign against the Islamic State. Turkey is after all a NATO ally and, given its geography and its close links to the Syrian rebels, will play a critical role in the eventual outcome of the Syrian Civil War. Turkey's continuing slide towards authoritarianism under its President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and its escalating civil war with its Kurdish population, further complicates Washington's relationship with Ankara. On the other hand, Washington is unwilling to disengage itself from the Kurdish YPG. From the US perspective they have been the only effective boots on the ground in Syria and their success lessens the pressure on Washington to commit more US ground troops to defeating Islamic State. Ankara wants Washington to choose between supporting Turkey and supporting the Syrian Kurds. That is a choice that Washington cannot and does not want to make. In the meantime, both the PKK and the PYD/YPG have taken advantage of the Russian-American rivalry to secure weapons and aid, and to further advance the prospects for a semi-independent Rojava. The Kurds are rightly concerned that both Russia and the US are using them for their own ends, and that once they are no longer useful they will be abandoned. A legitimate concern given how often that theme has played out in Kurdish history. Syrian Democratic Forces Finally, the battle for Raqqa cannot help but become a proxy battle between Russia and the United States. If the Syrian Army succeeds in seizing Raqqa it will underscore the effectiveness of the Kremlin's intervention in Syria, further strengthen Moscow's call for a Russian-led, or at least co-led, campaign against Islamic State and other Islamic Jihadist groups, and further expose the failure of the Obama White House's foreign policy in Syria. A victory for the SDF would at least allow the Obama administration to declare that it is succeeding in defeating Islamic State and that it is doing so, unlike the Russian-led effort, while minimizing civilian deaths and collateral damage. "You've reached group-sales for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. How may I help you?" "Hi there! Our third-graders are touring Manhattan and we thought we could bring them by tomorrow." "Certainly." "That's great. This chaperoning is wearing us down so thought we'd drop them off in the morning, catch a show and a few beers and pick them up around 5 or so, if that's okay" "Umm....Well, we need to have the kids chaperoned...because, you know, there's a lot of priceless items..." "Thanks so much. We'll be by at 10!" "Now, the doors open in just a minute...but just small children with sticky fingers, please!" There aren't too many teachers or directors of any respected institution that would permit this scenario. After all, it's hard to take a selfie of you and Van Gogh if there's some kid drawing horns sticking out of the straw hat. But lately, we're okay with our other famously innovative institution being taken over by the kids -- namely our country. Perhaps if the negligent parents above were lucky enough to get tickets to Hamilton they might stumble inadvertently into the middle of the same argument at the heart of the American Experiment since its inception -- is John Q. Public really to be trusted. Advertisement President Obama meets the cast of Hamilton in 2015. Photo: Pete Souza [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Alexander Hamilton didn't think so. The blockbuster musical that is re-introducing our founding fathers is based upon Ron Chernow's extremely read-able biography of the man who not only created the nation's financial system but also, among a hundred or so other things, served as George Washington's wartime ghost-writer/bad cop and created the Coast Guard to enforce tariffs that would help pay the bills. The West Indies slave-port of Nevis, birthplace of Alexander Hamilton. Photo: By Daniel Farrell (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Hamilton's early years in a slave-port allowed him to witness firsthand what unchecked human behavior can do -- all in the name of profit. If morals are set to the side, people are capable of unbelievably atrocious things. He debated vigorously with slave-owner Thomas Jefferson who grew up wealthy and never had to deal directly with his beloved man. Advertisement In essence, it came down to one question? Who would you prefer living next door--a stable family with smart parents or a frat house? Millionaire Charles Foster Kane and his "Precious Underpriviliged" In Citizen Kane, Charles also raised wealthy, is at a loss to understand why his election failed after headlines linked him to an extramarital affair -- a blackmail attempt from his rival to force Kane to withdraw his candidacy. Hubris be-damned, Kane went through with the election and ruined his marriage and his closest friendship with his childhood pal Jed, who calls him on his hypocrisy. Long as I can remember, you talked about giving the people their right - -as if you could make them a present of liberty, as a reward for services rendered...you used to write an awful lot about the working man. He's turning into something called organized labor. You're not going to like that one little bit when you find out your working man expects something as his right, not your gift. Charlie, when your precious under privileged really get together, oh-boy, that's going to add up to something bigger than your privilege and I don't know what you'll do -- sail away to a desert island somewhere, and lord it over the monkeys. For Charlie Kane, the masses need to be carefully chaperoned by a wise father. But as Jed points out, those children may not really want or trust their father. Henry Ford and Walt Disney both experienced similar shock and feelings of betrayal when their lucky workers actually wanted a union. Donald Trump hopes to "Take America Back" but back from whom and back to where is rather foggy. Political credentials include firing people on TV. Photo credit: Neelix Perhaps 50 years from now, this election may be looked upon as historically significant as anything that the Federalists debated. After all, the three remaining candidates are all something we've never had before this far along the primary season -- a woman, a Jew and a rich TV celebrity who has never sought office. Advertisement Three often-heard quotes seem to sum them up. On Hillary Clinton: "Okay, she's smart and experienced, I just don't really like her." On Bernie Sanders: "I'll give him one thing, he's never changed in thirty years. But come on, it could never work." On Donald Trump: "At least he speaks his mind." Of course, getting back to our museum tour, it's likely that many of those third graders also speak their mind but I'm not sure you'd trust them to give the tour, let alone conduct everyone safely outside in case of an emergency. Perhaps it's my years in the classroom, but I've always shied away from candidates who would probably be unable to substitute for me on a sick-day. We've all had those subs when we were kids--the ones that let the classroom turn into an episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. As much as a Democrat as I've always been, I never thought that Mondale, Dukakis, Gore or Kerry would have survived in my class--but I know that Bill Clinton and Barack Obama would have been so good I'd probably get a call that afternoon from my principal suggesting I stay home as long as I'd like. Hamilton argued against Washington stepping down after two terms -- he predicted accurately that the United States was probably, in his short lifetime, not going to get a better father-figure since the Declaration -- not for at least four score and seven years, anyway. Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-08300 / CC-BY-SA 3.0 [CC BY-SA 3.0 de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons Advertisement There is a growing snowball of articles comparing the personality and chameleon-like background of Donald Trump to Benito Mussolini (see March Salon article), a former socialist who, after his expulsion from that party and experience in WWI, founded fascism and, in 1922, became Italy's youngest prime minister. His engaging speaking, creation of scapegoats and general encouragement of bullying tied with his secret police turned his elected office into a dictatorship in five years through legal as well as violent means, inspiring a similar path to Adolf Hitler in 1932. Over 100 million perished in six years of war primarily due the rest of the world letting three bullies go unchecked. The old question goes, How do you stop a bully on the playground? And the old answer--stand up to him. The executive editor of the northern Michigan Petoskey News Review, Jeremy McBain hopes that someone will stand up to the bully, writing on May 26th: This man is an embarrassment to the United States of America and I can't believe the Republican party, a party that has plenty of other qualified and dignified potential candidates it could place before the voters, decided to go with this lying, racist, misogynistic, fascist-flirting bully that uses grade-school name-calling and conspiracy theories as his platform. This "man" is certainly not what presidential material looks like. (link) Hamilton was accused of advocating a new royalty, just after the colonies had removed the old king. But his clause was that they should only govern as long as their morals were in order. Advertisement So, can the masses be trusted? How do you define the masses? Will they show up to vote? Will they be organized? Will they be fist-fighting just outside the polls? It's an interesting question right now, as polls show a national wave of disgust and disinterest in this election and its extreme candidates, how many people might instead opt for four more years of Barack Obama, given the alternatives--because for many even if the third graders have a chaperon, he might be carrying a blowtorch into the museum. Originally posted in MyMediaDiary.com. In early April 1945, my father was packed into a train with 2,500 other prisoners from Bergen-Belsen as the Nazis insanely tried to keep British and American troops from rescuing them. The train was made up of 45 cars with their doors sealed shut; the crowding was horrific and of course there was no food or water. In the chaos of war, this hellish train wandered for a week and finally stopped not far from the Elbe because the commander couldn't get clearance to move across that river with communications so disrupted. He fled ahead of the American troops he knew were coming and the remaining guards escaped when two American tanks appeared on April 13th. Advertisement Frank W. Towers, a first Lieutenant of the 30th Infantry Division, reported that the stench when the locked cattle cars were opened "was almost unbearable, and many of the men had to rush away and vomit. We had heard of the cruel treatment which the Nazis had been handing out to Jews and political opponents of the Nazi regime, whom they had enslaved, but we thought it was propaganda and exaggerated. As we went along [in Germany] it became more apparent that this barbaric savagery was actually true." (Frank Towers in France, 1944) The troops that had found this train were racing to the Elbe because it was the last barrier to their advance across Germany. Now they had a totally unexpected burden of some twenty-five hundred prisoners to house and provide for. The answer was about nine miles to the west. American troops had just captured several hundred Germans at the Wehrmacht base and proving ground in Hillersleben where tests had been conducted for giant railway guns manufactured by Krupp. It was an ironic place for Jews to be sheltered, cared for, and brought back to life. But then what place in Germany wouldn't have been? This verdant military setting with clean, heated quarters for officers and soldiers was a virtual paradise for people who had been treated like animals for years. That's where my parents met and fell in love. My mother was in Hillersleben because she had escaped from a slave labor camp in Magdeburg 16 miles away and been brought there by American troops now using it as a temporary Displaced Persons camp. Advertisement (One of the now-abandoned buildings at the Hillersleben DP camp) She and my father had each lost everything in what would come to be called the Holocaust: home, families, countries. There wasn't any time to play pre-war games. "Do you like me?" he asked. She did, and as my father tersely put it years later, from that moment on, "She was mine and I was hers." My mother moved in with him that night, beginning their fifty-four years together. Frank Towers, now 97, is the last surviving soldier who rescued the prisoners on that train. I've had the honor of meeting Frank and shaking his hand, and I've written about him in my memoir My Germany. On Memorial Day, with the survivors of the Holocaust and their saviors dwindling faster and faster, it's more important than ever to thank the "train heroes" who are no longer alive. When a conflict erupts in a state, some countries which are not bordered with the conflict-affected state use political opportunism to direct the war in their interest. Massoud Jazayiri, deputy head of Iran's Armed Forces, recently told Iran's Tasnim news agency, that Iran is ready to copycat the process it adopted in Syria and use it in Yemen as well. He added that Iran is prepared to send "military advisers" in support of the Houthis in Yemen. Several of Iran's weapons shipments, which were likely heading to war-torn Yemen, had also been seized. Advertisement The statement by the deputy head of Iran's Armed Forces, referring to repeating Iran's role in Yemen, is more of an exaggerated political posturing than reality. Iran's role in the war in Yemen is multidimensional. On the surface, Yemen does not seem to bear geopolitical or strategic significance for the Iranian leaders. Yemen's conflict also does not pose a national security threat to Iran. But, why Iran is determined to have a role in Yemen's war and direct it in its favor? The ideological factor One dimension of Iran's involvement in Yemen is ideological. One core pillar of its foreign policy is anchored in its Islamic revolutionary principles. The key decision maker in Iran's foreign policy is the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who pursues the ideology of his predecessor, Ayatollah Rooh Allah Khomenei, the founding figure of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Khamenei has shown almost no deviation from Khomeini's ideals. Advertisement In addition, Khamenei gives weight to the information he receives from his close advisors in the Office of the Supreme Leader (not the President, the foreign minister, or other powerful clerics) and the hardline senior cadre of Iran's revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). One of Khamenei's underlying revolutionary values is that he views himself as the leader of the Islamic world and he views Iran as the vanguard of Muslims. In fact, his official website refers to him as the "Supreme Leader of Muslims", not the Supreme Leader of "Iran" or solely the "Shiites". As a result, from Khamenei's perspective, as a supreme leader of Muslims, using rhetoric, influencing, and directing the political affairs of every Muslim country, including Yemen, is his religious and ideological duty. In addition, since Khamenei views himself as the leader of Muslims, he has naturally positioned himself to view Saudi Arabia as a competitor and rival. Showing his ideological influence in Yemen gives him leverage against Riyadh. Other revolutionary ideals include anti-Americanism. Khamenei regards his rhetoric and projection of Iran's increasing role in Yemen's conflict is a tactic to counter-balance the US role in the region. Advertisement The geopolitical and strategic reasons Iran considers itself, and desires to be treated, as the paramount power in the Middle East because of it strategic significance, geographic location, military capabilities, economic strength, wealth and natural resources (such as holding the second and fourth largest gas and oil reserves in the world), and size of its population (second largest most populous nation in the Middle East after Egypt). Iran's regional hegemonic ambitions direct the Iranian leaders to pursue policies which are aimed at countering the power of other regional state actors (mainly Saudi Arabia), and weakening their strategic, economic and geopolitical significance in order to tip the regional balance of power in favor of Tehran. While Yemen does not pose a national security threat to Iran, it does to Saudi Arabia since it shares a border with Riyadh. Iran seizes this opportunity, by supporting the Houthis, to challenge Saudi Arabia, making it look more vulnerable, all while Tehran is showing off its regional significance to Saudi Arabia and how it can cause a security threat to Riyadh. In addition, by diverting the Saudi's attention to Yemen, Iran is attempting to create a quagmire for Riyadh in Yemen, making it bogged down in Sanaa, in order to draw it away from Syria and Iraq; Iran's main allies. Iran also seizes the opportunity to increase its leverage against Riyadh and use Yemen as a strategic bargaining chip, to push Saudi Arabia to change it policy toward Damascus, Baghdad, Bahrain or other countries where Iran exerts influence. Advertisement Economic, ethnic and sectarian factors Economically speaking, Yemen is not as costly for Iran as Syria is, but it brings many benefits. Yemen is a low cost opportunity for Iran (Unlike Syria) where Iran can have presence near the border of Saudi Arabia, its rival. Ethnically speaking, and in terms of nationalism, Iran views one layer of its competition against Saudi Arabia as the rivalry between Persians and Arabs. Iran's influence in Yemen helps Tehran in this respect. Although Iran views itself as the vanguard of both Sunnis and Shiites, it does contain a covert sectarian agenda in supporting the Shiites (or an offshoot of Shiism) to improve and extend its influence in other countries. Finally, Iran's strategy of expanding its influence in the region is to create proxies in Muslim countries and make a political reality out of them over time to influence the domestic affairs of those nations (as it has done with Hezbollah and other Shiite groups in Iraq). _______________________ Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is an American political scientist, business advisor, US foreign policy, Iran and Middle East expert, and the president of the International American Council on the Middle East. Harvard-educated, Rafizadeh serves on the advisory board of Harvard International Review and have briefed governments, politicians, NGOs and testified in courts as an expert. An American citizen, he is originally from Iran and Syria, grew up and lived most of his life in Iran and Syria till recently. He is a board member of several significant and influential international and governmental institutions, and he is native speaker of couple of languages including Arabic and Persian, speaks English and Dari, and can converse in French, Hebrew. Advertisement You can sign up for Dr. Rafizadeh's newsletter for the latest news and analyses on HERE. You can also order his books on HERE. You can learn more about Dr. Rafizadeh on HERE. Writing Notes On Paper And Your Hand School district officials in Sarasota and Manatee counties have completely lost any sense of what they're supposed to be doing. There are areas of policy and practice in the education debates where reasonable people can reach different conclusions about what might be best. This is not one of those times. Some Florida school officials have simply and completely lost the thread. Advertisement The issue is simple. In Florida, some third graders opted out of the Florida Standards Assessment (Florida's version of the Big Standardized Test). They also opted out of the alternative BS Test, the SAT-10 (a version of the Stanford Achievement Test, and not one more piece of money grubbery from the College Board). But Florida insists that its students take the BS Test, regardless. And Florida also has one of those sense-defying laws that says third graders who can't pass the reading test must be retained. It's a dumb policy for many reasons, not the least of which is that there isn't a lick of evidence that holding third graders back helps. And cooler heads seem to have prevailed last year when the Florida legislature, in a brief moment of lucidity, decided to suspend the rule and just let the actual local school where education professionals worked with the actual children-- just let those guys make the call. But not this year. This year a third grader can have great grades, the recommendation of her teacher and principal, and the admiration of her peers -- but if she didn't take the BS Test, she will fail third grade. Let me say that again. An eight year old child who had a great year in class, demonstrated the full range of skills, and has a super report card -- that child will be required to repeat third grade because she didn't take the BS Test. Advertisement This is what happens when the central values of your education system are A) compliance and B) standardized testing. This is what happens when you completely lose track of the purpose of school. What possible purpose can be served by this? Are administrators worried that the child might not be able to read? No -- because that is easily investigated by looking at all the child's work from the year. What possible benefit could there be to the child? Mind you, it's impossible to come up with a benefit in retention for the child who has actually failed the test -- but what possible benefit can there be in flunking a child who can read, her teacher knows she can read, her parents know she can read, she knows she can read-- seriously, what possible benefit can there be for her in retention. How do you even begin to convince yourself that you are thinking of the child's well-being at all when you decide to do this? This is punishment, not so pure, but painfully simple. Punishment for non-compliance, for failing to knuckle under to the state's testing regime. And in taking this step, the districts show where their priorities lie -- the education of the children is less important than beating compliance into them and their parents, less important than taking the damned BS Test. Officials in these counties scratch their heads? What can we do? The law is the law. Well, in the immortal words of Mr. Bumble, "the law is an ass." And furthermore, just look across county lines at some other Florida counties that are NOT doing this to their third graders. Go ahead. Peek at their answer. Copy it. Advertisement Hell, Superintendent Lori White of the Sarasota schools is retiring in February of 2017 -- is this really how she wants to finish up her time there? Meanwhile, in Manatee County, Superintendent Diana Greene has dug in her heels and declared that the state's directive is clear, and maybe those other counties are the ones that need to shape up and stop passing kids willy nilly. Manatee students may use an alternative assessment like a portfolio-- IF they first take the BS Test. Greene may well have read the state correctly. In the same report from the Bradenton Herald, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Cynthia Saunders is quoted as saying, "We cannot promote a child based solely on the teacher's report card in third grade." In other words, the state does not require proof that the child can read. The state requires proof that the child took the Big Standardized Test. There are times when the tension between test-driven schooling and education centered on the best needs of the children can be fuzzy, blurry, hard for some folks to see the dividing line. This is not one of those times. When you are planning to hold a child back a grade for absolutely no reason except that she didn't take your mandated BS Test, and when you have ample evidence and data about how well she learned and grew this year -- when you have reached that point, you have absolutely lost track of what you're supposed to be doing. You have lost your damned mind. Advertisement There is no excuse for holding back a student with good grades. No excuse at all, certainly not that the child wouldn't take your precious test, your crappy test that wouldn't tell you a thing that you can't already better find out from sources you already have. This is deeply and terribly wrong, and I hope the administrations and school boards of the offending counties find themselves buried in a mountain of angry letters, emails and phone calls, as well as a shit storm of deservedly negative publicity. Then I hope they go sit in the corner and think about what they've done and consider whether or not they have a future in education. The objectives of the strategic dialogue between Russia and the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council are not complicated, but fulfilling them requires the Gulf states to take clear decisions on several issues. This week in Moscow, a new round of the strategic dialogue will be held under Saudi's rotating presidency, amid radical differences over Syria as both sides themselves admit. However, the two effective foes in Syria are determined to have cordial relations, each for its own calculations, which could include motives such as Russian-American relations and Gulf-American relations. Moscow wants the six GCC capitals to recognize the key Russian role in the future of the Arab region and the Middle East in general, and is intent to let Arab leaders understand Russia is indispensable when it comes to finding solutions. It has imposed this equation on the Syrian battlefield primarily, and through it alliance with the Islamic Republic of Iran, filling the vacuum the US has chosen to produce by deliberately abandoning its traditional relations with the Gulf nations. Despite the Russian positions that are diametrically opposed to the Gulf positions on Syria and Iran, the Gulf countries have accepted what the Russian leadership has imposed, agreeing to the principle of separating political differences from economic and strategic relations. At the economic level, the equation is clear, and it is based on mutual interests. But strategically, this is where the dilemma lies, unless the definition of the term strategic relations has become devoid of its traditional components. Therefore, it is perhaps time for the GCC countries to explain what they have in mind and to elaborate their policies, to avoid being misunderstood and to allow for positive outcomes. Realistically speaking, there is nothing on the horizon that suggests any convergence is taking place between Russian and Gulf positions on Syria. There is no hint of deals or accords. The most that we can speculatively say is that perhaps there is some kind of a moratorium agreed on public differences. Russia is clear with regard to its strategic alliance with Iran in Syria, and is clear about clinging to Bashar al-Assad, regardless of its hints to the otherwise by claiming it is keen about the regime rather than the president. Russia is also determined to have a permanent foothold in Syria.The Gulf countries are not opposed to Russia's consolidation of influence in Syria. They are keen to see a separation between the regime and the man at the helm, but at least publicly, they are determined for Bashar al-Assad to step down. The key difference, therefore, is the person of Bashar al-Assad not the long-term Russian strategy in Syria. The Gulf states recognize the central Russian political role in Syria's future, but they also understand that the Russian military role keeps Bashar al-Assad in power and fundamentally undermines the Syrian opposition backed by the Gulf.The difference is not superficial after all. It is fundamental and it translates on the battlefield and in the military balance of power on the ground. Russia is a direct party to the war being fought on the other side by Gulf countries, through Syrian rebel groups, though in a scattered way restricted by the US, given that supplying advanced US-made weapons to third parties needed to change the balance of power requires Washington's approval. However, this could also be a convenient excuse for some Gulf countries, which differ among themselves over which factions in the Syrian opposition are worth the risk. Indeed, there exist Chinese-made missiles that can hit Syrian - but not Russian - warplanes in the altitudes they operate at, and yet, those missiles have been withheld. This is while the Russian-Iranian-Hezbollah axis has been making major gains in favour of the regime and Bashar al-Assad in Syria.A high-level official Gulf source said the Gulf nations are not ready to abandon their condition for Assad to be removed from power, because his survival in power is absolutely unacceptable. They are not ready either to supply advanced weapons, fearing a response against Gulf countries by the UN Security Council, which bans arming militant groups that can turn the military balance of power on its head. Faced with this reality, the Gulf countries in their dialogue with Russia are seeking to persuade Moscow to establish better relations with the Syrian opposition, which Russia is completely undermining, to stop trying to replace it with the Russian-sanctioned Syrian opposition, that is, the opposition that Bashar al-Assad has no qualms with.The Gulf ambitions in the strategic dialogue with Russia are thus very modest. The remarks by the Gulf official are a message that the Syrian opposition must heed. In the most extreme case, it seems, what is coming is not a Russian pledge to stop striking the Syrian rebels, nor advanced weapons for the rebels even if Chinese missiles are released. It is a recipe for continued fighting as part of the equation of attrition, rather than prescription for strategic understandings to stop the bleeding in Syria.The Russian-Gulf strategic dialogue has an Iranian dimension that goes beyond Tehran's role in Syria. Moscow wants to be the sponsor of Gulf - Iranian relations, and has offered to mediate though this was not well received by the Saudis at some point. The Gulf positions on Iran are convergent in that they want Russia to put pressure on Tehran to rein in its regional ambitions. Moscow's thinking is different from the Gulf assessment of Iranian objectives, especially since the Russian-Iranian partnership in Syria is strategic, not just tactical.Moscow is offering the Gulf countries to be the intermediary who can keep its Iranian partner in check, provided that the Gulf countries agree to a joint security framework and to share regional influence with the Islamic Republic. But the GCC countries are categorically opposed to the idea, as this would legitimize Iran's influence in major Arab countries like Iraq and Syria. They do not trust Russian or American security proposals that call for a new security system in the Gulf and Middle East, which would give Iran a position of dictating its superiority in the security equation.Russia wants to describe its proposal as a formula for sharing Saudi-Iranian influence in the Middle East, meaning the Arab region. By doing so, Russia converges with the US administration, which is also intent on forcing the Gulf countries to accept legitimizing Iran's role in the Arab countries. Russia gives these efforts the title of "mediation" seeking "balance" in Russian-Gulf and Russian-Iranian relations.Here too, there are differences over the notion of Gulf-Iranian relations in accordance to the Russian-American lexicon. It is not clear whether the Russian-Gulf strategic dialogue has made any progress except on issues like Yemen and Libya.On the subject of Yemen, Russia remains cautions, playing its card very carefully. Moscow is seeking to enter the Yemeni arena surreptitiously through proposals for Russian-American partnership in managing the dossier. This has raised the suspicions of Gulf players, who point at Russian-American partnership in Syria as an example that must be avoided in Yemen. Still, Yemen remains a low priority for Russia.Even Iraq is not a Russian priority. There, Moscow has accepted that Iraq is Iran's and America's prerogative. What Moscow wants, according to an informed observer, is contracts to guarantee Russian interests in Iraq.As for Palestine and Israel, Moscow is keen on having an excellent relationship with Israel and on maintaining what it considers balance in its Palestinian-Israeli relations. Al-Hayat's correspondent in Moscow Raed Jaber wrote this week that the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as defense minister in Israel is "good news" for Russia. He quoted Russian press reports as describing the man as a "close friend of President Vladimir Putin", saying the Kremlin looks at the political landscape from the standpoint of the existing coordination between Moscow and Tel Aviv in Syria and the improvement of relations with Tehran. Concerning Palestine, Moscow is keen to support the "burial" of the French peace initiative rejected by Israel, because Moscow wants to push an alternative initiative it has yet to reveal. However, Russia's priority is not Palestine but its interests with Israel, especially in terms of Israeli-Turkish relations that the appointment of Lieberman will further strain.In practice, then, there are no strong foundations for strategic Russian-Gulf relations. Still, dialogue is a good start. However, clarity is needed with regard to the objectives of the dialogue, whether it is a Russian-Gulf or Gulf-American dialogue. The Arab region is not in a state that allows it to engage in open-ended strategic dialogues. They are drowning in bloodletting and tragedy that could get even worse. Therefore, the Gulf countries should explain to the peoples of the Gulf and the Arab region their thinking and their policies vis-a-vis those conflict zones that are deeply affected by the Gulf's regional and international policies. Translated from Arabic by Karim TraboulsiOriginal article: http://www.alhayat.com/Opinion/Raghida-Dergham/15775830/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AC%D9%8A---%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%8A--%D8%A3%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81-%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%B9%D8%A9 The USS Bataan is an amphibious assault ship commissioned in 1997 and carries multiple helicopters, harrier jets, cannons, missile systems, nearly 2000 marines and over 1000 sailors. In addition, the 844 foot long, 42,000 ton vessel is a 600 bed floating hospital staffed with doctors, nurses and dentists. The Bataan is in New York City for Fleet Week and docked at 48th Street and 12th Avenue at Pier 88. Commander David Ritter is the Bataan's Chief Engineer, and I was fortunate enough to spend Saturday morning with him and members of his remarkably dedicated crew. I first met Commander Ritter on the hanger deck where marines and sailors greeted tourists while demonstrating the use of various weapons and explaining their different job functions. I also walked through the well deck, which deploys hovercraft and functions as "a platform to get marines to the beach." Visitors experience a hovercraft in the Well Deck However, my visit to the Bataan was to learn about Commander Ritter and the 220 sailors who work with him in engineering. Ritter, a 30 year navy veteran from Bristol, Tennessee laughed in agreement with me when I suggested that he was like Mr. Scott on Star Trek. Ritter's team not only makes sure the engines run efficiently and power the ship, they convert 200,000 gallons of sea water each day into potable drinking water. (The seawater gets boiled and condensed and the resulting brine gets dumped back into the ocean.) Advertisement Ritter gave me an extensive tour of the EOS (Engineering Operations Section) and peppered me all morning with endless Navy acronyms. HUMMER (High Utility Maximum Mobility Easy Rider). UNREP (Underway Replenishment). Commander Ritter was a gracious host with a great sense of humor and his pride for the Bataan and his engineering crew was infectious. "What we do is not glamorous but it's very important and I couldn't be prouder of all the people who work for me. These kids have got gumption. They never make mistakes and don't get enough recognition." -- Commander David Ritter I mentioned the mixture of men and women serving on the Bataan and Ritter made it clear that the Navy is a meritocracy and a unique work experience. "If you perform - you advance," he said. "There is no equivalent civilian job for what we do. You're away from your family for nine months during a deployment." Commander Ritter took me down to the ship's engine room, where they create and generate steam for propulsion along with powering five enormous generators for electricity. Ritter introduced me to Electrical Mate Rafael Smith, who explained that just one of the Bataan's generators could power 2 city blocks. Advertisement Everything starts down here. This is the heart of the ship. -- Commander David Ritter on the Bataan's engine room Commander David Ritter with one of two 18.5 foot wide propellers The engine room is hot, loud (we wore ear plugs) and an amazing combination of 1960's machinery (boilers) and state-of-art technology. We then visited the Oil Lab, where they run boiler maintenance and monitor the pipes for "pitting," which Ritter described as similar to an ulcer in a human being. The pipes even have good and bad rust, just like someone's cholesterol. Finally and most amusingly, the person in charge of all of this maintenance is referred to as the Oil King. I've made it my yearly mission to visit a different ship during Fleet Week and I continue to be awestruck every time. At the end of the tour, I got to meet a Marine demonstrating a device called SPACES (Solar Portable Alternative Communications Energy System) showing that the Navy is working on going green as well. Like so many women online, I have become a casualty of the troll army. Last week, radio host and YouTuber David Pakman wrote a blog post about me on this site. It was the most recent sally in a three-week-long feud that has robbed me of my sense of privacy and left me psychologically exhausted. This is my response, and with it I hope to close a disturbing chapter of my life and move on to better things. The war began like this: I recently wrote an essay for Vice about how my father Terry Anderson was kidnapped and tortured by terrorists for nearly seven years. I wanted to use my family's experience as a lens through which to view Islamophobia in the media. I approached David Pakman for comment regarding his YouTube videos about Reza Aslan, a prominent religious scholar and Muslim commentator, in which he obsessively dissected Aslan's credentials, touted certain cherry-picked statistics and quoted unreliable sources in order to present the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) in a way that implied it was an Islamic custom. After spending half my life in the Middle East, I believe that to be an inaccurate representation of this problem. When I approached Pakman, I was honest about the nature of the piece but sincerely asked for his perspective so as to include another side of the issue. Though it was a personal essay, as a reporter, I try my hardest to afford consideration even to people with whom I disagree. Advertisement Mr. Pakman eagerly answered my original query for an interview with Vice; then stopped responding once he was provided with more information about the story. I followed up with him twice before writing the piece. In it, I addressed a number of issues regarding Islamophobia in the media and its consequences for American Muslims -- such as the family of Rabie Ayoub, held at gunpoint by an assailant who threatened to kill Ayoub, his wife and four children simply because of their faith. When I reached the part of the essay that briefly mentioned Pakman's attacks on Aslan and his commentary on FGM, I provided Aslan's quotes and intended to indicate that Pakman refused to comment. Because the essay was over 3,000 words long and the paragraph in which I referred to David Pakman was 166 words of that essay, I made a simple human error, stating that he "didn't respond" to my requests for comment instead of "stopped responding." As soon as that was brought to my attention, a correction was issued. The same day the piece was published, Pakman released a YouTube video exposing my "lie" by airing our email exchange. In the video, he lied several times himself about the breadth and scope of his coverage of Aslan and his outrage seemed mostly focused on the fact that I called him a YouTuber instead of the host of a syndicated radio show. With that, Pakman unleashed the first wave of lunatics. The notifications started popping up on my Twitter feed. "You're a disgusting liar," one of them shrieked at me via his keyboard. "Vice should never work with you again." "You lying Muslims make me sick," another charming gentleman remarked. Apart from the fact that while I am half-Arab, I am not Muslim, like most journalists, I take accusations of professional dishonesty quite seriously. Advertisement During a heated Twitter exchange in which I (somewhat emotionally) expressed my unhappiness with the digital onslaught of insults and abuse, Pakman invited me on his show to defend myself. Rather naively, I decided to accept his invitation. The day of the interview, I had just arrived home from a refugee camp where I had been interviewing a suicidal twelve-year-old Syrian girl living in circumstances I imagine being quite alien to people like Pakman and his fans. I barely had time to prep and make myself look presentable, and so was somewhat unprepared for the scenario that ensued. I won't get into how uncomfortable the interview was. You can read the YouTube comments for further clarification on that point, along with multiple requests for me to provide oral sex and much analysis of my appearance. In several ways, Pakman set the whole thing up to make me look like an idiot and misrepresented his original portrayal of the issue (FGM and Islam), which I was meant to be critiquing. I regret going on his show at all, but I did it for the right reasons. Because I mistakenly believed he would behave honestly and transparently, I ended up looking like a fool. Since that interview aired, hundreds of his followers have harassed me online by insulting me, making sexual comments, telling me my father should be ashamed of me and calling me every name in the book. One artist added his own flair to a segment of Pakman's video: Advertisement Some of his devoted fans even took time out of their busy schedules to personally email me through my website and share their thoughts on my career. I have included screenshots of these missives below. Out of unreciprocated respect for their privacy, I have removed all names and email addresses. I've experienced some trolling before, but was unprepared for the level of cruelty and viciousness Pakman's fans -- with his constant encouragement -- have displayed. Following an email exchange, also provided below, in which I asked Pakman to stop encouraging this kind of behavior, he agreed to leave the matter alone. Later that day, he released another video in which his fans called in to mock me and discuss how stupid I am. Another band of trolls emerged from under their bridges to torment me. It's difficult to explain how excruciating the past two weeks have been for me. One particularly painful morning that involved clicking my block button more times than I can count, I could barely get out of bed to eat. I have my own reasons for being so sensitive to these attacks. I was three years old the first time I saw my father on a hostage video. He looked like a skeleton with a beard. When I was seven, I met him in person. After being chained in the dark and tortured both physically and psychologically for almost seven years, he was severely traumatized and through no fault of his own, an ineffective father. My family was destroyed. I never knew what safety was, or what it was like not to feel alone. Twenty-three years later, I've finally managed to scrape together some sanity and find a career that I love. I tend to focus on other people's stories but wrote an essay about what happened to me because I wanted the world to understand that the handful of evil men who did that to my family do not reflect on the thousands of Muslims I've met in the Middle East who are simply trying to live, many times in situations so horrific they defy understanding. Because of one brief paragraph that irked Mr. Pakman, the entire message of the piece has been lost. Advertisement Two things have comforted me most throughout this ordeal. A friend of mine who has a prominent online presence gave me this advice, which I will never forget: The other words that have helped me get through this are those of my father, who was working as a journalist for the Associated Press when he was kidnapped over 30 years ago. "We used to say if you haven't pissed someone off, you're not doing your job," he wrote to me on Facebook. "Looks like you're doing great!" In Wilmington, North Carolina, a local man with two children in a public elementary school recently noticed that there seemed to be some racial discrimination behind certain policies at the school, and he spoke up. As a result of his concern and action, he can no longer set foot on any school property throughout the county. An Emperor once banned all philosophers from Rome and his popularity instantly increased. I don't think that's going to be the result for our local Superintendent of Schools who has banned Clyde Edgerton from all New Hanover County North Carolina school grounds. I almost never blog about local events. But this one has national relevance and universal human resonance, so please indulge me for a moment about this man, Clyde, and his current exile. Lest you think that this individual barred from school property must be some felonious gun toting, drug selling, rabble rousing, drunken, foul mouthed gang recruiter named 'Clyde Edgerton,' I should point out up front that it's the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Kenan Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing, and North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame author of Rainey, Walking Across Egypt, The Floatplane Notebooks, Killer Diller, In Memory of Junior, and on and on including the Papadaddy's Book for New Fathers: Advice to Dads of All Ages Clyde Edgerton, the amazingly artistic painter, guitarist, and astute banjo player Clyde Edgerton--yeah, the Renaissance Man Who Chooses To Live in small beautiful Wilmington Clyde Edgerton, one of the few people in the state or the nation whose mere presence on county school property would be in itself an education for all the students who beheld him or had the chance to interact with him. That's the one who has been banned from ever setting foot again on school grounds in our county. Of course, Socrates was given poison to drink because all the good he was doing for his town was interpreted as bad and he therefore shared the treatment of many great people through the ages. At least Clyde hasn't been handed a hemlock cocktail, tarred and feathered, or invited to a big bonfire cookout featuring Roasted Author, like so many of his benevolent predecessors who crossed The Powers That Be. Mr. Edgerton, according to our newspaper here today, had been working actively as a tutor at Forest Hills Elementary School in Wilmington. Stephen Hawking was apparently unavailable for this role, Mother Theresa has long been out of the picture, and Billy Graham can't travel like he once did. So instead we got Clyde Edgerton as a volunteer tutor for one of our schools, until he was just barred from setting foot on the property of this or any such county institution. His crime was working to make sure that some of the best opportunities at the school were available to all qualified children, regardless of race. And in doing so, he offended our superintendent. As I read on in the Wilmington StarNews piece about this insanity, it seemed to me that in this particular case, the emperor truly has no clothes. And if that makes no sense to you, it's likely because you never had a Clyde Edgerton in your life, or on your school property. Advertisement For those who want more details on what happened to lead to such craziness, here's the link to the original news story Overwhelmingly White. I was told early on that there would be at least two or three more articles in the news soon to expose the entire story in all its ugliness. The most recent is here. The sins of the malefactor seem to have consisted in his contacting other parents to see if they had been informed about a new and desirable school program, and whether they had been given a chance to put forward their children's names to be included. Several more white parents were also concerned about the procedures being employed and tried to make sure that their nonwhite fellow moms and dads knew of the program, but they were strongly discouraged from their efforts. Clyde's plight is just the most highly visible and incongruous of the results. And it's a decree he learned of only when he arrived at school one day to do his normal tutoring and was denied entrance. Cross-posted from UN Women When I joined the Indian police force in 1997, I was the first and only female officer in a batch of 35 male officers. I was doing routine police work then. In 2011, I got an opportunity to join a new United Nations Mission in South Sudan. I went to Juba for a year. As police peacekeepers, we were mentoring and training the local police there on handling violence cases. My unit dealt with women and children, and other vulnerable people affected by violence. There were a lot of challenges because the country was in the process of conflict resolution. I had to drive alone and sometimes it was late in the evening. You feel unsafe because you are not armedanything can happen. Despite these challenges, I had a good experience in Juba because a very beautiful thing happened. As soon as I joined the mission, there were a few female peacekeepers and we created an all-womens network to share our experiences. For peacekeepers, it's very difficult to leave your family behind. It's not only the family that needs us, but it's the other women, for whom we are role models. Women play an extremely important role in conflict situations, especially since women and children are the most affected. Through the network and my unit, we also acted as a channel between local women police officers and their authorities, since some faced some trouble and were not always safe. I have a one-year-old daughter now, so have now opted for an office posting. I am currently a Superintendent of Police (Vigilance) at Police Headquarters in Jaipur. I also lead workshops on gender mainstreaming and budgeting. For the last year, I've been working with UN Women on an induction-training programme for female military officers that are supposed to be deployed to peacekeeping missions. When I went on mission, I didn't have any specific gender-oriented pre-deployment training. We [now] train them to handle violence against women in a conflict situation before they leave. I feel very honoured and happy that I connect with women working [in this field]. It's something very close to my hearta passion! Advertisement Maruti Joshi, 43, from Jaipur, India, has worked as a police officer for 18 years and served as a UN peacekeeper in South Sudan. Ms. Joshi is currently working with UN Women to train women peacekeepers to address sexual and gender-based violence in conflict. Her work is connected to the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 5, which includes ending all forms of violence against women and girls, and SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Hindustan Times via Getty Images NEW DELHI, INDIA - MARCH 20: Home Minister Rajnath Singh during a press conference claims that BJP party is different from all other political parties in terms of ideology and leadership, at BJP HQ on March 20, 2016 in New Delhi, India. Singh said that the party is open to criticism against government but not against the nation. (Photo by Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) NEW DELHI -- Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asked Delhi Police Chief Alok Kumar Verma to take strict action against those involved in recent attacks against African nationals. Singh, who had called Verma to his residence, expressed concern over the attacks and said stern action be taken against the perpetrators. Advertisement In the backdrop of cases of assault on African nationals and outrage by envoys of African countries over killing of a Congolese youth, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today spoke to Singh and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung to ensure safety of the community and strict action against the guilty. Spoke to CP Delhi regarding the incident of physical assault against certain African nationals in New Delhi. Such incidents are condemnable. Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) May 29, 2016 He asked Delhi Police to increase patrolling in areas inhabited by African nationals and ensure their security. Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers & increase police patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) May 29, 2016 There have been spate of attacks on Africans living in the national capital, including killing of the Congolese youth. A 23-year-old Nigerian student was assaulted in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Three cases of physical assault and criminal intimidation of African nationals in South Delhi have been registered by the police. Two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and two Nigerian men in South Delhi had filed complaints of physical assault and criminal intimidation. Envoys of African countries had expressed shock over the killing of the Congolese youth, following which India had assured them of safety and security of all African nationals. This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com Ramesh Lalwani via Getty Images Delhi witnessed mass protests after gang rape of 22year old paramedic student in December 2012 and 5 year old child in Arpril 2013. NEW DELHI -- A teenage girl was gang-raped, murdered and tied to a tree in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. The 15-year-old reportedly went missing from her village on Friday. The post-mortem has confirmed that the girl was raped and later strangled, Superintendent of Police Salik Ram Verma told NDTV. Advertisement While four constables have been suspended for dereliction of duty, two men have been arrested and a manhunt is underway to track the third accused. The events which led up to the rape and murder of the 15-year-old are not quite clear. While one report said that the teenager had gone to relieve herself when she was attacked by the accused men, another media outlet said that she met one of them in a secluded spot. He along with his two friends then allegedly raped her. The Samajwadi Party, which is in power in Uttar Pradesh, and the Bhartiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre, have come under fire over this horrific crime as well as the overarching failure to protect Indian women against sexual violence. Yet another case, yet another victim, yet another girl. Always women and girls are at the deceiving end, be it Uttar Pradesh or any other state for that matter, Nirmala Samant, former member of the National Commission for Women, told ANI. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also on HuffPost India: Salman Rushdie has always said and written things hardline Islamists have nightmares about. Rushdie's tryst with Islam's conservative, oppressive practitioners is often held up as evidence of how illiberal some Muslims can be. In 1989, Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini advertised that whoever manages to kill Rushdie will be rewarded handsomely. The writer has never minced words on how so called religious people try committing the worst atrocities in the name of Islam. Recently, he appeared in a video where he weighed in on the subject of calling one strain of terrorism as 'Islamic terror'. It has been argued for a while that while talking and writing about terrorism, it is perhaps unnecessary to call terror attacks inflict by Muslim terrorists 'Islamic terrorism'. Calling terrorism 'Islamic' undermines the religion's truest values, which doesn't promote violence and murder, like any other religion. It has been said that the terrorists choose to contort and abuse the idea of the religion and by no means should their actions be legitimised by associating them with the word Islam in sensible public discourses. That is why, many publications, columnists and commentators choose to call 'Islamic State' Daesh - an Arabic word which means 'a group of bigots who impose their will on others'. Advertisement However, Rushdie has contended, that, "If everybody engaged in acts of Islamic terrorism says that theyre doing it in the name of Islam, who are we to say theyre not? I mean now of course what they mean by Islam might well not be what most Muslims mean by Islam. But its still a form of Islam and its a form of Islam thats become unbelievably powerful in the last 25 and 30 years. He goes on to talk about 'this liberal spirit of appeasement', 'of political correctness'. He explains that it is true that several Muslims in America and Western Europe are actively discriminated against, putting them in a position of economic disadvantage and one needs to talk about ending discrimination. However, he adds, religious ideas held by them necessarily doesn't become legitimate because they belong to economically or racially disadvantaged people in countries like America. He adds that when free speech is shut down, minority communities are the ones who suffer the most. So they should actively promote the need to let free speech remain truly 'free' and if some criticism of their own religious ideas have to faced in the process, so be it. "It comes with the territory," says Rushdie. The Kingston Trio comes to Hutchinson All three current members, have links to and experience with the original group. Imperial Valley News Center Extradited British resident pleads guilty to conspiracy to illegally export restricted laboratory equipment to Syria Scranton, Pennsylvania - A British national pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to illegally export laboratory equipment, including items used to detect chemical warfare agents, from the United States to Syria, in violation of federal law. The plea follows an extensive investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Department of Commerces Office of Export Enforcement. Ahmad Feras Diri, age 42, of London, United Kingdom, was charged November 2012. The indictment remained under seal, pending the arrest of the defendants. The indictment charged three individuals and one company with criminal conspiracy, wire fraud, illegal export of goods, money laundering, and false statements. Diri was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London in March 2013, and was extradited to the United States on November 15, 2015, to face the charges. Co-defendant Harold Rinko pled guilty on September 16, 2014 and is awaiting sentencing. Moawea Deri is a fugitive living in Syria. During the guilty plea hearing, Diri admitted that from 2003 until the date of the indictment, he conspired to export items from the United States through third party countries to customers in Syria, without the required U.S. Commerce Department licenses. According to a stipulation, the conspirators prepared false invoices which undervalued and mislabeled the goods being purchased and listed false information as to the identity and geographic location of the purchasers of the goods. According to the stipulation, the items would be shipped from the United States to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, and thereafter transshipped to Syria. The items included: a portable scanner used for the detection of chemical warfare agents; a handheld device for detection and classification of chemical warfare agents and selected toxic industrial chemicals; masks designed for use against chemical warfare agents; meters used to measure chemicals and their composition; and stirrers used for mixing, heating, combining, and testing liquid chemical compounds. HSI will use all resources at its disposal to prevent sensitive and restricted technology from being exported to Syria though the black market, said HSI Special Agent in Charge Philadelphia John Kelleghan. No good comes of illegal exports to Syria during this time of gross misgovernment and civil strife, and HSI will do all in its power as the principal enforcer of export controls to ensure that sensitive technology doesnt fall into the wrong hands in Syria. I applaud our colleagues at the Department of Commerce, along with our law enforcement counterparts in the United Kingdom, who helped us make this complex investigation a success. "I commend our colleagues from HSI and the United Kingdom, and the U.S. Attorney's Office, for their outstanding work with the Commerce Department on this case," said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson. "Our special agents work diligently every day to pursue those who flout our export control laws and attempt to supply anyone with technology that threatens our national security. OEE will pursue violators wherever located, worldwide, and we will continue to leverage our unique authorities as the only federal law enforcement agency exclusively dedicated to enforcing dual-use and other export control violations." The case is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley and Mariclaire Rourke, Trial Attorney with the Department of Justice, Counter-intelligence and Export Control Section (CES). A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. No date was set for sentencing of Diri. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendants educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant. Imperial Valley News Center United States, Mexico and Canada Join Forces to Improve Amber Alert System Mexico City, Mexico - The U.S. Department of Justices Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) and Mexicos Office of the Attorney General (PGR) sponsored a Trinational Forum in Mexico City, bringing together Amber Alert Coordinators from Mexico, the United States and Canada. The forum aimed to create mechanisms for the international coordination of Amber Alerts in order to better respond to potential cross-border cases of missing children. Opening the forum, Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez highlighted the importance of international cooperation in the identification of missing children, noting that the Amber Alert program breaks the barriers of communication, time and distance, and highlighted that the neutralization and disruption of criminal groups and their operations cannot depend on limits created by borders or national identities. The importance of the Amber Alert system also was recognized by U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in her remarks yesterday at the annual National Missing Childrens Day Ceremony in Washington, D.C., where she noted the Trinational Event in Mexico City and said, and our commitment to rescuing missing children does not stop at the border. I am proud to say that our Department of Justice has collaborated with the Attorney General of Mexico on the development of Mexicos AMBER Alert System, which has already resulted in the rescue of hundreds of Mexican children. OPDAT Senior Resident Legal Advisor Ray Gattinella told Amber Alert coordinators in Mexico City, we currently have 75 open abduction cases from the United States to Mexico and 183 open cases from Mexico to the United States. So it makes sense that our countries would continue the collaboration on Amber Alert we started four years ago and begin coordinating on potential cross-border and interstate missing children cases. OPDAT assisted PGR in the creation and implementation of Amber Alert Mexico based on the U.S. program in May 2012. Since that time, Amber Alert has led to the rescue of over 350 children in Mexico. The program has also become a central piece of OPDATs programming in Mexico under the Merida Initiative. The United States immensely values the cooperation and collaboration from both Mexico and Canada in this critical area. Imperial Valley News Center Pay Attention to New Labels on Beef Rochester, Minnesota - In a move to keep consumers safe from foodborne illness, the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) now requires new labels for beef products that have been mechanically tenderized. The labels alert consumers about the tenderization method, and they provide information on safe cooking practices. In mechanical tenderization, also called blade tenderizing, meat is pierced with needles or blades to break up tissue, making it easier to chew. The issue is that bacteria, such as E. coli. live on the outside surface of meats. Mechanical tenderization can bring those pathogens from the surface of the meat to the interior, which, according to USDA experts, makes safe cooking practices important. The USDA recommends cooking mechanically tenderized beef to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit before removing it from the heat source. Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert Dr. Pritish Tosh says the labels are a good thing. He says, "Meat in the U. S. is generally very safe. But, properly cooking meat that has been mechanically tenderized will help prevent bacterial illnesses from happening. Cooking to a proper temperature kills bacteria." Two Saratoga Doctors Indicted For Health Care Fraud And Money Laundering San Jose, California - A federal grand jury indicted Dr. Vilasini M. Ganesh and Dr. Gregory Belcher last week with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering, announced Acting United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. Dr. Ganesh is a family practitioner and Dr. Belcher is an orthopedic surgeon. According to the indictment, between 2009 and continuing through at least September 2014, Ganesh, 46, of Saratoga, Calif., together with her partner, Belcher, 54, also of Saratoga, engaged in a scheme to defraud insurance companies administering health care benefit programs (HCBPs). As alleged in the indictment, Ganesh and Belcher used their Saratoga medical practice, Campbell Medical Group (CMG), to unlawfully enrich themselves. Ganesh and Belcher are alleged to have submitted false and fraudulent claims to the HCBPs, concealed the submission of false and fraudulent claims to the HCBPs, and diverted proceeds of the fraud for their personal use. In addition, Ganesh allegedly submitted and caused to be submitted to HCBPs claims for services that she knew were not properly payable because she included (1) false codes that artificially inflated both the seriousness of the patients condition as well as the time that the physician spent examining the patient; (2) false diagnoses in the claims that did not correspond with the true health and presentation of the patient; (3) claims for days when the patient had not been seen by the provider; and (4) representations that the patients were seen by another physician provider (not herself) no longer affiliated with Dr. Ganesh and her practice at CMG. The indictment further alleges that Ganesh compounded these illegal acts by misrepresenting, concealing, and hiding or directing her subordinates to misrepresent, conceal, or hide, acts done in furtherance of the scheme. Specifically, when approached by representatives of the HCBPs, or the patients themselves, to provide documentation or additional information to substantiate the claims that were being submitted at her direction and on her behalf, Ganesh either directed her office staff to have no further discussions with anyone about the claims or to simply resubmit the false information, all to avoid disclosing the truth of the underlying the scheme. Furthermore, the indictment alleges Ganesh, together with the assistance and knowledge of Belcher, submitted hundreds of claims for reimbursement from the HCBPs for: (i) days that were weekends when the CMG office located in Saratoga was closed; (ii) days on which the patient denied they were seen; and/or (iii) days when the patient could not have been seen by Ganesh or her staff because either the patient or the doctor was not physically present in California. The defendants allegedly also used billing codes that indicated Ganesh and/or Belcher had spent more than 24 hours in a single day seeing patients. The defendants also maintained multiple bank accounts through which they are alleged to have attempted to conceal the nature and source of the illegally obtained funds which resulted from their scheme to defraud. Defendants were charged with one count of health care fraud conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1956(b); and six counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1956(a)(l)(B)(i) and 2. In addition, defendant Ganesh was charged with five counts of health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1347 and 2, and five counts of false statements relating to health care matters, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1035. Both defendants were arrested this morning in Saratoga and made their initial appearance in federal court in San Jose this afternoon in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael M. Cousins. Both defendants were released on bond, pending further hearings. Bail was set at $250,000 per defendant. The defendants next scheduled appearance is at 1:30 on Friday, May 27, 2016, for identification of counsel and further bond proceedings before the Honorable Nathanael M. Cousins, U.S. Magistrate Judge. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution for each violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349 and 1347; and 20 years imprisonment and fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the laundered funds, whichever is greater, plus restitution, for each violation of 18 U.S.C. 1956(h) and 1956(a)(1)(B). However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. 3553. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amie D. Rooney is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Elise Etter. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI. Surrogate Endpoints Poor Proxy for Survival in Cancer Drug Approval Process Rochester, Minnesota - Surrogate endpoints used to support the majority of new cancer drugs approved in the U.S. often lack formal study, according to the authors of a study published in the June issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. This analysis questions whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is adhering to standards that demand that surrogates be reasonably likely to predict or established to be used to grant approvals. In cancer clinical trials, surrogate endpoints, such as tumor shrinkage or slowed tumor growth, may be used as proxies for outcomes that matter to patients living longer or better, in order to gain earlier approval of new drugs, says lead author Vinay Prasad, M.D., M.P.H. a hematologist at Oregon Health & Sciences University. Dr. Prasad and co-author Chul Kim, M.D. M.P.H., a researcher at the National Institutes of Health, studied 55 drugs approved on the basis of a surrogate endpoint by the FDA between January 2009 and December 2014. Twenty-five drugs received accelerated (provisional) approval, and 30 drugs received traditional (full) approval. Surrogates used for accelerated approval should be reasonably likely to predict living longer, while surrogates used for traditional approvals should be established, according to prior guidance from the FDA. Yet, the authors could not find any formal analyses of the strength of the surrogate-survival correlation for 14 drugs (56 percent) that received accelerated approval and 11 drugs (37 percent), which received traditional approval. For drugs receiving accelerated approval, a level 1 analysis (the most robust analysis) had been performed on only four drugs. For drugs receiving traditional approval, a level 1 analysis had been performed on 15, with only three finding a strong correlation. The present study suggests that the use of surrogate endpoints for drug approval often lacks formal empirical verification, says Dr. Prasad. In a commentary also published in the June issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Vincent Rajkumar, M.D., a Mayo Clinic hematologist, writes that the study by Drs. Prasad and Kim is the product of a time-consuming, thoughtful, and careful study. He says their findings may lead one to think that the FDA is more lenient and is willing to approve oncologic drugs more readily than ever before. But, he cautions that there are many aspects in the interpretation of those data that one must be wary of, and placing more requirements may impede progress in drug development and the speed of approval. He says that the current FDA approval process has achieved an optimal balance between the need for speed, so patients with cancer have early access to promising new drugs, and the need for safety, so harmful or useless drugs dont enter the market. At the same time, he warns against further relaxation of the current standards. Dr. Prasad acknowledges that the FDA may have unpublished studies used to justify these surrogates. If so, I would urge the FDA to publish these studies to allow independent researchers to judge their work, he says. If the surrogates are valid that would be great news. But, if there are limitations to the analyses, it would benefit patients to know. He says the FDA has previously published such analyses. Posting Zika Conspiracy Theories on Social Media Could Put People at Risk Baltimore, Maryland - Social media posters who share unfounded conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific claims about the Zika virus may undermine upcoming efforts to keep the disease from spreading, according to a study published online today by the journal Vaccine. The researchers behind the studyfrom the Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University and the University of Georgiasay the misinformation they detected by analyzing thousands of Twitter posts could cause many vulnerable people to refuse future Zika vaccinations. The researchers also encouraged public health authorities to use this same real-time social media monitoring method to keep track of and respond quickly to unsubstantiated claims that could hinder upcoming inoculations. In their journal article, the researchers pointed out that although the development of a Zika vaccine is in its early stages, there is already cause for concern regarding the success of the eventual vaccination campaign. And the growth of social media, they wrote, has created a fertile environment for conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific claims. The Zika virus is found in Asia, Africa and South America, with Brazil and neighboring countries seeing a significant rise in cases in recent months. Spread by mosquitos and through sexual intercourse, Zika virus has been linked to babies being born with small heads and brains, a condition called microcephaly. Much uncertainty still surrounds the origin and effects of the Zika virus. This has resulted in doubts about whether microcephaly is truly caused by the virus and whether future vaccinations will be safe. These suspicions, bolstered by social media posts, can have a lasting effect on peoples health-related decisions, the researchers said. In the new study, the research team members unearthed several unfounded Zika-related claims. Some conspiracy theorists insisted that the increase in microcephaly was caused by the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. They also insisted that drug companies were blaming Zika virus in order to earn profits from the sale of future Zika vaccines. When other people who are searching for information about Zika come across a story like this, it may lead them to avoid vaccination and distrust health authorities, the researchers concluded. Once people have made up their minds about something, its hard for them to change their opinions, said lead author Mark Dredze of Johns Hopkins. Id find it surprising if this sort of story really had no impact whatsoever, and I cant imagine it would make people more likely to pursue a healthy response." Dredze, an assistant research professor in the Whiting School of Engineerings Department of Computer Science has been a pioneer in the collection and study of social media data to monitor flu cases, mental illness trends and other health concerns. To investigate the scope of the Zika-related claims, the team monitored Twitter posts in real-time, which meant they could identify conversations as soon as they happened. The method gave them a fast insight into what people were talking about online. They identified nearly 140,000 Tweets between Jan. 1 and April 29, 2016, that contained the keywords vaccine and Zika. They observed a number of tweeted claims that questioned why government officials were so anxious to obtain a vaccine. Even though the science is relatively clear, we found many conspiracy theories that could be affecting peoples health-related decisions, such as whether to vaccinate, said corresponding author David Broniatowski, an assistant professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the George Washington University. Unfortunately, the people most affected are from the most vulnerable communities, with little access to the facts. The researchers say public health experts must quickly address peoples concerns and debunk unscientific claims to ensure a future vaccine campaign is effective. One way to do this, they said, is to use their teams method of tracking conversations on social media. This tactic, they said, cuts the time it takes to discover what people are talking about and paves the way for a prompt public health response. Shortly after Zika rose to prominence, we were able to track these conversations very quickly using our social media monitoring method, Broniatowski said. This is a promising approach to the fast response to disease, and could help counteract the negative impact of these conspiracy theories in future. The third researcher involved in the study was Karen M. Hilyard, assistant professor of health communication, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior at the University of Georgia College of Public Health. Dredze, Broniatowski and Hilyards research is supported by NIH award number 1R01GM114771. Secretary Johnson on Disciplinary Actions Stemming from the DHS Inspector General's Report Washington, DC - Last year various individuals within the United States Secret Service improperly accessed and distributed information contained within Secret Service personnel records about a job application made years ago by an individual who is now a Member of Congress. The same information was also wrongfully leaked to the press. At the time, both Director Clancy and I personally apologized to the Member of Congress, and I asked the DHS Inspector General to investigate the matter further. The matter was also referred to the Department of Justice for potential criminal investigation and prosecution, and the Department of Justice declined to take action. The Inspector General issued his report on the matter in September 2015. As reflected in the IGs report, a Secret Service database containing sensitive personally identifiable information about a Member of Congress was accessed on approximately 60 occasions by Secret Service personnel. The IG concluded that the majority of these instances were in violation of the Privacy Act, Secret Service policy, and DHS policy. Following the issuance of this report, we took up the matter of accountability. Given the nature and scope of the IGs investigation and findings, Director Clancy and I determined that he would be recused from determining accountability, and that these matters would be decided by me. Because of the number of employees involved, I delegated to the DHS Deputy Under Secretary for Management accountability decisions for all General Schedule employees of the Secret Service, and I decided accountability with respect to members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) within the Secret Service. We have now determined the matter of accountability. In all, the conduct of 57 Secret Service personnel was reviewed, including 11 at the SES level. Of those, 41 are receiving some level of discipline. This discipline includes a letter of reprimand to one individual, suspended discipline contingent on no further misconduct for a period of five years, and suspensions from duty without pay for periods of up to 45 days. The one individual found by the Inspector General to have disclosed the private information to an outside source, the Washington Post, has resigned from the Secret Service. I found no basis to take any action with respect to the Director or Deputy Director. The Privacy Act limits public disclosure of further details regarding these actions. Also, the process for the discipline of civil service personnel is governed by a series of laws, regulations and policies for the protection of our employees. Each employee disciplined has the right, in one form or another, to challenge the actions taken. Like many others I was appalled by the episode reflected in the Inspector Generals report, which brought real discredit to the Secret Service. From Director Clancy, I have been told that tighter processes are now in place to limit access to personally identifiable information and to highlight for employees the consequences of a breach of that data. The Secret Service is the finest protection agency in the world. It is for this reason that we must demand of its men and women the finest standards for professionalism and integrity. Under the leadership of Director Clancy, I hope and expect the Secret Service has put sad episodes like this behind it. Unmet Surgical Needs High for Worlds 60 Million Refugees Baltimore, Maryland - New research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests that the worlds estimated 60 million refugees, displaced from their homes due to conflict, persecution or human rights violations, may need at least 2.78 million surgeries a year, something thought to be very difficult to arrange in the midst of their upheaval. The researchers say that the findings, published May 25 in the World Journal of Surgery, shed light on something that few governments and humanitarian aid organizations plan for when preparing for a large influx of displaced persons who are far from home and often in countries where there are already great unmet needs for surgical procedures. We are facing the largest forced migration crisis since World War II, says study leader Adam Kushner, MD, MPH, an associate in the Department of International Health at the Bloomberg School. And while surgery is a critical component of health care, it is often neglected in times of crisis. Without access to timely and safe surgery, many people will become disabled and many will die -- outcomes that could have been prevented. What many people also do not realize is that many types of surgical care are easy to do and very cost-effective. The types of necessary surgeries run the gamut, from the repair of hernias and broken limbs, to C-sections and cleft lips and gallbladder removals, even stitches and burn care any type of procedure that would be needed in any other population. In times of war, surgeries related to trauma, violence and burns may be particularly needed. The researchers could not say exactly how many refugees receive surgical care annually. For their study, Kushner and his colleagues collected data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East on the number of refugees, internally displaced persons and asylum seekers around the world and on their demographics. To estimate the number of procedures needed per year, they used a previously published minimum of 4,669 annual procedures per 100,000 population, a number similar to the target minimum surgical rate of 5,000 per 100,000 published by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. Eighty-five percent of the world has surgical volumes that fail to meet the minimum target of 5,000 per 100,000 particularly in the regions of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, which host 78 percent of all forcibly displaced persons globally. At the end of 2014, 59.5 million people were living as forcibly displaced persons, a number that has steadily increased in recent years, according to the UNHCR. The agency estimated that 218,000 persons entered Europe by sea in October 2015 alone; many of them were seeking refuge from the violence in Syria. While up to 5 percent of the population at large will require surgery, the World Health Organization estimates that as many as 15 percent of pregnant women will experience obstetric complications requiring surgery for conditions such as protracted labor, pre-eclampsia or ectopic pregnancy. The prevalence of pregnancy among displaced women of reproductive age is between 6 and 14 percent, they say. Pediatric needs are also very high, Kushner says. While many refugees live in camp settlements, more than half live in established communities, yet they are typically precluded from accessing essential surgery due to a lack of proper documentation, high costs or weak surgical infrastructure in their host country. When planning to take care of refugees, much thought is put into how to house and feed and clothe people who are far from home for circumstances often beyond their control, Kushner says. But surgery is a basic need and nobody talks about this. Global Estimation of Surgical Procedures Needed for Forcibly Displaced Persons was written by Yuanting Zha, BS; Barclay Stewart, MD, MPH; Eugenia Lee, MD; Kyle N. Remick, MD; David H. Rothstein, MD, MS; Reinou S. Groen, MD, MIH, PhD; Gilbert Burnham, MD, PhD; David K. Imagawa, MD, PhD and Adam L. Kushner, MD, MPH. This study was funded in part by a grant from the Fogarty International Center at the National Institutes of Health (R25-TW009345). UK Train Passenger Praised for Refusing to Give Up Her First Class Seat to Old Woman Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This 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 Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} In the two years since 2014s lugubrious, autobiographical July, Marissa Nadler returns to London with songs from her new album Strangers. Diving straight into the surreal, dreamlike narrative, Nadler stands at the altar dressed in black and delivers her vocals with hints of 60s folk, Hope Sandoval's huskiness and the woozy, American-Gothic tones of Lana Del Rey. Backed by the support act Wreckmeister Harmonies, Nadler creates a cast of characters stuck between life and death, indecision and inherent faults, pondering their existential crises with a nod to Bunuel's The Exterminating Angel. On Janie in Love tonight's standout song the titular anti-heroine wants to blow up everything. Scraping guitars surround Nadlers dreamy vocals as she delivers them with the eeriness of Julee Cruise in Twin Peaks. Divers of the Dust, recalls the ghostliness of Mazzy Star as Nadler layers hypnagogic imagery of waves pulling cities into the ocean. Built around a tinkling piano refrain, Nadlers voice rises above the melody to ask How did we end up here and how did we meet? Though the songs themselves are strong, tonight is let down by the big, fat silences we get with Nadler tuning her guitar after each song. Having only brought one guitar for the tour, there are stops and starts throughout. The impressive songs from Strangers prove that this is by far Nadlers best work. Tonight however, the sparing instrumentation hardly translates the vividness of such an outstanding record. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter 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 IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} After a rather tumultuous journey to TV screens, the first episode of the new series of Top Gear will finally air tonight. We'll just have to see whether this first outing can survive the horde of negative rumours swirling the production, with its filming on Thursday reportedly seeing dozens of audience members leaving the studio before the show had finished filming. That's on top of the co-hosts having to dismiss claims they fell out, a change in management, and a flurry of controversy surrounding filming near the Cenotaph. Well, fingers crossed then... What time is it on and what channel? The first episode of Top Gear will air 29 May, 8PM on BBC2. Who's hosting? Chris Evans was first confirmed as the man tasked with replacing the original trio of presenters. Of course, Top Gear isn't a one-man job and on 4 February, it was announced that Friends actor Matt LeBlanc would be joining Evans as co-host. Also onboard are F1 commentator Eddie Jordan, world record-breaking German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, car reviewer and TV presenter Rory Reid, YouTube star Chris Harris and of course, the Stig. The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Show all 21 1 /21 The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Chris Evans hosting the new Top Gear, replacing Jeremy Clarkson BBC Worldwide The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Damian Lewis crawls out of his car after a ride with The Stig BBC World Wide/Mark Yeoman The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Matt LeBlanc has taken over co-hosting duties from Richard Hammond and James May BBC World Wide/Jeff Spicer The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Damian Lewis seemed to enjoy his time on Top Gear BBC World Wide/Mark Yeoman The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Damian Lewis and The Stig BBC World Wide/Mark Yeoman The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Sharleen Spiteri and The Stig BBC World Wide/Mark Yeoman The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Top Gear introduces some special guests for the second episode BBC World Wide/Jeff Spicer The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Testing out a McLaren 675 LT BBC World Wide/Mark Yeoman The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Eddie Jordan, Seasick Steve and Sharleen Spiteri on Top Gear BBC World Wide/Jeff Spicer The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Chris Evans hits the track on Top Gear BBC Worldwide/Mark Yeoman The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures It's time for a South African challenge on Top Gear BBC Worldwide/Desmond Louw The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Chris Evans and Matt LeBLanc take Top Gear to Blackpool BBC Worldwide/Mark Yeoman The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures It's tug of war time in Blackpool during the first new episode of Top Gear BBC Worldwide/Mark Yeoman The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc have a lot to live up to on Top Gear BBC Worldwide The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Seasick Steve and Tinie Tempah join Chris Evans for an off-road race on Top Gear BBC Worldwide/Desmond Louw The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Matt LeBlanc on the set of the new Top Gear BBC WORLDWIDE The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures The Stig with the Mini Cooper used as part of new segment Star in a Rallycross Car BBC WORLDWIDE The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Actor Jesse Eisenberg with Stig BBC WORLDWIDE The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Chef Gordon Ramsay with Stig BBC WORLDWIDE The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Jesse Eisenberg does a lap of the Top Gear circuit BBC WORLDWIDE The post-Clarkson Top Gear era in pictures Jesse Eisenberg and Gordon Ramsay in the Top Gear studio BBC WORLDWIDE Who are the guests and what cars will be driven? Episode one's guests will be Batman v Superman actor Jesse Eisenberg and chef Gordon Ramsay. It remains unclear exactly which segment the two will be participating in but it's a fair bet to assume one or both could feature in Star in a Rallycross Car - which has been announced as Star in a Reasonably Priced Car's replacement. Elsewhere, Evans is to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Tom Cruise film Top Gun by driving a 645bhp Dodge Viper ACR in a race against co-host Schmitz's Chevy Corvette Z06 (minus the motion sickness, hopefully). As was teased in a clip released by the BBC, LeBlanc will tackle Ariel's Nomad in the Moroccan desert and - to even out the playing field - also heads to a rain-specked Blackpool where he and Evans take a roofless Reliant Rialto for a spin. How many episodes will there be? Though usually eight episodes in length, this series has been cut down to merely six. All-new Top Gear trailer What is Extra Gear? On top of Top Gear, viewers will also be able to enjoy a new online-only spin-off; available to view both on the BBC Three website and BBC iPlayer straight after the end of each episode. Presented by Rory Reid, the show will offer behind-the-scenes footage, plus exclusive clips and interviews cut from the main show. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A number of high-profile individuals have come out in support of Johnny Depp. Mickey Rourke and Paul Bettany have defended him and have said he does not seem like a violent man, while Depps ex-wife, Lori Anne Allison, also reportedly said he was a gentle person. Last Friday Los Angeles Superior Court Judge issued a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Depp after his wife and fellow actress Amber Heard alleged he had been violent towards her during their 15-month marriage. On Friday, Heard appeared in court, with a visible bruise on her face, alleging that Depp threw a Phone at her last Saturday and a month before grabbed [her] by the hair and violently shove [her] to the floor. In court documents requesting the order, Heard wrote, I live in fear that Johnny will return to the residence unannounced to terrorise me, physically and emotionally. Earlier in the week, Heard, 30, filed for divorce from Depp, 52, and cited irreconcilable differences. Depps lawyer has claimed Heard applied for a restraining order as a result of the negative media coverage shes been subject to and in order to secure a premature financial resolution. The unfavourable media attention the lawyer, Laura Wasser, is referring to is the coverage of Heard choosing to file for a divorce several days after Depps mother Betty Sue died. Johnny Depp on screen Show all 16 1 /16 Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Preening: Johnny Depp in 'Mortdecai' Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen With Helena Bonham-Carter in 2007's 'Sweeney Todd' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Depp in Richard Burton's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp with Winona Ryder in Edward Scissorhands back in 1990 Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Depp with short hair in 2009 film 'Public Enemies' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen In 2012's 'Dark Shadows' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen The actor in 'Finding Neverland', 2004 AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp stars in 2014 sci-fi thriller 'Transcendence' Alcon Entertainment, LLC. Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp in 2006 film 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp as Tonto in 2013 movie 'The Lone Ranger' Disney Enterprises, Inc Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp and Amber Heard star in 2011 movie 'The Rum Diary' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz in 2011 film 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp stars with Angelina Jolie in 2010 movie 'The Tourist' Rex Feature Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter in a scene from 2010 film 'Alice in Wonderland' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp stars in Michael Mann's 2009 movie 'Public Enemies' Fellow actor, Rourke, has come out in support of Depp. Speaking to celebrity news site TMZ he said, He doesn't seem like a very violent man to me Hes a very low-key guy, he's always been really low key and a gentleman and not violent. Paul Bettany has also defended Depp, saying that He's the sweetest, kindest, gentlest man that I've ever known. According to TMZ, Depps first wife told friends that Depp, to whom she was married from 1983 to 1985, was a soft person, who was never was aggressive during the time they were together. Rourke and Bettany have come under fire for their comments on social media. He doesn't seem like a very violent man to me' says Mickey Rourke who's also never been in a relationship with Depp, wrote one user in response to Rourkes comments. While another added, I believe the bruises more than Rourke's opinion. Just because you get on well with someone, does not mean they are incapable of doing something horrific, wrote one user in response to Bettany. While another said, This is dangerous trash. Delete it. And believe women. Depp has not made a public statement since the news that Heard had been granted a restraining order was released. At the time, he responded to news their marriage was over and they had not secured a pre-nupt agreement and Heard was choosing to seek spousal support. Given the brevity of this marriage and the most recent and tragic loss of his mother, Johnny will not respond to any of the malicious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies about his personal life, it read. Hopefully, the dissolution of this short marriage will be resolved quickly. Representatives for Heard, Depp, Rourke, Bettany and Allison have not immediately replied to request for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Johnny Depps long-term partner and the mother of his two children has dismissed Amber Heards domestic violence claims as outrageous and has said the actor is a sensitive and loving person. Last Friday Los Angeles Superior Court Judge issued a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Depp after his wife Heard alleged he had been violent towards her on multiple occasions during their 15-month marriage. Heard appeared in court, with a visible bruise on her face, alleging that Depp threw a Phone at her face last Saturday and a month before grabbed [her] by the hair and violently shove [her] to the floor. In court documents, Heard wrote, I live in fear that Johnny will return to the residence unannounced to terrorise me, physically and emotionally. Johnny Depp accused of assault In court papers responding to Heards plea for the restraining order, Depp's lawyer Laura Wasser claimed: Amber is attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse. Her current application for a temporary restraining order along with her financial requests appear to be in response to the negative media attention she received earlier this week after filing for divorce. French actress, Vanessa Paradis, 43, has dismissed Heards allegations and said Depp was not once physically abusive to her during the 14 years they lived together. They were in a relationship between 1998 and 2012 and they have two children together, Lily-Rose and Jack, and are thought to still be friends. In all the years I have known Johnny, he has never been physically abusive with me and this looks nothing like the man I lived with for 14 wonderful years, Paradis wrote in a letter obtained by celebrity news site TMZ. Johnny Depp on screen Show all 16 1 /16 Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Preening: Johnny Depp in 'Mortdecai' Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen With Helena Bonham-Carter in 2007's 'Sweeney Todd' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Depp in Richard Burton's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp with Winona Ryder in Edward Scissorhands back in 1990 Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Depp with short hair in 2009 film 'Public Enemies' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen In 2012's 'Dark Shadows' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen The actor in 'Finding Neverland', 2004 AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp stars in 2014 sci-fi thriller 'Transcendence' Alcon Entertainment, LLC. Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp in 2006 film 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp as Tonto in 2013 movie 'The Lone Ranger' Disney Enterprises, Inc Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp and Amber Heard star in 2011 movie 'The Rum Diary' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz in 2011 film 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp stars with Angelina Jolie in 2010 movie 'The Tourist' Rex Feature Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter in a scene from 2010 film 'Alice in Wonderland' AP Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp on screen Johnny Depp stars in Michael Mann's 2009 movie 'Public Enemies' He is a sensitive, loving and loved person, and I believe with all my heart, that these recent allegations being made are outrageous, she also said. According to TMZ, Depps first wife Lori Anne Allison told friends that Depp, to whom she was married between 1983 and 1985, was a soft person who was never aggressive during their relationship. Depp has not made a public statement since the news that Heard was granted a restraining order has emerged but he did release a comment amid reports there was no prenup agreement in place and Heard was seeking spousal support. Given the brevity of this marriage and the most recent and tragic loss of his mother, Johnny will not respond to any of the salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies about his personal life, the statement read. Hopefully, the dissolution of this short marriage will be resolved quickly. Representatives for Heard, Depp and Paradis not immediately respond to request for comment. 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 Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Billboards calling on people to Halt ze German advance by voting in favour of Brexit have been pictured on the side of a motorway. Several boards are understood to have been placed alongside the M40 in Oxfordshire. They use Vote Leave branding the official anti-EU campaign - and read in full: Halt ze German advance! Vote Leave. Pictures of the boards have quickly circulated on social media, with users branding them as xenophobic and pathetic. Jonathan Harris-Bass said over Twitter the boards were, Despicable, tragic [and] deeply embarrassing, while another user labelled them a very low moment in the Brexit debate. Vote Leave have been quick to distance themselves from the boards and have emphasised they are not responsible for the posters. What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Show all 5 1 /5 What's the European Parliament ever done for us? What's the European Parliament ever done for us? A cap on the amount of hours an employer can make you work The Working Time directive provides legal standards to ensure the health and safety of employees in Europe. Among the many rules are a working week of a maximum 48 hours, including overtime, a daily rest period of 11 hours in every 24, a break if a person works for six hours or more, and one day off in every seven. It also includes provisions for paid annual leave of at least four weeks every year Getty Images What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Helping the people of Britain to avoid smoking In 2014 MEPs passed the Tobacco Products Directive strengthening existing rules on the manufacture, production and presentation of tobacco products. This includes things like reduced branding, restrictions on products containing flavoured tobacco, health warnings on cigarette packets and provisions for e-cigarettes to ensure they are safe What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Helping you to make the right choices with your food Thanks to the European Parliament, UK consumers have access to more information than ever about their food and drink. This includes amount of fat, and how much of it is saturated, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and so on. It also includes portion sizes and guideline daily amount information so people can make informed choices about their diet. All facts must be clear and easy to understand What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Two year guarantees and 14-day returns policy for all products Consumers across the EU have access to a number of rights, from things which are potentially very useful, to things which used to be annoying. For example, shoppers in the UK receive a two-year guarantee on all products, and a 14-day period to change their minds and return a purchase, these things are useful www.PeopleImages.com-licence restrictions apply What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Keeping your air nice and fresh (and safe) Believe it or not, although the situation is improving, some areas of the UK have appalling air quality. A report by the Royal College of Physicians released on 23 February says 40,000 deaths are caused by outdoor air pollution in the UK every year. Air pollution is linked to a number of illnesses and conditions, from Asthma to diabetes and dementia. The report estimates the costs to British business and the health service add up to 20 billion every year Replying to one user on Twitter, Vote Leave said: These werent put up by [Vote Leave] we dont know whos done them, but hope theyll take them down. The campaign director of Vote Leave, Dominic Cummings, said he believed dummies on our side were responsible. They are not Vote Leave billboards, we don't know who put them up but think it's dummies on our side not BSE, he said over Twitter. It remains unknown who created and put up the posters. A Leave Vote spokesperson told Buzzfeed News they are investigating the issue. The in-out referendum on EU membership will be held on 23 June this year. Phone polls suggest a lead for the Remain campaign, while online polls show a closer race. 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 Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Michael Eavis, the founder of Glastonbury, has urged attendees of this years music festival to vote in the forthcoming referendum on whether the UK is to remain in or leave the European Union. Young people should throw their support behind staying a member of the economic-political union, according to the 80-year-old owner of Worthy Farm in Somerset. He told The Observer: Its so important that we vote to remain in the EU. They need to get out there, get stuck into this, and vote to stay part of Europe. The people coming to our festival have to make sure they vote. The result of this referendum strongly affects their future its so important for them and theyve got to ensure theyre part of it. I do believe that the kids who come here will want to be involved. We have said it until were blue in the face: if you come, vote. Im deeply for In Europe. In with both feet. Its not for my sake Ive nearly finished; Ive been on the go at this for 50 years its for them. Mr Eavis was recently the subject of criticism from former Labour leader Neil Kinnock after it emerged Glastonbury one of the largest music festivals in the world, welcoming nearly 200,000 visitors in 2015 would take place at the same time as the referendum. Mr Kinnock, who was vice-president of the European commission until 2004, said it would be an awful pity if instead of voting they were rocking. He continued: Polling day coincides with the Glastonbury festival, which through broadcasting, could rather preoccupy the attention of millions of young people whose votes are not only vital to their future but to the future of our country. But the festival was arranged long before the referendum date was chosen, according to Mr Eavis, which is usually close to the summer solstice. It has been like that for 47 years. Even Neil Kinnock should know that, he said. Young people across Britain are twice as likely as others not to be registered to vote in the European Union referendum, research this month revealed. Due to legal framework, the Electoral Commission said it will not be possible for people to vote in person at the event. The festival has set up an information desk to help people already on site to register for a postal vote the deadline is 3 June and get their votes into the mail. Its possible the festival may organise shuttle buses to allow people to vote at nearby polling stations. Music festivals guide 2016 Show all 20 1 /20 Music festivals guide 2016 Music festivals guide 2016 Horizon Where: Bansko Ski Resort, Bulgaria When: 12-17 March Price: From 175 Line Up: Ame, Goldie, Nina Kraviz, John Talabot, Lady Leshurr, Craig Charles Music festivals guide 2016 Live At Leeds Where: Leeds, UK When: 30 April Price: 32.50 Line Up: Jess Glynne, Circa Waves, Mystery Jets, Band of Skulls, We Are Scientists Music festivals guide 2016 Primavera Sound Where: Barcelona, Spain When: 1-5 June Price: 175 Line Up: Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem, Sigur Ros, PJ Harvey, Tame Impala, Beach House, Suede, The Last Shadow Puppets Primavera Music festivals guide 2016 Best Kept Secret Where: Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands When: 17-19 June Price: 147.50 Line Up: Beck, Editors, Two Door Cinema Club, Beach House, Bloc Party, Caribou, Half Moon Run Best Kept Secret Festival Music festivals guide 2016 Glastonbury Where: Worthy Farm, Somerset When: 22-26 June Price: 220 Line Up: Coldplay, Muse, Jeff Lynnes ELO, PJ Harvey, Jess Glynne (TBC) Music festivals guide 2016 Roskilde Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 25 June-2 July Price: 2,020 DKK Line Up: LCD Soundsystem, New Order, PJ Harvey, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foals, Tame Impala, Savages, Skepta, Tenacious D Simon Frsig Christensen / Roskilde Festival Music festivals guide 2016 Hideout Festival Where: Zrce Beach, Croatia When: 26-30 June Price: From 152.90 Line Up: The Martinez Brothers, Joris Voorn, Waze & Odyssey Hideout Festival Music festivals guide 2016 Bilbao BBK Where: Bilbao, Spain When: 7-9 July Price: From 69 Line Up: Arcade Fire, Pixies, Tame Impala, Foals, New Order, Hot Chip, Father John Misty, Years & Years, Wolf Alice Music festivals guide 2016 Open'er Where: Gdynia, Poland When: 29 July-2 August Price: From 130 Line Up: Bastille, Florence + the Machine, Foals, LCD Soundsystem, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The 1975, The Last Shadow Puppets, Wiz Khalifa Open'er Festival Music festivals guide 2016 Electric Love Where: Plainfeld, Austria When: 7-9 July Price: 119 Line Up: Alesso, Zedd, Tiesto, Chase & Status, Steve Aoki, Knife Party Music festivals guide 2016 Melt! Where: Ferropolis, Germany When: 15-17 July Price: From 136 Line Up: Two Door Cinema Club, Disclosure, Jamie xx, Sleaford Mods, Skepta, Jamie Woon Music festivals guide 2016 Sziget Where: Budapest, Hungary When: 10-17 August Price: From 215 Line Up: Bastille, Bloc Party, M83, Sigur Ros, Bring Me the Horizon Music festivals guide 2016 Flow Where: Helsinki, Finland When: 12-14 August Price: 165 Line Up: Sia, New Order, The Last Shadow Puppets, Jamie xx, M83, Chvrches, Four Tet, Stormzy, Daughter, The Kills Flow Festival / Jussi Hellsten Music festivals guide 2016 Rock En Seine Where: Paris, France When: 26-28 August Price: From 119 Line Up: TBC Music festivals guide 2016 Oasis Where: Marrakech, Morocco When: 16-18 September Price: From 110 Line Up: Bicep, Derrick May, Tale of Us, Dixon, Dusky, Hunee Music festivals guide 2016 Latitude Where: Henham Park, Suffolk When: 14-17 July Price: 205.50 Line Up: The Maccabees, The National, New Order, John Grant, Beirut, Father John Misty, Chvrches, Grimes Music festivals guide 2016 Bestival Where: Robin Hill, Isle of Wight When: 8-11 September Price: 190 Line Up: The Cure, Major Lazer, Hot Chip, Fatboy Slim, Craig David, Years & Years, Wolf Alice, Tourist, Katy B Music festivals guide 2016 Isle of Wight Where: Newport, Isle of Wight When: 9-12 June Price: From 186 Line Up: Queen + Adam Lambert, Stereophonics, Faithless, Iggy Pop, Adam Ant, Buzzcocks, Sigma, Jess Glynne Music festivals guide 2016 Citadel Where: Victoria Park, London When: 17 July Price: From 54 Line Up: Sigur Ros, Caribou, Lianne La Havas, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats Music festivals guide 2016 End of the Road Where: Larmer Tree Gardens When: 2-4 September Price: 195 Line Up: Joanna Newsom, The Shins, Animal Collective, Bat for Lashes, Teenage Fanclub, Devendra Banhart, Savages, Cat's Eyes Sonny Malhotra Mr Eavis, the son of a Methodist minister, had choice words for those in favour of Brexit. He said: I can understand the OAP with a little house in Margate and a picture of the Queen on the mantelpiece wanting to be little England again. I accept all that. But its the past: thats just rainy old windswept Margate talking. This referendum is about the future, in which we have to be part of the bigger picture, a continent of opportunities, languages, colours, excitements and exchanges. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Two children were among the twenty people rescued by the UK Coastguard from a sinking inflatable boat in the English Channel. Of those rescued, 18 were Albanian and two were British. The UK Coastguard received a call for assistance from the boat just off the Kent coast near Dymbchurch around 11.40pm. Recommended Read more More than 700 refugees feared dead in three Mediterranean shipwrecks Search and rescue teams, including a helicopter, were launched from Dungeness, Littlestone and Folkestone. The inflatable boat with 20 people on board, was discovered at 2am and the matter was handed over to UK Border Force after the passengers were rescued. A Home Office spokesman confirmed that there was one woman and two children aboard the boat. He added that a second vessel was discovered on the beach at Dymchurch which was believed could be linked to the boat that got into trouble. The spokesman said: "A total of 20 people were picked up in a search and rescue operation. 18 were Albanian, and two were British. There was one woman, and two minors. "They were taken to Dover and are currently being interviewed by Border Force officers. "Two Border Force cutters were involved in the rescue operation alongside the UK coastguard." The UK Coastguard said: "The UK Coastguard has been coordinating an incident off Dymchurch to rescue the occupants of a rhib this evening." A rhib stands for rigid-hulled inflatable boat, which is a lightweight vessel with a solid hull. "The Coastguard received a call at 11:40pm this evening requesting assistance to a rhib which was taking water," said the Coastguard. "The Coastguard deployed a search and rescue helicopter from Lydd, RNLI lifeboats from Dungeness and Littlestone and coastguard rescue teams from Dungeness and Folkestone." The incident comes as more than 700 refugees are believed to have died in three shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, in what would be the deadliest week in the refugee crisis for over a year. The UN's refugee agency said scores of bodies had been recovered from the sea off the coast of Libya in the last few days, but represented only a fraction of those feared missing. Around 100 people are understood to have drowned when a wooden smugglers' boat capsized on Wednesday in an incident captured in dramatic photos by the Italian Navy. Another 550 are feared dead after a boat carrying 670 capsized on Thursday morning and a third shipwreck occurred on Friday, during which at least 45 bodies were recovered, The traffic of people crossing in unseaworthy boats from Libya to Italy's southern islands has increased in recent days as other routes have grown more difficult and the seas have become warmer and calmer. Last week, over 4,000 migrants were rescued at sea in one day alone by an Italian-led naval operation. PA reporters contributed to this story Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Sandbanks in Dorset has been named Britain's most expensive seaside town, with the average price of a home there nearly 665,000. Salcombe in Devon, where the average home is worth 539,950, was in second place, according to the building society Halifaxs annual Seaside Town Review. The South-west of England, a popular area for people buying second homes, dominated the list of most expensive seaside towns in Britain, while Scotland featured heavily in the list of seaside towns with the least expensive properties. Padstow, Dartmouth, Fowey, St Mawes and Wadebridge in the South-west were all on the list of seaside towns with the highest property values, while in Scotland Port Bannatyne, Girvan, Campbeltown, Stranraer, Invergordon and Rothesay were among the least expensive towns. Port Bannatyne is the least expensive seaside town on the list, with the average house price there standing at 77,132. Second-home buyers are often blamed for helping to push up house prices in many popular seaside towns across Britain and making it harder for local people to get on the housing ladder. Halifax found that house prices have increased by 440 a month on average in Britain's seaside towns over the past decade. The average property price in a seaside town has increased by 32 per cent from 166,565 in 2006 to 219,386 in 2016. Halifax used house price figures from the Land Registry and the Registers of Scotland for the report, covering 196 seaside towns across Britain. Martin Ellis, a housing economist at Halifax, said:If you're looking for a bargain, it's still easier to find the further North you go, where the average price in several areas is still below 100,000." The 10 most expensive seaside towns in Britain, according to Halifax: 1. Sandbanks, South-west, 664,655 2. Salcombe, South-west, 539,950 3. Padstow, South-west, 443,396 4, Aldeburgh, East Anglia, 439,379 5. Lymington, South-east, 426,112 6. Dartmouth, South-west, 401,361 7. Fowey, South-west, 379,003 8. St Mawes, South-west, 373,746 9. Wadebridge, South-west, 373,351 10. Budleigh Salterton, South-west, 360,984 The 10 least expensive: 1. Port Bannatyne, Scotland, 77,132 2. Newbiggin by the Sea, North, 81,259 3. Girvan, Scotland, 91,912 4. Campbeltown, Scotland, 91,938 5. Saltcoats, Scotland, 93,479 6. Stranraer, Scotland, 96,476 7. Invergordon, Scotland, 98,673 8. Millport, Scotland, 98,742 9. Rothesay, Scotland, 99,005 10. Thurso, Scotland, 99,660 For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A man has been airlifted to hospital after he was stung by a poisonous fish he picked up while walking on a beach in Wales. The 70-year-old man is believed to have been stung by the poisonous spines of a weever fish, and was left struggling for breath. The incident happened close to the pier in Trefor on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales after the man spotted the creature in the shallows and picked it up. The alarm was raised by the coastguard and an air ambulance flew him to hospital. A coastguard spokesman said: Weever fish have spines going along their backs. Its a small fish but it has a very nasty sting. The man picked it up and it stung his hand. Its normally not a life-threatening sting but the man began having respiratory problems. Weever fish are common around the British coast line in warmer weather, burying themselves into the sand in shallow water, with their venomous dorsal fin showing above the sand. Wildlife Photographer of the Year Show all 26 1 /26 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year A polar bear's struggle - Highly Commended Justins whole body pained as he watched this starving polar bear at an abandoned hunter's camp, in the Canadian Arctic, slowly heave itself up to standing. With little, and thinning, ice to move around on, the bear is unable to search for food. Justin Hofman / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Curious Encounter - Shortlisted Cristobal Serrano, Spain. Any close encounter with an animal in the vast wilderness of Antarctica happens by chance, so Cristobal was thrilled by this spontaneous meeting with a crabeater seal off of Cuverville Island, Antarctic Peninsula. These curious creatures are protected and, with few predators, thrive. Cristobal Serrano / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Bond of brothers - Winner David Lloyd, New Zealand / UK. These two adult males, probably brothers, greeted and rubbed faces for 30 seconds before settling down. Most people never have the opportunity to witness such animal sentience, and David was honoured to have experienced and captured such a moment.The picture was taken in Ndutu, Serengeti, Tanzania. David Lloyd / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Fox meets fox - Highly Commended Matthew Maran, UK. Matthew has been photographing foxes close to his home in north London for over a year and ever since spotting this street art had dreamt of capturing this image. After countless hours and many failed attempts his persistence paid off. Matthew Maran / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Three Kings - Highly Commended Wim Van Den Heever, South Africa. Wim came across these king penguins on a beach in the Falkland Islands just as the sun was rising. They were caught up in a fascinating mating behaviour the two males were constantly moving around the female using their flippers to fend the other off. Wim Van Den Heever / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year One toy, three dogs - Highly Commended Bence Mate, Hungary. While adult African wild dogs are merciless killers, their pups are extremely cute and play all day long. Bence photographed these brothers in Mkuze, South Africa they all wanted to play with the leg of an impala and were trying to drag it in three different directions! Bence Mate / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Clam Close-up - Shortlisted David Barrio, Spain. This macro-shot of an iridescent clam was taken in the Southern Red Sea, Marsa Alam, Egypt. These clams spend their lives embedded amongst stony corals, where they nest and grow. It took David some time to approach the clam, fearing it would sense his movements and snap shut! David Barrio / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year The Orphaned Beaver - Shortlisted Suzi Eszterhas, United States. A one-month-old orphaned North American beaver kit is held by a caretaker at the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center in Arlington, Washington. Luckily it was paired with a female beaver who took on the role of mother and they were later released into the wild. Suzi Eszterhas / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Ice and Water - Shortlisted Audun Lie Dahl, Norway. The Brasvellbreen glacier moves southwards from one of the ice caps covering the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. Where it meets the sea, the glacier wall is so high that only the waterfalls are visible, so Audun used a drone to capture this unique perspective Audun Lie Dahl / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Teenager - Shortlisted Franco Banfi, Switzerland. Franco was free diving off Dominica in the Caribbean Sea when he witnessed this young male sperm whale trying to copulate with a female. Unfortunately for him her calf was always in the way and the frisky male had to continually chase off the troublesome calf. Franco Banfi / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Resting Mountain Gorilla - Shortlisted David Lloyd. The baby gorilla clung to its mother whilst keeping a curious eye on David. He had been trekking in South Bwindi, Uganda, whenhe came across the whole family. Following them, they then stopped in a small clearing to relax and groom each other. David Lloyd / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Painted Waterfall - Shorltisted Eduardo Blanco Mendizabal, Spain. When the sun beams through a hole in the rock at the foot of the La Foradada waterfall, Catalonia, Spain, it creates a beautiful pool of light. The rays appear to paint the spray of the waterfall and create a truly magical picture. Eduardo Blanco Mendizabal / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year The Extraction - Shortlisted Konstantin Shatenev, Russia. Every winter, hundreds of Steller's sea eagles migrate from Russia, to the relatively ice-free northeastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan. They hunt for fish among the ices floes and also scavenge, following the fishing boats to feed on any discards. Konstantin took his image from a boat as the eagles retrieved a dead fish thrown onto the ice. Konstantin Shatenev / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Shy - Shortlisted Pedro Carrillo, Spain. The mesmerizing pattern of a beaded sand anemone beautifully frames a juvenile Clarkii clownfish in Lembehstrait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Known as a 'nursery' anemone, it is often a temporary home for young clownfish until they find a more suitable host anemone for adulthood. Pedro Carrillo / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Red, Silver and Black - Shortlisted TinMan Lee, USA. Tin was fortunate enough to be told about a fox den in Washington State, North America, which was home to a family of red, black and silver foxes. After days of waiting for good weather he was finally rewarded with this touching moment. Tin Man Lee / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Isolated - Shortlisted Anna Henly, UK. Snapped from a helicopter, this isolated tree stands in a cultivated field on the edge of a tropical forest on Kauai, Hawaii. The manmade straight lines of the ploughed furrows are interrupted beautifully by natures more unruly wild pattern of tree branches. Anna Henly / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Sound Asleep - Shortlisted Tony Wu, USA. This adult humpback whale balanced in mid-water, headon and sound asleep was photographed in Vavau, Kingdom of Tonga. The faint stream of bubbles, visible at the top, is coming from the whales two blowholes and was, in this instance, indicative of an extremely relaxed state. Tony Wu / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year All That Remains - Shortlisted Phil Jones, UK. A male orca had beached itself about a week before Phils visit to Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands. Despite its huge size the shifting sands had almost covered the whole carcass and scavengers, such as this striated caracara, had started to move in. Phil Jones / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Ambush - Shortlisted Federico Veronesi, Kenya. On a hot morning at the Chitake Springs, in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, Federico watched as an old lioness descended from the top of the riverbank. Shed been lying in wait to ambush any passing animals visiting a nearby waterhole further along the riverbed. Federico Veronesi / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Gliding - Shortlisted Christian Vizl, Mexico. With conditions of perfect visibility and beautiful sunlight, Christian took this portrait of a nurse shark gliding through the ocean off the coast of Bimini in the Bahamas. Typically these sharks are found near sandy bottoms where they rest, so its rare to see them swimming. Christian Vizl / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Otherworldly - Shortlisted A school of Munk's devil ray were feeding on plankton at night off the coast of Isla Espiritu Santo in Baja California, Mexico. Franco used the underwater lights from his boat and a long exposure to create this otherworldly image. Franco Banfi / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year The Bats Wake - Shortlisted Antonio Leiva Sanchez, Spain. After several months of field research into a little colony of greater mouse-eared bats in Sucs, Lleida, Spain, Antonio managed to capture this bat mid-flight. He used a technique of high speed photography with flashes combined with continuous light to create the wake. Antonio Leiva Sanchez / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Under the Snow - Shortlisted Audren Morel, France. Unafraid of the snowy blizzard, this squirrel came to visit Audren as he was taking photographs of birds in the small Jura village of Les Fourgs, France. Impressed by the squirrels endurance, he made it the subject of the shoot. Audren Morel / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Unique Bill - Shortlisted Rob Blanken, The Netherlands. The pied avocet has a unique and delicate bill, which it sweeps like a scythe, as it sifts for food in shallow brackish water. This stunning portrait was taken from a hide in the northern province of Friesland in The Netherlands. Rob Blanken / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Family Portrait - Shortlisted Connor Stefanison, Canada. A great grey owl and her chicks sit in their nest in the broken top of a Douglas fir tree in Kamloops, Canada. They looked towards Connor only twice as he watched them during the nesting season from a tree hide 50 feet (15 metres) up. Connor Stefanison / Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year A dog jumps to catch a disc during a dog frisbee competition in Poznan via REUTERS As a result, most weever fish stings are to peoples feet. Common symptoms include excruciating pain, swelling and numbness. Irritation can last for over two weeks. The number of stings reported has risen in recent years, though they are rarely fatal. The only recorded fatality from a weever fish in the UK occurred in 1927, when a fisherman in Dungeness was stung multiple times, according to the British Marine Life Study Society. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} David Cameron will be toast within days if Britain votes to leave the European Union, a Tory MP has said as she called for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister live on television. The intervention by Nadine Dorries, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, comes amid an intense escalation of in-fighting in the party and bitter personal attacks over the referendum on June 23. Brexit heavyweights Michael Gove, Boris Johnson and Priti Patel all questioned the Prime Ministers credibility. Speaking on ITVs Peston on Sunday, Ms Dorries revealed that she has already submitted her letter to Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, calling for a vote of no confidence in Mr Cameron. She also confirmed she was supporting Mr Johnson, the former Mayor of London, to succeed Mr Cameron. Party rules dictate that 50 backbenchers must follow suit to trigger a vote of no confidence. She said: My letter is already in. If the Remain camp wins by a large majority I think it would have to be 60/40 then David Cameron might just survive but if Remain win by a narrow majority or lose...hes toast within days. "He has lied profoundly, and I think that is actually really at the heart of why Conservative MPs have been so angered. To say that Turkey is not going to join the European Union as far as 30 years is a lie. "There are many issues about which David Cameron has told outright lies, and because of that, trust has gone in both him and George Osborne... and it will be very hard for either of them to survive in the future," the Mid-Bedfordshire MP told ITV's Peston on Sunday. Ms Dorries insisted a "considerable" number of Tory MPs shared her view. Andrew Bridgen, another backbench Tory MP, had earlier warned that more than 50 MPs are ready to move against the Prime Minister. Breaking ranks to talk openly of a bid to topple the Prime Minister, Mr Bridgen warned anger in the Tory party was now so intense a challenge was "probably highly likely" as he warned the alternative was a "zombie parliament". "I think it's going to be very, very difficult to pull all the sides together and have a working majority going forward," Mr Bridgen told BBC Radio Five's Pienaar's Politics. Corbyn on EU referendum Asked if a vote of no confidence against Mr Cameron would happen, the MP said: "It depends how the next few weeks go, but if true to form, I think there's at least 50 colleagues who are dissatisfied with the way that the Prime Minister has put himself front and centre of a fairly outrageous Remain campaign. I think that's probably highly likely." The MP insisted the situation was now so dire an emergency general election would be needed before Christmas to restore order. He added: "We have a very small majority on paper. I think we've seen over the last six months there's no effective majority for the Government to get necessary deficit reduction plans through and I don't see how that's going to change moving forward. We could end up in a situation where we have a four-year zombie parliament. "The party is fairly fractured, straight down the middle, and I don't know which character could possibly pull it back together going forward for an effective government. "I honestly think we probably need to go for a general election before Christmas and get a new mandate from the people." Another rebel MP told the Times: "I don't want to stab the Prime Minister in the back - I want to stab him in the front so I can see the expression on his face. You'd have to twist the knife, though, because we want it back for [George] Osborne. "All we have to do is catch the Prime Minister with a live boy or dead girl and we are away". Meanwhile, Mr Gove and Mr Johnson launched an unprecedented attack on the Prime Minister's authority as they accused him of a having a corrosive impact on public trust in politicians because he had not lived up to promises to cut immigration. 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. In an article for The Telegraph, Ms Patel, the pro-Brexit Employment Minister, wrote: Its shameful that those leading the pro-EU campaign fail to care for those who do not have their advantages. Their narrow self-interest fails to pay due regard to the interests of the wider public. As the war of words heightened, Tory former PM Sir John Major accused the Leave side of telling deliberate untruths. "They have - knowingly - told untruths about the cost of Europe. They have promised negotiating gains that cannot - and will not - be delivered. "They have raised phantom fears that cannot be justified, puffing up their case with false statistics, unlikely scenarios and downright untruths. To mislead the British nation in this fashion - when its very future is at stake - is unforgivable," Mr Major wrote in the Mail on Sunday. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Tory infighting on Europe heightened further as Cabinet heavyweight Michael Gove issued a stark warning that the Prime Minister's credibility is now on the line and his failure to limit migration is "corrosive" to public trust. The Justice Secretary has written to David Cameron urging him to tell the truth about the impact of staying in the EU, The Sun on Sunday reports. As the bitter internal Tory war turns more personal, Mr Gove said the Prime Minister's "apocalyptic warnings" on Brexit would test his credibility if they turned out to be false, as he accused Mr Cameron of having a "corrosive" impact on public life, the newspaper reports. In the letter to Mr Cameron, co-signed with Boris Johnson, they write: "There is also the basic lack of democratic consent for what is taking place. Voters were promised repeatedly at elections that net migration could be cut to tens of thousands. "This promise is plainly not achievable as long as the UK is a member of the EU and the failure to keep it is corrosive of public trust in politics." In another dig at the Prime Minister, the Justice Secretary ridiculed Mr Cameron's insistence that Turkey was not set to join the EU, by stating: "You're having us on." Mr Gove indicated this was the latest in a series of "lies" regarding EU membership. "People are fed up with being told 'don't worry, this thing isn't going to happen' and then they wake up a year or two later and it has. "They were told in 1975 when we joined the Common Market that it wasn't going to mean anything for our democracy and our Parliament and for all of us. That was a lie. "Now we're being told 'don't worry, Turkey won't join'. "But we are spending 2 billion to get Turkey and these other four countries to join. People understandably say how can you tell us there are no plans for Turkey to join when we are paying money we could be spending on the NHS in order to get these countries in the EU," Mr Gove told The Sun on Sunday. Mr Gove said: "All we've heard from his side so far is that all the risks are if we leave. But there are real risks of remaining in the EU and every citizen needs to be aware of these before they vote. "Let's not have a situation where people are misled or not told the full truth about what will happen if we vote Remain." The Justice Secretary also hit back at claims the Leave campaign is fuelled by prejudice. "When people fling the charge of racism, what they are actually doing is attacking working-class people for wanting to maintain a decent standard of living. I think that's wrong. "If you're wealthy, you can move to the leafy suburb or get your child into a private school. If you are relying on a good local state school, whether it's in Aberdeen or Rotherham, and migration makes it more difficult to get your children into the good schools. It also increases class sizes, too." Mr Gove insisted all was still to play for with 25 days to go until the vote. "The polls show broadly that it's a dead heat. It's basically half-time in the campaign and it's 1-1," he said. 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 Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Michael Gove has said leaving the EU would allow the Government to crack down on wealthy foreign investors buying property in the UK. The Justice Secretary, the most senior figure in the Leave campaign, said the Government was powerless to block offshore companies from buying homes as investments due to single market rules. Vote Leave said more than 100,000 properties have been acquired by offshore companies since 1999, and Mr Gove said the UK should introduce "curbs" in order to "help British families get on the housing ladder". The Government has in fact proposed measures to crack down on foreign companies buying UK property, though this was not referenced in the minister's statement. Mr Gove said: "If we vote to leave, we will be able to take back control of our economy and make it work better for the British people. At the moment we are powerless to stop offshore companies buying property in the UK because of EU rules, Mr Gove said. This drives up the cost of housing, which is fast becoming unaffordable for all but the super-rich. We should introduce curbs that would help British families to get on the housing ladder. According to MailOnline, a source close to Mr Gove said: Michael has seen first-hand in London how rapacious oligarchs have snapped up the best houses simply because it is somewhere for them to park their money. They leave the homes empty, meaning whole areas become dead zones. Mr Goves claims are the latest volley fired at the remain campaign, led by Prime Minister David Cameron, and follow a savage attack by Mr Gove and Boris Johnson on Camerons record on immigration. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 9 September 2022 King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort wave after viewing floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace Getty UK news in pictures 8 September 2022 A screen commemorating Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Piccadilly Circus, London Britain EPA UK news in pictures 7 September 2022 Police officers stand guard after Animal Rebellion activists threw paint on the walls and road outside the Houses of Parliament in protest, in London, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 6 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral, Scotland, where she invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2022 Visitors at the PoliNations garden in Victoria Square, Birmingham, which is made up of five 40ft high tree installations and over 6,000 plants. The PoliNations programme aims to explore how migration and cross-pollination have shaped the UKs gardens and culture PA The attacks come after a poll of 600 economists showed 88% would fear a long-term fall in GDP if the UK leaves the EU. Mr Goves promise of a clampdown on foreign-owned properties fails to mention that the government has already begun some work to tackle the problem. New government proposals set out by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills in March, call for foreign companies to provide information on their beneficial ownership before they are able to buy land/property in England or Wales. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An American zoo has temporarily closed its gorilla exhibit after staff shot and killed a gorilla that grabbed and dragged a 4-year-old boy who fell into a moat. Cincinnati Zoo's special response team shot Harambe, the 17-year-old African western lowland gorilla that picked the boy out of the moat and dragged him for about 10 minutes. Zoo officials said the boy fell after he climbed through a public barrier at the Gorilla World exhibit Saturday afternoon. Authorities said the child, who has not been identified, fell 10 to 12 feet. He was taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, where he is expected to recover. Hospital officials said they couldn't release any information on him. Zoo Director Thane Maynard said the response team decided the boy was in a life-threatening situation and that they needed to put down the 400-pound-plus male gorilla. He said: They made a tough choice and they made the right choice because they saved that little boy's life, it could have been very bad. Harambe was 17-year-old silverback western lowland gorilla (Twitter/Cincinnati Zoo) Mr Maynard, however, mourned the loss of the gorilla, which came to Cincinnati in 2015 from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. He said in a news release: We are all devastated that this tragic accident resulted in the death of a critically-endangered gorilla. This is a huge loss for the zoo family and the gorilla population worldwide. Gorilla warfare: The battle to save one of Africa's rarest animals Show all 4 1 /4 Gorilla warfare: The battle to save one of Africa's rarest animals Gorilla warfare: The battle to save one of Africa's rarest animals 251445.bin Getty Images Gorilla warfare: The battle to save one of Africa's rarest animals 251464.bin DANIEL HOWDEN Gorilla warfare: The battle to save one of Africa's rarest animals 251446.bin Getty Images Gorilla warfare: The battle to save one of Africa's rarest animals 251447.bin DANIEL HOWDEN Two female gorillas were also in the enclosure when the boy fell in but zoo officials said only the male remained with the child. Mr Maynard said the gorilla didn't seem to be attacking the child, but he said it was an extremely strong animal in an agitated situation. He said tranquilizing the gorilla wouldn't have knocked it out immediately, leaving the boy in danger. It was the first time that the team had killed a zoo animal in such an emergency situation, Maynard said. He called it a very sad day at the zoo. The area around the gorilla exhibit was closed off Saturday afternoon as visitors reported hearing screaming. Mr Maynard has stressed the zoo believes the exhibit remains safe. The zoo will be open on Sunday but officials said the gorilla exhibit has been closed until further notice. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Police in Kentucky are searching for a man who fled from a police station after using his daughter as an human shield when an officer tried to detain him. The man was wearing a T-shirt that bore the words "#1 Dad". Oficers said that Jonathan Morrow had entered the Johnson County Sheriff's Department last week to file an emergency protective order against his wife. Police said Mr Morrow was distraught after his wife ran off to Ohio with a man she had met on the internet. He basically told me he was afraid his wife was going to kill him, Sheriff Dwayne Price told ABC News. He was afraid for his own safety, as well as his three kids. But while trying to file the protective order, officers said Mr Morrow gave them a false social security number, and discovered he was wanted by police in Tennessee. He said, Oh, I might have messed up two numbers, and Deputy Danny Martin told him, no, this is your social security number. You have a warrant on you in Tennessee, he said. When the man tried to leave the building Mr Martin said he tried to stop him using a Taser. Police said they used the Taser on Mr Murrow but he still managed to flee (Johnson County Sheriff's Office) (Johnson County Sheriff's Office) Initially, when he started running, he picked up his child, and actually tried to use her as a human shield, Mr Martin said. I didn't have a clear shot with it. So, I had to make sure she was safe. Despite being hit by the taser, Mr Morrow was able to pull out the barbs and push his daughter into his SUV and speed off. Investigators say Mr Morrow hit a police vehicle on the way out. For us, it's like finding a needle in a haystack, said Mr Price. He could be anywhere. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A community in Kentucky has been stunned after a man drove a car through a display of hundreds of crosses that had been set up for Memorial Day. Residents of the town of Henderson, west of Louisville, are trying to repair the display of crosses, that honoured more than 5,000 men who had served in various conflicts since the Revolutionary War. It has really upset the entire community, Jennifer Richmond, a spokeswoman for the Henderson city police department, told the Associated Press. Police said they had charged 27-year-old Anthony Burrus, (Henderson Police Department ) (Henderson Police Department) This is something you don't do. This is a form of desecration. These people served their country and then someone disrespected their memory in this way, and it's just totally unacceptable. The names on the crosses, she said, represented soldiers who died in conflicts or veterans who returned home and later died, all from the city and county of Henderson. Volunteers and the American Legion put the crosses up in May each year for a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony. Police got a call just before 6am on Saturday Ms Richmond said, alerting them that someone had driven through the display at the park. Our officers got there and saw that someone drove right through the crosses and essentially ploughed them down,she said. Surveillance footage from nearby, she said, showed a late 1970s model Ford Thunderbird driving on a sidewalk. The vehicle description, along with Facebook posts from concerned community members, led police to Anthony Burrus, a 27-year-old Henderson resident. Mr Burrus has been charged with criminal damage and leaving the scene of an accident. He has reportedly denied being involved. Some of the crosses were embedded in the tyres of his vehicle, said Ms Richmond. Police do not know if he deliberately drove over the plastic crosses, she said. He said he didn't do it. He admitted to driving the vehicle in the morning but would not state that he drove through the park. But the evidence is in his car tyres. An estimated 160 crosses needed to be repaired or replaced. We're hoping to have all of them replaced by Monday, said Ms Richmond, who has relatives honoured by crosses in the park. But we don't know right now. Police asked people to mind their language when posting on their Facebook page. Please keep it clean, they wrote. We understand your anger and sadness because we feel it too. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Last year, Donald Trump stunned political observers when he insulted one of Americas most famous prisoners of war. Hes not a war hero, Mr Trump said of Senator John McCain. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured. On Sunday, Mr Trump, now the Republicans candidate for president, spoke at the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally, which honours prisoners of war and service members missing in action. In an address that quickly turned into a political speech, he said he would both expand the military and provide better treatment for its veterans if elected president. Mr Trump said he would expand the military and increase care for veterans (Reuters) Mr Trump was speaking in the same spot as civil rights icon Martin Luther King in 1963. I thought this would be like Dr Martin Luther King, said Mr Trump complaining that not enough of his supporters had been allowed onto the Mall. He then turned his attention to the battle agaisnt Isis. Our generals are spinning in their graves. Were going to beat Isis. We have no choice but to do it, Mr Trump said. The 69-year-old claimed that bikers had attended many of his rallies where he had been told by his staff that they were there to protect him. Its amazing. Its an incredible feeling, he added. Hundreds of thousands of bikers gathered on the National Mall for the annual gathering. The Wall Street Journal reported that many, if not most, of the bikers were there for the event, rather than to hear the candidate speak. However, many of them agreed with some of his views. Hes said a lot of stupid s**t, said Jamie Summerville, a construction worker from Maryland, who rode a 1994 Harley Davidson Sportser. But he said Mr Trump is for the good stuff when it comes to policy questions such as gun rights. He can speak where he wants. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Another US political party has selected its candidate for the White House. On Sunday, The Libertarian Party nominated former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson as its nominee, just as it did in 2012. Delegates to the party's convention in Orlando, Florida, picked Mr Johnson on the second ballot over Austin Petersen, the founder of The Libertarian Republic magazine, and anti-computer virus company founder John McAfee. Mr Johnson got only one per cent of the popular vote in 2012. But the party is hoping for a much strong showing in November because of the deep unpopularity polls show for presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton. Millions of people are going to be trying to understand what it means to be a Libertarian, and it is going to be my voice that will be describing that to the best of my ability, Mr Johnson told the delegates during his acceptance speech. The Associated Press said that on fiscal matters, Libertarians pushed for reduced spending and taxes, saying the federal government has become too big. Mr Johnson has proposed eliminating federal income and corporate taxes and replacing those with a national sales tax. On social issues, Libertarians generally support abortion rights, gun rights, same-sex marriage and drug legalisation, saying people should be allowed to do anything that does not hurt others. For Mr Johnson to make a serious run this year, he needs to qualify for the presidential debates. To do that, he must average 15 percent in five polls. The 63-year-old Johnson was governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003 as a Republican. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A leading health expert has warned tourists to "think twice" about visiting parts of the US, including Walt Disney World in Florida, because of the future threat of the Zika virus in the country. Pregnant women and couples looking to conceive should be particularly wary of going on holiday to southern states such as Florida, Texas and Louisiana, according to Jimmy Whitworth, Professor of International Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine There are fears the Olympic Games in Brazil this summer could facilitate the spread of Zika, which has been connected to birth defects in babies if their mothers are infected during pregnancy. In a letter to the World Health Organisation, 150 of the worlds top doctors, researchers and medical ethicists demanded the event be moved or at least postponed. But the WHO rejected these calls, claiming the Games would not significantly alter the spread of the virus. Mr Whitworth suggests the situation could worsen with the onset of summer weather, allowing mosquitoes to flourish. He told The Mail on Sunday: At the moment, if you said to me, Im going to Disney World tomorrow, Id say, Go for it! Thats fine. Because we dont think theres any Zika in mosquitoes in the US right now. But will there be, in two or three months time? Well, there might be, as the situation might change. Mr Whitworth said pregnant women and those trying for a baby need to consider their plans and, if there is an alternative to going to those parts of the US, strongly consider it. He added: They should think twice and seek up-to-date expert advice. Battling the zika virus - in pictures Show all 19 1 /19 Battling the zika virus - in pictures Battling the zika virus - in pictures A worker of the Salvadorean Ministry of Health fumigates a house in Soyapango, 6 kilometers from San Salvador, El Salvador. Salvadorean authorities have began a three days campaign of fumigation to reduce the presence of the mosquito that transmit the Zika virus. EPA/Oscar Rivera Battling the zika virus - in pictures A Health Ministry employee fumigates a home against the Aedes aegypti mosquito to prevent the spread of the Zika virus in Soyapango, six km east of San Salvador. Health authorities have issued a national alert against the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, because of the link between the Zika virus and microcephaly and Guillain-BarrE Syndrome in foetuses. AFP PHOTO/Marvin RECINOSMarvin RECINOS/AFP/Getty Images Battling the zika virus - in pictures A pediatric infectologist examines a two-months-old baby, who has microcephaly, on 26 January 2016 in Recife, Brazil. Getty Images Battling the zika virus - in pictures A woman walks through the fumes as Health Ministry employee fumigate against the Aedes aegypti mosquito to prevent the spread of the Zika virus in Soyapango. Marvin RECINOS/AFP/Getty Images Battling the zika virus - in pictures A health ministry employee sprays to eliminate breeding sites of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which transmits diseases such as the dengue, chicunguna and Zica viruses, in a Tegucigalpa cemetery on January 21, 2016. The medical school at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) recommended that women in the country avoid getting pregnant for the time being due to the presence of the Zika virus. If a pregnant woman is infected by the virus, the baby could be born with microcephaly. AFP PHOTO/Orlando SIERRA Battling the zika virus - in pictures A man walks away from his home with his son as health workers fumigates the Altos del Cerro neighbourhood as part of preventive measures against the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in Soyapango, El Salvador REUTERS/Jose Cabezas Battling the zika virus - in pictures A three-months-old, who has microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil. Getty Images Battling the zika virus - in pictures A pregnant woman waits to be attended at the Maternal and Children's Hospital in Tegucigalpa. The medical school at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) recommended that women in the country avoid getting pregnant for the time being due to the presence of the Zika virus. If a pregnant woman is infected by the virus, the baby could be born with microcephaly. ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images Battling the zika virus - in pictures Army soldiers apply insect repellent as they prepare for a clean up operation against the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is a vector for transmitting the Zika virus in Sao Paulo, Brazil. AP Photo/Andre Penner Battling the zika virus - in pictures Workers disinfect the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro to fight the spread of the Zika virus Battling the zika virus - in pictures Dr. Vanessa Van Der Linden, the neuro-pediatrician who first recognized the microcephaly crisis in Brazil, measures the head of a 2-month-old baby with microcephaly in Recife Battling the zika virus - in pictures Mother Mylene Helena Ferreira cares for her son David Henrique Ferreira, 5 months, who has microcephaly, on January 25, 2016 in Recife, Brazil. In the last four months, authorities have recorded close to 4,000 cases in Brazil in which the mosquito-borne Zika virus may have led to microcephaly in infants Getty Images Battling the zika virus - in pictures U.S. women who are pregnant from traveling to many South American countries Battling the zika virus - in pictures In the last four months, authorities have recorded close to 4,000 cases in Brazil in which the mosquito-borne Zika virus may have led to microcephaly in infants. Getty Images Battling the zika virus - in pictures Dr. Vanessa Van Der Linden, the neuro-pediatrician who first recognized the microcephaly crisis in Brazil, examines a two-month-old baby with microcephaly on January 27, 2016 in Recife, Brazil Battling the zika virus - in pictures Washington Post Battling the zika virus - in pictures Battling the zika virus - in pictures Battling the zika virus - in pictures The US Senate this month voted to set aside $1.1 billion in emergency funding to fight the ongoing threat of the Zika virus. The US has only seen 591 travel-related cases of Zika, all described as travel-associated cases, according to the Center for Disease Control. Public Health England said it was monitoring the international situation closely. The World Health Organisation (WHO) deems Zika a public health emergency of international concern. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A body has been found in the search for a British man missing for four days following a speed boat crash in Thailand - having been recovered close to the area where the boat capsized. Authorities had been searching for Jason Parnell, since the incident on Thursday, when a huge wave hit the boat off the coast of the island of Koh Samui. Mr Parnell, 46, had been on the boat with his wife with the couple celebrating his first wedding anniversary. Mrs Parnell is believed to have escaped unharmed. The boat was carrying 32 tourists and four crew when it capsized 300 metres from the shore after being struck by a wave. All of the passengers were thrown overboard, with some trapped beneath the ships hull. Rescue workers found his body at 9:25am near the accident site, Lieut Gen Ukhcarawath Sithanaubol, told news agency AFP. His body was trapped among the rocks. Rescue workers are bringing his body ashore by rubber boat now and we have called off the search operation, he added. The bodies of three women were recovered shortly after the accident, but rough seas hampered the search for Mr Parnell. The victims include British tourist Monica OConnor, who was in Thailand celebrating her honeymoon with her husband of three weeks, MailOnline reported. We are supporting the family of a British woman who has sadly died following a boat accident near Koh Samui, Thailand, the Foreign Office said. The other two victims were named by Thai authorities as 30-year old Hong Kong national Trunk Laidka and 29-year-old German Kafo Franeiska. 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 Seven people remain in hospital with serious injuries. The captain of the boat has been charged with negligence leading to death and injuries, the Guardian reports. But according to the BBC, police said the boat was licensed to carry 45 passengers, so it was not overcrowded at the time of the accident. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A group of children in who climb 2,500 feet (762 metres) up a mountain to get to school in China may finally be given stairs. The 15 schoolchildren use a precarious bamboo ladder to scale a sheer cliff face once every two weeks in order to get to the village in Zhaojue county, southwest China, where they are educated. The ladder is currently the only means of access to the village and is used by 72 families who live in the rural area. Images of the 6-15 year-olds climbing the ladder appeared online in recent days, prompting the local Liangshan prefectural government to announce plans for a set of steel stairs to be built to help the children until a safer, long-term solution can be found. In a news release, local residents were quoted as saying that in addition to the safety issue, the ladder-only access exposed villagers to exploitation since traders knew they would be unable to carry unsold produce back up the cliff after making the journey to sell goods. The world's toughest school run Show all 5 1 /5 The world's toughest school run The world's toughest school run Children carry their schoolbags climb on a cliff on their way home in Zhaojue county in southwest China's Sichuan province Chinatopix/AP The world's toughest school run Children carry their schoolbags accompanied by adults climb on a cliff bu using ladder as they on their way home in Zhaojue county in southwest China's Sichuan province Chinatopix/AP The world's toughest school run A child carry her schoolbag looks as she takes a rest on a cliff as she and other children on their way back to home in Zhaojue county in southwest China's Sichuan province Chinatopix/AP The world's toughest school run A village in China's mountainous west where schoolchildren must climb an 800-meter (2,625-foot)-high bamboo ladder secured to a sheer cliff face may get a set of steel stairs to improve safety Chinatopix/AP The world's toughest school run Schoolchildren carry their schoolbags climb on a cliff on their way home in Zhaojue county in southwest China's Sichuan province Chinatopix/AP The residents are members of the Yi minority group in Sichuan province and subsist mainly by farming potatoes, walnuts and chili peppers. County Communist Party Secretary, General Jikejingsong said the authorities main concern was improving transport for trade. The most important issue at hand is to solve the transport issue. That will allow us to make larger-scale plans about opening up the economy and looking for opportunities in tourism, he was quoted as saying. Recommended Read more Chinese students forced to climb cliff face almost a kilometre high A team of 50 officials from the Zhaojue country government travelled to the area on Wednesday after images of the children climbing the 17 separate ladders gained global media attention. The Global Times reported that government officials were in the process of assessing safer alternatives to the ladder, including potential construction of a road to connect the village, despite being disproportionately expensive for the impoverished region. Many of China's poorest inhabitants are from long-marginalized minority groups or are farmers and herders living in the mountainous southwest, where rope bridges, aerial runways, canoes and cliff-side ladders are often used to as a means of transport connection. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Pakistan has banned all broadcast advertisements for contraceptive products over concerns that young children might be exposed to the idea of sex. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) said it was implementing the ban which includes all contraceptive, birth control and family planning products - in response to complaints from parents. The ban comes despite a government initiative to encourage the use of birth control in the country, a conservative Muslim country where talking about sex in public is taboo. The regulatory group said in a statement: (The) general public is very much concerned (about) the exposure of such products to the innocent children, which get inquisitive on features (and) use of the products. After gaining attention on social media for its decision, however, PEMRA issued a further statement to say it acknowledged the ban had devided public opinion and would not necessarily place a blanket ban on all advertisements. At the same time, it said, due to our religious and cultural compulsions, there are concerns by parents about the use of language, innuendos and visuals in such advertisements and the primetime slots in which these ads are aired. With around 190 million inhabitants, Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world and has a lower rate of access to birth control than the regional average, according to the World Health Organisation. Use of contraceptives is low and last year fell even further by as much as 7.2 per cent according to government statistics. The national population is projected to increase to more than 227 million by 2025, with experts warning that the population is growing too fast and will soon outgrow its resources. In 2013, Pakistani media regulators pulled a condom commercial after receiving public complaints, branding it immoral. Advertisements for condoms and other forms of birth control are rare, but it is unknown whether or not the enforced ban will extend to the governments own family planning efforts. The country has long-held problems with sexual health, with more than 2,800 people reported to have died of HIV and AIDS last year. While the Pakistani government officially acknowledges less than 4,000 cases nationwide, the UN says that figure could be well over 100,000. Television channels and radio stations that do not comply with the new ban will face legal action under PEMRA laws, according to the regulatory body, although no specific punishment has been mentioned. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Around 100 people are still missing and feared dead following landslides in Sri Lanka, according to the countrys authorities. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said 67 bodies had been recovered from the central district of Kegalle, after torrential rains and extensive flooding. At present, 99 people are still listed as missing after the disaster on 17 May. Pradeep Kodippili, a spokesperson for DMC, said: "The military is keeping up a search, but there is no hope of finding anyone alive now. The 99 people missing in the landslides are believed to be dead." Heavy rains also triggered floods across much of the country last week and claimed 37 lives in addition to those killed in the landslides. In pictures: Sri Lanka floods Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Sri Lanka floods In pictures: Sri Lanka floods An elderly Sri Lankan woman is shifted on a makeshift raft at a flooded area in Colombo AP In pictures: Sri Lanka floods A Sri Lankan woman wades through floodwaters in Kelaniya suburb of the capital Colombo Getty Images In pictures: Sri Lanka floods A Sri Lankan woman wades through floodwaters inside her home in Kelaniya suburb of the capital Colombo Getty Images In pictures: Sri Lanka floods Sri Lankan residents wade through floodwaters as they go about their daily chores in Kelaniya suburb of the capital Colombo Getty Images In pictures: Sri Lanka floods Sri Lankan commuters drive through floodwaters along an expressway in the suburb of Athurugeriya in capital Colombo Getty Images In pictures: Sri Lanka floods Sri Lankans displaced by the floods take refuge in a temporary shelter next to a railway track in Colombo AP In pictures: Sri Lanka floods Sri Lankan flood victims flock around a bus to receive food parcels on a inundated road in Colombo AP In pictures: Sri Lanka floods Sri Lankans wade through a road submerged in flood waters in Colombo AP In pictures: Sri Lanka floods Sri Lankan youths wade through floodwaters in Biyagama, about 17 km from the capital Colombo S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Sri Lanka floods Members of a Sri Lankan Army rescue team carry a woman to safety through floodwaters in the suburb of Kaduwela in capital Colombo. Emergency workers in Sri Lanka found the bodies of a woman and two children killed in a landslide, taking the toll from two days of heavy rain to 11, with thousands more forced to flee their homes Getty Images A military official in Kegalle, 60 miles north-east of the capital Colombo, said search operations were hampered by continuous rain in the region. The government has said floods and landslides caused by heavy rain drove over 600,000 people from their homes, but most of them have since returned once water levels subsided. Sri Lanka floods: Volunteers help with clean-up Sri Lanka has received emergency aid from other countries, including India, which dispatched two naval ships and an aircraft loaded with supplies. Maithripala Sirisena, the Sri Lankan president, has visited the site and vowed to provide the support needed to find the missing families. During heavy rains in December 2014, Sri Lankan authorities evacuated more than 60,000 people from thousands of homes damaged or destroyed by floods or landslides. Two months before that, dozens of tea plantation workers were killed when mudslides buried their hillside homes. The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain and rough seas for much of the country and warned more landslides could occur. AFP For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An Australian woman has spoken out about the dangers of internet dating after a man she met online repeatedly raped her five-year-old daughter. The man had portrayed himself online as a loving father and had specifically requested to meet a woman with a young daughter so his son could play with her. But six months after the relationship began, the man raped his partners daughter while her mother slept, according to Queensland newspaper the Courier Mail. The girls mother said: He made himself sound good online. You can write anything you want, there's no limits. Someone can be really dodgy but they put up all their good photos and treat you really well. I'll never do online dating again. They can spend a long time trying to get your confidence. A Brisbane court jailed the man for 10 years after he pleaded guilty to charges of rape, torture and possession of child pornography. 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 daughter reportedly tried to tell her mother about the abuse. The mother said: She told me, but he said he would never do anything like that and I believed him over her; I thought he was okay. 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 Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} In a strong warning against Britain leaving the European Union, Gibraltars chief minister Fabian Picardo has said a Brexit could have severe ramifications for Gibraltar, but that any form of joint-sovereignty with Spain would not be on the table. Spain can stick joint-sovereignty "where the sun doesnt shine", Mr Picardo has told The Independent. Spain has become increasingly vocal in its claim to Gibraltar in recent years, with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy describing Gibraltar as an anachronism, and the last colony in Europe. EU Referendum: Latest Poll Now, Mr Picardo believes the Spanish government would make joint-sovereignty between Spain and Gibraltar a prerequisite to Gibraltar having access to the single market in the event of a Brexit. Speaking to The Independent, Mr Picardo said: The position in Gibraltar has not changed, will not change Gibraltar will always be British." 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Show all 21 1 /21 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Portugal drinks more wine than France Tindo - Fotolia 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Young Italians, by some distance, are the most likely to live at home with their parents 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Britain is on course to overtake Germany as Europes most populated country 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Greek workers work the longest hours in the EU 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Estonia has, per capita, more drug-related deaths than anyone else 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe The fastest download speeds are to be found in Romania 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Slovenia, Malta and Poland have the smallest gender pay gaps 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe France hates its leader more than other European countries 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Eastern and Western Europe are very divided on the issue of gay marriage 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Germany has the most millionaires 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Everyone likes Christmas, apart from France 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Germany accepts by far the most asylum applications 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe The UK and France have some of the most positive views of Muslim people 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Europe's largest Muslim population is in Germany 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Danes are the most trusting Europeans, and Cypriots the least 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Finland has the worst economy in the EU 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Italy has cut back its military spending more than any other major European Nato member 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Everyone is sad about the refugee crisis 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe People in Spain are also the most likely to live in flats (Brits are most likely to live in houses) 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Spain is the most likely to feel neighbourly 21 maps and charts which will challenge perceptions of Europe Luxembourg is home to the highest proportion of foreign nationals "Senor Margallo [the Spanish foreign minister] has been explicit in saying he would be putting the issue of joint-sovereignty for Gibraltar on the table as a prerequisite to Gibraltar having access to the single market in future. Well, you know what, he can stick that into his autobiography, or anywhere else where the sun doesnt shine. Its not going to prosper with the people of Gibraltar, and thats on the record. He added: Spain needs to wake up and smell the coffee. The Spanish government needs to wake up and smell the coffee. Gibraltar will never be Spanish. If Britain votes to leave the EU at next months referendum, it could pose serious problems for Gibraltars economy, which has boomed in recent years with rapid growth in its financial services sector and gambling industry. Gibraltars economy is dependent upon a workforce of around 10,000 people who cross through the frontier with Spain every day. In 2013, a major dispute over fishing rights saw Spanish border police impose punitive controls on movement in and out of Gibraltar, resulting in six-hour queues to enter and exit the territory through the single border crossing. Gibraltars economy is dependent upon a workforce of around 10,000 people who cross through the frontier with Spain every day (GETTY) If the UK leaves the EU, Mr Picardo said Gibraltar will no longer be able to depend on EU laws that ensure the right of freedom of movement. Mr Picardo said: In past years weve been able to avail ourselves of our rights under the treaty of Rome We lose the right to use that legal lever against Spain if we leave the European Union. That is whats under threat. Speaking about fears Spain could again curtail movement in and out of Gibraltar, Mr Picardo said: The only person who thought it was a good idea previously to close the frontier between Gibraltar and Spain was the fascist dictator General Franco. So I dont know why it is that [the Spanish government] needs lessons from a deceased dictator." What to believe about the EU referendum Asked if he believed David Cameron is fighting effectively to keep Britain in the EU, Mr Picardo said: The prime minister and I are part of the same team. Were making the same arguments. He added: The Brexit camp is no longer making the economic argument because the remain camp has won the economic argument every single day since the referendum was called. Nobody should dare say that those of us who argue for remaining in the European Union are one iota less patriotic than those who suggest we should leave without being able to substantiate their case with economics. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A boat carrying around 400 refugees is feared to have sunk in the Mediterranean sea, the fourth migrant boat to sink this week. Migrants rescued from two boats off the coast of Italy told humanitarian workers they saw another vessel sink that was not picked up by coast guards, according to Save the Children. Three vessels carrying migrants have already been confirmed as sunk or capsized in the past week. More than 60 bodies have been recovered, including three children, with hundreds more said to be missing. Survivors from the other reported vessels said in interviews on Saturday that a fourth boat had been seen. According to refugee witnesses, the ship, along with another fishing boat and rubber boat, left Sabratha in Libya late on Wednesday night. The rubber boat had its own motor, but the smaller fishing boat did not and was towed by the larger fishing vessel, which is said to have held around 500 more people. Eventually the smaller boat began to take on water and its tow line was cut by order of the larger boats captain. The smaller boat is then said to have sunk with most of its passengers, according to interviews heard by Save the Children workers. Recommended Read more More than a third of refugees arriving in Europe are children There were many women and children on board, Giovanna Di Benedetto, spokeswoman for Save the Children, told Reuters. We collected testimony from several of those rescued from both (the rubber and fishing) boats. They all say they saw the same thing. Police in Ragusa have detained a man suspected to be the captain of the larger boat, state news agency Ansa have reported. Around 1,900 people were rescued on Friday from 16 vessels in distress off the Italian coast. Coast guards said around 700 more migrants were picked up on Saturday, following a spate of migrant traffic thought to have been brought on by milder weather. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The head of the German Protestant Church has called for Islam to be taught in all state schools in order to prevent young Muslims from being drawn into radicalisation. Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, who leads the Evangelical Lutheran Church, said teaching extensive Islam classes in German schools would give Muslim students the chance to adopt a critical approach to their own religion. In an interview with the Heilbronner Stimme newspaper, the bishop said all faiths in Germany must be compatible with the country's democratic constitution. Tolerance, religious freedom and freedom of conscience must apply to all religions, he said. Mr Bedford-Strohms proposed that Islamic associations in Germany should be responsible for the courses and said he hoped they would organise themselves to be a clear partner for the German state. Of Germany's 16 federal states, seven already offer some form of Islamic religion class in their schools, similar to the countrys more traditional Catholic and Protestant religious teaching. Some schools in Germany include classes in Judaism and Islam, but none of the classes are compulsory. A recent survey suggested almost two-thirds of Germans believe the religion has no place in their country. Recommended Read more Muslim schoolboys told to shake hands with female teacher or face fine Representatives of the Catholic Church said they agreed with Bedford-Strohm's proposal, adding that have previously called for Islam teaching to be introduced into schools. Rivalries and disputes among Islamic associations are said to have complicated efforts to manage religious instruction for Muslims in some areas, however, with relations becoming strained between religious groups and universities that train teachers for existing classes in Islam. Germany has the second largest Muslim community in Western Europe, with some four million registered Muslims around five per cent of the country's population. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A German opposition leader has been hit in the face with a chocolate cake by rebel protestors, apparently over her controversial stance on refugees. Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of Germanys far-left Linke party, was targeted at a party congress in Magdeburg city on Saturday. The MP was sitting in the front row during an opening speech when a man approached her with the cake, threw it in her face, and shouted anti-fascist slogans. An independent anti-fascist group said it was behind the attack, and was seen distributing flyers for its Cake for Misanthropists initiative. Ms Wagenknecht has been criticised for calling on the Government to put a limit on the number of refugees Germany should accept, putting her at odds with the rest of her party. She is the second German politician to be attacked with a pudding this year in April, Beatrix von Storch of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party suffered a similar fate. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An Italian court has allowed a man to pay his alimony to his ex-wife "in kind" with pizza due to his inability to pay with money, The 50-year-old pizza baker from a small village outside Padua in Northern Italy was acquitted of criminal charges of failing to pay child support. Nicola Toso and Nicoletta Zuin divorced in 2002 after having a daughter together, Il Gazzettino reports. Court records state the monthly alimony payment of 400 (303) was paid according to the divorce settlement. However, after the economic crisis of 2008, Mr Toso struggled to pay the figure after remarrying and having three further children. As a result, from 2008 to 2010, he offered Ms Zuin free pizza, calzone and other meals produced from the takeaway restaurant he managed. At this juncture, the pair's daughter was 12-years-old. The Telegraph reported that the presiding Judge Chiara Bitozzi wrote in her ruling: "In lieu of money, the defendant offered his ex-wife the same amount of compensation in the form of take-away pizzas from his workplace, an offer promptly rejected as 'beggars change'." As a result of his attempt to pay "in kind", Ms Zuin decided to file a criminal complaint. Mr Toso's attorney, Sonia Della Greca, said in his defence that he was really struggling financially to the extent he was forced to close his business in 2010. She added that he had held up all other custody obligations by not missing visits and helping their daughter develop a relationship with his new wife and her half siblings. Little Italy: Mark Hix serves up a feast of bite-sized venetian snacks Show all 5 1 /5 Little Italy: Mark Hix serves up a feast of bite-sized venetian snacks Little Italy: Mark Hix serves up a feast of bite-sized venetian snacks 337415.bin JASON LOWE Little Italy: Mark Hix serves up a feast of bite-sized venetian snacks 337416.bin JASON LOWE Little Italy: Mark Hix serves up a feast of bite-sized venetian snacks 337419.bin JASON LOWE Little Italy: Mark Hix serves up a feast of bite-sized venetian snacks 337418.bin JASON LOWE Little Italy: Mark Hix serves up a feast of bite-sized venetian snacks 337417.bin JASON LOWE The relationship between the daughter and mother quickly deteriorated leading to her moving in with her father in 2011. As a result Ms Zuin was then compelled to pay Mr Toso 300 in child support. As a result, Judge Bitozzi found there to be no evidence the father had committed a crime. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} More than 700 refugees are believed to have died in three shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, in what would be the deadliest week in the refugee crisis for more than a year. The UN's refugee agency said scores of bodies had been recovered from the sea off the coast of Libya in the last few days, representing only a fraction of those feared missing. Carlotta Sami, a United Nations High CommisSioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokeswoman, said around 100 people are thought to have drowned when a wooden smugglers' boat capsized on Wednesday, an incident captured in dramatic photos by the Italian Navy. Another 550 are feared dead after a boat carrying 670 capsized on Thursday morning, having left the Libyan port of Sabratha a day earlier, Ms Sami said. According to survivors, the boat didn't have an engine and was being towed. Some 25 people survived by swimming to that second boat, while another 79 were recovered by members of the international mission in the Mediterranean. Ms Sami said a third shipwreck occurred on Friday, during which 135 people were rescued. At least 45 bodies were recovered, taking the overall toll up to 700 but survivors say many more are missing still. If confirmed, the shipwrecks would account for the largest loss of life in the Mediterranean since April 2015, when the capsizing of a single smugglers boat is believed to have killed 800 people trapped inside. Some 600 survivors arrived in Calabria on Italy's south-west coast on Sunday morning, while others were due to be taken to the mainland port of Taranto and to Pozzallo on the island of Sicily. The UNHCR's update provides new clarity about Thursday's deadliest sinking, where initial reports only took into account the missing and dead from the smaller, powered boat. Italian police have since corroborated the UN account, after their own interviews with survivors, though with slightly different numbers. They say the boat being towed was carrying about 500 when it starting taking on water. Efforts to bail it out, with a line of passengers handing along 5-litre buckets, were insufficient and the boat was completely under water after an hour and a half, police said. At that point, the commander of the first smuggling boat ordered the tow rope to be cut. There were many women and children on board, Giovanna Di Benedetto, a spokeswoman for Save the Children, told Reuters. "We collected testimony from several of those rescued from both (the rubber and fishing) boats. They all say they saw the same thing." Refugee crisis - in pictures Show all 27 1 /27 Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugee crisis - in pictures A child looks through the fence at the Moria detention camp for migrants and refugees at the island of Lesbos on May 24, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Ahmad Zarour, 32, from Syria, reacts after his rescue by MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) while attempting to reach the Greek island of Agathonisi, Dodecanese, southeastern Agean Sea Refugee crisis - in pictures Syrian migrants holding life vests gather onto a pebble beach in the Yesil liman district of Canakkale, northwestern Turkey, after being stopped by Turkish police in their attempt to reach the Greek island of Lesbos on 29 January 2016. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees flash the 'V for victory' sign during a demonstration as they block the Greek-Macedonian border Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants have been braving sub zero temperatures as they cross the border from Macedonia into Serbia. Refugee crisis - in pictures A sinking boat is seen behind a Turkish gendarme off the coast of Canakkale's Bademli district on January 30, 2016. At least 33 migrants drowned on January 30 when their boat sank in the Aegean Sea while trying to cross from Turkey to Greece. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A general view of a shelter for migrants inside a hangar of the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, Germany Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees protest behind a fence against restrictions limiting passage at the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Macedonia has finished building a fence on its frontier with Greece becoming the latest country in Europe to build a border barrier aimed at checking the flow of refugees Refugee crisis - in pictures A father and his child wait after being caught by Turkish gendarme on 27 January 2016 at Canakkale's Kucukkuyu district Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants make hand signals as they arrive into the southern Spanish port of Malaga on 27 January, 2016 after an inflatable boat carrying 55 Africans, seven of them women and six chidren, was rescued by the Spanish coast guard off the Spanish coast. Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee holds two children as dozens arrive on an overcrowded boat on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures A child, covered by emergency blankets, reacts as she arrives, with other refugees and migrants, on the Greek island of Lesbos, At least five migrants including three children, died after four boats sank between Turkey and Greece, as rescue workers searched the sea for dozens more, the Greek coastguard said Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants wait under outside the Moria registration camp on the Lesbos. Over 400,000 people have landed on Greek islands from neighbouring Turkey since the beginning of the year Refugee crisis - in pictures The bodies of Christian refugees are buried separately from Muslim refugees at the Agios Panteleimonas cemetery in Mytilene, Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures Macedonian police officers control a crowd of refugees as they prepare to enter a camp after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee tries to force the entry to a camp as Macedonian police officers control a crowd after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees are seen aboard a Turkish fishing boat as they arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing a part of the Aegean Sea from the Turkish coast to Lesbos Reuters Refugee crisis - in pictures An elderly woman sings a lullaby to baby on a beach after arriving with other refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A man collapses as refugees make land from an overloaded rubber dinghy after crossing the Aegean see from Turkey, at the island of Lesbos EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures A girl reacts as refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees make a show of hands as they queue after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures People help a wheelchair user board a train with others, heading towards Serbia, at the transit camp for refugees near the southern Macedonian town of Gevgelija AP Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees board a train, after crossing the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Macedonia is a key transit country in the Balkans migration route into the EU, with thousands of asylum seekers - many of them from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia - entering the country every day Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures An aerial picture shows the "New Jungle" refugee camp where some 3,500 people live while they attempt to enter Britain, near the port of Calais, northern France Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A Syrian girl reacts as she helped by a volunteer upon her arrival from Turkey on the Greek island of Lesbos, after having crossed the Aegean Sea EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Beds ready for use for migrants and refugees are prepared at a processing center on January 27, 2016 in Passau, Germany. The flow of migrants arriving in Passau has dropped to between 500 and 1,000 per day, down significantly from last November, when in the same region up to 6,000 migrants were arriving daily. Police in Ragusa have detained a man suspected to be the captain of the larger boat, state news agency Ansa have reported. The traffic of people crossing in unseaworthy boats from Libya to Italy's southern islands has increased in recent days as other routes have grown more difficult and the seas have become warmer and calmer. Last week, over 4,000 migrants were rescued at sea in one day alone by an Italian-led naval operation. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Kurdish forces backed by US-led air strikes advanced easterly on Sunday in an attack designed to prepare the way for an offensive to drive Isis forces from Mosul. Tanks, armoured vehicles and infantry moved forward warily because of the threat from Isis snipers, IEDs and suicide bombers, capturing by mid-afternoon six villages that were abandoned by their inhabitants when Isis took over two years ago. The advance by 5,500 Kurdish Peshmerga and the so-called Zerevani Special Forces is first significant attempt for two years to drive Isis from the Nineveh Plain to the east of Mosul. Wholly outgunned by the massive firepower of the US-led air coalition, well dug-in Isis fighters responded to the attack with mortar fire and sniping. The spokesman for the Zerevani forces Dilshad Mawlood told Rudaw news agency: "Isis is seeing our forces, but we cannot see them because they hide inside civilian homes and in tunnels." Peshmerga casualties appear to have been light, although according to one report they included a brigadier killed in the battle. Isis is still capable of mobilising and deploying suicide bombers on a mass scale but these no longer cause the terror they once did, and bombers are frequently killed before they can get close enough to cause casualties. Recommended Read more There is an alternative to air strikes on Isis in Iraq and Syria Western troops, who may have been from the US or Canada, were identified by reporters close to the front line. The US has been playing an increasingly active role on the ground in Iraq, with almost 5,000 soldiers here along with 7,000 contractors working for the US. Asked to comment on the presence of US forces close to the front line the spokesman for the US-led Coalition said: U.S. and coalition forces are conducting advise and assist operations to help Kurdish Peshmerga forces. At the height of the US occupation of Iraq ten years ago the US had 170,000 soldiers in the country. Although the number of US soldiers may be smaller in the current conflict, the Peshmerga are entirely dependent on close air support to identify and destroy Isis fighters in fixed positions. Inside Isis secret tunnels Show all 7 1 /7 Inside Isis secret tunnels Inside Isis secret tunnels Network of underground tunnels was discovered by Kurdish forces after they regained the town of Sinjar in Iraq Inside Isis secret tunnels A member of the Peshmerga forces inspects a tunnel used by Isis militants in the town of Sinjar, Iraq Reuters Inside Isis secret tunnels An entrance to the tunnel used by Islamic State militants is seen in the town of Sinjar, Iraq Inside Isis secret tunnels The secret tunnels allowed militants to freely move underground Inside Isis secret tunnels The tunnels appear to be wired with electricity Inside Isis secret tunnels Some of the tunnels are 30 feet deep Inside Isis secret tunnels Concerns remain that parts of the tunnels are rigged with explosives In addition to the attacks east of Mosul, there were also advances by the Peshmerga on other fronts that may have been diversionary and designed to confuse the enemy. This included an action near the abandoned Christian town of Teleskof 14 miles north of Mosul. Isis broke through the Kurdish front line here in early May in a battle during which a US Navy Seal was killed as well as several hundred Isis fighters and many Peshmerga. I was driving to this town on Sunday when we got a phone call saying there was heavy fighting and continual airstrikes which would make it impossible to get through. It is unclear what really happened but a local source said the Peshmerga had started to advance, but had then been driven back by an Isis counter-attack, which US air strikes were trying to repel. Kurdish military leaders have said that the present offensive was not aimed at recapturing Mosul, which had a population of two million before Isis seized it in 2014. But, if it is successful, it will bring the Peshmerga within ten miles of the city and will drive Isis from the Nineveh Plain, that was previously inhabited by 100,000 Christians as well as Kurdish and Islamic minorities such as the Shabak and Kakei. Yohanna Towaya, a member of the Hammurabi human rights organisation and a community leader from the small Christian city of Qaraqosh, now empty apart from Isis guards but once home to 50,000 people, said he understood that the Peshmerga plan to liberate it along with another Christian town called Bartella. He intends to go to Qaraqosh where private houses are mostly intact though Isis stripped them of all furniture and appliances. Isis also destroyed public building such as the police station and council offices. Confronting Isil: Hundreds flee city of Fallujah The Christians fled the Nineveh Plain when Isis advanced in August 2014 after capturing Mosul in June and Christian leaders warned that the 2,000 year old history of the Christian community in Iraq is coming to an end. This verdict is unlikely to be reversed even if the Peshmerga recapture the lost Christian towns and villages over the next few days. Mr Towaya said that nobody will go back permanently until they liberate Mosul, because we are afraid Isis will attack again with suicide bombers. Some 35 per cent of the Christians who used to live in the area have left Iraq for countries like France and Canada. Isis is under severe pressure in its two remaining urban strongholds in Iraq Fallujah and Mosul and does not appear to have an answer to specialised ground troops calling accurate airstrikes. But this strategy is displacing much of the Sunni Arab population of Iraq from their homes with a strong possibility they will be unable to return. Patrick Cockburn is the author of Chaos and Caliphate: Jihadis and the West in the Struggle for the Middle East', published by OR Books, 18. Readers can obtain a 15 per cent discount by using the code: INDEPENDENT. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The woman is young, perhaps 18, with olive skin and dark bangs that droop onto her face. In the Facebook photo, she attempts to smile but doesnt look at her photographer. The caption mentions a single biographical fact: She is for sale. To all the bros thinking about buying a slave, this one is $8,000, begins the May 20 Facebook posting, which was attributed to an Islamic State fighter who calls himself Abu Assad Almani. The same man posted a second image a few hours later, this one a pale young face with weepy red eyes. "Another sabiyah [slave], also about $8,000," the posting reads. "Yay, or nay?" The photos were taken down within hours by Facebook, and it is unclear whether the accounts owner was doing the selling himself or commenting about women being sold by other fighters. But the unusual posting underscores what experts say is an increasingly perilous existence for the hundreds of women who are thought to be held as sex slaves by Isis. This Facebook page, on which two young women were advertised for sale for $8,000, is attributed to an Isis fighter named Abu Assad Almani. He is thought to be a German national. As the terrorist group comes under heightened pressure in Iraq and Syria, these female captives appear to be suffering, too sold and traded by cash-strapped fighters, subjected to shortages of food and medicine, and put at risk daily by military strikes, according to terrorism experts and human rights groups. Social-media sites used by Islamic State fighters in recent months have included numerous accounts of the buying and selling of sex slaves, as well the promulgation of formal rules for dealing with them. The guidelines cover such topics as whether its possible to have sex with prepubescent prisoners yes, the Islamic States legal experts say and how severely a slave can be beaten. Thousands of Yazidis trapped in the Sinjar mountains are rescued by Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Mosul, Iraq on 9 August, 2014 (Getty Images) But until the May 20 incident, there were no known instances of Islamic State fighters posting photographs of female captives being offered for sale. The photos of the two unidentified women appeared only briefly before being deleted by Facebook, but the images were captured by the Middle East Media Research Institute, a Washington nonprofit group that monitors jihadists social-media accounts. We have seen a great deal of brutality, but the content that ISIS has been disseminating over the past two years has surpassed it all for sheer evil, said Steven Stalinsky, the institutes executive director, using the common acronym for the Islamic State. Sales of slave girls on social media is just one more example of this. Almani, the apparent owner of the Facebook account, is thought to be a German national fighting for the Islamic State in Syria, according to Stalinsky. He has previously posted to social-media accounts under that name, in the slangy, poorly rendered English used by many European fighters who cant speak Arabic. Early postings suggest that Almani is intimately familiar with the Islamic States activities around Raqqa, the groups de facto capital in Syria. He also regularly uses his accounts to solicit donations for the terrorist group. In displaying the images of the women, Almani advised his Facebook friends to get married and come to dawlah, or the Islamic States territory in Iraq and Syria. Then he engaged with different commenters in an extensive discussion about whether the $8,000 asking price was a good value. Some who replied to the postings mocked the womens looks, while others scolded Almani for posting photos of women who werent wearing the veil. What makes her worth that price? Does she have an exceptional skill? one of his correspondents asks about woman in the second photo. "Nope," he replies. "Supply and demand makes her that price." The Islamic States leaders have historically used U.S.-based social media such as Facebook and Twitter to attract recruits and spread propaganda, but in the past year American companies have sought to block jihadist accounts and postings whenever they are discovered. Facebook in particular has garnered high marks from watchdog groups for reacting quickly to terrorists efforts to use its pages. But at the same time, the militants also have become more agile, leaping quickly from one social-media platform to another and opening new accounts as soon as older ones are shut down. The Facebook incident comes amid complaints from human rights groups about waning public interest in the plight of women held as prisoners by the Islamic State. The organization Human Rights Watch, citing estimates by Kurdish officials in Iraq and Syria, says the terrorist group holds about 1,800 women and girls, just from the capture of Yazidi towns in the region. After initial denials, the Islamic State last year issued statements acknowledging the use of sex slaves and defending the practice as consistent with ancient Islamic traditions, provided that the women are non-Muslims captured in battle or members of Muslim sects that the terrorist group regards as apostates. A report last month by Human Rights Watch recounted the ordeals suffered by three dozen Iraqi and Syrian women who escaped from terrorist-held towns in recent months. Among the women were former Yazidi sex slaves who described abuses that included multiple rapes by different men as they were sold and traded. The problems faced by such women appear to be growing worse as military and economic pressure against the Islamic State increases, the report said. The longer they are held by ISIS, the more horrific life becomes for Yazidi women, bought and sold, brutally raped, their children torn from them, said Skye Wheeler, womens rights emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch. Meanwhile, ISISs restrictions on [non-enslaved] Sunni women cut them off from normal life and services almost entirely. Copyright: Washington Post For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The chief peace negotiator of Syrias mainstream opposition has said he is resigning over the failure of UN-baked Geneva peace talks to bring a political settlement and ease the plight of Syrians living in rebel-held areas. Mohammad Alloush, who is also the representative of the Jaish al Islam rebel faction in the Saudi-based High Negotiations Committee, said in statement in Sunday the peace talk has also failed to secure the release of thousands of detainees. He also added the talks failed to push Syria towards political transition without President Bashar al Assad. "The three rounds of talks were unsuccessful because of the stubbornness of the regime and its continued bombardments and aggressions towards the Syrian people," Alloush, a member of the Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) rebel group, said in a statement on Twitter, AFP reports. "I therefore announce my withdrawal from the delegation and my resignation." The UN-backed parties have not set a date for the resumption of peace talks after the High Negotiations Committee suspended their participation until the situation on the ground has radically changed. In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Show all 20 1 /20 In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria Syrian citizens check a damaged house that targeted by the coalition airstrikes, in the village of Kfar Derian, a base for the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, a rival of the Isis group, between the northern province of Aleppo and Idlib In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria A Syrian boy (L) looking at a destroyed car that activists say was targeted by the coalition airstrikes, in the village of Kfar Derian, a base for the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, a rival of the Islamic State group, between the northern province of Aleppo and Idlib In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria Parts of a missile that activists say was fired by coalition airstrikes, in the village of Kfar Derian, a base for the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, a rival of the Isis group, between the northern province of Aleppo and Idlib In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria Tthe guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) launching Tomahawk cruise missiles against Isis targets In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria The USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) launches a Tomahawk cruise missiles in the Red Sea, to conduct strike missions against Isis group targets in Syria In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) launching a Tomahawk cruise missile against Isis targets in Syria, as seen from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Arabian Gulf In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria US navy sailors standing watch on the bridge while Tomahawk cruise missiles are launched against Isis targets in Syria, aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), in the Arabian Gulf In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria An F/A-18C Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Arabian Gulf, to conduct strike missions against Isis group targets AFP/Robert Burck In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria The US-led airstrikes in Syria against Isis targets in and around the city of Raqqa In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria A fighter from the Isis group holds a piece of what the IS is saying is a US drone that crashed into a communications tower in the Syrian city of Raqqa In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria Fighters from the Isis organisation pray at the spot where the jihadist group said a US drone crashed into a communications tower in the Syrian city of Raqqa In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria Fighters from the Isis group load a van with parts that they said was a US drone that crashed into a communications tower in the Syrian city of Raqqa In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria Fighters from the Isis group load a van with parts that they said was a US drone that crashed into a communications tower in Raqqa In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria Fighters from the Isis group gesture as they load a van with parts that they said was a US drone that crashed into a communications tower in Raqqa. A US-led coalition on carried out its first air strikes and missile attacks against jihadist positions in Syria, with Damascus saying it had been informed by Washington before the operation began In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria A Syrian man rides his bike past a communications tower that was destroyed after a US drone crashed into it, according to fighters with the Isis group, in the Syrian city of Raqqa In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria People inspect a shop damaged after what Isis militants say was a U.S. drone crashed into a communication station nearby in Raqqa In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria A man holds the remains of what Isis militants say was a U.S. drone which crashed in Raqqa In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria Resident gather in the back of a van the remains of what Isis militants say was a drone which crashed in Raqqa In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria A man inspects the remains of what Isismilitants say was a U.S. drone which crashed into a communication tower in Raqqa In pictures: Syria air strikes (2014) Syria A man inspects the remains of what Isis militants say was a U.S. drone which crashed in Raqqa Two weeks of UN-brokered talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups in Geneva ended on April 27 with no breakthrough. A new round of talks had been expected for the end of May, but no new date has been announced. Head of the main Syrian opposition delegation Asaad al-Zoubi told al Hadath TV channel he also wanted to be relieved of his post in the HNC but did not confirm his resignation. Mr Zoubi said no real peace talks had taken place four months since the latest rounds of Geneva peace talks were launched. The Syrian opposition suspended its formal participation in peace talks in April saying they would only return if the situation radically changed on the ground. They were protesting Syrian army offensives, which they said meant a ceasefire was effectively over. Additional reporting by Reuters Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} As passengers, you blindly place a huge amount of trust in your airline crew to ensure that you're safely hurdled through the air about 35,000 feet up. So it's a little surprising that there is still so much about the world of commercial aviation that's shrouded in mystery. To answer all those burning questions we had about flying and the people who ensure we do it safely, we turned to Annette Long, a flight attendant with 13 years of experience. Below she answers all the questions you've ever wanted to ask a flight attendant. Do flight attendants eat the airplane food? Oh, yeah. All the time. You can just picture the vultures when there's a first-class meal available. We get what's left over of the fresh food after the passengers have been fed. 9 terrifying things that happen on a plane but passengers know nothing about What's the most desirable flight for a flight attendant to work? We have a saying: 'One girl's trash is another girl's treasure.' When I posted on my Facebook page that I was flying to Beijing, one of my friends wrote, 'Better you than me.' She likes to fly domestic, and there are a lot of my friends who love to fly domestic. They want nothing to do with flying international. And then there are people who only want to fly international. Of the international trips, I would say that Beijing and Tokyo from Washington, where I'm based, are probably the primo trips. Because of the high flying time, you're working a lot of time in a short amount of days. In Beijing, you're laid over for 52 hours, so you can go shopping, you can go relax, and you can go get your hair and nails done and your back massaged whatever you want to do there and we stay in a really nice hotel. Tokyo is a shorter layover, something like 24 hours, so you fly there about 13 hours, you lay over for 24 hours, and then you fly back home. So it's a three-day trip versus Beijing, which is a four-day trip. How do those long-haul trips affect you? You're pretty beat up by the time you get home. You really are so tired, you can't even type on Facebook, 'I'm home now.' On the day after your trip you close the blinds, you may or may not answer the phone. You definitely won't answer the door. You're definitely going to cancel any plans you have with your friends because you were dumb enough to make them in the first place thinking you would go. But you just kind of come back into yourself and stay home because that's where you need to be. When I get home I plan on sleeping in as late as I can. Your time clock gets crazy. But you do the best you can, you sleep when you can. Can you sleep during long-haul flights? Yes. On the Beijing flight, which is 14 hours, we have four-hour breaks. We do the beverage service, the meal service, we pick up, do the dessert service, we pick up again, and then we start taking breaks. Half of the crew heads to the crew rest bunks for four hours while the other half stay up. The bunks, which are up a very small spiral staircase in the tail of the plane, are small. You can't sit up in them. They're like a coffin almost. The opening is on the side and there's a curtain. And they give you a chance to sleep or listen to music or just relax whatever you want to do. There are some unspoken rules up there. Like you don't go down there and start chatting. We keep it quiet. If you're the first crew up there, the cleaning people have put on fresh linen, so when you get done, you take your dirty stuff off and put fresh stuff on. You're not making the bed, but you just put the sheets, the pillow, and the blanket right on top of the bed so I don't have to go looking for it when I get up there. You leave it the way you found it. Is it difficult to sleep during that four-hour time span? One of our new hires recently slept through three wake-up calls so, apparently for her, no. For me, I only slept a couple of hours and then I got up and it got really bumpy. What happens if you hit turbulence when you're up there? We have seat belts. They come across the width of the bed. What happens when someone gets really sick or dies mid-flight? Ryanair Plane (Getty) "They will never 'die' on the flight we don't pronounce them. "If somebody gets really sick, we have a connection to a company called MedLink. We communicate what's going on with our pilot and we talk to a doctor on the ground with MedLink, who will advise us on what to do. They ask the questions, and we give the answers that we're able to give them with the equipment that we have. We have an automated external defibrillator, which would check the heart rate and things like that, and we're able to convey this information to a doctor on the ground, and the doctor makes the decision whether to divert the plane or to continue on. "The most common medical situations involve diabetics who haven't had anything to eat or drink. Do you keep the passenger in their seat if they die? Yes. Thankfully I've never been in that situation, and I don't know anyone who has been in that situation. I would probably put a blanket over the person so it would become less of something to look at. You want to maintain dignity and respect for someone who passed away. You don't want anyone staring at them. That would be really sad. Are there any signals you use to communicate with crew members to be more subtle? There are a couple of situations where we have not signals but words that we use to convey what we need to convey, and I can't share them with you. But it's really limited. Our main form of communication and you hear it on a plane is 'ding dong, ding dong' all night long. It's because we're calling each other going, 'What do we have on the buy cart today?' So we're just calling back and forth for things like that. As far as signals go, what limited things we do, they're security related and I can't talk about them. What happens when a passenger refuses to fasten their seat belt after the 'fasten seat belt' light comes on? When a seat-belt sign is on but it's smooth, some people don't listen. They want to go to the bathroom they don't want to be rude and ugly but they want to go to the bathroom, so they get up to go to the bathroom. Well, I'm not going to physically force you to stop. I'm not going to tell you 'No, you can't go to the bathroom.' I'm just going to inform you, because I'm required to inform you, that the captain still has his seat-belt sign on, and I don't think it's safe for you to be up. And then they usually say, 'Well, I just have to pee.' OK, well, I don't want to be involved in that decision you're the adult, you make that decision. If the flight attendants are sitting down with their seat belts on, it's probably a good idea to have yours on too. Am I going to get crazy over seat belts? No. Am I going to be concerned about somebody that's not listening to any instructions and is not acting appropriately? Yes. What are some things a passenger would have to do to get kicked off a plane, restrained, or to have the plane diverted? If you were to come on the plane drunk if the agent missed it and we noticed it before we left you'd be escorted off the plane. Because we don't need you to get up to 3,500 feet and get crazy on us. Most of the time people don't do that. But, as a flight attendant, you have to do things with an abundance of caution. If you got physical, depending on what the act was, how it happened, and who it happened to, that might divert the plane. But I don't make those decisions. I convey the information to the cockpit and the chief flight attendant, and they make the decision about whether or not we're going to land and get someone off the plane. If you try to open a door mid flight, which is impossible to do, but most people don't know that that's happened a couple of times. If you were belligerent with us before we took off, you wouldn't go. These are the 20 safest airlines in the world Most of the pilots say to us, 'If you've got a problem with them, I've got a problem with them,' and they will back us up 100%. We all just want to get on the plane and get where we're going. We don't need to have any problems. It's the law that you comply with the crew members' instructions. My job isn't to enforce stuff it's to let you know but there are certain things that you can't cross the line on so don't make me pull this plane over. It's not our nature to want to fight with you. Our nature is to diffuse the situation, make everything better. Flight attendants should be able to insert a little sweetness, confidence, and sometimes be the cop a little bit. But I'm not going to get into a fight with you. I'm going to report it, and we're not going to make it worse than it is. What is the strangest thing you've ever experienced on the job? My flying has been so generic, if you will. I've had incidents. I've seen a guy fall he passed out and his face was what broke the fall against the wall of the airplane. He did not even put his arms out. But that's not even that strange. I haven't seen this, but I did have flight attendants tell me about blood dripping from the overhead because someone was bringing in a goat's head from a Caribbean island. That was before TSA and all their security procedures were put in place, of course. For me, the strangest stuff is just gross human behavior. What would be some pet peeves you have of things passengers do? We've seen people clipping toe nails. It's very gross and you can't make them stop. And it's not an infrequent thing, believe it or not. And feet in general we have feet everywhere. We have people take their shoes off and put their feet on the bulkhead, the wall between first class. Their feet are up there or their feet are on either armrest of the seat in front of them. Feet in general just aren't nice to have for other people's viewing pleasure. People come back in the very small galley area and they do what we call 'galley yoga.' They start doing their deep knee bends and stretches. And we get it. We get it! But it's just one of those things that bothers flight attendants, when you get into our little space. People sometimes come on plane and hint for a free drink: 'The plane was delayed ten minutes, is there a free drink for me for that?' 'Drinks are on the captain right?' I just grin and smile. 'Smile and wave boys,' that's what I say. I've seen people watching porn on the plane. One guy had the whole row to himself and you had to be standing up and walking behind him to see that he was watching porn. I was like, 'Really?' What do I say to that? There weren't any little children around, so there wasn't anything to say. But there was one guy I could see was watching porn on his phone, and because it was nighttime, you could see the reflection on the window. I did point that out to him because I didn't think everybody needed to see that. Some people will go to the local liquor store and bring their mini bottles of booze on the plane. We always know who you are; we always find it. You can't serve yourself. We need to know how much you've had to drink so we're not overserving you, because the higher you fly and the longer you go, the more the alcohol affects your brain. When I'm greeting people on the plane, sometimes they don't even look at me. Most people will smile and say good morning, but there's a large percentage that will ignore you and pretend they didn't hear you and just walk past you. And then there are people who put their oversized bags in the overhead compartment and, when it doesn't close, they just leave it for the flight attendant to take care of it. Now I've got to track you down and you've got to check your bag in, and you say, 'Oh no let me try this.' I don't have any magic here. I can't fix it. You have to check it. And just so you know, when you go to the bathroom and you're barefoot or you're in your socks, that's not water on the floor. How thoroughly is the airplane getting cleaned? Is every tray table getting wiped down? Flickr (Flickr) No first class and business class I think so, but not between every flight. I think the tray tables are wiped every night. But remember, they're using a rag to start row one, and when they end up in row 35, that rag has wiped a lot of tables. It's just not the cleanest environment. Is it considered rude or helpful for a passenger to use the call light? Well, we don't like when you use it after we've just walked through the aisle. This happens all the time. We've just walked through three times picking up trash, and I'm barely back to the galley, and I hear 'ding dong.' And I go up there and you just want to hand me your trash. Absolutely use it when you need it. But if the seat-belt sign is off, you should get up and walk back to the galley anyway for circulation purposes. If you're diabetic and you have an emergency situation, you need to ring it two or three times even. Let us know. We'll be right there. And sometimes when people are stuck in the window seat, and the two people next to them are sleeping, and all they want is a glass of water, it's not problem. But if I had just come through to pick up trash and you call me to pick up trash, you can call, but it doesn't make us happy. Would it annoy you if a passenger tried to bribe you for an upgrade with a magazine or chocolates? It doesn't frustrate me because I can't upgrade you. I'm very grateful for a People magazine, and if you bring chocolates, individually wrapped ones are good because we have to share. It's nice that somebody recognizes us with that, but I can't upgrade you. What if someone takes a seat that's better than the one they have that they see is empty? It happens a lot. We have the two classes in economy there are the seats that have more legroom and the seats that have less legroom and people a lot of times will try to move up forward of the exit row. And we have to charge for that. Otherwise I have to move you. It's what I'm required to do. What's an obscure airplane rule that not many people know about? According to my training, the emergency exit shades have to be up because flight attendants are required to assess the conditions outside before they open the door. If there's fire, deep water, or rocks outside that exit, that would make it unsafe for us to go through there, and the flight attendant would have to make that determination fairly quickly. How does the job affect your relationships? I think when you become a flight attendant you kind of have to give up big holidays with your family, and you find other ways to celebrate them. I haven't spent many Christmases at home with my family because that's the month I'm on reserve. I have to go wherever the company is going to send me. You miss a lot of holidays and you miss a lot of big things, like graduations. My family is kind of used to it. They don't even expect me. My kids are in Virginia Beach, which is 3.5 hours away from me. So for Thanksgiving this year I drove to Virginia Beach and I got there in time for dinner in the afternoon. A few hours later I was driving back to Washington, DC. You do what you have to do. Is it hard to date when you're a flight attendant? If you start dating someone who doesn't' know what the business is like, I think there could be a lot of opportunities for jealousy. When you say, 'Oh yeah, I went out with the crew and the pilots picked up the check' I'm just using this as an example because it usually doesn't happen that way a guy could get jealous. In general we hang together, we do things together. But we're just a family for the three or four days we're working together and that's it. We're done. It could be difficult I think trying to explain your job, your schedule, and what going out means. It's really not going to the nightclub. It's going out to dinner, maybe getting a cocktail, and then to bed." Read more: 13 useful life hacks you can learn in a minute Why Microsoft's chatbot turned into a racist Everyone is worried that the China bubble will pop Read the original article on Business Insider UK. 2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} As the summer travel peak approaches, Britains biggest budget airline is cracking down on late-running passengers, The Independent can reveal. EasyJet is imposing a new rule which means anyone trying to pass through the security barriers with less than 30 minutes before take-off will be prevented from getting airside and sprinting to the gate and could end up paying 80 to switch to another flight. The airline has asked Gatwick to reprogramme its security barriers at which travellers have their boarding passes scanned to reject those with less than half an hour remaining before departure. Previously, tardy passengers with no checked baggage were free to go through the security check and hurry to the departure gate in the hope of getting on the flight. Airline parlance for such a traveller is a HAG, short for Have A Go. Recommended Read more Flight from Scotland to Spain diverted because of rowdy passengers Now, passengers are being explicitly warned of the changes albeit in small print on their boarding pass: Gatwick security control gates are automatically being timed to close 30 minutes before departure. Travellers who are refused access will be told to return to the easyJet desk to rearrange their travel arrangements. For several years, easyJet has had a policy of telling customers they had to get to the departure gate 30 minutes before departure but, in practice, passengers were often able to squeeze on to the flight The world's safest low-cost airlines Show all 8 1 /8 The world's safest low-cost airlines The world's safest low-cost airlines WestJet, a low cost Canadian carrier, was voted one of the safest low-cost airlines Alasdair McLellan/Creative Commons The world's safest low-cost airlines Virgin America was named as a low cost carrier by airlineratings.com Virginamerica.com The world's safest low-cost airlines Thomas Cook airlines were ranked highly on the world's best low cost carriers by airlineratings.com The world's safest low-cost airlines Boeing 737 Boeing 737 is part of TUI Fly, a German based subsidiary of Thomas Cook Tuifly.com The world's safest low-cost airlines Volaris, a low-cost Mexican carrier, has been rated one of the safest airlines to fly Volaris/Carribeanairlinenews The world's safest low-cost airlines HK Express was rated highly in the rankings HKExpress The world's safest low-cost airlines Aer Lingus was rated as one of the safest low-cost airlines in the world. The world's safest low-cost airlines America's low-cost carrier has been rated as super safe. The airline sells missed flight cover for 7.50 in advance of travel, which provides the option of a full refund or travel on the next available flight for passengers who turn up late at the airport. For anyone who declines this cover, and is held up on the way to the airport, easyJet charges a rescue fee of 80 to switch to another flight. An easyJet spokesman said the move was being brought in to benefit passengers, So that they do not needlessly clear security at the point where the gate is already closed. If a flight is known to be late, some leeway will be given. The spokesman said the barrier closure is dictated by live flight data, based on the actual time of the flight and not the scheduled time. British Airways runs a similar policy at Heathrow in Terminals Three and Five, with a 35 minute cut-off. EasyJets 20th birthday present to frequent flyers Bizarrely, the easyJet move presents passengers with a baffling contradiction. On the same boarding pass they are told that they should enter the security area with at least half an hour to spare yet also given a conflicting warning that the gate closes 30 minutes before departure. They cannot both be right. Even with swift progress through security and a sprint, it takes several minutes to reach the nearest departure gate. So a passenger who is just in time to get through the barrier is likely, according to easyJet, to be turned away from the gate. The airline did not explain this contradiction, though the spokesman said: Occasionally, gates may not shut precisely at 30 [minutes before departure] for a number of operational and passenger reasons. Gatwick is easyJets biggest base, and the company is Gatwicks biggest airline. Around 15 million easyJet passengers are expected to pass through the Sussex airport this year. The crackdown coincides with widespread delays and cancellations on the main railway line between London Victoria and Gatwick. The RMT union is in dispute with Southern Railway over working practices. The train operator said: Southern services continue to be severely affected by a high level of conductor and driver sickness. This is leading to a reduced service on a number of routes. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Q Last September I booked flights/accommodation for myself and partner to Crete, flying out of Manchester to Heraklion on Thomas Cook Airlines. I was informed that our flight times would be 7.50am departure from Manchester, returning on a 3.15pm departure from Heraklion. These suited us well. On 4 March I received another email informing me that the outward journey departure time had changed to 3.15pm and the return departure time to 10.45pm, which will result in arriving back in Manchester in the early hours of the following day. The Thomas Cook agent told me the changes were down to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). They said Thomas Cook Airlines had been allocated these times and not those which they had originally requested. Does this seem plausible? And would we be entitled to any compensation? Duncan Asquith A What was an enticing lunchtime arrival in Crete and civilised return to Manchester has become a late-evening arrival on the island and unsociable return home. All holiday airlines that I know are prone to switching times typically by an hour or less, but in your case by more than seven hours. They do this for a couple of reasons. When summer 2016 holidays are put on sale, there is a fair amount of uncertainty about everything from the precise deployment of the fleet of aircraft to the demand for individual flights and holidays. Therefore, timings as initially announced tend to be speculative. By spring, everything is clearer and final timings can be assigned. I speculate Thomas Cook Airlines has come up with radically new times as part of its wholesale rescheduling of flights, as a result of severe cutbacks to services to Turkey. Many flights have been switched to Spanish and Portuguese airports. Here's a possible scenario. The airline initially planned to fly your trip from Manchester to Heraklion in the morning, and then use the same plane to go from Manchester to Bodrum in Turkey in the afternoon. If Thomas Cook Airlines wants to re-route the Turkish flight to Tenerife, it may be that the Spanish airport said it was full that evening. The airline may have had to swap the flights in order to take advantage of an available lunchtime slot in Tenerife. But while there may well have been slot issues associated with these flights, to blame the CAA is absurd: it is concerned with the safe regulation of aviation and the fair treatment of passengers, not with the day-to-day allocation of slots. A spokesperson for Thomas Cook Airlines told me: This is just a standard slot change, with an incorrect assumption from the agent handling the call that it was CAA-related. Its not. In terms of compensation: Im afraid that the conditions you agreed to when you booked allow the airline to shift timings; only changes of 12 hours or more are regarded as significant. All you can do is vote with your feet, or your credit card, next time. Every day, our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a readers question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Saudi Arabia and Iran have failed for the second time to agree on arrangements for Iranian citizens to attend this years Hajj pilgrimage, with both sides insisting the other is to blame for the standstill. Difficulties in making arrangement have arisen following tragedy at least years pilgrimage during which at least 700 pilgrims were killed, including more than 400 Iranians. Although the official death toll was 769, the real number of people killed is thought to have been over two thousand. Iran is the only country not to have signed an agreement, and Iranian officials blamed Saudi Arabia for the delay, complaining that not enough safety measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of Iranian citizens after last years tragedy. Saudi Arabia has not published a report into the deaths that occurred in Mecca eight months ago, and King Salman was quoted in Saudi state media praising authorities for a successful Hajj. Tensions between the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the predominantly Shiite Muslim Iranian republic have heightened in the past months, following the execution of prominent Shiite Muslim cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr along with 46 other Shia Muslims convicted of terror related offences in Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials have speculated that Irans refusal to agree on arrangements for Hajj has a political motive, after Iranian delegates walked out on talks early on Friday without coming to an agreement. In pictures: Hajj stampede Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Hajj stampede In pictures: Hajj stampede Hajj pilgrims and Saudi emergency personnel carry a woman on a stretcher at the site where at least 700 were killed and hundreds wounded in a stampede in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, at the annual hajj in Saudi Arabia Getty Images In pictures: Hajj stampede In pictures: Hajj stampede In pictures: Hajj stampede In pictures: Hajj stampede In pictures: Hajj stampede In pictures: Hajj stampede In pictures: Hajj stampede In pictures: Hajj stampede In pictures: Hajj stampede One official said: We witnessed a lack of seriousness by the Iranian side in dealing with the issue. It is yet another attempt by them to politicise Hajj. If no agreement is made, Iranian Muslims will not be able to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, Islams holiest city, in September. Additional reporting by Reuters. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Q Is it true you can no longer get travel insurance for Turkey? My bank account comes with insurance. Should I phone them to check? Julie Willo A Im intrigued you got the idea that travel insurance for Turkey is unavailable. Most policies are invalidated if you travel somewhere against the advice of the Foreign Office (FCO). The FCO warns of a high threat of terrorism in Turkey, which has recently seen some appalling attacks in Istanbul and beyond. But it gives a green light to all the tourist areas that you and I are ever likely to visit. While some parts of Turkey are off-limits, all are in the eastern half of the country - mostly adjacent to the Syrian border. Typical holidaymakers will simply not find themselves in any of these areas. Having said that, it is well worth calling your bank to check that the insurance that comes with you account is appropriate for you. These policies are one-size-fits-all; anyone who is planning something adventurous, or who has pre-existing medical issues may not be fully covered. As with all matters to do with insurance, if you have any concerns its essential to talk them through with the firm in advance of travel. They may say fine, or they may ask for an additional premium - at which point you can always shop around. Every day, our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a readers question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Australia, I love you, but you need to get real. Climate change is real. Warmer seas around Australias northern coast are real. The bleaching of the coral in the Great Barrier Reef is real. It doesnt stop the reef from being one of the greatest and most precious living objects on our planet but the truth is a wake-up call. Its not something you can hide away. The Australian governments request that Unesco deletes a whole section on Australia and the Great Barrier Reef from its report on the impacts of climate change is staggering. Traveller's Guide: Great Barrier Reef Show all 7 1 /7 Traveller's Guide: Great Barrier Reef Traveller's Guide: Great Barrier Reef barrierreef1024x768.jpg TOURISM AUSTRALIA Traveller's Guide: Great Barrier Reef 5340059.jpg Snorkellers explore the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland Tourism Australia Traveller's Guide: Great Barrier Reef 5339855.jpg The swish resort town of Port Douglas is a more upmarket, lower-key alternative to Cairns as a base Tourism Australia Traveller's Guide: Great Barrier Reef 5339854.jpg A recent facelift has smartened up Australia's largest tropical city, Townsville Tourism Australia Traveller's Guide: Great Barrier Reef 5339668.jpg For central tropical charm, the timber-shuttered, plantation-style Hotel Cairns on the corner of Abbott and Florence streets, offers doubles from A$169 (113), room only Traveller's Guide: Great Barrier Reef 4830388.jpg The awe-inspiring Daintree Rainforest tumbles right down to the beach at Cape Tribulation Getty Images Traveller's Guide: Great Barrier Reef 5339709.jpg Lonely Planet's Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef guide (sixth edition) is available now, priced 14.99. lonelyplanet.com The problem with denial is that you dont try to change anything. In fact, unwillingness to change is often the reason why people refuse to acknowledge what is obvious to the rest of the world. The same rule applies to individuals and to governments. People and politicians both try to style it out in the hope that the world will respond positively to the image and ignore the substance. Much of the time, this deception works and the world becomes a worse place as a result. When people and their governments can get away with making the same mistakes, the damage accumulates until its impossible to ignore. We hit crisis point. The explanation given by the Australian Government for what amounts to blatant censorship is that the news that 95 per cent of reefs being bleached by warmer waters is hitting tourism to the country. In the northern, most pristine, part of the Great Barrier Reef, a lot of the coral has now died. These impacts are not all due to climate change, but scientists estimate that the bleaching is a 175 times more likely because of the warmer waters, and such conditions are likely to be the norm in 20 years time. Instead of Unesco sticking with its science-based approach to reporting on the growing impact of climate change, it has bowed to pressure from government spin doctors and commercial interests. It has allowed money to come before truth. Of course, this isnt the first time that a government has ignored a major problem and applied some arm-twisting to ensure that others stay quiet. At the heart of this silence is the desire that nothing fundamental should change because of the threat posed by climate change; that no vested interests should be challenged. Some sections of the Australian establishment are reluctant to act because they are becoming very wealthy from fossil fuels. Australias coal industry has been the first or second biggest exporter in the world for many years, and is a major lobbying force that has put the brake on Australia signing up to international action on climate change, such as the Kyoto protocol. Great Barrier Reef spared 'in It is important that Australias friends around the world point out that silence about the threats posed to the Barrier Reef, or to the Tasmanian world heritage forests which have suffered massive fires for the first time in recorded history, is no longer an option. A government which sacks a 100 of its climate scientists and eliminates the early warning system of evidence that they were creating, will still be hit by environmental crisis it will just hit harder and Australia will be less prepared for it. Ignoring problems doesnt make them go away and this applies to the UK as much as it does to Australia. The Labour, Coalition and Conservative governments in the UK remained silent and complacent about the impacts of air pollution for more than a decade, despite scientific research into the health impacts, showing that thousands of people are dying prematurely each year as a result of pollution. Our Government has barely broken into a fast stroll in its efforts to stop the invisible killer. Our own addiction to oil and the car is holding us back from taking the action needed. As much as we should pick up on our friends faults on the other side of the world, we must look in the mirror at our own. Baroness Jenny Jones represents the Green Party in the House of Lords Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} In a distant, forgotten age, when everyone was madly in love with the Democratic frontrunner, that almost flawless candidate made a rare mistake. When the moderator of a 2008 debate asked Hillary Clinton if she was engaging enough to beat him, Barack Obama butted in with misplaced gallantry to reply on her behalf. As if that wasnt adequately patronising, his remark was, Youre likable enough, Hillary. He was slaughtered for the coolly condescending tone, but was he right? Eight years on, the question resurfaces with menace for anyone whod rather those nuclear codes were kept out of the hands tiny or otherwise of the proudly ignorant, passionately racist, uber-narcissist with the creature from a galaxy far, far away in permanent residence on his scalp. Hillary will shortly secure the nomination but only narrowly, and on points. Her failure to land a knockout blow on the 75-year-old socialist Bernie Sanders raises doubts about her general election chances. Some even foresee a landslide, God have mercy, for Donald Trump. Writing for The Independent, Andrew McCleod made an alarmingly cogent case for that dystopian horror show. Clinton Slams Trump at Trayvon Martin Foundation's Mothers Conference I happen to disagree, being unable (or possibly unwilling) to envisage how Trump can take the pivotal swing states Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida with such stellar disapproval ratings among crucial demographics. I also have a residual faith that the US is not so dunce-stupid as to fall for a transparent grifter. Then again, in this time of miracles when Jeremy Corbyn leads Labour and Leicester City are champions, all is possible. So why is Hillary, although so blessed in her opponents, in strife? One explanation is that concerns about her hands-off relationship with the truth extend beyond angry white men. As the private email farrago rumbles on, it isnt only the bushy moustachioed with the stockpile of automatics and the nightly wet dream about a lynching revival who regard her as crooked. Plenty on what passes in America for the liberal left also think her crooked. Obviously, her ownership of a uterus plays some part there. The sexism of 2016 is subtler and less conscious than in 1996, but no man embroiled in a confusing demi-scandal would be so vulnerable. Her husband was comfortably elected and re-elected regardless of the ceaseless scandals. But one senses that the root of her difficulty is neither gender, nor dodginess, nor even unlikeability. Its true that she projects ruthlessness more than warmth, but she is not cold or humourless. Whenever she pops up on Saturday Night Live to parody herself in a sketch, she is funny, gracious and engaging. Recommended Read more Theresa May could be last Tory leadership contender standing by 2020 No one denies her intellect, or her glorious record in fighting for social justice, or that as a former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State she has more experience than any candidate since 1968 (when Richard Nixon easily overcame the dishonesty issue which long predated Watergate). And if ever the planet needed a US president with mastery of the geopolitical complexities, it is now. With the Middle East in relentless turmoil, Russia and Turkey seemingly one misguided missile from war, and North Koreas nuclear programme continuing, this is no time for a novelty act novice like Donald Trump. Yet despite this despite Trump being loathed by Hispanics, African Americans and women the two are tied in national polling. One hopes this is a blip: that once the nomination is clinched, Sanders and his fans will grudgingly support Clinton; that the more closely the undecided examine their choice, the more they will recoil from the braggardly grotesque; that after the summer conventions, she will open up a solid lead and nurse it to Novembers finishing line. But she is in serious bother right now, and the likeliest explanation I can find is that after a quarter century of exposure, the punters are so contemptuously familiar with Hillary that the electrifying prospect of a first Madam President engenders nothing but a weary meh. Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate Show all 10 1 /10 Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate DONALD TRUMP - MOGUL AND PRESENTER Most likely to say: You other guys are just a bunch of stiffs. I LOVE Mexico. I will make America great again! Least likely to say: I invited Hillary Clinton to my wedding. Which wedding? I forget. Pass me a comb. Least likely to say: I invited Hillary Clinton to my wedding. Which wedding? I forget. Pass me a comb. Reuters Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate JEB BUSH - FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR Most likely to say: I am the only one with a proven record as a conservative governor. He will always add at least one sentence in Spanish. Least likely to say: I know how to campaign. The last time I ran for office? 2003. Least likely to say: I know how to campaign. The last time I ran for office? 2003. Reuters Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate SCOTT WALKER - GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN Most likely to say: I took on the unions and beat them. I won two elections in a Democrat state and a recall election too. Least likely to say: Put a guy without a college degree in the White House. I wont tell you why I dropped out. Least likely to say: Put a guy without a college degree in the White House. I wont tell you why I dropped out. AP Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate MIKE HUCKABEE - FORMER GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS Most likely to say: I will fight to end gay marriage and reverse the Supreme Court on Obamacare. Least likely to say: You over there, Fox News guy. Keep my seat warm in the studio, because Ill be back soon! Least likely to say: You over there, Fox News guy. Keep my seat warm in the studio, because Ill be back soon! AP Photo/John Locher, File Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate BEN CARSON - FORMER SURGEON Most likely to say: Barack Obama has been a disaster for America and I am the only to have called him out consistently. Least likely to say: I have never ever held elected office or even run for one. But I have a great life story! Least likely to say: I have never ever held elected office or even run for one. But I have a great life story! Getty Images Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate TED CRUZ - SENATOR FROM TEXAS Most likely to say: I will end big government and slash Washington to ribbons. Bye-bye gay marriage and Obamacare. Least likely to say: Hey, Mr Trump, if you want to play the birther game again, I was born in Calgary, Canada! Least likely to say: Hey, Mr Trump, if you want to play the birther game again, I was born in Calgary, Canada! EPA/SHAWN THEW Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate MARCO RUBIO - SENATOR FROM FLORIDA Most likely to say: President Obama is wrong on Iran and wrong on Cuba. I wont chum about with tyrants. Least likely to say: I look like a puppy, but bring it on Putin. Yes, Jeb Bush was my mentor. Who cares? Least likely to say: I look like a puppy, but bring it on Putin. Yes, Jeb Bush was my mentor. Who cares? AP Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate RAND PAUL - SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY Most likely to say: Everyone else on this stage is war crazy. I will not send your children to fight pointless wars abroad. Least likely to say: Time Magazine called me the most interesting man in politics last year. Why yall yawning? Least likely to say: Time Magazine called me the most interesting man in politics last year. Why yall yawning? Reuters Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate CHRIS CHRISTIE - GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY Most likely to say: I am a two-term governor in a Democrat state with a record of reaching across the aisle. Least likely to say: Any bridges in Cleveland I can foul up? Dont ask me about New Jerseys economy. Any bridges in Cleveland I can foul up? Dont ask me about New Jerseys economy. Getty Images Presidential prowess? Republican candidates in televised debate JOHN KASICH - GOVERNOR OF OHIO Most likely to say: Welcome to my state, where jobs are growing and spending is down. You want to win Ohio, dont you? Least likely to say: Dont send me any foreign policy questions, because Im more or less clueless. I might ramble. Again. Least likely to say: Dont send me any foreign policy questions, because Im more or less clueless. I might ramble. Again. AP Where we in this geriatric land fear change, in that adolescent country across the Atlantic they crave it. Trump may have been a public figure for as long as Hillary, but in a wholly different context. As a politician, he is as minty fresh as she is stale. Given a choice between the wannabe emperor prancing hilariously about without a stitch on, and the sturdily mechanical operator in a trouser suit, you see her problem. Strip away the racist, sexist whites whose lazy sense of entitlement has been outraged by decades of stagnating wages, remove from the equation those who want babyishly simplistic answers to massively complex questions and there are still tens of millions who want a president to generate excitement. Nauseating in every regard as he is, Donald Trump, who campaigns in strangely captivating punk poetry, offers that in spades. Hillary, who campaigns in instruction manual prose, promises four or eight years of soporific competence. Ultimately one has to presume (if only to avoid a devastating breakdown) that the US will resist the mischievous imp on its shoulder, whispering, Go on, have some fun, elect the tangerine huckster and see where it leads. But fasten your seatbelts, as another legendarily tough old broad, Bette Davis, is often misquoted as saying in All About Eve. Its going to be bumpy ride. 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 Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Am I missing something? Most EU referendum commentators claim that young citizens are likely to vote to remain members, and former Labour leader, Ed Miliband, is directly appealing for them to register in order to be eligible. However, I remain mystified why any youngster would wish to have this view with the annual migrant level we are currently experiencing. We now know that one million overseas jobseekers are entering the UK every three years, many from poorer countries who can comfortably undercut British young people. Furthermore, the supply and demand of housing required, will continue to see prices rise out of the reach of our young people - the majority will never in their lifetime be able to afford their own home if this level of immigration continues, which seems very unlikely. Free movement of citizens is sacrosanct to EU membership. We can only counter this by voting to leave on June 23. Anthony James Sokol Banbury Governments of all persuasions have, for many years, blamed the EU for almost any policy they think might be unpopular with the electorate, and this is certainly making it more difficult for some EU referendum campaigners. You might think that people would learn from their mistakes, but how exactly will all the politicians who are now systematically rubbishing forecasts from even the most respected economic institutions go about making and presenting their budgets, fiscal policies and so on, after the referendum? I don't think they can count on all of us having bad memories. Hanne Stinson Woking The referendum debate is dominated by the Remain camp appealing to greed we are better off in and the Leave camp appealing to frustration we will feel freer if we leave. The greed argument will not defeat the frustration felt by the Leave camp. This frustration at the rules imposed by the EU has not been well addressed. The rules made by the EU are a very small portion of all the rules we are subjected to. We can have a limited say, by voting, in the rules made by the EU as we can in the other geographical bodies, local, regional and national governments, but lots of rules we have no say in at all. The rules of national governments, political unions and trading blocs that we are not part of; and the rules made by employers, suppliers, financial institutions, educational establishments, religious organisations, and so on. You can argue that you are free to deal with such organisations, or not, but in practice you are stuck with the available choice. I have not suffered much frustration at the rules made by the EU. I am more frustrated by the uncaring and ill-thought through rules of the UK Government and corporations. At least the EU makes some effort to counter these, with more clout than the UK Government. I have filled in my postal vote to Remain because the UK population is 1 per cent of the world population and the EU could give us a say in world affairs that we would not otherwise have. What I would really have liked to vote for is an obligation on the Government to participate in the EU as a means to an end, rather than as an unwelcome irritation. Jon Hawksley London, EC1R Corruption is endemic in a lot of the EU countries Why is no one brave enough to speak out about this? In Spain, France, Italy and Greece, the population seem to take pride in the avoidance of paying tax and in the widespread use of black money. And when they get into difficulties they hold out their hands to be bailed out, and the EU does it again and again and again. Do we really want to remain in a partnership with countries like that? Personally, no. I am voting to leave. M Maguire Claygate Blair should remain silent on the Middle East Isnt there something rather pathetic in Tony Blairs current pre-emptive defence of his role in the Iraq catastrophe, all in advance of the condemnation anticipated in the Chilcot report? What happened was a gigantic error of judgement with devastating losses in lives, never mind the resultant chaos all over the Middle East. One might have hoped that Blair, like a defendant in a court case, would have been silent while the jury considered its verdict. Instead, with miraculous availability, he seems to be everywhere explaining, rationalising, with not a hint of anguish or contrition at the enormous loss of innocent lives and the still incalculable consequences. He is, of course, entitled to his day in court. Until then, a dignified buttoning of the lip would, I suggest, be wise for him and welcome to us. Donald Zec London Morality is not the preserve of the religious Please can Janet Street-Porter explain why not believing in God is shallow and materialistic. I am an atheist and find these comments to be offensive. People are very welcome to believe whatever they want, but for her to insult without logic or reason is unacceptable. Morals are not based on religious ideals. People from many and various different backgrounds can and do help to promote tolerance. This sort of intolerance of different opinions and beliefs is unacceptable, unnecessary and dangerous. Jon Ashelford Address withheld A headline on May 28 read: Jihadists can be converted with Gods love, says Pope. What sad nonsense. Dr C R Byfleet Cobbaton First class? Not likely Simon Calder thinks that first class will become more crowded if Virgin West Coast agrees with the Government that it should convert some first class carriages to standard. It won't. This conversion has already happened on the Great Western routes to South Wales. After going from two-and-a-half first carriages to one-and-a-half, First Great Western (as it was then) removed almost all of the heavily discounted advance purchase fares in first class. They've never come back. If you bought a first ticket a few days ahead, it used to be possible to go from Newport to London for under 40 one way. These days, there's rarely much of a discount on the off peak return fare of about 200, so the one way fare is usually at least twice as much as it used to be. First class remains largely empty outside rush hour. The operator promised upgraded catering and Wi-Fi. The catering is unchanged and the Wi-Fi is there but it just doesn't work. At least they're true to their brand values. Mark Chataway Address withheld Are we at war after all? Rori Donaghys interesting article raises all sorts of issues beyond being accountable to parliament. The Ministry of Defence and the military establishment seems to be a state within a state. If we are officially not at war, then what are we at? The country is not under attack, no air raid warnings or assaults on the shores and fighting on the beaches near the white cliffs of Dover. Is this another of Fallon's Follies from the Boys Own paper stuff? Playing Biggles again? How does the MoD inform the family if an SAS soldier is killed and we are not at war? Is some reason fabricated? Died on parade? Given the comments lately about possible war with Russia and Putin, it is time to reign in the MoD and Fallon and stop them punching above their weight before they overreach themselves. I suppose we will know the signs when press releases start talking about plots by Islamists being thwarted by the Met or Russian soldiers with snow on their boots being seen at Dover. John Edgar Blackford Capitalism must evolve The final paragraph of your article on the International Monetary Fund is the most telling: Chiles experience (the country now eschews capital controls), and that of other countries, suggests that no fixed agenda delivers good outcomes for all countries for all times. Policymakers, and institutions like the IMF that advise them, must be guided not by faith, but by evidence of what has worked. The Thatcher-Reagan axis has ruined at least three generations by pursuing a rigid ideological agenda, based on the theoretical vapourings of Friedman, Hayek et al. Austerity, as practised by the current Tory administration, is actually the non-payment of essential bills, which is every bit and possibly more idiotic than badly implemented tax and spend. A return to practical reality is long overdue. Capitalism must evolve and adapt. We need more effective government and less political obduracy. A key component in what could come to be a revolutionary change, as presaged by the rise of left inclined politicians everywhere, is the appreciation that all the professions are much better at running their own manors than think tank wonks. China under Mao scorned the professions and neoliberal regimes have done likewise the lessons of history. Steve Ford Haydon Bridge Well appraised? The case of Metropolitan Police sergeant Kirsten Treasure, who has been dismissed for ignoring a call to a stabbing incident and also faced allegations of making racist and homophobic remarks, raises the valid question of what comments were made by her immediate supervisors on her annual appraisals? It is surely inconceivable that she developed overnight such serious character flaws. When I was a serving Metropolitan Police inspector and involved in writing appraisals and reading assessments made by other senior officers, I was surprised at the number of examples in which some were clearly overcritical and some were excessively praiseworthy without any evidence to justify them. This prompted me to submit an official suggestion to Scotland Yard's Management Services Department, proposing that all annual appraisals containing lavish praise or censure should be accompanied by evidence to support it. The idea was rejected. Incidentally, it would be interesting to read the appraisals of former Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, whose promotion took place just prior to his being place in charge of policing the Hillsborough Disaster. Perhaps the Freedom of Information Act could be used to extract this important data. John Kenny Acle, Norfolk French breakfast The first thing that I read on a Sunday morning is the Normandy Diary. John Lichfield is a marvel. When there were print editions, I never purchased a Sunday paper. Now I get them free, but what have I been missing all these years? Paul Warren Brampton, Cumbria Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Derry is a city full of kindnesses. It is a city blessed with a culture of women helping women. But in 1966 there was an oppressive silence throughout the whole of Northern Ireland. The catalyst? Abortion. A group of forward-thinking and courageous women set up Alliance for Choice in Derry to promote reform, discussion of abortion and changes to abortion law; their work continues today. In 1967, the UK Abortion Act was introduced but not in Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland it rescued only those women who could afford travel to Britain for a legal abortion. In the 1970s, I was working for Belfast Welfare Department as a social worker. The only abortions poorer people with crisis pregnancies could afford then were on the backstreets and they were very dangerous. Better-off women could afford to travel and pay for access to legal abortion in Britain. That remains the case in 2016, when travel, abortion and accommodation costs to facilitate a termination total up to 2,000. In short, poor women who want a choice dont have one. That is why the introduction of the nine-week abortion pills on the internet, made available five years ago, was so significant. It made abortion during the first nine weeks of pregnancy affordable for poorer women in Northern Ireland for the first time 60, or free. Women on Web is run legally as a charity in Holland offering GP consultation, pills and post-procedure counselling, if necessary. But late last year, a young woman who had procured the nine-week abortion pills was pulled before Belfast Court, tried and handed a one year suspended sentence, for accessing these pills. Pregnant woman accuses anti-abortion protesters This came as a complete shock. People were angry, frightened and distressed. That arrest and conviction has since been followed up by charges against a mother who procured the pills for her teenage daughter. People in Northern Ireland are outraged that women coping as best they can with a pregnancy which already presents a crisis for them are then being dragged before our courts. They are being threatened with life imprisonment under our archaic 1861 Offences against the Person Act. The outrage is legitimate as only poorer women are the true victims. Women who can access the considerable amount of money needed to travel to Britain for a legal abortion will not be touched by this regressive legislative precedent. You need only fear jail if you are women who chooses to access affordable abortion pills, Mifepristone and Misoprostol, online the very same pills recommended by the World Health Organisation. We have one law for the rich and another for the poor. Recommended Read more The woman jailed for 40 years for suffering a miscarriage So, along with two other Derry women, at the age of 71, I decided enough was enough: I handed myself in to police for being involved in the procuring of abortion pills for women who cannot afford to travel and are too terrified to have them delivered to their home address, as a protest against the law. We are three of many. There are hundreds of us out there breaking the existing law in Northern Ireland. Why are the police pursuing women in the most vulnerable of circumstances? We don't respect the law because it is archaic, irrelevant and unfair. However, we dont believe that we are committing a crime because, as one fellow campaigner put it, there is a civic duty to obey a just law, but there is a moral duty to disobey an unjust law. The 1967 UK Abortion Act should be introduced across Northern Ireland, but our government is letting people down. They simply turn their backs and look away. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Just why is the Sultan of Turkey so impatient to get hold of that visa-free EU travel for his people to visit Schengen Europe? If the EU doesnt jump to it, he orated last week, the Turkish parliament would scupper the whole deal and for this was the implication let that army of Arab refugees set sail again across the Aegean for Greece. And where was the 3bn Turkey was promised? What few Europeans asked, however, was whether this travel stuff just might have something more to do with a particular group of Turkish people: the Kurds. The Europeans, who are engaged in a massive campaign of bribery to stop the hordes of Middle Eastern poor arriving in their lands, fluffed on about Erdogans desire to keep his vicious anti-terrorism laws. Angela Merkel, who drew up this awful deal to avoid a repeat of her finest hour last year, tut-tutted away in the background. But in the Arab world from which so many of the teeming masses are coming the great and the good have taken a rather more cynical view. Turkey: Erdogan cites Hitler's Germany as 'example' of presidential state Folk from several foreign ministries in the Middle East (the Syrians excluded, since they would have their own reasons for saying this) suspect that Sultan Erdogan is keener to clear up a little local problem, especially in the south-east of his country, by encouraging his 16 million Kurdish citizens to avail themselves of that precious visa-free EU travel. Do you think Erdogan expects his people to flock to Europe because they want to go on a shopping spree to Paris? an Arab diplomat based in Beirut asked, in an unpleasant and ungenerous spirit. Of course, the Sultan wishes to join the EU, wants the initial 3bn payment, and intends to keep his growing dictatorial powers intact. And Turkish gastarbeiter have been in Europe for decades. But Schengen Europes growing Kurdish diaspora its probably well over 1.5 million people would be vastly increased if the crushed and war-suffering masses of Diyarbakir could find their way to Germany, Denmark and Sweden. To touch a live wire for a moment: the Ottoman Empire destroyed most of its Christian population in the 1915 Armenian genocide of a million and a half souls, and its Ataturk successors butchered more than 50,000 Kurds and Alevis between 1937 and 1938. Amid another war in Turkish Kurdistan, caused by our modern Sultans refusal to adhere to a ceasefire, theres added incentive for another non-Turkic exodus. Welcome to the EU. Yes, this is meant to be just visa-free travel, but we all know what that means. And we would tolerate the arrival of even hundreds of thousands of Kurds in order to avoid another million gaunt faces at the border wire. Turkey's two million Syrian refugees Show all 11 1 /11 Turkey's two million Syrian refugees Turkey's two million Syrian refugees There are already over 2.5 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, but their current camps can only hold 200,000 people ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images Turkey's two million Syrian refugees Turkish citizens protest a new deal, also criticised by human rights activists, which will see refugees who arrived in Greece after March 20 be sent back to Turkey AP Photo/Emre Tazegu Turkey's two million Syrian refugees An estimated 80% of Syrian refugee children already in Turkey are unable to attend school BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images Turkey's two million Syrian refugees Refugee children beg for water near the Turkey-Syria border. Turkey has been accused of illegally deporting asylum-seekers back to Syria BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images Turkey's two million Syrian refugees In Turkey, no-one from outside Europe is legally recognised as a refugee, meaning the 2016 deportations may not meet international legal standards for protecting vulnerable people BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images Turkey's two million Syrian refugees A refugee child cries as she is searched by police at the Syria-Turkey border, where 16 refugees (including three children) have been shot dead in the last four months BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images Turkey's two million Syrian refugees Many refugees are living rough on the streets of cities such as Istanbul or Ankara (pictured) ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images Turkey's two million Syrian refugees Turkish soldiers use water cannon on Syrian refugees BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images Turkey's two million Syrian refugees Syrian refugees shelter from rain in the streets of Istanbul BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images Turkey's two million Syrian refugees A derelict building housing Syrian refugees in Istanbul Carl Court/Getty Images Turkey's two million Syrian refugees Turkey houses around half of all the refugees who have currently fled Syria Carl Court/Getty Images Bingo. The Sultan reduces his Kurdish problem with EU generosity, and further Turkifies his nation; and we still keep the hordes at bay. History, of course, plays strange tricks amid the embers that still smoulder from the old Ottoman Empire. Time was (about five years ago) when the bling-literati told us all that democratic Recep Tayyip Erdogan was a role model for a future Arab leadership. The man who had turned his back on Ataturk, the previous role model for the poor old Arab world, may have been a bit of a Muslim Brotherhood fellow, but he believed in free elections, free press, market economy and massive anti-terror campaigns the latter being an immediate winner in Washington, London and Paris and other soft targets, provided it was smothered in a veneer of concern for human rights. But now the Sultan, in his 1000 room palace with his preposterous golden chairs of state (just look at how Merkel leaned forward uncomfortably on hers when she was conducting Operation Bribery), looks less of an Ottoman than an Ataturk, the man he was supposed to despise. Recommended Read more The European free press is putting tourists in Turkey at risk Hes still going through the motions, reintroducing the Ottoman language in Arabic script, though presumably many Ottoman archives on the Armenian genocide will remain closed and encouraging ladies to wear the veil. But the Sultan is now beginning to act more like the Father of His People. Its instructive to remember that one nation in Europe had tremendous admiration for Ataturk and his new land: Nazi Germany. The Turkish Fuhrer was lauded in the Nazi press for obvious reasons. He had restored his nation after defeat by France and Germany in the First World War; he ruled a country freed (by the Ottomans) of a hated minority group; he ran a largely one-party system, ruthlessly suppressing opposition, and marginalised religion. Does that remind you of anyone? The ex-corporal chappie, perhaps? The one with the moustache? The most brilliant academic work on these distressing parallels is the scholar Stefan Ihrig (he would not agree with my conclusions), who has scrupulously unearthed heaps of Nazi German newspaper clippings in which Ataturks Turkey was virtually deified, its leader obviously carrying out the will of the nation. A purified Turkey mirrored back to Germany what the Nazis wanted their own creation to become: a Teutonic, purified Germany. Recommended Read more Why the US is finally dropping its calls for Assad to go No wonder Hitler asked his generals before they set out on their genocidal campaign into 1939 Poland: Who, after all, is today speaking of the destruction of the Armenians? In reality, Ataturk was uninvolved in the Armenian genocide and loathed the Ottomans. But Ive watched the newsreel film of Ataturks funeral and you can clearly see the Nazi German military and civilian dignitaries clustered around the front of the horse-drawn cortege. Volkischer Beobachter, the party newspaper, dripped obituaries of the great man. But who is Erdogan today, the man who restarted the Kurdish war and now wants his visa-free travel to Europe so quickly? Is he the Sultan in his palace, master of a great if imaginary empire? Or, as one Turkish journalist bravely put it, Ataturks kid? Im not going to say a bit of both. I think Erdogans trying to combine the two. Father of the Nation and Cleanser of the Land, Father Figure of a purified Turkey and a Middle East Emperor whose voice, from the palace on the Sublime Porte, will thunder through the halls of Gulf potentates. And where is that EU visa-free travel by the way? Come along now, cough it up, Angela. You may get a lot of Kurds in Berlin, but when you sign up for a Bribery Treaty you cant complain about the uses to which the other side puts the deal. Thats called interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. Performers from Clowns Without Borders entertaining children in Azraq refugee camp in Jordan (Ayman Bino/UNHCR/PA) A child refugee who lost her parents in the Syrian conflict smiled for the first time after meeting a group of Irish circus artists. Clowns Without Borders have just returned from a tour of the refugee camps of Jordan. Amid harrowing scenes of deprivation and bereavement the volunteers hit the funny bones of children whose lives had been devastated, organisation founder Colm O'Grady said. "We have a track record in doing incredible work where we have a child who has not smiled for six months, who has seen their parents killed and they are there laughing." One camp inhabitant, a boy aged 17, even accompanied the troupe in Jordan as a juggler. The group of around 50 performers from Ireland visited settlements including Zaatari, Jordan's largest refugee camp. Most of the children were Syrians who fled from Homs with their families and now live in makeshift tents in an already poor region. Instead of queuing to collect clothing or food from NGOs the children went to watch the clowns. Mr O'Grady said they had about 50 performers from Ireland in Jordan and the circus was Belfast Festival of Fools-style street theatre - but to thousands instead of a few hundred. He recalled: "After that they were more responsive and open, it helps bring people out of their shells - it hits their funny bones." They have just returned from Jordan, having been there since last month. "They have been through a very traumatic experience. "Often they are living in conditions that are not conducive to childhood and this is giving them a chance to be children again. Clowns Without Borders is an international organisation and the Irish branch has been working closely with Spanish and Swedish colleagues since 2013. They plan to visit more Syrian and Iraqi displaced people in the Kurdish region of Iraq in the autumn. Transfers of sterling overseas handled by Western Union Business Solutions rose seven-fold to about 1.2m in the three months through April from a year earlier. Stock photo: Getty Emma Patcas will arrive in Greece three days before the UK votes on its membership of the European Union. To make sure a plunge in sterling doesn't bust her budget, the 26-year-old Londoner bought 600 in early April to spend during the three-week holiday. "You think: 'Should I hold out and see if it gets better, or should I not?'" said Patcas, who is traveling with her boyfriend on June 20. "We just decided it was too much of a risk with all the unknowns of the referendum." Britons who need to buy foreign currencies for their vacations or other personal expenses are trying to sidestep unpleasant surprises in the exchange rate should the UK decide to quit the union. While the pound has rebounded in recent weeks as polls signal a receding risk of a Brexit, everyone from the UK Treasury and the Bank of England to Goldman Sachs Group is predicting sharp declines should the country leave. Transfers of sterling overseas handled by Western Union Business Solutions rose seven-fold to about 1.2m in the three months through April from a year earlier. Most of the transactions weren't from holiday-makers, but Britons sending sums abroad to pay off mortgages or purchase properties, according to the money-transfer company. Jenny Slade, a business owner from High Wycombe, northwest of London, bought 30,000 in early May to pay for the renovations at her summer house near Marseille, on France's Mediterranean coast. "We've seen more fluctuations in the last couple of months than we've seen in the past six years," said the 39-year-old Slade. "We secured a rate when the pound was stronger, so we could keep that rate going for six months rather than just buying on spot and seeing how it was." There's a chance Britons who transferred pounds will lose out on the deal. Sterling has rallied from its seven-year low of $1.3836 reached in February, and at $1.47 has virtually wiped out its 2016 losses versus the US currency. Hedge funds have cut bets on a decline by almost a third from a three-year high last month. The pound was down as much as 9pc versus the euro this year as of early April, but has since pared that decline to 3pc. There's evidence that the rally and the shift in opinion polls are reassuring citizens about potential pound declines. A survey published last Wednesday by the UK polling firm ComRes showed that less than half of Britons are now concerned about what a Brexit would do to their currency - a drop from 55pc three months ago. Yet UK prime minister David Cameron is adamant about the dangers of leaving the EU, saying this week it would hit Britons in the wallet and push up the cost of foreign vacations. Goldman Sachs predicted the pound could fall as much as 20pc on an EU exit, while Bank of England governor Mark Carney said Brexit could spark a recession and lead the currency to depreciate further - "perhaps sharply". To limit their risk, Britons like Patcas are anticipating cash purchases, while others are using methods such as forward contracts or prepaid money cards to lock in rates. Sales of the latter have increased by about 35pc in the past two months, according to London-based international payments firm Caxton FX. "A typical person leaves those overseas euro-payments to the last minute," said Nawaz Ali, a London-based currency strategist at money-transfer specialist Western Union. Given the "publicity and uncertainty related to the EU referendum and the subsequent fall in the pound," more individuals are giving up spot transactions and using forward contracts and other strategies to lock in the exchange rate. Bloomberg Monsanto chief Hugh Grant could land more than 63m if his firm - the world's largest seed company - is taken over by German chemicals giant Bayer AG. The US firm said it was open to engaging in further negotiations with Bayer after turning down its 56bn bid as "incomplete and financially inadequate" last week. That $122-per-share offer would allow CEO and chairman Grant to walk away with a total package of more than 110m after a takeover, including from the sale of shares and the exercise of options he already owned, a Reuters analysis of Monsanto filings shows. But 66m of that represents gains that the 58-year-old Scot could make as a result of the Bayer courtship - largely thanks to increases in the value of his stock options. The gains also reflect the rise in the value of his shareholdings and an accelerated payout of bonuses that would kick in if there is a takeover, as well as a 12m 'golden parachute' severance payment he would receive if he loses his job as a result. There is no certainty that ongoing negotiations will result into a deal although Monsanto's board has signalled interest in reaching an accord with Bayer. Grant, who is eligible for retirement, said that his company firmly endorsed "the substantial benefits an integrated strategy could provide to growers and broader society" after the bid was snubbed on Tuesday. Even should a deal be struck, it is not certain that Grant would be ousted. But in most takeovers, the CEOs of the targets tend to exit after their companies are sold. The agrochemicals mega-deal between Dow Chemical and Dupont agreed in December - an unusual case because it was billed as a "merger of equals" of two companies of roughly equal size - will see both CEOs depart. Grant's exposure to shares and options means he has an incentive to hold out for the highest possible sale price in any deal, which would not only be in the interests of shareholders but also increase the value of his holdings. A $130-per-share bid, for example, would lift his holdings by another 11m, the Reuters analysis shows. A spokesman for St Louis-based Monsanto declined to comment on its compensation scheme. The company, which makes Roundup - the world's most widely used herbicide - has been wrestling with low crop prices and spending cutbacks by North American farmers, which have hit its profits. Before reports about a potential Bayer bid in early May, Monsanto's shares were trading at around $90. At that price, Grant's share options were worth around 900,000. But at $122-per-share, they are worth over 44m. Other top executives would also benefit from a takeover. Brett Begemann, president and chief operating officer, could walk away with a total of 32.5m for his shares and in gains on his options, accelerated bonuses and severance, should a deal be done at $122-a-share and his job terminated. Such an accord would make him about 18m better off than he was based on the pre-bid share price. But there are more executives in line for big paydays. The other three directors whose total pay is disclosed in filings - chief financial officer Pierre Courduroux, chief technology officer Robert Fraley, and general counsel David Snively - could walk away with a total of over 50.5m in shares, bonuses and severance if a deal goes through. Any merger of Bayer's agrochemicals operations with Monsanto's would be the second "mega-deal" in the industry in recent months after the creation of DowDuPont, a 117bn giant. The departing CEOs of Dow Chemical and DuPont will walk away with a combined 72m. Dow Chemical's Andrew Liveris will get 47.5m in cash, stock and other payments, including about 36m he is already entitled to on his retirement, DowDuPont said in a regulatory filing. DuPont's Edward Breen will get 24.4m, DowDuPont said. Reuters A Finnish multinational plc that bought a Belfast-based packaging firm for 80m a fortnight ago is funnelling hundreds of millions of dollars through a Dublin-registered shell company as part of an aggressive tax avoidance scheme, it can be revealed. Finnish-headquartered food and drink packaging giant Huhtamaki has funnelled more than half-a-billion dollars through Dublin-registered company Huhtamaki Ireland Unlimited as part of a complicated intra-company 'hybrid loan' finance structure involving wholly-owned subsidiaries in Luxembourg, Netherlands, Hungary, Switzerland and America. Huhtamaki, which purchased folding carton packaging manufacturer Delta Print and Packaging earlier this month, was among 340 global firms identified in 'LuxLeaks' files as having secured secret deals from Luxembourg authorities that enabled them to slash their global tax bills. It was reported at the time that LuxLeaks companies had channelled hundreds of billions of dollars through Luxembourg and saved billions of dollars in taxes. Some firms enjoyed effective tax rates of less than 1pc on the profits they funnelled into Luxembourg. Ireland's role in facilitating such aggressive tax avoidance is now under fresh scrutiny, especially in the wake of news that Google faces a French legal probe over how it funnels the majority of its European revenues through its Dublin HQ. Leaked documents reveal that Huhtamaki formed an Irish-registered company in 2010 within weeks of receiving advice from consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) that funnelling funds to Luxembourg through a Dublin shell company would help Huhtamaki slash its global tax bill. PwC advised the firm's Finnish bosses that such a deal would be "exempt from net wealth tax, and exempt from dividend and capital gains tax" in Luxembourg. Since 2010, Huhtamaki Unlimited Ireland (HUI) has loaned more than USD$500m to a Luxembourg-based subsidiary, Huhtalux S.a.r.l. The Dublin-registered firm paid no income tax or corporation tax in 2015, nor does it have any Irish employees, according to its latest set of accounts. The Irish shell company has a loan facility of up to $1bn, according to company filings. When asked about its approach to tax avoidance, which is entirely legal, a spokeswoman for Huhtamaki said: "As a publicly listed company we do not comment on specific financing arrangements. "One of the reasons for having financing companies in Ireland is the country's legislation that allows a book-keeping currency other than euro - which in turn allows cost-efficient hedging without external costs. "The Huhtamaki Group has operations in 34 countries across the globe, so protection against currency fluctuations is important for us." However, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), the body behind the LuxLeaks and Panama Papers investigations, explained that there may be another reason why Ireland and Luxembourg are favoured by companies such as Huhtamaki. "One of the main benefits of the Luxembourg tax system is the treatment of interest," said a ICIJ spokesperson. "Companies registered in Luxembourg are exempt from tax on interest income. So it makes sense for multinationals to structure their operations in such a way that profits from other countries can flow into Luxembourg as interest. "Look for signs that foreign profits get transformed into interest when going into Luxembourg. A clever way to do this is by so-called hybrid loans. These have all the characteristics of equity - and are treated as such in most countries - but Luxembourg approves these as debt for tax purposes." A letter sent by PwC to Luxembourg tax authorities in 2009 regarding "implementation of the Irish-Luxembourg financing structure" specifically refers to loans for equity transactions. PwC advised Huhtamaki that "the interest free loan will be considered as debt for corporate tax purposes" in Luxembourg. Consultancy firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers devised 548 similar tax-avoidance deals for 350 companies with the authorities in Luxembourg. The firms involved included Irish dairy giant Glanbia, as well as household names such as Amazon, Pepsi, IKEA, FedEx and Deutsche Bank. These legal but secret deals feature complex financial structures designed to exploit international tax mismatches that allow companies to avoid taxes both in Luxembourg and elsewhere through the use of hybrid loans. In a bid to stem public disquiet over aggressive tax avoidance, the EU has pushed through tougher rules on taxation and the use of hybrid loans as a result of the LuxLeaks disclosures. Closer to home, a tax justice campaign group in Ireland recently held a protest outside PwC's Dublin office and sent a letter of complaint to the consulting firm's chief executive Fergal O'Rourke in response to the ongoing trial of the two whistleblowers behind the LuxLeaks scandal. Two French former employees of PWC are accused of leaking thousands of documents to a journalist. Tax justice campaign group Attac Ireland praised the actions of one of the PWC whistleblowers, Antoine Deltour, in correspondence sent to O'Rourke. "Antoine Deltour is the whistleblower who leaked the documents at the source of LuxLeaks scandal," the group wrote. "PwC obviously believes that this is wrong but, had he not done so, the public would have remained unaware of the massive tax avoidance schemes used by multinational companies, with the help of large accountancy firms such as yours." Robert Redford and Bono, who has been busy pushing the idea of a new film studio for Dublin. Photo: Wireimage Some investors are banking on Hollywood coming to Ireland quite regularly in the future. Well, if not Hollywood, then major TV series at the very least. Just as the new Star Wars film is wrapping up its Irish shoot, news emerged this week of a new film studio operation proposed for Ringsend. Bono and some Hollywood money is backing James Morris's proposed film studio venture at the former Irish Glass site in Dublin. If it goes ahead, it opens up some fascinating possibilities. Bono appears to be backing Ringsend. Meanwhile, former U2 manager Paul McGuinness owns 33pc of the long-established Ardmore Studios in Bray. Former U2 accountant Ossie Kilkenny will have an interest in two studios - Ardmore, where he is also 33pc shareholder, and a new film studio venture in Limerick, where he is an investor. Ardmore chief executive Siun Ni Raghallaigh is also involved in the Limerick studio venture, called Troy Studios, which is expected to open for business this year. Then in Ashford in Co Wicklow is Joe O'Connell's Ballyhenry Studios where the Vikings television series was made and he has his own plans for expansion. Just four years ago Ardmore Studios was really struggling - but improved tax incentives, and a growing attractiveness of Ireland as a film location turned its fortunes around. Ardmore has been out the door in recent years with series like The Tudors and Penny Dreadful and has argued that there wasn't enough quality studio space available in Ireland. Ardmore has run out of space itself and can't expand on site. Limerick stepped up to the plate and the City and County Council bought the former Dell building at Castletroy. It has lent 7.7m towards the project and Troy Studios, backed by Ni Raghallaigh and Kilkenny, has taken a 20-year lease. Troy has secured 2.7m in funding from a mixture of investors. Ion Equity has put in 604,000. A group of other smaller investors under the umbrella of Fifcon Nominees based at the offices of Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors has invested 1.5m. Pinergy investors Jeff Ward and Paul Curran, who is a music publishing veteran, put in 300,000. The children of Davy Stockbrokers chairman, Kyran McLaughlin, have invested 300,000 between them. These include Mark McLaughlin, who set up a text technology firm in 2006, and David McLaughlin, who is head of Royal Bank of Canada's Irish wealth management operation. Troy should have at least a two- to three-year start on the Irish Glass project. The question is whether enough movie and TV series work will come to Ireland to keep them all busy. The Troy site, in the former Dell building, has 340,000sqft of space, of which 70,000sqft has been carved out for stage space, making it the biggest in Ireland from day one. Michael Noonan gave a boost to the industry by committing to the tax relief scheme until 2020. He also switched the relief to a tax-credit system aimed at costing less to the exchequer while ensuring more money goes to film-making. The Irish Film Institute has argued that if the sector continues to grow at current rates it would create 5,000 new job equivalents in the next five years. If it doesn't, we could end up with a lot of studio space. State entities are in deep as Enterprise Ireland owns 35pc of Ardmore Studios and Limerick City has acquired the Dell building to lease out to Troy. The Ringsend venture would have to make a strong business case to arms of the state in order to secure financial backing. James Morris and Bono have been in touch with former environment minister Alan Kelly, along with the Irish Strategic Investment Fund and IDA Ireland. 'Build it and they will come' can be risky in what is a very fickle movie industry. Tax loopholes for the rich make a comeback It takes a Fianna Failer to spot something going wrong with a tax break. Micheal McGrath was spot-on when he suggested that some "rich parents" were using a loophole to avoid paying tax. According to McGrath, some 740 families availed of the dwelling house exemption last year, which enables parents to gift a house to their children without incurring inheritance or gift tax of 33pc. This involves houses other than the family home. Like all good tax loopholes, it is based on the idea of structuring a transaction to avoid the tax, rather than needing to do the transaction. For example, I have heard of one very wealthy businessperson who has bought a substantial house for a couple of million euro. He plans to allow his children to live in it for three years, and then gift it to them. They will either sell it or rent it out and avoid paying full gift tax on the deal. He will in effect have passed on a large piece of his wealth through an expensive house purchase, while depriving the Revenue of money he could easily afford to pay. In fact he could probably repeat the process for several different children. Revenue officials told the Department of Finance before last year's budget that the dwelling house exemption was relatively easy to get, but was being abused. If it serves a useful purpose then it could be kept - but it needs to be revised. One option is to put a relatively low ceiling on the amounts involved to avoid super-wealthy parents gaming the system. Irish exporters have to bet on a Brexit every day Predicting the way the British public will vote on the Brexit referendum is a pretty tricky business. A generally lacklustre Remain campaign caused concerns in currency markets in recent months which dragged down the value of sterling. The more it fell, the less competitive Irish exports became in the UK. Then more recently the 'stay' campaign seemed to get its act together, with a mix of dire apocalyptic warnings about the implications of leaving, and at times sheer desperation from British PM David Cameron. Recent polls have put the Remain camp well ahead at somewhere between 13 and 18 points clear of the Leave camp. But British polls are notoriously unreliable. You also have to bear in mind the turnout. People are always more likely to turn out to vote for a change to something than to keep the status quo. There are concerns that the polls might not detect the full extent of migration fears among a large swathe of British society. All of these things matter to the Irish economy in the long run and to Irish exporters in the short run. Exporters have enjoyed a huge currency advantage on the back of a weak euro in the last few years. It has boosted indigenous Irish companies, especially in the food sector. That advantage could evaporate if there is a vote to leave and the value of sterling plummets. Some investment houses have suggested sterling could hit parity with the euro if a Brexit vote is carried. Nobody will know for sure until the votes are counted. I met a man last week who works in an office job in Derry City and lives in Co Tyrone. He shares a lift to work with a guy from Lifford in Co Donegal. Every day he drives from Co Tyrone, across the border to Co Donegal and along several southern border towns until he returns to the North again near Derry City. Not something that could be easily done after a Brexit, if passport or customs checkpoints resume. He told me he was thinking of voting to leave the EU. Go figure. The rise of fintech (financial technology) companies is driving a behavioural change among international banks, a leading tax expert has said. Worldwide spend on fintech reached $32bn last year - however only 5pc of the overall investment in the area came from traditional banks. Speaking at the Federation of International Banks in Ireland (FIBI) in the Westin Hotel, KPMG international tax partner Anna Scally said the attitude from banks towards fintech is changing as they bid to cut costs. "Before 2015 banks and fintech players - I'm talking about start-ups but I'm also talking about the Googles and the Facebooks, who are doing a whole lot of fintech work as well - they were poles apart," she said. "Banks were feeling a little threatened. However, in 2015 we saw a sea change across the world. We're seeing a whole lot of collaboration between international banks and fintech players. That is driving huge behavioural changes. It's a positive move that is seeing companies working together." It is understood banks are currently investing more into their own technologies rather than exterior start-ups, with the majority of money being spent on innovations in payments and lending. The banks' continuing investment into the area lines up with their cost-cutting intentions, which aims to reduce staffing levels. New research from Citigroup suggests that the headcount within the banking sector will reduce by 30pc over the next 10 years. However, Ms Scally deems the numbers as "un-aggressive", saying there are others who expect the cuts to reach up to 50pc of total headcount within the sector. "Banks need to cut their costs. In order to do that they need to use technology more efficiently. Banks are spending a huge amount of money on technology," Ms Scally said. Norman Crowley is on a mission. The founder and chief executive of energy-efficiency company Crowley Carbon, he wants to educate the world about climate change - and make money in the process. With the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement last December, world leaders have sent the message that the way we power our homes and run our businesses is changing. We are moving away from fossil fuels and to renewables. But the first step to tackling climate change is to reduce energy consumption, which is where Mr Crowley comes in. He says he can reduce bills for companies with an annual spend between 400,000 and 1m. He will pay you if he fails. "What bugs me is the lack of speed at which this problem is being handled by pretty much everybody," he says. "We can take the costs of lighting down by 80pc (using efficient bulbs and controls), but yet 90pc of sites we visit have old lights in them - which is a no-brainer. "Say, for example, you're a food company with an annual energy bill of 1m. We can take it down by 350,000 a year. And you don't need any money, we will finance it. "We have 400m coming from various banks including Santander, Bank of London and the Middle East (BLME) and Close Leasing. With stock market volatility, the pension funds aren't getting the returns. The money men of the world are starved of yield, and they're moving in this direction. "But if you want to finance it, there's no catch. I insure the risk. I take a bond out with Munich Re - so I pay if you don't get the saving." But reducing consumption is just one part of the grand plan. The next stage is to take large energy users completely off-grid, allowing them to generate their own power. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland says there are some 180 companies across the State with an annual energy spend of 1m. They account for around 56pc of total industrial use. Even taking a fraction off-grid could go an enormous way towards making a meaningful cut in emissions. "The first thing we do is energy efficiency," he explains. "We reduce your bill by 35pc. It might be more efficient lights or chillers, and there's a two-year payback, which is a 50pc return on your money. "The next thing in, for example a food company, is to figure out the waste you have, which is food. We take that food, use anaerobic digestion and produce gas. The payback for anaerobic digestion is in four and a half years. Then we install solar. If I put all those things together it means you're off grid. "Until this year, you needed a government subsidy to do this - but because solar is cheap and technology around energy efficiency so good, it means the blend works. "If the company paid for all that stuff, it could cost around 10m, or 650,000 per year for 15 years. But we can finance it, covering all the costs including operations and maintenance. The reason we should all be excited about this is we're not relying on Government subsidies. The efficiency piece is the spice, and our payback is going down all the time." From Clonakilty in Co Cork, the 45-year old father of two grew up on a farm but quickly moved towards technology. He learned to weld when he was 14, before discovering computers and getting "hooked" on writing code. In 1995, he established technology company Trinity Commerce which he sold to Eircom four years later for 14m. "I retired at 28, but then I discovered retiring was a bad idea," he says. With others, he then set up the Inspired Gaming Group which invented the digital slot machine. "Before we came along, bookies had slot machines with an average take of 200 a week. We asked why they didn't have a digital one where you could download games. So they said 'why don't you go and do it'. "We built one, and it was rubbish. The second was better, and we got better at it, and by the time we finished they were taking in 700 a week." By 2006, when it floated on the London Stock Exchange, the company had 2,500 employees and revenues of $500m. It was sold two years later. He owned 20pc. Along the way he also established 'The Cloud'. which was Europe's largest WiFi operator. It was sold to Sky in 2011 for 80m. The next challenge was figuring out what to do next. "You're 38. You want to set up a business which makes money, but which brings an honesty to what you're trying to do. We also wanted to do something which was a bit more meaningful. "We looked around at what the problems were out there, and one of the biggest was climate change which we wanted to tackle." And so in 2009, with his brother Tom, he founded Crowley Carbon and the grand plan to tackle climate change began. It set up above a Spar shop in Delgany, Co Wicklow, before moving to the Powerscourt estate five years ago. "At the start we went after supermarkets, and we were very good. We told the supermarkets we could reduce their energy consumption by 30pc, and we did. We were as shocked as they were. "Then we started working with industrial customers. Our first industrial customer was Dawn Meats - we reduced their oil bill on one site by 90pc, and on average by 50pc to 60pc. "We expanded into the UK around 2010, and into the Middle East in 2012. Now we're all over the world and across 20 counties - Bangalore, Costa Rica, the Middle East and the US." Clients include Vodafone, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Dawn Meats and Boston Scientific. The industries span from food processors to car manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, office blocks and factories. The company has done work on the Centre of Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence in London, and six 80-storey towers, where energy costs fell by 1m each. "Our team spans guys who worked with the Royal Navy for years and others who operated chillers. A lot of the excitement is learning new things, and I love that part of the business. You could be in a food factory then a place making cars, then the biggest shopping mall in the world or world's biggest building." In the past, it was people who operated the equipment, but that's rapidly changing. "One of the things that's enabling this is the digital factory. A car has hundreds of sensors, and there's no-one with a spanner starting it. But in a factory, there's people manually tweaking boilers and chillers. "Our technology C3 (Carbon Control Centre) is putting sensors all over a factory and those sensors are deciding the most efficient way to run a plant. That hasn't happened before. "We finished a project recently and 15 people didn't do that job any more. To be honest, there is a negative jobs story there. But there is a huge shortage of guys who know how to run stuff - we hire people to tell us what to tell the sensors to do. Remember too, it's said that if or when driverless cars take off, 5pc of the world's people will become unemployed." He says that selling the message about the merits of efficiency is easier now. "There's no mystery, it's just engineering, Customers might say they have no money. We say we have 400m, and it's the right thing to do, it's just irresponsible not to do it. I get frustrated. Look how cool it is - you're going to your client and saying: 'You haven't spent money, you've reduced bills by 35pc and you're going to be off-grid'. "The excuse is you need to have the government to subsidise it. You don't. There's nothing we need new to happen. It's not all in the future. All of a sudden it's real." A particular bugbear of Crowley's is the lack of ambition on efficiency in the public sector. Under EU rules, we must reduce energy consumption by 33pc by 2020. We're half-way there with less than three years to go. "Crowley Carbon doesn't do government work. Our sales people aren't allowed to bid for contracts anywhere in the world, so we're not looking for the business," he says. "But it's a disgrace that the public sector isn't doing it. Hopefully with the commitments we have made to the world in Paris, we will now get onto it. "A 2bn investment would help massively on the 2020 target and would avoid a massive amount of fines. The truth is the money is there, and the process of doing efficiency projects in Government will create a sea of employment because plumbers, electricians and others have to do this work. "The problem is there hasn't been the political will to do it. But it's all good news. It's money." Among his priorities is the Centre for Climate Change, a foundation he established in 2015, and the Cool Planet Experience which opens in Powerscourt early next year. An interactive visitor attraction, it aims to illustrate the extent of the climate change challenge and demonstrate some of the solutions. The centre is tied into universities and supported by corporate sponsors. The Sunday Independent and INM are media sponsors. "We felt that if people knew how serious the problem is, and how easy it is to do something about it, they would do something about it," he says. "The first stage is to educate every child between six and 18 years for free, to educate them on the challenge and how easy and fun and profitable it will be to fix it." The foundation partners include the NTR Foundation, Calor, Vodafone and Crowley Carbon. It will cost around 3m to put in place, with Crowley Carbon putting in around 1m. "People might say: 'It's easy for Crowley, he made money and can do the do-gooder stuff'. But we lose sleep about where money is coming from for the foundation. We're putting a big chunk of our profits into this. We're putting our money where our mouth is. We have a mission." Tony OReilly Jnr is facing down a small group of shareholders seeking his removal from the firm. Photo: Finbarr O'Rourke Providence Resources chief executive Tony O'Reilly Jnr is faced with the prospect of unwelcome legal action as battle continues over the future of the company. UK-based Richard Jennings, the leader of a small group of shareholders that has been seeking O'Reilly's removal from the company, is behind the potential lawsuit. Jennings - a director of equity research house Align Research - told the Sunday Independent that if O'Reilly is not removed by the board, he is prepared to take what is known as a derivative action. This is where a shareholder brings a claim against the company for an alleged wrong not being pursued by directors. The basis of Jennings' complaint is the disclosure to shareholders regarding payments to drilling company Transocean after a court ruling on a legal dispute. The claim would be based on the use of the term "final payment" in a paragraph in Providence's 2014 annual report which discusses payments to be made by Providence to Transocean. "The ruling allowed the parties to agree the final account, with Providence making a final payment of circa $6m (net) in March 2015, against the original Transocean gross claim of $19m (net, plus interest)". Subsequently a successful appeal by Transocean meant Providence is due to pay up to a further $7m extra. Jennings believes the case has merit and should be heard by a judge. Later in the annual report, Providence notes that Transocean did have the right to appeal the ruling but that the directors had considered that and were "satisfied on the basis of all information available to them that no provision is required to be recorded in the financial statements". A spokeswoman for Providence said the company declined to comment. The potential lawsuit emerges as O'Reilly's position at Providence has been coming under increased pressure from disgruntled shareholders. However, he has retained the backing of a large majority of the company's institutional shareholder base. The group led by Jennings had not been ruling out seeking to requisition an egm asking shareholders to vote on O'Reilly's position, but Providence's corporate broker at Cenkos Securities in London said a motion for O'Reilly's removal would be "roundly and soundly defeated". Providence is believed to be close to clinching a significant fundraising that would replenish its capital requirements. Jennings said that if a large fundraising was completed, "the story that the City has short memories has been proved to be not correct in this case, I believe the City has no memory whatsoever". He added that O'Reilly was "probably the best salesman I've ever come across". Providence shares have collapsed in recent years. Having reached 707.5p in summer 2012, the shares were 13.75p as of their current suspension. O'Reilly has deep, long-standing ties with Providence, whose roots lie in Atlantic Resources, founded by O'Reilly's father Tony O'Reilly Snr. In 1991 Atlantic was acquired by Conroy Petroleum and Natural Resources, which demerged certain assets into a new company named Providence in 1997. Mike Hogan is Enterprise Ireland director for Poland and the Baltic States It may be a bold claim, but Ireland's trade relationship with Poland is unique among non-English-speaking countries. While other EU markets may be richer and more populous, strong personal and professional ties between the two countries makes Poland easily accessible to Irish businesses. People generate contacts and Ireland has few rivals with Poland in terms of people connectivity. Approximately 3pc of the Irish population is Polish, spread across the country. Irish companies have seized the opportunity this offers, using their Polish staff to access this market, represent them and set up offices. For instance, of the 42 companies participating in Enterprise Ireland's 2015 Trade Mission to Poland, over 50pc were represented by Polish staff. The Polish economy has come a long way in the past decade. It did not suffered as badly as other countries during the recession with continuous GDP growth (3.9pc in 2015) due to large EU transfers and Poland's growing attraction for foreign direct investment (FDI) and manufacturing migration. EU funds have built out the transport infrastructure, meaning companies such as Amazon now effectively service Germany from Poland. Conglomerates such as LG, Samsung, Merloni and Philips have been attracted here too. The country is also a leading market player for ICT (cloud, ecommerce and enterprise solutions) and business process outsourcing. Over 50 Irish companies have operations in Poland, with many such as CRH, Steripack, Kingspan, Smurfit Kappa and ABP having production facilities. Many Enterprise Ireland clients export directly into Poland. The fastest growing export sector is the sub-supply of goods and services to multinationals with operations in Poland. This is simply business expansion where Irish companies with existing relationships with FDI in Ireland, extend their export footprint to Poland. But there is opportunity for firms of all sizes. Other key exports include smart farm goods and services (agricultural technology, veterinary products and animal nutrition), materials handling equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical devices and construction services. Ecommerce is a particularly easy way to access the Polish market with the sector growing 20pc year-on-year and worth nearly 10bn. And it may also be about to get a bit easier. Allegro, Poland's equivalent to Ebay or AliBaba, is the dominant player in the online sales market. It is coming to Ireland in June to engage with small and medium enterprises who want to expand their online offering to Poland, and is ready to provide sales, logistics and payments support to Irish online businesses. Allegro transacts over 150,000 purchases daily with clothing and babyware being the most popular exports from Ireland. Often this is just simple re-selling by individual entrepreneurs - so if they can do it, there is no reason SMEs in sectors like dry food, giftware and clothing could not follow suit. Conducting business in Poland is, for Irish firms, about as easy as it comes. There are 11 direct-flight destinations, the country ranks ahead of Germany and France for English speakers and Irish and Polish business culture is broadly similar. However, it is not all good news. Poland is a notoriously price-sensitive market with corporate buyers feeling more comfortable making a decision on the basis of lowest price. This is an issue for Irish companies because we tend to sell on quality and value-added criteria. As a former member of the Communist bloc, it should also come as no surprise that the country is quite bureaucratic - but this only really affects in-country operations and has little impact on exporters. Remember, Ireland is unusual in our low level of bureaucracy. Nonetheless, compared to other markets, Poland ranks as a particularly strong export opportunity for Irish firms of all sizes. It is easier to access and do business in than you might think. Mike Hogan is Enterprise Ireland director for Poland and the Baltic States To most of us who live here - and to the millions of tourists who visit us each year - Ireland is most definitely a country of great natural beauty. From our towns and villages, to our rolling green hills and beautiful sandy beaches, there's something natural and unspoilt about this land we live in. Add to this the quality of our food, the uniqueness of our culture, and the warmth and friendliness of our people and it's easy to see why tourism plays such an important role in Ireland's economic future. With that in mind, I paid a visit last week to Des O'Dowd, owner of one of the country's best known holiday destinations - Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa in beautiful West Cork. Located just outside the heritage town of Clonakilty and overlooking the magnificent Blue Flag beaches of Inchydoney Island, this is a real gem in Ireland's tourism offering. Built in 1998 and with an annual turnover of 7m, the resort is now a significant local employer with as many as 185 staff employed there at peak times. "We are an Irish owned and operated four-star hotel and spa," explains Des proudly as he shows me around the hotel's expansive facilities which includes 67 bedrooms, 14 self-catering apartments, a seawater spa, two restaurants, a bar and a large function room. The most striking feature of this hotel is, without doubt, its unique setting. Perched on a slope overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the entire resort enjoys magnificent panoramic views of the sprawling white sandy beaches that stretch out endlessly in front of it. "We recently carried out research into why our guests choose to come back so regularly to us. And what we discovered really surprised us," explains Des. "We were sure it would be the high quality of our food, the uniqueness of our seawater spa or the high level of customer service delivered by our staff. But in fact, the answer turned out to be our unique location in West Cork, our proximity to Clonakilty - and this beautiful beach," he adds as he leads me onto the strand. "While it's a gorgeous sunny day here today, the beach is seldom empty. People swim here all year round and there are always plenty of individuals and couples walking by themselves or with their dogs," he adds. I also notice a thriving surf school adjacent to the hotel, and further down the beach I even spot a group of women exercising as part of a summer fitness boot camp. Back in the hotel, we visit the Gulf Stream restaurant. Specialising in seafood dishes, it too enjoys the most stunning sea views. Downstairs, the more informal Dunes Bar has become a real favourite for those who enjoy their steaks. "The quality of our food is very important - and for that reason we source from local West Cork suppliers," explains Des. Next, it's on to the hotel's award-winning spa. Back in 1998, this became the country's first Thalassotherapy Spa (the term derives from the Greek words for 'sea' and 'medical treatment') and includes a unique heated seawater therapy pool, as well as a myriad of treatments based on sea muds and seaweed. "Our main market is Irish people who want to get away and spend quality time by themselves or with partners, friends and family," explains Des. "We are blessed with a very loyal customer base, with most of our business coming from repeat customers or those who have received recommendations from family or friends. Many of these have been coming here for years, which means a lot to us. While we do attract guests from the UK, Europe and the USA, these are normally individuals or small groups looking for an authentic Irish experience - rather the larger bus or tour operator type bookings," he adds. Des O'Dowd is no stranger to Inchydoney. In fact, he grew up only a few miles away in Bandon. After school, he spent a summer working in Waterville Hotel on the Ring of Kerry which sparked his initial interest in the hotel sector. He later joined a local accounting firm in Cork as a trainee accountant before moving to Dublin where he qualified as a chartered accountant in 1991. After a year working in the hotel industry in South Africa, he returned home to a job as an accountant in Mount Juliet. However, his break came in 1998, when Cork developer John Fleming - who had just finished building the new Inchydoney Lodge and Spa - began looking for an operator to run the hotel. It was the opportunity Des had been looking for. Together with another colleague, whom he had met in Mount Juliet, he decided to take on the challenge. At the time, the pair also negotiated an option to buy out the hotel at some point in the future if the opportunity arose. And in 2008 (at which point his partner had moved on to pursue other opportunities), Des decided to exercise the option himself and became the proud owner of the hotel. "My timing couldn't have been more off - it was right at the start of the downturn," says Des. "One bit of advice I got at the time was that Inchydoney is a jewel and to be successful, my primary job was to keep polishing that jewel. And that's what I've tried to do ever since," he adds. While running any hotel involves managing a lot of complex moving parts, running an Irish owner-operated hotel brings its own challenges. When Des first began running the hotel during the boom years, he found he had to compete with hotels funded by wealthy individuals, who were not as focused on commercial returns as he needed to be. When the downturn took hold, he was then faced with having to compete with hotels that were being run by receivers or Nama. "Today, we find ourselves increasingly competing with wealthy foreign companies who have more resources than we do," he adds. Deciding not to drop prices and lose quality as some hotels did, Des instead took the more strategic decision of focus on his target market - loyal and repeat customers. "You can't be exclusive and not exclude some markets," explains Des. "So we don't try and be five-star or three-star. We want to be an excellent four-star. Similarly, we don't cater for groups like hen or stag parties, as it would detract from our core market," he adds. Key to their ongoing success has been the commitment and loyalty of his staff, most of whom have been with the hotel since it opened or shortly afterwards. Having survived the downturn, the team is now stronger than ever before. "I take the responsibility that comes with being an employer seriously, and I strive to make this not only a great place to visit but a great place to work. Happy staff also make for happy customers," he adds. He recently invested over 500k on general improvement works and plans to invest the same again in the near future. "My commitment to this business is not like that of a short-term investment by a hedge fund or an international opportunist buyer. My ambition is to be the long-term owner and operator of one of the most relevant and interesting four-star hotels in Ireland," explains Des passionately. "I absolutely love West Cork and I'm lucky to live and work in such a beautiful and friendly place." Having experienced the uniqueness that is Inchydoney, together with its welcoming atmosphere and magnificent surroundings, I look forward to joining the ranks of those who come back again. Next time though, I hope it's for longer. For further information: www.inchydoneyisland.com Teacher Carmel Browne with pupils (from left) Rachel, Sean and Millie, showing their frustration at the broadband at their school, Melview National School, Longford. Photo: James Flynn Kerry dairy farmer Patrick Rohan with his son Liam on his farm outside Annascaul. Photo: Don MacMonagle. For vast areas of rural Ireland, the absence of good broadband is proving to be nothing short of disastrous. It is killing jobs in areas that desperately need thriving businesses in order to prosper and survive, and helping to create unemployment black spots. If you talk to those running small businesses, there are plenty of stories of employees driving up to 10 miles to download orders out of sheer desperation when their connection does not work. Some are even moving parts of their operation to Dublin because they cannot cope with poor internet links with their clients. In the local primary school, the teacher cannot use the interactive whiteboard to do sums with the children, and the principal tears her hair out trying to communicate with the Department of Education. The farmer relies on good broadband to claim his or her grants, and deal with the local co-op. The go-ahead operator cannot research the latest equipment for his milking parlour if the broadband video link will not work. "The lack of good connectivity is costing jobs in rural Ireland every day of the week. Every small business - whether you are selling spare parts or running a bed and breakfast - now depends on broadband," says Seamus Boland, chief executive of the campaign group Irish Rural Link. "If you don't have it, you don't have a hope. This means that many areas outside the Pale are now becoming uncompetitive." Currently, the Government has a plan to bring high-speed broadband to 750,000 homes and businesses, but the programme's completion has been postponed until 2022 as a result of bureaucratic logjams and technical difficulties. In the coming months, pressure on the new Government to be more ambitious and complete the job by 2019 will mount. "We could become the first country to have broadband on a nationwide scale if the political will persists," says Eamonn Wallace, who campaigns for better broadband with the pressure group IrelandOffline. Seamus Boland is not exaggerating when he says the absence of broadband is costing rural Ireland jobs every day. This week, Monaghan company Universal Graphics advertised for five jobs in Dublin, largely as a result of the poor connections at its home base near Emyvale. It also now employs staff in the UK. Co-founders Simon and Barry Murray have built up a good business in Monaghan, designing branding for lorries and vans for big names such as SuperValu, Guinness and Tayto. The company employs 30 people, but Barry tells Review that its growth in Monaghan has been stunted because of the poor broadband connection. "We have had to consider relocation from Monaghan and whether it would be better to base our operations in Dublin," says Barry. The company now already has seven employees in a Dublin office, and the five new posts will also be based there. "We need good broadband because we're transferring hi-tech graphics online," says Barry's brother Simon. "If we are trying to download a lot of data, it is a nightmare. You can't do conference calls and many of the other things needed to run a modern business." It is a similar story in Finnea, Co Westmeath, where Jason Coyle has built up a successful small business, Mr Crumb, which produces stuffing and breadcrumbs. It is just the type of company this area close to the Westmeath-Cavan border needs, providing employment to 90 people, but Jason has been so bedevilled by poor broadband that he is almost tired of talking about it. "At times we have had to send people from Finnea to Mullingar (10 miles away) to download orders late at night so that they could pick up a signal. "Everything you do in a modern business - including paperwork, orders, payments and product development - is done online." According to Coyle, there has been talk of upgrading the local telephone exchange since 1996, but it has never happened. "Every minister that comes in says there will be an improvement and then the next one comes along." The problem for the diffuse population of many parts of rural Ireland is that a home or office has to be within 5km of a modernised exchange which is hooked up to fibre-optic cabling to get a good connection. However, it is not just businesses that are blighted by poor broadband. Up to 1,500 primary schools, mainly in rural areas, are struggling to get by without high-speed connections - and teachers find it difficult to bring many features of the modern curriculum to their pupils as a result. "A government initiative provided high-speed broadband for second-level schools, but there was nothing like that at primary level," says Peter Mullan, assistant general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation. "Many teachers will tell you that they have a better broadband connection at home than the professional one at school. "At home, you might have four people going online, but in a school you might have 400 kids trying to connect, but they can't do it." The poor broadband speed causes problems for teachers and pupils at Melview National School near Longford. It is typical of many primary schools across the country. In schools where many teachers and pupils might be using devices, the optimum speed is 95Mbps. But at Melview and many other schools, the speed is often below 3Mbps. The Department of Education went to considerable expense providing schools with interactive whiteboards, the most popular hi-tech tool in education. "They are wonderful tools for teaching. You can do interactive maths and science games where the kids can come up and manipulate them," says teacher Carmel Browne. "With poor broadband, we can't connect multiple devices. If I'm using the whiteboard in my classroom, then the one in the class next door doesn't work. "Very often, if I start doing something on the whiteboard, it crashes and the kids are frustrated, and I am frustrated. Fortunately, I am an experienced teacher, so I can go to plan B." Carmel also needs to get online to download curriculum plans from the Department of Education, but with poor internet speeds, this can take up to two hours. For one recent homework assignment, kids in her class made videos of wild flowers, but when they came in to try to play them, they couldn't. "Again, it was very frustrating for the kids," says Carmel. For children, the problems are not always caused by poor broadband in the classroom. At second-level they could be left out in the digital wilderness at home. With many second-level schools well-connected, students may be given digital assignments and encouraged to communicate with teachers online. But that is not an option if there is no good broadband in the area around their home. The absence of good broadband has become an even more pressing issue now that much of physical infrastructure of rural Ireland is withering away. Post offices, garda stations, motor tax offices and banks are all closing, and in many cases, consumers are expected to obtain these services online. Eamonn Wallace, of IrelandOffline, says: "The motor tax offices are closing around the country, and everybody is being pushed to do it online. What happens if you don't have broadband?" By 2018, farmers will have to claim their EU grants online, and some worry that without broadband, they will have to drive many miles away to local libraries. It is the sort of job they prefer to do with all their documentation laid out on the kitchen table. Farming may once have been considered a low-tech occupation, but that is rapidly changing. Kerry dairy farmer Patrick Rohan says broadband has become a necessity for farmers, because most of the administration is now done online. He lives away from his Annascaul farm, where there is no broadband, and even at his home, the internet connection is haphazard. "With post offices, district veterinary offices and lots of other services closing in the country, broadband is more of a necessity," says Patrick, who chairs the Rural Affairs committee of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association. "We go online to register calves, and a lot of the co-ops send back your milk records online. "Skype is very popular nowadays among farmers. If you are connected online, companies can check the settings on your milk tanks. If you don't have broadband, you don't have that facility." Tourism is another area where broadband has become absolutely vital, enabling businesses to promote their attraction cheaply online. "If you are looking for a bed and breakfast in Roscommon, the first thing you are going to do is type it into Google," says Seamus Boland of Irish Rural Link. "If the bed and breakfast has good photographs, we look at them, but if it is just blank space and text we go somewhere else." Dave Brocklebank runs year-round yoga holidays on the Burren in Co Clare through his website Burrenyoga.com. Two years ago, he was so frustrated by internet connection in his area that he started a local initiative to improve broadband. "At the very best, I am getting 4Mbps, and paying 40 a month, while in the cities the speed can be over 50Mbps," says Dave. In common with thousands of others in remote areas, he receives his broadband wirelessly on microwave signals from a mast. "It definitely affects the quality of my website when I am trying to update it. When the internet is busy, it degrades in performance, and then it becomes impossible to update the website for a few hours in the day." Dave warns that the absence of broadband in many areas is creating economic problems, because people are reluctant to set up businesses there. "In many of these rural areas, unemployment is already quite high. By not having broadband, the Government is going to create unemployment black spots." Taoiseach Enda Kenny could be accused of incoherence in giving the responsibility for rolling out broadband to two ministers, Denis Naughten in Communications, and Heather Humphreys in the long-winded Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht. Minister Humphreys said this week that broadband was the biggest challenge facing rural Ireland. She does not have far to go to see the problems at first hand. Her own home is in Co Monaghan, the worst broadband black spot in the country, with average download speeds of just 8.2Mbps, compared to an average of 27.9Mbps in Dublin. If the parts of rural Ireland still struggling to recover from the recession are to be revived, this Government will have to regard rural broadband as the great infrastructural project of the 21st century. They need to think how our great-grandparents thought when they brought electricity down every boreen and up the side of every mountain at a time when this country was much less prosperous than it is now. As Irish Rural Link's Seamus Boland puts it: "We need to understand that broadband is not a luxury. It should be given the same value as electricity and water." Mega bits and pieces 1 in 5 people in rural Ireland who say they cant get broadband at all 25% those who have broadband who claim speeds are too slow 1 in 4 rural broadband users using connection at home for work 14.7Mbps average broadband speed in Ireland 1,500 primary schools without high-speed broadband 700,000 Businesses and homes without high-speed broadband Best Waterford has the fastest download speeds anywhere in Ireland with an average of 28.5Mbps. This is followed by Dublin, at 27.9Mbps, and Kildare, at 26.5Mbps. Worst Monaghan is the worst broadband black spot with an average download speed of 8.2Mbps. Other black spots include Wexford and Kerry, with average download speeds of just 8.3Mbps and 8.6Mbps respectively. Digicel has launched a rebrand in El Salvador after investing tens of millions in the state. The telecommunications company recently completed a 40m effort to upgrade and expand its network in the Central American country. El Salvador is a key focus for Digicel this year, group marketing director Peter Lloyd said. The investment means Digicel now offers the best and fastest 4G connectivity to El Salvador customers, he added. The brand redesign is being rolled out across all of the company's El Salvadorian assets, from in-store designs to billboards and other advertising. A new slogan has been coined for the launch: "Be the future." A range of new products and services are being launched, including a flat rate of $0.12 cents per minute for prepaid customers to call any network, and free access to Facebook. "The new brand identity is deliberately provocative using social taboos to encourage customers to challenge themselves and their thinking about the world around them," said Lloyd. "It clearly positions Digicel as a company that is not afraid to go against the norm for the good of its customers and the market in general." Digicel has spent more than $1bn on capital expenditure in the last 18 months to two years, the company's chairman Denis O'Brien said in an interview with Bloomberg Television earlier this month. He is also a shareholder in INM, which publishes the Sunday Independent. The businessman said Digicel plans to keep investing heavily, including through acquiring other businesses. Kaspersky Lab, the global cyber security firm, is joining "waves" of Russian start-ups, developers and programmers who are flocking to Dublin. The firm, whose founder Eugene Kaspersky was educated at a KGB-backed institute, plans to set up "a significant R&D centre" in Dublin and is already hiring. The agreement for the Moscow-based company to come to Ireland was sealed by the IDA after Kaspersky met with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and U2 frontman Bono, according to two sources close to the deal. "We choose Dublin because we see it as a great opportunity to access a highly qualified European talent pool," Alexander Moiseev, managing director at Kaspersky, told the Sunday Independent. "At this early stage, we don't have the exact number of employees confirmed, but we are very interested in speaking with as many appropriately skilled candidates as possible." Kaspersky, which is the fourth biggest seller of anti-virus software, operates in 200 countries and has 37 offices in 32 countries with almost 3,300 highly trained specialists. The company is in the vanguard of Russian tech start-ups and talented IT personnel who are relocating to Dublin as Russia struggles to emerge from its deepest recession since 2008. "There are waves of people from Russia going to Dublin to work with Facebook, Twitter and Google or getting contracts locally in Russia to work remotely," said Gerry McCarthy, head of Enterprise Ireland in Russia. Enterprise Ireland has already spent over 1m in bringing five Russian tech companies to Dublin in the past year, under the umbrella of its new Competitive Start-up Fund. The agency provides the Russians with support to secure visas and accommodation as well as mentoring. The fund is open to start-ups from all around the world, but a third of its 100 applications last year come from Russia or Russian-speaking Belarus and Ukraine. A new programme is already underway this year with a similar level of interest from Russia. One of the companies, InnaLabs, is already firmly established and has 50 employees working in manufacturing gyroscopes and accelerometers based on intellectual property generated in Russia and redesigned in Ireland. Retail analytics service CountBox got 250,000 and a similar amount was given to Eiratech to develop robotic warehousing. "These are not grants," explained McCarthy. "They are investments through convertible loans. This first investment is a percentage that the company can always buy back. For us, it is a guarantee that the money will go towards building something in the long term. For the companies, this guarantees our ongoing interest in their development. However, the company is required to move to Ireland, and to make its key decisions there." Constantin Gurdgiev, Professor of Finance at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a former head of the Irish Russian Business Association, said the amount of talented IT personnel leaving Russia doesn't represent a brain drain. "A brain drain is when there's a permanent outflow of talent," said Gurdgiev. "These companies retain work and investment in Russia and will develop skills and critical access to US and European markets before re-entering Russia." The relocation of Russian tech firms to Dublin comes as Ireland is about to send its first ever delegation to President Vladimir Putin's 'Davos Forum' in St Petersburg. The delegation, which plans to host its own investor roundtable, will be led by Ireland's Ambassador Adrian McDaid, Enterprise Ireland's Russia head McCarthy and Terence O'Rourke of KPMG, chairman of Enterprise Ireland and former managing partner at KPMG. The St Petersburg International Economic Forum, which runs for three days starting June 16, has been compared to the annual January gathering of world leaders and executives in the Swiss resort of Davos. Hosted by President Putin in his hometown of St Petersburg - the former capital of imperial Russia - the event typically draws hundreds of global CEOs eager to network with officials, party with clients, and do deals with oligarchs. However, attendance by Western CEOs has faded since the US and EU imposed sanctions on Russian officials, banks and companies over the Kremlin's involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The Russian foreign ministry complained earlier this month about pressure the US embassy in Bern was putting on Swiss business leaders not to attend. Ireland's participation comes as Irish exports to Russia have tumbled by 55pc due to counter sanctions imposed by the Kremlin on the importation of meat, dairy, fish and other foodstuffs. 'The so-called European Taxpayer Identification number is seen by Eurosceptics as a precursor to a European tax.' Stock photo: Getty MEPs on the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee have approved a plan to introduce the EU equivalent of a PPS number. The so-called European Taxpayer Identification number is seen by Eurosceptics as a precursor to a European tax. Supporters of the plan say it would make exchanging tax information more efficient. The document asks the European Commission to initiate legislation for the proposal. A Department of Finance spokesperson said Ireland is in principle supportive of measures to improve the automatic exchange of tax information. "If the Commission was to bring forward such a proposal, we would need to study the detail of the proposal before coming to a position on it," the spokesperson said. Also in the document - produced as part of the Commission's plan for an anti-tax avoidance directive - is a proposal to set a minimum corporation tax rate of 15pc on foreign income. "If earnings are taxed in one country outside the EU and then transferred to an EU member state, this so-called foreign income is often exempt from taxation," a Committee spokesman said. "The Commission proposes this exemption should be denied if the foreign income was taxed at a rate lower than 40pc of the national rate. "MEPs favour setting a minimum rate of 15pc - that is, if foreign income was taxed at a lower rate outside the EU, then the exemption would have to be refused and the difference would need to be paid." Michael Noonan expressed concern about the concept of minimum effective taxation to EU finance ministers. "Member States must be free to set their own tax rates and while the Directive is not directly aimed at requiring a minimum rate of tax to be charged, care is needed to ensure any text agreed in the Directive does not infringe on this sovereign right," the Department spokesperson said. The laundry detergent company responsible for a racist advert in which a black man is 'washed' to become an Asian man has apologised. Shanghai Leishang Cosmetics Ltd, who made the ad for Qiaobi laundry detergent, have pulled the ad but blamed the media for 'over-amplifying' the ad. We express regret that the ad should have caused a controversy, but we will not shun responsibility for controversial content, they said in a statement. We express our apology for harm caused to the African people because of the spread of the ad and the over-amplification by the media, the statement read. We sincerely hope the public and the media will not over-read it. In the ad, a black man arrives into the kitchen with paint splashes on his face and he wolf-whistles at a woman who is filling her washing machine. They kiss and then she pushes a laundry detergent tablet into his mouth and tosses him into the machine where he can be heard shouting in pain as she sits on top and smiles. When he emerges his t-shirt is perfectly white and he has changed from black to Chinese, which is clearly very pleasing to the woman. The ad went viral, with many dubbing it the "most racist" ad ever. However, on Friday, Mr Wang, a representative for the company, told The Global Times that the foreign media was being "too sensitive" about the ad and added that the company "had never thought about the issue of racism" during production. He also said that only a snippet of the ad was used, and did not feature the black man. Maggie O'Farrell's seventh novel opens with a quote from fellow Northern Irish writer Louis MacNeice: "World is crazier and more of it than we think/ Incorrigibly plural." These lines set the tone for the swirling multiplicity of characters, plots, times and locations that make up This Must Be The Place - far more of them, indeed, than we might think. We begin with Daniel Sullivan, an Irish-American linguistics professor who is about to leave his marital home in Donegal to journey to the States for a family reunion. However, it is actually Daniel's life up until this point - and the lives of those around him - which provides the "incorrigibly plural" twists and turns of this ambitious and energetic novel. O'Farrell is probably best known for her 2010 Costa Award-winning book The Hand That First Held Mine. There, as elsewhere, she revealed her rare ability to capture the complex nuances of family dynamics, weaving together stories that travel back and forth across generations. This Must Be The Place also spans generations, adopting a kaleidoscope of points of view along the way. We hear from Daniel's friends, his wife, his mother, his estranged children; even from more peripheral characters like his wife's former lover or their awkward assistant. We move from rural Ireland to LA to Bolivia to "the car park of a secondary school in an unprepossessing town in the English commuter belt", gaining insights into the film industry, IVF, teenage drug use, chronic skin conditions, infidelity, grief and depression. To complement this wide range of thematic and perspectival shifts, O'Farrell also plays with a variety of forms. Some chapters are framed as interview transcripts; others as phone conversations. One is even formatted as an auction catalogue (complete with photographs) for a series of memorabilia that once belonged to Daniel's actress wife, Claudette. If this plurality of form and content sounds a little overwhelming, it can sometimes feel that way. Throughout the book, the word "virtuoso" is never far from the reader's mind, and indeed, there is no denying the sheer enormity of O'Farrell's talent. However, toward the end of the novel - when we are still being introduced to brand new characters, still learning the elaborate back story of a woman who enjoys no more than a brief encounter with Daniel and his son - we cannot help but long for the voices and storylines about which we already care. Then again, perhaps anything more narrow, more restrained, would belie the sprawling reality that is life. And love. For, above all, O'Farrell has managed to convey the elaborate web of relationships which makes up any marriage; the convoluted routes two people traverse and the eclectic baggage they amass before their paths finally, fatefully cross (and, of course, the fun doesn't stop there). Apart from the domestic realm, O'Farrell's observations on celebrity culture are the most captivating; the initial rush then crush of life in the spotlight. We follow Claudette from aspiring actress to "one of the most speculated-about enigmas of her time", her struggle for autonomy and motherhood leading to some of the novel's strongest sections. By the end of it all, we are left somewhat exhausted; somewhat dizzy from the quantity of scenarios and situations in which we have been asked to invest. Even Claudette struggles to fathom "all the permutations of people who have lived in the house" - the same house Daniel left behind in the novel's opening chapter. In the final pages, however, we are allowed to slow right down, to savour the culmination of everything that has come before, and to remember just how gifted a storyteller O'Farrell truly is. In the driving seat: McCartney, pictured astride his motorbike in 1965, tried to lead the band in the wake of Brian Epstein's death. Paul McCartney's choice for biographer surprised everyone, even the writer himself, says our reviewer. Upon the release of Wings' 1977 bagpipe dirge 'Mull of Kintyre', the Sunday Times let fly a volley of verse against the ex-Beatle. It ended: "Oh, deified scouse with unmusical spouse/For the cliches and cloy you unload/To an anodyne tune may they bury you soon/In the middlemost midst of the road." The poet was Philip Norman, a music writer of some standing who had earlier turned down an interview with his former hero, fuming that recording fluff like 'Mary Had A Little Lamb' debased the man and his legacy. And while 1973's Band on the Run was the equal of many Beatles' albums, Norman had a point. As one half of the greatest song-writing team ever, and the finest bass player, McCartney had penned the soundtrack to the sixties as the Fab Four evolved pop music from yeah, yeah, yeahs to the stunning sophistication of 'A Day in the Life' and beyond. All that was a distant memory. So Norman got "the greatest surprise of my life" three years back when McCartney approved him to write his life story. Simply titled Paul McCartney: The Biography, the upshot is an 800-page doorstep. While it's surprising to learn that you can see Donegal from Kintyre, the book would have benefited from some judicious pruning - perhaps 200 pages of it. But that's a quibble that won't sit with Beatles nuts. In a book of two halves, the first is easily the best. Norman is very good on McCartney's upbringing in an Irish Catholic/Scots Protestant household. The author is best of all on his lifelong pet subject, The Beatles. The 1967 death of manager Brian Epstein was the beginning of the end for Lennon/McCartney. Lennon said: "After Brian died, we collapsed. Paul took over and supposedly led us. But what leading us, when we went around in circles?" McCartney attempted to step into Epstein's shoes, and into the creative vacuum left by Lennon's withdrawal into hard drugs and Yoko's tight embrace. Apple Records was McCartney's brainchild, as was the misbegotten movie Magical Mystery Tour. Such had been the intensity of their friendship that McCartney felt deeply hurt at being usurped by Yoko. When hard-boiled Allen Klein pitched to manage The Beatles, McCartney objected. The others outvoted him, breaking the practice that each had power of veto. Things deteriorated rapidly. McCartney felt Lennon was putting no effort into anyone else's songs. Lennon believed McCartney was carrying out "unconscious sabotage" on his songs. Filming the studio documentary Let It Be, Lennon grumbled that the project was contrived to show McCartney in charge. Lennon's insistence that Yoko be in studio dismayed the others. When McCartney sang "get back to where you once belonged", he'd glare pointedly at Yoko. Lennon taunted McCartney that his marriage to Linda was doomed, writing: "God help you out, Paul. See you in two years. I reckon you'll be out then." In 1969, McCartney urged the others to return to live gigging. Lennon fired back: "I'm leaving. I want a divorce." A yelling match erupted, with Lennon telling McCartney how much he despised his "granny" music. In 1968, Paul penned the blood-curdling 'Helter Skelter' to serve notice that he was not the 'nice' Beatle. His bandmates, his Apple Records employees, and legions of ex-girlfriends didn't need telling. McCartney's treatment of women was well-known. After his Co Monaghan marriage to Heather Mills crashed and burned, Germaine Greer argued that the feisty Mills never had a chance of enduring a suffocating marriage where "a husband who has bought you never doubts that he owns you". "The job is 24/7, no meal breaks, no time off for good behaviour. There's no job description. You do what is required, as and when, but you're not allowed to wait until you're asked. You have to anticipate the wishes of your spouse and fulfil them as if they were identical with your own. When your husband is 25 years older than you, this is a truly tall order," Greer wrote. Video of the Day Setting tall orders went back to his pre-fame teens. His first steady girlfriend, Dorothy Rhone, revealed: "He was so possessive that he needed to control everything about me - my appearance, the way I dressed, even the way I thought. He gave me a set of rules. He told me I couldn't see my girlfriends. There was no going out, except with him, and I lost touch with my friends. When we did go out, I wasn't allowed to smoke, even though he smoked." He pressed her into becoming a Bardot clone, insisting she dye her hair blonde. "It looked terrible, all teased. I hated it but Paul said it was my fault. He said 'give me a call when your hair grows' and walked off," she recalled. Jane Asher was not so pliant. She was an actress with royal connections and he was smitten as much by her good breeding as her good looks. When McCartney demanded she give up her career to fit in with his, she refused. While he expected her to be faithful to him, he rationalised away his own womanising with the fact they weren't married. When she caught him in their bed with another woman, their engagement was off. McCartney's legion of female fans admired Jane. Linda Eastman, on the other hand, was not worthy, and got the hate mail to prove it. If McCartney's public image was that of Mr Nice, Linda became Mrs Nasty. She was his enforcer, with one journalist recalling how she grabbed his list of questions and crossed off all those relating to Lennon. Unlike Asher before her and Mills after her, Linda was prepared to live that 24/7 life of subservience. Giving her a glowing report in 1984, he said: "She's at her best when she's doing you a meal at home. She cooks, she looks after the kids and she's there. ''We've got one cleaning lady. That's all we've got. If the kids are sick, there won't be a nurse looking after them. It will be Linda who is there." It is worth noting, reader, that 'Eight Days A Week' was a McCartney composition... INDIO, CA - APRIL 15: Rapper Kanye West performs onstage with A$AP Rocky during day 1 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 15, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella) Kanye West's studio in California has reportedly been targeted by thieves. More than $20,000 (18,500) of computer equipment was stolen from the rapper's creative studio in Calabasas on Tuesday, TMZ.com reports. A door had been forced open overnight, and the thief had made off with laptop and desktop computers, law enforcement officers told the website. However, heavy technology security has prevented any information on them from being accessed or hacked into, and the stolen equipment has now been replaced. Police have no suspects as yet, but Kanye's team reportedly believe that the thief was someone with direct knowledge of what was in the rapper's studio. A representative for The Life of Pablo hitmaker has yet to comment on the report. The news comes after reports suggest the rapper has threatened to sue the ex-police officer for going public with his thoughts and feelings after Kanye fired him ahead of the Met Gala in New York on 2 May. The 38-year-old hip hop star's lawyer allegedly sent a letter to the security professional Steve Stanulis demanding a public apology, noting he signed a confidentiality agreement as part of the terms of his employment with West. Read More But the former cop has denied signing a non-disclosure contract, telling Page Six, After I had finished working with them (Kanye and his wife Kim Kardashian), and my first comments came out in the press, Kanyes head of security wanted to meet me and asked me to sign a post-dated confidentiality agreement, and I refused. "That would be like putting my head on the guillotine and pulling the lever." Kanye is demanding an apology from me, but he owes me an apology for terrorising me," he adds. Read More But sources close to Kanye insist Steve has forgotten he did sign a non-disclosure agreement back in February. According to TMZ, Kanye and his wife are planning to move forward with a lawsuit if Stanulis does not issue a formal apology for going public with his experiences as the rapper's minder. John Berry, who has died aged 52, was a guitarist and one of the members of the original Beastie Boys, the first white hip-hop group which played a key role in popularising rap with a wider audience, opening the doors for artists such as Eminem, and selling more than 40 million records. The group began in 1978 as a punk band called the Young Aborigines, featuring Berry, his schoolfriend Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "MCA" Yauch and Kate Schellenbach, which supported groups like the Dead Kennedys and Reagan Youth. Berry was credited with coming up with the band's name (Yauch later claimed beastie was an acronym for "Boys Entering Anarchistic States Towards Internal Excellence") while the band practised at his father's house, a large ramshackle wooden structure on 100th Street and Broadway, on Manhattan's Upper West Side, where, as Yauch recalled, rehearsals were often interrupted by Berry's father bursting in and screaming: "Will you turn that f***ing sh** off already!" Berry left the band in 1982, shortly after the release of their first EP, Polly Wog Stew, to be replaced by Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz of the band the Young and the Useless. After his death his father suggested that he had not been up for the "rigour" of life as a professional musician. It may be, too, that Berry did not feel comfortable with the scowling punk image. The Upper West Side house was later pictured on the cover of the Hell House album of Big Fat Love, one of the lesser bands Berry joined after the Beasties. The New York writer Thomas Beller recalled paying a visit and having a drink with "a guy with lanky blonde hair". After a while, he recalled, "I recognised the man from the picture on the back of the Beastie Boy's first record, Polly Wog Stew. He was John Berry. But the face was different from the one on the jacket photo. In the photograph he had an obsessive and slightly homicidal expression. Now he looked much more laid back. He wore a plaid shirt and jeans." After Berry left the Beastie Boys, the band moved from punk into hip-hop, the genre in which they made their name, becoming a huge hit in underground dance clubs in New York, releasing eight studio albums and winning three Grammys. Yauch, Diamond and Horowitz remained the band's line-up until 2012, when Yauch died of cancer aged 47. John Berry was born on August 29 1963 in New York. After the Beastie Boys, he was a member of several other bands including Even Worse, Highway Stars and Bourbon Deluxe, a group described, mysteriously, by one music critic as a San Francisco "booze rock" band. John Berry had been suffering from frontal lobe dementia and had been in declining health for several years. Telegraph Video of the Day Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] It's safe to say that Irish film is enjoying a purple patch on the world stage, and the Irish attendees of last weekend's Cannes Film Festival found themselves suitably covered in glory. Not only did she charm Cannes' photographer pack: already, Ruth Negga is tipped for awards-season success for her role in Loving. However, a lesser-known talent provided the horsepower for not one, but two award-scooping films. Ken Loach won the coveted Palme d'Or (best picture award) for I, Daniel Blake, a film about an older man who has a heart attack and can no longer work. It was his second award for best picture, after 2006's The Wind That Shakes The Barley, starring Cillian Murphy. And when it came to the competition's Jury Prize, British indie queen Andrea Arnold won for her road movie American Honey. Arnold, incidentally, was the director of Michael Fassbender's breakthrough movie Fish Tank (she cast him again in Wuthering Heights). Both directors clearly have form with Irish acting talent, but they share another commonality: both of their films were shot by Irish cinematographer Robbie Ryan. Born and raised in Dublin, Ryan decided to become a cinematographer at the age of 14, when he, his friends and his cousins commandeered one of his father's Kodak S8 cameras and started making short films. A college course in Cinematography in Dun Laoghaire's CAD (Now IADT) only served to fuel his passion for a life behind the lens. While there, he worked with fledgling directors like Kirsten Sheridan and Dee Armstrong. A couple of years later, a momentous move to London - where "people would pay me for making short films which I had been doing for free in Ireland" - saw his career start in earnest. Cinema audiences may not be readily familiar with his name, but even those with a cursory glance towards their Cineplex will know his work. He kickstarted his feature-film career with Graham Jones' How To Cheat In The Leaving Cert (1997). In 2003, he shot a short film, Wasp, for the young and up-and-coming director Andrea Arnold called. The short won an Oscar for Arnold, and Ryan's collaboration with her remains one of the most celebrated in British cinema The Dubliner first came to Loach's attention when he worked on The Angel's Share in 2011, and later on 2014's masterpiece Jimmy's Hall. Of working with Loach, Ryan says: "(filming) is about witnessing life without being intrusive, the camera is not there, really". The secret to a great collaboration, he says, is to bring the director's vision to life. "I don't necessarily have a vision!" says Ryan. "The director drives the cinematographer, and a good cinematographer adapts to any scenario. But I'm drawn to a style I am suited to, which is naturalistic; real stories with real people that don't involve too much artifice." In 2012, Ryan came to the attention of Stephen Frears, celebrated director of The Snapper, and they collaborated on the Oscar-nominated Philomena. A year later, he was on a plane bound for New Zealand, where he shot the exquisite-looking western Slow West, teaming up, once again, with Fassbender in front of the lens. Working at close range with actors seems to appeal to Ryan. "On most jobs you're always right on top, you get friendly with them and I love that proximity; it's a comfortable place to be," he told The Guardian. "You're like a middle-man: I try and sense what the director wants and interpret it for the person." It's easy to see why the likes of Loach, Frears and Arnold earmarked him for collaboration: his is a singular and eye-catching style, eerie, and atmospheric. "Nowadays you can just grab a DSLR or even your iPhone and make imagery," Ryan is quoted as saying. "It's a question of getting your eye to a camera. That's where you learn about composition, by shooting the world around you. If you can create an interest in the everyday world around you, then you're probably going in the right direction." Video of the Day Ryan's reputation, sufficiently bolstered by his recent Cannes coup, continues to grow with every new film. Up next is Paul Duane's Best Before Death, a documentary on musician Bill Drummond. "We're filming in some pretty strange parts of the world, and Robbie is unflappable, incredibly versatile, and carries an air of calm and good vibes with him at all times," says Duane. "The key to why people want to work with him is not only that he's an incredibly gifted cinematographer, he's also the most fun to work with." Two shorts that Ryan has shot - Little Solider and Drop The Hand - are in post-production, while he will helm the cinematography for indie master Noah Baumbach's next film, Yeh Din Ka Kissa (starring Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller and Emma Thompson). The next year sounds varied and exciting for the cinematographer: sure enough, the Dubliner remains grounded. "When you look at the crew of a film shoot, which one would you like to be?" he says. "I tell you, 'cinematographer'. As Orson Welles said: 'You get in late and you get out early.' You don't do the prep and you don't do any of the post. You just do the shoot, and that's a buzz that is really addictive." 'When I'm writing, I want people to feel something. I was so nervous watching for the first time, I was watching people's heads trying to see their reaction," author Jojo Moyes says of her hit novel-turned-movie Me Before You. "When the lights come up and people have been sobbing, it's the best feeling in the world!" she laughs. One thing that's been missing from our cinema screens in recent years has been a good weepie. Often derogatorily referred to as "chick flicks" and, perhaps more accurately, women's films, sentimental movies were a staple of Hollywood's offerings in the 1950s thanks to melodramas by Douglas Sirk and Vincente Minnelli. The sub-genre reared its head again in the 1980s thanks to the likes of Beaches and Terms of Endearment, but with the exception perhaps of The Notebook and My Sister's Keeper - both adaptations of novels - we haven't been going to the cinema to bawl much of late. But all that is about to change with the release of the Me Before You movie. It tells the story of a demotivated twenty-something named Lou who's hired to help look after a young quadriplegic man named Will. Unbeknownst to Lou, she's something of a pawn in a game; Will has decided to end his life, but his mother, who can't bear the thought of her son giving up on the world, hires the pretty, light-hearted young woman in the hopes that she'll open his eyes to the possibilities of staying alive. It's sweet, it's funny and it's incredibly emotional, thanks in part to the fact that it's not just the simple story of boy meets girl, but a morality tale that will cause anyone who sees it to ask themselves some difficult questions. So, what inspired Moyes, a moderately successful novelist before this 2012 book - which sold some 3 million copies worldwide and last year spawned a sequel, After You - to write about something as controversial as the right-to-die argument? "I heard a story on the news about a young rugby player who became quadriplegic in his 20s and persuaded his parents to take him to Dignitas," she says. "And it just wouldn't leave me. As a parent, I know that I would fight like a lioness to save my children, but it's just not black and white. "At the time I had two relatives who required 24-hour care, and living with that situation, you find yourself asking questions all the time about quality of life. How do you give pleasure and hope to someone who doesn't have any, who's suffering pain, degradation and humiliation? In my experience, the only people who have answers on that are people who have never been close to a situation like that. It's just such a murky area. And as a novelist, there are two things always high on my mind - questions that have no answers, and the messy situation of ordinary human life." I ask if she's heard of the case of Marie Fleming, the Irish Multiple Sclerosis patient who fought for the right to end her own life with the assistance of her partner and was denied it, eventually dying peacefully at home. "I hadn't actually, but we have so many similar cases in the UK and it's one of those issues that I think will never go away," Moyes says. "There are medical advances keeping people alive, but we still don't know how to make their lives pleasurable and humane." However, Moyes doesn't see her work as political. "The most political statement I can make is that I don't want people to judge one another. Be kind and put yourself in someone else's shoes, because we live in such a judgemental society as it is. None of us know what it's like to go through certain experiences, so it can be easy to take a simplistic line and judge." Born in London in 1969, Jojo worked as a journalist for 10 years both in Hong Kong and the UK at The Independent. She says she always wrote stories, however, it was only after she'd been working in journalism for several years that she thought a career in fiction might be possible. "I started writing books when I worked nights. It was pre-internet, and I had nothing to do during the day! If the internet had been around when I was working, I'd never had gotten anything done. Then I'd had a baby, was working on the news desk and I didn't absolutely love it. I'd written three entire books that nothing had come of, and then finally I managed to write three chapters of a book that got picked up, and that was Sheltering Rain." In 2002, her first published novel ensured she got a book deal, but Jojo had eight novels published with a pretty steady success rate before striking gold with Me Before You. Why was this one such hit? "I wish I knew," she retorts. "I'd have done it 10 years earlier! Oh, I think it was a number of things - there's a lot of humour in it, perhaps for the first time in my books. I knew if it was too dark, the reader wouldn't come along with me, so it needed to be leavened with humour. I also had one of those rare moments where the two lead characters dropped into my lap fully formed. That doesn't often happen, and is a joy to write. Video of the Day "Also, because it was dealing with such a complicated issue, the quality of life when it's prolonged by medical advancements. I think with Me Before You, it's very easy to put yourself in the characters' shoes, but still not have a clear answer." Moyes thinks we live in a world nowadays where outrage is the norm. "Humans in social media age are very fond of declaring something right or wrong, and this book and film will not allow you to do that. It was important to have characters in the novel who were opposed to what Will wanted to do. It's a controversial issue, and you can't address it without people holding very strong moral and religious beliefs." She adapted her own novel for film, something that's said to be notoriously difficult. "I assumed it would be studio's worst nightmare to have me do it, I was just happy to be part of the process. Then they said 'have you thought about adapting it yourself?' I said yeah right! Then we had a meeting in LA, and suddenly, it was happening. But thankfully, the studio, the director and I saw the story the same way. It wasn't just me, there were other people involved and I knew it was in safe hands." The film adaptation is very true to the book. Moyes had some say in the casting, and was thrilled when Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke signed on as Lou opposite The Hunger Games' Sam Claflin. "I think they whittled it down to three actresses, and the moment I saw Emilia, that was it for me, and I really hoped everyone else felt the same way. Luckily they did - half the crew was in love with her. She's warm and funny and chaotic, like Lou." Irish readers will no doubt be delighted that in one scene, Lou is reading a Marian Keyes novel, and in real life the two authors are friends. "I think Marian is just who Lou would be reading at that point in her life. I'm a huge admirer of Marian, and it's a joy of my life that we've met for tea a few times. Her work is so smart and witty." Moyes also makes a cameo appearance herself in the movie, a la Hitchcock, although blink and you'll miss her. "I'm a passenger on the bus when Lou goes for her interview with Will's mother!" she laughs. The promotional juggernaut has been churning for Me Before You - Warner Brothers even sent out tissues to journalists to promote the movie. So, what does Moyes think of bringing back the weepie to cinemas? "It's an emotional book, so if you're not crying then I've failed. When we were filming those scenes, I was crying so much they posted it on the company newsletter!" 'Me Before You' is in cinemas nationwide from June 3 A 1,000 (1,315) reward has been offered for information leading to the conviction and sentencing of the thugs behind an appalling attack on a cat. Leah, as she has been named by rescuers, had her ears cut off. The incident in Derry has shocked and angered animal lovers. And this newspaper is determined to help catch those responsible. The Belfast Telegraph is offering the financial reward for help in tracking down the culprits - and punishing them for their callous actions. A distraught member of the public noticed that Leah, a black stray that had been hanging around near his home, appeared to have damaged ears. The sleek black cat and her two adorable kittens were later taken to the Rainbow Rehoming Centre in Derry, where staff, who have named her Leah, have been caring for her. Despite her horrendous ordeal at the hands of cruel thugs, Leah appears calm and gentle and is happy to allow her kittens to feed and her bloody injuries are now healing amazingly well. Staff at the centre will continue to care for Leah and her two kittens until she is fully recovered and her kittens are old enough to be away from Leah in a few weeks' time. Then they hope a loving home can be found for her where she will be able to forget the sickening ordeal she endured. David Wilson from the USPCA told the Belfast Telegraph that Leah's injuries were appalling. He said: "This is about as sickening a case of animal cruelty as anyone could imagine. "The pain the poor cat would have felt after they cut of the first ear would have filled her with fear and unimaginable trauma. "But whoever did this kept a hold of her and cut her other ear off, that is the appalling thing about it - it was no accident, it was calculated and horrible in the extreme. "Cats' ears are very important to them, they have an acute sense of hearing, it helps them survive and hunt but they also use their ears for balance. "Anyone who could inflict this level of pain and injury on an animal is capable of anything." An appeal has been made for anyone with information about who carried out this cruel act to contact the police. Mr Wilson also praised the Belfast Telegraph for putting up a reward. He added: "I commend the Belfast Telegraph for offering a reward and I really hope that this person is caught. The courts take extreme acts of cruelty very seriously now and a first offence can warrant a jail term of up to two years which is no less than what whoever did this should face and I hope it is soon." There was an angry reaction from people living in the Derry area on social media after the animal centre highlighted the case on its Facebook page. Among those enraged was Marietta McNulty who wrote: "What's this world coming to, this is awful. Hopefully someone will find a conscience and come forward with information." Anyone who can help should contact the Belfast Telegraph crime line on 028 9026 4440 Paul and Cillian Fogerty in Edinburgh before the Super 12 Final at Murrayfield Photo: Toby Williams It was the final that pitched the trophy-laden aristocrats of Irish rugby against the upstarts from the west who dare to dine at the top table. And though played on a foreign field, it was a battle to savour at Murrayfield as Connacht pulled off the impossible dream and beat the nation's richest team by a whopping 10 points. It could have been more. Thirteen years after the IRFU seriously considered shutting down the Connacht team and despite losing nearly a dozen of its best players in recent years to better-heeled teams, the men from the west were ready from the get-go to give it a right lash. Thousands of rugby fans had made the voyage to Edinburgh to cheer on Connacht and Leinster for what many fans were calling "the rugby All-Ireland". And armed with flags and banners, scarves and blowers, both blue and green fans from the East and the West made it a "home" game in the Scottish capital as they flocked though Knock and Dublin Airport or by sea via Belfast Port - and any other dinghy sailing to Scotland. It was a trip worth making - for those with affinities west of the Shannon. Within 13 minutes Connacht drew first blood, Tiernan O'Halloran had the Fields of Athenry ringing around the capital after some fine work by Matt Healy. Eight minutes later Connacht hearts, buoyed by the first try, nearly went into full cardiac arrest after Niyi Adeolokun went over again a superb individual effort after 21 minutes. Fifteen Connacht points on the board and Leinster scoreless. The west were in dreamland, Leinster endured a first half nightmare that may be difficult to erase from the collective memory. Tommy Bowe tweeted with considerable understatement: "What a half from Connacht #pro12final." Connacht were 40 minutes away from glory. If Leinster fans were expecting a quick response after the resumption, they were to be disappointed. The second half started the very same way with dogged Connacht defence augmented by rapid fire counter attack, though Leinster at least got on the scoreboard with a penalty. But there was a another hammer blow coming their way. A perfectly weighted kick popped up to perfection for the marvellous Matt HealConnacht were 20-3 up with the clock ticking down. Now the waiting game was down to just 20 minutes. Leinster did get over the line but referee Nigel Owens had called play back for a forward pass. It was a close call. The sporting gods were smiling on the men from west. But with a Connacht man getting treatment from an accidental clash, Leinster substitute Sean Cronin made the most of the numerical advantage. The big prop found himself on the wing and ran in to give Leinster supporters some hope. Sexton converted. Connacht 20-10 Leinster. There were nervous moments ahead but Connacht remained steadfast, dogged, determined and resolute. With just minutes left, Pat Lam left his box and walked through the stand, patted by fans, to take his place on the pitch. He knew the job was done. Fittingly captain John Muldoon was man of the match and there to see his greatest triumph was girlfriend Lorna Byrne, a Salthill girl who flew home from New York to watch her boyfriend of four years lift the trophy. "We knew we were good enough, we had belief and thankfully it came through, it was phenomenal out there. "I'm lost for words," said John after the final whistle blew. Murderers: Kenneth (pictured) and Sabrina Cummins took time out from torture to have a beer Photo: Paddy Cummins/PCPhoto.ie Ten years ago, the Central Criminal Court jailed two sisters for killing and dismembering their mother's lover. Linda and Charlotte Mulhall, dubbed the 'Scissor Sisters', went to prison in 2006 for brutally cutting up Farah Swaleh Noor, a Kenyan immigrant. Last week, a line was drawn under yet another horrifying and ghastly crime carried out by siblings. While it attracted a lot less media scrutiny, it wasn't far off the grim and grotesque nature of the Mulhall sisters' butchering. Sister and brother Sabrina and Kenneth Cummins had pleaded not guilty to murdering Thomas Horan, who had "the life strangled and squeezed out of him" at Cambridge Court, Ringsend, on January 6, 2014. The siblings, who grew up in Celbridge, Co Kildare, went on trial in October 2015, but four weeks into the trial on November 11, during the judge's charge to the jury, Kenneth Cummins changed his plea to guilty. Sabrina Cummins, 37, was subsequently found guilty by the jury and handed a life sentence on November 20 last year for the murder of the 63-year-old mentally challenged man, by which time her brother was applying to vacate his guilty plea. However, last Wednesday the loved ones of Thomas Horan, described as a "soft touch" and whose downfall was that he was too "loyal, trusting and innocent", finally got justice. It was justice delayed. Last month, Mr Justice Tony Hunt refused Kenneth Cummins's application to vacate his guilty plea and last Wednesday, more than six months after his sister had been sentenced, Kenneth Cummins was given the mandatory life sentence. A man of simple needs, Thomas Horan did some work for the Marist Fathers in Milltown, but he never needed much money to survive. In the end, he was subjected to a "protracted torturing and killing" by his attackers in an attempt to cover up a petty robbery. This senseless murder appears to be the first occasion in Ireland that a brother and sister are serving life sentences for the same murder. After being severely beaten, Mr Horan was strangled with a brown leather belt placed around his neck, suffocated with a plastic bag placed over his head and an attempt was made to poison him with cleaning fluids. Post mortem evidence given by Chief State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy indicated that the deceased, who never drank or smoked and had the mental capacity of a 12-year-old, died as a result of asphyxia. The trial judge put it most succinctly when he said that Mr Horan's "great tragedy" was the day he came across Sabrina Cummins and had his "infirmities preyed upon" by these two opportunistic murderers in his bedsit. The most unsettling thing about the case was that Sabrina described Thomas Horan as being "like a father" to her; he even threw her a 21st birthday party in Russell's pub in Ranelagh. Sabrina unashamedly shifted the blame to her brother Kenneth for Mr Horan's death, calling her sibling "very evil at times". Referred to in court as a "brazen, hard-nosed liar", Sabrina painted herself as an innocent bystander, even though it was abundantly clear that the murder was a "joint enterprise." Taking the stand, Sabrina Cummins gave evidence of her difficult childhood, with a chronic alcoholic as a father. He beat her mother and constantly rifled the children's piggy banks to pay for his addiction. She appealed to the sympathy of the jury as she described her role as a "mammy figure" to her seven younger siblings, as well as referring to the time she spent in foster homes. The dark-haired woman said she would often have to beg in the town or steal from a shop to feed her five sisters and three brothers. She told the court how later, in a four-year relationship with an Albanian man, she was kicked when she was pregnant and nearly died. "You have to imagine what effect that would have had on the psychological make-up of Sabrina," said her defence counsel, Blaise O'Carroll SC, in his closing speech. However, no amount of attempts to tug on the jury's heartstrings was going to take away from the fact that Thomas Horan, described as "kindness personified", had a plastic bag held over his face by his two attackers on the night, as he grappled for his last breath of air with his arms swinging. Hearing how the two assailants took time out of their assault to have a beer, before leaving their prey hunched over in a foetal position with a coat placed on top of him, made it all the more harrowing. In garda interviews, Kenneth Cummins tried to justify what he had done by alleging that Sabrina Cummins told him that the deceased man had sexually abused her and their sister Breda Cummins. This was entirely untrue, as no such abuse ever took place. Sadly Breda, their eldest sister, was murdered in Athy in 2010. Her ex-partner, Michael McDonald, stabbed her six times in the chest with a kitchen knife. The Cummins family had previously lost another sister, Hazel, in 2002. She died as a result of a heart attack, while another brother suffered brain damage following a violent assault when he was attacked by five people at a party. In a victim impact statement read to the court, it was said that Margaret or 'Marge' Muldoon married 'Tommy' Horan in 1977. They had a child, who was put up for adoption due to their individual incapacities. The couple separated in 2000 but this was never formalised. Despite living in separate houses, Thomas was still devoted to his wife and would walk up to visit her in her house every day in the years leading up to his death. Marge would tell her husband, who was not street-wise, not to answer the door after a particular time at night. She maintains to this day that she would not be in a nursing home if Thomas was still alive, because he would not have allowed her to go there and would have looked after her. A very telling fact highlighted in the victim impact statement is that Thomas Horan "was afraid" of Sabrina. As if taken by sheer surprise upon hearing the verdict last November, Sabrina stormed out of the courtroom like a bolt of lightning, bursting into tears in her holding cell, all too aware that she would soon be incarcerated alongside the notorious Scissor Sisters in the women's prison in Mountjoy. A female driver who tailgated an ambulance through rush-hour traffic told gardai who stopped her that it was her cousin in the back of the ambulance. Sharon McDonagh (24) then received a garda escort to James Connolly Memorial Hospital, but admitted at the hospital gates she didn't know the person in the ambulance. She was trying to avoid rush-hour traffic. Judge David McHugh fined McDonagh 100, but she avoided a driving ban. Patrol Garda Ciaran Geraghty said he was on mobile patrol and stopped in heavy traffic when he saw an ambulance, with its sirens and flashing lights, overtaking traffic. Gda Geraghty said a Ford Transit van was tailgating the ambulance. Gda Geraghty said McDonagh overtook at least 40 stationary cars. He stopped the van and spoke to McDonagh, who told him her cousin was in the ambulance. Gda Geraghty then provided a garda escort to McDonagh, at a safe speed, to the hospital. He said she flashed him at the entrance to the hospital and admitted she didn't know the person in the ambulance. Solicitor Simon Fleming claimed it was McDonagh's husband, who was a passenger in the car, who told Gda Geraghty the defendant's cousin was in the ambulance. Disputed Gda Geraghty disputed this, saying the defendant said it to him. Mr Fleming said McDonagh accepted she had made a mistake. He said McDonagh has no children, but needs her driving licence as she helps to bring her nieces and nephews to school. The defendant, of Cappagh Road in Finglas, admitted before Blanchardstown District Court to careless driving at Snugboro Road Extension, Dublin 15 just before 4pm on January 9. Judge McHugh said he would not ban McDonagh from driving. Gary Flynn (34) was last seen on Thursday evening in the Clondalkin area of Dublin. Gardai have appealed for the publics help in the search for missing 34-year-old Gary Flynn. Gary was last seen in the Clondalkin area of Dublin on Thursday evening. He is described as being around six foot one inches tall with short brown hair, and he is of medium build. When last seen he was wearing a blue bubble type jacket, blue jeans and navy canvas runners. Gardai have appealed to anyone who has seen Gary or who can assist in locating him is asked to contact Ronanstown Garda Station on 01- 6667700, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. Gardai had also appealed for help in the search for a 51-year-old man who had been missing from Longford since Thursday. That man has been located safe and well. Over 2,000 vulnerable children under the age of five are waiting to be assessed for occupational therapy, damning new figures reveal. In addition, nearly 850 people are now waiting over 18 months for speech and language treatment. In total, some 8,580 people are in the queue to be seen by a specialist. Waiting lists are most acute in Laois, Offaly, Carlow, Kilkenny and Roscommon, as well as parts of Dublin and Cork. Out of approximately 8,580 patients nationally waiting for an initial speech and language therapy session, some 2,322 are based in Dublin. HSE figures reveal 1,434 are located in Wexford, while 1,165 are waiting for treatment in Cork. Meanwhile, figures for those seeking an initial assessment with a speech and language therapist paint an equally bleak picture - with over 13,380 people countrywide languishing on waiting lists. Some 4,108 of these are based in the capital, with 433 in Limerick and 696 in Laois/Offaly. A recent report by Inclusion Ireland finds that a child's access to speech and language therapy is greatly influenced by where they live. Wexford and Donegal have more than 300 children - classified as having complex needs - for each speech and language therapist available. This is in contrast to the areas designated as Cork South Lee and Wicklow, which have less than 100 such children for each specialist employed. Inclusion Ireland has also discovered that this country is in breach of the recommended number of children who should be assigned to each therapist. No health area in Ireland comes close to meeting the suggested therapist/child ratio. The national average is 162 children per therapist - but according to international research this figure should be between 30 and 65. To meet international standards the number of speech and language therapists working in children's disability services would have to at least double from its current level of 283 to 565. According to the report, another problem is that as many as 10pc of speech and language therapy staff may be on leave, at any given time. This includes maternity leave, leave of absence, and illness leave. New HSE figures also show the number of occupational therapists employed by the State has increased by 192 in the past five years. An additional 125 physiotherapists, 234 psychologists, and 69 speech and therapy specialists, were taken on over the same period. Overall, 619 extra staff are now employed in the disability sector to deal with children and adults requiring treatment in this area. But despite the increase in staffing numbers, extensive waiting lists remain. Inclusion Ireland research shows some families are incurring a serious financial burden, by having to pay for services they cannot obtain through the public system. Tough talk: Tanaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has said she'll make 'whatever resources' available to gardai to tackle the gangland war in Dublin Photo: Damien Eagers Josephine Feehily's maiden statement on Garda management as chair of the Policing Authority caught most people by surprise. The no-holds barred condemnation of Garda failings exposed by the O'Higgins Commission was a shot across the bow of Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan from the fledgling oversight body. Tanaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, however, was not in the least bit taken aback by the tone of Ms Feehily's comments. In her first newspaper interview since taking office, the Tanaiste said: "We set up the Policing Authority for a good reason and what we saw last week was it doing its job." In fact, Ms Fitzgerald expressed similar concerns about Mr Justice Kevin O'Higgins' findings, albeit not as cutting, when she published the Commission of Investigation's report. The Justice Minister insisted the under-fire Garda chief has her full support as she struggles to face down controversies surrounding Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe's claims of malpractice in the force and a gangland war which has claimed seven lives. "It is an extraordinarily challenging time for the Commissioner and the police force and we are asking them to do a number of things at the same time which they have to do," Ms Fitzgerald told the Sunday Independent. "I think the Commissioner needs to be supported in the job she is doing. I think it was the first meeting of the Policing Authority. I think she is the woman for the job because she was selected by open competition," she added. She also weighed in behind Taoiseach Enda Kenny who was sharply criticised last week when he suggested there was little he could do about the ruthless gang warfare . "He clarified very quickly what he meant by that," the minister insisted. "Clearly Government can give resources, Government can provide the legislative framework, there is a lot we can do and are doing. There is no question of that," she added. Christy Kinahan and Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch's gangs have been proven to be as fearless as they are callous. Masked men disguised as gardai stormed a city centre hotel in February with AK47s and murdered a rival gangster. In retaliation, a spate of broad daylight murders have been carried out across the city and in the commuter belt. Last week, thugs shot dead a relative of The Monk just metres away from an armed garda check point. The Tanaiste admitted the violence has escalated to such an unprecedented level she is now concerned about the possibility of gardai or ordinary civilians being targeted or caught in the crossfire. "This is a very dangerous situation and not to be underestimated by anyone. We want to protect our police and we want to protect our communities. It is going to take very intensive policing," she said. "As members of the Dail we are not the ones putting our lives on the line. The gardai of course are in this situation. That's why we want to make sure they have every resource. The armed response unit is there and will continue to be there," she added. Ms Fitzgerald promised gardai "whatever resources or overtime" needed to bring an end to the bloody drug war between the Kinahan and Hutch gangs. "The big issue is about giving the police the resources they need to do whatever it is going to take to interrupt the gangland activity that we are seeing," she said. "It takes very dedicated resources to manage what is going on at the moment, which is unprecedented. What we have said is that the resources that are needed to confront this issue are being made available. "It means we will have a much bigger overtime bill by the end of the year but we are going to have to do it," she added. One of the ways she plans to tackle the gangs is to ramp up the powers held by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) to allow gardai target low- level drug dealers involved in the feud. Ms Fitzgerald said she will pass "zero tolerance" legislation in the coming weeks allowing gardai target all assets worth more than 1,000 suspected of being proceeds of crime. Currently, CAB can only seize property and assets worth more than 13,000 after receiving a court order. "This is about people flaunting the proceeds of drug dealing in local communities where their lifestyle and possessions are completely out of kilter with everyone else who is getting on with doing their ordinary work and their ordinary lives," Ms Fitzgerald said. It is hoped the move will assist gardai targeting drug dealers and addicts who are being kept on retainers and offered thousands of euro by criminal gangs to murder their rivals. The Tanaiste said there will be an urgent review of proceeds of crime legislation to ensure CAB has the power to target low-level criminals terrorising Dublin communities. "We will review the CAB legislation to make sure it can deal with the sort of flaunting of assets that might be at a lower level among criminals but they are totally undermining communities. This could be in relation to cars, or carrying large amounts of cash," she said. "There have always been prosecutions where possible of drug dealing at every level but we have to move towards zero tolerance models that work so well elsewhere," she added. She said dole payments and social housing benefits may also be targeted by gardai. Ms Fitzgerald said, while the gang war is "primarily a policing matter", she will be speaking to her counterparts in Spain and elsewhere about bringing criminal gangs based abroad to justice. Michael McDowell said he had not been asked Photo: Tom Burke Renua Ireland is to undergo a radical rebrand as part of a move to reposition the party on the political spectrum after Lucinda Creighton stepped down as leader. The Sunday Independent has learned the party will drop the word 'Ireland' from its name and become known as Renua - The Liberal Democrat Party. There is also a push from within the senior ranks of Renua to "shake off" all associations of being an orthodox or conservative Catholic political organisation. It is hoped the rebrand will attract a new leader from outside the party who is currently a serving national politician. Former Progressive Democrat leader and recently elected senator Michael McDowell is seen by senior figures in Renua as the ideal candidate to replace Ms Creighton. However Mr McDowell said he has not been contacted by anyone from Renua about such a proposal. "A lot of members are from the liberal democrat side but they are being painted as cold-hearted Catholic conservatives who are hectoring and lecturing people - it never started like that," a senior Renua source said. The source said Renua needs to tell "orthodox Catholic conservatives" members to "get with the programme or jump ship". "We want to attract people from the Oireachtas who are liberal democrats," the source added. Ms Creighton, a former Fine Gael minister, stepped down as leader of the party after failing to return any candidates in the General Election. A review of the party's election campaign has been underway for almost two months and a national meeting was held a fortnight ago in Portlaoise, where Ms Creighton officially resigned. At the meeting, members were briefed by the outgoing leader, Offaly councillor John Leahy and Renua president Eddie Hobbs. Mr Leahy gave a presentation on the membership's views on why the party failed to capture the public's imagination during the election. Members blamed a lack of internal communication, flawed candidate selection and failure to explain Renua's flat tax proposal to the public for the election wipe out. They also said the party had too many policies and their stance on social justice issues were not presented clearly enough. Overall, members said the party lacked a clear identity and came across as elitist to the public. There were also complaints that the party was unfairly associated with the pro-life lobby group and seen as anti-public sector workers. "Renua came across as a prickly, snarky Catholic conservative party and that wasn't the plan at all," a source said. It was agreed the party would move towards the centre right where most members believed Renua originally intended to be positioned on the political spectrum. It was also proposed more work will be done on reaching out to college students. A heated workshop debate on the party's future resulted in members proposing the name change. Minutes of the meeting were sent to around 250 members last week. Senior figures are now saying the party will undergo a "real and authentic" change in preparation for the next election. A tender has also been put out to hire an external consultancy agency to carry out a strategic review of the party. "We have to get the party ready for someone like Michael McDowell or someone of that nature who can say 'there is a 250,000 income, there is a structure in place, they are off loading the orthodox conservative Catholics, this is something I could have a look at'," a source said. Sustained high legal costs in Ireland have been criticised for driving up costs for doctors and the State. Two years after a report calling for reform of legal costs in clinical negligence cases, the UK-based medical defence organisation, Medical Protection, said that legal costs remained "very high". One case was settled for 40,000 damages but the legal costs for the plaintiff were 80,000, according to Emma Hallinan, director of claims policy at Medical Protection. The fees were eventually "negotiated" down to 60,000. "We frequently see claims where costs exceed the damages paid," said Ms Hallinan. "We have recently seen two cases in which plaintiff costs were claimed in excess of 1 million. In one of the claims, the plaintiff's bill was nearly 1.4 million, and after negotiation, was agreed at 900,000. In another the bill was just over 1 million and agreed at 800,000," said Ms Hallinan. The Medical Protection Society has more than 15,000 members in Ireland. Last week it emerged barristers and lawyers working for certain State bodies are lobbying for an increase in their fees now that the economic crisis has passed. Fees for barristers working for the Director of Public Prosecutions and for lawyers on the free legal aid panel had their fees cut by almost 30pc since 2008. Figures from the Central Statistics Office showed that legal costs increased by around 5pc over a six-month period last year. The cost of legal services in Ireland was also noted by the Troika, and by European Commission analysts who were sceptical about the reforms promised by new legislation. The Medical Protection Society, which insures more than 15,000 Irish doctors each year, produced a report two years ago showing that Irish legal fees were higher than anywhere else in the Western world, and called for a cap to limit Irish lawyers' fees to 20pc of their client's award. "Since this paper was published, Medical Protection has continued to monitor the situation and has seen sustained very high plaintiff costs in Ireland," said Ms Hallinan. "We remain concerned about the cost of clinical negligence and the increasing burden these costs have placed on both the State and individual practitioners." Claims of high legal fees are disputed by the legal profession. The Law Society has "refuted" the Medical Protection Society's claims as "crude" and accused it of making "erroneous and misleading" statements. It has said that better resourcing of the health and court systems would help avoid and reduce claims. Motor insurers have also weighed in against legal fees, claiming that legal costs have contributed to the high costs of motor premiums. The chairman of the Bar Council of Ireland, David Barniville, dismissed these claims as "unfounded." Barristers prosecuting criminal cases for the State have been lobbying for an increase in their fees now that the economic crisis has passed. Solicitors and barristers dealing with free legal aid cases are also seeking an increase in fees. The State has cut fees for solicitors by almost 30pc since the bust. 'Installing GPS tracking apps allows the person who placed the device on a phone to read texts simultaneously as the user' (Stock photo) Warring couples are now using GPS phone tracking, as well as hidden cameras and microphones, during bitter divorce and separation battles. Ireland's divorce lawyers say the "spy shop" has become a new tool in the arsenal of those determined to call it quits on a marriage. And one of Ireland's leading divorce lawyers told the Sunday Independent of a recent case, where a suspicious husband planted a hidden camera in the drawing room of the family home. He was convinced his wife was having an affair. It has also emerged wives are calling in high-level expertise to access classified company documents linked to their wealthy husbands. This information can be of critical importance when it comes to divvying up various assets. Installing GPS tracking apps allows the person who placed the device on a phone to read texts simultaneously as the user. The technology converts a smartphone into a sophisticated spying device, allowing remote access to the handset. It also enables them to obtain phone numbers, relating to outgoing and incoming calls, to track their duration, and to read emails. Dublin-based solicitor, Keith Walsh, says he's aware of a variety of electronic "tracking machines" being used by suspicious spouses. There have also been cases where sensitive data pertaining to business interests have been secretly downloaded from computers and iPads. "Very often an iPad contains text messages which, if an individual leaves the device around the house, the spouse can access it. "Messages and emails may contain sensitive financial data, as well as personal or romantic information. "I deal with a lot of self-employed businessmen, and an area of worry in terms of spyware being used, is when information is accessed about their company. "The use of spyware has increased, and serious difficulties can arise if the wife is spying on a husband's business, because other company directors and shareholders are potentially affected. "I always advise my clients to make sure they secure relevant data, and that no confidential information regarding finances of their company, can necessarily be accessed by an outside party. "A major problem is when a spouse doesn't realise the marriage is on the rocks and their partner is preparing in advance for a separation. "That's when you can see the huge use of spyware or unauthorised use of email, texts and telephones. "But any information they gather doesn't help the spying person in their case." In his experience, it is usually the wife in the relationship who attempts to gather a more complete picture of their husband's financial means. "In the main, these are couples with a lot of disposable income, and a husband or wife may not be totally familiar as to where the money has gone." Experts say one of the primary reasons for the growth of such technology in divorce cases is that do-it-yourself snooping has become relatively cheap and easy. It is straightforward to hide a camera in an object lying around the house, or mount a microphone somewhere out of sight. Meanwhile, James Seymor from Berwick Solicitors, said social media also plays a key role in divorce proceedings. "Some people create fake Facebook profiles, and then 'friend' their spouse so they can see what's happening on their personal page. "Also, most people aren't aware that the camera built in to most modern PC computers and tablets can be remotely accessed and turned on. "People think the information they've gathered can be used as evidence but the court will not accept it, particularly if it's been done in a very underhand or possibly illegal manner." Dublin-based family law solicitor, Marion Campbell, recalled a case in which a husband planted a secret camera in the lounge of the family home. "That was to confirm to him that his wife was having an affair with the next door neighbour, which she was. "But the fact that he had installed a camera in the drawing room did not go down well in court. The courts would be very reluctant to accept material that was improperly obtained." Chef and teacher catherine fulvio sounds off on the 700 worth of food that every one of us wastes each year. What really grinds me more than anything is food waste. I grew up on a farm and you can be spoilt growing up on one, because you can just go outside and pull the scallion or the head of lettuce that you need from the ground. Nowadays, modern shopping trends have changed and you go in and buy everything that you need for the week, or what you think you need for the week - so much of it gets wasted. There's a financial aspect to it: according to the Environmental Protection Agency, Irish householders throw away 700 worth of food each every year. The EPA found that 50pc of the salad we buy gets thrown out, and 25pc of fruit and veg is binned. Apparently, potatoes are the most wasted vegetable. I remember one time in a busy class in my cookery school, we had a recipe which required half of a celeriac. About 50pc of the class put the other half of the celeriac in the bin! I was perplexed by this, but to be fair when you're not in your own home environment you don't always think things through. Peelings are peelings but we use them here for compost, and you can also use peelings for making stock. Restaurants have to run cost-effectively and properly trained chefs know how to use up leftovers. Everybody eats with their eyes, so when they shop for food they shop with their eyes too. Meat and fish are probably the least wasted foods, this is because they are more expensive. Supermarkets are good at moving stock along, they usually have areas where you can pick up food with a shorter shelf-life for cheaper. Some supermarkets have a section for misshapen 'wonky' vegetables, which I think is a brilliant idea. Having had the benefit of growing up on a farm and seeing fresh produce, I understand that not all vegetables are good looking, but they are all edible and tasty. It's not just the raw ingredients that are wasted, it's cooked food too. We need to educate people about what to do with leftovers - for example, you can make soup with those leftover potatoes or roast vegetables. It's important to show people not to over-shop. I think it's best to maybe shop twice a week instead of one big supermarket trip. Have fresher food and buy less of it. I appreciate that there is a convenience in buying for the week ahead, but then your fridge is absolutely jammers and you can't see half the food you bought and by the following Friday you're sick of looking at it. The other thing that will help to reduce food waste is portion control. When we're putting on the pasta or rice in Ireland we never measure it. You're left with a half saucepan of rice when the curry is all gone! More food takes longer to cook, so it's a waste of electricity as well as the food itself. Portion control is important not only for the raw ingredients but for the cooked food too. So take the time to consider how much food you are going to need before you cook. And if you do end up with extra, find out what to do with what is leftover. Leftover pasta makes a beautiful pasta bake. Pop it in the oven with some chicken or some fish, maybe some broccoli and some breadcrumbs and a bit of parmesan. It's a perfect way to reduce the 80kg of food that the Environmental ProtectionAgency found that each of us throws out each year. To find out more about Catherine Fulvio's cookery courses at Ballyknocken House in Co Wicklow, visit ballyknocken.ie or call (0404) 44627 Dublin's Pichet recently reopened after a freshen-up refurb. Now that they've re-settled back in to their Trinity Street home, complete with a new bar and marble finishings, they're keeping the pop-up spirit alive with a monthly series of guest appearances from exceptional Irish chefs, each of them former colleagues of head chef Stephen Gibson. Each will rejoin Stephen in his kitchen for one special service, kicking off with the talented Andy McFadden who is head chef at London's Pied A Terre. Call (01) 677-1060 to try and snag a table, or keep an eye on pichet.ie for details of upcoming dates. For more culinary adventures, the Delphi Resort in Connemara is running a series of monthly food and drink events throughout the summer. Seafood lovers in particular are in for a treat, with two local treasures being showcased on June 12 and July 2 respectively. The June date sees one of the country's finest fish smokers join forces with executive chef Stefan Matz, formerly of Ashford Castle and now residing over a variety of kitchens at this unusual adventure complex. The Summer Seafood event on Sunday, June 12 kicks off at 5pm with a smoked salmon presentation and demonstration by the charming Graham Roberts of Connemara Smokehouse, followed by a five-course tasting menu with paired wine in The Chef's Table by Stefan Matz restaurant. Hosted by Graham and his wife, Saoirse, it will feature a selection of specialities from their exceptional Smokehouse. Their smoked Irish-caught albacore tuna already features on the buffet breakfast at the resort so there's a good chance you can expect that to feature on the menu, and to be given an imaginative treatment in Stephen Matz's hands. Guests are welcome to join Graham and Saoirse at the Smokehouse the following morning at 10am - a stunning drive to a spectacular location perched on the pier at Ballyconneely - though that might depend on how well the wine went down the night before! On July 2, another five-course dinner will showcase mussels, clams, razor clams and oysters from Kate and Simon Kennedy of the Killary Shellfish Company. The dinner is preceded by a visit to Killary Seafood Farm and a picnic lunch of steamed mussels overlooking the fjord in which they are farmed. Both dinners cost 95 including accompanying wines. See delphiadventureresort.com for details. Bites... Coffee & cocktails Catch the last of Dublin's House of Peroni events today: coffee roasters Cloud Picker showcase the art of the espresso, (2pm & 4pm, 15) and Federico Riezzo (above) explores beer-based cocktail infusions (6pm and 8pm, 15). See thehouseofperoni.com. Good grace The Grainne Ale Festival returns to Westport House from June 4 as part of the Festival of the Pirate Queen, with craft beers and pizza on offer. While in town, don't miss the Pasteis de Nata (Portuguese custard tarts, above) in Cafe Sol Rio. Bottle of the week O'Shea's Wheat Beer Belgian Style, 1.89, 500ml, 4.3pc Produced in Ireland especially for Aldi, this Belgian-style wheat beer is relatively low in alcohol and light in style, offering tell-tale coriander seed character without heading towards the cloying territory that wheat beers can edge into. When blue-flowered poppies first arrived in Europe from Tibet and China, they caused a great stir because poppies were known only as red or yellow flowers until then. There was the red field poppy and the yellow Welsh poppy and the vivid blue of these new flowers was a revelation. And, being so beautiful, and a bit tricky to grow, they still hold a position of glamour. There are several related species of Himalayan blue poppy which have been hybridised. The largest flowers can be up to 15cm across on flower stems of about one metre or a little more. The flowers are of a brilliant pure blue, though some shade slightly towards purple. Generally they have four petals but the first flower on the stem can have more petals and is usually the largest also. The hybrids have greater vigour than the parent species and tend to be more long-lived. 'Slieve Donard' is an Irish variety and popular as a result. It is also a very beautiful variety, a strong grower and carries a profusion of deep blue flowers. 'Branklyn' is another good variety with very large flowers. The flowers of this and most kinds normally droop a little, the flower nodding outward in a very elegant way. Blue poppies need a relatively cool climate and do really well in Scotland and Ireland, especially in the damper areas. They like moist but well-drained soil, never wet, but not inclined to dry out in summer either. If the climate or the soil is too dry, the plants tend to flower, set seeds and die off. But if the conditions are right, the plants tend to be more perennial and last longer. Even so the plants need to be lifted and carefully divided every three years to maintain their vigour, otherwise they tend to wither away. The soil should contain generous quantities of humus to retain moisture while permitting good aeration of the roots. Plenty of well-rotted leaf-mould or good compost also helps to acidify the soil and these plants like the soil to be neutral or slightly acidic. The blue poppies like some sunshine for part of the day, rather than being lightly shaded all the time. They like shelter which reduces drying out, and the sumptuous flowers on tall stems may need protection against the worst of the weather. A single plant looks good but they are best seen as a group, or drift of plants. Place them where they can be seen from a distance, or when turning a corner of a bed or flower border. Plants are available, usually in flower, and they can be grown from seeds, collected or purchased. Best results are achieved by giving the seeds a cold period, by keeping them in a fridge for a couple of months before sowing in spring. Q I have a variegated holly with a black scum on its leaves. The holly is 4ft tall and doing well but should I be worried?" I Ryan, Co Tipperary A This sounds like sooty mould that grows on the exudate of greenflies. Apparently greenflies cannot digest some sugars and these are excreted. The fungus sooty mould grows on the sticky layer. The greenflies or scale insects, which are similar sap-suckers, will eventually be controlled by their natural enemies and the tree will grow out of it. Send your questions to gerrydaly@independent.ie. Questions can only be answered on this page. Immrama (June 16-19) punches way above its weight as a travel writing festival, says Pol O Conghaile. Travel writing is "literature's red light district," Jonathan Raban once wrote - "a notoriously raffish open house where very different genres are likely to end up in the same bed". Formats range from lists (Lonely Planet's latest? ' Toilets: A Spotters Guide') to literary heavyweights like our own Dervla Murphy, whose books seem more seminal every year. Murphy, now in her 80s, lives in Lismore, Co Waterford - a tiny town that is also the venue for one of the world's most respected travel writing festivals. You may not have heard of Immrama (lismoreimmrama.com; June 16-19). Since its founding in 2003, however, it has attracted guests ranging from Pico Iyer to Michael Palin and Robert Fisk. This year, speakers include Fergal Keane and Phan Thi Kim Phuc, best known as the nine-year old child depicted running away from a Napalm blast in Nick Ut's famous photo from the Vietnam War. I once interviewed Theo Dorgan at the festival, and was amazed at how warm, engaged and informed the audience was - despite the apparently random location. Travel writing is no rock n' roll. A niche trip like Immrama will never draw the crowds of Longitude (July 15-17) or Electric Picnic (September 2-4). But that's its charm. From literary luvvies to tuned-in locals and a new generation of travel bloggers, this is an intriguing weekend in West Waterford, with an Italian wine and film night, family fun Sunday and farmers' market rounding out the programme. Raffish it ain't, but some very different people are likely to end up in the same pub... Save Expand Close Brooklodge / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brooklodge Irish hedgerows are in full bloom, which means it's time for the annual Wild Food Masterclasses at Wicklow's Brooklodge and Macreddin Village (brooklodge.com). A one-day masterclass with chefs from the fully-organic Strawberry Tree Restaurant and Evan Doyle, co-author of Wild Food, includes in-depth tuition on foraging, cooking and preserving wild foods, plus a two-course lunch. Courses run on June 14, July 7 & 21, cost 95pp, and places can be reserved at 0402 36444 or reservations@brooklodge.com. Splash Expand Close Balilogue / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Balilogue Looking for a deliciously designed bolthole to get family or friends together, or simply to get away? Ballilogue (ballilogue.com), a luxury clutch of houses near Inistioge, Co Kilkenny, has rebooted to cater solely for private rentals. Dating from the 1700s, the stone buildings are kitted out with wood-burning stoves, minimalist interiors, tasteful artwork (look out for pieces by Patrick Scott and Aiden Bradley) and Voya bathroom products. Up to 22 can stay, with prices from 120 per room (two-night minimum). A private chef is available, too. Elaine Greally and Ann Marie Murphy have both worked at the airport since it opened. Three decades since flights first landed in rural Mayo, Knock Airport is alive and kicking - but could it survive without State assistance and, in this its busiest year, can it finally show it's ready to stand on its own two feet? Aircraft now land where bog cotton once swayed. On a boggy hill top in Barnacogue, North Mayo, the most outlandish of dreams became a reality 30 years ago this week - all thanks to a visionary cleric who wouldn't take no for an answer and who described himself as "an old man in a hurry". This summer, Ireland West Airport, or Knock Airport as its more commonly referred to, will welcome its 10 millionth passenger. The impossible has materialised and, what's more, those behind the airport today are planning for expansion, passenger growth and the resumption of transatlantic traffic. This will be the busiest year in the airport's 30-year history and in the coming weeks it will finalise a deal with the seven local authorities in the west and north-west to receive 7.3m investment in the airport for a 17.5pc share of the company. On my way west, and just before I arrive at the airport's terminal building, I pull over by the statue of Monsignor James Horan. His hands reach for the sky and as I peer towards the blue an aircraft, which has just taken off from the nearby stretch of tarmac, climbs above the lacklustre clouds. I'm reminded of his simple, but effective, logic after the Monsignor waved off Pope John Paul II from Knock in 1979: "Everyone else has an airport, so why not the west? Look what an airport did for Shannon. Look what an airport did for Lourdes." That he could have delivered an airport here at all was incredible - the fact its still going strong a near miracle. Expand Close Ireland West Airport Knock / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ireland West Airport Knock Joe Gilmore, the airport's Managing Director, is optimistic about the future. "We plan to double our passenger numbers over the next decade, from 750,000 now to 1.5 million in 2026, also to add additional routes and drive further inbound traffic and tourism," he says. "The benefits of further investment are clear for the West. And now the region can take proactive ownership of the airport through the channel of their shareholding, which is exciting both from a tourism and economic development perspective. "We're also in talks with a number of airlines about the possibility of establishing regular flights to the US. The north west of Ireland doesn't have the access to the American market that other regions have, so we believe we could sustain weekly scheduled services, say three flights a week, to Boston and New York, during the summer season." But throughout its 30-year history, Knock Airport has had its critics. Built at the height of a recession, with the Irish exchequer in tatters, and funded by State subsidies over the decades, many argue that the amount of money ploughed into Knock has been wasteful - and that investment across the region to improve its infrastructure would have yielded a better return. In 2014, the Connaught Airport Development Company, which operates Ireland West Airport Knock, recorded a pre-tax loss of 536,618 before a government operational subvention. The airport received 2.47m in government funding for operational functions and capital expenditure, resulting in an overall pre-tax profit of 11,982. Expand Expand Previous Next Close Tom Neary, CEO Joe Gilmore, and Terry Reilly at Ireland West Airport Knock. Photo: Keith Heneghan / Phocus Elaine Greally and Ann Marie Murphy have both worked at the airport since it opened. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tom Neary, CEO Joe Gilmore, and Terry Reilly at Ireland West Airport Knock. Photo: Keith Heneghan / Phocus "These subsidies, which have kept the smaller regional airports open, create something of a bounty for low-cost airlines," says Professor Jim Deegan, Head of Economics at the University of Limerick. "There was a mentality that if one area got an airport, then another one demanded the same. This is what happened in Knock and, as a result, Ireland ended up with far too many airports for a small country and nobody really got a good service. The airlines suit themselves with every seat heavily subsidised by public money. We've taken a very short-term view in terms of transport policy in Ireland. Were the road networks into the west improved with the many millions we've spent on regional airports, then there's a strong argument that this would have been a much more sustainable investment. Rural development is crucial but artificially creating something costs a lot of money and isn't always the way to go." But when Monsignor Horan first ordered the bulldozers into the wild terrain to start clearing earth, stones and ditches, the bottom line was not to the forefront of his vision. He'd long held the view that Mayo and rural Ireland deserved equal treatment with the rest of the country, that it had been neglected by successive governments and the airport would connect the people of the west with the rest of the world. "He was first and foremost a proud Mayo man and a proud west of Ireland man who understood people in rural communities and the need for common sense," says his long-time right-hand man and friend Tom Neary. "Deep down, he wasn't interested in politics but at the same time knew how to handle politicians and won them all over no matter what side they were on." Indeed, Charles Haughey agreed to an airport in Knock over dinner with Monsignor Horan, guaranteeing the colourful cleric, "We'll give it sympathetic consideration". That was good enough for Monsignor Horan, though the story goes that Haughey thought he had agreed to a grass strip, and the priest led the charge cleverly using the political upheaval of the early 1980s to entice support from rival political parties. With no firm commitment given, Monsignor Horan went full-steam ahead hiring workers to flatten a 7,000m strip. And when funding temporarily ceased, he and the local community raffled off land, houses, machinery and cattle to raise the remainder. Before they knew where they were, various governments had committed millions to the Knock Airport project and on May 30, 1986, Haughey was cutting the ribbon on the new airport in front of 20,000 excited Mayo folk. The jobs blackspot of Europe was front-page news for all the right reasons. If Hollywood pitched a film of how Knock Airport came to life, we'd describe it as far-fetched but in this case fact was stranger than fiction. "It was surreal. Who'd ever think this plan to build an airport on top of this foggy, boggy hill could possibly succeed? People were always telling Monsignor Horan 'you can't do this and you can't do that, it can't be done' but he always confounded them. He didn't suffer fools gladly and believed in what he was doing," says Terry Reilly, who wrote the book and musical On a Wing and a Prayer, the story of Knock Airport. Economist and former senator Sean Barrett believes that while passenger numbers at Ireland West Airport have been somewhat turbulent over the years, it continues to hold its own. "Irish airports had some five million fewer passengers in 2014 than in 2007 but Knock added 100,000 passengers. Current growth projections of 9pc in 2016 would retain its market share," says Barrett. "The three quarters of a million passengers at Knock this year are a sign of success and the airport has coped with the recession better than other airports here. A management operational and expenditure subvention of just under 600,000 was required in 2015. The airport would gain from greater industrial and tourism development in its region. There will be difficulties ahead but much has already been accomplished." But he warns: "Dublin's scale of operation, frequency of services and easy direct motorway access from Belfast, Galway, Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Wexford will be a huge challenge to all the other airports on the island." Meanwhile, Edgar Morgenroth, Associate Research Professor with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), tells Review that were Ireland West Airport not servicing the west and north west region, the entire area could greatly suffer. "The reality is, it caters for a large area and since the demise of Galway Airport it's very important for those who live in the counties of the north west in particular. "Subsidies are key for these regional airports - without them they'd struggle to survive. But in terms of Knock, it's doing well, however, the fear is that it might be limited in terms of its potential to grow much more because of a lack of local-population density." The economic projections come and go but Elaine Greally, the aviation slot co-ordinator at Knock, and Ann Marie Murphy, who works in accounts, remain at the heart of the airport's success. The two ladies started work for the airport on day one and 30 years on they're still here. Over the years, they've worked in every area of the airport from customer care to baggage, to the sweet shop, even chipping in with cleaning aircraft on occasion in the early years. "On my first day on the job I ended up cleaning the windows in the traffic control tower," recalls Ann Marie. She's seen the airport change so much down through the decades. "All the staff are in it together - it's been like that since the very start. It's a local airport, supported by local people, so you knew so many of those using it. My daughter works here now and my mother did at one time so we've had three generations of the one family here over the years." Elaine met her husband at the airport. "I remember I used to work in check-in back in the eighties and you'd see the elation when emigrants came home at Christmas and then the sadness when they'd go back in January. The airport was an extension of the local area - it still is - and we couldn't imagine life without it. We're proud of it and its growth. It's part of us. It always will be." The Making of an Airport The 1930s: Locals in the Pilgrimage village of Knock first discuss the prospect of an air strip to boost visitor numbers Pope John Paul II visits Knock on his 1979 trip to Ireland. After he leaves Monsignor James Horan (below) decides to push for an airport. Expand Close Monsignor James Horan pushed for an airport in Knock after the 1979 Papal visit. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Monsignor James Horan pushed for an airport in Knock after the 1979 Papal visit. In 1980, Charles Haughey gives tentative approval to consider Monsignor Horan's request to fund an airport near Knock. Horan takes this as approval and commissions workers to start clearing a large site north of Knock. A combination of Government money granted during a recession, and fund-raised money helps deliver the new airport. The airport opened on October 25, 1985 with three Aer Lingus charter flights to Rome. On May 30, 1986, the airport is officially opened by Charles Haughey. In 2006, the airport re-branded Ireland West Airport Knock In 2016, Knock will welcome its 10 millionth passenger My Week: Conor McGregor* Monday: I wake up. Although, of course, I have not actually been asleep. No, no, my friend. Not in the way that other, mere mortal people sleep. Instead I have trained myself to metaphysicise; I have transmorgorified, I have metamorphisitised, I have fundamentally reimagined a way of resting my body, so that I am consciously wrestling with the inner movements of my muscles, even as my body believes it is sleeping. And while I do dat, my amigo, I am also full of the most beautiful feelings and emotions. My woman, my girl, the future first Lady of Ireland and myself, did go and promenade the town last night, with a pint of Guinness and my very good friend and training partner, Artem "The Russian Hammer" Lobov. Premium Eoghan Harris Opinion Misery media fails to give due credit to the Taoiseach Taoiseach Micheal Martin must drive his advisers mad. Unlike Leo Varadkar or Donald Trump, he never bigs up success stories such as the effect of Level 3 Plus on Covid or his visionary Shared Island project. Last Friday, Tony Holohan and RTE cheerleaders seemed to imply Level 5 was responsible for the improved Covid situation. Not so. Premium New hospital for a tenner may come at too high a price The Taoiseach is under a lot of pressure the kind of pressure that leads to costly mistakes. It perhaps explains why he has been saying things that are not quite true. Micheal Martin is in a tight political corner. From all sides hes being told he has to get the contract signed for the new National Maternity Hospital. Life is all about choices. We have only a short time here so the most important question is how to make the most of it. There is only one trip on this merry-go-round so the sagacious advice is to find what you love, and then do it. People who know the joy of self-actualisation live life on their own terms. They don't feel the weight of social expectations and stereotypes. It's particularly valuable for women coming into their 30s as the pressure to marry and have children piles on. Personally, it's not that I am against the idea of marriage, it's more that it is largely irrelevant to me. I've learned enough about life to know it isn't necessarily conducive to happiness. So I'm trying to do things on my own terms and in my own way. On Brendan O'Connor's Cutting Edge on RTE television on Wednesday night, I highlighted the fact that having a child in Ireland in 2016 has little appeal. To raise a family in the middle class and keep your job, someone has to suffer. And usually it's both the mother and child who lose out. As part of the feminist revolution, women were told we could have it all. It was our right to climb the career ladder and have babies so why wouldn't we grab every opportunity? Because 'having it all' became 'doing it all' and I saw how this played out. Babies lined up in high chairs before dawn; queues of commuters trailing from the city; fathers and mothers pulled in a tug-of-war between the office and their children. At night time, dozing kids are collected and strapped into the back of a car before going home for snatched quality time: a quick dinner then a tuck in to bed. I enunciated that viewpoint in straightforward terms on Brendan's show. I thought it was self-evident, but apparently I sent Twitter into meltdown. But then it doesn't take much to rile the perpetually outraged. I stand by my view. In a recent letter to a problem page in an Irish newspaper one mother even confessed to waking her sleeping child just so they could spend time together. I understand that many couples are slaves to bills and mortgages and making ends meet and feel at a loss. They wanted the white wedding, the family portraits, the fairytale, and now find themselves - during the best years of their lives - as slaves to a capitalist culture that doesn't accommodate family. We need a revolution in how we approach work. We should be using technology more to promote flexitime and remote working which would then enable mothers and fathers to be closer to their children. But until then, why are people continuing to buy into a tyrannical lifestyle that is 'all retch and no vomit' and at whose expense? The problem is - when it comes to gender inequality and work - we tend to focus on money and the pay gap. When we should also be looking at well-being. Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers published a ground-breaking study on the paradox of decline in female happiness. They found that - although women in the western world are wealthier, healthier and better educated than 30 years ago, and more likely to work outside the home, earning salaries comparable to men - they experience greater levels of unhappiness. Maybe that's why some of those around us are playing the system. Many of us know a woman who has had her offspring back to back, taken maternity leave then returned to work only to announce she is taking a career break. So it's little wonder employers are on guard when hiring a woman of child-bearing age. Even if it is illegal to ask a woman's five-year plan in an interview, you can be damn sure they're thinking it. And it is affecting those who genuinely want to apply themselves to their careers and are competing for jobs against men of the same age. Under an article about the issue published on independent.ie, one female commentator who works in human resources, also pointed out that in her experience "a lot of jobs are tied up" due to 'system riders'. And they're feeling the unfairness of it all in the creches too. As one creche worker explained: "I've spent more time with children than their own parents have. These children are always lacking something... And it's really very sad. I've been the one to hear the child's first word, see their first steps, be with them for all the milestones - and their parents are missing out hugely. There are no winners. The children suffer the most." On the show, journalist and mother Alison O'Connor hit back when I uttered those home truths. She asked what would happen if all women closed their legs? I had to chuckle. As if women going on temporary reproductive strike would pose a threat to the world's seven billion population: there is no threat to the human race. And among them are 40 million orphans. Part of having a child is tied up in legacy and ego - and even wanting to have someone to look after you in old age. But that's another argument for another day. Right now all I am proposing is that, rather than turn to single childless women and ask 'why aren't you having children' perhaps it would be more pertinent to ask 'what would happen if more Irish men and women took greater responsibility in their decision to procreate?'. If they stopped to consider the sacrifices they would have to make - a move outside of the capital, part-time work, less children in their brood - to provide a child with a good life rather than throwing another soul into the furnace of capitalism perhaps then, and only then, we would see a kinder, gentler more compassionate parenting culture in Ireland today. A few months ago Labour emerged from five years in a coalition government. We lost heavily in the General Election. We have just concluded a leadership selection. One thing all those events have in common is that they are in the past. The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there. Instead, I want to look to Labour's present and future - to outline a roadmap that our elected representatives, members and supporters can rally to and work for. The short-term context is that of a powerless please-everyone, populist government, remotely controlled by Fianna Fail. The longer term political future is in a society that is profoundly disillusioned by politics and where old certainties of class politics - once a reliable guide to party allegiances - are blurred or gone completely. I am not jettisoning the past completely. It is still a source of inspiration and, sometimes, of political lessons for Labour. It is a source of pride to me that our party was founded in the town of Clonmel, in my own county, in 1912. I am proud of Labour's distinctive contribution to the Decade of Freedom 1913-23 and of our many achievements in government over decades. But the past is not a basis for a progressive political party to prosper on. We must rapidly develop realistic, concrete policies that will benefit significant groups of people now and in the future. Historians can judge the past. Politicians must deal with the present and the future. In the end, all political decisions are based on economic interest. The Celtic Tiger years shrouded that fundamental truth. In a market-driven, liberal, EU economy such as Ireland, there are still 'Haves' and 'Have Nots'. There are economic winners and losers. The people who are losing out in our society are easy to identify - those who cannot afford to buy a modest home or those who have no home at all; the ill people waiting interminably in our A&Es only to end up on trolleys; those who barely get by in our small towns, villages and rural communities; those hard-working families who struggle day in and day out to meet their bills. The Haves we know too. They include the bankers unscathed by the economic collapse, the vulture funds, rack-renting landlords, employers who exploit workers on 'zero hour' contracts and low pay, and those who deny workers trade union rights. It is no big deal to figure out where Labour needs to be in that perennial contest. Labour must stand - and work - on the side of the Have Nots against the Haves. Labour cannot be a catch-all party that pretends to represent everyone equally. This distinctive stance must be the strategic template through which we devise our policies for the future, as well as evaluating Government policies and the stances of other political parties. In five years of government, spent struggling to fix an economy and lives shattered by Fianna Fail, we lost sight of that political touchstone. Labour must respond, too, to the legitimate right and aspiration of the Have Nots to a better way of life. We will develop practical policies that help them to do this - new policies of equality in education, work, pay, taxation (a progressive system that rewards work and enterprise but where those who are rich enough to pay more, do so). We need to expand the tax base away from its over-reliance on taxes on work. We need to tackle the hidden taxes on workers and their families, like the excessive cost of childcare. We need to make it worthwhile for people to choose work over welfare, maintaining their earnings above a minimum threshold of decency. Working people and their families need to be got back - and soon - to a space where they can afford a family meal out, a good summer holiday, where they have equality of access to education and health care and can afford to change the car every few years instead of hanging on to a clapped out banger. These are small, simple things that transform lives. There must be a premium on work. Work must pay and in a currency that is a better standard of living and greater opportunity. Workers should again be ambitious for a better future. The key change for us now must be not only to stand, and fight, for these new, progressive policies but not to compromise on them either - even for the sake of gaining political office. Nor should we repeat the past error of trading economic objectives in government for the sake of gains on a liberal agenda, important though that is. Politics is about making decisions on competing priorities. For Labour, though, and into the foreseeable future, the priorities must now be economic. Bread on the table first, that is what the Have Nots want. Ultimately, Labour needs to be in government if we are to implement our policies. However, we must break with the old pattern of getting into government by diluting our policies down to a common dominator with our larger, right wing partners - resulting in a programme for government that fails to meet the needs of the Have Nots. It is not worth going into government unless a large, distinctive section of Labour policies is implemented in full and visibly. We achieved much in the last government - a higher minimum wage, stronger bargaining rights for workers, taking USC off the backs of 330,000 low paid workers - but were these policies visible enough? We need to bargain harder with prospective partners based on our mandate. If we are needed to form a government then it cannot be formed without us and should not be unless we get clear, distinctive policies agreed that favour the Have Nots over the Haves. We also need to be even-handed in our stance towards Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. It is not enough to just write them off as Civil War parties that should amalgamate. We need to look for the subtle, nuanced differences in their economic policies and exploit these to the advantage of the people we represent. We need to kill off the expectation that it will always be coalition with Fine Gael. It may not always be. Working on these lines, we can overcome the past and build a better future for the Have Nots. That is what I am committed to. Actor Mickey Rourke has described Johnny Depp as "not a violent guy" following his estranged wife's claims he hit her in the face with an iPhone. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor's wife of 15-months, actress Amber Heard, filed for divorce on Thursday (26May16), and a day later she requested a domestic violence restraining order against the 52-year-old. A photo of the 30-year-old sporting what appears to be a bruise on her right eye was submitted as evidence along with her request, after she claimed Johnny threw his iPhone at her on Sunday (21May16) during a row. A domestic violence restraining order is a court order that helps protect people from abuse or threat of abuse, and while Johnny's rep was quick to deny any wrongdoing, the actor's Once Upon a Time in Mexico co-star Mickey, 63, has also leaped to his defence. Expand Close Actress Amber Heard leaves Los Angeles Superior Court court on Friday / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Actress Amber Heard leaves Los Angeles Superior Court court on Friday "He doesnt seem like a very violent man to me," he told TMZ on Saturday. Hes always been like really low-key and gentleman(ly). Not a violent guy. I think hes a really good guy. Always been low-key, (a) gentleman. Mickey wasn't the only friend and former co-star to come out in support of Johnny, as British actor Paul Bettany also took to Twitter on Saturday to stand by his pal. Expand Close Paul Bettany / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Paul Bettany "known Johnny Depp for years and through several relationships," he began. "He's the sweetest, kindest, gentlest man that I've ever known. Just saying." Johnny and Paul, 45, worked together on 2015 flop Mortdecai, but after facing a barrage of criticism from Twitter users following his post, the star typed another message trying to defend himself. Expand Close Actor and former boxer Mickey Rourke / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Actor and former boxer Mickey Rourke Read More "All I'm saying-Domestic violence is a serious allegation," he added. "Trial by twitter is unhelpful. Let the facts come out before rushing to judgment". However, TMZ obtained the legal papers filed by Amber, which claim the iPhone incident was just the latest in a string of aggressive outbursts from the Edward Scissorhands star. Video of the Day She also asserts she didn't see her husband for a month after he showed up at her birthday party "inebriated and high" in April. Read More She says they argued after guests left and he threw a bottle of champagne at the wall and a wine glass at her. Amber also claims he grabbed her by the shoulders and the hair and pushed her to the floor. But a statement issued by Johnny's spokesperson on Thursday (26May16) read: "Given the brevity of this marriage and the most recent and tragic loss of his mother, Johnny will not respond to any of the salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies about his personal life. Hopefully the dissolution of this short marriage will be resolved quickly." A gunman and at least one other person are dead after a shooting in Houston, Texas. Police said there were two armed suspects involved. One was killed and the second was wounded and taken to a hospital. The second person killed was found inside a vehicle. Authorities had urged residents of the west side neighbourhood to remain in their homes amid reports of a man firing a weapon. At least one motorist told Houston television station KHOU his pick-up truck was hit by a bullet that went through a door. Authorities have blocked several streets in the area to keep traffic out. Police said there is an active investigation on the scene. A 7-year-old boy is being praised for bravely fighting back when a masked gunman tried to grab him. The boy was picking out a toy in a GameStop store when two armed robbers entered. His parents were in another part of the store and were ordered onto the floor behind the cash desk when one of the gunmen tried to grab him. Surveillance footage shows the youngster swing at one of the gunmen, holding a Yoshi toy in his hand, before being dragged behind the desk with his parents. He punched him, his father told The Washington Post. Two left hooks while holding the Yoshi doll. His parents were unaware that their son had tried to tackle the robber until after the incident which saw the suspects leave unidentified. Of course, we think our son is brave and a strong kid, the man told Fox 5. But we didnt exactly know why and when we saw the tape, we saw why. Because he saw somebody who was a stranger, who seemed most dangerous to him and he tried to defend himself. I think it was his natural instinct taking over there. The boy and his parents had been returning from dinner in a Japanese restaurant when they decided to treat their son to a Yoshi toy, a character from the Super Mario games. The manager of the store gave the boy the Yoshi toy for free for the bravery of his actions. The incident occurred in Silver Spring, Washington on Friday. The boy and his parents are not named as the assailants are still at large. Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces gather ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Fallujah (AP) Iraq's special forces troops have surrounded Fallujah ahead of an operation to retake the Islamic State-held city west of Baghdad. The Iraqi government teamed up with paramilitary troops to launch a large-scale offensive, backed by aerial support from the US-led coalition, to dislodge militants from IS, also known as Daesh, from Fallujah last week. The city, about 40 miles west of Baghdad, is one of the last major IS strongholds in Iraq. The extremist group still controls territory in the country's north and west, including Mosul, Iraq's second largest city. The last battalion from Iraq's Special Forces Service arrived at dawn on Sunday at the Tariq Camp outside Fallujah. Troops have recaptured 80% of the territory around the city since the operation began and are currently battling IS to the north-east as they seek to tighten the siege ahead of a planned final push into the city centre. Soldier Ali al-Shimmari said: "I'm totally ready for it. I phoned my family in the morning and asked them to pray for me to get back safe to them. I'm determined to end Daesh." The militants, meanwhile, launched an attack on Sunday on the town of Hit, 85 miles west of Baghdad, which was recaptured by government troops last month. A military officer said the extremists entered three neighbourhoods and were engaged in heavy clashes with Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes. By afternoon, the forces managed to push the militants out from two neighbourhoods, while fighting continued in another. Fallujah, which saw some of the heaviest fighting of the 2003-2011 military intervention, was the first city in Iraq to fall to IS. The extremists seized control of Fallujah in January 2014, six months before they swept across northern and western Iraq and declared a caliphate. The vintage P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft being placed on a heliport pier after it was removed from the Hudson River (AP) Air show pilots performed an aerial salute to a comrade who died after his Second World War-era plane plunged into a New York river. The P-47 Thunderbolt crashed on Friday night during a promotional flight for the American Airpower Museum on Long Island, which is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the P-47 this weekend. The plane's pilot, William Gordon, 56, of Key West, Florida, was a veteran air show pilot with more than 25 years of experience. New York City police scuba divers recovered his body from the wreckage of the downed aircraft on Friday night, about three hours after the accident. As bagpipes played in the background on Saturday, pilots flew over the museum in an aerial salute known as a "missing man formation" in a tribute honouring Mr Gordon. Scott Clyman, flight operations pilot for the American Airpower Museum, called Mr Gordon "an extraordinary pilot who understood the powerful message our aircraft represent in telling the story of American courage and valour". He told fellow mourners at a service on Saturday that Mr Gordon had always been fascinated by Second World War fighter planes "and he quickly demonstrated the skill to master these demanding aircraft". Promotional material for a Key West air show last month said Mr Gordon was an "aerobatic competency evaluator" who certified performers to perform low-level aerobatics. The single-seat P-47 crashed on a part of the Hudson River near where a US Airways commercial jet carrying 155 people splash-landed safely in 2009 in what became known as the Miracle on the Hudson. The plane was pulled from the water and loaded on to a barge on Saturday before it was taken to a heliport in lower Manhattan, where experts from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will examine it as part of their investigation. The aircraft, which went down around 7:30pm local time on Friday, was among three planes that had departed from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, on Long Island, just east of New York City. The other two aircraft returned to the airport and landed safely. A witness to the crash, Hunter College student Siqi Li, saw smoke spewing from the plane and thought it was doing a trick. The P47-Thunderbolts were the heaviest single-engine fighter planes used by Allied forces in the Second World War. They first went into service in 1942, with the 56th Fighter Group based on Long Island. Poll: Vote for the Week 9 AIM football athlete of the week Vote here for the Week 9 Anderson-Independent Mail high school football athlete of the week. S H Kelkar and Company, the largest Indian origin Fragrance and Flavours Company in India, has announced its financial results for the quarter & year ended March 31, 2016.Total Income grew by 10.9% to Rs. 927 crore from Rs. 836 croreEBITDA improved by 23.8% to Rs. 164 crore from Rs. 132 croreEBITDA margin stood at 17.6%, up by 180 bpsProfit Before Tax and Extraordinary Items increased by 42% to Rs 120 crore from Rs 84 croreProfit After Tax came in at Rs. 80 crore compared to Rs. 70 crore, up 13.9%Net Operating Profits after Tax (before sale of property and prior period tax credit) was up 44% to Rs. 80 crore from Rs. 56 croreCash Profit increased by 9.9% to Rs. 110 crore from Rs. 100 croreThe Company had declared an interim dividend of Rs. 1.50 per share (Face Value of Rs. 10 per share) resulting in a cash outflow of Rs. 26 crore for dividend payment including tax, amounting to a dividend payout ratio of 32.5% for FY2016Q4 FY2016 performance overview compared with Q4 FY2015Total Income grew by 12.9% to Rs. 266 crore from Rs. 236 croreEBITDA increased by 35.4% to Rs. 50 crore from Rs. 37 croreEBITDA margin increased by 320 bps to 19%Profit Before Tax and Extraordinary Items grew by 81.6% to Rs. 41 crore from Rs. 23 croreProfit After Tax was up 24.6% at Rs. 26 crore compared to Rs. 21 croreCash Profit improved by 13.5% to Rs. 110 crore from Rs. 100 croreNet Operating Profits after Tax (before sale of property and prior period tax credit) grew by 53.6% to Rs. 26 crore from Rs. 17 croreKey DevelopmentsIntegration of Hi-Tech Technologies (HTT) acquisition comprising of Flavours Division progressing wellExecuted a Business Transfer Agreement with HTT for acquisition of its Flavours Division for a total consideration of Rs. 25.1 croreShifted production to the Companys facility in Vashivali, Maharashtra expect overall integration to be complete by Q1 FY17Acquisition in-line with the Companys plan to pursue strategic acquisitions to grow the Flavours business HTT acquisition to almost double the Companys domestic Flavour market shareMaintenance shutdown of the manufacturing facility at Barneveld, Netherland concludedConducted a maintenance shutdown of the Companys Fragrance Ingredients facility in April 2016 included a comprehensive recalibration of Plant & Machinery and maintenance of infrastructure like underground storage tanks. This overhaul is expected to improve productivity going forwardThe four week shutdown was part of best practices and undertaken every 15 years with the last one conducted in the year 2000. This shutdown is distinct from the annual maintenance program which is less comprehensive and hence, less time consumingAcquired Rasiklal Hemani Agencies Pvt Ltd (RHAPL) during the quarter agent in the Northern Region for the Companys fragrancesAcquired 100% of share capital of RHAPL at Book Value valued at Rs. 28.2 crore as on 31st March 2016. Further, an amount of Rs. 5 crore paid by way of Goodwill. Payback of 2-3 years expected through cost optimization.To help consolidate the Companys leadership position in India as it expands the marketing and sales team to address the growing requirements of customers. Directly manage customer relationships in the Northern RegionCommenting on the results, Mr. Kedar Vaze, Chief Executive Officer and Director at SH Kelkar and Company said, We are pleased to report solid financial and operational performance in both Fragrance and Flavours businesses driven by improved realizations and volumes. As our business grows going forward, we expect to witness notable operating leverage which should enable us to further improve our operational performance.Domestic FMCG industry has been facing some headwinds, however demand is anticipated to pick-up with good monsoons this year. Our endeavor is to sustainably outperform the industry growth rate on the back of our leadership position, comprehensive product portfolio, diverse customer base, and focus on innovation & R&D. Given our strong balance sheet and robust free cash flow generation, we continue to pursue strategic initiatives that we believe will generate significant value to all stakeholders. Maruti Suzuki will proactively and voluntarily recall 75,419 Baleno cars (petrol and diesel), manufactured between August 3, 2015 and May 17 this year to upgrade the airbag controller software. (BL) United Spirits had written off Rs5.66bn in connection with the recovery of funds that were diverted from the company and its subsidiaries to Vijay Mallya-led UB Group firms, including defunct Kingfisher Airlines. (BS) SpiceJet expanded its premium lounge service to three more domestic airports including Varanasi. (ET) Torrent Pharma is in advanced talks to buy bulk drugs supplier Glochem Industries for about Rs3bn. (ET) Novartis said its board of directors has unanimously approved a buyback proposal for the purchase of the companys shares at Rs. 760/shr. (BL) Lupin announced that the US Food and Drugs Administration has cleared its facilities at Mandideep and Aurangabad following its audit. (BS) Strides Shasun has received approval from the US health regulator for anti-biotic and anti-protozoal tablets Metronidazole. (ET) Hindustan Petroleum Corproation (HPCL) has received clarity from the central government to clear its USD23mn oil dues to Iran. (BL) The government has constituted a committee to look into the sharp rise in non-performing assets of state-run power sector financiers, Power Finance Corp (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corp (REC), over the last financial year. (ET) Jubilant Life Sciences (JLS) announced a USD180mn out-licensing pact with Checkpoint Therapeutics Inc for a family of patented compounds to be developed for cancer treatment. (ET) Jaypee Infratech has announced that it has defaulted to the interest payments to Indian banks to the tune of Rs1.93bn and Rs3.00bn to Life Insurance Corporation of India in repayment of principal amount. (BS) Bajaj Auto will invest Rs5.75bn this fiscal, a major chunk of which will be used for launch of new products. (BS) The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has subpoenaed Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, seeking information about the pricing and marketing of the generic drugs it sells in the United States. (BS) With a focus to increase business in the automotive paints segment, Berger Paints has restructured this line where it has transferred the passenger cars and three-wheelers division to its subsidiary while retaining the two-wheeler and commercial cars paints business. (BS) Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) plans to raise Rs140-150bn through domestic bonds to fund its capital expenditure plans. (BS) A French girl debuted in Anurag Kashyap's DevD as a controversial teenager caught in the web of immature reflexes but little did we know that she was here to stay. Yes, were talking about Kalki Koechlin. After DevD, her choice of films made everyone wonder what she is trying to achieve. While many of her contemporaries were running behind big banners and already established directors, Kalki turned heads with performances like Shanghai, Margarita with a straw, The Girl in yellow boots and much more. She is the girl we fell in love with. How can we forget her powerful poem on how media treats women? Her powerful self-written poem titled 'The Printing Machine' which took a satirical dig at newspapers, magazines, social media and textbooks won hearts of many (Including Bill Gate's wife Melinda Gates!) Her interviews and social media accounts are a proof that she loves to speak with any filter. She isnt conscious of her image. In a recent interview with HT, Kalki spilled the beans on working with Naseeruddin Shah, how 30s feels like and why she will never endorse fairness creams. Yes, she just gave us many more reasons to love her way more than we usually do. Read on! 1. While there are actors who take up endorsements for the heavy fee that comes along, Kalki always had a different stand on it. Remember once she said that she would never endorse fairness creams? Here's another perfect response! Twitter "I dont think there is anything wrong with being fair, but it has become such an obsession in our country that it is all we look for in beauty. There are so many stunning people who are dark-skinned and it should be celebrated. I would love to have a product that makes me darker." 2. Many actresses have time and again spoken about feminism and yes, they've always missed the main point! However, Kalki is an exception. She said: "Feminism is the crazy idea that men and women are equal. If you are doing the same job that a man is doing, you should be paid the same amount of money. I dont know why it has become so politicised; today, if you are a feminist, you are a man-hater. It is very important to understand that men should be feminists as well. This is because we live in a patriarchal world. If we lived in a matriarchal society where women ruled the world, we would need meninists. And I would be a meninist. But right now the balance of power is the other way women need more attention and that is why we need to address it." 3. Stating the difference between being spiritual and being an atheist, she said, "I am probably spiritual in the sense that I do believe there is more to life than what we see. I have grown up with Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. I went to a Christian school, grew up in a family that was spiritual and Buddhist, and Hinduism was also a part of my life because of the families living around us. The philosophy behind religion is to reach God. When it becomes politicised, it becomes about how you should dress, what you should say and do. Once you go past religion, it becomes spirituality." 4. Talking about playing a lesbian in Margarita with a straw , Kalki revealed her fears that were attached while playing the role. "When I look at a script, I think of it emotionally. The political issues whether gay rights or disability or sexuality come later. If I can stand up for a story, if I can understand it, be excited by it, then I dont mind that its a risky subject or one that is not explored often. For me, the scary part is getting the authenticity of such a character right." 5. While many just dream of working with Naseeruddin Shah, Kalki shared her experience of working with him in their critically acclaimed film Waiting ! Drishyam films "He loves to communicate a lot of things, discuss characters, and do rehearsals, but on the day of the shoot he will do something totally different. He can be very spontaneous, which keeps you on your toes. It is like somebody is going to throw a ball, but you dont know in which direction and you have to be ready to catch it." 6. How does it feel like to be in '30's? Kalki had the most epic response! She said: "In your 20s, you are worried about body issues, your weight, how you are dressed. In your 30s, youre like oh my god, I am getting old. I am going to enjoy everything." In line with upcoming World Yoga Day celebrations, the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) has suggested corporate houses to encourage yoga sessions at office. flickr matthewragan According to an India Today report, the ministry requested corporates to also take part in the Yoga Day (June 21) session, and start a mandatory 30-minute yoga break for employees. kimsinyoga "We have invited all corporate houses to participate in Yoga Day this year because employees in the corporate sector face a lot of stress. It will be a good opportunity for them to release their stress with yoga. Also, we have written to corporate bodies like the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India for releasing a circular in corporate offices associated with them to include a 30-minute mandatory yoga programme for their employees," said Anil Kumar Ganeriwala, Joint Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH. sufey8 "AYUSH ministry is ready to provide with all the necessary help to the corporate sector as and when required. We have realised that employees working in the private sector are very stressed, especially in metropolitan cities. They are always under pressure be it because of their long working hours, sitting postures or travelling time. They need to be rejuvenated and yoga can be the answer for them," he said. In this 'Year of Mercy' as declared by Pope Francis, a Kerala bishop of the Pala Diocese is donating his kidney to a Hindu man. Mar Jacob Murickan, who is an Auxiliary Bishop, will donate his organ to E Sooraj, a thirty-year-old man who belongs to a Hindu family with limited means. Sooraj has been struggling with a failed kidney for the past one and a half years. But divine intervention came when bishop Jacob volunteered to donate his kidney and in doing so, became the first serving bishop to offer his organ while being alive. jentytharian.blogspot.com Sooraj has been on dialysis for over a year. While speaking to NDTV in an interview, Sooraj said, "I started taking treatment only when the situation got really bad about one and a half years back. Now, I have come to know that a bishop is donating his kidney for me. For me it's nothing less than God's intervention." For the bishop, he wanted to do something substantial and back his sermons with real deeds. "I have no anxiety about the surgery. It is only a simple sacrifice for a fellow being. We cannot ask another person to donate an organ. Only by allowing harvesting an organ from our body can we become a model for others," he said, reports Indian Express. Scroll The inspiration behind this effort was Father Chiramel, the chairman of Kidney Federation of India, who told the bishop about Sooraj's condition. Fr Chiramel is also the first Indian priest to have donated his kidney before starting the federation. The surgery has been scheduled for June 1 and will take place at Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi. It was at this hospital where the bishop underwent medical examinations and got a clearance for donating his kidney. In this 'Year of Mercy' as declared by Pope Francis, a Kerala bishop of the Pala Diocese is donating his kidney to a Hindu man. Mar Jacob Murickan, who is an Auxiliary Bishop, will donate his organ to E Sooraj, a thirty-year-old man who belongs to a Hindu family with limited means. Sooraj has been struggling with a failed kidney for the past one and a half years. But divine intervention came when bishop Jacob volunteered to donate his kidney and in doing so, became the first serving bishop to offer his organ while being alive. 1. Only 3 Feet Under The Thar Desert, Indian Soldiers Are Finding A Constant Supply Of Water bccl While many parts of the country are reeling under acute crisis of drinking water, finding water by digging just 2 to 3 feet in Thar desert is nothing short of a miracle. An oasis amid the sand dunes in Shahgarh Bulge in Jaisalmer district having wells and pond is quite evident of the unfathomable phenomenon. 2. After Losing Everything At The Stock Market, Man Loses Wife In IPL Betting! intoday.in http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/after-losing-everything-at-the-stock-market-man-loses-wife-in-ipl-betting-255850.html Just like the Mahabharata in which Yudhisthira lost his wife, Draupadi, who was put at stake in a gambling game, a man from Govind Nagar area put his wife at stake in an IPL betting game and lost her. The matter came to light after her husband's fellow gamblers began harassing her, prompting her to approach the local police with the help of social activists. 3. ISRO Plans To Launch A Record Breaking 22 Satellites In A Single Launch In June! isro.gov.in ISRO said it will launch a record 22 satellites in a single mission next month. ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar said: "After the current reusable launch vehicle, the next experiment what we have to do we have to worry about that. Other than that, next month we have a launch where we will be launching about 22 satellites. Also one of a cartographic series satellite will be launched." 4. Africans in Punjab Are Doing Bhangra And Singing Patiala Peg To Fight Racism Punjab has seen one of the region's most brutal attacks on a Burundi boy - Yannick Nizhanga - who, after being thrashed by a group of 10 youngsters in April 2012, slipped into a coma for two years and passed away in 2014 in Burundi. A change in attitude is evident in the comments that follow the Youtube video of five African students dancing Bhangra and singing "Oh tu te aakheya bhull geya hun, Hor kisey te dull geya hun..." from the Daljit Dosanjh hit, Patiala Peg. The comments show that many Punjabis are proud to see the students adopt their language. 'Ehi gallan tan proud feel karvoundian aaa.....that we are Punjabi. Chalo shukkar ee (It is such talk that makes us feel proud about being Punjabi. Thank god)', says one comment. 'Veere sach gal bolti (Brother, you speak the truth)', agrees another. 5. Pakistan Has Banned ALL Condom Ads Because They Think Their Kids Will Get Curious About Sex Let's add to the list of logical things Pakistan doesn't believe in - safe sex. The nation has banned TV and radio advertisements featuring contraceptive products, afraid that kids will learn about sex, even if it is safe sex, local media reported. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) said this was a response to complaints from parents. "(The) general public is very much concerned (about) the exposure of such products to the innocent children, which get inquisitive on features (and) use of the products," it said in a statement. En-route his second trip to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may stopover at Switzerland to discuss with Swiss authorities the issue of illicit cash stashed in banks. While both MEA and Swiss authorities chose not to confirm the visit, the Times of India has learnt that top level Indian and Swiss officials are in touch to facilitate the visit. If the visit does work out, Modi will land in Swiss capital Bern on June 6 on his way to Washington, DC from Doha. Modi is likely to have a bilateral meeting with Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann, the agenda being automatic exchange of information on tax-related issues. It is possible that the government may arrive at an understanding over the issue with Switzerland, earning itself the bragging rights of having checked the flow of unaccounted for wealth. India Is The 4th Largest Exporter Of Black Money, $ 51 Billion Shipped Out Of The Country Annually Government officials said that there is agreement on most aspects of the information sharing agreement other than data obtained through "non-official means", which could be information obtained from a whistle-blower or other sources. While the tax department is engaged in final consultations, top officials from the Swiss government are also due in Delhi in a few weeks to work out a cooperation arrangement on revenue and other financial matters. Automatic exchange of information (AEOI) on cross-border tax evasion Switzerland has already signed an agreement for introduction of the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) on cross-border tax evasion with several other countries including Canada, Japan, Australia, South Korea and EU. Swiss ambassador Linus von Castelmur had said in March that the two countries were working together on information exchange and tax-related issues and that the two countries needed to finalise a bilateral arrangement for AEOI. Speaking yesterday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley warned of strict action against people stashing black money. "We signed agreement with Switzerland and got details of those people (having accounts in HSBC). We completed assessment of those people who had accounts in HSBC, Switzerland. We assessed Rs 6,000 crore black money which was in HSBC. We filed criminal cases against them," he added. Upcoming Swiss reforms: terminate relationships with existing clients who stash illegal assets. Earlier this year, Jaitley had mentioned upcoming reforms: "They are in the process of framing a new legislation on international cooperation. They say it will take one year. Till that time, the arrangement entered between India and Switzerland in October 2014 will continue." "The Swiss Federal Council initiated the consultation proceedings on the revision of the Tax Administrative Assistance Act, which provides for an easing of Swiss practices with regard to stolen data," the council said in a press release, as quoted in a reply to the Parliament in December last year. "It should now be possible to respond to requests, if a foreign country has obtained the stolen data via normal administrative assistance channels or from public sources," it said, according a reply in Parliament. "A bill to enact such revision is due to be discussed in the Swiss Parliament in due course," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. In recent months, Switzerland has disclosed names of more than a dozen Indians about whom information has been sought by the Indian government amid suspicion that their accounts in Swiss banks were being used for stashing illicit money. 5 Indian Black Money Statistics That Will Shock You Spiritual leader and Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev will lead a yoga session at the UN on the occasion of the second International Yoga Day next month. The International Yoga Day will be commemorated on June 21 and this years focus will be on the theme of Yoga for the Sustainable Development Goals. Indias Permanent Mission to the UN said Sadhguru will lead the yoga session at the international yoga day in the premises of the world bodys headquarters. Apart from the Yoga day commemoration by the Indian mission in the UN, several events have been planned across the city by various organisations The venue: Chandigarh's Capitol Complex will host 30,000 The ministry of AYUSH has decided Chandigarh's Capitol Complex as the venue for the 2nd International Yoga Day function that would be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 21. Sources said the UT was going to hold a high-level meeting on Thursday to chalk out the strategy in this regard. The UT has planned to bring and accommodate around 30,000 people to make the event a success. The officers were already holding a series of meetings with various yoga institutes, schools, health department and other wings for their active contribution in the event. The budget for the Chandigarh event has been estimated to be Rs 2.89 crore. Out of total 12 lakh square feet area at Capitol Complex, around 9 lakh square feet area was earmarked for the function. Facilities at the venue include: 40 LED screen 30,000 yoga mats 6 medical booths 1.25 lakh bottles Participants: NCC, IITians and everyone else toi Around 75 lakh people are expected to take part in International Yoga day on June 21. 30,000 yoga participants have registered for the venue, while around 70,000 residents shall have a parallel yoga session at different 200 venues. National Cadet Corps will set all all India record Buoyed by the encouragement given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address in the NCC rally on January 28, the NCC cadets set a Limca record with 9,50,210 of them performing yoga simultaneously at 1,767 venues across India on June 21. Under the leadership of group commander, Varanasi Group A, Brigadier AK Goel, 28 UP Girls' Battalion (Group-A), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) began its fortnight training with 'yogabhyas' (practice of yoga), witnessing participation of girls of several schools and colleges from May 1. The government is aiming for "100% participation" in the event by all institutes including the IITs, NITs and IISERs. A Yoga Olympiad coordinated by the NCERT is also being mulled, Bigger and better It'll be bigger and better than the than the maiden show on Rajpath last year, Ayush Minister Shripad Yesso Naik said: "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." How many countries are participating? The first IYD was celebrated in 191 countries and the ministry is expecting participation of more countries this year. 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. Here are the government approved asanas for World Yoga Day The Centre has released an "improvised" common protocol of yoga postures for this year's international Yoga Day (IDY) which will be held on June 21. The protocol is an improvised version of last year's protocol and gives a brief overview of yoga and yogic practices to orient one towards comprehensive health. "The booklet gives a brief overview about Yoga and Yogic practices to orient one towards comprehensive health for an individual and the community. The present edition of Common Yoga Protocol is an improvised version of last year's Yoga Protocol," an official statement said. Postures like yogic sukshma vyayama, yogasanas, and pranayama have been added in the 2nd revised edition, for a one hour set of exercises. Here are the government approved list of asanas! No cameras, but there's a selfie zone Though no mobile phones would be allowed, the Chandigarh administration has decided to have a camera zone having the selfie area. "As soon as you enter the area for yoga, we shall have our cameras which will allow a selfie. This will be only at the time of entry and not when the session is on," said Ajit Balaji Joshi, deputy commissioner. And a wake up call! Those who have registered on phone for yoga will be given a wake up call, so that they can get ready for the day. Online and offline registration has started. "We have received 400 visitors on online registration in just one day. Sixty people have applied online so far," said the DC. Who is banning Udta Punjab? Apparently, no one. It seems that the news of this film being banned is probably just udti hui khabar. After social media went on a tirade against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for 'banning' the film, Bombay Times probed into the issue. It is said that when the film was seen by the members of the Examining Committee, they unanimously agreed to give it an 'A' certificate and suggested 18 cuts. Ever since the film's trailer released, its explosive content became the topic of discussion. While a section of moviegoers couldn't stop raving about its trippy trailer, the excessive use of expletives and the subject of drug abuse in Punjab incurred the wrath of certain quarters. On talking to Pahlaj Nihalani, CBFC chairperson, for his version, he revealed, "We have not recommended any cuts. Yes, the Examining Committee had a few reservations and couldn't come to a consensus on the film, because of which they suggested that the makers take the film to the Revising Committee. However, the makers decided to move to the Tribunal instead, which is absolutely their call. Our decisions at the CBFC are not based on what a certain political group' has to say about a movie. There is no ban from our end. We aren't authorised to ban a movie; we can pass it or reject it." Ashoke Pandit, a member of the CBFC, said, "I have no idea why the Examining Committee has asked for the cuts in the first place, considering the panel, led by Shyam Benegal , has categorically made scathing remarks against censorship." Phantom Films Ashoke adds, "But looking at it logically, I feel that these are just fabricated news based on presumptions. If the CBFC had cleared the trailer of the film that had enough gaalis and showed everything the film wanted to say, why would they ban it now? The CBFC has a system in place, which every film has to pass to be able to get certified. If the trailer that was released was honest and effective, even the film wouldn't be compromised on." The movie will be watched by the Appellate Tribunal Committee this week, and there is hope that they will exercise fair judgement. When BT contacted the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Rajyavardhan Rathore, he assured that there won't be any prejudice. "Our office is still not a party to this issue. The CBFC has recommended revisions and if the makers have any problem with the decision of the Tribunal, then we will intervene," he said. It was reported that members of Shiromani Akali Dal, the ruling party of Punjab, felt that the film is portraying their state in a bad light. It was also said that the Censor Board refused certification to the film not purely for the explosive content, but due to political reasons. When asked about the supposed ban of the film in Punjab, Virsa Singh Valtoha, an MLA of the party, said, "The problem of substance abuse is not exclusive to Punjab. To target one particular state amounts to defamation. We don't have any issue with the film and we've never asked for a ban. So far, we've not even watched the movie and we don't plan to do it. If there is any film which holds a mirror to the evils in society, we welcome it. We are just being accused of something that we haven't done. From our side, there is no political agenda of banning the film at all." At the music launch of the film, one of the producers of 'Udta Punjab', Vikas Bahl had said, "We would insist the Board to give us an adult certificate. This film has been made for a certain age group and above that. There seems to be fluctuations in some of the decisions of the CBFC, but I think that is just a process. I personally think that the CBFC is coming to a point where, after some time, people will feel that some decisions taken by them are justified. This film is an adult film. We should get an adult certificate. I think everything, if seen in the right context, will get the right judgement." Director Rahul Dholakia tweeted on this controversy, "Censor censor on the wall, who's the fairest of them all." Well, let's hope the film gets treated fairly all the way." (Originally published in The Times of India) The Case Against Manifest Destiny By Cesar Chelala May 29, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - The disastrous consequences of the armed interventions against Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Ukraine, to name just a few, show the urgent need to revive the principle of non-intervention into another state. This principle of international law includes, but is not limited to, the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, according to Article 2.4 of the Charter of the United Nations. The Swiss legal philosopher Emmerich de Vattel is credited with being the first to formulate the principle of non-intervention in his Droit de gens ou principles de la loi naturelle (The Law of Nations) published in 1758. Essentially, the principle establishes the right of territorial sovereignty possessed by each nation. The scope of the principle, however, has been subject to debate. What constitutes intervention in practical terms? Does it include only the use or threat of military force, or it also includes economic sanctions, cyber warfare or other kinds of non-military intervention such as propaganda campaigns or control of media messages to other countries? According to Michael Wood, a member of the UN International Law Commission, one of the earliest treaty formulations of the principle was included in the Article 15 (8) of the Covenant of the League of Nations and the Montevideo Convention on Rights and Duties of States of 1933, which precluded interference with the freedom, the sovereignty or other internal affairs, or the processes of the Governments of other nations, together with the Additional Protocol on Non-Intervention of 1936. Later on, the UN General Assembly issued a Declaration on the Inadmissibility of Intervention and Interference in the Domestic Affairs of States (UNGA resolution 2131 (XX) 1965). According to Oppenheims International Law, the prohibition of intervention is a corollary of every states right to sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence. A paradigmatic case in which this principle was applied was that of Nicaragua vs. United States, following the U.S. support for the contras fighting the Nicaraguan Government and the mining of Nicaraguan harbors. The case was decided n 1986 by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ ruled in favor of Nicaragua and against the United States, and awarded reparations to the Nicaraguan Government. According to the ICJ, the actions of the U.S. against Nicaragua violated international law. The U.S. refused to participate in the proceedings after the Court rejected its argument that the ICJ lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. In a move that did no honor to the country, the U.S. later blocked the enforcement of the judgment by the UN Security Council, thus preventing Nicaragua from obtaining any compensation. In 1992, under the government of Violeta Chamorro, the Nicaraguan government withdrew its complaint. According to the Courts verdict, the U.S. was in breach of its obligations under customary international law not to use force against another State, not to intervene in its affairs, not to violate its sovereignty, not to interrupt peaceful maritime commerce, and in breach of its obligations under Article XIX of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the parties signed at Managua on 21 January 1956. Furthermore, the ICJ determined that, the laying of mines in the waters of another State without any warning or notification is not only an unlawful act but also a breach of the principles of humanitarian law underlying the Hague Convention No. VIII of 1907. The principle of non-intervention has obvious limits in case of grave violations of human rights. For this reason, a norm called Responsibility to Protect (R2P or RtoP) was developed. The origin of this norm was the international communitys failure to respond to tragedies such as the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 and the Srebrenica massacre in 1995. According to this norm, sovereignty is not an absolute right, and states forfeit aspects of their sovereignty when they fail to protect their populations from mass atrocities crimes and human rights violations. However, to avoid abuses of this principle, any international action to curb mass crimes should have the approval of the United Nations. Although the principle of non-intervention is extremely difficult to enforce in todays complex world, its principles should be revived again. This is particularly pertinent if one considers the tremendous loss of lives that recent interventions into other States have caused. Dr. Cesar Chelala is a winner of an Overseas Press Club of America award and two national journalism awards from Argentina. How Israel Lost Its Latest Chance for a Peace Process By Bernard Avishai May 29, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " New Yorker " - Last Friday, after weeks of political maneuvering, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Avigdor Lieberman to be his defense minister. A longtime political hard-liner who has filled various cabinet positions for more than a decade, Lieberman made his career with coarse talk: Israel, he said, should cut off the head of a disloyal Arab citizen, or take a lesson from Putin on how to deal with terror. His appointment served as a climax to parallel dramas: a public dispute between Netanyahus most conservative ministers and the Israel Defense Forces, which Liebermans appointment will inflame, and a secret peace initiative prompted by Tony Blair, involving players from the opposition leader, Isaac Herzog, to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, which the appointment effectively scuttles. Moshe (Bogie) Yaalon, the minister whom Netanyahu fired to make room for Lieberman, spoke bluntly at a press briefing on Friday. To my great sorrow, extremist and dangerous elements have taken over Israel and the Likud Party, he said. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who was Yaalons predecessor as defense minister under Netanyahu, angrily reinforced Yaalons message on television later that night. Israel has been infected by the seeds of fascism, Barak said. This government needs to be brought down before it brings all of us down. At the Knesset on Wednesday, the former foreign minister Tzipi Livni, of the moderate Zionist Union, also condemned Yaalons removal. The Army is mandatory for all, so it must uphold Israels collective values, she told me. When my two sons served, I wanted them back with the same values they went in with. Yaalon was the I.D.F.s chief of staff when it crushed the Al-Aqsa intifada, in the early aughts. He ran the last Gaza war, advocated early on for a military strike against Irans nuclear program, and mocked Secretary of State John Kerrys recent peace shuttles as obsessive. So his words of warning about Liebermans appointment carry particular weight, and also make a distinction that cliches about Israeli politics tend to obscure. When people speak of a rightist drift in the country, they are actually feeling two currents. The first is ideological: neo-Zionist, religiously inflected zealotry for the Land of Israel, representing at most a fifth of Israels Jews and valorizing the settlement project as messianic. The second is reactionary: the conviction that Israel has no partner for peace, that an Arab leaders motivation to destroy Israel will correspond directly with his capabilityreinforced with references to the pathos of Jewish history. This right represents a much larger constituency, shading into the centrist parties. Yaalonand Barak, tooare solidly in the latter camp. Netanyahu always jumped from one camp to another, Livni said. Last week, perhaps inevitably, Netanyahu was forced to choose, first because of a controversy over recent knife attacks by Palestinian youths, which government officials have exhorted soldiersbarely out of their teens themselvesto deal with ruthlessly. There have been so many incidents in which disproportionate force was suspected that, in February, the I.D.F.s chief of staff, Gadi Eisenkot, felt impelled to reaffirm I.D.F. rules of engagement and warn that it was hardly necessary to empty a magazine into a teen-age girl carrying scissors. Then, on March 24th in Hebron, in the West Bank, Sergeant Elor Azaria shot a knife attacker in the head as he lay wounded on the ground. He was taken to an Army prison by his superiors and eventually charged with manslaughter. (Azaria is currently on trial.) Netanyahu, however, had immediately called Azarias parents to reassure them that he saw their son as having done his duty; Ronen Bergman, the military correspondent for Yediot Ahronot, reported that the telephone call was seen by the brass as a gross defiance of the militarys authority. Lieberman came to court to show his support for Azaria, and called for his release. Late last month, there was yet another incident: a Palestinian brother and sister, who allegedly approached a checkpoint in the West Bank suspiciously, were shot and killed by an Army contractor. The surveillance video has not been released. Again the Army is investigating, and again the investigation was disparaged by the settler right. The I.D.F. deputy chief of staff, Yair Golan, decided to speak out. On May 5th, Israels Holocaust Remembrance Day, he delivered a commemorative speech, calling for national soul-searching. In contemporary Israel, he said, there were the same nauseating trends that took place in Europe in general, and in Germany specifically. There is nothing simpler and easier than hating the foreigner, there is nothing easier and simpler than arousing fears and intimidating, there is nothing easier and simpler than becoming bestial, forgoing principles and becoming smug. As for the Azaria shooting, Golan said the I.D.F. should be proud that, throughout its history, it has investigated severe incidents without hesitation. We didnt try to justify ourselves, we didnt cover anything up, we didnt whitewash, we didnt make excuses, and we didnt equivocate. Both Netanyahu and Lieberman sternly reproached him. Golan had cheapened the Holocaust, Netanyahu said, and he summoned the general for a clarification. Golan quickly apologized for invoking the Nazis, but his words prompted a continuing controversy. Naftali Bennett, another far-right leader, demanded an end to the festival of self-flagellation. Herzog said, This is what morality and responsibility sound like. Yaalon, for his part, who had dismissed veterans of the group Breaking the Silence as traitors for exposing routine violations of the I.D.F. code of conduct, could hardly permit attacks on the code itself. Shortly after Golans speech, Yaalon spoke out: The job of every I.D.F. commander, and certainly every senior commander, does not end with leading soldiers into battle but obliges him to map out values with the help of a compass as well as their consciences. The attack on Golan was another tactic in an alarming campaign aimed at politically damaging the I.D.F. and its officers. Netanyahu, meanwhile, was trying to cope with an equally severe diplomatic challenge. Behind the scenes, and with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbass approval, Tony Blair had been working to pick up some of the pieces that Kerry left behind in 2014, trying to forge an interim regional understanding on the Palestinian question among Israel, Jordan, Egypt, the Saudis, and the Gulf states, the basis for a Western-backed Sunni alliance to counter both Iran and ISIS . Blair understood that, for Israel to show any diplomatic flexibility, Netanyahu would have to expand his government to include Herzog, whom all knew to be interested in the Foreign Ministry. According to Barak Ravid, the diplomatic correspondent for Haaretz, Blair visited Israel every two or three weeks, almost always meeting with Netanyahu, as well as with Herzog, updating them on his talks with Arab leaders. In April, Herzog gave a speech emphasizing his centrist views, in effect associating himself with Yaalon. In coordination with Blair, el-Sisi gave a speech on May 19th, urging hope for the Palestinians and security for the Israelis: History will write a new page that will be no less and might even be more of an achievement than the signing of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel forty years ago, he said. The day after el-Sisis speech, Blair flew to Israel and Herzog accelerated his negotiations to join the government with Netanyahu. Blair met with both and even tried to mediate between them, Ravid reported, all the while updating Kerry on his progress. Then things fell apart. Herzog told Ravid that he had asked Netanyahu to put their understanding of the peace process in writing, and that Netanyahu had refused to do so. Livni did not tell me precisely what that understanding was, but in last years election Herzog all but endorsed the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, which Blair said on Wednesday would unlock some steps of normalization. A written commitment might well cause Bennetts right-wing faction to bolt from the government, which would be, from Herzogs perspective, all to the good. But, without something written, Herzog would be making himself hostage to Netanyahu. He refused to put things in writing, Livni told me. Much of his Likud list might leave with Bennett. Netanyahu would become a minority voice in a government pursuing a regional peace. The negotiations ceased, and Netanyahu turned to Lieberman. It would seem that Netanyahu has pulled off a threefer. By appointing Lieberman, his supporters will tell you, he brought the Army command to heel, spiked movement toward a regional deal that he could not control, and humiliated Herzog. And some will add that bringing Lieberman into the government is not really as dangerous as Yaalon and Barak suggest. For all his bombast, the former prime minister Ehud Olmert once told me, Lieberman is actually a pragmatist, one who supported the two-state solution when he was foreign minister (although, revealingly, his vision called for redrawing the border to place hundreds of thousands of Israeli Arabs on the other side). After the Gaza war, during which he called for outright invasion, he floated the sensible idea of a U.N. trusteeship. But these are short-term political considerations. The real question is whether, by making common cause with the settler right against the I.D.F., Netanyahu is taking on forces that may finally be too big for him to manipulate. The settlers already control education, justice, and rural development, while Netanyahu personally controls economic affairs, foreign affairs, and communications. Lieberman will bring the defense ministry into this orbit, and will likely try to advance the careers of officers sensitive to the settler agenda. (The political analyst Yoram Peri told me that as many as half of the rising officers in the I.D.F. today wear the settlers knitted yarmulkes.) But the senior command, in both the military and intelligence services, remains hostile to Netanyahu. He has not only challenged their authority; he is challenging the prestige of Army service, and is threatening to debase the values with which they claim authority. So Netanyahu may keep power for a while, but in losing the Army he has lost a major source of his legitimacy. Yaalon himself has called for the formation of a new center-right movement to challenge Netanyahu. Livni told Channel Two last Friday night that her chief goal is to unite all democratic parties in a single opposition bloc. Moshe Kahlon, the finance minister and the leader of the centrist party Kulanu, remains the linchpin of Netanyahus majority; his views, and those of his voters, are certainly closer to Yaalons than to Bennetts or Liebermans. Yet the most significant portent of pressure came on that same television broadcast, not from any politician but from the channels military correspondent, Roni Daniel, who usually spars with others as the resident skeptic and hawk. Daniel could not hold back his anger at Netanyahus political machinations or his sellout to settler apologists. I plowed the fields next to the Jordan River. They told us to go to the Army; we went to the Army. They told us to become officers; we became officers and commanders and served in the reserves. I went and fought all of the wars I was asked to fight, he said, pounding his fist when Likuds Yuval Steinitz, the infrastructure minister, tried to interrupt him. For the first time I feel, because of this kind of politics, Im not sure that I want my children to live here. The Center Doesn't Hold By Uri Avnery May 29, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - "THE BEST lack all convictions, while the worst / Are full of passionate intensity!" Is there a better description of what is happening in Israel now? Yet these words were written, almost a hundred years ago, by the Irish poet W. B. Yeats. YEATS WAS writing shortly after the terrible slaughter and destruction of World War I. He believed that the world was coming to an end, and expected the second coming of the Messiah. As part of the chaos, he foresaw in the same poem that "the center cannot hold". I believe he took this metaphor from the battlefields of former ages, when the opposing armies were arrayed in two lines facing each other, with the main force in the center, and the two flanks protecting it. In a classic battle, each side tried to destroy one of the flanks of the enemy in order to encircle the center and attack it. As long as the center held, the battle was undecided. In Israel, as in most modern democracies, the center is composed of two or more establishment parties, slightly left and slightly right. The leftist is the classic Labor party, now hiding behind the name "Zionist Camp" (which automatically excludes the Arab minority, some 20% of the electorate.) The rightist is the Likud, the present incarnation of the old "Revisionist" party founded nearly a hundred years ago by Vladimir Jabotinsky, a liberal nationalist, in the Italian Risorgimento style. This was the Israeli center, supported by some conjuncture-born parties. It ruled Israel since the day of its founding. One party constituted the government, the other acted as the loyal opposition, and they swapped roles every few years, as they should in a decent democracy. On the 'flanks" there were the Arab Parties (now united under duress), the small but principled Meretz on the left, and several religious and proto-Fascist parties on the right. It was a "normal" set-up, like that in many other democratic countries. No more. ON THE center-left, a mood of resignation and defeat prevails. The old party has fallen into the hands of a number of political dwarfs, whose quarrels among themselves obliterate all its other functions. The present leader, Yitzhak Herzog, the scion of a good family, carries by law the glorious title of "Leader of the Opposition", but doesn't even know what opposition is. Some call his party "Likud 2". On all the vital subjects such as peace with the Palestinian people and the Arab world, social justice, human rights, democracy, separation between state and religion, corruption the party is mute. For all practical purposes, it is moribund or worse. "The best lack all conviction," as Yeats lamented. The best elements of Israeli society are dispirited, defeated, mute. On the center-right, the picture is even worse, and much more dangerous. The Likud, once a liberal, democratic right-wing party, has fallen victim to a hostile takeover. Its extremist wing has pushed everyone else out, and now dominates the party completely. In the sense of the same metaphor, the right flank has taken over the center. "The worst are full of intensity". These rightist radicals are now in full cry. They enact atrocious laws in the Knesset. They back and encourage detestable acts by policemen and soldiers. They try to undermine the Supreme Court and the Army Command. They are intent on building more and bigger settlements. These dangerous barbarians are indeed "full of intensity". The addition of Avigdor Lieberman to the government completes the frightening picture. Even the former Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, a measured politician, publicly announced that this government includes fascist elements. WHY HAS this happened? What is the root cause? The usual answer is "the people have moved to the right". But that explains nothing. Why have they moved rightward? Why? Some seek the explanation in the demographic schism in the Israeli Jewish community. Jews whose families come from Islamic countries (called Mizrahim) tend to vote for the Likud, Jews whose families come from Europe (Ashkenazim) tend to the left. That does not explain Lieberman, whose party consists of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, about a million and a half, generally called "Russians". Why are so many of them extreme rightists, racists and Arab-haters? A class by themselves are young leftists, who refuse to support any party. Instead, they turn towards non-party activism, regularly founding new groups for civil rights and peace. They support the Palestinians in the occupied territories, fight for the "purity of our arms" in the army, and do wonderful work for similar causes. There are dozens, perhaps hundreds of such associations, many of them supported by foreign funds, which do wonderful work. But they abhor the political arena, would not join any party, much less unite for this purpose. I believe that this phenomenon comes close to the explanation of the trend. More and more people, especially young ones, turn their back on "politics" by which they mean party politics altogether. They do not "lack all convictions", but believe that the political parties lack all honest convictions and they want nothing to do with them. They don't see that political parties are a necessary instrument for achieving change in a democracy. They see them as groups of corrupt hypocrites, lacking real convictions, and don't want to be seen in such company. THUS WE come to an astonishing fact: developments in Israel resemble processes in many other countries, which have nothing to do with our specific problems. A few days ago there were elections for the presidency of Austria. Until now, the Austrian presidency, a ceremonial office as in Israel, passed between the two main parties. This time something unprecedented happened: the two final candidates came from the extreme right and the Greens. The voters just eliminated all the candidates from the central establishment. Worse, the near-fascist candidate only lost by a tiny margin. Austria? A country which enthusiastically welcomed (the Austrian) Adolf Hitler only 80 years ago, and suffered the full consequences? The only explanation is that Austrians, like Israelis, are fed up with the established parties. The two nations, of equal size, which have nothing else in common, feel the same. In France, the far-right anti-establishment politician Marine Le Pen is celebrating. In Spain, Holland and some of the Scandinavian states anti-establishment parties are winning. In the UK, the mother of democracy, the public is about to vote for or against the Brexit, a cause identified with the establishment. To leave the European Union looks (to me, at least) totally irrational. Yet the chance of it happening seems real. BUT WHY speak only about smaller countries? What about the lone superpower, the United States of America? For months now, the world public has been watching with growing amazement the incredible ascent of Donald Trump. From day to day, the drama, which started as a comedy, becomes more frightening. What, for god's sake, has happened to this great nation? How can millions and millions flock to the banner of a loud-mouthed, vulgar, ignorant candidate, whose main and perhaps only asset is his distance from all political parties? How could he overcome, actually destroy, the Grand Old Party, a part of American history? On the other side there is Bernie Sanders, a much more appealing character, but one also detested by his own party, with an agenda that is quite remote from that of the majority of Americans. There is only one similarity between the two: they loathe their parties and their parties loathe them. THIS SEEMS to have become a world-wide pattern. All over South America, not so long ago a bulwark of the left, leftist parties are thrown out, and rightist figures take over. Considering that this is happening at the same time in dozens of countries, large and small, which have absolutely nothing else in common - different problems, different issues, different situations this is nothing short of amazing. For me, this is a riddle. Every few decades, new ideas come up and infect a large part of humanity. Democracy, liberalism, anarchism, social-democracy, communism, fascism, democracy again, and now this kind of chaos, mostly radical right-wing, are world-wide trends. They don't yet have a name. I am sure that many people, Marxists and others, have a ready-made explanation. I am not convinced by any. I am just baffled. COMING BACK to us poor Israelis: I just published in Haaretz a practical plan to stem the deluge and push it back. I am still committed to optimism. Macri Gives Go-Ahead to US Military Installations in Argentina According to a report, the plans also include negotiations over another military base on the border with Paraguay and Brazil. By teleSur May 29, 2016 " Information Clearing House" - " teleSur " - A military delegation sent by Argentine President Mauricio Macri on Wednesday signed an agreement on military cooperation with the United States, which entails the establishment of a U.S. military base in Ushuaia, the southernmost tip of the South American nation. Ushuaia is the capital of Tierra del Fuego, whose boundaries extend to Antarctica. The Argentine government has justified the installation by saying "scientific work" will be performed there. Earlier this week, Vice Defense Minister Angel Tello began a five-day visit to the U.S. aimed at reestablishing bilateral defense relations between the two countries after a freeze in military ties in recent years. Among the plans reportedly being discussed is the negotiation of another military base in Argentina's Misiones Province, located in the northeastern corner of the country at the border between Paraguay and Brazil. Bilateral ties between Argentina and the U.S. had been tense in recent years as the leftist governments of presidents Cristina Fernandez and Nestor Kirchner reoriented foreign policy away from the U.S. and toward Latin America in the name of fighting imperialism and strengthening regional integration. But Macri came to office last year based in part on a promise to rekindle relations with the U.S. while giving the cold shoulder to allies of Argentinas left-wing Kirchner governments, such as Venezuela. The president has said he wants a pragmatic and intelligent relationship with Washington. The Truth About Syria A Manufactured War Against An Independent Country The people of the world should ask Western leaders and their allies: Why are you prolonging this war? Why do you continue funding and enabling the terrorists? Isnt five years of civil war enough? Is overthrowing the Syrian government really worth so much suffering and death? By Caleb T. Maupin May 29, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Mint Press " - In late April, President Barack Obama announced that 250 U.S. special operations troops are being deployed to Syria. Unlike the Russian and Iranian forces aiding anti-terrorism efforts in the country, the U.S. military personnel have entered Syria against the wishes of the internationally recognized government. In terms of international law, the United States has invaded Syria, a sovereign country and United Nations member state. This is the not the first time, though Arizona Sen. John Mccain crossed into Syria without a visa to meet with anti-government fighters in 2013. While the new U.S. boots on the ground have officially been dispatched for the purpose of fighting Daesh (an Arabic acronym for the organization known in the West as ISIS or ISIL), they will most likely be working to achieve one of the Pentagons longstanding foreign policy goals: violently overthrowing the Syrian government. As the terrorism of Daesh and other extremists grows more intense, and as millions of Syrians have become refugees, the heavy costs of the U.S. governments regime change operation in Syria should come into question. Education, health care and national rebirth The independent nationalist Syrian government, now being targeted by Western foreign policy, was born in the struggle against colonialism. It took decades of great sacrifice from the people of Syria to break the country free from foreign domination first by the French empire and later from puppet leaders. For the last several decades, Syria has been a strong, self-reliant country in the oil-rich Middle East region. It has also been relatively peaceful. Since winning its independence, Syrias Baathist leadership has done a great deal to improve the living standards of the population. Between 1970 and 2009, the life expectancy in Syria increased by 17 years. During this time period infant mortality dropped dramatically from 132 deaths per 1,000 live births to only 17.9. According to an article published by the Avicenna Journal of Medicine , these notable changes in access to public health came as a result of the Syrian governments efforts to bring medical care to the countrys rural areas. A 1987 country study of Syria , published by the U.S. Library of Congress, describes huge achievements in the field of education. During the 1980s, for the first time in Syrias history, the country achieved full primary school enrollment of males with 85 percent of females also enrolled in primary school. In 1981, 42 percent of Syrias adult population was illiterate. By 1991, illiteracy in Syria had been wiped out by a mass literacy campaign led by the government. The name of the main political party in Syria is the Baath Arab Socialist Party. The Arabic word Baath literally translates to Rebirth or Resurrection. In terms of living standards, the Baathist Party has lived up to its name, forging an entirely new country with an independent, tightly planned and regulated economy. The Library of Congress Country Study described the vast construction in Syria during the 1980s: Massive expenditures for development of irrigation, electricity, water, road building projects, and the expansion of health services and education to rural areas contributed to prosperity. Compared to Saudi-dominated Yemen, many parts of Africa, and other corners of the globe that have never established economic and political independence, the achievements of the Syrian Arab Republic look very attractive. Despite over half a century of investment from Shell Oil and other Western corporations, the CIA World Factbook reports that about 60 percent of Nigerians are literate, and access to housing and medical care is very limited. In U.S.-dominated Guatemala, roughly 18 percent of the population is illiterate, and poverty is rampant across the countryside, according to the CIA World Factbook . What the Western colonizers failed to achieve during centuries of domination, the independent Syrian government achieved rapidly with help from the Soviet Union and other anti-imperialist countries. The Soviet Union provided Syria with a $100 million loan to build the Tabqa dam on the Euphrates River , which was considered to be the backbone of all economic and social development in Syria. Nine-hundred Soviet technicians worked on the infrastructure project which brought electricity to many parts of the country. The dam also enabled irrigation throughout the Syrian countryside. More recently, China has set up many joint ventures with Syrian energy corporations. According to a report from the Jamestown Foundation , in 2007 China had already invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Syria in efforts to modernize the countrys aging oil and gas infrastructure. These huge gains for the Syrian population should not be dismissed and written off, as Western commentators routinely do when repeating their narrative of Assad the Dictator. For people who have always had access to education and medical care, it is to trivialize such achievements. But for the millions of Syrians, especially in rural areas, who lived in extreme poverty just a few decades ago, things like access to running water, education, electricity, medical care, and university education represent a huge change for the better. Like almost every other regime in the crosshairs of U.S. foreign policy, Syria has a strong, domestically-controlled economy. Syria is not a client state like the Gulf state autocracies surrounding it, and it has often functioned in defiance of the U.S. and Israel. It is this, not altruistic concerns about human rights, that motivate Western attacks on the country. Syria needs reform, not terrorism In 2012, Syria ratified a new constitution in response to the protests during the Arab Spring. In compliance with the new constitution, Syria held a contested election in 2014 , with international observers from 14 countries. One thing that distinguishes Syria from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and various other U.S.-aligned regimes throughout the region is religious freedom. In Syria, Sunnis, Christians, Alawites, Druze, Jews, and other religious groups are permitted to practice their religious faith freely. The government is secular, and respects the rights of the Sunni Muslim majority as well as religious minorities. In addition to religious freedom, Syria openly tolerates the existence of two strong Marxist-Leninist parties. The Syrian Communist Party and the Syrian Communist Party (Bakdash) openly operate as part of the anti-imperialist coalition supporting the Baath Arab Socialist Party. Communists lead trade unions and community organizations in Damascus and other parts of the country. Though Syrian President Bashar Assad is an Alawite, his wife, Asma, is Sunni like the majority of the country. Historically, the biggest opponents of the Syrian government have been supporters of the Muslim brotherhood, with a bloody episode taking place in 1982. Hoping to heal the longstanding tension, President Assad has made many gestures of solidarity toward the Sunni community in recent years. He has made a point of engaging in religious practices not commonly done by Alawites, such as praying in mosques and studying the Quran. Shortly after fighting began in 2011, the Syrian government granted autonomy to Kurdish regions and transferred political authority to leftist Kurdish nationalist organizations . Syrias political system is certainly in need of reform and modernization, and representatives of the Syrian government such as U.N. Ambassador Bashar Al-Jaafari readily admit this. However, the civil war which has raged across Syria for the last five years, is not about reform, democratization or modernization. The BBC published a guide to Syrian rebels in 2013. Among them are not only the infamous Islamic State organization, which now horrifies the world, but also the Nusra Front, previously known as Al-Qaida in Syria. Other organizations with names like the Islamic Front, the Islamic Liberation Front, and the Ahfad al-Rasoul Brigades are also listed. While Western media presents the Syrian civil war as a battle for democracy led by revolutionaries, the primary goal of almost every insurgent organization is creating a Sunni caliphate one that does not actually suit Sunnis though, but rather a perverted politicized version of Sunnism created by Saudi Arabia to ideologically control that region. The unifying religious perspective of the Syrian rebels is the interpretation of Sunni Islam practiced and promoted by Saudi Arabia, known as Wahhabism. Foreign fighters, chemical weapons and child soldiers A large number of the insurgents are not Syrian. Impoverished people from throughout the Middle East have been recruited to fight against the Syrian government. Facilities in Bahrain train recruits to kill , and send them to Syria. Terrorist training facilities exist in many other U.S.-aligned Gulf states. Foreign fighters from as far away as Malaysia and the Philippines have been found among the ranks of the foreign Wahhabi insurgents that are trying to depose the Syrian government. The flow of violent insurgents into Syria is not accidental. It has been directly facilitated by the U.S. and its allies. The CIA has spent billions of dollars on training camps in Jordan for anti-government fighters . The U.S.-aligned regimes of Turkey and Saudi Arabia are openly supporting the Nusra Front, the Al-Qaida-linked organization that has already killed tens of thousands of innocent people in Syria. Gen. David Petraeus has called for the U.S. to join these efforts and begin sending arms directly to the Nusra Front. The Israeli government has made a point of aiding the Wahhabi extremists by providing them medical care in the occupied Golan Heights. Israel has also made a point of targeting allies of the Syrian government with airstrikes . While Western media has highlighted allegations that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons, Carla Del Ponte from the United Nations confirmed that the foreign-backed insurgents have long been been using sarin nerve gas and other chemical weapons. As the insurgents make life unlivable in Syria, kidnapping for ransom, bombing schools and hospitals, beheading people, torturing people, they do it with thousands of child soldiers among their ranks. Impoverished children from across the Arab world have been recruited to work toward violently overthrowing the Syrian government, according to UNICEF . Between 50 and 72 percent of the population lives in areas controlled by the Syrian government. Meanwhile, even USAID confirmed that the turnout in Syrias 2014 elections was more than 70 percent . While the barrage of foreign fighters and extremists, aligned with a minority of the population and armed by Western powers and their allies, is committed to bringing down the Syrian government, the Syrian people clearly disagree. The fact that the Syrian government remains strongly intact after a five-year onslaught shows that the country is dedicated to preserving its independence. Time magazine and other mainstream media outlets have even been forced to admit that President Assad is unlikely to be deposed. How can the war end? As foreign fighters have flowed into Syria, hundreds of thousands of people have died over the last five years, and Western media continues to blame the Syrian government for the conflict. However, the war would have been a very short one if not for the foreign support given to the extremists. As an independent country with a centrally planned economy, Syria has serves as an example to the world. It has proven that without neoliberalism and Western economic domination, it is possible to improve living conditions and develop independently. The Syrian government has made huge sacrifices to aid the Palestinian people and their resistance against Israel, and this has been a contributing factor to Syrias inclusion on the State Departments State Sponsors of Terrorism list . Syria has close economic relations with Russia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The war in Syria is not a domestic conflict. This is a war imposed on Syria by Israel, the U.S., and other Western capitalist powers. The primary promoter of Wahhabi extremism around the world has been the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a U.S. client state. Turkey and Jordan, U.S.-aligned countries bordering Syria, keep their borders open so that weapons, supplies and money can continue to flow into the hands of Daesh and other anti-government terrorists. At least 470,000 people are dead , and millions of others have been forced to become refugees, but Western leaders and their allies do not end their campaign. The insane chorus of Assad Must Go has transformed a small, domestic episode of unrest into a full-scale humanitarian crisis. The war has nothing to do with the calls for democratic reform and the peaceful protests of 2011. As Daesh now threatens the entire world, the consequences of the Wall Street regime change operation, promoted with human rights propaganda, are becoming far more extreme. The Syrian government rallies a coalition of Christians, Communists, Islamic Revolutionaries, and other forces who are fighting to maintain stability and defeat Takfiri terrorism. (The term Takfiri refers to groups of Sunni Muslims who refer to other Muslims as apostates and seek to establish a caliphate by means of violence.) The only real peace plan for Syria is for the U.S., France, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, and other powers to end their neoliberal crusade. The internationally recognized and recently re-elected Syrian government could easily defeat the insurgents if foreign meddling ceased. As U.S. media bemoans the humanitarian crisis, somehow blaming on the Syrian government and its president, and the U.S. directly sends its military forces into the country, the people of the world should ask Western leaders and their allies: Why are you prolonging this war? Why cant you just leave Syria alone? Why do you continue funding and enabling the terrorists? Isnt five years of civil war enough? Is overthrowing the Syrian government really worth so much suffering and death? An Apple retail worker has provided Business Insider details on how it really is to work at an Apple retail store in the UK. The interview paints a picture that is not as rosy as what one might have been led to be believed. Apple makes its retail store workers sign an NDA agreement on the first day of the job, so it is surprising to see a retail worker reveal so much during the interview. The anonymous retail worker, who worked at Apples retail store from 2011 to late 2015, reveals that Apple pays its retail store workers 8 per hour, which is not even sufficient for them to buy the very products that they sell. To make matters worse, the company does not give any bonuses to its employees, even if they sell thousands of pounds of devices every day or get some enterprises customers onboard. The only bonus that Apple gave its retail workers in return is recognition. As if this was not already bad, Apples internal policies make it tough for part-time workers at its retail workers from being promoted into the management positions within the company. Instead, the company prefers hiring managers from other companies. The employee also shares his experience of working at Apples retail store, which was thankless and were he/she was treated like shit. The employee reveals that about 60% of the customers who walk in with some issues dont usually have a genius bar appointment booked or have looked about it online. And then, they complain about the device and just act rude to the retail employees. The employee also recalls an experience where he/she received a death threat for an out-of-warranty fix. Since the employee refused to fix the product within warranty, the customer threatened him/her and said that they would run him/her down with their car. The employee says that retail employees routinely receive death threats from some customers. There are some benefits to working in Apples retail stores though. Beside a generous discount on Apple products, employees are also given a 15% discount on APPL shares, and in some cases, direct access to CEO Tim Cook. Oh, and are you wondering what happens when an Apple employee walks in with a Samsung smartphone? Nothing! Most retail staff look at him/her weirdly, but they are not forced to switch to an iPhone or ditch their phone. [Via Business Insider The parents of a seven-year-old boy missing in the mountains of northern Japan have admitted that they left him alone in the woods as a punishment. The child has not been seen for two days, since his parents abandoned him in northern Hokkaido, a wooded region home to wild bears. Such was the observation of a contributor to BBC 4 the other week, and I understand where he was coming from. The Brexit debate whether the UK should remain in the EU or exit from it has rumbled on so long that people are getting bored, and voter boredom makes for unpredictable results. Almost everything to do with the possible departure of the UK from the EU is unpredictable. The only country which has ever left the EU before was Greenland, but Greenlands departure from the EU does not offer much precedent value compared to the impact of the second largest economy in the Union leaving the trading bloc. There are all kinds of claims about what might or might not happen post-Brexit, if that is the outcome of the decision by UK voters on June 23. While many of the consequences are, indeed, uncertain, the position in relation to taxation is clear-cut and mainly to do with the internal taxation issues for the UK itself. Vat is completely a European tax, so the British would have free rein to make whatever changes to their Vat system they wished, without any hindrance from the EU. Other taxes follow some of the constraints of the EU treaties, and so again there would be scope for changes not currently permitted such as special tax rates for different industries. Many of us might feel that the UK decision to stay or leave the EU will be of little practical consequence. But from an Irish perspective, post-Brexit changes to the tax regime on the imports and exports between ourselves and Great Britain will undoubtedly affect us. There are customs duties and tariffs, levied on certain products traded between nations. Consumers also pay Vat which is applied by the businesses when they buy goods and services. Being part of the EU means being part of a customs union and a freetrade area. In essence, this means that no EU country can impose tariffs on another countrys exports to favour their own domestic economies, and all EU countries apply the same tariffs to products coming in from outside the EU. So, for example, the British cannot levy tariffs on Irish food exports, in the same way as we cannot levy tariffs on their food exports, but both our countries must levy the same tariffs on food from countries like the US or China which are not EU members. If Britain decides to leave the EU, these favourable tariff arrangements between our countries will cease. Many items such as clothing which we import from the UK will become more expensive. Thats a problem for UK exporters, but it is also a challenge for Irish importers. The other headache for Irish importers following Brexit is a change to the Vat regime. Vat applies to goods and services, and traders must account for it. But Vat payments by traders on imports from EU countries are deferred compared to Vat payments on imports from non-EU countries. Because of this Vat position and all else being equal, it is cheaper for importers to import items from EU countries that from non-EU countries (which is the whole purpose of this rule in the first place). These Vat and customs duty changes arent optional should Britain decide to leave the EU. They must happen unless the British can put alternative arrangements in place. Alternatives to EU membership already exist, for example those enjoyed by Norway under an arrangement known as the European Economic Area. The Swiss have customs benefits within a grouping called the European Free Trade Association. Of course, every difficulty provides its own opportunities and it is possible that any new agreements brokered between our two nations post-Brexit might well suit our exporters and importers even better than the current EU position. There are already favourable income and capital tax terms which are independent of the EU Treaty for businesses with operations on both sides of the border and the Irish Sea. These favourable terms should be extended to the customs and Vat issues which arise in cross-border imports and exports. The caveat here is that Ireland could be restricted in what we can negotiate with the British because of our own membership of the EU. The follow-on if Britain leaves the EU will be interesting. There is, however, no guarantee that it will be fun. Brian Keegan is director of taxation with Chartered Accountants Ireland Starting out in Sweden, France, or Germany, a company is not European its Swedish, French, or German. Tax regulations, postal tariffs, financial systems, labelling, copyright and data protection rules nothing is harmonised. Failing to get member states to accept more uniformity, European bureaucrats seize every chance to fix whats not broken and regulate what doesnt need regulating. The European Commissions recent Digital Single Market proposals are a good example: They put off removing geographical blocks (so-called geoblocking) on digital content, but they contain a requirement for Netflix and other video-on-demand services to include no less than 20% European content in their catalogues. Even in the US, e-commerce transactions spanning several states are a legal grey area. Its not easy for internet retailers to collect different sales taxes for every state they ship to, so most of them dont, giving rise to arguments over their legal base. In the EU, independent nations charge different tax rates, and speak 24 different languages to boot. Earlier this year, the European Commission found that 63% of the websites it studied blocked customers from buying outside their home countries. Many of them let a user pick a product or service and then, at the final stage of the order, rejected an address or a credit card. Its no less frustrating when a YouTube video you want to see is replaced by a flickering back screen with the message that this content is blocked in the viewers country; when a movie that is out in the UK is not available to a German Netflix user; when you cant watch the same movies on holiday in a neighbouring country that you can watch at home. Andrus Ansip, European Commission vice president for the digital single market, comes from Estonia, perhaps the most digitally advanced EU country, but also a tiny one. No matter how technologically advanced they are, start-ups in his country and elsewhere in the EU cant scale as fast and as efficiently as US firms. No wonder Ansip says he hates geoblocking. Yet businesses dont want the EU to issue regulations against the practice. The European e-commerce association, Emota, has told regulators that the industry itself should work out best practices. Its main fear was that the EU would force all businesses to sell to customers, regardless of where they are, and then deal with the consequences such as delivery and tax intricacies. Unwilling to be passive and unable to overcome the resistance of business lobbies, the commission settled on a bizarre compromise. Its proposal is to allow customers in any EU country to check the prices in any other country and then buy wherever the prices are best. Yet, in a twist that renders this meaningless, the retailers wont be obliged to deliver. A Belgian will be able to buy a cheap refrigerator in Poland, but hell need to organise the delivery himself. If that doesnt sound very digital-age, tough luck. Retailers are happy, though. They will only have to charge local taxes and they wont have to deal with cross-border shipments. As for customers well, no one entitled them to tell the businesses how they should operate; they can take it or leave it. The new proposals specifically exclude audio and video content. Apparently, copyright issues are even harder to resolve than tax and logistical ones, Video hosting and video-on-demand services are contractually bound not to show certain content in certain countries, and removing these barriers would involve negotiating with rights-holders and making sure their compensation doesnt suffer from cross-border access. They make more by selling rights to every individual country. An EU-wide license wouldnt make economic sense to many of them, and bureaucrats fear less European content would be produced. On these grounds, France, for example, has advocated limiting the EUs interference to making sure digital subscriptions are portable that the same movies can be watched wherever a subscriber travels in Europe. The lobbying power aligned against making copyright EU-wide content producers, TV channels which buy licences for specific markets, governments like the French one worried about the preservation of national language and culture is too great for the European Commission to overcome, so it pushes the issue down the road. All that bureaucrats such as Ansip can do at this point is envy US companies success in obtaining global licenses for mostly US-made content. That kind of envy manifests itself as more meaningless regulation for instance, the requirement that Netflix and other similar services include no less than 20% of European offerings in their catalogues. The European Commission itself admits that diktat wont change anything. Netflix and YouTube already have 21% each of EU-produced content. All the proposed new regulation accomplishes is to make the EU look silly, as if its forcing US platforms to accept and sell below-par local material. A true European common market for all kinds of digital commerce would mean a single system of postal tariffs and EU-wide copyright on all kinds of content. A unified value-added tax would also help. An agreement of the 28 member states on all these matters would make the EUs market of 500m consumers larger than that of the US. Americas truly single market has given its companies a colossal lead. But eliminating internal borders would at least help narrow the gap. Instead, theyre perpetuating the protection of European firms within their small home markets and preventing truly global players from emerging. Bloomberg TRYING to fit into that dress for the summer? While vanity might be a driving force for many of us in our battle with the bulge, putting on extra weight can have far more serious consequences than whether we can squeeze into last years outfits. Many of us might well ask, as we reach a certain age: why bother slimming down now? or why change my ways? But being overweight increases your odds of getting cancer and if you are diagnosed, it slows down your rate of recovery. Add to that equation the fact that we have an increased risk of getting cancer as we age and the message that we need to take back some control ourselves through our lifestyle needs to be heard loud and clear The latest trends report published by the Irish National Cancer Registry shows that the chances of a woman developing malignant breast cancer before her 75th birthday, currently stands at about one in 10. But its not all doom and gloom and there is plenty you can do to help yourself a theme that will be driven home, out by Annie Anderson, a professor of public health nutrition, at a forthcoming talk organised by the Irish Cancer Society. Anderson, who is also a co-director of the Centre for Research into Cancer Prevention and Screening, at the School of Medicine in the University of Dundee, has called her talk Stacking The Odds Against Cancer and The Role of our Genes, Lifestyle and Luck. She came up with the title because in her experience she has met, for instance, women aged 50 70 during breast cancer screenings, who tend to blame their genes, or leave cancer down to fate or luck, without realising how changes in their lifestyle like managing weight, watching what they eat, how much alcohol they drink and how much they exercise they get, can increase or lessen their risk of getting some of the most common cancers. We all have the potential now to live much longer than we have done and my sense is that the quality of life is as important as the length of life, so obviously what were interested in, is taking stock of how we are doing and identify first the small changes we can make. While there are no promises that can be made to prevent cancer, the message I want to get across is that the odds can be reduced. "There is data to show that even for women over 50 if they change their weight they can still reduce the risk of getting breast cancer; even at that stage of life, its worthwhile doing. "Its a message that lots of women are unfamiliar with. There are 11 cancers that are linked to obesity, both in raising the risks of getting those diseases and in the impact that being overweight has on survivorship. After smoking, weight management is the biggest modifier of risk for cancer itself, with curbing alcohol intake to no more than one unit of alcohol a day, and being physically active also important, says Anderson. We know breast cancer is more likely as we get older but about 30 per cent of breast cancer is due to lifestyle, she points out. We used to think body fat was just fat cells but now we know there is a range of hormones produced in body fat, so again looking at breast cancer we know that oestrogen is produced and oestrogen affects the cancer process and it is more likely to speed up the cancer cells. Even in older women? Yes, because you normally think that after menopause the hormones are gone, but in fact adipose is still a site of hormone production. "Also we know that obesity is associated with inflammation and inflammatory markers and these markers can also be seen in adipose tissue. Anderson, who is 58 and a grandmother, practices what she preaches: I do prioritise and make sure I get some exercise every day. "Once upon I time I would wake up and say oh what will I cook for tea tonight? When youve got family thats the first thought. "Now theyre grown up, its oh how will I get my activity today? "For me, I am getting old and creaking a bit at the seams, so I have to make the best of what Ive got. "Im fortunate that I have a very supportive husband whos a bit older and feels this also. In the meantime, for those who are confused by all the conflicting cancer-scaring information which features daily in the media, she suggests checking out the World Cancer Research Fund, a highly regarded website for science, ideas and programmes at www.wcrf-uk.org Professor Andersons is the first in a new series of public talks about cancer, being rolled out by the Irish Cancer Society, on June 2, at the Science Gallery, Pearse Street, Dublin. Her personal blog about screening is at: www.scpnblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/11/what-if/ Sarandon secret Forget your expensive lotions and potions, the secret to keeping your skin looking good comes a lot cheaper, according to 69-year-old actress Susan Sarandon. Sex thats good for your skin, right? she said suggestively, when asked about her beauty secret, in an interview with the Daily Mail. Getting older has never made her feel unsexy: I feel just as sexy as I did when I was younger more so, in fact, she said. Aside from raising her endorphin levels in between the sheets, her pro-ageing formula also includes using sun screen, exercising, and keeping away from toxic things and toxic people. Sarandon, who will be 70 in October, recently became a brand ambassador for giant cosmetics company LOreal. Charity skydive If taking a tandem skydive from 10,000 feet has been on your bucket list, then go raise money in the process, for Age Action, the organisation that strives to make Ireland a better place for older people. You can jump any time up to the end of October, once you have raised 480. A group jump is organised for September 3, if youd prefer to join other Age Action supporters. Find out more at http://bit.ly/AASkyDive Meanwhile, if you prefer the thrill of supporting financially, rather than taking that adrenaline-fuelled leap, you can support the CEO of Age Action, Eamon Timmins, who says the money his skydive raises is badly needed for the organisations Care and Repair programme, which helped 28,000 older people last year. Check out his page at http://bit.ly/ETSkyDive. Ageing Quote "What the eyes see and the ears hear, the mind believes." US illusionist Harry Houdini Silver Surfer Stars who become 90 this year http://bit.ly/1OwuEYZ Email Links to our top local news stories of the day, Monday through Saturday. Suzanne Isenberg has been named the development director for Work Family Resource Center, a non-profit organization connecting families and businesses to quality child care. Isenberg worked with several non-profit organizations in Forsyth County including Senior Services, Inc., Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, and Leadership Winston-Salem. HanesBrands has been recognized by Forbes magazine as one of Americas Best Employers in 2016. Of the 500 large employers making the magazines annual list this year, HanesBrands ranks as the No. 167 most recommended by its employees. The company ranked fourth-highest of the 17 clothing industry companies making the list. HanesBrands is a leading marketer of everyday basic innerwear and activewear apparel under world-class brands in the Americas, Europe and Pacific-Asia. Through its learning and development program called HanesBrands University, the company provides more than 1.5 million hours of professional growth and skill development training through classroom and virtual teaching each year. Joe Amoruso has been named the senior vice president of sales for Sock and Accessory Brands Global Inc. Amoruso brings extensive sales and management experience to Sock and Accessory Brands Global after serving in various roles with Wilson, Adidas, Jack Schwartz, And1 and Avia. Sock and Accessory Brands Global is a hosiery and accessories design, product development, and distribution company based in Advance. Don Kirk has been named the producer and director for the 2016-2017 live streaming program for The American Platform Tennis Association. Late round matches will be streamed from seven events, including the six Grand Prix tournaments in Chicago, Cincinnati, Boston, Short Hills, Long Island and Fairfield, Conn., plus the APTA National Championships in Philadelphia. Frank E. McKissick, the owner and operator of FM Enterprises in Winston-Salem, has been chosen by Bizfi Funding Direct LLC, a New York-based merchant and business financing company, as a local authorized agent for its loan programs. FM Enterprises, an accounting and tax practice for the last 32 years, specializes in accounting and small business tax preparation. The business address is P.O. Box 21296, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27120 and its email is fmenterprises11@yahoo.com. Triumph Actuation Systems LLC in Clemmons has been awarded a $28,530 federal contract from the Defense Logistics Agency. The contract is for band type brakes. Officials with Belk in Hanes Mall have announced the Fiscal Year 2016 recipients of its highest honors for store, group and service center employees. Achieving Consultant status by reaching $500,000 or more in personal sales and in the top 5 percent of department and store sales are: Linda Anderson, Gloria Austin, Bassem Aziz, Sherman Donnell, Young Choe, Brent Johnson, Ronald Jones, Nazira Nassef, Grace Pawlak, Allison Pennell, David Rutter, Jennifer Seats, Lisa Totten and Mith Haynes. Associates achieving Pacesetter status by performing in the Top 20 percent of sales per hour and sales support in the Top 10 percent are: Paris Laughlin, Gail Van Etten, Deo White, Bethina Thomas, Sharon Porter, Linda Poleshek, Gina Pando, Donna Neptune, Amanda Lyall, India Lackey, Saira Khan, Ava Kelly, Tiffanie Jones, Kathy Holmes, Gloria Doyle, Robin Barnhill, Ray Banks and Ruann Hampson. Gordon R. White III has been named the head of Grandbridge Real Estate Capitals production office for the Raleigh region. White has extensive experience within the commercial real-estate finance industry including having served as a mortgage banker, president of a private commercial mortgage banking firm, a senior credit officer, and program manager for BB&T Real Estate Funding Stabilized, a specialized lending subsidiary of Grandbridge and BB&T. Sam Logan has been named as a digital media specialist at Bouvier Kelly. Logan previously worked in digital media marketing and copywriting with ReverbNation. April Hamilton has been named an account manager at Bouvier Kelly. Hamilton previously worked with a creative firm after earning her bachelors and masters degree in music performance and a MBA in business marketing from the Bryan School of Business at UNC Greensboro. Brad Swift has been named a real-estate manager in the Asset Services division of CBRE|Triad. As a member of the Asset Services team, Swift will oversee and manage the operational and financial activities of a commercial office and retail portfolio consisting of 11 buildings. He has more than six years experience in commercial real-estate property management and has worked for companies including Meridian Realty Services and Reit Management and Research. Walter Logan Newton has been awarded an honorary doctor of business degree from Greensboro College. Newton will rotate off the Greensboro College Board of Trustees in December after having served on the board since 1995. He has chaired the board since 2011. Recently, Newton gave the keynote address at commencement, Five Life Lessons to Consider and included advice for todays graduates based primarily on his experience in the business world. Cara Townsend has been named the associate state director serving the Triad by AARP. Townsend has more than 15 years of experience in public policy, having served four members of Congress, the White House and North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. In 2004, she was chosen as a Presidential Appointee in Congressional Affairs for the George W. Bush Administration. In addition to her policy background, Townsend has been a small business owner and formed Townsend Enterprises to serve as a political and policy consultant. She also co-founded the CareAdvocacy Institute, which specializes in patients, families and civilian/military caregivers in crisis. TE Connectivitys Burgess Road facility has been recognized with a 2015 Environmental Steward award from the North Carolina environmental agency. The company is one of only 23 facilities in North Carolina to earn the award. TE Connectivity in Greensboro makes electrical connectors and other products for the automotive industry. By of the Two lawyers with Milwaukee ties have been appointed by Gov. Scott Walker as judges in Sheboygan County circuit court. Kent Hoffmann, an assistant prosecutor in Marinette County, and a former public defender in Milwaukee, will replace Timothy Van Akkeren, who had announced last fall he would step down in January. Daniel J. Borowski, 50, of Kohler, who just last year joined his Mequon-based firm Phillips Borowski with Milwaukee's von Briesen & Roper SC, will take the seat of James Bolgert, also retiring, effective Aug. 1. Borowski's civil practice has focused on representing local governments in labor and employment matters, litigation and risk management, according to Walker's announcment and his von Briesen profile. Both Hoffmann and Borowski obtained undergraduate degrees from UW-Milwaukee and law degrees from UW-Madison, Hoffmann in 1991, Borowski in 1990. Hoffmann said in an email he was excited for the new job, and about returning to his home county; he was born in Sheboygan and raised in Kohler. He served as a public defender in Milwaukee for 16 years, the last three as a manager, before heading north in 1999. Walker's announcement included praise for Hoffmann's professionalism and temperment from Marinette County circuit judges David G. Miron and James Morrison, one of 11 applicants for appointment to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The announcement's blurb about Borowski came from Ozaukee County Circuit Judge Joseph Voiland, who said. The business experience, courtroom experience, life experience and commitment to the rule of law that Dan Borowski carries will be a great benefit to the people of Sheboygan County and the state of Wisconsin." Bolgert had been re-elected in 2012, Van Akkeren in 2013. Priscilla Camilli worries about changes to Family Care, which her son, Christopher, uses because of his cerebral palsy. Credit: Rick Wood By of the Christopher Camilli, 50, can't tell time or handle money. He has trouble speaking and can't use public transportation. But he has worked at the Eisenhower Center, which employs people with severe disabilities, since he was 21, and he has lived in a group home for the past 20 years. Camilli was born with cerebral palsy. His parents believe he's in a good place because of Family Care, a state program that provides the services he needs to live his day-to-day life. "They spent a lot time developing the Family Care model," Priscilla Camilli said, "and it's great." She and her husband, Charles, both 73, are among the tens of thousands of family members uneasy about the state's proposal to revamp Family Care and a related program known as IRIS. "My question is, why mess with it?" she said. "Why not leave it alone?" In the coming weeks, the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee could vote on a proposal to dramatically remake the two Medicaid programs, which provide services to roughly 55,000 people. Most people know nothing about Family Care and IRIS. But the two programs account for $2 billion of the $3.4 billion that the state and federal government will spend on long-term care this fiscal year in Wisconsin. The state's share of the total cost is about $1.4 billion. To put that in perspective, it's more than the $1.1 billion the state will spend this fiscal year on the University of Wisconsin System. The people who need long-term care are among the most vulnerable in the state. They are people who are disabled or elderly and impoverished people who were born with severe physical or cognitive disabilities, who were paralyzed by spinal injuries or strokes, who have severe mental illnesses, who are elderly and need help getting dressed, bathing and doing other tasks to remain in their homes. No matter what your age, there's a very good chance you will know or be related to someone who will need Medicaid for long-term care. Someday, you could be one of them. According to one projection, more than half of all people who turned 65 in 2014 eventually will have to pay for some type of long-term care, such as nursing homes, adult day care or in-home personal-care workers. It's an expense many people will be unable to afford. Six hours of help each day from a personal-care worker, at a cost of $15 an hour, for instance, works out to almost $33,000 a year. Yet almost half of people over 65 now live on less than $23,760 a year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy research organization. The net worth of the typical household nearing retirement age people 55 to 64 was about $166,000 in 2013, including retirement savings and the value of their homes, according to the Brookings Institution, a policy research organization. In short, the financial burden of providing long-term care is almost certain to increase in coming decades. That's partly why states increasingly are considering new approaches. Under the proposal before the Joint Finance Committee, Wisconsin would contract with private insurance companies to oversee both medical and long-term care for people in the Family Care and IRIS programs. Contracting with one entity to oversee both medical care and long-term care is an emerging trend nationally and could improve the coordination and quality of care while lowering costs. But the state's plan also is a multibillion-dollar experiment. Other states have started with pilot programs, testing the model first to see what works and what doesn't. In contrast, Wisconsin would adopt the new program in a single stroke, basically blowing up the system for providing long-term care, which was built over almost two decades. That concerns even people who support the new model and recognize its potential. Tom Lutzow, the president and chief executive officer of iCare, a health plan in Milwaukee, knows the advantages that can come from integrating medical care and long-term care. The company participates in a limited program, known as Family Care Partnership, that now integrates the two. But he would prefer the state implement the new model over a longer time period. "What's the rush?" Lutzow said. In the short term, the proposal has limited upside: The state projects it will save $301.3 million in the first six years. It works out to 1.7% of the $17.8 billion in projected spending over six years on medical care and long-term care for people in the two programs. But the potential savings would increase over time. The state estimates the move would save the state and federal governments $81.6 million a year by its sixth year. The total savings could be much larger. The state's estimate includes only the potential savings for people who are covered solely by Medicaid about 11,000 of the 55,000 in the Family Care and IRIS programs. (People covered only by Medicaid typically were born with severe disabilities and haven't worked long enough to qualify for Medicare.) Most of the people in the two programs are covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare, which is funded with federal tax dollars, pays about 80% of the cost of their health care. Medicaid, which is funded by state and federal tax dollars, pays the balance. Medicare doesn't cover long-term care. If you have a debilitating stroke, Medicare will pay for your hospital care and 100 days of long-term care. After that, you are on your own if you need additional long-term care unless, and often until, you have gone through your savings and are eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid will pay for nursing homes. But it also will pay for services, such as help with everyday tasks, to keep people in their homes. That is almost always less costly. Wisconsin was among the states at the forefront of giving people that option. "We've actually done a magnificent job in shifting from a huge reliance on institutional care to community-based care," said Tom Frazier, co-chair of the Wisconsin Long-Term Care Coalition, a group put together in response to the state's proposal. Family Care and IRIS are the two main programs that do that: Family Care contracts with eight regional managed-care organizations that oversee the program and that in turn contract with agencies and nonprofit organizations for personal-care workers. IRIS an acronym for Include, Respect, I Self-Direct gives adults and families a set amount of money, based on a person's needs, that they can determine how to spend with the approval of a financial counselor. As of December, 42,376 people were in the Family Care program and 12,953 people were in the IRIS program, according to the Department of Health Services. The programs cover just long-term care. Medical care is separate, covered by Medicare, Medicaid or both. Under the proposal before the Joint Finance Committee, private health insurers would be paid a fixed amount to cover both medical care and long-term care. That would give them a financial incentive to help manage and coordinate people's care taking steps, for example, to ensure that people take their medications or have follow-up appointments after being discharged from a hospital. For insurance companies, the proposal which unexpectedly was part of Gov. Scott Walker's budget last year could mean tens of millions of dollars in profits a year. But insurance companies with a clear interest in the contracts also have experience managing both medical and long-term care: Anthem manages the care of 240,000 people in eight states. Molina Healthcare manages the care of more than 225,000 people in eight states. UnitedHealthcare manages the care of almost 240,000 people in 13 states. The companies also can point to improvements in the care people receive. For example, Anthem can cite a drop in patients who are hospitalized and high satisfaction scores by people in the health plans. So far, though, the state's proposal has generated more concern than support among advocates for people who are elderly or disabled, people in the programs and their families. Julie Burish, whose 20-year-old daughter Kathryn was born with Down syndrome and is in the IRIS program, worries about the loss of control. The state proposal would keep the so-called self-directed option available through IRIS. But Burish said each health insurer will do its own functional assessment, which determines the IRIS budget, and that the insurer could have an incentive to deny services. "It's a conflict of interest," she said. Burish contends the state should move more slowly, possibly creating a commission to develop the best approach to long-term care. The Department of Health Services' initial plan, however, includes an array of proposed safeguards. Some examples: The insurance companies will have to contract for at least three years with any qualified provider of long-term care services willing to accept the insurer's rates, to help prevent any disruption in people's care. People will be allowed to change health insurers at any time. People will be able to appeal decisions by insurance companies. The transition to the new model, which would not begin until 2018 at the earliest, also would be done in phases. The initial plan is for the state to be divided into three zones, with the transition done over several months in one zone at a time. That will enable the state to move more slowly if it encounters problems. Still, the proposed change in the two programs will be a massive undertaking. The plan, which envisions three health insurers in each zone, would require each health insurer to contact someone who enrolled in their health plan in person within 10 days, according to information given to the Joint Finance Committee. That would require a substantial effort by health insurers: Contacting 18,000 people over three months means contacting more than 250 people a day, excluding weekends, in each zone. The scale of the undertaking may be what most worries people who oppose the proposal. Family Care was gradually expanded throughout the state and still had challenges, said Frazier of the Wisconsin Long-Term Care Coalition. "There were some serious growing pains," he said. "We will suffer those growing pains all over again, and the faster we do it, the worse it will be." The health insurers will need to build their own networks of personal-care workers. And Frazier and others contend that the state will lose the experience and knowledge of the local market and relationships of the existing managed care organizations that oversee long-term care. Some of the existing managed care organizations iCare and Community Care in Milwaukee and Care Wisconsin in Madison have insurance licenses and plan to contract with the state. So, too, does My Choice Family Care, formerly the Milwaukee County Department of Family Care. The organization, which oversees the long-term care of about 8,400 people in eight counties, plans to become an independent nonprofit corporation and to apply for an insurance license from state regulators. Yet another concern is what will happen if health insurers lose money on the state contract and pull out. "That's one of the things people definitely will be looking for: Will these models be financially viable over time?" said MaryBeth Musumeci, an associate director of the Kaiser Family Foundation's Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. So far, only a small number of plans have pulled out throughout the country, Musumeci said. It's still a concern for opponents of the state's proposal. "You better be careful you are doing the right thing," said Lynn Breedlove, co-chair of the Wisconsin Long-Term Care Coalition. "You can't turn the clock back, because the existing managed care organizations will be gone." The state's proposal is just part of a broader challenge: how to pay for long-term care. The number of people 85 and older is projected to increase by almost 70% in the next two decades, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Wisconsin and other states are trying to prepare for what that will mean for state budgets. But for people such as Priscilla Camilli, the state's proposal to remake the Family Care and IRIS programs could mean several years of uncertainty and worry. "What will happen when we are gone?" Camilli said about her son. "How can we be sure he will have the care he needs? "This program is working so well, we just don't understand why it has to be changed." UW-La Crosse chancellor Joe Gow, shown speaking during a UW Board of Regents meeting last year, says he has withdrawn his name for consideration to become president at Northern State University in South Dakota. Credit: Journal Sentinel files By of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow says personal reasons drove him to consider a job opportunity in South Dakota. He has since withdrawn his name from consideration. But at the same time, he wished the politics surrounding public higher education in Wisconsin were less divisive. Gow is the longest-tenured chancellor in the UW System, entering his 10th year on the job. News in recent days that he was one of three finalists interviewing for the presidency of Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., raised questions about what prompted him to look elsewhere. "The situation in Wisconsin really was not a motivator," Gow said in an interview. "Hopefully, we've seen the peak of the acrimony." It's been a particularly tumultuous year in the UW System. UW-La Crosse's share of a systemwide $250 million biennial budget cut led to the elimination of 45 positions and 7% cuts to department operating budgets. Gow, 55, withdrew his name from consideration during his visit to Northern State University. The position would have paid about $250,000. He currently earns $212,388. Gow's reason for considering a job in South Dakota was his wife's job in North Dakota. Gow's wife, Carmen Wilson formerly the CEO/dean of the two-year UW-Rock County campus became the provost/vice president for academic affairs at Dickinson State University in March. "The next career step for her was to be a provost. That's when we started looking at the Dakotas," Gow said. Wilson was CEO/dean at UW-Rock County for four years. She was not offered a regional dean position when UW Colleges grouped its 13 campuses into four regions with one executive officer/dean per region. Wilson previously spent 16 years at UW-La Crosse as a faculty member in psychology, and in the latter years as affirmative action officer and the chancellor's chief of staff. The couple met at UW-La Crosse and married in June 2014. Wilson said she is taking home about $30,000 more in pay than she did as a CEO/dean of a UW Colleges campus. Gow said he's happy to stay at UW-La Crosse. Wilson said the commute wouldn't have been much different had he landed in South Dakota, given airport and driving logistics. "In looking at another place, we really came to realize how special La Crosse is," Gow said. "There wasn't enough to make me leave." Five years ago, Gow was a finalist for the presidency of State University of New York at New Paltz, and also withdrew his name from consideration there. "Maybe every few years, I get the yen to see what's out there," he said. Brittany Thomas, with the help of her daughter, NeShauna Thomas, 5, arranges some of her handmade decorative pillows that she had displayed and was selling at the Heal the Hood event. Her business is called The God Collection. Credit: Michael Sears By of the How can a little block party, such as the one on Sunday, live up to its name: Heal the Hood? Two years ago, the drummers drummed, the dancers danced, and there was music, and food, and kids running around. All the while, at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, 10-year-old Sierra Guyton, shot in the head as she played on the Clarke Street playground, struggled to remain alive a struggle she lost. And then last year, all came together again. That was the year shootings soared and homicides spiked and Milwaukee saw its deadliest year in decades. So Sunday, just days after the funeral of 9-year-old Za'layia Jenkins shot while watching television, hit by bullets that ripped through her home the drummers drummed, the dancers danced, and there was music, and food, and kids running around. How can the hood heal when violence keeps ripping at its wounds? Such violence was centuries in the making, said Heal the Hood founder Ajamou Butler. "I don't think a block party will stop kids from dying," he said a few minutes after opening Sunday's festivities, at N. 1st St. and W. Keefe Ave., with prayer. "It won't knock the murder rate down from 150 to 75," he said. "That's naive. That's unrealistic. "This is one day out of 365," he said. "But today, not one 9-year-old will be hurt. Not here. No kids will be hurt. "This is a display of black-on-black love." That love seems to be all but invisible to the media, said Tsilah Imani, who sat on a bench beneath a shade tree while her three grandchildren played on a climber. "The news primarily reports only the negative in our community," she said. "But for every act of violence that happens, there are countless acts of love, kindness, support and healing in our community that go unreported." So let historians take note: During this year's Heal the Hood, a group of kids began to spin two ropes Double-Dutch style. Ebony Tidwell, who was selling her paintings from a small booth, watched them. She had learned Double-Dutch growing up a few blocks away. But these kids weren't singing. They jumped in and out of the double helix of spinning ropes, but they weren't chanting a rhyme. So she taught them one: Big Mac, fillet of fish, Quarter pound, French fries, Ice cola, milk shakes, Sundaes and apple pies. "Older women teaching the younger ones," Tidwell said. "Positive things being passed along. That is what this is about." SHARE Explaining Memorial Day Belleau Wood, Normandy, Chosin Reservoir, Khe Sanh, Fallujah and all the other places America has spilled its blood and lost its treasure, those are the real reasons for Memorial Day. Unfortunately, many Americans have forgotten this, and have come to view this holiday as yet another three-day weekend, the time for barbeques, department store sales and the beginning of the summer season. How did this happen? How did it get this way? And what can we do about it? What should we do about it? Much like the current TSA difficulties at the airports, there is not a simple solution. First, we have to want things to change, much like with presidential elections. Change is often good. Change is often necessary. Without change things can become stagnant. Perhaps patriotism became stagnant. Perhaps we simply took things for granted. My guess is that at least millennials, and probably many older than they, have absolutely no idea what or where Belleau Wood, Normandy, Chosin Reservoir, Khe Sanh and perhaps even the more recent Fallujah are or what they represent. The term "National Treasure" might conjure up the name of a Nicholas Cage movie rather than the spilled blood of our young men and women in foreign lands. Perhaps our mission as Americans, on this Memorial Day, is to at least mention to one another, especially our youths, what Memorial Day is really about, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for all Americans. Perhaps we need to explain what "ultimate sacrifice" means. And then we can couch it in terms of that Memorial Day is a day we remember and memorialize those who gave some, and those who gave all, so that we might have the barbeques, department store sales and this three-day weekend. Tom Bellino Hobart, Ind. Vietnam and Memorial Day How must the thousands of veterans, some of whom watched their buddies die at the hands of the "enemy," feel as they watch President Barack Obama shake the hand of the president of Vietnam, Tran Dai Quang ("Obama arrives in Vietnam," May 23)? Or the parents or siblings of the four Kent State students, shot dead while protesting that war. I cannot comprehend their grief. But I can almost hear them screaming, "Why?" It is not Obama who is at fault. Please place the blame where it belongs: on the administration that told us that unless the communists were stopped in Vietnam, the rest of Southeast Asia would fall to communism like dominoes. Memorial Day is here. Please go to your local ceremony, or, if you cannot go, take a minute to ask forgiveness from those who carried the burden of that war, and the latest effort to "save democracy." After all, they were answering the call, no more aware of the facts than is the average citizen. It is for that reason that we have to take the upcoming presidential election so seriously. We have been lied to for long enough. It is indeed time to tell the politicians, and those who control them, that we are mad as hell and we aren't going to take it anymore. Forget military aid to the "free" world. Forget taking on the role of the world's police force. Isn't it ironic that money trumps ideology? We sent our young men and women to die for democracy. Now we send them to ink economic trade agreements with our former enemy. Likely at the expense of the American worker. Jerry Hennes Kaukauna Tragic repeating scenario This letter is regarding Za'layia Jenkins ("Family, friends grieve for Za'layia," May 18). Gangsters shoot at gangsters in street. Bullets fly into house. Child (name, age here) is killed. Family grieves. Vigil is held. Candles are lit. Teddy bears are placed. Balloons are sent aloft. Mourning march is held. Police chief decries violence. Mayor wrings hands and looks pained. Pastors and community leaders call for people to come together to stop violence. Gangsters shoot at gangsters in street. Bullets fly into house. Child (name, age here) is killed. Family... Repeat scenario. Repeat scenario. Repeat scenario. R-E-P-E-A-T. Why? Gregory Krog Greenfield Please email your letters to jsedit@jrn.com, or mail them to Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, P.O. Box 371, Milwaukee, Wis. 53201-0371. Letters are generally limited to 200 words and are subject to editing. Jon Litscher, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, has returned to an agency under federal investigation and under frequent criticism from local governments and its own officers. He said he hopes to rebuild trust with prison staff and the public. Credit: Jason Stein By of the Madison At an hour of uncertainty, the new head of the state's prisons has come out of retirement to lead, but also to listen. Corrections Secretary Jon Litscher has returned to an agency under federal investigation and under frequent criticism from local governments and its own officers, whose thinning ranks have led to staffing shortages and safety worries. To overcome these challenges, Litscher, 71, is turning to an old tactic: restarting talks with front-line prison workers and acting on some of their concerns over issues such as pay. A former school superintendent, Litscher said he hopes to rebuild trust within the prison system and with the public. "I personally have to be out there. I have to be in the communities. I have to be in the institutions. I have to be the one who's emphasizing it because good, bad or indifferent, I have to be the face of the institutions carrying this message," he said. It won't be easy to restore confidence or extend change across the Department of Corrections, which has more than 10,000 positions and a budget of more than $1 billion. "That isn't going to be done simply overnight," he said. In an hourlong interview, his first since returning to the Department of Corrections in February, Litscher said he thinks the agency is getting past the problems at Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls, the juvenile institutions that share a campus 30 miles north of Wausau. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the facilities for prisoner neglect, child abuse, overuse of pepper spray, destruction of public records and other crimes. Workers and their union representatives welcomed the meetings between staff and top officials, saying they hadn't seen anything like them since Gov. Scott Walker took office in 2011 and approved Act 10, which all but eliminated collective bargaining for most public workers. Ron McAllister, who has been president of the union local at Lincoln Hills for more than two decades, worked with Litscher when he was corrections secretary under Govs. Tommy Thompson and Scott McCallum. Since Litscher returned to the job, the two have talked weekly, McAllister said. "To me, it looks like a breath of fresh air," McAllister said. "I believe if anybody can turn it around, Jon Litscher can turn it around." Litscher said he's putting in place the meetings with staff at Walker's request. "That's a passion I brought from the first four years of my tenure here and it's a passion that Governor Walker quite honestly wanted me to aggressively pursue," Litscher said of the meetings. "He wanted to develop communications, transparency (with) all front-line workers to have input in decisions." Act 10 severely limited the formal negotiations that public officials can have with unions, but Litscher said that doesn't prevent him from seeking input. "I don't call them labor-management (meetings), because I guess sometimes you get into a definitional problem. So I simply call them opening up lines of communication with line staff into management staff," he said. State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton), one of the most vocal critics of the Department of Corrections, said Litscher's appointment has been positive so far because the new secretary brought with him his former practice of talking with officers and their union leaders. "From what I understand in talking with some officers, he's taking the same approach in that what they say matters," Erpenbach said. "But the big thing will be what comes out of it....What I'm waiting to see is when the secretary comes forward with recommendations for big changes, whether the governor follows them." One of Litscher's first acts as secretary was to give officers a raise at a cost of about $10 million a year. The 80-cent-an-hour pay hike brings the starting wage to $16 an hour. On top of that, employees at Lincoln Hills and three maximum security prisons with the biggest worker shortages will temporarily get an extra 50 cents an hour. He said he is already seeing an improvement with recruiting new workers and will spend the coming months analyzing how the raise affects morale and employee retention. He said he'll decide later whether to recommend another pay boost. The agency wasn't given any new tax money to pay for the raises, so Litscher said for now he's using money from open positions and expected savings on overtime to cover the pay increases. He said he'll need time to see whether more money is needed in the next state budget starting in July 2017. Probe goes public The investigation at Lincoln Hills has been going on for 16 months but didn't become publicly known until December, when about 50 agents and attorneys raided the prison. Around that time, two top officials responsible for Lincoln Hills abruptly retired John Ourada, the prison's superintendent, and Paul Westerhaus, the state's juvenile corrections administrator. Corrections official Wayne Olson was assigned to run Lincoln Hills, but after three months on the demanding job he asked to transfer out of the post. To replace him, Litscher picked Wendy Peterson, the institution's then-deputy superintendent and former principal. Peterson first came to Lincoln Hills in 2011, shortly after quitting her job as an associate dean at Northcentral Technical College when she was told she was being demoted. As principal at the youth prison, she told teachers to do whatever they could to keep residents in their classrooms, even if it meant showing them Hollywood movies, according to current and former teachers. When she was up for the job of deputy superintendent, some workers took the rare step of signing a petition asking officials not to give her the promotion. In the interview, Litscher stood by the decision to put Peterson in charge of Lincoln Hills, saying he gave her the promotion based on positive evaluations of her work there. He noted the facility would soon hire people to fill the prison's No. 2 and No. 3 posts deputy superintendent and security director. The staff at Lincoln Hills is largely white, while the residents are mostly minorities. Litscher said he doesn't see a cultural disconnect between staff and residents. While northern Wisconsin does not have a large African-American population, it does have a significant American Indian population, which he said helps make whites in the area more culturally aware. The problems at Lincoln Hills have come to light five years after the state closed two other juvenile institutions, Ethan Allen School in Wales and Southern Oaks Girls School in Union Grove, because of declining populations. Litscher offered no opinion on whether moving inmates from those institutions to Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake led to the troubles at the Northwoods facilities. "I can't make an evaluation on that," he said. "We're not approaching it from the standpoint of 'what if'...We're approaching it from the standpoint of how we're going to be successful yesterday, today and tomorrow." One recent source of embarrassment for the agency has been the repeated errors by Lincoln Hills staff in giving the wrong psychotropic drugs to inmates. Litscher said his agency is evaluating whether changes are needed in the process for dispensing medicines, which at Lincoln Hills and most other state prisons has long been handed out by security staff, not nurses. In a recent change, nurses for the time being are dispensing medicine to some Lincoln Hills residents, and Litscher said he continues to study the issue. The corrections head also pushed back against concerns that staff at the juvenile prison weren't always responding promptly to crises. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has reported on two recent cases in which the families of inmates say that the staff at the juvenile prison were slow to respond to suicide attempts. "I think any youth counselor and supervisor would respond aggressively and overtly to (prevent) student harm," he said. Five stats that say the Brewers will be better in 2023 (and five that say they won't) SHARE By of the Four people were killed and four injured Saturday when a semitrailer truck struck a pickup, then veered into an SUV in Walworth County, the Sheriff's Office reported. The semi was northbound on Highway K in Sharon Township when a Chevy pickup eastbound on Townhall Road went through a stop sign and was broadsided by the semi. Three of the four people in the Chevy pickup were killed; the fourth was flown to a hospital and was in critical condition. An SUV southbound on Highway K was also struck. One of two people in that GMC Envoy was killed and the other taken to a hospital with critical injuries. The driver and a passenger in the semi were also taken to hospitals with multiple injuries. Names of the victims and the semi driver were not released, pending notification of relatives and further investigation of the crash, according to the Sheriff's Office. More than a dozen agencies from Wisconsin and Illinois responded to the crash. Jill Carnegie, who operates Valley of the Kings wildlife sanctuary just east of the crash site, said roads leading to the intersection were still blocked hours later. "One of our volunteers heard the crash shortly after 10 a.m." Carnegie said, and noted it can take emergency responders quite a while to get to the area. The Sheriff's Office release stated its deputes arrived at 11:45 a.m. Carnegie said a motorcyclist was killed at the intersection last May, also because he ignored a stop sign on Townhall Road and was hit by a semitrailer truck. But she was surprised to learn the pickup in Saturday's crash was eastbound. She said westbound drivers are more apt to miss the stop sign, and not notice southbound traffic on K, because of foliage from a tree nursery on the northeast corner of the intersection. "We see people blow that stop sign all the time," she said. John Brandenburg of Rhinelander touches a name engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on May 16 on a Never Forgotten Honor Flight while Cal Doering of Gleason looks on. Credit: Nathan Phelps / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin SHARE Dan Reid of Schofield makes an etching of of the name of Michael P. Malueg on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. as part of Never Forgotten Honor Flight. Nathan Phelps / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin By Washington John Brandenburg touched the letters in the black granite wall. He'd found another name he knew etched into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. "I was hit twice there. I survived, they didn't," said the U.S. Army machine gunner who served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. "They gave the ultimate sacrifice, and I went on to have a good life after that. They didn't have that chance." Brandenburg was one of 98 Vietnam War- and Korean War-era veterans who traveled to Washington earlier this month as part of a Never Forgotten Honor Flight from Mosinee. The one-day trip was comprised of veterans from central and northern Wisconsin. "It should be a very happy time, but when you get to the wall here, it isn't," said Brandenburg, who lives in Rhinelander. "It catches you right there. It brings back some good memories, but it brings back some awful ones, too." The visit has a deep meaning to him. He was seeking five of his comrades among the 58,315 names on the memorial. "It's my duty to the people that didn't make it," he said. Dozens of other Wisconsin veterans also sought out names under a bright spring sun. The bright gold jackets and shirts of the veterans mixed with the springtime garb of passing tourists. A handful of U.S. Park Rangers helped veterans make paper etchings of the names engraved in the polished granite. The night before the trip, Dan Reid of Schofield said he wasn't sure how close he'd get to the monument. He'd ridden a motorcycle there 15 years ago as part of a massive gathering of veterans. "It bothers me that I have not actually been able to go up to the wall," said Reid who served with an Army aviation unit in Nha Trang in 1965 refueling aircraft and voluntarily flying combat missions as a helicopter gunner. "I want to etch some names that I haven't been able to do yet." He doubted he would. "I'll have someone else do it for me," Reid said. But in the end, when he got to the wall, he did it himself. With an oversize crayon and piece of paper, Reid pressed the paper on the surface and began coloring over the name of Michael P. Malueg, a Marine from Antigo killed in 1969. He stepped back, paused briefly to look down at the green etching in his hands then moved on to find the next name. Reid talked slowly when asked why he wanted to go on this trip. It was hard for him to explain. The conversation briefly switched to another topic before he continued. "I've always felt guilt about getting out of there and some of my friends didn't," he said. "I think a lot of people feel that." Majority on Honor Flight are Vietnam veterans The day-long trip to Washington was the 24th for the Wausau-based Never Forgotten Honor Flight, an operation that has flown more than 2,194 veterans to the nation's capital since 2010. Demographics are shifting as more Korea and Vietnam veterans sign up for the flights. The May 16 flight included 92 Vietnam veterans and six from the Korean War. Another 722 Vietnam veterans, 36 Korea veterans and 13 World War II veterans are waiting to go on future flights. Never Forgotten has two more flights planned for late summer and fall. Shortly before the flight returned to Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee, veterans were encouraged to share their stories with families. Organizers provided a book to each veteran to help start that process. "What changes every single flight are the veterans and their stories," said Mike Thompson, co-founder and president of the organization. "Every single veteran has an amazing story, and it's important for them to tell that story. In some cases it takes a huge bag of sand off their back and they're able to come to grips with some long-hurting feelings." The flights which are paid for by business, civic organizations, unions, schools and individual donations are open to all veterans who served during World War II, Korea and Vietnam eras, even if they never deployed out of the United States. The National World War II Museum says there are 13,116 World War II veterans in Wisconsin. Nationally, about 430 of those veterans die each day. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs calculated there were 35,496 Korean War-era veterans and 140,064 Vietnam War-era veterans living in Wisconsin in 2014. Nationally, those veterans are passing away at a daily rate of 150 and 390, respectively. Never Forgotten Honor Flight is one of five organizations in Wisconsin, all of which are part of a larger national network that has hubs in 43 states. There are similar organizations in Appleton, Madison, LaCrosse, and Port Washington. Like the central Wisconsin program, Menasha-based Old Glory Honor Flight is flying an increasing number of Vietnam veterans to Washington D.C. For the past few years Old Glory, the Experimental Aircraft Association and American Airlines have offered a flight for Vietnam veterans during AirVenture in Oshkosh. The Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight returns on July 29. "After that we're opening the flood gates to all of our Vietnam veterans to apply and get them on the wait list like we did with the World War II and Korean War veterans," said Diane MacDonald, one of the founding members of Old Glory Honor Flight. "I would expect most of those flights after EAA will be blended because we always get a couple of applications from World War II vets or Korea War vets." 'Welcome home' Before the first Wisconsin veterans stepped off the plane at Reagan National Airport, several dozen passers-by gathered outside the gate. A pair of bagpipers, transiting the airport and previously unaware of the honor flight, stopped to provide a soundtrack to their arrival. As the veterans walked, or rolled, out of the gate applause broke out and continued. The group of well-wishers grew larger as more and more people stopped. Hands of strangers, young and old, extended from the phalanx of travelers who offered handshakes and a steady stream of "Welcome home." It was an emotional airport arrival, one many veterans never got 40 or 50 years ago. "It's not like closure, but it kind of is," said Thomas Zaverousky, an Air Force mechanic from Antigo who served in Vietnam working on AC-47 gunships. "We never got anything when we came home. You just went to the next base and that was it. This kind of gives you a feeling of accomplishment like we did something, even if not everyone agreed with it, we went and did our jobs, that's all we did." Throughout the day groups of students, and adults, approached the veterans and thanked them for their service. A few teenage girls posed for photos with some of the veterans while many others offered a handshake and thanks. Like the changing demographics of the flight, the attitude toward Vietnam veterans appears to have shifted. Serving in Vietnam meant changing out of your uniform for the trip home in the turbulent 1960s and '70s. Today it inspires gratitude from generations who have benefited from that very service. Arnold Putnam, Jr., of Park Falls found himself surrounded by some of those students at Arlington National Cemetery. They lined up to say thanks to the Marine helicopter gunner who had come to the memorial where names of friends are inscribed. It wasn't the first time he'd had children thank him that day. "I'm very happy," Putnam said about the decision to make the trip. Much of the emotional weight of the trip came early in the day with visits to the Vietnam and Korea memorials. For much of the afternoon, veterans got a VIP tour of the city and military memorials and monuments. A pair of escorting Park Police squad cars ensured no red lights and no waiting in traffic. No small feat in D.C. Like many of the other Vietnam veterans, Wayne Dieck knows names on the wall. He served in the infantry with the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1966 and 1967. Like others, he didn't really know what to expect from the trip. With the sun casting a soft early evening light into the airport terminal, Dieck reflected on the day shortly before boarding the chartered Sun Country 737 airliner. "The wall was tough, but the memorials were all nice," he said. "It was worth the trip. I'm happy, very happy." It's not just the veterans who take something from the trip. "It means a lot to me just to know that he gets to the see the memorials," said Barb Dieck, Wayne's wife of 45 years. "What he went through in Vietnam, it means an awful lot. It's a great thing. I can't say enough about the honor flight." The return to Mosniee was equally impressive as the arrival in the Capital. Hundreds of people lined the airport's concourse cheering and greeting the returning veterans shortly after 10 p.m. Just outside of the terminal, in a chilly spring breeze, husbands and wives embraced, kissed and exchanged questions and answers about what each had done during the day. The gold-jacket clad veterans shook hands, laughed and exchanged stories. A few balloons bobbed in the crowd. "Welcome Home" they read. Reddit Email 0 Shares By Gerry Simpson | ( Human Rights Watch ) | There are two walls on the Turkey-Syria border. One is manned by Turkish border guards enforcing Turkeys 15 month-old border closure who, according to witnesses, have at times shot at and assaulted Syrian asylum seekers as they try to reach safety in Turkey abuses strongly denied by the Turkish government. The other is a wall of silence by the rest of the world, including the United Nations, which has chosen to turn a blind eye to Turkeys breach of international law which prohibits forcing people back to places, including by rejecting them at the border, where their lives or freedom would be threatened. Both walls are trapping 165,000 displaced Syrians now scattered in overcrowded informal settlements and fields just south of Turkeys Oncupnar/Bab al-Salameh border crossing and in and around the nearby Syrian town of Azaz. In April, 30,000 of them fled ISIS advances on about 10 informal displacement camps to the east of Azaz, which came under ISIS attack, and one of which has since been hit by an airstrike that killed at least 20 people and injured at least 37 more. Turkish border guards shot at civilians fleeing ISIS and approaching the border. Now aid agencies operating in the area say that between May 24 and 27, another 45,000 fled a new ISIS assault on the area east of Azaz and are now stuck in and around Azaz too. Aid agencies say there is no question all 165,000 would seek asylum in Turkey if the border were open to them. While the world speaks about fighting ISIS, their silence is deafening when it comes to the basic rights of those fleeing ISIS. The fact Turkey is generously hosting more than 2.5 million Syrians does not give it a right to shut its border to other endangered Syrians. And the EU which has signed a deal with Turkey that aims to contain Syrians and other refugees and asylum seekers in Turkey should stop turning its back on people fleeing war and persecution, and help them to safely reach protection in the EU. Via Human Rights Watch - Related video added by Juan Cole: Aljazeera English: More than 100,000 Syrians flee as ISIL advances Reddit Email 0 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | BBC Monitoring surveyed the Arabic press on 27 May for the issue of the Iranian role in the Iraq government campaign to take Fallujah from Daesh (ISIS, ISIL). Although Saudi and other newspapers say they want to see Daesh defeated, they are deeply critical of the Shiite militias or Popular Mobilization Forces, alleging that they use indiscriminate fire and create high numbers of civilian casualties when operating in Sunni Arab areas. Fallujah is a storied Iraqi Sunni stronghold of several hundreds of thousands of residents, the city of minarets. It fell to Daesh in January of 2014, and I think it is fair to say that there is much more angst in the Sunni Arab world about its liberation at the hands of Iran-backed Shiites than there has been about Daeshs brutal occupation of the city. BBC Monitoring writes, In Bahraini pro-government Akhbar al-Khalij, Hamed Ezzat al-Sayyad balmes Tehran for attacks on Sunnis in Fallujah. He describes Iran as the modern Mongols, and a cancerous entity that should be faced through an Arab liberation project. He cites the brutal assault on Fallujah which is a stronghold for Sunnis in Iraq. It also reports that the pro-government Saudi newspaper al-Riyadh alleged that the Shiite militias had randomly attacked a civilian hospital, and complained that 300 Iraqis had already been killed in the run-up to the main battled. Jordans al-Ghad (private) ran a column by Isa al-Shu`aybi alleging indiscriminate killing based on sectarian segregation by the Shiite militias. Abdullah al-Awady of the UAEs al-Ittihad (Unity) attacked the Shiite militias for exterminating Sunnis and alleged that the Iraqi government was firing Sunnis from all state institutions. In a May 23 report, BBC Monitoring had quoted some tweets by Sunnis actually rooting for Daesh if that meant that the Shiites would be defeated: SPOKANE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gold Reserve Inc. (TSX.V:GRZ) (OTCQB:GDRZF) (the Company) announced today that, by mutual agreement, the Company and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela have extended the previously announced February 24, 2016 Memorandum of Understanding (the MOU) from May 27, 2016 to June 21, 2016. The MOU contemplates settlement, including payment and resolution, of the arbitral award granted in favor of the Company by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in respect of the Brisas Project and the payment for the transfer of the related technical mining data previously compiled by the Company. In addition, a new joint venture will be established for the development of the Brisas and the adjacent Cristinas gold-copper projects by the Company and Venezuela. Gold Reserves senior executives are in Caracas and had made significant progress towards completing the agreements. However, due to their complexity and the fact that this will be the first transaction pursuant to the new Venezuelan mining initiative announced earlier this year by President Nicolas Maduro Moros, the parties were unable to complete the agreements by May 27, 2016. Gold Reserve is working with senior officials of the Venezuela government to close the transactions contemplated in the MOU by June 21, 2016. Attorney General of Venezuela, Reinaldo Munoz today stated, We are working with the executives of Gold Reserve to finalize this transaction and move the project forward together. Doug Belanger, President of Gold Reserve stated, We continue to advance the settlement and joint venture agreements and have made significant progress towards a successful conclusion. The importance of this project to Venezuela as well as to Gold Reserve requires that we establish a solid legal foundation to take this project to its logical conclusion. In regards to the trading in the Companys shares on May 27, 2016 and based on the progress being made on the settlement and the joint venture agreements, we know of no reason to explain the drop in the stock price. Further information regarding the Company can be located at www.goldreserveinc.com, www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable U.S. federal securities laws and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial and territorial securities laws and state Gold Reserve's and its management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions for the future including without limitation statements with respect to the transactions contemplated by the MOU. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. We caution that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other risks that may cause the actual outcomes, financial results, performance, or achievements of Gold Reserve to be materially different from our estimated outcomes, future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Gold Reserve's forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Gold Reserve or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Gold Reserve disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of assumptions or factors, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, subject to its disclosure obligations under applicable rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable Canadian provincial and territorial securities laws. In addition to being subject to a number of assumptions, forward-looking statements in this release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including without limitation the risk that the Company and Venezuela may not be able to reach final agreement on definitive documentation for the transactions contemplated by the MOU. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Argentinas last dictator, Reynaldo Bignone, and other former military officers were sentenced [El Mundo report, in Spanish] to prison on Friday for their roles in Operation Condor in the 1970s . The criminal court in Buenos Aires, composed of judges Adrian Grunberg, Oscar Amirante, Pablo Laufer and Ricardo Angel Basilico, handed Bignone a 20-year prison sentence on top of his previous prison sentences for crimes against humanity. The trial began with 22 defendants, but five died or were absolved. According to attorneys for advocacy groups, this was an important step in human rights because it is the first time the existence of Operation Condor has been proved [Guardian report] in court. Operation Condor [AP report] was a multi-state campaign that created and sanctioned death squads from South American countries to kidnap, torture and kill political opponents from each others countries who had fled their country of origin. Evidence was produced during the trials that showed the US was aware of Operation Condor and played a role. Former participants of former dictatorships of South America have been held accountable for their past crimes in the last decade. In February 2015, Frances highest appeals court overturned [JURIST report] a lower court decision to allow the extradition of a former police officer to Argentina for alleged crimes against humanity during the countrys dirty war. In October 2014, a Buenos Aires court handed down [JURIST report] a 23-year prison sentence to Reynaldo Bignone for the kidnapping and torture of 32 factory workers. In January 2014, the US Supreme Court ruled [JURIST report] in DaimlerChrysler AG (Daimler) v. Bauman that Daimler did not have to face suit in California for alleged human rights violations by a subsidiary that took place in Argentina during the nations 1976-1983 Dirty War. The Supreme Court of Chile approved [JURIST report] extradition of former Argentine Judge Otilio Romano for human rights crimes in 2013. [JURIST] The national Israeli Police [official website] on Sunday recommended [Haaretz report] that Sara Netanyahu, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus wife, be indicted for improper behavior and misuse of state funds. The allegations include breach of trust, falsifying documents and receiving goods under false pretenses. Law enforcement officials asserted [Jerusalem Post report] that they have found enough evidence to indict the following: Sara Netanyahu, Deputy Director of the Prime Ministers office Ezra Saidoff and electrician Avi Fahima. The police official statement did not expressly recount [Jewish Press report] the evidentiary foundation for an indictment against the suspects. The Netanyahus have denied the allegations, including a separate case that alleged they received improper gifts when the prime minister served as finance minister in 2003. The investigation into spending by the Netanyahus began [Time Of Israel report] last year after a former custodian successfully sued for damages after alleging abuse at the hands of Ms. Netanyahu and a state comptroller report criticized [NYT report] their spending habits. In 2015, Israels attorney general ordered [JURIST report] a criminal probe into excessive residential spending by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. This was not the first time an Israeli prime minister had gone through a criminal investigation. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was convicted [JURIST report] of accepting bribes relating to the construction of a luxury apartment complex called the Holyland Towers in 2014. A Mexican judge granted a temporary suspension [El Mundo report, in Spanish] on the extradition of Joaquin el Chapo Guzman to the US on Saturday. The decision comes after Guzmans lawyers filed [El Pais report, in Spanish] an appeal arguing that extradition to the US would be unconstitutional. The Mexican foreign ministry had approved [Fox News report] the extradition of Guzman so that he could be tried in US federal courts. The judge gave a non-postponable 48-hour window for the foreign ministry to present an argument that the extradition will comply with the extradition agreement. Furthermore, the judge provided that if the court does not receive the argument, the extradition decision will be reviewed by the justice department in June. Joaquin El Chapo Guzman was sentenced for conspiracy to distribute and import cocaine and kept in Mexicos highest security prison, Altiplano, in July. Guzman escaped from prison that month and a federal official announced [JURIST report] that seven of those who were being questioned regarding the prison escape were formally arrested. In August a Mexican judge temporarily suspended [JURIST report] a US extradition order for Guzman for an unknown reason and the escape increased tension in US-Mexico relations. In January Guzman was recaptured [JURIST report] in Los Mochis, Mexico after a Mexican-military raid left 5 suspects dead and one Mexican official injured. In May, a judge ruled [JURIST report] and then Mexicos foreign ministry approved [WP report] Guzmans extradition to the US. West Palm Beach, 05/28/2016 /SubmitPressRelease123/ Palm Beach County, Florida was recently known as the pill mill capital of the United States. But since the authorities, including the Federal Government through the DEA and the Palm Beach County Drug Task Force, led by the Office of the Palm Beach County Sheriff shut down the local pill mills, the need for addicts to get their fix on opium has not withered. As a matter of fact, over the past few years or since 2013, the rise of heroin on the streets of Palm Beach County, FL has escalated to epidemic levels. Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Lake-Worth have seen significant amounts of heroin being manufactured, sold, and used since the pill mills have all been shut down. The number of deaths linked to heroin overdoses, throughout Palm Beach County, FL is totaling up daily, not weekly or monthly. Heroin is being sold for as little as $10.00 a cap, throughout Palm Beach County, FL. A cap is street terminology for one dose, one shot or one hit of the highly addictive drug. With the recent increase in heroin busts in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Lake-Worth, so has the gun violence. The number of shootings plaguing the communities throughout Palm Beach County, FL, due to the illegal narcotics trade, are rising as quickly as the Florida heat. The shootings, which are killing and maiming local residents, are the combination of many factors. The factors however, are all tied back, much like a tourniquet to the arm, to Palm Beach Countys dependency on heroin. Recently, turf battles have broken out in Boynton Beach and Delray Beach over which group of dealers will control certain areas of their prospective blocks. These types of turf wars produce brutal shootings throughout the streets and blocks that surround those towns afflicted with the heroin problems, inflicting injury and death on the dealers, buyers and also innocent residents. While authorities refuse to recognize the problem or even address it in the media, there has also been a large-scale gun war being fought on the streets throughout Palm Beach County, FL between those who are known as confidential informants (CI) and the drug dealers. Many drive-by shootings go under reported or even unreported, by law enforcement officials, in Palm Beach County because of the locations where the shootings take place. If law enforcement officials were to release the exact locations and names of those being targeted in the shootings, it would alert drug dealers and drug buyers of who is hot; street terminology for working for the police, opening up the confidential informants and those around them for more violence. I predict this violence will soon spill over into our local high schools. Additionally, Palm Beach County has also seen an uptick in the amount of property crimes, which are associated with heroin drug dealing. The illegal heroin trade in Palm Beach County, FL has produced an increase in home break-ins, burglaries, and also has produced an increase in many other theft related crimes. The thefts fueling the illegal heroin trade in Palm Beach County, FL range from petit thefts like stealing property valued at under $300.00 from local superstores to a recent carjacking case. The illegal sale of heroin in Palm Beach County, FL is affecting every resident that lives, works or plays in and on the Palm Beaches. The majority of heroin entering Palm Beach County, FL is entering from South and Central America. Whether the heroin is passing through the southern border of the United States and Mexico or whether it is coming across the Gulf of Mexico or via the Atlantic Ocean, it is entering Palm Beach County as quickly as a needle pierces a vein. Heroin, which is being shipped via the water to Palm Beach County, FL, is being done through easy methods like shipping containers carried on vessels that enter the ports of South Florida on an hourly basis. Much of the illegal heroin is easily getting by the U.S. Coast Guard and Homeland Security Agents in their attempts to guard the thousands of miles of waterways in and surrounding Florida. Another way that the heroin is entering the Palm Beach area is through vehicles hauling it in from the southern border with Mexico. Whether it comes straight down I-95 or from one of the many arteries that cross into Palm Beach County from the western parts of the state, like Rt. 80 or 710, heroin has made its way to our communities and it is here to stay. Andrew D. Stine is a criminal defense attorney in Palm Beach County, Florida and has been writing blogs since 2004 on all criminal justice issues that affect the people and communities of the Palm Beaches. Attorney Andrew D. Stine has represented clients charged with drug crimes from Boston, Massachusetts to Key West, Florida. Attorney Stine has been given the slogan Hire Stine or Do the Time because of his tenacious attitude and his fierce representation of those facing criminal charges. If you or a loved one is in need of a criminal lawyer, with over 13 years of trial experience protecting the Constitutional rights of those accused of crimes; one who has never prosecuted anyone, then call 561 832-1170 for an immediate consultation. source: http://www.andrewdstine.com/palm-beach-county-defense-attorney-heroin-use-reaches-epidemic-proportions/ Newsroom powered by Online Press Release Distribution SubmitMyPressRelease.com Like Us on Facebook It's only fair to share... Pinterest Linkedin email Print 171 Shares Share Josef Stalin famously said: One death is a tragedy; one million is a statistic. Perhaps 250,000 preventable deaths from medical errors, according to an analysis by Makary and Daniel in the BMJ, maketh a Stalin. The problem with Makarys analysis, which also concluded that medical errors are the third leading cause of death, isnt the method. Yes, the method is shaky. It projects medical errors from a series of thirty-five patients to a country of 320 million, which is like deciding national spice tolerance on what my family eats for dinner. The problem with Makarys analysis isnt that it is full of assumptions. Assumptions are inevitable in biomedical research, and abundant in health services research. Researchers of medical errors must determine whether a bad patient outcome, such as death, was avoidable. Bad outcomes lie in a spectrum between inevitability and preventability. If every death is inevitable doctors are rendered impotent, and if every death is avoidable doctors are rendered omnipotent. (FWIW, I prefer omnipotence.) Researchers of medical errors dont have perfect information. They dont know the clinical context. How can they? They were not there. They must assume and set their default assumption, which means that the researchers must choose between erring towards calling a bad medical outcome avoidable or inevitable. Err they will. But if they must err in their adjudicating error they must err systematically, because the scientific method, the measuring instrument, demands consistency. Even though reality is arbitrary, stuck between reality and science, the researchers are compelled to choose science. Systematic erring by a measuring instrument scales the error it makes. Yet, the problem with Makarys analysis isnt the estimation of deaths attributable to medical errors. Yes, 250,000 deaths a year from medical errors is alarming; that is 28 deaths an hour, or a death every two minutes. At their most murderous, ISIS decapitated 28 Ethiopian Christians along a beach in Libya in one morning. Im not attempting dark humor by conflating ISIS and medical errors. I would not jest without observing that patients are not flocking to Palmyra in the arms of ISIS the lesser of the two quantitative evils to escape hospitals. Im pointing out I hope successfully to the satirically challenged the absurdity of using morally relativistic hyperbole to convey the gravity of medical errors. If it wasnt emotive enough comparing the toll of medical errors to a jumbo jet crashing daily after the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, To Err is Human, medical errors have been likened to serial urban genocide, and even the holocaust. Metaphors and similes can literally be dangerous with people who are literal. And its unclear that those who resort to hyperbole arent being literal. Unmoored quantitative reasoning places rationality absurdly close to stupidity leading to egalitarianism of death stripping death of context giving a resident who ruptures the aorta from a misguided intra-aortic balloon pump insertion the same moral vector as Jihadi John making snuff movies. Hyperbole is seldom helpful. Hyperbole creates resentment in patients who have been harmed, which surely isnt the intent. But hyperbole also tunes out doctors because the comparisons are so egregious that they become parody. Medical errors lose gravity precisely because overzealous safety advocates elevate them to a frightening level of quantitative seriousness, even though the intent of hyperbole may be to receive more funding from the public purse, rather than to demonize physicians. Makarys numbers may well be very bad numbers, but if the number of preventable deaths is 25,000 a year, how would things be done differently? Would you say, Thats a preventable death every twenty not two minutes. Thank God? Which takes me to the problem with Makarys analysis. The analysis is problematic not because it is wrong. In a sense, it is not even wrong. It is problematic because of what it implies. Makarys analysis, indeed other analyses of medical errors, implies that death is an anomaly. That once the doctor intervenes, death is optional. At what point death ceases to be deferrable is anyones guess. So when physicians fight death until the patients last breath the cause of many indignities in peoples last week on this planet it is because we (doctors and patients) think death is abnormal. The authors narrate a case in which the patient post-transplant died from a bleeding, hepatic pseudoaneurysm because of a pericardiocentesis which breached the liver. Was not this an error? Should the cause of death not be medical error? The answer is yes, in a Newtonian sense. But the structural assumptions and corollaries of this conclusion lie in a Twilight Zone where profundity and parody coexist. If medical errors are causative, if medical errors are a disease, if the American hospital is the most dangerous place on earth after Hotel Rwanda, then it follows that a sensible precautionary measure to avert this dangerous entity is to abstain from it and let nature take its course. Contradictions are replete in the Twilight Zone. The IOM estimated that 98,000 deaths were attributable to medical errors: Makarys estimate is over twice that, one analysis says it may be ten times. What is going on? Have doctors become more ten times more incompetent? Given the billions spent on quality and safety, how is it we suck even more today? Were hospitals safer in 1950 than 2016? Is the intensive care unit the greatest scourge on mankind since syphilis? Is the balloon pump a proxy of danger like a Kalashnikov or does it signal something else? The greatest paradox of medicine is that the more lives it saves, the more responsible it becomes for not saving lives. The sicker and frailer the patient, the more invasive lines and tubes they have, the more likely they are to benefit from the intensity of treatment, and the more at-risk they are to medical error. Youre at greatest risk from medical error when you have most to lose from no medical care. At deaths door medicine is both your friend and foe. Antibiotics can save you from death from sepsis or kill you from toxic megacolon from pseudomembranous colitis. The antibiotic is both Florence Nightingale and Genghis Khan. It is our failure that we have not articulated this paradox to the public at large. The goals of the safety movement are noble. There are serious medical errors and seriously incompetent doctors. But collapsing all errors, regardless of the degree of seriousness or preventability, to integers to enable easy arithmetic is injustice to those who have truly been harmed. Doctors should certainly strive to be better. But better is an aspiration. And to make doctors better, and healthcare safer, it surely is better encouraging professional pride than inducing professional guilt. To be fair, I cant single out the safety movement for moral relativism of death. Egalitarianism of death is the zeitgeist; after all, a death is a death, isnt it? The excess deaths from flecainide post myocardial infarction, before CAST put that practice to rest, has been quantitatively likened to the Vietnam War. Dying and saving lives have lost all meaning. Republican governors were accused of causing death by not expanding Medicaid. By which logic, the FDA are mass murderers every day they delay approval of life-saving drugs, and 20 percent (i.e., the relative risk reduction of screening) of women who die from breast cancer for skipping mammograms because they listened to the USPSTFs recommendations should put cause of death: USPSTF. And denying statins to an expanded constituency of 33 million Americans, assuming an NNT of 100, kills 37 people an hour, putting ISIS to quantitative shame. Theres no moral distinction between death from action and death from inaction. Genghis Khan stared at his victims before chopping their heads. With statistical deaths, neither the murderers nor their victims know each other. Ill leave future anthropologists to explain how Homo sapiens at the zenith of rationality lost the plot. For now, I must my express my strongest objection to Makarys analysis. He says that medical errors are the third leading cause of death. I disagree. Given the optionality of death, the inevitability of death, and the omnipotence of physicians, medical errors are surely the number one cause of death. Saurabh Jha is a radiologist and can be reached on Twitter @RogueRad. This article originally appeared in the Health Care Blog. Image credit: Shutterstock.com This surveillance image from the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office shows the suspect in a robbery at the Chase Bank branch at a Port Orchard Fred Meyer. SHARE By Josh Farley of the Kitsap Sun Police seeking Port Orchard robbery suspect PORT ORCHARD Police are searching for a man who robbed the Chase Bank branch inside Fred Meyer off Sedgwick Road Saturday, according to the Port Orchard Police Department. Sgt. Donna Main said the man, a white male likely in his 40s, entered the bank about noon and asked for money. He did not pass a note or display a weapon, she said. After escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash, he fled the area. A police dog attempted to follow him but was not successful. Main said the man was wearing sunglasses, a gray hooded sweatshirt and a Seattle Mariners hat. Anyone with information on the robber's identity is asked to call 911. Photos by MEEGAN M. REID/KITSAP SUN Barry W. Trudeau, of Tracyton, enjoys a beer as a decorative American flag hangs in the foreground at Our Place Pub in Silverdale on Friday. Trudeau joined a group of veterans who dress out and visit local bars to recognize Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. (MEEGAN M. REID/KITSAP SUN) SHARE Terry Pate, of Silverdale, (right) holds the limo door open for his brother Gary Pate, of Silverdale, as the group of veterans arrive at the A&C Tavern in Bremerton on Friday. (MEEGAN M. REID / KITSAP SUN) Veterans (clockwise from left) Chuck Quist, Tina Young, Terry Pate and Barry W. Trudeau enjoy beers at the Tracyton Public House on Friday. (MEEGAN M. REID / KITSAP SUN) Bugle player Chris Hodges plays Taps from the patio of Our Place Pub in Silverdale on Friday, while a group of veterans from all branches of the military enjoy a time of camaraderie around Memorial Day. (MEEGAN M. REID / KITSAP SUN) By Josh Farley of the Kitsap Sun SILVERDALE It's not often you witness a standing ovation within the walls of Kitsap County's well-worn watering holes. But on at least two Fridays a year, they've become a more common occurrence. On those rare occasions, a line of mostly men files in, each dressed in finely pressed military attire. All served in a branch of the U.S. military. All have buttoned up and donned their dress uniforms not just for old time's sake but to have a drink in solidarity. "It shows a camaraderie," Chuck Quist, a Navy reservist, said of the group. "It's a brotherhood." What started as war stories over beers at Our Place Pub in Silverdale has blossomed into a daylong event each Friday before Memorial Day and Veterans Day, in which a small group of veterans from different branches Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard goes barhopping as a way to pay their respects. "We decided the only way to do that was to get in our uniforms," said Navy veteran Chet Haus, among the most decorated sailors in Washington state. For the past 15 to 20 years or so no one seems to remember exactly when it started this group of ex-service members has held a small ceremony at Our Place. Friday included moments of silence and a playing of taps. In the past three years or so, they've branched out to different bars and made it a daylong celebration. "It's grown exponentially," said Terry Pate, a retired Marine sergeant whose career spanned Vietnam and the first Gulf War. On Friday, they started with breakfast at the A&C Tavern on Perry Avenue, whose owner is a veteran of the Marines. From there, they toured various bars around Bremerton and Port Orchard, finishing at Our Place. All the while, they were whisked to and from the different establishments by a Hummer limousine. Buttoning up the old uniforms is a privilege that, on occasion, can be a challenge. The group has stopped at least once at Walgreen's for some needle and thread, after some buttons had popped off. The bar is happy to support the efforts of the group and encourages other patrons to participate in their ceremonies each year. Co-owner and manager Jodi Derry said it's a relationship that goes back years. "Red, white and blue are my favorite colors," she said. All that participate share a passion for representing their country, and are frequently rewarded with someone buying a round. For the men and women involved, however, it's a chance to relive their former days. Like Haus, many said they'd gladly re-enlist if they could. "If someone told me I could go back, I would be there in a New York heartbeat," Haus said. Shannon Jackson of Port Orchard stands beneath a Gold Star banner honoring 2nd Class Petty Officer Sean E. Brazas, who was killed in Afghanistan in May. Jackson and others held a protest Saturday against Target, whose employees reportedly did not allow Brazas' widow and others attending a ceremony at the site Friday to park in the store's lot. Chris Henry | Kitsap Sun SHARE By Chris Henry SILVERDALE With frosty breath and gloved hands, Shannon Jackson waved an American flag Saturday morning beneath a newly hung Gold Star Memorial banner at Randall Way and Kitsap Mall Boulevard. Jackson, a Port Orchard resident, did not attend the banner-hanging event on Friday honoring 2nd Class Petty Officer Sean E. Brazas, who was killed May 30 in Afghanistan. But she was appalled as word got around the community that evening about how his widow and others were told by employees of the nearby Target not to park or congregate in the store's lot. By 8 a.m. Saturday Jackson was there, with sign showing a Target logo and the words "no respect." "When somebody sacrifices their life to help our freedoms, I feel it's totally disrespectful for Target to harass the wife and widow of this sailor," Jackson said. "They should be honoring him instead of harassing his wife about the ceremony." Allie Brazas, a 2nd Class Petty Officer stationed at Naval Base Kitsap and widow of Sean Brazas, said she contacted Target two weeks before the ceremony to alert them to the possibility of a crowd near the store. The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office OK'd the event. "Basically it was a courtesy call. We really weren't asking permission," she said. But Silverdale Target employees told her and later a representative of the Silverdale-area Blue Star Banner Program that people attending the memorial would not be allowed to park or congregate in the lot. On Friday afternoon, Brazas and others parked in the far side of the lot and were approached by two store employees who reportedly told them to leave. The employees said they needed written permission, something that was never shared in their earlier encounters with Target representatives. "We reiterated this was for someone killed in action," Brazas said. "Once again, we were denied." The employees went back in the store. Brazas left her car where it was and asked the crowd of 60 to move out of the parking lot and stand only on the public right of way. Kitsap County Sheriff Steve Boyer, who attended the ceremony, said the employees did not return, and nothing further was said, but he stood ready to smooth things over. After the ceremony, Brazas posted a letter on Target's Facebook page expressing her dismay. "I was very disappointed in the way things were handled," she wrote. "It's unfortunate that your company is not more supportive of the military, especially of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I hope someone somewhere reads this and fixes this so called 'policy' you guys have in place. Its truly unacceptable." Braza's post on Target's Facebook was moved from the main page to the section "Comments about Target by Others." Her letter was copied and reposted on Target's Facebook multiple times and forwarded to other Facebook sites, stirring many members of the Kitsap community and leading to a deluge of online comments harshly critical of Target on the Kitsap Sun's story from Friday's ceremony. Brazas said she was not calling for a public lashing of the corporate giant. "I didn't ask anyone to boycott Target or slam Target. I was simply inquiring in regards to a policy I thought was wrong," she said. Target on Saturday acknowledged a misstep and issued an apology. "The Target team offers our deepest appreciation and condolences to the family of Sean Brazas for their sacrifice and to the Silverdale, Wash., community for its loss," said Target spokeswoman Jessica Deede. "We sincerely apologize that actions and comments by our store team marred a community event to honor this hero on Friday. We are connecting with the store team immediately to learn from this so it doesn't happen again." Brazas said she is satisfied with Target's apology. Louise Black of Bangor, whose husband is a submariner, brought her children ages 8 to 8 months out to the chilly street corner on Kitsap Mall Boulevard to express her support of the Brazas family. "I just thought if the same thing happened to my husband, I'd want Target to give me parking," Black said. "Target had a right to do what they did, but there's a difference between what's their right and what's the right thing to do. My husband defends those rights every day." Allie Brazas did not join the protest, but stopped by briefly to thank about 10 people gathered on the street corner. Brazas said she hopes the focus on Target's actions won't detract from the meaning of the ceremony "to honor his sacrifice." Deede, the Target spokeswoman, noted the company's tradition of support to members of the military and their families, including for example donations to veterans and military organizations, care packages for troops abroad and a reading program that helps families stay connected during deployments. Target team members are encouraged to volunteer for local military support efforts and do so willingly, she said. "As a company that prides itself on supporting our military, we are disappointed in this development and working actively to connect with the Brazas family and others connected to the event in Silverdale," Deede said. Sean Brazas, 26 and a North Carolina native, met Allie Brazas, 23 of Arizona, two years ago through their military service. They have a daughter Addisen, 2, and were married on March 3, shortly before his deployment. Sean Brazas, a canine handler, was shot and killed while on a mission near Kandahar. "He was an amazing father and a flawless husband. He was just so willing to lay his life on the line for something he believed in," Allie Brazas said. " ... It ended too soon." Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Brazas' posting was not removed by Target from the company's Facebook page. SHARE Hood Robert Lee Pry Joshua Owen Rodgers Jones Arnold Mafnas Cruz By Andrew Binion of the Kitsap Sun PORT ORCHARD The two men accused of robbing and killing 89-year-old Robert Archie Hood in December got their car, and their shoes, stuck in the mud while trying to hide Hood's body in the woods of Jefferson County, according to testimony from witnesses called by Kitsap County prosecutors last week. Robert Lee Pry, 29, and Joshua Owen Rodgers Jones, 27, had to call for help, according to the account of the case outlined by prosecutors. That essentially increased the number of witnesses available to testify against them one of several times people were added to the conspiracy, according to testimony and court documents. The trial of Pry, along with Robert Lavalle Davis, 47, and Arnold Mafnas Cruz, 47, is expected to last well into June. The trial will take a hiatus this week, and will resume June 6. Pry and Rodgers Jones are accused of going to Hood's house, assaulting him, stealing cash, firearms, financial documents and other items, then going to a Fife motel where the two, among others, partied for the night. Both men are charged with first-degree murder. Davis is accused of being involved throughout and is charged with being an accomplice to murder. Cruz is accused of helping to hide Hood's body. Hood was described by a family friend as an intelligent man who had outlived most of his family and acquaintances. He never married and retired in the 1970s after a career in Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Born in the Midwest, Hood moved to Kitsap County when he was 4 and lived in the same house off Tracyton Boulevard in which he was raised. Many of the suspects in his death lived in the Tracyton area as well. Attorneys for the three men declined to comment on whether their clients would testify. During opening statements, the attorneys said there was no physical evidence tying their clients to Hood's death but Cruz's attorney outright conceded that Pry and Rodgers Jones "viciously" killed Hood in court documents. The attorneys also said the witnesses against their clients were drug users, many of whom struck deals with prosecutors, and that their clients were in the wrong place at the wrong time. "I didn't do anything," Davis said during a moment of exasperation in court last week. Earlier this month, Ocean A. Wilson, 20, a girlfriend of Pry's, testified that she was in a car with Pry and Rodgers Jones when those two were dropped off at Hood's house on the night he disappeared, believed by authorities to be Dec. 16, 2015. Davis was driving, Wilson testified. Wilson also said that Pry told her when he and Rodgers Jones went to Hood's door and Hood asked who was there, Pry said, "It's God," according to court documents. David Michael Ojeda, 33, who said he considers Pry a cousin and has known him all his life, told jurors that Pry needed help freeing a car from the mud near Port Ludlow. Ojeda said he recruited a friend whose boyfriend had a four-wheel drive vehicle again adding to the number of people involved. Ojeda told jurors he had cut a deal with prosecutors in hopes to reduce a possible prison sentence from seven years to two. "You probably don't want to be in the vehicle," Ojeda said Pry told him. "There's a pedophile in the trunk." Rogers Jones is not part of the group currently on trial, and has been ordered to undergo a second mental evaluation. However, he had told people that Hood had molested him when he was a child. The lead investigator on the case, Sheriff's Detective Jason Bowman said there does not appear to be any truth to that assertion. "We have absolutely no evidence that that occurred," Bowman told the Sun. Prosecutors said that Rogers Jones met Hood a couple years before the robbery, and Rogers Jones' mother told investigators that her son had asked about Hood months beforehand, and told her that, "He's just a really cool old man." A girlfriend of Rodgers Jones, Miranda Elizabeth Bond, 26, is a key witness and is expected to testify when the trial resumes. Bond has said she heard Pry ask for Cruz's help in hiding Hood's body and that Rodgers Jones told her about the attack on "that old guy" as well as that there had been a body had been hidden for three days in the trunk of a car. Bond also said that Rogers Jones was known to have bizarre obsessions, such as a belief in gnomes. Bond said in a deposition that Pry indulged Rogers Jones' interests. "He was the only one that would entertain it because everyone else that knows him, we're just sick of it," Bond said, who added that Rodgers Jones had regularly assaulted her. "That was probably why I got beat up most of the time, because I didn't want to hear about gnomes." Donald Eric Goodloe, 50, who said he has known Davis his whole life, told jurors that Davis had asked him to rent a room in Fife. Goodloe denied telling investigators, however, that Davis had asked him to bring a woman supposedly adept at forging documents. Goodloe testified that he briefly joined Pry and others in the room to drink a beer and smoke meth. Michelle "Mitch" Lamb, 36, told jurors that Cruz, charged with rendering criminal assistance as well as removal and concealment of a deceased body, brought to her Bremerton house the car that investigators believe was used to transport Hood's body. Hood's body was later found in a barrel behind a residence in Mason County. That particular car a Honda that Lamb said had been "obviously spray painted, terribly" belonged to a woman who wanted it back, and offered an $800 reward for its return. Lamb said she and Cruz agreed to split the reward. Lamb said the exterior of the car was muddy and the interior was dirty and "smelled like a brewery." "It was gross," Lamb said, saying that she gave Cruz some bleach to clean it before returning it to its owner. Additionally, James Jacobs, a friend of Lamb's, told jurors that he had given Cruz a ride away from Lamb's house, and during the trip Cruz said he was doing a favor for somebody and he didn't want Jacobs to pass judgment on him. "A package was passed down to him that he had to get rid of," Jacobs said. When Lamb opened the trunk of the Honda, which took some force, it had been stripped and cleaned and smelled of bleach. "There was absolutely nothing in it," Lamb said. Although Lamb said Davis was her friend she noted to jurors that he was "mean mugging" her while she was on the stand she said he was also her meth dealer. After the robbery Davis and Goodloe came to her house to collect on a drug debt and Davis asked if he could stay there. "Just to lay low, I guess," Lamb said. "He said they had done something bad." Fifteen-acre Ivy Green Cemetery has hosted many events that honor Bremerton's military heritage, such as this 1950s era ceremony. It is the site of the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" honoring fallen military men and women. John H. Nibbe, a Civil War hero is buried here, as is Wesley Harris, the Marine for whom the Navy gun range near Seabeck is named. Many of Bremerton's civilian pioneer families, such as the Dietz, Warren, Gorst and Harrisons, are also buried here. If you have information on this photo, please contact the museum. To see more photos from the Kitsap County Historical Society Museum archives, visitwww.facebook.com/kitsaphistory. SHARE In 1941 (75 years ago) Nine men, all of them from the mechanical forces of Puget Sound Navy Yard, have been discharged from the government shipbuilding plant for what was unofficially described as communistic activity. Rear Adm. Charles Freeman, commandant, in a statement issued through his aide, Lt. John L. Walker, substantiated the report of the men's discharge but refused to elaborate. "Nine employees of the Navy Yard were discharged yesterday in accordance with instructions issued by the secretary of the Navy," Freeman's official statement said. In 1966 (50 years ago) North Perry Volunteer Fire department's $22,000, 1,000-gallons-per minute pumper truck has been delivered and is due to be tested this week. Meanwhile, the fire department is preparing to move into the new fire hall west of Trenton Avenue and north of Sylvan Way. The test on the new engine is to be conducted by the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Bremerton's Capitol Hill fire station. Testing will make sure that the rig will perform according to specifications, such as delivering a thousand gallons of water per minute by meter measurement over a sustained period. Memorial Day was commemorated this morning at Bremerton's Ivy Green Cemetery, where officials and people from all walks of life came together to honor the war dead and heard a plea to "rededicate ourselves to the ideals" war heroes died for. "No nation has ever before faced the worldwide challenge of guaranteeing the right of individual liberties to all people, regardless of race, creed or color," said Bremerton Mayor Glen Jarstad. "Here in Bremerton, the home of the Pacific Fleet, one of the bastions of the United States Navy, we easily see the destructive capabilities of the United States Armed Forces," Jarstad said. He concluded: "We bargain for time so that all people throughout the world will know what liberty to them as individuals may mean." In 1991 (25 years ago) What's going to happen in North Kitsap? Will George's Corner become a shopping mall just outside Kingston? Will Pope Resources be able to enlarge the Port Gamble area, where it plans a whole new community? Will rural areas stay rural? The answers aren't set in concrete yet but a third revision of the North Kitsap Subarea Plan that contains them is close to final. And the Kitsap Department of Community Development wants to answer your questions about it. In 2006 (10 years ago) A photo and silver trophy cup from "A Most Beautiful Baby Contest." A set of silver spoons and a pair of wooden clogs sent from a battlefield in France. Bremerton resident Judi Kramer has collected these things over her adult life as she pieced together an understanding of the father she hardly knew. "My mother never talked about my father, never told me much about him," she said. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Romain Hollis, Kramer's father, was killed Sept. 15, 1944, in Luxembourg. He was 31. Kramer, born at Fort Lewis just a week after Pearl Harbor, wasn't even 3 years old. SHARE By Josh Farley of the Kitsap Sun EAST BREMERTON A 37-year-old Bremerton man was taken to Harrison Medical Center Saturday with non-life threatening injuries after he lost control of his SUV on Highway 303 at McWilliams Road, according to the Washington State Patrol. Troopers were called to the intersection shortly before 4 p.m. They determined the man had been driving west on McWilliams and was turning south onto the highway when his 2001 Ford Explorer spun on the wet roadway. The SUV rotated 180 degrees before striking the sidewalk and rolling into a ditch nearby. The man was wearing a seat belt and intoxicants were not a factor in the crash, troopers said. SHARE Sixty-five years ago, what has become the European Union was an embryo conceived in fear. It has been stealthily advanced from an economic to a political project, and it remains enveloped in a watery utopianism even as it becomes more dystopian. The EU's economic stagnation in some of the 28 member nations, youth unemployment approaches 50 percent is exacerbated by its regulatory itch and the self-inflicted wound of the euro, a common currency for radically dissimilar nations. The E.U. is floundering amid mass migration, the greatest threat to Europe's domestic tranquillity since 1945. The EU's British enthusiasts, who actually are notably unenthusiastic, hope fear will move voters to affirm Britain's membership in this increasingly ramshackle and acrimonious association. A June 23 referendum will decide whether Britain's exit occurs. Americans should pay close attention because this debate concerns matters germane to their present and future. The E.U. is the linear descendant of institution-building begun by people for whom European history seemed to be less Chartres and Shakespeare than the Somme and the Holocaust. After two world wars, or a 31-year war (1914-1945), European statesmen were terrified of Europeans. Under the leadership of two Frenchmen, Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet, they created, in 1951, the European Coal and Steel Community to put essential elements of industrial war under multinational control. This begat, in 1957, the European Economic Community, aka the Common Market. Money, said Emerson, is the prose of life. The E.U. is the culmination of a grand attempt to drain Europe of grandeur, to make it permanently peaceful by making it prosaic preoccupied and tranquilized by commerce. European unity has always been a surreptitious political project couched in economic categories. Britain's Remain side is timid and materialistic, saying little that is inspiring about remaining but much that is supposedly scary about leaving. The Leave campaign is salted with the revolt-against-elites spirit now fermenting in nations on both sides of the Atlantic. The Remain camp relies heavily on dire predictions of economic wreckage that would follow Britain's exit Brexit forecasts from the U.K. Treasury, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, etc. Although none of these, in spring 2008, foresaw the crisis of autumn 2008, they now predict, with remarkable precision, economic damage to Britain's economy, the world's fifth largest, if it is detached from the stagnation of the EU. For example, the U.K. Treasury projects that Brexit would cost Britain 6.2 percent of GDP by 2030. This confirms the axiom that economists prove their sense of humor by using decimal points. Passion is disproportionately on the Leave side, which is why a low turnout will favor Brexit: Leavers are most likely to vote. Current polls show Remain slightly ahead, but Leave has a majority among people over age 43, who also are most likely to vote. The most conspicuous campaigner for Brexit is Boris Johnson, the two-term conservative former mayor of London. He is an acquired taste, and some thoughtful people oppose Brexit because if it happens, Prime Minister David Cameron, who leads the Remain campaign, might be replaced by Johnson. Johnson is frequently compared to Donald Trump. Johnson, however, is educated (Eton; an Oxford classics degree), intelligent, erudite (see his book on Roman Europe), articulate and witty. (Johnson says the EU's latest compromise with Britain is "the biggest stitch up since the Bayeux Tapestry." The British locution "stitch up" denotes something prearranged clandestinely.) So, Johnson's only real resemblance to Trump, other than an odd mop of blond hair, is a penchant for flamboyant pronouncements, as when he said that Barack Obama opposes Brexit because Obama's Kenyan background somehow disposes him against Britain. Actually, Obama likes the European Union's approximation of American progressives' aspirations. These include unaccountable administrators issuing diktats, and what one E.U. critic calls "trickle-down postmodernism" the erasure of national traditions and other impediments to "harmonizing" homogenized nations for the convenience of administrators. Obama said Britain would go to "the back of the queue" regarding a U.S. trade agreement. Surely, however, reaching an agreement with one nation is easier than with 28. Perhaps Obama has forgotten U.S. diplomat George Kennan's axiom: The unlikelihood of a negotiation reaching agreement grows by the square of the number of parties taking part. Brexit might spread a benign infection, prompting similar reassertions of national sovereignty by other E.U. members. Hence June 23 is the most important European vote since 1945. George Will's email address is georgewill@washpost.com. Tips for making accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act Here lately, inquiries about disabilities in the workplace and how to deal with them fill my inbox. Googling the phrase "Americans with Disabilities Act" yields 22,400,000 responses. The ADA is a 26-year-old federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities. The ADA also sets forth requirements for telecommunications relay services. Who's covered by the federal disability law? Employers with 15 or more employees are prohibited from discriminating against people with disabilities by Title I of the ADA. In general, the employment provisions of the ADA require: Equal opportunity in selecting, testing, and hiring qualified applicants with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants and workers with disabilities when such accommodations would not impose "undue hardship." Equal opportunity in promotion and benefits. Like the federal law, Tennessee law bans treating workers with disabilities differently from non-disabled workers, but applies to companies with eight or more employees (rather than 15). And, under Tennessee law, there's no requirement for an employer to provide any accommodation. A company's potential liability for workplace disability discrimination begins upon a request for an application by a potential applicant, if not before. It arises when an applicant or an employee is treated less favorably because of a disability or is regarded as disabled, or even has a relationship with a disabled person. Consider Carly Boudreau, a housekeeper with Tourette's syndrome and anxiety disorder who quit her job on her second day of work. In those two days of work, the lead housekeeper responsible for training Boudreau told her the disability was "all in her head" and then jumped up and down in in the elevator to make it shake after learning about her anxiety disorder. The trainer also asked Boudreau if she said curse words "all the time." The worker tried to reach the human resources contact, but he was out of the office. She left, and when the HR contact called her house, the worker's mother informed him of the treatment and requested a reasonable accommodation (in so many words). Under EEOC guidelines, a family member can request an accommodation. The HR contact agreed that the lead housekeeper could be "gruff" and he "could see how what happened could have happened." He asked Boudreau to "sit tight". (Perhaps the best accommodation would have been to fire the "gruff" lead housekeeper.) Days later, Boudreau called the company to discuss her work situation and next steps only to learn she had been fired for "unauthorized departure from work." The worker filed suit for disability discrimination and retaliation. The company defended its actions by arguing the accommodation request came after Boudreau quit. The case remains pending in a Colorado federal court. Here are some tips and tricks for companies facing a request for accommodation under the ADA: 1. There's no requirement for a company to create a light-duty position. But if one is created, make sure it is a temporary position and not "permanent light duty." 2. Make sure there's an ongoing exchange of information -- it's an "interactive dialogue." 3. Respond to a request in a timely manner. If you don't, it can impede ability to obtain an accommodation. More information on establishing procedures to handle requests for accommodations is available here: http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation_procedures.html 4. Train managers and supervisors on how to deal with accommodation requests. 5. Adopt and circulate a disability-accommodation policy. SHARE FILE A sign marks a former Joe's Crab Shack location in Naples, Fla., in this 2013 file photo. The chain recently experimented with higher prices in lieu of tipping, but has now mostly abandoned the idea. By David Lazarus, Los Angeles Times (TNS) Restaurant chain Joe's Crab Shack announced with much fanfare in November that it was experimenting with a no-tipping policy at 18 of its outlets nationwide. The chain's parent company, Ignite Restaurant Group, said at the time that "tipping is an antiquated model" and that customers "can expect the same great food and service without the obligation to leave tips." It said menu prices at participating restaurants had been raised so that employees would receive higher wages, but the increased cost to diners would be "typically less than the average 20 percent service tip." Yet now, less than a year after the experiment quietly began in August, Joe's has restored tipping at all but four of the locations. The lesson seems to be that even though tipping is indeed an antiquated model, and even though much of the developed world has moved on from this archaic, class-based system, Americans remain convinced wrongly, many researchers say that service is always better, and prices cheaper, when tips are a factor. "What we know in practice is that tipping actually has little impact on service in most restaurants," said Lars Perner, an assistant professor of marketing at USC's Marshall School of Business. "But it gives consumers the feeling that they're in control." Mike Lynn, a professor of consumer behavior at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, said diners routinely disregard the tip they'll leave when judging a restaurant's prices. Thus, if a restaurant has a no-tipping policy but 20 percent higher menu prices, it will be seen as a lot more expensive than a restaurant with 20 percent lower prices but where a 20 percent tip to the server is customary. "Is that rational? No," Lynn said. "But it's what people think." In recent years, restaurants in Los Angeles, New York and elsewhere have introduced no-tipping policies. In most cases, this was done to provide greater pricing transparency and more equitable compensation to the staff, including those toiling away in the kitchen. A widespread end to tipping has been seen as unlikely, though, until large restaurant chains also did away with the practice. Joe's Crab Shack was the first national chain to give it a go. The company has seafood restaurants in 32 states, including nearly a dozen in California. The no-tipping experiment was confined to restaurants in the Midwest. I spoke with the manager of a Joe's outlet in Southern California, who asked to remain anonymous because he wasn't authorized to speak on behalf of the company. He said executives at the parent company, Ignite, were initially excited about the no-tipping policy. "They wanted us to be an industry leader," he said. "But it didn't work out." I asked Ignite whether I could speak with its chief executive, Bob Merritt, about the company's experience. No one responded to my calls and emails. But Merritt shared some thoughts with investors in his company's recent first-quarter earnings call. "The system has to change at some point, but our customers and staff spoke very loudly," he said, according to a transcript of the call. "And a lot of them voted with their feet." Merritt said the company's internal research found that almost 60 percent of Joe's Crab Shack customers disliked the no-tipping policy. He said customers felt they'd lost control over quality of service and didn't trust managers to share the wealth of higher prices with employees. The restaurants tried various ways of communicating to customers how things now worked, Merritt said, but most patrons just wouldn't play ball. As for why four of the 18 outlets will continue without tipping, he said the company will try to figure out "why it worked in some places and why not in others." Richard McKenzie, a professor emeritus of economics at the University of California at Irvine, said one reason may be because of management. When restaurant customers perceive strong oversight by managers, he told me, they feel more comfortable that good service isn't contingent on paying a fat tip. In other words, if the manager is seen working the room and interacting with diners and staff, as opposed to hiding in a back office, customers think there's no danger of servers slacking off and, he said, "there's no need for tipping." In much of the developed world, it's simply a given that restaurants strive for good service: Diners aren't expected to be responsible for motivating servers. USC's Perner hails from Denmark. He said you might leave behind a "token tip" after a meal there, or something more substantial if the level of service was exceptional. Tipping is an absolute no-no in Japan, where a server would lose face if a diner suggested he or she wasn't always trying their best. Tipping also isn't customary in Australia, China, France, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, among other nations. American consumers seem to be of two minds. We believe tipping is essential to good restaurant service, but we usually don't tip hardworking staffers at fast-food outlets. We tip the person who cuts our hair but not the one who fixes our car. Meanwhile, tasks that once were seen as un-tip-worthy, such as pouring a cup of coffee or toasting a bagel, now routinely come with the soft pressure of tip jars. Facebook is even said to be considering "digital tip jars" for users who share particularly popular posts. As for the future, look no further than the ride-sharing service Uber. It tells customers that tips are neither expected nor required. Yet many passengers still grease the palm of drivers. Cornell's Lynn, who is regarded as one of the nation's foremost experts on tipping, said this is a perfect example of why tipping will remain a part of the U.S. economic landscape. It's just a matter of time, he said, before all Uber passengers are tipping. "If some people do it, eventually everyone will have to do it," Lynn said. "That's how it works." SHARE By Rebecca Greenfield, Bloomberg News (TNS) If you heed the wisdom of career experts on the Internet, talking about your kids during a job interview is a bad idea. It gives employers a reason to discriminate, especially against mothers who are presumed to have less than unlimited time to devote to their jobs (unlike, say, everyone else). In fact, to avoid breaking anti-discrimination laws, employers aren't supposed to ask perspective employees questions "involving marital status, number and/or ages of children or dependents, or names of spouses or children of the applicant," according to guidelines from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. But there's new evidence that keeping the kids out of the job interview is harming some of the most vulnerable women in the U.S. workforce. Women who "opt-out" taking an extended period of time away from careers to raise kids already have a hard time re-entering the labor market. Around a third of "highly qualified" women leave their jobs to spend time at home with their children, according to an oft-cited 2009 study from the Center for Talent Innovation. Almost 90 percent of those women wanted to go back to work, this study found, but only 40 percent got full-time jobs. The women who do make it back into a job take a financial hit, with compensation dropping about 30 percent after just two or three years away from work, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research. The unspoken rule of not speaking about your family might be prompting employers to take a dimmer view of women who have opted out. Researchers at Vanderbilt University asked more than 3,000 people to assume the role of employer and judge resumes of hypothetical female job applicants. All the resumes displayed equal qualifications, and all applicants had taken a chunk of time away from work. Some applicants explained the reason for the gap, with reference to raising children, and others offered no explanation at all. Being candid about a child-rearing interval proved far more successful than silence, with employers becoming 30 percent to 40 percent more likely to hire a woman who offered an explanation for taking a break from work. "Any explanation is better than no explanation at all," said Jennifer Shinall, an assistant professor of law at Vanderbilt who worked on the study. "People prefer known risk, knowing why a woman left the labor market." Awareness of a gap in your work history gives employers a reason to speculate-and discriminate. "The problem with the EEOC guidance is that it creates an atmosphere of ambiguity with regard to a person's care-taking responsibilities," Shinall said. "When the fact of the matter is that's a reality of every day life." Nearly three-quarters of women with children between the ages of 6 and 17 participated in the U.S. labor force as of 2013, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of course, disclosure carries risk of its own. Telling a potential employer that you spent years caring for children might "greatly exacerbate that discrimination," Ofer Sharone, a sociologist at the University of Massachusetts, told The New York Times. Women are often discriminated against for having kids. The so-called motherhood penalty has been found to decrease a woman's salary 4 percent for every child she has. Talking about the kids at home during an interview would seem to invite similar bias, whether overt or not. That sort of bias will still show up at some point unless the topic of children stops being treated as taboo. "Everyone needs to be talking about this," argues Shinall. "That's when we're going to see any sort of long-run change." A shift change for Manhattan Project workers at Y-12 in Oak Ridge. Some 22,482 people worked at the Y-12 plant, the world's first uranium enriching facility. It produced the first U-235 fuel for "Little Boy," the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. (ED WESTCOTT/DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY) SHARE LENOIR CITY ARTS FEST The 54th annual Lenoir City Arts and Crafts Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5, at Lenoir City Park beside Fort Loudoun Lake. All funds raised by this event are donated throughout Loudon County and surrounding communities to benefit local organizations and charities. JUNE 4 CONCERT The Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium, 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. The concert, called "Chandelier," will include music from Simon and Garfunkel to Madonna. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and students at www.knoxvilletickets.com FATHER-SON CONCERT World-renowned bassist Edgar Meyer and his son, violinist George Meyer, will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 9, at the First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge. In demand as both a performer and a composer, Oak Ridge native Edgar Meyer has been hailed by The New Yorker as "the most remarkable virtuoso in the relatively un-chronicled history of his instrument." Seating is limited for this concert; advance ticket purchases are recommended. General admission is $25. Student tickets are available for $5 with a valid student ID. Tickets are available online at www.ORCMA.org or by calling 865-483-5569. WESTCOTT ART An exhibit of photographs taken during the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge will be on exhibit at the University of Tennessee Downtown Gallery. "Through the Lens of Ed Westcott" will be at the 106 S. Gay St. gallery June 3-Aug. 6. The Army Corps of Engineers in 1942 sent Ed Westcott to the "secret city" of Oak Ridge. There, he was the official photographer for the Manhattan Project, the code name for a World War II project to produce the world's first atomic bomb. The atomic city was fenced, communication with the outside world limited and cameras weren't allowed. Westcott's photos also captured Oak Ridge's social, recreational and cultural life as well as the Manhattan Project images. An opening reception is 5-9 p.m. June 3. Westcott will attend the reception from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The gallery's summer hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. Old News Department: Last Friday, President Obama visited Hiroshima, ground zero for the atomic bomb dropped by the United States on Aug. 6, 1945, sparking a quick end to World War II. He is the first sitting president to make this journey. Even Older News Department: What occurred or was said last Friday matters not one whit to you. You formed an opinion when the trip was announced weeks ago. You either approved of it as a good-faith gesture to (a) underscore the horrific toll war demands on all sides and (b) promote the ideal of world peace. Or you passionately disapproved, likening it to a U.S. apology, despite Obama's words to the contrary before he left Washington. Period. End of discussion. You will not be swayed by whatever points or counterpoints are debated. So in one sense it's useless to continue this essay another word. Or maybe not. In my mind, there's no better time than Memorial Day to take a long look back in hopes of creating a better tomorrow. Who knows? Somber reflection now might prevent a recurrence in the future. It's certainly not a new concept for old warriors to meet in peace after the hatchet has been buried. History is rife with these poignant moments. Do the slightest bit of research and see for yourself. One example: In 2011, NBC News shadowed a visit to Vietnam by Medal of Honor recipient Jack Jacobs, a retired Army colonel and combat veteran. There, he met Pham Phi Huang, whose Viet Cong forces ambushed Jacobs' battalion on March 9, 1968. "I lost friends, comrades and a lot of blood that day, and it changed me forever," Jacobs said on a broadcast of the journey. "All these years later, I approached my meeting with the enemy commander with a peculiar detachment, rather than anger or even sadness. "The life of a soldier is one of violence, but success in war is more often the result of sober analysis and unemotional reflection. So after 40 years, perhaps curiosity had overcome pain and rancor. I wanted to ask him dozens of questions about that day, and I did." Nor is it a new concept for leaders of one-time adversaries to re-establish ties after the smoke clears. In the early 1940s, few would have believed the U.S., Germany and Japan would become friends and trading partners. Same with Vietnam, which Obama visited before traveling to Hiroshima. He is the third U.S. president to make this peacetime journey and court trade. Bill Clinton did it in 2000, George W. Bush in 2006. And so it goes. Time marches on. Bitter enemies morph into close allies. Some wounds eventually heal; some never will. But first, someone has to reach out. SHARE By Kristi L. Nelson of the Knoxville News Sentinel By the time they died, for whatever reason, there was no one to claim them. But fellow veterans and community members will make sure they're remembered for their service to this country. A memorial service June 6 at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Gov. John Sevier Highway will honor the lives of four veterans who died this year. It's the sixth year Berry Funeral Home has had such a ceremony, said general manager Jeff Berry, part of a national program of the funeral home's parent company, Dignity Memorial. Berry said nationally, Dignity has sponsored more than 2,000 services. In Knox County alone, at least 36 veterans have been honored in this way, he said. Berry said the funeral home works closely with the Regional Forensic Center to identify those whose bodies were unclaimed but who might be eligible for burial in the Veterans' Cemetery, because of honorable discharge from military service. They're cremated and the cremains stored in urns until interment at the joint ceremony. Berry helps coordinate with local veterans groups to organize a funeral with full military honors, including the handling of the flag, color guard and firing party. The June 6 service, at 1:30 p.m., will include Army, Navy and Air Force veterans; representatives from Army and Navy reserves in Knox County and Air Force reserves in Nashville will assist, Berry said. "If we did not step in, they'd probably never have that military funeral, that gravesite with their name on the marker, which they deserve," Berry said. Those being honored June 6 are: Sgt. Deborah Elaine McCallie Atkins Smith Easler. Born April 17, 1958, in Bexar County, Texas, to Joseph Tate McCallie of Monroe County and Cecile N. Myers McCallie of Loudon County, she grew up in Loudon and served in the Air Force from April 15, 1986, to July 31, 1992. She died Feb. 7, 2016, in Knoxville. Spec. 4th Class Leonard David Fairchild Jr. Born Feb. 18, 1945, in Lenoir, N.C., he served in the Army from Nov. 9, 1966 to Sept. 16, 1968, completing service school at Fort Campbell, Ky., and two years of college. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Sharpshooter Badge for Rifle (M-14). He died Feb. 11, 2016. Seaman Recruit Michael Lee McRill. Born April 14, 1960, he was a 1977 graduate of Mattoon Senior High School in Mattoon, Ill. He served in the Navy Feb. 28-June 29, 1979, and was stationed at Great Lakes, Ill. He died Jan. 26, 2016, in Knoxville. Pvt. Calvin Coolidge Cherry Jr. Born March 24, 1951, the Oak Ridge native served in the Army Nov. 1, 1976, to April 1, 1977. He was awarded the Marksman Badge for Rifle (M-16). He died April 16, 2016. Berry said veterans often travel great distances to pay their respects at the ceremonies, occasionally even from other states. "The last thing we can do is make sure they're not forgotten," he said. "Sometimes, I walk by these markers and read the names and think, 'Yeah, we got the person the honors they deserve.'" Rutherford County Sheriff Robert F. Arnold, who is facing public corruption charges after being named in a 14-count indictment that accuses him and others of benefiting from a scheme to sell electronic cigarettes to inmates in the jail he oversees, says he has no plans to resign. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File) SHARE Mary Mancini, state Democratic chair. By Tom Humphrey of the Knoxville News Sentinel NASHVILLE An indicted Middle Tennessee sheriff says he has no intention of resigning despite calls for him to do so from Republican legislators and the state Democratic Party chairwoman declaring him an example of "Tennessee Republican corruption." Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold told the Daily News Journal of Murfreesboro on Saturday that he has no intention of resigning and, in fact, plans to seek re-election in 2018. The sheriff, one of his top deputies and an uncle were indicted last week on multiple charges of fraud, conspiracy and other misconduct in connection with their alleged profits from a company that sold e-cigarettes to inmates at the county jail, which Arnold oversees. Arnold was first elected in 2010, defeating the incumbent Democratic sheriff. His win followed by re-election in 2014 has been cited as an example in the Tennessee Republican Party's "Red to the Roots" campaign, which officially got underway in 2013 with the goal of getting more Republicans elected to local office. Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Mary Mancini pounced on Arnold's indictment and tied it to the "Red to the Roots" effort, declaring in a news release, "From Washington, D.C. to Murfreesboro, Tennessee Republicans' corruption goes from the top all the way to their roots. "From Sen. (Bob) Corker's insider trading scandal to Gov. (Bill) Haslam awarding no-bid contracts to his friends to Sheriff Arnold using his position to line his own pockets, it's clear Tennessee Republicans see our government as their personal piggy bank," Mancini said. On the other side of the aisle, Brent Leatherwood, executive director of the state GOP sent this rejoinder: "Tennesseans expect their elected officials to conduct themselves with the highest ethical standards. That is apparently not what they're getting in Rutherford County and that's not right. That said, anyone with a basic understanding of our state's history knows Democrats have the market cornered on corruption. From (former Gov. Ray) Blanton to (former state Sen. John) Ford to (sitting state Rep. Joe) Armstrong, the TNDP has a history of supporting some of Tennessee's biggest mischief-makers. It would be refreshing if they'd clean up their own messes first. Instead this is more of the same hypocrisy we've become accustomed to with the Tennessee Democratic Party." Two Republican state senators who share representation of Rutherford County, Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro and Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville, have both called on Arnold to resign since the indictment. "I have supported Sheriff Arnold since he was first elected. I have supported his re-election and contributed to his campaign. But even though he's not convicted at this point, I feel he has lost the trust with the shadow of impropriety. He needs to step down," said Ketron in a statement reported by the Daily News Journal and The Tennessean last week. Quotes & notes "Find some people to do life with. As you get older, your circle of people gets smaller and smaller. Most of the people I know who became a train wreck had no community and no really good friends." Gov. Bill Haslam, answering the question "What is the best advice you ever received?" as reported on the Tennessee Boys State website. It was posed during a question-and-answer session following the governor's speech to the group last week at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville. In his speech, the governor praised the attending youths for participating in a program of "civic engagement" when "not enough people care about the whole political process and the civic discourse that is part of that." "Corker's a great guy. He actually has something in common with Donald, because they've both been very successful businessmen in real estate. A very stable guy, in some ways would balance Trump." Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, quoted in Politico, in commenting on a USA TODAY report on a panel of political people putting Corker at the top of a speculative list of contenders for Trump's choice as a vice presidential running mate. Corker has repeatedly deemed the notion unfounded, to the best of his knowledge. Gingrich, who ran unsuccessfully for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012, was second on the list. Unicoi County Courthouse in Erwin SHARE By Tom Humphrey of the Knoxville News Sentinel NASHVILLE The Unicoi County Republican Executive Committee has decided not to replace the winner of the party's primary for property assessor who died on primary election day, according to the Erwin Record. The decision, made at a meeting Saturday, leaves voters to choose between write-in candidates for the office. Teresa Kinsler, who is holding the office on an interim basis after the death of her predecessor, has already filed papers to qualify as a write-in candidate, the newspaper said. A party nominee would have replaced Margaret Seward, who won the March 1 primary election though she died of an apparent heart attack on election day morning. Wayne Peterson, who was holding the office and on the ballot, died while early primary voting was underway during February. Seward finished first in the primary voting with Peterson second while the only surviving candidate, Alan "Rocky" McInturff, came in last. The Unicoi County Commission subsequently selected Kinsler to succeed Peterson on an interim basis, pending the Aug. 4 election. Peterson had also been holding the office on an interim basis, replacing Patsy Bennett, who resigned because of illness in 2015. "I think that this is still America; it is still a democracy and this ought to be in the hands of the people," said Debbie Tittle, the county's register of deeds and the county party's vice chairman in making the motion to have no party nominee, according to the newspaper. County GOP Chairman Jim Buchanan gave a similar reason for the decision in an interview with television station WCYB: "Let the people of the county decide who they want to be the Republican nominee. In my opinion this is probably what people wanted. They would like to make the decision. That's why we have such a huge turnout for the Unicoi County primary each year when we have it because it lets the people chose who they want to be their nominee." No Democrat sought the party's nomination in the upper East Tennessee county, which has been solidly Republican for decades. State law allows voters to write in any candidate they wish for any office on election day. But before those votes will be officially counted, the candidate must file a formal notice with election officials declaring himself or herself to be a write-in candidate. Candidates in the Unicoi County race have until June 14 to do so. SHARE It would appear from recent comments made by both Knox County and Knoxville officials regarding the Hall tax on interest and dividends that the world will be coming to an end with the discontinuance of this highly discriminatory tax. What they don't seem to realize or even care about is that for retired folks, such as my wife and me (and thousands of other retired folks in Tennessee), this tax on our investments, on which we live, is far more than a 6 percent tax. To those of us who realized 40-50 years ago that Social Security alone would simply not be enough to comfortably live on, the state of Tennessee says, "Since you worked and saved and invested over the years to live in retirement comfortably, we want to tax you 6 percent of your income so that we can give it to county and city governments to spend on foolish, feel-good programs." In most cases the Hall tax contributes less than 5 percent to county and city governments' budgets. Yet, for those of us living on Social Security and interest and dividends from our investments, this represents far more than 6 percent of our monthly budget. Let's look at an example of how unjust to retired folks this tax really is. Over 30-40 years of working and saving, we were able to invest those savings into stocks, bonds and mutual funds with the idea that we would live comfortably on Social Security and the dividends from those investments. For planning to be independent from government subsidies, we are penalized 6 percent. State, county and city governments have employee retirement programs, with both the employer and employee contributing to a pension fund. The administrator of the pension fund then invests the funds into the same programs that I did, in order to generate dividends, interest and capital gains (most of which are then paid to the retired employees in the form of a pension). Why aren't the retired individuals from all forms of government retirement programs required to pay the same 6 percent Hall tax on their pension that I am required to pay? Remember, a large part of their monthly pension comes from the same interest and dividends on investments as mine. Note to the city and county: Please stop whining about the loss of income from the Hall tax unless you are willing to deduct 6 percent from all of the monthly pension checks you write to all of your retired government employees. Ernest J. Schmidt lives in Knoxville. SHARE Plenty of proof has been offered lately that American politics is in the toilet. For those of us who try to keep sane by choosing to laugh rather than to cry, this odoriferous state of affairs offers the opportunity for bathroom humor. Don't say you weren't warned. The most glaring example of the occupied sign signifying that we will have to wait outside until the plumbing is flushed comes from North Carolina. Conservative Republicans there have passed a law that restricts people from using public restrooms that do not match the gender stated on their birth certificates. Let me get this straight: In North Carolina, men who are not obviously lumberjacks or women who are a little flat in the chest department will have to carry birth certificates just to be on the safe side. If the police say to them, "Show me your papers," they must be careful not to become confused and hand over the Charmin. Police hate that. Really, could this law be any more cruel or silly? It basically prohibits transgender people from leaving their houses, because when they got to go, they got to go, except in North Carolina, where they can't. Hang on, people, it's only a few hundred miles to the next state. Everybody should leave with them. My mind struggles to understand this startling act of political incontinence. It has come to this, people fretting over the gender of the guy (or is it a gal?) sitting on the next throne. Really? I can only assume that North Carolina favors an open plan arrangement in their restrooms, making their facilities palaces of porcelain without partitions, all the better to see who is not anatomically correct. It must be a highly unusual experience, chummy, with nobody having anything to hide. As for me, I don't like my public restrooms to be so public. I favor what we elsewhere in the country call stalls. They are a wonderful invention. They have a door and walls and nobody can see inside. North Carolina Republicans should consider this. In the end, stalls are much cheaper than passing stupid laws that address no known problem. But maybe I say this having lived a sheltered life on four continents in a 45-year career in the newspaper industry, known for its refinement. Yes, I understand the fear that grown men might go into ladies' rooms and commit indecencies on little girls acts, by the way, for which laws already exist to deter and punish. This fear appears to be based on a large misunderstanding about what it is to be a transgender person, usually a step taken after much heartbreak and soul-searching. I can't believe that grown men who grow into women (often with some medical help) are prime candidates to assault anyone. Sometimes a bathroom visit is just a bathroom visit. Transgender people have always been with us, yet I can't remember a single story from real life confirming the fears about them. This is a big country, but being struck by an asteroid seems more likely than being assaulted by a man who believes he is a woman or vice versa. If conservatives wish to strike a blow for decency, they should pass a law banning politicians from using public restrooms. Time and again, grown men in their ranks have been revealed as having low morals. If banned from restrooms and forced to work with legs crossed, they may do the public's business much quicker. Unfortunately, the Obama administration has complicated the issue by warning schools nationwide that they may be punished if they discriminate against children who believe they are caught in the wrong gender. Nice thought, bad timing. Sometimes when the toilet is blocked, a repeated flushing does more harm than good. Where did this absurd concern suddenly come from? Are there not enough terrorists to make people fearful and thus politically exploitable? Do we have to invent new bogeypersons to trouble our dreams? Well, of course. A classic script of right-wing paranoia unfolds. Select a tiny minority to be demonized, act on weird feelings about sexuality and then drag in the Almighty as justification. Yet it's a strange sort of Christianity that punishes the powerless and has no comfort for sobbing and confused children. Politics is no help to them. It has flushed wisdom away. Reg Henry is a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist. He may be reached at rhenry@post-gazette.com. Given the recent emergence of restrooms as a major issue for Republican legislators, perhaps many members of the supermajority in hindsight see as a mistake the rejection of Rep. David Hawk's proposal for annual September sessions of the Tennessee General Assembly. Hawk, R-Greeneville, proposed to automatically have legislators return for a couple of days each September, explaining that "in this fast paced world in which we live, there are lots of issues that come up outside the constraints of our regular session that really need to be addressed legislatively." After winning initial approval in one House committee, the bill got the cold shoulder late in session about the same time legislators were also deciding against proposals to hold a special veto override session in May, just in case Gov. Bill Haslam should decide to reject some measure favored by the supermajority. The decision against a veto override session proved sound. Apparently, as Haslam had tacitly suggested, he was ready to go along with anything else passed, despite his previously-voiced misgivings on some bills. He did and a veto override session proved unnecessary. On the other hand, developments otherwise have arguably proved Hawk correct about the need for post-session return of legislators to address emerging issues. In this fast-paced world, President Barack Obama's administration has moved in a post-session "directive" to have transgender people admitted to restrooms based on their chosen gender, not on the gender appearing on their birth certificates. Aghast at this development, House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada surveyed his 72 fellow GOP representatives on whether to call a special legislative session to do something about the situation. The leading idea was to have the Legislature issue a directive to Attorney General Herbert Slatery III calling on him to file a lawsuit against the feds and/or at least mandate that he defend any school system accused of barring a transgender student from using the restroom of his/her choice. Slatery acted anyway, without legislative direction, rendering a special session moot. On Wednesday Tennessee joined 10 other states in a federal lawsuit to nullify the Obama administration's enforcement policy. One of the measures Haslam didn't like this year, but let become law without his signature, directs the attorney general to file a lawsuit against the federal government over refugee resettlement within Tennessee. It includes a provision declaring that, should Slatery decide such a lawsuit would be ill-advised, a conservative activist legal firm can step in to represent the state so long as it does so for free. Slatery is still pondering what to do about that. The attorney general's office fairly often retains outside counsel, but the surrender of its function in representing the state to a political advocacy law firm would apparently be unprecedented. The Legislature now seems ready to set that precedent. That being the case, perhaps an option to Hawk's call for direct post-session lawmaker oversight would be new powers for the Legislature's Office of Legal Services. Precedents are being set there, too. Examples include working with the attorney general to investigate Rep. Jeremy Durham's supposed sexual harassment tendencies and having a "repealer" within the legal services office the name was changed this session to "revisor of statutes" tasked with recommending laws that should be repealed by the General Assembly without the attorney general's input. The new Office of Legislative Litigation within legal services, after appropriate discussion with legislative leadership and a survey of supermajority members, could then direct the attorney general on lawsuits that should be filed when the General Assembly is out of session and, if he balks, designate appropriate and politically-correct lawyers to step in and represent the state. This would spare taxpayers the cost of a September session one of the objections raised to Hawk's bill and assure appropriate deference to litigation-minded lawmakers at all times. And the lawmakers could make their speeches on the campaign trail in support of the lawsuits within their home districts, just as they are doing now. More from Tom Humphrey at "Humphrey on the Hill:" ASSOCIATED PRESS Members of the graduating class and faculty attend the Savannah College of Art and Design commencement in Atlanta on May 31, 2014. For the first time on record, living with parents is now the most common arrangement for Americans ages 18 to 34, an analysis of Census data by the Pew Research Center has found. The sharp shift reflects a long-running decline in marriage, amplified by the economic upheavals of the Great Recession. The trend has been particularly evident among Americans who lack a college degree. SHARE Interesting news last week from the Pew Research Center: "In 2014, for the first time in more than 130 years, adults ages 18 to 34 were slightly more likely to be living in their parents' home than they were to be living with a spouse or partner in their own household." One part of the picture: Young adults aren't getting married as early or as often as they used to. Are youngsters avoiding responsibility? Or do they lack opportunity? Joel Mathis and Ben Boychuk, the RedBlueAmerica columnists, consider the issue. JOEL MATHIS Pity poor millennials: They grew up expecting that young adulthood might look something like "Sex and the City." Instead, they're living out their own version of "The Waltons." There's some good news and some bad news involved. First, the bad news: Generations are huddling under a single roof because that's what makes economic sense. There are more unemployed young men today than there were in the 1960s. The ones with jobs have wages that, by and large, are stagnating or even declining. The economy has been going south for the middle class for decades though the rich have kept getting richer and so the survivors are doing the sensible thing: They're grouping up. It's what Pew calls "the private safety net." Here's the better news: This new grouping isn't necessarily a bad thing. Or even new. The last time so many 18- and 34-year-olds lived with their parents was the tail end of the Great Depression, in 1940. That group of Americans went off to fight in World War II the next year, came back and attended college thanks to the GI Bill then entered the workforce when the American economy had no peer. The result? A burgeoning middle class and explosive home ownership numbers. We thought it was normal. We were wrong. "Normal" may look, in fact, closer to the social arrangements we had in the 1940s. The conservative writer Alan Jacobs recently wrote about his own experience growing up with multiple generations of family: "Through living as an extended family my parents got free child care, my grandparents got free rent, and I grew up surrounded by family members who loved me," he wrote. "How did living this way become an image of 'a life gone wrong?' " The "private safety net" shouldn't be our only safety net. But as the economy changes, it might even be a source of joy and strength. BEN BOYCHUK Millennials are the least self-reliant and most coddled generation yet to come of age in the United States. It's really no wonder that a cohort raised by "helicopter parents" would effectively ground itself. They "just can't even," as the saying goes. This is the dependent generation. About 74 percent of so-called emerging adults receive financial support from their parents, regardless of whether or not they live at home, according to a 2013 Clark University poll. A sluggish economy alone cannot explain that statistic. "Virtually all 25-year-olds could support themselves if they really had to, but then they wouldn't be able to live a very nice life in their 20s," Clark University research professor Jeffrey Jensen Arnett told NPR in a 2013 interview about the poll's findings. "They could live on it, but they don't really want to, and when it comes right down to it, their parents don't want them to have to either." This is the trigger-warning generation, a generation that is more brittle and far less resilient than their generation X and baby boomer forebears. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 5 million college students in 2011 reported struggles with mental health. Depression and anxiety disorders have skyrocketed. Depression is a real illness that millions of Americans struggle to overcome. I'm one of them. It isn't easy, believe me. But rather than confront what ails them, many millennials demand protection from ideas, words and images that may cause them stress or anxiety. And not just on campus. They're carrying those demands into the workplace, too. Maintaining a close relationship with one's parents can be a blessing. The Bible commands us to honor our fathers and our mothers, and Confucius taught that children have a duty to respect, obey and care for their parents. That's what made multigenerational households useful and important. But that isn't what we're seeing today, is it? Millennials aren't living at home out of filial piety. They're living at home because the alternative is too awful to contemplate. Ben Boychuk (bboychuk@city-journal.org) is associate editor of the Manhattan Institute's City Journal. Joel Mathis (joelmmathis@gmail.com) is associate editor for Philadelphia Magazine. SHARE Donald Trump is the presumptive Republican presidential nominee because he has responded astutely and basely to the anger of the American voter. The profound question is why the American voter is so angry. Angry because corporations have replaced middle-class workers with money-saving technology and less expensive employees? Angry because immigrants are willing to perform cheaply the difficult menial labor that we refuse to perform? Angry because we have not educated the masses who don't want to be educated? Angry because the majority doesn't vote the way we think they should? Angry that judges educated in constitutional law do not interpret the Constitution as we interpret it? Angry that in our culture we reward those with financial acumen exponentially more than we reward hard work or craftsmanship? Angry that the values and cultures of the world are changing when we abhor change? Angry that the "liberal mass media" don't interpret facts as do "informed reporters" like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, Thomas Sowell, Charles Krauthammer, Cal Thomas, George Will and Glenn Reynolds? Angry that the government interferes and regulates aspects of our lives? Angry that the government doesn't interfere and regulate aspects of other people's lives? Angry that the government doesn't provide "fixes" to Social Security and the tax codes even though we object consistently to all suggested fixes? Angry about gender/sex issues we have tried unsuccessfully to come to grips with for 200,000 years? Angry that a black family occupies the White House when we can't realistically aspire to such prestige and power? There must be lots of other real or purported things to be anxious, apprehensive or angry about these days, but right now, feeling lucky to live in such a great country, I'm too happy to puzzle or fret over them. I'll leave that to The Donald and The Bern. William J. "Bill" Oliphant, Knoxville Computer hacker extradited from France ATLANTA - Eric Donys Simeu, a/k/a Martell Collins, a citizen of Cameroon, has been arraigned on federal charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, computer fraud and access device fraud. Simeu was indicted by a federal grand jury in Atlanta on September 23, 2014. Cybercrime is borderless, but increasingly, so too are our law enforcement capabilities, said U.S. Attorney John Horn. With the cooperation of France and our international law enforcement partners, we were able to bring to justice a wanted fugitive who was allegedly committing cyber fraud that affected U.S. companies from the streets of West Africa. Those who target US companies and citizens through cyber attacks and spear phishing emails can no longer be confident they will remain anonymous and be protected by geographic boundaries. The arrest and extradition of Eric Simeu is the result of a multi-national effort led by the FBI, which demonstrates the benefits of global cooperation among international law enforcement and the private sector. This arrest and extradition serves a strong deterrent to those targeting the computer networks of US companies and US citizens. It should also serve as a reminder to the public to be vigilant and aware they are frequently targeted through fraudulent emails seeking to steal their personal information, said J. Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office. According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges, and other information presented in court: Eric Simeu is allegedly responsible for a series of phishing campaigns which targeted customers of Global Distribution System (GDS) companies from approximately July 2011 to September 2014. A phishing campaign is the act of sending targeted emails to individuals for the purpose of acquiring usernames and passwords. The emails masquerade as an official communication from a legitimate company to gain the trust of the recipient and deceive them into providing protected information. GDS companies provide travel booking services to travel agencies and travel-related websites. Airline tickets that are issued from sources other than air carriers themselves are generally processed through a GDS company. Customers of GDS companies, such as representatives from a travel agency or travel-related website, are issued unique login credentials that are utilized to authenticate their identity and facilitate the issuance of airline tickets on GDS servers. In this instance, Simeus alleged phishing campaigns targeted customers of two GDS Companies one with its principal U.S. operations in Atlanta, Georgia, and another headquartered in Southlake, Texas. Simeu allegedly caused phishing emails to be delivered to customers of these GDS companies for the purpose of obtaining and stealing their unique log-in credentials. Simeu and others allegedly used the stolen log-in credentials to access the servers of the two GDS companies and cause the issuance of fraudulent airline tickets. Simeu and others then allegedly sold these airline tickets to customers, mostly in West Africa, for fractions of the actual cost, or used them for personal travel. The value of the fraudulently issued airline tickets exceeded $2 million. On September 3, 2014, Simeu was arrested by French law enforcement pursuant to a federal criminal complaint issued out of the Northern District of Georgia. At the time of his arrest, Simeu was traveling from Casablanca, Morocco, to Paris, France, on an alleged fraudulently issued airline ticket in the name of his alias, Martell Collins, utilizing a fraudulent United Kingdom passport under the same name. Eric Donys Simeu, a/k/a Martell Collins, 32, a citizen of Cameroon, was arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard. A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia returned an indictment against Simeu on September 23, 2014. Simeu has been in French custody since his arrest in September 2014, pending completion of extradition proceedings. Published May 29, 2016 POSCO's steel plate used in automobiles displayed at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, in January. Some 30 signature steel technologies were introduced during the event. / Courtesy of POSCO By Jhoo Dong-chan POSCO Group, the world's fourth-largest steelmaker, is set to become a "total solution provider" in the automobile industry with the company's steel and battery technology. A POSCO official said Sunday the group will strive to help automakers introduce cars with POSCO's lightweight steel and lithium-ion battery technology. "POSCO has invested in its R&D unit more than any other company in the market," said POSCO CEO Kwon Oh-joon. "The group owns 10 unique and differentiated steel technologies. POSCO will continue to look into how to contribute to the future auto market with its technologies." POSCO Body Concept-Electric Vehicle (PBC-EV) steel sheet, the group's latest technology-applied steel plate, offers a 26.4 percent lighter weight in mid-class sedans, where its safety has been given "five stars" from the Europe New Car Assessment Program and "good" from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In January, POSCO held a technology exhibition at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, promoting its 30 signature steel technologies for the future. It was the first time a steelmaker had held an exhibition at the NAIAS. POSCO started building a lithium production plant in February, in Argentina, in a bid to satisfy increasing demand for high-purity lithium secondary batteries. The plant is expected to produce 2,500 tons of lithium batteries a year after completion and 4,000 tons by 2018, supplying anode companies at home and abroad. The group's lime and refractory-making affiliate, POSCO Chemtech, entered the cathode industry in 2011 and introduced high-capacity cathode materials for EVs for the first time in Korea, gaining attention from the global EV technology market. POSCO Chemtech's share in the cathode market is expected to reach 10 percent this year, making it one of the world's five-largest cathode material producers, an official said. Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors President Chung Jin-haeng, second from right, poses with Ethiopia's First Lady Roman Tesfaye, third from left, and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) President Kim In-shik, second from left, during the groundbreaking ceremony for Green Light Auto Mechanic Training Center in the Ethiopian capital city of Addis Ababa, Friday. / Courtesy of Kia Motors By Jhoo Dong-chan Kia Motors will build training centers for mechanics in Ethiopia and Kenya in a bid to contribute to their economies by providing education for young people. A Kia Motors official said Sunday that the company held a groundbreaking ceremony for the center in Ethiopia on Friday and is expected to have another in Kenya tomorrow. Chung Jin-haeng, president of Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, participated in the ceremony held in the Ethiopian capital city of Addis Ababa with First Lady Roman Tesfaye, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) President Kim In-shik and Ethiopia World Vision President Edward Brown. An official said that building the training centers in the two countries is a part of the company's charity Green Light Project (GLP). The GLP is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity run by Kia Motors to support developing countries by providing education and opportunities. KOICA, a governmental organization that has vast experience offering grant aid programs to developing countries, will help build the training centers and manage the education program after completion. The two training centers in Ethiopia and Kenya are expected to contribute to job creation as well as boost their economies. The training centers will teach not only automotive engineering but also other vocational skills, including sewing, beauty and hairdressing, to boost jobseekers' capabilities. An official said it will also work closely with local companies to develop other employment programs to help young jobseekers. The training center in Kenya is expected to be built in the capital city of Nairobi by the first half of next year, and Good Neighbors International, one of Korea's largest NGOs with more than 2,000 professional staff and 20,000 volunteers, will also help manage the training operations after completion. "Kia Motors will support developing countries' economies through education and job creation," said a Kia official. "The company will extend the GLP into other developing countries, helping young people's education." By Yoon Ja-young Due to falling growth potential, the symbolic $30,000 per capita income could become an out-of-reach goal within the next few years. And economists say the government and industry should overhaul the system and set up a long-term plan instead of resorting to short-term stimulus measures. According to data compiled by the OECD, Korea ranked 12th among the 34 OECD member countries in terms of economic growth, with the economy expanding 2.6 percent last year. It is behind Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, as well as some Western European countries such as Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg and Spain. In 1996, when Korea joined the club of advanced economies, its economy grew 7.6 percent, which is more than double the OECD average. But growth fell to below 4 percent in 2010, and now the 2 percent range seems to be the norm. Economic growth tends to slow as an economy becomes sizable, but economists say Korea seems to be losing growth momentum. As a result, the nation's per capita income has stayed below $30,000 for 10 years, after breaching $20,000 in 2006. The Korea Development Institute estimates economic growth potential to fall to 1.8 percent between 2026 and 2030, citing demographic changes. The working-age population will start to decrease next year, affecting growth potential. Ju Won, an economist at Hyundai Research Institute, compared the current economic recession to a "swamp." "Though there seems to be no immediate problem, the country's economic recession is aggravating as time goes on, just like one slowly falling into a swamp," Ju said, pointing to falling economic growth rate. The LG Economic Research Institute noted in a report the country's falling growth potential, saying it is not a short-term, cyclical problem. Hence, fiscal expansion aiming at 3 percent economic growth will not be effective for long, the think tank said. "The overall economic policy should focus on enhancing the long-term growth potential rather than short-term stimulus," the report said, stressing the need to set the foundation for future growth as well as industrial restructuring. "The infrastructure focused on social overhead capital will not upgrade manufacturing or service sectors. An infrastructure should be set up for new growth industries or to cope with aging of the society," the report said, adding that structural improvements such as deregulation should follow so that startups and innovative firms thrive. Ju said there is no leading sector in the economy. "As businesses focused on expanding their current businesses, instead of looking for new growth engines, the growth potential weakened," he said. He said the government and industry should set up a mid- to long-term direction for industrial policies as well as a vision for the future, saying deregulation is crucial for corporate investment. "The government should try to boost investment, which is a source of economic growth and job creation," he said. By Yoon Ja-young Domestic banks face punishment for rigging certificate of deposit (CD) rates, as the antitrust watchdog will deliver its ruling next month on the long-awaited decision regarding the alleged collusion on the key benchmark rate. The Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) Jeong Jae-chan said the agency will conclude its review of the alleged lending rate collusion by local banks. If the allegation is confirmed, banks will face huge penalties as well as a massive consumer lawsuit. "Banks recently submitted their written opinions on the issue to the FTC, which will be reviewed by our investigator for around one month or a month and a half. It will be brought in to the plenary meeting by the end of June," Jeong said at a meeting with reporters. After the review, a plenary meeting will be held to determine whether there was collusion or not, as well as if there was collusion and what the penalties will be. The antitrust agency started its probe into some banks and securities companies back in July 2012, on suspicion that they have colluded in setting the three-month CD rates. Suspicions arose after the banks didn't cut the CD rates for some time beginning in 2012, though other rates such as the rates for bank bonds inched down following the falling key rate. A higher CD rate means banks can get more interest for their loans. After years of investigation, the FTC sent a written review to six local banks Shinhan, Woori, KEB Hana, NH, KB Kookmin and Standard Chartered in which it noted their alleged collusion. The banks sent back their opinions regarding the issue. The FTC probe drew much attention, as penalties as high as hundreds of billions of won may be levied on the banks once the allegation is confirmed. A consumer group also announced it would file a class action lawsuit against the commercial banks following confirmation of the allegation. As the investigation dragged on with no conclusion in sight, some started criticizing the FTC for hastily starting the investigation, but Jeong said the FTC probe takes time as it has to gather evidence. The banks, however, deny the allegation, saying that there could be no such thing as collusion in setting CD rates as they are determined based on the market price. A tough battle is expected between the regulator and the banks as they have been working with the country's top law firms to prepare for lawsuits seeking acquittal. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has held a series of meetings with retired politicians in Seoul, including former prime ministers, reigniting speculation that the native South Korean may run in next year's presidential election, sources said Saturday. He returned to his home country of South Korea on Friday from a short trip to Tokyo to attend a G7 summit. According to sources, Ban paid a visit to former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil on Saturday morning and had a dinner meeting with a group of retired politicians who still have influence on the country's political landscape. Details were not immediately known about what agenda was discussed during their gatherings. In the clearest indication yet of his presidential ambitions, Ban on Wednesday said he would "contemplate" what he will do as a South Korean citizen when he returns to his home country after completing his two terms as the U.N. helmsman at the end of this year. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in a small folk village in southeastern South Korea on Sunday, a trip widely seen as the start of a presidential campaign ahead of next year's election. Ban, who is on a six-day visit to his native South Korea, made headlines last week after he told senior reporters on the southern resort island of Jeju that he would contemplate his future as a South Korean citizen once he steps down from his U.N. post at the end of this year. The remarks were interpreted as the strongest indication yet that he could run for South Korea's presidency in the next election slated for December 2017. Ban's decision to visit Hahoe, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010, fueled speculation over his presidential ambitions because the tranquil village sits in North Gyeongsang Province, a stronghold of the ruling Saenuri Party. The U.N. chief has long been talked about as a strong contender in the conservative ruling camp, even though he served as the foreign minister under the liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration. The ruling party has welcomed Ban's apparent interest in the presidency especially as its other potential candidates have lost their competitiveness following the party's crushing defeat in last month's parliamentary elections. The visit to Hahoe has symbolic meaning as well because it is home to Ryu Seong-ryong, a prime minister who played a key role in fighting off invading Japanese troops at the end of the 16th century. Ryu is also known to have had acute diplomatic skills. In his meeting with the reporters on Jeju, Ban offered his political vision, saying a country's leaders should work harder for national unity. Ban is scheduled to have lunch with key local politicians, including the governor of North Gyeongsang and members of the Saenuri Party, and tour the folk village where he will plant a tree before heading to the nearby ancient city of Gyeongju to attend a U.N. conference. (Yonhap) A policeman walks past a placard at the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Sunday, a day before the opening of the Assembly's 20th term. / Yonhap New Assembly off to rocky start By Kim Hyo-jin The 20th National Assembly will begin its four-year term today, overshadowed by escalating political tensions between President Park Geun-hye and the opposition parties. Park and the opposition parties are at loggerheads again, after Park vetoed the "hearing bill" that was passed by the 19th Assembly in its final session. Opposition parties, which together secured a majority of seats in last month's general election, have vowed to resubmit the bill. The clash over the hearing bill could derail ongoing discussions over the makeup of the new Assembly, analysts say. The President vetoed the bill, designed to empower Assembly committees to hold hearings on state affairs whenever they are needed, throwing the political arena into turmoil. The decision triggered an immediate backlash from opposition parties. They vowed to put the bill up for vote again in the upcoming Assembly. Rep. Park Jie-won, floor leader of the People's Party, criticized Park for rejecting the bill while she was away in Africa, saying she should stop ignoring the Assembly. "She should've tried to express her opposition to the bill beforehand, through a meeting between the government, the presidential office and the ruling party," the floor leader wrote on Facebook, Sunday. "Instead, she did it through an electronic veto in Africa during an unscheduled extraordinary Cabinet meeting when there was not enough time to convene a plenary session to review the returned bill." He added, "The controversy will inevitably continue in the 20th Assembly as no authoritative interpretation is being made by legal experts, the government legislation ministry, or the Secretariat of the National Assembly." The bill, which passed the National Assembly on May 19, was aimed at enabling the Assembly's committees to hold hearings on state affairs at their own discretion. The executive branch had been upset with the bill, insisting that the committees could paralyze the government with needlessly extended hearings. Political observers agreed that it is unlikely to see smooth proceedings or cooperative politics in the 20th Assembly. "Despite the outcome of the general election which made the opposition parties outnumber the ruling party, the President turned down the bill passed in the Assembly. It will propel the opposition bloc to further flex its muscles in whatever it needs to negotiate with the ruling bloc," said Lee Jun-han, a politics professor at Incheon University. Lee said such a confrontation could delay negotiations over how to form the new Assembly. Floor leaders of the rival parties agreed last week to form the chair group of the National Assembly by June 7 and restructure the Assembly's committees and pick their heads by June 14. "Opposition floor leaders will turn strong-headed to seek a bigger share while the ruling Saenuri Party wouldn't budge an inch due to momentum it gained following a rising expectation that Ban Ki-moon, the most favored potential presidential candidate, could stand on its side," he said. Choi Chang-ryol, a politics professor at Yongin University, pointed out that Park's veto made it more difficult to realize the government's economic agenda in her remaining 18 months in office. She will have a hard time seeking cooperation from opposition parties for her key legislative agenda, including labor reforms. "Park drove herself into the corner. Now, there seems no room for compromise on the controversial labor reform bill," Choi said. "Morever, Saenuri floor leader Chung Jin-suk doesn't seem to be able to restore balance between Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling party after his reformist move was crushed by Park loyalists within the party. With Chung hardly showing a flexible attitude in negotiations with the opposition parties, the prospect of cooperative politics in the 20th Assembly is definitely murky." Former Oxy Reckitt Benckiser CEO John Lee arrives at the Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office for questioning, May 23. The prosecution is seeking to interrogate another former CEO, Gaurav Jain, who is currently in Singapore. / Yonhap By Jung Min-ho The director of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser's research institute has been arrested on charges of approving false advertising for the British firm's products blamed for the deaths of more than 100 Koreans. The Seoul Central District Court approved an arrest warrant Saturday for the director, surnamed Cho, who allegedly played a major role in promoting the company's disinfectants and sterilizers as "harmless even to children" from 2005 to 2011. Prosecutors believe that Cho, along with former Oxy CEO Shin Hyun-woo who is now under arrest, led the creation and running of the false advertising campaign. According to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Cho also faces charges of causing accidental deaths and physical damage to the victims. So far, a total of six people, including current or former officials of the company, have been detained for their alleged involvement in the scandal. Meanwhile, prosecutors are trying to summon another former Oxy CEO Gaurav Jain, who is currently residing in Singapore. They said Jain, who headed the company from May 2010 to October 2012, has rejected an e-mail request to cooperate with their investigation, saying he is busy with work and concerned about his personal safety. Prosecutors believe the India native was implicated in fabricating the toxicity tests on Oxy's products in favor of the company. Oxy allegedly offered tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to researchers at Seoul National University and Hoseo University in 2011. Their test results, which found that the company's products did not cause lung failure, provided the company with a scientific basis to argue against the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's earlier conclusion that harmful chemicals in the disinfectant were responsible for the deaths. The researchers have already been arrested. Prosecutors are considering sending an extradition request to the Singaporean government to summon Jain. But the legal process of bringing him to Korea is expected to take a while if he continues to refuse to cooperate. Last week, John Lee, current CEO of Google Korea who led Oxy from June 2005 until May 2010, was summoned for questioning about the allegations of causing accidental deaths and physical damage to the victims. A total of 143 Koreans, including pregnant women and children, have so far died due to disinfectants made by Oxy and other businesses, according to the government. The families of victims and civic groups claim that 103 of the victims used Oxy's products. President Park Geun-hye and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni attend a reception ahead their summit talks at the presidential office in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, Sunday. / Yonhap By Yi Whan-woo Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni vowed to cut off his country's security and military cooperation with North Korea during a summit with President Park Geun-hye in Kampala, Sunday, according to Cheong Wa Dae. Presidential spokesman Jeong Yeon-guk said Sunday that Museveni ordered an end to such cooperation in line with the latest U.N. Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on Pyongyang. "The Ugandan President assessed that the UNSC sanctions have received extensive support from the international community and that his officials should also implement the UNSC sanctions faithfully," Jeong said. Museveni's decision is expected to put additional pressure on North Korea which had been earning hard currency in foreign countries in pursuit of its nuclear program. Park arrived in Kampala Saturday after visiting Ethiopia, as part of her 12-day trip started May 25 to three African nations including Kenya, plus France. The topics for the bilateral summit at the Ugandan capital included South Korea's efforts to persuade African countries to avoid arms contracts with North Korea in line with UNSC Resolution 2270. It was imposed on March 2 in response to the Kim Jong-un regime's fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6 and launch of a long-range rocket on Feb. 7. Park is the first South Korean leader to visit Uganda in the history of the two nations' diplomatic relations established in 1963. The two sides have had very little cooperation in security and defense. However, Uganda has been a key East African customer of North Korea's weapons. Since taking office in 1986, Museveni himself has visited North Korea three times in the 1980s and 1990s and met then-North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. There are about 50 North Korean military instructors in Uganda. It is speculated they will be asked to leave soon. Cheong Wa Dae said the defense ministries of South Korea and Uganda signed a memorandum of understanding to bolster bilateral cooperation on intelligence, arms acquisition, military training and defense technology. This is the first MOU on defense-related issues between the two sides. At their meeting, Park and Museveni also shared thoughts on bolstering bilateral economic cooperation as well as Seoul's outreach programs, including the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement). Initiated by Park's late father, Park Chung-hee, in the 1970s, the movement spurred rural development and contributed to South Korea's rapid economic growth. A string of developing countries, including Uganda, have since adopted the Saemaul Undong for themselves. According to Cheong Wa Dae, Museveni respects the late Korean President and has taken an interest in Saemaul Undong. In relation to Seoul's outreach programs, Park underscored "Korea Aid," a new form of mobile, comprehensive development project offering a wide range of services such as healthcare, food supply and cultural promotion. Park attended a business forum and cultural festival involving the two countries later on Sunday. She will head to Kenya, Monday, after joining a ceremony to celebrate a training center set up by South Korea to nurture Ugandan leaders in agriculture. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, center, looks around during a visit to Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO heritage site in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, Sunday. / Yonhap By Yi Whan-woo U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited a folk village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, Sunday, in what is viewed as being linked to a 2017 presidential bid. The North Gyeongsang provincial government, which jointly organized Ban's trip to Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, explained that it is customary for a U.N. chief to visit UNESCO-designated sites in the regions where they travel. The municipal government said that Ban is scheduled to attend the U.N. Department of Public Information (DPI)/NGO Conference in Gyeongju, also in North Gyeongsang Province, Monday, before returning to New York. But Ban's stopover in Andong only added to rampant speculation that he may run for president. Earlier, he commented that he will contemplate his future when his tenure at the U.N. is over in December. He appears to have President Park Geun-hye's backing and could compete in the presidential race as a candidate for the ruling Saenuri Party. On Sunday, Ban spoke at the opening of the 2016 Rotary International Convention in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, before heading to Andong. After being greeted by tourists and locals there, Ban had lunch with the elders of the country's Ryu Seong-ryong clan at Hahoe Folk Village, which has preserved a clan-based community since the 16th century. He planted an evergreen tree to honor Ryu, an official revered during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) for his diplomatic acumen, and wrote in a guestbook that he hopes the people will "inherit Ryu's love for the country and sense of duty." Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni vowed Sunday to cut off his country's security and military cooperation with North Korea, in the latest increase in international diplomatic pressure exerted on Pyongyang over its nuclear program, a South Korean official said. North Korea is under the toughest U.N. sanctions ever over its fourth nuclear test and its long-range rocket launch earlier this year. "I have instructed officials to faithfully enforce the U.N. Security Council resolution, including suspension of cooperation with North Korea in the security, military and police sectors," Museveni said in a summit with his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye, according to South Korean presidential spokesman Jeong Yeon-guk. Museveni's pledge illustrates growing international pressure on North Korea over its defiant pursuit of a nuclear weapons program. He also sent a clear message to Pyongyang that Uganda is on the same page with South Korea and the international community, and not siding with North Korea. Uganda has been maintaining military cooperation with North Korea, and the long-time Ugandan leader has visited Pyongyang three times. Some 50 North Korean military and police personnel are believed to be working in Uganda, according to South Korea. It remains unclear whether Uganda will deport the North Korean personnel. Repeated calls to the North Korean embassy in Uganda seeking a comment went unanswered on Sunday. On Saturday, Park warned that the international community might not be able to do anything to stop North Korea's nuclear weapons program if its efforts to get Pyongyang to denuclearize end in failure. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called his country a "responsible nuclear state" in the clearest sign yet that he won't give up its nuclear program. Also Sunday, Park had expressed confidence that her summit with Museveni would serve as a good opportunity to boost friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Park is the first South Korean president who has visited Uganda since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1963. The summit -- the third such meeting between the two leaders -- came as South Korea is reaching out to Africa to boost business opportunities with the continent that has huge growth potential. Museveni has cited South Korea as a model for his country's economic development. South Korea has become a donor country from a key recipient of U.N. aid in half a century, a transformation that has inspired many developing nations to follow in the footsteps of the Asian country in advancing their economies. After the summit, Park and Museveni watched as their representatives signed 10 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between the two nations. The MOUs call for, among other things, bilateral cooperation in the energy and plant sector, a move that Seoul says could help South Korean companies make inroads into Uganda's infrastructure market. A consortium led by GS Engineering & Construction Co., a major South Korean construction firm, has been in talks with Uganda over a US$1.5 billion project to build a refinery near Hoima in western Uganda. One of the pacts calls for bilateral cooperation in the generation, distribution and transmission of electrical power. Uganda is pushing to build two hydroelectric power plants by 2020 to increase its power generation capacity to 2,500 MW from 827 MW in 2014. It also plans to ramp up per capita power consumption to 578 kWh by 2020 from 80 kWh in 2013. Uganda is the second stop on Park's swing through Africa. The trip is set to take her to Nairobi on Monday for talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta. (Yonhap) Lee Seong-ho By Kim Ji-soo Lee Seong-ho, brother-in-law to the late former President Kim Dae-jung, has passed away. He was 85, various reports said Friday. Police officials in Jongno District, downtown Seoul, said that they found Lee lying still in his officetel residence Tuesday, after receiving a call from an acquaintance of Lee's that he could not be reached. Lee, the youngest brother of former First Lady Lee Hee-ho, graduated from Gyeongbok High School and Seoul National University, after which he went to the United States and studied at Emory University. He at one time headed a Korea-American group in Washington, D.C., and also ran a travel agency. He returned to Korea in 1985, setting up a travel agency to take care of the travel of his brother-in-law who at that time was at the Party for Peace and Democracy. Lee was often dubbed an "insider" in President Kim Dae-jung's administration (1998-2003) but was implicated in graft scandals afterwards. Lee divorced and his two sons also live in the United States, leaving him to live alone in Korea. A mortuary is set up at the Inje University's Seoul Paik Hospital in Jung district; the funeral is set for Saturday. By Rachel Lee Diplomats and students from ASEAN countries discussed Korea's unification at a workshop in Goseong, Gangwon Province, on May 20-21. The ASEAN-Korea Center and the Korea Foundation co-hosted the 2016 KF-ASEAN Korea Workshop with an aim to build "common ground upon which the vision of South Korean unification can be realized among students from ASEAN nations and Korea." "Youth from ASEAN and Korea will play key roles in strengthening the partnership between the two regions," said ASEAN-Korea Center Secretary General Kim Young-sun. "I believe this workshop will serve as a platform for the next leaders of ASEAN and Korea to build a common ground for Korean unification, thus contributing to peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula as well as in east Asia." About 50 participants discussed key issues, including unification, and young people's key role in promoting Korea-ASEAN cooperation to enhance peace and prosperity in Asia. The program also included field trips to the Inter-Korean Transit Office, Goseong Unification Observatory and Hwajinpo, near the Demilitarized Zone. The ASEAN-Korea Center has implemented various work programs for young people from ASEAN and Korea to forge friendships and better understand each other. The programs include the "ASEAN-Korea Youth Network Workshop" and "ASEAN Youth Culture Nights" with aim to facilitate youth exchange and to promote intercultural understanding. Finpro Team Leader Kim Yoon-mee, right, poses with Marita Huurinainen CEO Andreas Jank, center, and Finpro Creative Industry Director Irma Patala at the Lotte Department Store in Seoul on May 16. / Courtesy of Finpro By Rachel Lee Functionality in fashion has become more important than ever to Korean consumers who want value and authenticity in their wardrobe. With more Koreans switching their eyes to Scandinavian-made products for this reason, Finnish fashion designers came to Seoul for the first time to show what they can offer and find about the Korean market. The "Finland Fashion Week Design in Nature" unveiled some of the country's leading designers Ivana Helsinki, Marita Huurinainen and Samuji at the Lotte Department Store in Jung-gu, Seoul, May 16-22. The Finish Embassy launched the promotion to coincide with Economy Minister Olli Rehn's visit "With increasing interest in the Northern European lifestyle among Korean consumers, we wanted to introduce Finland's fashion that was rather unfamiliar here," Finpro Korea leader Kim Yoon-mee said. "For those designers, it provided an opportunity to better understand the Korean market, the Asian hub." Finpro is a public organization that helps Finnish small and medium companies go international, encourages foreign direct investment in Finland and promotes travel to Finland. Through the event, the organization introduced Finnish designers' boldness and practical combination of new materials based on Northern Europe's minimal and practical sensibilities. "Among those Nordic countries, Finnish fashion really stands out for the individual, artistic approach," Kim said. "Swedish fashion, for example, tends to be more production-based and commercial, like fast fashion." Kim believes the promotion was a success. "The attention from local consumers was more than expected, coming from more people seeking Northern European brands' unique sensibility," Kim said. "Not only Koreans, but also foreign shoppers popped into the store to look around. Those brands that blend simplicity and nature were a hit in particular." The reaction from the Finnish side was likewise the fashion experts were impressed by the diversity and development of Korean fashion and regarded Seoul as one of the hottest fashion capitals in the world. "Not much information on the Korean market was available in Finland, but they know the importance of the country as it also plays a bridgehead to the Chinese market," Kim said. "Korean consumers will soon see some of the collection for selected Finnish brands from the autumn." Captain Claudio Maldonado, Chilean defense attache to the Embassy of Chile, speaks at a reception to mark Chilean Navy Day at Grand Hyatt Seoul on May 23. / Courtesy of the Embassy of Chile By Rachel Lee Chile and Korea have taken significant steps in defense since the Chilean Defense Attache Office reopened last year, says Captain Claudio Maldonado. At a reception to mark Chilean Navy Day that falls on May 21, Maldonado, Chilean Defense Attache to the Embassy of Chile, said he believed the two nations were moving in the right direction in strengthening ties. He said the two signed an agreement on defense and logistics cooperation during President Park Geun-hye's visit to Chile in April 2015 and when the Commander in Chief of the Chilean Navy came to Seoul last September. "Through the permanent exchange of officers of the Army and Navy, the two countries have been strengthening military relations," Maldonado said. In September, the Chilean Navy training ship "Esmeralda" will visit Busan for the first time in eight years. "All the above are clear signs of friendship, cooperation and mutual support," Maldonado said. He also stressed the importance of Korea and the Asian region to his country not only in defense, but in other fields. "More than 50 percent of the Chilean trade has been developed in the Asian region," he said. By Tom Plate LOS ANGELES Way back when, rather long ago, a youngish-greenish post-graduate student, obsessing about nuclear war, devoted his first book to it. "Doomsday," I declaimed in Understanding Doomsday: A Guide to the Arms Race for Hawks, Doves and People, " the moment when all the energies of all the nuclear bombs are released over the heads of the inhabitants of the earth. Not a pleasant thought, and, to be sure, there's nothing to be gained by dwelling on it; but a lot might be lost by ignoring it." No one in power should; not everyone in power has. In 2010, the far-sighted Ban Ki-moon, barely into his first term, pointedly chose to become the first United Nations secretary-general to attend the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima. The fact that he was from Korea, with all its issues with Japan, and indeed had been its foreign minister, didn't stop him: It was a simple matter of conscience, he said. Now, in 2016, "leading" yet again from behind, President Barack Obama this week is to become the first active U.S. president to visit the Hiroshima Memorial. Better late than never. For their demonstrations of remembrance and concern, we applaud both, while devoutly wishing that President Xi Jinping, of the country with the largest population, would choose to do the same some day soon. It would be brilliant and impactful for the world to see China's president free himself from the familiar chain of enmity with Japan by visiting Hiroshima. In all-out nuclear war, after all, China could lose more people than anyone. Japan, once Asia's number-one, will always have hanging in its closet the brutal ghost of having served as the first target of an atomic bombing: Will a waiting history record Hiroshima and Nagasaki as the last ones? The war-ending consequences of the A-bomb decisions by U.S. President Harry S. Truman still reverberate, mainly ironically. Among other things, politically, they include helping breed a populace that rates among the world's most consistently pacifist; and, paradoxically, supporting a political and military elite that at times seems to suggest Japan was somehow innocent for what preceded its nuclear nightmare. But please do note sympathetically the patient endurance of the largely pacifist Japanese people with a political system (engineered by conquering America) that has produced too many morally dwarf and politically deaf figures. In his 2014 novel Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki, the globally acclaimed artist Haruki Murakami might have been speaking for many Japanese in this moving passage: " You can hide memories, but you can't erase the history that produced them.' Sara looked directly into his eyes. If nothing else, you need to remember that. You can't erase history, or change it. It would be like destroying yourself'. " This implicitly would seem a rebuke of his countrymen for memory loss. But to the rest of us, the passage might also serve to recall the disturbing fact that not only were atomic bombs actually dropped on the heads of human beings, but that the delivery of the atomic attack was by America, the reputed ultra-good nation always and forever on the side of God. The very fact that America still sincerely believes it did the right thing (by ending the war without further major cost after so many lives had been lost) suggests it is conceivable that another nuclear power might some day seek to justify the nuclear option. What's more, the Obama administration itself, notwithstanding its laudable Hiroshima symbolism, has allocated colossal lumps of additional funds to modernizing' its nuclear arsenal. Talk about "leading from behind" by stockpiling on! What an opportunity for China, which should fear not to lead from ahead. Russia and the U.S. are the nucleararmament leaders with roughly the same high piles of nuclear stock. By contrast, China holds far fewer in the same comparatively modest league as the United Kingdom's bomb pile; and, to its credit, has trumpeted an official policy of forgoing the option of ever being the first to use one, claiming deterrence of evil enemies as sole motive for the perilous possession. But the deterrence argument is bogus and should be buried deep underground, along with all the world's defused bombs: If the reason for deterrence is that others have them, logically it follows that a far less costly and far less risky way of deterring' nuclear warfare would be if no nation has them at all. Whatever in the world is the world thinking? Master Murakami again, this time on the topic of human brain lock: "Like a man who has lost his sense of direction, Tsukuru's thoughts endlessly circled the same place. By the time he became aware of what his mind was doing, he found himself back where he started. Finally, his thinking process got stuck, as if the folds of his brain were a broken screw." Can we cease circling the same deadly dangerous place, as if targeting ourselves for future nuclear war? This is the issue for someone of Xi Jinping's high position in the global pecking order to consider. In Paris, Beijing worked out a noteworthy climate deal with Washington. Why not a noteworthy nuclear deal? China is currently the target of international fire for its pushy policies and aggressive actions in and around its South and China Seas neighborhoods. Nothing would show its "peaceful rising" DNA better than helping lead a nuclear downsizing, trending toward eventual nuclear disarmament. But is Xi Jinping up to it? Time will tell, of course but maybe time is not on the world's side? Just consider the consequences of non-state terrorists getting their paws on these evil instruments of doomsday. Prof. Tom Plate, Loyola Marymount University's distinguished scholar of Asian and Pacific Studies, is a South China Morning Post columnist and author of the "Giants of Asia" series. President Park Geun-hye warned Saturday that the international community might not be able to do anything to stop North Korea's nuclear weapons program if its efforts to get Pyongyang to denuclearize end in failure. North Korea is under the toughest U.N. sanctions ever over its fourth nuclear test and long-range rocket launch earlier this year. Still, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called his country a "responsible nuclear state" in the clearest sign yet that he won't end its nuclear program. The North has repeatedly pledged to boost its nuclear capability, viewing its nuclear program as a powerful deterrent against what it claims is Washington's hostile policy toward it. "The international community should get North Korea to abandon its nuclear program by urging it to embrace changes," Park said in a meeting with representatives from the Korean community in Uganda. The international community could face "a situation, in which it won't be able to do anything about North Korea's nuclear program ... if this opportunity passes by," Park said, referring to international calls for North Korea's denuclearization. Park made the comments a day before she is set to hold talks with her Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, the third such meeting between the two leaders. It marks the first time that a South Korean president has visited Uganda since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1963. Park is seeking Uganda's cooperation and support for international pressure on North Korea, Kim Kyou-hyun, senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs, told reporters. Chef Lee Yeon-bok, honorary ambassador of the Seoul International Food Film Festival, speaks during the opening ceremony of the festival in Megabox COEX, Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of SIFFF By Yun Suh-young Sebastien Bras, son of legendary French chef Michel Bras who has earned three Michelin stars since 1999, struggles to live up to his father's reputation. As much as he loves to cook, he also has pressure on his shoulders to inherit and expand the restaurant his father built and that flourished in the countryside of Laguiole, France. Rene Redzepi, owner-chef of Noma, a Nordic restaurant in Copenhagen that topped the World's 50 Best Restaurants for three consecutive years, strives to evolve every day with new creative dishes. He persists in keeping his restaurant's identity of pursuing "Nordic cuisine" and his own style despite the pressures and intrusive comments from customers and critics. The above two stories, which were made into films _ "Step Up to the Plate" and "Noma: My Perfect Storm" _ are among the selection of movies shown at the 2nd Seoul International Food Film Festival, providing a glimpse into the lives of world-famous chefs who struggle every day to improve. The hardships they face are beyond description but the one thing that keeps them rolling is "passion" the passion for cooking. Chef Lee Yeon-bok, who is honorary ambassador of the Seoul International Food Film Festival, which is at the Megabox COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, until Tuesday, said the job would be nearly impossible without passion and persistence. "I hope the films shown during the festival help students who want to become chefs realize whether they really like cooking or not. I also hope they realize that this career is difficult and will be a tough journey," said Lee during an interview with The Korea Times. "Because this is an arduous career, to become a chef, you need to be strong and determined. You really need to love the job. For those who are not up for it, they better give up early or else they will be wasting their time. Only step into this profession if you're ready for the hardships. If you are, then go for the challenge." One of the reasons why the job is harsh is because of the long working hours allowing no private time. Physical fatigue is a given. "People who cook have no private life at all," Lee said. "We come to work at 9 a.m. and leave at 11 p.m. You have no time to enjoy cultural life or hobbies or even date someone. There's a lot of frustration involved with our work. "If you work at a restaurant that doesn't do well, then your body will be at ease but that doesn't do you any good as a chef. If you want to learn, you need to go to a busy restaurant in good business, but then you need to prepare for hardship. This work is never easy, so you have to be strongly determined." Lee accepted the position as honorary ambassador for the film festival because he liked the purpose of the event to enhance understanding of the food industry. "After a film ends, a discussion session follows," Lee said. "I liked the fact that people could be exposed to food through films and expand their understandings about food and discuss them to understand what they're consuming. "I hope the audiences realize how many different kinds of foods there are in the world and even in one category, and understand how they are made and how much effort is put into it by chefs. I hope many chef-aspiring students and young people come to watch. Current chefs will also be inspired by the films and they might spark them with new dreams." Currently running Chinese restaurant Moklan (Mulan in Chinese) in Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul, Lee's plan is to travel when he retires. "I will cook for two more years. Until then, I will be fostering junior chefs so that I can leave my restaurant up to them. Then, when the time comes that I cannot cook anymore, I want to travel the world. Oh, how I would love to visit France, Italy, Croatia... there are too many to name." /Korea Times photo by Jung Min-ho The humanitarian aid reshaped Korea's medicine and my life' By Jung Min-ho, Kim Eil-chul Korea's medical infrastructure was somewhere between crumbling and non-existent in the 1950s after the Korean War (1950-1953) had ravaged the nation. To help Korea improve its medical infrastructure, the University of Minnesota sent experts in different medical fields to Seoul National University (SNU) from 1955 to 1961 as part of the Minnesota Project. Sponsored by the U.S. government, the project aimed to help the nation stand on its own feet by improving its medical, engineering and agricultural infrastructures. Among the 59 experts was Edmund B. Flink, the first doctor to teach endocrinology at SNU in 1957. Although his students were smart and passionate, they could not understand half of what he taught because he spoke in English. "We all flunked the first exam in his class," Choi Young-kil, now known as the father of endocrinology in Korea, said in an interview. "This is the first thing I remember about the Minnesota Project, which changed Korean medicine and my life forever." Before the project, students learned modern medicine largely through German textbooks. "This is because many Japanese doctors were trained in Germany in the early 20th century, when Korea was under Japanese colonial rule," he said. Flink liked Choi, who studied hard and asked him many questions. "Even when I did not have questions, I kept following him around. That's how we became close," Choi said. Choi Young-kil sits with his former professor Edmund B. Flink at a restaurant in Seoul during the American doctor's visit to Korea in 1971 / Courtesy of Choi Young-kil As part of the project, 226 SNU professors had an opportunity to study at the University of Minnesota. Most of those selected were senior professors, but thanks to a special invitation from Flink, Choi also got on an airplane to the U.S. Endocrinology was a burgeoning field at that time. Under the guidance of Flink, Choi learned not only its clinical side but also about scientific research, "something I did not experience in Korea," Choi said. For a person who was born and raised in one of the world's poorest countries at that time, America's excellent academic environment was mind-blowing, to say the least. In the late 1950s, Korea's gross domestic product per capita was less than $100. Most people lived in grinding poverty, and many suffered or died from preventable and curable diseases, if not malnutrition. "Back then, Korean doctors could accurately diagnose fewer than 10 internal diseases," Choi said. "And when I saw doctors doing brain and heart surgery in the U.S., I was amazed and motivated." He studied day and night at West Virginia University School of Medicine, to which Flink later moved. With a sincere and diligent attitude, he earned the respect of the professors and other students. After spending three years at the school, Choi decided to study further. In 1965, he moved to the University of Cincinnati, which was best-known in the field of steroid hormones. He trained there for five more years under Emile Werk, a renowned scholar in the field. Choi returned to Korea in 1970, after accepting a job offer from the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine. Since then, he has shared his expertise in internal medicine and, in particular, endocrine diseases such as diabetes. Some of the Korean scholars of the Minnesota Project eventually settled in the U.S., while others returned to Korea to improve the nation's medical infrastructure and train other medical professionals. Apart from Choi, some of the other famous doctors who returned are Lee Hon-hwang, who discovered the Hantavirus, which can cause fatal diseases in humans, and Hong Chang-eui, who authored Korea's first pediatric medicine textbook. "The Minnesota Project successfully modernized Korean medicine and treated many patients who would otherwise not be cured," Choi said. "The project was an important seed that helped the nation's healthcare industry grow into what it is today. "Korea should not forget the kindness it received and carry on the Minnesota spirit." Roger Guillemin, a Nobel Prize laureate in physiology and medicine in 1977, visits Kyung Hee Medical Center as a special lecturer in 1982. / Courtesy of Choi Young-kil Developing the scientific mind After years of training at some of the world's finest medical institutions, Choi returned to Korea in 1970 and faced the shocking reality of the country's medical system. "There was no science in the methods of diagnosing and treating diseases. Worse, many professors appeared to be just fine with the situation," he said. "I realized that I had a lot to work on." Because hospitals in Korea at the time did not yet have a division system, doctors were expected to diagnose and treat any diseases. "My job was to treat those who were sick for unclear reasons. With a lack of medical diagnostic devices and doctors capable of doing the job, many people came to see me from across the country," Choi said. In the course of treating various patients, he discovered the first cases of some diseases in the nation, including immotile cilia syndrome, a rare congenital disorder characterized by abnormal ciliary motion, impaired mucociliary clearance and infertility. He shared his discoveries with other doctors across the country through papers published in medical journals and discussion at conferences. While working for the Catholic Medical Center and Kyung Hee Medical Center from 1970 to 2002, he also helped the hospitals set up their medical systems for both clinical and research practices. "Some of the surgeons here, including the U.S.-educated ones, were great. Yet many patients died because Korean hospitals still lacked systems for postoperative care," he said. "We had to reform and improve pretty much everything we had." Meanwhile, he continued to study steroid hormones and published more than 300 papers in international journals. "Above all, I put my heart in educating students, who I believe would lead the future of Korean medicine," he said. By using his connection with scholars at U.S. medical institutions, including physiology and medicine Nobel Prize laureate Roger Guillemin, Choi helped his students study abroad. Also thanks to Choi, many Koreans had the opportunity to study at the Salk Institute, where Guillemin worked. He said nurturing students was the most rewarding aspect of his career. Some of the nation's most famous internal medicine doctors today, including Kim Kwang-won, Park won-geun, Son ho-young and Woo Jung-taek, were his former students. "They have played a pivotal role in developing Korean medicine in their fields," he said. "I'm glad that I played a role in enabling them do so." By Kim Kwi-gon With growing concerns about climate change, green urban development and a low-carbon economy have been effective policies as alternatives to the conventional one in the transition from a fossil fuel economy. Korea is called one of the biggest polluters, but the government seems to have taken a step back to a more relaxed carbon policy. A fortunate thing is that it has some political will to contribute to the implementation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement in Korea through nationally determined contribution (NDC) and low emission development strategy (LEDS). To effectively realize the Paris Agreement agenda, there has been a need for a global partnership of climate change action. The foreign intervention may be helpful to make Korea a global partner for green urban development and a low-carbon economy. Very recently, a project on "Low-Carbon Stakeholders and Opportunities in Korea" was been commissioned by the EU Delegation to a project team that consisted of European and Korean experts. The project was aimed at (1) surveying Korean demand for partnerships on new initiatives, programs and projects with the EU, (2) developing marketing strategies to meet the demand, (3) identifying specific priority areas that reflect the actual current situation in Korea, (4) matchmaking of needs and project partners, and (5) making suggestions for the EU-Korea Joint Platform in Low-Carbon Economy. In the stakeholders' face-to face interview, 139 innovation projects and 10 flagship projects as potential pilot projects were identified by Korean stakeholders. These projects include sectors for buildings, energy, water, transportation, solid waste, technologies and capacity building. Existing policies and initiatives concerning low-carbon economy were reviewed and contrasted with the implementation status. In the context of the low-carbon economy, the language barrier, lack of information, lack of awareness of the value of a low-carbon economy, funding and differences in technical needs pose severe gaps at the city level for the realization of the low-carbon economy. The research results will be translated into a concrete design of pilot projects that are expected to be conducted within a short term period. The collected information will be used for developing strong partnerships between the EU and Korea to match demand and supply value chains. Based on the findings, several suggestions could be made to successfully realize the goals of the EU-Korean Platform on Low-Carbon Economy as follows: First, it can be said that existing and new initiatives on a low-carbon economy in Korea will provide good opportunities for cooperation and collaboration between the EU and Korea in the long run. However, the supportive role of governments will be crucial. Second, interested partners on both sides are encouraged to tap financial resources and incentives with respect to both climate change mitigation and adaptation. The platform and its users could contribute to influencing mitigation and adaptation policies both in the EU and Korea to support the low-carbon economy agenda. Third, early action should facilitate piloting of good practices in Korea. When these practices are adapted to local circumstances and stakeholders engaged, they should then be scaled up. During the interview, the Korean stakeholders' best interests have been found. Therefore, even before the official launching of the EU-Korean Platform on Low-Carbon Economy, it would be desirable to maintain contact with them, which can reach out to a number of partners in the meantime. It would be light touching and handling, more like monitoring to see aftereffects. It is important to note that the proposed EU-Korean Platform on Low-Carbon Economy shall be not only an information sharing platform but ultimately also play a role as a facilitator for the development and implementation of the potential cooperation projects identified by the EU and Korean stakeholders. It is hoped that the interview results will be useful to create force to influence the governments and relevant sectors. The benefits of the partnerships between the EU and Korea are expected to get back and escalated to the cities both in Korea and in the EU, ultimately to international communities as a whole including third world countries. The writer is professor emeritus at Seoul National University. Write to kwigon@snu.ac.kr. By Doug Bandow Donald Trump is headed toward the Republican Party's presidential nomination. He's among the most pugnacious of candidates. Many of his political battles could reduce his chance of getting elected president. But his fight with foreign policy professionals might help. Given the disastrous course of U.S. foreign policy in recent years, there's little public support for more military adventurism in the Middle East. Trump clearly is out-of-step with the neoconservatives and militaristic nationalists who dominated the Republican Party of late. One of Trump's most important pledges addressed personnel, not policy He declared: "My goal is to establish a foreign policy that will endure for several generations. That's why I also look and have to look for talented experts with approaches and practical ideas, rather than surrounding myself with those who have perfect resumes but very little to brag about except responsibility for a long history of failed policies and continued losses at war. We have to look for new people." Trump may have been reacting against the open letter from 117 self-described members of "the Republican national security community," including leading neoconservatives and right-leaning interventionists of other stripes. They denounced Trump as "fundamentally dishonest," acting like "a racketeer," being "hateful," and having a vision that "is wildly inconsistent and unmoored in principle." Their critique contained some truth, but was fueled by Trump's lack of enthusiasm for new wars. In fact, a number of his GOP critics support Hillary Clinton, whose approach is largely indistinguishable from that of George W. Bush. Ironically, Clinton claims support of foreign leaders as an argument for her candidacy: "I'm having foreign leaders ask if they can endorse me to stop Donald Trump." But their backing reflects the fact that her interventionist policies serve the interests of other states far more than of America. Indeed, subsidizing prosperous, populous allies and attempting to remake failed states provides little benefit to most Americans, who do the dying and paying. Clinton's foreign support actually reinforces Trump's point: the need for an international policy that advances the interests of the American people. Trump's promise to ignore the usual foreign policy suspects also may reflect media coverage of some members of the very same policy elite publicly stating their willingness to serve Trumpthough only reluctantly, of course. An unnamed GOP official told the Washington Post: "Leaving any particular president completely alone and bereft from the best advice people could give him just doesn't sound responsible." Of course, it's all about advancing the national interest, and not gaining attractive, influential, prestigious, and career-enhancing jobs. No wonder Trump apparently sees no need for advice from such folks. Author Evan Thomas defended the "global corps of diplomats, worldly financiers and academics." Thomas seemed to miss Trump's point. Trump endorsed diplomacy, which would require the assistance of a variety of seasoned professionals. In fact, his policies would rely far more negotiation those of neoconservatives, who see war as a first resort. Not needed, however, are such "advisers" with the reverse Midas Touch, whose counsel has proved to be uniformly disastrous. Indeed, every recent intervention, such as Iraq, has created new problems, creating calls from the usual suspects for more military action. Trump may be feeling especially dismissive of those who never learn from their mistakeslike supporting the wars in Iraq and Libya, for instance. In August 2011, after the ouster of Moammar Khadafy, Anne-Marie Slaughter celebrated the success in an article entitled "Why Libya skeptics were proved badly wrong." Once that country imploded and the Islamic State made an appearance, she dropped any discussion of who had been "proved badly wrong" by that conflict. Samantha Power later criticized the public for losing its faith in her strategy of constant war: "I think there is too much of, Oh, look, this is what intervention has wrought' one has to be careful about overdrawing lessons." Of course, what she really sought was to avoid responsibility for supporting multiple foreign policy blunders. Consider what the Iraq invasion has wrought: thousands of American dead, bloody sectarian war, promiscuous suicide attacks, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis killed, trillions of dollars squandered, rise of the Islamic State, destruction of the historic Christian community, dramatic increase in Iranian influence. No wonder Trump disclaims any interest in listening to such people with such ideas. There are many reasons to fear a President Trump. However, he is right to dismiss Washington's interventionist foreign policy crowd. The resulting policies would require the assistance of a variety of seasoned professionals, have cost America and its allies precious lives, abundant wealth, international credibility, and global influence. The next president should reject the same failed advisers with their same failed proposals. Doug Bandow is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and a former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan. There is a strong tendency among Korean consumers to look down on anything with the made-in-China label and Chinese brands. So it was a huge surprise for the Korean public that China's Huawei Technologies, with its widespread image of a copycat, has raised legal battles against Samsung Electronics, the world's largest smartphone maker. Huawei launched two lawsuits claiming Samsung's infringement of its patents, with a U.S. federal court in California and in Shenzhen, seeking financial compensation for the alleged unlicensed use of 4G technology in Samsung's mobile devices. The world's third-largest smartphone maker claimed "Samsung and its affiliates have earned billions of dollars by selling products that use Huawei's technology." Industry sources said Samsung is planning to file a countersuit against Huawei at a U.S. court in July. The two tech giants' dispute was highlighted in the local media primarily as a case showing the swift growth of Chinese technology. The background to Huawei launching patent disputes against Samsung has invited wide-ranging speculation. Some industry watchers say the lawsuits are ultimately aimed at licensing deals with Samsung. The Chinese company has already agreed to license its patents to many global tech leaders, including Apple and Qualcomm. Science, ICT and Future Planning Minister Choi Yang-hee defined the lawsuits as a "deft and sophisticated" strategy to raise its image as a global firm. The Samsung-Huawei duel highlights some crucial issues for Samsung and the local industry, as well as the government. The lawsuits open up legal battles over wireless patents for 4G networks between two of the largest global technology firms. But the fight is not just between two companies. Because they are the representative tech companies of their respective countries, the lawsuits are seen by the Korean public as the latest case of technology war between Korea and China. The government should perceive the case as an alarm to bolster its intellectual property policy. Samsung should utilize this case as an opportunity to renew its strategy to widen the gap between itself and Chinese rivals like Huawei and Xiaomi. Samsung sold 81.18 million smartphones around the globe in the first quarter of 2016, accounting for 23.2 percent of the total market, followed by Apple with 14.8 percent and Huawei with 8.3 percent. Huawei is not yet the stylish smartphone brand it wants to be. But with the kind of investment it has made on research and patent development, it is inching closer to its goal of catching up with Apple and Samsung. Huawei spends more than 10 trillion won on research and development every year and topped the global list of patent applications with 3,898 filings in 2015, ahead of Samsung's 1,683, taking fourth on the same list. Korean companies should benchmark their Chinese rivals' heavy investment in technology innovation and patent development. Competition makes us better. This is the spirit that Samsung should face the lawsuit against Huawei as it copes with the evolution of the industry landscape, refocusing on budget handsets but with improved hardware and software. Skepticism grows over government's approach The latest data show that households are getting poorer and the job market is slowing, but policymakers are not responding with policies aimed at improving the people's livelihoods. A recent Statistics Korea report showed that monthly household income stood at 4,555,000 won ($3,800), which dropped 0.2 percent in the first quarter from the previous year. The income gap between workers at conglomerates and small and mid-sized firms is also growing. With the sluggish income growth, households are choosing to refrain from spending. The Bank of Korea report last week showed that household debt has hit a record high of 1,223 trillion won in the first quarter, marking the highest since the data started being compiled in 2002. With the soaring household debt, a further dent in spending is inevitable. The unemployment situation is also worsening. Many young people in particular are stuck in an endless cycle of short-term positions and internships. A recent survey shows that the unemployment rate among people aged between 15 and 29 hit a record monthly high of 10.9 percent in April. The government's push for corporate restructuring is likely to increase the unemployment rate in the shipbuilding and construction industries. In addition to these depressing figures, Korea's OECD growth ranking last year dropped to 12th, marking the first time in nine years that Korea fell out of the top ten, according to a recent report. Korea's economy grew 2.6 percent in 2015, falling behind smaller economies in Europe. The OECD projected a growth of 2.7 percent for this year, down from its initial outlook of 3.1 percent. The Park Geun-hye administration's lethargic approach is adding to the people's skepticism of the government's determination to improve the economy. Park's top economic policymaker has not shown vision and consistency on any of the crucial economic issues that have emerged since he took office, such as restructuring of troubled industries. Last week, Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho made remarks that are construed to be giving up one of the economic priorities of the Park administration. He said that it would be difficult to raise the employment rate to 70 percent which has been the President's key policy goal. The employment rate currently stands in the 60 percent range. The OECD has urged Korea to boost productivity and growth reforms. None of this is possible without the government's strong leadership and cooperation with National Assembly. They have a joint responsibility to ensure that the economy does not tumble further during the rest of Park's term. The 20th Assembly is inaugurated today. The government and the Assembly should make concerted efforts to improve the people's livelihoods and lift Korea out of its protracted low growth through necessary reforms. A U.S. senator proposed Thursday that next year's defense budget bill include calls for deployment of the THAAD missile defense system in South Korea to beef up defense against growing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea. Sen. Cory Gardner, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, made the proposal in an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, citing "an imminent and growing threat" from the North. "It is the sense of Congress ... that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system would effectively complement and significantly strengthen the existing missile defense capabilities of the United States on the Korean Peninsula," the proposed amendment said. It also said that THAAD is "a limited defensive system that does not represent a threat to any of the neighbors" of South Korea, a statement apparently designed to counter China's claims that the system can be used offensively. The amendment welcomes ongoing talks between Seoul and Washington about the issue and calls for considering deployment "as a sovereign choice" of South Korea and "a bilateral decision of the alliance" to protect against the growing ballistic missile threat from the North. By Lankov Andrei On the March 5, the U.N. Security Council introduced new sanctions targeting North Korea. Although they have some loopholes, they are much tougher than any previous sanctions. They might be the first sanctions to create real economic trouble in North Korea. The question is, will they? Sanctions are manifold, but the single most important item is the ban on exporting North Korean mineral resources that all U.N. member states are expected to abide by. Resolution 2270 unconditionally bans exports of titanium and vanadium ores, as well as rare earth minerals and gold. Importing North Korean coal and iron ore is also theoretically banned, but with some caveats that leave the issue essentially at the discretion of the buyer. In the past, we have seen many times when the introduction of a new set of sanctions has been followed by optimistic predictions from hardliners asserting that sanctions would soon start to bite'. The belief was that with sanctions hurting, North Korea would mend its unruly ways. Thus far, such predictions have never been confirmed, but this is not very surprising given the indecisive nature of previous sanctions. This time, however, things appear to be different. Last year, earnings from the sale of mineral resources constituted more than 60 percent of all North Korean export earnings. If sanctions are fully implemented, North Korea could lose a significant part of its foreign currency income. So far, signals are mixed. On the one hand, China seems to be taking a tough approach to the issue, fully implementing sanctions. Judging by available reports, so far, China has forcibly cut back on North Korean coal and iron ore exports even though the ambiguous wording of the resolution would allow China to continue trade in these two commodities. On the other hand, reports from North Korea do not indicate any deterioration in the economic situation. One can say that sanctions will take some time to have any effect, and this is definitely true, but it is still remarkable that the sanctions regime has failed to produce any noticeable impact on any major economic indicators. Admittedly, North Korea does not have a stock exchange. However, for the last 15-20 years, North Korea has had some important and easily traceable macro-economic indicators: the price of rice and corn, and the exchange rate (NK won to U.S. dollar).Had the situation in North Korea noticeably deteriorated, this would have been reflected in these indicators, but this is clearly not happening now. The U.S. to North Korean won exchange rate, actually, even marginally improved, so now it is 8000-8100 NK won per dollar. One kilo of rice is sold in Pyongyang for 5,000, the same price as in May 2015. This indicates that the economic situation is stable, and North Korean merchants (remarkably well-informed and savvy people) feel secure about the immediate future. The only type of commodity that increased in price is diesel fuel, but this is not all that surprising: the North Korean agricultural sector has recovered to the extent that farmers are again able to use tractors and other machinery during the planting season. Rising fuel prices are likely to be nothing but a normal, seasonal fluctuation. Other anecdotal evidence seemingly further confirms that it is still business as usual north of the DMZ. Throughout April and early May, construction work continued apace in major cities where new apartment blocks continue to pop up in ever growing numbers. There is no doubt that such building projects are largely financed by private money nowadays, but the fact that the work has continued uninterrupted seemingly demonstrates that so far the impact of sanctions remains very slight. Of course, all this can be described only as preliminary observations. Two months is not a period long enough to produce a noticeable impact and a majority of Pyongyang watchers agree that sooner or later, the new sanctions regime will have a negative impact on the state of the economy and living standards of the average North Korean. Nonetheless, it is still remarkable that it has not happened. Be that as it may, what is clear thus far is that the North Korean economy remains relatively immune to external pressures. The jury is still out about whether sanctions will ultimately prove effective, but I will not be surprised if new sanctions will prove to be almost as ineffectual as previous attempts. Professor Andrei Lankov was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and teaches at Kookmin University in Seoul. Reach him at anlankov@yahoo.com. By Lee Min-hyung Hanwha Group is recruiting would-be content creators, helping them foster their capabilities by offering hands-on training. The nation's 10th-largest conglomerate said Sunday it would offer a seven-week training program, the Hanwha Membership Program (HMP), during the summer break, providing various courses and including lectures from professional content creators. Those who show outstanding performance will receive benefits when they apply for the company's graduate recruitment, according to Hanwha. The HMP, which will run from July 4 to August 19, marks its fourth anniversary this year. A sizable number of program graduates work at the firm's key affiliates, the company said. The program will also be a great opportunity for would-be content creators to get expertise in the field and find jobs at the nation's major content and media companies, it said. Hanwha Group plans to offer two-track education for the program. The company will provide basic education on the content industry for the first few weeks of the program at its training center in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Trainees will then receive on-site practical education at Hanwha's headquarters in central Seoul. Basic courses include business manners, team building and theory education on the content and marketing industry. Students will also get a better understanding of content by learning through case studies how digital content marketing benefited Hanwha's business structures. The conglomerate also plans to offer various projects for them in collaboration with its key affiliates, such as Hanwha Life Insurance. Interested collegians can submit applications on the company's website until June 15. The company will announce a list of applicants who pass the document screening on June 20. Those who pass interviews will be announced on June 29. Hanwha said the program is part of a group-wide strategy to build wide human networks with collegians and it pledged to continue to support those who completed the course. Sri Lankans will have to innovate to be more competitive in the global market, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Speaking at the Sri Lankas First National Summit on Foresight and Innovation titled 2030NOW: Foresight and Innovation for Sustainable Human Development organized by UNDP at Waters Edge yesterday he said that innovation can take Sri Lanka to the next level from the current middle income country. Sri Lanka is situated in one of the fastest growing regions in the world in the next few years and firstly it would give agriculture a lot of scope since there will be more mouths to feed. In addition Sri Lanka can also innovate to exploit from the global shipping route which was done by our ancestors. The PM also said that in a few years time the Asian region will witness the highest number of air travels mainly powered by China and India and this is another area that should be looked at closely to benefit Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister said Sri Lanka is blessed with a very highly educated society thanks to high level of education and here again their knowledge could be exploited to better use. We must look at how to be more competitive in a sustainable manner. The Premier said that Sri Lanka also needs more exports and to get more benefits from that, the country is looking at more economic agreements by way of FTAs. These are mainly focused with countries like, USA, China, Korea, and Japan and in the East with Singapore Malaysia and Indonesia. He said that they are planning to convert Hambantota to an area supporting industries while focus on Trincomalee would be to use its natural harbour for maritime purposes. The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary Read more Business / Economy by Langton Nyakwenda and Enacy Mapakame Bond notes will start circulating around August 2016 - and not June as previously projected - as their production takes at least four months, central bank Governor Dr John Mangudya has said.Government has also ruled out reintroducing the Zimbabwe dollar "anytime soon", saying the multi-currency system will remain operational even when bond notes come aboard.The IMF, an official said, supported introduction of bond notes and was satisfied that Zimbabwe's authorities would deal with all monetary issues transparently.Zimbabwe has been grappling with cash shortages since April, a situation attributed to illicit financial flows, a huge trade deficit and the lack of a savings culture.The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe plans to partly remedy this with bond notes and uptake of foreign currencies alongside the United States dollar, which is aggresively sought domestically and regionally.The bond notes will be backed by a US$200 million Africa Export-Import Bank facility; and printed in US$2, US$5, US$10 and US$20 denominations.Dr Mangudya told The Sunday Mail that experts were desigining the new notes, with other processes to be wrapped up in four to five months.In the interim, he said, authorities would import additional cash and promote the full basket of currencies."The procurement of bond notes takes a while as it involves designing, origination and printing. The minimum time it takes to procure such security documents is between four and five months in the meantime, we will import more cash."It was noted that there was need to build on the confidence in Zimbabwe by ensuring issuance of bond notes is transparent, verifiable with concrete checks and balances. International financial institutions are, therefore, seized with that matter as Zimbabwe is undergoing economic programmes with them."The bond notes are for funding the export incentive scheme to support exporters. Enhancing exports is necessary to maintain and sustain the multi-currency system."Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa said bond notes were aimed at restoring the multi-currency system and not reintroducing the Zimbabwe dollar."Let me emphasise it again: There is no return of the Zimbabwe dollar; there is no question about that. The multi-currency regime is here to stay. The issue is that we had developed into a mono-currency economy whereby we had the US dollar on 97 percent circulation."Yet, when we introduced the multi-currency regime in 2009, the US dollar and the South African rand were 50-50 on the market."RBZ Deputy Governor Dr Kupukile Mlambo said the dispensation was foolproof and discounted claims it would oil the currency parallel market."We are going to be transparent; remember, we are also under a Staff Monitored Programme of the IMF. So, they, too, also monitor these things to check if they are all transparent. Everything is above board."We do not think there will be a black market. There won't be many of (these bond notes). (Money changers) will be disappointed because we are not removing the US dollar or South African rand, but maintaining the multi-currency system."So, anyone who wants to travel to South Africa, the United Kingdom or any other country can go to their bank and get their dollars. The only important thing to note regarding that matter is that the bond notes will circulate within Zimbabwe only."Dr Mlambo went on: "Let it be known that we understand why people are worried. They are worried because we lost our local currency in 2008. But this is a new dispensation. We have put in place safeguards to make sure that we do not overprint. This is an export incentive scheme that gives the exporter up to 5 percent of their export revenues."We want to make sure the notes are not printed in Zimbabwe, but printed outside the country. So, we are taking all these measures to ensure there is no confidence run on the notes." More than a decade ago, researchers at Gilead Sciences thought they had a breakthrough: a new version of the companys key HIV medicine that was less toxic to kidneys and bones. Clinical trials of the new compound on HIV-positive patients in Los Angeles and several other cities seemed to support their optimism. Patients needed just a fraction of the dose, creating the chance of far fewer dangerous side effects. But in 2004, just as the Foster City biotech firm was preparing for a second and larger round of patient studies, Gilead executives stopped the research. The results of the early patient studies would go unpublished for years as the original medication tenofovir became one of the worlds most-prescribed drugs for HIV, with $11 billion in annual sales. Advertisement More than six years later, though, in 2010, Gilead restarted those trials. The new version of the drug, which the company says is safer, was approved in November under the brand name Genvoya. The executives decisions stand to extend Gileads domination of the global HIV medicine market for years. Analysts project the company will reap tens of billions of dollars in sales that otherwise would have vanished with the expiration of tenofovirs patent in 2018. That has pleased the companys investors. But it has stirred criticism among patients and caregivers, and prompted a lawsuit. The critics believe the new, less harmful form of the drug could have been developed sooner and wasnt because the company wanted to extend its patent-protected profits. Today, tenofovir is taken by more than 627,000 Americans, or about 80% of those being treated for HIV, and 9 million more around the world. ------------ FOR THE RECORD May 29, 8:33 a.m.: An earlier version of this post said Genvoya is taken by more than 627,000 Americans. Tenofovir is taken by that many patients. ------------ Genvoya tablets (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times ) Looking back, Tim Horn of the Treatment Action Group, which advocates for AIDS patients, said: Thats a decade of potentially avoidable kidney and bone toxicity. Horn said Gileads decision to resume trials as the original drugs patent was nearing expiration suggest that this is much more about market dominance than it was about finite resources for research and development. Gilead executives say the drugs patent expiration had nothing to do with their decision to halt trials in 2004. Its simplistic to look back and say, well, TAF is a safer version and why didnt you develop it sooner, said Norbert Bischofberger, the companys chief scientific officer, using the shorthand name for the new drug. Bischofberger said Gilead stopped the project to shift money to looking for another type of HIV medicine, known as an integrase inhibitor. The company restarted the research years later, he said, after it saw a need for a less toxic drug for aging HIV patients, who are more susceptible to kidney and bone problems. It was then we said, Lets revisit TAF, Bischofberger said. Protecting prices With billions of dollars of revenue at stake, pharmaceutical companies are highly motivated to keep their blockbuster brands protected by patents, which prevent generic drugs from flooding the market and driving down prices. A patent permits a company to exclusively sell a drug for 20 years, giving it time to recover the cost of discovery and make a profit. By modifying a drugs formula, combining it with other medicines or even changing its dispenser, a company can file for additional patents and extend the period when it can charge premium prices. Just before the patent expired on AstraZenecas blockbuster drug Prilosec, for example, the company tweaked the formula to create Nexium. The company said Nexium was more effective at treating complications of chronic heartburn, though that is a claim some critics dispute. Other companies have created longer acting or controlled-release formulas such as the sleeping pill Ambien CR. But the high prices of brand-name medicines have put drug companies under intense scrutiny in recent years, and Congress has held hearings to investigate. U.S. drug spending, based on invoice prices to pharmacies, rose 12% last year, according to IMS Health, which sells data to the industry. Gilead is one of the worlds dominant drug companies today largely because of its success in making tenofovir a cornerstone of HIV treatment. A year of treatment with Gileads HIV medicines costs about $30,000, most of it paid by insurers or the government. The drug is now a component in five of the top six HIV drug regimens recommended by a national panel to fight the human immunodeficiency virus. The World Health Organization considers it among the globes essential medicines. Wall Street analysts had expected the companys HIV medicine sales to begin falling in 2018 when the patent on the original drug expires. But that forecast changed with the arrival of Gileads new pill Genvoya a combination of TAF and three other medicines. The compounds in Genvoya are protected by multiple patents, the last of which now expires in 2032 more than 40 years after tenofovir was invented. James Krellenstein of ACT UP, an activist group for AIDS patients, believes that the company delayed the development of a less-toxic version of tenofovir to extend its profits. I think its amazingly unethical behavior, he said. Earlier this year, the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which operates clinics and pharmacies for AIDS patients, sued Gilead, contending that it delayed the less toxic form of tenofovir to manipulate the patent system and keep prices artificially high. The foundation, which buys tenofovir-based medicines for many of its 600,000 patients worldwide, called Gileads moves a calculated, anticompetitive maneuver aimed at keeping lower-cost generics off the market. It is asking the court to toss out the patents on the new drug so that other companies can sell it for less. Gilead denies the lawsuits claims. In stark language contained in a recent court filing, the companys lawyers said the firm had no duty to develop, test, seek approval of, or launch its new product on any particular timetable. Building a powerhouse Tenofovir was discovered in the 1980s by European scientists. Gilead, then a small biotech firm, bought the rights to sell it and, in 1997, worked with doctors from UC San Francisco to show it fought HIV by blocking an enzyme the virus needs to multiply. The original formulation of the drug held little sales potential, however, because it had to be given intravenously. Gilead scientists modified the chemical composition to create a drug that could be taken orally. The federal Food and Drug Administration approved it under the brand name Viread in October 2001. Viread tablets (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times ) By then, more than a dozen years after the introduction of the first HIV drug AZT, the infection was no longer a death sentence. But with no known cure, patients often took complex regimens involving multiple pills throughout the day. Gilead built global sales by combining tenofovir with other drugs to create the first once-a-day HIV medicine, a pink oval called Atripla. Today the company sells other combinations of the drugs under the names Truvada, Stribild and Complera. By 2009, Gileads market value exceeded that of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly. Nearly 80% of Gileads $7 billion in sales that year were from the HIV drugs that included tenofovir. Doctors warnings Tenofovir had less severe side effects than some HIV medicines on the market, but the companys early animal studies showed that it could cause damage to the kidneys and bones. When the drug was approved in 2001, the FDA required Gilead to study whether the medicine would harm humans in the same way. Two years later, in 2003, the company had received so many reports of patients experiencing kidney failure and other renal problems that it placed a warning on the drugs label. That label cautioned doctors that a study also had found more bone loss in patients taking tenofivir than another HIV drug. Several times, U.S. regulators formally warned Gilead that it was downplaying the drugs risks. The FDA twice told Gilead that its sales reps had violated the law by giving doctors and patients false and misleading information that didnt reflect side effects listed on the drug label. At a medical conference in December 2001, a Gilead salesperson in the companys promotional booth told attendees that Viread had no toxicities and was extremely safe, according to the FDAs 2002 letter. Another Gilead representative called Viread a miracle drug. In a rare move the next year, the agency required the company to retrain its sales reps due to the significant public health and safety concerns raised by their repeated false statements, according to the FDAs July 2003 warning letter. The reports of kidney failure and other injuries led European drug regulators to ask Gilead in 2006 to remind doctors to monitor patients renal function. In a large study in 2012, doctors at UCSF analyzed a database of more than 10,000 HIV patients at the Department of Veterans Affairs, finding that the risk of chronic kidney disease rose by 33% each year that a patient took the drug. In response, a Gilead executive told the Wall Street Journal that the study overstates some of the risks. Gilead was very reluctant to admit the old tenofovir was toxic to the kidney, said Michael Shlipak, a UCSF doctor who worked on the VA study. Bischofberger, the companys science chief, explained in a recent interview that HIV can cause kidney and bone problems, making it hard to blame the drug. Just because you observe kidney toxicity while a patient is taking the drug doesnt prove causality, he said. Chronic kidney disease can lead to heart problems and promote dementia. It can also lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a transplant. These are young men mostly, often in their 40s, said Shlipak. They end up with a quality of life like someone in their 60s. Damage to bones can be especially harmful to children, whose frames are still developing. These are young men mostly, often in their 40s. They end up with a quality of life like someone in their 60s. Michael Shlipak, UCSF doctor Among the drug injury reports sent to the FDA have been a 4-year-old taking tenofovir whose bones suddenly thinned, and a 10-year-old boy who developed leg pain and an abnormal gait. A 12-year-old who was running felt something snap in his foot. Sean Strub, 58, was one of those patients who experienced bone deterioration. He began taking the drug in his 40s and, within a few years, his doctor said he had the bones of an 85-year-old woman. Soon after that, Strub, the founder of POZ, a magazine for those affected by HIV, fell and fractured his ankle in three places, requiring surgery, a metal plate, pins and screws. Your bone changes very slowly, Strub said. Some people dont know it is harming them. About-face Gilead scientists were working on a project to reformulate tenofovir and reduce its toxicity even before the original drug was approved by the FDA in 2001. They selected one reformulation tenofovir alafenamide fumarate or TAF for more study because they believed it would more efficiently penetrate cells so that patients would need a lower dose. In an animal study published in 2001, the companys scientists found that TAF had 1,000-fold greater activity against HIV than the original medicine invented in Europe. That raised the possibility of less toxicity. Gilead paid doctors to recruit 30 HIV patients in Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Palo Alto for preliminary studies to see how it worked in humans. The trial found that TAF, the modified formulation, had greater antiviral potency at a fraction of the dose. Despite those promising results, in October 2004, then-Chief Executive John Martin announced that Gilead had stopped the project. Based on an internal business review, he said, executives had concluded the experimental drug was unlikely to be highly differentiated from its successful predecessor. The companys view changed six years later. Talking with investors in December 2010, Kevin Young, executive vice president of commercial operations, described an interesting new molecule. But it wasnt new. It was TAF. John Milligan, then the companys president, told analysts that the low-dose alternative could add a great deal of longevity to Gileads blockbuster product and replace its sales. And the company began publicly presenting the results from its previous TAF studies. At a May 2011 medical conference, the company revealed the results of a 2003 study of patients at Stanford and clinics in New York and Chicago. The trial showed the new drug was more effective than the old medicine at one-sixth of the dose. The 2002 study involving Los Angeles patients was published in 2014. Many medical researchers have long argued that clinical trial results should be published promptly. In fact, a federal law, passed in 2007, now requires that study results be made public no later than 12 months after a trial is completed. Asked why the company didnt publish the results earlier, Gileads Bischofberger said the company wasnt interested in publishing them at the time because it was turning its attention to the other HIV research. Martin Markowitz, a doctor at the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York who was hired to recruit patients for both early studies, said he did not remember talking with executives about when the research would be published. At that time, he added, AIDS scientists were focusing on finding new types of medicines. The potential advantages of TAF got put on a back burner, Markowitz said. Peter Ruane, a Los Angeles doctor whose name was also on the study, did not respond to several requests for comment. Today, Gileads sales material reminds doctors of the original drugs toxicity, and reps urge them to prescribe Genvoya and two other TAF-based combination pills approved in the last two months. To prove its case, the sales force is armed with head-to-head studies each showing more signs of kidney and bone damage in patients taking the older drug. melody.petersen@latimes.com Twitter: @melodypetersen ALSO Will microbes save agriculture? North Coast marijuana growers fear a takeover by Big Alcohol Senator calls for investigation of Purdue Pharma following Times story on OxyContin The gig: Eva Ho, 44, is a general partner at Susa Ventures, a technology fund she started that invests mainly in data-focused start-ups. Susa raised $25 million as a seed fund in 2013 and is aiming to raise an additional $50 million. In March, she became one of two entrepreneurs in residence at Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcettis office, where she works with teams looking for solutions to the citys homelessness problem. She plans to move on to another venture capital gig in the next few months but cant divulge where for legal reasons. A world away: Ho was born in China, but a year later her family moved to Mozambique to escape communism. There, her parents ran a farm with cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and fish until the property was razed in the late 1970s by soldiers fighting in the countrys civil war. At 7, they moved to Boston; her parents later opened a small Chinese restaurant near Fenway Park. The transition from Mozambique, where her family lived in relative comfort, to a housing project in Boston was intense. Ho watched her parents cope with the stress and physical illness that accompanied a hard work life. It wasnt even the shock of just being poor, and the fact that we went from a desert that was 100 degrees to snow. It was more the amount of struggle [my parents] were going through. Advertisement Business immersion: Ho went to school during the day, and from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night she worked as a waitress at the restaurant. Her parents do not speak English, so by age 11, she started doing the restaurants taxes. I worked about 40 hours a week, seven days a week, full time at the restaurant and full time at school. Parental gift: My parents couldnt read report cards themselves, or recommend books or give me career advice, but truly what they gave me is a big gift. They said the only thing you have to do is work as hard as you can, build internal drive, and educate yourself, Ho said. Getting out: Ho cried when she got her Harvard University acceptance letter. She had her heart set on Wellesley, but she knew that her parents would not let her go anywhere other than Harvard, which offered her a full scholarship. She never felt that she fit in at Harvard; she briefly lived one floor below a Danish prince. Ho spent most of her time worrying about her family, which still lived eight miles away in what were then the Maverick housing projects in east Boston. She graduated in 1994 with a degree in biology but quickly scrapped her plans to become a doctor. Westward pilgrimage: Ho never used a computer before arriving at Harvard. Yet, after adding a masters degree in business administration from Cornell, she moved to Los Angeles in 1999 and took a job as the marketing director at a tiny company then called Oingo, which later became Applied Semantics. Three years later Google acquired the firm and used its Adsense software to drive what is now a $75-billion-a-year targeted advertising business. After working at Google and YouTube for five years, Ho joined Factual, a company that offers a massive database of locations businesses use to provide people with tailored information ads included depending on where they are. The start-up raised $27 million in three rounds of funding while Ho worked there. In 2013, Ho left to start her own VC fund, Susa. Building confidence: It wasnt until my early thirties that I realized I could stop trying to survive, that I could actually live, Ho recalled. I felt like I was able to gain a voice, and I got a little more confident speaking up, and confident building interesting products and working with interesting people. Bullish on Los Angeles: I think L.A. will be a big driver of innovation in the next five to 10 years, Ho said. It is much easier to do business in Los Angeles than it used to be, she said, because more engineers are convinced that they dont have to leave the city to nab a high-paying, quality job at one of the growing number of start-ups that are springing up in L.A. Investors are pumping more money into the area and noticing that it can multiply just as fast in Southern California as in Silicon Valley, she said. I dont think we have to reflect the Valley whatsoever because we have our own strengths, Ho said. I think [Los Angeles] is going to be one of the dominant markets in the U.S. Natalie.Kitroeff@latimes.com Follow me @NatalieKitro on Twitter Bill Doak and his wife, Linda, were preparing to buy a new house this spring when a mortgage broker made an ominous declaration after scanning their credit report: Oh my God, youre in trouble. The couple discovered five late payments on the loan on the home they were selling in Springfield, N.H. That threatened to cost them at least a percentage point more in interest for a mortgage in their native Connecticut, where they planned to retire. Doak, 63, said he quickly identified the source of the trouble: a snafu last year when their servicer, Nationstar Mortgage, gave them incorrect information about the timing of an escrow increase. Advertisement Fixing the problem was much more difficult. After at least 15 calls to Nationstar in a month with no progress, Doak went to an attorney who filed a six-paragraph online complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Within five days the thing was resolved, Doak said of reaching out to the agency. What they did for me was just simply amazing. Launched in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, the bureau is one of President Obamas signature accomplishments. If one toaster out of a thousand toasters explodes, their view is get rid of all the toasters. Travis Norton, executive director. U.S. Chamber of Commerceas Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness It is emblematic of an aggressive approach to consumer protection that has led to record numbers of automobile recalls, a crackdown on financial fraud scams and a slew of new regulations covering a wide swath of businesses, including healthcare providers, food manufacturers, retirement planners and high-speed Internet service providers. I think you have to consider him a tremendous president for consumers, said Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. That also has made the Obama administration a tremendous target for business leaders and industry trade groups, which view its approach to consumer protection as heavy-handed and paternalistic. They say that has harmed the economy and has led to fewer choices for Americans. This administrations view of consumer protection is to limit the number of consumers who have access to a product, said Travis Norton, executive director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerces Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness. If one toaster out of a thousand toasters explodes, their view is get rid of all the toasters. For all his activism, Obama wins surprisingly few points on consumer protection issues among some liberals, who grouse that no major Wall Street executives have been sent to prison for the actions that led to the 2008 financial crisis. And some auto safety advocates complain that federal regulators havent been tough enough on manufacturers for dangerous vehicle and part defects. But the greatest controversy has been generated by what supporters and opponents describe as the most sweeping and potentially long-lasting consumer protection initiative of the Obama years -- the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The brainchild of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) when she was a law professor, the bureau was the centerpiece of the 2010 Dodd-Frank overhaul of financial regulations and the first new federal agency since the early 1970s that was focused specifically on American consumers. It took over and expanded on consumer protection duties that were spread among several other financial regulators after they were lambasted for not doing more to prevent subprime mortgage abuses. In the nearly five years since opening its doors, the independent consumer bureau has issued regulations covering mortgages, payday loans, debt collection, arbitration clauses and for-profit colleges, among other things. The bureau said it has handled more than 800,000 complaints through a new online database and has obtained $11.2 billion in refunds and other relief for more than 25 million consumers through enforcement actions. If people are violating the law they should be made to pay, Richard Cordray, the bureaus director, said at a Senate Banking Committee hearing in April. They should be made to reimburse consumers who are harmed. Cordray was lectured by the panels chairman, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), and other Republicans for going too far. There is now growing concern that despite the bureaus mission, its rules and regulations actually restrict access to credit, increase cost and deny financial products to the consumers who need them, Shelby said. Consumer protection should not mean limiting a consumers options by substituting the bureaus judgment for the consumers. Congressional Republicans have tried unsuccessfully to advance dozens of bills to reduce the bureaus authority and such efforts would top the GOP wish list if the party retains control of Congress and retakes the White House. On May 17, Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, said he was drawing up plans to dismantle nearly all of Dodd-Frank, which he called a very negative force. Democrats are prepared to fight to preserve the bureau. We will continue to defend the work thats done there and the agency, and resist attempts to roll back something that we think that has just been incredibly important, Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew said. The creation of the bureau is an enormous achievement in terms of consumer protection, said David Vladeck, a Georgetown University law professor and consumer protection expert. From 2009-12, Vladeck headed the Federal Trade Commissions Bureau of Consumer Protection. He said his hiring showed Obamas commitment to consumer protection. Only in this administration would I have been offered a job, said Vladeck, who had worked 27 years as a lawyer for public interest group Public Citizen. At the commission, he co-chaired the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, a multi-agency effort launched by Obama in 2009 that has led to more than 18,000 financial fraud cases filed by the Justice Department. The creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was a big help in the effort, Vladeck said. The CFPB adds resources in terms of sophisticated lawyers and investigators who can go after complicated scams, he said. Norton, of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the consumer bureaus design insulates it from needed congressional oversight. The agency gets its funding directly from the Federal Reserve, so it does not need to go to lawmakers for money. And the director, once confirmed by the Senate, serves a five-year term. That has led to a very bold and sometimes boorish approach to regulation, Norton said. The chamber has supported Republican legislation to subject the bureaus funding to the annual congressional appropriation process and replace the director with a bipartisan commission with staggered terms. Obama and his fellow Democrats have argued that would slow its ability to enact regulations and allow congressional opponents to starve the agency of funding. Todd J. Zywicki, a George Mason University law professor and coauthor of the 2014 book Consumer Credit and the American Economy, said he supported the idea of consolidating all federal consumer protection responsibility in one agency. But the bureau under Cordray has gone too far and needs to be reined in, he said. The CFPB has taken the approach that all consumers are basically hapless sheep to be shorn by the lending industry and have not understood that many consumers are not idiots, Zywicki said. But Roger Phillips, an attorney in Concord, N.H., said the bureau has been a great benefit to the consumer. Now the little guy has a voice, Phillips said. Doak, the New Hampshire homeowner, said he went to Phillips, who specializes in consumer law, after getting frustrated trying to solve his credit report problem. I talked to every supervisor that I think Nationstar had with absolutely no fix, Doak said. Nationstar said that it could not comment on specific customer cases, but added that its own tracking of complaints to the company showed a 60% decrease since 2014. The consumer bureau created a public complaint database in an effort to pressure businesses to treat customers better. In the most recent monthly report, covering December through February, Nationstar was the subject of the 10th most complaints to the bureau, with a monthly average of 283. The figure was down 17% from the same period a year earlier. Consumer advocates have praised the bureaus database for helping hold businesses accountable. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other industry groups have complained that the database is misleading because it can contain incorrect allegations or faulty conclusions by consumers. Before the bureaus creation, Phillips said it would have taken 30 to 45 days, or longer, to resolve a dispute such as Doaks. But companies now respond quickly to complaints sent to them from the bureau. Without that letter to the consumer protection bureau, I dont think this issue would have been resolved, Doak said. They did their job. jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com Times staff writer Don Lee contributed to this report. ALSO Surge of migrant sailings has Italy scrambling to house thousands of new arrivals Lawsuit claims Gilead Sciences could have developed a less-harmful version of its HIV treatment sooner Fired hospital workers case points to a trail of stolen drugs and thousands of patients at risk jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com Follow @JimPuzzanghera on Twitter Iraqi pro-government forces surrounded Fallouja on Sunday and took control of almost all entrances to the city, in preparation for the next phase of their week-long effort to seize it back from Islamic State. Retaking Fallouja is seen as an important step toward rolling back Islamic States presence in Anbar, Iraqs largest province. The offensive has been supported by dozens of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition. Iraqi army soldiers advanced alongside special forces, police and Shiite paramilitary units to the northern and western outskirts of Fallouja, some 35 miles west of Baghdad, according to a statement released by the governments Joint Operations Command. Advertisement Fighters said that Karma, a town nine miles northeast of Fallouja long used by the Islamic State as a forward line of defense, was almost completely under government control. Karma is almost finished. The Popular Mobilization Forces have left it and given it over to the government. Now only Saqlawiyah remains before us, said Taleb Hilfi, spokesman for the Risaliyoon, a Shiite faction that is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, in a phone interview on Sunday from Baghdad. The Popular Mobilization Forces are paramilitary units first activated in 2014 to bolster the ranks of the Iraqi army. The groups are organized around religious lines and often supported by Iran, and Iraqi and Western leaders have insisted they take a secondary role in the Fallouja offensive. A member of the Iraqi pro-government forces walks past a heavily damaged building Saturday during an offensive to retake the city of Fallouja from Islamic State. (Sabah Arar / AFP/Getty Images ) The retaking of Saqlawiyah, roughly five miles northwest of Fallouja, would complete the noose around the city, Hilfi said, and would mark the end of what Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Abadi described on Sunday as the second phase of the offensive. Fallouja, a city that once boasted a population of 300,000, has long been viewed as a flashpoint of Sunni extremism. It became a symbol of Iraqi defiance during the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2004, most notoriously after a mob killed and mutilated the bodies of four workers with Blackwater, a private company contracting with the U.S. military. More recently, its fall to the Islamic State in January 2014 served as a harbinger of the Iraqi armys stunning collapse six months later during the extremist groups assault on the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Speaking in a televised parliamentary session on Sunday, Abadi added that the third phase to take the city was expected to begin within 48 hours. However, counterattacks by Islamic State on Sunday demonstrated that the fight would not be an easy one. The group responded with suicide attacks northwest and south of Fallouja, according to local media outlets. It also launched an attack in Hit, a city approximately 43 miles west of Ramadi where the militants had been ousted last month. The offensive comes as part of a wider regional push to excise Islamic State. Iraqs Kurdish fighters, a militia known as the Peshmerga, made further gains near the city of Mosul, in what they said was one of the many shaping operations expected to increase pressure on Islamic State in preparation for an eventual assault on the city. Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighters fire an anti-tank cannon on the front line near Hasan Sham village, east of the city of Mosul, Saturday during an operation aimed at retaking areas from Islamic State. (Safin Hamed / AFP/Getty Images ) Kurdish fighters in Syria also pressed on with their own U.S.-backed offensive set to pave the way for an assault on Raqqah, Islamic States de-facto Syrian capital. Prime Minister Abadi reiterated his call to Fallouja residents to either exit [the city] through safe passages or remain in their homes until the city is liberated. Earlier this month, Iraqi warplanes dropped leaflets imploring citizens to stay away from Islamic State buildings in the city, and to put a white sheet over their homes. Hundreds of civilians have already escaped as government troops have closed in, but an estimated 50,000 people are thought to still be trapped in the city. Both the U.N. and the Anbar governors office have prepared tent cities to deal with the influx of refugees fleeing the city. Fallouja residents contacted via social media, however, said it was difficult to leave. Daesh is preventing civilians from leaving the city, Izz din Kabeesi, a Fallouja resident contacted via Facebook on Sunday, said, referring to Islamic State by its Arabic acronym. The safe passages are also more than seven kilometers [roughly four miles] away from the city and there is no transportation. Besides, the roads are not secure and are full of mines. Kabeesi added that there was also fear of sectarian-fueled attacks by government troops a notion that was echoed by other activists with relatives in the city. Many people want to escape but especially the men are afraid of being accused of being part of Daesh and assassinated by the security forces, said Abu Majd, an activist with the Fallouja of Peace Facebook page who goes by a nom de guerre for reasons of privacy. People are now stuck between the hammer of Daesh and the fear of being killed. ALSO Mexican soccer star Alan Pulido kidnapped in northern Mexico As many as 900 migrants feared dead in a week of Mediterranean shipwrecks Surge of migrant sailings has Italy scrambling to house thousands of new arrivals Bulos is a special correspondent. The Central Valley brings out the sarcasm in Bernie Sanders -- directed toward Donald Trump Bernie Sanders and Federico Chavez, nephew of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, viewed IFW property in Delano pic.twitter.com/99DCR0dbMI Cathleen Decker (@cathleendecker) May 30, 2016 For the second straight day, Bernie Sanders found a reason to poke at Donald Trump, the man he would like to face off against in the fall. On Saturday night in Bakersfield, Sanders mocked big macho guy Trump for refusing to meet in a one-on-one debate in which Trump had once agreed to participate. On Sunday in Visalia, he mocked a remark that Trump made Friday in Fresno about the drought. Trump had repeated what he said was a farmers assertion that there is no lack of rain in California and that water shortages had been caused by environmental laws. In his re-telling, Sanders suggested it was Trumps personal belief that there is no drought. We dont fully appreciate the genius of Donald Trump, who knows more than all the people of California, who knows more than all the scientists, and he knows there is no drought, Sanders told a few thousand supporters in Visalia, who roared their approval. Not to mention -- and I love this one -- that Trump has concluded that climate change itself is a hoax, Sanders added. Again he finds himself in disagreement with virtually the entire scientific community. What surprised him, the Vermont senator said with something approaching delight, was that Trump had said the climate change hoax was perpetrated on us by the Chinese. Now I would have thought that he thought climate change was a hoax perpetrated on us by Mexicans or Muslims, Sanders said, referring to two groups Trump had targeted in unrelated matters. But why the Chinese? I could not say. Sanders, who held multiple events Saturday and Sunday in the Central Valley, insists that he will overcome his delegate deficit to Hillary Clinton with big wins in California and other states voting on June 7. But he has also said that if he does not win the Democratic nomination, he will do all he can to deny the presidency to the presumptive Republican nominee, Trump. Translation: Barring a Sanders miracle against Clinton, theres more mockery to come against Trump. Two men were injured in a shooting at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana on Sunday, authorities said. The men were drinking beer at a grave site when another group of people arrived in a gray sport utility vehicle, said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department. An argument between the groups escalated to a fistfight and then the shooting, he said. Paramedics were called to the cemetery at 1702 Fairhaven Avenue about 12:20 p.m., said Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority. The two men in their 20s were taken to a nearby hospital in moderate condition, he said. Advertisement Witnesses refused to cooperate with police, and detectives are struggling to identify suspects, Bertagna said. ALSO Juvenile suspect in hit and run that injured two pedestrians turns himself in Police say hit-and-run suspect tattooed her face and dyed her hair pink to evade arrest Mystery of missing Pearl Pinson deepens as law enforcement calls off search in remote area garrett.therolf@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter: @gtherolf The mystery over the whereabouts of a missing 15-year-old Bay Area girl deepened after authorities called off an extensive search along the Russian River in Sonoma County. Pearl Pinson was abducted on Wednesday in Vallejo while walking to a school bus stop near her home. Authorities think Pearl is injured, based on witness accounts and evidence found at the scene of her abduction. The man who authorities believe kidnapped her was killed in a shootout with deputies. The Solano County Sheriffs Office said Saturday morning that more than 65 law enforcement and search-and-rescue personnel had been deployed across 25 square miles in the Willow Creek. But that afternoon, they called off the search. Officials have not said what brought them to the location in the first place. Advertisement Nothing was found during the search that would indicate Pearl is there. Investigators continue to follow-up on leads and any future search will depend on where those leads take us, the Solano County Sheriffs Department said in a statement. We continue to encourage our community to call in any tips they may have to 707-784-1963. If they see Pearl, they are encouraged to call their local law enforcement or 911. On Friday, family members issued a plea for her return. Pearl, you need to come home, the teens sister, Rose Pinson, said to reporters Thursday night. If anything, you can find a way home. I know you can. Authorities said the kidnapping suspect, Fernando Castro, 19, was an acquaintance of Pearls. He often was seen roaming around her neighborhood, her sister said. A police spokeswoman told the Press-Democrat Saturday that they have evidence that Castros car was as far north as Marin County after the kidnapping. The spokeswoman said searchers spent two days looking for the girl both on the ground and in the air. Pearls disappearance triggered an Amber Alert on Thursday afternoon. NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >> Hours after the alert, Castro was spotted at 3:10 p.m. near Los Alamos heading south alone on the 101 Freeway, according to Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Kelly Hoover. See the most-read stories this hour >> Authorities followed Castro, who at one point drove the wrong way on the freeway. After exiting in Buellton, Castro drove through the city and then entered a neighborhood in Solvang, where he crashed into a barricade at a mobile home park. He then broke into a mobile home and holed up for a time. A woman who lived in the home managed to escape without injury. Castro then jumped into a Toyota Tundra truck at the home and tried to flee. Castro shot at deputies as they closed in on him, and deputies fired back. He was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. Castro was identified as the gunman by Santa Barbara County sheriffs officials on Friday. Solano County sheriffs officials had named Castro as the shooter on Thursday. ALSO The handsome undercover cop smiles. Is he entrapping gay men or cleaning up a park? 145-year-old casket with preserved toddler found beneath San Francisco home Fired hospital workers case points to a trail of stolen drugs and thousands of patients at risk UPDATES: 11:42 a.m.: Updated with more on the Sonoma search. 9:30 a.m.: This post has been updated with a statement from the Sheriffs Department. When a surgical technician named Rocky Elbert Allen was accused in February of stealing drugs from a Denver-area hospital, it was the sort of news that ended up in a police blotter. But as investigators began combing through the 28-year-old former Navy operating-room techs past, they say, what emerged was a startling, five-year trail of inside drug thefts at hospitals across the West, the story of a man who was fired repeatedly yet was somehow able to talk his way back into employment and, authorities say, more drugs. The thefts, typically of syringes containing fentanyl a powerful opiate given by anesthesiologists occurred at virtually each and every healthcare facility dating back to his employment with the Navy in 2011 and ending at Swedish Medical Center in suburban Denver, authorities say. Advertisement Allens alleged modus operandi to switch sterile, narcotic-filled syringes with potentially unclean syringes containing a saline solution has also raised concerns about contamination. As hospital officials in Washington state, California and Arizona learned about the Colorado case, they contacted authorities and publicly offered infection tests to all patients who underwent surgery during Allens employment at their facilities. To date, hospitals in or around San Diego, Seattle, Phoenix and Denver have asked 6,350 former patients to come in for blood tests to check for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The facilities said they were erring on the side of caution. As Swedish Medical Center put it in a statement, At this point we have no evidence of any patient exposure. However, we are taking a position of extreme caution by offering free testing to all patients who had surgery during Allens employment from last August to his firing in January. Allen, according to court filings, was seen with needle containers outside the operating room and said he had a blood-borne disease himself, but did not identify it. His duties as a surgical technician included preparing operating rooms, arranging and keeping track of surgical equipment, and assisting surgeons during operations. Fallout from Allens growing case is ongoing, says Denver attorney James Avery, who has been contacted by 150 patients seeking to file legal claims. Six, he says, allege they were infected during their hospital stays. Avery has filed lawsuits against five of the hospitals including a damage claim filed last week by three former patients against Northwest Hospital & Medical Center in Seattle, operated by the University of Washington. Averys clients contend the hospital was negligent in hiring and supervising Allen. The lawsuit was filed just days after a Washington State Health Department probe found the hospital failed to report Allens alleged misconduct and firing, as required, and did not document or investigate the technicians alleged drug diversion. Our belief is that the hospitals did only a state criminal records check and no verification of employment backgrounds, Avery said in an email, which would have revealed the false information provided by Allen and most importantly, his court martial on similar drug theft charges in 2011. Navy records show that Allen who went to high school in Boise, Idaho, and attended the University of Washington in Seattle gained his certificate as an operating room technician in 2008 from the Naval School of Health Sciences in Portsmouth, Va. He served at a Navy hospital in Bremerton, Wash., then as a Navy operating room tech in Afghanistan. Accused of stealing drugs there, he admitted during a court-martial to taking 30 syringes of fentanyl by breaking into a drug locker, but said he became nervous and tossed the narcotics in the trash. His service records show he claimed to have gotten hooked on pain drugs as a way to escape the carnage he was seeing around him in the military hospital. I have learned so much from this experience, he said of getting caught. I know that it has made me stronger. Allen has been charged with just two criminal counts drug theft and tampering with syringes at the Englewood hospital. But federal prosecutors this month filed an updated chronology of prior bad acts they intend to introduce as evidence of a pattern of alleged thefts leading up to the Colorado charges. After Allen was busted in rank, served 30 days in the brig and was discharged by the Navy after the court martial, he took a civilian technician job in October 2011 at Lakewood Surgery Center in Lakewood, Wash. He was terminated just over a month later for suspected drug theft, according to the court chronology. (The center recently offered infection testing to 135 patients who had surgery during Allens time there.) Three weeks later, he was hired at Northwest Hospital in Seattle, where he was fired after two months for alleged misconduct. Court records say he was repeatedly seen taking or handling syringes under questionable circumstances. (The hospital is offering infection testing to 1,300 former patients.) Allen was hired in May 2013 at Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, near San Diego. He was fired, records show, a month later after being found with a syringe of fentanyl hidden in his sock. (The hospital says 518 patients have been offered blood tests.) In May 2014, Allen was hired at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Ariz., where he lasted less than two months. He was allegedly seen attempting to steal drugs. (Testing is being offered to 1,400 patients.) Allen then took a technician job in July 2014 at HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center in Phoenix. In September, he was reportedly found passed out in a hospital restroom, a syringe in his hand. Taken to the emergency room, he tested positive for fentanyl, and was fired a week later (97 patients have been invited to have tests). At Swedish, where he was hired in late 2015, he was reportedly seen swapping syringes, but denied he took any drugs and agreed to a blood test. It was positive for fentanyl and marijuana, the chronology states. Allen was fired and the hospital informed authorities, setting off the current investigation. (The hospital is offering blood tests to 2,900 patients.) Allen is free on $25,000 bond and awaiting trial, currently set for August. He has pleaded not guilty and has tried returning to the operating room. According to the Washington Department of Health, Allen applied in February for a technician job at Northwest Hospital in Seattle, which had earlier fired him. This time, the department says, the hospital turned him down. ALSO These Hollywood stars are crisscrossing California in an RV for Bernie Sanders Mystery of Chicagos Walking Man solved, but only after hes beaten and hospitalized Bomb shelter in Nebraska has survived since the Cold War, but cant withstand development Anderson is a special correspondent based in Seattle. Business / Economy by Darlington Musarurwa THE country's exports to South Africa - its biggest trading partner - spiked by more than 380 percent in March to 1,1 billion rands ($71,4 million, using the average 1:15,4 exchange rate for March) from 222 million rands ($14,4 million) in the same month in 2015, statistics from South Africa's department of trade and industry show.However, imports at 2,3 billion rands ($149 million) in the same period grew 3,1 percent from a year earlier and outpaced exports by more than $77 million.Similarly, first quarter exports at 3,3 billion rands ($214 million) were exactly half the value of imports that were absorbed by the local market, raising fears that the appetite for foreign goods is still more than the country's ability to export.It is estimated that South African products make up more than 60 percent of local supermarket shop shelves.The latest statistics confirm Zimbabwe as the fifth largest consumer of South African goods in March after Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Mozambique, which took in goods worth 5,1 billion rands ($331 million); 4,1 billion rands ($266 million); 2,5 billion rands ($162 million) and 2,2 billion rands ($143 million), correspondingly.The country was also the fourth largest exporter to the Southern African country in the month after Nigeria, Swaziland and Angola.By comparison, exports from Nigeria, which became the continent's largest economy after displacing its Southern African trading partner, were measured at 2,6 billion rands, or $169 million, in the period.In fact, South Africa is now the third largest economy in Africa after Nigeria and Egypt.Government has been trying to stem the rising tide of imports, which has choked the country's productive capacity.Under tax measures that became effective on September 1, 2015; goods such as cooking oil, maize meal, meat, sugar and flour, which can ideally be produced by local industries, were removed from the travellers' rebate.The traveller's rebate, a duty-free allowance granted to bona fide travellers, has also since been slashed to $200 from $300.There were also additional interventions targeted at the textiles, and printing and packaging industries to improve the fortunes of local industry.The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has weighed in as well by introducing an export incentive of 5 percent on the value of exported commodities.Consultations between monetary authorities and industry have also resulted in a draft priority list for imports, which simply means that importers will find it increasingly difficult to process transactions for goods that are not considered to be a priority.This has helped narrow the country's trade deficit.Last month, the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (Zimstats) noted that imports in the first three months of this year had dropped to $1,3 billion from $1,6 billion in the same period last year.But exports in the same period tanked 12,6 percent to $626 million from $717 million in 2015.Worryingly, the importation of sundry items has continued.During the first quarter of the year, the country imported apples worth $1 million, $317 000 worth of chewing gum and skin care products valued at $3 million.Mineral water imports also came in at $690 000. Mr Kingstone Khanyile, economist and chief executive officer of Mtilikwe Financial Services, said tax and restrictive measures that are meant to discourage imports are only a temporary measure to provide relief to the market."The real question is: does industry have the capacity to be competitive given the current cash shortages and the inherent macro-economic challenges on the economy?"The macro-economic environment, policy environment and doing business environment has to be attended to."Companies will continue to be affected by cash shortages and the exchange control measures that have to be put in place. I don't think that we should try and control the market."There is need for targeted measures that are meant to rescue the country's manufacturing sector," said Mr Khanyile.He noted that policymakers have to be circumspect of the current situation on the global market where commodity prices are falling and the general global economy is slowing."There is need for a shift from a one-size-fits-all approach to specific market interventions," added Mr Khanyile.Presently, industry is fretting about delays at the country's border posts that have been occasioned by new procedures of vetting imports that are being instituted at the behest of the Bureau Veritas, which has been contracted by Government.Already, there are concerns that bureaucracy at the country's ports of entry are negatively affecting the economy.In 2012, then vice-president and chief economist of the African Development Bank Professor Mthuli Ncube told The Sunday Mail Business that Government was losing between $30 million and $35 million annually in waiting time and transaction costs as congestion and cumbersome customs procedures took their toll on trade. The red wave of the midterms means Republicans will have considerably greater leverage dealing with Barack Obamas waning presidency. In national security matters, however, unlike domestic affairs, Congress confronts important constitutional realities and limitations. How successful Republicans will be depends heavily on their appreciating the constraints regarding foreign and defense policy they face being in the legislative rather than the executive branch. In the vast external realm, the Supreme Court has explained, the Framers intended that the president would dominate: The President alone has the power to speak or listen as a representative of the nation. Congress, collectively and individually, has frequently chafed at this reality, but only on rare occasions have congressional majorities differed so substantively as todays Republicans do from Obamas White House. But it is precisely in such circumstances that Senate and House majorities must resist the temptation to squeeze into the chair behind the presidents Oval Office desk. There will come a time, one hopes sooner than later, when a conservative will occupy that chair. That president will certainly want and need to take advantage of what Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist No. 70, called the executives superior decision, activity, secrecy and dispatch, especially in foreign affairs. Accordingly, the next Congress should use its leg- islative powers as they were intended, and not aspire to be a Team B executive branch. Although Obama has not demonstrated Hamiltons prized qualities, neither will nearly 300 Re- publican legislators acting collectively. What, then, should Capitol Hill Republicans focus on internationally? Advertisement First, Congress should be the arena in which to highlight the broad national debate we need over Americas place in the world. Through hearings and floor debates on weapons proliferation, terrorism and broad strategic issues, House and Senate Republicans can drive the discussion: Do Americans buy Obamas view that the United States is too dominant, and that our vigorous global presence contributes to tensions and conflict? Or do they endorse Ronald Reagans vision that a strong America creates what minimal order and stability we have, a role critical to maintaining the liberal world economic order so vital to our way of life and domestic standard of living? Second, Congress must be on guard that Obama, like many lame-duck presidents, will see the exercise of his foreign affairs authority as a way of escaping congressional interference. Senators must use the treaty ratification and confirmation processes to prevent Obama from imposing through international agreements what he could not otherwise obtain legislatively. We see this risk already in issues as diverse as gun control, climate change and the death penalty. We must not give Obama a pass on policy decisions that should be resolved through our constitutional processes, not via international organizations and treaties. Finally, Congress central responsibility lies in its appropriations power. Republicans priority must be reversing six years of Obamas catastrophic reductions in defense spending well over a trillion dollars while domestic spending was exploding. Representatives and senators must understand and explain that deterrence rests on America operating from a position of strength, and that the best way to avoid conflict is to be so clearly superior that potential opponents reject threatening behavior reflexively. In 2017, a new president will need all the head start he can get in repairing the damage to the United States international reputation and credibility that Obama has gravely weakened. As Reagan said, Yes, the cost is high, but the price of neglect would be infinitely higher. There will undoubtedly be heated debates about the virtues of competing defense priorities, weapons systems and force levels; too many to address here. And there will be those, including Republicans, who cant tell the difference between dollars spent on soybean subsidies and dollars spent on carrier battle groups. There is waste in defense-related budgets that must be eliminated, with the savings plowed back into sensible military expenditures. Nowhere is the waste more evident than in the cumbersome, archaic, nearly incomprehensible defense-procurement system. Under new, incoming chairmen for both the House and Senate Armed Services committees, wide-ranging investigations and the complete reform of military procurement are a feasible prospect. Former Navy Secretary John Lehman believes the best course is to junk the present system and start from scratch, an entirely sensible reaction to the current systems bureaucratic anarchy. A clean start would improve the performance of both government and private contractors, and it is a project Obama has neither interest in nor competence to undertake. This is a more than ample foreign policy agenda for Congress for the next two years. And the underlying debate it will stimulate is an excellent precursor to the 2016 presidential campaign. John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion Its tempting to look at Defense Secretary Chuck Hagels resignation, apparently under pressure from the White House, as reflecting a struggle over war strategy in Iraq and Syria: Was Hagel axed because he wanted more aid to the Iraqi army or more help for Syrian rebels than the White House was ready to provide? But I suspect that misses the point. Theres a policy debate roiling the Obama administration on how best to fight Islamic State, but Hagel wasnt the biggest player in it. The problem was, if anything, the opposite: according to some officials, Hagel wasnt an effective player at all. That was his main problem -- and the root of much of the dissatisfaction that has been bubbling quietly for months. Advertisement Obama hired Hagel, a former U.S. senator, mostly to deal with Congress in a period that was guaranteed to be difficult -- because the administration was cutting defense budgets more deeply and withdrawing from Afghanistan more rapidly than most Republicans wanted. Hagel, a Republican maverick, was supposed to be able to pacify the GOP, at least a little. But he never quite mastered that basic part of his job. His confirmation hearings were a train wreck; he stumbled on Iran policy and didnt sound in command of his material. He did better when it came to defending the administrations defense budget plans. But as the wars in Iraq and Syria muscled their way to the top of the agenda, he was pretty much a non-factor -- and members of Congress knew it. When Hagel and Secretary of State John F. Kerry appeared in hearings to defend Obamas policies in Syria last year, senators largely ignored Hagel and addressed most of their questions to Kerry. When Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified earlier this month on the war in Iraq, it was the same story: some congressmen behaved as if Hagel werent in the room. It couldnt have helped that complaints from Hagel about White House micromanagement of military affairs and Syria policy leaked into news stories, apparently from Pentagon officials. Thats a good way for a Cabinet officer to turn the presidents closest advisors into adversaries bent on shoving him out of the way. Which is pretty much what happened on Monday. Hagel, who had intended to keep his job for four years, said he had reached a mutual decision with his boss that he should leave after less than two. Now he can get to work on his memoirs, which should include a good chapter on Obama administration decision-making. It can go on the bookshelf right alongside the acerbic accounts of his predecessors, Robert M. Gates and Leon Panetta. Follow Doyle McManus on Twitter @doylemcmanus and Google+ Texas authorities said four people died in flooding and two remained missing as torrential rains moved on but left behind swollen rivers that have overrun some communities. Washington County Judge John Brieden said the bodies of two missing motorists were found Saturday in the rural county between Austin and Houston. One body was found in a submerged vehicle. The other body was discovered downstream from his overturned truck. Advertisement The skies are clear and things look good. But we want to make sure people understand that we are not out of the woods yet. We have to keep an eye on water thats coming through our bayou system, said Francisco Sanchez, a spokesman for the Office of Emergency Management in Harris County, where Houston is located. Officials had previously announced two other deaths in the county. Lisa Block, an emergency services spokeswoman in Travis County, says authorities will continue searching Sunday for two missing people in the Austin area. Officials in Rosenberg, a town of 34,000 residents located 35 miles southwest of Houston, ordered the evacuation of houses in several neighborhoods near the rising Brazos River. The evacuation order was to take effect at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Brazos was expected to reach record levels and crest at more than 53 feet on Tuesday. Major flood stage for the river is 50 feet. A shelter is being set up for residents in the nearby city of Richmond. Earlier Saturday, Simonton, another city in Fort Bend County on the Brazos River, issued a mandatory evacuation order for most of its 800 residents. Heavy rain also drenched other parts of the U.S. Tropical Storm Bonnie brought rain and wind to the coast of South Carolina on Saturday. In central Kansas, the Wichita Fire Department said that it was searching for an 11-year-old boy who went missing after he was swept away by a swollen creek Friday night. The department said on its Facebook page that two cadaver police dogs are taking part in the search. Whitewater? Vince Foster? Juanita Broaddrick? Donald Trump appears to have tumbled into a time warp. He wants to revive the Arkansas scandals of the 1990s, when many Republicans thought impeaching then-President Bill Clinton was a sure path to victory. (It wasnt.) Trump has turned an old political bromide on its head. For the moment, his campaign isnt about the future; its about the past. In interviews, speeches and a brutal campaign video, Trump has cited the often-lurid controversies of the Bill Clinton administration as a reason voters shouldnt put Hillary Clinton in the White House. Clinton was the biggest abuser of women, as a politician, in the history of our country, Trump said in one interview. Advertisement Hillary was an enabler, he added. Whether its Whitewater or whether its Vince or whether its Benghazi, its always a mess with Hillary. (For younger readers, Whitewater was a land deal in Arkansas in which Bill and Hillary Clinton were investors; one of their partners was convicted of fraud in 1997, but the Clintons were not found at fault. Vince Foster was a law partner of Hillary Clinton who killed himself in 1993; conspiracy theorists, including Trump, suggest -- without evidence -- that he might have been murdered. Juanita Broaddrick is an Arkansas woman who says Bill Clinton raped her in 1978; Clintons lawyer has denied the allegation, which Broaddrick did not report to police at the time. And yes, Congress impeached then-President Clinton; in 1999, the Senate held a month-long trial and acquitted him.) Trumps resurrection of tales from the Clinton crypt may seem bizarre. After all, Bill Clinton has been one of the most admired men in America since his presidency ended in an economic boom 15 years ago. Hes far more popular than either Trump or his wife. Other Republican politicians have been scratching their heads. Its something I might not have done, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who led the impeachment effort in 1998, told the Washington Post. But he operates on such a different model that Id be very cautious about rendering judgment. Trump claims hes raking up ancient muck because he thinks he has been forced to. Its only retribution for what [Hillary Clinton] said, he told CNN. She is playing the womans card to the hilt. But as often with Trump, theres an element of strategy at work here, too. Throwing allegations at Clinton, even indiscriminately, helps reinforce the label hes trying to pin on the presumptive Democratic nominee: Crooked Hillary. If Trump can get the media and voters to focus on Clintons problems, real or imaginary, that helps counter her negative messages about him -- his past statements about women or his refusal to release his tax returns. Reviving old controversies also gets in the way of Democrats portrayal of the 1990s as a golden age. If this becomes a race about which one would be the worse president, thats to Trumps advantage, GOP strategist David Winston told me. It puts him on an equal footing with Clinton. Trump claims hes raking up ancient muck because he thinks he has been forced to. But as often with Trump, theres an element of strategy at work here, too. Clinton advisers, for their part, think Trump is trolling trying to provoke Bill or Hillary Clinton into losing their tempers and responding in kind, thereby turning this sideshow into the main event. Any response would make it into a huge story, one Clinton adviser told me. Fully cognizant of that fact, Hillary Clinton and her husband have stolidly refused to directly counter Trumps nastiest charges (predator, enabler). Theres probably been plenty of lip-biting in the Clinton household these days. When the Clintons do attack Trump, they focus mostly on what they call his dangerous and divisive statements and his proposals. They say hes an unqualified loose cannon but leave his marital history -- which includes past allegations of adultery and spousal rape off the table. And in this election, that qualifies as the high road. Indeed, Clinton is trying really she is to make this contest about something other than bluster. She has already been talking at length sometimes great length about the policies she proposes to make the country better. The problem is, those speeches havent earned her much live coverage on cable television; Trumps unscripted news conferences beat her on that count every time. But Ill boldly offer a scrap of good news: The scandals of the 1990s wont remain a novelty forever. Theyre already old and pretty soon, theyre going to seem old again. One of these days, possibly on a debate stage, even Trump will have to talk at length about policies and programs about the economy, and healthcare and foreign policy. But only, it appears, once he has exhausted every other topic. doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com Twitter: @DoyleMcManus Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook On a recent evening, caught in traffic on the way to Hollywood, my wife suggested we use Waze or Google Maps -- some app or another to help us work around the crush of cars and trucks that mired the macadam like a mud flow. This is the sort of technology I should like; I will go blocks out of my way, a mile even, to avoid a static line of cars. But instead, Waze just makes me anxious, with its assumption that I cant get around Los Angeles on my own. Navigation, to me, is what the city is all about, and not just navigating the streets but the people. Its one of the secret thrills of urban living, knowing how to get along, how to carve a passage amid the millions with whom we share the territory. Growing up in New York, I learned this early, and although I havent lived in Manhattan for many years, I still edge my way across a crowded sidewalk and board the last car of the subway so I get a seat. In Southern California, the imperatives are different, but the challenge remains the same. I live in a city because I like the idea that, at times, getting across town becomes an act of will. Why, then, would I want to give up my engagement, my agency, to an app? Advertisement When I worked downtown, I had a range of routes according to the time of day. Never take the 10 in the afternoon, or if the freeway cant be avoided, use the access roads. Washington Boulevard is pretty good at rush hour, but even better is Olympic to St. Andrews, then left to Ninth Street, which turns into James M. Wood. Im reluctant to share these directions even now; the streets are only getting more crowded and a good work-around is something to be prized. But thats the illusion, isnt it, that we can own a shortcut or rush-hour strategy? In order to navigate, we must be adaptable. This is why I avoid the apps; they strip us of authority, adaptability. They replace the subtleties of memory, of hard-won knowledge, with a device whose skills are generic even, at times, incorrect. How often has Waze told you to turn left on a major boulevard at an intersection with no lights? Making a left turn in L.A. is difficult stuff, says Kevin Klines character to his teenage son in the film Grand Canyon one of the harder things youll learn in life. The line resonates because it has a folkloric quality, one generation actively teaching the next. Where is the resonance in typing an address on a keypad? Where is the sense of place? My wife (who, unlike me, is a Waze fan) suggests that the app creates community, with drivers warning other drivers about obstacles or speed traps in real time. She has a point, but what about all that texting from behind the wheel? Where is the resonance in typing an address on a keypad? Where is the sense of place? I, on the other hand, remain convinced the apps represent a case of the virtual overwhelming the actual, reducing Los Angeles to a set of unwieldy animations on a screen. Not only that, they are yet another emblem of our collective forgetting, our reliance on technology to keep track of all we once tracked for ourselves: phone numbers, addresses, shards of experience, all the outsourcing of our inner lives. I have a friend, a longtime resident of Los Angeles, who learned the city the hard way. She would select a freeway, get off at a random exit, then find her way home through local streets. Call it urban exploration, or wayfaring; call it following your nose. In any case, it tells us something about how we interact or once did with the cities in which we live. Im not as extreme as my friend is; I like to know, generally, where I am. I visualize the map, concentrating on where I want to end up. I turn when traffic collects and drive through neighborhoods, always working my way generally north or east or south or west. Its how I assert myself in the urban landscape, how I recognize where I am. Take that drive to Hollywood: Despite the gridlock, we got where we were going and on time. We jumped to Sixth Street, which tends to move, even at the densest hours, then took Wilton north to catch the lights. Eventually, we found ourselves on Fountain, having dodged Joseph Le Conte Middle School. Take Fountain, Bette Davis once told Johnny Carson when he asked the best way for an actress to get to Hollywood. Davis did not need Waze to understand this, and we dont either. The joke is good because experience, not technology, tells us it is true. David L. Ulin is a 2015 Guggenheim Fellow and the author of Sidewalking: Coming to Terms with Los Angeles. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook. ALSO Late arrivals: Uber drivers who missed filing deadline are still bashing proposed lawsuit settlement Uber and Lyft drivers are safer than the average American driver, according to new report Waze tests carpooling in Bay Area Sen. Bernie Sanders has begun pushing the Democratic Party toward a platform fight over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a departure from his core focus on domestic economic issues that would put pressure on Hillary Clinton to handle a growing divide within her party. The Democratic Party has long had a policy of support for Israel and its government, but consensus on that subject has frayed in recent years. Four years ago, the floor of the Democratic National Convention erupted into boos after delegates, acting at the behest of President Obama, restored language to the party platform sought by backers of Israel. The language had been left out of an earlier draft, but White House officials wanted it restored to avoid alienating pro-Israel voters. Advertisement Since then, tensions between the administration and Israel have grown and so has unease among liberal Democrats about Israels policies toward the Palestinians. Many Democrats, including Obama, were angered last year when Republican lawmakers scheduled an address to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he denounced the administrations nuclear deal with Iran. The scale of civilian casualties in Israels attack on Gaza in 2014 also alienated many liberals. Despite those tensions, Clinton and many party leaders are loath to show any signs of weakening support for Israel, an ally that has long been central to Americas Middle East policy and that has deep political support in the top reaches of both political parties. Sanders, who is Jewish, spent months of his youth living on an Israeli kibbutz, but his views on the Jewish state reflect a socialist strain of Zionism no longer as prominent in Israel. He has spoken of seeking a more evenhanded treatment of Palestinians. Sanders used his clout in nominating members to the partys platform drafting committee to select the president of an Arab rights organization and a campaign surrogate who accused Israel during the Gaza fighting of a crime against humanity. Sanders, in an interview with The Times on Wednesday, declared himself 100% supportive of Israels right to exist. Israel, he said, has a right to take all actions that are needed to protect itself from terrorism. But I believe that for too long our country and our government have not given the Palestinian people the respect that they need, he added. Long term, if theres going to be peace in the Middle East, a lasting peace, the Palestinian people are going to have to be treated with respect and dignity. Clinton advisors would not discuss the issue on the record because of sensitivity to any move that might inflame tensions with Sanders and his supporters. But the campaign suggested in a statement that she would resist changes that would upset stauncher backers of Israel. Hillary Clintons views on Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship are well-documented and shes confident that her delegates will work to ensure that the party platform reflects them, said Jake Sullivan, senior policy advisor. Mark Mellman, a veteran Democratic strategist who also has worked in Israeli elections, predicted Clinton, as the partys nominee, would have her way, and that the platform would reflect her reputation in the Senate and as secretary of State as a strong backer of Israel. I believe that for too long our country and our government have not given the Palestinian people the respect that they need. Sen. Bernie Sanders But, he added, that may require a little butting of heads. A large majority of Americans strongly support Israel, according to polls, but the Democratic Party is increasingly torn over some of the actions of the Israeli government and how much sympathy to accord the plight of Palestinians. Among self-described liberal Democrats surveyed in a Pew poll taken last month, 40% said they sympathized more with Palestinians than Israel, compared with 33% who sympathized more with Israel. Conservative Republicans, moderate/liberal Republicans, and moderate/liberal Democrats all showed far greater support for Israel, with conservative Republicans maintaining overwhelming sympathy for Israel at 79%, Pew found. Pew has tracked the issue since 2001, and this was the first year that any of the four ideological groupings showed greater sympathy for Palestinians than Israel. Sanders backers, by a small margin, also expressed more sympathy with the Palestinians than with Israel, the poll found. His campaign, a coalition of the partys left and independents, has paid heed to concerns from many liberals -- some of them Jewish -- that Palestinians have been marginalized in mainstream American politics and that criticism of the Israeli government is less tolerated here than it is even within Israel. Last month, Sanders hired Simone Zimmerman, an outspoken young activist who opposes the Israeli occupation, as his Jewish outreach coordinator. She was quickly suspended amid intense criticism from Jewish organizations after it was revealed that she used profanity in Facebook posts about Netanyahu and Clinton. She could not be reached for comment. What we saw with the suspension of Simone was a demonstration of how far our community and the political community has to go on this issue, said Yonah Lieberman, who like Zimmerman is a member of a group called IfNotNow. Members of the group were arrested last month for staging occupations of the offices of Jewish organizations in an effort to prod them to push for changes in Israels policies. Party platforms are seldom read unless they are the subject of controversy, as the Democratic document was four years ago. But advocates on both sides care deeply about the nuances in them. Sanders won added clout in writing the platform when Democratic Party officials agreed to allow him to name five of 15 members of the drafting committee. Clintons campaign got six appointments, and four are controlled by the party. Sanders will not have a majority but does have enough of a presence to wage high-profile debates if he chooses. His campaign has not made clear yet what he will ask for. One Sanders appointee, Cornel West, a Princeton University philosophy professor, has been especially provocative to pro-Israel voters, referring in a 2014 Facebook post to the Israeli massacre of innocent Palestinians, especially the precious children. The rockets of Hamas indeed are morally wrong and politically ineffective but these crimes pale in the face of the U.S. supported Israeli slaughters of innocent civilians, West wrote of the 2014 military operation. Israeli officials said the attacks were necessary to stop rocket attacks by Hamas, the radical Palestinian group that controls Gaza, a small coastal enclave sandwiched between Israel and Egypt. Another Sanders appointment went to James Zogby, a longtime Democratic insider who heads the Arab American Institute. In an interview, Zogby said he is not looking for a fight, but does believe the platform needs to reflect what he called a broader American consensus on acknowledging the needs of both peoples. Thats where the numbers are, and while people are very supportive of Israel, they are not so supportive of various policies supported by Israel, he said. If Clinton does agree to significant changes in the platform, Republicans will be lying in wait. If youre pro-Israel, the warning lights are flashing red right now, said Ari Fleischer, a former press secretary for President George W. Bush. But the issue is not easy for Republicans either. Donald Trump has given conflicting remarks about treating Jerusalem as Israels capital and has also called, at times, for more neutrality in the Palestinian dispute. Fleischer, a board member of the Republican Jewish Coalition, says he is voting for Trump but will keep an eye on him. Fleischer views Clintons record on Israel as mixed, citing her support for the Iran nuclear deal as an example. Trump has tried to reassure Israel supporters with a strong speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, he said. He began from a position of weakness but he has since changed his tune, Fleischer said. The current Democratic platform language, which, among other things, refers to Jerusalem as Israels capital, offers important symbolism, but is not reflected in U.S. policy. Since Israel captured all of Jerusalem in 1967, U.S. policy has been that its status is a subject for peace negotiations among Israel and its Arab neighbors. It is meaningful in the optics, said Sarah E. Yerkes, a former officer in the State Department Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs, now a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution. If the platform were to say that Jerusalem could be a capital of a future Palestinian state, that would be a big red flag to Israelis. The platform is expected to be the subject of intense lobbying, both directly and indirectly, from Israels supporters. We are watching every word, and it makes a big deal in Israel, said a former Israeli diplomat who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity in discussing American domestic politics. It will not change quietly, the former diplomat said. I dont think it will change because there are so many friends of Israel within the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. ALSO Surge of migrant sailings has Italy scrambling to house thousands of new arrivals Lawsuit claims Gilead Sciences could have developed a less-harmful version of its HIV treatment sooner Fired hospital workers case points to a trail of stolen drugs and thousands of patients at risk noah.bierman@latimes.com Twitter: @noahbierman Times staff writer Kate Linthicum contributed to this report. Californias elections officials are waiting for the answer to one question: Will the hundreds of thousands of Californians who recently signed up to vote actually show up for the June 7 primary? And they are contemplating a second question: If they do, how do we keep them around? Low voter turnout is a California tradition, born of socioeconomic factors and an overriding political reality. The state has a relatively young, diverse population and an exceedingly mobile one all factors that correlate with unimpressive turnout. Its also so lopsidedly Democratic in statewide races that people have less incentive to show up. Advertisement The problem is true in presidential contests, and even more true in other contests, like those for governor and statewide office. And turnout trails further in the primaries and in local races. But this year, fate has stumbled onto a solution: In one race, feature a Manhattan real estate power-turned-reality television star who engenders both rapt support and widespread dislike. In another race, add a socialist running against the Democratic establishment while regularly starring, via his lookalike Larry David, on Saturday Night Live. Add in a woman seeking to become the first of her gender to become president, and in California, you have the seeds of a more vigorous turnout than has been seen in recent years. What happens after June 7 is a great question, and I wish we all knew the answer. Did that surge in registration translate to voting? Dean Logan, Los Angeles County registrar-recorder and county clerk The recent record was the 2008 presidential election, which drew more than 79% of Californias voters to the polls for a landslide victory by Barack Obama. The problem: It didnt hold. A lesser 72% of registered voters cast ballots in the 2012 presidential race. In the 2010 governors race two years after Obamas first win, 59.6% showed up, not all that much different from the 56% who had voted for governor in 2006. Who registers, and who votes, matters. A report by the Public Policy Institute of California before the recent registration surge found vast differences between voters who regularly take part in elections, those who are not registered at all and all Californians. To take one measure, among Californians overall, 52% prefer the priority of paying down the states debt as it comes out of the recession, to 44% who wanted to restore money to social programs that were cut in leaner years. Likely voters sided more firmly with paying down debt 59% to 38%. But nonvoters preferred funding social services, 50% to 44%. Nonvoters were less prone than likely voters to think the state budget is a problem, and far more likely to support school construction bonds. Nonvoters also were more in favor of the government stepping in to reduce the gap between rich and poor and far more likely to support providing healthcare coverage to immigrants in the country illegally. The differences occur because the two groups come from opposite spheres of the states residents, the PPIC survey found. Among all California adults, 49% are 45 and older; almost half own homes, and 29% are college graduates. Likely voters are older and more apt to own a home 68% in each category and 43% have graduated college. But nonvoters are younger 67% under 45 predominantly renters, and only 17% have graduated college. The influx of new voters this year dovetails with ongoing efforts by election officials to remake the voting experience so that those drawn in will stay in. California officials already have simplified the registration system by sanctioning registration when residents either get or update a drivers license or a state identity card. At a recent PPIC seminar on voting, Secretary of State Alex Padilla talked optimistically about an even bigger change in the way people vote. Replacing the current system of either voting by mail or on election day at a precinct close to home would be voting that could be done either by mail, at centers anywhere in the county or via drive-by drop-offs of ballots. Many of those changes already are in place in Colorado. If you work for a living and this is Los Angeles, folks, you know what, sometimes we actually have traffic it can get tough getting to that one designated location, Padilla said, speaking of the current system. Imagine embracing technology that gives every vote center access to the entire voter list for the county so that voters have the option of going anywhere convenient for them in the county to be able to vote. Colorado now ranks third in the nation in terms of turnout, he said. California? Forty-third. Los Angeles County registrar-recorder/county clerk Dean Logan concurs with what he calls putting voting in front of people so that voting comes to where they are, as opposed to voters having to contort themselves to cast ballots. Campaigns have found that person-to-person contact results in a higher turnout. But thats hard to pull off in a state this large. What can be approximated on a large scale, Logan said, is making registration easy and voting easier still. A lot may ride, however, on how this years voters feel about their newly won franchise. What happens after June 7 is a great question, and I wish we all knew the answer, Logan said in an interview. Did that surge in registration translate to voting? Hopefully it does. From our perspective, where we can have some impact on that if we have some impact is do they leave with a sense of meaning in their votes? Were they able to cast a ballot and have it counted as they mean it to? Sen. Bernie Sanders has been trying to forge his voters into a lasting movement, but traditionally such efforts fail. Democrats already are worried about how many of his supporters will back Hillary Clinton, who is far more likely to be the nominee. If they feel their candidate was wrongfully denied, as many of Sanders supporters already do, the chances of them sticking around to vote in future elections would seem to be small. Election officials have long held that likely voters are created out of habit; one election doesnt guarantee a perpetual presence. But the more they vote, the more they vote. The only other option for raising turnout seems highly unlikely: putting a reality star and a socialist with a Saturday Night Live doppelganger on every ballot. cathleen.decker@latimes.com Twitter: @cathleendecker. For more on politics, go to latimes.com/decker and subscribe to the free daily newsletter. ALSO: Why Bernie Sanders keeps popping up in out of the way places Californians are registering to vote, but no one knows what it means for June 7 Sanders supporters sue to have voter registration deadline extended California saw surge of new Democrats in first three months of 2016 California elections officials warn of surge for June 7 primary Registered to vote at the DMV? Check again. Updates on California politics Live coverage from the campaign trail U.S. Senate hopeful Tom Del Beccaro sat inside the makeshift KMET-AM (1490) studio in San Bernardino listening patiently as talk-radio host Lou Desmond railed about a white teenager being threatened at school for wearing a Southern Lives Matter T-shirt. When it was his turn at the mic, the soft-spoken Del Beccaro deftly pivoted away from the incident. Instead, he talked about his travels to Singapore where racism is almost nonexistent despite the countrys hodgepodge of ethnic groups. He credited that countrys vibrant economy, saying good jobs and more money in peoples pockets cures many societal ills. We have to bring America back, right now it is growing too slowly, Del Beccaro told listeners. The politics of envy is played all the time. Advertisement It was typical Del Beccaro, always bringing the conversation back to the economy. As he hopes to place in the top two candidates and advance to a general election, he is a fixture on conservative talk radio stations up and down the state, appealing to the grassroots tea party and libertarian faithful with his calls for a federal flat tax and repealing the Affordable Care Act and his disdain for corporate bailouts. His most relevant experience for the job has a checkered history. Del Beccaro took over as chairman of the California Republican Party in 2011, months after the partys disastrous showing in the 2010 election. Despite gains elsewhere, the California GOP had lost every single statewide race and failed to win any new congressional seats. Del Beccaro vowed to widen the partys reach, targeting voters not traditionally aligned with the party, including Democrats, independents, Latinos and young Californians. But he failed to stem an ongoing loss of GOP voters or brighten the fortunes of Republican candidates. When his term as chairman ended two years later, the party was struggling to pay its bills. U.S. Senate candidate Tom Del Beccaro waits for his car in the parking lot outside the Mill Creek Cattle Company after speaking at a meeting of the Redlands Tea Party Patriots. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times ) Del Beccaro was born in Glen Cove, N.Y., in 1961, the sixth of eight siblings. He says he grew up in a politically active family, where the days events were discussed around the dinner table. His father, Edward, a marketing executive, was one of the original members of the Conservative Party of New York, formed in the 1960s as a conservative alternative to the state Republican Party. Del Beccaro remembers sitting with his father on Sunday mornings, watching news shows about the latest developments in Washington, and being taken to meet Richard Nixon in 1968. I met Nixon as a 7-year-old in Huntington, N.Y. He was campaigning for president. I remember being there, shaking his hand, he says. Del Beccaro says he started reading the Economist when he was about 12, and at 16 he began to read an 11-volume collection of world history that focused his political ideology: The Story of Civilization by Pulitzer Prize winners Will and Ariel Durant. Thats pretty much shaped my thoughts, seeing how civilizations rise and fall, how governments start out small and wind up big and in debt, says Del Beccaro, who finished reading the set in law school. Weve made these mistakes on taxes over and over again in history. Among the many lessons he learned from his parents, Del Beccaro says, the value of hard work was paramount. On the campaign trail, he is fond of telling a story about borrowing money from his sister when he was 15 to go to a high school dance. When his father found out, he told his son to go earn the money and pay her back. I went looking for a job and I came back after three hours. And my father said to me, Did you get a job? And I said no. And he said, Then why did you come home? Del Beccaro says. I was working as a dishwasher that night. While in college at UC Berkeley, Del Beccaro spent his summers with his brothers in Alaska, working in canneries. During his final year in law school, at Santa Clara University, he signed up with a San Francisco modeling agency to earn some extra cash, a side job he gave up once he passed the bar and started working for a Bay Area law firm. Del Beccaro, a small business lawyer from Lafayette, just east of Oakland, divorced at a young age and raised his daughter as a single father. He quit his law firm job and opened his own law practice, tailoring his work schedule around his daughters school hours. I took a huge hit in income, but I rented an inexpensive place and I cut back on my expenses. I didnt date a lot, he said. It was a great time. I dont think Ill have a better moment than that. His daughter Juliana, now 23, is an international economist and lives in San Francisco, he said. Del Beccaro speaks in a soft voice and leans in close when talking one-on-one. He appears at ease on the stump, whether its in radio studios or a restaurant filled with tea party loyalists, and almost always steers the conversation back to his conservative, pro-growth, economic views. In the last seven years, the bottom 90% of American have actually seen a reduction in income of $1,600, he said. The current system is not working. Del Beccaro, who has written two books and runs the conservative website politicalvanguard.com, has made the federal tax system one of the primary focuses of his campaign. He wants to eliminate the IRS and scrap the federal tax code, replacing it with a 15.5% flat tax on personal income and net business income. The tax code is the biggest playground for lobbyists, special interests and corporate welfare in the history of mankind. Im for free enterprise. Im not for big business, Del Beccaro says. I dont think big business should get favors from government they can fend for themselves. Del Beccaro also criticizes the federal bailout of the auto industry and big banks during the height of the recession, saying poorly-run corporations should face the consequences of ineptitude. He has joined with conservatives calling for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, but only if Republicans replace it with a better healthcare law and keep the provision allowing young adults to remain on their parents health plans until age 26. On abortion, Del Beccaro describes himself as pro-life, and he supported Proposition 8, the later-overturned 2008 ballot measure outlawing same-sex marriage in California. Election 2016 | Live coverage on Trail Guide | Indiana primary election results | Track the delegate race | Sign up for the newsletter When Del Beccaro, a former chairman of the Contra Costa County GOP, took over as state party leader in 2011, he vowed to recharge the party. He organized a town hall with the Spanish-language mega-station Univision at one of the partys conventions, part of his effort to rid the party of its divisive rhetoric over immigration and showcase Republican ideals that he believed would appeal to Latino voters. If all you did was show anger toward your wife, would you have one? No, Del Beccaro said recently. We should have a relationship with Latinos on the economy, on education, on healthcare. Those are their big issues. Instead, all Republicans want to talk to them about is the border issue. But during his two years as chairman, the Republican Partys influence in California continued to erode. In the 2012 general election, the GOP failed to field a credible threat against Sen. Dianne Feinstein and, worse, the Democrats won a powerful super-majority in the Legislature. The state GOP also was again, in serious financial trouble, which Del Beccaro says was due to several factors: More Republican donors were sending checks to national super PACs insteady of local parties, and GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney refused to hold joint fundraisers with state parties. Del Beccaro also blames one of the most generous GOP benefactors for not donating to the party during his tenure: Charles Munger Jr., a Palo Alto physicist whose billionaire father is Warren Buffetts business partner. Munger, who supports candidate George Duf Sundheim in the Senate race, called the accusation laughable. Munger said he refused to contribute to the party because Del Beccaro insisted on spending millions in party funds to challenge the states newly-drawn political boundaries for state Senate districts. Munger had contributed $12 million to the successful 2010 ballot measure that created the independent redistricting commission that drew those districts. There was no way I could write a check to the party because I knew where it would go, Munger said. At the same time, the state GOPs federal campaign account was carrying $700,000 in debt. Not only did the party have trouble supporting state candidates in 2012, it had trouble paying its bills, Munger said. There was nothing left functionally of the Republican Party after Tom Del Beccaro left, Munger said. Hes not a fiscal conservative, because he sure as heck cant manage money. Del Beccaro has a different theory. He gave money as soon as I left, but not while I was there, he said. Others were of the same opinion. They didnt want to fund a conservative. phil.willon@latimes.com @philwillon ALSO: Dont call him a moderate Senate candidate Sundheim led California Republicans at hopeful time for GOP Californias next senator could be a Latina. Will her past mistakes get in the way? How race helped shape the politics of Senate candidate Kamala Harris Controversial English-only crusader sets his sights on Californias Senate race News / Africa by Staff reporter RETIRED Bishop Desmond Tutu's daughter has been kicked out of South Africa's Anglican Church as a priest after she married a woman.Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu-van Furth can no longer preside at Holy Communion, weddings, baptisms or funerals after handing in her licence because the church does not recognise gay marriage.She said her father, the retired archbishop and celebrated anti-apartheid campaigner, was "sad but not surprised" at the news."The canon (law) of the South African Church states that marriage is between one man and one woman," Tutu-van Furth said in an email."After my marriage the Bishop of Saldanha Bay was advised that he must revoke my licence. I offered to return my licence rather than require that he take it from me."Mpho and Marceline Tutu-van Furth have been on honeymoon on the Indonesian island of Bali after holding a wedding party outside Cape Town earlier this month.Desmond Tutu, 84, who has been in frail health, attended the celebrations with his wife. He has previously spoken out in favour of gay marriage.Marceline Tutu-van Furth is an Amsterdam-based professor specialising in pediatric infections.The couple who are both divorced and have children officially tied the knot in the Netherlands in December."My wife and I meet across almost every dimension of difference. Some of our differences are obvious; she is tall and white, I am black and vertically challenged," Mpho told the South African City Press newspaper."Ironically, coming from a past where difference was the instrument of division, it is our sameness that is now the cause of distress," she said in a reference to apartheid.Same-sex marriage was legalised in South Africa in 2006. Thank you for Canoe Like Heroes, by Andrew McCarthy [May 22]. I wish Id been able to do this with my son when he was Sams age. Now that hes 30 and Im creeping up on 70, the odds are slim (especially because he lives in New York City), but reading about McCarthys trip with his son is second-best. Bob Haut, Topanga Canyon $2 per day car rental had a catch Advertisement After reading 9 Tips for Renting a Car, by Catharine Hamm [On the Spot, May 22], I wanted to share my experience renting a car in March at Mexicos San Jose del Cabo airport. The price through Orbitz was $2 a day. I even called Dollar to make sure the rate was correct; I was assured it was. Ive rented cars for many years, and Ive discovered that buying the insurance on the Orbitz site (through Allianz Global) is well worth the money. My rental for five days was $10 plus $82 (prepaid insurance). I knew it was a come-on rate and, sure enough, when I picked up the car I was told it was $500 for insurance for the five days. I declined. The clerk used scare tactics and told me if something happened to the car I wouldnt be able to leave the country I would be in police custody until I could prove I had insurance. He even handed me a laminated placard reiterating the threat of incarceration. I declined. To make sure there werent going to be issues during drop-off, I inspected the car and took pictures of any blemishes, no matter how minor. Happily there were no issues, and when I dropped off the car I was charged the $10. Im going again later this year, and this time Ill take hard copies of all my insurance information, my personal and supplemental. Michelle Grant, Santa Monica Concern over elephant photo I am a long-time subscriber to the Los Angeles Times. Every week, I look forward to the Travel section. On May 15, I was met with the photo of tourists riding an elephant in the Tours & Cruises column as a part of information about a trip to Thailand. I am concerned that this picture was used. Many elephants in Asia and all over the world are used to financially benefit humans. To achieve this, the elephants are either taken from their herds at a young age or are born to captive mothers. They are then broken by cruel means so that they are compliant with being used in tourism, logging and begging. The cruel treatment includes whipping, chaining, using a bull hook and depriving them of food. As a result of this treatment, many are left with horrific injuries. They are sometimes literally worked to death. Riding an elephant is not an exotic vacation activity. It is an example of a highly intelligent animal being cruelly treated. I refer you to the following websites for more information about the treatment that working elephants receive and the work of the people who rescue them. There are stories on each website about the elephants they have rescued. Their stories are painful and sobering. https://blesele.org/ www.elephantnaturepark.org/ Sandra Greene, Santa Monica Feel-good tip: Donate reward miles Eric Rosen missed the easiest way to keep reward miles in Keep Your Reward Miles Alive [More for Your Money, May 8]. One can donate miles sometimes as few as 500 miles, usually 1,000 to any of several good charities. I have saved my miles this way with both American and United. It resets the expiration date and I can feel good at the same time. Connie Johnson, Oceanside Just in case you were thinking of visiting North Korea, the State Department on May 16 issued a new travel warning that strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to North Korea due to the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention under North Koreas system of law enforcement. The warning was last updated in November. At least 14 Americans have been detained in the past 10 years, the warning notes; some were independent travelers and others on an escorted trip. Tour operators, State notes, have been unsuccessful in freeing their clients. If you ignore the warning, expect that your privacy wont be honored, the State Department says. The warning also enumerates some of the ways you can run afoul of authorities, including having unauthorized interaction with the local population and taking unauthorized photos.. Advertisement Info: North Korea warning Travel to the Philippines Sulu Archipelago discouraged The State Department has reissued a warning on the Philippines, noting that U.S. citizens should not go, unless necessary, to the Sulu Archipelago. It cited violence and kidnappings in this update of an October warning. The archipelago has a tumultuous history. In the 1400s the islanders were converted to Islam and were ruled by a sultan. Life revolves around the sea, from which fish, coral and other products are harvested. But there has also been illegal activity, including smuggling and piracy. The warning also singles out western Mindinao, where, the State Department notes, terrorist, insurgent, and criminal gangs regularly conduct kidnappings for ransom. Info: Philippines warning Anthony Bourdain and President Obama do lunch in Hanoi Travel and Food journalist Anthony Bourdain recently shared a meal with a special guest in Vietnam: President Obama. Obama and Bourdain, host of CNNs Parts Unknown, ate at Bun cha Huong Lien in Hanoi. Bourdain said he picked up the check, which came to $6. No word on whether he left a tip. The event will be broadcast as part of the show in September. Czech power plant: a tourist attraction Heres an electrifying attraction: a Czech Republic power plant. By this summer, 1 million people will have visited the Dlouhe Strane Hydro Plant, which opened in 1996 and which the country counts as one of its seven wonders. If seeing two turbines in an underground facility isnt your idea of fun, you can return from your trek to the Jeseniky mountains in the northeastern part of the country by bike. The 10-mile trip is downhill. To get to the plant, you can take a tour or you can hike up, where youll be rewarded with views of a 37-acre artificial lake. The tour costs about $9.50. To learn more, email info@k3-sport.cz. Bug waste could be damaging the Taj Mahal Bugs are doing their business on the walls of Indias Taj Mahal, and removing the insect waste could damage the mosaics and other stonework. The pests have turned a nearby polluted river into a love nest, breeding untold numbers of mosquito-like insects that leave black and green waste on the walls. Its removed daily, but the process is disfiguring the structure. Air pollution is discoloring the outside marble as well. The monument, in Agra, dates to the 1600s. As many as 4 million people visit it each year. Sources: U.S. State Department; Associated Press A troubled economy, a potent Islamist insurgency, mounting concerns over human rights and media freedoms and now this. The crash of EgyptAir Flight 804 is the latest calamity in a country that has lurched from crisis to crisis in the five years since the protests that forced longtime President Hosni Mubarak from power. On top of social and political turmoil, Egypts tourism sector, which accounts for 12% of the economy, has been battered by two previous incidents involving passenger airliners in the past seven months. The Egyptian currency dived in value as the number of foreign visitors fell off by nearly half at the beginning of this year. Advertisement The country was just beginning to shake off the effects of the deadly crash of a Russian jetliner in the Sinai Peninsula last October, and the bizarre but ultimately injury-free hijacking of an EgyptAir domestic flight in March. See more of our top stories on Facebook >> As investigators hunt for clues as to why Flight 804 plunged into the Mediterranean Sea hours into a journey from Paris to Cairo, the presumed deaths of all 66 people on board including 10 EgyptAir personnel and 30 Egyptian passengers have united many Egyptians in sadness and disbelief. The only way it could get worse, many say, is if Egypt is found to be at fault. 1 / 19 A handout picture made available by the Egyptian Defense Ministry shows a life jacket from EgyptAir Flight 804. (Egyptian Defense Ministry / EPA) 2 / 19 A photo on the official Facebook page of the Egyptian military spokesperson reportedly shows EgyptAir crash debris. (AFP/Getty Images) 3 / 19 A photo on the official Facebook page of the Egyptian military spokesperson reportedly shows EgyptAir crash debris. (AFP/Getty Images) 4 / 19 An image reportedly of debris from the EgyptAir crash posted on an official Egyptian military Facebook page. (AFP / Getty Images) 5 / 19 A relative of Salah Abu Laban, Sahar Qouidar, Ghassan Abu Laban and Reem al-Sebaei, all victims of EgyptAir Flight 804, grieves following prayers for the dead, at al Thawrah Mosque in Cairo. (Amr Nabil / Associated Press) 6 / 19 Relatives and friends of passengers of the EgyptAir plane that crashed in the Mediterranean pray at Abou Bakr el-Sedek mosque in Cairo. (Mohamed Meteab / AFP/Getty Images) 7 / 19 An image from an Egyptian Defense Ministry video shows Egyptian pilots searching the Mediterranean Sea for wreckage of Flight 804. (AFP/Getty Images) 8 / 19 In an image from an Egyptian Defense Ministry video, the Egyptian military searches the Mediterranean for wreckage of the plane that crashed Thursday. (Egyptian Defense Ministry / AFP/Getty Images ) 9 / 19 A radar aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force took part in the search for EgyptAir Flight 804. (Thanassis Stavrakis / Associated Press) 10 / 19 A relative of a passenger who was flying aboard an EgyptAir plane that crashed en route from Paris to Cairo cries as family members are transported to a gathering point at Cairo International Airport on May 19. (Khaled Desouki / AFP/Getty Images) 11 / 19 An unidentified employee of EgyptAir speaks to journalists at Charles De Gaulle Airport on May 19, after one of the airlines jets crashed as it traveled from Paris to Cairo. (Thomas Samson / AFP/Getty Images) 12 / 19 A relative of a passenger on EgyptAir Flight 804 grieves at Charles de Gaulle Airport outside Paris. (Michel Euler / Associated Press) 13 / 19 French officers stand guard at the entrance of the Mercure Hotel next to Charles de Gaulle airport, where relatives of the passengers are gathering near Paris. (Etienne Laurent / EPA) 14 / 19 Relatives of missing EgyptAir passengersgather at Cairo Airport. (Khaled Elfiqi / EPA) 15 / 19 Relatives of missing EgyptAir passengers gather at Cairo Airport. (Osama Sayed / EPA) 16 / 19 Relatives of passengers aboard EgyptAir Flight 804 grieve as they leave the in-flight service building at Cairo International Airport. (Amr Nabil / Associated Press) 17 / 19 A French member of the border police stands guard at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport. (Etienne Laurent / EPA) 18 / 19 An EgyptAir Airbus A320 is seen at Istanbul Airport in Turkey in May. (Christoph Schmidt / EPA ) 19 / 19 Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail talks to reporters at Cairo International Airport after the crash. (Selman Elotefy / Associated Press) The reaction among people is one of resignation that these accidents keep taking place, and of course sorrow for the victims, said Mustafa Kamel Sayed, a political science professor at the American University in Cairo. But there is also a sense of relief that so far nothing points to the responsibility of either the Egyptian government, authorities or EgyptAir. Within hours of the crash, Egyptian officials speculated that it was caused by terrorism, not a mechanical failure. That helped focus attention on a possible security breach at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, where the flight originated Wednesday night. U.S. investigators also believe terrorism possibly a bomb smuggled on board may have caused the Airbus A320 to veer sharply at 37,000 feet before falling from the sky. The theory of an explosion was bolstered Saturday when a French civil aviation agency said the aircraft sent alerts about smoke in the cabin shortly before it lost radar contact. NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >> But U.S. intelligence agencies have found no evidence that any of the passengers or crew had links to terrorists, and no group has claimed responsibility for the crash. Egyptian officials have issued few statements on the investigation while recovery teams continue to scour the Mediterranean for remains and wreckage, specifically the black box cockpit voice and flight data recorders that could hold the keys to what went wrong. Egypt has speculated no more than the U.S. or France on this crash and sounded very reasonable and measured, said H.A. Hellyer, senior fellow at the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council. Had this been a flight that departed from Egypt, the response from the government might not have been quite so measured. Discovery of a security failure by Egyptian authorities, or lapses by the airline, would be another blow to Egypt, and particularly President Abdel Fattah Sisi. Under Sisi, Egypt has become particularly sensitive to allegations of governance failures. Since 2013, when Sisi ousted the Muslim Brotherhood government that took office in the countrys first free elections, the authoritarian former army field marshal has restricted civil rights in favor of stability. Yet, Sisi has faced a growing threat from militancy in the Sinai, which began as a local security problem and has metastasized into a powerful insurgency claiming allegiance to Islamic State. The militants, calling themselves Sinai Province, have claimed responsibility for attacks in mainland Egypt, including the killings of eight policemen in a southern district of the capital earlier this month. Egyptian forces have launched operations against the militants, but efforts to pacify the insurgency by arming local Bedouin tribes have failed. In October, Islamic State said it had bombed a Russian Metrojet aircraft that crashed in the Sinai, killing all 224 passengers and crew, the vast majority Russian tourists. Egyptian authorities for months blamed technical malfunctions, but Sisi in February appeared to acknowledge that it was terrorism. He said in a speech that those who downed the flight wanted to harm Egypts relations with Russia, which has been carrying out attacks against Islamic State in Syria. Three years later, Egypt is not as stable and not as secure, Omar Ashour, a professor at the University of Exeter in Britain who studies Egypt, said of Sisis tenure. An insurgency that started as a limited security problem on the border of Gaza became a larger insurgency with the capacity to strike elsewhere in the country and pull off attacks like Metrojet. So the governments raison detre is undermined. Concerns about Sisis government also increased after the body of an Italian man was found, tortured and mutilated, in February outside Cairo. The victim, 28-year-old Italian Giulio Regeni, was a doctoral student conducting research on labor unions in Egypt, and his killing bore the hallmarks of an extrajudicial execution by state security forces. The case sparked outrage in Egypt and Italy. The European Parliament issued a stinging statement saying it was deeply concerned by the overall human rights situation in Egypt and reports that police brutality and forced disappearances were on the rise. The government has continued a harsh crackdown against human rights activists, particularly pro-democracy groups seen as having supported the protests against Mubarak in 2011. In 2013, a court ordered the closure of several such groups, including Freedom House, a U.S.-based organization, and issued jail sentences to dozens of staff members. On Monday, a court is due to decide whether to freeze the assets of two prominent human rights activists, Hossam Bahgat and Gamal Eid, who are accused of receiving foreign funding illegally. The judgment could carry major implications for all nongovernmental advocacy groups in Egypt. A law banning gatherings of more than 10 people without government permission has stifled protests against Sisis policies. News coverage of the civil rights crackdown has also generally been muted because many media organizations and commentators supported Sisi for removing the Muslim Brotherhood, which they viewed as extremist. But dissent increased last month after Sisis Cabinet announced that Egypt was ceding two Red Sea islands to neighboring Saudi Arabia. Following a rare mass demonstration, state security forces rounded up hundreds of lawyers, activists and journalists, charging many of them with terrorism-related offenses. The arrests prompted anger even among Sisis supporters. But many are also outraged at the Muslim Brotherhood which has been banned as a terrorist organization since 2013 for attempting to capitalize on the EgyptAir crash. The group issued a statement in English on Saturday blaming the Sisi government without providing evidence, saying that as long as this treacherous coup [administration] remains, Egypt will be vulnerable to further disasters, isolation and loss. Its a very small minority of people who jump to this conclusion, said Sayed, the professor. In general, people appreciate the way the government is handling the situation. ALSO What we know about the crash of EgyptAir Flight 804 What we know about the people who were on EgyptAir Flight 804 EgyptAir crash raises new questions about European airport security shashank.bengali@latimes.com Twitter @SBengali California has become the latest state to allow transplants of HIV-infected organs to patients who already suffer from the disease. Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed emergency legislation paving the way for a HIV-infected man to donate part of his liver to his similarly infected spouse before the surgery becomes too perilous for doctors to perform. Before now, such procedures had remained illegal in California, even though the federal government green-lighted such transplants a while before. In recent years, advances in HIV testing have greatly diminished concerns about the transfer of such tissue and antiretroviral medications now allow patients to live for decades with HIV. Organs of Deceased Donors Also Approved for Usage The California law also allows any HIV-positive sufferer to receive organs from living or deceased people. For patients willing to take the risk, the wait time for organs needed for such transplants could be cut from years to just months. University of California, San Francisco Medical Center transplant surgeon Dr. Peter Stock said he hopes to quickly perform the procedure on the unnamed California man, but will need time to run tests and make preparations. Currently, there are as many as 65 HIV-positive patients now awaiting either kidney or liver transplants at the California hospital, a state known for having some of the longest wait times for organs across the country. "There are so many desperate people out there waiting for organs," said Stock. "The donor shortage is such a problem. Literally, we lose people every week." Back in 2013, President Obama signed legislation allowing trials of HIV-infected transplants and a year later the Department of Health and Human Services approved safety regulations. John Hopkins Performed First Such Transplant Just over two months ago, doctors at John Hopkins University Medical Center performed the first transplant of HIV-infected organs in the U.S. using the liver and kidney of a deceased donor. Currently, just short of 121,000 Americans are awaiting an organ transplant, including 21,888 in California, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. On average, 22 people die each day while waiting for a transplant. Before the 2013 bill was enacted, Stock visited the Capitol to urge lawmakers to act quickly in approving the legislation. News / Local by Stephen Jakes A Harare man will perform 175 hours of community service after he assaulted his brothers during a family dispute.Allan Dune was fined $200 when he appeared before Harare magistrate Jessy Kufa charged with physical and verbal abuse. He was ordered to pay $200 fine or spend 30 days in jail.On the second count he sentenced to perform 175 hours of community service at Kuwadzana 4 Primary school.The court heard that on April 18 this year Allan approached his brothers Belief and Elive who were at their family residence and hurled obscenities at them before assaulting them.Their efforts top restrain him were fruitless. They later reported to the police leading to his arrest. An Easton church's efforts to help those living in despair in the Democratic Republic of Congo started with a phone call received in December 2008, the ministry's executive director said. The church's long-term friend, Bagudekia Alobeyo, received the call from his father and extended family from their tiny village of Dungu, Congo, Restoring Hope Ministries Executive Director Josh Wildasin said. Alobeyo's father explained his village was overtaken by the rebel-group "Lord's Resistance Army" and he and several village members were literally hiding in the bush. For years, Congo has been the center of an ongoing civil war. Alobeyo told friends at Cornerstone, and the congregation felt they were being called to help those in need in the village. Within the same month, the church raised $10,000 to rescue 24 people from the village and take them to safety. They felt this was only the start of the help they could provide to the area. This led to the formation of Restoring Hope Ministries, which partnered with the American Bible Society to help Congolese people return to a normal way of living in the Congo. Organization presence in Congo "We have so many options in life here, and there are people seriously suffering. This compelled us to do many things from within our own community for those in the Congo," said Restoring Hope Ministries Communications Director Hannah Wildasin, Josh's wife. The organization has set up a presence in the Congo, which is helping in what they call a "three-tiered process." The organization teaches victims of war how to overcome their trauma and find purpose through practical and biblical teachings. Cornerstone trains Congolese people at a post-secondary level to provide pastoral care and vocational and trade skills. Arguably most important for those experiencing high levels of poverty is the ability to sustain themselves. Restoring Hope Ministries is helping Congolese people understand how to fiscally support themselves and their families in the long-term. Josh Wildasin said one of the most important parts of a successful ministry abroad is to ask people what they need and provide the tools for the people to complete tasks independently. On a rotating basis, various Cornerstone members travel to Dungu, Congo to work on development with Congolese officials. The organization is currently working on building a permanent training center in the village of Dungu. Local Advocacy Cornerstone's aid does not only happen abroad. Advocacy occurs in the form of the RHM's Bike Tour, scheduled for July 29 through Aug. 7. Thirty-three bikers will begin their journey in Bangor, Maine and make several stops en route to Easton to raise awareness and advocate for the Congolese people and their cause. Josh Wildasin also said there is a one-day event on June 11 called Ride for Hope. All community members are invited to attend this bike ride around Easton. Proceeds will contribute to buying a brick-making machine, which will help provide Congolese with jobs. "The event is being sponsored by Cycle Fitters in Easton. It's really amazing to see different facets of the community engaged in the cause," Josh Wildasin said. Carrie Lucas, the ministry's marketing leader, said her 8-year-old son Parker has saved $1 per week to donate $100 to support two cyclists who will be on the bike tour. Lucas also said women from Cornerstone who are more than 70 years old are offering their help to bikers. "All of this has changed the trajectory of my life, my family's life and almost everything we believe in," Josh Wildasin said. His wife Hannah added, "We have so much to learn from others." Alobeyo said when he first told Cornerstone about his father, he never expected the church to become so involved in helping the Congolese. "People from Cornerstone Church are people who have heart to assist in whatever way they can. They go wherever God is leading them," Alobeyo said. Cornerstone Church welcomes any community involvement. More information about the cause can be found here. Ashleigh Albert is lehighvalleylive.com's Russell J. Flanagan Memorial news intern. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. No compilation album of the greatest hits of the '80s would be complete without the inclusion of one of the works of pop culture icons Cyndi Lauper and Boy George. In a showcase of the lasting power of their music, the duo teamed up for a separate set show Saturday at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem. Lauper, largely know for megahits that include "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," "Time After Time" and "True Colors," demonstrated her vocal range was still in fine form in a set that lasted a little over an hour. Boy George stepped out of the shadow of Culture Club on the stage, but his selection of songs was highlighted by the band's hits, which included "Karma Chameleon" and "I'll Tumble For Ya." Between sets for the two artists, special guest comedian/actress Rosie O'Donnell did a short comedy routine for the sold-out crowd. Matt Smith is a contributing photographer. Follow him on Twitter @msmith_photo. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Pennsylvania State Police in Bethlehem have joined South Whitehall Township police in the investigation of what led to a deadly motorcycle crash on Friday. South Whitehall police said Sunday the state police Bethlehem barracks are trying to reconstruct what occurred at the fatal crash scene at Hamilton Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue. Jesus Fred, 42, of the 100 block of North 10th Street in Allentown, was driving the motorcycle when it crashed with another vehicle about 6:30 p.m., the Lehigh County Coroner's Office said. Fred was pronounced dead about an hour later at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township of multiple blunt force trauma, according to the coroner's office. The death was ruled an accident. WFMZ reported a second person also was hospitalized. A Morning Call report indicated a woman was also on the motorcycle, and that a South Whitehall police officer witnessed the crash. South Whitehall Township police did not have additional details Sunday, but said the investigation is ongoing. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Springtime heightens the chance that outdoors enthusiasts may come across young wildlife. They may appear abandoned, or in danger. Maybe scared. Leave them be, experts say. It's likely their mothers are watching nearby. "Most people want to do what they can to help wildlife, and when they see a young animal that appears to be abandoned, they want to intervene," Wayne Laroche, wildlife management director for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, said in a news release. "What they don't realize is that, in all likelihood, they're doing more harm than good. "Those young animals probably aren't abandoned at all, meaning that anyone stepping in to try to help not only is taking that youngster away from its mother, but also destroying its chances to grow up as it was intended." Young wildlife may be honing a natural defensive tactic called the hider strategy, where they will remain motionless and hide in surrounding cover while adults draw the attention of potential predators or other intruders away from their young. Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center in Bushkill Township shared an example of this last week on its Facebook page. Wildlife abounds at Jacobsburg, which is why it's important to stay alert while you're traveling on the trails. Can you find the animal in this photo? Posted by Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center on Monday, May 23, 2016 Youre right Colleen Troiani; its a fledgling Screech Owl! It was napping the day away at a busy trail intersection, so... Posted by Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center on Monday, May 23, 2016 Interfering with young wildlife or removing any wild animal from its natural setting can cause the animal to lose is natural fear of humans, making it difficult, even impossible, for them to ever again live normally in the wild. And anytime wildlife is handled, there's always a risk people could contract rabies or another disease or parasites such as fleas, ticks and lice. Animals can also attack, injuring people. Pennsylvania law prohibits possessing wildlife, carrying a fine of up to $1,500 per animal. Advice from Pennsylvania wildlife experts on avoiding interfering with young follows an incident in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming that led to an animal's death. Yellowstone rangers cited Shamash Kassam, of Quebec, for loading a bison calf into his vehicle on May 9 because he was concerned for its welfare. The calf had to be euthanized because the mother and herd would not take it back and it would have died on its own. "Approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being...and their survival." https://t.co/D8sWuzmqZo pic.twitter.com/1L2xHYslF4 YellowstoneNPS (@YellowstoneNPS) May 16, 2016 According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, only licensed wildlife rehabilitators are permitted to care for injured or orphaned wildlife for the purposes of eventual release back into the wild. For those who find wildlife that truly is in need of assistance, a listing of licensed wildlife rehabilitators can be found at www.pawr.com, the Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators website. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. News / Local by Blessing Rwizi AN adulterous affair between a Marondera-based Proton Bakery delivery truck driver and a married client was recently exposed following a shocking incident in which the driver mistook his lover's husband as his girlfriend and went on to hug and caress him in the dead of the night.Holding new clothes he had bought his girlfriend', the driver jumped onto the perplexed husband whom he showered with love overtones and went on to ask him for a bag of clothes which he had left the previous day for laundry.Manica Post reported that the driver quacked in his boots when he was replied by a hoarse voice.The heartbroken Lovemore Mapfuti (62) who dwells in the Grange Area near Old Mutare Mission this week opened up and laid bare how he found out that his wife of 25 years had been cheating on him.He alleged that his wife, Ronia Mhise (46) was having an affair with the truck driver only identified as Robby.They used to own a tuck-shop in the Grange Area, where Proton Bakery trucks supplied them with bread since 2014 around 2am every day.Mapfuti said his wife, Mhise, was the shopkeeper in the tuck-shop since it was close to their matrimonial home, while he spent much of his time at his farm near Old Mutare.The alleged affair came to light when Mapfuti was left in the tuck-shop on December 19 last year, while Mhise traveled to attend a relative's funeral.On the day in question, Robby allegedly came to the tuck-shop at around 2am and horned to alert the shop-keeper."When I came out to collect the bread, Robby jumped out of the truck holding a plastic bag and hugged me. He thought it was my wife. He happily said he had brought the clothes that he promised to buy my wife. He also asked for the bag of clothes that he had left the previous day for Ronia to wash."Shocked by the revelations, I asked him what he was talking about. Upon realising that he had met the wrong person, he apologised instantly."He told me that he had been sent by someone else to leave the clothes and collect his laundry too. We started quarrelling, but he jumped into the truck and sped off," he said.The following day Mapfuti lodged a complaint with Proton Bakery management."I contacted Mr Takudzwa Jombe in Mutare for the driver's full details, but he refused, saying he would deal with the case," said Mapfuti and added: "When my wife came back from the funeral, I asked her, but she stammered."Instead, she insulted me and advised me to mind my own business."I later told her relatives about the case, but they teamed up and heavily assaulted me for accusing their daughter of having an extra marital affair. A few days later she hired a truck and took everything from our house and tuck-shop," he said.Proton manager, Jombe confirmed the incident, but he refused to disclose Robby's details. More than 1,000 people gathered Sunday to dedicate the new veterans memorial in Lopatcong Municipal Park and pay tribute to the late veteran who helped make it happen. Bill Nixon, chairman of the nonprofit Phillipsburg Area Veterans group, welcomed the community to the Veterans Rally Point pavilion. The memorial was dedicated to all the servicemen and women missing or killed in action. The 40-by-30-foot concrete pad and 24-by-28-foot pavilion includes a gazebo, sitting wall and memorial bricks, and it also honors the late Terry Lee, a U.S. veteran and former Warren County clerk. Nixon described it as a "place for everyone to meet; a place to muster." And when events aren't being held, it most definitely will become a place for loved ones to go to pay respects, guests said. American flags Sunday adorned the grounds in memory of deceased veterans. About 20 family members of Lee sat in the front rows for the tribute. "He would have absolutely loved it," said Nelson Lee, Terry's brother from Stewartsville. Lee, of Harmony Township, was a Coast Guard veteran from the Vietnam War era and was known by many as "Mr. Warren County." He died in January at age 68 following a battle with brain cancer. Nixon and Lee about two years ago began envisioning the memorial. The pair wanted it to become a rally point for the community and not just veterans. But Lee never made it to see the project completed -- something Nelson Lee called "bittersweet" while standing alongside the pavilion. "He was humble," Nelson Lee said when describing his brother. "But he was the type of person who wanted to get things done and get it done properly ... And, for the people." Bells rang out one-by-one Sunday in memory of an estimated 20 local veterans who have passed away. As each name was called, guests bowed their heads in a moment of silence. The ceremony began with a procession led by Jim Turner of Lehigh Valley Branch 115 of the Fleet Reserve Association, and Brian Hoey, a bagpiper. The procession included members of the Palmer Township-based Brown & Lynch American Legion Post No. 9 honor guard; various veterans groups; local veterans and active military personnel. Pat and Denise Skattery of Phillipsburg, the niece and sister of Vietnam War MIA William Konyu, laid a wreath in his memory. The ceremony continued with a live performance by the Phillipsburg High School Barbershop Chorus, which included "America The Beautiful," "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." The national anthem was sung by Shawna Van Oosten, a Phillipsburg High School sophomore, and guests were led in the the Pledge of Allegiance by Caitlin Vielstich, a Phillipsburg High School senior. The ceremony concluded with the Rev. George Shumack, chaplain of the FRA Branch 115, leading everyone in prayer followed by Hoey, the bagpiper, playing "Amazing Grace" and Phillipsburg High School Band members playing taps. Shortly after 2 p.m., the Memorial Day tribute was rounded out by a Blackhawk military helicopter landing. An estimated 150 pavers at the rally point were all bought in the names of veterans from around the country. To cover the $55,000 cost for the site, Phillipsburg Area Veterans sought and received donations and grants from several sources, Nixon said. Materials were donated, and Lopatcong Township recently pitched in $10,000, he said. In Lee's obituary, his family asked that donations be made to Phillipsburg Area Veterans. All $6,000 donated in Lee's name has gone toward the rally point, Nixon said. Without so many folks pitching in, Nixon said the project would have never come to fruition. "There were high school students, veterans, community members, police kicking in their time," he said. "I would wake up at 5:30 a.m. and come out. In the horizon, I would see kids on bicycles coming to work and being here 'til dark. "It was just months and months of work by so many volunteers." Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Robert Redford, Nick Nolte and Emma Thompson star in this comedy adventure story of renowned travel writer Bill Brysons impulsive 2,000 mile trek across the Appalachian Trail. After two decades of living in the UK, renowned travel writer Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) returns to America with his English wife Cathy (Emma Thompson). In an attempt to find a way to reconnect with his homeland, he impulsively decides to hike the Appalachian Trail, a trek of over 2,000 miles stretching from Maine to Georgia. With Cathy protesting against the idea of Bill doing the trip solo, an out-of-the-blue call from old friend Katz (Nick Nolte), offering to accompany him, seems like the perfect solution. But as their journey unfolds, this odd couple realise that they may have underestimated the scale of the adventure they have undertaken. Based on Bill Brysons best-selling 1998 memoir, A Walk in the Woods is a gentle comedy that combines breath-taking scenery with the charming chemistry of its two veteran stars, who are clearly enjoying themselves. a gentle examination of friendship and mans relationship with himself, others and nature; although these ideas are part of the scenery, with knock-about humour the main event. - Eye for Film Presented by access>CINEMAs May Film Tour happening during the Bealtaine Festival. A Walk in The Woods will be shown at The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton on Tuesday, May 31 at 8:30pm, Admission is free. Doors and bar open at 8pm. Tel 071 98 55 833 for more information. MORE than 40% of Limericks population is on medical cards, according to new figures released this week. Figures released by the HSE, via the Primary Care Reimbursement Service, show that 76,563 people in Limerick are availing of medical cards. The PCRS is the organisation responsible for issuing medical cards. According to the recent statistics, as of April 1, there are 10,116 children under six and 3,367 over 70 with GP visit cards in Limerick. These figures include those who held a GP visit card prior to the launch of new visit card schemes. Monaleen GP, Dr Emmet Kerin, who is the president of the National Association of General Practitioners, said the medical card system needs a reshake. We have campaigned to give medical cards to people based on need and not on age cohort. Thats something that we still look for. In simple terms, medical cards does increase the amount of attendance. That is proven. That is international evidence. What needs to happen is that we need to have a rethink of how a patient interacts with a practice. That would mean growing roles of nurses in the practice, along with GPs who could manage that. But it [medical cards] does increase the GP practice, he told the Limerick Leader, in response to the new figures. He added that if the number of service users continues to increase, it will put a huge strain on GPs clinics, locally and nationally. Its about finding the right part of the service that they interact with. It doesnt necessarily always have to be a doctor interaction. We are going to have to look to change that. We dont have the manpower currently, and, down the track, we are in a lot of trouble. The number of GPs is so small. We have only 37% of GPs here to stay, and we have 950 retiring over the next five years. Earlier this year, Dr Kerin who works on the Ennis Road, said that the introduction of the under-sixes GP scheme has compounded the overcrowding at University Hospital Limericks emergency department. When you have your waiting room full of under-sixes, and you have got your elderly patient or someone who needs to be seen more acutely, they cant be seen, and the only option is that, when your morning surgery is filled up, you have to refer them to the emergency department, he explained. The NAGP president has spearheaded the unions campaign to urge the Government to consider a long-term plan on health reform. This week, the new Government appointed a cross-party Oireachtas committee to look into a strategy to improve health services over the next 10 years. Welcoming the move, he said that the NAGP does not want to see the flipflop and dismantling of the HSE following the formation of a new Government, every five years. If you give ownership to all the parties, I dont think they can argue amongst themselves about whoever will be in power next. The blueprint is there for them to follow, he said. A COUNTY Limerick parish priest got as near to God as he wants to for the moment when he jumped out of an aeroplane at 10,000 feet. Fr Tom Mangan, based in Donoghmore/Knockea, and 11 others drove to Abbeyshrule, Longford on Sunday morning to take the plunge. It was the idea of Ballyneety woman Brid Lang to raise funds for a badly needed new parochial house for Fr Mangan and when she discussed it with him he jumped at the idea. Speaking on Monday morning, Fr Mangan said: Im alive anyway! And he wasnt the only one concerned for his welfare as he was due to marry Melissa Hughes and Ross Kelly, Corbally, in St Marys parish later that afternoon. Before the 12 brave souls climbed into the plane they collectively said a prayer and they headed off into the clouds. We spent 10 minutes going up to 10,000 feet and then it was time. Obviously there were butterflies - when this door opens in the plane and you get this gush of wind you think oh my God! You freefall for about 40 seconds and that is some experience. We went out in pairs and the tandem person talks to you they have decades of doing it. Then the parachute goes up and you get pulled back up. Then you glide around for a while, do a few twists and turns and land very safely. They teach you how to go out of the plane and how to land. We came down very gently and softly, said Fr Mangan. To sum it up he said it was an experience out of all experiences. To do it really was fantastic. I was obviously a bit anxious but we were there as a group and there was great camraderie and moral support. It was nice to be on the ground again! said Fr Mangan. Brid said there was a mixture of excitement and nervousness but everyone was high with a sense of adventure. We signed our lives away and suited up in the orange overalls. When it was my turn my tandem master, Paul Moran said that because I was jumping with him we would somersault out and he warned me to keep my eyes open so I would see the underneath of the plane as we were freefalling. I said, Fine, go for it, what had I got to lose? I was first to jump followed immediately by my son Frank. No one could prepare you for what happens next. The door of the plane opened and the noise was deafening and I was freefalling. Filled with adrenaline and your senses overloaded you gasp for breath as the force of the wind is very strong. It seems like there is absolutely nothing else in the world, you are truly living in that moment. You cant hear anything as its so loud, and yet at the same time its utterly peaceful and serene. At 5,000 feet the master opens the parachute and you feel as though youre being pulled upwards and then you slow down a bit. He shouted at me to look over and there was my son Frank, whose parachute had just opened and we were floating beside each other. I was screaming out his name, it was exhilarating, said Brid, whose sentiments were reflected by everyone who took part. Thank you to our supporters and to all our sponsors. Our main aim was to create an awareness of the situation regarding the building of the parochial house for Fr Tom. We hope to get a front door, however, one person commented, You wont need a front door because it will always be open. That says it all, she said. News / Local by Liberty Dube POLICE in Mutare have arrested four people in connection with the smuggling of 28 bales of secondhand clothes as well as soft drinks from Mozambique as they intensify their border patrols.Manica Post reported that Innocent Paubare (41) and Artwell Chitandawafa (35) allegedly used an illegal crossing point to gain entry into Mutare and smuggled 161 cases of soft drinks on Monday, while Louis Madzana (34) of House Number 9560, Dreamhouse in Chikanga was on Wednesday nabbed with 20 bales of secondhand clothes.Kenneth Fungurayi (23) of House Number 228, Southlea Park, Omar Farm in Harare was on Wednesday also arrested with eight bags of secondhand clothes.Paubare and Chitandawafa were expected to appear in court by today (Friday).Deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda, said: "Detectives who were patrolling along Mutare-Burma Valley on Monday around 5pm met the two who were driving in a Mitsubishi car near Brown Hill. Upon being asked where they were coming from, they could not give a satisfactory answer. The detectives conducted a search and recovered 161 cases of soft drinks. They were arrested. The goods were taken to Mutare Rural Camp," he said.On Wednesday, detectives who were on traffic enforcement duties at 132km peg along Harare-Mutare Highway stopped a white Toyota Regius, Registration Number ADF2537 which was travelling from Mutare towards Harare."They discovered 20 bales of secondhand clothes and subsequently arrested him. His vehicle was impounded. On the same day, five detectives who were manning a roadblock at the 192km peg along Harare-Mutare Highway in Nyazura when they received information that a Beta Bus, Registration Number ACZ 4584 was carrying bags of secondhand goods that had been smuggled from Mozambique."When the bus approached the roadblock it was stopped. A search was conducted resulting in the recovery of eight bales of secondhand clothes," said Asst Insp Chananda. May 27, 2016, 12 PM This rarity from Togo, a 2-mark stamp of the 1915 overprinted set, is one of just seven examples known. It will be offered by Christoph Gaertner during the firms June 13-17 auction. By Michael Baadke The Christoph Gaertner auction house in Germany will hold five days of stamp and postal history auctions from June 13-17. The new auction series comes on the heels of the May 30 Gaertner Worldwide Rarities auction at World Stamp Show-NY 2016 in New York City. The new June philatelic auction also follows two days of coin and paper money auctions by Gaertner taking place June 10-11. On Monday, June 13, the first day of philatelic sales begins with a dedicated Asia catalog filling the morning session. The afternoon includes thematics, international issues, airmail, zeppelin post, ship mail, and general North America. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Tuesday is dedicated to European countries plus a special presentation of Italy and Austria. Wednesdays auction is mostly Germany throughout history, including German States, with an additional auction of picture postcards. Collections are the focus of the auctions on Thursday and Friday, with mostly German collections and literature offered Friday afternoon. The individual catalogs for this auction can be viewed on the website www.auktionen-gaertner.de, where images of the individual lots can be inspected with detailed descriptions of each. Bidding is available through Stamp Auction Network with advance registration. The North America catalog includes an example of the 1869 United States 10 Eagle and Shield stamp franking a letter from Boston, Mass., to Yokohama, Japan, with the handwritten endorsement Via San Francisco, over land. The letter was mailed in Boston on Sept. 21, 1869, and the stamp is tied with a Boston duplex cancel. The reverse of the envelope is struck with the senders circular company dater bearing the date. The cover is listed by Gaertner with a E16,000 starting bid (approximately $17,900). A rarity of the German Protectorate of Togo during French and British occupation in World War I will be offered during the Wednesday afternoon session. The 2-mark blue Kaisers Yacht stamp was among those used in Togo during the early years of the 20th century. Under French and British occupation, overprints were applied to these stamps in 1914 and later with the message TOGO Occupation franco anglaise in either serif or sans serif type. The two dozen or so stamps listed with this overprint are all rather pricey, but the top values with the sans serif type are the hardest to find. In the Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940, these rarities are listed with no value given. Only seven examples have been found of the 2m blue with the sans serif overprint of the Catholic Mission in Lome, Gaertner notes: one is unused, and six are used. The stamp in this auction was once part of the collection of Col. E.H.R. Green, who is also known as the collector who bought and broke up the only known sheet of the U.S. 1918 24 Jenny Invert airmail error. The Togo stamp is canceled by an Anecho, Togo, circular datestamp in blue and handstamped by Champion on the reverse. It is accompanied by a 1987 photo-certificate of authenticity from expert Peter Holcombe of Lucerne, Switzerland, and offered with a starting price of E22,500 (approximately $25,150). Another German rarity on offer is a 1933 four-stamp semipostal souvenir sheet (Scott B58) with its watermark inverted, of which only two examples are known, according to the auction catalog description. The variety is not listed in the Scott catalog, and in the Michel specialized catalog it is listed without a value. This example is offered by Gaertner with a value of E80,000 (approximately $89,500). Auction details are provided on the Gaertner website, or contact Auktionshaus Christoph Gaertner GmbH, Steinbeisstrasse 6+8, 74321 Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany. Related Articles: Gaertner auction in Germany includes 1863 Wurttemberg Coat of Arms block Germany rarities, China first-day covers shine at Gaertner auction Postal history and much more at Gaertner auction Oct. 19-24 Tools for letter writing; Croatian inventions; Israeli printing achievements: New Stamps of the World May 27, 2016, 11 AM A stamp from Croatia commemorates the invention of the automatic, or mechanical, pencil by Eduard Slavoljub Penkala in 1906. A pair of stamps from Israel honors achievements in digital printing and uses symbolic pomegranate in different colors to show digital pre-press and printing processes. One of the 82-yen stamps in a Letter Writing Day pane from Japan depicts colorful crayons. Japan is celebrating Letter Writing Day, July 23, with panes of stamps showing utensils and other items that can be needed when writing letters by hand. This pane of 10 52-yen stamps and another pane of 82y stamps will be issued July 22. By Denise McCarty Since 1979, Japan has celebrated Letter Writing Day on July 23 by issuing stamps for the day. This years stamps show some of the tools you may need when writing letters by hand. The stamps will be issued July 22 in two panes of 10, similar to convertible booklet panes from the United States Postal Service. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter One pane includes 52-yen stamps with five different designs. Two of them depict stylized images of writing utensils: pen nibs and pencils. For letter writers who make mistakes, erasers are represented on the stamp with the lilac background. Tape and paper clips, both of which can be used to attach items to letters, are pictured on the other two designs. The writing utensils included on the 82-yen stamps are more colorful. One design depicts crayons, and another shows colored pencils. A third stamp pictures fountain pens. Different sizes of envelopes are displayed on the other two 82y stamps. Hoshiyama Rika created the designs for the Letter Writing Day stamps and panes, and Cartor Security Printers printed them. Croatia Croatia honors Eduard Slavoljub Penkala as the inventor of the automatic pencil, also called a mechanical pencil, on a 6.50-kuna stamp issued April 27. The stamp depicts Penkala and this invention, along with a quill pen and an ink bottle. Born April 20, 1871, in Slovakia, Penkala patented more than 80 items before his death Feb. 5, 1922, at age 50. He also built the first airplane in Croatia. Shortly after moving to Zagreb in 1902, Penkala received his first patent for a rotating toothbrush, reportedly invented in an effort to get his daughter to brush her teeth. In January 1906, he received a patent for the mechanical pencil, and another one the next year for the solid-ink fountain pen. In announcing the stamp, Croatias post office, Hrvatska Posta, said: The automatic pencil by engineer Penkala did not need sharpening and its thin black lead refill (graphite) was coming out from the pencil body when pressed against paper as it was used up. Today, when an average person cannot imagine life without PC [personal computers] and electronic mail, the invention by Penkala may not seem revolutionary, but more than hundred years ago it indeed changed the world of stationery. Penkala also manufactured his automatic pencils and pens, and later he collaborated with Edmund Moster to establish the Penkala-Moster Company. Now called TOZ Penkala, it remains a leading manufacturer of school and office supplies in central and southeastern Europe. A 5k stamp issued at the same time commemorates the invention of the torpedo by Giovanni Biagio Luppus in 1861. Ariana Norsic designed the two stamps. Zrinski printed them by offset in panes of six. Israel Two Israeli Achievements stamps issued April 4 salute recent advancements in digital printing. In announcing the stamps, Israel Post said: The printing industry is one of the five largest industries in the world. Since the 1980s, Israeli companies like Scitex and Indigo have integrated innovated digital technologies into production processes, thereby contributing greatly to increasing the efficiency of the industry. The design of the 2.30-shekel stamp represents digital prepress, the processes that occur before digital printing. It depicts laser beams shining on symbolic pomegranates in the four colors used in process printing: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. More pomegranates are pictured on the 8.30s stamp. Israel Post said of this design: Using an image of a pomegranate, this stamp illustrates the Indigo digital printing process where every image can be different in both color and shape. It also features a diagram of the inside of an Indigo press. An Indigo 1000 press is pictured on the tab, the label attached to the bottom of the stamp. Meir Eshel designed the two stamps. Cartor Security Printing printed them by offset in sheets of 15 stamps and five tabs. Read about other recently issued stamps: A world of food on Swedens stamps; local cuisine in Norden series: New Stamps of the World Angry Birds featured on recent U.N. stamps People, places and events of New York featured on WSS-NY 2016 stamps: New Stamps of the World News / National by Stephen Jakes The controversial Zanu PF youth member Fidelis Fengu who has been for sometime long been accused of fronting Zanu PF ideologies through unorthodox means and was seen as a heartless activist has declared that he is now a changed man after he accepted Jesus as the lord and saviour.He said at some point in his life he lived a sinful and dodgy life , he was really on his way to hell with a full tank."But I am grateful because Jesus saved me , and His grace has been sufficient Some of you might view me as a heartless Zanu PF assassin , some might view me a corrupt crook , or heart-breaker and maybe I deserve all that but I am grateful to Jesus for saving me and His blood speaks for me," Fengu said through his Facebook post."If you haven't met Jesus in your life then you are missing out on a lot in your life. Jesus saves lives and transforms people and I stand here to testify of His love and grace," he said. News / National by Stephen Jakes The Zimbabwe Peace Project has reported that Former Vice President Joice Mujuru led Zimbabwe People First in Bulawayo is seriously rocked by infighting.The organisation said ZimPF party which was making inroads in the Bulawayo Province was rocked by infighting as some members were objecting to war veteran and former Zanu-PF mobiliser, Jabulani Sibanda's influence saying he was a perpetrator of gross human rights violations."Yet others were resisting inclusion of former Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) members saying those were not to be trusted as they changed parties frequently," ZPP said."A National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) consultative meeting was held at the Holiday Inn where the majority of participants rejected and condemned the process saying it was not people oriented. The parliamentary committee was told clearly that there were too many gaps in the NPRC Bill and therefore the establishment of the Commission was not accepted."ZPP said MDC-T seemed to have awakened and gaining ground as evidenced by its increased number of meetings which were attended by large numbers."On 9 April 2016, at a meeting at the Small City Hall in Bulawayo Central constituency, one, Max Mnkandla, and other ZimPF members were complaining that Jabulani Sibanda should not be part of the party's leadership structures in Bulawayo," ZPP said."On 14 April 2016, in central Bulawayo Hlengiwe Sibanda of Zanu-PF threatened to beat up Regina Dube of Mthwakazi Party for criticising the Zanu-PF government over the eviction of vendors from the city centre. Both women are vendors. They were restrained from exchanging blows by other vendors."ZPP further reported that on 21 April 2016, war veterans in wards 10 and 11 in Entumbane/ Emakhandeni traded insults at their meeting at the war veterans offices as some were openly anti President Mugabe and others were in support of him."The two opposing groups came close to exchanging blows," said ZPP. News / National by Staff Reporter PROPHETIC Healing and Deliverance Ministries leader Prophet Walter Magaya says the bond notes that are set to be introduced are a noble idea which was not well communicated to the public, hence the outcry among the populace who fear the return of the Zimbabwe dollar.Addressing journalists at a press conference on Wednesday night, Prophet Magaya said he met Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya on Tuesday where he told the central bank chief that people are scared of the bond notes."The perception is that bond notes are being introduced to take over the United States dollar and this is why people are complaining. My take is that it's a noble idea which was communicated in a wrong way. This is a purely monetary issue and must not be politicised. Bond notes are just like coupons which will be given to exporters as incentives for bringing money into the country," said the PHD leader.The bond notes will be backed by a US$200 million Afriexim Bank facility as part of measures by the apex bank to arrest capital flight mainly through externalisation.Prophet Magaya, who is also a businessman, encouraged the RBZ to use all indigenous languages to explain the issue in order to correct the transacting public's wrong perception.Asked about Zimbabwe's economic future given the numerous challenges facing the country, Prophet Magaya said there was potential to turn around the economy within six months if the Government and other stakeholders partner to boost agriculture, exploit minerals and arrest rampant corruption.He said Zimbabwe is blessed with vast resources such as human capital, land and minerals which could transform the economy if fully put to use."The maize feeding the country as we speak was produced by one farmer who supplied 150 000 tonnes, this shows that if we get 10 serious farmers then the country is safe.I urge the Government to carry a land audit to determine who is using the land or not. On minerals we have large deposits of platinum, gold, chrome and gas but leakages are costing the country a lot of money."For instance, Zimbabwe has unexploited gas deposits yet we spent about US$80 million exporting electricity. Also, foreign investors in this country are taking money back to their countries; we might be happy that we have big retail shops from South Africa and China but at the end of the day where does the money go, to their (investors') home countries," said Prophet Magaya.He further suggested that the Government should invest in entities specifically tasked to deal with corruption since it has shredded the moral fabric. He also told journalists that PHD Ministries was competing in business and would soon open a US$25 million hotel complex in Waterfalls as a way of investing in the country.Apart from the hotel, the church has also embarked on an ambitious project to construct a US$90 million church building which will house conference centres, a shopping mall and an underground parking lot.Asked if he was banking the church offerings, Prophet Magaya promptly asked his praise and worship team to count the money that had been placed on the pulpit, it amounted to US$1 300. He then explained that the money was not even enough to cover the church's expenses."People think we make a lot of money from the offerings, journalists just count the number of people who come forward with the offering but it's not much. The church is supported by its partners' who are members of the ministry; that's how we manage to keep things running," he said.Turning to Zanu PF's internal disagreements amount senior members, Prophet Magaya said it was "normal" for political parties to experience "fights" because the organisation has been in existence for over 30 years."In recent months, there has been order in Zanu PF; what happened in terms of infighting is normal in politics. The party has been in existence for a long time and I think it's repositioning itself. There is new blood versus the old guard, hence disagreements here and there are expected. That's the politics," he said. A Longford-based company has been contracted to supply a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant to the Caribbean island of Montserrat as part of major rebuilding works there. Butler Manufacturing Services (BMS), which is owned by businessman and county councillor Seamus Butler, will be despatching the plant at this end of this month. A volcano erupted a number of years ago and destroyed a considerable part of the island, so the people there had to move, Cllr Butler said. It's for the Montserrat Utility Company and it will be shipped out next week. It's one of our Blivet Package Sewage Treatment Plants, which is the most compact 'all-in-one' treatment plant in the world it can fit into a container. It can be installed in half a day because it is designed ready to go, or what the Americans call 'plug and play', Cllr Butler explained that the product's uniqueness has attracted orders from across the globe. Between 2004 and 2006 we supplied some to the US military for Camp Victory and their other bases in Iraq. The Blivet was the only plant that could do what they wanted, he revealed. Last month we exported two units to a Medecins Sans Frontieres facility in the Central African Republic. We've also supplied three or four to Guadaloupe in recent years and to Reunion and other islands in the Indian Ocean. BMS is 20 years in business this year and during that time has exported products to more than 40 countries. We've gone through some tough times domestically and so we're looking more and more to the export market, Cllr Butler said. It's good to be able to fly the flag for Longford in the Caribbean. News / National by Staff reporter Twenty-three-year-old Ms Maseline Makanda is one of the seven fortunate survivors of last Thursday's Chitungwiza road accident that claimed 16 lives, including that of her six-year-old niece.She is out of danger, but the same cannot be said of her five-year-old son who remains in Chitungwiza General Hospital's Intensive Care Unit.Ms Masline Makanda recovering at Chitungwiza Central Hospital following an accident which claimed fifteen people near Dzandura Village along Harare-Hwedza Road in Seke on Thursday night.- Picture: Tawanda MudimuAll she can do is pray."I am in physical pain, but that does not compare to the emotional pain and torture I am going through. I lost a niece, and my son is in ICU."My heart sinks just thinking of losing him too. I pray he makes it," she says, covering her watering eyes with a heavily bandaged hand as she speaks to The Sunday Mail at the hospital."Lesley was like my own daughter. Her parents separated some time back, and I assumed custody of her when she was still very young. She was almost the same age as my son; they were like twins."She was like my first born. She was in my arms when the accident happened and was one of the people who died on the spot."May 26, 2016 began like any other day for Ms Makanda.She woke up around 6am as usual to prepare her son, Takudzwa, and Lesley for school.She would do her domestic chores when the two were safely in their classrooms.However, on this particular day, she decided to go back to bed; not feeling up to the task of tidying the house. Her sleep was cut short by a call from the school authorities who informed her that Lesley was unwell."When I fetched her from school, she was complaining of a mild headcahe. Somehow, I did not think of visiting the clinic; instead I came home and gave her some aspirin and she seemed fine."However, later in the day, she occasionally complained about the headache; therefore, I later called my sister (Lesley's mother) who advised me to bring her to Marondera."At around 5pm, Ms Makanda, Lesley and Takudzwa boarded a kombi, the only one at the bus terminus at the time and headed for Marondera.And since Lesley was not feeling well, she put her on her lap, while Takudzwa was with another passenger.Little did she know this was the last time she would hold her in her arms.It got dark quickly. She thought it was just another early winter night, but never did she imagine what evil was lurking in that darkness.At the 51km peg along the Chitungwiza-Marondera Road, a Hino truck heading in the opposite direction encroached into their lane, resulting in a head-on collusion with the kombi."I did not scream when it happened, though many others in the kombi did. I still cannot explain how I managed to remain calm."I remember being trapped inside the vehicle for some time before being rescued," says Ms Makanda."Some bodies were thrown outside while others were trapped. When I got out, I realised that most children we were travelling with, including my niece, had died."Takudzwa was still alive, though badly hurt."Lesley was growing so fast. She had turned into a tall, beautiful little girl and every time she recited the nursery rhyme 'Myself', she would say she wanted to be a pilot when she grew up."I was devastated to learn that 11 other people had died in that accident. I am still numb."Flashes of that horror keep coming to my eyes whether I'm awake or asleep."Ms Makanda, a cross-border trader, says authorities should improve all roads to reduce such carnage."The Chitungwiza-Dema Road is very busy during this time of the year since it connects Harare with farming areas in Marondera and Hwedza. The responsible authorities should widen that road."It is by the grace of God that I survived and I am thankful. All I want now is for my son to get well so that I can go on with my life."Ms Makanda was discharged from hospital later yesterday but her mind and heart are still in that ICU, praying that her little one recovers. Government incentives to encourage first-time buyers to live in the centres of provincial towns gives new hope to rural Ireland have been welcomed by the IPAV, (Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers). Speaking this week, National President of the IPAV, Eamon OFlaherty, a native of Longford, who has made the issue a priority for his term of office said: We are absolutely delighted that the new Minister for Development, Rural Affairs, Arts & the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, has committed to such a scheme and has done so at the earliest juncture in the life of the new Government. He said that IPAV members have identified 300 properties throughout the country. These properties would be suitable for such a scheme, which would have no expensive outlay for the Government and would be a win win economically, socially and politically. IPAV sought a Government incentive to convert non-viable commercial buildings in rural towns and villages into residential use by owner-occupiers with a view to breathing new and badly needed energy into these locations. Mr OFlaherty also welcomed the Ministers commitment to the roll-out of rural broadband but said he hoped that the time frame could be speeded up. Broadband is essential to enterprise large and small in every home, village and town, he said. 12 People Arrested at Sobriety Checkpoint at the Start of the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend Crime, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: May 28 2016 The Suffolk County Police Highway Patrol Bureau, assisted by Fifth Precinct officers and the NYS Police, arrested 12 people during an overnight sobriety checkpoint in Patchogue. An overnight sobriety checkpoint in the Patchogue area resulted in the arrest of 12 people this Memorial Day holiday weekend. Patchogue, NY - May 28, 2016 - The Suffolk County Police Highway Patrol Bureau, assisted by Fifth Precinct officers and the New York State Police, arrested 12 people during an overnight sobriety checkpoint in the Patchogue area. Police officers from the Suffolk County Highway Patrol Bureau conducted a Sobriety Checkpoint at Waverly Plaza, located at 371 Waverly Ave., Patchogue. The operation was conducted for the prevention of injuries and fatalities associated with driving while ability impaired by alcohol and drugs, particularly during the Memorial Day Holiday weekend. A total of 991 vehicles went through the checkpoint. The following people were charged with Driving While Intoxicated: Bradley Becker, 41, of East Islip Theresa White, 53, of Holtsville Cynthia Dauge, 51, of East Northport Robert Guilfayle, 55, of Lindenhurst Peter Zorzenon, 59, of Bellport Jessica Williams, 31, of Port Jefferson Erol Caypinar, 30, of East Patchogue Tara Hamilton-Bilicki, 41, of West Babylon Daniel Fuentes, 25, of Central Islip Roberto Peraza, 31, of Copiague Daniel Kilbourne, 50, of Islip Terrace Tiffani Capers, 27, of Bay Shore The above individuals will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on May 28. A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 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 News / National by Lincoln Towindo CIVIL servants are now required to sign up collection forms upon receiving pay slips as Government moves to clean up the public service of ghost workers.The move is part of the implementation of civil service audit recommendations made last year which has also seen Government withholding funding for 2 888 teachers in trust schools. Treasury is set to save US$19,8 million dollars annually.Cabinet is also deliberating a reduction of student teacher allowances from US$329 to US$157. Recommendations from the audit effected so far are set to cut the Government wage bill by $300 million this year.Civil servants salaries gobble 83 percent of the budget but Government is targeting a wage bill to revenue ratio of 40:60.Among the recommendations that have already been implemented is the cessation of salary payments to 3 307 "highly suspicious" workers.A report compiled by the Civil Service Commission read by The Sunday Mail last week shows that impromptu spot checks on Government work stations across the country has also witnessed a massive improvement in worker attendances.The report shows that 143 workers have had their contracts terminated over the last few months on charges of "fraudulently acquitting pay sheets".According to the report, there has also been massive rationalisation of workers within the Ministry of Youth Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment.It had emerged from the audit that the Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Ministry employed five youth officers in each of Zimbabwe's 1 200 wards.This translated to 6 000 civil servants with a cumulative monthly salary bill of US$2, 2 million, assuming each of them earns at least US$380.However, to date Government has redeployed some of the workers to various vacant postings within the civil service.The latest update report on the Government staff rationalisation shows that 47 of the youth officers have been redeployed to work as security guards within the immigration department.Two are now employed as general hands in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare while another is employed in the Lands Ministry.One more has been re-graded to human resource officer within the Indigenisation Ministry while two others are now general hands within the same Ministry.Also, monitoring of leave days has been intensified.Public Service Minister Priscah Mupfumira said: "Government remains committed to cutting down its wage bill to enable to direct the savings towards development."The programme is in line with Zim-Asset and we are sure that soon we will have completed implementing most of the recommendations. As we have already said, we will not be retrenching anyone."Government will save U$291 827 288 by December from the measures that have taken effect already while a further US$144 155 676 will be saved if those recommendations are stimulated.The abolition of all non-critical vacant posts in line ministries will save $128 699 952 this year while resuscitation of the 7,5 percent pension contributions by civil servants should bring in $142 million.Other measures taken to cut employment costs include the granting of unpaid manpower development leave to 1 473 civil servants (saving $9 969 264 annually), rationalisation of 920 underutilised technical vocational teachers ($6 323 136), redeployment of 340 deputy heads being underutilised ($2 337 504), cessation of payment of allowances to civil servants teaching non-formal education ($1 335 888) and stoppage on funding bridging programmes in 26 tertiary colleges ($161 544).In the first half of 2015, Treasury spent US$1,54 billion on labour, against revenue of US$1,718 billion.Monthly, US$120 million is spent on salaries, with the least-paid taking home about US$380.Chief labour cost drivers are abuse of overtime allowances and leave days, salary fraud, idle manpower, role duplication and unco-ordinated staff recruitment, according to the audit report.Government has 188 070 workers, excluding uniformed forces and Health Services Board personnel. News / National by Vusumuzi Dube A NEW town is set to be established in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province which will be independent from the jurisdiction and laws of the Bulawayo City Council, a move that is expected to ease accommodation problems. The Government has already started drawing plans for the new town, with engineers and other town planning experts already on the ground to survey the area.Speaking during the just ended Zim Asset Bulawayo stakeholders engagement conference held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds yesterday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Engineer George Mlilo revealed that all was now in place for the establishment of the town and they were working at handing over the developmental plans to Provincial Affairs Minister Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo.He said the idea was for the town to be modern and be open to innovations that will not only solve the accommodation problems but also create employment."We have already identified the land where this town will be established which is about 7 700 hectares, we have already started the drawings for this, our engineers have already visited the area to do feasibility studies. What is left right now is that we complete the plans, which we will hand over to the Provincial Affairs Minister. This town will be completely independent from the Bulawayo City Council and councillors meaning it won't be governed by by-laws, resolutions or the leadership of BCC. Actually we want Bulawayo and its mayor to be onlookers as this town grows," said Eng Mlilo.He said the Government has noted that the prospects of Bulawayo to accommodate the modern city were very slim hence the move to establish the new town."We will also be engaging young minds during its construction phase so that there be some innovation and creativity as we establish it. We want to be open to ideas as we push for the employment of our educated youths, whom we are very confident will help establish it to be one of the topmost cities or towns in the region," said Eng Mlilo.He said emphasis was on addressing the accommodation problems in the country and pushing towards modernity and urbanisation."Our ministry is very much geared towards achieving the goals of Zim Asset especially focusing on the creation of employment for men, women and youths who will work in the construction of this town. One might think that 7 700 hectares is not enough but since we are saying that this will be a modern town, we will push at growing upwards where we will establish high rise apartment buildings for accommodation purposes. This town will also be governed by Modern Building by-laws not these other laws which are meant to punish people," said Eng Mlilo.The Permanent Secretary further expressed concern at the urban decay in Bulawayo which he said was now a main characteristic of the city. He said there was something urgent which had to be done towards the state of some of the city's oldest suburbs which included Makokoba, Mabuthweni, Njube and Old Magwegwe."Talking of modernity and urbanisation it is very disappointing that you find that people are still staying at colonial hostels; Burombo, Sidojiwe and Vundu. Our ministry is working at a plan where we move people from those hostels as they were condemned long back, finding alternative accommodation for the people who stay there. Those hostels should just be monuments so that we can show future generations where we came from rather than accommodating people," said Eng Mlilo. On May 21, an American drone strike ended Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansours reign as the Talibans leader. As The Wall Street Journal first reported, US intelligence officials tracked Mansour to Iran, where he was visiting his family, and then targeted his car as he crossed back over the border into Pakistan. Irans foreign ministry spokesman, Hossein Jaber Ansari, quickly denied this version of events, claiming that his country welcomes any measure in line with bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan. However, Zabihullah Mujahid (the Talibans chief spokesman) has conceded that Mansour was indeed inside Iran. Dawn quotes Mujahid as saying the Taliban chief crossed the border because of ongoing battle obligations, adding that Mansour made multiple unofficial trips to Iran. While many of the details concerning Mansours travels remain murky, his presence inside Iranian territory shortly before his death isnt surprising. Iran has a long history of backing the Talibans insurgency against US and allied forces in Afghanistan. Indeed, the relationship between the two former foes is one of the most misunderstood and oft-overlooked aspects of the 9/11 wars. Iran and the Taliban nearly went to war in 1998 after senior Taliban commanders slaughtered Iranian diplomats and other Shiites in Mazar-i-Sharif. But by late 2001, as the Americans prepared to topple the Talibans government, the situation changed dramatically. Outwardly, the Iranians acted as if they just wanted to help rebuild Afghanistan. Western diplomats have praised Iran for its role in the Dec. 2001 meetings in Bonn, Germany, where a post-Taliban government was established. But there is much more to this story. Just before the American-led invasion of Afghanistan two months earlier, the Iranians cut a secret deal with Mullah Omars representatives. One of Omars most trusted lieutenants, Khairullah Khairkhwa, helped broker an agreement with the Iranians in Oct. 2001. We know this because Khairkhwa was captured in Pakistan in early 2002, transferred to Guantanamo and then told American officials all about it. A district court in Washington, DC denied Khairkhwas petition for a writ of habeas corpus in 2011. The court found that Khairkhwa repeatedly admitted that after the 9/11 attacks he served as a member of a Taliban envoy that met clandestinely with senior Iranian officials to discuss Irans offer to provide the Taliban with weapons and other military support in anticipation of imminent hostilities with U.S. coalition forces. [See LWJ report, DC district court denies former Taliban governors habeas petition.] According to the court, the Iranians told Khairkhwa and his Taliban delegation that they could provide shoulder-fired missiles (SAM-7s) and track all movements by the United States. In addition, the Iranians offered to open their border to Arabs entering Afghanistan. Iran did just that, allowing some al Qaeda members and others to escape the American onslaught. Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO), which oversees the detention facility, deemed Khairkhwa a high risk to the U.S. and its allies, in part, because of his dealings with the Iranians. Despite JTF-GTMOs assessment, and the DC courts rejection of his habeas petition, Khairkhwa was transferred to Qatar in 2014. He was one of the five Taliban commanders exchanged for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. During the twelve years Khairkhwa was detained in Cuba, Iran continued to collude with the Taliban. The Defense, State and Treasury Departments have all documented the relationship. In its Annual Report on [the] Military Power of Iran, which was delivered to Congress in 2012, the Department of Defense explained that Irans support for the Taliban was part of its grand strategy to challenge US influence. Although there was historic enmity between the two sides, the Pentagon said, support for the Taliban complements Irans strategy of backing many groups to maximize its influence while also undermining US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) objectives by fomenting violence. Since 2006, the State Department noted in its Country Reports on Terrorism for 2012, Iran has arranged arms shipments to select Taliban members, including small arms and associated ammunition, rocket propelled grenades, mortar rounds, 107mm rockets, and plastic explosives. In 2012, the Iranians shipped a large number of weapons to Kandahar, Afghanistan, aiming to increase its influence in this key province. Foggy Bottom added that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF) trained Taliban elements on small unit tactics, small arms, explosives, and indirect fire weapons, such as mortars, artillery, and rockets. A series of Treasury Department terror designations illuminate the relationship between the IRGC-QF and the Taliban. In August 2010, Treasury designated two IRGC-QF commanders as terrorists for providing financial and material support to the Taliban. A special unit in the IRGC-QF known as the Ansar Corps is responsible for orchestrating attacks in Afghanistan. Nearly two years later, in Mar. 2012, Treasury identified IRGC-QF General Gholamreza Baghbani as a narcotics trafficker. At the time, Baghbani was based in Zahedan, Iran, which is near the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan. From this strategically situated crossroads, Baghbani allegedly oversaw an operation that moved weapons to the Taliban, while smuggling heroin precursor chemicals through the Iranian border and facilitating shipments of opium into Iran. This guns-for-drugs scheme directly fueled the Talibans insurgency, according to Treasury. Treasury wasnt finished. In February 2014, three other IRGC-QF officials and one of their associates were designated for plotting terrorist acts in Afghanistan and also using intelligence operations as tools of influence against the Afghan government. Irans duplicitous scheme meant that the IRGC-QF was currying favor with some Afghan politicians while targeting other officials for assassination. In the weeks immediately following 9/11, the Iranian regime and the Taliban met in the shadows. In the 14-plus years since, their relationship has become overt. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2012 that the Taliban has set up an office in Zahedan, which is also a well-known al Qaeda hub. Taliban officials have repeatedly and openly attended meetings in Tehran. And other sources confirm that Iran has often provided the Taliban with arms and training. Contrary to what Ansari claims, the Iranians dont want peace and stability in Afghanistan at least not at the expense of achieving their other objectives. They want to force the US out and expand their influence. Given Irans enduring partnership with the Taliban, forged in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Mansours trips to Iran may have been unofficial, but they are definitely unsurprising. 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. News / National by Staff reporter CIVIL servants are now required to sign up collection forms upon receiving pay slips as the Government moves to clean up the civil service of ghost workers.The move is part of the implementation of civil service audit recommendations made last year which has also seen the Government withholding funding for 2 888 teachers in trust schools. Treasury is set to save US$19,8 million annually.Cabinet is also deliberating a reduction of student teacher allowances from US$329 to US$157. Recommendations from the audit effected so far are set to cut the Government wage bill by $300 million this year.Civil servants' salaries gobble 83 percent of the budget but the Government is targeting a wage bill to revenue ratio of 40:60. Among the recommendations that have already been implemented is the cessation of salary payments to 3 307 "highly suspicious" workers.A report compiled by the Civil Service Commission read by our Harare Bureau last week shows that impromptu spot checks on the Government work stations across the country has also witnessed a massive improvement in worker attendances.The report shows that 143 workers have had their contracts terminated over the last few months on charges of "fraudulently acquitting pay sheets".According to the report, there has also been massive rationalisation of workers within the Ministry of Youth Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment. It had emerged from the audit that the Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Ministry employed five youth officers in each of Zimbabwe's 1 200 wards. This translated to 6 000 civil servants with a cumulative monthly salary bill of US$2, 2 million, assuming each of them earns at least US$380. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Idea of India in Peril I was on my way to Peshawar from Rawalpindi to meet Wali Khan, son of Frontier Gandhi, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan. At Abottabad, where I stopped for a cup of tea, the radio was broadcasting a BBC report that Sikh security guards had shot Prime Minister Indira Gandhi dead. There was no question of my proceeding further. I rushed back to Lahore but by then the flight to Delhi had left. Ironically, a London-based Sikh organisation at Lahore had arranged that day a meeting to raise the demand for Khalistan. When I landed at Palam the following day, the airport wore a deserted look. Two Sikh officers at the immigration counter stood aside. I heard someone saying at the counter that security would have to be arranged to take the Sikh employees safe home. I was bewildered and could not make head or tail out of what was going on. A Hindu officer at the counter explained that there had been a massacre of Sikhs at Delhi. It had never occurred to me that the Hindus could kill the Sikhs who, according to the Constitution, were Hindus. That apart, marriages between the Hindus and Sikhs were common till a few years ago. My mother was from a Sikh family. When I came out of Palam, I saw a heap of ashes. The taxi driver told me that a Sikh had been burnt alive earlier in the day. Many years later, when I was the Rajya Sabha member, I raised the question of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and wanted the appointment of a high-powered commission to probe the entire happening. L.K. Advani supported me. Justice G.T. Nanavati, who had probed the Gujarat killings, was appointed to head the commission. In an otherwise fair report that he submitted to the government, Justice Nanavati had evaded naming the person behind the anti-Sikh riots. When I met him later to complain that he did not name the person, he shrugged his shoulders and said that everybody knew who were behind the riots. This is true, but if he had named them in his report, it would have made all the difference. The head of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), R.K. Raghvan, probing 10 cases following instructions from the Supreme Court, allowed his ideology to have the better of him, although he had been an outstanding police officer. Even the Court has not commented on Narendra Modi, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, although it had all the details before it. By sending to the trial court the case of former Congress MP, Eshan Jafri, who along with 69 people were burnt or butchered alive at the Gulburga Society in Ahmedabad, the Supreme Court had only passed on the buck. This is the same Supreme Court which commented on Modi: Nero was fiddling when Rome was burning. The sort of report the SIT had submitted can be made out from the evidence of two retired judges it had ignored. Both had interviewed the then State Home Minister, Haren Pandya, who was murdered because he had started speaking the truth. According to the two judges, P.B. Sawant, who was on the Supreme Court Bench, and Justice H. Suresh of the Bombay High Court, Pandya told them that the Chief Minister had directed the police to give Hindus a free hand to vent their anger during the riots. Both judges were members of the Peoples Tribunal which held Modi guilty. That there was not a single FIR filed against the Chief Minister was not a plus point. He had generated so much fear in the minds of the victims that they dared not go to the police station, hardly safe for Muslims at that time. To incite people Modi had also arranged to parade through the Ahmedabad streets the bodies of 49 kar sevaks who had been burnt alive on a train at Godhra while returning from a pilgrimage. This had terrible repercussions. Even today, Muslims in Gujarat generally confine themselves to their localities fearing that they may be attacked. They have not forgotten how 2000 from their community were killed and how several thousands were ousted from their homes and lands. Some Muslims have tried to return, but have found that they are not welcome to their places where they and their forefathers had lived for ages. True, the horror of Gujarat had shaken the nation. Yet, no amount of condemnation by the public and media has made Modi relent, much less force him to apologise. He had refused to say sorry and had gone about arranging the humbug of sadbhavana (goodwill) sittings at big cities of the State. Modi had a lot to hide. Specific instances of murders, when reconstructed or proved, pinpoint to the States plot for ethnic cleansing. Brave police officers like Sanjay Bhatt have told the truth, even at the risk of annoying Modi who had unleashed his repressive, one-sided administration against Bhatt. He is suffering alone and even the Gujarat High Court has not come to his aid. Still Bhatt had said in an affidavit that Modi instructed his officers to let Hindus vent their anger on Muslims. In the case of Sikhs, Prime Minister Man-mohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi have offered their apologies for the 1984 riots. Modi and his party, BJP, have not done even that for the 2002 Gujarat pogrom. Now that he is the Prime Minister, he should have had the grace to apologise for what he had reportedly done in 2002 when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Why there is so much umbrage against the anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh riots even after years of their occurrence is not yet understood either by the BJP in the first case of Gujarat or by the Congress in the second case of Sikhs. The reason is that there is practically no action against those people who had soiled their hands with blood. The BJP had saved them in Gujarat and the Congress did so in Delhi and elsewhere. Still worse, both parties do their best to protect the administrations which had planned and executed these riots. The author is a veteran journalist renowned not only in this country but also in our neighbouring states of Pakistan and Bangladesh where his columns are widely read. His website is www.kuldipnayar.com Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Changing Names, Nehrus Significance MUSINGS Frenzied are Sanghis about changing names of roads. In fact, this frenzied lot are now targetting Akbar Road; chanting it ought to be renamed after Maharana Pratap Singh. Why? Too many Delhi roads named after Mughal emperors... Muslim rulers! quip todays RSS rulers. Hopefully this name-changing hysteria remains confined to roads. And not get diverted to hapless humans. It shouldnt come as some sort of a shock if you happen to hear todays rulers hiss, Too many with Muslim names and surnames. Change these names. Off with Muslim Names! Hack them ...er, their names or throw them from here to there! Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru removed from Textbooks! Though nothing comes as a shocker but it did get painful to read news reports that the Rajas-than Government plans to remove the particular chapter on Jawaharlal Nehru from school text- books. I hadnt ever met or seen Jawaharlal Nehru but there was that something special to his personality; he had qualities of a leader, of a statesman ...Here is one of my earlier written pieces on Nehru Whenever I think of my maternal grand-mother, Amna Rahman, theres one particular image which holds out in that ongoing way we were sitting in the living room of our ancestral kothi in Shahjahanpur, and my grand-mother had switched on the radio. As soon as the news of the passing away of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru came through, shed cried out, Panditji gone ...what will happen to us! Wholl be there for us ...wholl protect us! Tabahi for us ... doom for the Musalmaans of Hindustan! I was a young child and couldnt really understand the connect between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehrus death and her cries. Nah, I couldnt grasp the exact significance of her cries, of her emotional outburst. After all, she was living in one of those nondescript townships of Uttar Pradesh; far away from New Delhi and also far away from the world of politics. In fact, there were no political creatures in our clan. Of course, as years rolled by I could more than sense the wisdom of her words... the agony she was relaying. For her, like many of her generation, Panditjias Jawaharlal Nehru was popularly calledstood for secular values, for the rights and dignity of the minorities of this land. He was looked upon as a saviour of sorts. Needless to elaborate that after his death the basic fabric got punctured. The Muslims of the country started getting sidelined, bypassed and dumped into varying slots; in the backdrop of an ongoing poisonous propaganda against them. Today, as I nostalgically recall those carefree childhood days, there seemed little danger of being labelled the other... Muslims of this land lived on par with those from the majority community and one couldnt have visualised that thered come a day when Muslims would be reduced to second or third class positioning. Yes, rioting did take place even during Nehrus prime ministership but one was confident that justice would prevail; not like today when even with a cracker burst a bunch of hapless Muslims are thrown into prison hellholes with those horrifying terror- tags pinned on them. In fact, during my travels to Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ajmer, Mumbai, Aligarh, Lucknow and adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh, activists have recounted instances of Muslim youth being held only on grounds of mere suspicion. The first to be rounded up are Muslims; more so now as new ploys in the form and shape of the ISIS are being used by a biased machinery. In fact, when Im askedwhats the difference between a poor Muslim and poor Hindu, my spontaneous response isBoth are hapless and disadvantaged, hungry and jobless; the only difference is that the very feeling of security is missing in todays Muslims. Needless to add that with the RSS-BJP in power, this feeling of insecurity amongst the Indian Muslims has been increasing. Ive always argued that in a democracy (that is, in a healthy democracy) it doesnt matter if you have a Hindu or Muslim or Sikh or Christian as the head of government. All that matters is a non-communal attitude of the governmental machinery, so that justice together with transparency prevails. During Nehrus prime ministership that basic feeling of security was high because he was himself secular. If Nehru was around, it would have been impossible for the Babri Masjid to have got demolished, or for the Gujarat pogrom to have taken place, or for the RSS pracharaks and mahapracharaks to be ruling this land, or for any of the window-dressing gimmicks to be taking place. Yes, gimmicks on, where two or three are handpicked from the minority community and placed up there! Who is the government of the day trying to hoodwink by these silly ploys? In fact, Nehru was a statesman in the truest sense. Several years back whilst interacting with one of the Iraqi envoys to India, I was amazed to know that in the 1950s Nehru had gifted one of the bungalows on New Delhis Prithviraj Road to the first Iraqi envoy to India. To this day the bungalow stands out, though, of course, Iraq stands reduced to ruins, intruded into and wrecked by the American- Allied forces. In fact, Nehrus vision and policies vis-a-vis West Asia made the entire so-called Muslim world tilt towards India. He seemed clear about his stand on the Middle East and with that made the Arabs and West Asians strong allies of India. Alas! Today theres no Nehru and theres little trace of the erstwhile Middle East; wrecked by American policies-cum-ploys. What Khushwant Singh had to say about Nehru I am quoting Khushwant Singh from the book Absolute Khushwant (Penguin) : Nehru answered Allama Iqbals requirements of a Meer-e-Kaarvaanleader of the caravan: nigahbuland, sukhandilnawaz, jaan par soz/Yahihainrakht-e-safar Meer-e-Kaarvaankeliye. (lofty vision, winning speech and a warm personality /This is all the baggage the leader of the caravan needs on his journey)... He should have been the role model for all the Prime Ministers of India. He was above prejudices of any kind: racial, religious or of caste. He was an agnostic and firmly believed that religion played a very negative role in Indian society. What I admired most about him was his secularism. He was a visionary and an exemplary leader; the father of Indian constitu-tional democracy, of universal adult franchise, the five-year plans, giving equal rights to women, among other things. He was better educated than any of his successors, with the exception of Manmohan Singh, and spent nine long years in jail reading, writing and thinking about the countrys future ...But being human, Nehru had his human failings. He was not above political chicanery. Having accepted the Cabinet Mission plan to hand over power to a united India, he reneged on his undertaking when he realised Jinnah might end up becoming Prime Minister... News / National by Roberta Katunga THE widow of human rights activist, Paul Chizuze, Sibongile Maphosa, has threatened to sue the MDC-T for abusing the name of her husband and his pictures during demonstrations to gain political mileage.Paul Chizuze was declared dead by the courts on 27 November last year after he went missing in 2012.In an exclusive interview with Sunday News at her Bellevue home in Bulawayo yesterday, Maphosa (46) revealed the emotional trauma that she suffered after her husband's disappearance and how the continuous use of his name and pictures during demonstrations by the MDC-T was evoking the painful memories."I personally feel disrespected by the party for using my husband to gain political mileage and get donor's funds while his family is suffering. They did not even have the decency to approach us or seek permission before printing Chizuze's face on their banners," said Maphosa, her face full of emotion.She said she was being affected emotionally by the use of her husband as she had accepted his disappearance, moved on and was picking the pieces of her life."When a person goes missing, you entertain two thoughts, that either they are dead or in hiding. With time you mourn and begin the painful process of moving on with your life. What amazes me is that these organisations have never come to this house yet they continue searching for Chizuze. What if he was here at home and they are busy marching in the streets using his name and face," she said.She said Itai Dzamara, who also went missing, and Chizuze were being used for personal agendas by political parties at the expense of their families. Maphosa said she approached the Bulawayo MDC-T offices where she spoke to one Sithabile over the issue and expressed her displeasure over what the party was doing."Sithabile told me that a civic organisation in Harare was responsible for printing the banner that they used and said she would relay the message to her superiors that I was not happy. However, when I approached them again today (Saturday) before the march in Bulawayo, they told me they would use the same banner, which is a clear sign that my wishes are not being respected or considered," she said.Maphosa narrated to Sunday News how she suffered from acute depression and was admitted to hospital for two weeks after her husband's disappearance. She said his family went to the extent of shunning her and blaming her for his (Chizuze) disappearance."Each time they march or demonstrate, their mileage politically increases but to the family, the pain increases and we are further scarred, we are the ones left to deal with the pain. As we speak Chizuze's mother is suffering, he was the breadwinner for both families and now my mother-in-law is starving and these people have never done anything for us. I have been quiet all along but I cannot sit back anymore and watch them do this. They should stop using others to further their strategies. It is unjust and inhuman," she said.She said if the MDC-T and civic organisations continue to disregard her wishes, she would take the matter to her lawyers to sue for damages.However, MDC-T spokesman Obert Gutu said they were not aware of Maphosa's concerns adding that if she had approached the Bulawayo provincial office, normal channels would be followed."We are a big party with membership all over the country and beyond. In my position as the party's spokesperson, I am not aware of her concerns but whatever concerns she has, they will be looked into following the proper channels," said Mr Gutu. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > India without Nehru From N.C.s Writings The following piece, which appeared in the New Delhi Skyline of Mainstream, was written two days after Jawaharlal Nehrus demise on May 27, 1964. It was published on May 30, 1964. It is being reproduced on the occasion of Nehrus fiftysecond death anniversary. As the golden flame licked up the funeral pyre, an unforgettable scene ended near the banks of the Jumna and under the shadow of the Red Fort. It was an emotional experience without precedence, to watch this mightiest demonstration of love and respect that this great country has paid to any man. For Jawaharlal Nehru was, for the vast mass that is engulfed in sorrow today, not just a symbol of freedom, he was part of their very personality: it is difficult for this entire generation of ours to think of India without him; whatever we felt and learned, made us happy or sad, our hopes and our frustrations, were all inextricably interwoven with him. As the millions came to join in his final journey through the streets of Delhi, new and old, they were as yet too stunned to feel the pangs of his loss in full measure. An indescribable sense of the coming void, of an existence in which Nehru would no longer be there seemed to have gripped them. The expression often used in his life-time that he could feel the pulse of the nation, could be understood in the fullest measure when one watched with awe the vast sea of humanity that accompanied him for miles in the grueling summer sun. A sense of personal loss was writ large on every face, young and old. The remarkable initiative shown by the vast concourse of men and women in mourning could hardly be missed as the cortege was carried from the Prime Ministers House to the open space beyond Rajghat. The Army and the Police could not manage the solid phalanx that thronged the eight-mile route: but spontaneously, the people with an amazing sense of dignity befitting the poignant occasion, made way for the entire funeral procession to pass while they themselves were wending their way to the cremation ground. The realisation that Nehru was in broken health had come months backs. In fact, it began with his serious illness in the summer of 1962, just two years ago, when the most agile among political figures was laid up in bed for more than a month. Since then came the severest ordeal in his whole careeras also of free Indiathe armed attack by the Chinese. In fact, the blow came with the Chinese breach of faith five years ago, because he had made the friendship with China the sheet-anchor of his foreign policy. For any leader anywhere else in the world, placed in similar circumstances, Pekings diabolic attack would have been a killing blow. The fact that Nehru could not only survive the shock but found his own bearings as also of the nations to a large measure testified to his tremendous will power and steadfast devotion to the principles and ideals he has always striven to hold aloft. No wonder that in Delhi today many felt that if any single factor had killed this fearless fighter for peace, amity and under-standing among nations, it was the perfidy of Peking. New Delhi is comforted in its hour of grief by the unique demonstration of friendship and solidarity that has been conveyed from all parts of the world. Cold War barriers have gone in paying homage to the man who had always fought it with unwavering faith in a world without war. If the West has paid generous tribute to his memory, Moscow has not lagged behind, and in the Capital today there is the recognition of Khrushchevs expression of sorrow at the loss of a good friend; his ready pledge of support to the present government has been widely noted. After Nehru Who? The question that has been debated for years has left the country no wiser. It is an extraordinary phenomenon that though Nehrus departure was for long not unexpected, the nationNew Delhi particularlywas never more unprepared. The grim fact that Nehru, unlike Gandhiji, did not groom anybody to succeed him, has left New Delhi in an uncanny suspense. The Titan has left behind a brood of dwarfs, none of whom can aspire even to that national eminence which was the hallmark of the Congress High Command when freedom came to this land. Under the shade of the mighty banyan tree, no other plant did grow in stature or stamina. It was therefore but inevitable that the milling crowds that attended the memorable funeral were mostly beset by the inexorable question-markwho will lead the government of this country, keeping it together and strong? This was indicated by the common people constantly flocking in clusters round the different leaders, Right and Left, all along the journey to the cremation ground. Who knows on whom the mantle will fall, or snatched by whom? In the highest circles, the debate began within a few hours of the passing away of the leader. Actually, it started with the arrival of the Congress President late in the evening. Sri Kamaraj met Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri that very night. Since then, brisk lobbyings have been going on in the Capital in practically all circles. Sri Nandas supporters have been meeting in their own conclave, and so have Sri Shastris. Reports have come of Sri Morarji Desais talks with Sri Jagjivan Ram. Ententes and alignments of the most diverse character are being talked about. An interesting development has been a wide demand from a large number of Congress MPs that the choice of a new leader should not be confined to close arrangements among the top few. As one of the rank-and-file members remarked, Palace intrigues will not do, no longer shall we accept a fait acompli by the High Command. Though it looks like a democratic demand, it is said to have been inspired by Sri Morarji Desai. Three names have been heard as the likely contenders for Nehrus successionSri Nanda, Sri Shastri and Sri Morarji Desai. Of these, there seems to be little prospect for Sri Desai on his own wangling a majority either in the Working Committee or in the Parliamentary Party. How-ever, he might strike some agreement with some other important group as that of Sri Jagjivan Ram, who commands a good number of supporters, at least the bulk of the Scheduled Caste MPs. It is significant that some of the Congress Left leaders are not totally averse to strike a deal with Sri Morarji Desai as a means of edging out Sri Shastri. It is understood that if Sri Desai does not become the Prime Minister, he wants, as price of an entente, the assurance that he would get back his old portfolio, namely, Finance. But this raises the question of Sri T.T. Krishnamacharis future, for though he has no group following in the Congress as such, he does enjoy Sri Kamarajs patronage. While fortunes may change unexpectedly in the next few crucial days, the indications available on the eve of the Congress Working Committee meeting placed the chances of Sri Shastris success as better than those of Sri Nanda. Apart from a large body of UP and Bihar membersthe biggest single bloc in the Congress Parliamentary PartySri Shastri is assured of the support of Sri Kamaraj and Sri Atulya Ghosh. It is learnt that Sri Sukhadia also supports this alliance. Sri Biju Patnaik, who originally belonged to this group, has walked over to Sri Desai, it is learnt. An incident showing up the strained relations was provided by the announcement of the portfolios of Sri Nandas Caretaker Cabinet: Sri Shastris supporters did not conceal their annoyance at Sri Nandas holding the External Affairs portfolio together with the Home. According to one report, there is a possibility that Sri Nandas supporters, as a last resort in solving any possible deadblock, may press for Smt Indira Gandhi to be the Prime Minister. But it is not yet clear that she will persuade herself to accept the proposal, nor that it would automatically lead to the ending, or at least the freezing, of all group wrangles. It appears that Sri Shastris supporters also want to enlist her for the Cabinet of their choice and may vote for her to be the new Foreign Minister. However Smt Vijayalaxmi Pandits name is also being mentioned as a possible candidate for the External Affairs portfolio, though her chances are rather slim. The choice of the Prime Ministership is bound up with the question of selecting the Cabinet. For, the Congress President as also whoever is the possible choice would like to have an unanimous election. Under the circumstances, there is a strong tug-of-war among the groups to strengthen their own representation in the composition of the Cabinet. If Sri Shastri wins, there is hardly any chance for Sri Desai being taken into the Cabinet, though Sri S.K. Patil might have a chance. There is a lurking doubt if Sri Jagjivan Ram would find a place in a Shastri Cabinet, unless there is a last-minute under-standing. If Sri Nanda wins, then both Sri Jagjivan Ram and Sri Krishna Menon may be brought back: and Sri Desai too may not be left out. But Sri Patil is not likely to be acceptable for Sri Nandas team. Whatever be the final selection, observers in the Capital fear that despite all show of unanimity, a Cabinet led by any of the groups in todays context, will have powerful critics inside the Congress Parliamentary Party itself. This will no doubt be a strain on its stability. Should we have UP projected in the Centre? was the ominous question heard even in the funeral procession. Meanwhile, powerful vested interests are not just passive spectators. Their mighty lobbies have been at work and if they could manage to have their say even under Nehru, how much more demanding they must be today. In the Capital, there are even talks of large-scale air-freighting of solid cash on the day the common humanity was saying a tear-choked goodbye to their beloved leader. Man-eaters are at large, and they carry Morarjibhai on their book. But how many among the powers-that-be in New Delhi can fight the man-eaters? A minor episode that must strike New Delhis press corps as not only interesting but significant is the hand-out released by the I&B Ministrys Press Information Bureau on the day after the Prime Ministers passing away. The Bureau has done excellent work to help the journalists in covering the momentous event. Entitled Jottings from Jawaharlal, the 11-page hand-out contains very good passages from Nehrus speeches and writings. As many as 34 passages have been chosen, but none of these contain even the breath of any reference to socialism, while portraying the life and work of the man who gave the concept of socialism to the national movement and made it the official goal of the government. A straw in the wind? To forget the message of Nehru so soon after his departure may be the anxious objective of a handful of Big Money, but not certainly of the teeming millions who formed the never-failing companion of Jawaharlal Nehru. (Mainstream, May 30, 1964) Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Remembering Nehru in Critical Times The fiftysecond death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, the architect of modern India, will be observed this month at a time when the present dispensation is bent on rubbing out his name from the annals of history. Also, one of the principles Nehru stood and fought for, a principle which he thought was essential for the very survival of the plural polity that is India, namely, secularism, is being openly denigrated and denounced by those who have assumed office by swearing in the name of the Constitution that enshrines secularism as one of the three pillars of Indian democracy. Nehru had to fight communalism from the very dawn of independence. There is no denying that there was a soft Hindutva school within the Congress itself. For instance, when the Somnath temple was reopened in May, 1951, the then President, Babu Rajendra Prasad, was invited to inaugurate it. Rajen Babu accepted the invitation but Nehru objected on the ground that as the President of the secular republic, he should not be associated with a religious function and that, if he insisted on attending the ceremony, he should do so in his personal capacity and not as the President of India. In the event, Rajen Babu did go to Somnath but I do not remember whether he went as a citizen or as the President. According to one Congress leader, secularism in the Indian context is not about pitting the State against the religious authority but about keeping matters of faith in the personal realm and matters of State in the public realm. In fact the concept of secularism developed in Europe in course of the struggle between the Church and the State for authority. Ultimately it was decided that the Church would concern itself with matters spiritual and the State with matters temporal. Nehru was not a Hindu secularist as he is sometimes sought to be made out to be. He was against all forms of communalism. In December, 1955, he denounced the Indian Union Muslim League by asserting emphatically that it was not necessary to form a political party to safeguard the rights of the Muslims because our Constitution itself is committed to protecting those rights. The late Dr Rafiq Zakaria observed in his book The Widening Divide: Because of the charismatic and generally enlightened stewardship of Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) and later of his daughter Indira Gandhi (1917-84), the first few decades after Independence saw communal tensions simmer but these were never allowed to get out of control. Since then two factors have contributed to the deterioration of the Hindu-Muslim relationship. First, the Central leadership has weakened, especially after Mrs Gandhis tragic assassination. Her successors, much less powerful persons, have failed grievously to control the fissiparous tendencies. Second, with the rising tide of Hindu fundamentalism, the very validity of Indian multiculturalism has been challenged and the wisdom of tolerance of smaller communal groups, particularly Muslims, has been questioned. In the result, the minorities instead of being assimilated in the national mainstream, have begun to be more defiant than before. (pp. xx-xxi) This is the crux of the problem: Muslim comm-unalism feeds on Hindu communalism and Hindu communalism feeds on Muslim communalism. They strengthen each other. The aggressive rise of the Hindutva forces under the BJP dispensation will only harden the stand of the Muslims. They will increasingly feel threatened and start asserting their identity as Muslims. The atmosphere created will make India a fertile ground for the spread of Islamic fundamentalism and draw more and more Muslim youth to extremist bodies like the ISIS. When a Muslim is murdered on the mere suspicion that he has eaten or stored beef, the reaction of the common Muslims can be easily imagined. Elaborating on secularism, Nehru wrote, it does not mean something opposed to religion. What it means is that it is a state which honours all faiths equally and gives them equal opportu-nities, that, as a state, it does not allow itself to be attached to one faith or religion, which then becomes the state religion. He went on to add: The majority is strong enough to crush the minority, which might not be protected. Therefore, whenever such a question arises, I am always in favour of the minority. Talking about religion, ours greatly outnumber the others. Nobody is going to push them from that position: they are strong enough. Therefore, it is their special responsibility to see that people following the other religions in India feel satisfied that they have full freedom and opportunity. If this principle is applied, most of these troubles and grievances will disappear. In fact secularism is not for preaching from the pulpit or the public platform. It is something to be imbibed and made a part of ones ethos and practised in everyday life without even being conscious of it. At a public meeting at Pathankot on August 6, 1954, Nehru said: Parties like the Jan Sangh, Hindu Mahasabha, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which do nothing but foment trouble in the name of religion, have made Pathankot their base to spread unrest in the Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir..... [They have] no constructive political and economic programme... Have you ever hard them talk about the poor in India or anything else except communal issues which foment disunity? How true these words ring, even after the passage of sixtytwo years! But Nehru did not stop here: He came very hard on the stand of the Hindu communalists with regard to the minority community. The Muslims who live in India, belong here. We cannot talk of a Hindu State in India because that would mean that the people of other religions who live here do not belong here; which is wrong. Everyone who lives in India, irrespective of his religion and caste, belongs here with equal rights. This is what is known as nationalism. Giving the example of neighbouring Pakistan which is an Islamic State, Nehru said: But we have been opposed to this principle right from the beginning because, if we were to adopt it, there could be no true equality in the country. Some sections of society would be considered full citizens and others would lack that status. It would once again bring to the fore the divisive tendencies which have always existed in Hindu society. If we accepted the principle of domination of one religion, India would be divided into a thousand fragments and become weak..... We are free to follow our own religion. But in national tasks, we are all one. The moment we bring in religion and caste into political matters we become weak. The world does not respect a nation which is weak. The oracles at Nagpur would never accept that making India a Hindu Rashtra will weaken India, will stall its progress in national tasks and India will lose the respect of the world as a weak nationthe catchy slogan of Make in India notwithstanding. Pakistan chose to be an Islamic State. It promoted and instigated terrorism against its neighbours as a State policy. In the process it created a Frankensteins monster. Today it has itself become a target of terrorism. It finds itself isolated in the comity of nations for its promotion of terrorism. For the first time, even its best friend, the United States, is taking a hard stand on it. Here is an interesting piece of information culled from D. C. Jhas book Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress and the Partition of India. Jha writes: In his book The Shadow of the Great Game Narendra Singh quoted Col. Elahi Baksh, the physician who attended on Jinnah during his last illness in August-September of 1948, that he had heard Jinnah saying: I have made it (Pakistan) but I am convinced that I have committed the greatest blunder of my life. And around the same period, after meeting Jinnah on his sick-bed. the Pakistan Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, was heard to have muttered: The old man has now discovered his mistake. (Jha, p. 105) If the account given is not apocryphal, the protagonists of Hindutva have much to ponder over. If India becomes a Hindu Rashtra, will the same fate befall her as has befallen Pakistan? Will India be heading for another partition or disintegration into many small States? Pakistan is a living refutation of the two-nation theory, first propounded by Sir Syed Ahmad as far back as 1888. In less than a quarter of a century after its creation, Pakistan fell apart. The Bengalis of East Pakistan broke away to form Bangladesh. It proved that religion could not be the basis of a State. Those who are trying to obliterate the name of Nehru from the annals of history will not succeed. But their narrow, bigoted worldview, their majoritarian politics and their targeting of a large section of the Indian people on account of religion will do great harm to Indias polity. Nehrus death anniversary should be the occasion to renew the pledge that we will not let India give up the values and ideals which evolved out of our freedom struggle, the values and ideals which form the bedrock of our nationhood, the values and ideals which some anti-national elements are trying to destroy. If they succeed, India will cease to exist as it does today. The author was a correspondent of The Hindu in Assam. He also worked in Patriot, Compass (Bengali), Mainstream. A veteran journalist, he comes from a Gandhian family and was intimately associated with the RCPI leader, Pannalal Das Gupta. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Remembering Jawaharlal Today The following article, by the first editor of Mainstream, appeared six years after Jawaharlal Nehrus death in this journals May 23, 1970 issue. Born on September 29, 1921 in Ooty, C.N.C., as he was known to his friends and admirers, passed away at Delhi on August 2, 1990. A veteran journalist, he worked in the Indian Express (Madras) in the 1940s; he joined The Hindustan Times in Delhi in 1960, and edited Mainstream when it was launched from the Capital in September 1962. In 1963 he joined Patriot as its Assistant Editor and also became the editor of Link. Thereafter in 1970 he was the Resident Editor of National Herald (Lucknow) before becoming the editor of that daily in 1976. At the time of his death he was the Joint Editor of India Press Agency (IPA). Although the situation in 1970 in the country was quite different from the one prevailing today, the similarity of the contents of this article with the present scenario in India is indeed striking. When last week Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on behalf of the people of India squarely accepted the grim challenge posed by communal reaction and declared that these enemies of the nation would be relentlessly fought at every level, history was repeating itself; for, she was speaking the language of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru whose uncompromising commitment to secularism and democracy is her own heritage as much as the nations. When the Prime Minister referred to the naked fascism visible behind Jana Sangh President Atal Behari Vajpayees provocative and mischievous speech which could only be interpreted as a green signal for communal gangs to continue and intensify their inhuman activities against the minority communities, chiefly the Muslims, she was unconsciously echoing words used by her great father over two decades ago. Cherished Values Not long after the murder of the Mahatma, Jawaharlal described the dark forces of communalism as the Indian version of fascism, and expressed his determination to prevent them from attacking the secular base of Indian democracy. When Smt Indira Gandhi compared Sri Vajpayees gesticulations to those of Hitler, she obviously had much more in mind than the Jana Sangh leaders waving of arms. Like her father, she saw clearly the threat to all cherished values of the country enshrined in the Constitution in these gestures and the diabolical words that accompanied them. Jawaharlal Nehru was among the first of the national leaders during the years of the freedom struggle to understand the true character and aims of the parties of communal reaction among both Hindus and Muslims. He often undere-stimated their strength, no doubt, but he was never in doubt about what precisely they stood for, whose interests they were frantically trying to protect at the cost of national unity and cohesion. Vested Interests He saw clearly enough that both Hindu and Muslim communalists in those years were in fact henchmen of British imperialism whose game they were playing to further the petty interests of a handful of affluent persons in either community. Communalism to him was the most obnoxious expression of the struggle of vested interests in collusion with the alien power to prevent awakening among the masses of India to which the National Congress under the leadership of Gandhiji had directed all its energies. It the early thirties, Hindu communalism was represented by the Hindu Mahasabha whose offspring is the present Jana Sangh. Of the Mahasabha, Nehru said that it not only hides the rankest and narrowest communalism but also desires to preserve the vested interests of a group of big Hindu landlords and the princes. He firmly held that the activities of the Hindu communal organisations have been communal, anti-national and reactionary. It is a fact of history that Nehru did not spare the Muslim communalists who supplemented the work of the Hindu communalists. Most of them, he declared once, are definitly anti-national and political reactionaries of the worst kind. In the early thirties he noted that the Hindu reactionaries as well as the Muslim communalists represented no more than a handful of vested interests subservient to the colonial power, and that neither had much hold over the masses of the country despite their obvious capacity to foment trouble taking sinister advantage of religious differences. He was indeed categorical that there is no essential difference between the two types of communalism. One important difference he did note, however. This was that the communalism of a majority community must of necessity bear a close resemblance to nationalism than the communalism of a minority group. This was especially true of India, for the Hindus are largely confined to this country and in religious terms they have little affinity with the world outsidea proposition which is obviously not true of minorities like the Muslims, the Christians and others. It is easy for the Hindu communalists to pretend that they are genuine nationalists taking advantage of the fact that the roots of other religions lie outside the country. This point is of importance in the present context, for todays Hindu communalists, led by the Jana Sangh and RSS, are precisely making this claim to nationalism for themselves and constantly casting doubts on the loyalty to the country of the minorities on the strength of the wider association of the religions of the latter. The purpose of the Hindu communalists now, as it was before independence, is to prevent the socio-economic status quo from erosion by the modern ideas of equality and democracy. While this was equally true of the Muslim communalists, whose symbol paradoxically enough came to be the irreligious and ultra-modern Jinnah, Nehru and some other national leaders realised that the greater danger to national purpose was posed by the communalism of the majority community. They realised that minority communalism could be effectively curbed only if majority communa-lism was eliminated. Hence the leadership Gandhiji and Jawaharlal gave in the struggle against the dark forces of communalism beginning with the ones entrenched in the upper classes of the majority community. There is no doubt that they did succeed to a great extent in reducing the strength of Hindu communalism despite the consistent efforts of the British administrators to encourage it. Grim Consequences In the case of Muslim communalism, however, the efforts of the national leaders were not so successful, the main reason being the back-wardness and utter poverty of the majority of Muslims which the Muslim League was able to exploit to the full and in the most cynical manner. It was only when partition actually took place accompanied by the most unprecedented blood-letting and misery for millions of families, both Hindu and Muslim, that the grim consequences of a communal attitude etched themselves on the minds of both Hindus and Muslims. At the time of partition the leaders of India more than the leaders of Pakistan were on trial; Pakistan had been carved out on foundations of hatred, and religion was used as a cloak to build a state whose sole purpose then was to satisfy the enormous vanity of a handful of arrogant individuals led by Jinnah. India, however, had different traditions imbibed over a far longer period. The national leadership and the people as a whole were firmly committed to establishing a secular democratic state in which all citizens would have equal rights and all religions would have their place without any one of them being permitted to influence the administration. To the rulers of Pakistan the killing of the Hindu minority was not something altogether abominable; at any rate the philosphy on which they had chosen to found their new state precluded violent reaction to communal orgies. Not so India; to the leaders of this country, the message of hatred and murder that the vast numbers of Hindu refugess brought from across the border was something that had to be fought fiercely and subdued. It did not, rightly, occur to them that the Hindu refugees or their friends this side of the border were justified in wreaking vengeance on innocent Muslims, men, women and children, living their own lives here as citizens of free India. It is no accident that there was no parallel in Pakistan to the healing missions undertaken by Mahatma Gandhi in areas where minorities were under attack by organised hooligans, or to the great personal risks that Jawaharlal took by rushing into the midst of frenzied, armed mobs to prevent the butchery of innocent members of the minority community. The difference in attitude stemmed from the difference in purpose in establishing a free state. Secular Forces In the years before freedom it was Mahatma Gandhi who led the secular forces in the country despite his preference for communicating with the Hindu masses in the language of the shastras and the epics which the ignorant and the illiterate could comprehend easily. His concern for the safety of all minorities and for all the oppressed sections even within Hindu society was manifest not merely in his words but in his actions. But, after the attainment of independence, it was left to Jawaharlal Nehru to lead the secular democratic forces in the struggle against communal reaction. This he had to do in the face of sniping from his own ranks often: for example, it is no secret that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whom the Hindu communalists of today appear to have adopted as one of their apostles, thought in terms of packing off Muslims from this country in retaliation for the misdeeds of the Muslim majority in Pakistan against the Hindu minority there. Jawaharlal put his foot down against such tendencies and insisted that it was the sacred duty of the majority community to protect and look after the interests of the minorities who had become citizens of this country, irrespective of the behaviour of the neighbouring country. The people were with Jawaharlal and he succeeded in isolating the communalists in his own camp and establishing understanding with secular forces outside his party. A little after independence Nehru said: We in India have suffered from communalism. It began in a big way from the Muslim League. The result was the partition of India. The Muslim League type of communalism is now more or less outside India. Some odd, foolish individual may indulge in it here, but that does not count and nothing can happen in India today from that source. But that poison has, by some reverse process, entered other peoples minds and we have Hindu and Sikh communal organisations as communal as the Muslim League ever was..... If you examine the gospel of communalism even under the cloak of nationalism you will find that it is the most dangerous thing and breaks up that essential and fundamental unity of India without which we cannot progress. Non-Communal Approach At that time he noted, too, that communal elements had infiltrated the Congress and pleaded that Congress candidates must be chosen with particular care so that they might represent fully the non-communal character and approach of the Congress. As for the Jana Sangh and other communal organisations, they were trying to frighten the Muslims and exploit the vast number of refugees who had suffered so much already. He uttered a clear warning to the communal organisations whose echo was heard in the Lok Sabha the other day from Srimati Indira Gandhi; Nehru said: So far as I am concerned and the Government I lead is concerned, I want to make it perfectly clear that communal forces will not be given the slightest quarter to sow seeds of dissensions among the people. It is no accident that during the fifties, although there were engineered communal incidents here and there, the communal organisations were more or less ineffective. It is no accident either that the minorities in the country came to look upon Nehru as their greatest protector. It was only during the last years of his life, when his powers were waning and opportunists in power were able to strike deals behind his back, that the communal organisations, notably the Jana Sangh and RSS, began to gain strength once again. Since his death these forces have become increasingly arrogant and violent. And they have been joined by organisations like the Shiv Sena which owe their growth to tolerance and even encouragement from certain Congressmen in office and from vested interests which see in such groups effective instruments to mount an offensive against the progressive policies and attack parties and individuals wedded to socialist ideas. It is not just by chance that in Bombay, Ranchi and elsewhere the communal orgainsations have been making open attempts to divide the working class on communal lines and destroy trade union solidarity. Smt Indira Gandhis chin-up acceptance of the challenge of communalism is undoubtedly heartenng, but it will amount to little unless the administrative machinery is purged of the communal elements that have infiltrated over the years, firm action is taken to put down poisonous propaganda by the communal organisations and their publicity sheets, and all forward-looking parties and individuals are swiftly moblised at all levels to give a determined fight to reaction in all its forms. Let us remember Nehrus warning which is as relevant today as it was when it was uttered. Communalism bears a striking resemblance to the various forms of fascism that we have seen in other countries. It is in fact the Indian version of fascism. We know the evils that have flown from fascism. In India we have known also the evils and disasters that have resulted from communal conflict. A combination of these two is thus something that can only bring grave perils and disasters in its train. The warning is timely in the wake of Ahmedabad, Chaibasa and Bhiwandi. But the struggle against the fascist threat posed by the Jana Sangh, RSS, Shiv Sena and the rest has now to be much more broadbased than it ever was in Nehrus time; the roots of the poison tree have to be cut and destroyed, and this calls for a dedicated national effort. In this task, the Prime Minister obviously has the capacity to provide the leadership, but what we need are leaders in every village and every mohalla who will make the elimination of the communalists their first task. Let this battle against communalism be turned into a massive national crusade as the nation pays its homage to the memory of Jawaharlal Nehru this week on the sixth anniversary of his passing away. (Mainstream, May 23, 1970) Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Nehru for Today May 27 this year marked Jawaharlal Nehrus fiftysecond death anniversary. On this occasion we are reproducing the following excerpts from the speeches and writings of Nehru that are of exceptional relevance today. I have long been of opinion that the Hindu Mahasabha is a small reactionary group pretending to speak on behalf of the Hindus of India of whom it is very far from being representative. None the less misapprehensions have been created by their high-sounding titles and resounding phrases and it is time that these misapprehensions are removed. Nothing in recent months has pained me quite so much as the activities of the Mahasabha grup culminating in the resolutions passed at Ajmer. Going a few steps further, the Arya Kumar Sabha, which is presumably an offshoot of the Hindu Mahasabha, has proclaimed its policy to be one of elimination of Muslims and Christians from India and the establishment of a Hindu Raj.1 This statement makes it clear what the pretensions of the Mahasabha about Indian nationalism amount to. Under cover of seeming nationalism, the Mahasabha not only hides the rankest and narrowest communialism but also desires to preserve the vested interests of the group of big Hindu landlords and the princes. The policy of the Mahasabha, as declared by its responsible leaders, is one of cooperation with the foreign government so that, by abasing themselves before it, they might get a few crumbs. This is a betrayal of the freedom struggle, denial of every vestige of nationalism and suppression of every manly instinct in the Hindus. The Mahasabha shows its attachment to vested interests by openly condemning every form of socialism and social change. Anything more degrading, reactionary, anti-national, anti-progressive and harmful than the present policy of the Hindu Mahasabha is difficult to imagine. The leaders of the Mahasabha must realise the inevitable consequences of this policy of their lining up with the enemies of Indian freedom and most reactionary elements in the country. It is for the rest of India, Hindu and non-Hindu, to face them squarely and oppose them and treat them as enemies of freedom and all that we are striving for. It is not a mere matter of condemnation and dissociation, though of course there is to be both these, but one of active and persistent opposition to the most opportunist and stupid of policies. [Speech delivered at the Banaras Hindu University on November 12, 1933published in The Bombay Chronicle, November 15, 1933; reprinted in Recent Essays and Writings (Allahabad, 1934), pp. 45-46.] I am glad that the remarks I made at Banaras regarding the Hindu Mahasabha have galva-nised a number of people and made them think furiously. This thinking has even taken the form of personal denunciation of me.2 This personal aspect is unimportant and will pass because the question is far too important and vital to be considered in relation to personalities. I hope to say something in reply to the criticisms later. But I should like to point out that my criticisms related to the Hindu Mahasabha chiefly because I was addressing a purely Hindu audience. There was no point in my tracing Muslim or other non-Hindu communalism there as the average Hindu is sufficiently aware of the feelings of others. It is always difficult to appreciate fully the weaknesses of oneself or ones own community. As I have stated, my remarks against communalism and anti-national activities apply in an equal measure to all communal organisations in IndiaMuslim, Hindu, Sikh, etc. There seems to be a race between them as to which can be more communal than the other. For a long time past I had remained quiet on the subject because I wished to ignore this aspect of Indian public life and hoped that national activities would gradually divert peoples attention from it. But matters have come to such a pass that I felt silence on the subject was in itself a compromise and acceptance of this evil. We all know of the amazing communal and reactionary outlook and activities of the Muslim communalists in India. These require no publicity but there is a misapprehension in some quarters that Hindu communalists are of a greyer colour and not quite so black as the others. This notion is thoroughly unjustified as the attitude of the Hindu Mahasabha and the many other Hindu organisations, specially in north India, connected or unconnected with the Mahasabha, has conclusively demonstrated during the last year. The statements and evidence before the Joint Select Committee in England as well as numerous speeches and resolutions chiefly in the Punjab show this.3 Leading members of the Hindu Mahasabha and other communalists have deliberately advocated cooperation with British imperialism in the hope of getting some odd favour. This attitude is both anti-national and reactionary, and even from the narrow point of view of Hindus, foolish and shortsighted. There seems to be some mystery about the resolutions passed by the Arya Kumar Sabha at Ajmer. My reference to a certain resolution has called forth denials, although the denial does not tell us exactly what the resolution was. This can easily be verified and I shall be very glad indeed to learn that my information was wrong. I received a copy of that resolution apparently from some official of the Sabha for my information. This resolution was also received by others and Dr Mahomed Ullah Jung4 has given publicity to the text of it.5 I shall be glad if the Arya Kumar Sabha will publish their resolutions and if it appears that we have been victims of a hoax, I shall gladly and willingly express my regret to the Arya Kumar Sabha. But apart from this my main criticism would hold as it is based specially on the activities of Hindu communalists during the last many months. [Interview at Allahabad, November 21, 1933; from The Leader, November 23, 1933.] Q: How far is the communal problem due to economic causes? JN: This question perhaps is not properly framed (I am partly responsible for that), in the sense that the communal question is not fundamentally due to economic causes. It has an economic background which often influences it, but it is due much more to political causes. It is not due to religious causes; I should like you to remember that. Religious hostility or antagonism has very little to do with the communal question. It has something to do with the communal question in that there is a slight background of religious hostility which has in the past sometimes given rise to conflict and sometimes to broken heads, in the case of processions and so forth, but the present communal question is not a religious one, although sometimes it exploits religious sentiment and there is trouble. It is a political question of the upper middle classes which has arisen partly because of the attempts of the British Government to weaken the national movement or to create rifts in it, and partly because of the prospect of political power coming into India and the upper classes desiring to share in the spoils of office. It is to this extent economic, that the Mohammedans are on the whole the poorer community as compared with the Hindus. Sometimes you find that the creditors are the Hindus and the debtors the Mohammedans; sometimes the landlords are Hindus and the tenants are Mohammedans. Of course, the Hindus are tenants also, and they form the majority of the population. It sometimes happens that a conflict is really between a money-lender and his debtors or between a landlord and his tenants, but it is reported in the press and it assumes importance as a communal conflict between Hindus and Mohammedans. Funda-mentally this communal problem is a problem of the conflict between the members of the upper middle-class Hindus and Moslems for jobs and power under the new constitution. It does not affect the masses at all. Not a single communal demand has the least reference to any economic issues in India or has the least reference to the masses. If you examine the communal demands you will see that they refer only to seats in the legislature or to various kinds of jobs which might be going in the future... Q: In your answer to the fourth question, regarding the communal problem, you suggested, I think, that the religious clement was a small part of it and that it was not primarily economic, but that it resolved itself into political jealousy, political ambitions. How do you see it resolving in the light of the national movement? Do you feel that the central national aim would be so big that it would bring all the parties together? JN: No. First of all I said that the communal movement was not religious, but that does not mean, of course, that there is not a religious background in India, and sometimes that is exploited. It is political mainly. It is also economic in the sense that the political problem largely arises because of the problem of unemployment in the middle classes, and it is the unemployment among the middle classes that helps the communal movement to gain importance. It is there that the jobs come in. To some extent the growth of nationalism and the nationalist spirit suppresses the communal idea, but fundamentally it will go when economic issues and social issues come to the forefront and divert the attention of the masses, and even of the lower middle classes, because these issues really affect them, and inevitably then the communal leaders would have to sink into the background. That happened in 1921, at the time of the first noncooperation movement, when no communal leaders in India dared to come out into the open. There was no meeting held and there was no reference to them in the papers. They disappeared absolutely because there was such a big movement on other issues. As soon as a big political movement starts the communal leaders come to the forefront. They are always being pushed to the front by the British Government in India. Therefore the right way to deal with the communal question is to allow economic questions affecting the masses to be discussed. One of the chief objections to the India Act is that, because it divides India into seven or eightI am not sure how manyseparate religious compartments,6 it makes it difficult for economic and social questions to be brought up. Of course they will come up, because there is the economic urge behind them, but still it makes it difficult. Q: Do you not think caste comes into the communal question at allBrahmin against non-Brahmin? That is a matter we know so well in Madras. JN: I do not think the communal question is affected much by caste. In south India, of course, the question of caste comes in, and it has given rise to great bitterness. I was thinking more of Hindu versus Moslem. I am not personally acquainted with conditions in the south in recent years, but it used to be more a question of non-Brahmin versus the vested interest. Taking the depressed classes, they really are the proletariat in the economic sense; the others are the better-off people. All these matters can be converted into economic terms, and then one can understand the position better. I do not think the Brahmin and the non-Brahmin question as such is very important now. There is a very large number of non-Brahmins in the Congress. In the Congress the question does not arise. It has some importance in local areas in the south, because of various local factors, but I do not think the question of Brahmin and non-Brahmin comes into the communal question at all. [Excerpts from a discussion with the India Conciliation Group, at its meeting of Februay 4, 1936published in the Bombay Chronicle, May-June, 1936; reprinted in India and the World (London, 1936), pp. 226-262.] Dr Ansaris greatest contribution was in regard to the Hindu-Muslim question. We should sink our petty differences in the cause of the nation. We are fighting among ourselves for trivial causes and are overlooking bigger and more vital issues. We should study contemporary history to understand what is happening in Palestine, Egypt, Sumatra, Java, Indo-China or Syria. The exploitation of the people in these countries differs only in degree, though in some countries the people are not as enslaved as we in India. But everywhere they are forming united fronts to win their freedom. The questions of seats in the legislatures and offices do not affect the masses of Hindus and Muslims whose interests are one and the same. The big questions staring India as well as the world in the face are poverty and unemployment and these are common to both Hindus and Muslims. The only remedy for these problems is a socialist order. The solution cannot be different whether it be in the case of Muslims or Hindus. India should find her own solution in the light of the world experienceof socialism. Substituting Indian capitalists in the place of British capitalists will not alter the lot of India. A properly constituted and democratically elected constituent assembly alone can formulate the constitution of India. The Congress will not stop its fight till success is achieved and we shall not rest content till our goal is reached. [Address lo Young Muslim Brotherhood, Bombay, May 17, 1936from The Bombay Chronicle, May 18, 1936.] ...I am only telling you that socialism when it is applied to India, will have, I think, to fall within the wide framework of socialistic theory. The manner of its application, the speed of its application and the measures for its application, will, however, have to depend on Indian conditions. They will have to depend on Indian industrial conditions, Indian cultural conditions and, to some extent, on what may be called the genius of the Indian people. All these will have to be taken together. Therefore it is impossible for anyone now to state which particular shape, form or colour the future socialist organisation of India will take. You can generally say what its probable shape or form or colour might be. But as to the exact form or as to how long it will take to get into that form, nobody can say anything definitely now. It will be foolish to be dogmatic about it because you cannot know. None the less, if we really want to understand and prepare ourselves for that socialist India, we have to think hard and deep. We have to see it in connection with our present struggle for freedom and independence. If you isolate it from that, you function in the air. Today, the hunger and poverty of the Indian people are inevitably driving them to socialistic thought. Why do you talk of socialism to me, young men and women all over the country? Not because a few odd persons have been delivering speeches about it but because of the growing middle class unemployment in the country. Because of that, you are forced to examine the problem and to think. Because you think of it and examine it, you are driven in the direction of accepting socialism. So, there is a growing urge to socialism and that will go on increasing. But remember this, that the dominant urge in India today, the dominant urge in any country that is a subject country, inevitably must be the nationalist urge. Whilst I tell you socialism is not an anti thing, nationalism, I think, is an anti thing fundamentally. I do not want to be anti anything, unless it be solid, constructive and health-giving. The fact remains that essentially the background of nationalism is anti-foreign. It derives its strength not so much from love but from dislike. It is to some extent a racial matter, although we may not think on racial lines. I want to tell you I dislike nationalism. But I do like nationalism so far as India is concerned, situated as it is today, because nationalism for us means that it takes us in the direction of our freedom and of our own growth physically, mentally, morally and spiritually. For us, nationalism is a releasing force, and therefore, it is good. But nationalism in a country like Germany today or Italy is not a force which takes one to freedom. It confines and restricts. It is a narrowing thing. It is not an enlarging thing. Therefore nationalism in Europe today has become a bane and a curse. Therefore, progressive people of Europe today feel insulted if you call them nationalists and they ask you, Do you think we are narrow-minded, bigoted people, fascists or nazis? Nationalism is a confined and excessively narrow creed there. But it is a definitely different thing here in India. But still, the fact remains that the background of nationalism is not so much, I think, an active positive feeling as a negative feeling. You know that in the past eighteen or twenty years, we in India have had a unique experience, the experience of a great and inspiring leader dinning into our ears the doctrine of nonviolence, peace and goodwill and love for our opponent. That continuous dinning and teaching has inevitably produced a certain atmosphere in the country. It has not wholly got rid of the background of nationalism, viz., the anti element in it, but has reduced it to a minimum. Ordinarily a nationalist movement like ours, if we had not that continuous pressure from our leader in the direction of peace and goodwill, would have resulted in something terribly racial, anti-foreign, devouring and consuming us and perhaps occasionally giving us a certain energy to go ahead, but ultimately making us much smaller men. And the solution of the problem would have, quite apart from the moral issue, become much more difficult; because it is difficult to solve problems by accumulating violence and hatred. Although we have functioned as a nationalist movement and our nationalism has been of a fairly intense variety, yet it has led to relatively little of the bitterness that is the natural line of nationalism elsewhere. But I cannot say that we have escaped those hatreds and bitternesses altogether. We have them still in our hearts and sometimes they come out, if not against our opponents, at least against our own colleagues. The problem before us is, nationalism being the dominant urge of the country and socialism being, according to you and me, the right path to tread to solve the problems which face us, how to combine the two? We cannot have one of the two alone, because nationalism alone does not solve the problem and to follow socialism alone will be to ignore the vital issue before the country and the vital urge which moves millions in the country. We have to combine the two. Socialism has inevitably to push nationalism forward in its political garb. That is the common aspect between socialism and nationalism. Both like political independence. But nationalism, more or less, stops there, while socialism wants to go ahead. Socialism, if it is wise, presses forward with its ideas and turns nationalism in its direction. At the same time it does not combat with nationalism because the first tremendous step is common to both. Socialism wants to cooperate with nationalism, cooperate not only with the socialist elements and others who are friendly to socialism but even with anti-socialist elements in that nationalism. Without that proviso, there can be no cooperation, because there is no common ground left. [Excerpts from a speech at Madras, October 8, 1936from The Hindu, October 8, 1936.] We talk about a secular state in India. It is perhaps not very easy even to find a good word in Hindi for secular. Some people think that it means something opposed to religion. That obviously is not correct. What it means is that it is a state which honours all faiths equally and gives them equal opportunities; that, as a state, it does not allow itself to be attached to one faith or religion, which then becomes the state religion. Where the great majority of the people in a state belong to one religion, this fact alone may colour, to some extent, the cultural climate of that state. But nevertheless the state, as a state, can remain independent of any particular religion. In a sense, this is a more or less modern conception. India has a long history of religious tolerance. That is one aspect of a secular state, but it is not the whole of it. In a country like India, which has many faiths and religions, no real nationalism can be built up except on the basis of secularity. Any narrower approach must necessarily exclude a section of the population, and then nationalism itself will have a much more restricted meaning than it should possess. In India we would have then to consider Hindu nationalism, Muslim nationalism, Sikh nationalism or Christian nationalism and not Indian nationalism. As a matter of fact, these narrow religious nationalisms are relics of a past age and are no longer relevant today. They represent a back-ward and out-of-date society. In the measure we have even today so-called communal troubles, we display our backwardness as social groups. Our Constitution lays down that we are a secular state, but it must be admitted that this is not wholly reflected in our mass living and thinking. In a country like England, the state is, under the Constitution, allied to one particular religion, the Church of England, which is a sect of Christianity. Nevertheless, the state and the people there largely function in a secular way. Society, therefore, in England is more advanced in this respect than in India, even though our Constitution may be, in this matter, more advanced. We have not only to live up to the ideals proclaimed in our Constitution, but make them a part of our thinking and living and thus build up a really integrated nation. That, I repeat, does not mean absence of religion, but putting religion on a different place from that of normal political and social life. Any other approach in India would mean the breaking up of India. Acharya Vinoba Bhave has recently been saying that politics and religion are out-of-date. And yet we all know that Vinobaji is an intensely religious man. But his religion is not a narrow one. He has, therefore, added that the world today requires not that narrow religion or debased politics, but science and spirituality. Both these, at different levels, are uniting and broadening factors. Anything that unites and broadens our vision increases our stature and is good and creative. Anything that narrows our outlook and divides us is not good, because it prevents us from growing and keeps us in a groove. Ultimately even nationalism will prove a narrowing creed, and we shall all be citizens of the world with a truly international vision. For the present, this may be beyond most peoples and most countries. For the us in India, we have to build a true nationalism, integrating the various parts and creeds and religions of our country, before we can launch out into real internationa-lism. Without the basis of a true nationalism, internationalism may be vague and amorphous, without any real meaning. But the nationalism that we build in India should have its doors and windows open to internatio-nalism. [Foreword to Dharam Nirpeksh Raj by Raghunath Singh (1961)] 1. The report of the resolution passed by the Arya Kumar Sabha, the youth wing of the Arya Samaj, was later found to be incorrect. 2. In a letter published in The Leader of November 20, 1933, Bhai Parmanand attributed Jawaharlals criticism of the Mahasabha to the fact that owing to his early training and upbringing abroad he is incapable of thinking as a Hindu. 3. On July 31, 199, they protested that the governments decision on the communal problem was unjust to the Hindus and the separation of Sind was an ex-parte judgement. 4. A resident of Allahabad. 5. In a letter to the editor published in The Leader of November 20, 1933. 6. The Act of 1935 divided the total number of seats allotted to the Federal Assembly into several categories like general seats, general seats reserved for scheduled classes and separate electorates for Sikhs, Mohammedans, Anglo-Indians, Europeans and Indian Christians. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > A Judgement Affirming Constitutional Values The judgement from the Allahabad High Court on April 23, 2016, quashing my termination order from the Indian Institute of Technology at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi has come as a big relief for me because it essentially is a vindication of my thought and action. Moreover, without taking the name of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh or the majoritarian Hindutva ideology and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Girish Chandra Tripathi, it has spared no words in their criticism. The judgement is foremost and most importantly a defence of freedom of speech and expression. It says that irrespective of whether a view is correct or not there is freedom in this country to express your views as a legitimate and constitutional right which cannot be held to ransom by an intolerant group. Thus in the debate on tolerance-intolerance, which made headlines a while back, the judgement clearly indicates that stifling different opinion is being intolerant. In this context the Court has delivered a master-stroke by quoting the famous saying: I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to death your right to say it. Thus the whole atmosphere of terror manufactured, where not action but words became the basis for branding anybody anti-national, who was liable for attack even putting his/her life at risk, has been dismantled by this argument. One hopes that some sense will prevail now over the people identifying themselves with the aggressive Hindutva ideology. In response to the accusation against me that my teaching was against national interest and could disturb communal harmony as well as encourage students to take law into their hands on campus, the Court clearly says that fair criticism of government policies cannot be a ground for restricting the freedom of speech and expression. It says that situations may arise where responsible persons may feel it is their duty to criticise and invite people to come for discussion, which would not constitute misconduct. The Court has clearly upheld the right to dissent which is a resounding assertion of democracy. Quite remarkably, the founder of the BHU, Madan Mohan Malaviya, even though he belonged to the Hindu Mahasabha, said, India is not a country of Hindus only. It is country of Muslims, the Christians and the Parsees too. The country can gain strength and develop itself only when people of different communities in India live in mutual goodwill and harmony. The Court has very thoughtfully pulled out this quote of the Mahamana to counter the attempts by people associated with the Hindutva ideology to dominate the country and to relegate everybody else to either inferior position or worse put them in the category of anti-national. It also wants to convey that the attempts to create a communal divide in the minds of people will weaken the country just like it did when physical partition took place 69 years back. The idea that Hindutva can grow at the expense of others has clearly been rejected by Malaviya. The RSS may like to think that Malaviya belonged to their genre, but his above-mentioned quote shows that he was in a different class. Mentioning this particular quote of Malaviya also unequivocally affirms the concept of secularism in our Constitution by the Court, which has been the basis for the communal harmony in our country for long but was under attack by the Right-wing for some time. One hopes that the notion of secularism would not be put to test time and again by the Right-wing as it is much older than the history of democratic India. Out of respect for the Mahamanas feelings the University authorities should think about constructing other religious places on the campus in addition to the magnificent Vishwanath temple, which stands in the centre, so that people following other religions would also have a chance to pray inside the campus. Right now non-Hindus have to go outside the campus to offer their religious prayers. The judgement also says, in criticism of the VC and his friends associated with the RSS in important administrative positions, that academic administrators should remain politically neutral when taking decisions about academic or administrative matters. The Dean of Faculty Affairs, Professor Dhananjay Pandey, got the IIT (BHU) conduct rules sent to me on October 15, 2015 through the Assistant Registrar and, by a remarkable coincidence, on the same date a student of Political Science, Avinash Pandey, filed a complaint against me with the VC. The conspiracy to terminate my contract was hatched by persons associated with the RSS in which the complainant and administrators joined hands. The Court categorically says that the decision to terminate my contract was stigmatic and punitive in nature and not a simplicitor. It says: Heavy words such as commission of cyber crime and acting against national interest have been loosely used. All these allegations are serious in nature and such allegations have serious aspersions on the conduct and character of an incumbent and the way and manner in which the decision in question has been taken as against him ex-parte cannot be approved by us. The decision has come as a relief not only to me but to also a lot of my friends who felt stifled in the present atmosphere. We now know that democracy has not disappeared from the country or the campuses completely. I now have the dubious distinction of joining two of my illustrious relatives, Professor of Indology at BHU, Raj Bali Pandey, my mothers uncle, who later became the VC at Jabalpur University, and the Professor of Chemical Engineering, Gopal Tripathi, the first Director of the Institute of Technology, before it became an IIT at BHU, and the formers cousin, who too were expelled by the University in 1960 along with several other Professors like Hazari Prasad Dwivedi. Acharya Narendra Dev, the famous Buddhist scholar who served as the VC for three years and was also the first President of the Socialist Party, had to leave the BHU not under very pleasant circumstances. [Note: In spite of the fantastic above mentioned order, the VC has not let me rejoin BHU yet.S.P.] Noted social activist and Magsaysay awardee Dr Sandeep Pandey was recently sacked this year from the IIT-BHU where he was a Visiting Professor on the charge of being a Naxalite engaging in anti-national activities. He was elected along with Prof Keshav Jadhav the Vice-President of the Socialist Party (India) at its founding conference at Hyderabad on May 28-29, 2011. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Nationalism and Patriotism by Sadhan Mukherjee If you shout Bharat Mata ki Jai, you are a patriot. If you dont for some reason, you are not only not a patriot but anti-national as well. That is the latest funda of varied Hindutva fanatics among whom are those occupying key positions in both the governments at the Centre and elsewhere including the BJP party hierarchy. An era of nationalism-test has begun. Hitler used nationalism to evoke patriotism in Germans and bolster his Nazi party. The current war-cry of the Hindutva fanatics led by the RSS are modelled almost on similar infamous slogans of the Nazi party, like Wir sind Deutsher (We are German), Deutschland uber alles (Germany above all), ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuehrer (one people, one government, one leader). These slogans find reflection in the RSS. Hitler had his bugbear in Jews, the RSS has in Muslims and other aggressors who came and settled down here. RSS chief (sarsanghchalak) M.S. Golwalkar, in his Bunch of Thoughts (p. 435), denounced the Constitution of India for giving equal rights to all, and copied the Nazi slogan in his one country, one state, one legislature, one executive demand. The Hindutva protagonists, more so the Hindi zealots, have been active in India for many years. In 1965 they tried to impose Hindi on non-Hindi- speaking States leading to virtually a revolt in Tamil Nadu. The Union Government was then forced to retract and declare that the use of Hindi would be voluntary. Both Hindi and English remained official languages and Hindi also did not become the national language. Incidentally, there are roughly 1635 mother tongues and 122 languages in India. The renewed assertion of Hindi and Hindutva today is no doubt due to the RSS-guided BJPs ascension to power, leading our country towards a Hindutva hegemony negating our democracy. The RSS was formed in 1925 by K.B. Hedgewar after the Nazi party was set up in Germany in 1923. He was the man who coined the word Hindutva in 1923 in his pamphlet Essentials of Hindutva. RSS guru M.S. Golwalkar, who took over the RSS after Hedgewar, had great regard for the Nazi partys anti-Semitism. In his book, We, or Our Nationhood Defined, he admires Germany in the following words: Germany has also shown how well-nigh impossible it is for races and cultures, having differences going to the roots, to be assimilated into one united whole, a good lesson for us in Hindustan to learn and profit by. Hitler in his book Mein Kampf (My Struggle) denounced democracy saying: One truth which must be borne in mind is that the majority can never replace the man. The majority represents not only ignorance but also cowardice. And just as a hundred blockheads do not equal one man of wisdom, so a hundred poltroons are incapable of any political line of action that requires moral strength and fortitude. The RSS too does not believe in democracy. This was enunciated by Golwalkar in his Bunch of Thoughts where he asserts: The concept of democracy as being by the people and of the people, meaning that all are equal shares in the political administration, is to a very large extent only a myth in practice. In a speech in November 1947, while protesting against the Constituent Assembly, he asserted: Adult franchise was nothing more than granting right to cats and dogs. The current trend in governance confirms this view being practised. To go back to the issue of the Bharat Mata ki Jai slogan: it is a fact that not all Indians believe in idols which Bharat Mata essentially is. Islam does not believe in idol worship and so also several other faiths. Above all, no one likes to be dictated. President Pranab Mukherjee has stressed that pluralism and tolerance are the hallmark of our civilisation and Indias diversity is a fact which cannot be turned into fiction because of the whims and caprices of a few individuals. (The Indian Express, April 10, 2016) Both Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram are slogans that originated during our freedom struggle and these were supplemented at different stages by other slogans like Jai Hind, Mera Bharat Mahan and so on. The RSS did not have any particular role in formulating these slogans but it now wants to misappropriate these slogans. Bhagat Singh went to the gallows shouting the slogan Inquilab Zindabad (long live the revolution), coined by Hasrat Mohani, and that slogan became more popular than Bharat Mata ki Jai. Was that slogan less patriotic than Bharat Mata ki Jai? Or was Bhagat Singh not a patriot? The RSS Guru Golwalkar declared in Delhi that one can be a secularist only when he is a staunch Hindu. (Delhi, February, 22 1970) Hasrat Mohani was a Muslim but was he less patriotic? Are we now to learn a special meaning of nationalism and patriotism from people who never fought for Indias freedom and lionised British rule? Didnt this RSS guru propound in his Bunch of Thoughts: Anti-Britishism was equated with patriotism and nationalism. This reactionary view has had disastrous effects on the entire course of the freedom movement, its leaders and the common people. He declared in his treatise We, or Our Nationhood Defined: Those only are nationalist patriots who with aspiration to glorify the Hindu race and Hindu nation next to their heart are prompted into activity and strive to achieve the goal. All others, posing to be patriots and wilfully indulging in a course of action detrimental to the Hindu nation, are traitors and enemies to the nations cause or to take a more charitable view, if unintentionally and unwillingly led to such a course, mere simpletons, misguided, ignorant fools. (page 32) So to be a patriot, you must be a staunch Hindu! Has the RSS or its modern-day followers given up that thinking? Not at all! RSS ideologue and chief pracharak M.G. Vaidya, in an article in The Indian Express (March 24, 2016),elaborates the modern-day RSS thoughts under the title One nation, one culture. He theorises about what constitutes a nation, and agrees that a state may include many nations and then he fumbles. He argues that Our India that is Bharat, that is Hindustan, was one nation from time immemorial but contained many States. He does not admit that there were many nationalities or many nations. He cites Alexanders invasion in 4th century BC when there was the Nanda Empire and many Republics that constituted India. He deliberately includes many Republics as the Nanda Empire was limited to Northern India in its spread. How was India then one nation at that time? In any case, Indian history did not start with the Nanda Empire! Moreover, from ancient times, Matsya Nyaya (big fish eating small fish) or big States eating up smaller ones, was in vogue and only during the Maurya Empire did ancient India more or less become one state entity. But even the Mauryan Empire did not extend to the Chola kingdom in the South and to North-Eastern India. If India extended from Iran to Singapore, and included all branches of the Himalayas going down to Ceylon, as per the RSS theory (Bunch of Thoughts p. 83), how did the RSS ideologue discover ancient India as one nation? Who ruled this great India? Certainly not the Hindus! It is an accepted fact that a nation comprises a group of people who have common cultural background and who share a common language, heritage, and religion besides some other characteristics. But a state is a political entity; it normally has a government that is sovereign and independent. A nation-state is a voluntary association of nations and nationalities. States like India, the USA, the UK, etc., are its examples, having a federal structure. There is no difference between a state and a country which also has a geographical dimension and place. Problems like de-merger in a nation-state emerge when one nation tries to dominate or practises discrimination over other constituents. That may lead to the break-up of a nation-state, as recently happened in Yugoslavia. Conflicts also germinate for such divisions due to various reasons as between Palestine and Israel. But North and South Korea, for example, consist of the same people but they are two artificially created states. The Kurds are in four statesIran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey. There are many similar examples. Political history, ambition and geography obviously do not always go together. Vaidya has tried to suggest that these people (the Hindus) are known, world over, by the name of Hindu. Therefore, this is a Hindu nation. His strange logic is further buttressed by claiming: It has nothing to do with whether you are a theist or atheist, whether you are an idol-worshipper or against idol-worship, whether you believe in the Vedas or some other sacred book. In short, he means that all who are in India are Hindus! Thats exactly is the key aim of the RSS. One may recall its attempt at ghar wapsi, conversion to Hindus from other faiths, or the cow protection slogan, and now Bharat Mata ki Jai. Vaidya deftly uses the explanatory note under Article 25 in the Constitution of India which says reference to Hindus shall be construed as including a reference to persons professing the Sikh, Jaina or Buddhist religion. He wants to use this expression to include Muslims and Christians as well. This is like arguing that all women are men since the legal adage in common law holds that man includes a woman. The problem, however, is actually in the terminology itself. The term Hindu cannot be found in what is known as Hindu scriptures. Anyone can call himself a Hindu as it has no guidelines of a religion. It is a way of life (Sardar K.M. Panikkar). The Supreme Court of India, in a landmark judgment in 1995, has also held that Hinduism is a way of life, a view reaffirmed in a 2005 Supreme Court judgment as well. The Indian Constitution does not define it. Hinduism probably developed as a synthesis of various Indian cultures and traditions. The term most likely was brought into India by Islam meaning Indian Pagan. Some others hold that it was a derivative of Sindhu (meaning a large body of water, in Sanskrit, referring to the Sindhu River), in Persian S is expressed as H and that made it as Hinduto or Hindu. The Greeks borrowed the expression and made it Indos and the people around the river as Indoi which in English became Indus, India and Indian. In South-East Asia, Indians were mostly known by the Persian terms while Arabs called India al-Hind. This is an etymological explanation. A scientific explanation from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad has cut at the very root of the established view that Hindus are descendants of the Aryans. German philosopher Max Mueller proposed in mid-19th century about an Indo-Aryan migration from Central Asia some 3500 years ago, and this view has been assiduously held on. According to Max Mueller, this migration was responsible for the Indo-European language and caste system in India. That Aryan link has now been challenged. An article by Dinesh Sharma (Mail Today, December 10, 2015) points out that a new study by Indian geneticists says that the origin of genetic diversity found in South Asia is older than 3500 years. So where is the Aryan ancestry of all Hindus? Besides, there existed in India the Indus Valley (3200-1300 BCE, some say even 5000 BCE) and Harappan civilisations (2600-1900 BCE). They predate the so-called Vedic period. Instead of legal, historical and political hair-splitting on the RSS concept of One Hindu Nation, let us see what is happening on the ground today in India. On March 16, this year AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan was suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly for refusing to utter Bharat Mata ki Jai. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi voiced a similar opinion in Parliament. It seems that Waris Pathan was ready to say Jai Hind but not Bharat Mata ki Jai. The point is that Jai Hind refers to the nation but Bharat Mata is personification of the country as a goddess and a mother. According to a blog by Sadan Jha, Indian Express, March 18, 2016, the slogan, Bharat Mata Ki Jai is often interchangeably raised with Vande Mata-ram and shares a common history too. Though it is extremely difficult to pin-point when this slogan first came into existence, the genealogy of the figure of Bharat Mata has been traced to a satirical piece titled Unabimsa Purana (The Nineteenth Purana) by Bhudeb Mukhopadhyay, first published anonymously in 1866, long before the RSS was born. Bharat Mata is identified in that text as Adi-Bharati, the widow of Arya Swami, the embodiment of all that is essentially Aryan. The image of the dispossessed motherland is also found in Kiran Chandra Bandyopadhyays play, Bharat Mata, first performed in 1873. The landmark intervention in the history of this icon through Bandemataram was Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyays Anandamath. Jha also pointed out that it was sung in the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress in 1896 by Rabindranath Tagore. It seems that the Hindutva fanatics are now adopting various slogans of yore and utilising them to serve their propaganda objectives. But they are forgetting that this country is not the fiefdom of the Hindus; they do not have any hegemony over this country. What makes us one nation and one country is the coalition of many faiths, many nationalities, many languages, many cultures and, above all, a common fight for freedom from British rule that welded us into a nation. The ethos of our uniqueness was wonderfully expressed by Rabindranath Tagore who, in his poem Bharattirtha, pointed out that here in India the Aryans, non-Aryans, Dravidians, Chinese, Scythians, Huns, Pathans and Mughals merged into one body. The RSS and Hindutva fanatics obviously do not believe in this multiplicity. Tagore would have been termed by them as anti-national had he been alive today. Vice-President Hamid Ansari has made a very good plea by calling upon the Supreme Court to clarify the contours within which the principles of secularism and composite culture should operate. He pointed out that India has a population of 1.3 billion comprising over 4635 communities of which 78 per cent are not only linguistic and cultural but social categories and religious minorities constitute 19.4 per cent of the total. He added that our democratic polity and state structure were put in place in full awareness of this plurality. He added: There was no suggestion to erase identities and homogenise them. There is another aspect to the RSS kulturkampf (cultural struggle) which was first waged in modern history by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to subject the Roman Catholic Church under state control. The attacks of mosques and churches here bear testimony to that idea. The recent emphasis in the Union Budget of the BJP-led government on the rural population is also not fortuitous nor does it show any special love of the BJP for them. Fascist thought used peasantry for its own ends. Barrington Moore Jr writes, in his Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy, that the German Nazis succeeded most in their appeal to the peasant whose holding was relatively small and unprofitable for the particular area in which it existed. The peasantry and the landless in India are also the largest entity as compared to other social sectors. With the support garnered from the rural sector and the big capitalists who contributed handsomely to the Nazi coffers, Hitler advanced to the level he did. Add to that the other Nazi slogans like Reine Race (Pure Race) and Herrenvolk (Master race), etc., using which the Nazis were able to win the masses and their support. The weakness of the Left and Social Democrats, and the division among the working people to fight this emerging menace comprised a massive political failure in Germany to prevent the sweep of Nazism. The same Nazi methodology is now being followed in India by the Hindutva fanatics. There are several other similar situations obtaining here as in Germany. The weakness of the Left, social democrats and others in India is also failing in the task of preventing these forces from growing due to bickering among them. The Hindutva fanatics are helping the process of dissension and distrust as an instrument of division. More and more people of this country will now be compelled to assert their own statehood as distinct entities. The latest is the Marathwada demand for a separate Statehood from Maharashtra. Vidarbha raised it earlier. No wonder, RSS ideologue M.G. Vaidya supports this demand. He in fact wants Maharashtra to be split into four parts. (The Times of India, March 24, 2016) Where is then their One Bharat concept? Wait, the RSS has an answer to that as well. Smaller States mean less powerful States that can oppose the BJP. We have already had the Telangana and Andhra division in 2014. That was an offshoot of merging the Tamil and Telegu-speaking areas as one entity under Andhra Pradesh. We have now 29 States and seven Union Territories. A little flashback into Indias political history may be useful here. British India consisted of eight provinces at the turn of the 20th century that were administered either by a Governor or a Lieutenant-Governor. These were Burma, Bengal, Madras, Bombay, United Provinces, Central Provinces and Berar, Punjab and Assam. During the partition of Bengal (1905-1912), a new Lieutenant-Governors province of Eastern Bengal and Assam existed. In 1912, the partition was partially reversed, with the eastern and western halves of Bengal re-united and the province of Assam re-established; a new Lieutenant-Governors province of Bihar and Orissa was also created. In addition, there were a few minor provinces that were administered by a Chief Commissioner. At the time of independence in 1947, British India had 17 provinces: Ajmer-Merwara, Anda-man and Nicobar Islands, Assam, Baluchistan, Bengal, Bihar, Bombay, Central Provinces and Berar, Coorg, Delhi, Madras, North-West Frontier, Orissa, Panth-Piploda, Punjab, Sindh and United Provinces. Upon the partition of British India into the Dominion of India and Dominion of Pakistan, 11 provinces (Ajmer-Merwara-Kekri, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bihar, Bombay, Central Provinces and Berar, Coorg, Delhi, Madras, Panth-Piploda, Orissa, and the United Provinces) joined India, three provinces (Baluchistan, North-West Frontier and Sindh) joined Pakistan, and three (Punjab, Bengal and Assam) were partitioned between India and Pakistan. The struggle for independence in Baluchistan continues even now. In 1947 after independence which divided British India, its people were left with a peculiar admixture of provinces into which most of the 562 princely states were assimilated between India and Pakistan. Bhutan and Hyderabad opted for independence but Hyderabad after a police action was taken over by the Indian Union. There remained what the Constitution of India declared as Union of States comprising nine Part A States, eight Part B States, 10 Part C and one part D State Andaman and Nicobar islands. In 1950, after the Indian Constitution was adopted, the provinces in India were replaced by redrawn States and Union Territories. Pakistan, however, retained its five provinces, one of which, East Bengal, was renamed East Pakistan in 1956 and it became an independent nation of Bangladesh in 1971. In 1975 Sikkim joined the Indian Union. The 1956 States Reorganisation integrated India into 14 States and six Union Territories. A solution was sought through reorganising the States on the basis of language. This was not an ideal solution as later events showed. Himachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura became separate States. Delhi got a State Assembly with restricted rights. All this had to be done due to popular agitation. It is absurd to claim, as the RSS does, that from time immemorial India was one Hindu nation. Do they now want an inter-ethnic conflict to burst out in this country to shatter whatever national unity we have? These details are recounted here to show that the RSS game of One Hindu India cannot succeed, and if forced will lead to inevitable conflict and bloodshed. After unleashing these agents of national disruption, the RSS is now trying to retract at least theoretically. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, having demanded No reservation and Compulsory Bharat Mata ki Jai on March 6, has declared on March 28 that Bharat Mata ki Jai should resound in the world but: We dont want to force anyone...it is not to be imposed. Is it a change of policy or only a tactical retreat in view of the State Assembly elections? The Hindutva fanatics are worried. The Citizen on March 31 quotes a site Struggle for Hindu Existence that carries an article after the RSS chiefs second statement expressing deep dismay over the decision, and maintaining that Owaisi and his likes must be very happy men today. Referring to media reports about Bhagwats seemingly more conciliatory statement, the article notes: If this report is true with a video footage of Bharatiya Kishan Sanghas press statement, this shift is highly derogatory to RSS ideology and obviously detrimental to the morale of crores of Swayamsevaks (volunteers) who fight for the dignity of Bharat Mata ki Jai in India. The Citizen assigns three reasons for this volte face. One, the BJPs Maharashtra ally, the Shiv Sena, has asked if the BJP would ask PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti to chant Bharat Mata ki Jai; two, the target for the polarisation through this mandatory recitation was intended to be the JNU, HCU students and the Muslims. However, these groups barely responded to this debate, with the students ignoring it altogether and the Muslimsexcept for Asaduddin Owaisialso dismissing the issue as meaningless; and third, most importantly, other groups that had clearly not been intended as targets entered the fray with passion. The Sikhs, the Dalits in particular reacted sharply against the move to make the slogan mandatory and criticised the government for this. In fact leaders from within these groups came out with alternative slogans as well. Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) President Simranjit Singh Mann asserted: Sikhs dont worship women in any form. Hence, they cant chant this slogan. He further added: According to the BJP, one who doesnt say Bharat Mata ki Jai is not a patriot and can be tried for sedition...Sikhs should say Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh. Punjab is going to the elections soon. Dalit scholars and organisations also questioned and criticised the government on this with one scholar, Kancha Ilaiah, suggesting Bheem Bhoomi ki Jai as an alternative. So Quo Vadis? The author, a former journalist, is currently engaged in education management through distance education. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Biggest Foreign Policy Failure: Ties with Nepal TWO YEARS OF MODI RULE by Vivek Kumar Srivastava In several ways it is conveyed that the Modi Government has performed extraordinarily well on the foreign policy front but the dark pimples are never talked about. The fact is that Modis South Asian foreign policy has been under stress since the day it was crafted. There are cracks in relations with Pakistan, Maldives and a big hole has been created in Indo-Nepal ties where a huge trust deficit exists. It began since the time of the earthquake in Nepal in April 2015 when it was emphasised that PM Modi had informed the Nepalese PM about the earthquake; the latter was in Thailand at that time. Along with it aid diplomacy was pressed and penetration of Indian media became excessive in Nepal; thus an adverse reaction with nationalist thoughts developed among the people and political elites in Nepal. Unfortunately the Modi Govern-ment failed to comprehend it. The next phase started when Nepal adopted its Constitution on September 20, 2015. Indian diplomacy was intellectually at a loss; the Foreign Secretary rushed to Nepal to press for the safeguarding of Indian interests but that was just two days before the inauguration of the Constitution. India failed to convey to Nepal that the ethnic issue of Madhesis should be dealt with deftly keeping both Madhesi and Indian interests in mind. The Modi Government was never in operation during the constitutional discussion process in Nepal on these issues. The visit of the Foreign Secretary so close to the inauguration of the Constitution shows how much policy-paralysis had overtaken the MEA. Although PM Modi, during his November 2014 visit to Nepal, had warned Nepal that it should prepare its Constitution early or else it may fall into difficulties, India was never actively watchful of the swift developments there. The introduction of the Constitution brought into sharp focus the desires of Madhesis and the confused role of India. Nepal, which had cultural and emotional bonds with India, was not in a mood to listen about Indian concerns. Why did it happen? Indias tactical support to the Madhesis and the reaction to rhetoric-based aid diplomacy were sufficient to push Nepalese politicians away from the Indian zone of influence. The Government of India was not aware that since the days of the killing of King Birendra in Nepal in June 2001, a strong anti-Indian sentiment was prevailing and Communist leader Pushpa Kumar Dahal Prachanda had succeeded in articulating this sentiment in quite an influential manner. One illustration underlines it: Prime Minister Bhattarai visited India in 2011 but could not sign major agreements on energy, security due to the possibility of a backlash from hard-core Communists back home. The new dispensation in New Delhi did not take notice of the domestic factor of Nepalese politics. PM Modi, on the other hand, believed in contact diplomacy, that by visiting the country and making aid available and talking about South Asia as a collective entity he would be able to place India in the leading position in the region; but he failed to appreciate the role of China too, besides the prevailing anti-India sentiments. China had emerged as the major player in Nepalese politics. The hard realities were not given importance by the Indian foreign policy-planners and the PM, being unaware about the dynamics of international politics, allowed Nepal to slip away from the Indian sphere of influence. Nepals tilt towards China is now clear. In the whole game Prachanda was a key factor; he has recently played a role in the emergence of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-MC), not a good sign for India. India needs to devise an effective mechanism to deal with the Chinese factor in Nepal but its pro-active approach is not visible. The year 2015-16 is different from 1989-1990 when Rajiv Gandhi forced Nepal to follow India when New Delhi was not properly treated on the issue of the trade and transit treaty; Nepal had imported the anti-aircraft and armoured personnel carrier violating the treaty provisions. The blockade at that time was more punishing and was capable to bring Nepal to accept the Indian terms and the monarchy in Nepal had to acknowledge the democratic process thereafter. The era of PM Modi is different as two factors differ from previous times. There is a clustering of the anti-Indian groups led by Prachanda and this is backed by China; and the role and influence of China are different from those in 1989 when it was attempting to fashion a more aggressive South Asian foreign policy. This time it has entrenched well in the region by enhancing its relations with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Maldives, Pakistan and now Nepal where it is in the process of outmanoeuvring India. There are some unpublicised aspects of this failure; primarily the mainstream media does not talk about these negative developments due to the failures of our government though these have much relevance for the country. The diplomatic corps in the country is not proactive at least at the regional level. Its working has become quite political and neutral stands are not visible from the side of the top leadership. Finally the political leadership is myopic in the sense that it does not understand the theoretical postulates of realism but harps only on PR techniques; however, in foreign policy these carry little significance. Indian foreign policy is a victim of these factors particularly in South Asia and in the case of Nepal it is almost a disaster. The author is the Vice-Chairman, CSSP, Kanpur. He can be contacted at e-mail: vpy1000@yahoo.co.in Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Two Years of Modi Rule: Unfolding Hindutva Agenda by Ram Puniyani Introduction Modi came to power with a bang in 2014. Riding on the support of the corporate world, the RSS combine, media blitz and sky-rocketing promises, he managed to get 31 per cent of votes and 282 seats in the Lok Sabha. This is the first time the BJP managed a simple majority in the Lower House of Parliament. This also became an occasion for Modi-BJP-RSS to unfold their agenda in full. While economic promises have floundered, the protective policies for the average downtrodden have been partly retracted along with the claims of great economic achievement by the RSS combine and its supporters. The reality of the economic situation has forced substantial section of the media to take cognisance of the plight of the people and criticise the failure of the government on economic and many other fronts. The social scenario has been dismal, the growing intolerance, the attack on the autonomy of universities, the treatment of Dalits, as reflected in the death of Rohith Vemula, the intimidation of religious minorities through issues like beef-eating, Bharat Mata ki Jai, and nationalism have dominated the scene. By now most of the people are clear that the RSS is in the driving seat supervising the total unfolding of its agenda of Hindu nationalism. Acche Din and Governance Acche din had become a buzzword, black money being retrieved and deposited in everybodys bank account was looked forward to and the anticipation of creation of jobs got registered in the peoples mind. None of these came through. Prices of essential commodities started shooting up, of all the things even dal (pulses) started becoming a luxury item. Fifteen lakhs is nowhere in the account and job creation is stagnant. As such the well-advertised foreign policy remained on the confused platter with nothing to show except the Prime Ministers much-hyped global rendezvous on a regular basis. With Pakistan the policy of blow hot, blow cold is in operation and the friendliest neighbour, Nepal, is drifting away from the earlier status of a close ally. The much-touted Maximum Governance-Minimal Government has been reduced to all powers being centralised in the hands of a single person and authoritarian streaks are visible as the Cabinet system, where the PM is first among equals, is being overturned towards a PM controlling everything. The major damage is in the arena of freedom of expression, autonomy of academic institutions, and communal harmony. Hate Speech Different leaders from different wings of the RSS combine went on a verbal rampage. For every voice dissenting from the ideology/policies of RSS-BJP-Modi, abusive words were used like, go to Pakistan, Haramzade, anti-national and the like. Many of those who ultered such words are in the Central Ministry as well, like Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and Giriraj Singh. Yogi Adityanath, Sadhvi Prachi and Sakshi Maharaj were the other notable ones in this regard. Many of these worthies were labelled as fringe elements by some commentators. It is clear that they are no fringe elements; they are part of the core agenda of the RSS combine. The Prime Minister has not reprimanded any of them as these speeches are part of the divisive agenda being pursued by the VHP and its parent organisation, the RSS. During this time Godse, who murdered the Father of the Nation, Gandhi, is also coming to the fore and demands for temples in his name are in the air. Education: Autonomy of Educational Institutes The government made its intention of changing the syllabus very clear from the beginning. The Central Cabinet Minister, Venkaiah Naidu, had expressed this in so mnay words even before the elections. The real indication was given when RSS pracharak Dinananth Batra got the academic book, Hindus and Alternate History by Wendy Doniger, pulped by pressurising the publishers through court cases. Those appointed in charge of educational institutions and academic bodies have explicitly stated their ideology. K. Sudarshan Rao, the one who has been appointed as the chief of the Indian Council of Historical Research, has stated that there is no problem in the caste system as nobody had complained against it. Similarly he is trying to present Hindu mythology as History. The interference in the academic institutions led to the Director of IIT-Delhi and Board of Governors of IIT-Mumbai resigning from their posts. One Gajendra Chauhan was appointed as the Chairperson of the FTII. He did not have a stature for the high post. The students strike opposing his appointment was ignored and he continues to occupy the post. In IIT-Madras the Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle was banned, but had to be restored after a lot of protests. In Hyderabad Central University the activities of the Ambedkar Students Association were opposed. These activities were the screening of the film, Muzzafarnagar Baki hai, a programme to oppose the death penalty of Yakub Memon, and organising a beef festival. Under pressure from the Central Ministry of HRD the students were expelled from the hostel, their scholarship was stopped. This is what led to the suicide of Rohith Vemula. In JNU a programme was organised by the students to oppose the death penalty to Afzal Guru. Some masked men shouted anti-India slogans. A video was doctored and Kanhaiya Kumar and other students were arrested under the charge of sedition. Interestingly, the students (masked men), who shouted anti-India slogans, were not arrested. The doctored video was used to put Kanhaiya and others in jail. A massive students protest has grown in the country to oppose the high-handed government action in the academic campuses. In response a major protest took place by the teachers of JNU and other prominent academics; they began a series of lectures on Nationalism, covering its various aspects. The lectures gave the nation a perspective on the phenomenon of nationalism and also the distinction between Indian nationalism and Hindu nationalism. A new emotive issue was allowed to surface. That revolved around the slogan Bharat Mata ki Jai (Hail Mother India). The RSS chief had said that the youth should be told to chant this slogan. In response to this the MIMs Asaduddin Owaisi said he will not do so even if a knife was put on his throat. RSS fellow-traveller Baba Ramdev stated that had the Constitution not been there, by now lakhs of people would have been beheaded. The issue of Bharat Mata ki Jai again brought forth the issues related to who constitutes the nation in a very clear manner. Now the RSS combine is using the word deshdrohi (anti-national) for anybody and everybody who has opinions different from their own. One recalls that for his statement opposing that of Baba Ramdev, Akbaruddin Owaisi was arrested and had to be in jail for some time. Growing Intolerance As the government took charge, already the murder of Dr Dabholkar was in the backdrop. Meanwhile Com Pansare and Prof Kalburgi were murdered for their rational views. The beef ban and cow protection hysteria was built up. This led to many murders, the major one being that of Mohammad Akhlaq. The issue of cow as mother has been brought up more strongly now leading to many acts of violence. After Akhlaqs murder the heat of growing intolerance led many eminent citizens to return their awards for excellence in their areas of work. Rather than positively respond to their protests, they were looked down upon. As matters stand, it is becoming clear that all the wings of the RSS are in full action. They are getting all the protection and support from the ruling government. The RSS progeny which has come to maximum prominence is the ABVP, and it is coming to limelight in different educational campuses. Its aim is to oppose the secular, plural and democratic activities in the campuses as witnessed in the Hyderabad Central University, Allahabad University and JNU in particular. The incidents of the HCU and JNU tell us as to how brazenly the ABVP can assert itself on the issues related to pluralism and democracy, with due support from the ruling party. Incidents have also revealed that attacks on Dalits and other democratic formations are possible by the ABVP as it has the protective cover of the authorities selected because of their loyalty to the Hindutva ideology. On the one hand we have this imposition of the RSS ideology of Hindu nationalism, on the other the students and youth have come forward to defend the mantle of progressive values, the values of the Indian Constitution. The most heartening feature of recent times is that the students of different political persuasions, Ambedkarite-Left-Socialists are coming together on the democratic platform. This upsurge of the youth is a guide to the national movement as a whole reminding us of the need for all anti-communal forces to come together at social and political levels to oppose the rising tide of authoritarianism in the name of Hindutva. While the electoral experiment in Bihar has given the first respite, the students are providing the ground for the movement to protect democracy. We are in for challenging times. There are attacks and there is hope. We can definitely look forward to a united platform of all forces believing in the values of democracy and pluralism to come together and preserve those very values. The author, a retired Professor at the IIT-Bombay, is currently associated with the Centre for the Study of Secularism and Society, Mumbai. News / National by Staf reporter President Robert Mugabe is now in Papua New Guinea for the 8th Summit of African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Heads of State and Government which begins tomorrow (Monday).Mugabe and his delegation, which include the First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe, arrived at the Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby, the capital of Papau New Guinea today, ahead of the summit which kicks off with the ACP Council of Ministers meeting on Monday.Foreign Affairs Minister, Simbarashe, who is also already in Papau New Guinea, will attend tomorrow's meeting, a precursor to the ACP Heads of State and Government Summit which is set for Tuesday.The summit is expected to reposition ACP to the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and enhance the role of the ACP in global governance, development, peace, security and stability.ACP member states will also meet the European Union (EU) to look at cooperation between the two blocs.At the summit, Zimbabwe says it will tell the 94 countries, 79 from the ACP and 15 from the EU, how unfair she has been treated through illegal sanctions following her dispute with Britain over the land issue. Seaspan Corporation (NYSE:SSW) announced today that it accepted delivery of a 14000 TEU containership, the YM Width. The new containership, which was constructed at CSBC Corporation, Taiwan ("CSBC") is Seaspan's eighth 14000 TEU SAVER design containership and fourth delivery in 2016. This is the second 14000 TEU vessel using Seaspan's fuel-efficient SAVER design constructed at CSBC. The YM Width will commence a ten-year, fixed-rate time charter with Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. ("Yang Ming"). Yang Ming may extend the charter for up to an additional two years. The ship is the eighth of a total of nine 14000 TEU SAVER design vessels to be chartered to Seaspan by Yang Ming. The delivery of the YM Width expands the Company's operating fleet to 89 vessels. The prices of WTI and Brent crude briefly rose above $50/bbl during intraday trading on Thursday, the highest level seen since the end of July 2015, giving traders a brief moment of optimism, says a report from Alibra Shipping Research. But since then, prices have trended downwards. WTI currently hovers around the $48.92/bbl mark on NYMEX. Similarly, Brent is trading at around $48.91/bbl on ICE. Analysts expect a further correction in crude prices because supply remains so abundant. Irans oil exports are expected to rise a further 200,000 bbl to reach 2.2m bpd by the middle of this summer. Last Friday, rig counts in the US did not decline for the first time in 17 weeks, possibly indicating that America intends to ramp up oil production again. Meanwhile, disruptions to supply such as wildfires in Canada and unrest in Nigeria appear to be resolving themselves. Global oil stockpiles, including floating storage, have increased for the past 10 consecutive quarters and theres a lot of oil in floating storage. A senior derivatives trader at Global Risk Management told the WSJ this week that if oil prices hit $51 or $52/bpd they could fall again by $6-$10 because of the volumes stored at sea. It is estimated that almost 9% of the global VLCC fleet is currently booked for floating storage, which is a 40% increase in tankers by number since December. Reuters last week reported that at least 40 laden VLCCs anchored off Singapore as floating storage, storing estimated volumes of up to 47.7m bbl, thought to be the highest level in at least five years. Rather than the prospect of arbitrage opportunities on the horizon, traders have been enticed to store oil at sea by the cost efficiencies created by cheap oil and falling VLCC charter rates during the first quarter. Morgan Stanley estimates the current one-month arbitrage on Brent in floating storage arb is -$0.48/bbl, while the 12-month arbitrage is -$6.11/bbl, implying there is no profit incentive to store oil on ships. Wargaming North Korea - Assessing the Threat Editor's Note: This is the first installment of a five-part series examining the measures that could be taken to inhibit North Korea's nuclear weapons program. The purpose of this series is not to consider political rhetoric or noninvasive means of coercion, such as sanctions. Rather, we are exploring the military options, however remote, that are open to the United States and its allies, along with the expected retaliatory response from Pyongyang. Part two of this series looks at what targets would need to be struck to derail the North Korean nuclear program. Few countries intrigue and perplex like the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Isolated by choice from the ebbs and flows of the international system, North Korea is an island of its own making. It is often painted as a weak, fearsome lunatic with delusions of grandeur and aspirations to become a nuclear power, but the truth is a little more complicated. Despite outward appearances, Pyongyang is not reckless in its ambition. Nor does it foolhardily invite destruction. It walks a fine line, hoping to quietly attain a credible nuclear deterrent without inciting world powers to take decisive action. Deterrence has always been a part of North Korea's survival strategy. Pyongyang's calculated disarray is primarily for the benefit of potential aggressors, advising caution should provocation lead to a disproportionate response. Thriving on contradiction, Pyongyang simultaneously depicts itself as fragile to the point of collapse yet immeasurably strong. This act has served the Kim dynasty well, gaining concessions from major powers that normally would not have been afforded. North Korea has a good read on the world's inability and unwillingness to respond, not only because of upcoming U.S. elections but also because of the risk of pre-emption: Pyongyang's conventional deterrent raises the cost of intervention far higher than it is at most other places. The window for a military option to stem Pyongyang's nuclear program is closing, but that does not necessarily mean a strike is more likely now than before. Still, the balance is delicate, and should Pyongyang overplay its hand, the repercussions could be catastrophic. Analysis North Korea's biggest fear is to be coerced into a position of subservience, having to prostrate itself before China (its primary benefactor) or another powerful country. Its carefully curated image of aggressive unpredictability is intended to preserve its authoritarian and regulated society and, as a result, its isolation. The North is unlikely to expose itself to the international community unless it can guarantee two things: the primacy and security of its leaders, and an effective military deterrent. And there are few deterrents as effective as nuclear weapons. Pyongyang's unswerving progress toward developing a nuclear capability reflects the singular obsession with which it chases its goals and why the West takes its threats seriously. Security and longevity have always been at the forefront of Pyongyang's reasoning. In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the Korean Peninsula was divided into its constituent parts, sandwiching a Russian-backed northern Korean administration between mainland China and the U.S. Army Military Government in Korea to the south. North Korea flourished during the Cold War, maintaining strong connections with the rest of the communist bloc. Until the 1970s, North Korea was more prosperous than the South. Things changed, however, in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. As Cold War structures crumbled around the North and its defense partners became less viable, Pyongyang realized it had to adapt to survive, especially in the face of a burgeoning South Korea. Beyond an asymmetric approach to defense including assassination attempts, high-profile kidnappings, bombings and subterranean excavations North Korean began pursuing other options to safeguard its existence. It soon realized that a fledgling nuclear program provided a weighty bargaining chip. Transitions of power within the ruling Kim family served to make Pyongyang only more insular and unpredictable. The Inter-Korean Summit in 2000 led to a reduction of provocation across the peninsula, but Pyongyang's imperatives remained unchanged. Being branded a rogue state by the United States did little to dampen the flame of juche, the ideology installed by Kim Il Sung and the epitome of Korean self-reliance. Juche effectively calls for North Korea to stand alone economically, militarily and on the world stage. North Korea began to act up again in 2010, in advance of another transition of power within the Kim family, sinking a South Korean naval vessel and launching artillery at a prominent border island. Then in 2013, the country threatened once more to withdraw from the 1953 Armistice Agreement. Under Kim Jong Un's tenure, North Korea has prioritized strategic weaponry over all else. Despite widespread condemnation from the international community, Pyongyang has actually accelerated its nuclear weapons program, for it sees a credible nuclear arsenal as the only guarantor against Western-imposed regime change. A Generational Congress All eyes were on North Korea for its 7th Workers' Party Congress at the beginning of May, the first such meeting in more than 35 years. It was also the first time Western journalists were invited en masse to attend, albeit with strict limitations and the ever-present threat of deportation. The congress served many purposes, not least of which was to consolidate and institutionalize Kim Jong Un's rule and move away from the informal lines of command and political fiefdoms that developed under the rule of his father. Shedding his previous title of first secretary, Kim was introduced as party chairman for the first time. During his address on May 7, Kim was quick to point out the advances made by the country's nuclear weapons and missile programs. He singled out Pyongyang's burgeoning nuclear capability as the protective layer that will enable economic development, a concept known as byungjin. But considering that North Korea's nuclear aspirations have saddled the country with economic sanctions, the statement appears somewhat ironic. That said, the announcement of a five-year economic plan is telling: Kim is accepting the kind of responsibility once shouldered by his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and solidifying his primacy at the head of the people's republic. Pyongyang is optimistic to consider itself a nuclear power. A variety of tests and launches indicate that North Korea is assembling the constituent parts of a re-entry vehicle, but nothing decisively suggests that it has a fully functional nuclear ballistic missile. The country's fourth successful underground nuclear test was conducted Jan. 6, followed a month later by a satellite launch into orbit. This was trailed by ground tests of a rocket nose cone capable of withstanding atmospheric re-entry. Meanwhile, North Korean scientists proceeded with the controlled ignition of a solid rocket engine and, allegedly, the development of a miniaturized nuclear warhead. On top of these nuclear stepping-stones were a number of ballistic missile tests, including the use of mobile land-based platforms and submarine launches, the latter theoretically within strike range of Guam and Japan. Though these tests included some failures most notably three successive failures of the Musudan mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile system they demonstrate clear progress in developing most of the individual segments of a viable nuclear deterrent. And North Korea's intent is to keep progressing until Pyongyang has a survivable weapon it can launch at short notice that will deliver a nuclear payload to the continental United States. In response, efforts by the international community seeking denuclearization of North Korea are falling short. Pyongyang's position is deliberately opaque, primarily because it is beneficial to keep the West uncertain as to North Korea's true capabilities. If the missile program's well-publicized failures can nonetheless create enough doubt in the minds of U.S. policymakers, it might be enough to defer any possible strike. If success is not assured in North Korea's nuclear program, is direct action justifiable? Yet, North Korea is coming late to the nuclear game, and the technologies it is pursuing are already decades old. For many strategists and speculators alike, it is simply a case of when, not if. The key question then becomes: Can the United States afford to let Pyongyang cross the nuclear Rubicon? If the answer is no, then consideration must be given to the ways in which countries opposing North Korea, primarily the United States and South Korea, will use military force to neuter the nuclear program and impose compliance. The threat alone might be impetus enough for Pyongyang to take the final steps, as Stratfor's expert on North Korea, Rodger Baker, considers: As Pyongyang approaches a viable nuclear weapon and delivery system, the pressure is rising for the United States and other countries to pre-empt it. Consequently, the final moments of North Korea's transition from a working program to a demonstrated system are the most dangerous, providing a last chance to stop the country from becoming a nuclear weapons state. For North Korea, then, these final steps must happen quickly. Because 2016 is a presidential election year in the United States, Pyongyang may feel it has a window to finalize its nuclear arms program while the United States is preoccupied with domestic politics and unlikely to take military action. Furthermore, having just held parliamentary elections and facing a presidential contest in 2017, South Korea, too, is in the midst of political transition. North Korea is making a gamble, one that bets both on its read of U.S. politics and on its own ability to overcome technological hurdles. This is the cost calculation faced by policymakers in the United States and South Korea as they consider a political decision that could lead to military action. The United States is the singular military power that has both the intent and the capability to conduct such an operation and would naturally take the lead. Washington has also been branded a target for North Korean aggression, along with Seoul and Tokyo. In the coming installments, we will examine the options available to the United States and its allies should they decide to act militarily against North Korea. We will also consider, in turn, the nature of any retaliation or counterstrike by Pyongyang. The focus here is on offensive action rather than diplomacy, though it is important to note that Washington does not make decisions lightly or in isolation. Though political will must drive military intent, the opportune time for offensive action is rapidly running out. This, theoretically, makes the final stages of Pyongyang's nuclear program the most risky it is clear the North is nearing the final steps, and once it has a viable nuclear weapon, it is too late for Washington to intervene. These are the waning moments for any practical intervention. In light of this, the second part of this series will examine what targets would need to be struck if the United States chooses to take action. Read the second installment of this five-part series: Derailing a Nuclear Program by Force. This analysis was just a fraction of what our Members enjoy, Click Here to start your Free Membership Trial Today! "This report is republished with permission of STRATFOR" Copyright 2016 Stratfor. All rights reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only. 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. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Memorial Day Crocodile Tears from Those Who Create Wars A few million Americans may be thinking about it, but wont be celebrating Memorial Day. For them, theres not much to celebrate or to remember. Theyre the low-wage employees who may have to work all three days, without overtime; about three million workers earn the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Many work 30 to 35 hours a week, just low enough that their employers dont have to pay for insurance, holidays, or sick leave. The corporate CEOs, of course, will be enjoying the long weekend at their alternate vacation homes in the mountains, or along the coasts, or at off-shore islands where they have found banks willing to hide their money and avoid U.S. taxes. Almost 600,000 persons are homeless on any given night. They are homeless for any number of reasons, but whatever reason, the reality is they are homelessand the wealthiest nation in the world cheers $10 million a year pro athletes, but discounts social workers who have graduate degrees and are paid an average of about $46,000 a year.The homeless live beneath bridges, in subway tunnels, on the streets, or if the shelters arent filled, in protected areas with cots for beds, and grocery carts for what few possessions they have. In Atlantic City, the homeless live beneath the boardwalk, unseen by hundreds of thousands who go into casinos, buy expensive dinners, and think nothing of dropping a few hundred or a few thousand dollars at gaming tables and slot machines. In urban cities, those with jobs and families walk by the homeless, as if they are invisible, sometimes erroneously thinking that even if the homeless get a dollar or two, theyd rush off to buy beer, liquor, or more drugs.About 50,000 of the homeless on any given night are veterans, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Overall, more than 150,000 veterans are homeless during the year. The reasons for veterans being homeless are because of extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income and access to health care . . . lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Under the Obama administration, which has focused upon assisting veterans, the number of homeless veterans on any given night has come down from about 80,000 six years ago, but even a few dozen homeless veterans are far too many.Hundreds of thousands of veterans wont be able to march in Memorial Day parades, or stand and salute the flag. They dont have limbs, their muscles have atrophied because of extensive bed confinement, or they have other debilitating illnesses. About 2.2 million American veterans were injured during their service; about 1.7 million of them were wounded in combat, according to a Pew Research Center summary and analysis. About 200,000 military personnel who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder of have major depression, according to a study done by the Rand Corp. About 285,000 of the veterans of Americas most recent wars have suffered from traumatic brain injury. Among other injuries, according to the VA are chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, fibromyalgia, hearing difficulties, hepatitis, malaria, memory loss, migraines, sleep disorders and tuberculosis.More than 120,000 Americans wont celebrate Memorial Day; they died in combat during the Korean, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and Iraq/Afghanistan wars.During this three-day weekend, Americans will grill steaks, burgers, and hot dogs; they will travel to relatives or friends houses, or take mini-vacations. The nations politiciansfrom small town council members to presidential candidateswill go from picnic to picnic, from rally to rally, and deliver poignant speeches about how much they care about the veterans who were injured or died for their country, and how much veterans mean to the country, while delivering the underlying message to vote for them in the coming election.But, it is these politicians who, without hesitation, will quickly send American youth into war, and claim that killing people a half-world away somehow protects American citizens. And once Americans are in combat, these same politicians will complain about the cost of war, and vote against providing adequate funds for decent medical and psychological treatment for those who come home damaged. [Dr. Brasch is author of Unacceptable: The Federal Governments Response to Hurricane Katrina , the first major book that looked at the causes, problems, and effects of the storm. He and Rosemary Brasch, two years before Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, had written a series of articles that predicted the United States was not prepared for a major disaster.] [Dr. Braschs current book is Fracking Pennsylvania, which looks at the impact of fracking upon public health, worker safety, the environment, and agriculture. The book--available at local bookstores and amazon. com--also looks at the financial collusion between politicians and Big Energy.] By Walter M Brasch PhD http://www.walterbrasch.com Copyright 2016 Walter M Brasch Walter Brasch is a university journalism professor, syndicated columnist, and author of 17 books. His current books are America's Unpatriotic Acts , The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina , and Sex and the Single Beer Can: Probing the Media and American Culture . All are available through amazon.com, bn.com, or other bookstores. You may contact Dr. Brasch at walterbrasch@gmail.com Walter Brasch Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. EU Referendum, Black Vote LEAVE or REMAIN? Which is Worse for Racism for Britain's Ethnic Minorities? The establishment polling suggests that most (70%) of the black and ethnic minority will opt to vote to REMAIN within the European Union on June 23rd, as to vote to LEAVE would be effectively aligning oneself with the right wing, the likes of the BNP on the extreme end, and other less extreme right wingers, when traditionally the black vote has tended to be left of centre. This is illustrated by a REMAIN group calling itself 'Operation Black Vote' releasing a provocative poster created by Saatchi and Saatchi that has gone viral aimed at motivating the black voters to vote to REMAIN within the European Union. As one of asian descent born in the UK in 1968, I can say that unfortunately the poster does ring very true! It really was like that in the 1970's, and much of the 1980's skin heads rampaging around, punching and getting punched, it really was like that! However, that was then and now is now, as whilst ringing true for the 1970's and much of the 1980's. It has taken a LOOOOONG and painful time, but having emerged from the hell of the 1970's and 1980's the 1990's were breath of fresh air, as overt racism was on a diminishing trend that continued into the 2000's though I think it's pretty much ground to a halt for the past decade or so. Therefore I would like to make one small addition to the poster so that it better reflects reality. So as things stand today it is not really relevant, not to say the overt racism has not completely diminished, perhaps declined to about 15% of that which was during the 1970's . Also I cannot vouch to what level institutional racism has diminished, i.e. in the jobs market, for in the 1970's and 1980's ethnic minorities FULLY understood that they had NO CHANCE of succeeding in ANY career, hence the only real route to success was through BUSINESS, which is why I set up my first business when I was just 15, and then become self taught trader / analyst a little later, outside of the education and jobs 'system' that operated in Britain at the time. but I digress... Looking into the future, whilst english people may have become more educated and desensitised to peoples of differing shades of colour, and cultures, effectively falling in love with curry's! Unfortunately, looking across eastern europe it is like looking into a time warp of the 1970's! or worse! You only have to look at the neo-naziesk politicians taking power from Poland to Hungary and right down through the balkan backbone. For instance the Hungarians don't want to see a single brown face in their backward nation but are happy to flood western europe, BRITAIN with several hundred thousands of in work benefits claiming migrants. Same goes for Poland ten fold, and the dozen or so others who whilst quiet today due to wanting to keep a low profile at this time, nevertheless have the same mentality and brewing resentment of ethnic minorities all of that which was so vile during the 1970's and 1980's. It's there and it's waiting to be unleashed. For instance the EU is presently threatening Hungary with massive fines if it does not change direction in its persecution of black and ethnic minorities such as treatment of their Roma gypsy population that have been excluded from schools and jobs, and farming as one of primary reasons why there has been a Roma gypsy exodus to the likes of Britain. To imagine Hungarian migrants are not bringing the same mentality here to Britain is delusional that sows the seeds for inter communal disharmony. Here's another example of the Polish Deputy Prime Minister being held to account by Newsnight for the Polish governments anti-migrant policies of not wanting any migrants whilst at the same time wanting to flood Britain with Polish migrant workers that has seen the population of Poland fall by over 10 million from more than 50 million to just 40 million today! Then throw in the fact that eastern europeans are far more religious, still stuck fast in their man in the sky death cults which is again contrary to Britain's more civilised culture. Therefore Britain's black and ethnic minorities need to ask themselves, do you really want to see your children and grand children go through the same shit that they went through, but worse? Worse because of the crisis in housing, jobs, services and social cohesion all due to out of control mass immigration! VOTE LEAVE! Therefore in all probability, continuing out of control immigration is likely to result in greater racism for Britain's black and ethnic minorities, who therefore should vote to LEAVE the EU. The bottom line is that by REMAINING in the EU all Brit's LOSE, English, Ethnics, just that Ethnics will get it a lot worse given that one can't change the colour of ones skin! BrEXIT New Dawn for Britain! EU Referendum - Britain Better off LEAVING the EU Over the past 18 months of analysis I have come to the firm conclusion that on the balance of probabilities that Britain would be far better off in the long-run by LEAVING to the European Union. Yes, there would be short-term uncertainty and some economic pain, but the price of remaining within the EU will be INFINITELY greater as my articles such as this and videos to date illustrate. For instance research by the SMF/Adecco Group states that if EU migrants were subject to the same visa requirements as non EU migrants then 90% of whom would NOT have been allowed entry into the UK for work! i.e. instead of approx 4.5 million EU migrants since 2000, there would only have been 450,000! Which suggests that following BrExit immigration from the EU could fall by about 90%! Whilst those who stick their heads in the sand and imagine that the situation will magically correct itself on its own are just fooling themselves, as EU immigration is set to accelerate further due to living wage of 7.20 per hour and set to rise towards 10 per hour, whilst the living wage in many eastern european nations is just 1 per hour, that illustrates that the pull is only going to get even stronger. Therefore with less than 4 weeks to go and the opinion polls virtually neck and neck on 44%, I have been ramping up our campaign for a BrExit outcome as we enter this last stretch, producing Brexit resources from in-depth analysis, rebuttal articles such as this, many videos, and also active on the social networks so as to do our best to play a part in Britain in securing Britain's long-term future, Britain's very last chance for freedom which you too can help to achieve by supporting the Brexit cause. And also ensure you are subscribed to my always free newsletter (only requirement is an email address) for forthcoming in-depth analysis and detailed trend forecasts that include the following : BrExit to Save Europe from the Apocalypse US Dollar Trend Forecast UK Housing Market Trend Forecasts US Stock Market Forecasts US House Prices Detailed Multi-Year Trend Forecast Gold and Silver Price Forecast By Nadeem Walayat http://www.marketoracle.co.uk Copyright 2005-2016 Marketoracle.co.uk (Market Oracle Ltd). All rights reserved. Nadeem Walayat has over 25 years experience of trading derivatives, portfolio management and analysing the financial markets, including one of few who both anticipated and Beat the 1987 Crash. Nadeem's forward looking analysis focuses on UK inflation, economy, interest rates and housing market. He is the author of five ebook's in the The Inflation Mega-Trend and Stocks Stealth Bull Market series that can be downloaded for Free. Nadeem is the Editor of The Market Oracle, a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication that presents in-depth analysis from over 1000 experienced analysts on a range of views of the probable direction of the financial markets, thus enabling our readers to arrive at an informed opinion on future market direction. http://www.marketoracle.co.uk 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 trading losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors before engaging in any trading activities. Nadeem Walayat Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Comments R.E.B 30 May 16, 20:10 Polish Attitudes. There are a lot of Polish migrants in my town and I can tell you now that a lot of the young men doing low end jobs really do not like black or asian people one bit, and have a serious problem with them. I agree that this influx of white eastern Europeans may very well lead to big problems. There are a lot of Polish skinheads. Retaking Raqqa From the Islamic State The battle for Raqqa, the Islamic State's self-declared capital in Syria, has begun. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are advancing toward the city, engaging the jihadist group in the villages of al-Hisha, Tal Samen and Mutamshirij along the way. Because of Raqqa's strategic importance, the Islamic State will do everything in its power to keep the city within its grasp. Driving the militants from their stronghold will not be easy or cheap, but if the SDF is successful, it will greatly accelerate the Islamic State's defeat in Syria. Analysis For months, the SDF, backed by the United States, has been positioned on the front lines roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Raqqa. Videos have emerged showing large convoys, including tank transporters carrying armored vehicles, moving throughout the area as the group prepared to retake the city from the Islamic State fighters who captured it in 2013. Over the past week, the United States began dropping leaflets on Raqqa urging its citizens to leave, proclaiming, "The time you have awaited has arrived. It's time to leave Raqqa." Then on May 21-22, U.S. Gen. Joseph Votel the top U.S. Central Command general and the highest-ranking U.S. official to travel to Syria during the conflict visited SDF fighters in the country's north. As the signs of impending battle mounted, the Islamic State began making preparations of its own, ramping up its defenses throughout Raqqa. And on May 24, the SDF made its move, announcing the start of its long-awaited advance. But just how close the group is able to get to the heart of the city will be determined by one thing: its ethnic composition. Raqqa is a city with an Arab majority. Because the SDF and its backers want to not only retake the city but also to hold and govern it, they will need a sizable Arab force if they hope to achieve their objectives with local support. However, the SDF is currently dominated by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which have been effective against the Islamic State in territory they are familiar with in the north and northeast but are less inclined to spearhead operations farther south toward Raqqa. Moreover, the deeper the Kurds push into overwhelmingly Arab territory, the more they risk cementing local populations' suspicions of the rebels and support for the Islamic State. Still, Arab fighters have been joining the SDF's ranks in droves. In fact, training these Syrian Arab Coalition fighters is one of the core purposes of the 250 U.S. special operations forces deployed to Syria in April, and Votel was likely checking up on their progress during his visit to the country. (The general subsequently traveled to Turkey to reassure Turkish officials of U.S. support for the SDF.) Once the Syrian Arab Coalition grows to the ideal size and strength, and final preparations are complete, the SDF will shift its offensive to a direct attack on Raqqa. Because the Islamic State will not give up the city without a fight, the ensuing battle will likely be expensive and lengthy, easily lasting weeks if not months. Stretching Islamic State Resources The first and simplest phase of the operation will be the SDF's advance from its current position on the front line south of Ayn Issa toward the outskirts of Raqqa. This part of the offensive has already begun, and on May 24, the group captured the town of Fatisa, around 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Raqqa. Once the SDF closes the distance between itself and the Islamic State's dug-in posts in and around Raqqa, the pace of the battle will slow considerably. In what will become a grinding and methodical advance, the SDF will have to contend with improvised explosive devices, mines, booby traps, suicide bombers, local counterattacks and indirect fire from mortars and artillery in the city. It will also have to rely on U.S. air support to take out the Islamic State's strongest positions, and despite efforts to minimize civilian casualties, the Islamic State's tendency to use human shields will probably lead to a high death toll. The effort to seize Raqqa, much like Iraq's endeavor to retake Ramadi, will come at a terrible cost, all but guaranteeing the city's destruction. For the Islamic State, the loss of Raqqa would be a devastating blow. The city not only has symbolic value as the capital of the group's so-called caliphate, but it is also an important hub for transporting people and supplies. Raqqa sits on the Euphrates River and is the key to controlling several critical highways in Syria. Without it, the Islamic State would have a much harder time moving fighters and goods from Aleppo province to eastern Syria and beyond. Instead it would be forced to rely on the Resafa-Ash Shola road, which is increasingly threatened by the Syrian government's advances toward Deir el-Zour. Given the city's significance to Islamic State operations in Syria, the group can be expected to funnel substantial resources and reinforcements toward its defense. In addition to sending more fighters to Raqqa, the Islamic State will likely launch counterattacks along the SDF's other front lines, including al-Hasaka, in an effort to distract its foe. However, the Islamic State will be at a disadvantage: While the SDF is focusing most of its attention on attacking the jihadist group, the Islamic State has to contend with the Syrian rebels, Syrian government troops, Kurdish peshmerga and Iraqi forces. Devoting additional attention and resources to Raqqa when it is already overstretched will inevitably hurt the extremist group elsewhere on the battlefield. "Retaking Raqqa From the Islamic State is republished with permission of Stratfor." This analysis was just a fraction of what our Members enjoy, Click Here to start your Free Membership Trial Today! "This report is republished with permission of STRATFOR" Copyright 2016 Stratfor. All rights reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only. 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. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. News / Regional by Vusumuzi Dube THE Bulawayo City Council has shortlisted four candidates for the post of town clerk, which they will forward to the Local Government Board for consideration, Sunday News has learnt.Although the city's Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo, who was leading the interviewing panel for the position, could not confirm or deny the shortlist, Sunday News has gathered that the front-runner for the top position in the city is Victoria Falls Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube.Former Tsholotsho Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Ronnie Dube is on the list that also includes Acting Town Clerk, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou and Hwange Colliery finance manager Mr Gift Sibanda.Clr Moyo said: "The process is still on, we are meant to call a special council meeting where the outcome will be discussed. Right now our human resources manager is compiling the minutes regarding the whole interview process, the scoring and the curriculum vitaes of all those who had applied for the position."It has also emerged that Bulawayo Provincial Administrator Mrs Khonzani Ncube and Chitungwiza Town Secretary Mr George Makunde did not apply for the position as had earlier been reported.Nonetheless, impeccable council sources revealed that the process was now complete confirming the four names that would be forwarded for consideration to the local government board."The whole process has been completed, interviews were conducted a couple of weeks ago now we will hold a special council meeting then the list will be forwarded to the Local Government board, but with the outcome of the interviews we expect the Victoria Falls Town Clerk (Mr Christopher Dube) to take over," said a source.The source further revealed that councillors wanted to fast track the appointment of the new town clerk amid fears that they could face the chop with the pending investigation on corruption allegations levelled against the councillors."The fear is that the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Saviour Kasukuwere could suspend all the councillors before they appoint the town clerk hence the move to fast track the whole process. Some councillors are however, sceptical as they feel that the Government might block the process with the whole corruption story dangling over them."However, responding to written questions, a couple of months ago, Clr Moyo had said they should have completed the whole process of appointing the new town clerk by end of last month, meaning the process is already one month behind."According to the laid down procedure the post is flighted in the print media. The applications will be received until the closing day, Thursday 31 March 2016. The process thereafter in terms of the Urban Councils Act will entail the shortlisting of the candidates by the General Purposes committee on the first or second week of April."Interviews will then be done by the General Purposes committee as the interviewing panel at a special meeting on the third or fourth week of April. The committee will then submit a report and recommendations to council for ratification on 4 May," Clr Moyo is quoted as saying.He said the local authority was meant to submit the name of the successful candidate to the Local Government Board in the second week of May after which the board was to conduct their on interview and subsequently communicate their decision to the local authority. Tens of thousands of electric cars were to be rolling off assembly lines by now at a Mississippi factory funded by millions of dollars in foreign money. But last year, GreenTech Automotive, the company Terry McAuliffe co-founded and described as part of a rebirth for American manufacturing, produced just 25 vehicles and sold none, according to federal records. A total of 75 people worked at the plant in rural Tunica County and at the companys Virginia office less than a fifth the number of employees the company projected in 2011. The operation lost money from 2009 to Aug. 31, 2015, the records state. A GreenTech business plan pledges better days to come, but the federal agency that decides whether the companys foreign investors get green cards doesnt buy it. Company projections, a federal official wrote, are not credible by the preponderance of the evidence. That conclusion helped prompt officials to reject an EB-5 green card application filed by a GreenTech investor from Inner Mongolia, China, according to a 34-page U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services decision obtained by The Roanoke Times. The document provides a rare and deep look inside the struggles of the company McAuliffe left behind in December 2012 to concentrate on his successful run for governor. His foreign business dealings before taking up residence in the Executive Mansion are being investigated by the federal Department of Justice, James Cooper, an attorney for the governor, said last week. The governor has not been accused of wrongdoing. Cooper has said officials have mentioned the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires people to register if they are seeking to influence the domestic or foreign policy of the United States on behalf of a foreign entity. CNN has reported that the Department of Justice investigation into McAuliffe began roughly a year ago. Federal authorities have declined to comment. An inspector generals report published March 24, 2015, said McAuliffe received favorable treatment from former immigration services chief Alejandro Mayorkas in 2011, when the GreenTech chairman and future governor sought help getting EB-5 visas approved for foreign investors in his fledgling car company. Cooper said in an email to The Roanoke Times that McAuliffes lobbying of Mayorkas is not a focus of the probe. The governors lawyer could not be reached for further comment on whether GreenTech is part of the investigation in any respect. Asked earlier this month about GreenTech, McAuliffe replied: Ive been out of the company three and a half years and I have no idea what theyre doing today. Several months after losing the Democratic gubernatorial primary in 2009, McAuliffe advocated for GreenTech to Virginia economic officials, who raised concerns about the companys reliance on EB-5 money. Under the federal program, foreign nationals who have invested at least $500,000 in a domestic business venture may receive green cards if they show their investment generated at least 10 jobs or comparable economic value. An investor seeking a green card may present either tax records of 10 qualifying new employees or a company business plan that demonstrates a need for 10 new employees and lists their likely hiring dates. Nicholas Colucci, chief of the federal immigrant investor program, signed the decision that said companywide payroll at GreenTech, which operates an office in McLean in addition to the Tunica factory, totaled 75 people. The decision also dismissed a company projection that GreenTech would employ 125 people this year, 175 next and 250 in 2018. GreenTech said three years ago it had lined up almost 150 EB-5 investors; the company would have needed to create at least 1,500 jobs, or exhibit the potential to do so, for those petitioners to win green cards. That number seemed possible in the fall of 2009, shortly after McAuliffe joined Xiaolin Charlie Wang in founding GreenTech. The company touted plans to Mississippi officials to bring to the state a $1 billion plant employing 1,500 people. A former Wall Street securities lawyer raised in China, Wang led the firm with McAuliffe, a revered Democratic fundraiser who guided longtime friend Hillary Clintons unsuccessful 2008 bid for the partys presidential nomination. Following his earlier gubernatorial defeat, McAuliffe turned his pitchman skills to GreenTech, describing it as part of a wave that would reshape American manufacturing as well as automobile travel. A new line would feature two-seat, low-speed electric vehicles with ranges of 50 to 115 miles per charge. GreenTech, McAuliffe predicted, would producethousands of high-quality manufacturing jobs starting with the factory in Mississippi and possibly including a second plant in Virginia. I want to create jobs here that will be around for the next 20, 30, 40 years, McAuliffe told an interviewer in 2011. A site near Martinsville was included among potential locations for a GreenTech plant when McAuliffe first queried state officials about locating in Virginia. But GreenTech never came through when asked to provide Virginia economic officials with more information. Tunica County, in Mississippis northwest corner, embraced GreenTech, hoping to diversify an economy built on agriculture until the 1990s, when casinos came to the region. A March 2013 GreenTech prospectus described investments of $73 million by 146 EB-5 investors. And the company sought more. In mid-2011, state and local officials in Mississippi packaged loans, tax rebates, exemptions and other support worth at least $8 million for GreenTech, which agreed to invest $60 million and create 350 jobs paying at least $35,000 annually apiece by the end of 2014. A temporary plant in Horn Lake, Mississippi, hosted a celebration attended by former President Bill Clinton and then-Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour in summer 2012. Five months later, McAuliffe left the company. In fall 2014, with McAuliffe in the governors mansion and his GreenTech shares sold, the company finally opened its Tunica factory. The plant was smaller than expected. Hiring moved slowly. By the end of the year, GreenTech had reached neither its investment nor jobs goals, said Jeff Rent, a spokesman for the Mississippi Development Authority. Last year, GreenTech asked officials to renegotiate its 2011 incentives deal, Rent said. At this time, Rent said, there is not a modified agreement, but the state of Mississippi is working with the company to best protect its investment and to keep Mississippians working at the plant. Local officials are undaunted. When you come in and start a new business, Tunica Mayor Chuck Cariker said, theres always setbacks that you dont foresee. As long as youre working to meet the goal and obligation, Im glad theyre here. Coluccis decision was less sanguine. In a year when new vehicle sales in the U.S. hit a record 17.5 million, GreenTech records showed that as of December 2015, the company had produced 25 vehicles 10 for demonstration, 10 for engineering and testing and five for marketing, according to the Colucci decision. GreenTech business plans submitted in the companys early years turned out to be unattainable. The projections for this company have gone from, in July 2009, a factory, machine shop, office building, museum and residential housing while having the expectation of being able to produce one million vehicles a year, to the December 2015 business plan where GTA has produced 25 vehicles, the decision said. Past struggles cast a shadow over company forecasts, Colucci wrote, describing GreenTech as experiencing a general lack of credibility from the failure to meet any projected timelines. Colucci raised doubts about the companys production targets of 2,050 vehicles in 2016, 6,200 in 2017 and 12,400 in 2018. Regulators said they had yet to see proof of a market for the companys products, which include a gasoline-engine pickup and van and the electric MyCar, which is 5 feet shorter than a typical 14-foot American sedan, specifications show. Neither federal immigration officials nor a lawyer named in Coluccis decision would comment on the document. The investor whose visa application was rejected could not be reached for comment. Investors rejected for EB-5 visas can appeal but must have federal approval to enter and remain in the country. A GreenTech financial prospectus says investors denied green cards may request repayment of their investment. Immigration services spokesman Steve Blando said investor petitions are judged on a case-by-case basis and denied for failure to meet specific eligibility requirements. He declined to summarize agency rulings on GreenTech investor petitions or to address the outcomes for other GreenTech investors who relied on the company meeting its business plans to back their visa applications. Asked if he still wished GreenTech had located in Virginia, McAuliffe said: Its not fair for me to talk. Im not part of the leadership of the company. Wang did not respond to multiple requests for comment left at his McLean office and another left at his Great Falls home. Minnie Xin, Wangs assistant, said Wednesday that he was out of the country on business. She said she did not know when he would return. Xin said she could not locate a representative of Gulf Coast Funds Management, GreenTechs fundraising affiliate, to talk to a reporter. Gulf Coast is based in the same McLean office as GreenTech. The firm formerly was headed by Tony Rodham, Hillary Clintons brother, who traveled across China with Wang seeking EB-5 investors. Eighty-five percent of EB-5 green card applicants in fiscal year 2015 were from China, according to the State Department. Virginia economic officials have softened their resistance to EB-5 since McAuliffe took office, according to emails obtained by The Roanoke Times. In 2015, a Shanghai law firm posted a Facebook ad soliciting EB-5 money for China-based UniTao Pharmaceuticals a few months after the company said it was idling a Petersburg project where it planned to invest $22.5 million and hire 376 people. McAuliffe helped broker that deal, meeting with company officials in China to discuss a project in Virginia and approving a $1 million grant for the company. UniTao did not collect the grant. Signed into law in 1990, EB-5 was largely obscure until the recent recessionary credit crunch sent investments under the program soaring. Concerns also began rising. In April, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused two men and their companies of misusing portions of $350 million raised from EB-5 investors to build a ski resort and biomedical research plant in Vermont. A civil complaint outlined what regulators called a massive, eight-year fraudulent scheme. U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, a longtime EB-5 supporter, said the case proves the need for reform. Congress has authorized EB-5 to continue until Sept. 30 while lawmakers debate fixes. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, has said the program is deeply flawed and lacks adequate oversight. Educate. Heal. Remember. Learn. These are the four pillars that Chris Lizotte uses both as he goes about his work as a veterans services officer and volunteers as a member of the committee that will bring the Wall That Heals to Western Massachusetts this summer. At 29, Lizotte is too young to have lived through that painful chapter in American history, but he is old enough to have served our country in a more recent war. From 2007 through 2008, he was in Baghdad, Iraq, serving with Delta Company of the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion of the 181st Infantry, one of the nation's oldest fighting units that can trace its lineage back to before the Revolutionary War. His personal experiences, both in military service and today as someone helping veterans of all generations, give Lizotte valuable perspective as he reflects this Memorial Day on the country's ongoing 50th anniversary commemoration of the Vietnam War. Bringing the community together, he says, is one of the key reasons he got involved with the Wall That Heals. The traveling replica of the national monument to Vietnam, a project of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, will arrive at the Eastern States Exposition grounds on Aug. 17 and be open for free, round-the-clock viewing by the public from Aug. 18 through 21. Its mobile education center will help visitors learn about Vietnam and the experiences of the men and woman who served there. As part of its Wall of Faces memorial, it is hoped families of Vietnam's war dead from Western Massachusetts will share images of their loved ones to preserve a national record of the war's casualties. Lizotte has made Vietnam and the wall's visit a key part of tomorrow's West Springfield Memorial Day ceremonies; one of his fellow members on the wall committee, Vietnam veteran Norman Burns, of Agawam, who is commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6714 in West Side, will be the keynote speaker at the ceremonies. Burns is just one of the people involved in the project, who, Lizotte says, has enriched his life and made him thankful to be part of the effort over the past eight months. Lizotte comes from a military family that's seen members of each generation serve their country since his grandfather served as an artillery gunner during World War II. His twin brother, Daniel, went into the Marine Corps right out of high school, and their father, now retired, was the company commander for the Army National Guard unit based in their hometown of Agawam. One of his uncles served with the Marines in Vietnam. Lizotte can remember when he saw the posting for the job of West Springfield's veterans services officer nearly 18 months ago; he put on a suit, got in his car and drove from Worcester, where he had been working with a non-profit, Veterans Inc., to deliver his resume and application in person. He thinks he was the first person to apply; he got the job. "It just made sense for me to apply," he explains. "I wanted to help veterans. You hear all the stories and comments about Vietnam veterans not coming home to that nice welcoming and all the services my generation has had. The USO was there greeting us, (and) places were saying they were going to hire us. I knew I wanted to help my brothers and sisters (in the military). Continuing to serve them is something I am passionate about." Last summer, Lizotte remembers, he heard about the Wall That Heals visiting the city of Gloucester on Massachusetts' North Shore. "It really intrigued me. I knew I wanted to try to bring it here. More than anything, it would be a way for me to try to say thank you during this 50th anniversary commemoration," he said. "A lot of it is that I wanted to help bring the community together. At first, it was just to bring the wall here; now, it's truly a remarkable experience." Little did he know, says Lizotte, just how much it would mean to him. "I never knew all the great men and women I was going to be able to meet. I am so excited to meet more," he said. "To me that's what it is all about. I first saw the wall in Washington, D.C., on a trip with the Boy Scouts. I honestly didn't grasp what it meant back then. I saw it as a monument. (But), each name means something to someone. That's what makes this really an honor." He remembers one recent day when he was visiting a business in downtown West Springfield and explaining what the Wall That Heals would mean for the community; the committee has been seeking sponsors and volunteers to help cover costs associated with the project, pay for marketing materials and also support the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. "A woman heard me as she was walking by. She stopped and, almost in tears, said, 'I can't thank you enough (for bringing it here.)' That's what it's all about, bringing the community together. To educate, to heal, to learn and to remember." Cynthia G. Simison, managing editor of The Republican, can be reached by email to csimison@repub.com. News / Regional by Lynnia Ndlovu TEACHERS in Gwanda will get stands to build houses in the town following a deal between the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the local authority aimed at improving the welfare of teachers.Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora revealed this in his remarks at the Global Action Week for Education Commemorations held at Gwanda District Club on Friday under the theme, "Fund the Future: Education Rights Now.""I have spoken to the mayor and he promised that he will provide us with some stands for our teachers to have accommodation. Teachers are doing a sterling job as you can see that Zimbabwe has a 92 percent literacy rate. In that vein I say no school should be opened to operate without teachers' proper accommodation."We should ask ourselves what kind of spaces are our teachers staying in, that one is not negotiable, from now as we go forward. What we want is good performance from our teachers which can never be achieved if we don't have their welfare at heart, they should have good accommodation for them to produce best results," he said.Although he could not disclose how many stands will be availed for the teachers, Dr Dokora added the issue of teachers' welfare can never be separated from the performance of the learners hence the ministry's move to prioritise provision of sound infrastructure to teachers."Infrastructure refers to the provision and maintenance of sufficient, safe and appropriate physical school structures and basic amenities designed to meet the need of all learners and staff. Twenty schools have been built under PSIP (Public Sector Investment Programme), 100 are to be constructed for the feasibility phase of schools construction under the Joint Venture Partnerships (JVP) and 17 under the OPEC fund for International Development (OFID) in rural areas while other schools are being built under the China and Japanese friendship programmes."He said the ministry has also made a lot of effort to provide access and quality education through safety nets, Education Development Fund, infrastructural development and a phenomenal growth of ECD, primary and secondary enrolment."In 1980, primary school enrolment stood at 123 994, secondary was 74 321 yet now it stands at 3 176 365 and 1 026 984 respectively. These impressive figures that commensurate with infrastructural development, staffing, provision of teaching a learning material are a signature policy initiative that defines the ministry's achievement in the provision of educational funding in Zimbabwe," he said. ORLEANS A 22-year-old applicant for a lifeguard position at a Cape Cod beach died as he was taking the swimming test, Saturday morning. Orleans officials told the Cape Cod Times that Jack Jakubek of Newburgh was taking part in swimming trials when he slipped beneath the surface of Pilgrim Lake in Orleans. When Jakubek didn't surface, rescuers began to search for him. He was located approximately half an hour later, about 9:30 a.m., between 150 and 200 yards from shore in 10 to 15 feet of water. Lifeguards and divers at the scene attempted to resuscitate Jakubek but were unable. He was transported to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis where he was pronounced dead. The Orleans Natural Resources Department conducts lifeguard tests each year for lifeguard positions on the town's Nauset Beach. Typically anywhere from 15 to 20 people take part. The test takes about one hour to complete. The Times reported Jakubek had served as a lifeguard with the town in 2014. Orleans police and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the incident. A 17-year-old Lawrence boy drowned in a Georgetown pond as he swam with a friend at the American Legion Beach on Pentucket Pond Saturday afternoon the Boston Herald reported. The friend said the two were swimming in deep water and were about to go underwater when the boy became distressed and slipped under the surface. "He wanted to swim deep with me and I said 'lets' go.' The next thing I know he said he was drowning. I turned around and he was gone.," she told reporters at the scene. Rescuers searched the waters of the pond for 45 minutes before locating him. Massachusetts State Troopers attached to the Essex County District Attorney's Office are investigating the incident. AUBURN - Thousands gathered in support of the family and friends of Auburn Police Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr. during his funeral Friday. It has been a long week for the central Massachusetts communities of Auburn and Leicester following the death of the 42-year-old father of three. Tarentino was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop at around 12:30 a.m. Sunday. The suspect in his killing, Jorge Zambrano, was tracked down and killed in a shootout with police later that day. A Massachusetts State Police trooper, who was shot in the shoulder during the shootout is recovering from his injuries and was released from the hospital Thursday. His name has not been released. Tarentino lived in Leicester and had served as a police officer there for seven years before transferring to the Auburn Police Department. Before the funeral in Charlton, Tricia Tarentino, widow of the police officer, expressed her thanks to the law enforcement officers and the communities that have rallied around her and her family since her husband died in the line of duty. Here are some of the things people were Tweeting following the death of the police officer. CHICOPEE - Seven new Fire Department recruits were sworn in this week and will now spend time training at the Fire Academy before starting work. The recruits are Norman Colon, Joseph Berge, Joshua Clegg, John Jebb IV, John James, Matthew Turgeon and Jeffrey Dias, said Mary Moge, chief of staff for the mayor's office. Mayor Richard J. Kos appointed the seven new recruits on May 25 following interviews of the candidates. Acting Fire Chief Dean Desmarais was also instrumental in interviewing and selecting the candidates. The recruits were officially sworn in by City Clerk Keith W. Rattell, Moge said. Adding the seven firefighters is part of an effort to beef up the Fire Department and fill vacancies created mostly because of retirements. In 2015, Kos hired a dozen firefighters and there have also been a number of promotions within the department. Northern Pass.jpg Eversource's Northern Pass transmission line would carry Hydro-Quebec power from Canada to central New England. (Northern Pass) New Hampshire's utility siting regulators have extended their deadline for action on the Northern Pass transmission project to Sept. 30, 2017, imposing a nine-month delay on plans for the $1.6 billion, 192-mile power line. Eversource Energy had expected to obtain state and federal permits by the end of 2016 and begin construction in January. The new schedule pushes projected completion into 2020 instead of May 2019, as previously planned. Financial analysts called the delay a "significant setback" for Eversource, a holding company with three segments: electric transmission, electric distribution, and natural gas distribution in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Eversource has partnered with Hydro-Quebec in the project, which would import 1,090 megawatts of hydropower to the New England power grid. The line would begin at the Canadian border and end in Deerfield, New Hampshire, while passing through the White Mountain National Forest, where Eversource has proposed to bury 60 miles of the infrastructure. Following Thursday's vote by members of the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee, an Eversource spokesman said "we are evaluating our options for seeking reconsideration," and that the SEC vote would "only delay the realization of the substantial benefits of this project in New Hampshire and throughout New England." The SEC agreed more time is needed to evaluate the proposal, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader. The Society for the Preservation of New Hampshire Forests, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and others had petitioned the committee, saying more time was needed to review extensive environmental information. Eversource says Northern Pass would provide clean, renewable energy, reduce electricity rates, and boost the New Hampshire economy through a $200 million dedicated fund. The company estimates $3.8 billion in economic stimulus through its Forward NH plan. Opposition has come from two sides normally at odds -- the environmental community and a trade group representing power plants in New England. The New England Power Generators Association says the Northern Pass could interfere with competitive electricity markets and create a "carve-out" for Hydro-Quebec and Eversource, paid for by Massachusetts utility customers. "There is the potential here for a sweetheart deal" with Hydro-Quebec, NEPGA president Dan Dolan told the Montreal-based Globe and Mail. Hydro-Quebec spokesman Gary Sutherland countered that it is "simply false" Massachusetts would be "subsidizing" the utility, saying it competes fairly in energy markets. Foes including the Appalachian Mountain Club say the project threatens to ruin the state's scenic beauty and would disturb wildlife habitat and precious water resources. The Conservation Law Foundation maintains that Northern Pass would undermine the development of distributed renewables, and that its carbon footprint is actually large. Opponents say the project's economic benefits are overstated. Meanwhile, Hydro-Quebec and Eversource have been banking on the passage of an energy bill in Massachusetts that would make electric companies buy hydropower. Massachusetts House releases energy bill Last Monday the Massachusetts House released its long-awaited energy bill, and it would require the state's utilities to solicit long-term contracts for 1,200 megawatts each of offshore wind and hydropower. The bids would have to be "reasonable and cost-effective" and could be solicited with other New England states. The Legislature has until the end of the July to act on the measure. The bill is intended to address the state's power needs as nuclear reactors and coal- and oil-fired plants shut down, and as the state faces pressure to meet its 2020 target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent from 1990 levels. The hydropower requirement in the energy bill would be contingent upon the completion of a major transmission line. The Northern Pass is one of several proposed transmission projects in the Northeast. In addition to state permits, the Northern Pass needs approval from the U.S. Department of Energy and a certificate under the federal Clean Water Act. MONSON -- The morning after the calamitous June 1, 2011, tornado ripped through Main Street, then-Gov. Deval Patrick came with state and national leaders to inspect the damage. His interaction then with a town resident would immediately spark a pivotal moment of awareness that shaped this rural Western Massachusetts community's successful recovery. The calamity rendered Monson Town Hall, which also housed the police department, inoperable. Structural damage caused the building to be condemned, severely crimping town government's ability to respond to the humanitarian crisis. The natural disaster meant town government was also in survival mode. As the governor and an entourage including U.S. senators John Kerry and Scott Brown arrived in Monson to observe the hard-hit First Church of Monson, it's fallen steeple and bell-clock lying smashed on the front lawn, Patrick was approached by Karen King. At the time, King was mostly known as a local real estate agent. Her mammoth contribution to the town's recovery would be recognized later. Karen King In a recent interview, she recalled questioning the state's chief executive that day about what to do, and said she immediately realized, from Patrick's response, that if Monson was going to rise after being knocked down, it would only happen by the people's effort in her community. "When Gov. Patrick arrived, I asked him, 'Where's the book on what to do?' He said, 'There is none,'" King recounted. "That's when I realized we had to do this -- and I had a feeling of what the Hurricane Katrina victims had faced," she said. "I could picture that guy on the roof of a flooded home in New Orleans wondering who was going to help -- that is what flashed through my mind," King said. Her transformation and resultant call to action at that moment would become catalyst for the town -- the folk and municipal government -- picking themselves up by the bootstraps. With God and the community's drive behind her, she said, King willed the successful recovery into being with action. She said creative thinking, practical solutions and organization, despite the vastly altered circumstances, were essential. She soon earned the affectionate title of "Street Angel." People needed food and water, and with power out, communications disrupted and travel blocked, King recounted, word of mouth became the new -- old -- way to let those in need know essential goods for survival were being distributed at First Church, where she is a member. She organized street committees, with a tent on the end of each road, where supplies were made available -- it was during those organizational efforts early on when an individual branded her "Street Angel." "That's how we were able to direct people to First Church for help," she said, "word of mouth. "Street angels, we would go to the people ... to provide food, lists of resources." "I would work every single day -- 70, 80 hours a week -- those first six months," she said, brainstorming with others, figuring out the needs, speaking with many, advocating for the town with the federal emergency management agency. "I was crazy, 10 hours a day, I said to Gretchen that very first day, 'Who is going to help us?'" King said, referring to the now-retired Town Administrator Gretchen Neggers. "The cities had all their people; we didn't even know what hit us." Monson town government "was focused on safety -- their own house was out of order -- I said I am going to help with housing," King said. "I was shaking the trees every day." This Wednesday afternoon, King, along with her church, plan to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the tornado with a one-hour walk. Beginning at 4:40 p.m., the walk will proceed from First Church, then along Main Street, and tour homes in the downtown area affected by the storm. Members of the community are welcome to join, and King will provide an oral history, and encourage others to share their stories. "It's good to regroup and show all the wonderful things that have happened," she said, "to see all the good things that came out of something so tragic ... and all the progress we've made." "I remember those darkest days, when everyone was overwhelmed," King said. "If you don't have hope, you don't have anything." She shared a shout-out to the town's legislative delegation, state Rep. Brian Ashe, D-Longmeadow, and then-Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, who has since retired -- calling them "the salt of the earth." "If it was not for those two men, the town would not have recovered the way we did," King said. "It was environmentally their worst hour; in human terms, it was their finest hour," Brewer said in a recent interview. The First Church's 10 a.m. service on June 5 will include a special commemoration of the tornado. The First Church of Monson is located at 5 High St. harriscountysheriffpromo.jpg The headquarters of the Harris County sheriff in Hamilton, Georgia, is seen in this Google Street View photo from May 2014. (Google Street View) ATLANTA -- A suspect was arrested Saturday night after a deputy was shot in the face during a traffic stop south of Atlanta, Georgia authorities said. Joe Lee Garrett, 24, was arrested just hours after the shooting happened about 7:30 p.m., Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor told WTVM-TV. Police said Garrett turned himself in and was transported to Russell County Jail. He is being charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, and is currently being held as a fugitive from justice in relation to the shooting. No other arrests have been made, and the case remains under investigation. Police previously said three people were inside a 1994 blue Chevrolet Caprice on I-85 southbound, about 80 miles south of downtown Atlanta, when they were stopped by the deputy. It was not immediately known why the sheriff's deputy stopped the car. The deputy suffered a single shot to the face, above the left eye, while walking up to the vehicle, Jolley said. He was rushed to a hospital and is being treated. The condition of the unidentified deputy was not immediately known Saturday night. Police were searching for the suspects, whose car was caught on the deputy's dash cam video. Here is video from the shooting scene: PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A Rhode Island man has been sentenced to prison for traveling from his workplace in Massachusetts to have sex with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. Scituate resident Randy Collins was sentenced Thursday to two years behind bars followed by 10 years of probation. Collins pleaded guilty March 10, 2015, to interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The 44-year-old Collins answered an advertisement on Craigslist posted by an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl seeking an iPhone, authorities said. Prosecutors said Collins offered to provide the iPhone in exchange for sex. Collins left his workplace in Franklin, Massachusetts, on September 2, 2015, to meet the girl in Rhode Island. State police arrested Collins when he arrived in Cranston. PITTSFIELD - The warnings are routine and impassioned, coming regularly from police, animal experts and the media: Do not leave an animal in your car on a hot day. But it's still happening. A Pittsfield police officer rescued a dog from a car in the Walmart parking lot Saturday afternoon, as the temperature flirted with 90 degrees. In a Facebook post, the department thanked "good Samaritans" who notified them. Police also shared a photo of a thermometer that read 89 degrees at 12:50 p.m. An officer put the dog in his air conditioned cruiser. The dog was then taken to a shelter, and the owner will have to pay a $40 fine before the dog is released. Police estimated the dog was alone in the sweltering heat for 15 minutes. The Humane Society of the United States is one of numerous organizations that frequently remind the public of the immediate risk of severe harm and death to animals in extreme heat. The group states that when it's 80 degrees outside, the temperature in your car will reach 99 degrees within 10 minutes. "Rolling down the windows has been shown to have little effect on the temperature inside a car," the humane society says. A cursory Google search reveals several recent cases of dogs dying in hot cars around the country, including one case on Thursday in Brockton. The death of Cocoa the bulldog led to animal cruelty charges against the owner, Stephan Boxer. When Cocoa died, it was 87 degrees outside. Other cases were reported in Arizona and Tennessee. If you see an animal in a parked car on a hot day, the humane society recommends writing down the vehicle's make, model and license plate number; asking nearby businesses to help find the owner; and if necessary, calling the police or animal control on a non-emergency line. SPRINGFIELD - Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is calling for all religious organizations to chime their bells together at 4:38 p.m. on Wednesday to mark the fifth anniversary of the tornado. He is also asking for all residents and business to take a moment and pause and reflect on the anniversary. The EF-3 tornado traveled 37 miles from Westfield to Charlton, killed three, injured countless others and damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings. In Springfield the tornado left a 6.2 mile long scar through a variety of neighborhoods, starting from the South End and downtown and then snaking through the Maple High-Six Corners area and continuing through sections of the Old Hill, Upper Hill, Forest Park, East Forest Park and Sixteen Acres neighborhoods. It damaged nearly 900 homes and apartment buildings in Springfield, at least three schools, numerous business properties, roads and sidewalks, parkland and thousands of trees. The damage to public property alone was estimated at $103.5 million. "I believe it would be a fitting tribute to pause and reflect on our ability to join together and to work so diligently on making our city whole again," Sarno said in a letter sent to a wide variety of religious organizations in the city. For those who cannot ring bells, he asked congregations to gather in prayer and reflection. "The goal is to reflect on how far we have come in the past four years," he said. "To be where we are today, with over $2.7 billion in economic development projects underway, is a testament to the patience and fortitude the City of Springfield has exhibited over the past three years to come back stronger and more determined to forge a brighter future." SPRINGFIELD -- For Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, the five-year anniversary of the June 1, 2011 tornado stands as a tale of "amazing" resiliency and recovery after leaving a 6.2 mile path of destruction through the City of Homes. "When you look back upon it, it has been an amazing rebuild," Sarno said during a recent interview. "I'm proud of everyone involved, from the residents on. They kept us going." The tornado came with little warning, crossing the Connecticut River from the west and striking in the heart of the South End neighborhood and downtown, snaking through the Maple High-Six Corners area and continuing through sections of the Old Hill, Upper Hill, Forest Park, East Forest Park and Sixteen Acres neighborhoods. The toll of devastation included damage to nearly 900 homes and apartment buildings in Springfield, numerous business properties, roads and sidewalks, parkland and thousands of trees. The damage to public property alone was estimated at $103.5 million, with the local, state and federal governments joining forces to fund the recovery and rebuild. Private property losses resulted in thousands of insurance claims in Springfield and other affected communities, and applications for disaster-related, business loans. "In Springfield, yeah, maybe once in awhile you have to deal with a blizzard situation, or maybe a hurricane comes up the coast," Sarno said. "But nobody, in their wildest dream, would expect a tornado." Sarno remembers those early days of the tornado recovery when governmental agencies converged, initially as triage and then clean-up of many tons of debris and the beginning stages of recovery. Now, five year later, hundreds of homes have been replaced or renovated, more than 4,000 trees are replanted and a large area of the South End that was heavily damaged by the tornado is now being readied as the site for the $950 million MGM Springfield casino project. In East Forest Park, numerous damaged homes were rebuilt and renovated following the tornado and the tree canopy is returning, notes Sarno. "The neighborhood looks great," says Beth Hogan, president of the East Forest Park Civic Association. "I think it looks better than ever. We have a lot of homes that were renovated and some new homes built." While the tornado and the Halloween snow and ice storm in late October of that year destroyed thousands of shade trees, Hogan says city officials deserve credit for an aggressive tree planting program that greatly helped the recovery of her neighborhood. Melvin Edwards, president of the Maple High-Six Corners Civic Association, says the transformation of his neighborhood is ongoing. Both he and Sarno point to the Central Street corridor that was devastated by the tornado. It's seen the rebuilding of numerous high-quality single-family homes that still continues and roadway improvements which have resulted in a complete visual change for that key corridor. The tornado severely damaged the Elias Brookings Elementary School in Maple High-Six Corners and Cathedral High School in East Forest Park and partially damaged the Mary Dryden School, with no injuries occurring at the schools when the tornado struck in the late afternoon. Portable classrooms were provided during reconstruction, and a new Brookings school was built at a nearby location within 18 months, preceded by renovations and a new wing added to Dryden. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield relocated Cathedral High School, initially to an vacant school in Wilbraham, and, following a prolonged review, is preparing to build a new, but smaller Pope Francis High School on the grounds where Cathedral once stood. The comeback stories in the South End include the Square One day care center, which lost its headquarters at 947 Main St. when it took a direct hit from the tornado and returned in September 2013 at a new location nearby. The Caring Health Center was also restored. Sarno recalls that a top official with the Federal Emergency Management Agency praised Springfield's recovery efforts in the aftermath of the tornado, saying he believed it one day would be used as a national model for how to properly handle post-disaster recovery. Today, Sarno believes the prediction has proven true. "He said he had been to many natural disasters that ended up turning into man-made disasters because of improper management," Sarno said. The mayor says it was decided early on that the city would not just restore its losses, but would use the disaster as a catalyst for citywide revitalization efforts. "We started contemplating, 'There's a silver ling to this,'" Sarno said. "We are rebuilding a tornado-ravaged area, but why don't we use this as a catalyst for the whole city?" With co-chairmen Nick Fyntrilakis and Gerald Hayes, the Rebuild Springfield effort began that first year. It included neighborhood meetings, citywide meetings and public comments, with more than 3,000 residents taking part in the public input, Sarno said. Sarno has asked the city's churches to ring their bells at 4:38 p.m. on Wednesday in remembrance of the time the tornado touched down in Springfield five years ago. "You don't celebrate this (fifth year anniversary), you mark it," Sarno said. Sarno said he recalls the immediate aftermath of the tornado as "helter-skelter," leaving some unrecognizable areas of devastation ranging from the South End corridor to the Island Pond Road area of East Forest Park. With underground electric lines in the South End, the neighborhood appeared a "surreal" scene of buildings in partial or full ruin, but with some lights and television sets on, Sarno recalled. "It was like an episode of the 'Twilight Zone' (with) Rod Serling," the mayor said. There were emergency responders aiding residents across the tornado path when their own homes were damaged and families affected, Sarno said. The tornado was followed by a continuous stream of meetings and updates between Sarno, public safety leaders and cabinet heads, Sarno said. The departments were informed to keep the clean-up and recovery going at full speed and that he would worry about funding later. A key to the success of the tornado recovery and clean-up efforts was to monitor and keep continuous records on all damage, condemnations, court cases and remediation, Sarno and other department heads say. It was critical to ensure that property owners were not collecting insurance and then walking away from responsibilities to repair or demolish heavily damaged structures, Sarno said. In addition, the detailed reporting would help in justifying applications for federal disaster aid, he said. Steven T. Desilets, code enforcement commissioner, said the city tracked hundreds of properties to ensure that repairs moved forward and proper procedures were followed. There were more than 200 condemnations, and the correction of code violations were followed up in Housing Court, he said. The inspections and reports from code enforcement also helped homeowners in pursuing insurance payments, according to Desilets. "It's a good thing we had a system in place," Desilets said. "When it happened, we were ready to go. We just never stopped. We put our heads down and started digging out." News / Religion by Desire Ncube CELEBRATION Churches International has partnered the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services to build baptism pools and fonts at prisons.Celebration Church prison ministry leader Pastor Winnie Kanoyangwa said pools had already been built at Chikurubi Maximum Security and Farm prison, while Harare Central, Kentucky and Mutoko prisons will be catered for this year.Pr Winnie said she started working with inmates 12 years ago."The Government granted me access to Chikurubi Prison but only to minister to women. Now I have access to prisons and prisoners throughout the country. At one point I preached to prisoners in Bulawayo and 3 800 received Christ that day," she said."Like prisons all over the world, there is minimal contact with the outside and many basic necessities are in short supply. We have seen a need to reach into the bleak and desolate world - to the unwanted and forgotten souls that dwell within the prison system."The idea of baptism came after the realisation that the rehabilitation process was incomplete without changing the souls of the inmates."In November 2009, 85 inmates at Chikurubi Farm Prison were baptised by representatives of the Zimbabwe Prison Service Chaplain-General and vowed to lead changed lives when released. We started the programme in June last year with the baptism of 102 inmates and I can confirm that there is a significant change in their behaviour." poppy.jpg (Ludlow public schools photo) LUDLOW - In advance of Memorial Day, Ludlow veterans visited Chapin Street School to explain the history and importance of the federal holiday to students in each 2nd and 3rd grade classroom. Students and staff welcomed James Jyz, United States Air Force; Eric Segundo, Director of Ludlow Veterans Services and Christine Bassett, Retired United States Air Force & Commander of the Ludlow VFW Post 3236. "We welcome the opportunity to visit schools because it is important to bring an awareness of the meaning of Memorial Day at a young age so children understand the day is about honoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom," said Segundo. During their visit the veterans not only talked about the meaning of Memorial Day, but also shared the story of the Veterans of Foreign Wars "Buddy" Poppy. Students were excited when the veterans gave each of them their very own red silk poppy, and a placemat that tells the story of Flander's Field. "Today we learned that Memorial Day is a day to remember people who were in the service and died," said 3rd grader Adrian Martins. Carrie Joseph, a 3rd grade teacher at Chapin Street School, and the wife of a retired a U.S. Army National Guard member, also graciously donated four copies of the book, The Poppy Lady, written by Barbara Elizabeth Walsh, to Chapin Street School so that each classroom teacher could read the book to their students, as a follow-up activity to the visit. As 3rd grader Sophia Scyocurka explained, "The red poppy flower is worn in honor of the soldiers that died. The poppy flowers grew in a cemetery where soldiers were buried. The Poppy Lady asked people to wear poppies on their shirts to remember the soldiers who died." Before leaving each classroom, Segundo reminded the students about the yearly Memorial Day Parade that, this year, is scheduled for May 30th. Third grader Caitlyn Day said this will be her 4th year walking in the parade with Girl Scout Troop #12814 "and this year I'll wear the red poppy I was given today to remind me of the soldiers that died." GLOCESTER, R.I . A 29-year-old Uxbridge man was killed early Saturday when the pickup truck he was driving went out of control and crashed into a stand of large trees in Glocester, Rhode Island. The Worcester Telegram and Gazette reported that Christopher Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Reynolds Road in Glocester just before 2 a.m. Saturday. A passenger in the pickup truck, 23-year-old Kati Michalik of Glocester was transported from the scene to Rhode Island Hospital where she is currently listed in fair condition. Firefighters from the Glocester Fire Department had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate Johnson and Michalik from the vehicle wreckage after the truck ran over an embankment and crashed into the large trees at the base of the hill. Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders debate in Brooklyn, NY By his words and her actions, neither Bernie Sanders nor Hillary Clinton show much commitment to government by process. (Associated Press) Maybe the surprise should not be that we are junking our form of government, but that it's taken so long. For most of the last 225 years, we've hung in there with a belief in checks and balances to run our nation without running it off the rails. Congress watches the President, who keeps an eye on Congress. The Supreme Court waits in the wings for a judicial form of instant replay review on the hard ones. Kids in school learn the wisdom of such structure. But say so long to what we have told those children, and the world, about a system we say works best. That hallowed tradition of checks and balances is going the way of pay phones and smoking-allowed restaurants, and it's not because of the candidates. It's because too many Americans don't seem to want it anymore. Don't blame Donald Trump. He stands to become the biggest beneficiary of the new politics, as well as its most brazen advocate. Finding more proof, though, does not require Trump as your guide. Barack Obama's Presidential decrees and executive orders (which he practiced long before the transgender bathroom issue) come from a man who entered office on a platform of government by process, but has lost the patience or belief required to go through channels to get what he wants - and sees no reason to think he must. Ted Cruz championed the shutting down of government if he didn't get his way. Americans look at the Supreme Court as no different than Congress, only older and fewer of most of all, non-elected. Bernie Sanders talks openly of revolutionizing the system, not working within its framework to effect change. Sanders is not preaching an overthrow in the common use of the word, but a man at war with his own party shows no interest in anything that might keep him from getting everything he wants. Of the remaining candidates, Hillary Clinton should best understand that government is a team game. She's dealt with all of the branches, she was the wife to a President and has served in Congress and as Secretary of State. Yet she saw no problem with running foreign policy out of her personal email account. Who needs a government when you've got you? And Trump? His vision of ruling America as a Majority of One is not his bane, it's his appeal. The people who salute "checks and balances" are doing so only prayerfully and hoping that if Trump wins, he won't be able to flatten all opposition the way he has so far. A lot of this is very frightening, but it should not be so surprising. Accepting checks and balances requires patience and compromise, and it means accepting that your side might lose today but maybe tomorrow will be different. We have no patience for that anymore.The future of America rides on every single issue, or so it seems, your side can't afford to lose a single one. Daily politics are treated with an urgency that goes to frenzy and winds up in mania. The United States has had such brushes before. Our most legendary Presidents have also been our most dictatorial. Andrew Jackson defied the Supreme Court on an Indian rights case by mocking the court's ability to enforce its own edict - which it could not. Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus rights in the Civil War. Franklin Roosevelt tried to stack the Supreme Court and failed, but FDR broadened Presidential influence with little regard for whether loyal Republicans liked it or not. What is happening now, though, is not what the Founding Fathers had in mind. We blab a lot about their wisdom when it comes to First Amendment and especially Second Amendments rights, but the core of their thinking was that power needed to be spread around and that government branches had to work in coordination, not isolation. That's why it's difficult but possible to override a Presidential veto. That's why the Supreme Court is supposed to rule only on legal interpretation, not social conviction. That's why, when Trump or Sanders or the Tea Party wear their detachment from the political system as a badge of honor or, as Obama does, as a dead-end impediment, they are cheered by fans who are missing the entire point of American government. Nobody likes dictatorial rule until we stumble along a dictator we think we like. That is no different for liberals, conservatives, or for whatever unusual blend Trump represents. The Founding Fathers were not perfect - you know, slavery and the Native Americans and shutting out the women's vote and so on - but they were serious people. They knew they were writing history, and they spent much time setting up a series of stop signs at every political intersection. Those were designed to keep one ideology or one individual from ignoring the signs and barreling through. But that system of checks and balances, like all else in our democracy, exists only at the behest of the public. The public today seems too frustrated or impatient or angry to accept that discarding them by shutdown, decree or one-person rule may bring a pleasing result today but set a haunting, scary precedent for many tomorrows. That's what Americans seem to want nowadays, and that's what frightens me about this election, regardless of who wins. Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump took a major step toward representing his party in the November general election this week as he picked up the remaining delegates needed to clinch the GOP nomination. While Trump hit the Republican Party's 1,237 delegate threshold, however, Democratic presidential rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders continued to battle it out ahead of upcoming primaries and the summer nominating convention. The former first lady, who is less than 100 delegates shy of clinching the Democratic Party's nomination, focused her campaign efforts on California, declining to participate in a final primary debate against the Vermont senator. Sanders, meanwhile, aggressively campaigned against Clinton in hopes of boosting his campaign's chances heading into the final stretch of primaries. The senator hit the late night television circuit to make his case to voters and to challenge Trump to debate after Clinton refused to go head-to-head. Here's what happened in presidential news this week: Clinton said she would not partake in the final Democratic presidential debate, sparking criticism from Sanders. Despite previously agreeing to participate in 10 primary debates, the former secretary of state on Monday declined a Fox News request to debate Sanders ahead of California's high-stakes primary June 7. Clinton spokeswoman Jennifer Palmieri attributed the former first lady's decision to sit out the debate to her focus on campaigning hard in California, where 475 delegates are up for grabs, and addressing the threat of a potential Trump presidency. Sanders, who had tentatively agreed to the debate and urged her to follow suit, blasted Clinton's rejection as "insulting" to California voters. "Democracy, and respect for the voters of California, would suggest that there should be a vigorous debate in which the voters may determine whose ideas they support," he said. "I hope Secretary Clinton reconsiders her unfortunate decision to back away from her commitment to debate." U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren ripped Trump as an 'insecure money-grubber,' saying he will never be president. The Massachusetts Democrat continued her crusade against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee during a Tuesday evening speech at the Center for Popular Democracy's annual gala. She painted Trump as "a man who cares about no one but himself: a small, insecure money-grubber who doesn't care who gets hurt so long as he makes a profit off it," stressing that that kind of a man will never lead the U.S. "Donald Trump is exactly about one thing: Donald Trump," she said. "It is time for some accountability because these statements disqualify Donald Trump to ever be president of the United States. The free ride is over." Responding to Warren's speech, Trump issued a single tweet that criticized the senator's record, calling her "all talk, no action." He further blasted the Massachusetts Democrat during a Tuesday evening rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico, repeatedly referring to her as "Pocahontas" -- a nod to a Senate campaign controversy surrounding her Native American heritage claims -- and a "total failure." Trump picked up a primary win in Washington. The presumptive GOP nominee added to his delegate count Tuesday, as he picked up another win in Washington state's Republican presidential primary. With other GOP White House hopefuls out of the race, Trump easily won more than three-quarters of the vote. The victory gave Trump 40 delegates, putting the businessman closer to the 1,237 needed to clinch the Republican Party's presidential nomination. Clinton faced criticism from the State Department inspector general over her use of a private email server as secretary of state. The U.S. State Department's inspector general issued a critical review Wednesday of Clinton's use of a private email server while heading the agency, finding that she failed to seek legal approval, the Washington Post reported. The State Department's independent watchdog concluded that agency staff would not have supported Clinton's private email server "because of the security risks in doing so." The IG further found that the former secretary of state's use of private email for public work was an inappropriate method of preserving documents and her practices did not comply with department policies regarding federal record laws, the newspaper reported. Sanders and Trump agreed to a possible bipartisan primary debate. Trump, during a Wednesday appearance on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" said he would consider going toe-to-toe with the Vermont senator during an unusual bipartisan primary debate. The businessman said if Sanders paid a sum toward charity for the debate, he "would love to do that," adding that a debate between the two "would have such high ratings." Sanders, who has criticized the Democratic National Committee's scheduling of primary debates, immediately took to Twitter, saying "game on" to squaring-off against the presumptive GOP nominee. Trump told Kimmel that he used aliases for business, but did not impersonate his publicist. Weeks after denying claims that he once posed as a publicist to a People magazine reporter, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said Wednesday that he has been known to use aliases in business. The billionaire businessman, who also discussed his vice presidential selection process and stance on transgender people using public restrooms during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," however, stood by his assertion that he did not pose as media spokesman named John Miller, as reported by the Washington Post earlier this month. Trump offered that he has used aliases in real estate, including the name Barron -- a name the Washington Post reported was quoted as "vice president of the Trump organization" in the New York times as early as 1980. Trump won the remaining delegates needed to clinch the GOP nomination; Democrats criticized the news. The billionaire businessman, who had received 1,235 delegates as of early Thursday, was put over the top of the GOP's 1,237 threshold later that day as North Dakota unbound delegates state Rep. Ben Koppleman and John Trandem pledged their support to Trump, the Associated Press reported. Trump, in celebration of reaching the delegate threshold, released a video of news interviews featuring other GOP presidential hopefuls, former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and others saying the businessman would not reach the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the nomination. He also posted a photo on Instagram of himself eating McDonald's, captioned "Celebrating 1,237!" Clinton's campaign, in response to the news, took aim at her Republican rival, pointing to the number of GOP leaders who had yet to get behind him. Warren, meanwhile, stressed that the businessman "can never be the president of the United States" and urged supporters via a fundraising email to join her in speaking out against him. Sanders made his case for Democratic nomination on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live.' The Vermont senator touted why he should represent the Democratic Party in November, and discussed his proposed debate with Trump during a Thursday appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Although the Vermont senator acknowledged that he's behind in terms of pledged delegates, he blasted the so-called "superdelegate" system, saying it's "patently absurd and undemocratic" that so many pledged support to Clinton before the first ballot was cast. Sanders touted himself as the best candidate to go up against Trump, pointing to national poll results that put him ahead of the businessman. "I think if the Democrats want the candidate who is the most likely to defeat Trump -- and beat him badly -- I think you're looking at the guy," he said. Marco Rubio offered mild support for Trump, saying he can't live with a Clinton presidency. In Florida only 2 legitimate candidates on ballot in Nov. I wont vote for Clinton & I after years of asking people to vote I wont abstain. Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 27, 2016 If you can live with a Clinton presidency for 4 years thats your right. I cant and will do what I can to prevent it. Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 27, 2016 Despite being the target of Trump's attacks before exiting the White House race in mid-March, Rubio suggested on Twitter Friday that he will vote for Trump in the November general election. Although the Florida senator didn't express his support for the billionaire businessman outright, he stressed that he can't live with Clinton winning the presidency and "will do what (he) can to prevent it." He further told CNN that he would attend the GOP convention in Cleveland this summer and even speak on Trump's behalf. "I don't want Hillary Clinton to be president. If there's something I can do to help (keep) that from happening, and it's helpful to the cause, I'd most certainly be honored to be considered for that," he said. Trump backed out of the proposed debate with Sanders. The billionaire businessman said in a late Friday afternoon statement that while he wants to square off against the Vermont senator, it would be inappropriate to debate him as he will likely finish second in the Democratic primary race. Trump further attributed his decision to not debate Sanders to networks' lack of generosity to charitable causes. "As much as I want to debate Bernie Sanders -- and it would be an easy payday -- I will wait to debate the first-place finisher in the Democratic Party, probably crooked Hillary Clinton, or whoever it may be," he said. Sanders said he hoped Trump would "change his mind once again and come on board," saying the Republican had been waffling about participating in the debate over recent days. Sanders asked to remove Barney Frank and Dannel Malloy from DNC committees. Contending that Frank and Malloy's criticisms of the Vermont senator have "exposed a deeper professional, political and personal hostility," Sanders campaign counsel Brad Deutsch penned a letter to the Democratic Party's Rules and Bylaws Committee asking to remove them as the convention's respective Standing Rules Committee co-chair and Standing Platform Committee co-chair. Frank, a former Massachusetts congressman, and Malloy, the Connecticut governor, have surrogate roles in Clinton's campaign, Deutsch further contended, meaning they cannot be relied upon to fairly and capably perform their convention duties. "The appointment of two individuals so outspokenly critical of Sen. Sanders, and so closely affiliated with Secretary Clinton's campaign, raises concerns that two of the three Convention Standing Committees are being constituted in an overtly partisan way designed to exclude meaningful input from supporters of Sen. Sanders' candidacy," he wrote. The chemist who gave us the artificial leaf has genetically engineered bacteria to absorb hydrogen and carbon dioxide and convert them into alcohol fuel. When Harvard Professor of Energy Daniel G. Nocera announced he was working with bacteria last year, other scientists cautioned it would be difficult to achieve a productive level of efficiency. At the time, Nocera was aiming for 5 percent efficiencyabout 5 times better than plants. This month at the University of Chicago, he announced his bug converts sunlight ten times more efficiently than plants. Jeff McMahon Full Story: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2016/05/29/harvard-scientist-engineers-a-superbug-that-inhales-co2-produces-energy/amp/ Opinion / Columnist In the boldest challenge ever to Mugabe's tyrannical, the war vets and the security chefs, notably Commander Chiwenga, told Mugabe in no uncertain terms they constitute "the stockholders of Zanu PF and Zimbabwe and the leaders are stakeholders who can come and go!"On Wednesday Mugabe, emboldened by the one-million man march organized by the party's Youth League, hit right back repeating his earlier statement that war vets were an affiliate organization that cannot dictate to the party Zanu PF. The following day he reduced the retirement age of all those serving in the security services from 60 years to 50. This clearly opened the door for Mugabe to retire many of the former freedom fighters who have become increasingly critical of his rule.When it suited his political needs of imposing on the nation his no regime change mantra after he lost the March 2008 vote, Mugabe kept the current security services chefs beyond the official retirement age of 60 years. Now that the same chefs have been increasingly critical of his tyrannical rule he drops the retire age even to get rid of most of his liberation war colleagues from the security sector.How ironic that anyone over the age of 50 is considered too old to serve in the security sector commanded by a 92 year old Commander-In-Chief! Needless to say it was the 92 year old dictator who made that unilateral decision without even consulting his rubber stamping parliament! It is great to be a dictator.Mugabe must be sweating because the last thing he expected was a defiant challenge to his diktat."We are equally worried that these quarters within the party refuse to accept that war veterans have an interest in Zanu-PF approximated to ownership," came the nuclear bomb response from Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association (ZNLWVA) spokesperson Douglas Mahiya."We should have been told during the war that we did not belong to the party and needed not join. Had that been made clear to us, then we would have dealt with those issues in the appropriate manner at the appropriate time.""We need to make it clear that war veterans cannot be retired or removed from Zanu-PF as well as the security establishment. Any attempts to retire us on the basis of age is to us a cover to perpetuate the regime change agenda of security sector reform. Regime change to us means to rid Zanu-PF and the security establishment of the liberation component, which will not be tolerated under any circumstances."Mugabe has deliberately undermined the independence of the state institutions like the judiciary, ZEC and security services by appointing individuals run these institution he could trust to neglect the institution's democratic duties and promoted Zanu PF his selfish objective of creating a de facto one-party cum one-man dictatorship. He sugar coated the tyrannical pill by claiming that there were outside forces working with the "puppet local opposition" seeking regime change.Frankly, not even the simpletons amongst the war vets like Jabulani Sibanda of Joseph Chinotimba ever believed the lie of the West being behind the increasing demand for meaningful democratic change and free and fair elections; it was ordinary Zimbabweans and not the British or Americans, who were risking life and limp demanding change. The war vets, security chefs and all the other Zanu PF operatives subscribed to no regime change agenda at all cost mentality on the understanding they will have a share in the absolute political power and the wealth and looted riches it brought.The root cause of Mugabe and the war vets' quarrel is the country's poor economic performance which has left more and more war vets economically destitute. Although Mugabe has once in a while made a token payment to alleviate the war vets' economic hardship as the national economic sunk deeper and deeper into trouble it dragged more and more into poverty and many war vets were caught up in the drag net.Douglas Mahiya, Chiwenga and all the others in the war vets and security sector know that if Mugabe was to sever their links with Zanu PF he would have condemned them to the same grinding poverty the majority of Zimbabweans are facing right now!"We plead with the party's leadership to explain to us the principle of one centre of power. We hope it does not mean that power is vested in one person because if that is so, then it is against the Zanu-PF constitution and traditions of the party," another war vet said."The principle of having one centre of power needs to be explained. Power resides in the people as represented in the central committee in between congresses. Anything beyond that is unheard of to us and is dictatorship."It is refreshing that some of these war vets have finally woken up to the reality that Mugabe is a dictator! The next thing they need to know now is that he is a corrupt, incompetent and murderous tyrant and the economic meltdown the country is facing is the consequence of 36 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption. The misrule has continued for all these years because the nation was denied the opportunity to elect a competent and accountable government because the people were denied a meaningful free and fair vote.By foolishly supporting Mugabe's no regime change mantra the war vet, ZEC, judiciary, security services, etc. had all played their part in imposing a corrupt and incompetent regime on the nation. The only way to end Zimbabwe's economic meltdown is to have meaningful democratic reforms followed by free, fair and credible elections. Opinion / Columnist Moses Chamboko is a pro-democracy activist and interim Secretary for ZUNDE www.zunde.org; chambokom@gmail.com The so-called million man march, in actual fact a G40 rally, has come and gone with no million men in sight. When Mnangagwa consciously avoided well-rehearsed slogans in praise of Dr Amai chanted by other senior leaders, ZANU PF's factionalism was laid bare.However, despite the failure in projected numbers - perhaps 40,000 and most of them forced to participate - the event was some kind of a success but in ways not intended by the organisers. In front of world cameras, ZANU PF youths, through their deputy secretary Kudzai Chipanga, demonstrated that there are some people in the clueless and moribund party who have seen the light.Chipanga did not mince his words when he addressed Mugabe directly, urging him to reign in his ministers with "misplaced priorities". He reasoned that it is inappropriate for ministers to so frequently change luxury vehicles as if they were changing socks. This, he called "insubordination" given that the emperor doesn't change cars so often. Of course he does but it is not as obvious because he spends more time in the sky than on the ground.Visibly frustrated, the youth leader went on to chide authorities for importing "maize from Zambia and Brazil", (and exporting US dollars in the process) instead of purchasing maize grown in Zvimba, Rusape and other local communities.He also wondered why villagers who go into gold panning to provide for their starving families are referred to as "makorokoza" or illegal miners whereas elsewhere they would be called small-scale miners. In the same breath, he wondered what happened to the "missing" $15 billion that has been topical for quite some time now.Such public expression of frustration by a key wing of ZANU PF is nothing but a reflection of the national mood. You can imagine the magnitude of ordinary people's anger with ZANU PF leadership if loyal children of the so-called revolutionary party have had their patience stretched to the limit.Further addressing the issue of ministerial incompetence and misplaced priorities, Chipanga also asked why ministers spend more time attending numerous conferences away from Harare than doing the work they were employed to do. In this regard, he offered, for free, ZANU PF conference facilities at the party head office to those ministers in the habit of absconding from duty under the pretext of attending conferences in resorts around Zimbabwe and abroad.As he was saying this, some wondered whether Walter Mzembi is still Minister for Tourism or he has become the top tourist himself! Lately, he spends more time abroad than at home. The only reason why Chipanga did not mention this is because Mzembi is a known G40 sympathiser.ZANU PF youths had no kind words for corruption, singling out ZIMRA in the process. They told Mugabe that ZIMRA officers live a lifestyle well beyond what their income could ever sustain. Of course, every Zimbabwean knows that ZIMRA is one of the most corrupt organisations but little did we expect that such condemnation would come from ZANU PF itself. If the youth leader was not an active member of G40, he certainly would have asked Saviour Kasukuwere who was sitting not far from him, where he got the resources to build a mansion more in keeping with a Hollywood lifestyle than a government minister's salary. Of course, the truth will come out one day and we will want our money back!It would appear that the increasingly geriatric Mugabe never realised youths could raise such difficult topics directly with him, especially in public. In the business world, if an organisation fails, the first person to go is usually the chief executive officer, not line managers. By telling Mugabe to his face and in public that his ministers are not performing, Chipanga was indirectly telling Mugabe that he is not performing either.To sugar-coat his strong condemnation of the president, his ministers and government, Kudzi Chipanga begged relevant authorities to speed up the process of renaming Harare International Airport as Robert Mugabe International Airport. Some of us see this as fairly appropriate given that it is Mugabe, his family and close cronies, who now use the international airport built by his nephew Leo Mugabe more than anybody else. They might as well declare it their private property - not too many would care.Grace Mugabe, as usual, did not disappoint when she was given the microphone. She warned Zimbabweans that Mugabe will rule from the grave. If indeed this was possible, Josiah Tongogara, Herbert Chitepo, Leopold Takawira, Joshua Nkomo, Nikita Mangema, Ndabaningi Sithole, Lookout Masuku, Rex Nhongo and many others, would have been pioneers. Grace must be told in no uncertain terms that a spirit, literally or metaphorically, will never rule Zimbabwe, especially an evil one. Never ever! If she has leadership plans beyond Mugabe, she is certainly not reading the signs very well.On a more serious but rather sad note, on his next medical trip, President Mugabe, or those who now decide for him, should seriously consider enlisting the services of a speech therapist. The nonagenarian now struggles to pronounce very basic words and it seems to be getting worse. What a national embarrassment!By taking Mugabe and his ministers to the cleaners, ZANU PF youths demonstrated that the number of disgruntled voices is growing rapidly. It looks like #ThisFlag movement has more youths lining up to join! Opinion / Columnist Zanu-PF's Million Man March will be held annually alongside provincial rallies aimed at driving youth development and economic empowerment, a ruling party official has said.The inaugural march on Africa Day, described by party National Secretary for Administration Dr Ignatius Chombo as "a demonstration of Zanu-PF's force and might" saw hundreds of thousands of people pouring into Harare to show their support for President Mugabe.That event climaxed with a Presidential address reminiscent of President Mugabe's delivery at Zimbabwe Grounds on his return from Mozambique after the liberation struggle.And following this thunderous display, the Zanu-PF Youth League wants the march held annually, and countrywide youth empowerment meetings to begin in June 2016.Youth League Deputy Secretary Kudzai Chipanga told The Sunday Mail, "That Million Man March was just the beginning. We are going to have several gatherings of similar nature. There will be provincial tours in which Cabinet ministers will be invited and asked to explain what they are doing for young people and how youths can benefit from programmes under their portfolios."There are various ministries, most of them economic. Therefore, we want each of them to have a youth policy and a youth desk. Young people are Zimbabwe's future, they constitute the majority when it comes to the national population."We will take a break and then embark on countrywide tours in two months' time, finishing them before 2016 is out. In 2017, we plan to invite the President to join the Youth League on a tour of all 10 provinces to assess progress on what we would have resolved with the respective ministers."Chipanga also spoke on the issue of priorities."We have realised that some comrades are reluctant (to facilitate development). Who are they? They are (Cabinet) ministers, chief executives, captains of industry. They seem very reluctant when it comes to fighting this (economic) war we are in."They are expecting cake in a war, leading us to question their priorities and how they are executing their duties. For instance, while we are complaining about Government not having money, we see ministers every now and then changing vehicles."We complain that our local authorities are failing to even repair tarred roads, but the next thing you see is the top brass at Council A buying new vehicles. One wonders why they say there is no money for service delivery when all the money is going to vehicles and other luxuries."Dr Chombo said the Million Man March was a party programme organised by Zanu-PF's Youth League for the purpose of celebrating President Mugabe's leadership of Zimbabwe, as well as in Sadc and the African Union bodies that he recently chaired."It was really a show of force and demonstration of the support the President enjoys. We are delighted with the party's capacity to mobilise and happy with the level of organisation shown throughout. The march was a demonstration that Zanu-PF is well, alive, vibrant and well-geared for 2018." Opinion / Columnist It was a routine journey, the usual 15km or so drive from Glen Norah to Harare's central business district. All things being equal, this is a 30-minuter for me, from stepping into the car to walking into the office.Not last Thursday. It wasn't usual as usual.After past encounters with law enforcement agents, the police in particular, I have tried my best to make sure my very modest jalopy, a '90s pick-up, looks the part when it comes to abiding by the rules and regulations of the road.So when a police officer flagged me down I didn't hesitate to hand over my driver's licence when he asked for it, because I knew that my car, despite being a '90s model, was Y2K-compliant.Fire extinguisher (which is serviced, as per their language), check. Jack, check. Wheel spanner, check. Spare wheel, check. Red breakdown triangles, check. Reflective vest, check.And I thought I was good to go.I have read and heard several complaints about police attitudes at road blocks, discussed several of these with my fellow drivers, either over a drink or at the office.And given past experiences, I have always tried to make sure that I don't waste any of my precious time with the officers at a road block, so my vehicle is always up to date with all mechanicals and electricals.The cop made another round. Nothing. A second one. Silence.Then he came to my door. "Your third number plate has been tampered with," he said calmly, probably tyring his best poker face.He asked me to come to the front of the car and see for myself.After a spate of encounters over the "tampered with third number plate" almost three years ago, I had applied for a replacement third plate.My folly then, as it turned out last Thursday, was that I stuck the new plate exactly on the same spot where the previous plate had been.The result is that the new third number plate sits on the remains, rather stains, of the previous plate. I thought this was simple enough for the officer to appreciate, because the stains from the previous plate were visible.Not so for this uniformed fellow. According to the rule book, he told me, I was in violation of the law and should pay a US$20 spot fine.As much as I was shocked by the alleged offence, the fine was even more shocking.Given the previous encounters I have had with traffic police, encounters which have always cost me time and money, I have tried to make sure that my pick-up is always in sound shape.I have done all electricals; to include the number plate light, the reverse lights, the headlights, the hooter. And even the gross vehicle mass display on the side. Not to mention the "honeycomb" reflectors which I was once fined for, because mine were not "honeycomb".And after replacing the third number plate, because it had been "tampered with". Now this.I genuinely didn't have the US$20 fine. If I had, I would have paid never mind that I felt an injustice was unfolding. Previous encounters have taught me that you simply can't win with police at road blocks. Just pay and go, even as you protest.Because I had no money, I sat in my car for an hour before I was asked to go and park my car at Mbare Police Station. I was told I would only get it back after paying US$20.He gave me his name as Sergeant Chagweda.He said when I got the money, I should either phone or look him up at the road block.Three hours later, US$20 in my pocket, I headed back to the road block. Imagine my astonishment when I was told that the fine had somehow reduced to US$15. This was after I told Sgt Chagweda that I had found US$15.My folly; I should have told him I had scraped together US$10. Perhaps that would have been the new fine.Having asked a friend to drive me to the road block and then to Mbare Police Station to collect my vehicle, I thanked him for helping at such short notice. With the white ticket in hand, I thought it was going to be as easy as ABC to collect my vehicle.In the charge office, which had been our last stop when we left the vehicle, I produced the ticket and informed them I had come to collect my car."Proceed to the Traffic Section where they will record that you paid the fine and then come back here," the officer informed me.It was around lunch hour when I walked into the Traffic Section, and the good men and women of the law were having their drinks and buns.I was told to go back to the road block and bring the officer who had fined me. He was the one to process the release of my vehicle."Let's see the ticket. It must National Traffic who send people here to collect their cars. Who should do their work for them? They think we are here to work for them?" the police officer rhetorically asked me and her colleagues.Another was not long in concurring: "He must go back and have the officer who served him to come and release his car, it is not our duty here."My mind was now super-active. My friend had gone. I didn't have money, even for a kombi, to take me back to the road block.As I was eating myself over this, the first officer, after finishing her lunch, walked out. Several moments later she came back with another officer in tow who seemed to be in charge of the Traffic Section.He looked me up and down, then asked the officer to process the release of my car."But this should be the last one we are processing for today; those guys (at road blocks) should come and finish their work. They think we should be working for them," this as she filled in some large book.Some 10 or so minutes later, I was out, car keys in hand.I was happy that I had my car back.But I still can't shirk off the feeling that it seems somehow illegal to drive your car on Zimbabwe's road. Opinion / Columnist Christians will tell you there are two criterion to enter Heaven: you must be both righteous and dead.Not so for Prophet Talent Madungwe of the Exile Desire of All Nations Ministry. He says he is busy preparing to visit Heaven. For the second time.The prophet claims he entered Heaven for four to five hours early this year at the invitation of an angel who visited him whilst praying and he claims he saw God.He insists this was not a vision but an actual visit. Prophet Madungwe also claims there are three and not one heavens.Apart from "seeing God seated at his magnificent throne that has a blazing fire beneath it", the prophet also got "wise counsel from prophets Daniel and Paul" during his visit to paradise.He says he will be embarking on another journey to Heaven "before the end of June to present people's requests directly to God"."I will be going to heaven for the second time very soon," he claims.In an interview with The Sunday Mail Religion, he explains his adventures in great detail."As l was in my prayer room just after midnight on 1 January, 2016, an angel came and told me that we were about to embark on a journey to Heaven. Naturally, l was nervous but the angel gave me courage and l obliged."At that moment my body was changed from the physical form into the heavenly body that is able to disappear and reappear. The angel and l immediately appeared in Heaven."Heaven is very far. l could tell when we got there that we had travelled at an incredible speed. There are three heavens with angels manning the gates," he says as he stares off into space."The first Heaven has vast storerooms of snow and hailstorms, things that God send to us when we sin.The second Heaven is a beautiful city, the new Jerusalem where beautiful houses are being prepared for the righteous as promised by Jesus. About twenty types of minerals are being used to build this beautiful city but gold is the dominant one, the roads are pure gold. The city is almost complete."In the third Heaven, there is much activity. I saw the apostles and prophets from the Bible relaxing in paradise. God was in this third Heaven seated on his throne and was surrounded by innumerable thrones of 'heavenly delegates' with the 24 elders and angels Michael, Gabriel and the seraphims closer to Him, continuously worshipping Him."Prayers are categorised by the delegates and are stored in bowls as they await responses, he says.The prophet says he fell down as the presence of God overwhelmed him, but "Prophet Daniel and the angel that was guiding me where there to strengthen me".According to his description of God, glory was glowing through His entire body and He had white hair and white robes."We have sinned and God shall reject the world. I was commissioned to be a prophet of all nations and lead the world when we enter into that season of exile, which is very near now. I will announce to the world when we get to that time. Soon after the short exile, we will have the second coming," he says without elaborating on his role during the exile.At around 4am on New Year's Day, the prophet returned from Heaven, or so he says. But the story does not end there."I have been booked by the heavenly delegation to visit Heaven again. On 20 May, 2016, an angel visited and told me that l would make another visit in 40 days. During that visit, we will be honoring God and celebrating the work that l am doing here on Earth," he proclaims.Prophet Madungwe founded Exile Desire of All Nations Ministry in Sunningdale, Harare in 2013.Let the debate begin. Share your views with us on our social media and SMS platforms Opinion / Columnist There is no need to be a Nobel Prize economist to decipher that the economic pains ghost of 2008 is reincarnating at alarming speed. It equally doesn't need a prophetic calling to decipher that we are now on a downward spiral into economic abyss which will manifest in empty shelves, parallel market for commodities and cash, poverty, desperation and increased default on salaries.The omission to act by our leaders is either incompetence or a deliberate omission on the platter of political expedience.I chronicle hereunder my take on challenges and low hanging solutions to the challenges bedeviling our country's economic success.First and foremost it is imperative that we acknowledge that we are broke and delinquent. We should therefore drop the bravado. Zimbabwe is now akin an orphaned destitute which depend on the benevolence of the entire global village. The way to go about it is not to bad mouth potential benefactors. The mouths of our leaders are often the gate to most of our misfortunes.Despite our political grandstanding we have to take it in our stride that even if it is sordid, obnoxious, putrid and uncomfortable, the bare truth still remain that our country will not get out of this economic mess without finding lost love with USA, UK and maybe the Group 7.The high sounding ten points and ZIMASSET are good intentions devoid of pragmatism without world support (which we must read as USA,UK and G7).The time for USA and UK demise is not now so we just have to play ball. As it is we are ahead of times in our economic affiliations anchored on "look east".Currency reform is unavoidable as the use of the strong United States dollar by one the weakest economies is neither sustainable nor practical. The country has not only lost the monetary and fiscal space to maneuver but has additionally lost its competitive advantages with regional peers. We are now a regional supermarket. The currency issue is a cause of massive uncertainty such that the US dollar is leaking from our economy to stable and practical jurisdiction. The Finance ministry and the central bank have to shy away from sentiment and deal with reality. The reality is that the economy will be on a downward spiral without currency reform.It is also important to bite the bullet and accept that the agrarian reform was a complete disaster. Productive land was allocated to incompetent and lazy "farmers" with inadequate resources and no passion for farming to the detriment of an agro based economy. To the underserving land beneficiaries, farming is just a fad and side kick business .The farm is also a place for weekend imbibing. We are now facing in the face imports of everything from fruits to maize .It's a far cry from our bread basket African jewel status of 1980.Farming is dead along with it downstream industiries. Our leaders watched with indifference, confusion and incompetence whilst the world moved with great speed in adopting new farming technology, expertise, methods and processes As it is the country's output per hectare is as low as a third of our regional peers. The government must get into business of agriculture reform by reversing this. The starting point is undoing this land reform madness by reallocating the land to competent, passionate and resourced farmers through a world open tender system. 99 years leases must be abandoned as it is not only promoting incompetence but is also entrenching new yet incompetence elite, networked, undeserving and completely clueless pseudo farmers. Land must ideally be for everyone.It is also a strategic imperative to develop a framework for investors to come and commercially utilize land. Agriculture ministry, Arda and Agritex should also recruit (and pay) new skills from the world to enable transfer of new skills, technology, methods and processes. In the years of madness caused by fight for political space between ZANU-PF and MDC-T we are way at variance with best farming practices. We simply have to acquire new ways of doing agriculture things.It is wishful thinking, warped dreaming and impractical that that there is going to be some cash injection into the economy. No one is likely to invest in a kleptocratic and incompetent country like Zimbabwe. There will be no cash injection of significant proportion from any one including but not limited to China, Bretton wood institutions, Japan, South Africa and other private investors. We are a poor country with no sense of austerity.We in addition are destitute, delinquent and bad debtor fond of bad mouthing creditors. We cannot be trusted as we are serial flip floppers on policy and we are always in an unending election mode.The solution is easy! There should be commitment to political reform, solve the succession issue, be consistent in policy, stop bad mouthing potential world partners and implement tough austerity measures. The ruling party and opposition must find each other so they cause the recalling of ZIDERA.Brand Zimbabwe is now sordid and stale such that it only appeals only to those who have an unhealthy fixation with sovereignity. The brand is prohibitive to investment, talent retention and tourism growth. It's urgent to repackage brand Zimbabwe. Brand Zimbabwe must promote viable and new industries in tourism, education, services and transport among other target sectors.I wonder why it is escaping our leadership that there is a need to frame disruptive, engaging and new message to the world on brand Zimbabwe. The country also new brand ambassadors with global appeal for each target industry. The opposition must also find the ruling party so it adds a voice on legitimacy of the ruling party.The knee jerk and ill thought reaction on import and export chasm is often deployment of "splendid" isolation techniques like increases in duties and import priority lists. The ill thought reaction devoid of correcting economic fundamentals only serves to drive the economy underground. Underground- parallel economy symptoms will be shortages, poverty and unemployment. The import and export gap can for a start be resolved by currency reform. In addition there is absolutely no need to "revive" all industries.There is no need for government support revival of all and sundry. Self-sufficiency is no longer a viable economic narrative. The government policy on reindustrialization is being driven by incompetent lobbyist industrialists" who destroyed the once vibrant sector they inherited from Anglo Saxon industrialists. The leadership must invest in sectors the country has comparative and competitive advantage like tourism, services, transport hubs and education.We all know why the country is not competitive in target industries. There is absolutely no need to invest energy and intellect in expensive and useless researches as is the present case on "ease of doing business". The reasons are currency, archaic equipment and technology, old methods, multiple investor gateway and corruption. Exit these malaises and easy of business is restoredIndigenization is a mess especially when superintended by an excitable minister who loves the scotched earth policy. That law must be repealed until such a time we have brand Zimbabwe renewed. Capital is a coward and it thrives on certainty or reasonable probability. The indigenization and economic empowerment laws are opaque and uncertain. At the moment most Zimbabweans do not adore the law as it is a looting and feeding trough for a few.The tax base keeps dwindling due to low disposable income caused by high unemployment and low capacity utilization. In addition to austerity there is a need for a paradigm shift in tax collection methods, systems and procedures.The tax collection systems are no longer in tandem with economic realities. The formal sectors are dead. The whole economy is almost now an opaque parallel economy driven by the unbanked. The tax collection system should be reformed using a residency or household based system. In addition a transaction and lifestyle based tax system running parallel to the present methods will be ideal. A vendor driven and underground economy should not be business as usual for the tax collector.I think a country with millions in the diaspora and millions thinking of emigrating has a need to have a structured way for the diaspora to invest in new industry beyond consumption and housing. The starting point is to give them a voice in the political processes. After the political voice it becomes an economic imperative to provide investment incentives and deployment of an alternative stock exchange that easies investment processes.We have to conclude that the solutions to the economic malaise are there for anyone to see .A cabinet full of professors, doctors and masters of myriad disciplines fail to capture the low hanging fruits that an ordinary man in the street can see. The inaction in implementing simple solutions is surely either incompetence or deliberate omissions to achieve some political agenda.----------Brian Sedze is the Chairman of Africa Innovation Hub and President of Free Enterprise Initiative. He can be contacted on brian.sedze@gmail.com The gunmen were never found, and the officer soon located the distress caller, but now neither of them could find their way back to the street. And so it went for three hours in the forest in Birmingham, Alabama, where it took a police K9 unit to track them down. Birmingham media reported Friday that police would not identify the rescued officer. A spokesman tried to defend him. Lt. Sean Edwards said "the woods are very difficult to walk through ... The officer was trying to clear a path here, clear a path there, and got turned around a little bit." Despite Flipping in Surf 4 Times in a Year, Marines Say New ACV Is the Future of Amphibious Warfare Some Marine veterans familiar with the vehicle and its operations have worried about the reliability of the ACV. Eighty-nine-year-old Bruce Heilman just put another 7,000 miles on his Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic in a cross-country ride that was all about the pain and pride of war that the nation honors on Memorial Day. Along the way, the World War II Buck Sergeant Marine veteran of the horrific battle of Okinawa met with the Gold Star families who lost a son or daughter, to tell them about the sharing of sacrifice. Its a somewhat personal thing, but it actually is something in the hearts and minds of those of us who have been fortunate enough to survive, Heilman said. His message to the families: Share with me what your son did. You can share your sorrow but you can also share your pride in a life given to sacrifice. Heilman had just returned last week from his 50-state trek to Richmond, Va., where an honor guard of local police and veterans led him to a ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial. Everybody thinks Im on a three-wheeler, said Heilman, who will turn 90 in July. Im saving that until I get old. Next up for him and his Harley a ride down Pennsylvania Ave. tomorrow in the Memorial Day parade. Heilman credited the Marine Corps for giving purpose to a life in which he became president of the University of Richmond and is now its chancellor. Not bad for the Kentucky boy who flunked out of high school. Heilman said he was the son of a tenant farmer and had to get up at 3 a.m. to feed the animals. I slept through classes, he said. At age 17 in 1944, he joined the Marines. It was supposed to be 12 weeks of boot camp but they cut that to eight because we were losing so many Marines out in the South Pacific, he said. In training, Heilman finally found something he was good at -- he could shoot. Using what he called a little Kentucky windage, he was a top scorer on the rifle range. After training, he was sent to gunnery school to become a tail gunner on the bombers while his buddies went straight to the Pacific, but he later ended up on a troopship bound for Okinawa. We almost didnt get to Okinawa, he said. We had an encounter with a Japanese submarine, then there was a (kamikaze) suicide attack. We got restless, we thought it was going to be safer on Okinawa, where the Marines would then confront what was called a typhoon of steel in 82 days of battle. More than 12,500 Americans were killed or went missing. The memories of the battle, but more of a determination to prevail, have never left Heilman. He recently gave a eulogy at the funeral of another Kentucky boy he met just once on Okinawa 92-year-old Bob Oldham. Heilman said this fierce and strange-looking guy walked up to him and said I hear youre from Kentucky. I said Well, yes I am. Well, he was muddy, had on a steel helmet, M-1 (rifle) on his right shoulder, submachine gun on his left, had a pistol in his belt. Nobody could imagine this guy was a Marine. I said youre a mess. He said Well, Ive been in that damn foxhole for three months. Last night, I slept standing up because it was full of water. Heilman paused: You know, sometimes it seems as if it just happened. Theres good and bad that comes from war, he said. Theres good and bad that came from Vietnam, theres good and bad that came from World War II, and all who survive are changed forever. For Heilman, the Marine Corps was a catalyst for what he called his transformation. He said I finally grew up, and not just because he actually got four inches taller. I began to have a sense of being capable of doing something in life that could be more important than my lackadaisical ways. In Depression-era Kentucky, earning a living was much more important for us than education, he said. I had never dreamed of going to college, but after the Marines he earned a doctorate. As a national spokesman for the Keep The Spirit of 45 Alive organization, Heilman said his goal was to talk to people, identify what life is all about, talk about commitment to your country. The Harley ride was his way of reaching out. Heilman said he bought a motorcycle in 1946 but his wife, Betty, made him get rid of it. My wife bought me a brand new one when I was 71, he said. She said, Youre old enough now to have a motorcycle.' Richard Sisk can be reached at richard.sisk@military.com. Related Video: Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun is the hot name out there on the trade market, a National League scout told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. The scout listed the Astros, Cardinals, Giants, Mets, Phillies, Red Sox and White Sox as potential buyers for the 32-year-old Braun, who has resembled his past NL MVP-winning self offensively this season in slashing .351/.424/.583 with nine home runs in 170 trips to the plate. Braun is in the first season of a five-year extension that could be worth either $94MM or $105MM, depending on what happens with the contracts mutual option for 2021. Heres more from Cafardos weekly column: Despite signing a six-year, $130MM deal with the Giants in the offseason, right-hander Johnny Cuetos excellence in San Francisco has somehow flown under the radar, writes Sarah Langs of ESPN.com. Not only has Cueto pitched to a 2.38 ERA across 75 2/3 innings this year, but he has done it while giving the Giants length, as Langs writes. Cueto is tied for the league lead with superstars Clayton Kershaw and Chris Sale in complete games (three), and hes second to Kershaw in seven-inning starts (nine). His changeup has been particularly dominant, as Cueto has induced swings and misses a career-best 44 percent of the time with it. Batters have hit a paltry .175 against the pitch and Cueto has fanned 29 hitters while deploying it with two strikes, which ranks behind only Stephen Strasburg. When batters have put Cuetos changeup in play, theyve hit it on the ground 74 percent of the time. More from the National League: Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper might not be the only $400MM free agent if he reaches the open market in 2018, says FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal (video link), who reports that Orioles third baseman/shortstop Manny Machado could also exceed that total. Machado is a more valuable defender at third than Harper is in right, argues Rosenthal, and is just three months older than Harper (both will be 26 in 2018). Machado, who has slashed a videogamelike .323/.397/.634 with 13 home runs in 209 plate appearances this year, has outhit Harper (.243/.423/.537, 12 homers in 201 PAs) and leads all major leaguers in fWAR (3.4). Heres more inside info from Rosenthal: 403 Forbidden 403 Forbidden Code: AccessDenied Message: Access Denied RequestId: 0CD65FD50DC3B0EA HostId: KcqkcKw7HlgsHLWqwBJOV2E8oamMe0iJcUrD+ZzC6GtX8qro2Pf+5DheABajLY2tbCJmnahY98c= An Error Occurred While Attempting to Retrieve a Custom Error Document Code: AccessDenied Message: Access Denied BAY CITY, MI -- The Catholic church where superstar Madonna attended Mass as a girl, where her parents were married and where hundreds of Bay City families worshiped, celebrated births, lives and mourned their loved ones is soon for sale. The parish that owns Our Lady of the Visitation Church 1106 State St., hasn't yet settled on an asking price or when it will hit real estate listings, but it will be put up for sale, said Erin Carlson, communications director for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw. The church hosted the wedding ceremony of of pop star Madonna's parents, Silvio "Tony" Ciccone and Madonna Fortin, in 1955. Madonna visited relatives in Bay City for lengthy stays throughout her childhood and attended services at the Visitation Church during her time in the city. Ciccone, a Pennsylvania native, became acquainted with the church through his wife, who he met in Texas, corresponded with and later married in the church. "It's sad. I certainly have good memories there," said Ciccone, who owns and operates Ciccone Vineyard & Winery on the Leelanau Peninsula in Western Michigan with his wife, Joan Ciccone. "It'd be nice if they could do something with the church, maybe an art museum -- anything to keep it going, it's a nice structure. I'd like to see somebody keep it and do something artistic with it." As a boy attending the neighboring Catholic school in 1946, Bay City resident Lawrence Petrimoulx remembers being in awe of the church's scale and brilliance -- from the height of the priest's lectern to the craftsmanship of the hand-carved oak pews and muraled plaster dome. It was constructed as a French parish church in 1914, and stands above the neighborhood with its massive bell tower. "I've attended there all my life, and they don't make them like that anymore," Petrimoulx, 76, said of the church. "I miss it." The news of an upcoming sale comes days after workers removed the last of the church's 43 stained glass windows May 19 -- some of which will be integrated into Bay City's Our Lady of Peace Church, formerly known as St. Mary of the Assumption, 607 S. Union St., said Rick Davidson, the parish's maintenance manager. All that remains of the work before the church's listing is the removal of religious artifacts, such as statues, crucifixes and other icons, Davidson said. These sacred objects, along with any money from the church sale, are property of the Our Lady of Peace Parish, Carlson said. The parish was formed after a merger between St. Mary of the Assumption and Our Lady of the Visitation in the summer of 2014. Our Lady of the Visitation was later closed, while St. Mary's became the new parish's place of worship. Carlson said the merger was one of many across the diocese in a move to strengthen church finances amid downturns in parishioner numbers. "We had more church buildings than we could take care of," she said. During the downsizing process, Bishop Joseph Cistone, head of the Diocese of Saginaw, ordered the assessment of all church buildings. What surveyors found in the Visitation Church, Carlson said, was extensive water damage to the bell tower, making it a less-viable option to house a new, combined parish. Don Comtois, a church member since his baptism in 1943, recounted the financial straits the parish was in before it closed. "We had 350 parishioners left," Comtois said. "You can't do anything with that many people to keep up a church this size." Surveying the arch of the church ceiling, which stands 80 feet high, Davidson replied, "Oh my gosh -- what a waste. I can't imagine how the parishioners felt." "People have to face the facts and sometimes they don't want to, but we knew," Comtois said. "We have to remember that we are one, and that this is just a place we worship. Our faith isn't in plaster, wood or glass, it's in the Lord Jesus Christ and the sacraments." DETROIT, MI -- Three months after Detroit paid $100,000 to settle a lawsuit filed because Detroit Police Officer Daryl Dawson fatally shot a chained-up dog named Babycakes, the Department is being sued for another dog massacre. Nikita Smith and Kevin Thomas of Detroit say police raided their home during the service of a narcotics warrant and unnecessarily killed their three dogs, Debo, Mama and Smoke. Photos submitted with the complaint show the bathroom, where one of the dogs was locked inside, drenched in blood. The three carcasses were placed in plastic bags and taken from the home. The lawsuit says Smith, who was the only one home, heard police knock and told them, "Let me put my dogs down in the basement." Police wrote in their report there was no response. She "sequestered" Debo and Mama in the basement and "blocked the entryway," the lawsuit says. Smoke was locked in a bathroom. When police entered, Debo got through "obstruction" keeping the dogs in the basement. As Smith "reached down to her dog ... officers shot Debo multiple times" not far from Smith, the lawsuit claims. The officers then "stormed down into the basement where the officers shot to death plaintiff's dog Mama, a pregnant female dog," the lawsuit says. "Mama was not barking or attacking" and "died in a pool of blood in the corner of the basement." "Should we shoot that one too?" an officer allegedly said after cracking the bathroom door to verify the third dog was inside. Officers listed in the lawsuit as John Gaines and John Paul then fired repeatedly through the door. "Officer Gaines laughed and said ... 'Did you see that? I got that one good,'" says the complaint. "A police officer next said to (Smith), 'I should have killed you, too.' " ... Police officers acted as (a) dog death squad and stormed through the plaintiffs' house executing dogs as they went." A police report obtained by Christopher S. Olson, who is representing the couple, through a Freedom of Information Act request claims an officer shot a "vicious gray pit bull" seven times after it charged upon police entering the home. "Simultaneously, a vicious black dog charged ... " from the bathroom. Police shot that dog three times with a shotgun, the police report claims. The lawsuit includes photos of bullet holes in the bathroom door. The report says officers then shot a "vicious white pit bull" in the basement. Police arrested Smith and seized her 2007 Grand Prix, a scale and multiple baggies containing a total of 25.8 grams, just less than an ounce, of marijuana. According to the search warrant affidavit, a credible informant previously purchased marijuana from a man in the house. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office charged Smith with violation of the city's marijuana code. She pleaded not guilty and the case was dismissed May 11 when Detroit police failed to appear for a court hearing. The Detroit Police Department had not filed a response to the lawsuit. Exhibit photos: Complaint: Detroit police FOIA: Prescription Painkillers-New Warnings FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2010, file photo, a pharmacy technician poses for a picture with hydrocodone and acetaminophen tablets, also known as Vicodin, at the Oklahoma Hospital Discount Pharmacy in Edmond, Okla. Federal health regulators will bolster warning labels on the most widely used prescription painkillers, part of a multi-pronged federal effort to reverse an epidemic of abuse and death tied to drugs like Vicodin and Percocet, the FDA announced Tuesday, March 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) (Sue Ogrocki) PONTIAC -- While the state's overall population decreased slightly between 2007 and 2014, the use of addictive prescription pills in Michigan quadrupled. The number of Schedule II drug dosages -- usually equivalent to a pill -- exploded from 180 million in 2007 to 745 million by 2014, according to the state's prescription tracking system, known as MAPS. That's equivalent to about 75 pills prescribed to every man, woman and child in the state in 2014. Gov. Rick Snyder created a task force that released recommendations for combating the state's prescription pill crisis in June 2015. Opioid task force findings, recommendations State Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who chaired the Michigan Prescription Drug and Opiod Abuse Task Force, met with Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson Friday to discuss the problem in Oakland County and beyond. Communities like Waterford and other suburbs north of Detroit have experienced a spike in overdose deaths related to heroin and prescription opiates in recent years. The county created its own task force and a committee to work alongside the county medical examiner to study the scope of the problem. "Opioid painkillers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone have been identified as one of the primary reasons for the tragic increase in prescription drug overdose deaths, and they are being prescribed in the United States at an unprecedented rate," the 2015 task force report said, citing Bureau of Substance Abuse and Addiction Services findings. "While U.S. residents constitute less than 5 percent of the world population, they consume 80 percent of the global opioid supply and 99 percent of the global hydrocodone supply." U.S. prescription pill overdose deaths -- 22,000 in 2014 -- accounted for nearly as many deaths as those caused by illegal drugs like black-market heroin and cocaine. While prescription drug abuse is surging, so is the use of heroin, an illegal opiate many turn to when they are unable to afford or acquire doctor-issued drugs. "Addressing the prescription drug abuse crisis requires partnerships at every level to strengthen education, prevention and treatment," Patterson said in a statement following Friday's meeting. "I applaud the work of the state task force and our county partnership. I am looking forward to working together to end this epidemic." Below are some of the state recommendations to curb abuse and overdose deaths. Noticeably, the recommendations don't significantly address the role of doctors as the front line in supplying the potentially deadly medication. Although it's recommended that doctors and pharmacists receive better training related to prescribing pain medicine, no one is advocating stiffer penalties or license sanctions for those deemed to be over-prescribing. Officials have traditionally hesitated to intervene in doctor-patient relationships. "While it wasn't a formal recommendation of the task force, over-prescribing was an issue discussed in task force meetings," Calley spokeswoman Laura Biehl said in an email to MLive on Friday. "The task force is watching the new CDC guidelines on dosing to determine how to take action on this particular issue." The MAPS system tracks every prescription a doctor issues -- or a patient receives -- so the power to track those who appear to be carelessly prescribing medication is available to licensing agencies and some law enforcement officials. Only the cumulative, non-doctor-specific data is available to the public. Here are some of the state's recommendations: A colourful durbar has been held in honour of the visiting Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, by the chiefs and people of Ngleshie Alata (Jamestown British Accra) in Accra. Prince Edward was in the country to present the Head of State Awards to young Ghanaians who had successfully participated in the Duke of Edinburghs International Award Scheme. The Paramount Chief of Ngleshie Alata, Obrempong Nii Kojo Ababio V, expressed his gratitude to the prince for his visit, which he said was an indication of the strong bond between the United Kingdom and Ngleshie Alata. He thanked the United Kingdom for its contribution to the development of the Ngleshie Alata community. The British High Commission and Just Ghana Limited, an NGO, recently donated 57 desktop computers to three basic schools in the community. Nii Kojo Ababio said the relationship with Ngleshie Alata dated back to 1675 when the British Government built the James Fort and the area became their permanent home on account of its strategic position. The Duke was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Jon Benjamin, the Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Awards Foundation, Lord Paul Boateng, and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuiye. As part of his tour, he was hosted at a reception at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra. Among the people who attended the reception were Paa Quency Adu, President of the National Union of Ghana students (NUGS), and Yvonne Okoro, an actress. The earl is the youngest child of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. Afari Gyan has been gone for less than a year but I miss him so much. Like every human being, he had his shortcomings but overall he served Ghana well. Mahama did well by giving him the highest national award. He is deserving of it. Unlike Afari Gyan, Charlotte Osei may not finish her term if she continues in the manner she has started. Unfortunately, her misjudgements will not affect her alone but they also have the potential to throw Ghana in crisis. Like other public servants, our taxes pay her so she is responsible to all Ghanaians. We therefore have to call her to order if things are not going well. My assertions are based on the following: 1. Rebranding Several things were wrong with the by EC decision to rebrand. i. Wasteful spending the previous logo of the commission did not pose any problems/issues. We could identify he EC with it and did not have cause to complain. It did not have to be changed. To the extent that she did not need to change the logo, the amount spent was total waste of money. ii. Timing: The EC decided to prioritise rebranding instead of limited voter registration and drafting the necessary legislation to change the election date. To give a piece of advice, the best way to build a brand is through the substance of what you sell and not just marketing or logos. The substance in this case is a credible election and that should be her focus. 2. Limited registration The limited registration exercise was a total mess. The publicity for the exercise was poor. Some existing voters even ended up registering again and therefore risk being removed from the register. The EC even concedes that the publicity was poor. A day before the exercise the EC held a press conference to launch a logo but not to talk about the exercise. And guess what, the next day the media was discussing new EC logo and not the limited registration exercise. Several people could not register because registration centres were not easily accessible. As a result, many civil society organisations and political parties requested for extension. But the EC failed to heed to reason. 3. Voters register The EC, political parties and Ghanaians agree that the voters register is bloated but there was disagreement as to how to fix the anomaly. NPP was agitating for a new register but NDC preferred cleaning of the existing register. The EC set up a panel to make recommendations on the way forward. The panel did not recommend a new register (which was a good decision) but they supported the idea of a clean-up of the register. With barely 5 months to the elections, we (Ghanaians) do not know HOW the EC will undertake the exercise. 4. Supreme Court judgement The Supreme Court judgement appears to be an albatross now. To the Supreme Court their order to the EC is clear: DELETE the names of those who used the NHIS card to register and the names of those who used the NHIS card to register and REREGISTER those individuals who can proof their citizenship. Why should deletion and reregistration be a problem? It beats my mind! The EC is beating about the bush with the order. The NDC seem to be vehemently opposed to this and the EC appears to tow their line. Why should a political party be concerned with a clean register? Does this suggest that there is a real mess on the register which possibly inure to the benefit of the NDC? The EC must ensure fair play to ensure that the people of Ghana ELECT their leaders. 5. Date for voting The date for this years election is still not clear. Constitutionally it is supposed to be 7th December but the EC wants to change it to 7th November. This requires parliament to pass an amendment to that effect. Both the majority (NDC) and minority (NPP) have complained about the delayed submission of the bill by EC. That means potentially the November 7 may not work. What has been the focus of the focus all this while? Rebranding? I am really concerned! The EC Chairpersons decisions so far have been controversial and appear to suggest that she is dancing to the tunes of NDC. Ghana is bigger than NPP and NDC. In fact not all Ghanaians vote. However, the consequences of electoral violence will affect everyone. Madam Charlotte Osei should therefore look at the broader picture and work for GHANAIANS because she owes her ALLEGIANCE to us. Long live Ama Ghana!! Elections can be run with a register that is not credible and accurate, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Law, Dr. Raymond Atuguba, has said. Dr. Atuguba argues that the constitutionality and voidness or otherwise of an electoral roll should be of concern and not its accuracy and credibility. "In fact, 99% of registers all over the world - as Jon Benjamin [UK High Commissioner] has told us - are not credible and not accurate. It is impossible to register millions and millions of voters and get an accurate register," he indicated. Dr Atuguba made these comments on Joy FM and Multi TV's analysis programme Newsfile on a judgement of the Supreme Court on the voters' register which has deeply divided the nation. The Supreme Court in its judgement on a case brought before it by Abu Ramadan and Evans Nimako declared that "the current register of voters which contains the names of persons who have not established qualification to be registered is not reasonably accurate or credible." The Court further declared that "the current register of voters which contains the names of persons who are deceased is not reasonably accurate or credible." In view of this, the apex court in the exercise of the power conferred on it under article 2(2) of the constitution, ordered "the EC to take steps immediately to delete or as is popularly known clean the current register of voters to comply with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution, and applicable laws of Ghana." The EC was also directed the Commission to provide an opportunity to persons whose names will be deleted 'to register under the law.' Dr. Atuguba believes the plaintiffs lost the case because "all the substantive claims they brought to court were dismissed." According to him, the Supreme court said: "the current register is not credible and not accurate but they refused to say that that non-credibility and non-accuracy made the register unconstitutional and void." In other words, the lack of credibility and inaccuracy of the register in the judgement is practically irrelevant, he maintained. Dr. Atuguba argued that attaining a credible and accurate register "is a hope, a wish an aspiration we work towards." Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com| Akosua Asiedua Akuffo| [email protected] 29.05.2016 LISTEN Ghana is suffocating under the weight of corruption. The catalogue of this insidious nemesis to economic growth in the country under President Mahamas administration will, undoubtedly, fill a telephone directory. Even that, what we know is only a tip of the iceberg courtesy of their own sloppiness. Can you imagine what will be discovered when they are kicked out of office in disgrace on 7th of November? Your guess is as good as mine. Corruption is a human cancer. Even in the developed countries, it has a comfortable seat in the corridors of power. However, their corruption does not cause somebody to go to bed without food, or die of malaria because they are jobless or lack money to treat a treatable disease like malaria. And most importantly, they do not pick up microphones and insult their people when they go on comfortable trips paid for by the tax payer. Speaking in London quite recently, President Mahama had the incredible temerity and arrogance to insult Ghanaians who are reeling under his gangster regime of incompetence and corruption that Perception can be heightened because it[corruption] is being discussed long in the media. And When you have a country like Ghana where everybody is free to discuss corruption, if you wake up and you are angry with your husband or wife you take it out on the President, abuse him on the radio, when you have that kind of society, there are all kinds of issues that come up, he stated emphatically. This is coming from a president whose administration is riddled with corruption to the extent that the odour can be detected light years away. If the president has forgotten, this is what he is got to realise. During the last election, he got 50.7% of the votes, which means 49.3% did not vote for him. There are people who did not vote for him due to ideological reasons, and those who just hate his guts. There are some who strongly believe he has a hand in the death of his predecessor. Nevertheless, they still pay their taxes for him to jet off to conferences around the globe with incredible perks. Every night they sleep in darkness with their children crying for milk, they have to suckle them in the darkness while Flagstaff house will be glowing like Las Vegas. It is one thing not to extend a hand of appreciation, but to insult them that they vent their spleen on him when they are experiencing marital problems is poor taste to come from a president who holds a postgraduate diploma in communication. Well, I think I am expecting too much from a man who studied social psychology in a country that murdered 30 million of their own citizens in pursuance of an evil ideology called communism that collapsed like a house of cards in 1989. Its only an incompetent leader who is on drugs and at his wits end, like Acheampong exhibited during his twilight years in office before he was ousted in a palace coup, that will drivel like this. Acheampong hit back at Ghanaians for complaining too much and blaming every conceivable problem on him. He went to the extent of saying that even when it doesnt rain Ghanaians blame him for it, and he had had enough. So, at a function, he decided for a score draw. At his peroration he said, every imaginable problem is the fault of Acheampong, Acheampong! Acheampong! am I God that I should cause the rain to come down? Then after he blew out, came the denouement when he went back to his seat. He confided in one of his lieutenants not knowing that the microphones were still hot, and it captured one of the rare moments of the contempt some of our leaders have for their people. He spoke in Twi so pardon me if I dont get the translation accurately. Do you realise that when I kiss the bottle I do speak bullshit, he said. In this case Acheampong realised there and then that his verbal incontinence was absolute bonkers. I can, to some degree, understand and forgive Acheampong, because he came to power by the barrel of the gun and ruled as military dictator. But here is a case that President Mahama is democratically elected and his continue stay in office will be sanctioned by the electorates, yet has no qualms about the electorates turning their back on him. I am convinced that he completely believes the nonsense he peddles every now and then. This is a man who said I am a dead goat, therefore, no amount of prodding can take any effect. And said about two years ago that even if he constructs Kumasi roads with gold they will not appreciate. This shows that this man does not care about what the average Ghanaian is going through due to his incompetence. It is very strange that some Ghanaians still have faith in this man who is leading a party that is raping mother Ghana with its pants on. Is it because he has the Voltarians as his World Bank as well as his IMF as he alluded in his recent tour of the region? My dear Voltarians President Mahama has taken you for fools. I am pleading for just ten percent swing, and you will make him unemployed in November. Philip Kobina Baidoo Jnr London [email protected] The current travails of Femi Fani-Kayode in the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had long been expected. In fact, with developments leading to his arrest, Fani-Kayode thinks the EFCC came too late. This is because owing to the current administrations aversion to criticism even of the slightest and lightest type, Femi Fani-Kayode knew, with his relentless criticism of the Buhari administration for their gross inadequacies and obvious crass incompetence leading to a near-total absence of security of lives and property, and the irredeemable erosion of our socio-political and economic life, had put himself in the line of fire. Since the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the 2015 presidential polls, Fani-Kayode has carved a niche for himself as one who is among the very few who are looking Buhari in the eyeball and telling him to shape up, something the president obviously detests. From the vengeful incarceration of Sambo Dasuki to the vindictive detention of Nnamdi Kanu, Fani-Kayode has made himself a voice for the voiceless and victims of executive over-reach. His essays and commentary on the incessant and unchecked invasion of communities in the north central, the south eastern, the south southern and south western states respectively by the marauding Fulani herdsmen was a nightmare to Aso Rock and all the sympathizers of the Fulani herdsmen militia which is rated the fourth most dangerous terrorist group in the world. That rating was not for nothing, yet, our federal government is yet to take any decisive action against them! Despite the open support shown by some powerful and well connected northern leaders to the killer Fulani herdsmen, Femi Fani-Kayode was not cowed and continued criticizing loudly the mishandling of the crisis. He rose stoutly against the controversial religious bill introduced in Kaduna and which northern governors plan to adopt across board. He spoke out against President Buharis continued lopsided appointments in favour of the north against the south. He expressed genuine fears and called the attention of the world to the deliberate policy of Islamisation going on in Nigeria. He condemned the use of security agencies to intimidate, harass, incarcerate, torture and kill citizens wantonly just for political reasons. He stood above others in his condemnation of the Shiite massacre, the needless killings of innocent, harmless and armless members of IPOB/MASSOB at Aba and Onitsha among others. The social media was one of his most effective tools. He was always on twitter and Facebook, making his opinions known without fear or favour. His positions on matters generate a lot of interests among the citizens and have the immense capacity to shape perceptions, enlighten the ill-informed, illuminate the darkened mind, lighten a burdened conscience, free the mentally enslaved and singularly redirect a national discourse. That is how powerful the former Minister of Aviations writings are that his traducers at Aso Rock started seeing him as one that must be taken out of circulation. In the days leading to his being invited by the EFCC, some top government officials and sympathizers of the current administration had approached Femi Fani-Kayode telling him he had become a target of government because of his writings which the authorities view as being caustic and too critical. His phones would ring endlessly from officials who would advise him to desist from writing or speaking against the policies and actions of government in his own interest. Series of meetings with him were called by these government agents, mostly at odd hours where they pushed their agenda to have him keep quiet or face retribution from government. They would remind him of how unpleasant the consequences of his arrest would be to his family and the stress it would bring to them especially his four-month old baby, all in a bid to have him back down on the struggle. Fani-Kayode would return home at times with heavy burdens, thinking of what next to do. He would ask, Do I abandon the struggle and watch people suffer, women raped, children killed, communities devastated by Fulani herdsmen, and say or do nothing about it? Do I stand and watch as security agents murder innocent Nigerians in cold blood in their hundreds with reckless abandon and not say anything? Do I stand and just watch as the federal government works assiduously to promote one religion over the other in a multi-religious and multi cultural society like ours? Do I sit and watch as Nigerians are indiscriminately locked away and humiliated by state agents just because they belong to another political divide or because they criticize government policies? Do I sit and watch how the judiciary is being intimidated, harassed and lampooned just because they choose to be on the side of law and not politics in the discharge of their duties? Do I abandon the struggle simply because of the threat of harassment, humiliation and torture? Who stands for the people if everyone is cowed? Who speaks truth to power if everyone recoils into their shells? After these questions, Fani usually decides that the way to go is not to be intimidated or betray the trust of the people but to stand tyranny in the face and speak fearlessly to power in order to save our people and country from the stranglehold of one man. So, when the EFCC finally invited him, it was not a surprise to many who are abreast of happenings around the former Minister of Aviation. In fact, it was considered an invitation that came too late considering the barrage of pressure mounted on him to soft pedal on his criticism of government. One was therefore not surprised at the over-zealousness and flagrant display of naked power displayed by the EFCC operatives when they came for FFK as he is fondly called. First, on Friday, the 6th of May, operatives came to his residence to leave a letter from the anti-graft agency inviting him to their office the following Monday being the 9th of May. However, to prove that they were on a mission of vindictiveness and vendetta, they returned about two hours later that same Friday with a detachment of heavily armed policemen, a coaster bus and a Toyota Hilux vehicle, brandishing weapons in commando style and laid siege to his house for about 6 hours before leaving empty-handed, saying they had instructions to whisk him away. He eventually honoured the invitation as scheduled and after holding him beyond the constitutional time of 48 hours allowed to detain anyone, the EFCC told Fani-Kayodes family members and lawyers that they had obtained a remand warrant from an Abuja court to hold him for another two weeks even though they did not show any one a copy of such warrant. Shortly after then, nearing the expiration of the purported remand warrant, they whisked him to Lagos where they also applied to keep detaining him for another thirty days even though the magistrate eventually granted them a remand warrant for three weeks. This was after the EFCC had been served a court notice for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights in Federal High Court, Abuja; for the EFCC to have taken the same matter to a magistrate court amounts to abuse of court processes. But in the current administration, it seems our constitution has been suspended and the rule of force elevated above the rule of law. All these show that it is not about corruption but all about silencing the opposition. So, when Femi Fani-Kayode eventually reported at the EFCC office and was detained and remain detained even after he has met his bail conditions, one knew it was going to be a long walk to freedom. Freedom, not necessarily for him as a person, for he has always told those close to him that enslavement is a thing of the mind: there are many who are walking free but are slaves while there are many more who are in chains but are actually free in conscience. But the freedom he yearns for is freedom for Nigerians; freedom for that man who was allegedly shot six times and humiliatingly wheeled in a barrow while his members are killed in their hundreds simply because he belongs to a different sect of Islam; freedom for that woman who was callously raped right before her helpless husband by Fulani herdsmen who seem to enjoy the protection of their political kith and kin in high places; freedom for that innocent child who was wickedly snatched away from his mother while he suckled and had his throat slashed by the bloody swords of the Fulani militias; freedom for those whose farmlands are destroyed and whose lands are forcefully occupied while the murdered owners are forced to bury themselves in the sands watered by the blood of kinsmen mowed down by mindless cattle rearers; freedom for those who have been incarcerated for so long despite court orders granting them bails and are in chains for expressing themselves and associating with fellow Nigerians etc. Fani-Kayode believes that he is a free man once these ones are free even if he is in chains. He believes he is a free man once those murdered could find their voice in his even if he is incarcerated. To this extent, he is unruffled. This is just to let the world know that the war against the Ife-born Chief is not about corruption but about the deliberate and calculated agenda to silence members of the opposition while the sinister motives and the incompetence of this administration that are fast plunging our dear nation into a state of anarchy and anomie go applauded by sycophants and unchallenged by critics. It is an ignoble fight against the voice of good conscience wrapped in the smokescreen of fight against corruption. Nigerians must speak out louder than they are doing now. Things must not be allowed to get worse than they currently are. All of us have the responsibility to defend the oppressed and help entrench democratic principles in our country. If these executive acts of despotism are allowed to fester, everyone would be in the danger of being silenced, sometimes through the use of extreme measures as Fani-Kayode was once told. The time to act is now. It is Femi Fani-Kayode today, whose turn will it be tomorrow? Nigerians arise! By Jude Ndukwe [email protected] ; Twitter: @stjudendukwe 29.05.2016 LISTEN Folks, I have a good cause to contemplate on certain developments involving former President Rawlings as far as his legacy as the longest serving leader of Ghana (in both military fashion and the 4th Republican dispensation) vis-a-vis his aspersions on the late President Evans Atta Mills are concerned I am overwhelmed with grief as I reflect on the rhetoric of Jerry Rawlings that desecrates the third President of the Republic of Ghana, the Great Asomdwehene, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, at a time that nothing exists to bring the late President into focus. Why is Rawlings so embittered against the late Mills? Why no respect for him, even in death, at least? Addressing a delegation from the Association of Cuban Trained Ghanaian Professionals at his residence on Tuesday May 24, Mr. Rawlings expressed frustration about how the administration of the late Atta Millswhich, in his view, had the opportunity to correct some wrongsrather messed up things. We did everything possible to lift up this country and thats why people kept wishing we were back. But as soon as we handed over, the guy turned the wheels 180 degrees. Some of the most outrageous things were happening. I remember trying to tell Mills and giving him details about some of the issues, but it surprised me though that for a brilliant man like him, he couldnt see. He was so shallow. Crime perpetuates itself if you dont deal with it, and how Mills couldnt see through this is something I couldnt understand, Mr. Rawlings lamented, adding, But our brother Mills had been so badly persuaded. As he put it to me, he had been advised to let things be and the money will flow. Mills was disappointing. Some of your so-called intellectual creatures are dumb. (See http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Mills-was-disappointing-shallow-Rawlings-441719 ). Rawlings might have made his case, but there is a lot more to contemplate as far as any attempt to unpack the political dimensions of what prevailed in Ghana before his phenomenon and what happened thereafter are concerned. The difference must be made upfront here, not necessarily to pit all the forces against each other. We will draw on what matters most as far as Rawlings damnation of Atta Mills is concerned. We make no secret of the fact that a deep gap separates both from each other. The late Atta Mills stood for peace and died for it while the living Rawlings and all that he stands for represent nothing but a confrontation (a dance) with hell and all damnation in the mistaken belief that humanity knows nothing but violence as a means to correct itself. Atta Mills has met his end. What will be the end of Rawlings, his wife, and his own kind of Establishment is up in the air. We hope to see it all in the fullness of Gods time. But we remain concerned that Rawlings would consider himself as the arbiter. He is deceived. Atta Mills died in circumstances that his political opponents think they know better, despite all the explanations given by his immediate family to prove that no one killed him for political expediency. What it will be for them (including the Rawlingses) to win favour lies in the womb of time. The bell will definitely toll for all. But the manner in which Rawlings is dastardly insulting the memory of Atta Mills has to be considered. Why cant Rawlings respect the dead Atta Mills, even after facts have established that it was Rawlings who brought on Atta Mills as a surrogate to exploit at the end of his own mandatory two four-year term in office? What did Atta Mills do wrong to annoy Rawlings so much that he cant be spared the peace in death after not even completing his one-term tenure? So, in one fell swoop, Rawlings has again desecrated everything that Atta Mills stood and fought for. Indeed, Atta Mills stood for nothing but peace and patriotism as the main motivations for national development. He didnt see political office as a means to amass power and material resources to perpetuate any particular personal, family, or ethnic identity or to establish any dynasty. That was why he regarded everybody as a brother and sister to relate to. He uplifted that ideal and laid down his life for it, even if derided by his detractors as a poodle on Rawlings leasha sad reflection on the sordid politics of that era preceding his rise to eminence and self-assertion as a peace-lover and maker!! How do those detractors feel now that there is no one to fill the vacuum that he created? Who talks about peace anymore? Sadly enough, the very person who shot Atta Mills into prominence has turned out to be his main destroyer. Jerry Rawlings must know why he fished out Atta Mills from the hordes of Ghanaians following his trail. Only Rawlings would know why he went for Atta Mills, a law professor at the University of Ghana, to appoint as the head of the then Central Revenue Department, which he transformed into the Internal Revenue Service to do much for the good of the state. Only Rawlings would know why he single-handedly imposed Atta Mills on the NDC Establishment as his replacement by virtue of his Swedru Declaration that would end up tearing the NDC apart and pitting its old and new forces against each other and engendering the breaking away of Goosie Tannoh to form the National Reform Party to be emulated later by Dr. Obed Asamoah and his Democratic Freedom Party and now Nana Konadus National Democratic Party. What manner of man is this Rawlings so bent on tearing his own house apart? Why would he do so, four years after the man he single-handedly imposed on the NDC (and invariably his own political legacy) had passed on without sinking his teeth in anybodys skin, contrary to what Rawlings, his wife, and those pursuing their political cause have done and still continue to do with careless abandon? Rawlings denigration of Atta Mills as hollow and shallow (or even dumb) is pathetic and will be assessed as such. I am particularly informed about why Rawlings has stooped so low. It is all because Atta Mills didnt give him the chance to rule Ghana by proxy. Atta Mills might not have been known properly by Rawlings at the time that Rawlings fingered him to succeed him in the affairs of the NDC. Those of us who got close to him knew him as a resolute man of peace who had his own agenda for building Ghana through peaceful means, not the kind of hocus-pocus that undergirded Rawlings showmanship. And he is respected for whatever he stood for. Even his political opponents in the NPP who would foolishly dismiss him as a chamber pot (as Isaac Edumadze derogatorily described him) know his worth. But for his good qualities, he couldnt have rebounded to trounce Akufo-Addo in the 2008 run-off. Its no joke!! In that context, it is clear that what Rawlings has said about him is the worst to have come from someone who should have known better not to tread that way. As Atta Mills family head has said, John Evans Atta Mills was not a politician nor did he seek to make his living through partisan politics. It was Rawlings who lured him into politics. This is where the enigma begins: Why should Rawlings be that person to destroy Atta Mills? Folks, the enigma is thick. We cannot unpack it now, especially if we consider how Rawlings and his wife continue to undermine the late Atta Mills. We saw what happened long before his death when Rawlings characterized an Atta Mortuary Man and all other things followed. We saw what happened at the burial ceremony when Rawlings broke protocol. But in spite of it all, we know that Rawlings denigration of Atta Mills memory today wont take away anything from the mans integrity. He stood for whatever he believed in and will always be endeared to our hearts as the one and only Asomdwehene that has emerged in Ghanaian politics in our time. I reiterate that he stood for peace and died as a peacemaker. May his name be a blessing to us and a damnation to those who see him otherwise!! In truth, no one would have recalled the dead Atta Mills for his own sake except in circumstances wrought by unrepentant creeps whose ambition to exploit him failed to materialize. Surely, the smoke that raises the fire does so to their disadvantage, which explains why they are still at his throat, long after he has been dead and buried, resting in the arms of his Maker. May he continue to rest in perfect peace. Those who denigrate his image should wait for their own turn when Nature calls. I shall return Rome (AFP) - A week of shipwrecks and death in the Mediterranean culminated Sunday with harrowing testimony from migrant survivors who said another 500 people including 40 children had drowned, bringing the number of feared dead to 700. Brought to safety in the Italian ports of Taranto and Pozzallo, survivors told the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) and Save the Children how their boat sank on Thursday morning after a high-seas drama which saw one woman decapitated. "We'll never know the exact number, we'll never know their identity, but survivors tell that over 500 human beings died," Carlotta Sami, UNHRC spokeswoman, said on Twitter. With some 100 people missing after a boat sank Wednesday, and 45 bodies recovered from a wreck that happened Friday, the UNHCR said it feared up to 700 people had drowned in the Mediterranean this week. Giovanna Di Benedetto, Save the Children's spokesperson in Sicily, told AFP it was impossible to verify the numbers involved but survivors of Thursday's wreck spoke of around 1,100 people setting out from Libya on Wednesday in two fishing boats and a dinghy. "The first boat, carrying some 500 people, was reportedly towing the second, which was carrying another 500. But the second boat began to sink. Some people tried to swim to the first boat, others held onto the rope linking the vessels," she said. According to the survivors, the first boat's Sudanese captain cut the rope, which snapped back and decapitated a woman. The second boat quickly sank, taking those packed tightly into the hold down with it. The Sudanese was arrested on his arrival in Pozzallo along with three other suspected people traffickers, Italian media reports said. "We tried everything to stop the water, to bail it out of the boat," a Nigerian girl told cultural mediators, according to La Stampa daily. "We used our hands, plastic glasses. For two hours we fought against the water but it was useless. It began to flood the boat, and those below deck had no chance. Woman, men, children, many children, were trapped, and drowned," she said. - 'Bodies everywhere' - Those who survived told mediators the dead included "around 40 children, including many newborns", La Repubblica daily said. "I saw my mother and 11-year old sister die," Kidane from Eritrea, 13, told the aid organisations. "There were bodies everywhere". A bout of good weather as summer arrives has kicked off a fresh stream of boats attempting to make the perilous crossing from Libya to Italy. Italian news agency Ansa said some 70 dinghies and 10 boats had set off over the past week. Over 15 a day. Italy's Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Saturday that Europe needed "a quick agreement with Libya and African countries" to halt the crisis. The chaos in the North African country since Moamer Kadhafi's fall in 2011 has been exploited by people traffickers. Migrants interviewed by La Repubblica in Sicily told the daily a new "head trafficker" called Osama had taken control of departures from Libya's beaches and was offering "cut-price" deals of 400 euros for the boat journey to lure in new customers. "I was held captive for six months in a basement of an abandoned building in Sabratha. I saw many people executed, those who tried to escape were killed by the guards, who were all Libyans," a Nigerian migrant told the newspaper. European Parliament President Martin Schulz said in an interview with the Italian daily on Sunday that Italy's "migration compact" idea was "the best proposal so far" for stopping the boat crossings and preventing deaths. Italy wants to persuade African countries to help close migrant routes to Europe and take back some of those arriving via Libya in exchange for increased aid and investment. Germany has made it clear, however, that it is against one of the elements of Italy's plan: the issuing of EU-Africa bonds to finance it. Wallahi, I have never seen so much pain, anger, frustration and hostility in the eyes of Nigerians. To tell the truth (if I lie make God punish me), this is the harshest economic condition I have ever witnessed in Lagos so far. I don't know for other parts of Nigeria. All the characteristics of scarcity came knocking at the same hour bringing with it sorrow, tears & blood (apologies to Fela Anikulapo Kuti). Nigerians have become aggressive and suicidal under this APC one year regime owing to extreme hardship. Unemployment has made people lose dignity and display placards of misery on the streets. The unsuccessful NLC industrial action shunned by Nigerians is an indication that a trust deficit that will lead to a bloody revolution is in the offing. Do I regret voting for Buhari? NO. (It's crystal clear that PDP gang raped the country financially via a record breaking mindless lootership.) Do I think Buhari has performed creditably well in the last one year? NO. (He inherited a collapsed economy but concentrated his energies on fighting corruption while neglecting the welfare of the poor masses) Do I still believe he can deliver on the promises that pressured the electorate to vote for him during the last elections? YES. ( At least I can vouch for his proven integrity and zero tolerance for corruption. By the end of his administration, EFCC will be out of job as no kobo would have been stolen by his ministers and appointees. Amen!) I speak for myself. I did not find this Buhari's one year in office exemplary. The prices of essential commodities that sustain the poor masses doubled and skyrocketed. Name it; food stuffs, electricity tariff, petrol, kerosine, medication, water, transportation, school fees, rent, to mention but a few. Haba, did we commit any crime by voting for Buhari and APC? Even the price of postinor rose from N250 to N600. Compare and contrast prices of goods and services as at May 29, 2015 to date. How come APC could not deliver on at least one billboard promise? It appears they truly were not prepared for power. They are using a different yardstick to measure their achievements while we nurse our wounds by calculating the prevalent high living expenses. Some sycophants who never visited the polling centers in 2015 are shouting us down to stop complaining because Buhari has three more years to deliver. Even when the political space is still reeking of that offensive odour of Jonathan and PDP? Okay, let's still trust Buhari and his propaganda machine. They have goofed with the inherited raped economy for one year. If I had the powers, I would ask Buhari and all his public officers to refund their salaries and allowances to the TSA. There's nothing to show for paying them in the last one year. But something bothers me though when they inform us that the country is broke. What is a minister doing with six cars in his convoy in this austere times? Why would a minister request for 13 million naira for mere traveling in this hardship? What is Buhari doing with 12 presidential airplanes while budgeting mind boggling figures for Aso Rock? Why are the so called leaders still feathering their own nests and living large off the commonwealth of the Nigerian masses? (We see them and their children flying first class regularly at our expense. Shebi, the country is broke?) I don't know for others but the standard of living in the last one year has been nothing but a holus bolus disaster under a president that has enjoyed massive goodwill from Nigerians. PDP is cursed already for manipulating Nigerians and corruptly enriching their family and friends for 16 years. They have used power for their own selfish advantage and kept us in zero megawatt. PDP is like the vomit we can't lap back. We can't continue lamenting about PDP's abysmal performance. We elected a new government that will clean up the mess, wipe the tears of Nigerians and entrench meaningful development without further inflicting excruciating pain on us. We can't afford another set of politicians that we feed, cloth, fuel, house, cater for their children, health, traveling and medical expenses, yet, they turn around to steal billions of dollars and loot our treasury dry. We can't afford such miscreants like PDP at the centre anymore. Nigerians deserve competent and compassionate leadership at this time. Buhari and APC should revisit the billboard campaign promises they made to Nigerians and cheerfully fulfill them. Your time restarts now! (Please no money should be wasted on celebrating 2016 Democracy Day. There is noting to celebrate.) Let the members of the ruling party kneel down, bow their heads in sober reflection and apologize to Nigerians. Quality leadership speaks through the welfare of the citizens. You can't possibly write examinations and score yourself excellent marks. The examiner here is the poor masses. Let's be generous and score APC 10 over 100 for the first year in office. Enough of the propaganda. Roll up your sleeves and work! Uzor Ngoladi is the author of Toxic Eucharist http://www.uzorngoladi.com 29.05.2016 LISTEN Wonders will continue to occur in the world. The reason? We in Ghana and most parts of the world are yet to encounter this experience. But it has happened in the United States of America where a Judge got a defense lawyer handcuffed in Court to Teach Her 'A Lesson' For Speaking Out. It happened in a Las Vegas court when the judge got the lawyer placed in handcuffs and seated next to inmates in court just to teach her "a lesson" about courtroom etiquette. Judges are powerful but we are yet to see a judge in Ghana flexing his muscles this much on lawyers. Zohra Bakhtary The information published on line is that , an irritated Justice of the Peace Conrad Hafen told Clark County Deputy Public Defender Zohra Bakhtary to "be quiet" as she tried to defend her client and keep him from serving a six-month jail sentence for violating probation, the Las Vegas Review-Journal first reported . As Bakhtary continued speak to out in defense of her client, Hafen exploded and ordered a marshal to place Bakhtary in handcuffs and seat her in the jury box next to inmates. Hafen told the Review-Journal that it's not "proper decorum" to talk over or interrupt in court. But Bakhtary told The Huffington Post that it was Hafen who first interrupted her while she was in the middle of defending her client Justice Hafen claimed to the Review-Journal that Bakhtary had exhibited progressively unprofessional behavior in the courtroom for some time and that he'd been "trying to work with her" but believed she didn't "understand" him. So he ordered her to be restrained. "We went on with the rest of the calendar, and everything was fine," Hafen said. Justice Hafen ended up sentencing Bakhtary's client to six months in jail. Bakhtary says she's appeared in Hafen's courtroom at the Regional Justice Center about once a week for about three years since joining the public defender's office, and that she's never acted unprofessionally. She told HuffPost that Hafen's decision to handcuff her and speak out against her professionalism was "extremely offensive." Every day I zealously represent my clients," Bakhtary said. "Every individual who goes through our criminal justice system has a constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel. It is a frightening day when a lawyer is locked up for fighting on behalf of her clients and their rights. The Court's constitutional duty is to listen to arguments, not silence them. Justice Hafen did not immediately respond to HuffPost's request for comment. It's well within a judge's power to restrain a person who is acting out of order in the courtroom, but rarely do they use this power against an attorney advocating on behalf of a client. And while Hafen didn't make any specific references to Bakhtary's gender in the court transcript, it's possible to see the incident as fitting into a larger pattern of men silencing women in this kind of setting. Stephen Cooper, a former federal and D.C. public defender, wrote an article on Bakhtary's handcuffing that highlights two other instances in recent years in which female public defenders were treated with similar disrespect. He cites a particularly disturbing case from 2007, reported by The Washington Post , where a judge ordered an attorney -- a woman of color, like Bakhtary -- to be "searched, shackled and detained" by a D.C. Superior Court judge, simply for attempting to inform the judge that her client was "homeless and poor." That judge was later found to be grossly out of line and was reprimanded for his behavior. Phil Kohn, Clark County's chief public defender, strongly defended Bakhtary's conduct in court and told HuffPost that he's never had one of his attorneys restrained in the 10-plus years he's been working there. Kohn also criticized Hafen's demeanor in the courtroom and called out the inappropriateness of Hafen referring to Bakhtary by her first name. "I believe in decorum. All parties should respect each other," Kohn said. "It should be 'Mr.' or 'Ms.' or 'Your Honor.' The fact that he's talking to her as 'Zohra' -- this is kindergarten stuff." Bakhtary's colleagues at the Clark County Defenders Union also denounced Hafen's actions in a letter to news media. "Handcuffing an attorney who is merely doing her job to teach her a lesson is simply improper and has never been done in the history of Nevada," the group wrote. "His actions were unreasonable and unprecedented. Judge Hafen was wrong." Alhaji Alhasan Abdulai EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 0244 370345/ 0274853710/0208844791 [email protected]/[email protected] 29.05.2016 LISTEN By Erica Apeatua Addo, GNA Tarkwa (W/R), May 29, GNA - The Tarkwa-Nsueam Municipal Assembly has disbursed GH14,600.00 to Persons with Disability (PWDs) in the municipality. The money was the first quarter of this year's District Assemblies Common Fund allocation to the PWDs to improve their standards of living. Mrs Christina Kobinah, the Municipal Chief Executive, who made the presentation, asked the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously. She, therefore, encouraged PWDs who had not registered with their respective associations to do so in order to benefit from the fund. Mr David Okyere, the District President of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled, on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the Assembly for its continuous support. GNA 29.05.2016 LISTEN Cape Coast, May 29, GNA - The vice-presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has asked Muslims to pray for the country and work towards unity and peace before, during and after this year's general election. Dr Bawumia made the call when he joined Muslims in Cape Coast to observe the Friday Jummah prayers at the Central Mosque. He donated Gh50,000.00 to the Muslim community, on behalf of Nana Akuffo Addo and the NPP, to help them fence the newly acquired cemetery to prevent encroachers. Dr Bawumia said the gesture was in recognition of the long-standing relationship between the NPP and the Muslim communities adding; 'this is our small contribution to help you have a befitting cemetery in the Central Region to bury dead relatives". He appealed to Muslim congregants to make the goodness, fairness and peacefulness of the election their topmost priority and shun violence and chaos. 'I am here to ask you to remember to pray fervently for the nation, especially in this crucial election year. It is important that we go into this election and emerge out of it as one united nation ready to move into a new era of development and transformation. This would depend on our prayers and our commitment to the course of this nation,' he said. Chief Mahmud Ibrahim Damdey Mazaawajey, the Regional Muslim Chief Imam, said the donation was timely and gave the assurance that the nation's prayers and requests would be answered by Allah. He prayed for Nana Akuffo-Addo, Dr Bawumia and the NPP and asked for Allah's peace and protection over them. He thanked Allah for the peace that Ghana is enjoying, especially in the light of the peaceful coexistence among Muslim and Christian communities. Dr Bawumia was accompanied by of the National Co-ordinator of Kamarideen Nasara, Sheik T. B. Damba, and a host of other executives of the NPP from the Cape Coast North and South constituencies. GNA 29.05.2016 LISTEN By D.I. Laary Accra, May 29, GNA - Dr Joyce Aryee, the Former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, said Ghana had lost its national heritage in many ways by adopting too much foreign cultures and values. She said even in the construction sector it was foreign materials that were used to build infrastructure adding; 'we live in houses that cannot function without electricity or air condition'. Dr Aryee said this at the 2016 Congress of the Ghana Writers' Association in Accra on Sunday. Speaking on the theme; 'Preserving our Heritage through Writing,' Dr Aryee said as an advanced and civilised country writing should be a major characteristic of the development agenda. She urged students to be proud of their local language and that they would surely speak foreign languages better if they could speak their local languages very well. Touching on the importance of heritage preservation, Dr Aryee, who was the guest speaker, said heritage could provide time tested solution for conflict resolution and allow the vulnerable in society to participate in development activities. Dr Aryee said the nation needed a heritage preservation plan to keep its achievements for the benefit of future generations. She recommended that the nation produced more books and electronic libraries to encourage reading adding that physical books gave people the urge to write and do better appreciation of the content. She wished the Association a happy 59th anniversary celebration and urged the citizenry to support the publishing industry since publishing was an essential part of national development. Mr Kwasi Gyan Apenteng, the President of the Association, in an interview with the GNA, said the congress was to find the way forward in preserving the native languages and re-elect new executives. 'The country cannot embark on democracy if its people cannot read and write,' he said. GNA Accra, May 29, GNA - Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, the Paramount Chief of Osu Traditional Area, has called on African leaders to come together and ignite a passion for economic independence of the continent. He said to be able to achieve this, there was the need to bring on board the traditional leaders, politicians and the clergy to fashion out policies that would be in the ultimate interest of the people. Nii Kinka Dowuona, also the President of the Osu Traditional Council, made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency as part of the Council's activities to round-off the African Union (AU) Day celebrations. He said the eagerness with which the forefathers of Africa fought for independence should be reflected in the way 'our current leaders are fighting for economic emancipation of the continent'. He said during the fight for independence the leaders spoke with one voice and worked tirelessly for its achievement which also culminated in the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 now AU born in 2002. 'Both organisations have the same objectives which include harmonization of the political, diplomatic, economic, educational, cultural, health, and the welfare of members to achieve a better life for the people,' he said. 'What do we see today, everybody has become individualistic which is crippling our economies and I wonder how the continent would look like in the next 10 years,' Nii Kinka Dowuona said. He said African leaders had enacted policies that were in favour of foreign countries turning the continent into a dumping ground for European and Asian goods to the detriment of African products. 'We have lost touch of everything and we are following the wind. We cannot even produce or appreciate our own needs,' he said. Using Ghana as the stand-point, he said the first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, visualised that by gaining independence 'we will be bosses and managers of our resources. 'The first president built industries and made Ghanaians proud of producing locally manufactured goods, but now almost all the factories have collapsed because of our displaced priorities,' the Osu Mantse said. He said the country had all the natural resources at its disposal yet the citizenry fought over finished products from outside which put monies into the coffers of foreign nations. Nii Kinka Dowuona said it was time the fire that burnt during the fight for independence was re-ignited for the economic independence of Africa. GNA 29.05.2016 LISTEN By Samira Larbie, GNA Accra, May 29, GNA - Professor Stephen Kwankye, a Lecturer at the Regional Institute of Professional Studies, Legon, said Ghana needed to educate the youth on their sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) to enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development. He said educating the youth on the SRHR was important because such issues were complex and could not be addressed by a single organisation or the youth themselves. Prof Kwankye said this at the opening of the 49th Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) annual general meeting in Accra. It was on the theme: 'PPAG Vision 2020 towards Agenda 2030 - The Role of Civil Society Organisations.' The meeting aims at ensuring effective implementation of PPAG's strategic plan for 2016 - 2020 and to discuss its contribution towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The four-year plan includes better SRHR policies for women and young people, quality health service delivery and the growth of the volunteer-base of the association. Prof Kwankye said statistics from the Ghana Statistical Service indicated that 32 per cent of the population was classified as persons between ages 10-24 years with the proportion of adolescent population being twice higher. 'This makes the target population very large and the work at PPAG plays a significant role in ensuring that the young ones made informed decisions,' he said. Prof Kwankye said though Ghana had made strides in fertility reduction efforts within the last two decades with a decline from 6.4 per cent in 1988 to 4.2 per cent in 2014, demographic dividends must persist long enough to allow the nation harness the benefits for national socio-economic development. 'Nonetheless, adolescents continue to make substantial contributions to fertility in Ghana which reduced from 9.7 per cent in 1988 to 8.2 per cent in 2008 but increased again to 9.1 per cent in 2014,' he said. He said due to the current sexual reproductive health situation and the socio-cultural environment within which the PPAG operated, it was clear that it needed to operationalise its plans to be able to realise the goals and objectives. Dr Joseph Amuzu, the Executive Director PPAG, said the organisation was working together with the Government and other partners for the realisation of the Vision 2020 as a result of which government had placed family planning under the National Health Insurance Scheme. He said despite the successes chalked by the organisation, it was still confronted with financial challenges adding; 'the signals are clear that the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) grant is dwindling just as donor funds. 'There is, therefore, the need to actively mobilise local funding to sustain the organisation,' he said. Dr Amuzu said the IPPF, Africa Region, would launch a new initiative called the 'African Citizenship Initiative for SRHR' at this year's regional council meeting in Nairobi in July. This would recruit 250,000 African individuals and organisations to make financial contributions over a five-year period to support SRH programmes. Dr Victor Bampoe, the Deputy Minister of Health, commended PPAG for its work to improve the sexual lives of young people and pledged the ministry's support to enhance its activities. GNA We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. One year after the adoption of big data technology to support policing, police in southwestern Chinese of Guiyang has seen a 50 percent drop in traffic-related cases. As the Big Data Expo, which hosted guests from senior Chinese government officials to chief executives of high-tech companies, concluded on Sunday, the city is trying to establish itself as a model for big data development. Tang Hui, an official responsible for drink-driving tests at Guiyang Public Security Bureau (GPSB), said cloud computing makes data more secure. "The moment the breath test begins, the results are uploaded in real time via 3G networks to the system." In the past, the test results were tampered with in some cases, said Tang. Now, it is impossible to switch samples as all law enforcement personnel wear body cameras that record obstruction, said policeman Wang Yan. The big data program also subjects all major police work to public scrutiny, thus, reducing the chance for rent-seeking and malpractice. The GPSB said with the help of the system over the past year, dozens of police and mid-level officers have been called in for questioning. Another four resigned. you are here: On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom will hold a popular referendum to decide whether or not it will remain a member of the European Union. The European Union or, as it was once known, the European Economic Community has become an important element of global politics over the last fifty years, and the world has become so used to it that the possible withdrawal of a major partner like the U.K. sounds rather shocking. But it should be remembered that the original founders of the Community, particularly the French President Charles de Gaulle, didn't originally imagine Britain being a party to the agreement; it was only in 1973 that the U.K. was allowed to join, a decision ratified by the British people in a referendum in 1975. By then most of the rules of the organization had been set and agreed upon by the French and German governments. Britain has always been a somewhat detached partner in this burgeoning organization. There are many reasons for this; the existence of a network based on former colonies and the English language, which formed a potentially alternative trading bloc, and the existence of an entirely different concept of law and state, based on common law rather than on a legal system imposed from above following the tradition of the Napoleonic Code. In the 1970s and 1980s the Labour Party was split from top to bottom over EU membership; later, towards the end of Margaret Thatcher's tenure of office, she herself began to have grave doubts over the direction of the whole project, and since then the Conservative Party has remained deeply divided. Prime Minister David Cameron has been consistently in favor of remaining in the EU, but he found it necessary to include in last year's election manifesto a commitment to hold a national referendum on continued membership. Cameron promised to hold negotiations to reform the EU before placing the choice before the British people; he has indeed worked hard on these negotiations, but it is a matter of dispute in the U.K. whether or not reform has actually been achieved. Cameron has allowed all members of the government to announce their own personal views on the issue, and several senior ministers have come out against the EU and their own party leader. It looks as though there will be a split in the government, and Cameron has already promised that he will not remain as leader to fight the next election in 2020. Thus the implications of the referendum for U.K. politics are most unclear and most interesting. But what would the implications for the rest of the world be if Britain leaves the EU? There is a lot of scaremongering in circles of international diplomacy, which is partly motivated by self-interest, as large numbers of diplomats (I used to be one) have jobs which are heavily involved in multilateral organizations with their endless meetings and the millions of man-hours wasted in them every year. And the combined economic power of the EU member states produces some impressive statistics. The EU as a whole remains China's biggest trading partner, and China is the EU's second biggest partner after the United States. There are arguments that a British withdrawal from the EU will somehow cut the U.K. out of these lucrative trading relationships. But there is no real reason to believe this. Businesses do not trade with international organizations; they trade with other businesses, and insofar as intergovernmental agreements are needed to safeguard fair trading terms between one country and another, these can be reached bilaterally without the need for a multilateral umbrella. President Obama, who strongly believes that Britain should stay in the EU, has warned the U.K. that the exit could leave the British "at the back of the queue" when it comes to negotiating a separate trade deal with the U.S. There are also concerns in China that a U.K. exit from the EU will cause problems by requiring a separate Sino-British trade deal. I can understand that neither China nor the U.S. want any more complications in the endless negotiations for a comprehensive trade deal with the EU. China's trade relations with the EU are still governed by the 1985 EU-China Trade and Cooperation Agreement; for nearly ten years negotiations have been in progress to upgrade this to a new European Union Association Agreement, but this has not been achieved yet. As for U.S.-EU negotiations, these are currently tied up in the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP) project, which is hugely unpopular in Europe, especially in Britain. I do not think that any of Britain's or Europe's major trading partners have much to fear regarding the outcome of the referendum on June 23rd. Tim Collard is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/timcollard.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Global crude supplies will start to dwindle in as little as two years, boosting prices, as the industry cuts investment to weather the worst market collapse in a generation, according to Statoil ASA. Oil companies reduced capital expenditure last year and are likely to cut it further this year and next, Statoils Chief Financial Officer Hans Jakob Hegge said in an interview in London. Lower spending means there could be a significant effect on crude supply after 2020, he said. For the first time in history, weve seen cutting of capex two years in a row and potentially we risk a third year as well for 2017, Hegge said. It might be that we see quite a dramatic reduction in replacing the capacity and of course that will have an impact, eventually, on price. Despite signs the supply glut is easing, companies are preparing for a prolonged downturn. The industry reduced capital spending by 24 percent last year and is expected to cut it by another 17 percent to about $330 billion this year, the International Energy Agency said in February. Oil fields require constant investment to maintain production, and in 2016, for the first time in years, drillers will add less oil from new fields than they lose through natural decline in old ones, according to Oslo-based Rystad Energy AS. Producers have seen their earnings plunge and debt pile up as Brent crude, the international benchmark, trades at half the level it was at two years ago. Even though prices have recovered more than 80 percent since January, the industry is cutting deeper. Royal Dutch Shell Plc, the worlds second-biggest oil company, will eliminate 2,200 more jobs this year to ensure Shell remains competitive through the current, prolonged downturn, Vice President for U.K. and Ireland Paul Goodfellow said on Wednesday. There are more spending cuts across the industry to come, Hegge said. In boom years, when prices rose from about $25 a barrel at the turn of this century to over $100 in 13 years, companies allowed costs to increase as they looked to add reserves and production. The current downturn is forcing them to take a long, hard look at their expenditure. Were coming from a position where we built projects on a standalone basis without building on past experience, Hegge said. Its very different from other industries that think of more assembly lines and more efficiency in every aspect of the process. Statoil, Norways biggest oil company, plans $13 billion in capital expenditure this year, and doesnt plan to increase it until oil prices recover, Hegge said. ShellsA expenditure in 2016 is trending toward $30 billion from previous guidance of $33 billion, and BP Plc has the option to cut to as little as $15 billion in 2017 from $17 billion this year. All of this depends on the oil price. Statoil, Shell, BP and others have said they see supply and demand rebalancing, yet theyre still girding for an extended period of low prices. Norways petroleum minister Tord Lien said this week that no one should count on oil returning to $100. Its better to plan for $60 and let the people who want to hope for $100, hope for $100, he said. Two years of low prices mean producers are approving fewer new projects. From 2007 to 2013, companies took final investment decisions on 40 mid- to large-sized oil and gas projects a year on average, according to industry consultant Wood Mackenzie Ltd. That fell to below 15 in 2014 and to less than 10 last year. Morgan Stanley estimates nine projects are in contention to get the green light this year. There are some signs of recovery in oil fundamentals but theres still uncertainty out there, Hegge said. So it would still be a tough 2016. Banks that have cut billions of dollars from U.S. oil and gas drillers credit lines are trying to make it even harder for the beleaguered companies to borrow. At least three law firms have been hired by banks to look for ways to add stricter lender protections to credit agreements, and to prevent some of the riskiest borrowers from drawing down on their lines, according to people with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified because the mandates are private. Banks can usually cut the lines twice a year, when they review the value of the oil and gas reserves that are collateral for the credit. But banks are going beyond those reviews to find other ways to limit their risk. Lenders are looking for ways within the four corners of their credit agreements to stop borrowers from borrowing more said David Feldman, a restructuring attorney at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. They dont want to keep throwing good money after bad. Banks are suffering now for loans they made when times were better. Oil that traded at more than $100 a barrel in the middle of 2014 now it trades at closer to $48. Even after a recent rally, that level is still below the price needed to bail out many of the troubled companies. At least five energy companies have filed for bankruptcy this month. More than 130 North American energy companies, including producers and services companies, have filed since the beginning of 2015, according to law firm Haynes and Boone. Often, banks have no choice but to hand over cash when borrowers want to draw down on their credit lines, which explains why so many lenders are setting aside more money to cover bad loans. When youre a lender, you make a commitment that if the borrower makes a drawdown request, you honor it, said John Castellano, a turnaround specialist at consulting firm AlixPartners. Banks have the most negotiating power when a company has violated the terms of its debt agreements, and lenders can either put the borrower into bankruptcy or force it to accept more restrictive terms, often as part of a broader debt restructuring effort. In February, for example, Foresight Energy LP missed a $23.6 million interest payment on a bond. That could have set in motion events that put the company into default on all its debt. In April, lenders including Citigroup agreed not to demand immediate repayment, but they extracted concessions from the company. In addition to cutting its credit facility by $75 million, they added a clause to its lending agreements preventing the company from drawing down on its credit lines when its cash exceeds $35 million, a restriction known as an anti-hoarding provision. The new terms are contingent on the company successfully restructuring other debt. Robert Julavits, a spokesman for Citigroup, declined to comment. Anti-hoarding provisions were popular before 2005, but became less common in recent years as lenders desperate for yield have loosened their demands on borrowers, said Lewis Grimm, a lawyer who specializes in risky companies debt at Jones Day. Banks similarly tightened terms for oil and gas company Penn Virginia Corp. when its annual financial statements included a statement from its auditors raising doubts about its ability to continue operating. That going concern language could have started a series of events that would have left the company in default on its revolving credit line. A group led by Royal Bank of Canada and Wells Fargo & Co. gave Penn Virginia until as late as May 10 before they would declare an event of default. In exchange, they demanded that the company close out some of its hedges and use the proceeds to pay down their loans, pay higher interest, and accept a series of other restrictions. The company filed for bankruptcy last week. Jessica Ong, a spokeswoman for Wells Fargo, declined to comment.A Sanam Heidary, a spokeswoman for RBC, did not respond to requests seeking comment. Many lenders recognize that at this stage of the energy cycle, they have few options. There is little protection for lenders once you agree to the terms, said Sam Xu, an energy banker at CohnReznic Capital Markets. You agreed to a certain amount, you have to grant it. Let me give it to you straight: the future prosperity of Texas requires an innovative and forward-looking budgetary process that is not artificially constrained. Although taxpayer resources should be spent efficiently and effectively, adequate governmental functions must be available to sustain economic and social progress. This concept lies at the core of the social contract which forms the basis for much of the Western philosophical tradition on which the U.S. political system is founded. One of the hallmarks of effective capitalism is the flexibility to respond as conditions change, and the amount of spending by the State of Texas should be determined by the economic conditions of the time rather than by a straitjacket that can generate counterproductive outcomes and forestall innovation in meeting public needs. Currently, the increase in State spending each biennium is limited to projected percentage growth in personal income. In its most basic terms, growth in personal income derives from (1) increases in population, (2) escalation in prices, and (3) gains in productivity which are normally reflected in the compensation to the factors of production owned by individuals (substantially, but by no means exclusively, labor resources). Some groups are now advocating a lower cap based on the combined growth in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and population (the subject of a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing where I was asked to give my opinion which, of course, I did. The basic problem with such a measure is that it captures only the first two elements noted above and makes no allowance for the requirements associated with productivity. The income measure accounts for the major components that give rise to both increased private sector activity and the need for supporting public goods and services. Thus, as a general proposition, growth at the same level as income should, over time, approximately equal the expanding needs for public goods and services. Its not perfect in that it precludes the normal ebb and flow in legitimate fiscal needs. Moreover, it presumes that the current level of spending is adequate, and there is substantial evidence that State spending in Texas is failing to meet pressing needs. If that is the case, then any cap will pose difficulties in the process of catching up. The CPI + population growth constraint precludes the possibility of productivity-oriented public outlays, which are essential for long-term success. Investments in roadways and education systems can greatly enhance productivity and economic growth over time, though they require additional outlays up front. Another problem is that the CPI measures changes in prices based on the typical purchasing patterns of urban households, which have little in common with the spending patterns of State government. In fact, the major areas of public spending have historically increased at a level well above that of the CPI. Over the past 10n years, for example, the CPI had increased by 21.4 percent (17.6 percent in the two Texas cities included in the CPI sample), while the increases in prices for infrastructure construction (47.7 percent), medical services (38.3 percent), educational services (41.7 percent), and governmental services (32.7 percent) have been much more pronounced. Thus, the use of the CPI as part of a cap formula would likely result in a substantial deterioration of public goods and services over time. The use of an unweighted population measure poses similar issues, as the demographics of Texas are changing in fundamental ways that are likely to result in more public resources per capita being required going forward (as I have discussed in prior columns). In fact, current school funding formulas, for all their flaws, recognize this fact to some extent and make adjustments. Finally, there are additional problems associated with any cap, particularly one that systematically assures underfunding governmental functions. First, there is a ratcheting down effect that occurs over time as business cycles occur. It is not uncommon for scarce resources during recessionary periods to necessitate cuts in fiscal spending. Once these reductions occur, they set a new and lower base to which a cap is applied, thus precluding the full restoration of needed funding in more prosperous times. In other words, the normal functioning of the business cycle is disrupted. In addition, innovation and long-range perspectives are restricted. For example, there are potential reforms in the funding in areas such as criminal justice, indigent health, and child protection that would generate dynamic cost savings and revenue enhancements well in excess of initial outlays. Such initiatives could be impossible to implement if total spending were under an artificial cap that was sufficiently restrictive. Other positive reforms that have been widely discussed (such as college affordability and property tax relief) might best be implemented by methods which involve additional State contributions. Any such efforts would be greatly complicated by a highly restricted spending limit. In short, while fiscal efficiency and restraint is laudable and, indeed, necessary, its achievement through an arbitrary dictum is both analytically flawed and likely to generate many unintended and undesirable consequences. Conceptually, markets work best with the ability to respond to changing conditions in both directions and the limited portion of a market economy that properly belongs to government is no exception. When the economy is growing robustly, income levels typically respond with faster growth, and additional fiscal revenues become available. At the same time, economic growth tends to generate additional needs in terms of infrastructure and public services, while a strong job market attracts additional residents, which in turn increases the need for State resources. A forward-looking and innovative budgeting process accrues to the advantage of every Texan, both current and future. Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com). He also serves as Institute Distinguished Professor of Economic Theory and Method at the International Institute for Advanced Studies. When you are considering which university to attend, tuition fees are a factor that must be considered. The following ten universities have the highest tuition fees in China. Communication University of China Communication University of China [File photo] Formerly known as the Beijing Broadcasting Institute (BBI), the Communication University of China has been the training ground for many famous hosts. Its tuition fees are around 10,000 yuan (US$1,525) per year, not to mention various other charges. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. Guilty pleas accepted and sentences imposed May 16-20 by district Judges Robin Darr, Elizabeth B. Leonard and Rodney W. Satterwhite: Jose Angel Alvarado, 31, felony driving while intoxicated, two years TDCJ. Donnivant Dishan Banks, 35, attempted failure to comply with sex offender registration, six months state jail. Cameron McKenzie Bingham, 27, possession of a controlled substance, revoked, eight months state jail. Olegario Borunda Jr., 27, assault family violence by strangulation, four years deferred adjudication, fine, court cost, Project Adam, 100 hours community service; possession of a controlled substance, four years deferred adjudication, court cost, TAIP. Nicolas Gabriel Lopez Bustillos, 20, possession of marijuana as a lesser included of prohibited substance in a correctional facility, 108 days state jail, suspended one year probation, fine, court cost, AA meetings twice a week during probation, TAIP. William Donald Bzdon, 49, assault family violence as a lesser included offense of assault family violence by strangulation, 60 days jail, AA meetings twice a week. Samuel Isiah Carrasco-Carrillo, 21, burglary of a habitation, extend community supervision two years, 75 days jail, SAFTF. Roberto Janeen Cedillo, 41, harassment by person in correctional/detention facility, two years TDCJ. Carlos Armando Chavez, 25, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, revoke, two years TDCJ. Raymond Dale Click, possession of a controlled substance, deferred adjudication, five years community supervision, fine, 100 hours community service, 90 AA meetings in 90 days; possession of a controlled substance, deferred adjudication, five years community supervision, fine, 100 hours community service, 90 AA meetings in 90 days; possession of a controlled substance; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, deferred adjudication, five years community supervision, fine, 100 hours community service, 90 AA meetings in 90 days; possession of a controlled substance. Jeremy Chad Entrekin, 32, assault family violence by strangulation, adjudicate, 10 years TDCJ suspended three years probation, 30 days jail, 100 hours community service. Luis Armando Flores, 30, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, revoke, two years TDCJ. Estevan Eduardo Gonzalez, 26, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, revoke, two years TDCJ. Brent Graves, 29, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, revoke, two years TDCJ; manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, revoke, two years TDCJ Nicholas Ryan Kirkpatrick, 25, possession of a controlled substance, three years TDCJ. Ashlei Janae Lashbrook, 32, burglary of a building, two years state jail suspended four years probation, fine, court cost, 150 hours community service. Robert Noah Lopez, 18, engaging in organized criminal activity, two years state jail suspended five years probation, restitution, 50 hours community service; engaging in organized criminal activity, two years state jail suspended five years probation, restitution, 50 hours community service; engaging in organized criminal activity, two years state jail suspended five years probation, restitution, 50 hours community service; engaging in organized criminal activity, two years state jail suspended five years probation, restitution, 50 hours community service; engaging in organized criminal activity, two years state jail suspended five years probation, restitution, 50 hours community service; engaging in organized criminal activity, two years state jail suspended five years probation, restitution, 50 hours community service. Jose Lizalde-Rubio, 30, driving while intoxicated, revoked, two years TDCJ. Jennifer Marie Ramirez, 29, injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual, extend supervision two years, 10 days jail, anger management; injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual, extend supervision two years, 10 days jail, anger management. Bryn Janelle Ramsey, 38, driving while intoxicated, 10 years TDCJ, suspended five years community supervision, 10 days jail, TAIP, 100 hours community service, AA meetings, DWI class, driver's license suspended for 365 days. Ryan Michael Stevens, 20, possession of a controlled substance, six months state jail; tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, two years TDCJ. Matthew Allan Stroker, 33, injury to a child, revoke, 60 days jail. Javier Emiliano Valenzuela, 20, evading in a motor vehicle, two years deferred adjudication, fine, court cost, 100 hours community service. Anna Rita Varela, 30, theft of property more than $1,500 but less than $20,000, two years state jail suspended for community supervision, 100 hours community service. James Dennis Walker, 57, possession of a controlled substance, three years deferred adjudication, fine, court cost, veterans program, TAIP, 250 hours community service. Damien Michael Washington, 36, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, extend community supervision two years. Derek Lynn White, 32, theft of property $2,500 with previous convictions, 15 months state jail. [TDCJ = Texas Department of Criminal Justice; TAIP = treatment alternative to incarceration program, CRTC = court residential treatment center; ISP = intensive supervision parole] At Junior Achievement, learning about financial starts early -- in kindergarten, to be exact. JA of the Permian Basins education manager, Tamika Lewis, knows this. Her daughter, Madison Williams, began her own business as a result of what she learned from JAPBs visits to her kindergarten class last year. I believe in what Junior Achievement gives to these students because I see it not just in the students Im teaching, but my own student at home, Lewis said. Friday marked the second lesson, as Security Bank sponsored JAPB to visit first-grade classes at Washington Math and Science Institute where Madison is a student. Its all new stuff and its exciting, Madison said. It teaches how to help our family and how we can help others. Madison still makes money from her business: selling rocks that she paints. Some of her earnings were used to open a savings account, Lewis said. Today, theyre learning about differences between wants and needs and at this age, they really need that because they want everything, and they think they need what they want. To teach them to learn the differences is an amazing thing. JAPB typically has associates and volunteers visit classrooms once a week for several weeks in a row. Washington was one of the first schools to have an all-day program for first-graders. JAPB Executive Director Melinda Henderson said that by June, they will have reached 3,900 students in Midland and Odessa through 160 programs. Some Security Bank employees volunteered to visit classrooms and follow along material with students. The first-grade unit involved programs covering families and their importance, needs versus wants and business and entrepreneurship. My favorite part is developing relationships with students and seeing them after school in public, and theyre running up to you and give a hug, said Leah Wilson, marketing and public relations for Security. Thats so rewarding to me ... (the relationships) as well as the important things they are learning through Junior Achievement material that they may not learn through school. Theres a program for each year tailored to specific grade levels -- kindergarten through 12th grade -- and the programs can fulfill the states required Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. What were doing is just badly needed, Henderson said. Students need to learn about financial literacy and work-readiness and entrepreneurship from the start. It also included a map of the city that included fire stations, the police station and important city landmarks. Students often get their first introduction to taxes and how they work, and the benefits extend beyond the short-term, Henderson said. Research shows that Junior Achievement changes the students attitudes about being in school and changes their thoughts on the future, Henderson said. They get exposed more than they normally would and think about jobs that they might not have thought of. A lot of kids say JA teaches them to believe in themselves and they can achieve more, and they can do whatever they want to do. Follow Cassie on Twitter at @Cassie_Burton51 HOUSTON -- Americans who live in the two biggest states that havent expanded Medicaid have more complaints about health care costs and quality, according to a new survey released by the Texas Medical Center Health Policy Institute in Houston. Theyd also like their states to expand Medicaid. The survey, conducted by marketing research firm Nielsen, assessed attitudes about the health care system, and possible solutions, in five populous states: Texas, California, Florida, New York and Ohio. The 5,000 respondents were also asked about their party affiliation and insurance status -- and height and weight. Those measurements were used to estimate the rates of obesity, for questions about interventions. The Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand Medicaid to cover more poor adults, but 19 states still have not done so. In California, New York and Ohio, politicians took advantage of federal funding in the law to expand Medicaid. The survey showed most residents in those three states approved of that decision. The Republican leaders of Texas and Florida refused to expand Medicaid. However, the survey showed two-thirds of people in those two states wanted them to do it anyway. Both Texas and Florida, the residents there are hurting and are turning to the idea of Medicaid expansion, said Dr. Tim Garson, director of the Health Policy Institute. Garson noted that more residents in Texas and Florida complained about the quality of health care and felt it was worse than two years ago. Texas was also the state with the most people -- 65 percent -- saying they were paying more out-of-pocket for health care than two years ago and were cutting down on other expenses to do so. This isnt necessarily a political statement, this is simply, Whats the data? And the data are Texas and Florida, the two without Medicaid expansion, are having perceived problems with cost and quality worse than the other three, Garson said. The survey did not ask Texans or Floridians if they thought those problems were because political leaders had not expanded Medicaid. But 63 percent of Texans and 68 percent of Floridians did favor expansion. Over all five states, the cost of health care was a common complaint, with 58 percent of respondents reporting that they paid more out-of-pocket for health care than they did two years ago. Clearly, we as a country, we as a state -- couldnt we find ways to decrease the overall cost of health care? Garson asked. The ACA has helped 20 million additional Americans get insurance, but Garson says the law didnt do much to control the actual prices being charged in the health care industry. Consumers feel the financial pressure in their deductibles, copays and monthly premiums. Of the uninsured, 87 percent said when they went to the exchange they couldnt afford it, Garson said, referring to the online marketplaces where people can buy individual or family insurance plans if their employers dont provide coverage. The survey did not ask respondents if they liked the idea of a government-funded single-payer system. But many did say universal coverage was important. One of my biggest surprises is that 85 percent of everybody asked was looking for coverage for all, Garson said. They are worried about their sisters and brothers. And I think that, at some point, is going to show up in the voting rolls. But Ross Baker, a political scientist at Rutgers University in New Jersey, is skeptical about the power of health care as a campaign issue. Baker is not connected to the survey but examined it at the request of Houston Public Media. Although candidates will talk about Obamacare and health costs, Baker is not convinced its the kind of pivotal issue that will motivate voters to choose one presidential candidate over another. Generally, people are mindful of the health care issues because they are very practical, day-to-day concerns, but whether or not they would get out of bed on Tuesday morning in November, and go to the polls based on their feelings about whether or not Medicaid should be expanded in their state is, I think, subject to challenge, Ross said. Rather, the expected contest between likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump will probably be decided on their personality differences, Ross said. The poll also asked about emergency room usage and interventions to combat obesity. Forty-six percent of respondents admitted they had gone to an ER even when they knew it wasnt an emergency. The primary reason they gave was the doctors office was closed, Garson said. Respondents also answered questions about extra taxes on sugary drinks and fast food, with more than half of people in all five states saying they would favor such taxes. That held true even in the two more conservative states of Texas and Florida. The majority of people picked a 25 percent tax as reasonable, while almost half (44 percent) said the tax could be as high as 50 percent on sugary drinks. Politicians should take note that such taxes, often called fat taxes, might be acceptable to their constituents as an effective obesity intervention, Garson said. Its worked before, he noted: When you go and look back and ask the World Health Organization about smoking, what was it that really led to the real decrease in smoking? It was the cigarette tax, Garson said. --- Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. AUSTIN -- The entrance to the tower looming over the University of Texas here is inscribed with the Bible verse John 8:32 in massive block letters: Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. It befits academic life at one of the countrys premier public universities. But the tower is best known as the perch from which a former Marine sniper carried out what is widely considered the nations first mass shooting. In that sense, the inscription speaks to a different quest for truth: the truth about who killed the killer that August day 50 years ago. The question still hangs over the man who has long been celebrated as the hero. It hangs over the family of the man who went to his grave believing he deserved more credit. None of them, it seems, will ever be free. Long before Columbine, Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook, there was the UT Austin tower. On Aug. 1, 1966, a clean-cut architecture and engineering student named Charles Whitman wheeled a dolly full of guns and ammunition on to the tower elevator, made his way to the observation deck and began shooting at people 27 stories below. By the time it ended 96 minutes later, 14 people were dead and more than 30 wounded. Derailed by mental illness, Whitman had started his rampage the day before by killing his mother and his wife. The death toll would surely have been higher had it not been for two police officers. Ramiro Martinez was a 29-year-old sergeant and had been on the force for six years. He was off duty when he heard on the noon news that a shooting was in progress, and rushed to the scene with his .38 service revolver. On the metal stairs leading to the observation deck, he stopped briefly to help a woman who was bleeding badly and struggling to breathe. Then he forced open the door that Whitman had barricaded with his dolly. As he rounded the tower, he looked back and saw a familiar face: Houston McCoy. McCoy, a 26-year-old patrolman who had been on the force three years, had been working his beat near campus when a dispatcher called him to the scene. Carrying a shotgun, he had entered the tower through a maintenance tunnel and made his way to the top. When the two men rounded the corner together, Whitman came into view. Both officers fired their weapons. The next thing that is known for sure is that Martinez left the tower first, yelling, I got him! At a news conference the next day, Police Chief Robert Miles credited Martinez with shooting Whitman, calling him the hero of the day. I had a job to do and thats what I was going out there to do, Martinez told reporters as camera flashbulbs went off around him. In 2006, the city designated Aug. 1 Ramiro Martinez Day. The county later named a building for him. At the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum in Waco, a display case features his revolver. Austin needed a hero, and Martinez embraced the role. In his home office in New Braunfels, an hours drive south of Austin, 79-year-old Martinez pored over the old newspaper clippings, the transcripts of the emergency calls, the autopsy report of the shooter. He pointed to a grainy photograph of himself, taken minutes after the killing ended, his uniform stained with the blood of victims he helped. Its all there _ all the evidence of the day that came to define his entire life. The reason I got the publicity a lot of the time was I was willing to speak to the media, Martinez said. I felt like this was therapy for me, not to keep it bottled up. In his telling, he unloaded his six-shot revolver -- hitting Whitman before McCoy got him with his shotgun -- then grabbed the shotgun and fired a final shot as the sniper was still moving. That was the story that stuck. Martinez went on to have a long career as a Texas Ranger. Retired now, balding and trim, he still has a troopers stiff posture. Pacing his office in black ostrich Texas Ranger boots, Martinez pointed out awards for bravery covering one wall and bristled at the suggestion that McCoys shots may have hit Whitman first. I knew what I was hitting, he said, carrying a file into the dining room and spreading it on the table as his wife, VerNell, stood nearby. When I look at the autopsy report I can see where I was hitting him. Then, for a moment, he seemed willing to allow that maybe the truth is more complicated. Now, Im not going to stand here and say I fired the fatal shot, he said. I dont care who fired the fatal projectiles. I just care that the job was done. His wife has heard it all many times. It doesnt matter which bullets killed him, she said. Why make such a big deal about it? But Martinez cant let it go. Time doesnt go by that I dont wake up at night and its still going, he said. The tower is there. Fifty years and its still going. Monika McCoy cannot escape it either. By the time she was born -- five years after the tower shooting -- her father had already left the police force for a better-paying job as a civilian flight instructor with the Air Force and moved his growing family back to his native West Texas. The youngest of his four children, Monika McCoy grew up on 300 acres along the San Saba River, 170 miles west of Austin. Her parents were always taking in strangers passing through. Her father hunted for arrowheads, barbecued goat, made his own venison jerky and sausage _ and spoke little about the tower shooting. A discerning person will know the truth, he used to say. Old photographs of him in his police uniform fired his daughters imagination. He looked stoic, she thought. The shootings clearly remained on his mind. He took refuge in Winston cigarettes and Lone Star beer. It was the designation of Ramiro Martinez Day in 2006 that finally persuaded Houston McCoy to tell his side of the story. By then he was in a nursing home with lung disease. His daughter helped him research the shooting and post his account online. It took them five years. According to the account, Martinez quickly emptied his revolver before McCoy aimed his shotgun at Whitmans white headband and pulled the trigger. As the first shot would prove to be instantly fatal, I saw him alive for only a split second before he was dead and of no more danger, he wrote. At that point, he said, Martinez jerked the shotgun from my hands, and while yelling, ran to the motionless body and fired point blank. Martinez then forcefully threw my shotgun onto the floor, began jumping up and down and waving his arms, and repeatedly hollered, I got him! McCoy died within a month after publishing his account. He was 72. His daughter, who has continued to dedicate herself to setting the record straight about her fathers role in stopping the carnage, said the hero-status that Martinez achieved would not have bothered her if her father and others who helped that day were also honored. It would have never mattered if it was portrayed as a team effort, she said. She has carried on his legacy in another way as well. Three years ago, she became an officer with the Austin police force. Now 45, she works her fathers old beat in the shadow of the tower. (EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE) On Aug. 1, the 50th anniversary of the shooting, a new Texas law is set to go into effect expanding gun rights on college campuses. The tower has loomed in the background of bitter debate over the law, which with few exceptions requires public schools to honor state-issued concealed weapons permits. Some gun rights advocates testified in hearings with state lawmakers that armed citizens improve public safety. But opponents argued that the new law would increase the likelihood of accidental or mass shootings. In an interview, Martinez called the new law stupid and unlikely to deter crime. Its opening up a Pandoras box, he said. (EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE) During the tower shooting, some armed citizens on the ground shot at Whitman. That restricted his movement, Martinez said, but also put him and McCoy in danger. Monika McCoy said that since shes a police officer, she cant comment on the politically charged law. As for mass shootings, she has yet to respond to one. But she keeps track of them -- 89 so far this year across the country -- and has the same reaction each time. Most people read the news and move on with their lives. But she thinks about the effect it will have across generations. --- Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Centennial branch staff is appreciated The community turned out on May 21 at the Centennial branch to enjoy a much-needed, informative day at our first Childrens Mental Health Awareness Day and we could not have done it without the Midland County Public Library. The inviting staff, great inside space and open concept as well as knowledgeable and attentive directors helped our day go off without a hitch and for that we want to thank you. We received and informed more than 1,000 participants at our event about the mental health resources in our area. The library staff was more than accommodating. Often, when one thinks of the library and librarians we think of no-nonsense, quiet and reserved people, and the staff has disproved those beliefs. All the staff were friendly and inviting as well as had a quick smile and offer of assistance for our staff, volunteers, participants as well as regular library customers alike, and for that we thank you. The librarys open concept and ease as well as accessibility were key in making our event a success. Our 24 vendors and organizations were easily accommodated inside the library without being crowded. The location of the library in a popular shopping center helped us pull in participants who might otherwise not have known about our event. We want to thank the county judge as well as the commissioners for having the innovative vision of building this amazing resource for the community. Library staff Edward McPherson and Sharon Rowland went above and beyond their call of duty. They volunteered their time and energy into our event just as much as any of our staff and planning committee. We want to thank them for having extreme patience and for their hard work with the many tasks that we needed at a moments notice. We appreciate you. We look forward to working with the Centennial branch next year and well into the future. Gabrielle Paulo coordinator, Midland County System of Care Police forces need to remain independent During the Ferguson, Missouri, riots the Justice Department and the city of Ferguson signed an agreement stating a civilian review board must be established. This agreement seriously affects the Ferguson police. The city does not have to enforce this decree, but the Justice Department said it would make life difficult for Ferguson if they did not enforce it. The federal government has no business enforcing their will upon any local law enforcement. However, there is a plan in place by the federal government to do that called the Strong Cities Network, which Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced when she addressed the U.N. General Assembly in September. Currently, there are four U.S. cities that are members of this network: New York, Denver, Minneapolis and Atlanta. The network links these cities to the London-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue. The institute reportedly exerts control over a citys law enforcement policies with two goals: setting guidelines for police and disarming civilians. The four U.S. cities in the network are now linked with European cities. These cities also face the possibility of having foreign police appointed by the United Nations in their cities. We need to keep our police local and independent. We do not need international or our federal government coming into our local communities and telling our police force how to do their jobs. Our nation and states will lose their sovereignty under this arrangement. What can you do to ensure Midland does not fall into the grasp of the Strong Cities Network? How can you keep our police local and independent? I urge you to attend the Permian Basin Support Your Local Police committee event, Liberty-Local Police = Tyranny, at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Advanced Technology Center, 3200 Cuthbert Ave. The guest speaker will be Art Thompson, CEO of The John Birch Society. This will be a very informative and important event. It is a free event but tickets are required. Tickets are available at Bear Claw Knife and Shear on Andrews Highway or at the door. Lets keep our police local and independent. Aileen Miller Theres controversy about gender identity There is much controversy in education involving student safety in bathrooms and gender identity. In my 93 years of experience, gender identity has always been fairly obvious and determined by sexual differences and had nothing to do with education. You used the restroom determined by your physical sex organs. Modern gender identity seems to say you are the sex you think you are. And sexual predators take advantage of the confusion. Maybe education should include the topic of reincarnation, which according to Hindu belief is the rebirth of the soul in another body. If a person was a female in a previous life and they enter this life as a male, they may retain the mental feeling of a female in this life. But their eternal soul determined the need for the opposite sex experience for them to learn tolerance. Merrilyn Richardson Confusion surrounds medical terminology I enjoyed reading Margaret Wades recent article, Schools, MMH partner to create fast track to medical school about osteopathic medicine but noticed a few errors worth discussing and correcting. As a physician, I found Ms. Wades nuanced discussion of osteopathic medicine a delightful read, but noticed inaccurate terminology, including osteopath(s) and doctor(s) of osteopathy as improper synonyms for the terms osteopathic physician(s) and doctors of osteopathic medicine, respectively. Unfortunately, misuse of this terminology remains common, even among well-educated medical professionals. American-trained osteopathic physicians (DOs) practice osteopathic medicine after earning the doctor of osteopathic medicine degree and are the medico-legal equivalent of doctors of medicine (commonly known as MDs). Both DOs and MDs complete four years of medical school, sit for standardized national licensure examinations and attend residency to pursue medical or surgical specialty training. In contrast, non-physician osteopaths are trained outside of the U.S. in the separate field of osteopathy. Both fields have common historical roots in osteopathy founded in the United States in the mid-19th century, which later diverged into modern American osteopathic medicine and European osteopathy). Non-physician osteopaths are trained at the bachelors or masters degree level and primarily specialize in osteopathic manipulative treatment, but do not have the same training or scope of practice as an osteopathic physician. Unlike osteopathic physicians, osteopaths cannot prescribe medication or perform surgery and are not licensed physicians. Misperceptions abound about the differences between osteopathic physicians and non-physician osteopaths because of their shared historical roots and similar sounding titles. Non-physician osteopaths often earn degrees such as the diplomate of osteopathy, commonly abbreviated as DO. This leads to American osteopathic physicians often being mislabeled as osteopaths or doctors of osteopathy. To address this prevalent confusion, the American Osteopathic Association published guidelines in the 1990s clarifying these subtle nomenclature differences. Core government and medical organizations (e.g., the National Institutes of Health and the American Medical Association) have adopted these recommendations. This affirms acceptance of the modern terminologys use in the mainstream lexicon and underscores the importance of its consistent use. Dr. Bruce Geoffreys New York City CFR is trying to destroy middle class Barack Obama did not obtain the office of president of the United States all on his own. He had to have help, and the only organization large and powerful enough to do that is the Council of Foreign Relations. Talk radio gives credit to Obama for everything he does when he is only a puppet carrying out orders from the CFR hierarchy. The CFR was organized in 1921 after many progressives lied their way into being a member of Congress during the Wilson administration. They then violated their oath of office and voted approval of unconstitutional laws such as the Federal Reserve Act and the 16th Amendment. The CFR has taken control of every administration starting with Herbert Hoover and including the manipulations of electric voting machines that put Obama in office. All presidents may not have been members of the CFR; however, it is obvious that they capitulated to do the biding of the CFR. The CFR membership roster reveals that George H.W. Bush as a member and coined the phrase New World Order. George W. Bush is not shown; however, it is evident that they are like the old cliche, like father, like son, and this includes Jeb Bush. Other names on the roster are Albright, Bolton, Brzezinske, Buckley Jr., Carter, Cheney, Bill and Hillary, Feinstein, Ford, Geithner, Gingrich, Ginsburg, Hagel, Heinz, Kerry, McCain, McNamara, Mondale, Murdoch (owner of Fox News). Paulson Jr. Powell, Rather, Rice, Schumer, four Rockefellers, Soros, Walters, Volker, Greenspan. All members of the CFR are our enemies and must be declared enemy No. 1 and dealt with according to the law for treason. Their self-acknowledged purpose is to destroy our middle class, whereby they will be able to merge us into a one world government under the rule of the United Nations. Obama is evil, and I, a World War II veteran, call upon on all Christians to stand up for our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, and demand Obamas removal immediately, by resignation or by law. Thomas Flournoy Letters policy -- There is a 350-word limit; candidate letters have a 200-word limit. -- Letters must be submitted to letters@mrt.com. -- Deadline is noon Thursdays for the following Sunday. -- Reporter-Telegram policy limits individuals to one letter in a 30-day period. -- Letter-writers should include phone number and address. Failure to do so could delay letters publication. "If it requires removing all cabinet ... More details have emerged regarding a standoff between an armed murder suspect wanted in two shootings and Orange County deputies which ended early Saturday morning. Incident believed to have begun with domestic dispute Manuel Feliciano, 50, booked after release from hospital The incident started Friday night when deputies were called to a home on Yucatan Drive about a shooting. When deputies arrived, they found a 45-year-old woman dead at the home around 5 p.m. Two children, ages four and seven, were also found inside the home. According to deputies, the 7-year-old made the 911 call. The children were not injured. Around 6:43 p.m., deputies were called to a home in the 5200 block of 2nd Street for another shooting. There, they found a 34-year-old man with critical injuries. That victim was taken to the hospital and, according to authorities, is listed in critical but stable condition. Deputies were able to locate the suspected gunman, identified as Manuel Feliciano, 50, at a third home on Annandale Avenue around 7:34 p.m. Orange County Sheriff's Office Capt. Angelo Nieves said Feliciano fired shots from inside the residence as deputies approached. Two deputies returned fire, which caused the suspect to retreat back into the residence, deputies said. Entire neighborhood affected About 30 to 40 homes in the area near Annandale Avenue were evacuated during the hours-long standoff. "I heard rapid gunfire, like 6 or 8 shots," says neighbor Celeste Amic. "We stayed out of the windows because when the guy was firing I knew it was exceptionally close," says neighbor Ronald Andrews. Just after midnight, SWAT units entered the residence and took Feliciano into custody. He was taken to the hospital for unknown injuries. No deputies were injured during the standoff and shooting. "A personal vendetta" Investigators believe the shootings stemmed from a domestic dispute. The two had some prior relationship that had ended, said Sheriff Jerry Demings. What set this individual off to approach the victim, we are not certain what happened. But we do know there have been recent allegations of domestic violence that involved the subject and the deceased. Demings also said the man who was shot at the second home was Feliciano's former employer. "The second victim it is my understanding that that individual is a former boss and someone who may have terminted his employment earlier in the day. So he has some kind of personal vendetta," said Demings. Feliciano was released from the hospital and booked into the Orange County Jail Saturday morning. He faces charges of first degree murder with a firearm and attempted first degree murder with a firearm. PREVIOUS STORY: Suspected gunman identified after standoff with Orange County deputies ends GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. As Kristen Dearborn sat in her chair waiting for her name to be called at the Southern Connecticut State University graduation ceremony last week, it didnt seem real. It felt so surreal, almost like it wasnt my graduation, Dearborn said of the event at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. Walking across that stage made everything feel amazing. Three years ago, Dearborn wasnt sure she would attend college. She admits she wasnt much of a student during her four years of high school the first two at Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden and then her last two years at Sheehan High School in Wallingford, where she graduated from in 2013. I knew it was a matter of applying myself, Dearborn said. As a result, most of her college applications were rejected. Finally, she got an acceptance letter to SCSU, but there was a catch. Dearborn had to enter the Proof of Ability program. As part of the program, she had to take two classes writing composition and communication over the summer and pass them with at least a C grade. The program was created for students who show signs of academic promise, despite inconsistencies in their grades, according to the university. Those first classes were the start of her academic turnaround. I always liked writing, that course really showed me that I could enjoy writing in an academic environment, she said. I loved summer classes. Dearborn would go on to take summer classes and winter classes in between each semester because she wanted to graduate in three years. I just thought I would knock it out in three years and the more I got involved the more I realized I loved being in school, she said. College gave her more control over her studies. She also liked living on campus. I could make my schedule, I had control of what courses I take, there was a whole different variety to choose from, I wasnt locked in to take certain course, she said. Dearborn finished at SCSU as the vice president of the English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta. She was a member of the Zeta Delta Epsilon Service Society and was a volunteer at Yale-New Haven Hospital. She also graduated with a 3.7 grade point average and was given the prestigious Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award, all the while graduating with a bachelors degree in English. Before she starts towards her masters degree in public health at SCSU this fall, Dearborn will head to Hawaii for a work exchange program through World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Ill be working on a biodynamic farm where they treat every piece of the farm like a living thing, she said. They place emphasis on making sure everything is environmentally sound. She will also help out at the organizations recreation center for people with disabilities. When Dearborn lived at Southern, she had a quote her on wall that read She believes she could, so she did. If you want to do it you have to believe, Dearborn said. ppaguaga@record-journal.com 203-317-2235 @PetePaguaga on Twitter See column on Page D1 Phoenix Taxpayers already on the hook for $54 million in a racial profiling case against the longtime sheriff of metro Phoenix are about to get walloped with another worrisome cost. Hundreds of Latinos will be able to seek money from the county government in the future for being illegally detained when Sheriff Joe Arpaio disobeyed a judge's order to stop his immigration patrols. Two weeks ago, a federal judge concluded that the lawman knowingly ignored the 2011 order because he believed continuing his immigration enforcement efforts would help his 2012 re-election campaign. Even though the judge says hundreds of Latinos at a minimum were harmed by the sheriff's defiance, the difficulties of finding victims might keep down the costs to taxpayers. Some victims are immigrants who have returned to their home countries or moved on to jobs elsewhere in the United States. And many sheriff's deputies didn't keep records for the detentions in question. Emilia Banuelos, an immigration attorney in Phoenix who isn't involved in the profiling case, said some victims won't likely come forward out of fear of retaliation from Arpaio's office or resignation that unwarranted detentions are an unfortunate reality in their lives. "People are scared. They don't believe in the system," Banuelos said. The lawyers who pressed the case against Arpaio have searched for victims by getting help from foreign consulates, watching traffic-stop videos and poring over arrest and other police records. They say at least 190 people were detained in violation of the order. The sheriff's second-in-command, Jerry Sheridan, said the agency has held off on looking for victims to avoid appearances of interfering with the search. Lawyers on both sides are in negotiations to determine a formula and claims system for paying victims. U.S. District Judge Murray Snow is expected to ask the attorneys at a hearing Tuesday how victims should be compensated. The attorneys who won the profiling case want each victim to get $1,500 for illegal detentions lasting up to an hour, with $1,000 for each additional 20-minute increment. They say Arpaio should be required to pull $300,000 out of his own pocket to help taxpayers compensate victims. The county and sheriff want a base compensation of $500 for each detention, with $35 for each additional 20 minutes. An advertising campaign is expected to be launched in a bid to locate victims. It will focus heavily on Spanish-language media and target Latinos in metro Phoenix, Mexico and along the nation's southern border. The profiling case that Arpaio lost three years ago morphed into contempt-of-court proceedings after Snow accused the sheriff and some of his aides of violating court orders. Snow ultimately found Arpaio and Sheridan in civil contempt for knowingly violating the order to stop the patrols. The decision could lead to a criminal contempt case that could expose them to fines and even jail time. Taxpayers have spent $41 million in the case over the last eight years, covering legal fees, training for officers, a staff to monitor Arpaio's office on the judge's behalf, and other costs. Another $13 million is set aside for the coming year and the total doesn't include any money for paying victims. Elmer Wold needed to find a job, so he joined the U.S. Air Force on July 13, 1960 and became an Airman 3/C. More than two years later, he was working on aircraft maintenance and supply at Truax Air Force Base (now Truax Field Air National Guard Base) in Madison. The country was on the brink of nuclear war over the former USSR having missiles in Cuba. The 74-year-old Chippewa Falls man recalled an Air Force battle staff was assembled in case the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 would evolve into war. We saw everything that was in the area (of Cuba), Wold said. Knowing what was happening didnt make life easier. I was worried. I was in that building 24 hours a day for probably two weeks, Wold said. It was called the SAGE Building, and it had no windows and no sunshine. Since the airmen could not leave, they couldnt get their usual free food. Instead, they were forced to buy their food from the buildings cafeteria. Wold thought that the United States was going to wind up in a nuclear war. Yeah. Yeah I did, he said. But maneuvering of the countrys young president, John F. Kennedy, saved the nation and the world from that agony. Flash forward to a little more than one year later, on a Friday November afternoon, and Wold needed a snack. I just went into the break room to get a cup of coffee and saw right when it happened, when Kennedy got shot, he said. Kennedy would later die from wounds inflicted by an assassin in Dallas, Texas on Nov. 22, 1963. I stopped (what I was doing) and I started bawling, Wold said. Starting out Elmer Wold grew up at 803 Porter Avenue in Eau Claire. Years later, his mother, Mary H. Wold, would sell the property to the Eau Claire YMCA. It is currently a parking lot used by YMCA members. He graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1960 and was discouraged he couldnt find a job in Eau Claire. So he traveled to southeast Wisconsin, where he looked for work in Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha. But he had no luck there, and thats when he joined the Air Force. There was no question about which military branch he would join. I respected the Air Force. I loved airplanes, he said. When he was 10 years old, an airplane (minus its wings) was on display on Graham Avenue in downtown Eau Claire. The exhibit was open until 10 p.m. Three nights in a row, Wold returned home late. I was like a fighter jet for the Air Force and I just loved it, he said. His parents had a different feeling about their child coming home late at night to gaze at the plane. In the service About a decade later, Wold joined the military. He completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The airman was paid a princely amount of $80 a month. He sent half of that home, and used $20 for expenses. That left about $20 a month for fun, which didnt go far. A young kid 20 years old, and I didnt have any money for beer, he said with regret. At Truax, he would make sure planes would keep flying. Sometimes he needed to travel to other air bases to get repair parts. If they werent available, he would scrounge from planes kept around for their parts. He left the Air Force when his enlistment was up in 1964, the year new President Lyndon B. Johnson ramped up U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Wold, still a young man, went to Milwaukee where he had fun and sowed my wild oats. Eventually, he grew out of that phase. He would go on to drive truck for 18 years in Milwaukee County and then for several more years across the nation. Then he worked for Hutchinson Technology in Eau Claire for about a decade before switching to Honeywell in Chippewa Falls. That plant became TTM Technologies and Wold, who is single and has two grown children and four grandchildren, worked there until his retirement in 2012. On this Memorial Day weekend, Elmer Wold is grateful for his chance to serve in the U.S. Air Force and for the lessons he was taught. I learned if you want something, you can get it. But you have to work for it, he said. This article originally published on April 18, 2016. Brian Steorts is no ordinary individual or entrepreneur. He began his service in the U.S. in the Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. He had briefly left active duty to attend the University of Alabama, when he witnessed the attacks of 9/11 and felt a calling to return to active service. After joining the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and eight consecutive combat deployments to the Middle East, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, Steorts found himself rehabbing a service-related injury. He said that he needed a new way to focus his mind while he rebuilt his body. Related: 5 Ways This Veteran Found Inspiration From Tragedy Throughout his military journey, he was constantly surrounded with symbols -- flags, coins, patches, people, efforts -- all reminders of the motivation to serve. During rehabilitation, though, he didnt wear a uniform or his flag. His lingering question, Wheres my flag? That simple question led him to create Flags Of Valor, a veteran-owned, veteran-operated, veteran-made company that crafts beautiful works of American art. Now Maj. Air Force Retired, Brian Steorts talks about how his dream became a reality -- employing veterans, raising money for veteran and first responder charities and providing Americans with an exceptional product -- and what you can learn from his journey. Q: Tell us about the inspiration behind Flags of Valor. Steorts: I was inspired by my personal journey as a combat veteran, coupled with the belief in two distinct principals: 1) that Made in America still means something, and 2) that if given the right opportunity, our veterans are capable of anything. Running your own company is an honor. Getting to work with Americas best is a privilege. Q: You say that you started out woodworking as a hobby, but failed to produce a product that you were proud of. What inspired you to keep going? Steorts: I began woodworking, devoting myself to build a handcrafted custom piece of pure Americana. Many attempts failed to result in a product I was proud of. My woodworking went from a hobby to an obsession. My abilities transformed from novice to craftsman, and my focus became a passion. I began producing world-class works of art. The military life teaches you many things. One of the greatest lessons is that small failures shouldnt prevent you from achieving the overall objective. In this case, I looked at each step as a learning process and wasnt satisfied until Id produced a product I would be willing to share with someone else. Q: You took your hobby and transformed your skills to craftsman-level. How long did that take to do? Do you think it's important that entrepreneurs have some sort of mastery of skills (business or otherwise) before moving into the entrepreneur role? Steorts: It took me a year of concerted effort to have enough confidence in what I created. I am careful to call myself a master craftsman, because anyone who loves woodworking as much as I do knows that you are never done improving. I dont think mastering a skill set is essential. I think passion is essential. Then, surround yourself with people who are excellent. It becomes a circular endeavor, each person improving the other, all for a shared vision. Related: 6 Traits of Exceptional Military Leaders That Apply in the Business World Q: You are sponsored by DeWALT tools; how did that sponsorship come about? Steorts: DeWALT is a great company, and we were already using many of their products. We found that a few of our workshop tools were not made domestically, so I wrote DeWALT a letter regarding their Made in the USA product line. The next thing I knew, I was speaking directly to a VP of Marketing, and DeWALT met all of our workshop needs. Theyve been incredible to us, and this is a great example of putting yourself out there and telling your story. We believe in the same things they do, and it became a win-win. Q: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs seeking sponsorships? How do they connect with companies and go from ask to deal? Steorts: Dont give up or overly rely on a single contact. Weve been fortunate to have a very strong network. Its easy to think that a single person can be the link that gets the big deal done. In reality, its impossible to tell as opportunities come and go. You have to pursue every reasonable lead and be grateful for everyone that contributes along the way. Weve worked with many people who didnt get us the deal," but we learned something from each of them, and that makes us a stronger organization. Q: You hire mostly combat veterans. Why do you do that, and how does that add to your purpose and mission as a business? Steorts: From the beginning, we aimed to create a company with a philanthropic foundation. Our founders are combat veterans, and we know firsthand the challenges that face people like us as they transition. We relied on a belief that we could create an environment where they can thrive. Our people are our story and our story is our business. We couldnt do any of this without the team. It comes back to the shared vision. Everyone on our team buys into the shared vision. We pride ourselves on taking care of our people, and weve had zero turnover since we launched. Q: How did your time in the service prepare you for entrepreneurship? Steorts: One word -- perseverance. I dont think it takes military service to learn that lesson, but I do believe youd be hard pressed to find many quitters in a group of combat veterans. Q: What skills did you wish you had more of when you started? Steorts: A deeper understanding of finance and the various statutory issues associated with starting a business. Fortunately, I was able to build a strong team of partners from the beginning that enabled us to focus on each of our strengths. If it werent for that, a lot of efficiency and capital would have been lost on non-revenue producing activities. Q: Talk about the charity component of what you do and why that's important to your business. Steorts: Our entire team built their life on the idea of service. Participating with great charities is an extension of that. We donate constantly to various organizations and directly to first responders, veterans, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Navy Seal Foundation, Officer Down Memorial Page, Lift Me Up and Lukes Wings. Related: How the Printing Biz Was a Better Deal for This U.S. Military Veteran Q: What are the top lessons that you have learned as an entrepreneur that you would want to share with other entrepreneurs? Steorts: Your passion for the journey must exceed your desire to make money. Obstacles arent dead-ends -- there is always another option. And never forget that you will have failures with your successes. Related: This Combat Veteran Combined Woodworking Skills and Perseverance to Create a Patriotic Art Company 10 Lessons from America's Greatest Military Leaders Veteran Franchisees, We Salute You (Infographic) Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved John Carl D'Annibale MESA, Ariz. (AP) Authorities say a man visiting from Louisiana has died after being stung by bees more than 1,000 times while hiking in a Phoenix-area. Maricopa County Sheriff's officials say a large swarm of bees attacked Alex Bestler and a female friend Thursday morning while they were on a trail in Usery Mountain Park in Mesa, a Phoenix suburb. SAN ANTONIO -- A man tasered while resisting arrest died early Saturday on the Southwest Side while in police custody. Ernesto Carman, 41, was throwing items and causing a disturbance at a house at about 3 a.m. in the 1200 block of Crystal, which prompted family members to call the San Antonio Police Department. Police met with Carman when they arrived and were attempting to place him in handcuffs when he began resisting, according to information from a preliminary report. Carman attempted to punch one of the officers, who then tried using a Taser to subdue him, police said. The shock appeared to have no effect, police said in the report. As the struggle continued, officers eventually were able to get Carmen into custody, police said, noting no officers were injured during the struggle. When EMS arrived to evaluate Carmen, he was unconscious but breathing, according to the report. His condition worsened when he was placed in an ambulance, investigators said. EMS attempted to save Carman, but he died during transport. Police said they are still awaiting the exact cause of death from the Medical Examiner, and that they are investigating the incident. Both witnesses and officers who were at the scene were interviewed by investigators. jbeltran@express-news.net Twitter: @JBfromSA This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN ANTONIO Two men arrested Friday are each accused of sexually abusing their own daughters multiple times. Alex Gloria Reina, 49, and Joseph McKinley Rachal, 73, each face a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child, according to Bexar County records. Their bail was set at $75,000. Reina is accused of sexually abusing a female starting when she was in fifth grade, continuing until she was 16, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Now 19, she recently made the made the allegations to San Antonio police investigators and described multiple assaults including inappropriate touching and sex. The woman told police that Reina would have sex with her about two times a week, according to the affidavit. The affidavit states the abuse occurred in Indiana, where they once lived, and continued after they moved to San Antonio. Here, Reina continued sexually abusing his daughter, even when others were inside the home, police noted in the affidavit. After recently telling police of the incident, the family said they were concerned for their safety while living in the same house as Reina. In Rachal's case, his 6-year-old daughter was talking to a fellow student on the bus when she began describing how he placed jelly on her private parts and proceeded to have sex with her, according to the affidavit. That's when the student told her mother, who relayed the information a school counselor. The allegations later reached the Converse Police Department. Detectives confirmed Rachal was placing a jelly type substance on his daughter before committing sexual acts. She told police that she asked him to stop, but he did not listen. The girl told investigators the sexual abuse occurred more than once, describing how she was undressed and placed on a bed or couch depending on what room they were in, according to the affidavit. Investigators noted in the affidavit that the child was very bright, articulate and expressive, and that she knew the difference between the truth and a lie. They added that she was very consistent in her accounts with multiple investigators. Rachal and Alex were still in jail as of Saturday night. There was no indication that either of the cases of abuse were related. jbeltran@express-news.net Twitter: @JBfromSA National Museum of the U.S. Air Force/Wikimedia Commons This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate This story originally published in 2016. San Antonio has long been a major supporter of the armed forces and boasts a population of thousands who grew up in "Military City U.S.A." who either served in the military, or have ties to people who served. Often both. And with a strong military presence remaining in the San Antonio area, people here tend to view our veterans and active duty service personnel with admiration and respect. In honor of Memorial Day we've compiled a list of men, all with ties to San Antonio, who have been awarded the county's greatest honor, the Medal of Honor. So here is a a look at those Medal of Honor recipients who were either born, raised, enlisted, served or retired in the Alamo City. Authorities say the driver of a red pickup truck drove his vehicle into traffic that was stopped at a red light in the opposite lane at the intersection of Bandera and Eckhert roads, Sunday afternoon. Both San Antonio and Leon Valley police responded to the wreck at about 2 p.m. Re: Bexar should reject job-killing litigation, Red McCombs, Another View, May 12: When I saw this opinion piece by Red McCombs regarding possible Bexar County litigation against local businesses, I realized these lawsuits, which target both large and small companies, are related to environmental cleanup. However, most of these sites are inactive, and the majority are closed, some for as long as 15 years. As a member of the board of directors of the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the organizations Legislative Committee, I am concerned about seeing the law used in this manner, particularly as it pertains to small business. Proponents claim this litigation will send a message to potential polluters. I dont see what useful message that could be. This type of litigation flies in the face of common sense and is bad for economic development in Bexar County. We are very fortunate here in Bexar County to have a great track record of attracting businesses and encouraging expansion something that could be in jeopardy if Commissioners Court allows this type of litigation to go forward. I strongly believe that we have a responsibility to take care of our environment, but these circumstances are not a violation of our environmental laws. Therefore, I remain hopeful that Commissioners Court will reject this highly questionable proposal and work to keep our large and small business community moving forward. Rudy Rodriguez is a board member and co-chairman of the Legislative Committee of the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce PRAIRIE FARM Hello, Dad? Son, where are you? Its late and you were to be home a long time ago. Dad, your car wont start. Does it have gas? You were going to fuel it up. I think thats the problem; I might have put the wrong fuel in it. Public policy is often made by our elected representatives to fuel our economy. Sometimes the right policies drive the economy and at other times, the policies force the economy to the side of the road. Introduced as an amendment to the 2011 state budget, the Manufacturing and Agricultural Tax Credit was brought forward when the powerful Committee on Joint Finance was deliberating Gov. Walkers first budget proposal. This measure, according the the Capitol Times of Madison, was tucked into Gov. Walkers 2011 budget that effectively eliminated state income taxes on owners of factories and farms in Wisconsin. The impact of that tax policy, developed during the budget process of 2011, is driving decisions today. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimated in 2011 that this tax credit would cost the state $360 million in revenue over the first four years and $130 million after that. More than a year ago, in March 2015, the Wisconsin Budget Project reported new data from the bureau showing the cost of the tax break being a whopping $120 million above the original 2011 estimate. And by 2017 the budgeted cost would balloon to $156 million above the original 2011 estimate. The budget passed last spring was not adjusted to reflect the impending cost increases associated with the Manufacturing and Agricultural Tax Credit. In mid-May of this year, the governor reported his administration would not be be making scheduled debt payments totaling $101 million. This decision will cost taxpayers $2.3 million in extra interest payments into the future. The legislature decided against slowing down the implementation of the tax break. It will be fully implemented in 2016. This is a classic example of the theory of trickle down economics. That theory is supposed to work when business owners benefiting from a tax policy use their newfound wealth to create jobs. The vast middle class benefits from this job creation through wages (for which they have to work), and the government benefits from new taxes paid on these new wages. Or so the story goes. The Wisconsin Manufacturers and Agriculture Tax Credit (MATC) is a good example of trickle-down public policy. Yet, according the the Wisconsin Budget Project, Corporations can get the tax cut even if they are laying off workers or sending jobs overseas. The MATC is designed to provide the owners of corporations, a relatively small group of people, with tax breaks in the hope that they will spend the money on goods and services and hire more people. It is hoped (but certainly not required) that the owners will spend money on goods and services that fuel the economy rather than stashing it away in a tax-deferred retirement plan. On the other hand, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is designed to benefit low- and moderate-income wage earners, a much larger group of people relative to business owners. It is assumed this group will spend their money on goods and services as well. In fact, studies show that money in the pockets of low- and moderate-income workers does not stay in their wallets and purses very long. Any extra money is returned to the local economy through the purchase of goods and services, therefore fueling the economy. The EITC has been part of the federal tax code since the late 1980s. In 2014, the IRS recorded credit claims by Wisconsin filers of $849 million. Wisconsin also has an EITC that is based on a percentage of a filers federal EITC claim. The state EITC provides substantial support to Wisconsins low-wage workers. Using Barron County as one example, in 2014, 11 percent of its filers (16.7 percent of the countys population) claimed the Wisconsin EITC, totaling $960,542 and averaging $384. Put another way, almost $1 million in economic stimulus was provided to Barron County because of the states EITC. Soon candidates will be filing nomination papers to run for our state legislature. They will be out and about this summer attending county fairs, community events and door knocking. You will no doubt run into them somewhere and when you do, ask them what they believe is good economic and tax policy. Some will attempt to change the question, kind of like that teenager when asked, Where did you go last Friday night with the car? Of course they dont want to answer the question and will attempt a dodge. So ask them, What tax policies do you believe are best to put money into the local economy? Should we adopt top-down or bottom-up strategies? Now you are fueling the discussion. The Texas Legislature is considering a change to the states Medicaid program that could jeopardize access to epilepsy care by allowing insurers, not physicians, to choose what medications managed care plans would cover. Drug formulary changes, intended to cut costs, often translate into medical complications that hurt the vulnerable beneficiaries served by the Medicaid program and are more costly to the state in the long run. Research shows that access to epilepsy medications leads to greater seizure control and less hospitalizations, and savings from restrictive formularies often lead to greater spending on medical complications that outweigh the savings. Epilepsy medications are not interchangeable, and individuals often react quite differently to available treatments. With each medication comes side effects, often significant enough that quality of life is compromised and many people abandon their treatment. This is why people living with epilepsy need meaningful access to the full range of treatments available and the specialists who know how to prescribe them. Selecting the appropriate epilepsy medication to achieve seizure control requires consideration of a number of variables, including type and frequency of seizures, age, gender, and other health conditions. It often requires trial and error, along with close observation of blood levels and side effects. Open access to epilepsy medications in the Medicaid program ensures meaningful and timely access to epilepsy care. The human toll of uncontrolled seizures is significant and extends beyond the individual living with epilepsy. Delaying access to medications and interrupting proven treatment regimens leads to breakthrough seizures, related complications, and increased medical costs due to preventable seizures, including accidents, emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Along with a decreased quality of life and costly health complications, there also are the lost wages and productivity for individuals living with epilepsy, their families and their communities. Prescription drug costs for the Texas Medicaid program are within the national average, and the majority of the prescriptions are for generic formulations. Restrictive formularies that promise additional savings at the expense of access to physician-directed care for people living with complex chronic conditions would harm the programs most vulnerable beneficiaries and lead to medical complications that will cost the state more in the long run. Formularies that ensure access to a wide range of medications for the vulnerable populations served by the Medicaid program, who often live with multiple and complex chronic conditions, would achieve greater savings in the long run while protecting patient and public safety. For years, the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas has led the fight for greater access to care for the 461,000 Texans living with epilepsy and seizures. Time and again, Texas has recognized the importance of quality epilepsy care by preserving open access to epilepsy medications in the Medicaid program. The Medicaid program in Texas is not alone, and many states and the federal government offer similar protections for epilepsy medications by placing them in a protected class in state Medicaid programs as well as in Medicare. As the House Human Services Committee debates allowing managed care companies to create their own formularies, we urge them to consider the negative impact that moving away from the current single formulary would have on the people served by the Medicaid program. Living with epilepsy is challenging, but timely access to the right medications results in seizure control for the majority of people living with epilepsy. Preserving the current single formulary and the protections for medications for the most vulnerable beneficiaries which ensure physicians, not insurers, make medication decisions would lead to a better quality of life and savings to the state in the long run. Sindi J. Rosales is chief executive officer for the Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas. Donna Stahlhut is chief executive officer for the Epilepsy Foundation Texas. I have no illusions about Donald Trumps character flaws. Yes, hes crass, egotistical, bombastic, sexist, petty and thin-skinned. But were not electing Mr. Congeniality. And unless you are totally clueless, this countrys headed toward a horrific smashup and Trumps the only one who wants to correct the trend instead of ignoring the problems. This country has a $20 trillion debt, which escalates each second. The end result is going to be a catastrophe that will make the Great Depression seem like a time of prosperity. We will not recover from that. And if our economy goes down a cliff, so does the worlds economy. And then you can say goodbye to civilization. Look at Puerto Rico. Look at Detroit and Atlantic City. Dont kid yourselves were headed that way. At breakneck speed. And if this doesnt keep you up at night, then you dont have a grasp as to the magnitude of the oncoming disaster. Similarly, every year our generous politicians send hundreds of millions of dollars to nearly every country on the globe. Whether it is to fight Ebola or ingrown toenails, our politicians give away money that doesnt belong to them. We are even subsidizing almost the entire U.N. No wonder the parasitic foreign politicians are alarmed about Trumps candidacy. I made a list of terrorist acts committed in the U.S. in the past decade. Most of them were committed by Muslim immigrants: Saudis, Egyptians, Chechens, Somalis, Palestinians, etc. The solution is common sense: Just dont let the Trojan horse inside the gate. Consequently, Trump has been labeled a racist. I talked with one such critic, a young lady who said Trumps stand was wrong; she was so idealistic, so noble, that she admitted that she was willing to let hundreds of innocent people be killed by an immigrant terrorist sneaking in. Our industries, our jobs, are being exported, and he is going to try to bring them back. As a result, Chinas politicians have expressed their opinion that Trump would make a terrible president. Even Trumps hateful critics acknowledge that he is a ruthless deal-maker. That is what we need. Unfortunately, many Americans have this infantile craving to be liked by foreigners, and they make deals with this end in mind. Trump is going to build a wall, enforce the border, and put a stop to the influx of criminals and drugs from Central America. Even if Mexico doesnt end up paying for it by denying the $25 billion a year from remittances, it will be worth it. And as Trumps campaign gathered steam and faced with the shocking fact that thousands of Hispanics voted for him, the chattering class was flabbergasted, gasping like goldfish out of water. They created a fantasy that all Hispanics favored illegal immigration/amnesty, and they believed their own fantasy. They are that out of touch with the country. Trump is not a worthless, useless politician. He has actually worked for a living. He needs no financial backers, so he doesnt tell us what we want to hear and then do what the financial backers demand. Establishment politicians routinely lie to us. So why should he lie especially when hes being viciously attacked by the establishment and the politically correct media for speaking his mind? Those of us who vote for Trump no longer feel like helpless spectators while the political establishment applauded by the chattering classes is hellbent on destroying the country. We feel like the passengers of an airline that has been heading straight for a mountain. The pilots are drunk, ignoring the imminent danger, singing and trying to score with the stewardesses. Fortunately, a skillful pilot is in the passenger section. He may be an obnoxious New Yorker, but, what the hell, let him have the controls. Armando Simon lives in San Antonio. We may take it for granted, yanked as we are by the frenzy of everyday life, but freedom is an elixir we gulp daily. Liberty defines us, makes us who we are, and without it the United States would not be the United States. Today Memorial Day we thank the individuals who died protecting the precious freedom that unites us as a country. In Military City, USA and around the nation, our cemeteries are filled with the gravestones of veterans who gave their lives in the service of our country, each plot representing the biography of the loved one buried there a story of courage, nobility and service. Many Americans will be visiting those cemeteries today, some honoring relatives, others honoring individuals they never knew, although the truth is, no military hero is a stranger, for while the face may be unfamiliar, the courage and sacrifice are not. These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation that has a long history of patriotism and honor and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror, said Michael N. Castle, the former U.S. representative from Delaware. These are dark times, with the world threatened by an enemy as amorphous as it is vicious. Terrorists can strike anywhere, anytime, as we have witnessed in Paris, Brussels and San Bernardino. The terrorists have two purposes to kill and to instill fear within the survivors. If our sense of security remains steadfast, it is because of our brave men and women struggling to preserve our freedom. Approximately 7,000 U.S. service members have died in the war on terror since 9/11. The casualties will continue, and so will our boundless gratitude to the soldiers who fight to keep America safe and free. We thank those courageous men and women today, but our thanks and support should extend beyond today and tomorrow and the day after. But gratitude is not enough. The least we can do for those who made the ultimate sacrifice is demand that our politicians give todays veterans proper treatment. Our gratitude should motivate us to support politicians who support veterans, men and women who have suffered because of the mismanagement that plagues the Department of Veterans Affairs, especially in the health care arena. The VA problems have become a national scandal. President Barack Obama ordered a massive overhaul of the agency in 2014, when reports surfaced that scores of veterans were forced to wait months for treatment. Yet the problems persist; in some cases, they have worsened. This is not about politics; this is about doing right by the men and women who have done so much for us. As we enjoy a day of relaxation and the traditional festivities marking the holiday that launches the summer season, we must keep in mind those who made the ultimate sacrifice as well as those heroes who are with us. For 147 years, our nation has set aside this day to pay solemn tribute to patriots who gave their last full measure of devotion for this country that we love, Obama said on Memorial Day last year. And while the nature of war has changed over that time, the values that drive our brave men and women in uniform remain constant: honor, courage, selflessness. Those are traits that will guide our men and women in uniform till the last battle is waged, the last bomb dropped. Until then, we will thank our brave soldiers for keeping us safe and free. And we will remember that, in our internal calendars, every day is Memorial Day. Most political observers would agree that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Government recently had a very bad week. While the media coverage of Justin Trudeau has focused on his inadvertent elbow to the chest of NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau, the buildup to that moment has received far less coverage. I think it is important to discuss the series of events that led up to the unfortunate incident in the House of Commons. For some time now, the actions of Justin Trudeau have been increasingly antagonistic. Gone is the promise of sunnier ways, replaced by an increasingly aggressive tone where the Prime Minister runs roughshod over the opposition. So what led up to this unusual show of aggression that we all watched countless times on the nightly news? First, Prime Minister Trudeau and his Liberal Government unilaterally decided that the rules of Parliament needed to be changed in their favour. Known as motion 6, the changes proposed would grant the government unprecedented new powers to control House business. In addition to changing the rules within Parliament, the Liberal Government has also unilaterally decided that Canada is in need of electoral reform and is proposing to change the way we elect our government. This would forever change democracy in Canada, again in favour of the Liberal Party. To make matters worse, the Prime Minister is refusing to consult with Canadians in the form of a national referendum. Jason Kenney noted, Nothing could be clearer, the Liberals are trying to rig the system by and for the Liberal Party. Another strong-arm approach used by Justin Trudeau since gaining office is the ploy of limiting debate. In just six months, the Liberal government has cut off debate on four different bills, including on May 18th, the date of the incident, when he decided to end debate on Bill C-14 the governments legislation on physician-assisted suicide. After cutting off debate, the bill was due for a crucial vote. The vote was delayed by less than one minute, but still the Prime Minister decided to take matters into his own hands and marched over to the opposition whip and physically pulled him through a crowd of MPs that were impeding his progress. In the process, the Prime Minister inadvertently elbowed Ruth Ellen Brosseau in the chest. It was an ironic twist to a long and painful week for the government. The Prime Minister had continually manhandled democracy and capped it off by, according to the Speaker, manhandling a fellow MP in the House of Commons. Perhaps Rona Ambrose summed up the whole affair best when she said, The government doesnt want a government and an opposition. They want a government and an audience. Time will tell whether the Prime Ministers recent actions stem from a sense of entitlement or simply poor judgement resulting in conduct unbecoming of a Prime Minister. Lambert here: A history lesson. But those who dont learn from history By Kris James Mitchener, Robert and Susan Finocchio Professor of Economics at the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University; Research Fellow, CEPR, and Gary Richardson, Associate Professor in Economics, UC Irvine. Originally published at VoxEU. The Global Crisis emphasised the fragility of international financial networks. Despite this, there has been little historical research into how networks propagate financial shocks. This column explores how interbank networks transmitted liquidity shocks through the US banking system during the Great Depression. During banking panics, the pyramided-structure of reserves forced troubled banks to reduce lending, thus amplifying the decline in investment spending. How financial networks propagate shocks and magnify recessions is of interest to both scholars and policymakers. The financial crisis of 2007-8 convinced many observers that financial networks were fragile, and while reforms are underway, much remains to be learned about how and why connections between financial firms matter for the macroeconomy. Indeed, the complexity and sheer number of linkages has made it particularly challenging to formulate empirical estimates of their role in amplifying downturns. Economic theory suggests many channels through which networks may transmit shocks (Allen and Gale 2000, Cabellero and Simesek 2013) and empirical research has provided some evidence of contagious failures flowing through interbank markets, particularly for the recent financial crisis in the US and Europe (Puhr et al. 2012, Fricke and Lux 2012). History should have a lot to say about the role of networks in contributing to the severity of financial crises, but it is a surprisingly lightly studied aspect of earlier periods of financial turmoil even for well-researched episodes such as the Great Depression. This lacuna exists despite the fact that financial networks of the past may be simpler in structure, thus making it somewhat easier to identify empirically how aggregate variables, such as lending, were affected when linkages were disrupted. In a recent paper, we document how the interbank network transmitted liquidity shocks through the US banking system and how the transmission of these shocks amplified the contraction in real economic activity during the Great Depression (Mitchener and Richardson 2016). The paper contributes to the growing literature on financial networks and the real economy, illuminating both a mechanism for transmission (interbank deposits) as well as a source of amplification (balance-sheet effects). It also introduces an additional channel through which banking distress deepened the Great Depression and complements existing research on how bank distress during the Great Depression influenced the real economy. We describe how a pyramid-like structure of interbank deposits developed in the 19th century, how the founding of the Fed altered the holdings of these deposits, and how this structure then influenced real economic activity during periods of severe distress, such as banking panics (Mitchener and Richardson 2016). The interbank network that existed on the eve of the Great Depression linked large money centre banks in New York and Chicago to tens of thousands of smaller rural banks throughout the US. The money centre banks served as correspondents holding deposits from institutions in the countryside. Interbank balances exposed correspondent banks to shocks afflicting banks in the hinterland. Interbank deposits were a liquid source of funds that could be deployed to meet sudden demands by depositors to convert claims to cash, and the removal of these deposits from correspondent banks peaked during periods that contemporary commentators described as and that our detailed statistical analysis of bank suspensions confirms were banking panics. Although the pyramided system of interbank deposits could handle idiosyncratic bank runs, when runs clustered in time and space (i.e. when panics occurred) the system became overwhelmed in the sense that banks higher up the pyramid were forced to adjust to these changes in liabilities by changing their assets (i.e. lending). We use the timing and location of these panics to statistically identify the causal relationship between panics, deposit withdrawals, and the decline in lending that occurred in banks in reserve and central reserve cities throughout the US. During periods identified as panics, withdrawals of interbank deposits forced correspondent banks to reduce lending to businesses. These interbank outflows led to a substantial decline in aggregate lending, equal to approximately 15% of the total decline in commercial bank lending in the US, from the peak in 1929 to the trough in 1933. Ironically, the Federal Reserve System had been created with the purpose of preventing crises such as those that had regularly plagued the banking system in the 19th century. We help to explain why the Fed failed to fulfil this basic responsibility. Because the Fed failed to convince roughly half of all commercial banks to join the system, a pyramided-structure of reserves persisted into the third decade of the 20th century and created a channel through which the interbank deposit could influence real economic activity. In theory, pyramided reserves could have been deployed to help troubled banks, but during the banking panics of the 1930s, just as in the panics of the late 19th century, the total size of these withdrawals overwhelmed correspondent banks, leaving those banks with the choice of either saving themselves, contracting on the asset side of their balance sheets, or borrowing from the Fed. With the Fed unable or unwilling to provide sufficient liquidity to support distressed correspondent banks, they were forced to react to interbank outflows by reducing lending, thus amplifying the decline in investment spending. Although the mechanism is new, our results corroborate other studies on the Depression, which emphasise how banking distress reduced loan supply (Bernanke 1983, Calomiris and Mason 2003b). What might have alleviated this problem? One solution would have been for the Federal Reserve to extend sufficient liquidity to the entire financial system. The Fed could have done this by lending funds to banks in reserve centres. In turn, those banks could have loaned funds to their interbank clients. To do this, banks in reserve centres would have had to accept as collateral loans originated by non-member banks. Banks in reserve centres would, in turn, need to use those assets as collateral at the Federal Reserves discount window. However, leaders of the Federal Reserve disagreed about the efficacy and legality of such action. Another potential solution would have been to compel all commercial banks to join the Federal Reserve System and require all commercial banks to hold their reserves at a Federal Reserve Bank. Due to powerful political lobbies representing state and local bankers, however, Congress was unwilling to contemplate legislation that would have effected such changes. Had they done so, the pyramid structure of required reserves would have ceased to exist, and the interbank amplifier, as defined here, would have been dramatically diminished. That said, given the inaction of some Federal Reserve Banks during the 1930s, had such changes taken place, they may have magnified banking distress as more banks would have depended on obtaining funds through Federal Reserve Banks that adhered to the real bills doctrine. As we show, the costs of the pyramid in terms of a contraction in lending were substantial, but banks still met some of their short-term needs through this structure during the turbulent periods of banking distress. References Allen, F and D Gale (2000) Financial contagion, Journal of Political Economy 108:1-33. Bernanke, B S (1983) Nonmonetary effects of the financial crisis in the propagation of the Great Depression, American Economic Review, 73(3): 257-276. Caballero, R J and A Simsek (2013) Fire sales in a model of complexity, The Journal of Finance, 68(6): 2549-2587. Calomiris, C W and J R Mason (2003b) Consequences of bank distress during the Great Depression, American Economic Review, 93: 937-47. Fricke, D and T Lux (2012) Core-periphery structure in the overnight money market: Evidence from the e-MID trading platform, Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Working Paper No 1759. Mitchener, K and G Richardson (2016) Networked contagion and interbank amplification during the Great Depression, CEPR Discussion Paper 11164. Puhr, C, R Seliger and M Sigmund (2012) Contagiousness and vulnerability in the Austrian interbank market, OeNB Financial Stability Report, No 24, Oesterreichische Nationalbank. SHARE Editor's note: Attorneys at Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest & Cross respond to questions about Florida community association law. With offices in Naples, Fort Myers, Coral Gables and Boca Raton, the firm represents community associations throughout Florida and focuses on condominium and homeowner association law, real estate law, litigation, estate planning and business law. Q. There are a number of functioning committees in our condominium, some of which meet in a public setting and some of which meet in a private setting without any notice to the membership. This troubles me as I want to know that the committees are open to the members and keeping minutes of business. Is this legal? D.W. Naples A. It is very possible this is legal, but the bylaws would need to be analyzed to provide a complete answer. Florida Statutes section 718.112 provides that "meetings of a committee to take final action on behalf of the board or make recommendations to the board regarding the association budget are subject to this paragraph. Meetings of a committee that does not take final action on behalf of the board or make recommendations to the board regarding the association budget are subject to this section, unless those meetings are exempted from this section by the bylaws of the association." Thus, the default rule is that committee meetings where the committee takes final action on behalf of the board or makes recommendations concerning the budget must always be open to the membership and noticed at least 48 hours in advance. All other committee meetings must also be open and noticed unless the bylaws exempt these other committees from having open and noticed meetings. It is very common for bylaws to exempt committee meetings from these formalities. For example, if the landscape committee does not take final action on behalf of the board, and merely makes recommendations to the board concerning landscaping issues, the statute would require the landscape committee to allow members to attend and post a notice 48 hours in advance of any meeting, but if the bylaws exempt these other committees from the notice formalities, the landscape committee could meet in private without membership attendance or participation. Q. My homeowners association (HOA) has a front gate that screens vehicles and the attendants are employed through a security firm. Does this mean that the HOA is supposed to patrol the streets and provide security for the entire community or just the gate? B.B. Bonita Springs A. In this context, the HOA is generally held to the same premises liability duty that a landlord owes to a tenant, which is to reasonably protect against foreseeable criminal acts. Most gated communities will control access, but will not provide security unless there are foreseeable conditions that may dictate more than access control. An HOA is almost never equipped, staffed, or interested in providing a security force, and therefore an HOA should not represent that it provides security because that representation may imply the HOA has assumed a duty to provide safety that it is ill equipped to provide. There is a Florida court decision where an HOA was found liable for a death in the community resulting from the failure of gate personnel to follow protocols relative to access patrol. The HOA had written procedures and protocols for vehicle access and knowingly allowed the gate personnel to ignore many of the protocols, resulting in a prohibited individual entering the community and committing a criminal act. This was a breach of an assumed duty to operate the gate with reasonable care. So, to answer the question, you would need to determine whether the association has assumed or is obligated through its governing documents to provide anything beyond access control, and if there is no assumed or contractual obligation, it is rare that an HOA would be responsible for safety and security. Q. What is a commercial vehicle for purposes of parking restrictions in a community? F.P. Naples A. The definition of a commercial vehicle is somewhat of a moving target because there are some pickup trucks today that are used for commercial enterprise, but are more luxurious and expensive than many of the vehicles in the community. I will therefore answer the question with another question. Is commercial lettering required to make the vehicle a commercial vehicle? Ladder racks? Tool box? Is a van a commercial vehicle by default regardless of commercial lettering? What if it is a luxury four door sedan with a decal on the door? What if the owner uses the commercial vehicle for both commercial and non-commercial purposes? These are all important questions that could be clarified in a rule or covenant that removes ambiguity when a board is faced with the dilemma of compelling an owner to remove a prohibited commercial vehicle. Any rule prohibiting commercial vehicles will not be construed in a manner that would defeat the plain and obvious purpose and intent of the restriction. In other words, when the intent of the rule is clearly to prohibit commercial vehicles, an arbitrator will not defeat the purposes of the rule, but that does not mean that it is easy to adjudicate whether a vehicle is commercial or non-commercial. This gray area is where the risk lies in enforcing vehicle restrictions and I advise my clients to address as many of the above questions as possible in a covenant or, if appropriate, by board rule. Q. It is almost the summer and our condominium has still not had its annual meeting and election of directors. In years past, the meeting and election always occurred during season when there were the most residents living here. Isn't it true that the election must take place every 12 months? B.D. Naples A. The election should take place at the annual meeting and the statutes defer to the bylaws for calling an annual meeting. Some bylaws provide that the annual meeting must take place in March or in the first quarter of the calendar year. If the bylaws are silent, however, the annual meeting can take place during the calendar year and does not need to follow a strict 12 month deadline. In Southwest Florida particularly, most condominiums will conduct the annual meeting and election between January and April to seek the greatest participation due to seasonal residency, but that is not required unless the bylaws require the meeting to take place during those months. I would recommend having the bylaws reviewed by legal counsel to determine whether the annual meeting is taking place as required by Florida law. Attorney Richard D. DeBoest is a shareholder at the law firm of Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest & Cross. Visit the website at www.gadclaw.com or ask questions about your issues for future columns by sending an inquiry to: info@gadclaw.com. Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest & Cross is a full-service law firm with a focus on condominium and homeowner association law, real estate law, litigation, estate planning and business law. With offices in Naples, Fort Myers, Coral Gables and Boca Raton, the firm represents community associations throughout Florida. The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The publication of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest & Cross or any of our attorneys. Readers should not act or refrain from acting based upon the information contained in this article without first contacting an attorney, if you have questions about any of the issues raised herein. The hiring of an attorney is a decision that should not be based solely on advertisements or this column. Brent Batten There's not much to like about the situation at South Fort Myers High School. A 15-year-old girl said she had sex in a bathroom after school in a May 17 incident for which 16 students were disciplined. The Lee County school system and the Sheriff's Office have been stingy with information, citing an ongoing criminal investigation and rules regarding student confidentiality. The resulting dearth of facts gives rise to rumors and half-truths and creates public perception of a cover-up. Soon after the incident, Lee School District Superintendent Greg Adkins sent parents a letter urging the community to "move forward," suggesting the district wants to hastily dispense with any unpleasantness. The girl's family tells the media that she previously had been a victim of sex trafficking, bringing the ugliest aspects of human behavior into the equation. But a handful of Southwest Florida activists see a silver lining behind what is inarguably a dark moment for the school and the entire community. The episode has forced everyone to take note not only of the consequences of human trafficking but the power of peer pressure and the role adults have to play in equipping teens to make good choices, said Nola Theiss, executive director of the Fort Myers-based Human Trafficking Awareness Partnership. It also highlights what those on the front lines of combating sex trafficking have known for a long time. Even after a girl is pulled from traffickers' control, there's a tendency to slip back into self-destructive behavior. "They don't get over it in a year," Theiss said. Alex Olivares, a counselor at FGCU's Human Trafficking Resource Center, added: "A lot of times it's very difficult to readjust. Just being rescued doesn't mean everything's A-OK," he said. Theiss and Olivares acknowledged they don't know for certain that the girl is a victim of human trafficking. "I don't know, which means the whole confidentiality of the system is working," Theiss said. Regardless, the community has been forced to take note of a crime that happens more often than one might think in Southwest Florida. According to statistics compiled by the university's Human Trafficking Resource Center, local law enforcement agencies in Southwest Florida investigated 38 cases directly associated with human trafficking in 2015. Nongovernment social service agencies provided help to 44 victims of human trafficking in the region last year. Even though details are hard to come by from the schools and law enforcement, people are shocked and are talking about the incident, and that's a good thing, Theiss said. "It's a terrible situation, but we have to learn from it," Theiss said. "It's knocked people out of their complacency on this. It's got their attention. That's the good news, in my opinion." What is known is this: On May 18, South Fort Myers High School Principal Melissa Layner told school resource Deputy Jarrod Cantrell she had learned students might have had sex in a bathroom the previous day, according to the initial report by the Sheriff's Office. Cantrell reviewed surveillance video and identified 25 males going into the restroom during the time in question. Layner spoke to the girl, who said she had sex with a number of "willing" boys, Layner said. Ultimately, the school disciplined 16 students over the incident. A district spokesman declined to elaborate on the nature of the discipline, using a broad interpretation of student confidentiality laws to withhold even information that doesn't specifically identify those involved. The girls' mother signed a document saying she didn't want to press charges. Without a cooperating victim, the sheriff's investigation bogged down, said Lt. Jeff Dektas of the Sheriff's Office. Later a cellphone video of part of the episode surfaced, giving rise to the possibility of other charges. The Sheriff's Office on Friday arrested a 16-year-old boy on charges of child cruelty, allowing a child to engage in a sex act and possession of obscene material. Now, Theiss and Olivares said, people should focus on the causes that put minors at risk of falling victim to human trafficking and engaging in self-destructive behavior. Parents need to be aware of warning signs and be willing to talk to their kids about uncomfortable subjects. "Something happens in our society that makes it possible for kids to do this," Theiss said. "There are situations where sex is being offered for money or for some psychological reason we don't understand. "We really feel the correct reaction to this is to get the boys and the girls to understand what happened is abnormal and wrong. "One way to combat this is to teach kids they have the power not to participate and the power to stop it," Theiss said. "Especially for the boys, there was a choice to walk into that bathroom. How do we give our kids the strength not to go in there? "Parents are often afraid to talk to their kids about this sort of thing. But kids know about it." For the past year, Olivares has been training Lee County school social workers and resources officers to recognize the warning signs that a student might be vulnerable to human traffickers. He expects to expand the training to guidance counselors, nurses and teachers in the coming year. The training also is being offered in Collier and other counties served by FGCU. The Human Trafficking Awareness Program and Theiss offer ongoing training for adults in fields likely to come into contact with victims and offer workshops with youngsters, using art to educate them about the dangers of human trafficking. Olivares said the South Fort Myers incident, although sad, is serving a purpose. "It seems a lot of people know this happened. There's a lot of concern. People know something bad happened and want to know what can be done to prevent it," he said. Connect with Brent Batten at brent.batten@naplesnews.com, on Twitter@NDN_BrentBatten and at facebook.com/ndnbrentbatten. SHARE Carlo Laudadio By Jacob Carpenter of the Naples Daily News Carlo Laudadio arrived at the Lee County jail in October 2011 with a long history of mental health issues, including a suicide threat just one month earlier. Jail staff noted this in evaluation forms and ordered the 25-year-old to be placed on direct observation, better known as "suicide watch." Yet within two days, Laudadio was moved out of direct observation and into the infirmary for drug detoxification, where he didn't receive psychotropic medications and didn't require the strict monitoring he had received under watch. Laudadio appeared fine at first. But a few days later, he acted out, refusing to follow orders from a deputy. He was pepper sprayed, then ordered to clean himself off. While in the shower, Laudadio tried to hang himself, causing permanent brain injuries. "I don't know what happened because I wasn't there, but I do know that, knowing my brother and where he was at in his life, he should have been given his medication," said Laudadio's sister, Christina Bobbin. Nearly five years since Laudadio's attempted suicide, lawyers representing Bobbin allege they've uncovered evidence that suggests Laudadio wasn't evaluated before his move off suicide watch, and that staffers of the jail's health care contractor have tried to cover up their error. They point to emails and jail logs obtained in the case and provided to the Naples Daily News that they say show staffers with the jail's health care contractors scrambling to understand how Laudadio ended up off suicide watch. "We have just a few loose ends we'd like to tie up, but we think at this point that email is pretty conclusive proof that he was not evaluated," said Patrick Harland, a lawyer representing Bobbin. Bobbin has filed a 16-count lawsuit against Corizon Health, one of the nation's largest correctional health care providers, and the Lee County Sheriff's Office, which contracted with Corizon for its jail medical services. The lawsuit alleges, in part, that Corizon staffers failed to properly evaluate Laudadio and prescribe him needed medications, and that the Sheriff's Office improperly allowed the use of pepper spray on Laudadio. Corizon and the Sheriff's Office have denied the allegations in court filings. Corizon has said that Laudadio is responsible for his own actions and negligence, while the Sheriff's Office has responded that it acted appropriately. "Any and all actions undertaken were done so without malice, in pursuit of lawful duties, and with such force as was reasonably necessary under the circumstances," Robert Shearman, a lawyer for the Sheriff's Office, wrote in a November 2014 filing. Both Corizon and the Sheriff's Office declined to answer a series of written questions related to the case, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. "It is important to keep in mind the existence of a lawsuit is not necessarily indicative of quality of care or any wrongdoing," said Martha Harbin, Corizon's director of external relations, in a statement. near-fatal encounter From an early age, Bobbin noticed that her brother was different. Laudadio had a hard time concentrating and struggled with basic school subjects, like spelling and reading, Bobbin said. As he moved into his teenage years, Laudadio gravitated toward drugs, dovetailing into a series of crimes. "He always reached out for help, but he struggled from a young age with substance abuse," Bobbin said. By the time he was jailed in October 2011, Laudadio had been arrested in Florida about 20 times, mostly for drug crimes, battery, burglary and theft. According to a jail evaluation, Laudadio had also been diagnosed with several mental health issues: depression, borderline personality disorder, adjustment disorder and polysubstance abuse, among others. In September 2011, he was involuntarily committed under Florida's Baker Act after threatening to kill himself. So when Laudadio arrived in jail on Oct. 14, 2011, accused of violating probation on a cocaine possession conviction, Corizon staff members assigned him to Floor 5S, better known as the male suicide watch wing, records obtained in the lawsuit show. According to records dated Oct. 16, a Corizon nurse, Janet Stepnoski, completed an evaluation of Laudadio and recommended his transfer to the jail infirmary for detoxification. In the evaluation, Stepnoski wrote that Laudadio told her, "I am going to have a bad detox," and, "I am not going to hurt myself." The next few days were relatively event-free. But on the morning of Oct. 19, Laudadio refused to come out of a shower and demanded a new jumpsuit. As a result of Laudadio's refusal to follow orders, sheriff's deputy Rodney Payne used pepper spray on him, the records show. "I just wanted him to handcuff up and get him out of the shower so I could have somebody speak with him and see what was going on," Payne testified at a December 2014 deposition. "I was actually going to have him escorted right back down to suicide watch." A nurse then saw and cleared Laudadio, who was sent back into the shower to clean off. While in there, Laudadio took his jumpsuit, jammed it between the shower and door, and attempted to hang himself with a pant leg, the records show. About three minutes passed between the time Laudadio was last heard and the time he was found and cut down. Laudadio survived, but oxygen deprivation to the brain caused permanent damage. A forged evaluation? Within a week after Laudadio's attempted suicide, Corizon administrators noticed something missing in Laudadio's file: documents showing he had been evaluated before his transfer out of suicide watch. In an email, one that has become central to the allegations levied by Bobbin's lawyers, a Corizon Health Services administrator, Natalia Saunders, said the documents couldn't be found. "A clearance form was in the chart," wrote Saunders. "I spoke to the (mental health counselor) that signed it to inquire why she cleared (Laudadio) but did not evaluate him." Over the next several weeks, Corizon administrators grew worried about the form's absence. In one email, about a month after the suicide attempt, a top administrator wrote that Corizon's regional director for Florida was "afraid the note does not exist or they will not be able to find it." The evaluation was finally found in early December, about a month and a half after it went missing. In an email, Saunders wrote that Stepnoski, the nurse who authored the evaluation, found it in another patient's chart. But Bobbin's lawyers suspect the evaluation didn't exist when Laudadio tried to hang himself. First, Stepnoski doesn't remember finding the evaluation, as Saunders claimed she did. When asked in a May 2015 deposition whether she located the missing evaluation, Stepnoski replied, "I don't recall. It's been three years." "I believe they later told me we it was found in someone else's chart," Stepnoski said. Second, jail logs don't show Stepnoski or anybody from the mental health unit coming onto the suicide watch floor in the time between Laudadio's arrival and 9:45 a.m. Oct. 16, the date and time written by Stepnoski on her signed evaluation. Stepnoski testified she was on the floor, as evidenced by the fact that five other inmates were released from that floor around the same time as Laudadio. Bobbin's lawyers are in the process of trying to track down the other inmates to question whether they recall seeing Stepnoski that morning. Harland, Bobbin's lawyer, said the documents they've received "point to supporting that email" by Saunders, who initially said Stepnoski cleared but didn't evaluate Laudadio. 'Wanted to do well' Corizon has been subject to critical media and governmental reports regarding its health care in recent years, particularly in Florida. In September, the state's independent Correctional Medical Authority reported "serious deficiencies" including "significant delays in treatment and inmate care" at Florida's largest prison for female inmates, where Corizon provided medical services. In November, Corizon chose to not renew its $1.1 billion contract to provide health care services in Florida's prisons, calling the agreement "too constraining." The company says it still serves about 430 facilities and 320,000 patients in 25 states. The Lee County Sheriff's Office ended its relationship with Corizon in 2014, switching to a new provider, Armor Correctional Health Services. Sheriff's officials declined to comment on the reason for the change, and they didn't comment publicly on the switch at the time. Laudadio now resides in a round-the-clock care facility in Wauchula, about 50 miles east of Sarasota. He can't care for himself, can't hold a conversation and has no short-term memory, Bobbin said. Bobbin's lawyers said the Wauchula facility costs about $300,000 per year, though the rehabilitation center hasn't required payment until the lawsuit is completed. Bobbin is seeking an unspecified amount of damages. Bobbin knew her brother had struggled with drug addiction and brushes with the law, but she sensed an improvement shortly before his incarceration. "He wanted to do well. He was doing well at the time," Bobbin said. "There's always the what-ifs. I just want him taken care of." SHARE By Liz Freeman liz.freeman@naplesnews.com 239-263-4778 Low-income women in Southwest Florida who want to improve their lives and go to college have three new friends to help them. The Women's Foundation of Southwest Florida has joined forces with Florida Community Bank and the United Way of Collier County to launch a new program, Becoming Economically Successful Together, to empower women to reach their educational goals. The three entities recently received a federal grant of $100,000 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. "We have been working on it for several years," said Brenda Tate, president of the women's foundation. Local candidates who meet qualifications and are accepted in the program will learn about saving money and start putting aside income in an insured bank account with a goal. Once a program participant reaches her saving goal, every dollar saved will be matched. The matching dollars will be sent directly to pay for education or training at the qualified institution of her choice. Tate doesn't have an official launch date yet; those details are being worked on now but the plan is to work with Hodges University to identify potential candidates. That's because Hodges serves a predominantly female population, many of whom are employed and have educational goals. This is the first time Southwest Florida will have a program of this nature for low-income women, Tate said. In the five-county area of Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties, more women live in poverty and are more likely to be Hispanic, Latino, American Indian or a combination of racial backgrounds, according to the women's foundation. Many have less than a high school education and are raising children. Armed with these study findings several years ago, Tate said she began looking around for what opportunities there are for women to help reach their educational goals and realized there wasn't anything. That's when the three groups decided to compete for federal funding under the Assets for Independence Program. In Florida, programs in Tampa and in Rivera Beach also were awarded funding this year. All told, 30 programs nationwide were awarded a total of $7.1 million in 2016. "Florida ranks in the bottom third nationally among women 25 years and older holding at least a bachelor's degree," Nancy Merolla, vice president of Florida Community Bank and chairwoman of the women's foundation board of directors, said. The $100,000 in federal funding will be matched by $100,000 from donations and corporate underwriters for a pilot launch. The expectation is 100 women will be identified and the hope is to enroll 75 of them, she said. From there, the group projects 25 will open the savings account and at least 23 of them will reach their savings goal, Tate said. Once the program gets off the ground and kinks are worked out, the next step would be to expand to serve more women. "We should absolutely be able to raise the matching funds to compete for a much larger grant," Tate said. For more information visit the foundation's website at www.fundwomenfl.org. Members of the Naples High School Army Reserve Officer Training Corps get ready to post the colors before a memorial service Saturday, May 28, 2016, at Grace Lutheran Church in Naples to honor members of the military, law enforcement and first responders who have died in the line of duty, retired or are currently serving. (Photo by Maria Perez) SHARE Grace Lutheran Church hosted a memorial service Saturday, May 28, 2016, to honor members of the military, law enforcement and first responders who have died in the line of duty, retired or are currently serving. (Photo by Maria Perez) Representatives of the Naples Police Department honor guard and Collier County Sheriff's Office lay a memorial wreath to honor their agencies' fallen members of law enforcement and fire rescue and emergency services during a memorial service Saturday, May 28, 2016, at Grace Lutheran Church in Naples. (Photo by Maria Perez) Retired U.S. Army sergeant John Blatner reads the names of service members from Collier County who have been killed in action. The reading was part of a memorial service Saturday, May 28, 2016, at Grace Lutheran Church in Naples to honor members of the military, law enforcement and first responders who died in the line of duty, retired or are currently serving. (Photo by Maria Perez) By Maria Perez of the Naples Daily News Mary Thomas sat on a bench Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church of Naples, holding a program with the names of several of her relatives written in it. She was waiting for the start of a memorial service to honor the members of the military, law enforcement and first responders who died in the line of duty, or who are retired or are currently serving. Thomas, 83, said her cousin, Tech 4th Class Walter J. Waldkoetter, died on D-Day, when American troops landed on Normandy beaches in a turning point for World War II. She doesn't remember much about him she was just a child when he died but she knows the exact place of his grave in the Normandy American cemetery. He was probably 24, she said. She also lost a nephew, Fire Chief Jack E. Schafstall, of Cortland, Indiana, who died in a fire in 1986. She thinks he was 38. She asked for the names to be included in the memorial service program, with dozens of others who also died in the line of duty. There is another list, to honor those who retired or are currently serving in the military, law enforcement or as first responders. The names of her husband and a great-nephew are also there. "I think it's a wonderful service to honor all those who gave their lives to serve their country," she said. Pastor Keith Lingsch, retired Air Force chaplain, said Grae Lutheran Church on Banyan Boulevard in Naples has offered the memorial service for six years. He said he always participates in the Memorial Day service at the cemetery, but he thought it would be a good idea to offer a service in the church, too. "It's a way for us to give to the community," he said. "To remind people what Memorial Day is all about." During the service, participants read the names of 13 law enforcement officers and 42 members of the U.S. Armed Forces from Collier County who died fighting in a war or in the line of duty. After each name Jerry Sanford, public information officer with North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, rang a bell. "I'm honored that I was asked to ring the bell for all those who gave their life so we can be free," he said. Sanford, who worked for many years for the New York City police and fire departments, said he knew first responders who died on 9/11. A day before the attacks he had a luncheon with about 20 members of the fire department, from which he had retired, he said. "Half of them were killed the next day when the attacks happened," he said. Sanford said these days are a little sad for him. He thinks people have forgotten about what happened on 9/11. "I don't see flags flying as much as they used to," he said. John Blatner, a retired Army sergeant and veteran of the Vietnam War, said the memorial is a way to thank the fallen heroes and their families. He said he went to serve in Vietnam when he was 19 and came back when he was 21. The homecoming wasn't what he expected. "Some people spat on some of us," Blatner, 68, said. Blatner said when they were fighting, they didn't know about the protests against the war. More than 58,000 service members were killed in the conflict. The service on Saturday, he said, means a lot. World War II veteran Richard Thackston, 91, flew 23 missions for the Army Air Force as a bomber pilot. More than 70 years later, Thackston is reminded of that time in his life each Memorial Day. "It's a celebration for the fellas that lost their lives in the war," Thackston said. "I'm lucky. Everything is OK with me.'' (Luke Franke/Staff) SHARE An old wartime photograph depicts current Naples resident and World War II veteran Richard Thackston, far left, in front of a bomber plane during the war. (Luke Franke/Staff) World War II veteran Richard Thackston, 91, flips through old photographs and other stationary collected throughout the war and his career as a pilot at his house in Naples Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Thackston flew 23 missions for the Army Air Force as a bomber pilot. Over 70 years later Thackston is reminded of that time in his life each Memorial Day. "It's a celebration for the fellas that lost their lives in the war," Richard said. "I'm lucky. Everything is OK with me." (Luke Franke/Staff) An old wartime photograph depicts current Naples resident and World War II veteran Richard Thackston in front of a bomber plane during the war. (Luke Franke/Staff) By Alexi C. Cardona of the Naples Daily News Richard Thackston sacrificed 4 years of his youth for his country. As the middle child of eight growing up in Chicago during the Great Depression, Thackston quit high school at 17 to serve during World War II. "I wanted to go," Thackston, now 91, said last week from his home in East Naples. "I had to go." The former Air Force B-17 pilot came back, but more than 400,000 U.S. service members died in World War II. They are among those whose ultimate sacrifice will be honored Monday Memorial Day. Only about 855,000 of 16 million World War II veterans still are living, figures from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs show. Thackston knows how lucky he is to have made it through the war and to his 91st year and he delights in telling stories about his missions and mishaps during the war, and his life after it. He survived a plane crash during a training mission in Harrisburg, Tennessee. A window inside the plane fell on the pilot's hand as they were preparing to land. The plane hit the ground and tore in half. Everyone in the plane survived. "One of the guys had a broken finger," Thackston said. "That was it." He was a co-pilot with actor Jimmy Stewart. Clark Gable, the King of Hollywood, was their waist gunner. The three flew over Germany for several bombing missions. "Can you believe it?" Thackston said. "I was never scared. I never worried about anything. I was with Jimmy Stewart, nothing could happen to me." Well, not quite. During one bombing mission, Thackston's plane was attacked. Flak flew everywhere. Some shot through the bottom of the plane and hit him in the buttock. "That was the only time I got hurt," he said. "It wasn't too bad." When he returned from the war, he met his first sweetheart. He wanted to marry Darleen Reig. He was smitten with her for sure, but things didn't work out at the time. For show, he flew a plane over her house in Oak Park, Illinois, and waved at her. Then he did it again. Upside-down. It was September 1947. "Someone reported me," Thackston said. "I got a letter in the mail saying that I was being cited for extremely low flying. They wanted my pilot's license." He didn't reply to the letter. He married Kay, two years after their first date. He met her while working for General Electric in the late 1940s. "I took her out by a lake. A beautiful moon was shining. I looked at her and felt I loved her right away," he said. They were married for 65 years. She died in 2011. A nurse drives him to the Snook Inn on Marco Island, where they lived for 35 years, and he waves to the waters where he spread his wife's ashes. Thackston lives alone now, but every day he gets out of the house where he is surrounded by reminders. Books about Jimmy Stewart and Clark Gable sit on the end table in his living room. A binder holds old black-and-white photos, newspaper clippings and discharge papers. Framed photos of bomber planes hang on his bedroom walls. The French Legion of Honor and six medals are pinned to his uniform lapel. In his living room, he keeps at least a dozen delicate figurines on display in an open cabinet. Kay painted those for him. "I'm a lucky guy," he said. SHARE Bill Myers, Bonita Springs Controlling education Last Sunday's Perspective section asked if federal authorities should cede control to local school boards. I think it interesting and predictable that the "no" person discussed social issues while the "yes" person emphasized achievement. What do we want for our children, stagnant pond water or vital cascades? home World Jailed Irish mother planned to raise children under ISIS, British court says An Irish mother of three young children was sentenced by a British court to two and a half years imprisonment before she could pursue her plans of raising her children, including an 11-month-old baby, under the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS). Old Bailey Judge Charles Wide said that Lorna Moore, a resident of Walsall, West Midlands, has a "very strong character" and that the Muslim convert "knew perfectly well of [her] husband's dedication to terrorism." Moore also failed to tell authorities about her husband's departure for Syria. Moore's husband, 34-year-old Sajid Aslam, was one of the 12 ISIS sympathizers from Walsall that heeded the militants' call for volunteers and left for Syria in 2014, according to BBC. "One of the troubling things about you is your facility for telling lies," Wide told the 34-year-old Moore, according to official reports. In a report by Irish Times, Moore claimed that she's no longer in a relationship with her husband who already became abusive and only lived with him for the sake of the children. She also told the jurors that she asked for divorce but a Muslim cleric advised her otherwise. Moore's father, Noel, believes his daughter's statements. "It was a miscarriage of justice, it couldn't be anything else, my daughter didn't know where the man was going," he told BBC. "I think the whole thing's rubbish from start to finish. Somebody's been accused of something they didn't do and getting two and a half years in jail for it." "She didn't know that the man was going to go away. He didn't come back home after a week of holidays," he insisted. Along with Moore, 28-year-old Ayman Shaukat of Pargeter Street, Walsall, was also convicted for helping Aslam in his terrorist acts and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with a five-year extended license. Shaukat reportedly had dropped off Aslam at the airport and kept contact with him. Another Walsall convicted was Alex Nash, a 22-year-old Muslim convert who traveled to Syria with Aslam. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment with a one-year additional license. Nash was arrested and deported along with his pregnant wife by Turkish authorities and admitted to the charges while taking sole responsibility. S.239 removes time consuming legislative haggling for banning toxic chemicals Vermont's motivation to draft and pass S.239 (NaturalNews) Vermont's S.239 bill, which became law in 2014, gives the state of Vermont's Department of Health total autonomy on how to classify, list, label, minimize or prohibit hazardous chemicals in products made anywhere and sold in Vermont. [1]Prior to this bill, each toxic chemical in the rising tide of toxins in household products, agricultural products, cosmetics and toys had to be isolated and legislated upon. [2]It took months of haggling in the house and/or senate and then potentially signed into law for each chemical that needed to be restricted or banned.For example, the senate in Vermont had to draft a law in a previous session, S81, to ban all currently marketed fire retardant chemicals from furniture, household items and toys. The bill swept with unanimous approval through the Senate and House.Flame retardant chemicals, particularly chlorinated Tris, are very common in consumer products like couches, car seats, high chairs and other household and children's items. The Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) claimed this bill was the toughest in the nation.It's ban includes all forms of fire retardants as well as chlorinated Tris and all or any products that might contain any of the fire retardants included in the bill. There have been a few attempts at creating substitutes that are less toxic. They all outgas (leak out) toxic fumes or contaminate dust particles that can be breathed in.Chemical fire retardants don't work to slow fires once they start. Research in California has determined that firefighters have up to three times the toxic load of Tris and other fire retardants compared to other Californians.During fires, the gases from the fire retardants escape from burning objects with a fury. So various firefighter groups have been totally behind bills that restrict or ban fire retardants. [3]This S239 bill gives the Vermont Health Department all it needs to do its own research, isolate toxic chemicals, and identify the manufacturers who use them to restrict or ban toxic chemicals in materials used for any products that contain them without going through annual legislative processes for each chemical as required in the past.Federal Senate bill proposal S.1009, under discussion in Washington DC, intended ostensibly tothe 1976, which would amend the current federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).But Vermont attorney general Bill Sorrell and eight other state attorneys from across the nation smelled a couple of rats in the text. They spotted language that could undermine the states' rights to be tougher on toxic substances than the original TSCA.The nine attorney generals protested in a letter to Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and members of the committee: "The Chemical Safety Improvement Act ... would amend the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in a manner that we believe could, in its current form, seriously jeopardize public health and safety by preventing states from acting to address potential risks of toxic substances and from exercising state enforcement powers." [4]Vermont's Bill Sorrell commented, "We're suspicious that the chemical industry is in support of this draft legislation, and we're not sure they have Vermont's best interests at heart." [4] In other words, chemical industry lobbyists have access to DC's national legislators and legislative committees more than individual states.Senior counsel to the California attorney general Michael Troncoso testified, "As currently written, S.1009 will not give us more protection. To the contrary, it would cripple the states' power to protect our environment and the health and welfare of our citizens." [4]Federal S.1009 motivated Vermont to draft and pass S.239 quickly to preempt watered down federal environmental laws regarding toxic chemicals before those laws could negate Vermont's tougher stance on toxic chemicals.[1] http://openstates.org/vt/bills/2013-2014/S239/ [2] http://vtdigger.org [3] http://vtdigger.org [4] http://vtdigger.org Sunday, May 29, 2016 by: J. D. Heyes Tags: arsenic , rice cereal , babies Get independent news alerts on natural cures, food lab tests, cannabis medicine, science, robotics, drones, privacy and more. Receive Our Free Email Newsletter Take Action: Support Natural News by linking to this article from your website Permalink to this article: https://www.naturalnews.com/054180_arsenic_rice_cereal_babies.html Embed article link: (copy HTML code below): Higher arsenic found in babies who regularly eat rice cereal Reprinting this article: Non-commercial use OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. Follow Natural News on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Pinterest Genetically Engineered Foods Labeling GE Foods Industry's All Out Assault on Democracy and Your Right to Know Reed v. Town of Gilbert, Commercial Speech and GE Labeling (NaturalNews) In an op-ed published by Forbes last week, a pro-biotechnology mouthpiece who used to work for the tobacco industry wrote a provocative piece arguing that a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision imperiled the constitutionality of mandatory genetically engineered food labeling. The claim is flat out wrong and shows no understanding of constitutional law or the issue of labeling of genetically engineered foods. Before rebutting it, some context is helpful. (Story by George Kimbrell, republished from CommonDreams.org .)Right now Americans in every state are working to secure labeling for genetically engineered (GE) foods, which have been subject to significant controversy since their introduction in 1996. Polls regularly show that over 90% of Americans support their mandatory labeling. Unfortunately, unlike sixty-four countries across the globeincluding all of the Europe Union, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Russia, China, and many othersthe United States has so far declined to require labeling for genetically engineered foods, leaving the public in the dark about whether the foods we buy are transgenic.What is driving this nationwide outcry for labeling ? Consumers are becoming more aware that while few whole foods are genetically engineered, a substantial majority of processed foods are now produced with genetic engineering. The public recognizes that having thousands of processed foods produced with genetic engineering, yet unlabeled, is deceptive, or at best confusing, to consumers.Further, Americans are increasingly aware of the risks and negative impacts of genetically engineered crops, correctly seeing through several decades of myths that were carefully constructed by agrochemical companies to promote their products. On the human health side, the public is realizing that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not actually test the food safety of engineered foods or "approve" them; rather, it has confidential meetings with industry in which it merely reviews the industry's own testingand even that is voluntary. Americans are also realizing that no long-term or epidemiological studies in the United States have examined the safety of human consumption of genetically engineered foods, and that without labeling, there is no accountability or traceability to link such foods to proliferating public health problems.On the environmental side, people are recognizing that genetically engineered crops are a key cog of inherently unsustainable industrial agriculture, and cause significant adverse environmental impacts. Genetically engineered crops are essentially a pesticide-promoting technology: They are overwhelmingly engineered to be resistant to pesticides or produce pesticides, and consequently have dramatically increased overall pesticide output into our environment. Monsanto's Roundup Ready varieties, resistant to glyphosate, have made glyphosate the most used pesticide in history, with over 280 million pounds applied in U.S. agriculture in 2012 alone. Earlier this year, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans.On the agricultural side, transgenic contamination of traditional crops from engineered crops has caused U.S. farmers billions of dollars in market losses. And the widespread adoption of crops engineered for pesticide resistance has proliferated an epidemic of resistant "superweeds" now covering more than 60 million acres of U.S. farmland.Juxtaposed against these risks and impacts, the U.S. public is discovering that industry's hype is false. Namely, despite billions of dollars in research and nearly two decades of commercialization, there are no crops that are engineered to increase crop yields, reduce world hunger, or mitigate global warming; instead, the agrochemical companies that engineer crops have largely succeeded in making these crops resistant to their own productspesticides. Nor is there any "consensus" that such foods are safe.For these reasons, into the federal breach, state-required labeling efforts have proliferated, in the venerable "states-as-laboratories" tradition of American federalism. Overall over 30 states in 2014-2015 introduced labeling bills. Connecticut and Maine passed labeling laws in 2013, albeit with clauses tying their effective dates to similar laws in other states, and in May 2014, Vermont became the first state to pass a stand-alone labeling law, which goes into effect in July 2016. And despite spending over $100 million dollars, crushing election spending records, biotech industry has also barely beaten back three state ballot initiatives, in California (2012), Washington (2013), and Oregon (2014), by increasingly narrow 51%-49% margins (Oregon lost by 812 votes, total).Industry immediately challenged the Vermont GE labeling law, Act 120, seeking an injunction stopping its implementation, but after a year of litigation, in May of this year the Federal District Court for the District of Vermont resoundingly rejected their arguments, upholding the law. The Court agreed with what many labeling supporters have argued for years, concluding that state labeling was not preempted by federal law, that it did not impermissibly interfere with interstate commerce, and that food manufacturers did not have any First Amendment right to keep consumers in the dark about whether their food is genetically engineered. The Court found the reasons Vermont gave for the mandated disclosure labelingthose described above, promoting public health and environment protection, and preventing consumer confusion and deceptionwere substantial state interests to support requiring labeling. Industry appealed, with briefing over this summer and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals set to hear argument on October 8 in New York City.Meanwhile, the chemical industry and "Big Food" have continued to pour millions into their assault on States' Rights and the People's Right to Know in Washington, DC, making their top priority legislation that would prohibit all state labeling (and any oversight of genetically engineered crop production), known as the "Denying Americans The Right to Know" or DARK Act. It passed the House of Representatives in July, and is headed for a Senate showdown this fall.And the industry's onslaught has been in the media too: following the tobacco industry playbook, Big Food and agrochemical companies deliberately mislead the public on the facts about genetically engineered crops by spending hundreds of millions of dollars, creating front groups, and paying for the help of neutral-appearing academics. Among other scare-tactics is the claim that labeling will increase food prices, which has now been debunked by independent studies by Consumer Reports.The decisiondescribed in the Forbes article received little media attention. Like many towns, the town of Gilbert, Arizona had passed a code prohibiting the display of outdoor signs without a permit, while exempting several sign categories. Applying the code, the town cited a local church for posting signs about the time and place of their weekly service, but based on the code's exceptions, other types of signs, such as election signs, were not similarly ticketed. The church successfully challenged the ordinance as violating of their 1st Amendment Freedom of Speech rights. Reversing the lower court decision, Justice Thomas's opinion striking down the ordinance explained that the town's sign code was a "content-based" speech restriction, and thus subject to the highest level of 1st Amendment judicial scrutiny, strict scrutiny, which it failedThe level of judicial scrutiny, or how closely the court will examine a law, is often the critical question in in free speech cases. Strict scrutiny requires a government to show that its restriction on speech furthers a compelling governmental interest, and is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest. Gilbert offered the aesthetic appeal of curbsides and traffic safety for interests. The court found these interests too insufficient and too under inclusive in their application in the sign code to survive strict scrutiny. Justices Breyer, Ginsberg, and Kagan concurred only in the judgement and wrote separately, explaining that while Gilbert's sign law would fail under any test (noting that "does not pass strict scrutiny, intermediate scrutiny, or even the laugh test"), they disagreed with Justice Thomas's broad language of when and how strict scrutiny was the appropriate standard.With even a cursory understanding of these facts, attempts to apply this case to the GE labeling context quickly fall apart. The first thing to understand that is not present in Reed, nor ever mentioned in the Forbes pieceis that commercial speech, like consumer product labeling, is fundamentally different than other forms of traditionally protected speech, like political or religious speech. Commercial speech is a lesser form of speech, generally entitled to less protection; in fact, until 1978, commercial speech was not protected under the First Amendment at all. The Supreme Court has subsequently explained that the "extension of First Amendment protection to commercial speech is justified principally by the value to consumers of the information such speech provides," not any inherent constitutional rights of manufacturers. As a consequence, laws regarding commercial speech do not receive strict scrutiny review, instead courts apply lesser burdens on governments in such circumstances.Indeed, the crux of Vermont's GE labeling litigation has been whether an intermediate form of scrutiny should apply instead of rational basis review, not whether strict scrutiny should apply. The district court in the GE labeling litigation held that the lowest level of judicial review, rational basis review, was the proper standard for laws requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods. Tellingly, industry hasto the Court of Appeals.The second major doctrinal point is the difference between a speech prohibition, like the sign postings in Reed, and a speech disclosure, like product labeling. This is also entirely absent from the Forbes piece. In speech doctrine there are material differences between disclosure requirements and prohibitions, with prohibitions having more 1st Amendment protection, for obvious reasons: any interests affected by a disclosure are substantially weaker than those suppressed, particularly in the commercial speech context, where the whole point of the constitutional protection is the value to consumers that speech provides. Thus a company's interests in "not providing any particular factual information" are merely "minimal." Balanced against that are the many substantial reasons in favor of labeling discussed abovehealth, environment, and preventing consumer deception and confusionall of which courts have long held to be substantial governmental interests for purposes of mandated product disclosures.In short, it is difficult to imagine that forty years of commercial speech precedent would be implicitly overturned by a non-commercial speech case, without the Court even mentioning the sea-change it was making. There is not a single case in which a court has found a commercial disclosure, like a product label, to be "content based" and thus subject to strict scrutiny. Based on the position presented by the Forbes piece, all kinds of commercial product labeling requirements would be potentially be struck down, because all factual disclosure requirements require specific content. However, that doesn't mean they are "content-based" for purposes of strict scrutiny, and Reed does not say otherwise. It is extremely unlikely that the Supreme Court would hide such an elephant in such a mouse hole.Read more at CommonDreams.org Sperm feel the burn Beware of unnatural sunscreen products (NaturalNews) Researchers have found that a myriad of ultraviolet (UV) filtering chemicals in common sunscreens disrupt the functioning of normal sperm cells and mirror the effects of the female hormone progesterone.Head author of the study Niels Skakkebaek, MD, DMSc, a professor at the University of Copenhagen, and colleagues tested the effects that 29 of 31 UV filters allowed in sunscreens had on human sperm cells. The researchers found that almost half of the UV filters acted as a hormone disruptor, thereby interfering with the normal functioning of sperm cells.Although the intent of UV filters is to reduce the risk of skin cancer by cushioning the blow of UV rays, many sunscreens harbor cancer-causing chemicals , which get absorbed by the skin and into the blood stream.In addition to being common in sunscreens, these chemicals are in several sunscreen-containing personal care products, including makeup, moisturizers and chap stick. It should therefore come as no surprise that previous studies have shown these chemicals are present in 95 percent of urine samples in the US, according to a press release from the Endocrine SocietyThere are two different types of sunscreen: Physical sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens reflect UV rays with elements like zinc, whereas chemical sunscreens are loaded with synthetic chemicals to inhibit UV rays from reaching the skin. The results of the recent study suggest the chemical UV absorbers increase the risk of infertility.The researchers tested sperm cells by submerging them in a buffer solution that mimicked the conditions in female fallopian tubes. In particular, the team assessed calcium signaling, a transduction mechanism whereby changes in the cell are produced by fluctuations in the concentration of calcium ions.Calcium ions play a major role in sperm motility. The researchers discovered a specific ion channel that is the receptor for the female hormone progesterone. A host of calcium ions flood the sperm cells when they encounter progesterone, which hinders them from sufficiently fertilizing an egg.Commenting on the widespread implications of the study, Skakkebaek said, "These results are of concern and might explain in part why unexplained infertility is so prevalent."These calcium-signaling pathways are often launched by progesterone; however, the team found that 13 of the 29 UV filters, or 45 percent, triggered calcium signaling, even in low concentrations. "This effect began at very low doses of the chemicals, below the levels of some UV filters found in people after whole-body application of sunscreens," explained Skakkebaek.This suggests that the UV filters mimic the activity of progesterone, thereby inhibiting the sperm from swimming correctly. Among the 13 UV filters, 9 of them mimicked the effects of progesterone. These findings imply that UV filters are endocrine disruptors, Skakkebaek added.Some of the chemicals that have regulatory approval but have been shown to disrupt sperm cells include avobenzone, homosalate, meradimate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone and padimate. Previous research has shown that oxybenzone, a common sunscreen ingredient, is harmful to the planet's corals and coral reefs, according to theWith this background in mind, it is important that consumers read the list of ingredients of any sunscreen product. A typical sunscreen product consists of a cocktail of cancer-causing chemicals. Although sunscreen inhibits the skin from absorbing UV rays, it also inhibits the skin from producing vitamin D . This can lead to an onslaught of health problems in the long run. In fact, research has shown that sunscreen actually causes more cancer than it prevents.This doesn't mean that consumers should banish sunscreen altogether. A pale person planning to spend several hours on a beach would benefit from some sort of protection from the sun with a natural sunscreen product. However, an informed consumer will recognize that moderate sun exposure, in addition to good nutrition, is healthy and necessary to activate vitamin D production in the skin.Fortunately, there are ways to protect your skin naturally. You can better your internal skin resistance with what you eat. For instance, astaxanthin, an extremely powerful algae-based antioxidant , is known for boosting the skin's natural resistance to a sunburn. Fruits and vegetables chock full of antioxidants can help mitigate sunburns too, as they counter the effects of cancer-causing free radicals in the body spurred by UV rays.The results of the recent study were presented at the 98th annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in Boston and are awaiting peer review. Nevertheless, they underscore the need for additional research about how these chemicals interact with the human body. Professor Skakkebaek is calling for future clinical studies to investigate the link between UV filters and human fertility."Our study suggests that regulatory agencies should have a closer look at the effects of UV filters on fertility before approval," he concluded. Vaccine injury leads to child being drugged with psychotropic drugs CPS and Detroit police illegally break into mom's home CPS uses fake order to remove girl from mother's care City of Detroit relentlessly terrorizes innocent mom (NaturalNews) Maryanne Godboldo, a mother from Detroit, never imagined that her decision to wean her young daughter off psychotropic drugs would result in a 10-hour long standoff with police, five days in jail and a six year legal battle with the City and Child Protective Services.Godboldo's horrific and painful ordeal began in 2009, after her 11-year-old daughter Ariana suffered an adverse reaction to a vaccine The girl was born with a defective leg, which required amputation below the knee. Due to her disability, Godboldo homeschooled Ariana , during which time she watched her flourish in a variety of extracurricular activities, including horseback riding, swimming, dancing and piano lessons.As she grew older, Ariana began to express interest in attending public school. Eventually her mother agreed, but Ariana suffered an adverse reaction after receiving the immunizations required by her school. Several behavioral changes ensued, "radically" changing Ariana's personality.In 2010, Godboldo sought help from Detroit's New Oakland Center, which provides mental health services to children, teens, adults and families.They quickly asserted that vaccines were not to blame, and instead prescribed the girl Risperdal, a dangerous anti-psychotic that's heavily linked to an increased risk of death, heart problems, stroke, Parkinson's disease, blood disorders, cognitive decline and a host of other side-effects.Nearly 40 studies around the globe have identified dangerous health effects associated with Risperdal, an antipsychotic drug used to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and children with autism.Godboldo obtained a parental consent form allowing her to discontinue Ariana's use of the drug at any time. After observing that her daughter's condition had worsened while on the drug , she consulted with another physician who carefully helped wean Ariana off the Risperdal.Nearly 10 months after she first saw a psychiatrist, Ariana was diagnosed with encephalitis, a vaccine-induced condition causing swelling on the brain.When the New Oakland Center learned that Godboldo had taken her daughter off Risperdal, several therapists and child psychologists reported her to social services, which demanded that the child remain on the drug.When Godboldo refused, social services, accompanied by the Detroit Police, issued an illegal order on March 24, 2011 to enter the family's home and remove Ariana; a 10 hour standoff with a SWAT team ensued. Godboldo says the police refused to present the "order" they claimed to have, and, as a result, she shut the door and told them to leave.But they didn't. Instead, they used a crowbar to break into the home, never presenting a search warrant. Barricaded in the back of her home, Godboldo placed frantic calls to community leaders begging for help.On March 25, she surrendered her daughter, after police and CPS workers agreed to place Ariana temporarily with a family member, promising she would not be drugged but that turned out to be a bald-faced lie.The girl was removed from the home and placed in a state juvenile psychiatric facility, where psychiatrist George Mellos drugged Ariana with Risperdal, from which she had carefully been weaned under close medical supervision. Mellos prescribed the medicine without ever having viewed the girl's medical records or receiving parental consent.Godboldo was arrested and spent five days in jail. Authorities refused to tell her where her daughter was. When she finally located Ariana, the girl was drugged, drooling and incoherent. But the girl was weaned off the drug once more, after Godboldo's attorney, Allison Folmar, presented a court order to cease the medication.All charges against Godboldo, which included eight felony counts, were dismissed, and the police order was deemed invalid, resulting in Ariana's release from the psychiatric facility. She was placed with her aunt until Godboldo regained custody four months later.The court found that the illegal "order" used to kidnap Ariana from her home was nothing more than a "writ" issued and rubber-stamped by CPS, reports CHHR no judge had ever viewed or approved it.Although Godboldo signed an informed consent form "guaranteeing her the right to stop the medication at any time ... these assurances and the law behind Godboldo" did not stop CPS from moving "forward with the assaulta State policy that apparently has been terminated."The Michigan Department of Human Services says that children will no longer be removed from homes for the reason Ariana was."Medication CPS is not responsible for investigating complaints that allege parents are failing or refusing to provide their children with psychotropic medication such as Ritalin."Folmar says the change is likely in response to the Godboldo's situation, which isn't over. Detroit prosecutor Kym Worthy "has made it her mission to continue to attack this woman," reports The City has reportedly filed five appeals in the case, which is on "stay," including a lawsuit filed against Detroit by Godboldo, who has gone bankrupt fighting the continued appeals."They are continuing to try and put Maryanne in prison for standing up and refusing to let police into her home," said Folmar. "We won at the district level and the judge saw the case for what it is ... the illegal conduct of police.Folmar says they need help getting the word out because this case affects everyone. "Forcing medication down parents throats and literally the throats of children cannot be tolerated. This is about parents' rights to be able to protect their children."Folmar believes that the continued interest in Godboldo "is about them sending a message. They are scrambling for some justification of their wrong-doing."To help Godboldo in her exhausting battle against the City of Detroit, please donate to her legal fund here Move over Kardashians, the badass meerkats are here. Scientists have discovered that these furry creatures from South Africa are extremely competitive when it comes to their social status within their pack that they even resort to eating other meerkats' babies to regain dominance -- say what? Yes, you heard it right. A recent study published in the journal Nature observed various meerkat groups in South Africa for almost 25 years and followed 12 meerkat packs for three years. What the researchers stumbled upon is shocking. Apparently, meerkats take social hierarchy very seriously as only one pair of alpha female and male meerkat in a mob is allowed to breed. Because of this fierce competition for gene domination, female meerkats eat other meerkats' young ones to ensure that their babies survive. Tim Clutton-Brock, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Cambridge, said as per Washington Post, "There's very strong selection on females to get to the breeding position and they consequently compete like hell to get there." Not only that, meerkats are so badass that they eat venomous scorpions as a snack. They can also exile a certain meerkat from their pack and let him or her survive the desert alone. Because of the meerkats' fierce competitiveness, Clutton-Brok explains that weight matters when it comes to meerkat mobs. However, unlike television where people are thinning themselves, meerkats who are heavier are more dominant as they are the ones who are responsible for breeding around 81 pups. Those who do not reach the weight criterion resort to taking care of the alpha meerkat's babies. However, when a female meerkat is crowned as the alpha one, it's her responsibility to always be on top of everyone else to remain in power. Once a female meerkat is chosen as the mob's alpha female, she goes through a rapid weight gain for three months. For more information about meerkats, check out the video below: Current and former Democratic mayors from around the country were in the Bay Area Saturday, lending their support to former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons presidential primary run. In San Jose, Clinton supporters were joined by Michael Nutter, a former Philadelphia mayor. He says hes backing Clinton because of her stance on gun control. Hillary Clinton is really the only candidate in this race who will stand up to the gun lobby, Nutter said. We know that Donald Trump will not and his proposals will actually make America less safe. Other mayors scattered at phone banks include Mayor Christopher Jones of Harrisonburg, VA, Mayor Tony Yarber of Jackson, MS, Mayor Toni Harp of New Haven, CT, Mayor Steve Benjamin of Columbia, SC, and Mayor Sly James of Kansas City, MO. Meanwhile, Clintons Democratic rival Bernie Sanders attended a rally in Santa Barbara. He is slated to be in the East Bay Area Monday for a public event in Oakland at 2 p.m. Both candidates have been focusing their considerable ire on Trump. While investigating the "shocking" murder of a Novato high school student, the Marin County Sheriff's department and San Rafael Police Department searched a home Saturday, possibly in an attempt to locate a third suspect. Police did not release additional information on Saturday's raid, but the coroner on Friday identified the shooting victim as Edwin Josue Ramirez Guerra, 17, of San Rafael. Forensic tests scheduled for early next week are expected to help officials determine the cause and manner of death. The shooting has rocked the Novato community, according to the mayor. "The past two days have sent shock waves throughout our town," said Mayor Pat Eklund, who described her hometown as a "peaceful" and "safe community." "These crimes are not a normal occurrence" in Novato, Eklund stressed. Marin County sheriff's deputies, Novato police and search-and-rescue teams raided two homes Thursday afternoon and arrested two Novato High School students, both minors. Tactical teams first secured a residence near Rowland and Novato boulevards where they detained one homicide suspect, Marin sheriff's officials said. The teams then moved to a second location on the 1400 block of Leafwood Drive, where a second suspect was detained. Search teams also combed the hillside near the Marin Country Club neighborhood, where the attack occurred. The lone surviving student is said to be improving, deputies said. Investigators have not revealed a motive, but addressed reports that an alleged sexual assault off-campus might be related. "Were aware of that case," said Pittman, who didnt know of any "connection direct" to the ongoing investigation. "It does involve minors who live in the area so the reality is we know that there are some common names," he added. Eklund offered condolences to the victims' families and assured them that officials are doing everything they can to solve this case. "Violence will not be tolerated in our city," she said. "Any life lost is one life too many not in our town." Officials from several law enforcement agencies combed through 25 square miles in Sonoma County Saturday as the search for missing Vallejo teenager Pearl Pinson entered its third day. Efforts are focused in the area of Willow Creek, a tributary to the lower Russian River. Solano County sheriff's deputies took to Facebook to report that the California State Parks and agencies in Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin have contributed to a group of more than 65 people who are searching for 15-year-old Pinson on the ground as well as from the air and in the water. Crews were out searching Saturday near small coastal town of Jenner -- the second and last day that area will be searched -- after investigators picked up a lead that led them to the tiny Sonoma County town. Family and friends are not giving up hope that Pinson will be found alive. They have been searching the Vallejo area near the overpass where the girl was last seen. Her sister told NBC Bay Area that a small prayer vigil will be held sometime Sunday evening in Vallejo. Her father said they are not giving up. We dont know what happened, or if shes alive or if shes passed," Pinson's father said. "We dont know." Investigators believe the teenager was kidnapped Wednesday morning as she walked to a school bus stop in Vallejo. Her suspected abductor was an acquaintance 19-year-old Fernando Castro who was killed in a shootout 300 miles away in Santa Barbara County Thursday, authorities said. Pinson has green hair and was last seen wearing a gray sweater, black leggings and had a black and turquoise backpack. Her family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with their search. "Our number one priority is bringing Pearl home safely to her family and we do believe that is possible," said Christine Castillo, with the Solano County Sheriff's Department The search for Pinson started Wednesday morning when the Solano County Sheriff's Office said they received reports of shots fired near the Interstate Highway 780 pedestrian over-crossing in the area of Home Acres and Taylor avenues in Vallejo. A witness reported seeing a man with a gun pulling a female, who was bleeding and yelling for help, on the over-crossing. The witness heard a gunshot while running for help, and responding deputies found blood on the ground, said sheriff's officials, who have not yet spoken about whether Pinson was shot or the extent of her injuries. As of Friday evening, the overpass is the site of a growing memorial where people have placed pearls for Pearl Pinson. Castro was spotted in San Luis Obispo County on Thursday after the California Highway Patrol had issued an Amber Alert for Pinson. CHP officers pursued him into Santa Barbara County, over 300 miles south of the scene of the suspected abduction in Vallejo. A man came into a Houston auto detail shop and began "randomly shooting," killing a man known to be a customer and putting a neighborhood on lockdown Sunday before being killed by a SWAT officer, police said. Several people were shot and injured, including a man authorities initially described as another suspect because he was present and armed. Police said later Sunday they were investigating further whether he played any role. "We don't know what his role was yet," Houston police spokesman John Cannon said, adding that the man was providing police with "his version of what was happening out here." Six others four bystanders and two police constables were hospitalized with injuries police said were not believed to be life-threatening, according to NBC News. A union official said the two officers, who were released from hospitals, should be OK. Police, who said they have no indication yet of a motive, said they got their first call about the shootings around 10:15 a.m. The customer described as a man in his 50s had just driven in to the auto shop. Within a minute or two, authorities said, the gunman came in and started shooting. Others in the shop ran out to take cover nearby and call for help. Neighbors described hearing many gunshots, and some drivers told local television stations their cars had been shot at. Police say they believe a fire at a gas station next door began when gunfire hit a pump. A police helicopter was shot at with a "high-powered" weapon and was hit five times, authorities said. Stephen Dittoe, 55, lives in the house right behind the shooting scene, separated by a fence and tall shrubbery at the end of cul-de-sac. "I heard the first shot and I thought it was a transformer" exploding, he said. His wife, Ha, 41, said it went on too long for that and described the series of staccato sounds. She took their two children, ages 6 and 7, into the bathroom, told them to eat breakfast in there, and called 911. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More About an hour after the shootings began, a SWAT officer killed the gunman, said Cannon. "If he hadn't taken that action that quickly, this likely would have been a lot worse than it was," Cannon said. Houston Police Union President Ray Hunt says an officer who was hit several times in the chest was wearing both a metal breastplate and a bulletproof vest. The second officer was shot in the hand. Hunt says both officers hurt should be OK. At the Dittoe house, Ha Dittoe said police came to the door about two hours later and asked if anyone in the house was being held captive, and if they could walk around the backyard. The streets were still blocked off late Sunday afternoon with many police cars and fire trucks on the scene. A police SUV was seen with a shattered windshield and the back window broken out, and police said two patrol cars were riddled with bullets. A mural in Venice, California, honoring Vietnam veterans was destroyed ahead of Memorial Day, leaving residents outraged. "The wall represents a significant part of our history," Stewart Oscars, a Venice resident who has driven by the mural every day for 20 years, said. Cleanup was planned Sunday after extensive graffiti, with a thick sheen of silver paint, covered the mural that stood in the same place untouched since 1992 on Pacific Avenue near Sunset Court. "The more I think about it, why did this happen right at Memorial Day weekend?" Oscars lamented. Dozens of volunteers showed up Sunday morning to help remove the thick layers of paint, which covered most of the 2,273 names. Each one is a missing Vietnam veteran. "They're angry. They're idiots. They're criminals," Oscars said. "I don't know what the motivation is." City Council Member Mike Bonin said he wanted the mural restored as soon as possible, adding "vandalizing a monument to brave men and women who served our country in a time of war is a disgusting act." LA County Sheriff's Department investigators showed up Saturday night to assess the wall and take pictures. They noted the restoration would not be easy, and trying to "blast" it off the wall may remove key parts of the mural. "This is a big deal for our country, community," Louie Abeyta, a Los Angeles County Firefighter, said. "Everyone will see it. We gotta do something about it." This mural is on MTA property, and officials are taking steps to professionally restore the artwork. Editor's Note: This story has been updated. A woman living in Virginia made more than $1 million returning fake designer handbags to high-end department stores for refunds, according to charging documents. Praepitcha Smatsorabudh, who lives in Arlington, is charged with wire fraud. Smatsorabudh bought pricey, designer handbags from department stores, then bilked those stores out of money by returning fake, less expensive handbags to the same stores for refunds, according to prosecutors with the Department of Homeland Security. She resold the legitimate designer handbags for a profit. In charging documents, federal investigators said the designer handbags she purchased cost an average of $2,000. Homeland Security, which is leading the investigation, said it traced suspicious purchases to Smatsorabudhs apartment along South Greenbrier Street in Arlington and to her workplace in Fort Washington, Maryland. In at least one case detailed in court records, investigators said Smatsorabudh purchased an authentic ruby red Celine Ring handbag from a department store in October. Within weeks, she returned an inauthentic bag, they said. She then posted a Celine Ring handbag on eBay in December. Smatsorabudhs attorney declined to comment to News4 after her court appearance Friday. A federal judge in Alexandria ordered her held until the next scheduled court appearance Wednesday. Authorities are searching for a missing person in the water of Lake Michigan late Sunday afternoon, according to the Chicago Fire Department. Shortly after 3 p.m., fire officials confirmed that personnel were on the scene at North Avenue and Lake Shore Drive, attempting to locate a person in the water. Emergency personnel from the Coast Guard and Marine Unit were able to pull one 46-year-old man from the water, according to the Fire Department. He was taken to Presence St. Joseph Hospital in good condition, according to police. However, authorities continue to search for one more person, a 33-year-old man, missing in the water. Police said both men jumped off a boat, but no further information on the victims or any other passengers was immediately available. There was a large presence from the Chicago Fire Department, including a helicopter in the air, at the site of the active search mission. Check back for updates on this developing story. Chicago Police will increase their presence on Lake Shore Drive for the remainder of the holiday weekend after two deadly incidents on the North Side within 24 hours, First Deputy Supt. John Escalante said Sunday morning. Chicago Police districts along the Drive will add patrols and officers in the area over the next couple of days, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told the Sun-Times. A woman was killed and a man injured early Sunday when they were struck by a truck in the 600 block of North Lake Shore Drive as they were running from an armed robbery, police said. Pamela Johnson, 32, and a 43-year-old man were walking about 1:40 a.m. when they were approached by a group of males, at least one of whom had a gun, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiners Office. The group announced a robbery and the victims tried to run away across the Drive but were hit by a pickup in the southbound lanes near Huron Street, police said. Both were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Johnson, who lived in the 9100 block of South Marquette, was pronounced dead at Northwestern, police said. The mans condition was stabilized. About 24 hours earlier, 15-year-old Veronica Lopez was killed and a 28-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in the 2400 block of North Lake Shore Drive, authorities said. Lopez and the man were in a vehicle near Lincoln Park about 1:30 a.m. Saturday when a black Nissan pulled alongside them and someone inside opened fire, police said. They took themselves to Presence Saint Joseph Hospital. Lopez was transferred to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 2:59 a.m., authorities said. She lived in the 5100 block of West Fullerton. The man was shot in the arm and suffered a graze wound to the head. His condition was stabilized. Guglielmi said Lopez does not appear to be the intended target of the shooting. The two people in the car with her during the shooting are both documented gang members, and investigators believe the shooting was either gang- or road rage-related. As of Sunday morning, 40 people had been shot across the city over the Memorial Day weekend, four fatally. Last year over the holiday weekend, 55 people were shot in Chicago, including 12 fatally. A gorilla was shot dead Saturday at the Cincinnati Zoo after a 4-year-old boy fell into its enclosure, sparking confusion and outrage over what the zoo called a "tragic accident." Many animal lovers took to social media to express frustration over what they saw as the unnecessary death of the 17-year-old male gorilla named Harambe. For some, the incident inspired a recollection of a similar situation with a very different outcome at the Brookfield Zoo several years prior. Many Chicagoans remember that on Aug. 16, 1996, a small boy climbed a railing and fell 18 feet into the gorilla den at the Brookfield Zoo. An 8-year-old female gorilla named Binti Jua made national headlines when she picked up the unconscious boy and protected him from the other primates. The act of kindness came as a surprise to many of the guests who said they feared Binti Jua would maul the 3-year-old. The boy, whose identity was never released, made a full recovery, and Binti Jua's heroic deed caught on camera gained her national attention. Binti was named Newsweek's Hero of the Year and one of People magazine's most intriguing people of 1996. Binti Jua, now 28, still resides at Brookfield Zoo. Cincinnati Fire officials said that first responders on the scene of Saturday's incident saw the gorilla "dragging and throwing the child," in stark contrast to the now-famous rescue nearly 20 years ago. The 4-year-old boy was in the enclosure for more than 10 minutes before he was rescued and brought to Cincinnati Children's Hospital in serious condition, officials said. A woman was killed and man injured when they were struck by a truck on Lake Shore Drive while running away from an armed robbery early Sunday in the Gold Coast, police said. About 1:40 a.m., the 32-year-old woman and 43-year-old man were walking in the 600 block of North Lake Shore Drive when they were approached by a group of males, at least one of whom was showing a handgun, according to Chicago Police. They announced a robbery and the victims tried to run away across the drive, but were hit by a pickup truck in the southbound lanes near Huron Street, police said. They were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where the woman was pronounced dead and the mans condition was stabilized, police said. The Cook County medical examiners office could not immediately confirm the fatality. The southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive were closed to traffic until about 3:30 a.m., police said. The police Major Accidents Investigation Unit and Area Central detectives are investigating. An 18-year-old student spent the last four months creating portraits of all 411 students graduating from Boston Latin. "I just expected people to be like 'Wow, that's a cool picture,' and be on their way," said 18-year-old Phillip Sossou. "But what happened was a lot of people were crying." The detailed drawings are donning the senior hallway, where everyone has been walking by in amazement. Even his teachers couldn't help but be proud. "At one point, he was trying to do 16 pieces of work a day just to actually meet the 411 goal," said AP art teacher Stephen Harris. "Monday through Friday, I'd stay in school until about 3-8," said Sossou. "He tries to bring joy to his classmates, and I think this was definitely a way he could do that," said guidance counselor Andrea Encarnacao. The happiness comes at a time where students are being pushed apart, dealing with racial tensions. Sossou hopes after this, things will change. "This will sort of bring about a sense of community," he said. "That's definitely what we need right now, because we're really fractured." Everyone had something positive to say about their portraits. And the artist is soaking up all the love. "I'd do this again," he laughed. These pictures won't be on the wall too much longer - the students will be able to take theirs home before graduation. Sossou will attend college in the fall and then pursue a career in animation. Members will tell you their services are always a party at Life Central Church in Plano, but this Sundays party was extra special as they welcomed a rare guest whos like a family member to many there. 14 year-old Karina Bondarchuk is from Ukraine, and has grown up with a rare mouth disorder called congenital lymphangioma; a disorder that causes her tongue to swell up and that can threaten her life is conditions cause it to get out of control. She has gotten treatment throughout her life in her home country, but doctors there told her family that they couldnt do anything else for her. Church members in Plano were first introduced to her by Pastor Paul Cook after he learned of her situation and decided to take on the task of trying to help. "It was kind of overwhelming, said Cook. They flew her into DFW last September and brought her to see local specialists like Dr. Jeffrey Fearon who said that they could help the teen here. Church members and volunteers started raising funds and local medical support to make Karinas surgery possible. "Just this phase would have been 80-some thousand dollars and it's probably costing us about 18-thousand dollars, said Cook. Finally, after months, Karina walked back into the church during service on Sunday; members surprising her with confetti and cheers. She will be in America throughout June and July as she does some sight-seeing and begins treatment to fix the disorder. Karina will then return in about a year to finish the process. She said that she was excited to get the surgery finally, and thanked her North Texas family for helping to make it happen. Though she speaks little English and has to rely on a translator, Karina was able to smile to the congregation and confidently say thank you! as the room erupted in cheers. Its been about a year since I first met Karina. Shes an engaging young lady with an infectious personality and a beautiful voice. Karina is from Ukraine, and doctors there could not help her with a condition that could have been life threatening. Well, a North Texas church got involved and the future is looking bright for Karina, one year... NBC 5 will continue to cover Karinas progress and transformation as it takes place over the coming year. For more about Karina, click to the Life Central Church website. Jordan Spieth plays almost every Tuesday practice round on the PGA Tour with Ryan Palmer. The DFW residents have a game on those Tuesdays in which they involve their caddies. The pros will play each hole until they're putting for par. That's when the caddies take over. They'll represent the pro they loop for and try to make par. The two joked after their third round that on Sunday the caddies won't get to putt. That's because Spieth (-12) and Palmer (-11) are paired together in the final group on Sunday at the Dean and DeLuca Colonial Invitational. Palmer walked off the 18th hole scheduled to play in the 2nd to last group, but a bogey from Webb Simpson bumped the Texan back 10 minutes to play with Spieth. That was what I wanted, Palmer said. I wanted to be with him in the final group on my home course in front of my family and friends and in front of the members of Colonial. Thats what I wanted, and it worked out, so Im very excited. There's a few side-bar stories that will make the Colonial's final pairing more interesting. Spieth went to the University of Texas. Palmer went to Texas A&M. Spieth represents Dallas. Palmer represents Colleyville and Fort Worth and he's a member at Colonial. Spieth laughed off the idea about the side-bar story lines. He's focused on beating the course, Palmer and everyone else in the field. Ill be disappointed if I dont win tomorrow. Being in this position two weeks in a row, last Sunday was a tough day for me given the importance of the Byron Nelson to me personally," said Spieth. The Dallas Police Department has made an arrest in a capital murder case that took place over the weekend. At 9:05 p.m. on May 28, Dallas police were called to the 12100 block of Coit Road to respond to a shooting call at the Extended Stay Hotel. The victim, 27-year-old Paris Marquell, was shot at the hotel and transported to a nearby hospital where he died from his gunshot wounds. Police have arrested 24-year-old Demonte Laderrick Scaife in connection with the case. Scaife is being held in Nolan County Jail with a bond set at one million dollars. The cause of the shooting is currently unknown. Dallas Police urge anyone with information about this incident to call the Homicide Unit at (214) 671-3661. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at (214) 373-TIPS (8477). Family and friends of Pearl Pinson gathered Sunday evening in Vallejo to hold a vigil for the 15-year-old who was kidnapped last week and has been missing since. The group gathered on the pedestrian overcrossing in Vallejo where Pearl was last seen Wednesday morning with her suspected abductor, Fernando Castro. "Shes alive, and I know it," said Rose Pinson, Pearl's sister. "I believe she is going to be found." Youth pastor Robert Walker came to the vigil to offer prayers. "It's tragic," Walker said. "I have been emotional for the last three days because I've known her, and just to think that something like this could happen to her is kind of tearing me up." A search for Pearl in and around the town of Jenner was called off Sunday. "Nothing was found during the search that would indicate Pearl is there," the Solano County Sheriff's office said in a Facebook post. "Investigators continue to follow-up on leads, and any future search will depend on where those leads take us." Pearl was abducted Wednesday morning near her home in Vallejo. Castro, 19, whom she knew, was killed in a shootout 300 miles away in Santa Barbara County on Thursday, authorities said. Officials from several law enforcement agencies searched through 25 square miles in Sonoma County on Saturday. Solano County sheriff's deputies took to Facebook to report that the State Parks and agencies in Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin counties contributed to a group of more than 65 people who searched for Pearl on the ground as well as from the air and in the water. Pearl has green hair and was last seen wearing a gray sweater, black leggings and had a black and turquoise backpack. Her family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with their search. Anyone with any information is asked to call their local law enforcement or 911. The Solano County Sheriff's Office also provided a tip line for anyone who may have information about Pearl's whereabouts: 707-784-1963. Two people were killed when a homebuilt aircraft crashed in a lemon orchard in unincorporated Santa Paula, California, on Saturday, Ventura County Fire officials said. Firefighters responded to the 1600 block of Aliso Canyon Road at 3:17 p.m. to a report of an aircraft going down. When they arrived, firefighters found the "experimental" aircraft fully engulfed in flames in an orchard north of Ventura city. The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft was a single-engine homebuilt VariEze. Two people were aboard, the FAA said. Officials said the engine was cutting in and out as the craft made its way down when it caught on power lines, as observed by nearby ranchers. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board were investigating. The California Highway Patrol closed Aliso Canyon Road at Foothill Road due to the crash. Pilots assemble VariEze aicrafts at home, and they must be inspected by an FAA official before flying. NBC4's Marin Austin contributed to this report. A woman accused in a hit-and-run crash in Santa Ana last month that left a 26-year-old band teacher dead has been taken into custody, police said on Sunday. "We're a broken family right now," Ralph Chavez, the victim's father, said. "Thank you all very much. I hope she can never be on the streets again." Tracy Clapp, 36, of Santa Ana was arrested Saturday more than a month after allegedly striking Chris Chavez, a drum line instructor at Saddleback High School, and leaving the scene, according to the Santa Ana Police Department. Officers found Clapp driving away from a home in Santa Ana in a stolen car and took her into custody following a brief chase. She was taken to a hospital to recover from injuries suffered during the takedown and is expected to be booked on Sunday, police said. "I didn't think it was going to be that intense of a capture," Rachel, the victim's sister, said. Clapp apparently tried to conceal her identity, dying her hair pink and getting a tattoo on her cheek. She also used blue and green contacts, police said. On April 20, Chavez was crossing a green light on Bristol Street at Central Avenue about 2 a.m., when a black BMW speeding through a red light struck him, police said. A witness saw what happened and took a photo that shows a woman walking toward her four-door car with paper plates. Less than a minute later, investigators said she got back in and took off. Chavez was critical condition and doctors told the family he had a 50/50 chance of survival. The teacher died a week after the crash. Chavez always loved music, his family said. After graduating from Saddleback High School, he returned to teach the drum line. Since the incident, police were searching for a 2004 to 2010 500 BMW series driven by a woman only described to be between 5-foot-2 and 5-foot-4. A $20,000 reward was being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction of those responsible in the crash. Tips from the public were crucial in tracking Clapp down, authorities said. The BMW has not yet been found and it is unknown if it was a stolen car. A former finance director at a University of Miami science school faces prison time after pleading guilty to tax evasion in a $2.3 million embezzlement scheme. Sentencing is set for August in Miami federal court for 58-year-old Kimberly Jean Miller, who faces up to five years behind bars on each of four tax evasion counts. Miller was finance director at the university's Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Science from 2002 to 2012. Court documents show she used her authority to embezzle $2.3 million by falsifying vendor invoices so that checks could be deposited in a business bank account she controlled. Prosecutors say Miller did not report the money on income tax returns between 2008 and 2011 and now owes the Internal Revenue Service more than $329,000 in back taxes. Miami Beach Police have arrested a suspect after a patient was found dead at Mount Sinai Medical Center Saturday evening. According to the police report, 55-year-old Alejandro Ortega was found dead on the bathroom floor and bleeding from his head. Police were informed by staff that Ortega was allegedly involved in a type of physical altercation with 23-year-old Andre Brown. Police located Brown and was placed under arrest. Brown told police, "It was self defense." During an interview with detectives, Brown stated the he and Ortega were roommates. Brown added that while he was using the bathroom Ortega attempted to touch his private area. In response, Brown then began to strike Ortega with his fists, knocking him to the ground. Brown then choked Ortega, the police report said. Brown is being charged with second degree murder. He appeared in court Monday where he was ordered held without bond. It it not known if he has hired an attorney. Mount Sinai released a statement regarding the incident: "This is a tragic incident that took place within the confines of our psychiatric health unit. Our deepest sympathies are with the deceased's family and friends. The safety and well-being of our patients is our top priority. We continue to work with authorities in their ongoing investigation." Brown also had and outstanding warrant for possession and delivery of cannabis. Authorities are investigating after an adult son discovered his mother and her boyfriend dead inside their Kendall home Sunday. Officers received a call from the son to the residence located at 12958 Southwest 50th Lane around 1 p.m. Inside, they discovered Lisette Iglesias, 62, dead from an apparent gunshot wound and Pastor Paez, 50, suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Both victims were pronounced dead on scene. According to investigators, Paez and Iglesias are live-in boyfriend and girlfriend. Miami-Dade Police Department is currently investigating. This is a developing story, check back with NBC 6 for updates. The deep unpopularity of both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton has led to an unprecedented level of excitement at the Libertarian Party's presidential nominating convention in Orlando this year. Libertarian officials said Friday as the four-day convention began that 985 delegates and 344 alternates were attending from all 50 states a record. Dues-paying members have increased by 30 percent since the beginning of the year, Libertarian officials said. "There's a lot more energy. ... There's so much attention being given to the Libertarians," said former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who with running mate William Weld, the former Massachusetts governor, are considered front-runners for the nomination. There are 18 declared Libertarian presidential candidates, including Johnson, who was the party's presidential nominee in 2012, and John McAfee, founder of the anti-computer-virus company that bore his name. Johnson earned about 1 percent of the popular vote in 2012 for the political party that champions limited government and individual freedom. "There's so much excitement," said Austin Petersen, a Missouri businessman who, some say, poses the greatest threat to Johnson. "The Libertarians have never seen so many good, quality candidates. ... We've just never seen this much attention to our party, ever, before." Not running for office, but mingling with the Libertarians were Iron Man, Frozen's Elsa, Mario Brothers characters and other costumed fanboys and fangirls who were attending a comic-book convention at the same resort and had to walk through the Libertarian exhibition hall. Also mixing with the Libertarians and the MegaCon fans were Florida judges, whose meetings at the resort brought a large presence of uniformed law enforcement officers. Johnson doesn't have the fund-raising ability of Clinton or Trump, and he said he is instead relying on news media appearances to boost his name recognition in an effort to reach the necessary 15 percent threshold to qualify for the presidential debates this fall. "I don't think there is any question that we will be at 15 percent if we are in the polls," Johnson said Friday. "That's really the key is getting in the polls." Johnson hopes to appeal to supporters of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, with whom he shares many positions on social issues, although not economic ones, he said Friday. "Those same Bernie Sanders supporters ... are going to find themselves philosophically siding with me more than they do with Hillary Clinton," Johnson said. "When it comes to Bernie, we agree on so much, but when it comes to economics, we get to a 'T' in the road and he goes one way and I go the other." Dozens of residents were staying in a Westchester County shelter Sunday after a fire that officials are calling suspicious destroyed two homes and damaged a third. The blaze began around 11:20 p.m. Saturday at a home on South Terrace Avenue in Mount Vernon, according to the Mount Vernon Fire Department. Firefighters managed to get control of the fire at 2:20 a.m. Sunday, but only after two homes were destroyed and a third was damaged, fire officials said. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries. Several homes in the neighborhood lost power as a result of the blaze, ComEd officials said. All the residents escaped unharmed, firefighters said. A total of 32 adults and 12 children were displaced by the blaze, according to Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas. The American Red Cross is aiding those families. "The city is at present taking everybody in at our armory facility and we're going to hold on to them to make sure they have a place to stay," Thomas said. Mount Vernon Fire Chief Tom Duffy said the fire is suspicious and is still being investigated. Additionally, the mayor's office said "arson has not been ruled out." Nastassia Edwards, who was displaced by the fire, said she had no time to think when she realized the fire next door had spread to her house. "I was in the living room when I saw fire and I opened my front door and the fire was already coming in," she said. "I have a 1-year-old and a 6-year-old so I had to get them out. The baby was screaming and screaming, so I just ran out the house." Edwards was able to enter her house Sunday morning, but she could only get essentials. Hortense Jenkins and her relatives will not even be able to do that. They will be staying at a shelter, along with 10 other families left without homes. Jenkins said she lost everything but is thankful her kids are safe. Three men were shot inside a Bronx park Saturday after an argument escalated between members of a fraternity and another group as they held separate barbecues, police said. The shooting in Van Cortlandt Park at West 242 Street and Broadway began at 10:25 p.m., police said. A 19-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, a 23-year-old man suffered three gunshot wounds to the abdomen, and a 20-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, police said. All three men were taken to St. Barnabas Hospital in stable condition, police said. Police confirmed that two barbecues were taking place inside the park at the time of the shooting, one of which was being hosted by a fraternity. An argument broke out between the two groups and an unknown person started firing shots. Police do not have a description of the shooter. Nobody is in custody over the shooting and the investigation is ongoing. Columbia University has balked at an NYPD request to use rooftops on campus as locations for sensors capable of detecting gunfire in the city. The Ivy League school gave no reason why it declined to allow the police department to install the ShotSpotter technology on campus, sources told NBC 4 New York. University administrators will continue to review the proposal, however. Police officials say ShotSpotter often picks up gunfire that is never reported in a 911 call. They add that the technology enables officers to respond to gunfire faster than a 911 call. Installing the sensors on campus would help the department combat gang violence in the public housing complexes near the university, officials say. Authorities are searching for a man accused of sexually abusing a woman in a Manhattan elevator. The man followed the 23-year-old woman into a Washington Heights elevator at a building near Saint Nicholas Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, police said. The elevator stopped at the sixth floor and as the man was leaving, he held the doors open and threw bodily fluids at the woman, police said. The man then left the scene. The suspect was described as man with black hair between 25 and 30 years old, 58, and 150 pounds, police said. He was wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and brown shoes. The NYPD asks anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS. Authorities are searching for a woman accused of trying to lure a 3-year-old girl away from her mother on a Brooklyn street Saturday morning. The mother, a 28-year-old woman who doesn't want to be identified, told NBC 4 New York that her daughters, 3 and 6, were talking to the woman at about 10 a.m. in Bensonhurst. She said she initially felt no reason to be alarmed. But the woman suddenly touched the shoulder of the 3-year-old girl and gently guided the child away from her mom. The mother, who didn't want her face shown, said: "She has her hand and she walked a few steps. I told her, 'Hold on, where are you going?' And when I said that, she grabbed my daughter and she started to run. When I told her to stop, she was going faster." The mother said she yelled at the woman, caught up to her and was able to pull her child away from the woman. The mother called 911 and the suspect briefly waited, but left before police arrived. The attempted abduction occurred on 80th Street. A tropical depression strengthened into a tropical storm Saturday off the Carolinas, the latest wild weather expected to hit the country over the holiday weekend, NBC News reported. Tropical Storm Bonnie was about 130 miles southeast of Beaufort, South Carolina, and was forecast to drench the Carolinas with up to 3 inches of rain, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters said high winds and dangerous waves could also hit the two states, as well as Georgia and Florida. No evacuations were ordered as of Saturday afternoon. In Texas, at least four people were killed and two others missing after downpours, with the state expecting more rain through Memorial Day. The governor of Missouri declared a state of emergency ahead of heavy rains Saturday. Since Tuesday, storms in the state have caused high winds, heavy rains and flash flooding with more rain predicted into the weekend. A trio of armed robbers burst into a home in Philadelphia's West Oak Lane neighborhood early Saturday morning and pistol-whipped a man, then took off with an Xbox and several hundred dollars cash. Police on Sunday continued to search for the men -- one of whom they said they had identified -- responsible for the home invasion. The victim, a 49-year-old man, said that he was asleep inside a home on 17th Street near 66th Avenue just after 5 a.m. Saturday when someone hit him in the head. He jolted awake to a terrifying scene, police said: three men standing around his bed, all pointing guns at him. Police said one of the men then demanded, "Where's the money at?" while another rifled through the man's dresser drawers and took $600 cash. The men then stole a suitcase and packed an Xbox game system, games, a cellphone and a laptop into it. But that wasn't enough for the robbers: Police said they continued to demand that the victim give up more money, before one of them pistol-whipped the man in the face, splitting his chin open. The men finally fled from the house in an unknown direction, according to police. The victim called 9-1-1, and police responded and took him to Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he received three stitches to close the gash on his chin where the gun hit him. Northwest Detectives continue to investigate the violent home invasion, and police said Sunday that they identified one suspect. Police described the two unidentified suspects as a black man between 18 and 20, about 6 feet 2 and weighing 200 pounds who has a dark complexion and "patches or bumps around nose/eyes." That man wore a black rain jacket with blue stitches in the front zipped up above his chin with his hood up. Police described the other man as a black man between 18 and 20 about 5 feet 4 and 125 pounds with a medium complexion. That man wore a gray hooded sweat jacket with the hood up and pulled tightly around his face, police said. Tipsters should contact Northwest Detectives at 215-686-3353 or text a tip to PPD TIP (773847). Firefighters in Temecula removed a manhole cover to free a man stuck in a storm drain on Saturday, officials said. About 10:30 a.m., a person passing by the intersection of Ynez and Winchester roads saw a man stuck in the sewer and called authorities, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. When crews arrived at the scene they found the man alert and talking inside the drain. Firefighters removed a manhole cover and were able to rescue the man in about 10 minutes, fire officials said. He was questioned by police and taken to a hospital. His injuries were unclear but he was said to be in stable condition. It is unknown how the man ended up in the drain or long he had been trapped. A suspect linked to an unsolved murder in south San Diego was arrested in Mexico Friday, more than 10 years after the cold case killing. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said Guillermo Gonzalez-Nunez, 41, was taken into custody by Mexican authorities and turned over to U.S. Marshals and the San Diego Fugitive Task Force. Hes a suspect in the April 3, 2006, murder of Willie Clark Jr., who was shot and killed at the La Vuelta Bar in the 700 block of Hollister Street in south San Diego. Gonzalez-Nunez was booked into San Diego Central Jail for one count of murder, one count of attempted murder and two counts of assault with a semi-automatic weapon in the crime that took place a decade ago. According to cold case homicide detectives, Gonzalez-Nunez and Clark got into some sort of disagreement at the La Vuelta Bar. Clark was shot to death by the suspect, police said, while another victim was beaten with a gun. Several other bar patrons were assaulted that night in this fight as well, according to investigators. Gonzalez-Nunez was identified as the suspect Clarks killing but he was believed to have fled to Mexico. An arrest warrant was issued for him. The SDPD said the suspect is set to appear in court in the South Bay Tuesday. Anyone with information on this cold case can contact the SDPD Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or (888) 580-8477. One San Diego couples yard is certainly worth admiring: their drought-friendly landscape has just won a big contest. Bonita homeowners Barbara and Nick Amalfitano are the new winners of the Otay Water District's 2016 landscape contest. The changes they've made to their front and back yards over the years have reduced their water usage by 78 percent, and reduced their maintenance significantly. The couples property is three-quarters of an acre and looks more like a park than a model for water efficiency. Even when we cut all of this away, you still have this grass-like succulent here, and it looks like a thick meadow of grass, said Barbara describing her yard. Richard Namba, Senior Water Conservation Specialist with the Otay Water District, says when you're shopping for succulents, you should know the size of the plant at maturity, so you don't plant them too close together. If you put the plant in the right spot, you should never have to prune a drought tolerant plant, Namba explained. When you cut drought tolerant plants or prune them, they don't look very good, so what you want to do is plant it far enough away from a sidewalk or driveway or house wall, so it can grow." In determining a winner in the landscape contest, the water district also looks at a yard's design, including the colors and textural diversity. One aspect of the Amalfitano's yard that was especially appealing to the district is a stream bed made entirely of rocks that runs the entire length of their driveway. The stream bed also provides what's known as a bioswale, a depression in the landscape that collects water. The goal now in sustainable landscape is to keep the water on your property as long as possible," said Namba. One way the Amalfitanos are doing that is by harvesting rain water with rain barrels scattered around their yard. In the process, they took advantage of the Metropolitan Water District's rebates on rain barrels (the rebates are currently available). In 2010, the Amalfitanos were one of the first South Bay families to take advantage of the Otay Water District's turf rebate program (which is no longer available). They received $2,000 for their front yard under the program, and that's about how much it cost to renovate the area. The following year, they upgraded their back yard. One of the things we wanted was fresh herbs, and thats right back here. We have the parsley growing right now, and some rosemary growing. So we have great Thanksgiving dinners here," said Barbara. At the time, the district also provided the services of a landscape designer to help families with the renovations. It was somewhat labor intensive, but very well worth it when it was finished," said Barbara. "We really hated to see ourselves using all that water, letting it all go down the drain. Plus, grass is beautiful, but this is so much nicer to enjoy. The flowers are great. It just made sense to us." The Amalfitanos also installed an automatic pool cover several years ago, upgrading the one that was there when they moved into the home in the 1990s. The retractable cover reduces heat loss and the need to refill the pool every week. When it's closed, there's absolutely no water evaporation, said NicK. In January 2015, the Amalfitanos extended their energy savings inside their home. They leased solar panels for $131 a month through SunPower, and signed up for SDG&E's net metering program. The leasing company maintains everything for 20 years and we have a locked in rate, said Nick. At the end of the year, they actually got money back on their electric bill, and applied it towards their natural gas bill. It's probably the best investment I've ever made, without a doubt, said Nick. Two months ago, the couple made another investment and installed argon-filled, double-pane windows. We've reduced our carbon footprint dramatically, and couldn't be any happier," said Nick told NBC 7. I'm trying to think what the next thing is we could do. SDG&E's current net metering program is set to end in July. The utility company's new incentives will cost a little bit more, and there will be a fee to connect the solar panels, but a spokesperson says changes to the net metering program will be minimal. An elderly Oceanside woman has died just weeks after her caregiver was accused of critically injuring her best friend, a friend of the family told NBC 7 San Diego. Marian Kubic, 92, of Oceanside died Friday. Surveillance video captured the April 16 confrontation between Kubic's best friend, 93-year-old Margaret Wood and her caregiver of two years, 66-year-old William Sutton. Wood suffered a broken nose and cracked skull after allegedly being beaten and thrown down three porch steps outside Kubics home. Kubic was not physically injured in the incident but began to deteriorate since the attack, Wood's granddaughter said. The two friends were placed in the same hospice care facility. The day before she died Kubic testified through a live video stream from the hospice center where she and Wood were roommates for Sutton's preliminary hearing. "She did it for Marge. She did it because she wanted to right a horrible wrong as best as she was capable of doing," daughter Reggie Brown said. Kubic died the next day. Brown said she believes the act took the last of her energy. "She rallied everything she had for Thursday's hearing," she said. William Sutton pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder and willful cruelty to an elderly adult. He is not charged in Kubic's death. If convicted on all counts, Sutton could face up to 14 years in prison. The San Diego Blood Bank along with Ryan Wilcox and a troop of Boy Scouts held a blood drive in La Mesa Saturday. Wilcox, 18, is battling cancer and is a huge fan of the Avengers and Captain America. Monday he received a surprise visit from Chris Evans, Robert Downey, Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow aka Captain America, Iron Man and Pepper Potts. "I saw this car pull up and I saw them walking. I was just like what?" Wilcox told NBC 7. The blood drive known as Operation "Saving Captain Ryan" not only collected blood, but also added people to the bone marrow registry. Well, one, they're doing this because they know I had to go through a lot of blood transfusions, but it will also help out other kids who need blood transfusions, and this group coming together to do this is awesome, he said during the blood drive. NBC 7 Wilcox received his first blood transfusion when he was three while battling a brain tumor. Fourteen years later he has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a cancer in which bone marrow does not does not make enough healthy blood cells. He received a bone marrow transplant from his sister, but it has since relapsed. Wilcox has received over 100 blood and platelet transfusions and continues to need them weekly. Earlier this month classmates held a #Ryanstrong pep rally for Wilcox during which Chris Evans shared a videotaped message for the teen, saying, its people like you with strength like yours that inspire people like me. After the video went viral Avengers co-star Gwyneth Paltrow suggested the San Diego trip to meet Wilcox. Organizers of the blood drive say they filled every appointment to donate Saturday. Next Thursday, the community is holding a fundraiser to help the Wilcox family at Weevil Burger in La Mesa. Surveillance video shows the moment two people set off an explosion of fireworks on a front porch in Riverdale, Maryland, Saturday -- frightening two homeowners and completely melting some of the siding on their house. The homeowners, who did not want to be identified, posted the above video on YouTube and told News4 they woke to what sounded like a bomb going off at 2 a.m. No one was injured. One homeowner said she has no idea why the suspects in the video chose to set off the fireworks at their house. "The kids, they were laughing and things like that. So, we were like, was it a prank?," one homeowner told News4. "We didn't know what was going on and we didn't know why they targeted our house like that or why they targeted us." Their front door was also damaged by the smoke. It appeared M-80 fireworks were used, which are illegal in Prince George's County. "I live about a block away and it woke us all up. I've talked to several neighbors and they all say the same thing. About two in the morning they just heard this explosion," said resident Beth Reed. Prince George's County Fire Department spokesperson Mark Brady said the fire marshal's office is investigating. Survivor accounts have pushed to more than 700 the number of migrants feared dead in Mediterranean Sea shipwrecks over three days in the past week, even as rescue ships saved thousands of others in daring operations. The shipwrecks appear to account for the largest loss of life reported in the Mediterranean since April 2015, when a single ship sank with an estimated 800 people trapped inside. Humanitarian organizations say that many migrant boats sink without a trace, with the dead never found, and their fates only recounted by family members who report their failure to arrive in Europe. "It really looks like that in the last period the situation is really worsening in the last week, if the news is confirmed," said Giovanna Di Benedetto, a Save the Children spokeswoman in Italy. Warmer waters and calmer weather of late have only increased the migrants' attempts to reach Europe. The largest number of missing and presumed dead was aboard a wooden fishing boat being towed by another smugglers' boat from the Libyan port of Sabratha that sank Thursday. Estimates by police and humanitarian organizations, based on survivor accounts, range from around 400 to about 550 missing in that sinking alone. One survivor from Eritrea, 21-year-old Filmon Selomon, told The Associated Press that water started seeping into the second boat after three hours of navigation, and that the migrants tried vainly to get the water out of the sinking boat. "It was very hard because the water was coming from everywhere. We tried for six hours after which we said it was not possible anymore," he said through an interpreter. He jumped into the water and swam to the other boat before the tow line on the navigable boat was cut to prevent it from sinking when the other went down. A 17-year-old Eritrean, Mohammed Ali Imam, who arrived five days ago in another rescue, said one of the survivors told him that the second boat started taking on water when the first boat ran out of fuel. Police said the line, which was ordered cut by the commander when it was at full tension, whipped back, fatally slashing the neck of a female migrant. According to Italian police, 300 people in the hold went down with the second boat when it sank, while around 200 on the upper deck jumped into the sea. Just 90 of those were saved, along with about 500 in the first boat. Italian police said survivors identified the commander of the boat with the working engine as a 28-year-old Sudanese man, who has been arrested and faces possible charges for the deaths. Three other smugglers involved in other crossings also were arrested, police announced. Carlotta Sami, spokeswoman in Italy for UNHCR, put the number of migrants and refugees missing in that incident at 550 based on a higher tally of 670 people on board. She said 15 bodies were recovered, while 70 survivors were plucked from the sea and 25 swam to the other boat. Most of the people on board were Eritrean, according to Save the Children, including many women and children. One of the survivors included a 4-year-old girl whose mother had been killed in a traffic accident in Libya just days before embarking, Di Benedetto said. The UNHCR's Sami also said that estimated 100 people are missing from a smugglers' boat that capsized Wednesday off the coast of Libya, captured in dramatic footage by Italian rescuers. In a third shipwreck on Friday, Sami said 135 people were rescued, 45 bodies were recovered and an unknown numbers of migrants were still missing. Because the bodies went missing in the open sea, it is impossible to verify the numbers who died. Humanitarian organizations and investigating authorities typically rely on survivors' accounts to piece together what happened, relying on overlapping accounts to establish a level of veracity. Survivors of Thursday's sinking were taken to the Italian ports of Taranto on the mainland and Pozzallo in Sicily. Sami says the U.N. agency is trying to gather information with sensitivity considering that most of the new arrivals are either shipwreck survivors or traumatized by what they saw. Italy's southern islands are the main destinations for countless numbers of smuggling boats launched from the shores of lawless Libya each week packed with people seeking jobs and safety in Europe. Hundreds of migrants drown each year attempting the dangerous Mediterranean Sea crossing. Habtom Tekle, a 27-year-old Eritrean who survived Thursday's sinking, described people holding onto each other, some dragging others underwater, as the second boat was sinking. "For me it was very shocking," he said through an interpreter. Tekle fled mandatory, open-ended conscription in Eritrea six years ago, spending time in Egypt, Israel, Uganda and Sudan before heading to Libya to take the risky, and ultimately deadly, sea journey to Italy. "I want to tell the world this way is dangerous for us. Because my brother, sister, family will lose their lives in this channel," Tekle said outside the hotspot where he was taken to have his arrival recorded. "Please help us to have freedom in our country. I don't want to stay here or any place. I want my county with freedom." Colleen Barry in Milan contributed to this report. Vermont Bernie Sanders warned democratic rival Hillary Clinton that her pick for running mate will be critical to winning over his supporters going into the general election. During an interview to air Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press, Sanders said told Chuck Todd that Clinton needs "a candidate who can excite working families, excite young people, bring them into the political process and create a large voter turnout." Asked whether Virginia senator Tim Kaine, who's rumored to be on Clinton's short list, is the kind of running mate he's recommending, Sanders said, "I really like him very much," but declined any further speculation. Two National Grid workers suffered electrical burns Saturday afternoon in Andover, Massachusetts, police confirm. One worker was severely burned and airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital. The other was taken by ambulance to Lawrence General Hospital. Both men are in their mid-40's and were doing an electrical upgrade on a Raytheon property. They were working on an electrical box when the incident occurred. Police and OSHA are investigating. A group of hikers spotted the body of a missing Canadian man on Saturday near Tuckerman's Ravine trail on Mount Washington. The hikers found the body off trail at an altitude of 5,300 feet on the mountain. Officials believe that the body is that of Francois Carrier, 47, of Drummondville, Quebec. Carrier was reported missing on May 12 when he failed to return home from a trip to the Mount Washington area. He was last seen on Monday, May 9 around the Pinkham Notch area. Searchers with dogs and helicopters combed area for five days with no clues. Medical examiners did a preliminary investigation of the scene Sunday morning, and allowed the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department to remove the body. Carrier will be transported to Concord where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Authorities have recovered the body of a teenager who drowned Saturday in a pond in Georgetown, Massachusetts. Police responded to a call at 2:50 p.m. that a 17-year-old boy had gone missing while swimming. Local police and fire crews immediately responded to the area, and a dive team was requested. Divers from Beverly Fire arrived and entered the water just after 3:30 p.m. Firefighter Dean Julien recovered the boy minutes later, about 30 feet from the shoreline and in 15 feet of water. No lifeguard was on duty at the time of the incident, and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Sunday afternoon, the Essex County District Attorney's Office identified the victim as Dewel Ortiz of Lawrence. The pond is a popular place to swim. In the beach area, the water is only waist-deep, but if swimmers venture further out, it drops off and becomes much deeper. "I grew up in town and it's disturbing," said Barbara Gosselin of Haverhill. "This is a holiday weekend to be shared by family and friends, and this is such a tragedy." People are being asked to avoid the park Saturday as authorities continue to investigate. Beverly Fire assisted police and fire crews from Georgetown in the search. A convicted felon was arrested in Hartford after he was found in possession of a shotgun late Friday night, police say. Hartford police responded to the area of Franklin Ave. and Bond St. after a citizen called 911 to report they heard two parties talking about going to "get rifles." When officers arrived, they noticed a man, later identified as Angel Rodriguez, riding away from the area on a bicycle wearing a backpack with a rifle case sticking out. When officers pursued Rodriguez, he fled the scene into a nearby parking lot, where he was taken into custody. Rodriguez was found to be in possession of a Remington 870 Express Pump Action .20 gauge shotgun. Rodriguez is a convicted felon and not allowed to be in possession of a firearm. Rodriquez was charged with interfering with police, criminal possession of a firearm and operating a bicycle without an illumination device. For the second time in less than a week, a New Hampshire State Police trooper stopped along the Everett Turnpike is lucky to be alive. Police say trooper Mark Dore stopped around 10 a.m. Saturday to help the driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee that had run out of gas on the northbound highway, just before Exit 5A. According to state police, 79-year-old Carolyn Mulrooney of Nashua slammed into the back of his cruiser, which was stopped with its lights on. Police say the cruiser was pushed into the back of the Jeep, where Dore had just been standing. Mulrooney was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with minor injuries. She was issued a citation for not moving over when approaching the emergency vehicle. This crash comes less than one week after trooper Ryan Hickey was struck in a hit-and-run on the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. Eric Jackson of Amherst has been charged in that crash. Police remind drivers to slow down and move over when they see any type of emergency or traffic stop - something Hickey's fiance, Paige Minotti, emphasized to necn viewers Friday. "When you see them on the side of the road, you just see the badge, but there is so much more," she said. "Just move over and give them some space, because we want them home." Social media is buzzing over a Harvard graduate's poetic commencement speech, which has garnered millions of views and the attention of celebrities. Donovan Livingston, who received his master's degree in education, addressed his classmates Wednesday with a spoken-word poem outlining the historic obstacles that have prevented African-Americans from getting an education. The speech, titled "Lift Off," begins with a quote by education reformer Horace Mann and references influential African-Americans including poet Langston Hughes and abolitionist Harriet Tubman. It describes the difficulties that have historically faced black Americans seeking an education. "For some, the only difference between a classroom and a plantation is time. How many times must we be made to feel like quotas, like tokens in coined phrases? 'Diversity. Inclusion,'" he said. "There are days I feel like one, like only. A lonely blossom in a briar patch of broken promises. But I've always been a thorn in the side of injustice." Livingston finished with an inspiring call to action. "I belong among the stars. And so do you. And so do they. Together, we can inspire galaxies of greatness for generations to come. No, sky is not the limit. It is only the beginning. Lift off," he said. The Harvard Graduate School of Education posted a video of Livingston's speech on Facebook, saying it was "One of the most powerful, heartfelt student speeches you will ever hear!" More than 8 million have viewed the video, including superstar Justin Timberlake, who shared it on Facebook, adding the caption: "You don't feel inspired?? Here you go." A 38-year-old transgender man died after he was attacked at a homeless encampment in Burlington, Vermont, in what police are calling a possible "bias incident." Amos Beede, of Milton, suffered facial fractures, a subdural hematoma and several broken ribs in the beating on May 25. Police found him lying on the ground at a homeless encampment in the area of Barge Canal on Pine Street. Beede was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center for treatment. His initial prognosis was good, but Beede died of his injuries Sunday, according to police. The office of the state's chief medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine Beede's cause of death. Detectives are searching for two people of interest 21-year-old Erick Averill and 23-year-old Myia Barber in connection with the attack. Both are transient residents of Burlington, authorities said. Police said they believe the attackers had motives that were "independent" of Beede's gender identity but that his status as a transgender man may have been an "additional motive." Authorities will "continue to view this homicide as a possible bias incident" as they investigate, police said. Anyone with information about the assault or the whereabouts of Averill or Barber are asked to call city police or Champlain Valley Crime Stoppers at 802-864-6666. What does a security researcher get for responsibly disclosing a dental database vulnerability that is exposing the sensitive information of tens of thousands of patients? Not a bug bounty monetary reward. Not even a thank you from the company. He gets raided by a least a dozen armed FBI agents and may be charged under Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). Justin Shafer, who is described as a 36-year-old security researcher and dental computer technician, reported a vulnerability in Eaglesoft practice management software to the manufacturer Patterson Dental back in February. He had been searching for the hard-coded database credentials when he discovered an anonymous FTP server that anyone could access. The unsecured Eaglesoft FTP server exposed sensitive information on about 22,000 patients. Shafer notified the company as well as CERT. Fast forward several months to the morning of May 24. The Daily Dot reported that at 6:30 a.m., 12 to 15 armed FBI agents raided Shafers house. He was awakened by them incessantly ringing his doorbell and banging on the door. When he opened the door, one of the agents was pointing a big green assault weapon at him. There were three young kids in the house, but the agents apparently didnt care. Not only was his babys crib but a few feet away and the infant was crying in fear from all the racket, but the feds handcuffed him in front of his 9-year-old daughter who was crying in terror. He was hauled outside while still wearing his boxer shorts, not knowing what was going on or why. Over the next few hours, the agents seized all of Shafers computers and devicesand even my Dentrix magazines, Shafer said. The only thing they left was my wifes phone. The seized property list, a copy of which was provided to the Daily Dot, shows that federal agents took 29 items. What was his alleged crime? Responsible disclosure. Yes, he reported the vulnerability. He and Databreaches.net waited until it had been secured before publicly disclosing the incident, which affected 22,000 dental patients whose sensitive information had been public for years. Shafer told The Daily Dot that an FBI agent said: Patterson Dental was claiming Shafer had exceeded authorized access in accessing its FTP server, which is illegal under the CFAA. When CERT published a vulnerability notice about Patterson Dental Eaglesofts hard-coded database password in March, it wrote, An attacker with knowledge of the hard-coded credentials and with network access to the database may be able to obtain sensitive patient information. CERT added that it was currently unaware of a full solution to this problem. One of feds reportedly asked Shafer how he knew Andrew weev Auernheimer. Shafer doesnt know weev, but he had tweeted that he was glad weev was out of jail. Since Auernheimers conviction was overturned and he was released from prison in April 2014, this is a classic example of how anything you say on social media may come back to bite you. In fact, Tor Ekeland, one of Auernheimers lawyers, told the Daily Dot, Its weev all over again. Ekeland has offered to help Shafer. CFAA has needed reforms for a long time, and Shafers predicament is yet another example of how bad the over-reaching anti-hacking CFAA law really is. FileWatcher shows that those unsecured files on a public FTP server were originally uploaded in 2009. Anyone could have accessed the server. Its not like it was secured. And labeling it as unauthorized access is crazy. No good deed goes unpunished, huh? Champaign, IL (61820) Today Thunderstorms. High near 65F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of light rain. Low 44F. S winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. I have spoken to Shri Raj Nath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday./1 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 29, 2016 They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitization campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside. Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 29, 2016 I have asked Gen V.K.Singh MOS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet #Africanstudents who hv announced demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 29, 2016 Spoke to CP Delhi regarding the incident of physical assault against certain African nationals in New Delhi. Such incidents are condemnable. Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) May 29, 2016 Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers & increase police patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) May 29, 2016 Four people have been arrested and one juvenile apprehended in connection with attacks on at least six African nationals in the national capital. The guilty have been charged with assault and wrongful confinement.The incident took place in Rajpur Khurd village in South Delhi's Mehrauli on Thursday.Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has assured action in the case and raised the issue with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung."I have spoken to Rajnath Singh and Lt Governor Delhi regarding the attack on African nationals in South Delhi. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside," tweeted Swaraj.The minister also asked Union Minister General (retd) VK Singh and Secretary (Economic Relations) Amar Sinha to meet African students who have announced a protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar.Assuring action, Rajnath Singh said, "I spoke to the Delhi Police Commissioner regarding the incident of physical assault against certain African nationals in New Delhi. Such incidents are condemnable. I have instructed the Commissioner to take strict action against the attackers and increase police patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone."The police said that it had identified some of the culprits."One Nigerian national got hurt. We took pro-active action. We told him to file a complaint so that we can register a case. We have identified some, we will arrest them today. We have filed four cases in different locations," said Ishwar Singh, DCP South Delhi.To defuse tensions, police conducted a meeting between Africans national and the Residents Welfare Association.The attack comes days after Masunda Oliver, a Congolese student, was killed in the national capital which caused a diplomatic stir.Oliver's uncle will arrive on Monday to take his body. The MEA said that it will assist the family in travelling to India."In the unfortunate death of Mr Masunda Oliver, the government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense," the ministry said in a statement. Motihari: Nepal based industrialist Suresh Kedia, who was abducted from Bara district in Nepal, was rescued by Bihar Police from Motihari in the state on Sunday. Kedia was abducted on May 26 when he was heading towards Birgunj from one of his industries in Bara. But his car was intercepted by a group of armed men and Kedia's driver was shot at before the industrialist was kidnapped and taken in a separate vehicle. The gang members after committing the crime entered Bihar and were hiding in Motihari area. They demanded Rs 100 crore ransom for Kedia's release from his family members. Soon after the kidnapping Bihar Police formed a special team to trace him. He was rescued in a joint operation led by SP Motihari Jitendra Rana and SP Bettiah Vinay Kumar. Kolkata: Visually challenged visitors who cannot see the treasures of the Indian Museum will soon be able to touch and feel replicas of some of the artifacts and read about them in Braille signages. As part of a pilot project to make the museum accessible for everyone, the authorities are working with Blind Persons' Association in the city to install Braille sign boards. "We will have signages in all the galleries within a year. It doesn't matter whether you can see with your eyes or not. What we have here is national treasure and it should be accessible for all," museum Director Dr Jayanta Sengupta told PTI. "You can feel the vibrancy of heritage around yourself. Being in the vicinity is itself an experience," he said. The first one to have such signage will be Bharhut gallery which shows the architectural remains from Bharhut belonging to Shunga period, along with similar fragments from Bodhgaya during second and third century BC. Buddhist stupa is the most precious possession in the gallery. Amiyo Kumar Biswas of the Blind Persons' Association said they prepared Braille text for signage in three languages - Hindi, English and Bengali. Having Braille scripts however won't be enough for the visually challenged visitors and therefore the museum is also working on plans to prepare replicas of some of the gems. New Delhi: Jat leaders from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi staged a protest outside Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence in New Delhi on Sunday demanding reservation for the community. Punjab and Haryana High Court had on May 26 ordered an interim stay on the reservation given to Jats and five other castes in Haryana. The agitators raised slogans against the Khattar-led Haryana government and were also heard saying "Hum apna haq le ke rahenge (we will take our dues)". They were also raising slogans urging the Jats to unite for the cause of reservation. They chanted "Khattar sarkar murdabad", "Jat ekta zindabad" and "jo jaton se takrayega, choor choor ho jayega". They were also carrying placards with similar messages. Heavy police presence was seen in the area and barricades were placed to contain the protestors. One of the agitators said that they have been betrayed, as reservation was promised to them earlier. "Several farming communities have been given reservation, but why not Jats? We are also a farming community. Jats get reservation in eight states, but why not in Haryana. They had promised us reservation, now they are backing out. Now, this agitation wont stop. We have been betrayed," he said. Hearing a petition challenging reservations for Jats and other castes on the grounds that it is in violation to a Supreme Court order, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday brought an interim stay on the Jat reservation quota and fixed July 21 for the next hearing, when the government will file its reply. The Haryana Cabinet had on March 28 approved the amendments in the Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Bill, which enlists Jats, Bishnois, Tyagis, and Rors in the recently sculpted Backward Classes (C) category, making them eligible for 10 per cent reservation in classes 3 and 4 posts, and six percent reservation in classes 1 and 2 jobs. Meanwhile, Akhil Bharatiya Jat Aarakshan Samiti is gearing up to launch a state wide 'Jat Nyay rally' in Haryana from June 5. A violent Jat agitation had crippled the state in February, which resulted in the death of many people and widespread damage to property. It was brought under control only after the Army staged a flag march. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from June 4 which will cover Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico. Modi will begin his trip with Afghanistan to inaugurate India-funded Salma Dam which has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 1400 crore. From Afghanistan, he will proceed to energy-rich Qatar and then to Switzerland. During the two-day visit to energy-rich Qatar, Modi will hold extensive talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on a range of bilateral issues including ways to further boost economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector. In Switzerland, the Prime Minister will hold talks with the Swiss leadership, including President Johann Schneider-Ammann, and is likely to seek cooperation to unearth black money accounts of Indians in Switzerland which was a promise made by him during elections in 2014. According to sources, the officials of the two countries are working on finalising an arrangement that could pave the way for automatic exchange of information on tax-related issues. The Switzerland government had on May 18 initiated consultation on an ordinance to put in place a mechanism for automatic exchange of tax information with India and other countries. From Switzerland, Modi will travel to the US on June 7 at the invitation of President Barack Obama, with whom he will review the progress made in key areas of defence, security and energy. During his stay, he will also address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress. On his return, he will visit Mexico where India is eyeing trade and investment tie ups. In September 2015, during his UN visit in New York Modi had held talks with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. Islamabad: The father of Pakistan's nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan said that Pakistan has the ability to target Indian capital Dehli from Kahuta near Rawalpindi in five minutes. Khan made the statement while addressing a gathering on the anniversary of first nuclear tests, which were carried out in Pakistan under his supervision in 1998. He said, Pakistan could have become a nuclear power as early as 1984 but the then President General Zia ul Haq "opposed the move". "We were able and we had a plan to launch nuclear test in 1984. But President General Zia ul Haq had opposed the move," said Khan. He said General Zia, who ruled Pakistan from 1979 to 1988, opposed the nuclear testing as he believed that the world would intervene militarily. Khan was disgraced in 2004 when he was forced to accept responsibility for proliferation and live a life of semi house arrest. He regretted the treatment and said Pakistan would never have achieved the feat of becoming first Muslim nuclear country without his "services". "We are facing the worst against our services to the countrys nuclear program," he said referring to the humiliation he suffered. Washington: Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has attacked President Barack Obama for not mentioning the deadly Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 during his historic trip to Japan this week. "Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while he's in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost. #MDW," tweeted Trump, who emerged as the Republican party's presumptive presidential nominee last week. Obama did not publicly mention the surprise 1941 attack that pulled the US into World War II while on his historic trip to Japan this week, during which he became the first sitting American president to visit Hiroshima. He used the visit to discuss the threat of nuclear weapons. "Why do we come to this place, to Hiroshima? We come to ponder the terrible forces unleashed in the not-so-distant past. We come to mourn the dead ... their souls speak to us and ask us to look inward. To take stock of who we are and what we might become," Obama had said during his visit to the city's Peace Memorial Park. The White House didn't immediately comment on Trump's tweet on Saturday evening, CNN reported. Trump supporter Sarah Palin also criticised Obama's trip to Hiroshima, calling it part of the President's "apology lap." The former Alaska governor, Palin, speaking at a Trump rally in San Diego on Friday, said Obama's trip to Hiroshima was "dissing our vets." Earlier in the week, in a joint press conference with Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he had no plans to visit Pearl Harbor despite the president's trip to Hiroshima. In the Pearl Harbour attack on December 7, 1941, over 2,400 Americans were killed and over 1,100 others were injured. Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that he never had any problem with his 'dear friend', director Ram Gopal Varma with whom he's currently discussing film 'Sarkar 3'. Asked, at the music launch of his film 'Te3n', about his 'tension' with Varma, he said: "First of all, there was no problem between us. Can you tell me the role of tension? And what is tension, then perhaps I'll be able to give you the correct answer. There are various roles of tension. If I'm talking this way with you, even you can think I'm creating tension with you. "There is nothing like that. He is a dear friend of mine; I like to work with him. I have done numerous films with him. Once upon a time I used to think that the most of my films I have done with Hrishida, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, but one day when I sat to calculate, I observed that it was Ram Gopal Varma with whom I have done the maximum number of films." Though they worked in 'Sarkar', 'Darna Zaroori Hai', 'Nishabd', 'Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag', 'Sarkar Raj', and 'Rann', when Amitabh's film 'Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap' had released in 2011, Varma had used abusive language to describe his performance. Though the duo then worked together in 'Department' the next year, it is reported that there were problems between them and they haven't worked together after it. Varma has confirmed 'Sarkar 3' and said that he would style the megastar as per today's fashion trends. Amitabh said: "I'm in talks with him for 'Sarkar 3', we'll be sitting on the script and it's possible that he'll start it soon." The 'Sarkar' franchise has had strong roles for his son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai. At the event organized by Prashant Kishor's I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee), this army of youngsters, known as College and City Captains of their district, discussed ideas on how they could participate and contribute to Amarinders campaign. Congress' chief ministerial candidate for 2017 Punjab Assembly elections Captain Amarinder Singh is wooing youngsters as his party tries to come back to power in the state.As part of his outreach, Amarinder met more than 1200 young men and women in Chandigarh on Sunday and outlined his vision for the state. The youngsters came from 22 districts of Punjab and pledged to support the Captain.During the three-hour long event, the youngsters received training on the various outreach programmes.The training was conducted by I-PAC's outreach and digital media team. The youngsters also discussed issues concerning them and sought Amarinders blueprint for solving their problems."Youth will play a crucial role in deciding the political discourse. It is overwhelming to see such support from youngsters like you. I will not let you down or stop until I reinstill faith in the system among the youth of Punjab," Amarinder told the youngsters.Nishika, a College Captain from Jalandhar, proudly wore a t-shirt with the logo Punjab Da Captain and pledged her support for Amarinder. "I will volunteer in social media," she said.When Lakhvir Singh from Government Mohindra College was asked why he wants to work for Captain, he said, "Under the false pretense of Raj Nahi Seva (No rule but service), the Parkash Singh Badal government has taken control of all institutions and businesses in the state. Only Captain can bring back the glory days of Punjab."Amarinder also exhorted the youth to actively participate in the political process."Both the party leadership and I have always supported more representation of youth in electoral politics. This time, too, I expect youth to represent more than 35-40% of Congress candidates," he said amidst cheers.The groundwork to recruit youngsters and students began in March and April when I-PAC had reached out to various colleges across Punjab in the backdrop of Coffee With Captain events.While many youngsters had expressed intetest to join Amarinder's campaign team, others contacted through the campaigns Facebook Page - Punjab Da Captain.The College and City Captains will now be integrated into various modules and will be part of campaign events in their districts, along with doubling up as Amarinders digital army.Congress lost power in the 2007 elections to the Shiromani Akali Dal- Bharatiya Janata Party alliance which won in 2012 too.But the emergence of Aam Aadmi Party has made it a triangular contest this time. As Punjab gears up for Assembly elections in early 2017, parties are busy preparing for the tough political battle ahead. The Congress, which has been witnessing one electoral reversal after another in the last few years, is leaving nothing to chance as it prepares under the leadership of Captain Amarinder Singh to unseat the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party from power. Seeking a change in political leadership in Punjab, several youngsters are now campaigning for Captain Amarinder Singh as his ambassadors and agents of change. Popularly called College Captains and City Captains, these young campaigners will meet Captain Amarinder Singh in Chandigarh on May 29 (Sunday), 2016. The event is being organized by Prashant Kishors team I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee). This army of more than 1000 youngsters youths from 22 districts across Punjab will discuss issues concerning the youth and seek his advice. Team I-PAC had reached out to various colleges across Punjab and engaged with students who wanted to be a part of Captain Amarinders campaign and initiatives to bring Congress back to power in Punjab. The College and City Captains will be a part of social events in their districts and also part of the Captains digital army. Congress faces an uphill task in dethroning the SAD-BJP government which has been in power in the state for the last 10 years. Aam Aadmi Party, which performed exceedingly well in the state during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections winning all its four seats from the state, is also a formidable challenger. The elections, which are likely to be held in January 2017, will witness a triangular fight between the Congress, SAD-BJP and AAP. New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that the "56-inch chest" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not decreased "an inch" and asserted that there should be no doubt on that score. He also said if Pakistan does not have the capability to curb terrorist activities in its territory, it should seek India's help. Singh was asked on a TV programme about Modi's Lok Sabha election campaign in which he had said that a "56-inch chest" was needed to tackle Pakistan. "It has not decreased. I am the Home Minister. I know confidential matters. I have the IB with me. It has not decreased. There should be no doubts on that score. I can only say that the 56-inch chest is there," Singh has said in a press release. The Home Minister said he wanted to give a message to Pakistan that it should curb terrorist activities on its soil. "If Pakistan feels it does not have the capacity to curb terrorist activities, it should seek assistance from India. If they want, it can happen. They can also seek assistance from other countries of the world," he said. Singh said there has been a 52 per cent decline in infiltration from Pakistan in the last two years. The number of security personnel killed by Maoists has come down. On the terror attack in Pathankot, he said it is because of the government's strategy that the US asked Pakistan to cooperate in the investigation into the attack. This Facebook Clone Is Hosted in North Korea https://t.co/Wx1Uf8xiYT via @motherboard pic.twitter.com/iArVmj0DRL Dyn Research (@DynResearch) May 27, 2016 The Facebook clone as spotted by @DynResearch Shortly after being spotted online, a clone of the Facebook social network apparently set up in North Korea has been hacked.The website, StarCon, is modeled on the famous social network, but in its North Korean incarnation is known as "Best Korea's Social Network".Like its multi-billion dollar cousin, according to RT online, the North Korean site allows people from anywhere to register on the website and then upload their profile picture, message friends and upload videos.The site appears to be named after the countrys internet service provider, Star, and while its not known who set up the site, its being run on PHP Dolphin, which is a kit for creating social networks.It seems like its brand new, Madory told Motherboard. Very few websites resolve to the North Korean address space, and this one does.Martyn Williams from the North Korea Tech blog says: It could even have been a trial that was inadvertently made public.Needless to say, it was not long before a parody account of Kim Jung-un appeared on the site.Not long after it emerged on Friday the site existed, it was quickly hacked.Scottish teenager Andrew McKean told Motherboard that he was able to log into the websites backend by simply using admin and password as the login details.This gave the 18-year-old full control over the site, including the ability to delete and suspend users, change the sites name, censor certain words and manage the eventual ads, as well as being able to see everyones emails. An Italian marine accused of killing two fishermen in India returned home Saturday pending a ruling on where he should be tried in a long-running case that has soured ties between the two countries. Salvatore Girone touched down in Rome after four years in India, where he was being held pending the resolution of a dispute between New Delhi and Rome over who has jurisdiction in the case. His wife, children and father rushed onto the plane for an emotional reunion, after which he was met on the tarmac by Italy's foreign and defence ministers, raising his clasped hands together in a sign of victory. The newly reunited family was expected to travel straight on to Bari in southern Italy, where locals had planned a homecoming party. Girone and fellow marine Massimiliano Latorre are accused of shooting the fishermen while protecting an Italian oil tanker as part of an anti-piracy mission off India's southern Kerala coast in 2012. Latorre was allowed to travel back to Italy in 2014 for treatment after suffering a stroke. Girone had been barred from leaving but India's supreme court agreed on Thursday to alter his bail conditions allowing him to return, after a tribunal in The Hague ruled this month he should be free to go, pending the final outcome of arbitration. Italy initiated international arbitration proceedings in the case last year, referring the row to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague and asking it to rule on where the men should be tried. Under his new bail conditions, Girone must return to Delhi within one month if the PCA rules that he face trial in India. Italy insists the oil tanker, the MV Enrica Lexie, was in international waters at the time of the incident. India argues the case is not a maritime dispute but "a double murder at sea", in which one fisherman was shot in the head and the other in the stomach. Islamabad: A DNA test has confirmed the death of Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Mansour in a US drone strike in the restive Baluchistan province on May 21, Pakistan on Sunday said. A DNA sample from one of the two men killed in the US drone attack was successfully matched with a close relative of Mansour, the Interior Ministry said. "The second man killed in the drone attack has been identified. It has been confirmed that the man killed in the attack was former Taliban chief Mullah Mansour. The exact identity was known through the DNA test which matched with a relative of Mansour who had come from Afghanistan to take the dead body," the ministry said in a statement. Mansour and Muhammad Azam, a Pakistani driver, were killed on May 21 when US special forces targeted their vehicle in a drone strike in Noshki district of Baluchistan while they were allegedly returning from Iran by road. The US had announced soon after the attack that it had successfully targeted Mansour, but Pakistan had said that DNA test would be performed to identify the victims. The Interior Ministry said that the tests proved that Mansour was killed in the drone attack. Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had said on Thursday that all indicators confirm that the person killed in the drone strike was Mansour. But he had also said that final announcement will made after DNA tests. Pakistan government has described the US drone strike as a violation of its sovereignty. Meanwhile, the family of Azam on Sunday registered a police case against the US government, demanding justice. There are few people in Virginia more qualified to testify to the condition of the states underfunded and substandard mental health network than Creigh Deeds. It was just over two years ago in late 2013 that Deeds took his son Gus, who battled bipolar disorder, to the local community service agency in their home of rural Bath County for emergency mental health care. After officials searched hours for a hospital psychiatric bed to no avail, Deeds and his son were sent home. Early the next day, Gus tried to stab his father to death. Deeds managed to escape in search of help, but by the time EMS and law enforcement teams got to his house, the younger Deeds had committed suicide, shooting himself. But for the fact that Deeds is a senior member of the General Assembly, serving in the Virginia Senate, and a former gubernatorial candidate, the story might have remained a local tragedy. Deeds bully pulpit in Richmond, though, nationalized the story and presented the senator with the issue he says hell devote the rest of his career to: making Virginias mental health care delivery system a model in the U.S. Speaking earlier this month at an event in Northern Virginia, Deeds was blunt about the condition of Virginias mental health care system. People in every corner of this diverse commonwealth deserve care we dont have that in Virginia, he said in issuing a call for a robust system of community mental health care. Some of us, he continued, have forgotten the most important rule of life: We are our brothers keeper. The root cause of the deplorable state of Virginias mental health care system is a lack of sufficient dollars, coupled with outdated modes of care delivery, insufficient training at the local level and hardly any coordination of care beyond the regional level. Just consider the horrific tragedy of Jamycheal Mitchell. Mitchell, 24, was arrested in April 2015 for shoplifting about $5 worth of junk food from a convenience store. He suffered from bipolar disorder and was off his medications when the incident took place. After his arrest, he languished in a Hampton Roads jail cell for four months, supposedly waiting for a bed at a state mental hospital. A judge had ordered he be hospitalized, but for some as-yet-to-be-explained reason jail officials seem to have overlooked the order. Mitchell received no mental care in jail, and his psychiatric condition deteriorated to the point he wasnt eating. He died in his feces-covered cell in August, weighing less than 100 pounds. Locally, the case of Jonathan Warner, a 28-year-old Amherst County man, raises questions about emergency mental health care delivery. Warner voluntarily arrived at Lynchburg General Hospital in January because of problems related to his mental illness. According to Lynchburg Police Department records, he was transferred hours later to the Psychiatric Emergency Center (PEC), located just feet from the Emergency Department. There, police have said, he attacked a Centra security guard and disarmed him of his Taser. As Warner ran through the center, police say, he was shot by the security guard multiple times; he is now paralyzed from the waist down. In the aftermath, the Psychiatric Emergency Center, which only opened in November, is closed. A joint venture between Centra, Horizon Behavioral Health (the regions community services board care provider) and the Lynchburg Police Departments regional crisis intervention team, the PEC was designed to provide virtually all of the required emergency mental health services under one roof, in a stand-alone setting for better care of the patient. In the Mitchell case, officials are still trying to pin down the exact points at which the care delivery system broke down. Human error by staff unawareness of a judges treatment order? Failure to check with local hospitals about the availability of a psychiatric bed, indeed a lack of a sufficient number of beds because of low state funding? What happened? is the question on everyones minds. Is there sufficient oversight by Richmond of local care-delivery agencies, and is there technology in place to make that possible? Is there sufficient care coordination between regional agencies? Are there enough certified professionals at the local levels to provide care services, and is the pay designated for those positions enough to attract and retain the best people? Locally, Lynchburg Commonwealths Attorney Michael Doucettes review of the Warner case is expected any day now, hopefully providing a clearer picture of that January day. Virginia has known it has a mental health care crisis, going back to the April 2007 Virginia Tech massacre when the shooter fell through the cracks in the system. We know the system is broken, but a decade on, were still trying to figure out how to mend it. TV host Inspector Alexander featured in comic book The comic was written by Ville Ventures Films CEO Ancil Harris and features his own creation Tarsin, female police detective Nicole Baker who becomes a superhero via an alien super suit. Harris, speaking during a telephone interview, recalled that in December last year he had an idea of doing a book about Alexander. I find he has this kind of superhero finish. I wanted to basically use him in a comic. And the comic I had was with Tarsin. She is a police and a vigilante. I wanted somebody to go head to head with her but still talk sense into her, convince her not to be a vigilante, he explained. Harris said he had a friend doing camera work for Beyond the Tape and he asked her for contact information to get in touch with Inspector Alexander to ask permission to use his image in the book. He sent some test pictures and the Inspector found it cool. Harris explained that there were not much photos of Alexander online to do a proper drawing of him and they had to organise a photo shoot. He temporarily shelved the idea during the controversy between Alexander and Crime Watch host Ian Alleyne. I did not want (the comic) associated with it, Harris said. About three weeks the controversy died down and they met for the photo shoot. Harris explained the idea and Alexander was really excited. Boy you could really draw, he recalled Alexander telling him. The Inspector told him that he could do anything with his image, once Harris was depicting that crime does not pay. He sent Alexander the cover for the book and it was featured on Beyond the Tape. Harris explained that instead of having a Tarsin comic featuring Alexander he wanted to give him more exposure. I wanted to shed a light on the person he is, he added. Harris said the book, an eight page comic, will serve as an introduction to both Tarsin and Alexander. There will be a volume two of the comic in about two months and this will be like Batman vs Superman, where they fight at first and then come together later. The digital comic Inspector Alexander will be available tomorrow on villeventures.com. The Bear Attacked, So She 'Popped It Right in the Nose' The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. New Delhi: Disappointed over actor Rishi Kapoor's remarks on naming public places after Gandhi family, some Congress workers on Saturday staged a protest and burnt effigies of the actor at Mangoor Hill, Vasco. It should be recalled that veteran actor had shown disagreement on naming public institution after the name Gandhis. Speaking to reporters during their protest, Congress leader Saifullah Khan said, The irresponsible statement of Rishi Kapoor on the Gandhi family shows that such people are traitors of the country. "The Gandhi family has sacrificed their life for the nation and has made the country proud, but instead of giving them high respect, the actor made loose statements without giving any thought to the repercussions. He is an actor and should concentrate only on acting and not indulge in dirty politics for media publicity." Before this, a team of Congress supporters had named a public toilet after Rishi Kapoor. In a series of tweets, Kapoor raised questions over naming of public institutions like Indira Gandhi International Air Port, Rajeev Gandhi Udyog (Film City) after the names of Nehru-Gandhi family ancestors. Why Indira G airport International? Why not Mahatma Gandhi or Bhagat Singh Ambedkar or on my name Rishi Kapoor. As superficial! What say? Tweeted Kapoor. Imagine Mohamad Rafi Mukesh Manna Dey Kishore Kumar venues on their name like in our country. Just a suggestion he added. The 63-year-old actor even raised doubts over renaming of Mumbai Film City. Film City should be named Dilip Kumar,Dev Anand, Ashok Kumar ya Amitabh Bachchan ke naam? Rajeev Gandhi udyog Kya hota hai? Socho doston! We must name important assets of the country who have contributed to society. Har cheez Gandhi ke naam? I dont agree. Sochna log! said the Damini actor. If roads in Delhi can be changed why not Congress assets/property ke naam? Was in Chandigarh wahan bhi Rajeev Gandhi assets? Socho? Why? Change Gandhi family assets named by Congress.Bandra/Worli Sea Link to Lata Mangeshkar or JRD Tata link road. Baap ka maal samjh rakha tha ? He said in a Tweet. Offended and disappointed with veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoors comments against the Gandhi family, Congress workers from Vasco staged a protest and even burnt his effigy at Mangoor Hill, Vasco, on Saturday evening. Speaking to reporters during their protest, Congress leader Saifullah Khan said, The irresponsible statement of Rishi Kapoor on the Gandhi family shows that such people are traitors of the country. The Gandhi family has sacrificed their life for the nation and has made the country proud, but instead of giving them high respect, the actor made loose statements without giving any thought to the repercussions. He is an actor and should concentrate only on acting and not indulge in dirty politics for media publicity. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : Father of Pakistans nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan on Saturday said that Pakistan is capable of targeting Indian capital Delhi from Kahuta near Rawalpindi in five minutes. Dr. Khan made this statement while addressing the rally on the anniversary of first nuclear tests, which were carried out under his supervision in 1998. Pakistan could have become a nuclear power as early as 1984 but the then president General Zia ul Haq opposed the move. Genereal Zia who ruled Pakistan from 1979 to 1988, opposed the nuclear testing as he believed that the world would intervene militarily, he added. Regretting the treatment he said that Pakistan would never have achieved the feat of becoming first Muslim nuclear country without his services. Khan in 2004 was forced to accept t responsibility for nuclear proliferation and live a life of semi house arrest. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : In the wake of fresh cases of assault on African nationals and outrage by African envoys over killing of a Congolese youth, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung regarding the safety of the community and strict action against the guilty. The government has decided to transport the Congolese national's mortal remains to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Swaraj said both Singh and Jung assured her that the culprits will be arrested soon. I have spoken to Shri Rajnath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside," Swaraj tweeted. I have asked Gen V K Singh, MoS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet# African students who have announce demonstration at Jantar Mantar,she said in another tweet. To protest against the issue, African students are planning demonstrations at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. Government will assist the family of the Congolese youth Masunda Kitanda Oliver to come to India and to take his mortal remains, said External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup. Envoys of African countries on Thursday had expressed shock over killing of Oliver here last week following which India assured them of safety of African nationals. Rome: An Italian marine accused of killing two fishermen in India returned home today pending a ruling on where he should be tried in a long-running case that has soured ties between the two countries. Salvatore Girone touched down in Rome after four years in India, where he was being held pending the resolution of a dispute between New Delhi and Rome over who has jurisdiction in the case. His wife, children and father rushed onto the plane for an emotional reunion, after which he was met on the tarmac by Italys foreign and defence ministers, raising his clasped hands together in a sign of victory. The newly reunited family was expected to travel straight on to Bari in southern Italy, where locals had planned a homecoming party. Girone and fellow marine Massimiliano Latorre are accused of shooting the fishermen while protecting an Italian oil tanker as part of an anti-piracy mission off Indias southern Kerala coast in 2012. Latorre was allowed to travel back to Italy in 2014 for treatment after suffering a stroke. Girone had been barred from leaving but Indias supreme court agreed on Thursday to alter his bail conditions allowing him to return, after a tribunal in The Hague ruled this month he should be free to go, pending the final outcome of arbitration. Italy initiated international arbitration proceedings in the case last year, referring the row to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague and asking it to rule on where the men should be tried. Under his new bail conditions, Girone must return to Delhi within one month if the PCA rules that he face trial in India. Italy insists the oil tanker, the MV Enrica Lexie, was in international waters at the time of the incident. India argues the case is not a maritime dispute but a double murder at sea, in which one fisherman was shot in the head and the other in the stomach. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Bollywood Actress Vidya Balan, who is making her debut in Marathi film with Ekk Albela, says she is a greedy actor and is looking forward to get good roles in Marathi cinema. In the film Ekk Albela, Vidya will be seen portraying the role of late actress Geeta Bali. Marathi actor Mangesh Desai will portray the role of late actor Bhagwan Dada. I have been offered few films but for some reasons things did not work out. I am doing a film in Malayalam it is a biopic on poetess Kamla Das, Vidya told reporters here at an event of Ekk Albela. I am a greedy actor. I am open to play a Maharashtrain role but I will have to work hard on the language. As I will not let anyone else dub for me, she said. The Paa actress, 38, hopes she gets all the good Marathi scripts. Ekk Albela traces the journey of Bhagwan Dadas film career as an actor and director and Vidyas role will be credited as a special appearance. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Konkona Sen Sharma may have impressed the audience with her performances but Kalki Koechlin says the actress is also a fantastic director with great understanding of the craft. The Ek Thi Daayan star is all set with her directorial debut A Death in the Gunj. Konkona is a very smart, self assured director. She knows exactly what she wants from the artists and is very clear in her vision. That clarity also helps the actors to perform well, Kalki told PTI. A Death in the Gunj is a coming-of-age story which traces the journey of five individuals who are on a holiday. The Waiting actress plays an Anglo-Indian in the movie and says she couldnt believe Konkona was directing for the first time because of her clarity and insight into the craft. It was really an amazing experience to be directed by her. I couldnt believe it was her first time as a director. I think it is because she has grown up in a film family which has given her a deep insight of the craft. A Death in the Gunj has an ensemble cast of actors like Vikrant Massey, Gulshan Devaiah, Tanuja Mukherjee, Om Puri, Tillotama Shome, and also stars Konkonas estranged husband Ranvir Shorey. The upcoming film has been produced by Honey Trehan and filmmaker Abhishek Chaubeys production company -MacGuffin Pictures. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Actress Vidya Balan has dismissed reports that her husband, producer Siddharth Roy Kapur was upset with her for coming out in support of Kangana Ranaut, who is locked in a bitter legal battle with Hrithik Roshan. Though the Paa actress didnt take sides on the controversy, there were reports that her statement had upset Siddharth, who heads studio UTV Disney. You are saying there must have been (a fight). I am not aware about it, Vidya said when asked about the reports. The 38-year-old actress had said that without judging anyone, she had greatest admiration for Kangana for standing up for herself. Hrithik and Kangana have been at loggerheads ever since the Queen star called Hrithik her silly ex, following which they slapped legal notices on each other. UTV Disney is producing Hrithiks upcoming movie, Kaabil. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Geneva: Scientists have discovered key components of DNA and cell membranes including the simple amino acid glycine and phosphorus on a comet for the first time, suggesting that such cosmic bodies may have brought these crucial ingredients for life on Earth. The possibility that water and organic molecules were brought to the early Earth through impacts of objects like asteroids and comets have long been the subject of debate. The space probe Rosetta, built by the European Space Agency, along with its lander module Philae, is performing a detailed study of comet 67P/Churyumov Gerasimenko. While Rosettas ROSINA instrument already showed a significant difference in composition between Comet 67P/C-Gs water and that of Earth, researchers from University of Bern in Switzerland found that even if comets did not play a big role in delivering water as once thought, they certainly had the potential to deliver lifes ingredients. While more than 140 different molecules have already been identified in the interstellar medium, amino acids could not be traced. However, hints of the amino acid glycine, a biologically important organic compound commonly found in proteins, were found during NASAs Stardust mission that flew by Comet Wild 2 in 2004, but terrestrial contamination of the collected dust samples during the analysis could not be ruled out. Now, for the first time, repeated detections at a comet have been confirmed by Rosetta in Comet 67P/C-Gs fuzzy atmosphere, or coma. The first detection was made in October 2014, while most measurements were taken in August last year during the perihelion - the closest point to the Sun along the comets orbit while the out-gassing was strongest. This is the first unambiguous detection of glycine in the thin atmosphere of a comet, said Kathrin Altwegg, principal investigator of the ROSINA instrument at the University of Bern. Glycine is very hard to detect due to its non-reactive nature: it sublimates at slightly below 150 degrees Celsius, meaning that little is released as gas from the comets surface or subsurface due to its cold temperatures. We see a strong correlation of glycine to dust, suggesting that it is probably released from the grains icy mantles once they have warmed up in the coma, perhaps together with other volatiles, said Altwegg. At the same time, the researchers also detected the organic molecules methylamine and ethylamine, which are precursors to forming glycine. Unlike other amino acids, glycine is the only one that has been shown to be able to form without liquid water. The simultaneous presence of methylamine and ethylamine, and the correlation between dust and glycine, also hints at how the glycine was formed, said Altwegg. ROSINA also detected phosphorus for the first time at a comet. It is a key element in all living organisms and is found in the structural framework of DNA and RNA. The research appears in the journal Science. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New York: Next time you visit a restaurant, make sure it is well-lit, as researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have found that people are more likely to order healthy food if they are dining in bright light. Those dining in well-lit rooms are about 16-24 per cent more likely to order healthy foods than those in dimly lit rooms, researchers said. We feel more alert in brighter rooms and therefore tend to make more healthful, forward-thinking decisions, said Dipayan Biswas from University of South Florida in the US. Researchers surveyed 160 restaurant patrons at four casual chain restaurant locations. Half of those diners, who were seated in brighter rooms, were more likely to choose healthier options (such as grilled/baked fish, vegetables or white meat) over relatively unhealthy items (such as fried food or dessert). Sales records showed that those in dimly lit rooms ordered 39 per cent more calories. In four additional lab studies involving 700 college students, researchers replicated these results. Follow-up studies showed that when diners alertness was increased with the use of a caffeine placebo or by simply giving a prompt to be alert, those in dimly lit rooms were just as likely as their peers in brightly lit rooms to make more healthful food choices, researchers said. From this, they suggest that the main reason that we make healthier choices in well-lit spaces is because we feel more alert. Doing what you can to make yourself feel alert is the best way to avoid overindulging when dining-in-the-dark,, according to Brian Wansink from Cornell University in the US. The findings were published in the journal of Marketing Research. For all the Latest Lifestyle News, Food News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from June 4 which will cover Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico. Modi will begin his trip with Afghanistan to inaugurate India-funded Salma Dam which has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 1400 crore. From Afghanistan, he will proceed to energy-rich Qatar and then to Switzerland. During the two-day visit to energy-rich Qatar, Modi will hold extensive talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on a range of bilateral issues including ways to further boost economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector. (Also read. Want to meet PM? Answer online governance quiz) In Switzerland, the Prime Minister will hold talks with the Swiss leadership, including President Johann Schneider-Ammann, and is likely to seek cooperation to unearth black money accounts of Indians in Switzerland which was a promise made by him during elections in 2014. According to sources, the officials of the two countries are working on finalising an arrangement that could pave the way for automatic exchange of information on tax-related issues. The Switzerland government had on May 18 initiated consultation on an ordinance to put in place a mechanism for automatic exchange of tax information with India and other countries. (Also read. Those with illegal money to be prosecuted: FM Arun Jaitley on Panama Papers) From Switzerland, Modi will travel to the US on June 7 at the invitation of President Barack Obama, with whom he will review the progress made in key areas of defence, security and energy. During his stay, he will also address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress. On his return, he will visit Mexico where India is eyeing trade and investment tie ups. In September last year, during his UN visit in New York Modi had held talks with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: What was the amount of tax refunds paid in 2015-16 -- Rs 1,22,325 cr, Rs 1,23,425 cr, Rs 1,23,325 cr or Rs 1,22,425 cr? If you answer 20 randomly selected questions like this in five minutes, you can meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As the NDA government completes its two years in office, it has asked citizens to participate in an online quiz competition. The winners will get a certificate signed by the Prime Minister himself and an opportunity to meet him in person. This is a timed quiz with 20 questions to be answered in five minutes. These twenty questions will be randomly picked from the question bank. Winners will be adjudged on the basis of maximum number of correct answers, reads the conditions of the contest. Citizens can access the quiz through website www.mygov.in. In fact, the opening page of the websites of almost all departments a carry link to the quiz. The quiz is open till June 5, 2016. Another question in the contest included What is the target year to achieve 100 cr tonne/year production of coal--2021, 2022, 2020, 2019? Besides participating in the quiz, people can also rate the government online. Participants can rate governments efforts in tackling black money, both at home and abroad, besides its efforts in controlling corruption. As you are aware, Jan-Bhagidari (peoples participation) is a cornerstone of the governments governance efforts. In keeping with this spirit, here is an opportunity to give your feedback on these initiatives through the Rate My Government survey. Your responses will help the government in further improving these programmes, serving you better and making India great, as per the details of the rate my government programme. Participants can also rate the progress under Digital India scheme, Swachh Bharat initiative, governments thrust on generating self-employment through Mudra Yojana and Start Up India, ease of doing business and Make in India initiatives, among others. So far, as many as 1,772 people have particpated in the quiz which began on May 25, as per official records. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Housing.com, which has raised over USD 100 million from various investors including Softbank and has restructured the business, today said it expects USD 10 million revenue in the current fiscal. Last November, it had decided to monetise its products as part of the restructuring exercise. Housing.com is receiving an overwhelming response to the products it launched in January with revenue growing 200 per cent month-on-month and the company on track to achieve $10 million in revenue this fiscal year, it said in a statement. After the company decided to focus its business on home buying and selling, Housing.com said it has started a series of digital advertising products for developers and brokers to provide maximum customer exposure and return on investment for their home sales efforts. In addition, it is offering customised digital marketing services to large developers to drive home sales and build developer brand equity. Housing.com CEO Jason Kothari said the company is about revenue position in the future. The company has 11,000 developers and 18,000 brokers active on its platform, so there is large monetization growth and upside that can be derived from just the existing customer base. Founded in 2012, Housing.com is leading online real estate platform with 1.7 million verified homes listed to date. New Delhi: Four persons were today arrested and as many detained by Delhi Police in connection with alleged assault on African nationals in South Delhis Mehrauli area in which six of them were injured. Besides these eight persons, a juvenile has also been detained as investigators stepped up probe into three separate incidents of assault on African Nationals after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took up the issue with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. Four accused identified as Babu, Om Prakash, Ajay and Rahul have been arrested and the fifth accused, who turned out to be a minor, has been apprehended on charges of causing hurt and wrongful confinement, DCP (South) Ishwar Singh said. Investigators said that four more persons have been detained and there were being interrogated. At least six African nationals had sustained injuries in the incidents. Police attributed two of the incidents to a dispute over African nationals playing loud music and other to a scuffle over public drinking. The incidents came amid outrage over killing of 23-year-old Congolese national M K Oliver in South Delhis Vasant Kunj area last week with envoys of African nations openly voicing their unhappiness. India had assured the African envoys of safety and security of all African nationals. Three separate cases have already been registered by police in connection with the incident which took place at Mehrauli area on Thursday night. Meanwhile, since yesterday police has held several meetings with various resident associations in the area. Addressing one such gathering, DCP Ishwar said, they have come to our country, they are our guests and friends. They have come here just because they trust us. The way you behave with them will have repercussions on our brothers living outside. An example is the way Indians were attacked after the murder of a Congolese youth, he said. While two of the cases have been registered under the charge of criminal intimidation, the third has been for alleged offences of causing hurt and wrongful confinement, police had said. The police officials had also claimed no African National was seriously injured and police had registered cases taking suo motu cognisance. No African National was seriously injured. A Nigerian national, identified as Leuchy, sustained minor injuries on his nose and he was taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre, police said. None of the African Nationals agreed to give a complaint. However, the local police acting on their own have registered criminal cases. The accused persons involved in the incidents have been identified and efforts are on to arrest them, it added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Hyderabad: The Centre is taking stringent measures to unearth ill-gotten wealth, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said, dismissing opposition criticism that the NDA government has not succeeded in bringing back black money stashed abroad as promised in the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister claimed that international treaties entered into during the Congress regime are coming in the way of bringing back black money as they have clauses on secrecy. See the steps we have taken. Treaties that were entered into during the Congress regime have come in the way of getting back black money. International treaties...they have secret clause.... They were agreed upon during their (Congress) regime. We are working on that now, Naidu told PTI here in an interview. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) took up the issue in G-20 (summit) itself and then secondly, stringent laws have been made. There was criticism that the law is very harsh on black money, he said. Alleging that the Congress-led government did not act in time when black money was being stashed abroad, Naidu said smart people, who have siphoned off money, have moved the ill-gotten wealth abroad. Black money (is accumulated) both internally and externally.... Black money is generated because of corruption in the system. See the transparency we brought in with regard to coal and spectrum allocation. More than 3.10 lakh crores (rupees) have been saved for exchequer. And now, mines and minerals are also being auctioned in a transparent manner. Every step is being taken. We will pursue all those cases vigorously, the senior BJP leader said. Had the Congress party taken action during earlier years when black money was being stashed and we were campaigning against it? (L K) Advaniji himself had taken it up as a issue. They (Congress) did not act, he said. Meanwhile, those who are smart and who have siphoned off money, they transferred it to other countries, Naidu said, adding that it is not so easy (to retrieve black money). It is not just that you go by aircraft, lay your hand and bring back the money. But, we are committed to that. We are doing our best. That (criticism) is wrong. The point is, you are forgetting the fact that projects have been sanctioned and implementation started. To complete (them), it takes time. Manufacturing units are being revived. Ease of doing business and ease of approvals (have improved), foreign direct investment is increasing. That itself is creating jobs. Gone are the days when the government alone will provide jobs. Now, jobs are being created in the private sector. Because, the government also now, focusing on PPP model. Thats why Congress criticism is totally unsubstantiated and when we compare with UPA regime, we are better in every aspect, he said. The NDA government is not celebrating the completion of its two years in office but is only submitting its report card to the people, the Union Urban Development Minister asserted. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modis flight was tonight diverted to Jaipur after it could not land in the national capital due to bad weather. Modi was on his way back from Karnataka where he addressed a public meeting in Devangere earlier in the day to mark the completion of two years of his government. PMO sources said he would return here later tonight. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Dhaka: China today vowed to boost military-to-military relations with Bangladesh by stepping up defence ties, including broadening of personnel training and cooperation in equipment technology. The pledge came after Chinas Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan met with Bangladeshs top military officials here. Chief of Bangladesh army General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Hug, Chief of navy Admiral Mohammad Nizamuddin Ahmed and Chief of air force Marshal Abu Esrar respectively met the visiting Chinese defence minister. Chang said the cooperation in the sectors of politics, economy and trade, and culture between the two sides have seen great achievements since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975. Cultivated and pushed by the leaders of the two countries, the development of the military ties between the two countries has maintained good momentum with cooperation in all fields further deepening, Chang said. The Chinese military is willing to work together with the Bangladesh military to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, boost strategic exchange and mutual support, he said. Further, China is ready to broaden personnel training and cooperation in equipment technology, promote exchanges between the young military officers of the two countries and push forward the comprehensive development of bilateral ties, the Chinese defence minister was quoted as saying by Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency. Calling China a trust-worthy strategic partner, the Bangladeshi military leaders said the two countries have developed high-level political mutual trust and conducted fruitful economic and trade cooperation, the report said. The Bangladeshi side appreciates the long-term support and help offered by China, and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core national interests, it said. The Bangladeshi military is willing to make joint efforts with China to strengthen exchange of visits at various levels and boost cooperation in the fields of personnel training, peacekeeping, military medical care and military equipment so as to further promote their military ties. The Chinese minister arrived here yesterday for a visit. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Ahmedabad: Slamming the Gujarat government for commercialisation of education, jailed Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel has called for a peaceful mass movement against schools and colleges demanding donation for admitting the students. In a letter addressed to Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), Hardik alleged that the government is ignoring the plight of students and is only interested in organising various festivals to boast about development. Main reason behind students suicides is rampant commercialisation of education in Gujarat. People are becoming victims of the donation practice. I urge PAAS and other organisations to raise their voice against this system Hardik said in the letter dated May 27. The copies of the letter were distributed to media by PAAS today. Hardik has been lodged at Lajpore jail in Surat since last October under two cases of sedition emerging out of the Patel quota agitation. This government is not worried about the future of students and youths. What is the meaning of spending crores on various festivals in the name of showcasing development? Time has come to give justice to youths, he stated. According to Hardik, colleges and schools are having governments protection and permission to collect donations, which are in turn given to parties for election campaigns. I appeal to all the students and their families to contact PAAS members if any education institute demands donation. Upon receiving such complaints, PAAS members should engage in peaceful protests outside those institutes to highlight the issue, said Hardik. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Beijing: China will launch its first quantum communication satellite in July to improve the security of data transmission and thwart hackers, a top scientist with the Chinese Academy of Sciences said today. It will be the first quantum communication through a satellite in the world, said Pan Jianwei, professor with University of Science and Technology of China. Quantum communication boasts ultra-high security as a quantum photon can neither be separated nor duplicated. It is hence impossible to wiretap, intercept or crack the information transmitted through it, Pan said. The CASs project includes launch of a satellite and building of four ground stations for quantum communication and one space quantum teleportation experiment station. Upon completion, the satellite will be able to establish quantum optical links simultaneously with two ground bases thousands of kilometres apart, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Chinese scientists have taken five years to develop and manufacture the first quantum satellite. It will be transported to Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in June, CAS said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Go west, young man (or woman)? Sorry, Horace Greeley, not this year. New college graduates can take advantage of much better opportunities in the East and Midwest, according to a report released Thursday by Trulia and LinkedIn. Using LinkedIn data on jobs and its own research into housing markets, Trulia determined the 10 best cities for graduates to move to after receiving their sheepskin. The factors included entry-level job availability, rental affordability and the share of recent graduates in 40 of the largest metropolitan areas across the country. San Francisco enjoys the highest median starting salary for grads in the nation at $48,000, but its astronomical rents and relatively lower proportional amount of available entry-level jobs banished it to the cellar. It was rated 10th weakest for graduate opportunity. In fact, if you've recently worn a mortar board on your head, you'll probably want to stay as far away from California as possible. The bottom 10 is well-represented with Golden State metro areas: 10. San Francisco 9. San Diego 8. Riverside-San Bernardino 7. Oakland 6. San Jose 5. Sacramento 4. Portland, Ore. 3. Orange County 2. Los Angeles 1. Miami While some of these cities offer high wages, the lack of affordable housing and entry-level jobs may make them less attractive in terms of quality of life than those ranked in the top-10, which can be seen in the above gallery. Trulia's methodology follows: "Our Graduate Opportunity Index ranks metropolitan areas based on three criteria: (1) the LinkedIn New Grad Job Score, which rates metros based on the share of job openings suitable for recent college grads, (2) Trulia's New Grad Affordability Score, which is the share of rental units designated as affordable (less than 30% of monthly income) to the median income college graduate between the ages of 22 and 30, and (3) the share of total population that is between the ages of 22 and 30 with a college degree, as per 2014 American Community Survey data We combine these to create a weighted average of each metro's ranking in each category. The weighting scheme is as follows: LinkedIn New Grad Job Score (33%), Trulia's New Grad Affordability Score (33%), and share of total population that is between the ages of 22 and 30 with a college degree (33%). The index ranges from 0 100, with 100 being the best scoring and 0 being the worst. Metro-North Railroad has received a financial green light to proceed with a $695 million project that will give Connecticut commuters a direct line to Penn Station and the West Side of Manhattan. The money is part of a $27 billion, five-year capital plan approved this week for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority the largest MTA infrastructure investment in New York State history. Today marks a major step forward, said MTA Chairman and CEO Tom Prendergast. With historic levels of funding through the capital plan, we have the resources and support we need to renew, enhance and expand our transportation infrastructure. The direct route to Penn Station begins at New Rochelle, N.Y., where commuter trains from Connecticut will veer onto revamped Amtrak tracks and continue directly to Penn Station. Four new stations will be built in the Bronx along the new line. All Metro-North trains now go to Grand Central Station on Manhattans East Side, forcing commuters heading to the West Side to take a taxi or subway. The Penn Station project is targeted for completion in 2022 and involves no Connecticut funding. Grand Central will still be the main hub, said Aaron Donovan, a Metro-North spokesman. This is an added destination, Donovan said. It will give folks from Connecticut another way to get into Manhattan. And in terms of disruptions, like during the (recent) fire, this provides an alternative way to get into (and out of) Manhattan. A fire last week under a Harlem viaduct stranded passengers at Grand Central for hours and delayed commuters throughout the line. If the direct route to Penn Station had been operating, many commuters could have left the city that way, Donovan said. Everyone is excited about what this means for commuters, Donovan said. Good news The $27 billion dollar improvement plan also includes the purchase of more than 2,340 buses, 1,450 subway cars, additional tracks for the Long Island Railroad and an East Side Access project that will allow Long Island riders to go directly to Grand Central Terminal, relieving congestion at Penn Station. Jim Cameron, founder of the Commuter Action Group, said a direct line to Penn Station is good news for Connecticut commuters, adding the project has been in the planning stage for years. It has always been my understanding that we will not get access to Penn Station until the Long Island Railroads East Side Access project into Grand Central is completed, Cameron added. Penn station is just maxed out and cannot handle any additional trains until the Long Island Railroad is able to send some of theirs to Grand Central, Cameron said. Donovan said the East Side Access project will be done at the same time improvements are made to allow a direct line to Penn Station, which includes adding a third rail to power the trains. I think it will help some, Cameron said. It might help folks who work on the West Side. Final step New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said the plan has received final approval from the Capital Plan Review Board, the last step in a lengthy process. The MTA is the lifeblood of the New York metropolitan areas transportation network and we must ensure it has the capacity to meet the travel demands of the next generation and fuel one of the largest economies on the globe, Cuomo said in a statement. By investing in the most robust transportation plan in state history, we are reimagining the MTA and ensuring a safer, more reliable and more resilient public transportation network for tomorrow, Cuomo added. Metro-North said in its capital plan that only three miles of new track, and no tunnels, are needed for the Penn Station access project. For the most part, Metro-Norths New Haven Line will take advantage of existing track, owned by Amtrak, to go directly to Midtown Manhattans West Side, the MTA wrote. Were planning a project that will provide critical system resiliency by protecting service for more than 275,000 daily customers if Metro-Norths service to Grand Central Terminal is ever interrupted, the capital plan notes. OTTAWA, May 29, 2016 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers: "Today, we salute United Nations peacekeepers, past and present, who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of peace, safety, and freedom for others. They have greatly sacrificed to provide hope and security for the most vulnerable persons around the globe. "Peacekeeping has a deep connection to Canadian values and leadership. The first UN peacekeeping mission came about in large part due to the efforts of Lester B. Pearson, our fourteenth Prime Minister, and the leadership of UN Forces Commander E.L.M. "Tommy" Burns. Together, their actions during the Suez Crisis of 1956 marked the beginning of Canada's identity as a peacekeeping country. "Since then, UN peace operations have evolved from separating belligerents and monitoring cease fires to protecting vulnerable populations and working to establish the conditions for durable peace. As conflicts have grown in intensity and complexity, so too have the risks for UN peacekeepers who put their lives on the line for the safety of others. "On behalf of all Canadians, I commend UN peacekeepers for their selfless work and tremendous contributions to the advancement of global peace and human rights. We will continue working with the UN to promote peace and the resolution of serious conflicts around the world." SOURCE Prime Minister's Office For further information: PMO Media Relations: 613-957-5555, This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order an investigation into the role being pla... The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order an investigation into the role being played by the various stakeholders in Borno state in the intractable nature of the Boko Haram insurgency.President Buhari It pointed out that even as others celebrated this years Childrens Day, the abducted Chibok girls continue to be in Boko Harams slavery because several persons and group are making political capital and possibly economic gains out of the captives unfortunate situation.NDMG explained in a statement issued on Sunday, that the development around the two rescued Chibok girls, information reportedly supplied by other freed Boko Haram abductees and the reported confessions of captured fighters of the terror group have confirmed earlier held beliefs that the insurgency has the blessing of highly placed persons in the state.The statement by the UK Coordinator of NDMG, Engr. Adeka Onyilo stressed that the Presidency can no longer shy away from ordering a special investigation into what is truly going on in that state, particularly when other states to which the insurgency spread are now back on the way to recovery while Borno state continues to relapse. Our recommendation at this point is for the Federal Government to set up a Board of Inquiry into the roles being played by all those that present themselves as the leaders of that state.Events in Borno have shown that Boko Haram terrorists thrive on more than the support of urchins and unemployed youths. The insurgents have proven that the support they enjoy in the area is at an organisational level and possibly with state dimension. The Federal Government can therefore not make headway in the place if those that pretend to support it in the anti-terror fight are actually undermining its efforts by deliberately creating situations that allow the crisis to persist. To make sure that the terror group is dealt a final blow that will allow the country know peace, anyone or group implicated in sustaining Boko Haram, whether directly or through acts of sabotaging the Federal Governments efforts must be made to face the law.Mr President can no longer allow such compromised persons to continue wielding influence in Borno and environs as their continued support for terrorism could drag the ongoing fight into a stalemate, the statement warned. It stressed that the abducted girls, being peoples children must not be allowed to spend another Childrens day in captivity and that it is desirable that they mark the next national holiday after Democracy Day, being Independence Day as free persons. National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has assured that President Muhammadu Buhari and the par... National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has assured that President Muhammadu Buhari and the party would do everything humanly possible to ensure the tough time Nigerians are going through at the moment does not last.In his message to mark Democracy Day, Odigie- Oyegun said the 2016 budget has been fashioned in a way to address the basic needs of ordinary Nigerians.He added that the N500 billion dedicated to social intervention will have positive impact very soon.Buhari, he stated, was fully aware of the tough economic challenges facing Nigerians and has directed his focus on the salvaging the battered economy.Oyegun said: On behalf of the National Working Committee, Elders, Leaders and the teeming members of our Party, I wish to convey my immeasurable gratitude to our fellow compatriots for their unprecedented confidence and trust in President Muhammadu Buhari and the party.The APC assures all Nigerians that the party and the President hold as very sacred this collective trust, which the President has so creditably discharged this past one year.President Buhari has, in the last year, worked hard to repair Nigerias previously tarnished image in the international community; restored the territorial integrity of our country by ensuring the containment of the erstwhile rampaging Boko Haram insurgency and has waged an unrelenting and vigorous war against corruption as he promised in his electioneering campaign.He added: The President, being fully aware of the tough economic challenges facing Nigerians, has directed his focus on the salvaging of our battered and prostrate economy.The very parlous state of the economy inherited by this administration, which has been further battered by the collapse of the price of crude oil and the massive corruption by the past administration, does not need any further restating.However, the government has courageously faced these challenges by taking tough decisions necessary to bring our economy back to buoyancy and self-sustaining growth.One of such tough but inevitable decisions is the liberalisation of the petroleum downstream sector and the consequent hike in petrol price which led to a call out of workers on an indefinite strike by Organised Labour.We thank Nigerians for their understanding of the situation and also Organised Labour for resuming negotiation with government.He appealed to Nigerians to join hands with the current administration to design a new economy that assures self-sustaining growth and shared prosperity for our people. Millions of Nigerians who stayed glued to their radio and TV for the Democracy Day speech today were left disappointed after President M... Millions of Nigerians who stayed glued to their radio and TV for the Democracy Day speech today were left disappointed after President Mohammadu Buhari has shifted the responsibility of naming the looters of national assets and the details of the loot to the Ministry of Information.recalls that Mr. Buhari had on May 14 said in London that he would personally provide specific details of all recovered stolen public funds on May 29th because he believed that what Nigerians were being fed through the media were not detailed enough.So far, what has come out, what has been recovered in whatever currency from each ministries, departments and individuals, I intend on the 29th to speak on this because all Nigerians are getting from the mass media because of the number of people arrested either by the EFCC, DSS. But we want to make a comprehensive report on the 29th, Mr. Buhari said while attending the anti-corruption summit in London.But during his nationwide broadcast on Sunday morning, the president only repeated previous claims that his administration was grappling with bureaucratic hurdles that make it difficult for stolen assets to be recovered from foreign jurisdictions.We are also engaged in making recoveries of stolen assets some of which are in different jurisdictions. The processes of recovery can be tedious and time consuming, but today I can confirm that thus far: significant amount of assets have been recovered. A considerable portion of these are at different stages of recovery.Rather than personally speak on the matter and provide specific details as promised, Mr. Buhari only said he had directed the Ministry of Information to periodically publish details on the assets recovered so far.Full details of the status and categories of the assets will now be published by the Ministry of Information and updated periodically. When forfeiture formalities are completed these monies will be credited to the treasury and be openly and transparently used in funding developmental projects and the public will be informed, Mr. Buhari said.Based on the Presidents May 14 promise, millions of Nigerians had on Sunday morning stayed glued to their radio and TV for the Democracy Day speech.Some of them said they were dissappointed that Mr. Buhari failed to keep his promise.The president and his government have of recent come under pressure to publicly substantiate his claims that billions of dollars have been recovered through the administrations intensified war against graft.Meanwhile, Mr. Buhari repeated his ministers claim that the administration had been able to successfully eliminate 43,000 ghost workers that were costing the government N4.2 billion every month from the federal payroll.An important first step has been to get our housekeeping right. So we have reduced the extravagant spending of the past. We started boldly with the treasury single account, stopping the leakages in public expenditure.In addition, we will save Twenty-Three Billion Naira per annum from official travelling and sitting allowances alone, Mr. Buhari said. An Emirates flight EK 262 from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Dubai, United Arab Emirates has made an emergency landing in Lagos on Saturday due t... An Emirates flight EK 262 from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Dubai, United Arab Emirates has made an emergency landing in Lagos on Saturday due to the deteriorating health condition of a suspected cocaine trafficker.Screening by anti-narcotic officials found four passengers positive for drug ingestion who are currently under interrogation.One of the suspects in critical health condition was immediately hospitalised as doctors battle to save his life.Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) who said that the suspect is responding to treatment called for stiffer penalty against drug trafficking.Abdallah said that the Agency needs the cooperation of all stakeholders to send a warning to drug trafficking organisations.According to Abdallah, NDLEA is taking necessary measures to protect and promote the image of Nigeria and will resist any attempt to undermine the gains so far recorded in the fight against drug control. Drug traffickers must be severely punished to reduce the number of persons getting involved in the criminal act. All hands must be on deck to condemn drug trafficking in its entirety.NDLEA commander at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, Mr. Ahmadu Garba said that the Emirates flight left Sao Paulo, Brazil to Dubai but was forced to come to Lagos due to the health condition of a passenger on board who ingested cocaine.A passenger complained of severe abdominal pains and later suffered three recurrent seizures thus necessitating an emergency landing in Lagos.Upon arrival, four passengers tested positive for narcotic ingestion. They are Okeh Desmond, Ezeanya Nnaemeka, Christopher Nonso and Chibusi Promise. All the suspects are under observation Garba stated.It will be recalled that the NDLEA has beamed its search light on flights originating from Brazil and Dubai in recent times because of its notoriety in cocaine trafficking. Esan North East local Government Area secretariat was last night raised down by fire suspected to have erupted from explosive device. Esan North East local Government Area secretariat was last night raised down by fire suspected to have erupted from explosive device.Although no life was lost in the fire inferno, sources close to the council said the incident was not unconnected with the outstanding workers salaries spanning over 10-12 months.The tenure of the elected executive chairmen of the eighteen council chairmen in the state whose three years lives span came to an end on 22nd of April 2016 were consequently dissolved by the State House of Assembly except Esan North East council.Governor Oshiomhole had described the decision of the State Assembly as unacceptable, a total usurp on the power of the executive and demanded for a revisal but which the House said was not only legitimate and that they derived their power from the constitution.Executive chairman of the council, Sam Oboh in a phone call dispelled rumour that the incident has everything to do with outstanding workers salaries adding that only the Vice Chairmans office was affected by the fire. Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the state is not celebrating democracy day because the Independent National El... Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the state is not celebrating democracy day because the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has destroyed the foundation of democracy by plotting to allocate legislative seats in the state.The governor also declared that his administration will deliver more pro-people projects and programmes in his second year in office.Speaking during a thanksgiving mass to mark the first year anniversary of his administration at the Our Lady of Holy Rosary of the Catholic Institute of West Africa, CIWA, in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Governor Wike said that INEC has perfected plans to allocate legislative seats in Rivers State instead of conducting the inconclusive rerun elections in the State.He said: We will not celebrate democracy because INEC wants to determine who will represent Rivers State. After two months of cancellation of elections, so that it can allocate some seats to APC and others to PDP. Is that democracy?We beg INEC to hasten to conduct elections in the remaining seats. We want our representatives in the Senate, we want our representatives in the House of Representatives. We are not saying that INEC should allocate seats to us. We dont want allocation, we want voting.We will not accept allocation of seats. We will only accept elections for the remaining seats.On his first year in office, Governor Wike said despite the challenges faced by his administration, he performed creditably , ensuring that that the people enjoyed the dividends of democracy.He said that the successes already recorded will be surpassed in his second year in office. This is one year, you have not seen anything as far as development is concerned. In our second year, more development will be witnessed across the state, he said.He informed that the administration has taken measures to save funds through biometrics to determine the true number of civil servants in the employment of the state government.He said that the state government has already paid the April salaries of the 13000 civil servants who have completed their biometrics. According to the governor, only civil servants who have done their biometrics will henceforth receive their salaries.He added that all 54000 civil servants must physically present themselves for biometrics before they are considered to be employees of the Rivers State Government. On security, Governor Wike said that he has provided the needed logistics for Security Agencies to improve security across the state. He noted that he has received assurances that in the coming months, security will improve.He noted that nobody is above the law in the state pointing out that anybody that commits a crime will be diligently prosecuted.The church service had in attendance leaders of the state. President Muhammadu Buhari has opened up on how ministers who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan refused to cooperate with hi... President Muhammadu Buhari has opened up on how ministers who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan refused to cooperate with him in the era of transition.Buhari disclosed this during an interview with select journalists at the presidential villa in Abuja.The president reportedly said his predecessor was willing to cooperate with him, but his ministers advised him otherwise.After the election, I went to thank Jonathan for what he did by conceding defeat. A former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), told me he had experience in handover and asked if he should advise me. I said, yes, he said.He said committees in the ministries met and wrote handover notes and Obasanjo set up transition committees to work with each ministry and at the end Obasanjo took whatever he wanted from the reports. I agreed. Jonathan agreed.When I came to sit down, Jonathans ministers complained, saying why would Jonathan allow Buhari to take over government before he is sworn in?. They refused to cooperate. So I took over without knowing what Jonathans government contained.After we were sworn in, I began to debrief the permanent secretaries, taking two ministries per day, to just try and find out what they had. They had 42 ministers; the economy had collapsed. We reduced 42 ministries to 24 and we had to ask some permanent secretaries to go on several grounds.The president described the sovereign national conference organised by the previous government as a misplacement of priority, saying he has not bothered to look at the recommendations of the conference.Buhari said about N9billion was wasted on the conference, while universities in the country were under lock and keys as a result of the inability of government to meet the demand of lecturers.I advised against the issue of national conference. You would recall that ASUU was on strike then for almost nine months. The teachers in the tertiary institutions were on strike for more than a year, yet that government had about N9 billion to organise that meeting (National Conference) and some (members) were complaining that they hadnt even been paid, he said.I never liked the priority of that government on that particular issue, because it meant is that the discussions on what the national assembly ought to do was more important than keeping our children in schools. That is why I havent even bothered to read it or asked for a briefing on it and I want it to go into the so-called archives.On the resurgence of militancy and the agitation for Biafra, he said: I have told the military and law enforcement agencies that the promise this government made was that this country has to be secured before it can be effectively managed. So, we cant wait for that report before the military re-organises itself and secures the Niger Delta area. So, I think very soon they would do some serious operations there.As for Biafra, those looking for Biafra have a tough job. A lot of them that have participated in the demonstrations (recently) were not born and didnt know what people like us went through (fighting Biafra) by walking from the northern border to initially Abakaliki, then came back and started from Awka to Abagana and to Onitsha. We lost our friends, our relatives and about two million Nigerians were killed. They thought it was a joke. So I think they have a problem. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas has described militants attacking oil and other critical infrastructures of gove... The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas has described militants attacking oil and other critical infrastructures of government as enemies of state who must be dealt with accordingly.He spoke at the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) during an international maritime sea exercise code named OPIA TOHA (togetherness) organised as part of activities to celebrate the Nigerian Navys (NN) 60th anniversary.It was gathered that the Navy yesterday deployed four gun boats with special forces in the Niger Delta creeks to flush out Niger Delta Avengers and other threats to economic stability.The Nation reliably gathered that NNS OKPABANA, a Frigate Class warship was among the vessels tasked to police the troubled region, while small gunboats as well as Special Boat Services (SBS) personnel have been tasked to block all choke points and smoke out the militants.Ibas noted the need for more assets for the force to enable it effectively tackle the challenges of the moment.Other countries navies that participated in the one day sea exercise were France, Cameroon, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Cote D Ivoire and the United Kingdom.While the NN deployed five vessels and two helicopters, France, Ghana and Cameroon each deployed a boat for the exercise.Fielding questions from reporters, Ibas said the resources the NN deployed in the conduct of the sea exercise was justified by the performance of personnel.He said: The Armed Forces of any nation are trained to fight enemies of the nation. For now, militants are enemies of Nigeria and we will completely eliminate them.We are doing our very best but still require much more from government to enable us do better. We need more assets. We have a vast maritime space to cover.We have the back waters as well where new emerging threats are coming from. Indeed, we need vessels to be able to dominate.Asked what was delaying NNS UNITY the second vessel Nigerian ordered from China, the CNS said the Frigate Class ship would soon be delivered.NNS UNITY will be with us in a short while. The Second Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) is about 98 percent complete. It has already been launched. Once they start the sea and acceptance trials, she should be able to join the service.For NNS ARADU, survey is being conducted. To put ARADU back means deploying resources into the system. But once we get the recommendation of the survey, we will be able to take appropriate actions, said Ibas.Commending the NN for deploying men and material for the regional exercise, Namibias naval chief, Rear Admiral Peter Vilho said it was a demonstration of the NNs might and capabilities.Compared to many other third world countries, he said the NN has made major strides. We used to do a few exercises in our region but we have never had one like this with many vessels and nations participating. The Nigerian Navy has been able to muster so many vessels at sea in this exercise. I am here personally because we were supposed to also bring a vessel for this exercise but it developed technical problem.So, I said we are still going to participate and continue since we already registered our interest for it.We are a bit farther from the GoG region but we believe that things can be tackled before they get worst. Thats why we find out about challenges from other parts of the world in order to prevent them.Giving an assessment of the exercise, the Commander of the Task group and Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai said its objectives were met, adding that the joint forces proved that language was not a barrier to effective maritime security.Normally, platforms should be acquired based on threat scenario and the NNs contemporary threats are in our back waters i.e. militancy, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. So, we must look for proper mix of vessels to fight them. OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessels) are one of the good vessels we can use to patrol our offshore installations.Helicopter is a force multiplier, she can be sent out to survey and feed the ship back on its findings so that the right platform can be vectored to go and confront the particular challenge. We are celebrating 60 years of existence, growing from strength to strength, he said.At the sea exercise were the Commandant, NDC, Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade; Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola; Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo and Sierra Leonean Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gen. Alfred Nelson-Williams (rtd), among others. President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured the international community of Nigerias commitment to strengthen democratic principles and sust... President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured the international community of Nigerias commitment to strengthen democratic principles and sustain the fight against terrorism and violent crimes.The president gave the reassurance in Abuja on Sunday in a broadcast to mark his administrations First Year in office.He expressed the readiness of Nigeria to sustain its partnership in combating cyber crimes, control of communicable diseases and protection of the environment. Abroad, we want to assure our neighbours, friends and development partners that Nigeria is firmly committed to democratic principles. We are ready partners in combating terrorism, cyber crimes, control of communicable diseases and protection of the environment.Following on the Paris Agreement, COP 21, we are fully committed to halting and reversing desertification. Elsewhere, we will intensify efforts to tackle erosion, ocean surge, flooding and oil spillage which I referred to earlier by implementing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, he said.The president particularly extended Nigerias appreciation to the international community notably France, the U.S., UK and China for their quick response in helping to tackle the recent Ebola outbreak in the West African sub-region. We also acknowledge the humanity shown by the Italian and German governments in the treatment of boat people, many fleeing from our sub-region because of lack of economic opportunity. We thank all our partners especially several countries in the EU.We appreciate the valuable work that the UN agencies, particularly UNICEF, ICRC, the World Food Programme, have been doing. We must also appreciate the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, the Global Fund and Educate A Child of Qatar for the excellent work in our health, education and other sectors, he added. Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun has given a glimmer of hope on the economy, saying it is on the way to recovery. Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun has given a glimmer of hope on the economy, saying it is on the way to recovery.Things are beginning to look up regardless of the current hiccups, she said at Sagamu, Ogun State, shortly after monitoring the Biometric Data Capturing exercise for members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Friday.Mrs. Adeosun said old investors were returning to the country gradually, adding that despite the drop in oil prices, the fundamentals about the economy still remained strong.The programme was organised by the Police authorities and the Office of the Accountant -General of the Federation to facilitate direct and prompt payment of salaries into officers accounts, eliminate ghost workers and multiple payments among others.The Federal Government, Adeosun said, was determined to turn the momentary painful period into advantages, remove wasteful spending and effectively tackle corruption so that the economy would not only recover, but governments spending would also become beneficial to the majority of Nigerians.Old investors are coming back gradually and we have said that in a years time it will be a different economy it may be slow and painful but we would get there, she said.Nigeria is going through a change and because of the decline in oil prices, the fundamental things about the Nigerian economy remain strong.What we have to do is to make sure this painful period is used to our advantage by removing the wasteful spending, stopping the corruption so that when money spent by government is spent very effectively to the benefits of the people and that is what is going to make this economy recover.Giving an update on the war against ghost workers, the minister said the number has now reached 43000 and the discovery has made it possible for government to reduce its wage bill by N4.5by monthly.She said none of the brains behind the fraud would go scot free.Adeosun said the Biometric Data capturing exercise would be conducted for every employee of the federal government.She said: So far we have reduced what we pay monthly by N4.5by and it has been increasing every day because those that are not supposed to be on the pay-roll are been removed.And we would keep doing that until we are sure that everybody receiving salary from the Federal Government is valid, and the only way we can do that is to pay salary directly into their accounts and we can also verify by using BVN to ensure that no multiple payments and that the people are alive. We are in talks with the EFCC and they are going to start the prosecution very soon. In fact, some people died and no one told us about their demise but through this exercise such kind of people will be discovered, but when people are fraudulent they should be prosecuted. Democracy remains the best form of government anywhere in the world despite its limitations and challenges, former Vice President Atiku A... Democracy remains the best form of government anywhere in the world despite its limitations and challenges, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated.In his message to mark the nations Democracy Day, the chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) explained the freedom of choice is one of the most important ingredients of the democratic system.The freedom to choose ones leaders, he said, makes democracy fashionable, adding any system that subverts the will of the people destroys the progress of the society.According to him, as Nigerians celebrate Democracy Day, the memories of Late Shehu YarAdua and MKO Abiola would resonate across the country.He added that the sacrifices of countless others who paid the supreme price for opposing dictatorship would also not be forgotten.The former Vice President said no sane society would choose despotism over democracy because, under dictatorship, dissent is met with death or torture.On the current challenges facing ordinary Nigerians, Atiku said no democratically elected government would intentionally hurt the voters that put it into office.He explained the APC administration remains committed to the welfare of Nigerians, pleading that the current challenges are temporary.According to him, the 2016 budget is specifically targeted to address the basic needs of the ordinary Nigerians, explaining that the implementation of the budget would bring succour to Nigerians.He urged Nigerians not to lose hope because of the current temporary challenges that they are going through. The Iranian government has announced that its citizens will not participate in this years Hajj, an Islamic rite for Muslims to Makkah, S... The Iranian government has announced that its citizens will not participate in this years Hajj, an Islamic rite for Muslims to Makkah, Saudi Arabia.Arab news reported on Sunday that Irans culture minister, Ali Jannati, announced that Iranians will not take part in this years Hajj, set for September.More than 60,000 Iranians took part in last years Hajj exercise.Mr. Jannatis announcement, reported by Agence France Presse, comes two days after his delegation left Saudi Arabia after two series of negotiations without any results.Saudi Arabias Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had on Friday said pilgrims from Iran may not perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage.The ministry said in a statement that the decision followed the refusal of the Iranian Organization of Hajj and Visits mission to sign minutes of concluding arrangements of Iranian pilgrims.Iran on Sunday pointed to obstacles raised by Saudi Arabia, the AFP report said.The Saudi government on Friday chided the Iranian delegation for playing politics by refusing to sign the minutes of an agreement negotiated earlier this week between the two sides.It said it had offered many solutions to meet a string of demands made by the Iranians in two days of talks.Agreement had been reached in some areas, including the of use electronic visas which could be printed out by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran, it said.Riyadh cut ties with Tehran in January after Iranian fanatics torched its embassy and a consulate following its execution of a prominent Shiite man convicted of sedition.Despite Tehrans politicking, Saudi Arabia remains committed to serving pilgrims from across the world, and making the journey safe and comfortable for them, the ministry said.The ministry stated that the Iranian delegation had been made comfortable during their stay while in Jeddah, including having arrangements made for members to perform Umrah.There had been intense discussions on Wednesday and Thursday on all issues, including having visas issued for Iranian pilgrims by the Swiss Embassy in their country, acting on behalf of the Saudi government, and equal division of pilgrims between the Saudi and Iranian national carriers.Earlier this month, Iran had accused its regional rival of seeking to sabotage the Hajj, a pillar of Islam that devout Muslims must perform at least once during their lifetime if they are able.Tehran said Riyadh had insisted that visas for Iranians be issued in a third country and would not allow pilgrims to be flown aboard Iranian aircraft.But the Saudi Haj ministry said Friday that Riyadh had agreed to allow Iranians to obtain visas through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which has looked after Saudi interests since ties were severed in January.Riyadh also agreed to allow some Iranian carriers to fly pilgrims to the kingdom despite a ban imposed on Iranian airlines following the diplomatic row between the two countries, the ministry said.Last weeks talks were the second attempt by the two countries to reach a deal on organizing this years pilgrimage for Iranians after an unsuccessful first round held in April in Saudi Arabia.The Saudi ministry said at the time that the Iranian Haj Organization would be held responsible in front of God and the people for the inability of its pilgrims to perform Haj this year.Another contentious issue has been security, after a deadly stampede during last years Hajj which killed several hundreds, most of them Iranians. Iran and some Nigerian pilgrims blamed Saudi officials for the stampede. The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Nikolay Udovichenko, on Saturday announced that the Nigerian and Russian governments plan to sign an ag... The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Nikolay Udovichenko, on Saturday announced that the Nigerian and Russian governments plan to sign an agreement for the establishment of a multifunctional scientific research nuclear centre in Nigeria.Mr. Udovichenko, who disclosed this in Lagos at this years Alumni Congress of the Soyuznik Alumni Association in Nigeria, said the Nigerian and Russian governments had been negotiating for the centres establishment.The theme of the congress was Harnessing The Potentials of the Nigerian Graduates of Higher Institutions of former USSR States.Bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Russia is blessed with huge potential in every avenue.Nuclear energy development is another area with good prospects for our two countries cooperation.This June, we expect to sign a bilateral agreement for the establishment of a multifunctional scientific centre in Nigeria, he said.The envoy also said that his government was working at reactivating its trade representation in Nigeria, to further promote trade and economic relations between the two countries.Mr. Udovichenko, who said that thousands of Nigerians had over the years benefited from quality education in Russia, also announced his governments plan to sustain the scholarship programme for more NigeriansThe envoy said that it was imperative for such Nigerians to use their knowledge for the development of their country, as well as strengthening ties with the Russians.The president of Soyuznik and chairman of the ceremony, Henry Ajomale, said the association was made up of academics, medical doctors, engineers, diplomats, political administrators and heads of professional organizations trained by the Russian government.Mr. Ajomale expressed the gratitude of the beneficiaries to the countries that formed the former Soviet Union for bequeathing a lasting legacy, with which they could contribute to the development of Nigeria.We should not forget to celebrate our common heritage as beneficiaries of a unique programme by the former Soviet Government that gave us the opportunity to become what we are today, he said.The Soyunik Alumni Association of Nigeria, is the association of Nigerian graduates trained by the Former Soviet Union and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The Nigerian Army has arrested 10 suspected members of the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers . The suspects were said to have been a... The Nigerian Army has arrested 10 suspected members of the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers .The suspects were said to have been arrested at about 1:40am on Saturday, in Oporaza community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, following a cordon and search operation conducted in the community.Several oil installations in the region have been vandalised by militants suspected to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers, threatening the production and supply of oil and gas in the country.The Commander of the 4 Brigade, Brigadier-General Farouk Yahaya, who paraded the suspects on Sunday in Benin, the Edo State capital, explained that there had been several cases of sabotage by suspected militants and vandals in Delta State since January 1, 2016, as well as further warnings and threats to shut down all operations in the sector.He, however, noted that several items were recovered from the arrested suspects.They include 28 detonator cords (also known Detonator 33), one pistol, two empty pistol magazines, 196 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition, one round of nine-millimetre ammunition, a live cartridge and five daggers.Also recovered were 15 handheld radio sets, 18 phones, 203 SIM cards of three major network providers, five swimsuits, two headlamps, a laptop, two ipads and a camera.Others are seven wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, five speedboat throttle cables, six pairs of hand gloves, N23,000 cash and a cheque book.He said that although investigation would reveal the true identity of the suspects, recent explosions carried out by the Niger Delta Avengers suggested that the arrested suspects may be connected to the group.He added, Within the period under review, you can see that the Niger Delta Avengers have claimed virtually all acts of criminal activities against oil and gas and they continue threatening a shutdown of the whole sector. So, most likely, they (suspects) will be the people, who else would they be? There was panic in the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State in the ear... There was panic in the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State in the early hours of Saturday as soldiers combed the community for ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, otherwise called Tompolo.It was gathered that the fiercely-looking Joint Task Force operatives stormed the Oporoza community in the area with about five military gunboats around 1:30am.It was further gathered that the security operatives laid siege to the Guest House of the ex-leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta.A source who spoke with one of our correspondents said the security operatives carted away documents and other valuable items from Tompolos Guest House.The source said, Officers of the JTF invaded Gbaramatu community in the early hours of Saturday. The soldiers raided the Oporoza Guest House, Gbaramatu. It was also was raided in 2009.They also raided the Tompolo foundation where they apprehended some of the children and were asking them for directives on how to get the wanted former MEND leader. The whole place was cordoned off.It was learnt that members of the Government Advocacy Committee against Pipeline Vandalism inaugurated by the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, travelled to Abuja since Thursday to hold private talks with security agencies on how to avoid confrontation in the plan to halt the continued destruction of the nations pipelines by the militants.A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed fears that Saturdays raid of the Delta community could result in the loss of confidence in the committees efforts to prevail on the youth in the region to halt the attacks on the oil facilities.Tompolo has been fingered as spearheading the new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, which has been carrying out series of attacks on oil facilities across the Niger Delta region in the last few days.Although, Tompolo, who is from Oporoza, has consistently denied any link with the group, attacks on oil facilities have gone unabated since a federal court in Lagos issued warrant of arrest against him over corruption charges.A prominent Gbaramatu chief and head of Oporoza community identified as Aititi alias Burn, was said to have been injured when he tried to prevent the soldiers from entering his house.Spokesman of the kingdom, Godspower Gbenekama, also confirmed the raid of the community to one of our correspondents, adding that there were reports of sporadic shooting in the community with many residents injured.He said, The soldiers arrested several youths. As of 9:30am on Saturday, there was still shooting in the community. We neither have members of the Niger Delta Avengers nor Tompolo in our communities.Also, Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council, Mr. Eric Osare, asked the Federal Government to leave Gbaramatu community alone.Omare, who spoke with newsmen on the telephone, said the soldiers arrested some youths in the community.The spokesman of the JTF, Col. Isa Ado, and his NNS Delta counterpart, Lieutenant Lamu, did not pick the several calls made to their telephone lines. President Muhammadu Buhari will be represented by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at the 8th Summit of Heads of States of African,... President Muhammadu Buhari will be represented by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at the 8th Summit of Heads of States of African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States holding in Papua New Guinea from May 30-June 1.Prof. Osinbajo will join leaders from 78 other countries to address the summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea which will discuss the future of the ACP Group as a "revitalised cohesive force advocating the interests of its member states in the international arena."A statement from the Secretariat of the organization added that discussions at the summit will also review recent key international developments, including Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, issues of migration, climate change and the fight against terrorism.One of the main objectives of the ACP group is the "sustainable development of its Member-States and their gradual integration into the global economy, which entails making poverty reduction a matter of priority and establishing a new, fairer, and more equitable world order.""The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) is an organisation created by the Georgetown Agreement in 1975. It is composed of 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific states, with all of them, save Cuba, signatories to the Cotonou Agreement, also known as the 'ACP-EC Partnership Agreement' which binds them to the European Union. There are 48 countries from Sub-Saharan Africa, 16 from the Caribbean and 15 from the Pacific," in the ACP.Vice President Osinbajo will leave Abuja early Sunday and return later in the week on Thursday.(Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is also expected to participate at the summit as he will present a report on the future of the Group as the Leader of its Eminent Persons Group (EPG).) The current travails of Femi Fani-Kayode in the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had long been expected. In... The current travails of Femi Fani-Kayode in the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had long been expected. In fact, with the developments leading to his arrest, Fani-Kayode thinks the EFCC came too late. This is because owing to the current administrations aversion for criticism, even of the slightest and lightest type, Femi Fani-Kayode knew, with his relentless criticism of the Buhari administration for its gross inadequacies and obvious crass incompetence leading to a near-total absence of the security of lives and property, and the irredeemable erosion of our socio-political and economic life, he had put himself in the line of fire.Since the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the 2015 presidential polls, Fani-Kayode has carved a niche for himself as one who is among the very few who are looking Buhari in the eyeball and telling him to shape up a thing the president obviously detests.From the vengeful incarceration of Sambo Dasuki to the vindictive detention of Nnamdi Kanu, Fani-Kayode has made himself a voice for the voiceless and victims of executive over-reach. His essays and commentary on the incessant and unchecked invasion of communities in the North-Central, the South-Eastern, the South-Southern and South-Western states respectively by the marauding Fulani herdsmen was a nightmare to Aso Rock and all the sympathisers of the Fulani herdsmen militia, which is rated the fourth most dangerous terrorist group in the world. That rating was not for nothing, yet our federal government is still to take any decisive action against them!Despite the open support shown by some powerful and well connected Northern leaders to the killer Fulani herdsmen, Femi Fani-Kayode was not cowed and continued criticising the mishandling of the crisis loudly.He rose stoutly against the controversial religious bill introduced in Kaduna and which Northern governors plan to adopt across board. He spoke out against President Buharis continued lopsided appointments in favour of the North against the South. He expressed genuine fears and called the attention of the world to the deliberate policy of Islamisation going on in Nigeria.He condemned the use of security agencies to intimidate, harass, incarcerate, torture and kill citizens wantonly just for political reasons. He stood above others in his condemnation of the Shiite massacre, the needless killings of innocent, harmless and armless members of IPOB/MASSOB at Aba and Onitsha, among others.The social media was one of his most effective tools. He was always on Twitter and Facebook, making his opinions known without fear or favour. His positions on matters generate a lot of interests among Nigerians and have the immense capacity to shape perceptions, enlighten the ill-informed, illuminate the darkened mind, lighten a burdened conscience, free the mentally enslaved and singularly redirect a national discourse.That is how powerful the former minister of Aviations writings are that his traducers in Aso Rock started seeing him as one that must be taken out of circulation.In the days leading to his being invited by the EFCC, some top government officials and sympathisers of the current administration had approached Femi Fani-Kayode telling him he had become a target of government because of his writings which the authorities view as being caustic and too critical. His phones would ring endlessly from officials who would advise him to desist from writing or speaking against the policies and actions of government in his own interest. Series of meetings with him were called by these government agents, mostly at odd hours where they pushed their agenda to have him keep quiet or face retribution from government. They would remind him of how unpleasant the consequences of his arrest would be to his family and the stress it would bring to them, especially his four-month old baby, all in a bid to have him back down on the struggle.Fani-Kayode would return home at times with heavy burdens, thinking of what to do next. He would ask, Do I abandon the struggle and watch people suffer, women raped, children killed, communities devastated by Fulani herdsmen, and say or do nothing about it? Do I stand and watch as security agents murder innocent Nigerians in cold blood in their hundreds with reckless abandon and not say anything? Do I stand and just watch as the federal government works assiduously to promote one religion over the other in a multi-religious and multi cultural society like ours? Do I sit and watch as Nigerians are indiscriminately locked away and humiliated by state agents just because they belong to another political divide or because they criticise government policies? Do I sit and watch how the judiciary is being intimidated, harassed and lampooned just because they choose to be on the side of law and not politics in the discharge of their duties? Do I abandon the struggle simply because of the threat of harassment, humiliation and torture?Who stands for the people if everyone is cowed? Who speaks truth to power if everyone recoils into their shells?After these questions, Fani-Kayode usually decides that the way to go is not to be intimidated or betray the trust of the people but to keep looking tyranny in the face and speak fearlessly to power in order to save our people and country from the stranglehold of one man.So, when the EFCC finally invited him, it was not a surprise to many who are abreast of happenings around the former minister of Aviation. In fact, it was considered an invitation that came too late, considering the barrage of pressure mounted on him to soft pedal on his criticism of government. One was therefore not surprised at the over-zealousness and flagrant display of naked power by the EFCC operatives when they came for FFK, as he is fondly called.First, on Friday, May 6, operatives came to his residence to leave a letter from the anti-graft agency inviting him to their office the following Monday being May 9th. However, to prove that they were on a mission of vindictiveness and vendetta, they returned about two hours later that same Friday with a detachment of heavily armed policemen, a coaster bus and a Toyota Hilux vehicle, brandishing weapons in commando style and laid siege to his house for about six hours before leaving empty-handed, saying they had instructions to whisk him away.He eventually honoured the invitation as scheduled and after holding him beyond the constitutional time of 48 hours allowed to detain anyone, the EFCC told Fani-Kayodes family members and lawyers that they had obtained a remand warrant from an Abuja court to hold him for another two weeks, even though they did not show anyone a copy of such warrant. Shortly after then, nearing the expiration of the purported remand warrant, they whisked him to Lagos where they also applied to keep him in detention for another thirty days, even though the magistrate eventually granted them a remand warrant for three weeks.This was after the EFCC had been served a court notice for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights in Federal High Court, Abuja; and then for the EFCC to have taken the same matter to a magistrate court amounts to the abuse of court processes. But in the current administration, it seems our constitution has been suspended and the rule of force elevated above the rule of law. All these show that it is not about corruption but all about silencing the opposition.As Femi Fani-Kayode remains detained even after meeting his bail conditions, it is obvious that its going to be a long walk to freedom. Freedom, not necessarily for him as a person, for he has always told those close to him that enslavement is a thing of the mind: there are many who are walking free but are slaves, while there are many more who are in chains but are actually free in conscience. But the freedom he yearns for is freedom for Nigerians; freedom for that man who was allegedly shot six times and humiliatingly wheeled in a barrow while his members were killed in their hundreds, simply because he belongs to a different sect of Islam. Freedom for that woman who was callously raped right before her helpless husband by Fulani herdsmen who seem to enjoy the protection of their political kith and kin in high places. Freedom for that innocent child who was wickedly snatched away from his mother while he suckled and had his throat slashed by the bloody swords of the Fulani militias. Freedom for those whose farmlands are destroyed and whose lands are forcefully occupied while the murdered owners are forced to bury themselves in the sands watered by the blood of kinsmen mowed down by mindless cattle rearers. Freedom for those who have been incarcerated for so long despite court orders granting them bails and are in chains for expressing themselves and associating with fellow Nigerians etc.Fani-Kayode believes that he is a free man once these ones are free, even if he is in chains. He believes he is a free man once those murdered can find their voices in his, even if he is incarcerated. To this extent, he is unruffled.This is just to let the world know that the war against the Ife-born Chief is not about corruption but about the deliberate and calculated agenda to silence members of the opposition, while the sinister motives and the incompetence of this administration that are fast plunging our dear nation into a state of anarchy and anomie go applauded by sycophants and unchallenged by critics. It is an ignoble fight against the voice of good conscience wrapped in the smokescreen of a fight against corruption.Nigerians must speak out louder than they are doing now. Things must not be allowed to get worse than they currently are. All of us have the responsibility to defend the oppressed and help entrench democratic principles in our country. If these executive acts of despotism are allowed to fester, everyone would be in the danger of being silenced, sometimes through the use of extreme measures as Fani-Kayode was once told. The time to act is now. It is Femi Fani-Kayode today, whose turn will it be tomorrow? Nigerians arise!Jrndukwe@yahoo.co.uk; Twitter: @stjudendukwe -- A 28-year-old Camden man was gunned down Saturday afternoon in the city, officials said. Camden County Police responded to the 1300 block of Browning Street after 9-1-1 calls and an alert from the ShotSpotter gunfire detection system around 2:23 p.m., according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. Officers found Britton Knox suffering from gunshot wounds at the scene, officials said. Knox was rushed to Cooper University Hospital, where he died shortly before 3 p.m. In a statement, the prosecutor's office said there were no arrests and the investigation was continuing. Homicides have jumped in Camden, where at least 18 killings were reported in the city this year. Authorities urged anyone with information to call Camden County Prosecutor's Office Detective Jim Brining at 856-225-8439 or Camden County Police Detective Ted Desantis at 856-757-7420. Information can also be sent via email to ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. walgreensafter16.JPG Four armed men attempted to rob a pharmacy on Kennedy Boulevard early Friday morning but ran off when a security guard pointed his gun at the suspects, police said. (Journal file photo) JERSEY CITY -- Four armed men attempted to rob a pharmacy on Kennedy Boulevard early Friday morning but ran off when a security guard pointed his gun at the suspects, police said. At about 4:40 a.m., the 53-year-old security guard said four masked men wearing all black clothing entered the store and each pointed a handgun at him, according to a police report. The guard, an East Orange resident, told police he "found cover" and "drew his handgun back" at the suspects. The suspects yelled "don't shoot" and ran out the front door of the building, police said. The security guard told police he followed his training and experiences to handle the attempted robbery. The incident happened at the same Walgreens near Communipaw Avenue where a Jersey City police officer was killed in the line of duty in 2014, after a man assaulted the store's security guard and fatally shot Det. Melvin Vincent Santiago with the guard's weapon. Lawmakers had pushed to expand the state's law when it came to regulating armed security guards since Santiago's death in 2014. In January, Gov. Chris Christie signed the "Detective Melvin Vincent Santiago's Law," requiring all armed guards to be strictly regulated by the Division of State Police. Additionally, guards will be required to renew registration and take a refresher course each year, wear standardized uniforms and carry their gun in a level three or higher retention holster. When contacted this morning, a manager at the store said he could not comment on how the armed guard handled the attempted robbery. A call to the company's corporate communications was not immediately returned. TRENTON - To many who know her, Robby Goldstein is the "Pork Roll Princess." So, as the princess and a member of the pork roll-loving Battisti family - who own "The Pork Roll Store" in Allentown - Goldstein had to set up shop at one of Trenton's increasingly popular pork roll festivals this weekend. The two all-day annual festivals, which were held at the Trenton Social Club and Mill Hill Park Saturday, featured music, dancing, drinks and - of course - almost every variation of pork roll. Goldstein was just one of many who braved the 90-degree weather to attend. She spoke from under the store's tent at the Trenton Social Club's festival Saturday. The family had adorned the tent with stuffed pigs and even an "instaham" booth. "I don't usually come out because divas don't sweat," she said, laughing. But, as a long-time lover of the New Jersey delicacy, Goldstein said it was imperative that she made it to at least one festival - especially since her family's store recently won out in a NJ.com taste test. For Goldstein, one of the standout aspects of the day was seeing just how many people turned out for an event celebrating a dish that had been her family's specialty for nearly a century. "It's the most amazing feeling," she said. That sentiment was shared by many others who attended the two festivals Saturday. "There's true diversity (here). That is really what America is," Jacque Howard, of Trenton 365 said. Howard was working at the Mill Hill festival Saturday and said the event seemed to bring all types of people in the greater Trenton community together. "This is what I believe our country could look like," he added. While many who attended were Trenton-area natives, there were a fair amount of out-of -towners, brought to the festival by New Jersey friends. One of those was Dave Ditmer, from Virginia, who enjoyed his third pork roll festival with his friend Wayne Staub Saturday. Ditmer missed a chance to eat the popular New Jersey dish at the first festival he attended years ago because they ran out. But Saturday he made sure to grab both a burger and a pork roll sandwich. "Double fisting it!" Staub laughed. Still, the bulk of the festival-goers were New Jersey natives, who came to the events donning "I love pork roll" shirts and other New Jersey-themed clothing. One of those Trenton natives had an extra reason to celebrate Saturday. Jamie Miller was crowned Pork Roll Queen at the Mill Hill festival - something she said she's been gunning for, for months. "I've been doing a lot of smiling," Miller said as she adjusted a pink plastic tiara atop her head, "I'm so psyched. Miller - true to her New Jersey nature - loved pork roll so much that she found a way to infuse it into vodka, securing her win in the talent show. She added the pork roll vodka into Bloody Mary Mix and made a drink that the judges loved. "I call it a Bloody Miller," she laughed. Between the locals, like Miller, and others who traveled from states away, the festivals brought together a mix of people Saturday, all over the love of the New Jersey staple. And - apart from a joint love of the food - one singular thought seemed to be very clear; the true name of the state delicacy. "In Trenton, it's called pork roll," Trenton Social Club owner T.C. Nelson said. "It's pork roll," Miller agreed. "There's no question about it. Pork roll," Staub added. Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook. Princeton University entrance Entrance to Princeton University at Nassau and Witherspoon Streets in Princeton ( ) PRINCETON - A woman attending the reunion weekend on Princeton University's campus was sexually assaulted in a campus building Sunday, according to an alert from the university. The university did not say whether the woman was an alumna or a student but did say that the assault occurred about 2 a.m. Sunday at Spelman Hall. The victim told campus police that her attacker was a black man around 5-foot, 8-inches tall and 170 pounds. She said he had facial hair, a mole on his face and was wearing a t-shirt and shorts, according to the statement. A spokeswoman for the Mercer County Prosecutor's office, which is handling the investigation, did not immediately respond to a call for comment Sunday afternoon. Spelman Hall is a residential building that sits between University Place and Pyne Drive, according to the university website. It is used to house underclassmen. "Most students who live in Spelman are independent and do not participate in eating clubs or eating co-ops," the website said. Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook. WOODBRIDGE -- Former President Bill Clinton on Friday gingerly waded into New Jersey's simmering debate over what to call New Jersey's beloved egg, cheese and breakfast meat sandwich. As he campaigned for his wife Hillary Clinton at the Reo Diner in Woodbridge, NJ Advance Media asked Clinton whether he believed north Jersey's Taylor Ham or south Jersey's pork roll was the proper prefix for the state's popular egg and cheese sandwich. At first, the former president professed ignorance. "I wouldn't know," Clinton laughed. "Not a clue." Just a few weeks ago, none other than President Obama greeted Rutgers students during his commencement speech by saying: "I come here for a simple reason, to finally settle this pork roll versus Taylor ham question. I'm just kidding." And Gov. Chris Christie says it should be called "Taylor ham, egg and cheese on a hard roll." So when pressed, Clinton gamely set about weighing the merits of each. "Taylor Ham sounds leaner," allowed the former president. "Pork roll sounds like it would taste good, but not be as good for you," laughed Clinton, strolling among the diner on Friday. Perhaps for those reasons, or perhaps owing to its northern state location in Middlesex County, that's how the sandwich appears on the menu at the Reo Diner: As a "Taylor ham" egg and cheese. It's available 24/7, and will set you back $6.05. But the 42nd president wasn't going to take any taste tests. He became vegan in 2010 after undergoing emergency cardiac surgery. Claude Brodesser-Akner may be reached at cbrodesser@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClaudeBrodesser. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. WASHINGTON -- Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is more likely to choose Newt Gingrich, the only House speaker ever reprimanded for ethics violations, than Gov. Chris Christie as his vice president, according to the latest Washington Post rankings. Christie dropped to third on the latest list, behind both Gingrich and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin. He was followed by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Texas) and Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst in the Post's rankings. At the beginning of the month, the Post named Christie as Trump's most likely running mate, followed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Ernst, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Another Washington-based site tracking the presidential race, National Journal, recently listed Corker as Trump's most likely running mate, followed by Gingrich, Fallin, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, Christie, and West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito. This time, the Post said Christie's "tough-guy personality and ability to win in a traditionally blue state likely appeal to Trump." The newspaper also mentioned the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal and Christie's record-low poll numbers in the state. A Fairleigh Dickinson University survey released last week said 66 percent of New Jersey residents disapproved of the governor's performance in office, with just 26 percent approving. Trump earlier named Christie to chair his presidential transition team. Gingrich (R-Ga.) unsuccessfully sought the 2012 Republican presidential nomination and still owed $4.6 million at the end of March, including $649,117 to himself for unreimbursed travel expenses. "Gingrich checks many of the boxes that Trump has said he is looking for in a vice president: someone who knows Washington, understands policy and gets how Congress works," the newspaper said. His high-profile marriages and divorces, including carrying on an extramarital affair while House Republicans impeached President Bill Clinton on charges stemming from his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, "would likely matter less to Trump than to other presidential nominees since they so closely mirror Trump's own issues," the Post said. The Post ignored Gingrich's ethical troubles. He paid a record $300,000 after an investigation found he violated House rules, including providing inaccurate information to the ethics committee probing charges brought by Democratic lawmakers. He remains the only House speaker ever penalized for ethical transgressions. Separately, Gingrich returned a $4.5 million book advance from HarperCollins, the publisher owned by Rupert Murdoch, whose Fox Broadcasting Co. had been lobbying Congress to deregulate the television industry. Christie, then backing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president, called Gingrich "an embarrassment" for the GOP in a 2012 television appearance. "We all know the record," Christie said Jan. 22, 2012 on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I mean he was run out of the speakership by his own party." Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook SALEM -- A former Salem County 911 center employee who took two teens on an overnight vandalism spree, has been sentenced to five years probation. Bobbi L. Franklin appeared in Superior Court in Salem Friday. She was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution for a criminal mischief incident. (Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com) Bobbi L. Franklin of Quinton Township must also pay $12,038.39 in restitution for the damage. She appeared in state Superior Court Friday in Salem before Judge Benjamin Telsey. As part of the plea deal with the Salem County Prosecutor's Office she pleaded guilty to one third-degree charge of criminal mischief. Other charges against Franklin were dropped. It was on Halloween morning, Oct. 31, between 3:30 and 6:30 a.m. that Franklin picked up two 14-year-old girls and drove around Lower Alloways Creek Township, slopping paint on a sign at the township school, vehicles and a mailbox, authorities said. Police in LAC investigated the vandalism and arrested Franklin on Nov. 16. She was originally charged with two counts of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and committing a crime with individuals under the age of 17. The two teens were entered into a program for youth offenders and performed community service, authorities said. Authorities did not say why they believed Franklin, who was 33 at the time of the incident, acted as she did. In his sentencing, Telsey said if Franklin provides full restitution on schedule her probation could be cut to two years. She is expected to pay $200 a month, according to discussion in court. At the time of the incident Franklin worked at the Salem County 911 fire, police and ambulance dispatch center in Mannington Township. She has since been fired, officials said. Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook. What could New Orleans be if we could stop murders?: Editorial 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. Community Its now easier than ever to connect and chat with others in your local area. You can connect with your community by asking general questions, give area updates and recommendations and even let your community know about local events that are taking place. A sleep-deprived Cooper Cronk is burning the midnight oil in a bid to prove his fitness for Queensland ahead of Wednesday night's State of Origin opener in Sydney. NSW have accused Queensland of playing mind games after Cronk left training on Friday nursing a rolled ankle. But Queensland back-rower Sam Thaiday says Cronk's injury is very real, revealing the halfback's round-the-clock icing had been taking its toll at their Gold Coast camp. "He's a pretty positive person. He will do anything and everything he can to play," Thaiday said. "His biggest drama at the moment is lack of sleep because he has been up most nights icing it to get the swelling out." Lock Corey Parker believed Cronk would be given until match eve to prove his fitness. He believed Cronk would only play if he was 100 per cent, saying no one would roll the dice with their fitness in an Origin clash. "I haven't really seen him, he's stuck in his room the whole time," Parker said. "It was just one of those training accidents that happen sometimes but he's the ultimate professional. "I don't know about more miracles but he will give himself every opportunity he can to take the field. "He won't take the field if he feels there is any doubt." North Queensland's Michael Morgan has slotted into pivot alongside Cowboys halves partner Johnathan Thurston at Queensland training in Cronk's absence. Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans has flown up to the Gold Coast camp and is expected to be the bench utility if Cronk fails to recover. Thaiday backed Thurston to step up in Cronk's absence in Origin I. "JT has only grown and gotten better as a player," Thaiday said of the four time Dally M Medallist. "He will take control along with Smithy (captain Cameron Smith). "I am sure he can take the role on at Origin and lead the team to victory if need be." Erin Clare, star of the worldwide smash hit musical We Will Rock You, will sing the Australian National Anthem before State of Origin I at a packed ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday. Erin was awarded a full scholarship to attend LaSalle College of the Arts where she graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts, First Class Honours in Musical Theatre. During her time in Singapore, Erin had leading roles in The Spitfire Grill and Gypsy and toured South East Asia. Since returning to Australia Erin has played the title role in Snow White Winter Family Musical directed by Bonnie Lythgoe, and performed the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera directed by Neil Gooding. Her most recent featured role was Heather McNamara in the Sydney and Brisbane seasons of Heathers, presented by Showqueen Productions and directed by Trevor Ashley. Erin is also an accomplished musician and songwriter. "As a proud New South Welshman from the Blue Mountains, I'm thrilled to be performing the national anthem at the State of Origin, and barracking for the Blues," Erin said. "It'll be a little different from singing the songs of Queen eight times a week in We Will Rock You. I can't wait for Wednesday!" We Will Rock You has returned to Australia and is currently playing at Sydney's Lyric Theatre. The show then travels to the Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane from 10 July; then on to Melbourne's Regent Theatre from 30 August. Perth's Crown Theatre follows from November, then the Festival Theatre, Adelaide from January, 2017. Canberra Raiders halfback Aidan Sezer and Canterbury Bulldogs opposite number Moses Mbye go head-to-head in Round 12 of the NRL Telstra Premiership. The Raiders beat the Bulldogs 22-8 at Belmore in Round 5 earlier this season but have only won two of their last six matches since then. The Bulldogs have won four matches since their last encounter with the Raiders. These two teams are evenly matched in the stats department after 11 rounds, both averaging four tries, four handling errors, 10 offloads and five line breaks per game. The Raiders have scored 45 tries so far this season while the Bulldogs have scored 44. It all points to a classic match in the nation's capital on Sunday afternoon. Coming into Lighthouse College Prep Academy, one of the first things you notice is the cultural and ethnic diversity. As the school year moved forward, I noticed we all eventually got closer with one another and more comfortable with our differences. But at the beginning of the school year, not so much. Students were anti-social. They would sit together based on race. Bullying was taking place on a large scale while students stood by and watched. It got to a point where things would take place in school, then verbal bullying would commence, but it wouldn't end there. It would follow that student back to their home, to their social media. From what I have witnessed, Lighthouse students wouldn't go as far as directly calling a student out on social media unless it was for a physical encounter, which then would have led to a fistfight. It would always be indirect, but in my opinion, indirect or not, any and all bullying is wrong. What the school needed was more civil students students that would be different for the greater good and not look for attention. Students were needed who would mind their business, even when drama and gossip would be peer pressured. The school needed students who would speak up to the bullying because they understood how that culture can negatively affect a life. At one point in time, I felt as if I was the only one who saw these things that needed to change, but thank goodness I wasn't. Staff at the school looked for something to better the students, not just academically but as people also. This led them to bring Community Civility Counts to our school. With this movement, students have been able to get perspectives of other, and older, people on how civility could benefit the average person's life and how, without it, they wouldn't be in the position they were currently in. Ever since Civility Counts took place in our school, you can tell students have really taken the advice that was given into consideration. They have used these lessons in their own lives. VALPARAISO Wendy Berdovich said her daughter, Jordan Berdovich, an Indiana University junior, has always had lofty goals. "She always said she wanted to become a rocket scientist when she grew up," Wendy Berdovich said. Her commitment to reaching goals, leadership ability and strong compassion for others all were part of the reason Berdovich, 20, was named one of the "21 Under 21" award winners at a event held May 19 at Ivy Tech Community College. The Valparaiso High School graduate completed 80 clinical hours while attending the Porter County Career and Tech Center to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, also volunteering with health related screenings at local elementary schools. "I always knew I liked science. I was trying to get as much experience as I can," Berdovich said. Berdovich, upon graduation from IU, hopes to enter either medical or graduate school to become a doctor or go into pharmaceuticals. The "21 Under 21" event was put on by the Works Council of Northwest Indiana, with the goal of recognizing outstanding students in career and technical education, many of whom combined real-life work experiences with their high school educations, said Kris Emaus, council chairwoman. The Works Council has focused on four skill areas to produce the trained workforce employers will need in Northwest Indiana, Emaus said. Those areas are construction; health care; mechanical and electrical; and transportation, distribution and logistics. "It's all about helping kids find their passion in life earlier," Emaus said. Prior to the awards presentation in the auditorium, honorees and their family members and friends gathered for a light dinner served buffet-style. Ben Tomera, one of the honorees, came with his parents, John and Sandra Tomera, and grandmother, Helen Tomera. "He's done very well. He's a go-getter," Helen Tomera said of her grandson. Tomera, now employed as a station manager at Blue Island Television, graduated from Highland High School as the only student who had earned a Technical Honors diploma. The Technical Honors diploma was received by Tomera from the Area Career Center of Hammond. "I had a really good experience at the Hammond career center," Tomera said Tomera, who graduated from Tribeca Flashpoint College in Chicago last year, credited Robert Love, a former instructor at the Area Career Center of Hammond. "He was great. I learned a lot from him," Tomera said. Tomera and Berdovich were just two examples of Career and Technical Education students at the event who filled their high school days with hands-on learning experiences in fields such as welding,farming, marketing, teaching, nursing, machining, law enforcement, culinary arts and others. Some, like honoree Katlynn Surfus, are making history. Surfus, who attended Starke Co. Initiative for Lifelong Learning Center, is the first Indiana student and woman in the district to be awarded the American Welding Society scholarship only 15 months after starting the program. She has been accepted into Ironworkers Local 292 and was selected to move her apprenticeship to the Cook Nuclear Plant, officials said at the event. Former Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, recently named the ninth president and first female leader of Ivy Tech Community College, served as keynote speaker. Ellspermann congratulated the 21 young people for their early successes. "You will be building the fabric of Indiana's tomorrow," Ellspermann said. Ellspermann is scheduled to officially begin work as president in July. NEW YORK Splitting the bill for those pizzas you shared with your buddies or that utility bill that is suddenly due is going to get easier and faster even if you dont all use the same bank. JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and other big banks are upgrading their online payment services to let customers make instant transfers of money to others who bank elsewhere, often at no cost. The move comes as traditional banks face pressure from payment companies like Venmo and Square Cash that offer ways to split the bill. Banks developed online services that allow their customers to send money to anyone with a phone number or email address several years ago. But the services were considered overly complicated. Until last year, bank customers could only send money to another customer of the same bank. The only option bank customers often had to send money instantly to another person was a wire transfer, which can cost upward of $30 at a branch, or to use a service like Western Union, which also charges a fee. When the option to send money to a person at a different bank became available, the service would take upward of three days to complete. Venmo and Square Cash, on the other hand, are open to anyone with a debit card and work in as little as one business day. The banks dont want to lose more customers and are trying to top Silicon Valley. This is what our customers have been asking for, said Jason Alexander, head of digital platforms for Chase, in an interview. Chase, the nations largest bank by assets and the largest bank operator of person-to-person payment services, is rolling out its upgrade to Chase QuickPay next month. Wells Fargo is launching its service in July. Bank of America customers have had the ability since March, but only between them and U.S. Bank they were the only two with the necessary software upgrades at the time. The instant payments between these big banks come with a limitation: the instant payments will only occur between banks on the same network, called clearXchange. The network includes Chase, Wells Fargo, BofA and U.S. Bank, as well as Capital One and Colorado-based FirstBank. That network represents 60 percent of all U.S. mobile banking customers, according to a Chase spokesman. Acceptance of mobile payments has accelerated in recent years. About 46 percent of U.S. consumers have made a mobile payment, according to a study by The Pew Charitable Trusts released this week, with most of those users being millennials or members of Generation X. Users of Venmo sent $1 billion in payments in the month of January this year, up from $100 million in the same month in 2014. In comparison, Chase customers now send $20 billion a year using QuickPay. Wells Fargo customers send $10 billion over its service SurePay. Mobile payments, particularly when people are splitting a bill, reached a level where Venmo users are using the pizza emoji every 20 seconds when sending money to each other. Whether they use Venmo, or use a bank, this growth wraps around the same issue: the awkwardness of cash and how its going away, said to Anuj Nayar, PayPals director of global initiatives. The banks in the clearXchange network are not charging a fee for the instant transfer of funds, with the exception of U.S. Bank, which will charge a fee up to $6.95 for instant delivery. Venmo and Square Cash are for the most part free as well, although there is sometimes a fee of up to 3 percent on Venmo transfers where the customer uses a credit card. Methodist Hospitals has named Dr. Vincent Sevier vice president and chief quality officer. He comes to Methodist from OSF St Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, where he served as vice chief and associate medical director in charge of improving the patient experience and quality of care in the emergency department. Dr. Sevier holds a bachelor's degree from Washington University in St. Louis, a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine and an MBA from the University of Tennessee. Michael Drazer, MD, a Porter County native from Hebron, has received a prestigious Damon Runyon cancer research award. He is a fellow working at the University of Chicago in Hematology/Oncology. The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation provides scientists with funding to pursue innovative research. Twelve scientists supported by the Foundation have received the Nobel Prize. Porter Health Care System has named Janelle Miller as the hospitals new manager of the Medical Surgical Department. She has been interim manager since August 2015 and has experience as evening house supervisor and as a charge nurse in the intensive care unit. Miller received her associate degree in Nursing from Vincennes University and is pursuing her bachelors. Cherie Myers has joined RSA, a local software company, as vice president of client services. Myers will bring her experience serving a wide variety of clients to the firm, which provides project management, keyword marketing and survey technology. St. Mary Medical Center has recognized Dee Bedella, of Hobart, with its STAR Employee of the Year award. Bedella, the hospitals patient advocate, was recognized for her commitment to improving the patient experience, her compassionate attitude and her empathy for patients and their families. Jim and Michelle Alex received FirstLight Home Cares 2016 Franchisee of the Year award. FirstLight caregivers provide personal and companion care services to seniors and others in Northwest Indiana. Their Valparaiso franchise was selected for the award from among 110 FirstLight locations and was one of only three offices nationwide to receive the honor. The annual Family Arts Festival at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, Munster, will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 12. The entire family is welcome to enjoy free art activities, including backstage tours, theatre games, art classes, face-painting, musical performances, ice-carving demonstrations and more. Sleeping Beauty A highlight of the Family Arts Festival is the childrens classic, Sleeping Beauty, produced by Chicago Kids Company. When the King and Queen host a party for their new princess, the entire kingdom is invited except for one fairy. She shows up anyway, bestowing a gift to the princess that puts her in a deep slumber for 100 years. The only thing that can waken her is a kiss from her true love. Performance times are 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. For tickets, call (219) 836-3255 or www. theatreatthecenter.com. Sand & Steel: Visions of our Indiana Shore South Shore Arts and the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University will celebrate the Indiana Bicentennial, the National Park Service Centennial and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshores 50th anniversary with Sand & Steel: Visions of Our Indiana Shore, June 12-Aug. 28. An opening reception will be from noon to 3 p.m. June 12 at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts. Curated by Brauer Museum Director/Curator Gregg Hertzlieb and featuring important works by legendary dunes painter Frank V. Dudley, Sand & Steel will feature artwork inspired by the beauty of the Indiana dunes beginning in the early 20th century, the industry that followed, and the ecological balance struck between the two with the creation of the federally-protected park in 1966. The exhibit also will be presented next winter at the Brauer Museum of Art. In Munster, Sand & Steel will be accompanied by a summerlong exhibit of artwork by participants in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshores Artists in Residency program. (219) 836-1839 or www.south shoreartsonline.org Recycled art featured in exhibit Renewing the Region, an annual exhibit featuring art made from recycled and repurposed objects, is currently on view at the Indiana Welcome Center. Hundreds of artworks are included in the exhibit with large keystone pieces by artist and collector Jeff Fink, who has been designing metal and steel pieces for nearly his entire life. Renewing the Region is the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authoritys longest-running exhibit, first featured at the Indiana Welcome Center in 2001 as Trash to Treasure. Visitors can expect to see a diverse display of art, as well as restored, refurbished and renewed pieces. The exhibit, which runs through July 14 in the W.F. Wellman Exhibit Hall, will encourage visitors to look at things in a new way while inspiring artistic conservation. 219-989-7979 or alongthesouthshore.com. Highland Car Cruise Downtown Highland will be lined with classic and antique cars for their annual Car Cruise from 4 to 8 p.m. on June 4 on Highway Avenue in Highland. This event is free and open to the public; visitors are encouraged to visit downtown businesses during the Car Cruise. First Friday Art Walk Stroll through Michigan Citys uptown arts district the first Friday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m. The pop up gallery can showcase anything from paintings, to sculpture, to live performances. Visit www.theuptownartsdistrict.com for details. Farmers Markets A number of farmers markets have started this summer. Get fresh produce, handcrafted items and artisan cheeses in a number of communities including: St. John, Miller Beach, Munster, Griffith, Chesterton, Rensselear and more. Click the Things to Do tab at www.alongthesouthshore.com for locations of markets this season. Paws in the Park Grab your four-legged friends and join the Humane Society Calumet Area for food and fun at Paws in the Park with a pet parade and vendor fair. The event takes place at Main Square Park, 3001 Ridge Road in Highland from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 4. Cheers to Region Beer South Shore Poster artist, Mitch Markovitz will sign South Shore Poster: Cheers to Region Beer at Hunters Brewing in Chesterton from 2 to 4 p.m. June 4. Posters are available for purchase for $35/large and $25/small. Learn more at www.ssbrewerytrail.com or download the South Shore Brewery Trail App. Additional Events Log in to www.alongthesouthshore.com on your desktop or mobile device for an updated list of things to do in the South Shore. The first of eight of Porter Countys fiberglass bison was revealed at the final day of the Spring Into the Arts festival at Central Park in Valparaiso Saturday. The final day kicked of the Spring Into the Arts festival began with a Where Did Van Gogh? scavenger hunt. Participants received clues that led them to eight locations throughout downtown Valparaiso with the final location allowing them the chance to create a Starry Night themed key chain. Participants that stayed after the scavenger hunt were invited to look at local art and see the big unveiling of the bison. The bison unveiling is a part of a statewide art project for Indianas 200th birthday, Bison-tennial, where around 100 bison are being decorated to be presented throughout the state in participating counties. The bison was thought of due to the state seal having a bison on it and each participating county is invited to host a herd of bison. The approximately 5 feet tall, 8 feet long, and 2 feet wide bison drew parents and children alike to the unveiling. Viewers were able to see the two-month project that 20 artists from Opportunity Enterprises put more than 100 hours of work into creating images representing Porter County itself. Per its website, Opportunity Enterprises is a nonprofit organization that strives to help individuals with developmental disabilities reach their fullest potential and live a full, enriching life. Jessica Thome, art instructor of Opportunity Enterprises and lead on the project, said it was a chance for clients to work on a community project. For us, it showcases what our artists are able to do. It also taught them a little about Porter County because it showcases points of interests in Porter County, Thome said. Thome mentioned the bison has also recently been accepted into the Indiana State Fair where only 50 of the bison will be featured. Anicia Kosky, director of community impact for United Way Porter County, said the project was a way to engage the community. Its amazing to see the amount of effort people have put into this project and the excitement surrounding it, Kosky said. The community also had a chance to submit names for the bison with the winner being announced at the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival. Kosky said the bison will later be permanently stationed after the Bison-tennial is celebrated Dec. 11. Norena Kazmierczak, Valparaiso resident, said she came to the event because her sons school, Flint Lake Elementary, sent an e-mail reminding them to come to it and admired the work put into the bison. It had a much better artistic ability than anything I would ever do and it was very clever to have a bison because of the bicentennial celebration, said Kazmierczak. Another resident Keri Parks, said she thought the bison was a really nice project. Any kind of new artwork is always a good thing. But any time they incorporate local businesses and local town people is a great thing, Parks said. The bison will travel to 20 various locations and events throughout the year with community organizers having the ability to host it if they are interested. Those that do or wish to submit a name can visit porterbison.com. CROWN POINT Dave Bryan hopes his fruits, vegetables and customers will thrive in a greenhouse setting, but not trees. Bryan wants to buy the former Lake County Greenhouse at the southeast corner of Indiana Avenue and North Street and convert it into a farm-to-table style restaurant, brewery and florist. Bryan, who owns Crown Brewing and Bryan's Florist in Crown Point, would relocate the florist but keep Crown Brewing where it is. "They would be two separate entities as far as the types of food we will have," he said of the two restaurant/brewery locations. Zack Bryan said, "We have a chef from Chicago we've been working with. We want to create a concept so we have beer and food that go together. Our beer menu has a lot of seasonal beers now, and we want to do that with the food. The menu will change weekly or monthly, depending on what is in season." Lake County Greenhouse closed about 12 years ago after about 70 years in business. Dave Bryan said he hopes to save at least half the 60,000 square feet of greenhouses and use them not only to grow a lot of the fruits and vegetables for the restaurant but as the seating area for customers. He said he's seen a similar concept being used in Europe. "We've been in the greenhouse business all my life, and I know how to heat and cool it," he said. Right now most of the greenhouses are in good shape except the wood needs to be stripped and repainted, old plumbing, heaters and benches need to be removed, the glass panes need to be replaced and the trees need to be removed. The dirt floors of the greenhouses have been transformed into an urban forest of species like Tree of Heaven. Dave Bryan said removing the trees will be the easiest part of the project. Then the floor can be dug up to put in proper mechanical and drainage infrastructure installed before new concrete floors are poured. The brewery will occupy another area of the greenhouses and one section could be left open and cobblestoned for outdoor dining. Buildings along North Street will be removed. Perhaps oddly, Bryan doesn't plan to grow flowers in the greenhouses for his florist shop. He has a greenhouse for that in Gary and said it's also cheaper to get flowers from South America. He's still in the process of getting state and federal approvals for the brewery, but he wants to be open by the end of the summer of 2017, if he can get a little help. The seven-acre site is five more than he needs for his operation, even with the parking, and he's looking for one or two other businesses that might be interested in building on either side of him. He's even willing to consider another restaurant, he said. Since the project was first aired at the city's Plan Commission, he's had several calls from people interested in joining him. "It's amazing to us how the city and everyone has greeted us with open arms and said they are happy to see something done on that corner, especially repurposing the greenhouses that are tied to the history of the town," Dave Bryan said. "Hopefully we will soon have beer under glass," Zack Bryan added. As well as in it. The James W. and Betty Dye Foundation presented Scholarships to 122 seniors from Lake, Newton, Porter and Jasper County High Schools. Jim and Betty Dye Scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated school and community involvement. The scholarships range from $4,000 to $30,000 for attendance at Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University Northwest, Purdue University West Lafayette, Purdue University Northwest, IUPUI, or Ball State University. After establishing their Foundation in 1993, Jim and Betty began the scholarship program based on their belief a better-educated populace in Northwest Indiana would improve the welfare of the Regions residents as a whole. My parents have been huge proponents of education, said James R. Dye, They believe investing in ones higher education is singularly the best way to help the most. It is so rewarding to see those same people return to the area and give back to the community by starting successful careers and businesses. President, James R. Dye, and Executive Director, Carin Calvin-Olah met with the new recipients for congratulations and to review their scholarship requirements. It is incredible the number of individuals and families the Foundation has helped in twenty-three years of awarding Scholarships, added Carin Calvin-Olah. To date, over six hundred seventy Jim and Betty Dye Scholarships have been awarded and graduates of the program include physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, lawyers, engineers, teachers, journalists, entrepreneurs, Peace Corps volunteers, and more. We anticipate offering one hundred fifty (150) Scholarships next year and the deadline for high school seniors to apply is March 1, 2017. For more information regarding the Jim and Betty Dye Scholarship Program, visit www.dyscholarships.org or call (219) 836-1100. The tickets are set. Democrat John Gregg brought rising star state Rep. Christina Hale into the fold as his lieutenant governor nominee three months after Gov. Mike Pence replaced Sue Ellspermann with Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb. So what do Hale and Holcomb mean to the Pence/Gregg rematch between now and November? The modern LG nominee is more like salt and pepper, as opposed to a key ingredient in the political stew which is going to be a referendum on Pence. They are selected to stoke a particular demographic group, whether it is with the broader electorate or to soothe part of the political base. With Holcomb, Pence reached out to a former aide to Gov. Mitch Daniels and U.S. Sen. Dan Coats as well as a past state Republican chairman under both governors. After Pence ignited a simmering feud between the GOPs social conservative wing and the economic Daniels wing with the disastrous Religious Freedom Restoration Act last year, Holcomb was seen as a bridge between the two spheres. Some believe Holcomb will be sunny Pences attack dog, which does not comport to his genial manner. What weve heard from Holcomb at the GOPs spring dinner in April and at the campaign kickoff earlier this month is an indictment of the past, based on fact. Holcomb laid out some themes that will be used in the coming months, reminding Republicans that Democrats left the state with an $800 million debt in 2005, owing local governments and schools tens of millions of dollars, raiding the Teacher Retirement Fund. And at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, It took seven hours, not seven minutes to get a license or register a truck. Greggs tenure as House speaker will be woven into that argument, Holcomb promised. He offers the been there/done that portfolio when he served as Daniels deputy chief of staff and saw his boss grapple with deficits, a broken BMV and a new era of asset management when Holcomb was dispatched to rival union halls to forge the Major Moves toll road deal. The most conspicuous hallmark of that success came at the 2008 Democratic Jefferson/Jackson Dinner that featured Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, with sponsoring union banners flanking the podium, and both unions had endorsed Daniels for reelection. When Holcomb kicked off his U.S. Senate campaign in 2015 (which he suspended when Pence selected him as LG), Holcombs message was one of inclusion, coming during the same week of Pences RFRA debacle. This campaign will be about what we are for, not simply about what we are against," Holcomb said. With legislative Republican leaders announcing this week they will study and proposed LGBT civil rights legislation in the 2017 General Assembly, Pence would be wise to seek Holcombs counsel. Having said all of that, the fact Pence had to select Holcomb to unite a divided GOP is an ominous sign, as evidenced by the recent Bellwether Research Poll that showed the governor leading Gregg 40-36 percent but with his reelecting number at a low 36 percent and a job approval in the low 40s. An incumbent with numbers in the lower 40th percentile is in big trouble. Greggs selection of Hale is designed to signal and reach a wider electorate. Hale is a bright face fronting a probing, practical mind. She caught my attention when she pondered a U.S. Senate candidacy in spring 2015, observing that some 350,000 Hoosier children live in food-insecure homes; one in six girls are sexually assaulted by the time they get in high school; and household income has been declining since 2000. These on top of the HIV/opioid epidemic that surfaced in Scott County a few months earlier, which Hale framed as third world problems festering in her home state. And she should know, having served as chief communications officer for Kiwanis International, a global service organization, working on health issues in Asia. When Gregg introduced her Tuesday, she brought a narrative that will resonate with many Hoosier women, and not just on the professional side of things. I grew up in a middle-class family in Michigan City, Indiana, and I had a pretty solid idea of how my life was going to turn out until I became a single mom at 19, said Hale. A lot of people at that time told me, 'Game over.' In fact, I had a number of people very close to me who said, 'Face it, Christina, youre always going to be a loser.'" "Ive always learned that no matter what happens in life, you have to keep moving forward, she said. Pence is sideways with female voters. In the April WTHR/Howey Politics Indiana Poll, the governor was trailing the Democrat with female voters 52-41 percent, and independent women voters 54-40. So the tickets are set. Hoosier voters have six months to weigh and decide which one to punch. Memorial Day is the day when we, as Americans, honor the brave heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down their lives in order to preserve the freedoms we enjoy. The observance of Memorial Day began after the Civil War when Americans began to set aside time in the spring to honor fallen soldiers, often decorating their graves with flowers. Initially known as Decoration Day, this celebration varied across our countrys towns, states and regions. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, a federal law that established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May. Regardless of time or date, it is important to honor those who died while wearing the uniform of the United States. The misfortune of a world filled with good and evil is that those who pray for peace must sometimes take up arms to secure it. There are those who wish us wrong and those who would act on it. The times may beckon the brave in uniform to battle to secure the blessings of liberty, and we have a duty to remember and honor all of those who answered that call. On May 17, 1987, USS Stark (FFG-31) was struck by an Iraqi missile attack in the Persian Gulf, killing 37 United States Navy sailors and wounding 21 others. During a memorial service for the fallen, President Ronald Reagan paid these heroes a tribute that I believe is still applicable today. He said: Yes, they were ordinary men who did extraordinary things. Yes, they were heroes. And because they were heroes, let us not forget this: That for all the lovely spring and summer days we will never share with them again, for every Thanksgiving and Christmas that will seem empty without them, there will be other moments, too, moments when we see the light of discovery in young eyes, eyes that see for the first time the world around them and know that sweep of history and wonder, Why is there such a place as America, and how is it that such a precious gift is mine? And we can answer them. We can answer them by telling of this day and those that we come to honor here. And it's then we'll see understanding in those young eyes; it is then they will know the same gratitude and pride that we share today, the gratitude and pride Americans feel always for those who suffer and die so that the precious gift of America might always be ours. This Memorial Day, I want to offer my personal thanks to all Hoosiers who laid down their lives in defense of our country. To the Hoosier families who have lost loved ones serving in uniform, I assure you that their sacrifice and heroism is not and will not be forgotten. May God bless the families of our fallen service personnel, and may God continue to bless the worlds beacon of freedom the United States of America. Its one thing to support bad economic policy. Its another thing to choose policies that disproportionately attack the livelihoods of Indiana veterans. Nearly one year ago today, with one stroke of a pen, Gov. Mike Pence and his allies in the Legislature managed to do both. In repealing Indianas prevailing wage law known as the common construction wage Pence disregarded the overwhelming consensus of economists who have concluded these policies do not increase construction costs but do promote stronger local economies and lower poverty. Earlier this month, first of its kind research from VoteVets.org exposed an arguably more troubling impact of Pences wage cut. It disproportionately impacts military veterans, who work in the skilled construction trades at substantially higher rates than non-veterans. The research also shows states with prevailing wage laws see even more veterans join in the construction workforce and a reduction in poverty among those veterans by as much as 31 percent. Those of us who have borne the cost of defending this country understand coming home from war can be just as trying as war itself. There are physical and psychological wounds to heal, strained family relationships to bridge and a difficult transition to civilian employment to undertake. These challenges have been well documented in VA backlogs, suicide and divorce rates, an unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans that consistently outpaces the national average and a poverty rate among veterans that has been climbing nationally and is approaching 8 percent in Indiana, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. For generations of veterans like me, a job in skilled construction was the best way to avoid becoming one of these statistics. It was a way to put the leadership and problem-solving skills I learned in the military to work in my community in a way that could support a middle-class life for my family. But one year ago, Mike Pence and the Legislature decided we should be forced to take a pay cut. The effect of their decision is well documented by the research. More veterans will leave their jobs and lose their health care. More will join the ranks of the working poor and rely on government assistance. More veteran-owned construction businesses will close. More state construction contracts will go to out-of-state firms, using less-skilled workers. Construction material costs will go up, along with safety and workmanship problems. And while theres no evidence that repeal will bring savings for taxpayers, there is plenty of evidence that it will boost the profits retained by well-connected contractors who fund the political campaigns of Pence and his legislative allies. The U.S. military now trains fully 20 percent of the skilled construction apprentices in the United States because it understands that the best way to address veteran underemployment is to help us prepare for middle-class career options in our nations fastest growing industries. It is sadly ironic that the wage-cut law that disproportionately impacts Indiana veterans was signed into law during the same month that honors those veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. Thats not exactly supporting the troops, is it? The good news is its an election year, and soon we will all be able to weigh in on Pences attack on the middle-class construction wages of thousands of Indiana veterans. Building on the growing success of Whiting's Pierogi Fest, this year the city will team up with The Times Media Co. on a new event a photo contest. Photographers from Northwest Indiana are invited to photograph St. John the Baptist Church at 1849 Lincoln Ave. in Whiting. The submitted photos will be hung in Studio 659 located at 1413 119th St., and will be judged by Times photographers Jonathan Miano, John Watkins and Damian Rico. The photos will be on display during Pierogi Fest from July 29 to 31. Tom Dabertin, president of the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce and Pierogi Fest chairman, came up with the idea during one of his bike rides around the city. When you ride around Whiting and Robertsdale, you see these photographers all taking pictures of the same thing, the St. John the Baptist Church, Dabertin said. Built in 1930 by Hermann Gaul, protege of the father of skyscrapers, Louis Sullivan, the church is what Dabertin believes to be one of Whitings key sites. Its the focal point of our city, Dabertin said. Because of its impact on the community, we feel as though it should be the subject of the contest. If the contest is popular, Dabertin hopes to have the photo contest annually in partnership with The Times and Studio 659. While the photos are on display, there also will be original drawings on display of the church made by Gaul himself. Attendees also will be able to enter a cubicle that will show them a view of the church from its steeple. Photos must be submitted before the end of June, and the judging will take place in July. Contestants should upload their photos to the link below, and include their name, contact information, and a title for their entry. Many New Yorkers are taking advantage of the weather at a Bronx beach today. People began staking out their spots very early this morning at Orchard Beach. Officials say about 15,000 people enjoyed the beach yesterday and they're expecting more today. They are encouraging people to have fun, but put safety first. "We ask that you don't leave your children unattended," said Pelham Bay Park Administrator Marianne Anderson. "If you're swimming, you should swim with a buddy. It's really about just coming out, having fun, staying safe in the sun, sun screen, all that stuff." "I like the morning sun better because it gets a little too warm sometimes after a certain amount of time and you know, I have a kid," said one beachgoer. "So the morning is emptier. I like it like this." "It was easy getting here as opposed to getting to like Jones or Riis Beach," said another. All eight of the city's beaches opened this weekend, and will stay open until Labor Day weekend. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 6pm every day. A 13-year-old boy was arraigned on a weapons charge after police say his younger brother showed up at school with a gun. The teenager has been charged with criminal possession of a firearm after his 8-year-old brother allegedly brought this loaded .380 caliber handgun to P.S. 91 in East Flatbush Friday morning. No shots were fired and no one was hurt. Union officials believe the boy brought the gun to school because of an ongoing fight with another student. The Department of Education called the circumstances troubling and it is working with the NYPD to investigate. The father of the two boys was questioned by police and released. Jamie feels this path may be necessary. He may not have one iota of faith in Prince Charles. But he and Claire understand they cant stand by and let history destroy all they hold dear. At Beaufort Castle, Jamie and Claire approach Lord Lovat, his grandfather, for support. To say there is bad blood between them is an understatement. The fact that Jamies father is illegitimate is but one reason. More than anything its Lovats cruel, conniving personality that is responsible for the rift between these men. For Jamie to get Lovats support he must give up Lallybroch. Lovat tries several tactics, including mistakenly threatening Claires safety, while Claire and Jamie try to outsmart him on their own. In the end both parties get what they want. Sort of. Lord Lovat gives men to Prince Charless cause after Simon, his son, finally stands up to him in support of Jamie. Lovat may not get Lallybroch but by procuring a contract of neutrality with Colum and covertly supporting Prince Charles hes able to play both sides and come out with a win either way. Whats most fascinating about the return to Scotland is how much the presence of important gestures and events are recalled. Beaufort Castle operates as a hall of mirrors, and most troubling are the callbacks to Season 1s The Devils Mark and Claires reputation as a witch. The presence of Colum and Laoghaire brings to mind the ways in which they worked to get Claire nearly killed during the witch trial. These characters are a reminder that while Scotland may act as a tonic on their battered souls, Claire still has enemies and they tend to be closer to home. Then there is Jamie evoking the La Dame Blanche rumor to strike fear into Lovats superstitious heart. Claire fully embraces this by feigning a vision so Jamie wont sign over Lallybroch. Shes really just parroting the same vision Lovats personal seer, Maisri, told her. Seeing Claire lean into the rumor that she is a white witch is a bold choice. But it also evokes a sense of dread. What will this public display of her powers cost her in the future? The performances by Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan have a tenderness to them this week. Its as if returning to Scotland has healed their characters. Their smiles are genuine. The loss of their daughter is barely even referenced. That is, until the night before they leave for Beaufort. The best scene of this weeks episode happens when Claire wakes alone in bed to find Jamie downstairs. Hes cradling Jennys new baby. The rapport between Jamie and this infant is bittersweet. When Jenny and Claire speak as they watch Jamie, the wounds of their loss briefly come into focus. It also encapsulates why Jamie finds himself staring directly at the prospect of war: to protect hearth and home. Abby Hannah Volin and Max Samuel Polonsky are to be married on Sunday. Rabbi Aaron Alexander will perform the ceremony at Adas Israel in Washington. The bride, 36, works in Washington on state legislation and policy for the Humane Society of the United States. She graduated from Tufts and received a law degree from Loyola University Chicago. She is a daughter of Andrea G. Volin and Leonard S. Volin of Potomac, Md. The brides father, who is retired, was a senior partner focusing on corporate and banking law at the Washington law firm Housley, Kantarian and Bronstein. Her mother, also retired, was the music teacher at Bannockburn Elementary School in Bethesda, Md. The groom, 34, is a lawyer in the trading and markets division of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He graduated from Brandeis and received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Adriane Sarah Glazier and the author Scott Turow are to be married May 29 at a private home in Salem, Wis., and will do so under a provision of Wisconsin law allowing couples to marry themselves. During the ceremony, Dave Barry, the humorist and a friend of the couple, is to lead the couple in the smashing of a glass and other Jewish traditions, and the Rev. John C. Cusick, a Roman Catholic priest, is to lead several blessings. The bride, 51, is a senior vice president, advising charities and philanthropists, as an executive in two of Bank of Americas wealth management divisions. She works in Chicago. She graduated from Smith and received a law degree from Northwestern. She is a daughter of Babette C. Glazier of Chicago and the late Robert E. Glazier. Mr. Turow, 67, is the author of Presumed Innocent, The Burden of Proof and other books, and is a partner in the Chicago office of the law firm Dentons, handling white-collar criminal litigation. He graduated from Amherst College and received a masters degree in creative writing from Stanford and a law degree from Harvard. Mr. Turow is the son of the late Rita Pastron Turow and the late Dr. David D. Turow, who lived in Winnetka, Ill. Beatty Cynthia Cohan and James Semon Vrettos were married May 23 at their apartment in New York. Rabbi Michel Lerner officiated. The bride, 67, is a psychotherapist and sex therapist in New York and East Hampton, N.Y. She is host of a weekly show, Ask Beatty, on the Progressive Radio Network. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and received a masters degree in social work from McGill University in Montreal. The bride was a widow. Her first marriage ended in divorce. She is the daughter of the late Edith Sair and the late Maurice Sair, who lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The groom, 69, is a sociologist and an adjunct professor of criminology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. He is also the host of the weekly The Radical Imagination, a local cable show in New York. He graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder and received a masters degree in sociology from the New School and a Ph.D. in sociology from Columbia. His previous two marriages ended in divorce. He is a son of the late Luba Schiff and the late James S. Vrettos, who lived in New York. I was incredibly interested in her but a bit intimidated, said Mr. ONeal, who was 18 at the time and competing in his first year on the circuit in Ocala. I had seen her around at horse shows and thought that she was an incredible rider, and quite beautiful. But when we got to talking, I realized that she was far less intimidating than I thought shed be. Ms. MacPhail, who was 20 at the time and had already been named twice to a development program for young riders run by the United States Olympic team, said that while she was pretty interested, in Mr. ONeal, the age difference between them was a problem. He was a talented rider and very mature for his age, but he was just a little too young for me, she said. The next day, Mr. ONeal learned that Ms. MacPhail was dating another rider. I was completely bummed out, he said. But I kind of looked at it as Well, I guess it was too good to be true. Soon, Ms. MacPhail moved to a training base in Middleburg, Va., which was also where her boyfriend lived, and Mr. ONeal stayed in Ocala to ride and train. In May 2013, they crossed paths again in Fairburn, Ga., where she was competing in her first international three-day event at the Olympic level. During the event, Ms. MacPhail was thrown from her saddle while attempting a water jump, and her horse began galloping back to the stable area about a mile away. Ms. MacPhail, her riding outfit drenched, took off in pursuit and eventually ran into a very concerned Mr. ONeal, who was there to compete in another event and had caught her horse and returned it to its stall. Jessica Michelle Newman, a daughter of Darene S. Newman of Rochester Hills, Mich., and the late Mitchell L. Newman, was married May 28 to Kevin Carty Kozlowski, a son of Maureen F. Carty and Stanley J. Kozlowski, also of Rochester Hills. Dr. Julia A. Rudolf, a friend of the couple who became a Universal Life minister for the event, officiated at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit, which is now a museum and event space. The bride, 28, is simultaneously studying for an M.B.A. at M.I.T. and a masters degree in public policy at Harvard, from which she received an undergraduate degree summa cum laude. Until March, the groom, 27, was a software developer at Bloomberg, the financial news company in New York. He graduated from the University of Michigan and received a masters degree in finance from Case Western Reserve University. The couple met in 2001 at the audition for their middle-school show choir, and began dating during a high school production of Fiddler on the Roof. Komal M. Patel, the daughter of Dr. Umangi M. Patel and Mukesh R. Patel of Newburgh, N.Y., is to be married May 29 to Dr. Ravi Navin Shah, the son of Dr. Taru N. Shah and Navin B. Shah of Duluth, Ga. Vimesh Thakar, a Hindu priest, is to lead the ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental in New York. The bride, 29, received an M.B.A. from Columbia earlier this month. In September, she is to become a health care consultant in the Summit, N.J., office of the Boston Consulting Group. She graduated from Case Western Reserve University and received a Master of Public Health from Dartmouth. The groom, 31, is a chief resident in the department of psychiatry at the New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York. In September he is to begin working as an assistant professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He graduated cum laude from Princeton and received a medical degree and an M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. The couple were introduced in October 2012 by a mutual friend amid hundreds of people, mostly in their 20s, at Garba in the City at Chelsea Piers, an annual Indian dance event featuring traditional dance from the State of Gujarat. Sara Aliza Eisen and Matthew Stone Levine are to be married May 29 at Weylin B. Seymours, an event space in Brooklyn. Rabbi Gavriel Bellino is to officiate. The bride, 31, works in Manhattan as an on-air anchor for CNBC, where she is a host of "Worldwide Exchange" and Squawk on the Street. She graduated from N.Y.U. and received a masters in journalism from Northwestern. She is a daughter of Dr. Jane Eisen and Dr. Drore Eisen of Cincinnati. The bride's father is a dermatologist in Cincinnati. He is also a founder and the medical director of CDx Diagnostics, a laboratory specializing in cancer detection and prevention, in Suffern, N.Y. The bride's mother retired as a pediatric dentist. The groom, 35, works in Manhattan as a managing editor of Bloomberg Television; he oversees the networks editorial content in the United States. He graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and received a masters in international relations at the University of Sussex in England. Sacred relics may not have the mystical power they had in a less secular past, but the return to Britain from Hungary of one of the few surviving fragments of bone from Thomas Becket, the murdered meddlesome priest of hagiography, literature, stage and screen, still commands considerable attention. As the Anglican bishop of London, Richard Chartres, noted at a service attended by Anglicans and Catholics, Britons and Hungarians, the 12th-century cleric teaches us to consider what are the historic roots of European unity. That message was especially pertinent to the countries involved. Hungary, where the relic has been for 800 years, is now led by a prime minister, Viktor Orban, who promotes a blend of nationalism, populism and Euroskepticism that flies in the face of the values represented by the European Union. And Britain is nearing a referendum on whether to stay in the union. Beckets fatal feud with his erstwhile royal friend holds a hallowed place in British and European culture as a moral tale of the clash of saint and king, of conscience and power. King Henry II may not have actually said, Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest? and the relic from Hungarys Esztergom Basilica may not really be from Beckets elbow, but in such matters historical authenticity may not be the point. Whatever Henry said persuaded four of his knights to slay Becket, who as archbishop of Canterbury had resisted royal efforts to extend the kings control over the church. Death transformed Becket into a revered saint. Throngs of pilgrims were drawn to the relics at least until the next king to challenge the Roman church, Henry VIII, destroyed Beckets remains and prohibited his veneration. NEW YORK An article last Sunday about how two Manhattan buildings would look if they were built according to current codes misidentified the law that resulted in the development of so-called dumbbell tenements throughout New York City. It was the Tenement Law of 1879, not the Tenement Law of 1901. TRAVEL Because of a production error, this weekends Travel section omits an article intended to accompany a cover article, about Vladimir and Vera Nabokovs cross-country journeys to the American West, during which the author researched Lolita. The omitted information, with suggestions on reading material and lodging on such a trip, can be found at nytimes.com/travel. An article on May 22 about an emerging Dubai arts hub misidentified the currency of the United Arab Emirates. It is the dirham, not the dinar. ARTS & LEISURE An article last Sunday about the new version of the Roots mini-series misidentified the university where the historian Matthew F. Delmont is a professor. It is Arizona State University, not the University of Arizona. The article also misstated Stephanie Smallwoods position at the University of Washington. She is an associate professor who was hired as an adviser for the show; she is not an assistant professor. LOS ANGELES Autopsies of the 14 people killed in the San Bernardino, Calif., terrorist attack last year confirm that all died quickly after being shot at least twice, but the reports also reveal details of the carnage. San Bernardino County released the heavily redacted autopsies on Friday as part of a public records request by The Associated Press. The Dec. 2 attack, which also left 22 injured, targeted San Bernardino County public health workers attending an annual training event in a large conference room that had been decorated for Christmas. Dressed in black and wearing ski masks, one of their co-workers, Syed Rizwan Farook, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, opened fire on the group. The couple were killed in a shootout with the police later that day. The autopsies of the attackers were not released Friday. A county spokesman, David Wert, said the investigation into their deaths had not been finished. WARE, Mass. To the biologist Tom French, the 3.5-mile uninhabited island was a conservationists dream. Where better, he thought, to bring a locally endangered species so it could thrive far from existential threats like car tires or humans? The species in question, though, was a venomous snake, and Mr. Frenchs plan set off a cascade of anger and a clash between science and politics. Petitions piled up. Worried constituents emailed videos of swimming snakes to state legislators. The objections became so vociferous that lawmakers held an oversight hearing, where Massachusetts top environmental official apologized and promised to convene a committee that could at least consider other options. The plans sinuous path has confounded Mr. French, the assistant director of the State Division of Fisheries and Wildlifes Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Ive got a pretty thick skin, but this one is unique, Mr. French said in an interview before the hearing on May 10, which went on for more than four hours. He added, It disappoints me that people dont think more highly of our native species. The police in Brazil said on Saturday that they had made the first arrest in the search for more than 30 possible attackers in the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl, a case that has prompted widespread outrage and vows by the federal government to combat crimes against women, news agencies reported. Brazilians reacted with shock after the May 21 assault came to light last week. Graphic photos and videos of the unconscious, naked teenager were posted on Twitter, and several men joked online about the attack. The authorities said the teenager had been raped in the Sao Joao shantytown on the west side of Rio de Janeiro as she was visiting her boyfriend, The Associated Press reported. The girl told the police that she was briefly alone with him but remembered nothing until she woke up naked the next day in another building among dozens of men who had guns. The DanceAfrica festival has a new leader: This year Abdel R. Salaam took the reins from its founder, Chuck Davis, and as the artistic director, his plan was to adhere to the events traditional roots while also showing how African dance has evolved. For his first time at bat, he focused on Senegal: Doors of Ancient Futures. Senegalese music and dance are thrilling. Theres nothing unusual in acknowledging the close connection of music and dance in African forms, yet here its as if the beat of the drums emanates solely from a dancers body it first strikes lightning feet, and then spreads through twisting hips and arms that rise into the air. For Mr. Salaam, who first performed at the festival in 1977, the Senegal theme is largely a winner. But even though he planned the program and choreographed parts of it, including the through line of a young boy (Armand Celestin) who learns about legacy by observing his elders, Mr. Salaam relinquished the stage early on to the charismatic Mr. Davis, now the festivals artistic director emeritus, who served as master of ceremonies. The program, which clocked in at two and a half hours on Friday at the Howard Gilman Opera House at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, was rambling typically so. As a choreographer, Mr. Salaam can be heavy-handed, and his A Question of Beauty, which included Germaine Acogny, a revered Senegalese dancer and choreographer, was too obvious. In it, a young woman puts on a blond wig, disappears into fog and emerges with her natural hair. Its obviously better to have a leader in charge when youre doing the fund-raising and when youre doing the actual design of the facility, said Mr. Kaiser, now chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland. It doesnt mean its impossible to do that without one. But certainly whoever comes in to become the president of Lincoln Center is going to want to play a role in this. Matthew VanBesien, president of the Philharmonic, said he was confident that the cooperation between the orchestra and Lincoln Center something not always present in the past would continue. He said that Jaap van Zweden, who will take over the orchestras music directorship in 2018, had met with the halls design team this spring in Dallas, where he is the music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, to share his thoughts and priorities. (The Philharmonic is going through its own transition, with Alan Gilbert ending his tenure as music director after next season.) Its always an unfortunate thing when theres a departure like that, Mr. VanBesien said of Mr. Bernstein. But this has been a really collaborative team effort kind of from the very beginning, so I think that helps mitigate whatever complications might arise. The hurdles ahead are substantial. As the Philharmonic works to raise a share of the costs of the hall, it is grappling with its own financial challenges: It ran a $5.27 million operating deficit last year, up from $2.1 million the year before. Ms. Farley, chairwoman of the board since 2010, noted that several transition team members had played important roles in the redevelopment of Lincoln Center, which included the well-received renovation of the smaller Alice Tully Hall. In my day job I worked for 32 years at Tishman Speyer in the real estate business, and Im an architect by background, so Im very comfortable in this world, said Ms. Farley, who retired this year from Tishman Speyer, where she was a senior managing director. The current plan for the design team, Heatherwick Studio of London and Diamond Schmitt Architects of Toronto, aims at essentially creating a new concert hall inside the skin of the Max Abramovitz-designed building that opened in 1962 as Philharmonic Hall and was later renamed for Avery Fisher. The original mini-series Roots was about history, and it was history itself. Airing on ABC in January 1977, this generational saga of slavery was a kind of answer song to the 1976 Bicentennial celebration of the (white, often slave-owning) founding fathers. It reopened the books and wrote slaves and their descendants into the national narrative. But as an event, it was also a chapter in that story. It shaped and was shaped by the racial consciousness of its era. It was a prime-time national reckoning for more than 100 million viewers. As a television drama, it was excellent. But as a television broadcast, it was epochal. The four-night, eight-hour remake of Roots, beginning Memorial Day on History, A&E and Lifetime, is largely the same story, compressed in some places and expanded in others, with a lavish production and strong performances. It is every bit as worthy of attention and conversation. But it is also landing, inevitably, in a very different time. Viewers who watched Roots four decades ago have since lived with racial narratives of moving forward and stepping back. Theyve seen Americas first black president elected and a presidential candidate hesitate to disavow the Ku Klux Klan. Dystopian themes are not entirely new in Arabic fiction. But they have become much more prominent in recent years, publishers and translators say. The genre has proliferated in part because it captures the sense of despair that many writers say they feel in the face of cyclical violence and repression. At the same time, futuristic settings may give writers some measure of cover to explore charged political ideas without being labeled dissidents. These futuristic stories are all about lost utopia, said Layla al-Zubaidi, co-editor of a collection of post-Arab Spring writing titled Diaries of an Unfinished Revolution. People really could imagine a better future, and now its almost worse than it was before. In the turbulent months after the uprisings, when the promises of democracy and greater social freedom remained elusive, some novelists channeled their frustrations and fears into grim apocalyptic tales. In Mohammed Rabies gritty novel Otared, which will be published in English this year by the American University in Cairo, a former Egyptian police officer joins a fight against a mysterious occupying power that rules the country in 2025. Mr. Rabie said he wrote the novel in response to the successive defeats that advocates of democracy faced after the 2011 demonstrations that ended President Hosni Mubaraks 30-year rule. While there are parallels to present-day Egyptian society, setting the story in the near future allowed him to write more freely, without drawing explicit connections to Egypts current ruler, he said in an email interview translated by his Arabic publisher. Nael Eltoukhy, whose darkly satirical 2013 novel, Women of Karantina, takes place partly in a crime-ridden Alexandria in the year 2064, said he felt that a futuristic farce was the best way to reflect the jaded mood in Egypt. In Egypt, especially after the revolution, everything is terrible, but everything is also funny, he said in an interview. Now, I think its worse than the time of Mubarak. Julius calls upon Thomas Argyle, whose mother is dead, whose father has committed murder, and who looks like he was born with a knife in his fist. Neither boy proves especially adept at self-discipline. The room fills with dark, sticky smoke. The teachers call a tribunal. A scientific analysis of their soot has revealed that a moral cancer is growing in one of them. Whether this is true, and what this cancer might look like, is one of the many tensions in this moody morality tale. I read the first half with a frenetic intensity, though as the book went on, with a mild annoyance, too. Mr. Vyleta, known in Canada and Britain for his atmospheric, well-made thrillers (including The Quiet Twin and The Crooked Maid), writes with intricacy and imagination and skillful pacing; never once would I have considered putting his book down. But when he wants to make a point, he plays with a heavy hand fortissimo, when piano would have done. So what, exactly, makes a person smoke? Anger, certainly. But more than that. The laws of Smoke, Mr. Vyleta writes, are complex. Lust and envy seem to generate it, as do more subtle feelings resentment, contempt, pride. Smoke, we are initially led to believe, is sin made manifest, and its varieties are legion: Characters seep orange rings and iodine plumes; they give off whirlpools of pink and skeins of pale green. Mr. Vyleta borrowed this specific idea from Dombey and Son, whose narrator wondered if the filth of London had a corollary in its moral pestilence, and what would happen if that, too, could somehow become visible. (This particular paragraph serves as the first of many epigraphs in Smoke and the books probable inspiration.) Image Dan Vyleta Credit... Michael Lionstar Though children in Smoke are born in sin, heaving like chimneys in their bassinets, the gentry, like good Victorians, are trained from an early age to repress their smoke. Self-control is the ultimate ruling-class virtue. Power, as one character observes, is underwritten by morality. Psychiatrists and psychologists who have worked with the military say the sought-after mental profile is based largely on two well-known kinds of testing. One is a 44-item questionnaire that assesses personality. The other test is intended to gauge performance. People who excel in combat tend to be assertive, active, excitement-seeking and enthusiastic. I hate to use the cliche, but these are guys who love to be at the tip of the spear, said a psychologist who works with the military; he asked that his name be omitted to protect that relationship. Its more than the camaraderie; theres a need to protect life, directly and if necessary, to take life. The performance measure has more to do with attention and decision making. It is based in part on a theory of concentration styles, developed by researchers studying athletes. The classic analyst takes in the information and then retreats into their head and wants to think about it, then maybe checks the environment again and thinks some more, said Dr. Charles A. Morgan III, a psychiatrist at the University of New Haven who has worked extensively with Special Operations forces. The elite combat troops operate much differently, he said. They immediately take in their surroundings; they have a high degree of external focus. But theyre able to switch internally, make a quick decision then act and adjust as they go. In training and in combat, this intense awareness and decision making become much sharper. Essentially the decision making and acting become second nature, said Bret Moore, the deputy director of the Armys Warrior Resiliency Program of the Regional Health Command-Central in San Antonio. You do not want these guys thinking too much. That may help explain the recent suicide findings. The research team, led by Dr. Kessler of Harvard and Dr. Robert Ursano of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, analyzed 496 suicides among men in the Army from 2004 to 2009. The risks for two jobs infantryman and combat engineer were higher across the board, at 37 per 100,000 each year. But the rate was 30 per 100,000 while deployed, compared with 40 per 100,000 when back home. The rate across the rest of the Army was much lower at home, 15 per 100,000, compared with during deployment, where it was 22 per 100,000. SAN FRANCISCO In the last five years, Ahmed Mansoor, a human rights activist in the United Arab Emirates, has been jailed and fired from his job, along with having his passport confiscated, his car stolen, his email hacked, his location tracked and his bank account robbed of $140,000. He has also been beaten, twice, in the same week. Mr. Mansoors experience has become a cautionary tale for dissidents, journalists and human rights activists. It used to be that only a handful of countries had access to sophisticated hacking and spying tools. But these days, nearly all kinds of countries, be they small, oil-rich nations like the Emirates, or poor but populous countries like Ethiopia, are buying commercial spyware or hiring and training programmers to develop their own hacking and surveillance tools. The barriers to join the global surveillance apparatus have never been lower. Dozens of companies, ranging from NSO Group and Cellebrite in Israel to Finfisher in Germany and Hacking Team in Italy, sell digital spy tools to governments. A number of companies in the United States are training foreign law enforcement and intelligence officials to code their own surveillance tools. In many cases these tools are able to circumvent security measures like encryption. Some countries are using them to watch dissidents. Others are using them to aggressively silence and punish their critics, inside and outside their borders. It was pure panic, said Brittany Nicely, 29, who was there with her two children. Ms. Nicely said that out of the corner of her eye she spotted the boy on the wrong side of wooden and wire barriers along the edge of the enclosure. She reached for him, she said, but not in time, and he fell about 10 feet into a shallow moat. Harambe, a teenage western lowland gorilla, then grabbed the child, but his intentions were not clear. At times, he stood over the boy in what appeared to be a protective posture. But then he darted across the water, dragging the child roughly behind him. He wasnt throwing him around, Ms. Nicely said. He wasnt mauling him to death, which is what I thought was going to happen. The gorilla could have easily crushed the boy at any moment, however, if only by carelessness, she said. ORLANDO, Fla. Delegates puffed on e-cigarettes between chants of freedom! Educational booths proclaimed the virtues of hemp, trickle-up economics and the literature of Ayn Rand. A woman on stilts wearing purple angel wings greeted activists as they milled between seminars on drug war policies and on how to abolish the government in three steps. In a year when the two major parties are consumed by tensions, defections and chaos, the Libertarian Party, which sees itself as their alternative, displayed some of the same traits as it wrestled with nominating two former Republican governors for its presidential ticket at its annual convention over the weekend. But there was also a palpable sense of excitement at the event, held at a hotel here less than 10 miles from Disney World. For an antiwar party that promotes legalizing marijuana and tearing up the tax code, 2016 has brought hope that acceptance in the political mainstream is imminent amid broad discontent with the probable nominees from the major parties. We have been given the gift of Trump and Clinton, said Larry Sharpe, a businessman and candidate for the Libertarian vice-presidential nomination. Their ears are open, and I want them to hear who we are and vote for us for who we are. In combat, lives can be erased in an instant. Military men and women accept that as a given. But what if peril stalks them as civilians, long after the guns have fallen silent? As the years pass, does the nation bear an abiding obligation to them when they find they face death on the installment plan? These are questions that have long dogged a particular group of Americans, several hundred thousand of them, nearly all men. They were soldiers and sailors who, in the first years after World War II, took part in atmospheric nuclear tests conducted in the Pacific and in Nevada. They were posted within range of exploding bombs in effect made to be guinea pigs in studies of how combat troops might stand up in a war fought with nuclear arms. Across the decades, many among these atomic veterans suffered cancers and other diseases. Try convincing them that their troubles had nothing to do with the radiation they absorbed. On this Memorial Day, their plight shapes the latest installment of Retro Report, a series of video documentaries examining important news stories of the past and their lasting consequences. This episode was prepared in collaboration with Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting, based in Emeryville, Calif., near San Francisco. One theme of the report echoes across Americas more recent conflicts: What does the government owe its men and women in uniform who fall victim not to enemy fire but rather or so they are convinced to decisions made by their own commanders? They include Vietnam War combatants who breathed in defoliants sprayed by American aircraft, and later became gravely ill. More recently, those who served in Afghanistan and the Middle East have had to deal with cancers, respiratory problems and incapacitating fatigue. Many suspect the ailments can be traced to their contact years earlier with burn pits, assorted poisons and artillery shells made of depleted uranium. DAKAR, Senegal One robot slammed into some blocks and nearly fell to the floor. Another sideswiped a wall. Yet another spun in dizzying circles. So when the robot built by students from an all-girls school finally navigated the twists of the maze, flawlessly rounding every corner and touching every required flag, the crowd went nuts. The girls were among students from 25 schools who gathered in Dakar to compete in the second annual Pan-African Robotics Competition. For five days, in a city where horses and carts are still fixtures on the many unpaved roads, boys and girls from sixth grade to high school hunched over laptops and tablets at a camp, entering code to guide their small blue robots through a labyrinth meant to test their skills in a competition on the final day. TEHRAN In a sign of further tension between regional rivals, Iran will not allow its citizens to travel to Saudi Arabia for the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in September, Irans state television reported on Sunday. The decision, which means that tens of thousands of Iranians cannot make their spiritual journey to the main pilgrimage site of Islam, came after several failed rounds of talks between officials of both countries and on the heels of accusations that Saudi Arabia has started a cyberwar against Iran. Irans culture minister, Ali Jannati, told state television that no pilgrims would be sent to the Muslim holy sites of Mecca and Medina, because of obstacles created by Saudi officials. JERUSALEM In a politically fractious country troubled by monumental security challenges, Israels military has long served as an equalizer and unifier, a peoples army that, at least in the eyes of the Jewish majority, reflected the general interest. But the Israeli people, and with them the government, have shifted to the right amid an upsurge of Palestinian stabbings and other attacks. Now the military finds itself at the center of a tumultuous debate about its role as the nations conscience and most trusted institution. Some government ministers and an increasingly shrill segment of the public have been pushing for tougher action in the face of months of Palestinian attacks that have killed about 30 civilians and soldiers. Other Israelis want the military to remain a moderating force and a bulwark against extremism. The debate about the militarys role has been highlighted by a series of clashes among its high command, the government and an aggressive segment of the public in recent months. The pressure on the military is also growing in light of the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman, a hard-liner, as defense minister. Mr. Lieberman has been among the harshest critics of Israeli security policies and will now serve as the armys overlord. Although Michael Bloomberg is not a brash man, hes no wallflower, either and many of his admirers hoped this would be the year he ran for national office. Instead, the innovative billionaire and former New York City mayor removed himself from consideration. There was, he avowed, one risk he wouldnt take: unintentionally helping either of the two Republicans then leading the 2016 field to become president. But did Bloomberg really understand what was happening in the grass-roots in this election cycle? In a March 7 column that dismayed centrists hoping for an independent presidential bid, Bloomberg wrote that after examining the data, hed concluded there was no way for him to win the requisite 270 electoral votes. In a three-way race, he said, the best a third-party candidate could do was deadlock the process and send the presidential election into the House of Representatives. Party loyalists in Congress not the American people or the Electoral College would determine the next president, he explained. As the race stands now, with Republicans in charge of both Houses, there is a good chance that my candidacy could lead to the election of Donald Trump or Sen. Ted Cruz. That is not a risk I can take in good conscience. In a nod to the disaffected independents among us, Bloomberg prefaced this declaration by saying all the right things about political gridlock and partisan posturing in Washington, adding that governmental dysfunction has undermined the very ideas of the American Dream. He ostensibly blamed both parties equally, asserting that the leading 2016 Democratic Party candidates have attacked the very policies supported by President Bill Clinton that spurred economic growth and opportunity and that the GOP field did the same with Ronald Reagan. The tip of the cap to Reagan notwithstanding, Bloombergs statement was almost universally translated as being a tacit endorsement of Hillary Clinton, and an acknowledgement that he didnt want to be blamed for keeping the Clintons from returning to the White House. His underlying premise was accepted both by Republicans and Democrats, and by their sympathizers in the media, the predictable reaction of defenders of the existing two-party duopoly. Liberal news outlets ominously cited three-way opinion polls that hinted at impending calamity for Clinton if Bloomberg ran, while conservative commentators questioned the centrist credentials of a socially liberal Jewish billionaire who was funding gun control candidates all over the country and whose push as mayor to limit the size of soft drinks made him a nanny state poster boy. If Ross Perot couldnt come close in 1992, when voters were also restive, goes the argument, how could Mike Bloomberg do it now? I think this is the wrong lesson to derive from recent history, and Im not alone. Lets start with the 1992 example. Veteran pollster and political strategist Patrick Caddell points out that voter disaffection in 2016 is vastly greater than it was then. Youve got 60 to 70 percent of the people who feel that the country is in flat-out decline, he told me. They believe politics is rigged, and the whole system is corrupt. Using Perot as a foil ignores other realities. Remember, Perot was leading in the polls over both George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton when he abruptly quit the race that July with an explanation so peculiar that people questioned his mental health. Yet when he returned to the campaign trail with five weeks to go, he still garnered nearly 20 percent of the vote. He had been running first, Caddell noted, in states with 430 electoral votes. But if Perot lacked the temperament, he had other qualities voters were yearning for: He was a political outsider; his wealth ensured he was beholden to no political party or special interest; although he displayed less personal affection for Bush than for Clinton, Perot was hard to peg ideologically. He truly was an independent. Perhaps that description doesnt fit Mike Bloomberg. Maybe Bloomberg was the wrong guy. But this is clearly not the wrong time. In the relatively recent past, Donald Trump has been registered as a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent and a member of Perots own Reform Party. In 2016, Trump wiped out a field that included more than a dozen governors and U.S. senators, past and present, while espousing a political philosophy devoid of ideological cohesion. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton is being pushed to the wall by a 74-year-old socialist lacking in charisma. Sanders and Trump are not accidents of history: They are the rational result of an electorate that is furious with both political parties for all the right reasons. Those late-winter public polls that showed Hillary cruising to victory over The Donald unless Bloomberg got in the race dont seem so relevant now that Trump has pulled into a dead heat with Clinton, do they? It turns out that the most salient phrase in Mike Bloombergs March 7 op-ed was the throwaway line as the race stands now. It sure didnt stay that way for long. No matter what the elites desire, Trump is emerging as the choice of independent voters. A strong case can be made that Trump is the de facto independent and that the Republican Party is the entity without a candidate in this race. I ran this argument by Kansas City-area businessman Greg Orman to gauge his reaction. Orman knows something about running for office as an independent. He challenged Republican Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas in 2014, gaining enough traction to chase out the Democratic candidate, but ultimately losing the race in that deeply red GOP bastion. Orman took issue with my characterization, saying that once Trump chose to run as a Republican (and at least nominally adopt Republican stances hed not taken before) hed forfeited his standing to be considered an independent. Maybe thats right. Or maybe Orman is trying to keep his own options open. I only know for sure that even people close to Mike Bloomberg are wondering whether the conventional wisdom of early March still applies to late May. I mentioned this to Douglas Schoen, a prominent and astute centrist Democrat and political scholar and Bloomberg confidant. It is impossible to say what would have or could have happened, Schoen replied. What I can say is that Mike Bloombergs critique of our politics as corrupt, unproductive, dishonest and donor-driven has been validated. Fair enough, but it begged the question, so I tried again. Does he believe that the absence of a truly independent option on the 2016 ballot makes it more likely, rather than less likely, that Trump will be elected president? Schoen responded succinctly: Yes it does. Carl M. Cannon is executive editor of RealClearPolitics.com. California has earned quite a reputation for being openly hostile to business, as confirmed by numerous studies and surveys. Its plethora of taxes and regulations are driving away legions of entrepreneurs and workers, but they are doing wonders for one segment of the economy: the moving industry. It is almost as though that industry is secretly lobbying the state Legislature for its anti-business policies. Joe Vranich, as president of Spectrum Location Solutions, an Irvine business relocation consulting firm, knows all about what drives businesses decisions to give up and leave for greener pastures. According to his research, in just the past seven years, approximately 9,000 businesses have decided to leave California or expand their operations out of state. Companies leaving California typically save between 20 percent and 35 percent of operating costs, he concluded. Texas has been the biggest beneficiary of Californias business exodus, Vranich noted. This should not be surprising, given that Texas has claimed the top spot in Chief Executive magazines Best and Worst States for Business survey of CEOs from across the country each of the 12 years it has been conducted, while California has ranked last every single year. But if you dont believe Vranich or Chief Executive, just listen to the business owners themselves. The parent company of the Carls Jr., Hardees and Green Burrito fast-food chains revealed that it will be moving its corporate office in Carpinteria to Nashville, Tenn. Increasing costs as a result of government policies, particularly in California, are having deleterious effects not only on businesses bottom lines, but also on workers. With government driving up the cost of labor, its driving down the number of jobs, CKE Restaurants CEO Andy Puzder told Business Insider in March. Youre going to see automation not just in airports and grocery stores, but in restaurants. If youre making labor more expensive, and automation less expensive this is not rocket science, Puzder added, noting that machines are always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, theres never a slip-and-fall, or an age-, sex- or race-discrimination case. On the latter point, Californias litigious climate has become a common complaint of business owners. No wonder the American Tort Reform Foundation once again named California the No. 1 Judicial Hellhole in the nation last year, based on the states excessive laws and regulations and a flood of disability access, asbestos and food advertising and labeling lawsuits, frequently more opportunistic attempts at extortion than legitimate attempts to seek justice for victims who have been truly harmed. California has proven to be a particularly harsh climate for manufacturing businesses. Even if California were to eliminate the state income taxes tomorrow, that still would not be enough, CellPoint Corp. CEO Ehsan Gharatappeh told the Dallas Business Journal of the Costa Mesa companys move to Forth Worth. General Magnaplate Corp., which has made reinforced parts for the aerospace, transportation, medical, oil and other industries for 36 years, decided to shut down its California facility in Ventura altogether. This is a very sad day for our employees and for my family, who have a long history of job creation in this area, but the simple fact is that the state of California does not provide a business-friendly environment, CEO Candida Aversenti said in a press release. Increases in workers compensation costs and government regulations, combined with predatory citizens groups and law firms that make their living entirely by preying on small businesses, have left us with no other choice but to shut down our California facility. This is in stark contrast to our New Jersey and Texas facilities, which are flourishing in small business-friendly environments created by the respective local governments and environmental agencies. The Mercatus Centers 2013 Freedom in the 50 States ranked California 49th overall including 47th in the personal freedom category, 49th in economic freedom and dead last in regulatory policy. The John Locke Foundations 2015 First in Freedom Index similarly ranks California 48th in overall freedom, 49th in fiscal policy and 50th in regulatory freedom. Overall, there have been 37 studies of economic freedom and state economic growth published in scholarly journals since 1990, the John Locke Foundation report stated, of which 29 found a positive, statistically significant relationship and eight found no link. Not a single study found that ranking high in economic freedom was associated with lower economic performance. The good news is that Californias business climate malady is reversible. The answer is to be found in economic liberty, as the Mercatus Center and John Locke Foundation studies indicate. Lawmakers and bureaucrats need only undo the restrictive tax, labor, environmental, housing and other regulations that have made it such a costly and unwelcome place to do business. Unfortunately, the Legislature does not appear intent on loosening the economic shackles it has placed on entrepreneurs and workers any time soon unless, of course, they are in a politically-connected industry such as Hollywood or green energy. But true freedom means having the opportunity to succeed in any legal business, not just those favored by elected officials. As California has learned, people can vote with their feet, and they are increasingly casting their ballots for economic freedom. SANTA ANA All the memories 90-year-old Herminia Casas has of her late husband are preserved in two keepsake boxes tucked in a room dedicated from floor to ceiling to generations of family members who fought for the United States Armed Forces. One box, covered in rose prints, holds more than 100 love letters her husband, Juan Casas, wrote to her from Germany, where he served as a staff sergeant during World War II. He returned home safely after the war ended in 1945; still, she kept the letters. They remind her, 13 years after his death, that he was there even when they were apart. These are all memories, Casas said, opening the box of letters in her Santa Ana home on Wednesday. I would write him every day. He would write me whenever he had a chance to get away from fighting. Only one page is outside its envelope, dated April 26, 1945 the one in which he informed her that he and fellow soldiers had crossed the Rhine River, advancing the Allied Forces push toward victory. I laminated it so I could have it as a souvenir, Casas said. She wont let her eight children read the rest. But shes far from the only person whos read her husbands love letters. Every letter was censored, Casas explained, pointing out a stamp indicating a letter had passed inspection and that some parts of some letters had been cut out. They couldnt talk anything dirty, she said with a laugh. The other box, an antique attache briefcase, is filled with yellowing issues of The Stars and Stripes newspaper for American soldiers that her husband mailed. Topping the stack is the issue that brought her the most pleasure, with the headline, NAZIS QUIT! It was a joy, Casas recalls of the historic day. Everyone was honking horns and the sirens were sounding. We were so excited the war ended. It was such a joy. While Casas keeps the newspapers enclosed, and the letters secret, she proudly displays the military contributions of her husband, brothers, sons, grandsons and great-grandson a dozen servicemen total all around the den of her home. A decade ago, her children helped to mount portraits of the veterans and their certificates of recognition for service across a wall. Many American flags decorate the room, Casas favorite being one that plays patriotic songs and waves with the push of a button. She regularly donates money to support the U.S. Armed Forces and has received many thank you letters in return from dignitaries including President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama which she displays on a shelf. Shes very patriotic, Casas daughter Teri Elizalde, 62, said. My father was very patriotic. They would take us as soon as we turned 18 to vote. The Casas family spends each Memorial Day at Riverside National Cemetery, where Juan Casas is buried with others who served the country. Its a day the family honors the fallen, not necessarily by mourning but by thanking them for their sacrifice, said Casas son John Casas, 69. The family lost Juan Casas brother Marcelo Casas, who died serving in the Navy in the Philippines during World War II. Herminia Casas said the family is lucky they didnt lose more family members. Some of us came close but we managed to come back, said John Casas, who served as a staff sergeant in the Vietnam War. War is hell, its a horrible atmosphere to be in and you fear for your life every day. Today will be no different than Memorial Days of the past the family will pay their respects at the cemetery. Were proud of our men. We went through heck, through all sorts of gory sadness, Herminia Casas said. The love letters, though, bring back the joyful memories. Theyre getting old, my letters are getting old, she said. I want them buried with me. Contact the writer: 714-796-7762 or jkwong@ocregister.com or on Twitter: @JessicaGKwong WASHINGTON The Pentagon is relying on information it wont make public to dispute an Associated Press investigation that found the military misled Congress about sexual assault cases to blunt support for Senate legislation. In a report sent Thursday to a bipartisan group of senators, the Pentagon refers to undisclosed files about several of the cases to challenge APs findings. But the response, which faults AP for inconsistencies and misunderstandings, fails to conclusively counter the investigation. The report also criticizes a separate examination of the cases by the advocacy group Protect Our Defenders. The groups president, retired Col. Don Christensen, fired back at the Pentagon in a statement Friday. The Defense Department repeatedly accused Protect Our Defenders of misunderstanding the military justice process, he wrote. Yet they are the ones who mischaracterized this process to Congress in the first place. Christensen is the former chief prosecutor of the Air Force. Defense Department spokesman Eric Pahon said the importance of protecting the privacy of sexual assault victims inevitably limits the ability of the department to release certain information. Even as the department pushed back, the report acknowledged difficulties in pinpointing its own records. An attorney who oversaw the Air Forces sexual assault cases had died, the department said, leaving that service unable to determine with certainty the cases in question for that service. APs investigation and the study by Protect Our Defenders focused on congressional testimony and correspondence delivered three years ago by then-vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Adm. James Winnefeld. He cited dozens of sexual assault cases involving service members to illustrate for lawmakers that military commanders are more willing to punish sex offenders than civilian district attorneys and local police forces are. Winnefeld retired from military service last year. The Pentagon delivered the report on the eve of a Senate vote on legislation that has divided the chamber and led the military to warn of severe consequences if its ever signed into law. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., would strip commanders of their power to decide whether sexual assault cases should go to trial and give that authority to seasoned, independent military trial lawyers. Protect Our Defenders supports Gillibrands bill. Senior Pentagon officials have argued that commanders are essential to maintaining good order and discipline in the ranks. Removing them from the decision to prosecute would mean fewer sex offenders will be caught and convicted, they said. Her legislation was first introduced in the spring of 2013 and has won support from at least 50 senators. But it has twice failed to meet a 60-vote filibuster threshold. Another vote on the bill is expected early next month. APs investigation, published last month, was based on records obtained by Protect Our Defenders last year through the Freedom of Information Act. The amount of documents was small compared with the number of cases. The group filed the requests with the military services shortly after Winnefeld warned the Senate Armed Services Committee about the perils of Gillibrands bill. He told the committee in July 2013 that there were 93 sexual assault cases that military commanders insisted on taking after local district attorneys refused. The bulk of the cases involved soldiers. I worry that if we turn this over to somebody else, whether it is a civilian DA or a nonentity in the military, that they are going to make the same kind of decisions that those civilian prosecutors made, Winnefeld said. I worry that we are going to have fewer prosecutions if we take it outside the chain of command. Among the records Protect Our Defenders received were summaries of the outcomes of many of the cases Winnefeld referred to in his testimony. The summaries, which were prepared by the military services at the Joint Staffs request, presented an often unflattering image of local law enforcement. The documents buttressed the Pentagons position that Gillibrands bill would result in fewer sexual assault prosecutions. In a number of the summaries, the steps taken by civilian authorities were described incorrectly or omitted, according to APs investigation. Other case descriptions were too imprecise to be verified. Also, theres nothing in the records supporting Winnefelds testimony that commanders intervened directly and insisted that the cases be prosecuted. The Pentagon report contested several of those conclusions. However, it cited underlying case files that werent part of the records provided to Protect Our Defenders even though the group asked for any and all documents and data related to the cases. Pahon said the Defense Department has no reason to believe that the (military) services withheld information that was responsive to the records requests submitted by Protect Our Defenders. In other instances AP has obtained detailed records through FOIA about sexual assault cases to include investigative reports, trial transcripts, and pre-trial agreements. The Navy judge advocate generals office last year ordered the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to release investigative reports after AP appealed NCISs refusal to do so. NCIS blacked out all the names in the reports, including the accused. Gun owners in California recently woke up to the news that the California Senate had passed a stack of bills putting new restrictions on the use of guns. If they all become law, youll need a license to sell ammunition and a background check to buy it, magazines that hold more than 10 rounds will be illegal, more guns will be classified as assault weapons, homemade guns will need state serial numbers, and it will be a crime to loan a gun to anyone who isnt a family member or a licensed hunter. Are those proposed laws constitutional? The Supreme Court said in 2008, in District of Columbia v. Heller, that Americans have the right as individuals to keep and bear arms. The court struck down Washington D.C.s absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home. But the Heller decision left many questions unanswered, starting with whether the Second Amendment was binding on the 50 states as well as on the District of Columbia. When the first ten amendments to the Constitution were ratified in 1791, nobody thought they applied to the states. Chief Justice John Marshall wrote in 1833 that if Congress had intended the Bill of Rights to bind the states, they would have declared this purpose in plain and intelligible language. That understanding still prevailed at the start of the 20th century, as bank robber Gunplay Maxwell discovered. In 1900 he complained that Utah had denied his Sixth Amendment right to trial by jury, but the U.S. Supreme Court said the first ten amendments were not intended to and did not have any effect upon the powers of the respective states, adding, This has been many times decided. The Supreme Court never said the whole Bill of Rights applies to the states. Instead, there was a gradual process of selectively declaring particular rights to be fundamental to liberty. That makes them apply to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, which says the states cant deny liberty to any person without due process of law. Gunplay Maxwell was ahead of his time. The Supreme Court decided that trial by jury was fundamental to liberty in 1968. In 2010, two years after the Heller decision, the right to keep and bear arms was declared fundamental in McDonald v. Chicago. This gradual incorporation of the Bill of Rights into the Fourteenth Amendment has been going on for about 90 years and has silently transferred power from state legislatures to federal courts. For example, in 2011 the Supreme Court struck down a California law that banned the sale of violent video games to minors. The justices said California had not shown the court a compelling reason to have a law that infringes the First Amendment rights of video game creators. Soon, California may have to show the court a compelling reason for laws that infringe the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. For 90 years, the justices have invented balancing tests and scrutiny levels to guide decisions in these cases, but it remains what Justice Felix Frankfurter called it in 1947: merely subjective. Does California have a compelling reason to require background checks for ammunition purchases? One justice may think so, but another may find the reason only rational. Five votes for compelling would uphold such a law, while five only rationals would be enough to strike it down. Over the next decade, Second Amendment rights will be profoundly affected by the personal values of the justices appointed by the president whos elected this November. The NRA made an early endorsement and started the fight before June. ANAHEIM If not for his iPhone, Heinson Evander would not be headed to Parsons School of Design in New York. He might not have graduated last week from Loara High. He might not be alive. Evander was 14 when his mother kicked him out of the house. He was homeless for a time, then placed in foster care. He was miserable. He thought about suicide. He stood at the top of a building in Los Angeles and considered the leap. Instead, he pointed his iPhone at the city below and snapped some photos. He was reborn. TOUGH JOURNEY His business card is black. The logo features a body, in midair, as if ready to do a backflip. The professional alias is announced in gold lettering: Hennessy Vandheur, Photographer and Creative Director Few who know Evander doubt he will make a name for himself. He wants to be a fashion photographer. At 17, he already has a growing list of clients models and musicians and merchandisers who pay for his photography. At the last count, the vandheur Instagram account, which showcases his edgy work, was followed by 61,000 people. Whats more, Instagram itself follows him, one of fewer than 200 accounts tracked by the youth-centric media giant. I found something that saved me, that made me get up in the morning, Evander says of his life as a working photographer. It made me want to create something and put something beautiful back in the world. Making art gives you a reason to love yourself. But it hasnt yet reconnected him to a person he loves. Its been a year since Evander last spoke with his mother, and that conversation, he says, was a tense phone call. He sent her an email last September, wishing her a happy birthday, but got no reply. He has no idea if shes seen his work. Evander calmly describes how they came to this point, as if telling someone elses story: In Thailand, where he was born, his family was well off but troubled, he says. His father beat his mother, and his mother took him, at age 4, when she went on a business trip to California. They never returned. They left behind Evanders younger brother, then 1. Evander says he hasnt seen or spoken to his father since leaving, and he communicates with his brother via Twitter. In California, his mother remarried and, for a few years, their life was stable. But during the recession, Evander says, his stepfather, suffering economic setbacks, became a disciplinarian and treated Evander brutally. Again, Evander says, his mother took her son, by then a high school freshman, and fled. She grew depressed. And she became frustrated with Evander, who started staying out late with friends. When she caught him lying about being late for school, Evander says, she kicked him out and didnt take him back. CAPTURING LIFE His backpack held two changes of clothes, a toothbrush, a skateboard. He carried $200, which hed earned mowing lawns and tutoring. He couch-surfed with friends families. A clerk at a 24-hour Subway sandwich shop kindly looked the other way when Evander slept overnight at a table. He regularly washed up in a Starbucks bathroom. This was when dark thoughts nudged him to the edge of that building in Los Angeles. I thought about how easy it would be to just end it all by falling into the city. Instead, what Evander saw saved him: the pulsating lights of the city, he says, describing the view, the glowing veins of life that moved through its busy streets. He made a promise to himself: I was going to pour all my life into documenting these little moments that we take for granted. I fell in love with capturing life. The art teacher As this school year started, David Sporn grew worried. Sporn teaches art at Loara, and Evander, one of his students, was showing up late too often. Sporn learned why: Evander was living in an apartment in Tustin, in the countys Transitional Housing Program for older foster youth. He was struggling to make the 90-minute bus ride to school and to get enough sleep. Soon, Sporn and his wife, Dana, who teaches at Western High, made a decision: They would become Evanders foster parents. They converted the office/art supply room in their Anaheim home shared with their two teenage daughters into Evanders bedroom. Theyve never met Evanders mother. His mother is still around, Sporn says. We just dont know where. Theyve offered stability and encouragement. Sporn calls Evander, who plays piano and guitar and sang in the school choir, an old soul and says hes not a typical teenage boy. Hes a little professional. He hustles to get there and do it. Evander has not yet taken a photography class. Instead, hes scrutinized the work of photographers he admires Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel and experimented. I could see little details and patterns, he explains. I would look at other peoples work and compare it to theirs and see what they were doing better. During his senior year, Evander spent weekends taking a bus into downtown Los Angeles and riding his skateboard around the city in search of shooting locations. Days working with a client can stretch from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. His fashion sense runs dark, with black clothes and his dark hair kept short on the side but long enough in the middle to be tied into a ponytail. He views the world through tortoise-shell glasses. His photography has won several honors, including a nomination for the Registers Artist of the Year in Visual Arts. Medals and certificates hang on the bulletin board in his bedroom. The same board also has the first dollar he earned as a photographer, from a $600 payment for an album cover. He recently landed a gig with Next Management modeling agency to photograph new, young faces, an assignment he says the Los Angeles company will let him continue when he heads to New York City for college. Hes saved everything hes made to pay for college. A woman at the Ebell Club helped arrange a $1,000 scholarship. And the Sporns gave him a graduation gift nearly all of the $859 a month the state sent since September for his foster care expenses. Combined with other financial awards, including $5,000 from the highly regarded Parsons School of Design, Evander has about $10,000 for college. Thats well short of the $62,500 a year hell need. Hes hoping to apply for federal educational aid, but he cant until his legal residency is established and he gets a Social Security card. Thats why Sporn is on a letter-writing campaign. Hes sent off hundreds of notes to local politicians, civic organizations, businesses, board members at Parsons, and a list of what Sporn describes as the 100 most influential people in New York. Sporns letters about Evander always end with this: He wants this more than you can imagine THE OLD iPHONE At Christmas, Evander got a camera upgrade from his iPhone. A college buddy of Sporns a guy who also grew up in foster care sent his used digital Canon T2i, along with a note of encouragement. Evander read it and wept. He still has the old iPhone. Its cracked. Pieces of the case are missing. Sporn tells him to keep it. I told him, Dont ever lose that. Because if you ever become a famous photographer, that will be on display. Contact the writer: 714-796-7793 or twalker@ocregister.com Orthodontist Ken Fischer has examined the teeth of thousands some living, some dead. When coroner officials have exhausted other resources to positively identify a body, they call Fischer and only Fischer, for dental exams. He ensures the body, perhaps burned beyond recognition or damaged by floating in the ocean for a long time, is correctly matched with the right name. Hes Orange Countys forensic odontologist, or forensic dentist, who since taking over in 2007 has identified 119 bodies and counting. Records are obtained from the dentist of the person thought to be the dead. Usually, Fischer just sees X-rays and dental charts emailed to him. Sometimes, he needs to do his inspection at the coroners office in Santa Ana. Biggest learning curve is getting used to the smell, he said. The dentist of the dead stumbled onto this part-time gig. When I came in and showed my interest, they were very willing to get me going, so Ive been helping them ever since, Fischer said. You dont have to be certified in order to help these agencies, you just have to have the knowledge and the ability to do the documentation and examinations. His original career plan never included such work. Fischer, who became an Eagle Scout in 1960, knew he wanted to be an orthodontist his freshman year of high school. When I was living back in my hometown, growing up, my next-door neighbor was the orthodontist (for) the whole area, Fischer said. He had an affluent lifestyle; he had all the cute girls from high school working for him and I thought, This looks like a good life. Fisher planned to return home to southeast Missouri after finishing up two years as a U.S. Air Force dentist in Victorville during the Vietnam War. But he never did. His first office was in the Ralphs shopping center in Villa Park before moving to his current Orange spot in 1986 where nowadays the orthodontist sees up to 30 clients a day, some third-generation patients. One of Fischers stepdaughters, in college and interested in CSI work, prompted Fischer to nose around. He knew the previous dentist of the dead, who left the position when he retired. Robert Kelly, an older dentist, had been doing it forever, and I had made a couple trips to the morgue to see what he was doing, Fischer said. (But) my interest in the job didnt develop until my stepdaughter was interested in doing the whole CSI thing, so I took her down to the coroners office and heard they needed someone, Fischer said. When I came in and showed my interest, they were very willing to get me going, so Ive been helping them ever since. He stayed, yes. She ended up in business management. On average, Fischer helps confirm identities of bodies two, three times a month. Typically, he does so digitally. Fischer receives $100 for each comparison. They cut the jaws out (of the body) and photograph it and digitally send me those records, Fischer said. Fischer takes about an hour examining the pictures, looking for five to seven similarities linking the teeth and the dental records, and sending a note with his findings to the coroners office. One of his latest identities was made by matching a womans crown and filling locations. Sometimes, he has to slip into the coroners office. If theres any question if the survivors want the decedent intact, then they cant cut them up, Fischer said. Or if its some type of murder investigation. Once, he showed up to examine a skull found in a pond. There were still leaves in his mouth, Fischer said. It was yucky. Fischers job with the coroners office doesnt always involve the dead. He is asked on occasion to compare bite marks to teeth in domestic-violence cases. Once, Fischer went into an Orange County jail to make an impression of an inmates bite. He had multiple missing teeth and one tooth that was broken, which created a point, the orthodontist said. Theyre were a number of irregularities in the bite, so we could say we thought it was him. Fischer, 70, intends on staying with the coroners office until he retires which is not in the near future. Hes always looking at new ways and concepts like where he sees changes in his practice, like 3D scanning and how we can use those in forensics, said Jae Simon, a senior forensic assistant supervisor in the Orange County coroners office. Were very fortunate to have found him, Simon said. I think hes even done comparisons when hes on vacation. When Fischer isnt with his family, or creating tables, chairs and cabinets in his woodworking shop, or applying braces and fitting clear aligners, he can be found in his back office examining X-rays and dental charts for the coroners office. I think thats really cool, 15-year-old Brooklyn Walker said recently before having braces put on. Its crazy he can do that. She then directed her attention to Fischer: How can you tell who a person is by their teeth? Magical powers, her orthodontist responded, playfully. Contact the writer: 714-796-7802 or aduranty@ocregister.com Re: Gun laws: Bills or ballot? [Letters, May 24]: I believe the voters are best suited to decide how they should be disarmed and made defenseless. The California Legislature has had an agenda of eating away at our Second Amendment rights for years. It seems in this case they feel that the people may not support the Newsom gun control measure on the ballot so they want to take it out of the voters hands by party-line edict. Let the people decide their fate. Greg Burtch Cypress I think Kevin de Leon is afraid that the people will not pass Gavin Newsoms initiative, and so we have another example of government attempting to weaken our Second Amendment rights. Mr. de Leon would be better off trying to solve real problems, and not engaging in telling people how to live their lives. Jack Kleyh Rancho Santa Margarita The people need to speak. It is a noose for a politician to honestly support any kind of gun control. Interestingly, even mental-health restrictions that address the NRAs principle of guns dont kill, people do can bring the wrath of the gun lobby. Two solutions: take the special interest money out of campaigns and lobbying, and let the people vote on issues of national debate. The shock of either or both would catapult us into a new reality (and a new democracy). Tim Williams Lake Forest As a famous constitutional opponent, currently running for president, once said, albeit on another subject, What difference at this point does it make? Either way, another of these laws, if passed, will automatically make needlessly criminal a whole segment of our population. This type of law is called ex post facto law law passed retroactively. All politicians have the same thing in common, besides venality. They squirm for re-election and one main way to accomplish that is to manufacture fears and then pass laws to alleviate these faux fears. The public mindlessly bites on the bait. These proposed toothless gun laws are more of the same. They will do absolutely nothing to remedy any problem, and instead will pile more restrictions on an already overly law-leery, tired public. So really, what difference at this point does it make if the choice of how a bad law is passed leads to the same place? Scotty Roberts Laguna Beach I have a couple simple questions about existing gun laws. How many California gun crimes are committed by owners of legally acquired firearms? What percentage of the total crimes involving guns is committed by owners of legally acquired firearms? If most gun crimes are being committed by those possessing guns illegally, then obviously additional laws are irrelevant. If our politicians cannot prove that the gun laws prevent crimes since criminals, by definition, dont obey laws then passing additional laws only attack honest citizens and not the criminals. What is the real objective of the politicians if they only attack honest citizens? Bob Harris Anaheim Hills The question posed presumes we need more gun laws. We already have a gun law saying the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. All of the proposals are designed to infringe upon the rights of the people. Sure, the proposers are directing their efforts at criminals, but they are not smart enough or do not recognize that criminals by definition do not obey any laws, especially gun laws. The effect of all of these proposals is to put more regulatory burden upon law-abiding citizens. The Constitution is designed to prevent this. Daniel Breig Yorba Linda The series of gun restrictions recently passed by the California state Senate take us beyond acceptable limits, even for long-time gun enthusiasts who support common sense measures. Requiring gun owners to acquire a license to purchase ammunition, and to be checked at point of sale, is akin to requiring people to acquire a license and a point-of-sale check before purchasing gasoline or alcohol because irresponsible use can lead to aberrant behavior and death. The Senate majority (who are Democratic) stated these are common-sense steps, they are not common sense, they are massively discriminatory against law-abiding citizens and a direct assault on our Second Amendment rights. It is a given that criminals and the criminally insane do not follow any laws. Why not concentrate on this risky element instead of passing broad-bush solutions which negatively impact the law-abiding populace? These are the type of measures that continue to polarize the general public and are reflective of why compromise is improbable. California already has the strictest gun laws in the nation. I would rather that the legislature spent their time trying to figure out how to match expenditures with revenues and protecting our state from a long-term debt crisis vs. looking for ways to spend more money that they dont have on ineffective laws that will change nothing. James L. Pace San Clemente ROME A flotilla of ships saved 668 migrants Saturday from smugglers boats in distress in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya, Italian authorities said bringing the weeks total of migrants plucked from the sea to a staggering 13,000 people. The rescues by the Italian coast guard and navy ships, aided by Irish and German vessels and humanitarian groups, are the latest by a multinational patrol south of the Italian island of Sicily. The Irish military said the vessel Le Roisin saved 123 migrants from a 40-foot rubber dinghy and recovered a male body. A German ship patrolling to intercept smugglers boats also was involved in four separate rescue operations, the Italian coast guard said Saturday evening. Meanwhile, with migrant shelters filling up in Sicily, the Italian navy vessel Vega headed toward Reggio Calabria, a southern Italian mainland port, bringing 135 survivors and 45 bodies from a rescue a day earlier. The Vega was due to dock on Sunday. Other survivors who arrived Saturday in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo told authorities they had witnessed a fishing boat filled with hundreds of migrants sink on Thursday, a Save The Children spokeswoman, Giovanna Di Benedetto, told The Associated Press by telephone from Sicily. According to survivors, two smugglers fishing boats and a dinghy set sail Wednesday night from Libyas coast. Di Benedetto said the survivors were among 500 or so aboard the one fishing boat that didnt sink and the dinghy. All of this must be verified, of course, said Di Benedetto, but if the survivors accounts bear out, as many as 400 people could have drowned, with only a very few of those on the vessel that sank able to reach the other boats. Authorities say many migrant boats in the past few years apparently have sunk without a trace in the Mediterranean, with the dead never found. Often the only news about them comes when family members in Africa or Europe tell authorities that their loved ones never arrived after setting sail from Libya. Under a European Union deal, tens of thousands of those rescued at sea and seeking asylum were supposed to be relocated to other EU nations from Italy and Greece, where most of the migrants have landed. But with resentment building in some European countries about taking in more migrants, the plan never really took off, and only a small percentage of those slated for relocation have actually been moved. At the Vatican on Saturday, Pope Francis told several hundred children, among them many migrants, who came from southern Italy that migrants arent a danger but they are in danger. The pontiff held a red life vest given to him by a volunteer. He told the children the vest was used by a Syrian girl who died while trying to reach the Greek island of Lesbos. Shes in heaven, shes watching us, Francis said. Among those in the audience was a Nigerian youth who lost his parents in 2014 as the family tried to reach Italy by sea. Francis has repeatedly expressed dismay that some European nations have refused to accept those fleeing poverty or war, and have even thrown up razor-wire fences and other barriers to thwart their arrivals. In France, an Afghan migrant died after being hit by a truck near the coastal city of Calais. Pas-de-Calais region Secretary-General Marc Del Grande said the 25-year-old was hit while he and about 50 other migrants were laying branches on the highway in an effort to slow traffic, hop on a truck and get to Britain. VALLEJO Authorities on Friday narrowed their frantic search for a missing teenager to a remote area about 65 miles from where she was last seen being dragged by an armed acquaintance who later died in a gun battle with police. The Solano County Sheriffs Office said Friday that new information was prompting investigators to focus their search for 15-year-old Pearl Pinson along a road that traverses Sonoma Coast State Park near the town of Jenner. Sheriffs Deputy Christine Castillo did not say what the nature of the new information was but said it came out of the investigation into the San Francisco Bay Area girls disappearance. The search for the missing girl has been complicated by the death Thursday of the young man suspected of abducting her Wednesday as she walked to school. Police fatally shot Fernando Castro, 19, in Southern California after they spotted his car and exchanged gunfire with him as they say he attempted to get away. This case spans from Northern to Southern California, Solano County Sheriff spokeswoman Castillo said earlier Friday. A witness saw Castro armed with a gun and pulling a screaming Pinson across a freeway overpass in the city of Vallejo, where they both lived. The witness reported hearing a gunshot while running for help. The sheriffs department said Friday that surveillance cameras captured images of Castros car traveling Thursday morning in Marin County, about 25 miles from where Pinson was taken and 300 miles away from where he was shot and killed hours later. The gold Saturn sedan was spotted on a freeway near San Francisco Bay, and authorities also were searching the waters edge. Authorities said the two teens knew each other but emphasized that they believe Pinson was taken unwillingly. Rose Pinson, the missing girls older sister, said she had heard Castros name but had never met him and described him as an acquaintance, according to the Vallejo Times-Herald. Everyone is looking for Pearl. We arent doing so good, Rose Pinson said at a vigil Thursday. Shes always happy, she loves to laugh, loves to ride her long skateboard. Blood and Pearl Pinsons cellphone were found on the pedestrian overpass where she was taken Wednesday. A day later and hundreds of miles away, Southern California sheriffs deputies spotted and pursued Castros car. Castro abandoned the sedan about 45 miles north of Santa Barbara and shot at deputies as he ran into a mobile home park, the sheriff said. He briefly barricaded himself there, but a woman inside was able to escape safely. He stole a gray pickup from the house and opened fire at deputies again before they shot and killed him, authorities said. A woman who police say hit a 26-year-old man with her car and fled after seeing him injured was taken into custody, authorities announced Sunday. Police said Tracy Clapp, 36, of Santa Ana was detained on Saturday night after a chase in a stolen car and an altercation with officers. She looked much different when she was detained than when she was spotted at the crime scene, police said at a news conference. She apparently tried to conceal her identity by wearing blue contact lenses, dyeing her hair bright pink and getting a face tattoo, said Santa Ana Cpl. Matt Wharton. Clapp was in the hospital recovering from the tussle with officers and a police dog bite, and was expected to be booked on Sunday night on suspicion of several crimes stemming from both the hit and run and the struggle with authorities, including vehicular manslaughter, felony hit and run and assault on a police officer. The announcement comes after authorities and family members appealed to the public for help finding the woman who ran a red light before hitting and severely injuring Christopher Chavez of Santa Ana. Chavez was walking in a crosswalk at Bristol Street and Central Ave. with the right of way to eat at a nearby Dennys restaurant when he was struck on April 20 at around 2:15 a.m. Police said a woman in a black, BMW sedan with paper license plates stopped at the scene and walked up to the victim, but then drove off. Chavez was taken to Orange County Global Medical Center with serious injuries and was later declared brain-dead. A witness took a photo of her before she left. With the help of police, they offered a $20,000 reward for anyone who would help them identify the woman who fled the scene. After the family and police appealed to the public, tips came pouring in to investigators. Chavez, a drum line instructor at Saddleback High School in Santa Ana, was studying to become an emergency medical technician at Orange Coast Community College. His family was notified Saturday shortly after the 7 p.m. arrest. They met with news reporters Sunday morning outside police department headquarters. I feel nothing for this lady right now, Ralph Chavez, Christophers father said. Though he was grateful for the publics tips, Chavez said, the womans detention brings back the pain of losing his son. It brings back much sadness for Chris Shes a bad woman, he said. We are a broken family right now. Wharton said the woman has an extensive criminal history. It was apparent that she knew police were looking for her, he said. On Saturday night she was traced to an area of southeast Santa Ana, where police saw her exit a house and get into a stolen car. They tried to pull her over, Wharton said, but she kept going. She fled on foot but officers confronted her and took her into custody after a scuffle and a police canine bit her arm. As for the $20,000 reward offered in exchange for finding the woman, Wharton said no one has been interested in the money. There is no one interested in the reward at this time. They were just interested in leading us to her. Chavezs family had told the public they would be donating his organs to help others. On Sunday, they confirmed that is what happened. Its what he would have wanted to do, his sister Rachel Chavez said. Christopher will live on in other people. Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@ocregister.com KATWIJK, Netherlands Its wings beating against a gathering breeze, the eagle moves gracefully through a cloudy sky, then swoops, talons outstretched, on its prey below. The target is not another bird but a small drone, and when the eagle connects, there is a metallic clunk. With the device in its grasp, the bird of prey returns to the ground. At a disused military airfield in the Netherlands, hunting birds like the eagle are being trained to harness their instincts to help combat the security threats stemming from the proliferation of drones. The birds of prey learn to intercept small, off-the-shelf drones unmanned aerial vehicles of the type that can pose risks to aircraft, drop contraband into jails, conduct surveillance or fly dangerously over public events. Birds can bring drones safely to the ground, rather than causing them to crash, which can pose risks to those below. The thought of terrorists using drones haunts security officials in Europe and elsewhere, and among those who watched the demonstration at Valkenburg Naval Air Base this month was Mark Wiebes, a detective chief superintendent in the Dutch police. Wiebes described the tests as very promising and said that, subject to a final assessment, birds of prey were likely to be deployed soon in the Netherlands. The Metropolitan Police Service in London also is considering using trained birds to fight drones. We have seen a number of incidents around airfields, and, in the end, we want to be prepared should anyone want to use a drone for an attack of some sort, Wiebes said. The man who created the project, Sjoerd Hoogendoorn, a security consultant, put it more colorfully: Mostly, the most crazy ideas work the best. Alan McKenna, an associate lecturer in the law school at the University of Kent in England, said the experiment with birds of prey reflected growing concerns in Europe. There are so many unknowns: What if a drone does hit an aircraft? Can it bring that aircraft down? McKenna said, adding that research is being carried out now on those questions. We all know its going to be feasible to use a drone with a bomb attached, he said. KARYES, Greece Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a Russian Orthodox monastery Saturday as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Greece, which is looking for more Russian investment and tourism as it copes with a prolonged financial crisis and a massive wave of migrants. Putin, who has sought to capitalize on the strained relations between Greece and many other European Union members, said Russia seeks to cooperate with Greece in the energy sector. Several Russian ministers also expressed interest in the privatization of Greek railways and in the northern port of Thessaloniki, but no major deals were announced. Only lower-level cooperation agreements were reached during the visit. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had said the Russian presidents visit was a chance to upgrade relations. On Saturday, Putin visited a Russian Orthodox monastery on the northern Greek peninsula of Mount Athos. The Russian leader praised the spiritual uplift and moral guidance provided by the austere monastic community in a sacred place. Putin said the Orthodox tradition shared by Russia is particularly important at this moment in history. Today, as we resurrect the values of patriotism, historical memory and traditional culture, we hope for a strengthening of relations with Mount Athos, he said. During his trip, Putin expressed gratitude for Greeces friendship and used his visit to blast U.S. policy toward Moscow. He described a newly expanded U.S. missile defense system in Europe as a threat to Russias national security and said his country would retaliate. At the height of Greeces financial crisis last year, Athens had sought aid from Russia as a counterbalance to its difficult negotiations with its EU and International Monetary Fund creditors. The limited concrete results of Putins long-anticipated visit left some disappointed. Greek tourist officials said Putins visit would help encourage more Russians to visit Greece. Strained ties with Turkey and lax airport security in Egypt have reduced the number of Russian tourists going to those sun-drenched countries. During his visit to Mount Athos, where women are not allowed to visit any of the 20 monasteries there, Putin repeatedly praised the spirit of the monastic community. Here in Mount Athos, there is great and important work done on moral values, Putin said after a Mass in his honor, during which he was seated in the bishops throne. Putin flew from Athens to Thessaloniki on Saturday morning, traveled by road to a port near Mount Athos and then took a boat the only way to reach the isolated community. Instead of the usual small ferry, the Russian president used a 110-foot yacht provided by the Greek navy. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow traveled to the monastery with Putin to help celebrate 1,000 years of Russian presence at Mount Athos. At Karyes, the administrative center of Mount Athos, Putin was greeted by the 20 abbots of the monasteries and 20 representatives of the monks on the peninsula, as well as a representative of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, under whose jurisdiction Mount Athos falls. Security in Mount Athos was extremely tight. Besides Putins large entourage, there was a heavy Greek police and coast guard presence, with divers guarding and inspecting the landing site and snipers deployed throughout Putins route. Putin headed to Thessaloniki on Saturday night for a flight back to Moscow. It is bad enough that we have an official national debt of nearly $19 trillion not counting, at a minimum, tens of trillions of dollars in unfunded Social Security and Medicare liabilities. But the focus on spending and debt ignores yet another cost the government imposes on individuals and businesses: regulation. The Competitive Enterprise Institute reminds us again just how much of an effect all those regulations have on our lives in the latest edition of its annual Ten Thousand Commandments report. According to CEIs research, the compliance and economic costs of federal regulations were approximately $1.9 trillion in 2015, equal to 11 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. In fact, these regulatory costs are larger than the GDP of all but nine nations, exceeding the entire economic output of countries like Russia, Canada and Australia. This cost is more than the combined $1.8 trillion in individual and corporate income tax revenues the Internal Revenue Service expects to collect for 2015. It is a hidden tax, CEI avers, which translates to nearly $15,000 per U.S. household each year. That is 22 percent of the average household income of $66,877, and represents a greater cost than food, clothing and health care combined for the average household budget. And this assumes that the agencies imposing the regulations are accurately determining the costs and benefits of those diktats. Having agencies audit their own rules is like asking students to grade their own exams, the reports author, CEI Vice President for Policy Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., contended. The 2015 Federal Register contained 80,260 pages of regulations, the third-highest page count on record. Six of the seven highest page counts have come during the Obama administration, CEI observes. The agencies responsible for the most rulemaking are the Treasury, Commerce, Interior, Health and Human Services and Transportation departments, which together account for 41 percent of all federal regulations. As sobering as CEIs analysis is, even this may understate the governments regulatory toll. As we noted recently, a Mercatus Center report found that the accumulation of duplicative, obsolete and contradictory regulations imposes a cost even greater than the sum of each individual regulations cost due to the distortionary effects on the economy. Unfortunately, regulations get too little attention in policy debates because, unlike taxes, they are unbudgeted, CEI stated in a press release. They are also difficult to quantify because their effects are often indirect. It is unconscionable that unelected bureaucrats can craft and impose regulations costing hundreds of millions, or even billions, of dollars a year, and that Congress is complicit in this theft of citizens wealth due to its apathy and acquiescence. In addition to the 10,000 commandments of which CEI speaks, we would add one more: Thou shalt not steal. SANTA ANA Two people were injured Sunday when a fight broke out among five males at Santa Ana Cemetery. One male was shot in the upper torso and another male was shot in the lower torso, Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said. He said the injuries were not life-threatening. Police were called to the cemetery at 12:20 p.m. It was all like over in 10 seconds, said Juan Gonzalez, who was visiting deceased loved ones with his family, including a baby girl, when he saw a fight break out. It happened yards away, just past the cemeterys entrance. There were two guys (at a grave) drinking beers just chilling, he said. Then these three guys rolled up on them and they started fighting. Suddenly, he said, he heard three shots and two men were shot. No arrests had been made as of Sunday night. Bertagna confirmed that is what happened, but investigators were trying to confirm the number of people involved and if the shooting was gang-related. Police didnt immediately arrest anyone. Note: This story has been updated to correct the name of the cemetery. Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@ocregister.com WESTMINSTER The spigots are on for summer and the kids are already splashing around. Several splash pads around Orange County began flowing on Saturday, and dozens of children and their parents flocked to them. The water doesnt stop. Its fun, said Jimmy Alvarado, 10, at the Westminster splash pad Saturday, shivering and drenched from head-to-toe. Splash pads are playgrounds that have water features. But over the last couple of years, as Californias drought has intensified, many cities around the county discussed whether to shut off the nozzles. Last year, officials in Westminster debated whether it was fair to ask residents to help cut the citys water usage by 28 percent, as mandated by Gov. Jerry Brown, by not watering their lawns, while also running a mini-water attraction at Sigler Park. Irvine and Fullerton were among other cities that also debated whether to turn on their splash pads. But this year, many of those conversations have gone quiet. Most splash pads now have recirculating systems to cut down how much water is used and without splash pads, people would find other, potentially more wasteful, ways to cool off, city officials say. Its a great alternative to turning on your sprinkler and letting it run for hours, said Darin Loughrey, community services manager for Irvine, which has a splash pad in Heritage Park. More cities are expected to open splash pads this summer. In Tustin, though, things are different. The splash pads at Pioneer Road Park and Frontier Park cant recirculate water. So the City Council closed the splash pads in 2014 and 2015 and are on the fence about whether to open them. They wont open this weekend, because were waiting for the water report from the state, said Cheryl Valiquette, an administrative assistant in Tustins parks department. She added that if the drought has worsened, then it is more likely the City Council will opt to keep the splash pads closed. Two of Fullertons splash pads the ones at Lemon and Adlena parks opened Saturday, with shorter hours and reduced pressure. But the one at Valencia Park remains closed while city officials work out a plan to build a recirculation system for it. There is so much demand, said John Clements, Fullertons recreation supervisor. At Westminsters Sigler Park Splash Pad on Saturday, about a dozen kids ran around, under and through jets of water squirting in all directions. Some kids screamed and laughed when they dunked their heads under streams. The preteens nonchalantly strolled through the water. One young girl wielded a plastic hammer. A young boy shot his siblings with water that spewed out of a swiveling dragons head. My kids get crazy when its time to go (to the splash pad), said Karen Rubio, 27, of Santa Ana, the mother of Jimmy Alvarado and three other kids. They love it here. Contact the writer: 714-796-6979 or chaire@ocregister.com Taiwan made history this year when voters elected its first female president, Tsai Ing-wen. Although her victory was four months ago, she only officially took up her duties last week. Unfortunately, it is clear that the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party that govern the neighboring Peoples Republic of China will not be as enthusiastic about her visions of liberty and democracy as the Taiwanese voters were. In fact, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua published an opinion piece this week that claimed that because she is single and has no children, her political style would be emotional and extreme. Unfortunately, the piece sparked controversy and angry retorts on Chinese social media, where people took great offense at the chauvinism and blatant sexist prejudices contained in the piece. Tsai, who was educated at Cornell University and the London School of Economics, supposedly lacks the emotional burden of family and children, according to the articles author, Wang Weixing. Wangs view clearly differs substantially from those of Tsais champions, at home and abroad, some of whom have already begun comparing her to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Critics immediately focused their attention on Xinhuas role as a government-run propaganda agency, and the obviously contradiction between the piece and the oft-stated commitment of Chinese President Xi Jinping to equality between men and women. However, despite Xis regular pronouncements on the topic of gender equality, there are currently no women in Chinas highest rung of governing elites. Eventually, the article was taken down from the official website, in light of the extremely negative attention it was drawing in China, Taiwan and around the world. In addition to broader concerns over the cultural difference that have developed between mainland China and its rogue former province over the past six decades, the potential for friction and confrontation between Beijing and Taipei now that Tsai has won power is a serious matter for the region. One key factor that has maintained the peace is the belief in one China, of which both the mainland and the island of Taiwan remain part. In addition to being female, Tsai is also unafraid to speak of her Taiwan as an independent country from the Peoples Republic. Perhaps it was these direct and unqualified assertions during her inaugural speech last week that led Wang to write and Xinhua to publish such an inflammatory article against Tsai! Although cross-strait relations between Taipei and Beijing will be a priority for Tsai, she also faces a number of mounting challenges with regards to Taiwans domestic economy, which is in need of a significant and immediate boost. It is unclear how long her initial honeymoon period will last, but concrete improvement in wages, employment and housing will be needed if she is to maintain the support of those who elected her. Reinvigorating Taiwans economy will take more than a few executive orders or an initial budget revision, but patience will wear thin if measureable progress is not seen in the near-term. To date, Taiwan has focused much of its economic efforts on mainland China, benefiting indirectly from its consistently high levels of economic growth. Unfortunately, in recent years, as the mainland economy has slowed down, Taiwan has suffered as a result. One priority for Tsai will be how to broaden the Taiwanese economy away from China to embrace other markets and other opportunities, while at the same time not undoing the tactical and strategic security benefits that economic ties with the mainland carries with it. Like each of the other Asian countries neighboring China, it is difficult for Taiwan to construct domestic or international policies that are entirely independent of concern over Beijings potential reactions. In the case of Taiwan, this geopolitical fact is simply amplified by the islands history as a province of China, and the heightened sensitivities in Beijing to any indication that Taipei is moving away from the one China compromise. In many ways, the current position of China as both economically over-extended and politically over-extended might make matters worse for a pro-independence government under Tsais leadership. The high-point of Chinese-Taiwanese reconciliation arguably occurred during a period when Beijing had immense comfort in their countrys overall trajectory. Now that the Chinese economy has turned pear-shaped and concerns about corruption have again taken center-stage, it appears that Xis goal of permanently re-integrating Taiwan back into Beijings titular, but still real and direct, control seem out of reach, at least in the several years remaining to him as Chinas head of state. It still remains in both Beijings and Taipeis best interests for their two countries to enjoy stability and prosperity in the years to come. Petty sexist insults directed at the newly elected Taiwanese leader does little to promote those goals. Orange County writer and attorney Timothy Spangler hosts The Bigger Picture with Timothy Spangler, Sundays, 10 p.m.-midnight on KRLA 870 AM. Twitter: @timothyspangler Re: The runaway GOP [Opinion, May 21]: Rarely have I read a more apt and germane analogy as this one of Mr. Blasyaks with regard to the current political activity not only in the GOP but also in the countrys bandwagon that appears to be following the herd. Kudos, Mr. Blasyak. The only thing I might add would be, Hold on to your hats, cowboys. Were in for a dangerous ride. See ya at the rodeo, folks. Diane Kopylow Santa Ana Letter-writer Steve Blasyak hit the nail on the head when he described the current political climate. Our government is like a stampede, so many of our politicians, Democrats and Republicans, work hard to get elected, then once elected, go on a vacation until the next election. The only one who can stop this stampede is someone daring enough to take on the broken government. Someone who is successful, believes in the people and loves his country more than his position. I have yet to see a cowboy movie where the stampede is not stopped if the people in charge know how to do it. I, like Steve, believe it will take Donald Trump to stop this stampede. Hillary is like the bull in the stampede. The other buffalos represent the uninformed or those who want to continue receiving free benefits from the government paid by taxpayers. The stampede started seven years ago but it is not too late to be brought under control. Chuck Trout Huntington Beach Get over it To Republicans refusing to vote for Donald Trump, and cast a ballot for Hillary or not vote: get over it. The only choice we have to prevent this country from becoming a European-style democratic socialist country is to not elect the Democratic nominee. The next president will name two to four justices to the Supreme Court. Trump has indicated that he will name qualified people who will support the Constitution as demonstrated by his recently released potential choices for the court. Trump is certainly not my preferred choice, but he is no idiot. As a former New Yorker, I recall when he started in New York real estate during a time that the city was going downhill. He almost single-handily turned Manhattan around. He had to fight excessive government regulation and Wall Street bankers to create his empire. The party rank and file are tired of being played for suckers by the GOP elite who promised to stand up to Obama and instead capitulated. The rank and file also realize that the Iraq war and other policies of the neocons have led to a terrible price of blood and treasure for little, if any, return. Trump is a rejection of Bush policies, including corporate welfare, trade agreements resulting in eliminating good-paying jobs and causing companies to move manufacturing to Asia and Mexico. The GOP insiders have supported open borders in an effort to lower wages. As to winning the election, the electoral map is dead set against any other Republican but Trump. He has an ability to put states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin in play. Even New York is in play. On economic policy, Trump will get to enact much-needed tax reform and loosen government regulations, which are stifling business. The only thing we will get with a Clinton administration is higher taxes and much more spending. A Trump election will get rid of Obamacare. So mourn the loss of your candidate, lick you wounds, and like George Will and his ilk will eventually do, get on board the Trump train. Robert Helfand Laguna Niguel Brea Olinda senior Austin Tamagno entered the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon on Saturday with the hopes of joining a small group of high school runners in history to run a sub-4-minute mile. He came up a little bit short. Tamagno entered the final 200 meters of the National Mile with a chance to do it, but he labored in the final homestretch, finishing in 4:01.04. Hundred (meters) to go just locked up, said Tamagno, a senior, after his race on the famous Hayward Field track on the University of Oregon campus. I dont know, I guess I really didnt have it. Four-oh-one flat is still a good time. Ill take it. Improvement still happening, just didnt happen to be the day I broke 4:00. Im just going to go into college being happy with this race especially in front of this home crowd, It doesnt get any bigger than this. Tamagno, a two-time Register cross country runner of the year, has signed with Oregon. The woman that history forgot is 94 now. She tires easily. Her name is Naomi, and pretty much no one knows that shes likely the inspiration for one of World War IIs most famous images, at least not until now. Naomi cant hear much, so when I call her in California her 92-year-old sister, Ada, gets on the line and yells the questions at her, resulting in a jumbled, three-way conversation that exhausts the sisters. Finally, I decide to keep it simple. Ada, can you ask your sister one question? Yes, she says. Ask her this: Naomi, how does it feel to be Rosie the Riveter? She asks the question, and I hear the answer back right away. I hear it because this 94-year-old who tires easily, this old woman who, if history had been kind, would be an American feminist icon, isnt exhausted anymore. Now shes electrified. Now shes yelling, as loud as she can. Victory! Naomi Parker Fraley yells. Victory! Victory! Ada is laughing now. Did you hear that? she says into the phone. Yes, I say. Loud and clear. You have never heard of Naomi Parker Fraley. Neither had I, until a Seton Hall University professor who grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska, made it his lifes work to know everything there is to know about the famous We Can Do It! poster that came to symbolize the WWII-era female worker the strong, tough woman known as Rosie the Riveter. Along the way, that college professor discovered a startling error in Rosies creation story. A Michigan woman long believed to be the photographic model for Rosie the Riveter on the poster a woman who when she died was memorialized in newspapers across the country as the real-life Rosie was in fact not the model for the famed image, professor James Kimble argues in an academic journal article available this week. In fact, the real-life model for the We Can Do It! poster is likely a woman named Naomi, he told me when I first met him last year. Shes from California. And shes still alive. It turns out that almost everything we think about Rosie the Riveter is wrong, Kimble says. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. I have experience with history getting a little messed up. For parts of the past two years I have researched, interviewed experts and written about the famed flag-raising photo on Iwo Jima. That iconic photo is now the subject of a U.S. Marine Corps investigation and an upcoming documentary because the research shows that one of the famed flag raisers, John Bradley, is most likely not in the famous photo, and a completely unknown man named Harold Schultz is. So Im well aware that history isnt carved in stone but rather sketched in pencil that a lot of facts about our past start to look a lot less factual when closely examined. But still, it shocked me a little when Kimble walked me through just how badly we misunderstand the history of the most famous image of Rosie the Riveter. Rosie, as you probably know, is the shorthand way to describe the millions of women who poured into the American workforce during World War II, replacing the men who had gone off to fight. And while its a catch-all term a character drawn and painted many different ways by many different artists, including Norman Rockwell the We Can Do It! poster has come to symbolize Rosie the Riveter. The Rosie on that poster is who we think of when we think of Rosie. I figured the We Can Do It! poster featuring Rosie was produced by the American government. Nope. It was produced by the Westinghouse Corp. and was meant to be placed inside factories. I figured the poster grew famous during World War II. Not at all. Only 1,000 copies of the poster were printed, and the image didnt become iconic until the late 1980s, when it was resurrected as a symbol of female strength. And finally, I assumed we knew the name of the woman who became Rosie the Riveter in the famous poster. Wrong again. For decades, the name of the woman wasnt known. And then, as the poster grew famous in the 1980s and 1990s, historians linked it to a wire service photograph taken of a young woman wearing a polka dot bandanna and leaning over a lathe inside a World War II-era plant. The poster was most likely based on the woman in that photograph, they concluded, even though the artist didnt use the specific pose. But who was the woman in the photo? We got an answer in 1994, when a story on a woman named Geraldine Hoff Doyle appeared in a history magazine. She said that she was the woman in the photo, and the model for Rosie in the We Can Do It! poster. It was from that single moment a woman recognizing herself in a photo and a famous poster that a fact was born, sort of. At first historians and journalists alike treated the idea that Doyle was the famous Rosie as a possibility, not a certainty. They qualified it using words like maybe and could be. And then, as the 1990s became the 2000s, the way we described the story changed. By the time Doyle died in 2010, the qualifiers were gone. Media outlets like NBC and Time magazine trumpeted that she was the real-life Rosie. It had become a fact because, as the years passed, we simply started treating it as one. Thats a problem, thought professor Kimble. As far as Kimble could tell, no one had ever checked Doyles story. The professor decided to do that. Kimble grew up in Norfolk, graduated from Norfolk High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, then embarked on a career as a Seton Hall communications professor specializing in how the United States used propaganda during the Civil War, World War II and the Cold War. This research quite naturally led him to Rosie and the We Can Do It! poster, one of the most well-known propaganda posters in American history. So if the woman in the poster is indeed modeled on the woman in the photo, where was this photo taken? And when? Answering this question was not easy, as Kimble recounts in his excellent article in the journal Rhetoric and Public Affairs, available Wednesday. The versions of the photo he had seen were undated and not captioned. So he called all the various wire services and stock photo collections that might now own the photo. He called naval bases and photo experts. He did endless Google searches. He leafed through endless issues of WWII-era magazines, looking for the photo in question in the hope it might be captioned with a date or a place. This took months, and got him pretty much nowhere though a particular naval base in California kept popping up, a location that piqued Kimbles interest because Doyle had worked at a factory in Michigan. And then, in a feat of both persistence and luck, yet another Google search led Kimble to a Memphis company that sells old newspaper photos. The company just happened to be selling the photo he was looking for, the photo of the woman leaning over the lathe. He bought it, and when it arrived in the mail he realized it had the caption information he had been searching for on the back. The photo was taken March 24, 1942, in Alameda, California. That pretty much eliminated Doyle as the photos subject, because she worked in a plant in Michigan and hadnt even started there by that date. Besides, the woman in the photo had a name. Pretty Naomi Parker looks like she might catch her nose in the turret lathe she is operating, the caption read. Oh, my, Kimble thought. And then he thought this: Who the heck is Naomi Parker? Thats how he found himself in California last year, meeting with two elderly widows, sisters who live together now and go by their married names of Naomi Fraley and Ada Wyn Loy. He brought us flowers, Ada tells me. His wife told him to do that. Naomi and Ada remembered the photographer showing up at the Navy plant where they worked as mechanics in 1942. Ada remembered watching Naomi pose by leaning over a lathe. And the sisters informed Kimble that Naomi had actually noticed the error nearly a decade ago, when the sisters attended a California reunion of Rosie the Riveters. The reunion organizer had set up an exhibit that displayed a blown-up, familiar-looking photo of a woman at a lathe. The exhibit said that the woman in the photo was Geraldine Doyle, and that the famous We Can Do It! poster was modeled off of her face in the photo. But thats not Geraldine Doyle, Naomi thought. Thats me! The sisters have an original newspaper clipping to prove it, saved by Ada all these years as it yellowed and faded inside a shoe box. The headline above that photo says The Navy Says Shes De-Glamorized and the caption again lists Alameda as the photos location and Miss Naomi Parker as its subject. Naomi worked as a mechanic until wars end. She married a brick mason, had a son and got divorced. She had three grandchildren. She mourned her longtime husband Charles Fraley's death in 1998. She and her sister, her lifelong best friend, moved back in together. Naomi has lived a life, a largely anonymous one. And yet theres a good chance that her face is on one of the most famous posters of all time. Theres a good chance that her face is the face people think of when they think of Rosie the Riveter. Naomi Parker was and is a real person, Kimble says when I ask him why he thinks its important to get the creation story of the famous poster right. Misidentifying her is a huge disservice to her and her descendants. ... This image is part of our cultural heritage, so its important we understand the context. And part of that context is the correct identity of the woman in the poster. Naomi thinks its important, too. She and Ada arent looking to get rich, or even to have newspaper reporters ringing them up at home. Frankly, they were a fair bit confused as to why I called them the other day. But what they are looking for is accuracy, Ada says. They want history to record Naomis correct place in it, so that we remember, even after she is gone. At the end of our phone call, Naomi tires and stops answering Adas yelled questions. And so I ask Ada a final simple one, before I say goodbye. How do you feel about all this, about your sister likely being Rosie the Riveter in a famous poster? Ada has a simple answer. Its about time, she says. The Sassy Housewife is a weekly advice column from Momaha.com. We will cover adventures in parenting, relationships and entertaining. * * * Dear Sassy Housewife, I'm 17 years old and just graduated from high school. I'm staying in Nebraska for college, but want to move into an apartment with a friend closer to campus. My hometown is about 40 minutes from where I'm going to school, so the idea of commuting every day doesn't sound all that appealing. My only problem is my parents. They want me to stay home. I'm an only child and I think they're having a hard time with me growing up. They won't really give me a clear reason on why they don't want me to move out, aside from money. But I already have a job lined up for the summer and plan to save money and continue working while in college. Do you have any advice on how I can convince my parents it's time for me to fly away from the nest? Signed, Stuck at home *** Dear stuck at home, Yes, your parents sound like they are trying to put off the inevitable you growing up and starting your own life. You're an only child and I'm sure it's hard for them to accept that you're ready to head off to college. Have you explained to them your reasons for wanting to move closer to college? I'd be sure to tell them it's not because you don't want to be around them. Instead, it's to save money on gas, not to mention wear-and-tear on your car and save time. Instead of driving nearly two hours every day, that time could be better spend studying at your apartment. Explain to them you have a job and plan to save up money for rent and utilities. You'll need to keep saving because working full time during college isn't the best idea, nor is it probably feasible. Assure your parents you'll stay on top of bills and rent and school. Since you're not of legal age yet, you'll likely need a co-signer, which, I assume, will be your parents. If you don't pay your rent or utilities, that will fall on your parents. It's a big responsibility, so be sure you are ready. I'm sure your parents are just looking out for you! Becoming an "adult" is sometimes tough! Perhaps, as a way to make your parents feel better, you can come home on the weekend as much as possible. Stay the night and enjoy at least one full day with your parents. That will make them happy. I know it always made mine happy after I'd moved out! Good luck! * * * Have a question for The Sassy Housewife? Email it to momaha@owh.com. 6 and older: "The Angry Birds Movie" (PG): Did the addictive Angry Birds mobile gaming app really need a back story? Apparently so. This slapstick, neon-colored 3-D 'toon turns out to be quite a funny (and punny) one - likely to launch kids 6 and older into good giggles. The birds and their nemeses, the green pigs, now have personalities, dialogue and plenty of TNT. The tale opens on Bird Island, populated with a comical assortment of flightless avians. Red (Jason Sudeikis), a scarlet bird with heavy brows and a temper, gets sent to anger management class after throwing a public tantrum. In gentle Matilda (Maya Rudolph)'s class, he meets a talky little bird, Chuck (Josh Gad), and a literally explosive big bird, Bomb (Danny McBride). Chuck and Bomb try to be friends, but Red's a loner. Then a ship crashes into Bird Island, offloading a party of green pigs led by the slick-talking Leonard (Bill Hader). The pigs act friendly and put on a show, but they steal all the birds' eggs. Red, Chuck and Bomb seek help from the Mighty Eagle (Peter Dinklage) only to find that their hero has grown lazy, so they go to Pig Island themselves. A slingshot and trampolines the pigs left behind come in handy for battle. (97 minutes) THE BOTTOM LINE: Some little ones may worry when a whole pile of Bird Island eggs nearly falls into boiling water. But even in 3-D, this comedy is almost never scary or sad for more than a second or two. There are a couple of pseudo-swear-words that rhyme with real ones, and some mildly crude humor. _____ 10 and older: "Alice Through the Looking Glass" (PG): Kids age 10 and older may be transported by the quirky, eye-popping design in this sequel to 2010's "Alice in Wonderland," again a digitally enhanced live-action film. But understanding Johnny Depp's garbled diction as the Mad Hatter is another matter. So is the convoluted story, which has little to do with Lewis Carroll's second "Alice" book, the chess-inspired "Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There." Images and incidents from it get fleeting nods, as does Carroll's style of wordplay, but the story has been wholly reinvented, with a time-travel element that may confound those younger than 10. Continuing the female empowerment theme of the first film, this one opens with Alice (Mia Wasikowska) captaining her late father's ship and vanquishing pirates. She comes home to learn that her mother has been forced to turn all their assets over to Alice's nasty rejected suitor, Hamish. Fuming, Alice follows a talking blue butterfly through a mirror. Tumbling back into Underland, she finds the Hatter in a funk, certain his estranged family is in trouble. Only Alice can travel back in time to save them. She "borrows" the chronosphere time-travel machine from Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen). Alice races against Time and the angry Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) to set things right. (113 minutes) THE BOTTOM LINE: Children might be unsettled by Alice being held briefly against her will in a mental hospital, narrowly escaping a doctor with a hypodermic needle; a fire-breathing dragon attacking the Hatter's family; the Hatter nearing death from sadness; Alice falling off cliffs and through floors, or swooping across oceans of time in the chronosphere and landing hard. _____ PG-13: "X-Men: Apocalypse": An encyclopedic knowledge of the "X-Men" comics and films might help teens follow this jumpily plotted epic, but they don't really need it to enjoy the ride. The stellar cast, impressive effects, mythic villain, serious undertones and humor will draw them in. As in 2014's "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and the films before it, dark themes abound, with images of mass destruction, violence and racist-style harassment of mutants. Some preteens will get the references, others won't, and still others will find it too disturbing. A prologue set in ancient Egypt introduces En Sabah Nur (Oscar Isaac), a mutant ruler who sees himself as a god. Buried alive in a pyramid by rebel guards, he sleeps for millennia and awakens in 1983 as Apocalypse. He recruits stray mutants and sets out to destroy humanity. Only Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and the mutants he's mentored can stop Apocalypse. But Charles's morally conflicted pal Magneto (Michael Fassbender) sides bitterly with Apocalypse after Polish police kill his wife and child. Among those fighting with Charles are the shape-shifting Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), lightning-fast Quicksilver, eye-zapping Cyclops and telekinetic telepath Jean Grey. Charles and Apocalypse face off in a holographic mindscape, and it gets rough. (144 minutes) THE BOTTOM LINE: Scenes of killing and destruction are stylized and effects-laden, but it's clear that people and mutants die of impalement and even beheading. Others perish by implication in collapsing cityscapes. Only in the climactic battle does a fight get bloody. A nongraphic but grim flashback shows Magneto as a child in the death camp at Auschwitz. There is at least one use of the F-word. *** Jane Horwitz has been reviewing movies for Washington-area media outlets including The Washington Post and WETA public television since 1988. The Family Filmgoer column offers weekly movie reviews with a focus on family, an invaluable tool for parents planning trips to the theater. Two months before Missouri River floodwaters in 2011 threatened the Omaha Public Power Districts Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant, executives at a similar-size nuclear plant in Wisconsin faced their own problem: what to do with a facility they said no longer made economic sense to operate. The leaders at Dominion Resources, which operated the Kewaunee Power Station, said in April 2011 they were throwing in the towel that the plant outside of Green Bay would be put on the auction block. There were no takers. Dominion announced plans to permanently close Kewaunee in October 2012. This decision was based purely on economics, Dominion chief Thomas Farrell said then. At the same time, OPPD leaders were sinking nearly $300 million into Fort Calhoun to reopen the plant in December 2013. Now the Omaha utility says it has decided its nuclear plant is too expensive to operate compared with electricity fueled by natural gas and wind power. Leaders want it shut by the end of the year. What did operators of the Wisconsin plant see in 2011, even as OPPD pushed full-steam ahead to keep the Fort Calhoun plant online? A nationwide boom in natural gas, fueled by fracking, led to the decision in Wisconsin, its owners said. That boom would push down the price of power generated from natural gas and even back in 2011, experts were saying prices for natural gas would only keep falling. They were nearly $15 a unit in 2005; Friday, they traded at $1.98. The boom made nuclear especially that generated at smaller plants, such as Kewaunee and Fort Calhoun less attractive, with its relatively high-cost, labor-intensive safety standards. And it made coal under fire for being dirty less attractive, too. Wind power, with the help of government subsidies, also was on the horizon in a big way; next door in Iowa, Berkshire Hathaway-owned MidAmerican Energy put 1,285 megawatts of wind-fueled electricity online between 2004 and 2010 with turbine farms across the state nearly three times the power generated by Fort Calhoun. Whatever was going on in the OPPD boardroom, it wasnt in sync with mainstream thinking that was informing much of the U.S. energy market at the time. Current and former OPPD executives said last week they made the right decision to resuscitate the nuclear plant outside Omaha. It went offline for a routine refueling in April 2011 but didnt come back until December 2013 knocked out by the flood and a subsequent fire and slew of federal safety violations. Gary Gates, who was OPPDs chief executive at the time of the Calhoun crisis, said the company and the board made the decision to keep the plant open based on regimented, objective analyses of the power market. For example, natural gas prices in 2011 were double their current level, he said. And uncertainty surrounding federal environmental regulations meant emission-free nuclear was an important part of the OPPD energy mix, Gates said. He said there wasnt any way to know back then that energy generated from other sources the natural gas from the fracking revolution and the wind from Mother Nature would become so cheap when compared with nuclear. We always had healthy, vigorous discussions, but my sense was always that we had unanimous support for continued operations among board members when it came to Fort Calhoun, he told The World-Herald last week. The OPPD board of directors never voted on the question of whether to give up on the plant and power it down permanently during the period of 2011 through 2013. OPPD did model a future without Fort Calhoun, its leaders said last week when questioned by The World-Herald. The utility commissioned a study by outside consulting firm Black & Veatch of Overland Park, Kansas. The World-Herald requested a copy of the study, which OPPD had not shared publicly, saying it was held confidential due to competitive information, impacted contracts and personnel matters. On Friday, the utility gave the newspaper a PowerPoint summary of the report. The summary was dated Oct. 30, 2013, which is when an OPPD spokeswoman said it was presented to the utilitys board of directors. The analysis said it would be cheaper to forgo restarting Calhoun and turn to other forms of energy. All results indicate the replacement options are more economic than operating Fort Calhoun Station, it said. But on Oct. 29, 2013 the day before the board was presented with the summary Fort Calhouns reactor had been fired up, part of a warming-up period to prepare for coming fully online in December of that year. The World-Herald over the past two weeks contacted the eight current and three former OPPD board members everyone except for a former board member who has since died. All said they supported the restart of Calhoun and trusted the decisions of OPPDs management, although two Mike Cavanaugh and Lloyd Scheve also said they had informally expressed misgivings. There was some informal buzz around not restarting the plant, said Cavanaugh, who has been on the board for 22 years. I dont recall exactly when it was, but there was discussion about it, he said. He said he might have considered not restarting the plant, but discussions never happened in formal session. In some ways, OPPD appeared determined to zig with respect to nuclear when many others in the energy industry were zagging. A postmortem of OPPDs decisions is instructive: In the year between the disastrous flood of June 2011 and the floods one-year anniversary in June 2012, signs were abundant that natural gas was already cheap and destined to get far cheaper, just as a Dominion spokesman told an industry magazine as the publicly traded company closed the Wisconsin plant. Certainly cheap natural gas was a factor in shutting the plant, Dominion spokesman Jim Norvelle told trade publication Natural Gas Intelligence in October of that year. Now, OPPD executives say the coming of cheap natural gas what it calls a nail in the coffin of expensive and small nuclear plants such as Fort Calhoun was tough to forecast back at the time. Yet signs were flashing all over the place that natural gas was falling and would keep doing so: In September 2011, three months after the flood, the U.S. Energy Department said in a report that natural gas was so cheap, record use of the fuel by utilities was likely as they responded to pressure to cut emissions. That meant those utilities likely would turn increasingly from coal to natural gas, the Energy Department said. Electric utilities, the top consumers of coal, were set to use unprecedented amounts of gas that year, the Energy Department report said. In November 2011, five months after the flood, an Environmental Protection Agency official put the kibosh on any hopes the OPPD board might have had of proceeding with mainly coal-fired generation. (About 70 percent of OPPDs generation came from coal at the time a share that has held steady.) With its nuclear plant out of commission, what was left other than natural gas? Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for the EPAs Office of Air and Radiation, warned that coal-dependent utilities had better prepare to clean up their acts. She said that month at a conference sponsored by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that four proposed clean air and water rules aimed mainly at coal-fired power plants would not be derailed by those predicting dire economic consequences a move-forward policy that any energy industry professional should have seen as having enormous implications for the price and supply of natural gas. Our analysis and past experience indicate that the recent warnings of dire economic consequences of moving forward with these important rules are at best exaggerated, McCarthy said. In December 2011, six months after the flood, energy industry analysts began calling the replacement of coal by natural gas the new normal. Energy industry analysts at Houston investment bank Simmons & Co. International said in a report that month that natural gas prices had dropped 17 percent that year a sign of abundant supply as producers ramped up to meet demand. The bank cited an Energy Department forecast that coals market share of electricity generation was expected to fall to 43.5 percent in 2012 from 44.9 percent in 2011. In other words, the Energy Department was calling the switch at the very same time OPPD now says it was unable to spot it. A reduced share for coal is quickly becoming the new normal, Simmons & Co. wrote. There was another natural-gas trend booming its way around the energy industry in December 2011: shale production. New technologies such as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, allowed gas producers to tap reserves previously not economical to drill. The effect, predictably, sent natural gas prices down as supplies increased, making the blue flame a cheaper source for generation just as OPPD was in its sixth month of struggling with Fort Calhoun. The Energy Department, however, didnt miss the hints. It said in its Short-Term Energy Outlook in December 2011 that booming U.S. natural gas production from shale formations was likely to send natural gas prices falling for an unprecedented fifth year in 2012 presumably a good thing for utilities seeking to replace generation from dirty coal plants or under-repair nuclear stations. Gas may tumble 8.2 percent from its 2011 average next year, as output rises 2.8 percent to a record 67.72 billion cubic feet a day, according to the Energy Department, Bloomberg News reported at the time. Demand will probably climb 1.7 percent, after a 1.8 percent increase this year. In January 2012, as the Fort Calhoun debacle entered its second calendar year, the price of natural gas the fuel that OPPD now says it didnt see coming reached a 10-year low. If OPPD was looking to the government for more clues about sentiment regarding the future of natural gas, it didnt have to look too hard. Also in January 2012, the Interior Department put up for auction 32 onshore U.S. oil and natural gas leases. If OPPD didnt see cheap natural gas coming back in 2012, the energy industry analysts at Bank of America and others did, citing strong prospects for prices below $2 per million British thermal units. We dont believe there is a short-term floor for prices, one of the analysts told Bloomberg News. January 2012 is also when President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union address that he expected domestic energy sources, cleaner ones including natural gas, to take to the forefront. As OPPD was deciding to proceed or not with what became a nearly $300 million repair bill for an aging and tiny nuclear power station, the president said: This country needs an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy. ... We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. OPPD leaders argued at the time that hanging on to Fort Calhoun was indeed part of an all-of-the-above strategy, and a carbon-free one at that. But they now say its too expensive for smaller plants such as Calhoun to survive in the era of cheap natural gas: Larger nuclear plants with two and three times the generating capacity of Calhoun can spread costs over a greater base. For instance, OPPD has paid about $57 per megawatt-hour to generate at Calhoun over the past three years, on average. The average cost nationally at plants that are all bigger than Omahas is $35.50 per megawatt-hour, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute. March 2012, natural gas reaches another 10-year low. April 2012, one year after the Fort Calhoun facility went cold, the chairman of Exelon the Chicago company later hired by OPPD to run the troubled Fort Calhoun station said cheap natural gas was the grim reaper for nuclear power. Market conditions are really not great for nuclear, Mayo Shattuck said at a conference in Washington, D.C. The economic environment raises very serious questions about whether nuclear would be able to survive on its own without government subsidies. OPPD didnt get the message. A few months later, Exelon despite its warning was the recipient of a $400 million contract from OPPD to run Fort Calhoun. Finally, also in April 2012, what had been a trend was recognized as a new way of doing business. Less than one year after Fort Calhoun went offline, the U.S. Energy Department formalized its 2012 outlook, saying it expected natural gas output to rise about 2 percent and prices to fall 21 percent a seeming bonus for any utility poised to take advantage of the cheaper and cleaner fuel. So OPPD faced a choice after the Missouri River flooding in 2011 and the serious fire at the Fort Calhoun nuclear plant put the facility on a federal regulators list of the nations most troubled: OPPD could shut down the plant or spend the money to get the plant back up to snuff. The summary of the Black & Veatch study, which said a permanent shutdown was more economical, cited three arguments for restarting: 1) Nuclear is a carbon-free source of energy. 2) About 700 jobs were at stake. 3) Employee morale: 30+ months has been dedicated to restart efforts. Choosing to fix the plant cost OPPD $283.5 million, according to a World-Herald analysis of the utilitys books. And OPPD wouldnt fix the plant on its own: Even though it had run Fort Calhoun since it first generated power in 1973, OPPD said it lacked the expertise to handle its own nuclear operation. So it signed its $400 million, 20-year contract with Chicago-based Exelon a large nuclear plant operator to actually run Fort Calhoun. So far, OPPD has paid Exelon $86 million. Lloyd Scheve was appointed to the OPPD board in February 2011 and was defeated in his subsequent election bid in late 2012. He said he remembered questions about the nuclear plants viability came up around the time the Exelon contract was inked in August 2012. Scheve compared the plants troubles to working on an old house, saying that every time we turned around there was another $100,000 worth of things that needed to be fixed. Still, the OPPD board at that time made a unanimous decision to turn over day-to-day control of Fort Calhoun to Exelon. OPPD still has about 700 staff connected to the nuclear operation despite outside management by Exelon. Details of the contract with Exelon have never been released, but public records requests by The World-Herald show payments to the Chicago company have averaged about $2 million a month since September 2012. OPPD has repeatedly declined The World-Heralds request to review the Exelon contract, citing what it says are confidentiality clauses. (Exelon itself said earlier this month that it would close two of its Illinois nuclear plants if lawmakers dont cough up money to help the financially troubled facilities. The imperiled Clinton and Quad Cities plants have lost $800 million since 2009, according to Exelon, which is publicly traded.) All told, seven nuclear plants have either shut down or have been slated for decommissioning since 2013. The money OPPD has paid to Exelon, the lost revenue from the 2011-2013 shutdown and the other costs associated with getting Fort Calhoun back online after the flood came on top of nearly $400 million the utility spent in 2006 to refurbish the plant, replacing some major components measures that were required to keep the plant in operating condition through the end of its regulatory licensing in 2033. Former CEO Gates, who retired last summer, said keeping the plant running was the prudent choice to make. Current Chief Executive Tim Burke, who announced the planned closing, said he agreed with Gates decision at the time. The utility needed the reliability and diversity afforded by Fort Calhoun to protect against wide swings in the price of energy commodities like coal, for example, Gates said. Plus, the inherent carbon-free generation that distinguishes nuclear power from greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuel plants made it an even more attractive asset in the face of potential regulatory crackdowns on such emissions. The ripple effects of the nuclear plants woes soon hit ratepayers, with the OPPD board in December 2012 approving a rate hike that hit residential customers to the tune of $7.30 per month, or 7.7 percent. Would a privately owned or publicly traded operator have plowed so much cash into a nuclear plant in the midst of the natural gas revolution? No, said Travis Miller, a Wall Street analyst who covers Exelon and other nuclear operators for Morningstar. I would imagine it wouldve closed in the aftermath of the 2011 Missouri River flood, he said. Because of the fading economic argument for nuclear, as many as 20 nuclear plants, or 20 percent of the U.S. fleet, are at risk of shutting down in the next five to 10 years, Nuclear Energy Institute President Marvin Fertel said earlier this month at a U.S. Department of Energy summit. Paul Patterson, a Wall Street analyst with New York-based Glenrock Associates who covers Exelon competitor Entergy, said he also doubts Fort Calhoun would have survived in a competitive marketplace unlike the state-mandated monopoly enjoyed by OPPD. While he said hes careful about second-guessing the utilitys decisions, Patterson called the restart of Fort Calhoun a little peculiar. If only a few years ago they were spending that kind of money on a plant this size, he said, and now to believe it would be a better idea to shut it down and buy power than to keep running? That would suggest that it probably wasnt the best decision. DES MOINES (AP) Once again, the end of a school year means the end of several school districts in Iowa, continuing a trend seen for decades but one that doesn't get easier for the communities involved. Because of the closure of the Farragut Community School District and merging of two others, classes won't resume after summer vacation at three schools in southwest Iowa. For students, it will require traveling extra miles to reach school, but for the communities it will be more than an inconvenience. "It's a town of about 500 people here, so there's a bar, a post office and a bank. And then we've got the school," said Lisa Spencer, the principal who oversees 120 students who attended Farragut's seventh through 12th grade school. "That's what makes it even tougher to deal with. It's not just the loss of a school. It feels like it's the loss of a community." The Iowa Board of Education made the rare decision to dissolve the school district in November, making it the third time the state has forced a school district to shut down, said Staci Hupp, an Education Department spokeswoman. The board made the decision after the district repeatedly overspent and failed to meet education standards. Since Iowa school funding is based on student enrollment, many rural districts have struggled to keep their student numbers up amid declining populations. U.S. Census estimates released earlier this year showed that 71 of Iowa's 99 counties have lost population since 2010, and the trend stretches back decades. "When you're losing kids, you're losing dollars," Spencer said. "It can become really difficult to keep your doors open." Although Farragut's case is rare, Hupp said it's typical to see a few districts merge each school year, usually because of declining enrollment. This fall the Prescott and Creston school districts will merge, along with A-H-S-T and Walnut schools. "Enrollment is declining in a majority of school districts in Iowa," Hupp said. In 1938 there were over 900 school districts in the state, she said, and next fall there will be 333. The consolidation comes as some urban and suburban areas are expanding. That includes school districts in the Des Moines suburbs of Waukee and Ankeny. In Waukee, officials plan to open a new high school by 2021, and in Ankeny, the district recently opened a second high school. But in southwest Iowa, 88 percent of those voting in the communities of Avoca, Hancock, Shelby and Tennant, which make up the A-H-S-T district, and in Walnut voted to merge the districts, said combined superintendent Jesse Ulrich. The communities agreed it made sense to consolidate as Walnut had the state's largest enrollment decline over the past five years. The school district, which celebrated its 144th anniversary last month, had 72 students enrolled during the 2015-16 school year, records show. Walnut students will now travel about seven miles to the newly created AHSTW school district in Avoca, while their old school will likely become a city-owned community center. The new district will represent five communities with 800 students, Ulrich said. Although the districts grow ever larger, leaders of rural schools note that state funding typically doesn't take into account their rising transportation costs. "We cover 250 square miles, but we only serve 800 students," Ulrich said. "We don't get any additional funding because we have to travel them farther. That takes away the money we actually get to spend on educating kids." Steve McDermott, the combined superintendent of Creston and Prescott schools, said consolidations will continue as remote towns struggle to attract enough students and teachers. He's even had upset community members approach him with concerns that losing a school will dissolve the community altogether. "And my answer has always been: I'm afraid we've already lost a lot of our town and that's why we're losing our school," he said. Copyright 2016 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Milk donation: Hiland Dairy coordinated the delivery of thousands of containers of Omaha Public Schools unused milk to the Open Door Mission. Twice annually, Hiland Dairy coordinates a pickup of the surplus of school milk for delivery to the mission. Milk that is not able to be used at meals at the mission before the best by date will be frozen for later use in meal preparation. Lymphoma Walk: Nebraskas seventh annual Lymphoma Walk raised $72,000 in April at Mahoney State Park. Donations from walk participants and sponsors will go to the Lymphoma Research Foundations mission of eradicating lymphoma through research and serving those touched by the disease. Shrimp feed: The Omaha Diabetes Foundation, in partnership with the West Omaha Cosmopolitan Club, will host a shrimp feed from 4:30 to 8 p.m. June 6 at Shucks Legacy, 16901 Wright Plaza. Tickets are $20 per person. For tickets, contact Bob Murphy 402-677-5036. All proceeds benefit local diabetes research and education. Cash/checks/credit cards and donations accepted. Rain date will be June 13. Dental school gives back: Creighton University School of Dentistry faculty and students gave back in April by providing free dental services at the Special Olympics of Nebraska Games. Eleven dental school faculty and 12 students worked in two shifts at the Special Smiles Clinic in the Skutt Student Center on the Creighton campus. Dr. Dennis Nilsson, professor of prosthodontics in the Creighton University School of Dentistry, made concussion-resistant mouth guards for Special Olympics athletes. In addition to the mouth guards, Creighton dental school faculty and students provided screenings and dental exams to the athletes. Heart Walk: The 2016 Omaha-Council Bluffs Heart Walk presented by Physicians Mutual raised more than $550,000 this year for the American Heart Association. More than 5,000 people and animals walked in support of the American Heart Associations lifesaving mission earlier this month. Reading Buddies needed: The United Way of the Midlands will connect volunteers with partner nonprofit organizations that provide out-of-school time programs for children during the United Way Day of Action, June 21. Volunteers can sign up to spend two hours during that day to be Reading Buddies for kids ages 6 to 8, with the goal of alleviating summer learning loss that contributes to a decline in overall reading achievement. Eligible volunteers should be young adults and older who know how to read, commit to the two hour time frame, and are willing to share the joy of reading a good story aloud to children. On the day of the event, registered volunteers will attend a brief orientation to receive tips on how to engage and read to young children, and theyll receive a t-shirt in recognition of their commitment and participation. At the end of their reading sessions, each child will receive a couple of free books, a book bag and an information packet with literacy tips to take home to their parents and guardians. Go online to UnitedWayMidlands.org for more information. Saddle Up: The Nebraska Charity Horse Show will be held at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln June 2-4. Each day will have a morning session starting at 10:30 a.m. and an evening session starting at 6:30 p.m. with free admission. The June 4 morning session will feature academy riders. The horse show is held to benefit the Alexandra Lewis Scholarship Fund. For more information, go online to nebraskacharityhorseshow.com or contact Jonnie Surland at 402-510-0738 or js5314@aol.com; or Sue DeBoer at 402-553-7699 or sqr9@aol.com. Rev. Dr. Gary S. Eller, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Omaha John Wesley encouraged his followers to Be much about in busyness. He would have liked the Gospel of Mark. Mark is one of the busiest of the Gospels. In Mark, things happen right now, immediately. Mark is the fast forward Gospel. But sometimes, doing what Jesus would do means doing nothing. And that can be hard; especially, for folks who are doers. The disciples come to Jesus and what do they do? They tell Him all the stuff that they have done. And what does Jesus tell them? Dont do it. Go instead to a deserted place with me. The last three weeks I had to stop doing so much. After surgery, that was harder than dealing with the pain. I struggled against the idea. My computers are just in the next room at home. And the cellphone is handy. Like they say, you can tell whose self-employed they are doing callbacks in the hospital recovery room! Then I realized that the surgeon was right when he said it will take you four to six weeks to get over this. One of the blessings of that required retreat is time to reflect. I have come to believe that the ability to retreat is an act of faith. Its not being lazy. Its the realization that we are all mortal. We do not and cannot save ourselves. Indeed, a person who cannot take time off is someone who confuses themselves with God. Thats bad faith. Its like saying, There is no God. Its all up to us. The other day somebody said within earshot, Henry has done a great job of retirement. It takes a lot of grace to retire. Yes, it does. Thats why a lot of people flunk retirement. They have not dealt with their need to be needed. If Jesus could withdraw during the height of His public ministry, then why cant we? Jesus was a worker. He healed, preached, taught and fed a multitude; but He also withdrew. He put down what He was doing to recover who He was. What He did was never as important as who He was. According to the Psalmist, it is God who keeps creating, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, so that we can. ________________________ Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Temple Israel, Omaha I enjoyed The Illusionist. It is a movie about old Europe intrigues, murder and magic. I love magic shows. The sleight of hand sorcery is a promise of irrevocable logic conquered, of inevitable destiny turned on its head, of impossible alchemy, wondrously manufactured. When the occult takes over, we are released from the discipline of the mind and from the probity of reality. Without sweat or tears, our world is miraculously, effortlessly transformed. I guess one never really outgrows a zest for fantasy. Nevertheless, those who achieve emotional maturity recognize fantasy, the occult, the magic for what they are the invention of a fertile imagination. Given free reign or the encouragement of drugs, the mind is a magicians wand. Sometimes the mind, abused by the imagination or drugs, takes individuals into world dark with frightening superstition and psychic distortion. New Age practices appear very much to encourage this fearful dip into mindless spirituality. The term New Age encompasses a wide range of beliefs that stress the paranormal or the harnessing of untapped mental powers, through such means as rock crystals, clairvoyance and astrology. The underlying principle is that life is essentially a magic show. I have been concerned of late about this quest for New Age spirituality. Spirituality has legitimacy in the Jewish tradition. Some young people, however, fall prey to the New Age sleight of hand practices. They yearn for escape from spiritual experiences that stress the cultivation of mind and responsibility, instead of the release from logic and the escape of personal duty. Judaism drew an unbridgeable chasm between itself and fairy tales. I have emphasized in the past three major pathways of our heritage: Torah the honing of the intellect. Spirituality is in the experience of the sharing the Books truths. Come and witness the Saturday morning Torah study in the Temples Milder Center from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. it is spiritually a delight. The second pathway to Jewish spirituality I have called At Homeness. Being at home with venerable traditions and historic memories is an antidote to alienation and loss of identity. At Homeness shapes our rootedness in life and eternity, establishes a continuum of meaning and destiny that warms the heart day by day when we practice Judaism in our homes and in our families. At Home in the world, we also sense the awesome beauty of Gods universe. Natures handiwork reveals Gods rationality, not a demons malevolence. Jewish spirituality is cultivated as well by connections to community. These connections are the product of a commonly shared commitment to shape history for the better. Intrinsic to Judaism is an unyielding belief in tomorrow, a celebration of life. We demonstrate our confidence in history by shaping a caring community through tzedakah. Tzedakah requires a sharing of our well-being with others. The joyous uplift from tzedakah is authentic Jewish spirituality. Jewish spirituality, in short, is a doorway into life, not an escape hatch out of it. We welcome the bright summer of 2016 with joyous expectations. __________________________ Rev. Mark Fry, Streams of Life Church, Omaha As a person who reads the daily newspaper, I can easily become the Get Off My Lawn! guy if I dont catch myself. When Jesus tells His audience to look at the birds of the air in Matthew 6:26, I appreciate and welcome the attitude adjustment if I allow myself. I like looking at the birds and I am not talking about the turkeys, ducks, pheasants and chickens on the menu. Every summer, my wife and I find it very enjoyable to put grape jelly out on our deck as a means of attracting Baltimore orioles. The beautiful immigrants found the prize about two weeks ago and we have already gone through at least six jars. Orioles are beautiful and we enjoy watching them enjoy what we provide. I dont even mind cleaning up their messes (the rain helps) because they add color, perspective and even splendor. What do we learn when we take Jesus advice to look at the birds? Birds are hard workers and they dont worry about day-to-day existence. Why should they worry? They have Someone who provides for them. And it isnt me or my wife. Its God who feeds them. They enjoy what they have. And they dont worry about tomorrow. Pardon the pun, but there seems to be a pecking order with the birds. The orioles are constantly competing with the sparrows and the robins for the jelly that was intended for them. And it can get ugly. Maybe the birds could learn from us about being less selfish and entitled. On second thought, maybe not; besides watching the birds I watch CNN and FOX. We can learn from the birds to be more gracious and generous and to not be motivated by irrational fears of scarcity. There is more jelly where that came from. Henri Nouwen is one of my favorite authors. He wrote in Bread for the Journey that Life is precious. Not because it is unchangeable, like a diamond, but because it is vulnerable, like a little bird. To love life means to love its vulnerability, asking for care, attention, guidance and support. Life and death are connected by vulnerability. The newborn child and the dying elder both remind us of the preciousness of our lives. Lets not forget the preciousness and vulnerability of life during the times we are powerful, successful and popular. Thankfully ornithology is not just for nerds anymore. Its for all of us. Look at the birds and appreciate what they bring. There is much more to come. _____________________ Rev. Dan Steen, Prairie Lane Church, Omaha For the second time over Memorial Day weekend, we are worshipping with our friends at Westwood Church. This year, our theme is from John 17 when Jesus prays for all believers by asking: That they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me. Well, we can confess that we havent always done a good job as churches of working toward this prayer of Jesus. We share a history of silly arguments, church splits and competition among churches. We understand when people get frustrated with church and want to leave, because there are times we have wanted to leave, too. Living as a united, loving community is hard. It can be hard to love people who worship beside us, and it can also be hard to love people who worship down the street. Churches are flawed because we are all flawed people. But Jesus is not flawed. He gives hope. He gives peace. He gives a purpose. He gives us a vision of a better future that is worth fighting for. His gospel of grace is an entirely different way of looking at the world. And we see here that He is praying for His church. Despite its flaws, the church on mission together is still the chosen tool of Jesus to reveal His truth. I challenge all of us to be a part of it. God is at work fulfilling this prayer. We can see a growing trend of churches working together in the name of Jesus. Nitin Gadkari dedicates NIRBHAYA buses to the public Feature oi-Lisa By Lisa In an attempt to provide safe and secure transport to women, the Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari dedicated 20 buses of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation, with IT enabled safety measures to the public. Union Minister @nitin_gadkari to dedicate buses with safety measures for women under Nirbhaya Scheme to the public in New Delhi today Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) May 25, 2016 As an initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways under the NIRBHAYA Scheme, 10 luxury buses, 10 general buses have been provided with Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), CCTV cameras and Panic Buttons on every seat to provide immediate help to women passengers in distress. Nitin Gadkari said: On the occasion, Nitin Gadkari said that certain unfortunate incidents in the recent past have forced his Ministry to take this step, so that women travelling in buses will be more safe. He informed that the CCTV cameras, the Vehicle Tracking System and especially the Panic Buttons will enable the police to know the exact location of the bus and provide prompt assistance. The Minister also said that efforts would be made to ensure that the scheme is extended to other buses and other states also in due course. He also said buses in future should be manufactured along with these features. Mr. Gadkari said that these measures will keep anti-social elements under check. Future move: The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways will issue a notification after 2nd June 2016, making it mandatory for public vehicles with seating capacity of 23 or more to have CCTV camera, Vehicle Location Tracking Device and Panic Buttons. Those with seating capacity of less than 23 will be required to have Vehicle Tracking Device and emergency buttons. A draft notification has already been issued in this regard. Maneka Gandhi on the occasion: The Minister for Women & Child Development, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi who was also present during the function, thanked the Rajasthan Government for taking this initiative. She said that this initiative would also help in preventing as well as rescuing children who are kidnapped. She expressed her desire that this system should be extended to trains also. The Chairperson, National Commission for Women, Mrs. Lalitha Kumar Mangalam said that these measures will give confidence to women when travelling in buses at night. She also wanted the Government to do adequate publicity about these measures so that women come to know about them. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 29, 2016, 15:04 [IST] Fact Check: This BJP worker from Gujarat is not rooting for AAP in the state AAP govt set to notify 3000 mohalla sabhas India oi-PTI New Delhi, May 29: The Delhi Government is gearing up to notify nearly 3,000 mohalla sabhas this week in its bid to empower people and encourage local level participation in governance in the national capital. A senior government official said that a detailed proposal with the list of mohalla sabhas and the larger blueprint of implementing the initiative will be tabled in the Cabinet to be chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal next week for its approval. In March, the AAP government had announced a Rs 350 crore Swaraj Budget for executing civic projects which will be finalised by mohalla sabhas. "The Delhi Cabinet is likely to give its nod for the execution of 2972 mohalla sabhas in the next seven days. Thereafter, it will be notified by the government," the official said. The entire city has been mapped in different mohallas which have been determined by factoring in the demographic profile and the socio-economic nature of neighbourhoods across the capital. According to official, once cleared by the Cabinet, the list of mohallas will be put up on the Delhi governments website for the public. Swaraj budgeting is a unique initiative started by the AAP government during the last financial year. Government had last year held mohalla sabhas in 11 Assembly constituencies for preparing a "participatory budget" in which the residents were asked to decide which development projects should be taken up in their localities. "There are 70 Assembly constituencies in the national capital. As per roughly estimate, each Assembly segment has been divided into 40 mohallas, with number of voters ranging from 3000-6000. Some big Assembly constituencies like Matiala will have about 70 mohalla sabhas," official further said. Mohalla clinics, dispensaries, schools among other institutions will be made accountable in the mohalla sabhas. Such institutions will be asked to table details of their works done by them every month directly at these sabhas. As per plans, two mohalla co-ordinators will be nominated by the government who will be holding these mohalla sabhas and coordinating with the executing agencies. All development projects finalised through sabhas will be carried out through Delhi Urban Development Authority (DUDA). PTI Govt to unveil solar zones policy in June India oi-PTI New Delhi, May 29: To encourage solar power generators and equipment manufacturers, the New and Renewable Energy Ministry will unveil a policy on solar zones that would be spread over one or more districts of a state. "We have been working on a new policy for solar zones, which would be spread over one or even more districts of a state to encourage generators as well as equipment manufactures," Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Joint Secretary Tarun Kapoor said. "The work on the policy is almost complete and it will be launched next month," he added. Under the policy, the developer will be provided with inputs like land availability and power evacuation locations for planning his project, the official said. Unlike solar parks, the developer would have to acquire land for the project and the ministry in collaboration with the states will provide input about availability of land. The developer will be free to arrange land for the projects as he would have option of either buying or getting land on lease for the purpose. Government would develop transmission network in each solar zone for evacuation of power at different points to facilitate the developers, Kapoor said. He further said that each solar zone would have a central office, which will be set up with the support of state governments to guide the developers. Government plans to add 10,500 MW of solar power generation capacity during the current fiscal. Besides it wants to encourage solar equipment manufacturing capacity in the country. At present the solar module manufacturing capacity is 5 GW every year. Similarly the solar cell manufacturing capacity is about 2 GW. India plans to have 175 GW renewable power capacity by 2022, including 100 GW of solar and 60 GW of wind. PTI Judges not to disclose victims name in sexual assault case: HC India oi-PTI New Delhi, May 29 Judicial officers should not mention the name of victims in the judgements passed in sexual assault cases and they "must avoid" disclosing the identity to protect their reputation, the Delhi High Court has said. Justice S P Garg said this while noting that a magistrate as well as district and sessions judge had mentioned the name of victim in their orders in a molestation case. "Before parting with the case, it is noted that in the judgement dated October 21, 2013, name of the prosecutrix/ victim has been disclosed/mentioned. The trial court was not expected to indicate the victim's name in the judgement," the court said. "The mistake has been carried out by the district and sessions judge too... Presiding officers must avoid disclosing identity of the victim/prosecutrix in such cases in the judgement to protect her reputation," it said. The court noted it while dismissing a revision petition filed by a man challenging the legality and correctness of a July 2014 judgement passed by the district and sessions judge on his appeal against a magisterial court's verdict convicting him for the offence under section 354 (molestation) of IPC. The magistrate had awarded one-year jail term to the man for outraging the modesty of a seven-year-old girl in Okhla here in July 2012. During the hearing before the high court, the counsel appearing for the man had argued that he was not challenging the findings of the conviction. The lawyer requested the court to take a lenient view considering the fact that the man was around 70-year-old and has remained in custody for "sufficient duration". "Since the petitioner (man) has given up challenge to the findings on conviction, conviction under section 354 IPC stands affirmed. Besides it, there is ample evidence on record to establish petitioner's guilt," the court noted. The court refused to show any leniency observing that the man was "well aware of the consequences of his act" and the victim was "like his grand-daughter". PTI Maneka Gandhi launches Common Application Software for Aanganwadi Centers News oi-Lisa By Lisa The Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi launched the Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS) and Information and Communication Technology enabled Real Time Monitoring (ICT-RTM) of ICDS in New Delhi. With a view to bridge gaps in the ICDS Scheme, the Ministry of WCD is implementing International Development Association (IDA) assisted ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP), in 162 high burden districts of 8 States in the country covering 3.68 lakh Aanganwadi Centers. Benefits: The web enabled online digitisation will strengthen the monitoring of the service delivery of Anganwadi Centres in the country. This ICT leveraged solution is expected to help to improve the nutrition levels of children in the country and help meet nutrition goals. The digitisation includes a Rapid Reporting System to collect the online data on Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme from Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) by introducing simplified anganwadi monthly progress report (AWMPR). Minister on the occasion: Speaking on the occasion, Maneka Gandhi said that the new software will revolutionise the monitoring of service delivery of anganwadi centres since anganwadi workers had to earlier fill 11 registers which was a cumbersome task. It is for the first time since anganwadis started that we have started collecting data and accessing it easily, the Minster added. This will help to draw nutrition profile of each village and address the problem of malnutrition on a permanent basis. The modernisation of the system will help us to get real time reports from the grassroot level, Maneka Gandhi explained. About ISSNIP: The ISSNIP has been now restructured and it includes ICT-enabled Real Time Monitoring (ICT-RTM) of ICDS which has been launched today. ICT-RTM would specifically help strengthen the ICDS capacity to deliver nutrition services in the following ways: Help improve service delivery by Aanganwadi workers (AWWs) by introduction of mobile technology Provide real-time information on service delivery at Aanganwadi Centers and on growth and nutrition status of children. Assist in growth monitoring and promotion; and impacting delivery of nutrition and health services Enable to employ timely interventions wherever and whenever required and to prioritise and direct the interventions needed to improve the nutritional status in specific geographies. Auto generation of ICDS registers that are currently compiled manually by Aanganwadi workers and help ICDS staff save time in data entry into multiple registers, thereby enabling them to channelise more time on delivering ICDS services including increased focus on counseling. Help in reaching out to all the beneficiaries in time. Support the Aanganwadi worker's job through in-built counseling aids, alerts and auto plotting of graphs and due lists. Aid collection of real-time data enabling supportive supervision and timely intervention by the department official. About ICT-RTM: ICT-RTM are to be driven by a customised Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS). ICDS-CAS is customised common application software developed by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). ICDS-CAS would be deployed in two applications, which is Aanganwadi Worker Application and Supervisor Application. Aanganwadi Worker Application will run on Android Smart Phones and Supervisor Application will run on Tablets. Besides, ICT-RTM would provide web-based Dashboards at Block, District, State and Central levels. To begin with, the system has been tried in the Loni block of Ghaziabad district in Uttar Pradesh. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is supporting the development of ICDS-CAS platform, and providing application and training support for this initiative to the Ministry. These technological innovations will help develop and test new interventions, implementation approaches and data measurement systems to deliver quality service to tackle the problem of under-nutrition in India. The Ministry, through ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP), expects ICT-RTM to cover 100,000 Aanganwadi Centers across 8 ISSNIP states - Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh - by December 2016 and subsequently across the country under ISSNIP and the proposed National Nutrition Mission. V. Somasundaran, Secretary, WCD said that Ministry of Women and Child Development is committed to the goal of improving overall development of children including nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years. The Rapid Reporting System will strengthen monitoring and supervision of ICDS scheme and will improve public accountability and transparency. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 29, 2016, 11:04 [IST] Right to Information: How many men and women filed RTI queries in last 8 years? Details inside Right to Information Act, 2005: Everything you need to know RTI activist Baliga murder: Naresh met a politician at circute house on the day of murder India oi-Shreyas Mangaluru, May 29: Mangaluru police sources say that while tracking foot steps of accused in RTI activist Baliga murder, Yuva Brigade's Naresh Shenoy, it has been found Shenoy meeting a prominent BJP politician from Dakshina Kannada in the evening hours on the day of the murder, March 21, 2016. The police sources tell OneIndia that Naresh Shenoy has met a prominent politician from DK on March 21 at 7.30 pm in circute house (government bungalow) in Mangaluru city. "When we were tracing his foot prints, it has been found that Shenoy had called that politician at 7.00 am on his phone. Furthering the investigation on this lead we unearthed a fact that Naresh met a politician in circute house at 7.30 PM," an officer told. But the sources in the police department refused to name the politician who belongs to BJP. When insisted on naming the politician whom Naresh met, an officer told, he will not reveal the name of the politician as it would hamper the investigation. Another source privy to RTI activist Baliga murder investigations said, cops are narrowing down the location of Naresh Shenoy. It is likely, he would caught in sometimes. But the source again refused to divulge more information on it. OneIndia News Not immigrants but something else is also entering US from Mexico does Trump know it? Sewage in Kosi: NGT slams U'khand govt for non compliance of order India oi-PTI New Delhi, May 29: Irked over non-implementation of its order on pollution in river Kosi in Nainital, the National Green Tribunal has slammed the Uttarakhand government for the delay in filing an action plan for collection and disposal of sewage in the entire area. The green panel, which had constituted a committee last December and asked it to submit action plan within three months, said the Uttarakhand government needs to work with greater "seriousness". It expressed concern over the fact that two months have passed since the expiry of its order and neither any application has been filed for extension of time nor any step taken to enforce its order. "Execution of the orders of the tribunal is essence of environmental justice and the person, particularly authorities, who do not carry out the directions not only are liable for disobedience but are also responsible for causing pollution and degradation of environment and ecology of the area." This relate to a serious matter like dealing with the sewage that was generated in various towns. "One of the basic and fundamental source of pollution of river Ganga is discharge of untreated sewage into the river." If this is the attitude with which Uttarakhand proposes to deal with the matters of environment, much needs to be said as well as appropriate actions are required to be taken against the concerned authorities...," a bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said. The tribunal also issued notices to Uttarakhand Environment Secretary, CEO of Pay Jal Nigam and Pay Jal Sansthan, District Magistrate and Member Secretary of state Pollution Control Board to show cause why costs for adjournments be not imposed personally on the these officers and recovered from their salaries. The matter is now listed for next hearing on July 4. Kosi originates from the middle Himalayas from Kumaon in Uttarakhand, which does not emanate from any glacier and is a perennial river like Ramganga. PTI Teenager from Odisha arrested for hacking India oi-PTI Hyderabad, May 28: A teenager from Odisha was arrested by the Cyberabad police on Sunday, May 29 on the charge of hacking a toll-free number of a company and causing it a loss of Rs 60 lakh. Himalaya Mohanty (19), a resident of Balasore district of Odisha who studies at an ITI, allegedly learnt computer hacking on a website and managed to get the code of an EPABX of toll-free number of the customer care centre of Lloyd Electricals and Engineering Ltd. He put the code online by creating his own website. "Thousands of net surfers made free calls by using the code and the company received a hefty bill of about Rs 60 lakh," a police press release said. Though he used proxy servers, police zeroed in on his location and arrested him at his village in Balasore district. "In spite of his poor English, he got himself registered in various forums/websites of hacking and participating in chatting by using translator software....he did not gain monetarily in this case," the police release said, adding that he told the officers that he did it only for fun. PTI Will BJP choose Smriti Irani as CM candidate for upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls India oi-Shreyas New Delhi, May 29: The BJP's campaign machinery is now focusing on poll bound Uttar Pradesh in order brace up for the 2017 assembly elections. A victory in UP polls means a mammoth, which in 2014 general elections swayed the electorate to BJP's favour. A key aspect that BJP is looking at is CM candidature. The core team of the BJP has kicked of deliberations as to who will be apt for the CM candidate for upcoming UP assembly elections. According to top sources in the BJP, the party is looking at Smriti Irani. In other words BJP is mulling to put incumbent HRD Minister Smriti Irani as CM candidate for the UP. If all goes well in the elections for the BJP, Smriti Irani may hold the Chief Minister post of the UP. Multiple sources to whom OneIndia spoke to stressed Smriti Irani has the backing of Narendra Modi to be the CM candidate but opposition comes from a faction in the BJP led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in which External Affair Minister Sushma Swaraj is a member too. But in all likelihood Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely a lead of another team bat for Smriti Irani. Smriti enjoys more points in all deliberations of CM candidate as she is a favourite one for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources pointed. On the other hand party workers in Uttar Pradesh has a different voice. Party workers are consolidating voice for fire brand leader Varun Gandhi for CM candidate. Grass root level cadre is of the view that Smriti has lost 2014 general elections against Rahul Gandhi and Varun Gandhi has mass popularity and knows in and out of Uttar Pradesh. However, these claims of party workers will be backed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh team and will cited as reason to stop pitching of Irani as CM candidate till the last try. But if all goes well, Irani will be named as CM candidate for UP, sources told. OneIndia News India always views war as last resort, but... : PM Modi to armed forces in Kargil Working with grit, checked leakages of Rs 36,000 crore: Modi India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, May 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, May 28 said that his government was working with determination to fulfill its promises to people and had been able to check leakages to the tune of Rs 36,000 crore in its two years in office. In his speech at the "Ek Nai Subah" event held at India Gate here to mark completion of two years of his government, Modi targeted Congress over alleged corruption during the UPA rule and said his government will provide cooking gas connection to five crore poor rural women by 2019. In a veiled attack on Congress and parties critical of the government, Modi said some parties will only oppose for political reasons. "Two things have emerged in the last 15 days. One is 'Vikasvad' (development) and the other is 'Virodhvad' (opposition). What is the reality, people can judge for themselves," he said, stressing attempts should not be made to inject a sense of negativity. The prime minister said a government's work should be evaluated in reference to the work of its predecessor. Referring to the controversy over coal allocations during the previous UPA government, he said that courts had cancelled licences and there were daily reports in the media concerning scams. "If we remember the days (of previous government) we will realise how big a change has come about," he said, referring to the coal allocations made during his government. Comparing corruption to a termite, Modi said his government had taken series of steps to tackle it including making payments through direct benefit transfer and using Aadhar, while leakage of Rs.15,000 crore in LPG subsidy was saved. Modi said the government had identified over 1.62 crore fake ration cards and checked other malpractices such as appointment of fake teachers. "In broad terms we have been able to plug leakages of Rs.36,000 crore," he said, adding "it is natural for people hurt by his government's moves against corruption to oppose him". Referring to the government's push for LED bulbs, he said it will help save 20,000 MW once the government achieves its target of providing such bulbs in 500 cities and this will help save Rs.1 lakh crore needed to install 20,000 MW power. Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who had got subsidised cylinders increased from nine to 12 during UPA rule, Modi said over one crore people had given up these on his appeal. "Is it not a change? It is an example of people's participation," he said. Modi said his government had reposed trust in people and more steps will be taken to reduce "red-tapism". He said there was a "new thinking" among people and this was the biggest change. "We are doing our best to live up to the faith of people. We are leaving no stone unturned. The national interest is supreme. We are taking states along. We will continue to work for the people of the country and seek their blessing," he said. IANS What does the US actually want in Syria? Trump criticises Obama for not mentioning Pearl Harbour attack International oi-IANS By Ians English Washington, May 29: Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, on Saturday criticised US President Barack Obama for visiting Hiroshima while neglecting to mention the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. "Does Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbour while he's in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost," Trump said on his Twitter. Obama on Friday became the first incumbent US president to visit Hiroshima since America dropped an atomic bomb on the city in 1945, forcing Japan to end the World War Two (WWII). Japan surrendered within seven days of the atomic bombings on the city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and August 9 respectively. However, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he had no specific plans to visit Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, which was attacked by the Japanese military on December 7, 1941, killing more than 2,400 people and leading to Washington's entry into WWII. As many observers and US media have pointed out, with the end of Obama's last term in office approaching in January 2017, he hopes to cement his legacy as an advocate of nuclear disarmament by claiming the title of the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima. On the Japanese side, Tokyo wanted to take Obama to Hiroshima, not because it wants an apology or calls for a nuclear-free world. Instead, Japan is more interested in highlighting the tragedy of Hiroshima while ignoring the sufferings of countries that it brutalised before and during WWII. Japan is trying to downplay its role as an aggressor and attempting to portray itself as a victim, observers believe. IANS 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Rumble 01 May 2022 Live coverage of "Rolling Thunder" Biker Rally in Ottawa - Freedom Protest, where Police say they are now.. The Brazilian Gaming Congress Helped Reassure Support For Gambling Bill Published May 29, 2016 by Vlad G The second edition of the BgC was held in Brasilia between the 11th and 12th of May. During the event, Brazilian politicians reassured that the gambling bill won't be affected by current political instability in the country. The 2nd edition of the Brazilian Gaming Congress put at ease part of the industry that was worried about the current political climate in Brazil and expressed support at all levels for the gambling bill. The event was held at the Windsor Plasa Brasilia between the 11th and 12th of May, 2016 in Brazils capital city Brasilia. It brought in a full house with over 230 attendants looking forward to speeches by industry specialists as well as elected politicians. The Political Environment Backs the Gambling Bill Among the speakers, Federal Deputies Elmas Nacimiento and Herculano Passos spoke publicly about the importance of the gambling bill and the process it will follow in the upcoming six months, where it will be amended and voted as well as signed by the newly appointed president. According to the Deputies as well as all other politicians present at the event, the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff and the current appointment of Michel Temer as standing president will not affect the gambling bills progress in any way. The support offered by the political speakers at the event helped cement the importance of the bill while also assuring it will be passed in a timely manner. While some issues have yet to be resolved, particularly regarding aspects such as the status of online gambling or the tax levels, the bill is expected to help close the illegal gambling market while also attracting investors and delivering extra tax income to the state. The Challenge is Set for Gambling Operators In fact, the speedy passing of the bill has put the spotlight on gambling companies who now have to quickly put together an entry strategy for the Brazilian market. Other results from this years event as well as the a recap of the best speeches will be presented in detail at the Juegos Miami event which will take place on the 1st of June, 2016, in Miami, Florida. World Match To Appear at The iGaming Super Show Published May 29, 2016 by Arthur M The iGaming Super Show is being held in Amsterdam from 7th to 10th June, and games developer World Match will be introducing some new titles to potential customers. Amsterdam is the host city for the iGaming Super Show that runs from 7th - 10th June 2016. Among the many companies on the stands will be World Match, who will be showcasing their range of over 150 titles and introducing some new ones to both existing and potential customers. About World Match World Match have been in business since 2003 and have developed a range of games in Flash which are now being moved over to the HTML5 platform. iOS and Android are increasingly important, so games are also configured for mobile play. With around 120 slots, 30 table games and a broad selection of Video Poker titles, World Match are rapidly expanding their portfolio, and have two new titles to show in June. Arena de Toros HD and SuperHeroes HD are the latest slot machines, both in HTML5, and they join other successful games like Horror Castle, Fruits 4 Jackpot and Banana King. All World Match slot games feature extra rounds and bonuses while the multiple versions of classics like Roulette, Blackjack, Poker and Craps games, plus twelve Video Poker variants have attracted commercial agreements with Stanleybet, Merkur-Win, Microgame Network, Ever Matrix and Eurobet among others. Many games are presented with HD graphics where the resolutions are up to 1280 x 720 pixels, while connectivity with social networks give players the chance to share their gameplay with friends. Already widely known in Southern Europe, World Match are looking to expand customer awareness in the northern part of the continent by attending the Amsterdam show. About The iGaming Super Show The show will be held at the Amsterdam RAI, the biggest exhibition space in the country. Some 4000 delegates are expected to attend as are over 100 speakers, with around 120 stands. Events and seminars include player acquisition strategies, payment solutions and gaming in Holland. World Match can be found at stand B83 throughout the show. Reprinted from WSWS The presidential campaign of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was hit by twin blows this week: a harshly critical report by the State Department inspector general over her use of a private email server while in office, and polls showing that Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders had closed the gap in California, the most populous US state and one of six holding primaries or caucuses on June 7. The report by Inspector General Steve Linick, an Obama appointee, criticized Clinton's decision to route all her work-related email, during four years as Obama's Secretary of State, through a private server located at her home in Chappaqua, New York. Clinton never used an official State Department email account, a fact that was no secret, since all her emails to subordinates, other administration officials, the media and Capitol Hill, came from her personal domain @clintonemail.com, not from state.gov. While Clinton has offered evasive and contradictory accounts for her reasons for using a private email server, the real motive is clear: to retain control over email traffic and avoid having it subject to the federal Freedom of Information Act. This became particularly critical as Bill and Hillary Clinton cashed in on his presidency -- and her future political prospects -- amassing a $150 million fortune by trading on their contacts with Wall Street and corporate America more generally. The Inspector General found Clinton had violated State Department rules for information handling, which had been tightened under the Bush administration, as email became the principal means of day-to-day communication. They were further tightened under the Obama administration, which has waged a ferocious struggle against whistleblowers who have exposed government criminality, like Edward Snowden, Julian Assange, and Chelsea Manning. In particular, Clinton did not turn over all her email when she left office in February 2013 because it was stored on her home server. She only turned over printed copies of 30,000 emails in November 2014, under pressure from Republican congressional investigators, after purging another 30,000 emails which she claimed were of a personal nature and not work-related. The IG report found that when two members of the IT staff for the State Department questioned Clinton's use of a nongovernmental email address in 2010, their boss told them "never to speak of the secretary's personal email system again." For Clinton's political adversaries within the ruling elite, including the Republican Party and its presumptive nominee Donald Trump, the email scandal is a political weapon for pursuing disputes over policy and positions of power. Their criticism is completely cynical -- Trump himself has refused to release a single year of his tax returns, for example, and Republican administrations have been just as secretive and manipulative about concealing communications from public scrutiny. This does not negate, however, the significance of the abuse itself. Presuming that Clinton is eventually nominated, her Republican opponents will no doubt use it to reaffirm the broadly felt sentiment that the Clintons operate on the basis of secrecy and corruption. The crisis that the report is creating for the Clinton campaign can be measured by the response in the media. The New York Times, which has endorsed Clinton, wrote a worried editorial on Thursday under the headline, "Hillary Clinton, Drowning in Email." The IG report "is certain to fuel doubts about Mrs. Clinton's trustworthiness, lately measured as a significant problem for her in public polls," the newspaper wrote. "There are so many flaws in her argument" I don't see how this is anything but devastating," NBC chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell said on MSNBC Thursday morning. Asked if Clinton was lying, Mitchell added, "It doesn't hold up, including her response" to the report. More important than the IG report is the ongoing FBI investigation into the private email server, which could lead to the filing of charges against Clinton or her aides for the mishandling of classified information. There is also a lawsuit by the right-wing anti-Clinton group Judicial Watch, which has led to court-ordered depositions of top Clinton aides. Cheryl Mills, former chief of staff at the State Department, gave testimony in this suit Friday, but a federal judge barred release of the video, limiting the release to the transcript only. In the primary contest for the Democratic presidential nomination, Clinton is less than 100 delegates short of the 2,383 needed, and would collect at least 300 on June 7 even if she loses all six primaries and caucuses, because of proportional representation. Her delegate lead, however, combines a relatively narrow lead among elected delegates, 1,769 to 1,499, and a top-heavy margin of 541 to 43 among the unelected superdelegates, party officials and officeholders. In the end, her lead in elected delegates alone will not be sufficient to give Clinton the nomination. Sanders is favored to win the four smaller contests on June 7, in South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and New Mexico, with 83 delegates combined, and Clinton to win New Jersey, with 126 delegates, leaving California, with 475 elected delegates, the main prize. In each of the states, delegates will be divided based on the share of the popular vote for each candidate, with no winner-take-all provisions. While it would still not give him a majority of elected delegates, a Sanders victory in California would nonetheless both represent a staggering political setback for Clinton and raise questions about the viability of her nomination, particularly when combined with the email scandal. Mark K. Updegrove and Sebastian Junger (Image by archivesnews) Details DMCA Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) May 29, 2016: C. G. Jung, M.D. (1875-1961), the Swiss psychiatrist and psychological theorist, claimed that the human psyche includes what he refers to as the collective unconscious. He famously worked out an approach (known as Jungian analysis) to helping individual persons integrate contents of the collective unconscious into their conscious awareness inasmuch as it is possible to do this. But we should avoid romanticizing the collective unconscious, because not all impulses arising from the collective unconscious prompt us to engage in pro-social behavior. For this reason, we should carefully discern impulses arising from the collective unconscious. By discernment, I mean wrestling with impulses that come to us, as the biblical character Jacob famously wrestles with the angel of God who comes to him in his sleep. Now, by definition, Jungian analysis involves one-to-one interactions between the analyst and the patient. However, Jung himself encouraged the formation of a social group known as a club in Zurich for various Jungian analysts and patients undergoing Jungian analysts. The collective unconscious carries memories of our small-group hunter-gatherer ancestors that Darcia Narvaez in psychology at the University of Notre Dame writes about in her award-winning 2014 book Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality: Evolution, Culture, and Wisdom (Norton). By definition, our small-group hunter-gatherer ancestors were pre-literate and pre-philosophical people. They lived in what the American Jesuit cultural historian and theorist Walter J. Ong (1912-2003) refers to as primary oral cultures. To spell out the obvious, Ong belonged to the religious order of men in the Roman Catholic Church known as the Jesuits (known formally as the Society of Jesus). Perhaps we can liken the Jesuits, at least in spirit, to the spirit of the club in Zurich that Jung helped found. In addition, Narvaez writes skillfully about the work of the American neurosurgeon Paul D. MacLean, M.D. (1913-2007). MacLean refers to the oldest evolutionary layer, or part, of the human brain as the reptilian brain. The reptilian brain is the biological base of our fight/flight/freeze response. In the book Fighting for Life: Contest, Sexuality, and Consciousness (Cornell University Press, 1981), the published version of Ong's 1979 Messenger Lectures at Cornell University, Ong does not happen to advert explicitly to MacLean's work on the structure of the human brain. But the spirit of fighting for life is biologically based in the fight/flight/freeze response of the reptilian brain. The part of the human psyche that Plato (428/427 to 348/347 BCE) and Aristotle (384-322 BCE) refer to as thumos (or thymos) is also biologically based in the fight/flight/freeze response of the human brain. Now, in his new book Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging (Twelve/ Hachette Book Group, 2016), Sebastian Junger, a journalist and war correspondent, writes elegantly about post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide among soldiers returning from battle in war. No doubt PTSD and suicide among veterans of war are serious problems that deserve our attention. If Junger's elegant writing about these problems contributes to advancing public awareness and discussion of them, good for him -- more power to him. Junger repeatedly discusses American Indians as examples of people who lived and worked together in tribes -- in Narvaez's terminology, small-group hunter-gatherers. His thesis is that soldiers in combat live and work together with one another in a way that he likens to American Indians living and working together with one another in a tribe. I understand the point of his analogy. However, as Junger understands, the draft would be a better analogy with tribal warriors than our all-volunteer armed forces are. No doubt our small-group hunter-gatherer ancestors discussed by Narvaez lived and worked cooperatively with one another within their small groups in order to stay alive and perhaps flourish. No doubt they experienced a strong sense of belonging within their group -- a sense of belonging that most contemporary Americans rarely experience in any group they may belong to. But Junger argues that American Indian tribes had ways of reintegrating warriors returning from battle into pro-social life again within the tribe that we Americans today do not have for reintegrating combat veterans back into pro-social life in American society. Oftentimes, returning combat veterans do not experience a sense of homecoming and belonging back in American society that is comparable in spirit and intensity to group bonding of soldiers in combat. After all, most contemporary Americans have been detribalized, to put it mildly, by their American upbringing and social and cultural and educational conditioning. Even those of us who have NOT experienced the group bonding of soldiers in war may NOT have experienced strong and intense bonding with others in small groups to which we belong. Of course critiques of so-called individualism in American life are a dime a dozen. Basically, Junger is adding his voice to such critiques. Nevertheless, he works out a fresh framework of thought for discussing the serious problems of PTSD and suicide among returning veterans of war. In addition to favoring so-called individualism, we Americans of European descent are so detribalized that we tend to refer pejoratively to real or imagined so-called tribalism. For example, certain critics of the billionaire developer Donald Trump of New York, the Republican Party's presumptive presidential candidate in 2016, tend to characterize him and his political persona as representing authoritarianism and his enthusiastic supporters as representing the spirit of tribalism. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). See original here And essentially it confirms exactly what Snowden suspected -- which is that any whistleblower inside the Pentagon who tried to raise serious concerns about US policy by going through official channels, by following the rules, by trust in the whistleblower laws, that a whistleblower was very likely to end up crushed as Thomas Drake did. And these new revelations coming from John Crane, the former Assistant Inspector General at the Pentagon tell us in quite specific detail how high-up Pentagon officials repeatedly broke the law in their handling of Thomas Drake's whistleblowing case, including by withholding and destroying documents, and lying to a Federal judge and other clear crimes and felonies. So, that is really what has come to light this week. Mark Hertsgaard : Snowden has said numerous times that without Thomas Drake there would have been no Edward Snowden. And that's because Drake was a much higher official within the NSA. But 10 years earlier than Snowden he tried to blow the whistle on the very same allegations as Snowden later revealed -- the mass surveillance undertaken without legal warrants by the National Security Agency of the United States. And what's new about these revelations that appeared in The Guardian and in my book Bravehearts this week is that we now know the inside story of what happened inside the Pentagon. Will there be more Snowdens? Is the US government doing everything in its power to clamp down on future whistleblowers? RT discussed this with ex-DOD official John Crane and Mark Hertsgaard, author of Bravehearts: Whistleblowing in the Age of Snowden. RT: How and if whistleblowers were dissuaded from coming forward, and if you witnessed any successful cases where someone sort of followed the rules, did everything go through proper channels and they were successful in blowing the whistle? John Crane: Thomas Drake. Mark Hertsgaard: At first. It looked like a success for a little while there. John Crane: And he followed all of channels that he should have followed, that we had what we now call the "4+1" whistleblower revelations. And what that meant was four separate whistleblowers stepped forward, filed complaints and then they said that there was a separate whistleblower in the NSA who wanted to be confidential. Based upon their allegations, we then contacted Congress because these were allegations against a multi-billion dollar program that was years behind schedule, that wasn't meeting acquisition milestones. So, we knew that we had Congress who is concerned. And then we had the whistleblowers stepping forward. We had a full formal audit of it that was issued in 2004. And that audit largely substantiated everything Thomas Drake said. That audit resulted in a multi-billion dollar system fundamentally being shut down by the Congress. So, he would be one of the Inspector General's success stories. RT: Mark, what do you think is the most significant of the Edward Snowden revelations? Because on the one hand, they opened up the eyes of so many, especially younger generations to intelligence the industry apparatus. But on the other hand, the government's reaction has caused such a chill to others coming forward... Anybody who would dare to be a whistleblower now probably is one of the bravest people on the planet... Mark Hertsgaard: It's interesting you say that because the last chapter of my book talks about how Snowden actually had two goals when he blew the whistle: it wasn't just to alert people to this massive surveillance that was being conducted against them without their knowledge, much less their consent; but Snowden also wanted to encourage other whistleblowers, he wanted to show that you could come forward with important information, follow your conscience and that you didn't have to hide... Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121 "Rob Kall has certainly acquired the firsthand experiences and knowledge gained through interviews to deliver some interesting insights about the "bottom-up" information revolution. Whereas the old 'top-down' systems created stove-pipes and excessive secrecy that blocked information sharing and led to the 'failure to connect the dots' before 9-11, the bottom-up approach should be the main fix. Kall's concept would seem to interface equally well with the founding fathers' idealism in setting forth their democratic theory of governance as with the realism that makes the multi-sourced, bottom-up Wikipedia work. As someone who shares my support of both government and corporate whistleblowing -- which is nothing more than encouraging greater horizontal sharing of information, I commend Rob Kall's important work on this topic." Coleen Rowley, former FBI special agent and named one of TIME Magazine's "Persons of the Year" in 2002) Reprinted from Reader Supported News A federal district court judge in Brooklyn, New York, last week sentenced a woman in a drug case to six months of house arrest, a year of probation, and community service, saying that "the collateral consequences she would face as a felon were punishment enough." Judge Frederic Block added that such consequences served "no useful function other than to further punish criminal defendants after they have completed their court-imposed sentences." Judge Block showed real mercy in this case. His sentencing opinion quoted Michelle Alexander's book The New Jim Crow, saying, "Today a criminal freed from prison has scarcely more rights, and arguably less respect, than a freed slave or a black person living 'free' in Mississippi at the height of Jim Crow." Judge Block noted in his sentencing opinion that there were nearly 50,000 federal and state statutes and regulations that imposed penalties on felons. In addition to prison time, those penalties include the loss of voting rights, denial of government benefits, ineligibility for public housing, suspension of student loans, and revocation or suspension of professional and even driver's licenses. Even private companies get in on the act. When I was convicted of violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act after blowing the whistle on the CIA's torture program, my bank closed my checking account, my insurance company canceled my homeowners and auto insurance, and the company through which my wife and I hired an au pair to babysit our children dropped us. Why? They don't do business with criminals. I also forfeited my federal pension after 19 years of service. When I was sitting in the courtroom awaiting sentencing, I watched as a long line of recently-convicted felons went before me. One of them was a young Hispanic man. He was there with his wife and his three young daughters. He had been caught smoking weed at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. It was his second offense, and because it was on federal property, it was a federal crime. He stood to be sentenced, and he heard the judge call for three years in a federal prison, to be followed by deportation. "Fair and appropriate," she called the sentence. She used the same words with me a few minutes later. I watched this poor man as he broke into heaving sobs, his girls clinging to his legs and his wife melting into her chair. Fair and appropriate. I remember thinking, "Is society better off, safer, with this man in prison? Is this the best thing for his family? Is it best for his children? Is it best for his employer? Where is the mercy?" And what additional price will he pay after paying his debt to society? Deportation. Judges can't blame Congress and mandatory minimums for everything. On many issues, especially crimes not related to drugs, judges have wide latitude in sentencing. But most simply follow the federal sentencing schedule, which does not account for any extenuating circumstances. That's why Judge Block's ruling was so newsworthy. Experts lauded the move, according to the New York Times. Gabriel Chin, a professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law called the sentence "groundbreaking" and said, "This is by some distance the most careful and thorough judicial examination" of collateral consequences in sentencing. With that said, Judge Block's opinion has its detractors. Daniel Richman, a former federal prosecutor, said, "However laudable it is for the judge to highlight this problem, his decision can't solve it "" Richman, unfortunately, is right. A single judge showing mercy to a single defendant can't change the system. Other judges -- lots of them -- must follow suit. That will do nothing, though, for mandatory minimums. Only Congress can change those. And progress is slow. 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. (Image by UNKNOWN-PUBLIC DOMAIN) Details DMCA I just returned from the Fourth Annual Conference on Governance of Emerging Technologies: Law, Policy & Ethics sponsored by Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. As anticipated it met expectations. Particularly sobering were sessions about existential and catastrophic risks such as environmental/climate change, artificial intelligence and synthetic biology. What these types of events do not generally address are topics which, either do not fall within the theme of the conference, or a perception that governance (private, public) has the matter under control. But, on this Memorial Day weekend it occurs to me that the development of one technology, nuclear bombs, that although regarded as controlled by rational actors, does not appear to be moving into the right direction, that is their eradication. Although, many nations are signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the objective which is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons--it's not working. In a world of rational actors, one might take comfort that the current protocols might be sufficient to avoid nuclear annihilation, but let's face it, all leaders are not rational (e.g., Kim Jong Un), and even if rational, many in the U.S. do not find eradication an appealing course of action, either. We need look not further than as to the sentiment of a large swath of the American electorate, who where instead of being applauded, President Obama and his Iran nuclear weapons deal were vilified; and, as look no further than the congressional approval of the recent B61-12 nuclear bomb program, expected to go into full production in 2020, eventually producing 400 bombs (cost $11 billion), as part of a $350 billion plan that the U.S. has to "modernize" its nuclear weapons over the next 10 years. Three independent estimates put the expected total cost over the next 30 years at as much as $1 trillion. At this stage in our civilized existence, we applaud war more than we applaud peace. Memorial Day remembrances, have no connection to our collective affection to wars that insure that these "holidays" persist into the unfathomable future. As a child born at the start of WWII, I once thought war was part of everyday life, like going to school, church. I can remember my first Memorial Day, its exhilaration, standing next to my mother, watching men in uniform 4, 8 and 16 across, ten feet tall, marching down Main Street, USA echoes of brass bands playing in the distance, people cheering, clapping each time the skeleton of a new regiment crossed our path. I remember troops passing who'd fought in the Spanish American War, 1899, dozens of companies who'd fought in World War I, and then those that were then serving World War II's on the home front. Among those in the crowd were veterans and veterans to be, and those that would perish in wars not yet named: the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, El Salvador, the first Iraq War, parents and grandparents of a second Iraq War and Afghanistan. Thinking about those days comes hard, so far away, time gradually erasing the details of scores of flag waving parades in the course of a life. What also cannot be erased, and which I'm occasionally reminded, is the toll of lives lost in war. By the most conservative estimates the deaths for all major wars in which America fought over the past 100 years or so: WWI, 116,708; WWII 407,316; Korea 36,914; Vietnam 58,169; Iraqi 4,425; Afghanistan, 2229. I have not included a few of the smaller wars we participated in. The number of casualties on a per war basis is decreasing due to new technology and style of warfare, but brutality remains unmitigated e.g., in 2010, 400,000 war motivated rapes in the Congo; between 2001-2010, 168,000 traumatic brain injuries for U.S. military personnel. Afghanistan, since 1978 reports 2,000,000 cumulative fatalities; Iraq since 2003 reports over 1,000,000. Last year-2015, death totals for 3 major wars, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, ran into the 100,000's. Just this week President Obama, as the first president to do so, traveled to Hiroshima, where between it's bombing and Nagasaki's bombing, 129,000 died. He called on nations to "escape the logic of fear" and reduce stockpiles of nuclear weapons. How he squares producing 400 new bombs, as part of a $350 billion plan, is mind boggling. Is this crazy? Would we seriously think about leveling the world? Or is part this part of the double-speak, we have come to expect from government? It strikes me we've learned nothing from the past. Rather than the number of wars diminishing, the number is increasing: currently 43 separate armed conflicts plague the world. Yet, for all the resources modern nations exploit, none are committed to counterbalancing, in inspiration, advocacy, people or money a non-violent war against war, or to the eradication of nuclear weapons. Take notice, that no candidates for political office this year have seriously addressed: downsizing defense departments, converting industrial military complexes into less lethal more productive enterprises. And, take notice, that our assumption that we live in a world of rational actors, and therefore, the current protocols might be sufficient, may be proven wrong, come the November election for president. In this political climate Americans should demand that candidates respond with proposals for both governmental and nongovernmental intervention when nations are at the brink of violence, to ending just a fraction of the ongoing wars. Is it possible that Memorial Day can be set aside to show respect to those that gave their lives during armed conflict by opening a conversation that focuses attention away from war rather than its propagation? After all, Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world - indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Let's give the day the dignity it deserves, a day of contemplation and shared mourning. Let's not be so complacent. Reprinted from Consortium News The New York Times has consistently turned its news' pages into the loudest cheerleader for Hillary Clinton's bid for the nomination. If mentioned at all, they bury deep in their paper, Bernie Sanders's primary wins. So it's no surprise that when Sanders won permission to appoint five of the 15 members of the Platform Committee of the Democratic Party Convention, the Times made the story focus on the possibility that two of these appointees, James Zogby and Cornel West, would turn the convention into a debate about U.S. policy towards Israel, and thereby weaken Clinton's capacity to fight off Donald Trump in the general election. The Times ignored the important appointment of Congressman Keith Ellison, a leader of the Congress' Progressive Caucus, a supporter of social justice for middle income people and the poor, universal healthcare and a $15 minimum wage, and an opponent of Obama's use of drones; Rebecca Parker, vice chair of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington State, who is likely to emphasize rights for indigenous peoples and criminal justice reform; and Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org who is likely to push for a tax on carbons and other aggressive policies to save the planet's life-support system. To turn the discussion solely to Israel, and suggest that somehow Sanders's very mild call for an even-handed policy that took into account the needs of the Palestinian people, is a threat to Israel's existence is irresponsible and ludicrous. As if not to be undone by the Times, Jane Eisner, editor of the center/right Jewish Forward magazine, issued a statement that insisted that Sanders unveil a full plan for how to achieve peace in Israel and Palestine. Clinton's plan has been to give 100 percent unconditional support to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisner knows that some of her readers might have doubts about the wisdom pursuing Obama's legacy, which only recently included a 10-year military aid package (larger than any the U.S. has ever given to any country). This agreement was reached even after Netanyahu rejected every attempt by the U.S. and Western countries to push him to stop expanding West Bank settlements and end the Occupation. Why does Eisner not call on Hillary Clinton to similarly state what her full plan is for achieving peace? Eisner worries about a recent Pew poll which shows that the share of liberal Democrats who side more with Palestinians than with Israel has nearly doubled since 2014 -- to 40 percent from 21 percent -- and is higher than at any point dating back to 2001. Only 30 percent of liberals say they side more with Israelis. But she misses what most center/right apologists for Israel always ignore: that the decreasing support for Israel among liberals is not a product of some irrational hatred of Jews, but rather of the growing recognition that Israel's oppressive policies toward Palestinians (soon to enter its 49th anniversary of the Occupation) and its denial to them of the same rights for self-determination that we Jews rightly fought for ourselves in creating the State of Israel, is generating a worldwide anger at the Jewish people that is bad for Israel and bad for Jews everywhere. What those of us who want to see Israel achieve security while returning to the Jewish value articulated frequently in the Torah: "You shall love the Stranger/Other, and remember that you were strangers/others in the land of Egypt." In this respect, Bernie Sanders is closer to this traditional Jewish value than any of the other candidates, and his approach is far better for the Jewish people and for the future security of the State of Israel. The Netanyahu government may be able to hold on by force and by endlessly scaring the Israeli people, aided by Netanyahu's de facto best ally, Hamas, which obligingly digs tunnels or sends bombs to Israel so as to head off any support the Israeli peace movement and the moderates of the Palestinian Authority might be gaining. Pushing Israel to negotiate a sustainable peace arrangement that would grant Palestinians an economically and politically viable state is the only path toward a sustainable peace, and Sanders's rather temperate remarks indicate a willingness to push Israel and Palestine both in this direction. Tikkun and our education arm the Network of Spiritual Progressives are non-profits that do not endorse any candidate. And if we did endorse, like most progressives we'd have many other issues to consider besides a candidate's stand on Israel/Palestine: --Saving the earth's life-support system, switching the U.S. foreign policy from a strategy to achieve "homeland security" through military, economic, cultural and diplomatic domination of the world to a strategy of generosity as provided in our proposed Global Marshall Plan www.tikkun.org/gmp (introduced into Congress by Keith Ellison)... --A guaranteed living wage (not a "minimum wage") and guaranteed income and guaranteed health care for all... --Requiring corporations with incomes over $50 million/year to prove a satisfactory history of environmental and social responsibility every five years (see our ESRA -- Environmental and Social Responsibility Amendment to the U.S. Constitution at www.tikkun.org/esra ) Amie Jarrett stood watching her two sons go in circles recently on the "Go Gator" roller coaster at the Pioneer Family Festival in Oregon City. It was her oldest son's 12th birthday, so she thought a carnival would be the perfect place to celebrate. Jarrett admitted, though, she sometimes gets nervous about her kids "flying out" of the rides. "I fell out of the Scrambler as a kid because the seatbelt wasn't tight enough," she said. But she's been back on the "Scrambler" - a speedy, horizontal version of the Ferris Wheel - with her sons many times since. "They love that ride," she said. Carnival season kicked off in earnest with the Portland Rose Festival this weekend, which means carnival-goers like Jarrett will be queueing up for rides by the thousands in the months ahead. These carnival attendees, however, are largely relying on a self-reported, third-party system to keep them safe. "In Oregon, you don't have a governing body that comes out [to do inspections]," said ride inspector Richard Spromberg said. "There's no real enforcement." When it comes to state carnival ride regulation, Oregon falls somewhere in the middle, between California -- a state with a dense thicket of amusement park and carnival regulations -- and Alabama, where regulation is essentially nonexistent. Oregon doesn't have a government-funded inspection program. Instead, it relies on insurance companies to verify that each ride has been inspected and is ready for use. After that, carnivals supply proof of inspection by their insurance companies and a $28 fee, and Oregon's Building Codes Division hands out permits that are then required to be pasted on the rides. Spromberg, 58, has inspected rides for the past 16 years in the Northwest. He's one of 15 inspectors who works for insurers in Oregon. He doesn't like to ride the rides, though, because the first time he went to a carnival as a kid -- the Cowlitz County Fair in Longview, Washington -- he got sick watching the rides spin. But something about the fair caught his attention, anyway. So when he turned 13, he landed a job at the cotton candy stand. Or, he said, maybe it was the corndog stand. Eventually, he was old enough to work the rides. And by that, he means he turned 16, and could pass for the required minimum age of 18. But it was "back then," he said, so no one really checked licenses. Later, he started setting up and taking down the rides. Then he became a ride superintendent before becoming a unit manager and eventually an inspector. He and the other inspectors are in charge of evaluating the more than 300 carnival rides with valid permits in the state. Spromberg is also part of Washington's state-funded inspection program. There, he works for the state itself. He said many inspectors in Oregon work north of the state border, too, so almost by default, Oregon ends up following Washington's more stringent regulations. State Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene, said Oregon's law puts it in a "good position" for oversight on carnival rides. Holvey said when writing a new bill updating Oregon's carnival regulations three years ago, it seemed redundant and costly to set up a more rigorous inspection program. He added that if systemic safety issues are identified, he is willing to change the law again. Jeff Starkey at the Building Codes Division investigates rides and companies when the agency receives specific complaints or when accidents happen. In July 2015 at a festival in Sandy, a group of friends were riding the "Skymaster," a caged replica of a Viking ship, when their safety harnesses failed as the ride went upside down. Starkey said he couldn't comment since the incident is still under investigation. Spromberg said the rides in the Sandy carnival, provided by Idaho company Paradise Amusements, didn't have all of the proper inspections up to date. Paradise Amusements didn't return calls seeking comment on the case. In July 2013, an accident occurred at the Jackson County Fair, when a 9-year-old boy was hit by a metal plate while waiting in line for the "Zipper," provided by Funtastic Shows. The boy had to get stitches under one eye. Ron Burback, president of Funtastic, said when there is an accident, he does an investigation and corrects the problem. In this case, the ride operator did not account for the 100-degree weather that day, so he hadn't tightened the straps enough. "Safety is our number one concern," he said. "Cleanliness is number two, and get the money is number three." Funstastic Rides, which provides the amusement at the Rose Festival, has a nationally accredited safety program and is "heavily involved" in safety, Burback said. Butler Amusements, based in Beaverton, Oregon, was fined more than $100,000 in California in 2014 after "key bolts and cross bracing had been removed" from rides at the Big Fresno Fair. No one was injured. According to a 2013 study at the Center for Injury Research and Policy, about 20 children a day are treated in hospitals nationwide for amusement ride injuries during the summer months. This includes anything from a bruise to severe injury on carnival, mall and amusement park rides. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is a federal agency that monitors mobile rides, like those at carnivals. Spokeswoman Patty Davis said the agency adopts safety standards set forth by agencies such as the American Society for Testing and Materials. "There are not mandatory standards for carnival rides, but there are a host of industry safety standards that are in place that work well," Davis said. "These are voluntary." Davis said if standards are not working, then her agency will step in to create mandatory ones. She said so far that hasn't been needed. Jason Herrera, a 38-year-old native Californian, began looking into amusement ride safety after his cousin fell off a rail and hit his head while standing in line for a Disneyland ride. Although Herrera admits the incident was not the park's fault, he began finding accident after accident in news headlines across the country. So he started up the "Amusement Safety Organization," a site that tracks amusement-ride accidents. "It's bigger than I thought it was going to get," he said. "It started in California and exploded." Herrera said he's just being realistic when it comes to carnival rides - not trying to hurt the carnival business. "People say 'you're a Debbie downer,' but I've seen what happens when somebody gets hurt, and it's bad," he said. Herrera added he's just providing the information, and people can decide for themselves how or whether to act on it. "When you get on that ride, you're ultimately the final inspector," he said. Spromberg agreed, and said carnival-goers should do at least basic inspections themselves before hopping on a ride. Check for an up-to-date permit on the ride and then just use common sense and go with your gut, he said. "How do you know you're at a safe carnival?" he asked. "If the lights aren't working, and the ride's not painted and the operator looks horrible, you're probably not at a good carnival." When asked if anyone has ever been seriously injured on a ride he personally inspected, Spromberg said, "Never." "[The ride] is either green or red; it either goes or doesn't," he said. "It's either done right, or it doesn't operate." -- Natasha Rausch Teaching climate science: The climate justice resolution that was recently passed by the Portland School Board never uses the word "ban" -- a favorite word used by media to arouse discord and suspicion of political propaganda. The majority of scientists who are up to date on their contributions to the science community agree that present planetary conditions are shaping up to be very different from the childhood experience of any adult currently alive on the planet. Messages to the contrary come from individuals associated with think tanks who, not miraculously, keep showing up in print repeatedly as if assigned to the task as part of company protocol. As long as students continue to understand climate change as a debate or political squabble, they don't have to wonder how to prepare for the future by developing the positive problem-solving skills necessary for a transition that is inclusive and justice-serving. As it is, ignorance is a political tactic under the guise of education. I'd like to see community members unattached to any sort of industry interest write a similar resolution to the contrary that will be inspiring enough to pass a school board litmus test. The textbooks in print that declare ambiguity about climate change are the not-so-subtle propaganda that helped perpetuate ignorance and inaction up to this point. Time is up, friends -- and since it takes everyone to change everything, we can't wait until you join us. Cheryl Lohrmann-Riggs Northeast Portland * Teaching climate science: I fervently wish Gordon Fulks were correct in his assertion that human activities are not changing our planet's climate, but the data say otherwise. The parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere started rising steeply in the mid-1950s and then, in recent years, have taken a much sharper turn upwards. It now measures more than 400 -- 50ppm over what most scientists agree is a safe upper threshold for a stable climate. CO2 is not the only greenhouse gas in our atmosphere. However, it is one that has increased significantly, not as a result of our breathing as Fulks implies, but primarily by our use of fossil fuels. I know I won't change Fulks' mind. However, I urge others to learn as much as possible about why the shells of crabs in Puget Sound are softening, why the city of Miami now has influxes of sea water on a regular basis, and why people living on small island nations are already leaving their homes as involuntary climate refugees. Our climate is changing faster, and to a greater extent, than it has in the past 12,000 years, according to a consensus statement written in 2013 by global scientists. It is well documented that humans -- not volcanic activity or natural cycles -- are the principal reason. And we are the ones who need to forge a symbiotic relationship to the Earth so that our species avoids the kind of catastrophe that many species are already experiencing. Emily Polanshek Southwest Portland 1trump.JPG Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Rimrock Auto Arena, in Billings, Mont., Thursday, May 26, 2016. (The Associated Press) By Albert Hunt Donald Trump has a personal problem with voters that transcends policy differences, partisan affiliations and political concerns: They don't want him in their homes and aren't eager to have their kids exposed to him. These are among the findings of an online poll of working-class voters in the Rust Belt. When asked which likely general election candidate would be a good role model for their children, these voters said they preferred Hillary Clinton, 39 percent to 14 percent. By a margin of more than three to two they said they would rather have her in their homes over Trump, according to the Purple Slice survey conducted by Purple Strategies for Bloomberg Politics. The poll surveyed 803 voters in households with earnings between $30,000 and $75,000 in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. The Trump camp has predicted that he would do better than other Republican candidates with this demographic -- sometimes referred to as Reagan Democrats, though that's probably outdated. It's a constituency he needs -- President Barack Obama ran slightly ahead of Mitt Romney with these voters in 2012 -- and Trump is focusing his efforts in those four Rust Belt states. Overall, however, these voters said they would vote for Clinton, 46 percent to 39 percent. "Much of the dislike toward Trump is rooted in concerns about his tone and behavior -- not just on policy differences," said Doug Usher, who conducted the poll for Purple Strategies. "As voters begin to envision the next president living in the White House and leading our country, these impressions matter." These numbers reflect Trump's unpopularity rather than positive feelings about Clinton. For both candidates, unfavorable opinions exceeded favorable ones, though Trump's ratings were worse. This survey underscores the presumptive Republican nominee's problems with women, in this case working class, or mainly middle class, voters in four strategically important states. Overall, he trailed Clinton with these female voters by 15 points. By 44 percent to 10 percent, women said Clinton would be a better role model for their children. By almost as much they would prefer to have her as a guest in their house. Often, though not always, Americans have voted for the presidential candidate who comes across as more personally appealing. Clinton doesn't meet that standard; it's just that Trump does worse. Albert Hunt is a Bloomberg columnist. For more columns from Bloomberg View, visit http://www.bloomberg.com/view. (c) 2016, Bloomberg View lightbar.jpg The Marion County Sheriff's Office said Jose Murillo, 23, of Salem, has been charged with attempted murder and first-degree assault. (The Oregonian/File) Jose Murillo A group of Salem-area monks on Saturday discovered in the bushes outside their Buddhist temple a woman who had been stabbed multiple times by a drug-addled friend, police say. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said Jose Murillo, 23, of Salem, has been charged with attempted murder and first-degree assault. He is being held at the Marion County Jail. The woman, 26-year-old Cynthia Veazey, was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries described as serious. She is now in serious condition at OHSU. In a statement, police said Murillo and Veazey met on Craigslist in the past six months and became friends. On Friday night, police said, Veazey called Murillo to get together, and they met at the Buddhist Temple of Oregon south of Salem, in a rural area near the Enchanted Forest theme park. The pair found an unlocked door, went inside and started using methamphetamine, police said. Just after midnight, Murillo started hearing voices inside the temple, officials said. He became upset and threatened to stab Veazey if she didn't help him find the people inside the temple, police said. Veazey tried to calm Murillo, assuring him there was no one else inside the temple, but Murillo attacked her, stabbing her 10 times in various places, police said. Murillo then dragged Veazey from the temple, but Veazey escaped and hid in a thicket of blackberry bushes, police say. Murillo left the temple and walked out to Interstate 5, police say, where he was contacted by Oregon State Police. After he told them people were chasing him, Murillo was taken to Salem Hospital to be treated for a cut on his hand, police said. About 5:30 a.m. Saturday, the monks entered their temple and called the Marion County Sheriff's Office to report a break in. At 7 a.m., the monks called back, saying they had found a badly injured woman in the bushes. According to police, detectives at the hospital connected the incidents and arrest Murillo before he was discharged. Murillo is scheduled to appear in court at 3 p.m. Tuesday. -- Anna Marum Lincoln City rescue James Kyes.jpg A Coast Guard crew rescued two teens who were stranded on a cliff near Lincoln City. (James Kyes) A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued two teens who became stranded on a cliff in Lincoln City on Saturday. The incident happened about 3:30 p.m. at Roads End State Park. A Lincoln City rope crew was called in but they were unable to rescue the 14-year-old boys because of a lack of anchor points. Officials called the Coast Guard, which sent an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station North Bend. A crew member descended with a rope and attached himself to the teens, one by one, and hoisted them into the helicopter, said Amanda Norcross, petty officer 3rd class. They were then lowered onto a nearby beach. They were not injured. -- Lynne Terry SALEM -- Salem has agreed to sell part of its water rights on the Willamette River to Hillsboro. If the deal is approved, Hillsboro will pay Salem $16.2 million. The Statesman Journal reports Salem plans to use the money to improve its water infrastructure. Salem officials say the city doesn't need the water, but one conservation group is objecting, saying the plan could endanger fish and river health. John DeVoe, executive director of WaterWatch of Oregon, said sales like this encourage speculation in water in the Willamette Valley and across the state. Cities throughout Oregon are sitting on millions of gallons in old, unused water rights. The state granted the claims when municipalities submitted plans to build treatment plants and use the water. The claims aren't permanent until the water actually is used. But the Oregon Water Resources Department has issued multiple extensions. -- The Associated Press lightbar.jpg Police say a 1990 Mazda pickup truck was heading eastbound on the highway when it crossed the center line and struck a westbound 2004 Honda Civic head-on. (The Oregonian/File) Two people are dead and one is in the hospital after a head-on collision early Sunday east of Eugene. Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a crash about 12:40 a.m. on Oregon 126 near Leaburg. Police say an eastbound 1990 Mazda pickup truck crossed the center line and struck a westbound 2004 Honda Civic head-on. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene, and a man riding in the Honda was taken to a Springfield hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, police say. The highway was shut down for about an hour. Sunday afternoon, police identified the Mazda driver as 46-year-old Brett Wildgen, of Springfield. The driver of the Honda was identified as 21-year-old Kenndra Haney, and the passenger was 19-year-old Chase Holden, also from Springfield. According to police, alcohol consumption by the driver of the Mazda is being considered as the contributing factor. Police will release more information after families have been notified. This story has been updated with the names of the parties. -- Anna Marum WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- An Oregon man suspected of fatally stabbing his wife and injuring his young children will return to Umatilla County to face a murder charge. The Union Bulletin says 26-year-old Oscar Villegas Garcia of Milton-Freewater waived his right to an extradition hearing in Walla Walla County Superior Court Friday. He was jailed in Walla Walla after being taken to a local hospital. Umatilla County District Attorney Dan Primus tells the East Oregonian he intends to charge Villegas Garcia with murder. Milton-Freewater police found the couple, a 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl suffering from stab wounds at a home in Milton-Freewater Thursday. Maria Villegas later died at a Walla Walla hospital. The boy was also treated there. The girl was critically injured and airlifted to a hospital in Spokane. Oregon State Police say Oscar Villegas Garcia also suffered serious cut wounds, but police believe they were self-inflicted. The East Oregonian says Umatilla County records show the couple was married. On Saturday, Villegas' friends and high school classmates held a benefit car wash to raise money for the two children. Norma Perez told The East Oregonian that the children had been released from the hospital and were with family. Marco Alva-Diaz, who is Perez's husband, said a GoFundMe account has been established to help the family with funeral and medical expenses. -- The Associated Press Powerball Jackpot Winner Winning numbers were drawn for the Oregon Megabucks game and Powerball. (The Associated Press) Check your ticket: Somebody won $90 million in the Powerball drawing on Saturday. The lucky winner had these numbers: 6-33-34-58-59; Powerball: 12; power play: 2 Nobody won the grand prize in Saturday evening's drawing of the Oregon Lottery's "Megabucks" game. The winning numbers were: 7-9-13-23-40-44 The current jackpot is $5.4 million. The winning numbers in Win for Life were: 8-9-20-34 The winning numbers in Pick 4 were: 1-0-5-4 -- Lynne Terry Police are investigating a shooting that occurred Saturday afternoon in North Portland. The Gang Enforcement Team is looking into reports of at least one round fired about 4:45 p.m. in the vicinity of North Denver Avenue and Russet Street. No victims or suspects have yet to be identified. But it's still early in the investigation, police said. They asked anyone with information about this shooting to call Detective Brent Christensen at 503-823-2087. His email is brent.christensen@portlandoregon.gov. -- Lynne Terry LINCOLN The firing of Tourism Director Kathy McKillip could spell doom for another pillar of state travel: "Nebraska Nice." Industry leaders are taking aim at the controversial, 2-year-old slogan at the core of the state's tourism marketing efforts. "It's turned into more of a joke," Nebraska Travel Association President Todd Kirshenbaum said Friday. "Now, with a new director coming on, this is a good chance to really evaluate it and perhaps phase it out over a year or so." Kirshenbaum would like to see it replaced by something "less laughable," he said. "Yes, we are all nice here and that's fine. But there's so much more to the state that could be emphasized through a new ad campaign." Many would like to bring back some form of "Nebraska ... the good life," which was adopted as the official tourism motto more than 40 years ago and still appears on highway welcome signs around the state. "I have been a strong proponent for returning Nebraska to 'the good life' for years," said Kevin Howard, director of the Alliance Visitors Bureau. "It resonates with the citizens of the state of Nebraska." A new promotional slogan is just one change being eyed by the state's travel industry as it seeks to clear the air following last month's scathing audit of the Nebraska Tourism Commission. The Travel Association and many convention and visitors bureaus are working together to propose a revamp of the commission's nine-member board. The recommendations probably will include placing representatives from the governor's office and the Legislature on the commission, possibly in non-voting roles, Kirshenbaum said. Contacted Friday, Tourism Commission Chairman John Chapo didn't comment specifically on the Travel Association's efforts, but said the commission is working on updating its strategic plan and has a responsibility to "listen to the input of all stakeholders across our great state." "Stay tuned," Chapo said. Commissioners voted 8-0 Thursday to fire McKillip, who has led the state's tourism agency since before it became independent of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development in 2012. Critics have said that independence allowed Tourism to run amok with tax dollars, and a 79-page report from State Auditor Charlie Janssen's office cited dozens of questionable expenses and accounting practices by the commission. The issues included $4.4 million in over-budget work by Bailey Lauerman, the Omaha advertising firm responsible for "Nebraska Nice." Mary Palu, an executive for the ad firm, said it only spent what the tourism director approved. Bailey Lauerman is already moving ahead with phase two of the "Nebraska Nice" campaign, which commissioners approved without discussing costs during a May 3 meeting at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, four days after the audit was published. The meeting featured a presentation by Bailey Lauerman staff, who passed around virtual reality goggles they said could include 360-degree images to give people "an unexpected view" of Nebraska. The plan also included using Nebraskans including possible noteworthy natives like Kansas City Royals star Alex Gordon or Maroon 5 guitarist James Valentine as "ambassadors of Nice" in the state's tourism promotion. The goal is to provide an insider's perspective for travelers eager to avoid the beaten path, Palu said. "That's what a lot of people are looking for in travel right now," she said, and it's especially true of millennials, a target audience in part because they can make return visits for decades. The overall campaign is research-based and has corresponded with an increase in out-of-state visitors and lodging tax dollars, Palu said. However, she said in an email, "If the commission provides us with input that it would like us to explore other directions, we will certainly do that to ensure satisfaction with the marketing we do on behalf of the state." "We understand that people are passionate about the way our state is marketed which is a wonderful reflection of the love residents have for this state," Palu said. "Nebraska Nice" is the state's 13th official tourism motto since 1972. "The good life," adopted that year, hasn't been used officially since 1978 and was never Nebraska's legal slogan. State lawbooks have listed a different official slogan and symbol since 1963: "Welcome to NEBRASKAland ... where the West begins," accompanied by an image of a horse-drawn wagon. Lora Young, executive director of the Beatrice Chamber of Commerce, says state agencies should collaborate to adopt a new official state slogan. That's what happened in Beatrice, where five local entities worked together to craft a new citywide slogan, "Stake Your Claim." "It would be nice if the key agencies across the state were saying the same message," Young said. "That sends a powerful message about who we are and who we want to be." Howard, the Alliance tourism chief, hopes "the good life" emerges victorious. He wouldn't speak ill of "Nebraska Nice" but noted he's a member of the "Nebraskans for The Good Life" Facebook page, which launched in 2014 before McKillip signed off on the "Nice" campaign. The page has more than 12,000 members. "Nebraskans have taken 'the good life' to heart," Howard said. More than 60 business owners and professionals recently convened at Mid Michigan Community College to learn about buying and selling a business. The Mid Michigan Small Business Development Center hosted the How to Buy and Sell a Business event in response to an increasing demand from clients seeking advice on the topic. The event was sponsored by Mercantile Bank. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region recently received an initial donation of almost $14,000 from the Midland 100 Club in support of its after-school mentoring program, Teaming up with YOUth. The Midland 100 Club brings together more than 325 women who wish support charitable organizations in the Midland and make a real difference through collaboration. The Ladies Travel Club will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, in conference room C/D of the Midland Schools Administration Building at 600 E. Carpenter St. Use the rear door, off George Street. Six ladies attended the Holland Tulip Festival on May 11. Davenport University announced that Patsy Howe of Gladwin has received a Student Recognition Award for the 2015-2016 academic year. Howe, and the other award recipients, showed exemplary leadership skills and dedication to the university. The American Red Cross urges blood and platelet donors to choose their day to give and help ensure blood is available for patients all summer long during its annual summer awareness campaign, sponsored by Suburban Propane. Many Americans will be celebrating the unofficial start to summer this Memorial Day weekend, but seasonal activities that bring joy to so many can also lead to a shortage of blood and platelet donations when regular donors become busy, said Donna M. Morrissey, director of national partnerships for the Red Cross Biomedical Services. Patients dont get a summer holiday from needing lifesaving blood and platelet donations and are counting on generous volunteers to help maintain a sufficient supply this summer. FLINT, Mich. (AP) Replacing water pipes due to the lead-tainted crisis in Flint could be at least twice the price of previous estimates, according to a report obtained by a newspaper. Engineering company Rowe Professional Services told the state the average cost for replacing a service water line through a completed pilot project was $7,500. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality previously estimated it would cost $4,000, the Detroit Free Press reported Saturday. The company's report said costs could be higher if average permit fees of $2,400 per site are factored in. The largest share of that is $2,200, which includes replacing the pavement. Representatives for Flint Mayor Karen Weaver did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' request for comment. Gov. Rick Snyder's spokesman Ari Adler said Flint is charging "very large fees," while Weaver has said Flint needs more money from the state for replacing pipes. The report notes other concerns arising during the pilot project, including lead-contaminated soil that needs to be properly handled and disposed. The city already received $2 million from the state to replace about 500 lines. The state has authorized roughly $70 million in funds for the emergency, and Snyder is seeking $165 million more through the budget process. Still, higher costs could hamper negotiations among lawmakers as they deal with lower-than-expected tax revenue and enact a new state budget with less overall spending than initially proposed. So far, 30 lead or galvanized service pipes have been replaced as part of the pilot project. Weaver said the city soon will issue requests for proposals to complete the next phase of the Fast Start pipe-replacement program. Officials' decision to not apply corrosion control allowed water to scrape lead from the pipes after the city switched its water supply from Detroit's municipal system to the Flint River in 2014 to cut costs. That resulted in the contamination of the water supply, elevated blood lead levels for some people in the city and may have contributed to the deaths of at least 12 people from Legionnaires' disease. The financially struggling city of roughly 100,000 people remains under a state of emergency as local, state and federal officials try to deal with the problem. Saginaw Valley State University celebrated the valuable contributions of eight registered nurses in the Great Lakes Bay Region during the sixth annual Carleen K. Moore R.N. Nursing Excellence awards as part of National Nurses Week. Established by SVSUs Department of Nursing, the honor recognizes the continual dedication, quality service and front-line leadership exhibited by nurses in clinical practice, education, leadership and community service. Awards were presented in the categories of acute care, nurse educator, long-term care/rehabilitation and nursing in the community. Tracy Bruff of Saint Marys of Michigan received an Acute Care Nursing award. She was nominated by her director, Jill Loftus. Bruff is described as the Saint Marys stroke clinical outcome queen. She works quietly and independently to continuously improve the work environment for patients, their families and staff. Tiffini Jarstfer of MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland was one of three recipients of the Acute Care Nursing award. She was nominated by her nurse manager, Amy Barnhart. Jarstfer is cited as a role model for other nurses in how she treats her patients and coworkers. She also has been key in helping students to transform from shy and scared to confident take-charge professionals. Eric Maher, the stoke coordinator at Saint Marys of Michigan, also was a recipient of the Acute Care Nursing award. He too was nominated by his nurse manager, Loftus. Maher gets a first touch with patients when they first become aware of their stroke symptoms. Many departments have gained a strong respect for him due to his ability to coordinate the testing necessary for timely stroke intervention. Cindy Baker of Marlette Regional Hospital, received one of two Community Nursing awards. She was nominated by her director, Vicki Meiburg. Baker successfully initiated and implemented the Patient Centered Medical Home Model of care delivery for six practices. A colleague said, Cindy is a gifted Nursing Leader. She always puts the patient first in everything she does. Kathy Janer of the Bay County Health Department was a recipient of the Community Nursing award. She was nominated by Molly Stapish and Joel Strasz, public health director for Bay County. Janer was part of the pilot school nurse program in Bay City Public Schools. One of her significant accomplishments was instituting best practices for medication administration in the school setting. Colleen Markel, who was a recipient of the Nursing Education award, was nominated by Greg Ghilardi, vice president of human resources for MidMichigan Medical Center. Markel served as a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit for 20 years before accepting her current position as manager of workforce development. She is described as exceedingly student-focused in her role, where she and her team coordinate nursing clinical placements for more 400 students per semester from seven different colleges and universities. Karen Rezmer of Covenant HealthCare, received one of two of the Long-Term Care/Rehabilitation Nursing awards. She was nominated by her director, Christine Clayton. Rezmer meets and greets her residents each day, reviews their charts, and discusses their care and progress with them, their physician and their family. She is known and appreciated by the residents and their families in addressing daily care needs. Patti Krenz, who was a recipient of a Long-Term Care/Rehabilitation Nursing award, is currently a staff nurse at McLaren Bay Special Care. She developed the Precious Reflections support group more than 25 years ago, and continues to serve as a facilitator to provide support for those who have experienced the death of a full-term baby or miscarriage. The awards were presented by SVSU alumna Ellen Talbott, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer for McLaren Bay Region. The ceremony featured Judy Ruland, dean of SVSUs College of Health and Human Services, as a guest speaker. Description: Radio Disney's Feed the Love Sweepstakes is giving away four cash prizes. Each of the winners will receive $1,000 that they can spend as they please. Sweepstakes Links: Click Here to Enter this Sweepstakes Click Here for the Official Sweepstakes Rules Click Here for the Sweepstakes' Home Page Note: If the sweepstakes entry link doesn't work for you, try entering through the home page and looking for a link to the sweepstakes. Category: Cash Sweepstakes, Disney Sweepstakes, Kids Sweepstakes, Valentine's Day Sweepstakes, Medium Sweepstakes, Daily Sweepstakes Eligibility: USA, 13+ Start Date: November 20, 2020 End Date: December 06, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. PT Entry Frequency: 1 x daily per person/email Sweepstakes Prizes: Prizes (4): A $1,000 Visa gift card. (ARV: $1,000) Additional Comments: Radio Disney will also donate $5,000 to Feeding America on behalf of all the sweepstakes winners. The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library community is honoring the memory of Dr. Marshall Chao, who passed away last November. Dr. Chao was an avid library user. His curiosity and passion for learning and being intellectually engaged was inspiring, and also a bit contagious. Since he spent a fair amount of time at the library, the Reference staff was well aware of Dr. Chaos intelligence, kindness and ability to make whatever he happened to be interested in, at the moment, sound like the most astounding thing in the world. Born in China, he came to the U.S. to study analytical chemistry at the University of Illinois. He received a Ph.D. in 1960 and then joined The Dow Chemical Co. Having remained in Midland after his retirement, Dr. Chao was an active member of his church and community. He served as a deacon and youth adviser at the First Baptist Church. After his passing, Dr. Chaos daughter asked friends and family to consider a donation to the library as a way to commemorate her fathers long and accomplished life. Initially, the staff was pleased that we would be able to honor someone we all liked very much by selecting books that reflected Dr. Chaos culture and heritage. What we received was a gift that completely transformed our collection of material about China. His family and friends were very generous. Our collection of Chinese art books was expanded. New items focusing on both ancient and contemporary works provide a very thorough and visually engaging exploration of the various styles and genres of Chinese art. These books are beautiful and will be a well-used gift to this community. The staff was able to build the collection of material related to Chinese politics and culture. With such rapid change occurring in that country, it becomes very critical to have a comprehensive collection of nonfiction that relates to what China was and is becoming. The librarys collection of Chinese cinema was enhanced with new films from some of Chinas most important film makers. Childrens books on Chinese culture and history were also purchased. Our sincerest thanks to everyone who donated to Dr. Chaos memorial. These gifts will benefit the community for many years to come. I am positive that Dr. Chao would be pleased. Making personal, meaningful connections with community members is one of the most gratifying aspects of being a librarian. In a community where so many speak with such appreciation and take obvious pride in their library, it is important to us as a staff to acknowledge patrons like Dr. Chao and to remember that a successful library experience is not a formal exchange with a stranger but a personal encounter that can last a lifetime. The materials donated in memory of Dr. Chao will be displayed on the first floor of the library through June. Items may be checked out. A list of the materials donated in memory of Dr. Chao is available on the website. Click on Gifts, Memorials & Donations at cityofmidlandmi.gov/library. Ron Suszek is supervisor of Adult Services at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. Informed parents make better educational choices. Thats why Michigan needs a clearer, more consistent and more meaningful system to report schools relative academic success. In recent years, the Mackinac Center has been at the vanguard of highlighting the defects in Michigans current approach to grading schools. By leaning heavily on raw achievement scores, the states flawed Top-to-Bottom School Rankings essentially serve as a proxy for wealth and privilege. For schools, a strong and statistically significant relationship exists between a student body with a high percentage of low-income students and a low placement on the rankings. That means some schools may face sanctions because they serve too many poor kids rather than because they have not helped their students make progress in the classroom. Earlier this year, the Mackinac Center released the second edition of the Elementary and Middle School Context and Performance Report Card. (Two high school analyses have been published in previous years.) Our formula, which uses several years of data from the state, takes into account the number of students who qualify for federal free-lunch assistance. The result is a CAP Score that measures a schools achievement compared to what might be expected based on how many of its students live in poverty. Thats why a pair of Detroit charter schools that sit in the middle or low end of the states school ranking Martin Luther King Jr. Education Center Academy and Ross-Hill Academy rose to the top of our latest report card. CAP Scores also help to separate the truly high-performing suburban and rural schools from those that are getting by based on enrolling a more privileged student body. Our Context and Performance Report Cards provide a blueprint for the state to make immediate revisions to its school rating system. CAP Scores are a considerably better approach, given the currently available data. Further enhancements could create a system that helps observers distinguish school quality even more effectively. The ongoing challenge is to promote high standards without discouraging schools from taking on students who need serious remedial help after languishing elsewhere in the system. Following Floridas lead, other states have developed ways to measure the year-to-year learning progress of individual students including a schoolwide student average and subgroups of students. Academic growth targets could be used to compare how well different schools help students who have fallen behind catch up. They can also help proficient students stay on track or accelerate their learning. Michigans biggest obstacle to creating a more viable and meaningful school grading system is that it regularly changes the tests it gives to students. MEAP became M-STEP, which has been revised and now faces legislative scrutiny and may be replaced. The state shouldnt necessarily remain locked into the same assessment regime if a rigorous, less intrusive replacement can be found. But making the apples-to-apples comparisons that allow for accurate measures of academic progress such as the Student Growth Percentiles that the Michigan Department of Education plans to incorporate into school accountability requires some degree of consistency. The need for consistency raises questions about how the Michigan Senates A-to-F grading system proposed for Detroit Public Schools would work. On paper, it would make more sense than the states existing framework. Student pass rates on state tests would be balanced against academic growth measures, at least when those comparisons can be made. Meanwhile, the Senate would give a combined but smaller weight to nonacademic measures, like student attendance, parent participation and re-enrollment rates. Yet even after addressing those issues, the Senate plan would not be effective. The first problem is a conflict of interest. The proposed Detroit Education Commission, made up of mayoral appointees, would have the power both to craft the details of the grading system and to determine the fate of schools that are graded C or lower and wish to expand. The commission could bolster its own power and limit competition from charters by setting the bar high enough that few or no charter schools could earn an A or B. Second, the system would be layered atop the states existing rankings, a recipe for confusion among Detroit school operators. The Michigan School Reform Office would have to add a second grading system to its responsibilities but it would have no new incentive to begin closing perpetually failing district schools. Any grading system sound enough to accurately measure the output of Detroit schools should be applied statewide. After all, parents who wish to use Schools of Choice have the right to make informed decisions as they consider educational opportunities across district lines. Parents need a report card that is not only accurate but also easy to understand. Such a report should also give them a way to look at the underlying data. Louisiana and Ohio already excel in presenting school information effectively to parents and taxpayers. The idea of a statewide report card is not new to Michigan policymakers. House Bill 5112, a 2013 measure to create a meaningful statewide A-to-F school grading system, passed out of committee but never made it to the Senate chamber. The time is ripe to press this discussion again. Collecting and transparently reporting data to give a real and meaningful picture of school performance should be one of the Michigan Department of Educations essential jobs. It may take many years to have all the pieces required in an ideal system. But we can start making improvements today. Ben DeGrow is the education policy director at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a research and educational institute headquartered in Midland. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The month of May is set as National Drug Court Month, and the Midland County Drug Court program found many ways to celebrate it. The program formally began in November 2010 in response to the countys intensifying drug problem. This month, participants celebrated two graduations, and volunteered to plant marigolds along Eastman Avenue in the annual Midland Blooms event. They also were treated to a Pizza Sams pizza party to recognize 100 percent compliance, Circuit Judge Michael J. Beale said. Thursday, Charlie Overstreet stood before the drug court team for congratulations on his graduation and well wishes. He has more than 600 days sober. Im just so proud of you with your fire to be sober, Jalene Vickey, drug court coordinator, told Overstreet. Midland County Prosecutor J. Dee Brooks also attended the ceremony. Many people think drug court is an easy way out, he said. Its not easy ... It is a way out of your past lifestyle. Brooks told Overstreet to remember what he accomplished in the program, and be proud. Beale said part of Overstreets essay on his experience in the program summed everything up. The essay referred to the fact that some of Overstreets relationships had to end because those peoples behaviors were not compatible with his new lifestyle. You have an infectious personality, Beale said. I think you know how to connect with people. Overstreet was one of the drug court participants who planted during Midland Blooms on May 21. The group arrived bright and early at a section near North Saginaw Road marked with a Midland County Drug Court sign, and promptly got down to planting. Vickey also was on hand, and greeted everyone with a cheerful, Good morning sunshine. It wasnt the first time the group has volunteered in the event, but this was the first time so many drug court participants took part, she said. They talked about all sorts of things, from how their week and families were going, to how much longer they had in the program. I graduate this week, Overstreet told the others. Since late last summer, Big Seeds big players have looked more like anxious high school kids hoping to pair off for the senior prom than international businesses investing in new products and markets. The first to go courting was St. Louis-based Monsanto. Last August it offered nearly $46 billion for its Swiss classmate, Syngenta, only to be spurned. Syngenta later sold itself to China National Chemical Corp., or ChemChina, for $43 billion. Next, in December, DuPont, owner of Pioneer, and Dow Chemical agreed to a merger of equals. The influential magazine Economist saw it differently; it called the deal a bad romance pushed by activist investors looking for a fast buck instead of by management with a plan to concentrate on higher-margin products. Either way, the new company, called DowDupont, believes it will pass antitrust muster by mid-summer to become a $130 billion a year giant. Monsanto returned to the dance floor in March to make a pass at Bayers crop science unit for a reported $30 billion. Like Syngenta, though, Bayer declined Monsantos overtures. Two months later, Bayer took the lead. On May 22, its boss, Werner Baumann, confirmed that Bayer hoped to buy Monsanto, the worlds biggest biotech seed company, for $62 billion, or a fat 37 percent premium to its May 9 share price. The proposed deal didnt get much love on Wall Street. Despite Bayers sweet offer of $122 per share, investors didnt lift the stock to that level even after the buyout went public, a rarity. Sensing the deal might be headed for trouble, Bayers Baumann took to cable network CNBC on May 23 to sell it directly to the American public. The beauty of this combination, the German explained in pitch-perfect English, is that both businesses are highly complementary (each) with great science and great people And, he added, Bayer isnt just German; it, in fact, has a 150-year heritage in the U.S. as a good corporate citizen that has more employees in the U.S. than Monsanto But Baumanns instincts were right; Monsanto rejected the Bayer offer May 24. Hugh Grant, Monsantos CEO, curtly explained the kiss-off by saying the current proposal significantly undervalues our company and also does not adequately address or provide reassurance for some of the potential financing and regulatory execution risks related to the acquisition... Bloomberg News, however, did note that Grant remains open to further deal talks In other words, if you want to date Monsanto, Herr Baumann, bring more money. How much more? Some analysts say Bayer could boost its $122 per share bid to $140 because the combined firm (about 40 percent ag-based) would control nearly 30 percent of the global pesticide market, 36 percent of U.S. corn seed market, and 28 percent of the American soybean seed market. And, too, the combined companys genetic material would be present in 80 percent of all corn sold in the U.S. and 90 percent of soybeans. Consumer groups in the U.S. and Europe see that size as the key reason antitrust regulators on both continents should either kill the deal or require the newly merged company to heavily pare its joint holdings. They shouldnt hold their collective breath. A merged Bayer/Monsanto would be about equal in size of merged ChemChina/Syngenta, or about $67 billion in annual sales. Green lighting one would likely green light both. Also, while global GMO seed sales are down one percent this year, a first, its hard to imagine any nation taking antitrust action against any global biotech company or merger of companies that argues scale is a vital element in the discovery of new and innovative ways to feed the world. That means a year from now six of the biggest Big Ag companies will likely be only three, and those Bigger Still firms will dominate 60 percent of the global seed market and 75 percent of the worlds ag chem market. All, however, will find their research efforts undermined by the new debt each used to buy their bigger market position. Bloomington-Normal Flat not flat and New Beauty; through July 10, Jan Brandt Gallery, 1106 W. Bell St., Bloomington; works by Daniel Mrva and Britten Traughber; viewing by appointment at janbrandtgallery@gmail.com. ISU University Galleries; noon-4 p.m. Mon., 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tue., 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Uptown Station, 11 Uptown Circle, Normal; rotating exhibits in three galleries; free; 309-438-8321. Claire Ashley: Cawt, Taut, Hot ... Not; through Sept. 11, ISU University Galleries, see above; two-gallery installation of pneumatic sculptures. Closing reception and Roundabout performance, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 9. IWU Merwin and Wakeley Galleries; school hours, noon-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 7-9 p.m. Tue.; 302 E. Graham St., Bloomington; rotating exhibits; free; 309-556-3391. McLean County Arts Center; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tue., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat.; 601 N. East St., Bloomington; rotating exhibits, sales, rentals, art classes and lectures; free; 309-829-0011. Bravo Charlie Alpha; through June 11, McLean County Arts Center, see above; paintings by Kevin Goodrich. Emerging Illinois Artists 2016; through June 11, McLean County Arts Center, see above; juried show of 34 works by 20 Illinois university MFA students. The Lay of the Land; through June 10, McLean County Arts Center, see above; paintings by Tony Rio. McLean County Museum of History; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Tue.), 200 N. Main St., Bloomington; permanent and rotating exhibits; adults $5, seniors $4, students, children under 12 and members free; 309-827-0428. Challenges, Choices and Change: Making a Home; McLean County Museum of History, see above; new permanent exhibit exploring experiences of people from around the world who made McLean County their home. Abraham Lincoln in McLean County; McLean County Museum of History, see above; new permanent exhibit on Lincoln's life in Bloomington. Mary Jungels-Goodyear; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun., through May 31, Normal Public Library Art Gallery, 206 W. College Ave., Normal; prints; 309-452-1757. Prairie Aviation Museum; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., 2929 E. Empire St., Bloomington; permanent and rotating exhibits and displays with aerial history themes; adults $5, ages 6-11 $3, 5 and under free; 309-663-7632. Central Illinois U of I Krannert Art Museum; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Thu. during fall and spring semesters), 2-5 p.m. Sun., 500 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign; paintings, porcelain, historical artifacts, traveling art exhibits; $3 donation suggested; 217-333-1861. Amity Township Museum; 1-3 p.m. first Sun. of month or by appointment, 510 Main St., Cornell; Amity Township Museum; 1-3 p.m. first Sun. of month or by appointment, 510 Main St., Cornell; displays and artifacts relating to history of Cornell and Amity Township; free; 815-358-2973. Eureka College Burgess Hall Art Gallery; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays and by appointment on weekends, third floor of Burgess Hall, Eureka College, Eureka; rotating exhibits; free; 309-467-6866. Simpkins Military History Museum; 1-5 p.m. Tue., Thu., Sat., or by appointment; 605 E. Cole St., Heyworth; permanent and rotating military history exhibits; free (donations accepted); 309-473-3989. The Vietnam War 50th Anniversary; through Nov. 30, Simpkins Military History Museum, see above. Dickson Mounds Museum; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 10956 N. Dickson Mounds Road, Lewistown; displays, special exhibits; free; 309-547-3721. Lincoln Heritage Museum; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat., Lincoln Center at Lincoln College, 300 Keokuk St., Lincoln; Lincoln-era items, audio-visual displays, tours, exhibits, more; adults $7, children/tours $4; 217-735-7399. Contemporary Art Center of Peoria; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., Riverfront Arts Center, 305 S.W. Water, Peoria; rotating exhibits in two galleries; free; 309-674-6822. LJ Douglas: Animations and Works on Paper; through June 17, Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, see above. Our Enchanted Earth; through June 24, Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, see above; sculptures by Nikole Cooney. Peoria Art Guild; Foster Arts Center, Harrison and Washington streets, Peoria; rotating exhibits, gift shop; free; 309-637-2787. Peoria Riverfront Museum; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Wed. and Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thu.-Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sun., downtown riverfront Peoria; permanent and rotating exhibits, planetarium shows, Giant Screen Theater and events; $8-$11; 309-686-7000. Figures of Strength: Artworks by Sculptor Nita Sunderland; through July 10, Peoria Riverfront Museum, see above; 30 works by Peoria artist, including sculptures, prints, drawings and a painting. American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition; through May 30, Peoria Riverfront Museum, see above; touring exhibit featuring 100 Prohibition-era artifacts; $3 in addition to regular museum admission. Museum of the Gilding Arts; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun., April-Oct., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sun., Nov.-March, 217 N. Mill St., Pontiac; displays, history and hands-on exhibits dedicated to the art of gilding and gold beating; free (donations welcome); 815-842-1848. Pontiac Community Art Center; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 103 W. Madison St., Pontiac; rotating exhibits; 815-844-5831. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun., 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield; Lincoln-themed exhibits, historical displays, special events, more; adults $12, seniors and students $9, ages 5-15 $5, under 5 free; 217-558-8844. A number of Central Illinois communities have events planned to mark Memorial Day, which is Monday. Bloomington: Parade line-up, 8 a.m. Monday at Front and Madison streets, with step-off at 9 a.m., parade ends at Miller Park, where ceremonies follow; 12:30 p.m. Monday, ceremony at grave of John Kraus, Danvers Cemetery, by VFW Post 454; noon Monday, ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery, by American Legion Post 635; 1 p.m. Sunday, ceremony at Park Hill Cemetery, by American Legion Post 56. Atlanta (all events Monday): Atlanta UMC Men's Breakfast, 7-9 a.m., Atlanta Firehouse; Boy Scout cake auction, begins 8 a.m., firehouse; veterans' memorial ceremony and Atlanta Band Concert, 10 a.m., lawn of the Atlanta Public Library; 11 a.m., Flying Feet Cloggers of Audras Dance Studio in Lincoln; 11:45 a.m., kids' fire truck rides to Atlanta Cemetery, trucks depart from library; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., VFW Auxiliary 1756 serves lunch at firehouse; lunch by Rob Polen features items from Atlanta Locker. In case of inclement weather, all activities will be held inside the Atlanta firehouse. The cemetery will be canceled. Heyworth: Service, 2 p.m. Sunday at Carl E. Miller American Legion Post 624; speaker: Amanda Richards, pastor, Heyworth United Church. Lincoln: Service, 10:30 a.m. Monday at American Legion Post 263, outside, weather permitting; speaker: Joe Schaler, Vietnam veteran; meal following service. Minonk: Program, 10 a.m. Monday, Fieldcrest High School gym, Minonk; sponsored by American Legion Post 142. Rooks Creek: Service, 2 p.m. Sunday near Rooks Creek Cemetery, followed by service in the cemetery by Flanagan American Legion; in case of rain, meet at First Baptist Church, Graymont. Saybrook: Service, 10 a.m. Monday, Riverside Cemetery, followed by services at Cheney's Grove Township Cemetery; sponsored by Saybrook American Legion. Washburn: Service, 10:30 a.m. Monday, American Legion Log Cabin, 104 E. Parkside Drive; speaker: the Rev. Robert Debolt; followed by lunch served by Washburn American Legion Auxiliary Unit 661; sponsored by Washburn American Legion. A budget, according to Dictionary.com is "an estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense for a given period in the future. Maybe someone should loan House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, a smartphone so he can look up the word. Whatever the House approved on Wednesday, and then again on Thursday after members didnt follow their own rules, is not a budget. It includes spending figures that add up to nearly $40 billion. The revenues are estimated at about $32 billion. Thats $7 billion out of balance. Comptroller Leslie Munger said to make up that difference would force a tax rate of 5.5 percent on Illinois residents, the highest tax rate in the states history. This budget would require a $1,000 tax hike on the average Illinois family. Anyone got an extra grand they want to send to our dysfunctional government? The Madigan plan includes an additional $700 million for education, but that is more of a political ploy than an actual pledge. Madigan included that amount to dare Gov. Bruce Rauner to veto the bill and risk schools not opening in the fall. However, schools cant count on that money. Promising money the state doesnt have is dishonest. Even the process used to pass this budget was pathetic. Madigan started Wednesday afternoon by saying that the bipartisan working groups werent making progress. The group was working on compromises; Madigan just didnt like the results. He then pushed a 500-page budget through the House in a couple of hours. In fact, the budget was pushed through so fast that the House didnt follow its own rules and had to vote again on the budget Thursday morning. This phony product now goes to the Senate, where we hope the legislators are more reasonable. There is hope; many Democratic senators have said that the House budget isnt acceptable. Gov. Bruce Rauner has vowed to veto the budget if it gets to his desk, which is the only reasonable response. The House showed an amazing lack of accountability and leadership. If Madigan and the other Democrats want to spend $39 billion next fiscal year, they should also be willing to pass the tax increases necessary to fund that amount. This budget does absolutely nothing to encourage job growth and the accompanying tax increase would hinder job development. Theres a lot of disappointing aspects to this fiasco, but perhaps the most upsetting is that Madigan and his fellow Democrats fail to understand how flawed their approach to government has become. Madigan and his cohorts may think they are "protecting" the middle class, but in reality they are hurting the middle class and driving them out of the state. They are also harming the unfortunate that rely on state services. The state is virtually bankrupt and promising to spend money that the state doesnt have is the height of irresponsibility. DECATUR You hardly ever saw Alan Boyer without Doug Hagen, each new to MacArthur High School their junior year. That's how Steve Pyle, another member of the Class of 1964, remembers the two friends, even though they were about as different as they could be. Doug was liberal, Al was conservative, and if you were on the student council, it was a big deal, said Pyle, 69, a photographer who moved from Decatur to Bowling Green, Ky., five years ago. Our senior year Doug was president, and Alan was vice president. Each promising young life ended tragically in the Vietnam War, Boyer vanishing March 28, 1968, and Hagen killed Aug. 7, 1971, while serving in the same special Army operations unit Boyer had been in. Hagen wanted to find out what happened to his best friend, but he never did. Indeed, the first indication Boyer was dead did not come until 1973, when his name did not appear on a list of 591 American prisoners coming home after the war was over. They found no blood, no bodies and no personal effects, so I thought, 'OK, he's been taken prisoner,' his sister Judi Boyers Bouchard said in a telephone interview from her home in Licklog Ridge, N.C. For five years I held onto that hope. The mystery shaped a whole lot of her life, starting at age 19 when her big brother disappeared and continuing until March 7 of this year, a couple weeks after she turned 67 and on the eve of what would have been her brother's 70th birthday. The U.S. Army telephoned to say his remains had finally been identified. It absolutely knocked the wind out of me, Bouchard said. The news is bittersweet, and I wish our parents had lived to see it. Charles Boyer, who worked at Borg-Warner when the family lived in Decatur, died in 1994, and Dorothy Boyer, who taught at Brush College School, died in 2013. The Boyers, originally from suburban Chicago, settled in Rockford after their son graduated from high school in Decatur, and it was in October 1967, during Bouchard's first semester at the University of Montana in Missoula, that she last saw her brother. It's not surprising she chose the same university he was attending when he decided to enlist in the Army to save the world from communism. Alan was the quintessential big brother that I absolutely adored, she said. He was the one who taught me how to ride a bike when I was about 4, never believing in training wheels. He also taught me how to drive when I was 16. Sgt. Alan Boyer and two other soldiers were conducting a reconnaissance patrol in Laos on March 28, 1968, when they encountered an enemy force and radioed for evacuation. The seven Vietnamese with them escaped safely, but heavy fire forced the helicopter to leave without the three Americans, first listed as missing and later as presumed dead. Boyer's body, in possession of remains traders in Laos, recently ended up with a peace activist who turned it over to the U.S. government. The Army confirmed his identity by comparing the DNA to samples given many years earlier by his mother and sister. I was told it's the strongest DNA match they have ever seen, Bouchard said. There is no doubt it's Alan. The Army awarded Boyer the Silver Star and Purple Heart posthumously. Today Bouchard is preparing to lay her brother to rest on June 22 in Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery, where Hagen is buried, with full military honors. He's probably up there shaking his head, she said, but this is what our mom and dad wanted if and when they ever found him. It's going to be a wonderful tribute. But Bouchard hasn't forgotten all the other people she met over the years who continue to wonder what happened to their loved ones. Please remember all the POW/MIAs who remain unaccounted for, she wrote to conclude a letter of thanks to friends after her brother was found. Their families still wait. Not to overly brag of course, but I have just returned from a wonderful, all-expenses-paid trip to Rome. A town of 1,738 in Peoria County, I made it to Rome when I took a wrong turn. Wonderful architecture. A grand history. Looks like it had a really good Casey's General Store. It frankly reminded me of a few springs ago when in eastern Illinois and I veered off Route 1 ... to visit Paris. Everyone had told me Paris is so pretty this time of year. I also assumed I could find a beautiful postcard in some exquisite Parisian shop and send it to my sister to show off my time in Paris to her as well. Yes, gas prices are creeping back up and you are mulling cheap trips for your summer fun. Hey, you can visit the entire world this summer ... almost all of it ... and never leave Illinois. Talk about a day trip. Just think of the wonderful scrapbook you can build. Like Venice. That's yet another. According to my GPS and State Farm road atlas, its near Belleville. Geneva sounds exquisite as well. Its just west of Wheaton. Then theres also Palestine (near Robinson), and Havana (south and west of B-N), and Vienna (in southwest Illinois), and Cairo (at the state's southern-most tip), and Lebanon (in southwest Illinois as well), and of course, Peru (LaSalle's twin city). Even Cuba. You have to wonder just how many Castros, if any, live in that Fulton County town of 1,400 just west of Peoria? None? Or even fewer? Yes, think of all the places you can go this summer and barely put on any miles on the car odometer. Theres Oregon. That is another possibility. People say Oregon is scenic, picturesque and very nice. Its near Rockford. We could also go to Kansas. Its down by Charleston. Theres Virginia. How scenic! Its just outside of Springfield. Theres also Wyoming (near Peoria), and Vermont (next to Macomb), and Ohio (somewhere near Rockford), and of course, Washington. Washington is only 30 minutes from Bloomington-Normal. We save capital by not going to the capitol! If we opt not to tour Washington, but still like the idea of honoring presidents, theres also Lincoln. And Madison. And Clinton. Theres also Andrew Jackson(ville) and Jimmy Carter(ville) to see. Even George Bush(nell). Feel like ogling some big-game animals without jetting to some faraway zoo or booking an African safari? I hear were not far from a big Buffalo Grove. And Lyons. And Cat(lin). Maybe well visit an Ivy League college and become intellectually stimulated and broadened. Yale, Harvard and Columbia are all here, as is Cornell (just northwest of Pontiac). Celebrate our freedoms, a la July 4? Cmon is there anything more patriotic than going to Independence, Freeport and/or Libertyville? Something to drink while vacationing? I prefer Champaign, although Goodwine, (Tus)cola and Bourbon(nais) are other very real possibilities. A nice romantic getaway? Ever heard of Romeo(ville) & Joliet? Some people climb Mount Everest or Mount Vesuvius or Mount Rainier, but you can also climb Mount Pulaski, Mount Vernon and Mount Zion. Yes, let us be forthright and honest with a little imagination, and a lot of fudging, we can go just about anywhere for next to nothing, even if its just some run-of-the-mill, average, very calm and sedated place, like Equality, Blandinsville or Standard. Or just Normal. That can be a very cheap trip, especially from Bloomington. Eureka! Among the considerations for voting government candidates into office is their policy regarding education. But among the top three contenders for future president - Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump - who has the most sensible plan that will benefit students and their families? Below is a comprehensive comparison of their educational platform. Hillary Clinton US Election 2016 Education Platform The Democratic front-runner, Hillary Clinton, proposes a $350-billion college grant, called the College Compact, which will allow for free education in public colleges and universities. The fund will also cover miscellaneous costs like books and room or board. Per Bloomberg, this proposal is similar to President Barack Obama's education agenda and should help students earn their degrees without having any college loans to set them back after graduation. Clinton would also like to increase all-boys schools in communities considered as high-crime areas across America, per Associated Press. The former first lady plans to improve home visitation programs to boost early education in low-income families. Social workers will hold regular visits to new parents and even pregnant moms to assess their needs and promote positive parenting, per The 74 Million. This is once again similar to the policies that Obama has in place. Where Does Hillary Clinton Stand on Education Reform? https://t.co/LwurwKrq91 via @JohnCassidy Rosalinda Alvarez (@papillo2014) May 24, 2016 Bernie Sanders US Election 2016 Education Platform Sen. Bernie Sanders also plans to make public colleges free for students, which will include college housing. However, he estimates this to cost at least $750 billion, which should be good for 10 years. The money will come from the high-income earners' taxes and the federal government (67 percent), as well as state governments (33 percent), per Boston Globe. The beneficiary of Sander's public college plan is broad, while his contender, Clinton, targets low-income families, so this is the main difference to their proposals. Both democratic candidates have not divulged specific plans for K-12 education for now, per Education Writers. Interest points on Education ReVamp!!! Robert Reich: Bernie Sanders could save higher education https://t.co/JD2ytIlXGG via @Salon LivinginMommywood (@LMommywood) May 27, 2016 Donald Trump US Election 2016 Education Platform It is unclear where Donald Trump's education platform lies because the Republican presumptive presidential nominee has not been vocal about his policies. At the Committee for Education Funding presidential forum, Trump's campaign has been largely unreachable. Per Chronicle, it does not look like Trump has any interest in discussing education with his opponents. No show at #CEFpresForum: Donald Trump. Clues to his higher-ed platform here: https://t.co/eNOME3Tn5W Kelly Field (@kfieldCHE) May 26, 2016 However, his campaign has hinted in various media reports of bank-based loans for students and allowing international students to pursue jobs in the United States after graduation. His other pronouncements in the media suggest he might consider shutting down Education Department and reroute their budget elsewhere. He's also not in favor of Common Core. The first ever Chinese man given the opportunity to deliver a graduation speech at Harvard University is He Jiang. He is a doctoral student in biochemistry and is considered as the first college graduate in his family. Mother Lit His Hand Ablaze During his speech, He Jiang recounted how his mother intentionally lit his hand on fire when he was still a boy. According to Yahoo, He Jiang said that he was bitten by a spider, which was why his mother lit his hand on fire. While many may not readily understand it, He Jiang continued his heartwarming speech saying that they lived in a small village in China where medical doctors were not readily available. So his mother, upon seeing that his hand was bitten by a spider, wrapped his hand in layers of cotton soaked in wine and lit it. He Jiang described the feeling as unbearable. He said that he wanted to scream in pain but he could not do anything else at the time other than watch his hand burning. Several minutes passed before his mom finally put out the fire. The Reason And Inspiration According to Quartz, He Jiang explained why his mother did what she did. He said that the venom of a spider is made up of proteins. By applying heat, the proteins are deactivated, thereby rendering the venom useless. He Jiang realized that his mother's cure, albeit non-conforming to modern medicine, was actually effective. That hand-burning incident was what inspired him to take his present course. He said that he wanted to bring the cure and modern medicine to areas that have not been reached before such as to their own village. He Jiang also vividly recalled how his father told him that the only way he won't become a farmer was to study well, and that is what He Jiang did. With his touching speech at Harvard graduation ceremony, He Jiang surely made his father and his family proud. When I first saw this headline, I thought to myself that it was most likely a case of a young Latter-day Saints oversensitivity. Ive been out and about in academia a bit myself, and have occasionally been snubbed, mocked, insulted, or otherwise inappropriately treated on account of my religious affiliation. Its never risen to a level, though, where I would have considered suing. When I read this story, though, I swiftly changed my mind: http://www.postregister.com/articles/news-daily-email-todays-headlines/2016/05/23/ex-if-tennis-star-sues-isu-discrimination# Orin Duffin absolutely had grounds for formal complaint, and Nate Gross and Bobby Goeltz unquestionably deserved to be given the boot by Idaho State University. (Whether, beyond that, there are specific grounds for suing the University, Im not qualified to say.) For a little general background, you might find this item (written in 2007) of interest: Idahos Dirty Secret: Anti-Mormonism Back in mid-March, by the way, I participated in a dialogue on Islam and Mormonism in Idaho Falls with a Muslim professor from Idaho State, as well as in certain Interpreter-related activities in Rexburg. The professor told me of some quite distasteful anti-Muslim happenings in Pocatello, where Idaho State is located particularly on the part of a specific Evangelical Protestant church there that also engages in anti-Mormon activities. And, during my visit in the area, I spoke with a fairly high-ranking government office holder in the state who also happens to be a Latter-day Saint. Unbidden, he told me that anti-Mormonism is still alive and very well in Idaho, with palpable results. I dont doubt it. Quite a few years ago, I engaged in another Muslim-Mormon dialogue there, in Pocatello itself. It turned out to be something of an ambush. My dialogue partner had been brought in specially for the event from Canada, and he was loaded for bear. (The president of the ISU Muslim Students Association apologized to me, afterwards. He had turned the event over to somebody else who organized it, and he, too, had been blindsided.) Anyhow, the much larger audience for that occasion was made up almost entirely of Muslims (no surprise there) . . . and of very hostile Evangelical Protestants. (That did surprise me.) There was, as it happened, a huge dance at the LDS Institute that night, one that they had been planning for over a year, and so, apart from two or three former students of mine, there were no Latter-day Saints in attendance. It was an extraordinarily long and unpleasant evening. But heres the weird part about that night: The angle of attack chosen by my dialogue partner was against the deity of Christ. I had to improvise quickly, because I hadnt anticipated that topic, or his aggressively polemical approach, at all. (I had prepared a simple little opening statement about commonalities between Mormons and Muslims; within the first two or three minutes of my opponents speech, though, I had scrapped it and had begun to throw notes together for a response to his assault.) You might imagine that the Evangelicals in the auditorium would have been on my side, given the topic, for at least that one evening. After all, both Mormons and Evangelicals believe that Jesus is divine. But they werent. I was perfectly astonished. Back, though, to this most recent case at Idaho State: While Ive never myself had Orin Duffins experience, something similar did occur at my high school in California many years ago. It occurred when I was a freshman. A member of my ward who was between her junior and senior years enrolled in an American history class over the summer. Her teacher turned out to be an obsessive anti-Mormon. For the first week or two, he never let a day pass in his summer course without starting off with a rant about Mormonism and the Mormons. We were superstitious fools, racists, devotees of a fraud, and so forth. She came home in tears almost every day. Her parents finally persuaded her to tell them what the problem was. To their credit, they immediately secured a meeting with the school principal, and, to his credit, the principal summoned that teacher in and read him the riot act. What the teacher was doing was utterly inappropriate particularly for a public, tax-supported institution and the teacher was informed that if it happened a single time more, he would be summarily fired. The incidents stopped. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Iraqi Forces Poised For Attack On Fallujah, Kurdish Troops Attack IS Near Mosul 05/29/16 Source: RFE/RL Iraq's military says its special forces have been deployed around Fallujah as part of an operation aimed at retaking the city from so-called Islamic State (IS) militants. Meanwhile, Iraqi Kurdish forces have launched more attacks in northern Iraq as part of a strategy aimed at cutting off IS militants who control the city of Mosul. WATCH: Iraqi Forces Battle Islamic State Militants Near Fallujah Dhia Thamir of Iraq's Special Forces Service said the final battalion that is taking part in the Fallujah operation arrived at dawn on May 29 at the sprawling Tariq Camp near Fallujah. Since that operation began on May 22, Iraqi forces, which include Iran-backed Shi'te militias, have seized control of several areas around Fallujah in Anbar Province. The predominantly Sunni city is about 70 kilometers from the capital, Baghdad. Thamir said troops have recaptured 80 percent of the territory around Fallujah since May 22. He did not comment on the troop numbers or the timing of a planned assault in the city itself. Fallujah, overtaken by IS militants in 2014, is one of two major Iraqi cities that is under control of the extremist militant group. The other is the city of Mosul in northern Iraq. The U.S. military has said that some 50,000 civilians remain trapped in Fallujah. The United States says these residents have been informed by paper leaflets dropped into the city that they should avoid areas close to militant positions and put white sheets on their roofs. Related Report by Alalam: Iran's General Soleimani in Fallujah against ISIL at Baghdad's Demand: Iraqi Commander Meanwhile, a powerful Iraqi Shi'ite cleric -- the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani -- has called on Iraqi forces to protect the civilians trapped in Fallujah. Speaking through his representative, Sistani said on May 27 that "saving innocent people from harm's way is the most important thing, even more so than targeting the enemy." IS militants have prevented many of the civilians who remain in Fallujah from leaving the city. Fallujah was seized by IS militants in January 2014, six months before the extremist group swept across large swaths of territory in northern and western Iraq and in neighboring Syria, declaring a caliphate. Also in Iraq, Kurdish Peshmerga forces, backed by U.S-led air strikes, announced on May 29 that they have launched a major attack aimed at retaking areas from IS militants to the east of Mosul. The "Peshmerga-led ground offensive, backed by international coalition warplanes" started before dawn, the security council of Iraq's Kurdish regional government said. It said the operation involved around 5,500 Peshmerga fighters who were focusing on trying to retake several IS-controlled villages controlled near Khazir, to the east of Mosul. The Kurdish regional government said the operation was part of ongoing preparations for an eventual assault on Mosul. Kurdish regional officials said that six hours into the May 29 operation, Pershmerga forces had retaken the village of Mufti. Peshmerga fighters have in recent months a played a key role in ousting IS from territory and cutting off IS supply routes in northern Iraq. Aziz Wessi, a Peshmerga commander, said the May 29 attack was ordered by the president of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, Massud Barzani. Wessi told reporters that Peshmerga victory in this operation would help secure the autonomous Kurdish region's capital, Irbil, from danger. With reporting by AFP, AP, and dpa Copyright (c) 2016 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org Iran cancels Hajj due to Saudi 'obstacles' 05/29/16 Source: Press TV Iran says it will not take part in this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca because of "obstacles" created by Saudi Arabia. "Performing the Hajj ritual this year is virtually impossible," Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati said on Sunday. Pilgrims circling Ka'aba located in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (file phot by Mehdi Ghasemi, ISNA) "Given the way Saudi authorities treated Iranian delegates and talked to them during two rounds of negotiations as well as in view of their sabotage and obstacles they created, unfortunately Iranian pilgrims cannot go to Hajj this year," he added. For the second time, an Iranian delegation traveled to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to hold last-ditch talks to iron out their differences. "Despite all the Islamic Republic's efforts, the Saudis ignored the absolute right of the Iranians to perform the Hajj rituals," Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization said in a statement. Jannati said Iran is very concerned about the safety of its pilgrims after more than 2,400 people, including at least 460 Iranian pilgrims, lost their lives in a stampede in Saudi Arabia last year. The minister said Tehran currently cannot provide Iranian pilgrims with diplomatic support in Saudi Arabia. "My interpretation is that the Saudi government deliberately prevented Iranian citizens from attending this year's Hajj pilgrimage. Hence, it was necessary to make our stance clear," Jannati stated. On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said Saudi Arabia would have to take responsibility for any cancellation of Hajj pilgrimage. "Unless Hajj is observed, Saudi Arabia is to be held accountable," he told Iran's IRIB television, adding Riyadh was manipulating Hajj for its "political" goals. Eight months after the last Hajj, Saudi Arabia has not published a report into the disaster yet. Adding to Tehran's anger, King Salman was later quoted in state media as praising Saudi authorities for a "successful" Hajj. Saudi Arabia's Hajj ministry said on Saturday it had met a number of Iran's concerns but Iran's top Hajj official Saeed Ohadi said Riyadh was refusing to accept conditions to guarantee the dignity of Iranian pilgrims. He said only six out of the 11 provisions, which were entirely against the dignity of Iranian pilgrims, had been removed but the rest remained intact due to the obstinacy of Saudi officials. Ohadi said the Saudi delegation had revealed that it did not have the power to make the final decision on the disputed points, indicating other authorities in the Saudi government were dictating the terms. Ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been tense ever since Tehran strongly condemned the kingdom's execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in January. Faced with an international outcry, Riyadh jumped on attacks on its two diplomatic missions in Iran by unruly protesters as a pretext to sever diplomatic relations with Tehran. Riverside Business Week will kick off at 7:15 a.m. June 14 with a session of Inside La Sierra at Castle Park. It will be followed by a Business in Action meeting 7:15 a.m. June 15 in the chamber boardroom. Both events lead up to the annual Riverside Business Expo & Mixer, 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Riverside Convention Center. For information, visit the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce website at riverside-chamber.com Hemet yard sale to benefit charitable programs HEMET The Hemet Sunrise Rotary Clubs annual yard sale is 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at the Salvation Army, 340 S. Palm St. Proceeds will go to community projects and scholarships for Hemet High students. The Rotary Club meets at 7 a.m. Thursdays at the Hemet Unified School District office, 1791 W. Acacia Ave. Anne Marie Walker TEMECULA Three local scouts Richard Austin LaFleur, Gino Piccino and Zac Skinner were recognized as Eagle Scouts at a ceremony Thursday, May 26. A news release says the Chaparral High School seniors started on this path as Cub Scouts in the Temecula Valley. Staff report RIVERSIDE The U.S. Postal Service is hosting a passport fair for first-time applicants 8 a.m.-3 p.m. June 11 at the Riverside Post Office, 4150 Chicago Ave. No appointments are necessary. Information: travel.state.gov Manny Otiko Send items for possible inclusion in Community Notes to community@pressenterprise.com. A former employee of Spreen Honda was arrested Saturday night, just hours after deputies say he stole a car from the Loma Linda dealership. Adam Stewart, a 38-year-old San Bernardino resident, went to the area where vehicle keys are stored, then drove off in someone elses vehicle shortly after 6:30 p.m., according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. When deputies were alerted that the vehicle was in the north end of San Bernardino, they watched the vehicle until Stewart returned to it, they say. The stolen keys were in his pocket, according to the news release. Stewart was booked into Central Detention Center on charges of grand theft auto and possession of stolen property, jail logs show. A 50-year-old man was arrested after Riverside police say he took an argument with a neighbor to the next level by firing a gun in the neighbors direction, Riverside police say. Truman Kiley, 50, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats, according to a Riverside police news release. Kiley was booked into Robert Presley Detention Center with bail set at $75,000. He remained in custody Saturday afternoon, online jail records show. Police say they were sent to an apartment complex in the 3400 block of Iowa Avenue in the early morning hours after an argument between two tenants took a dangerous turn. At some point during the argument, one of the residents went into his apartment, pulled out a gun and fired that gun at the ground in front of the other tenant, according to officials. The other tenant was injured from the resulting shrapnel, police say, but declined medical attention. Kiley was identified by police as the man with the gun and was taken into custody after police surrounded his apartment, according to officials. Contact the writer: 951-368-9693, agroves@pressenterprise.com or @AlexDGroves on Twitter. I have been following the debate surrounding the tenuous consideration of a social media ban on Election Day by the highest officer of law enforcement in Ghana, the Inspector General of Police. There is no indication if this decision has the support of the rank and file of the Police Service and crucially the service heads such as the Chief of Defence Staff, Air and Naval commanders. While the IGP may have self-entertaining reasons such as the fanning and spread of rumours and outright lies on social media to experiment his Gestapo type crackdown, he may want to first find out the underlying embers that could trigger such scenarios. Apart from deep rooted ignorance, illiteracy and some level of permissible idiocy by the well lettered on social media, the two major high risk phenomena he should be concerned about are a very uninspiring Electoral Commission with a terrible communication strategy and the second of course is skyrocketing unemployment, which I must admit he can't do much about. However, his careless utterances and posturing can give work to the millions of idle youth and that won't be pretty. The IGP should not overreach himself and try to impress the President of Ghana. I am sure the President, a fervent believer in free speech, having held Communications portfolios in the past and an avid user of social media will frown on such passive aggressiveness and he must be heard distancing his government from such retrogressive tendencies by the IGP. It will be very promising of the IGP if he invested his accumulated years of experience in strengthening inter agency and electoral stakeholder discussions to consider a trusting electoral exercise and outcome. He can also consider inviting religious leaders too to say a prayer but he should get busy with thinking, fast and slow. Source: Franklin Cudjoe Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Eighty per cent of local contractors could not reliably meet the completion dates for projects that were let out to them, Mr Isaac Adjei-Mensah, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, said. He said this could largely be attributed to the inability of some local contractors to acquire high grade equipment due to its exorbitant cost which were beyond the capabilities of the average local contractor in Ghana. Furthermore, there is also currently no plausible and reliable plant hire system to support the industry, Mr Adjei Mensah said on Thursday during the Second CAT Road Construction Seminar in Accra. The seminar, on the theme: Complete Solutions, was organised by Mantrac Ghana Limited, the sole authorised dealer for Caterpillar products in Ghana. It brought together stakeholders in the road construction industry namely the Road Contractors Association of Ghana and the Progressive Contractors Association, the two major bodies in the industry. Mr Adjei-Mensah said: Most local contractors, therefore, generally acquire their equipment at auctions in Europe and the United States. The average age of heavy earthmoving equipment acquired through this process is about 10-15 years; as you can imagine, there is no reliable spare parts and after sales support for such equipment, he said. Mr Adjei-Mensah said such equipment, therefore, tended to break down frequently and ultimately led to delays in implementation of projects, adding that the cost implications of such situations were not desirable for the Ghanaian economy. He hailed Mantrac Ghana for maintaining its dominance in dealing in earthmoving and construction equipment for the past 78 years. Mr Adjei-Mensah, however, appealed to Mantrac Ghana to explore the business opportunities and arrange for flexible terms for the road contractors to own construction equipment and improve on their delivery. He urged the company to strengthen its presence nationwide and continuously improve on its after sales services to ensure that contractors who bought their products benefited from its rich experience and expertise. He said most earth-moving operators did not possess the relevant skills and expertise to properly operate the machinery, which often led to their frequent breakdown requiring huge financial outlays to fix. To address this situation, Mr Adjei- Mensah said the ministry had established a fully equipped training centre in Koforidua to train industry players. He said the Government was, therefore, leaving no efforts at encouraging and partnering with the private sector to fund and manage road sector needs, adding; road transport is the dominant mode of transport in Ghana and accounts for 97 per cent of passenger traffic and 95 per cent freight. Mr Emad Adeeb, the Managing Director of Mantrac Ghana, said: In todays competitive world of construction, contractors are facing a lot of challenges to maximise their productivity and lower their operating cost. New technologies in machinery and production can significantly improve your bottom-line profitability and your projects overall success, he said. He said the seminar would introduce participants to the latest machinery and the upgraded technology available in todays market place. Mr Adeeb said it was also the companys quest to position itself for the mining and oil and gas sectors and had invested 40 million dollars for the construction CATs Engine Center to support Ghana and the West African sub-region. This project comprises over 26 acres of land with 10,000 square metre repair centre and 5,000 square metre warehouse. It is expected to be completed by close of the year, he said. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Did there ever exist a time when NSW Premier Mike Baird *wasnt* one of the most hated politicians in this country? Like, probably. But between lockout laws, #CasinoMike, the WestConnex, anti-protest legislation, sacking 42 mayors and counsellors AND the Anzac Parade / tree fiasco, it feels like hes been about as popular as a flying fucking cockroach forever. Thousands of people early estimates say anywhere from 5k to 7k marched in Sydney today in protest of Bairds continued gig as the Premier of NSW. The introduction of the tougher anti-protest laws was the last straw, said March Australia organiser in Sydney, Sonia Zadro. She told AAP: It just keeps getting worse and worse and it just seemed like the time has come for some serious dissent. Darcy Byrne, who until recently was the elected mayor of Leichhardt, told the rally that Baird was completely out of control. Its time to send him a message, take a stand and say that we will resist his rule, he said. And Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge brought up the staggering fact that even the Liberals in his area are suing Baird. Bloody hell. We want our neighbourhoods back. @ShoebridgeMLC notes that even the Liberals in his area are suing @mikebairdMP. #marchagainstmike Lee Tran Lam (@leetranlam) May 29, 2016 As usual, Sydneysiders brought out their A+ signage game for the occasion: Very unusual for so many people to protest about a premier over so many issues #nswpol #MarchAgainstMike pic.twitter.com/icXFTbnXtd Nell Schofield (@nellevision) May 29, 2016 Baird has yet to respond to this absolute battering, but tbh did anyone really expect him to this early? Well be keeping an eye out for one of (the inevitable) two options: A Facebook post saying hes heard your feedback, and will be making (some tiny) changes (maybe) which will quickly be overrun with angry commenters. Or, a Facebook post about some innocuous achievement (possibly featuring Baird in high vis) which will quickly be overrun with angry commenters. Source: SBS. Photo: Twitter / Jenny Leong. The internet has ~lost its collective shit~ over any number of weird things over the years, but holyfuckingshit we are 100% here for this one. The object of the internets latest, rampant affection is Frederik the Great, a horse dubbed the most majestic, beautiful, goddamn-diddly-handsome horse in the world. And, quite frankly, whoever decided that is not wrong. As Deccan Chronicle reports, Frederik the Great has long been a cult celebrity, but over the past week has gone batshit bonkers viral, with his photos garnering hundreds upon hundreds of shares on Facebook. His owner Stacy Nazario told The Guardian that she bought the 15-year-old Friesian stallion when he was six years old, importing him from the Netherlands to Arkansas, USA. The first time I laid eyes on him, I knew he was exceptional, she said. Too bloody right he is. According to Nazario, Frederik whose namesake is the Prussian King Frederik II isnt just blessed with great looks, but *also* with a great personality. His personality went right along with his looks, she said. Hes just phenomenal. His temperament is sweet. I could put a baby right next to him and he would just be gentle with it. Hes a gentle giant. Also: hes a dad. An unknown mare gave birth to the product of his seed in October last year, and WOULD YOU LOOK AT THIS BEAUTY: *heart explodes* Follow along with all of Frederiks majestic adventures here: https://www.facebook.com/frederikthegreatfriesianstallion Photo: Facebook / Frederik the Great. Late last year, in a particularly unpleasant bit of news, former Glee star Mark Salling was arrested on suspicion of possession of child pornography, with LAPD officers raiding his home after a reported tip-off from an ex-girlfriend. Local police turned the case over to federal authorities, and over the weekend, Salling was officially charged in a two-count indictment. Per the LA Times, the counts relate to still images and videos he received on December 26 and December 29, 2015. The actor, currently free on bail, is required to turn himself into federal authorities on June 3, and he will likely be arraigned at that time. If convicted, his charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. The indictment indicates that a 16-gigabyte USB stick, containing two videos showing girls younger than 12, was among the items confiscated in the search of Sallings residence. In a statement, Lt Andrea Grossman of the LAPDs Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force said: It doesnt matter who you are or what you do, if you hurt a child you will be held accountable. These images are more than photographs, they are child abuse. Sallings IMDB page currently lists only one upcoming role, in a movie called Adi Shankars Gods And Secrets, alongside Denise Richards and Kellan Lutz. Director Shankar has said that he will cut Salling from the film if he is convicted. Source: LA Times. Photo: Paul Archuleta / Getty. Black bear cubs Athena and Jordan look on from their enclosure at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association in Errington, B.C., in a July 8, 2015, file photo. The bears, orphaned after their mother was shot after breaking into a Port Hardy home, are being released into the wild as early as mid-June. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito, File EJPS receives COPS School Violence Prevention grant The district was one of eight in the state to receive funding for improving safety technology throughout the buildings. Linda Ann Gibbs Linda Ann Gibbs, 67, left this world on May 28, 2016 to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Linda was born on May 4, 1949 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to the late Adeline & Barclay Infantino. After her graduation from Punxsutawney Area Senior High School in 1967, she attended nursing school at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Shortly after completing her nursing degree, she agreed to a blind date with Stephen Gibbs, who was an intern at West Penn Hospital. The two began dating, and after Dr. Gibbs completed a tour in Vietnam, the two married on June 17, 1972. Linda and Steve enjoyed the first part of their marriage living in Washington, DC and Germany, where they took the opportunity to do lots of travel. Linda and Steve went on to have four children, and many configurations of pets over the years. As a devoted Army Wife to a career Army Officer, Linda and her family lived all over the country and overseas during her marriage. Despite the many moves, Linda worked to make each duty station feel like home to her children, and worked to make family and home life the center of and stabilizing force in their lives. In addition to caring for her family, Linda made a career of caring for others in her nearly 40 year nursing career. She worked as a Labor & Delivery nurse for the first part of her career, and spent the second half of her career as a school nurse. She was very proud to be a nurse and was especially proud that her daughter Lauren has followed in her footsteps. Linda is survived by her husband, Dr. Stephen Gibbs (Ret. Col.) of Carlisle, PA, her four children; Dr. Trevor Gibbs (Jamie) of Naperville, IL, Dr. Mark Gibbs (Isabel) of Lancaster, Pa, Lindsey Segu, Esq. (Sashidhar) of Pittsburgh, PA, and Lauren Gibbs, B.S.N. of Philadelphia, PA., as well as 7 darling grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Robert Anthony Infantino. Lindas love and legacy will live on in each of their hearts. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Friday, June 3, 2016 at US Army War College Memorial Chapel on Carlisle Barracks with the Rev. Julio Alvarez Celebrant. A viewing will held at 6:00 8:00 pm Thursday, June 2, 2016 in the Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle. Burial will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Calvary Cemetery in Punxsutawney, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert Preston Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University, or to the Punxsutawney Library. There are two sides to every story. This is especially true of Native American history in the United States. Members of the American Indian Society, the Circle Legacy Center and the Carlisle Indian School project, among others, gathered Saturday at the Carlisle Indian School cemetery at the Carlisle Barracks to commemorate their history. (Our story) needs to be told, said Dennis Zotigh, museum cultural specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. We as Native people understand these things: reconciliation, of seeing to our elders, of seeing to our children (and) of taking care of ceremonial aspects of life. We have to do this, because if we dont, it will die with our generation. The cemetery contains 186 graves of Native American children who died while attending the Carlisle Indian Industrial School between 1879 and 1918. The school, which was established by General Richard Henry Pratt in 1879, was founded on the concept of Americanizing Native American children in efforts to achieve rapid cultural transformation. It quickly became a subject of controversy due to its forceful ideology and Pratts violent corporal punishment methods on students displaying Native American behavior. The cemetery was one of four that the group visited during Memorial Day weekend. Other stops included Arlington, Quantico and Washington, D.C. This year marked the journeys 43rd anniversary. The American Indian Society started going to different cemeteries in 1973 and they made Carlisle one of them, said Carlisle Indian School Project President and Circle Legacy Board Member Sandra Cianciulli. Three years ago, founders of the American Indian Society asked Circle Legacy to take it over. According to Circle Legacy President Mary Ann Robins, commemorations typically entail the cleaning and weeding of grave sites and the laying of flowers and prayer ties. But Cianciulli added that each gathering is a little bit different. It depends who is here, she said. It depends on what people want to do to express their feelings. We had a young girl one year write a poem and do a dance. We have had groups so small that we have just stood by the gate holding hands and we each speak. It is different every year because different people express things differently. In addition to gravesite decorating, visitors expressed their feelings through music and through discussions with others. It is not really an agenda item, Robins said. Each year it has gotten a little bigger as more Native people realize that they have relatives here. The ceremony came just days after the Carlisle Barracks announced its support of efforts from the Rosebud Indian Reservation to move and re-bury least 10 of the cemeterys graves. This is sacred ground to us and all the remains are buried here so far away from their families, so we come to pay our respects, Cianciulli said. As people born and raised here, we are watching the system work as observers. We arent participating in (the relocation process), but we appreciate it and we are glad to see it working. But even if they moved all (the graves) we would still be here because this is a sacred place to us. American Indian Society Elder Advisor Mitchell Bush explained Memorial Days importance as a community affair for both the living and the deceased. In our community, (Memorial Day) is a chance for us to remember our families, Bush said. We come together several times a year, but this is something that we do for Carlisle. You look at these children (buried in the cemetery) who didnt get to go home, and we are the closest thing they have to family. Zotigh pointed to the children present at the ceremony to illustrate the importance of keeping Native American heritage alive through future generations. It is good that each one of you have come out to support this and brought these little ones to witness this, Zotigh said to the crowd. Someday, they are going to tell their grandchildren, I was at Carlisle and there was a big circle of other people and we were talking about little children that were buried there. And maybe that will encourage them to learn more about American history and how our people were treated, because it is a true part of American history, but it is also a tragic part. BEAM is expanded and pressurized! The International Space Station's newest module, which will serve as a technology demonstrator for in-space expandable habitats, was fully filled with air this afternoon. NASA and Bigelow originally expected the procedure to take about 45 minutes. But that assumption went out the airlock Friday when BEAM barely budged after three hours of attempts to slowly fill it with station air. During a seven-hour work session today, astronaut Jeff Williams opened the module's pressure valve 27 times, pumping in air for a total of two-and-a-half minutes. By then, BEAM had expanded 67 inchesone inch shy of NASA's 68-inch milestone. Ground controllers decided 67 inches was close enough, and BEAM's onboard air tanks were used to bring the habitat up to full pressurization. Linn "Grumpy" Sayre All Smiles with 2016 Run It Up Reno Big Antes Win May 28, 2016 Mo Nuwwarah Editor Linn "Grumpy" Sayre was anything but that after he won the 2016 Run It Up Reno $85 Big Antes event for $2,224. He had to grind until nearly 5 a.m. to do it, but he was still all smiles after shipping his first recorded live tournament win. Final Table Results Place Player Prize 1 Linn Sayre $2,224 2 Jon Martin $1,484 3 Rodrigo Moreira $965 4 Brian Ebert $631 5 Harrison Olberd $438 6 Derek Gomez $297 7 Mungu Baterdene $223 8 Brett Gordon $178 Early on, Sajid Zaidi was one of the chip leaders, and he looked like he might be a threat to repeat his win from the previous night in the turbo event. However, he saw his run end in 12th. He did walk away with some cash for his troubles as it was after the money bubble burst to pay the final 16 finishers. Jesse Capps, who finished runner-up in last year's Run It Up Reno Main Event, also made the money, following Zaidi out the door in 11th. The structure, which called for antes that were half of the size of the small blind, still allowed for a decent amount of play until a major pinch occurred when the blinds and antes doubled at the final table in Level 21 (8,000/16,000/4,000). With just over 1 million in play and eight left, that made for an average stack of about eight big blinds and things got wild. Brett Gordon and Mungu Baterdene busted in quick succession, and then Sayre held with the against the shove of Derek Gomez, who had the . Harrison Olberd busted fifth and then Sayre found a key double with sixes against the of Brian Ebert, who bowed out fourth in short order after Sayre three-outed him. At that point, less than 30 big blinds were in play and more big aces started to find their way to all of the players, making for fast action. Sayre busted Rodrigo Moreira with the against the to take a big lead into heads-up play with Jon Martin. Martin was happy to call off his last eight big blinds with the , only to see Sayre had yet another big ace to dominate him, the . A board of later, Sayre had little reason at all to be grumpy as he had a shiny new trophy and $2,224. Get all the latest PokerNews updates on your social media outlets. Follow us on Twitter and find us on both Facebook and Google+! : ? VIDEO Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print By Daniel Wiessner and Daniel Trotta (Reuters) A lawsuit brought by Texas and other states against the Obama administrations policy on bathroom access may move the United States closer to a resolution on transgender rights by putting the issue on a trajectory for the Supreme Court. Conservative officials from 11 states sued the federal government on Wednesday to overturn a directive that transgender students be allowed to use the bathroom matching their gender identity instead of being forced to use one corresponding to gender assigned at birth. The governor of a 12th state, Mississippi, said he planned to join the lawsuit. The countrys high court has never ruled on a main question of the lawsuit: Do federal legal protections against sex discrimination apply to transgender people? The plaintiffs picked a path that could get them two quick wins in lower courts. The lawsuit is expected to be heard first by an appointee of Republican President George W. Bush and if there is an appeal by a conservative federal appeals court covering Texas. If that appeals court ruled against the Obama administration, the Supreme Court may feel compelled to take up the matter because of a likely conflict with a ruling last month from a federal appeals court in Virginia. That ruling revived a transgender teens lawsuit against his school district. The Supreme Court is more likely to agree to hear a case when there is a split among different federal appeals courts, and such a conflict does not yet exist on transgender rights. The plaintiffs have accused the administration of President Barack Obama of overreaching its authority and said the U.S. Congress, or individual states, should set policy. At least two provisions of federal law ban discrimination on the basis of sex: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which covers employment, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. When lawmakers passed the education amendments, they did not consider that the law could one day be applied to gender identity, said Jeremy Tedesco, senior counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal group. The (administrations) lawless interpretation ignores the will of Congress in enacting Title IX, Tedesco said. Its a clear case of federal overreach. The Obama administration has argued that the education amendments encompass discrimination based on gender identity, including transgender status. It said in a letter to school districts this month that their access to federal money depended on their compliance. The states that sued have two paths to victory, Tedesco said: a ruling that the Obama administration did not follow proper procedure for making new regulations, which would leave the larger issue unsettled, or that its interpretation of Title IX is inconsistent with the law. Without clear guidance from the courts, the question of transgender rights would remain open to interpretation by federal agencies, meaning a future president could take the opposite view of Obama. The Republican-controlled Congress has the power to end the dispute immediately, either in favor of transgender rights or against them, but it has shown few signs of acting, especially with a Democrat, Obama, in the White House. A series of decisions suggests courts are coming around to a more expansive definition of sex discrimination, said Jennifer Levi, director of the Transgender Rights Project at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders. Federal agencies clearly have the authority to interpret civil rights law when its application is unclear, she said. To characterize (the administrations position) as extraordinary or overreaching shows a complete misunderstanding of what these agencies do, Levi said. The states countered in their lawsuit that the federal agencies went beyond mere interpretation of civil rights law and in effect created new regulations that should have gone through a notice-and-comment procedure. A court could also find that the states lawsuit was premature because the Obama administration has not yet moved to cut off funding to any state or school district, said Arthur Leonard, a professor at New York Law School and an expert on LGBT law. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner and Daniel Trotta; Editing by David Ingram, Toni Reinhold) Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) Republican U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch wrote in an opinion piece published on Thursday that his meeting with Merrick Garland failed to change his view that the Senate should not act on President Barack Obamas U.S. Supreme Court nominee. The problem is that no such meeting had yet taken place. Later in the day, the Utah senator issued a statement announcing that he would meet with Garland on Thursday, calling the appeals court judge an honorable public servant who deserves our respect but reiterating that the Senate should not act now. Paul Edwards, executive editor of the Deseret News in Hatchs home state of Utah, said by email the article was a draft that was mistakenly published on newspapers website, and apologized to Hatch and the newspapers readers for this unfortunate error. Like many of my Senate colleagues, I recently met with Chief Judge Merrick Garland, Hatch wrote in the piece. Our meeting, however, does not change my conviction that the Senate should consider a Supreme Court nominee after this presidential election cycle, Hatch added. The 82-year-old Hatch, first elected to the Senate in 1976, is the longest-serving Senate Republican and is a long-time and influential member of the Judiciary Committee that considers Supreme Court nominees. Hatch has joined with the Senates Republican leaders in asserting that Obamas successor, to be determined in the Nov. 8 presidential election, should fill the vacancy left by the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia in February. Democrats have accused Senate Republicans of ignoring their constitutional duties by refusing to consider Garlands nomination. A copy of the article was archived by Google after the Deseret News removed it. The electronic publication of this version, awaiting edits from the Senator following his meeting with Judge Garland, was inadvertent, Edwards added. The article illustrated how unshakeable Republican opposition has been to Obama, a Democrat, appointing a replacement for Scalia. If a Democratic president appoints Scalias replacement, that would likely end decades of a conservative majority on the court. Obama nominated Garland on March 16. Hatch helped break a partisan log jam in the Senate against Garland two decades ago when President Bill Clinton nominated him to an appeals court. Garland won Senate confirmation in 1997. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham) Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print After listening to Bernie Sanders dodge a question about being Hillary Clintons running mate, it is clear that Sen. Sanders is sounding a lot like someone who may really want to be VP. Video: Here was the exchange between Sanders and Chuck Todd on Meet The Press: CHUCK TODD: Would you take the call if Hillary Clinton asked you to be her running mate? SEN. BERNIE SANDERS: Well, right now, again, here we are in California, Im knocking my brains out to win the Democratic nomination. CHUCK TODD: Yes, you are. SEN. BERNIE SANDERS: Thats where I am right now. What happens afterwards, we will see. But right now, my focus is on winning the nomination. CHUCK TODD: Well, that was a very political type of answer that says youre not answering the question. Fair enough, youre not ruling it out. SEN. BERNIE SANDERS: What I am saying right now is our focus is on winning the Democratic nomination. Sen. Sanders has yet to say no when asked if he would be interested in being Hillary Clintons running mate, which raises the question if those who are speculating about the end game for Bernie Sanders have got it all wrong? Sanders definitely wants to be the Democratic nominee, but what does he have to gain by giving up his leverage until he has to? What if Bernie Sanders wants to be on the Democratic ticket? Sanders knows that even if Clinton wins the White House and Democrats take back the Senate, it could be tough sledding. Sen. Sanders lived through the early Obama years of endless McConnell obstruction. If Democrats win less than 60 seats, the Senate could be facing a future of more Republican blocking of everything. Sanders has already been there and done that. The Senator from Vermont could offer Clinton an immediate unification of the party, and the services of an attack dog running mate who would love to spend the fall campaign circling the country and taking on Donald Trump. If the Clinton campaign looks up in July and still sees a somewhat close race with Trump, they will have to give the chances of a Clinton/Sanders ticket some thought. Bernie Sanders doesnt sound like a guy who is ready to go back to the Senate. In fact, he sounds a lot like someone who might be very interested in being VP. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print While Trump is campaigning on his love of the troops a letter that Trump once wrote trying to deny disabled vets an opportunity to make a living sheds light on his real feelings. The New York Daily News reported on Trumps decades-long war on New Yorks disabled veteran street peddlers: But Trump has time and again pushed New York to limit laws on peddling including by veterans, who can get special vendor licenses from the Department of Consumer Affairs in thanks for their service. While disabled veterans should be given every opportunity to earn a living, is it fair to do so to the detriment of the city as a whole or its tax paying citizens and businesses? Trump wrote in a 1991 letter to John Dearie, then-chairman of the state Assemblys Committee on Cities. Do we allow Fifth Ave., one of the worlds finest and most luxurious shopping districts, to be turned into an outdoor flea market, clogging and seriously downgrading the area? Trump demanded. . He complained in a letter to then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg that the ambiance of Fifth Ave. the address of his gleaming Trump Tower headquarters was being wrecked by peddlers, including some he accused of only posing as vets. Trump questions the service records of veterans while treating them like street trash. Donald Trump accused disabled veterans of downgrading the area. He basically whined that disabled veterans an eyesore who were lowering the status of his property. Trump has spent decades trying to prevent the citys disabled vets from earning a living. This is not a man who any veteran should trust. Donald Trump has shown nothing but contempt for veterans did what he was too cowardly to do. These vets served and were permanently disabled in service of their country. Donald Trump refused to serve and was able to use his familys wealth to avoid going to Vietnam. A man who is capable of showing such hatred and contempt for disabled veterans is not someone who the majority of the voters should want serving as Commander In Chief. Actions speak louder than words, and Trump has acted like a man who has no respect for disabled veterans. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) used basic math to show Bernie Sanders that Hillary Clinton will clinch the Democratic nomination before the polls even close in California. Video: ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos Transcript via ABCs This Week: KARL: So, hes suggesting that if that were to happen, that would be something that could sway a lot of the super delegates I assume hes suggesting to support him instead of Hillary Clinton. FEINSTEIN: Well, I would say I profoundly disagree. I believe that she needs effectively 73 more delegates. She will have that after the election in New Jersey before the polls close in California. KARL: So, you have a new poll in California that shows this race is a dead heat. Hillary Clinton is even spending six figures on advertising in the Democratic primary. Is Bernie Sanders doing damage to Hillary Clinton, hurting her chances against Donald Trump by fighting this hard, this long? FEINSTEIN: Well, I if Bernie look, as has been said, Bernie Senator Sanders has the right to run no question. He ought to be able to read the signposts as well as anybody else. And if he did that he would know that its all but over. So, the question comes, you know, why doesnt he do those things, which bring all Democrats together so that we can have a convention thats positive, not negative, so that we can have a platform that all this great wide, broad-based party can say, This is my platform. I am proud of it. And the Democrats together can march to victory in November. I know the passion of a campaign; I know when youre in it and you just keep go, go, go until the last hour is there. Well, the last hour is close by. It would be, I think, a very positive gesture for reconciliation if Senator Sanders were to consider putting his campaign in the very real perspective that its in and doing those things that can bring the party together. MABEL A sideswipe crash Saturday afternoon north of Mabel left an Iowa man with minor injuries, according to a report from the Minnesota State Patrol. A vehicle driven by James R. Casey, 62, of Elma, Iowa, pulled over onto a gravel driveway on Minnesota Highway 43 and attempted to make a U-turn, the report says. When he did, his car struck a southbound pickup driven by Michael J. York, 55, of Rushford. Casey was taken by Mabel Ambulance to Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis., with what were described as injuries that were not life-threatening. York and a passenger in his vehicle, Amber N. York, 14, had no apparent injuries. All three people involved had their seat belts fastened, the report says. The crash was reported at 4:27 p.m. ADVERTISEMENT Assisting the state patrol at the scene were personnel from the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office and Mabel Fire Department. WASHINGTON The report on Hillary Clinton's email by the State Department's inspector general last week was devastating not because of how she handled email but because of how she handled investigators. The report's revelations weren't particularly revelatory: Clinton violated department policies and went further than predecessors in her use of private email, but she wasn't the first to take this path. Beyond that, as my colleagues Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger reported, officials say the FBI has "found little evidence that Clinton maliciously flouted classification rules." But what's damning in the new report is her obsessive and counterproductive secrecy: The Office of the Inspector General said it "interviewed Secretary Kerry and former Secretaries Albright, Powell, and Rice. Through her counsel, Secretary Clinton declined OIG's request for an interview." "In addition ... eight former Department employees [most of them Clinton aides] declined OIG requests for interviews." ADVERTISEMENT "Two additional individuals did not respond to OIG interview requests." "OIG sent 26 questionnaires to Secretary Clinton's staff and received five responses." The stonewalling creates a firm impression, well captured by CNN's Wolf Blitzer last week when he interviewed Clinton's spokesman, Brian Fallon: "If she didn't do anything wrong and she had nothing to hide, why didn't she cooperate with the inspector general?" There is no good answer to this. And that's why the IG report was just another of Clinton's self-inflicted wounds caused by her tendency toward secrecy and debilitating caution. Donald Trump has decided to dub her "Crooked Hillary." This isn't quite true: Though investigations into her activities have occupied much of the past 25 years, her accusers, from Whitewater to Benghazi, never really get the goods. But what Clinton has been is nearly as problematic as being crooked: Hunkered Hillary. At the first sign of conflict or accusation, Clinton circles the wagons, shuts her mouth and instructs those around her to do the same. This generates a whole lot of smoke, even if there's no fire. Fifteen months ago, when the email scandal broke, I viewed her use of a private server as an extension of the "same flaws that have caused Clinton trouble in the past terminal caution and its cousin, obsessive secrecy. In trying so hard to avoid mistakes in this case, trying to make sure an embarrassing e-mail or two didn't become public Clinton made a whopper of an error." She resisted releasing records on the Whitewater land deal (causing the scandal to drag on, leading to the independent-counsel investigation that exposed the Monica Lewinsky scandal) and about her 1993 health care task force (giving her opponents ammunition to defeat the plan). This time, she again hunkered down. Clinton's response is emblematic of her caution. While Trump and Bernie Sanders drive the narrative of the 2016 campaign with their freewheeling styles, Clinton is missing: She puts herself into the debate less often than the others and, when she does, she says little to merit headlines. Her hiring of a full slate of advisers to President Obama himself a cautious leader reinforces the risk aversion. But caution won't win this year, and it's unclear whether Clinton will, or even can, liberate herself from the bunker. ADVERTISEMENT The inspector general's bottom line wasn't good: "She did not comply with the department's policies." But the description of Clinton's secrecy was worse. When one State staffer raised concern about Clinton's private email, this person was told "that the secretary's personal system had been reviewed and approved by department legal staff and that the matter was not to be discussed any further." Investigators found no evidence of such a review. What they found was stonewalling by Clinton and her aides and this, not mishandled email, is what tripped up Fallon as he tried to defend the candidate to Blitzer. "It looks as if she's got something to hide when she doesn't even want to answer questions from the inspector general of the State Department," the anchor said. Fallon tried to argue that Clinton and her aides prioritized the similar Justice Department investigation and were cooperating with that one. Then he insinuated that "there were hints of an anti-Clinton bias" in the IG's office. The vast right-wing conspiracy had infiltrated the State Department! Asked Blitzer: "Are you accusing the inspector general of the State Department" a Democratic appointee "of having an anti-Clinton bias?" The spokesman retreated, noting that the report documented "that the use of personal e-mail was widespread and done by her predecessors, including Secretary Powell." And that might have been the takeaway if Hunkered Hillary hadn't let her instinctive caution again get the best of her. LONDON Leaders of the campaign to end Britain's membership in the European Union hope that next month's referendum will make June 23, 2016, a date as luminous in modern British history as May 3, 1979, when voters made Margaret Thatcher prime minister. Michael Gove, secretary of justice and leader of the campaign for Brexit Britain's withdrawal from the EU anticipates a "galvanizing, liberating, empowering moment of national renewal." For Americans, Britain's debate about Brexit is more substantive, and perhaps more important, than their dispiriting presidential choice. American conservatives would regard Britain's withdrawal from the EU as the healthy rejection of political grandiosity. Gove's friend, Prime Minister David Cameron, who opposes Brexit, says that the referendum is "perhaps the most important decision the British people will have to take at the ballot box in our lifetimes." Advocates of Brexit agree, but add: If Britons vote to remain in the EU, this might be the lastimportant decision made at British ballot boxes because important decisions will increasingly be made in Brussels. The EU's "democracy deficit" is mistakenly considered merely an unintended injury done by the creation of a blessing a continent-wide administrative state. Actually, the deficit is the pointof such a state. In Europe, as in the United States, the administrative state exists to marginalize politics to achieve Henri de Saint-Simon's goal of "replacing the government of persons by the administration of things." The idea of a continent-wide European democracy presupposes the existence of a single European demos, the nonexistence of which can be confirmed by a drive from, say, Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic. Gove believes that the ongoing concentration of power in Brussels, seat of "the bureaucratic regulatory temptation," guarantees "regulation in the interest of incumbents" who "do not want a dynamic, innovative Europe." Under Europe's administrative state, Gove says "interest groups are stronger than ever" and they prefer social stasis to the uncertainties of societies that welcome the creative destruction of those interests that thrive by rent-seeking. Gove likens the EU's figurehead Parliament to "the Russian Duma under the czars, or the Hapsburg parliament." The EU is "a rigged cartel in the interest of the smug." ADVERTISEMENT If, as some serious people here fear, Europe's current crisis of migration is just the beginning of one of the largest population movements in history, the EU's enfeebled national governments must prepare to cope with inundations. But each EU member's latitude for action exists at the sufferance of EU institutions. ' Gove believes that most of the British public, and even most members of Parliament, see the familiar trappings and procedures of the House of Commons the mace, question time and think nothing has changed. But most of binding law in Britain estimates vary from 55 percent to 65 percent does not arise from the Parliament in Westminster but from the European Commission in Brussels. The EU has a flag no one salutes, an anthem no one sings, a president no one can name, a parliament that no one other than its members wants to have more power (which must be subtracted from national legislatures), a capital of coagulated bureaucracies that no one admires or controls, a currency that presupposes what neither does nor should exist (a European central government administering fiscal policy), and rules of fiscal behavior (limits on debt-to-GDP ratios) that few if any members obey and none have been penalized for ignoring. Journalist and historian Max Hastings, who will vote Remain, says the bitterness between Leave and Remain Conservatives is reminiscent of the Suez crisis of 1956 and is "wildly unreasonable," given that Britain's gravest problems an unsustainable National Health Service, a "failing" education system, low economic productivity "have nothing to do with Brussels." Besides, especially given the worsening migration crisis, "I cannot believe that the EU, and even more the eurozone, will or should survive in their present form through another decade." Supporters of Brexit agree that, such is the EU's flux, there is no stable status quo to embrace, so leaving is no more risky than remaining. Mildly invoking 1776 for an American guest, Gove says "self-government works better than being part of an empire that doesn't have our interests at heart." So, the 23rd of June can become Britain's Fourth of July a Declaration of Independence. If Britain rejects continuing complicity in the EU project constructing a bland leviathan from surrendered national sovereignties it will have rejected the idea that its future greatness depends on submersion in something larger than itself. It will have taken an off-ramp from the road to serfdom. George F. Will is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the Washington Post. Its a good thing that Trump supporters have had the time to develop their capacity to withstand embarrassment during Trumps march to the GOP nomination this spring. By now it must be as big as the mans, well, you know what. Which is a good thing, because hes still testing the limits. Most recently, speaking before a packed rally in San Diego, Trump unloaded on the judge hearing the Trump U case. The judge Gonzalo Curiel hes a Mexican, Trump believes, but thats great and fine. (Judge Curiels parents are Mexican, but Curiel was born in East Chicago, Indiana, which is probably also great. Anyway, its close enough for government work.) The best defense, as we all know, is a good offense. Here is Trump on offense, via the Wall Street Journals Reid Epstein: I have a judge who is a hater of Donald Trump, a hater. Hes a hater. His name is Gonzalo Curiel, Mr. Trump said, as the crowd of several thousand booed. He is not doing the right thing. And I figure, what the hell? Why not talk about it for two minutes? Mr. Trump spoke for far more than two minutes about Judge Curiel and the Trump University casehe devoted 12 minutes of a 58-minute address to the litigation, which is scheduled to go to trial in San Diego federal court Nov. 28. Mr. Trumps attorney said earlier this month that Mr. Trump would testify in the six-year-old case. The plaintiffs in the Trump University case, whom Mr. Trump also condemned by name Friday, accuse him and the now-defunct school of defrauding people who paid up to $35,000 for real estate advice. Mr. Trump said Friday that Trump University received mostly unbelievable reviews from its 10,000 students. To the San Diego crowd, Mr. Trump argued that Judge Curiel should be removed from the case because he is biased against him. The evidence Mr. Trump presented: Rulings against him and the fact that Judge Curi[e]l was appointed to the bench by President Barack Obama. The Senate confirmed Judge Curiel by a voice vote in September 2012. An aide in Judge Curiels chambers on Friday said the judicial code of conduct prevents him from responding to Mr. Trump. Were in front of a very hostile judge, Mr. Trump said. The judge was appointed by Barack Obama, federal judge. Frankly, he should recuse himself because hes given us ruling after ruling after ruling, negative, negative, negative. Mr. Trump also told the audience, which had previously chanted the Republican standard-bearers signature build that wall mantra in reference to Mr. Trumps proposed wall along the Mexican border, that Judge Curiel is Mexican. What happens is the judge, who happens to be, we believe, Mexican, which is great. I think thats fine, Mr. Trump said. If its great and fine that Judge Curiel is Mexican, why mention it? Here Trump dropped a footnote: You know what? I think the Mexicans are going to end up loving Donald Trump when I give all these jobs, OK? Epstein pauses to note that Curiel was born in Indiana and then concludes his account: Mr. Trump told the crowd he looks forward to returning to San Diego for the trial in November and asked for an investigation into Judge Curiel for reasons he did not specify. I think Judge Curiel should be ashamed of himself, Mr. Trump said. Im telling you, this court system, judges in this court system, federal court, they ought to look into Judge Curiel. Because what Judge Curiel is doing is a total disgrace, OK? But well come back in November. Wouldnt that be wild if Im president and I come back to do a civil case? Where everybody likes it. OK. This is called life, folks. If Judge Curiel ought to be ashamed of himself, hes not the only one. Trump is disgracing himself, his supporters, and, now, the party of Lincoln. The two-minute video clip below was excerpted from the speech by the Associated Press omitting the Mexican shtick. Ed OKeefe of the Washington Post is unhappy that Marco Rubio is ready to support Donald Trumps presidential bid. He calls Rubio a shape-shifter and implies that Rubios support of Trump stems from the tycoons improving poll numbers. Rubio has explained that wants to be helpful, not harmful, to Trump because I dont want Hillary Clinton to be president. He added, if you can live with a Clinton presidency for four years, thats your right; I cant and will do what I can to prevent it. A great many anti-Trump Republicans are ready to vote for Trump for just this reason. Im not at that point and may not get there, but I dont assume anyone is taking this position in bad faith. OKeefe may not believe that Clinton is bad enough to induce Trumps Republican critics to suck it up and vote for the GOP nominee, but its a plausible position for conservatives to take. OKeefe cites the back-and-forth between Rubio and Trump when they were battling for the GOP nomination. Rubio famously called Trump a con man. He also described Trump as dangerous and unqualified to control the nations military codes. (Trump called Rubio little Marco, which is probably the nicest thing he said about any of his main rivals). The con man charge is reminiscent of George H.W. Bush accusing Ronald Reagan of preaching voodoo economics. Bush became Reagans running mate. The other rhetoric OKeefe quotes differs only marginally from Hillary Clintons suggestion that Barack Obama couldnt handle the 3:00 a.m. phone call. Clinton became Obamas Secretary of State. Rubio hasnt signed on for a spot in the Trump administration; he simply says he prefers Trump to Clinton and will therefore back Trump. In doing so, Rubio is keeping his word. At the beginning of the campaign, he promised to support the Republican nominee regardless of who won the nomination. It is odd, then, for OKeefe to call Rubio a shape-shifter. The charge would be more apt if Rubio refused to keep his word. OKeefe tries to support his charge by citing Rubios abandon[ment] of his own immigration reform bill when it became unpopular among conservatives. This attack is false and unfair. Rubio, to my disgust, steadfastly defended his amnesty bill in the face of intense fire from conservatives. He helped push it through the Senate, abandoning the legislation only when as it became apparent it lacked the support it required to pass the House. Rubio didnt lash himself to the mast of amnesty, but guided the ship about as far as he could. Rubios pro-amnesty position was utterly wrongheaded in my view. However, I challenge OKeefe to point to any position taken by any candidate in this years presidential race that involved more political risk. I dont mean to deny that Rubio is, in some respects, an opportunist. But so is every serious candidate in this race. Even Bernie Sanders, probably the least opportunistic of the bunch, has effectively admitted that his opposition to important gun control legislation was based on his desire to keep his Vermont constituents happy. Hillary Clinton is probably the most opportunistic candidate. The issues as to which she has flipped are almost too numerous to list. Has OKeefe called her a shape-shifter? Its not the role of a reporter to make accusations like this, even when hes unhappy. But if a reporter lacks the professionalism to eschew such accusations, he should level them evenhandedly. Ruth Marcus of the Washington Post offers a familiar excuse for Hillary Clintons insistence on using a private email server. According to Marcus, the scar tissue built up over years of politically motivated attacks and endless investigations reinforced Clintons instinct for the protective crouch. Marcus explanation sounds plausible, but it happens to be false (except for the part about instinct for the protective crouch). We know the explanation is false because Clinton engaged in similar behavior before she came to Washington as First Lady. Im referring to her handling of her law firms billing records in the Castle Grande matter, which I discussed at length here, in a post based mainly on the evidence developed by the Office of Independent Counsel that investigated Whitewater. Clinton stole and/or caused to be destroyed the records that established her role as the attorney for participants in the fraudulent Castle Grande scheme. She did so to avoid the political price she feared would be exacted if, with candidate Bill Clinton decrying the decade of greed that had brought on the S&L scandals, she was exposed as having been the lawyer for a crooked S&L. For this purpose, Clinton, working with Webster Hubbell and Vince Foster, stole hard copies of the billing records of the Rose law firm where they were partners. They erased the electronic version of these records. One set of the documents was later found in the White House, just outside Hillarys private office, by an employee. Another set was found in Fosters attic by his widow, some years after he committed suicide. Clintons time sheets (handwritten, as was the practice back in the day) were never found. The theft of the billing records occurred on March 7, 1992. It was then that a story on Whitewater/Castle Grande by New York Times reporter Jeff Gerth hit the wire. That night, Rose Law Firm documents were passed to a Clinton campaign aide in the firms parking lot. The theft of these documents thus preceded the ugliness of the Clintons eight years in the White House. It preceded the endless investigations of that era. It helped fuel some of these investigations. Hillarys pattern of document destruction seems to have continued during the White House years. The New York Post reports that in 1999, investigators discovered that more than 1 million subpoenaed e-mails had been mysteriously lost due to a glitch in a West Wing computer server. The hole in the White House archives covered a critical two-year period 1996 to 1998 when special prosecutor Ken Starr was subpoenaing White House e-mails. By then, the Clintons were battled scarred. Thats no defense for destroying records, though. And even this excuse does not apply to Hillarys theft of billing records that belonged to her law firm. In sum, Hillary Clintons crooked practices cannot be explained by citing politically motivated attacks and endless investigations. The New York Times Jeff Gerth wasnt launching a politically motivated attacks, he was simply reporting. Clintons crooked practices are rooted in her personality. Its that simple. Giving away some of what you have to the needy for increased wealth and happiness sounds absurd, illogical and unreasonable but as this serial shows it works. It makes you richer, happier and healthier. You want to grow wealth, you save and invest. That is logical, pure and simple. It is proven economics, encouraged by banks and governments all over the world. On that basis, it becomes illogical to give away what one has as the holy books admonish us, in the quest for happiness and wealth. For example, the Holy Bible quotes Jesus as saying: Give and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Giving is the transfer of something to another person without the expectation of receiving something in return. It may not be money; it could your time, food, clothes, anything legal to make the needy better off. That is usually a difficult thing to do, but the benefits are amazingly satisfying. The power of giving is like a case of subtraction (e.g. 4-2), which result is a multiplication (e.g.42). Various studies and experiences of others show that giving makes you happy and even richer. The power of giving has been steeped in religion by the way it has been presented over the years, but it has been proven scientifically to be strong. For example, in the compilation of the benefits of giving from various researches by Jason Marsh and Jill Suttie, giving improves health of the giver and the taker. Giving is good for our health. They wrote: A wide range of research has linked different forms of generosity to better health, even among the sick and elderly. In his book Why Good Things Happen to Good People, Stephen Post, a professor, reports that giving to others has been shown to increase health benefits in people with chronic illness, including HIV and multiple sclerosis. A 1999 study led by Doug Oman of the University of California, Berkeley, found that elderly people who volunteered for two or more organizations were 44 percent less likely to die over a five-year period than were non-volunteers, even after controlling for their age, exercise habits, general health, and negative health habits like smoking. Stephanie Brown of the University of Michigan saw similar results in a 2003 study on elderly couples. She and her colleagues found that those individuals who provided practical help to friends, relatives, or neighbors, or gave emotional support to their spouses, had a lower risk of dying over a five-year period than those who didnt. Interestingly, receiving help wasnt linked to a reduced death risk. Researchers suggest that one reason giving may improve physical health and longevity is that it helps decrease stress, which is associated with a variety of health problems. In a 2006 study, people who provided social support to others had lower blood pressure than participants who didnt, suggesting a direct physiological benefit to those who give of themselves. Giving and Happiness A new survey of 5,000 people has found a strong link between giving and happiness. The finding comes from a survey carried out by the charity Action for Happiness, in collaboration with Do Something Different. For their survey, they identified ten everyday habits which science has shown can make people happier. Giving came up tops. Here are the 10 habits, with the average ratings of survey participants on a scale of 1-10, as to how often they performed each habit: Giving: do things for others 7.41 Relating: connect with people 7.36 Exercising: take care of your body 5.88 Appreciating: notice the world around 6.57 Trying out: keep learning new things 6.26 Direction: have goals to look forward to 6.08 Resilience: find ways to bounce back 6.33 Emotion: take a positive approach 6.74 Acceptance: be comfortable with who you are 5.56 Meaning: be part of something bigger 6.38 One of the psychologists involved, Professor Karen Pine said: Practising these habits really can boost our happiness. Its great to see so many people regularly doing things to help others and when we make others happy we tend to feel good ourselves too. Personal Experience of a writer Cami Walker, a fellow writer, who is also an artist, healer, and philanthropist, tries to explain how this works in psychological terms. She says, In the present economy, many people are stuck in this cycle of scarcity and fear. These are the times when giving can be most important, and can have the greatest positive influence on our state of mind. By giving of ourselves when we feel least equipped to do so, we create an attitude of abundance that resonates around us. Through our generosity, we are made aware of others gratitude; mindful giving causes us to be more aware of our own value. This awareness, in turn, bolsters our emotional bank account so we are more likely to continue to feel connected to the bigger picture that exists beyond our own personal circumstances. She started with a 29-Day Giving Challenge to see what would happen in her life if she committed and focused her energy on giving for 29 days. What space would it create in her life for new and unexpected things to occur? What shifts she would see in her thinking and behavior as a result? What impact would the gifts have on others? Results She said, By Day 29, I was astounded by the magical and miraculous gifts I began to receive. I felt happier, healthier, and more in awe with life. I was smiling and laughing more. I got stronger and was able to stop using my cane (to aid walking) by Day 14. My business exploded with unexpected opportunities and I went back to work part-time after months of being too sick to work. I connected with a community of new friends; I also reconnected with my community of friends from San Francisco and the Midwest, where I had lived previously. My creativity opened up and I began writing stories regularly. I began experiencing a deeper intimacy in my relationship with my husband, family and friends. The Benny Hinn Experience I have been trying not to make this too spiritual but I cant forget this testimony of popular evangelist, Benny Hinn. He said: words: When I first got into ministry, I fell into deep debt. I started preaching in 1974 and by 1977, I was $200,000 in debt. A young, single man, I was scared to death. The crowds were growing bigger and bigger, so when I was given the opportunity to go on a network, I signed a contract to do 28 programmes. That money had to be paid whether one red cent came in or not. I learned some very hard lessons, and I also saw God work mighty miracles of debt cancellation when I began giving toward the kingdom, even though I could not humanly afford to give anything. He explained what happened during one of his crusades. He married his wife, Suzanne, later and had gone to see his father-in-law when he got the break. Asked whether he paid tithes and sowed seeds, he admitted he did, but he was not very forthcoming about the size of the seeds. He said his in-law advised him to sow seeds to get out of the debt that was threatening his ministry. He started as soon as he returned to his office with an order to his secretary to write cheques to various churches and organizations from the about $10, 000 left in the ministrys accounts. His secretary, who felt there was something wrong with her boss asked repeatedly whether he really wanted to exhaust his balance. Hers was by far a mild reaction. Members of the Ministrys board thought he was crazy. All but one elderly man resigned from the board and left the church. Even the man who stayed reluctantly kept on asking, Benny, you are sure the Lord told you to do this? After the massive sowing of seeds, Benny Hinn was down to a few cents, which he was forced by a divine leading to drop in the collection try on the Sunday after. To his pleasant surprise donations started pouring into his ministry the following week, and some of the post marks showed that the moment he commenced sowing, the donations started coming in. Months later a happy Benny swam out of debt. TO BE CONTINUED The Kebbi government on Sunday promised to revive the popular Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, last held seven years ago. Governor Atiku Bagudu made the pledge in Birnin Kebbi when he addressed a town hall meeting as part of activities marking his first year in office. He said a committee had been established to works out modalities for the organisation of the festival in 2017. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that apart from fishing, the three-day festival also features cultural display, durbar, horse riding, and camel race. It was last held in 2009. (NAN). President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday failed to give specific details of recovered loot as part of his anti-corruption war during his Democracy Day speech, consequently reneging on an earlier promise he made to that effect. Mr. Buhari had on May 14 said in London that he would personally provide specific details of all recovered stolen public funds because he believed that what Nigerians were being fed through the media were not detailed enough. So far, what has come out, what has been recovered in whatever currency from each ministries, departments and individuals, I intend on the 29th to speak on this because all Nigerians are getting from the mass media because of the number of people arrested either by the EFCC, DSS. But we want to make a comprehensive report on the 29th, Mr. Buhari said while attending the anti-corruption summit in London. But during his nationwide broadcast on Sunday morning, the president only repeated previous claims that his administration was grappling with bureaucratic hurdles that make it difficult for stolen assets to be recovered from foreign jurisdictions. We are also engaged in making recoveries of stolen assets some of which are in different jurisdictions. The processes of recovery can be tedious and time consuming, but today I can confirm that thus far: significant amount of assets have been recovered. A considerable portion of these are at different stages of recovery. Rather than personally speak on the matter and provide specific details as promised, Mr. Buhari only said he had directed the Ministry of Information to periodically publish details on the assets recovered so far. Full details of the status and categories of the assets will now be published by the Ministry of Information and updated periodically. When forfeiture formalities are completed these monies will be credited to the treasury and be openly and transparently used in funding developmental projects and the public will be informed, Mr. Buhari said. Based on the Presidents May 14 promise, millions of Nigerians had on Sunday morning stayed glued to their radio and TV for the Democracy Day speech. Some of them said they were dissappointed that Mr. Buhari failed to keep his promise. The president and his government have of recent come under pressure to publicly substantiate his claims that billions of dollars have been recovered through the administrations intensified war against graft. Meanwhile, Mr. Buhari repeated his ministers claim that the administration had been able to successfully eliminate 43,000 ghost workers that were costing the government N4.2 billion every month from the federal payroll. An important first step has been to get our housekeeping right. So we have reduced the extravagant spending of the past. We started boldly with the treasury single account, stopping the leakages in public expenditure. In addition, we will save Twenty-Three Billion Naira per annum from official travelling and sitting allowances alone, Mr. Buhari said. President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday said his administration was continuing negotiation for the release of the abducted Chibok school girls. Over 200 school girls were abducted by the insurgent group, Boko Haram, from their school hostel in Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state in April 2014. The abduction and the subsequent threat by the leadership of the terrorist group that the girls were being sold off and married off drew international attention and condemnation. One of the girls, Amina Nkeki, was recently found in a village near Sambisa forest with a four-month old baby. Ms. Nkeki was said to have been forcefully married to a Boko Haram fighter, who authorities said was taken into military custody. Two days after the return of Ms. Nkeki, Nigerian military authorities announced the rescue of another Chibok girl, Sarah Luka. But #BringBackOurGirls activists debunked the claim, saying Ms. Luka was not among the school girls abducted in Chibok. Mr. Buhari in a speech to mark Democracy Day on Sunday said during the last one year of his administration, not a single day passed without my agonizing about these girls. He said his governments efforts have centred around negotiations to free them safely from their mindless captors, adding, we are still pursuing that course. Mr. Buhari said the safety of the girls was of paramount concern to him and to many Nigerians. I am very worried about the conditions those still captured might be in. Today I re-affirm our commitment to rescuing our girls. We will never stop until we bring them home safely. As I said before, no girl should be put through the brutality of forced marriage and every Nigerian girl has the right to an education and a life choice, the president said. The decision three years ago by some opposition parties to merge for the 2015 presidential election put paid to the ambition of the Peoples Democratic Party to rule for 60 years. The merger of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, Congress for Progressive Change, Action Congress of Nigeria and a section of the All Progressive grand Alliance, APGA, led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress over one year before the 2015 general elections. For a party that led Nigeria since the restoration of democracy 16 years ago, playing the opposition became a strange role for the PDP. Indeed, shortly after PDPs defeat by the APC in the March 28, 2015 presidential poll, the then spokesperson of the latter, Lai Mohammed, mockingly asked his counterpart in the PDP, Olisa Metuh, to come for a six week crash course on opposition information management. Metuh will need training to effectively carry out his new, tough task, Mr. Mohammed said. It is now obvious that he needs to understand that for him to succeed in his new role, he must be credible, empirical, more sophisticated in language use and very passionate, in addition to being able to operate on a lean or zero budget. At first, the PDP showed signs of adjusting to its new role as an opposition party. One of the first major gathering of the party faithful after it lost the presidential election was a retreat in Port Harcourt, where it discussed its future as an opposition party. Mr. Metuh had used the occasion of the retreat whose theme was The role of the opposition in facilitating development and good governance, to assure the partys supporters that the PDP was not weak by its apparent lack of action at the time. He said PDP leaders were simply giving the new president and his party, time to settle down. He stressed that the PDP would periodically assess the performance of the APC administration so that Nigerians on their own will decide which party is best to progress democracy in this country. On his part, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who also spoke at the retreat, vowed that PDP members in the National Assembly would hold the APC accountable to its campaign promises. While recalling that the APC promised the release of the Chibok girls, the creation of two million jobs every year, among many others, he said, The PDP lawmakers in the 8th National Assembly should hold the ruling APC accountable on each of its campaign promises. Loss of steam To be sure, the PDP started strongly by always checking on the APC administration. Mr. Metuh would issue a statement or address a press conference on policy matters almost on daily basis. Apart from Mr. Metuh, other outspoken members of the PDP, including a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe, and the Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, variously voiced opposition to the policies and programmes of the Buhari administration. The PDP spokesperson explained that the party would not attack the personality of Mr. Buhari and would work with the government in the fight against insurgency in the north east zone. However, along the line, the opposition party lost steam, no thanks to the alleged involvement of some of its leaders in corrupt practices, which the Buhari administration vowed to tackle. Mr. Metuh, who should be the arrowhead of the opposition, became one of the accused. He was alleged to have received, from the office of the National Security Adviser, N400 million from the $2.1 billion originally meant for arms procurement to fight Boko Haram. The money was allegedly diverted and used to prosecute the 2015 presidential campaign for President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP. The scandal has since been referred to as #Dasukigate by Nigerians. His arrest and subsequent arraignment over the allegation has dealt a serious blow to the PDPs ability to check the government of the day and make its positions on national matters known. Unlike the then ACN which criticised the Goodluck Jonathan administration when it increased fuel price in 2010, the PDP, as Nigerias main opposition party, virtually kept mum when the Buhari-led APC government increased the pump price of petrol to N145 from N86. The opposition party, perhaps dazed by the corruption allegations against its leaders, and internal wrangling, could not even issue a statement either in condemnation or support. The only notable voice from the PDP that kicked against the fuel price was Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State. Even so, he did not speak officially for the party because it was not his job to do so. Mr. Fani-Kayode, another outspoken member of the party, who could have kicked against the increase, is currently in detention and battling to save himself from the allegation that he, as spokesperson of the Jonathan Campaign Organisation, benefitted from the #Dasukigate scandal. It is therefore safe to assume that many PDP members are unable to voice opposition to the APC government because of the fear that the ongoing corruption probe will soon get to them. In-fighting Perhaps, one other factor responsible for the lacklustre opposition role is the in-fighting among members of the party. At present, the PDP appears to have three factions with each claiming control of the party. There is a group backed by the governors elected under the platform of the party. This group has former Kaduna governor, Ahmed Makarfi, as caretaker chairman. Another group comprises of some members of the immediate past National Working Committee and is led by former Borno Governor, Ali Sheriff. A third group comprised mostly of founding members of the party and recognizes a former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, as chairman. The leadership crisis is so intense that the party could not do an assessment of the Buhari administration as its clocks one year in office. Should the crisis persist, it is unlikely that the once vibrant PDP would effectively be a check on the APC-led federal administration. Worse still, the other opposition parties appear to have gone into oblivion, leaving the APC to govern unchecked. The Nigerian Army on Sunday said it arrested 10 suspected militants and pipeline vandals in the Niger Delta region. The Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin City, Farouk Yahaya, while addressing journalists said the suspects were arrested during a cordon and search exercise conducted in Oporozoa community and its environs in Delta State. Residents of the area had decried the invasion of the community since Saturday and raised alarm over alleged intimidation of innocent residents. A resident, who simply identified himself as Raphael, said the suspects arrested were innocent people who could not run away fast enough. He said the soldiers arrested them and labelled them members of the Niger Delta Avengers while the other residents are currently taking refuge in the bush. The Niger Delta Avengers is the group that has claimed responsibility for recent attacks on oil and gas pipelines and installations. However, Mr. Yahaya, a Brigadier General, said the arrested suspects may have links with the Niger Delta Avengers. He said guns, ammunition and other equipment were recovered from them. He said the operation was conducted professionally in line with the code of conduct and rules of engagement of the Nigerian Army. The Army also reaffirmed its commitment to tackling pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region. The recent activities of the militants has been blamed for the worsening power situation in the country as pipelines which transport gas to power generating stations were blown up. Their activities also led to a reduction in Nigerias oil production, leading to less money available for all tiers of government in a period of economic downturn. President Muhammadu Buhari did not release details of looted asset, recovered from corrupt persons, due to legal reasons, an official has said. The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Sunday evening, hours after Mr. Buharis Democracy Day broadcast. Yes, he initially said so (that hell give specific details about recovered loot), but he was advised against doing so for legal reasons, the Cable Newspapers quoted Mr. Mohammed as saying during an interview on Channels Television. Mr. Buhari had on May 14 in London promised to provide specific details of stolen asset by former public officials. So far, what has come out, what has been recovered in whatever currency from each ministries, departments and individuals, I intend on the 29th to speak on this because all Nigerians are getting from the mass media because of the number of people arrested either by the EFCC, DSS. But we want to make a comprehensive report on the 29th, Mr. Buhari had said. But during his nation-wide address on Sunday morning, the President failed to make the details public. Instead, he said, the Information Ministry would soon release relevant details. The development immediately drew the ire of Nigerians, who became outraged that their leader has once again failed to live up to his words. But Mr. Mohammed said his principal has the right to reverse himself. Of course, he has a right to reverse himself on that, he said. Mr. Mohammed, however, said the administration will publish some details of recovered loot, but a far cry from what the president initially promised. We will get the list but not today; before the end of the week. But I must say not with the names, he said. But the claims that legal consequences prevented the president from announcing the names appear to be in sharp contrast with what the president did in January when he released the names of former military officials, private individuals and companies. On January 15, Mr. Buhari published up to 41 names of former services chiefs, firms and individuals said to be responsible for over $2B arms procurement fund that was unaccounted for. President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday frowned at the activities of illegal miners in the country, saying that special security team had been set up to check the menace. Speaking in a broadcast in Abuja, the president said that the security team was saddled with the task of protecting the nations mining asset. He also revealed special measures would be in place to protect miners in their work environment. According to him, the Ministry of Solid Mineral Resources has produced a roadmap where Nigeria would work closely with the World Bank and major international investors to ensure best practices and due diligence in the mining sector. With respect to solid minerals, the minister has produced a roadmap where we will work closely with the world bank and major international investors to ensure, through best practices and due diligence, that we choose the right partners. Illegal mining remains a problem and we have set up a special security team to protect our assets. Special measures will be in place to protect miners in their work environment, he added. President Buhari, who announced the official inauguration of his administrations Social Protection Programme, lamented that Nigerian society had been neglecting the poor and victimising the weak. For too long, ours has been a society that neglects the poor and victimises the weak. A society that promotes profit and growth over development and freedom. A society that fails to recognize that, to quote the distinguished economist Amartya Sen poverty is not just lack of money. It is having the capability to realize ones full potential as a human being. So, today, I am happy to formally launch, by far the most ambitious social protection programme in our history. He, therefore, expressed optimism that the programme would lift million of Nigerians out of poverty while at the same time creating the opportunity for people to fend for themselves. According to him, N500 billion has been appropriated in the 2016 budget for social intervention programmes in five key areas. He said that his administration was committed to providing job creation opportunities for 500,000 Nigerians to work as teachers and employ 100,000 artisans across the nation. He further said 5.5 million children would be provided with nutritious meals through the school feeding programme to improve learning outcomes, as well as enrolment and completion rates. The president added that the conditional cash transfer scheme would provide financial support for up to one million vulnerable beneficiaries, and complement the enterprise programme. He said this particular programme would target up to one million market women, 460,000 artisans and 200,000 agricultural workers, nationwide. President Buhari further disclosed that, through a education grant scheme, the federal government would encourage students studying sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics as well as lay a foundation for human capital development for the next generation. On security, the president commended members of the Armed Forces for their efforts in checking the menace of Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern states of the country. I would like to pay a special tribute to our gallant men and women of the armed forces who are in harms way so that the rest of us can live and go about our business in safety. Their work is almost done. The nation owes them a debt of gratitude. (NAN) The Iranian government has announced that its citizens will not participate in this years Hajj, an Islamic rite for Muslims to Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Arab news reported on Sunday that Irans culture minister, Ali Jannati, announced that Iranians will not take part in this years Hajj, set for September. More than 60,000 Iranians took part in last years Hajj exercise. Mr. Jannatis announcement, reported by Agence France Presse, comes two days after his delegation left Saudi Arabia after two series of negotiations without any results. Saudi Arabias Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had on Friday said pilgrims from Iran may not perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The ministry said in a statement that the decision followed the refusal of the Iranian Organization of Hajj and Visits mission to sign minutes of concluding arrangements of Iranian pilgrims. Iran on Sunday pointed to obstacles raised by Saudi Arabia, the AFP report said. The Saudi government on Friday chided the Iranian delegation for playing politics by refusing to sign the minutes of an agreement negotiated earlier this week between the two sides. It said it had offered many solutions to meet a string of demands made by the Iranians in two days of talks. Agreement had been reached in some areas, including the of use electronic visas which could be printed out by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran, it said. Riyadh cut ties with Tehran in January after Iranian fanatics torched its embassy and a consulate following its execution of a prominent Shiite man convicted of sedition. Despite Tehrans politicking, Saudi Arabia remains committed to serving pilgrims from across the world, and making the journey safe and comfortable for them, the ministry said. The ministry stated that the Iranian delegation had been made comfortable during their stay while in Jeddah, including having arrangements made for members to perform Umrah. There had been intense discussions on Wednesday and Thursday on all issues, including having visas issued for Iranian pilgrims by the Swiss Embassy in their country, acting on behalf of the Saudi government, and equal division of pilgrims between the Saudi and Iranian national carriers. Earlier this month, Iran had accused its regional rival of seeking to sabotage the Hajj, a pillar of Islam that devout Muslims must perform at least once during their lifetime if they are able. Tehran said Riyadh had insisted that visas for Iranians be issued in a third country and would not allow pilgrims to be flown aboard Iranian aircraft. But the Saudi Haj ministry said Friday that Riyadh had agreed to allow Iranians to obtain visas through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which has looked after Saudi interests since ties were severed in January. Riyadh also agreed to allow some Iranian carriers to fly pilgrims to the kingdom despite a ban imposed on Iranian airlines following the diplomatic row between the two countries, the ministry said. Last weeks talks were the second attempt by the two countries to reach a deal on organizing this years pilgrimage for Iranians after an unsuccessful first round held in April in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi ministry said at the time that the Iranian Haj Organization would be held responsible in front of God and the people for the inability of its pilgrims to perform Haj this year. Another contentious issue has been security, after a deadly stampede during last years Hajj which killed several hundreds, most of them Iranians. Iran and some Nigerian pilgrims blamed Saudi officials for the stampede. The Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to support and rally round President Muhammadu Buhari in his task of building a virile nation. The Sultan made the call at the 22nd Annual Ummah Convention 2016 organised by the National Islamic Centre, NIC, Zaria, Kaduna State, on Sunday. He said the call became imperative in view of the economic upheavals bedevilling the country and the quest by the present administration to proffer lasting solution. According to him, Muslims and Christians, young and old must come together for the country to record meaningful, steady and consistent growth and development. The Sultan lamented that men of state rather than elder statesmen often found it very easy to attribute every negative thing to Muslims and Islam, whereas Islam is a religion of peace. It is our right to practice our religion without any interference by anybody. Earlier, the chairman Majlis Al- Shura Ummatul Islam (National Islamic Centre), Ahmad Bello, called on the Kaduna State Government to revisit its bill to amend the state regulation of religious preaching edict, 1984. (NAN) The 8th Summit of Heads of State of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States begins in Papua New Guinea on Monday, a statement said in Abuja on Sunday.. The statement from the spokesman for the Vice-President, Laolu Akande, said that President Muhammadu Buhari would be represented by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the two-day event. Mr. Osinbajo, a Law Professor, left Abuja early on Sunday and is expected to return on Thursday, Mr. Akande said.. According to the statement, Mr. Osinbajo will join leaders from 78 other countries to address the summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, which will discuss the future of the ACP Group. The discussions will focus on the group as a revitalised cohesive force advocating the interests of member-states in the international arena, the statement said. It also said former President Olusegun Obasanjo was expected to participate in the summit to present a report on the future of the Group as the Leader of its Eminent Persons Group,. According to Mr. Akande, a statement from the secretariat of the organisation states that discussions at the summit will review recent key international developments. The statement listed the developments to include Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, issues of migration, climate change and the fight against terrorism. One of the main objectives of the ACP group is the sustainable development of its member-states and their gradual integration into the global economy. It entails making poverty reduction a matter of priority and establishing a new, fairer and more equitable world order, the statement said.. The ACP is an organisation created by the Georgetown Agreement in 1975. It is composed of 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific states, with all, except Cuba, as signatories to the Cotonou Agreement, also known as the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, which binds them to the European Union. There are 48 countries from Sub-Saharan Africa, 16 from the Caribbean and 15 from the Pacific in the ACP. (NAN) The Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, Bauchi, says it has completed arrangements to host Combat Arms Training scheduled to hold from May 30 to June 4. A statement from Victor Olukoya, the Corps Assistant Director in charge of Public Relations, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi on Sunday, indicates that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, will declare the training open. The training has as its theme, Repositioning the Combat Arms to be Professionally Responsive in meeting the Constitutional roles of the Nigerian Army. The exercise is lined up with series of activities that will involve movement of troops, display of equipment and lectures. This will eventually culminate into firing of live weapons at the Victor Kure Armoured Range in Gaji village along Bauchi to Jos road, it said. The Corps therefore urged members of the public not to panic upon hearing sounds of military equipment or noticing movement of troops during the period in question. (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has formally launched measures being taken by his administration to reduce the current economic hardship being faced by Nigerians. The president on Sunday formally unveiled what he called by far the most ambitious social protection programme in Nigerias history. There is widespread poverty in the land today owing largely to certain policies of the federal government, which, the president said were necessary pills to swallow in order to have a better future. Speaking on Sunday in a national broadcast to mark his one year in office, Mr. Buhari said the social protection programme would seek to start the process of lifting many citizens out of poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunity for many to fend for themselves. In this regard, five hundred billion Naira has been appropriated in the 2016 budget for social intervention programmes in five key areas, he said. He also said his administration was committed to providing job creation opportunities for five hundred thousand teachers and one hundred thousand artisans across the nation. 5.5 million children are to be provided with nutritious meals through our school feeding programme to improve learning outcomes, as well as enrolment and completion rates. The conditional cash transfer scheme will provide financial support for up to one million vulnerable beneficiaries, and complement the enterprise programme which will target up to one million market women; four hundred and sixty thousand artisans; and two hundred thousand agricultural workers, nationwide. Finally, through the education grant scheme, we will encourage students studying sciences, technology, engineering and maths, and lay a foundation for human capital development for the next generation, he said. The Federal Government and ex-militants have resolved to end the ongoing pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region, an official has said. Paul Boroh, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger-Delta Matters and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, said this at the end of a meeting he convened in Benin. Mr. Boro, a retired Brigadier General, told journalists on Saturday night that the pipeline vandalism in the Niger-Delta was reducing the economic fortune of the country and inflicting pains on Nigerians. He urged the agitators to dialogue with the relevant authorities over their grievances and shun destruction of oil installations. He assured that plans were in the pipeline to provide the ex-militants with welfare and a housing scheme in addition to the existing programme and projects. Mr. Boroh stressed the need to find lasting solutions to the current situation in the region. The common factor is security challenges we are facing in our areas, in our region that is affecting the economy of the country. Personally it makes me feel bad that we dont know how to solve our problem. To you my comrades, it is our responsibility to make sure that insecurity in our environment is well sorted out. Please let us do everything we can to make sure that doesnt occur again. Mr. Boroh, who was optimistic about the success of the meeting, said: We have all resolved that we will put our heads and hands and all in all together to prevent the re-occurrence of this type of thing. He assured oil firms in the country that the Federal Government is dedicated to end the problems associated with bombing. Collectively we (Federal Government and ex-militants) have agreed to work as a team to 2prevent re-occurrence. We feel bad that it is happening, it is affecting our economy and it is affecting development and we are very concern about it. Some of the militants who were present affirmed to what the special adviser said and pledged to support the federal government to bring lasting peace to the Niger-Delta, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. (NAN) The renewed attacks on oil and power installations by militants in the Niger-Delta will have no effect on Nigerian governments resolve to engage leaders of the region, President Muhammadu Buhari has said. In a nationwide address marking the Democracy Day his one year in office, Mr. Buhari said his administration will ensure implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programmes recommendation on the clean-up of harmful substance in the delta area. On the Niger Delta, we are committed to implementing the United Nations Environment Programme report and are advancing clean-up operations. I believe the way forward is to take a sustainable approach to address the issues that affect the delta communities. Re-engineering the amnesty programmes is an example of this. The recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil and power installations will not distract us from engaging leaders in the region in addressing Niger Delta problems, Mr. Buhari said. The President said those involved in vandalising installations will be apprehended. If the militants and vandals are testing our resolve, they are much mistaken. We shall apprehend the perpetrators and their sponsors and bring them to justice, Mr. Buhari said. Hostilities have recently returned to the oil-rich Niger-Delta, following a few years hiatus engendered by an amnesty program launched by late President Umar YarAdua and followed up by President Goodluck Jonathan. Since February, attacks on oil and power installations have intensified. This past week, oil and gas facilities belonging to Shell, Chevron, Agip, NNPC and others have been targeted. A separatist militant group, Niger-Delta Avengers, has claimed responsibility for almost all the attacks. Peace overtures made by the federal government were rejected by the group, saying only a complete secession of the south-south would suffice. The Niger Delta stakeholders meeting is an insult to the people of Niger Delta. What we need is a sovereign state not pipeline contracts, the Avengers posted on its Twitter page May 27. Analyst reacts Security analyst, Max Gbanite, welcomed the presidents comments, saying the Avengers must be stopped before its too late. The president is right to let them know they cannot get away with their criminal activities, Mr. Gbanite told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview Sunday. He is right to get them to stop doing so much damage to the nations economy. He, however, said Mr. Buhari needs to do more to equip the military and other security agencies if the country must succeed in combating the militants. The latest threat exposes the capabilities of our military. Previous administrations have not spent the right money to give the military the right equipment they need to carry out their duties. So, its now left for the current president to ensure that he provides sufficient tools for all the agencies that need them. The Nigerian Navy does not have the capacity to navigate the entire region. There are close to 8,000 forcados there and its very difficult to navigate them. Operation Pulo Shield should have mastered the topography of the whole Niger-Deltathe whole creeks, but they have no capacity to do so, Mr. Gbanite said. Mr. Gbanite further stated that the Avengers cannot be compared to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND. MEND had faces. They had a spokesman in the person of Jomo Gbomo who later became Henry Okah, Mr. Gbanite said. The Avengers is a mysterious group that is fighting asymmetrically engaging in guerilla tactics by blowing up pipelines and causing the nation problems. Mr. Gbanite, therefore, urged leaders of the region to do more to condemn the activities of the militants and that the government should start a campaign to enlighten the residents of the need to shun the Avengers and other criminals in the area. The leadership, political and traditional, have all reasons to condemn the activities of the attackers, Mr. Gbanite said. The government should start sensitising the people using the media to condemn the militants and make them understand that it will be in their own best interest. Ijaw youth react In its reaction to the increased militancy in the Niger Delta, the Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, said the solution is for the APC-led government to address resource control agitations. The IYCs stance was contained in a communique signed by its President, Udengs Eradiri, and spokesperson, Eric Omare. The communique was released at the end of a one-day stakeholders conference to mark the end of the month-long activities in honour of a late Niger Delta activist, Jasper Adaka Boro. The IYC said the attempt by the federal government to award surveillance contracts to ex-militants would not prevent the attacks on oil facilities. It said once the issue of resource ownership and control is addressed, communities would naturally protect oil pipeline situated in their communities as critical stakeholders. The group also criticised some of the actions of the Buhari administration, saying they added further sparks to the militants actions. It listed the actions as the alleged cancellation of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State and the investigation of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for corruption. The IYC said since previous presidents before Mr. Jonathan were not probed, the Buhari administration should also not probe its predecessor. The Nigerian Army says its troops prevented militants from blowing up Agip Oil pipeline at Gulobokri, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The troops from 343 Artillery Regiment of 2 Brigade, 82 Division, encountered some armed militants in two speed boats in the early hours on Sunday, the army said in a press statement issued by the acting Director, Army Public Relations, Sani Usman. The statement said the suspected vandals opened fire on the patrol team. The troops responded with overwhelming superior firepower, and as a result the suspected criminals sped off from the area with many of them sustaining gunshot wounds. No casualty on the patrol team. Unfortunately, personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the team sustained gunshot wound. He has since been evacuated and he is in a stable condition. The statement said another troops from the same unit in 82 Division opened fire on another group of militants in three speed boats that tried to attack a critical infrastructure in Perigbene area. Most of the militants, the statement said, were killed, while others sustained injuries. The casualty on militants cannot be ascertained as it was raining heavily and the raging storm could not allow troops to go on pursuit of the escaping criminals, the statement said. A mop up operation has been organised for those militants that escaped with gunshot wounds, as they may be receiving treatment in the neighbouring communities. Troops would continue to intensify patrol in the general area to avert further vandalization or attacks in the area. The Military Pensions Board, MPB, said 10 fake military pensioners were arrested during the recently conducted verification exercise for retirees displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East. The Chairman of the board, Muhammad Dabo, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja. Mr. Dabo, an Air Vice Marshall, said the suspects were arrested at the venue of the exercise held in Yola, Adamawa, recently, with documents of some deceased military pensioners. He said the suspects had been handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution. We got information from various retirees that they were not able to attend the last verification exercise due to the situation as at that time. Some of them relocated to Cameroon and other neighbouring countries like Niger. We have been able to verify those that are genuine among them but we also discovered some are fake. Some of them are children of deceased retirees who came with the documents of dead pensioners and wanted to be enrolled as actual retirees, which is not possible. We also discovered that some of them wanted to use the opportunity to circumvent the process so that they can be enrolled illegally but it was blocked and we arrested about 10 of them, he said. On the gains of the verification conducted in October 2015, Mr. Dabo said it was one of the major achievements of the present administration in the pensions sub-sector. He said the board had been able to update its data bank and had ascertained the exact number of military pensioners who were alive. The chairman said money amounting to several billions of naira had been saved as many dead pensioners, whose names were hitherto on the boards payroll, were dropped. Mr. Dabo said the board had written to the Ministry of Budget and Planning on the development as regards its allocations in the 2016 budget. In the past one year, one of the achievements I can say we are proud of is the successful conduct of the last verification exercise across the country. We have a huge gap between what we used to pay and what we are currently paying now and that has translated into a savings which we have informed the Ministry of Budget and Planning. What we budgeted last year was based on the old figure prior to the verification. However, after the exercise we saw that there was a sharp drop in the number of existing pensioners and that has saved government huge sums of money amounting to billions of naira, Mr. Dabo said. The chairman added that due to the innovations introduced and sustained in the past one year, payment of pensions had been prompt and the complaints made by pensioners had reduced drastically. According to him, one innovation that has eased pension administration is the involvement of an IT payment platform in the payment of benefits to the pensioners. He said pensioners were paid their benefits promptly irrespective of their banks due to the measures adopted under the new payment system. Prior to the introduction of the single treasury account, we already made arrangement with an IT based recognised payment platform known as the E-transact to be involved in the payment of gratuity. That helped in prompt payment irrespective of the banks the pensioners are using they get their payments at the same time. Now with the E-transact, we have been able to ensure prompt payment of benefits to pensioners that is why you no longer here complaints about non-payment, he said. Mr. Dabo added that plans were underway to simplify future exercises as pensioners would in the near future update their status with their banks instead of travelling long distances for the purpose of verification. He said in order to make its processes more transparent and easier, the board had in the last one year completed the digitisation process of the Military Pensions Board archives. According to him, introducing the EDMS, which is the Electronic Document Management System, has made the process of retrieving pensioners files easier as all our pensioners documents are now electronically stored. (NAN) The Plateau State Government has joined other states who have suspended using public fund to sponsor religious pilgrimages for residents. Governor Simon Lalong, who announced this on Sunday, said the suspension was due to the paucity of funds being witnessed by the state and others in the country. It is in these light that my government has taken the hard and painful decision to suspend for now, all government patronage that revolve round fasting, Sallah, Christmas and the sponsorship of holy pilgrimage, Mr. Lalong said in the broadcast to mark his first year in office. The governor, however, hinted that the suspension was temporary, saying We shall review these measures as our financial situation improves. Some other states who have either suspended or cancelled use of public funds for pilgrimages to Makkah for Muslims and Jerusalem for Christians include Niger and Kaduna. Mr. Lalong also reeled out some of the challenges he met upon assuming office, some of which he has resolved. The challenges include an empty treasury with over N222 billion debt, and workers who were owed about eight months salary. Despite the directive by the Ekiti State government that senior workers return to work on Tuesday or face dire consequences, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have asked the workers to ignore the call. They declared that only the unions could call off the strike, warning that all workers must stay away from their offices in compliance with the strike called to get the government to meet their demands. The Joint Heath Sector Unions (JEHESU), had earlier pulled out of the strike, leading the governor, Ayo Fayose, to institute the no work-no pay rule in a bid to weaken labours strike. The Head of Civil Service, Olugbenga Faseluka, had in a memo, ordered senior workers to resume work on Tuesday or be punished. But Labour stated that the senior workers were also part of the struggle and would not be returning to work. The TUC Chairman, Odunayo Adesoye, said on Sunday that all workers must remain at home pending the time the labour leaders would suspend the strike. We have told all civil servants that the strike continues. So, whether you are a junior or senior worker, you are bound to adhere strictly to it, he said of the strike called to protest non payment of workers salaries for several months. Contrary to what the Head of Service said, senior civil servants are members of our unions. Their returning to work depends on the position of the labour unions. Nobody can override us on this. After an emergency meeting of the unions in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, they clarified that the ongoing strike was not an ego trip or politically motivated, but about the rights of workers and pensioners who were dying daily out of hunger and frustration. The position statement, which was signed by the leaders, Mr. Adesoye(TUC), Ade Adesanmi(NLC) and Secretary of JNC, Blessing Oladele, denied that Labour was actively involved in the monthly cash allocation. The meeting is only a briefing and not a cash allocation meeting. So, the idea of labour leaders sharing monthly cash allocation and the governor approving does not arise, the statement said. There has never been any advice or suggestion given to government by the organised labour at this forum that has ever been taken. They also disagreed there was any time they reached an agreement with the government to pay only net salary which would exclude cooperative deductions, bank loans and union dues. According to them, the governor himself had condemned net payment when he came on board and during his election campaigns which he then dismissed as fraud. Labour also expressed surprise at the internally generated revenue (IGR) figures reeled out by the governor . The Accountant General had given figures which ranged between only N150m and N200m, except that of N268m for April, the highest so declared by him, the governor during the media chat gave N267m for Sept. 2015; N252m for Oct. 2015; N195m for Nov. 2015; and N181m for Dec 2015, the statement further read. For Jan, Feb and March, the accruals, according to the governor, were N389m, N381m, and N302m respectively, Labour was embarrassed to hear the monthly IGR read on air by His Excellency. It should be noted that Labour has neither suspended nor call off the ongoing industrial action in the state, hence we are using this medium to implore the entire workers of all categories in all sectors to stay at home and observe the strike action until the leadership of organised Labour gives further directives. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Sunday set up the states Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD) Fund with N500 million. Mr. Ambode spoke at a programme for the physically challenged with the theme: Celebrating Ability in Disability at the Lagos House, to commemorate his first year in office. He said that the aim of the Fund was to ensure level playing field for the physically challenged who were usually presumed not able to live normal lives. This Fund is for the advancement of the course of persons living with disability. I call on individuals, corporate organisations, Non-Governmental Agencies and other stakeholders to support the fund so that they can maximise the abilities in the disabilities of our fellow compatriots, he said. The governor urged residents not to discriminate against them but to embrace them. All they require is care, support and opportunities to live a fulfilled and productive life, he said. He also said that one per cent job vacancies in the states civil service would be reserved for the qualified among them. Mr. Ambode enjoined the PLWD to take part in the ongoing data base exercise to ensure effective planning for them. I urge those who have not registered to do so without further delay The certificate issued will entitle you to some rights and privileges, he said. Earlier, the General Manager, Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA), Babatunde Awelenje, commended the governor for celebrating the day with them, saying it was a practical demonstration of his government of inclusion. (NAN) The Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, has declared that there is no land for a grazing reserve in the state. He argued that the proposal to have grazing lands across the country did not align with the Nigerian constitution. Mr. Mimiko spoke in Akure on Saturday at the Public lecture organised by members of Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, to commemorate the 90th birthday of its leader, Reuben Fasoranti. He said the grazing bill might not see the light of the day as the constitution empowers state governors to allocate land and to revoke same. He said the constitution had not been amended to pave the way for the new thinking. Mr. Mimiko condemned the frequent violence involving herdsmen in different states. The question now is for how long shall we continue to call for peace in the face of the prevailing situation; definitely something has to be done, Mr. Mimiko said. No law has vested power on any person be it commission or whatever name it is called to take land for any use without the approval of the governor. Delivering a lecture titled The Yoruba Welfare Ideology and the Future of the Yoruba Nation, foremost academic, Banji Akintoye, tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to employ peaceful negotiations to find solutions to the challenges confronting the country instead of using military force. He also urged the President to find ways to knit together an alliance for success and prosperity. Mr. Akintoye called on leaders of Yoruba nation to work together peacefully with other nationalities within the country to find ways to restructure the Nigerian federation and find ways to revive economic and social development initiatives in all parts of the country. President Buhari should lead Nigeria to embark on serious and far reaching discussions with leaders, peoples and the militants of the Niger Delta, the hurting peoples of the Middle Belts desperately in need of security, the Igbo citizens demanding Biafra, the Yoruba people intensely asking for national autonomy for the benefit of all Nigerian peoples and the Hausa -Fulani insisting on an over -centralized federation for the defence of their interest, he said. We must find ways to persuade various aggrieved peoples of Nigeria to stop hitting Nigeria, to lay down their arms now and forever, to join hands with the rest of Nigeria to create a harmonious structure for Nigeria, and to turn Nigerias destiny around for the good for all Nigeria. The end objective must be to make all Nigerian peoples happy to belong to harmonious family of equal Nigerian nationalities and to give every Nigerian citizen a confident hope in life more abundant. Mr. Akintoye, who is the Patron of Oodua Foundation in the Diaspora, also called on the Yoruba nation and other nationalities within the country to support President Buharis crusade against corruption. He charged leaders of Yoruba in the south west to work with other Nigerians to find a lasting solution to the menace of the herdsmen. He urged the governors of the region to set up security apparatus which would adequately protect farmlands. 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. JOHANNESBURG and EDMONTON, Alberta, May 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Canada flight AC7007 departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa early today en route to Edmonton, Alberta with 300 South African firefighters on board. It is carrying the largest number of wildland firefighters ever brought into Canada. The Air Canada Boeing 777-200LR is carrying firefighters from South Africa's Working on Fire Program (http://www.workingonfire.org) who will assist in firefighting efforts underway in Northern Alberta. It is also that organization's largest-ever deployment. "Air Canada's employees have once again risen to the challenge to make this mission possible," said Marcel Forget, Senior Vice President, Commercial Strategy, whose responsibilities include the airline's network planning and scheduling. "This is the first time Air Canada has operated into South Africa, which also required rescheduling flights to make one of our largest aircraft available in order to accommodate this request. We are extremely honoured to be able to support the firefighting underway in Northern Alberta, and on behalf of all Air Canada employees, I sincerely thank the men and women of the Working on Fire program for the invaluable contribution they will make on the ground." "We are proud of our South African fire fighters from our Working on Fire programme and we no doubt believe that they will do us proud to provide these essential services to Canada," said Llewellyn Pillay, Managing Director, Working on Fire. "We are immensely proud of the fact that the international firefighting community has recognised the skills and expertise within Working on Fire to provide essential integrated fire management services at an international level. We are grateful also for this partnership between CIFFC and for the contribution of Air Canada in bringing our fire fighters safely to Canada." "On behalf of the Canadian Wildland Fire Community we offer our gratitude and thanks to Air Canada for helping transport the South African Firefighters to Alberta," said Kim Connors, Executive Director, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. "This mobilization represents the largest group of wildland firefighters ever brought into Canada. Air Canada's willingness to make such a large aircraft available is greatly appreciated." Air Canada is operating this flight on behalf of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (http://www.ciffc.ca) in cooperation with the Alberta Government with 17 Air Canada crew members on board. Flight 7007 will make a brief stop in Barbados for refueling and change of crew before arriving in Edmonton Sunday evening, 22 hours after departing South Africa. Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 200 airports on six continents. Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2015 served more than 41 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 64 airports in Canada, 55 in the United States and 87 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,330 airports in 192 countries. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax. For more information, please visit: http://www.aircanada.com, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join Air Canada on Facebook. Note to News and Photo Editors: Photos are now available for download at: http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/media/facts/ac7007.html Media availability for the arrival of flight AC7007, expected at approximately 21:30 MT at Edmonton International Airport, may be arranged by contacting Edmonton Airport Authority, Corporate Communications directly: Heather Hamilton, Director, Public Affairs at Edmonton International Airport Mobile: +1-780-884-2966 Email: hhamilton@flyeia.com Air Canada Contacts: Isabelle Arthur (Montreal), Isabelle.arthur@aircanada.ca, +1-514-422-5788; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), peter.fitzpatrick@aircanada.ca, +1-416-263-5576; Angela Mah (Vancouver), angela.mah@aircanada.ca , +1-604-270-5741; Internet: aircanada.com Image with caption: "Air Canada Flies 300 Firefighters from Johannesburg, South Africa to Assist with Alberta Wild Fire (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160529_C8018_PHOTO_EN_701710.jpg SOURCE Air Canada DUBAI, May 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ArabiaWeather Inc., the leading provider of weather products, services and solutions to consumers and businesses in the Middle East and North Africa, announced joining the Royal Meteorological Society in UK that promotes academic and public engagement in weather and climate science as Corporate Member. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151117/288090LOGO ) With this membership, ArabiaWeather became the first of its kind in the MENA region that joined the Royal Meteorological Society, as it is one of the most advanced companies in weather forecasts and remote sensing systems. Moreover, the ArabiaWeather runs the largest network of automatic weather stations in the region and has offices in Amman, Riyadh and Dubai, staffed with more than 50 region's leading Meteorologists, weather experts, as well as talented R&D specialists. The Royal Meteorological Society in UK, established in 1850, promotes meteorology as a science, profession and interest. In addition, it aims to foster academic and public engagement in weather and climate science. The Society serves those in academia and professional meteorologists and whose work was affected in some way or other by the weather or climate, or simply have a general interest in the weather. The membership includes scientists, practitioners and a broad range of weather enthusiasts. Furthermore, the quarterly journal of the Royal Meteorological Society is one of the world's leading sources of original research in the atmospheric sciences. This announcement comes after a series of successes for ArabiaWeather, which recently joined The Association of Hydro-Meteorological Equipment Industry (HMEI). Based in Amman Jordan, ArabiaWeather automatic weather stations network is the largest in the MENA region, equipped with the most advanced devices and technologies in the world dedicated for meteorology. Providing more than 35 million users across the Middle East with timely, accurate and localized weather information, ArabiaWeather serves also businesses across the region, including sectors that are enormously affected by weather conditions, such as media, airline, oil/gas, agriculture, insurance, and retail, among others. While the company is working to raise awareness about weather and its conditions to increase national production, ArabiaWeather helps other entities to reduce costs, enhance safety and drive operational efficiency in weather sensitive industries by its decision support solutions SOURCE ArabiaWeather Inc. DUBAI, May 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CloudHPT announced that it has been awarded the prestigious "Cisco Master Cloud & Managed Services Partner of the Year Award". Cisco showcased the winners at their UAE Partner Summit which was attended by over 200 partners, delegates including CXOs and senior technical professionals at the Ritz Carlton in Dubai, UAE on 24th May 2016. This award recognizes the company that uses best-in-class practices and serves as a model to the rest of the industry. Areas of consideration include their innovative practices and process, architecture-led approach successes, and strategic business focus that result in customer success. The Master Cloud & Managed Services Partner of the Year Award recognized CloudHPT as the first and only partner to achieve Master Cloud and Managed Services Certification in the UAE, with record performance in Q1 2016. The innovative approach to deliver enterprise grade and low latency cloud services with TX and T4 local DC's, and a strong 24/7 support team sets apart CloudHPT as a leading provider of Cloud and Managed Services. "We are proud of the results we have achieved and we recognize the strategic importance of offering cloud solutions in the UAE" said Adam Wolf, Technical Director, CloudHPT. "It demonstrates our commitment in achieving and maintaining an outstanding reference position in the Cisco Partners Ecosystem. We are working very closely with CISCO in capturing market trends like Cloud, IoT and Big Data while transforming for growth and profitability." About CloudHPT: CloudHPT is Cloud provider based out of multiple datacenters in the GCC. We are the first Certified Cisco Powered Cloud provider in the region for IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) and DraaS (Disaster Recovery as a Service). Our solutions are built on High Performance Technology (hence HPT) and housed in the UAE's best datacenters. We help our partners give their customers a roadmap to the cloud which reduces ongoing IT costs and eliminate future CAPEX expenditure. Typically this approach provides a 50% saving in year one and includes a full migration services and continuing managed service. Typically customers use our in-country cloud for critical workloads to take advantage of the ultra-low latency and in country support and professional services. Find out more about CloudHPT at http://www.cloudhpt.com Contact: Nidhi Savla Group Marketing Manager CloudHPT Mobile: +971-504569833 Email: nidhi@cloudhpt.com SOURCE BIOS Middle East Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. WASHINGTON, May 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan expresses its deep regret for the latest statement issued by the Troika (USA - UK - Norway) on 27th of May 2016, on the situation in South Kurdofan. - The biased and unbalanced statement by the group has just repeated the old positions that don't help bring peace to the people of the two areas, and only send the same negative signals to the rebels to continue their barbaric behavior in attacking innocent civilians without facing any consequences. The Government of the Republic of the Sudan while confirming its commitment to the negotiations and dialogue as the only way for peace settlement in the two areas, expects clearer position from Troika towards the Road Map by applying pressure on rebel movements who refused to sign it, sparing no efforts to impede peace process and dialogue in Sudan. The Troika statement mentioned the Road Map but still there is a lack for strong position and firm commitment towards it. The claims mentioned in Troika's latest statement about the expulsion of the Head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan is completely inaccurate. The acting official was granted his work permission in January 2014 on the basis of transitional period, the Government has renewed his stay permit for extra period ends in June 2016 waiting for a new nomination for the position and still waiting for that. The Government of Sudan while reiterating its keenness to work with the UN agencies in the humanitarian field has the full right to evaluate the performance of UN officials and their level of cooperation. The Humanitarian Aid Commission in Sudan (HAC) has presented in its recent statement a brief assessment for the work period of the UN official that witnessed tension in the relations and lack cooperation. The official concerned was requested to be issued a provisional stay permit in his capacity as ACTING head of OCHA Mission in Sudan. Though the said status remained as is up to date, the Sudanese authorities fully cooperated with him and secured renewals of his tentative stay permit. However, ahead of the upcoming renewal , OCHA was advised of the situation. That step should in no way construed as rejection of the presence of this UN organ in Sudan or the appointment of a new resident head of it. Embassy of Sudan Press and Information Office, phone: +1-202-338-8565, or fax: +1-202-667-2406 SOURCE Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan Related Links http://www.sudanembassy.org TEL AVIV, Israel, May 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, the government of Iraq blocked access to Facebook and Twitter. According to free independent newspaper Aliraqnet (http://aliraqnet.net/archives/28749), the blockade was put in place to prevent citizens from organizing anti-corruption demonstrations. To regain access to a free web, over 100,000 citizens have since turned to Hola, a wildly popular VPN service. Iraqis tweet about using Hola to access social media The Iraqi government claimed that the aim of the blockade was to prevent ISIS from learning where the rallies would be, so they could not be targeted for terrorist attacks. While this may be a valid reason, often restriction of web access for seemingly citizen-centric reasons have led to censorship of the citizens' basic rights. In the hours following the social media blockade, Hola experienced a massive surge in downloads of its app. "Access to information should be a basic human right, and yet governments continue to restrict their citizens' Web access," said Ofer Vilenski, CEO and co-founder of Hola. "Hola's P2P technology lets people help people to remove barriers and makes the web worldwide again." The main reason masses of Iraqis turned to Hola is that unlike other VPN providers, Hola's peer-to-peer (P2P) proxy technology makes the service free for noncommercial use. While most VPN providers rely on expensive servers, Hola's P2P nature does not, so there is no underlying cost of service. This is even more important in countries where the average family income would not allow the common citizen to use a VPN. Hola's users surf the internet anonymously by securely routing through other users' computers when these are not in use. Since its launch in 2013, Hola's service has been used by more than 82 million people worldwide. Earlier in May Facebook users located in Vietnam used Hola to access the social network, which had been blocked by the government to prevent citizens from rallying and demonstrating against it. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160529/373225 SOURCE HOLA Networks SAN DIEGO, Feb 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- PlanetTogether, a global leader in supply chain management software, today announced that GCM Business Consulting and Technology has become their newest partner, with the goal of expanding PlanetTogether services and operations into Latin America. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160218/334818LOGO Headquartered in Mexico with offices in Columbia and Panama, GCM is a business consulting firm providing enterprise supply chain software solutions for some of the most well-known brands in the food, beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical industries in the region. GCM's 25+ years of experience supporting business initiatives focused on optimizing processes in the supply chain through technology and PlanetTogether's proven Advanced Planning & Scheduling Software are a winning combination. Headquartered in San Diego, California, PlanetTogether has clients and partners worldwide -- from its primary market in the United States all the way to China, with a growing customer and support base in Japan, Thailand, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, Australia, Poland, and Germany. A best-of-business solution, PlanetTogether software can be configured to meet specific industry or business needs in nearly any country and any language in the world. This partnership will provide enterprises throughout the Latin American region access to a scalable, flexible SCM system that fits their unique needs. "GCM Business Consulting and Technology is very glad to become part of the PlanetTogether family," said Hector Rivera, Socio Director at GCM. "With this partnership, we can provide world-class, leading solutions throughout Latin America that understand specific industries and that can be flexible to each company's needs." Thanks to GCM's expertise and reach, experiencing the advantages PlanetTogether's remarkable software offers will be easier than ever for potential Latin American Clients including: 98% On-Time Delivery 90% Shop Floor Productivity 50% Faster Lead Times & Inventory Turns 75% Higher Planner Productivity 99% Clearer Visibility "We are excited about this new partnership," said Jim Cerra, PlanetTogether cofounder and CEO. "Not only is GCM geographically located in key growth markets, but the entire management team is dedicated to the success of this relationship. They bring 30 years of industry knowledge to the table and we are thrilled about welcoming their added expertise." About PlanetTogether PlanetTogether makes it easier to manage your orders, capacity and inventory. With PlanetTogether's top-rated planning and scheduling software, multi-plant manufacturers are able to improve on-time delivery, shop floor productivity, inventory turns, planner productivity and visibility by at least 50%. Since its founding in 2004, PlanetTogether has retained its laser focus on solving manufacturing planning and scheduling challenges with its Advanced Planning, Scheduling & Analytics software platform and related support services. For more information, please visit www.planettogether.com. About GCM GCM Business Consulting and Technology is a business consulting company with almost 30 years of experience collaborating for worldwide industries and supporting business initiatives focused on rapid benefits for their business partners. GCM supports operations optimization processes in the supply chain through technology and business solutions that bring competitive advantages to its customers. Headquartered in Mexico, GCM also has offices in Panama and Colombia, and serves all of Latin America. For more information, visit http://www.gcm.com.mx. This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com. SOURCE PlanetTogether Related Links http://www.planettogether.com New York, May 26 : Final preparations were underway on Thursday for the expansion of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) -- an expandable habitat for astronauts crucial for future deep space exploration -- which was installed at the International Space Station (ISS) in April. NASA astronaut Jeff Williams performed leak checks and installed hardware to monitor and support BEAM expansion set to begin at 6.30 p.m. (India time). The expansion could potentially start earlier, NASA said in a statement. Meanwhile, a new trio of ISS crew members is ready in Russia for final qualification exams for a mission set for launch on June 24. Cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin will command the new Soyuz MS-01 spacecraft carrying NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi. NASA Television will broadcast the expansion activities live. Crew entry into BEAM, which has an expanded habitable volume of 565 cubic feet (16 cubic meters), is planned for June 2. Recently, carrying over 3,700 pounds of NASA cargo, science and technology demonstration samples from the ISS, a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. The Dragon spacecraft was taken by ship to Long Beach where some cargo was removed and returned to NASA for processing. On April 17, engineers at NASA Johnson Space Centre in Houston used the ISS's high-tech robotic arm to pluck BEAM from the back of the SpaceX Dragon cargo ship that reached the space station on April 11 and added it onto the orbiting laboratory complex. At the time of installation, the space station was moving over the Southern Pacific Ocean at an altitude of about 350 km from the Earth's surface. It will remain attached to the station for the two-year test period, US space agency NASA had written in a blog. NASA is investigating concepts for habitats that can keep astronauts healthy during space exploration and BEAM will be the first test of such a module attached to the space station. It will allow investigators to gauge how well it performs overall and how it protects against solar radiation, space debris and the temperature extremes of space. Expandable habitats require less payload volume on the rocket than traditional rigid structures and expand after being deployed in space to provide additional room for astronauts to live and work inside. After the testing period is completed, BEAM will be released from the space station to eventually burn up harmlessly in the earth's atmosphere. The 1,400 kg BEAM is a 17.8 million dollar project to test the use of an inflatable space habitat in micro-gravity. A total of six astronauts are already on-board the ISS along with another US commercial cargo ship called Cygnus that has been attached to the station since March 26. Bogota, May 27 : The Colombian government has confirmed that the National Liberation Army (ELN) armed group were holding three journalists, who disappeared in the northeastern region of Catatumbo. "It can be confirmed with certainty that the ELN is responsible for the disappearances of the three (journalists)," Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas said on Thursday. The minister emphasised the case of Spanish journalist Salud Hernandez, a correspondent for Spain's El Mundo daily and columnist for the Colombian daily El Tiempo, who was last seen on Saturday in El Tarra, a city in the Catatumbo region. Her last message to her work colleagues at the latter paper said that she would be "incommunicado for several hours in that region carrying out (her) duties as a reporter," Villegas said. Hernandez's Colombian colleagues Diego D'Pablos and Carlos Melo disappeared on Monday in the same region in Norte de Santander province as they were covering the case of their missing Spanish colleague, who - according to the government - voluntarily met with the ELN to do a story on the militants. The minister emphasized that "the ELN has definitively committed a crime in this case", noting that President Juan Manuel Santos had "warned" the armed group that the agreed-to peace talks with the government will not be able to get under way the rebels "are holding people whose liberty has been curtailed against their will." Army and police commanders, Alberto Mejia and Jorge Nieto, "are once again returning to the zone today to continue operations" to search for the journalists, the minister added. Bogota, May 28 : A Colombian rebel group freed a Spanish journalist in the Catatumbo region after she went missing on May 21. Salud Hernandez-Mora, a correspondent for Spain's El Mundo newspaper, was released Friday in a rural zone of the region, officials told local Caracol Radio. She was transported to the city of Ocana, where she spoke to the media. Hernandez-Mora was reported missing when she travelled to Catatumbo with the intention of doing a story on the country's National Liberation Army (ELN) armed group. In comments Friday to RCN Television, the journalist stated categorically that she was kidnapped. "I would not voluntarily have my family suffering for 10 days," she said, acknowledging that while she might be temporarily out of touch due to technical problems or the demands of a story, she would not willingly spend six days incommunicado. Hernandez-Mora recounted some of the details of her disappearance last Saturday from El Tarra, a town in Catatumbo. "I got on a motorcycle. I have always been reckless. A reporter has to be reckless, but relatively reckless," she said, adding "We changed motorcycles several times looking for the rebels." After the rebels appeared "They told me 'you're going to stay with us a few days' and they took all my things," Hernandez-Mora continued. She said she was in five different locations during the six days she spent with the ELN fighters. Asked about the two Noticias RCN correspondents who were also abducted by the ELN while in Catatumbo to report on her disappearance, Hernandez-Mora said she was unable to see them during her captivity. She added, however, that based on what she heard from the ELN, she expected Diego D'Pablos and Carlos Melo to be released within the next 24 hours. Bogota, May 28 : At least two Colombian journalists, kidnapped by ELN rebels and held for four days have been freed, their employer Noticias RCN said on Saturday. The guerrillas released Diego D'Pablos and Carlos Melo on Friday, just hours after setting free Spanish journalist Salud Hernandez-Mora, who had spent six days as a captive, Efe news reported. The Colombian reporters had travelled to the Catatumbo region, near Colombia's border with Venezuela, to report on Hernandez-Mora's disappearance. "We're in good health; that I can say," D'Pablos said, confirming he and his colleague were released near El Tarra, a town in Catatumbo. They had been kidnapped on Monday, two days after Hernandez-Mora was grabbed by the rebels in the same region. President Juan Manuel Santos said it appeared the Spanish journalist, who disappeared from El Tarra, had travelled to Catatumbo with the intention of doing a story on the ELN. Hernandez-Mora is a correspondent for Spain's El Mundo newspaper, and she also writes for Colombian daily El Tiempo. D'Pablos thanked the Catholic Church, El Tarra Mayor Juan de Dios Toro and "all the people who intervened" to secure their release. D'Pablos said he and Melo were forced to undertake a long march and described the conditions in the Catatumbo rainforest, where the ELN, the bigger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrilla group, members of the Popular Liberation Army and criminal gangs are active, as "harsh". "It's something we'd never experienced. We walked a lot. We exerted ourselves a lot too," D'Pablos said. "We celebrate the release of Diego D'Pablos and Carlos Melo," Santos said late Friday on Twitter, reiterating that the ELN would not be able to hold peace talks with the government (as the FARC have been doing) unless they release "all their captives and definitively renounce this crime against humanity". Islamabad, May 29 : At least five people including two security personnel and three militants were killed in two separate attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Saturday, local media reported. Two security personnel were killed and three others were injured when a bomb went off near a vehicle of security forces in Awaran district of the province, Xinhua news agency cited local media. Three militants were killed and two others were injured in an exchange of firing with security forces in Barkhan district of the province. Panaji, May 29 : Whether Arvind Kejriwal's AAP will bloom or go bust in Goa in the upcoming assembly polls is a question with no fixed answer. But what is certain is that his 35-minute speech has not only raised the rhetoric on the serious issue of drug proliferation and addiction in the state but has also put the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government in a fix of sorts. Less than a week after Kejriwal's indictment of the Congress and the BJP rule for their inability to rein in drug use in Goa, Art and Culture Minister Dayanand Mandrekar has virtually confirmed the extent of the narco menace, claiming there is very little the incumbent government could do about it. Drugs, he says, are easily available in the state capital as well as in educational institutions. "What can be done about it? Drugs are available night and day at the DMC college in Mapusa, where not just youngsters but students are also getting spoilt," said Mandrekar, a legislator from the Siolim assembly constituency that is home to popular beaches like Anjuna, Vagator and Chapora and where rave parties are hosted regularly. When contacted, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said he did not agree with his minister. "I do not agree with his views," Parsekar said. Interestingly, Mandrekar claims no drugs are sold in these raves or beach parties, as he prefers to call them. "Beach parties do not have drug use. Users take drugs elsewhere and then come to a beach party," Mandrekar said. Along the coastal areas, Mandrekar believes that the drug issue is linked to "white" foreigners. "Even if they take drugs here, only white foreign people consume drugs," he said. The extent of Goa's drug trade was indicated in a legislative committee report tabled in the assembly in 2013. The explosive findings were released to the media but the BJP-led state government continues to sit on the report. It alleges that a DGP (director general of police) rank officer is the kingpin of the police-drug mafia nexus and names a former home minister and his son for their links with Israeli drug peddlers. Interestingly, BJP leaders had promised a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the police-politician-drug mafia nexus ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Subsequently, the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar told the Goa assembly that there were "organised gangs which specialise in distribution of drugs in the State". BJP lawmakers like Mandrekar and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo have alleged that drug mafias operate openly in Goa. "The Nigerian and Russian mafia are going unchecked because the police are scared of them. The Nigerians are very organised. If you go into Tito's lane at night, there are Nigerians openly asking tourists if they want 'coca', which is the street name of cocaine," Lobo had said. The Congress said the drug trade was rampant in Goa and had urged that Mandrekar should be questioned for his revelations. "It is strange that such comments admitting that the government cannot do anything about drug trade in Goa come at a time when the Modi government has completed two years at the centre. The Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Goa Police should question Mandrekar now for he seems to know how the trade is being conducted," Goa Congress secretary Durgadas Kamat told IANS. (Mayabhushan Nagvenkar can be contacted at mayabhushan.n@ians.in) Islamabad, May 29 : A Pakistani boy who went missing from his home in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan two years ago was found in India. Tufail Ismail, who was five years old at the time, got separated from his family in June 2014 in Charsadda district, his father Zafar Ali said. The family searched for Ismail everywhere and registered a missing complaint with police the next day, Dawn online on Sunday quoted the boy's father as saying. Nearly two months ago, Ismail's family came to know that he was in Rajasthan when his maternal uncle in Saudi Arabia saw a picture on social media shared by an Indian social worker, his father said. The social worker had shared a contact number with the photo and requested social media users to share the post so the child could be reunited with his family. Islamil's uncle called the given number and was told the missing boy was in the police custody in Rajasthan. Zafar said it had been 45 days since he learned of his child's whereabouts but had been unable to bring his son back to Pakistan. The family was looking to the governments of India and Pakistan to help their son return home to Pakistan. Ismail's parents appealed to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help in recovering their son and reuniting him with the family. New Delhi, May 29 : The government on Sunday said it will help the family of the Congolese national Masonda Ketada Olivier, who was murdered here on May 20, to receive his mortal remains. "In the unfortunate death of Masonda Olivier, the government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains," external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted. Olivier, 29, was beaten to death by three men on May 20 after a quarrel over the hiring of an auto-rickshaw in Vasant Kunj area here turned violent. Two of the accused have been arrested while the third is on the run. Olivier had come to India on a student visa and had recently got himself a job as a teacher. In a separate tweet, Swarup said the government would "also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR (Democratic Republic of) Congo at our expense". London, May 29 : Harry Potter undergoes two magical biological transformations in the popular eight-film series based on the stories and characters created by British author J.K. Rowling. Natural sciences students have now put these 'mysterious' powers to the test to find out whether these are actually scientifically feasible. In "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", Harry passes the second 'Triwizard' task by consuming 'Gillyweed', which allows him to breathe underwater by causing gills to grow on his neck. To check the feasibility of Harry surviving with home-grown gills, University of Leicester students Rowan Reynolds and Chris Ringrose estimated the gills to be approximately 60cm2 in surface area based on their appearance in the film. Taking into account the oxygen content of the 'Black Lake' and the maximum oxygen use of swimming, they then examined Harry's weight, suggesting that if he had a normal BMI and the average height of a 14-year-old boy, he would need to process 443 litres of water at 100 percent efficiency per minute for every minute he was underwater. This would mean the water would have to flow at 2.46 metres per second -- twice the velocity of normal airflow and therefore far faster than he could inhale and exhale, causing him to suffocate, the students said in a paper for the Journal for Interdisciplinary Science Topics. Moreover, Harry is seen swimming with his mouth closed, which is not how gills work -- the students suggest that if Harry were to open his mouth to allow water into his throat and out through the gills, it may be plausible he could breathe underwater. By keeping his mouth shut, however, he would not be able to extract sufficient oxygen for survival, and as a result would lose his title as 'The Boy Who Lived' quite quickly after suffocating, the study concluded. In a separate study, students Leah Ashley, Chris Ringrose and Robbie Roe set out to test the feasibility of Skele-Gro, a potion which repair broken bones. In "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", Harry's tense Quidditch match against Slytherin results in one of his arms being broken by a rogue bludger. After his broken bones are removed, Harry is given a dose of Skele-Gro to grow bones that are missing. The team calculated how the rate of normal bone growth compares to this accelerated growth, and how much energy Skele-Gro would need to provide in order to rebuild Harry's broken arm. The students calculated the time taken for Harry to regrow all the bones in his arm with Skele-Gro as being at least 90 times quicker than is possible in real-world bone regeneration. As Harry's recovery with Skele-Gro takes approximately 24 hours and there is no mention of him eating during recovery, Skele-Gro has the capacity to supply the additional 133,050 kcal worth of energy required by the body to regenerate bones without causing any negative side effects, a power output of 6,443 W. The students concluded that Skele-Gro must therefore contain unexplained magical properties that allow it to hold such a vast amount of energy and be able to apply it in a short period of time. Both the studies reveal that a little magic might indeed be required in both situations to make them scientifically feasible. New Delhi, May 29 : The Congress on Sunday denied it has been obstructionist vis-a-vis the Narendra Modi government, saying its politics reflected the ground realities of India. "This is not the politics of obstructionism but of realism, so that the ground reality could be shown to them (government)," Congress leader Anand Sharma told reporters here. His reaction comes in response to Prime Minister Modi's suggestion that the opposition to his government's policies was reactionary in nature. Speaking at a celebration of his government's two years in office, Modi said on Saturday: "Two things have emerged in the last 15 days. One is 'vikasvad' (development) and the other is 'virodhvad' (obstructionism). What is the reality, people can judge for themselves." Sharma said the way the prime minister spoke, it seemed as if he has fulfilled all the promises he had made while running for office in 2014. "He pretended as if he has met the aspirations of the common man... (but) their claims are wrong and the figures reject it," the Congress leader said. "For the first time in (India's) history, the national investment rate has gone down in relation to the national savings rate," he added. Sharma said the National Democratic Alliance government had "failed on all fronts" and termed the prime minister as "sapno ka saudagar" (merchant of dreams) for not redeeming the promises he made during the Lok Sabha polls in 2014. "He (Modi) had promised two crore jobs every year. So, at least four crore jobs should have been created till date. I throw him an open challenge to prove if he has even created four lakh jobs," he said. There is a gap in what the prime minister says and what he does, the Congress leader said. Sharma, a former union commerce and industry minister, said that during the last two years the rate of investment had gone down. He also charged the Modi government with taking credit for schemes launched by the previous United Progressive Alliance government by changing their names. Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston Panaji, May 29 : Malnutrition and pollution of water resources are a problem which the state government needs to address at the earliest, Goa Governor Mridula Sinha said in her address to the state ahead of Statehood Day. Sinha, appointed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an ambassador for the Swachh Bharat Mission, also said systematic disposal of garbage was an issue which the state government needed to look into. "If we have to ensure health of the people, we have to first ensure that our people are able to get quality food. Malnutrition is still a major problem, which affects the health and progress of our people. "It is also important that the environment in which they live is clean and healthy. We must devote more time and attention to achieve these ends," she said, adding that health and education needs to be tackled on a priority basis. Sinha also called for rapid efforts to protect the state's water resources. "We often come across news about our water bodies being polluted. This should be avoided at all costs. There should be an all-out and continuous effort for conservation of the natural resources, without which life cannot sustain," she said. Sinha also said that the state needs to find a way to resolve its garbage disposal mechanism, hinting that the issue was mounting and not in sync with the Swachh Bharat Mission. "Also we must have, as early as possible, sufficient technological set-up to scientifically treat the increasing amount of garbage. It has been brought to my notice that one of the major problems faced in the garbage management is that people do not segregate it systematically at source," she said. Imphal, May 29 : Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Sunday hit out at the BJP-led central government for "causing instability" in the northeastern state. "Whenever the BJP comes to power at the Centre, there is always instability in Manipur," he said at an election meeting at Kwakeithel Moirang Purel in Imphal West district ahead of the June 2 municipal polls. Though he did not elaborate on his accusation, the Congress leader's reference was to the June 18, 2001 violence during which 18 people were killed and many others injured in protests following the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government extending the ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Issak-Muivah "without territorial limits". Since last year, Manipur has been experiencing agitations demanding the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system. A student was killed and over 500 others injured. On the other hand, nine people were killed in Churachandpur district during rallies protesting against the demand for the ILP. For nearly one month, the state has also been under siege demanding enactment of the three anti-migrant bills passed by the state assembly on August 31, last year. Attacking the Narendra Modi government, Ibobi Singh said: "The UPA government had introduced the Look East policy. The NDA changed it to Act East Policy. People have not seen any change in the past two years. "Whatever projects commissioned in Manipur were started during the UPA. Now rail line is extended up to Tupul in Manipur and it was done during the prime ministership of Manmohan Singh." The first-ever election meeting for the June 2 Imphal municipal corporation polls was held under heavy security arrangements after activists demanded that the political parties should go to New Delhi and meet President Pranab Mukherjee on the ILP issue instead of canvassing for the polls here. Davangere (Karnataka), May 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that more than three crore families have got cooking gas connections in last one year as he launched the Ujjwala Yojana scheme to provide connection to poor families in Karnataka. "Under the scheme, we will provide cooking gas connection without security deposit to five crore (50 million) women from BPL (below poverty line) households across the country in the next three years," Modi said at a massive rally in this Karnataka textile town, 260 km from Bengaluru. "More than three crore families have got gas connections in the last one year of our government," he added. Asserting that the scheme would improve health of women as they won't have to inhale smoke from firewood for cooking food, Modi said studies have shown that these fumes were equivalent to smoke from about 400 burning cigarettes. "Cooking on gas is not only economical and beneficial to women's health, but also helps us to conserve forest wood, which is still used for cooking food in rural areas," Modi, who was apeaking in Hindi, told the gathering of about one lakh people. Expressing gratitude to 1.13 crore consumers across the country for surrendering cooking gas subsidy till date, Modi said there was a dramatic change in the mindset of the people, as evident from the overwhelming response to his appeal for this purpose. "People from even middle class are coming forward to surrender the subsidy given on cooking gas cylinders. Their gesture is helping the government in providing subsidised cooking gas connection to women in poor households," he reiterated. Modi also noted that both the central and state governments will have to work in tandem to tackle the drought situations that have hit a major part of the country. "I have met the chief ministers of the affected states. We are focusing on irrigation and water conservation facilities. Center and states will work together to fight drought situation," he said. Marking two years of the BJP-led NDA government at the 'Vikas Parv' rally, Modi flagged the various schemes launched for the welfare of the people, especially the poor, underprivileged and economically backward. The prime minister also spoke on how his government's populist schemes such as Jan Dhan Yojna, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padao' were benefitting millions of people across the country over the last year. Paris, May 29 : Spaniard Albert Ramos became the first to qualify for the quarter-finals of this year's French Open men's singles after eliminating Canadian Milos Raonic in their fourth round match on Sunday. Ramos, ranked 55th, managed to defeat World No.9 Raonic 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 20 minutes. After the match, 28-year-old Ramos said he cannot even explain how happy he is, and reminded that in past years he could not surpass the first round. Ramos is set to play the quarter-finals against defending champion Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka. This is the second occasion on which Ramos has defeated one of the top 10 professionals -- he defeated Swiss maestro Roger Federer in the Shanghai Open last year. Dhaka, May 29 : China and Bangladesh vowed here on Sunday to further boost exchange and cooperation between the two militaries. The pledge came after China's Defence Minister Chang Wanquan met Bangladesh's Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Hug, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nizamuddin Ahmed and Chief of Air Staff Marshal Abu Esrar here, Xinhua reported. The visiting Chinese defence minister said the cooperation in the sectors of politics, economy and trade, and culture between the two sides have scored great achievements since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975. Cultivated and pushed by the leaders of the two countries, the development of the military ties between China and Bangladesh has maintained good momentum with cooperation in all fields further deepening, Chang said. China is willing to work with the Bangladesh military to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, boost strategic exchange and mutual support, broaden personnel training and cooperation in equipment technology, promote exchanges between the young military officers of the two countries and push forward the comprehensive development of bilateral ties, he said. Calling China a trust-worthy strategic partner, the Bangladeshi military leaders said the two countries have developed high-level political mutual trust and conducted fruitful economic and trade cooperation. The Chinese minister arrived here on Saturday for a visit. Before the meetings, Chang laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Dhaka. Thiruvananthapuram, May 29 : A bitter row is reportedly brewing in the Congress party over the purported decision to nominate former Home Minister and leader of I faction of the party as the Congress parliamentary party leader. Congress legislator from Vattiyoorkkavu K Muraleedharan has reportedly shot off a letter to KPCC president V M Sudheeran expressing his displeasure at the State unit deciding on Chennithala as the Opposition leader even before the Congress parliamentary party meeting scheduled for Sunday. There were reports earlier that the troika of former Chief Minister and UDF chairman Oommen Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala, and V M Sudheeran had at an informal meeting on Friday worked out a consensus on nominating Chennithala as parliamentary party leader of the Congress. The informal meet had also decided to retain Chandy as UDF chairman and nominate former Minister K C Joseph as deputy Opposition leader. Meanwhile, media reports also suggest AICC secretary Deepak Barbaria is also against Chennithalas election as Opposition leader. He reportedly favours electing a new face to the post. Muraleedharans purported letter to Sudheeran comes close on heels of media reports that a section of senior Congress leaders had dispatched missives to the party High Command protesting the Congress State units decision to work out a prior consensus on key posts through the informal meet on Friday even as the parliamentary party was slated to meet on Sunday in the presence of representatives of the AICC. Oommen Chandy was widely tipped to be the Opposition leader with reports that coalition partners favouring him to lead the front in the assembly. KC(M) chairman K M Mani had publicly asserted that Chandy was the ideal person to assume the post of Opposition leader. However, with Chandy expressing unwillingness to accept the post, the names of K Muraleedharan, V D Satheesan, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, besides Chennithalas had cropped up in media circles as prospective candidates for the Opposition leaders post. However, Chennithala was always billed as the front runner given that his I faction enjoys a numerical advantage with 12 of the 22 Congress legislators in the 14th assembly owing allegiance to his faction. Dhaka, May 30 : China and Bangladesh on Sunday agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation during a meeting between visiting Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan and Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid. Bangladesh and China have long been working closely in various fields and the cooperation has yielded fruitful results, Xinhua news agency quoted the Bangladeshi president as saying. Bangladesh has always stood together with China on issues concerning China's core interests and international affairs. The country also firmly supports the China-proposed "Belt and Road" Initiative, said Hamid, adding Bangladesh is willing to have sincere collaboration with China as the two countries jointly promote regional prosperity and development. He expressed hope that the two armies would maintain the current positive momentum of cooperation and enhance cooperation and exchanges in all areas and levels so as to contribute to the development of bilateral ties. For his part, the Chinese defence minister said China and Bangladesh have witnessed healthy and stable development in exchanges and cooperation in various fields since the two countries established diplomatic relations 41 years ago. China is willing to work together with relevant countries, including Bangladesh, to actively promote the "Belt and Road" initiative and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, to bring tangible development benefits to the people of the countries and advance regional peace and stability, said Chang. Friendly cooperation between the two armies has grown steadily and rapidly in recent years, with frequent high-level visits, continuously deepening pragmatic cooperation and fruitful cooperation on personnel training, the minister said. He expressed hope that the two armies would earnestly implement the important consensus reached between leaders of the two countries and strengthen friendly cooperation to provide strong support and guarantee to bilateral relations. During the meeting, Chang also elaborated on China's position and propositions on the South China Sea issue. The Bangladeshi president said his country firmly supports China's position on the South China Sea issue and believes the disputes should be resolved through direct negotiation and consultation by parties concerned. Press Contact: Kendra Neilsen Myles Sisters Media, LLC 240-687-7791 Kendra(at)sistersmedia(dot)com Sisters Media, LLC announces the release of Never Bet Against Occam: Mast Cell Activation Disease and The Modern Epidemics of Chronic Illness and Medical Complexity by Dr. Lawrence B. Afrin. What if there were a disease that could affect every system in the body? A disease that may be at the root of many other common diseases? How can a physician recognize a disease that can present with virtually any symptom, a vast array of physical exam findings, and requires esoteric lab testing for confirmation of diagnosis? In his book, Dr. Afrin takes the reader along on his journey of discovery as he investigates his patients complex medical histories and starts to see startling similarities. Could misbehaving mast cells be the common factor? Afrins informal journalistic writing style gives the reader an intimate glimpse into a physicians mind. How do physicians tackle the most medically complex patients? The patients that have been labeled as unfixable, medical zebras, over diagnosed, chronically ill, or even mentally ill. With over 57 five star reviews in the short time since its release, Never Bet Against Occam is resonating with hundreds of people, and momentum in the medical community has only begun! Nearly half of all Americans suffer from a chronic illness. Almost one-third of the U.S. population is living with multiple chronic illnesses. Nearly 50 million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases. Diagnosis and treatment of multiple chronic illnesses is complicated due to the specialization of doctors and their general lack of awareness of the interrelationships of multiple disease processes and their treatment. During his 25-year career as a hematologist, Dr. Afrin slowly became aware of a subset of chronically ill patients that were not responding to treatment and reported many symptoms that did not fit within the parameters of their diagnoses. Were these patients so "unlucky" to have acquired so many medical problems? Afrin forced himself to step out of the confines of hematology and look at the whole patient. Through detailed patient histories and countless tests, the pieces of the puzzle emerged. Many of the complex patients he saw exhibited signs of aberrant mast cell behavior and were then proven to have Mast Cell Activation Disease. While MCAD certainly isnt the answer to all complex mystery illness, it is turning out to be much more common than mast cell disease was previously thought to be. Mast Cell Activation Disease (MCAD) Mast cells mediate allergic and inflammatory response and play a vital role in our bodys defense against invaders. These cells contain over 200 chemicals, or mediators, that can be released in response to an allergen or to protect us against a parasite or germ. Mast cells may be involved in conditions such as food allergies, allergies to bug bites, celiac disease, Interstitial Cystitis (IC), heritable connective tissue disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and more. In Mast Cell Activation Disease (MCAD), mast cells begin to malfunction. Similarly, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) features inappropriate mast cell activation with little to no increase in the numbers of mast cells, while Mastocytosis features inappropriate mast cell activation and a significant increase in the number of mast cells. MCAS and Mastocytosis fall under the MCAD umbrella; the terms mast cell disease and mast cell disorder are used interchangeably. In MCAS, a patients mast cells become dysfunctional and begin inappropriately releasing some or all of their mediators, even in the absence of normal triggers. Additionally, some MCAS patients mast cells can be triggered by many hard-to-avoid stimuli such as food, medicine, infection, allergens, chemical exposure, heat/cold, or even emotions and stress. The release of these mediators leads to a chronic, multi-system and inflammatory themed disorder that can wax and wane over time. Dr. Afrin discovered that if he treated this aberrant mast cell behavior, many patients improved. Editorial Reviews: A long overdue book competently written by one of the worldwide leading hematologists in the field of systemic mast cell diseases. In addition to the current state of knowledge about systemic mast cell activation disease, the author vividly illustrates a selection of possible clinical phenotypes of this disease by means of patient cases, emphasizing the many pitfalls in diagnosis and therapy. The book is an absolute must for all physicians (the frequency of systemic mast cell activation disease in the population amounts to about 10%) and affected patients. The authors brilliant style of writing makes reading a pleasure. GERHARD J. MOLDERINGS, M.D., Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Molecular Geneticist, Mast Cell Immunologist, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany Dr. Afrins case studies illustrate how a single underlying disease process can explain a multitude of seemingly unrelated symptoms. This discovery has the potential to unlock some of the most perplexing medical mysteries of our time. His treatment protocols have ended years of patient suffering and offer much-needed hope to the chronic illness community. JENNIFER ROBIN KULIK, Founder, Mast Movement About the Author: Dr. Afrin earned a B.S. in computer science from Clemson University in 1984 and then an M.D. at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in 1988, where he also pursued internal medicine residency and hematology/oncology clinical and research fellowships. Since the mid-00s, his clinical work has increasingly focused in hematology, especially mast cell disease. In 2008 Dr. Afrin started coming to understand that a newly recognized type of mast cell disease, now called mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), was the underlying diagnosis in many patients he was seeing who were each suffering large assortments quite different from one patient to the next of chronic multisystem inflammatory illnesses of unclear cause. He joined the University of Minnesota in 2014 to further his interests in this area. He has an extensive record of peer-reviewed publications and has spoken widely in his areas of interest. Never Bet Against Occam: Mast Cell Activation Disease and The Modern Epidemics of Chronic Illness and Medical Complexity is available in both paperback and hardcover print, and digital/eBook via Amazon (http://amzn.to/1sggzKv), Barnes & Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/never-bet-against-occam-lawrence-b-afrin-md/1123579320?ean=9780997319613), and other online retailers, such as iTunes. Upcoming events: Guest on Core Brain Journal Podcast with Dr. Charles Parker May 17th, 2016. The podcast featuring Dr. Afrin will be released in June 2016. http://www.corebrainjournal.com Guest Speaker for Wellapalooza 2016, a 3-day wellness retreat in the Washington, DC/Baltimore, MD area June 10th -12th, 2016. For more information, or to register, go to http://www.wellapalooza.com Webinar via EDS Awareness.com on June 21st, 2016 on Mast Cell Activation Syndrome on June 21, 2016. To read more, or to sign-up, go to http://www.chronicpainpartners.com/webinars/ Additional event details and pertinent announcements can be found on http://www.mastcellresearch.com/ Additional ways to connect: Mast Cell Researchs Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mastcellresearch/ The Never Bet Against Occam book fan page - https://www.facebook.com/Never-Bet-Against-Occam-Mast-Cell-Activation-Disease-976505815732570/ Join the Never Bet Against Occam/Mast Cell Research book club - https://www.facebook.com/Never-Bet-Against-Occam-Mast-Cell-Activation-Disease-976505815732570/ Follow @MastCellHelp for the last information on Dr. Afrins widely popular book, and links to additional publications on mast cell research and Mast Cell Activation Disorders. Questions and press inquiries can be sent to - info(at)mastcellresearch(dot)com. Sisters Media, LLC is a media company focused on the publishing of digital and print materials in the fields of health, medical and wellness, including non-fiction books, anthologies, and magazines, as well as on photography and design projects. http://www.sistersmedia.com Ken Almstead speaking at the EAB treatment and demonstration event at Liberty State Park. Also seen in photo are Trent Dicks (R), Mid Atlantic Technical Manager of Arborjet; Lisa Simms, Executive Dire All our native North American ash trees have little natural resistance to Emerald Ash Borer. This means that we need to inoculate ash trees to protect them from EAB, Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Company partnered with Arborjet to donate treatment for forty-one ash trees at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, against Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive tree pest that is currently threatening ash trees in our region. The event and demonstration took place on May 19, 2016 at the Grove of Remembrance Living Memorial area, which is dedicated to New Jerseys victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Arborjet provided the treatments at no cost, while Almstead donated the labor and expertise to inject the trees. All our native North American ash trees have little natural resistance to Emerald Ash Borer. This means that we need to inoculate ash trees to protect them from EAB, said Ken Almstead, CEO of Almstead, who was one of the speakers at the event. In addition to providing treatment options, weve also been trying to educate our customers and the public about EAB by sharing current, relevant and accurate information through mailing pieces, blog posts, and email blasts. Emerald Ash Borer (Latin name Agrilus planipennis) is a small metallic-green insect that only attacks ash trees. Scientists believe that it came to U.S. in solid wood packing crates from Asia in 2002. It was first seen in New York in the spring of 2009 and in New Jersey in the spring of 2014. EAB has already cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators, and the forest-product industry hundreds of millions of dollars. Protecting ash trees from this deadly beetle requires a combination of quarantines, that regulatory agencies are already enforcing, and insecticide treatment, such as the one performed by Almstead and Arborjet at Liberty State Park. Other speakers at the event included: Trent Dicks, Mid Atlantic Technical Manager of Arborjet; Lisa Simms, Executive Director of the New Jersey Tree Foundation; John Sacco and Carrie Sargeant from the New Jersey State Forest Service; and Jonathan Luk, Deputy Superintendent of Liberty State Park. Cost, tree size, health, location and value are all factors that need to be looked at when deciding to treat a tree against EAB, said Almstead. There are also intangible qualities to consider, such as beauty, sentimental value, increasing property value, and contributing to quality of life. Almstead provides treatment for EAB and other tree and plant insects and diseases, as well as complete tree, shrub and lawn services for residential and commercial customers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014. About Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Company Family owned and operated, Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Company has been serving homeowners, businesses and communities in the tri-state area since 1964. It offers a full range of tree, shrub and lawn services including organic care options. Headquartered in New Rochelle, N.Y., Almstead has branch offices in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. For more information, call 800-427-1900 or visit us online at almstead.com. Press Contact: Thomas Itty, Marketing Director, Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Co., New Rochelle, NY 10801 (914) 576-0193 x238 thomasitty(at)almstead.com Please write to marketing(at)almstead.com to request photographs in high resolution. RE/MAX Northern Illinois recently presented its Entrepreneurial Excellence Award to (from lfeft) Jim Nelson, Jr., Bob Baker and Jim Nelson, Sr. Three men who built the most successful RE/MAX franchise in Illinois and one of the largest in the United States were recently honored by the RE/MAX Northern Illinois network with a special Entrepreneurial Excellence Award at the 39th Annual RE/MAX Awards Ceremony. Bob Baker and Jim Nelson, Sr., founded RE/MAX Suburban in 1977, and over the next 38 years built an outstanding organization consisting of seven offices and more than 200 brokers. Along the way they were joined in the management of the business by Nelsons son, Jim Nelson, Jr. RE/MAX Suburban now has offices in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Glen Ellyn, Libertyville, Mt. Prospect, Schaumburg and Wheaton. In the most recent national ranking of residential real estate brokerages by REAL Trends magazine, which was based on 2015 closed transactions, RE/MAX Suburban ranked 16th among all RE/MAX franchises and 173rd among all brokerages nationally. For many years, RE/MAX Suburban has been the largest RE/MAX franchise in Illinois, and over that time, its top executives continued to make major contributions to the success of the RE/MAX Northern Illinois region and the broader real estate industry. RE/MAX Suburban has also played a vital role in the support RE/MAX provides to Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago (formerly Childrens Memorial). For more than 20 years, RE/MAX Suburban consistently has been the leading fund raiser in the RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, making contributions totaling more than $400,000. Last year, the three men concluded it was time to pass the organization on to new leadership and agreed to sell the company to Chad and Sarah Gilbert, a young, energetic couple with impressive business credentials. The award presented to Baker and the two Nelsons is a testament to the enduring legacy of success that they built over nearly four decades, not only for RE/MAX Suburban, but for the RE/MAX brand in the Chicago metropolitan area. RE/MAX agents consistently rank among the most productive in the industry. In 2015, RE/MAX Northern Illinois agents averaged 18 transaction sides. RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989 and is continually growing. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of more than 2,250 sales associates and 106 independently owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of residential and commercial brokerage services. Its mobile real estate app, available for download at http://www.illinoisproperty.com, provides comprehensive information about residential and commercial property for sale in the region. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX, a global real estate organization with 104,000+ sales associates in 90+ nations. #### EDITORS NOTE: RE/MAX is a registered trademark. Please spell in all caps. Thank you. This release is posted at blog.illinoisproperty.com. The property management company, All County Boulder Property Management ranked number one in the Mercury 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies Flight V list with a 328% revenue growth between 2013-2015. A ceremony took place at Lionsgate Center in Lafayette, Colorado to honor all of the companies that made the list. Business owner Simon Heart accepted the first place award on behalf of All County Boulder Property Management. "We have been focused on building a great team and providing top quality service for our property owners," Heart said. "Our team is honored to be recognized as a leader among so many other successful companies in Boulder County." The Mercury 100 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the Boulder Valley is compiled by BizWest, a multimedia publishing company that provides comprehensive reporting of business news in the Boulder Valley and Northern Colorado. Researchers at BizWest used surveys, reports by economic-development agencies, news accounts and other sources to generate the list. About All County Boulder Property Management All County Boulder Property Management is an independently owned and operated company and one of 45 All County franchise locations in the United States. All County Boulder offers unparalleled rental property management services inBoulder, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Niwot, Superior, and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Boulder County. For more information about All County Boulder Property Management, visit http://AllCountyBoulder.com/ About BizWest BizWest Media LLC provides comprehensive coverage of business news, industry data and the economy through print and online publications, including BizWest, covering the Boulder Valley and Northern Colorado, and the Wyoming Business Report. Industries covered include aerospace, agribusiness, banking, clean tech, energy, green business, health care, high technology, hospitality, real estate and telecommunications. BizWest Media also publishes a variety of special publications, including directories of medical, technology, construction, nonprofit and other industries. Learn more by visiting http://www.BCBR.com/. BizWest Media recently launched Boulderopolis.com, providing news, operational, lifestyle and data content for the startup community in Boulder and Broomfield counties in Colorado. CHICAGO (AP) Medical marijuana advocates are applauding Gov. Bruce Rauner's about-face on expanding Illinois' pilot program in length and qualifying conditions, saying it will allow time to show the program is worthwhile and will help more patients including many veterans who are suffering. Democratic state Rep. Lou Lang announced late Friday that he, the Republican governor and the GOP's House leader agreed to extend Illinois' four-year pilot program until July 2020. It had been set to end by 2018, but supporters argued more time was needed because medical cannabis sales only started in November 2015 after years of trying to get the project off the ground. The agreement, which must be and is likely to be approved by the Legislature, also adds post-traumatic stress syndrome and terminal illnesses with a diagnosis of six months or less to the list of 39 other qualifying diseases and conditions for which patients may use medical cannabis. Rauner has previously rejected recommendations from Illinois' Medical Cannabis Advisory Board to add conditions, including PTSD. He also had opposed extending the program. "I'm thrilled," said Dr. Leslie Mendoza Temple, a family medicine physician in Glenview who serves as chairwoman of the advisory board. "We were all concerned that this whole thing was going to go away." Anne Berg, a pharmacist and the agent in charge at Professional Dispensaries of Illinois, a suburban Chicago cannabis dispensary, said they hear from many people, particularly veterans suffering from PTSD, who are looking for an alternative to other drugs that either have been ineffective or caused unwanted side effects. "I think it's really going to help," Berg said Saturday. "We're going to help some people for whom everything else has failed. People who are looking for another, safe option." Rauner's office confirmed the details of the new agreement Friday, but declined to comment further. As of the end of April, Illinois had 36 dispensaries and 6,200 patients who qualified to purchase and use medical cannabis, according to the program's director. State officials say the shops have sold $8.5 million worth of medical marijuana products since sales began Nov. 9. Medical marijuana is legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia, and recreational pot is legal in four states, but the drug itself remains illegal under federal law. Lang's legislation also would change the steps patients must take to receive the drug. The physicians would still have to certify they have a bona fide doctor/patient relationship and that the patient has a qualifying condition, but the physician no longer would have to recommend medical cannabis. Patients and their caregivers would have to get cards from the state verifying they meet requirements every three years, rather than every year, and they would be required to be fingerprinted only once, rather than annually. The Illinois House could take up the legislation as early as Sunday, when lawmakers return to Springfield for the final days of the legislative session that ends Tuesday. The bill still must also be approved by the Senate before being sent to Rauner for his signature. ___ This story has been corrected to show the pilot program is for four years, not five. MOLINE -- New Rock Island High School graduates spent part of their Memorial Day weekend Saturday recalling their favorite school-time memories and planning what they hope will be fond future ones. "You have made a difference through your years in school," Rock Island-Milan School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Oberhaus said when accepting the approximate 490-member graduating class of 2016 during Rocky's 143rd annual commencement in the air-conditioned comfort of the iWireless Center. "Your unique talents, dreams, and aspirations have left memories and legacies," Dr. Oberhaus said. "As you move into the next leg in the journey of life, discover your passion and pursue it with all your heart," Dr. Oberhaus said. "Aspire to achieve that dream. As Walt Disney said, all our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them." "However life must move on, and I take comfort in being confident all of you will flourish," high school principal Tim Wernentin said. School board president Linda Dothard shared similar sentiments. "Today, the message we want to leave you with all of you is to never give up on your dreams," she said. "Continue to make your own dreams come true, all in the name of being a dream-maker and not a dream-chaser." Ms. Dothard also pointed out this year's graduating class earned more than $2.5 million in college scholarships, some of which are renewable. "Finally we have reached the point in which 720 days of work -- since we all had perfect attendance -- is repaid with one piece of paper that serves as our pass into the next phase of our lives," said student speaker Elizabeth Moore. "This is one pass that isn't written in our planners, but I hope it takes us just as far as we've been known to stretch our hallway passes." Fellow student speaker Betty Hall reminded classmates that the class motto has been "Go Big or Go Home." "We definitely went big, but now the time has come for us to continue on our journey and create a new home," Ms. Hall said. "The best part of this transition is the chance we have to start over and become the people we've always wanted to be," Ms. Moore said. "But no matter how far apart we grow, the class of 2016 will always have something in common -- our hometown, our school, and the lessons we've learned from each other and our parents." Graduate Teanna Steward said Saturday felt so unreal -- "just like a big old dream." "It's the biggest accomplishment I've had up to this time," Amari Walker said. "I hope I've left a legacy of being willing to listen and follow instructions." He was especially grateful to his single mother, Ayana Walker, "who never stopped pushing me." Thi Dang was happy that graduation was held during Memorial Day weekend to allow more time to celebrate it and reminisce with family and friends. Sara Stockdale wore many of her memories, decorating her mortar board with photos of different school events and groups in which she participated, including orchestra and cross country. Mary Ann Jones, grandmother of Tiana Jones, brought balloons and flowers to help celebrate the first member of her family to graduate. And British Calvin, mother of graduate Alsha Rachal, couldn't resist remembering when her only daughter started school, and all the steps between that first day, and the steps that took her across the stage to get her diploma. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) A congressional field hearing in the coming week on a proposal to create a national monument in northern Maine underscores how partisan lines have been drawn as Republican lawmakers try to rein in the expansion of public lands by Democratic President Barack Obama. Republican Gov. Paul LePage will deliver opening remarks Wednesday, and he'll be followed by four others who oppose a proposal to donate 87,500 acres of land owned by the co-founder of Burt's Bees to the federal government. Two slots for supporters have gone unclaimed, meaning there will be no formal support. Rep. Rob Bishop, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, is holding the hearing in East Millinocket at the request of Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin, who opposes the monument proposal. David Farmer, spokesman for foundation that brought forward the proposal, called it "a sham hearing." "They've stacked the deck here," Farmer said. "It's a political show. It's more about Bruce Poliquin's re-election and Paul LePage's ego instead of good public policy." Obama has utilized his power under the 1906 Antiquities Act to create 23 national monuments that have protected 265 million acres of land and water. And Bishop has been waging war over the issue, accusing the president of being overzealous in his efforts and of failing to get public input. "The proposed monument designation in Maine's Katahdin region would be another abuse of the Antiquities Act, exercised unilaterally with complete disregard for local residents, businesses and elected officials," Bishop, R-Utah, said in a statement. In Maine, the 87,500 acres east of Baxter State Park is owned by a foundation created by multimillionaire Roxanne Quimby, conservationist and co-founder of the Burt's Bees line of personal care products. Her proposal calls for donating the land valued at $60 million and providing a $40 million privately funded endowment for operations and maintenance. Because of congressional opposition, the only way her goal can be achieved is if the land is declared a national monument by Obama. National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis called the land and endowment "unprecedented" and has deemed the land worthy of protection. But critics fear the national monument designation could stymie industrial development or lead to the taking of land by eminent domain. Poliquin, who represents Maine's 2nd Congressional District, and fellow Republican, Sen. Susan Collins, oppose the proposal. Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree supports it. And independent Sen. Angus King is undecided after backing away from his past opposition. Poliquin brushed aside criticism that the East Millinocket forum is political. "I have encouraged all sides of this discussion to be heard and have invited key proponents and opponents to join," he said. Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Iowas state motto is powerful and succinct. This motto has seemingly been Iowas guiding star since our founding. Iowa eliminated a ban on interracial marriage in 1851. Iowa granted its Black citizens the right to vote years before the federal government. Iowa fought for liberty during the Civil War, sending more troops per capita than any other state to end the scourge of slavery, and played a role in the Underground Railroad. Iowa was among the earliest signers of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. Iowa became the first state to desegregate our schools, was one of the earliest states to recognize marriage equality and until recently was ranked among the most accessible states for voting access. HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. -- Earlier this month I went on a a week-long business trip through Mississippi and Louisiana, but avoided staying in motels. Instead I lodged in strangers spare bedrooms that I found on the internet site Airbnb.com. Airbnb is an example of the sharing economy and it just drives politicians nuts, because it is difficult for them to tax and regulate. And some politicians live just to do those two things. Especially, Illinois politicians. For example, the Chicago City Council is considering regulations that would limit Airbnb rentals, require registration and licensing and impose a tax. Oh please, give me a break. This burgeoning activity doesnt need to be stifled with more regulations and taxes. After all, the best regulator of economic activity is the marketplace itself. If an Airbnb landlord is a jerk or provides a not so tidy place to stay, folks will stop staying with that person because of the bad customer reviews that will inevitably be posted. The same goes for bad tenants. No landlord wants to lease to someone who leaves a mess or is loud and disruptive. The sharing economy is not a new concept, but the internet has put it into hyper-drive. Back in the 1950s -- before the creation of interstate highways -- my grandparents took their first vacation from their home in Bushnell, Ill., to Colorado. The pair, being frugal survivors of the Great Depression, watched for room for rent signposts in folks front yards along the U.S. 34. Grandpa would stop and bargain with the homeowners for the cost of staying in a room that night. Today, homeowners dont have to post signs in their front yards to attract renters. Sites like Airbnb allow them to reach an international audience. In my case I needed to travel to Holly Springs, Miss., to do research for a book Im writing on a long-ago murder case. So I looked on Airbnb for lodging available in the area. I ended up renting a tiny cabin on a lake in a remote wood. The next two nights I spent in strangers spare bedrooms in Jackson, Miss., and New Orleans. I determined each was a good place to stay by reading the reviews left by previous guests. I put a whole lot more credence in these reviews than I would in any government regulation. After all, Ive stayed in plenty of questionable motels over the years that somehow passed government inspection. I remember a government-inspected Chicago-area hotel where the carpet turned the soles of my feet black just walking from the shower to the bed. But just as taxi drivers feel threatened by Uber -- another business in the sharing economy -- so too do motel owners by Airbnb. Electronic applications like Uber and Airbnb empower ordinary people to use the resources they have such as an extra bedroom or a car to provide services to the public and earn an extra income. I encountered a number of people like this as I made my way across the South. For example, I stayed in a spare bedroom in Jackson, Miss., where two cats periodically would visit my room. Im an animal lover and enjoyed the nocturnal visits -- and was fully informed of their presence when booking online. And later in the week I stayed in an extra bedroom of a home owned by a journalist and her husband, who was completing his PhD in economics. We had had a hardy conversation comparing our views of supply-side vs. Keynesian economics. We didnt see eye-to-eye. But one thing we both agreed on is that the sharing economy is here to stay. He was getting extra income for his family by leasing an extra room, and I was getting a safe, clean place to stay in an interesting neighborhood. Thats how the free-market works, goods and services are shared for the benefit of everyone. And thats why its time for politicians to just butt out.m. Rated 4.2 out of 5 by 142 reviewers. Rated 5 out of 5 by Volynr Wow This is a really nice set. Every piece fits nice and looks good. I want another color to mix 10-18-16 Rated 5 out of 5 by Karol 10 Great pieces for packing I purchased this for my sister. My sister travels a lot for her jod and is alway complaining about finding outfits that travel well. Needless to say she loves this outfit. The fit is outstanding and it goes from the board room to the after work cocktail party. I wish you had more sizes and colors. 10-07-16 Rated 5 out of 5 by Dorry Perfect LBD The material is perfect, non wrinkle. The dress and jacket fit perfect. I'm sorry I waited so long or I would have ordered another color. The slacks are way, way too long, but, that's the only drawback and I can give them to Goodwill. The sleeveless top fit perfect as well. I cannot wait to wear them. I love that they are mix & match too. I love Renee's dresses/skirts. She's the best. 09-26-16 Rated 2 out of 5 by smediag No sized correctly I'm 5'2" and I ordered size 2X according to the size chart. The items were way too long and way too big. The pants were at least 5 inches too long. When I went to order a smaller size it was all sold out. 09-12-16 Rated 5 out of 5 by Patte48 Love it!!! I received this Saturday. I bought it black and my regular size 1X. Absolutely a perfect fit and makes me look 2sizes smaller. I will be buying more ATTITUDES by Renee. Thanks Renee. 09-05-16 Rated 5 out of 5 by crestmontrose Great value! This was my first purchase of Attitudes by Renee but definitely won't be my last! I bought this 4-piece set at a discounted price with free shipping making the value even greater. The pieces are so useful individually and as a set. I thought I would wear the black dress the least. As it turns out, it was the first thing I wore-- to a funeral in 90 degree heat. I was cool, and comfortable, And got compliments on the outfit, which dressed up nicely with a little jewelry. It packed for my out of town trip like a dream--no wrinkles! Looking forward to wearing the rest of the set! 08-24-16 Rated 5 out of 5 by Joaniemarie Wow I am a middle aged tall woman 5'10 with long legs and losing weight and was not sure about this purchase since some ladies were saying the sizing was off. I usually take a 1x So just in case, I got the gray in 2x and the black in 1x. The 1x fits with room to spare and the gray is large but ok fitting. I am thrilled with this 4 Piece Jersey Knit Wardrobe Set!!! You would be nuts not to get these!! I start a new job and these are amazing outfits to mix and match with all my other clothes. I put a strand of pearls with the gray just for fun and WOWZO who is that lady going to church!!?? The pants are amazing since being tall everything I buy is always short so these fit perfect and the material is soft and flowing. I took the tags off and wear the top backwards for a boat neck affect and it is perfect for me to overcome the 2x tank top of the shirt and the dress. I can't say enough about this purchase and will go back for more when they are on sale again. I got them for $34 a set. Just purchased a bunch of Halston scarves so I am good to go!!! NO IRONING EITHER!! 08-17-16 Rated 5 out of 5 by moed best fitting set I have ever purchased in 69 years This is a functional well fitting classic set that can be woren anywhere.Can be dressed down for casual and dressed up for a special event Well made and perfect fit !! I am giving this set a 5 star rating do not be afraid to take the leap and buy this set you will use it over and over again 08-09-16 G'day! It's Murray here. I've put together a little quiz to test your musical knowledge. Think you can score top marks in Murray's Magic Music Quiz? Give it a go now! Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Property details: Marriott's Fairway Villas at Seaview Here is your chance to own a Deeded Property (Never Expires) at a fraction of the developer price! This ownership is for a Two Bedroom Suite with Two Bathrooms (Sleeps 6) for FLOATING PLATINUM WEEKS 15 - 44 (allows you to travel for any one of the aforementioned weeks based on the ability to reserve; Fri/Sat/Sun Check In/Out) at the Marriott's Fairway Villas at Seaview, an Interval International Premier Resort located in Galloway, New Jersey!!! All fees are c... Price: $ 11 Seller State of Residence: Florida Property Address: 500 East Fairway Lane Type: Attractions Number of Bedrooms: 2 Number of Bathrooms: 2 Location: 082**, Absecon, New Jersey You will be redirected to eBay Nearby 2 SHARE CHICAGO (AP) A San Francisco Board of Supervisors member says the city has had preliminary discussions with George Lucas' representatives about building his museum on an island in San Francisco Bay, instead of in Chicago. A plan to build the Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts along Chicago's Lake Michigan waterfront is on hold due to a parks group's lawsuit. Lucas' wife, Mellody Hobson, recently said that the lawsuit has prompted a search outside the city for a place to build the museum. San Francisco supervisor Aaron Peskin says the city has spoken with Lucas representatives about Treasure Island, which is a landfill turned into a now-decommissioned naval base that's under redevelopment. Lucas chose Chicago in 2014 over sites in San Francisco and Los Angeles. FILE - In this May 25, 2016 file photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waves toward the crowd after speaking at a rally at the Anaheim Convention Center, in Anaheim, Calif. Two California cities are gearing up for visits by Trump and the possibility of protests, following similar events around the country that led to violence and several arrests. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee is speaking Friday, May 27, 2016, in Fresno and San Diego ahead of California's June 7 primary election. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) SHARE By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer NEW YORK (AP) During the height of the primary season, a sense of Donald Trump overload in the media united a divided electorate. Now, as things pivot toward a general election campaign almost certain to match Trump against Hillary Clinton, television news producers will be watched to see whether traditional notions of fairness and equal time will take hold in a political season that has been anything but traditional. The expected Republican nominee so dominated campaign coverage that by late March a Pew Research Center survey found that 75 percent of Americans said the media had given him too much attention. "Donald Trump does make news and he does drive ratings," said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. "He's invariably interesting, in the same way that watching the Indy 500 is interesting. You're never exactly sure what's going to happen, but there's always the possibility of a crash." Evening news programs on ABC, CBS and NBC spent more than twice as much time on the Republican primary campaign as on the Democrats this year through the end of April, according to the Tyndall Report, which follows the content of those broadcasts. Trump tallied 425 minutes of coverage, and Clinton had 117. During a four-week period in March and April, the conservative watchdog Media Research Center found that CNN spent 730 minutes on the Republican race and 214 on the Democrats. Trump had 331 minutes of coverage and Clinton had 110, the MRC said. CNN has drawn particular attention because its ratings have risen faster than its rivals and, unlike Fox News Channel and MSNBC, both parties are more likely to work with the network. Some CNN employees have expressed concern, through internal channels, about Trump's airtime. Yet it fits the playbook of CNN chief executive Jeff Zucker, who believes in lavishing attention on big stories, be they missing planes or politics. Zucker, who declined an interview request, has vigorously defended CNN's coverage and said neither the network nor Trump should be punished for his accessibility. Now that the primaries are ending, "the sort of free-for-all season is over," said Frank Sesno, a journalism professor at George Washington University and former CNN Washington bureau chief. "All news organizations have an obligation to get serious and sober about how they are going to cover this, about the equity with which they cover it," Sesno said. These discussions are already taking place informally and each day's coverage is planned with fairness in mind, said one television news producer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity. The producer predicted the party nominees would get equal time or close to it. "You're going to see more coverage than you can handle of both of them," the producer said. History shows how coverage changes with a campaign's focus. During the first four months of 2008, the novel candidacy of Democrat Barack Obama received 243 minutes of coverage on the broadcast evening newscasts compared with Republican John McCain's 138 minutes, Tyndall said. Between Labor Day and Election Day, McCain had 212 minutes of coverage and Obama 185, Tyndall said. During the last three presidential elections featuring no incumbent (2008, 2000 and 1988), the eventual loser had more coverage time, although it was virtually even in 2000 like the election itself. That's probably because the underdog takes more chances toward the end, said news consultant Andrew Tyndall. Trump's accessibility and media consciousness he recently called the CNN newsroom to point out an interview done on Fox News is a complicating factor. "The problem for the networks is you have one candidate who is far more wary of the media than she ought to be and you have another candidate who is far more eager to be in the media than the media ought to allow," Jamieson said. Sesno said Clinton needs to "rip off the Bubble Wrap and engage" the media far more than she's probably comfortable with. News organizations need to be careful with the extent to which they let Trump drive the agenda, he said. "The rule book has been shredded," he said. "I'm concerned that the echo chamber of horse race, personality and charges and countercharges will eclipse the serious conversation about candidates and policies that we should be having." This past week provided fresh evidence that there's a lot more to coverage decisions than counting minutes. Newsrooms were faced with a decision when Trump attempted to tie Clinton to 1990s-era controversies the Whitewater real estate investigation and the suicide of a White House aide where the Clintons were investigated and no wrongdoing found. "The way Trump works is to lay a lot of things out there on the assumption that he's not going to be held accountable for them, but you'll tally them up to a distrust of Hillary Clinton," Jamieson said. Journalists need to weigh a responsibility not to publish misleading information and play into Trump's strategy, with an obligation to report on the activities of the Republican candidate for president and report on examples of how he thinks, she said. In this photo taken May 19, 2016, Kenneth P. Chrzastek poses for a photo at his home in Chicago. Taking Social Security benefits early comes with a price, yet more than 4 in 10 Americans who are 50 and over say they'll dip into the program before reaching full retirement age. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released Thursday, May 26, 2016, found that 44 percent report Social Security will be their biggest source of income during their retirement years. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) SHARE By ADAM ALLINGTON, For The Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) Taking Social Security benefits early comes with a price, yet more than 4 in 10 Americans who are 50 and over say they'll dip into the program before reaching full retirement age. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released Thursday found that 44 percent report Social Security will be their biggest source of income during their retirement years. Full benefits begin at 65 or 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954. Americans can begin collecting as early as age 62, but with benefits reduced by up to 30 percent, according to the Social Security Administration. "One thing we know for certain is that claiming early can have long-term repercussions on your fiscal security as you age," said Gary Koenig, vice president of Financial security at the AARP Public Policy Institute. Koenig said benefits increase significantly for those who wait, rising around 8 percent more for each additional year past age 66 and up to 70, when benefits max out. "So we encourage people to delay as long as possible," he said. But waiting is a luxury many Americans don't have. Ken Chrzastek of Chicago began drawing Social Security benefits at age 62 and pulled $50,000 out of an IRA after losing a retail job two years ago. He has been unable to find even part-time work. "Hiring a 62-year-old is a liability for a company," he said. The poll found that Americans 50 and over have multiple sources of income for retirement but that Social Security is the most common by far. Eighty-six percent say they have or will have Social Security income. More than half had a retirement account such as a 401(k), 403(b), or an IRA. Slightly less had other savings. About 43 percent had a traditional pension. The average age at which people expect to start or have started collecting Social Security benefits is 64. Just 9 percent said they would wait until after they turned 70. While the retirement age has been rising in recent years, particularly for women, the average American still retires relatively early, at age 64 for men and age 62 for women, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Charles Jeszeck, director of education, workforce and income security for the Government Accountability Office, said there is no one right answer to when people should take Social Security, especially since increases in life expectancy are not spread out evenly between the rich and poor, or between ethnic groups. Included in any discussion about Social Security are lingering questions about its solvency. The Social Security trust fund has been running a surplus every year since 1984. Those surpluses are forecast to stop sometime around 2020, as more boomers start claiming benefits. The Social Security Administration says interest income from the fund should be able to bridge this gap until 2034. At that point, without changes, payments could shrink but not disappear. Gary Burtless, a Brookings Institution economist, said that people taking benefits early or late should have no impact on the trust fund. "It costs the government roughly the same amount," he said. Among the presidential candidates, both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have called for an expansion of Social Security. Donald Trump said during a debate in March, "It's my absolute intention to leave Social Security the way it is." Many Americans worry that they won't have enough to live on once they stop working, the poll said. Among those with incomes under $50,000, 58 percent say they feel more anxious than secure about the amount of savings they have for retirement. People with higher incomes appear less anxious, but still 40 percent of those with incomes of $100,000 or more worry whether their savings will be sufficient. Alison Cowen, 57, said she doesn't see any path for her to retire_ever. "Not unless a miracle happens," she laughed sarcastically. "I just don't have enough to live on for the rest of my life." The poll said a quarter of workers over 50 say they never plan to retire, a sentiment more common among lower-income workers. Cowen, a saleswoman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, said she didn't save that much when she was younger, and a messy divorce 10 years ago meant she had to start over. "I've got $20,000 in the bank, but I would need to figure out a way increase that substantially before I could ever think of retiring," she said. ___ The AP-NORC Center survey was conducted March 8-27 by NORC at the University of Chicago, with funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. It involved online and telephone interviews with 1,075 people aged 50 and older nationwide, most of whom are members of NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak panel. Results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. ___ EDITOR'S NOTE Adam Allington is studying aging and workforce issues as part of a 10-month fellowship at The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which joins NORC's independent research and AP journalism. The fellowship is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. ___ News survey specialist Emily Swanson contributed to this report from Washington. ___ Online: http://www.apnorc.org/ SHARE James Lee Jones Date of birth: Oct. 5, 1974 Vitals: 5 feet 11 inches; 190 pounds; black hair, brown eyes Charge: Grand theft Sean Thomas Brunet Date of birth: Jan. 15, 1991 Vitals: 5 feet 8 inches; 135 pounds; brown hair, hazel eyes Charge: Possessing a controlled substance Michael Lopez Jr. Date of birth: Jan. 25, 1983 Vitals: 5 feet 8 inches; 165 pounds; brown hair, brown eyes Charge: Burglary David Preston Vaughn Date of birth: Dec. 13, 1973 Vitals: 6 feet 3 inches; 240 pounds; blond hair, blue eyes Charge: Revocation of PRCS probation By Staff Reports Shasta's Most Wanted, featured in the Record Searchlight in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, targets people who have failed to show up in court for sentencing after being convicted. As of Friday a total of 614 arrests have been made through the Most Wanted program since it began in September 2013. Authorities say they have seen an increase in criminals failing to appear in court since the onset of Assembly Bill 109. Also known as prison realignment, the state program shifted certain state prison inmates to county supervision. Redding Police Chief Robert Paoletti said court appearances have been going up since the rollout. Five new people are added each week. Those caught will be held until at least their next court appearances. Shasta County Secret Witness is offering a reward of up to $250 for information leading to an arrest. Tips can be provided anonymously at 530-243-2319 or at www.scsecretwitness.com/home/submit-a-tip. Anyone with information also can call SHASCOM at 245-6540. The feature appears Sundays in the Record Searchlight's Northern California section and on Redding.com. SHARE LaMalfa Cheadle candidate for First Congressional District Jim Reed Joe Montes By Amber Sandhu of the Redding Record Searchlight In light of mass shootings across the nation, mental health illness has come to the forefront as being a driving force behind some acts of violence, and as a result, Congress is pushing for a bill that addresses mental illness and services. One response has been the Mental Health Crisis Act, H.R. 2646, by Rep. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania. Murphy, who is also a psychologist with 40 years of experience, drafted the bill, which passed the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health in November 2015. "Mental illness doesn't know any political party," Murphy said. "Although it's a public health crisis issue, mass shootings get the headline." The bill seeks to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage for mentally ill patients by allowing easy billing for providers, more coverage for inpatient psychiatric services, and better plans when patients with a mental illness are discharged from hospital services. But there is a part of the bill that may violate medical privacy of the mentally ill patient. The act allows a licensed mental health professional and an educational agency or institution to share medical history and substance use treatment records of the patient to an "identified responsible caregiver," if it's believed that disclosure is necessary to protect health, welfare and safety of one or more individuals. Murphy argues that the "pendulum has strung so far" that to not let family members engage in the treatment process would only be a disservice to the patient. Prognosis improves dramatically when the family engages, he said. Murphy also believes that more needs to be done on how society responds to mental illness. If a person is acting strange in public, Murphy said it's usually police officers who respond to the scene. And more often than not, they respond with deadly force. But outcomes could change if paramedics were called to the scene as well, he said. Murphy agreed that homicides by mentally ill patients are issues that need attention, but focus should be put toward early treatment of mental illness. "Mental illness is not a causal factor for acts of violence," he said. Patrick Jones, former Redding city councilman and manager of Jones' Fort on Cypress Avenue, said that his store sells gun safes so people are able to lock away their firearms away from children. But it's harder to keep the firearms locked away from adults, even if they have a mental illness, Jones said. "The fact of the matter is, when someone is bent on doing something really criminal, they can do it," he said. He said when people come into his store to buy a gun, they go through a federal background check that asks whether the purchaser has "ever been adjudicated mentally defective." "At the point of sale in California, any person with mental illness is denied sale," he said. "We think that is a reasonable thing." But Jones said laws can also have "unintended consequences." He talked about a customer he's known for close to seven years, who was taken in for a psychiatric evaluation by the Anderson Police Department. Despite being cleared of any mental issue, the man lost his gun rights, and now needs an attorney to help him fight the case, Jones said. In such cases, there should be a better response, he said. He believes blame should be placed on irresponsible gun owners, who don't lock away their guns or seek help for loved ones with a mental illness. He added that gun laws are quite restrictive in California already, and legislatively, another "gun law won't fix the problem." Here are responses to the mental health legislation from 1st Congressional District candidates: REP. DOUG LAMALFA (R) LaMalfa said the core issue of mass shootings has more to do with access to mental health services, not guns. It's why LaMalfa wants to expand on broadband in Shasta County, to provide people with access to telepsychiatry, which would help connect people via the internet to mental health professionals, he said. When it comes to mass shootings, LaMalfa said going after gun control to address mental health issues is like putting a bandage on the underlying cause. He agrees there is a "mental health problem" in the nation and the North State, and emphasized the need to look at symptoms early on rather than later "when things spin more out of control." "We're finding that if they're getting counseling for deeper psychiatric problems, we're preventing a lot," he said. "If we're talking mental health, gun control is not going to solve that," But he believes Murphy's bill is a step in the right direction. "That could give urgency to it and give light on the issue without calling it a gun-bill," he said. GREGORY CHEADLE (R) "It's important that mental health services are funded properly," Cheadle said. "It's an answer, but it's not the answer." He mentioned that mental illness must be treated like any other illness, and with the growing number of people who are afflicted, providing services for the mentally ill is a better solution than incarcerating them. His concern is how the money will be utilized at a district level. For the North State, he said there is a need for more therapists, clinicians and facilities to house people who need rehabilitation. He said however there's no "magic wand" he can wave to stop gun violence and the breakdown of the family structure and influence of rap music are leading causes of gun violence. "We're just experiencing a breakdown in morality in our society," he said. "There is nothing that government can do that's going to stop these people from doing wicked things." JEFF GERLACH (no party preference) Gerlach said he doesn't believe in restricting gun control based on mental health. "That's a dangerous slippery slope," he said. He said drug use and homelessness are big issues in the North State, and having no mental health facility to house people for rehabilitation, only lands them in jail, and doesn't get to the root of the problem. He said if elected, he would allocate funds to the district to address mental illness, and that money would need to go where there is a need for service, not just where the Legislature thinks it's a "good idea." "If we're getting funding for mental health, we need it," he said. He said when he thinks about gun control, he thinks about population density. In places such as Oakland or Los Angeles, where population is higher, having a gun is riskier. "No matter where you fire gun, there's going to be damage," he said. But he doesn't believe that's the case in North State, where guns are used for protection against wildlife, he said. He acknowledges that more money needs to be spent on mental health, but not at the expense of gun control, he said. JOE MONTES (R) Montes believes that in order to address mental illness in the area, there needs to be rapid housing available. "There needs to be more care for folks on the street," he said. "There are a number of them suffering from mental health or substance abuse of some sort, he said. He speaks of his own housing project located in Chico, Stairways Project, which is geared toward a housing first model, he said. Currently he has 22 people in transitional housing, and 40 people in permanent housing. The staff helps secure housing and benefits. They provide support such as transportation, counseling, drug and alcohol treatment and job skills. "The need for rapid housing is critical," he said. "That despair or lack of hope in the human heart can make people act out in certain ways," he said. JIM REED (D) Reed agrees that there is a serious mental health problem in the nation, but it's coming to the forefront because of gun violence. "That gives an incentive for people to do something," he said. He said what's needed most is an early start. "If you get early intervention on something that's a mental health issue, it's more beneficial," Reed said. "The programs are insufficient, in my mind, but it's not as bad as the Southern states that don't deal with the issue." GARY OXLEY (R) Oxley didn't return a phone call for comment by Saturday evening. SHARE By Damon Arthur of the Redding Record Searchlight Getting rid of striped bass would not solve the problem of predator fish feeding on young Sacramento River salmon trying to get out to the ocean, according to University of California, Davis researchers. The proposal to eliminate striped has persisted for years, but it won't work, said Peter Moyle, a professor emeritus at UC Davis. He said there are better ways to ensure young chinook salmon with one run teetering on the brink of extinction make it out to the ocean. Get rid of striped bass and another predator will move in and take its place, Moyle said. "It's the law of unexpected consequences," Moyle said in a phone interview. Moyle and four other Davis researchers posted a story titled "Understanding predation impacts on Delta native fishes" this week on the California WaterBlog. The blog looks at the effects of predation on salmon and other fish, such as the Delta smelt and longfin smelt living in the Delta and tributary rivers such as the Sacramento. Moyle said in an interview they wrote the blog because the proposal to eradicate the striped bass continues to persist. There are bills in Congress this year that would target non-native predator fish, including striped bass. In 2012 the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommended tripling the catch limit and reducing the size limit for the bass, but the state Fish and Game Commission rejected the plan. While the striped bass is not native to the Delta or the Sacramento River, they have lived alongside salmon for the past 150 years, enough time for them to adapt to living together, the blog says. The bass live in the ocean, but migrate up rivers to spawn. They once spawned as far north as Red Bluff. But with the removal of the Red Bluff Diversion Dam on the Sacramento River, anglers and others say the stripers have moved north of Red Bluff and are feeding on young salmon in the upper stretches of the river. Rather than blame the bass for the decline of salmon in California, the report offers several other proposals to increase salmon survival, including habitat improvement and changing the way salmon are raised and released from hatcheries. John McManus, executive director of the Golden Gate Salmon Association, said the biggest problem for little salmon migrating to the ocean is the lack of safe places for the fish to live in. Before people built dams, roads, bridges, canals, pumping plants and channelized the river, there were many smaller side streams, pools and areas shaded by trees and shrubs where little fish could dart into and hide from predators. He likened it to a cottontail rabbit hopping into a thicket of bushes to get away from a fox. But many of the river's safe places have been removed, he said. "We have so altered the system that those hiding places are no longer there," he said. Instead, conditions in the river are now more favorable to predators than the prey, he said. Moyle and other Davis researchers also recommend giving fish routes around areas of the river that are "hot spots" for predators. Increasing flows in the Sacramento River and sending water and young salmon through the Yolo Bypass near Sacramento would help the fish get around areas in the river where there are higher numbers of predators, according to the blog. The report also suggests changing fish hatchery release practices so fingerling salmon aren't dumped in large numbers, which attracts predators. Releases should be timed with heavy rain that turns water muddy, providing cover for young fish, the report says. Hatchery fish are raised in concrete troughs and fed "food pellets raining down from above. This does not give the fish much chance to learn how to avoid predators," the report says. "It is scarcely surprising that predators take advantage of these naive and fat-laden prey, gorging themselves," the blog says. Brett Galyean, acting project leader at Coleman National Fish Hatchery near Anderson, said some fish hatcheries have self-feeders that help fish remain wary of predators. They aren't used at Coleman, though. The hatchery annually releases about 12 million fingerling fall-run chinook salmon. This year the hatchery experimented with releasing fish earlier in the year when Battle Creek and the Sacramento River was running higher and the water was muddier from rain. Galyean said they also try to time April releases with storms, but if no storms are in the forecast, the fish have to be released because they get too large and they can't be held indefinitely. Over the past couple decades federal and state officials have been working to meet the goals of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act to double the number of salmon in the Sacramento River. But the act also requires fisheries agencies to double the number of striped bass. That may be changing, though. The same congressional bill that targets removal of striped bass in some California streams also proposes removing salmon from the list of fish whose numbers need to be doubled. Greg Barnette/Redding Searchlight Geese fly into a pond last month in McArthur. Various services, especially mental health care, can be hard to access in the sprawling and rural 3rd District of eastern Shasta County. SHARE Mary Rickert Janet Chandler Pam Giacomini By Nathan Solis of the Redding Record Searchlight County services, especially mental health care, can be hard to reach in the rural 3rd District, which stretches across the vast Intermountain region in the east. That has become a key issue among the candidates to represent that area. While the county and city of Redding weigh the value of a proposed crisis stabilization center, the lack of services appears in the form of desperation in eastern Shasta County. Just ask Leslie Payne, in Fall River Mills. Payne knows her 14-year-old autistic son loves her despite his emotional outbursts. Ideally, the mother of two would like a counselor to visit with her son in her home. But last year, Payne called the Shasta County Sheriff's Office as one of her son's outbursts grew violent. When deputies arrived, she asked if there was anything that could be done about her son, who stands 6-foot-2 and towers over his mother. Payne says deputies told her he had not committed any crimes, so they could not take him away. "Mental help for (him) was just not a possibility then. (Deputies) told me we would have to get help somewhere else," Payne said. The teen's crisis escalated and he grew more remote. Outbursts became severe and Payne worried there were no solutions in her neighborhood. Raising a hand The joint Fall River-Burney School District contracts Hill Country Health and Wellness Center for counseling services with students. A counselor visits with students at least two to three times a week and sessions can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. The counseling program is paid through the Shasta County Special Education Local Plan Area and individual sessions are paid through Medi-Cal. The school district has had the contract for several years with Hill Country, where a handful of counselors serve the Fall River-Burney area. A typical case load for a counselor is 20 to 25 students. Andy Isola, licensed marriage and family therapist, is part of the program and drives to several schools throughout the week. His case load ranges from children in kindergarten to high school. A quarter of those students also see therapists, Isola said. Superintendent Greg Hawkins said the program gives students an opportunity to meet with professionals. "Because of our remoteness and to get a professional here, it's a challenge. But now they come to us," Hawkins said. There are a total of 11 schools in the district, with about 1,180 students. Parents have to agree to the program and some prefer their children not speak to a therapist. Among children who do participate, some might require follow up with other professionals. Tele-psychiatry is when a patient and doctor video conference from remote locations. Isola said this is becoming more common because of time constraints and strained resources. These video sessions can take place at Mayers Memorial Hospital or at other facilities in Burney. Professionals will try to establish an understanding of what is going on in a patient's life and, for children, understand the relationship with their parents. Maybe that session will end with a prescription for medication. Services are not completely absent from eastern Shasta County, but they are limited. Lynn Dorroh, CEO of Hill Country, said county officials respond to the needs of service providers, but there just are not enough. Dorroh said services like supportive housing and educational health programs would make a big difference in the area. Hill Country offers programs like behavioral health, dental and general medical care. "There are more people who are homeless or couch surfing. For people who have a commitment to get better, housing is a piece of that. It's rather complicated when that is lacking," Dorroh said. "Under-representation is more of a problem than one might think it is." That phrase, under-representation, has been used often during the candidate debates for the District 3 supervisor's seat. Burney resident and candidate Janet Chandler asserts maybe the issue simply comes with the remoteness of the area. "Health services in the Intermountain Area are limited. But anyone who chooses to live here knows that and accepts these limits as part of the trade-offs of living in a rural area," Chandler said. She cautions supportive or low-income housing could negatively impact the rural communities. "Our best hope is to keep emphasizing to the state and federal governments that the needs and circumstances of people in the rural areas are different from those in the city, but that medical services are just as important." A proposed supportive housing project in Burney is currently reviewing qualified developers. The eight-unit project would provide independent living services for people with mental health issues, on the verge of homelessness or in need of supervision. County officials said they learned of the demand for this type of housing when Burney residents brought it up at a public scoping meeting for another project, which is being developed in Redding. The Woodlands project in Redding will provide similar services. Housing is an important part of serving people, said Dorroh, and can be the first step to providing them room to heal or become mentally competent. Dorroh and other agencies in eastern Shasta County said it's their job to provide services, but also to hold the county accountable when those services are needed. Dorroh said the county has been responsive in the past. "We feel that it is our responsibility to raise our hand and ask, 'What about eastern Shasta County?'" When budgeting falls short in the county, services seem to taper off in the east. For six years, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office Burney substation was closed to the public because of budget cuts. The station reopened in 2015 after funding was secured from the county through the Hatchet Ridge Benefit Fund. Sheriff Tom Bosenko said crime has remained relatively the same in the area that stretches from the county line past McArthur, to the border with Siskiyou County at Highway 89, and includes the communities of Big Bend, Round Mountain, Montgomery Creek, Burney, Fall River Mills and Glenburn. Bosenko said lack of financial resources prevents staff from providing 24-hour coverage for the area, which has been an issue since the 1990s. Pam Giacomini, the incumbent supervisor running for re-election, credits the board's actions in January 2014, when the Sheriff's Office was awarded the Hatchet Ridge Benefit Fund of $100,000 per fiscal year. A $400,000 portion of the grant, often referred to as "the windmill money" by county officials, also went to the Burney Library Capital Campaign, which is aiming to build a new library. Write-in supervisor candidate Cathy Cresser, an Oak Run resident, said public safety does not require more money, but rather a community approach. "We, the people, are relying on an overburdened system and really need to bring the responsibility back home," said Cresser, who would like to see law enforcement as a last resource and place more of an emphasis on a neighborhood watch group. Meanwhile, the Burney Court House closed its doors in 2014 after several months of tapering services and a diminishing court calendar. Court Executive Officer Melissa Fowler-Bradley said costs to staff and operate the service did not make sense, when court dates revolved around diminishing traffic violation hearings. Fowler-Bradley said lack of court dates could have been tied to the closing of the Burney substation. She doesn't think the courthouse will reopen any time soon. Giacomini said she is working to find additional county funding for 24-hour service for the Sheriff's Office in Burney, but crime problems are not limited to eastern Shasta County. "Building an infrastructure and new systematic approaches are helping to change how we handle the onslaught of AB 109 and Prop 47 offenders we are seeing," Giacomini said. Mercy When the crisis with Payne's son had boiled over, she said she couldn't find adequate services in Fall River Mills or at Mayers Memorial Hospital, where the teen was held at times for evaluation. At home, he was different, expressing suicidal thoughts. Payne drove him to Redding and they arrived at the Mercy Medical Center emergency room. "I thought, 'Great, we've made it. We can get help in the city,'" Payne said. Her son was placed on a 72-hour hold as county officials and hospital staff went searching for a care facility for him. The mother and son waited for three days in a hospital room. A county official appeared to tell them there were no facilities available, so the hold was renewed. The teen and his mother spent three more weeks in the hospital room as the county and hospital searched for a facility. Mental health bed space is limited in Shasta County, but also limited across the country. Shasta County is not in a unique position, said Health and Human Services Branch Director Dean True. Determining how many beds are available at one time for residents of Shasta County is impossible. There is only one psychiatric health facility in Shasta County, RestPadd. Health and Human Services contracts with several facilities in the region for bed space or other services. These facilities extend from Shasta County to Vallejo, and one facility, Vista Pacifica, in Riverside County. A vast majority of small counties don't have psychiatric facilities, which forces counties to rely on out-of-county facilities across the region, True said. While Payne's son waited in a hospital room, Payne was calling facilities herself and reaching out to the Bay Area and even Southern California for treatment options. True, who can't speak to the specifics of Payne's son's case, said typically facilities will have a limit as to how far a patient can be sent. The Bay Area is a comfortable distance for patients of Shasta County, he said. Any farther and transportation and distance become a factor, True said. As Payne reached out to facilities herself, she was told her son's autism didn't qualify as a severe mental health disorder, but his violent outbursts would keep him out of a typical facility for someone with autism. many factors The Rev. Bill Myers arrived in Fall River Mills 14 years ago, when the Glenburn Community Church was seeking a new pastor. The goal was to have someone who could establish roots in the community, so Myers underwent a lengthy vetting process. Myers now provides pastoral counseling to members of his congregation, as well as the community. He provides grief and bereavement sessions. On his roster of about 54 people, fewer than half found him through church services, while the rest have been sent through hospice care or local schools. The population of Fall River Mills was 573 in 2010. Other locals in the area say the number probably reaches close to 700 in the summer. In 2010, Burney's population was 3,123. Isolation and economic disparity play a large part in mental health crisis in eastern Shasta County, Myers said. "People find themselves dealing with the haves and have-nots. Comparing what a neighbor might have, someone who moved to the neighborhood just to retire that gets noticed," Myers said. Drug abuse, like methamphetamine, is a scourge on the community, as well. Compounded with mental health issues, someone who wants to get help will probably not see a professional for months. The crisis will fester, as individuals turn to self-medicating or do nothing. Louis Ward, CEO of Mayers Memorial Hospital, said the hospital has seen an increase in mental health holds in recent years. "The issue is when you release someone (and) they don't have anywhere to go in the area," Ward said. When Payne drove her son to Mercy Medical Center, she assumed there would be more services available, a facility that would take her son on that day. Mercy Medical Center did not respond to questions from the Record Searchlight regarding Payne's summary of events. Eventually, Payne's son landed at Challenges for Youth, a group home in Anderson, where he could stabilize, Payne said. She calls it a godsend. "It's so frustrating. My son is a sweet, funny, extremely smart young man. He doesn't want to do these things," Payne said. In the east Mary Rickert, a candidate for District 3 supervisor, emphasizes mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities in eastern Shasta County. "Shasta County is in need of a more seamless system of care, also known as a continuum of care. With prevention and early intervention for those that might need services, we could in theory save the taxpayers money in the long term," Rickert said. The hope is that after someone is released from a facility, an available caseworker will follow up, Rickert said. Hill Country Health and Wellness Center has been selected as the lead agency to mold programming at a pre-crisis center to be built in Redding. The county and city of Redding have also recommended building a crisis stabilization center in Redding, as part of a list of recommendations in the Blueprint for Public Safety. County mental health officials emphasize the distinction between the two concepts. A crisis center is a 23-hour facility, which would provide an environment for an individual to become balanced. For instance, maybe a person's medications have been mixed up or they need to have further evaluation. Either way, the outpatient facility would alleviate crowded emergency rooms and help law enforcement in the city of Redding or in the unincorporated county. A pre-crisis center will provide access to a physician after normal business hours. The center would also provide peer counseling services, group therapy and other resources that are still being decided. Hill Country has been selected by the county as the lead agency that will shape services at the pre-crisis center. Along with mental health and child protection services, the center also will serve as a component of Laura's Law, which allows a court-mandated service for mental health rehabilitation for when a person refuses help. For Payne, her ideal world is to have someone who could meet with her son at home or in school to help provide context for his emotions and outbursts. "He needs someone that specializes in autism. Dragging him to Redding every time for service, it's much too much stimuli and (my son is) out of his comfort zone. I have no illusions that the next few years will not be bump-free," she said. Myers said when a person is having a crisis and then reminded of a long car ride to get to therapy, the individual might associate the car ride with displeasure. "Eventually, the prospect of getting help includes a three-hour round trip and that in itself becomes a crisis," Myers said. I'm going to hand off the space this week to Patrick W. Carr, who will be giving these remarks at the Memorial Day luncheon at the Civic Auditorium. I've had to edit for space. The full text is on Redding.com. According to the May 2016 edition of VFW Magazine, in the 241 years since Robert Monroe was killed by the British at Lexington in April 1775, and Staff Sgt. Matthew McClintock was killed in action in Afghanistan in January of this year, approximately 1.2 million Americans have lost their lives in some 83 wars in our nation's history. For each of us, Memorial Day is more than a celebratory event. My own experience with this day dates back to my boyhood in Redding, and to my father's memorable words and actions on this day. My brothers and sisters always looked forward to a holiday during the school year, and Memorial Day was no exception. With visions of running off to play in the neighboring canyons around Benton Airport, those visions were soberly altered on Memorial Day when Dad would pull out the hoes and rakes from the garage, and inform us that we first had a duty to honor our dead relatives down at old St. Joseph's Cemetery by the railroad tracks. We'd pile into the station wagon with our tools and ride down to the old cemetery, a stark array of dry grass and dirt-stained monuments to pioneer families of the parish. It was usually a hot day, and the cemetery was wanting for a reliable water system. The hardpan clay provided a challenge for weeding and raking around our ancestors' gravestones and monuments. There we were, with Dad directing our halfhearted landscaping efforts. When we'd reached a point that met to his satisfaction, we would kneel with him on the concrete walkway in front of the family plot and pray silently for the long-departed inhabitants of that hallowed ground. In our youthful distraction, however, we'd missed something about our father that only later did we come to appreciate. In the family plot there were two gravestones with empty graves. One stone was embossed with the words "PAUL B. CARR 1915-1945, BURIED IN FLORENCE, ITALY." A second stone was embossed with the words "KENNETH J. CARR 1921-1945, LOST AT SEA." These gravestones commemorated the lives of Dad's two youngest brothers, killed a week apart in the waning months of WWII. Paul, a second lieutenant in the 10th Mountain Infantry, was killed in action at Cereglio, Italy. His selfless heroics in battle earned him, posthumously, the Silver Star. Kenneth, "the baby of the family," was a Navy pilot whose Corsair fighter plane crashed in rough seas during carrier training maneuvers off the California coast. Neither Kenneth's body nor the plane were ever found. At the time of their deaths, Dad was a radar officer aboard the U.S.S. Rooks, a destroyer engaged in shore bombardment in the Battle of Okinawa. Twice in one week, Dad was called in to be told that his two little brothers had both perished. Four of the Francis Carr family sons, my mom's two brothers, and Kennedy family cousins served in the military in WWII two would not return home. Letters home from Dad after his brothers were killed revealed his deep, abiding faith in God, which helped him endure and accept these tragedies. Before St. Joseph's Church on Court Street burned down in 1964, a "Gold Star" shield commemorating the 10 parish boys who were casualties of the war occupied an honored place on the wall. Uncles Paul and Kenneth were among those named. As a kid, I thought the shield was pretty cool, but I couldn't appreciate the pain that their losses, and those of the others on that shield had inflicted on the parish community. When we grew up, my older brother Tom, my brother-in-law Bill Morrison, my cousin Steve Kennedy and I served in the Army in Vietnam. My brother Kenneth and my sister Theresa also served in the '70s and '80s in Europe. While Dad never spoke much about our service, I'm certain it affirmed his belief that duty and service to one's country is a noble task, and it afforded him pride in the family's commitment to service. Dad passed away in late 1991 and is buried in the family plot next to the gravestones of his younger brothers. As I get older, I sometimes find myself a bit maudlin at the thought my father's ordeal during and after the war. I think of some of the guys I knew during my own stint in the military at least one of who didn't come back alive from Vietnam. So Memorial Day is very personal to me. It is truly an opportunity for each of us to step back, take a deep breath, and reflect on the sacrifices that have been paid by "those who never came back," as well as those who did come back but suffered permanent scars that diminished their abilities to function, physically and emotionally. So, it is to them that we should raise our glasses and paraphrase the biblical commendation "Well done, our good and faithful servants." SHARE Once upon a time, California city officials used two tools to shape how their communities evolved setting property tax rates and controlling land use. The former vanished when voters passed Proposition 13 in 1978, not only cutting property taxes by more than half, but sharply limiting future tax bites. In response, city officials relied more on land use to keep their municipal engines running aggressively seeking profitable development, such as sales tax-generating retail complexes, and using, or misusing, "redevelopment" to subsidize favored developers. A few years ago, Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature repealed redevelopment, saying it was being distorted and had become a vehicle for siphoning property taxes from school districts about $2 billion a year that the state had to make up. Meanwhile, cities' landuse powers have steadily eroded as the state increasingly tells local governments what they can, cannot and must do. Some of that override has been on environmental grounds based on the assumption that local officials have been too cozy with development interests, to the detriment of environmental quality. The California Environmental Quality Act, signed by Ronald Reagan, was an early example, requiring cities and other governmental entities to assess and mitigate adverse impacts. A few years later, during Brown's first governorship, the Coastal Act came into being, giving a commission appointed by the governor and legislators the ultimate authority over land uses in the "coastal zone." A similar body holds sway over land uses in the Lake Tahoe Basin and another oversees the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Other state agencies, such as regional and statewide water boards, wield indirect power over land uses. Meanwhile, the governor's Office of Planning and Research has morphed into a writer of rules under recent state laws seeking to reduce carbon emissions by compelling local governments to favor "transit-friendly," high-density housing and disfavor low-density housing whose residents drive cars. California's chronic and worsening housing shortage will fuel what shapes up as a new clash over state land-use powers. While state law has long attempted to set housing construction quotas in local land-use planning, cities often ignore them because housing is not particularly profitable for them, often generating more new costs for services than it generates in new revenue. Moreover, housing projects are often opposed by cities' existing residents and voters who see them bringing more traffic congestion and perhaps more crime. This month, Brown proposed that "in-fill" housing projects meeting certain criteria, including density, closeness to transit and serving low- and moderate-income families, be exempted from local control. The Legislature's budget analyst says the need is highest in coastal areas, and the exemption should be widened to include more kinds of housing and be tightened to prevent cities from circumventing the exemption. City officials, already angered by past incursions, are unlikely to accept a major new dilution of their land-use powers without a fight. Email Dan Walters at dwalters@sacbee.com. SHARE Dear reader, I turned my column space this week over to Patrick W. Carr, a member of one of Redding's most storied and important families. His remarks, as prepared for the commemoration of Memorial Day at the Civic Auditorium, are far more fitting for the occasion than my own could be. In print, I had to edit the text for length. Here, it is presented exactly as he wrote it. Carr is a U.S. Army veteran who served between 1967 and 1970. It's an honor and pleasure to be invited to share some personal reflections on the meaning of Memorial Day. Noting that a number of us likely have meaningful and direct reflections on this day, or had loved ones lost in military duty, I'm a bit humbled by this task. So please bear with me. According to articles of the May 2016 edition of VFW Magazine, in the 241 years since Robert Monroe was killed by the British at Lexington in April 1775, and SSG Matthew McClintock was KIA in Afghanistan in January of this year, approximately 1.2 million Americans have lost their lives in some 83 wars in our nation's history. The first nationwide observance of "Decoration Day", as it was originally called, was held on May 30th, 1868, commemorating casualties of the Civil War. According to the White House back then, that date was chosen because it was not the anniversary of any particular battle, and it was "the optimal date for flowers to be in bloom." Decoration Day was changed to "Memorial Day" in 1882, and 80+ years later (June 28, 1968), Congress moved Memorial Day and three other holidays to create 3-day weekends. Since 1971 then, Memorial Day has been observed on the last Monday of May. So there we are - a quick chronology and background of this celebratory occasion. But for each of us, Memorial Day is more than a celebratory event. My own experience with this day dates back to my boyhood in Redding, and to my father's memorable words and actions on this day. My brothers and sisters always looked forward to a holiday during the school year, and Memorial Day was no exception. With visions of running off to play in the neighboring canyons around Benton Airport, those visions were soberly altered on Memorial Day when Dad would pull out the hoes and rakes from the garage, and inform us that we first had a duty to honor our dead relatives down at old St. Joseph's Cemetery by the railroad tracks. We'd pile into the station wagon with our tools and ride down to the old cemetery, a stark array of dry grass and dirt-stained monuments to pioneer families of the parish. It was usually a hot day, and the cemetery was wanting for a reliable water system. Aside from concrete walkways and granite-walled plots, the hardpan clay provided a challenge for weeding and raking around our ancestors' gravestones and monuments. We'd just as soon have been running around in the poison oak and Manzanita-strewn canyons, playing cowboys & Indians, or WWII soldiers. Instead, there we were, with Dad directing our half-hearted landscaping efforts. When we'd reached a point that met to his satisfaction, we would kneel with him on the concrete walkway in front of the family plot and pray silently for the long-departed inhabitants of that hallowed ground. Upon returning to our house on Olive Avenue, at the risk of false piety, we could pat ourselves on the back, judging that we'd truly earned the rest of the holiday. In our youthful distraction, however, we'd missed something about our father that only later did we come to appreciate. In the family plot there were two gravestones with empty graves. One stone was embossed with the words "PAUL B. CARR 1915---1945, BURIED IN FLORENCE, ITALY." A second stone was embossed with the words "KENNETH J. CARR 1921---1945, LOST AT SEA." These gravestones commemorated the lives of Dad's two youngest brothers, killed a week apart in the waning months of WWII. Paul, a second lieutenant in the 10th Mountain Infantry, was killed in action on April 15th, 1945 at Cereglio, Italy. His selfless heroics in battle earned him a posthumous awarding of The Silver Star. Kenneth, "the baby of the family," was a Navy pilot whose Corsair fighter plane suffered engine failure and crashed in rough seas during carrier training maneuvers off the California coast on April 9th, 1945. Neither Kenneth's body, nor the plane were ever found. At the time of their deaths, Dad was a Radar Officer aboard the U.S.S. Rooks, a destroyer engaged in shore bombardment in the Battle of Okinawa. Twice in one week, Dad was called in to be told that his two little brothers had both perished. Four of the Francis Carr family sons, my Mom's two brothers, and Kennedy family cousins served in the military in WWII -- two would not return home. Letters home from Dad after his brothers were killed revealed his deep, abiding faith in God, which helped him endure and accept these tragedies. With memories still fresh from those events, during the late 40's and the 1950's Dad never shared his feelings with us kids after the war. In later years he would finally open up with some of my younger brothers. Before St. Joseph's Church on Court Street burned down in 1964, a "Gold Star" shield commemorating the 10 parish boys who were casualties of the war occupied an honored place on the wall of the church. Uncles Paul and Kenny were among those named. As a kid, I thought the shield was pretty cool, but I couldn't appreciate the pain that their losses, and those of the others on that shield had inflicted on the parish community before, and after the war. Today, on the lawn in front of the old Shasta High School on Eureka Way, a commemorative monument also includes the men of St. Joseph's - as well as other honored dead of WWII. When we grew up, my older brother Tom, my brother-in-law Bill Morrison, my cousin Steve Kennedy and I served in the Army in Vietnam. My brother Kenneth and my sister Theresa also served in the 70's and 80's in Europe. While Dad never spoke much about our service during the national trauma of Vietnam, I'm certain it affirmed his belief that duty and service to one's country is a noble task, and it afforded him pride in the family s commitment to service. Dad passed away in late 1991 and is buried in the family plot next to the gravestones of his younger brothers. We've added a third stone reading "LAURENCE WILLIAM CARR, LTJG US NAVY, WORLD WAR II, JUNE 12, 1912 + DECEMBER 2, 1991."). As I get older, I sometimes find myself a bit maudlin at the thought my father's ordeal during, and after the war. I think of some of the guys I knew during my own stint in the military -AT LEAST ONE OF WHOM DIDN'T COME back alive from Vietnam. HIS NAME IS ETCHED ON THE WALL OF THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL IN D.C. SO! Memorial Day is very personal to me. It is truly an opportunity for each of us to step back, take a deep breath, and reflect on the sacrifices that have been paid by "those who never came back," as well as those who did come back but suffered permanent scars that diminished their abilities to function, physically and emotionally. So, it is to them that we should raise our glasses and paraphrase the biblical commendation "well done, our good and faithful servants." Thank you for allowing me to share these thoughts with you today. May you have a meaningful and rewarding Memorial Day. A Nepalese industrialist, who was kidnapped on Thursday, was on Sunday rescued from Kotwa in East Champaran district of Bihar. We have safely rescued the industrialist, Suresh Kedia, from a place in Kotwa police station limits, Superintendent of Police Jitendra Rana said. Kedia is the owner of Kedia group of companies. Along with his three brothers, he has business interests both in Nepal and India. One person has been arrested in this connection, he said. The police has also seized the vehicle used in the kidnapping. Kedia was kidnapped on Thursday when he was returning to his house in Birganj town after offering puja at Gadhi Mai Asthan temple, 20 km from the town in Nepal. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom ranging from Rs 60 crore to 100 crore in Nepalese currency, the SP said. The accused had crossed to the Indian side of the border after kidnapping the industrialist and the Nepal police had contacted their Indian counterparts for rescuing him, a police officer of Raxaul said. The SP said police is conducting raids at several places to nab the other persons involved in the kidnapping. The police are also interrogating the person who was arrested. Asked about the gang involved in the incident, Rana said gangs of both India and Nepal might be involved in the kidnapping. Image: Abducted Nepalese industrialist Suresh Kedia, centre, after being rescued by the Bihar police from Motihari on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo PM is expected to discuss black money issue with Swiss President. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from June 4 which will cover Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the United States and Mexico. Modi will begin his trip with Afghanistan to inaugurate India-funded Salma Dam which has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 1,400 crore. From Afghanistan, he will proceed to energy-rich Qatar and then to Switzerland. During the two-day visit to energy-rich Qatar, Modi will hold extensive talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on a range of bilateral issues including ways to further boost economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector. In Switzerland, the prime minister will hold talks with the Swiss leadership, including President Johann Schneider-Ammann, and is likely to seek cooperation to unearth black money accounts of Indians in Switzerland which was a promise made by him during elections in 2014. According to sources, the officials of the two countries are working on finalising an arrangement that could pave the way for automatic exchange of information on tax related issues. The Switzerland government had on May 18 initiated consultation on an ordinance to put in place a mechanism for automatic exchange of tax information with India and other countries. From Switzerland, Modi will travel to the US on June 7 at the invitation of President Barack Obama, with whom he will review the progress made in key areas of defence, security and energy. During his stay, he will also address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress. On his return, he will visit Mexico where India is eyeing trade and investment tie ups. In September last year, during his UN visit in New York Modi had held talks with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. If the TMC doesnt stop violence, then the children of TMC workers would become orphans, he said. Bharatiya Janata Party West Bengal President Dilip Ghosh has kicked up a storm with his remarks that his party workers, trained by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, can break the shoulders of Trinamool Congress activists with bare hands, drawing flak from the ruling party, the Congress and the Left. Courting controversy yet again, he asked TMC workers to stop violence, mend their ways or face consequences when they travel outside Bengal. They cant do whatever they want and beat up our cadres without reasons. TMC is thinking they can do whatever they want. But, they should remember one thing that out of Bengal, its only the BJP and the BJP, Ghosh told a public rally in Kharagpur. If they (Trinamool) have 211 MLAs, then we have more than 1,000 MLAs and MPs across India. If they step outside Bengal, we will teach them a lesson. Their family members should mark their name with red ink when they go out of their homes, he said. Dont instigate us. We are warning you. I dont interfere but if you provoke me, I will not be good. I am warning you there will be no happiness. I will first cut off water supply, then power, then I will shut the door and thrash you. We are capable of everything. The boys are trained by the RSS and are ready. Your shoulders will be broken, he said on Friday. He said he has to just dial 11 digits. You will be thrashed from the airport to your house, then from the house to the hospital. No one will find you. Your families will be informed with a photograph on WhatsApp, Ghosh said. Ghosh said on Sunday, Why cant I make such comments. If my cadres are attacked, I have every right to protect them. The TMC should immediately make a public appeal to stop violence. He said, in Assam, the BJP won the assembly polls, but no opposition workers was touched. In Bengal, a bloodbath is going on, he said. If the TMC doesnt stop violence, then the children of TMC workers would become orphans, he said. The BJP leader had earlier drawn flak for his controversial comments on TMC and then on a section of women students in JadavpurUniversity. Reacting to Ghosh's remarks, TMC Vice President Mukul Roy said, This is totally unacceptable. We will write to both the Houses of Parliament. These comments only prove who is the victim and who are the perpetrators. State Health and Family Welfare Minister Shashi Panja said now there is a BJP leader who is day after day commenting on women or threatening to beat up TMC followers. This is very unfortunate. This is not the kind of politics one should pursue, she said, adding in a democracy someone wins and someone else loses in an election. caconservative said: Yes, he's been to the golf course, basketball court, foreign countries, expensive vacations, grand galas at our expense. To bad he couldn't find the oval office. His voting record as president....PRESENT! There will be more than enough room for his library beside the unsecured server in Hillary's toilet. Click to expand... You shot of your mouth with pure BS, now here is the truth."President Obama had taken 125 vacation days so far in his presidency. Knollers tweet went out before Obama started his annual two-week summer vacation; so, if you add in that vacation, his two-week 2014 winter vacation, and his 2015 summer vacation, President Obama has had about 170 days off since he was sworn into office in 2009. When he leaves office, his total number of vacation days will be in the neighborhood of 200, this is in stark contrast to the 879 days President Bush was away and the 390 days President Reagan took. BTW, Obama's 200 days of working vacation is 40 days less than the normal working man with seniority has with eight years of non working vacation time. See what to expect in coming months along I-69 Finish Line corridor As the leaves begin to fall and air temperatures begin to cool, the 2022 road construction season will soon slow down. Q: Our human resources director has been using prescription painkillers for a very long time. 'Lisa' often appears foggy and dazed and occasionally falls asleep at her computer. She readily admits to taking this medication at work, so she's not trying to hide anything. Since Lisa and I report to the same vice president, I have previously made him aware of this issue. However, he seems reluctant to address it. Do you have any suggestions? A: Your vice president either fails to grasp the seriousness of the problem or isn't sure what to do about it. Under normal circumstances, you could seek guidance from human resources, but that option is obviously off the table. Therefore, the only alternative is to have a more emphatic talk with your hesitant boss. To emphasize the gravity of the situation, ask some other concerned managers to join you in meeting with him. Going as a group will emphasize the widespread impact of Lisa's impairment, thereby making it harder to ignore. Since legal aspects will need to be considered, be sure to include an attorney in this conversation. Prepare for the discussion by creating a detailed summary of the business risks posed by a dysfunctional HR department. Even if Lisa has a competent staff, a stupefied department head can't provide effective leadership or make sound decisions, so your boss needs to recognize the potential liabilities. Once you have the vice president's attention, give him contact information for some qualified professional resources. When addressing drug and alcohol issues, managers should always consult the experts before taking action. Employee assistance programs and community mental health centers are usually good sources of help. When talking with employees like Lisa, managers must understand that their role is to discuss job performance, not substance abuse. They should focus on work behavior and avoid making assumptions or accusations. Suggesting resources can sometimes be appropriate, but making a diagnosis is not. Fortunately, when people realize their job may be at risk, they are often motivated to confront the underlying problem. Q: My supervisor is very cute, and I recently realized that I have a serious crush on him. Because we're both from South Korea, we have shared values and a similar background. Neither of us is married, and we have a lot of common interests. We are also about the same age. I just learned that he will be returning to Korea in a few weeks. Since I know my feelings are real, do you think I should I tell him? A: While confessing to your crush might be premature, you can certainly tell this cute supervisor that you'd like to stay in touch. Because he will no longer be your boss, there's no reason to avoid a personal connection. Perhaps you could start by asking him to lunch, then suggesting possible ways to maintain communication once he leaves. If he seems equally interested, this might be the first step toward a lasting relationship. But if not, at least you gave it a try. Strike price Q: What's a stock option's 'strike price'? H.W., Norwalk, Connecticut A: It's the price at which it can be exercised. Imagine you work for Farm Dogs Inc. (ticker: BINGO). You're issued 1,000 stock options with a strike price of $10 each. A few years later, the company's stock is trading at $25. At this point, you decide to 'exercise' your options. Since your options carry a strike price of $10, you're entitled to buy up to 1,000 shares at $10 each not the $25 that they're going for on the open market. If you exercise all of them, you'll fork over $10,000 to your company for 1,000 shares worth $25,000. You can hang on to them as long as you like, or quickly cash out for a $15,000 profit. As you might suspect, though, it's not exactly quite this simple. There are many tax issues to consider, and your company's option plan might have some special features. Read the plan carefully, and consider seeking professional financial advice. You might also read 'Consider Your Options: Get the Most From Your Equity Compensation' by Kaye Thomas (Fairmark Press, $24). Q: Which stock should I sell? One that has lost value, one that's stagnated for years or one that has gained in value? E.B., Ann Arbor, Michigan A: Ignore how the stocks have done in the past. Each company's future is what matters most. Try this exercise: Rank your holdings by how much confidence you have in their health and growth prospects, and consider selling the ones in which you have the least faith. Your money should always be concentrated on your best ideas, the ones you think are likely to grow the most. Fool's School Warren Buffett vs. hedge funds Superinvestors Warren Buffett and his business partner, Charlie Munger, recently presided over their Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, answering dozens of questions from shareholders, journalists and stock analysts for more than five hours. Buffett took particular pleasure in updating the crowd on a 10-year bet he made in 2007 with folks at the Protege Partners hedge fund. He wagered that over a decade, the S&P 500, a passive index, would outperform a group of five hedge funds hand-picked by Protege. (The loser will contribute $1 million to a charity of the winner's choice.) He has been updating shareholders annually on the bet's progress. This year, he shared the results so far: The group of hedge funds are up a cumulative 22 percent, while the S&P 500 has advanced close to 66 percent. To be fair, Buffett noted that the hedge funds, which typically collect a 2 percent annual fee and 20 percent of all profits, haven't done so poorly, though their investors have paid a big price: 'There's been far, far, far more money made by people in Wall Street through salesmanship abilities than through investment abilities.' Buffett went on to discuss the situation further, using the example of two investment managers employed by Berkshire Hathaway, Todd Combs and Ted Weschler. They each manage $9 billion of the company's money, and Buffett noted that if they were compensated as hedge fund managers typically are, 'they'd be getting $180 million each merely for breathing.' Buffett's advice for those of us who aren't investing experts is simple: As he wrote in his 1993 annual letter to shareholders: 'By periodically investing in an index fund ... the know-nothing investor can actually outperform most investment professionals. Paradoxically, when 'dumb' money acknowledges its limitations, it ceases to be dumb.' There's much more to learn about money, investing and life from Buffett. Read his annual letters to shareholders at berkshirehathaway.com. Roger Lowenstein's book, 'Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist' (Random House, $19) is an excellent read, too. (The Motley Fool owns shares of and has recommended Berkshire Hathaway.) Foolish Trivia Name that company I trace my history back to 2000, when I began with an electronic security-trading platform. Over time, I added various exchanges, offering customers automation and efficiency. I now encompass 11 exchanges, including the venerable New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which began back in 1792. More than 12,000 securities and contracts (such as futures) are listed on my exchanges (including about 78 percent of the S&P 500 companies), and my daily trade volume averages more than 9 million. The market value of the companies listed on the NYSE is about $25 trillion, making me kind of important. Who am I? Last week's trivia answer I trace my roots back to the 1899 founding of the Reading Glove and Mitten Manufacturing Co. in Pennsylvania. I later made silk lingerie and changed my name to reflect it. I sold my intimates business and am now a global clothing and footwear titan, with brands that include The North Face, Vans, Wrangler, Lee, Timberland, Bulwark, Eagle Creek, Eastpak, Ella Moss, JanSport, Kipling, lucy, Majestic, Napapijri, Nautica, Red Kap, Reef, Riders and SmartWool. Indeed, I'm the biggest producer of denim. I employ more than 60,000 people and rake in more than $12 billion annually. Who am I? (Answer: VF Corporation) My dumbest Investment Glazed over My dumbest investment? I took a financial class in college, looked at the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Corp., and then invested $5,000 in it. I didn't think twice about its rapid expansion plans or how it was diversifying by buying a bread company. I watched my shares go from around $40 per share to below $5. I should have diversified better, myself. C.D., online The Fool responds: It has been a volatile ride indeed for Krispy Kreme investors. Those who invested early, when the company that was founded in 1937 went public in 2000, have seen their investment average just a few percent gain annually over 16 years, while those who picked up shares five years ago have enjoyed an average annual gain topping 25 percent. It's fair for a company to try to expand geographically, but Krispy Kreme faced stiff competition in the Northeast from Dunkin' Donuts, and struggled. It has since expanded successfully, especially internationally sporting more than 1,000 stores today in 26 countries. Its shares are being taken private, too, as the company is being acquired by German private equity company JAB Holdings (whose empire also includes Keurig Green Mountain, Caribou Coffee and Peet's Coffee & Tea). Krispy Kreme's stock price has surged to close to $50 per share and plunged to nearly $1. You're right that it's smart to have a diversified portfolio, lest any single holding plunge and devastate it. The Motley Fool Take A linked-in future LinkedIn (NYSE: LNKD) is the world's largest professional social network, with more than 430 million members in 200 countries and territories. Shares have fallen about 50 percent from their 52-week high, in part due to a weak earnings report and outlook several months ago. But the company's latest earnings report is heartening, and investors willing to wait for years may be well rewarded. LinkedIn's last quarter featured revenue up 35 percent year over year, with membership growing by 19 percent and member page views surging by 34 percent. Recruiters are increasingly using LinkedIn, and management notes, 'increased member engagement with jobs is already delivering a stronger pipeline of potential candidates to our existing customers.' Members are welcoming the newly redesigned mobile app as well, which was launched late last year. The market for online professional services is set to grow briskly, and LinkedIn has positioned itself ideally as the go-to resource within this space. The company's executive team estimates that its overall market potential is $115 billion, well north of the $3 billion LinkedIn generated in fiscal 2015. LinkedIn's annual average growth rate over the next five years is estimated to be around 27 percent, suggesting that it may be reasonably to attractively priced for long-term investors who can handle a bumpy ride. (The Motley Fool owns shares of and has recommended LinkedIn.) SUNDAY Memorial Day weekend services A Memorial Day service will begin at 11 a.m. at the Nolan-Divide Community Center in Nolan. A catered lunch will be served for $12 for adults and $6 for children age 12 and under. A Memorial Day weekend service will begin at 6 p.m. at the Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church cemetery in Ericksdahl. Carol Cain, associate director of the National WASP World War II Museum, will be the guest speaker. Sandwiches will be served after the service. Other ... Out & About Group LGBT AA Meeting, 6 p.m. Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, Lower Level Parish Hall, 602 Meander St. MONDAY Memorial Day services A Memorial Day ceremony will begin at 10:45 a.m. at Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 7457 West Lake Road. The Abilene Community Band will perform. A Memorial Day service will begin at 9 a.m. at the Oplin Cemetery. Snacks will follow at the Oplin Community Center. Open house A Memorial Day open house will begin at 10:30 a.m. at VFW Post 6873, 1049 Veterans Drive. Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be served. Cemetery meeting BAIRD The Belle Plaine Cemetery Association will conduct its annual Memorial Day ceremony and business meeting at 11 a.m. at Belle Plaine Cemetery, eight miles south of Baird. Participants are asked to arrive by 10:30 a.m. Bob Favor will be the guest speaker. A potluck dinner will follow. Square dance workshop TYE The Key City Squares will conduct a square dancing workshop at 6:30 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel. Other ... Overeaters Anonymous, noon, Hinds Square Building, 100 Chestnut St., Room 112. Schizophrenia Support Group, 1-2 p.m., Mental Health Association of Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300. Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 5:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St. Anorexics Bulimics Anonymous, 6 p.m., Shades of Hope, 402A Mulberry St., Buffalo Gap. 800-588-4673. Central Texas Gem & Mineral Society of Abilene, 7 p.m., 7607 Highway 277 South. 325-692-0063. Abilene Toastmaster's Club 1071, 7 p.m., Conference Center, Texas State Technical College, 650 E. Highway 80. 325-692-7325 or abilene.toastmastersclubs.org. Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Broadway, Ballinger. 817-689-2810 or 325-977-1007. Mid-City Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First Christian Church. 325-670-4304. Memory Men (4-part a cappella singing), 7 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 1165 Minter Lane. Park on east side, enter through kitchen. 325-676-SING. Abilene Community Band rehearsal, 7:30 p.m., Bynum Band Hall, McMurry University. 325-232-7383. South Pioneer Al-Anon Group, 8 p.m., 3157 Russell Ave. Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Avoca United Methodist Church. 325-773-2611. Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Group. 325-676-1400. TUESDAY Choir concert Chorus Abilene will present a tour choir concert at 6:30 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. Admission is free. Square dance workshop TYE The Wagon Wheel Squares will conduct a square dancing workshop at 6:30 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel. Other ... Mission on the Move Soup Kitchen, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Southwest Drive Community United Methodist Church, 3025 Southwest Dr. Abilene Southwest Rotary Club, noon, Beehive Restaurant, 442 Cedar St. High Noon Al-Anon, noon, Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3666 Buffalo Gap Road (south end; follow the yellow signs). Blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Brookshires, Eastland. Stroke/Aphasia Recovery Program support group, 1:30-2:30 p.m. West Texas Rehabilitation Center boardroom, 4601 Hartford St. 325-793-3535. Dystonia Support Group, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Not Without Us, 3301 N. First St. Suite 117. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), 5:30 p.m., Brook Hollow Christian Church, 2310 S. Willis St. 325-232-7444. Legacies Al-Anon Family Group, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Open Door Building, 3157 Russell Ave. 325-280-7584. Family (of Mental Health Consumers) Support Group, 6-7 p.m., Mental Health Association in Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300. MHAA Bipolar/Depression Peer Support Group, 6-8 p.m., Ministry of Counseling & Enrichment, 1502 N. First St. 325-673-2300. Free certified nurturing parent class (pregnancy to toddler), 6-8 p.m., Mission Church, North Third and Mockingbird streets. 325-672-9398. Abilene Star Chorus, 6:15 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1333 N. Third St. 325-829-1470. Overeaters Anonymous, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Exodus Metropolitan Community Church, 1933 S. 27th St. Al-Anon Parents Group, 7 p.m., Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave. Use Church Street entrance. Al-Anon, 7 p.m., Doug Meinzer Activity Center, Knox City. 940-658-3926. Abilene Society of Model Railroaders, 7-8:30 p.m., 2043 N. Second St. Unity Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. WEDNESDAY Veteran services The Taylor County Mobile Vet Center will present outreach services for veterans from 8-11:30 a.m. at the Eastland County Courthouse, 100 W. Main St. in Eastland. The Taylor County Mobile Vet Center will present outreach services for veterans from 1-4 p.m. at the Brown County Courthouse, 200 S. Broadway in Brownwood. Farmers market The opening day of the Wylie Farmers Market will be conducted from 9-11 a.m. at Wylie Early Childhood Center on Buffalo Gap and Antilley roads. Other ... Blood drive, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hendrick Medical Center, Tom Roberts Conference Center. Overeaters Anonymous, 8 a.m., Hinds Square Building, Room 112, 100 Chestnut St. Abilene Cactus Lions Club, 11:45 a.m., Cotton Patch Cafe, 3302 S. Clack St. Abilene Wednesday Rotary Club, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway. $12 for lunch. Jo Ann Wilson, 325-677-6815. Kiwanis Club of Abilene, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway Blvd. Clearly Speaking Toastmaster Club, noon, Westgate Church of Christ, 402 S. Pioneer Drive. 325-795-5570. Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 5:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St. Veterans Peer Support Group, 6 p.m., 765 Orange St. 325-670-4818. Mid-week Al-Anon Family Group, 6-7 p.m., Open Door Building, 3157 Russell Ave. 325-698-4995. Advanced Square Dancing, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wagon Wheel. Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Broadway, Ballinger. 817-689-2810 or 325-977-1007. DivorceCare support group, 7 p.m., Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave. 325-691-4200. Dear Jones people, Where are you? Did you leave us for good? If so, why did you leave us with that guy with the whiskers? He's scary. We remember you got up really early, before the sun. You put big bags in someone else's car and left. Didn't even say goodbye. Maybe we did. We were sleeping. That was 18 days ago. Are you coming back? We miss you. Sure, the food is fine. You bought it. The guy with the whiskers comes here to feed us every night. He tries to pet us but you know we don't like that much. He can't seem to figure it out. That is why we hiss at him. We like to hiss. Makes us scary. It is a little bit embarrassing when he comes outside. We're both having perfectly fine evenings, hanging out and being all cool, and then he starts in with the whistling. Whistle, whistle, whistle. Then he hollers. 'STELLA!' 'CLAIRE!' 'Come inside!' Like, how annoying. Everybody hears him. 'Go to your daddy,' they say. 'Time for din-din,' they say. 'What, past your bedtime?' they say. We go because it makes him stop. And because it might rain. What is it with all this rain? We do appreciate the guy with the whiskers calling us in that first Wednesday night. That was a furr-raising experience, all that thunder and lightning and ... hail! We do not like hail. It's loud and it breaks all the leaves over our favorite hiding places. We did not sleep much that night. But we weren't outside. So, thank you, guy with the whiskers. Did we just say something nice about him? See, you've been gone too long. We're losing it. So where are you? We've climbed on the table and sorted through the mail. Are you on another one of those trips, where you bring back more stuff to put in the backyard? No more whirligigs. Did you go to Mexico, again? There are no postcards from you. Do people send those anymore? If you are texting whatever that is we are not in the group. And besides, we don't have phones. We do not like the guy with the whiskers keeping us in the house after we eat at night. Bo-riiiiing. You think we like to curl up and sleep all the time? Dinner and then ... a movie! That would be way more fun. 'Zootopia' was great! We try to sneak out past the guy with the whiskers but he is pretty fast for an old guy with whiskers. He is easy to fool, though. See, we hear him the first time he calls but we mess with him. We. Take. Our. Time. When we finally show up, he gives us treats, just like we trained you to do. He thinks it's a reward. He doesn't know we know how to get the lid off, and we eat treats when he's not there. We party like it's 1999 Lives. He thinks he's funny. He puts treats in his palm or he shoots them across the floor for us to chase. Whatever. Just as long we get treats. And just for coming inside ... we got you guys fooled. Otherwise, we don't like coming in. We'd rather slip over to the creek or shop at River Oaks. Have you been to Nail Purr-fection? We've been wanting to get over to the Dairy Queen. Heard they have a new flavor of smoothie. We've had enough time to figure out how to turn on the TV. What's up with these people called Trump and Bernie? The Trump one, the one we think you people like, has interesting fur. The Bernie one is older than the guy with the whiskers. That other one, Hillary, we think she has claws. The guy with the whiskers came by to mow the yard. Well, some of the yard. Just that grass you put in that grows like crazy. Then he and the boy without whiskers came to mow some more. We do not like the mower, and when they cranked it up, we ran away. Fast. We should have hissed at it instead. So, are you coming home? We like the lady from across the street. She is nice. She feeds us in the morning and lets us OUT! She does not keep us IN! She and the guy with the whiskers write on a notepad about us. 'Monday PM. Stella was really hungry. Claire hissed at me.' Pu-lease. A little privacy, maybe? Do you know that when you are away, the guy with the whiskers drinks your La Croix? And he found the keys to your new car and has been driving it? Playing the music loud. 'Cat Scratch Fever.' We are 'kidding,' as you people call it. But just about the car. We really miss you guys. The house is quiet at night, and there is no one to hang out with during the day. We actually look forward to the mailman stuffing all those political cards into the door slot. That Dawn person? Hissssss. OK, well, we'd better get off the computer. The guy with the whiskers doesn't know we can type, and we want to keep it that way. He really is easy to fool. Yours affectionately, Claire and Stella (the cats, if you forgot) Clark Neil, the valedictorian of the Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (ATEMS), told his classmates they didn't need to worry that he was wearing his customary Hawaiian floral shirt under his robe Saturday evening at the Taylor County Coliseum. 'I heeded my mother's advice and dressed appropriately, but I'm wearing a grass skirt underneath this robe,' he joked. Neil did get serious in his valedictory speech, which was peppered with jokes about classmates and teachers ('On average, the most physically attractive class in ATEMS' history,' was the way he described the class of 2016). He referenced a line from a T.S. Eliot's poem, 'The Hollow Men:' 'This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but a whimper.' Neil said that the line was not a lament but a charge to live life boldly. 'Never let an opportunity pass you by,' he said. 'What we come to regret most are the chances that pass us by.' Neil reminded his classmates that they will be linked by their time together at ATEMS. 'We may have come here as freshmen dazed and confused, but the people we sit beside today are some of the best friends we will ever have,' he said. Daniel Hutton's salutatorian address was more spiritual in tone. He urged his classmates to live lives of integrity and to 'love the truth;' to not follow what the world wanted but to decide who you were and 'to be a real blessing to those around you. Follow the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do to you.' He closed his remarks with a passage from the Bible, Joshua 1:9: 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.' The fourth graduating class from ATEMS had 60 members, 22 of whom were National Honor Society members. Abilene ISD Superintendent David Young noted that since the school was 'math and science friendly,' it was appropriate to note that the students had completed about a million minutes of class time during their 13 years of education. 'I'm sure some of you are checking that right now,' he said. The students also heard from their principal, Ketta Garduno, who left her students with simple advice. 'If you make a mess, clean it up,' she said. 'If someone else made a mess, help him clean it up. If there are two pieces of cakes, give the bigger one to the other person. If there is only one piece of cake, give it to the other person. When you make a mistake, admit it. When there's a crisis, and there will be a crisis, don't panic and don't quit. Stay focused. 'Be a nice person,' she continued. 'Open doors for people. Say please and thank you. ... It isn't all about you. Help others. Live a life worthy of respect and honor.' actually i should say "stupid black man"! don't these idiots know every cop car has a dashcam and everything is recorded???at least he's in jail now. hopefully he will get the death penalty if they have it in georgia. this was just a traffic stop and he shot this cop in the head as he walked up to the car. so far the cop is expected to live. note to criminals--those dashcams also get your tag numbers! duh! unless it's a stolen car and you ditch that car, you are going to get caught! Cooper High School valedictorian Garrett Hurst started and ended his graduation speech Saturday morning with references to cultural icons beloved by his generation. After thanking teachers, parents and others who got the seniors this far in life, Hurst added a twist. He also thanked Instagram, Google, Twitter, Snapshot and other internet sites. 'We needed all of you to get here,' he said, to knowing laughs from an appreciative audience. After urging his fellow classmates to live their dreams, Hurst announced that he was going to take a 'selfie' with the entire class of 400-plus students in the background. The crowd of teens cheered as Hurst turned his back to the audience and lifted his cell phone above his head in the unmistakable stance of someone shooting a self portrait with a cell phone. Hurst joined salutatorian Hannah Granados, Cooper principal Karen Munoz, and Abilene Independent School District superintendent David Young in imparting words of encouragement and congratulations to the graduates. Young, himself a Cooper graduate, relayed a startling bit of information to the students. In the last 13 years, they have spent almost 1 million minutes in school. He urged the seniors to take a minute to remember the teachers who led them through those 1 million minutes. 'I can tell you,' he said, 'you are never going to forget those people.' Because of those teachers, Young said, the graduating seniors are prepared to embark on a new journey. 'We are thrilled to see the great things you will do in the future,' Young said. Granados read Robert Frost's poem, 'The Road Not Taken,' that ends with the familiar words, 'Two roads diverged in a wood, and I I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.' Granados reminded her classmates that each day brings new paths to choose. Some will take the familiar path, while others will opt for the less-traveled road. Whichever road is taken, she said, should be an individual choice. Either one will come with bumps that must be overcome. 'Do not let others, or yourself, drag you down,' Granados said. Munoz also talked about choices, urging the students to make good ones as they leave home and set out on their own for the first time. She also encouraged the seniors to ask for advice, especially from family members and friends in the audience who came to celebrate the accomplishment of the Class of 2016. The seniors entered high school from different starting points some were cool and confident while others were quiet and shy. But, Munoz said, they ended in the same place. 'You have grown into amazing young women and men,' she said. A special moment in the graduation ceremony came when Orianna James walked across the stage and was met by her older brother, Jeremy Green, who is stationed with the Marine Corps in California. The audience stood and applauded as the two embraced and Green handed his sister a bouquet. After the graduation, James said her brother, a 2014 Cooper graduate, made a surprise visit to honor her. The day already was special, James said, but her brother's appearance added another dimension. 'It just made it 10 times more,' she said. A midpoint stop on a border-to-border bike ride will mean more to a group of Abilene college students than just hitting the halfway mark. The stop, expected to come Thursday, will be in Abilene, Kansas, the cattle town that Abilene, Texas, was named for. The cyclists will bear gifts from the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau and a proclamation from Mayor Norm Archibald, titled, 'Abilene Texas to Abilene Kansas Friendship Ride.' The ride is a project of a Leadership Studies Program at Hardin-Simmons University, taught by Coleman Patterson. This is the fourth year for a lengthy bike trip, but the others have been border-to-border within the state of Texas. This 1,800-mile journey is something else. And, exactly how do you tackle such a trip on a bicycle with a hard seat? 'You just take it a day at a time,' said Chris Carl, one of the HSU student bikers. Other HSU students on the ride are Zach Hammond, Destiny Eaton and Deborah Poh. Kim Fritz, a senior at McMurry University, is taking Patterson's class and also is on the ride. Fritz, a graphics design major, created a logo with four bikers, representing four years of the bicycle road trips. The logo was stamped onto T-shirts the riders will wear on the trip. Also going on the trip are McMurry graduates Tom Burnett, Isaac Chantos and David Richards, who is an emergency room nurse. Bob Sanderson, who works at Bike Town, is the 'Mr. Fix-It' of the group. As part of their class project, the students were responsible for planning every aspect of the trip, such as logistics and finances, securing lodging and contacting media. The project also includes problem solving, conflict resolution, teamwork and project management. The trip began Wednesday, when the group trucked their bikes to Del Rio. They set out Thursday morning for a two-day bike ride back to Abilene and then departed from Hardin-Simmons Saturday morning. The entire trip is expected to take 16 days, ending June 10 on the Canadian border in Minnesota. Of those 16 days, 14 will be spent on the bikes. Along the way, the group will stay in churches or private homes. In charge of arranging lodging were Eaton and Poh, a Malaysian student at Hardin-Simmons who will be seeing a chunk of the American Midwest from a unique vantage point. Eaton and Poh used the old-fashion way googling churches to set up the lodging. 'That was our first outreach,' Eaton said. A few nights will be spent with relatives or acquaintances of group members. 'We have hosts putting us up every night,' Patterson said. The 10 riders won't all be on the bikes at the same time. The group is split into two teams, with a support vehicle assigned to each. Dividing the group prevents traffic jams on the highway. Only two members of each team will be riding at one time, while the others are in the support vehicles. The group plans to travel between 100 and 150 miles per day, periodically swapping out riders. They will stop in a shady spot, such as a courthouse lawn, for lunches of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They also will be fueled by boxes of Snickers and protein bars. The cyclists are expecting a great trip, filled with memories and learning experiences. But they also know that by the time they reach the Canadian border in two weeks, they will be ready to load their bikes and themselves into the support vehicles for the drive home. 'By day 14,' Carl said, 'we'll probably all be dying.' 8:47 P.M. UPDATE Storms are popping up in the Big Country. Here are the latest severe thunderstorm warnings from the National Weather Service. Northern Fisher County until 9:45 p.m. A storm was about 22 miles northeast of Snyder at 8:47 p.m., moving east at 10 MPH. Northeastern Haskell County and northwestern Throckmorton County until 9:45 p.m. At 8:44 p.m. a storm was located about 8 miles south of Munday, moving east at 25 MPH. Northeastern Taylor County until 9 p.m. At 8:36 p.m. a storm was near Tye, moving east at 15 MPH. 8:38 P.M. UPDATE The National Weather Service has issued thunderstorm warnings for northeastern Shackelford County and southeastern Throckmorton County until 9:30 p.m. At 8:31 p.m. a severe thunderstorm was near Fort Griffin, moving north at 30 MPH. Hail and high wings are associated with this storm. 8:27 P.M. UPDATE The National Weather Service has issued thunderstorm warnings for northeastern Shackelford County until 8:30 p.m. and Taylor County until 9 p.m. A severe thunderstorm with quarter-sized hail and 60 MPH wind gusts is about 8 miles east of Albany, moving north at 20 MPH. At 8:12 p.m., a severe thunderstorm with similar wind and hail possibilities was near Merkel, moving east at 25 MPH. 7:55 P.M. UPDATE The National Weather Service has issued a thunderstorm warning for northern Haskell County until 8:45 p.m. At 7:49 p.m. a severe thunderstorm was located near Rule, or 15 miles west of Haskell. The storm is moving northeast at 25 MPH. Hazards associated with this storm include 70 MPH winds and golf ball-sized hail. 6:10 P.M. UPDATE Taylor County is under a severe thunderstorm warning until 6:45 p.m. At 6:08 p.m. a severe thunderstorm was located over Tuscola, moving north at 20 MPH. This storm has 60-MPH wind gusts and quarter-sized hail. The storm is expected to be at Buffalo Gap around 6:30 p.m. 5:30 P.M. UPDATE The National Weather Service has issued a thunderstorm warning for Runnels County until 6:15 p.m. At 5:18 p.m. a severe thunderstorm near Ballinger was detected by radar. The storm has 60 MPH wind gusts and quarter-sized hail and is moving north at 10 MPH. 4:32 P.M. ORIGINAL STORY The National Weather Service has issued a thunderstorm watch for much several counties in the Big Country. The watch is in effect until 11 p.m. for the following counties: Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Howard, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels and Taylor. A flood warning remains in effect for the areas around De Leon and others in Comanche County the near Leon and Sabana rivers. The NWS reports that at 1:30 p.m. today the Leon River near De Leon was at 15.51 feet. The flood stage is 12 feet. The river is not expected to recede below flood stage until Monday evening. TYLER Each step farmer Malcolm Williams took into his pasture announced the presence of water and soft, saturated topsoil. He left his flatbed truck at the gate knowing it wouldn't make it far without damaging the knee-high grass or getting stuck. There was standing water on three of Williams' pastures he typically uses for hay production. Williams doesn't expect to be able to access the pastures any time soon, so he's moved cattle on them for grazing. 'It's too wet to fertilize and it's too wet to cut for the producers that were able to fertilize,' he said. 'Whenever you think you might have a window to work with it rains.' Spring storms have created a dilemma for crop and forage producers who can't access their fields to tend to pests and weeds or find a window of time to cut, cure and bale forage. Some fields in east and southeastern Texas have been drowned out or washed away and likely won't be replanted, according to various producer and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension reports. Producers are doing what they can to work around the soggy conditions. A helicopter applied treatments to an 85-acre corn field west of Tyler late last week because the producer could not access the field with equipment. One producer risked forecasts of late weekend rain to cut a coastal Bermuda grass meadow. The gamble worked out. Chad Gulley, AgriLife Extension agent in Smith County, said producers around the area are in an awkward spot. Some fields have hip-high cool-season grasses that need cutting to allow warm-season grasses to emerge, Gulley said. Cool-season and warm-season weeds are converging on fields that have been stunted by cooler temperatures or taller growth. But wet fields won't allow them in fields to address the various situations without risking damage to equipment or fields, he said. 'I had one vegetable producer who told me they were just able to get back into their fields and it started raining again,' Gulley said. 'There are a lot of hay producers who want to get into their fields but were worried about there being enough time for it to cure before the next rain.' Gulley said some producers have put off cuttings because of the forecast only to see a window of opportunity pass by. 'Some producers are getting to the point where they might take their chances to get hay in,' he said. 'They say they're going to cut and hope for the best.' AgriLife Extension district reports WEST CENTRAL: Days were warm and very humid with mild nights. Temperatures were well below normal due to rainy conditions. Rainfall saturated fields and pastures making them inaccessible for most producers. Producers look forward to some dry days to get the wheat out of the fields and plant cotton. Wheat and oats looked good with plenty of moisture for kernel fill. Rust was reported in some areas. Harvest should begin in the next few weeks. Good yields were expected unless damaging storms come through. Farmers tried to get seed beds prepared for cotton planting, but it was too wet to get into fields. Corn and sorghum crops were in mostly excellent condition. Some grain sorghum had not been planted but will go in as soon as weather permits. Hay crops progressed very well. Some producers started cutting and baling. Range and pastures improved to mostly excellent condition due to rainfall. Warm-season grasses were slowed by cooler days and nights, but should improve rapidly with sunshine and warmer temperatures. Pastures and fields were green and lush providing very good forage for cattle. The downside of good conditions was that more invasive weed species showed up. Fly populations increased and were causing a major nuisance everywhere. Stock tanks were full. Winter wheat was mostly grazed out by livestock. Livestock remained in fair to good condition. Cattle were heavy, and prices were good. Pecan crops started very well. ROLLING PLAINS: Wet weather persisted. Areas received an abundance of rainfall, between 2-4 inches. The moisture was welcomed by producers and residents. Pastures, rangeland and lawns were greening up, growing and in good to excellent condition. Livestock were moved off winter wheat into pastures, and the recent rainfall assured producers there would be plenty of grazing for a while. Cotton farmers appreciated the moisture, which should be plenty to begin planting. The only negative has been farmers' inability to access fields because of the rain and little sunshine. Water levels in tanks, ponds and rivers were replenished and were in good shape. Some wheat had been swathed and baled for hay. Harvested wheat was still in the curing stage. Some wheat was laying over, but should recover with sunshine. Combines were expected to be harvesting wheat as soon as the ground dries enough. SOUTH PLAINS: Recent rainfall improved moisture levels in subsoil and topsoil. Rain amounts ranged from 0.5-3.5 inches. Rains should also help cotton and warm-season grasses. Cotton was 25-30 percent planted before the rains. Field conditions were too wet for planting progress to be made, but planting should resume soon. Producers were grateful for the moisture but were feeling pressure to get fields planted prior to planting deadlines. Temperatures ranged from lows in the upper 40s to highs near 80 degrees. Winter wheat, pasture and range conditions were improving. Cattle were in good condition. Range conditions were mostly good to fair, and livestock conditions were good. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below This just in... Making money...that's God awful. I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say, enough of that, all money should go directly to Washington. Personal achievement cannot be tolerated. American interests should be subservient to the world-order. ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Police in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, have detained opposition activists who planned to hold a rally to challenge next month's early presidential election. Bibigul Imanghalieva, a member of the unregistered Algha, Qazaqstan (Kazakhstan, Forward) party, told RFE/RL by phone that she and several of her colleagues were detained for several hours early in the morning in different parts of the city before they could hold the demonstration, which was to fall on October 25, Republic Day, which commemorates Kazakhstan's declaration of state sovereignty in 1990. According to Imanghalieva, leading activists, Aset Abishev, Aidar Syzdyqov, and Qanatkhan Amrenov, were among those detained. She added that she and other activists were released three hours later. Imanghalieva says she and other members of the unregistered party had officially filed a request with the Almaty city administration last week asking for permission to hold a rally on October 25. Other activists told RFE/RL that the chairwoman of an independent group of election observers, Arailym Nazarova, was also detained by police. Her mobile phone has been switched off since the morning of October 25. In the capital, Astana, police cordoned off a square near Zhengis (Victory) Avenue where activists had planned to gather, not allowing anyone to enter the site. At least two activists were detained there. Opposition activist Amangeldy Zhakhin said on Facebook on October 25 that police did not allow him to leave the village of Shortandy on October 25 as they tried to prevent his trip to Astana, the capital, where he planned to organize a rally to question the election, scheduled for November 20, at which incumbent President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev will face off against five relatively unknown candidates. Activists in the cities of Aqsai, Pavlodar, and Oskemen also said they were blocked from travelling to Astana to take part in a rally. Toqaev, who has tried to position himself as a reformer, called the early presidential election on September 1 while also proposing to change the presidential term to seven years from five years. Under the new system, future presidents will be barred from seeking more than one term. Critics say Toqaev's initiatives have been mainly cosmetic and do not change the nature of the autocratic system in a country that has been plagued for years by rampant corruption and nepotism. Toqaev's predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbaev, who had run the tightly controlled former Soviet republic with an iron fist for almost three decades, chose Toqaev as his successor when he stepped down in 2019. Though he was no longer president, Nazarbaev retained sweeping powers as the head of the Security Council. He also enjoyed substantial powers by holding the title of elbasy or leader of the nation. Many citizens, however, remained upset by the oppression felt during Nazarbaev's reign. Those feelings came to a head in January when unprecedented anti-government nationwide protests started over a fuel price hike, and then exploded into countrywide deadly unrest over perceived corruption under the Nazarbaev regime and the cronyism that allowed his family and close friends to enrich themselves while ordinary citizens failed to share in the oil-rich Central Asian nation's wealth. Toqaev subsequently stripped Nazarbaev of his Security Council role, taking it over himself. Since then, several of Nazarbaevs relatives and allies have been pushed out of their positions or resigned. Some have been arrested on corruption charges. In June, a Toqaev-initiated referendum removed Nazarbaev's name from the constitution and annulled his status as elbasy. New details about the death of Iranian teenager Asra Panahi have emerged that contradict the Iranian government's statement that the official cause of death was heart disease. Panahi reportedly died of her injuries after being beaten for refusing to sing a pro-regime anthem when her school was raided by agents. According to the Coordinating Council of Teachers Syndicates (CCTS), authorities for the city of Ardabil took students from Shahed high school to a pro-government demonstration and asked them to sing an anthem that praises Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. After the pupils resisted, the security forces attacked the students and beat many. Ten were taken to an unknown place by security forces, while seven others were injured. Iranian officials have denied that security forces beat the students and have said Panahi died in a hospital on October 14. They have since given conflicting causes of death, at first saying it was from congenital heart disease and then later suicide. But the CCTS says it has confirmed that Panahi died on the same day government forces attacked the school. Furthermore, eyewitnesses and relatives have confirmed to RFE/RL's Radio Farda that Panahi was taken to a hospital after being beaten, died there, and then was buried in a cemetery in Ardabil. Officials have also had Panahi's uncle, Ali Panahi, give several interviews backing up their claims on the cause of death, but several relatives said the statements were made under duress. Another family member was also shown on state TV parroting the official line that her death had nothing to do with the attack on high schoolers. The unrest, sparked by the death of another young woman, Mahsa Amini, has swept across the country over the past month. Amini died while in police custody in September after being detained for allegedly wearing a hijab improperly. Eyewitness reports said the 22-year-old was beaten while being arrested by police, while the authorities said she died of "underlying diseases." Former Iranian soccer star Ali Daei, who is also from Ardabil, has challenged Iranian lawmakers to tell the truth about what is happening in the country and to be accountable after Kazem Musavi, the representative of Ardabil in parliament, denied Panahi's death was due to being beaten. "History has proven who the liars are," said Daei, a former forward with German soccer giants Bayern Munich and the former Iranian national team captain. Security forces have waged a violent crackdown on protesters around the country, killing scores, injuring hundreds, and detaining several thousand people. As the scattered anti-government protests rage across Iran for a fifth week, universities and schools have turned into a major battleground between the protesters and the authorities The Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights says the authorities have killed at least 215 people, including 27 children. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda Saudi Arabia has denounced Iran's demands concerning the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca as "unacceptable" after Tehran accused Riyadh of blocking the path to Allah. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on May 29 that Iran had demanded the right to organize demonstrations and to have privileges that "would cause chaos during the hajj" pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia. Earlier on May 29, Irans Culture Minister Ali Jannati announced that Iranians would not take part in this year's hajj. In 2015, more than 460 Iranian pilgrims were killed in a stampede outside Mecca that Tehran has blamed on Saudi mismanagement. Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia cut ties with Shi'ite-led Iran in January after Iranian demonstrators torched the Saudi embassy and consulate in Tehran. Those demonstrators were protesting the execution by Saudi Arabia of a prominent Shi'ite cleric. Based on reporting by Al-Jazeera.com and AFP Moderate conservative Ali Larijani has been reelected as the temporary speaker of Iran's parliament. On May 29, Larijani won 173 votes in the 290-seat assembly, while his opponent reformist Mohammad Reza Aref received 103 votes. A vote for a permanent speaker will be held in the next few days after the house approves the credentials of individual deputies. The new Iranian parliament, formed from elections held in February and April, was sworn in at its opening session in Tehran on May 28. The election in February was seen as a referendum on July's nuclear deal with world powers -- and Larijani's support for its passage through parliament kept him out of a debate that saw several hard-line opponents of the agreement lose their seats. In a speech to lawmakers, President Hassan Rohani praised Larijani for supporting the nuclear agreement and called for a greater "interaction" between parliament and the government to "solve the problems and crises of the country." Reformists took 133 of the 290 seats in parliament, falling short of a majority, but more than the conservatives' 125 seats. Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters Iranian authorities have arrested eight people involved in allegedly producing "obscene" music videos. Mizan Online, a news agency controlled by Iran's powerful judiciary, quoted Tehran prosecutor general Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi on May 28 as saying that the eight were arrested last week in Tehran. They were not identified by name. He said the videos were "broadcast on a famous anti-revolutionary television channel," an apparent reference to a foreign-based channel in Persian. Dozens of Persian-language television channels, all based outside Iran, are broadcast on satellite. Dowlatabadi said a special court for media and culture will review the case and consider raising charges against the eight. There were no details on the content of the videos. In Iran, it is considered "obscene" and un-Islamic if a woman is filmed singing without a headscarf or together with a man. The arrests come only days after more than 30 students who partied at a graduation ceremony in northern Iran were arrested and given 99 lashes each for violating the Islamic republic's morality code. Based on reporting by AP and AFP Tehran has given foreign social media messaging applications one year to move the data they hold about Iranian users onto servers inside Iran. The declaration on May 29 by Iran's Supreme Council of Cyberspace has prompted privacy and security concerns from Iranians who use social media. Iran has some of the strictest controls on internet access and blocks access to social media like Facebook and Twitter. But many Iranians have been able to circumvent the blockages and gain access foreign social media through special software. But Iranian authorities have been increasing their crackdowns against social media users. On May 16, Iranian police announced the arrest of eight people in an operation targeting Instagram and other social media users. Those arrests involved photographers as well as women in Iran who posed for photographs with their hair uncovered a taboo under Irans conservative Islamic laws. Based on reporting by AFP, dpa, ISNA, and IRNA Pakistani police say they killed three Al-Qaeda militants during a gunfight in the southern port city of Karachi on May 29 after raiding their hideout. Authorities say the raid was in Gulshan-e-Buner, a low-income neighborhood of Karachi. Senior police official Rao Muhammad Anwar said the militants belonged to a branch of the terrorist network known as Al-Qaeda in the Indian Sub-Continent. Anwar identified one of the militants as Riaz Rajo, saying that he was wanted in connection with the killing of police and the murders of minority Shiite Muslims in Karachi. Based on reporting by AFP and Dawn Pakistans Interior Ministry has announced that a DNA test has confirmed that Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansur was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan. In a statement on May 29, the ministry said a DNA sample from one of the men killed in the drone attack was successfully matched with a close relative of Mansur. Mansur's body was badly burned from the drone strike, which targeted a car he was traveling in. The other person in the car has been identified as Mohammed Azam, a local driver. U.S. President Barack Obama and Afghan officials had already confirmed Mansurs death in the May 21 air strike at a village near Pakistans southwestern city of Quetta. But Islamabad had refused to confirm Mansurs death before receiving the results of DNA tests. Since Mansurs death, the Afghan Taliban has announced Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada as the new Taliban leader. But some Taliban factions have refused to support Akhundzadas appointment. Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP Pakistani investigators have arrested two officials involved in issuing Pakistani documents to the slain former Taliban leader, Mullah Akhtar Mansur, and his family. Mansur was killed in a U.S. drone strike on May 21 in southwestern Baluchistan Province. A Pakistani passport found near the destroyed car he was traveling in identified him as Wali Mohammad. Interior Ministry's spokesman Sarfaraz Hussain said Aziz Ahmed, an official in Baluchistan's provincial capital of Quetta, was arrested on May 28. Hussain said Ahmed approved a national identity card for Mansur in the name of Wali Mohammad in 2001. The second official arrested was Riffat Iqbal, an employee of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), which issues computerized identities to Pakistani citizens. Hussain said Iqbal was arrested fin the port city of Karachi on May 28 for facilitating the paperwork on Pakistani citizenship for Mansour's second wife and his children. Based on reporting by AP and Express Tribune On May 21, one of the largest protests in Kazakhstan's 25 years of independence took place in cities around the country. Hundreds of people were taken into police custody. The protest happened despite the very public detentions of dozens of activists in the days leading up to the demonstration. The growing discontent was sparked by the land privatization issue and led to nationwide peaceful protests in late April. But land privatization quickly became only one of the issues that brought people out onto streets. Now the question is: are we done, or are we just taking a deep breath before the next round? To look at what happened in Kazakhstan on May 21, why it happened, and whether protests might continue or not, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service, known locally as Azatlyk, brought together a Majlis, a panel, to discuss the recent public displays of dissatisfaction. Azatlyk director Muhammad Tahir moderated the Majlis session. Both our guests were in Kazakhstan. Speaking from Almaty, Joanna Lillis, a veteran reporter in Central Asia for EurasiaNet and certainly one of the leading authorities on Kazakhstan, joined the discussion. From Astana, Aigerim Toleukhanova, Kazakhstan correspondent for the Conway Bulletin and also EurasiaNet, participated. Jetlagged though I was after just getting back from a conference on Central Asia in Baku, I wanted to hear what they had to say, so Tahir let me into the studio and I chipped in some comments. Lillis recalled the origins of these recent protests, noting land privatization was part of land reforms the government passed last autumn. "The reforms aimed to put more land into the hands of private investors because the government argues that the agricultural sector really needed investment, including foreign investment." Protesters, Lillis continued, "were particularly against a provision that allowed foreigners to take part in land auctions as long as they were with a majority Kazakh partner." The word spread that the foreigners would likely be Chinese and that, despite prohibitions on non-nationals owning land, they would end up staying in Kazakhstan in increasing numbers. For many people in Kazakhstan, the land issue was, Toleukhanova said, "the last drop in their patience." From All Walks Of Life That started the protests, but, as Toleukhanova explained, other concerns were voiced during the April street protests. "People were outraged because of the government's corruption, they were not satisfied with the economy and loss of jobs, and other issues. So there was a mixed population who went to protest." Photographs and videos of the protests in cities around Kazakhstan show the young and the old, men and women, and -- judging by their clothing -- they represented a broad spectrum of society as well. Kazakhstan's recent economic problems, including a nearly 50-percent drop on the value of the national currency, the tenge, since July 2015, have put pressure on workers across the country. "This is really a grassroots movement that is involving all kinds of ordinary citizens who over many years haven't really shown much interest in politics as far as we've noticed," Lillis said. Lillis also noted that the April protests started rather spontaneously, but the May protest was different. "They were actually planned on social media and the people who planned these protests on May 21 were detained, are detained right now," Toleukhanova added. According to Lillis, "the authorities' justification for arresting hundreds of peoplewas that these people were breaking Kazakhstan's law on public assembly because they did not have permission to rally." Some of those who played leading roles in posting information about the May protest on social networks were detained ahead of the event. These people, and others apprehended at the May 21 protest, were ordered to be held in custody for 15 days at trials "in closed [court] rooms during late nights" Toleukhanova said. There are a handful that might face serious charges. On May 27, the office of Kazakhstan's Prosecutor-General announced that it was treating the May 21 protest as an "attempted coup," despite the fact that the demonstrations were peaceful, there were no calls to seize power, and there were no clashes with police. Upping The Ante Asked what happens next in Kazakhstan, Toleukhanova replied, "I think the general mood of the people is that they are shocked at their own government and maybe in the future there will be another protest that will be even bigger than this one." Lillis explained that some people "feel very upset about land reform, they feel very upset that they weren't allowed to express their opinion." And she said, "Many people who did not take part in the protest that I've been talking to in Almaty -- and I'm talking about ordinary people here who really don't normally get involved in politics -- they're saying: 'Why did we see so many people arrested, so many of our fellow citizens who were merely going out to peacefully express their opinion?'" Toleukhanova suggested that, for many people in Kazakhstan, "the lesson they learned [was] they saw this difference in what the government media tells them on TV or many other outlets, that there were no meetings, there were no protests and no people came out, and they see a completely different picture in social media for example and they finally understand that the government was lying to them." The government has upped the stakes for those planning protests in the future. As the Prosecutor-General's office said, these recent demonstrations are being treated as attempts to create social unrest and unseat the government. So the risks are greater for anyone calling for or joining protests in the near future. But Lillis pointed out that people knew they could be arrested when they came out to demonstrate in public on May 21. Furthermore, the last large protest in Kazakhstan was in the oil towns of western Kazakhstan in 2011 and it ended in December that year when police fired on demonstrators in Zhanaozen, killing at least 15 people. But people still turned out on May 21. Lillis said one lesson Kazakhstan's government should learn from this latest protest is "you cannot always expect the people to put up with decision-making that doesn't involve them." The panel discussed these matters in greater detail and touched on other subjects concerning Kazakhstan's recent protests. An audio recording of the discussion can be heard here: Ukrainian officials said on May 29 that five Ukrainian soldiers were killed and another four wounded during the previous 24 hours in fresh clashes with Russia-backed separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine said on May 29 that two of their fighters were killed as a result of intensified fighting. Ukraine's military said it was the second-highest casualty toll for government troops on any single day during 2016. "Unfortunately, over the past 24 hours, five Ukrainian soldiers have died and four more have been wounded," military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told reporters on May 29. On May 28, the Ukrainian military said that fighting between government troops and Russia-backed separatists had intensified. Russia-backed fighters have accused the army of carrying out dozens of attacks in recent days as both sides charge each other with not observing a cease-fire. Amid the increased violence, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has called for greater foreign assistance and has appointed former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen as his adviser. Based on reporting by AFP, dpa, TASS, and Interfax Andrew Heaston plucked a fat, bright-red wild cherry, pulled it up to his nose, drew in a big, deep breath and smiled. And then the assistant brewer at Sky High Brewing & Pub handed it off to head brewer Paul Miller, who bit into it and returned the smile. It was the moment of inspiration the two had been waiting for all morning. Heaston and Miller joined more than a handful of other brewers, nature lovers and beer enthusiasts Saturday at Owens Farm and Natural Area as part of the first Beers Made By Walking program in Corvallis. Launched in Colorado in 2011, the program brings brewers and environmental groups together to produce beers using local wild herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables to enhance a communitys sense of place. You can sit in a brewery and think about what you want all day, but to really find inspiration youve got to go out there and walk around and feel it, taste it and smell it, Heaston said. It gives you a real feel for the product you have to work with in a way nothing else will. I could spend all day out here. Heaston and Miller said they often bounce ideas back and forth while coming up with concoctions. Heaston, who has a background in botany, let Miller know where the plants came from and what conditions they needed to prosper. In return, Miller, whose expertise lie in brewing, then offered where the plants could go in the beer. We do that a lot and this was just the perfect setting to foster that relationship, Miller said. It was really inspirational walking through and seeing the diversity of everything we have to use. It really opened that up. Both men said they're considering using the local wild cherries in a new gose beer set to launch later this year. We really want to add some different fruits to it and those cherries are excellent, Miller said. We also passed over some native strawberries that were super sweet and delicious. Finding some of those extra ingredients here locally that we can put into it is a huge bonus. Owens Farm and Natural Area, a 312-acre open space in northern Corvallis off of Highway 99W, is not open to the public. So Saturdays tour, which wound through the 95 acres owned through the Greenbelt Land Trust, offered local brewers a rare look at hundreds of native plants in a largely untouched habitat. Phillip Lorenz, general manager and co-founder of Nectar Creek Mead, said he grew up in Corvallis but before Saturday had never gotten to see Owens Farm. This is one of the natural spaces in Corvallis I had never gotten to see. Its absolutely beautiful up here, he said. Its awesome just to walk through here. And its so cool to know that there are these wild spaces where native plants can flourish and where we can get ingredients from. Lorenz also noted that, as mead is made from honey and Nectar Creek gets its honey from bee farms a short distance away, its likely many of the companys brews include tastes from Owens Farm. All of these hives come from these bee yards that are all within flying distance of Owens Farm, he said. All of those bees have visited this area. Thats exciting and beautiful. At Nectar Creek were really happy to support local farmers and food producers who use these local ingredients with our local product. Greenbelt Land Trust staff leading the tour included Restoration Manager Matt Blakeley-Smith, Associate Director Jessica McDonald and Membership and Outreach Coordinator Rebecca McKay Steinberg. The group previously led a tour with brewers with Flat Tail Brewing and Mazama Brewing last weekend. This was a great turnout and we really need diverse groups like this getting involved and promoting that conservation, McKay Steinberg said. That next generation of conservationists and land stewards is exactly what were trying to cultivate. This is a great representation of all ages and backgrounds and its encouraging to see. McKay Steinberg said she was incredibly impressed with the turnout at both tours and its likely the Beers Made by Walking program will continue next year. We want to make this an annual event. This is a perfect concept in so many ways because its bringing together all different folks who are taking inspiration from this land, she said. Its wonderful to have a property like Owens Farm provide that. Inspiration is something people dont often talk about when it comes to conservation so its been wonderful to highlight how valuable that can be. When Richmond police officers took Erin Jenkins to jail on a Friday night in 2014, her parents could not bring themselves to tell Jenkins 3-year-old daughter where her mom was or why she was not coming home. A week later, they found themselves faced with a far more impossible task: telling young Gabrielle Jenkins that her mother was dead. Guards at the just-opened Richmond City Justice Center found Jenkins unresponsive, ice-cold and without a pulse in her cell on Aug. 2, 2014, two days after she was transferred away from the general population because she had been hallucinating, according to a lawsuit filed by her family in federal court. The 28-year-old was pronounced dead at VCU Medical Center hours later. Since then, Dale and Paige Jenkins, who live in Chesterfield County, have been seeking answers to questions much like a Portsmouth family has been asking since Jamycheal Mitchell died last year in the Hampton Roads Regional Jail: How did their child, a nonviolent offender, die under the supposed constant supervision of guards and medical staff? Why wasnt she taken to a hospital sooner? And why didnt officials save video that could have provided clues into how she was treated by the jails staff? Mitchells death has become a cause celebre for advocates and lawmakers who say Virginias jails need more oversight and its mental health system should be reformed. Jenkins did not have a history of mental illness, but her family believes the jail mistook her hallucinations as a mental health issue rather than a medical emergency. They allege in the lawsuit that jail staff ignored her for hours instead of seeking medical attention. An attorney for Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. denied wrongdoing in a formal response to the lawsuit. Jail officials declined repeated requests for an interview last week because of the pending lawsuit. Jenkins was one of 46 inmates who died in county or regional jails in 2014, according to the Virginia Department of Corrections. She was among five who died in Richmonds old and new jails that year. Jenkins, who had a history of addiction to heroin and other opioids, was arrested for driving with a suspended license and for possessing marijuana and a gun after she was pulled over for having a broken taillight, her parents said. The gun belonged to a friend of hers in the back seat, they said. When a sheriffs department employee told them she could not provide details about what happened to their daughter until the jail received a copy of the medical examiners report, they hired an attorney. That just put a fire under (me), Paige Jenkins said in an interview last week. You cant tell me ... if she fell down the steps and hit her head? So youre going to write the book backwards. Heres the end, and now youre going to write what happened before that. *** Paige Jenkins is the plaintiff in a $10 million lawsuit filed in June 2015 in the Richmond division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Defendants include Woody, deputies, a doctor and nurses who worked at the jail; and Correct Care Solutions, the company that contracted to provide medical and mental health care services to inmates. Earlier this month, Mitchells aunt filed a lawsuit in the Norfolk division of the same federal court for $60 million against more than 30 defendants, including state mental health officials, jail administrators, guards, health care workers and court employees. Mitchell, a mentally ill 24-year-old, was arrested in April 2015 for allegedly stealing $5 worth of snacks from a convenience store half a mile from his home. He was supposed to be transferred to a state mental hospital for treatment, but did not make it because his name was never added to the facilitys waiting list. He died of heart problems and extreme weight loss 101 days after arriving at Hampton Roads Regional Jail in Portsmouth. He had lost 46 pounds and one of his legs was severely swollen. His familys lawsuit alleges guards repeatedly abused and neglected Mitchell and says medical workers failed to provide or seek the proper treatment for him. In the cases of Mitchell and Jenkins, jail officials have said videotape footage taken near their cells no longer exists. An attorney representing Mitchells family said he asked the jails superintendent to preserve the video 14 days after his death. However, a jail official said it was not saved because it did not show any type of criminality or negligence. The only people who saw the video before it was recorded over are employees of the jail, the official said. The system used by Hampton Roads Regional Jail at the time automatically recorded over video every 18 days. Richmond jail investigators allegedly saw the video taken inside and around Jenkins observation cell, but the footage was not preserved, according to a motion filed by Seth Carroll, an attorney representing Paige Jenkins. In April, Carroll sought access to the jails video servers in the hopes that a forensic specialist could find old video. Woody initially asked the judge to prevent the forensic specialist from making a copy of the jails video server, but later withdrew his request. Last week, Carroll said the forensic investigator is still sifting through the video. *** Jenkins was Dale and Paige Jenkins only child. She was born in Chesterfield in 1985 and grew up camping, boating and fishing with her parents. She made friends easily and had a soft spot in her heart for homeless people and animals, her parents said. Around the time she turned 16, she was attending Monacan High School and fell in with the wrong crowd. She became a challenge to parent. She started drinking and eventually became addicted to heroin. She dropped out of high school at 17 and later earned a GED diploma. She worked for her father, a contractor, for a while but was convicted in 2007 of embezzlement, a felony, for stealing his checks to support her drug habit. Later, she worked at a distribution company with her mother, but she was fired because she called in sick too many times. She often complained about her stomach hurting, and she would not eat certain things that made her sick. Jenkins became pregnant with Gabrielle in 2010, but she did not know who had fathered the child. She entered the program for pregnant drug addicts at Rubicon. She cleaned up and loved taking care of Gabby, but drugs crept their way back into her life. Despite her troubles, family was an important part of her life. She called each of her parents several times a day and spent Sundays at their house. One arm was tattooed with Daddys girl, and the other said Mamas baby. Gabrielles name and footprints were tattooed on her chest. Her parents said that whenever Jenkins wound up in jail, they could stop worrying about her because they felt she was safe behind bars. They saw jail as a timeout, a place for Jenkins to sit and think about what she needed to do to get her life in order. By the time she was arrested on July 25, 2014, she already had lengthy criminal records in the Chesterfield and Henrico County court systems. Well, we can sleep tonight, Paige Jenkins recalled her husband saying when he got the call that she had been arrested. The city of Richmonds got her. A few evenings later, she said her daughter called home. Her voice was upbeat, and she wanted to speak to Gabby, who was almost asleep. Mommy! Gabby said when she picked up the phone. Gabby! Jenkins replied. Then the phone cut off. That was the last time they heard Jenkins voice. *** Five days after her arrest, Jenkins was moved to a different part of the jail, allegedly for mental health reasons, according to the lawsuit. This reclassification and mental health isolation was done without evaluation, documentation or explanation. A day later, on July 31, 2014, a doctor noted she was oriented, but also hallucinating, according to the lawsuit. Jenkins had been placed in the opiate withdrawal program after her arrest, but she initially showed no symptoms, the lawsuit said. On Aug. 1, records show she suddenly started showing signs of withdrawal, but she was not evaluated by a doctor. The next day, she was found lying halfway on her bunk, incoherent and incontinent. She had stopped breathing, but the lawsuit alleges the deputies on duty did not begin administering CPR. The jails nurses noted her absence of breath and a pulse after they arrived, and they began CPR. When EMS responders arrived, they used paddles to restart her heart. She was taken to VCU Medical Center and put on life support. When Dale and Paige Jenkins arrived, they found their daughter connected to a respirator, surrounded by IV poles and bags of fluid. A tube in her nose was sucking blood out of her lungs. Her kidneys were not working, her brain was swelling out of control, she had major heart damage, her liver had shut down. What was left? Paige Jenkins said through tears last week. I needed to let her go. The doctor fed me enough information to make that decision. The nurses turned off the alarms on the machines connected to Jenkins, and they stopped giving her the blood pressure medicine that was keeping her heart beating. Dale and Paige sat beside their daughter, holding her hands. Within 10 minutes, she was dead. *** The medical examiner in Richmond said Jenkins died because of acute peritonitis due to perforated duodenal ulcer, or an inflammation of the abdominal wall caused by a rupture in her intestines. Paige Jenkins said her daughter had never been hospitalized for any health issues. She knew that her stomach bothered her, but she was never diagnosed with having an ulcer. She believes the jail mistakenly thought she was experiencing withdrawal and that she was hallucinating due to mental illness. According to the National Institutes of Health, the symptoms of withdrawal are a lot like those brought on by a bad case of the flu: muscle aches, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils and goose bumps. Dr. Martin Buxton, chief of psychiatry at CJW Medical Center and medical director at Tucker Pavilion, its psychiatric wing, said he could not speak directly about Jenkins because he did not examine her but, in general, hallucinations typically are not experienced by addicts who are withdrawing from heroin or other opioids. He said there is overlap between the symptoms an addict endures when they have stopped taking opioids and the ones someone with an ulcer might experience, especially if the ulcer ruptures. Ultrasounds and other tests can detect intestinal perforations, Buxton said, but so can physical exams that test for rebound tenderness in the abdomen. It hurts to press on the stomach when an ulcer perforates, but the pain is even worse when the hand is removed, because the lining of the abdomen is irritated or infected. But addicts are typically hypersensitive to soreness, he said, so diagnosing an ulcer might be challenging. If you have a person howling in pain and you think theyre an addict unless she vomited blood I could see how the mistake could be made, Buxton said. Carroll, the attorney representing Paige Jenkins, said Jenkins did not show any signs of withdrawal during the first five days of her incarceration, so the medical staff should have known addiction was not causing her health problems. Buxton said withdrawal typically affects drug users soon after they stop taking opioids, not after several symptom-free days elapse. The symptoms usually start within 12 hours of the last exposure to heroin and within 30 hours of last methadone use, according to the NIH. The process is uncomfortable but not life-threatening. When she got to the jail, Jenkins was prescribed Mobic, an anti-inflammatory, which can cause new or exacerbate existing intestinal ulcers, especially if they are taken on an empty stomach, Buxton said. According to the lawsuit, Jenkins skipped some of her meals. With Erin, it was a struggle all the time from about 16 with her, but she was still our daughter, Paige Jenkins said. It doesnt give them the right to just not take her to the hospital. *** Gabby Jenkins had already been living with Dale and Paige Jenkins when her mother died. One morning about six or seven weeks after Jenkins died, Gabby was sitting on the couch watching Little Einsteins on television when she got quiet and sad. I want my mama, she said. Her grandmother knelt down on the floor next to her. I just told her that her mama was sick and she had gone to heaven that God came and got her and she wasnt sick anymore, and she said OK, she said. Gabby did not understand enough to cry at the time. But as time wears on, she wakes up at night crying for her mother, and she rings an angel bell whenever she has something to say to her. Gabby asks a lot of questions: Did my mama take her cellphone to heaven because I want to call her? Do you breathe in heaven? Then she wants to know, can she go to see her mom in heaven? Paige Jenkins said. And I have to say, No, Gods got a plan for you. You have to stay here and finish the plan God has, and I said, If you go, you cant come back. A group of about 280 Hanover County Christians is asking the countys elected officials to reject a federal government directive to open restrooms and other facilities to transgender students. The request comes in the form of a statement from an organization called the Salt & Light Council and written by Hanover attorney C. Felix Cross III, a member of the group. Cross said the Hanover group is made up of Christians who meet regularly to discuss and understand how the Bible informs the more controversial issues within our culture. The statement comes in response to a letter to school systems across the country sent by the U.S. departments of Education and Justice this month directing them to open bathrooms and locker rooms to transgender students based on the gender with which they identify. The goal of the statement, Cross said, is to bring light to what they claim is the continuing effort to remove Gods natural law from our culture through such issues as transgender bathroom access. First, you must not permit our children to be used as political pawns by the overly zealous ideologues who have threatened this action in furtherance of their selfish desire to attain sexual egalitarianism through ill-advised social experimentation, Cross wrote in the statement. Second, while we have great compassion for those students who suffer from the assumptive disorder of transgenderism, it is wrong to suppress the truth and withhold the medical attention they require. Salt & Light goes on to call the directive an affront to Gods law and say that it forces school districts to disregard unspecified data that now shows encouragement and facilitation of gender confusion is actually detrimental to the health of the child. It also takes issue with the movement that is trying to win access and acceptability for people who are transgender as a civil rights issue. Transgender is not the new black. Any argument predicated upon the equivocation of an assumed belief that distorts reality and a genetic circumstance that produces a true reality must be disregarded as insanity, the statement reads. Ted Lewis, executive director for the LGBT advocacy group ROSMY, said giving bathroom access to young people who are transgender is a way of making them feel more accepted. He quotes a Youth Suicide Prevention Program study that found more than 50 percent of transgender people attempt suicide before they turn 20. Thats due in large part to harassment, bullying and social isolation, he said. Lewis saw Salt & Lights statement but did not want to directly respond to it. All I can say is as we continue to try and find the best way to support all our children by creating safe and inclusive schools, I wish we would enter our conversations with a bit more empathy, and an attempt to understand each other better, he said. Claire Guthrie Gastanaga, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, took issue with Salt & Lights statement: There are so many uneducated, unscientific and uninformed misstatements in this advice that it is difficult to know where to begin. Suffice it to say that we urge Hanover officials not to accept the ideological, sham science put forth by a discredited group of people calling themselves experts and rely instead on the peer-reviewed, medically informed counsel of the American Academy of Pediatricians and other respected professionals and make policy decisions based on objective and informed medical, psychological and legal advice, not fear and biased dogma. Cross delivered the statement via email to the countys elected officials Thursday. He and the others felt compelled to make their feelings known after the government directed individual school districts to allow students to use school restrooms that correspond with the gender they identify with rather than their birth gender. School systems that fail to comply with the directive could face losing millions of dollars in federal funding. Hanover will receive $8.5 million of its $175.6 million from federal funds for the 2016-17 school year. Last week, 12 states Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Utah and Georgia sued the federal government over the directive. Several lawsuits on transgender rights, including one filed by a Gloucester County high school student, also are working their way through the federal court system. Hanover School Board Chairman Robert L. Hundley Jr. said in an email Friday that the district is aware of the statement, which is among a number of responses it has received about the governments directive. The School Board values input from the community we serve, said Hundley, who is traveling for the Memorial Day holiday and was speaking on behalf of the board. The statement provided by the Salt & Light Council will be afforded sincere consideration along with any additional public input we may receive. We will also continue to remain attentive to the multiple legal challenges surrounding this issue. School Board member Hank Lowry Jr. said in an email that he was personally impressed with (Salt & Lights) research and their logic but could not speak on behalf of the board. Salt & Light challenges officials to make what it calls a moral decision. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Gary Torgeson was getting ready for lunch at Madison Elementary School in Albany when he suddenly had the feeling something wasn't right with his family. It was May 1945. Gary was in fourth-grade then or maybe it was fifth, he's no longer sure. But he vividly remembers the sensation, and the need to get to the 13th Avenue home of his grandmother, Anna Crocker. "My cousin was ahead of me, and I said, 'There's something wrong at Grandma's.' You could just feel it," the Albany man said. "We rode out on my bike from Madison School and the rest of the family were all here." That was the day the Torgeson and Crocker families learned Leland Crocker uncle to Gary and his little brother, Montie, then 7, and son of Anna Crocker, their grandmother was missing in action. Montie still has the Western Union telegrams informing the family: the first, dated May 11, stating Leland had been reported missing, then another, four years later, saying his remains had been recovered. "These are the letters right here," he said. "The ones you don't want to see." Montie and Gary were small boys when Leland died, and their memories of their uncle are scarce. But both say it's important for families to pass along the stories of those who served in World War II. Montie and his wife, Dody, will be the representatives for a generation on Monday at Timber-Linn Memorial Park when they lay a wreath in memory of Leland and all of those who lost their lives during that war. "We just thought we would like to do something for Leland," Dody said, "because he served our country and made us safe." 'Live by our pledge' The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs lists 16,112,566 U.S. service members in the armed forces worldwide between 1941 and 1945. Of those, it records 291,557 deaths in battle. Time is rapidly claiming the others. By next year, the department estimates the total number of living World War II U.S. veterans will be just 500,000. Randy Martinak, spokesman and master of ceremonies for this year's Linn County Memorial Day service, is also determined not to let the memories die. He looks for ways to connect civilians to the service by finding family members to act as representatives for those who never came home. The Torgesons are among nearly two dozen people who will lay wreaths before the Soldier's Cross this Memorial Day. "My presence in this whole affair is my attempt to live by our pledge as veterans who served and lost friends and battle-buddies," Martinak said, "that being: We will remember." In looking for a World War II representative, Martinak found the Torgesons through his own family connections. Montie and Gary Torgeson are Martinak's cousins a few times removed. Besides the brothers, Leland's living relatives include nieces Marilyn Brennamen and Joan Crocker Pelletier, Montie's son Dustin Torgeson and daughter Michele Torgeson Kumpula, and Gary's son Montie Torgeson. Martinak knew nothing of Leland Crocker's story at first, other than that he was one of the war's casualties. So he started digging into all the records he could find. Leland Victor Crocker, he learned, was born Nov. 29, 1921, and lived on Crocker Lane in North Albany with his parents, Charles and Anna Crocker. He was the second youngest of 12 siblings (a 13th died in infancy) and lost his sister, Goldie, to drowning the year he was born. He worked as a meat cutter with several Albany butcher shops before the war. At age 21, he traveled to Portland and enlisted in the Navy. It was Aug. 17, 1943, the same year his father died. Somewhere during that time, he married an Albany girl named Martha. Martinak has few details about that, but as far as the Torgeson family knows, the marriage took place only a short time before Leland shipped out. "They were just married and then he had to go into the service," Gary Torgeson said. "And he never came back." Martinak found that Leland traveled to Bremerton, Washington, on Nov. 15, 1943, and reported to the USS Haggard. She was a brand new Navy destroyer, just commissioned at the end of August. On Nov. 24, the ship's log/muster sheet read, "Left Seattle for Combat Zone." Martinak found a list of 10 "star" operations in which the USS Haggard participated while Leland, listed as a machinists mate 3rd class, was aboard. As compiled by Commander V.J. Soballe, the list includes the seizure and occupation of Kwajalein and Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, in January and February 1944; the sinking of the I-176, a Class B Japanese submarine, in May 1944; supporting the initial landing operations on Leyte Island, the Philippines, and fighting in an enemy surface attack off Samar Island in October and November 1944; and ramming and sinking the I-371, a Class A Japanese submarine, 175 miles off Okinawa on March 23, 1945. The Haggard also participated in the shelling of Tokyo and raids against various Japanese islands. With its 5-inch guns, the destroyer participated in the invasion of Imo Jima as fire support. On April 29, 1945, Soballe recorded, "while ship was in company with Task Force 58 and proceeding to support of another destroyer on picket station, the vessel was attacked by two enemy planes identified as Zeke 52's in suicide attack. One plane struck the ship at the waterline amidships. The other missed ahead a few feet and exploded." One kamikaze was enough. The force of the 500-pound bomb killed 13, including Crocker. It wounded another 38 men and tore a hole in the ship's side that nearly sunk her on the spot. Those still left managed to stop the flooding long enough for the San Diego, a cruiser, to collect the wounded, and for the USS Walker, another destroyer, to tow the Haggard to safety. Both destroyers arrived at Kerama Retto on May 1, 1945, where crews managed to patch up the Haggard up for a trip to Pearl Harbor in July. She was decommissioned that November, stricken from the naval register and eventually scrapped. "If I were to name the story of Leland Crocker's service and death, I would title it, 'He Almost Made It,'" Martinak said. "Imagine a 21-year-old sailor, straight out of boot camp, reporting to an almost brand new Navy destroyer," he said, listing the number of accomplishments the Haggard recorded. "I stop and think of the 18 months Leland Crocker was on this ship, of the dangers he faced as a matter of routine, and then his sudden death in the blast of a 500-pound bomb strapped to the belly of a Japanese Zeke 52 suicide plane. "He was dead, but the ship went on, and by the time it arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, on Aug. 5, there was less than a week before the dropping of the atomic bombs, and the unconditional surrender of the Japanese Empire. "He almost made it." Homefront Back home in Albany, life went on during the war a little differently than it had beforehand, the Torgeson brothers remembered. Their father, Alva, was in the Army, too, stationed in Hawaii the last two years of the war. That meant their mother, Beulah, had to go to work, selling Buster Browns at Long Shoe Store. And of course that meant Gary, four years older, was in charge of babysitting his little brother. "I wasn't very good at it," he commented. Quipped Montie: "Amen to that." The two remember the sacrifices the war years brought: the ration cards, the lines for gasoline. And though neither had visited the sentry walls at Timber-Linn Memorial Park until Martinak suggested the wreath-laying, both now say they're interested in placing memorial bricks for the other servicemen in their family: father Alva and Uncle Dell, Leland's brother, for starters. The Torgesons also say they're looking forward to being a part of Monday's ceremony. Said Dody: "It's an honor for us to do it." George Jackson Buchanan Jr., 98, of Roanoke, Va., died on Saturday, May 28, 2016, at his home where he resided for 56 years. He was born in Wythe County, Va., son of the late George J. Buchanan and Grace Copenhaver Buchanan. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Glena Constance Grow Buchanan.He was a graduate of National Business College with special studies from Washington and Lee and the University of Virginia. His career started as an accountant for several Dr. Pepper Bottling Plants where he was later Secretary-Treasurer and Director.He was one of the founders of the Capitol Frito Corporation. This corporation brought Fritos to Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. There he served as Secretary-Treasurer and Director. He was also one of the founders of Moore's Building Supplies where he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager. He served on the boards of the Virginia Manufacturers of Carbonated Beverages, The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, Hidden Valley Country Club, Roanoke Country Club, and the Roanoke Lion's Club. He was currently a member of the Shenandoah Club and the Roanoke Country Club. He was a former Trustee of Marion College. He served in the Alaskan Department, United States Army during World War II.He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church for more than 75 years, where he was a Trustee, member of the Church Council, Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the original building committee that planned and built the present church. He was Treasurer and a member of the Executive Board of the Lutheran Synod of Virginia for 18 years.George is survived by his daughter, Joan Buchanan Ramsey of Roanoke, Va.; and two grandsons, Alan Buchanan Ramsey, and Philip Wharton Ramsey and his children, Nicholas Wharton Ramsey and Margaret Grace (Maggie) Ramsey, all who reside in Missoula, Mont. He is also survived by his older sister, Charline Tinnon; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the excellent care provided by Home Instead.A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Kathleen Miko officiating. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church beginning at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Interment will follow at Fair View Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 30, 2016, at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The George Buchanan Social Ministry Fund at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 1008 Franklin Road, SW, Roanoke, VA 24016. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oakeys.com. We are a little wiser now, than we were years ago. We know there is a market out there, Namibias information minister Tjekero Tweya was quoted as saying by a local daily, The Namibian in June 2015 when it was reported that De Beers had agreed in principle with Windhoek to introduce changes in a new diamond sales and marketing contract. The above quote captures the general feeling amongst politicians in Africa, particularly southern Africa, which produces the majority of the worlds diamonds, on the need to derive maximum benefits from their minerals. With the countries having shackled colonialism and finding ways to empower the increasingly economically uncomfortable natives, there had been calls for value-addition. As for Namibia the wisening moment, one might argue, came when Botswana successfully negotiated with De Beers for a 10 year sales agreement in 2011. We shall look at this in detail later. Dear reader, as you might have already learnt, Namibia and De Beers inked a new 10-year rough diamond sales agreement on 16 May, 2016. The deal, said to be the longest ever signed between the two partners, provides for 15 per cent of Namdeb Holdings' run-of-mine production per annum to be made available to a government-owned independent sales company called Namib Desert Diamonds. Namdeb Holdings was a 50/50 joint venture between the Namibian government and De Beers and was the parent company for Namdeb (land) and Debmarine Namibia (marine) production. Reports indicated last year that Windhoek had demanded that 25-30 percent of the diamonds produced by Namdeb stay in the country for local cutting and polishing. Namdebs rough diamonds were being exported to Botswana for aggregation by De Beers, while a small percentage was returned to Namibia to be sold to approximately 12 local sightholders via the Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC), which was also jointly owned between the Namibian government and De Beers. The deal would allow a significant increase in rough diamonds made available for beneficiation with $430 million of rough diamonds being offered annually to NDTC customers, the group said. All Namdeb Holdings' special stones would also be made available for sale in Namibia under the deal, which took long to be concluded. "This sales agreementnot only secures long-term supply for De Beers, but also ensures that Namibia's diamonds will continue to play a key role in national socio-economic development long into the future, said De Beers chief executive Philippe Mellier. Dear reader, at this point, I would like us to juxtapose the deals De Beers reached with Botswana and Namibia. Table 1: De Beers rough sales agreements with Botswana and Namibia It is clear, as shown in the table above that Namibia managed to get a 10-year deal as was the case with Botswana. A newly formed government-owned diamond trading company, Namib Desert Diamonds, will get 15 percent of Namdebs run-of-mine production per annum. The country managed to get started with that figure this year, unlike Botswana which was forced to start with a 10 percent of Debswanas run-of mine production per year in 2011, which only accumulated to 15 percent this year. Botswana also established a diamond trading company, Okavango, which had been auctioning rough stones since then. Furthermore, Namibia managed to convince De Beers to support the local auctioning of special stones as opposed to shipping them out of the country. Botswana didnt have to negotiate for that as all diamonds mined by De Beers in Canada, Namibia and South Africa were exported to Botswana for aggregation as part of the 2011 sales agreement. These together with Debswanas output were sold in Gaborone at the monthly sightholder sales and online auctions. Botswana managed to push De Beers to abandon its 100-year tradition of sending African gems to London for the simple reason that it had a 15 percent stake in the company. The remaining 85 percent stake was owned by Anglo American, meaning no other country where De Beers mines diamonds had a stake in the group. Secondly, Botswana, through Debswana, was also the largest contributor of De Beers diamonds in terms volume. Debswana contributed 5.3 million carats during the first quarter of 2016 to De Beers total output of 6.9 million carats, while Namdeb added 444,000 carats. De Beers Consolidated Mines (South Africa) and De Beers Canada contributed 932,000 carats and 162,000 carats, respectively. In 2015, De Beers produced 28.7 million carats just shy of its production guidance of about 29 million carats. Of this output, Debswana produced 20.4 million carats, while Namdeb Holdings contributed 1,8 million carats. De Beers South Africa recorded an output of 4,7 million carats, while De Beers Canada added 1,9 million carats during the same period. Clearly, Botswana had much clout compared to Namibia when it negotiated with De Beers, hence it managed to arm-twist the group into submission regarding the need to have diamond sales moved to Gaborone. To their credit, the Namibians managed to get huge concessions from De Beers, which are not far from what Botswana got, despite their weak contribution to the groups overall output, for now, when compared to their neighbours. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished The 37th World Diamond Congress in Dubai carried to completion on May 19, 2016 zoomed in on the most challenging issues facing the global diamond industry with a special focus on transparency, responsibility and sustainability. The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) widely represented at the Congress recognized the importance of higher integrity in the global diamond supply chain in order to boost consumer confidence in diamonds. In an interview to Rough&Polished, Ernie Blom, President of WFDB unanimously re-elected for a further two-year term, describes the discussions, which took place at the Congress and the results achieved. The three main themes of the World Diamond Congress in Dubai from May 16 to 19 were Transparency, Responsibility and Sustainability. Why were they selected and how did the Congress focus on them? We knew ahead of the Congress that these themes related to all the challenges and issues facing the diamond industry. They included the problem for manufacturers in securing credit, and also the fall in profitability which reached a point where manufacturers were producing at a loss. Then there is the topic of overgrading of diamonds which potentially poses a huge problem as far as consumer confidence is concerned. There is also the problem of undisclosed mixing of synthetic diamonds with natural mined goods which is also a consumer confidence issue. Also on the agenda were the policy of producers and the issues of tenders and price lists. The generic marketing of diamond jewelry is also a huge issue and was raised again and again at the Congress. As you can see, these all-encompassing themes covered all the subjects that were on the agenda. What were your conclusions following the Congress? It was clear to me, firstly, that these regular meetings are critical. I was very pleased with the large attendance at our sessions and the joint meetings. Every session was full and the interest and seriousness shown by the many delegates, along with the quality of the speakers was very clear to all. The bourse presidents and delegation members were fully engaged in the debates and spoke with great passion. Although we are all in contact by email and phone and Skype on a regular basis, there is no substitute for holding meetings regularly in one place and hearing a widespread range of views. This allows us to cover a number of issues and, most importantly, we have the time to hold very lengthy and in-depth talks. It is critical that we hear global perspectives and the views of all members of the diamond pipeline and direct them into implementation plan. I came away from the meeting with a feeling of optimism after holding frank discussions with a wide range of delegates WFDB and IDMA (International Diamond Manufacturers Association) members as well as industry stakeholders. In addition, the Congress also saw progress in the development of our international Young Diamantaires group. These are members of the younger generation of diamond firms from all the main diamond centers, including Israel, India, Belgium, the United States and South Africa, who are taking responsibility for taking on the challenge of leading our industry in the future. I am delighted that we have young people who are bringing their specific generational skills and outlook into the industry. One of the main issues facing the diamond and jewelry industry is that of generic marketing. What discussions were held on this topic at the Congress? Nobody in our trade is in any doubt that this is a vital issue. The diamond industry has fallen behind in the luxury goods market over the past few years in the competition for consumers' disposable income. This is a result of a lack of generic diamond promotion and marketing. De Beers ended its generic global promotion campaigns almost 10 years ago, and the diamond industry has failed to come together and produce a unified approach until the last year or two. Marketing our goods to consumers must be done every day of the year. If you're not in front of consumers all the time, then they will simply forget you. Generic marketing of diamond jewelry was raised both in the formal sessions as well as in the informal meetings that we held, and that shows its importance for industry members. We heard from World Diamond Mark Chairman Alex Popov on the work of the WDM which was launched by the WFDB three years ago. It has made momentous progress in creating consumer awareness of diamond jewelry and helping retailers to sell more. We also heard a speech from Diamond Producers Association CEO Jean-Marc Lieberherr on its research which is focusing on attracting the Millennial generation of 18-35 year-olds who have grown up with smartphones, tablets and other electronic gadgets and are fans of so-called experiential activities, such as vacations in unusual destinations. I am very keen to see cooperation between the WDM and the DPA because this is a huge job of work. It's no secret that securing financing is a growing problem. How was the important issue tackled at the Congress? This is, as you say, one of the most important challenges for the diamond industry. It has been said many times that bank credit is the oxygen we need to keep our businesses going and expanding and this is true. Our aim is to enable the banks to see that we are a low-risk industry. Banks and diamantaires are not always totally aware of each other's needs and requirements. The banks want more transparency and careful use of finance. It is for these reasons that the WFDB will launch a Know-Your-Client (KYC) initiative for our members. The plan is to establish a platform to increase transparency in the diamond business. The 'KYC Bank initiative was established by the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council to bring value to all members of the diamond pipeline. There are no clear industry-wide KYC standards, so this will ensure the diamond trade is better-prepared to deal with all eventualities. KYC will enable diamond businesses to receive important information about their customers or suppliers to confirm their authenticity and that of their transactions. This is critical because all banks follow a KYC process. The WFDB is aiming to establish itself as the industry's most authoritative voice. What are the WFDB's advantages? The WFDB is the world's largest diamond industry body, with 30 affiliated bourses and around 20,000 members of those exchanges dealing in around 95% of the diamonds traded worldwide. We have excellent relationships with other stakeholders, including banks, producers, labs and others. And the strength of our position allows us to have influence on the big issues such as when we made it clear to the diamond manufacturers last year that rough prices were completely out of sync with polished goods. We work in a completely transparent way, upholding the tradition and reputation of the global diamond industry and representing it on a wide range of international bodies to ensure that our voice is heard, for example, in meetings of the Financial Action Task Force and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). We also have an effective arbitration service where complaints can be dealt with in a professional way, finding an excellent compromise. And, in cases of wrongdoing, diamantaires can be expelled from the bourse to which they belong and cannot trade at any of our other bourses. This is a very strong punishment. What are your predictions looking forward to the rest of 2016? In my many years in the diamond industry, which now comes to more than four decades, I have learned not to rely on predictions too much because situations can change so quickly. However, I can say that I am always hopeful and optimistic because the diamond trade always comes back from a decline. We have seen strong rough diamond sales since the start of this year which is a hopeful sign. De Beers reports that its fourth sales cycle came to $630 million, meaning it alone has sold in excess of $2.4 billion of rough stones in the January-April period. By our Israel correspondent Abraham Dayan At the risk of stating the obvious, memory is at the core of Memorial Day in fact, lest we forget, there it is in the first few letters of the word memorial. But it is so easy, so convenient, to forget. Its so easy for us to forget, or to set aside, the reason for the national start-of-summer holiday we celebrate today. So let us pay tribute today to those people who call our attention back to the reasons why we celebrate Memorial Day. People like Randy Martinak, who will serve today as the master of ceremonies for this years Linn County Memorial Day service. Martinak looks for ways to connect civilians to the annual service by finding family members to act as representatives for those who never came home. Its through Martinaks work that we know of people like Leland Crocker, a North Albany native who enlisted in the Navy in 1943. In April 1945, the destroyer upon which Crocker served, the USS Haggard, was attacked by Japanese planes: Crocker was one 13 sailors killed in the attack. My presence in this whole affair is my attempt to live by our pledge as veterans who served and lost friends and battle buddies, Martinak said. And the pledge, Martinak said, is a simple one: We will remember. Or consider Les Whittle, the 85-year-old man who for years has been the driving force behind the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Corvallis. This year, Whittle is passing the torch for the ceremony to his daughter, Becki Goslow. Anyone who knows Goslow knows the event is in good hands. But theres no doubt that this ceremony wouldnt be the event it is without the tireless work of Whittle, a Korean War-era veteran. Here are other words to help us remember today. These are words from the declaration by Maj. Gen. John A. Logan that set aside May 30, 1868 as Decoration Day, the day we now celebrate as Memorial Day. (Its believed that Logan picked that date because flowers would be in bloom all over the country by that time, the end of May. That would make it possible for the graves of veterans to be decorated with fresh flowers, hence the name Decoration Day.) Logans proclamation calls on the living to guard, with sacred vigilance, the graves of those Americans who have died serving their country. The toll to date is more than 1.1 million Americans. Logan wrote: Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic. ... If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us. Today, it falls to each of us the living to remember this solemn trust. Our eyes are not yet dull, our hands not yet slack. Our hearts still possess the light and warmth of life. Today, we can join the national moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. Or, if a mere moment seems insufficient, we can attend any of the numerous ceremonies held throughout the mid-valley to mark the day. After all, the contributions we can make today are a pittance compared to the sacrifices made over two centuries by more than a million Americans. We need to remember how those sacrifices paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy, today and every other day. (mm) Alabama has become the latest country act to have an exhibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. 'Alabama: Born Country' will feature an array of musical instruments, performance clothing, awards, childhood mementos, tour memorabilia, photographs and more, chronicling the group's rise from their teenaged roots in Fort Payne, Alabama, to country-pop crossover success in the Eighties and beyond. In addition to their personal history the museum exhibit will shine a light on the group's influential humanitarian efforts. Their June Jam in Fort Payne has raised millions of dollars for local charities and they continue to be one of the most active supporters of St. Jude Children's Hospital, inspiring countless other acts to follow suit. The new exhibit will open August 25th and will run through June 2017. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Entertainment News Soyuz launches GLONASS-M No. 53 satellite Russian military launched a navigation satellite from its northern spaceport in Plesetsk to replenish the country's GLONASS constellation. It was the 54th launch into Russia's dual-use constellation since the beginning of its deployment in 1982. Previous chapter: Deployment of the GLONASS constellation A Soyuz-2-1b rocket launches GLONASS-M No. 53 satellite on May 29, 2016. From the publisher: Pace of our development depends primarily on the level of support from our readers! GLONASS M No. 53 mission at a glance: Satellite designation(s) GLONASS-M No. 53 (a.k.a. Uragan-M; 14F113 No. 753; Kosmos-2516) Launch vehicle Soyuz-2-1b, 14A14-1B No. G15000-027 (22M136S) Upper stage Fregat 14S44 No. 112-04 Launch vehicle payload fairing 14S737 Launch site Plesetsk, Site 43 , Pad 4 (Launch complex 17P32-S4) Launch date and time 2016 May 29, Factual: 11:44:35.411; Planned: 11:44:37 Moscow Time Target orbit parameters Altitude: ~19,000 kilometers; Inclination: 64.77 degrees toward the Equator Mission history At the beginning of 2015, the GLONASS constellation functioned so well that in March of that year, Roskosmos decided to cancel a planned replenishment launch of the Proton rocket with a trio of GLONASS satellites No. 52, 53 and 56. The launch of a single GLONASS-M No. 51 satellite on a Soyuz-2-1b rocket from Plesetsk, which was previously planned in the 2nd quarter of 2015, was instead penciled for September. However within a month, the situation turned to the worse. On April 13, 2015, a relatively new Kosmos-2478, launched on Nov. 28, 2011, failed in orbit, requiring to take out of retirement Kosmos-2419, which had had serious technical problems of its own. Launched on Dec. 25, 2005, with an official operational life span of seven years, Kosmos-2419 outlived its warranty by three years. The largely crippled spacecraft orbited in Plane 3 of the three-plane constellation. Despite all efforts to keep the satellite alive, Kosmos-2419 had to be declared dead on October 17. Nine days later, on Oct. 26, 2015, ISS Reshetnev, the GLONASS developer, announced that the company had began preparations for the launch of the GLONASS No. 51 satellite. On January 18, 2016, Roskosmos announced that the GLONASS constellation had consisted of 27 spacecraft, including 23 satellites in operation, two spacecraft undergoing flight testing and two "under investigation by the chief designers." The latter was a known euphemism for all but dead spacecraft. The statement essentially confirmed that the 24-satellite constellation was missing one operational vehicle. Roskosmos promised the launch of a fresh GLONASS-M satellite in February 2016, which would be the first vehicle out of a nine-satellite cache stored at ISS Reshetnev in Zheleznogorsk. The satellite was successfully launched on February 7, 2016, with up to two more single launches on Soyuz still expected before the end of 2016. In the meantime, a triple launch on Proton was ruled out for at least several months. According to Roskosmos, a total of eight GLONASS satellites were slated for launch before the end of 2017. Preparing GLONASS-M No. 53 The GLONASS-M No. 53 satellite was shipped to Plesetsk on April 22, 2016, however, in the first half of May, the launch was postponed from May 21 to May 29. On May 25, Russian authorities issued a warning to pilots closing an area southeast of Plesetsk. It was associated with the site S21 northeast of the city of Tobolsk. GLONASS-M No. 53 lifts off Liftoff of a Soyuz-2-1b/Fregat-M vehicle was scheduled for May 29, 2016, at 11:44:37 Moscow Time (08:44 GMT, 4:44 a.m. EDT) from Pad 4 at Site 43 in Plesetsk. (After the completion of the flight, industry sources confirmed the launch time as 11:44:35.411 Moscow Time). The rocket carried a GLONASS-M-53 (a.k.a. Uragan-M No. 753) navigation satellite for Russia's GLONASS navigation network. After several seconds of vertical ascent, the launch vehicle was to head southeast to reach an orbit with an inclination 64.77 degrees toward the Equator. Four boosters of the first stage were expected to separate around two minutes into the flight and fall at drop zone S-19 in the eastern section of the Arkhangelsk Region. Around a minute later, as the vehicle passes the dense atmosphere, the payload fairing protecting the satellite was to split into two halves and its fragments were likely to impact the ground at the S-20 drop zone in the Komi Republic. The second (core) stage of the rocket was to continue firing until around 4.7 minutes in flight and was expected to separate moments after the ignition of the RD-0124 engine on the third stage. Shortly thereafter, the cylindrical aft section of the third stage was to split into three segments and to separate as well. The core stage and the fragments of the aft section was expected to fall at the S-21 drop zone in the Omsk Region. The third stage of the rocket was expected to complete the initial powered ascent less than nine minutes into the flight. After entering an initial orbit, the Fregat-M upper stage was to be used to deliver the spacecraft to its release orbit more than 19,000 kilometers above the Earth's surface at 15:16 Moscow Time. At 15:36 Moscow Time, Fregat was scheduled to initiate maneuvers to enter a burial orbit at an altitude of around 19,200 kilometers, which were later reported as successful after several engine firings. NORAD radar detected the latest GLONASS satellite in a 19,148 by 19,491-kilometer orbit with an inclination 64.8 degrees toward the Equator. According to industry sources, Uragan-M No. 753 was to be deployed at Position 11 within the second plane of the three-plane GLONASS constellation. Official confirmation Around six minutes after the scheduled launch time, the official Russian media, quoting Ministry of Defense, reported that the liftoff took place at 11:45 Moscow Time. Lt. General Aleksandr Golovko, the Commander of the Space Forces within the Russian Air and Space Forces, oversaw the launch operations in Plesetsk and the Titov Chief Test Space Center began tracking the vehicle, the TASS news agency said. According to Roskosmos, the launch took place at 11:44 Moscow Time and the payload section separated from the third stage of the Soyuz rocket nine minutes into the flight. The Fregat upper stage then initiated the delivery of the satellite to its prescribed orbit, with the separation of the payload scheduled at 15:16 Moscow Time (12:16 GMT, 8:16 a.m. EDT), Roskosmos said. The Russian Ministry of Defense also announced that the GLONASS-M No. 53 had established communications with ground control and all systems onboard the satellite had functioned properly. The official Russian monitoring service, SKDM, also listed the launch of GLONASS-M No. 753 as Kosmos-2516 and registered the liftoff time as 11:44:35 Moscow Time. Details emerge in GLONASS launch mishap Within 24 hours after the launch of GLONASS-M No. 53 on May 29, the TASS news agency reported that the RD-0124 engine on the third stage had shut down prematurely during the launch. Fortunately, the flight control system onboard the Fregat space tug detected the problem and compensated for the lack of performance of the third stage with an extended firing of the Fregat's own propulsion system, enabling the stack to reach an initial parking orbit and thus salvaging the mission. By June 2, sources on the web forum of the Novosti Kosmonavtiki magazine reported that the RD-0124 engine had shut down around five seconds earlier than scheduled as the vehicle had been flying on a ballistic arch just short of orbital speed. However, the flight control system onboard the Fregat space tug, which takes over the powered flight after the separation from the third stage, is designed to measure the actual parameters of the ascent path and to adjust its own engine operation as necessary to reach an initial parking orbit. Due to premature shutdown of the third stage, computers onboard Fregat received "Avariya" (accident) command from the launch vehicle instead of the GK-3 command (Main Command No. 3), which marks the nominal engine cutoff. As a result, the flight control system onboard Fregat recalculated its first maneuver in near-real time and commanded the main engine to fire 1.5 times longer than planned in order to reach the prescribed parking orbit. The further orbital insertion apparently went as scheduled. The post-launch investigation indicated that the third stage of the rocket had lacked kerosene fuel during its ascent to orbit, which had apparently been leaking via the engine's steering mechanism. Design variations in the third stage of the Soyuz rocket. GLONASS-M No. 53 ends its operation In November 2020, the GLONASS-M No. 53 (System No. 753) failed in orbit due to depressurization of its main body, two years ahead of its official warranty. Roskosmos the made plans to replace the lost spacecraft with GLONASS-K No. 705. An artist rendering of the Uragan-M (GLONASS-M) satellite in deployed configuration. Credit: ISS Reshetnev The Uragan-M No. 53 satellite for the 54th launch into the GLONASS constellation leaves its manfuacturing site in Zheleznogorsk for the Yemelyanovo airfield before its delivery on an Il-76 aircraft to Plesetsk in April 2016. Click to enlarge. Credit: ISS Reshetnev A Soyuz-2-1b rocket lifts off with GLONASS-M No. 53 satellite on May 29, 2916. Click to enlarge. Credit: ISS Reshetnev A branch of the Banco del Austro is seen in Quito, Ecuador, May 17, 2016. To match Special Report CYBER-HEIST/SWIFT REUTERS/Guillermo Granja Hackers who stole $81 million from Bangladesh's central bank have been linked to an attack on a bank in the Philippines, in addition to the 2014 hack on Sony Pictures, cybersecurity company Symantec Corp said in a blog post. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has blamed North Korea for the attack on Sony's Hollywood studio. A senior executive at Mandiant, the cybersecurity company investigating the Bank Bangladesh heist, also told Reuters the hackers had recently penetrated banks in Southeast Asia. In the blog post published on Thursday, Symantec did not name the Philippines bank or say whether any money was stolen, but said the attacks could be traced back to October last year. It did not identify the hackers. The Philippines central bank's deputy governor, Nestor Espenilla, told Reuters that no bank in the country had lost money to hackers, although he did not rule out the possibility of cyber attacks. "We are checking if there are similar attacks on Philippine banks," Espenilla said. "However, no reported losses so far." He added: "It is one thing to be attacked. It is another to lose money." Marshall Heilman, vice president for Mandiant, a part of U.S.-based FireEye, said it was not known whether any money was lost in the other attacks he described or whether the hackers had been successfully blocked. "There is a group operating in Southeast Asia that definitely understands the bank industry and is at more than one location," he said. Heilman declined to identify the country or countries, or the institutions attacked. He said it was the same group as the one involved in the Bank Bangladesh theft and that the attacks were recent, but declined to be more specific. Central banks elsewhere in Southeast Asia - Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and East Timor - have declined comment or denied knowledge of any other breaches. There have been at least four known cyber attacks against a bank involving fraudulent messages on the SWIFT payments network, one dating back to 2013. SWIFT, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, urged banks this week to bolster their security, saying it was aware of multiple attacks. Banks around the world use secure SWIFT messages for issuing payment instructions to each other. "Hard connection" SWIFT said earlier this week that February's Bangladesh Bank hack was a "watershed event for the banking industry" and that it was "not an isolated incident." Spokeswoman Natasha de Teran said on Thursday that SWIFT was "actively looking into other possible instances of such fraud," but would not comment on individual entities. Symantec said it had identified three pieces of malware that were used in limited targeted attacks against financial institutions in Southeast Asia. (http://symc.ly/1sRNHc7) One of the malicious programs has been previously associated with a hacking group known as Lazarus, which has been linked to the devastating attack on Sony's Hollywood studio in 2014. "There is a pretty hard connection now to the Sony attacks and the actor behind them" and the Bangladesh heist, Eric Chien, technical director at Symantec, said in an interview. Another cybersecurity firm, BAE Systems, said this month that the distinctive computer code used to erase the tracks of hackers in the Bangladesh Bank heist was similar to code used to attack Sony. Chien said that if North Korea was responsible for the hacks on banks via the SWIFT messaging network it would represent the first known episode of a nation-state stealing money in a cyber attack. Policymakers, regulators and financial institutions around the world are stepping up scrutiny of the cyber security of the SWIFT payments system after hackers used it to make fraudulent transfers totaling $81 million out of Bank Bangladesh's account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Symantec and other researchers have also linked the hack to a failed attempt to use fraudulent SWIFT messages to steal from a commercial bank in Vietnam. In addition, Reuters reported last week that Ecuador's Banco del Austro had more than $12 million stolen from a Wells Fargo account due to fraudulent transfers over the SWIFT network. Bangladesh police are also reviewing a nearly-forgotten 2013 cyber heist at the nation's largest commercial bank, Sonali Bank, for connections to the central bank heist, a senior law enforcement official told Reuters. The unsolved theft of $250,000 at Sonali Bank also involved fraudulent transfer requests sent over the SWIFT network. Wizz Air's Airbus A-321 flies along the Danibe river during an air show in Budapest, Hungary, May 1, 2016. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh The aerospace industry is struggling to make the most of the chances offered by Big Data to reduce production costs, optimize flight routes, and improve monitoring and maintenance of aircraft equipment, executives said. Sensors placed on aircraft equipment and systems could provide a wealth of data that could help to speed up production and ensure better performance of parts, but planemakers and suppliers, struggling to cope with a backlog of orders, are not yet making the most of it. European planemaker Airbus will discuss its digitalization strategy when it invites media for its annual Innovation Days event at its factory in Hamburg on Monday and Tuesday. "We are in an industry that produces a vast amount of data and yet we use... only a tiny portion of that data, that has to change," Airbus Group CEO Tom Enders said. Big Data is typically defined as large volumes of data that can be analysed to reveal patterns. Having a fully digitalised chain of data in place could allow all those working on an engine, for example, to have the most amount of information possible on any changes made between the design, production and operation by airlines. That could vastly improve the production and maintenance of engines. "The new raw material is not titanium or nickel but data," said Cedric Goubet, head of civil programmes at engine maker Snecma, part of Safran. Snecma is also working on algorithms that will analyse data to help airlines optimise routes and save fuel, while digitalisation could help suppliers to better coordinate production sites as far flung as India, Vietnam, China and Turkey. Equipment maker Daher uses its Daher Control Room, originally developed for its nuclear activities, to manage its global network of suppliers in real time, which it says gives it greater visibility. Alan Pellegrini, head of the U.S. division of Thales, said the next step will be to assess information coming from the aircraft in real-time, rather than waiting for the information to be downloaded when planes are on the ground, to better improve the performance of systems on the aircraft, he said. Managing Director Frederic Micheland of supplier Latecoere , which provides cables and doors for planes, said much still needed to done. "We have a long way to go and a lot of industrial issues to deal with first," he said. Kansas coach Bill Self is still looking for a big man to emerge Hawk Zone Today we are publishing the continuing story of a five part editorial. To appreciate the entire set of events, we invite you to continue reading the final instalment tomorrow. In the end Tuilaepa won. Parliament did not debate the passport scandal and the Foreign Investment Bill. And it was most possibly that victory of his that spurred him tirelessly on to become the countrys next Prime Minister. Jin Jipeis fate was finally decided on 17 June 1997. His Worship Tagaloa found him guilty as charged. He told the defendant: This court must consider that other people like you must be deterred from breaking the laws of this country. Although His Worship did not accept the defendants claim that he thought the passport he had bought was valid, he found in Jipeis favour that he had no previous conviction at least in this country. When Jipeis counsel Harry Schuster asked for leniency, he reminded the court that as a total stranger to Samoa his client had lost a considerable amount of money having bought the unauthorized passport for $US3,000. He submitted that the Samoan Immigration Office was partly to blame for his clients predicament, since it was from there that the passport had gone missing. His Worship fined Jipei $200 or a month in jail in default. Across the front page of the Samoa Observer the next morning ran a story under the heading Guilty, Jipei fined $200. And now that he was a free man Jin Jipei vanished. No one knew when he slipped out of the country and which country he had gone to. No one wanted to know either what passport he might have used when he fled. But everywhere everyone was thankful; they all sighed with relief; they all thought Jin Jipeis short sojourn in Paradise would have been his most horrible nightmare ever. Unlike Tuilaepa though, Tofilau was not through yet with the passport scandal. It appeared as if he was still bothered by it. In the next session of Parliament he took the floor and once again denied any knowledge of passports being sold abroad. Samoa, he told Parliament, God knows I did not sell any passports. His denial was carried on the front page of the Samoa Observer on 19 June 1997 under the headline: PM denies selling passports It said Tofilau insisted he had never authorized anyone to sell passports but he knew others before him who had done this. He then went on to give details. He told Parliament that a Chinese family had approached him with $500 to buy a Western Samoan passport but he denied the request. I did not delegate any authority to anyone to issue passports, he said. (But if any passports have been sold) that has now been stopped. I have now delegated the authority to the secretary to government. He went on to insist that those (who were there) before I became PM did. Who then had issued passports? Tofilau asked. By that time he had been PM for some 13 years. Four others had been PM before him; they had all assumed the responsibilities of the Minister of Immigrations. But then perhaps Tofilau had forgotten that he himself had authorized the issuing of a few passports to foreigners. Back on 23 December 1985 he authorised citizenship and a passport for the American businessman Patrick Reid; he did that 20 days after hed received Reids application. Then also in 1995 he and his Minister of Finance, Tuilaepa Sailele, sold a citizenship and a passport to a Chinese named Chen Zizhao. A story about that transaction was published on the front page of the Samoa Observer on 26 June 1997 under the headline: Tofilau, Tuilaepa grant residence, citizenship. It read: Contrary to their repeated denials, both Prime Minister Tofilau and Finance Minister Tuilaepa have been aware of Western Samoan citizenships being sold to Chinese (nationals). On 6 July 1995, Tofilau granted Chen Zizhao a certificate of permanent residence. Four months later on 16 November 1995, Tuilaepa granted the same man a certificate of naturalisation. On that same day, a government official receipt was made out to Chen Zizhao for $2,000. The naturalization document declared that upon taking the oath of allegiance (Chen Zizhao) shall be a citizen of Western Samoa. Five months later, Chen Zizhaos Western Samoan citizenship was granted. He was also issued with his Western Samoan passport. Copies of these documents were published alongside the story. But Chen Zizhao was not a Samoan. He was Chinese. Although both Tofilau and Tuilaepa were not impressed it was Tuilaepa who made his anger publicly known. He did not try to conceal it when he addressed Parliament on 26 June 1997. It was when he repeated his accusation that the Samoa Observer was being run by fools. It was easy to see why he was angry. On the front page of the paper the day before he was featured in a story under the headline: Who granted Samoan citizenship to Li Yuan? In those days, everyone was asking this question but only a few knew its answer. And those who knew the answer were not prepared to share it. They were all scared of the government. So that it soon became clear that public interest in the name Li Yuan was growing rapidly. So who was Li Yuan? She was a Chinese girl. Born on 3 October 1979 in Hefei City, Anhui Province, China, her natural father was Li Shengye, her mother was Yuan Fengying. In early 1996, Li Yuan turned up in Samoa. And on 10 April 1996, she was adopted by an Apian couple named Kenny Young and Ming Young. From there, her name changed to Angela Li Young. She was a bright girl. She went on to attend the National University of Samoa for one year. And then Miss Li Young was granted a Western Samoan citizenship. This document would render her eligible for a government scholarship to study overseas, which was when the public started grumbling. Still, Miss Li Young got her scholarship and she went on to study medicine at Otago University. But then no one in the government would talk about it. Even Parliament was tight-lipped about it. Although MP Le Mamea Ropati had raised the matter in Parliament, he did not reveal the messy details. In retaliation, Prime Minister Tofilau challenged Le Mamea to tell what he knew. Le Mamea did not. Everyone then thought he should have kept quiet if he did not know what was going on. But Le Mamea knew a lot more than he had so far divulged, and yet for some reason he just refused to talk. Tomorrows Part 5 editorial, Prime Minister Tuilaepa issues Chinese girl, Lin Yuan, Samoan passport The more you know, the more you are responsible for this knowledge of yours. This is the mantra that Usufono Fepuleai inculcated in his students with when they finally received their certificates on Friday morning at the organisations campus. The group that had learnt everything about the principle and also the construction of biogas-systems, gained a lot of knowledge in the past six weeks. In this period of time, 28 people from different places all over the planet came to the campus of Y.W.A.M. (Youth With A Mission) and learnt as much as they could from Mr Fepuleai, who in the past had studied the functioning of this sustainable resource in Hanoi, Vietnam. Usufono Fepuleai had shared his knowledge in workshops before, but the recent one was special for him. I think this workshop, which in fact was not an easy one, has been very productive. These people who came to us are really blessed. There has been so much more activity this time than in the years before. Within the training, the participants first passed through three weeks of theoretical lessons on biogas, for which they also had to pass two exams. After that, they had the chance to apply their knowledge to the field during the second half of the six-week long workshop. For Mr Fepuleai, who coordinated the workshop on sustainable technologies along with his wife Sose Utu Fepuleai, the knowledge he was able to share during that time is also a gift that hopefully will now be present all around the world. We really want to take this out to the whole of the Pacific and even beyond. I told our students here, if they now go back to their countries and try to establish biogas there, they will be very lonely with this important idea. But if we all work together, as we did here in our workshop, we can spread this technology. Networking is the key to establish the knowledge about biogas. This technology should have been in the Pacific 30 years ago. To multiply things and to finally achieve our goal, there has to be a network of people who know about biogas. With our workshop, we laid the foundation for this network. During the workshop, the group also shared visionary ideas on other sustainable energies, which can be used in the future. We started planning to connect biogas with solar energy. With this powerful resource, we can generate all the power for our base here. I mean, all these things are already there. The sun is free, the sea is free and the water is free. They just need to be used by us to generate energy. The main resource used in the project still was biogas, which is in fact generated by the waste that otherwise would stay unused. The waste produced by the bases kitchen as well as the toilets and the pigs is stored in an underground tank in which then biogas but also high quality fertilizer is produced practically on its own. But to reach this stage, the trainings participants had to do a lot of working and learning. We noticed that especially the local participants and those from the surrounding island countries rather adapt knowledge by visual and kinaesthetic learning. But they went through all the processes and therefore there will be no excuse for them not to bring this technology to their countries, because to me, that is the secret: they must make use of what they learnt here in Samoa to have success with it, Fepuleai told Weekend Observer. To understand this secret, the participants lived, learned and worked together on the campus for a duration of six weeks. According to Fepuleai, this was by no means an easy endeavour, due to all the different cultures the participants came from to learn about biogas in Samoa. In the beginning, we were a bit nervous because it was the first time for us to have them stay here, but actually it worked out quite well. Of course there are good times as well as bad times and some of them really had to adapt to the work ethics we demanded from them. But we are a missionary organisation, so hard work is something our participants have to get used to. In the end, 28 attendees of the workshop got used to the amount of work that it takes to learn everything about biogas. Even though the participants came from different countries such as Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Indonesia and of course Samoa with some of them being sent over by their governments to gain knowledge, they all were able to achieve a certificate which proves the expertise they have acquired. One of those who could hold one of the certificates in his hands after all was Laisiasa Tora from Fiji. The man who was sent over by his home countrys government along with some of his colleagues finally had the chance to learn about biogas in Y.W.A.M.s training. I missed my chance to participate here in 2014, so I was very lucky to come to Samoa this year. I met Usufono in my home country and he told me about his idea of biogas. Thats how I got invited to learn everything. The workshop gives me the opportunity to set up biogas systems in my home country and I think we will benefit from this kind of resource, Mr Tora explained. There were also participants who had worked with Y.W.A.M. before, like Mr Dominic Manning, who is originally from Fairbanks in Alaska, USA. I was working [with Y.W.A.M.] in Vanuatu during one of their conferences. This was where I heard from Usufono about the biogas and about a year later during another conference in Papua New Guinea, I watched him and a team building one of the systems, which seemed very interesting to me. What I also find quite impressive, is that with these systems, countries which are usually cut off from the gas system can now run their own business, so that is a highly profitable resource. After a more theoretically workshop one year ago, Mr Manning decided to go more practical next time. With this workshop, we were able to build a system from the ground on, which was an instructive experience for me. I am sure that in Vanuatu, people will benefit from that, but if I find the time, I might even build one for my parents in Alaska. The final outcome of the workshop certainly is an impressive one. Together, all the 28 graduates were able to build a gigantic dome that functions as the gas tank on Y.W.A.M.s campus. The dome was built during the last three weeks of the workshop. The construction might be a huge benefit for the usage of sustainable energy, but it is also an achievement each and every one of the students can be proud of. Two weeks ago, a story was published in the Weekend Observer about a snake that was spotted by a worker at Bluebird Lumber & Hardware in Salelologa, Savaii. This issue raised a lot of concerns and questions from members of the public. And it now appears that there are more snakes out there. On Thursday, another local posted a photo of a snake curled up in a guava tree on Facebook. The photo and post was by Sita Leota. The post reads as follows: A week and a half ago, there was a story in the paper about a snake in Savaii. My older brother came across this one this afternoon (Thursday) at the place we have at Tiavi, on the way to Siumu, camouflaged in a guava tree. According to Sita, she and her brother were told by the boys who live there that that was the third and the biggest snake theyve seen to date. The post continues: It (the snake) "jumped" (I suppose, is the word) as if to attack them when they saw it. I'm sorry all snake lovers. Nobody was going to stand around and say, "This doesn't look dangerous at all, let me check the textbook of non-poisonous snakes" or "Here kitty kitty, let me love you". NO. They put an end to it.It would be highly advisable for whichever authority is in charge to please come and have a look. Sitas brother was contacted for a comment, and Misa Henry Leota confirmed that the snake was found by the boys who work at their land on Thursday. It was raining in the afternoon when they found the snake, said Misa. He also agreed that the snake that was found on Thursday wasnt the first snake the boys had found. They killed it and threw it into a valley. Misa said they are not sure what kind of snake it was and how long it was. The boys did what they had to do to avoid anyone from getting hurt. When the story on the snake from Savaii was published in the paper, an environmental expert argued against the killing of the two-meter snake. S.P.R.E.Ps Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Officer, Paul Anderson, said that invasive snakes are bad for Samoa. According to Mr. Anderson, Samoa is home to a native non-venomous snake called the Pacific boa. They are a bit rare because uninformed people often kill them, said Mr. Anderson. Moreover, according to Mr. Anderson, members of the public should bring in the snakes so they can ID and release the snake if it is native, or destroy it if it happens to be an alien (non-native) species. Tanoa Hotel Group, Fijis largest hotel chain and one of the Pacific Islands fastest growing hotel brands, has unveiled its refreshed brand to the market. This coincides with the upcoming opening of its new 4 star Tanoa International Dateline Hotel in NukuAlofa, Tonga. Tanoa is a major hospitality player in the Pacific with 10 hotels in Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand and soon, Tonga. This makeover for Tanoa Hotels, which was founded over 50 years ago, is designed to bring the brand in line with their growing portfolio and position in the market. Managing Director, Rohit Reddy says, Our new International Dateline Hotel in Tonga presented us with a chance to review where we have been and where we are going, and to align our brand with our core values and point of difference in the marketplace. Its exciting times ahead for Tanoa Hotels and our refreshed brand has brought us up to date in the modern tourism landscape. The new look is still recognisably Tanoa with a clear, strong and confident focus on the Tanoa bowl a significant icon in pacific culture. The Tanoa represents a coming together of people reflected in the ethos of the Tanoa Group. The new brand reflects our professional, friendly, personable and uncomplicated offer we make it easy. Were flexible and make your visit easy - whether for a holiday, stopover, business, wedding or conference, says Mr Reddy. The refreshed brand is designed with the flexibility to brand Tanoa Hotel Groups distinct properties across different media, which is especially important in the digital age. The majority of hotel and travel bookings are made online, and presenting a consistent brand across all touch points will allow a rich and confidence-inspiring Tanoa Hotel Group user experience. The new refreshed logo and colour palette will roll out across all hotels and marketing resources including signage, staff uniforms, hotel collateral, websites, social media and advertising over the next few months. This moves Tanoa Hotel Group forward, ensuring a bright future where guests have easy and enjoyable travel experiences. Mr. YP Reddy (CF, OBE) established the Tanoa Hotel Group in Fiji in 1965. Today Tanoa has 6 hotels in Fiji, 3 in New Zealand, 1 in Samoa and shortly 1 in Tonga, employing over 1000 staff. Tanoa Hotels are part of Reddy Group, a successful, entrepreneurial privately held family business with a diverse global portfolio. Father goes on Hanoi hospital rampage, accuses doctors of neglecting his child Nguyen Hung Cuong attacked doctors and nurses at the Hanoi-based National Hospital of Pediatrics last night, accusing them of failing to treat his son. The boy was taken to hospital with a fever of about 39 Celsius. After an initial check-up, a doctor told the couple that the boy was in a stable condition and there was no need to worry. The parents had already given the boy some medicine for the fever, so the doctor said she would check back on him later. The man was then asked to fill out some paperwork, at which point he snapped and attacked a female doctor and chased her as she tried to escape. A male doctor who tried to intervene was badly beaten. Why are you not giving my child medicine for his fever?, the man shouted, a witness said. The father also verbally abused a nurse, accusing her of bathing his child in scolding water, and then attacked a nurse who was preparing a bed for his son. In the meantime, the boy was being checked on by doctors. About 15 minutes after the incident, police showed up and subdued the man. Le Thanh Hai, director of the hospital, said the nurses and doctors involved had been given some time off to recover, and the hospital had beefed up security. A male doctor who was beaten during the rampage said he was scared Cuong would return for revenge. Nguyen Hung Cuong lives near the hospital and has a history of abusing hospital staff. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour has issued a correction to the public holidays notice for the 54th Independence Day Celebrations for Samoa. The public notice states that the public, business communities, shop owners, employers and workers are again advised that in accordance with section 2 of the Public Holidays Act 2008, the Public Holidays declared to commemorate the 54 years of Samoas Independence are as follow. Public Holiday Wednesday, 1st June 2016 Public Holiday Thursday, 2nd June 2016-05-28 Commissioned Holiday for Public Servants only Friday, 3rd June 2016. Friday 3rd of June is a normal business day and not a Public Holiday. This day is also regarded as a Shopping Day for Independence. This public notice has left some business owners upset while others have resigned themselves to looking for a positive from the governments decision . Moe Lei Sam owner of the Moe Lei Samoa Variety Store said that the two public holidays will affect her business. How does the government expect us to survive by having so many public holidays? she asked. This is very unfair for us, I mean there are so many public holidays, we had the Election Day Public Holidays, then we have the Mothers Day, Independence Day, Fathers Day and White Sunday. I reckon Samoa is the only country with so many public holidays. How do they (government) expect the businesses to survive if they have public holidays almost every month? Another well known businessman, the owner of the Island Rock Company is also less than thrilled. Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork said every business needs five working days to meet their sales targets but to have three working days, puts the pressure on everyone. For three days ,we wont be able to meet the target s and that will count as a loss for our business, he said. Ms. Lei Samoa said Samoas economic situation nowadays is very poor and people are suffering . I want to remind the Prime Minister that our employees depend on us and if we continue having holidays then we will not be able to afford to pay our employees. This is something that he needs to look at. If they decide to have these holidays then I think the employees salaries should be half as well because we shouldnt be paying them full pay for doing nothing. I even called M.C.I.L. myself and they apologised and said that this is the way it is. The holidays are adding up and that means businesses are going down, and nowadays is just not the same anymore because life is expensive and people need to survive. However, there is nothing we can do about it because the government has already decided on this so we just have to go with it. Another private business owner who wishes to remain anonymous said that the public holidays can be a positive or a negative thing. I reckon its okay because these two days we will get to spend time with our families, she said. Because for most people, they literally dont have time for their families as they are too busy running their businesses and worrying about other things but I guess these holidays will be enough to spend as much time as they want with their families. I know it will affect businesses but take it as positive thing for us parents. We shouldnt be worrying about money too much but having time with our families will be a good outcome from all of this. Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has reaffirmed his views on a Constitution amendment to ink that Christianity is the official church of Samoa. In his weekly talkback show with radio 2AP, Tuilaepa emphasised the need to correct an error he claims was made by foreigners in the Constitution. That is the only amendment to the Constitution, he explained. To correct what the papalagi did. Our forebears wanted that inserted in the body of the Constitution. The preamble is not important but inside the body of the Constitution, it should have these words inserted that Samoa is founded on Christian principles and values period to make it very clear. Tuilaepa reiterated that those words are not identified in the body of the Constitution where they should be. That is why Im saying that will be corrected; to insert those words in the body of the Constitution, he said. But what I see in the newspaper is, it says that other religions are banned which is such a foolish claim. He did not name which newspaper he was referring to. Tuilaepa recalled that in the past, the elders wanted to insert the changes in the Constitution but the papalagi told them not to as it would be too wordy and that there was no extremism then. But that is not true during these days because what is happening from overseas comes from beliefs and religion. That is why I said that error will be corrected but I saw in the paper it says Tuilaepa says this and that. The Prime Minister continued to say that his position on the issue was very simple. But there is something happening here, he said. We are talking in Samoan and whats happening is there are so many writers who are physically Samoans but do not understand Samoan. That is why I continue to speak in Samoan so that our country can understand. The problem is you think you can speak English that runs like a sewing machine and then think you are smart but it only shows how stupid you are. He added what he had said was very clear but when I saw the newspaper, it was wrong all the way from Sydney. Another point that the Prime Minister mentioned is that not correcting something that is wrong, is a sin. Lets talk about sin even though we are not pastors, he said. A person will commit a sin if they do wrong like lying and assaulting someone else but the other sin is knowing that the other person has done wrong, and you dont do anything about it. So there are two kinds of sins which are, when you do wrong and when you know that something is not right and you dont correct it. Improving the tourism industry in the Pacific was top of the consultation agenda between the World Bank and the Samoa Tourism Industry Association (S.T.A.) on Friday. Held in the Samoan fale at the S.T.A. grounds, the event was well-attended by members of the tourism sector in Samoa. The gathering had the chance to listen to and see the draft of the Pacific Possible: Tourism 2040 by the World Bank. The launch of the draft report was held earlier last week in Australia, and the six weeks of consultations and discussions of the report has started. Samoa is the first Pacific Island Country to discuss and give ideas for the final documentation of the Pacific Possible: Tourism 2040. This final report will be finalized after all the consultations and it is expected to be completed in late July. The two representatives from World Bank who presented the report to Samoa were Mr. John Perrottet and Mr. Benjamin W. Brighouse. P.P.T. 2040 is a programme of dialogue and research on transformational long term economic opportunities. It covers Pacific member countries of the World Bank. It aims at achieving higher economic growth and improved standards of living, which is a key challenge in the Pacific. According to Mr. John Perrottet, the World Banks main priority is alleviating poverty and providing prosperity for all. And with tourism contributing in terms of economy development around the world, the World Bank is looking at taking the development of tourism to the next level. We are interested in tourism as an industry for it plays a role in alleviating poverty, said Mr. Perrottet. In the case of the Pacific islands, we think that it has a very good potential to contribute in improving prosperity as it does to other parts of the world. Mr. Perrottet said the P.P.T. 2040 is one of the main reports they have of a total of seven reports by the World Bank for Pacific Island countries. The other six reports focus on different issues, he said. The issues that the World Bank thinks have the best chance of generating some sort of transformational trench. The bottom line of this is: the growth of tourism in the Pacific is relatively low and if things continue the way they are, then I think that the growth is going to stay low. So we are looking for the opportunities to increase and improve the growth of tourism within the Pacific. Tourism is the most significant sector which can really help improve in the economy of a country and we are looking at ways that can improve in this area. Mr. Perrottet admitted that putting together the draft of the report was not easy, with having access to data as the major challenge. There is really a lack of data in the Pacific and its a big challenge trying to collect good data for the report, and thats understandable because these are small island nations and that is something we are hoping we can work on to improve in the future. He is positive that the benefits of the report are far reaching for the Pacific Island Countries. There is absolutely no reason why countries in the Pacific cannot improve and benefit from this report. That is also why we are having consultations before we finalise the report, so that we can the views and opinion of the people from the Pacific on whats applicable to them and where exactly we can help them improve. Creating ways for the Pacific Island countries to attract more visitors to the Pacific is one of the priorities of the report. Part of the reasons why the Bank is undertaking this work is to not focus too much on the negative sides of things and look at the positive opportunities. The Pacific Island countries dont have a lot of visitors. And to attract more visitors, we need to more sites, more access and improve connectivity and make things more attractive for the business community. The six themes included in the report are: Harness the riches of the Pacific Ocean, Managing increasing stress on Pacific livelihoods, Labor mobility, Working together, Hosting the world and Islands in a sea of knowledge. Adele Kruse, the Chairperson of the Samoa Tourism Industry Association, spoke on the importance of the report saying that it falls in line with all the work being done by the S.T.I.A. in improving the tourism sector in Samoa. This report aligns with what we want to do in Samoa in the tourism industry, she said. We want to do so many things to improve and to help the growth of the industry and most of those things are highlighted in this report. Consultations for the report are also good because we get to share our views and opinions and add onto the things that are already in the draft so that we can all benefit from it. The city has suspended a cruise ship from operating for seven days and fined the captain $270 after it crashed into another ship and tried to sail away after the accident. On May 26, the Cong Nghia Cruise boat rammed into the Duc Long, smashing windows and damaging the bow. Passengers on the Duc Long, including 26 foreigners and two Vietnamese tourists, were left in a state of shock, but no one was hurt. The Cong Nghia tried to sail away from the incident, but was quickly caught by Ha Long Police. Yesterday, police officially fined the captain $270 and docked the boat for seven days. The news could not have been worse. Starvation, malnutrition, diseases such as typhoid, smallpox, dysentery, and pneumonia, along with freezing temperatures that assaulted thousands of shoeless feet bloodying the snow, attached to bands of walking skeletons exposed to the elements by threadbare garments. They all combined to claim 2,500 lives from General George Washingtons army of 12,000 Continentals, who struggled through their encampment at Valley Forge during the 1777-78 winter. One bitter soldier wrote, Poor food hard lodging cold weather fatigue nasty cloaths nasty cookery vomit half my time smoakd out of my senses the devils in it I cant endure it Why are we sent here to starve and freeze? Why, indeed? Desertions were rife astonishing, according to one observer and mutterings of mutiny escaped from cracked lips of desperate, shivering volunteers, many of whom vowed to liberate themselves from their confinement as soon as their enlistments were up. Rumors of replacing General Washington were whispered in some ears was there a conspiracy lurking in this misery? Finally, a detachment from the Continental Congress showed up to query the good general about what was going on. Washington exploded: Ive been leading this band of rabble under the worst conditions imaginable against the most powerful country the world has ever seen, and you have the unbridled impudence to question my leadership? Thats it, Im done, I resign! And he stomped off in fury, mounted his horse, and galloped away. Within three months, the British attacked what was left of the garrison, and the Americans aborted attempt to gain their independence and secure their rights for themselves and their posterity was quashed. History took a different and very uncertain turn. That is not what happened, of course; but Valley Forge is just one instance representing many scores of crucial What If experiences in American history, involving the battles, agonies, and wartime hardships that American soldiers have endured on behalf of their country, often receiving due credit for their sacrifices, and, to our countrys shame, occasionally not. Indeed, who can plunge into the soul-numbing specifics of any combat in Americas wars without being humbled by accounts of bodies blown to bits, of mortally wounded soldiers still leading charges, of bravery so profound that it mocks our efforts to describe it? But describe such bravery and sacrifice, we must. And remember, we must. Indeed, who could forget? Who could forget a What If scenario of the Normandy invasion, to cite another instance? What might have happened if Erwin Rommel had persuaded Hitler and General von Rundstedt to alter the Reichs Festung Europa defense in ways that would have slaughtered Allied forces on the beaches? A re-energized Germany is one answer, perhaps in a position to bolster its position on the Eastern front and fight the war to a stalemate with the Soviet Union, leaving the continent enslaved by two totalitarian powers while a demoralized United States, Great Britain, and Canada contemplate another invasion attempt in a year or so. All the while Americans at home wonder why we got into that war to begin with, as they read about General Dwight Eisenhower getting sacked and President Roosevelt dying even more prematurely from a heart attack. Indeed, the What Ifs about the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our country fill books, all of them fascinating, all of them disturbing. One last point needs to be made. Ive had the privilege of visiting the Normandy American Cemetery several times, in fact bereft of speech and breath as my lonely steps walked softly and lightly among those perfectly aligned rows of crosses, with a scattering of tiny flags fluttering here and there. Then you come to a particular cross and stop. And read: Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God I ponder this, of course. Silently. Reverently. I think of those intrepid 18, 19, and 20-year-olds storming the beaches of Normandy, facing murderous volleys of German machine-gun fire from MG-34s, and the terrifyingly high muzzle reports of Maschinengewehr 42s. Then my thoughts wander from those young heroes to some of their counterparts on American college campuses today, clamoring for safe spaces, demanding trigger warnings for speech that hurts their feelings, and sobbing about micro-aggressions that make them uncomfortable. I, for one, love the America that has survived all those horrible What Ifs of our history. I love the America where our fallen heroes are revered and our serving men and women are held in the highest esteem. Let us all thank God that He has blessed the America that we have, and always remember those courageous men and women who sacrificed their lives to secure it, for us and future generations. There is no shortage of horror stories surround plastic surgeries gone bad. The recent one involves a girl who sustained brain damage because of breast augmentation! According to Fox News, Linda Perez underwent coma for two weeks after her breast augmentation procedure. She was just 18 then. Three years later, her mother is now speaking out to warn others of this danger associated with plastic surgery. Even though Linda Perez was able to wake up from the coma, she is not the same happy teen as she was before. She can only speak a few words and can only stand for a few seconds. According to Mariela Diaz, the mom, the surgery had gone wrong and affected Linda's brain. She also named the surgery clinic Coral Gables Cosmetic Center in Miami as the clinic that operated on her daughter. "I tell the daughters and mothers to think it over before going to those clinics, because they never know how they are going to come out," Mariela told the Miami Herald. "They should accept what they have naturally." Linda was not a first timer when it comes to having procedures done on her, which some people are quick to assume. This is her second operation, with the first one done on her buttocks. According to Mariela, the physician who gave the anaesthesia, Dr. Mario Alberto Diaz even tried to resuscitate the girl when her heart rate and blood pressure just dropped suddenly to no avail. Linda fell unconscious and into a coma, which triggered an administrative complaint from the Florida Department of Health. Under the complaint, the doctor was being accused for not providing enough airway for assisted breathing during the over half hour of resuscitation attempt. According to Miami Herald, Diaz was hardly a reputable physician. He is a convicted felon who was jailed for the illegal sale of pills online. He pleaded guilty in 2006 and after serving his prison term, given a one-year suspension. He was allowed to keep his license. At this moment, Diaz can still practice his profession after settling the Perez case with $10,000 fine and 15 hours of Continuing Medical Education. Despite the case being settled, Linda Perez's life will never be the same again. She has a six-year old son and the entire family is financially unstable. A GoFundMe page has already been created by the legal team of the girl to help cover for the medical costs. Not all plastic surgeries done always end up successful. "The Hills" Heidi Montag can attest this, after she underwent a dozen of surgeries over six years ago. In her ET Online interview, although she said she did not regret what she did, she cannot recommend plastic surgery to other. "Regret's a hard word because I'm trying not to regret things in my life because that can be a dark path to go down," Montag said. "But I certainly wouldn't do it again and I certainly wouldn't recommend it and I have learned a lot from it and I just want to move forward in a positive way." A strain of E.coli bacteria, which contained a mutated gene known as MCR-1 have been found in the urine of a 49-year-old Pennsylvania woman. It is a superbug that does not respond to antibiotics, even with Colistin, which the doctors use as the last remedy when most antibiotics fail. Modern Health Care reports that the study was printed in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. The researchers see it as the discovery of the emergence of truly pan-drug resistant bacteria. The woman went for a check up to a clinic in Pennsylvania. She had her urine sample forwarded to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and they found the bacteria in her urine. The woman did not travel outside the U.S. within past five months. With this, they had no idea how the bacteria got into the woman's system, according to CNN. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health are investigating the case and tracing the contacts in which the patient might have spread the bacteria. On the other hand, the woman was treated and released. Dr. Alex Kallen, a medical officer with the CDC said that the woman had no other medical problems related to bacteria that they know. Meanwhile, Dr.Thomas Frieden, the CDC director said that the medicine cabinet is empty for some patients. He added that it is the end of the road for antibiotics if they don't do something. Antibiotics have been used for about 85 years and in the first 10 years of use, the bacteria were becoming resistant. Today, the colistin is beginning to fail, according to Science Alert. In some cases, those bacteria that do not respond to colistin have been found in countries like China, Italy and the UK. This is the first time that the resistance has been found in the US. It is thought that the resistance may have come from Chinese pigs. This is because colistin has been used considerably in the pork industry. Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health today, according to the World Health Organization. Frieden said that even though this is the first case in the U.S, they should expect to see more superbugs in the future. He warns doctors against the overuse of antibiotics and encourages the scientists to create new drugs quickly. Earlier this month, a former Microsoft executive Dr Nathan Myhrvold had accused NASA of underestimating the sizes of asteroids near Earth. In a paper written by him, the techie billionaire had pointed to dangers of large asteroids striking the planet blaming NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) space telescope and its miscalculations of the sizes of more than 157,000 asteroids. However, NASA has now officially criticized Myhrvold's claim. NASA put up a response on its website stating that Myhrvold's paper was published before going through the peer-review process by any independent journal, which is an essential scientific step to check a paper and remove flaws or errors in it. The review process is also necessary to make sure the results are independently valuable, reproducible and validated, so that they can benefit the science community. Myhrvold had argued whether the teams of researchers at NEOWISE actually knew as much as they proclaimed to. Furthermore, the former Microsoft executive had criticized the NEOWISE results of being full of bad statistics and analysis. "The bad news is it's all basically wrong," Nathan Myhrvold had said. "Unfortunately for a lot of it, it's never going to be as accurate as they had hoped. None of their results can be replicated. I found one irregularity after another". Furthermore, NEOWISE's data was said to be "very funky, ad hoc, invalid set of statistical analyses". NASA maintains that all the papers published by the NEOWISE team are meticulously put through the peer review process. Furthermore, the US space agency supports the data and scientific findings of the NEOWISE team and is confident it had performed valid as well as verified processes and analyses. The NEOWISE mission data release is available publicly along with supporting documentations and data access instructions. A list of peer-reviewed papers using the NEOWISE data is also open for public access. A UNESCO report released recently has highlighted the threat faced by iconic heritage sites globally due to climate change. Famous and popular tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty in New York City, Stonehenge in United Kingdom, Easter Island and Galapagos islands feature among the 31 natural and cultural world heritage sites in 29 nations mentioned in the report. However, Australia's Great Barrier Reef is missing from the list even though it is being threatened by destructive coral bleaching due to abnormally mild ocean temperatures caused by global warming. In fact, 95 percent of the Great Barrier's northern reefs has already been killed or damaged. According to a report, Australia's ambassador to UNESCO influenced the section on the country to be scrubbed off due to worries that the truth would hamper the nation's tourism industry. A Deputy Director with the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), Adam Markham however said that the list was made before the global bleaching event came to the forefront, but he added that the original story had a mention of the climate change risking the reef. "I was asked to review an international scientific report on the impacts of climate change on World Heritage sites and tourism. I reviewed a case study on the Great Barrier Reef, focusing on the increasing risks to tourism from climate change," said Will Steffen, professor at Climate Council."Overnight the report was released - but mysteriously, the Great Barrier Reef chapter had been cut completely. I was astonished, given we've just witnessed the worst coral bleaching event in the Reef's history." Called World Heritage and Tourism in a Changing Climate, the report was co-authored by UNESCO, UCS and the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). Mt. Everest and Yellowstone National Park are also among the sites mentioned on the list. The World Heritage sites are facing a grave environmental threat due to manmade global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions resulting from burning fossil fuels such as oil and coal, as per the organizations. The effects of global warming could also have an adverse impact on local economies dependent on the tourism industry according to the report, and it called for action that will protect the globally popular tourist sites, which have "universal value to humankind". The report concluded with the suggestion that world leaders need to work on the policies decided at the Paris Agreement, to prevent temperatures on our planet from increasing more than two degrees Celsius. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Scunthorpe has always been a hard-drinking town, probably because of its association with the steel industry Even before 24-hour drinking in the UK became law, you could virtually booze around the clock in Scunny. Pubs opened at 6am to catch shift workers on their way home and, during the day, by relocating from pubs to working men's clubs, there was a continuous supply on tap. After closing time, hardened drinkers could booze away at local restaurants and night clubs like McGees until the wee small hours of the morning. In the 1970s, Scunthorpe was so renowned as Boozeville UK that the government of the day sent a delegation from Whitehall to the town to see if there was a case for 24-hour licensing. Since then, by a strange twist of fate, the relaxation in the law and the ban on smoking in 2007 has seen a record number of Scunthorpe pubs go to the wall. But, there were others who closed before that. Here's a look at some of those that have shouted last orders - and meant it over the past three or four decades - in no particular order: The Blue Bell in High Street East - now demolished The Brown Cow in Ashby High Street - now an Aldi supermarket The Furnace Arms in High Street East - now demolished Bell and Anchor in Market Square - now demolished The Crosby/King Henry Hotel in Normanby Road - awaiting demolition The Brumby Hotel in Cemetery Road - demolished The Desert Rat in Swinburne Road - awaiting demolition The Parkinson Arms in Mary Street - fire damaged The Poacher - now houses The Geneva - now William Hill Bookies The Star, Rochdale Road - awaiting demoilition Tylers - fire damaged But it's the town's workingmen's clubs which have taken the harder knock. Gone or turned into other venues and again not in any order - are: The Phoenix - now The Pig and Whistle pub Park Social - now The Riveter pub Ashby and District - now Harry's Bar Brumby and Frodingham, Cottage Beck Road - now Glenny's Bar Coronation - awaiting redevelopment Frodingham Sports - now a community centre Scunthorpe Liberal - demolished St Philips - awaiting redevelopment Scunthorpe Conservative - awaiting redevelopment Ukrainian Social - redeveloped British Legion - awaiting development Polish Ex-Services - now council offices Kinsley Labour - awaiting redevelopment Ashby Labour - now the RAOB Club Redform and Mayfair - redeveloped Ashby Institute - now houses Scunthorpe and District - now Mulligans New Victoria - now demolished Iron and Steel - now indoor bowling centre Elm House/Emerald - now Showmans Perhaps Scunthorpe in the second decade of the 21st century should be renamed Soberville! The Singapore-incorporated Joint Venture Company (JVCO) will establish a wholly-owned Design and Engineering Centre (DEC) in Russia, with its principal business activities in the design and engineering of mobile offshore drilling units for shallow waters to cater to the region. The shareholding of Keppel O&M, Rosneft and MHWirth in JVCO will be 45%, 45% and 10% respectively. Both the JVCO and the DEC will, in the conduct of its business and activities, adhere to the prevailing US and European Union sanctions imposed on the Russian offshore oil and gas sector, Keppel Corp, parent firm of Keppel O&M, said. The initial projects undertaken by DEC will be from Rosneft for design and engineering work related to shallow water platforms. It will also look to take on work from other Russian and international customers. Read enough spy novels and you'll get the distinct impression that Israeli's foreign intelligence service Mossad is a formidable entity. It's the spy agency that other spy agencies are afraid of. In this Seeker Daily report, we ask ourselves -- quietly, nervously: What do we really know about Mossad? Well, we know it has a very controversial reputation. Mossad operatives have been implicated in everything from the deep-cover infiltration of other governments to highly disturbing extrajudicial executions. As with most spy organizations, specific details are hard to come by. Mossad is one Israel's five major intelligence agencies and is considered the primary foreign intelligence service. As such, it's enormously secretive and reports directly to the Israeli prime minister. RELATED: What Are Israel's Violations of International Law? It's believed that the agency was founded around 1950, and is relatively small for a global intelligence gathering operation. Compare Mossad's estimated 1,200 personal to its American counterpart, the Central Intelligence Agency, which has upwards of 20,000 employees. One of the agency's primary tasks involves the exfiltration of Jewish refugees from countries where they are persecuted or attacked. In recent years, Mossad has helped thousands of Jews escape countries like Syria, Iran and Ethiopia, and emigrate to Israel. The Mossad has also rather famously tracked down many Nazi war criminals who escaped Germany and other Axis countries after World War II. In one of its most famous operations, Mossad operatives found Adolf Eichmann hiding out in Argentina, 15 years after the end of the war. Eichmann was tried in Israel and hanged in 1962. However, human rights groups have harshly criticized Mossad for its unsettling record of extrajudicial assassinations. In 2006, the Supreme Court of Israel ruled that its foreign agents were allowed to kill suspected terrorists as a legitimate form of preemptive self defense. Mossad agents have been suspected of killing many high-ranking members of Hamas and Hezbollah, both considered terrorist groups by Israel and the U.S. Mossad's secrecy is legendary, so we may never know the true extent of the agency's reach and power. -- Glenn McDonald Learn More: Encyclopedia Britannica: Mossad United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Aliyah Bet University of Pennsylvania: Israeli Targeted Killing Case The Gaurdian: Adolf Eichmann's capture, as told by the Mossad, in Israel exhibition During his rehab stint with Triple-A Nashville last week, Josh Phegley often texted fellow catcher Stephen Vogt for updates from the As clubhouse. We definitely missed each other, said Phegley, who was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list Friday. We got the crew back together, and were going to try to string together some wins and get this team rolling again. Phegleys return gives Vogt a proven backup behind the plate. When facing left-handed starters, as was the case Saturday against Detroits Matt Boyd, manager Bob Melvin can plug Phegley into the lineup without worry. Phegley injured his right knee last month when he slid into first base at Toronto to avoid a collision. The soreness worsened and, after receiving a cortisone shot, Phegley sat out more than a week. Eager for live at-bats, he had planned early last week to ask Melvin for a rehab assignment. I didnt even have to mention it, said Phegley, who went 3-for-4 Saturday. We were all on the same page at that point. He went 6-for-19 (.316) with an RBI in five rehab games. Its good to have Phegs back, said Melvin, whose club still has 11 players on the DL. Now were starting to feel like were semi-whole again. Pitchers at bat: In little more than a week, the As begin a five-game road stretch against National League clubs. Two weeks ago, the preparation process began with pitchers bunting in the cage. They progressed to taking full swings and, during Saturdays batting practice, some were making contact. Early standouts include Kendall Graveman and Rich Hill. Briefly: Right-hander Zach Neal, who pitched in the ninth inning Saturday, will not make his previously scheduled start Tuesday. Possible replacements include Eric Surkamp (3.91 ERA, Nashville) or Daniel Mengden (0.79 ERA, Nashville). ... Right-hander Sonny Gray, who was placed on the 15-day DL last Sunday with a strained right trapezius muscle, threw a bullpen session of 35 pitches Saturday. He probably will throw off a mound Tuesday. Right-hander R.J. Alvarez (elbow), who had his second bullpen session Saturday, is expected to throw to hitters Tuesday. Right-hander Liam Hendriks (triceps) will throw a bullpen session Monday. Right-hander Henderson Alvarez (shoulder) threw from 105 feet Saturday. Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. On deck Sunday vs. Tigers 1:05 p.m. CSNCA Pelfrey (0-4) vs. Hill (7-3) Monday vs. Twins 1:05 p.m. ESPN Santana (1-3) vs. Graveman (1-6) Tuesday vs. Twins 7:05 p.m. CSNCA Duffey (2-3) vs. Neal (0-1) Leading off The swag: On Saturday, 15,000 fans received a Josh Reddick bobblehead that was inspired by the right fielders over-the-wall catches in a 2014 Cactus League game in which he twice robbed the Giants Michael Morse. Connor Letourneau A large coalition of arts and homeless advocates filed a ballot initiative Friday to restore city funding for the arts and steer more money toward ending family homelessness. The initiative would require the city to allocate 6.6 percent of its hotel tax revenue to the arts beginning in 2017-18. That percentage would rise to 7.5 percent in 2020. Thats on par with the 7.7 percent of the hotel tax that went to the arts 10 years ago. But in the years since, the percentage has dropped to around 4 percent, as money was allocated to other departments. The coalition includes large and small organizations, from the San Francisco Opera and Ballet to ArtSpan and the Museum of the African Diaspora. The measure would also boost funding for efforts to end family homelessness requiring an additional 6.3 percent of the hotel tax revenue go to city agencies dedicated to that cause. That money could then go to individual organizations. In the preamble to the ballot initiative, the organizations say the funding is needed to stabilize local arts industries and offer a vital step to ending family homelessness. The hotel tax was created to fund the arts, but its just been stripped away, said Nicole Derse, the campaign manager for the measure. When you look at the increase in the citys budget, the arts have really lost out on that money. The measure is not without controversy, as the mayors office generally opposes mandatory set-asides in the budget. The proponents have to collect 9,500 valid signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot. 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. Emily Green is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: emilytgreen Last week we told you about Kelly Dwyer, a city worker and mother of two, who received an out-of-the-blue $900 monthly rent hike on her single-family home in the Sunset District and promptly packed up for Vacaville. Single-family homes arent subject to rent control under state law, and Dwyer and her husband decided they couldnt pay the new rent of $3,000 a month. They managed to scrape together enough money to buy a home in Vacaville with a monthly mortgage of $2,400. Dwyers story really hit, um, home with readers. Some felt sorry for Dwyer and said their families are bracing for big rent hikes, too. Some fear for an exorbitantly priced city that cant keep its families San Francisco already has the smallest percentage (13.4) of residents younger than 18 of any city in the country. Some said if you cant swing it here, too bad. And some asked, Why in the world cant a family of four with two good salaries afford $3,000 a month? That, dear readers, is a legitimate question, one with some head-shaking answers. The short one is that its not easy to be a family of four in San Francisco these days, even with two good salaries, especially if you live in a home without rent control. For starters, according to the Childrens Council of San Francisco, a family with an infant and 4-year-old will pay an average of more than $40,000 a year for full-time child care. And anybody can relate to the high cost of food here, even if youre talking chicken nuggets and not Zunis famed roast chicken. So how much do you need to make a year to raise two children in San Francisco? Assuming you dont qualify for any kind of subsidized housing or other government assistance, but that you also dont have a trust fund or massive stock options? To live a comfortable life where youre not worrying month-to-month about paying the rent or mortgage, I would say $200,000 if youre sending the kids to public school, said Todd David, a dad in Noe Valley who is also a member of the San Francisco Parent Political Action Committee. He and his wife bought their house in 1997, and he said theres no way they could afford to move to San Francisco now. Its just a different paradigm, he said. Well say. We know the $200,000 figure sounds outrageous, but we asked some other parents what they thought, and the answer was always in that ballpark. Of course, many families in San Francisco are surviving on a lot less by staying in the same rent-controlled apartment forever, doubling up with other families, living in single-room-occupancy hotels, renting small in-law units or getting government assistance. And in a city where an estimated 2,200 public school students are homeless, nobodys shedding tears for those whose families can afford to buy houses in Vacaville. But still, its worth pointing out that salaries that would allow families to live like royalty in some parts of the country qualify for government assistance here. For a family of four, the median annual income in San Francisco is $101,900, according to the Mayors Office of Housing. City officials in recent years have squabbled about what income level should be the cut-off for qualifying for the citys affordable housing. Progressives usually want to limit it to 120 percent of the median or $122,300 for a family of four while moderates often say those making up to 150 percent ($152,850) should qualify. Dwyers family wouldnt qualify in any case, and they dont argue that they should. Dwyer is a contract compliance officer for the city of San Francisco, and her husband is a Vacaville firefighter. In a follow-up conversation after last weeks column, she was forthcoming about the fact that they bring in about $170,000 a year. With their previous rent of $2,100 a month, crazy San Francisco child care costs, crazy San Francisco food costs, big student loan payments, credit card debt payments, taxes, car costs, putting a little toward retirement, childrens activities and the very occasional night out with her husband, Dwyer said they were lucky to have a few hundred left each month. They never had $900. I think there are a lot of people like us who are just trying to make it every month and trying to do their best, Dwyer said. But sometimes its just not enough. 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. She said they could have scrimped and afforded the $900 increase, but they never would have been able to save for a house or have any kind of discretionary money. They ended up qualifying for a Federal Housing Administration loan, which required just a 3 percent down payment. Dwyers family is settling in in Vacaville, though last weeks 108-degree days there were shocking. So was her five-hour round-trip commute. Michelle Parker, president of the San Francisco Parent PAC, said she knows firsthand the kind of hand-wringing Dwyer has been doing. She and her three kids live in a two-bedroom flat in the Outer Richmond, and she pays $2,250 a month. Her oldest son is about to turn 16, and she doesnt want him to keep sharing a bedroom with his 10-year-old sister and 12-year-old brother forever. Shes looking for a three-bedroom apartment, but knows itll cost at least $1,000 a month more. Shes seen dozens and dozens of her kids classmates leave in recent years even if their parents made decent livings. I talk to lots of families who are two-income and who have good jobs who are leaders in their work ... but they dont own their homes, they just rent, she said. They constantly toss the idea back and forth: What do I do? How do I stay in a city that I love and not be stressed out on a daily basis? Its a hard question and so far, there dont seem to be many good answers. Heather Knight is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer who covers City Hall politics. E-mail: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf Tenants who work in San Franciscos schools would be safeguarded from eviction during the academic year under controversial legislation to be introduced by Supervisor David Campos on Tuesday. The idea follows unanimously passed legislation by Supervisor Eric Mar in 2010 that bans landlords from using owner move-in evictions when the landlord or a family member moves into a unit on tenants with children except during the summer break. Campos wants to expand that law to ensure that any employee, from the principal to the janitor, who works at a day care, preschool, elementary school, middle school or high school also not face an eviction during the school year. The legislation would cover public, private and parochial schools. He also wants to expand the law to include all no-fault evictions except for mandated seismic repair and the Ellis Act, a state law used to clear a building to take it off the rental market. In addition to owner move-in evictions, Campos legislation would ban teacher and family evictions to turn a unit into a condominium, make capital improvements or perform substantial rehabilitation during the school year. No-fault evictions where the tenant has not breached the terms of the lease could still be handed to teachers and families during the summer break as defined by the San Francisco Unified School Districts calendar, and teachers could still be evicted any time for failure to pay rent or other issues of their own creation. Campos said he is unaware of any other city that bans teacher evictions during the academic year. If Campos legislation passes, it will come too late for Allison Leshefsky, who teaches physical education at Paul Revere Elementary School in Bernal Heights. She was forced out of her unit in the Castro on Dec. 1 her birthday so her landlord could make capital improvements. The eviction was for three months, and she should be allowed to move in on March 1 but has received no communication from her landlord and is skeptical shell ever be allowed back. Her landlord is Anna Kihagi, whom City Attorney Dennis Herrera has sued for illegal strong-arm tactics to evict tenants from rent-controlled apartments. I dont expect it to be a Welcome back, Allison on March 1, Leshefsky said, adding shes been harassed by Kihagi for two years, including having her water and electricity cut off. Kihagis attorney, Karen Uchiyama, did not return a call for comment. Leshefsky makes $62,000 a year and can afford a maximum rent of $2,000 a month, but cant find anything in the city for that price. She is considering moving to Portland, Ore., at the end of the school year. Teaching is a very thankless profession, and to have to not deal with that during the school year would have made a huge difference not only in my personal life but in the education of the kids I serve, she said. All students deserve teachers who are secure in their homes. In December, the United Educators of San Francisco polled 920 of its members 15 percent of the total to determine their housing needs and concerns. Seventy-seven percent reported having difficulty finding housing, and 59 percent said they are worried they wont be able to keep working for the school district, which already faces a teacher and substitute teacher shortage. Gabrielle Lurie/Special to The Chronicle Teachers union President Lita Blanc said anything that helps teachers stay in their units even for an extra few months is important. We support anything that will help our educators stay in San Francisco, and this legislation is a small step in that direction, she said. Not everybody supports Campos legislation. Noni Richen used to be a cook in a school cafeteria and managed to buy two small properties one is two units and one is four in the Western Addition decades ago. Now the president of Small Property Owners of San Francisco, Richen said Campos legislation will backfire. Every regulation thats added takes a few more units off the market, unfortunately, she said. For somebody who only has one or two units and is counting on it for retirement income bought years ago like us its just a very discouraging situation. Her organization, which counts 1,500 households as dues-paying members, sued the city and won over Campos legislation to make landlords who leave the business pay displaced tenants up to $50,000. The groups attorney, Andrew Zacks, said Campos latest legislation is illegal because the state sets the notice period for evictions, not the city. Zacks said he has raised three children in San Francisco and everybody should be concerned about teacher displacement, but it shouldnt fall only to landlords. Gabrielle Lurie/Special to The Chronicle The idea that teachers need protections is easy, but why is that something that is the problem of individual small-property owners rather than the community as a whole? he asked. This is stupid, its illegal, and its a waste of time. Mayor Ed Lee and the school district in October announced they will build a 100-unit housing complex for public school teachers and spend up to $44 million to help teachers buy homes. Campos said he supports those long-range plans, but that more immediate eviction protection is needed too. What this proposal does is it tries to stop the bleeding, he said. San Francisco cannot be a world-class city unless we allow teachers the opportunity to live here. Once youve been evicted, its rare that you can come back. Thats just what Kristen Panti fears. Panti has lived in the same eight-unit building in the Mission district since 1989 and has taught since 1991 in the after-school program of the nearby Las Americas, a pre-school run by the public school district. Pantis landlord has told her repeatedly she intends to sell the building, and Panti is fearful that a new landlord could evict her for an owner move-in or something else. I would probably have to be someones roommate or live in an SRO, she said. Already, many of her co-workers commute from as far away as Concord or Pittsburg. Substitute teachers are in such short supply, classrooms whose teachers are absent are often split in two and put in other teachers classrooms for the day. Panti is already teaching the children of kids she taught when she started 25 years ago and said shes a fixture at Las Americas. I love living in this neighborhood, I love my job and I love my apartment, she said. Even contemplating being evicted has been very stressful. Heather Knight is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf The latest household staple rendered obsolete by smartphones may be measuring tape. Googles Project Tango promises to create 3-D maps of entire rooms on smartphones equipped with two special cameras that track motion and sense depth. Users could walk around their living rooms, letting the cameras pinpoint landmarks. Once the map is created, the users could digitally measure items within the room, such as furniture. And by tapping the screen, they could plunk down virtual versions of furniture for sale online to determine whether that sofa really is a good fit. Tango can enable a whole new range of applications that just were simply impossible before, said Wim Meeussen, a senior software engineer, to a room full of developers at Googles conference, I/O, this month. The technology will become available to consumers for the first time this summer, when Lenovo releases a Tango-enabled smartphone. Whether Tango goes mainstream depends on whether developers build apps that people find genuinely useful. At I/O, Project Tango lead Johnny Lee encouraged app developers to help Google work out the kinks. We cant do it alone, Lee said. But it will take more than just goodwill and a leap of faith to get developers on board. Developers will need to figure out how to make money from Tango, said Patrick Moorhead, president of Moor Insights & Strategy. Developers are very coin-operated, Moorhead said. They dont do things just to be cool or be first. They want to know like all business people that they are going to be able to make money off of it. To developers, deciding whether to heavily invest in a platform requires taking a gamble. If it becomes extremely popular, like the iPhones operating system, developers who create the first apps have a major advantage. If it flops, theyre out of luck. They are thinking, OK, is this the next Google Glass, or the next iPhone? Moorhead said. Google ad executive Sridhar Ramaswamy told reporters at a press briefing last week that it is too early to determine how Tango will make money. In general, Google waits to see whether products become popular, then determines a business plan to support them, Ramaswamy said. Moorhead said some ways Tango could make money is through indoor mapping. If the inside of a multistory building is mapped with Tango, it could help guide robots to deliver food. Retailers could also pay Google to highlight in its search results how to find their products, even when those products are sold inside a large building like a mall, he added. Although Tango-enabled phones are not yet on the market, Google has made the technology available to companies interested in using it. Early supporters include Lowes and Wayfair, an online furniture retailer. Wayfair has virtual 3-D versions of thousands of pieces of furniture that it sells on its site, and Tango technology will allow users to see what the furniture would look like inside their rooms. Steve Conine, Wayfairs co-founder, said he believes Tango will help people feel more confident about their purchases and reduce the number of orders that are returned. One of the really exciting things that our customers ought to be able to do in the future is better envision what things look like in their home, Conine said. Were really excited to get in early and work on that problem. Other organizations are experimenting with Project Tango for education or gaming. The American Museum of Natural History in New York plans to release an app that lets people place virtual dinosaurs in rooms mapped out by Tango devices. So if a Project Tango device maps out an auditorium, users would be able to place a Tyrannosaurus rex on their screen and blow it up to actual size. Matt Tarr, the museums director and digital architect, says its part of the museums efforts to add to what visitors experience inside its building, as well as allow people to experience the museum even if theyre not physically there. Googlers involved in Project Tango say that the technology does have shortcomings. When the lighting in a room mapped by a Tango device changes, or when objects within the room get moved around, the device may not recognize the room as the same place it saw before. One way around this is for developers to give their Tango apps shorter memories. If a user is playing a game, for example, the app could remember the space of the room for three hours instead of 24, so the lighting wouldnt change with the shift from day to night. A Lenovo representative said details about the release of the companys Tango-enabled phone will be announced on June 9 at a conference in San Francisco. Wendy Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: wlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: thewendylee The San Francisco Symphonys performance of On the Town on Wednesday, May 25, opened with the last bars of The Star-Spangled Banner, a scattering of Pavlovian patriots in the orchestra automatically standing up, even for a few bars of the anthem. Most shows dont open like ballgames, explained narrator Amanda Green, but On the Town opened in December 1944, when we were at war. The anthem was played before every performance. This sparkling evening at the theater/concert hall (reviewed by Joshua Kosman) featured many cast members whod performed in the New York production, and also some San Francisco standouts. Sheri Greenawald, for example, who plays an imperious (and horny) music teacher, is director of the San Francisco Operas Opera Center and artistic director of the Merola program. And Banda, the miniature poodle who belongs to maestro Michael Tilson Thomas and spouse Joshua Robison, was carried across the stage by Greenawald in Gloria Swanson-like diva mode. (Kosman somehow failed to mention Bandas singing and dancing, but I think thats because the dogs feat was that he kept still in Greenawalds arms, glancing at the audience with casual serenity.) It seemed particularly suitable that this beloved pet was at/in the show, because the night and the performance marked a special occasion to his masters: Robisons 70th birthday. There were Champagne and cake at a gathering after the performance, and, as a special present orchestrated by the maestro, a swing dance band and a dance floor covering the Wattis Room Carpet. Robison is a dancing man. Hes also a music man, who has, when the (rare) occasion called for it, played the Jews harp with the San Francisco Symphony. Board President Sako Fisher presented Robison with a photograph of one such occasion, promising him it would be hung among the photos of guest artists that line the backstage corridor outside the maestros office. Mary Roachs new book is Grunt: the Curious Science of Humans and War, in which she applies prodigious reporting skills and abundant wit to researching military ways and means, mainly in fascinating areas that might fall into the general category of Ugh (maggots on wounds, genital replacements, stink bombs, sweat and more, much more). For example, she shares military bans on unbalanced or lopsided hairstyles, barrettes with butterflies, large, lady scrunchies, teased hair that rises more than 3 inches from the scalp, hair that is dyed green, purple, blue or bright (fire-engine) red, Mohawks, dreadlocks, slanted or curved parts, flared sideburns, tapered sideburns, individual sideburn hairs that exceed of an inch when fully extended ... She will be at City Arts & Lectures, talking with Mythbusters co-host Adam Savage, on June 13. Monologist David Kleinberg, who 50 years ago was the Armys 25th Infantry Division correspondent and newspaper editor at Cu Chi in Vietnam, returned to Vietnam to perform his Hey, Hey, LBJ! The performance was in a private home in Ho Chi Minh City on April 30, the 41st anniversary of the fall of Saigon. Almost the entire audience was young, expatriates from many countries who are now semi-permanent Vietnam residents, almost all born since the 19-year conflict ended, and curious to know what it was about. Kleinberg adds, It was an absolutely amazing experience, before an audience that would absolutely not stop clapping at the end, many in tears. Hes in the middle of a six-show run of the show at Fort Mason Center as part of the San Francisco International Arts Festival. Marking the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service, the National Trust for Historic Preservation with the help of American Express and National Geographic is planning to award $2 million in grants to historic sites in national parks around the country. The Partners in Preservation: National Parks campaign is centered around a nationwide vote (www.voteyourpark.org, a kind of historical popularity contest) to determine who gets the dough. The local candidates are the guardhouse at Alcatraz and Parsons Memorial Lodge in Yosemite, built by the Sierra Club in 1915 and said to be one of the earliest stone structures in a national park. Far be it from me to electioneer, but the other contenders included the rustic former superintendents office in Denali National Park. Our stone house beats their log cabin. Open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: leahgarchik PUBLIC EAVESDROPPING My daughter got a job as a fire dancer. ... Shes had second- and third-degree burns, but theyre all healing nicely. Woman at Seattle Airport, overheard by Melissa Kelley Authorities hit a dead end over the weekend after combing through the terrain and waters in the Sonoma County community of Jenner for a missing Vallejo teen, who was last seen being violently abducted by an armed man, officials said Sunday. Dozens of searchers fanned out across a 25-square-mile area around the Willow Creek region of Jenner to follow up on a lead in the search for 15-year-old Pearl Pinson. But the more than 65 searchers abandoned their search Saturday afternoon after finding no sign of Pearl, said Christine Castillo, a spokeswoman for the Solano County Sheriffs Office. Investigators are continuing to follow up on leads in this case and continue to have hope we will find and bring Pearl home, Castillo said in a statement. No one has seen or heard from Pearl since she was seen being dragged off around 7 a.m. Wednesday by an armed man on the pedestrian footbridge that crosses Interstate 780 in Vallejo. Authorities put out an Amber Alert, and the suspect, 19-year-old Fernando Castro, died in a shootout with deputies Thursday about 300 miles south of Vallejo in a Santa Barbara County mobile home park. The girl, though, has not been found. Pearl was seen wearing a black and turquoise backpack, gray sweater, black leggings and a black hooded sweatshirt as she walked to a bus stop on her way to school. A witness told deputies Pearl was bleeding from her face and crying for help as an armed man, later identified as Castro, pulled her on the footbridge that crosses from Homes Acres Avenue to Taylor Avenue. That witness reported hearing a gunshot while running to get help. Investigators later found a pool of blood on the footbridge. Authorities said Pearl and Castro were acquaintances but stressed that the young girl was taken against her will. A security camera captured Castro apparently driving alone in his gold 1997 Saturn on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard on the Marin County side of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge around 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Solano County Sheriffs officials said the missing girl may have been lying down in the car and not visible to the cameras. Castro was then spotted in Santa Barbara County and led authorities on a high-speed chase in which he shot at pursuing deputies, officials said. He abandoned the vehicle at a mobile home park in Solvang and died while exchanging gunfire with deputies as he ran to another vehicle. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: EvanSernoffsky Just how bad is the gender gap? This bad: The state Senate approved a bill last week that would ban businesses from charging different genders different prices for goods that are largely the same. The fact that we need the state Legislature to say that this is wrong is a reflection of how bad and how common the practice is. SB899, by Sen. Ben Hueso, D-Logan Heights (San Diego County), has passed the state Senate and awaits a vote in the Assembly. Quiet as its kept, gender-based pricing permeates every aspect of our retail lives. A 2015 study from the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs compared nearly 800 products from more than 90 brands that were clearly marketed to different genders, despite having similar ingredients, appearance, textile, construction and/or marketing. The price differentials they found were astounding. On average, across five different industries, womens products cost 7 percent more than mens did. The differential held from cradle to grave girls toys cost an average of 7 percent more than boys toys did, while senior care products cost 8 percent more for women than they did for men. Some of the differences were truly appalling. Parents pay 13 percent more for helmets and pads that fit their daughters as opposed to their sons. Women pay 29 percent more for underwear, 48 percent more for shampoo and conditioner, and 15 percent more for a basic shirt than men do. In some cases, there may be real reasons for the price difference more complicated marketing or manufacturing, for instance. But in most cases, the only reason for the difference is the desire for profit. This is particularly upsetting in light of the fact that women continue to earn less than men do a statistic that holds across industries. Will SB899 work? Maybe not. In the mid-1990s, the California Assemblys research office did a study on gender-based pricing for services. It found appalling examples of price discrimination, like the fact that 64 percent of dry cleaners charged women more than men to launder a similar shirt. The result was the Gender Tax Repeal Act of 1995, a measure to outlaw price discrimination based on gender in services. The services law relies on customers to police and prosecute businesses for discrimination, instead of granting enforcement responsibility to a state agency. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this has made California businesses compliance with the law spotty, at best. Despite opponents scare tactics about frivolous lawsuits, most customers dont have the time to haul a business to small claims court. Without a state agency assigned to police this law, the result will probably be the same. Does gender-based price discrimination need to end? Of course. But without an effective enforcement mechanism, Californians may be stuck with it for a very long time. Youve been working, announces Valerie Watson as she strides into the intimate space in Steppin Out Dance Studios tucked away on 18th Street. Is that why its so hot in here? With an energy that belies her 75 years, Watson moves through the cluster of dancers greeting her with warm affection. Sporting a dramatic purple stone necklace accented with beaded earrings, Watson gives off the aura of a delightful yet regal grandmother as she settles in to watch rehearsals for Alafia Dance Ensemble, the African-Haitian dance company she founded 15 years ago at City College of San Francisco. With hips rippling and arms undulating, with eyes cast skyward, the dancers run through the ritualistic and stirring piece that they will perform at the 38th Annual Ethnic Dance Festival, which kicks off three weekends of world dance on June 4. The Alafia troupe appears on the third weekend of the festival, when Watson, a much-beloved dance teacher whose career at City College spanned three decades, will receive a Malonga Casquelourd Lifetime Achievement Award. Its an honor that feels especially poignant as Watson performed in the first five Ethnic Dance Festivals with Harambe Dance Company. A native of Chicago, Watson taught everything from tap to modern, from jazz to salsa, but she had a special affinity for Afro-Haitian. She discovered the genre for herself in the early 1970s when she wandered into Akili Deniankes class at City College. Akili, who became one of my major teachers, said come on in, she says, recalling the inexorable pull of the drums. I hadnt danced in a while, I had just had my fourth child, and I had no abdominal muscles. I was a stay-at-home mom taking care of my family. But she invited me in, and I kept going back. Akili was a very precise, stringent teacher, and at times I thought I was going to quit, but I would always come back. I talk to my students about that, about the importance of sticking to stuff, because if I had given up, I could never have been a teacher at City College and had my own company. A voracious learner, Watson studied dance, but also anthropology, philosophy and more before getting her teaching credentials and joining the faculty at City College in 1980. She created the Alafia ensemble as a way to showcase the Afro-Haitian dance students. It was for the joy of it and to represent this powerful dance form. I wanted to keep that tradition alive, and to honor all the work of the teachers who came before me at City College, Watson says. As long as City College has had a dance department, I think theyve had that Afro-Haitian dance class on Wednesday night from 6-8 p.m. Since her retirement three years ago, Watson has also turned over the reins of the company and co-directs it with her former student Mariella Morales who also teaches that Wednesday night class nowadays. Morales first came to Watsons classes as a little girl with her mother. By the time I retired, people that studied with me twenty years ago were coming back with their grown children and telling me, this one is studying ballet and that one is taking gymnastics we love dance because of you, she says. To see how they passed on the joy of dance to their children always makes me want to cry. Nevertheless, even in retirement, Watson cant slow down her feet or her restless love of learning. She now studies hula and ukelele. As long as I can get up out of the bed and walk, I will be dancing, she says. Mary Ellen Hunt is a freelance writer in San Francisco. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com The waves crashing into Maverick's reef towered twice as tall as they typically do at the annual surf contest there. Many of the world's top surfers had been driven from the sea, leaving safety patrollers Shawn Alladio and Jonathan "JC" Cahill alone on their Jet Skis on the roiling waters. It was Nov. 21, 2001, a day that would become known as One-Hundred-Foot Wednesday in the lore of Maverick's wave-riders -- who now await the call for this year's event. As monstrous sets of waves loomed, Alladio and Cahill were forced to make a life-or-death choice in a matter of seconds: Should they try to run from the onrushing mountains of water or charge at them, trusting their skills, instincts and machines to surmount the challenge? "That first wave was so huge, it was appalling," Alladio, a veteran watercraft racer and mother, recalled. "To the north I could see this huge hole of the barrel, like a tunnel in a cliff, sweeping down on us, roaring like a jet engine. I could see JC out of the corner of my left eye, and I remember thinking: 'I've got to survive, for my daughter. And he can't die; how could I ever explain that to his parents? So Jonathan, we can't make a mistake!' " In midwinter, the North Pacific can be a vast cauldron of swirling winds and colliding seas, and the big-wave surfers obsessively scrutinize satellite data and buoy reports as organizers of the Maverick's Surf Contest look for the most predictable series of big waves to stage the event. On that fabled Wednesday five years ago, two dozen surfers got all they could ask for -- and much more -- as the swells rising off the San Mateo County coast soared off the charts of the known. Waves that thundered against the cliffs of Pillar Point at the north end of Half Moon Bay steadily increased in thickness, height and power, shaking the ground and filling the sky with spume. First, the paddle-in surfers got their fill and left the water. Then the waves got too big and winds too troublesome even for tow-in surfers, who have partners on personal watercraft to boost them onto the largest rideable swells. By early afternoon, the only ones left on the violent sea were Cahill, 19, a surfer and natural athlete from San Mateo, and his mentor, Alladio, 40, of Santa Barbara. Cahill had helped Alladio provide safety patrols at Maverick's the previous week and she had asked him to come out again that morning. The pair idled their craft by the "green can" buoy about a quarter-mile to sea and hundreds of yards south of the spot where world-class waves wall up to provide expert surfers with some of the world's most thrilling rides. Since dawn, Alladio had pulled from the water a half-dozen hapless spectators who had been rinsed off jetties by the rising swell. By late morning, Cahill had joined her, retrieving boards for surfers who had snapped their leashes amid the tumult. At about 2:30 p.m., with the ocean bare of surfers, the water seethed with bubbles after the last set of waves -- with 60- to 80-foot-high faces -- had thundered through. Alladio and Cahill were fatigued and considering heading in. Looking north toward Devil's Slide, they saw a smooth, gray line resembling a fog bank hurtling toward them at an incredible rate of speed. "What is that?" they asked each other. Alladio saw a faint feathering of white along the top of the ridge. It could only be storm winds ripping spray off a gigantic mountain of moving water. Cahill saw it, too. "It's a wave!" they shouted. It filled the horizon. They knew this monster would begin to unload its power much farther out to sea than any wave had broken so far -- and they had to decide instantly what to do. The broad swath of aerated water that existed between them and shore could bog down their machines. A Jet Ski can't run on bubbles; it needs to pump solid water to move. Even if they turned and fled at top speed, there was no guarantee they could outrun this wave or that it would not catch them and gobble them into its hydraulic maw. If caught, they might be dribbled off the rocky bottom, be torn apart by surging tons of seawater or be held down within roiling foam with no chance to breathe. Alladio pointed her rig out to sea, at the onrushing wave. She looked at Cahill and screamed, "Go! Go! Go!" They cranked their watercraft throttles wide open. Their only chance to live meant going much farther out to sea within seconds and getting up and over the moving mountain before it crashed down upon them. Promising start Long before the sun had even risen that day, Maverick's fans had known in advance that the wave sets would go huge. "There already was a large, existing swell in the water," recalled Mark Sponsler, the marine weather guru who routinely assists Maverick's pioneer Jeff Clark in selecting the contest day. "Adding to that was another storm, only about 1,200 miles offshore. You had 60-knot winds pumping a lot more juice into those waves. It was incredibly strong, raw energy. That's the best way to describe it." That morning, Sponsler, Clark and two dozen other Maverick's habitues were out early for rides, including Brazilian big-wave buff Carlos Burle and his partner Eraldo Gueiros. "It came up like a machine," Sponsler said. "Around 9 or 10 o'clock, a 10- to 15-foot-high wave set swept through. Ten minutes later, a 17-foot set showed up. Then an 18-foot set. It just kept staircasing like that, up and up." "At Maverick's, even when height becomes hard to measure, you can get a sense of how powerful the waves are by how far the lip throws out as it breaks," regular Maverick's surfer Grant Washburn said. "That morning, you could feel the swell getting thicker and heavier under you. The lip started throwing further and further until it was landing 50 or 60 feet out in front of the wave face. So the barrels (tubes) of the waves weren't shaped like cylinders anymore. They were shaped more like a horseshoe, lying on its side. Pretty scary!" Washburn watched the riding zone move farther out to sea as the swell rose, and the surfers switched from paddling onto waves with their hands to being towed. By 11 a.m., a south wind rose, putting a chop in the water that made the tall wave faces lumpy and harder to ride safely. One surfer had a nasty wipeout and was pushed through the reef. "I saw Eraldo tow Carlos into the last wave ridden on that day," Washburn said. "It was very close to an 80-foot face, one of the biggest waves I've ever seen ridden. And it wasn't a smooth face; I could see him bouncing and catching air, and I thought, 'Omigod, he might die.' But he made it all the way across. There was a picture taken just before the end, and it measured out at 68 feet high at that point. Carlos still got smashed at the end of his ride. "After that, we all decided to go in." The surfers safely on shore, Cahill and Alladio were alone in the water, about a mile out, as an aquatic mountain rumbled toward them. Delicate dance "We were cranked up to top speed," Cahill said. "Normally, that would be 65 mph on those machines, but we were bouncing off the chop so much we were probably only going about 50. We were zigging and zagging together, about 25 feet apart, trying to locate a channel of deeper water where the wave might hold up a little longer." At that moment, as they charged up the looming wave together, Alladio thought about her daughter and glanced at Cahill -- not that she could have done anything to help him if he wasn't keeping pace with her. "Hitting that wave face felt exactly like hitting a steep hill climb on a motocross bike," Cahill said. "But the wave itself was moving so fast, it seemed like we were being thrown backward at the same time we were going up and up. The key was to let off on the throttle at the top. Otherwise you could overshoot right off the back of the wave and fall too far, land with too much impact way out in the next trough. You had to think about not landing nose down, or tail down, but just right." "We free-fell for about 50 feet before we landed on the back slope of the wave," Alladio said. "And those machines weigh about 900 pounds, so I went deep, down into the water almost up to my elbows. And that was the moment when I felt a little shot of panic." They bobbed back up to the surface astride their machines. Remarkably, both engines were still running. But in their brief view high up on the crest, they saw they were dealing with not one rogue wave but a set of huge swells. And the next one was even larger. Their desperate exercise began all over again, zigging and zagging on a parallel course, trying to keep near each other while finding a place they could make it over the top before the lip could pitch over their heads and swallow them. They made it over that one and landed more handily, having learned throttle timing on the first. Then the next and the next in a series of at least five waves and perhaps seven. They were running on pure adrenaline and instinct and had lost count. The ordeal -- from the first to the last wave -- lasted less than three minutes. "Normally, when you go over a big wave, you get pelted with the spray, like raindrops, on the other side," Alladio said. "But these clots of water were huge, the size of your fist, and they exploded like you were getting pounded by water balloons. And on the wave fronts, each time we went up I could see all these fissures or ravines in the surface, and there was some kind of crazy light energy vibrating inside the wave like electricity, and I remember thinking, 'Those are the fingers of God.' "And after we made it over the last one, we spun in circles for a moment. After that set, the whole ocean just strangely lay flat, just sort of heaving and undulating. I shut down the engine and grabbed my helmet in both hands and started to scream. "I looked to shore, and we were so far out that the land had just disappeared. There was so much spray and foam in the air that all of Half Moon Bay looked like a snowscape, and I remember thinking, 'Hey, you could snowboard on that powder.' " Cahill felt shocked. "I had enough adrenaline running in my body to last the rest of the week. But I knew I had just tested my skills as much as they could ever be tested, and I felt good about it. Shawn told me that we were likely the only two people in the entire world who could say they knew how everything looked after a set of waves like that." The sea remained so aerated, Cahill said, they could barely move back to Maverick's reef above an idle pace. He kept snapping glances over his shoulder to make sure another set of waves wasn't approaching. Alladio said the water was full of bright dots of sand, the dark confetti of shredded seaweed and parts of dismembered sea creatures. As they approached the reef, water safety patroller Paul Schulte roared up to them on his Jet Ski. "He ran around us in circles at high speed and kept yelling, 'What the f- was that?!' " Cahill said. "We later found out he had also seen that set coming and had run from the cove for the entrance of Pillar Point Harbor. He just made it inside around the jetty before it hit." They all made it in to shore virtually unscathed. Cahill's and Alladio's ankles remained sore for weeks from the impact of their harsh landings, and Alladio later found out that some of the engine bolts on the watercraft had been sheared off. Today, they remain friends with the organizers of Maverick's but usually don't work the event. Some doubt that the waves Alladio and Cahill surmounted did indeed reach a height of 100 feet. Wave expert Sponsler cautiously allows that "theoretically, it's possible." Washburn says he took film footage of gigantic swells nearby later that afternoon. When he shows them to other hydrology experts now, they say the waves seem to be at least that tall. Cahill, with five more years of experience under his belt, still thinks the second wave of that set reached between 90 and 120 feet tall. A deep ocean buoy the day before recorded seas higher than 40 feet going through at 20-second intervals that could have produced breakers of that size on the coast. And finally, a red channel buoy just south of the Maverick's impact zone was wrenched free of the ocean floor by the epic wave train and deposited on a beach 2 miles south -- an extremely rare occurrence. "On that day, Half Moon Bay was completely closed out (huge waves were breaking everywhere), all the way down to the Ritz," Washburn says. "You can't even hype it, it was so big. But I still don't think that's as big as it can get. I wouldn't be surprised if a 150-foot wave showed up there some day." Maverick's essentials Calling the contestants The sixth big-wave contest at Maverick's reef in Half Moon Bay can occur any time until March 31 on 24-hour notice. Contest founder Jeff Clark and ocean weather guru Mark Sponsler will predict that a swell of the right size and shape is on the way. Twenty-four surfers and alternates, invited by the event organizers, will hit the water early on contest day, and a champion will be crowned. For more information about the contest, go to www.maverickssurf.com/home. How to watch The easiest way to watch is on the free, streaming video offered at cbs.sportsline.com or on big-screen TVs at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Spectators who drive to the contest site off Princeton-by-the-Sea will find traffic and crowd-control measures in place. Spectators also can watch the surfers from a tour boat nearby. For more information viewing the contest, go to www.sfgate.com. Background There are documentary films from Powerline Productions at mavfilm.com and surf photography by Frank Quirarte at www.mavsurfer.com. A new book, "Inside Maverick's -- Portrait of a Monster Wave," by photographer Doug Acton, surfer Grant Washburn and Chronicle columnist Bruce Jenkins, is available from Chronicle Books. Jenkins' surf columns are archived at sfgate.com/sports/outdoors/surfing. Editor's note: A correction has been made to the above story. A rare coral species never seen before is growing in the water of the deep, cold Pacific a few miles offshore from the Sonoma County coast. Unlike the corals that form spectacular reefs in the shallow waters of tropical oceans, the bone-white animal that biologist Gary Williams discovered is a solitary creature barely 15 inches tall, with a thousand mouths that feed on microscopic plankton borne by the current flowing past its whip-like stalk. It is one of more than 5,000 coral species that thrive in the oceans from Alaska to Antarctica and that come in all kinds of colors from vivid blue and green to yellow, orange and various shades of pink and red. Williams, of the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, found the new species in a rocky area of the sea floor about 30 miles west of Jenner in what is now the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. The new coral is flourishing amid an abundance of other animals that include starfish, sea worms, snails, sponges, sea cucumbers, crabs, nurseries of catsharks and skates, and at least 34 varieties of other fish. 1,000-plus species The coral was growing in an area of the sanctuary called the Rittenberg Bank. Among its relatives there and in the nearby Cochrane Bank are more than 1,000 other coral species with names well known to hobbyists with home aquariums: pink lace, cluster cup, Christmas tree, cockscomb, bubblegum, sea pens, sea fans and red whips. There was also a black coral, a bushy creature with a branching skeleton often used for jewelry and whose California species is normally found far to the south. This is the farthest north it has ever been encountered, Williams said. The hard corals that build reefs near the surface are in increasing danger now from the warming oceans and their increasing acidity, Williams said, but up to now we havent found evidence that these soft corals ... in deeper water have been affected. But the oceans a big place, its currents and sea temperatures vary, and we cant tell when theyll be threatened too. Williams said he is concerned that most people believe all corals in the world build reefs. But the reef builders comprise only 15 percent of the estimated 5,350 coral species worldwide, he said. Coral hunter Williams, the academys curator of invertebrate zoology, is one of the worlds leading coral experts. He is credited with discovering more than 100 coral species around the world, and found his most recent one during a survey of the Farallones sanctuary aboard the R/V Fulmar, a research vessel from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He and his NOAA colleague, marine ecologist Peter Etnoyer, used the Fulmar to observe and sample the abundant life below. The ship carried a small, deep-diving unmanned ROV remotely operated vehicle that photographed the environment and collected key examples. Handout photo/NOAA We were cruising along above the bottom, Williams recalled recently, and the ROV was down there sending up video and images from about 600 feet deep, and I spotted this thing and said, Whats that? Ive never seen anything like that before! Can we collect it? The strange white, whip-like object was standing almost straight up, anchored to a roughly wrinkled rock by its holdfast, with countless tiny pink and white brittle stars on its trunk. The brittle stars were competing for food with the corals hungry polyps, whose tentacles were gathering detritus carried in by the ocean current flowing down the coast from Point Arena in Mendocino County, about 60 miles north. Other coral of the new species were flourishing nearby. Named for its home The Fulmars crew used the ROV to snag the unknown coral and bring it to the surface, where Williams preserved his discovery in alcohol before carrying it back to his laboratory at the academy. After months studying every detail of its body and comparing it with details of all the 200 other species in the group called Swiftia, he determined it was an entirely new species of gorgonian octocoral. He named it Swiftia farallonesica in honor of its home in the sanctuary and has published its description in the peer-reviewed journal Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. David Perlman is The San Francisco Chronicles science editor. Email: dperlman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: daveperlman Jawbone Inc. is set to be a much smaller company, according to reports that its ending production of its fitness trackers and seeking buyers for its speaker business. The closely held San Francisco company has put its speaker business up for sale, Fortune said last week, citing anonymous sources, in a report on its website. And Tech Insider reported that Jawbone has stopped production of its Up fitness trackers and sold its remaining inventory to a third-party reseller. Tech Insider also attributed its story to unidentified sources familiar with the matter. Security researchers have tied the recent spate of digital breaches on Asian banks to North Korea, in what they say appears to be the first known case of a nation using digital attacks for financial gain. In three recent attacks on banks, according to researchers working for Mountain View digital security firm Symantec, thieves deployed a rare piece of code that had been seen in only two previous cases: the hacking attack at Sony Pictures in December 2014, and attacks on banks and media companies in South Korea in 2013. Government officials in the United States and South Korea have blamed those attacks on North Korea, though they have not provided independent verification. If you believe North Korea was behind those attacks, then the bank attacks were also the work of North Korea, said Eric Chien, a security researcher at Symantec, who found that the identical code was used across all three attacks. Weve never seen an attack where a nation-state has gone in and stolen money, he added. This is a first. The Symantec researchers said last week that they have uncovered evidence linking an October attack at a bank in the Philippines with attacks on Tien Phong Bank in Vietnam in December and one in February on the central bank of Bangladesh that resulted in the theft of more than $81 million. The attacks have raised alarms in the global banking industry because the thieves gained access to Swift, a Brussels banking consortium that runs what is considered the worlds most secure payment messaging system. Swifts system is used by 11,000 banks and companies to move money from one country to another one reason that it is a tempting target for criminals. Coordinated assault Swift has warned publicly that the attacks are part of a broad coordinated assault on banks, though it has not assigned blame. It has also emphasized that it was the banks connection points to its network and not the core Swift messaging network itself that the attackers were able to breach. Also, U.S. bankers have noted that the security lapses all occurred at banks in developing countries, which may give some comfort to banking customers in the United States. Security researchers and U.S. government officials have tied thousands of attacks to nations in the past. They have linked the United States and Israel to an attack that destroyed Iranian centrifuges and linked the Chinese military and contractors to attacks that stole military and trade secrets from thousands of foreign entities. But the latest spate of attacks on banks in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia would be the first time, security researchers say, that a nation has used malicious code to steal purely for financial profit. The idea that Pyongyang had turned to digital theft would not be surprising. North Koreas economy has been ravaged by sanctions, food shortages and other deprivations. Pyongyang does not publish economic data, but estimates have put North Koreas gross domestic product between $12 billion and $40 billion, tiny when compared with South Koreas economic output of more than $1.4 trillion. Not small change In the attack at Bangladeshs central bank in February, the thieves tried to transfer $1 billion in funds from an account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Fed officials became suspicious of some of the requested transfers and released only $81 million to accounts in the Philippines. If you presume its North Korea, $1 billion is almost 10 percent of their GDP, Chien said. This is not small change for them. Symantec researchers said it was possible that the bank in the Philippines containing the North Korean code was also involved in the Bangladesh bank scheme and the attempted breach on the Vietnamese bank. The researchers would not identify the Philippines bank and did not say whether the thieves had been successful in transferring funds. Researchers were able to confirm only that the attackers had managed to breach the bank and install identical code strings on the banks computer systems the same code that they discovered in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and the attacks at Sony in 2014 and South Korea in 2013. Lazarus Group Chien noted that the attackers not only used identical numbers but wrote the code in the same, unusual sequence across all three attacks. Chien said the evidence pointed to all three attacks being the work of the Lazarus Group, a name his team gave to the attackers behind the Sony and South Korean attacks. Officials have pointed to North Koreas threat of merciless countermeasures against Sony if the studio released The Interview, a movie by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg that made fun of North Korea and includes a fictional assassination of its leader. FBI analysts also note critical mistakes that North Korean hackers made, such as logging into their attack servers from known North Korean Internet addresses and even logging into both their Facebook account and Sonys servers from the same computers. In the months since evidence of the attacks involving the Swift network started to emerge, investigators have been looking for commonalities at numerous other potential breaches. It remains unclear whether these breaches are connected to the ones in Bangladesh and Vietnam, but they too have occurred in or around Southeast Asia. There is no evidence that the thieves have gone after large U.S. or European banks, though new possible attacks are being reported weekly. Evidence emerged recently that Banco del Austro, an Ecuadoran bank, was infiltrated by hackers who were also able to sneak onto the Swift network. The thieves transferred several million dollars to accounts around the world, according to a lawsuit the bank filed in federal court in the United States against San Franciscos Wells Fargo, which facilitated one of the transfers. Researchers have yet to unearth any of the code used in the Ecuador attack, but banking analysts say it is probably no coincidence that these attacks are happening in the developing world, where security measures tend not to be as tight as they are in financial hubs like New York and London. Swift has issued numerous warnings in recent weeks urging banks to step up their security protocols. Analysts worry that the breaches could have a chilling effect on global finance as larger banks may become reluctant or even refuse to transact with smaller banks in the developing world unless they can have assurances that their networks have not been compromised by thieves and malware. Nearly flawless fakes At a conference in Brussels last week, Swift CEO Gottfried Leibbrandt said the recent breaches could do far more damage than attacks on retailers and telephone companies, which he said suffer largely reputational and legal hits. Banks that are compromised like this can be put out of business, Leibbrandt said. North Korea has long been known for creative attempts to generate badly needed hard currency. In the last decade, U.S. government officials accused North Korea of counterfeiting $100 bills, which were known as superdollars or supernotes because the fakes were nearly flawless. The Federal Reserve began thwarting that effort by circulating a new $100 bill over the last three years that makes counterfeiting nearly impossible: The redesigned $100 is easier to authenticate and harder to replicate. North Korea is hurting for money, said Herb Lin, the senior research scholar for cyberpolicy and security at Stanford Universitys Center for International Security and Cooperation and a fellow at Stanfords Hoover Institution. Theyve been cut out of the financial system because of sanctions. They had been among the best counterfeiters in the world, and only recently have they been stymied in the counterfeiting of superdollars. If its true that weve cut them off from that, then its not at all surprising that they would turn to something else. ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. Internet gambling has tremendous growth potential in the United States as ever-greater percentages of the public use smartphones. At least thats what participants at last weeks East Coast Gaming Congress and iGaming Institute said in Atlantic City, adding that the online gambling market has shown encouraging growth but is still a fraction of what it could be. They also said nearly three years of experience has shown that Internet gambling is not stealing business from brick-and-mortar casinos, but rather bringing in new customers, many of whom then visit the physical casinos as well. Were seeing huge growth in mobile phone and tablet play, said Luisa Woods, executive director of Internet marketing for Atlantic Citys Tropicana casino. And were seeing huge cross-flows between players who visit the casino and then go home and continue to play online. Internet gambling brought in $160.7 million in 2015 in the three U.S. states that allow it. New Jersey is by far the largest market, at $148 million. Delaware brought in $1.8 million last year, and Nevada, which stopped reporting its Internet winnings publicly, is estimated at about $10 million in its poker-only market, said Eugene Johnson, senior vice president of Spectrum Gaming Group, an Atlantic City-area consulting firm. The industry still needs to do a better job of marketing itself, many participants agreed. Itai Pazner, senior vice president of 888 Holdings, said when customs questioned him at Newark Liberty International Airport on his way to the conference, he told them he works for an Internet gambling company. Is that legal in New Jersey? the agent asked Pazner. A lot of people are confused, he told the conference at Harrahs Waterfront Conference Center. They dont know if its legal, if its illegal, if its good, if its bad. We need to educate people. There was no mention at the conference of perhaps the greatest threat to the fledgling Internet gambling industry: the avowed opposition to it from casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who has promised to spend as much as it takes to enact a legislative ban on it in the United States. Another major challenge is getting additional states to approve Internet gambling. Because only three states now offer it, the prize pools for online poker are small, and that is holding the industry back, participants agreed. Poker without enough liquidity isnt viable, Pazner said. The markets are still relatively small. The U.S. needs more states (to legalize Internet gambling) and we need them urgently. He said Europe has more readily embraced Internet gambling, adding, There is huge potential growth on both sides of the ocean. George Rover, deputy director of New Jerseys Division of Gambling Enforcement, said unlicensed offshore sites still pose a major problem for legal Internet gambling sites by siphoning away customers and revenue to unregulated sites with no customer protections. He said the state has been formulating plans to deal with such sites, promising a development on the issue soon. Thomas Winter, vice president of Internet gambling for the Golden Nugget casino in Atlantic City, said his casino has seen good growth across its Internet platforms. But he said some customers still need to be assured of the integrity of Internet gambling. HOUSTON Authorities in central Texas found two more bodies along flooded streams Sunday, bringing the death toll from torrential rains in the state to six. Flash flooding across the region led to numerous evacuations, including two prisons. Its unclear whether a body found in Travis County near Austin is one of two people who were still missing in Texas. An 11-year-old boy is also missing in central Kansas. The latest flooding victim identified by authorities was a woman who died when the car she was riding in was swept from the street by the flooded Cypress Creek about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Kendall County sheriffs Cpl. Reid Daly said. The car, with three occupants, was in Comfort, about 45 miles north of San Antonio. The driver made it to shore, and a female passenger was rescued from a tree. But Daly said 23-year-old Florida Molima was missing until her body was found around 11 a.m. Sunday about 8 miles downstream. She becomes the sixth flood-related death in Texas this Memorial Day weekend. Along the rain-swollen Brazos River near Houston, prison officials evacuated about 2,600 inmates from two prisons to other state prisons because of expected flooding, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark said. Inmates in a low-level security camp at a third prison in the area were also being moved to the main prison building, Clark said. All three prisons are in coastal Brazoria County, where the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico. TDCJ officials continue to monitor the situation and are working with our state partners as the river level rises, Clark said, noting that additional food and water has been delivered to prisons that are getting the displaced inmates and sandbags have been filled and delivered to the prisons where flooding is anticipated. Another prison thats about 70 miles northwest of Houston saw a brawl between inmates and correctional officers on Saturday that began when flooding caused a power outage. Clark estimated as many as 50 inmates in the 1,300-inmate prison were involved. The rising water in several Houston-area rivers and creeks prompted Harris County officials on Saturday to ask about 750 families in the Northwood Pines subdivision to voluntarily evacuate their homes and apartments. Officials also warned residents living near the west fork of the San Jacinto River, north of Houston, that rising waters were likely to flood homes, even those that are elevated, Sanchez said. In Kansas, the search for the missing 11-year-old resumed Sunday and expanded beyond the swollen creek he fell into Friday night, according to Wichita Fire Department battalion chief Scott Brown. CINCINNATI Panicked zoo visitors watched helplessly and shouted, Stay calm! while one woman yelled, Mommy loves you! as a 400-pound-plus gorilla loomed over a 4-year-old boy who had fallen into a shallow moat at the Cincinnati Zoo. The boy sat still in the water, looking up at the gorilla as the animal touched the childs hand and back. At one point, it looked as though the gorilla helped the youngster stand up. Two witnesses said they thought the gorilla was trying to protect the boy at first before getting spooked by the screams of onlookers Saturday. The animal then dragged the child to another spot inside the exhibit, zoo officials said. Fearing for the little boys life, the zoos dangerous-animal response team shot and killed the 17-year-old ape, named Harambe. The child, whose name was not disclosed, was released from Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center on Saturday night. His family said in a statement Sunday that the boy was doing fine. We extend our heartfelt thanks for the quick action by the Cincinnati Zoo staff. We know that this was a very difficult decision for them, and that they are grieving the loss of their gorilla, the family said. Zoo officials said the 4-year-old climbed through a barrier at the Gorilla World exhibit and fell 10 to 12 feet into the moat. He was in there for about 10 minutes. Two female gorillas also were in the enclosure. One witness said that just before the boy fell, she saw him in bushes beyond a fence around the exhibit. I tried to grab for him. I started yelling at him to come back, Brittany Nicely told the Cincinnati Enquirer. Everybody started screaming and going crazy. Witness Kim OConnor shared video she and her family recorded with WLWT-TV of the boy and Harambe. Visitors yelled, Somebody call the zoo! and Mommys right here! Zoo staff cleared the area, and gunfire was heard a few minutes later. There was strong social media reaction about how the boy got into the exhibit and the zoos decision to kill the gorilla. Police Lt. Steve Saunders said there are no plans to charge the parents. What youll see: The northwest winds of spring can clear the air and provide the best views of the year from the Mount Diablo summit, along with several other lookouts on the mountain. Diablo dominates the landscape across the East Bay hills. You can drive to the top, and there are many spectacular viewpoints, trails and destinations. Summit viewing deck: A castle-like roost provides a towering view over the San Joaquin d elta, and on clear days, you can see the tall buildings of downtown Sacramento and beyond to the snow-covered Sierra crest. Because of the low-lying flats that surround Diablo, You can see over 8,539 square miles and parts of 40 of Californias 58 counties, rangers say. Devils Elbow/North Peak: The trailhead is located near the summit on the right side of the road, 0.7 of a mile from the first parking lot at the Diablo summit. 4-mile round trip, with payoff view at 3,557-foot North Peak. Includes one of the steepest, but short, sections of trail anywhere. Rock City (out of South Gate): This is a sensational complex of sandstone rock formations. The Trail Through Time leads to a network of trails at South Rock City. Gibraltar Rock and the easy scramble to the top is the highlight. Mitchell Canyon (out of Clayton): This is the trailhead site for 8.1-mile loop hike, total elevation gain and loss of about 1,600 feet; you climb up-canyon to Deer Flat and over to Murchio Gap for views to north, the n descend to starting point. Camping: Juniper, Live Oak campgrounds, for tents or self-contained RVs (20-foot maximum), $30 per night; five group campgrounds available, $65, $100, $165 per night; reserve at www.ReserveAmerica.com. For privacy and to discourage parties, access gates from main road closed at night. Visitor Center: The actual rock summit of Mount Diablo pokes through a hole in the floor inside the Summit Visitor Center. Cost: $10 at North Gate and South Gate entrances; $6 at Mitchell Canyon, self-pay, bring exact amount. Map/brochure: Park brochure/map provided with park entrance fee; detailed trail map, $7.50, free with Mount Diablo Interpretive Association membership, www.mdia.org. Dry park: No beer, wine or alcohol of any kind is permitted. Dogs: No dogs are permitted on trails, standard for state parks. How to get to Diablo summit Via Walnut Creek/North Gate: From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge to the split and Interstate 580. Bear right on 580 and continue 1.6 miles (stay to the right) to Highway 24. Take 24 east for 13.2 miles to Walnut Creek. Take Interstate 680 north and go 0.4 of a mile to the exit for Ygnacio Valley Road. Turn right on Ygnacio Valley and go 2.2 miles to Walnut Avenue. Bear right and go 1.5 miles to Oak Grove Road, then continue a short distance to North Gate Road. Turn left and drive 7.9 miles (you will pass kiosk at 1.4 miles) to Summit Road. Continue onto Summit Road and drive 4.4 miles to summit parking area, visitor center and lookout. Via Danville/South Gate: Take I-680 to Danville and the exit for Diablo Road. Take that exit 0.3 of a mile to Diablo Road, turn right and drive 2.8 miles (at 0.7 of a mile, you jog right to stay on Diablo Road) to Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard. Turn left and drive 6.9 miles (becomes South Gate Road, you will pass kiosk at 3.8 miles, and then access to Rock City) to Summit Road. Turn right and drive 4.4 miles to summit parking area, visitor center and lookout. Note: There are several pullouts along the road to the summit with sweeping views below of the I-680 corridor. Distances to summit: 15 miles from Danville, 22 miles from Walnut Creek, 24 miles from Dublin, 35 miles from Berkeley, 44 miles from downtown San Francisco, 54 miles from San Rafael, 55 miles from San Mateo, 56 miles from San Jose, 92 miles from Sacramento. Contacts: Mount Diablo State Park, recorded information, (925) 837-2525; summit weather, (925) 838-9225; Summit Visitor Center, (925) 837-6119; www. parks.ca.gov ; Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, www.mdia.org. Tom Stienstra ROME Giorgio Albertazzi, a theater and film actor and director famed especially for playing, well into old age, the emperors role based on Memories of Hadrian, died Saturday in his native Tuscany. His family and Italian Premier Matteo Renzis office announced the 92-year-olds death, with the Italian leader hailing him as a great personality our culture. President Sergio Mattarella described Mr. Albertazzi, who was known for his good looks, as a maestro to generations of directors and actors. Onstage, often in Shakespeares plays, Mr. Albertazzi worked with some of Italys most celebrated directors, including Luchino Visconti, for whom he debuted in 1949, and Franco Zeffirelli. He was most identified with a role he played more than 1,000 times and into his 90s in Italy and abroad that of Hadrian, drawing on Marguerite Yourcenars popular book. Mr. Albertazzi first played the role when he was 66, in 1989, and would later say he identified much of himself with it, especially the process of growing old. Doing it, I also speak of myself, Mr. Albertazzi said when he was 90. After all, I feel a lot the end of beauty that is consumed, that runs through the text, that seizes the moment in which the harmony of body and mind breaks and enters in conflict. Among his noted Shakespeare roles were Othello, Henry IV and Hamlet, including an acclaimed performance as the latter at Londons Old Vic theater in 1964. He was the greatest Italian actor, said Gigi Proietti, who directed Mr. Albertazzi in Falstaff. 'The public knew that very well, and perhaps he, too, was conscious of having the task of being the last of the greats of the 1900s. But always with the desire to experiment, never to be obvious, Proietti told the Italian news agency ANSA. Directing Albertazzi? It was like playing a Stradivarius. Cardinal Loris Francesco Capovilla, who as personal secretary to Pope John XXIII helped prepare the Roman Catholic hierarchy for the opening of the Second Vatican Council, died Thursday in Bergamo, Italy. He was 100. His death was reported by the Italian news agency Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata. He was a priest when he met Cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, the future pope, in Venice in 1953. He had served as a military chaplain during World War II and later as a radio broadcaster and journalist for the church. Roncalli had just been installed as the patriarch of Venice in 1953. The two men formed an instant rapport. Roncalli engaged Cardinal Capovilla as his private secretary and, after the death of Pius XII in 1958, as one of his representatives to the papal conclave convened to elect a new pope. After his election to the papacy, John took his assistant with him to the Vatican. In the first days of the new papacy, Cardinal Capovilla recalled in the 2015 documentary Voices of Vatican II: Council Participants Remember, John turned to him and said: My desk is piling up with problems, questions, requests, hopes. Whats really necessary is a council. Worried that John, at 77, might not be up to the demands of a council, he recommended a go-slow policy. The pope, he argued, should use his considerable personal charm to build a base of support and avoid major initiatives. He was overruled, and John sent him in early 1959 to Venice, Padua and Bergamo to give a series of addresses aimed at easing apprehensions about the proposed council and countering the impression in certain quarters that the new pontiff was a bit of a bumpkin. NZX was not trying to entice Clear's vendors into selling it the business with false promises about the agri-portal, Wellington's High Court has heard. The stock market operator is suing Dominic Pym, Grant Thomas, and their companiesRalec Commodities and Ralec Interactive for providing wildly inaccurate forecasts prior to NZX buying the Australian grain trading platform in 2009. Ralec's counterclaim says NZX and former chief Mark Weldon under-funded the business, meaning it couldn't meet earn-out targets. NZX bought Clear for A$7 million in October 2009, with two earn-outs of A$7 million tied to performance. The initial target for the first earn-out was trading of 1.5 million tonnes of grain by June 30, 2010. If that was missed, Ralec could still get the earn-out, provided Clear reached 3 million tonnes by June 2011 or 4.5 million tonnes by June 2012. The second earn-out payment was based on NZX being able to create a successful agri-portal. Rachael Newsome, who was NZX's corporate counsel at the time of the Clear acquisition, was cross-examined today by Ralec counsel Georgia Berlic. The meaning of "commitment", which has been a sticking point between NZX and Ralec, was raised by Berlic in the context of an offer letter sent to Thomas and Pym on Aug. 7, 2009, which Newsome had drafted but which Weldon had approved and signed. Newsome had not attended the Aug. 6 board meeting but said she had drafted the letter based on what her colleagues Heather Kirkham, Rachael Cross and Mark Weldon had told her happened at the board meeting. The letter said the NZX board "yesterday committed to a substantial commitment in the agri-portal in the medium term on top of the purchase of the Clear assets. This commitment will ensure the successful execution of the agri-portal." Newsome said in answer to an earlier question that as a lawyer she was "usually careful" about using the term 'committed'. She said that while Cross had told her the board had only "approved-ish" the commitment to the agri-portal, the use of the term in that letter reflected what she had been told by Weldon, Cross and Kirkham at a meeting that morning. Berlic also asked about the $100 million sum mentioned in NZX's internal documents in relation to the agri-portal, which Ralec has argued was a commitment to capital expenditure but NZX has maintained was a speculative figure it never formally committed to spending. "By committing to the strategy, it was understood we didn't have all the tools needed to execute the strategy currently in our stable, so we would need to spend money to build it," Newsome said. Newsome denied the letter was designed to "entice" the vendors into the deal with NZX and was drafted to emphasise the potential upside, as Berlic suggested. "It was important to show the vendors what they could benefit from this deal," Berlic said. "It was the key to persuade them. At no stage did you or anyone in the due diligence team tell the vendors you considered the agri-portal strategy to be flexible, did you?" Newsome agreed NZX hadn't told Thomas or Pym that, but said it would be very unusual for them to have done so. The 1.5 million tonne grain trading target for the first of two earn-outs was also brought up, with Berlic suggesting that the number had been created by NZX's due diligence team as Newsome could not recall Thomas or Pym giving the number. Newsome denied this, saying she specifically recalled Thomas and Pym mentioning the number. When Berlic questioned Newsome about a request by Thomas for $5 million for marketing, Newsome said she didn't take it seriously and didn't mention it to Weldon, "This is in the context of your company just having entered into a sale and purchase agreement where you have an obligation to resource and finance this business," Berlic said. "The new employee has just expressed a statement about funding and resourcing he believes is required for the success of the business and you didn't take it seriously." Newsome replied: "In the context - Tommo is quite a specific personality. He's a big guy, he calls you doll, we were having a chat. 'Ahh, we want to fly these guys in, have a big five star hotel thing, sponsor an AFL team, rah rah rah' - I mean, of course I didn't take it seriously. Five million dollars is a huge number." The trial is expected to last up to eleven weeks and has so far cost NZX between $9 and $10 million. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: October 25th Morning Report Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct MCY - Quarterly Operational Update VCT - Operational performance for the 3 months ended 30 Sept 2022 NZL - Forestry Estate Acquisition October 21st Morning Report Air New Zealand Limited Retail Bond Offer Books Close Spark welcomes C-band spectrum allocation AIA - 2022 Annual Meeting Chair & Chief Executive Addresses Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy is seeking feedback on proposals to reduce the amount of raw milk Fonterra Cooperative Group has to sell to large independent processors in the latest step towards full deregulation of the dairy sector. The minister's discussion paper on proposed changes to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act was triggered last year when independent processors in the South Island passed the threshold needed to review the law. Guy's preferred options would amend regulations for raw milk so Fonterra didn't have to sell to large, export focused processors and reduce the volume of raw milk available to other processors by 60 percent over three years. Submissions close on June 29. "As the industry progresses towards deregulation, this review progressively builds on changes made in 2012," Guy said in a statement released yesterday. "We will see five large independent processors no longer eligible for DIRA milk from June this year." Last season, independent processors collected 22 percent of all milk solids in the South Island and 9 percent in the North Island, triggering the expiry of the provisions in the South Island by no later than May 31, 2018. The Commerce Commission was tasked with investigating whether Fonterra's 86 percent share of the local market gives it too much dominance as part of the legislation governing the sector, and the minister had 90 days to respond to its report with his proposals. The regulator didn't think the sector was ready for deregulation, with its biggest concern over the lack of competition at the factory gate, which is what processors pay other processors to source product. Guy also wants to remove the requirement for Fonterra to collect milk from new dairy conversions, something the Commerce Commission raised in its report, even though it found no evidence the cost involved to the dairy company was material. Fonterra today welcomed the proposals on raw milk but wants to see greater legislative change. "The requirement to accept all milk acts as a disincentive to Fonterra to invest in the right kind of assets and undermines the industrys ability to grow value-add business and maximise returns to NZ farmers, as we are all committed to doing," Fonterra group director cooperative affairs Miles Hurrell said in a statement. The move on new dairy conversions "is a step in the right direction, but doesnt address the full issue of being required to take milk from all comers, even when it doesnt make commercial sense to do so." The Ministry for Primary Industries said removing eligibility for large, export-focused processors to source regulated raw milk would affect those firms that enter the local market without their own supply , and may not develop the factory gate market with new entrants in the future, while the reduction of the volume of raw milk available would hit ingredients firm Goodman Fielder the most. "This option would likely have the most impact on the factory gate market, as some processors using regulated milk, particularly Goodman Fielder, may need to consider alternative sources as the available regulated milk volume dropped," MPI said. "This option could support the eventual deregulation of New Zealand's dairy markets as it would gradually decrease the reliance on the raw milk regulations and encourage processors like Goodman Fielder to look to either the factory gate or farm gate markets for their supply of raw milk." Guy also proposed increasing the threshold in the North and South islands to 25 percent market share to trigger a review of the sector, less than the 30 percent recommended by the Commerce Commission. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: October 25th Morning Report Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct MCY - Quarterly Operational Update VCT - Operational performance for the 3 months ended 30 Sept 2022 NZL - Forestry Estate Acquisition October 21st Morning Report Air New Zealand Limited Retail Bond Offer Books Close Spark welcomes C-band spectrum allocation AIA - 2022 Annual Meeting Chair & Chief Executive Addresses STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Sure, there are events throughout the year that show civilians a friendly side of their military personnel. But do they include corn hole? "Not usually," laughed Sgt. Shaun Gravel, a U.S. Marine visiting Staten Island for Fleet Week, who stopped by Flagship Brewing Co. on Sunday afternoon for some food, music and a little friendly rivalry. Personnel from the Marines, Navy and Coast Guard kicked back with a cold one during the Fleet Week Music Festival, which gave them a chance to relax and build up their relationship with the community. Local favorite bands performed throughout the day at the brewery on 40 Minthorne Street: Tom Cintula and the Buffalo 24, Joan Caddell and the Midnight Choir, The Silas Knight Project, Grounded4Life, Bare Bones, Earth to Starspace and Tina Kenny and the Balance -- the latter, by the way, just released some new tunes here. Military visiting for Fleet Week received complimentary food and drinks from spots like Fab Cup and Pier 76 pizza. As part of the festivities, civilians wrote postcards to military personnel, who enjoyed shady spots around the parking lot of Flagship as the bands played. "Specifically in New York, military are honored more than in other cities, in my opinion, because of the attacks on 9/11," said Kevin Parrington, a Chief Marine Science Technician for the Coast Guard sector New York. "So we want to show that we appreciate that by being here." Parrington added that the Coast Guard's New York sector is among the busiest in the country -- it's rare he and his fellow servicemen and women get to sit back and enjoy a beer with the rest of the community, as well as members of the Marines and Navy. "We have a story to tell -- our multi-mission service is something people don't always realize, so that's another reason it's important for us to be here," he said. This year's celebration also included the screening of a documentary series by local filmmakers Cara Liander and Maria Rusolo. "I Am Number" presents the personal histories of men eligible for the U.S. Select Service Vietnam Draft in 1969. The documentary series was shown inside the air-conditioned tap room on Sunday, as patrons filed in to appreciate the the cool air and the freedom won for them by veterans of the Vietnam war and the many other military personnel honored on Memorial Day. Minister of Public Security To Lam (fifth from right) leads the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 7th international meeting of senior security officials in Russia. (Source: VNA) During the meetings, Russian Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Kolokoltsev and Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov expressed their belief that the trip will be an important landmark for cementing and developing a cooperative relationship between the two sides in fighting crime, ensuring security and order. The two sides stressed the necessity to have closer cooperation to deal with the increasingly sophisticated crimes like terrorism, high-tech crime, drug crime and human trafficking. They agreed on boosting exchanges of delegation and information and experience sharing to deal with cybersecurity, terrorism and high-tech crime, and on working together in investigation, verification and manhunts for wanted criminals. The two sides also reached consensus on the training of officials to meet demand for ensuring national security, order and social safety in each country. The Vietnamese delegation is on an official visit to Russia, during which they attend the 7th international meeting of senior security officials on May 24th - 25th./. Screen Shot 2016-05-29 at 2.53.27 PM.png Hundreds of May Day marchers chanting slogans and carrying signs - and at least one Donald Trump - take to the streets of Los Angeles, calling for immigrant and worker rights and decrying what they see as hateful presidential campaign rhetoric, Sunday, May 1, 2016. It's one of several events in cities nationwide to call for better wages for workers, an end to deportations and support for an Obama administration plan to give work permits to immigrants in the country illegally whose children are American citizens.(David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) -- Donald Trump says people in the U.S. illegally are cared for better in the United States than the nation's military veterans. Trump was speaking at the annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally, which honors prisoners of war and service members missing in action. Trump was warmly received by the crowd despite having once said he prefers "people who weren't captured" when criticizing Arizona Sen. John McCain, a war prisoner during Vietnam. Trump told the crowd that if elected he plans to "knock the hell out of" the Islamic group by building a bigger, better military. He also reiterated his promise to build a wall to keep out people from entering the country illegally. "Who's going to pay for the wall?" he bellowed. The crowd yelled back: "Mexico." ''Not even a doubt!" he said. Your history, our history, Staten Island's history: take a look back at the way The Rock once was through the eye of a camera's lens. Our historic photos take a walk down Memory Lane -- and down Hylan Boulevard and Bay Street and Richmond Avenue. Each week enjoy a visual exploration of a different Staten Island community. Up this week: Rosebank. ABOUT ROSEBANK Once considered part of Clifton and was part of Peterstown until 1880. Rosebank became a favored Island destination for Italian immigrants at the turn of the century. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc praises Mitsubishi's contributions to Vietnam's socio-economic development (Photo: VNA) At a meeting with President and CEO of Mitsubishi Corporation Takehiko Kakiuchi in Nagoya on May 28th, the Government leader said that Vietnam is a promising market and the Vietnamese Government always creates the best possible conditions for domestic and foreign investors. Vietnam welcomes and encourages Japanese businesses, including Mitsubishi, to operate in the country, he said, stressing that the affiliation between the corporation and Vietnams FPT company over the past years has contributed to the friendship and effective cooperation between the two countries. Hailing achievements Mitsubishi has reaped globally, the PM described the firm as a pride and one of the symbols of success of the Japanese economy. Takehiko Kakiuchi, in reply, expressed his belief that following PM Nguyen Xuan Phucs visit to Japan, the relationship between the two countries will continue to move forward. Mitsubishi considers Vietnam an important market and plans to boost its collaboration with local businesses, he said. He noted that Mitsubishi now has two affiliates specializing in import-export, along with 20 investment projects in Vietnam. Mitsubishi wishes that PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the Vietnamese Government will create optimal conditions for the corporation to implement its programmes and projects in the country in the time to come. The same day, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited the Yokoyama farm, a model of clean agricultural production in Aichi prefecture. The PM is scheduled to leave for Tokyo in the afternoon of May 28th to begin his visit to Japan at the invitation of his counterpart Shinzo Abe. The two leaders are due to hold talks and co-preside over an international press conference. Following their talks, they will witness the signing of several important cooperation documents, covering the metro line No. 1 connecting Ben Thanh Market in District 1 with Suoi Tien Park in District 9 in Ho Chi Minh City, the Thai Binh thermal power plant and power transmission line project and a project on water environment improvement in HCM City, among others. This is the first visit to Japan by Nguyen Xuan Phuc as head of the Vietnamese Government./. By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. Agree Spouse of the Dutch Ambassador to Argentina learns to make the fresh version of the Vietnamese spring roll at the event (Photo: VNA) The event was attended by representatives from local authorities and news agencies. Head of the culture house Pham Lien introduced the diversity of Vietnams gastronomy and eating traditions, while chef Thomas Nguyen taught participants how to make the renowned spring roll, both the fried and fresh versions. Ricardo Cuccovillo, Chairman of the Argentina Chamber of Deputies Friendship Parliamentarian Group with Vietnam, said he was impressed by the light and special taste of the food and sauce. Spouse of the Vietnamese ambassador to Argentina Tran Mai Huong said she hopes the event would contribute to boosting mutual understanding between Vietnam and other countries./. Best Canadian Blog 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 About Kate Why this blog? Until this moment I have been forced to listen while media and politicians alike have told me "what Canadians think". In all that time they never once asked. This is just the voice of an ordinary Canadian yelling back at the radio - "You don't speak for me." (goes to a private mailserver in Europe) I can't answer or use every tip, but all are appreciated! Katewerk Art Support SDA I am not a registered charity. I cannot issue tax receipts. Reconnaissance Man Economics for the Disinterested ...a fast-paced polar bear attack thriller! Want lies? Hire a regular consultant. Want truth? Hire an asshole. Weather Shop Click to inquire about rates. Dow Jones What They Say About SDA "Smalldeadanimals doesn't speak for the people of Saskatchewan" Former Sask Premier Lorne Calvert "I got so much traffic after your post my web host asked me to buy a larger traffic allowance." Dr.Ross McKitrick Holy hell, woman. When you send someone traffic, you send someone TRAFFIC. My hosting provider thought I was being DDoSed. - Sean McCormick "The New York Times link to me yesterday [...] generated one-fifth of the traffic I normally get from a link from Small Dead Animals." Kathy Shaidle "Thank you for your link. A wave of your Canadian readers came to my blog! Really impressive." Juan Giner - INNOVATION International Media Consulting Group I got links from the Weekly Standard, Hot Air and Instapundit yesterday - but SDA was running at least equal to those in visitors clicking through to my blog. Jeff Dobbs "You may be a nasty right winger, but you're not nasty all the time!" Warren Kinsella "Go back to collecting your welfare livelihood."Michael E. Zilkowsky Intelliweather Seismic Map Comments Policy Read this Best Of SDA Hide The Decline The Bottle Genie (ClimateGate links) You Might Be A Liberal Uncrossing The Line Bob Fife: Knuckledragger A Modest Proposal (NP) Settled Science Series Y2Kyoto Series SDA: Reader Occupation Survey Brett Lamb Sheltered Workshop Flakes On A Plane All Your Weather Are Belong To Us Song Of The Sled The Raise A Flag Debacle (Now on Youtube!) (.mwv Video) Abuse Ruins Life Of Girl Trudeaupiate Kleptocrat Jeans Child Labour I Concede Small Dead Feminist Protein Hoser: THK Interview The Werewolf Extinction Dear Laura (VRWC) We Wait Blogging The Oscars Jackson Converts To Islam Just Shut The HELL Up Manipulating Condi Gay Equality Rights The Sol Invictus team advises that "the biennial Challenge is rightly regarded as one of the world's most prestigious solar racing competitions, and with good reason". Many of the teams that compete come from universities and in 2017 the tournament will include the ANU's Sol Invictus (Invincible Sun) team. Sol Invictus describes itself, in its enthusiastic literature, as the "Australian National University's flagship interdisciplinary student-led team." It will be the first time a Canberra team of any kind has entered a contraption in the famous biennial event in which teams from many countries design, build and drive solar electric vehicles from Darwin to Adelaide, a distance of 3022km. Today's futuristic but still lovably parochial column looks forward excitedly to the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. At that event the Australian National University (and so in a sense our city) will be represented by the impossibly lean and lithe vehicle whose portrait you see decorating today's column. The extremely streamlined Sol Invictus EV, being devised by ANU. Credit:Sol Invictus "Teams must design and construct cars with the aim of completing the race with the highest average speed, using sunlight and recovered kinetic energy as their only sources of fuel. The route passes through through some of the Australian Outback's harshest environments. "The race attracts competitors from many fields, ranging from universities through to technical institutes and private enterprises. This high calibre of competition helps to attract significant global media attention to the WSC. But the WSC is also so much more than just a race. It is an exhibition of sustainability-driven innovation, where cutting-edge solar technologies are on display for all to see. In fact, average speeds of up to 100km/h have been maintained for the duration of the entire race, in some cases using less energy than your coffee maker." Sol Invictus is really beginning to trundle now, with a major event at the ANU last Friday evening, an "inaugural networking and sponsorship night". Stars that studded the night included, as well as representatives of all sorts of companies that may sponsor the project and contribute expertise to it, the Chief Minister Andrew Barr and the Vice Chancellor of the ANU, Nobel laureate Professor Brian Schmidt. The ANU's Ed Muthiah (an ANU engineering graduate), the Sol Invictus business manager, explains to us that the vehicle in the picture is the "conceptual design" of the team's electric vehicle (EV). He says the vehicle that, carrying our city's hopes, scampers between Darwin and Adelaide in October 2017 will be either exactly like this or very like it. The ACT government's will extend the contracts of 26 community organisations, a recommitment that means $22 million in funding over the next two years. The organisations, which include the YWCA, the Scout Association of Australia, and Belconnen Community Service Inc, each cater to young people and families. Frances Crimmins of the YWCA has welcomed the funding announcement. The funding does not represent new or an increase in money. But Frances Crimmins, executive director YWCA, welcomed the announcement, which meant certainty for the organisation and its clients over the next two years. At the YWCA, the money will allow staff to continue youth engagement programs in Tuggeranong, a therapeutic program for kids and families and network co-ordination for the region. The Federal Court has ordered the federal police union to hold a fresh election after irregularities were found in its voting processes as the result of an internal restructure. The Australian Electoral Commission asked the court to investigate the Australian Federal Police Association's elections for the roles of zone co-ordinator and workplace delegates in each of the union's six zones last September. Former Australian Federal Police Association chief executive Dennis Gellatly reported election irregularities to the Fair Work Commission after a restructure in May last year. Credit:Graham Tidy The union had notified the commission after errors were found in the roll of voters and a number of delegates, meaning some members were not sent the correct ballot papers. As a result, the elections were suspended in July last year. A prominent domestic violence victims advocate has called for more programs to help offenders after a major report found perpetrator programs in the ACT were limited and had not been given priority. Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT executive director Mirjana Wilson urged the ACT government to fund "real platforms for change" in this year's budget to help perpetrators, the majority of which were men, in this year's territory budget. DVCS executive director Mirjana Wilson says there needs to be more options for early intervention into domestic violence. Credit:Jamila Toderas "Failing to provide appropriate programs available to all perpetrators of domestic and family violence is only putting more people at risk in the long term," she said. Three major reports into the territory's response to family and domestic violence this month found the ACT government must overhaul fragmented and flawed family violence strategies if it was to better protect victims. Master Builders ACT has threatened legal action over a UnionsACT advertising campaign it claims is part of an ongoing attack against "non-compliant" construction workers. But Union ACT has labelled the move a "stunt" to stop ads which were rolled out on radio stations 2CC Canberra and Canberra FM104.7 last week. Master Builders ACT executive director Kirk Coningham has indicated the organisation will take legal action over UnionsACT advertisements. Credit:Jamila Toderas Master Builders ACT executive director Kirk Coningham said the advertising campaign directly targeted the ACT's residential construction and renovation teams. He indicated the organisation would launch legal action over the radio advertisements in the ACT Supreme Court this week. Ports and rail giant Asciano will face court on Wednesday as the commercial dispute with its container logistics joint venture partner threatens to spoil the $9 billion takeover by Qube and Brookfield Infrastructure. Australian Container Freight Services, which is privately owned by Arthur and Terry Tzaneros, has alleged that Asciano breached a shareholders' agreement in its 50-50 joint venture, ACFS Port Logistics, by proceeding with the takeover. Ports and rail giant Asciano is part of a commercial dispute over a $9 billion takeover. Credit:Peter Rae The two sides will face the NSW Supreme Court in what is shaping as a critical week for the long-running takeover bid, with Asciano shareholders due to vote on the takeover, which has been recommended by the company's board, on Friday. As part of the deal, Asciano's stake in the ACFS joint venture is to be acquired by Canada's Brookfield Infrastructure, Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, Qatar Investco and the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation. With the price of gold continuing to hold at near record levels, Australia's gold miners have switched to mining lower grades while also hedging their exposure to ensure ongoing access to the high price. The latest quarterly survey by Surbiton Associates found a 2 per cent decline in March quarter gold production to 71 tonnes when compared with the previous quarter. Gold has been pushed back onto the radar of investors, helped by the recent recovery in the gold price. March quarter output is usually weak due to the industry slowdown for summer holidays and the impact of the cyclone season, which slows output in mines in the country's north, "A feature of this last quarter has been the decline in the grade of ore being treated," Surbiton director Dr Sandra Close said. "This is not unexpected as the gold price in Australian dollar terms increased, due to a recovery in the US dollar price of gold and a weakening of the Australian dollar. Gold mining has provided one of the few bright spots for the resource sector in recent times, so why is Kingsgate Consolidated in such a mess? Its Chatree mine in Thailand should have been a gold mine, so to speak, since becoming operational in 2001. Credit:John Shakespeare Last year the company reported that this mine produced 125,000 ounces of gold, earning the company around $71 million before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. So with its share price down something like 95 per cent over the last five years, which is not a great look for its chairman the former chair of the Australian Jockey Club, Ross Smyth-Kirk who is to blame? As a refugee from Syria looking for work in Australia, Nirary Dacho is neither illiterate nor innumerate. Armed with two university degrees, his only barrier to finding a job is his lack of local work experience. After arriving in Australia a year ago, the 29-year-old, who has a Masters degree in web science and a bachelor degree in IT, applied for more than 100 jobs without success. He has more than eight years of experience in the field and is qualified to work with Microsoft and Cisco systems. "The main barrier was local experience," he said. After he appeared on television last year, some businesses contacted him with offers of work. He has just started a three-month contract with technology company Dolby where is working in software development. But while we haven't had many business leaders in the White House, we do know what kind of advice prominent businessmen give on economic policy. And it's often startlingly bad, for two reasons. One is that wealthy, powerful people sometimes don't know what they don't know and who's going to tell them? The other is that a country is nothing like a corporation, and running a national economy is nothing like running a business. Here's a specific, and relevant, example of the difference. Last autumn, the now-presumed Republican nominee declared: "Our wages are too high. We have to compete with other countries." Then, as has happened often in this campaign, Trump denied that he had said what he had, in fact, said straight talker, my toupee. But never mind. The truth is that wage cuts are the last thing America needs right now: We sell most of what we produce to ourselves, and wage cuts would hurt domestic sales by reducing purchasing power and increasing the burden of private-sector debt. Lower wages probably wouldn't even help the fraction of the US economy that competes internationally, since they would normally lead to a stronger dollar, negating any competitive advantage. The point, however, is that these feedback effects from wage cuts aren't the sort of things even very smart business leaders need to take into account to run their companies. Businesses sell stuff to other people; they don't need to worry about the effect of their cost-cutting measures on demand for their products. Managing national economic policy, on the other hand, is all about the feedback. I'm not saying that business success is inherently disqualifying when it comes to policy-making. A tycoon who has enough humility to realise that he doesn't already know all the answers, and is willing to listen to other people even when they contradict him, could do fine as an economic manager. But does this describe anyone currently running for president? As a result, a platform that dominates one industry is still vulnerable to attack from platforms that have similar user bases. This process of platforms competing across industries is surprisingly common. For example, Amazon effectively created the e-book industry in the US. Yet after Amazon proved out the market, both Google and Apple have moved from adjacent industries and become competitors. And Alibaba used its rapidly growing product marketplace to attack Baidu's dominance in product search. Unlike the monopolies of old, however, platforms today are highly competitive. This difference results from the different mechanics of platform markets compared with traditional ones. Platforms compete based not on their assets but rather their networks of users. Users today can migrate much quicker than productive capacity could in the 19th and 20th centuries, as they are locked in by the value the platform delivers, not the assets it owns. The downside comes much later, as the monopolist ages and starts to crowd out potential new competitors without delivering new value. As legal expert and author Tim Wu said, monopolies "tend to be good-to-great in the short term and bad-to-terrible in the long term." Although monopolies get a bad rap, they're not always a bad thing. In the short term, modern monopolies are often a boon to consumers. They bring valuable new inventions to market, and, in the case of platforms, they build new communities and markets that would not exist otherwise. Additionally, the speed of technological change today means that, absent government enforcement, modern monopolies aren't likely to last nearly as long as their predecessors. Barriers to entry in most industries are far lower than they were a century ago, while the boundaries between industries also are much more fluid than they have been in the past. Although networks today do create the strongest and most defensible moats, they don't create the same barriers to entry as past monopolies that required vast investment in physical infrastructure in order to succeed. AT&T's domination of the US telephone industry lasted from the beginning of the 20th century until its 1984 breakup. Not surprisingly, in its later years, the company delayed or killed many important innovations in an effort to keep new entrants out of the market. Yet no platform today is likely to dominate an industry for anywhere near that long. Start-up costs are at an all-time low (thanks, it should be said, in no small part to the effects of many platform businesses). And new businesses today are able to grow faster than ever before. These changes mean that even if an industry is consolidated around a single dominant platform at any given time, there is always a looming threat of entry by a new firm or displacement by another successful platform. Because of the low cost of entry, this threat is constant and credible in a way it was not a hundred years ago. This competition between established platforms and new entrants is exactly what befell Microsoft. For much of the past two decades, there was more worry about Microsoft as a monopoly than there is about Google today. In the early 2000s, most industry experts expected a major competition between Microsoft and Nokia over who would own the dominant smartphone operating system. Google's move to create Android was actually a response to its fear of Microsoft's dominance in mobile. But Australia would be a far better neighbour if only it stopped making matters worse. PNG is understandably protective of its sovereign independence, so Australia's ability to be a positive influence in the country is always going to be limited to advice rather than direction, as it should be. Still, benign neglect would be better than the present approach. The supreme court ruling gave Australia the perfect excuse to abandon Manus Island and regain a little local credibility. Instead, a team of immigration department officials has shuttled back and forth from Canberra over the last few weeks to try and convince the government in Port Moresby that Prime Minister Peter O'Neill acted too hastily in announcing the closure of the camp. The priority is wrong. Australia could be talking about sensible measures to fix gaping holes in the PNG budget, rather than potential sweeteners to keep Manus operating. Australia could be counselling careful respect for law and order. Instead, the gates on Manus Island have swung open, but even this is no guarantee of compliance with the supreme court's ruling. O'Neill pledged again to "implement" the court decision. But his attention is elsewhere, on problems that have quickly compounded. The students gave him 24 hours to step down, but he remains in the job. He responded to the student petition in a long letter, and the whole thing would be comic, if not potentially so dangerous. In polite language, O'Neill dismissed each complaint: Burt Kwouk 1930-2016 Burt Kwouk was best known for his role as Cato Fong, the long-suffering manservant of Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) in The Pink Panther films. Burt Kwouk at a charity event in London in 2009. Credit:Chris Jackson As well as answering the telephone and dealing with the inspector's daily needs, Cato's chief role was to keep Clouseau vigilant by attacking him whenever he least expected it. Their encounters became a running joke throughout the Pink Panther series and the scenes involving their preposterous karate-style sparring interspersed with loud screams generally resulted in the destruction of Clouseau's flat and Cato himself being knocked out, usually because of one of Clouseau's underhand tricks. "But Cato," the inspector tells him before kicking him in the face in The Return of the Pink Panther (1975), "your fly is undone??? and so, my friend, are you." The early learning debate is a symptom of a broader issue within the Australian education system. We divide education up as four separate parts: early learning, primary, secondary and higher education rather than seeing it as a whole educational journey. We need to look at the entire structure of early education within the context of lifelong learning. While affordability is becoming more of a problem as preschool fees continue to rise, answers will not be found in funding solutions alone - especially when the money is not being spent. Calls for increased funding fail to address some inherent problems within the system. It is unfathomable that 23 per cent of children cannot access early learning due to the high cost, in light of the Auditor-General's report, which revealed $350 million of the budget was left unspent over four years in NSW. This is particularly troubling for many families in disadvantaged areas of western Sydney where even a heavily subsidised place at preschool, at about $16 per day, is out of reach. Early learning continues to be viewed as an optional extra, in the same way that before and after school care is tacked onto the school day with little continuity to what's being taught during school time. This is because both are delivered outside the school context and governed by separate policy frameworks. The current structure is a product of the industrial era. It made sense at that time to divide children based on their age and deliver the curriculum in neatly segmented parts and subjects. In the knowledge age information is available 24/7 and learning is a continuous, lifelong process. A neatly divided schooling experience makes it difficult to deliver on the personalised, collaborative learning that all the research and practice tells us students need to be successful learners. To deliver quality learning and teaching we need to have continuous learning pathways for students from pre- to post-school. This requires a co-ordinated approach that links early learning to schooling and beyond. We know that a critical learning stage for children is from 0-4 years and those children who access education earlier have a greater chance of meeting developmental benchmarks. This has been demonstrated in Canada where graduation success for students has been closely linked to the priority given to early learning for 3- to 5-year-olds. Its value is also proven in the NAPLAN results of children who had access to preschool programs recording a 15-20 point advantage in their third year of school. We need a cohesive system that guarantees students access to early education as an automatic part of their schooling experience. In the same way, parents and families need to be able to access out of school care, and the experiences students have there need to be linked to what is happening during the "school day". Why is our state government paying $27 million for desalinated water in 2016-17 plus more options totalling almost $90 million when Melbourne Water's own estimates show that, even with low drought-affected rainfall and existing reserves, the catchment areas would have sufficient water to last 20 years. The best answer seems to be the report in Fairfax publications by resources reporter, Peter Ker, in March that the water order "has come just in time for the company that owns the plant by enabling it to refinance a looming debt obligation of $830 million maturing in October, a sum that dwarfed the $1.68 million profit the company posted for the 2015 financial year". Victoria's Desalination Plant, near Wonthaggi. Credit:John Gollings Aquasure is built on a mountain of debt, ensuring it doesn't pay tax. According to the 2015 annual report of the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries, the "take or pay" contract costs Victorians a weighted average cost of capital of 11.04 per cent without one drop of water being delivered nearly three times the cost of capital if the plant had been financed by public borrowings Worse, there are real public health risks associated with the possibility of dangerous levels of boron left in permeate (manufactured water) of reverse osmosis plants like Wonthaggi. This was of academic interest only while no water was ordered. Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes and gut-wrenching personal experience to see a problem and provide the impetus for a solution. This was the case with Ralph Kelly, whose 18-year-old son, Thomas, died after being knocked down in a one-punch attack in Kings Cross in 2012. Ralph and his wife Kathy discovered that even when a horrible crime has suddenly and painfully changed your world forever, some things remain the same: the bills continue to come and the mortgage needs to be paid. Yet your ability to work is limited by grief, as is your ability to explore what support banks and utilities can extend to you. In discussions they had with other victims of crime they realised this was a common experience. Ralph and Kathy Kelly speak to the media after the death of their son Thomas. Credit:Steve Christo In retrospect, the need for financial counselling seems obvious. But according to NSW Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton, even the skilled counsellors of Victims Services weren't fully alive to the need for financial advice, along with psychological assistance, for victims of crime. It was not until Mr Kelly raised the issue with Ms Upton's predecessor, Brad Hazzard, that the government was spurred to action. And even then, Mr Hazzard's first port of call, the banks and utilities, didn't adequately respond to his queries about what they did or could do better for people experiencing this kind of trauma. The Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was officially "implemented" in January this year when world powers lifted sanctions on Iran. So is the Iranian nuclear problem now solved, with the only problem for the international community to continue implementing the JCPOA? Actually, both the Iranian regime and the two presumptive US presidential candidates are today acknowledging that the JCPOA is far from a finished stand-alone agreement and there is still much to resolve if it's to do what it's intended to do. US Secretary of State John Kerry, left, meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at United Nations headquarters. Credit:AP Thus, in recent weeks, Iranian officials have lashed out at the US because Teheran has been failing to receive all the economic benefits it hoped for under the deal, and threatening to walk away from the agreement if it does not receive additional economic concessions. In particular, the Iranians are angry that most Western banks remain reluctant to do business with them, and want the US to do something about it. For example, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif told The New Yorker on April 25 that "The United States needs to do way more. They have to send a message that doing business with Iran will not cost them. Period." Zarif also said that while the nuclear deal is in place, "if one side does not comply with the agreement then the agreement will start to falter." Queen of the Desert is unexpected: a lush, romantic biopic written and directed by Werner Herzog. The idiosyncratic German filmmaker, who has so often enabled characters either disruptive or obsessive in his dramatic works and outlandish or blithely focused in his documentaries, has created a work that not only references the historical setting and panoramic desert compositions of David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia, but the refined desire and period elegance of the Merchant Ivory canon. It is a surprisingly conservative reckoning of what was a fascinating life. As played spanning more than 20 years by Nicole Kidman in a diligent performance, Gertrude Bell was a daughter of English aristocracy who made her life in the Middle East at the beginning of the 20th century as an explorer, anthropologist and political operative. She crossed deserts, climbed mountains and after World War I created borders that a century on are being shaken by warfare. Kidman's Gertrude Bell is determined to blaze her own trail in Queen of the Desert. Credit:Transmission Kidman's Bell is first seen as a young woman striving to escape a stultifying and rigid England. She is one of the first female graduates of Oxford University, with a first-class honours degree in modern history. She finds her way through an understanding father and supportive stepmother to Tehran in Persia, where her uncle Sir Frank Lascelles (Mark Lewis Jones) commands the British embassy. Her role, if any, is unclear, but Bell's curiosity and mobility allowed her to transcend the strictures of dignified expectation. She is a woman in a man's world, even more so when she begins to encounter the many native tribes in the Arab world where she has no equivalent, but Herzog does not dwell on Bell's gender at length. He credits her perseverance and persuasive charm, but also paints her as a figure of almost exotic otherness. REVOLUTION SCHOOL New series Tuesday, 8.30pm, ABC There are social experiments, and then there are social experiments and this is one of the good ones. Occurring in real life, not just for TV purposes, and backed by hard research, Revolution School tracks the attempts of the headmaster of Kambrya College in Melbourne's outer west to transform what's a pretty ordinary state school into one that produces outstanding outcomes for all students, not just the high achievers. Nothing's sugar-coated, and there's terrific detail on what the teachers have to deal with, and how they attempt to do so. Timely, and inspiring. Chris Bateman on the show Credit:Seven Network KISS BANG LOVE Tuesday, 8.45pm, Seven Like so many of the "dating shows" on TV recently, this sounds like a completely awful idea, but is actually quite good fun. A blindfolded person kisses a succession of other, also blindfolded, potential love interests and then chooses his or her favourites based solely on the pleasure of the kiss. My chief concern was that each kiss would be accompanied by those slurping, sucking sound effects which are, frankly, about as sexy as someone eating with their mouth open but no. The whole thing is handled with admirable restraint, and the contestants are uniformly charming. Revolution School airs on ABC. Credit:ABC Publicity Gina Rodriguez. JANE THE VIRGIN New series Thursday, 8.30pm, Eleven This delicious series has been chugging along for a while now on pay TV but if you haven't caught it yet, now's your chance. Built in the style of the Spanish telenovelas but with a distinctive contemporary sense of humour, it's the tale of a good Mexican-American girl who finds herself accidentally impregnated. I know. It sounds kind of gross. But in the hands of writer/creator Jennie Snyder Urman (Gilmore Girls) and the totally kissable Gina Rodgriuez as Jane, it's a kooky delight from beginning to end. Stan Grant in the second series of Credit:Jonathan Wherrett / Foxtel Netwo CRIMES THAT SHOOK AUSTRALIA Series return Sunday, 7.30pm, CI It is not, of course, in the same league as Helen Garner's This House of Grief but the first instalment of the second series of Crimes, fronted again by Stan Grant, nevertheless does a solid and often moving job of revisiting the Robert Farquharson case. It certainly never feels exploitative as it details the event, the investigation, the role played by Farquharson's ex-wife, and the ultimate outcome. Most interesting is Stephen Moules, Cindy Gambino's current husband. He didn't figure large in the media coverage at the time, but emerges here as a humble and quietly impressive figure. Donna Hay. DONNA HAY: FROM BASICS TO BRILLIANCE Tuesday, 8.30pm, Lifestyle Food Donna Hay is back, this time channelling Nigella Lawson often to awkward effect. We were all kind of fond of the old, no-nonsense Donna. The middle-aged seductress isn't nearly as appealing. The food, however, remains as accessible as ever with the idea here being to provide a basic recipe, and then show you how to schooz it up into something a bit special. Tonight that includes a slow-braised brisket that becomes a 21st century spag bol. Clever. Let's be honest, under David Schwimmer's name in a "post Friends" year book, it would have Most Unlikely to Succeed, because, well, his character Ross was a bit of a loser. And comedian James Corden was quick to pounce on this fact when challenging Schwimmer to a rap battle in his segment Drop the Mic on Friday night's The Late, Late Show. Rebel Wilson drops the mic on David Schwimmer and Late, Late Show host James Corden. Credit:YouTube "But now you've got a chance to prove you've got balls, while I ignore like Jennifer Aniston your calls," Corden raps. Corden pulls no punches from the start, introducing Schwimmer: "His name is David he was famous in '95. He was on TV then. Now it's 2016, and he has no Friends. Weaver says what drew her to the role was the "good story, good character and it had such a ring of authenticity about it". "I mustn't give too much away because it's a thriller but a lot of treachery goes on. There's a lot of the machinations, the Machiavellian ins-and-outs of the whole thing." It has a cast of stellar local talent Anna Torv, last seen in Australian drama The Daughter, plays journalist Harriet Dunkley, who is doggedly attempting to uncover the true story about the murder. Other familiar faces included Damon Herriman, Alan Dale, Alex Dimitriades, Benedict Samuel and Miranda Tapsell. As the steely Attorney-General, Weaver unleashes foul-mouthed tirades to colleagues not seen since Peter Capaldi sprayed his fiery rants as Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It. "Better get yourself a raincoat, Mal," she tells Dan Wyllie, who plays the Minister of Defence and her main internal combatant. "Because you've unleashed a shitstorm of biblical proportions." Her character, she says, is single-mindedly interested in power. Weaver references "weasel speak" and Don Watson, Paul Keating's speech writer who wrote a polemic against jargon, Death Sentences: How Cliches, Weasel Words and Management-Speak Are Strangling Public Language. "You get some politicians talking on the television and all they're doing is policy, they're not talking like real people," she says. "You see my character doing both. I had quite a few speeches that were jargon, jargon and then other speeches that were very real ... We all do it to a degree, just spout what's expected." Weasel speak aside, Weaver says the show is going to throw new light on the capital city. "It's going to show Canberra looking quite sexy and racy. People might want to go and live there when they see this series. It's beautifully shot, it does make Canberra look fabulous." The crew gained unprecedented access to Parliament House, which Weaver says is very "'80s ... a lot of people think it's old-fashioned now, but I rather like it, it's a stunning building." "They've only ever shot news or documentaries there, so it was unique, no one had done it before. It was like getting into Fort Knox, I might say. I've been to the White House and it was easier to get in," she says. "Paranoia!" she adds in a pretend dramatic voice. Another face that crops up in the show is Weaver's husband, Sean Taylor, who plays the ASIO director-general, Paul Wheeler. "We did have one scene where we had to face-off with each other and quarrel. It was very funny. The crew thought it was hilarious, they thought 'I wonder if that's like their home life'." Most recently her life has been split between her Darlinghurst home and a base in LA following a huge boost in US work after Animal Kingdom (2010) and Silver Linings Playbook (2012), both of which scored the 68-year-old Oscar nominations. "The more variety, the better, I love it. Even though I haven't done much here in the past couple of years, I always joke it's nice to talk in my own accent because I've been talking American for the past four years. "I do meet people in America who don't realise I'm from Australia because they've only seen me in American films." She says she's continuously looking at multiple projects later this year she'll be seen in James Franco's comedy-drama The Masterpiece, playing an actress in The Room, the cult film regarded as the worst movie of all time. "Every time I get another script, I'm delighted and thrilled," she says. "I get at least one a week and I want to do them all because I want to fit in as much as possible before I can't put one foot in front of the other. "But, I mean, who knows, it could all evaporate tomorrow and they could suddenly stop offering me stuff, or it could go on for another 10 years. "You get little lulls, you get a few months here and there where there's no work. I'm not talking about the last five years, I'm talking about the previous 45 years. And I keep waiting for that to happen again, but it hasn't happened yet." Riley lands new role at ABC Sally Riley has been appointed to the newly created role of head of scripted production at the ABC. In addition to her current role as head of Indigenous she will be responsible for leading the fiction, comedy, Indigenous and children's production teams. Since joining ABC TV in 2010, Riley has overseen production of a large and hugely impressive body of work, which includes Black Comedy, Gods of Wheat Street, 8MMM Aboriginal Radio, the lauded Redfern Now and Cleverman, which premieres this week. ABC TV head Richard Finlayson said: "Sally is an incredibly accomplished television executive, and over many years, she has nurtured and developed the Indigenous production sector, so that today it stands as one of the most innovative and vibrant parts of the industry in Australia". A replacement for the head of Indigenous will be appointed. Back for more Janet King, Nowhere Boys, Little Lunch and House Husbands have been renewed. ABC3 children's series Little Lunch will return with Halloween and Christmas specials, while Janet King, Nowhere Boys and House Husbands have received full-season orders. Joining the cast of House Husband's fifth season are Hugh Sheridan, playing a music teacher, and Roy Billing and Nancye Hayes as the parents of Rhys Muldoon's ever-flustered character Mark. The 13-part Nowhere Boys, which will air in late 2016, picks up a few years after the events of the previous season and introduces a new group of Nowhere Boys ... and Nowhere Girl; 16-year-old Wiradjuri boy Kamil Ellis, Luca Sardelis, William McKenna, Jordie Race-Coldrey and Joe Klocek. CRIMINAL MINDS 8.45pm, Seven I'm not convinced that any regular person can actually become a psychotic killer, given the right circumstances. But there's no question that as Criminal Minds pretty much abandons the "evil serial killer" convention and begins to explore the idea of the monster lurking within us all, it becomes more and more interesting. Tonight's a case in point, although to explain more would spoil in a major way. The addition of some vaguely psychedelic moments also cleverly add to the story's underlying theme. Bess Throckmorton (Phoebe Thomas) prepares Queen Elizabeth's wig in Armada: 12 Days to Save England. Credit:Mark Edger SHAUN MICALLEF'S MAD AS HELL 8.30pm, ABC How delightful to see it's not just me totally lovin' the return of Mad as Hell. Ratings-wise it may not be presenting much of a challenge to MasterChef but for such a bizarre piece of programming it's drawing a very healthy audience, sitting just outside the Top 10 shows of the night. That surely has something to do with the fact that along with delivering some genuinely biting political commentary it packs a whole lot of LOL into a scant half hour. One of the must-see's of the week. ARMADA: 12 DAYS TO SAVE ENGLAND 7.30pm, SBS In contrast to Blood & Gold, screening on Friday night, which whisks almost too quickly through Britain's defeat of the Spanish Armada, this three-part series takes far, far too long. It's all in the title really. Three hour-long episodes to cover 12 days in history? You know you're going to get a helluva lot of detail, and you do. From extended and poorly-acted re-enactments to assorted experts sailing yachts around the Isle of Wight this is crammed with stuff, most of it not very interesting. Buffs of military tactics will probably enjoy the painstaking explanation of every moment in the campaign but for those not clad in anoraks, it's a bit of a yawn. The Work + Family Policy Roundtable , comprising academics from 30 universities, has recommended the implementation of a universal care system in its pre-election report released on Monday. The federal government should extend paid parental leave to 52 weeks, expand the child care system and re-think aged care provision to ensure the future stability of the workforce and economy, according to a report compiled by 30 experts from around Australia. It also proposes the establishment of Federal and State Departments of Work, Life and Community, which would oversee the design and administration of a fair work, care and family policy mix. Co-convenor of the roundtable, Elizabeth Hill from the University of Sydney, said the federal government has gone backwards on work and family policy since the last election. "Australian governments need to focus on balanced lives not just balanced budgets," Dr Hill said. "An erratic policy environment and lack of a predictable and affordable system of social care is compromising the wellbeing of Australia's households and economy." Recommendations in the Work, Care and Family Policies Election Benchmarks paper include providing a minimum of two days of care and education for all children regardless of whether or not their parents are working as well as extending the current 18 weeks of paid parental leave to 52 weeks in the long-term. Public servants are being silenced by a politically motivated push to keep them from speaking out ahead of July's federal election, according to their main workplace union. Public servants have been warned to watch their Facebook likes and shares during their election campaign, prompting an angry response from the Community and Public Sector Union, while Defence Force personnel have been told they will be punished if caught electioneering in uniform. Australian Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd. Credit:Jay Cronan The union, which is campaigning for a Labor win on July 2, says the orders from the Australian Public Service Commission, and its boss Liberal loyalist John Lloyd, is "politically motivated over-reach" and "breathtakingly hypocritical". A former TV host who allegedly faked his own death and skipped the country after trying to bomb a Penthouse Pet has been arrested after 17 years on the run. Roberto Saenz de Heredia, 47, is facing extradition from the UK after being arrested by British authorities at Gatwick Airport in April. "The man had left Australia in 1999 and it is alleged since this time he has been evading authorities and living under a false name," NSW Police said. "Detectives from Northern Beaches Local Area Command are hoping to have him extradited to Australia in the very near future to face charges." The state government has denied that vulnerable homeowners will be forced out of their houses in controversial proposed changes to strata laws. About one-quarter of metropolitan Sydney residents will be affected by more than 90 sweeping changes to state laws that were passed by Parliament last year. Apartment owner Paul Bacon is particularly worried about recently released draft regulations to accompany the changes, to be finalised before the law comes into force in November, including the controversial proposal to allow a building to be sold if 75 per cent of owners approve. Currently all owners must approve any sale. Investors own about half the units in his Belmore building, and he worries a critical mass may easily be persuaded to sell to developers aiming to build 11,000 new dwellings in the area in the next 20 years. She is no stranger to controversy but high-profile Sydney solicitor Leigh Johnson is now embroiled in one of the most expensive and protracted legal dramas of her career. In an extraordinary legal battle that has made its way to the state's highest court, Ms Johnson has been rebuked for "unfair tactics" in her dealings with an elderly couple behind the Australian Institute of Music (AIM), the nation's largest private music school. Sydney solicitor Leigh Johnson. Credit:Peter Rae The Woollahra-based lawyer, who was at the centre of a legal saga over a red-light camera offence in the mid-1990s, agreed in 2007 to represent AIM founders Peter Calvo, who has since died, and his wife Athalie in a court case to claw back shares in the company from their accountant. The couple signed agreements in May 2007 allowing Ms Johnson to charge $500 an hour for her work, or $300 for work done by others. In a creaky, unprepossessing mansion in Sydney's south, nine mothers are roused from their sleep at 7.20 sharp each morning. A support worker, who has slept on a single mattress in a makeshift bedroom downstairs, pokes her head into each of their bedrooms, gently reminding the women their medication will be ready in 20 minutes. Then, she unlocks the safe, retrieves the methadone and buprenorphine and waits for the women all of whom are recovering heroin addicts to make their way down the 19th-century staircase. For more than 30 years, Phoebe's House, as the mansion is called, has functioned as a rehabilitation centre where mothers stay for six months in a last ditch attempt to stay clean and, most importantly, keep their child. It was a case of handbags before dawn. The smash and grab at Gucci and Prada in the early hours of Tuesday morning is not the kind of thing one expects from the Paris end of Collins Street. Sledgehammers were used to smash into the Gucci handbags store on Collins Street. Credit:Eddie Jim You could hardly get a more exclusive crime scene. A crew of masked robbers armed with sledgehammers and crowbars crunching their way through the glass of two luxury shopfronts. And then, after puncturing the glass, reaching through the jagged breach to claim their loot: leather handbags worth as much as $5000. There's a little-known trick to scoring a sizeable discount at an elite private school in Melbourne's south-east. Shelford Girls Grammar has been quietly offering students at neighbouring state school Ripponlea Primary a discount of up to 50 per cent under an unofficial "Ripponlea Deal". Apart from this deal, fierce competition between schools, particularly private girls' schools vying for the same students, has seen schools resort to the sales tactics of electricity companies, offering bonuses to parents who manage to get their friends' children signed up. The Shelford discount, which now sits at 30 per cent, is a sweet offer for Ripponlea girls, who do not have to fulfil any other criteria to be eligible for it. Lumiere's proponents, Edge Living, are pushing one version of the development through the State Administrative Tribunal and the other through Supreme Court appeals processes. Credit:Emma Young "The whole DAP process is unfair and has been set up to favour developers. It is a good example of regulatory capture. "What kind of a process allows developers to appeal a decision in secret to the SAT, but doesn't afford residents the right to even be heard? Something is rotten in WA." Mr Ruthven said the approval for Westbridge Property Group's Glass House development had been about to expire as the build had not commenced, and Westbridge had applied to have the approval extended. He said Glass House would not be approved in its present form under the new planning scheme amendment, especially in light of the recent court ruling on Lumiere. While the City of South Perth recommended the DAP deny the Glass House extension and its two representatives on the DAP voted against it, they were outvoted by the three industry representatives on the panel. Another company has now applied for an extension to another approved development nearby. Charles Street, just near the Mill Point freeway entry, has been the site of several contentious developments. Credit:Emma Young Edge Living spokesman Paul Plowman said he believed the verdict on the amendment was likely to take six to nine months. "It was a complete and utter shambles the way it was put together," he said. "It will take the department months. "I would expect it might even have to be re-advertised, because they introduced concepts at the council meeting that hadn't been talked about before, dreamt up by councillors and Save the Peninsula Group and foisted on people without due regard. "We are simply trying to seek an approval [for Lumiere] that was 12 months ago supported by officers. "Now the council has bowed to a ham-fisted political campaign to create this amendment led by a small group of people who have created uncertainty for developers and are now stopping everyone from getting on with business." Leafy, low-lying South Perth will be unrecognisable in years to come. The weight the DAP must give to the pending scheme amendment is a grey area in April, it approved a new Charles Street development set to 'entomb' neighbours, despite the amendment's provisions preventing such a scenario. State planning regulations state that any TPS amendment should be given 'due regard', and Department of Planning director general Gail McGowan said she had ensured the DAP understood this before its April meeting. She said when determining the Charles Street application the DAP discussed the amendment in detail and given it "due regard". "DAPs are independent decision-making planning bodies and as such the Minister for Planning does not have any power to intervene," she said. Ms McGowan said since the introduction of DAPs in 2011, about 14 per cent of their decisions had been appealed in the State Administrative Tribunal. Police are seeking the public's help in their investigation into a fatal motorcycle crash in Medina on Saturday afternoon. They say that at about 5:30pm a motorcyclist was riding his red Victory east along Thomas Road when it collided with a green Mitsubishi Lancer that was entering Thomas Road at the intersection of Abercrombie Road. The motorcyclist was riding east along Thomas Road in Medina. Credit:Rebecca Hallas The motorcyclist, a 42-year-old man from Armadale, received serious injuries and died as a result of the crash. The driver of the Lancer, a 19-year-old man from Spearwood, received minor injuries. Fifty thousand dollars' worth of sand paid for by West Australian taxpayers and local ratepayers to preserve Lancelin's tourist beach has washed away entirely in just a year. The most recent load of sand for the town's beachfront icon Grace Darling Park, split between the Gingin Shire Council and state government, was half gone in a fortnight and has now been completely claimed after an unusually large storm lashed the coastline. This view was once of the smooth green turf of a public beachside park. Credit:Lancelin Coastcare The park's gazebo is closed because it has become a hazard rather than a tourist attraction. The local sea rescue building rests about 11 metres from the water's edge on the strip of land that is all that remains of a once enormous park. The shire has indicated it still has funds left over from the state funding to replenish the sand, so no fresh funding will be required for some time. Kensington Detectives have charged three men following the theft of six vehicles from a car yard in Welshpool early on Friday morning. It is alleged that at about 1:18am the gates of the yard were rammed by a Chevy Suburban before a number of people entered the car yard on Welshpool Road. One driver in a stolen ute tried to evade police. Vehicle windows were smashed and lock boxes forced open to gain access to the vehicle keys. In total, 19 vehicles were entered, with many being moved so that specifically targeted vehicles could be accessed. The nationalities of the soldiers were not released and so far no group had taken responsibility for the attack. The deaths of the UN soldiers in Mali came less than 48 hours after a march through central Brisbane to honour the work of UN peacekeepers. Credit:Bradley Kanaris/Fairfax Media A convoy of soldiers in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was attacked 30 kilometres west of Sevare, the UN said. Bamako: Five United Nations peacekeepers were killed and one other seriously injured in an ambush in central Mali on Sunday. It comes 10 days after five MINUSMA peacekeepers from Chad were killed in an ambush in the northern region of Kidal. Two days ago five Malian soldiers were killed near the town of Gao. "I condemn in the strongest terms this despicable crime," said MINUSMA head Mahamat Saleh Annadif, adding that it constituted "crimes against humanity under international law". MINUSMA and French forces have been stationed in northern Mali for three years since separatists joined jihadists to seize the region from the government in Bamako. The militants have staged a series of high profile attacks in the past year, mainly in the north of the country, but also in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. A peace accord signed last year was meant to bring stability to the region, but attacks against the UN mission, Malian military and civilians are still frequent. The parents of a missing child in Japan have admitted they left him in the mountains as punishment. The family was on the way home from a park when seven-year-old Yamato Tanooka got up to mischief, reported The Japan Times. He was left in the Hokkaido mountains, populated by bears, as a punishment. The missing boy's parents initially told police their son had become lost during a hike on Saturday. Who did it best: Cast your vote for the high school football player of the week Welcome to SwanseaOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage of the city. Never miss a Swansea story with our daily newsletter Sign up to comment on our stories here Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Swansea City news | Ospreys news | InYourArea Former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent nearly a year on the International Space Station between 2015 and 2016, stands on the deck of the U.S.S. Intrepid, an aircraft carrier-turned museum in New York City, on May 26, 2016. Kelly received the Intrepid 21st-Century Pioneer Award from the museum. NEW YORK Former astronaut Scott Kelly, who set the record for the longest sojourn in space for any American after his nearly yearlong mission ended in March, was honored at the Intrepid Museum's 25th annual Salute to Freedom gala Thursday (May 26). There, he received the Intrepid 21st-Century Pioneer Award. Kelly returned from the International Space Station's "Year-in-Space" mission on March 2. Since then, he has retired from NASA and continues to speak at events around the country. On Thursday morning, Kelly met the Breitling Jet Team on the flight deck of the Intrepid. Breitling, a maker of Swiss watches, signed on as an official sponsor of Fleet Week at the Intrepid Museum, and the Breitling Jet Team has loaned its L-39C Albatros jet to the Intrepid for the duration of the event, which began May 25 and lasts until May 30. [A Year in Space: 7 Milestones for NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly] The Year-in-Space mission was designed to study the effects on humans of prolonged space travel. Kelly, along with Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, spent a total of 340 consecutive days in orbit. Former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly poses for a photo with the Breitling Jet Team on the deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City on May 26, 2016 during Fleet Week celebrations. (Image credit: Jesse Emspak/Space.com) Since returning, Kelly has spoken often of changes in his perspective after living in space for a year. He took the time to speak at Thursday's event, as well. "From orbit, it's clear that humans are polluting the planet on a significant scale," he told Space.com that morning. He noted that Earth's atmosphere is a thin layer on the planet itself, and you can see this very clearly from the space station. Even so, he said, he came away with a sense that humans can accomplish a lot. "I was really inspired by the space station, and how big it is," he said. "I felt like if we can do that, we can do almost anything." Researchers are using the data on Kelly's health in part to get a better idea of what would happen on longer trips to other planets, such as Mars. A Mars trip would require spending at least six months on a spacecraft to get there and six months to get back, plus however much time is spent on the surface. Beyond better understanding the health of the astronauts, Kelly said, there is still some technological development to do before such a trip. "Life support needs to be more reliable," he said. On the space station, it's possible to wait for a resupply of parts from Earth; a Mars mission wouldn't have that option. "If you're on your way to Mars and the toilet breaks, you're going to die because you run out of water." A Mars ship would also need much better radiation protection, he added. Another issue Kelly has faced is the transition from the microgravity conditions of the space station to full Earth gravity after the landing. Kelly said there are a variety of small physical ailments, enough that they might be significant after longer periods. Astronauts already have to exercise regularly to prevent loss of bone density. But there are other effects as well, such as disruptions to an astronaut's balance. "When you get back, your balance is off," he said. Initially, he felt the gravity, he said, and after about an hour he could walk normally. Getting used to the feel of gravity, though, took longer. "Sometimes it was hard getting out of bed." He said he felt some soreness as his joints got used to bearing weight again. While in space, one of the main things Kelly missed was fresh food, he said. Meals on the space station are akin to the prepackaged foods served to the military, though there have been efforts to improve it. Kelly also had a chance to eat lettuce grown in orbit. Many people wonder how differences among the crewmembers affect the mission, Kelly said, but that tends not to matter. "They filter a lot of that out in the selection process." Going back in to space isn't something Kelly's ruled out completely, though for now he is retired, he said. "I'm working on a book. That's enough for now," he said. You can Follow Jesse Empsak @Mad_Science_Guy. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service. STAMFORD U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn, and U.S Rep Jim Himes, D-4, on Tuesday will meet with city officials and Fairfield County first responders to discuss a growing opioid epidemic in Connecticut. Both Murphy and Himes will meet with Stamford Mayor David Martin, local law enforcement, first responders, treatment providers, and community organizations to discuss local efforts to address the ongoing heroin and opioid epidemic in Fairfield County. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Uber just took me down an unexpected road. Im in the middle of a conversation with Stamford Police Lt. Diedrich Hohn about police efforts to thwart impaired drivers this Memorial Day weekend. My colleague John Nickerson, a veteran police reporter, calls Hohn a drunk hunter. Nickerson means it as a compliment. Hohn and his peers know how to read the signs of people who have the potential to transform a method of transportation into a killing machine. Then Hohn surprises me with a casual observation. At checkpoints well get 10 to 15 Uber drivers during four hours. Someone in the backseat is obviously drunk, Hohn says. Thats 10 or 15 people who might have come through driving. Something about ride-hail apps resonates with drivers in a way taxis never did. When I put up my own verbal stop sign to seek more information, Hohn sounds for a moment like hes marketing Uber. No matter how drunk they get, they can hit the app on their phone, he says. They dont even have to fumble for cash. The people who pitch Uber for a living are up front about tapping into the drunken driving market. Matt Powers, the general manager of Uber in Connecticut, says closing time at bars on Friday and Saturday nights are peak times for the service. Uber staff are dogged drunk hunters of a different sort. They track data to know when to ensure they have enough available drivers and offer incentives because, lets face it, its not fun to transport drunks in the wee hours of the morning in any car, let alone your own. So Uber staff realized its a good business model to boost the driving pool on New Years Eve, St. Patricks Day and the Wednesday before Thanksgiving when returning college students reunite in bars. The hunt is now taking Uber to state casinos such as Mohegan Sun to offer transportation to hotels. Whether youre there for a show or gambling, theres a good chance youve had a drink, Powers says. Gambling with the lives of strangers this particular weekend is a cruel mockery of a holiday intended to honor the dead. Its easy to become numb to the stupidity of such behavior. In newsrooms, journalists brace for reports of needless deaths on weekends such as this one, and document the latest figures on DUI arrests (57 on state roads alone last Memorial Day weekend). On a local level, the work recently earned Hohn and other skilled drunk hunters throughout the state recognition from Mothers Against Drunk Driving at a recent ceremony at Central Connecticut State University. The work is demanding on their senses: Hearing to tune into slurred speech; sight to check for weaving cars and drugs (including prescription) on a console; smell for odors of pot and alcohol. You dont see what these cops have seen and maintain an indifferent attitude to impaired driving. Hohn says he still thinks about a recent accident scene where a driver who couldnt even stand up plowed into a family driving back from dinner with two young kids in the back. It could have been a life-altering experience, he says. On other occasions, he has arrested intoxicated drivers with their own children in the car. I dont play around with that, he says. I report it to DCF (Department of Children and Families). While apps offer progress, police are faced with new challenges as a result of legalized use of marijuana and addictions to prescription drugs. Greenwich Master Patrol Officer J.D. Smith, who was just recognized by MADD for the fourth time, is the only member of a Fairfield County police department to receive elite training to detect several categories of drugs. Greenwich MPO Michael Ucci was also honored. People arent just drinking and driving, says Smith, who was once sideswiped in his police car by a driver under the influence. They are mixing prescription drugs. They may not be trying to do something wrong. They just take one and then another and another and become addicted. Stamford Officer Jeffrey Booth says stiffer penalties are also proving to be a deterrent. As of last summer, state residents are required to breathe into an ignition interlock device to start their vehicle after a first DUI conviction. For Booth, who was just honored by MADD for the fifth time, much more progress needs to be made. Booths recollections of seeing families destroyed make you wish people who drink and drive had to walk his beat on the worst of days. Ive knocked on too many doors to tell people family members are dead, he says. I ask how often hes been on the other side of the door. Ive done several. He pauses. One is too many. Its a very difficult thing to do. John Breunig is editorial page editor of The Advocate and Greenwich Time. John.breunig@scni.com; 203-964-2281; twitter.com/johnbreunig. Well start the war from right here, ordered an aging Gen. Ted Roosevelt on D-Day, June 6, 1944. His infantry units had drifted off course while landing on Utah Beach. Fortuitously, Roosevelts units landed nearly a mile from the divisions destination. In contrast to the desperate fighting elsewhere on D-Day, especially on Omaha Beach, Roosevelt landed on a part of the Cotentin Peninsula of Normandy that was not heavily defended by Germans. Directed by Roosevelts animated cane and very brave presence, American seaborne and airborne forces quickly made contact and secured the area despite a German Panzer division that responded to the landing. General Omar Bradley, who commanded that theater, later described Theodore Roosevelt (Jr.) on Utah Beach as the bravest act of D-Day. By rights, Roosevelt shouldnt have been on Utah Beach. Then 56, he walked with a cane as a result of arthritis and injuries suffered in World War I. But the son of the hero of San Juan Hill (President Theodore Roosevelt) would not be denied the opportunity to lead into battle men less than half his age: Theyll figure that if a general is going in, he argued, it cant be that rough. He would be the only Allied general to participate in the first wave of Allied assaults and the only father to have a son, that same day, share the withering German fire of opposition. In May 1918, Roosevelt earned the first of four Silver Stars for his World War I gallantry under fire: Major Roosevelt during an enemy raid, displayed high qualities of courage and leadership in going forward to supervise in person the action of one of the companies of his battalion which had been attacked; on the day of our attack upon Cantigny, although gassed in the lungs and gassed in the eyes to blindness, Major Roosevelt refused to be evacuated and retained command of his battalion, under heavy bombardment, throughout the engagement. Like his more famous father, Roosevelt believed in leading from the front. Like his father and Uncle Franklin, Ted Roosevelt graduated from Harvard and served as a New York State legislator, and as assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy. Like his father, Ted was persuasive and stubborn. He had his fathers infectious grin without the flashing teeth. Months before Pearl Harbor, Gen. Roosevelt signed up to join his old regiment from World War I. First, Roosevelt would see action in North Africa and Italy. Only two months before D-Day, Ted Roosevelt served as best man at the wedding of his son, Quentin, in England. At the end of May 1944, a determined Roosevelt had written Gen. Raymond Barton, commander of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division, emphasizing the importance of early command leadership on the D-Day beach: I know personally both officers and men of these advance units and believe that it will steady them to know that I am with them. Reluctantly, Barton granted Roosevelts wish. The night before the D-Day invasion, Gen. Roosevelt told his troops: Ill see you tomorrow morning 6:30, on the beach. Roosevelt indeed saw them on the beach, but Normandys tricky ocean currents pushed their landing craft off course. No matter, Roosevelt put his troops to work at war. After a month of strenuous fighting, including the capture of Cherbourg, Gen. Roosevelt wrote home to his wife, trying to put the best and fictitious face on his battlefield situation: The Doc came and said with a little embarrassment that my troubles were primarily from having put an inhuman strain on a machine that was not exactly new. In fact there was no doctor, no examination, no rejuvenation. Roosevelt was very sick with a heart condition he kept carefully hidden. Two days later, Brig. Gen. Ted Roosevelt was dead five weeks after the D-Day invasion. His heart, which endured several small attacks in the aftermath of the invasion, finally gave out on July 12, leaving the unforgettable memory of one intrepid American warrior on D-Day. Lewis E. Lehrman, co-founder of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, is author of Lincoln at Peoria: The Turning Point (Stackpole, 2008) and Lincoln by littles. (TLI, 2013). A teenage boy fighting for his life in hospital after being stabbed was attacked by up to six youths armed with knives. The 16-year-old was rushed to hospital after he was knifed repeatedly in Payne Street, Deptford, shortly after midnight on Saturday. Police said the victim, who is in a critical condition, was attacked by a group of four to six male teenagers in possession of knives, before he was stabbed. One of the youths then chased another teenage boy along the street, who managed to escape unhurt. Taped off: A police cordon at the scene The boys attackers made off in a red hatchback shaped car, police said. Weapons were recovered at the scene, which was cordoned off while forensic officers investigated. Detectives from Lewisham CID are investigating with the assistance of the Homicide and Major Crime Command. No arrests have been made and enquires are ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call Lewisham CID on 07788916864 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A woman has suffered "life-changing" injuries after she and a friend were struck by wheelie bins that were sent flying an erratic hit-and-run driver. The women, both 29, were rushed to hospital after they were found injured by police and paramedics in Rothschild Street, West Norwood, shortly before 4.40am on Sunday. Police believe the friends were injured because a dark coloured BMW left the road in Rothschild Street, drove along the pavement and struck the bins causing them to fall onto the pair. One woman has remained in hospital with injuries described as life-changing while the other has since been discharged. It is unclear whether the vehicle hit the women at any stage during the incident. The car continued to drive along the pavement after the crash before it rejoined the road at Norwood High Street at the junction with Gipsy Road and Chapel Road before heading towards Central Hill. No arrests have been made. Detectives in Lambeth are being helped by officers from the Mets serious collision investigation unit. Police Constable Jake Good from Lambeth CID said: "I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of Norwood High Street and saw the incident. One woman has been left with what could possibly be life changing injuries and it is of paramount importance that we find the person responsible immediately. "The two friends had simply been enjoying a night out and were on their way home when the incident occurred. It is believed that vehicle was travelling at some speed along the pavement and the women stood no chance of getting out of the way in time. The driver gave no thought to the victims and callously drove off from the scene without checking their condition. "I am also keen to hear from anyone who recognises the description of the vehicle. Maybe you have seen a car of this type parked up with significant damage to it. If this is the case please do not hesitate in getting in contact with us. Any information no matter how small could assist us in tracing those responsible." Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact Lambeth CID on 0208 649 2131 or 077857774447. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 A n 18-year-old was fighting for his life in hospital after he was stabbed in the street in east London. The teenager was rushed to hospital after he was knifed in Hackney this afternoon. Emergency services were called to the stabbing in Homerton High Street at about 5.40pm. Medics treated the victim at the scene before he was rushed to an east London hospital. Police earlier described his condition as critical but have now said he is serious but stable. A Met Police spokesman said: Officers from Hackney CID are investigating. "Enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and any motive. There has been no arrest at this early stage. T wo men have been stabbed in an attack near a parade of shops in east London. Police said they were called to Ley Street, near the junction with Vicarage Lane, in Ilford shortly before 9am on Sunday. Paramedics were already on the scene treating two men for stab wounds, a spokeswoman said. One of the victims, 26, had been knifed in the stomach. The other, aged 29, was found suffering from a stab wound to his arm. Both men were taken to hospital. Police said their injuries were non-life-threatening. The spokeswoman added no arrests had been made and enquiries were continuing. P olice have launched a murder investigation after a man was stabbed to death on a busy north London high street. A man, believed to be in his 30s, was found by police and paramedics with a stab wound on Camden High Street close to Greenland Road at 3.46am. He was taken to a central London hospital where he died just under an hour later. The man has not been identified and police said his family have yet to be informed. CAMDEN SHOOTING No arrests have been made. Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating and have called for anyone near Camden Town Tube station or the high street at the time of the stabbing to contact them. Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh said: It is possible that you may have information that will help us establish what led to the murder. "The area has a busy nightlife and I am certain that there are people who are yet to speak with officers and I would urge them to come forward. I would also like to hear from any bus drivers or taxi drivers who may have witnessed the stabbing or the minutes leading up to it." Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8785 8099 or via 101. Alternatively, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 T wo women have been injured in a suspected hit and run in south London. The women were found by police and paramedics in Norwood High Street, West Norwood shortly before 4.40am on Sunday following reports of a collision. Police said they are awaiting an update on their conditions after they were both taken to a south London hospital. Lambeth officers are investigating after the car failed to stop at the scene. No arrests have been made. Norwood High Street has been shut in both directions between Rothschild Street and Gipsy Road while police investigate. Anyone with information should contact police in Lambeth on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 A ground-breaking immersive exhibition that explores the wonders of flight and space travel is now open at the Maritime Museum. 'Above and Beyond' includes a series of high-tech challenges that give visitors an insight into what it's like to be a pilot or astronaut. The exhibition, produced in collaboration with NASA, was first launched in the US and is now touring the world. Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, Dr Marek Kukula said: "I think the message is that it is people that create this technology and that it is their passion and enthusiasm that drives us forward. Above and Beyond, open from 27 May (National Maritime Museum) / Maritime Musuem "We desperately need more scientists and engineers so if this inspires more young people to take up these subjects in school and university, then thats going to be a great thing." Activities include designing and testing a fighter jet, flying like a bird and a mission to Mars. It's on in London at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich until August 29. B ritain has been described as the most corrupt country in the world, according to a journalist and expert on the Italian Mafia. Roberto Saviano, who wrote best-selling exposes Gomorrah and ZeroZeroZero, made the claim at the Hay Literary Festival. The 36-year-old has been living under police protection for 10 years since revelations were published about members of the Camorra, a Neapolitan branch of the mafia. Mr Saviano told the audience at Hay-on-Wye: If I asked you what is the most corrupt place on Earth you might tell me well its Afghanistan, maybe Greece, Nigeria, the South of Italy and I will tell you its the UK. Its not the bureaucracy, its not the police, its not the politics but what is corrupt is the financial capital. 90 per cent of the owners of capital in London have their headquarters offshore. Jersey and the Caymans are the access gates to criminal capital in Europe and the UK is the country that allows it. That is why it is important why it is so crucial for me to be here today and to talk to you because I want to tell you, this is about you, this is about your life, this is about your government. Prime Minister David Cameron came under pressure for the UK to reform offshore tax havens operating on British overseas territories at an anti-corruption summit earlier this month. Cameron on corruption Mr Saviano also weighed in on the EU referendum debate, warning a vote to leave the union would see Britain even more exposed to organised crime. He added: Leaving the EU means allowing this to take place. It means allowing the Qatari societies, the Mexican cartels, the Russian Mafia to gain even more power and HSBC has paid 2 billion Euros in fines to the US government, because it confessed that it had laundered money coming from the cartels and the Iranian companies. We have proof, we have evidence. P art of a covert code machine used by Adolf Hitler has been snapped up off eBay for 10 after being discovered in an Essex shed. Eagle-eyed volunteers from The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park spotted the keyboard of the Lorenz teleprinter up for sale on the online marketplace. The machine, which resembles a typewriter, was used to swap highly secretive messages in German between Hitler and his generals during the Second World War. Plain commands would be entered into the teleprinter, which were then encrypted by a linked cipher machine, using 12 individual wheels with multiple settings on each, to make up the code. Wrens Betty O'Connell and Irene Dixon, who worked at Bletchley Park trying to crack machine codes, with the Lorenz SZ42 / The National Museum of Computing/Charles Coultas Museum volunteer John Wetter told the BBC: My colleague was scanning eBay and he saw a photograph of what seemed to be the teleprinter. He said he made the trip to Southend to investigate where he found the keyboard in its original case on the floor of a shed with rubbish all over it. Mr Wetter added: We said 'Thank you very much, how much was it again?' She said '9.50', so we said 'Here's a 10 note - keep the change!'" Andy Clark, chairman of the trustees at The National Museum of Computing, said the Lorenz was a key tool in the use of strategic communications and was far more complicated than the highly publicised Enigma machines. The museum in Buckinghamshire is now asking for people to help them find the motor, a key part of the machine that remains missing. T he full design of the new 5 banknote featuring Sir Winston Churchill is set to be unveiled next week. The Bank of England announced the new fiver will be issued in September and will be printed on polymer, a thin plastic film, in a break with the current paper notes. The move is seen to provide a more durable and secure form of currency and had proved a popular choice with those who had shown the money. The Bank of Englands chief cashier Victoria Cleland told the Sunday Times said: They often said, Wow thats really cool. You dont often get cool and the Bank of England in the same sentence. They are more modern and I think theyre beautiful. The 5 note will be unveiled at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston, on Thursday. The current fiver features prison reformer Elizabeth Fry. An announcement made by the Bank of England that she would be replaced with Britains wartime prime minister sparked a huge outcry as it could have meant no female faces on banknotes with the exception of the Queen. However, it was subsequently decided that novelist Jane Austen would become the new face of the 10 note from 2017. Last month, the Bank also revealed celebrated artist JMW Turner will appear on the next 20 banknote, due to be issued by 2020. Like the new fiver, the new 10 and 20 notes will also be printed on polymer. H ere we go. After months of build-up, tabloid speculation, and fan frothing, the all-new Top Gear is here. The BBCs flagship motoring show is ploughing forward without its former captains of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May and nobody quite knows how things will go from here. Taking over the steering wheel is Chris Evans (no, not the Captain America one), Matt LeBlanc (yes, the Friends one), and a whole host of extra contributors. After a sneak peek at what the first episode has in store, here are five things you need to know about the much-hyped return. 1) Chris Evans does a decent job Some people have a real bee in their bonnet about Evans being the new head of the show and while he might not win over the haters, hes objectively a good host. Despite all those reports that he keeps throwing up during those high-speed spins around the track, he keeps it together in a Top Gear meets Top Gun segment. As expected, it might take some time for the show to settle into its own rhythms but with his previous experience on TFI Friday and his radio work, Evans knows how to be a presenter. Top Gear 2016: First Look 1 /16 Top Gear 2016: First Look Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle/GC Images Rex Splash News Rex Rex Splash News Rex Rex Rex Splash News Splash News Rex 2) Sabine is seriously cool While Chris Evans takes on the heavy-lifting, Sabine Schmitz gets to do what she does best: have fun, swear, and drive really, really fast. The German racing driver doesnt hold back on the track, and her liberal use of the s-word (always censored out with a screech of a tyre) gives plenty of funny moments. No wonder Jeremy Clarkson was supposedly scared of being in a car with her Chris Evans gives interview about Top Gear on BBC Breakfast 3) It takes a little time to get used to Matt LeBlanc Of all the announcements in the run-up to the new series the most unexpected was that Matt LeBlanc would be one of the new presenters. It might take some time to get used to his presence on the show not that hes especially good or bad, but you cant watch it without thinking: this is Joey from Friends presenting a car show. Its simply a different vibe compared to the original trio of Clarkson, Hammond, and May, LeBlancs American accent stands out. Overall its distinctive, giving the show, with its huge appeal across the globe, a more international flavour. Top Gear Media Launch - In pictures 1 /12 Top Gear Media Launch - In pictures All together now Top Gear presenters (left to right) Chris Harris, Rory Reid, Sabine Schmitz, Chris Evans, Eddie Jordan and The Stig, during the launch of the car show at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, which returns to BBC Two on May 29 at 8pm Andrew Matthews/PA Pointing the finger Top Gear presenters Sabine Schmitz and Chris Evans answer media questions during the launch of the car show at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey Andrew Matthews/PA Keeping quiet Top Gear presenters Eddie Jordan (left) and The Stig at a press conference during the launch of the car show at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey Andrew Matthews/PA USA V. UK Two Robin Rialto cars painted in the colours of the American flag and the Union flag on display during the launch of Top Gear at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey Andrew Matthews/PA All smiles Top Gear presenter Sabine Schmitz answers media questions during the launch of the car show at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey Andrew Matthews/PA Having a chat Top Gear presenters Chris Harris (left) and Rory Reid answer media questions during the launch of the car show at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey Andrew Matthews/PA Speaking up Top Gear presenters Chris Evans and Sabine Schmitz talk to the media during the launch of the car show at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey Andrew Matthews/PA Thumbs up Top Gear presenter Chris Evans answers media questions during the launch of the car show at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surre Andrew Matthews/PA New look team Top Gear presenters (left to right) Chris Harris, Rory Reid, Sabine Schmitz, Chris Evans, Eddie Jordan and The Stig, during the launch of the car show at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey Andrew Matthews/PA 4) It still looks like the Top Gear you know Love it or hate it, the later years of Top Gear were always stunningly shot beautifully framed, with gleaming vehicles, and a real cinematic flair. That hasnt changed for the re-launch the challenge films are all stunning to look at, with a level of gloss that you cant just throw together. Top Gear - trailer 5) Its still got a bit of laddishness about it Its a bit of a shame really theres always been an inescapable blokey atmosphere to Top Gear with its three male presents and its revved-up mentality. This re-boot is largely a new start for the show but there are still odd moments that suggest the elements of laddishness arent totally gone. During a segment with Matt LeBlanc, the actor jokingly reminisces about a three-way: I remember one time I was with this well, there was two of them actually And while they make light of it (Ooh, they were supposed to cut that out! LeBlanc jokes in voiceover), it seems a bit unnecessary and exclusionary. Still, theres time for the show to develop and those willing to go with the new line-up should find something they enjoy. BBC Two, 8pm ST. LOUIS An employee of a St. Louis-area drug treatment facility offered a client illegal drugs, provided drug testing kits to help him pass his official drug tests and falsified records to cover up his drug use, a $10 million federal lawsuit claims. The lawsuit, filed May 13, also alleges that the now former employee violated her ethical duties and state regulations while having a sexual relationship with that client, Michael Schwartz. Schwartz died at 32 of a heroin overdose on March 27, 2015, in the basement of his mothers Jefferson County home. The suit, filed on behalf of Schwartzs estate and his mother, names the Assisted Recovery Centers of America LLC, or ARCA Midwest, as well as former employee Sheryl Castro, other staff and ARCA officials. ARCA has outpatient facilities in St. Louis and Town and Country. Castro denied all the allegations in a telephone interview Friday. The suit says that ARCA violated a series of state regulations for a comprehensive drug treatment program by failing to properly review and oversee Schwartzs treatment and their own staff. It also says that ARCA was required to report illegal drug use, missed appointments and failure to comply with his recovery plan to Schwartzs probation officer within two business days, but did not do so. That meant the judges who were supposed to be overseeing his criminal cases had no knowledge either. Castro, a registered medical assistant who is at times listed in Schwartzs records as his managing therapist, acknowledged Friday that she gave Schwartz drug tests to take home but said that it was so he would know when he was drug-free and could take a Vivitrol shot. Vivitrol blocks opiate receptors in the brain. Castro said that she had the approval of an ARCA executive to do so. She also denied any sexual relationship with Schwartz and said that she never met him outside of work. We talked a lot. He almost kind of like became a friend. And I cared about him. I would have never done anything to hurt him, she said. Percy Menzies, ARCAs president and founder, declined to comment on the suit. He said the center helps more than 400 heroin addicts a month, treating the very, very challenging disease of addiction as a chronic illness. Menzies said ARCA is one of the leading clinics to use Vivitrol injections. Castros online LinkedIn page says she stopped working at ARCA in November. Jonathan Ries, a lawyer for ARCA, declined to comment on pending litigation, matters involving patients or staff, or the release of partial evidence, referring to medical records and text messages obtained by the Post-Dispatch. Schwartzs father, who goes by Mike Schwartz, said, I just dont know how they defend this. I know my son was a drug addict, and I know he could have overdosed at any time. But they didnt do their job. He claimed that Castro sabotaged his treatment because he could depend on her to cover for him. The elder Schwartz said he wonders if any other ARCA staffers reviewed the documents in his sons file or his treatment. And he thinks one of the reasons his son overdosed is that he was using more heroin to compensate for the Vivitrol. He wants his sons story told as a warning to the families of other patients and to judges with probationers at ARCA drug treatment facilities. The whole thing is so wrong, said Michael Schwartzs mother, Brenda Fischer. Failed drug tests Michael Schwartz had battled a heroin addiction for years and was arrested repeatedly for heroin possession. After a series of probation violations on heroin possession cases in St. Louis, St. Louis County and Lincoln County, judges ordered him to get long-term drug treatment, followed by outpatient substance abuse counseling. After a year at the Ozark Correctional Center in southwest Missouri, Schwartz enrolled with ARCA on July 21, 2014. The ARCA staff was aware that he had relapsed, based on his statements and a drug test at that time. They gave him a series of medications to help him withdraw from opiates, according to his ARCA records. The medical records were also provided to the Post-Dispatch by the familys lawyers. His records show six drug tests that were positive for opiates, and another that was positive for THC, or the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. Records also document two missed appointments and several occasions when Schwartz admits relapsing or using heroin. The suit alleges that ARCA was required to notify Schwartzs probation officer of his failure to comply with treatment. It was filed by Larry Bagsby, a St. Charles lawyer, along with lawyer Karie Pennington. Bagsby said, You have to realize that the entire criminal justice probation system is set up for these community-based treatment centers to be essentially a Praetorian Guard. If they dont yell out what the danger is or the violation is, nobody else is going to know. Schwartz was on probation from three different circuit judges, Bagsby pointed out, who were clueless about all these violations. And thats all because of ARCA. One of them, St. Louis Circuit Judge Thomas Frawley told the Post-Dispatch that he had received no reports about failed drug tests or missed meetings. All he received while Schwartz was at ARCA was a client action plan. The only indication of trouble was a note that Schwartzs permission to travel to Indiana had been revoked. Asked what Schwartzs probation officer knew, a spokesman for the Department of Corrections said that all probation and parole records are closed. The medical file contains a therapists discharge summary dated Oct. 6, 2014, that says Schwartz never attended counseling; did not respond to contact attempts. But four days later, Castro wrote and signed a letter To whom it may concern saying, Michael has completed the program and can attend unlimited group therapy sessions and is encouraged to do so for as long as he would like. The suit says that Castro falsified the letter, and others that falsely said that Schwartz had attended counseling sessions. In the interview, Castro denied that, insisting that she only wrote letters if Schwartz actually had attended counseling sessions. She said that when she wrote the letter, Schwartz had completed two months of treatment. She also differentiated between the two kinds of treatment Schwartz received: medical and therapy. The suit alleges that ARCA and employees were reckless, negligent and indifferent to Schwartzs safety by ignoring their contractual duties, refusing to implement training and supervision of staff and allowing a single employee to manipulate Michael and his addiction for her own sexual purposes. Had staffers told Schwartzs family what was going on, drastic and immediate intervention could have occurred by Michaels parents and siblings, the suit says. A spokeswoman for the Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, said that commission officials were not aware of the incidents surrounding Schwartzs death but would look into it. That investigation could result in an on-site evaluation or affect ARCAs accreditation status. Thousands of text messages The lawsuit says that Michael Schwartz and Castro exchanged thousands of phone calls and text messages beginning in August 2014. Text messages were only recoverable for the last month of Schwartzs life, however. Those messages, identified in the lawsuit and in a report provided to the newspaper by Bagsby, appear to come from Castro and document their relationship and her knowledge of Schwartzs drug use. Schwartzs father also allowed the Post-Dispatch to review those messages still stored on his sons phone. Asked about texts that discuss drug use and the sexual relationship, Castro asked for copies and said she would call a reporter back. She was provided with screenshots of some exchanges, and 25 pages of a report that listed dozens more. She did not call back Friday. According to the lawsuit, in the texts Castro admits fabricating letters to Schwartzs probation officer, providing him with drug testing kits so he could test himself to make sure he was clean before seeing his probation officer and giving him a drug that he had no documented history of using. In the texts, Schwartz wrote on March 8 that he is worried about failing a drug test when he sees his probation officer. He asks Castro for a test kit. The test is positive, according to texts on March 10, and Castro recommends one of them drinks to either help him clear his system or pass the test. Schwartz says he will postpone the meeting until he tests clean. Castro tells him hes playing with fire both ways, explaining that she means hes risking prison and his life. He passed the test. The texts become increasingly flirty. They also discuss his ability to override the Vivitrol shot. Its stupid, Schwartz acknowledges, Waste of money and risking trouble. She responds, and ur life silly. The discussion becomes increasingly sexual before the two meet at her house early on the morning of March 20, 2015, according to the text messages. Later texts say Schwartz was on Adderall while they were intimate. It is a prescription stimulant for attention-deficit disorder and other medical uses that also is widely abused to stimulate concentration and sexual performance. Nineteen hours later, he writes that he has to use again, meaning drugs, or I wont sleep. Im still wired. In a text appearing to come from Castro, she suggests sleeping meds, but Schwartz insists he has to use drugs. Id rather you not but if you do anyway and I know u will be careful dont go crazy or extreme, she writes. He would later tell her that he was up almost two days straight. On March 25, he went to ARCA. He admits in texts being nervous about what he told another staffer. Bcuz I lied saying I was getting my shot cuz I didnt want to say I was getting a letter for groups and get check to see if I had been going. Castro replies, Ur fine Ill think of something if she asks Im good like that lol, then asks by the way u told me u were gonna go to the groups didnt ya? The next day, Castro repeatedly texts Schwartz to encourage him to get his Vivitrol shot, but he resists. She later tells him that she has his shot out and warming up, but he says he will get it in the morning. U promise u wont be bad I gave u letters to help you I just want you to be OK I dont mean to nag u especially not now just want you to stay out of jail and alive is all, she texts. He asks her if she will sell him some Adderall the next morning. I wouldnt make you buy them I would just give u some I sold the rest of mine on Monday I get a new Rx on the 3rd but a cpl of my friends take them also how many you wanting and Ill see if they have some, she replies. He asks for five to six pills or some methamphetamine. The conversation continues and he asks for drugs again. She tells him what she has, and later says she will pick up prob a gram of something on her way home. Castro said Friday that although she takes Adderall, she never gave any to Schwartz. She said she does not use meth, nor did she offer him any. She also said that while Schwartz may have asked her for drugs, it didnt mean that he got any. The next morning, March 27, Schwartz fails to show up to get his shot. Castro texts, Hey its 11 and u havent come and got ur shot yet. Hey r u ok? Please text me and let me know. Hey dont mean to bother you but Im worried about you Mike, she writes. But Schwartz has taken a fatal dose of heroin. The postmortem exam lists his time of death at 1:20 p.m. On March 27. Brenda Fischer said she met with Castro after her sons death. She gave Castro a framed picture of Schwartz, and one of his favorite T-shirts. Castro later sent her a photograph of that picture in her home. They also met at the cemetery, and Castro would later send several pictures of flowers shed placed on Schwartzs grave. Muhammad Mahmoods recent article on Bangladeshi Financial Express argues that US "pivot" to Asia is militarizing the Pacific region and what China does in the South China Sea is only reaction to the US provocation. On the surface it looks like a territorial dispute among littoral states surrounding a sea. The dispute covers mostly some uninhibited islands in the South China Sea. But alongside these islands also include a number of rocky outcrops, atolls, sandbank and reefs. There are hypothetical (as nothing scientifically proven yet) claims that there are vast reserves of natural resources, mostly oil and/or gas, around these islands. Also this sea provides livelihood to a large number of people from fishing. Most importantly, it is also a major and very busy sea lane. We encounter such disputes quite often around the world including in our part of the world. In most cases these disputes are settled through negotiation among claimant countries, occasionally resorting to some kind of international arbitrations. There is no record that such disputes led to any serious armed conflicts. Therefore, there should be no reason why that cannot be the case in the South China Sea. But it appears that the sea has become a fully armed zone where not only the claimant countries are involved in this armed posturing but countries such as the USA and its two principal dutiful allies in the region, Australia and Japan, are also armed posturing there; and even India has joined in the armed fray in the region. While armed posturing by the claimant countries are understandable, it looks like these external players are up to some kind of a much bigger game. What that bigger game could be? While countries surrounding the South China Sea have been bickering over their respective claims for centuries, the reality on the ground has already been settled. According to Robert Kaplan, China is in possession of twelve geographical features, Taiwan one, Vietnam twenty-one, Malaysia five and the Philippines nine. In other words, facts have already been created on the ground. A concept we are very familiar with in our part of the world with Kashmir where India has created its own reality on the ground for now almost close to 70 years. This gives you an idea of what real politics is all about. However that did not stop to make claims or counterclaims to continue. China and Vietnam present rival historical claims on these islands. Taiwan and China's claims are exactly identical based on historical records which of course are contested by Vietnam with their counter historical claims. The Philippines's claim is based on geographic proximity. Malaysia and Brunei's claims are based on their rights to economic exclusion zones as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). So all littoral countries are resorting to their own reasoning that would make their claims plausible. To resolve the claims and counter-claims, China favours bilateral negotiations which are quite understandable, but others want the disputes internationalised which is also understandable if one looks at it from the tactical point of view. But how effective the international route as a tactic is questionable except trying to stir up some kind of confrontational posturing to draw in the USA for backing up their claims. Attempts at negotiations by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have not yielded any positive outcome rather left the regional forum divided. It is quite possible countries can join together to work out a workable solution as there does not appear to be any other alternative than to peacefully resolve the issue. Indeed, the situation in the South China Sea has been stable since 2002 when China and ASEAN reached an agreement which stipulated that no concerning party should take unilateral action to alter the status quo in the South China Sea. The initiative was proposed by China in 2000.The status quo prevailed until the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asked for a "multilateral approach'' to resolve the dispute in 2010. This reignited tensions otherwise in a fairly stable climate for eight years among the disputants in the region. It was a shot across the bow signalling the US intention to return to or to rebalance the power equation in the region in response to a peaceful rise of China economically and also likely potential rise as a major military power. Now that the shine on US advocacy of democracy and human rights has completely gone, it can now count on only one more thing where it remains not only powerful but also largely unchallenged - its military power. This is the only last armour the USA has to project its power now. From the US perspective this is a zero-sum game; therefore, China must have to be boxed in. Robert O. Snyders public life revealed a love for the law and politics. In private, he had a passion for birds and writing volumes of poetry some of it a little naughty. Judge Snyder, a retired Missouri appellate judge and Republican lawmaker who lived in Kirkwood for most of his life, died of heart failure Wednesday (May 25, 2016) at home. He was 98. Judge Snyder spent more than two decades in public life in Missouri, serving six terms in the Missouri Legislature in the 1960s and 70s. He was the Republican House minority leader from 1973-76 before being appointed to the states Eastern District Court of Appeals in 1977 by Gov. Joseph Teasdale, a Democrat. He was born in Lima, Ohio, and graduated from Ohio University before serving in the Navy in World War II where he served on a destroyer in the Mediterranean Sea toward the wars end, his family said. He had a passion for the fact that he was in World War II and he was on the USS Kendrick, said one of his daughters, Elizabeth Betsy Ann Snyder of Clayton. He always said, I was there when the bombs went off. Before and after the war, he worked as a salesman for General Electric, moved to St. Louis and attended St. Louis Universitys law school. He learned he had passed the state bar exam on the day his oldest daughter was born in 1951. Judge Snyder was elected six times to the Missouri House and narrowly lost his second bid for Congress in 1976 to Rep. Robert Young, a Democrat from St. Ann. The following year, the governor tapped Judge Snyder for the appeals court and had then-Democratic House Speaker Ken Rothman call Judge Snyder to deliver the news. Rothman said Friday that Judge Snyder was so stunned that he immediately hung up on him to tell his wife but later called Rothman back to apologize. Ive never met anyone who had any more principle and character than he did, Rothman, 80, of Richmond Heights, said Friday. Some people talk about principle, some people profess it, but he exhibited it. While on the court, Judge Snyder wrote hundreds of opinions, including a 1983 decision that allowed bar owners to be sued for the conduct of their customers. State lawmakers passed a bill two years later reversing that decision. Snyder retired in 1987 from the bench at age 70, which is required of Missouri judges by state law. Upon retirement, Judge Snyder speculated that his judicial appointment may have been the result of political foes alarmed by his nearly defeating Young in the 1976 Congressional race. There were those who wanted to get me out of politics, Judge Snyder said in 1987. Though he would have loved to serve in Washington, he said then, his judgeship was fortuitous because it kept him home when his wife, Margaret B. Snyder, became ill and died a few years later. Judge Snyder developed a love for wildlife, especially birds, imitating their songs and watching them in Lone Elk Park in St. Louis County, his family said. He was also known for his love of language and writing poetry, his daughters said. He was quick to write and recite bawdy limericks to friends and relatives. He loved the dirty ones, said his daughter Margaret Peggy Dames of Summit County, Colo. Toward the end of his life, we heard them over and over again. He was a serious man but had a great sense of humor. In addition to his two daughters, survivors include a son, John Gregory Snyder of Marshall, Mo. He has cerebral palsy, which led his father to form the Missouri chapter of United Cerebral Palsy, a support organization for families of those with the condition. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. June 18 at First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, 100 East Adams Avenue. I can assure you the only thing Spire cares about is profits over people. Their executives sat in silence and stared at us as we told them if they raised their rates again, people would suffer. Picture, if you will, in your minds eye the mustering-out portrait of my father in his World War I uniform. It hangs on our family wall of fame, with pride of place among framed certificates and photos. Edward W. Knoten was born in the century before last, and World War I broke out when he was a teenager in bustling, midtown St. Louis. He joined the army in 1917, trained in Texas, traveled on a troop transport ship to Brest, France, and was on the front line three days later. His discharge paper recites that he participated in three major campaigns: Amiens, Chateau-Thierry and Verdun, in the last of which on Oct. 8, 1918, he charged a German trench with fixed bayonet, eight days before his 21st birthday. Although never wounded, he was hospitalized for inhalation of German mustard gas. Once when asked whether mustard gas can kill, his soldierly reply was Nah not unless you get too much of it. After the cessation of hostilities, he returned home, removed his uniform and went to work. By temperament, Dad was, by all accounts, congenial and sociable. He was, nevertheless, noticeably laconic about wartime combat experiences, avoiding giving details of his engagements with enemy soldiers. Doubtless, Dad preferred to sing the lyrics of The Mademoiselle from Armentieres and talk about how friendly the Aussie troops were rather than to have to choose his words carefully, haltingly, for example, about his emotions during the long night watch before the bayonet attack at dawn. A long, full life he had, not dying until almost 82 years of age on Oct. 8, 1979, 61 years to the day after his bayonet charge. It was a heart attack at home in bed that summoned him. Mother called for an ambulance. When the white-coated stretcher-bearers arrived he took one look at them and his last words to Mother were: Im ready. His mustering-out portrait is fitted into an elegant ellipse-shaped wall frame. The pose shows Dad dapper in his high-collared corporals tunic, bespoke in his wide-brim campaign hat. At the base of the formal portrait are two American flags crossed and unfurled. At the top is perched a magnificent American eagle in a rampant position staring at the viewer with beak opened and wings fully extended as if to guard a prince of the realm. In the muted background are two marble tombstones in the shape of crosses, but hiding them are two Statue of Liberty-style torches, each held by a sculpted, almost angelic hand. The composition of this portrait is evocative of the British bedtime prayer: Four corners hath my bed. Four angels round my head. One to watch, one to pray, Two to bear my soul away. Alas, on Memorial Day, my thoughts go back to the citizen-soldier who was my father. On that Oct. 8, he joined his fallen fellows who rest in honored glory and, with them once again, he belongs to the ages. On behalf of a grateful nation, Dad, rest in peace. So say we all. Thomas P. Knoten is the advisor-on-duty at the Veterans Center on the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus. China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva Ma Zhaoxu (center left) speaks during a meeting with delegates from missions and organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, May 27, 2016. Ma stressed on Friday that the South China Sea issue must be resolved peacefully through constructive and meaningful negotiations with neighbouring countries. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva Ma Zhaoxu stressed on Friday that the South China Sea issue must be resolved peacefully through constructive and meaningful negotiations with neighbouring countries. Drawing on China's experience in resolving land and territorial boundary issues with neighbouring countries, Ma highlighted that dialogue is key to facilitating consultations which also respect the principle of equality among sovereign states. "China is a victim in the South China Sea issue. Nonetheless, in order to maintain regional peace and stability, the Chinese side has all along exercised great restraint, and tried our best to handle the South China Sea issue in a responsible and constructive manner," he explained. Despite various views and prespectives, Beijing has continuously highlighted the importance of resolving disputes through discussions in accordance with international law while respecting historical facts. Together with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, China in 2002 became a signatory of the declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea. Combined with consultations on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea, the platforms enable states to exchange views, manage differences and enhance cooperation, Ma explained. "China has always been very positive and constructive in these negotiations and consultations," he reminded. China is also party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). A declaration on optional exceptions, made by China in 2006, excluded disputes concerning maritime delimitation, historic bays or titles, as well as military and law enforcement activities from the dispute resolution procedures of UNCLOS. In light of this and other procedural violations, Ma indicated that the Philippines' unilateral arbitration case against China is worthless, making the "award" passed by the Arbitral Tribunal unacceptable to China. He also emphasised that the South China Sea Islands have been part of China's territory since ancient times. "Before the 1970s, it was widely recognised by the international community that the South China Sea Islands belong to China and no country ever challenged this," Ma highlighted. The diplomat also underlined China's right to conduct construction activities on some of the islands and reefs regardless of scale and pace as the undertakings are carried out on Chinese territory. Respecting the freedom of navigation and overflight, which is underpinned by international law, is also a central tenet to regional stability, Ma indicated. "To uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea is not only an obligation under the international laws. It is also in line with China's own interests, as well as the interests of all countries in the region," he said. First book written in local language The book is written in three languages English plus Dari (in Arabic script) and Tajik (in Cyrillic), the forms of Persian spoken in Afghanistan and Tajikistan respectively. It is the first book written about the Pamiri culture in languages accessible to the people living there. The region has a high diversity of completely unique and endangered languages due to the deep inaccessible valleys and high altitudes that cut villages off from one another. It harbors a remarkable biological diversity for similar reasons the many plateaus and steep-sided gorges create unique microclimates. Species evolve often by the hands of farmers to cope with these differing conditions creating many varieties. Red spring wheat, for example, only grows in the high reaches of the Bartang valley, and is grown especially to celebrate Nawruz, the Persian new year, to make a dish called Baht. A tradition that has been carried on for centuries is responsible for preserving a variety of wheat. We can see that culture and biodiversity are intimately linked. When people leave, we lose more than just culture and a way of life, we lose biodiversity and the knowledge about how to use it, says Haider. Saving the seeds in a seed bank is not enough; when the relationship between people and the earth is severed, I worry that the very source of innovation is lost with it, adds Haider. Starting with a grandmother's recipies The books origin stems from a chance encounter in 2009 over a bowl of Pamiri apricot soup with co-author Frederik van Oudenhoven, a Dutch ethnobotanist who had started collecting recipes from the region with a small dedicated group of Pamiri scientists (all women!). The next day, in the village of Mun in the Ghund valley, an elderly grandmother told them stories about the food she once used to eat. Very soon, her entire family was there, listening to her, and more and more people joined. She asked us to write down her recipes. That way, she said, she could leave them for her children and grandchildren. The real need for the book became very clear, says van Oudenhoven who carried out the work alongside his research for the Rome-based International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (Bioversity International). Haider takes up the story, A year later, I gave up my job working for a development organization in Afghanistan. I felt some of the projects being implemented did more harm than good bringing in foreign patented seed varieties and losing the native seeds, and language and culture attached to them. So I contacted Frederik, who was studying agroecology in the Andes, and asked him whether he wanted to write this book. We barely knew each other, having only met once before - but we both felt this needed to happen. Much more than a book After four years of work, the book was published, and the authors returned to Tajikistan and Afghanistan with a book for every community. At first people were just surprised that we had come back with the book. Its not so often that written knowledge returns to its source. This was followed by shrieks of glee or disbelief when people realized what the book was. As one elderly man told us: you have captured the knowledge that has only existed in our hands, says van Oudenhoven. The book is attracting the interest of chefs looking for new ideas, including a group of Swedens leading chefs. The chefs were certainly intrigued particularly by the Pamiris use of apricot pits in cooking. In the Pamirs, you use all parts of the food nothing should be wasted. So when you eat an apricot, you keep the pit, break it open to extract the seed which can be eaten fresh, dried, or pressed into an oil. The dry excess can be used to flavor and thicken soups as roux, with diverse and extraordinary medicinal properties, says Haider. And Osh for example, which is a noodle soup of six or more grains and pulses grown, harvested, milled and rolled into a noodle all-together. Growing the seeds together means the soil remains healthy, harvesting and milling it all together is quick and easy! And the taste each mouthful is a diversity of earthy pulses and fresh pea held together with wheat or rye. While the project started as a recipe book, it quickly became much more. As people started to talk about making noodle soup, the conversation went deeper to explain how they created the soil in which the seeds grow, and how they sow for example many different legumes and grains together, which they then cultivate all at once to make the soup. But as the full recipe unfolded, stories, poetry and folk songs emerged. Efforts to increase the efficiency of the global food system has led to massive homogenization of food crops. With climate change, the crops selected to maximise production are increasingly vulnerable to crop failure due to extreme weather events. The diversity of stable crop varieties in the Pamirs make it an important repository for global food resilience. Many seeds in the Pamirs have been collected and saved in the Svalbard seed vault, but the knowledge and practice that created and maintains those seeds is not frozen along with those seeds. This book documents this knowledge. Read more about the book here Click here to see Gourmand Awards full shortlist Western media, including the Guardian, recently reported that China will send a submarine armed with nuclear missiles into the Pacific for the first time. The Pentagon also predicted in an earlier report that China will probably conduct its first nuclear deterrence patrol in 2016. There is no official comment from the Chinese government on the news. Strategic nuclear missiles are the foundation of a military deterrence. China has been adopting an "effective nuclear deterrence" strategy, with much fewer nuclear warheads than the West powers. Also, China is the only one among the nuclear powers to announce a no-first-use policy. It means that China's nuclear deterrence lies in its capability to strike back. In the meantime, China's nuclear deterrence must be real and effective so as to play an important role in the US government's making of its China policies - just as when any country assesses the US power, it will immediately think about the US aircraft carriers and not risk a head-on military confrontation with the US. However, the US might not have a clear idea of China's nuclear deterrence. Two US scholars predicted in 2006 that the US was capable of destroying all the nuclear forces of both Russia and China. Herman Cain, a 2012 US presidential election candidate, did not know China was a nuclear power. It reflects the lack of recognition in the US of China's strategic capabilities. As Sino-US tensions build, it is necessary for China to strengthen its capability for nuclear retaliation. It will help with balance in the Asia-Pacific region and enhance the US willingness to seek peace with China. China's technologies related to nuclear-powered submarine and the launch of strategic missiles from below the water have been advancing. It is time the People's Liberation Army sends nuclear submarines into the depth of the Pacific Ocean for regular patrols. China's land-based ballistic missile mobility has also witnessed significant upgrades. The survival capability of China's nuclear forces are much better than in the past. History shows that balanced power better contributes to peace. China should increase its number of nuclear weapons, and enhance their survival power and capability to hit the targets. It is the most important foundation of China's national security. The US first built the world's largest nuclear arsenal, then developed missile defense systems in order to destroy nuclear threats from other countries and keep itself the absolute leader in strategic deterrence. China must ruin its plan. A nuclear-free world is only possible when nuclear powers are balanced. A single nuclear power will only lead to hegemony. LOS ANGELES, May 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Trinity Broadcasting Network issued the following statement on the condition of TBN co-founder Jan Crouch Our sister and TBN co-founder Jan Crouch was taken to the hospital on Wednesday evening, May 26th, after suffering a stroke in the Orlando, Florida area. She is resting comfortably as her physicians and family care for her. As she has throughout her entire life, Jan continues to place her trust in God, and draws strength from the promise of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." We will share more information as it becomes available. Thank you for praying for Jan and respecting her privacy as medical staff and her family tend to her needs. Media ContactColby MayE-Mail: [email protected] Tel: 972-313-9500 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160528/373218LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/update-on-condition-of-tbn-co-founder-jan-crouch-300276493.html SOURCE Trinity Broadcasting Network By Marcus E. Howard (Reuters) - A Florida man accused of fatally shooting a mother in front of her children and later wounding his former boss, was arrested by a SWAT team after a seven-hour standoff with police in an Orlando suburb, authorities said. Manuel Feliciano, 50, was taken into custody by sheriff deputies just after midnight on Saturday at his home, where he had barricaded himself inside and fired gunshots, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. He was charged with homicide, attempted homicide and attempted homicide of deputies. According to the sheriff's office, at 5:29 p.m. Friday, a 7-year-old child called the 911 emergency line about a shooting at a home. Deputies found a dead 45-year-old woman by the home's driveway when they arrived. Her two children, including the 7-year-old, were alive. The woman's identity was not released. But she and Feliciano had been in a relationship, said Captain Angelo Nieves in an interview. An hour later, deputies responded to a call several miles away about a shooting and found a 34-year-old man, who was later determined to be Feliciano's boss, who had been shot and wounded. The victim was taken to a local hospital, and his identity was not released. The Orlando Sentinel newspaper reported that Feliciano had been fired from his job earlier that day. His job and place of employment were not disclosed. Deputies said they determined, based on a description of the suspect and vehicle, that the shooter was the same man who had shot the woman earlier. They tracked the suspect to a home a few blocks away, where they said he fired gun shots at them through an opening. Deputies said they returned shots. A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit was called to the scene and apprehended Feliciano inside. Feliciano was taken to a hospital for treatment of possible injuries. He was suspected of ingesting narcotics just before he was arrested, the Orlando Sentinel reported. "This was a very dangerous situation. One person died and a second person is still in critical condition," said Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings at a news conference after the incident. "The fact that he knowingly fired at law enforcement officers - this scene could have been far worst than what it was tonight." (Reporting by Marcus E. Howard; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordan's King Abdullah appointed veteran politician Hani Mulqi as caretaker prime minister on Sunday after dissolving parliament as its four-year term nears its end, and charged him with organising new elections by October. The king accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour before appointing Mulqi by royal decree. Mulki has held senior government posts in successive administrations. Under the constitutional rules the election must be held within four months. Jordan traditionally votes according to tribal and family allegiances but parliament amended the electoral laws in March in a move government sources and political analysts say will lead to more candidates from political parties vying for votes. The analysts say the tribal lawmakers who dominated the last parliament had tried to resist changes which might undermine their influence, under a system that still favours sparsely populated tribal areas which benefit most from state patronage. Jordan's main political opposition comes from the Muslim Brotherhood movement but it faces increasing legal curbs on its activities, leaving mostly pro-monarchy parties and some independent Islamists and politicians to compete in these elections, the political analysts say. The Brotherhood, wants sweeping political reforms but stops short of demanding the overthrow of the monarchy in Jordan. Its political arm in Jordan, the Islamic Action Front, represents many disenfranchised Jordanians of Palestinian origin, who are in the majority in the population of seven million and live mostly in urban areas. Analysts say it could be difficult for the Brotherhood, which has operated legally in Jordan for decades, to participate in the election after the authorities closed many of its offices and encouraged a splinter group to legally challenge the main movement's licence to operate. Western diplomats and independent politicians say the absence of the group, which has strong grassroots support in urban centres, could undermine the legitimacy of the election. Western donors have pushed Jordan's authorities to widen political representation to stem radicalization among alienated and unemployed young people in poor overcrowded areas. Hundreds of them have already joined jihadists in Syria and Iraq. (Reporting by Suleiman al-Khalidi; Editing by Gareth Jones) By Marcus E. Howard (Reuters) - A man suspected of planting a pipe bomb that exploded near propane tanks inside a Walmart store in rural North Carolina in 2007 has been arrested nine years after the crime thanks to dogged police work, court documents obtained on Saturday showed. A fingerprint on a shopping cart led federal authorities to arrest Larry Bowlsby, 49, on Tuesday in Missouri, North Carolina television station WLOS reported on Thursday. The identification came nearly a decade after the explosion on Sept. 26, 2007 at a Walmart in Sylva, North Carolina, about 50 miles west of Asheville in the western part of the state. The bomb exploded in the sporting goods section of the store near small camping propane cylinders, sending shrapnel from the device close to at least one shopper, according to the court filing, which did not address a possible motive. Authorities found the fingerprint in a national database and matched it to Bowlsby, who had been arrested and fingerprinted in at least two separate cases since 2007, including possession of explosives at a Walmart in Colorado. Bowlsby was charged with using an explosive device to damage or destroy a building or business, according to a federal court filing by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Federal Public Defender Office in St. Louis, which is representing the suspect, could not be immediately reached on Saturday. Federal authorities did not immediately return calls. The Sylva Herald reported Thursday that the explosion occurred when few shoppers were inside the store that morning. Four people were treated for minor injuries and another person was taken to a hospital emergency room, the newspaper said. The court document said Bowlsby had been charged with possession of an explosive or incendiary device on Dec. 28, 2009, in Sterling, Colorado, and accused of shoplifting at a Walmart store in Wyoming in 2014. A photo from Bowlsby's arrest in Colorado matched surveillance footage from the Walmart explosion in North Carolina that showed a suspect entering the store with two other people, an agent for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) said in the court document. (Reporting by Marcus E. Howard; Editing by David Gregorio) Wellington volunteer fireman John Klaphake is facing charges over a collision while on his way to an emergency callout. Here, he comforts Chews Lane apartment residents after a methamphetamine bust in April 2014. Any emergency service driver who causes a crash en route to an emergency faces the risk of prosecution, police say, after a Wellington firefighter was charged with careless driving. Senior Wellington volunteer fireman John Klaphake is being prosecuted after a collision with a car in Newtown last year, while heading to a callout in the southern suburb of Berhampore. The case has led to claims that some firefighters are new stopping at red lights while responding to emergencies, worried that they might be prosecuted too. KEVIN STENT/FAIRFAX NZ Emergency services attend the crash in Newtown, Wellington, in July 2015. The driver of the car involved in the collision had to be cut from it, and was taken to hospital with broken ribs after the vehicle spun 180 degrees on impact. READ MORE: * Investigation follows fire truck versus car in Wellington * Houses on fire near BP station in Berhampore, Wellington * Fire truck collides with car Klaphake, who was promoted to station officer in November 2014 after being made a fellow of the New Zealand Fire Brigades' Institute (NZFBI), is understood to have had approval from the officer in charge, sitting in the passenger seat, before driving through the red light. KEVIN STENT/ FAIRFAX NZ The fire engine after the collision on its way to a callout in Berhampore, Wellington. Police said they would not hesitate to lay the appropriate charges when it was appropriate to do so. That included prosecuting police officers. Each crash involving emergency vehicles was evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Klaphake declined to comment on the case when approached on Monday. His lawyer, Chris O'Connor, told Radio NZ: "What more [he] could have done is beyond me, aside of course from just completely stopping at the intersection and not going through it. "We want our emergency responders, such as ambulance drivers, police, fire, to get to the scene of an emergency as quickly as possible. "If they're paranoid about being charged with offences such as going through red lights, carefully, then they are not going to get to the scene of emergencies as quickly as they should do." A senior Wellington firefighter, who declined to be named, has confirmed that some firefighters in his brigade would now stop at red lights, fearing they might cause a crash. "From instances in our brigade, drivers are taking particular care, even to the point that, when they get stuck in traffic, they're turning their lights and sirens off and waiting for traffic to clear," he told RNZ. Volunteers, who are "doing it for nothing", could not afford to lose their licences or fight court cases, he said, so he had been encouraging them not to take the risk. The prosecution of Klaphake, who also owns a web development company, is not the only case of a firefighter being charged with careless driving. Paul Turner, national operations manager for the Fire Service, said firefighters drove to about 70,000 callouts a year, and the only other prosecution of this kind he knew of occurred after an incident in Pukekohe in 2013. He disagreed with the unnamed firefighter source that the prosecution had made emergency drivers over-cautious. "As far as I'm aware, there's no effects around the rest of the country. I think this is more of an individual's view." Turner said the Fire Service internal policy was for drivers needing to run a red light to slow to 10kmh to check for hazards and ensure other drivers saw them, then proceed at the legal maximum of 20kmh. They could also use their horns to warn other drivers, although that was not mandatory. According to the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, emergency vehicles, with sirens or lights on, driving at less than 20kmh on the way to an emergency can ignore traffic signals "taking due care to avoid a collision with other traffic". A police spokesperson said this did not make emergency services drivers immune from legal consequences if they caused a crash. "No emergency justifies causing an accident. All responders should be aware that, if they crash, they do not get to the emergency, and they put other road users at risk. "Emergency services do not have an automatic right to run red lights." Sign up to receive our new evening newsletter Two Minutes of Stuff - the news, but different. Comments on this story have now been closed. Drew Webb on holiday in Honolulu after his flat was raided. Drew Webb was in many ways an outstanding young man. But he had a weakness, a sickness that led him to unspeakable perversions and a long jail stretch at only 20. MARTIN VAN BEYNEN reports. Drew Webb was a top Scout, a first class worker, a good student and a reliable friend, boyfriend and brother. Yet he harboured a horrible secret. He had a relentless sexual interest in young children, preferring he would later tell police girls between six and nine. When he was jailed last week for six years on 47 charges, he had spent most of his late teens determinedly chasing, acquiring and soliciting images of young children being sexually abused or exploited by adults. He was good at it, having a natural flair with computers and for manipulating people he contacted on the internet. And yet no evidence emerged that he ever touched a single child inappropriately. "I didn't touch anyone, I didn't harm anyone," he told the officer preparing a sentencing report. That might be technically true but by the time he lost access to electronic devices in October last year, he had developed into an organiser of online sexual deviants and encouraged the abuse of young children so he could see the images for his own gratification. He had collected a mass of material and by posing as an adult with access to a young girl, and as someone willing to exchange his images with others, he had become a trusted person in the depraved online circles in which online paedophiles operate. All before he was 20. But the most noteworthy part of his offending was in the aftermath. Because he forged direct personal contacts with abusers, authorities were able to identify offending caregivers and parents in several other countries. Police are coy about giving details but 11 offenders, some of whom were in the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany, have been arrested and charged. One was a childcare centre worker who sent Webb images of babies. In his private messages to Webb, he called himself "the lover of the cute little puppy". Police in the country where the daycare worker resided have started a mass allegation investigation. Another offender was a young man in Houston, Texas, who used images sent by Webb to encourage a young girl to participate in sexual activity. Others were parents in London who told Webb they were prepared to use their four children to make sexual abuse images. DAVID HALLETT/FAIRFAX NZ Psychologist and senior lecturer Andrew Frost says adolescents with inappropriate sexual urges need help before they start offending. In all, 17 children at risk have been removed from their homes. Ironically, Webb's predilection and his later co-operation with authorities have saved a host of children. NO OBVIOUS SIGNS Webb was born in Marton near Wellington. His mother Penelope studied humanities and social sciences at Massey University and already had a daughter when Drew, who never knew his father, arrived. His mother, said to be slightly eccentric and a free spirit, ended up in Kumara near Hokitika, where she raised the children and became involved in holistic healing. Webb didn't get on with her and boarded with families in Hokitika during his secondary schooling at Westland High School. A Hokitika woman who looked after him for several years and treated him like one of the family says he was just a "normal, everyday person". "We had no idea any of that was happening. Everyone is completely shocked. He was absolutely intelligent, doing well at high school, he was in the school leadership group and going for his Queen's medal in Scouts. He was just lovely. This has just blown us away. "There was no sign he doing this stuff. He spent a lot of time online and he was secretive with his computer and phone but that didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary." Webb had a job after school and paid his own board. His older sister sometimes helped out if he was short, the woman says. Webb's employer, who asked not to be named, was also stunned when she heard the news about Webb's offending. "He was the best employee we have ever had. He was an amazing guy. No way would I have thought he was like that. He was reliable, punctual, a good time manager, he picked up stuff really quickly." The employer said she had young children but Webb had never shown any interest in them. He had come highly recommended by his school and had all the qualities to have a good life. "If we had the hours we would have employed him. He was extremely polite, nice to other staff, never in trouble around town." One of Webb's ex-girlfriends, who Stuff has also agreed not to name, said Webb was a kind, loving guy who spoke harshly about sex abusers. "I'm devastated he made me fall in love with my worst nightmare . . . I honestly never saw it coming and neither did any of his other friends." She had worked with him in the hospitality industry and was impressed with how hard he worked. "He was good at everything. He was really good with computers but he didn't know what he wanted to do. He had his heart set on travelling the world and he was going to figure out everything when he came back." RUMBLED AFTER A TIP The first time New Zealand authorities got wind of Webb's offending was an alert from an online video chat website in the US in August, 2014. As a result staff from the Department of Internal Affairs raided his flat in Hanmer, where he was then working, and seized his cellphone and laptop. An ensuing examination showed he began downloading hundreds of images when he was only 16 and that in 2013 he took images of a young child that he manipulated on his phone to show like-minded people overseas. He then started using Skype to chat with and send images to another person and began emailing other offenders on TOR, a more secure, underground online service, sometimes called the dark web. One of his contacts administered a group of online predators and Webb said he wanted to be a VIP client. He also created his own group using a secret account on which he posted messages looking for parents or people with access "to kids to swap with my kid, or girls who are interested". With a device on his phone, he made it look as though he had himself created images he downloaded. By August of 2014, he was also in contact with Houston man Jesus Manuel Laporte, 18, to whom he emailed a link to a video clip suggesting he was having a sexual relationship with a young girl, knowing the man would show it to the girl to encourage her co-operation. Webb received images and videos in return almost immediately. Webb then used those images and others, promising people he had contacted more in exchange for "rare private material from people with children of their own". In the end, his collection extended to 4000 image files and 200 video clips depicting child sexual abuse and exploitation, including some of toddlers. Some children were in obvious distress, prompting Crown prosecutor Pip Currie to tell Webb's sentencing judge last week: "When the screaming can be heard in the videos, that takes it to another level." After the Hanmer search, Webb co-operated with investigators and told them he was willing to complete a STOP programme for child sex abusers. He told friends he had inadvertently downloaded the offending material and was entirely innocent. Before charges were laid, he went for a holiday with his sister to Honolulu. By then he had a new cellphone and had again started collecting images and videos of young children, some of them babies, being sexually abused or exploited. Before he left for his holiday, he deleted 640 images and 17 videos but on returning to New Zealand in December 2014 he was detained by Customs officers who found about 10 offending files on his cellphone. More charges were laid. Early in 2015, Webb moved to Christchurch, got a job at The George Hotel and continued his warped hidden life. He bought a Samsung Galaxy cellphone which he hid under the carpet in the wardrobe of his flat, which police searched in October last year. An examination of the phone showed Webb had stepped up his activities. The phone contained over 6000 chat messages and a large number of images. He had used an online messenger service to create accounts and was an administrator for two private groups limited to 50 members each. Controlling what was posted, he had the ability to add and remove members. He portrayed himself as the father of a six-year-old girl and through this subterfuge formed online relationships with various individuals who had access to children. The rules he set for the group required members to prove they had access to children and to post content or be removed. He shared images obtained from others pretending the child was his niece. His messages showed he was encouraging members to offend against their children, in one saying "always have the camera ready". He had an organised filing system. When interviewed he told police he wanted help and would do the STOP programme. WAY WORSE THAN OTHER CASES Christchurch Internal Affairs investigator Paul Duke says Webb's offending stands "head and shoulders" above any case he has dealt with over the last 20 years. "The line between someone who looks at images and the abuse of children that must take place for those videos and images to be made is often, in terms of time and distance, quite significant. "In his case he had filmed a NZ girl and had direct contact with the person who was offending against another child. He used the images he got to get more material. He was getting right in amongst the groups who had access to children." Duke was on board when officers raided Webb's flat in Hanmer and his detective work led to the arrest of the Houston man. "As a result of interviewing him (Webb) and taking over accounts on his phone I was then basically in contact with the American offender who was at that time offending against a six-year-old girl. "From information I got from Webb and from the phone and the chats with the offender I was able to work out where he was. I also sent pictures of the girl and her offender to Houston police and they found her when they visited a local school," Duke says. The man was dealt with quickly and was now serving a 60-year-jail term. Webb co-operated in supplying passwords which helped stop the offending in Houston sooner than would otherwise have been the case, Duke says. He had, however, shown no remorse or empathy. Internal Affairs community safety manager Steve O'Brien says it's important to remember the crimes involve real children being forced into degrading acts. "The children are coerced into participating in photographs and films by sick and dangerous people. "Trading or viewing these images is not passive offending because it condones the abuse children suffer. People who look at this pass it on and use it, encourage those who photograph the children." Police, quoting United Nations figures, say an estimated 200 new child sexual abuse images are circulated on the internet every day. They point to an Internal Affairs survey between 2007 and 2009 which identified over a million clicks in New Zealand on illegal child sex abuse websites For hormonal teenagers dealing with hard to suppress proclivities towards children, giving in to the temptation is all too easy. Canterbury University senior lecturer Andrew Frost, who previously worked for 12 years at the Kia Marama sex offenders programme at Rolleston Prison, says the secrecy of the offending means young men like Webb have little motivation to resist their urges. "There is no one to hear their stories outside of inappropriate listeners. In other words, the more you do it the more it's encouraged. There is no other forum for checking against." The characterisation of sex offenders as "incurable beasts" increased the likelihood of reoffending. "My best understanding of these offenders, after 12 years of working with them and 20 years of studying their habits and practices, is that they are more like you and I than they are the general criminal population. I realise this is disturbing, but sex offenders are human beings who are out to meet their needs for belonging, intimacy, competency like you and I. "The problem for them is they typically feel unable to achieve these things through same-age relationships based on respect and concern. Their capacity to recognise the feelings, rights and needs of those they abuse is severely compromised." Community organisations like the STOP trust were there to work with adolescents. "The problem is of course, because of the reasons outlined above, they don't get there except when Internal Affairs or police have indicated their attention." People like Webb can be turned around, he says. "A range of approaches can work, but the key to success lies in the person establishing the need for change and prioritising it as a problem that they need to address and are capable of addressing, despite the tsunami of humiliation and exclusion they fear." Principals struggling to fill teaching positions have resorted to buying houses for staff as a last ditch attempt to offset the impact of the housing crisis. A "perfect storm" has created a secondary school teaching shortage, exacerbated by teachers fleeing Auckland's skyrocketing house prices, a principal says. A new survey of principals found about one in 10 schools reported they were unable to fill permanent positions after advertising. FIONA GOODALL/FAIRFAX NZ Western Springs College teacher and PPTA member Melanie Webber says the housing crisis is having a huge impact on school staff. The average secondary school teacher earns between $46,000 and $75,000 but the median Auckland house price is $812,000 - four times the value of a Southland house. READ MORE: * Schools enticed to sell up teacher housing * Primary school teachers can't afford to live in Auckland * Budget 2016: Housing unaffordable for young people * Thousands of new homes announced * Government denies housing crisis - despite voters call for action The growing problem has led to education unions and the Ministry of Education to join forces to find solutions, but at least one principal is taking measures into his own hands to combat the teacher shortage. Macleans College in Auckland is buying houses in the affluent suburb of Bucklands Beach, where the typical home sells for $1 million. College principal Byron Bentley said a "perfect storm" of conditions had led to a shortage of secondary school teachers. In a bid to attract applications, the school was offering accommodation assistance to teachers at the decile 10 school. "We're exploring purchasing rentals for providing affordable accommodation for existing and future staff." The school hoped to buy "a couple" of homes to rent to teachers at below market rates by 2017, he said. It was not known how the school would fund the plan. "We're certainly looking at it and I know a lot of other schools are too because we have to." There were reports of a North Shore school considering a similar approach to attract teaching staff. Macleans College has already advertised for teaching positions in 2017 - a practice normally left until the end of the year. Bentley said eight teachers left the school in the past few years to move outside of Auckland due to rising property prices. Compounding the problem was a lack of teacher graduates in maths and science subjects and the looming retirement of baby boomers. Increasing school rolls and large numbers of international students also increased demand for teachers across Auckland, he said. Bentley said teachers should be paid more to teach in the core hard-to-staff subjects. There are currently no extra incentives for teachers working in hard-to-fill subjects, or for those working in the country's most populated city. That means graduates can expect the same salary whether they work in Invercargill or Auckland, despite the huge divide in accommodation costs. Secondary Principals' Association president Sandy Pasley said the teacher shortage was at "crisis point" in New Zealand. Principals are finding it almost impossible to find quality teachers of science, maths, technology and Te Reo Maori, she said. Many schools were already advertising for 2017. There were 76 Auckland positions advertised on the Education Gazette this week, predominantly for science and maths teachers at high decile schools. The secondary school teachers union and the Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) are working with the Ministry of Education on a report into the teacher shortages. The PPTA has released its own annual report into staffing issues based on a survey of principals. Retiring teachers and Auckland housing costs were cited as two main concerns for principals. Western Springs teacher Melanie Webber said very few teachers at the school owned a home in the Auckland suburb. "Teachers can't actually afford to live in the suburb they teach in." Auckland teacher graduates often took on debt after graduating, while teachers in more affordable cities saved money, Webber said. "It just makes financial sense for people to move." Education Minister Hekia Parata said the Ministry had no record of being approached by MacLeans College about house purchases. "What I can say is that before investing in assets, school boards are required to demonstrate to the Ministry of Education that they not only have the funds to purchase the assets, but sufficient funds to meet ongoing costs." Funding was to be used for the purpose for which it was granted by the Government, she said. The Ministry of Education urged principals having issues with recruiting teachers to speak with them. "They should get in touch with us, because we can and will assist and have assisted," spokeswoman Lisa Rodgers said. STATE OF THE SECTOR The PPTA's annual survey of principals revealed a snapshot of the teacher shortages in 2016: * More teaching jobs were being advertised compared to the previous year * Increase in number of unfilled permanent positions * Application numbers dropped for the fourth year running * Greatest recruitment concerns were the Auckland housing costs and retiring staff * Of principals surveyed, 37 per cent expected to find it harder to recruit Kiwi teachers in 2016 * Principals also reported being less optimistic about retaining and recruiting teachers * Maths, chemistry, physics, science, Te Reo and technology were the hardest jobs to fill * A third of management positions had no suitable applicants * Relief teaching pool lowest level since 2003, which is often a warning sign of teachers shortage * One in three schools were using teachers outside their speciality Baku, Azerbaijan, May 29 By Azad Hasanli - Trend: Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) is interested in rendering consulting services within the framework of a free trade zone type special economic area being created in Baku, a source in Azerbaijan's financial market told Trend. A delegation headed by Khaled Al-Aboodi, ICD director general, will visit Azerbaijan May 31 with this purpose, according to the source. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on March 17, 2016, on measures to create a free trade zone type special economic area in the Alat township of Baku's Garadagh district. The zone will include the territory of the new Baku International Sea Trade Port, which the ICD delegation is going to visit. The free trade zone envisages the development of transportation and logistics industry, the pharmaceutical cluster, common database of oil supply facilities, as well as the areas of manufacturing, packaging, labeling and consolidation. The new Baku port is located at a strategic crossroad of Europe and Asia and close to major markets such as China, Turkey, Iran and Russia, and is ready to become Eurasia's leading trade and logistics center. The source added that during the visit it is planned to hold meetings with Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev and Minister of Finance Samir Sharifov. "The issues the sides will review and discuss will include the possibility of using the 'Sukuk' [bonds structured to comply to Islamic law by not paying interest] and other Islamic financial instruments to draw additional funds to Azerbaijan's economy, allocation of resources by the ICD for strategic projects, which are priority for the country," said the source. The sides will also discuss Azerbaijan's participation in regional funds established by the Islamic corporation, including the ICD Food and Agribusiness Fund, the source said. The fund will begin its activity by late 2016 and finance the food chain and value chain in such areas as the production of the resources necessary for agriculture (for example, various chemicals and fertilizers), infrastructure, services, trade, logistics and others. The fund will mainly focus on the production optimization of the companies working in the field of agriculture and a decrease in their logistics inefficiency. The ICD has been operating in Azerbaijan since 2003. ICD finances mainly small and medium enterprises in the country. The corporation is the founder of Ansar Leasing and co-founder of the Caspian International Investment Company. The ICD is a multilateral development financial institution and is part of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group. ICD was established in November 1999 to finance the private sector of the member-states. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 29 Trend: The Embassy of Azerbaijan in the United Kingdom has organized an official reception to mark 28 May - the Republic Day. Co-chair of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society on behalf of Azerbaijan, rector of Baku branch of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva and Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the event. The event brought together state and government officials of the UK, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in London, as well as Her Majesty's Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps Alistair Harrison, Secretary General of the Socialist International Luis Ayala and representatives of Azerbaijani and Turkish societies. Addressing the event, Azerbaijan`s Ambassador Tahir Taghizade provided an insight into the history of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, adding it was the first democratic republic in Muslim East. He also highlighted economic, social and political relations of Azerbaijan. Touching upon bilateral ties between the UK and Azerbaijan, Tahir Taghizade hailed energy cooperation between the countries. The diplomat also praised the activity of the UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy in Azerbaijan. He said there were wide opportunities for the development of the bilateral cooperation in the non-energy sector. The Ambassador lauded the role of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society and The European Azerbaijan Society in developing bilateral bonds between the two countries. Tahir Taghizade also highlighted the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Director of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom Michael Tatham noted that bilateral relations between the two countries were steadily developing. Michael Tatham said there was big potential for the further development of the bilateral ties, adding the UK government was interested in expanding relations with Azerbaijan. Head of the Azerbaijan-UK working group on interparliamentary relations Javanshir Feyziyev highlighted the interparliamentary ties between the two countries. The event participants also watched a documentary on Azerbaijan`s history and culture. Innovative Sri Lanka View(s): Away from the floods and mounting post-flood work, the governments attention was drawn this week to a conference put together by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on sustainable development through foresight and innovation. The UNDP-led meeting brought some ministries and the private sector together to chart an innovative course for Sri Lankas vision to be a high-income country by the year 2030. Reaching a status similar to Japan or Singapore, 14 years from now, is a challenging task but not un-achievable. Sri Lankans have what it takes to reach such a status but is there political will to make this happen? As an example fast forward to 2030 (Vision A): More middle class families able to afford holidays, only electric vehicles on the streets of Colombo or grama sevakas replaced by nattily-dressed officials who respect the public. (Vision B) City roads continue to be trapped in flash floods with traffic moving at a snails pace, parliamentarians fighting in the legislature over personal issues, plantation workers yet to be recognized as any other legitimate worker in Sri Lanka, or continuation of subsidies. Most Sri Lankans, if asked, would prefer Vision A as the development paradigm in the year 2030. Innovation can play a big role in government, in the private sector, in civil society in cutting through barriers, bureaucracy and apathy. Some of the innovations of the future would include a cashless society (use of credit cards and other cashless instruments for trading and exchange of goods) in Sri Lanka. Or a smart card that carries all your personal information that can be used for any purpose. There were many positives from the innovation summit organized by the UNDP. It saw representatives from several countries share their experiences of how they used the innovative path of development and succeeded in reaching stated goals. Denmark for instance showed how innovation led the country being not only one of the most developed in the industrialised world but with a happy population plus a good place to do business. So what is innovative development, one may ask? How different is it from the development path that has been followed so far? The difference is in the ability to collect a set of ideas, a set of creative ideas and move forward in a sustainable way where economic development also occurs without harming the countrys natural resources and eco systems. However this is where the crisis begins. Are Sri Lankan politicians capable of allowing a free flow of ideas that would result in policy decisions? Or are Sri Lankans able to elect a set of sensible politicians who permit the flow of ideas for public good? Going by past experience, on both counts, this is unlikely to happen. However a start has to be made somewhere and in this context the UNDP summit brought to the fore many ways in which Sri Lanka can join the ranks of other nations that have welcomed ideas and seen their people flourish in addition to enriching the country. The world is filled with ideas, billions of it. Every second, an idea in an individuals mind can change a business, a community, the entire world. Facebook, Google or Twitter have all changed peoples behaviour and made their creators very, very wealthy. One of the best ways in which ideas are being transformed into businesses or for public good is through start-ups, a community of young people who are quitting cosy, high paying jobs to start off on their own, building on an idea. Capital is raised through angel investors, venture capitalists or their own funds. These start-ups or the small community of start-ups didnt figure at the innovation summit, which was unfortunate because todays millennials are the best equipped with a bagful of ideas for an innovative future . According to the organisers, the recommendations from the summit which was setting up a platform for a 2030 development agenda, would be put together and discussed in various fora. One hopes that such recommendations on issues ranging from energy, conservation, climate change, business to governance, equality and public administration would also lead to a vibrant and healthy debate with opposition parties, provincial administrations and the people. Often some of these conferences are top heavy with government politicians, officials and foreign experts, charting a development path for the future leaving out most of the people who matter. It was not clear whether opposition political leaders, provincial leaders and civil society at large were invited or made part of the discourse. Sri Lankas bane has been in its inability since independence to formulate policies for example in sectors like education, health and social development that would be accepted by all, not only the party in power. Even the best of policies have been thrown by the wayside when a new government is elected. This is not the case in the developed world where good policies stay irrespective of political changes. Government and policy makers need to engage todays younger generation in the development discussion in addition to bringing all other stakeholders irrespective of their political beliefs. This is also one of the biggest challenge facing the recommendations and outcome of the UNDP summit. Being able to transform at least 50 per cent of those ideas into reality with the consent of all concerned groups will be a great achievement indeed. If not, it would have become another one of the many talk-shops that Sri Lanka has so often seen in the name of development. KMPG to assist NSB in SriLankan Airlines restructure View(s): In the quest to find a strategic partner for SriLankan Airlines which has become a heavy financial burden to the country, the government has selected audit firm KMPG to expedite the re-orientation process, officials said. KMPG will assist the National Savings Bank (NSB) the lead manager appointed by the cabinet, in finding an international investment bank to handle the restructure exercise. The audit firm will decide on recruiting necessary experts to obtain professional support on various aspects of re-orientation of the Sri Lankan Airlines expeditiously. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) has directed the authorities to conduct valuations and put out the Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a suitable investor for the airline by July 1. In order to avoid possible delays, a suitable time frame has been be set for investors to submit proposals and strictly adhere to the same, a senior government official said. An international investment bank with aviation expertise had to be selected, as there is no local party with airline expertise, he said adding that documents for RFPs would be issued with the assistance of the investment bank. He said the government will have to write off the carriers carried forward debt and it will also need to address the issue of 7,000+ employees. SriLankan Airlines employee to aircraft ratio with 21 aircraft is one of the highest in the world with around 340 employees per aircraft. Sri Lankas Agency for Development gets off the ground soon By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s): The much-awaited Sri Lankas Agency for Development is to be established within the next two months to fast-track, streamline and attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), official sources disclosed. The Development Special Provisions Bill which provides provisions to set up this agency will be presented in parliament soon. This agency has a specific task of attracting more FDIs to the country without delay and all arrangements have been made to commence its operations, a senior official said adding that the Prime Minister has at a recent high-level meeting issued a directive to launch it as soon as possible. A high-powered committee appointed to work out modalities of the agency has already developed its structure as a one stop shop for FDIs with powers to obtain approvals of relevant agencies for foreign investors. Several mega FDI projects in IT, tourism, agriculture (especially sugarcane), telecommunications, digitalisation and industrial sectors are in pipeline for approval since the past two months, government officials said. These will receive the greenlight soon following the establishment of the Agency for Development chaired by economist Dr. Indrajith Coomaraswamy and Managing Director (designate) Mangala Yapa, the official said. The government will regulate and properly plan development activities in the country with the aim of accelerating economic growth and finalise the promotion of FDI s through this new agency, moving away from the present system of foreign investment project approvals. The proposed new bill will remove the obstacles facing investors and businesses concerning obtaining of land and buildings. Provisions of the draft bill also provide for land ownership to be given to registered investors who meet the required criteria, without being affected by the Land Restriction and Alienation Act. The government will also completely revamp the Board of Investment (BOI) to suit modern needs as it was re-structured to the present institution from the Greater Colombo Economic Commission Model which was set up in 1978. Although it was re-constituted as the BOI in 1992, it has not undergone any major re-structuring during the past two decades. A major change in the attitude of the staff is also needed to achieve positive results from the institution, officials added. However, it looks like year 2016 (based on the performance so far) will only have 0.3 per cent of the GDP as the total FDI. This means a historically low FDI performance, a senior economist told the Business Times. An angry call for a selective deluge View(s): Exasperated by the peccadilloes of the yahapalanaya (good governance) administration in pulling back on its promises to punish the corrupt in the South and bring justice to those who had suffered in the North, a colleague of mine advocated this week in an angry communication that Colombos flood waters should have advanced further than merely retreating at the entrance of the Parliament. If it rained only on Parliament and if the House was in session, this would have solved all of Sri Lankas problems in one fell swoop he enthused. Continuation of the democratic deficit Quite apart from these rather cruel musings, there is no denying that the country democratic deficit continues. Yet despite clear warning signals belying superficial promises, we are too quick to casually shrug our shoulders and too eager to believe that things may not appear as bleak as they may turn out to be. This relates to a streak of quite unfortunate frivolity in Sri Lankas South which co-exists alongside the ready willingness to help others in times of distress as was well seen during the floods last week. This frivolity which goes beyond tolerance of the intolerable is a puzzling aspect of the national character, prevailing often than not as an integral part of the educated and seemingly elite mindset. Perhaps this comes from long generations of having had life a tad too easy in an island of lotus eaters, even despite the death and the destruction which has periodically been visited upon its people. Indeed, we have examples galore from the past. The lackadaisical attitude of those who should have known better was precisely the reason why the judicial institution was dismantled with such consummate ease from 1999 onwards under the Kumaratunga Presidency. This was continued with greater strength during the Rajapaksa years even as Chief Justices themselves became political creatures and the Bar uselessly muttered within itself. At a point when critical intervention may have worked to pull the system back, we had only colluding lawyers currying political favours on the one hand and scared silence on the other. Repeating the same mistakes Even though this Government shouted from the rooftops last year that it had made the judiciary independent again in a paradoxical cry to its removal of a sitting Chief Justice by executive fiat, this was an empty boast. Systemic reforms of the judiciary are yet to be implemented. There is little hope that the presently sputtering constitutional reform process will take that task forward. True, judges who are inclined to work independently will not be subjected to political pressure unlike during the Rajapaksa period. However, that by itself does not suffice to build up the integrity and capacity of the judicial institution. What takes a short decade and a half to destroy will take generations more to rejuvenate if that eventuality is still possible. These are the same mistakes that are being repeated once again. We need only to look at the failures of Sri Lankas increasingly tattered rainbow revolution to realize this stubborn truth. Very early on, it was evident that political choices were made by the coalition Government that came directly in conflict with their promises. When increasingly critical appraisals of the yahapalanaya (good governance) administration were being carried in these column spaces, there were murmurs of concern. Give them time to perform it was pleaded. Now this government has been given time and plenty of it. Regardless, the results have certainly not been reassuring. Lamentably bad appointment Reports this week that former Director General of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Anusha Palpita has been appointed as an Additional Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, despite being indicted for misappropriation of State funds amounting to Rs 600 million before the High Court are an outrageous case in point. It is a firm principle of law that a public officer must be immediately interdicted if an indictment is pending against him or her under paragraph 27 of Chapter XLVII of the Establishment Code. This is a principle that has been upheld in countless judicial decisions. In fact, the judges have been quick to safeguard an aggrieved public officer with sufficient protection in case the interdiction drags on for too long or there are delays in the legal process. This has been done by interpreting Article 12 (1) of the Constitution to mean protection of liberty with livelihood (see Jayasinghe v AG, SCM 04.11.1994). All these protections were painstakingly laid down and developed in established cursus curiae by the Supreme Court during the period when it was actively intervening to protect the Rule of Law. Indeed at one point, the National Police Commission in its first term and under the Chairmanship of the late Presidents Counsel Ranjith Abeysuriya determined that any police officer who had been indicted in a court of law had to be forthwith interdicted. This practice too seems to have been abandoned and political favouritism followed instead. Legal principles were thrown to the winds in later years. Shameful explanations proffered While that may be the case, it was for correction of the status quo that this Government was elected to power last year. Therefore it is shameful that a Minister has sought to justify the appointment of Palpita (formerly a key official tasked by the previous regime to handle troublesome websites) by claiming that this is all a furore created by the media. Appointment of an officer who is indicted for misappropriation to a public post goes against the very foundation of the Rule of Law. If this Government and this Prime Minister is serious about retaining whatever shreds of credibility attached to the administration, action needs to be taken not only in respect of cancelling the appointment but also disciplining the Minister concerned. In the meantime, it is perplexing as to why the Ministry of Public Administration has reportedly written to the Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting disciplinary action against Mr Pelpita under the Administrative Service Establishment Code. Immediate corrective action should be taken within the Government itself. Why is the responsibility thereto being passed to the PSC? Is there any wonder that the Government is being accused of deals with the former regime? And should those who call for the heavens to selectively rain only upon Sri Lankas Parliament really be blamed? Money down the babbling brook by the banks of the Diyawanna What price a month in the life of the talking shop? View(s): View(s): Its the sacred temple where a peoples sovereignty lies enshrined. The supreme edifice of a secular democratic state. The gilded pagoda from whence the peoples power emanates. The fountain from which all legal enactments spring. The podium where national issues are debated discussed and distilled. The law factory and the talking shop, packed into a one stop complex. And, as far as talking shops go these days, it does so admirably. The only problem is that instead of delving into national issues and making the public heartbeat distinctly heard the talk is only about its own members and their own conduct and behaviour mixed with their own parochial interests. At this talking shop down by the Diyawanna banks, the only items on display and abundantly available even during a national flood disaster are empty mugs depicting its own members pictures, most of them invariably emblazoned with the designer MR trademark at the bottom. And it comes at a great price which the public is expected to brook without murmur. But does it have any value? Ever since last Januarys presidential election and the elevation of the Bring back Mahinda campaign by members of the previous regime many of them facing corruption charges from which they had been shielded in the halcyon days of the Rajapaksa presidency, the nation has seen the gradual descent of Parliament to finally end up in the well of a peoples contempt. Last year while Maithripala Sirisena was valiantly trying to repeal the draconian 18th Amendment to the Constitution which further reduced parliaments power whilst enhancing the executive presidents dictatorial fiat and his right to contest the presidency without limit, a group of UPFA MPs numbering over 100 denigrated the morning dignity of the House by turning Parliament into a den of high jinks by night. On that unprecedented sleep-over night of April 20th, their order paper for their midnight feast held to protest the Bribery Chief summoning Mahinda Rajapaksa for questioning, was filled with wine and song and dance with fried and devilled chicken to spice up the 23 hour orgy which ended only at 9.30 am the following morn when their snoring slumber was disturbed by the parliament staff on the morning shift. With the august dignity of Parliament so traduced in the dust, things havent improved much, now have they? If at all it has only got worse. Take this month for instance. MAY 3: As a general rule, parliament meets twice a month. The first session begins on first Tuesday and the second on the third Tuesday of the month. This month Parliament met on Tuesday the 3rd at 1pm. The main and only issue that troubled the joint opposition mind was the governments decision to replace the military security guards given to Mahinda Rajapaksa and to replace it with police commandos as given to all VIPs including President Sirisena. When the Mahinda mouth-speak Dinesh Gunawardena raised the issue which Rajapaksa should have asked had he been present in the House, and the Prime Minister had given due answer and passed the baton with the speakers permission to Sarath Fonseka to further amplify on the persuasive reasons behind the move, members of the joint opposition storm the well of the House and violence breaks out. Fisticuffs reign in a free for all in the well. New UNP MP Sandith Samarasinghe, whilst trying to break up the brawl, is thrown to the ground, kicked and trampled, just as his inherited elephants at Elephant Bath in Randeniya, Kegalle are sometimes wont to do when in musth. He is hospitalized. The speaker condemns the incident, appoints a committee to inquire into it and then adjourns the House. The time is 3pm. Within two hours parliamentary business for the day has been done, thanks to some of the members resorting to violence. MAY 4: The following day May 4th the Speaker tells the House that the preliminary report into the violent incident has been handed over to him and that the report would be discussed at the party leaders meeting the next day and that the necessary action will be taken to ensure discipline is maintained in the House. With the previous days fracas heat still warming the chamber and the backbench talk still mumbling over the incident, the Microfinance Bill which consists of new laws on licensing, regulating and supervision of companies carrying out microfinance business, is then debated and passed in the House. MAY 5: The Speaker refers to the May 3rd violence in the well of the House and refers to the report on the incident issued by the appointed committee. He announces the names of two MPs one from the UNP and one from the joint opposition. With the scales of justice thus equally balancef, the two MPs named are UNP MP the Palitha Thevarapperuma and the joint opposition UPFA MP Prasanna Ranaweera. The UNP MP Thevarapperuma, mind you, is also the Deputy Minister of Cultural Affairs. The punishment for throwing punches in the well of the House is suspension from Parliament for one week. A Supplementary sum of Rs.55 million is then taken up for debate. The Chief opposition Whip calls for a vote by division. Thereafter it is announced to the House that the estimate has been passed with 33 in favor; 31 against. The Speaker, the Dep. Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of Committee are not present at the time the vote is taken. In their absence, a UNP MP Lucky Jayewardene acts as the presiding officer. After the House has been adjourned, some MPs of the joint opposition begin to entertain doubts as to whether the counting had been done properly. To confirm the arithmetic, they urge the Secretary General of Parliament, the chief executive officer of Parliament whose constitutional role is to advice the Speaker and other Presiding Officers on matters relating to Parliamentary procedure, constitutionality of Bills, Standing Orders, privileges and other matters, to scrutinize CCTV footage in the manner of police detectives investigating crimes to determine whether there had been a cock up in the counting. After several recounts, the Secretary General of Parliament and political party representatives agree that there had been 31 votes each for and against the supplementary estimate. Whether right or wrong, the final tally for the day reveals that only 62 MPS were present at voting time in Parliament out of a total of 225. The rest all 163 of them missing from action. Later in the day, the Speaker tells a daily newspaper that it was the responsibility of party leaders to ensure the participation of their members in parliamentary proceedings and that if members played truant and skipped attendance, party leaders should take action against them. As far as the draft code of conduct he had given all MPs on April 11th which stresses the importance of attendance, to read, make their suggestions and return to him before the 25th of last month, only 2 out of 225 had responded. MAY 6: Once again the Speaker is forced to adjourn Parliament for about an hour following a ruckus raised by the joint opposition and the JVP not only over the counting skills of their colleagues but also over the moral fibre of the members. Allegations are hurled whether any form of rigging took place as is done at elections. Naturally the air in the House heats up compelling the Speaker to take a breather. Upon his return to preside over the remainder of the day, he announces that a four member committee has been appointed by him to see if there had been a problem in the manner in which the votes had been taken. Again it is back to seek the aid of CCTV cameras, for another review, for another recount if necessary. Parliament is then scheduled to meet on the 17th of the month. As far as the two suspended members are concerned, they do not seem unduly worried over their week long parliamentary ban. Even if they had not received this punishment, they would have only missed out on two days and taken the 11 day break until the 17th as a holiday along with their other colleagues. UNP MP Thevarapperuma even gloats about the incident in his face book. In the manner of the bragging street thug, Lankas Deputy Minister of Cultural Affairs denies assault and says if I had hit he would be in the surgical ward not in the accident ward. MAY 17: The second and final session for the month begins. An adjournment Motion on the Present Situation of Sri Lankan Airline Ltd. and its Future is moved by the UNP MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha and this is held the same day. This is viewed by some as the first step by the Government to privatise the loss-making national airline and the debate is greeted as one the final destination of which fools none. Charges are made that the Rajapaksa decision to retake the airline from Emirates made it take a nosedive. This is countered by others saying it is the UNP who opposed the Emirates takeover of the airline and even went to court when former President Chandrika took the decision to sell a stake to the United Arab Emirates national airline. Some blame it all on Mahinda Rajapaksas brother in law who tasted paradise to an unseemly extent as chairman of the company now in debt to the tune of 23 billion rupees. MAY 18: Parliament meets and lays aside the woes of Lankas flying white elephant to mourn the tragedy caused by a natural phenomenon in the sky. Its the flood havoc due to the sudden appearance of a depression in the Bay of Bengal. The weekend had seen devastation and the parliamentarians gathered in the House suddenly turn sombre to pay their respects to those dead and to extend their sympathies to their families. But not even a national flood disaster can put a damper on the members fighting spirit when the customary sympathies are over and done with. When the debate on Srilankan resumes, Josephian Harin Fernando, the MP who only last week settled out of court a matter concerning a brawl he had with his cousin at the Colombo Swimming Club that erstwhile water hole of the British and now the drinking well of modern day pukka sahibs stoops to the gutter to convey his meaning to the joint opposition MP Mahindananda Aluthgama in a lingo he thinks the latter will understand better. MAY 19: Its a day of revelation to the Lankan public when they discover that a common word used in common parlance in day to day life is a serious thing when uttered within the hallowed chambers of the House. Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake is apparently a sensitive soul and takes umbrage when Dinesh Gunawardena refers to him as a joker. The Speaker, ever vigilant that members of the House should not be insulted by such unparliamentary language, is quick to come to the rescue of Karunanayake. Euphemism rules in the House. In this Colombo 7 style posh drawing room of gentlemen there can be no room for mariyakade talk. Not with the ladies present. And children upstairs eavesdropping. And the Speaker says that in Parliament one cannot refer to a dog as a balla but sunakaya would do nicely. Dinesh is warned, though no substitute word for joker is offered. And Karunanayake sits safe on his parliamentary seat, secure in the knowledge that though anyone may call him joker outside parliament with impunity, none can call him joker within it without inviting the Speakers wrath. Perhaps referring to him as Batmans enemy will be okay? MAY 20: Today it is Dinesh Gunewardnas day to claim equality of parliamentary justice. He complains to the Speaker about Harin Fernandos use of unparliamentary language the day before. He says it is a clear violation of the Standing Orders. He says Harin used dirty words to insult Mahindananda Aluthgama. He calls upon the speaker and the members to have a look at the video thank heavens for CCTV and spend their time seeing for themselves the filthy outburst of the robust minister. The Speaker duly informs Parliament that he has ordered a special inquiry. Anything else in the House? Oh yes, the supplementary estimate of Rs 55 million which drew a lot of bother on May 5th is taken up for a vote. This time there is no division, no controversy, no fuss. It is passed with a simple show of hands and even the joint opposition present show the scantest interest in it reaching safe port after going through May 5ths parliamentary storm. The business of Parliament for the day and for the month of May is over. MAY 25: It is an extraordinary day for parliament. A special meeting has been called for by the Speaker. It has been gazetted and due notice has been given to the members. It has been summoned as a result of a demand made by Dinesh Gunawardena to debate an important issue. The weather. After the monsoonal hot air had flowed through the chambers, Harin Fernando rises to say sorry for having insulted Aluthgamage in filth and promises he will not use filth in the house again or to paraphrase the Bard to seal up his lips and give no foul words but mum. He takes his time to explain what led him to burst forth in filth and then tells the Speaker that even he, the Speaker, has been called patholaya on many occasions by the same opposition that now attacks him. Parliament is then adjourned and will meet again in June. But thats not the end of the story. Wimal Weerawansa has since announced that until the voting fiasco which occurred on May 5th is not resolved to the joint oppositions satisfaction, they will no longer pay respect to the Mace and to the Speaker. He declared on Wednesday: We will not stand up when the Mace is paraded or bow down to the Chair when entering and leaving the House as a mark of respect if the Speaker shirks his duty to punish those responsible for the vote crisis. So there you have it. One month in the life of the 14th Parliament in a nutshell. And the cost? In November last year Speaker Karu Jayasuriya revealed that one days parliamentary sitting costs the tax payer Rs 4, 600,000. This is without MPs salaries. For the nine days of parliamentary sittings this May, it would have cost the nation Rs 41.4 million. Since youre footing the bill, you must decide whether you are getting value for your money or trash for your cash? Everything has a price. But not everything has a value. If, by the antics of its members, parliament ceases to command the respect of the public it will become patently clear to all that the spirit of Demos has fled its environ and the brick and mortar edifice has lost its justification to exist. Merely spending 40 million bucks a month to keep up the pretence of having a parliament which is nothing more than a Billingsgate in our midst will not prevent the nation from sliding into anarchy. Its time for political party leaders to corral their wild asses and prevent them from abusing the freedoms democracy bestows to all equally with but one proviso that, in the long run, only the worthy and the vigilant will enjoy its fruits. And its also time for the citizenry to wake up to the distant but distinct bells of alarm. Or else brace themselves to hear the dreaded thud of a dictators jackboot. President, PM to review Defence Secretarys directive View(s): President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will have a one-on-one meeting next week, when both are in the country, to discuss a Ministry of Defence directive that has caused embarrassment to the UNF Government. The directive for the first time since independence, issued by the Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiaratchchi, had debarred military personnel from taking part in any event where Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahmed would be present. It had also declared that military camps would be out of bounds for the Chief Minister. The move was the result of Mr. Ahmed publicly insulting a Navy officer at a public function in a school in Sampur. The Chief Minister had said he had not been invited by the Navy though the school came under the Eastern Provincial Council. He had been asked to come by Eastern Province Governor Austin Fernando and the US Embassy in Colombo. The Navy, however, has strongly denied the accusation and said he was invited and he reacted rudely against the officer even before the Chief Ministers name was announced. The Navy contended that the rude behaviour could not be condoned. The school in question was previously occupied by the Navy. It was later handed over to the Eastern Provincial Council. On the day of the incident, there was a presentation of computers to the school by a private company in Colombo. It was in the presence of Governor Fernando and American Ambassador Atul Keshap. Since the unprecedented directive was made public, Government sources said, Premier Wickremesinghe was in receipt of telephone calls from diplomats and ministers who checked on its veracity officially. The diplomats, these sources said, had also wanted to know the Governments position with regard to accountability issues arising from such a directive. One minister had said he would raise the matter at the upcoming ministerial meeting. Premier Wickremesinghe, the same sources said, had briefed President Sirisena on the telephone over the matter. He had later advised armed forces chiefs not to make political statements over the current issue and to await the return to Colombo of President Sirisena. Premier Wickremesinghe left for the South Korean capital of Seoul yesterday to address the annual conference of the Rotary International. Sri Lankan R. Ravindran is the President of Rotary International. The PM is due back in Colombo tomorrow.Government leaders have learnt that the directive from the Defence Secretary was made on a recommendation from Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne. Sri Lankas Vienna concoction on diplomatic appointments As Maithripala Sirisena was elected President, the Sri Lanka Foreign Service Association (SLFA), the premier body representing career officers, welcomed the new Governments emphasis on restoring dignity and professionalism in the foreign service. One of the measures to ensure that objective was the setting up of a Transfer Board tasked to formulate criteria to be followed in making transfers and appointments to overseas missions the result of a request from the SLFA. It included compliance with efficiency bar examinations, postgraduate degrees and foreign language competency. However, there was a hole in the MFA bucket. Those measures were only for those career officers. What of the political appointees? They can simply by-pass procedures and walk into any position without let or hindrance. When Mahinda Rajapaksa was President, a Sri Lanka embassy was opened in Vienna. A special post was created for Srimal Wickremesinghe, brother of the Presidents wife and of one-time Chairman of SriLankan Airlines who is at the centre of many a controversy. Later, he was promoted as the Ambassador. Ironically enough, under the UNF Government which is committed to good governance or Yahapalanaya, naming political appointees continues. For the embassy in Vienna, named as Second Secretary is Namal Wijayamuni de Zoysa. He is the son of Deputy Minister and Moneragala District parliamentarian Vijith Vijithamuni de Zoysa. Is that the only qualification needed to serve Sri Lanka overseas? Foreign Office insiders say a senior ministry official who was on a visit to Vienna was well wined and dined reportedly by the Second Secretary whose task, they say, is to cover UN agencies based there. This includes the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, International Narcotics Control Board and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs. The question they now ask is whether another appointment at the Vienna embassy, due to fall vacant in August, will also go the political way. CM Wigneswaran chooses Jayalalithaa over flood victims As people here and abroad expressed grief over the devastating floods and landslides in the past two weeks and sent in relief to the victims, it appeared that Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran had other priorities. When the Provincial Council sessions began this week, Mr. Wigneswaran moved that the Northern Provincial Council should congratulate Jayaram Jayalalithaa on her re-election as Tamil Nadus Chief Minister. It was opposition member A. Jayatillake who was quick to point out that the Chief Minister had forgotten the flood and landslide victims. The chief minister has forgotten that even the Kilinochchi district has been affected by the floods, Mr. Jayatillake said. He said there were bigger concerns than rushing to congratulate Ms. Jayalalithaa. However Council Chairman C.V.K. Sivagnanam said the council was planning to discuss the flood crisis. Eventually, the council forgot about the proposal to congratulate the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. But the Chief Minister wrote to a letter Ms. Jayalalithaa congratulating her and seeking an appointment to meet her. She has responded saying that she would meet Mr. Wigneswaran at a mutually convenient time. She had also said that as Chief Minister she had taken steps to establish the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils during the last five years. I wish to inform you that I will continue to take steps through the Centre for getting justice for Tamils living in the Northern Province, she said. Mr. Wigneswaran in his letter said: You have contested the polls without allying with any political party and it is a matter of pride. We express our happiness as you have returned to power and we recognise the welfare schemes launched by your government have received tremendous support. He said the people of the Northern Province had strong relations with Tamil Nadu and he wanted to meet Ms. Jayalalithaa to discuss areas of mutual interest. I expect our relations further get strengthened and I am keen to know about the areas that will be of mutual interests through a meeting with you, Mr. Wigneswaran said. Mystery fall: Keheliya asked why bills not settled The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has begun a probe on matters relating to the nasty fall which former Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella had from an upper floor of a Melbourne (Australia) hotel in September 2012. It is to ascertain why he had not returned the Government funds he sought and obtained for medical treatment. According to FCID sources, the former minister is alleged to have sought the money from the Presidents Fund to pay his medical bills. This was on the grounds that it would be paid back upon his return to Colombo. However, such payment, it is alleged, has not been done, these sources said. Krrish Tower project: FCID probe in India A multibillion rupee project to construct the Krrish Towers, a high rise office cum apartment complex opposite the Colombo Hilton, has become the subject of a detailed inquiry by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID). Hambantota District parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, described as a prime mover of this project, has been questioned in this regard by FCID detectives. This week, FCID chief senior DIG Ravi Waidyalankara flew to India to record statements from those who were reportedly the Indian collaborators in the controversial project. Batticaloa airport to fly higher At their weekly meeting last Tuesday, ministers gave approval to develop and improve the Batticaloa airport. About Rs. 200 million has been allocated for the purpose and work is to begin immediately. This mad, mad world of yahapalanaya View(s): Would you believe it! Would anybody with a thinking process still in working order believe it? Well you better believe it my friend. Did you not know that Sri Lanka is under the benevolent star of yahapalanaya. So whatever happens and however inexplicable it may seem to the average mind, it is all for the good of our wondrous isle also known by other sobriquets some not entirely complimentary. Many readers have already heard the story. Still it is worth repeating just to illustrate what a crazy world we live in. A week or so ago several media outlets reported that a high-ranking official in the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa administration who has been indicted in the Colombo High Court on charges of misappropriating state funds amounting to some Rs.600 million was elevated to the rank of an additional secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry while the case against him is still pending. Shocked and bewildered by the news the public wondered whether this yahapalanaya government was going completely mad or whether it was merely dishing out insanity in ever larger doses since it began to do so shortly after the presidential election around 16 months ago? Civil society organizations which had been in the forefront of the campaign to oust Rajapaksa and install Maithripala Sirisena roundly condemned the reported appointment of Anusha Palpita, former director-general of the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, who along with the former presidents secretary Lalith Weeratunga, is indicted for using state funds to purchase sil redhi for distribution among Buddhists who gather at temples for meditation on Poya days. Such was Palpitas commitment to Buddhism and to the followers of the dhamma that this act of great magnanimity was to be performed strangely enough (or is it?) shortly before the presidential election last year. So it would not be deemed unfair to conclude that Palpitas commitment was more to political jiggery-pokery than to an undying reverence for the five precepts. While this matter is still pending in the courts, how could a government which pledged to eliminate corruption and fraud, to take punitive action against persons convicted or suspected of misappropriating or misusing state funds, promised to cleanse public life of nepotism and overweening politics and declared its public actions would be transparent and accountable, clearly breach its own promises to the people who elected the president and the government to power? That surely was uppermost in the public mind at this bizarre news that an individual who is before court indicted with what must be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, misappropriation of public funds, has been handed a senior public service positions. How, asked the public, could anybody with a modicum of self-respect and principles jettison these solemn promises with such impunity having accused their predecessors of doing so and still hope to earn the respect of the people. That was a conundrum better left to the tattered ranks of the yahapalana government to answer because no sane person could. As far as the majority of the people who watched for days this political charade with growing wonderment at the sheer audacity of the elected, the immediate question that troubled the public mind was who named Anusha Palpita to the post of additional secretary and who authorized this appointment. The Constitution states that the president shall appoint secretaries to ministries. I am not certain whether additional secretaries also fall into the category of presidential appointees or it is left to any person in contaminated ministerial garb to perform this task with the now established fanfare that accompanies such events. I remember reading not too long ago that the President and Prime Minister intended henceforth to collectively decide on high-level appointments to state corporations and other state-owned bodies, presumably to make certain that responsible, capable and efficient persons would fill these positions. Whether this scheme of things is already in place and whether it applies to appointments in the public administration I am not aware. But surely the filling of a position such as that of an additional secretary of a ministry a high post in the public service cannot be undertaken lightly and at the whim and fancy of a minister. A minister and spouse can decide to employ whoever they wish to as their house boy or kussi amma. But the same cannot apply to a high position in the public service where officials are bound by sets of rules such as the long standing Establishment Code, Administrative Regulations and Financial Regulations known in official shorthand as ARs and FRs. The minister Vajira Abeywardena is a member of the UNP which is an integral part of the National Unity Government of Good Governance, itself a mouthful that is increasingly becoming distasteful. When the media reportedly inquired from the Minister about the appointment he defended it. On May 23 one website quoted him as saying: During the disaster struck situation, it is impossible for me to carry on the ministerial tasks. There is a staff shortage of about 30 in number. There is a shortage of three additional secretaries. No accountant. One Audit officer. No engineer. How can the ministry be run under these circumstances? Anusha Palpita was in the pool. He is not interdicted. I studied his case, there are no charges against him. The charges are there against the former secretary to the president Lalith Weeratunga. Anusha has only carried out Weeratungas orders. This case will be dismissed The next day another website having apparently spoken to the minister reported: However subject minister, Vajira Abeywardena defended the appointment insisting that the world order was everybody is innocent, until proven guilty. At this rate, all ministry secretaries must be guilty then. Even everyone who worked for Basil Rajapaksa has been produced in courts, but that doesnt mean they are guilty. Yes, there are charges against him (Palpita), but nothing has been proven, and he has not been convicted, plus work wise he has never been suspended, Abeywardena told the Colombo Telegraph. Abeywardena also said that the appointment was not a personal decision, but it was made by the Public Service Commission and the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Division after he requested that steps be taken to fill in several existing vacancies at his ministry. After the floods, it became critical that the shortage of 30 officials at the ministry be filled urgently. It was they who sent me the names and filled them. I have not done any personal favours for anyone, Abeywardena claimed. When asked what Palpitas role will be at the ministry, the Minister said that it was only just two days since he was appointed, nothing specific has been given over, but he was currently overseeing flood relief related work. It must indeed be a relief to the victims of the recent floods and landslides that such an honourable official has been entrusted with the task of providing relief-monetary and other assistance such as the remaining sil redhi one presumes. As though Palpita has found himself a new defence counsel the minister says that everybody is innocent until proved guilty, waving a long established principle of jurisprudence as though he had just discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls. If Abeywardena has no personal interest in Palpitas case why has he gone to the extent of saying that he read the case against him? What is more he goes on to say that there are no charges against Palpita, only against Lalith Weeratunga and that the case will be dismissed. It would appear that Minister Abeywardena has taken over the task of the High Court and pronounces that the case will be dismissed. How does the Minister know this? Who told him so? Is this not an interference in the judicial process? Abeywardena has obviously not read the case even cursorily even though he talks as if he is a very knowledgeable lawyer. That or he cannot understand. For it is clear even to any person literate enough to read that Palpita has been indicted. Having pontificated for days on legal and other matters, Abeywardena suddenly does a volte face. The state-run mediano surprise there comes to the rescue of the minister and tries to bail him out of the contretemps that he himself has created. The minister denies any knowledge of the appointment going back it would seem on the comments he had already given to news media. Then he looks for a scapegoat to blame for this bovine mess. Why there is always a convenient one at hand. The media of course! But was it the media that issued statements condemning the appointment or was it several civil society organizations that first broke the news. These were organizations that supported the yahapalanaya campaign and had become aware of the appointment. The media did what any responsible media would do report the bizarre activities of the Home Affairs Ministry. Now that the blame has been shifted to the Public Service Commission lets await its response. Or would this body that should be independent simply succumb to political pressure and plead mea culpa. Await the next thrilling episode of the appointment that never was. After the deluge and before the next View(s): There was a sense of deja vu to see the President (who is also the Minister of Environment) and all the Government leaders conferring on what must be done to mitigate the effects of another flood. Only days earlier the Disaster Management Minister was giving interviews to the media how amendments are to be brought to the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) law. He had to say something after the disaster after all but the problem, Mr. Minister, is that laws are plentiful; its their implementation that is the problem. The death toll from last weeks floods remains at 104 and the Government is reluctant to add the 99 missing to the tally. Apart from laws, there are plenty of statutory bodies ranging from the Coast Conservation and Development Authority to the Land Reclamation Board and the Met Dept., to the Disaster Management Centre but when the heavens open out all they can do is send out SMS alerts to watch out for landslides. What are the people supposed to do? Keep a wary eye on boulders and for tons of earth descending from above? It is true that every flood particularly when it hits the countrys nerve centre, Colombo, and its suburbs prompts a certain degree of useful introspection and retrospection. It is no different this time. The media are awash with analyses, remonstrations and solutions. Two days of incessant, above average rainfall caused a chain reaction that led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and immeasurable damage to houses and properties. As tanks and reservoirs reached their upper limits, sluice gates were opened and rivers burst their banks. Downstream, the inflow of water far exceeded the outflow capacities in the city and its environs. But this was hardly unanticipated. Nor was it unprecedented. For years now, experts have studied, mapped and conducted surveys that have allowed them to forecast several scenarios including the one that unfolded a fortnight ago. They are certain that similar floods will occur again, perhaps more frequently; and that there are difficult choices to be made in the face of rapid, unplanned urbanisation. Studies of rainfall over a 30-year period have shown that, during the last decade, there have been frequent spells of high intensity deluges within a short period (a day or two). This is in sharp contrast to the eras when rainfall tended to be stretched over a longer period, thereby ensuring that outflows were more manageable. Combined with this high-intensity rainfall a result of climate change is continuing land reclamation and haphazard construction in lowland areas. Spaces which earlier facilitated water retention or absorption are shrinking rapidly. Some studies say the extent of wetlands in Colombo has decreased by 40 percent in recent times. Illegal land reclamation has made the ground impervious while some lowlands are also being filled for development. These damaging practices as population pressure on available urban land increases, are taking place under the very noses of the authorities who are mandated with managing it. Theres nothing that political patronage and the right amount of money cant achieve in Sri Lanka. But time is running out for city-dwellers. To save a town like Kolonnawa built entirely on lowlands from the type of flooding witnessed this month requires not only a pumping station but a heightening of the banks of the Kelani river, some of which are peppered with illegal constructions. There must be goodwill cultivated among people and suitable alternatives (including compensation) provided to make relocation an attractive option. Addressing these problems will take some time, both in conceptualising and implementing those plans. But we see corruption-riddled local councils and politicians in high places more than anyone else breaking the laws and building houses where they cannot purely because it affords a VIP a nice view. We also see the cutting of forests and the sand mining all these add up to a tidy sum both in lives and property (mostly the poor) and to a huge bill the Treasury ultimately has to fork out from its already empty coffers. Expecting donor assistance to foot the bill for rebuilding is a pipe-dream. The path forward is difficult, but there is never a better time to act than now when memories of the terrible flood are still fresh in the minds of the people. Sampur: India blowing hot on coal Negotiations on the coal plant at Sampur in the Trincomalee district have been breaking down as frequently as the Norochcholai plant in the Puttalam district. From all accounts, a request from the highest levels of the Government of Sri Lanka to the head of Government of India to cancel the existing agreement and switch to an LNG (Liquid Nitrogen Gas) plant seems still in animated suspension. The entire Sampur project has been fraught with lack of foresight from the time a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two countries in November 2006. It was a quid-pro-quo to a bigger super power battle between India and China on Sri Lankan soil. Because the Government of the day went ahead with the dud Norochcholai plant built by the Chinese, India was given one in Sampur. Sri Lankas future energy needs were secondary and its environmental concerns immaterial. This was typical of the Mahinda Rajapaksa foreign policy. We have referred before to how when the then Indian High Commissioner complained about Sri Lanka giving a contract to the Chinese for the extension of the Colombo harbour, the then President responded by saying we will give India the next project, or something on those lines. Even at this late hour, a request from the President of Sri Lanka no less (backed by the Prime Minister and leaders of the Tamil and Muslim parties) cannot be taken lightly by a friendly country, and especially so when India itself is converting from coal to LNG for the future. Indias strategic interests in maintaining a presence in and around Trincomalee remain, because the request is merely to convert from one energy source to another. Furthermore, an Indian petroleum team is negotiating for the joint management of the World War II British oil tanks in the area. How the Sri Lankans will push for their case now remains to be seen. Recently, they seem to have capitulated on the fishing (poaching) issue giving India extension after extension to withdraw its armadas that are taking away fish to the tune of US$ 40 million annually, apart from raping marine life in the Palk Strait. The Sri Lankan Presidents request is a benchmark for future relations with India. Already under sharp criticism locally is the proposed ETCA (Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement) as being loaded in favour of India. Banners at the Colombo University call for the end to Indian Imperialism and the OPA (Organization of Professional Associations) in its latest publication recalls the infamous 1987 parippu drop saying that India is hated in South Asia for its hegemony. The Paris Convention on Climate Change and a worldwide call for clean energy are something both India and Sri Lanka and China have signed last November in a bid to keep Earths temperature rise at a minimum of 2 degrees Centigrade. The anti-Chinese sentiments that surfaced due to the previous Administrations policies can easily and unfortunately be transferred to India. Those feelings are already simmering. Recent history is also not on Indias side. China gets huge projects in Polonnaruwa District By Namini Wijedasa View(s): View(s): Several multimillion dollar development projects in the Polonnaruwa district are set to be doled out on single-bid basis to Chinese companies in a departure from the new Governments proclaimed policy of calling for open, competitive tenders. Exim Bank of China is lending the necessary funds on concessional terms. Two such companies have already started gratis feasibility studies in the water and transport sectors. The five Polonnaruwa district projects, for which the Chinese Government will loan money, are the drinking water supply project; road network extension and improvement project; railway extension project (Kurunegala to Habarana via Dambulla); agro-based industries and agro-economic centre project; and the Maduru Oya right bank development project. They were included in a Memorandum of Understanding signed between China and Sri Lanka in April. Of these, the Towns East of Polonnaruwa Water Supply Project (Development of Plant & Design-Build Contract for Civil and Mechanical and Electrical Works with Funding Arrangements) was last year advertised in the local media in keeping with the Governments avowed policy of open, competitive tenders. Twenty-four companies and joint ventures had expressed interest. But the tender was unexpectedly cancelled and the US$300-400 million contract is likely to go to China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), the same firm that is building the Colombo Port City. There is speculation that the job is being given to CHEC in exchange for dropping a US$ 125 million compensation claim for losses arising from the Governments suspension of the Port City project. When the Maithripala Sirisena administration assumed office in 2015, bureaucrats were told that development contracts would forthwith be awarded through transparent, competitive tender procedures. Theoretically, a culture of open, competitive bidding would reduce corruption, level the playing field and guarantee a supply of quality goods and services at optimum prices. Lately, bidders have also been expected to offer financing arrangements. But in the Polonnaruwa district the course of action now being followed for major projects is similar to that adopted by the Rajapaksa administration in other parts of the country. Chinese funding is conditional to the recipient country enlisting Chinese companies, goods and services. This ensures that a major chunk of the loaned monies returns to Chinese coffers. The contracts will be routed through President Sirisenas office which oversees the Reawakening Polonnaruwa initiative. The respective ministries are responsible for implementation. The Treasury was tasked with setting up five Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committees (CANC) and Technical Evaluation Committees (TEC) to take the process forward. But Treasury Secretary R.H.S. Samaratunga refused to comment saying, These projects come under the Presidents office. You had better talk to them. We are in possession of documents including Cabinet memorandums, letters from the Presidents office and the Chinese Embassy to show how the process related to the Towns East of Polonnaruwa Water Supply Project unfolded. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) were first called in October 2015 by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) under the direction of City Planning and Water Supply Ministry Secretary B.M.U.D Basnayake. Mr. Basnayake has since retired and told the Sunday Times he had no particular recollection of the project. Twenty-four companies and joint ventures participated, after each having purchased the EOI document for a non-refundable fee of Rs. 100,000 plus 11% Value Added Tax or US$ 850 including VAT. They were the Sino Hydro Corporation; Kolon Global Corporation; Maga Engineering & Vinci Construction Grand Projects JV; China National Aero Technology International & China Geo JV; China Machinery Engineering Corporation; Cobra-Tedagua-Makiber JV; China Harbour Engineering & South-West Municipal Design Engineering & Research Institute JV; NCC-Sierra JV; LR Group Ltd & SBI International Holdings AG JV; Eiffage Construction Co. Ltd; Biwater Holdings Ltd; China Sfeco, Shanghai Municipal Engineering & Shanghai Foundation Engineering Group JV; Zhongnang Engineering Corporation; MTD Walkers (Pvt) Ltd & KIER Infrastructure & Overseas Ltd JV; AnshuiShui & Construction Group Corporation & Henan Water & Power Engineering Consultants JV; China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation; Tahal Consulting Engineers Ltd (Israel); Gammon India Ltd; Zolal Iran Company, Tana Energy Management Company & EEC Izaath International Partnership JV; Eurofinza SA & Chilali Services Sa JV; China Aerospace Construction Group; China Gezhouba Group Ltd; Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd & Sanken JV; and CGCOC. Under normal procedures, the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (SCAPC) should have examined their applications. But SCAPC Chairman Padmasiri Jayamanna, who is the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, said, I am under oath of secrecy and unable to disclose anything. However, I cannot recall the project coming before me. Representatives from two companies that had submitted EOIs said they were under the impression the project had been cancelled. Another said his company had not heard back but that it was not unusual for a process to take more than six months from the initial stage to the next. In the meantime, President Sirisena presented a Cabinet memorandum on the Awakening Rajarata-Presidential Programme and Lets Awaken Polonnaruwa District Development Programme 2016-2020. It described the five projects as principal and essential requirements. And it said the Chinese Government, which had funded massive development projects in Sri Lanka, was willing now to contribute towards the Lets Awaken Polonnaruwa initiative. Chinas President has said that his Government had US$ 20 billion to offer Asian countries on a concessional credit basis. The Economic and Commercial Councilor of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka had informed the Department of External Resources at the Ministry of Finance in Colombo that: financial facilities could be provided through that credit line for the Chinese companies who have expressed their willingness to undertake priority development projects in Sri Lanka. The Department of External Resources has initiated action to obtain foreign funding on a concessionary basis to meet financial requirements in respect of large-scale development projects in Sri Lanka based on the Cabinet Memoranda that have now been presented to the Cabinet of Ministers as recommended by the other sub-committees on economic affairs, the memo reads. The Exam [sic] Bank of China has also been requested in this regard. There have been satisfactory responses to these enquire [sic] and several companies affiliated to the Chinese Government have expressed their willingness to undertake feasibility studies free of charge and also to implement development projects and those connected papers have been referred o the Department of External Resources as well as to the Secretaries to the relevant Ministries, the memo says. On February 5, 2016, President Sirisenas Chief of Staff, Ranjan Dharmawardena, wrote to the City Planning, Water Supply and Drainage Ministry Secretary stating that Cabinet approval has been granted. Based on the activities of the development projects already identified, competent Chinese companies have expressed their willingness to undertake these projects. The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka is also aware this [sic]. A Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee (CANC) and a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) be appointed to take action forward to the point of awarding contracts. To have representatives of the Department of External Resources appointed to the above-mentioned two committees since the Department of External Resources has already taken preliminary steps in order to secure concessionary funding from the Chinese Government, Mr Dharmawardena continues. To obtain concessionary funding for the large scale projects under Lets Awaken Polonnuruwa-District Development Programme and to undertake the implementation of projects in collaboration with the Chinese Government and the project proponents as recommended by the committees referred to in item 1 above, he states. Mr. Dharmawardena has attached a copy of the letter submitted by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd through the Chiense Embassy, expressing its willingness to implement the Towns East of Polonnaruwa Water Supply Project while conducting feasibility studies free of charge. The letter indicates that the company first submitted an EOI for the project in March 24, 2015. We would like to again express our keen interest for the implementation of the captioned project as a total turnkey solution with favourable finance assistance from the Government of China, it says. It is not known whether a final decision has been taken in regard to granting the relevan project to CHEC. But authoritative sources confirmed that CHEC is now conducting the feasibility study. (Another company, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd, is doing a feasibility study on upgrading the rail track and railway stations from Maho to Batticaloa and Gal Oya to Trincomalee, also free of charge). The process being considered is a clear departure from the Governments declared policy of open, competitive tenders. China Harbour was among the 24 parties that had expressed interest in the project, complete with funding arrangements. Its bid could have been evaluated along with the others. This was not done. A senior diplomat pointed out, The Sri Lanka Government may be taking this option because the Chinese have shown themselves willing to offer complete packages on concessional terms. They are also quick in implementation and disburse big amounts. As in the past, however, transparency has taken a hit. Nimal Hettiarachchi, Secretary to the Ministry of City Planning, Water Supply and Drainage, hung up multiple times when asked about the Towns East of Polonnaruwa Water Supply Project saying he was busy and in a meeting. NWSDB Chairman K Alahudeen Ansar said that he did not know the current status of the project, that it was up to the Cabinet to decide who to award the tender, and repeatedly requested us to contact Mr. Hettiarachchi for information. NWSDB General Manager Ranjith Balasuriya also hung up after indicating that we had no business to inquire if we were not among the companies that had bid for the project. Mr. Dharmawardena was unavailable for comment despite repeated calls and text messages. City Planning, Water Supply and Drainage Minister Rauff Hakeem could not be contacted. The subjects State Minister Sudharshani Fernandopulle said she knew nothing. Court of Appeal summons CMC Commissioner, CMO for alleged contempt of court View(s): Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Commissioner V.K. Anura and its Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni have been summoned before the Court of Appeal on June 24, on contempt of Court charges. The summons were in response to a petition filed by Dr. Anna Kariyawasm, alleging violation of a settlement reached in court, between the petitioner and the respondents, on July 14, 2015. According to the petition, the parties had agreed on 14.07.2015 that the petitioner would be entitled to discharge her functions in keeping with the Food Hygiene Regulations of 2011. Dr. Kariyawasam had been earlier interdicted by the CMC Commissioner on March 13, 2015, with immediate effect, for working in a private capacity in hotels and restaurants. She however, challenged the interdiction and informed Court that the revenue from all private tests went to the CMC and, at the time of her interdiction, she was collecting blood, urine and stool samples from the staff of the Galadari Hotel, after obtaining verbal approval from the Mayor. The Court of Appeal issued an interim stay order in the operation and effect of the letter sent to Dr. Kariyawasam by the CMC Commissioner on March 13, including the conducting of a preliminary investigation against her, until the final determination of the case. The parties subsequently reached a settlement in court in July 2015. In her subsequent petition, Dr. Kariyawasam pointed out that, in terms of the said settlement, she and her subordinate officers are entitled to carry out food handlers investigations even during working hours. Despite this, no orders had been given to the Medical Officers of Health (MoH)s to direct food handlers from hotels or send food and water samples for laboratory investigations. However, the 1st and 2nd respondents have unofficially circumvented the settlement, particularly the 1st respondent, allegedly telling the doctors there was no need for the medical examinations. However, under the Food Acts Food Hygiene Regulations of 2011, food handlers are supposed to be certified by the area MoH that they are free of communicable diseases, consequent upon appropriate laboratory tests done, the petition states. When the case was taken up for hearing on Thursday, the Court of Appeal issued a decree nisi and summons to the respondents to appear before court on June 24, to answer the charges of Contempt of Court. Senior Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appeared for the petitioner. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 29 By Fatih Karimov - Trend: No talks was held so far with Chevron for selling oil to the US company's refinery in South Africa, Mohsen Ghamsari, director of international affairs at the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), said. He further said that talks are underway with other South African refineries for oil sell, however no agreement was made so far, Mehr news agency reported May 29. Meanwhile Roknodin Javadi, the managing director of the NIOC earlier said that Iran sees no limit for selling oil to US refineries. During visit of Thembisile Majola, South Africa's deputy energy minister to Tehran last September, it was announced that Pretoria would negotiate with Chevron on resuming oil import in post-sanctions period. The two parties agreed that the South African energy ministry talk with Chevron, which is a shareholder of one of the giant refineries in the African country, about resuming crude imports from Iran. South Africa was one of Iran's traditional oil markets before the sanctions were imposed on the Islamic Republic due to its disputed nuclear program. Last month before the sanctions cut down Iran's crude oil exports (June 2012), South Africa was buying averagely 68,000 barrels of oil from Tehran per day. Fighting the toxic sludge View(s): While floodwaters have receded in many areas, the people of Meethotamulla in Kolonnawa continue to face immense hardships in cleaning up their flood-damaged homes. Several roads in the area still remain underwater, more than a week after the heavy rains caused devastation. Residents in Nagahamulla road are not willing to take any more chances, and many have sandbags at the ready to keep the waters at bay, should they suddenly rise again. The misery of the people of this area has been compounded by the garbage from the nearby dump that has mixed with the floodwaters, turning the water into a toxic black sludge. This sludge continued to be visible in many areas this week, despite attempts made by residents, using water hoses, to remove it. The weak drainage system, which contributed to the floods, is still a grave concern as much of it is still blocked by garbage. The water has caused great damage to roads in the area, leaving gaping holes in some places where water has collected. Residents also complained that construction work on certain roads, which, after years, have yet to be completed, was also contributing to floods in the area. Hit by floods, now by official apathy By Kasun Warakapitiya People in affected areas around Colombo ask where's the relief to rebuild their lives View(s): View(s): More than a week after devastating floods affected thousands of people in the suburbs of Colombo, many are still awaiting some relief from the state to rebuild their lives. Residents in Wellampitiya, Kohilawatte and Angoda complained that neither the Grama Niladharis nor any other government officials had visited them. Hundreds of residents from the Kittampokuna area gathered at the Sedawatte Vidyarta Vidyalaya to register themselves with the Wellampitiya Grama Niladhari to avail themselves of some relief Many were fed up of standing in long queues which extended from the gate to the main building. H.M, Ananada (53) a lorry driver, said he received food, water and clothes from a civil society organisation, but they got nothing from the Government during the four days he and his family sought shelter on the second floor of neighbours house. G. Anusha Nishanthi, from the same area, said, her husband and children stayed a week in a temple and then returned home but the Government had still not given them any assistance nor compensation to repair their house. Its 12 o clock now and I have been here since seven in the morning. There are about 50 people ahead of me and I may have to wait for many more hours, she lamented. The government is wasting our time when we need aid desperately, she said, adding that the registration process was inefficient. J.V Maduka, an owner of two wayside boutiques in Lansiyawatta, Wellampitiya said both her shops and house built of wood were demolished by flood waters and she had no place to go to. I have no place to stay but all we are given is a piece of paper with a registration number. Everything I owned is lost but no government official came forward to help us, she said. Pointing to the dress she was wearing she said it was given by the mosque where she was staying and food from a civil organisation. I have two daughters, one is sitting for her O/Ls and she has lost all her notebooks while the other studying in grade nine lost all of her clothes, she lamented. A resident, S.M Nimal of Donald Perera Road, Kohilawatte said his house was inundated and he spent the past week at a neighbours house while his brother had sought refuge inside a tipper. My brother and sister have no place to stay, but neither the Grama Niladhari nor Assistant Government Agent have visited the area, he said, however adding that he had heard that the Grama Niladharis office had also been affected by the floods. But we need government aid, we need a place to live. I kindly request them to look into our matter. There are so many like us who need urgent help, he said. Rita Witharana a mosquito net manufacturer said her sewing machines including the juki machine were damaged beyond repair. She said the Navy provided them with food but other than that no support arrived. Her husband had fallen sick sometime back and she was the one who provided for the family by manufacturing locally made mosquito nets, she said adding that dangerous cracks had appeared in her house and she had no place to return to. Japanese largesse for Sri Lanka Fifty billion rupees pledged as aid for power transmission lines, water supply projects in NCP, EP View(s): View(s): Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday pledged to President Maithripala Sirisena over fifty billion rupees in assistance from his country. The funds will be for the construction of power transmission lines and water supply projects in the North Central Province. It will also be used for construction of power transmission lines in the Eastern Province. Premier Abe made the offer of assistance when he held talks in Nagoya with President Sirisena. A media statement issued by both Japan and Sri Lanka said yesterday that the transmission lines would allow electricity generated at the power plants that Sri Lanka planned in the Eastern Province to be transmitted to the City of Colombo. Premier Abe, the statement said, also agreed to positively consider the provision of a Development Policy Loan (DPL), which supports policy and institutional reform in micro economic and public finance management as well as in the private sector. During the talks, the two leaders recognised the importance of port development in Sri Lanka, as a key hub nation in the Indian Ocean given the rising demand and the rapid growth of the region. Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan would actively continue its cooperation in the development of the Colombo port and its vicinity under the public and private sector cooperation as well as send a survey mission to study the needs and the logistics for hub development of the north port of Colombo and its surrounding areas, as well as the development of the port of Trincomalee. Prime Minister Abe also conveyed Japans decision to extend assistance for the development of a master plan for the City of Kandy, which would enable the urban development needs of the ancient city with appropriate consideration for the protection of the cultural heritage. The two leaders welcomed Sri Lankas decision to adopt the Japanese system of Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) and the progress of bilateral work to ensure a smooth transition to the DTTB Japanese system, including the establishment of a bilateral Joint Committee to facilitate implementation of the project and holding the first meeting of the committee in June. President Sirisena stated that the implementation of Digitalisation of Terrestrial Analogue Television has been assigned to the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media. Both leaders welcomed the convening of the first round of the Policy Dialogue at the Senior Official Level of the two Foreign Ministries and the inaugural Sri Lanka-Japan Dialogue on Maritime Security, Safety and Oceanic Issues in January 2016 in Colombo, where the two maritime states reconfirmed the importance of maintaining the freedom of the high seas and maritime order based on the rule of law. Orders to evacuate people from landslide-prone areas View(s): Five District Secretaries have been told to identify and relocate people living in areas susceptible to landslides. Earlier only warnings were issued to people living in such areas to vacate by themselves and find alternative accommodation. The new move came as fresh landslide prone areas, including the Hantana mountain overlooking Kandy town, were identified as vulnerable areas with major cracks appearing on the surface. Disaster Management Ministry Secretary S.S. Niyanwala confirmed that directives had gone out to the Secretaries of the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Kegalle and Kalutara Districts to find suitable locations for people living in vulnerable areas. By yesterday afternoon, about 3,000 people had been evacuated from their houses, mostly in the Nuwara Eliya district, officials said. Teams from the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) are assisting in identifying the areas vulnerable to landslides. Kandy District Secretary H.M.P. Hitisekara said 76 families were evacuated from Hantana and put up at a school last afternoon. NBRO officers were checking the location every hour to see if there were changes. Central Province Police Chief E.M.M. Ekanayake said police had been deployed to protect the houses from which the people had been evacuated.Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department issued a warning that the five districts vulnerable to landslides would experience rains measuring upto100 mm today, with strong winds in the Central Province. Heavy rain was experienced in the Galle District yesterday causing floods in Neluwa, Tawalama, Elpitiya and Hiniduma while in the Kalutara District, Bulathsinhala, Agalawatta and Matugama areas received heavy rain. At least 104 people have been killed so far in two weeks of floods and landslides with 99 still missing and feared dead. PMO blames Museum Director for damage to Apura Buddha statue at Temple Trees By Sandun Jayawardana View(s): View(s): The Prime Ministers office has blamed the Director of the National Museum for the damage caused to an Anuradhapura era Buddhist statue while it was on display at the Temples Tree during the Vesak period. Prime Ministers secretary Saman Ekanayake told the Sunday Times that an initial probe by the PMs office pointed to lapses on the part of the Department of National Museums. The three-member committee, headed by an additional secretary, will hand in its report tomorrow. Mr. Ekanayake said there had not been proper supervision when Department officials were handling the statue. The Department director had not visited the hall where the statue was kept.Only some junior staff had come there and there was little supervision, Mr. Ekanayake claimed. He said the statue had been damaged, but insisted it was minor and could be repaired. Mr. Ekanayake maintained there was nothing wrong in exhibiting these items at Temple Trees or any other place. But proper precautions have to be taken, he said adding that the director had failed in her duty. Meanwhile, a separate committee appointed by Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs, S.B. Nawinna will handover its report on the issue early next week. This committee comprises two officials from the Ministry and one from the National Museum. Joint Opposition members alleged that officials from the PMs office had removed the statue from the Museum, despite objections from the Director, Department of National Museums, Sanuja Kasthuriarachchi. Minister Nawinna, downplaying the situation, said the statue had been lent to the Temple Trees on his instructions, under powers vested with him under the Museums Act, following a request from the PMs office. The Minister was referring to Section 7(c) of the National Museums Ordinance of 1942, which states that, the Director of the National Museum, in accordance with instructions that may be given to him/her by the Minister, in that behalf, lend any book, document or object kept at any National Museum, for the purpose of being temporarily displayed at any gallery, museum or exhibition. Mr. Nawinna explained said that an ornament on top of the statues head, known as the Siraspatha had come out when it had toppled inside its glass enclosure when museum officials had tried to shift it. He said the damage had already been attended to. However the minister insisted that the officials should not be blamed for what happened as they had followed the necessary procedures. The Chief Incumbent of the Nalandarama Temple in Nugegoda, Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thera, whose name was associated with the move to exhibit the statue at Temple Trees insisted he had no role in it. I was part of the delegation that went to Pakistan to bring the Sacred Relics from Taxila museum in Pakistan. The exposition at Temple Trees was organised by a committee headed by the Prime Ministers Secretary Saman Ekanayake. I was not part of this committee, he insisted. Several calls to Ms. Kasthuriarachchi on Friday, by the Sunday Times were answered by officials at the Museum who said she was attending meetings. Calls to her mobile phone and text messages yesterday went unanswered. Rs 7m WHO grant for Health clinics for flood victims By Chrishanthi Christopher View(s): View(s): The World Health Organisation (WHO) has granted Rs. 7 million to the Health Ministry to conduct Health clinics and programmes for flood affected victims. Disaster Preparedness and Response Unit Director, Dr A.D.H. Herath said the WHO made an initial payment of Rs 1 million, while the balance Rs 6 million is available for additional relief work. Dr Herath said there were no major outbreaks of an epidemic following the floods, except for bruises, rashes and viral flu. Most of them had washermans hands and feet because of long hours in the water. These were treated as it could lead to fungal infection, he said. He attributed this to a massive campaign conducted by Health personnel, both in the private and public sector, offering prompt healthcare to flood victims. Doctors, nurses and dispensers have conducted over 100 mobile clinics on a regular basis within temporary shelters housing victims, he said. Dr Herath said sicknesses such as food poisoning, cholera, dysentery, viral flu and allergies that generally follow a flood, have been averted because of the prompt action of Health personnel. He said the Health Ministry had deployed Medical Officers of Health (MOH) of the respective areas, Regional Directors of Health services, the Colombo Municipal Council and private organisations to treat flood victims. Meanwhile, camps were fumigated frequently to prevent dengue mosquitoes from breeding. Inmates have been provided with mosquito nets and directed to keep their surroundings clean. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has sent out guidelines to residents returning to their homes on cleaning up their homes, with health officers and public health inspectors educating residents on the cleaning process. They have been directed to wear gloves, boots and face masks when cleaning their homes, to avoid infection. They have also been advised that all wells and toilets be thoroughly cleaned using bleaching powder, and to add chlorine into their wells for several days before using. Vehicle importers claim tax calculations irrational By Damith Wickremasekara View(s): View(s): Vehicle importers have urged the Government to reconsider the increase in the Unit Rate Tax on the basis that calculations were irrational, resulting in prices of some vehicles soaring by as much as 60 percent. Two of the leading vehicle importers associations said the move to increase the tax would have a severe impact on the vehicle industry and those planning to buy vehicles. The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) said the increase in the Unit Rate Tax would mean the payment of tax based on the cubic capacity of the engines, a system that was agreed upon by the trade as an interim measure and not as a permanent solution to sort out the issue of undervaluation of vehicles. We believe that the auto trade should not be made to pay for the inefficiencies and the mistrust amongst government officials by making our businesses nonviable, the Association said. It said the new rates virtually prohibited vehicle imports in some segments and the import duty itself could increase ranging from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 15-20 million a unit, depending on the vehicle type. The Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka said a number of people who had opened Letters of Credit also would be affected by the sudden increase in the Unit Rate Duty. The Associations President Sampath Merinchchige said the Government should provide a concession for people who had already opened LCs. If undervaluation was a problem, the Customs should work out a mechanism to overcome it, he said. A senior Finance Ministry official said the decision to revise the duty on vehicles from Friday was a fresh attempt to prevent undervaluation of vehicles and save foreign exchange by reducing imports. He said previous attempts to prevent undervaluation had not been successful and therefore the ministry had decided on this Unit Rate System. The official said that after Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake returned from Japan, the Government might consider providing some relief to those who had already opened LCs. Vulnerable children the focus of care agencies View(s): Child victims of the flood and landslide disasters some homeless, some separated from their families amid the chaos of displacement in temporary shelters are being looked after by a network of state agencies. As children are often in danger of abduction and physical and sexual abuse the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) is coordinating with police to provide round-the-clock protection in camps with female officers deployed for this purpose. After NCPA Chairperson Dr. Natasha Balendra appealed for more resources, citing a need for more female police officers to be stationed in the camps, the Inspector-General of Police asked her to submit a list of camps that require protection. The NCPA, Probations Commissioners, the Ministry of Womens and Childrens Affairs and NGOs skilled in counselling and psychological treatment are joining hands to care for the children especially those who have been separated from their families. Probation Commissioner for the Western Province Chandima Dissanayake disclosed one such case, recorded in Wattala, where the minor in question was immediately placed in a safe childcare facility. Education has been interrupted for tens of thousands of schoolchildren In the Western Province, the Education Ministry said, 59,888 school students have had their education affected by the floods with 120 schools damaged and displaced schoolchildren scattered across 12 relief camps. The Sabaragamuwa Province reported 28 schoolchildren had been killed and 2,075 others placed in hardship, many in 10 relief camps. About 13 schools had been damaged. The Northwestern Province reported 18 schools damaged and 1,355 students in hardship and displaced, and one relief camp established. All efforts are being made to ensure continuity of the childrens education in the relief camps. Education Ministry officials under the direction of Minister Akila Viraj Kariyavasam are providing children in relief camps with aid. Packages containing two sets of uniforms, textbooks, and exercise books and other learning materials have so far been handed over to children in Kolonnawa and Kaduwela, with distribution to begin soon in Homagama. The Department of Probation is distributing learning materials to displaced children from low-income families in the Gampaha District. The Department of Examinations said it would replace lost exam certificates. In addition, application date for the Ordinary Level examination has been extended from May 31 to June 10. School buildings that were damaged or, in a few cases, completely destroyed, will be reconstructed, and this work has begun already in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Minister Kariyavasam assured students the ministry would dedicate every effort to assist them in this time of need. The health and hygiene of displaced children is being monitored by the Health Ministry through teams from its Disaster Management Unit. So far, the ministry says, there is no sign of epidemic diseases. Although relief camps established immediately after the recent floods are now being wound up the Family Health Bureau (FHB) affiliated to the Ministry of Health said some 30,000 people may yet remain displaced. The bureau is deploying public health inspectors to assess the sanitation of food prepared within the camps. Work resumes on new Kachchativu church as weather clears View(s): Reconstruction of the new church in Kachchativu with the support of the Sri Lanka Navy, which was suspended recently (the Sunday Times May 15), has recommenced. The Navy said in a statement issued this week that construction work had been temporarily suspended due to the inclement weather and, with the improvement in the weather, the Navy had dispatched a craft with the necessary building material and water to the island 43 nautical miles away. The statement added that, the project was not suspended due to Indian concerns of a naval facility being built on the islet, as reported by the newspaper. Navy Commander Ravindra Wijegunaratne was quoted in the SundayTimes of May 15, saying that construction work had been suspended until the issues were resolved. He denied a naval facility was being built and that a new church was being built on a request by the Bishop of Jaffna, to accommodate more pilgrims from India and Sri Lanka during the annual feast on the islet. Earlier, the Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarap admitted his government had sought clarification through its High Commission in Colombo, over reports that the Navy was likely to install a naval detachment on Kachchativu. Flooded with kindness and filled with resolve View(s): One womans tragedy is sometimes another womans opportunity opportunity of the best sort. The sort that allows a woman to feel unbridled compassion, anguish and empathy for the loss that a fellow sister is feeling. Never has this sort of opportunity been more prevalent than during these past two weeks..two weeks during which our sunny, humid and hot island turned into a wet, roaring force of nature with the rivers and rains washing away too many loved ones, their precious homes and their very livelihoods. In that flood of disaster however, what we have been witnessing is the true nature of our beloved people. The seemingly bottomless source of energy our young men have displayed during their heroic acts of saving a neighbour; the unbreakable spirit our young have shown in trying to create makeshift toys with the debris left behind and the grit and strength of the Sri Lankan women who have rallied together to bring about some semblance of normality to their families and loved ones, amongst chaos and disaster, when they have lost everything. Time and again we have witness the extraordinary spirit that brings us together during times of tragedy. According to Maia Szalavitz reporting for Time Magazine, Disasters bring out our kindnessin times of disaster its human nature to band together and be kind to one another in order to survive. She goes on to observe that there is a long history of such cooperation in the face of crisis. Older Londoners, for example, often fondly recall the years of the Blitz, when their city was relentlessly bombed by the Germans during WWII. New Yorkers, too, tend to think back on the immediate aftermath of 9/11 as a time of great solidarity. Similarly Sri Lankans too tend to be in complete accord, that the horrendous Tsunami of 2004 which National Geographic refers to as perhaps the most disastrous Tsunami in history was a time of unconditional support and unity in our country. I distinctly remember feeling so moved by witnessing the kindness and actions of strangers en mass, during the rescue efforts of every able bodied person in that horrifying aftermath. That was the first time I witnessed the beauty of our Sri Lankan spirit firsthand, standing shoulder to shoulder with men and women of all races, religions, ages and political preferences, working tirelessly together to alleviate the suffering of our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters. Once again, the unshakeable resolve that lines the very underbelly of our people that everything will be alright has come to the fore, unequivocally trumping the hint of selfishness and traces of me culture that has been gradually but surely creeping into our every day lives at the workplace, amongst our social circles, and on our roads. Author Rebecca Solnit, describes the surge in altruism during disasters in her book A Paradise Built in Hell, and during an interview with Maia Szalavitz said: The great majority of people are calm, resourceful, altruistic or even beyond altruistic, as they risk themselves for others. We improvise the conditions of survival beautifully. And beautiful it is to see the true nature of our people. Not too long ago, there was an undertone of a baser sidea glimpse of a people clinging to their insular views of what is culturally acceptable and what defines us as a nation. This terrible tragedy has once again opened the door to reveal what truly defines our Nation and Her people: That when all the stakes are down, and all the water has receded, we are capable of flooding the lives of the less fortunate with kindness and compassion; with food and clothing; with respite and shelter. The medals for valour and bravery however, go, not to the people who are saving the day/the people/the animals/the homes or their precious possessions. The medals for valour and bravery go to the very people who have been hardest hit by these punishments meted out by Mother Nature, for crimes unknown to them. The people whose soundless cries have touched our hearts and imprinted themselves in our minds. In the midst of all this suffering and anguish, when they have lost all they have and in some cases, lost loved ones and the very roof over their heads, there is a resolve and a tenacity that is evident even in the eyes of the most fragile of the hardest hit. It is this grit and strength that has made us who we are and shaped a nation that has faced war, tragedy, floods, droughts and even political oppression, and still been able to come through the other side with a feeling of hope. We see it in our parents and we see it in our children and if we work hard enough and look long enough, we will see it in our own eyes and in the eyes of our contemporaries. It is unfortunate that it seems to take misfortune to bring out the best in us. That we respond best and show our true colours when we are faced with the most desperate situations. Sri Lankans showed their true colours, once again, in the midst of this particular natural disaster, to be brighter than ever. Illuminating themselves as helpful, concerned and courageous people, blind to race and religion and ever aware of the need to lend a helping hand. Our people, armed with nothing but strength in their hearts, the kindness in their eyes and filled with a steely resolve, that this too shall pass. All comments, suggestions and contributions are most welcome. Confidentiality guaranteed. Please email: KJWVoiceforWomen@gmail.com Tehran, Iran, May 29 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: The Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC) has been turned down by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) for 'minor errors'. "The demanded correction concerned mainly clarification and change of phrases in a way to prevent misinterpretation," said Ali Kardar, deputy for investment at the NIOC, Fars news agency reported May 29. Answering a question about the differences between the present and previous IPC drafts, he said the current draft is "a lot like buyback contracts". The IPC was introduced a in late 2015 as a measure to make more out of the lush Iranian oil business. The model of contract emphasizes foreign investment that would bring technology to Iran. It also requires foreign investors to work with at least one Iranian partner. A group of Iranian students affiliated with paramilitary Basij organization gathered outside Oil Ministry building in Tehran to protest against the IPC suggesting the new model of the oil contract is against the Iranian constitution. Following the protest, the Parliament announced investigations have not pointed to any breach of law by the IPC. Earlier in November, Tehran hosted 137 companies from 45 countries for a two-day conference, during which legal generalities of the IPC were introduced. Queen Srimala in Bans Vesak message: She embodied women empowerment By Rajitha Weerakoon View(s): View(s): As Theravada Buddhism is firmly established in Sri Lanka, the Sutra of Srimala, which has significantly contributed to early Mahayana Scriptures, may be unfamiliar to Lankan Buddhists. The role Srimala played is given in The Queen Srimala Sutra and as UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon said in his Vesak Message last week, it relates the story of a woman who pledged to help those suffering from injustice, illness, poverty or disaster. It illustrates the primary role a woman can play in advocating peace, justice and human rights. It assumes added significance because gender-equality and the empowerment of women remain urgent priorities on the UN agenda. Srimala portrayed the dignity and wisdom of a lay woman and her Sutra or theory is hailed as a unique development within the Buddhist tradition because of its egalitarian and generous view concerning women. About 200-300 years after the passing away of the Buddha, two major groups emerged among his followers. The first group followed the way of the Elders. It was called Hinayana, also known as Theravada Buddhism which concentrated on freeing oneself from the samsaric cycle through the development of mind. This form of Buddhism, as the Buddha preached, arrived in Sri Lanka in 236 BCE and it spread to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. The other group was Mahayana which believed in achieving Nirvana through a life of good work for others. It gained popularity in Tibet, China, Mongolia, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Nepal. The Korean-born UN Secretary General Ban may be well conversant with the story of Srimala as he hails from a part of the world where Mahayana has taken root. Queen Srimala who had figured prominently in Mahayana Buddhism, was the daughter of King Prasenjit and Queen Mallika of the ancient Kosala kingdom. They had just embraced Buddhism and met the Buddha at Jethavanarama of Anathapindikas park in Sravasthi when they informed him of their daughter Queen Srimala who was staying in the kingdom of Ayodhya. Her parents told him that she was wise, intelligent and would understand well the Buddhas teachings and expressed the wish that she meets the Buddha. She met with the Buddha and the Sutra writes of many miracles which had taken place during the meeting. She listened to the Buddha and, according to the text of The Queen Srimala Sutra, was empowered by the Buddha to teach the Dhamma. Her Sutra affirms that the Dhammakaaya of the Buddha has the perfection of permanence, the perfection of pleasure, self, purity. Whoever sees the Dhammakaaya of the Thathagatha that way, sees correctly. Her theory caught on as she as a lay woman, played the role of a woman philosopher and teacher. The philosophical emphasis of the text was the theory of the Tathagatha Garbha or womb of the Buddha and Eka Yaana or One Vehicle which followed the Buddha-nature doctrine. And the Sutra states that at the time of the Buddha, female seekers were equal to men. The Srimala Sutra, one of the main early Mahayana Buddhist texts became the primary scriptural advocates in India for the universal potentiality of Buddhahood. According to Brian Edward Brown, a Buddha-nature doctrine specialist, the text was composed during the Iksvaku dynasty in the 3rd century CE as a product of Caitika schools of Mahasanghikas. Eleven points of complete agreement had been made between the Mahasanghikas and and the Srimala followers along with the conclusion of four major agreements for an association of the two groups. It was the Mahasanghikas of the Andhra Region in the third century CE that was responsible for the inception of the Buddha-nature doctrine. The Srimaladevi Sinhanada Sutra, extremely detailed and written in decorative Mahayana style was translated to Chinese in 436 CE and later was translated again by Bodhiruchi (672-727CE). The complete original Sanskrit composition does not exist but extensive quotations of it are found in the Sanskrit text of Ratnagotra Vibhaga. Later, it was translated into English by Alex and Hideko Wayman as The Lions Roar of Queen Srimala. There were more sutras such as the Lotus Sutra and Vimalakirthi Sutra of the same genre. However, Srimala Sutra became the Mahayana Scripture preeminent for teaching that all sentient beings have the potentiality of Buddhahood and was an inspiration for both the Lankavatara-Sutra and the Chinese classic Awakening of Faith. Srimala Sutras appeal was such that after it was composed in Andhra Pradesh, it travelled to China through Korea and entered into the beginnings of Zen Buddhsim in Japan in the 6th century CE. Several sects of Mahayana Buddhism did arrive in Sri Lanka during and after the reign of King Valagambha. There is no evidence however, of the impact of Queen Srimala Sutra on Sri Lanka. When the UN comes under heavy fire View(s): UNITED NATIONS When heads of government and foreign ministers make their annual pilgrimage to the United Nations in September, it is rare to hear hard-hitting, headline-grabbing political statements from the podium. The speeches before the General Assembly, and the UN press briefings that follow, are mostly dull and boringly monotonous. The exceptions, however, are rare. The former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad was one of the few world leaders who was predictably outspoken at every turn. When the UN celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1995, virtually every single head of state visiting New York for the General Assembly sessions decided to stay behind to participate in celebrations later that week. But Mahathir, who was known to relentlessly accuse the big powers of manipulating the organization to their advantage, decided to skip the high-level event where world leaders were allocated five minutes to speak about the political virtues and the inglorious successes of the UN even as the world body was mired in failures in three hotspots: Bosnia, Somalia and Rwanda. Asked why he was missing the much-ballyhooed event, Mahathir told reporters rather sarcastically: In five minutes, you only have time to say how good things are. I am not good at saying how good things are, when things are bad. Mahathir, who called for the resignation of then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan for failing to assert himself during the crisis that led to the US invasion of Iraq, told the General Assembly that the UNs organs have been cut out, dissected and reshaped so they may perform the way the puppet masters want. And this august institution in which we had pinned so much hope, despite the safeguards supposed to be provided by the permanent five (UK,US, France, China and Russia), this organization is today collapsing on its clay feet, helpless to protect the weak and the poor, he said. But more than 20 years later, the political situation is no better as the UN remains helpless unable to resolve ongoing military conflicts and domestic insurgencies raging across South Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Libya, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The primary reason for the monumental failure is the continued deadlock in the Security Council, the UNs most powerful body, where the five veto wielding powers are intent in protecting their own national interests and their military proxies in the battle fields in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Sri Lankas Foreign Minister, the late Lakshman Kadirgamar, was equally critical of the UN arguing that its officials and its development agencies had no legitimate right to interfere in the domestic problems of a sovereign nation. A onetime Director of the Asia and Pacific Bureau of the Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Lakshman knew first-hand the upper and lower limits of the political and administrative structure of the UN. When I interviewed Lakshman at the UN Plaza Hotel back in September 1999, he famously said that UN officials should be more concerned with malaria and mosquitoes not domestic political issues of member states. With the exception of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees involved in issues relating to humanitarian aid and refugees other UN agencies have mandates only to be involved in social and economic development of a country, he pointed out. Lakshman was furious about statements made by unnamed UN officials in Colombo expressing deep concern over the extensive civilian killings in two separate incidents in Sri Lanka at that time. The mandate of most UN agencies operating in the field is confined primarily to development, he told me. But yet some of them are trying to expand their mandates, he said. Over the years, the most virulent attacks against the UN have come largely from US politicians. The late Jesse Helms, a rightwing Republican Senator from the state of North Carolina, was a consistent UN-basher. Providing funds for the UN, he said, was like pouring money into a rat hole. Helms wanted to see the organization shipped out of New York for good. I have long called for our countrys departure from this organization and vice versa, said Helms, one of the influential legislators of his generation. Cast in the same political mould was John Bolton, the abrasive U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who was dubbed by one New York newspaper as a human wrecking ball. At one time, he threatened U.N. member states, specifically the 132 developing nations, that if they dont play ball with the United States, Washington may look elsewhere to settle international problems. Never short of headline grabbing quotes, Bolton once admitted he did not have a cordial relationship with the UN. Perhaps he was best known for two irreconcilable statements. First, in a 1994 speech, he said that there is no such thing as the United Nations. Later, he was more specific, when the politician in him, remarked: If the UN Secretariat building in New York lost 10 stories, it wouldnt make a difference. And that prompted one critic to describe Bolton as more qualified to be an urban planner in charge of building construction than a cautious diplomat. And then there was the firebrand President of Venezuela, the late Hugo Chavez, who used the General Assembly to launch an attack on then US President George W. Bush. In a rare personal attack from the podium, Chavez said: The devil came here yesterday, right here. It still smells of sulphur today. Yesterday on this rostrum the President of the United States, whom I refer to as the devil, talked as if he owned the world. It would be appropriate, said Chavez, to have a psychiatrist analyse the address by the President of the United States. As the spokesman of imperialism, he came to share his prescriptions for preserving the current pattern of domination, exploitation and pillage of the peoples of the world. It was like an Alfred Hitchcock movie. I would even propose a title: The devils recipe, said Chavez, as delegates, conscious of political decorum, remained stunned in their seats. The writer can be contacted at thalifdeen@aol.com Baku, Azerbaijan, May 29 By Khalid Kazimov - Trend: Tehran and Moscow are in talks over purchase of Iran's surplus heavy water. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi has said that Tehran and Moscow are eyeing a deal for exporting 32 tons of Iran's surplus heavy water to Russia, IRNA news agency reported. Saying that Heavy water is a valuable commodity, Araqchi added that under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran is committed to offer its surplus of heavy water to international markets for sale. Iran's capability in producing heavy water will be officially recognized through offering the valuable commodity in international markets, he added. He further said that the US has also offered to purchase 32 tons of Iran's heavy water and the officials from Tehran and Washington are finalizing a deal on heavy water purchase. Araqchi said that Iran will not ship heavy water to US unless Tehran receives the payment in advance as the Islamic Republic is concerned over the seizure of assets. The US government in April completed an $8.6 million deal to buy 32 tons of heavy water from Iran. However, 251 American lawmakers May 25 voted for a bill that would prohibit such purchases next year. The measure is yet to be approved by the US Senate. Health Minister Jonathan Coleman is encouraging people to use a new online map to see whether their GP offers a patient portal. Jonathan says a growing number of general practices are introducing patient portals. These secure online sites are the health equivalent to online banking. Portals enable patients to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and view lab test results online. You can have secure conversations with your GP via email, and in some cases, patients can also view their notes online. Portals are convenient, secure and real time savers for both the patient and staff at their general practice. A new interactive map launched makes it easy for patients to check which general practices are offering portals. Patient portals are a great step towards enabling New Zealanders to manage more of their own healthcare. More than 330 general practices are now offering patient portals, with nearly 136,000 New Zealanders registered to use one. Last year Jonathan approved a $3 million funding boost to give more New Zealanders access to patient portals, which included $500,000 for an awareness campaign. The second phase of the awareness campaign runs to mid-June on print, radio and online. The new map is on the patient portal website, www.patientportals.co.nz. You can search by either typing in the name of your general practice, or zoom into your region to see which practices have portals. Update 3.56pm: A man reported trapped on rocks at the Whakatane Heads has contacted police to say he is safe. Its understood the man was caught on rocks on an outgoing tide but called police to say he was safe and would be able to walk his way back to the car park at the Whakatane Heads. Three public meetings to discuss survey results and Budget impacts are being held in Tauranga this week. Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller is hosting the meetings to discuss the key points of the Budget, which was announced last week, and to talk about the results of the recent electorate survey. The ancestral remains of 60 Maori and Moriori individuals have been returned to New Zealand in a special ceremony involving New Zealand Police staff. A total of 60 staff members from the Wellington Police District, The Royal New Zealand Police College and Police National Headquarters acted as pallbearers in the emotional ceremony at Te Papas Rongomaraeroa Marae last Friday. Tehran, Iran, May 29 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: Iran has withdrawn from this year's Muslim pilgrimage of hajj. Accusing Saudi Arabia of failing to meet Tehran's demands about ample security for pilgrims, Iranian Minister of Culture Ali Jannati said Iran will not send any people to Saudi Arabia for the ritual this year, Fars news agency reported May 29. "There is some inclination in the Saudi government to prevent Iranian pilgrims from officially performing the hajj this year," he stated. The minister said the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization will issue an official announcement to the effect the following day. He cited last year's huge death toll among Iranian pilgrims, as well as many past mistreatments by the Saudi government, as reason for withdrawing from the worldwide Muslim gathering. Last year about 2,000 Iranian pilgrims were crushed to death in a stampede around Mecca, the Muslim holy city. Iran accused Riyadh of deliberate sloppiness in handling the situation and treating the patients. A few months earlier, Saudi guards at an airport had sexually abused an Iranian minor who had traveled there with his family to perform the hajj ritual. In 1987, 275 Iranian pilgrims and tens of others from elsewhere were killed by Saudi forces. The pilgrims were participating an Iranian-led demonstration against Israel and the United States, held annually since 1981. VIENNA, N.Y. -- The Oneida County Sheriff's Office said it is seeking help finding a minivan that hit a bicycle-riding boy Saturday and then drove off from the scene of the accident. At 3:05 p.m. a 9-year-old boy was riding a bicycle on Oswego Road, about a mile east of Deeley Road, in the town of Vienna. As the boy was riding the bicycle he was hit by a dark blue minivan, the sheriff's office said. The driver of the minivan kept going west on Oswego Road toward Deeley Road at a high rate of speed. Deputies responded with the McConnellsville Fire Department and state troopers. The boy suffered multiple injuries to his lower body and was taken by AmCare Ambulance to St Elizabeth's Hospital in Utica. He is in stable condition, the sheriff's office said. Authorities described the minivan as 2000-2006 model dark blue minivan. The sheriff's office asked anyone with information about the vehicle from the hit-and-run to contact 315-245-0800. PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- Two women from Northern New York have been sentenced to jail for defrauding elderly people by telling the victims that their grandchildren or other relatives needed money for bail. Naromie Joseph, 29, and Christie Joseph, 25, both of Plattsburgh, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, federal authorities said. Naromie Joseph was sentenced to time served after spending 13 months in jail awaiting the disposition of her case, followed by three years of supervised release. Christie Joseph was sentenced to four months of weekends in jail and three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Thomas McAvoy ordered the women to pay $27,200.00 in restitution to victims who sent money to Plattsburgh addresses that the women set up for the scam before placing phone calls in December 2013. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Kopita prosecuted the case, which began with an investigation by Plattsburgh City Police, which later partnered with Homeland Security Investigations. The National Desk contributed to this report. atmtheft.jpg David Hughes, 61, of Westbury, New York, is accused of stealing an ATM after breaking into a Bravo supermarket in Westbury early Friday. (Nassau County Police Department) WESTBURY, N.Y. -- A New York state man has been arrested after he was accused of breaking into a Long Island grocery store, stealing an ATM and loading it onto a stolen school minibus. David Hughes, 61, of Westbury broke a glass door to enter a Bravo supermarket at 306 Post Avenue in Westbury at about 5 a.m. Friday, Nassau County police said. Hughes grabbed the store's cash machine and loaded it onto a yellow school bus that he had stolen earlier, police said. Hughes was caught on surveillance video sliding the stolen machine into the bus, supermarket manager Victor Perez said. There was about $3,000 in the ATM, he said. The theft was discovered when employees arrived for work at about 7:30 a.m. "He put a yellow school bus in front of the store then he took a big brick and broke the window," Perez told Newsday. Hughes was arrested later Friday in Queens after someone called police to report a suspicious person in a school bus. He was awaiting arraignment Saturday on burglary and grand larceny charges. It wasn't clear if Hughes had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The National Desk contributed to this report. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 29 By Khalid Kazimov - Trend: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called for cooperation with Ukraine in technological and scientific fields, energy, power plant equipment, renewable energies as well as agriculture. At a meeting with visiting Ukrainian counterpart, Pavlo Klimkin, in Tehran, Zarif called for easing visa requirements for traders and those involved in industrial fields, ILNA news agency reported. Discussing the ways for bolstering ties between the two countries, Zarif added that the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA/ nuclear deal) has had a positive impact in strengthening financial transactions between Tehran and Kiev. Minister Zarif also said that Tehran and Kiev should work together in fight against drug trafficking and organized crimes. In turn, Pavlo Klimkin said that Kiev is interested in cooperation with Tehran in various spheres including power industry, aviation, renewable and nuclear energies as well as student exchange programs. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday that what brought the enemies to the negotiating table was Iran's might and strength, IRNA reported. If the enemies were not disappointed from military attack on Iran, they would not choose the path of negotiations, Araqchi said. Speaking at a Tehran university, Araqchi said that different factors contributed to Iran's success in its nuclear talks with the six world powers. The first factor contributing to Iran's success in the course of nuclear talks was the country's military and defensive capabilities, Araqchi said, adding that Iran obtained such a great defensive capability that no one dared to attack the country. 'I can assure you that if they could eliminate Iran's nuclear program through military attack and had no concern about its consequences, they would not hesitate to do so,' Araqchi said. He said that the most significant part of Iran's defensive capability was its missile system that disappointed the enemies from attacking the country. 'The resistance of the Iranian nation to the economic pressures and sanctions imposed on the country was another factor contributing to Iran's success in the course of nuclear talks,' Araqchi said. Blue-green algae collects around a boat motor Sunday in a canal at the Windjammer Condominiums in Stuart. Residents say this is the first time they have seen the algae in the canal. (MOLLY BARTELS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS) SHARE Blue-green algae collects around a boat motor Sunday in a canal at the Windjammer Condominiums in Stuart. Residents say this is the first time they have seen the algae in the canal. (MOLLY BARTELS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS) Blue-green algae collects around a boat Sunday in a canal at the Windjammer Condominiums in Stuart. Residents say this is the first time they have seen the algae in the canal. (MOLLY BARTELS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS) Blue-green algae collects around a boat motor Sunday in a canal at the Windjammer Condominiums in Stuart. Residents say this is the first time they have seen the algae in the canal. (MOLLY BARTELS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS) Blue-green algae collects in a canal at the Windjammer Condominiums Sunday in Stuart. Residents say this is the first time they have seen the algae in the canal. (MOLLY BARTELS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS) By Tyler Treadway of TCPalm Algae doesn't take a holiday. Numerous Stuart and Palm City residents reported seeing possible blue-green algae blooms Sunday in canals and bays along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River. And it's likely to be there Monday, as more people take to the water for Memorial Day. "Palm City Bay was covered with algae" Sunday morning, said Jim Harter of Palm City. The bay, a backwater of the South Fork, is about a mile and a half long and half a mile wide. Harter also reported streaks of algae in the main body of the South Fork at the Palm City Bridge. Before Sunday, there were scattered reports of very small algae blooms in the South Fork. The new sightings indicate the algae is more widespread. And with the amount of water discharged from Lake Okeechobee, where a massive bloom tested positive for toxins, nearly tripled as of Friday, the possibility of blooms spreading increases, as well. None of the algae spotted Sunday has been tested for possible toxins. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection Department office in Fort Pierce was closed Sunday. According to a DEP spreadsheet, water taken May 17 from Lake Okeechobee contained the toxin microcystin at a level more than twice what the World Health Organization said can cause "adverse health impacts" from recreational exposure. Algae samples taken May 19 from a private dock on the South Fork off Kanner Highway in Stuart contained toxins well below the hazardous level. The Florida Department of Health advises people to avoid contact with algae as toxins can cause nausea and vomiting if ingested, and rash or hay fever symptoms if touched or inhaled. Drinking water with the toxins can cause long-term liver disease. Several residents of the Windjammer Condominiums, which backs up to the South Fork from Palm City Road in Stuart, reported seeing possible algae in the condos' boat canal. "It's here big time," said Windjammer resident Diane Carey. "It's in bright green streaks and it goes across the canal but is heaviest on the side where the boats are." Algae blooms also were reported at Circle Bay Condominiums south of Windjammer and in the canal along North Carolina Drive north of the condos. "It's on both sides of the canal for as far as I can see," said Chris Walls, a North Carolina Drive resident since 2011. "We've had algae here and there before, but this is the worst I've seen." Windjammer resident Dorothy Clarkson said the algae had the "sheen of green" she recalled from the 2005 blooms that blanketed the entire river. "It's not as thick as it was back then," Clarkson said. "It's across the canal, but not wall-to-wall. Only thing is, I'm afraid it's going to continue." ALGAE BLOOMS Conditions are perfect for the algae blooms not only to continue but to spread. To thrive, blue-green algae needs: Warm water High levels of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, for fuel Little to no salt in the water Long, sunny days for photosynthesis, the process plants use to turn sunlight into food A Kilroy monitor near the Palm City Bridge recorded a water temperature of 84.6 degrees and a salinity level of 0.11 parts per thousand practically freshwater at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. And Saturday, water was flowing through the St. Lucie Lock and Dam into the South Fork at a rate of 1.15 billion gallons a day almost all of it from Lake Okeechobee. That freshwater not only lowers the salinity in the river, which is supposed to have a mix of freshwater and saltwater, it brings with it tons of the nutrients algae needs to bloom. Since Lake O discharges began Jan. 30, they've dumped more than 117 billion gallons of water, 191,000 pounds of phosphorus and 1.6 million pounds of nitrogen in the estuary. REPORT SIGHTINGS 772-467-5572: Florida Department of Environmental Protection 772-221-4219: Reporter Tyler Treadway MORE INFORMATION What causes blue-green algae bloom? Lake Okeechobe discharges WASHINGTON The drumbeat's getting louder for Marco Rubio to run for re-election. The senator from West Miami keeps insisting he won't seek a second term in November, but prominent Republicans are practically begging him to change his mind. On Thursday, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., issued a statement saying Rubio should 'strongly' reconsider his decision. That night, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump made the same plea on Twitter to his nearly 8.5 million followers: 'Poll data shows that @marcorubio does by far the best in holding onto his Senate seat in Florida. Important to keep the MAJORITY. Run Marco!' Then on Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported an outside group with ties to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is prepared to spend heavily to back Rubio should he do a U-turn and run for re-election. 'Florida is a huge financial commitment,' Steven Law with the Senate Leadership Fund said in a statement to the newspaper. 'We felt confident about betting on Rubio back in 2010 and would do it again in a heartbeat, but right now it's hard to imagine making that same investment without him as our candidate.' Law is McConnell's former chief of staff. As Trump's tweet suggests, Florida is one of several battleground states that will determine whether Republicans keep their Senate majority. Rubio told reporters Thursday he hasn't changed his mind about leaving the Senate. One big reason: His close pal, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, is among Republicans running for Rubio's seat. 'Carlos is in the race, He's a good friend. He's a good candidate. He'll be a great senator,' Rubio said. 'So my answer today is no different than it was 24, 48, 72 hours ago.' Rubio did provide a little wiggle room, suggesting he might have opted for another term 'if the circumstances were different' and if Lopez-Cantera wasn't running. RUBIO FIELDING POST-SENATE JOB OFFERS If Rubio sticks to his pledge to leave Congress when his term ends in January, he should have at least a few job offers to consider. What they might be, he says he won't know for a while. Rubio has retained Washington uber-lawyer Bob Barnett to handle inquiries. Barnett, whose clients have included Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton, represented Rubio on his two book deals. 'As far as planning for post-Senate life, if someone has something interesting, talk to Bob about it,' Rubio told reporters Thursday. 'I'll let him handle it for now so I don't have to worry about that. At the appropriate time, I'll begin to focus on that. He's cataloging opportunities that may or may not exist.' Rubio said he is trying to be careful not to run afoul of ethics rules. There are prohibitions, for example, about lawmakers negotiating with a prospective employer at the same time they may be voting on measures or involved in issues that could create a conflict of interest. He's ruling out becoming a lobbyist or moving to New York and working 'for a big bank.' Asked if he might consider a job in a Trump administration, he dismissed such an idea as 'premature.' TRANSGENDER FIGHT SINKS EVERGLADES MONEY A dispute over gay rights led the House Thursday to kill a spending bill that would have provided more than $100 million for Everglades restoration and water quality improvements for Florida. The fiscal 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations is usually a routine measure, and disputes tend to center on funding levels for programs and projects. But floor amendments added to the bill last week divided lawmakers along cultural lines. A GOP amendment aimed at protecting religious freedom would have barred the Obama administration from denying federal aid to North Carolina over its controversial law requiring transgender individuals to use bathrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates. And a Democratic amendment would have protected federal workers from being fired on the basis of sexual discrimination or gender identity. Both passed. And that meant the bill became too controversial for many members on both sides. It was soundly defeated 305-112 with a majority of both parties voting against it. That infuriated Florida Rep. Tom Rooney, a member of the Appropriations Committee who had fought to include Everglades funding, including the Kissimmee River Restoration and Herbert Hoover Dike construction projects. 'It is really disappointing to see all the hard work we put into this bill go to waste because of unwarranted political posturing,' the Okeechobee Republican said in a statement following the vote. Rooney voted for both amendments. Rep. Curt Clawson, a Bonita Springs Republican who voted for the GOP amendment but not the Democratic one, was similarly frustrated. 'It's sad that a bill that would have helped Florida got derailed by political theater on the floor, in the last minute, on a sensitive topic that deserves a substantive debate,' he said. After the vote, House Speaker Paul Ryan said lawmakers will go back to the drawing board and plot a path forward. 'We remain dedicated to working on this bill,' he said. NELSON NOT SWEATING CLINTON POLL NUMBERS Don't count Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson among the worriers when it comes to Hillary Clinton's chances of winning the White House in November. National and Florida polls show that Clinton's once-formidable lead over Republican Donald Trump has essentially vanished, leading some Democrats to panic. They want Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to get out of the Democratic nomination race, saying he has no shot at winning. Chill out, says Nelson, a strong Clinton backer. 'The Democratic base is split because Bernie is having such an influence,' he said Tuesday. 'But that'll all change after the convention' in July. While he concedes it would be helpful if Sanders gives Clinton a full-throated endorsement when her victory is official, Nelson thinks a matchup between the bombastic Trump and the more staid Clinton favors the former secretary of State. 'An election is a contrast between candidates,' he said. 'So as the months wear on toward November and it's clear it's Hillary versus Donald, that is a huge contrast ... (Voters) realize there's some responsible behavior that's required of the commander in chief. Contact Ledyard King at lking@gannett.com; Twitter: @ledgeking Recap: Crist, DeSantis spar over COVID, abortion in Fort Pierce As the sun set on the Sunrise City on Oct. 24, the party was just getting started at the Sunrise Theatre, where Charlie Crist and Ron DeSantis dueled. Staff affiliated with the UCU teaching union staged a two-day walkout last week, bringing supervisions and lectures across the country to a grinding halt, whilst thousands of external examiners resigned en masse, signalling that this years exam season would be anything but business as usual. In light of the derisory pay offer from universities and the persistent gender pay gap, it is unsurprising that academics are rightly declaring that enough is enough. Many university staff, who provide the quality of education and research undertaken within any institution, are seeing the gross inequality riddling the profession. Whilst the average university leader saw their pay rise by more than three percent in the last year, other professional staff are being asked to swallow a meagre one percent rise and this after years of real terms cuts in pay. With the cost of living continuing to rise, especially in cities like Cambridge, it is deeply saddening to see universities continually fail to reward, support, and value the staff who contribute to making the UK one of the worlds greatest hubs for higher education. At the same time, the gender pay gap has failed to narrow, with analysis from the Times Higher Education publication revealing the average salary for female full-time academic staff in Cambridge to be more than 8,000 below that of their male peers. Unions have called for practical action to bridge the divide by boosting those staff disproportionately female at the bottom of the pay scale. Some 46 years after the Equal Pay Act its depressing to see so many individuals who are dedicated to their job fail to receive a fair wage. So whilst the short term disruption may be regrettable, industrial action is inevitable and necessary. Nobody wants to see our education delivered by lecturers who are underpaid and whose employment is precarious in an industry which offers no hope or future for those in the profession or wish to join it. We should accept and support the strike and acknowledge that for our education as much as their pay university staff are right to speak up and walk out. If the first speculation turns out accurate, ZenFone 3 will be the first smartphone with 6GB of RAM that will be launched in many countries around the world Yesterday, on the company's consumer website, Taiwanese tech giantposted a new teaser ad for its much awaitedflagship handset, which is already slated for formal unveiling on Monday, May 30, 2016.The ad basically shows a tire-marks forming the numberAfter viewing the teaser, many Asus fans speculated that this could mean two things:1. That the handset, which they are now calling the '' will have a whopping2. Or that Asus will launch a version of ZenFone 3 that will have a 6-inch display.In April 2015, Asus launched the ZenFone 2, which is the world's first smartphone with 4GB of RAM. Other manufacturers including Samsung and LG - among others - eventually followed suit later that year with their own high-end handsets having the same amount of RAM for lag-free multitasking.On March 1, 2016, Vivo Mobile formally announced XPlay 5 Elite to become the first manufacturer to unveil an Android device that leads in that specs department.As for the second speculation, this graphic made by Asus fans in Indonesia can somehow give us an insight into what it could be.According to them, this year's top-of-the-line ZenFone release will come in three sizes with varying technical specifications. The largest one is already being called the '' and is said to have a considerably larger display compared to standard model with 5.5-inch display;Insiders have also noted that all ZenFone 3 models will have a real metal frame reminiscent of what we're seeing on theand. As for other key specs, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, 23 MegaPixel autofocus rear camera, and 8MP Selfie cam are now in the talks. Printing metal in midair "Flat" and "rigid" are terms typically used to describe electronic devices. But the increasing demand for flexible, wearable electronics, sensors, antennas and biomedical devices has led a team at Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) to innovate an eye-popping new way of printing complex metallic architectures -- as though they are seemingly suspended in midair. Harvard Heads up internet: Time to kill another dangerous CFAA bill The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), the federal "anti-hacking" statute, is long overdue for reform. The 1986 law --which was prompted in part by fear generated by the 1983 technothriller WarGames -- is vague, draconian, and notoriously out of touch with how we use computers today. Unfortunately, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse and Lindsey Graham are on a mission to make things worse. EFF Gchat was the future of messaging, but Google didn't know what it had Everyone has been talking about Slack lately. The chat app, which is primarily aimed at offices and productivity, is simple, well designed, fun to use, and powerful. Slack is also the company people were obsessed with in 2015. Whether you love the product or not, though, it's time to admit something: Slack is just Gchat. Slate WiFi triangulation - Triangulate access points using an ESP8266 and a GPS module In my neighborhood there is a Wi-Fi router with a nasty name. While I was playing with my ESP8266 I saw it again... The AT+CWLAP (List Access Points) command return the AP names, their MAC address and the RRSI: Received signal strength indication. I had immediately the idea to try to triangulate that nasty router. So I hooked up a PIC18F25K22 with a GPS module, a ESP8266 (ESP-07 with an external antenna) and an OLED color display. Then I went for a walk... Hackaday In search for cures, scientists create embryos that are both animal and human A handful of scientists around the United States are trying to do something that some people find disturbing: make embryos that are part human, part animal. The researchers hope these embryos, known as chimeras, could eventually help save the lives of people with a wide range of diseases. One way would be to use chimera embryos to create better animal models to study how human diseases happen and how they progress. Boise State Public Radio How the Internet works: Submarine fiber, brains in jars, and coaxial cables Ah, there you are. That didn't take too long, surely? Just a click or a tap and, if you've some 21st century connectivity, you landed on this page in a trice. But how does it work? Have you ever thought about how that cat picture actually gets from a server in Oregon to your PC in London? We're not simply talking about the wonders of TCP/IP or pervasive Wi-Fi hotspots, though those are vitally important as well. Ars Technica Researchers teaching robots to feel and react to pain One of the most useful things about robots is that they don't feel pain. Because of this, we have no problem putting them to work in dangerous environments or having them perform tasks that range between slightly unpleasant and definitely fatal to a human. And yet, a pair of German researchers believes that, in some cases, feeling and reacting to pain might be a good capability for robots to have. IEEE Nokia is set to return to smartphones and tablets: What to expect? For several months now, the management of Nokia has been talking about the possible return of the brand to the smartphone market, but emphasized multiple times that the corporation itself is no longer interested in producing, or selling handsets itself. On Wednesday, the future of Nokia in the world or smartphones and tablets became more or less clear: Nokia-branded Google Android-based devices are set to return in the coming quarters. AnandTech How big an issue is the nausea problem for virtual reality products? I've been working with helmet mounted displays in military flight simulation for several decades - I am an expert in the field. IMHO - these devices should be banned - but that may not be necessary because after the first wave of early adopters I think it'll go the way of 3D televisions. But that's just my opinion. Let me explain why. Everyone thinks these things are new and revolutionary... but they really aren't. All that's happened is that they dropped in price from $80,000 to $500... and many corners have been cut along the way. Quora I've been waiting for the Oculus Rift my whole life, but now it's sitting in my closet I pre-ordered an Oculus Rift on day one, and after a mess of mixed messages and delays, it finally arrived at my house a couple weeks ago. It wasn't just the conclusion of a prolonged ordering process, it was the completion of an impossible dream. I literally own a virtual reality headset. When I say I've been waiting my entire life for the Oculus Rift, I don't mean the specific Facebook FB -0.10%product, I mean the ability to own magical goggles that can transport me into virtual worlds. And now I have such a thing. Forbes Boston Dynamics employees were frustrated with Google's plan for a household robot When Boston Dynamics posted a video of its humanoid robot, Atlas, walking in the snow and recovering from getting kicked, Google was not happy. As one former employee told Tech Insider, it "soured the soup" of a relationship that was already heading south. Bloomberg first reported the issues surrounding the video when it obtained an email posted on an internal Google forum. Tech Insider One fascinating reason cable companies won't willingly compete against each other If you're like many Americans, you might live in an area that's effectively dominated by a cable monopoly. And maybe you were hoping that someday, another cable company might come in and start competing with the local incumbent to drive down prices and improve your service. Charter's recent takeover of Time Warner Cable made that a distinct possibility. The Washington Post A new report by a federal agency in the United States has ignited discussions over whether radiation from cell phones can actually cause the development of two types of cancer. Conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), the study discovered that radiation similar to the ones emitted by cell phones increased the risk of male rats developing tumors in their heart and brain. However, some experts remain unconvinced because of all the gaps. The Nature Of The Study The NTP is an interagency group under the Department of Health and Human Services whose task is to assess potential risks of chemicals. In the study, NTP researchers placed rats in living chambers where they were exposed to different radiation levels the type emitted by cell phones for nine hours a day. The exposure to radiation began when the rats were born and continued until they were 2 years old. Experts found that roughly 5 to 7 percent of the male rats exposed to the highest radiation level developed schwannomas or Schwann cell tumors in their hearts. They concluded that the tumors were likely caused by radiation. On the other hand, incidence of tumor growth among female rats was minimal, similar to the control group. Researchers have yet to understand why the results are different between male and female rats. Why The Findings Are Doubtful Experts from the U.S. National Institutes of Health are questioning the findings of this new study. They find it odd that no female rats grew tumors. The unexposed rats also did not grow tumors at the rate predicted among a "normal" population, they said. "I am unable to accept the authors' conclusions," says NIH Deputy Director Michael Lauer. Lauer says the experiment appears to be substantially underpowered. He suspects that the few positive results reflect false positive findings. Should We Dismiss The Study? The authors of the new report believe that given the number of people who use communication devices today, even a tiny increase in the incidence of cell phone radiation-related disease have broad implications. Biochemist Jerry Phillips of University of Colorado, who has experience in his own lab trying to understand the effects of radio-frequency radiation (RFR) on rats, said all the study does is provide few answers and raise more questions. "If you look at all of the research being done on this, it's all from outside this country," Phillips tells Scientific American. He says people want to believe that technology is safe. "I do. I would love to believe it, but I know better," he adds. The initial results of the NTP study were published on May 27. Complete findings will be released by fall 2017. Photo: Alan Wolf | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Patients who are about to undergo eye surgery may benefit from listening to relaxing music just before the operation, a new study says. Not only does it help them feel less anxious, but it also allows them go through the procedure with minimal sedation. Undergoing eye surgery while staying awake can be a very stressful ordeal for patients. Researchers at the Cochin University Hospital in France sought out a way to help these individuals become less anxious and minimize their need for sedation. This led them to examine the impact of music, which has long been known to provide such effects on surgery patients. In a study presented during this year's Euroanaesthesia conference in London in the United Kingdom, Dr. Gilles Guerrier and his colleagues described how exposing eye surgery patients to relaxing music helped improve their vitality going into the procedure. For the experiment, the researchers assigned 62 cataract surgery patients into two groups where they will either be allowed to listen to relaxing music through headphones for 15 minutes or listen to no music at all just before they undergo the operation. All of the participants underwent the same type of eye surgery to help make the results more comparable. The type of music the participants listened to was composed specifically to help ease their anxiety. The tracks were recorded using instrumental pieces, which decrease in tempo as the music progressed. The number of instruments used also decreased the longer the tracks were played. Each participant was allowed to choose music from 16 different recording styles to match their personal preferences. The selection of music featured styles such as classical, piano, Cuban, flamenco and jazz. Guerrier and his team used a surgical fear questionnaire (SFQ) in order to assess the participants' anxiety levels before and after they listened to relaxing music. They also asked the patients to answer a standardized questionnaire to find out their overall satisfaction following the eye surgery. The researchers found that anxiety levels of patients who belonged to the music group significantly dropped, with a score of 23 out of 100. By comparison, those who belonged to the non-music group gave the session a score of 65 out of 100 based on the questionnaire. Patients in the music group also required minimal sedation during the eye surgery compared to those in the non-music group. They also gave the procedure a higher satisfaction score than those who weren't allowed to listen to music before the operation. Guerrier said music listening can serve as an inexpensive and non-invasive way to lower anxiety levels of surgery patients in place of using anesthesia. He and his colleagues are now planning to determine the impact of music listening in patients who are about to undergo other types of medical procedures such as in orthopedics, which often requires the use of regional anesthesia. The researchers are also looking to find out if this form of music-induced relaxation can also help reduce the amount of pain that patients typically experience following a major surgery. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Alphabet, Google's parent company, was reported to be looking to unload robotics division Boston Dynamics back in March. It would seem that this has been achieved, with sources telling Tech Insider that the deal is almost finalized. The company that will be acquiring Boston Dynamics is none other than Toyota. The price of the acquisition has not been revealed, but Tech Insider's source claims that the "ink is nearly dry" for the agreement. According to the earlier report, Alphabet executives did not believe that Boston Dynamics will be able to create a consumer product within the next few years, leading to the decision to look for a buyer for the unit. In addition, tension has arisen between Alphabet and the team of Boston Dynamics. Toyota's purchase of Boston Dynamics was referred to by a former employee of the robotics arm as a "friendly buyout" due to the connections that it has to the Toyota Research Institute, which was established in November 2015. The Toyota Research Institute, which was created to focus on research on artificial intelligence and robotics, has Gill Pratt as its CEO. Pratt used to work with Boston Dynamics CEO and founder Marc Raibert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Several Google employees working on robotics have left the company to move to the Toyota Research Institute, including Google robotics division co-founder James Kuffner and Boston Dynamics operations manager Joseph Bondaryk. The United States military funded most of the early projects of Boston Dynamics, and when it was acquired by Google, it allowed the team to honor its existing contracts with the military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Google, however, was not interested in creating military robots. Tension between Google and Boston Dynamics escalated in 2014, when Google robotics division co-founder Andy Rubin left the company. Rubin allowed Boston Dynamics to carry out its own research, but Google started to push for the team to work on a product that they could release to consumers. The sale to Toyota would be a good situation for both Google and Boston Dynamics, as Google will be getting rid of a source of tension, and Boston Dynamics will not be pushed to create a consumer product, as the Toyota Research Institute is focused on research. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Kuwait on Sunday handed over 47 Iranian prisoners to Iran under a mutual prisoner exchange agreement, IRNA reported. According to Iran Foreign Ministry, the decision was carried out under the terms of a mutual agreement to implement a prisoner exchange which was penned two years ago. This number of convicts transferred to Iran is the largest of inmates who have been released since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In a bid to protect the environment, Thailand has decided to shut down more than 10 diving sites in its marine parks as the coral bleaching crisis in the country persists, an official said on May 26. The booming tourism industry in the Southeast Asian country supports its lagging economy, and closing down diving sites would drive away tourism profits. Despite that, the government is keen on saving its local ecosystem. The growing swarms of visitors and rising sea temperatures have damaged coral reefs, says Ruengsak Teekasuk, an official at the Department of National Parks. Ruengsak says unaware tourists and divers affect coral reefs when they step on or touch the reef. "Closing those spots will help the reefs recover naturally," says Ruengsak. The closed diving sites are located in beaches that stretch from Rayong province in the east to Satun in the south. According to the Marine National Park Division (MNPD), coral bleaching has spread between 40 to 80 percent of the reefs located in the east coast in the Gulf of Thailand to the west coast by the Andaman Sea. The worst-hit areas are Koh Ma Prao and Koh Chumpon, says Nattapol Rattanaphan, MNPD director. Coral bleaching occurs when algae inside corals that give them color die off, either because of extreme weather or rising sea temperatures. If sea temperatures reach about 30.5 degrees Celsius (86.9 degrees Fahrenheit) and above, coral reefs would begin to bleach and continue for at least two to three weeks. Rattanaphan says sea temperatures have been unusually high in Thailand and have even reached 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 degrees Fahrenheit) at one point. This surge in temperature peaked around early April to early May this year, and lasted for weeks. Corals can survive bleaching, but they even more become vulnerable to further damage as the condition continues. The closed diving sites will be examined just before the peak of tourist season, which begins in November. The country's announcement to shut down diving sites follows the closing of the popular Thai island Koh Tachai due to concerns of deterioration and damage. "If it's not closed now, we'll lose Koh Tachai permanently," warns Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a professor in Thailand. The island will be off-limits from the public beginning Oct.15 this year. Photo: Ryan Lackey | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Genghis Khan led the rise of the Mongol empire in Europe, with his loyal hordes sweeping one territory after the other. They successfully pillaged cities in Poland and Hungary, extending their reach from the East. But just as they were setting their sights on Austria, the ferocious Mongol warriors retreated back to Asia in 1242. Indeed, the gradual rise of the Mongol empire ended abruptly. What could have caused its downfall? Rewinding History During the early 13th century, the Mongols' thirst for warfare and bloodlust emerged under the leadership of Genghis Khan. His son Ogodei and grandson Batu continued the succession. By 1279, the Mongol empire encompassed swathes of land in Eurasia, China, Russia, Iran, and Central Asia. Backtrack a few decades. In 1230, the Mongols were still establishing their rule over Russia, producing what would be now known as the Golden Horde. By 1240, the hordes expanded into Eastern Europe. Thanks to a sophisticated military coordination, the Mongols crushed the Polish and the Hungarians. But in 1242, they crossed the Danube River, wreaked havoc for weeks, then retreated through Siberia and Bulgaria back to Russia. Why? According to a new published report in the journal Scientific Reports, a multitude of factors contributed to the sudden withdrawal, but the most central aspect that triggered it was environmental fluctuations. Yes, the Mongols were defeated in part by bad weather, and the rest of Europe was spared. Authors of the study investigated countless documentary evidence and paleoclimactic analysis, focusing on tree-ring chronologies. Written evidence suggests that the spring of 1241 was warm. Stocks of food were plentiful for both troops and horses. Little did they know that winter was coming. The frigid conditions struck early and with vigor. The Danube River froze over, becoming a bridge for Mongol armies. As the coming year melted into spring, the sudden accumulation of ice and snow caused flooding, turning solid ground into marshland. This hindered the military strategy of the Mongols and triggered the onset of famine. And like the Dothraki, the Mongols relied on their horses greatly. When they ventured into areas where the climate was not suitable for horses, the mighty Mongols began to falter. Again, the authors of the report noted that there was enough pasture to support the herds of the Mongols. These invaders left crops and land intact as they invaded Hungary. But much of the soil in Hungary was prone to ponding and stagnant moisture, researchers said. Add that to the brutal winter, the early arrival of spring, and the following thaw and snowmelt the Mongols experienced a tumultuous set of conditions that dramatically reduced their land for grazing. The ravages of war and the fluctuating climate conditions contributed to failed harvest and the great famine in Hungary. Food supplies were reduced for soldiers and civilians alike. Singing Praises Professor Aaron Putnam of University of Maine, who was not involved in the study, said using one environmental factor to explain reasons behind historical events is always tricky. Still, Putnam praised the authors of the report as they made a good job of presenting a solid chronological case that climate deterioration played a key role in the abandonment of Mongols of the Hungarian Plains. Meanwhile, the authors of the study emphasized that it was not the specifics of the Mongol retreat that were important, but the principle it brings to light. Perhaps, there is more we can learn from history than we know. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Nvidia Shield Tablet K1 (LTE models) has started receiving Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update in the U.S. Nvidia launched the tablet in July 2014, and it came running on Android 5.0 Lollipop. Over the last one year, the tablet has received several updates, but the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow is a major update that the Shield Tablet is receiving. Nvidia Shield owners should note that only the LTE model of the tablet is receiving the update, as the Wi-Fi version of the Shield already received Android 6.0 Marshmallow earlier this year. However, many original Shield Tablet owners complained of facing various issues while downloading the update. "Hey guys, my Tablet (Original) is Running on 5.1.1. yesterday my Tablet has a failure with The ota Update, today The Tablet says your are on the actualy ota. Please help at the moment the tablet is not rooted," complained a Shield Tablet user. Customers who downloaded Android 6.0 Marshmallow on their tablets also complained of losing Wi-Fi connectivity following the installation of the new software. Nvidia had to halt the over-the-air (OTA) software release for the Shield Tablet. "We have temporarily turned off the OTA update until we understand why a few users are losing WiFi connection after updating their tablet to OTA 4.0," noted an Nvidia customer care representative. Shield Tablet K1 (LTE) owners hope that the software update for their tablets will go on smoothly. Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow brings a number of new features and bug fixes to the tablet. According to the GeForce forum, the update brings support for the new Vulkan API for high-efficiency access to Shield's graphics hardware. The latest update also updates emojis. Following the software update, Shield Tablet K1 will see that navigation buttons have been repositioned in landscape mode. Below are the full details of what the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow update brings to the Shield Tablet K1. Double Tap Power Button to launch SHIELD Camera app Do Not Disturb Until Next Alarm Support for Android Doze mode and additional power optimizations Adds USB MIDI support Adds memory compression enhancement Improved Wi-Fi connectivity when waking from sleep Fixed Compass functionality Fixed Gamepad Mapper issues Fixed issues with moving apps to SD card Fixed Doom 3 HDMI output issue Repositioned Lasso Capture icons in landscape mode Update to Android 6.0 Security Patch Level March 1, 2016 Overall stability and security enhancements Customers should connect their device to a strong Wi-Fi network to experience seamless download of the update. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. With advertisers and media outlets stepping up the technology and strategy behind online ads, UK wireless carrier Three is rallying a militia of mobile users in an effort to a 24-hour counteroffensive next month. However, diplomacy here may be more effective than war. For 24 hours, Three will block all ads at the network level for customers who agree to participate in the campaign. Three is partnering with Shine, an Israeli startup that sell ad-blocking software. The two will integrate their technologies to bounce ads during the June 13 trial. Three is calling the event, scheduled for June 13, a "trial," indicating that it's looking at expanding the initiative if this campaign doesn't get the response the carrier wants. And what Three wants is to improve the mobile browsing experience for customers, according to Tom Malleschitz, chief marketing officer of Three UK. "We can only achieve change by working with all stakeholders in the advertising industry - customers, advertising networks and publishers - to create a new form of advertising that is better for all parties," says Malleschitz. Call To Arms Three wants to change the way targeted ads are created. While the company seems to be fine with relevant ads, Three is taking a stance against the type of marketing materials that are customized based on information surreptitiously collected from users. Along with striking back against advertisers and publishers of targeted marketing materials, Three is also working to shift, from consumers, the burden of paying for ads using data as currency. "The current ad model is broken," says Malleschitz. "It frustrates customers, eats up their data allowance and can jeopardize their privacy. Something needs to change." For The Cause The belief that customers shouldn't pay for the data consumed by ads is misguided, according to SlashGear's Chris Scott Barr. Internet service providers charge both the client and host, the user's device and the content's servers, whenever data is transmitted and received, notes Barr. The user's data allowance is charged on one side, and the website takes a hit to its monthly allotment of bandwidth. "Since this is the sole means of revenue for many websites, this means that the website's operators must shoulder the cost of every one of Three's customers that visit their site," Barr writes. "Every one of Three's customers that opts-in to this program will be costing website owners money, every time they browse the Web." While Three rallies its troops and allies to make war, the Interactive Advertising Bureau continues to call for diplomacy. Many of the companies behind popup blockers are in the business solely for profit, and appear to have little interest in improving policy, according to Randall Rothenberg, president and CEO of the Interactive Advertising Bureau. As an example, Rothenberg pointed to AdBlock Plus' Camp David summit in which the company opened a dialog with publishers. But the company would not answer the publishers' questions about AdBlock Plus' criteria for "acceptable ads," its payment plan and details about an independent review board it would set up, according to Rothenberg. "There certainly are intelligent, well-meaning critics of advertising, marketing and media with whom we engage, whose aim is to advance consumers' interests through dialogue and development," Rothenberg says. "The ad-block profiteers are not among them. They cloak themselves in a Halloween mask of consumerism as they attempt to impose private taxes on consumers and businesses alike." 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Darkode Forum User Gets One Year Imprisonment For Stealing Bitcoin & Selling Botnets Today, Rory Stephen Guidry, 29, of Opelousas, Louisiana, was sentenced to one year imprisonment for hacking-related crimes. He was arrested by the police on July 12, 2015 last summer, as part of the Darkode hacking forum operation. In a plea deal signed on February 5, 2016, Guidry confessed that in 2014 he along with other hackers had taken part in an attack against a yet-unidentified online server, situated in Austin, Texas, 2016, according to the US Department of Justice. At the beginning of 2015, Guidry moved from Liberty Hill, Texas, to his grandparents in Opelousas, Louisiana following a police investigation into this attack. However, that did not stop him in taking part in illegal undertakings. Guidry started allocating malware and using the infected hosts to construct his very own botnet, while he was in Opelousas. He then tried to sell the botnet, consisting around 5,000 infected computers at the time, on the underground Darkode hacking forum. Guidry also confessed to teaming up with another unidentified hacker to steal Bitcoin worth of $80,000, which they divided into half. When the FBI undid the Darkode forum and searched Guidrys house, they also found 5,000 credit card records that were stolen. Guidrys online handle was KMS, and he used the [email protected] Jabber ID. Security blogger Brian Krebs, who states that he conversed with the hacker many times via Jabber, stated last summer that this person is perhaps the least culpable, of all the twelve suspects arrested during the Darkode sting in the US. Guidry played a vital role in exposing many members of the Lizard Squad hacking crew, which directed the investigators later to the Darkode forum, says Krebs. He also disclosed that Guidry, along with a friend, was trying to bring down Darkode itself, but before they could follow suit with their plans, the authorities stepped in. Whether it is true or not, Guidry did take part in the forum, which ultimately cost him his freedom. "Any unfriendly action by Western countries will receive a timely and adequate response in the future," the Russian diplomacy stressed. | Read More Baku, Azerbaijan, May 29 By Fatih Karimov - Trend: Mobile social networks applications should move their servers which process the data from Iranian users to Iran if they seek to continue their operation in the country. The decision was made by Iran's Supreme Council of Cyberspace in its latest session last night, Mehr news agency reported May 29. Based on the council's approval the applications will have one year to transfer the servers into the country. The popular messaging app Telegram also has to move its servers to somewhere inside Iran within one year, if it is willing to continue its operation in the country. The Islamic Republic has frequently requested from Telegram to move its servers into Iran. Telegram, a messaging and content sharing app, has become popular in recent months among Iranians, who use it to communicate with each other and also share materials like pornography and political satire. Many of Iran's state-run news agencies have also embraced the platform, using it to advertise their stories. Currently, at least 22 million Iranians use Telegram, according to the country's Supreme Council of Cyberspace. According to Mehr news agency some 80.5 percent of Telegram users are Iranians. Almost 12 percent of Iran's internet bandwidth usage belongs to Telegram. The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) listed Russian citizen Ruslan Mukhudinov wanted on suspicion of the murder of Boris Nemtsov. Mukhudinov, 29, is wanted on charges of murder and illegal firearms trafficking, Interpol's website states. Nemtsov, who occupied a number of senior positions in the Russian government in the 1990s, and was an active opposition politician in the 2000s, was gunned down in downtown Moscow on February 27, 2015. Mukhudinov, the alleged mastermind, has been arrested in absentia and is believed to be in the United Arab Emirates. He is among six suspects of playing a role in Nemtsov's murder. Thailand the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia is seeking new partners for a sustainable future. Similar to Korea, the country has been striving to reform its economy and strengthen its competitiveness amid slowing global growth. These challenges also present us with opportunities to work together, to reach new heights in our cooperation, Thai Ambassador Sarun Charoensuwan said in a speech at a seminar titled Thailand: Moving Forward Toward Sustainable Growth on March. 24. Thailand is eager and ready to do more with Korea. Over 300 Korean companies operate in Thailand, covering manufacturing, sales, logistics, services, cosmetics, ICT and food and beverages. Bilateral economic cooperation has remained relatively low over the years, recording $11.2 billion last year. According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, Korean investment in Thailand has been relatively weak, due to the strong presence of Japanese firms, Koreas preference of Vietnam, Indonesia and Myanmar, the perception of Thailand mainly as a tourism destination, the lack of symbolic projects and the absence of Korean banks. Thai Minister of Industry Atchaka Sibunruang noted that her country in line with its 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan aims to avoid the middle-income trap. The plan covers shoring up the services sector; incorporating globalization into regional development; reducing socioeconomic inequality; preparing for an aging society; investing in new technologies; foster green growth; and improving bureaucratic efficiency. Source: Thailand presents sustainable business opportunities Vietnam Airlines plans to reduce its state ownership to 65 percent. Photo: Tran Tam/Thanh Nien Vietnam national carrier has officially inked a deal to sell a 8.77 percent stake to Japans biggest airline All Nippon Airways, making it a strategic investor. The contract worth more than US$109 million was signed Saturday in Tokyo during a visit by Vietnams newly-elected Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Complete payment will be made by July 1, news website VnExpress reported. The new partnership, with some representative from the Japanese airline joining Vietnam Airlines board of directors, is set to help expand the carriers networks. The two planned to launch a program from October 30 to jointly operate 30 domestic routes in Japan and Vietnam, and ten routes between the two countries. The cooperation is not only limited to passenger transport, but also in cargo transport, in-flight and ground services, including aircraft maintenance. Vietnam Airlines, which now controls nearly half of the domestic passenger air market, is offering 66 flights a week to Japan. Following the deal, its state ownership will be cut to 87.73 percent. Vietnam Airlines has plans to to sell more chunks of shares to reduce the rate to 75 percent, and then 65 percent, according to local media reports. The carrier has divested from 13 non-core businesses, including finance, insurance and real estate companies, in another restructuring effort. It now has stakes in 19 companies, including budget airline Jetstar Pacific and Cambodia-based airline Angkor Air. Vietnam Airlines is expecting revenue to grow 12.7 percent to VND77.8 trillion ($3.45 billion) this year, and an increase of 15.5 percent in the number of passengers, to 20.1 million. Katy Perry in a visit to a Raglai ethnic community in Tra Co Commune, Ninh Thuan, on May 28. Photo: Thien Nhan Pop star Katy Perry visited several disadvantaged communities in central Vietnam on May 25-29 in a trip to support UNICEF, for which she is a Goodwill Ambassador. During her second visit to the country, Perry participated in various programs, from education, nutrition, health and child protection, climate change preparation, to water, sanitation and hygiene in several districts of Ninh Thuan Province. She joined UNICEF-supported activities with disadvantaged children at various schools and child protection centers as well as with poor communities in the province. Perry in May 2015 attended an event organized by Forbes Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. Ninh Thuan, home to the largest Raglai ethnic community in Vietnam, is one of the eight provinces in the country which participate in a 2012-2016 mother and child healthcare project. The projects total budget is US$5 billion, $4 billion of which is provided by UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund. Katy Perry visits a child care center in Bac Ai Dist., Ninh Thuan. Photo courtesy of Katy Perry Fanclub How tall are you? Katy Perry and a UNICEF staff member measure a girl's height in Bac Ai Dist. Photo courtesy of Katy Perry Fanclub Photo courtesy of Katy Perry Fanclub A curfew in the southeastern Turkish province of Hakkari due to operations against the terrorist organization PKK has been partially lifted, said the Hakkari Governor's Office on Sunday. The office stated that the curfew began in the Yuksekova district on March 13, and began on March 30 in the village of Vezirli and the Cimenli area of the Yuksekova district. According to the statement, the curfew is to be lifted between 5.00 a.m. (0200GMT) and 8.00 p.m. (1700GMT) every day in the Yuksekova district as of Monday, May 30. The statement added that for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the curfew is to be lifted between 6.00 a.m. (0300GMT) and 10.00 p.m. (1900GMT) in the district as of June 5. Ramadan - the sunrise-to-sunset holy month of fasting in Islam - begins on June 6 in Turkey this year. The statement added that a team from the Environment and Urbanization Ministry has started to assess the cost of damaged houses in the district. Damage suffered by businesspeople and merchants will be compensated, the statement added. Turkey's southeast has been the scene of significant military operations since December 2015 as the police and armed forces seek to clear the PKK terrorist organization from urban areas. The PKK - listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU - resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015. Since then, nearly 500 members of the security forces, including troops, police officers, and village guards, have been martyred, and over 4,900 PKK terrorists killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq. Two plates which were coated with an antibiotic-resistant bacteria called Klebsiella with a mutation called NDM 1 and then exposed to various antibiotics are seen at the Health Protection Agency in north London March 9, 2011. People across the world are alarmingly confused about the role of antibiotics and the right way to take them, and this ignorance is fuelling the rise of drug-resistant superbugs, the World Health Organization said on Monday. "The rise of antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis," WHO Director-General Margaret Chan told reporters in a telebriefing from the organization's Geneva headquarters. She said the problem was "reaching dangerously high levels" in all parts of the world and could lead to "the end of modern medicine as we know it". Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria mutate and adapt to become invulnerable to the antibiotics used to treat the infections they cause. Over-use and misuse of antibiotics exacerbates the development of drug-resistant bacteria, often called superbugs. Publishing the results of a survey of public awareness, the United Nations health agency said 64 percent of those asked believed wrongly that penicillin-based drugs and other antibiotics can treat colds and flu, despite the fact such medicines have no impact on viruses. Around a third of people surveyed also wrongly believed they should stop taking antibiotics when they feel better, rather than completing the prescribed treatment course, the WHO said. "The findings ... point to the urgent need to improve understanding around antibiotic resistance," said Keiji Fukuda, the WHO's special representative for antimicrobial resistance. "One of the biggest health challenges of the 21st century will require global behavior change by individuals and societies." Superbug infections, including multi-drug-resistant typhoid, tuberculosis and gonorrhea, already kill hundreds of thousands of people a year, and for now the trend is still growing. Fukuda described it as a "race against the pathogens", adding that if everyone steps into action now, it will probably take five to 10 years to turn the situation around. The WHO surveyed 10,000 people across 12 countries -- Barbados, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Sudan and Vietnam -- and found many worrying misconceptions. Three-quarters of respondents think antibiotic resistance means the body is resistant to the drugs, for example, whereas in fact it is the bacteria themselves that become resistant to antibiotics, and their spread causes hard-to-treat infections. Some 66 percent believe individuals are not at risk of a drug-resistant infection if they personally take their antibiotics as prescribed. And nearly half of those surveyed think drug resistance is only a problem in people who take antibiotics often. In fact, anyone, anywhere, of any age, can get a superbug infection. Chan urged doctors to dissuade patients from demanding antibiotics for infections they can't treat, and persuade them to use the drugs strictly according to their prescription. "Doctors need to treat antibiotics as a precious commodity," she said. Vietnamese fishermen caught in Indonesia for illegal fishing prepare to fly home May 26, 2016. Photo credit: VNA Indonesia has released another 33 Vietnamese fishermen who were caught earlier for illegal fishing in its waters. The fishermen from 12 different fishing boats were let go last Thursday after detained for between two to nine months, Vietnam News Agency reported. Most of them came from Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province neighboring Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta provinces of Kien Giang, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Dong Thap, and the deltas capital city Can Tho. In 2015, the Vietnamese embassy in Indonesia helped intervene for the release of some 670 Vietnamese fishermen. Indonesia last year arrested 660 Vietnamese, allegedly for illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, according to the embassy. Ly Hoa Vinh was arrested early on May 27 with six kilograms of meth on his way to Hanoi. Photo credit: Tien Phong Police in the northern province of Lang Son have detained a young man who was caught with six kilograms of methamphetamine that he allegedly bought from a Chinese. Ly Hoa Vinh, 21, is under criminal probe for drug smuggling. Vinh was caught while taking a Hanoi-bound taxi early on Friday after allegedly buying the drug at the China border. Police found the drug in his handbag. A senior police officer said they have been keeping tabs on Vinh after receiving a tip-off that he is part of a grand drug trafficking ring. Vietnam has some of the worlds toughest drug laws. Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine face the death penalty. The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is also punishable by death. Obamas landmark Vietnam trip in photos The US president made an official visit to shore up ties before heading to Japan for his last G7 summit. Vietnam orders Philippine beverage firm URC to recall more products Tests found high lead content in two more batches of green tea and energy drink products. VietJet to buy 100 Boeing planes for $11.3 billion The deal, signed during US President Barack Obama's visit to Vietnam, represents a coup for Boeing. Beach destinations are the stars of Vietnam's tourism industry Da Nang, Khanh Hoa and Phu Quoc have seen sharp increases in the number of tourist arrivals. The king of antique ceramics in Saigon Dinh Cong Tuong is proud of his collection that he says can showcase a part of Vietnam's rich culture. Foreign arrivals to Vietnam in the first five months rose 20 percent from a year ago thanks to recovery in almost all markets, especially those with preferential visa exemptions. Data from the General Statistics Office showed that Vietnam welcomed more than four million foreign tourists this year, including more than one million from the biggest market China which was a 44 percent increase from last year. South Korea and Japan remained in the top three markets. Visitors from South Korea shot up 31.4 percent year-on-year to more than 631,000, and from Japan up nearly 12 percent to more than 301,000. Visitors from both countries can visit Vietnam for 15 days without a visa, under a waiver policy issued last year. Other markets that benefit from a similar visa policy Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the UK saw increases of between 4.4 and 30 percent in the first five months. Tourism revenues during the period reached nearly VND167.5 trillion (US$7.5 billion), up nearly 21 percent from last year. Vietnam has become more popular among foreign tourists in recent years thanks to its beach destinations, according to recent Savills report. The report released earlier this month said favorite beach destinations Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, and Phu Quoc performed very well in the past five years. Visitors to the three places grew around 23 percent every year and together accounted for 30 percent of all tourist arrivals to Vietnam. Khanh Hoa Province is home to famous Nha Trang Bay. Tourism insiders have been urging the government to be more generous in its visa policy to make the countrys natural charm more appealing. Vietnams tourism ministry last month urged the government to double the visa-free stay period for tourists from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK to 30 days to attract more visitors. The country, which received less than eight million foreign visitors last year, now waives visa for 22 countries including nine member states in the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) block. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism last year proposed that the country should add another 19 to the list soon. A Google carpet is seen at the entrance of the new headquarters of Google France before its official inauguration in Paris, France December 6, 2011. Photo: Reuters/Jacques Brinon/Pool/File Photo France will "go all the way" to ensure that multinationals operating on its soil pay their taxes and more cases could follow after Google and McDonald's were targeted by tax raids, Finance Minister Michel Sapin said. Sapin, speaking in an interview with Reuters and three European newspapers, ruled out negotiating any deal with Google on back taxes, as Britain did in January. Dozens of French police raided Google's Paris headquarters on Tuesday, escalating an investigation on suspicions of tax evasion. Investigators searched McDonald's French headquarters on May 18 in another tax probe. "We'll go all the way. There could be other cases," Sapin said. Raids this month by police and justice investigators build on the work started by tax authorities three or four years ago, when they transferred tax data to judicial authorities that look into any possible criminal angle, Sapin said. Google, McDonald's and other multinational firms such as Starbucks are under increasing pressure in Europe from public opinion and governments angry at the way businesses exploit their presence around the world to minimize the tax they pay. Google says it is fully complying with French law and McDonald's declined to comment on the search, referring back to past comments that it is proud to be one of the biggest tax payers in France. Sapin said he could not discuss what sums were at stake because of the confidentiality of tax matters. A source in his ministry had said in February that French tax authorities were seeking some 1.6 billion euros ($1.78 billion) in back taxes from Google. No deal Asked if tax authorities could strike a deal with the tech giant, he said: "We don't do deals like Britain, we apply the law." Google agreed in January to pay 130 million pounds ($190 million) in back taxes to Britain, prompting criticism from opposition lawmakers and campaigners that the sum was too low. "There won't be negotiations," Sapin said, adding that there was always the possibility of some marginal adjustments "but that's not the logic we're in." Google, now part of Alphabet Inc, pays little tax in most European countries because it reports almost all sales in Ireland. This is possible thanks to a loophole in international tax law but it hinges on staff in Dublin concluding all sales contracts. This week's police raid is part of a separate judicial investigation into aggravated tax fraud and the organized laundering of the proceeds of tax fraud. Should it be found guilty of that, Google faces either up to 10 million euros ($11 million) in fines or a fine of half of the value of the laundered amount involved. A preliminary inquiry into McDonald's was opened early this year after former investigating magistrate and politician Eva Joly filed a lawsuit in December on behalf of an employee committee, a judicial source said. French business magazine L'Expansion reported last month that authorities had sent McDonald's France a 300 million euro bill for unpaid taxes on profits believed to have been funneled through Luxembourg and Switzerland. It said tax officials had accused the giant U.S. burger chain of using a Luxembourg-based entity, McD Europe Franchising, to shift profits to lower-tax jurisdictions by billing the French division excessively for use of the company brand and other services. The judicial source confirmed the investigation was looking into this. The government said this week that it had raked in 3.3 billion euros in back taxes and penalties from just five multinationals in 2015. "Nothing prevents big groups from coming to us and declaring their taxes," Sapin said. Callers to the national sexual assault and domestic violence hotline will no longer have guaranteed direct access to experienced trauma counsellors from July 1. In a dramatic change to the six-year old service, people who ring 1800 RESPECT will be advised by a triage service, employing operators who will judge whether callers should be directed to an information website, a trauma counsellor or state-based family violence services, already overloaded with demand. Those employed as counsellors for 1800 RESPECT are either psychologists or social workers with a minimum three years of counselling experience. The move comes in an attempt to combat the delay in calls being answered by 1800 RESPECT and is another in a suite of restructurings by the Coalition to hotlines for health services. Medibank Health Solutions has always had the contract for providing the hotline but in the past was required to subcontract to Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia (R&DVSA). In an attempt to rein in costs, while at the same time improve answer times, MHS has now formed what it describes as a "short-term Implementation clinical advisory group". The deadline for responding to an invitation to join that group was last Friday and no meeting has yet taken place, despite changes to the service slated for July. You see, not all is hunky dory over at Hunky Dory. Like the Burger King Suicide Burger, which consists of four beef patties, four slices of cheese, bacon and special sauce, squished between two buns. The Heart Attack burger joint in Las Vegas topped that, with the Quadruple Bypass Burger, all 9982 calories of artery-choking goodness. But little old Melbourne might just take the cake with Hunky Dory, a fish and chip chain that proves that when things goes bad, they go really bad. There have been some aptly named fast food over the years. First, The Age broke the news that its claimed fish of the day was not dory at all, as we would call it in Australia, but cheaper farmed Vietnamese basa fillets marketed in Australia as Pacific dory from the Mekong River Basin in Indochina. That would be the Mekong River that has an estimated 220,000 tonnes of toxic waste dumped in it every year by large factories, and is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The very basa fish that the US Food and Drug Administration claims is contaminated with heavy metals and banned antibiotics, including mercury. In 2007, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service surveyed 100 fish from this very river and detected 14 antimicrobial chemicals, including "sulphonamides, tetracyclines, penicillin, quinolones, flouroquinolones and antimicrobial chemical groups". Which means the fish from this river are fed with antibiotics. Amid all of this, and given that Hunky Dory served tonnes of this fish every year through its seven Melbourne stores, you'd reckon owner Greg Robotis was having a fairly bad week. But it actually did get worse. Google and Huawei produce the latest Nexus 6P which has the newest Android operating system. (Photo : YouTube) Contrary to recent rumors, a new leak surfaced indicating that Google has tapped Nexus 6P-maker Huawei to build a refreshed version of the premium Pure Android smartphone that will be part of the tech giant's Nexus 2016 release date. Headlining the feature upgrades for the device is Snapdragon 820, which a new report said will be paired with 4GB of RAM. Advertisement Canadian tech blog site Mobile Syrup reported that a newly unearthed Geekbench listing showed last year's Nexus 6P with significantly upgraded specifications. Unsurprisingly, the manufacturer remains Huawei and the 6P listed runs on Android N, the new Google mobile operating system that is expected to rollout no later than August 2016. The beefed up 6P also boasts of Qualcomm's SD 820, which is a jump from the original's Snapdragon 810 processing chip. Supporting the chip is a generous RAM provision of 4GB, likewise a step from the 3GB RAM found on the first 6P. However, the leaked Geekbench listing was not accompanied by relevant details such as an indication from Google that Huawei indeed will be the anointed Nexus 2016 flagship maker. As the report noted, there was no Nexus revelation during the recently concluded Google I/O 2016 and the tech giant "didn't discuss the possibility of an upgraded 6P." "It's unclear if this is just a mistake, someone messing with Geekbench's database, or an actual prototype that's legitimately been benchmarked," Mobile Syrup added on its report. As mentioned, it's HTC that likely will produce the next Nexus with reports saying that the Taiwanese company will issue two handsets bearing the Nexus brand. The push will likely involve a mid-range device like the LG-made Nexus 5X and high-end that will be the follow up to the Nexus 6P. The latter is believed to run on the same combo of SD 820 and 4GB RAM carried by the leaked Geekbench document. But generally seen as the next Nexus central attraction is Android N, which Google said is productivity-optimized and designed for virtual reality or VR features that the company called Daydream. With the next Android too, Google will introduce Seamless System Updating that will download software upgrades silently and will apply only on the next device boot. The final cut of Android N is said to come out August this year, setting the stage for the Google Nexus 2016 release date to happen on the same month. Women provide customers with a better shopping experience, yet there's few women running a large retail brand in Australia, says Launa Inman, the non-executive director of Commonwealth Bank. "I believe there is an unconscious bias," she says in a new report from CBA that shows retailers that provide an extremely good customer experience have gender balance in their leadership team. Launa Inman says "it's hard to believe there are so many good women in the lower ranks, but that there's no one suitable to run the company". Credit:Arsineh Houspian "It's hard to believe there are so many good women in the lower ranks, but that there's no one suitable to run the company." The Retail Insights Report, based on a survey conducted by ACA research of 382 senior retail business decision-makers earlier this year, found that those that did well had an average of 47 per cent female executives, while those who did poorly had just 35 per cent female executives. Harold Cohen, who has died aged 87, was a British-born artist who abandoned his distinguished career in abstract painting in the 1960s in order to "collaborate" with AARON, a computer program that he had designed to produce its own artistic images. At a time when London had begun to rival New York as a cultural centre for young Pop artists, Cohen belonged to an emerging generation of American-influenced abstract painters that included Richard Smith, Robyn Denny and Harold's own brother Bernard. Harold Cohen represented Britain at the Venice and Paris biennales and contributed to several major exhibitions of large-scale abstract works during the early 1960s. By the end of the decade, however, Cohen had come to feel that "being a well-known artist in London was not as gratifying as it was supposed to be". In 1968 he accepted a visiting professorship at the University of California in San Diego, where he met Jeff Raskin, a graduate of music and computer programming who would go on to work with Apple's founder, Steve Jobs. Raskin introduced Cohen to an early CDC computer and taught him how to code. Computers at that time were still a long way from being interactive. Each new program had to be punched line by line onto a series of cards, which an operator then loaded into the machine . Initially, Cohen set out to build a program that could help him create drawings and paintings himself. As time went on, however, he became interested primarily in the artistic process; what rules governed the drawing of a line or the composition of a portrait, and whether these rules could prompt a machine to produce artworks. AARON so-called after Cohen's Hebrew name started its career in 1973. To start with, the program's oeuvre was simple. AARON began making random squiggles on a computer screen, which it then enclosed with a single line a method that Cohen had observed in the drawings of very young children. As AARON mastered anatomy and the concept of perspective, Cohen built a painting machine that could apply brush to paper as instructed by the program. Though any new concept had to be coded and fed into the system by Cohen, the program could compose an almost infinite number of distinct pieces on its own. An artist could leave AARON running overnight and find dozens of screen images awaiting him by morning. The sequence of operations required to complete each artwork became increasingly complex; the process for drawing heads, for example, was governed by around 4000 artistic rules. This week the city was interrupted as a group of 400 marched to Parliament House to protest cuts to the farm gate milk price. Some brought cows. Some brought banners with the slogans such "Milk Cows Not Farmers". One speaker claimed they had been treated like "medieval serfs". The Age supports Victoria's dairy farmers in their fight against the backdating of cuts to the price of milk. Australia's biggest milk processor, Murray Goulburn, which relies on its network of 2600 farmer-suppliers, last month slashed its price from $5.60 a kilogram to between $4.75 and $5 a kilo, and backdated the cut to last July. Fonterra followed suit. It also demanded its network of 1100 milk farmers pay "clawback" debts, averaging $128,000 a farm. Generous retirement benefits apart, members of parliament have a number of other entitlements not available to us ordinary folk. For example, politicians have special privileges in relation to freedom of speech. Parliament is often called 'cowards castle'. 'Parliamentary privilege' enables members of parliament an almost unrestricted entitlement to speak on any matter they wish. Constrained only by Standing Orders, and the wit of the Speaker in enforcing these, members of parliament are essentially privileged to defame others, both inside and outside the chamber. Jarrod Bleijie speaks during question time. Credit:Bradley Kanaris Take, for example, this character reference for the Opposition spokesman on industrial relations, Jarrod Bleijie, by Grace Grace, Minister for Industrial Relations, in parliament last Thursday: "Ms GRACE: He would have to be the worst conveyancer in the world, who became the worst Queensland Attorney-General known to personkind. He comes into this House after he was able to dramaticallyand I do not know how he did itunify every single member of the judiciary against the government because of his loose lips and his inability to do the job. Some time ago, Elsa Godart a French psychoanalyst and philosopher treated a young girl who had taken semi-naked pictures of herself that went viral. The girl was distraught (the pictures were intended for her boyfriend alone) "and it all came down to this momentary lapse of consciousness", Godart explains, "a moment so powerful that all critical thought was suspended along with any common sense. I found that fascinating." Once she began to delve deeper into the apparently anodyne and playful world of selfies, she found repeated (and sometimes fatal) instances of these "critical black-outs". Last year, more people were killed taking selfies than in shark attacks, for example (a number of those in the Philippines, the "selfie capital of the world"). Barack Obama poses for a selfie with British wilderness adventurer Bear Grylls. Credit:Instagram/whitehouse "People are forgetting there's a cliff behind them, or getting squashed by trains. And those aren't the only aberrations: people are taking smiling selfies of themselves in front of Auschwitz, and with dying tramps in the street. Last summer a British parliamentary candidate took a selfie on the Tunisian beach where 38 tourists had just been gunned down. And at Nelson Mandela's memorial service, David Cameron, President Obama and the Danish prime minister forgot where they were long enough to lean in for a selfie. So I became obsessed with finding out how one can lose consciousness to that extent." Godart is far from alone in her concerns over the selfie trend: at last weekend's Vogue Festival, psychologist Dr Tanya Byron warned that sexualised, unrealistic images posted by celebrities were fuelling depression and eating disorders in young people. Despite a pragmatic quality to her family environment her father a banker, her mother a psychotherapist Bonham Carter says she grew up surrounded by fairytales. "Lewis Carroll has always been around me, I have always loved Wonderland and Alice and all the icons and the imagery and sort of ingredients of Wonderland, not necessarily the story but Alice herself," she says. Iracebeth, the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), returns in Disney's Alice Through the Looking Glass. It would have seemed portentous that the director Tim Burton, to whom Bonham Carter was married, was asked to re-imagine the Alice in Wonderland story for the Disney studio in 2010. The first film offered Bonham Carter a chance to play the part of the Red Queen, a part so gloriously out of control it's not difficult to see why she leapt at the chance. Bonham Carter had met Burton while filming Planet of the Apes. She then featured prominently in a number of his films, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The pair had two children together Billy and Nell but in December 2014, announced that they had "separated amicably". Sacha Baron Cohen in Alice Through The Looking Glass. As a mother, Bonham Carter says she tried very hard to bring fairytales into the lives of her children. "The house is pretty fairytale-like," she says. "Nell's bedroom as a baby was a caravan stuck on the side of the house ... [and now] she has an attic room because I love Cinderella. It's all enchanting, but of course, she is such a pragmatist, she said, 'Come on Mum, I've started off life in a caravan and now I'm in an attic'." Bonham Carter's performance brings an unexpected but powerful depth to Alice Through the Looking Glass. Unsurprising, perhaps, for an actress whose body of work is so varied, from The Wings of the Dove (1997) and The King's Speech (2010) to Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter series (20072011) and, more recently, the film remake of the American television classic Dark Shadows (2012), the musical Les Miserables (2012) and Cinderella (2015). Her resume has one curious inclusion: the year she spent on the 1980s crime drama Miami Vice. Bringing up the topic elicits a wry smile from her. The devil is in the detail: what seems like a year in the annals of television history was actually filmed in not much more than a week, she says. "It was 10 days in Miami, it was fun, it was like completely being a fish out of water. "A lot of things I did for fun. I feel sorry for journalists because they have to try and make some sense of it, but there is no sense. It's just random and a mess." Setting aside the fast cars and white-seamed pantsuits of Miami Vice, there is little doubt that Bonham Carter is a considered actress. Each part seems to be chosen carefully, and each part, once accepted, is assembled in the most traditional of manners. In the case of the Red Queen, there are layers upon layers, small touches and large notes and, in some moments, even a bit of Carry On queen Barbara Windsor. The mention of that last detail elicits a smile from Bonham Carter. "Oh, good," she says. "Yeah. There's a lot. I'm glad. "I like the idea that there's a prism and other people pop out because that's what I do," she says. "I do go around stealing from people. There was a bit of Bette Davis, there was a bit of Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard because she always ... there's a sense of narcissism and the need for attention." In Alice Through The Looking Glass, Burton hands the director's baton to James Bobin. In one sense, Bobin inherits an established style book, so some of his choices are curtailed by the parameters laid down by Burton in the original. "He [Bobin] inherited a lot, obviously, but he made it his own. He's a really graceful man. He's a real gentleman, very clever, very creative. "It's also focused on different characters. James had people like Sacha [Baron Cohen] with him as he had already worked with them. A bit like Tim and Johnny [Depp] have in that long relationship. It was really interesting to watch James and Sacha work together because they have that shorthand. They're certainly worth seeing, exhausting every possibility and inventing everything." Of all the film's new elements, the most notable is Baron Cohen's Time, a half-clockwork, half-human master of the fourth dimension. Cohen's portrayal is unusually sensitive, even compelling. "I think it's his blue eyes," Bonham Carter says. Baron Cohen is "totally unpredictable, like a hyperactive child sometimes," she says, quickly qualifying with: "I'm not saying that, I'm not." She also had to be firm with her co-star. "He is very inventive, and he's fun, but ... I'm pretty direct with him. Sometimes I think what Sacha doesn't appreciate is that he's just telling a story. The weight isn't always on his shoulders. A lot of the time it's just playing the scene, not inventing the scene. He comes from such an improvisational background. He can't but help improvise. It's interesting." Compounding the challenge: that pesky soundstage where it was shot. "There was not much atmosphere," she says. "You know the problem is this room is huge, and you see everything. It's generalised lighting, so there's no sense of focus, there's no sense of, 'OK we're imagining'. "On most sets you realise where the drama is," she says. "What's in front of, what's the imagined reality and what's off, but here there was no demarcation between me and Sacha trying to work in, and seeing absolutely every other member of the crew basically bored out of their head, I don't blame them for playing Sudoku. It was hard because it was completely sterile." In such moments, she reiterates, a deeper commitment is needed. In this case, to delve into the childhood of Iracebeth of Crims the story's Red Queen and rip open a Pandora's box of emotions. There is a festering wound from her childhood, Bonham Carter thinks, when her physical differences to those around her were made clear. "She wasn't broken I don't think, she was deeply hurt. I think that's what all bullies have. They've always got a great sense of insecurity and inferiority." Australia witnessed two tribal leaders, each speaking powerfully to his own tribe, in the leaders' debate. Missing was a national leader commanding both. Malcolm Turnbull played strongly to the Coalition's perceived strengths as the party of economic growth and secure borders. "Growth," said Turnbull, "is the fundamental basis for everything" to be considered in the election campaign. Without growth, the government couldn't afford to pay for health or education. When an older man carrying The Daily Telegraph came into the campaign office of Greens candidate Jim Casey in the seat of Grayndler, staff thought he was looking for directions. Instead he threw down the newspaper in disgust, telling the surprised campaign worker that he wanted to donate. He wrote a cheque for $1500. Mostly emergency workers draw the admiration of tabloid papers for their acts of valour and community service. Not Jim Casey, a fireman and head of their union. Casey hung up his helmet last Sunday morning, as public servants are required to do, so he could make a tilt at the Labor-held inner west seat held by the Left's Anthony Albanese. Several weeks ago, the Tele kicked off a front-page campaign to "Save our Albo", branding Casey from the "loony left" and "anti-capitalist". Australian police used pepper spray to break up clashes between rightwing nationalists and anti-racism protesters on the streets of Melbourne on Saturday as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said eliminating racism was still a "work in progress". The United Patriots Front (UPF) organised a "Stop the Far Left" rally while anti-racism protesters marched under the banner "Moreland says No to Racism", in reference to a Melbourne district. Fears of young Australian Muslims being inspired by militants such as Islamic State and travelling to fight in Iraq and Syria have underpinned support for rightwing groups like UPF and Reclaim Australia. Former prime minister Tony Abbott made blocking migrants trying to reach Australia by boat a key plank of his victorious election campaign in 2013. TV footage showed UPF members with Australian flags on poles and their faces covered by bandanas wrestling with leftwing militants, many of whom were hooded and had black cloths over their faces. On one occasion, a UPF protester who fell to the ground was kicked several times by two anti-racism activists. "I understand the need and the right to protest ... but what we can't have is this violence in our community," Victorian state Police Commander Sharon Cowden told Sky. "We saw inappropriate and often cowardly behaviour, people wearing masks." ABC said two people were arrested for weapons offences before the trouble flared despite a large police presence. Two people were arrested for rioting, one for assaulting police, one for hindering police and another for robbery, ABC said. Turnbull, responding to comments by opposition leader Bill Shorten that racism was rife in Australia, said Australia was not "entirely" blameless. "But I have to say we are the most successful multicultural society in the world," Turnbull told reporters. "There is more work to do. This is not something to be complacent about. This is a work in progress." Search Keywords: Short link: Madeline Rowe stands over the central heating vents to stay warm in Coburg, Melbourne. Credit:Josh Rowe When they renovated their home about 10 years ago, they installed ducted heating. "When it gets chilly the kids hog the ducted heating vents in the morning and everyone loves them," Josh says. He says the ducted heating is very efficient because the temperature can be set in each room. "And when we did the renovation we put in high-grade insulation and put the windows in the right places," he adds. Experts say the very first thing to do is to keep a lid on the costs of heating is to ensure the home is properly insulated. Chris Barnes, a team leader at consumer group Choice, says ceilings should be insulated, doors and window draughts stopped-up, windows covered at night and doors closed between heated and unheated areas. While is commonly believed that gas heating systems are cheaper than electricity, the notion has been questioned. Barnes says gas prices are set to rise and it is no longer a given that gas heating is going to be cheaper than electricity. Cameron Chisholm, the energy program associate at the Grattan Institute, writing for The Conversation last year, said many people like gas heating because it heats quickly, it is easy to control the temperature and you do not need to stand directly in front of it to feel the heat. However, gas prices will rise because of expansion of the Australian gas export industry. The Grattan Institute's October 2014 report, Gas at the crossroads, shows reverse-cycle air conditioners can have less than half the running costs of ducted gas heating. Choice's Chris Barnes agrees that electricity is generally cheaper than gas for heating. "For heating a large space or a large house, the reverse-cycle airconditioner is starting to look like a no-brainer," he says. Chisholm goes further to argue that even before the expected increases in gas prices kick in, households could make considerable savings by replacing gas appliances with energy-efficient electric ones. As always, it is worthwhile shopping around for energy providers. That is not just with a view to switching providers, but just as a check on whether or not you are getting a good deal, says Laura Crowden, a spokesperson for iSelect, a financial products comparison website. Discounts are now fairly common with energy providers, but an iSelect-commissioned Galaxy survey of 1200 people shows 31 per cent of households are still on standard retail energy plans without discounts. Crowden says the biggest discounts, of about 30 per cent, are for paying on time. Some providers offer a further discount, generally 1 or 2 per cent, for paying bills online by direct debit. As well as straight-up discounts for paying on time, there are always special offers. "Increased competition means some retailers are offering generous introductory offers or rebates to entice new customers such as credit awards towards your accounts," Crowden says. Most retailers offer flexible payment options, where the pay can be paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Crowden says some provide bill smoothing so there is no bill shock, where the energy retailer divides annual usage into even monthly instalments. Sometimes the cheapest plan may not be the best value option over the longer term, Crowden says. "For example, many people get enticed by generous pay-on-time discounts but pay their bills late and end up paying a lot more," she says. Energy concessions, rebates and eligibility conditions vary from state to state. Some states offer rebates on energy bills to lower-income earning families. For example, families in NSW who have received the Family Tax Benefit A or B during the previous financial receive the Family Energy Rebate of $150. There is no equivalent rebate for families in Victoria. There are discounts on energy bills throughout Australia for holders of various concession cards, like the pensioner concession card and health care card. Best deals NSW: Mozo says some of the best deals include CovaU's Freedom Save, which has a 16 per cent pay-on-time discount. That works out at $364 a quarter compared with the typical NSW electricity bill of $462 a quarter. In NSW, Dodo Power and Gas's Market Offer has a $100 credit on the first bill and a 20 per cent pay-on-time discount, or a cost of $370 on typical electricity use. PowerShop's Online Saver has a 4 per cent discount plus a 12 per cent discount when the bill is paid through the provider's online shop, or a cost of $369. Victoria: More competition means lower prices. Globird Energy's GloSave has a 32 per cent pay-on-time discount and a 1 per cent direct debit discount, or a cost of $255 a quarter compared with the typical spend in Victoria of $392 a quarter. A decision on the future of schooling in the troubled indigenous township of Aurukun won't be rushed and will be driven by the community, Queensland's premier says. Annastacia Palaszczuk has promised a review into Aurukun's only school, to begin this week, will take the concerns of elders and the local council on board. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Education Minister Kate Jones meet Aurukun Mayor Dereck Walpo and councillors. Credit:Twitter/Annastacia Palaszczuk "We need to listen to the community about what is the best education service for the students," she said on Sunday. "We're not going to rush this, we are going to get it right." Chocolate, marshmallows and biscuits may not be the usual ingredients you would find in a beer, but an Ipswich Brewery has put it to the test with their latest S'mores flavoured brew. Owner and founder of Four Hearts Brewing Wade Curtis concocted the special edition brew naming it, S'more than a feeling. Chocolate, marshmallow and biscuits combined to make a delicious dark beer. "There's a bit of a balancing act when you brew a beer that's a bit sweeter," Curtis said. "We've found a really good balance between the sweetness while still making it a drinkable beer." The property development company behind the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, which will benefit from a $200 million government expansion of the centre, donated almost $50,000 to Labor's Victorian division last financial year. Acting Premier James Merlino on Sunday confirmed $200 million allocated in last month's budget would go to the Plenary Group to expand the convention centre. The company will contribute more than $100 million towards the project, which will include a second hotel. It comes as the Plenary Group and its partner moves to sell the existing Hilton Hotel, built under an original public-private partnership with Labor in 2009, for a reported $250 million. Planning Minister Richard Wynne last week approved the centre's expansion, flagged in the 2015 budget. Residents and businesses in Coburg say they are disappointed a racially fuelled brawl occurred in the multicultural suburb. One of the few businesses open in the area around Saturday's violent protests was the Glass Den. Tucked away behind the primary school where protest groups and police were brawling, the Urquhart Street cafe placed a sign on its window to put across its own message in the midst of the chaos. Homeless protesters entering their third week camping at Melbourne's City Square say they will not move until housing is provided for all people sleeping rough across Melbourne. The group is also pushing for a 24-hour drop-in centre to be created in Melbourne CBD. Allan 'Asha' Lang is at City Square for the long haul. Credit:Penny Stephens "This has literally become a 24-hour community centre," Lisa Peterson, who has been sleeping in the square for two weeks, said. "I'm not sure how it's going to be moved on. People are coming through at two o'clock in the morning and getting pants, blankets, coats, it's keeping people's spirits up and giving people somewhere to go. A 15-year-old girl was killed when the unregistered ute she was a passenger in slammed into a pole in Victoria's west on Sunday. The driver of the ute, also a 15-year-old girl, was flown to hospital with serious head and back injuries. Police investigating the crash believe the ute was headed south along Mackichan Lane, a dirt road in Penshurst, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a pole about 1.30pm. The only passenger in the ute, a 15-year-old girl from Torquay, died at the scene. The driver of the ute a 15-year-old Penshurst girl was airlifted to the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.. Islamic State militants entered a Syrian opposition stronghold in the country's north on Saturday, clashing with rebels on the edges of the town as the extremist group built on its most significant advance near the Turkish border in two years, Syrian opposition groups and IS group media said. More than 160,000 civilians are trapped in the fighting, which also forced the evacuation of one of the few remaining hospitals in the area, run by the international medical organization Doctors Without Borders. On Saturday, IS group fighters staged two suicide bombings targeting "opposition forces" near Marea, IS group said via its news agency, Aamaq. Following the suicide bombings, IS group militants entered Marea and fighting began inside the town, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based opposition media outfit that tracks Syria's civil war. The territorial gains around the rebel strongholds of Marea and Azaz, north of Aleppo city, are a blow to the Turkey and Saudi-backed rebels, who have been struggling to retain a foothold in the region while being squeezed by opponents from all sides. They also demonstrated the Islamic State group's ability to stage major offensives and capture new areas, despite a string of recent losses in Syria and Iraq. The IS group offensive targeting Syrian opposition strongholds near the Turkish border began Thursday night. On Friday, militants of the group captured six villages near Azaz, triggering intense fighting that trapped tens of thousands of civilians unable to flee to safety while Turkey's border remains closed. A few hundred fled west to the Kurdish-held enclave of Afrin. People are "terrified for their lives," the International Rescue Committee said in a statement. The group said it has received confirmed reports that at least four entire families, including women and children, were killed Friday on the outskirts of the town of Azaz. The IRC runs centers for both children and women in Azaz and provides clean water and sanitation to a camp supporting 8,500 people. More than half the camp's population has left to find safety elsewhere in the town, it said. The IRC also relocated its staff from the centers and camp to shelter to safer areas of Azaz until the situation enables them to return. The U.N. refugee agency said it was "deeply concerned" about the fighting affecting thousands of vulnerable civilians. "Fleeing civilians are being caught in crossfire and are facing challenges to access medical services, food, water and safety," it said in a statement Saturday. The advances brought the militants to within few kilometers of the rebel-held town of Azaz and cut off supplies to Marea further south. Marea has long been considered a bastion of moderate Syrian revolutionary forces fighting to topple President Bashar Al-Assad. Azaz, which hosts tens of thousands of internally displaced people, lies north of Aleppo city, which has been divided between a rebel-held east and government-held west. A route known as the Azaz corridor links rebel-held eastern Aleppo with Turkey. That has been a lifeline for the rebels since 2012, but a government offensive backed by Russian air power and regional militias earlier this year dislodged rebels from parts of Azaz and severed their corridor between the Turkish border and Aleppo. The predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who are fighting for their autonomy in the multilayered conflict, also gained ground against the rebels. In recent months, Syrian rebel factions in Azaz which include mainstream opposition fighters known as the Free Syrian Army along with some ultraconservative Islamic insurgent factions have been squeezed between IS group to the east and predominantly Kurdish forces to the west and south, while Turkey restricts the flow of goods and people through the border. Search Keywords: Short link: Winter is upon us, and that means the fancy of many Melbourne cafe-goers turns to chai. And the tea-mad patrons at the inaugural Melbourne Tea Festival on Sunday lapped up the teachings of local chai guru Uppma Virdi. She said 10 years ago chai might be made from powder or syrup at health food shops or markets; these days "every cafe has to have chai on the menu" and customers are demanding that it's authentically brewed. A corporate solicitor by day, in the past two years, Ms Virdi, 26, has built her chai brand, Chai Walli, (Hindi for 'female chai maker'), from scratch and it now takes up her weekends, before and after work and lunch breaks. Gawker Media's Nick Denton, left, listens to testimony during Hulk Hogan's lawsuit trial. Credit:AP "I can see how irritating Gawker would be to you and other figures in the technology industry. For Silicon Valley, the media spotlight is a relatively recent phenomenon. Most executives and venture capitalists are accustomed to dealing with acquiescent trade journalists and a dazzled mainstream media, who will typically play along with embargoes, join in enthusiasm for new products, and hew to the authorized version of a story. They do not have the sophistication, and the thicker skins, of public figures in other older power centres such as New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC." Finally, he asked Thiel to publicly debate him concerning his criticisms of Gawker. Thiel once called Valleywag "the Silicon Valley equivalent of al-Qaeda" and on Wednesday he told the New York Times: "The way I've thought about this is that Gawker has been a singularly terrible bully." Denton wrote: "At the very least, it will improve public understanding of the interplay of media and power. Considering the amount spent on lawyers, $20 million between us at this point, there should be some public benefit." Thiel has not responded. The revelation that Thiel funded the lawsuit has sparked debate across the internet, and, surprisingly, many traditional media outlets and personalities seem to be siding with Gawker. The headline of Jack Shafer's piece for Politico magazine might say it best: "Peter Thiel Does the Impossible! Nobody's ever sympathized with Gawker before." While that's certainly hyperbolic, Denton and the Gawker empire have long come under fire from traditional mainstream media outlets for knowingly eschewing many of the basic tenets of journalism. For example, when discussing ethics in a 2010 interview with the New Yorker, Denton said: "Is there Gawker ethics? I mean, I guess there's Gawker ethics. It's a dangerous thing to talk about." Two years earlier, he told The Guardian: "With a blog you can throw the rumour out there and ask for help. You can say, 'We don't know if this is true or not'." The site has employed this strategy over the years by, for example, publishing posts questioning the sexuality of public figures like actor James Franco or Arkansas senator Tom Cotton, and journalist Anderson Cooper. Outlets as far left as Slate and as far right as Breitbart have decried the media group's gossip-style journalism. Writers at The Washington Post have also criticised the blog network. Now, many of those same outlets seem to be pulling for Gawker. To many, the key element in this debate isn't if Gawker was right but what it means for journalism if billionaires can effectively shut down media companies with lawsuits. Fishbowl NY wrote a story headlined "Peter Thiel Is a Proud Opponent of Free Speech". Timothy B. Lee wrote in Vox: "Even if you think Gawker stepped over the line in publishing the Hogan sex tape - and personally I do - there's still a lot of reason to worry about the prospect of wealthy people using lawsuits as a weapon against people they don't like." Variety's Maureen Ryan echoed this sentiment, writing: "Let's get one thing clear: I have no particular love for Gawker . . . But the punishment Thiel clearly has in mind - the scorched-earth destruction of the entire company - in no way fits the crime he thinks it has committed." She continued: "There have always been rich people who've gone after the media, sometimes for frivolous reasons, sometimes for good ones. But the fact is, there are more billionaires in this country than ever. If they all decide to go scorched-earth on journalism outlets they don't like, well, say goodbye to a free press." The Washington Post's Callum Borchers pointed out that Thiel supports Donald Trump, who has enough delegates to seal the Republican nomination. As he wrote: "Trump is a big fan of suing media companies. In fact, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said in February that as commander-in-chief he will 'open up' federal libel laws to make it easier to sue news outlets like The Washington Post and New York Times." "You don't have to change the law to make life difficult for your critics, particularly if your critics don't have the money to defend themselves," says Lyrissa Lidsky, a law professor at the University of Florida who specialises in First Amendment and media law. "It's one thing to know that you can litigate a libel case and win, but the litigation costs can be enormous before you get that victory. So if you can't finance the cost necessary to win, then you're as effectively silenced as if the law were against you." Thiel, though, pointed out that not everyone can afford to defend themselves and their interests in truthful reporting or personal privacy by pursuing suits for alleged wrongdoing against the media. Vinnie Taylor would meet his clients inside hotel rooms throughout the East Coast of the US, equipped with gallons of silicone, super glue and cotton balls, according to federal prosecutors. He told some of the women who came to him seeking fuller figures, according to court documents, that he knew what he was doing was illegal but assured them that they would be safe. It's like how "marijuana is illegal, but everyone uses it," Taylor reportedly told one of his customers, according to court records. Vinnie Taylor, 44, pleaded guilty to administering illegal silicone injections. Credit:Prince George's County Sheriff's Office But after seven years of administering the cosmetic injections to women in more than 3000 sessions, at least one of those instances proved deadly, revealing Taylor's operation to law enforcement and landing him in jail. Taylor was not a doctor and did not have a medical license. He purchased 152 gallons of silicone for his business and made about $US1.59 million $2.2 million) in revenue, federal prosecutors said. Taylor, 44, of Wilmington, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges for administering the illegal injections Thursday, agreeing to serve 12 to 15 years in prison as part of an agreement with prosecutors. Jeremy Hook, TMS Capital BUY RECOMMENDATIONS Macquarie Group (MQG) Produced the best report of the recent bank reporting season. This leading Australian investment bank showed solid growth across most divisions and, unlike other banks, delivered earnings growth at a time when domestic credit growth is hard to come by. Baby Bunting Group (BBN) Since listing in October 2015, the retailer has been a good performer. A steady store rollout plan, particularly in New South Wales, should see earnings grow solidly over coming years. Its the leading player in the baby products segment and has a growing online presence. HOLD RECOMMENDATIONS Magellan Financial Group (MFG) This specialist investment management business has been an outstanding performer over many years, and the consequent upward price move into the mid $20 levels leaves it fairly valued. Generating a return on equity of about 60 per cent, its the best of a good group of fund management companies. The stock was trading at $23.90 on May 26. Ramsay Health Care (RHC) This leading private hospital operator was recently priced on 27 times fiscal year 2017 earnings. We believe upward momentum could slow. As a result, we reduce our recommendation from a buy to a hold. SELL RECOMMENDATIONS South32 (S32) Investors in BHP Billiton received a one-for-one entitlement to S32 as part of BHPs 2015 demerger. This metals and mining company has bounced with the recent improvement in materials stocks, but, in our view, it represents less value and growth than BHP and many other stocks. Cardno (CDD) This infrastructure and environmental services company is under pressure on the earnings front. A recent capital raising dilutes the equity without fully liberating the balance sheet. Despite management initiatives, the trajectory of earnings is still down and suggests a lower share price than the 93 cents it was trading on May 26. Darren Jackson, Sanlam Private Wealth BUY RECOMMENMDATIONS Tegel Group Holdings (TGH) New Zealands leading poultry producer listed on the ASX on May 3. It offers an attractive valuation and growth prospects. Theres strong demand for chicken in China and New Zealand is considered clean and green. The IPO roadshow was well received by institutions. Adacel Technologies (ADA) Develops and integrates software systems for the aviation industry. Recurring revenue has been steadily increasing in the past year and the company posted a solid net profit after tax of $3.9 million for fiscal year 2105. Further growth potential exists by expanding into new markets and launching new products. A speculative buy. HOLD RECOMMENDATIONS Vocus Communications (VOC) In February 2016, Vocus completed a merger with M2 Group (MTU). The current valuation of the combined group is reasonable. Expect more upside if the company successfully executes the merger plan of refinancing debt, stripping out costs and expanding current margins, which are significantly lower than competitor TPG Telecom. buyMyplace.com.au (BMP) A backdoor listing thats disrupting the traditional real estate market by offering zero commission on property sales. It generates revenue from fixed costs on sales. The models proven to be highly successful in Canada, which has a similar culture, legal structure and property market to Australia. The company has been profitable for the past three years and we expect this to accelerate in response to a new website and putting in place key marketing and executive teams. SELL RECOMMENDATIONS Wesfarmers (WES) The Coles business is facing the same headwinds as rival Woolworths, notably increasing competition from ALDI, as it rolls out more stores. Retailer Target and the Wesfarmers coal business contributed to the company recently announcing more than $2 billion in impairments. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) The company recently announced that it received FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) approval for its Magnolia LNG project, yet there was no subsequent increase in valuation. Listed US rival Cheniere Energy has managed a strong bounce off recent lows, but not LNG. Gavin Wendt, MineLife BUY RECOMMENDATIONS Minotaur Exploration (MEP) One of our favourite exploration plays. MEP maintains a diverse portfolio of exploration projects, a well credentialed team and solid cash reserves that ensure aggressive exploration activity. In the past month, Minotaur has announced three new major exploration initiatives in South Australia and Queensland. It also has the highly regarded investment house, Sprott Group, on its share register, with a 13 per cent stake. AusQuest (AQD) AQD has started its much anticipated diamond drilling program on its Puite porphyry copper and gold prospect in southern Peru, under the Puite-Colorada joint venture agreement with Zahena. Its the first of four porphyry targets to be tested in 2016 and should generate strong market interest. A total of 20,000 metres of diamond drilling (or expenditure of at least $US3 million) needs to be completed before the end of 2016 to fulfill the requirements under the joint venture agreements. HOLD RECOMMENDATIONS Anova Metals (AWV) An Australian based junior gold developer, focusing on its Big Springs project in northern Nevada. Open pit mining is set to start during the 2016 second half. Permit delays have been frustrating, but approvals are expected in the late second quarter of 2016. Gascoyne Resources (GCY) The board and management team offer a strong blend of exploration, discovery and mining experience. The company has grown its WA gold resource inventory to 2.05 million ounces, comprising three advanced projects located on granted mining leases. SELL RECOMMENDATIONS Pilbara Minerals (PLS) Profit taking may be appropriate for some investors. Were still positive about the stock. The companys low risk exposure to lithium a major component in high-tech applications via its WA Pilgangoora project is a key attraction. On December 31, 2015, the shares were priced at 32 cents. The shares closed at 55 cents on April 13 and 62 cents on May 26. West African Resources (WAF) The stock finished at 17 cents on May 26. On February 22, it was 5 cents. It remains one of our favourite emerging African gold producers. In our view, the rapid move reflects the market recognising high grade mineralisation at its Tanlouka project, reinforced by recent diamond and reverse circulation drilling, which potentially could boost overall project economics. Our positive view on the stock hasnt changed, but some investors might look to lock in some profits around current price levels. >> BACK TO THE NEWSLETTER: Click here to read other articles from this weeks newsletter Please note that TheBull.com.au simply publishes broker recommendations on this page. The publication of these recommendations does not in any way constitute a recommendation on the part of TheBull.com.au. You should seek professional advice before making any investment decisions. One year ago, Bernie Sanders stood in the sun on the shore of Lake Champlain and opened his presidential campaign with a promise to build a movement of millions of Americans. Critics scoffed, dismissing his supporters as callow youngsters destined to drift once #FeelTheBern stops trending. But Sanderss campaign proved more popular and resilient than anyone expected. Ironically, many Democrats now want him to terminate his movement and convert it into a get-out-the-vote drive for Hillary Clinton. But that is not how movements work. The celebrated political movements of American historyabolitionism, progressivism, and civil rightswere never subordinate to political parties. Their leaders did not bow to party elites. Great movements transcend partisanship; they are the makers and breakers of parties. The Democratic Party itself was forged in the fires of populism. Andrew Jackson was a loyal Democratic-Republican senator until party elites blocked his presidential bid in 1824. Denouncing the corrupt bargain that thwarted the will of the people, Jackson angrily split with the party and won the presidency four years later as the head of the emerging Democratic Party, while the old Democratic-Republicans disappeared into history. Modern Democrats still honor the partys mascot, which was inspired by the Democratic-Republicans epithet for Andrew Jackson: an ass. The Republican Party was also born of a grassroots revolt. In 1854, Democratic and Whig legislators passed the bipartisan KansasNebraska Act, which sanctioned slavery in western territories. A few weeks later, thousands of abolitionists gathered beneath a grove of oak trees in Ripon, Wisconsin. Appalled by their respective parties accommodations to slavery, they resolved to form a new party dedicated to resisting the spread of slavery. Six years later, the Whigs collapsed, the Democrats split, and a former Whig named Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican president of the United States. But a movement need not destroy a party to make an impact. The Progressive Movement revolutionized American politics in the early 20th century by putting extraordinary pressure on the Democratic and Republican parties. During the Gilded Age, corrupt political machines fueled by corporate money dominated American politics. As public resentment smoldered, populist insurgents from both parties mounted grassroots campaigns to reform the system and overthrow the establishment. The party bosses fought back, denouncing the insurgents as dangerous demagogues who would plunge the country into economic collapse or worse. Both parties erupted in turmoil. The chaos came to a head in 1912 when former president Theodore Roosevelt campaigned for the Republican nomination on a progressive platform. Accusing the party bosses of stealing delegates, he bolted the presidential convention to found the Progressive Party, popularly known as the Bull Moose party. Though Roosevelt lost the election, his campaign decimated the conservatives who had obstructed political reform for years, and a bipartisan progressive alliance under Woodrow Wilson fulfilled one of the most ambitious legislative agendas in American history. Americas landmark civil rights legislation was also the product of heavy political pressure. For decades, northern liberals coexisted uneasily with southern segregationists in the Democratic Partya coalition of convenience that John F. Kennedy continued to honor after he became president in 1960. When Freedom Riders began challenging segregation on interstate buses, Kennedy regarded them as a nuisance. Cant you get your Goddamned friends off those buses?" he complained to a Justice Department official with ties to the movement. But civil rights leaders carried on. Writing from a Birmingham jail, Martin Luther King Jr. reproached the white moderate, who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice. After Birmingham police turned their dogs and firehoses on peaceful demonstrators, Kennedy and other Democratic leaders could no longer turn a blind eye to the abuses of their southern colleagues. The events in Birmingham and elsewhere, have so increased the cries for equality that no city or state or legislative body can prudently choose to ignore them, Kennedy proclaimed on national television. A great change is at hand, and our task, our obligation, is to make that revolution, that change, peaceful and constructive for all. When Bernie Sanders calls for a revolution to reform American politics in the 21st century, he aspires to emulate these earthshaking movements that changed history. Such a movement cannot be realized in a single election cycle; it will take years, even decades, to reach maturity. And Sanders need not become president to fulfill it. Some future president who ultimately executes Sanderss vision would likely be a late convert to the cause, much like Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, and JFK. But if Sanders hopes to see his fledgling movement take flight, he should not subordinate it to the short term electoral interests of the Democratic Party. Like any large institution, the party is subject to inertia; great force is required to redirect its course. If Sanders yields and meekly throws his support to Clinton, the nudge that he gave the party during the 2016 primary race will be for naught. His impassioned supporters will drift away, fulfilling the prophecies of his critics, and the party will roll on as before. That does not mean that Sanders should throw the election to Donald Trump, who is anathema to his cause and a threat to the nation. But if Sanders hopes to change the Democratic Party, he must take it to the brink. He should run up his delegate count until the final primary and then demand a price for his allegiance: speeches at the convention, planks in the party platform, and progressive voices in Clintons cabinet. Above all, he must secure a stable foothold for his emerging faction so that it can grow into the dominant force in the party. Such negotiations wont be pretty. The Democratic leadership wont budge unless they believe that the welfare of the party and the path to the White House are jeopardized. There will be howls of rage, accusations of egotism and demagoguery, just as there were during previous movements. But as they said in Theodore Roosevelts time, politics aint beanbag. To build a lasting movement that will influence the country for years to come, Sanders must force Clinton and Democratic leaders to reckon with the power of his supporters and bend to their will. Michael Wolraich is the author of Unreasonable Men: Theodore Roosevelt and the Republican Rebels Who Created Progressive Politics ( one of the Washington Posts 50 notable works of nonfiction). He has also contributed to The Daily Beast, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, New York Magazine, CNN.com, Talking Points Memo, and Reuters. This year, the new 820-foot-long, 13-deck cruise ship Crystal Serenity will be the first large-scale tourist ship to navigate through the Northwest Passage. And while amenities such as a casino, a movie theater, six restaurants, and a driving range may be what most potential tourists consider first, the safety precautions the cruise line is taking should be most important. As the ships parent company, Crystal Cruises, notes, Two ice searchlights, a high-resolution radar and other equipment will be installed to allow the vessel to scan the waters ahead looking for underwater obstructions or uncharted rocks. The cruise liner will also carry a helicopter for ice condition reconnaissance, and will be accompanied by an escort ship with damage control equipment. These precautions constitute the minimum security protocols for the safe travel of large ships in unstable, ice-choked waters. And the very fact that such extreme measures are necessary tells us that large cruise ships shouldnt be in polar waters at all. Yet, according to a 2009 NOAA STAR report, tourism is the single largest human presence in the Arctic, with the majority of travelers visiting by ship. Certain forms of Arctic adventure tourism have existed since the early 1800s, from mountaineers to adventure seekers, but today the industry has expandedin regions including Alaska, Canada, Norway, and Icelandto include nature lovers and leisure travelers, in part because of greater access due to melting ice. In the last 15 years, the number of cruise-ship visitors in Norway has increased from approximately 200,000 to almost 700,000. Canadas tourism quadrupled from 11 passenger vessels in 2005 to an estimated 40 in 2015. And, according to the Icelandic Tourism Board, the number of foreign tourists in Iceland has more than tripled since the year 2000, to nearly a million visitors a yearabout three times Icelands population. Ship-based tourism is increasing in the Antarctic as well, from about 6,000 travelers per year in the early 1990s to upwards of 40,000 today. When I visited Antarctica in 2004, on Lindblads small expedition ship Endeavour, our naturalists and crew were disconcerted about the increasingly large ships traveling to the Antarctic peninsula. Their concerns were multifold: in addition to the environmental impact of increasing tourist numbers in this pristine region, many of the large ships didnt have reinforced hulls to adequately protect them from ice, and many were too big to allow for the rescue of all passengers were something to happen. When the cruise liner Costa Concordia hit a rock and sank off the coast of Italy in 2012, killing 32 people, it happened in mild weather with rescuers nearby. In the Arctic and Antarctic, however, the water is near freezing, the weather is unpredictable, and the regions visited are so remote that rescuers are often not hours but days away. In 2007, a small expedition ship very much like the one Id been on, the MS Explorer, hit ice and sank in Antarcticas Southern Ocean. Fortunately, its 100 passengers and 54 crew members were all rescued. They drifted in lifeboats for five hours awaiting rescue, and 20 hours later, the Explorer was underwater. Had the conditions not been calm in this normally stormy location, or had there been hundreds or thousands more passengers, or had another ship not been nearby, the name Explorer would be as familiar to us as Titanic. This summer, Crystal Serenity will carry 1,000 passengers, ten times the number of the MS Explorer. The cruise industry has come a long way since the Titanic. Yet despite all our technological advances, a ship is only as safe as her captainand the capricious nature of ice and polar weather means even an experienced captain isnt immune from human error, as the formal investigation of the Explorers sinking concluded. The media coverage of the Crystal Serenity carries an all-too-familiar tone of hubris and unfailing faith in technology. The Crystal Serenity will be the largest ship that maritime officials can recall attempting the voyage, the Wall Street Journal reported. And it will be the first large-scale cruise liner packed with tourists. Demand was so high the trip, at $22,000 per person, sold out in three weeksthat Crystal Cruises has already planned another for 2017. Jeff Hutchinson, a deputy commissioner at the Canadian Coast Guard, told the Journal, What Im just as, or more, concerned about is ship owners who might be looking at this voyage and saying, Well, that looks profitable, why dont we think about that And they wont, or may not, bring the same level of planning and forethought. And therein likes the risk. The last time we thought we created an unsinkable ship, it did just that. Midge Raymond is the author of My Last Continent and the short story collection Forgetting English, which received the Spokane Prize for Short Fiction. Her work has appeared in Poets & Writers, the Los Angeles Times magazine, TriQuarterly, and Bellevue Literary Review among other places. Learn more at MidgeRaymond.com. Related 200 opposition militants freed in Equatorial Guinea At least 59 people were injured in Guinea when youths frustrated they were being kept out of the opening of a new mosque in the town of Timbo clashed with police, a hospital director and witnesses said on Saturday. Security officials stopped ordinary people from entering the mosque to allow local dignitaries to pass but youths became angry and threw stones and attempted to rush in, witnesses said. Police responded with teargas and beat back the youths. "There was a huge clash between the police and the young people and clouds of tear gas. I saw old women pushed over by the surging crowd. It was serious," said Latif Haidera, a witness. Mamadou Kouyate, the director of the regional hospital at Mamou, said 59 people were treated at his hospital alone following the incident on Friday in Timbo, which is about 260 km (163 miles) northeast of the capital Conakry. About 85 percent of Guinea's population follows Sunni Islam and Timbo is a centre of Islamic learning and the capital of the Foutah branch of Islam in Guinea. The town is also a stronghold of the political opposition to President Alpha Conde, though witnesses said the clash was not directly connected to national politics. Search Keywords: Short link: We have all heard that the Bible is the Word of Godbut what if it were actually the work of Satan? Sure, there are various heretical groups throughout history that have thought that parts of the Bible were false, but in the case of the worlds largest surviving medieval manuscript some believe that Satan himself is the books scribe. While the technical name for the manuscript is Codex Gigas (literally giant book in Latin), it is better known as the Devils Bible. It is currently housed in the National Library in Stockholm, but it was created in the twelfth century in Bohemia (the modern Czech Republic), possibly at the Benedictine monastery of Podlazice. It was transported to Sweden as part of the booty seized at the conclusion of the Thirty Years war in 1648. It would have taken two men to steal it, as the book is around a meter tall and weighs almost 165 pounds. Its not just the scale of the book that make it unusual, but also its contents. In addition to the Vulgate (the Latin version of the Bible), it contains a copy of the Jewish historian Josephuss Jewish Antiquities, Isidore of Sevilles Etymologies, ancient medical texts, and a copy of The Chronicle of Bohemia by Cosmas of Prague (1050). Ten pages are missing, however, and as all of the works contained in the codex are complete, theres some speculation about what they contained. Some say they held a transcription of a prayer to Satan, while scholarsthe spoilsportshypothesize they held the rules of the monastic community from which the book originated. If you have spent a $2800 annual fee on an every house membership of the private Soho House clubs, believing this would give you access to the groups gorgeously decorated 17 outposts all around the world, you may be feeling a little peeved this weekend. In New York, the new Ludlow Housea former funeral home on the Lower East Side, with galleries, cool stores, and cool restaurants jostling for hipster attentionis not accepting members with every house cards. Only founder members of the latest outpost of the British-born club memberswhich officially opened on May 23--are welcome for the first few weeks. (The Daily Beast requested, but was not granted, a tour of the premises.) This weekend, the global club franchise is also opening another outpost on the West Coast, Little Beach House Malibu, where the layers of exclusivity are even more imposing: a $1500 premium to access the property on top of the $2800 'every house' annual membership fee. And in Malibu you must pass the muster of a special local membership committee, who will decree you good enough to enter their exclusive enclave--resembling the selection process of more traditional private clubs. "We respect the communities that we go to, and everyone in Malibu was really passionate about keeping this club within the fabric of what the city is," Soho House membership director Samantha Stone told The Hollywood Reporter. The 10,000-square-foot Malibu property is relatively small compared to other Soho Houses. Situated on Carbon Beach (nicknamed 'Billionaire's Beach' after the obscenely wealthy Hollywood magnates who own ocean-front properties, like Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg), the minimalist space was formerly home to Larry Ellison's Italian restaurant, Nikita. A spokesperson for the Soho House confirmed in an email to The Daily Beast that the relatively small Little Beach House club is catering to the tight-knit top-tier Hollywood community of Malibu and surrounding coastal areas. When asked if Ludlow Houses founder members were investors, a spokesperson clarified in vague terms that the global club network always has a base of of founder members who comprise the first group of people who are members of the new House. As the British-born club continues its global expansion, with properties in cosmopolitan cities from Los Angeles to Istanbul, the Malibu house stands as an enclave within an enclave--a way of ensuring that the private membership club maintains its badge of exclusivity while opening other houses within the same city. Though the Soho House already has a thriving outpost in West Hollywood, they recently confirmed their plans to open another house in downtown Los Angeles in addition to Malibu. In North America, the other SH outposts are in Chicago, Miami, and Toronto. However, the group, perhaps surprisingly given all the tech money flowing through the city (and its established creative class too), has no plans to open in San Francisco. There are currently four Soho Houses in London, including the flagship on Dean Street, and two in the English countryside; two in New York City, with reported ambitions to open a third in Brooklyn. They will also open houses in Barcelona and Mumbai later this year, and have plans for a property in Amsterdam. If money is any measure of the Soho House's success, the business was valued at roughly $366 million when billionaire business mogul Ron Burkle purchased a 60 percent stake of the company in 2012. Founder Nick Jones reportedly owns 10 percent of the franchise, and Richard Caring owns 30 percent. This is a completely different business model from that of old-school private clubs, said Tarul Kapoor, managing director of Kapoor and Kapoor Hospitality, a consulting firm that works with private clubs around the world. The Soho House offers members a homey setting to meet other people of their social stature, said Kapoor, noting that its also a cross between that and a nightclub, except they handpick good-looking young hipsters to join the nightclub. The decoration of the two new houses likely mirrors some familiar aesthetics of Soho Houses everywhere: mismatched, but very smart upscale furnishings; comfy, worn leather seats; exposed brick; cleverly curated artwork for the walls (important this, when so many artists and art-adjacent professionals are members). While not all clubs look exactly the same, the broad Soho House look is of a fashionable British country weekend away with a few site-specific boho, metropolitan--and now beach, hello Malibu!--flourishes, like exposed brick walls and trendy lighting fixtures. While most established private clubs are packed with gray heads, the Soho House is promoting youth. Its a successful concept and it makes sense, because most thirtysomething people will only go to exclusive country clubs if their families are members, said Kapoor, noting that it can take years for even the most marquee names to be admitted, often because theyre waiting for a slot to open up. (Tom Brady is reportedly on the waiting list at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, where many of the members are blue-blood Yankees). Soho House, however, is growing the business just like the Ritz Carlton or the Four Seasons, except that their building model is such that each house is uniquely packaged for the neighborhood and the clientele in that neighborhood. So we can expect that the Ludlow House crowd and vibe will have a distinctly Lower East Side feel, attracting the types of people one associates with Ludlow Street today: a once-gritty neighborhood turned absurdly hip and sexy concrete jungle that, in recent years, has seen an explosion of shopping boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants that offer novelty cocktails with ingredients like sea plankton and wheatgrass. As New York Times art critic Roberta Smith observed of the area: You cant throw a cellphone without hitting a gallery, and quite a few are moving targets. That may be true, but what is also true is thatas ever with Jones and his canny Soho House plannersthey have identified a fashionable area to make their own, to both echo and influence, and all in the best possible taste. Color it green, black, brown, blue, purple, white, or red. Call it braunkohl, cavolo nero or riccio, chou frise, borecole, colewort, yuyi ganlan or brassica oleracea acephala. In any color and by any name, I know and hate kale when I see itand these days I see it everywhere: like scorched bits of burned paper atop pizzas, muffled into pesto as a dusty, bitter blanket over pasta and risotto, studded like flecks of parchment into brownies and cookies, muddying up the cool elegance of ice creams and sorbets. Recently a food article in The New York Times buried Caesar by suggesting that kale be tossed in with the supple romaine lettuce that is the classic standard for this gently piquant salad. Like equally ubiquitous roasted (a.k.a. burned) carrots and beets and bronzy quinoa, kale on a menu tells gourmet wannabes that they are dining on the cutting edge. A social organization that believes the Ten Commandments can cure juvenile delinquency has donated more than 150 granite slabs featuring the religious rules. The result: taxpayer funded legal battles over whether the donated monuments can sit on public property. The Fraternal Order of Eagles has donated, by one count, at least 186 Ten Commandments monuments to state and local governments over the last 50 years. Bob Ritter, an attorney and atheist, has been documenting the gifts on his website as part of a project he began in 2008. By his count, 115 monuments donated by the Eagles currently sit on public land, including 20 at city halls and municipal buildings, 5 at state capitols, 29 by courthouses, and one at a school. There have been at least half a dozen lawsuits over the monuments. When you go to sue, youre not suing the Eagles, because everyone has the right to give the government whatever they want. The government doesnt have to take it, Ritter said. They dont have to defend these cases, Ritter said. The states and cities do, at public expense. As the story goes, Eagles member Judge E.J. Ruegemer came up with the idea of using the Ten Commandments to reform juvenile offenders after encountering a troubled teen in his chambers in 1946. The young man stated he did not know anything about the Ten Commandments and asked where he could find them. The Judge pointed to the large library of law books and informed the boy that they were contained within those books, wrote Sue Hoffman, who wrote a book about the Ten Commandments. It was explained that the books contained thousands of laws, but he needed to seek out only ten of them because all of the laws in the country dealing with human relations were based upon those 10. Ruegemer passed away in 2005. I think the Ten Commandments should be on display where people, especially children can see it, Ruegemer told the Star-Tribune in 2003. Yes, its a religious document, but also a historic document that is the basis for a lot of our laws. Ritter, the atheist researcher, had visited a handful of the monuments as part of his long-term research project. Of course when I visited the five I didnt see anyone reading them, he said. Inspired by the troubled teen, the Ten Commandments campaign began in earnest in 1951, when the Eagles commissioned frameable prints, which, Hoffman reports, were going to be given out to various courts. But then, legend goes, Cecil DeMille called up Ruegemer and asked why they didnt make bronze plaques instead. Ruegemer, ever the biblical scholar, pointed out that in the Old Testament God deals in stone. And thus, the granite monuments were born. Estimates on the total number commissioned vary widely, but just under 200 are believed to exist today. DeMille used his star power to attract other celebrities to the crusade. Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, and Martha Scottstars of his Ten Commandments moviewere reportedly dispatched for many of the dedications. But perhaps the oddest thing about this Ten Commandments push is that the Eagles are not primarily a religious organization. The fraternal group fundraises for causes as like cancer, diabetes, and childrens hospitals, while another program honors military service members. Ritter, a critic of their religious rules campaign, is quick to acknowledge that most of their work performs an important public service. (The Eagles also claim to have invented Mothers Day, commonly attributed to Anna Jarvis.) The Order of Eagles, founded in 1898, claims more than 800,000 members, with 1,500 local Aerieschaptersin North America. There are an additional 1,300 womens auxiliaries. At least seven presidents, including both Roosevelts, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan, have been members, along with former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. But despite its well-heeled pedigree, the FOE has largely stayed behind the scenes in many of the Ten Commandments fights. (The Oklahoma Ten Commandments monument, while not donated by the organization, was made to look like theirs.) At most, they typically file a friend of the court brief: Though they donate the monuments, defending their place on public land falls to the host government organization. The Fraternal Order of Eagles and attorney Frances Manion did not return requests for comment. In at least one case, a Pennsylvania school districts defense of the monument against an atheist group cost upwards of $60,000. A judge found the Connellsville Area School Districts stone monument violated the establishment clause after complaints from a students parent, and the monument now sits on the grounds of a church. A second case against a nearby school district is ongoing. There, a mother sued over her daughter having to walk past the religious monument on her way into school each morning, but withdrew her daughter from the school while the case was in progress. The two sides are currently establishing whether the mother still has standing to sue. From the pluralistic world we live in, certainly a number of people are objecting to those commandments, Patrick Elliott, a staff attorney with the Freedom From Religion Foundation, told The Daily Beast. Its certainly not something the government should be involved in at all. The FFRF is representing the mother, Marie Schaub, in the case. I think the juvenile delinquency thing, it either doesnt make a lot of sense, or they think religion will solve juvenile delinquency, Elliott added. Its not saying be kind to your neighbors. Its saying follow these commandments, which come from this religious holy book. In 2005, a six foot high Ten Commandments monument at the Texas State Capitol was the subject of a controversial Supreme Court case about its legality. The monument had sat on the capitol grounds since being donated by the Eagles in 1961. In fact, it was current Texas governor Greg Abbott who defended its presence as perfectly constitutional in Van Orden v. Perry. Erwin Chemerinsky, who argued against it, told NPRs Nina Tottenberg at the time that the monument was inherently religious because even picking a particular version of the Ten Commandments to display promoted one religion over another. It couldnt be more religious, he said. It begins with the words, in big letters, I am the Lord thy God. The court was split about the Texas monuments constitutionality, but eventually found that the particular circumstances surrounding itits longtime display, and the context among other monumentsmade it permissible. A companion case argued that same year, involving newer Ten Commandments displays (not donated by the Eagles) in Kentucky, had the opposite outcome. There, the texts were determined to have a primarily religious purpose. In a somewhat creative move, some localities have attempted to circumvent potential challenges to the constitutionality of such monuments by selling small plots of government land to various private organizations. In effect, this has created mini private parks in the middle of public spaces. In Lacrosse, Wisconsin, for instance, such a private park is distinguished by low fencing around a 440-square foot plot of land with a big sign proclaiming it private. The city sold the plot to the Eagles, the very organization that donated the monument, after the threat of a lawsuit by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. An appeals court found the transfer of land valid. In each of these there was a lawsuit, the threat of a lawsuit, so what the city did was sell a [small] plot of land to the eagles or a private organization, Ritter said. You cant tell that these are not on public land! Its the scale, too, of the Eagles campaign that makes it so noteworthy. I dont know of any other groups that donate anything to governments like this, Elliott said. The Eagles distributed 10,000 Ten Commandments plaques, by their own count. Theres a man in Florida giving out Ten Commandments monuments to individual counties in Florida, Elliott said. But its not anywhere near on this kind of scale. And while the Eagles are not a religious group, and dont seem to spend much time promoting the Ten Commandments campaign, their member publications are very passionate about maintaining them. An issue of the November-December 1972 issue, provided by Ritter, remarks that the Y.S. is a nation of God-believing people, and that fact wont change. A cartoon shows the Ten Commandments being removed from in front of a courthouse, replaced by adult books and peepshows. Remember, it was a different time then. Everybody thought this was a good idea, a way to help build morality and character, Ruegemer told the Star-Tribune in 2003. I still think its a good idea. People havent changed much, but the times have changed. Felix Diaz was born 13 years before Donald Trump and millions of dollars and thousands of miles away, but in his story is the reason Trump will never be president of the United States. Felix Diaz grew up on the wrong side of the Union Pacific railroad tracks in the town of Victorville, California. Victorville is in the Mojave Desert, 100 miles or so from Los Angeles. His fatherPorfirioworked in the cement plant and Carmen, his mother, sewed the familys clothes. Felix was the youngest of four brothers, and the smallest, the last in line. The shirts he wore to school were hand-me-downs made of cement sacks. The parents were in the U.S. illegally and every move they made, most of their adult lives, was weighed against the chance of being discovered and deported. The school was called Eva Dell Elementary and Felixs third-grade teacherMiss Appleberrywas 40 or so, but new to teaching, unsure of herself around kids, unsure of herself around Mexicans, and maybe because of that, or partly because of that, she yelled a lot. Maybe she was just a natural yeller. Here is how Felix remembers it: you Mexicans. You Mexicans dont try. Im sick of you Mexicans Whats wrong with you Mexicans? At work then, as now, is the prevalent idea that anyone who doesnt speak fluent American is at least a little slow. This idea was part of Miss Appleberrys thinking, even though most of the students in her class were growing up in homes where little English was spoken. Miss Appleberry, in turn, spoke no Spanish. Felix Diazwho turns 82 this Julyremembers this like last week. There was one white pupil in the entire student body at Eva Della sixth-grader named Sylvia whose father owned the junkyard. Its a cliche, of course, to be born on the wrong side of the tracks but it happens. And in Victorvilleas in most places in Americathe citizens did not mingle. Not to make excuses, because there are none for this, but teaching kids who do not speak English requires patienceropeand Miss Appleberry came to the end of hers early. Not far into the school year she brought out a paddle, and announced a spelling test. Im sick of you Mexicans not spelling properly, she said. There were 35 students in her class that yeara combination of third grade and fourthand the spelling test was 10 words. If you misspelled one word, you got smacked with the paddle once. If you missed seven words, like Felixs friend Raul, you got hit seven times. Now Felix, it ought to be mentioned, was an angry, tough little kid. He would fight anybodyfourth-graders, fifth-graders, girls. This in spite of his size. He had spent 10 months of the previous yearhis seventhin a county hospital with tuberculosis, a disease hed contracted from a neighborhood man named Mr. Riles, who, like Felixs father, worked at the cement plant. Like everybody else, Mr. Riles walked to work. He smoked two cigarettes on the way there, every afternoon. The first one he lighted as he left his house. He walked halfway to the plant, lit his second cigarette off the first one, and dropped the butt on the ground. Felix collected Mr. Riles butts and made cigarettes of his own. And it was from those cigarettes he got tuberculosis. The Mexicansand the much smaller number of blacks in townshared a single ward for TB patients. Felix Diaz remembers that just hours before a tubercular patient died the nurses would say, Hes hemorrhaging, and put up a screen to hide the spray of blood coming up out of the dying mans mouth. That was the way Mr. Riles died and the way Felix expected to die, too. No one ever took the few minutes to explain to him what was going on, and when a doctor and a nurse came in one morning and told him they were all set to take out his tonsils that afternoon, Felix, who didnt know what tonsils were, thought the operating room was where they took you to die. The long stay in bed due to tuberculosis and a later diagnosis of polio stunted the boys growth. An average-sized kid at 7, he would eventually stop growing at about 5-feet-6 and 110 pounds. Smaller than his brothers and his friends, but also harder. And so the morning we were talking about he sat at his desk as Miss Appleberry announced each students scores, and took them one at a time into the hallway, closed the door and hit them with her paddle. Boys and girls alike. Felix remembers the flooring in the hallway was all wood and the sounds of the paddle, followed by the sounds of the 7- or 8-year-olds crying out, echoed clearly in the room. Thirty-five kids, sitting in terror or pain. And then came Felix. He had missed three words and Miss Appleberry said it was his turn in the hallway. You come take your punishment, Felix, she said to him, holding the paddle at her hip. Felix shook his head no. Everyone else had gone with the teacherand it is worth mentioning here that to this day teachers are held in higher regard in Latin cultures than they are in others. They are often called maestro or maestra revered almost like priests. Still, Felix said no. Miss Appleberry began to scream, and in seconds whatever sweet authoritarian revenge she was enjoying in the hallway disappeared. She grabbed him, trying to jerk him out of his desk. But the desks in those days were attached to the chairs, and the chairs were bolted to the floor, and Felix and his desk did not move. Miss Appleberry shook him, still screaming, her hard, narrow face balled up like a fist, but he would not let go. She had long fingernails and she scratched his arms and they bled. But he clung to the chair. And unlike the parking lot at a Trump rally, in the end there was a compromise. She let go of the paddle, he let go of the desk, and Miss Appleberry dragged him down the hall to the school principal, Mr. Mullen. Eva Dell Elementary did not have much money and the principal had to teach a class of his own, too. Miss Appleberry brought Felix into his classroom and announced hed refused to take his punishment. Felix sat in that classroomolder kidsfor the rest of the day, the object of curiosity, but probably not pity. Sixth grade is not the place for pity, but maybe miracles. Overworked, Mr. Mullen seemed to forget, and at the end of the school day Felix left Eva Dell with everybody else. It was not over, though. His arm was scabbing where it had bled and he knew his father would want to know what happened. He took his friend Leo along, knowing that his father would never take his word against a teachers. As mentioned, teachers were almost like priests. Porfirio listened to his sons story and did not want to believe it. A confrontation at the school could lead to confrontation with other authorities; city cops, which inevitably lead to immigration cops. Whichthe daily fearcould lead to deportation. But Felix had brought Leo. Porfirio took Leo aside, and Leo swore Felix was telling the truth. Felix remembers what his father said then: If you are lying to me, you will never be welcome in this house again. And after that there was no more talking. Down to the school, Porfirio Diaz walked. What he found at the front office was something like a mob scene. Parents crowded into the office, yelling, many more of them outside. These were not protesters in search of a cause. Most of them had just finished a long shift at the cement plant, or something else just as hard. None of them spoke English. The principal recognized Felixs fathermaybe from the arrangements theyd made while Felix was in the hospitaland begged him to intercede with the crowd. To explain for him that he understood what happened and promised they would never see Miss Appleberry again. And good to his word, in the morning she was gone, and nobody at Eva Dell Elementary ever saw her again. Even Felix Diaz does not know what happened to her afterward. That was Southern California, 1942, and this is the repeating lesson of American history. Which is this: Dismissing people wholesale might give you free reign to bring out the paddle, but it doesnt mean that some of those people wont cling to the chair. In 1941: Fighting the Shadow War: A Divided America in a World at War, historian Marc Wortman depicts how President Franklin Roosevelt led America into war long before Pearl Harbor while the nation remained deeply divided over its role in World War II. By September 1941, American Neutrality Patrol ships were sailing deep within Hitlers declared Atlantic Ocean combat zone. Violent confrontation between the U.S. and Germany was inevitable. The first shots of the undeclared war were fired on September 4, 1941. That day, deep in the North Atlantic, a naval destroyer, the USS Greer, steaming to Iceland, which American forces had occupied in early July, shadowed a German submarine. The Greers skipper trailed the U-boat to alert British forces. After a British patrol plane attacked the U-boat, the German commander, believing he was under attack by the destroyer, fired torpedoes in response. The Greer returned fire before breaking off the attack. FDR knew that this unprovoked attack involved threatening American action. But those German torpedoes gave him the first shot he believed he needed to commence open hostilities. It was time to inform the American people that undeclared war had begun. Jordan's King Abdullah appointed veteran politician Hani Mulqi as prime minister after dissolving parliament by royal decree on Sunday, following the end of its four-year term, and charged him with conducting new elections by October. The monarch accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, as is customary under the constitution, before appointing an interim head of government. Under the constitutional rules the election should be held within four months under the constitution and after the lower house passed an amendment to the electoral laws in March government sources and political analysts say there are likely to be more candidates from political parties vying for votes with traditional tribal and family allegiances. But Jordan's main political opposition to the government comes from the Muslim Brotherhood movement which is facing increasing legal curbs on its activities, leaving mostly pro-monarchy parties and some independent Islamists and politicians to compete in the elections, the sources say. In 2011, under pressure from the popular protests across the Arab world, Jordan's parliament endorsed constitutional changes that devolved some of the monarch's powers to the parliament. However, political analysts say tribal lawmakers who dominated the last parliament resisted any change which they saw undermining their influence and maintained a system that favours sparsely populated tribal regions which benefit most from state patronage and the support of the monarchy. Search Keywords: Short link: A funny comedy based on a 1672 farce by Moliere opens a three-week run this week at Unity Theatre in Brenham. Scapino is based of Les Fourberies de Scapin. Scapino opens Thursday night and continues Thursdays through Sundays through June 19. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 p.m. on Sundays. Kate Revnell-Smith, Unity's talented executive artistic director, said, "I picked Scapino to finish off our season as it is lots and lots of fun! A very silly farce, which I produced many moons ago at another theatre in Houston and it was popular with audiences and I think it's a great twist on a classic French farce by Moliere, made much more accessible by this contemporary take created by Jim Dale and Frank Dunlop at the Old Vic in England." She said, "Set in a fishing village in Naples, Italy, it is a 1960's take on the Moliere classic. Two young men fall in love with girls that their fathers disapprove of. They go to Scapino, a clever, scheming servant, for help. Shenanigans follow, lots of slapstick, mistaken identities and fun!" Asked what Unity audiences can expect, Revnell-Smith said, "Singing waiters, audience participation, flying plates of spaghetti, a great chase scene, a little romance, no drama, a man in a sack being attacked by a sausage -- extreme silliness and lots of fun!" James Monaghan stars as Scapino. Others in the cast are Cris Skelton, Christine Saenz, Jennifer Malisheski, Jim Salners, Ralph Ehntholt, Zachary Leonard, Jordan Gaskamp, Leslie Wood, Malik Cole, Tam Trevino, Wyntner Woody, Christina Kelly, Devin Norwood and Cydney Pennison. George Brock is directing the production. He played the lead role in a Houston production several years ago. Alan is stage manager, assisted by Thaddeus stage manager. Technical director is Mike Freese Donna Butler is prop master. Set design is by Liz Freese, light design by David Gipson and sound design by Yezminne Zepeda, Stephanie Dunbar is costume designer. All tickets for Scapino are $27 except for Thursday's opening night when all seats will be $17. All seats left unsold 15 minutes before show time are $15 -- a great price but you risk not being able to get in if all seats have been sold. Following Thursday's opening night, the cast and director will hold a brief talk-back session to answer questions and get audience feedback. After the June 11 performance, director Brock will meet with the audience to explain how the play came together and what goes on behind the scenes. Revnell-Smith said Scapino is appropriate for all age groups, but the theater does not admit children younger than 6. Perhaps, though, it would be enjoyed more by middle school students and older. Memorial Day concert Marches and patriotic music and holidays just go together. That's what our own community band is offering on Memorial Day. The Brazos Valley Community Band's concert will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Watercrest at Bryan. Under the direction of Elmer Jackson, the band will perform marches, patriotic music, classical compositions, as well as a medley of music from the Harry Potter movies. That is a wonderful program, and best of all, the concert is free. It will be a great day to cap of your Memorial Day. Wood engravings A new exhibit will open Tuesday at the Arts Center. Into the Wood: Wood Engraving Exhibition featuring works by Jim Horton and Mirka Hokkanan will run through July 23. The Arts Center is located at 2275 Dartmouth St. in College Station. Arts Center hours are Mondays through Thursdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Sundays. Admission is free. The exhibit is sponsored by the Arts Council of Brazos Valley. Documentary Don't forget the fundraiser for BCS to Broadway and Back: The Randy Wilsdon Story at 7:30 p.m. today at the Grand Stafford Theater in Downtown Bryan. The event is to raise funds for a documentary of Randy Wilson, a Broadway veteran who is artistic director of The Theatre Company in Bryan. Theatre Company veterans Cynthia Bradford and James Cho are putting the film together. Tickets at the door are $20 and doors open at 7 p.m. Area performers will present a selection of Broadway tunes from shows such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Seussical, Cats, South Pacific, Follies and My Fair Lady, as well as songs composed by Wilson, an accomplised musical creator. Save the date Mark your calendar for Sept. 22. That's the date for the annual Celebrate the Arts, hosted by the Arts Council of Brazos Valley. More information on the fun event will appear closer to the date. Overtures July 24 -- Preview Party for the 2016-2017 season, The Theatre Company, 7 p.m. Every Sunday -- Open mics and poetry slams sponsored by Mic Check Poetry, 8:30 p.m. Revolution Cafe in Downtown Bryan. (miccheckpoetry.com) Items for Sunday's Arts Watch column must be received by noon Tuesday. Send them to robert.borden@theeagle.com. Sara Beth Krusekopf of College Station graduated summa cum laude from Austin College in Sherman recently with a bachelor of arts in mathematics and a minor in Spanish. She is the daughter of Deborah and Kurt Krusekopf. Huda Naeem of College Station graduated with a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center's commencement ceremony, May 21 in Fort Worth. Naeem is a graduate of A&M Consolidated High School, Blinn College and Texas A&M. She will continue her medical training in the Detroit area as an emergency medicine resident at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital. Lisa Dubois of Bryan has been named to the Chancellor's List at Troy University in Troy, Alabama, for the spring semester. The Chancellor's List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who earn a grade-point average of 4.0. Caleb Smith of Somerville has been named to the Dean's List for spring 2016 semester at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Students named to the list earned at least a 3.75 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale, completed at least 12 hours of standard graded credit, achieved no grade below a B and received no failing grades. Alec Jeffery Paradowski of College Station received a bachelor of arts degree in business economics with a minor in mathematics, cum laude, from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Cade Simpson, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Bryan, was named to the spring 2016 Dean's List at LeTourneau University in Longview. The Dean's List recognizes students who earned a grade-point average between 3.5 and 3.99. Marilee Rodgers of College Station has been named to the Dean's List at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, for academic accomplishments during the 2016 spring term. To be named to the Dean's List, a student must have achieved a minimum 3.6 semester and cumulative grade-point average. Ethan Bassham of Bryan will spend the summer on a mission trip to Canada as part of the Global Outreach program at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. Bassham, a social science major, is one of more than 80 students that will complete internships and mission trips in more than 20 countries as a part of the program this summer. Frank Scanlin of Bryan has graduated from Ohio Christian University in Circleville, Ohio, with a bachelor of arts in leadership and ministry. Emma Tamplin of College Station has been named to the spring 2016 Dean's List at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a grade-point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C. Love old or unusual movies but never know when they're on? Here are several I recommend: Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971): This my favorite of the Planet of the Apes sequels from the original cycle of films. It has a clever premise: At the end of the events of the previous movie, chimpanzee scientists Cornelius (Roddy McDowell) and Zira (Kim Hunter) jump into a space ship and miraculously end up back in 20th-century Los Angeles. At first they're instant celebrities, but soon they encounter the same "species-ism" that humans suffered in their world. What follows is a surprisingly entertaining movie that deals with fame, racism and destiny. There's even a fun cameo from Ricardo Montalban. Cinemax, 2:30 p.m. Monday Maps to the Stars (2014): Not for the faint of heart. Screenwriter Bruce Wagner and director David Cronenberg craft a tale that takes a flamethrower to the classic Hollywood dream. It tells the story of disturbed family led by John Cusack as a quack to the rich and famous, Olivia Williams as his miserable wife, Evan Bird as his violent son, Mia Wasikowska as his psychotic daughter and Julianne Moore in a spectacular turn as a fading movie star desperate to rejuvenate her career. If all that sounds unpleasant, believe me, it is. But it's also fascinating and even funny in a sick, horrible way, if you're a sick, horrible person like me. I loved it. HBO, midnight Friday The Man From Laramie (1955): This soulful film is the fifth and final in a cycle of Westerns directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart in the 1950s. It tells the story of an army captain (Stewart) who runs afoul of a powerful family in a small town in the middle of nowhere. The family's patriarch (Donald Crisp) is torn between loyalties to his son (Alex Nicol) and his foreman (Arthur Kennedy). One mishap between Stewart and the family leads to another until the situation gets really dangerous. Stewart was one of the most home-on-the range of any of our great stars. It's always a pleasure to see him in his element. Turner Classic Movies, 5 p.m. Saturday To Catch A Thief (1955): Alfred Hitchcock was on a roll in the 1950s. Think about it: In a 10-year period, he made I Confess, Strangers on a Train, Rear Window, Dial M For Murder, The Trouble With Harry, The Man Who Knew Too Much, The Wrong Man, Vertigo and North By Northwest. Right smack in the middle of these projects was To Catch A Thief, a gorgeous piece of fluff starring Cary Grant as a retired cat burglar and Grace Kelly as an American heiress. Grant is enlisted to help solve a mysterious string of thefts - mostly to prove he's not the culprit. Jesse Royce Landis is memorable (as always) as Kelly's mother. Cary Grant was never more suave, and Grace Kelly was never more ravishing. Watch this movie and for days you'll be grumbling about how "they don't make 'em like they used to." Indeed. Now streamable on Netflix Trivia Question #635: Which performer in Escape From the Planet of the Apes was already an Oscar winner? Answer to Trivia Question #633: George Roy Hill directed the daffy musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. Bryan native Ray Ivey is a writer and movie fan in Hollywood, Calif. He would love to hear from you at rayivey@ca.rr.com. You can also visit his blog at www.starkravingray.com. KBTX Media, The Eagle and Bryan Broadcasting are collecting funds for victims of Thursdays Bryan tornado and those impacted by record flooding in the Brazos Valley. Donations to the Brazos Valley Media Giving Back fund can be made at any of The Bank and Trust locations: 2900 S. Texas Ave., 3400 Texas 21 or 1716 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 400, all in Bryan; or in College Station at either 2305 Texas Ave., S. or 4450 Texas 6 S. at Tower Point. Please make checks out to BV Media Giving Back, and note in the memo line that its for May 2016 storm victims. Financial donations will support immediate recovery needs for tornado and flood victims, including paying for food, clothing and gas. Bryans Wheeler Ridge subdivision was hit the hardest with three homes destroyed and roughly 100 or so houses with various degrees of damage. That number continues to rise as emergency workers also make their way through the subdivision off F.M. 1179 and Boonville Road near Allen Academy. Next door in Miramont Country Club estates, the roof was stripped off of one house while several others were damaged. In Washington County, where some areas had up to 20 inches of rain, four people were killed. The three media organizations television, newspaper and radio previously have teamed up to gather donations for the families of the two Bryan firefighters killed and two others injured in the line of duty in 2013; as well as the scores impacted by the fertilizer plant explosion in West. Egypt's one-year Interim President Adly Mansour delivers his farewell speech to the Egyptian public, underlining the challenges he faced, the progress hard won, and that Egypt remains 'immortal' Egypt's now former Interim President Adly Mansour has bid the Egyptian people farewell after nearly a year in power, wishing the new president success and warning him of the old regime's attempt to return. In a nearly 30-minute televised speech, by far the longest given since he took office in July 2013, Mansour appeared tearful while giving an account of how the country was when he took up his position and how he's delivering now to the president-elect Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. The official inauguaration of El-Sisi will take place Sunday at the High Constitutional Court. "I deliver Egypt to the president that the people entrusted with the responsibility, and with a new reality; not the one aimed for, but definitely better than how I received it," he said. In indirect reference to the former regime of Hosni Mubarak, Mansour warned of "groups ... who want to use the current atmosphere to clean up their infamous reputation and to revive the old days that Egyptians do not want to see come back." The 67-year-old head of Egypt's High Constitutional Court was sworn in as interim president after the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and the laying of a political roadmap supported by a broad array of political forces. "I did not expect the gravity of the burden, the size of challenges and the difficulty of the task," he said. "I did not want to handle this task, but accepted to bear responsibility." Mansour's time in office was shadowed by a tense political situation and increasing polarisation after Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood refused to acknowledge the interim authorities and kept a defiant presence on the street for the 10 months that followed. A wave of attacks, blamed on the Brotherhood and their allies, had also hit the country, plunging it into insecurity and economic deterioration. Mansour said the hardest moments he had to face was when honouring the fallen martyrs of the police and armed forces after the frequent attacks. "One day you will know the truth and how much was plotted against Egypt, and the gravity of this stage," Mansour said. The presidential vote, in which El-Sisi won a landslide victory at over 96 percent, is the second step in the political roadmap, after passing a new constitution in January. Mansour promised parliamentary elections in the near future. Mansour reiterated his full independence, and yet efforts at inclusiveness, in taking decisions during his year in charge. "I did not accept interference or surveillance from anybody, inside or outside the country," he asserted. "I have listened to all opinions, consulted and then took decisions that I bear full responsibility for." In his farewell speech, Mansour also thanked the two governments of Hazem El-Beblawi and Ibrahim Mahlab. He thanked Gulf and Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, that furnished Egypt with nearly $18 billion in loans and grants. As for the countries that took negative stances or refused to help Egypt, Mansour said: "Egypt will remain immortal with or without you your stances will only make it more difficult to correct in the future." He added that the country is winning new friends and allies each day, and its economic situation is recovering. Mansour also called for better religious speech, an enlightening wave to lift the public and revive Egyptian identity that refuses extremism and terrorism, as well as upholding the national benefit above categorical demands and parties, because "all the circles of our national security are threatened." "Bread will not be bargained for dignity anymore," he said. "Neither freedom bargained for security." Search Keywords: Short link: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with his Egyptian counterpart El-Sisi to discuss solutions to the Palestinian issue Egypt will support initiatives and international efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi told his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas during a Cairo meeting on Saturday. El-Sisi said that Egypt will continue to support initiatives that lead to a fair, comprehensive, and lasting peace solution that would help to establish a Palestinian state in accord with the 1967 borders, which would contribute to a better reality as well as a safer and more stable future in the region. According to a presidential spokesman, Abbas said Palestine deeply appreciates the "honest" efforts that Egypt is making to reach a peaceful solution for Palestine to prevent bloodshed and preserve the rights of Palestinians. The Palestinian president also praised the Egyptian leadership's stances, and the efforts made to accomplish peace and establish an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international legitimacy. He also expressed his appreciation for the historic role played by Egypt in supporting the Palestinian cause, as well as Egyptian sacrifices to reserve the rights of the Palestinian people. The two leaders also exchanged views on international efforts that have been made recently, headed by the French initiative and the upcoming international support group for peace negotiations that will be held in Paris on 3 June with the participation of 26 countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordon, and Morocco. They stressed that the upcoming international support group for peace negotiations would provide a chance for the exchange of viewpoints and the definition of future steps that can be taken. This is Abbas's second visit to Cairo within weeks of El-Sisi's call for both Palestine and Israel to reach a solution that establishes peace. Discussions related to the Palestinian issue have been on the rise since the Egyptian president's call in a May speech to Palestinian and Israeli leaders that peace, prosperity and cooperation will only take place if both parties are able to reach a two-state solution. Search Keywords: Short link: Abbey Nickel/The Gleaner Author Hal Bowman instructs a group of teachers and staff from South Heights Elementary through team building exercises at One Life Church in Henderson on Saturday morning. Bowman, a Texas native, chose South Heights to collaborate with for a book that will be published in the fall. SHARE A group of teachers and staff from South Heights Elementary complete team building exercies at One Life Church in Henderson on Saturday morning as author Hal Bowman gives them instructions. Bowman, a Texas native, chose South Heights to collaborate with for a book that will be published in the fall. Author Hal Bowman instructs a group of teachers and staff from South Heights Elementary through team building exercies at One Life Church in Henderson on Saturday morning. Bowman, a Texas native, chose South Heights to collaborate with for a book that will be published in the fall. By Abbey Nickel, abbey.nickel@thegleaner.com / @abbeynickel After visiting South Heights Elementary in August of last year, author and nationally recognized speaker Hal Bowman hasn't been able to stop thinking about the people inside of its classrooms. Saturday morning, the Texas native surprised 72 staff members of South Heights at One Life Church in Henderson with a challenge he has been creating for the last decade. He asked them to help him write a book, on the spot, in six hours or less. "I've been thinking about this day for the last 10 years," Bowman told the crowd of puzzled, yet excited, teachers and staff. "I've been to thousands of schools, and you are the one. South Heights is the school I've never been able to forget." Bowman is the author of "Teach Like a Rockstar," a research-based professional development event. Three years ago, a group of teachers from South Heights traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to attend a workshop facilitated by Bowman. And after his visit to Henderson last year, Bowman has maintained a close relationship with the staff and Principal Rob Carroll. Carroll was the only one aware of the surprise that was unveiled on Saturday morning. Keeping it a secret wasn't easy, and the only information Carroll would reveal about Saturday's event was that it was "really big." "They know if I'm saying something is a big deal, it really is," Carroll said. The concept for the book was to create something with ideas, activities and concepts to help build better teachers and classrooms. Bowman said South Heights was a "prime example" of how to engage students. "South Heights is the absolute most loving, caring, compassionate and nurturing campus that produces high quality students," Bowman said. "I chose them because they have it figured out." Teachers and staff broke out into groups and busied themselves for several hours Saturday morning as they wrote the material for the book that Bowman hopes to have published by the fall. "This is the school that is the best at helping teachers teach in a way that they actually use the content of their classrooms to affect the character of the kids. They are using the material to build great people," Bowman said. Susan Overton, the librarian at South Heights, helped make a list of what she thought made a difference in the classroom, such as compliments, special gifts unique to the school, and maintaining relationships with students even after the move up to middle and high school. "It's really meaningful that (Bowman) trusted us with something that could have so much of an impact," Overton said. Intermediate math teacher Melissa Allinder described the day spent with Bowman as an honor. She also shared some of the qualities that she believed helps create strong educational environments. "Hugs, hugs and even more hugs," Allinder said. Her coworkers around her agreed, adding that making students feel included is one of the most important aspects of their role as a teacher. As Carroll watched his staff collaborate on Saturday, he couldn't help but be moved by the experience. "I'm trying to hold back the tears, to be honest," Carroll said. "This is beautiful. This is what love is about. This shows me that it pays to be uncommon and to be different. We're here to try and change the world, and that's what we're doing right now." SHARE Mammoth Cave spokeswoman Vicki Carson stands near construction materials that are part of a nearly $6 million trail building project in whats known as the historic section of the cave, a two-mile stretch whose pocked, uneven dirt trails havent been updated since they were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. By Chris Kenning, USA TODAY NETWORK, Louisville Courier-Journal Described as grand, gloomy and peculiar by a 19th Century guide, Kentuckys Mammoth Cave the worlds longest is helping mark the National Park Service's 100th birthday this year. But it's been home to cave tours for twice as long. Tours began a few years after its use as a saltpeter mine, around the time of the War of 1812. Locals began guiding visitors into the giant limestone caverns, and in the 1840s, slave and guide Stephen Bishop was one of the first to map parts of the cave. Word of the cave continued to spread. Two hundred years ago, the guides were enslaved people, and women went in long dresses carrying a candle or whale-oil lanterns," said Mammoth Cave National Park Superintendent Sarah Craighead. Mammoth Cave has been a tourist attraction well before it was a National Park." As more than 400 National Parks, recreation areas and monuments mark the centennial of the park service this summer, Mammoth Cave National Park is also celebrating its 75th year of its founding in 1941 and the 200th anniversary of cave tours. Coinciding with that is a nearly $6 million trail building project in whats known as the historic section of the cave, a two-mile stretch whose potholed, uneven dirt trails havent been updated since they were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It marks the biggest cave improvement project at Mammoth in more than 80 years, officials said. Work is at the halfway point - now suspended during the busy summer season - and will continue in the fall to add concrete and hexagonal pavers. Just getting the materials in the cave is a feat: Pallets of sand, gravel, concrete and nearly 10,000, 40-pound pavers must be lowered by crane through an old airshaft and hand-carted through the cave. Work crews have to string lighting and power into deep recesses. "Its been a huge undertaking," said park spokeswoman Vicki Carson, who said the park is working closely with archaeologists to ensure artifacts, such as mining timbers or Native American cane reeds, sandals and gourds are preserved. Other work in the park includes a recent renovation of its cabins and motor lodge, and fixing an elevator into the cave that hasn't worked since 2003 for disabled visitors. All the work will enhance many of the 14 types of cave tours offered currently at Mammoth, from hours-long wild cave adventures that require crawling through rocky passages to easy walks in the larger sections of the cave. They all snake through miles of areas with names like Frozen Niagara,Gothic Avenue and River Styx. Joe Rau, 70, a retired college professor from Atlanta, earlier this year took a two-hour domes and dripstones tour for the first time fulfilling a longtime dream to visit the cave after seeing an ad in the back of a comic book when he was a child. I dont know what it is, caves are just fascinating, he said. The caves were hollowed out of the limestone by the underground river beginning about 10 million years ago. The limestone itself was laid down by an ancient sea that covered what is now part of the continental U.S. about 325 million years ago. Exploration of the cave continues, and its true size remains unknown. In 1972, a connection between Flint Ridge and Mammoth Cave made it the longest mapped cave in the world at 144 miles. Since then, the systems length has been mapped at 405 miles. At the same time, park officials say the park has been drawing increasing numbers to its surface attractions on 52,000 acres of reclaimed hardwood forest. The area was designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1990. That includes 31 miles of canoeing and kayaking on the Green and Nolin rivers, 85 miles of trails - including 60 miles for horses and 25 miles for bikes - along with camping and picnicking. Along with the cave, those attractions helped draw 566,895 annual visitors in 2015. That may be a result of increasing adventure tourism across Kentucky. In the last decade or so, the interest in those above ground activities have really increased, Craighead said. A recent National Park Service report found visitors to national parks and sites in Kentucky spent $113 million in the state in 2015. That spending resulted in 1,784 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $145 million. The biggest draw remains Mammoth Cave and its underground tours. The underground world is foreign to people," Craighead said, "for many people its still a surreal, magical experience as it was 200 years ago. About the park History: Mammoth Cave National Park includes more than 400 miles of caves, including Mammoth. Tours began in 1816. In 1926, Congress authorized the national part to protect the caves and land, and the park was dedicated in 1941. In 1981, it was designated a World Heritage Site. When visiting: The park is about 10 miles north of Interstate 65. The visitor center at 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in spring, and 6:30 p.m. in summer. Adult fees for cave tours vary from $5 to $55. Visitor information: 270-758-2180. Hendersons pioneer aviator later became a bootlegger Baxter H. Adams, Hendersons first aviator, liked living on the edge. That could even be one reason he turned gray before he reached age 30. New Burlington Area Homeless Shelter director carrying mission forward The new executive director of the Burlington Area Homeless Shelter says she's excited for her new role and here to serve the community. NORWALK The Mayors Energy & Environment Task Force is hosting an Energy Savings Workshop on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Community Room of Norwalk City Hall. All Norwalk property owners are invited to attend. As an added bonus, the first 200 Norwalk residents through the door will receive five free LED light bulbs. The United Nations (UN) should undertake its responsibilities to reach a fair and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed to the president of the UN General Assembly during a meeting in Cairo on Saturday. According to presidency spokesman Alaa Youssef, the General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft praised Egyptian efforts to resurrect peace efforts between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. Lykketoft also affirmed the importance of coordinating and promoting international efforts to aid in accomplishing a tangible process to reach a solution. Earlier on Saturday, El-Sisi met with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas at Itihadiya Palace in Cairo where they discussed the latest regional developments, including the French initiative for a Palestinian-Israeli peace conference and the efforts of the international support group for peace negotiations that will meet in Paris on 3 June. A number of regional issues and crises were also discussed during the meeting, including Syria and Libya and the methods of strengthening the UN's role to solve these crises. El-Sisi underlined the importance of promoting international efforts to reach political solutions that would preserve the unity and the sovereignty of those states. The Egyptian president also highlighted to Lykketoft Egypt's interest in playing a larger role in accomplishing international peace and security, especially in light of Cairo's current membership in the Security Council and the African Union's Peace and Security Council, as well as its participation in peacekeeping operations. Egypt 2030, domestic issues El-Sisi stressed the importance of the UN providing a supportive international environment for the implementation of Egypt's developmental 2030 agenda. The president also presented Egypt's efforts to achieve stability and the introduction of mega projects to develop infrastructure and work opportunities that comply with the goals of sustainable development adopted by the UN. Lykettoft praised the Egyptian government efforts to move forward on the path to a democratic transition. Lykettoft also expressed his understanding of the major challenges that Egypt faces on regional and domestic levels, and called for its continued support. El-Sisi further underscored Egypt's keenness to uphold human rights values, adding that the accomplishment of economic development facilitates efforts to bolster social rights including the right to education, work, health, as well political rights. The UN's Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has on several occassions expressed concerns over reports of human rights violations in Egypt including a series of death sentences meted in 2015 to prisoners accused of violent offences , freedom of expression for journalists, and judicial proceeding against a number of non-governmental organisations. Search Keywords: Short link: WILTON As the song goes, June is bustin out all over, and Wilton Library is bustin out seven authors introducing everything from beach reads to bestsellers. Beginning with New York Times bestselling author Paula McLain on June 1, genres and topics include historical fiction, non-fiction, family dynamics, lost and found love stories, as well as championing two debut storytellers. Here is the line-up of the authors coming to the library in June: Paula McLain is the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun. Circling the Sun was chosen as the Wilton Reads 2016 selection which the author will discuss on Wednesday, June 1, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., also the day of its paperback release. It is a historical novel based on the true-life story of Beryl Markham, a beautiful and strong-willed woman and her years in Kenya in the 1920s. She became the youngest licensed horse trainer and an aviator who flew solo from east to west across the Atlantic. McLain will be presented with the Grodin Family Fine Writers Award before her talk. Author and journalist George Taber brings an interesting discussion of his book, Judgment of Paris, to the library on Saturday, June 4, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the wine event that upended the wine world which he recounts in his book. Having been in Paris in 1976 for the wine tasting that saw a relatively unknown California upstart win in a blind taste test against French wines, Taber plans to share the history of the event and then reenact the occasion at his talk letting participants blind-taste French and California wines. After a 40-year journalism career, Taber turned to writing books. In 2005 he came out with Judgment of Paris and in 2014 Chasing Gold: The Incredible Story of How the Nazis Stole Europes Bullion. Terry McMillan, a bestselling author of Waiting to Exhale and When Stella Got Her Groove Back, brings a new story to Wilton Library audiences with I Almost Forgot About You on Tuesday, June 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It is the inspiring story of a woman who shakes things up in her life to find greater meaning. McMillan fell in love with books as a teenager while working at the local library. She studied journalism at UC Berkeley and screenwriting at Columbia before making her fiction debut with Mama, which won both the Doubleday New Voices in Fiction Award and the American Book Award. She lives in California. William Leuchtenburg, one of the great presidential historians of the century, comes to Wilton Library on Thursday, June 9, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss his most recent book, The American President: From Teddy Roosevelt to Bill Clinton. The book is an enthralling account of American presidential actions from the assassination of William McKinley in 1901 to Bill Clinton's last night in office in January 2001. Leuchtenburg is the William Rand Kenan, Jr. Professor Emeritus of History at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Over the course of six decades, he taught at Columbia University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and, as a visiting professor, at Harvard, Cornell, Duke, William and Mary and other American universities, as well as at Oxford where he held the Harmsworth chair. The program is co-sponsored by the Wilton Historical Society and the library. First-time novelist Christine Reilly visits the library on Tuesday, June 14, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with her debut entry, Sunday's on the Phone to Monday. It is an arresting family love story about the eccentric yet tightknit Simone family, coping with tragedy during 90s New York, struggling to reconnect with each other and heal. The author has received a star rating from Kirkus Review and has received high praise from many others. Christine currently teaches at Sarah Lawrence College and the Gotham Writers Workshop. Drawing on her own family history, author Joy Callaway has written a vividly descriptive, captivating debut novel which she brings to the library audience on Thursday, June 16, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Fifth Avenue Artists Society is Edith Wharton meets Little Women -- a gripping story following Virginia Loftin, the boldest of four artistic sisters living in genteel poverty in the Bronx in 1891. The novel is rich with historical details from the elaborate hats Ginnys sister designs for Manhattans elite to the famous literary figures she meets at the salon, Callaway paints a vivid portrait of New Yorks glitzy Gilded Age. The author lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her family. Mary Simses, the author of the bestselling debut The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop And Cafe, returns to Wilton Library with her highly anticipated novel, The Rules Of Love & Grammar on Tuesday, June 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. A wordsmith by trade, Grace Hammond cant let even the most innocent grammar mistakes slip by. After a series of missteps, Grace returns to her parents home where she must decide what truly matters, and whether it just might be time for her to set aside the rule book, open her heart, and take a chance on the unknown. Each chapter starts off with a grammar rule that is applied cleverly to the plot. The author talks are free of charge; registration is recommended. Books will be available for purchase and signing with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Wilton Library. With the exception of Judgment of Paris, book purchases are made possible courtesy of Elm Street Books of New Canaan. Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Road in the heart of Wilton Center. For information, program registration and directions, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ina Parlina (The Jakarta Post) Ise-Shima, Japan Sat, May 28 2016 Indonesia has reissued its call for all countries to maintain the rule of law in settling international disputes, including maritime territorial spats in the South China Sea (SCS). President Joko Jokowi Widodo took the opportunity at the G7 summit in Japan to remind all major powers that Indonesia would not allow Asia to become a hotbed of conflict or for battles of power between big nations. Indonesia would like to emphasize that all counties, I repeat, all countries, should honor the international rule of law without exception, he said during the summit of seven industrial powers. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Sat, May 28 2016 My wife bought seedless grapes. I refused to eat them on moral grounds, but she didnt even care that they were the last surviving members of that particular grape family line. (women are the tough-minded sex). That disagreement ended with her telling our dinner guests, My husband is an original thinker. Thinking in counter-cultural ways is usually a good thing, but not always. The human resources officer at the last place I worked was never discreet like they normally are. She would walk into our department and sing: Making a list, checking it twice. She was a totally sweet human being except for being a dangerous psychopath and probable serial killer. In general, original thinkers add interest to life, especially when offbeat ideas are adopted by institutions. In some districts of India, police who catch men urinating in public spaces leap into action, placing garlands of flowers around miscreants necks. The sheer randomness of the action, Im told, stops them re-offending. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, May 28 2016 East Jakarta Mayor Bambang Musyawardana has threatened to shut down a furniture factory located in Pondok Bambu, Duren Sawit, as its waste and black water have clogged the communitys local drainage system. Bambang said on Friday that he would ask the company to build a septic tank for the black water so that the factory would not be shut down. The factory is allowed to operate in this area but please take care of your waste, he said, as quoted by beritajakarta.com. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, May 28 2016 Publicly listed building materials and plastics maker Impack Pratama Industri is upbeat that sales will rebound this year on the back of new products and more aggressive marketing to grab projects in the governments infrastructure drive. Amid a broad domestic economic slowdown, Impack Pratama has seen its sales drop 17 percent year-on-year (yoy) to Rp 263 billion (US$19.3 million) in the first quarter, while its net profit decreased by 40 percent to Rp 27 billion. The slump was primarily attributed to a plunge in sales from its sole property project, Altira Business Park, in Sunter, North Jakarta, toRp 8 billion from Rp 70 billion. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jambi Sat, May 28 2016 Damaged machinery has brought the bottled water business belonging to PT Segar Kerinci, a subsidiary of Kerinci regency-owned tap water company PDAM Tirta Sakti, to the brink of bankruptcy because of a continuing decrease in production. The company previously produced 1,500 cases of bottled drinking water a day. The figure has dropped to only 700 cases. At the same time the companys employees have been demanding promotions and salary raises. There has been miscommunication between the management of PT Segar Kerinci and PDAM Tirta Sakti. The production machine was indeed already old as it was purchased in 2001. The company is ready to purchase a new one, the companys president director Bambang Irwanto said. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar Sat, May 28 2016 An Australian national, Aaron Gerrard Dolden, 25, has been interrogated for allegedly being unruly on an AirAsia flight from Sydney to Denpasar on Thursday. An investigation was conducted by the Transportation Ministry and the Nusa Tenggara International Airport authority. The AirAsia cabin crew reported that Dolden had annoyed other passengers on board by speaking loudly and refusing to abide by the rules. He allegedly also used some abusive words with the cabin crew. An investigator with the airport authority, Ade Yuliana, claimed the Australian grew impatient waiting for some food he ordered to arrive and he stood in front of the lavatory, hindering other passengers and crew members from passing. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Egyptian prosecution ordered on Saturday the release of an officer and four low-ranking policemen who were detained on accusations of beating a 61-year-old man to death, keeping three other defendants behind bars pending investigation. The prosecution released the five policemen on an EGP 5000 bail. On Friday, Egyptian prosecutors ordered the apprehension of eight policemen, a detective and seven low-ranking policemen at the Wayley Police Station. They are accused of beating to death a man in Cairo's Abbasiya district on Thursday. The interior ministry had released a statement on Friday saying Hussein Farghaly died in a hospital he was transferred to after complaining of "sickness" during questioning at a police station in a case related to a landlord-tenant dispute. The interior ministry said Wayley Police Station in Abbasiya received a complaint that a landlord, named Hussein Farghaly, was illegally detaining one of his tenants in a dispute over rent. The statement said officers attempted to negotiate with the landlord to release the tenant. However, according to the interior ministry statement, Farghaly, along with family members, attacked the police forces. Police say they succeeded in freeing the tenant who suffered minor injuries and was sent to a hospital for treatment, adding that the scuffle resulted in damaging a police vehicle and Farghaly's injury. During questioning at the station, Farghaly complained of nausea and was sent to a nearby hospital where he died, the ministry said. On Friday, hundreds of family and neighbours attended funeral prayers for Farghaly at Nasser El-Haq mosque in Abbasiya and afterwards chanted against police brutality. The family of the deceased said they would not hold a funeral for Farghaly until "justice is served." The interior ministry has been in hot water in recent months over several cases of deaths of citizens in police custody and reports of torture in police stations. The interior ministry says such incidents of police brutality are isolated cases and has vowed to bring officers accused of wrong doing to justice. The ministry has recently drafted legislation that aims to monitor the performance of police officers and punish rogue elements. The legislation has been referred to parliament but has not yet been voted on. Over the past months, Egyptian courts have sentenced more than a dozen police officers to jail after they were accused in various cases of beating citizens to deaths in custody. Search Keywords: Short link: Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anggi M. Lubis (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, May 28 2016 Piracy in Southeast Asia is a myth that overlooks the real threats that haunt regional waters, an Indonesian bureaucrat has claimed. The real threats are illegal fishing and organized crime. The perception that Southeast Asia is a pirate-invested region is shaped by, among other things, reports compiled by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) on robberies or robbery attempts from vessels plying the regions waters, says Arif Havas Oegroseno, a deputy for maritime sovereignty at the Office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister. Sea-related cases reported to the IMB a Singapore-based unit of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) are marked as piracy without relying on proper and specific definitions set by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Havas said during a recent conference held by policy think tank the Habibie to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Sat, May 28 2016 After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US, complaints were rife about people being subjected to racial profiling when traveling to the West. Our luggage was checked more than others, it seemed, because we appeared with beards and veils and our passports had Muslim names that is if we managed to finally secure a visa to those countries. So lets refrain from doing exactly the same thing to foreigners. They could lodge the same complaints following the opening of the South Jakarta immigration office in Kalibata, which was aimed at intensifying supervision of foreigners. Immigration violations, terrorism, drugs, employment violations and radicalism, South Jakarta immigration office head Cucu Koswala said Wednesday, listing potential problems involving foreigners. Authorities have broken up drug and prostitution rings a number of times at Kalibata City apartment, where residents welcomed the first Foreign Nationals Supervisory Team (TIMPORA) secretariat. Cucu said South Jakartas high number of foreigners and their potential problems had led to the establishment of the secretariat office in the Kalibata City apartment complex. Residents welcomed the office, which is open around the clock for anyone wishing to report suspicious activities by foreigners in South Jakarta. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan Sat, May 28 2016 The Indonesian government, via the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), has lodged a protest to the Malaysian government following alleged mistreatment by the neighboring countrys immigration office toward fishermen from North Sumatra. The protest was aired by Parlindungan Purba, the chairman of DPDs second committee, after hearing complaints from a number of North Sumatran fishermen who had just arrived at Kualanamu Airport in Deli Serdang regency from Malaysia. The alleged mistreatment occurred after the fishermen had in fact become free men. All of the 20 fishermen who arrived in Kualanamu today had completed serving their jail terms in Malaysia. Why were they still allegedly mistreated by Malaysian immigration officials. I will clarify this incident and simultaneously submit a protest to the Malaysian government, Parlindungan told The Jakarta Post on Friday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Khairil Azhar (The Jakarta Post) Tampere, Finland Sat, May 28 2016 Merely blaming teens for being immoral by perpetrating inhuman sexual abuse is unfair and irresponsible as they have been molded by society. Indeed, parents, the school system, religious leaders and society as a whole contribute to their environment. In the early 20th century, the psychologist Lev Vygotsky wrote that ones knowledge, attitude and behavior are constructed through ones interactions in a social setting. Thus, regardless of biological and hereditary factors, knowledge and impulses to carry out sexual abuse are to a significant degree internalized through what one hears, reads, sees and experiences. Contemporary technological developments enable teens to very easily access information and material that potentially further impulses for sexual abuse. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sarah El Deeb and Bassem Mroue (Associated Press) Beirut Sun, May 29, 2016 Al-Qaida's branch in Syria has recruited thousands of fighters, including teenagers, and taken territory from government forces in a successful offensive in the north, illustrating how the cease-fire put in place by Russia and the United States to weaken the militants has in many ways backfired. The branch, known as the Nusra Front, has churned out a flood of videos slickly produced in the style of its rival, the Islamic State group that show off its recruitment drive. In one, young men line up for combat training. In another, a bearded al-Qaida fighter in a mosque urges a crowd of men to join jihad. A third shows an al-Qaida-linked cleric leading a graduation ceremony, handing out weapons to young men. Since March, the group recruited 3,000 new fighters, including teenagers, in comparison to an average of 200 to 300 a month before, according to Rami Abdurrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group monitoring the conflict. He cited contacts within the Nusra Front. Other activists said hundreds living in camps for displaced people in the north have joined the al-Qaida branch. But battlefield success and the push for new recruits have brought to the surface tensions within the Nusra Front over the group's future path, observers say. A hard-line faction within the group wants to emulate al-Qaida's chief rival, the Islamic State group, and declare an Islamic caliphate in the areas under its control, a step al-Qaida has long rejected because it does not want to alienate its allies in the Syrian opposition. On the other end of the spectrum, a Syria-minded camp within the Nusra Front wants to focus entirely on the campaign to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad and to break ties with al-Qaida. "There are leaders in Nusra who are saying we are strongest, why are we not ruling and why don't we declare a caliphate?" said Radwan Mortada, an expert on jihadi groups who writes for Lebanon's Al-Akhbar newspaper. "There are others who say the world will not leave us alone so long as we are related to al-Qaida. So the least we can do ... is declare our dissociation with al-Qaida." The Nusra Front has long been one of the strongest factions in Syria's opposition. It and other Syrian rebels, including some allied to it, hold most of the northwestern province of Idlib and parts of neighboring Aleppo province. When Russia and the United States brokered a cease-fire between Assad and opposition forces in February, the Nusra Front and IS were excluded, allowing Assad's troops and Russian and American airstrikes to continue to hit them. The hope in Washington and Moscow was that other rebel factions would shun both extremist groups. Instead, the cease-fire faltered within weeks as Assad's forces fought rebels around the opposition-held part of Aleppo, and peace talks in Geneva stalemated. That boosted the Nusra Front's credibility as the force that kept up the fight against Assad and stood against any compromise leaving him in power. Far from being shunned by other factions, the Nusra Front instead has attracted a coalition. Their alliance, known as the Jaish al-Fatah, or Army of Conquest, has recently waged a counter-offensive around Aleppo, retaking ground from Assad's military and its allies and inflicting heavy casualties, including killing more than a dozen members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard and some 30 Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, allied to Assad. The alliance revives one that had successfully fought against government forces and seized control of Idlib but broke up last year. One faction, Jund al-Aqsa, has reportedly refused to join, and is suspected of having sided with IS. The alliance also is battling the Islamic State group, which has shown it can still make gains despite heavy losses under US and Russian airstrikes. On Friday, IS militants succeeded in taking a string of villages from rebels, including some in Nusra's alliance, near the Turkish border north of Aleppo. Maj. Jamil Saleh, commander of Tajammu el-Ezzah, a US-backed rebel group, said the Nusra Front is gaining recruits in part because the international community has not pressed for Assad's removal at the peace talks, discrediting moderate factions that agreed to the negotiations. "It is impossible for the rebel factions to enter into this battle (against the Nusra Front) so long as Bashar (Assad) remains in office," Saleh said. Because of the Nusra Front, Syria has become a critical hub for al-Qaida. Al-Qaida's central leadership, believed based in the Afghan-Pakistan border region, has been sending prominent figures to aid the fight in Syria. "Syria is right now the central front for al-Qaida's jihad," said Thomas Joscelyn, senior editor of the Long War Journal and an al-Qaida watcher for The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a US-based think tank. "I don't think a lot of people realize how many resources al-Qaida has invested in Syria." The Pentagon's $500 million effort to train and equip a force of Syrian rebels to take on extremists in Syria mainly IS has all but collapsed. And the alliances that al-Qaida has built with other Syrian rebel factions have been key to its success. That's in contrast to IS, which declared a caliphate in the territory it controls in Syria and Iraq, and considers as infidels anyone who does not accept its rule. As a result, IS has battled Syrian rebel factions and the Nusra Front more than it has battled Assad's forces. Though hard-liners within the group are pressing for it, the Nusra Front is unlikely to declare a caliphate in areas it controls because that could bring even more airstrikes and alienate its allies, who might then unify against it, said Ali Soufan, a former FBI agent who now heads the Soufan group, a private risk-assessment firm. Instead, with the backing of al-Qaida's leadership, Nusra Front leader Abu Muhammad al-Golani appears to be working to keep the group's factions behind a more pragmatic policy focused on keeping allies by the group's side, rather than pressing an ideological agenda. Al-Qaida's traditional stance has always been that while an Islamic state is the ultimate goal, it must wait until regional leaders are overthrown and other Muslims rally around the cause. The Nusra Front and al-Qaida's leader Ayman al-Zawahri "are really fearful ... that they will be stabbed in the back by people like Ahrar Sham or Islamic Army," Soufan said, referring to some of the Nusra Front's Islamic allies. Al-Zawahri weighed in with an audio message this month calling for unity among fighters in Syria, followed a day later by a similar call for unity from the son of al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden, Hamza a message Soufan said likely reflected their fears of a fallout with Syrian allies. The stream of al-Qaida veterans joining the Nusra Front helps al-Golani though it also exposes them to the dangers of the Syria conflict. Rifai Ahmad Taha, an Egyptian militant with decades of experience with the terror network, died in a U.S. strike in April. But others still hold senior posts. Ahmed Salama Mabrouk, an Egyptian and longtime associate of al-Zawahri, appeared in a Nusra Front video from Syria in March and is believed to now be part of its central leadership. There have been suggestions from militant messages online that one of al-Qaida's most significant and shadowy leaders, Saif al-Adel, has also relocated to Syria, according to the Long War Journal, a website that tracks militant groups. Pragmatists among the Nusra Front's leadership have been consolidating in the north, said a Syrian activist who reports from the front line and deals closely with most rebel groups, including the al-Qaida affiliate. A prominent hard-liner, known by the nom de guerre of Abu Julaybib, was recently sidelined from the Nusra Front's leadership, he said. But in some areas, the hard-liners have more sway, the activist said. He pointed to recent fighting in the northern opposition stronghold of Maaret al-Numan, where Nusra Front fighters drove out a US-backed rebel faction called Division 13 and took its weapons. The activist spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of alienating his contacts. (**) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta Sun, May 29, 2016 The delegation of the European Union (EU) to Indonesia, together with the Indonesian government, held on Saturday an EU-Indonesia Scholarships Info Day to celebrate Europe Day and National Education Day, which fell on May 9 and May 2 respectively. About 3,000 participants, who had registered online, attended the event, which was aimed at fulfilling the commitment of the EU and Indonesian government to increase the quality of higher education opportunities for Indonesian citizens. During Scholarships Info Day, young Indonesians obtained information about scholarship opportunities they could use to pursue higher education in European countries. The student candidates were able to directly meet and consult with representatives of the scholarship providers in the one-day event. The Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), the EU Delegation and EU member countries, such as Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the UK, participated in the event. Higher education is the important aspect of EU and Indonesia cooperation. The EU warmly welcomes Indonesian citizens who want to get the best education opportunities offered by Europe, said EU Ambassador Vincent Guerend in his opening remarks. Enthusiasm Young Indonesians pack the booths of scholarship providers during Scholarships Info Day in Jakarta on Saturday. Europe offers 1,600 scholarships for Indonesian students to pursue further study in European countries. (Courtesy of the Delegation of the EU to Indonesia/-) The Scholarships Info Day in Jakarta on Saturday was part of Europe Month 2016. Europe has more than 4,000 higher education institutions offering 15,000 Master's degree programs delivered in English. Half of the institutions are among the 100 best universities in the world and they offer high technology facilities and unlimited research opportunities. The EU and its member countries offer scholarships to students from abroad, education cooperation, research partnerships and education exhibitions. To help the students fund their education in Europe, the EU and its member countries offer more than 1,600 scholarships for Indonesian students to continue their education in Europe, said Guerend. Europe is becoming an education destination that has been getting popular among Indonesian students interested in pursuing further study abroad. More than 5,000 Indonesian students departed to Europe to pursue their Bachelor and Master's degrees in 2015. In total, more than 9,000 Indonesian students are currently studying in Europe, Guerend said. In November 2016, the EU is set to hold its annual event, the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF). The EHEF will provide rare opportunities for Indonesian student candidates to meet with representatives of European universities to discuss education programs and student lives and to get information about higher education institutions in Europe. The organizing of the eighth EHEF is a response to the high interest shown by Indonesian people to the seventh EHEF in November 2015. Held in Denpasar (Bali), Jakarta and Yogyakarta, the seventh EHEF drew more than 18,000 visitors. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sylvie Corbet (Associated Press) Verdun, France Sun, May 29, 2016 In solemn ceremonies Sunday in the forests of eastern France, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel marked 100 years since the Battle of Verdun, determined to show that, despite the bloodbath of World War I, their countries' improbable friendship is now a source of hope for today's fractured Europe. The 10-month battle at Verdun the longest in World War I killed 163,000 French and 143,000 German soldiers and wounded hundreds of thousands of others. Between February and December 1916, an estimated 60 million shells were fired in the battle. One out of four didn't explode. The front line villages destroyed in the fighting were never rebuilt. The battlefield zone still holds millions of unexploded shells, making the area so dangerous that housing and farming are still forbidden. With no survivors left to remember, Sunday's commemorations were focused on educating youth about the horrors and consequences of the war. Some 4,000 French and German children were taking part in the day's events, which conclude at a mass grave where, in 1984, then-French President Francois Mitterrand took then-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl's hand in a breakthrough moment of friendship and trust by longtime enemy nations. "Verdun is the more than the name of your town Verdun is also one of the most terrible battles humanity has experienced," Merkel said in a speech at city hall, calling Hollande's invitation to join the centenary "a great honor." "We are all called upon to keep awake the memory (of Verdun) in the future, because only those who know the past can draw lessons from it," the German leader said. Hollande praised the city of Verdun as "the capital of peace." "Verdun is a city that represents at the same time the worst, where Europe got lost, and the best, a city being able to commit and unite for peace and French-German friendship," he said. Merkel said the commemorations show "how good relations between Germany and France are today" and the achievements of European unity. "In a world with global challenges, it is important to keep developing this Europe," she said in a weekly address Saturday, expressing hope that Britain would not vote to leave the European Union in a June 23 referendum. Amid rising support for far right parties and divisions among European countries over how to handle refugees, Hollande said he wants to work alongside Merkel to "relaunch the European ideal." "We must take action ... at a moment when Europe is affected by the disease of populism," he told France Culture radio this week. He also noted the threat from violent extremism, saying the EU "must protect the people," especially against "terrorism." Hollande and Merkel spent the entire day together. In the morning, he welcomed his German counterpart under heavy rain at the German cemetery of Consenvoye, near Verdun, where 11,148 German soldiers are buried. They laid a wreath, accompanied by four German and French children, and walked side by side for few minutes in the cemetery, sharing an umbrella. After lunch, they were visiting the newly renovated Verdun Memorial. The museum, which reopened in February, immerses visitors in the "hell of Verdun" through soldiers' belongings, documents and photos, and from its new rooftop, they can observe the battlefield. "The visit follows the steps of the soldiers. First reaching the front, moving into shell holes, fighting, surviving on the front line, the daily life," said historian Antoine Prost. Verdun has become a common place of remembrance because "it's a place of massive death equivalent for the French and the Germans," Prost added. The main ceremony will take place in the afternoon at the Douaumont Ossuary, a memorial to 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers. The ceremony conceived by German filmmaker Volker Schloendorff will include children re-enacting battlefield scenes to the sound of drums amid thousands of white crosses marking the graves. (**) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam Sun, May 29, 2016 The Law and Human Rights Ministry is set to build a penitentiary on one of the Natuna Islands. To be built on a 10-hectare plot of land, the prison will be designed to have a high security system equivalent with the ones used on the Nusakambangan prison island, Cilacap, Central Java. The head of the Riau Islands chapter of the Law and Human Rights Ministrys correctional institution division, Alfi Zahrin Kiemas, said the land where the prison would be located was available. We are just waiting for further instructions to start the construction of the prison, said Alfi on Tuesday. He said the prison would be designed to accommodate 1,000 inmates with a super-tight security system. The extra security system in the Natuna prison was aimed at preventing unauthorized persons from gaining access to the facility. On May 20, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly visited Batam to inspect penitentiaries and detention houses in the area. It was revealed during the visit that almost all prisons and detention facilities in the Riau Islands province, of which the Natuna Islands are a part, are overcrowded. The governments plan to build a prison on one of the Natuna Islands is intended to reduce the numbers of prisoners in the existing prisons in the area and for other reasons. The Natuna Islands are 550 kilometers northeast of Batam Island and verge on the South China Sea. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Djemi Amnifu (The Jakarta Post) Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Sun, May 29, 2016 A community action program initiated by Plan International Indonesia has reportedly managed to reduce the number of malnutrition cases among babies and children under 5 years old in Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara and Dompu regency, West Nusa Tenggara. Community participation has played a big part in improving the quality of mothers and childrens nutrition intake and health delivered through the giving of additional food for babies and children, said Plan International Indonesia deputy director Untung Pasaribu in Dompu on Thursday. He said the Community Action to Improve Maternal and Child Nutrition (CAIMN) program not only focused on mothers activities but also promoted male participation to reduce malnutrition among children under 5 years old through a caregiving-father group. Speaking during the closing ceremony of the CAIMN Project, Untung said Plan International Indonesia had actively cooperated with the government and local communities to improve child and maternal health. The project was in line with the Sustainable Development Goals agreed on by world leaders at a historic UN Summit in New York in September 2015, he added. The Sikka and Dompu administrations have shown a high level of interest in the CAIMN program since we first introduced it to them in 2012. This project is focused on improving childrens nutrition and health during their first 1,000 days of life. The project is conducted by parenting groups with target groups comprising pregnant women, breastfeeding moms and children under 5 years old, said Untung. Four years after it was launched in June 2012, he said, the CAIMN project in Dompu had resulted in the training of 397 integrated health services post (Posyandu) members spread over 12 villages in three districts, namely Manggelewai, Pajo and Huu. Untung said the CAIMN program had managed to reduce the number of malnutrition cases among children aged 0-5 years old. In 2012, 2,707 children under 5 years old, or three out of 10 children in the area, suffered from malnutrition. After running for four years, as of March 2016, 2,095 children under 5 years old, or two out of 10 children, suffer from malnutrition, a decrease of 21.96 percent, said Untung. He hoped that what had been achieved by the CAIMN Program could be followed up by local administrations, together with Dompu residents in their efforts to push down the number of malnutrition cases among babies and children under 5 years old. On behalf of Plan International Indonesia, I express my gratitude for the partnership. Although the project has ended, programs initiated by the project must continue, said Untung. Plan International Indonesias CAIMN project manager Marzelena Zaini said that through the project, Plan International and the Dompu Health Agency could cooperate to push early initiation of breastfeeding practices for every woman who had recently given birth. Breastfeeding babies aged 0-6 months and the giving of supplemental food for babies aged 2 years and above must be continuously promoted. And the result is, from 2012 through to this year, the malnutrition rate among children aged 0-5 years old has declined by up to 12 percent, said Marzelena. With the program, she further said, adolescents, and especially girls, were adequately informed about reproductive health and family planning. It was important to approach teenagers to reduce the number of child and maternal deaths, because they would become parents in the future. Dompu Health Agency head Gatot Gunawan Putra expressed his appreciation toward Plan International Indonesia for helping local administrations reduce malnutrition among babies and children under 5 years old. Gatot said the Dompu administration would continue the program, especially the giving of supplemental food for babies and children under 5 years old. The administrations interventions will be conducted through budget sharing, either via the Dompu Regional Budget or village fund allocations in every village, where they hopefully can allocate funds for the giving of supplemental food for babies and children under 5 years old, said Gatot. Abdullah Thalib, a religious leader from Adu village in Huu district in Dompu regency, said the project had positively affected local communities by, among others, involving adolescents in module activities facilitated by village midwives and youth. Through the activities, teenagers in Adu village could avoid the dangers of drugs and bad behavior. Im calling on village administrations to provide more proper spaces teenagers can use to discuss with their groups in the village, said Abdullah. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara Sun, May 29, 2016 More than 40,000 cataract patients in West Nusa Tenggara need surgery, but there are only 19 ophthalmologists in the province, placing residents at greater risk of vision loss. Health Agency head Eka Junaedi said the number of people with cataracts in West Nusa Tenggara had continued to increase and is out of balance with the capacity of the province to carry out cataract surgery. Based on data from a survey conducted by the West Nusa Tenggara Health Agency in 2014, the number of people with cataracts in the province reached more than 40,000. Meanwhile, the local administration had a capacity to perform cataract surgery to in between 6,000 and 8,000 people per year. This already includes social responsibility programs provided by other parties, Eka said in Mataram on Tuesday. He explained that in 2014, the West Nusa Tenggara Health Agency conducted an eye health survey on people aged more than 50 years in 10 regencies and municipalities across the province. The survey revealed that about 40,000, 4 percent of the total 1.1 million population aged more than 50 years in the province, were at risk of blindness caused by cataracts. Eka said since 2014, there had been no follow up survey because conducting an eye health survey like the one carried out in that year needed a large budget. Before 2014, the agency performed an eye survey in 1996. Despite the absence of recent data, Eka said, the West Nusa Tenggara Health Agency predicted that the number of people suffering from cataracts in the province had continued to increase from year to year because of the very limited capacity of the local administration to tackle the problem. The number of cataract patients in West Nusa Tenggara is continuously increasing. This can be seen from the piling up of cataract patients who need a surgery at the provinces People Eye Health Agency [BKMM]. We are facing difficulties handling that because up until now the number of ophthalmologists in West Nusa Tenggara was only 19, said Eka. He said the 4.8 million people in the province needed more eye specialists. Moreover, he said the available eye specialists were not evenly distributed across the province. According to official data, seven out of 19 ophthalmologists currently serve at the West Nusa Tenggara Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in Mataram. Two ophthalmologists serve at the BKMM West Nusa Tenggara in Mataram, while five other eye specialists are assigned to serve at the RSUD Mataram, the RSUD East Lombok, the RSUD North Lombok, the RSUD West Lombok and the RSUD in Bima regency. Five ophthalmologists operate in private clinics in Mataram. Several regencies, such as Central Lombok, Sumbawa, West Sumbawa, Dompu and Bima City, have no ophthalmologists up until now, although results of the 2014 survey show that there are a lot number of people with cataracts in Sumbawa, said Eka. Eka further explained that excessive exposure to sunlight and age were two main causes of cataracts, a cloudiness in the eye tissues, in West Nusa Tenggara. Farmers and fishermen were prone to suffer this eye problem once they turned 40. Although cataracts did not cause death, they could hamper peoples productivity because of their decline of vision leading to permanent vision loss. Thats why we are striving to increase the number of eye specialists in West Nusa Tenggara. Regency and municipality administrations also must play an active role to fulfil the needs of people in their respective areas, said Eka. BKMM West Nusa Tenggara head Bagio Ariyogo Murdani said it was predicted the agency would manage to deliver eye surgery to only about 1,000 patients throughout this year. Just like in previous years, the number of cataract surgeries performed can increase if there are social assistance programs from other parties, he said. Bagio admitted the lack of eye specialists had hampered efforts to reduce the number of people with cataracts in West Nusa Tenggara. For people from areas where hospitals did not have eye specialists, a cataract surgery could be very costly, even for holders of government-funded peoples health insurance schemes, Jamkesmas and BPJS. Although their cataract surgeries can be covered by Jamkesmas or BPJS, people from Sumbawa, for instance, must spend a lot of money for transportation and accommodations if they have to undergo surgery in Mataram, said Bagio. (ebf) The court also meted long prison sentences to 18 other defendants and acquitted two in the case that stems back to 2014 An Egyptian military court sentenced on Sunday eight to death in the trial of 28 supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi who were accused in 2014 of planning attacks on military and police personnel. In February, the court initially issued a preliminary verdict in the case and then, per Egyptian law, requested the non-binding opinion of the country's Grand Mufti on the death verdicts. The verdict can still be appealed in front of the military court of cassation. The court also sentenced 12 others to life in prison and six to 15-year sentences. Two of the defendants were acquitted. The defendants were found guilty of illegal possession of weapons and of manufacturing improvised explosive devices. Two of those sentenced to death are at large. Search Keywords: Short link: The current head of the Supreme Constitutional Court and the country's former interim president, Adly Mansour, will step down from his post on 30 June Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) appointed on Sunday judge Abdel-Wahab Abdel-Razek as the successor to the court's current head, Adly Mansour, who is set to retire on 30 June. The decision was taken during a Sunday meeting of the court's judges. According to Article 193 of the constitution, the head of the court is selected from among the three most senior aides to the court's sitting head. Abdel-Razek, the first aide to Mansour, graduated from Cairo University's Faculty of Law in 1969. He worked at the Central Auditing Organisation upon his graduation until 1971, later holding several prosecutorial posts before moving on to the SCC in 2001. The court's current head, Mansour, reached the SCC's retirement age of 70 last December. Mansour was appointed the head of the court in July 2013, the same month when he assumed the post of interim president for one year following the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. The appointing of both Abdel-Razek and Mansour as SCC heads is in accordance with a law issued in 2011, which stipulates that heads of the court are to be appointed from within the constitutional court itself. For over 20 years, the SCC head was chosen from outside the constitutional court. According to the constitution, the president of the republic is to issue a decree announcing the appointment of the new head in the state's official paper. Search Keywords: Short link: Affluent Chinese more loyal with brands, notes report PHUKET: Brands are resonating with affluent Chinese consumers far more than their counterparts in Hong Kong and Singapore, according to a new study from Collinson Group. Sunday 29 May 2016, 01:00PM A mainland Chinese tourist carries multiple shopping bags after a shopping spree in Hong Kong. Photo: AFP Looking at the motivations and behaviours of the affluent middle classes from these three regions and the impact of loyalty programmes, the research shows that: 72 percent of Chinese consumers regard themselves as engaged members of loyalty programmes, a figure that drops to 45% in Hong Kong and 53 percent in Singapore 34% of Chinese consumers feel loyalty programmes have increased in value over the past year, opposed to 25% in Hong Kong and 16 percent in Singapore 89% of Chinese consumers agree that loyalty programmes encourage higher spending, compared to 87% in Hong Kong and 81% in Singapore Collinson Group polled 6,125 of the top 10-15% of earners across the globe including 1,524 from Asia (24% of the total, split equally across Hong Kong, Singapore and China). The research focused on the following industries: supermarket and grocery stores, airlines, credit card providers, retailers, hotels, telecom and media companies, coffee shops and banking. While positive sentiment is high in China, the more mature markets of Hong Kong and Singapore tack closer to the global trend showing loyalty programmes are in need of innovation, said the Collison report. Across all countries surveyed, there was a 20% drop in membership of loyalty programmes among the affluent middle class since 2014, the report noted. China, Hong Kong and Singapore are vital markets for brands, and were seeing a much higher demand for personalised, relevant, and digital customer engagement initiatives than before. Given the importance of affluent middle class consumers on the fortunes of companies, brands must lift their game and focus on how they recognise, engage and reward customers, said Chris Rogers, Director, Collinson Group. While brands in China are currently doing well, those in Hong Kong and Singapore indicate what happens if companies become complacent and fail to differentiate their loyalty proposition. Unlocking Customer Sentiment Brands need to be aware of what consumers value if they are to win and retain customers in Asia. 75% of Chinese consumers value a seamless customer experience, and 76% want to be able to identify with a brand. Being easy to do business with is also important to 73% of affluent Chinese consumers, but conversely on a priority to 49% of Hong Kong respondents. Instead, 65% of the affluent middle class in Hong Kong wants access to a range of rewards and benefits to choose from, and 66% want to be treated as an individual. Those in Singapore value great customer service (69%), access to a variety of rewards and benefits (69 percent) and for it to be easy to do business with brands (65%). The Importance of Loyalty Loyalty is a powerful driver in Asia, and especially so in China. When questioned about brands they felt loyal to: 75% of Chinese respondents would make a future purchase from them. This drops to 63% in Singapore, and only 49% in Hong Kong 75% of Chinese respondents would recommend them to friends and family members. Again this was much lower in Singapore (63%) and Hong Kong (54%) 60 percent of Chinese respondents would shop from them even if they were more expensive. This sentiment fell to 40% in Hong Kong and 39% in Singapore There is a clear appetite for loyalty and customer engagement initiatives across Asia. Chinese consumers are embracing loyalty programmes new to the market, but in Hong Kong and Singapore, brands must do more to reinvigorate their approach, said Mr Rogers. The affluent middle class here values spending time with, and providing for, their families, as well as saving for the future. These rank far higher than driving a good car or going on a luxury holiday. Brands should seek to tap into what motivates their customers, instead of reaching for only discounts or material goods as rewards. Brands that are not innovating to address evolving customer expectation will simply be left behind, he noted. The Financial Services Opportunity Customer expectation is highest in financial services, with almost two-thirds (65%) of global affluent middle-class customers expecting their bank to reward them for their loyalty (China 73%; Singapore 66%; Hong Kong 59%). Retail banks and credit card providers can meet this demand by developing innovative loyalty programmes that draw on the wealth of multi channel customer data available to them. Of all the industries surveyed, the financial services sector is best placed to succeed, as globally 49% of all respondents agree that their bank knows and understands their needs. However, in Asia, financial services brands need to do much more to deliver a personalised experience. While 67% of the Chinese affluent agree banks know and understand their needs, this is only 36% in Hong Kong and 34% in Singapore. Globally, banking loyalty programmes specifically were found to encourage 82% of members to spend more. China (95%), Hong Kong (87%), and Singapore (89%) were all above the global average. This trend was repeated when looking at the effect of credit card loyalty initiatives. Globally they positively influenced 79% of respondents, and in China this was 91%, Hong Kong 88% and Singapore 83%. Globally, the research also uncovered increases in the levels of trust in financial services ability to manage personal data, and faith in institutions to act in their customers best interests. The sector must however be aware of challenges to their business in the form of new FinTech start-ups offering services that impact revenues, as well as the reduction in interchange fees which have traditionally been used to fund loyalty programmes. To succeed, financial services and other industries must: Recognise the value of relevance The abundance of generic programmes has diluted the impact of loyalty programmes causing consumer fatigue. Brands need to balance programme objectives for motivating short-term behaviour and driving deeper engagement for long-term loyalty. Personalisation and breadth of rewards and benefits is key for brands to remain relevant. Address how loyalty programmes are funded For financial services, the loss in interchange fees can be mitigated by increasing fees in other areas of the business, developing their own loyalty programmes, increasing collaboration with merchant funded programmes, and building bank-wide loyalty through account add-ons like insurance. Embrace digital The smartphone is becoming the consumer device of choice for many brand interactions. Incorporating loyalty programmes and initiatives into payment card and mobile ecosystems will drive engagement and increase consumer brand affinity. Indeed, over half of Chinese, Singaporean and Hong Kong respondents use digital loyalty apps, and 27% of Chinese respondents cant do without them. Move beyond transactional rewards Although discounts and cash-back provide instant gratification, they do little to drive long-term loyalty. Brands should instead get to the heart of what matters to their customers. For the affluent middle class, this is often their friends and families, so rewards should be more experiential, lifestyle and life-goal oriented. EDITORIAL: Tracking you down... for safety! The new immigration form mandating foreign nationals disclose various personal details is intrusive, much like distrusting parents tracking their childrens smart-phones. Not only do authorities appear to lack subtlety and a clear understanding of how technology works, they also seem to lack the capacity to safely manage and protect the extensive data they are collecting. Sunday 29 May 2016, 07:55AM Not the happiest of places. At best, they can hope to better track down foreigners when problems arise. Though such a move should surprise no one in this age of mass surveillance, perhaps what is hard to swallow for many foreign residents is the utter lack of subtlety the perception that officials view all foreigners as potential criminals, and possible scapegoats in any legal unpleasantness that might arise. Being faced with the unreliable state of your legal rights is bound to be unnerving for anyone. Human Rights Watch points out that this initiative not only enables Thai authorities to profile tourists and expatriates, but enables anyone with access the power to misuse this information. But the form itself, while intrusive, would hardly increase anyones ability to prevent, or commit, crime or terror acts. Bank account numbers will not give authorities access to your money. Knowing what websites you visit and where you hang out sounds more like an awkward first-date script. Your licence plate numbers should already be easily accessible for any functioning bureaucracy. Your social media details are already on the internet if you were worried about privacy, you should have read the fine print and never signed up to disclose your personal content on the internet in the first place. At worst, the form may invoke fear amongst some alien denizens, who may or may not be deterred from committing any nefarious deeds for fear of being traced. Not exactly the most scientifically proven method of crime-prevention, but fairly standard for authoritarian states throughout time. Human Rights Watch also thinks the form risks alienating foreign investors and tourists who play a major role in the Thai economy... which is the standard response to xenophobic polices worldwide. What is not pointed out is that xenophobia is the foundation of all immigration policies that exist today, worldwide, and foreign investors already absorb it into their cost-benefit analysis. And as Thailand makes a rather endearing effort to catch up with the modern surveillance states, lives will not change, nor will they be destroyed any more than usual. Learning on the fly: Cubas businesswomen take notes from Mexico City MEXICO: Gretel de la Rosa, a budding Cuban businesswoman, had been in Mexico City for just a few hours, but she had already stuffed three bags with fabric for her shop back home. By AFP Sunday 29 May 2016, 02:00PM A woman receives her change in a store of Havana, Cuba. Photo: Jorge Beltran/AFP While Cubas communist regime has implemented modest economic reforms, allowing some private ventures, running a business on the island remains a challenge for trailblazers like de la Rosa. Her trip to Mexicos capital a beehive of capitalism with five other Cuban businesswomen was a chance not only to get goods they cant find at home, but also to learn from others with private sector experience. As they sat at a bar in a hotel near the citys busy Reforma boulevard, the women said they have already learned much from their trips to places such as Chile, Bolivia and Cubas former Cold War nemesis, the United States. Since this sector is so new, we need a lot of information on issues that are very common for the rest of the world, such as business vision, marketing, said 33-year-old Yamina Vicente, who organises parties and events through her business, named Decorazon. I have learned a lot. My business is different now than before I travelled, she said. The six women went to Mexico City to participate in the Womens Forum, an international gathering of women, but also men, from politics, business and civil society to discuss social and economic issues. They came with an arsenal of business cards with phone numbers, email addresses and even Facebook pages or business websites. While they use the Internet, web access is very expensive and hard to come by in Cuba, where it is tightly controlled by the state. Only 3.4 per cent of households have Internet access, but the government is opening public Wi-Fi hotspots and President Raul Castro has promised access to all Cubans by 2020. Our dreams and wishes include being able to export and through the Internet you cannot only buy but also sell, said Caridad Luisa Limonta, who owns a workshop of seamstresses in Havana. If Cuba is opening up to the world, one of its potentials is to be able to export, she said. In the meantime, like many Cubans who can afford to travel, they take advantage of their trips to shop for the things they cant find in Cuba. De la Rosa bought fabric for her childrens decoration store, but it was a limited quantity to avoid problems with customs in Havana. Its nothing compared to the stuff that Nidialys Acosta buys and brings on planes. For example, Ive had car bumpers and fenders in my luggage, said Acosta, who since 2011 has run a business that repairs the famous classic American cars from the 1950s that are part of Cubas street landscape and which are used as taxis for tourists. Most of the six women used to work for the government but they entered the nascent private sector that Castro allowed after he succeeded his brother, Fidel, in 2008. This has helped them earn more money in a country where the average monthly salary is $24 (B824). Only 10 per cent of the islands labour force, or nearly half a million people, is in the private sector. While the US-Cuba diplomatic thaw has raised hopes of change on the island and a potential end to the US trade embargo, the Communist Party Congress earlier in April suggested that Havanas opening to the world would remain slow. I think that there were a lot of expectations of sudden, quick changes, but I think the changes that are coming will be very gradual, Vicente said. For several years, Egypt has raised fears that Ethiopia's $4.2 billion Grand Renaissance Dam will negatively affect its Nile water share Egypt's foreign ministry has underlined that Ethiopian officials repeatedly deny being indifferent towards any damage that could result from construction of the country's Grand Renaissance Dam. Ethiopia's communications minister, Getachew Reda, was quoted by Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper Friday as saying that the Grand Renaissance Dam has become a "reality" and that "no matter what happens, things will not change." Reda stated that Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt have agreed on the technical committees. Furthermore, we havent promised to stop construction work pending the completion of technical studies. Egypt's foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement on Sunday that the communications office of the Ethiopian council of ministers highlighted that Ethiopia is committed to the declaration of principles on the building of the Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile. "The Egyptian embassy in Addis Ababa has directly contacted Ethiopian officials to verify the accuracy of the statements ... Ethiopian officials stressed they are committed not to harming Egypt's water share," the statement read. The declaration of principles signed by Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt on 25 March was a step towards putting an end to a four-year dispute over Nile water sharing arrangements among Nile Basin countries. Ten principles are outlined in the document signed by the three countries. For several years, Egypt has raised fears over Ethiopia's construction of the $4.2 billion Grand Renaissance Dam, saying it would negatively affect its Nile water share. The 6,000 megawatt Ethiopian dam, set to be Africa's largest, is expected to be completed by 2017. Ethiopia has finished constructing at least 70 percent of the dam. Search Keywords: Short link: Noem campaign accuses Smith campaign of campaign finance violation elections The video shows the crying and pleading Egyptian being slapped, kicked and hit with a stick Egypt's manpower minister said on Sunday that he received confirmation that a Kuwaiti citizen who was videoed assaulting an Egyptian national has been arrested. The foreign ministry said earlier in the day it was coordinating with Kuwaiti authorities to look into a video posted online showing an Egyptian national being assaulted by his Kuwaiti employer, identified as Ali Al-Shamry. The video, which surfaced online on Saturday, shows the naked Egyptian being verbally assaulted and hit with a stick while crying and pleading. The larger assailant, dressed in traditional Arabian garb, is also seen slapping and kicking the worker as he stands in a corner. According to media reports and what can be heard on the video, the incident is believed to have started when a customer exchanged his old mobile phone with a new one at the Kuwaiti's mobile store, with the Egyptian employee conducting the transaction. The Kuwaiti was reportedly angry when he later found out that the mobile phone was not functioning properly. Kuwaiti authorities have shut down the assailants mobile store. The ministry said that neither the Egyptian nor any of his relatives had reported the incident to the Egyptian embassy in Kuwait or the ministry in Cairo. In November, a 25-year-old Egyptian working at an electronics store in Kuwait was killed after a Kuwaiti national ran him over multiple times with his car following an altercation between a group of Egyptians and Kuwaitis. Kuwait is home to 2.9 million foreigners, mostly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Egypt and Syria, with a minority of 1.3 million native Kuwaitis. Search Keywords: Short link: The state lawyer was fined EGP200 after failing to provide maps requested by the court; case adjourned to 31 May In the first court hearing, which took place two weeks ago, the court asked the state to provide certified maps and documents supporting the validity of the agreement, upon a request submitted by leftist lawyer Khaled Ali who, among others, filed the lawsuit. The state lawyer who represents the state attorney judicial authority didn't provide the mentioned documents in Sunday's court session. The court also decided Sunday to postpone the lawsuit to Tuesday, 31 May. The demarcation deal, which was made last month when Saudi King Salman visited Cairo, caused widespread controversy in Egypt, with dozens of protesters taking to the streets to oppose it. Dozens were arrested for participating in the protests, including renowned human rights lawyer Malek Adly, who was also collecting signatures supporting the filing of the lawsuit. Adly is still in jail. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said in a public speech that state institutions have documents proving the islands are Saudi territory. The agreement, which allows Egypt to use shared Red Sea waters for the excavation of natural resources, should be ratified by Egypt's House of Representatives before coming into force. Search Keywords: Short link: With Minya prosecutors releasing on Sunday five defendants on bail who were suspected to have been involved in sectarian attacks against Christians in the Upper Egyptian governorate last week, some fear that possible attempts to reach reconciliation may result in the assailants escaping justice. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi had urged the government to take "necessary measures to preserve public order to protect [citizens] and property within the rule of law" after the sectarian mob attack in El-Karm village, which saw several Christian homes burned and an elderly Christian woman stripped in public. Members of the Family House organisation, made up of Al-Azhar sheikhs as well as Coptic Orthodox Church officials, visited the village in Minya in an attempt to help resolve the issue. An official delegation visited the village and held a meeting at the governors office to "affirm the rule of law and hold the perpetrators accountable," as well as help spread religious and moral awareness so such incidents... do not take place. The meeting was attended by the governor and several Christian leaders and MPs. However, Bishop Macarius of Minya and Abu Qirqas, delegated by Pope Tawadros II to speak on behalf of the Coptic Orthodox Church on the Minya case, denounced the visit, which he said aimed to reach a reconciliation that would prevent the perpetrators from being held accountable. He said the Christian officials who attended the meeting did not represent the Coptic Orthodox Church. "I refused to attend the meeting so as to deliver a message that enforcing the law should come before any meeting," he said in an official statement. The bishop said the efforts by the Family House could lead to a "crisis" where the victims are forced to withdraw. He added that similar interference in several earlier incidents that led to "reconciliation" resulted in the issue never being resolved. A member of the delegation, Abdel-Fattah El-Awary, denied the claims that talks about a possible reconciliation took place. "No one discussed the issue of reconciliation. How can reconciliation take place if justice has not been served?" El-Awary said in a phone interview with a television programme, adding that the Family House was responding to El-Sisi's call. Reconciliation vs justice Religious and community leaders often hold meetings to resolve sectarian tensions between Muslims and Christians in an extra-legal manner in Egyptian villages. The head of the religious freedoms desk at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, Ishak Ibrahim, told Ahram Online that such informal assemblies convened to solve sectarian issues have always had a bad and worrying history. Such reconciliation sessions are often used as a justification to resolve the issue by having victims give up on their rights, Ibrahim says. According to Ibrahim, the prosecution is still obliged by law to continue its investigations and collect evidence and listen to eyewitnesses. "This is a crime that involves an assault on families and the threatening and intimidation of citizens," he adds. Ibrahim believes that this latest incident which he says was particularly extreme due to its degrading nature comes amid a growing frustration with these reconciliation talks. "There had to come a time when people feel that such [efforts were circumventing] the law," he said. Search Keywords: Short link: The Obama administration has moved to block sales of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen, amid reports of mounting civilian casualties there, a US media report said Saturday. The report in the journal Foreign Policy, citing US officials, said that the White House had quietly placed a hold on the transfer of such munitions to the Sunni kingdom as it carries out a war on Shia rebels in Yemen. A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels since March 2015, trying to roll back their control of wide swaths of Yemen. Asked by AFP for comment, an administration official said that "we are aware of reports that the Saudi-led coalition used cluster munitions in the armed conflict in Yemen, including in areas in which civilians are alleged to have been present." "We take such concerns seriously and are seeking additional information," the official added. Foreign Policy said it was the first concrete display of unease by US officials over bombings that human rights activists say have killed and injured hundreds of civilians, including children. Cluster bombs are designed to kill enemy personnel and destroy vehicles or runways. But because they disperse scores of tiny bomblets over a wide area -- some of which may not explode for years or even decades after being dropped -- they pose a particular threat to civilians. They were banned by an international treaty in 2008, but Russia and the United States, both major suppliers, failed to sign it. The US antiwar group CodePink on Sunday applauded the administration decision, and called on President Barack Obama to suspend all arms transfers to the kingdom. The United States has sold the Saudis millions of dollars' worth of cluster bombs and provided other forms of military support. The reported move on cluster bombs comes amid growing criticism by American lawmakers of the Saudi monarchy. Legislators are unhappy that the Saudis have not done more to fight the militants of the Islamic State group in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere. The longstanding US-Saudi relationship, built on an exchange of American security backing for a reliable supply of Saudi oil, has been strained as the United States has gained greater energy independence even while reaching historic agreement with the Saudis' bitter regional foe Iran. Search Keywords: Short link: Three of the four death row convicts in the December 16 gang-rape and murder case have moved the Delhi High Court challenging the 10-year jail term awarded to them by a trial court in a robbery case. Akshay Kumar Singh, Pawan Gupta and Vinay Sharma, who were convicted for dacoity and dishonestly receiving stolen property, have alleged that the trial court's order was "bad in law" and "against the principle of natural justice". Besides the trio, the trial court on September 2 last year had also awarded 10 year imprisonment to convict Mukesh, saying they "do not deserve any leniency". It had also imposed a fine of Rs 1.01 lakh each on the four convicts, who are currently lodged in Tihar jail. The convicts in their appeal, filed through advocate A P Singh, have sought setting aside of the trial court's decision saying the judgement did not pay "heed towards facts produced by the accused persons during the trial of the case". The plea stated that the prosecution has failed to prove its case and had not placed any material evidence, which could point to their guilt. "Trial court had passed order (conviction and sentence) without applying its judicial mind and without taking into consideration the facts and documents placed by the convicts on record and has wrongly relied upon the version of the complainant," the convicts have said in their appeal. They have sought bail during pendency of their appeals. Six persons, including a juvenile, had beaten up and had robbed carpenter Ram Adhar before raping and brutally assaulting a 23-year-old girl in a moving bus in south Delhi on the night of December 16, 2012. Thirteen days after the assault, she was transferred to a hospital in Singapore for emergency treatment, but succumbed to her injuries. As per the charge sheet in the robbery case, the police had alleged that bus driver Ram Singh, his brother Mukesh, Vinay, Pawan and Akshay, along with the juvenile, had snatched the 35-year-old carpenter's mobile phone and Rs 1,500 after luring him into the bus. Mukesh, Vinay, Pawan and Akshay were awarded death penalty on September 10, 2013 by a trial court here in the gang-rape and murder case which was later confirmed by Delhi High Court on March 13, 2014. Their appeals are pending before the Supreme Court. Out of the six, accused Ram Singh had allegedly committed suicide in Tihar Jail on March 11, 2013 and proceedings against him were abated. On August 31, 2013 the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Board sentenced the minor accused to a three-year stay in a special home for gang-rape and murder of the girl. The juvenile, now 20-year-old, was recently released from the reformation home. [COMMUNICATED CONTENT] Starting this Sunday, Breslev Israel will be launching The Ultimate You summer tour, featuring Rav Lazer Brody shlita. This emuna tour will be an exciting launch in a new direction for those who have seen Rav Brody previously. The tour will launch in Monsey on May 29. It will continue to Borough Park on Monday, then on to Cleveland, Columbus, Miami, Chicago, Deal, Teaneck, and Lakewood. Joining forces with world-renowned psychotherapist Dr. Zev Ballen, Rav Brody will be hosting interactive style lectures that will focus on revealing the hidden elements that are preventing us from reaching our potentials, from career to marriage and beyond. This series of lectures will be a refreshing and eye-opening experience, empowering you with spiritual and practical tools that will enable you to become the best version of you! Tour dates: May 29-June 8 Rav Brody and Dr. Ballen will be available for personal appointments. Please contact [email protected] to schedule a meeting. Click on the link for full tour details: http://bit.ly/1VRZGlL Police divers and Army Corps of Engineers personnel retrieved the wreckage of a World War II plane from the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey on Saturday after the vintage aircraft crashed during a promotional flight, killing the pilot. The P-47 Thunderbolt crashed Friday during a promotion for the American Airpower Museum, which is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the P-47 this weekend. Scuba divers recovered the body of the pilot, 56-year-old William Gordon, of Key West, Florida, about three hours after the crash. Gordon was a veteran air show pilot with more than 25 years of experience, according to promotional material for a Key West air show last month. The website for the April air show says Gordon was an aerobatic competency evaluator who certified performers to perform low-level aerobatics. Scott Clyman, flight operations pilot for the American Airpower Museum, called Gordon an extraordinary pilot who understood the powerful message our aircraft represent in telling the story of American courage and valor. The single-seat P-47 crashed on a part of the river near where a US Airways commercial jet carrying 155 people splash-landed safely in 2009 in what became known as the Miracle on the Hudson. The plane was loaded on to a barge Saturday and taken to a heliport in lower Manhattan, where investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board can examine it as part of their investigation. A witness to the crash, Hunter College student Siqi Li, saw smoke spewing from the plane and thought it was doing a trick. It made kind of a U-turn, and then there was a stream of smoke coming from it, Li told the Daily News. It was tilting down toward the water. I thought they were doing some sort of trick. I didnt realize it at first, but it was a plane crash. The aircraft, which went down around 7:30 p.m., was among three planes that had departed from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, on Long Island, just east of New York City. The other two aircraft returned to the airport and landed safely. Museum spokesman Gary Lewi said the plane was kept at the museum and was taking part in an air show at nearby Jones Beach this weekend. The P47-Thunderbolts were the heaviest single-engine fighter planes used by Allied forces in World War II. They first went into service in 1942, with the 56th Fighter Group based on Long Island. Pilots flew over the museum in an aerial salute known as a missing man formation Saturday afternoon in a tribute honoring Gordon. Clyman told fellow mourners that Gordon had always been fascinated by World War II fighter planes and he quickly demonstrated the skill to master these demanding aircraft. On Friday, Clyman said, what fate decided was that he would not exit the fighter safely. And that loss is deeply felt beyond words. (AP) Bayit Yehudi party leader Education Minister Naftali Bennet remains defiant in his determination to have a military secretary appointed to the cabinet. Many feel that despite the merits of his plan, presenting yet another ultimatum to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was not the way to go. However, Bennett is not backing down and vows his party will vote against the deal signed last week to bring the Yisrael Beitenu party into the coalition. Bennett insists his plan is for the future defense of the nation and his demands are apolitical as he is not seeking additional political appointments and/or funding. While Bennett insists he is not trying to bring down the coalition, he will not back down and if necessary, he will continue his battle from the opposition, hinting there will be no compromise on this matter. In the interim, it is reported that talks surrounding a compromise with Bennett between representatives of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu have broken down. A rumor leaked to the media states Bennett will absent himself from a scheduled Sunday afternoon Security Cabinet meeting. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) MK Moshe Gafne, Chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee on Sunday morning 21 Iyar spoke with Kol Chai Radios Mordechai Lavi. He addressed issues pertaining to bringing chareidim into the nations workforce. His message during the lengthy interview was simple. He explained that after 27 years of Knesset service he is quite certain of his conclusions, and it is clear to him that the so-called efforts to accommodate chareidim are in fact a guise and in essence, chareidim are not wanted in the workplace as chareidim, but only if they are willing to change their way of life to a more modern secular one. Gafne explains by giving a number of examples. He highlights that the nations Civil Service Administration demands 12 years of education to apply for jobs, adding 12 years of yeshiva education is not recognized as education. Gafne adds that this is the official policy of the administration but after his intervention, after approaching various ministries, he has been able to make minimum progress since the director-general and minister of a ministry have the authority to bypass the so-called 12 years of education policy. One chareidi who applied for a government job was turned down because he did not have a high school diploma. The job that he did not qualify for is a driver. Gafne intervened. Another case he mentioned required the intervention of officials at the Tourism Ministry. This chareidi applies to enter a tour guide course but was denied because he lacked a high school diploma. And a third case he cited, once again denied the ability to apply, is to become a driving instructor. Gafne stated in all these cases he intervened and made progress but the Civil Service Administration continues to insist on the 12-years of education. He of course admits there are many positions that do indeed require a secular education and he has no problem with that and those who are not qualified should not be permitted to apply. Gafne warns that efforts are now underway to end segregated classes in colleges, which would compel the thousands of chareidim attending institutions of high education to leave. He explains this and many other ongoing processes proves the real intentions of the decision-makers, which is to bring chareidim into the workplace but only after diluting their chareidi lifestyles. Gafne is confident this will not occur and despite mounting pressure, the chareidi community at large will remain loyal to its way of life. He points out that ironically, the only place one can get a real job without the 12-years of education is Knesset. One is on a party list and if his number get in, he is an MK. He then adds that over the years, the heads of the Knesset Finance Committee have been chareidim and this is testimony to their ability to understand and run economic issues, citing the position is the most powerful economic position in Knesset. When asked about the accusations that chareidim use the position to advance their tzibur, he retorted that is cheap slander but the reality is one must have a true understanding of economics and budgeting and that is reality. Bottom line, he continues explaining that the chareidim send their worst to the Knesset for the real successful chareidim go on to become roshei yeshivos while others send their best, the retired IDF generals and the like. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Residents of the Geulat Tzion hilltop community in the Shilo Bloc report that the Shin Bet and the police have been harassing them since the beginning of May on a daily basis, including carrying out raids and detentions with the intent to close the yeshiva at the site. Until the week of Sunday, 7 Iyar, every day the Binyamin Brigade Commander issued a closed military zone order for the area of the hilltop, however at the end of that week the Central District Command, Major-General Roni Numa signed on a demarcation order prohibiting construction on the hilltop for one year. Since the month of Nisan several youths have been coming to the hilltop on a regular basis for Torah classes. However, a task force under the authority of a police officer and with the involvement of Oren, the coordinator from the Jewish Department of the Shin Bet responsible for the Shilo Bloc area, have been arriving every day to the site and carrying out raids and detentions, sometimes with dozens of policemen. Before and during the raids surveillance points are set up on the hilltops and the communities overlooking Geulat Tzion, with the goal of locating the youths studying at the site. Honenu reports that one of the largest raids, in terms of security forces, was carried out on the afternoon of Monday, 15 Iyar. Approximately 15 police vehicles arrived in the area of the hilltop. Dozens of policemen, police detectives, border policemen, and Yassam (Special Forces) policemen raided the hilltop from four directions and caught three youths studying Torah at the site. The policemen read them the new demarcation order, released two of them at the site and detained the third. He was taken to the Binyamin Police Station, interrogated, and held overnight. On the afternoon of Tuesday, 16 Iyar he was unconditionally released. He is considering suing the police for false detention. Geulat Tzion residents report that raids are carried out at all hours of the night and day. At night the security forces use night vision equipment, break into structures and in one incident a police officer entered a structure with his pistol drawn. Also Oren, the above-mentioned coordinator from the Jewish Department of the Shin Bet, conducts threatening conversations with youths, several of whom were threatened with administrative orders banning them from entering the area if they did not stop studying on the hilltop. Honenu notes that there are several legal problems with the demarcation order. Attorney Nati Rom, who on behalf of Honenu handled several cases of youths detained at the hilltop, stated that it is not for nothing that the police are not bringing any of the detainees to court: apparently they are concerned that the courts will examine the legality of the demarcation order and the manner in which the detentions are being carried out. Attorney Nati Rom: Over the past few days the Israeli Police have invested many resources in the area of Geulat Tzion and detained youths at the site found with sifrei kodesh in their hands. It is a shame to see, time after time, youths spending the night in remand as a means of punishment, without their being brought before a judge afterwards. I think that the Israeli Police would do well to consider where they are investing forces, certainly at a time when they are much more important things and they should also re-examine their attitude towards minors unjustifiably spending time in remand. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) The Islamic Republic of Iran held another Holocaust cartoon festival this month, inviting the usual despicable cast of characters. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif assured the New Yorker that although the event would proceed, Iran would ensure that the people who have preached racial hatred and violence will not be invited. Evidently, Zarif believes there are Holocaust deniers who do not harbor racial hatred. As Iranian President Hassan Rouhani once remarked to CNNs Christiane Amanpour, the Holocaust the question of whether it happened and the dimensions of the slaughter is really a matter for historians and researchers to illuminate. Crimes against humanity are bad, Rouhani averred, as he quickly glided over the Nazis anti-Jewish malevolence to similar crimes committed today, leaving no doubt for a Middle Eastern audience that he was talking about Israel. Among Irans ruling elite, Holocaust denial and the accompanying conspiracies about Jewish power are omnipresent and diverse, but they all have strategic intent. Anti-Semitism is not only central to the regimes identity; its also inextricably tied to its soft-power propaganda aimed at the larger Muslim world, especially Arabs. Anti-Semitism was part of Irans inception. The revolutions father, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, spent much of his life indulging it. In Khomeinis rendition, the Jews, always untrustworthy in Islamic history, are surrogates of Western imperialism who have displaced Palestinian Muslims and even distorted Islams scriptural texts. Khomeinis hatred toward Israel exceeded even his disdain for America. The United States was a pernicious, seductive imperial power. But it was Americas conduct, not its existence, that the mullahs contested. Israel, on the other hand, was for Khomeini an unlawful entity, irrespective of its actual policies and behavior. No peace compact or negotiated settlement with the aggrieved Palestinians could ameliorate this essential illegitimacy. Israel must be wiped off the map. Since the ayatollahs death, Tehrans efforts to delegitimize the Jewish state have continued, no matter who among the ruling elite has had the upper hand. Whether its those aligned behind Ali Khamenei (Khomeinis successor), the revolutionary pragmatists backing Rouhani or the Islamic leftists who once rallied behind the reforming president Mohammad Khatami, attitudes toward Israel and the Holocaust have remained constant. For them, Zionism is a racist, exclusionary ideology that should be opposed not just by Muslims but also by all who care about human rights. Irans propaganda insists that Zionism was imposed on the region by force of arms, sustained by bloodshed and perpetuated by craven U.S. politicians beholden to domestic Jewish groups. Khamenei has gone so far as to claim that to ensure the compliance of U.S. politicians, these Zionist capitalists both bribe and threaten them. Even more: These Jewish American overlords have murdered some of their high-ranking and great officials. Anti-Semitism in Iran is an Orwellian voyage of ideology, where fiery sermons and conferences calling for the annihilation of Israel and denying the Holocaust have become the sanctioned language of the Islamic republic. In foreign affairs, this antagonism to Israel enforces the clerical regimes claims to regional leadership, especially at a time when the mullahs ecumenical message to Sunni Muslims has been compromised by Irans role in provoking and sustaining sectarian warfare in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Irans anti-Semitic assault is one of the few rhetorical weapons the clerics can deploy that has broad popular appeal among Sunni Muslims. Arab leaders may envision agreements with Israel, but many of their constituents loathe the idea, especially in Egypt, which has a cold peace with Israel, and in Saudi Arabia, where royals unofficially flirt with Israeli officials in a great game to counter the mullahs. In particular, Iran needs anti- Semitism and Holocaust-denial conferences that brandish its Islamist credentials to compete against the Saudi propaganda machine, which is running full-throttle against the Shiites, depicting Iranians as Muslim heretics and Persian usurpers eyeing Arab lands. From their global network of pulpits and Arab satellite TV channels, the Saudis call the faithful against a rapacious Iran and its Shiite insurgents taking over the ancient seats of Arab civilizations in Baghdad and Damascus. And the clerical regimes anti- Semitism will grow worse as the rewards of the nuclear deal increase. The mullahs no longer have to worry how the regimes hatred of Jews plays in the West the buffoonish character of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is gone and sanctions are falling. The U.S.-educated Zarif is adept at handling Western officials and journalists. In his capable hands, Holocaust festivals become yet another reason to support Rouhanis moderates. And Western opprobrium not reinforced with sanctions just affirms the correctness and utility of the mullahs anti-Jewish worldview. What matters most is the war for Muslim minds, and the clerical regime intends to exploit anti-Semitism for all that its worth. (c) 2016, Special to The Washington Post Reuel Marc Gerecht, Ray Takeyh On the night of Wednesday 10 Iyar and police forces raided Yitzhar and served four students of Yeshivat Od Yosef Chai, two of them minors, with administrative orders banning them from entering Yehuda and Shomron. The two minors were served with orders banning them from entering Yehuda and Shomron for six months. One of them is allowed to enter the community of his residence in Gush Etzion. The adults were served with orders banning them from entering Yehuda and Shomron for four and nine months. All four students are prohibited from making contact with approximately 20 specific individuals. The orders are signed by IDF Central District Commander Major-General Roni Numa and Home Front Commander Brigadier-General Dedi Simchi. The orders were issued without presenting evidence or a holding a trial and rely on ordinances for times of emergency dating from the British Mandate. Major-General Numas orders were issued after he was convinced that [the order] is essential for the security of the State, the peace of the public, and maintaining public order. Brigadier-General Simchis order was issued after he examined intelligence information which indicated involvement with illegal activities and violence which endanger Palestinians and their property. Approximately one month ago the six-month order one of the recipients had previously received came to an end and he returned to his yeshiva. As is currently happening to other youths, the Shin Bet decided to issue an additional order. Also in the raid on the night of Wednesday 10 Iyar a Binyamin resident studying in Yitzhar was detained for interrogation, at the close of which he is expected to be released and two Yitzhar residents were summoned for interrogation by the police, the reason for which is not clear. Honenu strongly criticizes the orders: The Defense Minister has given the impression that he is losing all connection to his own values, and does not understand how a proper government works. Yesterday he told IDF officers to say whatever was on their minds, even if they oppose the viewpoint of the elected government, in effect advocating a military coup. Today he issued more administrative orders as if there is no longer a need to present evidence, bring proof and hold a trial in Israel. Who will stop the decline down this slippery slope? (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Raymok Ketema is pretty sure Bernie Sanders wont win the Democratic presidential nomination. She knows Hillary Clintons delegate lead is virtually insurmountable and that even a Sanders victory in the California primary on June 7 probably wont be enough to propel him to the top of the partys ticket. Yet the 22-year old University of California Santa Barbara student was in line at 7 a.m. on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to see her candidate speak in person. It was as if her favorite band were on tour one last time; she wasnt about to miss her final chance to see a live show. Thats kind of how I see it, Ketema said. Im a realist. So its kind of the band thing. Hes a great speaker. Its worth it. Its an experience. This is the first time Ive ever wanted to get involved in politics. As she spoke, Ketema wasnt even close to the front of the line at Santa Barbara City College, the first of Sanderss three California campaign stops on Saturday. Up and down the queue in the early hours of a holiday weekend when many Americans are sleeping in and cooking out, backers of the Vermont senator said they got up to see him while they still can before the day comes when he can no longer delay what many see as the inevitable. I was a [George] McGovern guy a long time ago, so its kind of deja vu for me, said Bier Smith, 63. I dropped out of school, did that whole thing. So this is it. This is fun. A couple hours later, Sanderss warm-up speakers included a man roughly 40 years younger than Smith who said he had dropped out of college to volunteer for the Sanders campaign. Back in line, Conlin Henderson, 22, said he would normally still be in bed at this hour on a weekend but couldnt pass up a chance to attend a Sanders rally. I just wanted to get the opportunity to see him live, said Henderson, who attended Santa Barbara City College and plans to transfer to another school in the fall. Ive seen all the videos, read all the articles. Beside him was Alex San Filippo, also 22, who said he was holding on to a sliver of hope that superdelegates who have declared their support for Clinton might be convinced to change their minds when they see the unwavering enthusiasm of Sanders voters, like him. Leon Quarles, 21, who traveled some 300 miles from Oakland, said he, too, is clinging to the hope that Sanders might pull off a miraculous comeback. But thats not what motivated him to come out on Saturday morning. He said political odds shouldnt determine whether you show up for your candidate or not. If you believe in him, youre obviously going to go, Quarles said. (c) 2016, The Washington Post Callum Borchers Members of the Knesset opposition are calling on Kulanu party leader Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon to follow the actions of Environmental Affairs Minister Avi Gabbai, who announced his resignation on Friday. Gabbai is a minister from Kahlons party and explained in his press conference that he cannot live with the deal made that will result in Avigdor Lieberman becoming the nations defense minister. This compelled his decision to resign from the cabinet. Among the opposition voices calling on Kahlon to resign is Yesh Atid MK Elazar Stern. Kahlon on erev Shabbos informed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that he is going to hold on the Gabbais ministerial portfolio, and is not in any way signaling any intentions of rocking the coalition government. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Housing Minister (Kulanu) Yoav Galant during a closed NYC meeting with heads of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations announced the current administrations policy is not to build in Yehuda and Shomron and he is fine with this policy. Galant, a retired IDF major-general, member of the Security Cabinet, explained Israel must take a diplomatic initiative in Yehuda and Shomron even if compelled to act unilaterally, without PA (Palestinian Authority) cooperation. The information is based on a Haaretz report, with the newspaper reporting it got hold of the transcripts of the closed meeting. Galant is quoted saying he is simply complying with the governments policy and in line with the policy that began with the Arik Sharon administration, construction is only taking place in the larger so-called settlement blocs which Israel hopes to maintain control of in a final status agreement with the PA. Galant expressed concerns regarding the lack of progress on the diplomatic front between Israel and the PA. He warns there will be 7 million Jews alongside 7 million Palestinians in a decade and therefore, it is in Israels interests to find a solution sooner rather than later. Using the Balkans as an analogy, he warns the one-state solution is a bad idea, opting to back the two-state solution. He discussed a number of other matters as well including relations with Egypt and Turkey. Regarding the latter, he stressed the importance of maintaining ties and reconciliation with Turkey, a former staunch ally. He admits the relationship is not a perfect one but warns of permitting the situation deteriorate and letting Turkey become another Iran. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Iraq's special forces completed a troop buildup around Fallujah on Sunday ahead of an operation to retake the Islamic State-held city west of Baghdad, a military officer said, as the militants attacked a newly-liberated town to the west. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, the government launched a large-scale offensive to dislodge IS militants from Fallujah a week ago. The city, located about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad, is one of the last major IS group strongholds in Iraq. The extremist group still controls territory in the country's north and west, including Mosul, the country's second largest city. The last battalion from Iraq's Special Forces Service arrived at dawn Sunday at the sprawling Tariq Camp outside Fallujah, said Maj. Dhia Thamir. He declined to comment on troop numbers or the timing of the expected assault. He said troops have recaptured 80 percent of the territory around the city since the operation began and are currently battling IS group to the northeast as they seek to tighten the siege ahead of a planned final push into the city center. The militants meanwhile launched an attack Sunday on the town of Hit, 85 miles (140 kilometers) west of Baghdad, which was recaptured by government troops last month. A military officer said the extremists entered three neighborhoods and were engaged in heavy clashes with Iraqi forces backed by U.S.-led airstrikes. The officer was not authorized to release information so spoke on condition of anonymity. Fallujah, which saw some of the heaviest fighting of the 2003-2011 U.S.-led military intervention, was the first city in Iraq to fall to IS group. The extremists seized control of Fallujah in January 2014, six months before they swept across northern and western Iraq and declared a caliphate. Search Keywords: Short link: This year, British holidaymakers are expected to spend around 35 billion abroad. Terrorism attacks have dented enthusiasm for certain destinations, such as Turkey and Tunisia, and the Brexit referendum may be causing some people to delay holiday decisions. Nonetheless, the British like to holiday abroad and thousands have already taken to the skies this weekend. Fat buck: Customers, such as the McLaren Formula One team, can load up FairFXs card with dollars via an app Wherever they go, they need foreign currency and invariably they are overcharged when they buy it. Exchange bureaus at UK airports typically take a cut of at least 10 per cent for foreign cash not necessarily in commission, but by offering consumers extremely low rates. Northern airports, such as Manchester and Liverpool are even greedier than their counterparts in the South, such as Heathrow and Gatwick, but across the country,consumers are losing out. Banks and post offices tend to take about 4 per cent, while using debit cards abroad typically incurs a fee of at least 2.5 per cent. The entire industry is complex and opaque, and there are wide variations depending on where holidaymakers buy their currency, with even individual post offices charging different rates. FairFX aims to offer customers a better deal by taking a smaller cut than rivals and making it simple and easy to stock up on foreign money. The group listed on the junior AIM market in 2014 at 45p and the shares have had a rough ride, partly because some founding shareholders sold their stock and partly because chief executive Ian Strafford- Taylor has been more focused on building the business than on telling City institutions about it. However, FairFX has been increasing customers and revenues by more than 20 per cent annually and should grow at an even faster rate this year and beyond. The shares are 30p and offer strong, long-term potential. Strafford-Taylor, an accountant turned investment banker, founded FairFX in 2006. His banking job involved trading huge volumes of stocks and shares at tiny margins per trade and he wondered why the same logic could not be applied to the holiday money industry. Over the years, FairFX has developed into a business that offers three basic services, all accessible via its website. First, customers can order euros or dollars online and have them posted to their homes the following day. Second, customers wanting to transfer large sums of money to buy villas in the sun, for example, can arrange to have cash wired overseas. Smart: FairFX aims to offer customers a better deal by taking a smaller cut than rivals And third, customers can buy payment cards, loaded up with euros or dollars or even sterling. Currently, it offers exchange only between these currencies. The cards look and act like ordinary debit or credit cards (and the sterling one can be used anywhere in the world). The big difference between FairFX and other foreign exchange providers is that it is significantly cheaper. The company uses the professional foreign exchange markets to buy currency several times a day, but instead of taking a cut of 4 to 10 per cent or more, it takes between 1 and 1.5 per cent. That means holidaymakers have more money to spend on eating, drinking and enjoying themselves abroad, because they are giving less away to FairFX than they would to banks, airport currencyfirms or post offices. The firm has also developed an app, which customers can use to buy cards or top up existing ones. And because cards are pre-loaded with foreign currency, customers can buy or top up their cards when the pound is strong. A couple of weeks ago, for example, FairFX saw a number of individuals buying euros when the exchange rate reached 1.30 against the pound. FairFX has 530,000 customers, most of whom are individuals. However, it has about 2,000 business customers, including the McLaren Formula One racing team. Companies buy pre-loaded cards for employees or contractors so that, when workers go abroad on business trips, there is a limit to the cash they can spend. The amount of money spent on travel expenses by UK businesses is more than 30 billion annually so, even though many employees will be less than thrilled to have their overseas spending habits curtailed, there are almost certainly significant savings to be had. Until now, FairFX has acquired customers largely through word of mouth and the odd bit of sponsorship or advertising. Looking ahead however, the group intends to increase marketing expenditure, kicking off with a TV advertising campaign that starts next week, which is expected to add thousands of new customers. The spending increase follows a 5.25 million share placing in March, primarily snapped up by Crystal Amber, an institutional investor, which now owns 24 per cent of the group. Crystal Amber is known for seeking out companies whose shares it believes are considerably undervalued, so the move is significant. FairFX delivered a 35 per cent increase in revenue to 7.4 million in 2015 and gross profits rose 32 per cent to 5 million. However, after investment in the business, the company made a 3.4 million pre-tax loss. Brokers expect revenues of almost 9 million this year, rising to more than 12 million in 2017. A small loss is expected again in 2016, but the group should move into profit from next year. Midas verdict: FairFX is a small player in the holiday and business foreign currency market, but its offer is cheaper than rivals and simple to use. Respected: Jeremy Tigue is backing cancer research Finding a cure for cancer is not just the dream of scientists and doctors even some normally hard-nosed City types share this altruistic goal. The Battle Against Cancer Investment Trust was set up in 2012 to do just what its name suggests, as well as make money for its shareholders. The unusual trust was conceived by Tom Henderson, formerly of investment house Cazenove and hedge fund group Moore Capital. He was inspired by his fathers chairmanship of the Institute of Cancer Research and is a big personal investor in the trust. Henderson and his management team, which includes chairman Jeremy Tigue, the respected former manager of investment trust big daddy Foreign & Colonial, have become bashful since launch and no longer seek publicity for BACIT. The Mail on Sundays request for an interview was politely rebuffed as are all media enquiries. But others are happy to comment, including Jason Hollands of broker Tilney Bestinvest, many of whose customers invested in it at launch. He says the trust, which invests in 15 funds worldwide rather than individual stocks, has delivered steady, positive returns with less volatility than global equities. Investors have enjoyed a smooth ride thanks to the broad global exposure across traditional equity funds, such as Polar Capital Japan Alpha and Majedie UK Equity, and alternative investments that include hedge funds Polygon European Equity Opportunity and Parity Value, which are normally unavailable to small investors. What is surprising but admirable is most of these managers also waive their fees, diluting the impact of double charges often associated with funds of funds. Initially, BACITs managers provided their services free. In lieu of a fee, a donation has been made every year equivalent to 1 per cent of the trusts net asset value to cancer charities half to the Institute of Cancer Research and half to the BACIT Charitable Foundation, which donates to charities selected by shareholders, including Marie Curie Cancer Care and Beating Bowel Cancer. But at the end of last year the reality of looking after hundreds of millions of pounds meant shareholders voted in favour of a 0.19 per cent management fee on top of the charitable donation. BACIT also invests one per cent of its assets a year in the Institute of Cancer Researchs drug discovery programme, meaning it will benefit from any commercial success from these endeavours. One drawback is the shares are trading at a premium of 5.5 per cent, making them relatively dear. Hollands says the nearest similar trust is RIT Capital Partners, which invests in hedge funds and private equity. He says: It has delivered higher returns over three years but has been more volatile as it has greater equity exposure and does not incorporate BACITs charitable structure. Patrick Connolly, of investment broker Chase de Vere, finds BACIT intriguing. He says: It isnt ever likely to shoot the lights out but if you want low volatility and competitive charges, plus the advantage of supporting charities, then this trust fits the bill. With nearly two-thirds of the trust invested in hedge funds it should provide good capital protection. John Ditchfield, of ethical financial adviser Castlefield, is underwhelmed. He says: The fund has returned almost 10 per cent over three years, which compares well with the FTSE All-Share but much less well against global equities. Britain is poised to buy 50 US-made Apache attack helicopters for 425 million, dealing a blow to the UK's last helicopter maker, Somerset-based AgustaWestland. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is expected to announce the order at the Farnborough airshow in July. The Boeing Apaches are part of a larger order of 240 helicopters being placed mainly for the US Army. US sources said this has allowed the UK to get a big discount. Each helicopter is believed to cost 8.5 million. Royal approval: Prince Harry, who flew the Apache attack helicopter in Afghanistan poses during a training exercise in the French Alps in 2011. Britain is poised to buy 50 US-made Apaches from Boeing for 425 million The British Army is understood to have recommended that the Government buy the Apaches 18 months ago, but the decision was delayed after lobbying from AgustaWestland, which wanted to make its own bid. The company's managing director is former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon. The original Apaches were bought from the US in 1995 for 20 million and then the Government commissioned the British firm to upgrade them with new engines and avionics taking the total cost per helicopter to 44million. Gunship: Britain's original Apaches were bought from the US in 1995 for 20 million and then the Government commissioned the British firm to upgrade them These improved helicopters are regarded as having performed significantly better than their wholly US-made equivalents in Afghanistan and were also impressive during the conflict in Libya. The helicopters in the new deal will be the advanced Apache Guardian model and they will replace the British Army's existing 50-strong fleet. They have engines made by the US company GE rather than Rolls-Royce. The crews can also control drones. AgustaWestland, part of the Italian defence giant Leonardo-Finmeccanica, has a 430 million contract to maintain the present Apaches, ensuring the survival of hundreds of jobs until 2019. The firm employs 3,200 staff. Deal: AgustaWestland, part of the Italian defence giant Leonardo-Finmeccanica, has a 430 million contract to maintain the present Apaches, ensuring the survival of hundreds of jobs until 2019 The future of the contract for maintenance work on the Apaches, also currently held by AgustaWestland, is unknown throwing doubt over jobs at the Yeovil site. Two years ago the deputy commander of the Joint Helicopter Command, Brigadier Neil Sexton, called for the advanced Apache to be acquired. He told Jane's Defence Weekly: 'The Army is absolutely sold on the Apache's performance in Afghanistan.' The decision by the MoD is reminiscent of the issues behind the so-called Westland Affair of 1985-86 when the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher clashed with Defence Secretary Michael Heseltine over the future of Westland, as it was then known. She favoured its rescue by a US firm, Sikorsky, while Heseltine favoured its merger with European rivals, including Finmeccanica. The Yeovil plant makes the Super Lynx 300, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters and the AW189 civil helicopter. An MoD spokesman said: 'The Apache programme is currently in its assessment phase and we expect to make a decision by summer 2016.' Britain's biggest food producer, 2 Sisters, has been hit by the first of a wave of strikes after workers complained it planned pay cuts to fund the new National Living Wage. According to staff representatives more than 1,000 workers have been drawn into a series of disputes over pay at the group, which makes Fox's biscuits, Goodfella's pizza and supermarket meals for a number of leading chains. One strike took place last week and a further three are looming at the company's sites across the UK. More than 1,000 workers are understood to have been drawn into a series of disputes over pay at the group, which makes Fox's biscuits, Goodfella's pizza and supermarket meals for a number of leading chains The row is the latest linked to April's introduction of the National Living Wage to replace the lower National Minimum Wage. Workers have complained that other benefits and overtime are being cut to help fund the rise. Birmingham-based 2 Sisters Food Group is owned by multi-millionaire Ranjit Singh Boparan and is chaired by Labour peer and former ITV chairman Charles Allen. A recent report suggested that Boparan's net worth rose 50 million to 850 million last year. Staff at Foxs Biscuits in Wesham John Higgins, secretary for the Midlands branch of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, said: 'This dispute is escalating. People are becoming very frustrated. We're at the factory gate trying to save people on low pay 1,500 or 2,000 a year, while we read in the papers that Boparan could be one of Birmingham's newest billionaires, which has not gone down well with staff.' The Mail on Sunday first revealed the escalating row at the firm's Pennine Foods factory in Sheffield last month. Hundreds of workers have since taken part in a strike at the site, following complaints that workers would be worse off under new contracts. A further 48-hour strike is now planned at the firm's Rogerstone factory in Newport starting on Thursday morning. In a separate dispute, staff at its Pizza Factory site in Nottingham began voting in a two-week ballot on Monday. Sources also said its Fox's Biscuits factory in Batley, West Yorkshire, could be on the brink of balloting for industrial action, possibly within days, pending management's response to existing complaints over changes to pay. Negotiations are being led by the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union at Sheffield, Rogerstone and Batley and by Unite in Nottingham. Workers have also begun campaigning outside Marks & Spencer shops in the Sheffield area with more protests planned. 2 Sisters has told staff it plans to cut Sunday and Bank Holiday pay, overtime and time off in lieu for working unsociable hours, but denies it is clawing back money to pay for the National Living Wage. British holidaymakers have refused to let fuel shortages in France caused by industrial action affect their plans for a getaway and many operators are even reporting increased passenger numbers. A spokesman for Eurotunnel told The Mail on Sunday that there were no cancellations due to the strikes. Bookings especially last-minute ones were actually up on last year. People are clearly not being put off by the strikes and the combination of half-term and the long Bank Holiday weekend means were extremely busy, said a spokesman. Busy: British holidaymakers have refused to let fuel shortages in France caused by industrial action affect their plans for a getaway Up-to-the-minute information about where petrol supplies were located were proving very helpful in reassuring people. He added: There is a lot of good information and a lot of petrol around. It was a similar story on the boats. Ferry operator DFDS Seaways said its services were unaffected by the strike action and there had not been a drop in bookings or spike in cancellations. The company said: Were expecting a very busy Bank Holiday weekend with thousands of passengers looking to get away. Booking numbers for the weekend are strong. P&O Ferries said: The fuel situation is continuing to improve and media reports about shortages are at odds with the relatively trouble-free picture we are seeing on the ground. Brimming their tanks: Motorists fill up at one of the last fuel stations before the Port of Dover in Kent Canvas Holidays said fuel was available on main routes and where possible it would provide free accommodation if holidaymakers are forced to extend their stay. Eurocamp said: The effect of the fuel situation on our customers has so far been minimal. No customers have been unable to depart and none has cancelled. HolidayTravelWatch consumer director Frank Brehany advised travellers to check with their holiday operator and insurance company before changing their plans. The owner of Matchless Motorcycles one of Britains oldest motorbike marques is to raise up to 5 million to help revive the classic business. A mini-bond is being sold to small investors through the online finance platform Karadoo. Investors in the Original Matchless Motorcycle Company will receive 6 per cent annual interest for five years. Offer: Investors in the Original Matchless Motorcycle Company will receive 6 per cent annual interest for five years The funds raised will be used to take OMMC to the market with the launch of two superbike models. Franco Malenotti, whose family acquired the Matchless brand and assets in 2012, has joined the board. Production of the hand-built motorbikes is due to begin early next year at the Onyx race engineering factory at Littlehampton, Sussex. The first Matchless motorcycle was made in Plumstead, South-East London, in 1899. All models had a winged M on the petrol tank. During the Second World War, Matchless built 80,000 bikes for the Armed Forces. Britain's peers in Europe spend more than twice as much on state aid to business as the UK, according to figures compiled for The Mail on Sunday. The study by leading economic research group Oxera shows that Britain spent on average 95 (70) a year per head of population on state aid to business and industry between 2009 and 2014, compared with 235 in France and 240 in Germany. The average across the EU is 165 per head, also well above the UK figure. Skid row: Ginetta cars, which gave Boris Johnson a spin, do not get the subsidies of US-made Teslas Germany and France are the two biggest spenders on state aid in Europe and also the economies most similar to the UK in size. The research was compiled from European Commission data on state aid spending that it had approved. While Britain's spending was significantly lower than that of France and Germany over the whole of the six-year period, Germany's spending soared to 500 a head in 2014, the latest year for which figures are available. Oxford-based Oxera said that this could be due to rules introduced that year on how green initiatives were reported. Germany's high level of state aid is due in large part to its support for renewable energy and energy saving measures. Restrictions: Ginetta sportscar boss Lawrence Tomlinson The biggest chunk of Britain's state aid is also on green measures, though it remains far less than that of Germany. The figures come as the upcoming referendum on membership of the EU has once again raised the often cited argument that the UK cannot help its industry because of state aid rules from Brussels. Hopes for a rescue of Tata Steel's UK division are mired in concerns over state aid. Government investment to keep Tata's British steel operations open could be contested under EU state aid rules, as could recent proposals from the Government to make special provision in law to allow the Tata Steel pension fund to change its terms to members. This weekend former Government adviser and owner of the Leeds-based Ginetta sportscar business Lawrence Tomlinson told The Mail on Sunday that EU rules were holding back the British motor industry. He said: 'You can feel the restrictions we get, things like state aid, the number of times that businesses are refused funding due to European state aid law. Well, the Americans don't have state aid law, they just help their businesses grow. 'The Americans gave Tesla cars half a billion dollars developing the electric car. We wouldn't have thought about that over here because it would be state aid.' According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, South African-born Elon Musk's firms, which include electric car maker Tesla, have received $4.9 billion (3.5 billion) in government support. Musk described the report as 'incredibly misleading'. Tomlinson also cited the case of the steel industry, where the US government recently announced a huge 522 per cent tariff on imported Chinese steel to help protect its industry from cheap imports. Green machine: The US Government gave Tesla cars half a billion dollars developing the electric car The tariff comprises a 266 per cent anti-dumping levy and a 256 per cent anti-subsidy duty. Tomlinson said: 'If the steel industry is struggling the Americans won't let it go bust. They subsidise it. So why should we be restricted?' Nicole Robins, senior consultant at Oxera and a specialist in state aid, said the fact that billions of euros is granted to companies every year by EU countries showed that state aid is not banned outright, but is possible through complex rules. 'There are four criteria which define whether government spending is state aid,' said Robins. 'Is public money being spent? Is the measure selective is it targeted at a single company or a small group of companies? 'Does it give an advantage to the companies receiving it? And does it distort competition or distort trade within the EU?' All of the spending detailed by Oxera met all four of these criteria, and so required approval by the European Commission. Robins said such approvals were granted when the aid could be shown to be for some wider public good. She added: 'To be approved you also need to demonstrate that it is limited to the minimum amount necessary and that it is a real incentive. 'That is to say that the investment would not have been done at all without the state aid.' It's been a tough year for Sir Charles Dunstone. The chairman of mobile group TalkTalk faced a reputational crisis when the company admitted a major data leak. Details of up to 4 million customers had been stolen by cyber criminals. Critics slammed the business and the shares slumped. Between early October and early November the shares dived by almost 30 per cent. The collapse in the price knocked more than 260 million off the value of Dunstones own 30 per cent stake. It was the worst thing I have been through as a businessman, admits Dunstone. Good call: TalkTalk chairman Sir Charles Dunstone realised quickly that mobiles would take off In the end the data leak turned out to be far smaller than first feared affecting just 156,000 customers and many criticised chief executive Dido Harding for jumping so quickly to make a public statement. But Dunstone will have none of it and argues that being honest immediately was the right decision for customers and for the business. Dido felt very strongly that she had to warn customers and rather than write them a letter the immediate thing to do was talk to the media, he says. It is one of the slings and arrows of life and business and we got on with it. The debacle put a big dent in TalkTalks profits, which halved to just 14 million. But the group still added almost 150,000 new customers in the months after the leak. People gave us credit for going on the front foot, owning up to the problems, taking the criticism on the chin and dealing with it, says Dunstone. The business has recovered much more quickly from it than I feared. Extraordinarily, our rating as an honest company has soared. But despite all this Dunstone is not so rash as to believe the public will automatically trust him when it comes to the subject of Europe. He is firmly in the Remain camp and says he has been encouraged by other business people to come out and make his views public. You just have to be careful, he says. I am sure people will be sitting there saying: Who the hell is Charles Dunstone and why is he telling me what I should think about Europe? But I am not doing that. I am just telling you what I think. And what he thinks is plain. What business and investors hate the most is periods of indecision and the unknown, he says. And the process of extraction from the EU will be very long. Even if in two years time it is all done, those two years will be incredibly painful. No one would invest any money. No one would understand what was going to happen. The pound would be very weak. That period of insecurity would be incredibly damaging and difficult to deal with. If we leave, the EU would not be very generous in any deal because if someone has left the gang you have to make sure no one else is incentivised to follow them. They would end up being very tough with us and it would take ages to sort. I accept that maybe in ten years time it would have all sorted itself out and we would have new free trade agreements, but the interim would be very uncomfortable. Now, if everyone understands that and still thinks it is worth leaving, then you have to accept that view. Dunstone, 51, is speaking in TalkTalks head office. The group is one of the two that emerged from the original Carphone Warehouse. The other is Dixons Carphone. Dunstone, who is reputedly worth 1.3 billion, is chairman of both. High seas: Sir Charles Dunstone on board his yacht, Hamilton 2 Despite his elevated status in the firm, his office is a glass affair that looks out on to a floor of staff at TalkTalks West London headquarters close to the Westfield shopping centre. The building has the air of a 1960s university. Lots of exposed smooth concrete and steel. It is also an unassuming office for a man who started Carphone Warehouse from a two-bedroom flat in 1989. Mobile phones were then a luxury item. Toys for City types. I have been unbelievably lucky, he says. No one anticipated that mobile phones would get the penetration they did. No one could foresee how the mobile phone would become the remote control for your life. Lucky is certainly how many would see it. Dunstone has homes in West London and Norfolk and enjoys indulging his love of sailing. There is a dinghy at the Norfolk house, though his outings in that are rarer than they used to be. He has a racing yacht and is chairman of Ben Ainslies Americas Cup bid. There is also a gentlemans motor yacht in the Mediterranean, which Dunstone bought and had renovated. A vast photo of the restoration project is on his office wall. Dunstone says he did not originally set out to be as successful as he has been I just wanted to make a living and it took him a few years before he was sure the business would work. When we opened our first shop in Oxford Street and we were putting up posters, there was a guy running a souvenir cart and he said: You are opening up a shop here, are you?, And I said: Yeah, its our first. Then he replied: I have seen every single type of business go into that shop and they all fail. But the one insight we had was that we knew the people who got the most out of mobile phones were the self-employed and small businesses, but the companies were selling them to bankers. The market was targeting the wrong customers. That was our one insight. The merger last year of Carphones retail chain with Dixons was widely derided in the City, but trading figures out last week confounded the sceptics. Sales were up 5 per cent and the companys chief executive, Seb James, described it as a stonking year. Dunstone is satisfied that the merger has been vindicated. But the conversation somehow returns to Europe. While Dunstone remains calm and measured he is clearly exasperated by the quality of the debate, which last week turned particularly acrimonious. The Institute of Fiscal Studies had warned that Brexit could severely hit the economy and force two more years of austerity on Britain. The Vote Leave campaign accused the IFS of being a paid-up propaganda arm of the EU. Its a bit juvenile that whenever anyone comes out with any kind of analysis on what might happen if we exit, they just pour scorn on it, says Dunstone. These people the Bank of England, the OECD, the IMF they dont just make it up. And then to say the IFS is a sponsored mouthpiece of the European Commission is unbelievably insulting. Its puerile. He goes on: Someone said to me the other day: I completely understand what you mean about the economy, but I am not voting out for the economy, I am doing it for sovereignty. But what does that mean? The person was about 70. Now its fine, if youre retired, you have a pension, your mortgage is paid off, then you can afford the luxury of taking a gamble on sovereignty. But if you are 25 years old and you hope to build your career and your prospects, it could be devastating. Saudi Arabia on Sunday denounced as "unacceptable" Iranian demands over its pilgrims joining the annual Islamic hajj this year, after Tehran accused Riyadh of raising obstacles. "Iran has demanded the right to organise... demonstrations and to have privileges... that would cause chaos during the hajj. This is unacceptable," Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said in a joint press briefing with his British counterpart Philip Hammond. Tehran said earlier on Sunday that Iranians will miss the pilgrimage this year to Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia, and accused Riyadh of "blocking the path to Allah". Jubeir said Saudi Arabia annually signs a hajj memorandum of understanding with more than 70 countries "to guarantee the security and safety of pilgrims". "This year, Iran refused to sign the memorandum," he said, arguing that Riyadh has agreed to facilitate the travel arrangements of Iranian pilgrims despite having no diplomatic ties or air links. "It is very negative if Iran's intention from the start was to manoeuvre and find excuses, in order to prevent its citizens from performing the hajj," he said. "If it is about measures and procedures, I think we have done more than our duty to meet those needs, but it is the Iranians who have rejected things," he added. Search Keywords: Short link: With less than a month to go until the referendum on membership of the European Union and with the final poll from the British Chambers of Commerce suggesting the race for the business vote has tightened, the Mail on Sunday speaks to two of the biggest stars of TV's Dragons' Den about how they will vote. Their responses suggest that they are as split on the issue as the business community itself. The BCC's poll of 2,200 leading business people found that 54 per cent would vote to remain in the EU, while 37 per cent would vote to leave with 9 per cent undecided. This is a dramatic tightening since the BCC's February survey, which had those opting to remain on 60 per cent and those wanting to leave at 30 per cent, while 10 per cent were undecided. Big debate: We speak to two of the biggest stars of TV's Dragons' Den about how they will vote I had no experience but EU let me export REMAIN: Dragon's Den reject Shaun Pulfrey Shaun Pulfrey, who now exports a million of his Tangle Teezer hairbrushes a month, said: 'I'm going to opt to stay in for the simple reason it's done my business good trading with Europe, and I would like to think it's going to be a great opportunity for others.' The former hairdresser appeared on Dragons' Den in 2007 seeking 80,000 in exchange for a 15 per cent stake in his business but walked away empty-handed after being told his idea was 'hair-brained'. Pulfrey, whose father wanted him to be a fisherman like himself, said: 'There was a lot of work behind the scenes. It wasn't just a stroke of luck. Not one time did I ever doubt myself, did I ever doubt the product or did I even say to myself 'What the hell are you doing?'. Slick: Shaun Pulfrey, who appeared on Dragons' Den in 2007, exports a million hairbrushes a month 'We went from doing 98,000 Tangle Teezers in a year to just under one million a month which we export globally. 'We have more than 300 people in the factories. I have created jobs, I am proud of that. We export to more than 80 countries China, Japan, America, Mexico, the list goes on. 'All the manufacturing is in the UK. In fact the primary factory is in Witney in Oxfordshire, the Prime Minister's constituency. 'I've met him a couple of times and am supportive of any Prime Minister supporting British business. As far as the referendum goes, the thing that's annoying me at the moment is the kerfuffle that's going on getting there. 'Entrepreneurs will always work with the set-up they've got. Free trading in Europe has worked for me very well. 'The rules that are set up now, that I've worked to and worked with, have been very good for my business. 'As someone who hadn't had any experience of owning a business, I'd like to think those opportunities are afforded to other people when they start their business in the near future. 'I think entrepreneurs are people who adapt to situations anyway. I think a lot are saying at the moment: 'Can we just get on with running our business?' ' People buy products because they are good not because we are in the EU LEAVE: Dragons' Den winner Neil Westwood Success: Neil Westwood with Lady Thatchers House of Lords robe, which he bought at auction for 84,000 last year Neil Westwood, who won 100,000 backing for a 40 per cent stake in Magic Whiteboard, a 'whiteboard on a roll', on the show in 2008, has hit out at Lord Sugar's claim that leaving the EU would lead to a 'disaster' for the UK. Sugar, who was appointed an enterprise tsar by the Government on Tuesday, said last week that pro-Brexit Boris Johnson had 'gone off the rails' with his 'outlandish' claims over the referendum. He told Sky News that Brexit would be a 'disaster' and added: 'We have to stay in. It's ludicrous, I don't know what Brexit people are thinking.' Westwood, who is launching Ifindyou, a mobile phone-linked device for locating misplaced keys and bags, said: 'I heard Lord Sugar saying leaving the EU will be a disaster. I have to disagree. The EU economy has failed and they have miserable levels of growth and bailouts. Unemployment is over 20 per cent in a lot of EU countries. 'If Lord Sugar was paying 10 billion a year to be part of a club so wasteful and inefficient he would ask for his money back and fire the bureaucrats. 'We can still trade effectively with countries without having the EU managing the process. 'We can trade with non-EU countries anyway. We sell Magic Whiteboard to 20 countries, 70 per cent outside the EU. People buy products because they are good, not just because we are in the EU.' Westwood, who with his wife now fully owns the 1.2 million turnover Magic Whiteboard, added: 'Far from being a disaster, it is an opportunity to create jobs and invest the billions we send to the EU every year in the UK.' He also said: 'George Osborne says Brexit will cause another recession. We are already back in recession. 'We are on a Worcester trading estate and everyone's sales are down. Osborne knows this and will blame a Brexit for his policy. Drive: Ads featuring Workie have promoted auto-enrolment More than 2,500 auto-enrolment compliance whistleblowing reports were made to the Pensions Regulator during the 2015-16 tax year, a 29 per cent rise on the previous year. The figures have been revealed following a Freedom of Information request by law firm Clyde & Co. It found the regulator had launched more than 8,800 enforcement actions over the year. Though more than 95 per cent of the first small employers required to provide workplace pensions have complied with the law, the regulator has warned that the number of escalating penalty notices it issues is rising. Issuing these is one of the statutory powers it has to help maximise auto-enrolment. It specifies the date by which an employer must comply with certain actions or be subject to a fine that grows daily. Employers with one to four staff that fail to comply are fined 50 a day. Those with five to 49 are fined 500 a day. Following this months Queens Speech, a pensions bill has been announced with strict new entry criteria on firms launching multi-employer master trust schemes amid fears over the quality of new providers. Insurance giant Aviva argues the regulator should give contract-based pension providers such as itself greater prominence on its website. Contract-based pensions, such as group personal pensions, are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Master trust pensions are not. Despite concerns in 2012 that auto-enrolment for small firms would not be profitable for private-sector providers, Andy Beswick, managing director of business solutions at Aviva, said: We havent put any limit on the size or the type of company. We need to be available to all. The key things small firms want are speed, efficiency and somebody they can trust. Iran said on Sunday its pilgrims would not attend the annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage, blaming regional rival Saudi Arabia for "sabotage" and failing to guarantee the safety of pilgrims. Saudi Arabia, which oversees the pilgrimage to Mecca by more than two million Muslims from around the world, accused Iran of effectively depriving its citizens from the religious duty by refusing to sign a memorandum reached after talks with Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation. Relations between the two Gulf powers plummeted after hundreds of Iranians died in a crush in last year's hajj and after Riyadh broke diplomatic ties when its Tehran embassy was stormed in January over the Saudi execution of a Shia cleric. The dispute has provided another arena for discord between the conservative Sunni Muslim monarchy of Saudi Arabia and the revolutionary Shia republic of Iran, which back opposing sides in Syria and other conflicts across the region. "Due to ongoing sabotage by the Saudi government, it is hereby announced that ... Iran's pilgrims have been denied the privilege to attend the hajj this year, and responsibility for this rests with the government of Saudi Arabia," Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation said in a statement carried by state media. Saudi media earlier said an Iranian delegation had left the kingdom without an agreement over the hajj, the second time the two countries have failed to reach a deal. Saudi Arabia has blamed Iran for the impasse. "Saudi Arabia does not prevent anyone from performing the religious duty," Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said at a news conference with visiting British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond. "Iran refused to sign the memorandum and was practically demanding the right to hold demonstrations and to have other advantages ... that would create chaos during hajj, which is not acceptable," he added. Iranian Culture Minister Ali Jannati said the issue of ensuring the safety of the pilgrims was paramount for Tehran following the death of hundreds of Iranian pilgrims last year. "The Saudi government deliberately acted in a way to prevent Iranian pilgrims from ... attending hajj this year," Jannati told Iran state television. Eight months after the last hajj, Saudi Arabia has still not published a report into the disaster, at which it said over 700 pilgrims were killed, the highest death toll at the annual pilgrimage since a crush in 1990. Iran boycotted the hajj for three years after 402 pilgrims, mostly Iranians, died in clashes with Saudi security forces at an anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Mecca in 1987. Search Keywords: Short link: Fierce fighting between government forces and Shiite rebels in south Yemen on Sunday claimed the lives of 48 fighters -- 28 insurgents and 20 soldiers -- a senior military officer said. "A total of 28 Houthis (Shia rebels) and 20 of our men were killed in the fighting, which continued into the evening," General Misfer al-Harithi, who commands the army's 19th Infantry Battalion, told AFP. Earlier, Harithi gave a death toll of 28 rebels and 14 soldiers. He said the clashes erupted when rebels and allied forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh attacked government positions in Bayhan district on the border between Shabwa and Marib provinces. Troops counter-attacked and pushed the rebels back, he said. "Our forces managed to recapture several positions," Harithi said. "We will not stop fighting until we take control of the entire sector," he added. The area where the fighting is taking place is the only part of Shabwa province still controlled by the Iran-backed rebels. Forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, backed by the firepower of the Saudi-led coalition, managed to drive rebels out of Shabwa and four other southern provinces in the summer. Sunday's fighting flared despite an early April ceasefire that paved the way for ongoing peace talks in Kuwait. More than 6,400 people have been killed in Yemen since the coalition began a campaign in March 2015 against the rebels who had occupied the capital and advanced on Hadi's refuge in the south, forcing him to flee to Riyadh. Search Keywords: Short link: The brother of a man who was killed alongside the Taliban's slain chief Mullah Akthar Mansour in an American drone strike in southwest Pakistan is pressing murder and terrorism charges against US officials, police said Sunday. Mansour was travelling by car near the town of Ahmad Wal on May 21 when he was killed, a major blow to the Islamist group that has been waging a guerilla war in Afghanistan since being toppled from power in 2001. US officials described the car's driver as a "second male combatant" but according to Pakistani security officials he was a chauffeur named Mohammad Azam who worked for the Al Habib rental company based out of Quetta, the region's main city. His brother Mohammad Qasim said Azam was an innocent man who was providing for his four children and had been murdered. "US officials whose name I do not know accepted the responsibility in media for this incident, so I want justice and request legal action against those responsible for it," Qasim said in a police report dated May 25, a copy of which was seen by AFP. "My brother was innocent and he was very poor who has left behind four small children and he was the lone bread earner in the family," he added. Local police and administration officials on Sunday confirmed charges had been filed, but declined to comment on what steps authorities would take to pursue the case, if any. Mansour was appointed head of the Taliban in July 2015 and was succeeded on Wednesday by his deputy Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada. The US has carried out hundreds of drone strikes in Pakistan, mainly in the border tribal regions with Afghanistan, and leaked documents show Islamabad had quietly consented despite publicly protesting. But this was the first by the US in Balochistan province and Pakistan -- whose spy agency has long supported the Taliban -- angrily denounced it as a violation of its sovereignty. Islamabad says it hosts many of the Afghan Taliban's top leadership to exert influence over them and bring them back to peace talks with Kabul. Drone attacks have proven extremely controversial with the Pakistani public and rights groups. In 2013, Amnesty International said the US could be guilty of war crimes by carrying out extrajudicial killings. A separate report on drone strikes in Yemen by Human Rights Watch accused the US of killing civilians and causing disproportionate civilian harm. Search Keywords: Short link: Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams JAMAICA Police sought the publics help in trying to identify a man who forcibly touched a woman at the Jamaica Center subway station earlier this month. On May 6, at about 6:30 p.m., a 23-year-old woman was heading up the escalator from the J subway in the Jamaica Center station, according to the NYPD. Police said a man then approached her from behind and slapped her buttocks. The woman was able to take a cell phone picture of the man after he touched her, according to police. She then left the station while the man remained inside it. Police described the man as being in his mid-30s, about 5-foot-9, with brown hair and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and tan pants. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Patrick Donachie The father and girlfriend of a Jamaica man awaiting trial on charges that he committed two home invasions in 2015 allegedly conspired to hire a hitman to kill witnesses for the prosecutions case against him, according to the Queens DA. Latisha Larrymore, 31, and Eddie Marcus, 53, were charged with second-degree conspiracy and criminal solicitation to commit murder, the DA said. They allegedly attempted to hire the hitman in a bid to eliminate witnesses set to testify against Edward Leasure, 36, who is in Rikers, DA Richard Brown said. All three individuals were from Jamaica. Unfortunately, some criminals facing trial and possible imprisonment seek to improve their odds of avoiding punishment by intimidating or eliminating potential witnesses against them, Brown said. The criminal justice system cannot function effectively if victims of and witnesses to crimes do not feel safe to report those crimes and cooperate in investigations and prosecutions. On March 16, 2015, Leasure entered a Queens home and pulled a black firearm on two women, according to the district attorney. He led the women inside the home into a bedroom and asked them where the safe was, the DA said. One woman gave Leasure $300 in cash. According to the DAs office, he went to a house four doors down and punched a woman who was in the home at the time. He was arrested later that day. Leasure was arraigned on March 18, 2015 on charges of burglary, robbery, weapons possession and other charges. His next court date is on June 21. The DAs office cautioned that the charges were accusations and that the defendants should be presumed innocent. According to the charges, Larrymore and Marcus conspired in March and April of this year to hire a hitman who would kill witnesses set to tesitfy in Leasures upcoming trial. Marcus allegedly approached someone known to police from the investigation and said he would pay the person to kill several witnesses, the DA said. Marcus allegedly supplied the would-be hitman with the names and addresses of several witnesses, and Larrymore allegedly told him that she knew somebody who would sell him a gun and a silencer, according to prosecutors. After her arrest, Larrymore allegedly told police that Leasure was aware of the plot, the DA said. Leasure called Larrymore to arrange a meeting between her and Marcus, who is his father. Larrymore allegedly said Leasure had found a lawyer who would handle the situation, Brown said. According to the DAs office, lawyer was a code word for hitman. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Mark Hallum Over the past six years, the Long Island City Arts Open has created an atmosphere of creative community in Queens. The Amie Gross Gallery hosted an event last Friday night in which the talents of artists and architects were enlisted to design the future facility for Transitional Services for New York. TSINY is a Queens-based non-profit with headquarters in Flushing that serves patients suffering from mental illness. The goal of the program is to completely rehabilitate individuals coping with a range of disorders. Its new facility in Jamaica will be a seven-story design by Amie Gross Architects that incorporates the work of glass artist Ellen Mandelbaum and painter Laini Nemett. Artists and designers at the open house, located in the Amie Gross studio in Long Island City, spoke about the work they have been engaged in and the way they see individual pieces interacting with each other to influence the recovery of future residents of the building. What will differentiate the facility from every other health center is that it is designed to interact with every mood. Theres a difference between the art in a museum and the art in a building that people live in, Amie Gross said. Its very different because youre seeing that work every day and in a different frame of mind. Mandelbaum, who has a studio in Sunnyside, showcased pieces that fit the criteria of what will go in the TSINY facility. Mandelbaum is a stained glass artist whose work reflects features found in nature. In one work, she indicates the shadow of a mountain. Strands of grass can be seen in the foreground, a dimensional appearance that is produced by putting the glass plate into the fire multiple times. The colors are complex, overlapping and change deeply with the lighting. Nemett is a painter who takes photographs of buildings under construction or in disrepair. Nemett uses photographs from several different buildings, then pieces them together by cutting them apart and reconstructing them in a 3D model. She then paints an image of the model that shows off the diagonal lines in the cross-sections of the structure, an approach to depth similar to that of Mandelbaum. Nemett plans to be present during the construction of the TSINY building to paint wall-hangers for the soon-to-be center for mental health. The finished large-scale paintings will combine imagery from the different stages of this buildings construction, Ellens stained glass, and the completed building, so that anyone standing in the lobby will feel as if they are inside the artwork, Nemett said. Hopefully, this sense of artistic immersion will be one of the many therapeutic features of the building for its residents and any other visitors. According to Ave McCracken, director of Public Affairs for TSINY, the goal of the organization is to reduce the stigma directed toward mental illness as well as develop in patients the abilities needed to live independently. TSINY was recently the beneficiary of the proceeds for Taste of Bayside and Beyond, a fund-raising event put on by the local business association which donates to organizations leading the way toward a better future. Mushcup's Brian Steff takes his turn in 'My Favorite Guitar' Mushcup's Brian Steff has an arsenal of guitars though his favorite is one loved and admired by fans Pakistani police killed three Al-Qaeda militants during a gunfight in the southwestern port city of Karachi on Sunday after raiding their hideout, officials said. The skirmish took place in Gulshan-e-Buner, a low-income neighbourhood in the city, when police were searching the area after receiving a tip-off that militants were hiding there, senior police official Rao Muhmmad Anwar told AFP. "When police reached an area near a hill, terrorists started firing on them and in retaliation three militants were killed," said Anwar, adding that the militants belonged to the Al-Qaeda in the Indian Sub-continent branch. Police also recovered weapons and explosives from the hideout, he added. One of the militants was identified as Riaz Raju, who was wanted over the killing of policemen and murders of minority Shiite Muslims in Karachi, Anwar said. Two other policemen confirmed the raid and casualties. Karachi, a city of 20 million and Pakistan's economic hub, is frequently hit by religious, political and ethnic violence. Paramilitary forces began a sweeping crackdown on militants in the city in 2013, which has led to a substantial drop in overall levels of violence. Al-Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban have carried out joint operations for years, but both are hostile to the Islamic State group which is an upstart in the region. Pakistan launched a countrywide campaign against militancy called the National Action Plan starting in 2015 after a deadly Taliban attack on a Peshawar school left more than 150 people -- mostly children -- dead. Search Keywords: Short link: Richard Carter/Times Record News Brandon Irwin and Nancy Brasfield rehearse for the Wichita Falls Community Orchestra's presentation of "Oklahoma!" SHARE Spry and plucky, Brandon Irwin cowboyed up and delivered a little extra curl to the character of hotdogging cowboy Curley at Friday nights performance of Oklahoma! by the Wichita Falls Community Orchestra an unfortunately difficult-to-hear production. It felt like a hoedown watching him exude all that spunky joy at Midwestern State Universitys Akin Auditorium. Chalk that same high energy up to most of the cast, particularly the dynamic theatrical duo of Sarah Stewart, Curleys gal Laurey, feisty as she is, and director/choreographer Erin Sherry as the starry-eyed and inconstant Ado Annie, who is derailed left and right by guys talkin purty to her. Stewart and Sherry last used their super duo theatrical powers in the Wichita Theatres production of Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream as the female romantic leads. Despite all these lovely performances, whatever swept down the plain Friday night also swept the audio into the ether somewhere, even though the actors were projecting their hearts out. Several audience members complained about not being able to hear what the characters were saying. This significant technical issue detracted, unfortunately, from the performances during its three-hour run (including intermission). Just a little about this production of Oklahoma! Its unique in that it is a collaborative effort between the Rachel Kapelski-helmed Wichita Falls Community Orchestra, the theatrical community, and some local ballet dancers, too, for a fulfilling art buffet of sorts. Another crowd favorite at Friday nights presentation was Michael Sherry as darn-tootin, rodeoing cowboy Will Parker. He fires on all cylinders as the happy-go-lucky cowboy and as a dancer in Oklahomas dream ballet sequence. He also shows off his characters braggadocio in an Oklahoma plains dance battle with Ado Annie that was entertaining. And David Cerreta turned up the crowd-pleasing quotient, too, as peddler Ali Hakim, who charms the ladies but has to charm himself out of getting a wife. Nancy Brasfield is a natural as Aunt Eller. She gives the character such a big, bright personality, and its easy to see why Billy Brasfield landed the role of Jud Fry, who sings the most challenging song in the musical, Lonely Room. He touts the vocal chops to carry the role. This production of Oklahoma! hit a few bumps. In addition to the inadequate audio for the actors, the orchestra and actors werent always in sync. The vocals were sometimes a little ahead or a little behind the orchestra. And the Curley/Jud Fry duet hit one sour note. But the musical also impresses, not just with the acting and orchestral performances, but the staging and choreography. Director Erin Sherry made sure to use every bit of Akin Auditorium as actors enter the musical arena from the back of the auditorium and the side doors, too, and they used every inch of stage space, even with an entire orchestra there. One of the final numbers, Oklahoma! was a blast, thanks to some stellar harmonies. Friday nights performance was packed. Thats the power of this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, which ends with one more performance 7 p.m. Saturday at Akin. Admission is free, though the Wichita Falls Community Orchestra is accepting donations for Hospice of Wichita Falls and the orchestra. Torin Halsey/Times Record News file phot Eastbound traffic on Highway 287 was stopped while firefighters battled a grass fire along the median and shoulder between Iowa park and Electra on April 15, 2011. Firefighters battled about 30,000 wildfires that destroyed 4 million acres across the state in 2011 and destroyed almost 3,000 homes. By Patrick Johnston, patrick.johnston@timesrecordnews.com While 2011 remains a year for the record books, it was just the beginning of a historic five-year drought in the Wichita Falls area. The city had 100 days over 100 degrees. In fact, daytime highs were 100 degrees or above every day from June 22 to Aug. 12, breaking the previous longest streak by 21 days. On July 26, the overnight low was 88 degrees, making that night the warmest on record. At an average daily summer temperature of 91.5 degrees (daytime high averaged with nighttime low), 2011 was the hottest climatological summer on record. The intense heat took a toll on plants, trees and shrubs, as well as caused large wildfires to break out across the area. On April 15, 2011, Wichita Falls firefighters were called to battle a wildfire that was closing in on some homes in north Wichita Falls. By the end of the afternoon, several homes had been damaged or destroyed. Other wildfires ignited near Iowa Park and near Lake Arrowhead. From the beginning of the fires to the end of 2011, firefighters battled about 30,000 wildfires that destroyed 4 million acres across the state and destroyed almost 3,000 homes. The acreage lost was nearly twice that of any other year in the state's history. In 2011, Wichita Falls only saw 12.97 inches of rainfall, the lowest total on record. The driest year in the Dust Bowl era, for comparison, still saw 18.31 inches of rain. The combined lake levels hit 60 percent on Aug. 15, causing the city to enact Stage 1 water use restrictions. Wichitans eventually would be praying for rain so the lakes could once again reach those levels. However, it was the agricultural industry that first felt the devastating effects of the record-breaking heat and minimal rainfall. Texas farmers and ranchers took a record hit with a staggering $7.62 billion in agricultural losses that year. "2011 was the driest year on record and certainly an infamous year of distinction for the state's farmers and ranchers," said Dr. David Anderson, AgriLife Extension livestock economist, in a news release in March 2012. "The $7.62 billion mark for 2011 is more than $3.5 billion higher than the 2006 drought loss estimates, which previously was the costliest drought on record. The 2011 losses also represent about 43 percent of the average value of agricultural receipts over the last four years." Of that $7.62 billion, $3.23 billion was due to the drought's effect on livestock increasing the cost of feeding the animals while also impacting the market prices and $2.2 billion in cotton, with 55 percent of planted acres being abandoned. "Rain finally came in late fall, greening lawns and pastures somewhat and giving farmers and ranchers hope that 2012 might be better than the horrific year they had just endured," said a Times Record News article looking at the top stories of 2011. That rainfall ended up being just a mirage as the drought continued until another record-breaking event 17 inches of rain fell across Wichita Falls in May 2015. Rain makes small dent in drought, more on the way It wasn't enough to end a drought, but a couple of days of rain in Wichita Falls kept the numbers from getting worse. SHARE howard photo Lunns Col Gladys Lucile Lee Howard, cosmetologist for 45 years and owner of The Aristocrat Beauty Shop for 38 years, died Sunday, May 22, 2016. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 28, 2016, at 10:00 AM at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home with Rev. Justin Miller officiating. Interment will follow at Crestview Memorial Park under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home. Gladys was born in Goodnight, Texas, and traveled with her family to Spanish Fort where she attended school and went to State as a player on the volleyball team. She married Otis Howard in 1947, and they were together for 63 years. They both received awards for their work with the Boy Scouts and Methodist Youth Fellowship as long time members of Grant Street United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Otis; parents, Lon Lee and Lucy Hickam Lee; and her brothers, Gerald, Charlie, John, and Bob Lee. She is survived by her sons, Gene and wife, Rindy and Len and wife, Jan; five grandsons Joshua, Nathan, Benjamin and wife, Roxanne, Noah and Elijah, as well as one great grandson, Benjamin Joseph. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday evening, May 27, 2016, at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home, 2812 at Midwestern Parkway, Wichita Falls. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lunnscolonial.com. SHARE Jim Mills, Wichita Falls The Clinton shell game On Aug. 3, a report filed by Ben Bullard, a reporter for Taxact, reported the following about Hillary the Hippocrite. Hillary had released seven years of tax returns from 2007-2015. Their, (Bill and Hillary's) reported income totaled more than $150 million in that period. Nearly $15,000,000 was deducted as "charitable" contributions. Roughly 10 percent, like most Christian church members tithe to their church. However, $14.9 million of their donations went to The Clinton Foundation, leaving a whooping $100,000 going to real charities. Let me puzzle this out. The Clintons gave money to their own Foundation which is 100 percent controlled by the Clinton family members and wrote the whole amount off as charitable contributions. Now I m starting to understand the one-percenters. If I start my own charitable foundation and donate 100 percent of my income every year, I should have 0 tax liabilities. Man, these Clintons are really smart. Even better than that, more than just donating their own funds to their foundation they have been successful in soliciting huge "donations" from American Business CEOs as well as foreign businesses and even foreign governments. The best part is, the Clintons say they don't have to do anything in return for these donations (which could be deemed illegal), except to make a 20-30 minute speech. Isn't that marvelous? Can you imagine, an American making a 30-minute speech in Pakistan, whose citizens are mostly illiterate and don't speak or understand English and get paid $500,000? What tidbit of wisdom can you impart to a camel herder who is worth that much money? Whatever it is, these Clinton's got it goin' on. They have amassed more than $3 billion in the last 12 years for the foundation alone. With that track record, don't you feel compelled to vote for Hillary? Those accusations of influence peddling can t be true, or she would be in jail, wouldn't she? Marcus Scarbrough, Iowa Park Congressional behavior The members of Congress are voted into office by "We the People," and their charter is to be our representative. There seems to be a climate in Washington that allows them to represent themselves. An example is the attitude of the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. He is a Republican and said he is not ready to endorse Donald Trump as the Republican candidate even though the people he represents voted for Trump. Ryan should comply with the will of the people. There are several congressmen and their associates trying to manipulate the convention rules in order to keep Trump off the ballot, therefore their constituents votes don't count. Seems our Federal government has grown so big it is no longer a government by and for the people and has become dictatorial. In the news lately we have been informed how the U.S. Department of Justice bypassed Congress and issued a law requiring states to permit men and women to use rest rooms of their choice. Schools, for example, must allow male and females to shower together otherwise millions of Federal dollars will be withheld from the states. This was done without the approval of Congress. (Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together to cover their nakedness.) We must continue to write letters to our representatives and vote to remove those from office who are not doing the job they were sent to Washington to do. SHARE Movements are messy and therefore difficult to manage. Unlike weddings which are usually planned to cover every detail, including which relatives get confined to social Siberia and what shade of hideous is forced upon the bridesmaids social revolutions are unpredictable. Take, for example, feminism. At the beginning, it all seemed fairly benign. Give us the vote, admit us to school, stop treating us as marital property or slightly demented versions of Miss Havisham. Common decency, which some call equality, is what we demanded. That's fine. But then it became all about "my body" this and "your oppression" that. What started out as a serious discussion of injustice and real grievance morphed into a narrative of finger-pointing (sometimes at other, noncompliant sisters) and complaints about patriarchy. The civil rights movement followed a similar trajectory. Real racism against black Americans, deeply evil injustice springing from the original sin of slavery was the justifiable source of anger and resolve, resulting in the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, affirmative action and the creation of other laws and institutions to pay back, slowly, the debt owed to the children of slaves by the children of white privilege. I mean what I just wrote. I am a beneficiary of my skin color. I know that. Not as much as my ancestors, not anymore. But it's there, I acknowledge it, and will give it proper consideration in what comes next. Which is this: Why does the acquittal of a white cop, by a black judge, of homicide prompt another black man to tweet: "The 'not guilty' verdict is also a reminder that the criminal justice system is not designed to yield justice for dead black bodies." The author of those 140 or so characters was Marc Lamont Hill, a professor at Morehouse College well known to in his hometown of Philadelphia. Hill is outspoken about issues of race and criminal justice, so it's not surprising he'd have something to say about this week's acquittal of Officer Edward Nero in the death of Freddie Gray. And it's predictable that he'd criticize the system for what he and the Black Lives Matter folk believe is institutional racism. It's boring to examine the actual legal principles at play, inconvenient to mention that this was a bench trial with a black judge, troublesome to consider that a black prosecutor couldn't finish the job she promised to do: deliver the particular version of justice the "movement" apparently seeks: a conviction. Of course, there are five more chances for a conviction, and three of them involve black officers. Perhaps the criminal justice system will provide justice on one of their backs. Hopefully, that will make the black lives that matter, and chatter, happy. Maybe not, though. Just days before Nero was acquitted, a black body that did not get justice was at least given something, the Medal of Valor. Of course, as I noted in last week's column, it was an honor delivered posthumously to Philadelphia Police Sgt. Robert Wilson III, who showed extraordinary courage in a shootout with two criminals (and since we're talking color, let's mention that they, like Wilson, were black) and gave his life for the city many love, Hill included. I know that you'll say Wilson, for all of his valor, willingly assumed the risk of death. That's true. You'll also say Gray was manhandled and mistreated during his arrest. That too, might be true. But when color is the same on both sides, victim and hero, we should at least take a step back and realize that of the two deaths here, only one was caused by two armed criminals robbing a store, while the other was at most caused by officers who showed a callous disregard for a prisoner's welfare. In neither case should the color of the victims, or the victimizers, matter. But we can't use common sense. That doesn't allow shills for the culture wars to pontificate about this evil and unjust society. I said earlier in this piece that I'm aware of my white privilege. I'm also aware that this likely skews my vision in the same way Hill's influenced his. But that doesn't mean I have to acquiesce in some rueful fiction that the reason Gray is dead is because he was black. It means that sometimes, guilt or innocence is transparent, not black or white. No matter how many lamentations we hear from Black Lives Matter, no matter how cognizant we white people are of our generational privilege, there is no justice to be had for black or white if innocent people are convicted as some psychic, symbolic payback. Christine M. Flowers is a lawyer and columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News. Readers may send her email at cflowers1961@gmail.com. SHARE The obvious solution to Hillary Clinton's massive Donald Trump problem is to replicate her husband's all-time greatest political coup. In 1992, Brilliant Bill lured a flamboyant, high-pitched Texas billionaire named H. Ross Perot into running as a third-party candidate in the race to unseat President George H.W. Bush. Perot went on to win almost 20 million votes, a healthy 19 percent of the electorate. Clinton never would have beaten Bush without his Perot plot. Now, sticklers for accuracy might quibble that Bill Clinton had nothing to do with Perot running, that he just got lucky. Fine. In that case, Hillary may need that same kind of dumb luck in her 2016 campaign. That would be something new for her. Some conservatives are trying to help Hillary's luck by fielding an independent candidate a spoiler for Trump, a savior for Hillary. But that effort is petering out. It's looking more likely she'll have to keep coping with a spoiler named Bernie Sanders who is anything but a savior. Perot doomed Bush the Elder in 1992. But without Ralph Nader (and the Supreme Court of the United States) Bush the Younger never would have been elected in 2000. In the end, we all know, the 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush came down to the state of Florida. After a long, bizarre recount process, Bush won Florida and its electoral votes because he got 537 more votes than Gore. Nader received 97,488 votes. If Nader hadn't been on the ballot, Gore surely would have become president. Republicans never gave Nader credit as savior, but Democrats convicted him of being the worst spoiler in their history. He went from the being a hero of the left to the ultimate scapegoat. I defended Nader at the time. Gore deserved the blame for his own loss. "In 2000, Gore could have won his home state like almost all the other candidates in U.S. history have," I wrote in 2004. "He could have waged a semi-competent campaign and won New Hampshire, Ohio, Arkansas and Florida, handily." I also believed in the value to the system of "vigorous, high profile third-party candidacies." "Because skilled political mischief-makers capable of occasionally piercing the homogenized, focus group tested, corporate sponsored claptrap of the two big parties are a rare godsend," I wrote. "Because more voices are better than fewer voices." I still believe most of that, though Trump has filled me with the fear of God when it comes to mischief-makers. He has shown how mischief easily and almost invisibly can become evil. Many of Nader's backers in 2000 believed both parties were corrupt. I was sympathetic to that then and now. But it doesn't follow that because both parties are corrupt, both parties are equally corrupt, equally competent and equally prudent. Gore, for example, would not have launched a tragic war on Iraq, in my view. If the differences between Gore and George W. Bush were greater than I believed in 2000, the differences between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in 2016 are greater than I can express effectively. A shrinking cadre of conservative Republicans agrees and has been searching for someone anyone to run as an independent. They want conservative consciences to have a choice other than Hillary or the Donald. Sanders doesn't seem to see it that way either, which is scary. Many of Sanders' ardent boosters don't either, which is scarier. Like some of Nader's supporters in 2000, some Sanders' supporters don't think there is a dimes worth of difference between Hillary and the Donald. The most absurd torture of this twisted thinking came from actress-activist-pundit Susan Sarandon. In the Leninist tradition, she said that maybe Trump would blow everything up badly enough to "bring the revolution immediately." So instead of a savior in the form of a conservative third party candidate, Clinton may be facing a spoiler in the form of Sanders. That will depend largely on Sanders. Continuing his increasingly snarky, quixotic bid through the primaries will, I suspect, qualify Sanders as a spoiler. It will be a different story if this sap keeps running after June; if he withholds his full-throttle endorsement and doesn't devote himself to rallying his voters to the #NeverTrump cause a cause as urgent as any in American politics has seen for decades. Hillary has never had Bill's luck. Or Trump's. Fate seems more likely to send her a spoiler than a savior. We can only hope that fate treats the country more kindly. Dick Meyer is Chief Washington Correspondent for the Scripps Washington Bureau and DecodeDC. Readers may send him email at dick.meyer@scripps.com SHARE There are two versions of President Barack Obama: one who preaches unity, compromise, listening to opponents and avoiding division, and one who, in practice, doesn't compromise, doesn't listen, spouts nastiness and alienates. The latest bout of preaching a fine, fine speech, one of his best came during graduation ceremonies at the historically black Howard University in Washington, D.C. He told a cheering crowd that, even though things are better for blacks in America than they have ever been, injustices remain and the graduates should be civically engaged and never fear to speak out. What he then underlined is that, if they really want to accomplish something, they should also recognize the good in their opponents, understand they may have points worth considering, pay attention to their words, work with them and seek out common ground. This advice echoed the speech that first won him widespread, jubilant notice. At the 2004 Democratic National Convention, the Illinois state senator said let's all hold hands, liberals, conservatives, red states, blue states, blacks, whites everyone. Only by coming together could America overcome its travails, he intoned as hallelujahs arose from the audience and then around the nation. Four years later, after a hope-and-change campaign, he was elected president and, at his inaugural, glaringly said his predecessor's years in office had been witness to politics that were greedy, petty, irresponsible, discordant and dishonest. He called again for unity and then headed to the White House to further demonstrate how to smash that particular hope. As an account by Fred Barnes in The Weekly Standard relates, Obama soon met with a bipartisan group from Congress, explained his stimulus approach and had a quick reply for a Republican senator who asked if some other ideas might be considered. "I won," he said. He was even more emphatic in a later speech on the economy: "I don't want the folks who created this mess to do a lot of talking. I want them to just get out of the way." When Democrats controlled both houses of Congress, Republicans were pretty much skipped over in the passing of major legislation. And when the GOP captured the House, they were not sought out for negotiation, a skill Obama never acquired. They were instead subjected to name-calling, Obama's compensating talent. His speeches typically made Republicans out to be stupid and indecent, as in his remark once that they wanted "dirtier air, dirtier water, less (sic) people with health insurance." The Republicans were scarcely angels, but those who insist stalemate was mostly their doing forget or never learned about the tricks of an Obama accomplice known as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The Democrat played anti-democratic games even displeasing to many in his own party and killed far more bills coming out of the House than the House killed bills coming out of the Senate. When voters gave Republicans control of both houses, Obama made out as if the two-thirds of eligible voters who stayed home were as important as the one third that turned out a the polls. He let it be known unilateralism was coming, it did, and, it has been pointed out, there is no more effective way to infuriate Congress than to unconstitutionally treat it as irrelevant. Besides still more affronts to Republicans in Washington, Obama has also struck out at Midwesterners (they "cling to their guns and religion"), the population generally (racism is "part of our DNA") and police (they persistently discriminate against blacks). Surveys have shown Obama to be among the most polarizing presidents in the past 60 years and more, and what arises out of that are extremities, erosion of trust, malfunctioning of government, societal antagonisms and a failure to achieve one's best ends. Here's the answer for his last months in office: He should practice what he preaches. Jay Ambrose is an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service. Readers may email him at speaktojay@aol.com. Germany is experiencing a "part-brutalisation" of its society amid a surge in attacks on refugee and migrant shelters in the country, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere warned. There have been 449 assaults on such centres so far this year, the minister told Funke Media Group in an interview to be published on Monday. If that pace is maintained over the rest of the year, the figure could match last year's total of 1,029. There were only 62 reported attacks on shelters for migrants and refugees in 2013 and 199 in 2014, but the arrival of more than one million migrants in Germany last year led to a significant increase in assaults, de Maiziere said. In addition to the attacks on centres, there were 654 crimes against migrants and asylum seekers in Germany, including 107 violent incidents, he said. A significant proportion of the suspected perpetrators had not been known to the police for similar offences and came from areas neighbouring refugee camps, the minister said. Search Keywords: Short link: French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel appealed Sunday for Europe to unite to face its current challenges as they marked the 100th anniversary of Verdun, the longest battle of World War I. The 300 days of fighting in northeast France were one of the bloodiest battles of the war, claiming more than 300,000 lives before France emerged victorious. Hollande and Merkel said just as France and Germany had put aside their shared history to become close allies, the European Union must now pull together to deal with the migrant crisis and a possible British exit in a referendum next month. Once again, Europe was in danger of "division and turning in on ourselves", the French president said in a speech before thousands of white crosses at the Douaumont ossuary, where the remains of 130,000 soldiers -- both French and German -- are buried. "Our solemn duty is written in the ravaged ground of Verdun... let's love our own people but let's protect our common home, Europe, without which we would be exposed to the storms of history," Hollande said. Merkel, whose country took in more than one million refugees in 2015, said the challenges of the 21st century "can only be overcome together". The chancellor said "nationalistic thinking and actions will set us back" and that Europe was "fragile" because "weaknesses" had appeared. The lessons for Europe from the "catastrophes" of the 20th century were that "it is essential not to shut ourselves off, but to be open to each other," Merkel said. Under persistent rain, the two leaders began the day of commemoration by laying a wreath at the German military cemetery at Consenvoye, just north of Verdun. Sharing an umbrella, they walked between rows of black crosses inscribed with the names of the German dead stretching down the hill where 11,000 soldiers are buried. By visiting the German cemetery, Hollande and Merkel were following in the footsteps of their predecessors Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl. When Mitterrand and Kohl joined hands there during the playing of the French national anthem in 1984, it underlined how close ties had become between the two countries, former enemies who are now often described as the twin motors of the European Union. In a speech at Verdun town hall, Hollande said: "Verdun is a town which represents both the worst -- where Europe lost its way 100 years ago -- and the best, because the town has been able to galvanise itself and unite for peace and Franco-German friendship." Over lunch, the two leaders discussed the ongoing migrant crisis, which has seen hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees pouring into Europe in search of a new life. They then attended the main ceremony at Douaumont, where 3,000 French and German schoolchildren took part in a re-enactment choreographed by German filmmaker Volker Schloendorff aimed at showing how peace can grow from ghastly conflict. Earlier, church bells rang out for miles around in memory of the soldiers killed on both sides. The battle of Verdun lasted from February 1916 to December 1916 and was fought along the front line dividing the French and German armies. The last survivor of the battle died in 2008. Search Keywords: Short link: This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany On Memorial Day weekend, we honor the men and women who fell during battle. But let's also remember the veterans who struggle with living when the battle is over. I'm thinking of veterans such as Stewart Allen Mosher, who in November apparently jumped to his death from the top level of the parking garage at the Stratton VA Medical Center. I'm thinking of veterans such as Adan Jonathan Olid, a former Marine sergeant who struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder after serving three tours in Iraq and who died of natural causes in Guilderland late in 2014. More Information Contact Chris Churchill at 518-454-5442 or email cchurchill@timesunion.com See More Collapse And I'm thinking of the countless number of veterans who struggle to make the difficult transition into civilian life, who may have seen unthinkable barbarity they can't forget, who often return home with physical or mental injuries they never escape. There's an under-reported crisis underway. Though the statistics are unreliable, it has been estimated that 22 veterans commit suicide daily double the rate of the general population. What's worse, the suicide rate among younger veterans is believed to be significantly higher. Those of us who never served can prattle on about the horrors of war and shake our heads sympathetically. And while those horrors and the moral injury they inflict certainly contribute to the veteran suicide crisis, they are far from the only cause. "Suicide is the end result of the problem," said Joe Hunter, a suicide prevention coordinator at Stratton VA Medical Center. "Suicide is the consequence of a number of things coming together in a person's life." There's been considerable speculation about why suicides among recent combat veterans appear to be so much higher than for war veterans of prior generations. Part of the reason might be that today's vets feel more isolated among civilians, given that a relatively small number of us have participated in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another reason, oddly enough, are the technological advances that have made war less dangerous. "Things that used to kill our soldiers, now they're surviving," Hunter said. "But they might be surviving with a physical injury or a brain injury." We're only beginning to understand just how much brain trauma, concussions mainly, lead to depression and suicide. But few doubt that it's a significant contributor to suicides among veterans. Hunter said another factor is that combat veterans might have lost some of the fear of death. It may not feel as foreign to them, so seeing suicide as a solution might seem more rational. Hunter also mentioned that many veterans struggle to find the sense of contributing to something bigger than self that military service provides. "When you're serving, you're part of a group and you have a sense of mission," he said. "You have that sense of purpose." We lead increasingly isolated and lonely lives. Many community groups and churches struggle to find members. We are bowling alone, if at all. Isolation is toughest on the most vulnerable members of society and recent war veterans are often vulnerable, though the military's stoic culture may make them especially reluctant to admit it. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. Last week, I talked to the mother of a veteran who had committed suicide. Some veterans are still fighting wars in their heads, she said. That may have been the case with Mosher, who joined the Marine Corps immediately after graduating from New Lebanon High School in 2000. On Facebook, he posted frequently about his struggles with PTSD. Mosher was 34 when he died. Olid, who died at 29, also suffered from PTSD. And while he didn't commit suicide, he said he had once considered it while standing at a railing of the Golden Gate Bridge. Before he died, Olid was interviewed by the Associated Press for his participation in a "Songwriting with Soldiers" retreat in Rensselaerville. The song he helped write while there, "Couldn't See the Sunshine," voices the difficulties many soldiers face. "Come back home, didn't get no parade," the song says. "Wondering what's the point of all that I gave." What can we do to reduce suicides among veterans? First and foremost, said Hunter, recognize when somebody is having a hard time and encourage them to get help. It sounds so simple, but friends and relatives too often assume a veteran can work through his or her own problems. The mother of the veteran who had committed suicide answered the question differently. "Maybe we could stop having wars," she said. "Wouldn't that be nice?" If you're a veteran in crisis, or if you know of one, call the Veterans Crisis Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany Albany resident Frank Bishop served as a U.S. Coast Guard signalman during World War II. On Saturday he shared one of his stories, about the flag he grabbed from the tank landing ship he served on as it was being wrecked in a typhoon. "It's all over and done with, thank God," Bishop, now 92, said from his living room. He recalled the rough water, how the wind felt off Okinawa, an island south of Japan. He was on the LST-767, which was commissioned about a year before the typhoon. "They yelled abandoned ship, and that's what we did." Bishop's son, Peter, felt that it was time to unfurl the flag, just before Memorial Day. He drew it out of his father's old duffel bag, lifting it high to wave outside his father's Pine Hills home. Its reds are faded slightly, and it holds deep creases in places, but still it adorns Frank Bishop's doorway with another of the veteran's flags. The flag is old, but before the day was out, Peter Bishop learned that it could not be the flag his father brought home from the war. A friend who stopped by to see it pointed out that is has 50 stars, and until 1959, the U.S. flag had only 48. Frank Bishop recalls enlisting when many of his friends joined the military. "The least I could do is do what they did," he said. One of his first duties was to patrol the New Jersey shore. But as a signalman, Bishop would raise flags up the pole and light the blinker light, sending signals in a red that enemies could not identify. "We were always one step ahead," he said. The Battle of Okinawa was the last epic battle of the Pacific War, and more than 200,000 people died islanders, Japanese and Americans. Months stretched between stops on land. Bishop and his shipmates would pass the time playing cards. He sent back some money to his parents so that they could pay for coal that would heat their Albany home, he said. He served for three years. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. Peter Bishop says his father has always done the right thing. World War II veterans, he said, are an upstanding, honorable group. "They're not just good men, they're great men," Peter Bishop said. When Frank Bishop returned to the Capital Region, he worked at the state Department of Transportation for many years, his son said. Frank Bishop is modest, sharing memories only when pressed. He told stories of the service of his brother-in-law and older friend, also veterans. "What I remember may not be right anymore," Frank Bishop said in his living room Saturday afternoon, a black-and-white John Wayne film playing on the television in the background. One thing he is sure about is his story of the flag he saved from his vessel and now his son is determined to find it. On the day Jacobe Taras killed himself, he had an appointment to see the school guidance counselor. A couple weeks earlier, before spring recess and the family trip to Florida and the sunshine and the open waters, the 13-year-old had filled out a survey in class. It was from a school counselor, and it asked whether there was anything anyone needed to talk about. Jacobe wrote "no," then crossed it out and wrote "maybe." He never went to see the guidance counselor that first day back from vacation, on April 13, 2015. And as far as his parents are aware, no one at the Oliver W. Winch Middle School in South Glens Falls ever tried to find out why. Jacobe went home that day and shot himself, leaving a note for his parents describing the torment at the hands of his bullies. His parents didn't know the half of it. They didn't know Jacobe was being taunted with anti-gay slurs, or thrown into lockers or watching his books get thrown in the school shower. They did know he was being bullied on the school bus, and when they asked the district to do something about it they say the district told them the bully had already been moved off another route and on to Jacobe's bus because of his behavior. "They knew," said Christine Taras, Jacobe's mother. "Everybody knew the bullying was going on. But it's like, 'Oh, they're just being kids.' That's the school's attitude. No. We're sending our kids to school thinking they're gonna be safe but it's no longer a place to learn, it's a place to fear." In New York, the Dignity for All Students Act was signed into law in 2010 to establish and streamline the protocol schools must follow when it comes to bullying and harassment. And while educators say the legislation has led to widespread acknowledgement and prevention against bullying, parents say they still feel frustrated by what appears to be a gray area in the law regarding parent notification. Nearly one year after Jacobe killed himself, his parents filed a lawsuit against the South Glens Falls Central School District, a rural district near the northern tip of Saratoga County so notorious for student suicides that it's known in some circles as "Suicide Falls," according to the lawsuit and posts on social media. Not only did the district fail to address known bullying and abuse against their son, the Tarases allege in their suit, it allowed that bullying and abuse to continue unabated and unreported. Some district officials never acted, the suit alleges, because they thought Jacobe "could handle himself." SEditColor16052720480 Rotated The lawsuit isn't the first of its kind. Parents have sued over similar alleged negligence in Armonk, New York and Wayne County, Pennsylvania; in Fairfield, Ohio and Livingston, Montana; in Lake Mary, Florida and in Chicago. Each case raises difficult questions: who is responsible when a child takes their own life, what legal obligation do schools have to prevent such an act and what can schools realistically do to address bullying? "They hide behind this line of, 'Oh, another student was involved so we couldn't tell you anything in order to protect their privacy,' " said Richard Taras, Jacobe's father. "Well, you don't have to give us names. But we should know when our children are being violated." District officials declined to comment on the events surrounding Jacobe's death, citing the pending litigation. But Superintendent Mike Patton said the district tries to "err on the side of caution" when it comes to detecting bullying and filing reports, and has a number of programs in place designed to address bullying. In the year Jacobe died, the district reported 86 incidents of bullying or harassment, and three instances of cyber bullying all at the middle school. Is is among the highest number of bullying incidents reported in the state. If the district was reporting the incidents to the state, it certainly wasn't reporting them to parents, the Tarases said. Tiffany Covington was left similarly in the dark about her son's bully at Giffen Elementary School in Albany. She first learned of the bullying from her 8-year-old son in November 2015, and the district assured her it would set up a meeting with the other child's parents, she said. But the bullying continued, she said, and by May it had escalated. "He came home one day and said 'Mom, somebody pulled a knife out on me today,' and it was his bully," she recalled. "I called the school the next day and all they said was, 'Oh, I'm sorry, we forgot to call you.' " The incident was so alarming that Covington called the police and filed a report, which prompted school officials to finally arrange a meeting with each set of parents, she said. At the meeting, she was further taken aback to hear the boy's parents say this was the first they had heard of any bullying. Albany City School District spokesman Ron Lesko said the district followed all procedures required in its code of conduct and the state's mandated reporting process, adding that the district is unable to share specific information about one student and family with another student and family. "So while the mother you talked with was not aware of our interactions with the family of another student, that in no way indicates that the school had not been in contact with other families," he said. The Dignity Act is silent on whether districts must report incidents to parents. Instead, it recommends districts develop their own local policy when it comes to notifying parents. This can be a good thing. Imagine the student who's being bullied with anti-gay slurs. In some cases, a victim might face negative consequences should their parents have reason to believe they're gay. In Jacobe's case, the young teen was just becoming interested in girls, his parents said, but he was targeted with anti-gay slurs anyway. A friend, 14-year-old Jonathan Stewart, says some kids at school are merciless when it comes to boys behaving "like boys" and will quickly hurl slurs at anyone who doesn't. "It happens at my lunch table all the time," he said. "In fact, one of them was Jacobe's best friend, and here he is at the table every day calling people 'faggot' and 'gay' and 'Jew.' And I tell him, every time, 'You know, I expect better from you, your friend killed himself.' And he looks at me like I'm stupid. Being a guy in this school, growing up, you're definitely self-conscious. And if you stand up for the gays or anybody, you become the target." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. The Dignity Act was established, in part, because educators suspected bullying was not being reported as often as it occurred. Part of this was the result of no one speaking up usually for fear of retaliation. Part of it was that educators weren't always sure what behavior counted as bullying. And part of it was incidents simply going ignored. The law attempted to make some sense of the reporting process by establishing a uniform protocol for all districts to follow. Any school official who observes or learns of an incident must notify an administrator within one day and document it within two days after that. All complaints must be documented, tracked, investigated and remediated a process that usually involves meeting with the victim, perpetrator and parents, said Stillwater High School Principal Mike Johnson, who provides Dignity Act training to districts across the state. "It is very advisable to notify the parents," he said. "There may be times when you speak to the parents and don't want to reveal who the other student is, but I always do. If it involves two parties, and it always does, usually everyone knows who the kids are." In the years since the law took effect, the number of bullying incidents reported by New York school districts has fallen 24 percent, from 23,370 in 2012-13 to 17,686 in 2014-15. The law has been amended twice in recent years to require districts to track cyber bullying incidents (2,969 were reported in 2013-14 and 2,641 in 2014-15) and to provide specific protections for transgender and gender nonconforming students. Last year, 1,231 public schools statewide reported zero incidences of bullying a statistic that some describe as flat-out impossible. "If you look at the statistics, they show a very slim number of students report being bullied," Johnson said. "But when you look at surveys asking how many students have experienced bullying or harassment, the numbers are more like 80 or 90 percent. Clearly it's a big issue, and the reality is that it's happening in places we can't always see it's in the hallways or at the bus stop or in the bathrooms or on the playground." With the fear of speaking out still so rampant, school officials must be vigilant about detecting and confirming suspected incidents of bullying or harassment, Johnson said. "If you see two boys cornering a girl by the lockers one day, and ask if everything is OK and everyone says it's OK, you probably want to follow up with that person," he said. "It's not always a clear-cut case. You have to look very carefully and very closely for it." Jacobe's parents believe their son's bullying was clear-cut. Their suit alleges that teachers observed two violent incidents in particular, and did nothing. The day after Jacobe shot himself, district officials told students the young teen had been in a hunting accident proof, his parents believe, of the tight-lipped culture in South Glens Falls that has led to other kids being bullied. "They hide it underneath the carpet," said Christine Taras. "They don't wanna acknowledge it. You know what I say? Bullies are like terrorists. And they bully the kids and then they bully the parents, who are afraid to speak out because of the consequences. It's sad, too. You look at all the political stuff, Trump and all that, look at all the bullying on TV. Kids think it's the norm. But everybody wants to clam up because they don't want that to be their community." The Taras lawsuit is seeking damages for wrongful death, funeral expenses and monetary loss, but doesn't specify an amount. They're hoping instead, they said, for the case to set a new precedent when it comes to detection and prevention of bullying. Schools need to act reasonably to ensure bullies don't continue their behavior, they said. Maybe that means placing more staff in the hallways or the locker rooms, or daily review of camera footage. Or, they said, maybe that means making a phone call to parents. bbump@timesunion.com 518-454-5387 @bethanybump Powerball numbers for Monday, Oct. 24, 2022 Here are the winning Powerball numbers and results for the lottery jackpot drawing on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. Egypt saw investment worth EGP172 billion ($19.36 billion) in the first half of the current fiscal year, representing 12.9 percent of GDP Egypt has set its total investment target for fiscal year 2016/17 at LE531 billion ($59.76 billion), representing 16-16.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the minister of planning said on Saturday. According to Al-Ahram's Arabic news website, Ashraf Al-Araby told a news conference that private investment is expected to reach EGP292 billion ($32.86 billion). The government will invest EGP107 billion ($12 billion) in the fiscal year starting 1 July 2016, up from EGP75 billion ($8.44 billion) in the same period a year earlier, while public sector and economic entities plan EGP132 billion ($14.86 billion) in investment. Egypt saw investment worth EGP172 billion ($19.36 billion) in the first half of the current fiscal year, representing 12.9 percent of GDP. Egypts economy grew 4.5 percent of GDP in the six months to 31 March, slower than the 5.5 percent growth rate achieved in the same period a year prior, Reuters quoted Al-Araby as saying in the press conference. Search Keywords: Short link: Eco cruising is for anyone who wants to experience the sun, sea, nature and wildlife along with a splash of science An amazing alternative holiday experience in Greece is taking an eco cruise. Eco cruising is for anyone who wants to experience the sun, sea, nature and wildlife along with a splash of science. Heres what awaits you on this unique experience of cruising with dolphins and sea turtles. What should you expect to gain for an eco cruise? The short answer, a lot. The main goal of eco cruising is to promote sustainable marine tourism, which means you are in for a real treat. The boats and groups are much smaller than what you will encounter on a typical cruise liner. Many times the boats are the traditional wooden trehandiris that seat about 25 people. Also accompanying you on the trip is an environmentalist who will be your guide and go-to during your excursion, while frequently you might find a group of scientists accompanying the cruise. You can be sure that during you exploration on the sparkling blue sea that you will tour the wetlands, discover remote islands, caves, rare birds and marine species, sea shell beaches, sea turtles and of course majestic dolphins. How can you know that you wont miss a moment? The cruise hooks you up with masks and fins and IKELITE underwater digital cameras and video cameras which you can use to explore the waters while the staff prepares a BBQ or you can even sample some local food at a taverna when the boat docks at a beach. Its up to you. Simple, natural and a memorable trip within your Greek vacation. For more information about eco cruising you can visit the website http://www.eco-cruising.gr/en/ Source: greekreporter.com RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Tourexpi, turizm haberleri, Reiseburos, tourism news, noticias de turismo, Tourismus Nachrichten, , travel tourism news, international tourism news, Urlaub, urlaub in der turkei, , holidays in Turkey, , global tourism news, dunya turizm, dunya turizm haberleri, Seyahat Acentas, This site is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+, at a minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768. Egypt received an estimated $19.7 billion in remittances from the world over in 2015, of which $1.83 billion came from the UAE, according to remittance data of World Bank. Meanwhile, Jordan received $3.8 billion from countries across the globe, with the UAE contributing $716 million to the total. Remittances play an important part in both countries economies, contributing 6.8 per cent to Egypts GDP (2014) and 10.4 per cent to Jordans, while spurring business opportunities, investments and a better quality of life. A 2015 BQ Magazine report estimates that 400,000 Egyptians reside in the UAE, making them the largest Arab expatriate community in the country. There are also approximately 200,000 Jordanians residing in the country. Remittances to Jordan and Egypt are expected to stay robust as the UAE moves towards hosting global events such as the Expo2020 world exhibition, which will attract 25 million visitors and also generate employment opportunities for non-GCC Arab nationals. The UAE is a very active hub for remittances to non-GCC countries in the Mena region. The countrys multinational mix and vibrant economy, creates opportunities for large expatriate Arab populations. Remittances from the UAE to countries in the Mena region and Asia have been growing year on year, and we are expecting it to accelerate as we approach 2020, said Sudhesh Giriyan, COO at Xpress Money, a global money transfer brand with presence in more than 160 countries through 180,000 agent locations. We have invested heavily in our presence in the UAE with close to 500 locations across the country facilitating convenient money transfers. We are also ensuring that remitters benefit from low overheads when sending money from the UAE to friends and families back home. Our customers enjoy the markets lowest transfer fees, starting at Dh15 ($4), and attractive exchange rates. Xpress Moneys customer-centric approach has helped us grow into a trusted brand linking communities across the UAE, Egypt and Jordan, added Giriyan. TradeArabia News Service Haya Water, a major government-owned water reuse company in Oman, said expansion work on the Al Ansab sewage treatment plant (STP) was progressing well and was due for completion by July next year. The STP presently provides more than 57,000 cu m per day of reuseable water to a large network of reuse water mains, which helps provide the city with its lush and attractive appearance, said Oman Observer. The Al Ansab Phase Two STP project, which was put up for tender in an international open bid, is the first sewage treatment project that Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction had won in the Middle East, it stated. With the expansion, Haya aims to double the pumping capacity at the An Ansab STP from 130,000 cu m/day to 260,000 cu m per day, it added. One of the most complex and advanced projects ever undertaken in the region, Al Ansab STP expansion is being done to ensure that the city and the local community benefit from a modern, clean and healthy water reuse system by providing treated effluent for irrigation and other purposes across Muscat governorate. The plant will be the largest membrane bioreactor facility in the Middle East, capable of treating up to 150,000 tonnes of sewage per day, it added. Leading developer LK Property Group introduced its new Dh2.1-billion ($572 million) development, Capitol Grand, the first six-star residential and luxury retail destination in Australia, to an audience of Emirati and Gulf realty investors in Dubai, UAE. The project, which is located in the exclusive Melbourne suburb of South Yarra, will set a new benchmark for luxury apartment living in Australia. Designed by world-renowned architects Bates Smart, Capitol Grand combines exclusive residences with luxury retail to create the ultimate lifestyle destination. We are proud to lead the way in luxury property development in Australia by launching Capitol Grand and we are thrilled with the response we have received from UAE and Gulf buyers, said Larry Kestelman, the executive group chairman of LK Property Group, while addressing a group of investors. LK Property is currently conducting investment presentations for investors and buyers based in the UAE at 48 Burj Gate, Sofitel Hotel Dubai Downtown. The presentations will continue until June 7. The Australian property giant also lauded Dubais incredible performance in the global luxury property market. The leadership position that Dubai has earned in the international luxury realty market is due to a series of internationally acclaimed landmark developments that have been purchased by the most discerning of buyers, observed Kestelman during the launch event. LK Property Group has announced that apartment sales in Capitol Grand have already exceeded $A200 million ($150.5 million). Sales of Capitol Grand apartments have been very strong back in Australia and we have chosen to come to Dubai to introduce this landmark project because property buyers in Dubai and the Emirates have shown an enormous interest in purchasing and investing in iconic developments, stated Kestelman. A major reason for the spurt in demand haas been the flexible payment terms introduced by the Australian property group. "The buyers of Capitol Grand residences only need to pay a 10 per cent deposit and the rest on completion. Also there will be no progress payments," he added. Capitol Grand comprises three levels of luxury retail with a collection of upscale residences above that will be joined to the spectacular 50-storey LK Tower. LK Tower will showcase stunning contemporary design, opulent apartments and state-of-the-art amenities, including private dining rooms with gourmet kitchens, theatre rooms, a library, gymnasium and lap pool. The jaw-dropping views, lavish facilities and the flagship retail precinct are one of a kind, said Kestelman. Residents living on Level 33 and above will have exclusive access to the Azure Club, which will house a private lounge, gym and function facilities, as well an infinity pool; a spectacular elliptical showpiece that will amaze with its incredible vistas of the Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay. And as a further mark of its sheer uniqueness, all Capitol Grand residents will be serviced by a 24-hour New York-style concierge. Kestelman pointed out that real estate market in Melbourne remains largely untapped among UAE investors. At LK Property we think Capitol Grand is the perfect opportunity for Gulf investors to purchase in Melbourne and see our fabulous city and experience its incredible lifestyle firsthand, he added.-TradeArabia News Service The reduction, according to the agriculture ministry, is due to lands being allocated to the national farmland project announced by President El-Sisi last December The area of Egypts reclaimed lands shrank by 36 percent in the fiscal year 2014/15 compared to the year before, the states statistics body CAPMAS said in e-mailed statement Sunday. The reclaimed area nationwide in the last fiscal year registered 14,500 feddans against 22,600 feddans in 2013/14, mainly due to the reduction in the lands area allocated to agricultural cooperative associations, CAPMAS said. The cooperative associations are non-governmental civil socio-economic units that aim to develop different aspects of agriculture and are supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. Eid Hawash, the ministrys spokesman, told Ahram Online Sunday that the decrease in lands given to those associations was a result of allocating large areas suitable for reclamation to the national project to expand the countrys farmland by reclaiming 1.5 million feddans nationwide. Earlier this month, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi celebrated the harvest of 10,000 wheat feddans in the southwestern El-Wadi El-Gadid (New Valley) governorate as part of the 1.5 million feddans project, which was inaugurated in late December. Hawash also attributed the drop in reclaimed areas to violations that are committed against arable lands, adding they are still ongoing. There are around 67,000 feddans nationwide that face violations [illegal building], of which 18 percent have been demolished, Hawash said. * One feddan roughly equals one acre. Search Keywords: Short link: Indian company Kesar Petroproducts is in talks with several Iranian firms to form a joint venture that will set up a naphthalene, and urea factory in the Islamic nation, said a report, citing a top official.. Dinesh Sharma who is in Tehran along with an Indian commercial delegation told IRNA that the company is currently importing these products from Iran. He pointed out that the establishment of a JV factory producing naphthalene, urea will ensure a secure supply of raw materials for Kesar. Iran can also promote its production through joint foreign investments and transfer of technology, generate jobs and attain a sustainable production and income, he added. 'No deal has so far been signed, but we will propose it to the Iranian side,' he said, noting that removal of sanctions has provided an opportunity for direct talks with the Iranian firms. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his recent trip to Tehran along with President Hassan Rouhani attended signing ceremonies of 12 cooperation deals on banking, ports and trade. Omans Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) recently discussed the results of an evaluation process made on Origin Oman Campaign, which was conducted in collaboration with the London Marketing Office. The results were highlighted during a recently organised workshop which was held at Shangri-Las Barr Al Jissah in the presence of chief executive officers of local companies, said a statement from PEIE. Eng Basim bin Ali Al Nassri, director general of marketing and media at PEIE, noted that the study has been carried out to evaluate the real return to the subscribers in Origin Oman Campaign through focusing on certain tools. He said: "A series of questions were addressed to the targets including those with regard to the campaigns website, effectiveness of the exhibitions held as part of the campaign, and whether there is a real follow-up on the investments and businesses that were generated through the campaign. He added that this workshop represents phase three of the evaluation process. Al Nassri added: The first phase constituted direct interviews with a number of CEOs, VIPs and specialists in the field in order to identify the challenges facing Omani products as well as benefit from their rich experience in the field. Phase two of the process included an online survey for the companies and Origin Oman websites subscribers. The questions addressed in the survey aimed at helping in understand the way the campaign works and to what extent it has been achieving its objectives, he said. The third phase represents this workshop that aims at highlighting the outcomes of the interviews and survey and thus discussing them to generate further views in an effort to serve the public interest and boost the value of Omani products, he further added. Al Nassri noted that PEIE has been undertaking a series of activities, initiatives and events to promote and develop Omani products. Werner Bullen, managing director of London Marketing Office said that this study aspires at raising awareness on the importance of purchasing locally manufactured products and services bearing the Origin Oman logo. "The study also aims at understanding the expectations and real return of the participants in the campaign, the popularity of the campaign, to what extent the ROI is different according to market segment (e.g. food, industrial products), and whether exhibitions like Opex and other activities are profitable or not for the participants, he said. Based upon the recommendations collected, we define a long term strategy for development. The main goal is to change Origin Oman into a real business or profit centre where everything is monitored in order to be improved, he added. The workshop ended with discussions and more ideas were generated to contribute to the final output of the study, it stated. TradeArabia News Service International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Qatar has developed a new programme of action for its Arbitration and ADR Commission and has appointed lawyer Charbel Maakaron to head the commission. Maakaron is the managing partner of the Doha office of global law firm Squire Patton Boggs. As part of its effort to support the local business community, the ICC Qatar commission works in close cooperation with the Paris-based ICC International Secretariat, drafting and revising the various rules for dispute resolution, including the ICC Rules of Arbitration, the ICC ADR Rules, the ICC Dispute Board Rules, and the ICC Rules for Expertise. The commission works with regional and international bodies to research the most efficient, cost-effective and up-to-date modes of dispute resolution. Our vision at ICC Qatar is to foster the development of trade and investment between Qatar and the international business community by using the unique International Chamber of Commerce network, said Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Al Thani, chairman of ICC Qatar. A key focus of our work has been to ensure that all businesses operating in Qatar have access to the best possible dispute resolution mechanisms administered in the most efficient manner," he added. Maakaron, a partner in the law firms global Corporate Practice, has been involved with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and ICC Qatar for many years, actively promoting Qatar and ICC business initiatives. Last February he led Squire Patton Boggs to partner with ICC Qatar to host the International Arbitration Conference on Energy Disputes. Maakaron commented that his focus will be to work with young Qatari lawyers in his role promoting ICC arbitration in Qatar and to create an even stronger base of experienced Qatari lawyers within the ICC community. TradeArabia News Service Forbes Middle East is hosting its fourth annual event to celebrate The Top Companies in the Arab World 2016 this week in Kuwait. The event, set to be held on May 31 at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, will also, for the very first time, acknowledge Kuwaits success and applaud the countrys contribution in development of the region. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of Kuwait will grace his presence at the event. The exclusive event is expected to be attended by heads of companies who have helped make the region one of the major investment attractions for international investments. The event will celebrate the top 100 companies in the Arab region. The ranking of these top 100 companies is measured based on four metrics: sales, net profits, assets and market value as of April 2016. The event will also celebrate the success of prominent Kuwaiti companies and leaders that have, with their talent and dedication, contributed significantly to the region. The list comprises of three major categories: the top companies listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange; the privately-held companies making an impact in Kuwait; and the most powerful Kuwaiti business women. The evening of fine dining and celebrations is scheduled to be held in Kuwait and is expected to be attended by some of the leaders across various sectors, business heads in the public and private sector and diplomats from across the Arab region. Forbes Middle East is collaborating with several partners for the event, which include multinational conglomerate Stallion Group; Al Tayyar Travel Group, a leading travel and tourism leader in Mena region; eminent waterfront development company Al Marjan Island; prominent online travel agency in Saudi Arabia Al Mosafer.com; and exclusive print partner Alanba newspaper. TradeArabia News Service Qatar Airways has announced that it will expand its network to Chiang Mai in Thailand from December. Starting December 16, the airline will fly to Chiang Mai five times a week via Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar, with an A330-200. The largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai will be the fourth city in the Asian country to be served by Qatar Airways, which currently flies to Bangkok and Phuket, and will commence flights to Krabi on December 6. With the addition of Krabi and Chiang Mai to its network Qatar Airways will increase its flights to Thailand from 39 to 48 per week by the end of 2016. Qatar Airways senior vice president East Asia and South West Pacific, Marwan Koleilat, said: As we are constantly expanding our network in South East Asia, the popular tourist destination of Thailand is an obvious target for growth. We have seen increased travel demand for our services to Thailand and now with the introduction of our award-winning product to popular secondary cities such as Chiang Mai and Krabi, we provide overseas visitors and tour operators with greater flexibility and ease of travel when designing their Thailand holiday itineraries. - TradeArabia News Service Egypt's air accidents chief said on Thursday that a vessel provided by French company Alseamar, which specialises in marine wreckage searches, will join within hours the hunt for the black boxes from crashed EgyptAir flight MS804. Ayman al-Moqadem said negotiations were also underway to contract a second firm to help in the search. A week after the Airbus A320 crashed into the Mediterranean with 66 people on board, including 30 Egyptians and 15 from France, investigators have no clear picture of its final moments. Search teams are working against the clock to recover the two black box flight recorders that will offer vital clues to investigators, because the pingers that help locate them in deep water cease working after about 30 days. Alseamar, a subsidiary of French industrial group Alcen, was not immediately available to comment. The company has worked with Egyptian investigators before. In 2004, it joined the search for black boxes after a Boeing 737 belonging to Egypt's Flash Air crashed in the Red Sea near Sharm al-Sheikh. The French BEA investigation agency was involved due to the large number of French tourists on board. Alseamar used a specially adapted system of "intelligent buoys" connected to underwater acoustic listening devices in the search for the Flash Air jet, which was in 1,000 metres of water. It was not immediately clear whether the same system could be used in the much deeper Mediterranean waters where the EgyptAir wreckage crashed. The black boxes are believed to be lying in up to 3,000 metres of water, on the edge of the range for hearing and locating signals emitted by the boxes. Maritime search experts say this means acoustic hydrophones must be towed in the water at depths of up to 2,000 metres in order to have the best chance of picking up the signals. Until recently, aviation sources say, the US Navy or its private contractor Phoenix International were considered among the only sources for equipment needed to search on the correct frequency for black box pingers at such depths. The investigating team had also received radar imagery and audio recordings from Greece detailing the flight trajectory of the doomed plane and the last conversation between its pilot and Greek air traffic control, Moqadem said. The search for the emergency locator transmitter is also underway and focused on a 5 km area, he added. - Reuters InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed agreements with a number of partners in support of the upcoming launch of the IHG Dead Sea Hotels Training Academy. During a ceremony at Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea-Jordan last week, Firas Irsheidat, area general manager of IHG Dead Sea Properties, signed partnership agreements with Ibrahim Osta, chief of party at the USAID Building Economic Sustainability through Tourism (BEST) Project; Reem Al-Zaben, deputy executive director of the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD); Ibrahim Al-Daghemat, president of the Ghor Al-Mazraah Club and Hashem Al Masarwa, fgounder of Taasheerah. The IHG Dead Sea Hotels Training Academy, which is being carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and the Amman Chamber of Commerce, aims to provide youth from the Jordan Valley with the necessary skills and knowledge to benefit from the many employment opportunities available within hotels. This will increase the number of Jordanians qualified to work in the hotel industry and contribute to meeting the increasing demand for skilled employees in this vital sector in the kingdom. In addition, by hiring trainees, the academy will enable IHG to immediately create at least 50 jobs annually, eventually forming a pipeline of skilled employees ready to fill jobs at IHG Dead Sea Properties and other hotels in the area. Under these agreements, IHG will conduct awareness campaigns in cooperation with local partners Ghor Al-Mazraah Club and JOHUD, educating unemployed youth about training and career opportunities available through the academy. Interviews will be conducted with potential trainees so that 50 young men and women can be selected to start a 12-month training period. Trainees at the Academy will be instructed in food and beverage service, food production and housekeeping, as well as basic technical and industry-related soft skills, including basic English language and computer skills, so that they may obtain full-time employment at IHG Dead Sea Properties, which include Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort and Spa and Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea-Jordan. Meanwhile, the Usaid Best project will extend its support by helping to fully equip the academy, providing equipment for its computer labs as well as uniforms for trainers and trainees. In addition, the project will deploy seven administrative staff members and professional training advisors to assist in the daily oversight of the academys training programme and to design training materials for all offered courses. We remain committed to do whatever is necessary to continuously develop our hotels, particularly those located in the vicinity of a tourist destination as iconic and world-renowned as the Dead Sea, said Irsheidat. Our community support initiatives form the cornerstone of our corporate social responsibility strategy, and we strive to utilize these initiatives to support the local community and the youth of Jordan, particularly in impoverished areas, by providing opportunities for training and employment. He added, "This initiative represents a successful model of partnerships that not only seek to contribute to the reduction of unemployment, but also support tourism in the kingdom by preparing youth for employment in the sector. We shall continue to cooperate with various government agencies, non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations that share our vision, and we appreciate the efforts made by all our partners to support the implementation of the IHG Dead Sea Hotels Training Academy." - TradeArabia News Service Thousands of people fleeing civil war in Syria and religious and sectarian conflict across the Mideast have risked their lives by crowding onto ships and boats leaving ports for Europe, reported The International Migrants Organization. According to the International Organization for Migration's Rome office, there have been more than 2,700 migrants and refugees rescued in the past few days, The IOM's headquarters in Geneva said that recorded deaths on all routes to Europe have been down this year. Five people die when a ship overturns in the Mediterranean as it was overcrowded carrying hundreds of migrants into a frightening roll as an Italian navy ship approached Wednesday. Passengers rushed into the ship in such a wat that there was a shift in the weight and people began tumbling into the Mediterranean Sea. As the ship was on its side, some of those in the water seemed to sense the danger and began to swim away. People still on board climbed to the starboard side, now the highest point. The momentum was high and the ship capsized resulting the rest of the migrants fleeing the Mideast into the sea off the coast of Libya. Immediately the Italian crew threw life jackets and rings, reported the CNN News. However, 562 migrants were rescued, five people died, the navy said. Many of the ships are heading toward Italy and the Italian navy has been involved in rescue operations on a regular basis. Climatic conditions were moderate with water surface temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and the water was calm, said the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The IMO reported the statistics, in 2015, more than 3,700 migrants lost their lives while crossing the Mediterranean in attempts to reach Europe. And this year the toll is 1,370 - 24% lower than last year. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Rabai Al-Madhoun will sign his winning novel Concerto of the Holocaust and the Nakba, in Cairo, Sunday and Monday at 7:00pm Related A Holocaust and Nakba novel by Palestinian writer wins the Arabic Booker 2016 Palestinian writer Rabai Al-Madhoun, winner of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, known as the Arabic Booker, will sign his winning novel Concerto of the Holocaust and the Nakba, on Sunday and Monday, 29 and 30 May, in two events in Cairo. Al-Madhoun will sign his book Sunday at 7:00pm at Tanmeya Bookstore in Downtown Cairo, and on Monday, 30 May, at Alef Bookstore in Mohandessin at 7:00pm. Both events will include discussions with the author. The Palestinian writer was announced as the winner of the $50,000 Arabic Booker prize Tuesday, 26 April. Concerto of the Holocaust and the Nakba is published by Maktabat Kul Shee in Haifa, Palestine. Al-Madhouns family emigrated from Ashkelon, Palestine now occupied by Israel to the Gaza Strip after the 1948 Nakba exodus. Leaving Gaza to attend Alexandria University, he later became involved with the Palestinian liberation struggle as a member of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Al-Madhoun left activism in 1980 to focus on writing and has written a number of works of fiction and non-fiction. This is the 70-year-old authors third novel. Programme: Sunday, 29 May. 7:00pm Tanmeya Bookstore, Cairo, Downtown Monday, 30 May, 7:00pm Alef Bookstore Giza, Mohandessin Search Keywords: Short link: Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 28 City students were a euphoric lot today after the CBSE declared the result of Class X examinations. They assembled on their school campuses and shared their joy with their teachers. Ryan International Schools 41 students got the perfect CGPA of 10 and 30 students secured a CGPA of 9 and above. School principal Rajni Kalra said 104 students had appeared for Class X examinations from the school. Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public school, GT Road branch, achieved 100 per cent result in the central board exams. Out of 414 students, 63 scored CGPA 10 and they were riding high with excitement by beating all pervious records. More than 100 students brought laurels to the school by securing A1 grade (91 per cent and above). It was a moment of pride and honour for the school when all the toppers flocked to the school to exhibit their delight to director Dharam Veer Singh and teachers. A student, Manmohan Singh, said guidance and quality education provided him a launching platform to seek a brilliant and a bright future ahead. Another student, Harleen Kaur, remarked, I was sure of my performance but getting CGPA 10 was certainly beyond my expectations. At least 17 students from Khalsa College Public School got 10 CGPA. As many as 179 students had appeared from the school in the examination and the pass percentage was 100 per cent, said school principal Sarvjit Brar. The students who secured 10 CGPA included, Sukhmanpreet Kaur, Archana, Arshdeep Kaur, Karanvir Singh, Damanpreet Kaur, Goutam Sharma, Jasmeen, Mona, Muskan, Simranjit Kaur, Avneet Kaur Hundal, Manpreet Kaur Muskan, Aniket, Sania, Sehajdeep Singh and Shivgopal. She congratulated all students on their achievement and said it was all due to their hard work and dedication. Out of the 199 students of Bhavans SL Public School who appeared in the examination, 51 students scored 10 CGPA and 111 students bagged more than 75 per cent marks. As many as 198 students got more than 60 per cent marks. At least 22 students of The Senior Study achieved a perfect 10 CGPA and 65 students scored above 9 CGPA. Principal Vijay Mehra congratulated the teachers, parents and students for their hard work and sincere efforts. The result this year is better compared to the last year. I wish the students good luck and success all through their life. We are confident that they will continue with even more success, said vice-principal Upasana Mehra. Khalsa College International Public Schools Priyanka, Manpreet Kaur, Manpreet Bambotra, Lakshmi, Rasneet, Arjun, Danish Sharma and Kawaljeet Singh got 10 CGPA while four students got between 9-9.9 CGPA, said Principal DK Sandhu. She added that 11 more students got 8-9 CGPA and 17 other students got 7-8 CGPA. Sandhu said the pass percentage in the results was 100 per cent. She congratulated the students and staff for their hard work and showing such stellar performance. Luvdale Senior Schools director, Brig (retd) GS Sandhu, said 40 per cent of the students got CGPA 10 and 9. He congratulated the staff and the students on their commendable achievement and encouraged them to continue with the same commitment. Spring Dale Senior Schools 82 students got a score of CGPA 10. In all, 153 students scored A1 grade in English, 124 in Science, 120 in Maths and 115 in Social Science. DAV Publics 78 students secured CGPA 10 and 940 students got CGPA above 9. Similarly, eight students of Disciplined Disciples International School got CGPA 10 and 12 students got CGPA above 9. Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 29 Continuing with their consistent call for getting Ajnala resident Nanak Singh back home from a prison in Pakistan, the Independent Students Federation (ISF) took out another peace march at Hall Gate. With their volunteers from neighboring districts joining them in the campaign, the support seems to be growing for Nanak Singh. A resident of Ajnala, Nanak singh had crossed over to the Pakistani side back in 1984 as a child. He has since been detained in Pakistan, currently lodged in a jail in Lahore. The ISF has picked up pace with their campaign, meeting Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu and asking her to intervene in the matter. The student body has also written to the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the matter. We have taken up the cause as Nanak Singh belongs to a very poor family and his parents just want to see their child once again in this lifetime. We will continue our campaign until something significant is done to take note of Singh and his family, said Keshav Kohli, president, ISF. New Delhi, May 29 Jat leaders from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi staged a protest outside Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence here on Sunday, demanding reservation for the community, after the Punjab and Haryana High Court brought an interim stay on the reservation given to Jats and five other castes in the state. The agitators raised slogans against the Khattar-led Haryana Government and were also heard saying Hum apna haq le ke rahenge. They were also raising slogans urging the Jats to unite for the cause of reservation. They chanted Khattar sarkar murdabad, Jat ekta zindabad and jo jaton se takrayega, choor choor ho jayega. They were also carrying placards with similar messages. Heavy police presence was seen in the area as barricades were placed to contain the protestors. One of the agitators said the community felt betrayed. Several farming communities have been given reservation, but why not Jats? We are also a farming community. Jats get reservation in eight states, but why not in Haryana.... They had promised us reservation, now they are backing out. Now, this agitation won't stop. We have been betrayed, he said. Hearing a petition challenging reservations for Jats and other castes on the grounds that it is in violation to a Supreme Court order, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday brought an interim stay on the Jat reservation quota and fixed July 21 for the next hearing, when the government will file its reply. The Haryana Cabinet had on March 28 approved the amendments in the Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Bill, which enlists Jats, Bishnois, Tyagis, and Rors in the recently sculpted Backward Classes (C) category, making them eligible for 10 per cent reservation in classes 3 and 4 posts, and six percent reservation in classes 1 and 2 jobs. Meanwhile, Akhil Bharatiya Jat Aarakshan Samiti are geared up to launch a state wide 'Jat Nyay rally' in Haryana from June 5. Security tightened at key canal Security was heightened at Sonepat's Munak canal a key source of water for Delhi as Jats threatened to resume their protests. Prohibitory orders under Section 144, banning assembly was also imposed in the district, which is among the very centre of Februarys protests, official sources said. Central forces were also deployed in many sensitive districts across the state. Protesters had disrupted water supply to the national capital by damaging the Carrier-Lined Channel (CLC) of Munak Canal during February's agitation. Haryana Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu said on Saturday that the state government would not allow Februarys violent protests that killed 30 people to reoccur. A violent Jat agitation had crippled the state in February, which resulted in the death of many people and widespread damage to property. It was brought under control only after the army staged a flag march. Agencies Tribune News Service Mumbai, May 26 Five persons were killed and more than 150 injured in an explosion at a chemical factory at Dombivli on the outskirts of Mumbai on Thursday. The death toll could rise as many people are suspected to be trapped in the factory premises, local residents said. Police and fire brigade officials say the mishap occurred at 11.30 am when one of the boilers exploded leading to a fire at a unit of Acharya Chemicals in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) complex, Dombivli East. The intensity of the blast was so high that window panes in adjoining buildings were shattered Confirming the deaths, Rajendra Develekar, Mayor, Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, said houses and offices around a 2-km radius from the area were damaged by the blast. Those injured in the incident have been taken to various hospitals in the vicinity, the police said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief at the mishap while Industries Minister Subhash Desai and Guardian Minister for the district Eknath Shinde visited the site along with Thane District Collector Mahendra Kalyankar. Minister of State for Home Ram Shinde said an inquiry would be conducted into the incident. Terming the incident unfortunate, Fadnavis said he had asked the police and local authorities to speed up the operations. Fire officials from the Kalyan-Dombivli civic body said they had to summon fire engines from nearby areas and from Mumbai to fight the fire. NDRF teams were rushed to the spot to conduct rescue operations as soon as news of the blast was broadcast on television. (With agency inputs) SMA Kazmi After the political drama over the past nearly two months that culminated in Chief Minister Harish Rawat winning the floor test ordered by the Supreme Court, the Bharatiya Janata Party, which was left red-faced for its failure to topple the Congress government, faces another problem. The state unit of the BJP has a problem of plenty with the entry into the party fold of 10 Congress legislators. The central leadership facilitated their entry, leaving the state BJP leaders unhappy and uncertain. They argue that the decision is flawed, as was the decision to topple the Rawat government without consulting them. They are of the opinion that the decision would boomerang in the polls as it was the BJP which had been criticising these leaders in the past. The BJP had launched a campaign against the alleged failure of former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna to provide succour to the June 2013 natural disaster victims. The party had also charged his government with misappropriation of relief funds. The BJP leaders feel that these contradictions would prove to be costly for the party, which claims a moral high ground in politics. Moreover, the party tickets to 10 Congress rebels would also annoy the BJP leaders who had been preparing to fight elections. The social media in Uttarakhand is abuzz with criticism of the BJP on the issue. There have been attempts by the party leadership to stem the dissent in the state unit ahead of the crucial Assembly polls scheduled in January 2017. The fate of the nine rebel Congress legislators who revolted against Rawat on March 18 on the passage of the Appropriation Bill in the Assembly was uncertain from that very day. It was believed that the rebels must have struck some deal with the BJP before embarking on the path of rebellion. However, the long legal battle that preceded the March 18 rebellion sealed the fate of the rebel Congress MLAs. Their hopes of any kind of rapprochement with the Congress diminished as the party vowed to fully back Rawat and refused to have any dialogue on their prime demand for his removal. The floor test and refusal of the Supreme Court to allow them to vote left them with little option but to go with the BJP rather than forming their own political outfit. On the other hand, despite opposition from a powerful section of the party, national BJP chief Amit Shah kept his word and admitted them into the party fold without any condition. According to party sources, leaders with a strong chance of winning seats would be given BJP tickets in the Assembly polls. Char Dham Yatra It is after years that an unprecedented rush has been seen in the Char Dham Yatra this year. More than three lakh pilgrims have visited the four famous Hindu shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri since the portals in the Garhwal Himalayas were thrown open in the first week of May. After the June 2013 natural disaster, in which more than 5,000 pilgrims and tourists lost their lives, the number of pilgrims in Garhwal had declined substantially. The state government after two years of tireless efforts to rebuild the infrastructure can draw satisfaction with the rush of pilgrims. The locals are happy after years as the economy of the Garhwal region is totally dependent on Char Dham Yatra. Islamabad, May 29 A seven-year-old boy, who went missing from his home in Pakistans restive northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province two years ago, has been traced to Rajasthan following a social media post, a media report claimed on Sunday. Tufail Ismail was said to be in Rajasthans Ganga Nagar district after his maternal uncle in Saudi Arabia saw a picture on social media shared by an Indian social worker, Sujewa Pereira, nearly two months ago, the Dawn quoted the childs father Zafar Ali as saying. Zafar also said the social worker had shared a contact number beneath the photo and requested social media users to share the post so the child could be reunited with his family and when Tufails uncle dialled the number, he was told the missing boy was in police custody in Rajasthans Ganga Nagar district. However, DGP Rajasthan Manoj Bhatt and Sri Ganga Nagar SP Rahul Katakey denied having knowledge of any such child. Both of them told PTI that it might be a rumour. The Dawn report, meanwhile, said Tufail went missing on June 6, 2014, while his family was shifting their home from Sardaryab to Tarnab in Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following which the family registered an FIR. The report also said it had been 45 days since Zafar learned of his sons whereabouts but had been unable to bring him back to Pakistan and the family is now hoping the Pakistani government will help in their efforts to recover Tufail. Tufails parents appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Nawaz Sharif to help bring their son home, the report said. PTI Tribune News Service Pathankot, May 29 An army man serving in Mamun Cantonment here committed suicide by shooting himself with his service Insaas rifle on Sunday morning. Tension gripped the high-security area following the incident as rumours have spread like wildfire since the January 2 Pathankot Air Force station attack. Today also there were rumours that some terrorists were spotted in the area and the sound of the gun shots only added to the confusion. SSP Rakesh Kaushal said the army authorities had identified the deceased as sepoy Subhash Parsad (31) hailing from Sewan district in Bihar. He was serving in 68 Engineering Division and was presently deputed as a sentry in Cantonment area. The SSP added that after hearing the gun shots some of his colleagues rushed to the spot where they found the jawan lying dead in pool of blood. His parents have been informed and body has been sent for a post mortem. A case has been registered at Mamun cantonment police station, he said. Kaushal also appealed to the public to maintain calm and not be swayed by rumours. This is a tough time for all of us. I request the public to cooperate with the police and inform us about any person spreading rumours. We will take appropriate action, he said. Vishav Bharti Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 29 In a split in the Swaraj Abhiyan launched by Yogendra Yadav, the Punjab unit of the group led by Prof Manjit Singh and supported by two AAP rebel MPs Dr Dharamvir Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa on Sunday announced the formation of a regional political outfit, the Swaraj Party. However, the central leadership of the Abhiyan distanced itself from the announcement. The announcement was made at a state-level convention held at Sohan Singh Bhakna Bhawan in Sector 29 of Chandigarh. Dr Gandhi from Patiala and Khalsa from Fatehgarh Sahib expressed solidarity with the new outfit. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The Abhiyan was launched by Yodengra Yadav and lawyer Prashant Bhushan after they were expelled by the Aam Aadmi Party following differences with AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. In a separate press release, Anupam, national spokesperson of the Swaraj Abhiyan, said the formation of the Swaraj Party in Punjab was not sponsored by the Swaraj Abhiyan. Though many colleagues associated with this initiative are from the Swaraj Abhiyans Punjab unit, the decision to form a political party has not been taken in accordance with the due process laid down by the Abhiyan, Anupam said. He said that right from its beginning the Abhiyan had declared that it was committed to building alternative politics. We decided not to form a party and have laid down some parameters of transparency, accountability and inner party democracy to prove ourselves on these criteria before a decision of party formation could be taken, he said. Anupam said that since the decision by the Punjab colleagues did not follow this process, we are unable to own or endorse it. However, Punjab desperately needs alternative politics to rid itself from the Akali-BJP misrule. The Congress and AAP had proven incapable of being true alternatives for the state. We wish the proposed Swaraj Party well and would like to have fraternal relationship with it and any such formation which can provide a genuine political alternative to Punjab, he said. Reacting to the claim of Prof Manjit Singh said that the national leadership of the Swaraj Abhiyan was reluctant to form a political party that Punjab needed desperately. With elections after six months, it is the right time to form a political party. We were left with no option but to take a call, he said. Earlier, a group led by Prof Manjit Singh of the Swaraj Lehar gathered in Chandigarh from all over the state at Bhakna Bhawan in Chandigarh, where besides passing a number of resolutions a political outfit, namely the Swaraj Party, was launched. Prof Singh said the party, with the cooperation of people of Punjab, was committed to fighting for free education, free health and medical services, a debt-free rural Punjab, expansion of MGNREGA and its extension to urban Punjab, and universal employment. He said the party would fight for the implementation of riparian principles on the distribution of the river waters of Punjab. A state working committee of 41 members had been constituted to expand the base of the party at the block and village levels. Earlier the Swaraj Lehar had enrolled members all over the state. In half of the districts, elected district committees have been constituted. The organising of committees in the remaining 11 districts would be completed within the next two weeks, the party said. Mukesh Ranjan in new delhi INVESTIGATORS are generally used to denying things too apparent, something even in their plain sight, until theres undeniable evidence. A conviction brought out by a court of law is the most savoury moment for an investigator/prosecutor. Remember the streaks of success on the face of Ujjwal Nikam, the famed prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, when Ajmal Kasab was convicted and subsequently hanged? A series of terror cases are, however, thought to have been solved by our intelligence services, the newest being the National Investigation Agency (NIA), but in some crucial cases, the conviction has remained elusive. Its time for one hard look at how things have fallen through the cracks in the face of evidentiary indispensability. Sample this: the NIAs stand is leading to the weakening of prosecution in saffron terror cases. For example 17 of 299 witnesses in the 2007 Samjhauta Express case and 19 of 180 witnesses in the Ajmer Dargah case (2007) have turned hostile; the 2008 Modasa (Gujarat) blast case has been closed by the NIA, citing lack of evidence; and three key conspirators Ramchandra Kalsangra alias Ramji, Sandeep Dange alias Parmanand and Ashwini Chouhan alias Amit are at large. In Samjhauta blast case, NIA investigators deny that they are either giving clean chit to anybody or shifting the charge to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) as reported in a section of the media. They say they are giving a fresh look at a few new leads. These include involvement of LeT financier Arif Qasmani. Our effort is to rule out involvement of any other outfit in the case, as the US authorities have documented the alleged role of Qasmani in the case, said an IG rank officer in the NIA. Last year, the Union home ministry declined permission to challenge the bail granted to two of the accused in the Ajmer Dargah case, Devender Gupta and Lokesh Sharma. The ministry said the decision was taken on grounds of parity bail was granted to two other accused in the same case in 2013, and their bail plea was not challenged by the prosecution. The NIA chose not to oppose the bail granted to Swami Aseemanand in the Samjhauta Express blast case. Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Srikant Purohit, the alleged main conspirator of the 2008 Malegaon blasts, recently wrote to National Security Adviser Ajit Doval that he was falsely implicated. He has asked Doval to intervene on his behalf immediately, as the NIA was preparing to file its charge-sheet soon. Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi has sought the NIA response in the matter, as Doval redirected the letter to the Home Ministry. Meanwhile, investigators and prosecutors seem to have locked horns following former special public prosecutor Rohini Salians charge that Suhas Warke, a superintendent of police in the NIA, had asked her to go soft on the accused in the Malegaon blasts case after the BJP came to power in 2014. Former senior police officers see danger in the frequent change of stance by NIA as it weakens Indias criminal justice system. It is sad to see the same investigation agency taking contradictory positions. These days the stick-and-carrot policy of political masters is so real that officers succumb to it, said former Delhi Police Commissioner Ved Marwah. NR Vasan, the former NIA DG, has reportedly rued the fact that the investigation agency is toeing the CBI lines. Like CBI, the NIA is being filled with officers on deputation from paramilitary forces such as the Border Security Force (BSF). Thus, investigation into critical terror case takes a beating, he said. Security experts have observed that in recent times much is being said about witnesses turning hostile. In many such cases, most witnesses are friends or family members of the accused. In such situations, it is natural for them to turn hostile, says an observer, adding it was where the experience of the agency sleuths matters. They can gather enough evidence that can stand the test of law. The idea of Hindu radicals first came up in 2011 at the annual All-India Director General of Police (DGP) Conference in Delhi held behind closed doors. Intelligence officers raised alarm over rightwing Hindu organisations. Such outfits have been espousing emotive issues, leading to radicalisation and the phenomenon of saffron terrorism, a special director of the IB had noted. He said Hindu activists were either under suspicion or under investigation in 16 incidents of blasts. Pozzallo (Italy), May 29 Over 700 migrants are feared dead in three Mediterranean Sea shipwrecks south of Italy in the last few days as they tried desperately to reach Europe in unseaworthy smuggling boats, the UN refugee agency said today. About 14,000 have been rescued since Monday amid calm seas, and there have been at least three confirmed instances of boats sinking. Carlotta Sami, spokeswoman for UNHCR, said an estimated 100 persons were missing from a smugglers boat that capsized on Wednesday. The Italian navy took horrific pictures of that capsizing even as it rushed to rescue all those thrown into the sea from the boat. She said about 550 other migrants and refugees are missing from a smuggling boat that capsized on Thursday morning after leaving the western Libyan port of Sabratha a day earlier. She says refugees who saw the boat sink told her agency that that boat, which was carrying about 670 people, didnt have an engine and was being towed by another packed smuggling boat before it capsized. About 25 people from the capsized boat managed to reach the first boat and survive, 79 others were rescued by international patrol boats and 15 bodies were recovered. The Italian Police have corroborated the account of the Thursday sinking in their interviews with survivors, but came up with different numbers. It was not immediately possible to reconcile the figures. According to survivors, the second boat was carrying about 500 migrants when it starting taking on water after about eight hours of navigation. Efforts to empty the water with a line of migrants passing a few 5-liter bailing cans were insufficient and the boat was completely under water after an hour and a half, the police said. At that point, the commander of the first smugglers boat ordered the tow rope to be cut to the sinking boat. The migrants on the top deck jumped into the sea, while those below deck, estimated at 300, sank with the ship, police said. Of those who jumped into the sea, just 90 were rescued. Survivors identified the commander of the boat with the working engine as a 28-year-old Sudanese man, who has been arrested, the police said. In a third shipwreck on Friday, Sami says 135 people were rescued, 45 bodies were recovered and an unknown number of people many more, the migrants say are missing. Survivors are being taken to the Italian ports of Taranto and Pozzallo. Some were more shaken than others because they had lost their loved ones, said Raffaele Martino, commander of the Italian Navy ship Vega. Sami says the UN agency is trying to gather information with sensitivity considering that most of the new arrivals are either shipwreck survivors themselves or traumatised by what they saw. Despite the surge this week, as of Friday 40,660 arrivals had been counted, 2 percent fewer than the same period of last year, the Interior Ministry said. This week's arrivals included Eritreans, Sudanese, Nigerians and many other West Africans, humanitarian groups say. Most of the boats this week appear to have left from Sabratha, Libya, where many said smugglers had beaten them and women said they had been raped, said MSF, which has three rescue boats in the area. The migrants are piled onto flimsy rubber boats or old fishing vessels which can toss their occupants into the sea in a matter of seconds. Agencies 19 refugees rescued from English Channel London: The British coastguard said it rescued 19 migrants from English Channel after their inflatable boat began to take on water on Sunday. The rhib (rigid-hulled inflatable boat), with 19 persons on board was located at 2 am (0100 GMT) and the incident handed over to Border Force, it said. AFP Dangerous border passage The migrants fleeing wars, oppression and poverty often do not know how to swim and do not have life jackets. They pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to make the crossing from Libya to Italy, by far the most dangerous border passage for migrants in the world. Tehran, May 29 Iran said today its pilgrims would miss the Mecca pilgrimage this year because Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islams holiest sites, was raising obstacles and blocking the path to Allah for its faithful. Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati said: We were supposed to wait for the Saudi officials final response about our points in the negotiations. The rhetoric of the Saudi side with the Iranian representatives, and their obstructions showed that performing Haj rituals is impossible (for Iranians) this year in September, Xinhua news agency quoted Jannati as saying. Irans Haj and Pilgrimage Organisation will announce this on Monday, he said. Saudi officials have said an Iranian delegation wrapped up a visit to the kingdom on Friday without reaching a final agreement on arrangements for haj pilgrims from the Islamic republic. The Saudi haj ministry said it had offered many solutions to meet a string of demands made by the Iranians in two-day talks. Agreement had been reached in some areas, including to use electronic visas which could be printed out by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran, it said. AFP Screen Producers Australia wants the government to introduce local content quota obligations on streaming services. These are big, disruptive, successful businesses that have had time to expand in this market without making any significant investment in local production, SPA chief executive Matthew Deaner told Fairfax Media. Its time they step up to the plate and contribute to new Australian film and television production. The participation of local commercial and public broadcasters to local production remains critical but now is the time to create a level regulatory playing field that ensures responsible and fair engagement from both local and international businesses with our sector and Australian audiences. Stan has produced Wolf Creek and No Activity, and recently announced a Screen Queensland-funded feature, while Presto has Home & Away: An Eye for an Eye with more on the way. Netflix is yet to fund any original Australian productions, despite having the lions share of subscribers. But the government, which did not increase local content for Free to Air networks when it decreased licence fees in the last budget, has rejected the idea. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said: The Turnbull government has no plans to expand existing content regulations. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed, no soldiers were wounded in ATO area in eastern Ukraine in last day. Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on the ATO, Colonel Andriy Lysenko said this at a briefing in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed and no soldiers were wounded as a result of military operations in eastern Ukraine over the past day, Lysenko said. According to him, the soldier was killed in Mariupol direction during clashes with a subversive enemy group. ol July 30 2015 Social housing specialists Mast Architects have renewed an application to demolish the B-listed Castlemilk Parish Church on Carmunnock Road, Glasgow, following expiry of an earlier 2012 application.This consented to The Church of Scotland demolishing Castlemilk Parish Church only on the proviso that contracts be in place for the redevelopment of the site, which sits within an area of ongoing housing renewal.Originally designed by Thomas Gratton and peter McLean in 1957-59 the post-war structure was described by Historic Scotland as a powerful composition, redolent of Festival of Britain detailing.Making reference to a symbolic ark the hall was conceived to resemble a ships hold at lower level with coloured and mottled opaque glass lending it an ecclesiastical air. At the most prestigious race on the Formula One calendar, Red Bull Racings Daniel Ricciardo produced a magical lap of the Monegasque streets to claim his maiden Pole Position. The Australians time of 1:13.622 was quick enough to see off the best efforts from Mercedes who were surprised with his pace after Thursday practice. Nico Rosberg will join Ricciardo on the front row 0.169 off the pace. Lewis Hamilton hit trouble early in Q3, reporting a loss of power over the radio, resulting in him losing out on one run in the final segment. Eventually, he got out and after some warm-up laps, he could only manage the third fastest time. Ferrari struggled when it mattered and an irate Sebastian Vettel could only manage fourth. Kimi Raikkonen, with a gearbox penalty, will start P11. Verstappen crashes out Down at Red Bull, qualifying could hardly have had contrasting results. Max Verstappen, on a high after his brilliant win in Spain, after a morning skirmish at Massanet in FP3, was on a flying lap, but exiting the Swimming Pool, he clipped the barrier, breaking his right-front suspension, sending him into the barrier. He was okay, but admitted afterwards hed turned in a bit early. It was as picturesque as ever at Monaco | Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Image The accident brought out the second red flag of Q1. As soon as qualifying got underway, there was a red-flag to retrieve the Sauber of Felipe Nasr, whose engine blew up in the tunnel. After the stoppage times indicated a close battle up front, with it being Vettel topping the session, on a 1:14.610. Hamilton, Rosberg, and Ricciardo were all in close proximity. Marcus Ericsson, Jolyon Palmer, Rio Haryanto and Pascal Wehrlein joined Verstappen and Nasr in dropping out. Even closer still in Q2 In the crescendo at the end of Q2, it went unnoticed by many that Rosberg pipped Hamilton to top spot by 0.013. That was after the Brit managed to lap the circuit in 1:14.056, nearly 0.5 up. Again fourth in Q2, Ricciardo has played things differently. As drivers start the race on the tyres with which they set their fastest times in Q2, the Red Bull driver will be on SuperSofts whilst all around will be on UltraSofts. Which is the best way to go is unsure, but its an interesting split in strategies. On a circuit that doesnt match their package, Williams duo Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa struggled and were eliminated along with Jenson Button, Esteban Gutierrez, Romain Grosjean, and Kevin Magnussen. Ricciardo rules Hamiltons troubles began as soon as Q3 began, and after a few tense moments, a fuel pressure problem was found to be the problem. Meanwhile out on track, with his first lap, Ricciardo produced the eventual pole lap, the stunning 1:13.622. Vettel was nearly a full second back. Try as they might, no one could get near the benchmark time with Nico Hulkenberg, Raikkonen, Carlos Sainz, Sergio Perez, Danill Kvyat, and Fernando Alonso rounding the top 10 out. Rain is forecast for tomorrows race, and if it comes, the race could well be a classic. Monaco Grand Prix The Grid 1. Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 2. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 4. Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 5. Nico Hulkenberg Force India 6. Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso 7. Sergio Perez Force India 8. Danill Kvyat Toro Rosso 9. Fernando Alonso McLaren 10. Valterri Bottas Wiliams 11. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari* 12. Esteban Gutierrez Haas 13. Jenson Button McLaren 14. Felipe Massa Williams 15. Romain Grosjean Haas 16. Kevin Magnussen Renault** 17. Marcus Ericsson Sauber 18. Jolyon Palmer Renault 19. Rio Haryanto Manor 20. Pascal Wehlein Manor 21. Max Verstappen Red Bull 22. Felipe Nasr Sauber *Raikkonens five place grid penalty applied for a change of gearbox **Magnussen under investigation for running the red light in Q1 at the end of the pit-line after Verstappens crash. SHARE By Carol Lawrence Thousand Oaks-based biotechnology firm Amgen Inc. may face competition for its $2.5A billion anemia drug Epogen as a panel of federal advisers voted Wednesday for the approval of an experimental drug. The Food and Drug Administration's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 15-1 that the agency should approve the marketability of the drug peginesatide, developed by Affymax Inc. in Palo Alto, for treating anemia in adults suffering from chronic kidney disease and on dialysis. Peginesatide requires a monthly dose, while Epogen, Amgen's other anemia drug Aranesp and another anemia treatment made by Johnson & Johnson must be taken more frequently. The three medicines are the only drugs on the market for treatment of anemia patients. The treatments boost the production of red blood cells, which render anemic patients at risk of death and heart damage because the condition limits the body's ability to produce red blood cells that carry oxygen. Each anemia drug, including peginesatide, is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent, or ESA, a class of drugs that has been linked to increasing the chances of heart trouble and death. The lowest possible doses are recommended in treatment. In briefing notes before the panel's conclusions, committee members said, "An additional long-acting ESA option that has a similar efficacy and safety profile as current shorter-acting ESAs, such as epoetin, would be useful." The panel also compared peginesatide with Amgen's Epogen and found no significant difference. "If approved, peginesatide would provide an important therapeutic option to health care providers and patients in the management of anemia of CKD (chronic kidney disease) in patients on dialysis," the panel wrote. The advisory panel can recommend a drug be approved for market, but the FDA makes the final decision. Michael Yee, a biotechnology analyst with RBC Capital Markets LLC in San Francisco, reported on the panel's review and said the FDA would likely but not definitely approve the new drug. "We think Amgen could lose a theoretically realistic range of dialysis market share of 10 to 50A percent, and we believe the likely financial EPS (earnings per share) impact is roughly $0.02 for every 2A percent revenue per share loss," wrote Yee and RBC. "We assume Amgen will continue share buybacks and also cut expenses to manage EPS." However, Yee said investors should know about negative comments concerning peginesatide from doctors on the panel wary of the drug's riskiness and the design of the study. Additionally, Yee said, Amgen has significant contracts with the two major dialysis companies, which represent 67 percent of the market, and that might make it hard for Affymax to break into it. While Yee anticipated investor uncertainty would be likely for 2012 to 2013 earnings-per-share estimates, he said Epogen generates a small part of Amgen's annual $15.1 billion (according to 2010 figures) and declining 10 to 15 percent annually, "and sentiment is already very negative." Amgen commented on the panel vote by saying, "Epogen and Aranesp are an important part of anemia management for CKD (chronic kidney disease) patients and the clinical profiles of these medicines have been defined through many years of use in clinical practice, extensive post-marketing surveillance and comprehensive reviews by the FDA." John Orwin, Affymax president and CEO, said in a release, "We're encouraged by the panel's positive view of the benefit-risk profile of peginesatide in the dialysis setting." The FDA must decide by March 27 on whether to give approval for peginesatide to go to market. Affymax will develop and commercialize the drug with Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda Pharmaceutical Corp. Ltd. Takeda has already paid $10 million toward the agreement. In 2010, Amgen spent $2.9 billion on research and development cost, according to the company. Its net profit that year totaled $4.63 billion, up less than 1 percent from 2009. Trading on Affymax was halted Wednesday pending the outcome of the panel. WASHINGTON A recent column I wrote on 529 college savings plans did not sit well with one reader. In case you don't know and many people don't there are two types of 529s. A prepaid plan allows you to pay a child's tuition and fees in advance. The idea is to lock in today's tuition prices. With the savings plan, you invest much as you would in a 401(k). Your earnings grow tax-deferred and are exempt from federal income tax as long as the money is used for qualified higher education expenses. In most cases, earnings are also free from state and local taxes. But not everyone is sold on the benefits of 529 plans. In what I call my "Talk Back" feature, I occasionally allow people to respond to my columns. Here are some of the points made by the reader: "The advantage of 529 accounts their only advantage is that gains are not taxed. But many stock investments lost money over the past 15 years." "Money in 529 accounts is counted in the college-aid formula. The more you save, the less your kid gets. Other investments, such as Roth IRAs, are specifically excluded from the aid formula. So any tax advantage on the income is more than offset by the reduction in financial aid." "The fees in most 529s are outrageously high." "If your kid decides not to go, or drops out, or gets a full ride academically or for sports, or you saved more than you need, you're (out of luck). You have to pay tax on all the returns, plus another 10 percent penalty." A smarter investment would be simply to move to "a better neighborhood" with better schools. I asked two experts to address the reader's arguments: Brian Boswell, vice president of savingforcollege.com, which provides advice on 529 plans; and Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of Cappex.com, a free website that connects students with colleges and scholarships. They offered the following rebuttals: Returns can be good. "Depending on timing and the selected vehicle, as with any investment, the investor may have realized significant gains," Boswell said. A 529 does not significantly decrease financial aid. The value of the account set up by a parent or legal guardian is reported as an asset on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. But it only increases the student's expected family contribution by a maximum of 5.64 percent of the account value, Boswell notes. On the other hand, most assets in the student's name are counted at 20 percent, he said. So when you take out money from a Roth to pay for college, it will be counted as student income on the following year's FAFSA. By the way, a lot of financial aid is offered in the form of loans anyway. Not saving now would only increase the amount your kid may borrow. There are low-fee plans. You often have the option to open an account that is "direct-sold," meaning you don't go through an adviser. The fees on these plans "are not outrageously high," Kantrowitz said. "Minimizing fees is the key to maximizing net returns." As an example, Boswell said that the fee for New York state's 529 direct-sold plan is just 0.16 percent of a fund's assets annually, and the plan offers the investor a wide range of Vanguard funds. There is flexibility in the plans. As Kantrowitz points out, if a student ends up not needing the 529 plan funds because he or she wins a scholarship, the 10 percent tax penalty that the reader mentioned is waived on nonqualified distributions up to the amount of the scholarship. And although nonqualified distributions are still subject to ordinary income taxes, they are taxed at the beneficiary's rate, not the parents' rate, he said. Better high schools don't necessarily mean a lot of free money. There is a great deal of competition for limited scholarship dollars. So even if your child has great grades, the odds are not in your favor for significant financial aid. On average, about one in eight students in bachelor's degree programs has a private scholarship, according to Kantrowitz, and the average amount is $4,000. Throw in money from the school and government grants, and less than 1 percent of students in bachelor's degree programs receive enough to cover the full cost of attendance. "For most savers, 529 plans are an exceptionally good deal, and getting better all the time," Boswell said. The way I look at it, the risks of not investing in a 529 plan outweigh any downside. I'd rather err on the side of saving. Readers can write to Michelle Singletary c/o The Washington Post, 1301 K St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20071. Her email address is michelle.singletary@washpost.com. Follow her on Twitter (@SingletaryM) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/MichelleSingletary). Comments and questions are welcome, but due to the volume of mail, personal responses may not be possible. Please also note comments or questions may be used in a future column, with the writer's name, unless a specific request to do otherwise is indicated. SHARE Javier Castro Javier Castro with RE/MAX Gold Coast was recently recognized for his top production in 2015. Javier was recently awarded membership in the prestigious RE/MAX Platinum Club for his stellar production in 2015. "Javier has been an integral member of our team and has an incredible drive and passion for his business and clients," said Marc Sipes, manager of the RE/MAX Gold Coast, Seabridge office. "Javier continues to raise the bar in real estate, making us, and this community, proud." Castro is a lifelong resident of Ventura County which allows him to have a competitive edge and knowledge that comes naturally. With over 12 years of experience he brings formal and practical knowledge, and meticulous attention to detail to every well-managed transaction. He also makes good use of his understanding of strategic marketing, plus cutting edge technology, to make certain his clients don't miss any opportunities in today's fast-moving market. Javier Castro can be reached at 469-5221, at gotarealtor@msn.com or at www.castrorealtors.com. RE/MAX Gold Coast is one of the most dynamic and respected real estate firms in Ventura County with more than 240 agents. With over 25 years in Ventura County, RE/MAX Gold Coast has offices in Camarillo, Oxnard, the Channel Islands Harbor, Ventura, Fillmore, Ojai and a property management company, a cleaning and handyman division and an in-house escrow company. To learn more about RE/MAX Gold Coast please contact Briana Bouffard, Business Development Director at 914-4389. Colleen Cason Colleen Cason Columnist SHARE CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Lou and Jim Matthews stand in front of a portrait she painted of Jim. A mental-health advocate, Lou took up painting to cope with the stresses of dealing with their mentally ill son, Mark. Presidential decree may proclaim May as National Mental Health Awareness Month, but for families caring for mentally ill members the challenges rarely leave their waking thoughts every day of every month. As the awareness month 2016 draws to a close, one of Ventura County's mental-health warriors is winding down her decades-long mission. Lou Matthews with her husband, Jim, at her side founded the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness 35 years ago this month. There was no organization like it back then. Families who cared for mentally ill members stayed silent, so strong was the disease's stigma. "We didn't know anyone who was going through what we were. No one talked about it," said Lou, now in her late 80s. They were going through what both call a nightmare with their older son, Mark. He had been a gentle boy who loved hunting and the outdoors. He drove around town in his green Volkswagen Beetle and could do a killer impersonation of comedian Jonathan Winters. He was drafted during the Vietnam War and returned to Ventura forever changed. He escalated into paranoid rages over small matters. He accused his mother of not wanting him to get better. When she disagreed, he hit her. "In a way, it's worse than death. He's there, but he is not there," she said. One day, after a gentle correction about leaving a door open, Mark appeared in the kitchen armed with a hunting rifle. His younger brother, Bart, was in the line of fire. Lou ran out a back door and entered through the front door. Mark was standing with his back to her. She pushed his arm, forcing the barrel of the gun upward. The weapon went off, sending a bullet into the ceiling of the house where they still live. No one was hurt, and Mark gave up the rifle without a fight. "That was the shock of our life. We never thought he would do that," Jim said. In early 1981, Lou found inspiration in the late mental-health activist Helen Teisher. The San Diego woman "urged families to make their ill members' needs forcefully known to political incumbents and candidates," Lou wrote in the first newsletter for the organization. Suddenly, she said, it seemed like the whole world was mentally ill; so many people wanted to share their stories with her. Soon the organization had hundreds of names on its mailing list. Originally meeting in a church in Ventura, the location had to be moved to Camarillo to accommodate the many members driving from the East County. Each meeting consisted of a speaker and a sharing session. It was then Lou and Jim learned as difficult as Mark's care was to manage, others had worse tales to tell. The organization's members launched a resolute campaign to keep Camarillo State Hospital from closing. The institution was targeted by the patient-rights movement started in the 1970s and by state budget shortfalls of the 1990s. Families of severely mentally ill people felt the hospital should stay open until facilities could be built within communities an idea rarely embraced by neighbors when one was proposed. The Matthews lost that battle in 1997 but won others. In 2002, they advocated for the passage of Laura's Law, which allows families to force seriously mentally ill adult children into treatment. They pushed for Proposition 63, which funds services like housing for mentally ill people. Voters approved that in 2004. Lou's measured, well-reasoned letters backing the organization's positions became a fixture on The Star's opinion pages. A retired county worker, Bill often addressed his bosses the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. If he had to disagree with them, he said, he tried not to be disagreeable. The Matthews refused to give up even when they realized the best-intentioned measures would fall short in helping the severely mentally disabled people like Mark. He didn't always respond to medications, and the ones that he did take could be hard on his body. Mark died of a massive heart attack in April of 2013 at age 63. The oversized portrait from his service sits on the piano in their living room. The Matthews thought their life would go differently. They turned down opportunities to travel to Paris and Hawaii because of the distance from Mark. They did build a lake retreat near Paso Robles to restore their spirits. They express no regrets. They met great people, both the caregivers and the mentally ill themselves. Mostly, though, they learned they were not alone in this struggle. Here is a statistic to be aware of: One in five of us will experience mental illness during our lifetime. And every American knows at least one person now struggling with it. Email Colleen Cason at casonpoint101@gmail.com SHARE KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/THE STAR Army buddies Rick Jewell (seated left), Duke Kopacz (standing) and Dave Cope pose the same as they did for a photograph published in the Thousand Oaks News Chronicle in June 1992. The men met in the 1960s, when they all were serving in the Army, and they've stayed close. KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/THE STAR The lifelong friendship of Rick Jewell, Duke Kopacz and Dave Cope was documented in the Thousand Oaks News Chronicle in June 1992. COURTESY PHOTO/THE STAR Dave Cope (second from left), Rick Jewell (third from right) and Duke Kopacz (top right) pose for a photograph on New Year's Eve in 1965. The three still see each other regularly. KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/THE STAR Duke Kopacz, Rick Jewell and Dave Cope have stayed close after meeting in the Army in the 1960s. They are shown at Cope's home in Newbury Park on Tuesday. By Jean Moore of the Ventura County Star Dave Cope was just 17 when he met Duke Kopacz and Rick Jewell. They were all serving in Germany back then, in a small town just outside Stuttgart. They had enlisted because they wanted to travel, to see Europe. Now, 50 years later, they're still friends. "We're like brothers," said Cope, 68, who lives in Newbury Park. "The more we're together, the closer we get." Earlier this week, the three men sat on a sofa at Cope's home, reminiscing about their days in the Army in the 1960s, talking over each other, trying to remember dates. As three guys who have been friends for 50 years will do. They talked about Oktoberfest and the times Cope put on one-man shows because they had no TV. Jewell, 70, broke into a German drinking song. They remembered the years afterward, when they were still in their 20s, and they got an apartment in Santa Monica together, all three of them sharing one bedroom. And they recalled that each one of them had met his future wife at the bar down the street, where they regularly hung out. "She was up in the stands they had there," Jewell said, smiling as he recalled the first time he saw his wife. "I waved to her, and she waved back." Cope was the first to marry, the first to move out of that apartment and into his own home. Today the three friends still live near each other, Cope and Jewell in the Conejo Valley, Kopacz in Simi Valley. Their wives organized the events that have kept them together, the friends said. Over the years, they've taken turns being best man in each others' weddings, celebrated Christmas with their growing families and watched lots of Super Bowls together. Back when they were in the Army, they were together "all the time," the friends say now. Cope was the last to join their group. "He kind of tagged along with us because he was the youngest guy," said Kopacz, 73. Cope, in turn, remembers looking up to Kopacz. "I thought he was the smartest guy I ever met," Cope said. "He gave me advice." It was Kopacz, he said, who suggested he might find work at the phone company when they lived in Santa Monica. Cope stayed with the company for 45 years. Jewell went into sales. Cope and Jewell have since retired, but Kopacz still works as an insurance agent. Back in their Army years, the three friends didn't get sent to Vietnam because they all had served just enough time that they were exempt. But a lot of young men in their battalion did. That's when Cope stopped putting on his one-man shows, he said. Since then, they've had their own scares and losses. Three years ago, Jewell's wife died. Now, he and Cope meet for lunch almost every week. Then, last year, Cope nearly died of sepsis. His buddies were right there with him, he said. "You always know if you need something, they'll be there," Kopacz said. "It's a comforting feeling in the back of your mind ... knowing you've got lifelong friends." SHARE CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Ojai Valley School student Bella Slosberg. By Emma Gustafsom, Special to The Star Ojai Valley School seventh-grader Bella Slosberg stole the show last week at the California State Science Fair, taking top honors in the Junior Zoology Division with a project that could have far-reaching effects on the world's ability to reduce plastic waste. Bella started her project in December for the school science fair, setting out to raise mealworm colonies to determine whether they could safely ingest and break down troublesome polystyrenes such as Styrofoam. But what started out as a school science project dubbed Mealworm Madness resulted in Bella being the second student in the Ojai school's history to earn first place at the state level. Bella said she was floored when her number J2216 flashed on the board as the gold medal winner in her division. "When I saw my project number on the side screen, my heart ... I don't know ... it tied up in a knot," said Bella, one of only three first-place winners from Ventura County. "I was so happy, I hugged a stranger." The 65th annual California State Science Fair was held at the California Science Center in Los Angeles on Monday and Tuesday, drawing 941 participants from 421 schools across the state. Of those participants, 46 students were from Ventura County, and three represented Ojai: Bella; Ojai Valley School eighth-grader Aaron Wolf; and Bella Welch, a Nordhoff High School freshman and Ojai Valley alum. Welch started researching her science experiment under the tutelage of Ojai Valley science teacher Matthew Inman, who continued to offer support and guidance. Inman did the same for Bella over the past five months, helping her navigate around problems and dilemmas science experiments can present. The science program has produced two first-place state science fair winners, a second-place finisher, two fourth-place winners and two honorable mentions under Inman's watch. The science teacher said he believed Bella's project stood an excellent chance of placing, given its attention to detail and her passion for the subject matter. When her name was announced, Inman said he could not have been prouder. "I was thinking about the odds. It is virtually impossible to earn recognition at that level," Inman said. "The projects at the state science fair were literally the best of the best." For five months, Bella tended to her science experiment every other day, constantly making improvements and tirelessly working on her board and presentation. She hit on the experiment after making mealworm cookies in last year's school science fair project, and then learning from family friends about a groundbreaking Stanford University study in which researchers discovered that mealworms could break down Styrofoam and plastics. Bella reached out to one of the Stanford researchers to obtain the study and ask questions about the research, before embarking on her own exploration on the subject. She has since spent so much time on the project that she now considers the time-consuming mealworms her best friends. When the winners were announced Tuesday, Bella hugged one of the fair's staff members, a complete stranger to her. Bella's mother burst into tears. "She learned that good science takes time," said her mother, Myr Slosberg, who teaches at Ojai Valley School and has a degree in environmental education and environmental biology. "It's not just what you know, but learning you need to communicate what you know, and that the reward should be the experience not the prize." This isn't the end of the experience for Bella. With her win at the state level, she is now eligible to apply for the National Science Fair. Out of hundreds of applicants, only 30 are chosen and are awarded a full-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and the chance to present their work in front of hundreds in the White House. But whether she continues on at the national level, Bella already has accomplished what most young scientists can only dream of. "Bella always does her best, and it is exciting for her to have earned this truly exceptional award," Inman said. Emma Gustafsom is a student journalist at Ojai Valley School. Her adviser is Fred Alvarez. SHARE Leaders of the campaign to end Britain's membership in the European Union hope that next month's referendum will make June 23, 2016, a date as luminous in modern British history as May 3, 1979, when voters made Margaret Thatcher prime minister. Michael Gove, secretary of justice and leader of the campaign for Brexit Britain's withdrawal from the E.U. anticipates a "galvanizing, liberating, empowering moment of national renewal." For Americans, Britain's debate about Brexit is more substantive, and perhaps more important, than their dispiriting presidential choice. American conservatives would regard Britain's withdrawal from the E.U. as the healthy rejection of political grandiosity. Gove's friend, Prime Minister David Cameron, who opposes Brexit, says the referendum is "perhaps the most important decision the British people will have to take at the ballot box in our lifetimes." Advocates of Brexit agree, but add: If Britons vote to remain in the E.U., this might be the last important decision made at British ballot boxes, because important decisions will increasingly be made in Brussels. The EU's "democracy deficit" is mistakenly considered merely an unintended injury done by the creation of a blessing a continentwide administrative state. Actually, the deficit is the point of such a state. In Europe, as in the United States, the administrative state exists to marginalize politics to achieve Henri de Saint-Simon's goal of "replacing the government of people by the administration of things." The idea of a continentwide European democracy presupposes the existence of a single European Dems, the nonexistence of which can be confirmed by a drive from, say, Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic. Gove believes the ongoing concentration of power in Brussels, seat of "the bureaucratic regulatory temptation," guarantees "regulation in the interest of incumbents" who "do not want a dynamic, innovative Europe." Under Europe's administrative state, Gove says, "interest groups are stronger than ever" and they prefer social stasis to the uncertainties of societies that welcome the creative destruction of those interests that thrive by rent-seeking. Gove likens the EU's figurehead Parliament to "the Russian Duma under the czars, or the Habsburg parliament." The E.U. is "a rigged cartel in the interest of the smug." If, as some serious people here fear, Europe's current crisis of migration is just the beginning of one of the largest population movements in history, the EU's enfeebled national governments must prepare to cope with inundations. But each E.U. member's latitude for action exists at the sufferance of E.U. institutions. Gove believes most of the British public, and even most members of Parliament, see the familiar trappings and procedures of the House of Commons the mace, question time and think nothing has changed. But most of binding law in Britain estimates vary from 55 percent to 65 percent does not arise from the Parliament in Westminster but from the European Commission in Brussels. The E.U. has a flag no one salutes, an anthem no one sings, a president no one can name, a parliament that no one other than its members wants to have more power (which must be subtracted from national legislatures), a capital of coagulated bureaucracies that no one admires or controls, a currency that presupposes what neither does nor should exist (a European central government administering fiscal policy), and rules of fiscal behavior (limits on debt-to-GDP ratios) that few, if any, members obey and none have been penalized for ignoring. Journalist and historian Max Hastings, who will vote Remain, says the bitterness between Leave and Remain Conservatives is reminiscent of the Suez crisis of 1956 and is "wildly unreasonable," given that Britain's gravest problems an unsustainable National Health Service, a "failing" education system, low economic productivity "have nothing to do with Brussels." Besides, especially given the worsening migration crisis, "I cannot believe the E.U., and even more the eurozone, will or should survive in their present form through another decade." Supporters of Brexit agree that, such is the EU's flux, there is no stable status quo to embrace, so leaving is no more risky than remaining. Mildly invoking 1776 for an American guest, Gove says "self-government works better than being part of an empire that doesn't have our interests at heart." So the 23rd of June can become Britain's Fourth of July a Declaration of Independence. If Britain rejects continuing complicity in the E.U. project constructing a bland leviathan from surrendered national sovereignties it will have rejected the idea that its future greatness depends on submersion in something larger than itself. It will have taken an off-ramp from the road to serfdom. George Will's email address is georgewill@washpost.com. He writes for The Washington Post Writers Group. SHARE Even if you attend a local tribute, it's too easy to allow Memorial Day to drift into just another holiday. A recent movie provides a fresh window into the importance of honoring our lost noble warriors. "Eye in the Sky" stars Helen Mirren as Col. Katherine Powell, a British military officer commanding a secret drone operation to capture terrorists in Kenya. Through remote surveillance and on-the-ground intelligence, Col. Powell discovers the targets are planning multiple suicide bombings. The mission escalates from "capture" to "kill." But as American drone pilot Steve Watts, played by Aaron Paul, is about to fire a Hellfire missile, a 9-year-old girl enters the kill zone. An international dispute is triggered over the value of one innocent life and the destruction of terrorists who will potentially kill hundreds. The dispute reaches the highest levels of the U.S. and British governments. See the movie and struggle with your choice. But on this Memorial Day, there's one scene that reminds us of the cost of war. In the film, a civilian politician confronts Lt. Gen. Frank Benson, played by Alan Rickman, on his callous assessment of the value of one life. The general responds with a statement that rings too true: "Never tell a soldier that he does not know the cost of war." In the heat of battle, critical life-or-death decisions are made every day. Choices are seldom morally clear and often result in deadly consequences to enemies, innocent civilians or one of your own band of brothers. On this Memorial Day, we remember those soldiers who have paid that ultimate price. Our noble warriors have always carried the burden of defeating enemies while doing everything they can to minimize collateral damage. Tears have been shed when their efforts weren't enough to save their brothers in arms or the innocent bystanders in the line of fire. For some we honor today, the moment's time needed to save another cost them their own lives. In our Judeo-Christian culture, individual lives matter. Whether Japanese kamikazes in World War II or today's Islamic terrorists, some enemies seek to unleash the most collateral damage possible. ISIL and other terrorist groups often place their operations in civilian areas, knowing our reluctance to attack when so many innocents could die. America is committed to defeating Islamic extremism, but we can be proud of our soldiers and leaders who balance our military mission with our commitment to minimize the death of innocents. Any just war requires such balanced priorities, and those priorities cost lives. Our priorities must and do show. As Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf was meeting with Saudi officers before returning from the first Gulf War, one Saudi officer pulled him aside to say, "I thank God every day that America is the only superpower left, because you are the only one who would leave." We seek no empire or caliphate. Abraham Lincoln, as a largely unknown Republican candidate, stirred audiences with a powerful turn of phrase that speaks volumes about American values. Campaigning in New York City, Lincoln declared, "Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it." America is slow to war and unparalleled at conducting successful military campaigns. It's been said the best thing that can happen to a country is to declare war with the United States and lose. Like good Boy Scouts who leave the forest better for having been there, the United States likes to leave defeated countries better off when we leave. Beyond the cost of war and investing in the future of those defeated, the biggest cost remains the soldiers who died defending freedom. Our cemeteries stand as a stirring reminder of the true price paid. Walking through the rows of crosses and Stars of David at Normandy brings tears to any proud American or appreciative Frenchman's eyes. May we never forget to keep Memorial Day focused on those noble warriors we have lost. Terry Paulson, of Agoura Hills, is a speaker and author of "The Optimism Advantage." Email him at terry@terrypaulson.com. CONTRIBUTED Campaign mailers in the race to replace outgoing state Sen. Fran Pavley have been filling mailboxes in advance of the June 7 primary. Shown is one paid for by candidate Henry Stern's committee. Many have also been funded by outside interests. SHARE David Pollock Campaign CONTRIBUTED Janice Kamenir-Reznk Henry Stern By Gretchen Wenner of the Ventura County Star If political money tells a tale, there's an outsize story playing out in one race before the June 7 primary. The contest to replace outgoing state Sen. Fran Pavley, the Agoura Hills Democrat, has sparked a fierce contest between two well-funded Democrats. Only one of them, observers say, will continue to November. The latest and final full campaign finance reports before the primary show an all-out effort in the Senate District 27 battle not only by candidate committees but also outside interests, who have so far spent more than $755,000 on efforts for or against the two top Democrats. The district includes Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and surrounding unincorporated areas as well as communities in Los Angeles County from Malibu to Stevenson Ranch. Six candidates are on the ticket. Steve Fazio, the sole Republican, is expected to sail through the primary, leaving a fight for second place among the five Democrats. In California's "jungle" primary, the top two finishers in June, regardless of party, will head to the general election in November. New reports that were due Thursday show Pavley's chosen successor, Henry Stern, with the most remaining cash by far, with nearly $453,000, and the most contributions collected during the latest reporting period. Stern, 34, is an environmental attorney and senior adviser on Pavley's staff who has helped draft some of her landmark environmental bills. His main rival, Janice Kamenir-Reznik, was not far behind in fundraising for the reporting period, which ran from late April to May 21. Her total contributions for the calendar year, at more than $592,000, have outpaced Stern's. She ended the period with $113,445 in cash. Kamenir-Reznik, 64, is a prominent nonprofit leader and was previously a land-use attorney along with her husband, Benjamin Reznik. Spending by outside groups shows how heated the race between the two has become. In all, independent committees, which by law operate separately from candidates' campaigns, have so far spent $755,881 on efforts to support or oppose Stern and Kamenir-Reznik, according to filings with the California Secretary of State as of midafternoon Friday FOR AND AGAINST Such spending is tricky to quantify in detail as committees can give, or get, money from other groups. As simply reported to the state, however, it breaks down this way: Nearly $306,000 has been spent by labor interests to support Stern through mailers, digital ads and polling. The spending was reported by the Million More Voters committee sponsored by the California Labor Federation and the AFL-CIO. More than $155,000 has gone to oppose Stern with mailers, polling and research through committees for the California Association of Realtors and the California Dental Association. An additional $294,471 in support of Kamenir-Reznik was spent on mailers, polling and other items by committees for the California Dental Association and the California Apartment Association. No independent expenditures have been reported affecting the other four candidates. While much has been made on the campaign trail of "big oil" money in the mix, the relevant sums are relatively small and both Stern and Kamenir-Reznik want more restrictions, not fewer, for the oil industry in California. Both candidates have long lists of high-profile backers. The California Democratic Party, however, has not endorsed anyone in the 27th District primary. Not all observers believe Stern or Kamenir-Reznik will necessarily prevail. Moorpark City Councilman David Pollock, 55, is the only Ventura County candidate in the mix, and veteran political analyst Tony Quinn said that factor could lead to a surprise outcome. Pollock ended the reporting period with $37,572 in cash. Shawn Bayliss, 38, who works for a Los Angeles City Council member, reported ending cash of $113,105. Publisher George Christopher Thomas, 39, has not filed any campaign finance statements. OTHER RACES The campaign finance reports give shape to three other competitive primary races with a Ventura County footprint. Assembly District 38, which includes Simi Valley and parts of Los Angeles County, got off to a late start when officeholder Steve Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, chose to run for a state Senate seat that opened suddenly in March. One Democrat, Christy Smith, and three Republicans Jarrod DeGonia, Dante Acosta and Tyler Izen are competing to replace Wilk. All four ended the reporting period with cash balances between $15,000 and $32,000. Acosta, a Santa Clarita City Council member, has earned and spent the most, reports show. His campaign has also benefitted from more than $70,000 in independent expenditures, the only such outside spending reported in the race. In the 25th Congressional District, which includes Simi Valley and parts of Los Angeles County, incumbent Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, is expected to easily survive the primary. Democrat Bryan Caforio out-earned fellow Democrat Lou Vince, according to filings with the Federal Elections Commission for the period ending May 18. Caforio, a consumer rights attorney, ended with more than $94,000 while Vince, a Los Angeles Police Department lieutenant, had less than $5,000. No independent expenditures have been reported in the 25th. BIG MONEY To the north, the 24th Congressional District race to replace retiring Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, has attracted big bucks. Some parts of Ventura and the coastal communities from Solimar Beach to La Conchita are in the district, which includes all of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. On the Democratic side, the top earner has been Santa Barbara County Supervisor Salud Carbajal, who has received more than $1.8 million in contributions in all and ended the period with more than $648,000 cash. Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider ended with more than $105,000. Republican Justin Fareed, a small-business man who has taken in more than $1.1 million, ended with $447,843 in cash. Matt Kokkonen, a financial planner, ended with more than $177,000, while state Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian finished the period with nearly $173,000. Nearly $933,000 in outside spending has been reported. Of that, more than $587,000 has gone to support Carbajal, according to FEC filings, mostly from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the House Majority PAC. Another $118,400 has gone to support Fareed from the Citizen Super PAC. The National Republican Congressional Committee has spent $110,000 apiece to oppose Carbajal and Schneider, the filings show. Update: Cash balances for three candidates in the 24th Congressional District -- Justin Fareed, Matt Kokkonen and Helene Schneider -- have been updated to reflect totals reported after this story was originally filed. On Friday, November 21, entertainer Carmen Electra attended LIGHT Nightclub, the worlds first nightlife venue powered by Cirque Du Soleil at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino (Photo credit: The Light Group). Photo credit: The Light Group. She joined radio talents Ashleigh Speidel and Tim Mihalsky as special guest on their weekly iHeartRadio celebrity talk radio show The Melting Pot. Photo credit: The Light Group. Afterwards, Electra took in a late night set from LIGHT resident DJs The Stafford Brothers, the hottest Australian export to recently hit the United States as the first electronic act to sign to Cash Money Records. Their hit Hello, featuring Little Wayne and Christina Milan, was released earlier this year. Photo credit: The Light Group. During the set, Electra joined the Stafford Brothers on stage along with DJ Stellar and danced, driving the crowd into a frenzy. LIGHTs Cirque performers also entertained Carmen with a paparazzi themed vignette. Photo credit: The Light Group. Photo credit: The Light Group. The ASEAN Childrens Festival includes a series of events and activities for children (aged 9 years to 15 years) in the ASEAN countries for a cultural exchange and strengthening solidarity, after the founding of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) last year. ASEAN is a common house of member countries, but, we acknowledge that the mutual understanding between peoples is still limited, Pham Viet Tien, vice director of Viet Nam Television, said. Organising the festival is our initiative, and with support from the Ministry of Culture, we aim to create a cultural space for children who are owners-to-be of each country to understand each other, he said. Vietnamese children will have a chance to know how their friends from ASEAN countries and learn, play and think with them, and vice versa, he added. The child delegates will visit the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology, several beautiful spots in Ha Noi, enjoy a water puppet show at the Central Puppet Theatre and visit the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. They will also meet President Tran ai Quang and attend the Children and Communication Forum. On the occasion of International Childrens Day, the Museum of Ethnology will organise a celebration with the theme of childrens games in ASEAN countries on Sunday. The delegates will attend this event and perform some art pieces as well as display their traditional costumes. The festival will be highlighted with an art performance which will be broadcast live on June 1 with the theme of One Vision, One Identity, One Community. The delegations from each country will sing and dance in their traditional colours. Viet Nam will be represented by Sol Art, Young Hit Young Beat and Vinschool children ensembles. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc shakes hands with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, Japan on May 28, 2016. Photo: VGP The two PMs expressed their pleasure at the vigorous and substantial progress of the bilateral ties, especially in such fields like economy, agriculture, locality-to-locality exchanges over the past time. PM Phuc congratulated Japan on successfully hosting the G7 summit and the expanded G7 summit while reiterating Viet Nams consistent policy of regarding Japan as a top and long-term partner. Meanwhile, PM Abe spoke highly of the remarks delivered by PM Phuc at the expanded G7 summit, affirming that his country attaches importance to the relationship with Viet Nam. The two sides agreed to foster political trust through maintaining regular exchange of high-level visits and contacts, improve the effectiveness of the bilateral dialogue mechanisms, and intensify security and defense cooperation and close coordination in UN peacekeeping operations and overcoming war consequences. The two leaders also agreed to work closely together to deliberate on concrete measures to push up the connectivity of the two economies, including resource and manpower connectivity. PM Abe pledged to continue official development assistance to support Viet Nams efforts in socio-economic and infrastructure development as well as climate change adaptation. He committed to collaborating with Viet Nam to deploy the US$110 billion investment plan for high-quality infrastructure development in Asia. Both sides agreed to coordinate in beefing up Japans investment in Viet Nam through effective implementation of the 6th phase of the Viet Nam-Japan Joint Initiative in 2016 and the Viet Nam Industrialization Strategy within the Viet Nam-Japan Cooperation Framework until 2020 with a vision to 2030. The two countries agreed to step up progress of key projects, including the North-South Expressway and the Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant. Regarding climate change adaptation, the Japanese PM announced to provide a non-refunded aid of nearly US$2.5 million to Viet Nam to address severe droughts and saltwater intrusion while standing ready to mull over official development assistance for the Southeast Asian country to build dams and reservoirs . For regional and international issues of common concern, PM Abe vowed to coordinate closely with Viet Nam to prepare for the APEC Year 2017. The two PMs shared the deep concern of the international community over the recent situation in the East Sea, especially large-scale construction activities. They underlined the importance of ensuring peace, security, safety and freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea. Relevant parties must take no actions aimed at changing the status quo, complicating and expanding disputes, and militarizing in the East Sea; settle disputes through peaceful measures and respect diplomatic and legal processes; strictly comply with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and accelerate the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea. After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing ceremony of a number of cooperation documents and co-chaired a press conference to brief about the outcomes of their talks. Illustration photo The Ministry of Finance is authorized to sign the Agreement with the Japanese side. This project will construct a 600-megawatt coal-fired thermal power plant that uses locally produced coal and also construct 220-kilovolt transmission lines in Thai Binh Province in northern Viet Nam, in order to meet the power demand in the region. In addition to curbing fuel costs, this will reduce the power loss that occurs with long-distance power transmission and increase the power supply efficiency, alleviating the strained power supply and demand balance, and promoting economic growth and international competitiveness in Viet Nam. The project will also lower the high dependency on hydroelectric power, currently at 50.2%, providing power stability to Viet Nam overall by avoiding the reduction in power supply that occurs in the dry season when less water is available for producing hydroelectric power. BARCELONA: Spanish health authorities said late Thursday (May 5) they had detected the country's first known case of the microcephaly birth defect in the foetus of a pregnant woman infected with the Zika virus. "A pregnant woman was infected by Zika and dengue and the foetus has shown various defects," the health authority of the Catalonia region said in a statement. This was Spain's first case of Zika-related microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads and sometimes brain damage. A total of 105 people in Spain have been infected with the mosquito-borne Zika virus, according to official statistics from May 3. Spanish authorities have said all the infection cases - including 13 pregnant women - are "imported cases" found in people either "from, or who have visited affected countries" in Latin America. The current Zika outbreak began in early 2015 in Brazil, where about 1.5 million infections have been reported. Since then, the epidemic has spread to several other countries in the Americas. Scientists believe the virus to be responsible for a surge in Brazilian infants born with microcephaly. There is no vaccine or treatment for the virus, which in most people causes only mild symptoms - a rash, joint pain or fever. Brazilian police say they have identified four of more than 30 suspects in the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl whose attackers shocked the country by posting video of their nude, unconscious victim online. Social media exploded with rage on Wednesday over video showing the victim naked on a bed and the suspected attackers boasting that she had been raped by dozens of men. The French news agency said Saturday that police had arrested the first suspect, as military police conducted a huge manhunt for the attackers in a slum west of Rio de Janeiro. The report said the unidentified suspect was undergoing police interrogation late Saturday. Brazil's acting president Michel Temer called it "absurd that in the 21st century we should have to live with barbaric crimes such as this." Authorities believe the victim was assaulted May 21 near Rio de Janeiro, a city plagued by violence and controversy in the runup to the Olympic Games set for August in the city. Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Rio Friday to protest the rape and a similar assault against a 17-year-old in the country's northeastern state of Piaui. Critics cite the crimes as further evidence of Brazil's endemic problem of violence against women. Iraqi security forces launched an operation Monday to retake the city of Fallujah from Islamic State extremists, storming the stronghold from various points, military leaders said. VOA spoke by telephone to an Iraqi special forces soldier on the front line of the Fallujah battle. "The Iraqi special forces and special operations are entering the city and clearing it block by block and then handing the cleared areas over to the Iraqi police, army and volunteers," he said, speaking through a translator. Volunteers refers generally to the Hashd al Shaabi, an umbrella group of mostly Shi'ite militias. "Step-by-step we are putting up the Iraqi flag ... there are a lot of dead, including Iraqi special forces and Iraqi special operations soldiers. They are dying by mortars and sticky bombs. The war is not face-to-face, it is by mortars, car bombs and snipers," the soldier said. He also said many IS fighters have been killed, but some have been captured alive and are providing information. Civilians trapped As the battle started, there are concerns over the plight of civilians trapped inside the Islamic State held city. "They [IS] have put bombs in the roads, they are using suicide bombers," said Muhamed, an Iraqi special forces soldier on the front line contacted by telephone, speaking on condition his full name not be used. WATCH: Concerns grow over civilian suffering in Fallujah Fallujah, a Sunni stronghold, has been held by IS longer than any other city in Iraq and the fighters are believed to be deeply entrenched in the city. "We are just waiting for the order to move in, and kill Daesh," he said, using the Arabic name for Islamic State. As the fighting and airstrikes around the city have intensified, the plight of civilians trapped inside has worsened. While some 800 people have managed to escape, thousands of others have not. UNHCR says it is receiving reports of horrific civilian suffering. WATCH: UNHCR expresses concerns "We have dramatic report of increase in the number of executions of men and older boys unwilling to fight on behalf of ISIL," UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said. "Other reports say that a number of people attempting to depart have been executed or whipped. In addition, many people have reported to have been killed or buried under the rubble of their homes in the course of ongoing military operations," Fleming said. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly called for the civilians to be allowed to leave the city. Those who have managed to escape are separated, with the men and older boys taken to special security screening locations. There is a lot of suspicion in Baghdad surrounding those Fallujah residents who have been under IS control for more than two years. "They are brainwashed by now," said one Iraqi federal police officer who would only give his initials as H.K. as he was not allowed to speak to the press. "They should be placed in a special camp." Fallujah has been under siege for six months, with very little food or medicine entering the city. One displaced woman who gave her name as Alahin told UNHCR of the horrors of the last few months. "Families started to suffer when (IS) closed the exit routes from the city," she said. "Families started suffering from psychological problems and some of them committed suicide. Some of them set fire to themselves and some of them drowned their children. "As God is my witness, everything I say is true," she said. It was not possible to immediately verify any of the reports. Iran's state media said Sunday that Iranians will not be able to make their Hajj pilgrimage this year because Iran cannot reach an agreement with Saudi Arabia. According to IRNA, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati said the decision was made following Riyadh's behavior with an Iranian delegation that had traveled to Saudi Arabia to negotiate terms for this year's Hajj. "We waited for the response of Saudi officials until today, but given their behavior in the two rounds of negotiations with an Iranian delegation and the obstructions they have created, Iranian pilgrims cannot perform the rituals this year," said Jannati adding that a formal announcement would be issued Monday. Riyadh said the Iranian demands are unacceptable. "Iran has demanded the right to organize some kind of demonstrations and to have privileges that come out of the usual course of the organization, and that would cause chaos during the hajj," said Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. "This is unacceptable." Saudi media earlier said an Iranian delegation had left without a final agreement for Iranian pilgrims making Hajj, a pillar of Islam that devout Muslims must perform once in their lifetime if they are able. Last year's tragedy Ties between the Iran and Saudi Arabia have unraveled after more than 400 Iranians were killed in a crush at last year's Hajj. Relations are also tense because Saudi Arabia broke diplomatic ties with Iran after Iranian demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran after Riyadh executed a Shi'ite cleric. Muslims in Iran are mostly Shi'ites, while Muslims in Saudi Arabia are predominantly Sunni. s, while Muslims in Saudi Arabia are predominantly Sunni. Irans moderate conservative parliament leader was re-elected Sunday despite the gains made by reformists in elections held in February. Ali Larijani was re-elected with the votes of 173 of 281 lawmakers, with several members of the reformist party breaking ranks to vote against the head of their own List of Hope party, Mohammad Reza Aref. Larijanis election is an early win for the moderate conservatives in the new parliament, which convened Saturday for the first time. It also serves as a show of support for moderate President Hassan Rouhani and the nuclear deal signed last July with world powers. Moderates and reformists who support Rouhani won the most seats in elections held earlier this year, though they are still short of a majority. Reformists hold 133 of the parliaments 290 seats, with conservatives holding another 125. The rest of the seats are held by independents and religious minorities who are likely to support Rouhanis efforts to pass legislation. A federal judge is ordering the release of Trump University internal documents in a class-action lawsuit against the now-defunct real estate school owned by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The order by U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel in San Diego, which came Friday in response to a request by The Washington Post, calls for the documents to be released by Thursday. The Post reported the order in a story on its website Saturday. Trump University has been cited in anti-Trump political ads during the primary campaign as evidence that Trump doesn't fulfill his promises. Trump's lawyers deny any wrongdoing in the case before Curiel as well as another class-action suit in San Diego and a $40 million lawsuit filed in 2013 by the state of New York alleging that more than 5,000 people had been defrauded. The New York real estate mogul, for his part, has claimed that Curiel is a "hater of Donald Trump" and should be ashamed of how he has handled the case. Trump also has questioned whether Curiel, who is Hispanic, is biased against him because of his call for deporting immigrants in the U.S. illegally. The lawsuit overseen by Curiel states that Trump University's nationwide seminars and classes were like infomercials and pressured students to buy more but didn't deliver as promised in spite of students paying as much as $35,000 for seminars. Curiel already has set a Nov. 28 trial date. The Post reported that Curiel's order to release an estimated 1,000 pages of documents cites heightened public interest in Trump and that he had "placed the integrity of these court proceedings at issue." The judge appeared to reject the argument by Trump attorneys that the information had commercial value, saying that there was no support for the assertion that Trump University may resume operations. The deep unpopularity of presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton is causing an unprecedented level of excitement for a third party, the Libertarians, the consistent third-place finishers in a two-party race. Thousands are gathering for the Libertarian Party convention this weekend in Orlando, to vote Sunday for their presidential nominee. Libertarian officials said Friday as the four-day convention began that 985 delegates and 344 alternates were attending from all 50 states a record. Dues-paying members have increased by 30 percent since the beginning of the year. The front-runners, among the 18 declared Libertarian presidential candidates, are former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson and running mate William Weld, the former Massachusetts governor. Weld has made headlines since his entry into the race for comparing Trump's proposal to deport all undocumented immigrants to Kristallnacht, a 1938 pogrom remembered to this day for brutality against the Jewish people in the leadup to WWII. Asked if he was comparing Trump to Hitler, Weld told VOA, "No. I compared rounding people up in the middle of the night to people being rounded up in the middle of the night in Europe in the 1930s. I think that is an apt comparison to round up 11 million people. Weld pointed out that many of Trump's proposed policies would violate international treaties and laws. He said should Trump win the presidency, "We will be the rogue nation. We will be the North Korea." Watch: William Weld speaks to VOA His running mate, Johnson, has said he "absolutely" stands by the bold comparison. A few recent polls that have chosen to include Johnson show him hovering around 10 percent within striking distance of the 15 percent threshold necessary to be included on the general election debate stage. But the presidential hopeful has sobering message for the #NeverTrump and #NeverHillary voters. "I will be the only third-party candidate on the ballot in all 50 states,'' Johnson says. "I'm it.'' A previously little-noticed U.S. political figure, Libertarian Gary Johnson, again won his party's presidential nomination Sunday, drawing new attention to his candidacy at a moment when majorities of Americans have unfavorable opinions about the major party front-runners, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. Recent polls show the 63-year-old Johnson, who served two terms as the Republican governor of the southwestern state of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003 before becoming a Libertarian, winning about 10 percent of the vote nationally against Trump and Clinton in a hypothetical three-way match in November's national election. Also at the Libertarian convention in Orlando, Florida Sunday, former Massachusetts governor William Weld was chosen to run as Johnson's vice presidential candidate. Third-party presidential candidates in the U.S. have not fared well in the quadrennial elections, often times fading when people get closer to making their decisions about whom they will vote for. If Johnson were to maintain his 10 percent level of support nationally, it is unlikely he would win any of the country's 50 states. But his vote total could affect the outcome in some individual states, especially since more than half of Americans in recent political surveys say they view both Trump, the brash billionaire real estate mogul, and Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state, unfavorably. U.S. presidential elections are not decided by the national popular vote, but rather in state-by-state votes, with the biggest states holding the most importance in the outcome. Johnson's candidacy comes at a time when many Americans say they are disenchanted with the national government, a view that fueled the surge of Trump, who has never held elective office, to the top of the crowded Republican field that included a host of current and former senators and governors. Johnson would have to reach 15 percent support nationally in five polls to be included in three presidential debates scheduled for the weeks leading up to the November 8 election. In the U.S., Libertarians favor individual rights, challenging what they say is the "cult of the omnipotent state," a view that could attract some voters to Johnson. Johnson, as the Libertarian presidential candidate in 2012, won one percent of the vote when President Barack Obama won re-election to a second term over Republican Mitt Romney. Libertarian adherents are holding their national convention in the southern city of Orlando, Florida, where Johnson wants the party to nominate another former Republican governor, William Weld of Massachusetts, as his vice-presidential running mate. Ross Perot, a technology corporation executive, was the most recent serious third party presidential candidate in the U.S., winning 19 and 8 percent of the national vote, but no individual states, in the 1992 and 1996 elections, when Clinton's husband, Bill Clinton, was twice elected as president. Mary Heintzelman shakes her head in disgust over the presidential election. "I don't think we have a candidate that's really suitable to be president in either party," says Heintzelman, an administrative assistant from Whitehall, Pennsylvania. Her son suggests she write in a candidate when she votes in November, but the 68-year-old says despondently, "I don't even know who to write in." Heintzelman is hardly alone in her angst over the prospect of a November matchup between presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and likely Democratic pick Hillary Clinton. While 65 percent of Americans say they're interested in the White House race, just 23 percent say they're excited as the presidential contest shifts from the primaries to the general election, according to a poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Malaise The malaise crosses party lines. Majorities of Republicans and Democrats say the election has left them angry, helpless and frustrated. Only 13 percent of Americans say they're proud of what has transpired in a campaign where surprising candidates have thrived and Trump in particular has defied political norms. Election experts say the gap between Americans' high interest and low excitement makes the race to succeed President Barack Obama highly unpredictable. Turnout can be low when unpopular candidates are on the ballot, but the unusual nature of a race between a billionaire businessman who has never before sought elected office and a former first lady who would be the country's first female president could offset voters' sour mood. "We're in uncharted territory here with these two candidates," said Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida who studies voter turnout. He said that while Americans may not be excited about their options, "the negativity gives people something to talk about." "If people perceive the election is interesting, they may still show up to vote even if it's against a candidate," McDonald added. Enthusiasm may grow Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, a Democrat, predicted voter enthusiasm could increase as the general election heats up, particularly when the nominees meet in debates. "I do believe in some ways there's a reset in the general election," Rendell said. "First of all, you have some voters that paid no attention and only vote in general elections. Secondly, even the ones who paid attention, now all of a sudden there's two candidates and six months." For now, though, some people say they're resigned to an election in which they'll be voting against a candidate instead of for one. That view was pervasive in interviews with more than 30 voters interviewed by the AP in Pennsylvania. Democrats have carried the state in every presidential election since 1992, but Trump's campaign hopes strong support from working-class white voters could swing the state back to the GOP. "Your vote isn't who you're for, it's who you don't want in," Joann Spangenberg, a 48-year-old loan underwriter, said as she stood outside her office in downtown Allentown on a sunny afternoon. "It shouldn't be that way." Spangenberg said the election is generating more interest among her family and friends than in past years, including spurring her daughter to register to vote right after her 18th birthday. But the frequent Republican voter says that while she likely will go for Trump in November, her support is lukewarm at best. "He's what we have left," she said before ducking back into her office. Pittsburgh voter Kim Bowles feels the same way about Clinton. Bowles has been intrigued by Bernie Sanders, but doesn't think the Vermont senator can win, leaving her feeling stuck with Clinton as the only option for stopping Trump. "If you don't vote, you're helping someone else, and I'm not a fan of Donald Trump," said Bowles, 51, as she waited at a bus stop. "So, I've got to vote for Hillary. But it's not easy." Claimed nomination Trump formally clinched the GOP nomination last week, cementing his extraordinary rise to the top of the Republican Party. Clinton is still trying to shake Sanders, but it's nearly impossible for Sanders to catch the former secretary of state in the Democratic delegate count. For Ron Zemlansky, a 64-year-old accountant from Catasauqua, an election between Trump and Clinton leaves voters with two bad options. "Trump, I don't think he's qualified," he said. "Hillary, there's too much baggage." Despite voting for Obama twice, Zemlansky said his questions about Clinton may push him to Trump. "Right now, I hate to say it, I'd probably pick Trump," he said. The AP-NORC poll of 1,060 adults was conducted May 12-15 using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. Respondents were first selected randomly using address-based sampling methods, and later interviewed online or by telephone. Israeli news reports say police have recommended criminal charges against the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the alleged misuse of public funds for the couple's official and private residences. Sara Netanyahu, who has denied any wrongdoing, was questioned by police last year in connection with a probe of state funds paid to a caregiver looking after her father before his death. The probe, spurred by a state audit, also is said to focus on funds used for electrical repairs at the Netanyahu private villa in the coastal resort of Caesarea. There was no indication Sunday whether prosecutors will accept the police recommendations. A spokesman for the prime minister Sunday adamantly denied any wrongdoing. "These are matters that do not even come close to breaking the law," said aide Nir Hefez in a statement. "We are certain that when authorities check the facts they will find that there is nothing in them," he said. Reports say the probe also was prompted by evidence from a former chief custodian at the Netanyahu official residence. Earlier this year, the custodian won damages for emotional distress, after a labor court ruled that Sara Netanyahu had repeatedly mistreated him and other household staff. One of the court findings supported testimony that Sara Netanyahu once threw a vase of day-old flowers on the floor of the couple's Jerusalem mansion, while scolding the custodian and telling him that they were not fresh enough. The Rolling Thunder caravan of motorcycles rolled into Washington Sunday, to support the U.S. military on the country's Memorial Day weekend, but it turned into a political rally for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, real estate titan Donald Trump. As thousands of motorcyclists cheered their support, Trump vowed, "We have to rebuild our military. It's been decimated." He said that if he is elected, "We're going to knock the hell out" of Islamic State jihadists in the Mideast. But Trump made no mention of one of the controversies from early in his months-long run for the Republican nomination, when he said the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, Senator John McCain, was not a hero for being captured as a prisoner of war in Vietnam in the 1960s. More recently, Trump, who avoided military service with a series of deferments, has had to answer questions about why he had not met a pledge to send $6 million to veterans groups after a fundraiser in January. He told the military veterans on Sunday that he will name the groups receiving the money this week. The annual Rolling Thunder event, first organized in 1988, is billed as a tribute to prisoners of war and Americans missing in action, a day ahead of Memorial Day Monday, when the United States honors its war dead. Ray Manzo, a former U.S. Marine Corps corporal, is one of the men credited for organizing the Rolling Thunder event. A letter from Manzo was published in Outlaw Biker magazine in 1987 calling for riders to descend on Washington the Sunday before Memorial Day. Nearly 3,000 riders came for that first ride. The organization says the event has now grown to more than a million riders and spectators combined. A half million motorcycles are expected to rumble Sunday afternoon from the Pentagon to the Vietnam War Memorial for a rally in an event the group calls a Ride for Freedom. The group's mission has grown alongside the ride. The organization lobbied for the Missing Service Personnel Act of 1993, which prohibits the U.S. Defense Department from declaring a service member killed in action without substantial evidence. It has also established a nonprofit organization that provides cash aid to veterans' families. Over the years, Rolling Thunder has become a more politicized group frustrated with Washington lawmakers and the administration of President Barack Obama. "I don't think anyone in Washington, D.C. really cares about investigating the live POWs that the government knows were left behind," writes Sgt. Artie Muller, Rolling Thunder's national executive director, and Joseph Bean, the group's national president, in a letter posted on the Rolling Thunder website. The letter, dated December 2015, also says "This administration keeps getting us deeper and deeper in the war against Islam . . . Why are we not demanding reparation payments from the Islam countries for the expense of what these wars cost the America taxpayers....We better pray for a new administration in the 2016 election that will follow the Constitution of the United States and worry about America, our people and our troops first." Motorcycle enthusiasts have frequently attended Trump campaign rallies to show their support for the candidate they believe is different from career politicians they accuse of degrading the military and ignoring veterans. At a political event last July when asked about McCain, who was described by the questioner as a "war hero,' Trump responded Hes not a war hero. Hes a war hero because he was captured. I like people that werent captured, O.K.? The Taliban in Afghanistan is likely to increase attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in an effort to demonstrate that the recent death of the group's leader has not affected it in any way, Afghan security experts say. Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan last week. In order to show the world that they are not dead, Taliban will surge their attacks in the month of Ramadan, said retired Afghan National Security General Wahid Taqat. The Muslim holy month begins June 6. Afghan security officials insist they are prepared for any increase in attacks during Ramadan or any other time. Afghan security forces are ready more than ever, said Afghan National Security Council spokesperson Tawab Ghorzang. Meanwhile, Afghan officials officials Sunday reported fierce fighting in southern Helmand province. They say the hostilities erupted overnight after Taliban insurgents staged simultaneous attacks in three districts. Both sides claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on the other. Afghan officials confirmed a senior police commander was also killed. Helmand is the largest Afghan province where the Taliban controls several districts. More than 700 migrants are feared to have drowned this week in three separate ship wrecks in the Mediterranean Sea as they tried to reach Europe in smuggling boats, according to the U.N. refugee agency. About 100 of those migrants came from a smugglers boat that sank Wednesday, while another 550 are missing from a boat that capsized Thursday morning on its way from Libya. Italian police arrested the captain of the second boat, identified as a 28-year-old Sudanese man, after survivors pointed him out. WATCH: Migrants being rescued On Friday, a third ship sank with an unknown number of people on board. Around 135 people were rescued from the boat along with 45 bodies, but many more people are still missing from the boat. "The situation is chaotic, we cannot be sure of the numbers, but we fear up to 700 people may have drowned in three shipwrecks this week," UNHCR spokesman Federico Fossi told AFP. In total Friday, more than 1,900 migrants were rescued from boats in the Mediterranean in 16 different operations, according to the Italian Coast Guard. The survivors of the shipwrecks were taken to the Italian port cities of Taranto and Pozallo, where they will be held while Italian authorities gather information from them. Some material for this report came from AP, AFP and Reuters. WATCH: Migrants drown in the Mediterranean, VOA's Zlatica Hoke reports Ukraine's state emergencies services says 17 people have died in a fire in a building temporarily housing elderly people. Officials say the blaze broke out early Sunday in the two-story building in the village of Litochky, about 40 kilometers north of Kyiv. The emergencies service said 35 people were in the residence when the fire started. It said 18 people were rescued from the fire, but five of them "have been hospitalized with burns of varying degrees of severity." Prime Minister Volodymyr Grovsman said the fire was a "terrible tragedy" and has called for an immediate investigation. Relatives of a Pakistani taxi driver who was killed in last weeks U.S. drone strike targeting the leader of the Afghan Taliban have formally lodged a police complaint against unnamed U.S. officials. The deceased driver, Mohammad Azam, was transporting Taliban chief Mullah Mansoor when missiles fired by a drone struck their car in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province, killing both of them. Police in the remote district of Noshki, where the May 21 missile attack took place, confirmed Sunday that Azams relatives have set the criminal justice process in motion by filing what is called a First Information Report against unnamed U.S. officials. My brother, a father of four children, was innocent and the sole bread earner for his extremely impoverished family, a brother of the deceased driver said in his complaint. WATCH: Video from Scene of the Drone Strike He said Azam had no links to any terror groups and used to ferry passengers in his taxi between Taftan, the Pakistani town bordering Iran, and Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan. I seek justice and legal action against American authorities responsible for the attack. I do not know their names but media has quoted them as claiming to have used explosive material to kill my brother, the complainant added. A Quetta-based attorney, Tahir Hussain, told VOA that Azam's family likely will seek a trial in absentia if U.S. officials refuse to respond, and may attempt to push for monetary compensation. In Islamabad Sunday, Pakistan's Interior Ministry said a DNA sample has confirmed that Mansoor was killed in the drone strike. American and Afghan officials already had confirmed his death, but Pakistan declined to do so until the DNA test result was known. Officials said a relative of Mansoor provided a DNA sample that matched the Taliban chief's. U.S. officials defended the drone attack, saying the Taliban leader was opposed to Afghan peace efforts and plotting deadly attacks against American soldiers as well as their partners in Afghanistan. Mansoor apparently was returning from Iran and was targeted shortly after he entered Pakistan, where he had been residing along with other Taliban leaders. A Pakistani passport found near the destroyed car carrying Mansoor was traveling in suggested the slain Taliban chief was using a pseudonym, Wali Mohammad, for undertaking journeys within and outside Pakistan. The travel document contained a valid Iranian visa. The U.S. drone operations have long been under fire from rights defenders for causing collateral damage, although Washington insists they have effectively reduced the threat that terrorist groups pose to American interests in the region. Pakistan condemned the drone attack on Mansoor as a violation of the country's sovereignty. Authorities have since arrested several officials for allegedly helping the slain Taliban leader get a Pakistani passport. Even as Americans pause for this weeks Memorial Day holiday, much attention is focused on the presidential contest, where almost-daily twists and turns are confounding conventional wisdom in what has become an unusually turbulent end of the primary campaign season. In January, New York businessman Donald Trump was one of more than a dozen Republican presidential contenders in a field with no clear favorite. By contrast, Hillary Clinton stood as the front-runner over just two Democratic rivals. Last week, Trump clinched the delegates required to become his partys nominee. Weve won the nomination big by numbers that you cant believe, he said to thunderous applause at a recent campaign rally in California. Clinton, meanwhile, has the delegate math squarely in her favor. But she is campaigning hard to avoid embarrassing defeats closing out the primaries. Making matters worse was last weeks inspector general report that her email usage as secretary of state violated agency policies. The controversy has been swirling for more than a year and once again put Clinton on the defensive. The use of personal email was a practice by other secretaries of state, she said Friday. And the rules were not clarified until after I had left. And, as Ive said many times, if I could do it over again, I would have done it differently. Trump was quick to pounce. I watched Hillary Clinton, as I say Crooked Hillary. She is crooked. She lies, she lies so much. Its sad, the businessman said. Hillary is a disaster, folks. She has bad judgment. But Trump has been making headlines of his own by first agreeing to and then turning down a proposed debate with Clinton challenger Bernie Sanders. Sanders said he would have relished the chance to debate Trump. What I hope will happen is that, in fact, I will run against him [Trump] as the Democratic nominee for president of the United States. And if I do, were going to beat him and beat him bad, the Vermont senator said on ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live program. Beating Trump is one idea Sanders and Clinton agree on. The stakes could not be higher, Clinton said at a recent campaign stop in San Francisco. There is absolutely no way that we can let Donald Trump get anywhere near the White House. But with Clinton and Sanders still battling each other, the Democratic Party is not unifying behind either. Rank-and-file Republicans, meanwhile, are showing some signs of rallying behind their nominee-to-be, leading to the first polls showing Trump tied or slightly above Clinton. Im leading in the polls. Were leading in almost every poll now, Trump said. Do you believe this? Its so great. Primary season ends next Tuesday, when Americas most populous state, California, and several others get their say. As the presidential election looms, poll after poll shows Americans are yearning for a better choice than the two presumptive nominees of the Democratic and Republican parties, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, respectively. The Libertarians, known for favoring small government and expansive civil liberties, are the only third party in position to secure ballot status in all 50 states. But few Americans know what the party stands for. Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party offers an ideological and political alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties, in favor of reducing government involvement in all sectors, from the economy to social issues. A Reuters poll in 2015 indicated that about 1 in 5 Americans considered themselves "somewhat libertarian" however the party has struggled to build itself into an influential political force. In 2012, the Libertarian presidential candidate received less than 1 percent of the popular vote. On social matters, Libertarians generally take a liberal approach, favoring same-sex marriage and the decriminalization of most, or all, drugs. The party is deeply pro-gun rights and takes a skeptical stance on any military involvement in other countries. The party platform does not currently address the death penalty. Many of the party's ideas are rooted in principles espoused by Ayn Rand, author of the novel Atlas Shrugged. Her idea of individual freedom defines the libertarian movement -- that self-interest trumps anything else so long as it did not mean hurting anyone else. In fiscal matters, the Libertarians espouse unrestricted competition among financial institutions as well as the elimination of the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security and income taxes. They advocate for slashing government benefits, reducing economic regulations and implementing radical reform -- if not the outright elimination -- of the Federal Reserve. The party's foreign policy platform is equally radical. It calls for the U.S. to abandon its attempts to act as a policeman for a world and maintain a military solely for the purpose of national defense. It also calls for an end to the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid of every kind. Familiarizing Americans with its platform remains a challenge for the party. But the deep unpopularity of Trump and Clinton has raised hopes that this might be the year that the American voters pay more attention to the Libertarian Party. The World Health Organizations Regional Director for Africa says West Africa is better prepared to tackle future outbreaks of Ebola. In an exclusive interview with VOA, Matshidiso Moeti says Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea are now able to respond more quickly to emergencies because of upgrades to their surveillance, laboratory and health care systems. Moeti became head of WHOs regional office for Africa in February 2015, at the height of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. As the World Health Organizations chief troubleshooter in the region, she told VOA she knew she had to do whatever was necessary to stop the spread of this fatal disease. Ebola had killed more than 11,000 people in the three most heavily affected West African countries by the time WHO declared the transmission of the Ebola virus virtually over at the end of last year. Warning of flare-ups Although it acknowledged that the epidemic was no longer out of control, the WHO warned the countries to remain vigilant as flare-ups of the disease were likely to continue for some time. We have had a very prolonged last leg of getting to zero in this outbreak and we are not there yet, said Moeti. But, she added Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea have greatly improved their ability to respond to Ebola and have proved this in their skillful management of the occasional flare-ups of the disease. They have been able when they get an unexpected case in these last few months to be able to respond and detect it relatively early, follow-up the contacts and contain the spread. So, for me that is one of the best outcomes of this tragic situation in West Africa, said Moeti. But, she cautioned that all the improvements made in infrastructure, in response systems, and in skills training must be sustained. This, she said required the continued support of the International community. Moeti stressed that the funding and expertise that had poured into West Africa during the Ebola epidemic must hold. I am very hopeful that some of the commitments that were made by the donors during the time when these countries were talking about their recovery actually do materialize, she said. She called this essential to ensuring that the healthcare workers, the infrastructure, the laboratories, the commodities that are needed to be available on an ongoing basis are sustained. Heath emergency reforms The World Health Assembly, which has just wrapped up its annual meeting, has approved reforms of the emergency health system. Moeti praised the underlying agreement by member States to provide the money needed to implement this system. She said WHO will be in a better position now to head-off crises before they become full blown. This, she said would prove to be a boon to African countries. This years World Health Assembly had a particularly packed agenda of 76 health issues to consider. The 3,500 delegates who attended the week-long meeting approved 10 new resolutions including the program on health emergencies. In her closing statement to the Assembly, WHO Director-General, Margaret Chan said the members support of this program sends a powerful political signal that they wanted WHO to remain the single agency with universal legitimacy in matters of international health, to lead and coordinate the response to emergencies. She also welcomed a resolution on the Sustainable Development Goals that agreed to prioritize universal health coverage. Of all targets under the new agenda, this is the one that most decisively leaves no one behind. It is inclusive, feasible and measurable. Other resolutions adopted by the Assembly include tobacco control; road traffic deaths and injuries; nutrition; HIV, hepatitis, STIs (sexually transmitted infections); access to medicines and integrated health services. Who will head WHO? Margaret Chan steps down as WHO chief next year. The race is on to find a new candidate for this position. Among those eager for the job is Ethiopias foreign minister and previous health minister, Tedros Adhanom. He is Africas first and only candidate for this position. Matshidiso Moeti called him a credible candidate, who has a proven track record in reforming his countrys health system. I think that he is uniquely placed to understand the needs of the poorest countries, she said. Moeti told VOA that she did not believe that previous leaders of the World Health Organization have short-changed Africa. She said they all recognized that Africa was the region with the highest disease burden, with the largest number of Least Developed Countries, with the weakest health systems in the world. She noted that Margaret Chan was very explicit in prioritizing Africa as part of her agenda. Of course, I agree that an African person, who has grown up in the system has a unique understanding of the situation, the context, the culture in the region and the types of responses that might or might not work, she said. I think that is an added plus without at all thinking that the others have underplayed the needs of the region. Two days of fighting between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels have killed at least 48 people, Yemeni military officials said Sunday. The Iranian-backed rebels attacked in a region between central Marib and Shabwa provinces, and were beaten backed by loyalist solders. A Yemeni general says his forces will not stop fighting until they have retaken the entire region from the Houthis. A cease-fire between Yemeni forces and the rebels has largely held, despite occasional flare-ups of fighting. The truce is aimed at reaching a permanent settlement in Yemen during ongoing U.N.-sponsored talks in Kuwait. Fighting on the ground in Yemen along with Saudi-led airstrikes have led to a humanitarian catastrophe, with the U.N. saying 80 percent of Yemeni civilians are in dire need of food and medicine. Based on satellite images, wind data, and ground reports from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 2-5 April ash plumes from Tengger Caldera's Bromo cone rose to altitudes of 2.1-3.6 km (7,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 25-45 km SW and W. ... New ash emissions resumed at the volcano again since yesterday. A plume of steam and moderate ash content been rising a few hundred meters and drifting approx. 40 km into westerly directions over East Java. Based on satellite images, wind data, and ground reports from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 6-8 and 10-12 April ash plumes from Tengger Caldera's Bromo cone rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW, WSW, and W. ... Based on satellite images, wind data, and ground reports from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13 and 17-18 April ash plumes from Tengger Caldera's Bromo cone rose to altitudes of 3-3.3 km (10,000-11,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W, NE, and E. ... Based on satellite images and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 20 April ash plumes from Tengger Caldera's Bromo cone rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and almost 20 km NW. On 26 April another ash plume rose to the same altitude and drifted W. ... Based on satellite images and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 27-28 April ash plumes from Tengger Caldera's Bromo cone rose to altitudes of 3-3.6 km (10,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, W, SW, and SE. ... Based on satellite images and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 23-24 May ash plumes from Tengger Caldera's Bromo cone rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted as far as 75 km NE ... Ash emissions from the volcano were reported earlier today by Darwin VAAC. Based on satellite observations, a plume of light ash is drifting 50 km to the NE at approx. 10,000 ft (3 km) altitude. ... Based on satellite images, wind data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 28-31 May ash plumes from Tengger Caldera's Bromo cone rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted as far as 55 km NW, SW, S, and NNE. ... The activity of the volcano remains low. Sporadic, relatively weak ash emissions continue to occur from time to time and a weak glow is visible sometimes at night.Our correspondent and photographer ystein Lund Andersen described the volcano's activity he observed during a recent visit as follows: Background: Gunung Bromo (Mount Bromo) volcano is a small, but active volcanic cinder cone on the Indonesian island of Java. Bromo is located in the center of the Sandsea Caldera, itself only a portion of the larger Tengger Caldera. The Sandsea caldera formed around 8,000 years ago, in what must have been a massive eruption. Subsequent volcanic activity formed the cluster of cinder cones in the caldera's center, including Bromo. The historical record indicates eruptions of Bromo every few years since 1804, and geologic evidence indicates eruptions at least several hundred years earlier. The most recent eruption occured in 2004 , and tragically killed two tourists. The image above shows most of the Sandsea Caldera, along with Gunung Bromo and the older volcanoes on the caldera floor. A small plume of steam is visible rising out of Mt. Bromo. Space Imaging's IKONOS satellite, capable of 4-meter per-pixel color imagery, and 1-meter per-pixel resolution panchromatic imagery, acquired the data on July 8, 2001. Get to know some of the most active and interesting volcanoes in the world: famous Mt. Etna on Sicily; Vulcano, in the Ancients'belief home to Vulcanus, God of Fire; Lipari with its spectacular obsidian and pumice deposits; and Stromboli, "Lighthouse of the Tyrrhenian Sea", known for its permanent fireworks! The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has begun the construction of a gigantic embassy in Israel, probably the most important in Tel-Aviv. Officially, the two states do not maintain diplomatic relations because of the expulsion by Israel of the majority of its Palestinian population in 1948 (al-Nakba). However, the Quincy Pact, signed between President Roosevelt and King Abdelaziz in 1945, and renewed by President Bush and King Fahd in 2005, stipulates amongst other things that the Kingdom would not oppose the Jewish homeland in Palestine (future state of Israel) [1]. It was not the United States, but King Abdallah who financed the Israeli operation Cast Lead against the Gaza Strip in 2008-09 [2]. This rapprochement put an end to the Periphery doctrine according to which Tel-Aviv sought to unify the non-Arab actors in the region (Iran, Turkey, Ethiopia) against the Arab countries. President Shimon Peres spoke by video link before the Gulf Security Council, in November 2013. The members of the Council were not able to ask him their questions directly, but via the intermediary of Terje Rd-Larsen [3]. Currently, the two countries are fighting a war together in Yemen, from a command centre in the non-recognised state of Somaliland [4]. The common Arab Defence Force reproduces the concept of the Baghdad Pact, which was also under the military command of a non-member state (in this case, the United States). They are planning together several operations for the exploitation of oil reserves in Yemen and the Horn of Africa [5]. King Salmane has nominated Prince Walid Ben Talal (5th world fortune with Citigroup, Movenpick, Four Seasons) as the Kingdoms next ambassador in Tel-Aviv. Giorgio Albertazzi, a veteran Italian actor who was a prolific presence on stage, has died at 92. A prodigious Shakespearean thespian, he caught the attention of critics with his turn as Hamlet at Londons The Old Vic Theatre, under the direction of Franco Zeffirelli, in 1964. He continued to appear on the stage into his nineties; in 2006, at the age of 83, he performed the 26th canto (the Ulysses Canto) of Dantes Divine Comedy during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Turin. American viewers and cinephiles probably know Albertazzi as The Man, a.k.a. X, in Alain Resnaiss oneiric Last Year at Marienbad (1961), a film known for its indecipherable plot and hallucinatory atmosphere. Marienbad has been called one of the most important films ever made (David Lynchs style of surrealism owes a great deal to Resnais), and contrarily one of the worst (it appears in the egregious The Fifty Worst Films of All Time, one of the worst books of film criticism of all time). Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi called Albertazzi a great personality of our culture, and President Sergio Mattarella described him as a maestro to generations. As Outlander tells us again and again, so much depends on democracy. Any system of rule by which a king passes power to his firstborn son is inherently broken and ill-fated. People must earn the right to lead, not inherit it. Since the audience already buys into that notion its the premise of Western-style government, after all any grandstanding on the issue could seem to be moot. But Diana Gabaldons stories manage to underline it without being didactic. She reminds us why its so important to let people determine their own destinies. The Bonnie Prince Charlie is a fool, but hes the heir of King James, so scores of men will soon go to their deaths fighting for him. Young Simon may also be a fool, but hes the heir of Jamies wily grandfather, Lord Simon Lovat, so dozens of men may also go to their deaths fighting under him. Meanwhile Jamie feels compelled to confess to Claire the shameful fact that his father was illegitimate, born of a dalliance between the Old Fox and a servant. He makes the strategic choice to disclose this while getting undressed, as though anyone could think straight while Sam Heughan takes off his shirt. Even if they had been talking at a conference table, though, Claire wouldnt care that Jamies father was a bastard; she doesnt believe that the circumstances of a persons birth determine that persons worthiness any more than their gender should. In that latter opinion, at least, she is joined by Jamie, but not many others. We may not be explicitly reminded of it often, but Outlander secures us to the past, when women were roughly valued on par with cattle. We take it for granted that Jamie respects his wifes opinions that Jamie respects his wife but his behavior is remarkable in context. Lord Lovat exhibits the norm: casual misogyny, and a belief that ladies are okay as decoration as long as they stay silent. Thats why Claire has to inform Laoghaire that any woman has more to offer a man than her body. The girl might never have another chance to learn. How does Laoghaire end up crossing paths with our heroes again? How, in other words, does this episode turn into one big family reunion? The Frasers have returned from Paris, grateful for a reprieve from trying to scheme against the Jacobites, but they soon discover that Scotland is no picnic, either. An idyllic rural existence with Janet and her loving family is not in the cards. Prince Charles has declared his intention of leading a rebellion against the British, and he has taken the liberty of adding Jamies name to the list of Scottish clans supporting his cause. In essence, Jamie has been drafted. Since he cant avoid the fight, he reasons to Claire, he may as well try to win it. So off Jamie goes to woo his crafty grandsire, a man hes only met once, for the Old Foxs wealth and men. However, his uncle Colum MacKenzie is on hand to thwart him. Colum doesnt need Claires knowledge of history to conclude that this third Jacobite uprising, still lacking in real support from France or other allies, wont end well, so he urges Lord Lovat to join the MacKenzies in pledging to remain neutral. Lord Lovat is willing to do whatevers in his best interest; hes the type of win-at-all-costs man who would, on a reality show, snarl that hes not there to make friends. Hes also the type to casually suggest he might rape (or have his men rape) his own grandsons wife, which would even raise eyebrows on Survivor. Jamie must protect Claire, once again, by turning her into La Dame Blanche. Apparently, fear of White Ladies extends to both sides of the sea. Like many power-hungry men, the superstitious Lord Lovat fears what he cannot control. He demands to hear how his own seer believes the Jacobite uprising will end, though considering his temper, its no wonder she is reluctant to share her answer (the chopping block) with him. He also seems to believe Claire when she pretends to have a vision of an executioner, which she concocts to keep Jamie from signing over Lallybroch to his grandpa in exchange for Lord Lovats troops. Of course, Claire is convincing. Maybe all these years of life as a time-traveler have, in a way, turned her into the White Lady. When Laoghaire gets down on her knees and begs forgiveness, Claire certainly has no trouble assuming the same role of judge and jury she played last week for King Louis. An abject Laoghaire insists that she has changed and Claire doesnt give even half a damn. Later, she relents, but only to use Laoghaire for her own ends: The girl looks like a Vermeer, and Simple Simon is smitten with her. Prompted by Claire, Laoghaire encourages the boy to join the fight. In the end, thats what does the trick. Although Lord Lovat signs the MacKenzies statement of neutrality, he sends his men with his son. He seems to think if he plays both sides, he can avoid the axe. But we can still see the executioner waiting behind him, as surely as we can see the executioner waiting behind the Scottish clans who saddle up for this brave, foolhardy endeavor. Theres no way that Prince Charlie can defeat the British, and deep down, Claire and Jamie both know it. But they want to go down fighting. Theyre little-d democrats: They have faith in free will, not in fate; in bravery, not birth order. They believe in the ability of individuals to make a difference. Even though you know theyre doomed, you cant help but root for them as the ride off to the battlefield. Clive Russell as Simon Fraser. Photo: Ed Miller / Starz/ 2016 Sony Pictures Television inc. All rights reserved Spoilers ahead for the most recent episode of Outlander. Now that Jamie and Claire are back in Scotland, theyve embarked on a new mission to change history making sure the Jacobite rebellion succeeds. Easier said than done, especially when the Scottish clans are divided, and Jamies own grandfather is playing both sides. Simon Fraser, a.k.a. Lord Lovat, is an actual historical figure, a Jacobite who kept his support for the rebellion at arms length so that he would seem loyal to the crown. Actor Clive Russell took a break while shooting on location in the verra cold Scotland outdoors to chat with Vulture about his characters duplicity, misogyny, and ideology travel. Lord Lovat seems to be naturally duplicitous. Hes playing both sides here. Was that fun for you? Its glorious fun to play! I think theres an expression, The devil always has the best tunes. Its probably a reflection of the realpolitik of being in a country like Scotland. His whole psyche, if you like, is based upon growing up with, and being close to, and having to deal with, and make deals with, possibly the most powerful imperial nation up until that point in history, along with Russia and France and Germany. As a small country next to that, that would affect every individual. And a man as powerful as he was, within the Scottish clan system and Scottish politics, would have to be very careful about where he placed himself. And also finding out at that time what was going on 100 miles from your house must have been pretty difficult. There was no social media. No media at all! You had to be very careful with how you placed yourself, so he plays both sides beautifully. Theres an element of that in how he treated everyone, really, and nobody could be terribly clear about which way he was going to jump. Even with Jamie The way he dealt with his grandson was just appalling! Obviously he enjoyed doing it, enjoyed undermining him, and enjoyed being completely and utterly offensive about his wife. I dont think hes a man who acknowledges when hes being helped, particularly by women. I think, crudely, hed like to fuck her. Thats it, really. He doesnt enjoy the dance, as it were, as modern men do the long dance, until something maybe or maybe not happens. Hes used to taking women and raping them. Hes a horrible character, really, certainly by modern standards. But it was a different time. And if you were of a lower class, you would just expect to be sexually harassed and used by certain men in certain hierarchies. Do you think theres a parallel with how he treats women with so-called magical abilities? He seems to both want their visions, and hate them for it. There was quite a lot of historical evidence that there were women accused of being witches, and before that, seers, within 200 years of now, who were periodically stitched up, as it were. They might have just been gay women, or women who chose to live outside society, choosing not to get married, feeling the suspicion of villages and towns for that choice, and therefore being suspected of being witches, or having malevolent powers. And I know that in one of the villages nearby, which was the center of it, the way they dealt with them, they would be dunked. If they drowned, they were innocent, and if they survived, it meant they were witches. It was as ridiculous as that. They never stood a chance. Theres a big gambling syndicate in Ceylon, Sri Lanka, where people go to seers to know which way to bet. There is an attitude or notion that a seer has a revered position, but they would get things wrong sometimes, and then they would be got rid of. And in all these societies, with what we would regard as reactionary attitudes towards women, the seers were women, so that compounded the problem of being a certain kind of powerful person, who was assumed to be wise and all-seeing, and yet was still merely a woman. Its a contradictory position to be in. For Lovat, having been humiliated to some extent by her vision, the payoff for all his machinations is that he can now pay Claire back. Hes saying, Ive got you all. Im protecting myself. Go fuck it. Part of what Claire is doing, though, is changing some of those reactionary attitudes about women. Shes confronting men in power, challenging the patriarchy. Have you seen the film Sunset Song? Its set in Scotland, in the 20s, and its about a girl who is partly constrained or destroyed by patriarchy, the assumptions of what she can and cant do. Her mother dies. She has to stay home and look after the family, and she has a brutal father. Its difficult to watch. The notion of taking modern sensibilities into an earlier era, its really intriguing. It would be perfectly possible to argue that feminism, like most progressive political movements, is a failure. Yet when you look back at what we had before we now have a black American president, and its absolutely extraordinary that thats happened. Whether thats way ahead of whats actually happening to most black people in America, or likewise with women or gays, these things are issues, and the fact that theyre issues means that some movement has been made. But behind that movement, theres a lot of retrenchment and violent reaction. So yeah, I think its a very smart, very clever conceit. Its not just time travel. Its philosophy travel. Its ideology travel. Organizers couldnt help watching the skies Saturday, but innocent white clouds seemed to offer no threat of repeating the cloudburst that spoiled the afternoon last year for the first Woodway Roadrunner Festival celebrating Memorial Day. Instead, as gates closed on the afternoons activities throughout the Carleen Bright Arboretum and people were gathering for the evenings events, Woodways director of recreational services Janet Schaffer estimated about 4,000 to 5,000 people had already visited. About 2,000 people attended the 2015 event before a thunderstorm cut it short, Schaffer said. Everything has been awesome this year, she said. The weather was perfect. We have to thank the city council for being so solidly behind it. The festival kicked off with the sold-out Woodway Wine Tour on Friday night, which about 300 people attended. Friday night was a date night for couples, Schaffer said. Saturday is for all the family. Attractions on a midway Saturday included more than 20 merchandise vendors; six food and beverage booths; inflatable slides; tours of emergency vehicles, including the Woodway SWAT unit; and a contingent of the Heart of Texas Snake Handlers, stars of Animal Planets Rattlesnake Republic. Nearby was a display of about 40 vintage automobiles, some rebuilt almost from scratch. The arboretums Whitehall Center also hosted a competition of about 70 elementary and secondary school students artwork for a $500 scholarship. Visitors were asked to drop ballots in a jar overseen by local photographer Ken Luikart, who has a display of his own works at the center. Outside, Ray Hamblin of Robinson sat under umbrellas shielding him against the sun and talked about his 1932 Ford Roadster, which has a Chevrolet engine. I take it to shows all over, but I wont take it anywhere I cant drive it, Hamblin said. Sweeping his hand toward the rest of the show, he said, We all know each other. We love to show off our cars and just hang out with each other and we like to go where we can help support community causes. His wife Brenda Hamblin said the popularity of rebuilding old cars took off with veterans returning from World War II without much money. They needed transportation, so they just took old cars from the 1920s and 1930s and rebuilt them, she said. It became a hobby for a lot of people. The show supports the 100 Club Heart of Texas, which assists families of McLennan County law enforcement officers and firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Also represented at a booth the club set up were the Blue Knights, an international organization of motorcyclists made up of active and retired police officers promoting family-safe motorcycle practices, said local President Brad Crook, of Valley Mills, a retired Texas Department of Public Safety trooper. Crook was the partner of trooper Richard Cottle, who was killed in a traffic accident in 2001 on his way to testify at a trial. Cottles widow Marsha was also at the booth. The three Waco police officers who fired shots during the Twin Peaks shootout remain on administrative duties more than a year after the incident that left nine bikers dead and more than 20 wounded. Waco police who are involved in shootings historically are placed on administrative leave with pay until they are cleared by department internal reviews and a grand jury inquiry. In cases not promptly presented to a grand jury, officers have been taken off administrative leave, where they dont come to work at all, and assigned to administrative duties, where they are put behind a desk or in some other role before they return to the street. Waco Police Chief Brent Stroman said the three officers who fired a total of 12 shots at bikers that day stayed on administrative leave for about two months after the May 17, 2015, incident and then were placed on administrative duty. Stroman declined to name the three officers but said they all were assigned to the patrol division at the time of the shootings. He also declined to say what jobs they are performing while on administrative duties but said they could be performing such duties as training other officers or other administrative functions. Stroman said he does not know when McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna intends to present the officer-involved shooting cases to a grand jury. Reyna did not return phone messages left at his office, and First Assistant District Attorney Michael Jarrett declined to discuss the issue. Stroman said the departments criminal investigation into the chaotic event is not complete, and the internal investigation relies heavily on evidence gathered during the criminal investigation. We wait for the criminal investigative part or the part that is being looked at by the detectives to be finalized, and the internal investigation flows after that, Stroman said. Typically on the internal side, it is a fairly quick process after the criminal investigation is finished. For the internal, we look at policy violations and other things, like any kind of training needs that might be called for. But this all needs to go through the usual process, and when the time is right, they will take it to the grand jury. This has taken longer because of the complexity of the process. Investigators are reviewing DNA, ballistics, video and cellphone evidence from the bikers, 154 of whom have been indicted on first-degree felony charges of engaging in organized criminal activity. Stroman said in June the 12 shell casings fired from police .223-caliber rifles were found at the scene. No other law enforcement officers from other agencies fired their weapons, he said. A total of 44 shell casings had been recovered at that time, but Stroman said that total doesnt include any casings that remained inside revolvers that may have been fired. All other shells found at the scene werent from law enforcement weapons, he said. Stroman also disputed reports that Waco police had officers assigned to the area as snipers and said, We did not fire indiscriminately into the crowd. All Waco police officers were inside their vehicles when the shooting started at Twin Peaks, officials have said. Tragic misplanning That fact disturbs Houston attorney Paul Looney, who represents a biker indicted in the shootout and who has been one of the more vocal detractors of the way Waco and McLennan County officials have handled the situation. I think that there was some tragic misplanning, Looney said. If the police officers, instead of being on the perimeter had instead positioned themselves in the parking lot, we probably wouldnt have had an incident at all. If they knew things were going to happen, that is what police forces do. This was tragically flawed in the planning, and whoever did that planning should be fired. Despite that, Looney says he thinks the officers acted properly once they decided to engage. The officers at the scene, as far as I can tell, responded appropriately. It appears to have saved lives, Looney said. I dont think these officers for what they did at the scene are realistically facing negative ramifications. I have reviewed all the videos and read all the reports, and I dont think they had any choice. If they had behaved differently, there would have been more carnage than there was. Waco police have reported that officers recovered 475 weapons at the scene, including 151 firearms, 12 of which were rifles or shotguns. Other weapons included knives, brass knuckles, batons, tomahawks, weighted weapons, a hatchet, stun guns, bats, clubs, a machete, a pipe, an ax, pepper spray and a chain. Gholsons Charley Furrer, 89, had some tense moments during World War II while in the U.S. Navy, but hes able to look back on his time spent in the service with a sense of humor. As a boy, his family moved to Waco from Galveston when his father went to work with Texas Power and Light. Furrer grew up with four close neighborhood friends including his brother who would all later join the Navy during the war, though they didnt serve together. Furrer ended up spending two years, 8 months and 18 days in the military. Furrer was 17 when he volunteered in 1943. He went to San Diego for basic training, followed by a stint at Coronado Naval Base with amphibious forces where he trained as a landing craft mechanized operator. Before he could ship overseas, he was offered a job as an instructor, teaching others how to operate the vessel. He did this for about eight months, but really didnt care for it. Here I was, a 17-year-old boy that looked like I was 15, telling those older guys what to do, he said. It took me several requests to get sea duty. Furrer was assigned to a newly commissioned ship, the USS Fillmore, an amphibious attack transport ship that carried supplies and troops. He had various duties. He was the boatswain mate of the watch, making announcements, including calls for general quarters. We spent a lot of time in general quarters due to threats (such as submarines), but the ship itself was never attacked, he said. He worked three four-hour watches daily. He was also on a 40 mm gun crew. He once used it to detonate a mine. Learning to drive on a big rig Furrers main responsibility was operating a heavy landing craft vehicle that could transport 120 men or 60,000 pounds of cargo. I couldnt drive a car because my dad wouldnt let me, and there I was operating a landing craft, he said. It wasnt easy, he added. He had to back the craft out after unloading; otherwise, it could flip over. Although the ship never carried troops into battle, it was often used to transport supplies into dangerous places such as Iwo Jima, Okinawa, the Marshall Islands and the Philippines. Occasionally, the crew would pick up wounded men for transport to hospital ships. On one of his first trips out, they went to Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides island chain. Along the way, they picked up coastwatchers allied military operatives who relayed information about enemy movements from remote islands. The group they picked up included a woman who had been at her post for two years. It was also around the same time Furrer went through his shellback ceremony for crossing the equator. King Neptune was a big, black cook. Hed grease his stomach and you had to kiss his belly during the ceremony, Furrer said, laughing at the memory. His most harrowing time came in August 1945, as the Fillmore joined other ships in San Pedro Bay in the Leyte Gulf. It was one of approximately 100 ships gathered in preparation for an invasion of Japan. Already loaded with troops, Seabees came aboard the Fillmore and other ships to install rocket launchers. Thats when Furrer got nervous. Rocket launchers had to be fired much closer inland, allowing greater opportunity for the enemy to retaliate. Unexpected announcement But he didnt have to worry long. Just after his 19th birthday, while the men were watching a movie, it was announced that war had ended. Really, it stunned us, he said. We could hardly believe it. His service didnt end immediately. His ship went to Aomori, Japan (also around the time the Fillmore rode out a typhoon) and to Jensen, Korea, where it offloaded troops. They also picked up about 100 prisoners of war and took them to Pearl Harbor to work in the pineapple fields. Furrer disembarked in January 1946, but wasnt discharged until May of that year. He went to work for Bird-Kultgen Ford, where he started at 25 cents an hour as a mechanics assistant. He stayed with the company for 49 years, the last 28 as general manager. In 1954, he married Mary Little. Theyve been together ever since. Weve had a wonderful life together, Furrer said. Through a special program, Furrer got his high school diploma after his retirement. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were all there to witness it. As for his service, hes happy that he and his friends came home safely. Im glad I went. Very glad, he said. I would do it again, but I hope it never happens. Voices of Valor, featuring stories about Central Texas veterans, publishes every Sunday in the Waco Trib. To suggest a story about a Central Texas veteran, email voicesofvalor@wacotrib.com. Voices of Valor is proudly sponsored by Johnson Roofing. The Embassy has issued a second advisory in a week and assured assistance to reach border. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. Bill Shorten is about to make history. Not by toppling a first-term government, although that's possible too. No, all he has to do is make it to polling day without dropping dead. If he can pull that off he'll become the first federal Labor leader to serve a full term in opposition or government since the turn of the century. Not since Kim Beazley stood down in 2001 has Labor made it from one election to the next without swapping leaders. After such a bloody dozen years it was a risk for the party to turn to Shorten a factional warlord who himself helped destroy two leaders. CSIRO's deep cuts to its science programs have come under fresh criticism with the head of a global network of monitoring stations warning Australia will lose key researchers that will dent the country's ability to manage future climate change. Almost all the staff at CSIRO's Yarralumla, ACT site researching how vegetation is responding to rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns information that feeds into the world's main climate models have been told their jobs are "surplus to needs", senior scientists say. The latest revelations about the impacts of the jobs cuts first announced in February come as more questions are raised about the suitability of Larry Marshall to head the agency. Fairfax Media reported on Friday Dr Marshall was chosen as CEO despite questions over his record as a scientist and Silicon Valley entrepreneur. You can argue whether it was the format or the participants which made that debate less than enlightening. One person pointed out on twitter said it was like two press conferences being held side by side. It did feel like that. The forum that was held at Windsor RSL a couple of weeks ago had more substance because the questions were more wide-ranging and unexpected. Watching both men answer the question about privatisation, for example, was quite instructive. That element was missing from tonight's event. Yuhu chief Xiangmo Huang said he "expects absolutely nothing in exchange" for donations, and Mr Robb denied he had a conflict of interest. However, he declined to explain if Bayside Forum had any protocols for handling potential conflicts. A poster falls at a Chinese Liberal party fundraising dinner in Sydney in 2010. Credit:Glen McCurtayne Mr Andrews' Menzies 200 Club also made no party contribution, despite raising $144,000. One leading not-for-profit expert, who declined to be named, pointed to the irony of the Coalition government-sponsored Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption, with its interest in dodgy union "slush funds", while the party itself operated opaque accounts. Kelly O'Dwyer, assistant treasurer and sitting member for Higgins, has been the target of the union robocalls. Credit:Ben Rushton "If you're going to have the kind of moral outrage as Dyson Heydon certainly expressed in the royal commission about union behaviour and I think it's outrageous behaviour too to suggest it's all lily white on the other side is farcical," the expert said. In contrast to their federal counterparts, most of the entities associated with state Liberal MPs made sizeable contributions to the party's Victorian division, often donating more than the income declared that year. The remainder came from reserves built up in preparation for the 2014 state election, according to the treasurer of one entity. Illustration: Matt Golding The exception was the Enterprise Club, associated with Victorian Upper House MP Inga Peulich. It raised $107,000 but made only a $20,100 contribution to the party. No donors were disclosed. The AEC disclosure regime is notorious for its loopholes, poor compliance and enforcement, and Victoria is the most lax and least transparent state in Australia. But lawyers and governance experts say this lack of accountability is compounded by the structuring of fundraising bodies as unincorporated associations Illustration: Matt Golding Lawyers and not-for-profit experts say unincorporated associations are usually small organisations such as car enthusiasts' clubs, with few assets. For a group handling hundreds of thousands of dollars, such a structure is highly risky, they say. Unlike companies or incorporated associations, they have no reporting obligations, cannot hold assets in their own name, cannot be sued and may not pay tax. Some do not even appear to have an Australian Business Number, meaning they cannot open a bank account. "There are absolutely no reporting requirements [for unincorporated associations]. They don't have to report income or expenditure to anybody, anywhere," says David Crosbie, chief executive of not-for-profit peak body the Community Council for Australia. None of these Liberal entities is registered as a fundraiser with Consumer Affairs Victoria, which requires an annual public statement of sums raised and disbursed to beneficiaries. With no public accountability, even those who make the donations are unable to scrutinise the efficiency of the organisation a real fear for some in the wake of the Liberal Party's 2015 financial scandal, when it was revealed that former state director Damien Mantach had perpetrated a four-year, $1.5 million invoicing scam. He pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced on June 20. A spokesman for the Victorian division of the Liberal Party said each fundraising entity had office bearers and a constitution that stipulated an annual audit. However, he declined to answer if the auditor was independent of the party or entity. He said funds these entities raised were held either in a local bank account or a sub account of the party's administrative wing. Unincorporated entities are also able to avoid paying income tax. A leading not-for-profit lawyer said they could self-assess, meaning these entities might be flying under the radar of even the ATO. The treasurer of one entity confirmed it did not pay tax apart from on interest earned on cash in its account. A long-term critic of Australia's political donations regime, associate professor Joo-Cheong Tham at the Melbourne Law School, said the lack of clarity on who was controlling, overseeing and ensuring the probity of fundraisers posed serious risks to Australia's democracy. A group of retired politicians trying to claw bigger pensions and more free travel from the taxpayer will get their day in court next month. The High Court has agreed to hear the challenge by four former federal MPs Labor's Barry Cunningham, Tony Lamb and Barry Cohen, and Liberal John Moore seeking a big boost to their entitlements. Former Defence Minister John Moore is one of four former MPs who launched a High Court bid for better taxpayer-funded retirement benefits. While the federal government has sought to have the case thrown out, the court's full bench will convene to hear the case on June 16, putting politicians' perks back in the spotlight just two weeks before the July 2 election. If the case is successful it could benefit up to 350 former politicians and 100 spouses, adding millions of dollars to the $40 million pension bill taxpayers already pick up every year. Most MPs who entered Parliament before 2004 are entitled to generous pensions under a defined benefits scheme. And when that face belongs to a celebrity, the embarrassment of getting it wrong is amplified a hundredfold trust me, I know. Or worse still: you know the face and you say the wrong name. For a gossip columnist, forgetting someone's name is instant social death. But those annoying situations happen to all of us: you know the face, but you just can't place the name. I first met media personality Kate Ritchie more than a decade ago. She had been a big star in Home & Away, a Logie golden girl and her name was firmly etched into the celebrity landscape. But for the life of me, whenever I saw her I kept on calling her by her fictional character's name: Sally. Not only did I introduce her to a friend in a marquee at the Melbourne Cup as "Sally", only to be corrected before a large crowd of people afterwards, but years later in the Green Room at the Martin Place studio of Sunrise,I did it again. As I went in to to kiss her on the cheek I said "great to see you Sally". Ritchie handled the situations like the professional she is, smiling at me as if there was nothing at all wrong. It was only afterwards when it was kindly pointed out that her name was actually Kate that the embarrassment became real, especially when a fellow Home & Away ahem "actor" kindly explained to me: "She is only known as Sally in the make believe world of Summer Bay ... but that's not real." And now, whenever I cross Kate's path, I have a moment of hesitation before I launch into a greeting, with the seed of doubt still firmly rooted in my mind: is it Kate? Or is it Sally? It is the skill that has seen a 65 per cent surge in demand in the past three years. But for many entering the job market it is as ambiguous as "synergy". Creativity, the Foundation for Young Australians says, is the way of the future, according to its survey of 4.2 million job ads in April. But what does it mean and can you teach it? From the namesakes of historic English landmarks, to interplanetary missions and troublesome kangaroos, WAtoday.com.au takes a look at some of the more interesting local stories of 2014 - and what has happened since we originally brought them to you. Selling off Stonehenge proves a difficult task Esperance's Stonehenge replica - imposing to look at but hard to sell. Esperance couple Kim and Jillian Beale told Fairfax Media in March that although they had loved having a life-sized replica of the ancient landmark in their backyard, they were hoping to sell up so they could hitch a caravan and travel Australia. Their property, which includes the stone sculptures, a souvenir shop and cafe, their home and farmland, remains on the market for $5 million. By Paul Schaumburg, Graves County Schools May. 28, 2016 | 02:10 PM | MAYFIELD, KY Graves County High School marketing students Jake Mills, Jordyn Naranjo, and Hunter Ivey created an original advertising character for the popular juice drink Snapple Apple. For an assignment in teacher Mechelle Gattis class, students were required to work in a team to create an original advertising character for a product that did not currently have one. The team was required to draw the character, create a digital version, create a persona and tagline, and incorporate it into the existing logo of the product. The team created 'Snapper,' a turtle with an apple for a shell who says "Love at First Snap." A reward for their effort from Snapple included a thank you note from Snapple's Marketing team, Snapple flash drives, Snapple journals, 15 Snapple coupons, and a mockup design of the Snapple Apple bottle with their character and tagline on it. Freshman Jordyn Naranjo said "It's pretty cool that they liked our design and sent us a picture of what it will look like on a bottle." By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 28, 2016 | 11:03 PM | MAYFIELD, KY A Graves County woman was arrested on DUI charges Friday night. According to the Graves County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to a possible drunk driver on KY 121 North. A caller stated that they were behind a car that had crossed the center line multiple times. Deputies stopped the car, driven by 39-year-old Laura Looper of Mayfield, on KY 121 North near the Purchase Parkway. Deputies said two large bottles of vodka were visible in the passenger seat and both had been opened. When asked about the alcohol, Looper told deputies that she was intoxicated and had been drinking for two days. Deputies attempted to administer field sobriety tests, but could not due to Looper having trouble standing. Looper was placed under arrest and taken to Jackson Purchase Medical Center due to her dangerously high blood alcohol level. After being medically cleared, she was taken to the Graves County Detention Center. Looper is charged with reckless driving, DUI 2nd aggravated, possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle, failure to produce insurance and failure to wear a seat belt. She was also charged with disorderly conduct 2nd due to an incident that occurred with staff at the hospital. By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 28, 2016 | 04:37 PM | WESTERN KENTUCKY United States Bicycle Route 76, also known as the TransAmerica Trail, is now marked with highway signs through Western Kentucky. The trail was established in 1976 as part of the country's bicentennial and is celebrating its 40th birthday this year. The other original national bike route is USBR 1, which runs north and south through the Atlantic coast states. KYTC spokesman Keith Todd said a number of cyclists travel through the area along the route. A couple of times a week during the summer months, youll encounter single bikers to groups of 3 to 5 generally with camping gear strapped to their bicycles, Todd said. The new signage may not immediately attract additional riders, but it will allow them to more easily travel the route without having to constantly check a map. In western Kentucky, the bike trail follows KY 120 from the Crittenden-Webster County Line to Marion, where it takes KY 91 North to the Cave-In-Rock Ferry to enter Illinois. Nationwide, the route runs from Virginia to Missouri, with plans to eventually extend it to the Pacific coast in Oregon. A map and more information is available at http://go.usa.gov/cuDvJ. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/05/2016 (2340 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO Canadian journalist Carl Mollins has died at the age of 84. Mollins daughter, Julie Mollins, says her father died Saturday night in hospital of injuries suffered in a fall on his daily walk along Torontos lakeshore. Over the last five years or so, he would go every day down to the lake shore and have a cappuccino and then hed walk along the lakefront, she said. Born in Windsor, N.S., on June 25, 1931, Mollins started his professional career in journalism in 1955 as assistant to the editor at Westminster press in London. He also worked for Reuters before joining The Canadian Press as London correspondent in 1965. Mollins worked in various capacities at The Canadian Press until 1984. Mollins then moved to Macleans where he held a number of positions and was author/editor of Macleans Canadas Century in 1999. Throughout his career, Mollins served as an editor and correspondent throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East, China, Latin America as well as all regions of the United States, Canada and the Arctic. Julie Mollins said her father while assistant bureau chief in Ottawa confronted Pierre Trudeau after the then-prime minister had publicly called a story by Canadian Press reporter Michael Lavoie pure fiction. My father confronted Trudeau, they were in the elevator or something in the Parliament buildings and my father said you should apologize publicly not privately because this embarrassed Canadian Press, and Trudeau grabbed his lapel and they had words over that, she said. Trudeau later retracted his statement in private, she said. Mollins is survived by his wife Joan (nee Levett), daughters Tracey and Julie, sister Sybil Ahearne, and sister-in-law Bettie Mollins. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/05/2016 (2340 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. ST. JOHNS, N.L. The Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador has asked the provinces auditor general to review a $1.4-million severance payment made to former Nalcor Energy president and CEO Ed Martin. Dwight Ball announced on Sunday that he is referring the question of Martins severance package to an independent outside agency at the recommendation of the provincial justice department. In a letter addressed to Auditor General Terry Paddon, Ball pledged the governments full cooperation in the investigation of circumstances surrounding Martins exit. Martin abruptly resigned from the provincial Crown corporation behind the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project in a cloud of controversy that has enveloped the house of assembly for more than a month. In the last week, Ball has said that the former Nalcor board fired Martin without cause the same day he stepped down, triggering a severance payment amounting to more than twice the CEOs salary. The board disbanded shortly after Martins departure, saying it had lost the confidence of government. Members of the Progressive Conservative opposition have been grilling Ball about what he knew about Martins exit and when he knew it. Ball has said he didnt learn details about the severance package until May 5. The province has spent almost $4.8 billion building the dam and power house on the lower Churchill River, the largest publicly funded project in its history. When he left on April 20, Martin indicated the departure was his decision and said he had no regrets about how the Muskrat Falls project was managed. Im extremely proud of the accomplishments we have all achieved as a company. Nalcor is our provinces heritage fund and we should all be very proud, he told a news conference at the time of his resignation. Martin has not commented publicly since then. The Liberal Government, which came to power last fall after 12 years of Progressive Conservative rule, named Martins successor the next day. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/05/2016 (2340 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. KINGSTON, Ont. The CBC is reporting that a former anchor of its nightly newscast died at 93 in Kingston, Ont., Saturday. The broadcaster says that Stanley Burke hosted The National News from 1966 to 1969, before the show was re-branded as The National. They say Burke was also a foreign correspondent, and he reported from Berlin just after the barricades went up separating East and West Germany in 1961. Stanley Burke is shown in a 1968 file photo. The CBC is reporting that Burke, a former anchor of its nightly newscast, died at 93 in Kingston, Ont., Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/CP The CBC says Burke launched a campaign to raise awareness of the Biafran civil war, a battle in Nigeria to fight the secession of Biafra as an independent state. After he retired, Burke wrote several childrens books, including Frog Fables & Beaver Tales, which was originally published in 1973, and The Day of the Revolution, which was published the following year. The funeral and memorial service will be held on Amherst Island near Kingston on June 2, according to the CBC. The Winona area housing market is looking strong this spring, especially for sellers. Figures released by the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors show that the number of homes on the market for the year to date in Winona is down, while the number of sales have increased, as have average prices, compared to last year at the same time. Karen Becker with SEMAR said the numbers mirror an overall national trend, as well as the state of the southeast Minnesota as a whole, which make them particularly positive in landlocked Winona. Winona has maintained a better rate of closing sales, up to 109, an increase of 22.5 percent for homes, townhomes and condos. So, actually, Winonas doing a little better, Becker said. It looks like a sellers market this spring, she said, with the trend beginning last fall and continuing throughout the winter without showing signs of shifting. In Winona, the number of new listings is down 6.3 percent compared to last year, and the overall number of homes for sale in April was 18.6 percent lower than last year. Numbers can fluctuate more than usual in Winona, given its size and overall housing stock; still, they continue to show a consistent trend, Becker said. Prices are still increasing despite lower inventory, Becker said. Not as many people are selling at this point, but they closed a lot more. Residential properties arent the only ones seeing increased sales. Bob Bambenek, Winona County Recorder, said the sales of all properties increased 9 percent over last year in the same time, with an exceptional start to the year for commercial sales. Its been a very active, positive four months, Bambenek said. The price increase is also evident county-wide, with 65 percent of the sales above county market value, a 14 percent increase over last year. Bambenek said SEMAR has recorded an increase in higher-range residential sales too, both in price and number. In 2016 in Winona County, there have been nine homes sold for more than $300,000, including three at or above $470,000. In the first four months of 2015, by comparison, there were only two in that price range. Bambenek said that another good change county recording staff has been seeing in the last years is a slow but steady downward trend in foreclosures. There were only 12 foreclosure sales so far, compared to 15 in 2015 by this time. Last year was slightly less than 2014. We were thrilled, Bambenek said. Thats just a very positive number. BEIRUT (AP) Islamic State militants entered a major Syrian opposition stronghold in the countrys north on Saturday, clashing with rebels on the edges of the town as the extremist group builds on its most significant advance near the Turkish border in two years even as it loses ground elsewhere in the country and in neighboring Iraq. The town of Marea, just north of Aleppo city, has long been considered a bastion of relatively moderate Syrian revolutionary forces fighting to topple Assad. The IS assault underlined the weakness of the groups fighting under the loose banner of the so-called Free Syrian Army that have been struggling to survive. More than 160,000 civilians have been trapped by the fighting, which also forced the evacuation of one of the few remaining hospitals in the area, run by the international medical organization Doctors Without Borders. On Saturday, IS fighters staged two suicide bombings targeting opposition forces near Marea, IS said via its news agency, Aamaq. Following the suicide bombings, IS militants entered Marea and fighting began inside the town, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based opposition media outfit that tracks Syrias civil war. Dr. Abdel Rahman Alhafez, who heads one of the last remaining hospitals in Marea, said the town was encircled and his hospital under threat since Friday. We need urgent protection for the hospital or a way out, he said in an emailed statement. Syrian army warplanes and helicopters, meanwhile, pounded other opposition-held towns in Aleppo province on Saturday, putting a further strain on embattled rebels fighting President Bashar Assads forces. Islamic States territorial gains around Marea and Azaz, both critical rebel bastions north of the city of Aleppo, are a blow to the Turkey- and Saudi-backed opposition fighters who have been struggling to retain a foothold in the region while being squeezed by opponents from all sides. They also demonstrated the IS groups ability to stage major offensives and capture new areas, despite a string of recent losses in Syria and Iraq. American Special Operations forces and a coalition of Syrian and Arab fighters known as the Syria Democratic Forces have begun clearing areas north of Raqqa, the Islamic States de facto capital in Syria, in preparation for an eventual assault on the city. The IS offensive targeting Syrian opposition strongholds near the Turkish border began on Thursday night. On Friday, militants of the group captured six villages near Azaz, triggering intense fighting that trapped tens of thousands of civilians unable to flee to safety while Turkeys border remains closed. A few hundred fled west to the Kurdish-held enclave of Afrin. People are terrified for their lives, the International Rescue Committee said in a statement. The group said it has received confirmed reports that at least four entire families, including women and children, were killed Friday on the outskirts of Azaz. Heres the skinny on the controversy surrounding a North Carolina schools new dress code: if the denim is too snug, the clothing nannies will be all over you. New rules implemented by the New Hanover County School Board ban students from wearing skinny jeans, leggings and other tight-fitting pants unless they are covered by a skirt or top that is long enough to cover the posterior area in its entirety. The whole thing turned into a social media disaster for the school district when it decided to ask students to voice their opinion about the new dress code on Twitter. The reactions werent positive and that gave local media a reason to ask school officials about the skinny jeans ban. Then, things got really bad. Jeannette Nichols, vice chair of the New Hanover County School Board, told a local TV station that one of the reasons behind the policy change was that some of the bigger girls were getting bullied because of their tight jeans. And Rick Holliday, deputy superintendent of the schools, told CNN that posterior-hugging-pants could be disruptive to the learning environment. In other words, the school district decided to blame the skinny jeans for some of the all-too-common social ills that are part of any school environment. Heres the thing, though: The real problems here seem to be bullying and distracted young men. Neither of those things are going away just because you tell kids they cant wear what they want. Schools could require girls to wear neck-to-ankle burlap sacks to school, and the guys in class are still going to be distracted by the thought of seeing an ankle or a wrist. The right way to solve that problem is to teach the young men to appropriately deal with their animal urges, not to start policing students clothing choices. As for bullying, the solution is the same: Teach kids to stop being bullies. Telling the bigger girls to dress differently isnt going to stop bullying, its just going to change what the bullies decide to target. And if one of those bigger girls is determined to dress the way she wants regardless of what insults are tossed her way hey, good for her. School officials should be standing up for students rights of self-expression and individuality (even if thats the last thing most public schools want to encourage), not joining the ranks of the bullies. But, look, those things are hard to do. Its not easy to instruct high school students on how to be upstanding members of society who are expected to act a certain way when they are in public its certainly much easier to just blame the clothes and pretend like you solved the problem. School dress codes arent necessarily a bad idea, and having uniforms has been shown to cut down on bullying and improve academic performance, so theres certainly something to be said for the notion that telling kids what they can wear to school is a good thing. And, of course, school administrators have to have the authority to draw the line somewhere when it comes to school-appropriate clothing choices. But this isnt an all-encompassing dress code for students. It appears to be a poorly thought out ban on a single style, with a sizable helping of body shaming on the side. At least theres one silver lining: Teaching high schoolers that they could be punished for something as innocuous as what style of pants they wear is good preparation for their future lives in the nanny state, where their trash, their lawns and their jobs will be subject to government approval. HORICON Warm weather has arrived at Horicon Marsh Education Center, N7725 Hwy. 28, and a number of June events will help people of all ages soak in the summer sun. Each June event is free of charge and does not require advance registration. June 4 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. visitors can participate in a Herp Hike to experience some of Horicons coolest critters. Participants will go on a hike to search for reptiles and amphibians and meet some of Horicons wildlife ambassadorsthis event is perfect for children of all ages. June 4 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., visitors can participate in the Tour de Marsh. Five start/rest stations for cyclists and drivers will be set up along the route. Participants can start at any of the five stationseach will have parking, refreshments, maps, information cards, stamp cards and restrooms available. Participant with a card stamped at each of the five stops will be entered into a raffle. Five start/rest stations for participants to choose from are as follows: Horicon National Wildlife Refuge hiking trail parking lot (guided tours start here at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.)W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville; Chances Bar & Grill, N8592 Front St., Burnett; Rock River Tap, 110 W. Lake St., Horicon; Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, N7725 Hwy. 28 between Horicon and Mayville; and Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Office and Visitor Center, W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville. Other featured stops along the route include Ledge Park, Marsh Haven, and overlooks at Palmatory St., Bayview Rd., and Bud Cook Hiking Area. These stops will give visitors a glimpse of beautiful marsh and country views. For more information, contact Horicon Chamber of Commerce at 485-3200 or the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitors Center at 387-7893. Stories at the Marsh will take place June 9, from 10 to 11 a.m. Join a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources educator for Birds of a Feather themed storytelling and craft-making at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center. This event is best for children ages 1-10 years old. The Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center and Explorium will be closed on Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day but open May 28 and 29. All service members and veterans will be granted free admission to the Explorium during Memorial Day weekend. For more information regarding Horicon Marsh education programs, contact Liz Herzmann, DNR educator, at 387-7893. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page Alex Bestler By: Chan Yuan (Scroll down for video) A young hiker who explored the Usery Mountain Park in Arizona, died in front of his girlfriend after being attacked by thousands of bees. 83-year-old Sheriff Joe Arpaio of the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office, said that the 23-year-old Alex Bestler of Kinder, Louisiana, died after being stung more than 1,000 times. Elena Gail Collins said that she and Bestler, were hiking the Merkle Memorial Trail around 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, when a large swarm of bees suddenly appeared. Collins managed to escape, and she hid in a bathroom, but Bestler was overtaken by the swarm of bees before he could find shelter. Another hiker and several park employees found Bestler lying on the ground covered with bees. They tried to approach him, but the aggressiveness of the bees forced them to stay back. Eventually, the hiker, two firefighters, a police officer and several park employees were able to load him onto a truck still covered with bees. He was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The family of the victim said that he was allergic to bees. A young man wanted to make a point about racism in the United States, but his plan backfired when he was exposed for a liar by police. 20-year-old Khalil Cavil of Texas was working at the Saltgrass Steak House in Odessa when he claimed he was discriminated against because of his Muslim name. Cavil took Ruslan Gutu By: Chan Yuan A teenager was found hanging from a tree after crashing the brand new car that was given to him as a gift by his parents, a court in the United Kingdom has heard. 18-year-old Ruslan Gutu of Berkshire, was very distraught and was shaking after crashing the brand new car into a Land Rover. Gutu, who was a professional gymnast, sent a text message to his mother, saying that he will be staying at a girlas house and wonat be home at night. Around 6:00 a.m., she received a text from him, saying that he is sorry to have left everyone behind, but it is better this way and he will be watching everyone from above. Gutuas girlfriend, Athena La, told investigators that her boyfriend was shaking as he said that he was concerned about how he would pay for damage to his car after crashing into a Land Rover. He did not want to tell his parents about the damaged car. Gutu then asked his girlfriend for a rope and drugs. He also asked how much he would need to take for an overdose. La told him not to be stupid, and he left her home. Gutus body was later discovered by a park ranger. Ranger Mark Symmons said that he saw a figure hanging from the trees and at first, he thought it was a doll. He approached the scene, and realized that it was a dead man. Police cut Gutu from the tree, and he was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed that Gutu had drugs in his system, but not enough to cloud his judgement. WAKULLA COUNTY, FL (WTXL) - The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office has recovered a body from the Wakulla River Saturday afternoon. Around 3:30pm, the sheriff's office, along with a helicopter from the Florida Wildlife Commission, were brought in after boaters called for assistance in finding a missing friend. According to deputies, authorities found 36-year-old Jonathan Peddie, of Tallahassee. The sheriff's office says he was pulled from the water unresponsive. Deputies tell us they were told Peddie had been swimming downriver from their boat. It was realized he was missing, and his friends called 911. Deputies say Peddie was found by the helicopter, and fellow boaters heling with the search were directed to him. The sheriff's office is calling it an accidental drowning. Teresa Pineda, 18, is pictured inside her home in Toppenish, Wash., Tuesday, May 24, 2016. Pineda first came to Toppenish from Mexico with her parents when she was 4 years old in 2001. She returned again with her mother and two siblings to escape violence in their home state of Michoacan, Mexico, in 2014. Despite having to work double-time, squeezing fours years of classes into two years, Pineda accumulated a 3.9 GPA. Pineda and her family are in the process of petitioning for asylum. She hopes to be granted asylum so she can become an English teacher. (SOFIA JARAMILLO/Yakima Herald-Republic) You are the owner of this article. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. Security forces in Niger killed around 12 fighters of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram who launched an attack in the southeastern region of Bosso close to the border with Nigeria, according to an army statement on Saturday. Three members of the security forces were lightly wounded during Friday's battle and government forces captured machine guns, rocket propelled grenade launchers and mobile telephones from the enemy, said army spokesman Colonel Moustapha Ledru. Bayit Yehudi Chairman and Minister of Education Naftali Bennett said on Saturday night that he had no intention of modifying his demand to effect changes on the Security Cabinet. Speaking to members of his party, Bennett stated that Bayit Yehudi ministers and members of Knesset will vote against the appointment of Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman to the position of minister of defense. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The appointment is expected to reach the government and Knesset for approval this week, but the education minister's demands, which have yet to be answered regarding changes in the Security Cabinet that include the appointment of a military secretary for the body, continue to create tension in the coalition and raise questions about the exact date of the vote. "Human life is more important than government portfolios. We'll go all the way," said Bennett on Saturday. Bennett and Netanyahu (Photo: Alex Kolmoisky) Sources in Likud stated on Saturday night that, if Bayit Yehudi votes against the government's position, the result will be immediate dismissal. Even though a few hours after Bennett's ultimatum, sources in Likud said that they rejected it out of hand, Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu offered on Saturday to create a committee that would recommend ways of keeping Security Cabinet members up-to-date while preserving information security. Bennett dismissed the offer, calling Netanyahus statement "meaningless," saying, "No spin will save human lives." On Sunday morning, the Security Cabinet is to meet, and according to political sources, the crisis may be solved. In the interim, the weekly meeting of the full cabinet has been cancelled. However, Lieberman's approval as minister of defense can be authorized by a telephone vote and without Bayit Yehudi members. If the crisis is not resolved, however, the Yisrael Beytenu chairman's appointment is likely to engender significant difficulties for the collation in the Knesset vote. Last Monday, the Bayit Yehudi faction announced that they made an internal, unanimous decision to oppose Lieberman's appointment if it is brought to a vote in the Knesset before their Security Cabinet demands are met. Left-wing TA protest (Photo: Standing Together) The coalition intends to hold a telephone vote by Monday morning at the latest, and the Knesset's approval vote is expected for Monday night, provided that the crisis is solved. On the matter, some thousand persons demonstrated on Saturday night in Tel Aviv against the government and called for Netanyahu's resignation. Amongst the protestors was Meretz Chairman Zehava Galon, Meretz member Ilan Gilon, and Joint List Chairman Ayman Odeh. The left-wing protestors held signs reading, "Bibi, quit; peace matter more," and "Jews and Arabs refuse to be enemies." Odeh attacked Lieberman, "The thousands that are here, Arabs and Jews, you are not a voice alone in the wilderness. You are the hard core; you are the beginning. Lieberman wants to damage the civil society, the Supreme Court, Breaking the Silence and especially the Arab public. We together, Jews and Arabs, will overcome him. We stand against the occupation and will establish the democratic camp, and we will be a real alternative that will topple the right-wing government." Two months before the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, it appears that Israel will miss a rare opportunity to end the prolonged diplomatic crisis with Brazil. Following South America's largest country's refusal to accept Dani Dayan as the ambassador in Brasilia, Jerusalem is stalling and actually preventing the participation of an Israeli ambassador in the Olympics. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter In August 2015, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he was appointing the former head of the Yesha Council as Israel's ambassador to Brazil. The host of the upcoming Olympics objected to the appointment on the basis of the nominee's ties to West Bank settlements. Israel attempted to solve the problem via quiet talks, but in March 2016, the decision was cancelled , and Dayan was assigned as the consul general in New York, instead. After internal political scandals resulted in Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's suspension from power, the conditions were ripe to solve the crisis, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took the decision to delay naming an ambassador for the time being to avoid the impression that the Brazilians' refusal to accept Dayan had been successful. This means that Israel wants to "punish" Brazil for its handling of the matter. Acting President Michel Temer (Photo: AFP) Sources in the MFA expressed surprise at the delay, especially as Acting President Michel Temer is considered friendly to Israel. Temer attended former Israeli president Shimon Peres's 90th birthday party, and Brazil's new minister of foreign relations, Jose Serra, is considered very close to the Jewish community and even came in the 80s for a three-week visit to Israel. Suspended President Dilma Rousseff (Photo: AP) According to sources involved in Israeli-Brazilian relations, the stationing of two clear friends of Israel in the Brazilian leadership has created an opportunity that may not repeat itself to bring an end to the crisis. Rousseff will not return to power for a half year (if at all), and her foreign policy advisor, Marco Aurelio Garcia, who according to all indications was the driving force against Dayan, is no longer in that position. A senior Israeli official said on the subject, "Brazil is a huge power; it's the engine that leads Latin America. Israel needs Brazil more than Brazil needs Israel. What happened happened, and we need to move on. It's really not healthy not to have an Israeli ambassador at the public Olympic events. We need an ambassador at a large and high-profile event like this." The Swiss Foreign Ministry will host a Hamas-Fatah reconciliation conference on June 30 in Geneva, according to London's Al-Hayat newspaper. Representatives from the Quartet, the EU, Sweden, Norway, China, Russia, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia also plan to attend the conference. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Hamas sources told Al-Hayat that Swiss Foreign Ministry officials recently visited Gaza and Doha to prepare for the reconciliation conference in Geneva. The officials also said that Hamas is prepared to implement the Cairo Agreement, a 2014 Hamas-Fatah reconciliation agreement, and stressed that any agreement must include a resolution of the Gaza employees' crisis. Hamas and Fatah officials in Gaza (Photo: AFP) Regarding the borders of a future Palestinian state, Hamas officials said to Al-Hayat, "We told the Swiss diplomats that Hamas supports the establishment of a Palestinian state on 1967 borders." Switzerland likely will present international mechanisms to support the reconciliation process, including additional aid for the Palestinian government for public employees' salaries and Gaza reconstruction. Sources told Al-Hayat that the US will not participate in conference, but also does not oppose its taking place. Hamas and Fatah have reached many reconciliation agreements in the past including the Mecca Agreement in 2007, the Sana'a Declaration in 2008, the Cairo Agreement in 2011, the Doha Agreement in February 2012, the Cairo Accord in May 2012, and the Cairo Agreement II in 2014. But none of these agreements have been implemented. Moreover, the Geneva conference will take place weeks after a group of foreign ministers meet in Paris in an attempt to renew the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. I have seven children. Three of them served in the last few years at the same time in the IDF elite combat units. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter While they were in the army, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge. I, personally, was very critical towards the moves led by the chief of staff, the defense minister and the prime minister. But deep in my heart I knew, that the chief of staff, Gantz, and then-defense minister Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon are reasonable, experienced, level-headed and responsible people. I knew they would cover for the extreme lack of military experience of our prime minister, who calls himself "Mr. Security". They would have an answer for his hesitancy and inability to assume real responsibility. I always wanted my children to contribute their best to the army and to the State of Israel. But as a father, I wanted to know that they were in the good hands of people who would give all the professional considerations necessary before they sent my sons to war or on a military operation. I hoped that whoever did that would be a person who had already sent people to war in the past and who knew the full meaning of such decisions. A person who knew what it meant to send a soldier on a mission from which he may never return, and who knew that war is not just a word I had great confidence in defense minister Ya'alon and Chief of Staff Eisenkottwo highly credited and worthy people. 'I have great respect for Ya'alon's bravery.' I have known former defense minister Ya'alon for many years. We are in dispute on several political issues, but I have great respect for his experience and bravery as a soldier and an officer, as well as for his civil courage and the statesmanship that he represents. I saw it with my own eyes in 1998, when I was commander of the Jerusalem District and the Judea and Samaria region in the Israeli Internal Security Service ("Shin Bet"), and Bogie Ya'alon was commanding officer of the IDF Central Command. We planned an operation against the military wing of Hamas in Judea and Samaria. After a series of successful missions, we managed to arrive at the secret hide-out in the Hebron area of the Awadallah brothers, the military leaders of Hamas. The Awadallah brothers were responsible for a series of violent suicide bombings in Israel following the Oslo Accords and were in the midst of organizing a wave of even more violent attacks in the near future. After a few days, I decided to break into the house where they were hiding, and the Shin Bet, as well as the Counter-Terrorism Unit ("Yamam") were in charge of carrying out the mission. As this was a very rugged mountain terrain, I asked for IDF assistance in the outer perimeter, in case they managed to escape. To my great surprise, I realized that the political echelon (then-defense minister Yitzhak Mordechai and Prime Minister Netanyahu) had instructed the IDF not to assist the Shin Bet in this mission. The political leadership was captivated in the trauma of Yihye Ayash, whose assassination in 1996 was followed by a series of vengeful terror attack. They felt trapped. On the one hand, this was a rare opportunity to arrest or kill the heads of the military wing of Hamas, and on the other hand, there was the fear that if the brothers were killed during the break-in, the political leadership would be the ones to bear responsibility for the revenge attacks that may follow. Netanyahu and Diskin (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) After a lot of squirming, a decision was formed that was neither here nor there. It was decided that the operation would be the sole responsibility of the Shin Bet and that the IDF would not be involved and would not assist in the operation. We decided to go ahead anyway. During our deployment, Bogie Ya'alon, who was head of Central Command at that time, came to the area, together with Maj. Gen. Yitzhak Eitan, who was head of army forces in the West Bank. The two informed me that contrary to the decision made by the defense minister and the chief of staff, they were sending the assistance we asked for I was proud of their courage to take such a decision, as well as of the camaraderie and partnership they expressed, in spite of the twisted decisions of their superiors. The troops reached the house and broke in several hours later. The Awadallah brothers, who were equipped with a lot of weapons, were killed. The military archives of Hamas, which held extremely valuable information, were captured. Hamas took a very hard blow in the few months that followedmaybe the hardest hit in its West Bank historyand the result was two of the quietest years in the West Bank, a period that lasted until the beginning of the Second Intifada. This is who Bogie Ya'alon is: a stubborn, rigid man, who is also a partner, a brave warrior, and a commander in his entire being. Prime Minister Netanyahu, by the way, who, as usual did not support the organizations under his charge, keeps boasting about the Shin Bet and IDF operations in those years in the West Bank and attributes their success to himself. Lieberman is the complete opposite of Bogie. This is a cynical, unrestrained man, who has no military background or experience and has never sent a soldier to battle in his entire life. Lieberman has never been asked to take real responsibility in decision-making. He was a foreign minister who mainly visited the most irrelevant countries in the world. Lieberman is also the one who joined the new Israeli "exemplary figures"Baruch Marzel, Bentzi Gopstein from the Lehava organization, and The Shadowdemonstrating in front of the military court in support of the "heroic" soldier who killed the already-neutralized terrorist. When we send our children to the army to fight wars, we want them to be in expert, level-headed, ideological and experienced hands. These are definitely not Lieberman's hands. These are Ya'alon's hands, and certainly the hands of Chief of Staff Eisenkot and his deputy, Yair Golan, whom I know very well. Giving the Ministry of Defense to Lieberman will turn Eisenkot into the most significant figure in the defense decision-making system. He will be the only one with the power to make sure that the responsible minister, as well as the prime minister, does not drag us into impossible situations The state of Israel is 68 years old the nomination of Lieberman as minister of defense only shows that underneath the surface, nothing is at a stand-still and that we continue to slide faster and faster down the slippery slope. There are a growing number of Israelis in search of foreign passports ("escape passports" as some call them) from the countries of their parents' and grandparents' origin. The split between secular and religious Jews grows wider, the distance between Mizrachi and Ashkenazi Jews becomes larger, the schism between Jews and Arabs deepens, the ethnic demonnourished in the last years by slander and defamation from the Garbuzes as well as the Mizrachimis ranting openly in the streets, social justice is way in the distance, the housing problem continues, corruption is spreading, signs of an economic recession can be seen on the horizon, racism against Israeli Arab citizens, against Ethiopian Jews, or against refugees and work-immigrants increases every day. In 68-year-old Israel, blood-weddings of the radical right wing, orchestrated by members of Lehava is already nothing to be ashamed of. If we thought that in the State of Israel, the security system functions relatively properly, compared to other systemsfrom now on, it is led by an insecure prime minister and an inexperienced defense minister. And I wonder to myself: Is this the end of the beginning, or actually the beginning of the end? The Hamas cell that carried out the suicide attack on the Jerusalem public bus contained six militants and intended to carry out a series of terrorist attacks in and around Jerusalem, including suicide, shooting, and car-bombing attacks, it has been revealed in the Shin Bet investigation. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The cell specifically recruited Abed al-Hamid Abu Srour to carry out the suicide attack, and one of the cell's members even helped him to write his will and filmed him before the attack. J'lem bus attack (Photo: Shlomi Cohen) A month following the suicide attack on bus number 12, additional details have been released by the Shin Bet following their investigation. The Jerusalem attack injured 20 civilians, and the 19-year-old bomber from Bethlehem was mortally wounded and later died from his wounds in the hospital. Jerusalem bus attack ( : ) X The Shin Bet investigation, the gag order on which was removed on Sunday morning, revealed that of the six members of the cell were between 19 and 30. Some of them were detained in the past in Israel after having been convicted of Hamas-related activities. Two members of the group were involved in a shooting attack in 2015 that ended without causing any injuries. Abu Srour, the J'lem bus terrorist The Shin Bet explained that this cell was local and not externally managed. The arrested Hamas operatives , all from the Bethlehem area, are Muhammad Sami al-Hameed Al-Ezza, 26, Muhammad Issa Mahmoud Al-Barbari, 26, Muhammad Majdi Mustafa al-Ezza, 21, Ahmed Muhammad Mahmoud Mashaikh, 19, Ali Ahmed Muhammad Arouj, 30, and Said Osama Issa Harmas, 30. Al-Hameed Al-Ezza and Al-Barbari were also allegedly involved in a shooting attack in 2015 that caused no casualties. Three of them served previous prison terms for involvement in terrorist activity. The cell had organized in recent months with an aim to carrying out a series of terrorist attacks. They sought to recruit other terrorists to carry out suicide attacks. The explosive device used in the Jerusalem bus attack was built by one of the cell's members from over-the-counter products that could be easily purchased, and that same member learned how to prepare the device online. The other members helped him by purchasing the products. Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid announced on Sunday that Deputy Police Commissioner (res.) Yoav Segalovitz, the former head of the Israel Police Investigations Division, joined Yesh Atid. The two appeared at a press conference in Jerusalem, wherein Segalovitz said, "Im joining a party which is committed to the public, which places the fight against corruption as a priority and has an understanding that corruption isnt only criminal but also a bad wind which undermines our most important values like equality and trust." Druze Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation Ayoob Kara told Ynet on Sunday morning that his non-appointment to a ministerial post is indicative of the Likud party's racism. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "Being appointed minister is not the issue; rather the reason they are not appointing me is the issue. They look at (me) as a vote contractor. That is unacceptable and racist," said Kara. Following the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as defense minister, Kara is continuing his struggle for a ministerial appointment. "I will determine my future steps after the prime minister makes a decision," he told Ynet on Sunday morning. Over the weekend, Kara compared himself to the fallen border police officer Madhat Yusuf, who died from blood loss at Joseph's Tomb at the beginning of the Second Intifada. However, the deputy minister backtracked from his comparison on Sunday: "In the heat of things, such things can be saidI apologize for that." Kara added, "(The Likud leadership) are abandoning me on a personal and political issue." Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation Ayoob Kara being interviewed by Ynet Regarding his desire to be appointed as a minister, he said, "I have been elected to many Likud positions and have reliably fulfilled them. When they decided that I would be on the Likud list, they did not ask if I was Druze or Jewish. I am a senior (member of Likud) and (have served) four terms, and (now) twice they have sacrificed me for other parties like that of Lieberman. So if seniority and loyalty are what determines who is appointed minister, someone needs to tell me why (individuals) who left and came back to Likud are being appointed as ministers. Are they are better than me in terms of seniority and loyalty?" When asked what he plans to do if not appointed minister, Kara said, "I am asking for an explanation; I am less concerned with being appointed a minister. If they will give me a good explanation, I'll even apologize. But if they don't, I will have to live with this, the abandonment of a person who has been with the prime minister and Likud for so many years. And then, I will have to make difficult decisions." Kara concluded, "The title 'minister' means a promise from the prime minister that I will participate in government meetings. What is happening is that I was promised a seat at government meetings and to be a minister. And that was not fulfilled. I don't sit there, I am working as a deputy minister, and I am forbidden from government meetings except for professional matters. That bothers and jars me. My ethnic heritage is not a bad thingI feel very frustrated that with my record, I can only be a vote contractor and not an equal amongst equals in Likud." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his appreciation on Sunday for Russian President Vladimir Putin's signing of a presidential decree ordering the return of an IDF tank that was captured in 1982 during the First Lebanon War. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter I wish to thank the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, for responding to a request made by me and the IDF Chief of Staff to return the tank from the Battle of Sultan Yacoub to Israel, said Netanyahu. The captured tank from the Battle of Sultan Yacoub During the battle, the tank was captured by the Syrian army and eventually transported to the Soviet Union - then a Cold War ally of Syria. It has since remained in Moscow in a museum dedicated to armored tanks ever since. Deputy Defense Minister Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan, then an officer during the First Lebanon War, whose artillery unit helped rescue a battalion of Israeli tanks trapped by a Syrian ambush in the Lebanese town of Sultan Yacoub, recalled his experiences of the war. We fired the whole night. In the morning the battalion was rescued, except for the one tank and the three missing soldiers, whose fate is still unknown, said Ben-Dahan, referring to IDF soldiers Zachary Baumel, Zvi Feldman and Yehuda Katz, who went missing during the battle and whose fate remains a mystery to this day. All in all, over 20 Israeli soldiers were killed and eight tanks were lost in the Battle of Sultan Yacoub. Hearing about the tank's return sends me back 34 years, Ben-Dahan said. It gave me chills. L to R: missing soldiers Zvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz and Zachary Baumel Ben-Dahan also expressed hope that the tanks return might also bring with it news about the fate of the missing soldiers, though he said he cannot comment on any discussions or progress toward that goal. Netanyahu raised the issue of returning the tank with Putin last month, after having received a request from IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot. For the families of the soldiers missing in action, said Netanyahu. There has been no trace of the boys, nor a burial plot to visit for 34 years. He continued by saying, The tank is the only evidence of the battle, and now it will be returned to Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has received severe criticism in the past few days after a post published on his Facebook page addressing a major rape case caused controversy. Netanyahu heavily chastised "the media and political system" for not condemning an incident in which two Palestinians allegedly raped a mentally challenged Jewish woman, while a third man documented the crime. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "This is a shocking crime that calls out for wall-to-wall condemnation," the Prime Minister wrote on Thursday, "but for some reason such condemnation hasn't been heard not in the media and not across the political system. We can only imagine what would have happened in the reverse case. We will charge the highest price, and use the full extent of the law against all those involved in this cruel incident." Netanyahu's remarks were made despite the fact that the Israel Police had chosen to avoid publicizing the case, which is still being investigated. The police usually informs crime reporters about cases of such severity, but did not do so in this instance. The PM's initial Facebook post. "This is a shocking crime that calls out for wall-to-wall condemnation." On Friday, the PM published another post in which he acknowledged that the timing of his remarks had been inappropriate. "Regarding the post I published yesterday: The case, as reported, awakened deep pain and shock in me. Even so, it was not right for me to speak about it before the investigation was concluded, and I am sorry for that." As the investigation has developed. it seems that the case is somewhat less straightforward than Netanyahu initially indicated, with reports of contradictory statements by the victim and doubts emerging regarding the belief that the crime was motivated by nationalistic animus. The man suspected of documenting the event, unlike the two rape suspects, has not yet been found by the police. The PM's second post. "it was not right for me to speak about the case before the investigation was concluded." Following the publication of the posts, the Prime Minister was attacked by several female MKs from the opposition, including Zehava Galon, Michal Rozin, Shelly Yachimovich, Tzipi Livni, and Merav Michaeli, who accused him of cynically exploiting the case for political gain. Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders said during an NBC program, "Meet The Press, that If we want peace, the US has to respect the needs of the Palestinians. They cannot be left on the side. Jordan's King Abdullah appointed veteran politician Hani Mulqi as prime minister after dissolving parliament by royal decree on Sunday, following the end of its four-year term, and charged him with conducting new elections by October. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The monarch accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, as is customary under the constitution, before appointing an interim head of government. Under the constitutional rules the election should be held within four months and after the lower house passed an amendment to the electoral laws in March government sources and political analysts say there are likely to be more candidates from political parties vying for votes with traditional tribal and family allegiances. King Abdullah of Jordan. (Photo: Reuters) But Jordan's main political opposition to the government comes from the Muslim Brotherhood movement which is facing increasing legal curbs on its activities, leaving mostly pro-monarchy parties and some independent Islamists and politicians to compete in the elections, the sources say. In 2011, under pressure from the popular protests across the Arab world, Jordan's parliament endorsed constitutional changes that devolved some of the monarch's powers to the parliament. However, political analysts say tribal lawmakers who dominated the last parliament resisted any change which they saw undermining their influence and maintained a system that favors sparsely populated tribal regions which benefit most from state patronage and the support of the monarchy. A new decree issued by the IDF stipulates that parents with one son who consent to him serving in a combat capacity will not be able to annul the agreement. Prior to this decision, parents who had a change of heart could force the army to send out a retrieval unit to extract their son from the battlefield. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The policy change was influenced by incidents which took place during Operation Protective Edge 2014 , in which nine parents had decided to retract their previous consent to have their son serve as a fighter. The parents' demands led to IDF forces being sent as deep as 2 km (1.24 miles) into the Gaza Strip to recover their sons. Operation Protective Edge (Photo: Ido Erez) Research conducted by the IDF Manpower Directorate raised concern that if a soldier with no brothers were to be captured during the next warparticularly if it were to take place in Lebanonthe lives of those sent to bring him home would be put in too great a risk. Another major point for concern currently being debated centers on a soldier's freedom to choose the nature of his own service in cases where he comes from a bereaved family. The IDF is considering how to approach such situations, where the brother of a fallen soldier remains determined to be a fighter, and his parents seek to annul a waiver previously signed. Setting a new status for a fallen soldier As the case of single son soldiers is being deliberated, the Manpower Directorate has also been looking into another sensitive matter: finding an appropriate status for fallen soldier Lt. Hadar Goldin , who was killed by Hamas during Operation Protective Edge, along with Maj. Benaya Sarel and Staff Sgt. Liel Gidoni . Following the killings, Goldin's body was kidnapped by Hamas before pieces of his body confirming hat he had been killed were recovered from the field and buried in Israel. However, as Hamas still holds on to articles of his body, Goldin is not officially considered to be a fallen soldier whose grave site is unknown. Fallen soldier Lt. Hadar Goldin The IDF has been in regular contact with the Goldin family to ensure that their fallen son and brother is given an appropriate official status and that all efforts are undertaken to return him to Israel to be buried. The decision made in this case will serve as a precedent for similar cases in the future, particularly given Hamas' and Hezbollah's stated goal of abducting Israeli soldiers, regardless of their condition. The measure will also standardize the terms used for missing captives, since no IDF standing orders currently address the subject of kidnapped soldiers but only captives (those visited by Red Cross), absent and disappeared soldiers, and those who are known to have died, but whose bodies could not be located or retrieved. In order to prevent situations in which baseless rumors of casualties spread, the IDF has decided to implement a "sufficient notice" procedure, in which the IDF will inform families of the possibility of their son or daughter being among the known casualties. An IDF call center will allow them to call in and check on their status. The issue of donations is also under discussion. From now on, direct donations to soldiers from civilian organizations or individuals, which was common during Operation Protective Edge, will be forbidden. Civilians interested in donating will be able to do so while the fighting continues through special centers run by the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers (AWIS, also known as Ha'aguda Lema'an Hachayal). This change was made with several goals in mind, namely preventing waste in the form of an overflow of unused donation - a prevalent feature of Operations Protective Edge. The decision is also designed to prevent the risks incurred by donors who arrive at forward operating sites. Furthermore, the IDF has increased scrutiny and oversight of these new regulations, going so far as to punish a senior non-commissioned officer from the Givati Brigade who violated the new donation procedures. Corey Lewandowski, presidential campaign manager for Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump, stated that the campaign is very close to picking Trump's running mate. Among the names reportedly to be on the list which is quite short according to what Lewandowski told Fox News are New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former House of Representative Speaker Newt Gingrich, and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. It's not too hard to guess what Avogdor Lieberman's next campain slogan will be, this time with him gunning for the Prime Minister spot: Strong on defense, flexible on peace. There are strong hints that the Prime Minister and his new Minister of Defense agree that an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement should include an overall agreement with the Arab world, led by Egypt. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter True, the commitments made by PM Netanyahu to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi , which were meant to publically launch this move, were made with the Zionist Union still in mind, before the political switch to Lieberman, but the Yisrael Beytenu Chair seems to still be in line. Netanyahu can roll on, at least discussing a future agreement. Egyptian President al-Sisi. Promoting a comprehensive arrangement for peace, just as Lieberman envisioned. (Photo: AFP) The Egyptians passed along their concerns about Lieberman's appointment as Defense Minister shortly after it was announced. Netanyahu then gave al-Sisi a phone call intended on calming the Egyptian President down. The diplomatic initiative concocted by Tony Blair in the past few months along with PM Netanyahu's representative Yitzhak Molcho - is still on the agenda, he surely said. According to Egyptian sources, during their conversation Netanyahu reiterated the Israeli commitments given to al-Sisi ahead of his public appearance on May 17, in which he called for Israel and the Palestinians to commence a peace conference. Netanyahu even committed to publically stating his support of al-Sisi's move after the new ministers in his government are sworn in. Egyptian officials who read the conversation's transcripts got the impression that Netanyahu was speaking for his new Def. Min. as well. Perhaps this feeling should be cultivated, said Lieberman associate Moshe Leon while speaking on the radio, because Lieberman is committed to a regional solution. And the only regional initiative currently on the table is the one being championed by al-Sisi. By the way, earlier this week a delegation of senior Israeli Foreign Ministry officials visited Israel, but it was not a part of the developing diplomatic process. The Foreign Ministry's clerk class is not yet partner to these proceedings, but is currently spending time developing an ongoing dialogue between the two sides - a nice achievement on its own. The Egyptians' worries aren't just due to the change in the Israeli coalition government's structure and the Zionist Union's distancing from the government, but also due to the fear that the number of new votes Lieberman brings with him won't be enough to prevent the Bayit Yehudi party from effectively vetoing the move in government votes. Shortly before al-Sisi's speech, Tony Blair communicated to him two of Netanyahu's promises, which gave the Egyptian President the green light to start making moves involving the Saudis and UAE. The first was that Israel would accept the Saudi peace initiative, while acknowledging the fact that it has reservations about it which will be discussed as part of the dialogue with the Arab world's representatives. The second was that Israel will publically repeat commitment to a two-state solution, and would privately perform certain acts that would give that public announcement some credence. This could bring the new Defense Minister face-to-face with his first big test in office. PM Netanyahu and his new Defence Minister. Will Lieberman be willing to pay the price for his vision? (Photo: Gil Yohanan) In a meeting held with students at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya towards the end of his term as Foreign Minister, Lieberman said, "A comprehensive arrangement with the moderate Arab world is what will bring about a solution to the Palestinian question." In the current age, he said, Israel has a great opportunity to reach a regional arrangement which would include diplomatic and trade relations. "Imagine being able to take a plane directly from Tel Aviv to Doha or Riyadh. That is a new, completely different, reality. Israel's technological abilities and the moderate Arab world's financial power will change the reality of the Middle East, and the world at large." According to Lieberman's worldview, an arrangement with the Palestinians would be a byproduct of this process. "If we know how to reach this stage, we won't need the Quartet," he said. According to Lieberman, the Palestinian Authority is scared, and can't reach an agreement with Israel on its own. Among other things, it fears hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees swarming into the West Bank, with the PA unable to provide them with work. Therefore, he claims, only a comprehensive arrangement will bring about a solution to the Palestinian question. And here, Lieberman enters the government with an Egyptian plan for a comprehensive arrangement on the table. Now it's in his hands as well. Now we'll see how his statements on the subject will stand, considering the price Israel will have to pay the Arab world in order to jump-start the process. Lieberman will need to make fateful decisions from the start ones that show flexibility, and may even include the need to give the Palestinians concessions at the expense of Israeli settlers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Naftali Bennett have reached an agreement over the structure of the Security Cabinet, via a compromise proposed by Health Minister Yaakov Litzman. The new agreement paves the way for MK Avigdor Lieberman to become the new Defense Minister. The government is expected to convene Monday morning, and vote to approve Lieberman's appointment. Read on for a state-by-state breakdown of how markets outside of capital cities have performed in the 12 months to March 2016. NEW SOUTH WALES Newcastle & Lake Macquarie While it couldnt quite reach the heights of the Illawarra, Newcastle & Lake Macquarie was NSWs and Australias next best performing regional market. House prices in the region grew 8.1% in the year to March to median of $495,000, while unit prices grew 6.3% to a median of $406,000 over the same period. Overall, total sales were 1% lower than they were 12 months ago; however they were up 2% on the regions five-year average. In the regions rental market, house rents have increased 1.3% to $400 per week over the year, while unit rents have remained flat at $370. Richmond Tweed Price rises in the Richmond Tweed havent been as large as those seen in other regions in the state, but the area has seen some significant movement in other categories. In the year to March, house prices have increased 6.4% to a median price $467,000, while unit prices have increased 6% to a median of $358,000 Sales activity is up 11% over the year and is currently 25% above the five five-year average. The regions rental market has also seen some impressive growth, with house rents up 10% to $440 per week over the year, while unit rents are up 8.6% to $380 per week. Rental yields for houses currently sit at 5%, while units are 5.7%. QUEENSLAND Gold Coast Queenslands glamourous coastal strip has delivered some solid results over the year to March. At the end of March, the median Gold Coast house price sat at $563,555, up 7.2% over the previous 12 months, over the same period the median unit price increased 4.8% to $370,437. Over the year, sales on the Gold Coast increased 11%, while they are a 24% higher than the five year average. Homes are also seeling quicker on the Gold Coast, with time on the market down by four days for both houses and units. In the rental market, house rents have grown 4.2% over the year to $500 per week, while unit rents have risen 5.4% to $390 per week. Sunshine Coast On the other well-known strip of coastline in Queensland, results over the year to March are a little more subdued. Over the year, the median house price on the Sunshine Coast increased 4.4% to $529,000, while the median unit price increased 3.3% to $383,000. Sales volumes fell 0.2% over the 12 months; however they are up 15% on the five-year average. Sales have also slowed, with houses spending and extra two days on the market, while units are taking a day longer to sell. Growth in the rental market has also been subdued, with house rents improving just 2.2% to $460 per week, while unit rents grew 4.2% to $375 per week. Townsville Conditions in the Townsville region are currently little to write home about. In the year to March, house prices fell 2.2% to a median of $323,000, while the median unit price declined 3.2% to a median of $258,000. Over the year, sales are down 8% and they are also currently 10% below the five year average. Houses are taking an extra four days to sell than they were a year ago, while units are spending 11 days less on the market. In the rental market, house rents have fallen 5.7% over the year to $330 per week, while the weekly unit rent has fallen 1.7% to $295 per week. Wide Bay Conditions in the Wide Bay region were relatively flat over the 12 months to March. House prices in the area grew just 1% over the year to a median house price of $293,000, while the median unit price fell 0.9% to a median price of $248,000. Sales increased 4% over the year, though houses are spending an extra two days on the market and units are spending an additional four days on the market. For the rental market, house rents have remained flat over the year at $290 per week, while unit rents have risen just 1.8% to $280 per week. Cairns Conditions in the far north of Queensland were also relatively stable over the year to March. In the 12-month period the median house price increased 2.7% to $375,000, while the median unit price increased 0.8% to $227,000. Over the year, total sales were down 2% across the Cairns region. House rents in the region remained flat at $380 per week, while unit rents increased 3.6% to $290 per week. VICTORIA Geelong Just outside of Melbournes reaches, Geelong had a relatively unexciting 12 months to March. The median house price in the 12 months increased 5.4% to $445,494, while unit values have increased by 2.8% to a median of $332,427. Sales volumes were up 2 per cent over the year and are currently 7 per cent above the five year average for the region. Houses are taking an extra four days to sell, while units are spending an extra eight days on the market. Over the year, house rents increased 1.5% to $335 per week, while unit rents increased 1.8% to $285 per week. Latrobe Gippsland The market in the Latrobe Gippsland region was relatively quiet in the year to march. The median house price improved 3% to $300,000 over the period, while the median unit price improved 2.1% to $234,000. Sales time improved by four days for houses over the year, while they slowed by eight days for units. Rental rates across the region increased by 3.8% to $270 per week for houses and 4.5% to $230 per week for units. WESTERN AUSTRALIA Bunbury Bunburys market had an up and down run over the year to March. The median house price increased 0.3% to $386,378 over the year, while the median unit price fell 3.7% to $323,211. Total sales were down by 11 per cent over the year, with current sales activity 4 per cent below the five year average for the region. Houses are spending an extra 10 days on the market, while an additional 12 days is needed for a successful unit sale. In the regions rental market house rents remained unchanged over the year at $360 per week, while unit rents fell 5.7% to $330 per week. News Fort Worth, Texas - A former North Texas special needs instructor who admitted sexually exploiting children was sentenced Tuesday to serve 60 years)in federal prison. This sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas. The following agencies investigated the case: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Mansfield (Texas) Independent School Districts Police Department, the Mansfield Police Department and the Tarrant County (Texas) District Attorneys Office. Kelly Dan Williams Jr., 62, has been in custody since his arrest in June 2015 on a related federal criminal complaint. Williams Jr. is a former special needs instructor at Mansfield ISDs Mary Orr Intermediate School. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Fort Worth in July 2015 on two counts of sexual exploiting children; he pleaded guilty to that indictment in January 2016. U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means sentenced him to 360 months on each of those to counts, which will run consecutively. According to documents filed in the case, on June 1, 2015, an individual at Mary Orr Intermediate School observed Williams Jr. performing a sex act on an 11-year-old male student in a school bathroom stall. This individual reported this to the schools administration, and Williams Jr. was directed to report to the Human Resources office. Mansfield Police obtained a search warrant for Williams Jr.s, residence, where they seized electronic storage devices, to include an SD card. A forensic examination revealed that a video located on the SD card depicted Williams Jr. performing a sex act on a minor male, who appears to be younger than age 12, in what appears to be a school bathroom stall. Further forensic analysis indicates that the video was created on or about Feb. 3, 2010. Williams admitted that on Jan. 13, 2010, he used a minor boy to engage in sexually explicit conduct that he video-recorded. He further admitted that on Feb. 3, 2010, he used a minor boy to engage in sexually explicit conduct with him and video-recorded that conduct. Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Saleem, Northern District of Texas, was in charge of the prosecution. This investigation was conducted under HSIs Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 14,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2015, nearly 2,400 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Wednesday, Mitchell Clawson, 30, of Whiteriver, Ariz., a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 188 months in prison. Clawson had previously pleaded guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact. Clawson pleaded guilty to sexually abusing an eight year old female, also a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, while she slept. The incident occurred on the Fort Apache Reservation. The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Anthony Church, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix. Border News Corpus Christi, Texas - An illegal alien from Mexico was sentenced to five years in federal prison for smuggling aliens that resulted in two deaths. U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas, announced this sentence. This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), along with the Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) Border Patrol and the Brooks County (Texas) Sherriff's Office. Juan Diego Lozano-Salgado, 24, was sentenced by Judge Hayden Head sentenced to 60 months in federal prison. As an illegal alien, he is also expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison. On March 2, he pleaded guilty to transporting illegal aliens. Lozano-Salgado was responsible for coordinating the transportation of illegal aliens from the brush north of U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints to Houston. His role included being a foot guide through the brush and coordinating the pick-up of the aliens by vehicle on Highway 281 near Falfurrias, Texas. On the evening of Dec. 13, 2015, a group of aliens being guided by Lozano-Salgado entered a pick-up truck near Brooks County and traveled north on U.S. Highway 281. A total of 14 people including Lozano-Salgado were in the truck, both in the interior cab and in the bed. Law enforcement spotted the truck and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, at which time the truck accelerated in an attempt to elude capture. Shortly thereafter, officers in the area responded to a vehicle accident where it was discovered that the truck had left the road and hit a tree head-on. The driver and one passenger were pronounced dead at the scene and several others were transported to area hospitals. Twelve additional subjects were later determined to be unlawfully present in the United States. The deceased passenger still remains unidentified. Lozano-Salgado will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. U.S. Attorney Brittany L. Jensen, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting this case. Border News Deming, New Mexico - U.S. Border Patrol Agents on patrol in Luna County, N.M. apprehended a total of five subjects yesterday, including a convicted sexual offender. On Tuesday, Agents from the Deming Station were patrolling an area east of Columbus, N.M. when they were alerted to five subjects who crossed the international boundary from Mexico. The area is a known illegal immigrant and drug smuggling corridor. Agents initially tracked and detained one of the subjects, a female from El Salvador who admitted to having crossed illegally into the U.S. Agents continued to follow the other sets of footprints, but feared the four remaining subjects had likely been picked up by a vehicle on N.M. Hwy 9. A short time later, another Agent west of the initial arrest location, observed a Dodge pickup truck traveling west on Hwy 9, away from the U.S./Mexico border. Agents activated their emergency equipment and attempted to conduct an immigration stop on the truck. Unfortunately, the truck sped up in an attempt to evade Agents. As the truck neared a populated area, Agents made the decision to discontinue the pursuit. A search ensued of the area where the truck was last seen. Agents located fresh footprints near an intersection which led them straight into a pecan orchard. Agents followed the footprints and located four subjects attempting to hide among the trees. In total, five subjects were arrested and transported to the Deming Border Patrol Station for processing. During processing it was discovered that 34-year-old Mexican national, Juan Antonio Canales Martinez, had a prior conviction for Sex with a Minor" in California, along with other criminal charges. Canales Martinez is being held at the Luna County Detention Center pending criminal prosecution. This incident demonstrates how vigilance and persistence by U.S. Border Patrol Agents, along with the ability to rapidly respond, is helping prevent dangerous criminals from crossing the border and reaching communities along the southwest border. Latest News New York - Minh Quang Pham, aka Amin, 33, was sentenced to 40 years in prison yesterday in the Southern District of New York for terrorism charges based on Phams efforts in support of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a designated foreign terrorist organization. On Jan. 8, 2016, Pham pleaded guilty to one count of providing material support to AQAP, one count of conspiring to receive military training from AQAP and one count of possessing and using a machine gun in furtherance of crimes of violence. The sentence was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara of the Southern District of New York and Assistant Director in Charge Paul M. Abbate of the FBIs Washington Field Office. This sentence holds Minh Quang Pham accountable for his terrorist activities, including providing material support to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and receiving explosives training from Anwar al-Aulaqi in Yemen for the purpose of committing an attack in the United Kingdom, said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. Counterterrorism is the National Security Divisions highest priority, and we will continue to bring justice to those who seek to aid designated foreign terrorist organizations in their efforts to commit violent attacks against the United States and our allies. Minh Quang Pham committed himself to the violent mission of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a terrorist organization that has claimed responsibility for deadly attacks around the world, including the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris, said U.S. Attorney Bharara. Pham went to Yemen to receive military training from AQAP and contributed to Inspire magazine, a recruitment tool and how-to guide for would-be terrorists around the world. This prosecution and todays sentencing show that terrorists and those who support them will continue to be brought to justice in American courts, thanks to the continuing resolve of the Department of Justice, this Office and our global law enforcement partners. "Minh Pham traveled to Yemen, where he received military-style training from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, including learning to build explosive devices, with the intent to commit harm against the United States and our allies," said Assistant Director in Charge Abbate. "Pham also contributed to terrorist propaganda in order to promote acts of violence and hate across the globe. This sentence sends a strong message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners can and will track down dangerous terrorists anywhere in the world and return them to face justice for their crimes. According to the indictment, extradition materials, court filings and statements made at related court proceedings, including todays sentencing: In December 2010, after informing others that he planned to travel to Ireland, Pham traveled from London, where he resided, to Yemen, the principal base of operations for AQAP. Pham traveled to Yemen in order to join AQAP, to wage jihad on behalf of AQAP and to martyr himself for AQAPs cause. After arriving in Yemen, he swore an oath of loyalty to AQAP in the presence of an AQAP commander. While in Yemen in 2010 and 2011, Pham provided assistance to and received training from Anwar al-Aulaqi, a U.S.-born senior leader of AQAP. Al-Aulaqi advised Pham to return to the United Kingdom for the purpose of finding and making contact with individuals who, like Pham, wanted to travel to Yemen to join AQAP. Al-Aulaqi also provided Pham with money, as well as a telephone number and e-mail address that Pham was to use to contact al-Aulaqi upon his return to the United Kingdom. In addition, Pham exchanged his laptop computer with al-Aulaqi, who provided him with a new clean laptop to take with him when he returned to the United Kingdom so that the authorities would not find anything if they searched his computer. In or about June 2011, prior to his departure from Yemen, Pham approached al-Aulaqi about conducting a suicide attack whereby he would sacrifice himself on behalf of AQAP. Al-Aulaqi personally taught Pham how to create a lethal explosive device using household chemicals and directed Pham to detonate such an explosive device at the arrivals area of Londons Heathrow International Airport following Phams return to the United Kingdom in 2011. Al-Aulaqi instructed Pham to carry an explosive in a concealed backpack and target the area where flights arrived from the United States or Israel. During his time in Yemen, Pham also assisted with the preparation and dissemination of AQAPs propaganda magazine, Inspire. Pham worked directly with now-deceased U.S. citizen Samir Khan, who was a prominent member of AQAP responsible for editing and publishing Inspire. Pham, who has college degrees in both graphic design and animation, received training in the various types of software used for Inspire and worked closely with Khan, contributing to the magazine in numerous ways. Pham used graphic design software to edit videos and photos that would be used as propaganda in Inspire; recorded television programs that Khan might find useful to the magazine; and offered his camera to be used for the taking of numerous photos used for Inspire. Pham also posed in photographs that accompanied Inspire articles and provided instructions to its followers. Among those were a series of photographs accompanying an article with instructions on disassembling and cleaning a Kalashnikov assault rifle. In another photograph, accompanying an article entitled, Why Did I Choose Al Qaeda, which was written by al-Aulaqi, Pham and three other men were shown wielding automatic Kalashnikov assault rifles. In addition, AQAP trained Pham in the use of a Kalashnikov assault rifle and provided him such a rifle, which he used in furtherance of his activities on behalf of AQAP in Yemen. On July 27, 2011, Pham returned to the United Kingdom. Upon his arrival at Londons Heathrow International Airport, U.K. authorities detained Pham, searched him and recovered various materials from him, including various electronic media that contained computer files forensically identical to those possessed by a cooperating witness who had previously reported sharing electronic documents with Pham while they were in Yemen with AQAP. In addition, Pham was found to be in possession of a live round of .762 caliber armor-piercing ammunition, which is consistent with ammunition that is used in a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Pham was arrested in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2012, and extradited to the United States in February 2015. In addition to the 40 year prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan of the Southern District of New York also imposed a life term of supervised release and a $300 special assessment. On Jan. 8, 2016, Judge Nathan issued an order that Pham be removed from the United States to the United Kingdom upon completion of his sentence. Assistant Attorney General Carlin joined U.S. Attorney Bharara in praising the extraordinary investigative work of the FBIs Washington Field Office. They also expressed their gratitude to the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force for the critical role it played in the investigation and prosecution. Assistant Attorney General Carlin and U.S. Attorney Bharara also thanked the Department of Justices Office of International Affairs for their significant assistance, as well as the Metropolitan Police Service/SO 15 Counter Terrorism Command at New Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service for their cooperation in the investigation and prosecution. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna M. Skotko, Sean S. Buckley, Shane T. Stansbury and Ian McGinley of the Southern District of New York, with assistance from Trial Attorney Rebecca Magnone of the National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section. New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has refused to give a go-ahead to the AAP governments ambitious app-based premium bus service which was to be rolled out from June 1 and sought explanation from Transport Commissioner Sanjay Kumar for misusing his name while issuing a notification in this regard. A senior Delhi government official, however, said the Lt Governor has asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to give a re-look into the proposed scheme. The move may trigger another round of confrontation between the LGs office and the Kejriwal government which have been at loggerheads over a range of issues. The Lt Governor has refused to give go-ahead to the governments notified app-based premium bus scheme which was not introduced as per laid down rules. The LG has also sought explanation from the transport commissioner and asked him to file his reply within three days, a source said. Earlier this month, the Delhi Cabinet had approved the scheme to allow app-based bus service in the national capital on the lines of app-based taxis services. Sources further said Kumar was also asked by the LG why he did not apprise the Cabinet that the scheme is in violation of rules. Earlier this week, Delhi government had notified app-based premium bus scheme through which Delhiites would be able to book their seat in a bus through their smart phones on the lines of app-based taxi services. Three days ago, Jung had, however, sought the file pertaining to the scheme from the Delhi government. The AAP dispensation did not seek prior approval from the LG to notify the scheme with government officials claiming that there is no need to do the same before rolling out the scheme. Since the Aam Aadmi Party came to power in Delhi, Lt Governor and Delhi Government have sparred over a number of issues including transfer and postings of bureaucrats, formation of Commission of Inquiry. In March, the AAP government had alleged that the Lt Governor had turned down its proposal to create bus lanes in the city streets and imposition of Rs 2,000 against the violators of the rules. However, the LG office refuted the charges, saying it had only sought clarification from the government on the proposal. In the past, Kejriwal had also slammed Jung for annulling his government orders on several occasions. New Delhi: Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Sunday asserted that appropriate action will be taken in connection with attacks on African nationals across the country and assured swift justice to the guilty. "I have spoken to Shri Raj Nath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitization campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside," MEA Sushma Swaraj tweeted today. "I have asked Gen V.K.Singh MOS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet #Africanstudents who hv announced demonstration at Jantar Mantar," the senior BJP leader's tweet read. Sushma Swaraj speaks to Telnagana Chief Minister The Foreign Minister said that she also spoke to Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao about attack on African national in Hyderabad. "I have spoken to Shri K Chandrasekhar Rao Chief Minister Telangana regarding attack on a Nigerian student in Hyderabad," she tweeted today morning. Sushma Swaraj assures action soon The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said that a sensitization campaign will soon be launched in areas where African nationals reside. Earlier today, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that it would arrange the transportation of Masunda Oliver, the African national who was brutally killed in the national capital, back to his home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Home Minister condemns attacks on Africans Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday condemned attacks carried out on African nationals across the nation and instructed Delhi Police Commissioner to take strict action against the attackers. "Spoke to CP Delhi regarding the incident of physical assault against certain African nationals in New Delhi. Such incidents are condemnable. Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers & increase police patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone," Rajnath tweeted today. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from June 4 which will cover Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico. Modi will begin his trip with Afghanistan to inaugurate India-funded Salma Dam which has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 1400 crore. From Afghanistan, he will proceed to energy-rich Qatar and then to Switzerland. During the two-day visit to energy-rich Qatar, Modi will hold extensive talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on a range of bilateral issues including ways to further boost economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector. In Switzerland, the Prime Minister will hold talks with the Swiss leadership, including President Johann Schneider-Ammann, and is likely to seek cooperation to unearth black money accounts of Indians in Switzerland which was a promise made by him during elections in 2014. According to sources, the officials of the two countries are working on finalising an arrangement that could pave the way for automatic exchange of information on tax-related issues. The Switzerland government had on May 18 initiated consultation on an ordinance to put in place a mechanism for automatic exchange of tax information with India and other countries. From Switzerland, Modi will travel to the US on June 7 at the invitation of President Barack Obama, with whom he will review the progress made in key areas of defence, security and energy. During his stay, he will also address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress. On his return, he will visit Mexico where India is eyeing trade and investment tie ups. In September last year, during his UN visit in New York Modi had held talks with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi's flight was diverted to Jaipur on Sunday night because of bad weather in the national capital which witnessed thunderstorm, amid sweltering heat. Accompanied with lightning, dust storm and strong winds swept many parts of Delhi today. However, as per ANI, PM Modi's flight will take off for Delhi shortly. The Prime Minister was returning back to Delhi after addressing 'Vikasparv rally' in Karnataka. During his address there, Prime Minister Modi said the entire nation is now pitching for a 'Congress free India'. Highlighting the achievements of the NDA regime ever since it came to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said not only the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but the entire nation wants to be free from the clutches of the Congress Party. Zee Media Bureau New Delhi: Due to a recent revelation made by scientists from IIT-Kharagpur and Archaeological Survey of India, time has arrived to rewrite history textbooks. Experts have found evidence of the Indus Valley Civilization being at least 8,000 years old and not 5,500 years old . In addition, researchers have found proof of a pre-Harappan civilization that existed for at least 1,000 years before this. As per a report published in Times of India, this may force a global rethink on the timelines of the so-called 'cradles of civilization'. The scientists called climate change the reasson behind the ending of the civilization 3,000 years ago. "We have recovered perhaps the oldest pottery from the civilization. We used a technique called 'optically stimulated luminescence' to date pottery shards of the Early Mature Harappan time to nearly 6,000 years ago and the cultural levels of pre-Harappan Hakra phase as far back as 8,000 years," said Anindya Sarkar, head of the department of geology and geophysics at IIT-Kgp. The researchers believe that the Indus Valley Civilization spread over a vast expanse of India stretching to the banks of the now "lost" Saraswati river or the Ghaggar-Hakra river - but this has not been studied enough because what we know so far is based on British excavations. "At the excavation sites, we saw preservation of all cultural levels right from the pre-Indus Valley Civilization phase (9000-8000 BC) through what we have categorised as Early Harappan (8000-7000BC) to the Mature Harappan times," said Sarkar. Dhaka: At least 12 people, including two candidates and two children, were killed and over 200 injured in violence during Bangladesh's fifth phase of voting in the local body polls which have turned out to be the deadliest so far, media reports said on Sunday. Voting in the elections of Union Parishads (councils), being held on party lines for the first time under an amended system, was held in 717 unions under 45 districts yesterday amid violence and allegations of rigging and other malpractices. 12 deaths were reported from Jamalpur, Chittagong, Noakhali, Comilla, Panchagarh and Narayanganj during the polls that will elect chairmen and councillors for the lowest tier of local government system, the Daily Star reported. The latest deaths bring to over 110 the total number of people who have died in election-related violence in the three and a half months since the announcement of the election schedule. The previous phases of polls had claimed 101 lives and the highest number of people killed in election-day violence was 10, according to media reports. Two candidates - Kamal Uddin, BNP rebel chairman aspirant at Comilla's Titas, and Md Yasin, who was vying for the post of member at Chittagong's Karnaphuli - were stabbed to death in separate clashes. Jamalpur witnessed the worst violence in which at least four persons, including two children, were killed. They died after police opened fire to put an end to a clash between supporters of two candidates for the chairman's post. The remaining casualties were reported from southeastern Noakhali district. More than 200 people were also injured, many of them shot, as the supporters of chairmen and member candidates engaged in fierce clashes. District police chief Md Nizamuddin said, "Police resorted to firing to bring the situation under control". The supporters of candidates captured polling stations and stuffed ballot boxes, like in the previous four phases, the report said. Voting in 120 centres was called off as law and order went out of control, according to the Election Commission. Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz admitted the rising trend of violence. "This time it's more because the polls are on party lines and renegades are challenging regular party aspirants," he said. The local government polls were earlier held as non-party elections where the candidates used to appear as independent candidates though with unofficial nominations from major political parties. But in October, Bangladesh amended a century-old system of electing local government institutions on non-partisan basis, allowing political parties to directly take part in these polls like national elections. Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner Md Shahabuddin Khan said a committee had been formed with Additional District Magistrate Md Alamgir as its head to probe the incident. Most of the casualties were the results of clashes between supporters of ruling Awami League candidates and party rebels in around 60 unions. #Korean Air Korean Air plane heads to Cebu to bring back stranded passengers An alternative Korean Air plane departed for the Philippines on Tuesday to bring home passengers stranded after another plane run by the air carrier overran the airport runway in C... #(G)I-dle I-dle tops local music charts with 'Nxde' Girl group (G)I-dle topped daily and weekly charts of five major local music streaming services with its release "Nxde" on Tuesday, a week after it dropped. "Nxde," the main tra... Tehran: Moderate conservative Ali Larijani retained the speakership of Iran`s parliament Sunday despite major gains for reformists in February elections, benefiting from credit gained by his support for last year`s nuclear deal. Several lawmakers from the reformist camp broke ranks to vote against the head of their own List of Hope, Mohammad Reza Aref, who lost by 103 votes to 173. February`s election was widely seen as a referendum on last July`s nuclear deal with world powers led by the United States, the signature policy of moderate President Hassan Rouhani. Larijani`s support for its passage through parliament kept him out of the fierce debate that saw a string of hardline opponents of the agreement lose their seats. Reformists took 133 of the 290 seats in parliament. That fell short of a majority but it was more than the conservatives` 125 seats. The remaining seats are held by independents and representatives of religious minorities who are expected to give Rouhani a working majority to pass key reform legislation that eluded him in the outgoing conservative-dominated parliament. Several leading reformists broke ranks to endorse Larijani in the runup to the speakership contest. "Larijani can better direct parliament than Aref," Gholam Hossein Karbaschi, the leader of one reformist faction, the Construction Party, told the Shargh newspaper on Tuesday. Washington: Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has attacked President Barack Obama for not mentioning the deadly Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 during his historic trip to Japan this week. "Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while he's in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost. #MDW," tweeted Trump, who emerged as the Republican party's presumptive presidential nominee last week. Obama did not publicly mention the surprise 1941 attack that pulled the US into World War II while on his historic trip to Japan this week, during which he became the first sitting American president to visit Hiroshima. He used the visit to discuss the threat of nuclear weapons. "Why do we come to this place, to Hiroshima? We come to ponder the terrible forces unleashed in the not-so-distant past. We come to mourn the dead ... Their souls speak to us and ask us to look inward. To take stock of who we are and what we might become," Obama had said during his visit to the city's Peace Memorial Park. The White House didn't immediately comment on Trump's tweet Saturday evening, CNN reported. Trump supporter Sarah Palin also criticised Obama's trip to Hiroshima, calling it part of the President's "apology lap." The former Alaska governor, Palin, speaking at a Trump rally in San Diego on Friday, said Obama's trip to Hiroshima was "dissing our vets." Earlier in the week, in a joint press conference with Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he had no plans to visit Pearl Harbor despite the president's trip to Hiroshima. In the Pearl Harbour attack on December 7, 1941, over 2,400 Americans were killed and over 1,100 others were injured. Jerusalem: Israeli media say a police investigation has recommended indicting the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over misuse of state funds and inflated household spending. Channel 2 TV reported today that police believe they have enough evidence to bring Sara Netanyahu to trial. It said she used state funds to care for her late father and over-billed for meals. In a statement, police announced the end of their investigation but offered few details. A spokesman would not comment further. The Netanyahus have long faced scrutiny over their spending. Sara Netanyahu in particular has been accused of using government funds to support her expensive tastes and alleged abusive behavior toward staff. In February, a former employee won a court case against her alleging he was subjected to abusive language and insults. Tokyo: The parents of a seven-year-old Japanese boy missing in the mountains confessed on Sunday they had left him as a punishment and he did not get lost during a hike as first claimed, police said. More than 150 rescuers and police officers were searching for a second day in mountains on the northern main island of Hokkaido after Yamato Tanooka went missing on Saturday, a police spokesman said. His parents originally told police Yamato got lost while the family were out walking in the area, a habitat of bears, to pick wild vegetables. But the parents later admitted they had lied, he said. "The parents left the boy in the mountains as a punishment," the spokesman said. "They said they went back to the site immediately but the boy was no longer there." The father told a TV Asahi reporter he did not dare admit the truth while requesting a search. Rome: Migrants rescued from two boats in the Mediterranean this week told humanitarian workers in Italy that they saw another vessel carrying some 400 migrants sink, Save the Children said on Saturday. Three vessels carrying migrants already are confirmed to have sunk or capsized this week. More than 60 bodies are said to have been recovered, including those of three infants, and hundreds are believed to be missing. But the possible sinking of a fourth vessel on Thursday had not been reported, said Giovanna Di Benedetto, spokeswoman for Save the Children in Italy. That ship along with another fishing boat and a rubber boat left Sabratha in Libya late Wednesday night, according to interviews on Saturday with some of the more than 600 survivors from the two other vessels in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo. They said the rubber boat had its own motor, but the smaller fishing boat, carrying some 400 migrants, did not. It was towed by the larger fishing vessel, which held about 500 others. Eventually the smaller boat began to take on water and, when the captain of the larger boat ordered the tow line cut, sank with most of its passengers, the survivors told Save the Children. Those aboard the other two vessels were not rescued until much later. "There were many women and children on board," the survivors said, according to Di Benedetto. "We collected testimony from several of those rescued from both (the rubber and fishing) boats. They all say they saw the same thing." On the orders of the court of Ragusa, police have detained a man who they suspect was the captain of the larger boat, state news agency Ansa reported. Police are interviewing witnesses of the possible tragedy, la Repubblica Web site said. Mild weather has brought on a surge in migrant traffic this week between Libya and Italy, and about 700 more migrants were picked up on Saturday, the coast guard said. Pope Francis met with children at the Vatican earlier in the day to talk about migration, urging them to welcome migrants because they "are not dangerous, but in danger." The Hague: Nameless migrants laid to rest in unmarked scrubland, murder victims dumped in mass graves, desperate searches for the missing after natural disasters. Around the world, millions of families wait in vain to bury their dead. "You cannot close the book on the life of a loved one if you do not know the truth, or what the reasons were, why people went missing," said Salvadoran diplomat Augustin Vasquez Gomez. His country, where some 8,000 people are still missing after years of civil war, has become one of the latest nations to sign a treaty pledging to support the work of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). In the Philippines, also a signatory to the treaty, there are still 2,000 missing after Typhoon Haiyan struck in November 2013. And while finding and identifying the missing killed in conflicts or disasters is an age-old problem, no overall global figure has ever been determined. The numbers are thought to be "staggering" -- between 250,000 and a million in Iraq alone stretching back to the early days of the regime of former dictator Saddam Hussein, said Kathryne Bomberger, ICMP director general. The organisation, which finances its painstaking research through voluntary donations, held a recent seminar on its work as it moves its headquarters from Sarajevo to The Hague. Born out of the conflicts in former Yugoslavia and set up in 1996 by then US president Bill Clinton, the ICMP has used sophisticated DNA matching techniques to identify more than 70 percent of the 40,000 who went missing in the Balkans wars. Now it is shedding its ad-hoc status to become a recognised international organisation -- the only one dedicated exclusively to accounting for the missing.It hopes to open a new lab in the Dutch city in the coming months, to complement its first one in Sarajevo which already has the capacity to handle up to 10,000 DNA cases a year. Demand is growing. And as the conflicts in Syria and Iraq feed a new wave of refugees, hundreds of whom have perished at sea lacking any kind of documents, a new challenge is emerging. After five years of civil war and a huge exodus from the country, there are an estimated 60,000 missing Syrians. "There`s nothing we can do in Syria for the moment, but we`re already losing time in terms of collecting data from survivors," Bomberger told AFP. She`s hoping to try to move into the refugee camps, build up trust with families there and start organising a valuable data base. Every day Syrian families are contacting the organisation for help finding relatives, and the ICMP is already working with Italian authorities to try to identify the dead washing up on Italy`s shores. In Iraq on Mount Sinjar, it has been working to identify mass graves from the Islamic State group`s persecution of the Yazidi people, protect the sites and catalogue the DNA of the dead. And that`s without mentioning conflicts in Africa or Asia, where there are also many families waiting to claim their dead."Part of what we want to do and focus on is demographics, for once to try to get a handle on how many people are missing in the world," said Bomberger. "Most countries don`t have accurate figures because of the highly political nature of these conflicts." Identifying the dead is also crucial, if those behind the world`s worst crimes are to be successfully held to account, said Kweku Vanderpuye, senior trial lawyer at the International Criminal Court. "Oftentimes the perpetrators of those crimes operate under the principle: no bodies, no crime," he said. For those left with no grave to mourn over, there is an overwhelming sense of loss, of farewells left unsaid, a raw grief which does not fade as the decades pass. "Our truth is hidden in mass graves," said Munira Subasic, president of the Mothers of Srebrenica, who lost 22 members of her extended family in the 1995 genocide in the Bosnian enclave. She told the seminar how one Bosnian Muslim mother died in Srebrenica a few days ago, still mourning her son whose body has never been found. "Her last words were that if she had been so lucky to find just one little piece of bone she would have wrapped it in silk and kept it for herself. And it would have made her the happiest person in the world," said Subasic. Houston: One suspect was dead and a second was wounded after reports of multiple gunshots in Houston, while another person was found dead in a vehicle, police said on Sunday. The Houston Police Department said in a Facebook post that an active shooter situation was still in effect and advised area residents to shelter in place or to stay away. The wounded suspect was transported to a nearby hospital, it said. In an earlier post, police said officers were responding to reports of a male firing shots in an area of west Houston just east of the Sam Houston Tollway, a major highway dissecting the Texas city. Representatives of the Houston Police Department declined further comment. The Houston Fire Department could not be reached immediately for comment. Television news footage showed cars in the area with their windows smashed, apparently from gunshots. It was not immediately clear if those incidents were related to the fatal shootings. A gasoline station near the shootings was set on fire, according to Houston`s ABC 13 News, but it was unclear the cause of the blaze and any link to the shootings. Video footage showed aerial views of a burned-out filling station surrounded by fire and emergency vehicles. Residents told ABC 13 that they heard multiple rounds of gunfire ringing out late on Sunday morning, as people were preparing for Memorial Day barbecues and other outdoor activities. Rome: Up to 700 migrants are feared to have drowned in deadly shipwrecks off the coast of Libya this week, the UN`s refugee agency said Sunday, citing survivor testimony. "The situation is chaotic, we cannot be sure of the numbers, but we fear up to 700 people may have drowned in three shipwrecks this week," one of which was believed to have claimed over 500 lives, UNHCR spokesman Federico Fossi told AFP. Ohio: Workers at the Cincinnati Zoo in the US state of Ohio shot and killed a gorilla on Saturday after a three-year-old boy fell into its enclosure, officials said. The boy crawled through a barrier into the enclosure and fell into a moat around 4 pm (1600 GMT), zoo director Thane Maynard told reporters. The gorilla, a 17-year-old male named Harambe weighing more than 400 pounds (180 kilograms), "went down and got him," he said. Witnesses said the gorilla dragged the screaming boy around the habitat, local media reported. The zoo`s dangerous animal response team shot and killed the gorilla around 10 minutes after the boy first entered it. He was hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening, media quoted the police as saying. The zoo`s response team decided to shoot the gorilla rather than tranquilize him because a tranquilizer would not have taken effect immediately, Maynard said. "It seemed by our own dangerous animals response team to be a life-threatening situation," he said. "They saved that little boy`s life." The zoo houses 11 gorillas, according to its website. "We`ve never had a situation like this," Maynard said. Washington: With its territories reduced, cash-strapped ISIS has imposed new taxes and fines like a USD 100 penalty for shaving a beard and women being charged USD 25 for wearing cloaks deemed too tight, according to a research. In response to their worsening financial situation, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is continuing to increase taxes and fines throughout its territory and in some cases introducing new ones, according new analysis released by IHS Inc based on its monitoring of local news reports. "In the past six months, the Islamic State has introduced a range of new taxes and fines as a means of generating additional revenue from the population to compensate for the loss of oil revenue and from its shrinking territory. Since September, we have seen taxes rise across the caliphate," Ludovico Carlino, senior analyst at IHS, said. Among the fines now imposed are USD 100 for shaving a beard and USD 50 for trimming a beard. Men are fined USD 5 for not properly wearing the traditional izar (a long garment), while women are charged USD 25 for wearing cloaks deemed too tight and USD 10, or 1 gramme of 24 carat gold, for revealing their eyes. A woman not wearing socks or gloves can be fined USD 30, the research said. If found in possession of a packet of cigarettes can lead to a USD 46 fine for a man and a USD 23 fine for a woman, it said. Trucks crossing check points now have to pay between USD 600 and USD 700 while last summer the fee was USD 300. The ISIS also requires non-Sunni Muslims, former members of the security forces or former civil servants working for the Iraqi or Syrian government living in its territory to buy from it a 'repentance' certificate. Repentance used to be paid on an annual basis, now it is charged monthly. This is on top of the required payment of the jizyah, a tax historically levied on non-Muslims permanently residing in Muslim lands under Islamic law. "Taxation makes up about 50 per cent of the Islamic State's monthly revenue sources and encompasses almost every aspect of the population's life," Carlino said. "Taxes are imposed by a central government body and flexibility is allowed for regional governors. But, revenue from taxation has decreased by 23 per cent due to the group's failure to hold onto territory," he said. Between December 2015 and March 2016, the Islamic State lost about 22 per cent of its territory, according to IHS. Another very interesting trend, the IHS said was that ISIS is now also accepting money in exchange for corporal punishment. YEREVAN, MAY 28, ARMENPRESS. Today, at the memorial complex of the Battle of Sardarapat President Serzh Sargsyan accompanied by His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, the top leadership of the Republic and guests participated in the festivities dedicated to the Republic Day. As Armenpress was informed from the press service of Republic of Armenia Presidents Office, President Sargsyan laid a wreath at the memorial dedicated to the heroes of the Battle of Sardarapat and paid tribute to their memory. The President of Armenia, Commander-in-Chief Serzh Sargsyan greeted the participants of the military parade dedicated to the holiday and congratulated them on the occasion of the Republic Day. Later, the President of Armenia and attendees of the festivities watched the cultural program dedicated to the event. In Sardarapat, the President of Armenia gave a congratulatory speech dedicated to the Republic Day. Remarks by President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of the Republic Day My fellow compatriots, I congratulate you on the occasion of the Republic Day. For us, this is first and foremost a salvation holiday. We saved our last piece of land and the last remnants of our nation residing on that piece of land. No matter how difficult to accept, but that was the truth. The bleeding Armenian nation on the verge of desperation was able through the supernatural exertion to stand up to the enemy, to prevail, and throw the enemy back. Many consider the heroic battles of May and their victorious outcome a miracle. We prevailed, we survived, and we liberated ourselves. Our independence and our statehood were not a gift to us. We paid for them the price nobody has ever paid. We did it alone; moreover, we did it despite the blows of the destiny. With May 28, the foreign subjects and refugees had become citizens of a State. They became people who had solid ground beneath their feet and had a State behind them. It was a State they had to build; it was a state, which they had to serve to; it was a State, which they could make demands to; it was a State to criticize with the anticipation of making it better. It was a State, which had to turn its almost lifeless populace, half of which were also orphans, into a political nation; it was a State, which had to bring up a new generation, re-born generation, which would be capable to register new scientific, cultural, and military achievements. It was a State, which predestined the existence of the Soviet Armenia and todays Republic of Armenia. My fellow compatriots, Military hostilities that unfolded at the early April revealed more vividly some realities good or bad, within and around us. Among all that the most important one for me was our new generation the generation born with the independence, generation that proved to us and to all that they are the masters and guardians of our State. Those, who created the May 28 in 1918, would only dream of a regular army, such as ours, and of a new generation, such as this one. And they are with us, now. There will be no new Sardarapat since by and large it was a war of desperation. Those who fought there did not know what countrys citizens they were of, and if they were citizens at all. There will be no new Sardarapat since there stands a State. There is a generation born with independence, which wants to move in step with the contemporary world and it will; a generation, which wants to move its country forward and it will; a generation born with independence, which grasped the bequest of May 28 better than anyone else. All this stems from the fact that in their families and in their schools the bequest of May 28 was also grasped properly. We as a State, as a nation and as a society grasped the bequest of May 28 well. My fellow compatriots, On May 28 our nation stepped back from the verge of the abyss. We stepped back and moved towards the rebirth, towards creation, and toiling. We got back. Glory to the Republic Day! Long live the Armenian nation! YEREVAN, MAY 28, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today urged Congressional leaders to redouble their efforts with the Obama Administration to ensure the timely implementation of the Royce-Engel peace proposals in the aftermath Azerbaijans deadly April 2nd attack on the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh). As Armenpress was informed from the ANCA, during a shared dialogue with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), who, along with Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY), is the chief architect of the Karabakh peace recommendations, ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian discussed the Aliyev regimes devastating incursion against Artsakh the worst since the ceasefire established some 22 years ago and the ensuing Azerbaijani war crimes, including the brutal murder and mutilation of an elderly Armenian couple and the beheading of three Armenian soldiers. The ANCA has been joined by senior Foreign Affairs Committee member Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Armed Services Committee member Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) in calling for a Leahy Law investigation, which would zero-out U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijani units found to have committed war crimes. Hamparian noted the urgency of taking concrete steps toward implementation of these cease-fire strengthening measures, citing the death of Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces Private Vahe Argam Yeghoyan just days earlier as a result of Azerbaijani cross border shelling. Armenian Americans across the U.S. appreciate Chairman Royces leadership in advancing the Royce-Engel proposals common sense measures to ensuring a path toward peace in the Caucasus, said ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian. The key, of course, is in their implementation and the sooner the better, if we are to avoid a repeat of the ravages of Azerbaijani aggression. The Royce-Engel proposals, which have received the support of over 90 U.S. Representatives through two Congressional letters sent to the Obama Administration in November, 2015 and March, 2016, include three common-sense measures to secure Artsakh peace: An agreement from all sides not to deploy snipers, heavy arms, or new weaponry along the line of contact. The placement of OSCE-monitored, advanced gunfire-locator systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the source of attacks along the line of contact. The deployment of additional OSCE observers along the line of contact to better monitor cease-fire violations. Armenia and Artsakh have long agreed to all three measures; Azerbaijan opposes their implementation. Key points of the Royce-Engel proposals were incorporated in the recent agreement by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev brokered by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and France State Secretary for European Affairs Harlem Desir which called for the implementation of OSCE investigative measures and expanded authority of the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson, as part of a broader commitment to a regional ceasefire. By Ethan Lou TORONTO (Reuters) - Suncor Energy Inc's facilities north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, are expected to partially restart by the end of the week, the company said on Sunday, the latest sign Canadian oil sands producers are coming back online after a massive wildfire. The start-up of Suncor's base plant and MacKay River sites is under way, with "initial production" expected by the end of the week, the company said in a statement, which noted initial production at its Firebag site began early last week. A spokeswoman declined to specify the production volume expected as operations resume. Bitumen capacities at Firebag and MacKay River are 203,000 and 38,000 barrels per day, respectively, and the base plant upgrader facility's capacity is 350,000 barrels a day, Suncor said. Energy companies have begun restarting operations as the threat from the wildfire recedes. Fort McMurray itself still sits largely empty after its entire population of nearly 90,000 was evacuated earlier this month. The wildfire, expected to be Canada's costliest natural disaster, cut Canadian oil output by a million barrels a day. The inferno has charred more than 500,000 hectares (1,930 square miles) across the northern part of the province of Alberta and crossed into the neighboring province of Saskatchewan. Rain and higher humidity in recent days have helped firefighting efforts. The Alberta government said firefighting conditions would improve through the weekend. Authorities last week lifted evacuation orders on all work camps in the area and many oil facilities, including those of Suncor and its majority-owned Syncrude. "There has been no damage to Suncor's assets and all sites have enhanced fire mitigation and protection," the company said. Suncor said it had moved more than 4,000 employees and contractors back into the region for its restart efforts and would move 3,500 more in the coming week. It also said Syncrude was planning its own return to operations. A Syncrude spokesman declined to comment on a time line for restarting operations. Some of the evacuees from Fort McMurray may be allowed to return as soon as Wednesday, if air quality improves and other safety conditions are met. (Reporting by Ethan Lou in Toronto; Editing by Peter Cooney) By David Ljunggren and Andrea Hopkins OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will urge fellow leaders at a Group of Seven summit next week to invest in their economies to boost growth rather than focus on cutting costs. Policy steps to address subdued global growth will be high on the agenda at the May 26-27 meeting at Ise-Shimate, Japan. "I'm very much on the investment side of the investment-versus-austerity debate going on in capitals around the world right now and I'll be continuing to push that," Trudeau told Reuters in an interview on Thursday. "We know that the challenges global growth is facing aren't just going to be solved by strategic cuts here and there: at one point we do have to start investing in our future." Trudeau came to power last October promising to run annual budget deficits of C$10 billion to invest in infrastructure. His Liberal government, citing the weak economy, unveiled a shortfall of C$30 billion in its first budget in March and Trudeau told Reuters that was not a fixed upper limit. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has struggled to gain consent among the G7 nations for coordinated fiscal action to spur global growth, with countries such as Germany and Britain insisting on fiscal austerity. "The emphasis that Prime Minister Abe is going to be putting on infrastructure is one that is certainly very much near to my heart," said Trudeau. The Canadian leader was more circumspect, however, when asked whether the G7 summit should condemn provocation in the East and South China Seas, where China is locked in territorial disputes. Beijing protested when G7 foreign ministers issued such a statement at an April meeting. Trudeau said the leaders were looking for ways to boost the economies of the G7 and China while also raising issues of rights and security. The group, he added, needed a better level of engagement with China and should act in a way that did not destabilize the world. The G7 groups the United States, Japan, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy and France. (Writing by David Ljunggren; Editing by Sandra Maler) By Lin Noueihed and Tim Hepher CAIRO/PARIS (Reuters) - A French naval vessel was en route to the eastern Mediterranean on Thursday to join the hunt for black boxes from a crashed EgyptAir jet, equipped with three specialist probes from a French company recruited to accelerate the search. France's BEA air crash investigation agency said French naval survey vessel Laplace had left Corsica earlier on Thursday and was heading toward the search zone north of the Egyptian port of Alexandria, where it would begin operations within days. A week after the Airbus A320 crashed with 66 people on board, including 30 Egyptians and 15 from France, investigators have no clear picture of its final moments. But Egyptian investigators said a radio signal had been received from an emergency distress beacon usually located in the rear of the cabin. This could help narrow the search area for that part of the fuselage, near the tail where "black box" fight recorders are held, to a 5-km (3-mile) radius, they said. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) sends out a signal that can be picked up by satellites in the international search-and-rescue network when an aircraft is in an accident. It is separate from the underwater locator beacons (ULB) or "pingers" attached to the "black box" flight recorders, which send out acoustic rather than radio signals and are designed to be more easily detected underwater. John Cox, a former A320 pilot and chief executive of Washington-based Safety Operating Systems, expressed caution about the reported signal from the sunken wreckage. "There is a low likelihood the ELT would survive and radio doesn't work as well as acoustic signals underwater," he said. Search teams are working against the clock to recover the two flight recorders that will offer vital clues on the fate of flight 804, because the acoustic signals that help locate them in deep water cease transmitting after about 30 days. The BEA, which is working as part of an Egyptian-led investigation into the crash, said two of its investigators were on board the French naval ship which was carrying equipment from ALSEAMAR, a firm specialising in searching for marine wrecks. Negotiations are also under way to contract a second firm to search more than one area, French and Egyptian officials said. ALSEAMAR's equipment includes three of its DETECTOR-6000 systems, designed to pick up black-box pinger signals over long distances up to 5 km (3 miles), according to the company's website. It works by dipping a slender probe into the water to listen for pings and then retrieving it to download the findings. ALSEAMAR, a subsidiary of French industrial group Alcen, did not respond to a request for comment. In 2004, the same company deployed a system of "intelligent buoys" to search for black boxes after a Boeing 737 belonging to Egypt's Flash Air crashed in the Red Sea near Sharm al-Sheikh. The second firm likely to be involved is Mauritius-based Deep Ocean Search, with which France and Egypt are finalising a contract, according to French diplomatic sources. That firm was originally involved in the search for missing Malaysian jet MH370, but it and others voiced complaints about the conduct of the search after being rejected when responsibility shifted from Malaysia to Australia. It was not immediately available for comment. LAST CONVERSATION The EgyptAir black boxes are believed to be lying in up to 3,000 metres of Mediterranean water, on the edge of the usual range for picking up signals emitted by the boxes. Maritime search experts say this means acoustic hydrophones are usually towed in the water at depths of up to 2,000 metres in order to have the best chance of hearing the signals. Ayman al-Moqadem, Egypt's head of air accident investigations, said the investigating team had received radar imagery and audio recordings from Greece detailing the flight trajectory of the doomed plane and the last conversation between its pilot and Greek air traffic control. It is expecting France to hand over radar imagery and other data covering the plane's time in French airspace and on the ground in Paris, he added. Sources in the investigation committee have said the EgyptAir jet did not show technical problems before taking off from Paris. During flight, it sent signals that at first showed the engines were functioning but then detected smoke and suggested an increase in temperature at the co-pilot's window. The plane kept transmitting messages for the next three minutes before vanishing. With no flight recorders to check and only fragmentary data from a handful of fault messages including two smoke alarms, investigators are also looking to debris and body parts for clues. Cox said the fault messages collectively pointed to a possible problem in the avionics bay under the cockpit, but stressed it was too early to rule out any possible cause. Moqadem said no bodies had been recovered so far, with search teams only able to locate small body parts. DNA tests are underway to identify the remains. He said a report would be issued by the investigating team one month from the date of the crash. (Additional reporting by John Irish, Ahmed Aboulenein, Editing by Ralph Boulton and Cynthia Osterman) By Michel Rose PARIS (Reuters) - French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron launched what he called a "Great March" on Saturday, a door-to-door campaign across France to collect voters' grievances ahead of 2017 presidential elections, in a new sign of his political ambitions. The 38-year-old former investment banker has kept the country guessing about the true nature of his "En Marche" (Forward) party and refuses to confirm or deny whether he will run for president a year from now. But the initiative by one of the Socialist government's most popular ministers will fuel speculation that he is eying the Elysee as the ratings of his president, Francois Hollande, fall. Some 60 teams of 10-40 volunteers will knock on voters' doors in about 50 cities across France, asking questions such as "What do you think doesn't work in France?", a spokeswoman for "En Marche" party told Reuters. Macron unveiled his movement in April, saying he wants it to be neither of the left nor the right. He said it had so far been joined by 50,000 people. The former Rothschild partner aims to garner about 100,000 complaints and proposals by the end of the summer to establish what he calls a "diagnosis" for the country - something that would look very much like a manifesto. "Our goal is to give a voice to the voiceless, to draw up the portrait of an invisible France, the one you don't see in political parties," Macron said in a video message posted on Facebook. Macron has won fans among France's EU partners through his enthusiasm for pro-business reforms in which he has sought to "unblock" heavily regulated sectors of the economy and to tackle the rigidity of the French labor market. "The problem in France is not that politics is only for the rich," "En Marche" told supporters this month in an email seen by Reuters. "The problem is that politics is only for those already in place." Macron is far more popular in France than Hollande who will decide by the end of this year whether to be the main candidate for the left and who looks unlikely to make the decisive second-round run-off. But Macron is not an elected lawmaker and does not have an established political machine behind him, meaning he cannot count on public funding like parties with elected officials. "But let's not be naive, changing politics to transform society requires organization. And that costs money," the email said, urging members to make donations. Almost 400,000 euros had been raised so far, it said. Macron told Les Echos this week some 2,000 donors had already made contributions to "En Marche", which are capped at 7,500 euros ($8,300) per person per year under French law. (Writing by Maya Nikolaeva; Editing by Richard Balmforth) By Ulf Laessing and Tife Owolabi LAGOS/YENAGOA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigeria's government needs to address grievances in the oil-producing Niger Delta, its oil minister said on Thursday, hours after a Chevron source said a militant attack had forced it to shut its onshore operations in the restive region. A militant group called the Niger Delta Avengers, which has told oil firms to leave the Delta before the end of May, said late on Wednesday that it had blown up the Chevron's facility's mains electricity feed. Its attacks have hobbled oil output over the past month. A company source told Reuters that "all activities in Chevron are grounded" onshore while oil industry sources said roughly 90,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Escravos were gone due to the latest attack and another on Chevron's offshore facilities earlier this month. Planned Escravos exports in the first half of 2016 averaged 167,000 bpd. A Twitter account with the group's name said late on Wednesday: "We Warned #Chevron By Ed Stoddard JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Swaziland has submitted a proposal to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to sell its rhino horn stocks to help pay for anti-poaching efforts, according to a copy of the submission obtained by Reuters. Swaziland's bid is a surprise after neighboring South Africa, which will host the next major CITES conference in September, decided not to push to loosen a global ban in trade in rhino horn in force since 1977. It also comes against the backdrop of a surge in poaching of rhinos for the animal's horn, which is coveted in Vietnam and other Asian countries as an ingredient in traditional medicine. A record 1,305 rhinos were illegally killed in Africa last year. African leaders and environmentalists were meeting in Kenya on Friday to dnL5N17W47Biscuss ways of combating elephant and rhino poaching. For Swaziland's proposal to succeed, it will need to get two-thirds of the countries attending the September meeting to support it - a difficult task as the issue is a red-button one that sharply divides conservationists. Opponents of opening up the trade argue it could lead to more poaching by criminal gangs seeking to launder "dirty" horns in clean markets. Supporters of a regulated trade say it could stem poaching by bringing licit supplies directly to the source of demand. Currently that can only be met illegally. The Swazi proposal seeks "a limited and regulated trade in white rhino horn which has been collected in the past from natural deaths, or recovered from poached Swazi rhino." It also wants to sell horn "harvested in a non-lethal way from a limited number of white rhino in the future in Swaziland." Rhino horn grows back after it is cut off and the animals can be darted for such operations. "This proposal is for Swaziland to sell existing stocks of some 330 kg (700 pounds) to a small number of licensed retailers in the Far East ... The proceeds from the sale of stocks will raise approximately $9.9 million at a wholesale price of $30,000 per kg," the submission says. Swaziland also wants to sell 20 kgs on an annual basis of horn harvested from live rhinos. Funds raise will be used to help boost security in the parks where its population of 73 rhino reside, the submission says. "Proceeds will also be used to fund much needed additional infrastructure and equipment, and to cover supplementary food during periods of drought. Swaziland is currently enduring the worst drought in living memory," the submission says. (Editing by Jeremy Gaunt) By Karen Freifeld NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City can enforce a rule requiring chain restaurants to post warnings on menu items high in sodium, a New York appeals court ruled on Thursday. In February, a New York state judge upheld the rule, knocking down a challenge by the National Restaurant Association. But the Appellate Division, First Department, temporarily stopped New York City from enforcing it. The court lifted has now lifted that interim order. The rule, believed to be the first of its kind in the United States, requires city restaurants with 15 or more locations nationwide to post a salt shaker encased in a black triangle as a warning next to menu items with more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium, the daily limit recommended by the federal government. Violators will be subject to $200 fines. A spokesman said the city would begin enforcement on June 6. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was pleased with the court's ruling on what he called a "common sense" regulation. "New Yorkers deserve to know a whole day's worth of sodium could be in one menu item, and too much sodium could lead to detrimental health problems," de Blasio said in a statement. Christin Fernandez, a spokeswoman for the National Restaurant Association, said that, while the decision means restaurants will have to comply with what she called an "unlawful and unprecedented" rule, the trade group continued to move forward with its appeal. The group has argued the rule is arbitrary and causes confusion for consumers. In February, Justice Eileen Rakower of state Supreme Court in Manhattan found the city's Board of Health within its rights to adopt the rule, which took effect in December, to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The sodium warning follows public health crusades by the city under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In 2003, the city banned smoking in bars and restaurants that had not been covered by previous no-smoking laws. Three years later, the city voted to ban transfats in restaurants and amended the health code to require chains to post calorie counts. In 2012, Bloomberg also proposed a ban on selling sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces (0.5 liters), but it was eventually struck down by the state's highest court. Unlike the failed soda ban, Rakower noted, the salt rule did not restrict the use of sodium. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld; editing by Dan Grebler and Alan Crosby) ROME (Reuters) - Migrants rescued from two boats in the Mediterranean this week told humanitarian workers in Italy that they saw another vessel carrying some 400 migrants sink, Save the Children said on Saturday. Three vessels carrying migrants already are confirmed to have sunk or capsized this week. More than 60 bodies are said to have been recovered, including those of three infants, and hundreds are believed to be missing. But the possible sinking of a fourth vessel on Thursday had not been reported, said Giovanna Di Benedetto, spokeswoman for Save the Children in Italy. That ship along with another fishing boat and a rubber boat left Sabratha in Libya late Wednesday night, according to interviews on Saturday with some of the more than 600 survivors from the two other vessels in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo. They said the rubber boat had its own motor, but the smaller fishing boat, carrying some 400 migrants, did not. It was towed by the larger fishing vessel, which held about 500 others. Eventually the smaller boat began to take on water and, when the captain of the larger boat ordered the tow line cut, sank with most of its passengers, the survivors told Save the Children. Those aboard the other two vessels were not rescued until much later. "There were many women and children on board," the survivors said, according to Di Benedetto. "We collected testimony from several of those rescued from both (the rubber and fishing) boats. They all say they saw the same thing." On the orders of the court of Ragusa, police have detained a man who they suspect was the captain of the larger boat, state news agency Ansa reported. Police are interviewing witnesses of the possible tragedy, la Repubblica Web site said. Mild weather has brought on a surge in migrant traffic this week between Libya and Italy, and about 700 more migrants were picked up on Saturday, the coast guard said. Pope Francis met with children at the Vatican earlier in the day to talk about migration, urging them to welcome migrants because they "are not dangerous, but in danger." (Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Paul Simao) As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ Uganda hit back Sunday at South Korea's claim that Kampala had ordered a halt to military ties with North Korea in line with UN sanctions, denying it had made such an announcement. South Korean President Park Geun-Hye's spokesman had earlier Sunday told reporters that Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni had ordered officials to honour the latest sanctions during a summit in Kampala. Spokesman Jung Yeon-Guk quoted Museveni as saying: "We instructed officials to faithfully enforce the UN Security Council resolutions, including the halt of cooperation with North Korea in the security, military and police sectors." But Ugandan authorities responded swiftly, saying there had been no "public declaration" to this effect. "That is not true. It is propaganda," deputy government spokesman Shaban Bantariza told AFP. "Even if (such an order) was to be made by the president, it cannot be public. It cannot be therefore true and it can't happen. That is international politics at play," he added. Dozens of North Korean military and police officials are believed to be working in Uganda as military trainers under a cooperation programme. Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has visited North Korea three times and met Kim Il-Sung, the country's late founding president and grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-Un. The UN Security Council in March imposed the toughest sanctions to date on Pyongyang following its fourth atomic test in January and a long-range rocket launch a month later. The rocket launch -- widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test -- was staged in violation of existing UN resolutions that ban the country from any use of ballistic missile technology. Kim Jong-Un however remained defiant in the face of growing international pressure, declaring his country a "responsible" nuclear weapons state at a recent meeting of the ruling Workers' Party. The young leader also defended North Korea's widely-condemned nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against "hostile" US policy against his regime. On her first state visit to Uganda, South Korea's Park discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, including offering more aid to Kampala and the offer of running join development projects. By Raju Gopalakrishnan and Manuel Mogato MANILA (Reuters) - A Bangladeshi central bank official's computer was used by unidentified hackers to make payments via SWIFT, and carry out one of the biggest-ever cyber heists, a Bangladeshi diplomat said on Thursday at the end of a Philippine Senate inquiry. There were certain indications about who the hackers were, Bangladesh Ambassador John Gomes told a panel looking into how the $81 million in stolen money ended up in the Philippines, citing information shared by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Gomes said the hackers were neither in the Philippines nor in Bangladesh, but he had no other information. "One of our bank officials who is in the group that makes payments, that passes the payment instructions, his computer was hacked," Gomes said. "It was a Friday when the attack happened and the Bangladesh central bank is totally shut down. It was all sealed and no one goes to the bank on that day." There was no evidence directly linking anyone in Bangladesh to the February cyber heist, Gomes said. The hackers sent fraudulent messages, ostensibly from the central bank in Dhaka, on the SWIFT system, to the New York Federal Reserve seeking to transfer nearly $1 billion from Bangladesh Bank's account there. Most of the transfers were blocked but about $81 million was sent to a bank in the Philippines. It was moved to casinos and casino agents and much of it is missing. Ralph Recto, one of the Philippine senators leading the investigation, said in April Chinese hackers were likely to have pulled off the heist, citing a network of Chinese people involved in routing the stolen funds through Manila. China has dismissed the suggestion. Bangladesh Bank officials have said they believed SWIFT, and the New York Fed, bear some responsibility for the cyber heist, but SWIFT has rejected the suggestion. The Philippine inquiry has helped recover $15 million of the stolen funds, but the head of the Philippine anti-money laundering council, Julia Abad, said it would take three to five months before the money, now subject of a forfeiture case, could be returned to Bangladesh. Senators wrapped up their investigation on Thursday but they were nowhere near finding the truth of what happened as they were hamstrung by the country's strict bank secrecy laws and as casinos fall outside the ambit of the anti-money laundering law. (Writing by Karen Lema; Editing by Robert Birsel) Syria's opposition chief negotiator in UN-brokered peace talks has announced his resignation in what analysts said amounted to a warning the Geneva-based process was on its "last legs". Mohammed Alloush, a member of the Saudi-backed rebel group Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam), said on Twitter late Sunday he was resigning over the talks' failure to produce any results on humanitarian and security issues. "The endless negotiations are harming the fate of the Syrian people," Alloush said. He blamed the "stubborn" regime for continuing to bomb Syrian cities, but also lambasted the international community for failing to secure an end to sieges, more aid access and prisoner releases. "I therefore announce my withdrawal from the delegation and my resignation" from the main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC). Syria analyst Charles Lister warned that Alloush's resignation could be the death knell for the peace talks. "This is Jaish al-Islam's way of signaling that the Geneva process is on its absolute last legs," Lister told AFP by email. "Armed groups have been threatening to withdraw from the talks for some time now, and Jaish al-Islam's recent move will be seen as a signal for others to consider preparing for the seemingly inevitable death of the process." The UN-backed talks are aiming to reach a political settlement to Syria's five-year-war, which has left more than 280,000 people dead and driven millions into exile. A fragile ceasefire between President Bashar al-Assad's regime and non-jihadist rebels brokered by Washington and Moscow was meant to bolster the talks, but repeated violations have left it hanging by a thread. The last round of talks in Geneva reached a deadlock in April when the HNC suspended its participation over escalating fighting on the ground. A new round of talks had been expected for the end of May, but UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura said on Thursday that he had no plans to convene another round in the next two or three weeks. De Mistura's spokeswoman Josephine Guerrero said on Monday: "This is an internal matter for the HNC. We look forward to continuing our work with all sides to ensure that the process moves forward." - Rebel withdrawal 'inevitable'? - The fate of Assad has been a key stumbling block in the negotiations, with the opposition insisting any peace deal must include his departure while Damascus says his future is non-negotiable. Diplomats have said there was little chance the opposition would take part in new talks if violence was raging and no aid was reaching civilians. With little high-level negotiations experience, Alloush was a controversial choice as the HNC's chief negotiator. Opposition members have also criticised Jaish al-Islam for its alleged involvement in kidnapping prominent rights activists in the town of Douma. But Lister said the participation of armed groups in the peace process "lent it that much more legitimacy". He said Alloush's resignation had been "discussed for some time" and may trigger additional defections, including HNC delegation head Asaad al-Zoabi. Zoabi defected from the Syrian air force in August 2012 and began advising rebel groups in Syria's south from Jordan. The prominent roles that both Alloush and Zoabi held within the HNC have boosted the body's legitimacy among rebels on the ground, who have previously derided the opposition-in-exile as nothing more than suits in hotels. "Unless the international community can come up with a substantial improvement in conditions on the ground, the eventual withdrawal of the armed opposition seems all but inevitable now," Lister wrote. Inside Syria, meanwhile, thousands of civilians have been fleeing a fresh offensive by the Islamic State jihadist group in the north, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Sunday. The surprise assault on the towns of Marea and Azaz threatens to overrun the last swathe of territory in the east of Aleppo province held by non-jihadist rebels. Further east, US-led coalition warplanes targeted IS positions north of the jihadist bastion of Raqa, killing 45 IS fighters, the Observatory said. President Barack Obama will make history on Friday when he travels to Hiroshima -- becoming the first sitting US leader to visit the site that ushered in the age of nuclear conflict. The trip comes more than seven decades after the world was first shown the potential key to its own destruction when an American plane, the Enola Gay, dropped its payload, dubbed "Little Boy" over the western Japanese city. The bombing claimed the lives of 140,000 people, some of whom died immediately in a ball of searing heat, while many succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses in the weeks, months and years afterwards. The US dropped a second bomb on the city of Nagasaki three days later. Coming in Obama's final year in office, the visit also marks seven years since he used his trademark soaring rhetoric to call for the elimination of atomic arms in a landmark speech in Prague that helped him win the Nobel Peace Prize. And while the world today appears no closer to that lofty vision, Obama is expected to use the symbolism of his presence in Hiroshima to call attention to present dangers. "I want to once again underscore the very real risks that are out there and the sense of urgency that we all should have," he told reporters on Thursday at a Group of Seven summit in Japan. "Our visit to Hiroshima will... reaffirm our shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons," he said earlier in the week, revisiting a phrase uttered in the Czech capital. He is to be accompanied by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose presence would "highlight the extraordinary alliance" forged between Japan and the United States from the ashes of war, Obama said. - 'Tremendous suffering' - Obama is expected to lay flowers at the cenotaph in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in the shadow of a domed building, whose skeleton has been left standing in silent testament to the victims of the first ever nuclear attack. He will also speak at the spot in the presence of at least three atomic bomb survivors, Japanese media reported. Sunao Tsuboi, 91, a Hiroshima survivor, told AFP that he had been invited to the event. He earlier told public broadcaster NHK that if he has the chance to speak with Obama, he would "want to express my gratitude" for his visit. "I have no intention of asking him for words of apology," said Tsuboi, a long-time anti-nuclear campaigner. Some quarters of Japanese society, however, have called for such a gesture, though Obama has ruled it out and insisted he will not revisit the decisions of his predecessor Harry Truman at the close of World War II. While some in Japan feel the attack was a war crime because it targeted civilians, many Americans say it hastened the end of a brutal and bloody conflict, and ultimately saved lives. Obama, in comments published by Japan's Asahi Shimbun daily on Thursday, emphasised the tragedy of armed conflict. "Hiroshima reminds us that war, no matter the cause or countries involved, results in tremendous suffering and loss, especially for innocent civilians," he said in a written response to questions posed by the paper. He also reiterated what he has called the "special responsibility" of the US to lead the world toward nuclear disarmament. The visit, while largely welcomed in Japan, has drawn less sympathetic reactions in other Northeast Asian countries where historical disputes with Tokyo over wartime and colonial aggression remain raw. In a commentary released late Thursday, North Koreas official KCNA news agency called Obamas trek to Hiroshima an act of "childish political calculation" aimed at disguising the presidents true nature as a "nuclear war maniac". "Obama is seized with the wild ambition to dominate the world by dint of the US nuclear edge," the agency said. And in Beijing, the government published China Daily newspaper ran a headline saying: "Atomic bombings of Japan were of its own making." By Fathin Ungku and Manesha Pereira SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A Singapore court on Friday charged six Bangladeshi men with terrorism financing, after detaining them last month for allegedly planning attacks in their home country. Security was tight at the state court as three armoured vehicles carrying the suspects entered the premises. The six were among eight Bangladeshi men detained in April under Singapore's colonial-era Internal Security Act, which allows suspects to be held for lengthy periods without trial. Five of the six said in Bengali through a court interpreter they intended to plead guilty. The sixth, Mamun Leakot, 29, said he never contributed to funding any group's activities in Bangladesh. "We just had an exchange of funds between ourselves, he said after the judge asked him about a transfer of money with another of the suspects. A prosecutor who declined to be identified said the other two were still facing detention orders but had not been charged. Authorities said the eight met in parks and other open spaces to share radical propaganda and videos, calling themselves members of Islamic State in Bangladesh. The detentions brought Singapore's 150,000 or more Bangladeshi migrant community into the spotlight for being one of the most marginalised Muslim communities in the wealthy city-state, according to rights groups and community leaders. Singapore, which has not suffered a militant attack in decades, deploys extensive surveillance and is largely seen as one of the safest countries in the world. But some critics say security comes with a cost to civil liberties. As part of the same investigation, five other Bangladeshis were deported to their home country last month and had since been arrested by the police there. They were being investigated for possible connections with the Bangladeshi militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team, authorities there said. The latest detentions were the second group of Bangladeshis investigated by Singapore in recent months. In January, authorities said they had arrested 27 Bangladeshi construction workers who supported Islamist groups including al Qaeda and Islamic State. All 27 were deported. Islamist militants in Bangladesh have carried out a series of killings since early last year, with liberal bloggers and academics among their victims. Most Bangladeshis working in Singapore are low-skilled and employed in construction and similar industries. (Reporting by Fathin Ungku and Manesha Pereira; Additional reporting by Edgar Fu; Writing by Marius Zaharia; Editing by Robert Birsel) Dylan Hughes In case you hadnt worked it out NTWICS is short for NOW! Thats What I Call Skateboarding Christian Pirate Man Harts madcap independent 2012 release which was focused primarily on the scene in and around South Wales, though featured friends from literally all over the country. In between recreating classic music videos from the 1990s, Christian managed to document some pretty ridiculous skateboarding from the likes of Chris Jones, Steve King, Jess Young, Ben Grove, Jake Collins, Chris Thomas, Chris Gibbons and Dan Wileman amongst others, with Dylan Hughes earning himself the curtains with a top notch performance of Marky Marks Good Vibrations paired with some typically next level tech antics. Pow! The video is over! watch on below The human gut is a complex and amazing system, and the more we learn about it, the more amazed we are. It turns out By Hugh Bronstein BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Fifteen ex-military officials were found guilty by an Argentine court on Friday of conspiring to kidnap and assassinate leftist dissidents as part of the Operation Condor program. The ruling was hailed by rights activists. Condor was coordinated by dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia to hunt down and kill exiled opponents in the 1970s and '80s. Former Argentine dictator Reynaldo Bignone, 88, the highest ranking figure on trial, was sentenced to 20 years in jail. Fourteen of the remaining 16 defendants got eight to 25 years behind bars. Two were found not guilty. Some individual crimes committed under Operation Condor had already been the subject of previous trials. Friday's verdict was the first to focus on participation in the plan itself. "This ruling, about the coordination of military dictatorships in the Americas to commit atrocities, sets a powerful precedent to ensure that these grave human rights violations do not ever take place again in the region," Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director for Human Rights Watch, said in a phone interview. Friday's court decision cited the disappearance of 105 people during Argentina's 1976-1983 dictatorship. "It determines not only that state terrorism in Argentina was an criminal conspiracy but that it was coordinated with other dictatorships," said Luz Palmas Zaldua, a lawyer with the Center for Legal and Social Studies (Cels), which represented many of the plaintiffs in the case. "They got together to maximize efforts to persecute political opponents of each of the dictatorships, and to 'disappear' or eliminate those who were considered subversive," she told reporters after the ruling was read out in court. Operation Condor, named after the broad-winged birds that inhabit the cordillera mountain range on the Chile-Argentine border, was coordinated from a joint information center at the headquarters of Chile's notorious secret police in Santiago. In a state visit to Argentina in March, President Barack Obama said the United States was too slow to condemn atrocities by the dictatorship, but he stopped short of apologizing for Washington's early support for the military junta. (Reporting by Hugh Bronstein; Editing by Richard Chang) BEIRUT (Reuters) - Fighting between Islamic State (IS) and Syrian rebels near the Turkish border has killed dozens of people in the last two days, as IS militants keep up an offensive that has led to rapid territorial gains, a monitoring group said on Saturday. Fighters from the militant group entered the rebel-held town of Marea early on Saturday, using at least two car bombs in the assault, and clashes continued later in the day, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. An advance by the jihadists on Friday that cut Marea off from another key insurgent-held town, Azaz, was their biggest territorial gain in the northern province of Aleppo for two years, the Observatory said. Islamic State has been battling rebel factions fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) since late last year, but clashes have intensified in recent weeks. The fighting in the past two days has killed at least 27 civilians as well as 41 combatants, the Observatory said. A U.S.-led coalition carried out air raids on IS positions in one of the villages that the jihadists had captured from rebels, it said. IS on Friday encroached from the east on a narrow area of rebel control connected to the Turkish border, through which the rebels have received support. To the west of that rebel-held area is territory under the control of the Kurdish YPG militia and its allies, who have been fighting the rebels but also separately battling Islamic State. One of the Kurdish-allied groups took over a village west of Marea on Saturday, apparently in a rare agreement with the FSA rebels, the Observatory reported. The move could bring the Kurdish-allied group, Jaysh al-Thuwwar, into confrontation with IS in the area. It also further erodes rebel control there from the west. The United States is backing the YPG and its allies in an offensive against IS in the northern countryside of neighbouring Raqqa province, which is home to the group's de facto capital, Raqqa city. Washington has also supported FSA factions. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Helen Popper) ANKARA (Reuters) - The European Union and Turkey held constructive talks on the conditions for granting visa-free travel for Turks, and EU experts will visit Ankara next week to work on removing the last obstacles, the European Commission's vice-president said on Friday. Frans Timmermans said on Twitter after talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik that they shared a "joint determination to overcome last remaining obstacles to visa liberalisation". Brussels has promised Turks visa-free travel into Europe in return for stopping the flow of illegal migrants to the bloc, after more than a million entered the EU from Turkey last year. While Europe is desperate for the deal to work, it also insists Ankara meet 72 criteria, including narrowing the scope of its broad anti-terrorism laws to meet European standards. Rights groups and some European officials say Turkey uses the laws to stifle dissent, prosecuting academics and journalists for expressing peaceful opinions, while President Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey needs its legislation to fight Kurdish insurgents and Islamic State. The disagreement has threatened the future of the migrant deal and put pressure on Ankara's relationship with the bloc. Erdogan, who spearheaded Turkey's drive for EU candidacy, has threatened it could go its own way if Europe failed to agree. Turkish foreign ministry officials confirmed that officials from Ankara would meet with their European counterparts next week to determine a roadmap on visa liberalisation. Wrangling over the anti-terrorism law has cast doubt on whether the end-June target date for the visa deal can still be met. Officials and diplomats told Reuters the deadline looked likely to be missed, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after talks with Erdogan this week that it may take longer but she was confident both sides would stick to the migrant pact. Other sticking points remain, including over a data protection law and the creation of an independent data protection authority. Keeping the migration accord on track is a key priority for several EU member states, especially the bloc's biggest power, Germany, which took in most of the 1.3 million refugees and migrants who reached Europe last year. (Reporting by Tulay Karadeniz; Writing by Paul Taylor and David Dolan) By Pavel Polityuk KIEV (Reuters) - Securing pilot Nadiya Savchenko's release from Russian captivity was a PR coup for Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko but the outspoken woman feted as the nation's "Joan of Arc" may ultimately prove a thorn in his side. While in jail, Savchenko was named a lawmaker in what is now the main opposition party at a time of growing disillusion with the slow pace of reforms and tackling corruption. She has also condemned a key plank of Poroshenko's ceasefire deal with pro-Russian separatists granting them autonomy in eastern Ukraine. "She may just ask all those who are now in power - what did you actually do while I was sitting in a Russian prison? She can gather under her flags all who are dissatisfied with the authorities, and it is a direct threat to Poroshenko," an MP from Poroshenko's party told Reuters on Friday. Two years after being captured in the separatist Donbass region and jailed in Russia for allegedly killing two Russian journalists, Savchenko was flown back to a hero's welcome and flowers in Kiev as part of a prisoner exchange on Tuesday. It seemed like perfect timing for Poroshenko - the woman now dubbed by local media and activists as Ukraine's Joan of Arc - after the 15th-century French martyr and national symbol - coming home on the second anniversary of his ascension to power. But lawmakers told Reuters the 35-year-old Savchenko's celebrity profile could come back to haunt Poroshenko. She signalled a hard line at a news conference on Friday against concessions Kiev made as part of the Minsk accord brokered between Ukraine, Russia and Western powers to stop the separatist war in Ukraine's Donbass region. Ukraine agreed to hold elections in Donbass and pass a law granting special status to the region, something resisted by lawmakers who have stalled the measure in parliament because they don't want it to be part of Ukraine's constitution. Savchenko said such elections were inconceivable unless Ukraine was reunited as a country. "If it were just us Ukrainians alone, then we would have come to an agreement ourselves. We have a lot of (foreign) advisers and they don't let us think for ourselves. Elections are impossible until we start to think and decide for ourselves." U.S. Vice President Joe Biden congratulated Poroshenko on the release of Savchenko in a call and called for freedom for all Ukrainians who are "unlawfully detained in Russia," the White House said. They condemned attacks by combined Russian-separatist forces in eastern Ukraine and Russia's persecution of Crimean Tatars, it said. Poroshenko had pledged to end the war within weeks on taking office. But the ceasefire is threadbare, with violence flaring up every week. More than 9,000 have been killed since fighting broke out after Russia's annexation of Crimea in March 2014. The president's popularity has waned amid growing public dissatisfaction with the halting progress towards reform since the 2014 protests catapulted a pro-Western leadership to power. PLAYING THE SAVCHENKO CARD "The Savchenko card will be played very quickly - it will be like an earthquake. Now there is an active struggle for her favour in a bid to protect (politicians) from attacks by Savchenko," the MP from Poroshenko's party said. Poroshenko, one of Ukraine's richest men, has taken flak also over leaks from the so-called "Panama Papers" that suggested he had set up an offshore firm to avoid tax in August 2014, during a peak in fighting in the Donbass. His representatives denied the fund was set up to dodge tax, saying the offshore firm was created to avoid a conflict of interest by allowing his assets to be controlled by third parties while he remained president. "An atmosphere of fraud and manipulation will wait for Nadiya now and (people in power) will do all to make her a part of the kleptocracy," said Yegor Sobolev, an MP from the reformist Samopomich party. Poroshenko's office did not comment. Savchenko, a helicopter navigator who also served as a Ukrainian peacekeeper in Iraq, was given a parliamentary seat while in prison by Yulia Tymoshenko, a former prime minister now head of the opposition Fatherland party. A third lawmaker, again from Poroshenko's party, said Savchenko would pose a threat to Tymoshenko rather than the president. This matters because Tymoshenko leads in public opinion polls and could win in the event of a snap election. "No one knows to what direction she will move. Tymoshenko herself would like to get rid of her," the lawmaker said. A Tymoshenko spokeswoman said: "Nadiya is a strong person and in the future could become a strong politician." "In the short term there is no threat for Poroshenko and Tymoshenko. But if there's a presidential election this autumn or in early 2017 - she could be one of the potential candidates and even could very likely win this election," said analyst Volodymyr Fesenko. "No one knows which way it will go and therefore everyone is afraid -- Poroshenko, Tymoshenko and others. Savchenko is the choice for many. She is militant patriot." At her press conference on Friday, Savchenko called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "dickhead" and said Crimea could be returned to Ukraine if a Third World War broke out. She was quickly asked whether she could become president. "Let's ask -- Ukrainians, if you need me to be president, fine I'll be president," she said. "I'm not saying that I want it (to be president). I love flying, but if needed, I will do anything and if needed I will go down even that road." (Additional reporting by Alessandra Prentice and Timothy Gardner in Washington; Writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Alistair Bell) By Julia Fioretti and Mathieu Rosemain BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google appealed on Thursday an order from the French data protection authority to remove certain web search results globally in response to a European privacy ruling, escalating a fight on the extra-territorial reach of EU law. In May 2014, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that people could ask search engines, such as Google and Microsoft's Bing, to remove inadequate or irrelevant information from web results appearing under searches for people's names - dubbed the "right to be forgotten". Google complied, but it only scrubbed results across its European websites such as Google.de in Germany and Google.fr in France, arguing that to do otherwise would set a dangerous precedent on the territorial reach of national laws. In February it also started delisting results across all its domains - including Google.com - when accessed from the country where the request came from. The French regulator, the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertes (CNIL), fined Google 100,000 euros ($112,150.00) in March for not delisting more widely, arguing that was the only way to uphold Europeans' right to privacy. "As a matter of both law and principle, we disagree with this demand," Kent Walker, Google's Senior Vice President and General Counsel, wrote in a blog post. "We comply with the laws of the countries in which we operate. But if French law applies globally, how long will it be until other countries - perhaps less open and democratic - start demanding that their laws regulating information likewise have global reach?" The company filed its appeal of the CNIL's order with France's supreme administrative court, the Council of State. A spokeswoman for the Council of State said that the court hadn't yet received the formal appeal and that the procedure would take "several months." A spokeswoman for the CNIL wasn't immediately available for comment. The CNIL has argued that the right to privacy should not depend on the location of a third person and that extending the right to be forgotten to all of Google's versions does not curtail the freedom of expression because no content is actually deleted -- it simply does not appear in search results. "One nation does not make laws for another," said Dave Price, senior product counsel, Google. "Data protection law, in France and around Europe, is explicitly territorial, that is limited to the territory of the country whose law is being applied." Google accepts around 40 percent of requests for the removal of links popping up under searches for people's names, according to its Transparency Report. (Editing by Alastair Macdonald and Alexandra Hudson) NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's Supreme Court on Thursday said an Italian marine under investigation for the killing of two fishermen is free to go home while international arbitration into the case goes on. Salvatore Girone, who has been living in the Italian embassy in New Delhi, was one of two marines arrested in 2012 on suspicion of killing the fishermen during an anti-piracy mission on an Italian oil tanker. The other marine is already back in Italy after suffering health problems. The Supreme Court ruled that Girone can return to Italy while an international tribunal decides on a jurisdictional issue between India and Italy. The marine must surrender his passport when he arrives in Italy and will be required to return to India within a month of an order from the tribunal, the court said in its order. Italy's foreign ministry said it was "satisfied" with the court's decision. "Salvatore Girone will be able to return home in just a few days' time," the ministry said. The dispute has strained relations between India and Italy and its European Union partners. In an effort to end four years of legal wrangling, both countries last year agreed to move their dispute to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Italy argues that the case should not be heard in India because the incident occurred in international waters. India has said it remains confident the tribunal will decide in its favour. (Reporting by Suchitra Mohanty; additional reporting by Steve Scherer in ROME; Writing by Tommy Wilkes; Editing by Douglas Busvine, Robert Birsel) By Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - More than 2,000 migrants were rescued from boats in the Mediterranean on Friday, Italy's coastguard said, as numbers soared for the third year running in the build up to summer. Around 14,000 people were taken off often flimsy vessels over the whole week, the United Nations and the coastguard said, and hundreds may have drowned, survivors and boat crews added, though there are no official estimates of casualties. Italian Navy ship Vega plucked about 130 people off a "half-submerged" large rubber boat - one of 17 operations coordinated by the coastguard on Friday. There were no details on how many were on board before it deflated. The Vega recovered 10 bodies, Ansa news agency said. The coastguard and the navy said they could not confirm the number. The coastguard said the warmer weather and calmer seas had led to a surge in the number of people trying to cross from Libya, where people smugglers operate with relative impunity. Numbers managing to reach Italy were comparable to the same period last year and the year before. The migrants, many of whom do not know how to swim and do not have life jackets, pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to make the crossing. They are piled onto flimsy rubber boats or old fishing vessels, and as dramatic images from the crew of the Italian Navy ship Bettica showed on Wednesday, they can be tossed into the water in a matter of seconds. The images show the moment a blue fishing boat capsized, sending hundreds of migrants tumbling into the sea. About 240 women and children had already been rescued, but an unknown number were trapped in the hull. Only five bodies were recovered and 562 were saved. Testimony from survivors suggests there were still many people below deck who were not able to escape, according to the U.N. refugee agency, while the Bettica captain estimated that "some 100" may have been lost. On Thursday, when 4,000 were rescued in 22 separate operations, survivors from another overturned fishing boat say some 200 may have drowned, a sharp rise from the 20-30 originally estimated, according to an Italian Interior Ministry source. Some 15 bodies were recovered, he said. "It's obvious that no matter the great effort made by rescuers, when the numbers are as high as we're seeing this week, it's very risky," said Federico Fossi, a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Rome. "But in terms of numbers it's the third year that this is 'normal'," Fossi said. "It's the beginning of the high season and we're still at slightly fewer arrivals as the same period last year." In 2014 and 2015, more than 320,000 boat migrants arrived on Italian shores, and an estimated 7,000 died in the Mediterranean as they sought to reach Europe, according to the International Organization for Migration. On Friday the IOM said it estimates total Mediterranean deaths at sea to be 1,475 this year. (Additional reporting by Antonella Cinelli and Stephanie Ulmer-Nebehay in Geneva; Editing by Hugh Lawson) UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations on Tuesday pleaded with combatants in Iraq's embattled Falluja to protect civilians escaping the fighting as Iraqi forces shelled Islamic State targets in an attempt to retake the militant stronghold just west of the capital. Earlier the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said a number of women and children had died while trying to leave the city. Over 80 families had managed to escape since May 20, it said in a statement. In New York, a spokesman for the world body issued a public plea on behalf of the nearly 50,000 civilians still in the city. "We're calling on all parties to the conflict to take all measures to protect civilians caught in the middle," Farhan Haq told reporters. "That includes allowing civilians to freely move out of conflict zones and being provided with protection as they disperse." He noted that the United Nations has long wanted the international community to join forces and stop the crimes of Islamic State (IS), also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh. But that must not be done at the expense of innocent civilians. "We have been encouraging united international action in the face of the sort of atrocities that have been carried out by Daesh," Haq said. "At the same time ... we urge that all participants in such operations observe international human rights and humanitarian law." Iraqi forces have surrounded Falluja since last year but focused most combat operations on IS-held territories further west and north. The authorities have pledged to retake Mosul, the north's biggest city, this year in keeping with a U.S. plan to oust Islamic State from their de facto capitals in Iraq and Syria. Falluja is a bastion of Sunni Muslim jihadists 50 km (30 miles) from Baghdad that was the first city to fall to Islamic State in January 2014. About 300,000 people lived in the Euphrates River city before the current war. (Reporting by Louis Charbonneau; Editing by Sandra Maler) By Ransdell Pierson and Bill Berkrot (Reuters) - U.S. health officials on Thursday reported the first case in the country of a patient with an infection resistant to a last-resort antibiotic, and expressed grave concern that the superbug could pose serious danger for routine infections if it spreads. "We risk being in a post-antibiotic world," said Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, referring to the urinary tract infection of a 49-year-old Pennsylvania woman who had not traveled within the prior five months. Frieden, speaking at a National Press Club luncheon in Washington, D.C., said the bacteria was resistant to colistin, an antibiotic that is reserved for use against "nightmare bacteria." The infection was reported Thursday in a study appearing in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, a publication of the American Society for Microbiology. It said the superbug itself had first been infected with a tiny piece of DNA called a plasmid, which passed along a gene called mcr-1 that confers resistance to colistin. "(This) heralds the emergence of truly pan-drug resistant bacteria," said the study, which was conducted by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. "To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of mcr-1 in the USA." The patient visited a clinic on April 26 with symptoms of a urinary tract infection, according to the study, which did not describe her current condition. Authors of the study could not immediately be reached for comment. The study said continued surveillance to determine the true frequency of the gene in the United States is critical. "It is dangerous and we would assume it can be spread quickly, even in a hospital environment if it is not well contained," said Dr. Gail Cassell, a microbiologist and senior lecturer at Harvard Medical School. But she said the potential speed of its spread will not be known until more is learned about how the Pennsylvania patient was infected, and how present the colistin-resistant superbug is in the United States and globally. "MEDICINE CABINET IS EMPTY FOR SOME" In the United States, antibiotic resistance has been blamed for at least 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths annually. The mcr-1 gene was found last year in people and pigs in China, raising alarm. The potential for the superbug to spread from animals to people is a major concern, Cassell said. For now, Cassell said people can best protect themselves from it and from other bacteria resistant to antibiotics by thoroughly washing their hands, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly and preparing foods appropriately. Experts have warned since the 1990s that especially bad superbugs could be on the horizon, but few drugmakers have attempted to develop drugs against them. Frieden said the need for new antibiotics is one of the more urgent health problems, as bugs become more and more resistant to current treatments. "The more we look at drug resistance, the more concerned we are," Frieden added. "The medicine cabinet is empty for some patients. It is the end of the road for antibiotics unless we act urgently." Overprescribing of antibiotics by physicians and in hospitals and their extensive use in food livestock have contributed to the crisis. More than half of all hospitalized patients will get an antibiotic at some point during their stay. But studies have shown that 30 percent to 50 percent of antibiotics prescribed in hospitals are unnecessary or incorrect, contributing to antibiotic resistance. Many drugmakers have been reluctant to spend the money needed to develop new antibiotics, preferring to use their resources on medicines for cancer and rare diseases that command very high prices and lead to much larger profits. In January, dozens of drugmakers and diagnostic companies, including Pfizer , Merck & Co , Johnson & Johnson and GlaxoSmithKline , signed a declaration calling for new incentives from governments to support investment in development of medicines to fight drug-resistant superbugs. (This story corrects headline, first and third paragraphs to show bacteria is resistant to last-resort antibiotic colistin, not all antibiotics) (Reporting by Ransdell Pierson; Additional reporting by Bill Berkrot; Editing by Bernard Orr) By Yasmeen Abutaleb SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The Vietnamese government restricted access to Facebook Inc inside Vietnam for several days this week as part of a broader crackdown on human rights and political dissidents during a visit by President Barack Obama, two activist organizations said on Thursday. Officials of Access Now, a digital rights organization, and Viet Tan, a Vietnamese pro-democracy group, said the social media site was restricted and at times blocked inside Vietnam from Sunday to Wednesday, citing reports from people inside the country on Twitter and to Access Now's digital security help service. The move coincides with a trend toward restrictions on Facebook in countries including China, Uganda and Turkey during politically sensitive times as the 1.6 billion-person social network grows more powerful. Obama's three-day visit to Vietnam ended on Wednesday. Obama largely focused on normalizing relations with Vietnam. But he also promoted human rights and chided Vietnam about restrictions on political freedoms after critics of its communist-run government were prevented from meeting him. The Facebook shutdown was part of a stepped-up campaign by the Vietnamese government to limit use of the social network for political protests, activists said in phone interviews. Facebook was blocked several times earlier this month as street protests erupted over an environmental disaster that resulted in mass fish deaths, the two groups said. The social media site was also unavailable inside Vietnam ahead of parliamentary elections on Sunday as pro-democracy activists called for a boycott, members of the two groups said. Facebook declined to comment. Vietnamese government officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment submitted via a government website. Uganda's government blocked Facebook and Twitter Inc in February during presidential elections. In March, after a deadly bombing in Turkey, an Ankara court ordered a ban on access to Facebook and Twitter. And during the 2011 Arab Spring in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, social networks were repeatedly shut down. Facebook is often shut down in Vietnam during politically sensitive times, Angelina Huynh, advocacy director for Viet Tan, which has members around the world, including in Vietnam, said in a phone interview. "People were using Facebook to call for protests. They did not want people to take to the streets," Huynh said. (Reporting By Yasmeen Abutaleb; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) This Week in Palestine, May 27th, 2016 by IMEMC Welcome to this Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, http://www.imemc.org , for May 21, to the 27, 2016. Listen now: Copy the code below to embed this audio into a web page: While international attempts to revive peace talks are met by Israeli refusal, Israels army attacks targeting Palestinians leave a teenager killed another injured this week. These stories, and more, coming up, stay tuned. The Nonviolence Report Lets begin our weekly report as usual with the nonviolent activities organized in the West Bank. This week protests were organized in the villages of Bilin, Nilin and al Nabi Saleh in central West Bank, and in the northern West Bank village of Kufer Kadum. A thirteen year-old child was injured after being shot by Israeli soldiers as they attacked the villagers of Kufer Kadum. Troops fired live rounds, mushroom bullets and tear gas at protesters and their supporters at the village entrance. Many residents were also treated for the effects of tea gas inhalation in central West Bank, at the villages of Bilin and Nilin, Israeli soldiers attacked the protesters as soon as they reached the gate in the wall that separates local farmers from their lands. Many protesters suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation and were treated by field medics at both locations. At the nearby Al Nabi Saleh village troops attacked protesters as soon as they reached the village entrance. Later Israeli forces invaded the village and fired tear gas into residents homes causing damage and many residents to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation. The Political Report Moves are underway, this week, to revive a long-stalled Middle East peace process. IMEMCs Rami Al Meghari has more: Peace process is on the surface, again, following years of stalemate and troubled Middle East. Council of foreign ministers for Arab States, is to meet in Cairo. The meeting scheduled next week, would discuss ways to reactivate the Arab peace initiative of 2002, land for peace formula. This comes after France had called for an international peace conference, involving Europe, America and four Arab states, excluding the Palestinian National Authority and Israel. Both Israel and the PA, have been halting peace talks for years, over Palestinians rejection of current settlements building on occupied Palestinian lands. Earlier, Egyptian president, Abdelfattah Alsisi, had hinted at the possibility for a just peace between Arabs and Israel, based on land for peace and in accordance with UNs Security Council resolutions, mainly 242 and 338, which demand Israel to end occupation of West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Egypt is currently president of the UNs Security Council. In the meantime, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is to hold meetings with Egypts Alsisi and Secretary General of the Arab States league, over same discussions. Palestinians hope these talks would lead to a major break through in a two state solution, envisioned by Washington, more than a decade a go. Meanwhile, Palestinian sources confirmed that a meeting for the Quartet committee for Middle East peace, would be held , soon, to tackle ongoing Israeli settlements building and latest peace efforts and offers. For IMEMC News , I am Rami Al Meghari, in Gaza The West Bank and Gaza Report This week Israeli troops killed a Palestinian teenager at a West Bank checkpoint, meanwhile navy ships escalated attacks targeting Gaza fishers. IMEMCs Ghassan Bannoura Reports: Seventeen-year old, Sawsan Mansour, was killed by Israeli troops on Monday of this week. She was crossing an Israeli military checkpoint northwest of occupied Jerusalem. Mansour is from the village of Beddou near Jerusalem. Israeli troops claimed that she had a knife. Witnesses said that soldiers shot her from a distance before searching her. Also on Monday, 17-year-old Palestinian youth was shot and injured by Israeli troops when they attacked protesters at al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah in central West Bank. In the meantime, Israeli forces conducted more than 63 military invasions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem. During these invasions, Israeli troops kidnapped at least 54 Palestinian civilians, including 16 children. In the Gaza Strip this week, Israeli army and navy escalated their attacks targeting farmers and fishers. Israeli navy ships opened fire, on Friday morning, on several Palestinian fishing boats within six nautical miles from the Gaza shore, forcing them to return without fishing. Earlier in the week Israeli navy ships opened fire, Wednesday, targeting fishers in Palestinian waters, northwest of Gaza city, while the soldiers opened fire on shepherds and farmers, in different parts of the coastal region. Many Palestinian boats were hit by navy fire, causing damage, and pushing the fishers to sail back to shore, fearing additional escalation. In addition, soldiers stationed across the border fence, fired many live rounds on farmers and shepherds, in Palestinian lands, along the border fence, east of the Gaza Strip. The soldiers also opened fire on farmers east of Abasan al-Kabeera town, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the coastal region. A similar attack took place east of the al-Qarara town, northeast of Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah and east of the al-Maghazi refugee camp, in central Gaza, targeting farmers and shepherds. The attacks did not lead to casualties, but forced the Palestinians to leave the attacked areas, in fear of additional military escalation. This week Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights published a study that showed that the Israeli navy has carried out at least 17 attacks against Gaza fishers, since the beginning of this year, and kidnapped 65 fishers. For IMEMC News this is Ghassan Bannoura. Conclusion And thats all for today from This Week in Palestine. This was the Weekly report for May 21, to the 27, 2016. From the Occupied Palestinian Territories. For more news and updates please visit our website at www-dot-imemc-dot-org, This weeks report has been brought to you by George Rishmawi and me Eman Abedraboo-Bannoura. The remaining primaries can change the destiny of the planet. Please vote against Clinton and Trump. In US House races, please vote for antiwar candidates.In polls Trump beats Clinton and Sanders beats both. If for any reason Bernie Sanders is not the Democratic nominee, many more millions will vote third party. A vote for Clinton is a vote for Trump. Please vote either for Sanders or an antiwar third party candidate such as Libertarian Gary Johnson, Green Party's Jill Stein, or the Socialist Party.******************************************************************************Hillary Clinton: Advocate of War Without EndI Issues Re Human Beings1. Clinton voted for the Iraq War, an immoral fiasco which has cost countless US lives and many more lives of civilians, soldiers etc. Its only effect besides costing trillions of dollars has been to multiply anger at the US around the world and to create ISIL.2. Clinton helped prosecute 12 illegal immoral wars of the Obama administration (a man who sold out his electorate almost immediately upon entering office). The 12 are Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Central African Republic, the Congo, Libya, Egypt, Iran. All of them have been total failures except for rightwing religious haters and war profiteers. Hillary Clinton promotedGen. Stanley McChrystals recommendation to send 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan though Obama did not want more troops. She backed and Obama opposed the militarys plan to leave behind 10,000 to 20,000 American troops in Iraq Clinton lobbied for the CIA plan to give money to Syrian relbels which Obama opposed.3. Clinton is in favor of government murder, called execution, something opposed by over 3/4 of the world's countries and at least 42 states. The Obama nominee she supports, Merrick Garland, is an executioner as well.4. Clinton twice voted for the unconstitutional Patriot Act, a massive tome of several thousand pages which was prepared before the WTC bombing. The Patriot Act allows government agencies to ride roughshod over individuals.5. In at least 3 false flag operations of the CIA and government, the Oklahoma City Bombing, the World Trade Center bombing, and the alleged murder of Osama Bin Laden, Clinton has supported the official lies.6.. The candidate most favored by the billionaire bankers and hedge fund owners of Wall St. is Hillary Clinton, who has connections to Goldman Sachs. Clinton supported the Wall St bank bailout which was a giveaway of tens of trillions of dollars to the richest Americans. Her son in law's hedge fund was floated by Goldman Sachs. She and her husband were house guests of Wigmore of Goldman Sachs who was for that group in charge of facilitating the UK's utility privatizations.6b. Six of 10 of Clinton's biggest donors are big banks. 9 of 10 of Sanders' biggest donors are unions.7. Took an active role in the coup d'etat in Honduras which iremoved the democratically elected Manuel Zelaya and replaced him with a pawn of loanshark capitalism.8. Clinton's health is poor. She has had several fainting spells, is subject to blood clots and stroke, etc.9. Clinton has never had the requisite lack of bias on Mideast topics to be president. She considers herself aligned with Israel against any rights of the Palestinian people. Her paid remarks to Goldman Sachs and videos of her speech to AIPAC are hard to access.10. She never supported unions when on the board of unionbusting WalMart.11. Hillary Clinton attempted to interfere with the reelection of Venezuela's socialist president Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro after the Bush and Obama administrations destabilized the country. She has helped to plunge millions in Venezuela into poverty as she helped to destroy CITGO, the Venezuelan oil company owned by the people of Venezuela, a company which gave hundreds of millions in fuel oil to the poor of New England. Joseph Kennedy was one of many who praised Venezuela's generosity.12a. In New York, Clinton and her machine disenfranchised 3 million Latino, black, young and other voters who tried to register as Democrats and failed. In this she was helped by warmonger media such as CBS which failed to warn New Yorkers of impending registration deadlines.12b. Clinton, McCain and other vote fraud in Arizona: Latinos and blacks found their voting sites closed. There were thousands waiting to vote as the corporate media called the victory for Clinton. (see links)12c, In Nevada she tried to strongarm caucus rule changes to benefit her campaign.12d She has helped to create the class of unelected and undemocratic super delegatesClinton, McCain and other vote fraud in Arizona: Latinos and blacks found their voting sites closed. There were thousands waiting to vote as the corporate media called the victory for Clinton. (see links)13 Snowden said Clinton's charge that he could have had whistleblower protection was false, given that the Obama administration of which she is a part has prosecuted more whistleblowers than any other.14. Clinton supported the job outsourcing, labor and environment weakening Trans Pacific Partnership 45 times... now she says she's against it.15. Clinton has taken 4.5 million from 58 registered oil and gas lobbyists.16. Clinton supported the Keystone Pipeline until pressured by political reality into opposing it.17. In Libya, Clinton went above the heads of Pentagon generals "Libya has been destroyed. It became a haven for ISIS. The Libyan national armory was looted and hundreds of tons of weapons were transferred to jihadists in Syria. see link18. Privatizer prison profiteers are raising money for Clinton. Because we have many privatized prisons whose profit motive is enhanced each time they jail another person, the US has the highest per capita rate of prisoners in the world.See lnk19. Clinton operatives have been hacking into sites of her opponents.20a. Clinton supported fracking projects around the world20b Clinton supports offshore drilling, the kind which has made the Gulf of Mexico a toxic dump of BP's neurotoxin Corexit, the kind which has destroyed the Niger Delta.21. Clinton has been evasive about the unconstitutional spying of the NSA as well as about all NSA raw data going to the government of Israel.22. Some want Clinton to be the first woman president in the US. However she has helped bomb millions of women and girls, and billions of women animals.23. Hillary Clinton voted for legislation which made it easier to hide assets in offshore accounts.24. Clinton claims to have the support of African Americans, though once again more black Americans per capita than whites are dying in antisecurity immoral foreign wars.25. In April of 2016, 100 civilians in Yemen (women, men, children, their pets etc) were murdered by Saudi jet fighters dropping bombs given the polygamous sheiks by the Obama administration with the approval of Hillary Clinton.26. Clinton took 15 million dollars from Wall Street operatives.27. In his prosecution of Timothy McVeigh, Merrick Garland worked for McVeigh's execution. McVeigh after washing out of the Rangers was recruited by the CIA and given 2 million dollars cash. After he followed CIA instructions, the agency told authorities his whereabouts and stole back the 2 million dollars. Hillary Clinton and Merrick Garland share their support of government murder (the death penalty) despite the fact that over 3/4 of the world and 42 states have no executions.28. The Clinton emails have never been an issue for this poster, but it is interesting to note that the hacker who exposed the situation has been extradited to the U.S.29. Clinton's role in diverting money to war has destroyed health care for hundreds of millions of Americans who have the highest costs in the world and only middling care.30. Clinton's role in diverting money to war has destroyed the college dreams of a whole generation of Americans.31. Clinton's role in diverting money to war has destroyed bridge infrastructures in the US, harming the safety of all Americans.32. Clinton's role in diverting firefighters to war has caused fires at home.33. Clinton's role in diverting money to war has killed millions overseas, tens of thousands of American soldiers, and wounded millions more American soldiers. She has helped create American veterans shoddy health care at home.34. Clinton has helped turn American airwaves into warmonger media.35. Hillary Clinton wants the map of empire to continue. American soldiers are sitting ducks in the Mideast, The head of the Joint Chiefs wants them brought home. The map is of places in which soldiers stationed in many places around the globe, hemorrhaging money. while poverty grows at home.36. It is said that Clinton exaggerated her role in the Irish peace process.37. Hillary Clinton is lying about the US government role in the WTC bombing.38. Over half of Americans have an unfavorable view of both Clinton and Trump39. Clinton switched her position on same sex marriage. She has often. when realizing a position she took was becoming a nonmajority position. switched her position.40. Bankster thieves have several hundred trillion dollars in derivatives, a false wealth, a house of cards producing nothing whether it's cattle futures or subprime mortgages. Neither Clinton nor Trump can be trusted to change this.41. According to Wikipedia, Chelsea Clinton is on the board of several of Barry Diller's corporations. Diller was an executive with the rightwing Fox network for a number of years.42. Clinton opposes the use of a carbon tax as a way to hasten nonviolent renewable solar, wind and other energy not derived from deforestation, mountain decapitation, air pollution, animal habitat destruction.43. Should Sanders lose the Democratic nomination, 33 to 50% of his supporters would not vote for Clinton and the likelihood of a Republican president becomes higher.44. Clinton supported border fence legislation. Sanders opposes it.45. Bernie Sanders supports marijuana legalization. HIllary Clinton approves only of medical marijuana.46. Clinton's Russophobia has been demonstrated.47. Ralph Nader, Bernie Sanders, and many others have commented on Hillary Clinton's failure to release transcripts of her speeches, etc. as symptoms of her lack of transparency.48. Six billion dollars disappeared in her tenure at the State Dept.49. Hillary wants to remove women's choice to say no to lethal vaccines for their children50.There were 400 unelected 'super' delegates lined up for Hillary Clinton before the first primary, an antidemocraticantiprimary practice. Since Clinton has been more hawkish even than Obama re the 7 illegal immoral war zones in which this government is currently bombing people, animals, birds, trees etc., are these delegates also prowar?51. Clinton works closely with her fellow hawk and corporate hack, Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Sanders has given 1/4 million dollars to Schultz' primary opponent, Tim Canova.52. Clinton refuses to debate Sanders in California.53. Clinton has claimed to be agnostic about nuclear power.54. Clinton ate murdered pig pieces at the Iowa State Fair and murdered cow pieces at the NY State Fair55. Clinton has aggressively promoted the Netanyahu agenda.56. voted for NAFTA which outsourced many American jobs"As secretary of state, Hillary Clinton was reportedly one of the most hawkish members of President Obama's cabinet, pushing for the 2009 troop surge in Afghanistan and US intervention in Libya. She has also been a vocal proponent of the same drone war that has led to the deaths of 2,400 civilians. In her recent memoir, Hard Choices, she bragged about having presided over the imposition of "crippling sanctions" on the Iranian economy during her tenure as secretary of state." Joseph Mulkerin of TruthoutClinton's health5 reasons not to vote for ClintonNote: Why are there eartags painfully stapled onto calves' ears? Because they are objects, numbers, not feeling animals to those who profiteer from them. They are also branded with blazing hot irons and if male, castrated.II Issues Re Animals1. James Blair of Tyson Foods (one of the nation's biggest animal slaughter operations) and insider trading helped H Clinton turn $ 1000 into $100,000. She invested in cattle futures. Those cows had no future.2. Hillary and Bill Clinton have had a special relationship until his death in 2011 with Don Tyson, whose company has killed tens of billions of cows and pigs and trillions of chickens after a life of suffering in hideous factory farms. The Clintons have a longstanding relationship with John Tyson, Chairman of Tyson Foods.3. Hillary Clinton was for a time on the WalMart board, one of the world's biggest killers of mammals, birds, fishes.4. Hillary Clinton voted for the immoral Iraq war the prosecution of which has murdered hundreds of billions of birds and mammals, burned to death by bombs, crushed by tanks, seized and killed for food etc and which has added trillions to the US debt.5. As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promoted the 7 illegal wars, bombing campaigns and drone assassinations of the Obama administration in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Pakistan and Somalia, with untold billions of animal deaths.6. Hillary Clinton voted for NAFTA, which gave countries with less humane legislation easier access to the US market.7. Until Bernie Sanders' critical mass of opposition, Clinton was in favor of the Keystone Pipeline which like nearly all oil pipelines destroys fragile animal habitats, kills animals with oil spills, crushes them under heavy vehicle8. Clinton has hired a Monsanto person for her campaign. Monsanto has killed mammals, birds, bees and other insects in a variety of ways9. Clinton is tied to Goldman Sachs through her son in law's hedge fund. Sanders wants her to release the text of her remarks to Goldman Sachs, which paid her $225,000 for her speaking engagement. Politico article: "She sounded more like a Goldman Sachs managing director." Goldman Sachs is invested in animal slaughter, environmental destruction, war profiteering etc and was a major factor in plunging Greece, Spain and other countries into massive debt through pricegouging interest. She, Ted Cruz whose wife has a 6 figure salary with Goldman Sachs, and John Kasich, who lost hundreds of billions for Ohio pension funds when he was an executive with Lehman Brothers, are the 3 candidates of the duopoly most tied to Wall Street.10. At the State Department, Hillary Clinton gave an award to Heifer International, the butcher industry's corporation which separates terrified baby animals from their mothers and sends them to lives of slavery and slaughter overseas, thereby spreading disease to humans, global heating and freezing, deforestation, and world hunger.11. Clinton has supported fracking around the world. Poisonous fracking water chemical stews have killed millions of animals, from cows, sheep and other mammals to birds, reptiles, fishes etc. not only from water poisons but from fires caused by deforestation frackers who interfere with the rain cycle and massive earthquakes such as an 8 point record breaker for Canada in Alberta.12. Because Hillary Clinton is on record requiring forced vaccination of children against parents' wishes, (against choice), it follows that she favors the animal research (torture of animals called vivisection) which develops the vaccines.III The EnvironmentHillary's fracking promotion through the State Department has harmed the planet.Fracking made Oklahoma the earthquake capital of the world. Government inaction on fracking has caused 800 earthquakes in the Youngstown Ohio area alone. It causes turned on water faucets to burst into flame. It deforests fragile environments. It sends a poisonous stew of fracking chemicals into the ground. They end up everywhere in the watershed, killing people, cows, sheep, other mammals, birds, frogs etc.The movie Promised Land with Matt Damon exposes the criminal techniques of fracking companies, sometimes owned by huge natural gas companies.Hillary Clinton supported offshore drilling, supported the Keystone Pipeline for a long time, has worked at the State Department in support of 7 illegal immoral wars and the bombing which destroys fragile environments.Ralph Nader video of Hillary's lack of transparencyMother Jones and The Huffington Post have covered the stories of rancher deaths and deaths of cows and sheep.How Hillary Clinton's State Department sold fracking to the worldHillary Clinton Touted Fracking Across the Globe, and Only Bernie Sanders Can Be Trusted to Save Us From ItHillary Clinton Touted Fracking Across the Globe, and On... In 2011, the Bulgarian government granted U.S. Oil Company, Chevron, permission to extract oil using the controversial technique known as "fracking." The.... View on http://www.huffingtonpost ... Preview by Yahoo-saiom shriver-Oklahoma fracking capital of the worldGas companies' fracking crimes are explored in the movie Promised Land (Matt Damon).HILLARY'S GUNSHillary Clinton wants fewer gunsin the US.... and many times moreweapons in the 7 illegal war zonesshe has promoted.HILLARY CLINTON AND SOCIAL SECURITYHillary Clinton and companyhave diverted money from theSocial Security trust fund toillegal wars. She can't betrusted with the socialsecurity of citizens.HILLARY CLINTON: A WOMAN WHO DOESN'T PROTECT WOMENDo we want a first woman presidentwho is facilitating the bombingof innocent women in SEVENillegal war zones?HILLARY CLINTON AND CATTLE FUTURESHillary Clinton is saidto have been involvedin insider tradinginvesting in cattle futures.Someone who investsin cattle futuresknows that the cowshave no future.CLINTON TRUMP AND BANKSTER THIEVESBankster thieveshave several hundred trilliondollars in derivatives,a false wealth, a house of cardsproducing nothingwhether it's cattle futuresor subprime mortgages.Neither Clinton nor Trumpcan be trusted to change this.***************************How Clinton's hawkishness increased (she was a hawk long before 2010 (a claim of the NYT)Hillary Clinton's role in the coup d'etat removing democractically elected Manuel ZelayaPrivatized prison profiteers raising money for ClintonManuel ZelayaNote: The Goldman Sachs CEOinvested a lot of money with Hillary'sson in law's hedge fund.James Blair of Tyson Foods helped Hillary Clinton net 100,000 dollars from one thousand. Tyson's is one of the biggest slaughter operations in the USThe documentary The Noble Lie provides more information on the CIA false flag operation, the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building.Cattle futures controversyThis writer is voting for a third party candidate.What Hillary Clinton has said in her paid speechesHillary Clinton speech to AIPAC America Israel Political Action Comm.Quote about Clinton is from Julian Assange http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/julian_assange_voting_hillary_clinton_spread_terrorism_20160224 Clinton's ties to Don Tyson, one of biggest slaughterhouse operators in USFrom http://www.legitgov.org/#breaking_news is the following quoteDonald J Tyson, billionaire, dies at 80a vote for Hillary is a vote for Monsantopic source: thefederalistpapers.comRemaining primaries:Snowden disputes Clinton allegationClinton on TPPClinton evasive about NSAHacker who exposed Clinton emails has been extradited to USWar profiteering contractors return to Iraq in droves - Improvise explosive device planted by the Boko Haram exploded, killing four people - The military promised to end the terrorists wherever they might be hiding Boko Haram insurgents The Nigerian army has informed Legit.ng that the improvise explosive device (IED) planted by the Boko Haram sect by the side of Biu -Damboa road exploded close to a military checkpoint at the outskirts of Biu town, Borno state. The military's spokesman Sani Usman in a statement said that at about 8.15am on May 29 a tricycle, known as Keke NAPEP unknowingly stepped on an IED. READ ALSO: USA plans to send 12 attack aircraft for Boko Haram fight The statement reads in part: Unfortunately, the IED exploded instantly killing 4 persons comprising of a woman with her baby and 2 other male adults. Three other persons were injured including a soldier and they were immediately evacuated to Biu General Hospital. We regret to state that the injured soldier also died at the hospital. The general area has been cordoned off and Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) team from Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Buratai have been mobilized to carryout further search of the area. Preliminary investigations shows that the IED was buried long time ago undetected. It exploded when the tricycle erroneously stepped on it. We commiserate with the families of the victims of this sad incident. This unfortunate development has brought to the fore, the need for more security consciousness and vigilance among all. We would like to reiterate that the explosion would not deter us from seeing to the end of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding through our ongoing clearance operations. READ ALSO: MUST READ: President Buharis 5 key achievements in his first year We want to use this opportunity to solicit for more cooperation from the members of the public to enable us succeed in the fight against the remnants of these criminal elements going by the appellation Boko Haram terrorists. President Muhammadu Buhari has today, May 29, marked his first year since he assumed the power. The presidency boasted that it almost fulfilled its promise to end the insurgency in the country. However, the Boko Haram sect continues its attacks on innocent people. At the same time USA wants to sell up to 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to Nigeria in recognition of President Buhari's reform of the country's army. Source: Legit.ng Few other animation studios invoke the praise and name recognition as Studio Ghibli. And perhaps few if any other name is more synonymous with Ghiblis outstanding pedigree of critically lauded, genre-defining masterpieces than that of Hayao Miyazaki. One could say that Ghibli is the house that Miyazaki built, having directed a total of nine of studios twenty feature-length films (not including Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind). However, Miyazaki notwithstanding, Ghibli has been home to a small yet prestigious roster of talented directors whose works have bolstered the studios hold on the imaginations of anime aficionados and general movie-goers alike, while cementing its legacy as one of the preeminent purveyors of anime as a global art form over the past 30 years. Here are six of the best Studio Ghibli films that dont feature Hayaos name on top billing! Director: Goro Miyazaki Goro Miyazaki is one ofif not the mostscrutinized of Ghiblis nascent directors. The son of the master himself, Goros body of work has been been hounded by the lofty expectations heaped upon his family name long before even the release of his critically maligned debut, Tales from Earthsea, in 2006. His follow-up in 2011, From Up on Poppy Hill, is a far stronger showing of his potential for greatness. Set in Yokohama, Japan, at a turning point in the countrys newfound post-war identity, Poppy Hill follows the story of Umi Matsuzaki, a young high school girl who befriends a strong-willed student journalist by the name of Shun Kazama and joins him in his campaign to save their schools historic yet dilapidated clubhouse from being demolished. As the two rally together the student body to defy the schools decision, circumstances come to light that threaten to upend their budding relationship. Umi and Shun remain nonetheless steadfast in their resolve to save the clubhouse, all the while searching their hearts in the wake of uncertain revelations. Though the film is is certainly not without its occasional lulls, it benefits greatly from a storyboard screenplay co-penned by none other than Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa (The Secret World of Arrietty). Karey Kirkpatricks English-adapted screenplay is deserving of special mention, injecting incidental quips of background dialogue throughout the film that are as enlightening as they are hilarious. This may not be Goros first great film to step entirely from the shadow of his fathers influence, but the simple exuberant charm of From Up on Poppy Hill bodes well for future efforts. Director: Isao Takahata Its entirely likely that you could be reading this as ardent fan of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazakis films and have no idea who Isao Takahata is. As one of the three founding members of Studio Ghibli, Takahata has directed the second largest number of Ghibli features, eclipsed only by that of his former protege, long-time colleague and unofficial rival. His fifth Studio Ghibli feature and final film, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, was produced alongside and released in the same year as that of Miyazakis own parting production, The Wind Rises. Adapted and inspired by a 10th-century Japanese fable, the film follows the story of the enchanted life and journey of a child who, born from the shoot of a bamboo tree, is discovered and adopted by an elderly bamboo cutter and raised as his own daughter. One of the most captivating dramas Ghibli has produced as of late, The Tale of Princess Kaguya is beautiful both in its story and its telling, imbued with an unmistakable aura of impressionistic beauty thanks to its soft watercolor hues and boldly calligraphic compositions. The sight of Kaguya, surrendering to a fit of desperation, as she storms from the confines of her fathers estate, her ceremonial garments discarded in a regal flourish as she seemingly transforms into a living brushstroke surging like a blur across the canvas of the scene makes for one of the most heart-wrenchingly evocative and stunningly animated sequences in recent memory. The Tale of Princess Kaguya is a declarative testament to why Takahata stands alone and apart from that of his former protege and colleagues reputation and why he deserves to be touted as a master of the craft of anime in his own right. Director: Yoshifumi Kondo Before his untimely passing in 1998, Yoshifumi Kondo was one of Studio Ghiblis most promising animators, a former protege of the senior Miyazaki and popularly considered as one of his successors. Whisper of the Heart, his first and only directorial effort, has all the makings of a true Ghibli classic while managing to distinguish itself apart from and deservedly alongside that some of the studios most renowned films. The film tells the story of Shizuku, a strong-willed and precocious bookworm confident in her love of writing song lyrics and reading stories, though uncertain of her impending future beyond junior high school. After meeting Seiji Amasawa, an ambitious young violin-maker who shares a kindred passion for literature and dreams of one day attending school in Italy, Shizuku is moved to follow and cultivate the calling of her own talents while making sense of the nascent whispers of adolescent affection stirring within her heart. Among the films many merits are its endearing screenplay, penned by Miyazaki, the gorgeously rendered cityscapes of Tokyo and the fantasy backdrops present throughout its third act, and above all its captivating film score composed by Yuji Nomi. (The use of Olivia Newton-Johns rendition of Take Me Home, Country Roads, which later becomes the films central motif, is particularly effective.) At once a stirring love story and an endearing portrait a young womans life within a close-knit working class family, Whisper of the Heart is a thoroughly satisfying film and a touching coming-of-age drama. Director: Hiroyuki Morita A spiritual sequel of sorts to Kondos Whisper of the Heart, The Cat Returns is the sole Ghibli film directed by Hiroyuki Morita, an infrequent director with only three directorial efforts under his belt but a rich and varied career as a key animator for such films as Kikis Delivery Service, Perfect Blue, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, and Akira. After rescuing a stray cat from oncoming traffic, Haru Yoshioka soon learns that her impromptu rescuee is none other than the prince of the mythical cat kingdom. Showered with bizarre gifts by the royal Court of Cats as tokens of thanks, Haru is mistakenly bequeathed to the prince out of a gesture of gratitude by the overbearing Cat King. Pushed to act, she sets out to find the mysterious Bureau of Cats and its dashing proprietor, the noble-titled Baron Humbert von Gikkingen, in a desperate bid to annul her betrothal and return safely to her ordinary life. Naoya Tanakas art direction and Satoko Morikawas character designs are the real elements that make this overall terrific film shine apart all the more among the studios typical look and feel. Though hewing close to Ghiblis tried-and-true tone of magical realism, The Cat Returns adeptly conveys its own essence of breathless enchantment, owed largely to the charismatic magnetism of the aforementioned Baron and the slapstick inanity between the characters Muto and Crow. All of these elements combine into a beguiling hour-and-fifteen-minute feature that confidently asserts itself to the status as one of Ghiblis most unique and undersung treasures. Director: Isao Takahata Only Yesterday follows the story of Taeko Okajima; a 27-year-old, unmarried woman who has always nurtured a fascination for the simplicity of the countryside, having lived in Tokyo her entire life. Taking a vacation from work, Taeko travels to the rural farmlands of Yamagata, aiding her extended familys business of harvesting safflowers and transforming them into dye. During her stay, Taeko is stirred by memories of her maturation into adolescence, of puberty and boys, the frustrations of learning math and the disappointment of a spurned acting career. As she attempts to make peace with her past, Taeko must wrestle with both the prospects of love and fulfillment in her present life as she confronts the uncertainty of her future. Re-released recently in American theaters for the first time since its 1991 Japanese debut, Only Yesterday takes place in the late 1980s and is near-entirely absent of fantastical elements, two qualities that distinguish it from the rest of Ghiblis oeuvre. The minimalist colors and composition framing that Takahata would come to refine in his later work, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, are on full display here, imbuing the films depiction of the modern Japanese countryside pastoral comfort and beauty with a resonantly nostalgic allure. Only Yesterday is a rarity in modern animationa mature portrayal of mid-life indecision predating the turn of the century, of the universal challenge of letting go of the past, and of learning to love oneself not in spite of who we might have been, but for the promise and potential of who we might yet still become. Director: Isao Takahata Released in 1988 to critical acclaim both in Japan and abroad, Grave of the Fireflies has near-unanimously been touted as Takahatas masterwork. Adapted from the harrowing autobiographical story of Akiyuki Nosaka, the film presents the tragic and heartwarming account of a brother and sister who attempt to eke out an existence in wake of war and devastation. (Graves premise is drawn from the directors firsthand experience as a survivor of a U.S. air raid on his hometown of Ujiyamada, now Ise, in 1945.) Although commonly referred to as an anti-war film and hailed as such by its critics, Takahata himself has passionately refuted this definition. Instead, he describes the film as an appeal to empathize with the plight of youths disenfranchised by the indifferent sensibilities of their society and grappling within the throes of great heartache and hardship. Regardless of ones takeaway, Grave of the Fireflies stands out as a rapturous and achingly somber testament to the stubborn perseverance and indomitable dignity of the human spirit in the wake of insurmountable loss, desolation and despair. It stands proudly as not only one of the best Studio Ghibli films to date, but as one of the greatest animated films of all time. Toussaint Egan is a culturally omnivorous writer who has written for several publications such as Kill Screen, Playboy, Mental Floss, and Paste. Give him a shout on Twitter. Intestinal bacteria that can boost bravery or trigger multiple sclerosis: An increasing body of research results confirms the importance of the "gut-brain axis" for neurology and indicates that the triggers for a number of neurological diseases may be located in the digestive tract. "The gut microbiome can influence the central nervous system, the development of nerve cells and the immune system. A better understanding of its effect could revolutionize our therapy options," noted Dr Patricia Lepage from the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique in Jouy-en-Josas, France, at the Second Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) in Copenhagen. Gut microbiota influences behaviour The gut microbiome is the aggregate of human gut microorganisms with all its bacteria, archaea, viruses and fungi. For a long time, it seemed far-fetched to think that the microbiome could also be responsible for processes outside the digestive tract. Yet the scientific community keeps uncovering further amazing details. Recent studies on laboratory animals which grow up without any microorganisms (germ-free) show for example that microorganisms in the gut are even capable of influencing behaviour. Dr Lepage: "Intestinal microbes can verifiably produce neuromediators that have an effect on the brain. Germ free mice showed less anxiety than their conspecifics whose gut was populated with commensal microbiota. However, there is only scant evidence thus far on how this process works in the human brain." It has been proven in the meantime that the gut and the brain communicate with each other via several routes including the vagus nerve, the immune system, the enteric nervous system or by way of microbial metabolic processes. For instance, intestinal bacteria convert carbohydrates into short chain fatty acids, e.g. in butyric acid. This strengthens the connections between the cells and reinforces the blood-brain barrier, which serves as a cellular wall to protect the brain from infections and inflammations. Gut microbiome regulates brain processes For the neuroscientist Prof John F. Cryan (APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Ireland), there is no question that the gut microbiome regulates fundamental brain processes important for the development of neurological diseases: "We studied the brains of germ free mice. In one region, the prefrontal cortex, we found increased myelination compared with animals kept under normal conditions. This may have direct implications for myelin-related disorders. Microbiome-dependent processes have also been shown to include adult hippocampal neurogenesis and microglia activation, i.e. the activation of brain and marrow cells similar to immune cells." Experimental models on the origin of autoimmunity suggest that the gut microbiome plays an important role in this context, too. This insight opens up a new approach for finding the cause of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is an autoimmune disease that results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Dr Gurumoorthy Krishnamoorthy from the Max Plank Institute for Neurobiology in Martinsried, Germany: "Apparently, the bacteria that can trigger multiple sclerosis are not disease-causing bacteria but rather useful bacteria needed for digestion." A study with genetically modified mice showed that animals featuring normal intestinal microbiota and subject to no external influences developed inflammation in the brain. By contrast, mice kept in a germ-free environment remained healthy. As Dr Krishnamoorthy explained, the immune system of the mice with normal intestinal microbiota is activated in two phases: First, T-cells become active and multiply in the lymphatic vessels of the intestinal tract. Together with surface proteins in the myelin sheath, they then stimulate B-cells to form disease-causing antibodies. Dr Krishnamoorthy: "Both trigger inflammatory reactions in the brain, which destroy the myelin sheath in phases -- very similar to the way MS unfolds in human beings." This process suggests that it is not disorders in the nervous system but rather a change in the immune system that leads to MS. Researchers assume that gut microbiota in human beings can likewise cause the immune system to overreact to the myelin sheath if a corresponding genetic predisposition exists. It is still unclear, however, which bacteria are involved in the development of MS. Gut microbiome The microbiome consists of up to 1,000 different types of bacteria and of about 100 trillion cells. As such it has ten times as many cells and 150 times as many genes as the human genome. The microbiome co-evolves with its human host in a symbiotic relationship. The development of the gut microbiome as a finely tuned ecosystem depends on a number of factors: whether and which microorganisms a person absorbs from his/her mother's birth canal at the time of birth; whether a person is subject to antibodies; what food a person eats; infections; stress and genetic predisposition. Elderly individuals who are in poor health often have a lower diversity of microorganisms in their microbiome or inflammation-promoting manifestations. Sources: EAN 2016 Abstracts: Lepage P, Microbiota and the gut-brain axis; EAN 2016 Abstract Krishnamoorthy G, Microbiota and CNS autoimmunity (Multiple Sclerosis); EAN 2016 Abstract Cryan JF, Gut microbiome: a key regulator of neurodevelopment and behaviour An international team of researchers is developing an instrument that will decode the light of the night sky to understand the nature of dark matter. The Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS), which will be mounted on the 8.2-metre Subaru Telescope in Hawaii, splits up the light from celestial objects such as stars and galaxies, into various wavelengths. The emerging data set is called a "spectrum." From this, scientists can obtain clues of any celestial object's motion. This is important to scientists because dark matter, the mysterious force keeping our universe together, affects the direction and speed at which stars move. By looking at how a million stars move, scientists can create a map of where dark matter is and how it behaves. The project is an initiative of the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe. While conventional spectroscopy techniques can only observe a handful of objects at one time, PFS will make it possible to collect spectra from up to 2,400 objects at the same time. This will effectively make a "census" of the universe much more quickly than before, and will be crucial for any measurements and analyses needing large statistics. Although spectroscopy has been used since Newton's days to study the characteristics of stars and galaxies, PFS will be able to analyse a large amount of light in the night sky collected by the Subaru Telescope's 8.2m primary mirror, enabling scientists to look at the universe in great depth. Subaru will also be able to make sharp images of objects more than ten billion light years away, adding to the amount of information PFS can provide. Sub-components and sub-systems of the PFS instrument are now being built, assembled and tested in the U.S., France, Brazil and Taiwan. They will be shipped to the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii by 2018. After the system integration and tests on the telescope, the PFS is expected to be ready for science operations in 2019.

Funny Farm Rescue

Ricky, an albino peacock, was never supposed to walk again. But his faithful wife, a peahen named Lucy, gave him a reason to not give up - by never leaving his side until he was able to stand by hers once again. Funny Farm Rescue Ricky and Lucy used to live near a condominium complex in Mays Landing, New Jersey. "The residents there were upset that they were pooping on their porch and eating their flowers," Laurie Zaleski, founder of Funny Farm Rescue in southern New Jersey, told The Dodo. Ricky | Funny Farm Rescue "Some were threatening to shoot them if someone didn't take them," she said. Dodo Shows Odd Couples Dog Is So Gentle And Patient With Her Foster Kittens Lucy | Funny Farm Rescue It took Zaleski nearly three months to round the couple up, but once she did, they were more than happy to settle down together at their new home in October 2013. However, in September of the following year, tragedy struck for Ricky. Funny Farm Rescue While crossing a street, he was hit by a car. Ricky at the vet's after the accident | Funny Farm Rescue "I took him to the vet and they said his back was broken and he needed to be put down because he would never walk again," Zaleski said. However, she knew that Lucy was waiting back at home for him and didn't want to be the one to separate them. Funny Farm Rescue Once Zaleski confirmed with Ricky's veterinarian that he wasn't in pain, she decided to take him back home to see his wife. Ricky ended up living inside a crate in Zaleski's kitchen for three months. Even during that period, Ricky and Lucy's bond remained strong. "She would come to my back sliding glass door to visit him," Zaleski said. Funny Farm Rescue "He seemed like he was living for her," she added. "He would still call for her and she would come to see him. It was so cute." Funny Farm Rescue One day in the midst of changing Ricky's blankets, which Zaleski did daily to prevent him from getting bedsores, she noticed one of Ricky's legs twitching. Funny Farm Rescue That was the deciding factor which made her push forward with physical therapy and rehabilitation for Ricky, to see if it was possible for him to walk again after all. The effort paid off. Ricky walking around for the first time with Lucy by his side | Funny Farm Rescue Ricky regained his ability to stand and, eventually, his ability to walk - proving his doctors wrong and showcasing the true power of a second chance. Funny Farm Rescue These days, Ricky loves spending time with the other animals on the farm, including a recently rescued peacock named Harley. Ricky, Harley and Lucy | Funny Farm Rescue More importantly, he loves to flaunt his tail feathers and generally show off to Lucy - whom he doesn't have trouble keeping up with any longer. Funny Farm Rescue Want to help the Funny Farm Rescue continue doing good work for animals in need? Consider making a donation here. Funny Farm Rescue

Wild Horses of America Foundation

Until last May, a herd of burros lived wild and free in the Mojave Desert, on public land in the Black Mountain Herd Management Area near Kingman, Arizona. Protected under federal law, the burros roamed a vast area of more than a million acres in a herd that's one of the largest and most genetically healthy burro populations left in the U.S. The fate of the Black Mountain 24, as the burros are known, took a turn for the worst when people started feeding them, acclimating them to human presence and drawing them into roadways and the busy town of Bullhead City. A year ago, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) captured the burros and removed them from their home on the range after deeming them "nuisance burros." These lovely animals were slated to be shipped to grim and crowded government holding pens in Axtel, Utah - a six-hour drive from Kingman. Burros captured and removed from the wild are routinely separated from their friends and family and warehoused in feedlot conditions, where they can be sold for as little as $25 each, after which they frequently end up in the slaughter pipeline to Canada and Mexico, where horse slaughter is legal. Dodo Shows Foster Diaries This Pregnant Pittie Foster Story Is The Happiest Thing Ever That's when quick action from Simone Netherlands, a wild horse and burro advocate, saved their lives. Working with the BLM - instead of at odds with the agency - Netherlands, president of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, found adoptive homes for all the burros. Simone Netherlands and the Black Mountain 24 at BLM temporary pens in Kingman Now the lucky burros run free at three sanctuaries - Montgomery Creek Ranch, a 2,000-acre sanctuary in northern California - where the burros encountered green grass for the very first time; Return to Freedom's 2,000-acre satellite sanctuary on California's central coast; and at Netherlands' own 15-acre ranch in Prescott, Arizona. Many of the Jennies (as female burros are known) were pregnant when they came off the range, and have given birth at the sanctuaries. The most recent addition is Havana, who was born at Montgomery Creek Ranch in February. These burros escaped being torn from their families and thrown into holding pens, thanks to Netherlands and BLM Arizona staff willing to work with her for a good outcome for the horses. But the burros who remain on the range may not be so lucky. The Arizona State Game and Fish Department and a small but vocal faction of hunting and agricultural interests are pressuring the BLM to remove hundreds more burros via helicopter roundups. Such roundups are particularly brutal for burros, and helicopters have even hit and brutally injured burros. Unlike wild horses, who generally panic and follow other horses into a trap to stay with their herd, wild burros often scatter as they are chased relentlessly by helicopters. Many burros are roped and dragged into the trap by wranglers on horseback. Two capybaras are still hiding out more than three days after masterminding their escape from the High Park Zoo. City staff have combed the park for the missing giant rodents, leaving treats out as bait and even recruiting another capybara to sniff out the fugitives. Pet detectives Al Macllelan, of Petsearchers Canada, and Kat Albrecht, a former police dog handler, say they would do things a little differently if they were in charge of the investigation. Al MacLellan MacLellan became a pet private eye after he lost and eventually found his dog in a snowstorm in Abbotsford, B.C. I noticed some other people looking for their pets so I helped them out. That just blossomed until it was time for me to leave my office job and my suit, and get out there, he said. He founded Petsearchers Canada, based in Surrey, B.C., in 2006. What is a pet detective, exactly? Im a dog tracker. I use bloodhounds to track down lost dogs, lost cats. I get called in by the RCMP to find lost people once in a while. What tools would you use to zero in on a skittish capybara? First of all, I would set up cameras. I use cellular trail cameras, so, if the animal walks by, it sends me a picture to my cellphone. I use those a lot because I dont want the animal sitting in a trap all night. I would take advantage of thermal imaging equipment. How does that work? Its an infrared gun. I use them a lot in a wooded or bushy area. If Im looking for a small dog or any kind of animal, I just hold this little camera in my hand and I aim it at the bush, and if theres any body heat at all it shows up. It can be as small as a fly, even. What else do you recommend? I would get someone in the area to get out there with a drone and get you a live feed. Were implementing those tools right now as we speak so we can scan a larger area. What was your hardest catch? A dog I chased that was lost for 10 months. It was from a hoarding situation and it never had a family. It was feral to start with. I caught it twice. The first time, it bit me in the face. It was a bit of a battle, but I got him into the vehicle as I was bleeding all over the place. Kat Albrecht Albrecht began moonlighting as a pet detective while working as a cop in California in the late 1990s, she said. She became disillusioned by a police career (after) her dog-tracking techniques and brilliant search dogs rarely got a chance to shine, according to her website. She says she has taught pet detectives in the U.S., Canada and even Japan. If you were hired to find these animals, what would you do? My major concern would be is that theyre herbivores, and theres a big food source out there for them. It becomes more difficult to capture an animal when its not hungry and you cant lure it into a trap. Youve got to be creative. Any ideas? One way I dont know if this is possible but you could use another capybara as a lure. Theyve tried that. An exotic animal shelter brought in its own capybara. You can take another capybara out to the area, but its not a bloodhound. Its not going to track down the capybaras. Just because it didnt work doesnt mean its not going to work. What they really need (first) is a sighting. How should they capture the capybaras? I imagine its probably like catching a greased pig. There are two methods that come to mind. Theres a specialized trap called the Missy Trap. Its is a large fenced-in enclosure that an animal can walk into without feeling confined. (Reporters note: Albrecht explained later that the trap is made of horse fence panels and an electromagnetic switch that closes a gate when the animal goes inside.) The only other way that I can personally think of that might be effective would be to use a snappy snare. Its like an instant leash. Final question: As a pet detective, do you get sick of the Ace Ventura jokes? No, because I had to learn many years ago to not worry about what others think or say about my work. I once had a job that I absolutely hated, but as a pet detective, Im blessed to have found my lifes purpose. Not many people can say that. These interviews were edited for clarity and length. SHARE: Carol Shields, author of the 1995 Pulitzer Prize-winning Stone Diaries, left a big hole to fill in CanLit when she died in 2003. Now, we are able to read and hear some new thoughts from Shields in Startle and Illuminate, an eloquent collection of essays, speeches and letters penned by the Chicago-born Shields throughout her career. This refined collection of Shields creative musings is the passion project of her daughter, novelist Anne Giardini, and Shields grandson, Nicholas Giardini. The unifying element of Shields personal and professional papers carefully selected from the literary archives of Library and Archives Canada is her clear, resounding and unmistakable voice. Writers can be a competitive and secretive lot and Shields legendary generosity and openness sets her apart. While I didnt agree with all of Shields advice, I remained intrigued and captivated as each new chapter unfolded. If writers want to hone their skills, Shields offers up hands-on, useful advice on how to structure a novel or refine a sentence. (Beware of vague pronouns and the overuse of the colon, for example.) Shields disciplined production formula is simple to emulate: write every day, at least a page, and then at years end, youll have a completed novel. Since riding public transit was a great source of material for the author, Shields urges writers to be attentive eavesdroppers. Shields shared Jane Austens eighteenth-century view of literature as a vehicle for moral instruction. Ive always believed fiction to be about redemption, about trying to see why people are the way they are, she writes. Shields, a dedicated stylist, polished her prose until it gleamed like the family silverware. She insisted her students practice the fundamentals of writing. I guess I really do believe that writing succeeds or fails at the level of the sentence. She also demanded much from the manuscripts that crossed her desk. Her eloquent and encouraging critiques, detailed in the final chapter in a series of letters to students, (mercifully) favoured the concrete over the esoteric. Ardent and curious students of writing must read Startle and Illuminate. Its a Master Class served up posthumously thanks to the efforts of Shields erudite descendents. Patricia Dawn Robertson is a Saskatchewan writer who once had a delightful encounter with Carol Shields on a Winnipeg transit bus. SHARE: In Do Not Say We Have Nothing, the new novel by acclaimed Montreal-based author Madeleine Thien (Simple Recipes, Certainty, Dogs at the Perimeter), she strives mightily to decant the tragedy of revolutionary-cum-communist China into a literary epic. Thien manages the feat this tale of a voracious totalitarianism devouring several memorable characters registers an intense and lingering emotional impression yet keeps having to expand her storys spatial and temporal margins to accommodate the overspill. How did a composer live his life unheard? muses Marie, the Chinese-Canadian narrator of those chapters set in the present day. Could music record a time that otherwise left no trace? Marie is thinking of a then-budding composer nicknamed Sparrow. In the 1960s, Sparrow, a young instructor at the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory, forms a socio-musical trio with his precocious female cousin, 14-year-old violin prodigy Zhuli, and his male student and would-be lover, gifted pianist and zealous Mao acolyte Jiang Kai. In a series of arresting chapters related in the third person, Thien depicts the Cultural Revolution intruding upon this genteel scene with state-sanctioned violence targeting the Conservatory. I never stopped loving my country but I wanted to be loyal to something else, too, agonizes Zhuli. Alas, that is no longer possible. A stricken Zhuli commits suicide, Sparrows name falls into disrepute and loyal Kai gains official favour. How does all this relate to Marie of Vancouver? Well, Kai who eventually grows disillusioned with communist China, wends his way to Canada and starts a family is her father. In 1990, shortly after his death, Marie and her mother take in a young Chinese woman, Ai-ming, left traumatized by recent events back home. Having joined the student protesters at Beijings Tiananmen Square a year earlier, she witnessed the Chinese militarys massacre of civilians trying to protect them. Ai-ming is Sparrows daughter. When she was a child whose homework entailed denouncing him in her notebooks her father had to help her write the tricky characters. He was killed near Tiananmen. Just as Thien flitted from Marie to Sparrow/Zhuli/Kai and back, now she jumps between 1980s Beijing, where Ai-ming comes of age and slowly gravitates toward student protest and Maries present-day quest for the troubled woman, who, after her year-long post-Tiananmen stint in Vancouver, moves to New York City before returning to China. That such a diffuse tale should prove shattering serves as testament to Thiens formidable storytelling skills. The vortex of ideological terror that sweeps up the characters, the harrowing experiences a cruel and pitiless regime foists upon them, and even the potent yet witty prose conveying all this drama sear themselves into your consciousness. The result? Do Not Say We Have Nothing, though undeniably bloated, will enthrall just about any reader. Rayyan Al-Shawaf is a writer and book critic in Beirut. SHARE: Unknown Remains By Peter Leonard Counterpoint, 395 pages, $25 At one point in Peter Leonards rambunctious new novel, a principal character flees New York city, hiding out at a place in Florida not far north of Miami. For devoted readers of Leonards late father, Elmore, the locale is familiar: a two-story motel called the Sands close to the ocean in Pompano Beach. It is undoubtedly the establishment of the same name and location once owned by George Moran, the central character in Elmore Leonards Cat Chaser. This small tip of the hat from son to father is the single connection in Unknown Remains between the two writers. It wasnt always this way. In Peter Leonards earliest novels hes now up to eight his style seemed a diluted brand of Elmores. But now Peter has pretty much worked out a distinctive approach of his own. Unknown Remains begins on the morning of 9/11 in the office of a stockbroker named Jack McCann on the 89th floor of Tower One in the World Trade Center. Everybody assumes Jack dies when terrorists bring down the tower. Thats what his widow Diane thinks, which makes her more than routinely shocked when she discovers Jack had been having an affair with a beautiful young woman named Vicki and, worse, that Jack has apparently left behind a debt to mob guys totalling three-quarters of a million bucks. Diane, a particularly strong character in a narrative filled with sinister oddballs and other eccentrics, spends the rest of the book dealing with both dilemmas and their high potential for disaster, all of it told in a manner that keeps the reader turning the pages. Cold Blood, Hot Sea By Charlene DAvanzo Torrey House, 270 pages, $14.95 Charlene DAvanzo is a marine ecologist who has written a first crime novel that makes her scientific specialty exciting and almost understandable to the science-challenged reader. The central character and narrator, Mara Tusconi, is a Maine oceanographer who thinks theres something fishy (pardon the pun) about the death of a colleague on board a research ship. She wades through much technical material to find a solution and, along the way, gives a good cuffing to idiots who deny climate change science. The Trap By Melanie Raabe Spiderline, 288 pages, $19.95 Linda Conrads is 38, and a richly successful novelist. But she hasnt been out of her house in 11 years. This severe case of agoraphobia was brought on by the murder of her beloved sister. Linda was the only witness to the crime, for which nobody was ever convicted. Now, all these years later, she spots the killer in a glimpse of TV news footage. He is a newspaper journalist and Linda sets out to nail him. Somewhat contrived as the books basic setup seems, Melanie Raabe, a German first novelist, makes a clever, creepy and lively tale out of it. Fall of Man in Wilmslow By David Lagercrantz Knopf, 368 pages, $26.95 If the spate in recent years of books, movies and TV series about Bletchley Park, Alan Turing and the breaking of the German Enigma code during the Second World War hasnt quite satisfied you, here is a novel by popular Swedish crime writer Lagercrantz (who also wrote the next book in the late Stieg Larssons Millennium Series) that may be the last word on Turing. He was the intellectual force behind Bletchleys code-breaking successes, but after the war the British establishment, alarmed at Turings homosexuality, drove him to suicide. Against all odds, Lagercrantzs fictional variations on this true story make it seem fresh and even more appalling. Jack Battens Whodunit column appears every other Saturday. SHARE: The best way to learn about Grasslands National Parks rich archeological sites, native flora and active conservation efforts is through a self-guided driving loop. The 80-kilometre Ecotour Scenic Drive takes about 2.5 hours. Guided tours are also available. Here are some stops along the way: Prairie dogs: At the Larson and Top Dog Black Tailed Prairie Dog Colonies, the super social and cute protectors of the prairie realm share kisses while scooting in and out of their burrows. Listen to the sophisticated language or barks of the lookouts (older dogs found around the colonies edge) as they warn of visitors presence. Everything from coyotes and ferrets to hawks and badgers eat this keystone species. Endangered burrowing owls and black-footed ferrets, rattlesnakes and even black widow spiders also utilize their deep burrows. Old homestead: A few weathered buildings may be all that remain at the Larson Homestead. Learn how Walt Larson, an industrious rancher known for raising Angus cattle, lived and worked on the harsh land, eventually selling 52 sections of land to the park. Its said, the history of ranching in Saskatchewan could be read in the wrinkles on Walt Larsons face. Visitors can try their hands at lassoing before taking a walk to examine the remnants of three underground barns. Keep your eyes peeled for bison bones scattered across the land. Pond hopping: A short drive later we pull up to Turtle Pond. This roadside stop adjacent to the Frenchman River Valley, which flows south and is part of the Missouri watershed, is one of the few spots where standing water exists within the prairie oasis. Parks Canada staff arm the boys with nets and puddle hopping quickly ensues. With help, they work hard to spot, catch and examine a northern leopard frog, another of the Grasslands at-risk park species, before setting it free again. Flora, fauna and First Nations: A giant rock in the wide-open countryside is the next point of interest. Bison rub up against it to sooth itching hides. A guide will discuss the mixed grass prairie ecosystem, pointing out a few of the parks 100 lichens and more than 70 grasses. Try to identify common flora, such as spear and sage grasses, blue grama, buttercups and cactus. You may see rocky remnants that once comprised a Plains Indian tipi ring. Rare and endangered: Its back to the burrows to learn how black-footed ferrets are tracked using a night spotlighting method in which park researchers try to see the ferrets green eye shine. Once thought to be extinct, these adorable, nocturnal rodents were reintroduced to Grasslands in 2009. Take a short walk for a cliffside view of the coulee below so you can imagine the long-gone glaciers that once swept through the plains, leaving behind the Frenchman River Valley. Watch for elusive and endangered greater short horned lizards or burrowing owls. Jenn Smith Nelson was hosted by Parks Canada and Tourism Saskatchewan, neither of which reviewed or approved this story. SHARE: WINNIPEGThe Liberals will abandon their plans to overhaul Canadas electoral system if they dont have widespread public support, Minister Maryam Monsef says. But Monsef said its up for debate how exactly the Liberals will gauge public support on whatever new system they propose. Frankly, thats the debate. And we will not proceed with any changes without the broad buy-in of the people of this country, Monsef told the Star at her partys policy convention in Winnipeg Saturday. It means that there needs to be a conversation in the House of Commons including all parties. Its an opportunity for us to engage in debate about how to move forward in the 21st century. So Canadians can rest assured that unless we have their broad buy-in, were not moving forward with any changes, Monsef later added. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged that 2015 would be Canadas last election under first-past-the-post, a system that has governed Canadian elections since the country was formed. Critics of the so-called winner-take-all system say it skews the will of voters, allowing majority governments to be formed without a majority of the popular vote. It could also lead to strategic voting, where voters sacrifice their personal preference to try and defeat a government. The Liberals have faced criticism for failing to move quicker on the file, since Elections Canada needs years to prepare for a new voting system in 2019. Seven months after the Liberals formed government, a committee still has not been struck. Monsef faced further criticism for proposing a committee where the Liberals would have the final say on any proposed system. When asked if she needs the support of at least one other party for the new system to have legitimacy, Monsef said the Liberals will continue to listen to Canadians. Did you hear what the prime minister said today at convention? That we were elected to listen to Canadians? Monsef said. And well continue to do that. As far as any changes around democratic reform, were not going to proceed with any changes unless we have broad support. Speaking to reporters earlier on Saturday, Trudeau was asked if the Liberals will need the support of at least one other party for their new electoral system to be legitimate in the eyes of Canadians. Weve been working very, very hard to demonstrate that our approach is to listen to Canadians, to consult with Canadians, as we talk about the values that underpin our electoral process and ultimately our system of government, Trudeau told reporters. So how we make sure that were including questions and concerns people may have about various options is integral to be being successful in improving our electoral system. Monsef told the Star that there are people within the Liberal party, both elected and not, who would prefer to see the first-past-the-post system maintained. After all, the Liberals won a large majority government in 2015 with just under 40 per cent of the popular vote, as the Conservatives did in 2011. Were a diverse party. You saw in (the convention) we have people from all walks of life, representing the diversity of this country, said Monsef. So its natural to have, within this group, a wide range of opinion. And I think thats what makes our party strong. The New Democrats democratic reform critic, Nathan Cullen, said the lingering confusion about how the Liberals are handling the file are contributing to fears a new system would disproportionately benefit government. Until we have a concrete understanding of how this is going to work, and how (Monsef) can calm the fears that the Liberals will simply force through a system that favours Liberals, until we have something real, then that suspicion will remain, Cullen said. The words are nice, but the numbers (on the committee) dont lie. Conservative critic Scott Reid could not immediately be reached. The Conservatives appear to support the status quo, but have demanded that any fundamental change to Canadas voting system requires a national referendum. The Liberals have resisted that call, saying referendums arent the only way to test the will of Canadians, but have not explicitly ruled out a national vote. The New Democrats have long called for a form of proportional representation, which they argue would better reflect the will of voters. But Cullen has recently said that any improvement on the current system would be welcome. Cullen also proposed a committee structure that would require at least one other party to support the Liberals proposal, an approach ultimately rejected by the Liberals, who say the committee has to reflect the current membership elected under first-past-the-post, despite wanting to ultimately change the system. Q&A with Democratic Reform Minister Maryam Monsef Q: Are there many people in your party, whether elected or appointed, who would prefer the status quo? First past the post has been very good to your party in the past. A: Im going to tell you, Ive been listening to all sorts of Canadians, people here at the convention, my colleagues in the House of Commons, people in (my riding of) Peterborough-Kawartha, the farmers market. There are a wide range of opinions on democratic reform, and my job as minister is to listen. And so thats the stage that were at. Q: And does that include a wide range of opinion within your own party? A: Yes. Were a diverse party. You saw in (the convention), we have people from all walks of life, representing the diversity of this country. So its natural to have, within this group, a wide range of opinions. And I think thats what makes our party a strong party. Q: When will the motion to strike the committee actually be called, so you can actually start getting to work on this? Weve only got a few more weeks in the House (before the summer break). A: Thats true. And as you know, the legislative agenda that we have before us is a heavy one, and I hope that at the earliest possible moment we can begin the work of engaging with Canadians about the substantive matters at the heart of this particular piece of our policy platform. Q: Given that, I know youve had a number of different balls in the air in the short time since youve become minister, but the opposition points out the government has dragged its feet on this. What could have been a year-and-a-half, two-year consultation is now looking like legislation will have to come within a year. So explain why the committee still hasnt been created. A: Well, we began within my own ministry with a set of priorities. And the first priority for us was setting a process for Senate appointments. We committed to doing things thoughtfully. And its important to get the timing right. But its more important to get the policy right. And that took up a significant amount of resources. And we introduced the motion to form the committee in time to allow a debate in parliament and with Canadians. I believe that we have the time if we use it wisely to continue to include more people in the conversation. Q: One of the criticisms you faced is that the Liberals have a majority on the committee and will ultimately decide the outcome. At the end of this, you will decide what goes forward, if anyone agrees with you or not. Do you regret in any way leaving that perception? Do you regret not taking the NDPs suggestion to require at least one other party to support your proposal? A: My job as minister, I believe, is to listen and to reflect on this wide range of opinions that exists on this particular topic. I want to assure all Canadians that we will not proceed with any changes without the broad support of Canadians. Q: Okay but how are you going to gauge that support? You havent ruled out a referendum, but I get the sense that you dont think thats the best way to go. How will you know a majority of Canadians support your position? A: Frankly, thats the debate. And we will not proceed with any changes without the broad buy-in of the people of this country. Q: Through polling? Im just trying to get a sense of what that means. A: It means that there needs to be a conversation in the House of Commons including all parties. Its an opportunity for us to engage in debate about how to move forward in the 21st century. And that in itself is the conversation we need to be having. Q: In the House of Commons when youre asked about a referendum, you often say that youre committed to consulting with Canadians in new ways, not just one-person, one-vote sort of system. Why are those two mutually exclusive? Why cant you have this robust consultation and then put it to a referendum to ultimately gauge what a majority of Canadians want? A: I havent been persuaded that referendum alone is the best tool that we can use in the 21st century. This is the conversation that we ought to be having in the House of Commons. What else exists for us to help gauge that support that Canadians have or dont have for the changes well be proposing as a House. Q: If, at the end of the day, you dont get opposition buy-in. You have a majority. Its a promise that the prime minister made that he feels very strongly about. Why should Canadians trust your proposal if the opposition parties are not behind (it)? We saw that with the Fair Elections Act and it was a bit of a disaster. A: Did you hear what the prime minister said today at convention, that we were elected to listen to Canadians? And well continue to do that. As far as any changes around democratic reform, were not going to proceed with any changes unless we have that broad support. So Canadians can rest assured that unless we have their broad buy-in, were not moving forward with any changes. Q: So is that 50 per cent plus one? Or is it a stronger majority, and if so, whats the number? A: Lets have that debate. SHARE: WINNIPEGThe Liberals have thrown open their membership and are heading back to Ottawa with streamlined party rules after a largely celebratory policy convention where dissent kept to the margins. The party voted overwhelmingly to support Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus push for a new party constitution, uniting all regional branches of the Liberal party under a single guiding document. The new rules allow any Canadian to become a registered Liberal and participate in developing party policy without paying any dues, a move the Liberal brass say will turn the party into a movement rather than a club. Its a constitution thats a reflection of all the work weve done for years, to get the Liberal party to be a modern party anchored in reality, and especially connected to the activists (and) the base, Trudeau, who moved the motion to adopt the constitution himself, told the crowd. I strongly encourage everyone to support the modernization of this party and stepping forward with this constitution. There were vocal complaints from some party stalwarts that rather than empowering the Liberal grassroots, it took power away from the partys regional leadership and centralized power in Trudeaus core team, something the prime minister rejected completely. If I thought the new constitution was about taking power away from the grassroots, I would be right there with you, shoulder to shoulder, speaking out against it, Trudeau told members. But it isnt, and it doesnt. Despite the grumbling, only 66 people voted against the constitution, with almost 2,000 delegates giving their approval to the document. It seemed a fitting end for a convention where dissent on the partys new rules, but also on the governments handling of the assisted dying legislation was largely regulated to the margins, and policy sessions were kept closed to the media and the public. Instead, the partys first major event after a historic electoral victory last October had a distinctly celebratory mood. It gave the Liberals an opportunity to reflect on the first few months of that majority mandate, with Trudeau highlighting early successes in his speech to the membership. But speaking to reporters afterward, Trudeau said that hes also reflected on what hasnt gone so smoothly. I think one of the things that we emphasized through the campaign and in government is that we have to listen to many points of view and fold in Canadians and really understand the concerns and issues that are important to a broad range of people, Trudeau said. And thats something we can always work hard on. The Liberals head back to the House of Commons for what could be a tense few weeks, where legislation on assisted dying, the governments democratic reform plans, and new national security oversight committee are just a few items on the agenda. Read more about: SHARE: The struggle has always been real for young people Were fixated on how screwed millennials are today, but a filmmaker says 20-something strife is nothing new If aliens from a distant galaxy are studying human beings at this very moment, I wouldnt be surprised if they determined that the most pressing issue facing our speciesbesides the absence of Beyonces Lemonade from Spotifyis the fate of millennials. Why are they falling through the cracks of society? Why do they love Bernie Sanders so much? And why cant they turn their phones off during the show? I cant go a day now without opening my inbox to discover a poll or research paper revealing the hopes and dreams of the 18-34 demographic, usually relayed to me by a PR person who is just dying to know: Hi Emma, Have you ever wondered what makes a millennial tick? No. I havent. Because I am too busy sifting through and deleting studies about my seemingly screwed generation to contemplate my existence. Maureen Judge, a Toronto filmmaker, is well aware of millennial research overload. This is, in part, why she made the documentary, My Millennial Life, a film that premiered on TVO on Saturday (it repeats Thursday night and is available at tvo.org) that chronicles the lives of five mid-20s millennials struggling to find careers and happiness. I wanted to tell the stories behind the numbers, says Judge, a baby boomer and a mother of two young adults in their mid-twenties. Theres a lot of dumping on millennials and I didnt really understand that. The optimism of youth is the only way to survive on this planet. The film follows four Canadian 20-somethings and one American on their search for independence: Meron, a 21-year-old from small-town B.C., is trying to break into digital media. She has applied for 200 jobs to no avail, and works as a chambermaid in a boutique Toronto hotel. James, a preternaturally confident tech guy, dropped out of university to pursue his dream of launching an astronomy app. When we first see him in the film, he is driving down a highway, chugging a litre of orange juice at the wheel. Im sick, and this is how I get my Vitamin C, he says. Tim, 24, is from the East Coast and relocated to Toronto to make it as a rock musician; by day, he works in a cramped office transcribing insurance claims. Hope, a 25-year-old blogger, recently lived in New York City, where she took on five different magazine internships but failed to secure a full-time writing job (in the film she has moved back in with her parents). And Emily, who was formerly the filmmakers tenant (yes, Judge literally had a millennial living in her basement), is trying and failing to find steady work with a bachelor of arts. The film is often sad, especially when Hope reads from her childhood diary a reminder of adolescent writerly dreams unrealized in adulthood. Judge succeeds at capturing the little things that render millennial, big city life lonely: for one, trying to upsell your achievements and downplay your failures to your mom over Skype, when all of a sudden the camera freezes; also, complaining about how you can barely afford to feed yourself, while you suck back a pack of cigarettes. So what are we to take away from this? Well, there is no doubt that in some respects millennials have it harder than our parents did. One study (yes I am quoting one of the dreaded, aforementioned studies from my inbox) suggests one in five millennials is currently living in poverty; another that the average student loan debt is $35,000. When Judge was coming up in the media world, she says, getting a job wasnt a huge ordeal, let alone impossible. Today it is. And yet, Judge also acknowledges that in her early 20s, she too struggled philosophically with what she wanted to do; she worked in a bank one year and absolutely hated it. She didnt emerge from university a fully formed, gainfully employed filmmaker. This is why I cant ditch the feeling that while millennial despair and disillusionment is exacerbated by a crappy, changing economy, it is also probably universal to youth in any modern era. In the 1960s, kids dropped out of school to start businesses, and they most certainly moved to big cities like Toronto and New York to pursue long shot careers in writing and music. You could watch My Millennial Life or parse millennial research and come to the conclusion that young people with big dreams are screwed here and now, in this particular moment. But you could also just as easily conclude that young people with big dreams have always been kind of screwed, then, now, and forevermore. The real difference these days, economics and technology aside, is that our parents are obsessed with us. How else to explain the intense and constant focus on our success and behaviour? Its as if their impulse to remind us again and again how special we were (even when we werent) has morphed into a contradictory compulsion to constantly remind us how massively screwed we are. The upshot? If we were never really as special as they claimed we were, its unlikely we are just as screwed. SHARE: Its now cheaper to order the makings of a doobie to your doorstep by courier than a bundle of organic lettuce. That word came from the countrys largest legal cannabis company just two days before police raided dozens of the roughly 80 unlicensed dispensaries across Toronto Thursday. The takedowns helped clear the hydroponic field for licensed producers like Canopy Growth Corp. one of about 18 federally authorized, mail-order medical marijuana suppliers in Ontario eager for new patients. Torontonians who are seeking a reliable supply of medical cannabis can now turn to the most affordable solution in the city, delivered same-day to their door, and rest assured there is no question about the legality and origins of their cannabis supply, said Bruce Linton, chair and CEO of Canopy Growth. The company says patients with prescriptions can receive a monthly dose by courier for $5 a gram mere hours after ordering. Lintons sales announcement came out the same day he, along with other licensed producers and investors, met with former police chief and national pot czar Bill Blair at the King Edward Hotel on Tuesday. The Liberal MP has said Criminal Code provisions on marijuana must be enforced even as Ottawa considers a legalized regime. While city hall clamps down on unlicensed weed retailers, Lintons low-cost option presents itself as an accessible alternative to the mom-and-pop shops that have mushroomed across the city. Mason-jar marijuana stores, many now reeling from the raids, argue in turn that they have a constitutional right to operate and that corporate growers offer costly, unreliable service for an inferior product. Unlicensed dispensaries rarely list their product sources, posing a health issue, says Ronan Levy, executive director of Canadian Cannabis Clinics, a pot-focused clinicians network. You dont know whether its coming from a place thats been tested . . . You dont know the integrity of the cannabis when you go to a dispensary, said Levy, echoing police Chief Mark Saunders. There is no quality control on these products This is about public safety, Saunders told reporters Friday, noting many dispensaries proximity to schools. Product integrity and familiarity is precisely where small dispensaries thrive, counters Jessie Young, who helps run Canna Connoisseurs, on Church St. near Front St. Patients come from as far away as Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo, he claims, for the hands-on value and personal touch offered at his storefront. You can come here and you can see it, smell it, feel it, said Young, who happens to hail from Smiths Falls, Ont., where Canopy Growth subsidiary Tweed runs a massive grow-op out of the former Hershey factory Now you know why the Oompa-Loompas were so happy, quipped Linton. Young sees licensed producers as part of an oligopolistic distribution system that narrows down the number of pot strains only six are available via the same-day delivery service from Canopy Growths Toronto-area medical marijuana facility, Bedrocan Canada. They want to shut down a not-for-profit thats helping patients access medication, said Brandy Zurborg, co-owner of Queens of Cannabis on Bloor St. near Ossington St. Were both kind of left reeling, wondering what to do next, she said Tuesday, comparing puffing on licensed weed to drinking Molson Canadian. In the wake of the raids, which Queens of Cannabis avoided, the storefront has opted to shut down regular business and is operating, she said, as a patient intake clinic and education centre for the time being. Canopy Growths $5 grams, slightly cheaper than most licensed pot, come with a $10 Canada Post delivery fee for shipment sizes up to 150 grams, and a $35 fee for the same-day couriered service. With the same-day fee, a gram could average out to as little as $5.21. The delivery charge also means the product may not be literally the most affordable solution in the city, as Linton says. The cost of a gram can be as little as $5 flat at some dispensaries. Linton says Bedrocan and Tweed have made tens of thousands of deliveries of organic bud since 2014. The delivery process works like this: A patient with a condition such as arthritis, epilepsy or anxiety visits a doctor, who sends a marijuana prescription via secure e-fax to a licensed producer like Bedrocan so far Torontos only one, though Markham and Vaughan also have legal grow-ups. The producer then puts in a call to the doctors office to verify the prescription. At that point, patients are free to place their orders at a local clinic. For a typical prescription one or two grams a day a patient would order between 30 and 60 grams of marijuana each month via Canada Post, according to Canopy Growth. The federal government has promised to legalize pot for recreational use and introduce a legalized regulatory framework. Currently, however, the only legal source of marijuana is that grown for medical purposes by licensed producers approved by Health Canada. Prescription holders may receive their supply only in the mail. Only federally licensed marijuana growers in industrial areas of the city can legally produce pot for medical patients. On Thursday, officers smashed in dispensary doors to slap criminal charges on 90 store owners and employees at 43 locations and confiscate more than 270 kilograms of pot. Among the spoils were $160,000 in cash, 127 kilograms of oils and spreads, and 142 kilograms of pot-infused cookies. Dispensaries argue they are operating in a legal grey zone because a B.C. judge struck down Harper-era rules on patients growing their own plants. Osgoode Hall law professor Alan Young has said the city is failing to distinguish between medical marijuana dispensaries that exclusively cater to the needs of seriously ill Canadians from outlets that jumped the gun and are selling pot in anticipation of legalization. The criminal charges 186 for possession for the purpose of trafficking, and 71 for proceeds of crime from Thursdays raids were laid in sync with 79 charges for alleged zoning violations; distributors are barred from residential and commercial zones, and require a proper licence for food including the confiscated Crontella chocolate paste and Ganja Blondie brownies. About half of Torontonians think marijuana dispensaries should be allowed to remain open, according to a recent poll. With files from David Rider and Betsy Powell SHARE: A treasure trove of images more than a century old by a little-known Toronto photographer sat forgotten in a wooden box for decades. They've never been published until now. Great Fire Edwin Haynes, part of the first small wave of Canadians to espouse the breakout medium of photography, captured the frantic response to the Great Fire of Toronto in April 1904. Here, a pair of fire brigadiers race out of a hall near Jarvis St. and King St. E. to battle a blaze that destroyed more than 100 buildings downtown and killed one person. Niagara Falls: skating rink Skaters glide across the base of Niagara Falls. I really love the falls frozen over because that doesnt happen anymore. People are walking up it! said Lizz Hodgson, the photographers great-great-grandniece. Coal furnace A child loads fuel into a coal furnace in the basement of a Toronto home in the first decade of the 20th century. Ed had this great commercial sensibility, said his great-grandnephew Bruce Hodgson. Its like an insurance ad or something. As a photographic technology student at Ryerson University in the early 1970s, Bruce received a hand-carved wooden box languishing in a relatives crawl space for decades full of more than 200 glass slides. They hold more than 200 images taken by Haynes between 1900 and 1918. Ontario plowman This epic shot of farmer and plow was taken near the village of Paisley, Ont., at the base of the Bruce Peninsula, where Haynes retired before his death at age 41 of Spanish influenza, in 1918. He kept a photo studio in the nearby town of Chesley, where he developed his negatives on three-by-three-inch glass slides to use in magic lantern shows in church basements for the townspeople. Rocky Mountain bridge Haynes took this shot of a trestle bridge in the Rockies after winning a Kodak competition that funded a cross-continent trip with his wife, Earla Haynes, circa 1910. It just looks like a land that hasnt been discovered yet. It looks like a dream, said Lizz. Loyalist camping Haynes was an avid camper and canoeist, taking full advantages of the lakes around Georgian Bay. He had a strong Loyalist background, said Haynes. That flag would have been his statement. An early experimenter, Haynes probably put magnesium in the campfire to brighten the shot, a kind of proto-flash powder. Chimney Point Taken in Glacier National Park in the 1910s, this photo would have required Haynes to haul his equipment camera, tripod, glass slides, cloth hood up a steep slab of the Rockies. You had to be somewhat of a chemist, too, said Bruce. The laborious development process involved mixing gelatin emulsion in darkness, coating glass slides and sensitizing silver halide to light. Moroccan oilfields Around 1909, Haynes crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the SS Californian which earned notoriety for disregarding the Titanics S.O.S. call three years later and cruised the Mediterranean. Here, he captured Moroccans in transit amid the wooden oil derricks of North Africa. Camera club Haynes, described as a merchant on his marriage certificate from 1906, joined the Toronto Camera Club, based at the University of Toronto. He never got any recognition, and I think its because his volume of work wasnt large enough, said Bruce, who has turned down requests for the photos from the Art Gallery of Ontario and Library and Archives Canada. He would have been up there with the Canadian and American photographers of his time. More information is available at www.edwinhaynesphotography.com Related: Torontos lost architecture SHARE: Ontario lawyers are calling on the province to end the arbitrary and punitive detention of migrants held in provincial jails for violating the countrys immigration laws. The move follows a similar effort by doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals in an open letter to Ontario Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Yasir Naqvi, after a string of recent deaths involving immigration detainees. The concern we have is that people are being detained and transferred to facilities for people punished for criminal offences for the convenience of CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency), said University of Toronto law professor Audrey Macklin, one of more than 100 refugee lawyers in Ontario who signed the petition sent to Naqvis office last Wednesday. These people have not committed any crime. One of the reasons they give to transfer them is because of their mental health problems, and we know putting people with mental health problems in jail is going to make them worse. CBSA transfers detainees from its holding centres to provincial jails if they pose a danger to others, have physical and mental health needs or are unlikely to qualify for early release. We are gravely concerned that there are no public laws or regulations governing when and in what circumstances an immigration detainee can be transferred to, and incarcerated in, a provincial jail, said the three-page letter, signed by lawyers and academics in refugee and immigration laws. In a written statement, Naqvi did not respond directly to the petitioners demand but said the province is committed to ensuring all inmates are treated fairly and respectfully, by hiring 2,000 additional officers and 32 new mental health nurses in its correctional facilities. More staff means fewer lockdowns, more regular and consistent programming, more access for health care and mental health supports, and improved safety and security for both staff and inmates, Naqvi said. I look forward to working with all our community safety and corrections partners, and the federal government to make sure our system is one that respects the rights of individuals, keeps our communities safe, and reflects the values of Ontarians and Canadians. In May, an Ontario judge awarded $85,000 to two inmates, including an immigration detainee, at Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton, saying their Charter rights were violated in frequent staffing-related lockdowns. Federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, whose mandate covers the CBSA, has said he will review the operation and improve scrutiny of the border enforcement agency. It is unclear of the criteria of the immigration detainees transfers to provincial jails and we are concerned about the arbitrariness of how these decisions are made, said Macklin. When people are subject to both the federal and provincial jurisdiction, they just fall through the cracks and no one takes responsibility. The signatories on the latest petition, including former Immigration and Refugee Board chair Peter Showler, urge Ontario to end its agreement with Ottawa to hold immigration detainees in provincial jails and immediately stop accepting transfers of people with physical and mental illnesses. Since March, at least three immigration detainees have died in custody in provincial jails, including a 39-year-old Chilean, Francisco Javier Romero Astorga, at Maplehurst Correctional Complex, and Melkioro Gahungu, 64, a Burundian detainee at Toronto East Detention Centre. Earlier this month, a 24-year-old man died at the Edmonton Remand Centre. Read more about: SHARE: It is a childs toy in a mans hands. Lego. The colourful interlocking blocks that click with young imaginations to create buildings, spaceships, people, animals and whatever else little kids dream up. Torontos Ekow Nimako, 36, was one of those dreamy kids. Now, his long slender fingers transform the sturdy bricks into a spectacular gallery of Lego art: fantastical creatures, West African masks, soaring birds and political statements like Tar Baby a discomfiting sculpture that explores the painful complexities of shadism between a mother and her infant. Next up: the human brain. Nimako is one of 100 international and Canadian artists recruited for the Brain Project, a June fundraising event to support brain research and care at Baycrest hospital. The creations will be displayed at locations around Toronto and include offerings from famous artists, like Mr. Brainwash and Gary Taxali, celebrity designers like Kim Kardashian West and emerging talents like Nimako. The public art installations will be on display beginning June 3 and include locations such as Nathan Phillips Square, Mel Lastman Square, Union Station, Fort York and St. Lawrence Market. Jordana Novak, director of events for the Baycrest Foundation, said securing Nimako a full-time artist for just three years was a coup for The Brain Project because he is a fresh face with a one-of-a-kind style whose reputation is poised to explode. People need to start buying his work now because in 10 years, you wont be able to afford it, said Novak. Novak said she actively pursued Nimako for the project after his spectacular Nuit Blanche installation Silent Knight drew rave reviews across the art community last year. Its priced at about $100,000, Nimako says, one of his more expensive creations. Working in bare feet and sometimes for 10-hour stretches, Nimako built Silent Knight a 50,000-piece Lego barn owl depicted in soundless, predatory flight often listening to documentaries on barn owls streaming from his laptop in his cosy fifth-floor studio near Dufferin St. and St. Clair Ave. W. He said he sometimes slept beneath the enormous owl, needing a break from days of gluing Lego blocks to form the 225-kilogram bird around a metal base. It is a painstaking technique that requires patience with the medium the bricks can be quite tiny as much as imagination. Getting this ear just right might take me a day, Nimako said, picking up his rendition of a long-tailed white squirrel inspired by those in Trinity Bellwoods Park, and pointing at the tiny Lego ear on the side of the rodents head. Nimako said he accepted the Brain Project offer because its a departure from birds and beings, his signature themes, to the inner workings of a human skull. It may also bring in a little cash. Project artists all receive the same honorarium to pay for their supplies, Novak said, adding that artists must cover any gap in costs. She said 50 of the 100 brains will be selected by project curators for an online auction with artists receiving 10 per cent of the hammer price before all fees are subtracted. Physically, its a challenge for me to create something like the brain, which hes titled Grey Matters, said Nimako, whose innate sense of engineering negates the need for sketches, computer plans or blueprints not even for Silent Knight. Ive only created organic matter in this way once before. I built a human heart and it was to scale, (for the cover of a musician friends album, not yet released) . . . I enjoyed it quite a bit. It was very, very, very difficult to build because organs and organic matter have this very gelatinous exterior, he continued. Its one thing to simulate the form of an animal or human but its another thing to specifically replicate an organ. Novak said beyond Nimakos unique artistic skills, the Baycrest Foundation approached him because of a type of scientific symmetry. There is a beautiful connection between what he does, which is a form of engineering, and what we do, which is research. We love working with him, Novak said of Nimako. Hes a lovely human being and a very generous man. And who wouldnt love working with someone like this: Nimako begins emails with the salutation Peace. The single father of two daughters sometimes texts happy emojis like pretty flowers with messages. He usually buys used Lego parts online from around the planet, enjoying the kid energy from the repurposed blocks that go into his art. (That contrasts with dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiweis Lego-purchasing experience. Ai received an apology from Lego this year, after a bulk order of bricks was initially refused by the toymaker because of the political nature of his work.) In Nimakos apartment, which doubles as his studio, he sips home-brewed tea, listening to music playing softly from his laptop. He studied fine arts at York University, intending to pursue creative writing, but was laid off from his first full-time job as a writer/editor for a successful start-up company that ended up dissolving. After the job loss, he started building miniature birds in June of 2012 as a hobby while looking for work. When employment in writing and as a musician (he plays guitar and drums) didnt gain enough traction, Nimako recognized his potential to become a full-time Lego artist. I guess you could say my aha moment was when I realized I had about 30 species of birds by the end of that summer, Nimako said those birds became his first Toronto exhibit, called Aviarageddon in 2013. It was difficult for me until about late 2014 but I have not worked another full-time job other than my art since 2012. Now successful and in demand, the soft-spoken Nimako wonders aloud if a local rapper might like a project hes designed with him in mind. I built a piece that Im working on getting to Aubrey Graham, otherwise known as Drake, Nimako said, chuckling. He doesnt know about it but I was kind of inspired by his OVO insignia. (It features an owl.) It seems that owls have always been part of my progression and my practice so I decided to build something that would reflect OVO. Birds are a passion for Nimako, a nature lover. So is social justice. His social justice themes flow, in part, from a disturbing personal incident more than a decade ago at a relatives home in Scarborough. Nimako recalled how Toronto police stormed a baby shower for his second child, handcuffing Nimako and his male friends and placing the startled men into the backs of cruisers. They were armed to the teeth with dogs and large automatic weapons, Nimako recalled, describing the police raid. Nimako said an elderly white couple had erroneously reported to police that the Scarborough home it was the house of his daughters grand-aunt possibly contained guns after the couple had a fender bender with a shower guest. But there were no guns. There were never any guns. The police left. The shower was ruined. Police incidents left mark on artwork Ekow Nimako is a native of Montreal, one of three sons born to Ghanaian parents. He remembers the overt racism he experienced as a child the N-word and other cruel taunts hurled at him, based solely on his skin colour as the family travelled from Montreal to England and back to Canada, eventually settling in Scarborough after his parents divorced. As he got older, Nimako said unwanted hostile contact with police crept into his life. He said he was never carded while walking in Toronto but recalled the time, as a teenager, when he and a buddy were eating hamburgers at a fast food joint when fast-arriving officers mistook Nimako and his friend for a different pair of teens. He said the officers began verbally abusing and threatening them before realizing their error. There are a few incidents that stand out far more than the others, Nimako said, adding that the baby shower memories still pain him. Then there are the smaller, subtle micro-aggressions that you deal with on a regular basis. Its insane. Its the state of the world in many ways. Those experiences have helped to propel Nimakos sculptures as he dives into themes such as black identity and, for a 2018 exhibition hes planning, the harsh treatment of migrants around the world. Pariah Girl is in the works; it will be a study of an abused 12-year-old Medusa. His 2014 Building Black exhibition at the Daniels Spectrum was physically and intellectually challenging, says Nimako. For this gallery, he had to move from building miniature birds to replicating full-scale humans to convey a highly personal theme. Building Black is an exploration into the black identity and what that even means, the term black identity, because even that, in itself, is often controversial, Nimako said. Some people dont like the term black or being called black and having that racial signifier because in many respects, its not true; there are many shades of brown. Nimako explains his work SMILING DOLL: Part of the Building Black exhibition, portraying a golliwog, which was created as a childs doll in the 19th and 20th centuries and was popular with whites. (Golliwogs) are often depicted, much as Smiling Doll is, with a blazer, bowtie, very ostentatious garb, exceedingly dark skin like as dark as is available with ink these red lips, big white eyes and youll be hard pressed to find one that doesnt have a very characteristic big broad smile. Which is very strange to me. Its one thing to depict a people in this particular way (but its) another thing to depict people that, especially during a time when (the doll) was created, were not having such a good time outside of their home continent. TAR BABY: Part of Building Black. Nimako wrote a lullaby for the piece. Darker skin always seems to be the less likable, the more deplored. With the Tar Baby lullaby, it was a sombre kind of telling of a mother that in one way love her child but, in another way, detests her child because she has exceedingly dark skin. I wanted to bring some light to that unfortunate narrative. FLOWER GIRL: Part of Building Black. The figurative sculptures Flower Girl, Tar Baby and Smiling Doll each focused on a distinct aspect of domestic life during and/or after the North American transatlantic slave trade. The virtual non-existence of well-garbed, slavery-era, black ceremonial flower girls was something I felt required a particular sort of atonement. SILENT KNIGHT: A commissioned art installation for Nuit Blanche 2015. Silent Knight is a monument to one of the most extirpated species in Ontario: the barn owl. Considering that the overall theme for the Nuit Blanche zone in which the sculpture was exhibited was Memory Lane, I felt it important to focus on a creature that locally exists on the border of actuality and memory. The word Silent was drawn from the birds ability to maintain soundless flight due to its signature serrated feather tips, while the word Knight refers to the unique helmed visage of its heart-shaped face, and its guardianship of farmland and protection from agricultural vermin. Read more about: SHARE: QUETTA, PAKISTANThe family of a driver who was killed alongside Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan has filed a case against U.S. officials, seeking to press murder charges, police said Sunday. Mansour had entered Pakistan from Iran using a false name and fake Pakistani identity documents on May 21 when his car was targeted by a U.S. drone. The driver, who was also killed, was later identified as Mohammed Azam. The police filed a case on behalf of Azams family, police official Abdul Wakil Mengal said. It was not immediately clear what legal avenues the family can realistically pursue. In the case documents, his brother Mohammed Asim describes Azam as an innocent man and a father of four who was the familys sole breadwinner. I want justice, Asim said, according to the case file. In our view, both the (officials) who ordered and those who executed the drone strike are responsible for (killing) a man who had nothing to do with terrorism, who was a non-combatant, Azams uncle, Allah Nazar, told The Associated Press. Nazar said his nephews death had broken the family. He said that as well as caring for his children, Azam was supporting a disabled brother and his mother, who is blind. I have got a simple question to ask the American authorities, thats: how will this family survive? Nazar said. He said the family was seeking financial compensation from American and Pakistani authorities to support Azams family and fund his childrens education. Pakistan condemned the U.S. drone strike, describing it as a violation of its sovereignty. On Sunday, Pakistans interior ministry announced that a DNA test confirmed that Mansour had been killed in the U.S. drone attack. American and Afghan officials had already confirmed Mansours death, but Islamabad had declined to do so before the DNA test results. Earlier this week, the Afghan Taliban selected a religious hard-liner, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, as their new head. Read more about: SHARE: MOSCOWA fire swept through a private home for the elderly in a Ukrainian village shortly before dawn Sunday, killing 17 people and injuring five others, an emergency official said. The head of the emergency services, Mykola Chechetkin, said 35 people were in the house when the fire broke out before 4 a.m. and 17 of them were killed. It was unclear whether any staff members were among the dead. Police said they are working to determine the cause of the fire and also to learn whether the home was operating legally. The owner of the business was detained for questioning. Photographs provided by the emergency services show that the fire gutted the two-story, yellow stucco building in Litochki, a village 42 kilometres north of Kyiv, the capital. Several charred satellite dishes were seen still attached to a wall. Reports carried by the Russian state news agency Tass and others said the fire may have been set off when a television set exploded. The Ukrainian government has set up a commission to investigate the circumstances of the fire. Read more about: SHARE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied media reports that police had advocated trying his wife, Sara, for misuse of state funds at the family residence. In the police statement there was no recommendation to bring Mrs. Netanyahu to trial, the prime minister said in a statement posted to his official Facebook page. In contrast to reports, Mrs. Netanyahu did not commit any crime. Channel 2 television station and the Haaretz newspaper both said earlier on Sunday that the police backed a trial, without saying how they got the information. The police said the same day that an investigation had been concluded and that evidence was being given to the Jerusalem District prosecutor to decide what action to take. Israeli Comptroller Joseph Shapira issued a report last year recommending that Sara Netanyahus spending on food, cleaning, makeup and clothing be investigated. The report said there is concern about an alleged breach of integrity that borders on suspicion of a criminal act. Read more about: SHARE: We knew this was coming. For months, coral reef experts have been loudly, and sometimes mournfully, announcing that much of the treasured Great Barrier Reef has been hit by severe coral bleaching, thanks to abnormally warm ocean waters. Bleaching, though, isnt the same as coral death. When symbiotic algae leave corals bodies and the animals then turn white or bleach, they can still bounce back if environmental conditions improve. The Great Barrier Reef has seen major bleaching in some of its sectors particularly the more isolated, northern reef and the expectation has long been that this event would result in significant coral death as well. Now some of the first figures are coming in confirming that. Diving and aerial surveys of 84 reefs by scientists with the ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, in Australia the same researchers who recently documented at least some bleaching at 93 per cent of individual reefs have found that a striking 35 per cent of corals have died in the northern and central sectors of the reef. The researchers looked at corals from Townsville, Queensland, all the way to New Guinea, said coral expert Terry Hughes, who led the research and examined 200,000 corals overall, he said. The 35 per cent, the researchers said, is an initial estimate that averages estimates taken from different reef regions. It varies hugely from reef to reef, and from north to south, said Hughes, who directs the ARC Center. It basically ranges from zero to 100. In the northern part of the reef, 24 of the reefs we sampled, we estimate more than 50 per cent mortality. Fortunately, the southern sector of the reef was largely spared, thanks to the ocean churning and rainfall caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston, which cooled waters in the area, Hughes said. In this region, to the south of the coastal city of Cairns, mortality was only about 5 per cent. But while coral death numbers are far lower to the south, an average of 35 per cent is quite shocking, Hughes said. Theres no other natural phenomenon that can cause that level of coral loss at that kind of scale. He noted that tropical cyclones what Americans call hurricanes also kill corals at landfall, but typically over an area of about 50 miles. In contrast, the swath of damage from the bleaching event, he says, was 500 miles wide. This coral bleaching is a whole new ball game, said Hughes. The ARC Center released a map to accompany its findings, demonstrating the areas sampled and the extent of coral death found. The news comes just days after the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, an Australian government agency, similarly noted that In the far north, above Cooktown, substantial coral mortality has been observed at most surveyed inshore and midshelf reefs. There has already been widespread attribution of this record bleaching event to human-caused climate change. One recent statistical analysis, for instance, gave extremely low odds that the event would have happened by chance in a stable climate. It was caused by record warm March temperatures in the Coral Sea, more than 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit above average. The bleaching event is the third and worst such strike on the Great Barrier Reef other major bleaching events occurred in 1998 and 2002. Thus, the reef has bleached three times in the past two decades. So the question now is, when are we going to get the fourth and fifth bleaching event, and will there be enough time, now that we have lost a third of the corals, for them to recover before the fourth and fifth event? Hughes asked. In the case of at least some of the corals, the answer is probably no. Some dead corals were 50 or 100 years old, making it hard to see how these kinds of animals could grow back before another shock to the system arrives. Indeed, the aforementioned statistical analysis suggested that by the year 2034, a March with sea temperatures as warm as occurred in 2016 could happen every other year, as the planet continues to warm. And what is happening to the Great Barrier Reef this year is just one part of a much broader global episode. Unfortunately, there are islands in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean like Christmas Island where the effects have been even more catastrophic over 80 per cent mortality, said Mark Eakin, who coordinates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Coral Reef Watch. It is essential to remember that even those corals still alive have a higher risk of dying from disease and have lost at least a years reproductive season and growth, Eakin continued. Even the corals that only bleach are severely harmed by events like this one. The damage to the Great Barrier Reef a major tourist icon has led to intense climate-focused debate in Australia, which is on the verge of an election on July 2. But for scientists, the idea that something abnormal is happening seems hard to escape. We seem to have gone from an era when mass bleaching was unheard of, to the modern era where it has now occurred three times in 18 years, Hughes said. SHARE: Imagine this: Its a spring day in Ottawa, and Important People have gathered to honour the memory of Sir John A. Macdonald. Its a fairly formal occasion; theres an honour guard and plenty of security on hand. All of a sudden someone steps forward, shouting this is an insult! It turns out its a First Nations man protesting Sir John A.s decidedly mixed record on dealing with indigenous people. In a split second, the Irish ambassador to Canada, of all people, springs into action. He grabs the protester, hauls him forcefully away, and delivers him into the arms of police. Question: would we regard the Irishman as a hero, or as a meddling outsider sticking his nose into our affairs? Of course, in real life it was Canadas ambassador in Dublin, Kevin Vickers, who took it upon himself to enact a very similar scene last Thursday. He was attending a ceremony honouring British soldiers who died fighting Irish nationalists 100 years ago, when a man named Brian Murphy disrupted the event by shouting that it was an insult to Irish people. After all, British troops put down Irelands Easter Rising in 1916 with considerable violence, and 15 leaders of the rebellion were executed. Its still a raw wound for some. So it was bizarre, to say the least, that Vickers was the one who grabbed Murphy and manhandled him away (to use a phrase). In Canada, Vickers is a genuine hero for his role in challenging and finally killing the Parliament Hill shooter, Michael Zihaf-Bibeau, in October 2014. As a veteran RCMP officer and sergeant-at-arms of the House of Commons, hes a security man through and through. Clearly, those instincts came alive when Murphy stepped forward to make his protest. Everyone likes a hero, and Canadians love one of their own who looks tough on the world stage. Its not something we get to enjoy every day. Canadian and action hero dont often appear in the same sentence. But the fact remains that Vickers was way out of line. Hes no longer a security officer; hes a diplomat. And one thing diplomats are emphatically not supposed to do is interfere in the domestic politics of the country theyre appointed to. Let the Irish sort out the legacy of the Easter Rising; we have our own touchy issues to deal with. Kevin Vickers is undoubtedly a brave man; he proved that 19 months ago and he doesnt have to prove it again. He should cool it, and stick to diplomacy. SHARE: Chief Mark Saunders took a lot of heat from cannabis advocates while answering questions about police raids this past week on 43 marijuana dispensaries that have opened up across the city in recent months. But he shouldnt have. The police, along with zoning and bylaw enforcement officers, took the right action when they arrested 90 people and laid 186 charges on Thursday. They had, as Saunders noted, taken a measured approach to the situation, sending out notices on May 18 warning landlords that the pot shops were illegal and giving them time to shut them down or potentially face stiff fines for contravening zoning bylaws. While Mayor John Tory didnt order the raids, he had rightly called the fast proliferation of the shops alarming: We cannot just have the Wild West when it comes to dispensaries cropping up on every street corner. But thats what seems to be occurring with an estimated 100 Toronto pot shops selling everything from dried cannabis to hash, pills and marijuana-infused edibles such as chocolate, cookies, candies and sodas. The sale of the chocolate and other goodies is particularly alarming since half of all the pot shops the police served notice on earlier this month were within 300 metres of schools. There are also questions about possible involvement of organized crime. In Vancouver, police say they have valid information that crime gangs have been connected with some pot shops there. In Toronto, police say only that they are investigating the possibility. At the same time, Saunders said police dont know where the money from the shops is going or where the product is coming from. That alone is unsettling, despite assurances from those who run the shops that there is no link to crime. There are also health concerns associated with the products sold in the illegal stores. As the chief warned, no one knows how much THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, is in any of these products, or, indeed, what is in them at all. Pot shops have been popping up across the country, most notably in Vancouver and Toronto, since a Federal Court judge in British Columbia struck down restrictions in February on medical marijuana users growing their own plants. At that time, he gave the federal government six months to pass new rules on medical marijuana. Amid the legal uncertainty that followed, dispensaries have spread like wildfire, with nine in Kensington Market alone, and Toronto city councillor Paula Fletcher expressing concern that a half-dozen dispensaries were operating around a single subway station in her Riverdale ward. So its no surprise that police acted on public complaints and petitions about the proliferation of the shops. While the Star supports Ottawas intention to legalize marijuana for recreational use, the dispensaries cannot continue to operate outside current law. Although medical marijuana is legal, it is supposed to be available only with a prescription from a medical doctor. Even then, it must be obtained from one of 31 producers licensed by Canada via registered mail not through storefront shops. Until marijuana is legalized for recreational use and its sale is regulated, Toronto should enforce the law governing illegal dispensaries. Or, it could enact more robust regulations on where pot shops can be located, as Vancouver did last year. New city bylaws there now prevent dispensaries from locating within 300 metres of any schools, community centres or other dispensaries, and imposes a $30,000 licensing fee on each shop. That curbs their concentration in any one neighbourhood and vastly reduces the number of shops. Mayor Tory has asked city staff to study that kind of approach. But until the rules change, police should be supported, not condemned, for their efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal pot shops. Read more about: SHARE: Re: Bill targetting Israel critics voted down, May 20 Bill targetting Israel critics voted down, May 20 As an Israeli-Canadian Jew who loves Israel, it is alarming to see Ontario even consider an anti-democratic and draconian law that would have punished citizens and organizations who speak out against Israeli government policy. This proposed legislation, which passed first reading before being defeated at second reading later in the week, would have gathered names of people and groups who support boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel or Israeli products made in the Occupied Territories. If that is not frightening enough, it would have then sought to bar these people and groups from having any business with the Ontario government. It would have placed an official government boycott on human rights activists. The province would have boycotted its own citizens. Why Kathleen Wynne, a supposed progressive politician, did not condemn this bill right at the gate and into its hour of defeat, is beyond me. The fact that she indicated she may even support the bill makes me question her liberal credentials. To hear politicians attempt to disguise, twist and manipulate the bona fide issue of Palestinian human rights into the language of anti-Semitism is truly sickening. We must slay the falsehood, once and for all, that opposing Israeli government policy is inherently anti-Semitic. To not do so would create a double standard that Israel is beyond reproach because of the historical suffering of the Jewish people. That is true anti-Semitism to treat a group differently, and make them special, because of collective guilt about the Holocaust. It is time to put this monster to bed. Avi Zer-Aviv, Toronto Bill 202, Standing Up Against Anti-Semitism in Ontario Act, 2016, was thankfully defeated. But Im left wondering why Tim Hudak and Mike Colle so want to deny Palestinians the kinds of rights and privileges enjoyed by Canadians that they fudge the truth. Their claim that the BDS campaign targets businesses owned by Jewish Canadians or affiliated with Jewish Canadians is bogus. The guidelines of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) explicitly rejects on principle boycotts of individuals based on their identity (such as citizenship, race, gender, or religion) or opinion. It is rather Israel that uses religious identity to determine where one can live, which schools one attends, whom one can marry, even what roads one can drive on conditions deemed apartheid by South African archbishop Desmond Tutu. These run counter to the values of Canadian multiculturalism. Rather than censor Canadians, these MPPs should encourage Israel to comply with international law and to dismantle policy and practices that Canadians no longer tolerate here. Richard Fung, Toronto I am an Israeli Jew who immigrated to Canada in 2001 and now live in Toronto. Im a veteran of the Israeli army and served in a combat unit in Gaza and the West Bank (many times). While I understand and appreciate the desire of some MPPs to assist in the fight against anti-Semitism as well as support the state of Israel, I, as an Israeli, have a different perspective as to how best to help. I am a strong supporter of the BDS movement and believe that not only is it the most effective way to bring about a change to Israeli politics but also represents an integral part of any true democracy the right to non-violent protest and expression. The BDS movement is an attempt to raise awareness and bring about change against a system that has denied the most basic human and civil rights to a people living under occupation for close to 50 years that we take for granted here in Canada. Any attempt to inhibit this right of free expression not only runs counter to the values of Canada but also contributes to the further deterioration of whatever shred of democracy is left in Israel. There is another side to the argument, from inside Israel, that sees BDS as an ally for peace, justice and freedom and one that strengthens the moral fabric of that society. Shutting off avenues of free, non-violent expression only leads to more mistrust, hatred and ultimately violence by sending a message that dialogue is not welcome when a different opinion or perspective is being shared. Rafi Silver, Toronto SHARE: Good general physical condition and hiking experience on loose ground are required, participants should have no difficulties to hike 5-10 km or climb up to about 1000 m in a single day. The time spent on individual excursions ranges from about 1 to 7 hours, but may become (much) longer in case of unexpected volcanic activity that is worth the effort of an extra hike and/or extended observation of the eruption in the field. Since we started organizing this tour in 2002 it has been guided mainly by volcanologist Dr. Tom Pfeiffer or astronomer Dr. Marco Fulle, and occasionally by geologist Yashmin Chebli from the VolcanoDiscovery team, who many will know from our volcano expeditions in Vanuatu and on Hawaii.These long-term friends are volcano photographers who frequently traveled to Etna, Stromboli and many other volcanoes when they erupted over the past two decades. They both know Etna and the Eolian Islands very well - including the best local restaurants and nicest hikes! The tour starts and ends in Catania, Sicilys second largest city, which is easily reached by plane or train from Rome or other large Italian cities. Travel arrangements to and from Catania are not included in the tour package in order to give everybody maximum flexibility to plan his/her trip. Please let us know if you like any assistance with your international travel to Italy and/or Catania - we will be happy to help. A classic among our volcano adventures, this tour takes you to some of the most active and interesting volcanoes in the world: Etna , the giant ever-changing volcano that dominates Sicily; Vulcano , in the Ancients'belief home to Vulcanus, God of Fire; Lipari with its spectacular obsidian and pumice deposits; and Stromboli , "Lighthouse of the Tyrrhenian Sea", the permanently active volcano that gave its name to the Strombolian type of volcanic eruptions "Hey, Tom! Thanks again for a really terrific trip. I think I can easily say that it was the most memorable trip of my life! If you ever need anyone else to give a recommendation, feel free to call on me." (Steve L., Chicago) The tour ends today with a transfer to Catania airport according to your departure time. If you have some time it is definitely worth to explore the lively city of Catania itself as it offers more than enough to visit: the famous local market (especially the fish-market is spectacular!), numerous Ancient relics, baroque architecture, or simply enjoy its buzzing charm from one of the plenty street cafes. If you have more days to spend, we recommend you extend your stay in Sicily or on the islands as options of things to do and see are nearly unlimited! This day could be exchanged with the previous day and is again fully dedicated to Etna's upper region and sites of possible volcanic activity (if accessible). Normally this day will be used to discover one of Etna's most spectacular features: the Valle del Bove , a giant depression formed by repeated flank collapses of the volcano. From ca. 2500m altitude we descend into the Valle del Bove, along an extremely steep but soft sandy slope where we can run or slide down as if skiing (great fun and not dangerous!) in order to descend about 1000 m in less than 15 minutes. At the bottom of the giant depression an almost alien and rarely visited landscape awaits us... Surrounded by magnificent volcanic dikes and steep walls of ancient lava rocks, we are on the vast lava fields from the 1991-1993 eruption . Along an unmarked but easy trail we cross the Valle del Bove until we reach one of its lowest points of the SW border where we can easily climb out. From there we take a path downhill through forests, along a giant vertical basalt wall and to one of the very few springs at Etna before arriving at the road from where we are transferred back to the hotel. This evening there we will drive down to the lively village of Nicolosi for an aperitif in a local bar on the lively piazza before having our well-deserved Sicilian dinner in a busy garden restaurant. After a copious breakfast from the buffet we gather at the reception for a long day of hiking . We start our ascend with the cable car and then take special jeeps to quickly reach about 2700 m elevation before we continue on foot. Weather conditions and volcanic activity permitting, we can climb one or several of the summit craters of Etna, explore there fumaroles and sulphur fields and stare down into the smoking vents . From the summit craters we make our way back to the hotel on food, descending along a variety of unique landscapes and vegetation as well as interesting volcanic features, for example the cinder cones that formed in single eruptions in 2001 and 2002-2003 and old lava flow channels. Back at the hotel we restore our energies with a delicious 3-course dinner and local red wine. After breakfast we take a speed boat to Lipari Island , where we have an extended stop over on our way back to Sicily in order to visit the historic castle with its archaeological museum and hike to the world-famous obsidian and pumice deposits . In the afternoon we continue our journey by boat to Milazzo from where a private minibus brings us directly to Mount Etna . The next 3 nights we will be lodging in a comfortable hotel high up the volcanos slopes at ca 1900 m a.s.l. with great mountain views of Catania. After breakfast we embark on a scenic boat tour around the island (ca. 3 hours). We first take a closer look at Strombolicchio, the tiny islet of vertical rock cliffs that is all that remains of the volcano that was the predecessor of Stromboli. We then visit the secluded village of Ginostra on the opposite side of the island before continuing our around-the-clock round trip and sailing right in front of the Sciara del Fuoco. After a light lunch in the village of Stromboli you have the rest of the day free . Besides swimming, relaxing and enjoying the village atmosphere your options include a second climb to the summit craters, a hike to the viewpoint at the Sciara del Fuoco, ... After breakfast you have the morning and midday free to swim, relax or stroll around in the picturesque village of Stromboli. In the late afternoon, equipped with sandwiches for the evening, we set out for the 3-4 hours climb to the summit craters and arrive around sunset at a natural viewpoint which is located directly above the active craters at 918 m asl. From here, one can cautiously observe eruptions from the several active craters from a close range . Many travelers describe this as one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles they have seen in their lives - and the place and time where they became addicted to volcanoes After enjoying the fireworks for about one hour, we descend on a different route that brings us down a steep ash slope directly back to the village of Stromboli (ca 1.5 h). ----------- Note: In case access to Stromboli's summit is prohibited by the local authorities, e.g. during times of particularly high levels of activity, the excursion will instead go to a viewpoint above the Sciara del Fuoco at 400m. In the morning we travel by speed boat to Stromboli where small 3-wheeled motor vehicles bring us to a comfortable hotel on the beach . The rest of the morning and midday are free for you to relax, swim in the sea or explore the unique ambiance of Stromboli. In the afternoon we hike to a beautiful viewpoint on the Sciara del Fuoco from where we have a good view towards the active craters and large ash slope along which glowing blocks can roll down into the sea. We conclude the day with a dinner nearby at a uniquely located pizzeria from where the eruptions are still visible. We drive with a private minibus to the port of Milazzo and get on board of a hydrofoil that takes us to the volcanic island of Vulcano . Our accommodation here is a comfortable hotel directly on a volcanic fine black sand beach . The afternoon is free to relax and discover at your own pace: you can enjoy the beach, shop for souvenirs in the village, and explore the warm, bubbling volcanic mud pools and sulfurous steam vents just a few 100 m away from the beach. For a magnificent sunset and view over the Eolian archipelago , we set out to climb the active crater (300m high, ca. 1h hike) "La Fossa del Vulcano" ("The Mouth of the Volcano"), which last erupted in 1888. After nightfall, we return to the hotel where we enjoy a delicious dinner with Eolian specialties on the terrace right above the waves. Upon your arrival, you are picked up from the airport and transferred by taxi or private minibus to our first night's accommodation in the old center of Catania , one of Sicily's famous cities and Italy's most beautiful towns. Depending on your arrival time, you can use the afternoon to stroll through the historic center of the town and explore ancient Greek and Roman ruins, medieval castles, baroque palaces, churches, museums, lively markets, nearby beaches... In the evening the group meets up for an evening walk through the narrow cobbled streets and a welcome drink at a local bar followed by a first delicious Sicilian dinner . Discounts: Returning customers receive 5% (or 8% - if you have been on at least 3 trips with us) discount on the base tour price. Group booking discount: If at least 4 people together book this trip, 5% (additional) discount is given, combineable to a maximum of 10%. "It was a wonderful experience" Dear Tom, I have not written you before because I came back home last Sunday. IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPRECIENCE. Yashmin is am absolute incredible person, so helpful and patient and overall full of knowledge. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE GIVEN US." (Guillermo R., from Mexico about the Stromboli to Etna tour) "it was great to have a guide who was so knowledgeable and competent" "Dear Tom, Just a quick note to say how much Gwyneth and I enjoyed our first tour with you: I don't think it will be our last! A very impressive 'product'. Yashmin was very solicitous of my mobility problems and I managed to achieve more than I thought. Everything was organised very smoothly and it was great to have a guide who was so knowledgeable and competent. Many thanks," - Dave E. (UK) about their From Stromboli to Etna in May 2018 "It surpassed everything we were expecting" (Stromboli to Etna tour) "Lieber Tom! David and I apologize profusely for the delay in sending this thank you note for an amazing and memorable trip last month. It surpassed everything we were expecting, and much of that was due to you not just your superb knowledge of the subject matter, but your patience, generosity, and your ability to manage a very diverse group of people so effortlessly. It was, without a doubt, one of the best adventure trips we have ever taken, and that is saying A LOT. ... Thank you so very much, Tom, and we hope we will have a chance to take another trip with you soon. Just let us know the destinations, and we'll do our best to join! (The only place David is not keen on going to is Ethiopia, as it is too close to Somalia and Ethiopians don't make red wine or cannolis!) Ingrid our deepest thanks to you as well for your assistance and help in organizing the trip. Everything was perfect!!! Hope we get a chance to meet you as well. ... Take care and speak to you soon! Please give Barbara in Stromboli our best regards, too, would you? Thank you! Warmest regards, Alisha and David" (Alisha + David (USA) about the Stromboli to Etna tour in Oct 2016) "This trip was the most awesome thing we've ever done!" (Stromboli to Etna) "Hi Tom! We hope you got back ok. How was that trip up on the last day? Any good views? I was just dying to stay one more day and go back up the mountain again, but it would have been too hard to change the planes at the last minute. We were watching the mountain while waiting for the bus and actually saw a couple of big red explosions. Mount Etna is in today's news here - they are showing videos of it erupting again! We're so lucky to have seen it! Just wanted to say thank you again for everything - that we are so happy to have met you. This trip was the most awesome thing we've ever done! Saw things that only a relatively few people have ever been able to see, and we'll always remember it (and you, and Bea and Reto). We'll, have to unpack now and get back to the old routine again. Talk to you soon, Love, Carolynn and Ronnie ... Hi Tom, Thanks again! Certainly you can use the comments however you like. I've been telling everyone here about the trip - still can't stop talking about it, LOL! Carol" (Carol & Ronnie, Massachusetts, about the Stromboli to Etna tour) Stromboli to Etna trip (May 2013) Tom on Stromboli "Hi Tom, Many thanks again for a very memorable trip that has whetted our appetite. Here's your picture on Stromboli. Apologies that it took me so long to get around to sending it. Best wishes, Robert and Aneta." (from the Netherlands, Stromboli to Etna trip in May 2013) ...something I have wanted to do for 45 years and finally got the chance... "Hi Tom, I have returned to Australia after 30 odd hours on the plane trail. I had to be back at work in 6 hours so I have only just had time to reflect and look at photos. Attached are 3 from Stromboli after our first ascent, the pictures from our second were interesting but less spectacular. I give my best thanks to you and your team, Marco in particular for making it such a worthwhile and exciting time. It is something I have wanted to do for 45 years and finally got the chance. Best regards, Alan" (Stromboli to Etna trip) "Rain or shine what an absolutely fantastic time!" Stromboli to Etna tour "Hello Tom, Your company name is so perfect! I was awed by the sights, information and experiences of our recent trip - layers and layers of discoveries about volcanoes (for certain) but so much more ... the different regions, the cuisine, the wonderful people. My senses were definitely on high alert. Rain or shine what an absolutely fantastic time! I look forward to more Volcano Discoveries in the future. Have a "supa" trip to Ethiopia. Warm regards, Eileen" (San Francisco) Time passes by very quickly... but i managed to sort out the highlights of my 650 photos of our trip in Sicily and the Eolian Islands. Here it is: http://picasaweb.google.ch/daniel.reutlinger/VolcanoDiscoverySicilyEolianIslands# It was really a pleasure to travel around with you and watching all those photos reminds me of those great days. Hope to see you some day on a Volcano or in Switzerland or somewhere else on this beautiful planet... Daniel" ( "Hello Tom, Ines, Nicola, James, SteveTime passes by very quickly...but i managed to sort out the highlights of my 650 photos of our tripin Sicily and the Eolian Islands.Here it is:It was really a pleasure to travel around with you and watching allthose photos reminds me of those great days.Hope to see you some day on a Volcano or in Switzerland or somewhereelse on this beautiful planet...Daniel" ( Stromboli to Etna tour Oct 08) Ines on Vulcano's crater Tak for en skn uge i det eoliske hav og pa Etna. Dejlige vandreture med gode guider, smukke omgivelser og godt selskab, det var lige det jeg nskede mig. Vulcano, Stromboli og Etna er de frste vulkaner, jeg har oplevet, og det var helt fantastisk. Etna var virkelig storslaet. De de lavalandskaber og alle de fine sten bjergtog mig helt og aldeles. Pa Stromboli var det fascinerende at se ned i krateret og se de sma luende flammer og fontnerne af ild, der skd op. Men de sma fulmaroler pa Vulcano med deres svovldampe betd noget helt srligt, fordi det er den frste vulkanske aktivitet jeg nogensinde har set. Dette er steder, jeg gerne vender tilbage til. Ines, "Kre TomTak for en skn uge i det eoliske hav og pa Etna. Dejlige vandreture medgode guider, smukke omgivelser og godt selskab, det var lige det jeg nskedemig. Vulcano, Stromboli og Etna er de frste vulkaner, jeg har oplevet, og. Etna var virkelig storslaet. De de lavalandskaberog alle de fine sten bjergtog mig helt og aldeles. Pa Stromboli var det fascinerende at se ned i krateret og se de sma luende flammer og fontnerneaf ild, der skd op. Men de sma fulmaroler pa Vulcano med deres svovldampe betd noget helt srligt, fordi det er den frste vulkanske aktivitet jeg nogensinde har set. Dette er steder, jeg gerne vender tilbage til.Ines, Stromboli to Etna , Oktober 2008" (Ines K., Denmark) "Just to say what a great trip to Etna and thanks to Rosario for showing me such wonderful sights. It was fantastic!" (T. Salt, UK) ( Etna Private Tours "Etna, 15th August 2008 Thank you, it was a great experience, and we looked differenly at all the Volcanos in the Eoliennes, specially Etna. Roberto is great guide, as he could share his passion and knowledge with us,and give so much explainations." (Patrick de la Chesnais, UK). See Patrick's photos from this excursion on this page. "Hello Tom, We're now back from another great week on Etna. We very much enjoyed our day out with Marco on 5th June (Rosario had to lead a group that day) which Steve Banfield joined us for. We visited the 'Bottoniera'to do some filming/photos for a few hours, returning down the usual pleasant descent route around Mte. Montagnola. We undertook numerous other walks on Etna during the week some of which we had not done before - including a return to the current eruption site at the 'Bottoniera', when the activity had changed to more random and sporadic explosions from the upper vent, some of which were quite violent, although activity from the lower vent remained relatively predictable. We got some good night-time video footage of the active vents and lava flows from the Schiena dell'Asina on one of our evening excursions. On our last day, we got excellent views (and, luckily, some more good video footage for once the Valle del Bove was mainly clear of clouds!) of the advancing active lava front between Mte. Simone & Mte. Centenari from the ridge above the Serra del Concazze; the eruption was clearly continuing in similar style to the previous days, although there were far less ash emissions as the upper vent was exhibiting more Strombolian-type activity." (Niki, UK, custom Etna tour) We had such a good time on our expedition with you! It was more strenuous than I expected, but also more rewarding and more fun! I could hardly wait to get back to show pictures to my friends and brag on our exploits! One other unexpected plus--despite the mass quantities of delicious food, I actually lost a couple of pounds--my trainer at the gym was impressed! Thanks for being such a thoughtful, knowledgeable and food-oriented guide. We loved our trip!Regards, Linda K." (Linda K, Washington, "Hi Tom, Just a quick note to fill you in on what we did after leaving you on Etna...we think we used our time wisely, we saw lots, and we had a very good time. Thanks for all the good advice, it was very useful to us.It was more strenuous than I expected, but also more rewarding and more fun! I could hardly wait to get back to show pictures to my friends and brag on our exploits! One other unexpected plus--despite the mass quantities of delicious food, I actually lost a couple of pounds--my trainer at the gym was impressed! Thanks for being such a thoughtful, knowledgeable and food-oriented guide.Regards, Linda K." (Linda K, Washington, Stromboli to Etna trip April 08) Thanks again for a great volcano tour, Terry" (Terry D., Coloroado, "Hi Tom and Tobias, I just wanted to tell you what a nice job that Marco did on our volcano tour last month. I had originally asked for Marta because I thought she would be great with the grandchildren. Marco did a fabulous job with both children-the eight year old grandson especially enjoyed Marco. They were great friends by the end. ...Terry" (Terry D., Coloroado, Stromboli to Etna trip May 08) One word that describes Etna is 'awesome'and one word that describes Rosario's skills as a guide 'outstanding' ! (Etna tour - Kamal M., UK) Hi all, Sorry about the late reply, just getting back in the swing of things at work. We climbed Etna as planned, although you do not appreciate the grand size of it until you are there. Etna being over 3 times higher than any mountain in Ireland. We met our guide at the top of the road near the excursion centre by the cable car. After he had sorted us out with gear we headed off up the cable car and trekking across the snow. i must admit that i had never trekked in snow before nor had any of my team. (We hardly get any snow in Ireland only rain). After hiking for about 4-5 hours and lots of breaks we got to the cabin at the top with in about 30 - 45 mins from the main cones. It is hard to describe the mountain. it was total covered with snow and was a small bit cold but once you keep moving you don't really feel it, a clear blue sky since we were above the clouds and total quite not a person for miles. Peaceful a bit different than my job. After the guide digging out the snow from the cabin door we ventured in to get some much needed food and hot drinks which we had carried up the mountain. after resting at the cabin it was decided to head back down, as one of the teams old back injury had came back to haunt him. On the way down we looked at some lateral craters and vents. We later headed back down the cable car and to the excursion centre. This trip was well worth going and i would recommend it to any one traveling to scissile to attempt this trip. Who knows I may come back and attempt it again myself one day, when I am a bit fitter I think. A special thanks to the guide for staying with us and showing us the beauty of the mountain. I am sure he could have climbed the mountain in the half the time it he wanted to. (lol). And to all the staff of Volcano Discovery for making this trip one of the best trips i have been on. Yours sincerely Christopher Corbett, Igor Kendrinkski, Paul Doolan, Marco (Ireland) I am writing to you to thank you for a wonderful tour. Both yourself and Rosario provided a fantastic service from the moment we enquired to the moment we arrived back at Rifugio Sapienza. Rosario was a great guide and he helped us to get much more out of our trip to Mt Etna than we could have hoped for and truly made it a trip to remember. Should you ever need a reference, I would be more than happy to oblige. As soon as I can, I will be putting some photos on our website of Rosario and our trip. Should you want a copy of any of them, just let me know. I will let you know when I have published them. It will probably be at least a week though. Many thanks once again, Daniel & Julie Tom,I am writing to you toBoth yourself and Rosario provided a fantastic service from the moment we enquired to the moment we arrived back at Rifugio Sapienza. Rosario was a great guide and he helped us to get much more out of our trip to Mt Etna than we could have hoped for and truly made it a trip to remember.Should you ever need a reference, I would be more than happy to oblige. As soon as I can, I will be putting some photos on our website of Rosario and our trip. Should you want a copy of any of them, just let me know. I will let you know when I have published them. It will probably be at least a week though.Many thanks once again, Daniel & Julie http://www.danielandjulie.co.uk/ "Tom, Had a great tour, Etna was more than impressive, just fantastic - like a moonscape up there. ..." (J Perston, UK) ".. Just got back from Sicily. I had a very enjoyable time even though Etna has been shy and did not want to put on a performance. On the Monday I went round to the North side visiting the Grotta del ghiaccio, first time wearing crampons. The second day was spent in the Valle del Bove. The third day spent at the summit craters. The fourth day I joined Marta visiting the Alcantara Gorge, Taormina and spending the evening and next day in Catania. As usual, Marta maintained the professional standards I have come to expect from the "Volcano Discovery" team, and I expect the three other clients felt the same way." (S. Banfield, UK) "Hello Volcano Discovery and especially Marta, I just wanted to let you know how much we all enjoyed our tour with Volcano Discovery... For me personally the whole trip was fabulous from the hikes to the boat trips on the Mediterranean. There is not a single thing I would change for myself. Marta-You did a nice job, the ladies all loved you. .. Terry" (Colorado, USA) successful, interesting and informative. Thank you very much for being an excellent guide. I attach two of our photos, one taken at the crater rim - and one of you! ... Thanks again Rosario!" (T Ecott, Etna private tour, May 07) "Just a quick email to say what an amazing time I had hiking up Mount Etna last Thursday. It was an amazing experience I shall never forget, much thanks to our guide who was informative, safety conscious and extremely patient! Regards, Francoise J." (Etna private tour, May 07) "This is a note to say that we enjoyed the climb and you made it. Thank you very much for being an excellent guide. I attach two of our photos, one taken at the crater rim - and one of you! ... Thanks again Rosario!" (T Ecott, Etna private tour, May 07)"Just a quick email to say what an amazing time I had hiking up Mount Etna last Thursday. It was an, much thanks to our guide who was! Regards, Francoise J." (Etna private tour, May 07) "... I just wanted to thank you for another nice trip. I'm sure it won't be the last. ... You seem to choose your people well...Marta was quite knowledgeable and very enjoyable to be with..." (Stephen, USA) "Having been back from Italy for a week, just a few lines to say what a great holiday it has been. I thought that Marta did a brilliant job as tour manager, up to volcano discovery's usual high standards, if like the rest of the group, it had of been my first time travelling with the company i would have been very impressed..." (Steve, UK) We want to thank to you for your very kind guide in Italy... Hiromi asks me for saying thanks to you and Tom. She is also impressed by the beauty of the eruptions and volcanoes and is very satisfied for your guide... Kind regards, Seiji" (Japan; "Buenos Dias Marco, It is really great hearing from you. How was your last tour? Not as good as us, right?! I really wanted to thank you for being such a wonderful guide. I had a wonderful time. Believe it or not, I really want to go back already. Someday, maybe I will move to Italy, who knows. For now, I am preparing to move to New York. I will continue to practice my Italian and perhaps I will see you again at another volcano. All the best, Sedelia" (NY, "Dear Marco,We want to thank to you for your very kind guide in Italy... Hiromi asks me for saying thanks to you and Tom. She is also impressed by the beauty of the eruptions and volcanoes and isfor your guide... Kind regards, Seiji" (Japan; Stromboli tour Sep 2006)"Buenos Dias Marco, It is really great hearing from you. How was your last tour? Not as good as us, right?! I really wanted to thank you for being such a wonderful guide. I. Believe it or not, I really want to go back already. Someday, maybe I will move to Italy, who knows. For now, I am preparing to move to New York. I will continue to practice my Italian and perhaps I will see you again at another volcano. All the best, Sedelia" (NY, Etna-Stromboli tour May 2006) Thanks again for a great trip - really enjoyed it - particularly the second climb to the craters. Had a good time - helped by the weather and a good group. - Well organised! ... Andy" ( "Tom, I just wanted to say thanks for arranging such a great trip. It was everything I hoped for and more. Marco was great, as was Rosario, and stromboli was absolutely stunning. I also wanted to confirm you were ok...we were all quite concerned considering you were right in the center of all the trouble over there. Please let me know if everything worked out. I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship, and fully intend to use your services again in the future. With warm reguards, Stephen Hunt" ( "Hi Tom - Hope you are well.- really enjoyed it - particularly the second climb to the craters. Had a good time - helped by the weather and a good group. - Well organised! ... Andy" ( Etna-Stromboli tour Oct 2006)"Tom, I just wanted to say thanks for arranging such a great trip.. Marco was great, as was Rosario, and stromboli was absolutely stunning. I also wanted to confirm you were ok...we were all quite concerned considering you were right in the center of all the trouble over there. Please let me know if everything worked out. I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship, and fully intend to use your services again in the future. With warm reguards, Stephen Hunt" ( Etna-Stromboli tour May 2006) "Tom... really enjoyed the day. Because of the amount of snow, we had to walk from the top of the cable car, and that made it a very long day but all the more memorable. The visibility from the top was very good, and we could clearly see the Aeolian islands, although it was very hard to see into the crater because of the clouds of gas. We had some walking equipment, but the snow shoes Rosario brought were very useful, if a little difficult to get used to. Rosario was great, with a very good knowledge of the mountain, volcanos, and good English (even if he didn't think so). We would certainly recommend yourselves and/or Rosario to anyone else visiting Sicily who wanted to go on Etna (or any other volcanos). Mark & Sarah (Scotland)" "Salut Tom! Nous sommes bien rentres en France ce soir, la tete pleine de merveilleux souvenirs... Ce voyage restera inoubliable pour moi, et je garde plein d'images fabuleuses de tous ces moments magiques que nous avons vecus... Merci pour toute ta gentillesse et ta generosite, je suis vraiment heureuse de t'avoir rencontre! A bientot! Alix" "Un petit apercu photographique pour encore une fois te remercier pour ce fabuleux sejour. Je t'envoie le tout sur CD ou DVD le plus vite possible. A+ Marion et Eric" The walks on this tour are not particularly difficult, but you should have experience with hiking on uneven and rugged terrain . Although we organise our Danakil during the cooler months of the year, temperatures in the Danakil depression usually range between 35-40 deg C (95-105 deg F), but can easily soar up to 45-50 deg C (120-130 deg F) in the hottest hours near Dallol. The hike to / from Erta Ales summit area and caldera rim from base camp and back requires about 10 km trekking over uneven, but relatively easy and gently climbing terrain (about 500 m altitude gain / descend) and is done in the early morning hours prior to sunrise in order to minimize the impact of heat. To approach the edge of the lava lake and other parts of the caldera one needs to walk across the uneven, easy to moderately difficult to walk on platy, ropy or hollow pahoehoe lava flows. Good boots, long pants and gloves are a must . Extra care must be taken when walking over the lava tubes as the thin, glassy crusts of the hardened lava sometimes break so that you suddenly sink up to max halve meter into the hollow cavity below. Walking sticks to "test" the terrain and keep balance are recommended. Sanitary conditions during most part of this expedition will be very to extremely basic and you should therefore be in excellent overall health . No proper washing facilities are available while in the desert (approx. 7 days). Unfortunately, the local toilet habits in the Afar region and in particular around the salt lakes and atop the volcano is to do your business more or less anywhere; the area around Ahmed Ela (the salt-cutters'town near Dallol) is littered with garbage and human and animal excrement, resulting in a high rate of stomach bugs / travelers disease among visitors to the region. We therefore ask you to consult a medical doctor about going to the Danakil prior to joining the expedition. One should particularly take precautions / medicine against dehydration, diarrhea and stomach infections . Enku is the main guide on all our Danakil volcano expeditions. After obtaining a Diploma in Travel Organising and completing his BSc in Geology at the University of Addis Ababa, he spendtraveling through Ethiopia whilst working both asfor different oil and gold mining companies.heinguidance for theand hence has lots ofin organizing. He likes to share his vast knowledge on the geology of the Danakil but will also gladly answer any questions you might have regarding Ethiopias fauna and flora, culture, history, food or traditions! The expedition starts and ends in Addis Ababa , Ethiopias capital. International flights to and from Ethiopia are not included as default, but feel free to contact us if you would like any assistance with finding the best flight connections for you. Day 12: Drive from Woldia to Lalibela Today we drive from Woldia to Lalibela, Which is one of the most historic towns in Ethiopia due to its world famous and travelling will be through the most scenery /landscape, UNESCO world heritage, rock hewn churches. Day 10: Lake Assale, salt mining and camel loading and transfer to Abala Morning visit of Lake Assale, salt mining and camel loading and transfer to Abala This day is reserved for the glistening plane of Assale salt lake, traditional salt cutting and camel loading, and the irregularly formed salt deposits and colourful acid ponds south of Dallol. In the afternoon we leave the Dallol area and drive up to the highlands and spend the night in Abala. Day 2: From Addis Ababa to Awash Morning start of our jeep expedition: driving into the Rift Valley and arrive in Awash by the evening. Besides lunch, there are a few stops planned along the way to take in the changing landscape and get an introduction into its geological formation. Experience one of the geologically most active areas on the planet! The Danakil desert is famous for Erta Ale , one of the worlds few permanently active volcanoes. Until 2017, it hosted a spectacular boiling lava lake , which is now gradually returning (as of late 2020). Don't miss your chance to see the surreal landscapes of colors, salt, geysers and hot springs at the hydrothermal area of Dallol . See the dramatic change of environment when the jeep expedition starts in Addis Ababa (at 2355 m), and gradually descents into the Danakil depression, passing through Awash National Park before reaching the banks of Afrera salt lake (at - 100 m). The journey continues as we climb Erta Ale shield volcano and spend 3 full days and nights exploring the volcanos caldera . We then set up camp at the Afar village of Hamed Ela and have 2 full days to discover the hydrothermal area of Dallol and Assale salt lake , including the centuries-old ritual of salt cutting . Finally explore the UNESCO world heritage site of the rock hewn churches of Lalibela . We have been organising tours to the Danakil since early 2007 and hence have expertise in arranging such expeditions. Our highly competent Ethiopian main guide and volcanologist Enku and his friendly team will safely take you through the desert in 4x4 jeeps . The sometimes Spartan character of living conditions in the Danakil are partially compensated by the large variety of meals freshly prepared by our cook! If you don't opt for an individual extension, the tour ends in the morning with a domestic flight back to Addis Ababa . For those leaving on an international flight in the evening we will provide a (shared) day-room at the hotel and suitable airport transfer in Addis Ababa. Free time can be used to explore the capital of Ethiopia (visit Lucy, the oldest humanoid found in the Danakil, go to one of the local coffee places, ...) This day will be spend at 2500m above sea level exploring the Lalibela rock hewn churches which were intricately carved into volcanic red tuff stone during the reign of the areas most famous ruler, Saint-King Gebre Meskel Lalibela, from the late 12th to early 13th century . Some of the major churches that we visit include Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Mariam, Bet Amanuel, Bet Giorgis ,Bet Meskel, Bet Denagel, Bethlehem, Bet Merkorios, Aba Libanos and Bet Golgotha. The group spends the last evening of this expedition enjoying a farewell dinner at a local restaurant serving Ethiopian delicacies . Today we drive from Woldia to Lalibela, Which is one of the most historic towns in Ethiopia due to its world famous and travelling will be through the most scenery /landscape, UNESCO world heritage, rock hewn churches. We start our final day in the Danakil early and drive towards the endless, glistening white plane of Assale salt lake . On the way there we make several stops to explore another moonscape of irregular layers of salt dotted with a number of colourful acid lakes , watch the camel caravans cross the salt dessert and observe the ancient tradition of cutting salt blocks and arrangeing on the camels for transport. We return to Hamed Ela for lunch and pack up our camp there. After a good bye lunch in our Ahmed Ela tentative camp and once the midday heat has passed, it is time for us to leave the desert . We drive up to the highlands and spend the night in Abala. Early morning start for a first visit to the fascinating hydrothermal area of Dallol which will be organised around sunrise . The Dallol salt dome seems to appear out of nowhere in the middle of the endless and flat desert. Hundreds of small geysirs, fumaroles and hot springs are dotted along and on top of this hill and created an alien landscape of coulourful pools and weird mineral deposits . The western edge of the dome hides an impressive canyon that cuts through the thick layers of salt . Another highlight is the ghost town , almost entirely built in salt, where miners lived in the 1930s to extract potash from the area. We return to Hamed Ela for lunch and use the hottest hours of the early afternoon to rest, explore the village, watch the passing camel caravans, ... A second short expedition to Dallol will leave in the late afternoon to catch the areas magical atmosphere around sunset . After a last short night camping on Erta Ale s caldera rim ( ca. 565 m ) and breakfast, we start our descend . At basecamp ( ca. 140 m ) we re-arrange our luggage back onto the jeeps and start our travel to the area of Dallol and Lake Assale taking a route along a quickly changing scenery from lava dessert via steppe to mountainous highlands . First we retrace our off road steps to the foot of the volcano where we take a road and head west, climbing out of the Danakil onto the western highlands ( ca. 2000 m ). There we shortly take the main road north before turning east and heading back down into the Danakil. On the way we make a stop at Afdera Salt Lake where modern salt extraction are taking place. We have a chance to swim in the Salt Lake and take a bath in the small ponds with the hot spring water. After the picnic lunch we proceed to Ahmed Ela. Depending on road and weather conditions we arrive at the Afar village of Hamed Ela ( ca. -85 m ) in the course of the afternoon and set up camp . The rest of the afternoon / evening can be used to rest, have a semi-shower, explore Hamed Ela, observe the camel caravans passing through... After your first night camping on the rim of Erta Ale's summit caldera you will undertake a hike to the volcano's flank where a fissure eruption started on 20 January 2017 . At that time, a fracture opened up here and drained the magma from the summit area to erupt here, creating vast new lava flows, fields, spattering hornito's and a lava lake. Although some lava returned to the south crater in the summit caldera, this eruption site also continued to remain active since then and will be explored today. Before sunrise we set off on the ca. 3 h ascend of Erta Ela . It is a relatively easy hike - about 10 km across the old lava flows that cover the flanks of the shield volcano, with a total elevation difference of ca. 500 m. The closer we get, the brighter becomes the lava lakes red glow! As part of our camel caravan already went ahead of us, breakfast will be ready by the time we arrive on the caldera rim . After setting up camp in the different Afar huts, the group reassembles for a guided walk down into the caldera which will take you along Erta Ales main volcanic features and viewpoints . Lunch upon our return, the rest of this day and night everyone is free to plan his/her relaxing, sleeping and summit caldera exploring. An early start is rewarded by a beautiful sun rise above Afdera lake in which the salt workers take their morning bath - also the last opportunitiy for our group for a number of days to come. After breakfast you have the option to walk from the salt works to the small mining town whilst the camp is being broken up. From now on we have a dedicated Afar guide and policemen to accompany us to Erta Ale and onward to Dallol. From Afdera we continue our journey through the flat salt and lava desert to Dodom, the main village before Erta Ales base camp. Our cook prepares lunch and we have time to explore the Afar village whilst our main guide negotiates with the village chief on the price for a specialised Erta Ale guide, extra policemen and a small camel caravan to take our gear up and down the volcano. Once an agreement is reached we can do set out on the final drive to Erta Ale basecamp - although not a large distance to be covered it will takes us several hours as from now it is off-road through a dessert of dusty sand patches between rocky lava flows. Whereas the other groups at the base camp usually rush off to the volcano as soon as possible, we will relax a bit and take time for a good dinner, to repack the luggage needed for the 3 days on Erta Ale and have a short nights sleep. After an early breakfast we continue our journey on the main road into Eritrea. Possible en-route stops are the crater lake and volcanic deposits at the southern end of the 2005 Dabbahu fissure eruption , and the ruins of a 1936 Italian basecamp. In Serdo ( ca. 400 m ) we finally leave the Awash - Asseb highway and turn onto the recently asphalted road heading north to Afdera salt lake. The drive first takes us up through a rugged moonscape characterised by volcanic rifts and faults, obsidian flows, young black lava and gravel desert , before we start our final descend down into the flat, salt-covered Danakil depression at the hypersaline lake Afdera ( ca. -100 m ). We reach the lake by late afternoon so that we can explore its shoreline and salt works before sunset. As our camp is set up next to the lake, we can enjoy bathing in hydrothermal springs and swimming in the salt lake underneath a starlit night sky! After an early breakfast we spend a few hours exploring the wildlife in Awash National Park ( ca. 1000 m ): East African orex, gazelle and vultures are likely spotted between the acacia trees and we might even surprise a few Nile crocodiles sunbathing at the foot of the Awash waterfalls! As we continue our jeep drive into the Danakil depression, the landscape changes from savannah to steppe and half-desert , interrupted only by oases from the Awash river which we cross a few times. Todays drive ends in Logiya ( ca. 400 m ), a small town that grew into a bustling overnight stop for anyone traveling on the main highway to the north. We leave Addis Ababa ( 2355 m ) after breakfast and start our multiple day jeep drive down into the Danakil depression. A first break is the viewpoint at Bishoftu lake ( ca 1920 m ), one of 7 volcanic crater lakes 40 km SE of Addis Ababa. After lunch in Adama ( ca 1710 m ) we have about 1 or 2 more short breaks to take in the changing landscape and discover its volcanic features (a collapse caldera, Mt Fentale volcano near Lake Basaka ) before we arrive in the market town of Awash ( ca. 1000 m ), which is already within the East African Rift Valley. Upon your arrival at Addis Ababa international airport you will be picked and transfered to a nice hotel in the city. Depending on the time of your arrival, you can use the afernoon freely to recover from your flights or acclimatise and explore Ethopias capital. In the evening the group will come together for a welcome dinner and meet their tour guide. NOTE: Please take into account the possibility of flight delays and try not to arrive too late as the jeep expedition into the Danakil that will leave the next morning can not be postponed or wait for delayed travelers. Discounts: Returning customers receive 5% (or 8% - if you have been on at least 3 trips with us) discount on the base tour price. Group booking discount: If at least 4 people together book this trip, 5% (additional) discount is given, combineable to a maximum of 10%. 'wonderful memories of my trip to Ethiopia -- and especially Erta Ale!' Hello, Ingrid! We just said good bye to Enku and our driver, Misfen, at Lalibela airport. This has been a most wonderful trip. Thank you so much for the organization and thoughtfulness behind all of it. It's the best trip of my life, really! Erta Ale was smoking fiercely last week. We did not see the lava lake, unfortunately, because of the fumes. However, our three days spent trekking on the caldera, observing the lava fields, hornitos, Pele's hair, fissures, etc, offered me much satisfaction. Last year, the lava lake was splendid, bubbling like a cauldron, but there was only time to see it once in the dark. So my two occasions on Ethiopia's most active volcano, last year and this, complemented each other and gave me full satisfaction. Very best regards and many thanks, - Giannella G (from US) about her participation on our 14 days Desert, salt and volcanoes expedition in the Danakil depression, Ethiopia in December 2018. "... at times I felt genuinely sorry for those tourists travelling with other operators" Anastasia and our Danakil expedition leader Enku at Dallol Close up of the surface of actively flowing lava at the new fissure eruption site (image: Anastasia G.) "Dear Ingrid, I wanted to express my sincerest gratitudeto Volcano Discovery for organizing such an amazing trip. Everything was so wonderfully arranged and to such a high standard that at times I felt genuinely sorry for those tourists travelling with other operators. Once again Volcano Discovery has proven that they are the best at what they do. Enku is everything one wants in a guide: he is professional, extremely knowledgeable, helpful, well organized, but also he is a wonderful human being - nice, considerate, attentive and very kind. I would also like to thank you personally for your invaluable contribution to this trip, for always staying in touch, answering every little question and making arrangements to suit our needs. Thanks very much for this. I hope that I will be able to travel with Volcano Discovery again in the future and who knows, maybe meet you in person someday! Sincerely yours," - Anastasia G (from Russia) about her participation on our Desert, salt and volcanoes expedtion to Erta Ale and Dallol, Ethiopia in January 2018. "As a feed back for the tour: just perfect!" "Dear Ingrid, just returned from the tour. It was fantastic. Very well organised and interesting with lots of impressions! Enko is a very good guide with detailed information and also emphatic. I can only recommend your company and the tour! As a feed back for the tour: just perfect! Kind regards" - Uwe S (from Germany) about his participation on our Desert, salt and volcanoes expedtion to Erta Ale and Dallol, Ethiopia in January 2018. "one of the most memorable trips I have been on - all for good reason!" "Hi Ingrid, my wife and I had a great time in Ethiopia and developed a great understanding of the people and country. Lalibela - especially at that time of year - was simply spectacular. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it. ... Enku, Tami and Lulu were fantastic and their knowledge (especially Enku) helped us gain a great understanding of Ethiopia. Even though we lost our logistics truck, Enku was able to make alternate arrangements so all was good there. Tami and Lulu were both wonderful and a pleasure to be around. ... This will stay as one of the most memorable trips I have been on - all for good reason. Even with all the unexpected things that happened, we had a great time and those things are what makes the journey and memories. Enku and crew were fantastic and I think he is probably the best guide in the country. ... Regards" - Mo V (from Canada) about his participation on our Desert, salt and volcanoes expedtion to Erta Ale and Dallol, Ethiopia in December 2017. "we had a perfect trip!" Jens visiting the Erta Ale lava lake for the second time in his life Dear Ingrid, we Andrei, Cris as well my person have had a perfect trip! It was interesting for me to compare the lava level in 2009 when making my first journey to this volcano with Tom and the situation now. It was amazing and an unbelievable experience to stay 1,5 m aside the boiling molten rock. Enku and his staff had done an absolutely perfect job and with my colleagues I have had so much fun like never before! With best regards, - Jens (from Germany) about his Desert, salts and volcanoes expedition in over Christmas / New Year 2016/2017. You can also see some of his Erta Ale volcano photographs as well as read the eye witness report on Erta Ales activity during this expedition "we had a great time... Dallol was stunning" (2016 Danakil volcano tour) The overflowing pearched lava lake of Erta Ale (image: Hans en Jooske) Rejuvenated Dallol was larger and more colourful than ever (image: Hans en Jooske) Peles hair and tears are scattered all around Erta Ales caldera (image: Hans en Jooske) "Goedenavond Ingrid, Thanks for your email! We had a great time and Enku took very good care of us and was a very enjoyable companion/guide with lots of stories and information to share on all kinds of topics. Demis was a wonderful and very careful driver who seemed to have an eagle-eye for wildlife, and of course Meski was such a lovely and cheerful lady, very warm and welcoming to everyone. So we had a wonderful crew with us. And yes the nature was spectacular. Even without Enku's enthusiasm (he couldn't wait to get to Erta Ale and was so happy when we got there and it was even beyond his expectations) we could see that Erta Ale was doing something very special, and we thoroughly enjoyed the many day- and night-shows it gave us. Dallol was stunning, we were immediately immersed by the colours, and amazed to hear from Enku that what we were raving about was normally not active ground, and that the whole area was far bigger than normal! He was shocked to see that the rocky non-active area where the Flemish crew had done their interview was now bubbling away in white, yellow and orange, such a change in two weeks time..." - Hans en Jooske about their Desert, salts and volcanoes expedition in November 2016 of which they shared some photographs with us "The Erta Ale/Dallol trip was absolutely superb." Observing Erta Ales lava lake after sunset (image: Jay Ramji) Sunrise over Erta Ales south crater with lava lake (image: Jay Ramji) Market day in the Tigray town of Wukro (image: Jay Ramji) "Dear Ingrid And Tom, Just a quick note to let you know that the Erta Ale/Dallol trip was absolutely superb. Spending time at Erta Ale and Dallol were the highlights, but I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects. I love wildlife and bird watching which I wasn't expecting on this trip and was pleasantly surprised at how much of this I was able to do. I found Enku to be an excellent guide; very knowledgeable about the area and as a volcanologist. Him and his team looked after us as very well and please convey my thanks to him. 4 in the group was just the right number and the dynamics worked very well. Thanks goes to you too to set this up at the last minute. The recent overflow that happened about 10 days before we arrived at Erta Ale had changed the landscape somewhat (looking at past photos) such that we had get close to the rim of the crater to get good views. The lake was particularly active and we enjoyed the spectacle. Also, at Dallol it was a little cooler than I was expecting and I was able to cope with the heat. I'm currently going through my photographs which eventually I'll put on Flickr (however, no photos can ever capture the images I have stored in my mind!)" -Jay R. (UK) about the Danakil Expedition in February 2016 It was a terrific experience (2015 Danakil volcano tour) "Many thanks indeed for allowing the Danakil trip over Christmas to run with just two clients. I am so very grateful to you. It was a terrific experience, and more than met my every expectation. Karen and I got on famously, and Enku rounded out the trio with his own understated but terrific personality. Everything went well. For so many years I've wanted to visit the Danakil, and you made this possible for me. The highlight of course is Erta Ale which is an experience unlike any other I can imagine. To be able to get so close to a lava lake is stunning in itself; to see the Cauldron boiling and bubbling in front of you is indescribably mesmerizing. The rain we encountered there was both a nuisance and a blessing. Two cold nights with a wet sleeping bag and mattress, bah. But hey, you have the world's best clothes dryer on your doorstep. However the consequent flooding of the salt pans resulted in a surreal experience when apparently driving across the ocean on the way to Dallol. Pure magic. Khellem produced throughout the trip first rate fodder, with the most unusual Christmas Day pudding: three layers of injera sandwiched with marmalade and Nutella. Yum. Plus firework sparklers for all! A Christmas to remember. You've probably had a report from Enku. The night of our arrival, the lava lake was close to one metre from the rim; we were able to gather some splendid samples of lava-splatter, solidifying in front of us. The level fell with oscillations over the next three days to maybe three/four metres below the rim, but with good bubbles and fountains. My sole regret of the trip: not to witness an overflow! Thanks again to you and the local support team for making this spectacular trip possible." -Andrew B., US, about the Danakil volcano expedition of December 2015) the trip was totally fabulous (Danakil volcano tour) Our small group at the lava lake Green salt ponds at Dallol Camel caravans on the salt lake "Hi Ingrid Good to hear from you! Yes the trip was totally fabulous and I will be uploading some of the pictures which came out brilliantly I am so pleased. ... I will certainly be booking future trips with you and I would love to go on another trip with Enku - I think we wore him out doing extra walks & we even took ourselves up the big hill surrounding Wukuru as I am not one for sitting around in hotel & neither was he - I think we were both rather fitter than his normal clientele! I am aware the groups are normally bigger so many thanks for not cancelling the trip - it certainly has been a 20 yr wait for me to go there and I am pleased to have found your company when I was searching around for how to get there! The itinerary was spot on & as I mentioned I could have easily spent another day at both volcanoes - Andrew & I were actually rather keen to do a climb up one of the sandstone rock churches even if just for the view but we couldn't fit that in as well!" -Karen A. from UK, about the Danakil volcano tour in December 2015) "I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and had great experiences" (Danakil volcano tour 2015) "Hi Ingrid I received your calendar gift just after Christmas. It was a very nice surprise. ... I was able to tell many people of our adventure over the Christmas and New Year break. I think it was wildly apparent to those that I told that I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and had great experiences. Most people thought we were crazy, but everyone was impressed. I saw Tom's video on TV before Christmas It was on one of the science channels it was really impressive and such a buzz to see the things we experience firsthand. I think the way you ran the tour was great. There will always be unforeseen challenges and they will probably always be different. I think when the heat was on people got a little stressed and that will always create some interesting reactions. Being involved with Volcanoes you know that turn up the heat and anything can happen!!! All the very best for 2016. I wish you all the best success in the Volcano world and beyond!" -Paul W. from Australia about the Danakil volcano expedition from November 2015) Ingrid's feedback about the Danakil volcano tour Crocodile in Awash river Ingrid's selfie at the lava lake "I find it very difficult to express my feelings and thoughts about this trip, which was by far the most adventurous experience I have ever done. Although I had prepared it as well as possible and had seen many photographs of this area and read feedback from previous participants, it was really still a surprisingly big and unique moment when I stood next to the lava lake, traveled through the Danakil Desert, saw the giant salt planes, spotted for the first time crocodiles, vultures and orex in their natural habitat, swam in a salt lake under a star-filled night sky, camped for three days on the crater rim of a volcano without any running water or electricity, ... " Read all (Ingrid Smet, Belgium about the Erta Ale lava lake and Dallol expedition in November 2015) "eine faszinierende Reise (2015 Danakil Reise)" Ruckmeldung zur Danakilreise im Feb. 2015 "...wieder einmal hat es VolcanoDiscovery / Volcano-Adventures geschafft, eine faszinierende Reise zu liefern, diesmal nach Athiopien. Hochachtung und vielen Dank geguhrt dem Team vor Ort, das die Tour bestens organisiert und zu vollster Zufriedenheit und sicher durchgefuhrt hat." -Dietmar B. uber die Danakil Expedition im February 2015 Dietmar's Bilderauswahl zur Reise eine so perfekt durchdachte und organisierte Reise, die meine Erwartungen in diesem Mae erfullt hat." (2011 Reise in die Danakil Wuste) "Hallo, nach der wirklich tollen Reise in die Danakil Wuste mochte ich mich bei Euch und dem athiopischen Team nochmal ganz herzlich bedanken. Ich habe selten eine so perfekt durchdachte und organisierte Reise erlebt, die meine Erwartungen in diesem Mae erfullt hat. Im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Reisenden, die wir dort getroffen haben, hatte ich immer das Gefuhl, auf Reisen zu sein, nicht auf der Jagd oder auf der Flucht. Bitte andert nichts am Ablauf! Schade ist dass die Sicherheitskrafte verhindern, dass man in der blauen Stunde am Dallol oder auch am Salzsee sein kann. Die Aktivitat am Erta Ale war mehr als sehenswert, der Lavasee hat einen sehr hohen Stand und war sehr aktiv. Der Nordkrater hat mich wirklich uberrascht. Liebe Grusse, Tom" (2011 Reise in die Danakil Wuste) "This travel was unique and exceptional." 2011 Danakil expedition) "Alex, Beleta, Reinhard, First of all I would like to express again my most great full thanks to Beleta. You did an excellent job to organize and manage this splendid trip to a fascinating part of your country: the Afar with its amazing people, the active volcanoes and it's harsh but vast landscape of salt lakes. You must have had some hard time to satisfy all the wishes of us crazy individualists: Two Germans and even a Bulgarian! And all those additional demands imposed on to you by your fellow countrymen like the Afar police men, the soldiers, the militia and all the administrators we run into together. Beleta, you helped us to come to a closer understanding of your country and your people. I can't imagine to have had a better ambassador of your country than you! Please transmit my thanks again to our drivers among them Tsigaye and last but not least to Sancho, our cook during this trip, who took care about our well-being. Last but not least, I must have some words about my very well esteemed fellow travelers, Alex and Reinhard. Without you I can't imagine to have done this travel. You lifted me out of that valley of ignorance of handling an expensive camera and both of you taught me how to shoot decent pictures with my camera. I would like to express my gratitude to both of you for the many tips and hints you gave me. If there would be an opportunity to travel again with all of you I would certainly do so. I am also indebted to Tom's Volcano Discovery and his dedicated colleagues. This travel was unique and exceptional. ... Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year." - Daniel F. (Saudi Arabia) "...hat meine Erwartungen weit ubertroffen." (2010 Athiopien Expedition) Spattering of Erta Ale lava lake around dusk (image: Roland Gerth) Sunrise at shore of Afdera salt lake (image: Roland Gerth) "Hallo Tom ... Die Athiopien-Reise war Abenteuer pur und hat meine Erwartungen weit ubertroffen. Ich mochte mich noch fur deinen Einsatz bedanken, dass wir ausreichend Zeit bekamen am Dallol zu fotografieren. Die Fotos sind toll geworden und du findest eine Auswahl auf meiner Homepage." -Roland G., Schweiz (2010) ... restera pour moi une voyage inoubliable...( 2010 Expedition au Danakil) "Bonjour Tom, L'expedition dans le Danakil du 21/11 au 03/12/2010 restera pour moi une voyage inoubliable : un excellent timing, une bonne organisation, un petit groupe constitue de gens sympatiques, ta presence parmi nous, du soleil tout le temps, des paysages magnifiques, beaucoup d'aventure, sans oublier bien sur l'Erta Ale et Dallol qui meritent a eux seul le voyage. Felicitations pour l'organisation. Bien a toi." Michel H. - Bruxelles, 2010 (Expedition au Danakil) Thank you for a fantastic trip (2008 Danakil volcano expedition) "...thank you for a fantastic trip. I enjoyed it and got a clearer understanding of the rift system in East Africa and the process of the triple junction there. It was also great to meet Thomas, Michel, Michael and Rowland." - Kwame O. (UK) on our 2008 Desert, salt and volcanoes tour Any (future) trip that is off the beaten track...I am in ( 2008 Danakil expedition) Panorama of Dallol (photo: Jorge Santos) "Hi everybody, ... Just to tell you that was pleasure having you guys and gals on this trip, I believe we had good fun moments and maybe we will meet again in another trip. Any trip that is off the beaten track, requires lugging 15kg of photo gear up the mountain, no toilettes, a reasonable amount of risk, etc, but could deliver good shots...I am in." - Jorge Santos Frank working at the lava lake of Erta Ale volcano, Ethiopia exzellente logistische Organisation der Touren nach Athiopien Januar 2008 (Erta Ale, Dallol) und Indonesien Juli 2008 (Krakatau und Tengger Kaldera) bedanken. Dank Deiner netten und kompetenten Partner vor Ort (Solomon, Doni und alle anderen) fuhlte ich mich in sehr guten Handen aufgehoben und verkostigt. Somit konnte ich mich auf meine fotografischen Aktivitaten konzentrieren, ohne mir uber organisatorische Dinge Sorgen machen zu mussen. Ich bin uberzeugt, dass wir noch einige weitere Exkursionen zusammen machen werden und kann Volcano Discovery Touren sehr empfehlen. Good luck und gut Lava" Frank Krahmer - Premium Nature Photography http://www.frankkrahmer.de "Hallo Tom, ich mochte mich hiermit bei Dir fur dieJuli 2008 (Krakatau und Tengger Kaldera) bedanken. Dank Deiner netten und kompetenten Partner vor Ort (Solomon, Doni und alle anderen) fuhlte ich mich in sehr guten Handen aufgehoben und verkostigt. Somit konnte ich mich auf meine fotografischen Aktivitaten konzentrieren, ohne mir uber organisatorische Dinge Sorgen machen zu mussen. Ich bin uberzeugt, dass wir noch einige weitere Exkursionen zusammen machen werden und kannGood luck und gut Lava" 15 days Iceland (summer) Day 1: Arrival & meeting in Reykjavik Arrival in Iceland, Keflavik airport and own transfer (25 km) to the guesthouse in central Reykjavik (by regular flybus or taxi). Meeting of the group in the evening (around 8 pm). Day 2: From Reykjavik via Geysir / Gullfoss to Kerlingarfjoll Some first day natural highlights whilst traveling from Reykjavik via Geysir / Gullfoss to Kerlingarfjoll! Day 3: Kerlingarfjoll - the golden mountains Easy hikes in the geothermally active area of Kerlingarfjoll, one of Iceland's most spectacular landscapes and known for its multi-colored and bizarre rock formations, geysers, warm ponds, and fumaroles. Day 4: Kerlingarfjoll - Dalvik the thermal area of Hveravellir a fascinating world of hot thermal springs, where we can take a hot bath. Continue via to small village of Hofsos and admire particularly slender basalt columns on the coast. Next is a wonderful scenic drive around the large Trollaskagi Peninsula and through the dreamy fishing villages Siglufjordur and Olafsfjordur to Dalvik. Day 5: Whale-Watching - Godafoss waterfall - Myvatn After breakfast go for whale-watching in the large Eyafjordur near Dalvik (optional 75 EUR). Continue Akureyri to the legendary horseshoe-shaped Goafoss waterfall, whose waters cascade dramatically over several parallel steps into the depths of a gorge. Discover the natural beauties around Myvatn lake, a place full of unique volcanic features: pseudo-craters, deep fissures, explosion craters, ancient lava lakes and much more. Day 6: Dettifoss and Malefactor Desert Drive to the the huge Dettifoss waterfall to discover one of the most pristine glacial river landscapes in the world. Continue our way to the south to Askja volcano and take a hike inside the huge Askja caldera to visit Viti crater created in 1875. Visit nearby Oskjuvatn, the deepest lake in Iceland and return to Myvatn in the late afternoon. Day 7: Husavik- Dettifoss and Puffin Drive to the great glacial gorge of Asbyrgi via Husavik on the north coast and on to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. In the afternoon continue to Bakkagerdi, where one of the world's best observation sites for puffins is located (sightings possible until about August 5). Day 8: Off to East Iceland ontinue to the East fjords with their dramatic landscape. Day 9: Waterfalls and icebergs On the way to the South the waterfalls visit at the Oxi Pass. Continue the way and watch the wide delta of the glacier river Jokulsai Loni in the afternoon, home to thousands of whooper swans in summer. In the evening take an excursion to the fascinating ice world of the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Day 10: Waterfalls and icebergs Day to explore the wonderland created by larger and smaller glacier tongues and lagoons of the region. Additional visit of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in the evening when light is best for photography. Day 11: Via Skaftafell to Landmannalaugar - mountains, glaciers and volcanoes From the glacier lagoon onwards to explore Skaftafell national park with Svartifoss waterfall before traveling to the southern highlands and arriving at Landmannalaugar. Day 12: Landmannalaugar - colourful mountains and hot springs Entire day to explore the colourful scenery of Landmannalaugar and the areas hot springs. Day 13: From Landmannalaugar to Cape Dyrholaey Drive back to the south coast for a second chance to admire and photograph the magnificent mountain landscape in a better light. Continue to Cape Dyrholaey, the huge rock arch at the southern tip of Iceland, and stroll around the large black beach Reynisfjara in the afternoon and evening, located right near our guest house. Day 14: Return to Reykjavik On the way back to Reykjavik, the visit of two large, beautiful waterfalls Skogarfoss and Seljalandsfoss at the feet of infamous Eyafjallajokull volcano. Day 15: Departure from Iceland Own transfer to the airport in time for your flight. Dates and details For months now, theres been a huge shakeout among companies that provide technology services to corporations, government agencies and large organizations, and the biggest may have come last week, with broad ramifications for businesses in the Washington area. Tysons Corner-based Computer Sciences Corp. announced it is merging with the services business of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. out of Plano, Tex., in what executives for the companies said would create the worlds largest pure IT services company with $26 billion of revenue. The deal would make both companies shareholders 50-50 partners in the new goliath, which has yet to be named, and install CSCs chief executive Mike Lawrie as chairman, president and CEO. Meg Whitman, the head of HP Enterprise, would take a seat on the board. The agreement comes as the technology services industry has been scrambled by corporate shake-ups, spurred on by the business worlds shift to Internet cloud computing and the arrival of upstarts that can offer similar services for far less cost. Dell, for instance, has announced plans to acquire EMC for $67 billion. McLean-based SAIC split itself in two, spinning out a company called Leidos. And CSC and HP Enterprise are themselves the product of earlier corporate maneuvering. CSC recently split itself in two, forming one company focused on commercial customers and governments globally, and the other serving federal agencies. HP also divided itself, creating one business centered on the enterprise market and one around printers and computer hardware. After the merger, HP Enterprise would be centered on software, servers and a cloud computing platform. The industry is consolidating, Lawrie said in an interview, and were beginning to see that the old conglomerate model in technology is not as much in favor as a much more focused set of technology companies. The companies, which have yet to say where the merged company would be based, said they expect reduced costs in the combined entity to the tune of $1 billion, largely by consolidating real estate, data centers and procurement activities. Less clear is what might happen to the part of HP Enterprises services business focused on the federal business. As part of its decision to split itself in two, CSC agreed not to compete for two years against its former government-facing arm, now called CSRA (after the former CSC spinoff merged with Falls Church-based SRA International.) HP Enterprise Services has a very strong business in the federal government, and what Id say is post-close all options, and I underscore the word all options, would be on the table, Lawrie told analysts. In the meantime, executives said they are excited about the prospects of creating a computer-services giant, serving 5,000 organizations in 70 countries. Lawrie said CSC is an $8 billion IT services company with global strengths in insurance, health care and financial services. HP Enterprises IT division is an $18 billion business that has a strong presence in industries such as transportation, pharmaceuticals, technology, media and telecom. CSC has a cloud computer partnership with Amazon Web Services, and HP Enterprise has one with Microsofts Azure offering. (Amazon.com CEO Jeffrey P. Bezos owns The Washington Post.) Lawrie told analysts that the new company would be able to operate independent of any single hardware provider, establishing the right partnerships for success. The financial engineering side of this [deal] is brilliant, said Darrin Peller, senior IT services analyst at Barclays. Theyre able to find two entities that have both struggled to ditch areas that have been commoditized and reinvest in digital offerings. I think when you put the two together, you get almost the same profile as CSC with a lot more scale. They can do a lot more now for a lot more customers. The deal, structured to be tax-free, is valued at $8.5 billion and would give HP Enterprise shareholders a $4.5 billion stake in the new company, a cash dividend of $1.5 billion and the assumption of $2.5 billion of debt and other HP Enterprise liabilities. The transaction is slated to be finalized by the end of March. By bringing together the best of these two organizations, we will create a pure-play services leader ready to compete and win against all the current players, Whitman told analysts. The new company will have greater agility, focus and the ability to drive faster outcome for our customers. Since Lawrie arrived at CSC in 2012, the company has righted its balance sheet after $4 billion in losses caused by a string of troubled contracts. He slashed costs and cut the worldwide head count from 95,000 to 68,000, including halving the workforce in the Washington area. Since then, the stock price has doubled, and Barclays boosted its earnings-per-share estimates for the coming year after the news of the spinoff. Detroit, looking for ways to tackle its housing crisis, hired Loveland Technologies to create Motor City Mapping, an effort to digitize information on abandoned and blighted properties. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post) When Detroit was looking for ways to tackle its housing crisis, city officials first had to figure out how big the problem was. No one knew how many abandoned and blighted properties existed across the city. Enter Jerry Paffendorf, chief executive of Loveland Technologies. What started out as a hobby mapping tax-foreclosure properties became an important tool in Detroits housing recovery plan. Through a grant from JPMorgan Chase, the Detroit Land Bank hired Paffendorf and his company to create Motor City Mapping, a comprehensive effort to digitize Detroits property information. The success of that program caught the attention of civic leaders in other parts of the country. Other communities saw how the data helped Detroit target its sparse resources for greatest efficiency. Now, through a two-year, $1 million grant from JPMorgan Chase, Western Reserve Land Conservancy is bringing Lovelands data-mapping tools to Ohios three largest cities Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati with the intent of creating dashboards similar to Motor City Mapping. [Detroit tries unconventional approach to restoring its housing market] The mapping technology in Detroit has been significant and eye-opening in terms of the need that cities have for real-time data and forward-looking data, said Janis Bowlder, head of community development for global philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase. The mapping work that Loveland Technologies does is really a core part of how we think community development needs to happen in distressed communities. Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus dont face the problems that Detroit does. But each of the cities has challenges. Western Reserve Land Conservancy, a nonprofit organization in Northeast Ohio that works to conserve natural areas and revitalize urban centers, launched Thriving Communities in 2011. Through that program, it set up 34 land banks, essentially organizations to repurpose property. They allow counties to acquire distressed properties, clear their titles and bring them back onto the market. We knew early on that we had a lot of challenges, and one of them was we just didnt have good data, said Jim Rokakis, Thriving Communities Institute director. We had been doing some survey work and mapping in the state but it was not nearly as good as the product they had. When Loveland got involved in mapping Detroit, it quickly learned it wasnt just the city and county governments that were interested in the data; so, too, were the neighborhood and nonprofit organizations and real estate investors. Although the information had mostly been available, anyone seeking access to it would have to spend hours, if not days, searching dusty file cabinets. All of this is public-record information, but through time its typically been siloed either in filing cabinets or in databases that dont talk to each other and live in different departments, Paffendorf said. [JPMorgan is betting $100 million on Detroit. Can it leverage a lot more?] By creating a one-stop shop for parcel information, civic leaders have property data at their fingertips that they can use to make smart decisions on development. Rokakis points to how the data was used in Lorain, Ohio, a city of 64,000 on Lake Erie. The mayor of Lorain estimated that there were 1,000 distressed properties in the city. But once the mapping was done, it turns out there were only 300 beyond repair. It helped them to recalibrate their directives in terms of where they were going to spend their money, Rokakis said. Neighborhood groups also tapped into the data, using it to make their case for parks, affordable housing and other community needs, thus creating a more level field where everyone has access to the data, not just government officials. What is unusual about Lovelands approach to data is that it created its tools for a city while incorporating resident participation and interaction. In Detroit, residents used their smartphones to take pictures of abandoned and blighted properties, fill out information about the buildings condition, and send that information into the dashboard. Other cities across the country are using the tool to do similar surveying. If ever there was a field ripe for some technology disruption, this is one, Bowlder said. This is not the place where you see this kind of innovation, and its needed. Its been a game-changer in Detroit. Paffendorf would like to radically change how property data is made available, not just in the Midwest but also across the country. He can be a bit evangelical about mapping and it benefits. In a time of change in the U.S., where many cities have (sometimes far) outlived their original purposes, where infrastructure is often crumbling and tax bases have altered to the point that governments cant provide adequate services, seeing the grid becomes very urgent, he said by email. Loveland has mapped 100 million parcels in the United States and is on its way to digitizing information on every property in the country, one parcel at a time. Hulk Hogan, whose given name is Terry Bollea, leaves the courtroom on March 9, 2016. The former pro wrestler is suing Gawker. (Steve Nesius/AP) Could these three situations, ripped from this months headlines, have something in common? Consider: A Silicon Valley billionaire bankrolls a lawsuit that may put Gawker out of business. It looks like revenge for being outed as gay by the gossipy news site, but he prefers to call it philanthropy. The chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee demands an accounting from Facebook about how it chooses what news stories to present to its billion daily users. And, voila! he gets it. Edward Snowden, writing from his exile in Russia, calls for new protections for government whistleblowers. The old ones, he says, obviously dont work. What ties them together is something worth considering on this national holiday: New threats to free speech in the digital age. Nick Denton, founder of Gawker, talks with his legal team. ( Pool New / Reuters) No nation in the world, or in human history, has protections for free speech like ours, built not only on the First Amendment but on decades of legal doctrine hammered out in cases including the Pentagon Papers and New York Times v. Sullivan. But what happens when new technology yes, that whole Internet thing comes along? Lee Bollinger, the president of Columbia University and a First Amendment lawyer, sees the big picture as well as anyone. And hes concerned. We are entering a very new era of questions about free speech and the press, he told me. And theres a great need to rethink and to devise new principles. When millions of sensitive documents (or hacked Sony Pictures emails) can be distributed to the world in an instant, that changes things. So does the unparalleled dominance of Facebook as a news distributor, and the privacy issues that arise when a Google search turns up information possibly false that can damage individuals lives. Columbia and the Miami-based Knight Foundation are putting $60 million behind a research and litigation center, the just-announced Knight First Amendment Institute. This visionary venture comes at a perfect time. Hulk Hogan with attorney Shane Vogt. (Scott Keeler/AP) One of the problems with defending free speech, the author Salman Rushdie once said, is you often have to defend people that you find to be outrageous and unpleasant and disgusting. Which brings us to the matter of Gawker and Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal. Gawker was smacked over the head recently when Hulk Hogan, the celebrity wrestler, was awarded $140 million from the site by a sympathetic home-state jury in an invasion-of-privacy suit. Years ago, Gawker published a video of Hogan (or, actually, his real-life personage, Terry Bollea) having sex with the wife of his best friend. Tawdry, no doubt. Gawker is appealing the verdict, but the legal costs and damages could put it out of business. And now we know that Thiel, a card-carrying member of the 1 percent club, has been bankrolling the Hogan lawsuit. Gawker outed him as gay a number of years back, and Thiel decided to take his revenge in court but indirectly, through the Hogan suit and others. If you find yourself wanting to cheer Thiel on, stop to think. Gawkers offerings certainly arent the Pentagon Papers, or the revelations about spying on citizens by the National Security Agency. But when a vindictive billionaire can muscle his way into a lawsuit with the intention of putting a media company out of business, theres reason to worry. Late last week, First Look Media said it would join the suit to support Gawker on press-freedom grounds. First Look, started by Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay, owns the Intercept, whose journalists include Glenn Greenwald and Jeremy Scahill. Separately, Bollinger and others are alarmed about the idea of congressional intrusion into Facebooks practices. The social-media behemoth came under scrutiny this month after claims by employees that they were encouraged to suppress conservative views in its news feed. (Notably, this revelation came from Gizmodo, an offshoot of Gawker.) Soon after, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota the Republican chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee had some pointed questions for Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebooks founder, readily obliged as part of his appeasement offensive which also included getting together with conservative bigwigs to hear their demands. Ken Paulson, director of the Newseum Institutes First Amendment Center, told me that congressional meddling in Facebooks editorial practices would be dangerous, frightening and wrong. He sees this as a case of government trying to police ideas. Congress has a history of investigating content that it cant legally control, Paulson said. Thats why weve had hearings on video games, rock and rap music, and comic books. We need to be vigilant about regulation through intimidation. Hes right. And so is Snowden, who was appalled by new revelations about how Thomas Drake was retaliated against when he tried to come forward with concerns about certain questionable practices by his employer, the NSA. Snowden is a traitor to some, a hero to others, but his leaks certainly led to a crucial debate about government surveillance and overreach. America has incomparable free-speech protections. In this new era, we need to keep it that way. For more by Margaret Sullivan, visit wapo.st/sullivan Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Sunday that illegal immigrants receive better care than the nations veterans, electrifying an overwhelmingly supportive crowd at the annual Rolling Thunder tribute to the armed forces. Trump has mocked Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for being captured during the Vietnam War and faced questions about his giving to veterans causes, but those issues did little to dampen the enthusiasm for his message at the Lincoln Memorial. As he spoke from a stage at the edge of the Reflecting Pool, Trump hit upon many of themes that have animated his campaign: winning better trade deals, keeping out illegal immigrants and lowering taxes for businesses and the middle class. Trump promised the crowd, which included thousands of veterans, that he would rebuild the military and improve health care for veterans, which he said has been shamefully bad in recent years. When you think of the great General Patton and all our generals, they are spinning in their graves when they watch we cant beat ISIS, Trump said, referring to the celebrated World War II commander. We are going to knock the hell out of them. The line drew some of the loudest applause of the day from the members of the crowd, many of whom wore Trump stickers and shirts and waved his campaign signs. There were no signs of anti-Trump protesters or skirmishes that have marked some of his campaign appearances. Police reported no arrests at the event. Thousands of motorcyclists rumble into the city each Memorial Day weekend to honor U.S. prisoners of war and troops missing in action, as well as to raise awareness about veterans issues. Trump was invited by organizers to speak at the event. [The roots of Rolling Thunder and why its adherents like Trump] John Such, a 55-year-old Navy veteran from Ohio, said he felt that Trump realized he had made a mistake in making impolitic comments about McCains service. He said Trumps message that the United States needed to project power in the world resonated with him. He contrasted that call with Obamas Friday appearance in Hiroshima, Japan, where the president called for a moral revolution on nuclear arms and greeted survivors of Americas atomic attack there in 1945. Such said that there was no reason to make the trip, because Japan had been the aggressor in that war, with its attack on Pearl Harbor. [Trump] stands for what I stand for: making America strong, Such said, echoing the comments of others. Weve lost too much in the last eight years. Trump walked onto the stage wearing a black suit and his trademark red ballcap as techno music pounded in the background. He spoke for about 20 minutes, telling the crowd that the media were liars and lowlifes, that he would create more jobs and that he would stop companies from relocating abroad. Our country is being ripped off so badly on trade, Trump said. We are going to make our country rich again, strong again. Its going to be America first. Trump reiterated his long-standing call to build a wall along the Mexican border. When he asked the crowd who was going to pay for it, a chorus rang out in unison: Mexico! Not even a doubt, Trump responded. One of the stranger moments came when Trump lamented that the crowd wasnt larger, saying he expected it to fill the entire Mall like Martin Luther King did, referring to the civil rights leaders 1963 I Have a Dream speech, delivered to one of the largest political rallies in U.S. history. Trump said many people had been caught in traffic Sunday. While Trump enjoyed overwhelming support among the crowd, not everyone was on board. Sherry Smith, a retired Air Force colonel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said being president was not a reality TV show. There is nothing behind the veneer. There is no policy, Smith said of Trump. American voters are more intelligent than that. Smith said it was also dismaying that Trump had mocked McCains service, even though Trump had never served in the military himself. Trump was heavily criticized last summer when he questioned McCains military service amid a public spat, questioning the five years he spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Hes not a war hero, Trump said during a campaign event last July. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured. Trump himself avoided the draft through four student deferments and was later medically disqualified from service. Trump later sought to walk back his comments, stating that he never questioned whether McCain was a war hero but declining to apologize outright. The tense relationship between the two has softened, and McCain who is facing a competitive reelection battle for his Senate seat has committed to supporting Trump in the general election. But he has remained vague about whether he would campaign alongside Trump. And he was steadfast that the real estate mogul should apologize for his comments. I think its important for Donald Trump to express his appreciation for veterans, not John McCain, but veterans who were incarcerated as prisoners of war. What he said about me, John McCain, thats fine. I dont require any repair of that, McCain said during an interview with CNN this month. But when he said, I don't like people who were captured, then theres a great body . . . of American heroes that I would like to see him retract that statement, not about me, but about the others. More recently, Trump also had to answer questions about why he had not fulfilled a pledge to transfer $6 million to veterans causes after a nationally televised fundraiser in January. Trump said during his speech on Sunday that he planned to hold a news conference on Tuesday to name the charities to which he had given the proceeds from the fundraiser. Veteran Art Bleich said he would probably support Trump at least for now. He said Trumps comments about McCain troubled him and he is watching how Trump conducts himself as the campaign moves forward. As a veteran, what he said about McCain was not right, said Bleich, 63, who served with the Marines in Vietnam and has made the ride from his home in Alabama to Washington to attend Rolling Thunder for about 15 years. He has a right to his opinion, but he didnt play the game, so he really doesnt have a right to speak, Bleich said, referring to Trumps lack of military service. Bleich added later: He needs to choose his words more carefully if he wants my continued support. In a year during which Montgomery County principals have taken strong stances against underage drinking, the interim superintendent last week overruled one principal who banished a group of seniors from graduation ceremonies after concluding that they drank alcohol on prom night. For months, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Principal Donna Redmond Jones warned that students who violated efforts to keep prom alcohol-free would not be allowed to participate in commencement. On May 6, the day of the prom, Jones reemphasized in an email that significant school consequences awaited those who consumed alcohol or drugs before or during prom or at the after-party. Six students were disciplined, according to school officials who would not describe the punishment. Students said several of them are seniors. In a letter sent Friday to parents, school district chief Larry A. Bowers announced that he had reversed the graduation ban, triggering outrage from some community members who have supported the principals campaign against substance abuse. Although the students consumed alcohol during prom activities, Bowers said, he had examined the circumstances of each case and decided the seniors could walk across the stage to receive their diplomas during the ceremony on Wednesday, June 1. I did not reach this decision lightly, Bowers said in the letter. He said he supports the work the school is doing to promote student safety and healthy decision-making, but looked at circumstances and board policy in reaching a different conclusion. He noted that the students received appropriate consequences under our discipline policy. District policy generally prohibits schools from using exclusion from graduation as a part of their disciplinary standards and procedures, Bowers said in his letter. Still, principals have the authority to exclude students from commencements for cause, on a case-by-case basis. In the B-CC case, it appears to have made a difference that the principal took a blanket approach. In recent years, Maryland education officials have taken steps against zero-tolerance policies in student discipline, saying that school systems should consider cases individually. District officials declined to elaborate Saturday about the policy, saying they had no comment beyond Bowerss letter. Jones could not be reached for comment. [We felt invincible: Report details deadly wreck, party that preceded it] School board member Patricia ONeill said that she did not know the details of the B-CC situation but that other principals have issued warnings against drinking at prom in the past and other students have had to skip graduation ceremonies. She said she worries about the message the reversal sends to students about rules. If there are no consequences to dangerous and risky behaviors, we may have a total drunken-fest on our hands in future proms, she said, emphasizing that underage drinking is illegal. The decision comes at a time when principals in Montgomery County and beyond are combating pervasive underage substance abuse among students. B-CC has brought in medical professionals as speakers and held assemblies to raise awareness. How else do we change the culture? Do we just wait until someone dies? said Deb Ford, a parent of two students and president of the schools PTSA, who said she was speaking for herself and not for the organization. I think it would be a travesty if our community only took this seriously after we experienced a student death. Jones started at the school in the summer of 2015, around the same time that two recent Wootton High School graduates were killed in an alcohol-related crash. That crash heightened concerns about a culture of underage drinking. It happens often enough that it drove Whitman High Principal Alan Goodwin to send a strongly worded email to parents urging them to stop hosting parties where minors are allowed to drink alcohol. Police, too, have targeted these parties and shut down at least 30 in the past year. [This must stop: Principal implores parents not to host teen drinking parties] PTSA member Missy Reingruber, who has chaperoned B-CCs after-prom party for three years, said most parents have no idea how bad things can get. Joness directive was strong enough to make a difference in students behavior, she said. For the first time in years, staff did not have to call any ambulances at the after-prom party, and fewer parents had to pick up their students. She said chaperones werent pulling bottles of booze away, mopping up vomit or managing alcohol-fueled drama as they had done in the past. It was surreal. The kids did a great job because they knew there was a boundary they shouldnt cross, Reingruber said. When its overruled, it makes it all meaningless, and that is disappointing. But some parents said banning students from graduation was overly harsh for the offense of drinking something that is not unusual. School officials did not comment on the type of discipline the students received, but Bowers said in his letter that he met with students. B-CC graduating senior Alec Cohen said those involved dont recognize the harm they are wreaking: Missing graduation is a minor consequence, he said, compared with what could happen to a underage student who drinks in excess. They knew what they were getting themselves into, and its hard to feel bad for them. Bowerss decision had broad implications in that it not only undermines Jones but also tells younger students that prom rules are all bark and no bite, said Jeanne Rossomme, a mother of two B-CC students, a senior and a sophomore. If there was a problem with her policy, why was it not brought up before? she said. Daniel Guth and Jacqueline Stomski are successful graduates of Annapolis High School in Anne Arundel County. Guth attends the California Institute of Technology, and Stomski the University of Maryland. Both took many Advanced Placement courses at Annapolis High but think their school pushed too many unprepared students into them and stymied the learning of capable AP students like themselves. The students who signed up for the AP classes by choice were not challenged to the degree to which they should have been, because the instructors were consumed with catching up the less-prepared students, Stomski told me. Guth said he thought the less-ready students are worse off and everyone else suffers from a reduced learning environment. Both say I am in part to blame because The Washington Posts annual Americas Most Challenging High Schools list, which I invented in 1998, ranks schools by participation in AP, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge tests. This year, Annapolis High School ranks 373rd on our national list (top 2 percent), 35th in the Washington region, and 17th in Maryland. All very respectable rankings. Stomski and Guth say this is because their school shoved so many students into those courses and made them take the tests just to look good on the list. [Americas Most Challenging High Schools] Adults who dont spend much time in high schools often make this argument, but students usually dont, they tell me, because they think a challenging course is better for them, even if they struggle. They dont care about my list. Guth and Stomski, however, are bright and sensitive students who deserve a chance to make their case and see how it fits the available data. Most top students I have interviewed think average students can benefit from difficult courses if they apply themselves. At an unusual government course at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria that included AP and regular students, both groups told me they were happy to be mixed and that they learned from each other. Guth and Stomski think otherwise, at least from what they saw at Annapolis High. Guth said when he took the two AP calculus courses, AB and BC, simultaneously most of the time was spent reviewing precalculus to get students up to speed. For the actual calculus topics, the grading had to be such that students who didnt learn calculus . . . still passed. That meant, Guth said, that he didnt get the challenge he desired: I was placed in Caltechs remedial math class because I didnt understand basic calculus enough from this class. The less-prepared students were often left to struggle come exam time, Stomski said. And the students who should have become top scorers on these exams struggled as well, because the classes were often so far behind due to the requisite differentiated instruction. This is at odds with what I have seen. Usually when districts open AP courses to all, the number of students who succeed on the exams soars. Annapolis High, with 49 percent of students from low-income families, is a good example. In 1997, when the school restricted access to AP, as most U.S. schools still do, it had a 79 percent passing rate on AP exams and a total of 150 passed exams. Last year, it had a 34 percent passing rate on AP, and a 77 percent passing rate on IB, but it also had 599 AP and IB exams with passing scores. That is nearly a 300 percent increase in passed exams, a huge amount of growth in the number of students benefiting from and succeeding in the programs since they were opened to all about a decade ago. In that period, the size of the graduating class has increased just 13 percent. In 2006, the percentage of graduating seniors with at least one passing grade on an AP exam was 21 percent. Last year it was 54 percent. Even students who have struggled in those programs tell me years later that the experience made college easier. If you were an AP, IB or Cambridge student, email me about your experience. Next week I will have more observations from Stomski and Guth and the Anne Arundel school districts response to their critique. THE DISTRICT 1 killed, 1 wounded in Northeast shooting A man was fatally shot and another was wounded in a double-shooting early Sunday morning in Northeast Washingtons Grant Park neighborhood, police said. One victim died at the scene, D.C. police spokeswoman Aquita Brown said, and the surviving victim was conscious when he was taken to nearby hospital. Police declined to say how many times each victim was shot and to give any details about their wounds. Police identified the man who died at the scene as William Arthur Wells Jr., 39, of Southeast. After receiving reports of gunfire at 1:30 a.m., police went to the 200 block of 55th Street NE, where they found the two men. The men were found close to an apartment complex and the Elizabeth Ministry facility, Brown said. There are no suspects, and the investigation is ongoing, she said. Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide in Washington. Michael Smith MARYLAND Goats killed, maimed at Queen Annes park A Caroline County man has been charged with three counts of aggravated animal abuse after authorities say he mutilated and killed two goats and maimed a third at a Maryland state park this spring. The goats are not wild; they live in an enclosure at the park but do not typically interact with visitors to the park, said Candy Thomson, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources police. Mervyn Jay Downes III, 21, allegedly killed two goats by slitting their throats at the Adkins Arboretum at the Tuckahoe State Park in Queen Annes County, police said. Less than a month later, Downes who lives near the park allegedly attacked another goat, but it survived, the authorities said. The first two goats were found dead on April 8, and the third goat was found injured on May 2. Downes was also charged with three counts of malicious destruction of property, two counts of destroying an animal in a state park, two counts of possessing a weapon in a state park and two trespassing counts. Downes was charged in December with several counts of illegally hunting deer and pleaded guilty to one charge in Queen Annes District Court. He was given probation and fined $1,500. His probation was scheduled to last until September. Downes, who is scheduled to appear in court on July 5, faces a maximum of three years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine for each count of abuse. Michael Smith Most instant news from the Districts crime scenes now will run through a city website. (Amanda Voisard/For The Washington Post) For years, D.C. residents who wanted nearly instant reports about serious crimes in their neighborhoods could turn to the police departments official Twitter account. Shootings, robberies and purse snatchings scrolled by. The department has now decided to take most crime alerts off Twitter and instead will document mayhem primarily through an existing notification system run through a city Internet site. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier and her top spokesman said the idea is to streamline the agencys various social-media accounts and avoid duplication. The AlertDC notification system hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc is now the place to go for a list of crimes as they happen. Police will still tweet about high-profile cases, Lanier said, and the feed also will include information on wanted suspects, missing people and other department news. Weve chosen which social media we use for which type of information, Lanier said. The change was evident on a recent Monday when five people were shot, eight people were robbed three at gunpoint and a woman held up a bank. The more than 96,000 followers of the D.C. police Twitter account saw no reference to these crimes. The feed showed pictures of seized guns, an alert for a missing child, officers at community gatherings and an officer stopping traffic so a family of ducks could cross the street. Breaking alerts on city crimes will continue to be posted through AlertDC, which has historically distributed such information and is run by the Districts homeland security agency. Residents can register and have information about shootings and robberies sent to their phones by text or email, along with announcements on street closures, water main breaks, power outages and severe weather threats. The District says 164,921 people are registered with AlertDC, with 20,981 receiving crime alerts. The site allows users to get news focused on areas near specific addresses, such as homes, schools and businesses. Police said their Twitter followers will still see posts on major incidents, typically crimes with broad impact or great public interest. For instance, when five people were shot in a matter of hours two fatally on May 16, police posted one notice on Twitter summing up the incidents. Some activists and others said they are concerned about the change because they have relied on Twitter to be informed about violence in the city. Richard Lukas, who lives in Hill East and helps run a Twitter feed called DCSafetyNet, which advocates for safe neighborhoods, noted that Twitter is universally used by other police and government agencies as a one-stop news source. Why would the D.C. government make less information available, not more? Lukas said, adding that violent crime is slightly up this year. He said AlertDC does not sound like an improvement and complained that taking breaking crime news off Twitter will reduce transparency. He suggested that the city should launch a separate Twitter feed devoted to breaking crime, much like D.C. police did for traffic. This change is quite disappointing and seems more political than rational, he said. Gary Butler, an advisory neighborhood commission member from Southeast, also said he turns to Twitter to track crime. I need to know when something happens, where it happened and how, and whether a suspect is on the loose, he said. Some of the stuff were now getting from police is not relevant. And stuff they put up as news I already know about from the neighbors. Thats not how its supposed to work. D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D), who represents Ward 6, which includes Capitol Hill, has pushed police to tweet more information about arrests and other enforcement actions along with breaking crime news, saying it would give residents a more complete picture of criminal justice issues in the city. It sometimes doesnt do justice to the work the police are doing when they are closing cases, he said. Lanier said she has received no complaints about the change and noted there are now separate streams of unique information, and people can follow some or all of them. She said her department is among the most open for dispensing information. The police will continue to use Twitter to post videos of crimes for which they need help solving, along with updates on interactions with residents, they said. Yahoo bulletin boards allow residents to chat with one another and their police officers about crime relevant to their neighborhoods, and view arrest and crime logs. The department website has statistics and other information about the department. Taking breaking crime news off Twitter goes against the practice of many major departments, which have used the platform both as a public service and a public-relations tool. Still, theres debate about what kinds of information to post to Twitter. A former Baltimore police spokesman in 2013 proposed not tweeting certain crimes, telling the Baltimore Sun that the department is not going to tweet out every time a drug dealer shoots another criminal in the leg for nonpayment but would instead tweet only instances where nonfatal shootings involve citizens, public safety issues. That spokesman, and the policy, were quickly gone. Prince Georges County police tweet out all homicides, rapes by strangers, fatal car crashes and critical missing people. Lt. Dave Coleman said other items are judgment calls: Are there photos to help track suspects? Is the crime part of a trend that impacts a community, such as a series of break-ins? Is it a crime of significance in which a victim was targeted at random? Its going to be a balance of how much would be useful to put out and how much the community would want to know, Coleman said. We dont want to flood people with everything, because the important things can get lost. Lynh Bui and Justin Jouvenal contributed to this report. In an apparent misuse of the power of the pen, notes demanding money were used last week in the District in four robberies or attempts, police said. A woman who robbed a bank in the Spring Valley area of Northwest appeared to be the same one who passed a note in the Palisades area on Friday, police said. In Fridays incident, in the 5200 block of MacArthur Boulevard NW, police said a bank employee questioned the woman who then fled without money. Passing notes has become common in banks, but police said a note was used Tuesday to rob a clothing store in the 1400 block of P Street NW. In that incident, surveillance video shows a man who police called a person of interest writing out a note at a counter, then presenting it to a store clerk. About 20 minutes earlier, a man had passed a note seeking money at a business in Columbia Heights but left after being told the register was empty, police said. They said they are looking into whether it was the same man. Metros mounting maintenance and safety problems have provided a fresh legal argument for opponents of the Purple Line, who say Maryland cant afford to build a new light-rail line when the subway system it will connect to needs millions in repairs. In an ongoing federal lawsuit, opponents also argue that Maryland officials cant prove the Washington region needs another rail line when Metro has steadily lost riders over the past six years. Riders transferring to and from Metro are projected to make up about one-third of the ridership of the 16.2-mile Purple Line in the Washington suburbs. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), which plans to begin the lines construction this year, justified the projects need and cost based largely on its connection to a thriving Metro system, the opponents say. Metros severe deterioration, they argue, provides new circumstances or information that requires additional environmental review, including more consideration of less expensive transit options. The opponents also argue that federal law requires that a local transportation network have enough funding to operate and be maintained before federal money is used to expand it. [Metro changes maintenance blitz to address federal agencys concerns] We have a dire need to fix Metro before we attach things to it that rely on it, said John M. Fitzgerald, a Chevy Chase resident and environmental lawyer who is one of three plaintiffs in the 2014 lawsuit. The Purple Line is such an expensive project and Metro is in such dire need that it makes common sense to stop and take a second look. Luckily, its in the law. After years of neglect that has led to critical safety lapses, electrical fires and almost daily breakdowns, Metro plans to begin a nearly year-long maintenance blitz Saturday. The Purple Line, which will connect Montgomery and Prince Georges counties, will not officially be part of Metro; it will be owned and operated by the MTA. Its light-rail trains will be shorter and slower than Metros. Even so, the two systems will be inextricably linked, both in their ridership and revenue. [How many people will ride the Purple Line? It depends when you asked.] Maryland officials have long promoted the Purple Line as a much-needed east-west transit link between the states spokes of the Metro system. The four Metro stations along the Purple Line alignment Bethesda and Silver Spring on the Red Line, College Park on the Green Line and New Carrollton on the Orange Line are projected to be the light-rail systems busiest. Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn declined to comment on the lawsuit but said, in general, that he has no concerns about the states financial ability to build the Purple Line and help fix Metro simultaneously. While Maryland will pay $160 million during the Purple Lines projected six years of construction, most of the lines $2 billion or so in building costs will be paid by federal aid, county contributions and private financing via a public-private partnership, Rahn said. The debt service that the state will have to pay on the private financing wont kick in until the line opens to passengers in 2022, he said. By then, Rahn said, Metros repairs should be completed and the riders who fled because of unreliable service will have returned. I think five years, even on the outside, is a reasonable time for them to accomplish what they need to do, Rahn said of Metro. I believe the issues at Metro will be well resolved by the time we [open] the Purple Line, so I dont believe theyll have any impact. Rahn said Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld hasnt told Maryland how much it and other Washington-area jurisdictions will be asked to contribute toward Metros rehabilitation. But Rahn said he expects that any amount beyond the $400 million to $500 million Maryland currently contributes annually to the transit system will be stretched out over several years timing that he said the states nearly $5 billion annual transportation budget can accommodate. Fitzgerald, Chevy Chase resident Christine Real de Azua and the advocacy group Friends of the Capital Crescent Trail filed the federal lawsuit in 2014 against the Federal Transit Administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Transportation and Interior departments. The MTA became a co-defendant in 2015. Attorneys for both the state and federal agencies have responded that Metros problems do not involve the Purple Line, and they have no relationship to the environmental impacts of the Purple Line, according to legal briefs. Metros shortcomings, they say, necessitate no additional environmental review of the Purple Line. But Metros falling ridership has prompted hand-wringing among region leaders concerned about its fare revenue. After peaking at 225 million passenger trips in 2009, ridership began to fall and hasnt stopped. In the fiscal year that ended last June, the system logged 206 million trips, and the downward trend has continued this fiscal year. [Decline in Metro ridership continues] State lawyers argue that Metros declining ridership has no bearing on Purple Line ridership forecasts that were made as part of the environmental analysis approved in 2013. The study compared the costs, benefits and impacts of a new light-rail line with other transit proposals, such as an express bus line. A decrease in Metro passengers would affect all alternatives equally, the states lawyers wrote. Maryland officials are concerned with ridership numbers on Metro and, eventually, the Purple Line because the state is counting on Purple Line fare revenue to pay the debt service on the private construction financing. Any financing costs that the Purple Line fares dont cover will come from fare revenue collected on the states commuter rail system, Maryland officials have said. Advocates for the commuter line, MARC, say that system also needs money to expand. In recent court filings, Fitzgerald and the other plaintiffs also argue that the Purple Line warrants further review to consider the environmental impacts of recent cost-cutting changes. The lawsuit also alleges that the state didnt adequately study the impact of the rail line on noise, migratory birds and a tiny, endangered crustacean previously found downstream of the Purple Line alignment. [Could a rare, blind, tiny shrimplike creature stop the Purple Line?] Fitzgerald said the lawsuit raised Metros meltdown as an issue early on, but he said the plaintiffs began to focus on it more last fall, after the National Transportation Safety Board deemed Metros safety problems to be so severe and persistent that the system required stronger federal oversight. That was a big signal saying, Wait a minute, this is really serious, Fitzgerald said. Ralph Bennett, president of the advocacy group Purple Line Now, called Fitzgeralds arguments absurd, saying Metros maintenance and safety problems will be fixed well before the Purple Line opens. The reason it [Metro ridership] is falling is because service is being compromised, Bennett said. When service resumes to the state that everyone expects, the ridership will be back in force, and the need for a comprehensive transit system of which the Purple Line is an important part will be more evident than ever. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon is expected to hear oral arguments in the case this summer. Here are four reasons so many flyers are getting stuck in long security lines at the airport. (Claritza Jimenez,Dani Johnson/The Washington Post) Here are four reasons so many flyers are getting stuck in long security lines at the airport. (Claritza Jimenez,Dani Johnson/The Washington Post) The threatened summer of discontent for American travelers got underway Memorial Day weekend as the understaffed Transportation Security Administration struggled to keep its security lines moving in the nations airports. The backups happened at most big airports and some smaller ones, particularly at the choice hours when passengers prefer to fly, and they seemed to occur most often when a particular flight was drawing hundreds of passengers to a single checkpoint. At Chicagos OHare International that was Terminal 3, surprisingly, at 7 a.m. Sunday. At Bostons Logan International the crush at B1 came at 4:40 p.m. Saturday. The checkpoint at 4B in New Yorks John F. Kennedy International was moving with painful slowness at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Crunch time came at Atlantas north checkpoint at 3:15 p.m. Sunday. On a weekend known more for picnics in the park and backyard barbecues than flying to distant destinations, the long airport security lines seemed a harbinger of things to come this summer. Some relief should come next month as 768 newly trained TSA agents join the lines. If Congress follows through on a request to shuffle $28 million in TSA funds, 2,784 part-time workers can be shifted to full-time status. Passengers on the Friday before Memorial Day at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. (Alan Diaz/Associated Press) This will enable us to screen almost 82,000 additional passengers per day, said the secretary of homeland security, Jeh Johnson. But he added a warning: In the face of increased air-travel volume, we will not compromise aviation security. Congress has squeezed the TSA budget in recent years, reducing its airport workforce of about 45,000 by 12 percent. An additional 1,600 workers were slated to go this year before the new TSA administrator, Peter V. Neffenger, appealed for relief. The cutbacks came as a near-record 740 million passengers are expected to fly this year, 97 million more than flew three years ago. That passenger load combined with staffing shortages at TSA checkpoints and procedural changes implemented by Neffenger have resulted in some passengers waiting hours to clear screening. [Neffenger takes another crack at explaining long airport security lines] The big change came after the inspector general said last summer that his undercover operators were able to slip through the lines 95 percent of the time with guns or phony bombs. Neffenger ended a practice that diverted randomly selected passengers to lines designated for those who had volunteered for pre-flight background checks. Now, the airlines are begging Congress for help and telling passengers to arrive hours before they hope to fly. At some smaller airports, the wait time to clear security has doubled, at some mega-airports it routinely tops an hour and sometimes stretches to two or three hours. One airline says it delayed 37 flights from a single airport in a single day. Another airline says that so far this year, excessive security delays have caused 70,000 passengers and 40,000 checked bags to miss their flights. As the TSA rushes to adjust for a summer that promises near-record air travel for which the agency is understaffed, passengers say they are adjusting, too. I saw the news, and thats why we got here early today, Freda Funk said last week as she worked her way through a line that snaked almost from the ticket counter to the X-ray machine at Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport. She was there almost two hours before her flight. Larry Birunks flies several times a week and has joined the TSA PreCheck program so that he can pass through designated lines that move twice as fast. Although he says he hasnt seen long lines anywhere, he knows what to expect when he flies from BWI at a peak hour. [TSA struggles with balancing speed and security at airport checkpoints] Im flying out of here next week at 5:15 [a.m.]. Ill get here early for that, Birunks said. Danielle Wefelmeyer flies for business about once a month, and she, too, paid the $85 fee to become a PreCheck member. Chicago always has long lines, she said, adding that a few of her fellow passengers dont help matters. Its mostly people who dont listen to the TSA. They flat dont listen. Those lines are caused by a combination of things the near-record numbers of travelers, the TSA staffing shortages, tougher security standards and, as Wefelmeyer says, some unsavvy travelers. Its not always the TSA. Sometimes its the passengers, said Maria Delaware, who has worked the TSA line at BWI for 14 years. Were not blaming the passengers were just trying to get them through. Nobody in the line has a bomb, and its unlikely at any given moment that someone has a gun or a knife, although scores of forgetful people were caught carrying one or the other through a checkpoint last week. What they do have, however, is a laundry list of things that slow the long lines. After decades of airport security, and far more intense screening since the 9/11 attacks, one might think that just about everybody had the drill down. Not so. [How long is the TSA line at my airport right now?] Deborah Walsh, a checkpoint supervisor at BWI, says about 5 percent of passengers make mistakes that make long, slow lines grow longer and slower. Some of the rules were in place before 9/11, and the rest have been around for close to 15 years: shoes, belts and jackets off, pockets empty, no water bottles or liquids in containers more than 3.4 ounces, and all of those mini-bottles have to be separated and carried in a clear plastic bag. Old news, right? Walsh, Delaware and a third checkpoint officer at BWI, Paul Huovinen, were asked what else passengers could do to speed up the line. Heres what they said: Plan ahead. It takes time to park a vehicle, stand in line at the ticket counter and pass through security to the gate. The airlines tell you get here two hours before your flights take off. I would even plan three hours, Walsh said. On a busy day, we try to keep it under 50 minutes, but if they get here at a peak, that could be three hours right there. Listen. The TSA stations people between the ticket counter and the checkpoint line to remind people about what they need to do. Despite that, its clear some passengers tune out. Inevitably, somebody has something in their pockets, so we have to do pat-downs. If you just listen to us for those 10 minutes from the ticket counter to the end, this line will just keep moving, keep moving and itll go so much faster, Huovinen said. Empty pockets completely. While youre in line waiting,take out your cellphone, your Bluetooth, your keys, your wallet, just empty your pockets and put everything inside your bag, Delaware said. Its just like common sense. The little things that you dont think of it alarms the machine. [Your flight is boarding and the security line is long. Get used to it.] Theres plenty more to know. Those full-body scanners that passengers enter and then raise their arms are not metal detectors. They will pick up almost anything other than clothing, and whatever they find will require a pat-down, which slows the line. Gum and cigarettes have foil wrappings that will set off metal detectors, requiring a second pass-through and slowing the line. Its wise to put cellphones, loose change, wallets, headphones and other items inside a carry-on bag rather than in the plastic bins. The bins are best for laptops. Just plop shoes on the conveyor belt. If everybody wastes a bucket, it all adds up, Walsh said. Put bins on the belt sideways, put carry-on bags on lengthwise (they get stuck in the X-ray machines sometimes). Push bins and bags onto the conveyor. The rollers before the belt turn but dont move on their own, so push the bin along until it reaches the belt. Once through the metal detector or scanner, collect the items that have passed through the X-ray machine and carry them somewhere nearby to regroup. If people stop right there to deal with their shoes and belts, it slows the line. [Why the TSA catches your water bottle, but guns and bombs get through] Checking for an oversize bottle in a bag could take 10 minutes, and the bag might need to be run through the scanner a second time. If three or four bags in quick succession need to be opened and checked, the line shuts down. That really, really slows the lines down. The majority of the bags we have to check are liquids or aerosols, Huovinen said. The five to 10 people who opt for a pat-down rather than go through the scanner during an eight-hour shift pull a TSA officer out of the line, causing another delay of about five minutes. Mothers struggling with an infant while placing a car seat and a folded stroller on the conveyor belt can slow the line. If the X-ray reveals something that looks like a bomb, the line shuts down. Police are called in to open any carry-on bag that appears to contain a gun, causing a delay of 10 to 20 minutes. [The secret life of baggage: Where does your luggage go at the airport?] People who are new to the air-travel experience and confused by it can slow the line. If this is your first time at an airport, just watch the person in front of you to see what they do, Huovinen said. MEXICO Schism develops in El Chapo legal team Jailed drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzmans fight to stave off extradition to the United States has led to a schism among some of the people hes counting on most: his own lawyers. After two of Guzmans attorneys filed an appeal against the extradition request, a third lawyer quickly disavowed it on Saturday. Jose Refugio Rodriguez said that the move was not authorized by Guzman and that his client will not sign off on the appeal, meaning the courts would not act on it. This hurts Joaquin Guzman because it hinders our defense, Rodriguez said. Rodriguez added that the lawyers who filed it, Juan Pablo Badillo and Jose Luis Gonzalez Meza, are not part of the team working on the extradition case. That team is still considering the governments arguments and plans an appeal in the coming weeks that El Chapo will approve. We have a strategy with Joaquin, and we are planning it, Rodriguez said. Neither Badillo nor Meza could be reached for comment. Mexican courts recently approved two U.S. requests for Guzmans extradition and formally sent notification to the Foreign Relations Department. However, his lawyers have 30 days to appeal, and the case could go all the way to the Supreme Court, meaning that it could be months before a final decision is reached. The convicted Sinaloa cartel boss is wanted in seven U.S. jurisdictions on charges that include murder, conspiracy to import and distribute cocaine and marijuana, money-laundering and arms possession. Associated Press PAKISTAN Two officials charged with aiding Taliban A Pakistani spokesman says federal investigators have arrested two officials involved in issuing Pakistani documents to the slain Taliban chief, Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, and his family. Mansour was killed in a U.S. drone strike a week ago in southwestern Baluchistan province. A Pakistani passport found near the destroyed car identified him as Wali Muhammad. Interior Ministry spokesman Sarfaraz Hussain says Aziz Ahmed, an official in Baluchistans capital, Quetta, was arrested Saturday. Hussain says Ahmed approved a national identity card for Mansour in the name of Wali Muhammad in 2001. The second official arrested is Riffat Iqbal, with the registration authorities in the port city of Karachi. Hussain says Iqbal was arrested for facilitating the paperwork on Pakistani citizenship for Mansours second wife and his children. Associated Press Gunmen in Brazil fire on police station: Brazilian authorities say gunmen opened fire on a police station in Rio de Janeiro and then torched two buses in the citys bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood. Police said Saturday that nobody was hurt in the previous nights incidents and that there were no arrests. The G1 news portal reported that the attacks may have been in reprisal for the death of a drug traffickers son during a recent shootout with police. Palestinian leader wants time cap on possible peace deal: The Palestinian president said Saturday that if an upcoming Paris conference succeeds in relaunching the long-stalled Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, it should also set a time cap and mechanisms to implement their resolutions. Speaking to Arab foreign ministers in Cairo, Mahmoud Abbas also said that the Paris gathering set for June 3 should also establish a monitoring committee to follow whatever is agreed upon. Artists in Sarajevo unveil tribute to Bowie: A group of artists unveiled a huge mural of David Bowie in Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital, Saturday to commemorate the British musicians humanitarian work during the Bosnian war. Bowie was moved by the sufferings of Bosnians and used his fame to increase awareness about the war and raise money for humanitarian purposes, although he did not visit Sarajevo. From news services Donald Trump could have taken a victory lap last week. Instead, he went on a grudge tour. During his first big campaign swing since locking up the Republican presidential nomination, Trump went after an odd and seemingly random group of people Democrats and Republicans, famous and obscure. There seemed little to gain politically from the attacks, and his targets were linked by just one thing: Trump felt they had all done him wrong. So he blasted Republicans who have yet to endorse him, including Jeb Bush, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and Mitt Romney, who Trump said walks like a penguin. He declared that Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton doesnt look presidential, and he went after her allies, especially Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), whom Trump continues to call Pocahontas even after being told the nickname is offensive. He mocked those protesting him and slammed reporters covering his candidacy. During the four-day, four-state tour, Trump also went after people who were probably unknown to his supporters until he brought them up: Barbara Res, a former employee quoted in an article about his treatment of women, and U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who is assigned to hear a fraud case against now-defunct Trump University. Trumps cutting insults and simplistic attacks have been a hallmark of his candidacy, viewed by supporters as proof that he is fearless and willing to attack institutions from the Republican Party to the Vatican. During Trumps fight for the Republican nomination, his calculated shots at rivals helped take them out, one by one. But with the nomination apparently secured, last weeks fusillade of digs seemed counterproductive. Why go after the GOPs only two female minority governors Martinez and South Carolinas Nikki Haley when there are many other elected Republicans who have not endorsed him? What does he gain from smearing a former employee and a federal judge whom most of his supporters have never heard of? Why comment on Clintons voice and appearance instead of her record? I have real issues with the way that he conducted himself at certain aspects of this campaign, throughout the campaign. That remains, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said in a CNN interview Sunday even as he announced his endorsement of Trump. Hes now the Republican nominee, or presumptive nominee, and will be the nominee. And I think he has an opportunity now to enter a second phase in this campaign. Trumps journey of grievances began Tuesday night with a rally in Albuquerque. The score-settling started right away: As he listed troubling statistics about the local economy something he usually does at rallies Trump told the crowd of several thousand that their two-term Republican governor was to blame. Your governor has got to do a better job, Trump said to boisterous cheers. Shes not doing the job. Martinez, who chairs the Republican Governors Association, has been critical of Trump and did not attend the rally, telling the local media she was really busy running the state. The attack on her stunned many Republicans, who are not accustomed to a nominee who will throw one of their own to an angry mob. Rubio and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, both former 2016 candidates, and others came to Martinezs defense. A Martinez spokesman also fired back, saying she will not be bullied into supporting a candidate until she is convinced that candidate will fight for New Mexicans. Corey Lewandowski, Trumps campaign manager, defended the attacks on Fox News Sunday. Theres no attack on a Latino or a woman governor, he said. What this was was laying out the economic perspective of what the state of New Mexico was doing, and hes saying we need to do a better job. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally in San Diego on Friday. Trump was on a Western campaign trip which saw stops in North Dakota and Montana and two more in California. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Trump brought up additional grudges Wednesday at a rally in Anaheim, Calif. He hit Romney for refusing his help in 2012 and then losing the general election. And Haley for refusing to endorse him ahead of the South Carolina primary. And Bill Kristol, editor of the conservative Weekly Standard, for refusing to acknowledge Trumps success. And Bush for refusing to get over losing and endorse him. A brief respite came Thursday the day he cleared the number of delegates needed to be the nominee when Trump gave his only scripted speech of the week at an energy conference in Bismarck, N.D. Standing between two teleprompters, Trump seemed to find his confidence not only as a winner but as the Republican nominee that many want him to be. Trump argued that returning to more use of coal and lifting environmental regulations are keys to making the nation wealthy again. Politicians have used you and stolen your votes. They have given you nothing, Trump said. I will give you everything. I will give you what youve been looking for for 50 years. Im the only one. Still, Trump continued to carry that chip on his shoulder. At a rally hours later in Billings, Mont., he listed people who said he would never be his partys nominee. Ten months ago theyd say: Oh, hes not going to run. Nah, hes just having a good time. I am having a good time but, you know, I could be doing other things right now, Trump said, putting extra emphasis on having a good time, as if trying to make it true. On Friday, his final day on the trail, Trump continued to hit Republicans but he also went after Res, whom he hired more than three decades ago to oversee the construction of Trump Tower in Manhattan. Res told the New York Times that Trump used to comment on her weight and often paraded around his most attractive female employees. My fathers from the old school its okay, its okay to say this, right, women? and he said: Dont put her in there, Dont put her in, Trump said Friday morning in Fresno, Calif. I said: Dad, Im telling you, shes going to be fine. Dont put her in! I said: Pop, shes going to be fine. Besides that, its my building, I can do what I want, okay? Trump Tower. He paused so the crowd could cheer his landmark skyscraper. Nah, I had the greatest father. Hes the greatest teacher you could ever have. He was a great guy. He said: All right, look, if you want to do it. And now I think he was right because of this. He also went after Clinton. Do you think honestly, honestly, honestly do you think Hillary looks presidential? The crowd answered in unison as Trump smirked: Noooo! I dont think so, Trump continued, shaking his head. And Im not going to say it because Im not allowed to say it because I want to be politically correct, so I refuse to say that I cannot stand her screaming into the microphone all of the time. Trump covered his ears as the crowd laughed and applauded. A few hours later, Trump was at his last rally of the week, in San Diego, where thousands showed up to see him and hundreds more showed up to curse his name at a protest that became violent at times. Trump basked in the glow of being the presumptive nominee and then launched into a 11-minute monologue about the federal judge assigned to handle a civil case against Trump University, which is accused of defrauding students. Everybody says it, but I have a judge who is a hater of Donald Trump, a hater, Trump said. Hes a hater. His name is Gonzalo Curiel. Curiel sits on the federal bench in San Diego. As Trump angrily rambled on and on at one point, explaining why a law firm involved with the case has the name it does the crowd grew quiet. Some turned their attention to their cellphones, while others looked around the room for something more interesting. The judge, who happens to be, we believe, Mexican, which is great, I think thats fine, Trump said of Curiel, who was born in Indiana. You know what? I think the Mexicans are going to end up loving Donald Trump when I give all these jobs, okay? Trump tried to tie the case back to his run for the White House, noting that it has been used in attack ads against him and comparing the legal system to the rigged nomination system. Trump said that he could easily settle the case but refuses to give in to litigious former students. A trial has been set for November. Well come back in November, Trump said, finally wrapping up, to the delight of his crowd. Wouldnt that be wild if Im president, and I come back to do a civil case? Philip Rucker contributed to this report. Tim Canova, in a blue shirt, joins Verizon protesters on May 25 in Pembroke Pines, Fla. The little-known law professor is challenging Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) in August's primary (Angel Valentin/For The Washington Post) Tim Canova was driving from a rally against money in politics to a protest against chemical giant Monsanto this month when his spokeswoman called to tell him that Sen. Bernie Sanders had just gone on CNN and endorsed his long-shot primary challenge against the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. It was a rather big moment for a little-known law professor with a shaved head who, in another year, might not have created so much as a ripple for Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who is seeking her seventh House term and has won all her previous elections in landslides. A few hours later, Sanders called Canova for the first time and the next day signed a fundraising email for him. Over the next 48 hours, Canova brought in about $300,000. Canova, 56, finds himself in the right place at the right time. Wasserman Schultz, 49, has become increasingly unpopular within the liberal base of the party and among Sanderss supporters in particular. Though she claims to be neutral in the presidential nominating contest, many Berniecrats believe that she has tipped the scales in Hillary Clintons favor. They see her, as they see Clinton, as beholden to wealthy donors and focused on winning elections at the expense of advancing progressive principles. Since thats what Canovas campaign is all about, his bid has become a proxy battle for everything dividing Democrats this year. Shes emblematic of an establishment not serving the grass roots, Canova said of his opponent during a two-hour interview as he sipped a shot of espresso in a bohemian coffee shop here, not far from the beach. In a presidential election, a lot of people vote for Hillary because they dont want to lose to Trump and they think shes more electable. This is such a safe Democratic district that theres less of that calculation. So its really pitting a progressive grass-roots campaign against a corporate machine. Whats it going to be? This is a fight for the future of the Democratic Party. Just as Sanderss challenge has brought unwelcome attention to Clintons vulnerabilities, so, too, has Canova shined a spotlight on Wasserman Schultzs weaknesses as the head of the DNC. Even if she beats back this August primary challenge, which she is ultimately favored to do, the ferociousness of the criticism has exposed her unpopularity within the Democratic grass roots. It has also raised the volume on the question of whether she should continue in her party post. Sanders has focused national attention on the matter by declaring his desire to replace her. For Sanderss supporters, the list of Wasserman Schultzs offenses is long. There was a primary debate schedule, with several weekend events, that seemed designed for as few people to watch as possible. There is the view that she overreacted to a party data breach by the Sanders campaign, after which he was cut off from a crucial voter file just weeks before the Iowa caucuses. The file is the partys in-house database of information about likely voters, the lifeblood for any serious campaign. In February, the DNC rolled back restrictions first proposed by candidate Barack Obama in 2008, banning donations from federal lobbyists and political action committees. The final straw came two weeks ago when Wasserman Schultz faulted Sanders for his response to the chaos at the Nevada state convention. [DNC will allow donations from federal lobbyists and PACs] And no one has forgotten that she was Clintons national co-chairwoman during her 2008 campaign against Obama. If Democrats are unified coming out of the convention, it will be in spite of her not because of her, Canova said. Canova is trying to figure out how to scale up a campaign apparatus to compete with one of the most powerful figures in Democratic politics. Obama has endorsed Wasserman Schultz, and Vice President Biden is coming down next month to headline a fundraiser for her. When Canova walked into his campaign headquarters in a downtown storefront here adjacent to a Pilates studio he frequents a couple of times a week a dozen 20-somethings working the phones on his behalf said Hi, Tim almost in unison. They make you feel like a rock star, Canova said, mopping the sweat from his shaved head after walking in from the tropical heat. Its crazy. He noted later that he didnt even recognize three of the volunteers, which made him feel like the movement was growing. The phone bankers rang little bells every time they persuaded a voter to consider voting against the incumbent. They were ringing a lot of bells, and suddenly cable bookers wanted him on their shows. In some circles, shes very popular. But its a big district, Canova said. I dont think shes loved. I think shes feared. Only a small slice of South Florida will vote, but Canova is doing everything he can to nationalize the race. The Communications Workers of America and National Nurses United, two unions that back Sanders, have endorsed him. On Friday, he secured the support of Democracy for America, an outside group that has been supportive of Sanders. Wasserman Schultz responded a few hours later by announcing the support of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC. All told, Canova has now raised nearly $1.5 million. Like Sanders, almost all of it has been small-dollar donations that were collected online. Most of it is from outside the state, but Canova says he wont travel outside Florida for fundraisers. Ive gotten invites to go to Los Angeles and New York. People are saying I should go to the Democratic convention for attention, but Im staying right here, he said, noting that he has not left Florida since December. After joining a union-sponsored protest outside a Verizon store in Pembroke Pines on Wednesday night, Canova went home to speak via Skype with a group of progressive activists on Long Island. They then made calls on his behalf into the district, canvassing registered Democrats. The eyes of the country are on this district, he told 40 activists at the Verizon picket line. Were getting support from all over the country, but that doesnt mean anything if we dont convert it to votes. Even Wasserman Schultzs allies acknowledge that the influx of cash has given Canova credibility. But this is not the most fertile territory to sow the political revolution Sanders and Canova seek. Clinton won the March presidential primary in the 23rd District with 68 percent of the vote, compared with 31 percent for Sanders. The district is largely made up of the very voters Sanders has failed to make inroads with during the long nominating contest. It stretches along the coast and then covers lower-income inland areas: 38 percent of the districts voters are Latino, and 10 percent are African American. Canova, who teaches at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, decided to launch his bid back in January primarily because of Wasserman Schultzs support for giving Obama fast-track authority to negotiate trade deals. He opposes open borders, though he supports some pathway to citizenship. But the insurgent said he believes that Hispanics will support him once they hear that Wasserman Schultz took money from people tied to the payday loan industry and that African Americans will back him because he opposes the war on drugs. (Wasserman Schultz opposed a ballot referendum to legalize medical marijuana.) Much of Canovas campaign literature emphasizes his opposition to the nuclear agreement with Iran, a position shared by many in the districts large and active Jewish population. Wasserman Schultz backed the deal. Shes Jewish; Im not. But Ive had a Jewish stepdad for 40 years, and I was a volunteer on a kibbutz. . . . And she voted for the Iran agreement, he said. Either she got duped by [Obama deputy national security adviser] Ben Rhodes or she was in on it. Canova draws heavy inspiration from Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.), who, like him, was a college professor at a relatively obscure school when he toppled House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in 2014. Hes also closely studying how Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.) got elected to the Senate in 1990 when he was a professor at Carleton College. A lot of consultants tell you to spend money on consultants; thats not how these guys got elected, he said. Id like to think Im following that blueprint. Canova has held off hiring an admaker. Instead, hes using the Sanders windfall to open four new field offices. He also had resisted hiring a pollster but changed his mind with all the donations pouring in. We just got someone, he said. Were going to start polling now. Wasserman Schultz is determined not to get caught flat-footed. Even detractors say she comes home fairly often. Cantor wasnt paying attention; thats not an issue here, said Mitch Ceasar, a national committeeman who was the longtime chairman of the Broward County party. This is not going to be an easy race, but Debbie is a very hard worker, and Im sure she takes the challenge seriously. Wasserman Schultzs campaign declined to make her available for an interview, but a spokesman sent the names of four local Democrats willing to speak about her and made the point that Canova is a newcomer to Florida who doesnt understand how deep her roots are in the area. The mayor of Hollywood, Peter Bober, whose law office is two blocks from Canovas campaign headquarters, praised the congresswoman for being accessible and helping the city get reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. I really dont know who this gentleman is, Bober said of Canova. I cannot recall seeing him at city hall or a neighborhood meeting or any type of civic event. . . . People recognize Debbie is influential, and that benefits the district. Indeed, volunteers at the would-be giant slayers phone bank find themselves spelling out his name (C-A-N-O-V-A) and hearing people on the other end of the line say theyve never heard of him. Canova acknowledges not having deep roots in the community and speaks openly about his transient career path. After working as an aide to then-Sen. Paul Tsongas (D-Mass.), he practiced law at a firm in New York City. Then he decided that he wanted to teach. He bounced around for years in search of tenure, living in New Mexico and California before landing in Florida a few years ago. Almost six months after announcing, Canova already has lots of war stories about what it is like to run against the head of a national political party. He had to threaten a lawsuit, he said, before the Democrats gave him access to the voter file. He put $15,000 that he had been saving to buy a house into the campaign as seed money. He waited until April to start building out his staff. He declined to reveal how many field staffers he has on his payroll. She should be the last one to realize the extent of what were doing, he said. Canova has twice approached his rival at campaign events. At one, he tried to hand Wasserman Schultz a letter requesting that she debate him. In his telling, she would not take it. The two of them showed up at a party brunch last weekend in Weston, near Wasserman Schultzs home. There were people who I normally see at these Democratic functions, Canova said. When Debbies not there, theyve been warm to me and spoken to me. With Debbie there, theyre afraid to even turn and shake my hand. They certainly dont want to take a photo with me. For now, hes giving his all to the campaign. Hes a single guy who lives alone and eats lots of Clif Bars. He has already taken an unpaid leave of absence from law school for this fall. If I dont win, Ill need the break, he said. But I havent really entertained the thought of losing. Thats not being cocky. Its that you dont want to do this if you dwell on losing. Youve got to have a positive attitude. This season of 'Love Is Blind' is shaping up to be absolute madness here's what people are saying about it Newt Gingrich, pictured with wife, Callista Gingrich, checks many of the boxes that Donald Trump has said he is looking for in a vice president. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images) Donald Trump will be the Republican presidential nominee this fall. He crossed the crucial 1,237-delegate threshold on Wednesday in North Dakota, taking what was a near-certainty and turning it into an absolute certainty. With the question of whether Trump will win out of the way, we can move on to trying to figure out whom he will pick as his running mate. I did this once before, but so much has changed for Trump and for the rest of the party relative to him that it needed a total overhaul just a month later. Below are my picks of the five people Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) would be sixth most likely to wind up sharing a ticket with Trump. These rankings are based on conversations with Republicans, a study of Trumps public comments about the various people in the VP mix and plain old intuition. 5. Joni Ernst. The senator from Iowa has a bright political future. Ernst emerged as a surprising star of the 2014 Senate class with a sterling resume (military background, time spent in the state legislature, etc.) and a gift for communicating. She is well liked by many in the Republican Party and is seen as a fresh face factors that should appeal to Trump. The question is whether Ernst wants to hitch her wagon and her political future to The Donald. 4. Bob Corker. The senator from Tennessee huddled with Trump last week in New York, a meeting that launched 1,000 stories about whether he was the pick. And Corker seems to be courting such speculation; his statement praising Trump in the immediate aftermath of the nominees foreign policy speech a few weeks back was very noticeable and not by accident. With Donald Trump the clear front-runner in the Republican presidential primary, The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza says these are the five people the business mogul might pick as his running mate if he clinches the nomination. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post) Corker is well respected in both parties in Washington as the rare politician who actually wants to get things done and who understands the sacrifices necessary to make that happen. Of the five people on this list, Corker would be the one who would make the Republican establishment happiest. But that might also be the reason, of course, that Trump wont choose him. 3. Chris Christie. The New Jersey governor has sacrificed much to make this list. His decision to endorse Trump at a time when the Republican establishment was still focused on beating the real estate mogul turned Christie into persona non grata among lots of his old friends. But it also means that Christie has been by Trumps side for longer than any other elected official. And his tough-guy personality and ability to win in a traditionally blue state probably appeal to Trump. Bridgegate continues to linger, and Christies numbers back home are atrocious, but does Trump really care? 2. Mary Fallin. The Oklahoma governor isnt well known nationally but has the right sort of profile conservative woman with executive experience that Trump needs. She also spent some time in Congress, which should appeal to Trump, who has said that he wants someone who knows how Washington works. Trump made waves last month when he tweeted that former South Carolina lieutenant governor Andre Bauers recommendation that he pick Fallin as vice president was great advice. 1. Newt Gingrich. Gingrich checks many of the boxes that Trump has said he is looking for in a vice president: someone who knows Washington, understands policy and gets how Congress works. Plus, Gingrich was a relatively early supporter of Trump and has grown increasingly close to the real estate mogul , as detailed by National Reviews Eliana Johnson. ( Conservative news sites seem to love the idea, too .) Gingrichs weaknesses ego, unfettered ambition, several high-profile marriages and divorces would probably matter less to Trump than to other presidential nominees because they so closely mirror Trumps own issues. In Lanzhou New Area, recently completed apartment buildings await residents. (Gilles Sabrie/For The Washington Post) This city is supposed to be the diamond on Chinas Silk Road Economic Belt a new metropolis carved out of the mountains in the countrys arid northwest. But it is shaping up to be fools gold, a ghost city in the making. Lanzhou New Area, in Gansu province, embodies Chinas twin dreams of catapulting its poorer western regions into the economic mainstream through an orgy of infrastructure spending and cementing its place at the heart of Asia through a revival of the ancient Silk Road. Hundreds of hills on the dry, sandy Loess Plateau were flattened by bulldozers to create the 315-square-mile city. But today, cranes stand idle in planned industrial parks while newly built residential blocks loom empty. Streets are mostly deserted. Life-size replicas of the Parthenon and the Sphinx sit surrounded by wasteland, monuments to profligacy. The project epitomizes what is wrong with Chinas economic model, foreign experts say in particular, how debt is rising to alarming levels as the government tries to prop up a slowing economy with projects that make little or no commercial sense. [In China, a ghost town points to shifting fortunes] Where Gansu goes, China goes, said Rodney Jones, founder of Wigram Capital Advisors in Beijing. Youve had massive credit growth and investment in projects that dont generate an economic return. Now youre facing two shocks youve got to stop credit growing and deal with the bad loans, and youve also got to see how the economy expands once this credit boom is over. China launched an ambitious Go West campaign at the turn of the millennium, aiming to narrow the income gap between the booming eastern seaboard and the remote west, essentially by building modern infrastructure and exploiting the wests natural resources. The initiative got a huge push as China launched a nationwide economic stimulus after the 2008 global financial crisis. And President Xi Jinpings plans to revitalize the Silk Road, the ancient desert trade route between East and West, have provided a further boost. About $10 billion is being invested to clear Lanzhou New Area and build infrastructure that includes roads, railways and an expanded airport. Water is being diverted from a branch of the Yellow River and stored in three new reservoirs to create a city that a promotional video shows as awash with lakes and rivers. A free-trade zone and logistics hub are meant to ensure that the city benefits from its location on a new Silk Road, while industrial parks dedicated to auto and equipment manufacturing, petrochemicals and traditional Chinese medicine are supposed to create the jobs that will sustain a city of 1 million by 2030. In Lanzhou New Area, construction workers at the gates of the new Free Trade Zone, designed to attract foreign businesses with tax advantages. (Gilles Sabrie/For The Washington Post) In Lanzhou New Area, locals ride one-wheel electric scooters past a row of nearly empty apartment buildings. (Gilles Sabrie/For The Washington Post) Struggling for investors On a recent trip organized by the provincial government, journalists were shown around a heavy-machinery plant run by the state-owned Lanzhou LS Group and the privately owned Scisky factory, which makes a water-based polymer resin. Scisky executives said they hoped to take advantage of local raw materials and export to Central Asia and Europe. Xu Dawu, deputy Communist Party secretary for the New Area, says 150,000 people live here, along with 40,000 temporary construction workers but those numbers seem at odds with the largely empty vistas that visitors see. The reality is that despite cheap land, tax holidays and large subsidies, the New Area has struggled to attract both investment and people. Yan Yuejin at E-House China R&D Institute in Shanghai looked at vacancy rates and concluded that the venture has been very unsuccessful. [Why China wont shut underused factories] Even Xu admits to a problem. Lanzhou is a very important town on the Silk Road, but it is sandwiched between two mountains with a river running through it, he said. To draw more industries from the south, he said, we need to jump out of Lanzhou and seek a larger space. If that doesnt work, he said in what sounded like a tacit admission of defeat, we can at least develop modern agriculture here. Chinese economists said Gansu is making basic economic missteps, investing in heavy industry at a time of global overcapacity and building infrastructure when it should be reducing its debt. This is just copying the old development model without taking local reality into consideration, said Ding Wenfeng, a professor of economics at the Chinese Academy of Governance, urging the government to apply an emergency brake. Urbanization and modernization are processes that naturally take place, he said. You cant force it to happen or have 1,000 places copy the same model. The Lanzhou New Area ring road is being built through the Loess Mountains, which have been carved or had their tops leveled. (Gilles Sabrie/For The Washington Post) In Lanzhou New Area, a plane flies above full-scale replicas of the Parthenon and Great Sphinx of Giza, set in an area still under construction. Mountaintops have been razed to make room for an outdoor movie studio and entertainment park. (Gilles Sabrie/For The Washington Post) Bao Cunkuan, an environmental science professor at Shanghais Fudan University, agreed, saying that the poorer northwestern provinces such as Gansu have typically survived by exporting people to richer parts of China, not by attracting people. People will vote with their feet, he said. If the place is not good enough, nobody will come no matter how many houses you build. Where people go, the allocation of capital and resources should follow. Gansu has a per capita annual income of just $4,000 and little trade with the outside world. Its growth was driven by metals and other minerals, as well as by real estate, but it is suffering the ill effects of Chinas slowdown and a global slump in commodity prices. [Chinas economic growth hits six-year low] The provinces attempt to spend its way to prosperity has only aggravated its problems. Last year, total credit expanded by about $50 billion, in an economy worth just $100 billion, Wigram Capital calculates. Despite the huge injection of credit, the economy shrank 1 percent in nominal terms, while the ratio of loans to gross domestic product expanded to 200 percent, up from less than 90 percent in 2009. Andrew Polk at Medley Global Advisors in Beijing visited Lanzhou New Area recently and noted its desolate location. You can just sense from being there its not a commercially viable place, he said. Yet the eagerness to support Xis hallmark Silk Road initiative an economic belt running through Central Asia to Europe and a Maritime Silk Road hugging Asias southern coastline seems to trump economic sense. Its just another example of government priorities being at odds with each other, Polk said. There is a desire to do the belt and road program, and there is also a desire to de-leverage. You cant do both at the same time, but we have seen time and time again in China which tends to win out. An old idea Indeed, Gansu is far from an isolated case. The idea of building new cities around China caught on after the success of Pudong in the 1990s, as skyscrapers replaced farmland on the east bank of the Huangpu River facing old Shanghai. But Shanghais success remains an exception. Everyone wanted to build new cities they thought they could replicate Pudong all over China, said Jones of Wigram Capital. Provinces didnt have a strategy built around their comparative advantages. Building a new city in Gansu just doesnt make any sense. There are other problems with a project on the scale of Lanzhou New Area. Writing in Nature magazine in 2014, three Chinese scientists warned that the environmental impacts of this and similar mountain-moving undertakings had not been properly considered, likening them to major surgery on the Earths crust. The Lanzhou project was halted in 2013 because of problems with air pollution, pending an environmental assessment, Peiyue Li, Hui Qian and Jianhua Wu wrote. Four weeks later, as contractors costs mounted, it was restarted without the assessment. [Air pollution in China is killing 1.6 million people a year, researchers say] Gao Ying of the Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences told China Business News in November that petrochemical plants planned for the new city could cause serious environmental and air pollution and would use vast amounts of water in a fragile and arid zone. In China, debt has ballooned to 280 percent of gross domestic product, from 135 percent in 2009, Wigram Capital calculates. Bad loans are soaring, and new debt is increasingly being used to pay back old loans. It now takes 4 yuan of debt to generate 1 yuan of economic growth, up from 1 to 1 at the time of the financial crisis. The Economist magazine warned this month of Chinas coming debt bust, arguing that these trends are unsustainable and recommending that the government plan for turmoil. The central government talks of reducing industrial overcapacity, cutting debt and transitioning to a new, innovation-driven economy, but provincial leaders, under pressure to meet economic targets, seem unable to abandon the old playbook. You can see why they keep returning to the well, because it did work for a long time it was extremely successful, Polk said. Thats the core of the issue right now. People are grappling with the changing nature of the economy. Old tricks dont work. The old tricks could even be making matters worse: Fudan Universitys Bao compares the approach to drinking poison when you are thirsty. Gu Jinglu and Xu Yangjingjing contributed to this report. Read more: Chinas scary lesson to the world: Censoring the Internet works Dont start a fire in Asia, China warns Obama after Vietnam arms embargo lifted How Chinas fishermen are fighting a covert war in the South China Sea Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world The brother of a man killed alongside Afghan Taliban chief Akhtar Mohammad Mansour in a U.S. drone strike in southwest Pakistan has filed a police report asking for his brothers killing to be investigated, officials said Sunday. Muhammad Azam, a Pakistani citizen, was driving Mansour from the Pakistan-Iran border to Quetta, the capital of Pakistans Baluchistan province, when a U.S. drone destroyed the car in the Koshki area of Noshki district on May 21, killing them both. Azam was a regular taxi driver on the route and was not connected to the Taliban, his brother Muhammad Qasim said, according to a police report. The first information report filed by Qasim will form the basis of any police investigation of the drone attack. Drone attacks outside Pakistans tribal areas, such as the one that killed Mansour and Azam, are rare. Much of the countrys Islamist militancy is based in the tribal areas of northwest Pakistan. Critics of U.S. drone strikes allege that there has been a tacit agreement between Islamabad and Washington allowing strikes in some tribal areas but not elsewhere. Pakistan denies that such an agreement exists. Qasim filed the report on Wednesday, local official Muhammad Omar said Sunday night. It does not name Mansour, identifying him as Muhammad Wali, an identity he had been using in Pakistan, complete with identification documents and a passport. Pakistani authorities on Sunday confirmed for the first time that it was indeed Mansour who was killed in the drone strike. He was identified after conducting a DNA test which showed a match with a close relative of Mullah Mansours, who had come to Pakistan from Afghanistan to receive the body, an Interior Ministry statement said. The police report filed in Baluchistan notes that the United States has asserted responsibility for carrying out the attack. No individuals are named as suspects. A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad declined to comment, referring all questions on the subject to Washington. Qasim told police that Azam was innocent, according to the report. My brother was innocent. And he was extremely poor. He has four young children. He was the sole breadwinner in his house, Qasim reportedly said. More than 700 migrants died in the Mediterranean Sea last week as their boats foundered, aid and refugee agencies estimated Sunday, with most of them attempting to flee the Libyan coast for Italy in the deadliest period of migration to Europe this year. The sinkings raise concerns that Europe is facing yet another summer with an overwhelming surge of new arrivals and intensify the debate over how to handle them. Although the migrant influx tends to slow during the winter and early spring, waters are growing warmer and calmer: Over the past week alone, 15,000 people arrived in Italy, many of them pulled to shore in dramatic emergency naval or coast guard rescue operations. This is the beginning of the peak season, Federico Fossi, a spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency, said by phone from Rome. Its intense. Fossi cautioned that the death toll from last week was an estimate based on accounts from survivors. But he said that in the span of three days starting last Wednesday, there were three separate and deadly shipwrecks about 35 nautical miles from Libya. Photos from one rescue showed a trawler flipping over, shoveling hundreds of people into the sea. The week was probably the deadliest in the Mediterranean since April 2015. Of last weeks sinkings, the most catastrophic occurred on an engineless vessel tied with rope to a fishing boat. About 500 migrants were on the fishing boat and 600 more were on the vessel being towed, Fossi said. When it began to sink, several dozen passengers were rescued or managed to climb aboard the other boat. But 550 died or were left missing. Video from the Italian Navy shows a large ship capsizing off Libya's coast on May 25 with more than 500 migrants aboard. (Italian Navy) According to several accounts from news wire services, a Sudanese captain ordered the cutting of the rope between the two vessels as the trailing one began to take on water. That captain was arrested after his arrival in Pozzallo, a port town in Sicily. And let me tell you this is quite a new thing, Fossi said. We have never seen that before a boat without an engine tied by a rope to the other one. That shows you the human traffickers are becoming really, really greedy and cynical and merciless. Tying a boat to another one is really dangerous. Last year, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), about 3,800 people died or vanished at sea trying to make it to Europe. This year, after accounting for the latest sinkings, the number stands above 2,000. War, repression and government collapse in parts of the Middle East and Africa have caused what many consider to be the worst migration crisis since World War II. In 2015, more than 1 million migrants tried to enter European Union countries. This year, nearly 200,000 have arrived on Europes shores. The influx has tested the continents ability to cope and has provided fertile ground for politicians favoring tighter border controls and decreased European integration. Hungary has built razor-wire fences along its borders with Serbia and Croatia. A right-winger vowing to stop the invasion of Muslims was narrowly defeated in Austrias presidential race. Those who favor the British exit from the European Union the nation votes on the matter next month say such a move would allow vastly tighter border control. According to the Associated Press, quoting Britains Home Office, 18 migrants coming from Albania were rescued this week from an inflatable boat that ran into trouble in the English Channel. Although a large-scale exodus from Syria is partly responsible for the unparalleled flow, the routes between Libya and Italy have tended to transport Africans particularly Nigerians, Eritreans and Somalis. Aid workers have speculated that Italy, rather than Greece, could emerge this year as the primary starting point for migrants, following the tightening of borders between Greece and its northern neighbors. That has effectively thwarted migrants from moving into the more prosperous parts of northern Europe. Last month, Greek and European Union officials also started deporting migrants to Turkey. Those who have survived the latest wrecks have been taken to Italian port cities, given food and blankets and, in some cases, received medical treatment. But Italy with a sagging economy and an unemployment rate of 11 percent has also been strained by the influx, particularly as Austria has tightened its own border controls along a path that migrants have taken en route to more-welcoming countries such as Germany and Sweden. Italy is bracing to house tens of thousands of people while processing more asylum seekers, a duty it shrugged off in the past. The pressure is on the Italians to deal with them and process the asylum seekers as theyre supposed to, said Leonard Doyle, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration. If in the past theyve been turning the blind eye and encouraging people to skedaddle, the political situation is a bit different now. Compared with Syrians, who are fleeing a particularly dire situation, Nigerians and other Africans arriving in Italy face steeper odds for winning asylum claims, analysts say. But Europe is also unlikely to send migrants back to Libya, where competing governments have fought recently for power and the Islamic State has gained a foothold. Europe also doesnt have a readmission agreement with Libya for returning migrants. So, what to do with these people next that is a huge, huge question mark, said Matteo Garavoglia, the Italy Program fellow at the Brookings Institutions Center on the United States and Europe. Read more German government leaders back plan to push migrants to integrate Italy may be the next big migrant route Timing not yet right for Libya intervention, Italy says Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world Bedouin soldiers take part in a training exercise near the Israel-Egypt border, not far from the village of Nitzana, as part of their basic training program on May 24. (Ruth Eglash/The Washington Post) Ahmed Abeltef joined the Israeli army two months ago and says he is proud to be serving his country. But when he goes on leave, Abeltef makes sure to change out of his army greens and into civilian clothing before reaching home. The fear of wearing military fatigues in his home town stems from the fact that he is one of Israels approximately 260,000 Bedouins a subgroup of the countrys Arab Muslim minority with its own distinct culture. This is my country, and I want to give something back. But there are some people and families in my town who dont think I should be in the army, said Abeltef, 19, who lives in Rahat, the largest Bedouin city. He is in basic training with about 44 other Bedouin soldiers, sleeping head to toe in makeshift tents pitched amid sand dunes along the Israel-Egypt border. Although not required to serve like Jewish citizens, throughout Israels history many Bedouins have volunteered for army duty, some becoming military legends. According to the armys statistics, there are about 1,000 Bedouin men serving in the army. About300 are drafted annually, though this number fluctuates depending on the security situation. Among those who do join, motivation is high and many are drafted into one of the two special Bedouin battalions or other highly decorated combat units. [Israel to launch one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world] In recent years, however, there has been a growing unease among the Bedouin population about serving in Israels army. The fact that they are Muslim Arabs as most of Israels enemies are is only part of the reason for this dissonance. Poverty and marginalization also are factors. And today, community elders are less enthusiastic about encouraging their sons to sign up, while some spiritual leaders reject the notion outright. For the younger generation, meanwhile, the question is what exactly they will gain from the experience. You cant hide the fact that these men are Arabs and Muslims, they speak Arabic, and there are definitely influencing factors and organizations that are trying to prevent the youth from signing up, said Col. Wajdi Sarhouan, head of the minoritys administration in the armys manpower directorate. He also noted the communitys widespread poverty and lack of future prospects as deterring factors. The majority of Israels Bedouins live in the southern Negev desert, either in specially built towns or in unrecognized, ramshackle villages where basic amenities are scant and socioeconomic levels are low. A smaller number of Bedouins who live in northern Israel are more integrated in society. [How Israel is turning part of the Negev Desert into a cyber-city] Despite the challenges, Sarhouan said that the number of new recruits for this year is slightly up and that there is a push in the military to encourage Bedouin soldiers to become officers, as a way to set an example for those who may consider joining in the future. For the army, Bedouins are particularly valued for their navigational and tracking skills. Despite Israels technological advances, Bedouins familiarity with the desert and their ability to track suspicious movements are seen as irreplaceable. There is only so much technology sees. It cant see what is going on inside the wadi [valley], said Sheik Ibrahim Abu Afash, 71. He served as a military tracker during the 1973 Yom Kippur war under the command of former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon. We helped monitor the border. We listened in to the Egyptian armys broadcasts and tracked down any enemy soldiers that tried to infiltrate, he said. I served in the army for three years, but today I would not encourage my children to join. When I joined, I did not think about it I served for the honor of the Bedouins. They told us we would get benefits and it would improve our conditions, but socially nothing got better, he said. Afash said that after his time with the army he could find work only in a nearby factory, and he worked in low-paying jobs until he retired a few years ago. Like many of the Bedouins in this area, he has witnessed the growth of abject poverty and the constant demolition of peoples homes by Israeli authorities. Wadi Alnaam, where he lives, is a collection of mismatched shacks made of corrugated iron. It is among the approximately 46 unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev that the Israeli government would like to see dismantled. [Tourism is the new front in Israeli settlers battle for legitimacy] Every building here has a demolition order on it, he said, gesturing to the humble structures around him. The home demolitions really effect the children it really is the worst thing to see. If the state wants the Bedouins to join the army, they should not destroy peoples homes. At a nearby gas station, a Jewish-run coffee shop has become a popular hangout for young Bedouins. Mohammad al-Atrash, 29, and his cousin, Salah al-Atrash, 28, both completed three years of military service. I didnt get anything out of it. I cant even get a gun permit now if I want to work as a security guard, said the older cousin, although he couldnt explain why. Both are unemployed, and both said they told their younger friends and siblings that serving is not worth the time and effort. Its nothing to do with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or our identity its purely a civil issue, said the younger cousin. We dont get treated like citizens. Its like we dont even exist in this country. The deputy company commander of Abeltefs unit training on the border said he is acutely aware of the complexities facing Bedouin soldiers, especially those from the southern region. One of his men said the commander who cannot be named, in keeping with military protocol has to walk more than four miles from a bus stop to his home because there is no public transportation. Shami Shami, 23, from Jadeidi-Makr north of Haifa, said that his family encouraged him to enroll. He is following in the footsteps of his brothers and father, who were all soldiers. His father, who served for 25 years, is now the mayor of his town. There is pressure from the Islamic Movement for us not to serve. I have heard people talking like that, but its my choice, said Shami. I want to improve my life, like my father did. It feels great to be here it feels like home. We volunteered to help the state of Israel, and that is what we are doing, said Mustafa Heb from the town of Tuba-Zangaria on the border with Lebanon. In my village, everyone signed up. Asked how he might feel being told to fight against a fellow Muslim if another war erupts either with the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza or with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Heb said that it was his duty to fight. They have to fight to protect their country, and I have to fight to protect my country, he said. I dont see any conflict in that. Read more Could a new smart cam designed for the blind help my dyslexic daughter? In a first, Israel lets Jordanian workers cross border for jobs The Israeli general who compared the Jewish State to Nazi-era Germany An Israeli soldier is accused of killing a disarmed Palestinian. But many think hes a hero. Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world A Yazidi who had been held by ISIS militants as a slave for several months sits in a tent outside Duhok, Iraq. Two different ISIS captives recently appeared to be offered for sale on Facebook. (Alice Martins/For The Washington Post) The woman is young, perhaps 18, with olive skin and dark bangs that droop onto her face. In the Facebook photo, she attempts to smile but doesnt look at her photographer. The caption mentions a single biographical fact: She is for sale. To all the bros thinking about buying a slave, this one is $8,000, begins the May 20 Facebook posting, which was attributed to an Islamic State fighter who calls himself Abu Assad Almani. The same man posted a second image a few hours later, this one a pale young face with weepy red eyes. Another sabiyah [slave], also about $8,000, the posting reads. Yay, or nay? The photos were taken down within hours by Facebook, and it is unclear whether the accounts owner was doing the selling himself or commenting about women being sold by other fighters. But the unusual posting underscores what experts say is an increasingly perilous existence for the hundreds of women who are thought to be held as sex slaves by the Islamic State. This Facebook page, on which two young women were advertised for sale for $8,000, is attributed to an Islamic State fighter named Abu Assad Almani. He is thought to be a German national. (Courtesy of MEMRI JTTM) [Cash-strapped ISIS offers $50 a month to fighters but more if they own sex slaves] As the terrorist group comes under heightened pressure in Iraq and Syria, these female captives appear to be suffering, too sold and traded by cash-strapped fighters, subjected to shortages of food and medicine, and put at risk daily by military strikes, according to terrorism experts and human rights groups. Social-media sites used by Islamic State fighters in recent months have included numerous accounts of the buying and selling of sex slaves, as well the promulgation of formal rules for dealing with them. The guidelines cover such topics as whether its possible to have sex with prepubescent prisoners yes, the Islamic States legal experts say and how severely a slave can be beaten. But until the May 20 incident, there were no known instances of Islamic State fighters posting photographs of female captives being offered for sale. The photos of the two unidentified women appeared only briefly before being deleted by Facebook, but the images were captured by the Middle East Media Research Institute, a Washington nonprofit group that monitors jihadists social-media accounts. We have seen a great deal of brutality, but the content that ISIS has been disseminating over the past two years has surpassed it all for sheer evil, said Steven Stalinsky, the institutes executive director, using the common acronym for the Islamic State. Sales of slave girls on social media is just one more example of this. [Two of her daughters joined ISIS. Now shes trying to save her two younger girls. ] Almani, the apparent owner of the Facebook account, is thought to be a German national fighting for the Islamic State in Syria, according to Stalinsky. He has previously posted to social-media accounts under that name, in the slangy, poorly rendered English used by many European fighters who cant speak Arabic. Early postings suggest that Almani is intimately familiar with the Islamic States activities around Raqqa, the groups de facto capital in Syria. He also regularly uses his accounts to solicit donations for the terrorist group. ISIS is using replications of video games to recruit and teach its followers. (Whitney Shefte/The Washington Post) In displaying the images of the women, Almani advised his Facebook friends to get married and come to dawlah, or the Islamic States territory in Iraq and Syria. Then he engaged with different commenters in an extensive discussion about whether the $8,000 asking price was a good value. Some who replied to the postings mocked the womens looks, while others scolded Almani for posting photos of women who werent wearing the veil. What makes her worth that price? Does she have an exceptional skill? one of his correspondents asks about woman in the second photo. Nope, he replies. Supply and demand makes her that price. The Islamic States leaders have historically used U.S.-based social media such as Facebook and Twitter to attract recruits and spread propaganda, but in the past year American companies have sought to block jihadist accounts and postings whenever they are discovered. Facebook in particular has garnered high marks from watchdog groups for reacting quickly to terrorists efforts to use its pages. But at the same time, the militants also have become more agile, leaping quickly from one social-media platform to another and opening new accounts as soon as older ones are shut down. The Facebook incident comes amid complaints from human rights groups about waning public interest in the plight of women held as prisoners by the Islamic State. The organization Human Rights Watch, citing estimates by Kurdish officials in Iraq and Syria, says the terrorist group holds about 1,800 women and girls, just from the capture of Yazidi towns in the region. After initial denials, the Islamic State last year issued statements acknowledging the use of sex slaves and defending the practice as consistent with ancient Islamic traditions, provided that the women are non-Muslims captured in battle or members of Muslim sects that the terrorist group regards as apostates. A report last month by Human Rights Watch recounted the ordeals suffered by three dozen Iraqi and Syrian women who escaped from terrorist-held towns in recent months. Among the women were former Yazidi sex slaves who described abuses that included multiple rapes by different men as they were sold and traded. The problems faced by such women appear to be growing worse as military and economic pressure against the Islamic State increases, the report said. The longer they are held by ISIS, the more horrific life becomes for Yazidi women, bought and sold, brutally raped, their children torn from them, said Skye Wheeler, womens rights emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch. Meanwhile, ISISs restrictions on [non-enslaved] Sunni women cut them off from normal life and services almost entirely. Read more: A notorious Islamic State leader was killed in an airstrike, Pentagon says Under strain, Islamic State takes battle to the streets of Baghdad The war against the Islamic State hits hurdles just as the U.S. military gears up The events surrounding Amber Heard's divorce from Johnny Depp have escalated from complicated to startling in just a few days. What started as a typical divorce filing turned into shocking headlines when Heard alleged in court papers filed Friday that she was abused by her husband throughout their 15-month marriage. Here's everything you need to know about this serious turn of events: May 25: News of the divorce filing breaks On May 23, Heard files for divorce from Depp citing irreconcilable differences. In the divorce petition, Heard, 30, asks for spousal support from Depp, 52. Hours after Heard's filing (but before the world learns of it), Depp attends the Los Angeles premiere of his latest film, Alice Through the Looking Glass. "I never would've guessed he was going through a divorce, or anything like that," a source at the premiere told PEOPLE. Depp, one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors, asked the judge to deny Heard's demand for spousal support via a response filed May 25 by his attorney, Laura Wasser. News also emerges that Depp's mother, Betty Sue Palmer, died on May 20. May 26: Sources close to the couple speak out, details emerge about their rocky relationship A source close to Heard tells PEOPLE the actress "did what she had to do to take care of herself" after months of strife. Meanwhile Depp addresses the split via his rep. "Given the brevity of this marriage and the most recent and tragic loss of his mother, Johnny will not respond to any of the salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies about his personal life," his rep told PEOPLE in a statement. "Hopefully the dissolution of this short marriage will be resolved quickly." May 27: Heard alleges Depp abused her and goes to court to get a restraining order Heard unleashes a bombshell: She filed for, and is granted, a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Depp. Story continues Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's Divorce Explodes: Everything You Need to Know| Breakups, Crime & Courts, Amber Heard, Johnny Depp In her court filing, she alleged that Depp was verbally and physically abusive toward her throughout their four-year relationship and that he has a problem with substance abuse. She stated that the latest incident was on May 21, when she says Depp argued with her and hit her in the eye with a cell phone. She submitted as evidence photos of her apparently bruised face and damaged property from their apartment. "Johnny has a long-held and widely-acknowledged public and private history of drug and alcohol abuse," she said in her declaration. "He has a short fuse. He is often paranoid and his temper is extremely scary for me as it has proven many times to be physically dangerous and/or life-threatening to me." In court, Heard appeared to have a visible bruise on her right eye. A judge granted her a temporary restraining order requiring Depp to stay 100 yards from her and gave her sole use of their downtown L.A. apartment, but declined to order any temporary spousal support for her or require Depp to stay away from her dog, Pistol. Depp responds in court papers Depp's divorce attorney Wasser said Heard's domestic abuse claims are financially motivated. "Amber is attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse," the lawyer said in response to Heard's claim in the court documents. "Her current application for a temporary restraining order along with her financial requests appears to be in response to the negative media attention she received earlier this week after filing for divorce. Yet Johnny cannot protect himself or Amber from media scrutiny, and Amber's anger certainly cannot drive this dissolution proceeding." Police say they saw no evidence of a crime An LAPD spokesman contacted by PEOPLE said officers investigated the May 21 incident after a 911 call and saw "no evidence of any crime." Heard declined to file a report, and Depp had already left the apartment, according to police. A source close to Heard told PEOPLE she was too shaken to file a report at the time. The source also alleged that Depp knew about Heard's plans to file for the restraining order and offered her money not to do so. Depp continues band tour, makes a charity appearance in Portugal. The day Heard goes in court in L.A., Depp is in Portugal playing and making a charity appearance with his band Hollywood Vampires. Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's Divorce Explodes: Everything You Need to Know| Breakups, Crime & Courts, Amber Heard, Johnny Depp Hours before their Rock in Rio festival performance in Lisbon, Portugal, on Friday, Depp and his bandmates Alice Cooper, Robert Deleo and Bruce Wikin are photographed fitting and adjusting hearing aids to support the Starkey Hearing Foundation. A concertgoer tells PEOPLE Depp appeared to be "fine" during the band's performance. "Johnny was absolutely fine. He played a really good gig," Wendy Holland, who was at the show, tells PEOPLE. "It was like the events of the week hadn't played a part at all." Donald Trump is on a roll. Having more or less locked up the Republican nomination for president, he's showing few signs of slowing down or "pivoting" away from a series of ugly, bigoted statements he's made on the campaign trail, despite promises he would act more "presidential" in the general phase of the election. The slow-motion trainwreck has included jabs at women, black people, Latinos, the disabled and even prisoners of war. Here's 11 of the candidate's worst statements, which might explain for his sky-high unfavorable ratings among U.S. voters, particular women and minorities. 1. Calling Mexican immigrants "rapists" In June, while launching his campaign, Trump unloaded on Mexican immigrants, saying "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people." Later, he double down on the comment, asking CNN's Don Lemon "who's doing the raping? Somebody's doing the raping." Source: Mic/CNN According to the Washington Post, Trump's assertion is totally groundless: "The Congressional Research Service found that the vast majority of unauthorized immigrants do not fit in the category that fits Trump's description: aggravated felons, whose crimes include murder, drug trafficking or illegal trafficking of firearms." 2. Suggesting Megyn Kelly only criticized him because she was on her period Following a tense debate in August 2015, Trump took to CNN to suggest Fox News host Kelly was tough on him as a moderator because there was "blood coming out of her whatever," a clear reference to the female menstrual cycle. During the debate in question, Trump defended his long history of sexist remarks about women by saying he had criticized "only Rosie O'Donnell." 11 Horrible Things Donald Trump Has Said During his Presidential Campaign On Twitter, Trump also suggested Kelly was a "bimbo." "@timjcam: @megynkelly @FrankLuntz @realDonaldTrump Fox viewers give low marks to bimbo @MegynKelly will consider other programs!" 3. Trashing fellow presidential candidate Carly Fiorina's looks Source: Joe Raedle/Getty Images In September, Trump mocked Carly Fiorina by saying "Look at that face!" Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?" Story continues "I think Donald Trump is an entertainer," Fiorina responded. "And I think I am a leader." 4. Calling for a ban on all Muslim entry to the country In December, Trump exploited growing Islamophobia in the wake of a terror attack in Paris and a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, both perpetrated by Muslim extremists, by calling for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on." Just put out a very important policy statement on the extraordinary influx of hatred & danger coming into our country. We must be vigilant! On Twitter, the candidate said his proposal was a "very important policy statement" about the "extraordinary influx of hatred & danger coming into our country." In November, Trump also asserted cheering crowds of Muslims took to the streets of New Jersey to celebrate the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks a claim not grounded in reality. 5. Saying he doesn't respect Arizona Sen. John McCain's service record because McCain was a POW In July, Trump attacked McCain, who served in Vietnam as a pilot, was shot down and spent years in a Vietnamese prison camp, by saying "He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured. OK?" Donald Trump explains why he doesn't consider John McCain a war hero...pic.twitter.com/ZNCOP0Y5MQ Trump roundly earned the condemnation of other candidates, but the incident failed to slow his momentum. America's POWs deserve much better than to have their service questioned by the offensive rantings of Donald Trump 6. Saying he could murder someone in public and people would still vote for him Source: Mic/AP In an address at a campaign rally in January, the candidate posited "I have the most loyal people ... I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters, okay? It's incredible." In February, Trump told French magazine Valeurs Actuelles he always carries a firearm for personal protection. 7. "I'd like to punch him in the face." At a rally in Las Vegas in February, Trump responded to a protester at one of his events by telling the crowd, "I'd like to punch him in the face. He's smiling, having a good time." He added "in the old days," such disruptors would be "carried out on a stretcher." As noted in a harrowing video recently released by progressive publication Mother Jones, Trump has regularly advocated for predominantly black protesters to be treated with force, and beatings and assaults have become a fixture of his rallies. The Mother Jones ad compares Trump's rhetoric to police and racist citizens' suppression of Civil Rights protesters in the 1960s. 8. Mocking a disabled reporter In November 2015, Trump mocked disabled New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski, who has a chronic condition inhibiting his arm movement, by pantomiming his disability while saying "Now the poor guy, you ought to see the guy, 'Uh I don't know what I said. I don't remember." After the incident, Trump said he did not know Kovaleski and thus could not have been mocking his disability an assertion challenged by the reporter, who said he was on a "first-name basis for years" with the candidate. 9. Re-tweeting a neo-Nazi who said blacks are criminals Source: Twitter/Mic In November 2015, Trump retweeted a white supremacist who posted an infographic with completely fictional statistics about black people and violent crime. "@SeanSean252: @WayneDupreeShow @Rockprincess818 @CheriJacobus http://twitter.com/SeanSean252/status/668516391364890624/photo/1pic.twitter.com/5GUwhhtvyN " In a later appearance on the O'Reilly Factor, Trump justified himself, telling host Bill O'Reilly he was not "gonna check every statistic? I've got millions and millions of people" tweeting at him. 10. Bring back torture and bomb terror suspects' families Source: Ben Fox/AP In March, Trump advocated bringing back harsher forms of torture than waterboarding, saying it was necessary to deal with "these animals over in the Middle East that chop off heads." Earlier, in December, Trump said the U.S. should bomb the families of suspected terrorists to intimidate them into submission. Source: Mic/Getty Images "The crucial moral and ... legal requirement ... is to distinguish between combatants and civilians, and noncombatants and to attack only the combatants," Institute for Advanced Study researcher Michael Walzer told Mic, "To target the innocent is the worst crime of war." 11. Painting the entire religion of Islam as extremist "I think Islam hates us," Trump told a rally in March, branding the 1.6 billion followers of the Islamic faith as enemies of the U.S. "There's something there there's a tremendous hatred there. There's a tremendous hatred. We have to get to the bottom of it. There is an unbelievable hatred of us." This kind of demagoguery is alarming to the many peaceful Muslims living in the U.S. A recent poll by Morning Consult commissioned by the Council on American Islamic Relations found a full 30% of Muslims consider challenging stereotypes about Islam as their top priority in 2016. Rome (AFP) - A week of shipwrecks in the Mediterranean culminated Sunday with 700 migrants feared dead and survivors giving harrowing testimony of dozens of small children drowned. Survivors brought to safety in the Italian ports of Taranto and Pozzallo told the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) and Save the Children how their boat sank on Thursday morning after a high-seas drama which saw one woman decapitated. "We'll never know the exact number, we'll never know their identities," said the UNHCR's spokeswoman Carlotta Sami. But multiple witness reports suggested over 500 people had drowned in that shipwreck alone. With some 100 others missing after a boat sank Wednesday, and 45 bodies recovered from a wreck that happened Friday, the UNHCR said it feared up to 700 people had drowned in total this week. Giovanna Di Benedetto, Save the Children's Sicily spokeswoman, told AFP that survivors of Thursday's wreck said around 1,100 people had set out from Libya on Wednesday in two fishing boats and a dinghy, before running into trouble. "The first boat, carrying some 500 people, was reportedly towing the second, which was carrying another 500. But the second boat began to sink. Some people tried to swim to the first boat, others held onto the rope linking the vessels," she said. According to the survivors, the first boat's Sudanese captain cut the rope, which snapped back and decapitated a woman. The second boat quickly sank, taking those packed tightly into the hold down with it. The Sudanese captain was arrested on his arrival in Pozzallo along with three other suspected people traffickers. - Trapped and drowned - "We tried everything to stop the water, to bail it out of the boat," a Nigerian girl told cultural mediators, according to La Stampa daily. "We used our hands, plastic glasses. For two hours we fought against the water but it was useless. It began to flood the boat, and those below deck had no chance. Woman, men, children, many children, were trapped, and drowned," she said. Story continues Those who survived told mediators the dead included "around 40 children, including many newborns", La Repubblica daily said. "I saw my mother and 11-year old sister die," Kidane from Eritrea, 13, told the aid organisations. "There were bodies everywhere." A bout of good weather as summer arrives has kicked off a fresh stream of boats attempting to make the perilous crossing from Libya to Italy. Italian news agency Ansa said more than 15 boats had been setting off every day for the past five days. Italy's Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Europe needed "a quick agreement with Libya and African countries" to halt the crisis. The chaos in the Libya since the fall in 2011 of late dictator Moamer Kadhafi has been exploited by people traffickers. Migrants interviewed by La Repubblica in Sicily told the newspaper a new "head trafficker" called Osama had taken control of departures from Libya's beaches and was offering "cut-price" deals of 400 euros for the boat journey to lure in new customers. - 'Violence is growing' - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) doctor Paola Mazzoni warned that "the number of women arriving pregnant or with newborns appears to be on the rise, with many saying they have been raped in Libya". As newly arrived migrants docked in the port of Palermo, including a pregnant minor who said she had been raped, MSF mediator Ahmad Al Rousan said: "Violence is growing in Libya -- we see it in the marks left on these boys and girls." Many of the recent arrivals, largely Eritreans and Somalians, said they had balked at the idea of boarding the rickety vessels and dinghies once they saw them, but were forced on in Libya at gunpoint. European Parliament President Martin Schulz said in an interview with the Repubblica on Sunday that Italy's "migration compact" idea was "the best proposal so far" for stopping the boat crossings and preventing deaths. Italy wants to persuade African countries to help close migrant routes to Europe and take back some of those arriving via Libya in exchange for increased aid and investment. Germany has made it clear, however, that it is against one of the elements of Italy's plan: the issuing of EU-Africa bonds to finance it. Italian President Sergio Mattarella said Sunday that "actions of solidarity and reception coordinated across the world" were needed, as well as "credible policies on activating legal channels for migration and repatriation". Most Americans celebrate Memorial Day with a delicious barbecue. But here's something some are adding to their grill list: the Confederate flag. South Florida activist John Sims is leading an effort to turn Memorial Day into Confederate flag-burning day, reported Think Progress on Sunday. Sims previously organized 13 small flag-burning events across the 13 states of the Confederacy earlier this month, according to IBT, with the justification "the Confederate flag is the N-word on a pole." Now, he's providing downloadable "Burn and Bury" kits for people unwilling or unable to put forward the cash to purchase a real Confederate flag, with the intention of making the process as easy as possible, according to Think Progress. Sims uploaded a video remix of a burning Confederate flag, dubbed over with the words of an op-ed he wrote for the Huffington Post on the subject. Southern heritage groups like the Sons of Confederate Veterans "have failed to recognized the unredeemable nature of the Confederate flag as symbol of Southern heritage," Sims told Think Progress. "And to deny this flag's connection to American white supremacy and fear of the loss of white privilege is insane. I challenge the Sons of Confederate Veterans to come correct and acknowledge that the Confederate flag should be retired as an artifact. And after that they should help advocate for reparations for slavery." He added he hoped Burn and Bury Memorial Day would "ritualistically confront through reflection and catharsis, the pain and trauma of a very horrific part of American history." After a white supremacist named Dylann Storm Roof entered the historically African-American Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on July 17, 2015, murdering nine congregants and leaving behind a racist online manifesto, activists successfully had the Confederate flag pulled from the grounds of the South Carolina State House. While advocates for the flag often cite its historical value, the symbol is deeply part and parcel of the racist ideology of the Confederacy which created it and the slave economy of the antebellum South. One white variant of the flag, the second Confederate battle flag, the "Stainless Banner," was explicitly designed by its creator William Thompson as a "WHITE MAN'S FLAG" [sic] symbolizing the "heaven ordained supremacy of the white man over the inferior or colored race." At the Collision conference in New Orleans last month, I heard a marketing executive defend the practice of tracking consumers across their mobile devices. But then he offered some unexpected consumer advocacy. Adam Berke, president of the advertising firm AdRoll, had spent the previous 15 minutes endorsing cross-device tracking as a logical response to the way we often start researching a purchase on a phone before completing it on a laptop or desktop. Then he had some different advice for advertisers: Balance privacy with personalization, and protect the users right not to be surprised. That right is hard to define What would such a right amount to in practice? We already have a web in which ad networks can use cookies tiny tags in ads that your browser downloads to track our visits across sites. And those advertisers can then correlate that data with other identifiers, such as a phones electronic ID and your record of clicking on ads, to form a rich picture of your interests. I followed up with Berke, who talked to me on the phone out of his San Francisco office to expound on the idea. You obviously want to do the right thing for both moral reasons and for business reasons, Berke began. In other words: Agencies dont want to produce ads that are so shocking or creepy that they drive consumers to buy competing products. Its something that weve talked about internally for a while, he added. But have those discussions provided an exact definition of the right not to be surprised? Not so much. Berke suggested part of that right involved retaining empathy for the average person not yourself as a marketing technology person, but what the average person would understand about online advertising. A privacy expert with a background in advertising couldnt pin down the concept, either. Dont Surprise People with what you are doing with their data has long been an informal guidance in the world of privacy, along with 'Dont be Creepy,' said Jules Polonetsky, CEO of the Future of Privacy Forum. Back in my AOL and DoubleClick days, we would often turn down a proposed ad campaign, telling the business people that consumers would be surprised, or worse, creeped out! Story continues But, he continued in an e-mail, the squicks-us-out line shifts. There was a time when ad networks didnt retarget users in a way that made people feel they were being followed, he said. Retargeting is the fine art of showing you ads at third-party sites for a product youd checked out at a different site see also, why looking at one refrigerator at Amazon ensures that every other ad you see elsewhere includes a pitch for somebodys fridge. Its a core part of AdRolls services. Berke obviously doesnt think thats wrong. When I pressed him for what would go too far, he suggested that figuring out somebodys email address from their browsing pattern and then e-mailing them an offer would cross his own line. Well, a Paris company called Criteo (CRTO) does something much like that, cross-referencing e-mail databases provided by clients to allow a shopping site to e-mail a visitor otherwise unknown to the retailer. That and other products have proven sufficiently popular with advertisers that the stock market now values the firm at $2.72 billion. We dont want to be bored, either I have yet to get that sort of upsetting experience myself. My recurring complaint with ads involves not surprise but boredom: Why do I keep seeing ones Ive seen before, and which didnt interest me the first time? Without fail, I will finish reading a story which should make me one of a sites best readers and get treated to the same grid of ads for stories around the web. Most of them point to vapid celebrity content that a proper marketing database would reveal I have no interest in. And yet I have written and continue to write for many sites that run those remnant ads, automatically inserted by algorithms to fill spaces that the publishers own ad salespeople couldnt fill. Before you all say ad blockers, I dont think theyre an answer either. They punish non-obnoxious ads, too. If they take off theyll only speed a migration to news apps that will only increase the leverage of Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOG) over publishers. (I will use Safaris Reader Mode to punish obnoxious sites by displaying only the text and images of a story.) We may not like advertising, but it has to work at some level if were going to continue to get stuff to read for free. I got a fresh reminder of that earlier this month when I learned of the impending closure of the The Toast an artsy, essay-driven site that I saw founder Mallory Ortberg describe as modest, achievable success before an approving audience at the XOXO conference last September. That hit home for me, since I write for ad-supported sites and also approvingly cited Ortbergs testimony in my report from that indie-creativity gathering. There has to be some way in which we wind up with fewer but more valuable ads that can still support not just mainstream sites but quirkier fare. For that to happen, ads just need to neither bore me nor shock me ... and I really dont know how well get there. Email Rob at rob@robpegoraro.com; follow him on Twitter at @robpegoraro. > Read more: > Why you should care that Google dodged Oracle's $9 billion bullet > Cable operators are trying to fix the single biggest problem with their apps > Google just revealed it's 'bringing the Play Store to Chromebooks' Those seeking to understand why millions of Americans support Donald Trumps anti-government positions need look no further than the power exercised by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. New York has been one of the slowest growing states for decades and Schneiderman apparently wants to keep it that way. On Tuesday, Schneiderman announced that he is suing Dominos Pizza because he believes that 10 Dominos franchise pizza stores in New York underpaid their workers. He alleges that the national company Dominos is the joint employer of the workers employed by the franchises, and so they are responsible for the underpayment. The suit is brought not against the restaurants that supposedly committed the offenses, but against the deep-pocket parent company, Dominos. Businesses like Dominos will be reluctant to invest in New York with the likes of Schneiderman abusing governmental power. Voters worried about the governmental abuse similar to that from Schneiderman are lining up to vote for candidates like Mr. Trump. Related: The Crushing Cost of Regulation: $4 Trillion Since 1980 The franchises supposedly paid lower than minimum wages; did not pay the required overtime; abused the tip credit; and didnt reimburse employees for the use of their cars and bicycles while delivering the pizza. The Attorney Generals press release claims that the parent company Dominos knew that the payroll reports generated by the companys computer system were flawed, leading to underpayment. Furthermore, according to the suit, the company played a role in the hiring, firing, and discipline of workers; pushed an anti-union position on franchisees; and closely monitored employee job performance through onsite and electronic reviews. Maybe. But blaming the parent company, rather than the franchise, is an attempt to destroy American franchised business. New York State law holds that a company is a joint employer of a franchise business if it either has control, or has authority to control, employees of a franchise in a variety of ways. Since the nature of a franchisor is that it sets certain standards, including dress of employees and the look of the store, practically all franchised businesses will be potential targets of Schneiderman. Story continues This suit is the logical extension of the National Labor Relations Board decision released in August in which the Board expanded the concept of joint employers. Now, its far easier for employees of franchised business to be classified as employees of the parent company. Related: Tale of the Red Tape: $22 Billion in Savings from Cutting Ridiculous Regulations The NLRBs suit against McDonalds USA opened in New York City in March. In that lawsuit, workers at 86 restaurants complained that they were unfairly disciplined in retaliation for communicating with unions, including facing threats, fewer work hours, and job loss. Although the charges could have been settled with the franchises for under $100,000, the NLRB chose to sue the parent company, a suit that is costing millions of dollars. Under prior NLRB precedent, if a firm did not exercise authority over the employees of its subcontractors then it was not counted as an employer. Now the NLRB is saying that if a firm just possesses the authority to control its subcontractors employeeseven if it does not use this authoritythen it is a joint employer. This is similar to New York law. Millions of franchises such as Jiffy Lube, Dunkin Donuts, or H&R Block are at risk of being told that they are joint employers with parent companies. What Schneiderman and the Board fail to note is that franchises are the most efficient way of providing some services. Franchises make it easier for people to start their own businesses, and independent contractors can move from one employer to another at will, or work for multiple employers at one time. The franchise model has dramatically expanded the number of small businesses in America. Related: Obamas Avalanche of New Regulations Can Cripple American Business The NLRB is attacking McDonalds; Schneiderman is attacking Dominos. In addition, with its $15 minimum wage, New York is already disadvantaging its fast food operations. When big government is on the prowl, the loser ultimately is not business. The biggest losers are workers who will have fewer jobs and consumers who will have fewer inexpensive eating options. Americans are not stupid. They see their neighbors and their own families struggling to make ends meetyet government bureaucrats in Washington and Albany and state capitals across America have nothing better to do than try to put American pizza and burger restaurants out of business. Ordinary Americans understand that the Schneidermans and the NLRB are trying to hurt them, not help them. Many of these ordinary Americans have had enough of big government bureaucrats and are voting for Donald Trump. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: By Alana Wise WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a move to bolster support among veterans, Republican Donald Trump joined a leather-jacket-wearing, motorcycle-riding crowd in Washington on Sunday to honor fighters who served in foreign wars and advocate for those still missing in action. Riders from across the country converged on the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial for the annual "Rolling Thunder" rally and to listen to the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, who hopes to be commander in chief next year. "We're going to rebuild our military and we're going to take care of our veterans," Trump told the crowd of thousands, many of whom wore leather vests, veterans' hats and biker insignia. Trump, the billionaire businessman who has promised to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico if he becomes president, said illegal immigrants in many cases got better care in the United States than military veterans. "We're not going to allow that to happen any longer," he said. Trump, 69, who did not serve in the military, upset veterans last year when he said Senator John McCain of Arizona was not a war hero. McCain, a Navy fighter pilot who went on to become the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, was imprisoned and tortured after being shot down during the Vietnam War. Trump made no mention of McCain during his remarks on Sunday, and the crowd cheered him enthusiastically, with some waving signs including "Bikers for Trump" and "Make America Great Again." Supporters cheered when Trump mentioned veterans and booed at the mention of Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. "I don't know if he can fix (veterans' issues), but he's the only one I think will try," said Leonard Westberry, 68, of Richmond, Virginia, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam in 1967. Westberry said he planned to support Trump in the Nov. 8 election. "It's awesome that Trump is here. ... That's a good thing," said Ralph Giannola, 65, who said he had not decided whether to support Trump in November. "I just don't want to see any rioting. I mean, protests are OK. I don't want to see anybody get hurt," he said. There were no protest interruptions during Trump's nearly 20-minute address on Sunday, a rarity for similar events. "I know one thing, you're going to all behave yourselves, right?" Trump said to positive affirmations from the crowd. "And I know another thing - there won't be any paid agitators in this group," he added to cheers. (Writing by Jeff Mason; Editing by Peter Cooney) This story originally appeared on money.com The bad news is that even if you follow the rules and get to the airport two hours ahead of time, theres a chance you could get hung up at TSA security checkpoints and miss your flight. The good news is that the airlines know the security waits are extra horrible nowadays, and they are trying to accommodate these passengers and help them catch their flights. Even so, you shouldnt leisurely stroll to your gate or stop for a bottle of water if youre racing the clock after you clear security. Heres what travelers are in for this summer. y and large, major domestic carriers say theyre not charging passengers to rebook if long lines make them miss their original departure. Were going to work to accommodate them on the next available flight, an American Airlines spokesman said. United also confirmed that it wouldnt penalize customers in this situation. Related: TSA Gridlock Will Cost $4.3 Billion If a customer misses a flight due to long TSA wait times, our employees will work to re-accommodate the customer on the next available flight at no additional charge, a Southwest Airlines spokeswoman said. Our employees evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis, a Delta spokeswoman said. A JetBlue spokeswoman didnt address the airlines policy if travelers miss flights, but said (as others did) that it was giving passengers a heads-up for when they need to give themselves two hours at the airport because of TSA screening backups. Related: 8 Ways to Save Money on Gas This Summer Airlines also went out of their way to emphasize that theyre trying to find workarounds to these extremely long wait times. Theyve sent top executives to Washington, D.C., to push Congress to find a legislative solution to the crisis. Even though they cant screen customers themselves, at the airports where delays are the worst, carriers are adding extra staff to help out the TSA with non-screening jobs like directing people where to go. Several airlines also said having more employees by the security lanes lets them help passengers who are at risk of missing flights. So if youre watching the clock tick forward while your line hasnt budged and you see someone who works for your airline, ask for help. Airlines tend to get more knocks than kudos for their customer service, but this might be a rare time where both the carriers and their customers are equally frustrated. That said, even though theyre on your side here, there are two reasons why its still a good idea to race to your gate if the digital departure displays indicate your plane hasnt taken off yet. Related: 10 Things That Will Be Cheaper During the Summer of 2016 First of all, the situation has reached the point where airlines are holding flights for as long as they can if theyre waiting on a large number of passengers to clear the TSA bottleneck. Even if its past the scheduled boarding and departure time, give it a shot, especially if you know from your time in line that there were lots of your fellow passengers also held up. The other thing to remember is that while airlines say theyll accommodate passengers on the next available flight, thats not always a guarantee that youll get on the next plane heading to your destination. Many flights, especially to popular destinations, are already completely full, making it especially tricky for travelers going on vacation with a big family group. Theres an Arabic term for those who illegally take off for new frontiers: harraga. Specifically, its for anyone who burns their national ID card as they flee. Its not as though theyre escaping machete-wielding terrorists, like fellow migrants from Syria; in fact, their North African country is considered an island of calm compared to neighboring Libya and Mali. But in Algeria, simmering tensions are beginning to boil risking even more instability in Europes backyard. Growing disillusionment with economic hardships, the brutal intelligence and security service and frustrations with the powerful, opaque bunch surrounding ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika have all led Algeria to recently adopt reforms. This ushered in things like a two-term limit for the presidency Bouteflikas on his fourth and offered more civil liberties, while also knocking the once all-powerful intelligence branch off its pedestal. Looks great! On paper. But its really nothing but smoke and mirrors, says Dalia Ghanem-Yazbeck, a Carnegie Middle East Center research analyst. Nothings really changed politically, and economically, things are growing worse, which experts believe will lead to civil unrest and interventions that are likely to produce a pattern of repression worse than what led to the Black Decade of the 90s, Ghanem-Yazbeck says. The 40-million-strong country is quickly sliding down oils slippery slope. Le pouvoir the empowered, unelected elite pulling the strings beside Bouteflika has long used oil-lined government coffers to keep Algeria politically afloat. When Arab Spring-like protests threatened to unhinge the masses, leaders damped down the various interest groups by paying them off. They flooded the country with money, salary increases, subsidies and jobs, says Michael Willis, a professor of Moroccan and Mediterranean studies at Oxford University. But those coffers are set to run dry between 18 months and four years from now estimates vary unless oil prices shoot back up, which just isnt likely. More hardship breeds disgruntlement, making protests and instability more likely, and putting an already fragile region at Europes back door in danger. Relying on hydrocarbons for 60 percent of government revenues and 30 percent of its GDP in recent years, according to the International Monetary Fund, means the 40-million-strong country is quickly sliding down oils slippery slope. Growth fell to 2.9 percent last year, compared to 3.8 percent the year before, according to the World Bank, prompting a 2016 budget calling for a 9 percent cut in government expenditures all this in a country where the IMF says 40 percent of employment is footed by the public sector. With commodity prices sinking, the obvious choice is to branch out beyond reliance on oil and natural gas. But the country has done little to make this happen, says Chris Solomon, a senior political analyst for Global Risk Insights. Theres been some movement to break more into tourism, but thats been stop-and-go, he says, pointing to recent terror attacks on gas and oil refineries. The government is trying to push for other forms of industry and job creation, Willis notes, but there isnt a huge amount of movement. He fears that the plan is to muddle through. Solomon agrees that Algiers looks set to ride it out until oil prices go back up again, an unlikely prospect anytime soon, he adds. Meanwhile, the stroke-stricken Bouteflika remains, and constitutionally can independently issue decrees, Willis says, noting that two-term limits have been tossed out before and could be set aside again. Those around Bouteflika have been working to break up the once powerful intelligence services into three departments, the purpose of which is twofold: To the public, it signals a gentler image. More nefariously, its shoring up the Bouteflika clans power to wield control over his succession, Solomon explains. Gettyimages 556222691 Aerial view of rooftops in the Kasbah of Algiers Source: Mariusz Kluzniak/Getty Talk of successors is pointless given the opacity of decision-making, but the presidents brother, Said Bouteflika, is seen as the puppet master, and may either maneuver his way into the top spot or ensure he has a say over who takes the helm. And as for that gentler image, mysterious hothead General Athmane Tartag aka the Butcher, known for infamously brutal crackdowns on Islamists in the 90s has been put in charge of intelligence. So the real message for regional terrorists or frustrated domestic masses itching to demonstrate, says Solomon: Were reforming, but dont mess with us. Yet demonstrating is exactly what many experts expect the masses will do, and soon. As Algerians begin to be weaned off government subsidies and cheap business loans, social unrest is likely, Ghanem-Yazbeck says. Waiting in the wings to beat back the protests is a 200,000-strong police force and an Algerian army thats better trained and equipped than ever before, she adds. Willis agrees, and warns that because theres no single party or grouping at which to politically direct frustrations, were likely to see widespread violence. Some disagree, saying Algerians cant stomach more mayhem so soon after the 1990s civil war that claimed tens of thousands of lives. Theres no appetite to go back to the organized stuff of the 90s, because people feel that didnt go anywhere, Willis notes. But instead of a big political agenda, people are more likely to come out and protest in a more anarchic direction, he adds. This, the experts believe, is likely to draw repressive tactics by authorities. Also, with each passing year, the memory of the civil war is fading, Ghanem-Yazbeck says. These youths are unlikely to stop burning their domestic bridges unless Algeria offers them opportunities for economic and social mobility, not to mention a younger set of leaders to inspire them. A generational renewal is needed, Ghanem-Yazbeck warns, if we want to avoid instability which is looking decidedly unlikely in a region already plagued by terrorism and civil strife. Paris (AFP) - A 27-year-old American man has been charged in connection with the torching of a police car while two officers were inside during a protest in Paris last week, prosecutors said Sunday. Four other men, who were members of an anti-fascist group, have been charged with attempted murder over the incident on May 18, which was caught on camera and widely shared on social media. The American has been charged with attempted voluntary manslaughter of a person holding public office, as well as destruction of property, group violence and participating in a masked armed group. Prosecutors said he was unemployed and staying with friends, having arrived only recently in France. He is suspected of taking part in the attack by throwing a metal street bollard at the car's windshield. The footage shows a small group of masked protesters hammering the car with iron bars, smashing its windows before hurling in an explosive device that quickly fills the car with smoke and engulfs it in flames. The policeman and policewoman inside were able to escape unharmed. The incident happened on the sidelines of a rare demonstration by French police against "anti-cop hatred". The American was arrested on Thursday during another protest -- this time against controversial labour reforms that have prompted a wave of strikes and demonstrations in France. Violence has marred a number of French protests in recent weeks, with much of the unrest blamed on small groups of troublemakers who appear bent on targeting the security services. Some 350 members of the security forces have been injured during labour protests over the past two months. The American suspect has maintained his right to remain silent in custody, acknowledging only that he was present during the demonstration on May 18 while denying any involvement in the violence. Three of the four other suspects have been released on bail. The youngest, aged 18, remains in detention. Christine Boyles store, Queen Design Lao, offers rings, necklaces and pendants to shoppers along Luang Prabangs quaint peninsula. Most of the trinkets resemble normal jewelry, but the miniature cluster bombs on some chains in the friendly Aussies shop are less subtle. Known as peace jewelry, the necklaces sport metal harvested from unexploded bombs, a reminder of how nearly a half-century ago, Laos became the most-bombed country in history during a secret war that lasted more than a decade. The American public was kept in the dark as the U.S. Air Force and CIA fought in Vietnams neighbor, where reverberations are still felt today in the quiet countryside. This September, Barack Obama will become the first U.S. president to visit Laos, now that America has started to commit more money to cleaning up the bombs that make large swaths of the 7-million-strong landlocked country dangerous to tread. You didnt have to be in Laos for very long to know what was going on. Martin Stuart-Fox, former UPI correspondent Several decades ago, another young president took office with Laos on his mind. The day before John F. Kennedys 1961 inauguration, the outgoing president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, urged him to focus on Laos as a way to stop communisms spread, telling him Laos [was] the key to the entire area of Southeast Asia. The U.S. backed the weak Royal Lao Government, which was battling the communist Pathet Lao. The Americans briefly left after Laos was officially declared neutral by the 1962 Geneva Agreement, which ordered all foreign forces to leave. But as the Vietnam War escalated, Laos became a crucial battleground and its supposed neutrality was ignored by the North Vietnamese and the Americans. The former used Laos and Cambodia to move supplies along the Ho Chi Minh Trail as they worked to prevent the U.S. from gaining a strategic foothold in the Plain of Jars area bordering North Vietnam. Skirmish successes went back and forth, with the CIA-backed local troops mostly ethnic Hmong people from the mountains under the leadership of the charismatic Vang Pao trading territory with the Pathet Lao. The Hmong were effective at guerrilla warfare but less skilled when it came to conventional battles, where they suffered heavy casualties. Story continues Gettyimages 167501110 Bomb scrap, shrapnel and cluster bombs sit in a pile next to a new home. Source: Jerry Redfern / Getty By 1969, as the North Vietnamese started to increase their ground forces, the U.S. had intensified its bombing campaign but denied doing so because it remained illegal. Its extraordinary, really, that official denial went on for as long as it did, says Martin Stuart-Fox, author of A History of Laos and a United Press International correspondent in the capital city of Vientiane during the early years of the war. Because the secret war wasnt really secret, you didnt have to be in Laos for very long to know what was going on. While the press reported on the fighting, President Richard Nixon did not formally acknowledge the presence of U.S. forces until 1970. The scale was staggering. According to the Lao governments bomb-cleaning organizers, American planes flew 580,000 bombing missions over Laos, dropping 2 million tons of explosives more than the Allies dropped on Germany and Japan combined during World War II. Stuart-Fox says the overall casualty numbers are still impossible to verify, but were high on both sides. Irregulars from neighboring Thailand and even Hmong children were pulled into the fight. The American-backed forces had some success in the biggest paramilitary operation in CIA history. Notably, at the Battle for Skyline Ridge in 1972, American-backed fighters defeated a much larger Communist force. Historian William Leary wrote that the CIA deserved its accolades for fighting a far bigger army to a standstill for more than a decade. As in Vietnam, however, victory on the battlefield did not mean much in the end, he noted. It merely delayed the final outcome of the war. Starting with a 1973 cease-fire agreement, America started to withdraw and the Pathet Lao overran the American sympathizers. Vientiane fell in December 1975, a few months after Saigon, and the one-party Communist government remains in power to this day. Many Hmong were purged; some managed to resettle in the U.S., but many who didnt fight alongside the Americans remain in Laos. In recent years, amid improving relations between the old foes, the U.S. has increased aid to Laos to help remove the remains of the bombs it dropped. Improved education and clearance measures have slowed the pace, but dozens of people continue to be killed or wounded each year. And in heavily bombed areas, the abundant scrap metal is often used for household purposes or fashioned into jewelry visible reminders of a little-known conflict. Nick Tropeano has improved steadily this month and hopes to keep climbing against the team that parted ways with him prior to last season. The right-hander seeks his third straight win to lift the Los Angeles Angels to a series victory over the visiting Houston Astros on Sunday. Los Angeles (22-27) won Friday's opener 7-2 before Houston (21-29) evened the set with Saturday's 4-2 victory. Dallas Keuchel pitched seven strong innings to snap a personal five-game skid and Jason Castro hit a go-ahead two-run homer as the Astros snapped a three-game losing streak to the Angels. The Astros will try for their fifth victory in six games against a pitcher that made his MLB debut with them two seasons ago. Tropeano (3-2, 2.86 ERA) made his first four big-league starts with Houston in 2014 but was traded to Los Angeles that November. After some success with the Angels following his call-up last September, the 25-year-old is starting to fit into their rotation nicely. He's given up fewer runs with every start this month and allowed just one run in 13 2/3 innings over the last two, earning his first victories since his April 11 opener. ''I think in my past, I was trying to be too fine with my pitches," Tropeano said. "Trying to throw that perfect pitch instead of a quality pitch down in the zone early in the count.'' Tropeano held Texas to four hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings in Monday's 2-0 win, striking out six. He has held opponents to two runs or fewer in seven of his nine starts. ''That's a great effort by Nick (Monday),'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ''He has good stuff, and his stuff was consistent.'' He faced his former team Sept. 23, taking a no-decision in a 6-5 Angels win. He gave up four hits and two unearned runs in 4 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out five. Houston will send out Doug Fister (4-3, 4.12), who fell one out short of his seventh consecutive quality start Tuesday. He held Baltimore to three hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings of a 3-2, 13-inning win. Story continues That victory opened a three-game winning streak for the Astros before they split the opening two games of this series. In his last five starts, all Houston wins, Fister is 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA. He has a 2.86 ERA in nine career starts against the Angels, though the last was in 2013. Mike Trout is 4 for 10 with a double against Fister, and Albert Pujols' lone hit in eight at-bats was a home run. Both Trout and Pujols went deep Saturday, but the Angels had only one other hit. George Springer matched them with three hits and is batting .450 in five games since being moved into Houston's leadoff spot. "5 REIT Plays That Are Worth a Look" by Sandra Ward points out that, come September, real estate will be its own sector in the S&P 500 equity index. Will more REITs go public after they are no longer considered financials? The five REIT picks from two advisors featured here include AvalonBay Communities Inc (NYSE: AVB) and Public Storage (NYSE: PSA). In "Brown-Forman: Whiskey Maker Looks Too Pricey," Jack Hough suggests that at 27 times earnings, Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE: BF-B), the distiller of Jack Daniel's, is expensive, even for a maker of premium booze. Soaring demand for flavored bourbon may have boosted the company's valuation, but growth in the crowded field is slowing. Robin Goldwyn Blumenthal's "ConAgra Could Rise 30%" examines how Sean Connolly, the new CEO of ConAgra Foods Inc (NYSE: CAG), plans to slim down the prepackaged food giant, boosting its margins, sales and profitability. Could Connolly be dressing up ConAgra to sell it? Find out why Barron's thinks its shares could rise 30 percent. Related Link: Mizuho's Take On Retail REITs Following ICSC Convention The shares of commercial real-estate giant Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (NYSE: JLL) look like a bargain, suggests "The Case for Buying Jones Lang LaSalle" by David Englander. Although the stock has been hammered since hitting highs last August, Barron's sees the selloff as an overreaction, as well as an opportunity. The company's CEO recently took the opportunity to buy more shares. In Gene Epstein's cover story, "5 Reasons the Stock Market Won't Crash Yet," see why Barron's thinks the stock market is unlikely to crater any time soon. Even though the bull market now is more than seven years old, stocks still have room to run. There is no need for investors to flee to safety, no need to worry about an imminent crash, says the article. Also In This Week's Barron's: Why the Federal Reserve Chair has changed her tune on interest rate hikes Whether a new chief executive means the stock will rise A list of 15 stocks with big, safe dividend yields The price of optimism about Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) Whether Deckers Outdoor Corp (NYSE: DECK) investors should take the money and run An exchange-traded fund (ETF) built to time the market What may re-energize Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) Story continues Disclosure: At the time of this writing, the author had no position in the mentioned equities. Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following Benzinga on Twitter. See more from Benzinga 2016 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Frankfurt (AFP) - Bayer's chief executive said in an interview published Sunday he is ready to meet environmental groups to address concerns about his group's plans to take over US agrochemicals giant Monsanto. In an interview with the Sunday newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, Werner Baumann also hinted that the Monsanto brand could disappear once the business is integrated into Bayer. Bayer, a household name thanks to its painkiller Aspirin, said this week that it is offering $122 per share in cash for Monsanto -- $62 billion (55 billion euros) in total. If successful, it would be the biggest foreign takeover by a German company and would create a new world leader in seeds, pesticides and genetically modified (GM) crops. Monsanto has dismissed the offer as too low, but said it was willing to enter into further merger talks. Environmental campaigners fear that the combined group's dominant market position in the seeds and pesticides markets could lead to higher prices, limit consumer choice and open the door to Monsanto's genetically modified crops being marketed in Europe. Baumann has sought to limit opposition to any takeover bid by inviting campaigners to talk to Bayer's management. "As much as I talk to our investors to convince them of the plans, the offer also stands for environmental groups and other non-governmental organisations," Baumann said. "Let's talk about the matter and its prospects." Bayer would continue to uphold its strict ethical standards if it succeeded in acquiring Monsanto, Baumann said. "Our way of doing business may differ from the way Monsanto does. I can assure you that we would conduct these businesses based on the same standards as our other operations," he said. Asked whether Bayer would retain the Monsanto brand Baumann said: "We'll decide that when the time comes. Suffice to say that Bayer enjoys an excellent reputation and appeal worldwide. We must take advantage of that." Story continues Bayer's shares have plummeted since it announced its takeover plans as investor concern has grown that the price it is offering is too high. Baumann insisted that Bayer needed to make a "very attractive offer which values Monsanto fully". Asked whether Bayer might have to sell off other assets to finance the deal, the chief executive said: "No. Our finances are solid. We'll finance the deal solely through a mixture of loans and own funds." Berlin (AFP) - Real Madrid have held talks with Poland's star striker Robert Lewandowski, his agent has confirmed, while Bayern Munich insist they will pay whatever it takes to keep him. "Real Madrid approached us a few weeks ago, we have listened to everything and informed Bayern that we have held talks," Lewandowski's agent Cezary Kucharski told the latest edition of German Magazine Der Spiegel. According to reports in the German media, Real is prepared to pay the Poland striker 25 million euros ($27.78m) per season. Lewandowski finished as the Bundesliga's top scorer, when he became the first foreigner to score 30 league goals plus nine in the Champions League, in a tally of 42 in all competitions. It was the first time a player has scored 30 goals in a single German league season in nearly 40 years. The 27-year-old has been on Real's radar since he scored four goals against the Spanish giants in the 2013 Champions League semi-final for previous club Borussia Dortmund. The Poland hot-shot has a contract in Munich until 2019, but has made it clear he is weighing up his options at German champions Bayern, who he joined in 2014 on a free transfer from Dortmund The Champions League, or European Cup, which Real won for the 11th time in Saturday's final, is the only domestic title to have eluded Lewandowski at Dortmund and Bayern. "I've been in Germany for six years, have won everything here. Sometimes you have to consider whether it makes sense to try something new," said Lewandowski recently. But Bayern's chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said the Bavarian giants have 'no pain barrier' when it comes to what they will pay to keep their hot-shot in Munich. "One thing I know for sure: Robert Lewandowski will play in the upcoming season at Bayern Munich. There is no need to think anything else," Rummenigge is quoted in Monday's edition of magazine Kicker. "The decision has been made: we won't let Robert Lewandowski go, regardless of what offer lands on the table. "There is no pain-barrier (to what Bayern will pay) when it comes to Robert." Lewandowski has so far avoided joining Bayern stars Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba and Javier Martinez who have all extended their Munich contracts until 2021. Rovinj, Croatia Dubrovnik gets lots of love, but were smitten with the lesser-known city of Rovinj to the north. The terracotta rooftops, church steeples, and winding cobblestoned streets of the medieval old city are set on a peninsula jutting into the Adriatic Sea, which provides the focus for the many alfresco cafes lining the waterfront. Shop for wild asparagus, truffles, and just-off-the-boat seafood at the St. Euphemia farmers market, held daily, then take your picnic to Golden Cape Forest, a short bike ride or walk from the old town. The striking Hotel Lone overlooks the edge of the forest and offers chic, design-conscious rooms with private infinity pools on each balcony. Dine at the top of the hill, near the cathedral, at Monte, where molecular cuisine meets farm-to-table fine dining. By Tim Hepher and Alwyn Scott PARIS/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Boeing is considering a plan to put a larger engine on its biggest narrowbody airliner in an effort to blunt the runaway success of a rival Airbus jet that outsells it by four to one, industry sources said. The U.S. planemaker would substitute a modified version of the larger and more powerful LEAP-1A engine used on Airbus's A321neo rather than the LEAP-1B used on the 737 MAX 9, they said. That would enable Boeing to add range while lengthening the 178-seat jet to fit 12 or more extra passengers and gain a capacity advantage over the 185-seat A321neo, the sources said. Boeing disputes its rival's claims about the strength of demand in this particular section of the market where Airbus has the most advantage. But leapfrogging Airbus's A321neo offering with more seats would hedge Boeing's position as many airlines opt for bigger planes. However, the new plane, nicknamed 737 MAX 10 by some in the industry, would bring significant headaches. Adding the larger engine would mean raising and possibly repositioning the landing gear and recertifying parts, costing an estimated $1-2 billion, according to industry experts. Boeing's 737 MAX family uses the smaller LEAP engine because the plane's fuselage sits lower to the ground and must therefore have a smaller engine fan. Having a different engine on the largest 737 could weaken the advantage of commonality with the smaller LEAP engine used on the rest of the 737 MAX fleet, but reflects a growing pragmatism in the face of lost sales. "It doesn't matter if they are not consistent," said Adam Pilarski, senior vice president at U.S. consultancy Avitas. "They are getting killed." The maker of the LEAP engines, CFM, which is co-owned by General Electric and France's Safran, declined to comment. A GE spokesman said there was no contractual impediment to using a larger engine for Boeing planes. "The LEAP engine was designed to have growth capability," he said. Story continues BRUTAL COMPETITION Recent orders by Vietnam start-up airline VietJet illustrate the Airbus-Boeing fight for narrowbody sales. At last November's Dubai Airshow, Airbus celebrated the sale of 30 A321s to VietJet, while Boeing officials watched from the sidelines. But last week Boeing pulled off what industry observers saw as a coup by signing an $11 billion order for 100 737 MAXs with the same airline in the presence of President Barack Obama. Boeing's plans to boost the size of the largest MAX are one option being considered to defend its 737 franchise as it also tries to carve out a space in the middle of the market between the workhorse narrowbody 737 and big wide-body jets like the 787 Dreamliner. Stung by Airbus's gains in orders, Boeing is pondering a mixed bag of tactical and strategic moves that, if fully made, could give it a head start in the development of the next generation of jets for production from about 2030. Narrowbody medium-haul jets like the 737 and A320 family dominate the market by volume, with Airbus forecasting 22,900 deliveries worth $2.2 trillion over the next 20 years. While both have sold thousands of the jets to airlines eager to cut fuel costs, Boeing's share of the market for such jets has fallen to 40 percent compared with a usual 50-50 split. Market sources say Boeing has shown increasing willingness to compete aggressively for Airbus customers in order to claw back market share, as was evident in the VietJet deal. "We expect to see lower pricing from Boeing on the MAX," Stuart Hatcher of valuation firm IBA told a briefing. Boeing's tactical tinkering with the 737 also includes tweaking a smaller model to suit two key buyers. And the company's aim extends to a strategic 'middle of the market' jet, partly to replace its popular 757. Industry sources say that project involves not one jet but two. They would have twin aisles and carry 220 and 260 people respectively, equating to what analysts see as two distinct slices of potential demand. The smaller base model would have a range of about 4,500 nautical miles, dropping to about 3,500 for the larger variant. Airbus has dismissed the idea, which would partially overlap with its A321neo. It argues that the history of the market is littered with small twin-aisle jets that sold poorly, including its own A310. But it is holding in reserve a plan to retaliate with another A321 makeover, using new wings to boost performance. Boeing declined comment on either tactical plans to defend the 737 or the longer-term mid-market studies. At $15 billion or more, it has said the latter is a difficult business case. "We're in continuous discussions with our customers about the market. We'll make the right decisions at the right time," a spokesman said. While Boeing's mid-market study is grabbing most industry attention, behind it lies a longer-term bid to turn the tables on Airbus in the broader market for smaller jets where both make most cash, according to industry analysts. Although differing in size and appearance, a mid-market jet would spawn new technology and production methods that could be transferred to whatever comes after the 737, they said. (Editing by Greg Mahlich) Miami (AFP) - Tropical Storm Bonnie -- downgraded Sunday to a tropical depression -- made landfall in the southern state of South Carolina, putting a damper on holiday weekend plans for millions of Americans. At 11 am (1500 GMT), Bonnie was about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Charleston, South Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles (55 kilometers) per hour, according to the latest bulletin from the Miami-based National Hurricane Center. Bonnie was expected to weaken further as it moves inland, but heavy rains were expected in areas it passes over. The storm hit land in the middle of the three-day Memorial Day weekend. The public holiday observed on Monday commemorates fallen service members. The holiday -- considered the unofficial start of summer -- finds many Americans heading to parks and beaches for barbecues, picnics and parades in towns and cities across the nation. On Friday, US weather forecasters issued their prediction for the Atlantic hurricane season that begins June 1 and runs through November 30, saying it would be "near normal," although with more storms than in recent years. The Atlantic will likely see between 10 and 16 tropical storms, of which four to eight could become hurricanes, said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center. London (AFP) - Twenty people, most of them migrants, were rescued by the British coastguard from the Channel on Sunday after their inflatable boat began to take on water. The rhib (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) carrying 20 people "was located at 2.00am (0100 GMT) and the incident handed over to Border Force," it said in a statement. Of those rescued, 18 were Albanian and two British, according to the BBC. Thousands of people have been massed in northern France for months, trying to reach Britain where they believe they will have a better chance of finding employment, according to French and British charities. Calais coastguard organisation SNSM assisted in the rescue operation, according to its president Bernard Barron. "We were called for help... to search between Calais and Dover for a boat carrying about twenty people," he told AFP. Helicopters from England and France took part in the search. The passengers were taken to the nearby port of Dover to be interviewed by Border Force officers, the Home Office said. "The castaways, who were migrants, called their families, who then alerted the authorities and rescue missions were triggered on both sides of the Channel," said Barron. "This confirms our fears: the smugglers are willing to take extreme measures, but the Channel is a real highway, presenting a great danger for this type of crossing," he said. The coastguard chief said that they had observed attempts to cross the Channel for several months, particularly in the Straits of Dover, by those "without the slightest notion of navigation and unaware of the real dangers." - Dangerous journey - High winds, strong currents, a high volume of traffic and low water temperatures all make the Channel a treacherous stretch of water. Mary Lawes, councillor with the anti-mass migration UK Independence Party, accused the government of "not doing enough to control our coastline". "This is very worrying, the good news is no-one appears to have been harmed," she said. "Something has to be done to protect these people from harm and our borders." Story continues Some 17 suspected Albanian migrants were detained Tuesday after a boat arrived at Chichester Marina on the south coast. Four Iranian migrants making a rare attempt to reach Britain by boat from France in February were rescued just in time after their vessel took on water and was close to capsizing. Rescuers were only alerted after one of the migrants made it back to the beach at Sangatte in northern France before dawn. Officials warned last month that migrants from the Jungle camp in Calais were stepping up attempts to reach Britain with summer on its way, with a sharp increase in migrant attempts to stow away in the back of lorries. David Monk, leader of the Shepway Conservative local authority near Dover, said that boosted surveillance measures would identify most unauthorised crossing attempts. "I am pretty sure our security is good. I cannot recall a previous incident but this should act as a warning to the authorities to be even more vigilant," he said. Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) - British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on Sunday welcomed "progress" in Yemen peace talks, saying a solution to the conflict in the battered Arabian Peninsula country must be political, not military. Speaking in Saudi Arabia at the start of a three-day visit to Gulf monarchies, Hammond also said world powers will not "turn a blind eye" to attempts by Iran to destabilise the region. "In Yemen, progress is being made and we recognise the efforts of the Gulf states, and I have to give particular thanks to Kuwait for hosting the peace negotiations," Hammond told a news conference in Jeddah. "All of us must continue to work towards a settlement," he told reporters, flanked by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. "There is no military alternative to a political settlement in Yemen and there is now a need to win the peace particularly by helping Yemen with stabilisation and humanitarian aid," Hammond said. His comments come days after the UN special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, also spoke about progress in the five-week-old talks under way in Kuwait between the Yemeni government and Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies. "The discussions have become more sensitive and delicate bringing us closer to a comprehensive agreement," the UN envoy said on Wednesday. The apparent progress comes after Foreign Minister Abdulmalek al-Mikhlafi said on Monday that the government stood ready to make concessions for the sake of peace. Despite a 14-month-old Saudi-led military intervention in support the government, the rebels and their allies still control many of Yemen's most populous regions, including the capital Sanaa. Hammond said he was reassuring his Gulf counterparts that world powers are closely monitoring Iran in the wake of last year's nuclear deal which paved the way for a partial lifting of sanctions. "Just because we've made an agreement with Iran on its nuclear programme does not mean that we will turn a blind eye to Iran's continuing attempts to destabilise the region or to its ballistic missiles programme which remains a serious threat to peace and which breaches UN resolutions," Hammond said. Jubeir, whose country is Iran's regional rival, said: "We supported that agreement so long as we were assured that Iran will not be able to acquire a nuclear capability. "They are, after all, a neighbour and we will have to live with them. But it's difficult to live with a neighbour whose objective is to destroy you: that's why the relation with Iran is not what it should be." Quetta (Pakistan) (AFP) - The brother of a man who was killed alongside the Taliban's slain chief Mullah Akthar Mansour in an American drone strike in southwest Pakistan is pressing murder and terrorism charges against US officials, police said Sunday. Mansour was travelling by car near the town of Ahmad Wal on May 21 when he was killed, a major blow to the Islamist group that has been waging a guerilla war in Afghanistan since being toppled from power in 2001. US officials described the car's driver as a "second male combatant" but according to Pakistani security officials he was a chauffeur named Mohammad Azam who worked for the Al Habib rental company based out of Quetta, the region's main city. His brother, Mohammad Qasim, said Azam was an innocent man who was providing for his four children and had been murdered. "US officials whose name I do not know accepted responsibility in the media for this incident, so I want justice and request legal action against those responsible for it," Qasim said in a police report dated May 25, a copy of which was seen by AFP. "My brother was innocent, he was very poor and he has left behind four small children. He was the lone breadwinner in the family," he added. "My aim is to prove the innocence of my brother as he is being portrayed as a militant, but he was just a driver," Qasim told AFP on the telephone. He said that so far the family had not sought any compensation for Azam's death. Local police and administration officials on Sunday confirmed charges had been filed, but declined to comment on what steps authorities would take to pursue the case, if any. - Killing confirmed - Meanwhile a spokesman from Pakistan's Interior Ministry Sunday confirmed Mansour's killing following a DNA match with one of his relatives who had come from Afghanistan to take the body. Pakistan had not previously confirmed Mansour's death. "It has been confirmed that one of the men who was killed in the drone attack was Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan former chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour," the spokesman said in a statement. Story continues "The identification was confirmed after a DNA test which was matched with a close relative of Mullah Mansour who had come from Afghanistan to receive his body." Mansour was appointed head of the Taliban in July 2015 and was succeeded on Wednesday by his deputy Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada. The US has carried out hundreds of drone strikes in Pakistan, mainly in the border tribal regions with Afghanistan, and leaked documents show Islamabad had quietly consented despite publicly protesting. But this was the first by the US in Balochistan province and Pakistan -- whose spy agency has long supported the Taliban -- angrily denounced it as a violation of its sovereignty. Islamabad says it hosts many of the Afghan Taliban's top leadership to exert influence over them and bring them back to peace talks with Kabul. Drone attacks have proven extremely controversial with the Pakistani public and rights groups. In 2013, Amnesty International said the US could be guilty of war crimes by carrying out extrajudicial killings. A separate report on drone strikes in Yemen by Human Rights Watch accused the US of killing civilians and causing disproportionate civilian harm. Sofia (AFP) - Bulgaria has for the first time blocked around a hundred migrants from entering through its southern border with Greece, sending a "strong message" to human traffickers, a minister said Sunday. Among them were 56 Afghans who were found hiding on board a freight train, as well as another group of some 40 Syrians and Iraqis. Both groups were stopped on Saturday in what was the largest number of people caught trying to enter the eastern European country since the start of the migrant crisis. "Their return was carried out at a record speed for Europe," said Prime Minister Boyko Borisov after meeting border police and an army unit in the southwestern town of Blagoevgrad. "We have sent a strong message to traffickers who area exploiting these unfortunates," added Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova. Following the recent evacuation of the squalid Idomeni migrant camp on the Greek-Macedonia border, where thousands had been stranded after Balkan states closed their borders, Bulgaria has been bracing for an influx of people seeking a new route to Europe. The Afghans were returned to Greece the same day, while the other 40 are being investigated and will likely be sent back in the coming week, Borisov said. The migrants had each paid traffickers 200 euros per person believing they were being taken into Macedonia, he said. In order to manage any further incidents, a contingent of 65 soldiers equipped with 4x4 vehicles would be deployed along the western part of the Greek border to back up the border police, he said. Bulgaria's border with Greece is nearly 500 kilometres (300 miles) long, and it also shares a 260-kilometre (160 mile) frontier with Turkey. So far, Sofia has concentrated on buttressing its Turkish frontier, speeding up construction of a 132-kilometre (820-mile) fence which is some three metres (10 foot) high. But earlier this year, Borisov said the Greek frontier was "the major threat", saying if necessary, Sofia would erect a barrier there too. Situated on the European Union's eastern flank, Bulgaria registered 5,010 asylum seekers this year, among them Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans. San Francisco (AFP) - In a Silicon Valley culture known for brilliant ideas boiling up in coffee shops, Gaurav Chawla is pouring his heart into chai. Chawla was on a break from his job as an engineering manager at San Francisco-based cloud-computing star Salesforce when he began lamenting how tough it was to find a cup of chai as good as he makes it at home. That frustration, and echoed complaints by other natives of India, where the blend of spiced tea and simmered milk is woven into daily lifestyles, prompted him to start tinkering. "I took a rice cooker apart and reconfigured it to make chai," Chawla told AFP. "It made good chai, and I realized this process could be automated." While his background is in software engineering, Chawla went to work developing a chai machine as simple to use as a coffee maker. He told of giving his second prototype a test run at Google offices, where it was used daily until it broke. Another prototype got a workout in offices of sound and image specialty firm Dolby, according to Chawla. Feedback from those and other tests led to a first-generation chai machine to be funded by pre-orders at a freshly launched www.brewchime.com website at a temporarily discounted price of $249. Chime machines aren't slated to ship until March of next year. - Chai is chai - Chime machines brew one cup of chai at a time, using tea and spices pre-mixed in caps sold by the startup. "Essentially, you want to brew black tea and spices, add milk then bring it to a boil again," Chawla said of the chai brewing process. "Because you are adding milk, you can't just let it sit by itself or you get a big mess -- which I do almost every day." Chai has been growing in popularity in San Francisco and nearby Silicon Valley, with coffee shops large and small adding it to menus. Helping drive the trend are ranks of people drawn to the region from India by jobs at technology companies. Chawla said his friends at Microsoft have told him of the US software giant having people with chai-making skills come in to prepare the tea for employees. Story continues "The Silicon Valley influence of Indians moving here is huge," Chawla said. "Even if there is great coffee, chai is chai. It is one of the things of your upbringing." Chime hired a design engineer who ran product development at Williams-Sonoma, a retail chain specializing in kitchen and home items. - Chai carts - The popularity of chai has climbed in the United States over the past 20 years, with even major chain Starbucks adding it to the menu, according to Chai Cart founder Paawan Kothari. Kothari earned a masters degree in business from the INSEAD business school in France and spent more than a decade working with technology firms in Silicon Valley before turning a hobby started in 2009 into a startup that sells chai from carts on San Francisco streets. "I wanted to give people a taste of what homemade chai tastes like," said Kothari, who started out making the spiced tea in her home and peddling it in the Mission District from a bicycle trailer. "I was surprised at how many people were looking to have good chai; not just in San Francisco but everywhere." She quit her job as an IBM marketing strategist and launched Chai Cart, which she said has been growing steadily. Kothari estimated that while some 40 percent of her customers are hankering for a taste of chai that harkens back to native countries in South Asia, more than half grew up in households without chai. "It brings me great pleasure to share a part of my culture and give a taste of the traditional chai thats enjoyed every day across India," Kothari said in a post on the website thechaicart.com. Beijing (AFP) - A Chinese detergent maker has apologised for an advertisement which shows a black man stuffed into a washing machine and transformed into a fair-skinned Asian, just a day after dismissing critics as too sensitive. The advertisement by the Shanghai Leishang Cosmetics company provoked an uproar on US news websites, with commentators citing it as an example of racist attitudes towards black people in China. Its commercial for the "Qiaobi" brand shows a black man whistling and winking at a young Chinese woman, who calls him over, puts a detergent packet into his mouth and forces him head-first into a washing machine. She sits on the lid while the man shrieks. Moments later an Asian man emerges in clean clothes and the woman grins. The advert has been viewed more than seven million times on YouTube in the past three days. "For the harm caused to the African people because of the spread of the advert and the over-amplification by the media, we express our apology, the company said in a statement on an official social media account. We sincerely hope the public and the media will not over-read it, the statement added. We express regret that the ad has caused a controversy, but we will not shun responsibility for controversial content. The firm said in the statement posted late Saturday it had stopped airing the advertisement and deleted links to it. A spokesman had earlier told China's Global Times newspaper that the issue of racism had not crossed the company's mind and "the foreign media might be too sensitive about the ad". The advertisement attracted little attention in China, which has historically experienced almost no settlement by people of African descent. Traditional attitudes prizing white skin in women have contributed to bias against dark-skinned people. By Martyn Herman PARIS (Reuters) - Andy Murray moved ominously into the French Open quarter-finals for the sixth time in his career with a clinical 7-6(9) 6-4 6-3 win over American John Isner on Sunday. The second seed began the tournament ranting and raving, scraping through back-to-back five-setters, but he has been a model of efficiency since and has his eyes fixed firmly on a first title at Roland Garros. He needed to fend off three set points in a pivotal opening tiebreak, but Murray always had an extra trick up his sleeve to wear down Isner's resistance and set up a clash with home favorite Richard Gasquet. "I'm pumped to be in the quarters of a slam," Murray told reporters. "Obviously, the atmosphere (against Gasquet) will be tough, but I don't mind that. I played a number of times against French players here in difficult atmospheres and I managed okay." Isner took a 0-5 career record against Murray on to a murky Court Suzanne Lenglen but he stuck manfully to his task in the first set, denying the Briton the slightest whiff of a break. The 15th seed had three set points in the tiebreak, the first of which, when serving at 6-5, he will be ruing. Murray reacted superbly to return a booming first serve and Isner failed to make the most of an inviting mid-court forehand, giving the Briton the chance to ram a backhand past him as he advanced to the net. "A bit lucky on the 6-5 point. He had a great serve; I guessed the right way on his approach shot," Murray said. Three-times Roland Garros semi-finalist Murray converted his second set point when Isner hit a forehand wide. After a rain delay, the second set proved another tight tussle before Isner cracked under pressure at 4-5 -- Murray breaking for the first time to move two sets clear with the help of a delightful angled drop shot. It was routine after that for Murray who will enter the second week supremely confident after extending his winning streak on clay to nine. "Between now and the end of the tournament, it's completely different matches. A lot more rhythm, longer points, more physical matches," a battle-hardened Murray said. "I'll need to change the way I'm playing a little bit and make some adjustments for those matches." (Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond) (Yahoo file photo) Someone has gone running to the police (again) in Singapore, and this time its the Elections Department. On Friday (27 May), it announced that the Assistant Returning Officer had filed police reports against The Independent Singapore, activist and former lawyer Teo Soh Lung and blogger Roy Ngerng for allegedly breaching Cooling-Off Day rules. Cooling-Off Day first came into force during the 2011 General Election. We were told that voters need a day of quiet introspection, away from the noise of election campaigning. Hence, all political parties and candidates would be disallowed from posting any election advertising or campaign material on that day. The only exceptions would be the following: Party political broadcasts on television; Reports in the newspapers, on radio and television relating to election matters; Approved posters and banners that were already up, and lawful Internet advertising that was already published before the eve of Polling Day; Books previously scheduled for publication; The transmission of personal political views by individuals to other individuals, on a non-commercial basis, using the Internet, telephone or electronic means; and Such activities or circumstances as may be prescribed by the Minister. I was then a volunteer contributor to The Online Citizen, gearing up to cover my first election. I remember the rules causing confusion: Did this mean that we wouldnt be allowed to publish articles on our website the day before the election? Why would we be banned from doing so, if the newspapers, radio and television news could continue as usual? In the end, we rushed to complete and publish write-ups of election rallies on 5 May by 11:59pm. Confusion remains Five years later, the confusion appears to still be present. Despite the Elections Departments own website saying that the transmission of personal political views by individuals to other individuals, on a non-commercial basis, using the Internet, telephone or electronic means is exempt from the Cooling-Off Day rules, the department under the Prime Ministers Office has seen fit to file police reports against both Teo and Ngerng. Story continues Its reasoning can be found in its press release: In filing the police reports, the Assistant Returning Officer has taken into consideration the nature of the postings and the potential impact that they might have had. The two individuals Teo Soh Lung and Roy Ngerng also regularly engage in the propagation, promotion and discussion of political issues. Yet, this explanation is hardly tenable. The exemption, as mentioned above, only refers to individuals transmitting personal political views to other individuals which is what both Teo and Ngerng did. Saying that they regularly engage in the propagation, promotion and discussion of political issues is hardly incriminating; it is the right of every citizen to be able to discuss political issues, and make their views heard. Interestingly, the wording of the exemption relating to individuals is different in the Elections Departments press release, which entails the telephonic or electronic transmission by an individual to another individual of the first-mentioned individuals own political views, on a noncommercial basis. A close reading of both versions can yield different interpretations. While the version on the Elections Departments website appears to indicate that a public Facebook post on ones personal page could fall under the exemption since it is the transmission of ones views to other individuals using the Internet the wording in the press release (which is also the wording in the actual statute) could potentially suggest that the exemption only applies to one-on-one transmission through telephonic or electronic means, in which case Teo and Ngerngs posts would not fall under the exemptions. Why are there two different versions? If the Elections Department has taken it upon itself to re-word the law on its website, it can hardly blame citizens for being confused or misinformed, and breaching the rules in consequence. The report lodged against The Independent Singapore is similarly unfair. There should not be a line drawn between the traditional and online media, particularly when the government had previously justified policies regulating online news websites as simply bringing things in line with the regulations placed upon the mainstream media. The government cannot have its cake and eat it too, deciding, as if arbitrarily, when the online and mainstream media are in line and when they are not. The offending articles on The Independent Singapore as identified by the Elections Department were listicles and articles reporting on election-related material, aggregating responses from social media as many media outlets now do. One might argue over the quality or editorial slant of the articles, but to do so without acknowledging that the mainstream media, too, has its own editorial slant is disingenuous and unfair. To disallow websites like The Independent Singapore from publishing on Cooling-Off Day while the mainstream media is free to continue as usual simply invites suspicion and allegations of political bias within the law itself. Poor grasp of social media This sorry episode of lodged police reports simply demonstrates how poorly thought-out and unevenly enforced the Cooling-Off Day rules are. The law fails to factor in the complexity of social media, where an individuals post can easily reach hundreds, if not thousands, while still remaining his or her personal opinion. It fails to acknowledge the growth of independent news websites as part of Singapores media landscape. And most importantly, in a climate where the mainstream media is widely seen as under the influence if not control of the incumbent, it fails to acknowledge the massive asymmetry in power and reach of one party over others. Kirsten Han is a Singaporean blogger and journalist. She is also involved in the We Believe in Second Chances campaign for the abolishment of the death penalty. A social media junkie, she tweets at @kixes. The views expressed are her own. Tehran (AFP) - Moderate conservative Ali Larijani retained the speakership of Iran's parliament Sunday despite major gains for reformists in February elections, benefiting from credit gained by his support for last year's nuclear deal. Several lawmakers from the reformist camp broke ranks to vote against the head of their own List of Hope, Mohammad Reza Aref, who lost by 103 votes to 173. February's election was widely seen as a referendum on last July's nuclear deal with world powers led by the United States, the signature policy of moderate President Hassan Rouhani. Larijani's support for its passage through parliament kept him out of the fierce debate that saw a string of hardline opponents of the agreement lose their seats. Reformists took 133 of the 290 seats in parliament. That fell short of a majority but it was more than the conservatives' 125 seats. The remaining seats are held by independents and representatives of religious minorities who are expected to give Rouhani a working majority to pass key reform legislation that eluded him in the outgoing conservative-dominated parliament. Several leading reformists broke ranks to endorse Larijani in the runup to the speakership contest. "Larijani can better direct parliament than Aref," Gholam Hossein Karbaschi, the leader of one reformist faction, the Construction Party, told the Shargh newspaper on Tuesday. Reformist former health minister Massoud Pezeshkian was elected first deputy speaker. Two other reformists were also elected to parliament's 12-member governing board. Both are Sunni, a first since the Islamic revolution of 1979 ushered in Iran's Shiite theocracy. Larijani, who turns 58 on June 3, is the scion of a famed Shiite clerical family and a regime veteran. He was a prominent figure in the elite Revolutionary Guards during the 1980-88 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq and served as state broadcasting chief from 1994 to 2005. Story continues He stood unsuccessfully against hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the presidency in 2005 and two years later resigned as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in protest at his policies which triggered an economically crippling showdown with the West. - Praise from president - Rouhani himself praised Larijani and his support for the nuclear deal in an address to the opening session of parliament on Saturday. "We need interaction to solve the problems and crises of the country," he said, adding that February's poll gains for his supporters were a vote for an end to international sanctions imposed over Iran's nuclear programme and an improved standard of living. Rouhani is president but ultimate power in Iran rests with supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who called on the new parliament to remain faithful to the principles of the Islamic revolution that saw relations with Washington ruptured in 1980. Using the term "arrogance" first coined to refer to the United States by his predecessor, revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei urged lawmakers to be wary of its schemings. "It is the revolutionary and legal duty of you to make the parliament a stronghold against the schemes, charms and impudently excessive demands of the arrogance," he said in a message read to the packed opening session. Khamenei has said repeatedly that the nuclear deal with Washington, which he finally endorsed, was a one-off and that it should not lead to a generalised rapprochement with the West. Despite their heavy defeat in February's elections, hardline opponents of the nuclear deal still control most of the principal levers of power in the Islamic republic. On Tuesday, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, an arch-conservative who scraped reelection at the ballot box in 16th place in Tehran, was chosen by fellow clerics as chairman of the Assembly of Experts, the body that oversees Khamenei's work. The assembly would also elect Khamenei's successor if the 76-year-old dies during its eight-year term. Jannati already chairs the Guardian Council, the body which vets all candidates for public office in Iran and has a veto over all legislation. The council sparked controversy in February's election by disqualifying thousands of hopefuls, most of them reformists. Joaquin After the Mexican government signed off on the extradition of jailed kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, one of his lawyers said "the real battle" would be waged during the appeals process, which he suggested could take one to three years. Recent developments indicate, however, that Guzman's legal team may have to deal with internal struggles in addition to legal wrangling with the Mexican government. Two of Guzman's lawyers, Juan Pablo Badillo and Jose Luis Gonzalez, said on Friday that the extradition was unconstitutional, and criticized high-level Mexican officials for "trampling" on the country's laws. They said in a press conference that they had turned in an appeal to block his extradition to the Mexican supreme court. In response to their appeal, a federal judge on Saturday granted a provisional suspension of the extradition, giving the foreign ministry 48 hours to present its report justifying its actions within US-Mexico extradition guidelines. Despite that judge's ruling, the appeal was disavowed on Saturday by Jose Refugio Rodriguez, another member of Guzman's legal team. Rodriguez told The Associated Press that the appeal was not authorized by the Guzman and that he would not sign off on it, which would mean that the court would not review it. "This hurts Joaquin Guzman because it hinders our defense," Rodriguez told the AP. Rodriguez also said that Badillo and Gonzalez were not a part of the team working on Guzman's extradition case. That team is still reviewing the government's case and planned to appeal in the next few weeks, the lawyer said. El Chapo Guzman lawyer trial plead case "We have a strategy with Joaquin and we are planning it," Rodriguez said, adding that Badillo and Gonzalez could have acted out of "a desire for notoriety." Story continues Guzman, who was recently moved from a prison in central Mexico to one near the US border in Ciudad Juarez, faces indictments in multiple US jurisdictions. Earlier this month, the Mexican government signed off on his extradition to face charges in two of those jurisdictions: West Texas and Southern California. On May 11, however, the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York filed a detailed indictment against Guzman and Ismael "Mayo" Zambada, who is suspected of being a top leader in the Sinaloa cartel with Guzman. New York is still a top candidate to try Guzman should he be extradited to the US, according to experts who spoke with Univision. NOW WATCH: Watch newly released video of 'El Chapo' being booked by Mexican authorities More From Business Insider By Gayatri Suroyo and Fransiska Nangoy JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's plan to track all credit card transactions in a bid to crack down on rampant tax evasion is pushing people back to cash, stifling government efforts to track illicit money flows. A new government decree requiring credit card providers to submit transaction details - including customer and merchant identities - to the tax office as of May 31 appears to be spooking consumers with card activity falling in April. The return to paper currency in the already heavily cash-based economy is a temporary setback not only for the government's drive to boost tax revenues but also its fight against money laundering, corruption and terrorism finance. And for consumers wary of increasing scrutiny on their transactions, a preference for paper means carrying around envelopes full of hundreds of bank notes in a country where the largest currency denomination is 100,000 rupiah. Erwin Karya, a Jakarta-based associate director with real estate agent Ray White, said clients were now starting to use cash instead of card to pay property booking fees - non-refundable deposits used to book properties before home downpayments. "People don't want to risk swiping credit cards for booking fees," he said. "For 10-25 million (rupiah), they just pay in cash for the booking fee." Indonesian central bank data showed credit card transaction values dropped 4 percent in April from the same month a year ago, the first on-year decline in the six years of public data records. The number of credit card transactions, meanwhile, fell by two million in April from a month before, to 23.7 million transactions. Bank Central Asia, one of the largest credit card providers, saw its transactions fall 15 percent and card cancellations more than double in April, head of the bank's consumer card business Santoso told Reuters. "I don't think they're all avoiding taxes, but some did say they feel their privacy disturbed - they're not comfortable," Santoso said, noting most of the cancellations came from self-employed individuals. Story continues Other providers face the same problem, said Steve Martha, chairman of Indonesia's credit card issuers association. "People should be incentivized to use cards, not penalized," he said. Cash, which in Indonesia is already used for 85 percent of transactions, is difficult to track, making it challenging for governments to fight money laundering, corruption and terrorism financing. About 7-8 million Indonesians own credit cards, some using more than one, for a total of 16.9 million credit card, catered by 22 banks and one non-bank issuer. These include the country's biggest banks Bank Mandiri (BMRI.JK), Bank Central Asia (BBCA.JK), and foreign players like HSBC (HSBA.L), Citibank (C.N) and Standard Chartered (STAN.L). Under pressure from falling exports, Jakarta launched last year measures to boost tax revenues, including a tax amnesty for those willing to relocate back home money hidden in offshore accounts. Only 10 percent of Indonesia's 250 million population are registered with tax authorities and annual tax revenues amount to 11 percent of gross domestic product, $30 billion less than what it should be, President Joko Widodo has said. Credit card bills and other electronic payments can be effectively used to track down corruption cases, said Agus Santoso, deputy head of Indonesia's Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre. It will be harder to prove cases if people go back to cash, he said, but he didn't expect the trend to last in the long run. "There's no way people choose to carry millions of rupiah in cash in a bulging wallet to pay for high-end stuff," he said. Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro stood by his decree. "If there are things that they are afraid to declare, it means their income is more than what they say to the tax office," he told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Jakarta earlier this month. (Reporting by Gayatri Suroyo and Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Lisa Jucca and Sam Holmes) Theres no longer any doubt that the Democratic presidential contest has devolved into a blood feud as many supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders are openly praying that former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be indicted for using a private email server to handle sensitive government communications during her four years at State. As The New York Times reported over the weekend, some Sanders supporters are holding out for an eleventh hour miracle in the form of a federal indictment that would knock Clinton out of the contest and pave the way for a Sanders nomination. Related: We Now Know Hillary Lied Multiple Times About Her Email Server Clinton is just 73 delegates shy of locking up the presidential nomination, even in the surprising event she narrowly loses to Sanders in the June 7th California Democratic primary. Yet the State Department Inspector Generals report last week that skewered Clinton for willfully violating departmental email protocol has fueled the Sanders campaigns fantasy that a related FBI investigation will lead to an indictment and a quick end to Clintons candidacy before the July convention in Philadelphia. If theres any chance of her getting indicted, they shouldnt even consider her for the nomination, 21-year-old Zachary ONeill of Escondido, California, told The Times. We cant have a criminal in the White House. Others offered similar views that squared with Republican attacks on Clintons honesty and integrity. Even if Clinton dodges that bullet, an energized and increasingly optimistic Sanders said on Sunday that the damning IG report should give hundreds of super delegates cause for concern -- and reason enough to switch their allegiance at the convention from Clinton to Sanders. Some pundits have made the point that Clinton would not qualify to lead a cabinet position given the email reportbut she could still be president. Related: It Looks Like the Campaign Isnt Helping Trumps Hotel Business Story continues Clinton currently claims 1,769 pledged delegates and 541 super delegates or party officials, leaving her within easy hailing distance of the 2,383 delegates needed to secure the nomination. Sanders, by contrast, has garnered 1,499 pledged delegates but only 43 super delegates from states where he performed well in primaries and caucuses. In an interview with CBSs Face the Nation, Sanders showed restraint regarding Clintons email problem, but he made the point that Democrats should acknowledge that he would be the stronger nominee to take on Donald Trump this fall. That is something that the American people, Democrats and delegates are going to have to take a hard look at," Sanders told moderator John Dickerson in discussing the IGs report ."But for me right now, I continue to focus on how we can rebuild a disappearing middle class, deal with poverty, guarantee health care to all of our people as a right." The State Department IG report concluded that Clinton had violated department rules when she set up a private email server at the start of her tenure in the Obama administration without seeking approval a move that made her highly classified communications more vulnerable to hacking. Moreover, her staff brushed off warnings from State Department officials that she needed to uses a government server to maximize security. Related: Trump Clinches Nomination, Then Gives GOP New Reasons to Worry The report contradicted many of Clintons previous explanations and defenses of her actions, including her assertion that her use of a private email server at the State Department was allowed when it clearly was not after changes in policy. "Well John, they will be keeping it in mind," Sanders told Dickerson when pressed about the potential political fallout among delegates and party officials who will be making the choice. "I don't have to tell them that. I mean everybody in America is keeping it in mind, and certainly the super delegates are." He added, "The point that I'm going to make to the super delegates, many of whom came on board [Clintons campaign] before I was in the race is, 'Your job is to make sure Trump is defeated and defeated badly. You have got to determine, based on 100 different factors, which candidate is the strongest candidate to defeat Trump.' If you look at every poll done in the last six weeks, that candidate is Bernie Sanders. Sanders is highly sensitive to criticism within his party that his relentless drive for the nomination, even after it became mathematically impossible for him to win, is weakening Clintons prospects of defeating Trump this fall. Related: Clintons Staff Ignored Investigators as They Looked into Her Emails While he doesnt really have to say anything about Clintons email scandal, he continues to hammer away at her on issues of credibility: her ties to Wall Street, her commitment to liberal ideals including income equality, free college tuition, and health care for all. And he constantly questions her judgment on foreign policy, including her support of the invasion of Iraq. Sanders insists he still has an outside chance of winning the nomination or at least arriving at the convention with a majority of pledged delegates, by winning next week in California and four or five other states. Sanders acknowledged that California, with 548 delegates, is the Big Enchilada, and that it would be all but impossible for him to gain the nomination without a big victory there. A narrow victory by him would provide his campaign with an important strategic and psychological boost heading into the convention, yet the delegates will be apportioned based on the popular vote, and Clinton would almost certainly pick up nearly as many delegates as Sanders. My campaign has been written off before we started, he told Chuck Todd on Meet the Press. Nobody thought we were going to do anything. We have now won 20 states, primaries and caucuses, and I think by the end of the process, we may win half of the states. So were going to fight until the last vote is cast and we appeal to the last delegate that we can. Related: How the FBI Could Derail Hillary Clintons Presidential Run Asked whether he would make good on his promise to unite with Clinton to defeat Trump if she wins the nomination and help bring his supporters on board, Sanders was somewhat evasive: The responsibility that I accept in a very, very serious way is to do everything that I can to make sure that Donald Trump will not become elected President of the United States. Donald Trump for dozens of different reasons would be a disaster as president. I will do everything that I can to make sure that does not happen, But at the end of the day, whether it is Secretary Clinton or Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump , or anybody else, the way you gain support is through the candidates himself or herself, he said. So my job is to make sure that Trump does not become president, and I will do that. But if Secretary Clinton is the nominee, it is her job to reach out to millions of people and make the case as to why she is going to defend working families and the middle class to provide health care for all people, take on Wall Street, deal aggressively with climate change, he added. That is the candidates job to do. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: It says a lot about where the James Bond series has been over the last few years that yesterdays announcement by director Sam Mendes that he is stepping down from the franchise after having directed two entries was greeted by Bond fans from around the world with something less than a collective cry of dismay. Opinion will differ as to the sort of job Mendes did (some believe that Skyfall was a Bondian apotheosis; this critic did not), but one thing should be clear: After four films with Daniel Craig, in what was meant to be not just a reboot or relaunch but a veritable reimagining of Bond for the 21st century, the series, overall, has not truly lived up to that billing. And thats a serious fumble, since the kickoff film of the new era, Casino Royale (2006), was a Bondian apotheosis. Im not alone in thinking that it was the greatest Bond adventure since Goldfinger and Dr. No, and it established Daniel Craigs 007 as, potentially, the first genuinely worthy successor to the diamond-hard magic of Sean Connery. Craigs Bond was more of a ruffian, but he needed to be these are rougher times and in place of the smirk of Roger Moore, the scowl of Timothy Dalton, or the precision-watch cunning of Pierce Brosnan, he brought the role a brusque sensuality that masked a glint of omnipotent awareness, a surveillance of the world around him. Of course, the role of Bond is now up for grabs as well. Craig has indicated that he may well be done with it, and his rumored replacements include Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, and Jamie Bell. (Id vote for them in that order.) So the reboot of the Bond series is now about to be rebooted. That raises an essential question: not just whos going to be the next 007, or whos going to direct the next film, but what will the series now become? And heres the conundrum that underlies that question: What can and should the Bond series be in an age when almost everything it stands for has been absorbed and incorporated into other movies? Story continues Lets play Name That Director for a moment, since its such an easy and irresistible parlor game to play. Who should be the next Bond director? The answers are as multiplicitous as they are tempting. Id love to see a wizard of hair-trigger logistics like Paul Greengrass have a crack at it (then again, the Bourne films already are his Bond series), or an old-school action master like John McTiernan or Wolfgang Peteresen, or yes Quentin Tarantino, who you might argue, after the grinding-gears insularity of The Hateful Eight, could benefit from taking over the toy shop of Bond every bit as much as the series could benefit from him. QT sounds like a wild card, but my number-one choice would be an even wilder card: Kathryn Bigelow. Shes got the action virtuosity, the grasp of the ominous bureaucratic underworld in all its trap-door layers. But I believe that she could also restore the series to its glory in the realm where it has most dramatically slipped off track namely, the hot-button arena of Bondian sexual politics. For lets be honest: Without sex, without the erotic romance of James Bonds mission in the world, what is 007, really, but another globe-trotting action hero (Dateline: Grozny, 7:08 a.m.) who happens to have a British accent and, for two or three scenes, wears a very posh tux? The truth is that the sexual politics of Bond Bond as the ultimate mythical seducer, the master of women cuts against the tenor of our age. That either makes Bond an anachronism, a bow-tied relic of the Connery/Hefner era, or it makes him something deeply subversive: a character who takes us back to a dream of erotic warfare, one that beneath our enlightened PC attitudes still reverberates like a primitive heartbeat. The beauty of the Martin Campbell-directed Casino Royale, and what makes it stand apart from the three Bond films that followed, is the way that it looked forward and back at the same time. Yes, Skyfall looked back too, but in a misplaced way. It provided Bond with a Freudian backstory, but explaining a character like James Bond is a bit like explaining Hannibal Lecter: The more you explain, the more you shave away the characters cooler-than-life/deadlier-than-life mystique. Casino Royale was an infinitely more inspired throwback. Craigs Bond, with his cocky nihilist glare, was very much a suavely tailored jungle animal of today, yet the whole sprawling centerpiece of the movie wasa card game. Set in a luxury resort in Montenegro. The face-off between Craig and Mads Mikkelsen was a tingly reminder of how even a violent spy thriller could be built around a duel of eye contact. And that felt, for maybe the first time in decades, like the quintessence of Bond. The eye contact extended to the dazzling, multi-leveled deceptive flirtations between Craig and Eva Green. There was something epic at stake in that love story. At the end of the movie, when a grand palazzo in Venice began to buckle, it looked like the Western world was caving in. Thats the kind of rousing poetic action grandeur that the Bond series deserves. And without it, what really are we talking about? The truth is that James Bonds missions no longer seem any more impossible than anyone elses. Thats part of what made the frantic mish-mosh of last years Spectre so dispiriting. Whoever does take over the series, the challenge isnt about how theyre going to stage this or update that. The challenge is finding a vision of who James Bond is. Whoever directs the next installment has to do more than just extend the franchise. He (or she) needs to bring this spy in from the cold. Related stories Sam Mendes Won't Direct the Next James Bond Film MGM Revenue Drops 15% in Q1 as 'Spectre' Fades Sam Mendes to Head Venice Film Festival Jury Often, when a film wraps and directors are asked about working with big actors, its all praise. Its a different story, however, with Begin Again director John Carney and Keira Knightley. Carney, promoting his latest movie Sing Street, spoke about working with Knightley in 2013 drama Begin Again, saying he wouldnt like to work with the actress again. Ill never make a film with supermodels again, he told the Independent in an interview published this weekend. Knightley has indeed appeared in ad campaigns for big brands like Chanel, as well as on covers of major fashion magazines. She did, though, make a name for herself in acting first, with 1995s A Village Affair marking her first film role. Knightley played a songwriter dumped by her musician boyfriend, played by Adam Levine, in Begin Again. She then embarks on a new path in making music with Mark Ruffalos character. Carney had much more favorable memories of working with Levine and Ruffalo than with Knightley. Mark Ruffalo is a fantastic actor and Adam Levine is a joy to work with and actually quite unpretentious and not a bit scared of exposing himself on camera and exploring who he is as an individual, he said. I think that thats what you need as an actor; you need to not be afraid to find out who you really are when the cameras rolling. Keiras thing is to hide who you are and I dont think you can be an actor and do that. Carney also claimed that Knightleys entourage made it difficult to get any real work done, and stated a difference between working with proper film actors and movie stars. Its not like I hate the Hollywood thing, but I like to work with curious, proper film actors as opposed to movie stars, he added. I dont want to rubbish Keira, but you know its hard being a film actor and it requires a certain level of honesty and self-analysis that I dont think shes ready for yet and I certainly dont think she was ready for on that film. Story continues Knightley does have several big acting accomplishments to her name, including multiple Oscar, BAFTA and SAG nominations. Director David Cronenberg praised her performance in his 2011 film A Dangerous Mind, telling Film Comment that she was one of the best actresses hes ever worked with. She was fantastic, he said. We were all just awestruck. Related stories Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley Among 290 U.K. Celebrities Backing E.U. Membership Keira Knightley Film 'Colette' Sells Out in Berlin Keira Knightley Joins Will Smith in 'Collateral Beauty' The wedding of Kristian Barowskys best friend was across the country, and calculating airfare, hotels, presents and fixings, it cost Barowsky nearly two grand to attend. But it was worth it, right? Wrong. The couple split up a mere 18 months later and all Barowsky got was a lousy embroidered beach towel. At some point in many Americans lives during your 20s or 30s, say the pace of gold-embossed invitations accelerates from a trickle to a flood, and even if you love Champagne, cake, dancing and your friends, you might also love your bank account. Which is why we, like Barowsky, argue that destination weddings should come with a money-back guarantee: If the couple gets divorced within two years of the wedding, the exes must refund their guests expenses like a financial bond that expires after two years, says Barowsky. And were talking the whole enchilada: flight, hotel, the occasional new dress or suit, bartender tips and Uber rides. We dont mean to sound callous despite a previous broadside, were all in favor of lifelong love. Duh: We wouldnt invest our time, money and emotions on weddings otherwise. As we see it, wedding guests are stakeholders in a legal human bond, which is clear in some traditions: The Jewish chuppah, for instance, is held up by four members of the community, representing their stake in and responsibility for the union. When the couple opts for early divorce, its not unfair for guests to wonder why their thoughts and feelings arent being considered too, says Claudia Luiz, psychoanalyst and author of Wheres My Sanity?, about strong marriages. The specter of paying for guests travel might even stave off marriage altogether at least until the couple is really sure about it. Naysayers, and there are some, argue that wedding guests shouldnt get off so easily: If marriages are like a startup, inherently risky but potentially game changing, we shouldnt expect investment returns when the enterprise goes belly-up. Besides, argues Daniel Senning, an etiquette expert with the Emily Post Institute and co-host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast, it can seem pretty insensitive. We should assume couples enter marriage with genuine intentions and that divorce is even more difficult on the people experiencing it, Senning says. Story continues Which is why wed like to point out that the guarantee isnt meant to benefit only wedding guests. Call it a ploy if you wish, but its a mechanism to force the couple to work out the kinks instead of abandoning ship before those critical 730 days. In fact, Beverly Willett, co-founder of the Coalition for Divorce Reform, advocates for longer wait periods before divorce, pointing to some evidence that suggests this might deter divorce. The specter of paying for guests travel might even stave off marriage altogether at least until the couple is really sure about it. After all, up to half of all American marriages end in splitsies. The moral of the story, says Barowsky, is that marriage is a serious commitment, so dont waste everyones time and money if youre not absolutely sure. Related Articles One bad Yelp review has the power to dismantle an entire business, or even a doctor's practice, in this day in age. The reviews site allows patients to review their experience with doctors and specialists, and also gives said doctors the ability to clap back hard. The Washington Post reported on negative reviews addressing several practices throughout the country from upset patients and found doctors were blunt, and sometimes just downright shady, toward those who had anything bad to say about their practices. Those doctors often illegally went against HIPAA by acknowledging reviewers were their patients, and went on further to divulge confidential patient medical histories. When Angela Grijalva wrote about her and her daughter's experience at Maximize Chiropractic in Sacramento, Calif., chiropractor Tim Nicholl fired back at her one-star review, while defying HIPAA laws in the process. Source: Mic/Yelp Grijalva recounted her daughter allegedly being told by Nicholl she could possibly have scoliosis, but wouldn't be able to find out until she took X-rays at her next appointment: a potential diagnosis which caused her grief in school, her mother told the Post. "The next day you brought your daughter back in for a verbal review of the x-rays and I informed you that the x-rays had identified some issues, but the good news was that your daughter did not have scoliosis, great news!" the chiropractor replied. But Grijalva wasn't celebrating the response she said it instead "violated my daughter and her privacy." "I wouldn't want another parent, another child to go through what my daughter went through: the panic, the stress, the fear," she continued. The fix? "If you can figure out a way to cultivate reviews from hundreds of patients rather than a few patients, the problem is solved," Jeffrey Segal told the Post. Instead of responding to each negative comment, Segal suggests doctors and their offices find a way to get patients writing about their positive experiences, too. One review a day keeps the negativity away. "There is no drought," Republican presidential-hopeful Donald Trump told a crowd of voters on parched California soil on Friday. "We're going to solve your water problem." In his speech, the presumptive Republican nominee was referring to the state's current struggle to allocate its water resources as it enters its fifth year of punishing drought conditions. Despite a much-needed El Nino event in 2016, the U.S. Drought Monitor still lists 61% of California as experiencing a "severe drought." "You have a water problem that is so insane. It is so ridiculous where they're taking the water and shoving it out to sea," seemingly a reference to efforts to protect the environment and endangered wetlands by allowing water to be diverted away from agricultural use. The politician was seemingly siding with farmers who argue that state officials too frequently take the side of environmentalists, which they say cuts into the water supply their industry needs to create profits. Tim Worstall at Forbes argues that the belief that Californians are suffering from a misallocation of water first, and an actual, dire shortage of the resource second, is what Trump is really getting at and he isn't wrong: What there is is misallocation of water and that misallocation is because water is incorrectly priced there. The solution therefore is to get the pricing right: then the allocation will be. We also know something more about this: it doesn't matter what the current or original allocations are. Getting the price right will solve the problem. Trump has expressed disinterest in environmental concerns in the past: he has previously vowed to walk back some of America's progressive environmental policies if elected, including reviving the U.S. oil and coal industries and yanking the country out of the United Nations climate agreement. Read more: donald trump Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor in reaction to President Barack Obama's Friday speech in Hiroshima, the site of the world's first atomic bombing. In a tweet, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee criticized Obama for visiting the site while neglecting to mention the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. "Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while he's in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost. #MDW," Trump wrote. The country and top Japanese leaders have on numerous occasions expressed remorse for the nation's aggression in the lead-up to World War II. Obama did not apologize for the US's decision to use nuclear weapons, but he was nonetheless rebuked by some conservatives for his decision to visit the nuclear-bombing memorial site at all. In his speech, Obama criticized the colonial motivations that put Japan on the path to war with the US in the first place. "The war grew out of the same base instinct for domination or conquest that had caused conflicts among the simplest tribes. An old pattern amplified by new capabilities and without new constraints," Obama said. Obama also warned of the ability for mankind to "destroy itself" with nuclear weapons, and asserted that the world would be better off without them. We must have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without them, Obama said of nuclear weapons. He added: We may not realize this goal in my lifetime, but persistent effort can roll back the possibility of catastrophe. During his trip, Obama met with several survivors of the 1945 atomic bombing, who were children at the time. The final death toll from the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is estimated at just below 200,000 people, the majority of whom were civilians, as well as forced Korean laborers and a small number of American troops being held as prisoners of war. Story continues Trump has been a critic of the close relationship between the US and Japan that has been rebuilt over the past three-plus decades. The presumptive Republican nominee has asserted that the Japanese along with countries like Mexico, China, and South Korea have unfairly benefited from globalization to America's detriment. He has also accused Japan of deliberately weakening its currency to stimulate exports. More alarmingly to some US and Japanese foreign-policy experts, the real-estate magnate also suggested ending the decades-long strategic agreement between the US and Japan that allows the US to maintain bases in the Japanese archipelago in exchange for US military protection in the case of an attack on Japan. As Foreign Policy has reported, most Americans are content with the state of the US-Japan relationship, though the relationship is less popular among Americans who identify as Republican. NOW WATCH: OBAMA: Trumps proposals are aimed at getting 'tweets and headlines' rather than keeping America safe More From Business Insider May 29 (Reuters) - DP World has reached an agreement to manage the Berbera port in Somaliland, which would allow it to become a major hub for goods to transit to and from the Horn of Africa, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Under the terms of the deal, the newspaper citing a person who has seen the document, Somaliland will grant the Dubai-based company the right to manage the Red Sea port of Berbera for 30 years. A year ago, the territory's foreign minister, Mohamed Behi Yonis, said it was in talks with DP World, France's Bollore and Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company to select a partner to develop and manage the Berbera port. Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognized. Somaliland's neighbor, Ethiopia, lost direct sea access in 1993 when Eritrea gained independence after a three-decade civil war. It is heavily reliant on the port of Djibouti. DP World said on Sunday it valued the project at $442 million, but said it would be a phased investment and depended on port volumes, according to the Wall Street Journal. DP World will pay $5 million a year plus 10 percent on port revenue to Somaliland, the paper said in its online edition. (Reporting by Richard Leong in New York; Editing by Sandra Maler) Few things in space are as sloppy as a solar systemand few solar systems are as sloppy as ours. That can be a very good thing if you like cosmic sky shows, because now and again, the familiar nighttime heavens can change in dramatic ways. Monday will be one of those times, when Mars makes an unusually close pass by Earth, drawing nearerand looming largerthan at any time since 2005. Heres whats behind the cosmic coziness: The orbit any planet makes around its parent star is fixed and knowable. Earth takes 365.256 days to make a single lap around the sun. (The 365 part is how we measure our year, and the .256 is why we tack on an extra day at the end of February every four years.) For Mars, a year is 686.93 days. For Neptunewell, a single Neptunian year takes 164.79 Earth years. Those different orbital speeds mean that the distance between any two planets is always changing. As Earth zips around in the solar systems No. 3 lane, for example, it sometimes finds itself on the complete opposite side of the sun from Mars, putting the two planets as much as 249 million miles (401 million km) apart. Every other year, however, Earth laps Mars, overtaking its pokier sister and bringing the two planets briefly as close as 33.9 million miles (54.6 million km). Its during those biannual windows that NASA typically launches its missions to Mars, keeping the travel time from one planet to the other to a minimum. Not all close encounters between Earth and Mars are equal, however. Few planets in any solar system orbit their suns in a perfect circle. Instead they follow a slightly egg-shaped path, which means that each orbit has a perihelion (closest approach to the parent star) and an apehelion (farthest approach). Mars closest approach to the sun is 128.4 million miles (206.6 million km) and its furthest is 154.8 million mi. (249.2 million km). For Earth, the perihelion is 91.4 million miles (147.1 million km) and the apehelion is 94.5 million miles (152.1 million km). Story continues And things get messier still. Planets dont typically orbit perfectly in the flat, circling neatly around a stars equator. Most are slightly inclined relative to that midline, moving above their suns equatorial plane at one part of their orbit and below it at another. Mars orbit is inclined 5.65 degrees relative to the Suns equator; Earths is a slightly more drunken 7.155 degrees. For two planets to make an especially close approach like Mars and Earth are about to do, it means that the inner planet (Earth in this case) must be in its apehelion phase (cheating a bit away from the sun) when it passes Mars; and that Mars must be in its perihelion phase (cheating in). It also means that the planets must be close to one another in inclination to the sun, with both above the solar equator or both below it. All of that is now lining up, with Mars and Earth set to pass each other at a relative shouting distance of 46.8 million miles (75.3 million km) on Monday, and even casual skywatchers will notice the difference without the aid of a telescope. Most of the time, Jupiter is the brightest object in the nighttime sky after the moon, but Mars will rival it in brilliance until June 3. If you like what you see this week, youll love it in 2018on July 27 of that year specifically. Mars is approaching the low point in its perihelion cycle now, but its not quite there yet, and Earth will have sped past already when it does reach that nadir. In 2018, well pass Mars when its closer still to that low point, bringing the two planets just 35.8 million miles (57.6 million km) apartabout 24% closer than theyll be this week. And that is plenty close, thank you very much. About 4.5 billion years ago, the primordial Earth suffered a near-death experience when a rogue Mars-sized planetesimal collided with it, sending up a debris cloud that is thought to have been the raw material for the moon. The actual Mars is not about to jump its orbital lane and come careering our way. But in a solar system born in violence, its always nice if very close encounters never become too close. LeEco Opening San Jose Faraday Future, the electric-car startup that made its public debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this year has had a few firsts since opening for business two years ago. The California-based company made a deal to build its first assembly plant in Nevada. Unveiled a "car of concepts," as it was called, that took everyone by surprise. Obtained its first of more than 100 patents. Teased an image of what may be its first production vehicle. The startup, now known as "FF" for short, is already eyeing another location for a second manufacturing facility, all before the company reveals real-life versions of its forthcoming vehicles. Officials in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Vallejo announced last week that FF is looking at a place called Mare Island, a defunct naval shipyard, to be its second home. The Vallejo Times-Herald reported that 157 acres of land are up for grabs at Mare Island and FF wants it. A "light industrial facility for manufacturing electric vehicles" is in the plans, as well as an "experience center" where customers can test drive and pick up their future vehicles. If the city of Vallejo agrees to enter an exclusive negotiating agreement with FF and a deal is ultimately reached, it would be the first new auto assembly plant built in California in many decades. Tesla, FF's nearest potential rival, builds its vehicles about 60 miles to the south in Fremont. Mare Island Vallejo, California FF's quick expansion is unprecedented for a startup automaker. The company employs nearly 800 people in the US, has three offices in California and one in North Las Vegas, and has a $1 billion factory about to get under way in Nevada while the company is shopping for a second plant. Story continues But no one outside of FF's deepest inner circles has seen the company's cars yet. faraday future vehicle teaser An FF representative told Business Insider in March that it was deep into the development of its electric-vehicle technology. And at the company's ceremonial groundbreaking in April, Nick Sampson, FF's SVP of research, development and engineering said, "before the end of this year, we'll have full prototypes that represent our production cars." Specific timelines for when FF will start building its future cars remain fluid. The Nevada assembly plant may reach capacity "within two to three years," the Las Vegas Review-Journal noted, depending on when the plant gets built. NOW WATCH: Here's what happened when I took a 500 MPH ride in a real fighter jet More From Business Insider Blac Chyna is happier than ever, and her sweet smile says it all! The 28-year-old model and her fiance, Rob Kardashian, hosted a day party at the Sky Beach Club at the Tropicana in Las Vegas on Saturday, where ET exclusively caught up with a beaming Chyna. WATCH: Blac Chyna Gets Emotional About Having Rob Kardashians Baby Rob and I are having a great time celebrating with our friends and family, Chyna shared. We are going to New Orleans after this and hope theyll join us there. According to Chyna, whos pregnant with her and Kardashians first child together, shes getting along well with the Kardashian-Jenner clan. Everyones happy! she said. Things with Robs family are fantastic. While Chyna is ecstatic to walk down the aisle, she revealed that she and her reality TV star beau are in no rush to start planning their big day. Were taking things slow, she added. WATCH: Blac Chyna Reveals Shes Already Gained 20 Pounds From Her Pregnancy That being said, a source close to Chyna told ET that their nuptials will most likely be a big event. The proposal was big, the source explained. Its clear Rob likes big gestures. ET also caught up with Kardashian, 29, who revealed his fiancee is his No. 1 priority. Im just chilling and making sure shes straight, he said. During the event, Chyna took to Instagram to share a pic of herself sporting a beige halter dress and relaxing in a cabana located in the clubs VIP area. Her fiance went for a more casual look, rocking a polo shirt, dark pants and his signature Los Angeles Dodgers hat. The official Instagram page for Sky Beach Club also shared a pic of the happy couple, which gave fans a peek at Chynas burgeoning belly. WATCH: Blac Chyna Shows Off Her Bare Baby Bump in New Selfie! Chyna who is already mother to 3-year-old King Cairo, whom she shares with Kylie Jenners ex-boyfriend, Tyga hasnt been shy about showing off her baby bump ever since she announced she was expecting. Story continues On Wednesday, she put her bare belly on full display in a selfie posted to her social media accounts. Watch the video below to hear more. Related Articles As Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump fight to become the next American President, investors need to protect their portfolios from wild swings that can come without warning as campaign rhetoric heats up, according to a recent Bloomberg report. Bloomberg said investor sentiment can be gauged by the "expected volatility in options tied to the S&P 500 Index that expire at different points throughout the year." "While a broad upward slope is normal in a market where anxiety about the future gets worse with time, price jumps are now noticeable around the time of the Republican National Convention in July and the November election," the report said. Related Link: Hewlett Packard Enterprise's CEO: A Donald Trump Presidency Won't Be Good For Business The report highlighted the period between July 22 and 29 as being a time of expected volatility on the S&P curve. Not only do the dates coincide with the end of the four-day Republican National Convention (July 1821), but also with July 27's Fed policy announcement. "More and more people are buying options targeting expiries tied to specific events and trading around them," said Stephen Solaka, managing partner of Belmont Capital Group in Los Angeles, California. "They're either hedging or making directional bets, and that's why you see kinks in the curve. It's a fairly common tactic, and it's getting more popular." Further, the report noted, "The slope of expected price swings starts higher again at the end of July and continues rising through the end of September, a period that includes the Sept. 21 FOMC decision." Bloomberg elaborated, "For Sept. 16 to 30, S&P 500 options are embedding a price swing that's 1.5 percentage points above the historical median [...] The expected volatility is calculated using forward S&P 500 options with an exercise price of 2,075." See more from Benzinga 2016 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump election 2016 illustration Donald Trump has surged in recent national polls against Hillary Clinton, overtaking her for the first time in the coveted RealClearPolitics average of several polls earlier in the week. But for all the fuss over the national polls, the only outcome that will matter on election night is how many states Trump can convert from blue to red on the 2012 electoral map between President Barack Obama and then-GOP nominee Mitt Romney. And, based on recent polling and projections, 2016 is shaping up to be very much like 2012. Of 23 states with recent polling available on RealClearPolitics, 22 align with the same party in 2016 as in 2012. The only one that is not, Virginia, is a statistical tie in the latest poll. And the percentages by which Clinton and Trump are leading in these states are, in many cases, nearly identical to the margins by which Obama and Romney won them by in 2012. In 2012, the key swing states of Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania went to Obama by a difference of 1, 2, and 5 points, respectively. Clinton is leading in the RealClearPolitics average in those states by a near-identical 2, 1.4, and 5.3 points. "Every place we've polled in the last month we've found the Clinton/Trump race within a few points of where the Obama/Romney race ended up," wrote Tom Jensen, the director of the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling. He added: "There was so much talk earlier this year of Clinton winning some sort of historical landslide that expectations got out of whack and now fuel perceptions that she's doing really poorly, but the bottom line is she's pretty much where Obama was in an election that while relatively close in the popular vote ended up as an electoral college landslide." The map below compares the differences in the Democratic share of the vote in 2012 and in 2016: 2012 v 2016 dem vote share map different red Although still months out from an election that has proven volatile, those numbers make it look increasingly difficult for Trump to overcome the Obama-Romney map of 2012, when Obama won with 332 votes in the Electoral College. Story continues Electoral College 2012 In April, Morning Consult published their own projection of what a Clinton-Trump matchup would look like in the fall. The outlet found a strikingly similar result the only state that flipped from blue to red compared to 2012 was Maine and its four electoral votes: unnamed (2) NOW WATCH: Turns out a presidential candidate could win the election with just 22% of the popular vote More From Business Insider BAMAKO (Reuters) - Five United Nations peacekeepers were killed and one other seriously injured in an ambush in central Mali on Sunday, the United Nations said. A convoy of soldiers in the U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was attacked 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Sevare, the U.N. said. The nationalities of the soldiers were not released and so far no group had taken responsibility for the attack. It comes 10 days after five MINUSMA peacekeepers from Chad were killed in an ambush in the northern region of Kidal. Two days ago five Malian soldiers were killed near the town of Gao. "I condemn in the strongest terms this despicable crime," said MINUSMA head Mahamat Saleh Annadif, adding that it constituted "crimes against humanity under international law". MINUSMA and French forces have been stationed in northern Mali for three years since separatists joined jihadists to seize the region from the government in Bamako. The militants have staged a series of high profile attacks in the past year, mainly in the north of the country, but also in neighboring Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. A peace accord signed last year was meant to bring stability to the region, but attacks against the U.N. mission, Malian military and civilians are still frequent. (Reporting By Adama Diarra and Tiemoko Diallo; writing by Edward McAllister; editing by Gareth Jones) Kiev (AFP) - Five Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and four wounded in fresh clashes with pro-Russian separatists in the country's east, the military said Sunday, the army's second deadliest toll this year. "Unfortunately, over the past 24 hours, five Ukrainian soldiers have died and four more have been wounded," military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told reporters. It was the second biggest death toll in a single day this year for the army after the military reported on Tuesday that seven government troops had died in the east of the country. The villages of Avdiivka and Opytne located close to the rebels' de-facto capital of Donetsk remain the epicentre of the fighting, said Motuzyanyk. The latest deaths came after Kiev said on Saturday that another Ukrainian soldier had died in clashes with rebels near the government-controlled city of Mariupol. "The situation has worsened sharply," another military spokesman, Andriy Lysenko, told journalists on Saturday. On Monday, the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine called for the 2015 peace accords signed in the Belarussian capital Minsk to be implemented "as quickly as possible," according to the French presidency. The accords call for a ceasefire along with a range of political, economic and social measures to end the conflict which erupted in April 2014 and has now claimed more than 9,300 lives. But persistent violence is preventing the warring sides from reaching a political reconciliation deal despite a series of truce agreements. The latest spike in violence came after Ukraine scored a major diplomatic victory on Wednesday by securing the return of Ukrainian military pilot Nadiya Savchenko as part of a prisoner swap with the Kremlin. - Savchenko meets Poroshenko - Some observers expressed the hope that the high-profile Savchenko prisoner swap would help reduce tensions between the two rivals and speed up the implementation of Western-brokered agreements to reach peace in the east of the ex-Soviet country. Story continues Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko received Savchenko -- who was fighting in a pro-Kiev militia group against rebels in east Ukraine before she was captured by Russia in June 2014 -- late on Saturday. The two discussed the exacerbation of violence in the east, with Poroshenko asking the 35-year-old Iraq war veteran "to visit a number of European countries and hold meetings with European leaders." Savchenko, who had been held in Russia for nearly two years, was convicted by a Russian court in March over the killing of two Russian journalists in eastern Ukraine and sentenced to 22 years behind bars. The West and Kiev have accused Russia of buttressing the rebels and sending regular troops across the border, claims Moscow has repeatedly denied despite evidence to the contrary. Bamako (AFP) - At least five UN peacekeepers were killed in an ambush in central Mali by suspected militants on Sunday, the UN and police sources said. The attack is the first time the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, has recorded fatalities in the centre of a country long beset by violence in its vast and desolate north. "According to preliminary information, five peacekeepers were killed. Another was seriously hurt and is being evacuated," MINUSMA said in a statement. The UN did not immediately confirm the nationality of the dead soldiers but a Bamako police source indicated a group of Togolese peacekeepers "came across a mine and a terrorist attack some 50 kilometres out of Mopti." First reports had indicated four Togolese peacekeepers were killed in the mid-morning attack on a MINUSMA convoy some 30 kilometres (20 miles) west of the town of Sevare in Mopti region. MINUSMA mission head Mahamat Saleh Annadif condemned the attack as an "odious" act of terror. "I most strongly condemn this abject crime which adds to other terrorist acts targeting our peacekeepers and which constitute crimes against humanity under international law," said Annadif. Sunday's attack came just two days after authorities reported five Malian soldiers killed and four wounded Friday when their vehicles hit a mine in the north and then came under sustained fire. Last week also saw five peacekeepers from Chad killed and three others wounded in an ambush in the northeast by Ansar Dine jihadist fighters. The Mali mission is the most dangerous active deployment for UN peacekeepers and it has been hit by sharp internal tensions since its launch in July 2013. With Sunday's attack, at least 64 MINUSMA peacekeepers have been killed while on active service, while another four have died in friendly fire incidents, UN figures show. The north has seen repeated violence since it fell under the control of Tuareg-led rebels who allied with jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda in 2012. The Islamists were largely ousted by an ongoing French-led military operation launched in January 2013, but they have since carried out sporadic attacks on security forces from desert hideouts. Rival armed factions and smuggling networks mean the region has struggled for stability since Mali gained independence from former colonial power France in 1960. Paris (AFP) - Andre Rousselet, founder of the French film and television network Canal+ and former close friend of the late president Francois Mitterrand, died on Sunday at his Paris home, his family said. He was 93. "He died peacefully at his home," Philippe Rousselet, one of his sons, told AFP. President Francois Hollande led the tributes for the entrepreneur, praising his business intuition and recalling his loyal friendship to Mitterand. "Andre Rousselet turned his life into a great adventure," Hollande said. After founding Canal+ in 1984, Rousselet stepped down as chairman a decade later in protest over a shareholder pact which saw advertising giant Havas, the utilities firm Compagnie Generale des Eaux and the Societe General bank taking effective control of the premium pay television channel. He placed the blame squarely on the influence of rightwing premier Edouard Balladur. Canal+ breathed new life into France's audiovisual sector, becoming the principal financier of French-made films. It is currently owned by media and telecoms giant Vivendi. "Without Rousselet's intelligence, without his fighting spirit and his obstinacy, Canal+ wouldn't exist," said Jack Lang, a former socialist culture minister and current president of the Arab World Institute in Paris. "Canal+ invented so many things... it was and still is the lungs of (French) cinema," he said. Rousselet was also a close friend of Mitterand, who served as president between 1981 and 1995 and whom he knew for four decades. On his death in 1996, Rousselet served as the executor of his will. Rousselet also had a brief venture into the print world, with a short-lived weekly in the mid 1970s called Sport Magazine and a daily newspaper called InfoMatin which first appeared in 1994 but closed two years later. By Ingrid Melander PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) - France will "go all the way" to ensure that multinationals operating on its soil pay their taxes and more cases could follow after Google and McDonald's were targeted by tax raids, Finance Minister Michel Sapin said. Sapin, speaking in an interview with Reuters and three European newspapers, ruled out negotiating any deal with Google on back taxes, as Britain did in January. Dozens of French police raided Google's Paris headquarters on Tuesday, escalating an investigation on suspicions of tax evasion. Investigators searched McDonald's French headquarters on May 18 in another tax probe. "We'll go all the way. There could be other cases," Sapin said. Raids this month by police and justice investigators build on the work started by tax authorities three or four years ago, when they transferred tax data to judicial authorities that look into any possible criminal angle, Sapin said. Google, McDonald's and other multinational firms such as Starbucks are under increasing pressure in Europe from public opinion and governments angry at the way businesses exploit their presence around the world to minimise the tax they pay. Google says it is fully complying with French law and McDonald's declined to comment on the search, referring back to past comments that it is proud to be one of the biggest tax payers in France. Sapin said he could not discuss what sums were at stake because of the confidentiality of tax matters. A source in his ministry had said in February that French tax authorities were seeking some 1.6 billion euros ($1.78 billion) in back taxes from Google. NO DEAL Asked if tax authorities could strike a deal with the tech giant, he said: "We don't do deals like Britain, we apply the law." Google agreed in January to pay 130 million pounds ($190 million) in back taxes to Britain, prompting criticism from opposition lawmakers and campaigners that the sum was too low. "There won't be negotiations," Sapin said, adding that there was always the possibility of some marginal adjustments "but that's not the logic we're in." Story continues Google, now part of Alphabet Inc, pays little tax in most European countries because it reports almost all sales in Ireland. This is possible thanks to a loophole in international tax law but it hinges on staff in Dublin concluding all sales contracts. This week's police raid is part of a separate judicial investigation into aggravated tax fraud and the organised laundering of the proceeds of tax fraud. Should it be found guilty of that, Google faces either up to 10 million euros ($11 million) in fines or a fine of half of the value of the laundered amount involved. A preliminary inquiry into McDonald's was opened early this year after former investigating magistrate and politician Eva Joly filed a lawsuit in December on behalf of an employee committee, a judicial source said. French business magazine L'Expansion reported last month that authorities had sent McDonald's France a 300 million euro bill for unpaid taxes on profits believed to have been funneled through Luxembourg and Switzerland. It said tax officials had accused the giant U.S. burger chain of using a Luxembourg-based entity, McD Europe Franchising, to shift profits to lower-tax jurisdictions by billing the French division excessively for use of the company brand and other services. The judicial source confirmed the investigation was looking into this. The government said this week that it had raked in 3.3 billion euros in back taxes and penalties from just five multinationals in 2015. "Nothing prevents big groups from coming to us and declaring their taxes," Sapin said. ($1 = 0.6839 pounds) ($1 = 0.8998 euros) (Reporting by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Tom Heneghan) Lima (AFP) - One week before Peru's presidential runoff, Keiko Fujimori heads into Sunday's final debate hoping to bolster her lead over center-right rival Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Fujimori, 41, a right-wing populist with Peru's Popular Force party, has 46 percent of public backing going into the June 5 vote, polling firm CPI found in a survey late last week. Her rival, center-right economist Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, running under the banner of his self-created party, Peruanos por Kambio -- Peruvians for Change -- has 38.9 percent support. The poll was released following Fujimori's commanding performance in a first debate against Kuczynski a week ago, in which she relentlessly attacked the 77-year-old former World Bank executive. Fujimori is the political heir to her father's controversial reign from 1990 to 2000. Her father Alberto Fujimori is currently serving a 25-year sentence for massacres committed by an army death squad. His decade-long rule saw economic growth but also brutal human rights abuses, committed in the name of wiping out the communist guerrilla group Shining Path. Since winning 39 percent of the vote to 21 percent for Kuczynski in the first round on April 10, Keiko Fujimori has sought to distance herself from her father's authoritarian image, and has vowed to work to unite a deeply polarized Peru. She appears not to have been hurt so far by allegations of money laundering during her first run for the presidency in 2011. Her campaign also has been accused of dirty tricks, after her vice presidential candidate Jose Chlimper was accused of sending a doctored video to a television station in an alleged bid to smear their political enemies. Princess Madeleine shared adorable new pictures of Princess Estelle and Princess LeonoreA hanging out and cuddling together. The photos were taken during while the royal and her family, who live in London, flew in for a special visit to Sweden last week.A Princess Leonore, 2, daughter of Princess Madeleine, met up with Princess Estelle, 4, daughter of Crown Princess Victoria, in Stockholm for the Friday christening of her cousin Prince Oscar. During the celebrations both girls demonstrated their independent spirit: while her mom was on duty as a godmother to the young prince, Princess Leonore showed off some dance moves to more than 150 guests during the relaxed but impressive 48-minute ceremony.A Giggle Girls! Swedish Royal Palace and Princess Madeleine Release Adorable New Photos from Prince Oscar's Christening| The Royals, Princess Madeleine, Princess Victoria Want to keep up with the latest royals coverage? Click here to subscribe to the Royals Newsletter. When a reporter asked Prince Daniel for a comment in the palace courtyard outside afterwards, scene-stealing Princess Estelle jumped in with a winning smile and replied "Everything is great!" Related Video: Royal Flashback: Prince William and Prince George's Christenings Prince Nicolas, who was himself christened at Stockholm's Royal Chapel in October 2015, took an unusual accessory along to the church service.A Giggle Girls! Swedish Royal Palace and Princess Madeleine Release Adorable New Photos from Prince Oscar's Christening| The Royals, Princess Madeleine, Princess Victoria Held in the arms of his financier father Chris O'Neill, the sweet 11-month-old princeA spent much of the service apparently enthralled by his latest toy: an illuminated toothbrush. On Sunday, Sweden's Royal Palace also released official new photographs of Prince Oscar, third in line to the nation's throne, with his family. The Cincinnati Zoo's 17-year-old gorilla Harambe was shot and killed on Saturday after a 4-year-old boy slipped into his enclosure, according to a statement on the park's website. The child climbed through a public barrier, falling into the Gorilla World exhibit's moat. While two female gorillas were removed from the enclosure immediately, Harambe remained near the child, according to the statement. Video shows (warning: this content might be disturbing to some) Harambe grabbing onto the little boy and carrying him around the enclosure while onlookers screamed. The Zoo's Dangerous Animal Response Team determined that the situation was life-threatening, and decided to kill Harambe, according to the statement. "The Zoo security team's quick response saved the child's life. We are all devastated that this tragic accident resulted in the death of a critically-endangered gorilla," the zoo's director Thane Maynard said in the statement. "This is a huge loss for the Zoo family and the gorilla population worldwide." The child was responsive after being recovered from the enclosure, but was still transported to the city's Children's Hospital Medical Center. According to the statement, the hospital is not releasing details on his condition. RELATED VIDEO: The Snuggle Is Real: 5 Pets Who Sound Just Like Humans The Snuggle Is Real: 5 Pets Who Sound Just Like Humans" data-ad-channel="peoplepets" data-ad-subchannel="" data-auto-play="no"> Maynard said in a press conference that the response team decided against using a tranquilizer because the drug would have taken effect too slowly, according to CNN. Harambe, who weighed in at 400 pounds, celebrated his birthday Friday. Heavy rain and hail brought flooding to parts of Germany on Sunday, May 29. In the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, torrents of water swept away cars and damaged property in the town of Schwabisch Hall. These videos show flooding in Schwabisch Gmund, a town about 48km south of Schwabisch Hall, where divers were called in to search for two people who went missing in the floods. According to a statement from city council officials, the level of the Rems river, which flows through the town, rose by 2.71m following the storm. Credit: Facebook/City Council Schwabisch Gmund Hong Kong (AFP) - In high-rise, high-priced Hong Kong, even millionaires don't always have room to store their fine wine collection at home, but a converted British war bunker offers space-crunched oenophiles the perfect solution. Built by Her Majesty's government in the 1930s to hold munitions, the "Little Hong Kong" bunker complex was the last Allied position to fall to the invading Japanese on 27 December 1941 -- two days after the surrender of the British governor. Collectors may rest assured that this spirit endures, says Gregory De 'Eb company principal of Crown Wine Cellars. "We have great feng shui here. Nobody died, last place to surrender -- it was all good!" he explains. The firm has converted the sprawling complex into state of the art wine storage. Six of the Central Ordnance Munitions Depot bunkers -- each spanning some 1,000 square feet -- have been painstakingly transformed in to what he describes as "the Rolls Royce of wine cellars." Carved out of Hong Kong's hills, protected by reinforced concrete and soil, the complex -- whose sensitive restoration even received a nod from UNESCO -- offers one of the most secure environments possible for wine. "If you give us one bottle of 1982 Petrus that your grandfather gave to you (with) his signature on the top left hand corner, we make absolutely sure that your bottle will never be interchanged with any other," said De' Eb, a former diplomat. "In 50 years time we will give that bottle back to you. It's so important," he added. - 'Gold standard' security - De' Eb says the wine vaults were built in accordance to the US standard for gold bullion, while overall security at the bunkers drew inspiration from methods employed by the diamond industry in his native South Africa. Staff must wear wetsuits when entering the cellars -- an anti-theft measure to ensure nothing can be smuggled out in clothing, and some vaults require three people to simultaneously input codes in order to access them. Story continues Clients are not allowed to enter the main storage warehouses, but can request to view their wine collection in small rooms, where they will be closely monitored by security cameras. Such measures are not just for show: the cellar holds two of the world's most expensive bottles of wine ever sold at auction -- Chateau Lafite 1869 that went under the hammer in 2010 at Sotheby's Hong Kong, fetching 232,692 dollars (208,000 euros) apiece. Thanks to Hong Kong's incredible concentrations of wealth, the city has become a world capital for fine wine. The city hosts Vinexpo, Asia's largest wine and spirits fair, and has become a major hub for fine wine sales across Asia, thanks in part to a government decision in 2008 to drop import duties on wine. Imports have grown exponentially -- to $1.5 billion in 2015, up from $206 million in 2007 according to Hong Kong Trade Development Council figures. The city is a key gateway to the vast, lucrative Chinese market, but of the 63.3 million litres of wine that was imported into Hong Kong in 2015, just 27.2 million was re-exported -- highlighting the city's own love affair with grapes. - Where to keep it? - Astronomical real estate prices coupled with Hong Kong's hot and humid environment, mean that "wine storage really is a growing business," said Korean wine expert Jeannie Cho Lee. "It's not like in France where everyone has a basement under their house," said wine importer Alex Yim. "In Hong Kong, you even need to find a place to store your clothes," he added, referring to the city's notoriously small but expensive apartments, which often lack basic storage space. The government has sought to encourage the nascent local wine storage industry, creating the world's first Wine Storage Management Systems Certification Scheme in 2009. By the end of 2015, 37 Hong Kong companies had been certified, giving wine-lovers many options. They could trust their entire collection to Crown, which has 2,000 customers including major auction houses like Sotheby's, and manages "more than three billion Hong Kong dollars," worth of wine, De' Eb said. The company is an arm of Crown Worldwide, which also has relocation, record management and fine art divisions. Or they could turn to companies like Wine Vault, which started in 2008 and has converted disused industrial space into individual climate-controlled wine storage rooms. The firm's cellars are between 40 and 80 square feet in size, and users can access their wine collection whenever they want, thanks to facial recognition software. The rooms off the long corridor in the bland industrial complex are now packed with cases and bottles of the world's best vintages: Petrus 1966, Chateau Margaux 1981, Graves 1928, Barolo 1945. "In order to mimic the environment of underground cellars in Bordeaux or other wine regions we keep the temperature around... 13, 14 degrees," said Hubert Li, a partner at the Wine Vault. "All of our 550 clients are private collectors," he said, adding that sometimes clients send their drivers to collect a few more bottles to top up their smaller wine fridge at home. Hip-hop dancer Amirah Sackett is challenging stereotypes of Muslim women with her group, We're Muslim, Don't Panic, in an effort to "[bring] empowerment to Muslim-American women and girls who regularly experience discrimination," Bust reported in a recent profile. An Oct. 15, 2015 performance by her group shows the ladies in her group have some pretty sick moves: "I wanted to flip the script," Sackett told Bust. "I wanted to educate others and reflect the beauty that I know and love in Muslim women. Yes, there are oppressed women in the Muslim world. Women are oppressed the world over. These are our mutual struggles." Since WMDP debuted in 2011, recording artist Brother Ali featured the group in his "Mourning In America" music video, and they have toured schools around the country to educate young people on stereotypes. Challenging stereotypes is a top priority for the Muslim-American community, with one survey by the Council on American Islamic Relations finding 30% of U.S. Muslims rank it as their most important concern in 2016. Following an Islamic State terror attack in Paris last year which killed at least 130 people and wounded hundreds of others, and a mass shooting by two Muslim gunmen in San Bernardino, California which killed 14 people and wounded some 21 others, Islamophobic attitudes in the U.S. and Western Europe have skyrocketed. One poll by Morning Consult found 50% of U.S. voters supported presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's plan to bar all Muslims from entry to the country, including about one-third of Democrats and over 70% of Republicans, Think Progress reported. Correction: May 29, 2016 at 3:45 p.m. A prior version of this story's headline referred to the clothing the dancers wear as a hijab. In the video featured, WMDP is wearing niqabs. A Louisiana man who was killed Thursday by some 1,000 bee stings was in Arizona to meet his father for the first time. Alex Bestler, 23, was on a hike with his stepsister in Mesa when the two were swarmed by angry bees. While his sibling was able to run to a bathroom and take cover, Bestler wasn't so lucky. And it all unfolded while Bestler was in the area to meet his dad for the very first time, family members told KPNX. Read: Zoo Shoots Gorilla to Protect Boy Who Fell Into Enclosure According to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, another hiker and park employees tried to help Bestler, who they discovered on the ground and covered in bees, tried to approach him but to stay back because of the aggressiveness of the insects. With the assistance of two Rural Metro Fire Fighters, Maricopa County Sheriff's Sgt. Romer was able to load Alex onto a utility vehicle and remove him from the scene, still covered with bees, and the swarm pursued. Read: Killer Bees Swarm California Town, Killing Two Dogs and Terrorizing Residents I commend Sgt. Romer for risking his life trying to save the victim," Maricopa County's Sheriff Joe Arpaio said in a release. "These attacks are becoming more frequent and I urge the public to be aware of their surroundings when out in these areas. Authorities called the attack unprovoked. It was not immediately clear whether the bees were the more aggressive Africanized variety or native honeybees. Watch: Couple Films Bed Bugs Crawling On Their Sheets in Manhattan Hotel Related Articles: Verdun (France) (AFP) - French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel appealed Sunday for Europe to unite to face its current challenges as they marked the 100th anniversary of Verdun, the longest battle of World War I. The 300 days of fighting in northeast France were one of the bloodiest battles of the war, claiming more than 300,000 lives before France emerged victorious. Hollande and Merkel said just as France and Germany had put aside their shared history to become close allies, the European Union must now pull together to deal with the migrant crisis and a possible British exit in a referendum next month. Once again, Europe was in danger of "division and turning in on ourselves", the French president said in a speech before thousands of white crosses at the Douaumont ossuary, where the remains of 130,000 soldiers -- both French and German -- are buried. "Our solemn duty is written in the ravaged ground of Verdun... let's love our own people but let's protect our common home, Europe, without which we would be exposed to the storms of history," Hollande said. Merkel, whose country took in more than one million refugees in 2015, said the challenges of the 21st century "can only be overcome together". The chancellor said "nationalistic thinking and actions will set us back" and that Europe was "fragile" because "weaknesses" had appeared. The lessons for Europe from the "catastrophes" of the 20th century were that "it is essential not to shut ourselves off, but to be open to each other," Merkel said. - 'Europe lost its way' - Under persistent rain, the two leaders began the day of commemoration by laying a wreath at the German military cemetery at Consenvoye, just north of Verdun. Sharing an umbrella, they walked between rows of black crosses inscribed with the names of the German dead stretching down the hill where 11,000 soldiers are buried. Story continues By visiting the German cemetery, Hollande and Merkel were following in the footsteps of their predecessors Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl. When Mitterrand and Kohl joined hands there during the playing of the French national anthem in 1984, it underlined how close ties had become between the two countries, former enemies who are now often described as the twin motors of the European Union. In a speech at Verdun town hall, Hollande said: "Verdun is a town which represents both the worst -- where Europe lost its way 100 years ago -- and the best, because the town has been able to galvanise itself and unite for peace and Franco-German friendship." Over lunch, the two leaders discussed the ongoing migrant crisis, which has seen hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees pouring into Europe in search of a new life. They then attended the main ceremony at Douaumont, where 3,000 French and German schoolchildren took part in a re-enactment choreographed by German filmmaker Volker Schloendorff aimed at showing how peace can grow from ghastly conflict. Earlier, church bells rang out for miles around in memory of the soldiers killed on both sides. The battle of Verdun lasted from February 1916 to December 1916 and was fought along the front line dividing the French and German armies. The last survivor of the battle died in 2008. Verdun (France) (AFP) - French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will on Sunday stand shoulder to shoulder on the battlefield of Verdun to remember those killed 100 years ago in one of the bloodiest episodes of World War I. To mark the centenary, Hollande and Merkel will lay wreaths at cemeteries holding the dead of both sides in the northeast French town. The 1916 offensive lasted 300 days and claimed more than 300,000 lives. Both leaders are expected to use the day of remembrance to stress the need for unity at a time when the European Union is under pressure from the migrant crisis and a possible Brexit. Speaking on the eve of the commemorations, Merkel underlined the close ties between the neighbouring countries, often described as the twin motors of Europe. "To be invited to these commemorations shows the extent to which relations between France and Germany are good today," she said. In the run-up to the ceremony, Hollande recalled the moment during the 1984 commemoration that his predecessor Francois Mitterrand and the then chancellor of West Germany Helmut Kohl joined hands during the playing of the French national anthem. "Mitterrand's gesture with Helmut Kohl, the hands that reached out and found each other, that's the symbol of reconciliation," he told French radio this week. Now was the time for both countries' leaders to spell out what they wanted to do for Europe at this moment, a time when the continent was in the grip of the "evil of populism". That appeared to be a reference to Europe's far-right parties which have made advances in several countries, fuelled by growing concern over an unprecedented influx of migrants. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will also attend Sunday's acts of remembrance. - Church bells - Hollande and Merkel will start by visiting the German military cemetery at Consenvoye, just north of Verdun. Story continues At a lunch Sunday the two leaders will then discuss the crisis caused by the hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees seeking refuge in Europe and the June 23 British referendum on whether or not to quit the European Union. Both leaders will give short speeches that will touch on the current challenges facing Europe. Then they will attend a ceremony at the Douaumont ossuary, where the remains of 130,000 soldiers, French and German, lie underground. It was here that Mitterrand and Kohl made their symbolic gesture to reaffirm Franco-German friendship. Douaumont was a key strategic fort which saw heavy fighting during the battle as the French fought to recapture it. Sunday's ceremony at Douaumont will also feature more than 3,000 children from France and Germany in a presentation choreographed by the German film-maker Volker Schloendorff. Church bells for miles around will ring out in memory of the soldiers who died on both sides. Verdun was the main battle of the war for the French, and became a symbol of the war's devastation. German forces launched an offensive on February 21, 1916 and tried to bleed the French army dry to force Paris to the negotiating table. French general Philippe Petain rallied his troops to contain the German drive and win back most of the terrain given up in early fighting. The battle lasted until December 18 at a staggering cost of at least 770,000 dead, missing or wounded. Mamoutzou (AFP) - Hundreds of foreigners were booted out of their homes on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte Sunday in a fresh wave of forced evictions by anti-migrant groups, local officials said. Most of the expelled villagers, mainly from the neighbouring Comoros islands, were forced to head to the capital to join hundreds of families already camped out on the main square after similarly being made homeless by angry locals. The island's authorities, Mayotte Prefecture, said they held a crisis meeting on Sunday to discuss the worsening unrest. French President Francois Hollande earlier this month called the situation on the island "extremely worrying". The latest flare-up saw groups go door to door in nine villages, according to the local authorities. Some families were immediately thrown out of their homes, while others were given ultimatums to leave within the coming days. Nearly 700 people were expelled from the central village of Ouangani alone, including dozens of families with proof of legal residency, Comoran associations on Mayotte said. Mayotte opted to remain under French rule when the other islands in the Comoros archipelago chose independence in 1975. It is much wealthier than the neighbouring islands and more than 40 percent of its population is thought to have been born abroad. Many have come from nearby Comoros in search of work. For months, anti-foreigner groups have been whipping up hostility to migrants with leaflets accusing them of "clandestine immigration" and "daily thefts, assaults and murders". The island's prefect, Frederic Veau, last week called for an end to the forced expulsions and said security forces could be deployed to maintain public order. By Manoj Kumar and Mayank Bhardwaj NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India plans legislation to close a regulatory loophole that has made it possible for fraudsters to dupe millions of savers, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi strives to bring the rural poor into the mainstream banking system. Unscrupulous operators have bilked savers of billions of dollars by running pyramid schemes or promoting questionable investments in everything from tree plantations to farming emus, a flightless bird. The most notorious has been Sahara, whose founder Subrata Roy was jailed in 2014 after failing to comply with a Supreme Court order to repay money raised under deposit plans later ruled illegal. The court has asked Sahara to return $5.4 billion to investors in those banned plans. "Our aim is to take steps so that there are no more scams like Sahara in future," said Nishikant Dubey, a member of parliament's standing committee on finance from Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Parliament could consider a bill in July that would replace weak rules that now govern credit cooperatives operating in more than one state. These are now overseen by just 10 staff at the Agriculture Ministry. The officials lack the resources to monitor such savings groups and, one told Reuters on condition of anonymity, have faced pressure to turn a blind eye from politicians who personally profit from them. MIND THE LOOPHOLE India does not have a unified regulatory regime to counter Ponzi, or pyramid, schemes whose operators typically grab new deposits to meet their promise of guaranteed returns to existing savers. Such schemes can snowball but are doomed to eventual collapse when they run out of new savers. Federal investigators are probing cases in which 60 million savers have lost some $10 billion. The lack of sanctions means that kingpins behind failed deposit schemes are rarely punished. Roy has not been convicted of any crime over his Sahara empire; he was jailed two years ago for contempt by the Supreme Court and recently freed on parole after his mother died. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) does have the power to freeze operations at, and investigate, suspected fraud at collective investment schemes that raise over 1 billion rupees ($15 million) and fall under its purview. But, say lawmakers, stronger sanctions are needed to protect poor people who often save tiny sums for a rainy day. India's 1.3 billion people live on an average income of $3.60 a day in 2011 dollars, the World Bank estimates. "The looseness in implementation of state acts, including looseness at the SEBI end, has helped fraud operators to loot the people," said Kirit Somaiya, president of the Investors' Grievances Forum and another lawmaker from Modi's ruling party. Asked to respond, SEBI said in an emailed statement that it had passed interim orders against 273 entities over the past three years, directing them not to collect money or sell property, for a range of violations. It issued final orders against another 144 entities to refund money to investors with the promised returns. The government expects to win opposition support for the reform, yet some politicians and a lobby group representing credit cooperatives oppose it saying it could cause job losses. FEELING EMPOWERED The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes and Protection of Depositors' Interests Bill, based on Britain's Financial Services Act, would create a committee to decide on whether deposit schemes should be investigated. This would comprise senior officials from departments such as the home and finance ministries, the Reserve Bank of India, SEBI and the Central Bureau of Investigation, India's top crime-fighting agency. It would create special state courts to handle fraud cases, and foresees jail terms of up to five years and stiff fines for duping savers. Repeat offenders would face up to 10 years in jail. If approved, the bill would bar about 1,400 societies that have collected over $30 billion from taking deposits, said a senior official at the farm ministry. Tougher regulation would back up a drive by Modi to ensure that India's poor have access to regulated banking services. Under the Modi-backed People's Wealth Scheme, 218 million new accounts have been opened. These are being linked to a national identity card scheme so that account holders can receive welfare benefits directly, to buy cooking gas or for work under a rural jobs scheme, reducing systemic fraud. Lawyer Rakesh Nangia said the reform would create a stronger framework less prone to manipulation, and positive knock-on effects for investment and growth by channeling savings into the formal economy. "This is important for Prime Minister Modi's financial inclusion plan," said Nangia, a managing partner at Nangia & Co, a Delhi-based law firm. "It would help the economy if the money was put in the mainstream banking system." ($1 = 67.3100 Indian rupees) (Additional reporting by Suchitra Mohanty in NEW DELHI, Jatindra Dash in BHUBANESWAR and Abhirup Roy in MUMBAI; Editing by Douglas Busvine and Mike Collett-White) Indonesian activist Adlun Fiqri could be jailed for wearing a T-shirt allegedly bearing a leftist logo, one of many caught up in a backlash against efforts to shine a light on military-backed, anti-communist massacres half a century ago. Police and the military have in recent weeks rounded up people for allegedly spreading communism -- which remains outlawed in Indonesia -- through logos on T-shirts. They have also seized books about communism and stopped a film screening that touched on the subject. It came after the government last month took timid steps towards making peace with one of the nation's darkest chapters -- the killing of at least 500,000 people in anti-communist massacres in 1965-66, conducted by local groups with military support. The killings began after General Suharto put down a coup attempt blamed on communists. He rose to power on the back of the bloodshed, and went on to lead Indonesia with an iron fist for three decades. During his rule, the massacres were presented as necessary to rid the country of communism -- Indonesia had the world's third-biggest communist party before the killings. Public debate about the killings was taboo, and no one was ever held to account. Since Suharto's 1998 downfall and Indonesia's transformation into a freewheeling democracy, there have been growing calls to re-examine one of the worst mass killings of the 20th century, and even for an official apology. Last month the government took steps towards coming to terms with the episode by backing for the first time public discussions into the killings -- attended by survivors and members of the military -- and they announced they would investigate sites that activists say are mass graves. But the moves swiftly sparked a backlash from the military and police. Conservative elements of the security forces began speaking out against a supposed communist resurgence, despite the fact the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) was wiped out during the 1960s massacres. Story continues "The leftist movement is currently surging in this country," hardline Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu warned in a recent speech to hundreds of retired generals, according to the Jakarta Post newspaper. - 'Surging communist threat' - Observers believe the military is whipping up the spectre of a communist threat as their role in the killings comes under scrutiny. Paul Rowland, an independent Jakarta-based political analyst, said some in the military "would like to revive the communist threat because that effectively justifies the actions that were taken 50 years ago". Those caught up in the backlash potentially face tough punishments, as spreading communist ideology is punishable by up to 12 years in jail. This includes activist Fiqri, 20, who was arrested earlier this month on the eastern island of Ternate for wearing a T-shirt that had a picture of a coffee cup and the letters "PKI" on it, which authorities claim was a reference to the country's former communist party. Police seized more T-shirts and books when they arrested Fiqri and other activists from a group that promotes indigenous people's rights. Fiqri and one other activist are still under investigation. "I think this is ridiculous," Fiqri, who is not currently in custody, told AFP. "It is silly that reading books to gain knowledge and wearing T-shirts can get you arrested." In another case, police arrested and questioned a Jakarta shop owner over the T-shirts he was selling that bore a supposedly communist image of a hammer and sickle. The shop owner insisted it was a picture from the album cover of a German metal band. There have been other reports from across the country of people being detained for wearing T-shirts with hammer and sickle images, and police stopped the screening of a documentary about Buru Island where suspected communist sympathisers were once held prisoner. Security forces have been cracking down on attempts to hold public discussions about the killings since last year, as the country marked the 50th anniversary of the start of the massacres, but the current wave of arrests for promoting communist ideology only began in recent weeks. Authorities have backed the crackdown, with the interior ministry noting a "growing phenomenon" of communism. But for many of Indonesia's younger generation, who are more willing to question the old narrative about the communist killings, the security forces are going over the top. "They are showing excessive paranoia," said Renno Krisna, a 34-year-old music teacher. "It's impossible that communism will make a comeback in Indonesia." Why Have Active Japan-Focused Funds Done Better Than ETFs? (Continued from Prior Part) Performance evaluation of PRJPX The T. Rowe Price Japan Fund (PRJPX) rose 2.6% in the first four months of 2016, making it the second-best performer among the nine funds in this review. In the past one year, the fund has risen 2.2%, which ranked it third among its peers. From the end of December 2015 until May 10, 2016, the fund has risen 6.7%. Below weve graphed its performance against two ETFs: the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) and the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ). Lets look at what has contributed to the funds superior performance in the first trimester of 2016. Portfolio composition and contribution to returns Industrials, the largest invested sector, was the biggest positive contributor to PRJPXs returns in the first four months of 2016. Hoshizaki Electric contributed 60% of the sectors overall contribution to the fund. However, some of the hard work by positive contributors was undone by negative contributions from Fanuc (FANUY) and Jamco, among others. Consumer staples followed industrials in terms of positive contribution to returns. Pola Orbis Holdings and Japan Tobacco (JAPAY) were the biggest contributors from the sector. The absence of any major negative contributors also worked in favor of the sector. Telecom services closely followed staples. Had it not been for SoftBank Group (SFTBY), Nippon Telegraph & Telephone (NTT), and NTT DoCoMo (DCM), the sector would have powered past staples. While financials has troubled most funds in this review, it was the healthcare sector that dragged on PRJPX the most, led by Nakanishi. The financials sector was hurt by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MTU) and Tokio Marine Holdings (TKOMY). Investor takeaways PRJPX easily passed EWJ in the first trimester of 2016. Impeccable stock picks from the consumer discretionary, industrials, and information technology sectors served the actively managed fund well. The positive contribution of discretionary was especially important, as the sector has contributed negatively to most of the funds in this review, including EWJ. Stock picks from financials were also worth noting, as their negative contribution was negligible. This is in sharp contrast to its peers. For a lot of them, financials was the most troublesome sector in the period. Story continues PRJPXs fund manager has churned the portfolio quite a bit. However, he has the performance to show for it. His stock picks have worked well for the fund. Investors looking to invest in Japan could possibly want to put PRJPX on their shortlists. In the next article, well take a look at the last fund under review: the SunAmerica Japan Fund Class A (SAESX). Continue to Next Part Browse this series on Market Realist: John Sculley Years before Google and Oculus started daydreaming about virtual reality, Apple already had a VR product on the market. Apple called it QuickTime Virtual Reality, or QuickTime VR. It's one of the strangest projects in Apple history: Started during the years when Steve Jobs was busy with NeXT, it was ahead of the tech industry by decades but was unloved in its later years, and eventually was wound down. "When QuickTime VR came out, it wasn't video, it was still images, and they were stitched together to create a 360 view of the world," John Sculley, who was CEO of Apple from 1983 to 1993, told Business Insider. "At the time it seemed pretty amazing." So while QuickTime VR wasn't exactly like the immersive skydiving videos you can find on YouTube today, it was still innovative, and lessons from its development can inform the current immersive video craze that's being spearheaded by companies like Google, Facebook, and Samsung. Heres the story behind Apple's forgotten VR project: Ahead of its time Quicktime Vr QuickTime VR was designed to do many of the same things as the 360-degree videos now found on Facebook, immersing the viewer in a different physical space or a look at a specific object through panoramic images. At the time, it was magic. Users could look around a virtual world simply by dragging their mouse. Today, there are thousands of YouTube videos that let you do essentially the same thing online. But in the early 90s, when QuickTimeVR was developed in Apple's Human Interface Group, digital video cameras weren't yet at the point where they are now. There weren't 360-degree cameras like Google's Jump available either. So the solution was to take a whole bunch of photos with a still camera, and then stitch them together to make a QuickTime panorama. Apple's QuickTimeVR was an image file format that let computers display and explore these panoramas. "The first way I did panoramic photography was a little bit of a cheat. So what you do is, you take a million pictures and you animate between them," Dan O'Sullivan, one of the early QuickTime VR engineers and a professor at NYU, told Business Insider. "I did all this with a single camera, because imagining the matrix of cameras we now use was just too expensive." Story continues But even when the photos were taken, it took quite a lot of computer power to stitch them together into a panorama the kind of thing even our phones can do today. "It was extremely onerous, the stitching and all of that. It was quite a lot of work," O'Sullivan said. Apple even had to buy a Cray supercomputer to do a lot of the processing. Here's what the software looked like when it launched in 1995: Years of development QuickTime VR was actually a project in Apple's labs for years before it was officially released to the public as a stand-alone product in 1995. In fact, in its earliest days as a research project in Apple's Human Interface Lab in 1991, it started as researchers who just wanted to play with cutting-edge technology and systems, like Apple's HyperCard. They were trying to create digital objects in 3D. "I was just some punk intern that [Mike Mills, inventor of QuickTime] brought in, and I had these notions of what I wanted to do. So we're at something of an impasse, and I was just this little freak sitting in the corner scanning a Coca-Cola can," O'Sullivan said. But the early experiments were wildly successful, which led to top Apple brass devoting more resources to the project, including a Cray supercomputer. "I remember when Sally Ride she was on the board of directors at Apple at the time she couldn't believe it, that she could manipulate a 3D geometry in real time," Sculley said. "That was how all the stuff started." So the Quicktime VR team, including Eric Chen, who eventually debuted the software in 1995, started to come up with a new way to stitch photographs together, and used it to photograph major landmarks using the new panorama technology. One of the first big immersive images was from the top of the Golden Gate Bridge. Apple received permission from the mayor of San Francisco to let them ascend to the top. That image can still be seen on Sullivan's NYU website today, and it was included as a demo on early QuickTime CDs. After the Quicktime VR team did a demo at MacWorld, one of the biggest conferences at the time, the team got to go on even wilder trips to take 360-degree images like Russia and Paris. image108 "When I demoed it on the stage at Macworld, Apple knew this rich woman who was important at the National Gallery. And then the National Gallery knew somebody who was important in Russia. So anyway, we were off on the plane to Russia," O'Sullivan said. But the biggest QuickTime VR project would begin after it left Apple's research labs. OJ Simpson QuickTime VR first gained national attention when NBC used its technology to map Nicole Simpson's condominium complex during the OJ Simpson trial in 1995. NBC photographed 26 different locations at Simpson's condo, using QuickTimeVR to stitch them together into 360-degree panoramas. On air, the anchor Jack Ford used those visuals to give viewers a sense of the scene. Apple worked closely with NBC and even provided a copy of the software before it was released. "I knew that the story of the discovery of the bodies, the blood trail, the logistics and places at OJ's house were all going to be discussed at length, and through one friend at Apple I heard a whisper of QuickTimeVR that was yet to be," David Bohrman, a technology consultant who was then executive producer of news specials at NBC, told Business Insider. "We took a series of, maybe there were 10 or 12 locations down that walkway, which is where the blood trail was found and blood spots were found," Bohrman said. The nodes continued to "the back of the condo, where in theory it's proposed that his car or some car whisked [Simpson] away." "Our reporter Jack Ford was able to bring up the exact geography and orient it and show what they were talking about. He could slightly zoom in, and manipulate it. It was an amazingly effective tool," Bohrman said. After it made its debut on NBC, QuickTime VR went on to power experiences like "Star Trek: The Next Generation Interactive Technical Manual," a digital book that was distributed on CD. Poor man's VR It's difficult not to read about Apple's experiments with panoramic images and not draw a connection to the recent rise of 360-degree videos on platforms like Facebook and YouTube or even the immersive aspects of services like Google Maps Street View. Much of what's called VR these days isn't a full interactive environment, but is instead a descendant of the panoramic images that Apple pioneered. "The head-mounted VR did exist at that time. So it was a poor man's VR. Calling it VR was controversial and somewhat presumptuous," O'Sullivan continued. In a way, the composition aspects of immersive panoramas haven't changed a whole lot since the early 1990s it's just easier to do these days. "Quicktime VR was like a poor man's VR, and you know it's interesting now, I feel like there are still those two strains within VR. There's kind of the photographic VR, where you just take 360-degree video, and then there's the other kind of VR where it's more interactive," O'Sullivan said. When Steve Jobs returned to Apple, QuickTime VR was de-emphasized. Apple put out its last QuickTime VR-specific press release in 1997, although Apple continued to use it to provide 360-degree views of new products like iPods as late as 2006. "Quicktime VR all really happened in that Scully window before Steve came back, and I think that Apple does not pay any attention to the stuff that happened during those years," Bohrman said. Ultimately, it's not that surprising that Apple would take a shot at virtual reality even in a rudimentary form years before the public was ready to catch on. "Even to this day Apple is not the most advanced technology company when it comes to data science like Google and Facebook, but it leads the world in terms of user experience," Sculley said. "We were into experiences and obviously Quicktime and Quicktime VR were great examples of that." NOW WATCH: Google created a virtual reality paint brush lets you walk through your own artwork More From Business Insider Tehran (AFP) - Iran has set a one-year deadline for foreign social media to hand over data on their Iranian users, state news agency IRNA said Sunday. It said the decision was taken on Saturday at a meeting of an Iranian committee on the use of cyberspace headed by President Hassan Rouhani that serves as an IT regulator. "Foreign social media active in the country must transfer to Iran all the data they hold on Iranian citizens" within a year, IRNA said. The measure will affect, in particular, Telegram, an instant messaging app with more than 20 million users in the Islamic republic, a country of 80 million people. IRNA said the committee had also decided to work to develop homegrown social media to compete with foreign networks. Authorities in Iran, where Facebook and Twitter are officially banned although users can gain access with easily available software, have for years tried to impose curbs on Iranians using social media. Rouhani, a moderate cleric, has repeatedly pointed to the ineffectiveness of any measures to limit access to social media. Tehran (AFP) - The managing editor of Iran's oldest newspaper was indicted Tuesday for defying a national reporting ban on comments and pictures of the country's reformist former president Mohammad Khatami. Mahmoud Doaei of the moderate Ettelaat daily used an image of Khatami on Saturday, also translating remarks that the politician made in an interview with Lebanon's As-Safir newspaper. The indictment from a media court urged that Doaei, a cleric, be put on trial for breaking an order of Tehran's prosecutor that neither Khatami's picture nor comments be used. Iran's judiciary news service quoted an informed official as saying the reporting ban was still in force and "press and media violating the order will be dealt with according to the law". Legal authorities have barred reports involving officials described as "heads of the sedition", a reference to deadly protests after Iran's disputed presidential vote in 2009 in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected. Khatami, president between 1997 and 2005 and whose tenure was marked by unsuccessful attempts to open up Iran to the West, was among prominent figures who said the ballot was fraudulent. He refused to recognise Ahmadinejad's re-election, echoing claims by reformist opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi that the vote was rigged. Mousavi and Karroubi, who ran against Ahmadinejad, have been under house arrest since February 2011. Khatami repeatedly called for the release of Mousavi and Karroubi but following the ban on his name and picture he is only referred to as "head of the reformist government" in the media. The former president has more or less vanished from public view as a consequence. Iranian authorities temporarily blocked two websites in February for publishing reports and pictures of him. Iran's current President, Hassan Rouhani, who took office in 2013 on the platform of more social and political freedom, said before being elected that he hoped restriction on Mousavi and Karroub would end. But no such action has been taken. Tehran (AFP) - Iran said Sunday its pilgrims will miss this year's hajj because Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam's holiest sites, was raising obstacles and "blocking the path to Allah" for its faithful. Riyadh said Iran's hajj demands were "unacceptable". The Iranian Hajj Organisation said: "Saudi Arabia is opposing the absolute right of Iranians to go on the hajj and is blocking the path leading to Allah." The Saudi side had failed to respond to Iranian demands over "the security and respect" of its pilgrims to Mecca, of whom 60,000 took part in last year's hajj, the organisation said. In the latest dispute between regional rivals Tehran and Riyadh, "after two series of negotiations without any results because of obstacles raised by the Saudis, Iranian pilgrims will unfortunately not be able to take part in the hajj" in September, Iran's Culture Minister Ali Jannati said. Saudi officials have said an Iranian delegation ended a visit to the kingdom on Friday without reaching final agreement on arrangements for pilgrims from the Islamic republic. Riyadh's hajj ministry said it had offered "many solutions" to meet a string of demands made by the Iranians in two days of talks. Agreement had been reached in some areas, including to use electronic visas which could be printed out by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran, it said. On Sunday, at a joint press briefing in Jeddah with Britain's visiting Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir denounced Iran's demands. "Iran has demanded the right to organise... demonstrations and to have privileges... that would cause chaos during the hajj. This is unacceptable," Jubeir said. He said Riyadh annually signs a hajj memorandum of understanding with more than 70 countries "to guarantee the security and safety of pilgrims", but "Iran refused to sign the memorandum". Story continues - 'More than our duty' - "If it is about measures and procedures, I think we have done more than our duty to meet those needs, but it is the Iranians who have rejected things," Jubeir added. This year's would be the first hajj in almost three decades to take place without the participation of pilgrims from Iran. Riyadh-Tehran ties were severed for four years after more than 400 people were killed in Mecca during clashes between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi security forces in 1987. In January, relations were severed again after Iranian demonstrators torched Saudi Arabia's embassy and a consulate following the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Shiite Iran and predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia are at odds over a raft of regional issues, notably the conflicts in Syria and Yemen in which they support opposing sides. Earlier this month, Iran accused its regional rival of seeking to "sabotage" the hajj, a pillar of Islam that devout Muslims must perform at least once during their lifetime if they can. Tehran said Riyadh had insisted that visas for Iranians be issued in a third country and would not allow pilgrims to be flown aboard Iranian aircraft. But the Saudi hajj ministry said on Friday that Riyadh had agreed to allow Iranians to obtain visas through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which has looked after Saudi interests since January. Riyadh also agreed to allow some Iranian carriers to fly pilgrims to the kingdom despite a ban on Iranian airlines following the diplomatic row, the ministry said. Last week's talks were the second attempt to reach a deal on organising this year's pilgrimage for Iranians after an unsuccessful first round of talks held in April in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi ministry said at the time that the Iranian Hajj Organisation would be held responsible "in front of God and the people for the inability of its pilgrims to perform hajj this year". Another contentious issue has been security, after a stampede at last September's hajj killed about 2,300 foreign pilgrims, including 464 Iranians. The Daily Beast Kremlin via ReutersThe cracks in Vladimir Putins war machine appear to be growing as two of his biggest allies in the senseless slaughter of Ukrainians blast the countrys weak military.Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov went public with his complaints late Monday on Telegram, where he said he was very unhappy with the current state of the war.Earlier we used to say that we were conducting a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine, but the war is already happening on our territor Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Israel is keeping a prominent Palestinian academic behind bars despite his successful appeal against detention, a Palestinian NGO told AFP on Sunday. Astrophysics professor Imad Barghouti, 52, was arrested in April and imprisoned without trial for an initial three months, under an Israeli procedure known as administrative detention. He is accused of inciting violence against Israel, and Israeli media say he is suspected of ties to the militant Islamist group Hamas. The Ramallah-based Palestinian Prisoners Club appealed to an Israeli military court to order his release and at a session on Thursday the court ruled that he should be freed on Sunday. But the military authorities have now asked for him to be kept in Ofer prison, between Jerusalem and Ramallah. "The (Israeli) occupation prosecutor today accused prisoner Barghouti of incitement to violence and called for his continued detention after a meeting of the intelligence services," a spokesperson for the club said. Club lawyer Jawad Boulos said it was a "totally absurd" turnaround. "The prosecutor said on Thursday that after examining the dossier that it would not be possible to file charges because of lack of evidence," Boulos said. When contacted by AFP, the army had no immediate comment. Administrative detention allows Israel to hold prisoners without trial for renewable periods of up to six months each. About 7,000 Palestinians are in Israeli prisons, more than one in 10 in administrative detention. ROME Giorgio Albertazzi, the lionlike actor and director who was a leading light of the Italian stage for more than six decades but is best known to global French film lovers for playing the seducer with an Italian accent simply called X in Alain Resnais 1961 now classic Last Year at Marienbad, died Saturday in his native Tuscany. He was 92. The son of a bricklayer, Albertazzi was born in Fiesole, near Florence, where he studied acting and made his stage debut in 1949 with a small part in Shakespeares The Tragedy of Troilus and Cressida, directed by Luchino Visconti. He broke out on the international theatre scene in 1964 playing the lead in Hamlet at Londons The Old Vic Theatre directed by Franco Zeffirelli, one of his many Shakespearean roles over the years. More recently Albertazzi toured internationally playing the emperor in the stage adaptation of Marguerite Yourcenars Memories of Hadrian, directed by Maurizio Scaparro, which ran for more than one thousand performances after bowing in 1989. Albertazzi, who first played Hadrian when he was 66, often said he felt a particularly close connection to this role, especially as it related to the process of growing old Doing it, I also speak of myself, Albertazzi told Rome daily Il Messaggero when he was 90. After all, I feel a lot the end of beauty that is consumed, that runs through the text, that seizes the moment in which the harmony of body and mind breaks and enters in conflict. While trying to keep myself out of it, I think about all the people I saw ageing, and the loss of youth which I loved so much. Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi hailed Albertazzi as a great personality of our culture. President Sergio Mattarella described him as a maestro to generations of directors and actors. Besides being a protagonist of the Italian theatre scene Albertazzi was also among its outspoken critics. Theater based on a well-written (local) play has been virtually dead around here for 20 years, he lamented to Variety in a 2005 interview, two years after being appointed artistic director of Romes Teatro di Roma, the Eternal Citys principal playhouse which includes the innovative Teatro India outpost. Story continues That didnt keep Albertazzi from working in Italy well into his 90s in a wide range of capacities. In 2006, aged 83, he performed the 26th canto of Dantes The Divine Comedy, also known as the Ulysses canto, during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics held in Turin. In 2009 Albertazzi played the lead in the play by Sophocles Oedipus at Colonus, directed by prominent Polish film and theatre director Krzystof Zanussi, which was performed in the ancient greek theatre in Siracusa, Sicily. In 2014, aged 91, he was a contestant on the Italian version Dancing With the Stars, on pubcaster Rais Rai 1 flagship station, becoming the global hit TV reality shows oldest star anywhere around the world. And in 2015 he played Shylock in The Merchant of Venice at Romes Teatro Ghione. He was the greatest Italian actor, said Gigi Proietti who directed Albertazzi in Falstaff. The public knew that very well, and he, too, was conscious of having the task of being the last of the greats [of the 900s]. But always with a desire to experiment. Albertazzi is survived by his wife Pia de Tolomei. - By Mrinalini Chaudhuri Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK), based in San Diego, is a restaurant company that operates and franchises Jack in the Box restaurants and Qdoba Mexican Eats. The company recently reported second quarter results with operating earnings per share exceeding the managementas expectations. It has distinguished itself from its peers and has been able to carve a niche for itself. It is making continuous efforts to reposition itself in the fast-food industry. The company witnessed solid sales performance at Qdoba company restaurants, which was driven by traffic growth. Jack in the Box brand witnessed flat same-store sales during the quarter. Second quarter results Earnings from continuing operations during the second quarter were $29 million, or 85 cents per diluted share, which was $23.4 million, or 61 cents per diluted share during the prior year quarter. Operating earnings per share during the second quarter was 85 cents, up from 69 cents in the prior year quarter. Restaurant operating margin for Jack in the Box restaurants decreased by 70 basis points and was 20.7% of sales. Restaurant operating margin for Qdoba decreased by 50 basis points and was 18.3% of sales during the quarter. Franchise margin as a percentage of total franchise revenues improved to 53.8% in the second quarter, up from 51.7% in the prior year quarter. SG&A expense for the second quarter decreased by $5.6 million and was 13% of revenues. Dividends The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of 30 cents per share on the companyas common stock. The dividend is payable on June 7 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 24. Share repurchases The company repurchased approximately 2,177,000 shares of its common stock in the second quarter of 2016 at an average price of $68.90 per share for an aggregate cost of $150 million. Story continues In May the board of directors authorized an additional $100 million stock buyback program that also expires in November 2017. Expectations Metrics Range A Third Quarter Full Year 2016 Same-store sales To range from approximately down 2.0% to flat at Jack in the Box company restaurants To range approximately flat to up 1.0% at Jack in the Box company restaurants Same-store sales To range from approximately down 1.0% to up 1.0% at Qdoba company restaurants To range approximately 1.5% to 2.5% at Qdoba company restaurants. Consolidated restaurant operating margin A To range between 20% to 20.5% SG&A as a percentage of revenue A To range between 13% to 13.5% Capex A To be between $100 million to $120 million Tax rate A To be approximately around 38% Restaurant openings A The company plans to open 50 to 60 new Qdoba restaurants Strong attributes of the quarter Traffic growth Increased sales performance at Qdoba company restaurants It introduced multiple upgrades to the core menu at Jack in the Box restaurants system-wide Operating earnings per share exceeded expectations Healthy margins Strategic Plans Continued growth Increasing average unit volumes Improving restaurant profitability Returning value to shareholders Focus Quality and innovation in the food products offered Quality of service experience Technological innovations Advertising and other marketing efforts On a Concluding Note The restaurant business is highly competitive and is affected by local and national economic conditions, including unemployment levels, population and socioeconomic trends, traffic patterns, competitive changes in a geographic area, changes in consumer dining habits and preferences. Each Jack in the Box and Qdoba restaurant competes directly and indirectly with a large number of national and regional restaurant chains, some of which have significantly greater financial resources, as well as with locally-owned and/or independent restaurants in the quick-service and the fast-casual segments, and other afood away from homea consumer options including catering and delivery services. There is immense growth potential for this company, The company is doing well and I would recommend this company as a buy. Disclosure: I do not hold any position in the company. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. By Takaya Yamaguchi TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to delay an increase in sales tax by two and a half years, a government official said on Sunday, as the economy sputters and Abe prepares for a national election. Abe told Finance Minister Taro Aso and the secretary general of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Sadakazu Tanigaki, on Saturday of his plan to propose delaying the tax hike for a second time, until October 2019, said the official, who was briefed on the meeting. The prime minister, who has promised to announce steps on Tuesday to spur economic growth and promote structural reform, is also expected to order an extra budget to fund stimulus measures, just two months into the fiscal year and on the heels of a supplementary budget to pay for recovery from recent earthquakes in southern Japan. After chairing a summit of Group of Seven leaders on Friday, Abe said Japan would mobilize "all policy tools" - including the possibility of delaying the tax hike - to avoid what he called an economic crisis on the scale of the global financial crisis that followed the 2008 Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. "There is a risk of the global economy falling into crisis if appropriate policy responses are not made," Abe told a news conference after the summit. To play its part, Japan "must reignite powerfully the engine of Abenomics," he said, referring to his easy-money policies aimed at getting Japan out of two decades of deflation and fitful growth. Abe has long said he would proceed with a plan to raise the tax rate to 10 percent from 8 percent next April unless Japan faced a crisis on the magnitude of the Lehman shock. He said the G7 "shares a strong sense of crisis" about the global outlook, with the most worrisome risk being a global contraction led by a slowdown in emerging economies like China. Other G7 leaders, however, appeared to differ with Abe on the risk of a global crisis, fuelling comment that Abe was using the G7 to justify delaying the painful tax hike. Story continues Abe will announce his intention to delay the tax hike by the end of the current session of parliament on Wednesday, after meeting with Komeito, the LDP's junior coalition partner, the government official told Reuters. Japan fell into recession after Abe raised the tax from 5 percent in April 2014 hoping to curb government debt, and consumption has still not recovered. Despite massive monetary easing by the Bank of Japan and a series of government spending packages Japan's growth is weakening. Core consumer prices and exports fell in April, and manufacturing shrank at the fastest pace since Abe took office in 2012. A Reuters poll last week showed most companies expect no escape from deflation for the foreseeable future. Despite the fresh fiscal stimulus, however, Abe told Aso and Tanigaki that will stick with his pledge to achieve a budget surplus, excluding debt-servicing costs and income from bond sales, by the fiscal year ending in March 2021. (Reporting by Takaya Yamaguchi; Additional reporting by Izumi Nakagawa; Writing by William Mallard; Editing by Paul Simao) TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Sunday that the Japanese people should have their say on a proposed delay to an increase in the country's consumption tax. "We should go to the people," he said at a ruling party meeting in Yokohama, referring to his earlier call for parliament to be dissolved and a general election held if the tax hike is delayed. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to delay an increase in Japan's sales tax by two and a half years, a government official said on Sunday. (Reporting by Yoshifumi Takemoto; Writing by Shinichi Saoshiro; Editing by David Goodman) By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordan's King Abdullah appointed veteran politician Hani Mulqi as caretaker prime minister on Sunday after dissolving parliament as its four-year term nears its end, and charged him with organising new elections by October. The king accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour before appointing Mulqi by royal decree. Mulki has held senior government posts in successive administrations. Under the constitutional rules the election must be held within four months. Jordan traditionally votes according to tribal and family allegiances but parliament amended the electoral laws in March in a move government sources and political analysts say will lead to more candidates from political parties vying for votes. The analysts say the tribal lawmakers who dominated the last parliament had tried to resist changes which might undermine their influence, under a system that still favours sparsely populated tribal areas which benefit most from state patronage. Jordan's main political opposition comes from the Muslim Brotherhood movement but it faces increasing legal curbs on its activities, leaving mostly pro-monarchy parties and some independent Islamists and politicians to compete in these elections, the political analysts say. The Brotherhood, wants sweeping political reforms but stops short of demanding the overthrow of the monarchy in Jordan. Its political arm in Jordan, the Islamic Action Front, represents many disenfranchised Jordanians of Palestinian origin, who are in the majority in the population of seven million and live mostly in urban areas. Analysts say it could be difficult for the Brotherhood, which has operated legally in Jordan for decades, to participate in the election after the authorities closed many of its offices and encouraged a splinter group to legally challenge the main movement's licence to operate. Western diplomats and independent politicians say the absence of the group, which has strong grassroots support in urban centres, could undermine the legitimacy of the election. Western donors have pushed Jordan's authorities to widen political representation to stem radicalization among alienated and unemployed young people in poor overcrowded areas. Hundreds of them have already joined jihadists in Syria and Iraq. (Reporting by Suleiman al-Khalidi; Editing by Gareth Jones) Its Memorial Day weekend, and Josh Duhamel wants to show his appreciation for the men and women who have served our country. Thats why the 11.22.63 star has partnered with GMC and military charity Building for Americas Bravest on the #EnlistMe campaign in a new documentary about how smart homes are helping Americas injured veterans. It was something I was obviously honored to do because Ive been closely tied to the military my whole life, he told The Insider With Yahoo. My Aunt Barb was a Lt. Colonel in the National Guard and my grandfather fought in WWII." In the film, Duhamel visits Sgt. Ben Tomlinson who was shot by enemy fire and was paralyzed during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. Sgt. Tomlinson showed the actor firsthand how the homes high-tech features helped him to regain his independence. Josh Duhamel and Sgt. Ben Tomlinson "To see not only what theyve been through and what theyve sacrificed for this country, but then to see this spirit that originally made them great soldiers, to see that continue and still have this absolutely positive attitude going forward, even after the injuries, that to me is what really sort of inspired me to keep going and to do as much as I can to spread the word, the 43-year-old actor explained. Related: Find Out How You Can Donate to Building for Americas Bravest Duhamel is making sure that he and wife Fergies 2 -year-old son Axl is well acquainted with our American heroes too. The star recently shared a pic of him and his little guy during a visit to see the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, where Duhamel got to take a ride with the world famous flying aerobatic team. Josh and his son, Axl. (Photo: Instagram) The coolest thing is that [Axl] actually thought that I was flying the plane, Duhamel said with a laugh. When I got out of the plane, he was like, Oh my God! You are so neat! You were flying that plane. And I was like, 'Yeah, that was all me." Check out the video to hear what Duhamel had to say to the men and women serving our country, and click here to learn more about the #EnlistMe campaign. By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A judge, called a "hater" by Donald Trump for his handling of a lawsuit related to the businessman's Trump University real estate school, has unsealed documents related to the case. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is fighting a lawsuit that accuses his school venture of misleading thousands of people who paid up to $35,000 for seminars to learn about the billionaire's real estate investment strategies. In an order signed on Friday, U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel said that materials, including Trump University procedures on dealing with students and the media, should be unsealed. He noted that they had already been published by the media organization Politico and that a magistrate judge described them previously as "routine" and "commonplace." At a rally in San Diego on Friday, Trump criticized Curiel for his handling of the Trump University case. "I have a judge who is a hater of Donald Trump. A hater. He's a hater," Trump said. "We're in front of a very hostile judge. The judge was appointed by Barack Obama," Trump said, adding he believed Curiel was Mexican. Curiel is an American who was born in East Chicago, Indiana, and graduated from the Indiana University School of Law. Trump has drawn criticism for his comments about immigrants from Mexico, some of whom he has said were criminals and rapists. He has proposed building a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico to prevent illegal immigration and requiring Mexico to pay for it. Hispanics are a critical voting bloc in U.S. presidential elections. Last week, Trump knocked one of the highest profile Hispanic women in the Republican Party, criticizing New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez for her handling of the state's economy. Her office said his criticisms were not substantive. Martinez has been touted as a potential vice presidential pick for a Republican ticket. (Editing by Caren Bohan and Nick Zieminski) Donald Trump San Diego A federal judge ordered the release of Trump University internal documents, including marketing "playbooks," connected with an ongoing fraud lawsuit against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's now defunct series of courses on real estate and investing, The Washington Post reported. In his decision, Judge Gonzalo Curiel ordered the documents, totaling about 1,000 pages, must be released by June 2. The decision comes as a setback for Trump, whose lawyers have argued that the sealed records contain trade secrets and that the company would resume in some form after a resolution in the case. At a San Diego rally the same day as Curiel's ruling, Trump disparaged the judge. He spent 12 minutes of a 58-minute address delivering one of the most personal attacks of his campaign, according to The Wall Street Journal, and argued Curiel should be removed from the case. I have a judge who is a hater of Donald Trump," Trump said. "His name is Gonzalo Curiel." Trump also condemned some of the students connected to the suit by name. A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign declined to comment to The Journal. Trump has previously taken aim at Curiel, insinuating that his Mexican heritage may make him biased, especially considering Trump's support for building a wall at the border, according to The Post. When explaining the disclosure, Curiel pointed to a previous case that states courts must consider if a public official benefits from confidentiality and if the documents involve issues of public interest. He also noted that Politico published one of the "playbooks" from 2010 in its entirety in March. Notably, the book instructed Trump University to rank students by their liquid assets to target those who could afford more coursework. Trump University Trump remains enmeshed in multiple lawsuits filed by former students of Trump University and faces a third fraud suit from New York's attorney general, which likely won't go to trial until after the November election. The suits accuse Trump of defrauding thousands of students with worthless classes on real estate and investing. Story continues For example, one suit alleges that Trump University engaged in brainwashing schemes, outright fraud, grand larceny, identity theft, unsolicited taking of personal credit and trickery into [sic] opening credit cards. Trump and his lawyers, however, have continually defended the for-profit university, citing stellar student reviews. Some students, however, may have been pressured into writing them, according to The New York Times. The suit being overseen by Curiel has a trial date set for November 28. NOW WATCH: OBAMA: Trumps proposals are aimed at getting 'tweets and headlines' rather than keeping America safe More From Business Insider Kate Beckinsale said her appearance baffled director Michael Bay when the two worked with each other on the 2001 film Pearl Harbor. The British actress, during a Friday appearance on BBC Ones The Graham Norton Show, said the Transformers director appeared to care more about her looks than her acting abilityat least when compared to her other male co-stars at the time. I dont think I fit the type of actress Michael Bay had met before, she recalled, in remarks reported by Vanity Fair. I think he was baffled by me because my boobs werent bigger than my head and I wasnt blonde. Id just had my daughter and had lost weight, but was told that if I got the part, Id have to work out, she added. And I just didnt understand why a 1940s nurse would do that. Beckinsale, who went on to star in the Underworld movies, also expressed her aversion to how Bay promoted the film, which also had Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett in leading roles. When we were promoting the film, Michael was asked why he had chosen Ben and Josh, and he said, I have worked with Ben before and I love him, and Josh is so manly and a wonderful actor, Beckinsale said. Then when he was asked about me, hed say, Kate wasnt so attractive that she would alienate the female audience. He kept saying it everywhere we went, and we went to a lot of places, she added. Bays representatives did not immediately return requests for comment Sunday. Kate Hudson sure knows how to plan to an epic holiday trip! The 37-year-old Rock the Kasbah star jetted to Hawaii for a relaxing Memorial Day Weekend getaway with her mother, Goldie Hawn, making all of us at home feel a bit envious. WATCH: Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson Can't Stop Gushing Over 'Rare' Family Reunion Hudson took to Instagram on Friday to share an adorable photo of the mother-daughter duo soaking up the sun. "Aloha," she captioned it, using the hashtag "#MamaGoldie." The two seemed to have a blast, as Hawn, 70, waved to the camera while her daughter made the "hang loose" sign and showed off her abs in a teeny white bikini. Hudson later took to Snapchat to share a video of herself dancing while using the app's latest flower filter. She also gave fans a peek of her breathtaking view. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Hottest Bikini Bods "When song, filter and location all align," the text over her Snapchat read. Snapchat Snapchat The blond beauty isn't the only one that's documented the trip, however. Hawn has been sharing a series of pics and videos to her own Instagram page since last week. "Aloha," the First Wives Club actress captioned a video of her riding a bike. WATCH: Kate Hudson Shares the Best Love Advice She's Gotten From Her Mom "Our Hawaiian morning skies are delivering the message: Love," another post read. Despite being on vacation, the pair appear to be keeping healthy. Hawn posed for a pic in a grocery store while double fisting two bottles of coconut water. According to Hawn, you just have to "live in the moment." Earlier this month, Shape released sexy shots of Hudson showing off her incredibly toned physique from their June issue. WATCH: Goldie Hawn Shares the Cutest Photo of Kate Hudson on Her 37th Birthday "I was 19 when I discovered Pilates, and I'm still doing it," she shared with the magazine. "It's the workout my body really responds to. It's all about alignment, elongating your spine, and strengthening your core. It makes me feel my strongest." Story continues To hear more -- and see the hot pics! -- watch the video below. Related Articles Lady Charlotte Wellesley, the daughter of the Duke of Wellington and Princess Antonia of Prussia, has married American-Colombian billionaire business tycoon Alejandro Santo Domingo. The couple tied the knot on Saturday at the Church of the Incarnation in Illora, a small town nestled in the hills 25 miles northwest of Granada, Spain. The bride looked stunning as she arrived at the church accompanied by her father. The 25-year-old wore a cream, off-the-shoulder gown with a long train, and finished off her bridal look with a long lace veil. CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY The couple emerge from the church as husband and wife Photo: Gtres The pair, who got engaged last July, exchanged their vows in a Catholic ceremony in front of their closest friends and family, including the Duchess of Cornwall, Czech model Eva Herzigova, Spains former King Juan Carlos I and Alejandros niece Tatiana Santo Domingo and her husband, Monaco royal Andrea Casiraghi. Following the nuptials, the new husband and wife and their wedding party traveled from the church to the Dukes nearby 2,400-acre estate, for the reception. THE MOST AWE-INSPIRING ROYAL WEDDING GOWNS The Duchess of Cornwall looked lovely in a cream tiered dress Photo: Gtres The evening before the big day, the couple invited their guests to a pre-wedding drinks party. The Duchess of Cornwall beamed broadly as she arrived at the reception, and was dressed conservatively in a blue linen dress which she accessorized with a brown leather clutch bag and cream heels. It looked to be a joyous affair with live music and dancing. Giving an insight into the glamorous festivities, one guest uploaded a video onto their Instagram page of Charlotte and her fiance sharing a sweet kiss during the party. Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo present their son to the public The bride's page boys and flower girls wore cream and olive colored outfits Photo: Gtres Earlier this month, the pair threw a lavish three-day party in Alejandro's native Colombia to mark their upcoming wedding. The celebration, that was held on the beaches of Baru and in the city of Cartagena, was attended by 300 guests including the President of Colombia. PARIS (AP) -- The Latest on the French Open (all times local): --- 9:45 p.m. A couple of top pairings exited women's doubles at the French Open on Sunday, when the Williams sisters lost their second match of the day and Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza's bid for a fourth consecutive Grand Slam title ended. The top-seeded duo of Hingis and Mirza won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year, and the Australian Open in January, but they were beaten 6-3, 6-2 in the third round at Roland Garros by Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic. ''We played bad and they played good. It's as simple as that,'' Mirza said. ''You have to come up with your 'A' game. ... We obviously didn't play anywhere close to our best.'' Hingis complained about a couple officiating decisions and said: ''Everything kind of went against us today.'' Serena and Venus Williams own 13 Grand Slam titles but were competing in doubles together at a major tournament for the first time since 2014. They were forced to do double duty Sunday. They started by wrapping up a 7-6 (8), 4-6, 6-0 victory over Vitalia Diatchenko and Galina Voskoboeva in a second-round match that was suspended in progress on Saturday. Then they had to return to court for the third round and lost 6-3, 6-3 to Kiki Bertens and Johanna Larsson. --- 9 p.m. That's it, folks. With the rain beating down and night falling, French Open organizers say there will be no more play Sunday. --- 8:40 p.m. Rain has again put a dampener on proceedings at the French Open. Umpires have halted Simona Halep vs. Samantha Stosur and Tsvetana Pironkova vs. Agnieszka Radwanska in their fourth-round matches, and covers are going on the courts again for the second rain interruption of a humid Sunday. --- 8:20 p.m. France's sole survivor at the French Open, Richard Gasquet, has reached the quarterfinals for the first time in 13 attempts. His opponent, fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan, never looked at home in front of the partisan crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier. Spectators chanted, ''Allez Richard!'' between points and grew so excitable that Gasquet angrily yelled, ''Shut your traps!'' when noise during a point distracted him in the final set. Story continues Seeded ninth, Gasquet won the rain-interrupted fourth-round match 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. He lay on his back on the red clay after Nishikori netted a forehand on the last point. Having previously stalled four times in the fourth round at Roland Garros, Gasquet will play Andy Murray in his first quarterfinal in Paris. ''The public put me under pressure for the whole game, it did me loads of good,'' Gasquet said. ''This is the biggest court in the world for a French player.'' --- 7:35 p.m. Andy Murray reached the quarterfinals for the 20th time in his past 21 Grand Slam tournaments, handling the big serve of John Isner and beating the 15th-seeded American 7-6 (9), 6-4, 6-3 at the French Open. Murray, a two-time major champion who is seeded second in Paris, made it to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros for the sixth time. He has lost in the semifinals the last two years. After needing five sets to get through each of his first two matches, Murray has now won in straight sets twice in a row. In the opening tiebreaker Sunday, Isner held three set points - at 6-5 on his serve, and at 7-6 and 9-8 on Murray's - but failed to convert any of them. One of the game's top returners, Murray managed to break the 6-foot-10 (2.08-meter) Isner twice. And Murray saved all five break points he faced - two in the first set and three in the last. The loss dropped Isner to 1-6 in fourth-round matches at Grand Slam matches. He was the last U.S. man in the French Open this year; no man from the country has made it to the quarterfinals in Paris since Andre Agassi in 2003. --- 7:25 p.m. The No. 1 women's double pairing of Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza is out of the French Open, losing 6-3, 6-2 to the Czech team of Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova. Hingis and Mirza are the reigning Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Australian Open champions. --- 7 p.m. Try, try and try again. It could be that the 13th time is lucky for Richard Gasquet. The Frenchman who has never made the quarterfinals of his home Grand Slam tournament in 12 previous visits to Roland Garros is up two sets against No. 5 seed Kei Nishikori from Japan. The ninth-seeded Gasquet, who has stalled in the fourth round on four previous occasions at Roland Garros, is delighting the partisan crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier with some scintillating tennis. He took the first set 6-4 and the second 6-2. --- 6 p.m. Play has resumed at the French Open after a rain delay of about an hour. --- 5 p.m. Rain on Roland Garros has stopped play at the French Open with Andy Murray leading 15th-seeded John Isner 7-6 (9) and 2-1 in the second set of their fourth-round match, and Kei Nishikori of Japan ahead a break at 4-2 in the first set against Richard Gasquet on Court Philippe Chatrier. --- 4:40 p.m. Stan Wawrinka was so in control during his 7-6 (5), 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-2 win against Viktor Troicki for a place in the French Open quarterfinals that the defending champion even had time to hit shots with a ball boy. While his Serb opponent, seeded No. 22, was getting treatment to his right leg in the third set, Wawrinka lent the lucky ball-lad a racket and kept himself and the crowd amused by hitting with him. But against a tricky Troicki, the third-seeded Swiss was strictly business in cold and humid conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier. Wawrinka needed eight set points to overcome Troicki in the first set, failing to capitalize on the first four when Troicki was serving at 5-6 and then seeing three more go to waste in the tiebreaker before getting the set lead in 49 minutes. In the second tiebreaker, it was Troicki who needed five set points to break down Wawrinka, who hit an attempted forehand lob long for the Serb to level. Wawrinka caressed a backhand winner to break in the fourth game of the third set, during which Troicki got treatment on his leg and was given pills. In the fourth set, Wawrinka staved off a breakpoint with a sublime cross-court backhand and took a 5-1 lead. An ace brought up two match points for Wawrinka just shy of the three-hour mark and he converted the first when Troicki netted a backhand from the baseline. --- 3:15 p.m. Shelby Rogers, an American ranked 108th, reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal by beating 25th-seeded Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday. Rogers only once before had been as far as the third round at a major tournament, losing at that stage at last year's U.S. Open. Otherwise, of her nine previous Slam appearances, six ended in the first round, the others in the second. Only five players ranked lower than Rogers have reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in the last 30 years. But the 23-year-old Rogers, who is from South Carolina, has now defeated three seeded players during the tournament, including No. 10 Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, and No. 17 Karolina Pliskova. Next for Rogers is a match against No. 4 Garbine Muguruza, the 2015 Wimbledon runner-up. --- 1:45 p.m. Milos Raonic is out of the French Open, the eighth-seeded Canadian losing 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 to Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the fourth round in front of new coach John McEnroe. The 55th-ranked player from Spain is into the quarterfinals of a major for the first time, having never made it past the second round of 18 previous Grand Slam tournaments. Cool and very cloudy weather appeared to take some bite out of Raonic's serve. The quarterfinalist at Roland Garros in 2014 and semifinalist at this year's Australian Open also complained of an aching left hip in his previous match. Ramos-Vinolas earned the victory with aggressive shot-making and some terrific defensive play. He broke Raonic five times and only lost serve once himself, saving 6 of 7 break points. ''I have no words to explain how I feel,'' he said. ''It was four years in a row losing in the first round.'' Raonic beckoned over the chair umpire in the last game to inspect a shot that gave Ramos-Vinolas two match points. She ruled it in, pointing out that the ball had nicked the line. The Spaniard couldn't capitalize on either of those match points. But he made no mistake with his third match point, earned with an ace served out wide, sealing the win in 2 hours and 20 minutes with a smash. He celebrated by firing a spare ball into the air in delight. --- 1 p.m. Garbine Muguruza is into the French Open quarterfinals for the third straight year, ousting 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-4 in an intense contest on Court Philippe Chatrier. The fourth-seeded Spanish player needed five match points in the final game to finish off the 13th-seeded Russian. Kuznetsova struggled with her serve in the third game of the second set, serving an ace but then not landing any of her subsequent first serves. She was broken when Muguruza pounced on her second serve at 15-40 with a crunching return to get an early 3-1 lead. At 15-40 in the eighth game, Muguruza hit a forehand wide to end a 12-shot rally, allowing Kuznetsova to level at 4-4. But Muguruza kept the momentum. A ferocious backhand return on Kuznetsova's second service gave the Spaniard her second break point in the ninth game. She lured Kuznetsova into the net with a drop shot and then hit a forehand passing shot for a 5-4 lead. After failing to convert her first four match points on serve, Muguruza brought up a fifth with a crunching forehand. Kuznetsova then netted a backhand to seal the victory for Muguruza in 1 hour and 38 minutes. --- noon Garbine Muguruza has one foot in the French Open quarterfinals after winning the first set 6-3 in Sunday's fourth-round match against 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. Under storm-laden skies, the fourth-seeded Spanish player started at lightning pace, serving an ace with her first and third ball of the first game. Kuznetsova showed good footwork, back-heeling a stray ball to a ball kid in the sixth game in which the 13th-seeded Russian saved five break points. The set went with serve through 4-3. Serving with new balls, Kuznetsova was then broken in the eighth game with a punishing cross-court backhand from Muguruza. The quarterfinalists of the past two years then won the set with another winning cross-court backhand. JERUSALEM, May 29 (Reuters) - The partners in Israel's Leviathan natural gas field said on Sunday they had signed a deal to supply as much as $3 billion worth of gas to a new private power plant in central Israel. Leviathan, one of the largest offshore discoveries of the past decade, was found off Israel's Mediterranean coast in 2010. It has an estimated 622 cubic meters of natural gas (BCM) of reserves and is expected to become operational in 2019. Under the deal, Leviathan will provide up to 13 billion BCM for 18 years to the IPM plant in Be'er Tuvia once gas starts flowing from Leviathan. The contract comes a week after Israel's government approved a revised deal aimed at fast-tracking development of the huge field, which has been mostly earmarked for exports. In January Leviathan signed a $1.3 billion gas supply contract with Edeltech, Israel's largest private power producer. Texas-based Noble Energy, Israeli conglomerate Delek Group and Israel's Ratio Oil Exploration own the Leviathan site, which will cost more than $5 billion to develop. "This deal is an important milestone, in that it establishes another domestic contract that, together with additional domestic and export contracts, are essential for the quick development of Leviathan," said Niv Sarne, Noble's manager of business development. The Leviathan project hit a major obstacle in March when Israel's Supreme Court blocked a previous agreement between the field's shareholders and the Israeli state, the terms of which would have stayed unchanged for 10 years. It had been opposed by opposition parties and public advocacy groups on grounds that Noble and Delek - which also own the adjacent Tamar field - would control too much of Israel's natural gas supply. The ruling will allow the government to change taxes, export quotas or other regulations in connection with the Leviathan field. (Reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) Washington (United States) (AFP) - Gary Johnson, the former Republican governor of New Mexico, on Sunday won the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party, a sliver group hoping to make an outsized impact in this election year. Johnson came within a half-point of scoring an outright first-ballot victory at the party's nominating convention in Orlando, Florida; a second ballot put him over the top, with 56 percent. "I tell the truth, I am not a liar," Johnson told the group, insisting that his frank approach would appeal to disaffected voters and help the long-marginal Libertarians achieve "major-party status." As a Libertarian, Johnson advocates eliminating the income tax and abolishing the Internal Revenue Service. A self-made businessman who worked as New Mexico governor to lower taxes and reduce bureaucracy, he pushed for the legalization of marijuana. In 2012, he was the Libertarian candidate, garnering 1.2 million votes, the party's best showing ever. In at least two recent national polls, Johnson scored 10 percent in hypothetical three-way contests against Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The Libertarians -- whose central goal was pithily described by one delegate in Orlando as "minimum government, maximum freedom" -- hope to tap into widespread discontent this year with the major-party choices. Johnson ramped up criticism of one of those choices, the Republican Trump, telling reporters Sunday that the real estate developer was a "racist" because of his description of Mexican immigrants as rapists. - 'Best of both worlds' - In an interview earlier this month with AFP, Johnson described Trump and Clinton as "the two most polarizing figures in American politics today." He added, "I'm more liberal than Hillary on social issues, and I'm more conservative on fiscal issues than Ted Cruz was," said Johnson, referring to the Texas senator who quit the Republican race early this month. Story continues That, Johnson said, made him "the best of both worlds." The Libertarians' convention drew far closer media attention than usual, and Johnson told the group that "millions of people are going to be trying to understand what it is to be a Libertarian." One chart displayed at the convention showed web searches for the party quintupling after Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee. In balloting carried out on plain index cards, Johnson beat out contenders including Austin Petersen, a businessman and political commentator, and John McAfee, the founder of the antivirus software company who once fled Belize after police sought to question him in a murder case. The Libertarian convention was to vote separately for its vice presidential nominee. Johnson said Sunday that the party needed to nominate William Weld, a former Republican governor of Massachusetts, to serve as his running mate, although Weld, a recent convert to Libertarianism, received a cool welcome from many delegates. "Bill Weld was my role model," Johnson said. He told delegates and reporters that he did not think he could be elected president without Weld as his running mate. American political conventions have long been colorful affairs and this has been no exception. One delegate serenaded the group with a harmonica tune, offering to make it the party's "semi-official" theme song. Another suggested the party adopt Dobby, a "house elf" from the Harry Potter series, as its official mascot. Frankfurt (AFP) - German airline Lufthansa said Sunday it will suspend flights to Venezuela from next month owing to the economic crisis in the country. "We have decided to suspend the service between Frankfurt and Caracas for the time being as from June 17," a company spokesman told AFP. The service, three times a week, was Lufthansa's only flight between Germany and Venezuela, he said, adding that it was not clear at this point when it would be resumed. "The reason for this is the difficult economic situation and the fact that is it is not possible to transfer foreign currency out of the country," the spokesman explained. Currency controls in Venezuela make it impossible for airlines to convert their earnings into dollars and send the money abroad. Venezuela has the biggest oil reserves in the world but the fall in crude prices has slashed its revenues. Citizens must queue for hours at shops for rations of basic foods and goods such as flour and toilet paper. The government is also imposing daily electricity blackouts to save energy. Looting and lynchings of suspected robbers have been reported over recent weeks. San Francisco (AFP) - Seducing hyper-connected "Millennials" poses an increasing challenge for luxury brands, which find their markets slowing as young, skeptical consumers force them to rethink strategies. Goldman Sachs estimates that 92 million Americans are in the Millennial generation -- born between the early 1980s and the 2000s -- surpassing the famed cohort of postwar Baby Boomers who are now approaching a geriatric phase. The huge pool of Millennial consumers grew up with the Internet, smartphones and a sharing economy in which owning things like cars is seen as almost unhip. Studies show many have different expectations than their elders, who were relatively better paid and less indebted at the same point in life. Deloitte analyst Nick Pope spoke this week at an FT Business of Luxury Summit of "a structural worry" as to whether there would be the "same level of spending in product ownership and luxury as there was in their parents' generation." A Deloitte study targeted Millennials as an opportunity for luxury brands, but warned that they require "a high level of investment" and are more "mercurial" consumers whose brand loyalty can quickly shift. "Their engagement with digital technology has exposed them to more sources of information, a greater range of influences, and smaller brands," the study said of Millennials. "To attract, excite and engage Millennials will require a high level of brand investment." Luxury-sector sales, excluding the effects of currency changes, were up only one percent last year, and similarly tepid growth is expected this year, according to global management consulting firm Bain & Company. US jeweler Tiffany recently announced a disappointing financial forecast, and the maker of the well-known British Burberry trench coat has embarked on a money-saving plan. - Digital Panacea? - "The people in the luxury space, they got very spoiled, because there was a market of people who consistently spent," Sarah Quinlan of MasterCard Advisors told AFP on the sidelines of the FT luxury summit in San Francisco. Story continues "That market is no longer there." Oligarchs with lavish spending habits in oil-rich countries such as Russia and China have seen growth slowing in their countries. It is unclear that Millennials, with their fickle and prudent spending styles, will take up the slack. But Burberry has taken aim at those Millennials with a digital strategy cited as an example for the industry. And LVMH, the France-based multinational luxury goods colossus, reached into the Silicon Valley talent pool last year and recruited Apple executive Ian Rogers. Luxury brands including Burberry, Vuitton and Tiffany have taken to relying heavily on social networks such as Snapchat that are popular with young people. Having a presence online and in social media has become a necessity for brands. It promises to become even more important as people use smartphones while making buying decisions on the move. Internet titans are pitching instant shopping opportunities based on time, location, interests and more. Still, brands such as Tiffany face a problem: some young people see them as "old-world luxury" items that don't jibe with their Internet Age values and lifestyles, according to Neil Saunders of Conlumino retail research company. Being on social networks has become a "must" in the marketing equation, but it is not enough, contended Quinlan. "The bottom line is having something relevant that fits into their lifestyle," Quinlan said of luxury brands that court Millennials. "I don't think they've done enough to curate their brands." The fading lure of luxury items among Millennials is "not necessarily an income problem," she contended. Data collected by Mastercard describes consumers who choose to enhance their lives with spending on trips, dinners, outings and other experiences instead of on "stuff." "They might buy one piece; if it's very special, it's very valuable, has a memory of a trip somewhere," Quinlan said. Yet, Pope saw the luxury goods market as "absolutely sound," so long as brands recognize the shifts under way and offer "value enhancing" products. Thus, companies could transform their shops into places where people can socialize and linger as they might in a coffee shop, or connect with increasingly popular historical, ethical or sustainability trends. A male gorilla was shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo on Saturday by staff members who were attempting to save a 4-year-old boy who had fallen into his enclosure. Harambe, a 400-pound Western lowland silverback gorilla, can be seen in videos of the incident gently nudging the toddler, at one point scooping him up by the seat of his pants so that the boy is standing in the watery pool he had slipped into while observing the exhibit. VIDEO: Harambe and 4-year-old...http://bit.ly/27XIEqA Other, more graphic recordings show the gorilla dragging the young boy through the moat before towering over him on all fours. A woman can be heard in the video yelling, "I'm right here, mommy loves you." Cincinnati Zoo Director Thayne Maynard told NBC News that while the security team's rapid response "saved the child's life," the team was mourning the loss of the critically endangered gorilla. "This is a huge loss for the Zoo family and the gorilla population worldwide," he said. Twitter users' reactions oscillated between anger and sadness over the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the gorilla's death. Hey parents: WATCH YOUR KIDS. IF YOU CANNOT DO SO, STAY HOME.http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/05/28/police-child-falls-gorilla-pen-cincinnati-zoo/85096022/ ... Cincinnati Zoo/gorilla story is awful... Just awful. Parents, watch your children. Doing so will protect your children... AND the animals. Kim O'Connor, who witnessed the events on Saturday firsthand, told NBC News that the boy's mother had been watching several other children when her son fell into the exhibit. "The little boy himself had already been talking about wanting to ... get in the water. The mother's like, 'No, you're not, no, you're not,'" she said. Harambe had celebrated his 17th birthday on Friday, one day before he was killed. America commemorates vets over Memorial Day weekend U.S. Army soldiers Rick Kolberg, left, and Jesus Gallegos visit the graves of Raymond Jones and Peter Enos on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on May 30, 2016. (Photo: Lucas Jackson/Reuters) Across America and around the world, towns and cities commemorate veterans of the United States Armed Forces and the sacrifices they have made. Memorial Day is a federal holiday in America and has been celebrated since the end of the Civil War. (Getty) Find more news-related pictures in our photo galleries and follow us on Tumblr. VERDUN, France (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande marked the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of Verdun side-by-side on Sunday, laying a wreath at a cemetery in northeastern France for the 300,000 soldiers killed. The Verdun battle was one of the longest in World War I, lasting more than 300 days from February to December 1916, and its commemoration has come to signify the reconciliation between Germany and France after decades of hostility and distrust following two world wars. "We are side by side to tackle the challenges of today and first of all the future of Europe, because, as we know disappointment was followed by disenchantment, and after doubts came suspicion, and for some even rejection or break-up," Hollande said in a closing speech at the ceremony. It was not until 1984 that the neighbours carried out a joint ceremony to mark the Verdun battle, another step towards ending decades of residual hostility. A photo of then French President Francois Mitterrand and then German Chancellor Helmut Kohl holding hands in the Douaumont cemetery at Verdun became a symbol of a new era of reconciliation. That year also saw France and Germany agreeing on the gradual abolition of border checks, a precursor to the Schengen zone of passport-free travel, launched by five European countries the following year. Rain fell for part of the ceremony on Sunday and Hollande held an umbrella for Merkel and himself as they made their way to the German cemetery Consenvoy to lay a wreath. In 2016, some of the foundations of the European Union appear under stress. Britain's referendum next month on EU membership, Islamist militant attacks in EU capitals, the biggest migrant crisis since World War II and a slow economic recovery have strained relations in the bloc. Hollande said earlier this week that his discussions with Merkel would focus on Europe's future, including the migrant crisis, security and the rise of populist movements. "In the European Union we will continue to have different views on certain issues," Merkel said. "That is in the nature of things but it will prove beneficial if we demonstrate our ability to compromise to reach an agreement". In her weekly podcast, the Chancellor said Germany's relations with France had stood fast even when the countries had diverging opinions, and that Europe would have to adapt. "Europe has problems but Europe has also managed to do a lot and it has come a long way. In a world of global challenges it is important to develop Europe further and to push through the changes that are necessary," she said. (Reporting by Gilbert Reilhac in Verdun, Maya Nikolaeva in Paris; and Francesco Canepa in Frankfurt; Editing by Richard Balmforth) Costco Food 11 Thousands of Americans will be putting chairs in the backyard and firing up the grill for Memorial Day weekend. Plumes of savory smoke will surely dot the nation and many will be heading to a warehouse store like Costco to buy barbecue and party supplies in bulk beforehand. Racks of ribs and five-pound packs of hot dogs will be flying off the shelves in a celebratory bulk-buying frenzy. Yet so many shopping for dogs to grill themselves will breeze right past perhaps the best hot dogs in the country: Costco's. I'm no hot-dog connoisseur, but of all I've tried in my life thus far, Costco's is the best yet. How is the nation's best hot dog from such a bare-bones place as the Costco cafeteria? First of all, it's a great value. You can order a hot dog and a drink for $1.50 that's it. And considering how large the hot dog is, it's definitely an outrageous deal. But a deal alone isn't enough to sway most. The expectations are understandably low for a Costco meal. But on that first bite, it's abundantly clear that this is no run-of-the-mill hot dog. Costco Food 12 The dog is unexpectedly flavorful. Gone is the bland, hollow taste of the average hot dog; instead, a delightful smoky taste pervades, similar to a kielbasa sausage but not as fatty or rich. There's a slight charred taste to it that isn't overpowering. It's juicy, and there's a satisfying snap with every bite. This is not the lifeless frankfurter that one microwaves for 30 seconds before chopping up and throwing in some ill-conceived mac-and-cheese dinner. Nay this dog has vitality. The condiments aren't needed to mask the soul-crushing saltiness that they normally would, but simply to compliment the already delicious hot dog. Speaking of condiments: Ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, and sauerkraut if you're into that are all at your disposal at Costco's commissary. Such freedom is truly a national treasure worthy of our patronage. Costco Food 4 The bun is deceptively simple what's in a bun, after all? It's seen as the vehicle, not the cargo. Yet the bun is the unsung hero of this hot dog. Story continues It's soft and pliant, and tastes lightly sweet, which complements the dog itself perfectly. But the real magic happens when the condiments are dumped on the dog with wild abandon precisely because nothing happens. The bun is immune to shabby sogginess or untimely breakage. It's truly miraculous. By all means, grill your own hot dogs in the backyard char them if you must. But if you find yourself heading to Costco to stock up on huge amounts of paper napkins, meat for the grill, etc., do yourself a favor and grab a hot dog on the way out. You'll be surprised. NOW WATCH: Here are the 8 food items you should only get from Costco More From Business Insider By Tife Owolabi YENAGOA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Militants attacked a crude oil pipeline operated by Italy's ENI on Saturday, a Nigerian state government said, hours after the Niger Delta Avengers militants claimed another strike in the region. Nigeria's oil output has fallen to a 20-year low due to attacks on pipelines in the southern swamps, home to much of its hydrocarbon resources, which have compounded the impact of low oil prices on Africa's largest economy. "The Bayelsa State Government has condemned in its entirety the attack on a trunk line belonging to Agip (ENI) by (a) new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers," it said in a statement. Bayelsa lies in the Delta region. The Avengers, who have been targeting oil and gas facilities for the last three months, earlier said on Twitter they had attacked the Nembe pipelines 1, 2 and 3, pumping Royal Dutch Shell's Bonny Light crude, and an Agip facility, at 0215 local time (0115 GMT). "Something Big is about to happen," the group later tweeted. A Bayelsa spokesman said later the Nembe pipelines had not been hit. Nengi James, a chairman of the Nembe Oil and Gas Committee that liaises with oil firms, said vandals had targeted the Agip pipeline, which had been attacked before. Shell and ENI were not immediately available for comment. Shell declared force majeure on Bonny Light loadings after a previous attack on the Nembe creek trunk pipeline, but some exports had been continuing with delays. ARMY RAID The army raided the Oporoza community, home to Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, a former militant leader whom security officials have linked to the Avengers, residents said. He has denied any connection to the group. "Men, women and children, everybody has fled Oporoza because the military invaded our village around 0145 this morning," said Eric Omare, spokesman for the Ijaw Youth Council, which represents one of the largest ethnic groups in the region. "They are harassing people, arresting some boys and they wounded one of our chiefs," he said. "Traditional places of worship and houses are being destroyed now by the military." A newsletter close to the group said soldiers had arrived at the community, located in the swamps of the Delta, on seven gunboats. The army could not be immediately reached for comment but a military source said seven people had been arrested, adding that explosives had been found in their possession. The military has moved more troops into the Delta. British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond this month cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari that he needed to deal with poverty and anger over pollution from oil spills in the region. In the first sign that the government might try a less heavy-handed approach, Oil Minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu has said an amnesty programme for former militants, signed in 2009 to end a previous insurgency, needed to improve. (Reporting by Tife Owolabi, Anamesere Igboeroteonwu, Ulf Laessing and Libby George; Editing by Andrew Roche) Paris (AFP) - Second seed Andy Murray reached the French Open quarter-finals for the sixth time on Sunday with a 7-6 (11/9), 6-4, 6-3 win over John Isner of the United States. Murray, a three-time semi-finalist in Paris, will face either Japan's Kei Nishikori or Richard Gasquet, the last French player standing, in the last-eight. It will be 29-year-old Murray's 20th appearance in the quarter-finals of the last 21 majors after braving an Isner storm in the first set where he faced down three set points in the tie-breaker. "It was a very important tie-break to win. I got lucky on his first set point when I guessed right on a short forehand," said Murray. Isner was bidding to become the first American man in the last-eight in Paris since Andre Agassi in 2003. Having not allowed Murray a single break point, the 31-year-old squandered three set points in the breaker before the British star pounced to pocket the opener. Rain forced the pair off Suzanne Lenglen court for an hour with Murray 2-1 ahead in the second set before Isner was broken for the first time in the 10th game which allowed the world number two to take the set. Murray broke for 3-1 in the third before Isner just clung on saving two more break points in the sixth game. The world number two wrapped up victory -- and his sixth win in six clashes with the big American -- with his ninth ace of the tie. Isner, meanwhile, was undone by Murray's superior returning which contributed to his 57 unforced errors. May 28 (Reuters) - Stephen Curry will get the chance to make up for one of the few disappointments of his career on Monday when the Golden State Warriors take on Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Seven of the Western Conference finals. Curry, who became the first unanimous winner of the NBA's Most Valuable Player award when he picked up the highest individual honor for a second straight season, lost his only previous appearance in a Game Seven in 2014. The Warriors were beaten 126-121 by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of that year's playoffs, with Curry scoring 33 points. "I've been in one so far in my career and it didn't turn out the way we wanted it to," Curry said. "We have another opportunity to get the job done on Monday." On Saturday, Curry bagged 29 points but his performance was overshadowed by that of backcourt mate Klay Thompson, who scored 41 in the Warriors' 108-101 win in Oklahoma City that sent the best-of-seven series to a decider. "We've got a lot of belief and a lot of heart, and we've given ourselves a chance to win this series," said Curry, who scored just nine in the first half. "That's all we could ask for. There's obviously a lot of excitement, but we still have one job to do." After falling behind 3-1 in the series against the Thunder, the Warriors now have history on their side. Home teams are 100-24 in Game Sevens. "It's going to be a hard game," Curry said. "If we thought tonight was hard, Game Sevens going to be even tougher. Everybody on both sides of the ball is going to leave it all out on the floor. It's win or go home. "So we can't expect just because we're at home that we can just show up and win." (Reporting by Tim Wharnsby; Editing by Peter Rutherford; ) Jerusalem (AFP) - A key party in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's newly expanded right-wing coalition threatened to bring it down on Sunday over a demand related to the military. The Jewish Home party, whose leader Naftali Bennett is a political rival to Netanyahu, said it would vote against the expanded coalition in parliament if its demand was not met. The religious nationalist party holds eight seats, enough to block Netanyahu's proposed new line-up. The expanded coalition was agreed to on Wednesday when Netanyahu controversially joined forces with ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman, set to become defence minister. Parliament is expected to vote on Monday on the deal, which would form what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel's history. "We will vote against if the issue is not resolved," Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked of Jewish Home told army radio. Asked about the chances of new elections over the issue, she said it was a "possibility." Jewish Home has demanded the creation of a military liaison for the government's security cabinet, a smaller forum of cabinet members which decides on matters of national security. Bennett says such a post is needed to avoid security cabinet members being kept in the dark on important developments, pointing to aspects of the 2014 conflict with Palestinian militants in Gaza, among other concerns. "I am not prepared to have soldiers die because the security cabinet is left blind due to someone's ego," Bennett wrote on social media, referring to Netanyahu. Netanyahu has offered to create a panel of experts to look into potential reforms, but Bennett has rejected it. While some analysts say such a change is needed, the demand is also seen as political manoeuvring ahead of the next elections, due by 2019 at the latest. Bennett is widely seen as aspiring to replace Netanyahu, whose Likud party is currently the largest in parliament. Story continues Lieberman and his Yisrael Beitenu party will add five lawmakers to Netanyahu's previous one-seat majority, giving it 66 seats out of 120. The move to hand the defence ministry to the 57-year-old hardliner has sparked deep concern among Israeli centrist and left-wing politicians, as well as among some of Netanyahu's Likud colleagues. On Friday, environment minister Avi Gabbay announced his resignation in a strongly worded statement that accused Netanyahu of putting the country on a path to ruin. Gabbay, of the centre-right Kulanu party, is not a member of parliament and his resignation does not affect the ruling right-wing coalition's majority. The Hague (AFP) - Nameless migrants laid to rest in unmarked scrubland, murder victims dumped in mass graves, desperate searches for the missing after natural disasters. Around the world, millions of families wait in vain to bury their dead. "You cannot close the book on the life of a loved one if you do not know the truth, or what the reasons were, why people went missing," said Salvadoran diplomat Augustin Vasquez Gomez. His country, where some 8,000 people are still missing after years of civil war, has become one of the latest nations to sign a treaty pledging to support the work of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). In the Philippines, also a signatory to the treaty, there are still 2,000 missing after Typhoon Haiyan struck in November 2013. And while finding and identifying the missing killed in conflicts or disasters is an age-old problem, no overall global figure has ever been determined. The numbers are thought to be "staggering" -- between 250,000 and a million in Iraq alone stretching back to the early days of the regime of former dictator Saddam Hussein, said Kathryne Bomberger, ICMP director general. The organisation, which finances its painstaking research through voluntary donations, held a recent seminar on its work as it moves its headquarters from Sarajevo to The Hague. Born out of the conflicts in former Yugoslavia and set up in 1996 by then US president Bill Clinton, the ICMP has used sophisticated DNA matching techniques to identify more than 70 percent of the 40,000 who went missing in the Balkans wars. Now it is shedding its ad-hoc status to become a recognised international organisation -- the only one dedicated exclusively to accounting for the missing. - Migrants new challenge - It hopes to open a new lab in the Dutch city in the coming months, to complement its first one in Sarajevo which already has the capacity to handle up to 10,000 DNA cases a year. Demand is growing. And as the conflicts in Syria and Iraq feed a new wave of refugees, hundreds of whom have perished at sea lacking any kind of documents, a new challenge is emerging. Story continues After five years of civil war and a huge exodus from the country, there are an estimated 60,000 missing Syrians. "There's nothing we can do in Syria for the moment, but we're already losing time in terms of collecting data from survivors," Bomberger told AFP. She's hoping to try to move into the refugee camps, build up trust with families there and start organising a valuable data base. Every day Syrian families are contacting the organisation for help finding relatives, and the ICMP is already working with Italian authorities to try to identify the dead washing up on Italy's shores. In Iraq on Mount Sinjar, it has been working to identify mass graves from the Islamic State group's persecution of the Yazidi people, protect the sites and catalogue the DNA of the dead. And that's without mentioning conflicts in Africa or Asia, where there are also many families waiting to claim their dead. - 'Just one piece of bone' - "Part of what we want to do and focus on is demographics, for once to try to get a handle on how many people are missing in the world," said Bomberger. "Most countries don't have accurate figures because of the highly political nature of these conflicts." Identifying the dead is also crucial, if those behind the world's worst crimes are to be successfully held to account, said Kweku Vanderpuye, senior trial lawyer at the International Criminal Court. "Oftentimes the perpetrators of those crimes operate under the principle: no bodies, no crime," he said. For those left with no grave to mourn over, there is an overwhelming sense of loss, of farewells left unsaid, a raw grief which does not fade as the decades pass. "Our truth is hidden in mass graves," said Munira Subasic, president of the Mothers of Srebrenica, who lost 22 members of her extended family in the 1995 genocide in the Bosnian enclave. She told the seminar how one Bosnian Muslim mother died in Srebrenica a few days ago, still mourning her son whose body has never been found. "Her last words were that if she had been so lucky to find just one little piece of bone she would have wrapped it in silk and kept it for herself. And it would have made her the happiest person in the world," said Subasic. Davao (Philippines) (AFP) - Incoming Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday he would seek an early start to peace talks with communist rebels and free detained guerrilla chieftains when he takes office in end-June. He also offered safe passage for Jose Maria Sison, the founder of the insurgency who fled to European exile nearly 30 years after the failure of initial attempts to end one of Asia's longest armed insurgencies. Duterte is betting on his close friendship with Sison, his former university teacher, to bring a swift political settlement to a rebellion that has killed about 30,000 people by official count and impoverished vast swathes of the country. "I will... give him (Sison) a safe-conduct pass," the soon-to-be president told a midnight news conference in his southern hometown of Davao. He said Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma Tiamzon, the detained alleged leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People's Army, would also be let out to take part in the peace talks. Incumbent President Benigno Aquino revived peace talks soon after taking office in 2010 but shelved them in 2013, accusing the rebels of insincerity in efforts to achieve a political settlement. The talks got bogged down after the communists demanded the release of scores of their jailed comrades whom they described as "political prisoners", which the Aquino government rejected. Duterte, who met a rebel emissary in Davao 10 days ago, said he would also be sending out two members of his cabinet to Norway for preparatory meetings with the exiled rebel leaders. Norway had acted as go-between in failed peace talks between the Aquino government and the rebels. "I have commissioned them to go to Oslo... to go there for the framework and agenda that (we) will talk about," Duterte added. He said the two cabinet emissaries would then "maybe accompany Jose Maria Sison home". Story continues Should his emissaries be able to hammer out an agreement, "then I will release all the political prisoners," Duterte said -- the rebels' term for their jailed comrades. The rebels have hailed Duterte's earlier offer for a ceasefire, as well as to allow the rebels to nominate their allies to four positions in his cabinet. However they have also urged him to release all detained rebels that they said numbered more than 500. Lagos (AFP) - Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari vowed Sunday to keep and "re-engineer" a controversial amnesty programme for Niger delta militants designed to stem attacks that have slashed oil exports but set to be scrapped. The announcement, made in a televised speech marking his first year in office, is an apparent reversal from earlier this year when his government pledged to end the scheme by 2018. The costly programme introduced in 2009 after years of violence by separatist militants pays monthly stipends to 30,000 former militants as well as offering them training opportunities. A wave of recent attacks on Nigeria's oil infrastructure has seen the country's oil output drop to the lowest level in two decades, putting pressure on the Nigerian government to restore peace in the southern swamplands. "The recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil and power installations will not distract us from engaging leaders in the region," Buhari said. "Re-engineering the amnesty programmes is an example of this." This week militant group Niger Delta Avengers claimed responsibility for three separate attacks targeting oil giants Chevron and Shell as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company. Faced with a looming recession and depleted cash reserves, Buhari has limited options to deal with rebels having already cut back spending on the amnesty programme. Experts have said that increased amnesty payments could be the most realistic way to secure a ceasefire. "If the Avengers continue to raise havoc in the onshore oil sector, and the military response falls short or backfires, the administration may eventually need to consider ramping up its amnesty budget as the lesser of evils," Philippe de Pontet, sub-Saharan Africa analyst at risk advisory firm Eurasia Group, said in a recent report. Falling production of crude exports, which Nigeria depends on for 70 per cent of state revenue, has hampered growth in Africa's largest economy. Russian DJ/producer Nina Kraviz likes her electronic music organized around a narrative, so every release on her label -- the word means "trip" -- comes with a theme. When I Was 14, which arrived May 20, uses a quote attributed to Mark Twain as its source material: "When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." Speaking with Billboard, Kraviz dissects the quote in a few quick strokes: "The idea is that sometimes people criticize something because they don't have a clue what they're speaking [about]." Kraviz enjoyed a few days of respite in New York City earlier this week before swinging through Los Angeles and Denver on her way to a headlining slot at the Movement Festival in Detroit. Despite jetlag and heat -- it was the warmest day of the year in the city so far -- she chatted happily on the sidewalk outside the Ace Hotel in Manhattan, while taking occasional sips from an Americano and chomping on a brownie. When I Was 14 is the sixth release on , and Kraviz suggests that all the records she puts out share broad characteristics. "I don't like clean finished music that has no character," she declares. "I really like personality. You can interact with a robotic system that's always going to give you the same parameters. Or you can interact with something gorgeous like a human being." Later she adds, "There should be something f---ed up. Just a little bit. That's what makes it unique and interesting." Like the label's other releases, When I Was 14 contains work from multiple artists. But Kraviz resists the term "compilation" - it implies a willy-nilly selection process, when in fact all her selections are designed to work in close harmony. Several of the ideas that animate each release came to her in dreams, starting with the killer octopus that lent its name to the very first record on the label. What about the title of 002, De Niro Is Concerned? Kraviz imagined the famous actor "waking up in a cold sweat, thinking how boring his life was. He didn't make any bad movies." Story continues records are supposed to be multi-purpose. Because of the unifying theme, "you can listen to the album at home" in the same way you would absorb a full-length from any other genre. "But if you're at home with only this record, two turntables, a bunch of friends, drinks, and no TV working, you can make it a party," the DJ adds. "All the tracks are compiled in a way that you can mix in between them." One song that came out on definitively aided the latter activity: "I Wanna Go Bang" by Bjarki. "It was played by everyone," Kraviz says with pride. "Even Skrillex played it. It was funny that such a small label like we are made this crossover hit." Despite the success of the single, it didn't initially suit her specifications for . "When I heard it for the first time, it didn't really fit the 'concept album' idea," Kraviz remembers. "It was too much for me - too effective. But after some time I realized it's magic." In the end, she released it as a 12", the only one on the label to date. (Bjarki, an artist from Iceland, is a frequent presence on , and the label plans to release 41 tracks from his archive spread across three LPs in the next few months.) For Kraviz, steering a label has only one downside. "I really like playing vinyl records," she notes. "Now I'm becoming this digital DJ - I have so much music from the label that isn't released yet, [so] I play a lot from USBs." But as she returns to Detroit's famous Movement Festival, she's reverting to her preferred mode. "I selected a lot of very special B-sides," she says. "Interesting acid records." She headlines the Acid Stage on the final day of the event, slated to fill a two hour slot following Acid innovator DJ Pierre and Boys Noize, who also just released a new album. Kevin Saunderson Talks 'ORIGINS' Stage Ahead of Detroit's Movement Festival Her appreciation for the Detroit sound is audible: she speaks admiringly of the "sci-fi, cosmonaut, intergalactic sounds" and spends a while humming the melody from unknown records by Underground Resistance and Juan Atkins in an attempt to identify the tracks. (Eventually she determines they are "Final Frontier" and Model 500's "No UFOs," respectively.) "There's always a little bit of Detroit in everything I do," she notes. Detroiters Terrence Dixon and K-Hand have both released music through . Though she's played Movement before, the festival still has its challenges. "It's a very difficult stage," Kraviz says. "It has a lot of difficult acoustics; it's difficult to hear something, to mix." But this seems to fit well with her aesthetic philosophy and the ethos of . "Sometimes things don't go the way you want," she says. "But f--- it, that's the beauty. I want to be responsible for my own imperfections." Montreal (AFP) - Oil production in Canada's fire-ravaged oil sands area is coming back online and thousands of workers are returning to their jobs, leading Canadian petroleum producer Suncor said Sunday. "Start-up activities are well underway," the company said in a release, noting that one facility began initial production last week and another is expected to reach the milestone by the end of this week. "Suncor has moved over 4,000 employees and contractors back into the region ... and anticipates that over the coming week it will move approximately 3,500 additional people to support its return to operations." None of Suncor's facilities was damaged by the massive forest fire in the Fort McMurray area of Alberta province that has been burning for a month but in recent days has moved away from populated regions. Some 100,000 people were ordered to move to safety. The work stoppage at oil facilities in the region reduced Canada's total output by an estimated 1.2 million barrels per day. Need to catch up? Check out last weeks Outlander post mortem here. Cram in one last croissant and pack up your petit fours, because the Frasers are putting Paris in their rearview in this weeks Outlander. Claire and Jamie return to Scotland hoping for a respite from the tiresome-yet-terrifying politics that have plagued them in the City of Lights and instead run directly into new tiresome-yet-terrifying politics only this time, in plaid! RELATEDOutlander Star Talks Unexpected Early Return: I Was Surprised, Too! Jamie and Claires efforts to stop the Jacobite Uprising havent worked so far, and when everyones favorite royal pulls a really lame move early in the hour, the Frasers are basically forced to join in the fight theyd worked so hard to prevent. And if that werent bad enough, they then have to contend with Jamies old codger of a grandfather and the resurgence of Laoghaire? Read on for the highlights of The Foxs Lair. HOME AGAIN | The episode opens at Lallybroch, where Jamie and Claire look rested, happy and very relieved to be gone from a country where they might be called upon to watch a king take a poo. Claire, in particular, seems very content to be back in her homespun and arm warmers, jostling among Jenny and Ians brood which has grown by one more baby girl since theyve been gone. And the potatoes Claire told Jenny to plant have grown nicely, meaning that the family and Jamies tenants wont starve anytime soon. The Frasers seem to have healed any lingering rift between them, if the way theyre holding each other close while surveying the harvest is any indication. Geez, these two can make even a discussion about boiled potatoes sound like Red Shoe Diaries-level erotica. Get ye a room! 8/ 06 Ext Lallybroch Jamie & Claire prepare to leave: Fergus can't travel with them. Claire takes a look back as she leaves When the mail arrives, its cause for celebration books! A letter from Aunt Jocasta! (aww, hi Jocasta!) and cursing on Jamies part: Prince Charles forged Big Reds name on a document of Highlanders pledging support to the Jacobite cause, and that document has since been widely circulated. Jenny sums it up succinctly, though with great alarm: The names on this are traitors to the Crown, meaning Jamie will be hanged if hes caught. Story continues Claire floats the idea of escaping to Ireland or the colonies, but Jamie says he couldnt leave his sister, her family and the other tenants behind. So he rather quickly changes tack, arguing that if he and Claire work to help the Jacobites rather than hinder them, perhaps they can change history on that end. And just like that, the Frasers have a new plan. RELATEDOutlanders Caitriona Balfe on Claires Tragedy: Its Ruptured Her to the Core WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY? | So Jamie begins tallying up his men, figuring out who can join him and Claire in the battles to come. He assigns Murtagh some prepatory duties and plans to rendezvous with him and Fergus in two weeks time. Meanwhile, Claire and Jamie will try to drum up support from the highland clans, starting with Jamies ornery grandfather: Lord Lovat, whos a big jerk, has a yen for getting control of Lallybroch, goes by the nickname the Old Fox and has used nefarious means to secure himself brides in the past. Lovely. Just before bed that night, Jamie sadly admits to Claire that his father was one of Lord Lovats acknowledged bastards, and that Jamie was too much of a coward to tell her before they wed. Claire doesnt care, but its clear that Jamie does. So shes like, Shh, let me sex you into not caring about this so much. And she later wakes up to find him downstairs by the fire, speaking soft Gaelic to his new niece. Claire tears up and so do I, because my god, Faith! as Jenny quietly approaches and explains that Jamie couldnt sleep, so he took the baby so she could rest and he could unburden his worried heart. The way hes talking to the bairn is the way we talk to them before theyre born, Jenny says, looking at her sister-in-law with a knowing, loving eye. Yell know. GRANDFATHERED! | The next morning, Claire and Jamie leave for Lovats Beaufort Castle (I loved Ian and Claires Take care of your Fraser exchange), where they encounter two surprises: Colum is there (!), and so is Laoghaire(!!). Spoilers from the books ahead, so if you want to stay oblivious, skip to the next paragraph. In Diana Gabaldons books, Laoghaire doesnt show up again until Voyager the third novel in the series and when she does, its years after the events that take place in this weeks episode and shes known as Mrs. James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser. (Just in case you havent read the books but kept plugging through this paragraph anyway: YEAH. I KNOW.) Anyway, to get more on Nell Hudsons return to the series and to find out whether shell be back this season make sure to read our post mortem after youre done with this recap. RELATEDStarz Moving Original Programming to Sundays to Compete With HBO, AMC OK, Newlanders, its safe to return! While Jamie, Colum and Lord Lovat talk war, Laoghaire seeks out Claire. I need to tell ye: I am changed, and I am sorry, beyond measure, for the horrible wrong Ive done to you, the girl says, all pious-like. Stone Cold Claire Austin makes Laoghaire cry as she says she pities her: The dark places you must have inhabited in hopes of getting something that youll never have. I hope Mistress Fraser has some aloe in her bag, Laoghaire, because that was a harsh burn. WHO WANTS WHAT? | Theres a lot of diplomatic talk that goes on while the Frasers are at Beaufort Castle, so lets distill it like a fine single malt, aye? Colum wants Lovat to remain neutral like Clan MacKenzie and thinks that the rebellion will fizzle out before it even starts. But Lovat refuses, mainly because he wants Lallybroch and is still really mad that Jamies dad, Brian, chose to renounce the old man even after Jamies moms death. And so Lovat first tries to trade his support for Jamies family home, then threatens to rape Claire if Jamie doesnt offer his loyalty. Go ahead, Jamie says with a smirk, playing the La Dame Blanche card pretty hard. I get the My Chick Bad swagger, JAMMF, but seeing as Claire has been nearly ravaged twice in the short time shes known you, maybe we lay off a little? Meanwhile, Claire grudingly enlists Laoghaires help in bucking up Lord Lovats weakling son, Simon, whose support for the Jacobites may just help his dad decide to come to the same conclusion. One problem: Mistress MacKenzie isnt that bright, and her subtle wooing which is supposed to help young Simon feel like more of a man or something goes sideways when hes spooked by her offer of a keek down her dress. Oh Laoghaire, once again: Put those things away! RELATEDAmerican Gods: Pablo Schreiber to Replace Sean Harris as Mad Sweeney INFAMOUS LAST WORDS | Long story slightly shorter: Nothing works, and Jamie is about to sign over Lallybroch to his pill of a grandsire when Claire fakes a vision in front of everyone in the castles great hall. Repeating what she heard from Lovats own seer, she claims to have seen the old man standing before an executioners blade, surrounded by white roses the symbol of the Jacobite movement. And when the freaked-out Lord Lovat comes at her with a knife, his son steps up to save Claire and to state that hes joining Jamie in the fight to come. But his dad doesnt take the bait, and instead signs a neutrality agreement with Colum. Again, non-book-readers, skip to the next paragraph. Book readers: Can we discuss Colum not being [spoiler] by this point in the narrative? Id really like to talk about this. To the situation room! (And by that, I mean lets tweet about it this week.) The next morning, Simon rides away from Beaufort Castle with Jamie and Claire only to run into his fathers men, all suited up for battle. Guess what? The Old Fox is having it both ways! Officially, hes neutral. But in practice, hes serving the Jacobite cause. Sneaky! Oh, and right before Claire and Jamie take off, the Sassenach prods her man into thanking Laoghaire though he makes it very clear that he doesnt know why and doesnt care to. She says she hopes someday she can earn his forgiveness and then as Jamie is walking his red-headed fineness away from her, she adds, and your love. Claire, now might be a good time to look under your horse for an ill wish, mmmkay? Now its your turn. Did you notice that the theme song reverted to English? If you have any, what are your thoughts on the Colum matter? Sound off in the comments! Launch Gallery: Outlander: Who Should Play Lord John? Related stories Outlander Star Talks Unexpected Early Return: 'I Was Surprised, Too!' Performer of the Week: Outlander's Caitriona Balfe Outlander Au Revoir: Production Designer Jon Gary Steele Dishes Secrets of the Series' French Sets A harrowing week has culminated with more than 700 refugees feared dead after three separate shipwrecks in as many days in the Mediterranean Sea. Though European rescue boats plucked thousands from the waters off the coast of Italy, the death toll, if accurate, represents the most casualties in the Mediterranean since April 2015, the Associated Press reports. Volunteers help migrants board a rescue boat off the coast of Italy Giovanna Di Benedetto, an Italian spokesperson for Save the Children, told the news agency that rescue crew efforts seem to be able to lessen, but not circumvent, the deaths of migrants. "It really looks like that in the last period the situation is really worsening in the last week, if the news is confirmed," she said. Al Jazeera reports that on Wednesday, the first fatal incident saw a crowded boat carrying nearly 600 people, mostly Eritrean refugees, capsize. Despite rescue efforts, a UNHCR spokesperson said that nearly 100 people are still missing. On Thursday, a crowded fishing boat that had departed from Libya sank, with 550 people feared missing by the estimates of human rights activists. An unknown number of migrants are also missing from a third shipwreck on Friday, bringing the total number of feared casualties to over 700. William Spindler, a UNHCR spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that efforts to curb the number of refugees making harrowing illegal journeys to safety must be ramped up. "It is very difficult to prevent people from doing this. In our view, what needs to be done is to offer legal alternatives to the most vulnerable refugees to travel to Europe. The reason why people are undertaking these dangerous journeys is because they have no choice," he said. LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian presidential contender Keiko Fujimori is seen beating rival Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in the June 5 run-off election, according to an Ipsos poll released on Sunday, consolidating the lead she had gained in recent weeks. Fujimori, the 40-year-old daughter of imprisoned ex-president Alberto Fujimori, was seen garnering 45.9 percent of votes, according to the poll published in local newspaper El Comercio. Kuczynski, a 77-year-old former World Bank economist who narrowly moved onto the second-round election after coming in second to Fujimori ahead of a leftist rival, is seen getting 40.6 percent of votes. The Ipsos survey of 1,815 people has a 2.3 point margin of error up or down and was taken between May 26-27. Some 13.5 percent of voters were still undecided or planned to cast a spoiled ballot. Fujimori was seen winning 53.1 percent of valid votes, which does not include blank or spoiled votes, compared to Kuczynski's 46.9 percent. Fujimori has solidified her lead despite a scandal involving a top aide. The senior aide resigned from her center-right party in a bid to calm an uproar following media reports that linked the two to money laundering, accusations that both have denied. Fujimori and Kuczynski are scheduled to face off Sunday night in the last televised debate before voters head to the ballot box. In 2011, Fujimori lost her first presidential bid to President Ollanta Humala, who cannot run again this year because of term limits. (Reporting by Teresa Cespedes; Writing by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Phil Berlowitz) Manila (AFP) - Philippine police have killed three drug suspects in a shootout, officials said Sunday, the latest such deaths after the election of tough anti-crime firebrand Rodrigo Duterte as president. A spate of recent criminal killings by police has spiked fears of a extra-judicial crackdown in the country after incoming leader Duterte vowed to stamp out crime by all means necessary. Police were called to the home of a suspected drug dealer on the tiny island of Banacon in central Philippines before dawn Saturday when gunfire broke out between the suspect and police, leaving the accused and three associates injured. The accused drug trafficker Rowen Secretaria and two unidentified men were pronounced dead after being taken to hospital, while the fourth was treated for gunshot wounds, local police officer Roel Lagora told AFP. "The armed men shot at the raiding team several times, prompting the latter to defend themselves and return fire," Lagora told AFP by telephone, reading an official account of the incident. Filipino police have killed 12 other drug suspects across the country in the past week, while unknown gunmen murdered two other men linked by police to illegal drugs. Duterte has warned security forces will kill tens of thousands of criminals and ignore human rights, part of a campaign pledge to eradicate the scourge of drugs that many voters rated as their top concern. The soon-to-be leader, who is also the sitting mayor of the southern city of Davao, has been accused of backing vigilante death squads that have murdered more than a thousand people in Davao, including more than 100 minors. Civil rights groups have criticised Duterte for his threats, describing his proposed methods as illegal and unconstitutional. Police have denied suggestions they are implementing Duterte's campaign promises before he takes office on June 30, insisting earlier this month that the first eight suspects were killed in self-defence. Story continues Banacon lies about 20 kilometres (12 miles) off the coast of Cebu, the country's second-largest city after the capital Manila. The newly elected Cebu mayor, Tomas Osmena, told AFP earlier this month he would pay police bounties of 50,000 pesos ($1,060) for each criminal they killed, and 5,000 pesos for wounding them. Osmena could not be reached for comment by AFP on Sunday, but on his Facebook page he described the operation against Secretaria, whom he called "the biggest drug lord" in two Cebu districts. "This is just one of four operations being conducted this weekend. Will report the others tomorrow," Osmena wrote. WARSAW (Reuters) - The U.S. missile shield to be located in Poland does not pose a threat to Russia's security, Poland's state-run news agency PAP quoted Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski as saying on Sunday. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Poland and Romania could find themselves in the sights of Russian rockets because they are hosting elements of a U.S. missile shield that Moscow considers a threat to its security. "President Putin should know very well that the anti-missile shield in Poland has no relevance to Russian security. This system is to defend Europe from a missile attack from the Middle East," Waszykowski told PAP in an interview published on Sunday. "However, the military presence (in Poland) of the Americans and multinational NATO forces is a response to indeed aggressive behavior by the Russian authorities, who are frightening us. This will be a presence of a defensive nature, not posing a threat to Russia." (Reporting by Agnieszka Barteczko; Editing by Greg Mahlich; Editing by Greg Mahlich) Monaco (AFP) - Kimi Raikkonen escaped punishment on Sunday after being accused of unsafe driving of his damaged Ferrari during the Monaco Grand Prix. The Finn, who crashed at the Mirabeau corner, refused to park his car and instead drove it downhill and through the tunnel before abandoning it, with a broken front wing trailing, at the chicane. His driving led Frenchman Romain Grosjean of Haas to make heated criticism on team radio and the debris from his car was littered on the circuit. Raikkonen told the stewards that he believed he could drive back safely to the Ferrari garage for a new nose section for his car. "Radio messages confirm this," said a statement from the sport's ruling body, the International Motoring Federation (FIA). "The team advised the driver that he needed to stop the car as soon as possible. "The driver stated that he wanted to stop the car in a safe place and the first available place was the run-off area at Turn 10." In other post-race decisions, the stewards gave Sauber's Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson a three-place grid penalty for the Canadian Grand Prix for his crash with team-mate Brazilian Felipe Nasr. He also received two penalty points, taking his total to six. By Martyn Herman PARIS (Reuters) - Eighth seed Milos Raonic was swept aside 6-2 6-4 6-4 by Spanish claycourter Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the fourth round of the French Open on Sunday. The big-serving Canadian could make little impression against the dogged, 28-year-old left-hander who finished the contest with an angled smash on his third match point. Ramos-Vinolas will play either defending champion Stan Wawrinka or Viktor Troicki in his first grand slam quarter-final, having never been past the second round in his 18 appearances in the four majors. "I think the slow conditions helped me a little bit today, it was a great day for me. I returned really good and played very solid," Barcelona-born Ramos-Vinolas said on court. It was a disappointing day for Raonic who struggled to impose his greater power in humid conditions and dropped his usually reliable serve five times. He took only one of his seven breakpoint chances, one of which came in the last game of the match when his opponent produced a forehand winner to keep Raonic at bay. Raonic, who announced on Friday that he would work with seven-times grand slam champion John McEnroe during the forthcoming grasscourt season, had been troubled by a hip injury in his third-round win over Andrej Martin. (Editing by Clare Fallon) Jerusalem (AFP) - A major restoration project has begun at the shrine inside Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus is said to have been buried before his resurrection. An AFP photographer visiting the church on Sunday saw scaffolding going up and workers welding steel supports. Church officials had said in March that work was to be carried out by a team of Greek specialists. They said the project was expected to be completed in early 2017 and that the site would remain open to visitors in the meantime. Workers in the church erected a steel canopy over the entrance to the tomb structure, to protect visitors from possible debris. The shrine, several metres tall and wide and standing under the church's dome, has for decades been held together by a metal frame. Its marble slabs have weakened over the years, caused in part by daily visits from thousands of pilgrims and tourists. The shrine was built in the early 19th century over the site of the cave where Jesus is believed to have been buried. It will be painstakingly dismantled and rebuilt during eight months of restoration work, said the Custody of the Holy Land, which oversees Roman Catholic properties in the area. Broken or fragile parts will be replaced while marble slabs that can be preserved will be cleaned, and the structure supporting them will be reinforced. The work is being funded by the three main Christian denominations of the Holy Sepulchre -- Greek Orthodox, Franciscans and Armenians -- as well as from public and private contributions. A major restoration project has begun at the shrine inside Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus is said to have been buried before his resurrection. A major restoration project has begun at the shrine inside Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus is said to have been buried before his resurrection. An AFP photographer visiting the church on Sunday saw scaffolding going up and workers welding steel supports. Church officials had said in March that work was to be carried out by a team of Greek specialists. They said the project was expected to be completed in early 2017 and that the site would remain open to visitors in the meantime. Workers in the church erected a steel canopy over the entrance to the tomb structure, to protect visitors from possible debris. The shrine, several metres tall and wide and standing under the church's dome, has for decades been held together by a metal frame. Its marble slabs have weakened over the years, caused in part by daily visits from thousands of pilgrims and tourists. The shrine was built in the early 19th century over the site of the cave where Jesus is believed to have been buried. It will be painstakingly dismantled and rebuilt during eight months of restorationwork, said the Custody of the Holy Land, which oversees Roman Catholic properties in the area. Broken or fragile parts will be replaced while marble slabs that can be preserved will be cleaned, and the structure supporting them will be reinforced. The work is being funded by the three main Christian denominations of the HolySepulchre -- Greek Orthodox, Franciscans and Armenians -- as well as from public and private contributions. The Supreme Courts decision to uphold the constitutional validity of the criminal defamation law raises a number of important legal and policy questions. The Court ruled that sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalise defamation, and the procedural provisions including section 199 of the Criminal Procedure Code, did not violate Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The criminal defamation provisions were challenged in the Supreme Court by a number of individuals and groups including the BJP member and political maverick Subramanian Swamy, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and Congress Party Vice President Rahul Gandhi. The provisions were defended not just by the Union government through the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, but also by other individual and groups such as the RSS. Lawyers from across the political spectrum found themselves on different sides of this legal battle.The main argument by those opposing criminal defamation law was that criminalizing defamatory speech led to a chilling effect of free speech, allowing for corporations and powerful individuals and governments to suppress criticism and dissent. They also argued that the language of the section was vague and allowed for its arbitrary use. They argued that the ability to sue individuals in the civil courts for defamation was enough, and there was no need to allow for criminal defamation. Since defamation was targeted against an individual, and not society at large, they argued, it should be dealt with by civil law, and not criminal law. Those opposing criminal defamation law argued that the exceptions that were provided to defamation in the Indian Penal Code did not include truth by itself. A statement would be protected from defamation law only if it was true, and for public good. This endangered journalists, writers, and those who were especially vulnerable to charges of defamation in the course of their professional work. Story continues In the courtroom, the counterarguments were that civil defamation, since it involved a percentage of court fees would be out of reach for common citizens, and that in fact criminal defamation leveled the playing field, by allowing more people to invoke the law, and protect their reputation. Those supporting the validity of the criminal defamation law also pointed to the fact that defamation, unlike categories such as grossly offensive speech that were struck down in the Supreme Courts section 66A Shreya Singhal decision last year, was firmly ensconced in Article 19(2) of the Constitution, the exceptions to the fundamental right to free speech. These arguments, however cannot account for the high cost of retaining such laws the increasing use of criminal defamation laws to silence and suppress free speech. A classic example, as the recently released Human Rights Watch Report Stifling Dissentpoints out, is the hundreds of criminal defamation charges that journalists and publications in Tamil Nadu continue to face for daring to take on the government. The Supreme Court, while upholding the validity of the defamation law, held that reputation is central to the way society is organized, and harming someones individual reputation, has an impact that affects society as a whole, and not just the individual. Unfortunately, as legal experts have pointed out, the Court has not backed up this claim with convincing explanations and illustrations. The court quotes texts ranging from Shakespeares Othello to the Bhagavad Gita, support the right to ones reputation, and warn of the impact on society. The Supreme Court quotes Othello - ..he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed, Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Othello#/media/File:Jos%C3%A9_Ribelles_y_Helip_-_Othello_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg The court pointed out that many international law covenants, while protecting free speech, expressly allow for laws that protect the reputation of others. However, while translating this broad principle, the court has conflated privacy and reputation, giving examples such as an allegation related to the HIV/AIDS status of a person as an example of how statements aimed at reputation can have an impact on society. The court spends a lot of time distinguishing between the terms defamation and incitement to an offence in Article 19(2), the exceptions to the right to freedom of speech and rejects the argument that defamation can only be made a criminal offence if it results in incitement to an offence. The judges justify the defamation law saying that the detailed explanations, exceptions, and illustrations, make the law very clear, and that the law is not vague, therefore allowing for arbitrary use. In terms of constitutional provisions, the court relies on the reading that the right to reputation is an integral part of the right to life. The court uses the constitutional value of fraternity from the Preamble and the fundamental duty listed in Article 51-A to promote harmony and a spirit of brotherhood, buttress its arguments. Commentators have pointed out how this judgment is part of trend where the Supreme Court has used the right to life as a sword rather than a shield to restrict other fundamental rights, instead of enhancing them. The courts decision is reflective of another trend- that of the unwillingness of the Supreme Court to strike down criminal laws. There are very good arguments for both sides of the debate around criminal defamation law. In this judgment however, the Supreme Court is unable to justify its decision to retain criminal defamation with persuasive reasoning. The trend in constitutional democracies such as the United Kingdom and South Africa has been to get rid of these laws, as the cost of retaining them is too high a burden to bear. In India, the clamour to remove criminal defamation from the statute books is bound to grow. With the judiciary declining to interfere, it is now up to the legislature to ensure that the right to free speech is not sacrificed at the altar of reputation. It is still not clear whether or not Daniel Craig is officially finished with James Bond, but if the actor who revitalized the character leaves it behind, hell have company. Sam Mendes, who helmed two back to back Bond flicks 2012s Skyfall and 2015s Spectre that collectively earned nearly two billion dollars, has confirmed, as he indicated to Deadline late last year, that hes done with the 007 franchise. It was an incredible adventure, I loved every second of it, the American Beauty Oscar-winner said today while attending the Hay festival in Wales. But I think its time for somebody else. Mendes wasnt attached to the next Bond film, which is currently in early development, and in an interview with Deadlines own Mike Fleming last November he all but said outright that Spectre was his last outing with Her Majestys Secret Service. There is a sense of completeness that wasnt there at the end of Skyfall, and thats what makes this feel different. It feels like theres a rightness to it, that I have finished a journey, Medes said at the time. And when asked if hed return if Daniel Craig did, he was more direct. Ill probably be doing something else What is important is, not doing it is not a negative. Its not me saying, I dont want to do this. What it would be is me saying, I really want to do this story. There are other stories to tell. Mendes echoed similar thoughts today in Wales. Im a storyteller, he said. And at the end of the day, I want to make stories with new characters. This marks the second high profile gig Mendes wont be taking. In December, he bowed out of the job directing the New York production of his hit London stage musical version of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. In the meantime, its looking increasingly like Daniel Craig will in fact not be returning. Hes been vocal about wanting out, and has already lined up his first non Bond starring role since 2011s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, finalizing a deal this week to join Katherine Heigl in Steven Soderberghs heist film Logan Lucky. Several actors have been talked about as potentials to fill 007s shoes, among them Idris Elba and The Night Managers Tom Hiddleston Hiddleston, by the way, was reported this week by film site Birth.Movies.Death to be in early talks to take over the role. Story continues As for Mendes, hes lined up his next project as well, teaming up with DreamWorks on the screen rights to Gay Taleses April, 2015 article for The New Yorker, The Voyeurs Motel. The piece tells the story of Gerald Foos, a lifelong voyeur from Colorado who opened a hotel primarily so he could watch guests having sex (through ceiling vents as it turned out). Foos ended up complicit in a murder after he flushed the drugs of a dealer down the toilet; after the dealer subsequently blamed his on girlfriend, he strangled her. The Guardian first reported on Mendes comments at the Hays festival. Related stories Daniel Craig And Katherine Heigl Finalizing Deals To Join Steven Soderbergh's 'Logan Lucky' As James Bond News Surfaces Burt Kwouk Dies: Actor Played Cato In Seven 'Pink Panther' Movies Adam Driver Steps Into Steven Soderbergh's 'Logan Lucky'; Seth MacFarlane In Talks Warsaw (AFP) - Iran's foreign minister kicked off an EU trade drive in Poland on Sunday, in one of Tehran's first moves to drum up business with the West after the lifting of sanctions earlier this year. Javad Zarif is also expected to travel to EU members Finland, Sweden before winding up his trip in Latvia on June 2. "I'm convinced that our (Warsaw) ambassador's wish for our annual bilateral turnover to reach one billion dollars will come true," Zarif told a joint press conference with his Polish counterpart Witold Waszczykowski. Annual bilateral trade between Poland and Iran has stood at around just $70 million (62 million euros) in recent years due to international sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme. Sanctions were lifted under the historic nuclear deal that Iran signed with world powers last year and which came into force in January. Iran has since launched a campaign to boost trade, and major Western powers said on May 20 that they back doing business with Tehran. Travelling with a mostly private sector Iranian business delegation in tow, Zarif is due to attend a Polish-Iranian business forum in Warsaw on Monday. "We've always felt that Iran was part of the solution, not part of the problem," said Waszczykowski, a former ambassador to Tehran. "After years of marginalisation and even ostracism, Iran is coming back to the international stage as an important partner -- an important player that will influence positive global solutions," Waszczykowski said. Earlier the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral political cooperation. Zarif's arrival in Warsaw comes just a week after he insisted the US needed to take concrete steps to encourage investors to engage with Tehran. Despite the lifting of most sanctions, the US has maintained those targeting Tehran's alleged sponsorship of armed movements in the Middle East and its ballistic missile programme. European banks, which often have subsidiaries on US soil, have therefore been slow to resume business with Iran, fearing prosecution in the US. But a joint statement by the United States, the European Union, France, Britain and Germany issued May 20 said foreign banks and businesses should not hold back from conducting legal business with Iran. Washington (AFP) - Bernie Sanders cautioned Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in an interview aired Sunday that she will lose the backing of his many supporters unless she picks a hardline progressive as her running mate. "That means having a candidate who can excite working families, excite young people, bring them into the political process, create a large voter turnout," the Vermont senator said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Clinton's lead in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination is nearly insurmountable, but Sanders has continued to win primaries and draws far larger and more raucous crowds to his rallies. The 74-year-old senator has mobilized large numbers of young voters and self-identified independents -- areas where Clinton hopes to make inroads before the November election. Sanders was asked on NBC about one man seen as a possible No. 2 to Clinton: Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, a former governor of that state who was also considered a possible Obama running mate in 2008. "I really like him very much," Sanders said, but he declined further comment. Kaine is considered a centrist Democrat, who emphasizes the need to work with Republicans to get things done. "Virginians want you to work across the aisle," he told The Washington Post in 2014, while adding that the best politics is "to be affirmatively proud of who you are and what you are, and then work together." DUBAI, May 29 (Reuters) - Foreign assets at Saudi Arabia's central bank shrank $6 billion in April as it liquidated some financial holdings to cover a big state budget deficit caused by low oil prices, official data showed on Sunday. Net foreign assets dropped 1.1 percent from the previous month to 2.15 trillion riyals ($572 billion). Assets fell 15.7 percent from a year earlier to their lowest level since April 2012; they reached a record high of $737 billion in August 2014 before starting to shrink. The foreign assets are mainly denominated in U.S. dollars, in the form of securities such as U.S. Treasury bonds and deposits with banks abroad, fund industry sources told Reuters. Earlier this month, the U.S. Treasury disclosed the size of Saudi Arabia's U.S. Treasury holdings for the first time; it said the kingdom owned $116.8 billion of Treasuries in March. Deposits with banks abroad fell 2.2 percent from the previous month to $129 billion in April, while investment in foreign securities edged down 0.8 percent to $386 billion. (Reporting by Andrew Torchia; Editing by Andrew Bolton) Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) - Saudi Arabia accused Iran on Sunday of sowing "sedition" in urging the Islamic republic to "stop intervening" in the affairs of its neighbours. "Sedition and division in Iraq are the results of sectarian policies that developed out of Iran's policies in Iraq," said Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in a joint press briefing with his British counterpart Philip Hammond in Jeddah. "If Iran wants stability in Iraq, it has to stop intervening and withdraw," he said after accusing Tehran of sending "Shiite militias" to the war-torn country. "Iran should respect the principle of good neighbourly relations, to focus on its internal situation and not intervene in the affairs of other countries in the region, mainly Iraq," he said. Shiite-dominated Iran is the arch rival of the Sunni-led Arab kingdom, which is a traditional ally of Washington. Arnold Schwarzenegger introduces John Kasich during a rally in Columbus, Ohio, in March. (Photo: Jay LaPrete/AP) Arnold Schwarzenegger says he isnt ready to endorse Donald Trump for president at least not yet. I will make an announcement before the election, you can be sure of that, Schwarzenegger said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. But I will do it my way, which is always an unusual way. The Republican former governor of California announced his 2003 gubernatorial run on The Tonight Show. Schwarzenegger, who earlier this year campaigned for Ohio Gov. John Kasich, said he plans to study the various different candidates, what they represent, all of them before making his endorsement. But Schwarzenegger also carefully avoided criticizing the soon-to-be Republican nominee, whom he will replace as host of Celebrity Apprentice. I think it is important that we go and bring both of the parties together, he said. The more we go to the left, the more we go to the right, I believe of what President Eisenhower said, Politics is like the road. The left and the right represents the gutter, and the middle is drivable. The 68-year-old bodybuilder turned actor turned two-term governor said he doesnt think about the similarities between his unlikely political rise and the one Trump is currently experiencing. I dont really study that much of what is the difference, Schwarzenegger said. While stumping for Kasich in February, Schwarzenegger compared the Ohio governor to his most famous role. This is you, Schwarzenegger said. You are the Terminator. Meanwhile, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders whom Trump is refusing to debate is forging ahead in the Democratic race against Hillary Clinton with the California primary and its 475 delegates just 10 days away. Obviously, if we dont do well in California, it will make our path much, much harder, Sanders said on Meet the Press. California is the big enchilada. Sanders was asked if he would consider being Clintons running mate. Well, right now, here we are in California, Sanders said. Im knocking my brains out to win the Democratic nomination. He added: Thats where I am right now. What happens afterwards, we will see. But right now, my focus is on winning the nomination. JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's elite Hawks police unit denied on Sunday a report that an investigation involving Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, which has helped to weaken the rand, has been transferred to another part of the force. Citing an unnamed source, the City Press newspaper said the police crime intelligence unit had taken over the inquiry into a surveillance body formed at the national tax agency SARS when it was run by Gordhan between 1999 and 2009. The Hawks, which are responsible for tackling organised and commercial crime plus serious corruption, have previously said they were running the inquiry but that Gordhan was not being personally targetted. On Sunday, Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi repeated this denial, and dismissed the City Press report. "There is no investigation against the minister, the investigation is only on the spy unit at SARS. It is not correct that the crime intelligence unit is handling the case," Mulaudzi told Reuters. Gordhan has been embroiled in the investigation and an accompanying political row at a time when South Africa faces a possible downgrading of its credit rating. Standard and Poor's, which ranks Africa's most industrialised country just one step above subinvestment grade, is due to make public its rating decision on Friday. Gordhan has said rival credit rating agency Fitch will also announce the result of its review of South Africa on June 8. Policymakers fear the country, whose economy is expected to grow by less than one percent this year, may be headed to "junk' status, an outcome that would increase its borrowing costs. On Friday, the presidency said in a statement that President Jacob Zuma is not "at war" with Gordhan over the control of the National Treasury, in response to widespread media reports. The City Press cited an unnamed senior crime intelligence commander as saying his police unit was now involved in the inquiry because it had "better resources and capacity, and a larger network of informants". The commander added that the Hawks were "not making sufficient progress" in the case of the spy unit, which was set up to tackle organised crime and illicit revenues. The crime intelligence unit is authorised to use surveillance and conduct undercover operations, such as infiltrating crime syndicates. On May 15, the Sunday Times newspaper reported that Gordhan faced imminent arrest, sending the rand tumbling to a two-month low, despite denials by the presidency and the police. (Reporting by James Macharia; editing by David Stamp) Aden (AFP) - Fierce fighting between government forces and Shiite rebels in south Yemen on Sunday claimed the lives of 48 fighters -- 28 insurgents and 20 soldiers -- a senior military officer said. "A total of 28 Huthis (Shiite rebels) and 20 of our men were killed in the fighting, which continued into the evening," General Misfer al-Harithi, who commands the army's 19th Infantry Battalion, told AFP. Earlier, Harithi gave a death toll of 28 rebels and 14 soldiers. He said the clashes erupted when rebels and allied forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh attacked government positions in Bayhan district on the border between Shabwa and Marib provinces. Troops counter-attacked and pushed the rebels back, he said. "Our forces managed to recapture several positions," Harithi said. "We will not stop fighting until we take control of the entire sector," he added. The area where the fighting is taking place is the only part of Shabwa province still controlled by the Iran-backed rebels. Forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, backed by the firepower of the Saudi-led coalition, managed to drive rebels out of Shabwa and four other southern provinces in the summer. Sunday's fighting flared despite an early April ceasefire that paved the way for ongoing peace talks in Kuwait. More than 6,400 people have been killed in Yemen since the coalition began a campaign in March 2015 against the rebels who had occupied the capital and advanced on Hadi's refuge in the south, forcing him to flee to Riyadh. PARIS (Reuters) - A Spanish left-hander moved into the quarter-finals of the French Open on Sunday. No surprise there, although his name was not Rafael Nadal but Albert Ramos-Vinolas. With nine-times champion Nadal rocking the tournament on Friday when he pulled out with a wrist injury, the onus has fallen on some of his less-celebrated countrymen to carry the flag. Ramos-Vinolas, ranked 55, had never been past the second round in 18 previous grand slam appearances but Nadal would have approved of the way he swept past eighth seed Milos Raonic, the big-serving Canadian, to set up a clash with defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka. His 6-2 6-4 6-4 victory was only his second defeat of a top-10 player, the other being Roger Federer last year, and followed his win over 23rd-seeded American Jack Sock on Friday. His run has been even more surprising as his previous four visits to Roland Garros resulted in first-round losses. "I'm very happy. I didn't expect this," the 28-year-old from Barcelona told reporters. "After losing last week 6-1 6-1 against Wawrinka (in Geneva), I was a little bit down. "I don't know why this week things seem to be falling into place but I hope I will continue in that way." Three other Spaniards will try to join Ramos-Vinolas in the men's quarter-finals on Monday when Roberto Bautista Agut plays top seed Novak Djokovic, former runner-up David Ferrer is up against Tomas Berdych and Marcel Granollers, who was handed a walkover by Nadal, faces Austria's Dominic Thiem. (Reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Clare Fallon) Chester-le-Street (United Kingdom) (AFP) - England beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets on the fourth day of the second Test at the Riverside on Monday. Victory gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. England, set 79 to win after making Sri Lanka follow on, finished on 80 for one. England captain Alastair Cook was 47 not out, having become the first Englishman and only 12th player overall to score 10,000 Test runs when he reached five. Nick Compton (22 not out) hit the winning runs when he pulled left-arm spinner Milinda Siriwardana for four at a Riverside ground bathed in sunshine. England, after winning the toss, piled up 498 for nine declared featuring Moeen Ali's Test-best 155 not out as well as Alex Hales's 83 and Joe Root's 80. In reply, Sri Lanka collapsed to 101 all out, with Stuart Broad taking four for 40. That meant Sri Lanka became the first side since New Zealand in England back in 1958 to be bowled out for under 120 in three successive Test innings after their totals of 91 and 119 during an innings and 88-run defeat in the first Test at Headingley. But, having been made to follow-on, Dinesh Chandimal's 126 as well as fifties from skipper Angelo Mathews, Rangana Herath and Kaushal Silva, helped take Sri Lanka to 475 in their second innings. James Anderson, already England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker, took five for 58. The third and final Test starts at Lord's on June 9. Brief scores England 498-9 dec (M Ali 155 no, A Hales 83, J Root 80; N Pradeep 4-107) and 80-1 beat Sri Lanka 101 (S Broad 4-40, C Woakes 3-9, J Anderson 3-36) and 475 (D Chandimal 126, A Mathews 80, R Herath 61, K Silva 60; J Anderson 5-58) by 9 wkts. Series: England lead three-Test series 2-0. MUMBAI (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has subpoenaed India's largest drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd seeking information about the pricing and marketing of the generic drugs it sells in the United States, the company said on Saturday. The DoJ's antitrust division has also asked Sun Pharma's U.S. unit for documents related to employee and corporate records and communications with competitors. The subpoena comes amid a wider probe by U.S. regulators into steep increases in the prices of generic medicines in recent years. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services started an investigation last year into generic drug prices after prodding from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings. They specifically cited doxycycline hyclate 100 milligram, an antibiotic for which the price doubled in the year through June 2014. (http://reut.rs/1UkyIQw) The DoJ's antitrust division sent subpoenas last year to two generic drugmakers -- Endo International Plc and Mylan -- seeking information on their doxycycline products. Sun Pharma, the world's fifth-largest maker of generic medicines, is one of several companies selling doxycycline products in the United States. In a statement issued late on Saturday, it did not disclose the products over which the DoJ had sought information. Other generic drugmakers including India's Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd and U.S. firm Allergan Plc also received subpoenas from regulators seeking similar information last year, but they did not disclose the names of the products involved. (Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui in Mumbai; Editing by Helen Popper) (Recasts, adds comment from Suncor, background) By Ethan Lou TORONTO, May 29 (Reuters) - Suncor Energy Inc's facilities north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, are expected to partially restart by the end of the week, the company said on Sunday, the latest sign Canadian oil sands producers are coming back online after a massive wildfire. The start-up of Suncor's base plant and MacKay River sites is under way, with "initial production" expected by the end of the week, the company said in a statement, which noted initial production at its Firebag site began early last week. A spokeswoman declined to specify the production volume expected as operations resume. Bitumen capacities at Firebag and MacKay River are 203,000 and 38,000 barrels per day, respectively, and the base plant upgrader facility's capacity is 350,000 barrels a day, Suncor said. Energy companies have begun restarting operations as the threat from the wildfire recedes. Fort McMurray itself still sits largely empty after its entire population of nearly 90,000 was evacuated earlier this month. The wildfire, expected to be Canada's costliest natural disaster, cut Canadian oil output by a million barrels a day. The inferno has charred more than 500,000 hectares (1,930 square miles) across the northern part of the province of Alberta and crossed into the neighboring province of Saskatchewan. Rain and higher humidity in recent days have helped firefighting efforts. The Alberta government said firefighting conditions would improve through the weekend. Authorities last week lifted evacuation orders on all work camps in the area and many oil facilities, including those of Suncor and its majority-owned Syncrude. "There has been no damage to Suncor's assets and all sites have enhanced fire mitigation and protection," the company said. Suncor said it had moved more than 4,000 employees and contractors back into the region for its restart efforts and would move 3,500 more in the coming week. Story continues It also said Syncrude was planning its own return to operations. A Syncrude spokesman declined to comment on a time line for restarting operations. Some of the evacuees from Fort McMurray may be allowed to return as soon as Wednesday, if air quality improves and other safety conditions are met. (Reporting by Ethan Lou in Toronto; Editing by Peter Cooney) Tesla Model 3 Tesla's cars are technologically impressive. They're very fast, they can all but drive themselves, they can be summoned from a garage with no one at the wheel, and they are routinely improved by software updates over-the-air that allow owners to go to sleep and wake up with a new car in the driveway. Everyone in the auto industry now grudgingly admits that Tesla has forever altered consumers' expectations for how advanced in-car tech should be. But Tesla's most advanced feature is largely hidden and will need to undergo a big change in the coming years if the electric-car maker hopes to realize the far-reaching vision of CEO Elon Musk. It's the batteries, stupid The secret sauce at the core of Tesla's disruption of the traditional car business is its unique battery design (and the powertrain software than manages how the electricity is delivered to the vehicles' electric motors). Tesla takes thousands of lithium-ion battery cells and wires them together to make a pack that can serve up well over 200 miles of range. Tesla's battery packs give its cars range that's on par with gas-powered vehicles. And, as an aside, scorching performance (the Model S P90D with "Ludicrous Mode" is as fast as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche supercars). But that range comes at a price. Two prices, really. Economically, Tesla's battery packs are the most expensive part of its cars. Physically, the packs are also large and heavy. What this means is that Teslas need enough power to move themselves around before they can even think about range or acceleration. tesla Lithium-ion batteries also rely on ... lithium, which is a limited, costly resource that is currently in wide demand not just for electric cars, but also for pretty much all the rechargeable consumer electronic gadgets on Earth. This is why Tesla is building a massive battery factory with Panasonic in Nevada; if the automaker is going to deliver 500,000 cars annually by 2018, it's going to need something on the order of 4 billion individual Li-ion cells every single year. Story continues The core problem here isn't actually that daunting number it's the power threshold that Li-ion is now approaching, in terms of battery chemistry. Simply put, the chemistry of Li-ion can't ultimately provide the range that a very fuel-efficient, all-gas-powered or hybrid-gas-electric vehicle can. The solution is to add more cells, something that Tesla has done since it was founded, but that's a slippery slope. A smart car maker would be exploring new battery designs, powered by different chemistries. Tesla's early bet Tesla bet big on its battery design in the early days enabled the company to have a long-range EV before anyone else. Most EVs from traditional automakers top out at around 100 miles on a charge. Tesla's competitors have also looked to battery pack designs that aren't as complex, and that don't require thousands of individual Li-ion cells. Clearly, Tesla made the right choice. But now it has to make another choice: Stick with Li-ion, or prepare for a shift to a newer, better battery chemistry. Several cheaper designs that promise better range on a single charge are on the horizon, but they aren't ready for prime time. Over the next decade, however, they probably will be. But Tesla will be running the Gigafactory in Nevada flat-out by then, manufacturing batteries that are no longer state-of-the-art. Tesla will also be a 20-year-old company by that time not a nimble startup capable of turning on a dime, nor a vast, global manufacturing company capable of plunging resources into a post-Li-ion battery future. tesla battery gigafactory site reno nevada feb 25 2015 photo cc by nc sa 4 0 bob tregilus_100502191_l It's never too late, until it is Tesla can still come out on top, if it retains flexibility both with its vehicle designs and at the Gigafactory. A battery is just a battery, and there may come a day when Tesla decides to become more like a modern automobile manufacturer, assembling vehicles from parts entirely supplied by other companies (today's major car makers are really design, marketing, logistics, and financing firms). Tesla is actually doing the opposite, bringing parts production in-house to control quality. If Musk and his team are thinking that the Gigafactory can, long term, build any type of battery, then the future could still be bright. But if the Gigafactory is really just an all-in lithium-ion gamble, then Tesla's now-innovative vehicles will eventually be surpassed by cheaper, longer-range cars that will make profitable use of a superior "fueling" source. None of this, of course, takes into account a far larger threat: that gas-powered cars will never go away, or that something better than electricity, with all the limits that recharging batteries presents, will appear. Musk called hydrogen fuel-cells "fool cells," but that's only because hydrogen, if it can be cleanly produced, is a much better option than electricity. The only byproduct is water, the vehicles use electric motors (and could presumably have Tesla-like performance), and the fueling infrastructure is already in place; its called "gas stations." At some point, Tesla will have to grapple with the strategic question of how its cars are powered. Unfortunately, even though the company is much more stable than it was five years ago, it's still unable to afford any major course corrections. But that may be exactly what it's up against by 2020. NOW WATCH: Heres Teslas massive plan to meet the demand for 375,000 Model 3 preorders More From Business Insider Paris (AFP) - Montpellier took a giant step towards securing a top two finish with a comprehensive 36-21 win over Toulon on Sunday night. The European Challenge Cup winners will secure a bye through to the play-off semi-finals if they avoid defeat away to Racing 92 next weekend. Having outscored Toulon by three tries to two, Montpellier, led by their large South African contingent, now have a four point gap on their beaten rivals in the race for a top two finish. The result also ensured Clermont of at least a second-placed finish despite the leaders' 22-11 defeat at Toulouse -- who booked their play-off berth -- earlier in the day. Mickael Ivaldi was first to cross the whitewash at Montpellier's Altrad Stadium with South African fly-half Demetri Catrakilis converting. Fiji flyer Josua Tuisova replied almost immediately for the 2014 champions but his compatriot Timoci Nagusa then stretched Montpellier's lead with a second try. Catrakilis converted and added a penalty with another South African, Francois Steyn adding a long-range kick from the tee following Jonathan Pelissie's penalty for the visitors. Xavier Chiocci went over for a converted try on the stroke of half-time leaving Toulon just 20-15 behind. But Nagusa's second try of the match 12 minutes into the second period helped Montpellier pull away and deny Toulon a losing bonus point. The victory, and Catrakilis's 13-point haul, helped appease fans who'd taken to social media to complain about France international fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc's omission from the matchday squad in what would have been a chance to say his farewells after 12 years at the club before joining Toulon next year. "The atmosphere at the start of the week was a bit weird," admitted Montpellier scrum-half Benoit Paillaugue. "We owed it to ourselves to play a great match for the rest of the season and for those who weren't lucky enough to play on their last day." Story continues Toulon captain Guilhem Guirado complained that his side were all at sea. "We're very disappointed, very frustrated. We're not dead, though," he said. - 'Aim achieved' - Wins for Castres and Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday had put the pressure on fifth-placed Toulouse, the most successful club in France, but French internationals Louis Picamoles and Gael Fickou scored first-half tries while four separate players notched successful penalties to down Clermont. "We've qualified, the first aim has been achieved, the last day will decide the final placings, we'll see where we finish," said Toulouse coach Ugo Mola. "In any case, we're training to be difficult to manoeuvre, we'll see what the future brings." Camille Gerondeau crossed the whitewash for Clermont while Australian Brock James scored two penalties, but the visitors went home empty-handed. "We need to play well at home to La Rochelle (next weekend), that's obvious," said Clermont coach Franck Azema, whose side will guarantee top spot with a win. "We know what we need to do, we need to take some points so that we get the job done and rediscover our fluency for what comes next." Toulouse's victory, in what was likely veteran wing Vincent Clerc's last match at the Ernest-Wallon stadium before joining Toulon next season, means Toulouse are only three points off securing home advantage in the play-off quarter-finals. "It was pretty emotional, it's like a page is turning. Seeing players who've been here for more than 10 years leaving is tough but we know that's part of the game," said Toulouse full-back Maxime Medard. On Saturday, Bordeaux confirmed their place in next season's European Champions Cup with a 34-7 win over Brive. Bordeaux scored four tries to earn a bonus point but remain seventh after Castres won 25-20 at relegated Oyonnax later on Saturday. Bordeaux and Castres -- level on points -- face a battle in next weekend's final regular season matches to see which one finishes sixth and takes the final spot in the Top 14 play-offs. On Friday night, European Champions Cup finalists Racing 92 kept alive their hopes of finishing the regular season in the top two with a 30-14 win at La Rochelle. However, they must beat Montpellier with a bonus point, denying their opponents one, and hope Toulon do not earn a bonus-point win at home to Bordeaux next weekend. Visit any home with a teenager with acne and youre likely to see towels with bleached-out spots. Benzoyl peroxide is the culprit. It's one of the most common ingredients in acne cleansers, gels, and creams and it bleaches towels, leaving orange blotches when towels are wet. Several manufacturers claim their towels resist this bleaching, so the textile pros at Consumer Reports put them to the test. Benzoyl peroxide is a tried and true, well-tested, over-the-counter ingredient that is known to help fight acne, says Dr. Jessica Krant, a dermatologist in New York City and a member of Consumer Reports medical advisory board. Benzoyl peroxide helps kill bacteria that may build up on the skin surface or in follicles and pores, and loosens dead skin cells from the surface, helping to unclog pores, she adds. Its used in over-the-counter acne treatments as well as in some prescription acne formulas. What We Tested For comparison, our secret shoppers bought various brands of hand towels that do not carry the benzoyl-peroxide safe claim, and two hand towels from each brand that claimed to be benzoyl-peroxide resistant. We chose blue, green, and light brown towels, to more easily see any bleaching, from these brands: The L.L. Bean towels are made using a process with vat dyes that are very resistant to bleaching, according to Mac McKeever, a company spokesperson. He says the towels are bleach resistant for as long as the towels last. Bed Bath & Beyond would not disclose what prevents bleaching in the Real Simple towels. Jessica Joyce, public relations manager, said the towels have been discontinued and will be sold until inventory runs out. Kohls did not reply to our requests for information. How We Tested We laundered one resistant towel from each brand and color, and then painted a B on the towel using an acne gel that contained 10% benzoyl peroxide. The next day we washed and dried the towels in a dryer, following the instructions on the care label. We then compared the towel to the unwashed resistant towel and the regular towels. Story continues The results. Even a heavy application of the acne gel didnt bleach the Real Simple and Sonoma towels. The L.L. Bean towels didnt do as well. The green towel was lightly bleached and the blue had a faint bleach mark. However, no bleaching occurred when we retested by applying a smaller amount of benzoyl peroxide. As for the towels that don't claim to be benzoyl-safe, the acne gel bleached them, unless they were white. A heavy application of acne gel didnt even mar the white towelsgiving you another choice when shopping for towels. Throwing in the towel? Not so fast. See How to Choose Bath Towels That Last and email your toughest towel questions to kjaneway@consumer. org. More from Consumer Reports: The best matching washers and dryers Generator Buying Guide 8 ways to boost your home value Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright 2006-2016 Consumers Union of U.S. Donald Trump says people living in the United States illegally are being treated better than the nations military veterans. In many cases, illegal immigrants are taken much better care of by this country than our veterans, Trump said at the annual Rolling Thunder rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where hundreds of thousands of bikers gathered to honor prisoners of war and service members missing in action. Were not going to allow that to happen any longer. Were gonna rebuild our military, he continued. And were gonna take care of our veterans. Our veterans have been treated so badly in this country. Trump whose repeated assertions that his televised January fundraiser for veterans took in $6 million have been called into question in recent days announced his campaign would be holding a press conference on Tuesday to disclose where, specifically, the donations went. Before the event, political observers wondered how the crowd would react to Trump in light of his controversial comments about Arizona Sen. John McCain, a former POW who Trump suggested is only considered a war hero because he was caught. But the presumptive Republican presidential nominee was, for the most part, warmly received. Do we love the bikers? Yes! Trump said. Some of these people are tough. And some of these guys, theyre rough. And I get out and I shake their hands, and Ill tell you, there is love. There is love, and its an incredible feeling. And thats why I wanted to be here today. The billionaire real estate mogul reiterated his campaign promise to build a wall along the southern border a real wall, he said and have Mexico pay for it. Not even a doubt, he said. Near the end of a characteristically rambling 20-minute address, Trump said he thought the crowd would be similar in size to the one that listened to Dr. Martin Luther Kings I Have a Dream speech in 1963 where people would be lined up from here all the way to the Washington Monument but was disappointed by the turnout. Story continues The size-conscious candidate blamed security, claiming he saw hundreds of thousands of people all along the highways who werent able to get into the event. We have by far the biggest rallies, far bigger than Bernie Sanders, Trump said. But they dont talk about it. I had a rally where we had 18,000 people, Bernie had seven [thousand]. With my rally, they said, Donald Trump made a speech today, bah-bah-bah. That was it. With Bernies rally, same time, they said, Bernie Sanders had a tremendous crowd of 7,000. I said, I had 11,000 people more than he did! They dont mention it. And they wont mention the kinds of massive crowds we have here today. In his efforts to capitalize on voter discontent, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has cranked up his anti-trade rhetoric to appeal to workers who have seen their jobs move overseas. Among other things, Trump has proposed imposing a steep tariff on products made in China and Mexico. Unfortunately, there are many more things wrong with tariffs than there are right. To begin with it isn't exactly obvious if imposing tariffs on China and Mexico would bring jobs to the US. Rather, companies seeking these manufacturing cost advantages are like to just move production to one of the many other low-cost countries in the developing world. Whatever the case, such a protectionist trade policy would cause the cost of production to go up, which means the prices for finished goods would most likely go up for consumers. In other words, no one really wins with tariffs. "The last American president who was a trade protectionist was Republican Herbert Hoover," wrote Stephen Moore and Larry Kudlow. "Does Trump aspire to be a 21st century Hoover with a moderized plaform of the 1930 Smoot-Hawley tariff that helped send the US and world economy into a decade-long depression and a collapse of the banking system?" In a note to clients on Friday, Bank of America Merrill Lynch's Michael Hartnett considered economic and financial market scenarios under the regimes of the presidential candidates. Like Moore and Kudlow, Hartnett reflected on the Smoot-Hawley act. How could Trump's protectionist trade policy affect stocks? Here's what happened following the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff act. (Image: Bank of America Merrill Lynch) An extreme example [of trade protectionism] admittedly, but the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act that increased US import duties by as much as 50% was extremely bearish for risk, Harnett observed. In a world today devoid of corporate confidence trade tariffs, capital controls, border controls are unlikely to engender risk-seeking behavior on Wall Street, though Main Street may temporarily benefit. It would be an understatement to say there were a lot of other things going on in the late 1920s and early 1930s that contributed to the downturn in the markets and economy. But almost everyone agrees that the tariffs only made things worse. Story continues Hartnett note that trade protectionism is bearish for stocks (^GSPC), while bullish for gold (GLD). Sam Ro is managing editor at Yahoo Finance. Read more: The not-so-secret way millionaire investors get way richer UBS: The stock market guides the Fed Obama uttered a single word that explains so much about America today Merrill Lynch chief economist nails the truth about risk in a perfect 3-word sentence Istanbul (AFP) - Turkey on Sunday marked the 563rd anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul with huge parties and a fireworks show in the former Byzantine imperial capital once known as Constantinople. Around a million people were expected for a giant party in the city to mark its capture in 1453 by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, nicknamed "the Conqueror". The Air Force aerobatics team was to perform a fly past prior to an evening fireworks display with Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yldrm due at the festivities in the Yenikapi district in the European half of the city. City authorities were also unveiling a 3D mapping of the city as it was in 1453 to mark an occasion advertised by the government for weeks. Security was tight with Turkey on alert following several attacks in recent months attributed to Islamic State and Kurdish rebel groups. A submarine, a frigate, five helicopters and 9,000 police -- including a contingent of 40 elite snipers, plus dozens of sniffer dogs -- were all on duty, according to the Anatolian news agency quoting city police chief Mustafa Caliskan. Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has since coming to power in 2002 sought to ramp up references to Turkey's Ottoman past, with critics lamenting apparent moves away from western influence towards "neo-Ottoman" imperialism. At its height, the former empire stretched from the gates of Vienna to the Gulf of Aden. A third bridge over the Bosphorus, currently under construction, has been named after Sultan Selim 1, under whose leadership the empire massively expanded in the mid 16th Century and who some sources blame for the persecution of some 40,000 Alevis, a liberal Muslim minority. ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim's government on Sunday won a vote of confidence in parliament as well as approval for his legislative program, parliament speaker Ismail Kahraman said. Yildirim is a close ally of President Tayyip Erdogan and a co-founder of the ruling AK Party. He was declared prime minister after he was elected as the new leader of the AK Party at a party congress. Yildirim's appointment marks another step in Erdogan's plan to create a full presidential system in Turkey. Yildirim replaces Ahmet Davutoglu, who said he was stepping down after weeks of tension with Erdogan. Kahraman said the result was 315 votes for approving the government and 138 against. (Reporting by Gulsen Solaker, writing by Dasha Afanasieva. Editing by Jane Merriman) Maureen Oa Boyle was getting ready to do a live tease for the afternoon news when she got the phone call shead been nervously anticipating for weeks. An anchor for WBTV in Charlotte, North Carolina, OaBoyle had worked tirelessly to keep her rapist in prison and was in the makeup room when someone from the parole board called. "He asked me if I was sitting down and I was thinking the worst when he said that," the 52-year-old tells PEOPLE. "I said just tell me already!" OaBoyle says she crumpled from relief and started hysterically crying when she finally heard what she'd been waiting to hear: "He said the board has decided Mr. Starling will not be paroled." TV News Anchor Maureen O'Boyle's Emotional Reaction Upon Hearing Her Rapist Wouldn't Be Paroled: 'I Had a Good Twelve Hours of Crying'| Crime & Courts James E. Starling, now 53, was sentenced to 50 years in prison in 1986 for the rape of O'Boyle and another woman in Macon, Georgia. As he still has 20 years to serve in prison, O'Boyle was shocked to learn in late February that Starling could soon be up for parole. The former host of A Current Affair and Extra petitioned the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles to keep Starling locked away, collecting more than 71,000 signatures. O'Boyle said she also met in person with a parole board member, begging to keep Starling behind bars. "I walked through the crime and I cried a lot," she tells PEOPLE of that meeting. After getting word that shead won the fight, the single mom says, "I had a good twelve hours of crying and then I slept very soundly for the next two nights." TV News Anchor Maureen O'Boyle's Emotional Reaction Upon Hearing Her Rapist Wouldn't Be Paroled: 'I Had a Good Twelve Hours of Crying'| Crime & Courts Then she got to work, trying to figure out a way to use this experience to help other survivors of rape. Since starting the petition, OaBoyle estimates sheas received more than 500 personal emails, and more than 10,000 comments on her Facebook page many of them from fellow rape survivors. "Theyave said things like, your victory is my victory. Your strong voice and your bravery has been my bravery," she explains. "That has been the most humbling and rewarding part of this. I think what happened in the process of fighting to keep him in prison, it has been more than I ever could have imagined. Itas been transformative." One particular email has buoyed OaBoyleas spirits and helped her to understand the impact of sharing her story. It came from a young pediatrician and mother of two who admitted she'd never told anyone of her own rape, writing, "Your justice feels like my justice and I could not be more proud of you for fighting this fight. After stumbling across your petition, I courageously sought counseling. You have changed the trajectory of my life." TV News Anchor Maureen O'Boyle's Emotional Reaction Upon Hearing Her Rapist Wouldn't Be Paroled: 'I Had a Good Twelve Hours of Crying'| Crime & Courts The veteran newswoman knows the power of a good story and plans to harness it. Sheas working with several sexual assault organizations in the Charlotte area, trying to figure out the best way to help get other survivors the counseling and education they need. "Itas a work in progress but so many people who reached out to me told me they never shared their story and I want to help create a place where the community can help make sure those survivors get the tools they need," O'Boyle says. "These survivor stories, I needed them as much as they needed me." Sao Paulo (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of marchers turned out Sunday for Sao Paulo's 20th annual Gay Pride parade, one of the biggest such events anywhere in the world, organizers said. Participants said one goal of this year's procession is to offer a major show of support of proposed federal legislation that would allow Brazilians to claim the gender identity of their choosing, "which may or may not correspond to their gender at birth," the text of the bill states. The legislation, if approved, would also require government health providers to pay for sex-change operations. Representatives of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community began gathering at 10 am local time (1300 GMT) on the Avenida Paulista ahead of the start of the hours-long procession. More than 1,000 police were expected at the parade, which also planned to include protests against acting president Michel Temer, who is replacing Dilma Rousseff while the Senate proceeds with her impeachment trial. The city's first Gay Pride march drew a mere 2,000 people in 1996. But it has become a top tourist draw in this city of 20 million, second only after the Formula One car race. One LGBT rights activist, Viviany Beleboni, 27, told reporters she would march with a Bible in hand to protest an evangelical group in parliament that has blocked pro-LGBT legislation. A draft law to punish homophobic actions has been stalled for years by Catholic and evangelical blocs. Brazil's Supreme Court in 2011 recognized the stable unions of homosexual couples, guaranteeing them the same rights as enjoyed by heterosexual couples. By Kevin Murphy and Frank McGurty (Reuters) - Police in Houston killed a gunman on Sunday in a chaotic shootout that left one other person dead, six wounded - including two officers - and set off a fire at a nearby gas station when bullets struck a gas pump, authorities said. Witnesses reported that a gunman approached a man who had just pulled up to an auto detail shop and opened fire with a pistol, police spokesman John Cannon said. "It appears that it was a random, unprovoked attack," Cannon said. The victim, a male in his 50s, died, he said. The gunman fired on the first officer to respond to the scene, riddling his car with bullets, including many that struck the windshield, Cannon said. At least five shots also struck a police helicopter, he said, The officer escaped injury and called for help. A shootout ensued with arriving officers before a SWAT team member shot the suspect dead at about 11:10 a.m., about an hour after police arrived at the scene, Cannon said. Two constables were wounded, not seriously, one struck in the hand and other in his bulletproof chest vest, he said. A second person, still considered a possible suspect, was also shot, possibly by the primary shooter, Cannon said. He was interviewed at the hospital to give police his version of what happened, Cannon said. Three other people, believed to be innocent victims, were also wounded but not seriously, officials said. Bullets from the shootout struck a gas pump at a station next to the detail shop, triggering a fire that left the station building charred, Cannon said. Police do not know the motives behind the shootings and are seeking the publics help. We are trying to piece all of this together, acting Houston Police Chief Martha Montalvo said. Its still a very ongoing investigation. The gunman had both a pistol and a rifle, police said. "Obviously they had a high-powered rifle," Montalvo said. "We believe one of them had an AR-15. The shooting occurred in west Houston, adjacent to a residential area, just east of the Sam Houston Tollway, a major highway dissecting the Texas city. (Reporting By Frank McGurty in New York and Kevin Murphy in Kansas City; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Phil Berlowitz) UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations on Sunday voiced alarm at the escalating political tensions in Cambodia, including attempted arrests of politicians, amid allegations from the opposition that Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party is persecuting it. Last week Hun Sen said Cambodia's next election will be in July 2018. Meanwhile leaders of the opposition are facing legal charges they say are politically motivated to stop them challenging the veteran premier in the vote. "The Secretary-General (Ban Ki-moon) is concerned about the escalating tensions between the ruling and opposition parties in Cambodia, particularly arrests or attempted arrests," U.N. spokeswoman Devi Palanivelu said. "A non-threatening environment of democratic dialogue is essential for political stability and a peaceful and prosperous society," she added. Long before the Southeast Asian nation goes to the ballot box, political tensions have risen. The last election in 2013 marked self-styled strongman Hun Sen's toughest challenge in three decades of rule. The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), led by Hun Sen's longtime foe Sam Rainsy, accused the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of cheating its way to victory and boycotted parliament for a year. Rainsy has been in exile since late 2015 to avoid jail on charges for which he had previously received a royal pardon. His deputy, Kem Sokha, was cited on Friday for contempt of court after failing to appear on Thursday to hear charges for procurement of prostitution over a leaked recording of purported telephone conversation he had with a woman. Sokha's lawyer, Sam Sokong, dismissed the charge as baseless, saying his client had reasonable grounds not to appear in court. The CNRP and a workers union on Friday threatened mass protests and a parliamentary boycott if Sokha is arrested. (Reporting by Louis Charbonneau in New York and Prak Chan Thul in Phnom Penh; Writing by Louis Charbonneau; Editing by Phil Berlowitz) By Isabel Coles HASSAN SHAMI, Iraq (Reuters) - Servicemen from the U.S.-led coalition were seen near the front line of a new offensive in northern Iraq launched on Sunday by Kurdish peshmerga forces that aims to retake a handful of villages from Islamic State east of their Mosul stronghold. A Reuters correspondent saw the soldiers loading armored vehicles outside the village of Hassan Shami, a few miles east of the frontline. They told people present not to take photographs. They spoke in English but their nationality was not clear. Reuters had earlier reported that they were American but this could not be confirmed officially. Commenting on the ground deployment of coalition soldiers seen near the battle front, Baghdad-based spokesman for then coalition, U.S. Army Colonel Steve Warren, said: "U.S. and coalition forces are conducting advise and assist operations to help Kurdish Peshmerga forces". He said he could not confirm which country those seen by Reuters were from. "They may be Americans, they may be Canadians or from other nationalities," he said, when told that some forces were reported to be wearing maple leaf patches, the emblem of Canada. The sighting of the servicemen near the frontline is a measure of the U.S.-led coalition's deepening involvement on the ground in Iraq as the war against Islamic State approaches its third year. Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the early hours of Sunday launched an attack to dislodge Islamic State fighters from villages located about 20 km (13 miles) east of Mosul on the road to the regional capital, Erbil. Fighting appeared heavy. Pick up trucks raced back from the frontline with wounded people in the back, and two of the U.S.-led coalition servicemen helped haul one man onto a stretcher. Gunfire and airstrikes could be heard at a distance, while Apache helicopters flew overhead. One of the villages, Mufti, was captured by mid-day, the Kurdistan Region Security Council said in a statement. Mosul, with a pre-war population of about 2 million, is the largest city under control of the militants in both Iraq and Syria. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi at the end of last year expressed hope that the "final victory" in the war on Islamic State would come in 2016 with the capture of Mosul. About 5,500 Peshmergas are taking part in Sunday's operation, said the Kurdish Region Security council. "This is one of the many shaping operations expected to increase pressure on ISIL in and around Mosul in preparation for an eventual assault on the city,'' the council said. The Peshmerga have driven the militants back in northern Iraq last year with the help of airstrikes from a U.S.-led coalition, and are positioned around Mosul in an arc running from northwest of the city to southeast. The Iraqi army is also keeping up the pressure on Islamic State in their stronghold of Falluja, 50 kilometers (32 miles) west of Baghdad, in central Iraq. Backed by Shi'ite militias on the ground and airstrikes from the U.S.-led coalition, the army is about to complete the encirclement of the city in an operation that started on May 23, state TV said Sunday citing military statements. Counter-terrorism forces specialized in urban warfare have taken up positions around Falluja and should begin advancing in inside the city when the encirclement is complete, the TV said. (Reporting by Isabel Coles, Writing by Maher Chmaytelli, Editing by Angus MacSwan) SEOUL (Reuters) - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said his country would halt security and military cooperation with North Korea, a South Korean official said following a summit in Kampala between Museveni and South Korean President Park Geun-hye. Uganda hosted 45 North Koreans providing police training as recently as December, according to a February report by a United Nations panel of experts. Another report by the panel last year said North Koreans trained Ugandan police on the use of AK-47s and pistols. Isolated North Korea has come under growing diplomatic pressure in the aftermath of its January nuclear test and a space rocket launch in February, which led to a United Nations Security Council resolution in March tightening sanctions against Pyongyang. "During the summit, Uganda's President Museveni... said he had ordered (officials) to faithfully enforce the U.N. Security Council resolution including halting of its security, military and police cooperation with North Korea," Jeong Yeon-guk, a spokesman for Park, told reporters in the Ugandan capital on Sunday, according to the presidential Blue House in Seoul. Uganda abstained from voting on all nine U.N. General Assembly resolutions on North Korean human rights for which votes were counted since 2005, a record mirrored by countries including India, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mali and Qatar. (Reporting by Ju-min Park; Writing by Tony Munroe) Kampala (AFP) - Uganda hit back Sunday at South Korea's claim that Kampala had ordered a halt to military ties with North Korea in line with UN sanctions, denying it had made such an announcement. South Korean President Park Geun-Hye's spokesman had earlier Sunday told reporters that Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni had ordered officials to honour the latest sanctions during a summit in Kampala. Spokesman Jung Yeon-Guk quoted Museveni as saying: "We instructed officials to faithfully enforce the UN Security Council resolutions, including the halt of cooperation with North Korea in the security, military and police sectors." But Ugandan authorities responded swiftly, saying there had been no "public declaration" to this effect. "That is not true. It is propaganda," deputy government spokesman Shaban Bantariza told AFP. "Even if (such an order) was to be made by the president, it cannot be public. It cannot be therefore true and it can't happen. That is international politics at play," he added. Dozens of North Korean military and police officials are believed to be working in Uganda as military trainers under a cooperation programme. Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has visited North Korea three times and met Kim Il-Sung, the country's late founding president and grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-Un. The UN Security Council in March imposed the toughest sanctions to date on Pyongyang following its fourth atomic test in January and a long-range rocket launch a month later. The rocket launch -- widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test -- was staged in violation of existing UN resolutions that ban the country from any use of ballistic missile technology. Kim Jong-Un however remained defiant in the face of growing international pressure, declaring his country a "responsible" nuclear weapons state at a recent meeting of the ruling Workers' Party. The young leader also defended North Korea's widely-condemned nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against "hostile" US policy against his regime. On her first state visit to Uganda, South Korea's Park discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, including offering more aid to Kampala and the offer of running join development projects. Tripoli (AFP) - Two months after his dramatic arrival in Libya's capital, Fayez al-Sarraj's unity government has won international support but had little impact inside a divided country plagued by jihadists, analysts say. The head of the Government of National Accord sailed into Tripoli under naval escort on March 30 in defiance of a militia alliance that has been in control of the capital since August 2014, after it refused to let him fly in. His arrival sparked hopes of a way out of the political, security and economic crises that have gripped Libya since the 2011 revolution that ousted longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. But confined to the naval base where it receives visiting foreign ministers, the UN-backed GNA has yet to draw up any clear roadmap for ending Libya's anarchy and expelling jihadists from their strongholds. Its targets of restoring peace and healing divisions born of five years of conflict are being stymied by a rival government in the east that refuses to cede power until a repeatedly delayed vote of confidence in Libya's elected parliament from which it takes its own legitimacy. The rival administration, which itself had international recognition before the rise of Sarraj, controls eastern Libya through militias and units of the national army loyal to controversial General Khalifa Haftar, a sworn opponent of the GNA. For Mattia Toaldo, a Libya specialist with the European Council on Foreign Relations, the GNA has already lost a "precious two months" with its failure to secure a vote of confidence. "While he has received several foreign delegations and made visits abroad, he (Sarraj) is invisible inside Libya," said Toaldo. Sarraj "has not found the time -- nor the courage -- to address the east of the country. It's not a question of lacking the military strength, but rather absence of political will and... political initiative". Othman Ben Sassi, a former member of the revolution-era National Transitional Council, said "the only achievement of this (GNA) government has been the fact that it has won international support". Story continues On the ground, "it's the militias, as before, that control the situation. As for the unity government, it doesn't control anything," he said. - East-west divide - The task facing Sarraj, a 56-year-old political newcomer, is "extremely fragile", according to Kader Abderrahim, a specialist on Islamism at the Paris-based Institute for International and Strategic Affairs. "It's imperative that a formal vote (of confidence) be held to head off challenges to his legitimacy," said Abderrahim. He must "firstly gather Libyans around a joint project, ensure their security and undertake negotiations with the different militias to lay down their arms. This process could take several months," he said. On the military front, the GNA controls several airports and has militias and army units based in the western region of Misrata, equipped with tanks and warplanes, under its command. But the east-west divide rules out any unified control of Libya's porous borders through which hundreds of thousands of sub-Saharan Africans pour in in search of a better life across the Mediterranean in Europe. And although Libya holds Africa's richest oil reserves, the economy poses a huge challenge for the GNA faced with spiralling food, transportation and medical costs since the start of 2016. With the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan starting in early June, food shortages and power cuts at a time of rising summertime temperatures will only serve to heighten the perception among ordinary Libyans of "Sarraj government failings", according to Toaldo. Internationally, the GNA secured a Western pledge at a May 16 meeting in Vienna to ease the arms embargo in place since Libya's revolution to battle the Islamic State jihadist group. But for Abderrahim, "Libyans are fed up with Western interference in their affairs and the fact that they have literally imposed Fayez al-Sarraj can only be damaging for him." World US blocks cluster-bomb sales to Saudis as Yemen suffering continues The Obama administration has moved to block sales of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen, amid reports of mounting civilian casualties there, a media report said Saturday.The report in the journal Foreign Policy, citing U.S. officials, said that the White House had quietly placed a hold on the transfer of such munitions to the Sunni kingdom as it carries out a bloody war on Shiite rebels in Yemen. A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Iranian-backed Huthis since March 2015, trying to roll back their control of wide swaths of Yemen. We are aware of reports that the Saudi-led coalition used cluster munitions in the armed conflict in Yemen, including in areas in which civilians are alleged to have been present. We take such concerns seriously and are seeking additional information. U.S. official to AFP Foreign Policy said it was the first concrete display of unease by U.S. officials over bombings that human rights activists say have killed and injured hundreds of civilians, including children. The United States has sold the Saudis millions of dollars worth of cluster bombs and provided other forms of military support. The move comes amid growing criticism by American lawmakers of the Saudi monarchy. Legislators are unhappy that the Saudis have not done more to fight ISIS militants in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere. The longstanding relationship, built on an exchange of American security backing for a reliable supply of Saudi oil, has been strained as the United States has gained greater energy independence even while reaching historic agreement with the Saudis bitter regional foe Iran. By now, the bathroom brawl has come to the White House. Eleven states have sued the Obama administration for its support of transgender student access to the bathrooms they prefer. Heres our take, expressed in this publication before: Why on earth does anyone care where we pee? Someone has deeply misunderstood the purpose of the bathroom, which, as we have argued before, is to do your business, wash your hands and GTFO. To be fair, there are some reasons why we might not want the federal government dipping into this issue and OZYs own Carlos Watson hosted a debate on the issue on PBS Point Taken. Protip: Do check out out iO Tillett Wright! There is a college campus near Jessica Ladds apartment. She can watch the students, antlike, moving in patterns. Theyre racing to orgo labs and lectures on structuralism; theyre decked out for the opening of a friends gender-bending play. Theyre getting wasted at frat parties and texting their roommates from outside their dorms. Theyre experimenting with sex, and vulnerability, and trust, and consent and sometimes, these tests take a dark turn. Im like, Ill protect you, she says in a mockingly deep-throated vigilante voice. Im kind of like Batman. Ladd is 30, but with her dirty blond hair, bright yellow cardigan and skinny jeans, she could pass for a college sophomore. Her speech is nerdy and excited, and she makes small talk about the keg in her trendy shared office space thats never been tapped. Ladd takes a while to get to the serious stuff, which is what keeps her focused during the day: sexual assault. Ladd is trying to understand it with a wholly new approach dare we say, a scientific one so that it can be prevented. When it comes to sexual assault on campus, there are certain truisms youll find touted in dining-hall debates and printed onto solidarity buttons, the weapons of those who fight violence against women: One in five women on college campuses has been sexually assaulted. Their assailants have probably raped before and will do it again. Does Ladd trust that last bit, though? Not at all, she says bluntly. Thats because information about perpetrators is notoriously difficult to come by; surveys asking assailants about their histories go only so far to snuff out the truth. Indeed, sometimes it seems that the only thing experts in this area can agree on is that data about sexual assault is incomplete. Which is where Ladd comes in. While other groups try to raise awareness or pressure colleges to punish assailants, Ladd is gathering data as if she were one of her peers in the San Francisco tech scene. The main innovation of her platform a surveillance system, she calls it is that it allows victims to write a report online, including the name of the perpetrator, without going to the authorities. She believes her platform lowers the barriers to reporting and provides information some surveys dont, like what time of year the assault occurred. All of this, she believes, will lead to better statistics on campus rape and connect the dots between rapists and their victims. Story continues jessica ladd washburn 025 Jessica Ladd on the streets of San Francisco. Source: Alex Washburn / OZY As steeped in data as Ladd is, the work is personal. A decade ago, as a college student at Pomona studying public policy and human sexuality, she herself was assaulted. She reported it but didnt follow up with prosecution. Now, she says, looking me dead in the eyes, I dont know if he ever did it to anyone else. One can interpret her work as an effort to redeem the past as best she can. The assault, she says, could be a net positive if she could help others in a similar situation. Its certainly a system I would have wanted, she says. *** Ladd sits down to demo Callisto, the reporting software shes created. The words SAFE. SUPPORTED. IN CONTROL. jump out in big, white caps on the homepage. She creates an anonymous account and is directed to a focus-group-approved, purple webpage with multiple-choice questions. Question 1: How recent was it? She answers, and a notification pops up suggesting that, since it was within five days, shed be able to get a forensic exam. She responds to questions about what happened, and where and when, and who did it. When it comes time to submit the record, there are options. Traditional reporting involves going to campus or police officials but on Callisto, the authorities need not be involved. The survivor could merely save the record. Alternatively, she could send the report directly to her school. Or she could choose to send it to the authorities only if someone else has named the assailant, or names him in the future. In her office, Ladd jumps up and diagrams patterns of sexual assault on the whiteboard, a peek into how her mind works. Circles represent people victims and perpetrators and connecting lines represent assaults. She traces the patterns in dry-erase marker. Ladd believes that rape can be studied the same way infectious diseases are studied, using the tools of epidemiology. Indeed, Ladd used to study how STDs move from one person to the next and, in fact, she came up with Callisto while working on a project that allowed people with recently diagnosed STDs to send anonymous emails to their past sexual partners: Maybe they should think about getting tested. Most of Ladds work has focused on sex and stigma. She grew up in San Francisco during the AIDS crisis and watched a next-door neighbor die of it. I always thought I would die of AIDS, because thats what people did, she says. In college, Ladd created her own research projects, one to study access to condoms in prison and another about prostitution in L.A. Later, as a White House fellow, she focused on HIV policy, unintended pregnancy prevention and access to healthcare for pregnant women. jessica ladd washburn 163 Ladd demonstrates how to sign up on Callisto. Source: Alex Washburn / OZY A turning point came in 2013, when Ladd was invited to give a TEDx Talk about her STD-notification service. Friends told her that it was supposed to be the talk of her life, she says, and Ladd dutifully prepared a killer speech. The date of her flight was close to the anniversary of her half-sisters death, and on the plane there was a good deal of turbulence. Ladds mind jumped to her thoughts of her own death, and mid-flight, she switched topics: She would use the forum to open up about her sexual assault, a secret so closely guarded that not even her parents knew. I picked the scab on something, she says. Callisto began to take shape. Its name derives from a Greek myth about a nymph who was raped. Just as the myth comforted Ladd in the aftermath of her own assault, she wanted the platform to make sexual-assault survivors feel less alone. According to Sofie Karasek, cofounder at End Rape on Campus, Callisto breaks down silos between survivors. Ladd fundraised, bringing in $1.4 million from Googles nonprofit arm and other philanthropic donors. She got feedback from survivors, made tweaks and then sealed the deal on a trial of Callisto at the University of San Francisco and her own alma mater, Pomona, which began last fall. Callisto is still in its pilot stage, with the first year of data set to be analyzed this summer, and its far too early to tell whether it will fulfill Ladds high hopes. It will take time to attract enough students to generate the kind of data Ladd needs, says Daren Mooko, an associate dean and the Title IX coordinator at Pomona. Without enough reports, conclusions about perpetrator behavior and the timing and location of sexual assaults will be provisional at best. RTI International researcher Christopher P. Krebs, coauthor of the 1 in 5 women study, says caution about Callisto is warranted; he is unsure whether it can provide reliable data. He and Ladd agree that Callisto wont replace the benefit of a more traditional campuswide survey. The platforms not intended to be a silver bullet, Ladd concedes. And as with traditional reporting, some worry that Callisto testimonies will be cast into doubt. Callisto cant solve the problem alone, but it can be part of a larger, more comprehensive effort, says retired associate professor David Lisak, who researches perpetrator behavior. *** In the decade since Ladd was on campus, colleges have become more responsive to sexual assault. Sometimes because they have to be as of July 2015, a U.S. department was investigating 124 colleges and universities over how they had handled sexual assault. The federal government mandates a Title IX officer to receive and investigate complaints, while back in Ladds day, complaints were adjudicated by the Student Judiciary Council. Ladds hopeful that one day Callisto will be used everywhere not just on college campuses and by every survivor. Thats why shes made her code open-source. Now, others can create platforms like hers. With more platforms and reports, we could have data to understand sexual-assault trends in a way we never have before. And as these patterns emerge, victims might see that their reports are the key to preventing the next sexual assault. Its how we can help heal each other, she says. I see a lot of beauty in that. Related Articles A one-of-a-kind Corvette is always attractive, but the fact that its an unsolved mystery makes it irresistible. Theres plenty of info on the only right-hand drive 1963 Z06 Sting Ray to make it tantalizingly exotic, but theres just enough is still missing to make us all want to search the farthest corners of the internet. The story starts with General Motors sending its brand new second-generation 1963 Corvette to Australia. The Sting Ray seemed to be a natural fit in a country that also loves big V8 engines. So for a show car, GM made sure its Aussie arm at Holden was given a coupe with the most potent and expensive option on the list. RELATED: See More of the Stunning 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Checking the Z06 box in 63 nearly added 50 percent to the base price of a Corvette. In theory, the cost was prohibitive so that only those who needed this race-ready package would put down the money, and regular drivers wouldnt have it on the streets. The Z06 included a larger 36.5-gallon fuel tank for racing, upgraded Al-Fin brakes with added cooling, and an improved suspension, including stiffer springs, shocks, and front anti-roll bar. But what really made it the top Corvette was the fuel-injected 327 cubic-inch L84 V8 that was rated at 360 horsepower. GM sent a Daytona Blue Z06 with dark blue interior and standard-size gas tank to Australia in time for the 1963 Sydney Motor Show. When this coupe went on display one major change had happenedit was right hand drive. RELATED: See More of the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Convertible Most of us already know that Sydney and St. Louis drive on opposite sides of the road, but there is a bit more to why this car needed to be converted. After all, places like the UK often take pride in driving classic American left-hand drive vehicles on their side of the Atlantic. Despite being founded by outlaws, Australia has a surprising amount of regulations on left-hand drive vehicles. So while Chevy sent over the most potent machine in its lineup, the factory position of the steering wheel might have made it seem more like just a novelty. Story continues By 1964 the coupe was sold into private hands. It was kept in very original condition in Australia and seldom driven for over 45 years. RELATED: Is a New High-Performance Corvette ZR1 Coming? Back in America, a perfect storm helped the Z06 earn legendary status. This expensive package was only offered for one year on the Sting Ray, and as a result there were only 199 madeless than one percent of total production. Also, 1963 was the only year for the split window coupes. This makes a C2 Z06 a six-figure crown jewel in many car collections. So as these Z06s started climbing higher in value, having a one-of-a-kind car with an interesting pedigree became an irresistible prospect to Corvette fans. Just ask Terry Michaelis. The Corvette has been good to him. In fact, if you buy a car from his ProTeam Corvette, Michaelis asks for the right of first refusal when/if you go to sell it because he probably still sees value in it. So he eagerly snatched up the Australian Z06 when it came up for sale in 2011. RELATED: 1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette With Just 4.1 Miles Hits eBay Once it arrived at the ProTeam facility in Napoleon, Ohio, Michaelis found he had a true survivor. The coupe had traveled less than 22,800 miles in its lifetime; its original paint still had a high-gloss shine; and the all-important numbers-matching L84 V8 was in the engine bay. But what makes this a true one-of-a-kind also gives it a bit of a quirky setup. While it might seem simple to produce a mirror image of the C2s dual cowl dashboard, its not completely easy to make a right-hand drive 63 Corvette. Besides having to re-route essential components like the steering and throttle, the interior has always favored the left side. So the pedal setup is a bit cramped, and the headlight dimmer button could only find a home mounted in the center of the foot well. The car has remained in the same condition today. While it is for sale, it seems Michaelis is more content just to take this coupe on tour. In its first few years stateside this Z06 has won at places like Bloomington Gold as well as been displayed at the Amelia Island Concours and Concours of America at St. Johns. RELATED: 1,000 Horsepower Lurks Under the Hood of This Mean Corvette Z06 If this timeline seems somewhat incomplete, the people at ProTeam would agree. There are still a lot of rumors surrounding this coupe, and it doesnt help that most of its history is half a world away. So theres still a huge hunt for real evidence that includes: Was Holden showing off the car to gauge positional for limited sale? Are there photographs proving it was RHD at in Sydney and Melbourne? Was it given specialist parts while on display? The rear end has a dealer tag from R.C. Phillips Sportscar World. Did they broker the first sale or were they also part of conversion to right-hand drive? Did this car win Best of Show at the first Corvette Club show in Australia? ProTeam actually has a list on their website of what they know and what needs to be confirmed. None of the questions are easy ones, but thats part of the fun of a classic car mystery. Someone out there is holding onto a piece of this puzzle, and the fun part is sometimes the key could be hiding in your bookshelf. Photos and Words: Myles Kornblatt for BoldRide HARRISON, N.J. (AP) -- Bradley Wright-Phillips had his first hat trick since 2014 - when he had three - and the New York Red Bulls beat Toronto FC 3-0 on Saturday night. Wright-Phillips scored in the fourth, 25th and 27th minutes for the fastest hat trick in MLS history. He has eight goals in the last seven game - the Red Bulls are 5-1-1 in that span - after going scoreless in the first seven. New York (6-7-1) survived a full half playing a man down after Gonzalo Veron was shown a red card in the 43rd. Wright-Phillips opened the scoring with a header, off the feed from Sacha Kljestan, from the center of the box. Kljestan again found Wright-Phillips, who froze the defender and went near post, to make it 2-0 before finding the back of the net from the corner of the 6-yard box. Kljestan lead MLS with 10 assists. Toronto (4-5-4) in winless in its last four matches. The Red Bulls, who had an MLS-low three points on April 24, moved into a tie with Philadelphia atop Eastern Conference. Amid one of his best stretches, Nathan Eovaldi no longer needs to rely on his blazing fastball while trusting his other pitches. The right-hander has won a career-best four straight starts going in the New York Yankees' decisive series finale Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Eovaldi (5-2, 3.95 ERA) is among the major league leaders with a fastball averaging 96.9 mph. Blowing hitters away was important to Eovaldi for most of his career, but lately he has learned to have faith in the rest of his repertoire. "I think the days that he pitches well (happen) when he mixes (his pitches)," manager Joe Girardi told MLB's official website. "You can't just rely on (the) fastball in this league, because guys will catch up and make adjustments." Since going 1-2 with a 5.46 ERA in his first five starts, Eovaldi has a 2.16 ERA while winning the last four. He allowed two hits in six-plus innings of a 6-0 victory over Toronto on Tuesday. "Something's working," catcher Austin Romine said. "When you talk to the guy, it's whatever you need to throw to get a guy out is what we're going to throw. "I know people are saying he throws 100 and stuff like that, but I think he's just (thinking) along the lines of, 'Let's get everybody out and let's do it quick.'" Eovaldi hopes to fare batter this year against the Rays (22-25) after posting a 4.97 ERA in losing both 2015 matchups. He will try to give New York (23-25) more of a chance than Michael Pineda did while yielding six runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings of Saturday's 9-5 defeat. Hank Conger had a three-run homer for one of his three hits and Evan Longoria belted a two-run shot as Tampa Bay snapped a three-game losing streak to win for the second time in eight contests. The Rays also matched their run total from the previous four games. "This is what we're capable of,'' Longoria said. ''We've shown it in spurts. The thing for us is continue to believe we're capable of afternoons like (Saturday).'' Story continues Longoria's two hits Saturday matched his total over 19 at-bats from his previous five games. Jake Odorizzi (2-2, 3.46) has allowed two runs while winning his last two starts but completed only five innings in each and walked a combined seven. The right-hander overcame three walks by yielding only two hits and fanning seven during a scoreless effort in Tuesday's 4-3 victory at Miami. Despite failing to reach the sixth inning for a third consecutive start, Odorizzi was pleased with his overall effort earlier this week. "The way I felt after five innings, regardless of the pitch count, I felt like my stuff didn't drop off from pitch 1 to 107," he said. Odorizzi, 3-4 with a 5.40 ERA in eight starts against the Yankees, pitches at home for the first time since allowing five runs on three homers in four innings of a 6-3 loss to Oakland on May 13. Brian McCann is 12 for 20 with three home runs, three doubles and a triple against him. McCann, though, is hitless over 12 at-bats in four games and 2 for 24 in his last seven. Carlos Beltran is 2 for 12 against Odorizzi, but he's homered in back-to-back games and four times while recording 12 RBIs in his last nine. CHICAGO (AP) -- Joe Maddon has managed teams that eased up on what he calls ''sweep day.'' That's not the case with this year's Chicago Cubs. Ben Zobrist hit a three-run homer, John Lackey pitched seven solid innings and the Cubs completed a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies with a 7-2 victory Sunday. Miguel Montero added a solo homer and drove in two runs as the Cubs won their fifth straight and completed their sixth series sweep of the season. ''Many times you'll see a team not have the same sense of urgency on sweep day after you've won the series,'' Maddon said. ''I really like that our guys aren't satisfied with just winning a series.'' Zobrist's two-out drive to right off Vince Velasquez (5-2) made it 5-0 in the third. It extended Zobrist's hitting streak to 15 games and put the Cubs (34-14) on the way to becoming the first team this season to get to 20 games over .500. ''Now the next goal is 25,'' Maddon said. Tyler Goeddel's solo homer in the seventh was the lone blemish for Lackey (5-2), who gave up four hits and struck out six in his sixth straight quality start. Velasquez allowed seven runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings in the Phillies' first sweep at Wrigley Field since 1995. He has yielded five homers in his last two starts. ''The Cubs have a very good team, probably the best team in baseball right now and they beat us fair and square,'' Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. ''Lackey was good, mixed his pitches, he pitched a good ballgame. We didn't string any hits together.'' The Phillies have dropped seven of nine and were swept for the first time since their season-opening series against Cincinnati despite a lineup shake-up. Tommy Joseph started at first base in place of Ryan Howard even with a right-hander starting and then homered in the ninth off Justin Grimm. Andres Blanco played second and hit third. Story continues But Philadelphia scored two or fewer runs for the sixth time in nine games. A miserable weekend for the Phillies included the end of Freddy Galvis' 44-game streak without an error at shortstop. He booted Jason Heyward's grounder in the fifth. Heyward scored on Kris Bryant's single and Velasquez was lifted after Montero's RBI single three batters later made it 7-0. That was more than enough for Lackey, who lowered his ERA to 3.16. That ranks fifth in the Cubs' stout rotation behind Jake Arrieta (1.72), Jason Hammel (2.17), Jon Lester (2.48) and Kyle Hendricks (2.93). ''We're pretty good, for sure,'' Lackey said. ''Starting pitching has been pretty good. We've obviously scored a lot of runs. There's still a long way to go, but the potential to do something special is there.'' TRAINER'S ROOM Phillies: OF Cody Asche (oblique) went 2 for 12 in three rehab games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Cubs: CF Dexter Fowler stayed in after sliding awkwardly into C Cameron Rupp's shin guard at home on Anthony Rizzo's RBI single in the first. BROOMS APLENTY The Cubs also have swept the Angels, Reds, Brewers, Pirates and Nationals. They are 11-4-1 in 16 series. HOT ZOBRIST Zobrist became the first Cubs player to collect 40 hits in May since Alfonso Soriano in 2008. ''I'm trying to figure out myself if I can keep this up, to be honest,'' Zobrist said. ''I don't think I've ever had a month where I've hit this well.'' HOWARD'S STRUGGLES The 24-year-old Joseph hit his third homer and went 1 for 4 in place of Howard. The 2006 NL MVP is hitting .154 with 50 strikeouts after an 0-for-4, two-strikeout game Saturday. ''I haven't heard anything about sitting more against righties,'' Howard said. I haven't been called in the office and talked to. You guys apparently have breaking news before I do.'' UP NEXT Phillies: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-3, 3.97 ERA) starts Monday night against Washington RHP Tanner Roark (3-4, 2.71 ERA) to begin an 11-game homestand. Cubs: RHP Jason Hammel (6-1, 2.17 ERA) faces Dodgers LHP Alex Wood (1-3, 4.03 ERA) on Monday at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won't face Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw in the four-game series. ''Bummer, man,'' Maddon said, smiling. Many people criticize Apple's voice-based assistant since Siri tends to run into problems on the iPhone and other devices. Some even worry that Apple might have a tough time combating Googles artificial intelligence, and even potentially face a fate similar to BlackBerry in the event that its AI cant compete. But it turns out that Apple is working on an advanced AI product of its own, which could be unveiled in the very near future. DONT MISS: iPhone 6s and Galaxy S7 faced off in a drop test and it was brutal After a recent report said that Siri APIs will be open to third-party developers and a Siri-based competitor for Amazon Echo will be unveiled at WWDC 2016, a new story delves into Apples highly secretive AI research and development plans. Writing on Medium, Brian Roemmele reminds us that Apple is very interested in voice-based computing a Steve Jobs legacy and in AI. Through a combination of in-house development and smart investments, Apple could offer a powerful AI experience without having had as much time as Google or Facebook to train its virtual assistant. Roemmele calls Apples next voice-based computing experience Siri2, adding that hes very certain Apple will call it something else. In his Medium post, he reminds us that Jobs felt very strongly about the Voice First world, perhaps more then [sic] he felt about the Mobile First and the PC Revolution. It was Jobs who insisted on the purchase of the company that created Siri, a technology that evolved over the years. Some members of the original Siri team may have left Apple to create Viv, which appears to be a formidable voice assistant looking for a platform to call home. But others remained at Apple and continued their work. Tom Gruber, one of the original team members and the chief scientist that created Siri technology, stayed on and continued his work. During most of 2016 and 2017 we will begin to see the results of this work, he writes. Another interesting acquisition that Roemmele details is VocalIQ, an AI company from the UK that Apple purchased last October we wrote about it at that time. The technology VocalIQ offers would bring the smart AI features that Siri lacks to Apple hardware. Story continues VocalIQ worked on the worlds first self-learning dialogue API that would enable real, natural conversation between people and their devices, the company explained on its website in 2014, well before the Apple deal. Furthermore, this voice-based AI tech can be integrated into other apps, according to the company just recently, a report said that developers will finally be allowed to use Siri in their apps, and VocalIQ might play a role in that. On top of that, there are other AI-related purchases that could also help Apple upgrade Siri with advanced features, including Perceptio, Emollient and Emotient. Related stories 11 paid iPhone apps on sale for free today Why a revamped Apple TV can't truly be an Echo killer 13 paid iPhone apps on sale for free for a limited time More from BGR: The definitive guide to not updating to Windows 10 This article was originally published on BGR.com Judge George Phelan of the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court has granted Viacom CEO Philippe Daumans request to expedite the schedule in his effort to have Chairman Emeritus Sumner Redstone declared incompetent. The judge today scheduled a hearing for June 7 at 9 AM at the court in Canton, which is 15 miles southwest of Boston. Viacom Logo The announcement has no other information about the case, filed by Dauman and Viacom board member George Abrams. They want the court to rule that Redstone, who turns 93 today, was not competent to make the decision last Friday to remove them from the family trust and the board of National Amusements. Theyve alleged that his daughter, Shari whos President of National Amusements and Vice Chair of Viacom and CBS manipulated him to win control of her fathers media empire. Redstones seven-member trust will control his 80% ownership stake in National Amusements when hes deemed incapable of governing his own affairs, or passes. The theater chain owns 80% stakes in Viacom and in CBS. Viacom says that its pleased the Massachusetts court is moving forward on an expedited basis so that we can resolve this dispute as quickly as possible. Shari Redstone said yesterday that shes looking forward to an expedited dismissal of this meritless suit. RelatedViacom Directors Prepare For Sumner Redstone Move To Replace Them: Report Related stories Viacom Directors Vow To Fight Ouster Effort And Sell Paramount Stake Viacom's Battle With Sumner Redstone Could Hurt Credit, S&P Says Viacom Renews And Expands Carriage Deal With Cox Communications * DONG sets price range of 84-107 bln DKK for June 9 IPO * Says up to 17.4 pct of the shares to be sold at the IPO * Additional overallotment of up to 2.6 pct of the shares (Recasts, adds DONG and analyst comments) By Teis Jensen COPENHAGEN, May 26 (Reuters) - DONG Energy's has set a potential $16 billion price tag on its stock market debut, giving investors a chance to buy into the growth in offshore wind power, but also into a business heavily reliant on government subsidies. State-controlled DONG Energy on Thursday set a price range for its initial public offering at 200 Danish crowns to 255 crowns per share. This would give the group a market value of 83.5 billion to 106.5 billion Danish crowns ($12.6-16.0 billion), potentially making it the Europe's biggest IPO this year. The company has grown rapidly since its creation 10 years ago, having built more than a quarter of the world's offshore wind farms with large projects in Britain and Germany. But offshore wind power is one of the most expensive sources of renewable energy and still reliant on government subsidies. DONG has a handful of large attractive offshore projects in Britain and Germany for development until the end of the decade. "But the time after 2020 is quite a black box for investors," Morten Imsgaard, analyst Denmark's Sydbank, said. "The five projects up until 2020 are extremely attractive, but that might not be representative of the landscape after 2020," Imsgaard said. DONG said Thursday last year it derived 62 percent of its revenue on operational offshore wind farms from subsidies or other financial support such as Green Certificates in Britain. It expects a significant portion of future revenue on wind power projects to come from subsidies. It has made a net loss for each of the last four years totalling 22.3 billion Danish crowns ($3.36 billion), mainly due to impairment losses on its oil business. "We expect to see a profit this year," DONG's chairman Thomas Thune Andersen told Reuters. "Much of the growth will be in wind power." Story continues DONG said all of the countries in which it has offshore wind farms operating had long-standing support schemes, but it also said it could not guarantee that retrospective changes to support schemes for offshore wind farms would not occur. In Britain, DONG's biggest market for offshore wind, the ruling Conservative government has been reining in spending on all renewables subsidies since it took power a year ago, saying the cost of technology has come down sharply and subsidies should reflect that. The European Commission expects established renewable energy sources to become "grid-competitive" between 2020 and 2030 and that subsidies will be phased out accordingly. Sweden's Vattenfall expects to be able to build offshore wind power projects without subsidies by the middle of the next decade. DONG said it would sell up to 17.4 percent of its shares in the initial public offering and that the Danish state would keep a 50.1 percent stake. The government sold 18 percent of DONG to a group of investors led by Goldman Sachs in January 2014. If DONG is valued at 100 billion crowns at the IPO that stake would have increased in value to 18 billion crowns from 8 billion in 2014. DONG said the final offer price would be determined through a bookbuilding process from Thursday through to June 8. Shares will start trading on Copenhagen's stock exchange from June 9. JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Nordea are global co-ordinators for the listing while Citigroup, Danske Bank, UBS, RBC, Rabobank and ABG Sundal Collier are also involved. ($1 = 6.6521 Danish crowns) (Additional reporting by Nikolaj Skydsgaard, Editing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Jason Neely and Jane Merriman) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's claim that a Lehman-esque crisis loomed was nothing more than political maneuvering as he looked for an excuse to delay a consumption tax hike, skeptical analysts told CNBC. Abe told world leaders at the Group of Seven (G-7) summit on Thursday that the global economy faced its toughest year since 2008 , according to a Nikkei report. He justified the bold remark by pointing to data that showed commodities prices had tanked 55 percent since 2014, the same margin as prior to the global financial crisis that started with the collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers . He repeated those views on Friday, saying there was a risk of the global economy falling into crisis if appropriate policy responses weren't made, Reuters reported. "This is part of Abe's plan to postpone the sales tax," explained Scott Seaman, Asia senior analyst at political consultancy Eurasia Group. "They [Japanese officials] have been saying for a long time that they aren't prepared to postpone the tax yet again unless they encounter a Lehman-type shock. That was the point Abe made." Abe also announced on Friday that he would make a decision regarding the tax before July's Upper House election. The consumption levy, or sales tax, is part of Abe's plan to pare the nation's bulging debt pile, currently equal more than 200 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The first move came in April 2013, when the sales tax was increased from 5 percent to 8 percent. But that plunged the economy into a two-quarter recession as household spending slumped. Having already postponed the second hikewhich would bring the levy to 10 percentlast October, Abe has insisted the increase would go ahead in April 2017 despite fears it would tip the struggling economy into recession again. Tobias Harris, analyst at Teneo Intelligence, said that understanding Abe's G-7 remarks required a look back at his previous comments on the tax. Story continues "His argument [on how commodity prices are a portent of a 2008-style global crisis] is a bit mystifying, until you realize that he has repeatedly said that the only reason he would delay the consumption tax hike scheduled for 2017 would be in the event of a large natural disaster or a 2008-style crisis." Abe's use of hot-button term like Lehman was deliberate and intended mainly for a domestic audience, not for his G-7 counterparts, Harris added. Indeed, many commentators said there was little evidence of an impending Lehman-like economic shock. "That is too melodramatic," John Roos, U.S. ambassador to Japan from 2009-2013 and founding partner at Geodesic Capital, said. "There are obviously economic challenges in the world but I don't see that type of crisis in the offing." The claim is obviously exaggerated, agreed Marcel Thielant, Japan economist at Capital Economics. "We don't see anything like that on the horizon. It's a political statement; he wants to set the groundwork for a [tax] delay." He expected Abe to delay the hike for a year or two. Analysts have widely noted that Abe was aware the economy wasn't strong enough for another hike, but announcing yet another delay would hurt his public image and invite rebuke from critics within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party as well as technocrats at the Ministry of Finance. Hence, the prime minister has resorted to political games to justify a delay, they said. In March, Abe held high-profile meetings with Noble prize-winning economists Joseph Stiglitz and Paul Krugman, both of whom advocated a delay, according to reports. Thursday's G7 statement appeared to be his most recent tactic to divert blame for a delay. So, will Abe's games work? The tactics were likely to provide him with enough political cover to argue for a delay, Harris said, adding that it could also give him enough leverage to introduce a new fiscal stimulus package. The government is widely expected to announce fiscal measures by the end of May to underpin Abe's newly-revamped signature economic platform, "Abenomics 2.0," which could include raising nominal GDP to 600 trillion yen ($5.4 trillion), from 500 trillion yen currently, according to HSBC. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. More From CNBC Boston Dynamics Google is selling Boston Dynamics, the robotics startup it bought in 2013, to Toyota, reports Tech Insider. A source says that the "ink is nearly dry" on the deal, but didn't disclose the price. The robotics division has been a source of tension within the company since Andy Rubin, the exec who led it, left in 2014. Rubin, who also founded Android and led Google's smartphone business for many years, drove the purchase of Boston Dynamics and brought in a bunch of other robotics companies as well for a new division known internally as Replicant. But after Rubin left, the division never found a permanent leader to replace him and struggled to fulfill his ambitious vision of creating the first wave of consumer robotics products. Bloomberg previously reported that Google was working on the sale and had floated Toyota and Amazon as possible buyers. Other members of the robotics division were folded into Alphabet's experimental hardware lab, X. Boston Dynamics was known for releasing some crazy videos of humanoid and animal-like robots. NOW WATCH: The largest cruise ship ever built has a bar where robots serve drinks More From Business Insider The gossip empire Gawker Media made a formidable enemy when it outed a tech billionaire as gay in a 2007 article called Peter Thiel is totally gay, people. Thiel an early investor in Facebook and a PayPal co-founder has recently acknowledged using his wealth to try to take down Gawker. Thiel backed Hulk Hogans lawsuit over Gawkers publication of the pro-wrestlers sex tape, which led to a $140 million verdict against the gossip site. Thiel told The New York Times hed funded other suits but declined to name them. There is no third party involved Hulk Hogan's lawyer, Charles Harder, also worked on at least two other pending cases against Gawker including one brought by Shiva Ayyadurai, a scientist derided as a fraud and an imposter in Gawkers Gizmodo for having said he invented email as a teenager in 1978. In a phone interview Friday, Ayyadurai insisted Thiel has nothing to do with his lawsuit. My relationship with my attorney is direct There is no third party involved, said Ayyadurai, whos seeking at least $35 million in damages in a suit asserting various claims including libel. Despite Ayyadurais assertion, Gawker suggested Thiel may secretly be backing the scientists lawsuit, which he filed this month in Massachusetts federal court a few weeks after the Hulk Hogan verdict. Were still waiting for the Facebook board member [Thiel] to acknowledge if this is one of the several cases hes admitted to funding in his secret vendetta against Gawker, Gawker Media said in a statement Saturday. For his part, Ayyadurai says hes been putting out feelers for an attorney since 2012 when Gizmodo first featured an article about him that described him as a "fraud" and included his image with the text imposter? over his face. Its not like I said, Oh, let me get on the bandwagon. This is about me trying to correct history, he said. At another point in our conversation, he said, No one should be called a fraud. Thats a criminal term. Story continues Email was invented in 1978 by a 14-year-old working in Newark This story goes all the way back to 1978, when then-14-year-old Ayyadurai went to work in the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Ayyadurai, who had been studying computer science, was asked to translate the paper-based interoffice mail and memo system into an electronic communications format, according to his account on his website. In the end, I wrote nearly 50,000 lines of code to design and implement an electronic version of the mail system and called it EMAIL, a term never before used in the English language, he writes on his site, noting that he received the first US copyright for the term EMAIL. Noam Chomsky believes Shiva Ayyadurai invented email. Ayyadurai would go on to become a lecturer at MIT, where he earned four degrees focused on electrical engineering, visual studies, mechanical engineering and systems biology. In 2011, Time Magazine would describe him as The man who invented email. His MIT colleague, famed linguist Noam Chomsky, also gave him credit for inventing email as we know it. Email, upper case, lower case, any case, is the interoffice, inter-organizational system, the email we all experience today and email was invented in 1978 by a 14-year-old working in Newark, N.J. The facts are indisputable, Chomsky said in a statement cited by Wired. A nut and a fraud Of course, others have disputed those facts; Raytheon engineer Ray Tomlinson is also widely credited for having invented email in 1971. In 2012 Gawker publication Gizmodo called into question Ayyadurais credibility in an article called The Inventor of email did not invent email? V.A. Shiva Ayyadurai is a fraud who has been masquerading for years as the pioneering mind behind email. At least according to a bunch of geeks who mobilized from all corners of the digital world to try to set the record straight, the story began. A follow-up article from Gawkers Sam Biddle came the next month: Corruption lies, and death threats: the crazy story of the man who pretended to invent email. That article said that, at MIT, Ayyadurai was "generally described by his colleagues as a nut and fraud the terms asshole, and loon were tossed around freely by professors who were happy to talk about their coworker but prefer to remain anonymous. That article became the de facto primary source for other news outlets, Ayyadurai said. It immediately hurt his career, according to Ayyadurai, who says he thinks about that coverage of him every day. I was bereft .. hundreds of calls came into MIT asking for my firing, he said. 'Funders disappeared and reneged on their contracts' Shiva Ayyadurai with his wife, the actress Fran Drescher. Two years after the initial articles, Ayyadurai married the actress Fran Drescher, spurring Biddle to follow up with another story, this one called If Fran Drescher read Gizmodo, she would not have married this fraud. The 2012 and 2014 articles have cost Ayyadurai numerous paid speaking engagements and made it virtually impossible for him to raise money for his ventures, he says. In 2012, when the first articles were published, Ayyadurai was teaching one of MIT's most popular electives, called Systems Visualization, according to his complaint. MIT canceled the class after the negative coverage, he says. He was also director of a new initiative at MIT back in 2012. But after the Gizmodo coverage, his complaint stated, "funders disappeared and reneged on their contracts, citing the negative press and its impact on their brand through their affiliation with Dr. Ayyadurai." Gawker stands by its reporting that he didnt invent email. These claims to have invented email have been repeatedly debunked by the Smithsonian Institute, Gizmodo, the Washington post and others, Gawker Media stated. Weve reached out to Charles Harder and Peter Thiel but did not immediately receive a response. Erin Fuchs is deputy managing editor at Yahoo Finance. Read more: Hulk Hogan's lawyer is fighting 2 other lawsuits against Gawker Judge who killed Staples-Office Depot merger: Antitrust law is there to protect mega companies, too We value your privacy. Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy. If theres one thing thats hard to take from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals Canadas natural governing party, as they prefer to call themselves its their perpetual self-righteousness and hypocrisy.We saw it on display again this month while Trudeau was making multiple apologies (three, actually) for acting like a bully in the House of Commons, grabbing one opposition MP by the arm and elbowing another in the chest (accidentally, he says) while, according to witnesses, muttering get the f--- out of my way.At the same time, Liberals and their apologists were expressing shock, consternation and outrage about the NDPs childish attempt to block Conservative whip Gord Brown from taking his seat in the Commons, to delay a parliamentary vote, the incident that set off Trudeau.Excuse us? The Liberal party with its decades-long record of asinine and obstructive behaviour in Parliament, is now lecturing the NDP (and Conservatives) about having respect for the peoples business?The party that blew kazoos in the Senate to impede the passage of the GST law in a campaign orchestrated by then Liberal Senate leader Allan MacEachen, that also included, according to a December, 1990 Associated Press account, hooting, catcalls, shouting ... interminable reading of petitions name by name and other delaying measures?The party that took pride in its Liberal Rat Pack after it was reduced to 40 seats in the 1984 election -- Sheila Copps, Don Boudria, Brian Tobin and John Nunziata -- who, when they werent hurling abuse at Brian Mulroney and his cabinet ministers, were treated with friendly indulgence by the media for creating bedlam in the House of Commons?Liberal parliamentary decorum? Liberal parliamentary etiquette? Please. Give us a break.Has everyone forgotten Sheila Copps future Liberal deputy prime minister hurling herself across a desk at a parliamentary committee meeting to confront Tory cabinet minister Sinclair Stevens?As Tobin put it in his 2002 autobiography, All in Good Time, of the Rat Pack: If we had to make noise ... we would. If we had to flirt with being obnoxious at times . . . well, anyone who thinks politics is a ladies and gentlemens game has never been deeply involved in the process. (Source, Jane Taber, Globe and Mail, May 5, 2006).The issue isnt that the Liberals are different from the Conservatives and NDP when it comes to disrespecting Parliament. Its that theyre exactly the same.But when it comes to hypocrisy, when it comes to crying SHAME! SHAME! in accusing the opposition of doing exactly the same things theyve done, the Liberals have no peers. Or shame.Trudeau can prattle on about Liberal sunny ways all he likes. That is, when he isnt calling Conservative Peter Kent a piece of s--- in the House of Commons, as he did while third party leader and for which he had to apologize.It doesnt change the fact no party in Parliament more frequently or more tiresomely accuses others of doing exactly what it does.Simply put, nobody whines like the Liberals. Trump Tower Toronto To Be Sold Off After Debt Default: Report Its more important for him to be president than run a successful business. Torontos Trump Tower has seen one disaster after another since it opened four years ago, but its latest debacle may be its last.The Globe and Mail reports that the Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto is on the verge of being sold to an unnamed new owner after its current one failed to pay back a $260-million construction loan last year.The sale will likely mean the Trump name will disappear from the building.Donald Trump himself doesnt own the Toronto tower it belongs to Talon Developments, which licensed the Trump brand for the skyscraper, and hired a Trump-owned company to run the property.Talons clients are no longer interested in the Trump brand because Trump himself has damaged it, company lawyer Symon Zucker said.Its more important for him to be president than run a successful business, Zucker told the Toronto Star last month.Evidently sensing that Talon wanted to ditch his brand and axe the contract, Trump took the company to court last December in an effort to stop the move, the Star reported.Rocky startThe billionaire businessman made numerous appearances in Toronto to promote the 65-story hotel and condo tower in its early years, but the project was problematic from the get-go.A year after it opened, hotel room occupancy was at 50 per cent, and rooms were only fetching half the expected rate.That was a problem for the investor-owners who bought individual hotel rooms in the tower as investments, and ended up losing the equivalent of about $175 a day.Soon enough there was an investor revolt, and Talon revealed that fewer than 20 per cent of investors had closed on their units. Banks wouldnt offer mortgages on the properties. Naturally, it all ended in litigation.There were also construction issues, from glass panes falling off the building to an unstable antenna that forced the closure of busy downtown streets for almost two days. Talon lawyer Symon ZuckerBoth the Toronto Trump Tower and the Vancouver Trump Tower were the target of protests following Trumps controversial remarks about Mexican migrants, as well as the presidential candidate's call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States.Municipal politicians in both northern cities called for the Trump towers to be renamed, as did a majority of Canadians in a poll last fall.At least in the case of the Toronto tower, their wishes look likely to be granted.source: Trump Tower Toronto To Be Sold Off After Debt Default: Report Disfiguring tropical bug spread across Syria after ISIS turn the streets into a filthy wasteland is now eating its way across the Middle East as millions flee terror A disfiguring tropical disease that had been contained to Syria has now spread across the Middle East as millions are displaced from the war-torn region.Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease spread by bites from infected sand flies.It can lead to severe scarring, often on the face, and regularly goes undiagnosed and untreated.The disease had been contained to Syria, particularly to regions under ISIS control such as Raqqa, Deir al-Zour and Hasakah.The civil war has devastated the country's medical facilities, seen thousands of health workers killed and hospitals destroyed.Along with the chronic lack of water and bombed out buildings, this created a ripe breeding ground for the sand flies and allowed the disease to thrive.It had previously been claimed by the Kurdish Red Crescent that the spread of the disease had also been caused by ISIS dumping rotting corpses on the streets. This has been refuted by the scientists at the School of Tropical Medicines.As more than four million Syrians have fled the region, the disease has now moved into its neighboring countries of Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.Between 2000 and 2012, there were only six reported cases of the disease in Lebanon.But in 2013 alone there were 1,033 cases reported, of which 96 per cent occurred among the displaced Syrian refugees, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.Turkey, Jordan, Easter Libya and Yemen have also reported hundreds of cases.With Yeminis migrating to Saudi Arabia, the fear is the disease might spread there too.There could even be refugees with the disease who have reached Europe.Many of the temporary refugee settlements can increase the risk of picking up the disease because of malnutrition, poor housing, deficient medical facilities and overcrowding.This, coupled with the favourable climate - the sand flies only operate in humid temperatures [a minimum of 27/28 degrees at night] - has created the conditions for the disease to spread.For instance, refugee settlements in Nizip in southern Turkey have reported several hundred cases.Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Waleed Al-Salem, one of the authors of the research was carried out in the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said: 'It's a very bad situation. The disease has spread dramatically in Syria, but also into countries like Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and even into southern Europe with refugees coming in.'There are thousands of cases in the region but it is still underestimated because no one can count the exact number of people affected.'When people are bitten by a sand-fly - which are tiny and smaller than a mosquito - it can take anything between two to six months to have the infection.'So someone might have picked it up in Syria but then they may have fled into Lebanon or Turkey, or even into Europe as they seek refuge.'Prior to the outbreak of war there was good control of diseases, parasites and sand flies but when the conflict started no one cared, conditions worsened and the health system broke down, which has created an ideal environment for disease outbreaks.'Peter Hotez, dean of the US National School of Tropical Medicine, added: 'We need to ring fence them or risk another situation like Ebola out of the conflict zones in West Africa in 2014.'He added: 'We are only getting glimpses of the situation from refugees fleeing the conflict zones and going to camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey.'Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of 17 tropical diseases categorized as 'neglected' by the WHO.As well as severe scarring, the disease causes open sores on the skin, breathing difficulty, nose bleeds and swallowing difficulties.To tackle the disease, scientists have called for early detection and treatment, training for doctors, improving conditions in refugee camps and continued surveillance after containing the outbreak.Read more: 'ISIS dumped rotting bodies in Syrian streets' spreading disfiguring tropical disease | Daily Mail Online By Philip Rucker May 27SAN DIEGO Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee, savaged President Obama here Friday for what she termed his apology lap in Hiroshima, a Japanese city destroyed by a U.S. atomic bomb during World War II.Addressing a large Donald Trump campaign rally in downtown San Diego, Palin accused Obama of dissing our vets with his visit to Hiroshima the first by a sitting U.S. president and one designed to honor the memory of all who were lost in the war.Palin said Obamas visit suggested that the president believes that the greatest generation was perpetuating the evil of World War II. She added, Our commander in chief suggesting actually, lying in suggestions to the world that we were wrong to prove that we would eradicate evil in World War II.Thousands of Trump supporters cheered Palin and booed the president. The former Alaska governor-turned-reality TV star and tea party heroine said Trump would be a president who knows how to win.You mess with our freedom, she said, well put a boot in your ***. Its the American way. At that, the crowd chanted, USA! USA! USA!Palin was the warm-up act at Trumps large rally, speaking on stage before the candidate arrived in San Diego. She took issue with Obamas statement overseas this week that other world leaders have been rattled by the rise of Trump.Rattled, are they now? Palin said. Well, maybe its time that things get rattlin. She pointed out that the yellow Gadsden flag flown at tea party rallies depicts a rattlesnake coiled, prepared, ready to strike.So, yeah, rattlin its a good thing, she said.Palin took aim at Trumps critics, including in the Republican Party.You know that tent that the GOP operatives have at least claimed for so long now that they really wanted to enlarge? she asked. Theyre really freaked out now that we all came in and demolished their tight-knit tent.Turning to look at the television cameras and journalists on the press riser, Palin lambasted the sheep in the media.Their head is still a-spinnin, she said. Do you know how thoroughly distrusted you are, mainstream media? ... He is now we the peoples nominee, so suck it up, cupcake! Briefing highlightsFor Canadians, Clinton or Trump?Nissan grabs stake in MitsubishiCanadian home prices surge in AprilCanada in anti-corruption allianceA Trudeau-Putin scene I'd love to seeVideo: How to build a perfect to-do listClinton or Trump?Ignore for a moment (if you can) the outrageous pronouncements like banning Muslims and building walls. And, for that matter, a potential flood of Trump refugees seeking asylum on what would be the saner side of the border.Would Canada fare better with Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump?CIBC World Markets put that to the test, though steered clear of a definitive statement. It did, however, note in a recent study that a Clinton presidency historically could be better for Canadas economy, while a Trump victory could threaten Americas northern neighbour in the areas of trade, monetary and defence policies.Though we could get a pipeline out of a Trump win.Historically, Democratic administrations have been more favourable for Canadian growth, whether or not there is a direct cause and effect, CIBC economists Royce Mendes and Avery Shenfeld said in their report.If one took Trumps statements at face value, his inauguration would raise a number of risks on trade, monetary and defence policy of relevance to Canada, while being supportive on the pipeline front, they added, referring to the pitched battle over TransCanada Corp.s now-blocked Keystone XL project.Mr. Trumps proposed aggressive assault on debt would hurt North American economic growth, while trade barriers could help Canada in some ways but hurt in others.(Well, at least we wouldnt have a wall. At this point.)Of course, since his own platform has seen considerable shifts, and Congress might block some of the more radical proposals, its less clear what the final policy slate would like from a Canadian perspective, said Mr. Mendes and Mr. Shenfeld.Highlights of their report:Canadas economy has generally done better under Democrat presidents, as has the U.S. economy, Mr. Mendes and Mr. Shenfeld found.Thats despite current Democratic President Barack Obama taking the economic hit from the financial crisis during his first year in office.America is, of course, Canadas biggest trading partner, and both Ms. Clinton and Mr. Trump have been vocal on global trade.Both have opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement as it now stands and each has importantly for Canada fretted about the North American free-trade deal. Ms. Clinton wants NAFTA adjusted, while Mr. Trump wants to renegotiate the disaster.Canada has much at stake where Trumps NAFTA plans are concerned, the CIBC economists warned.Blocking imports from lower-wage countries that compete with Canada in the U.S. market might actually be a plus for some Canadian sectors, they said.But its not clear whether Canadian exporters could at some point be a Trump target. Still, congressional approval for ripping up the NAFTA deal seems unlikely.Mr. Mendes and Mr. Shenfeld pointed out that not much should change under Ms. Clinton on defence and foreign policy, given her prominence in the Obama administration in that regard.Mr. Trumps vague in certain areas, though might keep America and its allies away from some overseas conflicts, the economists said, but hes also refused to rule out the use of nuclear weapons against ISIS, and wants some non-nuclear allies to acquire their own such weaponry.He also has said that NATO allies should spend more in this area.Canada might be open to an accusation of being one of those unnamed free riders since the country currently ranks in the bottom third among NATO countries in terms of defence spending-to-GDP.So what might Canada get from Trump?Mr. Obama nixed Keystone XL, and Ms. Clinton has publicly opposed it.In contrast, Trump wants to craft a deal, said Mr. Mendes and Mr. Shenfeld.Late last year he came out in support of the project if the U.S. received at least 25 per cent of the profits from the pipeline. Over the last few months, I have read a handful of stories on social media about people acting suspiciously in stores in Iowa and, more specifically Mason City. One story in particular really grabbed my attention. It was written by a woman who, while shopping at a store in Mason City with her husband and young son, was followed around by two men and a little girl. The woman and her son separated from her husband to walk to the toy section. Thats when she noticed the men and child. They followed her into every aisle. When the woman and her family checked out, the men grabbed a bag of candy as their sole purchase and checked out, as well. The behavior seemed odd to the couple so to be cautious, the womans family waited inside for five minutes, then the husband went to their vehicle to pick them up at the front door. The two men were still in the parking lot in an SUV and circled around the husbands vehicle. The husband picked up the woman and son and they drove away safely. But she was shaken by the experience and took to social media to share the story with others. Mason City law enforcement learned of the incident and investigated. They shared a post on social media stating they reviewed security camera footage and didnt think there was a crime in progress. But they reminded the public to be aware of whats happening around you and if you see something, say something. Reading this story was a good reminder to me to always have an eye on my kids. They are 3 and 5 so I still supervise them very closely. But they mind well and have gotten old enough to where if we are out shopping I can trust them to look at one display while I look at something else nearby. I can see them but turn to look at another display at the same time. This story reminded me while I may be able to trust my kids to stay in one place, I may not be able to trust the intentions of other people. If a predator happens to be watching us, all they need is for me to turn my back for a few seconds so they can grab my kids and be gone. Ive taught my children about stranger danger and not-so-stranger danger, too. After I read the above story, I had another talk with my kids explaining when were in a store they can no longer look at something else or play in the clothes racks but instead need to stay with me. As a parent, its hard knowing what to say because I dont want them to be irrationally afraid, but I do want them to know how to be safe. I grew up in the 80s at a time when missing children really started to make national headlines. Johnny Gosch and Eugene Martin, both abducted while delivering the Des Moines Register, and Jacob Wetterling are names and faces seared in my memory. I can recall houses in my hometown that had a special sign on their door with a symbol signifying it was a safe house to run to if a child was in trouble. I dont know what requirements had to be met to become a safe house but hopefully there were background checks. Ive seen too many episodes of Criminal Minds to now know that trouble could have lurked inside the house, too! But in all seriousness, it was a very impactful time for my generation and our parents. Recently, I was at a store shopping with my kids. While I was checking out, I told my 5-year- old daughter she could return the cart. The area was just 10 feet away from me. As Amaya parked the double stroller cart another cashier came over to assist her. I watched her the entire time. My 3-year-old son was standing at the end of the checkout also quietly watching Amaya. As we left, Max immediately told me, Amaya was with someone you dont know when you werent with her! I told him he was right, the woman was a stranger. But I explained in this instance it was OK for Amaya to let the cashier help her because I was right there watching the entire time. I was so pleased his young mind remembered what I had taught him. I know the chances of a child being abducted are very low, even lower are the chances of being abducted by a stranger. But hearing these recent stories have been a good reminder for me to always keep a watchful eye on my children and be mindful of whats going on around us. Its easy to be lulled into a false sense of security and while I dont want my kids or me to be fearful, I do want us to be safe. Summer is a time when kids can play at playgrounds, go to the pool or beach, bike ride, go on a hike, and as they age, have a little more independence. As they do all this, we know our own children and what they can be trusted to do, but its the other people we may need to worry about. Addie Rugland is a freelance writer who lives in Northwood with her husband, daughter and son. Federal and state authorities have yanked a construction permit for a segment of the Dakota Access crude oil pipeline route to investigate reports it crosses ancient sacred tribal burial grounds in northwestern Iowa. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notified the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday it is revoking approval of a Sovereign Lands Construction Permit, which had been issued March 3 to pipeline developer Dakota Access. The permit granted construction, maintenance and operation in lands under Fish and Wildlife and Iowa DNR jurisdiction. It was one of several permissions Dakota Access needed for its $3.8 billion underground Bakken pipeline, which promises to deliver up to 570,000 barrels of crude oil per day for 1,168 miles from North Dakota oil fields through South Dakota and Iowa to a hub in Illinois. A significant archaeological site was identified within the Big Sioux River Wildlife Management Area in Lyon County and all tree clearing or any ground-disturbing activities within the pipeline corridor pending further investigation should stop, James B. Hodgson, chief of the agencys Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs wrote to Iowa DNR Director Chuck Gipp. The Iowa DNR issued a stop work order Thursday. Because the approval has been revoked, Dakota Access LLC is no longer authorized to engage in any activities pursuant to the permit, wrote Seth Moore, an environmental specialist at the Iowa DNR. A spokeswoman for Dakota Access, which is a subsidiary of Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, referred to the findings as rumors and noted the action has no impact because no work is going on in Iowa. If something is confirmed in the area, we will work with the appropriate agencies to make any necessary adjustments, spokeswoman Lisa Dillinger said in an email. Energy Transfer takes great care in these types of situations and we will do all that is needed to mitigate any impact. The swift course change was prompted after State Archaeologist John Doershuk brought forth a concern raised by the Upper Sioux tribe. The tribe studied the land and identified a site with buried human remains, he said. It is a site of cultural importance to the tribe, Doershuk said. The tribe filed papers with Doershuks office, which prompted Doershuk to intervene. Doershuk said Burns & McDonnell, a consultant based in Kansas City, Mo., hired by Dakota Access for archaeological testing, had surveyed but saw no significant findings. A year ago, Doershuk warned Iowa regulators to require more independent archaeological testing. Moore, in his letter from the DNR, stated Dakota Access needs permission from Doershuk and Fish and Wildlife before proceeding with construction in the area. Doershuk said he can neither confirm nor deny that the land has what the tribe claims, but until further investigation officials must treat it as if it does have human remains. If they do exist, the preference is to leave them in place and reroute the pipeline, he said. The traditional practice is if theres no compelling reason to remove ancient human remains, leave them in place, Doershuk said. Generally, theres a lot of places the pipeline can go. Id prefer the route be shifted. However, he added, It is not earth-shattering. If it is what the tribe reported, it is not a showstopper that would stop the pipeline from being constructed. Doershuk said the plan is to resolve the matter quickly, although he didnt have a specific timeline. Construction on the pipeline has begun in North Dakota, South Dakota and Illinois. Miles of pipe are stockpiled in Iowa where the route is planned to cross 346 miles and 18 counties diagonally, from the northwest to the southeast but construction hasnt begun. The Iowa Utilities Board, Iowas primary regulator on the project, issued a permit to Dakota Access in March. While some tree clearing has occurred, construction cant begin until all permissions are in hand, per the permit conditions. The Corps has yet to issue a permit. Dakota Access had requested to begin construction early at its own risk on lands where it had voluntary easements and not under Corps jurisdiction in order to contain construction to one planting season. The utilities board has yet to rule on the request. A utilities board representative did not return messages seeking comment. DES MOINES The path to control of the Iowa Senate in 2017 can be found in recently filed Statehouse fundraising reports. The state political parties are devoting resources to legislative election races they think will be critical in determining which party sets the agenda in the Senate next year. For a third consecutive election, Democrats go into the campaign controlling the Iowa Senate by the slimmest of margins: 26-24. For a third consecutive election, Republicans will attempt to gain control of the chamber by winning one more seat than Democrats. Should they do so, barring a change in the Republican-controlled House, the GOP would have complete control of the Capitol for at least two years. Republicans are confident. They think they have closed the absentee ballot gap on Democrats, which they think will minimize the effect of traditionally higher Democratic turnout in presidential election years. Republicans also think their chances are bolstered by a half-dozen races in which a Senate Democrat is up for re-election in a district with more active registered Republican voters. Obviously, you expect a Republican chairman to say I think were going to do this, but the statistics and I think the fundraising shows that we put our money where our mouth is, so to speak, said Jeff Kaufmann, state chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. Republican voters outnumber Democrats in each of those targeted districts, but Mike Gronstal, the Democratic majority leader of the Iowa Senate, said other factors play into success at the ballot box. For instance, active voters who havent specified a party outnumber registered Republicans and Democrats. And Gronstal said his campaign team also looks at historical voting trends, such as whether voters in a state legislative district chose Barack Obama or Mitt Romney in 2012. There appears to be, over time, a growing number of voters that choose not to ally with either party. So its really critical how those no-party voters break, and that varies by election season and by district, Gronstal said. We think weve got a very solid shot at keeping the majority in the Senate, and theres two or three seats we think we have an opportunity to pick up. By looking at the way the state parties are giving money to Senate candidates, one can plainly see where leaders are drawing the battle lines for this years campaign. Northern Iowa Money has poured into the northern Iowa district that includes Worth, Mitchell, Floyd, Chickasaw and Howard counties, and portions of Cerro Gordo and Winneshiek, where second-term Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm, a Democrat from Cresco, will be challenged by Republican Waylon Brown, a farmer and small businessman from St. Ansgar. Republican voters also outnumber Democrats in this district, which Democrats clearly have made a top priority. The Iowa Senate Democratic Caucus has made more than $21,000 worth of in-kind contributions to Wilhelms campaign over the past two years. And she has more than $29,000 cash in her campaign account. The Republican Party has given more than $5,500 to Browns campaign. Cedar Valley The Cedar Valley could have a couple of battleground Senate races, if fundraising is an indicator. The district that includes portions of Black Hawk, Bremer, Fayette and Buchanan counties is represented by third-term Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, a Democrat from Arlington who will be challenged by Republican Craig Johnson of Independence. Once again, Republican voters outnumber Democrats in the district. Schoenjahn has more than $18,000 in his campaign account, and Johnson has roughly $16,000. The Democratic Party has contributed more than $21,000 worth of in-kind contributions to Schoenjahn, and the Republican Party has donated more than $6,500 to Johnson. The Republican Party also donated nearly $7,000 to Bonnie Sadler, a Republican from Cedar Falls who is running against yet another Democratic incumbent in a district with more Republican voters. But thats still a drop in the bucket compared to the more than $100,000 in the campaign account of Democratic Sen. Jeff Danielson, who is in his third term representing the Black Hawk County district. Central Iowa Another targeted district covers Marshall and Tama counties, plus a small southwest corner of Black Hawk County. There, second-term incumbent Sen. Steve Sodders, a Democrat from State Center, is up for re-election in another district where Republican voters outnumber Democrats. Sodders challenger, Republican Jeff Edler, a farmer from State Center, raised a remarkable $36,000 in the first four months of 2016. The state party chipped in more than $3,000. Sodders had a relatively quiet fundraising period during those months most of which the Legislature was in session raising just shy of $5,000. Sodders has more than $15,000 in his campaign account, and the Democratic Party, aware of the importance of his re-election, made nearly $10,000 worth of in-kind contributions to his campaign this year. Cedar Rapids The Republican Party made its biggest Statehouse contribution nearly $8,000 the past two years year to Rene Gadelha, a Linn-Mar school board member from Marion who is challenging second-term Democratic incumbent Liz Mathis of Cedar Rapids. Theirs is a race in yet another district being represented by a Democrat but in which Republican voters outnumber Democrats. With the help from the state party, Gadelha has nearly $67,000 in her campaign account. Mathis, however, has nearly $92,000 in her war chest. Eastern Iowa One obvious target is a district that includes portions of Scott and Muscatine counties, where first-term Sen. Chris Brase, a Democrat from Muscatine, faces a re-election challenge from Republican Mark Lofgren, a Republican from Muscatine who served two terms in the Iowa House from 2011 to 2014. Multiple factors make this a likely competitive race: Brase is a freshman legislator, and Lofgren is a known quantity, having also served in the Legislature. Active registered Republican voters outnumber active registered Democratic voters in the district, according to Mays numbers from the Iowa Secretary of States office. No-party voters, as in many Iowa Statehouse districts, represent the largest share in the district. Money has poured into the district. Brase and Lofgren are sitting on two of the biggest war chests among all Statehouse candidates, aside from the leaders. Brase has more than $61,000 in his campaign account, and Lofgren more than $49,000. The party organizations are getting involved in the Brase-Lofgren race, providing resources to help ensure victory in the critical district. The Iowa Democratic Party over the past two years has given Brases campaign more than $20,000 in in-kind contributions, which are donated services or materials instead of cash. The partys in-kind contributions to Brases campaign were in the form of printing and postage, according to state campaign finance documents. The Republican Party of Iowa also is involved; it donated nearly $3,800 to Lofgrens campaign this year. FOREST CITY Emma Lee Nielsen, 95, of Forest City, died Thursday, May 26, 2016, at her daughters home. Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at the United Methodist Church in Forest City with the Rev. Charles Layton officiating. Burial of cremains will be at Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City. A gathering of friends and family will be held one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa and the Forest City United Methodist Church. Emma Lee Nielsen was born March 9, 1921, in Humeston, Iowa, the daughter of Earl and Della Bass. They lived in Thornton, Iowa, where she graduated from high school in 1940. She was married to Martin A. Nielsen on December 14, 1940, at the Danish Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa. The couple lived in Thornton for a short time before moving to Arizona. They returned to Forest City in 1957, where she operated the Forest City Country Club, then worked at the Coast to Coast Store. She moved to Mission, Texas, in 1980, then moved back to Forest City in 2013 where she resided at Forest Plaza until her final months where she resided with her daughter, Mary Swanson. She is survived by her children, Michael Nielsen, Linda Haugen and husband Ron, Sherrie Miller and husband Mike and Mary Swanson and Kevin; sixteen grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Martin; and son, Jim Nielsen; and two brother and two sisters. Arrangements are with Cataldo Schott Funeral Home in Forest City. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.cataldoschottfh.com. BOCA RATON, Fla. Kathryn Kaley Pappelis, of Boca Raton, Florida, departed this Earth on May 20, 2016, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and family. She was 86 years old. Kathryn was born March 23, 1930, in Mason City, Iowa, the second child and eldest daughter of Sam and Marika (Vazoukis) Zahariades. She married Aristotel J. Pappelis on February 11, 1951, in Mason City. He preceded her in death, as did her parents. Her older brother, Gus Zahariades, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1949, also preceded her in death. Her brothers death was a life-changing event for Kathryn. Having just graduated high school, Kathryn had started attending Mason City Junior College with intent to complete her studies in fashion design in Chicago the following year. After the accident, Kathryn decided to forego college and stay home to help run the family restaurant. After marrying in 1951, Kathryn accompanied Aristotel to Mississippi and Alabama during his military service. They returned north 2 years later, first to Iowa, then to Illinois. During those years, Kathryn was settling comfortably into the traditional role of a 1950s housewife and mother. Three children were born: Gus in 1953, Tina in 1954, and Joanne in 1956. In 1960, the family moved to Carbondale, where Aristotel joined the faculty at Southern Illinois University. When all three children reached school age, Kathryn signed up for an art class at SIU. One class became two, then four. Kathryn quickly became an accomplished painter, working primarily with oils and acrylics. At home, her kitchen doubled as her art studio, and the walls of her home filled with colorful still-lifes and Greek village scenes. Five years passed and Kathryn found herself needing only an algebra class to graduate. Under the tutelage of her 15-year-old son, Kathryn passed that class. In 1967, she received a BA in Art History. During the 1960s, Kathryn was also active in the University Womens Club and, along with Aristotel, was a co-sponsor of the Hellenic Student Association. After graduation, she was active with the SIU Alumni Association and served on their board for many years. Kathryn taught art for most of the 1969-1970 school year at Lincoln Junior High School. The years her children were at Carbondale Community High School, she was a frequent substitute teacher. In 1973, Kathryn decided to leave teaching and took a real estate class. Within a short time she was a successful Realtor, listing and selling property in and around Carbondale. Kathryn enjoyed meeting people who were moving in, out of or around Carbondale. As an active Tips group member, she also shared contacts and information about the growing city and university with other professionals in the community. Kathryn retired from the real estate business in 2003, after 30 years. After retirement, Kathryn and Aristotel moved to her hometown, Mason City, Iowa, and then in 2006 to Boca Raton, Florida, to be near Joanne and her family. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. As the grandchildren grew, and the Internet grew in popularity, Kathryn became comfortable using email, messaging and Facebook to communicate and keep up with their activities and accomplishments. When Aristotel passed away in 2010, Kathryn brushed up on her bridge skills and started playing regularly at the local bridge clubs in Boca Raton. Kathryn was everyones mom. She was a second mother to Aristotels graduate students, the Greek students on campus, and most of her childrens friends. She cooked for an army most nights, and made delicious Greek cookies, desserts, as well as homemade cakes and pies. Her house was always open for family, friends and students, as well as visiting professors and their families from all over the world. Kathryn was renowned for her cooking and baking skills. In the 1970s, as PBS grew in popularity with chefs such as Julia Child and the Galloping Gourmet, WSIU TV produced its own cooking show, with Kathryn frequently appearing as their Greek chef. Those at the studio knew Kathryn could make Greek cooking look easy and fun, but just as importantly, they knew she would bring plenty of food for them to enjoy after each show was taped. In retirement, Kathryn traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Most recently, she cruised the western coast of South America, visiting ports in Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Panama and Colombia. She was especially excited to transit the Panama Canal and view photographs and exhibits in Panama City that told the story of how it was built. As a young man in Greece, her father heard there was work available in Panama, and the Canal Zone was his first stop in the Western Hemisphere on his way to the United States. Kathryn grew up hearing his stories about carrying water and selling sandwiches to the canal workers, and always hoped one day to see and sail through the canal. Kathryn is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Gus and Jerre Ann Pappelis of Sherwood, Oregon; daughters and sons-in-law, Tina and Matthew Franklin of Chatham, Illinois, and Joanne and Jack Weingold of Boca Raton, Florida; seven grandchildren, Eleni and Niki Pappelis, Mark and Kelly Franklin, and Stephanie (Efrain) Toledano, and Alexia and Dean Antoniou; one great-grandchild, Leila Rain Toledano; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Virginia and Steve Margeas of Sioux City, Iowa, and Niki and Theodore Pappas of Brookfield, Wisconsin; one brother and sister-in-law, Bob Zack and Robin Hamilton of Scottsdale, Arizona; brother-in-law Hubert Dretzka of Evanston, Illinois; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and very dear friends. Kathryn was a member of St. Marks Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton and Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Mason City. The family acknowledges the kind assistance of TrustBridge Hospice, Babione Funeral Home and Jimmy the Greek Taverna, all located in Boca Raton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be sent to Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 1311 Second Street S.W., Mason City, Iowa 50401. Arrangements are under the direction of Babione Funeral Home, Boca Raton, FL., www.babionebocaraton.com. GOODELL Pamela Ann Foss, 63, of Goodell, was called home on Thursday May 26, 2016, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer. A celebration of life has been scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at Galilean Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, Iowa, with the Rev. Scot McCluskey officiating. A visitation will be held to remember Pamela on Monday from 5 to 7 p..m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, and then one hour before the service Tuesday at the church. Family suggests memorials to Pamela Ann Foss memorial fund. Pamela Ann Asbjornson brought joy into the lives of her parents, Alden and Doris (Forde) Asbjornson, as their firstborn on April 27th, 1953. She was a Northwood-Kensett Viking and graduated with the class of 1972. Out of high school she worked at Tom Freddys Music in Mason City, later moving to Des Moines working for Amoco Oil, then moving to Clear Lake working at the Clear Lake Bakery, Best Western, and most recently at Uni-Select in Mason City. In April of 1984 she married Robert Patterson and they were blessed with two children, Brandi and Travis. That relationship drifted apart and she then married the love of her life, Al Foss, in September of 2006. Amongst the things she loved the most were her family, her three grandsons, crafting and bringing smiles to others with her giving spirit. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends at special occasions and barbeques. She was an active member in her church, she enjoyed making meals for soup suppers, helping on Thursdays with quilting and just spending time with her church family. Pam inspired many with her deep faith, positive attitude, strong will and her courage to fight with each passing day. The times she shared with family and friends will be cherished for a lifetime. Her family would like to thank her oncologist, Dr. Snyder, and the entire staff at the Cancer Center of North Iowa for helping bring a smile to her face and assisting in her courageous journey for so many years. We would also like to thank Hospice of Wright County and Hospice of North Iowa for making her last months as special and joyous as they could be. She leaves to cherish her memory: husband Al Foss of Goodell; daughter Brandi (Kris) Paulson of Mason City; son Travis (Stacy) Patterson of Mason City; stepson Mark Foss of Malta, MT; stepdaughter Lisa Foss of Comer, GA; three grandsons: Tyler Paulson, Hudsen Simmer and Tyler Patterson; two sisters: Paula True of Nora Springs and Penny Miranda of Northwood; brother-in-law Dennis (Paulette) Foss of Sheffield; special relatives JoAnn and Mike Ritter of Goodell; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many more close friends. Pam was preceded in death and reunited with her Mother, Father and her Brother Mark. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, Iowa, 641-357-2193, ColonialChapels.com. It was Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007, when a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed in a barren area south of the city of Bagubah in Diyala providence, Iraq. The Blackhawk was shot down by hostile fire around 3 p.m. and all 12 soldiers on board died. Among those killed in the crash was Army Surgeon Col. Allgood. On Jan. 21, I woke to a sunny day in Southern Afghanistan and thought of my son who was turning 15 that day, and I hoped to call him later on the firebase satellite phone. I checked on my patients in our primitive forward surgical hospital and then decided to check the news and answer some email. I was shocked when I read, Colonel Allgood Army Surgeon dead in helicopter crash. There must be a mistake, I thought, I am sitting right here, alive and well. After I calmed down, l read more closely: It was Col. Brian Allgood who had died in the helicopter crash in Iraq. Eerie similarities As I read closer, the similarities were eerie. We were both married and had children, we both graduated from medical school in 1986 and we were both colonels and surgeons in the Army. Immediately I was gripped by the realization that if my family read the same news brief, they, too, could be confused and alarmed like I was. So I fired off a quick email to my family to make sure there was no confusion. As I sat there, I was still rattled by seeing almost my own obituary. Two Col. Allgoods, two army surgeons with similar life paths yet now on a dusty plain in Iraq, the twisted burning wreckage of a helicopter sat as evidence that our lives would no longer bear resemblance to one another. For Col. Brian Allgood, a death notification team dressed in starched uniforms would have knocked on his familys door during the middle of the night. That family, suddenly shattered, would have to deal with the loss of a brave patriot dedicated to the care of his fellow soldiers. His body would have been carefully extracted from the wreckage and placed in a body bag. Reverent care In Baghdad, fallen soldiers were placed in transport caskets with a flag draped over the top of each one. The 12 that died in the crash would have been reverently carried up into the back of a C-17 Air Force jet while an honor guard maintained salute. Every fallen soldier is transferred with an escort soldier holding a salute during the process of moving the body. After a long flight, the plane would land at Dover Airbase and the bodies would be removed in the same dignified way they were loaded. At the mortuary center, every soldiers body is X-rayed and checked for remnants of explosives. The soldiers then have their injuries inventoried with photographs. Following this, each soldier is tenderly prepared for burial. With great respect and reverence the body is carefully bathed. The personal effects are scrubbed clean of blood and collected in a pouch for the family. The soldier is then placed in uniform with great attention to detail and protocol; the ribbons and medals assembled on the uniform in absolute perfect order. Once the soldier is fully prepared, another soldier, usually from his unit, escorts him home, saluting his body every time it is moved on and off a plane. Thus Col. Brian Allgoods body would ultimately end up in a grave in a cemetery in his hometown. A grateful nation At the conclusion of the service, a ranking officer would take a carefully folded American flag and kneel in front of the new widow. He would then hand the tightly folded blue triangle with white stars to her and say, On behalf of the president of the United States, and the United States Army, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved ones honorable and faithful service. Back in Afghanistan, this Col. Allgood went about his day. I wished my son happy birthday, attended a small church service the medical team put on and changed dressings on some of the wounded patients. That evening a firefight with the Taliban yielded six casualties, all Afghani soldiers. Their injuries ranged from a gunshot wound to the head, to a finger being shot off, to many superficial wounds. Hours later, after the wounded were treated and settled in, we cleaned up the blood on the floor and swept up discarded bandages. It was then that I noticed blood had stained the right toe of my boot. A few months later I was fortunate to be able to head home, reunite with my family and rejoin my surgical practice. However, in a different corner of the United States in a different Allgood household, an empty chair at the dinner table was a constant reminder of what that family had given to this country. The high cost It is easy to forget about what almost 15 years of fighting has cost this country. Almost 7,000 soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. The average American is insulated from the pain these 7,000 families have felt and still endure. Most people have seen the headlines and the video clips of the war, but it is a distant problem that someone else is taking care of. Two years ago I hung up my uniform after almost 25 years in the Army Reserves. My career spanned the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall to the current Global War on Terror. In my closet sits a pair of brown combat boots. The soles are worn, the laces are frayed and a dark stain is still visible on the right toe from the blood that was spilled on my boot the day I learned Col. Allgood died. The stain is a powerful reminder of his death and the sacrifice that so many have made. This Memorial Day I salute Col. Brian Allgood, the thousands like him across this country and the families they left behind, families that fully understand the saying, All gave some and some gave all. On this Memorial Day, take a moment and stop and think about people like Col. Brian Allgood who came home under an American flag. Ponder their sacrifice and the generations of soldiers in wars past that have paid the same price for this countrys freedom. This weekend set aside some time to attend ceremonies to honor the fallen, to salute those who are still in harms way and to support families who have lost their loved ones. Find a way to be the grateful nation. Once again on this Memorial Day weekend we are privileged to bring to you a reflection on the holiday by Dr. Steven Allgood, a Mason City surgeon who served with the Army Reserves Medical Corps. He brings home far better than we could why we should observe Memorial Day as more than a day off. He talks about those who came home under an American flag, and urges us to ponder their sacrifice and that of the generations of soldiers in wars past who paid the ultimate price giving their lives for the country and for freedom. We published a list of Memorial Day events in Thursdays newspaper and it is available at globegazette.com; search for Memorial Day observances in North Iowa. Nearly every community will observe Memorial Day with special ceremonies. We hope youll take time to attend one close to you, to hear the solemn words and listen to stirring music, to reflect on the horrors of war and the bravery of those who served. Help your children understand what they are seeing and hearing. Shake hands with veterans to thank them for their service. We also call your attention to a special publication in todays Globe Gazette called They Served With Honor. Its a compilation of the more than 50 stories about North Iowa Vietnam veterans we have been publishing since Veterans Day in November. May you have a blessed Memorial Day 2016. We appreciated the ideas that emerged from a community meeting in Mason City in the wake of the City Councils recent 3-3 vote killing the Prestage Foods hog plant project. Ideas surfaced some new, some old to sell Mason City. But were even more enthused about Thursdays meeting called by the Chamber of Commerce and the North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corp. to present current facts on the Prestage situation in hopes of getting one more shot at landing it. First, about last weeks meeting. It was organized by the Rev. Chuck Kelsey of the First United Church of Christ. It was not, he made clear from the start, a night about Prestage. Rather, he offered his church as a community gathering place in an effort to bring people together and make the city even better. The possibilities are here, he said. And some unique possibilities surfaced. As John Skipper reported in his story on the meeting, the ideas kept coming: a program for chefs at NIACC, studio apartments for artists, being more solar energy conscious, having a fun campground for kids that would be different from the MacNider Campground where its lights out at 10 oclock. There were many interesting ideas that would serve the community well. But none comes close to having the extraordinary economic impact that the Prestage plant would have on Mason City and North Iowa. Thats why we were very disappointed when the City Council turned it down, and why were hopeful good things can come from Thursdays meeting of state and community leaders. And if all goes well Thursday, a public meeting will be held to further discuss Prestage and its impact on the city. Those who celebrated the Mason City Councils decision no doubt thought theyd heard the last of Prestage. But other communities including several in our area seeing the benefits that almost 2,000 jobs would bring, not to mention the huge economic infusion from the plants construction, have been quick to contact Prestage. Most recently, we ran a story about Hampton discussing the plant possibilities with Prestage. Karen Mitchell, director of the Franklin County Development Association, said county supervisors requested the meeting after Mason Citys surprising decision. She called it an informative, constructive meeting, where they got facts separated from fiction. Thats what this Thursdays meeting is intended to be, among other things. And hopefully it could lead to another opportunity for Mason City to attract Prestage. Because it appears by all indications that Prestage will build a plant close enough to Mason City that we will feel the impact without any of the benefits. It could be Hampton, Charles City or Albert Lea, or other communities within an hours drive that would capitalize on the same transportation system Mason City offered. There will be increased traffic, for sure, and Mason City could only watch it motor right on by. Thered likely be more students in our schools, but there would not be the $1.4 million Prestage offered to help the school district prepare for them, nor the increases in property taxes, utility revenue, sales taxes and other income that would benefit the entire community. Thats why we hope that Thursdays meeting marks the start of a focused, reasoned and cordial discussion of what the plant would mean to our city. We know we can handle it, environmentally and socially. The experts have said so based on the best information available. But capitalizing on the good things Mason City can offer will be much harder than it would have been a month ago. No deals will be struck Thursday. Supporters, fence-sitters and opponents will be in attendance. The goal, then, will be to gauge if our leaders stakeholders in key public, private and nonprofit groups can and want to get behind it. Know this: So-called experts who have gone to great lengths to keep this plant from locating anywhere in Iowa continue to share flatly wrong information and to harm and harass neighbors in the city they claim to love. But this project is still worth it, and we hope Thursdays meeting and subsequent discussions will lead to Mason City getting another chance to bring Prestage here and change our economy for the better. NEW YORK, May 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against PJT Partners Inc. (PJT or the Company) (NYSE:PJT) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Southern District of New York, and docketed under 16-cv-02841, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons or entities who purchased PJT securities between November 12, 2015 and March 28, 2016 inclusive (the Class Period). This class action seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). If you are a shareholder who purchased PJT securities during the Class Period, you have until June 14, 2016 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll free, ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased. Click here to join this action. PJT provides various strategic advisory, restructuring and special situations, and fund placement and secondary advisory services to corporations, financial sponsors, institutional investors, and governments worldwide. PJT was formerly the financial and strategic advisory services, restructuring and reorganization advisory services and Park Hill Group businesses of Blackstone, until a spin-off completed on or around October 1, 2015 established PJT as an independent entity. Through Park Hill Group, PJT provides fund placement and secondary advisory services for alternative investment managers, including private equity funds, real estate funds and hedge funds. The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) PJTs compliance and fraud-prevention controls were inadequate; (ii) as a consequence of the Companys inadequate controls, Andrew W.W. Caspersen (Caspersen), a managing partner at Park Hill Group, perpetrated a criminal scheme to defraud investors of more than $95 million; and (iii) as a result of the foregoing, PJTs public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On March 28, 2016, Caspersen was arrested and charged with securities fraud and wire fraud for scheming to defraud investors of more than $95 million since at least as early as July 2015. In a parallel action, the SEC also charged Caspersen with defrauding two institutions to invest in a shell company that he controlled. On this news, PJT stock fell $2.81, or 10.62%, to close at $23.66 on March 28, 2016. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com HBSDreamer2015 wrote: Either food scarcity or excessive hunting can threaten a population of animals. If the group faces food scarcity, individuals in the group will reach reproductive maturity later than otherwise. If the group faces excessive hunting, individuals that reach reproductive maturity earlier will come to predominate. Therefore, it should be possible to determine whether prehistoric mastodons became extinct because of food scarcity or human hunting, since there are fossilized mastodon remains from both before and after mastodon populations declined, and __________. (A) there are more fossilized mastodon remains from the period before mastodon populations began to decline than from after that period (B) the average age at which mastodons from a given period reach reproductive maturity can be established from their fossilized remains (C) it can be accurately estimated from fossilized remains when mastodons became extinct (D) it is not known when humans first began hunting mastodons (E) climate changes may have gradually reduced the food available to mastodons for GMAT Verbal Review 2018 Practice Question Question No.: CR 130 Which of the following most logically completes the reasoning?Either food scarcity or excessive hunting can threaten a population of animals. If the group faces food scarcity, individuals in the group will reach reproductive maturity later than otherwise. If the group faces excessive hunting, individuals that reach reproductive maturity earlier will come to predominate. Therefore, it should be possible to determine whether prehistoric mastodons became extinct because of food scarcity or human hunting, since there are fossilized mastodon remains from both before and after mastodon populations declined, and __________.(A) there are more fossilized mastodon remains from the period before mastodon populations began to decline than from after that period(B) the average age at which mastodons from a given period reach reproductive maturity can be established from their fossilized remains(C) it can be accurately estimated from fossilized remains when mastodons became extinct(D) it is not known when humans first began hunting mastodons(E) climate changes may have gradually reduced the food available to mastodons KanikaG16 Two reasons threaten animals - food scarcity or excessive hunting If food scarcity, individuals in the group will reach reproductive maturity later than otherwise. If excessive hunting, individuals that reach reproductive maturity earlier will predominate the group. Therefore, it should be possible to determine whether prehistoric mastodons became extinct because of food scarcity or human hunting, since there are fossilized mastodon remains from both before and after mastodon populations declined, and ... Owner of Angles and Arguments Check out my Blog Posts here: Blog For Individual GMAT Study Modules, check For Private Tutoring, check KarishmaOwner of Angles and ArgumentsFor Individual GMAT Study Modules, check Study Modules For Private Tutoring, check Private Tutoring Signature Read More The argument gives us two reasons that threaten and tells us how the group composition changes in either case.It concludes that we should be able to determine what the reason was for extinction of mastodons - food scarcity or hunting.The last part is supporting why we should be able to determine the reason. To determine the reason we would need to know whether after getting afflicted with the cause, the 'individuals in the group reached reproductive maturity later' or 'individuals that reached reproductive maturity earlier predominated'.We are given that remains from before and after decline are available. Now to determine, we should be able to figure out the age at which they reached reproductive maturity. This is what (B) says:(B) the average age at which mastodons from a given period reach reproductive maturity can be established from their fossilized remainsThe last part now becomes:... since there are fossilized mastodon remains from both before and after mastodon populations declined, and the average age at which mastodons from a given period reach reproductive maturity can be established from their fossilized remains.Perfect. Now we can find out the reason for extinction.Answer (B)_________________ and they were as penetrating as those of his colleagues but were Show Spoiler The "but" is a conjunction that connects two independent clauses (like and) and should be used with a comma (...,but) Now in this sentence "but" is something else, since there is no comma preceding it and it is not followed by an independent clause, now in which category should i put this particular "but" ??? Hi this one is from KnewtonLike many other philosophers from the early 20th century who wrote books and articles about divisive political issues, the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur, regarded as one of the great intellectual peacemakers, also wrote controversial political works,less damaging to his reputation.A and they were as penetrating as those of his colleagues but wereB and these works were as penetrating as his colleagues, but beingC and, as penetrating as his colleagues, but wereD as penetrating as those of his colleagues, however, they wereE as penetrating as his colleagues' however, it wasI have a question regarding the right answerCan someone explain this to me ?thanks We rely on your support to make local news available to all Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today A Brooklyn YWCA resident has been arrested after she allegedly fatally stabbed her neighbor, possibly as many as 80 times yesterday. Police say that the incident unfolded around 7 a.m. Saturday at the YWCA on Third Avenue near Atlantic Avenue; the Boerum Hill location provides housing for low-income and homeless women. Victim Liza Millet, 48, was stabbed up to 80 times in the back and torso with a six-inch kitchen knife by fellow YWCA resident Dorothy Curry. Millet, a home health aide who lived at the YWCA for years, was taken to Methodist Hospital, where she was declared dead. The motive for the killing is unclear, but residents told the tabloids that the 55-year-old Curry was unstable: "I saw her sometimes outside, picking up cigarette butts and talking to herself," fellow resident Regina Zimmerman, who described Curry as "mentally incapacitated," told the Post. "You can't be in your right mind and stab someone 80 times." "I don't know why this happened," Zimmerman told the News. "They're just saying she went on a rampage. It's actually really upsetting because most of the women here get along very well." Witnesses also told them that Curry had been banging on her neighbors doors before going into Millets room. Curry was taken to Kings County Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. She has since been charged with second-degree murder and possession of a criminal weapon. Names and faces Bailey Lehenbauer, a 2016 graduate from Montana State University, has joined Great West Engineering as a staff engineer. Lehenbauer was a summer intern at Great Wests Billings office in 2015. As a staff engineer, he will assist with a wide variety of tasks. He graduated with a civil engineering degree and an option in bio-resource. *** The James Brown Law Firm of Helena announced that Austin James has joined the firm as a summer associate for 2016. James is a Butte native and a Butte Central High School graduate. James received his bachelors from the University of Montana and has recently completed his first year of law school at the Michigan State University College of Law. *** The American Society of Appraisers announces the accreditation of Michael P. Size. Considered the industrys most difficult designation to achieve, Size joins less than 1,400 fellow experts around the world who currently hold the ASA Business Valuation credential. He is one of three with this credential in the state of Montana. Size is president and founder of Portside Advisers, a national business valuation and machinery and equipment appraisal firm headquartered in Missoula. *** Therese Davis has joined the Opportunity Bank of Montana marketing team as a marketing coordinator II. She brings more than 10 years of marketing, graphic design and sales experience with her. Davis is a Helena native. She attended the University of Montana and received a bachelor's degree in liberal studies with a minor in history. *** Montana Livestock Ag Credit, headquartered in Helena, held its annual shareholders meeting on May 19. Chairman Steve Moore, of Twodot, presided over the business meeting and election of directors. Directors re-elected for three-year terms included Leo Barthelmess, Jr., of Malta; J.D. Rice, of Choteau, and Phil Rostad, of White Sulphur Springs. Three employees were recognized for their years of service with Montana Livestock. President Ty Wells 15 years, Operations Manager Mary Patzer 30 years, and Vice President Mike Sjostrom was recognized for 35 years of service. News and notes Hydrogeologist presents at Missoula seminar Michael Meredith, P.G., hydrogeologist with HydroSolutions Inc., was a presenter at the Water Laws and Regulations continuing education seminar recently held in Missoula. Merediths talk focused on the nexus of hydrology and urban water management issues including stormwater, wastewater and construction dewatering. Meredith and HydroSolutions provide technical consulting from a scientific perspective on these and other water resource management issues for public and private clients and attorneys. HydroSolutions has offices in Helena, Bozeman, Billings, and Absarokee. *** Awards and honors DOJ staffers honored Childrens Justice Bureau Chief Dana Toole of the Montana DOJs Division of Criminal Investigation will receive the National Childrens Alliance Horowitz-Barker Lifetime Achievement Award in Washington, D.C., on June 5. This award recognizes a professional who has demonstrated, over the course of a career, a dedication to the Childrens Advocacy Center movement and a strengthening of the CAC model. Toole earned both her undergraduate degree and her master's of social work from the University of Montana. She is a licensed clinical social worker and is accredited by the National Childrens Alliance as a site reviewer. Assistant Attorney General Matt Cochenour of the Montana DOJs Legal Services Division has been accepted to participate in the National Association of Attorneys General Supreme Court Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C. His three-month fellowship begins this fall. Cochenour has been an assistant attorney general at MT DOJ since 2008, working in its Legal Services Divisions Appellate and Civil Bureaus. Cochenour holds an undergraduate degree from Montana State University; he earned his law degree with high honors from the University of Montana School of Law. *** Guidelines The IR welcomes reports of hiring, promotions, awards, recognition, learning opportunities and other news from local companies and nonprofits. We accept press releases and photos (digital images at 300 dpi or more are preferred, but we can also use regular photos; we dont guarantee return of these). There is no charge for items appearing in the Business Briefcase. Items are run on a space-available basis, and we reserve the right to edit and use information as we see fit. The deadline is Tuesday at noon to be considered for publication the following Sunday. Crude rebounds to $50 Crude oil prices punched to the highest price since last October, hitting $50.21 per barrel on Thursday. Prices have nearly doubled since falling near $26 in February, rising as global oil production has slowed, especially due to output shortfalls in Canada, Libya and Nigeria. U.S. crude oil production has also been slowing recently and is down nearly 10 percent compared to this time last year. The drilling cutback and increasing refinery demand for the summer driving season have cut into U.S. oil stockpiles, but they still are near record-breaking levels. U.S. inventories stand now near 540 million barrels, the equivalent of almost one months worth of American consumption. As a result of the still-massive U.S. supply and fears that drilling rates could bounce back with prices near $50 per barrel, some analysts are expecting prices to pull back soon. After traders return from the Memorial Day weekend, theyll be awaiting the June 2 OPEC meeting, where the worlds major oil producers are meeting to update production quotas. Dark clouds over soybeans Wet weather has been plaguing Midwestern soybean farmers, flooding fields and slowing planting. While over half of the bean crop has been planted, some farmers are worried about getting the rest of their soybeans in the ground. This has helped boost prices, with July soybean futures nearing $11 per bushel, the highest price in almost two years. Sugar skyrockets Sugar prices exploded near a two-year high this week, topping 17.5 cents per pound. Prices are rising as global demand stays strong in the face of shrinking supplies. Global sugar crops were hurt this year by the El-Nino phenomenon, which brought dry weather to Thailand and India, the worlds second- and third-largest sugar producers. Meanwhile, prices have been getting boosted by investors who are buying the sweetener on hopes of a continued rise. While prices have already risen sharply from a low near 10 cents per pound, the sugar bulls are hoping that prices could return to 2011s high of over 36 cents per pound. Opinions are solely the writers. Walt and Alex Breitinger are commodity futures brokers with Paragon Investments in Silver Lake, Kansas. The concept is simple: Your smartphone can -- and does -- communicate constantly with satellites in space, so all you need is a digital map on that phone to tell you exactly where you are in relation to your environment and what your surroundings look like, even when you are nowhere near a cell tower. Your phone can tell where you are on the planet, but only a more complex map could tell you an 8,000-foot mountain pass is 1.2 miles to the north. In places with remote and alluring destinations like Montana, a piece of software like that is appealing as heck. That's the reason a Missoula mapping technology company, onXmaps, has been experiencing explosive growth over the past two years. Theyve added dozens of employees and are now bursting at the seams of their office space on Brooks Street and looking for more real estate in Missoula. Roughly half a million customers have purchased the companys products, called Hunt, Roam and Viewer. They started out by creating public/private land ownership maps of vast swaths of land all over the U.S., which went into chips for GPS units, and theyve recently launched mobile apps for both Apple iOS and Android mobile phones and devices. Andrew Burrington, the new Roam product manager, estimated that the company has 65 employees and is aggressively seeking to hire more. I started a year and a half ago and there were 22 employees, he said. Its crazy how much its grown. Were at the point now where were full. Its their engineering department that will need to find a bigger physical space to accommodate all the new hires. Weve had a lot of growth, (three times as much growth) year after year, and last year the Hunt app just killed it, Burrington explained. So we just want to attack it. Theres a lot of opportunity right now. Folks across the country are aware of the app. So we might as well push on it. Its all kind of in the air. But we want to keep it in Montana. *** Company president Eric Siegfried, a native of eastern Montana, said he never expected the company to grow to the size it has when he started in 2009. He didnt even own a smartphone back then. I never thought it would be this big, he said. I knew the chip product for hunters was revolutionary and thought that would be pretty significant, but didnt know wed get to this growth level and have an app coming out and be going into different markets. Its pretty crazy. The timing is right and were blowing up. Back in the early days of onXmaps, Siegfried said not many people realized smartphones had global positioning system devices. In fact, the first three versions of the iPhone didnt have dedicated GPS receivers. Now that theyre standard in most new phones, software from companies like onXmaps is increasingly in demand to utilize that technology. Were still trying to educate people that your phone has a GPS unit and you can use it anywhere in the world, he said. Siegfried knows that demand for his companys products and services will only continue to grow as more people become aware of what they do. In four or five years, he estimates theyll have 200 employees. People will have all kinds of data at their fingertips and will be able to make more informed decisions about where theyre heading into the field and what the right time of day is for them and everything to help them be more successful, he said. *** The Roam venture, which the company will celebrate with an initial launch on June 14, is especially exciting. Basically, onXmaps has figured out that because almost everyone these days is carrying the aforementioned mobile GPS units in their pocket in the form of a smartphone, a downloadable map can allow people to navigate in the backcountry or anytime they are out of cellphone range. Its a product that allows hikers, bikers, paddlers and explorers to have a powerful digital map -- and therefore a safety measure -- when they are in the countrys most remote corners. Weve got data on over 380,000 miles of different trails in the United States, Burrington explained. The cool thing is our team overlayed it all and you get like the trail numbers, which I love. You always walk to an intersection and its like 22.3 or 22.4,' I dont know. But its got that kind of granularity to it. Its still kind of in the first phase, its like a minimum viable product of an app, but weve been kind of reaching out all across the country to a lot of different folks to see what theyd want out of a hiking product. Customers can download and save maps to their phone beforehand, which means it will still work out in the backcountry in "airplane mode." But then the second level is a lot of folks want to be able to comment on trails, Burrington said. Its that social piece. Well, I want to hear what other people have to say about the trail. So were not there yet, but we know thats definitely where we want to be. Burrington said there are competitors out there like AllTrails, which has an app, but he called its maps horrible. He said onXmaps has separated itself by amassing tons of data to create extremely complex and accurate maps, and going back and fixing any errors over time and as things change. The Roam product has the same data essentially, slightly different nuances than our Hunt product, but tailored towards hikers, backpackers, bikers, he said. We want to move down the road for having different features specifically for bikers or specifically for backpackers. He said that just from the initial outreach theyve done with Roam, people all over the country have liked it so far. At this point its a catch-all, handheld GPS, he explained. Our main value proposition is our data, by far. Weve always had really good data. Our hunting GPS chip was made by our GIS (geographical information system) team, and thats driven by data. Burrington said people are becoming more familiar with how to use external battery life devices for cellphones to make them last longer in the backcountry. Customers can also use a save map mode on their phones, which turns off everything else but still lets them use a GPS. A lot of people dont realize they have to save the maps for offline use before they go out into the woods. Its all education at this point, Burrington said. Its definitely new. We saw a need in the market. We did lots of competitive analysis. We want to make it easy for a person who is not tech-savvy, but they just want to know where they are. Neers celebrate 50th anniversary James Eugene Neer and Joyce Lynne Marshall were married on that date to the day and hour in 1966 at the Methodist Church in Roseville, Calif., where they met seven months earlier. At the time of their marriage, Jamie had just completed boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Southern California. Lynne was working as a cosmetologist in Roseville and sold her Corvair to pay for their wedding. After a brief honeymoon on the Monterey Peninsula, Jamie received his orders for a duty station in Beaufort, S.C., which is where they made their first home before he was sent Vietnam. While Shodair Childrens Hospital is clearly an important part of the Helena community, some may not realize how valuable the local nonprofit is to the entire state and region as well. The organization now known as Shodair Childrens Hospital, which celebrates its 120th anniversary this year, was established in 1896 to help orphaned children find homes. Helena was the last stop for many of the orphan trains that transported homeless children west, and those who werent adopted along the way often ended up fending for themselves in area gold camps. Originally called the Montana Childrens Society, the organization found homes for 32 children during its inaugural year. And while the organization later evolved into an acute care hospital for the entire Helena community, a center for disabled children and finally a facility that provides psychiatric and genetic services to youth and their families, its mission has always been to care for kids who otherwise might not receive the treatment they need. Shodair contributes to Helena by employing about 350 people in our area and injecting about $15 to $18 million worth of payroll into the local economy. The organization also worked with 266 Helena patients in 2015 -- but the hospital reaches much further than that. Last year the facility served 1,624 patients from 26 Montana communities stretching from Libby to Sidney, including all of the states major cities. The organization also worked with an additional 27 children from outside the state last year for a total patient count of 1,651. Shodair is Montanas only genetics laboratory within a hospital and the only facility in the state with both acute and residential beds under one roof. Its also the only hospital in Montana affiliated with the Childrens Miracle Network, which raises money to help purchase equipment and offset the cost of uncompensated care. Most of Shodairs acute, adolescent and childrens unit patients last year were on Medicaid, which, according to the American Hospital Association, reimburses only 90 cents for every dollar hospitals spend providing care. Shodair reported $6.9 million in uncompensated care in 2015 alone, which means donations are a big part of what keeps the local organization afloat. Childrens Miracle Network strives to keep funds in the community where they are generated, and people can donate online at CMNHospitals.org or by purchasing those yellow and red paper balloons you sometime see at Costco, Wal-Mart and other business around town. You can also donate directly to Shodair at www.shodair.org. And as we reflect on what Shodair has done for children in our area and beyond over the last 120 years, we hope people will do what they can to help ensure the facility can continue doing it for 120 more. Some in Washington may tell you that the dust is finally settling after over a decade of war. I would say those folks aren't seeing the whole picture -- and the 80 servicemembers from Montanas 219th RED HORSE Squadron who recently returned from their deployment to the Middle East might, too. The threats facing our nation are growing -- and with it, American servicemembers are more important than ever. Whether its engaging the enemy, constructing runways for bombers or manning a Missile Alert Facility in Great Falls-- Montana servicemembers are protecting our nation daily. These servicemembers will one day join the ranks of the 100,000 other veterans in Montana -- and it will be time for us to serve them. Unfortunately, we are currently failing our veterans and are ill prepared to take care of our servicemembers. As Memorial Day approaches and we celebrate Military Appreciation Month, we honor those who have served and are serving our country. It reminds me that there is more to do. As the son of a Marine who served with the Billings-based 58th Rifle Company, Ive been raised to always take it one step further than that. John F. Kennedy said, As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. In Washington, it seems as though many have forgotten that sentiment. For too long Ive heard horror stories about the treatment of our veterans -- wait times, failed payments for care providers, an inability to get a ride to treatment from a rural area. The list goes on and is known by many. This month the Senate is moving forward with a bill to reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based off of legislation I introduced earlier this year. The Veterans First Act includes many substantial fixes Ive long fought for -- like allowing female WWII pilots who trained in Great Falls to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery and overhauling the Choice Program, which was meant to allow veterans easier access to care outside of the VA when they needed it. Unfortunately, its doing just the opposite, which is why new reforms are essential. Change needs to happen in the VA -- ask any veteran thats had their credit score impacted by the failure to get their medical bills reimbursed in time. But veterans in rural states like Montana will always need help and we cannot simply stop with this bill. Rural veterans face higher rates of suicide, decreased access to care and unique issues like less access to employment opportunities. After urging for a new Veterans Center in Helena, I thanked the VA when it was completed -- but I wont stop fighting for more rural access, including adding a Veterans Home in Butte. I also applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture for increasing hiring programs for veterans -- and successfully fought tooth and nail to bring the program to Montana when I heard we were not originally included. I appreciate the rural van drivers the VA provides -- but Im still demanding that the VA step up their efforts to fill empty employment positions ensuring that veterans are able to make their appointments. This list goes on with more that we must fight for in rural areas, and my priorities for Montana veterans will not stop with the Veterans First Act. Thats why Im excited about this step in the right direction for those who so bravely served our nation. On Mothers Day weekend, homecoming celebrations welcomed men and women of Montanas 219th RED HORSE Squadron home from six months of sacrificial service. These celebrations are important. But the best way that we as a nation can thank our military men and women is to ensure that they receive the care and support they need well after their service to the country has ended. That is exactly what I have been doing in Washington. By enhancing VA accountability, bolstering resources and increasing veteran services in our communities, we can fulfill our unwavering commitment to our veterans. I am proud that together we are taking action for our veterans and, like our forefathers did, expressing our gratitude through our actions. Steve Daines is one of Montana's U.S. senators. Lewis and Clark County is far from deciding whether it will ask voters to support a much less costly plan to increase jail space because of chronic overcrowding at the countys detention center. County Commissioner Susan Good Geise and Eric Bryson, the countys chief administrative officer, met with judicial and law enforcement officials on Wednesday to explain a feasibility study for adding new jail cells. This concept for remodeling the Law Enforcement Center to expand detention space became available to the commission on Monday, just hours before a jail working group was briefed on its contents. Voters in November rejected a nearly $41 million proposal for a 109,000-square-foot facility with 244 beds intended to meet detention needs for the next 30 years. This building would also have had space for the Sheriffs Office. Expanding the Law Enforcement Center fails to meet many of the goals such as accommodating future needs that a new building would have addressed, Bryson said. When rejecting construction of a new building, voters also balked at a permanent levy of up to about $5.3 million to operate it and provide for inmate programs that included mental health services. The latest plan calls for remodeling all three floors of the Law Enforcement Center to provide 160 beds for inmates. The building currently has the countys detention facility on its third floor. County officials have said a detention facility operates best when not all beds are filled and theres room for each days arrests. The projected $5,527,448 remodeling cost for the Law Enforcement Center doesnt include the annual expense to operate an expanded detention center that Bryson said could be twice or more the current roughly $3.5 million cost. Having three floors to manage is less efficient and adds to the operational cost, Bryson has said. Sheriff Leo Dutton said he could afford the additional cost only if voters supported it should the county commission decide to advance it. Dutton noted he remains in support of seeking a ballot issue to address jail overcrowding. The detention center was built in 1985 with 54 beds. While additional beds were welded in place to increase capacity to 80, the average number of people in its custody routinely exceeds 120. During a previous discussion Dutton cautioned that the American Civil Liberties Union has been patient as the county seeks a solution to improve detention conditions. However, he added, intervention by a District Court could remove the detention centers management from the countys control. The projected remodeling cost rise depending how the work is scheduled, those at Wednesdays Criminal Justice Coordinating Council were advised. Doing the work in phases would save the cost of housing all inmates at another location during remodeling but would add to the projects cost. This latest proposal for increasing detention space calls for having the intake services such as booking of inmates in the Law Enforcement Centers basement with cells on the second and third floors. Recommendations from a citizen advisory group on the need for services such as those for mental health are included in this possible plan for the countys detention needs. Remodeling the Law Enforcement Center is viewed as a mid-term plan intended for perhaps 15 years. At the end of that time, the facility may no longer meet new detention standards, Bryson said earlier, and voters could again be asked to fund a larger and more modern detention structure. When the county was planning for a location for a new detention facility -- it eventually settled on about 40 acres that it purchased north of Custer Avenue and east of Interstate 15 -- and ruled out the Law Enforcement Center site. Land for future expansion was unavailable, and the future size of a detention center there would dwarfed neighboring residential properties. If the Law Enforcement Center is converted into entirely detention space, the city of Helena and the county will need to find new offices for city police and the Sheriffs Office. What those relocation costs would be is unknown, Bryson said. City police favor offices close to the downtown where many of their calls originate. The Sheriffs Office wants a location where it wont have to race through Helena when responding to rural calls. BUTTE -- The Madison County Republican Central Committee is taking election-year aim at two area lawmakers it accuses of bucking the party platform and siding with Democrats on key issues in the Montana Legislature. Reps. Ray Shaw of Sheridan and Jeff Welborn of Dillon balk at the claims, saying theyre Republicans who try to represent the best interests of all constituents and the state, not party bosses. Meanwhile, a former GOP lawmaker from Great Falls who now lives in Florida Jesse OHara - is weighing into the party rift in Montana, accusing Republican committees in Madison and Cascade counties of breaking campaign finance laws. Hes filed complaints with Jonathan Motl, the states commissioner of political practices, who is looking into the claims. The local parties say theyre following laws and are justified in holding GOP lawmakers accountable for voting against key planks of the party platform. And George Paul, chairman of the Cascade County GOP, says OHara is a Florida resident now and should butt out. The disputes are among latest examples of the divide between many in Montana Republican Party politics, and some on both sides say the emergence of Donald Trump is proof they are right. CLAIMS BY MADISON COUNTY GOP The latest rifts in Madison County surfaced earlier this month when the Madison County Republican Central Committee censured Shaw in a lengthy rebuke it ran as an ad in The Madisonian newspaper. It noted that the Montana GOP Central Committee had voted last year to join several GOP county committees - including the one in Madison County -- challenging the states open primary law. The lawsuit said open primaries allow Democrats and independent voters to cross over and influence election outcomes by diluting the votes of Republicans. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in early May, but eight county GOP committees including Madison have appealed the case to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The censure - which is simply a central committees rebuke of someone - says Shaw voted for a bill in 2015 that was meant to undermine the GOPs lawsuit against the primary system and put selection of precinct committee members in the state partys hands instead of keeping it with local parties. The censure also lists 10 votes Shaw took in the 2015 legislative session that were in direct conflict with the Montana Republican Party platform. They included a bill to expand Medicaid and an appropriation bill that increased state spending over 20 percent for the biennium the censure said. Dan Happel, a member of the Madison County GOP, said Welborn joined Shaw in being among Democrat light Republicans who helped minority Democrats get key bills through the GOP-ruled Legislature. Happel said he was not at the meeting in which central committee members voted to censure Shaw, and if he had been, he would have tried to include Welborn in the party rebuke. Term limits prevent Welborn from seeking re-election to the House District 72 seat that covers Beaverhead County and a portion of Silver Bow County, but he is now running for the Senate District 36 seat that covers all of Beaverhead and Madison counties. Shaw is seeking re-election in House District 71, which includes Madison and parts of Jefferson and Silver Bow counties. On many votes, Happel said, Shaw and Welborn dont support either the party platform for the state or for the county central committee. Cedar West, another member of the Madison County GOP, said Shaw and Welborn were simply more liberal than other Republicans. They ran as Republicans, they should act like Republicans, West said. Happel said Donald Trump has tapped into anger GOP voters feel for continuously sending Republicans to Washington only to have them side with Democrats against principles such as private property rights and limited government. What you are seeing at the national level with Trump is they dont trust our political class anymore, he said. SHAW, WELBORN RESPOND Shaw answered the claims in part through a letter to the editor that ran last week in The Montana Standard. It said that the ad by the Madison County committee ran without any of the party bosses willing to put their name on it. One of the main issues that this group of people is upset with me about is the fact that I voted for transparency and disclosure in exactly these types of activities, he wrote in the letter. It was one of many Republican-sponsored bills he was proud to support, he said. The budget bill was responsible, sponsored by a Republican and supported by the Republican House speaker, he said. Shaw told The Standard this week the bill expanding Medicaid was vital to two critical care hospitals in his area and helped people who didnt have enough money to afford huge insurance premiums. If Medicaid didnt pay for their care, everyone else would have to, he said. He supported many bills supported by constituents in his district, he said, including those to promote tourism in Virginia City and Nevada City. People want their representatives and senators to do the right thing and listen to the people, Shaw said. That is what we are elected to do, not run off on my own crazy ideas. Welborn said his Republican credentials are intact, evidenced in part by his votes for legislations supported by conservative groups in Montana such as the Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Farm Bureau and Montana Chamber of Commerce. And, he said, Republican voters have elected him by large numbers for several years now. I think my constituents appreciate the fact that I am willing to reach out and find solutions, and that is what Montana is for by and large and that is what I have delivered, he said. I am willing to work with anyone with a solution. If its a solution that works for Montana, it will take care of itself. ENTER JESSE O'HARA OHara served as a Republican state lawmaker from Great Falls in the 1970s, 1980s and again from 2007 until 2014, his last year in office. He was one of several Republicans who joined with Democrats during the 2013 session to pass some bills that more conservative Republicans opposed. He also was a vocal critic of Republican Party officials he saw and continues to see as the far right wing. He has filed complaints accusing the Madison County Central Committee of various campaign violations, including a failure to file forms showing contributions and expenditures and failing to identify candidates it supports and opposes. It is clear the party opposes Shaw, OHara says, because of the censure action and newspaper advertisement. Separate complaints say the Cascade Central Committee failed to disclose in-kind contributions to candidates for parade expenses and other costs and for filing forms stating they support all Republican candidates when they actually do not. Although OHara lives in Florida which caused controversy of its own two years ago he said he has friends and family in Montana, visits the state and is still passionately concerned about the Republican Party here. Motl, the commissioner of political practices, said OHaras Florida residency does not bar him from filing complaints and they are being investigated. OHara said he is simply trying to hold county Republican parties accountable. A number of our central committees have been taken over by the far right and then they put out these fundrasiers that say they support all Republicans when they dont, OHara said. They pick and choose. He believes Trumps popularity stems from his refusal to take marching orders from national party bosses. OHara considers himself a Ronald Reagan conservative Republican. We can agree on 90 percent of the issues but that is not good enough for the far-right people, he said. Happel said the Madison County committee does not support one candidate over another. We are supportive of anyone who will follow the Constitution and follow the party platform, he said. It is not our role to pick winners and losers, but it is our role to say We dont like it that somebody is running as a Republican but constantly voting against our party platform. As to not listing local party contributions and expenses, Marilyn West the treasurer for the Madison County GOP said she was new in her role but thought she had until May 31 to file the required forms. Paul, the chairman for the Cascade County GOP, said its parades and other activities are not to benefit any individual candidates they would occur no matter who is running. We invite all the candidates, he said. He said he planned to meet with Motl this coming week to discuss any issues and concerns there might be. But he said OHara left his own political baggage behind when he moved to Florida and his claims from afar were frivolous. If the Cascade committee erred, he said, it would have heard from Motls office itself. OHara is apparently trying to do the commissions job for them, he said. My brother-in-law is a good man who does a good job for a major airline. Forgive me, George, if this causes you any grief, but there's a part of your business that drives me nuts. Is there anything more unnecessarily difficult than buying an airplane ticket? I'd rather not have to do it at all, but it's the only way we can get together with my son more than once a year. Evan lives in Portland, Ore., and works for Intel, the computer chip maker. Intel stubbornly refuses to build a facility in Decatur to which Evan could relocate. I'd even accept Springfield, but Intel won't budge. He comes out to see us, but we can't stand to go too many months between visits. We fly because we can't do the drive anymore, and I have no luck sleeping in trains. Plus, we don't enjoy the prospect of using three days of our vacation going out and three more days coming back. So, as you may be aware, to ride on an airplane, you have to buy a ticket. Buying a ticket, as you also may be aware, can't be done be going to your local airplane-ticket-buying store. So, online you go. But before you turn on your computer (or insert your device of choice here), you should decide whether you're going to fly out of St. Louis, or Chicago, or Bloomington, or elsewhere. Oh, the fun has just begun. Naturally, not every airline flies to Portland. Say you're fortunate enough to find that three of them do. You shouldn't just go directly to their websites and take down a price at each to compare: That wouldn't be sporting. Besides, those prices will vary, depending on what day of the week you want to leave and when you're going to buy. You don't want to wait too late: unless you're enough of a gambler to shop at the last minute for an empty seat the airline is eager to sell to fill the plane. Besides, you've heard from your friends that there's this great new price-comparison site that pulls together figures from the other 27 price-comparison sites to give you "The Best Possible Deal." Well, once you get to this handy-dandy site, you have more decisions aplenty. What airport? When do you want to take off? Will you make connections or do you insist on a nonstop? You've already decided on how much luggage you'll be checking and what you'll be carrying on, haven't you? Then, you may factor in frequent flier miles and the decision on flying stand-by. Once you pick a flight, you summon whatever energy you have left and decide where you're going to sit in the plane: Naturally, extra charges may apply. Oh, and it looks as though Dad, Mom and Daughter can't sit in the same row, after all. Uh-oh. This is where Robert Benchley would metaphorically throw up his hands, cancel the entire trip, and pour another martini in his drawing room. Robert, I'm with you in spirit. DECATUR You hardly ever saw Alan Boyer without Doug Hagen, each new to MacArthur High School their junior year. That's how Steve Pyle, another member of the Class of 1964, remembers the two friends, even though they were about as different as they could be. Doug was liberal, Al was conservative, and if you were on the student council, it was a big deal, said Pyle, 69, a photographer who moved from Decatur to Bowling Green, Ky., five years ago. Our senior year, Doug was president, and Alan was vice president. Each promising young life ended tragically in the Vietnam War; Boyer vanishing March 28, 1968, and Hagen killed Aug. 7, 1971, while serving in the same special Army operations unit Boyer had been in. Hagen wanted to find out what happened to his best friend, but he never did. Indeed, the first indication Boyer was dead did not come until 1973, when his name did not appear on a list of 591 American prisoners coming home after the war was over. They found no blood, no bodies and no personal effects, so I thought, 'OK, he's been taken prisoner,' his sister Judi Boyers Bouchard said in a telephone interview from her home in Licklog Ridge, N.C. For five years, I held onto that hope. The mystery shaped a whole lot of her life, starting at age 19 when her big brother disappeared and continuing until March 7 of this year, a couple weeks after she turned 67 and on the eve of what would have been her brother's 70th birthday. The U.S. Army telephoned to say his remains had finally been identified. It absolutely knocked the wind out of me, Bouchard said. The news is bittersweet, and I wish our parents had lived to see it. Charles Boyer, who worked at Borg-Warner when the family lived in Decatur, died in 1994, and Dorothy Boyer, who taught at Brush College School, died in 2013. The Boyers, originally from suburban Chicago, settled in Rockford after their son graduated from high school in Decatur, and it was in October 1967, during Bouchard's first semester at the University of Montana in Missoula, that she last saw her brother. It's not surprising she chose the same university he was attending when he decided to enlist in the Army to save the world from communism. Alan was the quintessential big brother that I absolutely adored, she said. He was the one who taught me how to ride a bike when I was about 4, never believing in training wheels. He also taught me how to drive when I was 16. Sgt. Alan Boyer and two other soldiers were conducting a reconnaissance patrol in Laos on March 28, 1968, when they encountered an enemy force and radioed for evacuation. The seven Vietnamese with them escaped safely, but heavy fire forced the helicopter to leave without the three Americans, first listed as missing and later as presumed dead. Boyer's body, in possession of remains traders in Laos, recently ended up with a peace activist who turned it over to the U.S. government. The Army confirmed his identity by comparing the DNA to samples given many years earlier by his mother and sister. I was told it's the strongest DNA match they have ever seen, Bouchard said. There is no doubt it's Alan. The Army awarded Boyer the Silver Star and Purple Heart posthumously. Today, Bouchard is preparing to lay her brother to rest on June 22 in Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery, where Hagen is buried, and with full military honors. He's probably up there shaking his head, she said, but this is what our mom and dad wanted if and when they ever found him. It's going to be a wonderful tribute. But Bouchard hasn't forgotten all the other people she met over the years who continue to wonder what happened to their loved ones. Please remember all the POW/MIAs who remain unaccounted for, she wrote to conclude a letter of thanks to friends after her brother was found. Their families still wait. BLOOMINGTON Kirk Zimmerman was warned by a judge Friday that future violations of his bond conditions could lead to an end to his release on murder charges in the death of his ex-wife. During a hearing in McLean County court, First Assistant State's Attorney Adam Ghrist directed Judge Paul Lawrence to a court services report that indicates Zimmerman failed to follow his bond rules that restrict his outings to medical and legal appointments. The report indicates that Zimmerman went to McDonald's, CVS Pharmacy and stopped to pick up his daughter in Bloomington while he was outside his home April 16. Zimmerman was released after posting $200,025 in November on murder charges in the November 2014 shooting death of his ex-wife Pam Zimmerman. Her body was found in her office on Bloomington's east side. The judge told Zimmerman that court services staff were not asking for a modification of his release. But the judge cautioned Zimmerman that "if you violate it in future, they could ask me to modify the terms, including removing pre-trial release altogether." The hearing was set for the return of materials both sides had requested under subpoenas. The Illinois State Police submitted reports of their work on the Zimmerman case and Pam Zimmerman's life insurance policy, received in reponse to a defense subpoena, also was returned. Records from three banks where the 57-year-old defendant had accounts are expected to be delivered before a July 28 court hearing. Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to killing his former spouse, who was a financial planner and graduate of Maroa-Forsyth High School. The Zimmermans divorced in 2012. According to court records, the two went back to court several times after the split to resolve disputes over child support. The bad feelings between the former partners is part of the state's theory as to why Zimmerman allegedly shot his wife four times as she sat at a desk in her office. Zimmerman was jealous of his wife's other love interests, according the state. The victim's engagement was announced several days before her death. In a statement read by a prosecutor at Zimmerman's initial bond hearing, the state also disclosed that gunshot residue was found on the gear shift of Zimmerman's car during the investigation. Hours after Pam Zimmerman's body was found by Bloomington police called to check on her well-being, officers found her cellphone and wallet and a cordless phone taken from the office dumped in three locations several blocks from her East Washington Street office. The defense has argued that the state's case is based largely on circumstantial evidence, including the negative feelings and comments the two exchanged during their divorce. NORMAL Serving as a principal is more than managing a building, its about leading a school. Thats the opinion shared by seven aspiring principals who graduated this month with master's degrees through Illinois State Universitys new principal preparation program. We were the guinea pigs, said graduate Jamie Hartrich, who recently accepted the position of principal at St. Marys Elementary School, Bloomington. The program's first cohort spent three years studying interpersonal relations, school-related law and ethics, research in education and how to evaluate staff. They interned under mentors and contributed to a book on the neuroscience of education leadership. ISU formed the program in 2013 after Illinois required educators to complete more rigorous training before taking a seat as principal. The former administrative program was eliminated due to outdated competency standards. This was the second masters degree for a few of the graduates. For others, like Brian Swanson, this was the first journey through graduate school. The goal of this program was to ensure that we are truly prepared for principalship, said Swanson. I feel more confident now about that role than I would have otherwise. Swanson is currently a special education teacher at Lexington High School and is applying to administrative positions. Jennifer McCoy was an English teacher at Pontiac Township High School and will be associate principal at Parkside Junior High School, Normal. She said that while established principals are not required to complete the new certification, the program will zero in on educators who want to be principals for the right reasons. Its not just about moving up in the pay scale, said McCoy. Its important to understand this is the direction you really want to go." The program includes two years of classes and one year of interning under an administrative mentor at a local school. Stacie France will take the position of associate principal at Chiddix Junior High School, Normal, for the upcoming school year. She said the internship experience was exciting. My mentor principal had leadership experience in her active role, and I had expertise in current trends and ideas. We collaborated and really worked well together, said France. Other cohort members had similar experiences, but not without hard work. Being an intern was challenging because youre not the principal. You can analyze data and create a plan, but implementing that plan with someone else in the leadership position was sometimes difficult, Hartrich said. The future principals are eager to get into schools to positively affect students and staff. Education is a tough field to be in, said McCoy. We can find that passion again. Thats why were all here. I want to get that enthusiasm back in schools. I want to emphasize that I care about every student every day," said Swanson. "That will be my mission and vision with help from my teachers and administrative team." During their studies, the grad students worked with ISU professor Linda Lyman to publish a book, Brain Science for Principals: What School Leaders Need to Know, now available on Amazon. Neuroscience is a growing field. Were learning so much about the brain through new technologies that let us learn about what had formerly been a mysterious organ, said France. The purpose of the book is to share some of that cutting edge research in a palatable format with school leaders. The 24 chapters focus on questions about learning and how principals can apply the concepts in schools. One topic deals with stress in school. As soon as kids become stressed, their brain shuts down, said Hartrich. If students are stressed over math, you can eliminate their stress level by breaking down the assignments into smaller pieces. McCoy said the techniques can be used in communicating with staff, especially if bad news needs to be delivered. We learned how to deliver the information in a package for them to easily receive instead of shut down, she said. The book was written for principals and any school leaders in mind. It includes information we found beneficial. The other three graduates who completed the program are Christine Paxson, Matt Heid and Patricia Valente. Theres an old joke about personal finances where a not-so-smart customer complains to a banker that he couldnt be out of money because he still had checks in his checkbook. One has to wonder if some members of the Illinois General Assembly understand the punch line. As explained in todays editorial, the House passed a budget this week that is $7 billion out of balance. The plan calls for spending more money than the state brings in. The state can promise all the money it wants, but if the checkbook is empty the money wont be forthcoming. Some folks dont understand that. The day after the House passed the budget Will Guzzardi, a Democratic legislator from Chicago, issued a press release. "Chicago legislative delegation secures additional $455 million in CPS funding," was the headline. The press release goes on to quote several Chicago Democratic legislators basically patting themselves on the back for bringing additional money to Chicago schools. The release does note that the budget negotiations arent over and that there is "work to be done." It also omits any mention that taxpayers will pay for this "additional money." However, the most striking part of the release is that its a false promise. The budget bill passed by the House makes no provisions for bringing in the additional revenues to pay for the expenses. The House budget promises to spend money the state simply doesnt have. And, the state wont have the money unless Democrats find the political will to support their spending plans with what would be the largest tax rate in the states history. Its estimated that the proposed budget would cost the annual Illinois family an additional $1,000. If that doesnt happen, then the "additional $455 million," wont happen. The state will reduce what it pays to schools, delay the payment of even more bills and will sink further into debt. Guzzardi and his fellow Democrats know this. But they are hoping that citizens dont make the connection. Its dishonest and is a disservice to hard-working taxpayers. But its Illinois. While were giving out civics lessons, lets talk about Decatur taxes. There seems to be a lot of folks that are quick to blame City Manager Tim Gleason for the citys recent tax increases. Several letters to the editor have claimed that all Gleason has done since arriving in town is fire Police Chief Brad Sweeney and raise taxes. Gleason is responsible for the firing of Sweeney. In my view, as someone whos managed folks for more than 25 years, Sweeney had issues that needed to be addressed. Every manager has to make the decision on when an employees performance reaches the point where they should be disciplined, or dismissed. Gleason made his decision. The tax issue, however, isnt as direct. As city manager, Gleason can propose taxes, but its the city council that approves tax increases. In the city budget, Gleason saw some problems and proposed to the council some tax increases to address the issues he saw. In the gas tax scenario, the council asked for that tax in order to fund street improvements. Its the council that raises taxes. The council made some modifications to the tax increase proposals. The groups also could have asked Gleason to find another way to fund government services. Instead, they agreed to raise taxes. Again, reasonable people can disagree whether the tax increases were the best decision. However, if youre looking for someone to blame for your tax bill, your focus should be on the elected officials. A budget, according to Dictionary.com is "an estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense for a given period in the future." Maybe someone should loan House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, a smartphone so he can look the word up. Maybe that someone should be Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, who voted for the phony scam that House Democrats called a budget. Whatever the House approved on Wednesday, and then again on Thursday after they didnt follow their own rules, is not a budget. It includes spending figures that add up to $39 billion. The revenues are estimated at about $32 billion. Thats $7 billion out of balance. Comptroller Leslie Munger said to make up that difference would force a tax rate of 5.5 percent on Illinois residents, the highest tax rate in the states history. This budget would require a $1,000 tax hike on the average Illinois family. Anyone got an extra grand they want to send to our dysfunctional government? The Madigan plan includes an additional $700 million for education, but that is more of a political ploy than an actual pledge. Madigan included that amount to dare Gov. Bruce Rauner to veto the bill and risk schools not opening in the fall. However, schools cant be counting on that money. Promising money the state doesnt have is dishonest. Even the process used to pass this budget was pathetic. Madigan started Wednesday afternoon by saying that the bi-partisan working groups werent making progress. The group was working on compromises; Madigan just didnt like the results. He then pushed a 500-page budget through the House in a couple of hours. In fact, the budget was pushed through so fast that the House didnt follow its own rules and had to vote on the budget again on Thursday morning. This phony product now goes to the Senate, where we hope the legislators are more reasonable. There is hope; many Democratic Senators have said that the House budget isnt acceptable. Rauner has vowed to veto the budget if it gets to his desk, which is the only reasonable response. The House showed an amazing lack of accountability and leadership. If Madigan, Scherer and the other Democrats want to spend $39 billion next fiscal year, they should also be willing to pass the tax increases necessary to fund that amount. A word about Scherer, who has claimed she is independent of Madigan and in the last election vowed to work to bring jobs to this area. Her voting record, when it counts, proves that she either agrees with Madigan or is doing this bidding. This budget does absolutely nothing to encourage job growth and the accompanying tax increase would hinder job development. Theres a lot of disappointing aspects to this fiasco, but perhaps the most upsetting is that Madigan and his fellow Democrats fail to understand how flawed their approach to government has become. Madigan and his cohorts may think they are "protecting" the middle class, but in reality they are hurting the middle class and driving them out of the state. They are also harming the unfortunate that rely on state services. The state is virtually bankrupt and promising to spend money that the state doesnt have is the height of irresponsibility. A model of a high-speed train is seen outside of a 2009 press conference where then-Gov. Jim Doyle announced Wisconsin's partnership with the Spanish train manufacturer Talgo. But after Scott Walker was elected governor, he nixed the plan. In the global competition for economic prosperity, some places are positioned to perform better than others. Thats the natural order of things. However, even those places with the tools to compete must remind others about the elements of their strategic edge. Thats not bragging, which many people in Wisconsin find hard to do, but marketing, which is essential in an ever-changing world. The Why Wisconsin? theme of the June 7-8 Entrepreneurs Conference in Madison is aimed at telling the story actually, multiple stories about why the state is the right place for businesses to launch, grow and succeed. Some of the reasons are broad but not always well known. Theres more startup capital in Wisconsin today than five, 10 or 15 years ago; the states national and international connections are extensive; its K-12 schools, colleges and universities stack up well by most U.S. standards; natural resources such as land and water are abundant; the overall quality of life is high; the state over-performs as a hub for research and development; and it has a pool of talented people. Other reasons are more specific and tied to stories best told by companies and people whose testimonials often resonate more deeply than simple facts and figures. Here are some of the stories that will be featured during the two-day conference at Madisons Alliant Energy Center: Comply365: Kerry and Dude Frank launched their mobile enterprise software business in the basement of their northern Illinois home but moved across the state line to Beloit to expand. Today, it employs more than 70 people and its software is used by about 840,000 people in several major industries, including airlines. Bright Cellars: A little more than a year ago, Bright Cellars graduated from the Wisconsin-based gener8tor program after launching in Boston. With help from investors, the company committed to staying in Milwaukee, where the monthly wine club is at home in a beer city. Understory: This weather data and analytics startup was born in Whitewater and Madison, moved to Boston after graduating from gener8tor and is back in Wisconsin after raising a major round of financing. Find out why the company left, returned and is putting down Badger roots after raising $7.5 million. PerBlue: One might not expect to see an innovative gaming company in Wisconsin, but thats exactly where you can find PerBlue. It grew from its roots on the UW-Madison campus to become the first mobile gamer to use GPS technology for a location-based, role-playing game. NeuWave Medical: Madison-based NeuWave Medical is a prime example of a homegrown company that has done what some economic development fishing expeditions fail to do: Reel in a big fish from a bigger pond. NeuWaves acquisition by Ethicon is a happy ending that should continue to pay dividends for Wisconsin. Those are stand-alone company success stories that emphasize why Wisconsin is fertile ground for companies that can launch here, move here, expand here, be acquired here and even move back here after nibbling greener pastures. Ten other panel discussions will build on the theme and offer hands-on advice. The Why Wisconsin story will also be told by people who have lived and worked outside Wisconsin but who bring valuable perspectives to the state. Erik Iverson will become managing director of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation in July with a track record as an intellectual property lawyer, a top manager at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and a leader at the Infectious Disease Research Institute in Seattle. Hell touch on why Wisconsin has what it takes in the public and private sectors to help solve global health problems. Patrick Quirk of California-based ORCA Equities is a leading example of a UW-Madison graduate who left Wisconsin after earning his engineering degree to pursue a career in software. Today, after a multi-billion-dollar string of company sales, acquisitions and mergers, hes back to talk about the growth potential for Wisconsins software companies. Evan Absher, the research and policy program officer for the Kansas City-based Kauffman Foundation, will talk about how Wisconsin can improve on its reputation as a place to start and grow a company. Why Wisconsin? The answer is why not if youre an entrepreneur looking for a place to launch, grow and succeed. There are no guarantees anywhere, but Wisconsin is becoming a better bet by the day. A pack of Sherman Middle School students gathered in a circle at Warner Park to share their constructions of cattails, grass, mud and sticks. Anke Keuser, a doctoral candidate in the Nelson Institutes Environment and Resources program at UW-Madison, pulled out boxes of blue, pink and yellow candy Peeps, saying she thought they made a fitting prize for a bird-nest-building competition. During the school year, the students made weekly excursions to Warner Park as part of a partnership between Sherman Middle School and the Nelson Institute. The program, begun in 2011, is designed to support park preservation, as well as to fill an important need in after-school programming by building a nature-mentoring relationship between the middle schoolers and a small group of UW-Madison seniors who serve as co-explorers. The program at Warner Park is just one of many in the greater Madison area designed to connect children to nature theres a website with a calendar of events at www.naturenet.org. But the programs focus on ethnically diverse students, many of whom live in poverty, is a rarity. That, however, might be changing. In February, Madison was selected as one of seven cities nationally to participate in an initiative to connect urban and minority children to nature. Created through a partnership between the National League of Cities and the Children & Nature Network, Cities Connecting Children to Nature is focused on getting urban youths to spend more time in green space. Selected from 43 applicants, each of the seven cities received a $25,000 planning grant, said Margaret Lamar, Children & Nature Networks director of strategic initiatives. Research indicates that childrens well-being is directly connected to access to nature, Lamar said. Children can experience physical and mental health benefits, as well as improved educational outcomes, she said. Lamar also noted that more time spent in green spaces has been shown to build a better sense of community in neighborhoods. Ensuring that all children have access to green space is seen as a way to improve the quality of life and boost success among urban youths, she said. While the movement to connect children to nature has existed as a grassroots initiative for years, Lamar said, the Children and Nature Network decided that to create tangible policy changes, it was necessary to involve city government. So the network reached out to partner with the National League of Cities. Nature is not always a top priority for cities, but it can be, Lamar said. Madison demonstrated that making nature accessible for all children was a priority, she said. Mary Michaud, director of Public Health Madison and Dane Countys Division of Policy, Planning & Evaluation, said the initiative recognizes Madisons existing approach to engaging youth in nature through programs like the one at Sherman Middle School. The citys natural environment and racial disparities made it a prime location for the planning grant, Michaud said. Local organizations, such as Public Health Madison and Dane County and Madison Parks, are collaborating to use the planning grant, she said. I think that what were finding is that theres a lot of interest and enthusiasm because people increasingly recognize the individual and community benefits of spending time in nature, Michaud said. Were hopeful that our partnership with Parks and all these other organizations will blossom. This summer, the initiative intends to hire six interns through the Wanda Fullmore Youth Internship Program. In order to decide how to prioritize potential neighborhoods for the initiative, Michaud said the interns will conduct interviews to capture community stories and then compare their anecdotal findings with Public Health data. (Theyre going to) go into the community and ask, Is this really how it is, or do you see something different? Michaud said. At the same time, Michaud said the interns will bring another perspective to the community design process: their own. If we can use this experience to grow our network of youth and young adults that live in the neighborhoods where neighborhood planning is going on, for example, theyll be a really instrumental voice in shaping how those neighborhoods evolve to be more healthy, to be more sustainable and to improve the quality of life for the people living there, Michaud said. Mark Wright was using a tractor to haul wood on his hilly property south of Mount Horeb this month when the tractor rolled over and crushed him to death. The 1950s tractor, like about half of the 200,000 tractors on farms in Wisconsin, didnt have a rollbar, which can greatly reduce the risk of injury or death when tractors overturn. A rollbar could have been a very important prevention piece, said Barbara Marlenga, of the National Farm Medicine Center at Marshfield Clinic. In 2013, the center started offering up to $865 to farmers in Wisconsin who add rollbars to their tractors. The device typically costs about $1,200. The rollover protective structure rebate program, funded by about $60,000 a year in donations, has helped pay for 144 retrofits, mostly in the central part of the state, Marlenga said. Marlenga said $200,000 in state funding would allow the program to expand statewide, an idea state Rep. Bob Kulp, R-Stratford, said he hopes to bring up in the next legislative session. Five other states Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont have similar programs, and Minnesota is considering one. Two receive state money: New York gets $250,000 a year, the same amount Minnesota lawmakers are seeking, and Massachusetts gets $25,000. At least 47 farmers in Wisconsin died from tractor rollovers from 2001 to 2010, said Cheryl Skjolaas, agriculture safety specialist with UW Extension. More recent data arent available. Nationally each year, tractor rollovers kill an estimated 96 farmers, making rollovers the leading cause of accidental death on farms, researchers reported in 2010 in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine. Manufacturers have equipped tractors with rollbars or cabs since 1985, but many tractors made before then dont have them, Marlenga said. A lot of farmers, especially those with small farms, use older tractors because they are cheaper, she said. Rollbars, combined with seat belts, can almost always prevent operators from being crushed if tractors overturn, she said. If we can get them to put these rollover protective structures on, we can eliminate these deaths and injuries and keep our farmers farming, Marlenga said. Wright, 54, wouldnt have qualified for a rebate because he wasnt a farmer. But his tractor, a Ford built in the 1950s, could have been retrofitted with a rollbar. On May 7, he was cutting and hauling wood on his land near Daleyville when his adult son went to check on him, according to a Dane County Sheriffs Office report. The son found the tractor tipped over on top of his father. The Dane County Medical Examiner said Wright died from injuries sustained from the rollover. Wright, a heavy equipment operator at Edgerton Contractors, had taken other precautions. He was wearing ear plugs, gloves, long pants and work boots, said Lt. R.J. Lurquin of the sheriffs office. Tony Schumacher, a dairy farmer from Rubicon, northwest of Milwaukee, had a rollbar put on his late 1970s tractor three years ago. He paid about $300 after getting a rebate through the Marshfield program. Its cheap money if it saves your life, Schumacher said. Anybody who has a chance to take part in it should. Kulp, whose legislative district includes Marshfield, said he was nearly killed as a child when he fell off a tractor on his familys farm in northern Indiana. His district has many small farms with old tractors that likely will be used for another generation, he said. Though the state budget has many competing demands, he said he will seek state funding next year for the rollbar rebate program. Theres no question about it, it makes tractors safer, Kulp said. SACRAMENTO, Calif. Memorial Day often takes me down heros highway. This particular highway consisted of about a hundred feet of concrete from the helicopter-landing pad into the back door of the Air Force Field Hospital in Balad, Iraq. I remember it well. I was the chaplain there in 2009. I met a lot of heroes, but those I remember today are those whose memorial services I conducted. We called these sacred soldier ceremonies patriot details, and they were usually conducted the hour after a soldier died. I officiated my first one on Jan. 10, 2009, for 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Justin Bauer. In the few minutes after Bauer was pronounced dead from a roadside bomb, our hospital commander sent word-of-mouth invitations for all hands available to quietly assemble in the emergency room. Thirty minutes later, I was standing before a hundred hastily assembled staff members, all soldierly quiet, as if waiting for permission to breathe. If the staff was expecting me to grant that permission, theyd keep waiting. I was having respiratory difficulties of my own, overcome by a self-imposed demand to make sense of it all. Hoping to find the right words, I patted my pockets, seemingly looking for my pastoral insight. I felt like a little boy digging for the candy money that emptied through a hole in my pocket. All my wisdom had escaped through a crack in my soul. I closed my eyes and silently begged God to give me something to say and to let my fears pass. My fears didnt pass, but I did feel some inspiration as I remembered a former supervisor who was fond of quoting Carl Jungs description of the wounded healer. The old chaplain often said it was a chaplains own hurt that gives a measure of his power to heal. I thought about the hurt my family would feel if this were my death, and I asked myself what I would want said. From a tight throat, I finally choked something out. Staff Sergeant Justin Bauer was one of us. In fact, we are also him. We didnt know him, but we are less without him today. I believe he knows our presence now, as he is now known by God. I closed the 15-minute ceremony with scripture and a prayer, even as I wondered if I should have said more. How could it be enough? But it had to be. It was all I had. My chaplain assistant, Technical Sgt. David Pastorius, barked, Ah-ten-SHUN! and cued the color guard to assemble around the body. They unfolded the American flag and snapped its corners tight, levitated it over Bauer and then released it until it shaped the body with a red-white-and blue silhouette. Taps played from a CD behind the nurses station, salutes were rendered by armed doctors and hardened veterans. The honor guard rolled the body from the emergency room, and I joined them as we made our way into the adjoining morgue. A few minutes later, a Special Forces medic found me talking outside the morgue with the honor guard. Hey, chaplain. One more thing, he said. None of us knew him, but we can still toast a fellow soldier. From a knapsack, he pulled a case of near beer, a product as close to alcohol as we could get in the combat theater. We each took a can and simultaneously popped the lids. The bursting lids reminded me of the synchronized breaking of communion wafers during worship. The first sip is for Bauer, he declared. Bauer! we said. Then the medic coaxed us to raise our cans above our head. We spill the beer the way Bauer spilled his blood, he said. The moment had all the liturgy of a Sunday Mass. We turned the cans on their side until several ounces muddied the dirt. Then the medic raised his can again, and said, To you. You are my brothers. His words reminded me of a priest raising the wine chalice and quoting Jesus: This is my blood which was spilled for you. The medic was right. None of us knew him, so we Googled his name in the days after our not-beer ceremony. We read that he was a 2002 graduate of Berthoud High, just north of Denver. He was a paratrooper, third-generation military and a second-generation firefighter. In between his two tours of Iraq, he married his high school sweetheart, Kari, just three months before his death. We also learned he was considered a hometown hero in his civilian role as a firefighter when he resuscitated a woman after a car accident. With that kind of heroics, we werent surprised that the military would award him the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Seven years ago this month, when I boarded my return flight to Sacramento, California, my replacement asked me where I found the emotional stamina to conduct nine patriot details. I told him that if people like Justin Bauer could do their job under the conditions they endured, then it was the least I could do to honor them. Today when people ask me why I volunteered to serve in a combat hospital, I cant easily answer them. Mostly, I tell them I needed to be an eyewitness to the honor, character and bravery of these soldiers. I needed to say that I traveled heros highway with them and stood on the sacred soil where they died. Gratefully, more than 97 percent of our soldier-patients went home on a plane much like mine. The other heroes, like Justin Bauer, went home under a flag. Memorial Day is their day. Remember them always.